a spiritual spicerie containing sundrie sweet tractates of devotion and piety. by ri. brathwait, esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a spiritual spicerie containing sundrie sweet tractates of devotion and piety. by ri. brathwait, esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . jacobus, de gruytrode, fl. - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by i. h[aviland] for george hutton at his shop within turning stile in holborne, london : . most of the material is translated from jacobus de gruytrode and other authors. with an additional title page, engraved: a spirituall spicerie; containing sundrie sweete tractats of devotion & piety. london. printed by i.h. for geo: hutton. at [drawing of a turning stile] in holb:. printer's name from stc. reproduction of the original in princeton theological seminary. library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng devotional literature. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a spiritval spicerie : containing sundrie sweet tractates of devotion and piety . by ri. brathwait , esq. cant. c. . . c. . . my welbeloved is as a bundle of myrrhe unto mee : he shall lye betweene my brests . his cheekes are as a bed of spices . london , printed by i. h. for george hutton at his shop within turning stile in holborne . . to the trvly ennobled , thomas , lord fauconberge , baron of yarom : together with his pious progeny , those succeeding branches of a prospering family : r. b. zealously dedicates this spirituall spicerie . vpon the translation of his divine dialogue . to you ( my lord ) who knowes th' originall , this may seeme fruitlesse ; yet these sacred flowres , like a bride-posie at a nuptiall , may tender choice content to some of yours , which blest effect would crowne this worke of ours : that we should be so happy as to give where we do love , rules how to dye and live . " which for his sake we aske that is our saviour , " that we may live in 's feare , dye in his favour . a title-table ; or short summarie of all such tractates , meditations , prayers , contemplations , and motives to piety , as are comprised within this spirituall spicerie . a divine dialogue ; or a comfortable conference betwixt our saviour and a sinner : with the life of gr●ytrodius , the author : professant of a strict disciplinary order . page . a familiar expostulation of the flesh , to god the father , touching c●rist . pag. . an answer of the father to the flesh. p. . a pithy meditation upon this expostulation and answer , to inflame the soule with a devout fervour . p. . generall rules of living well . p. . the sorrowfull soules solace . p. . a meditation referring to the former ejaculation . p. . mans-mutability . p. . minds-tra●quillity . pag. . a me●itation containing the praise of peace , and her beautie . p. . christian philosophy . p. the soules jubilee . p. . the christian store-house . p. . man his owne foe . p. . two devout prayers , or meditations of f. lewis of granado . p. . & . a short and fruitfull confession of a sinner unto god , for obtaining contrition . p. . a confession of sinnes . p. . a prayer before the holy communion . p. . a prayer after celebration of the holy communion . p. . an other prayer . p. . a prayer for all judges , and justiciaries . p. . a prayer for peace or tranquillity of minde . p. . of the presence of the conscience in every place . p. . a pithy consideration inforcing in us to the former subject a more serious meditation . p. . a closing sonnet upon these miscellane meditations . p. . a reply to a rigid precisian , rendring him in a sententions sapphicke of the poet , all satisfaction . p. . a christian diall ; which may serve well to shadow out our houres , number our dayes , direct our wayes , contract our yeares , and regulate our desires . p. . the life of ioannes lanspergius , a carthusian ; author of that christian diall . p. . a briefe institution , with an exer●ise for an happie dea●h : expressed in a familiar conference betwixt god and the soule . wholesome admonitions , teaching a christian how to dye well . p. . an exercise , whereby ●arely , or whensoever thou willest , thou maist poure out thy heart unto god , for a good death . p. . an oblation of christ and his meri●s to his father . p. . the dying mans diary , or a christians memento mori ; divided into a five dayes exercise . p. . profitable counsell for one approaching neare the point of death . p. . an exercise , wherein the sicke person with sighes and groanes , may resigne himselfe unto god , and ●ervently desire , that he may deserve to be joyned unto him . p. . a christians last-will , or testament ; containing a protestation or testament , not unprofitable to be repeated , or meditated of every christian at the point of death . p. . an elegie of saint dionysius , of the judgement of death . p. . an epistle of ludovious blosius , written to an especiall friend , upon the perfecting and publishing of his worke entituled , the parlour of the soule . p. . certaine choice or select sayings of d. henricus suso : of the love of the world , and of the love of god. p. . of the passion of our lord. p. . of the holy eucharist . p. . of resigning , denying , and mortifying ones selfe . p. . the passionate● pilgrim ; breathing a contemplative mans exercise : off●ring a p●nitent soules sacrifice . p. . deaths memoriall . p. . deaths distinction . p. . holy memorialls ; or heavenly memento's . p. . of his conception . memoriall i. ibid. of his birth . memoriall ii. p. . of his childhood . memoriall iii. p. . of his youth . memoriall iv. p. . of his manhood . memoriall v. p. . of his age. memoriall vi. p. . his pleasures . memoriall vii . p. . his labours . memoriall viii . p. . his life . memoriall ix . p. . his death . memoriall . x. p. . the life of jacobus gruytrodius , author of this divine dialogue : or christian manuall , faithfully rendred according to the originall . iacobus gruytrodius , a german , a man singularly versed divine and humane learning : and opposite in constancy of opinion , and consonancie of doctrine , to those surreptitious errours of the time ; who , as hee had commendably passed his youth in the liberall sciences , so hee consecrated and happily bestowed the residue of his time to the honour of god , in a devout privacie : having his pen ever vers'd in works of devotion and piety : never in arguments of division or controversy . he lived in the yeare m. cccc.lxxii . a divine dialogue ; or a comfortable conference betwixt our saviour , and a sinner . sinner . pardon mee ( i beseech thee ) my most gracious lord jesu christ , thy most unworthy and unhappy servant , desirous to talke a while with thee , and of thee . christ. why , who art thou ? sinner . a sinfull man , who unhappily and rashly have fallen into the misery , and filthinesse of sundry sinnes , and much more unhappily am ready to fall into eternall misery , and calamity after the end of this life . christ. thou needest not feare this fearfull fall , if thou wilt but doe so much as truly repent thee of thy sinnes committed , and henceforth abstaine from those sinnes whereof thou hast repented . for i , most tender in my compassion towards thee , out of meere love descended from the royall throne of mine high glory , to unmeasurable dolour and anxiety , all which i willingly suffered in my flesh , in my mind , in my members , and senses , to the end that i might deliver thee from the eternall torments of hell , and bestow on thee the joy of heaven . doubt nothing therefore touching thine offences : i will forget them all , so thou forget thine evill affection , and depraved custome . i will forget , ( i say ) and blot out thine iniquity , and as farre distant as the east is from the west , so farre will i divide thee from thy sinne : i will cleanse thee : neither will i cease till i fulfill thee throughout : that , where sin hath abounded , grace likewise may superabound . yet i would beloved , i would be trusted , i would with sighs and teares be intreated , than which no sweeter melody can unto me be tendred . sinner . o my crucified jesu , i know i am dearer to thee than i am to my selfe ; for to thee i am alwayes deare , who ( as it is written ) lovest all things that are , and hatest nothing of those which thou hast made . but man is not alwaies equally deare to himselfe as he is unro thee : because hee that loveth iniquity , hateth his own● soule . christ. this have i shewn in the continuall sorrowes of my whole cru●ified life . for i received the crosse of my passion in the womb of my mother , and continually bore it in my heart , and confirmed it with much austerity in my body . so as that i might purposely shew the unmeasurablenesse of the sorrowes of my soule ; my finall passion then approaching , it was my will to sweat blood thorow all my members , and that , ( which lay hid as a secret of my crucifying , from the wombe of my mother ) with sensible signes , to reveale to my faithfull ones , which seemed fittest to be at my passage , and poin● of death . sinner . i conceive ( my good jesu ) how in that bloudy sweat , with which thou wert deep-died and engrained in all thy members , thy blessed soule wholly suffered , because it is whole in every part of the body , yea and the very life of the body . but tell me what thou requirest of me , for so great anguish continually sustained for me ? christ. onely to love me againe . for to this end have i suffered my passion , that i might purchase thy affection . sinner . surely most worthy art thou to bee loved , because thou art good in thy selfe : and none good but god alone : and because thou art the lord , delivering from the power and slavery of the devill : and because thou art god , forgiving sinnes , which none forgiveth but god alone : and because thou lovest those that love thee : whence it is that thou sayest , i love those that love mee : and because thou hearest those that begge of thee : whence one saith , i have loved the lord , because hee will heare mee . thou also , as the peace of charity , comming into the world , to warme and inflame the cold and lukewarme , hast said , i came , that they might have life : to wit , the life of grace in this life , and more abundantly , to wit , of glory in the life to come . christ. surely there is nothing , which may so inflame the fire of gods love in thy heart , as a continuall consideration and meditation of this speech of mine : i came , that they might have life , and that more abundantly . and of that much like unto this : so god loved the world , as he gave his onely begotten sonne . sinner . truly wretched and miserable is hee , in whose heart the fire of love is not kindled , when hee considereth these things , wherein the charity of god hath chiefly appeared . but , ô thou only begotten of god , suffer not my heart to bee so frozen , or benummed with this icy congelation , but rather through thy mercy , in the remembrance of these thy words , like snow melting by the heat of the sunne , let me say with that princely prophet : my heart is become as melting wax . christ. humane impiety before the time of my passion , tooke occasion of being unthankfull : for man being created , but not as then redeemed , said , i am no more bound to god , than other creatures be : for he spake the word , and i was made ; hee hath bestowed no more labour on me than any other brute creature . but now the mouth of these that speak wickedly is stopped , and no place now is left for unthankfulnesse . for i have laboured more in the sole redemption of man , than in the whole frame and fabrick of the world. for of a master i became a servant , of rich poore , of immortall mortall , of the word flesh , of the sonne of god the son of man : i suffered reproaches of such as upbraided me , i suffered underminers in my works , contradicters in my words , scorners in my woes , necessities of the flesh , horrour of death , ignominy of the crosse. sinner . o how admirable was this love ! what shall i render to my lord , for all his sorrowes ? christ. if thou recall to mind , how great things the lord of majesty , the sonne of god suffered for thee , though thou should●t dye a thousand deaths , yet wert thou not equally sufficient to answer me : for the estimate of so great a benefit , exceedeth all meanes of requitall . sinner . as thou best knowest , how much i owe unto thee , the lord of glory , who subjectedst thy self to death for me , that i might enjoy that happinesse , which neither eye hath seene , nor eare hath heard : recount unto me , i beseech thee , the reasons which caused that most dolorous paine in thy most holy soule . for thou saidst , right now , that in the wombe of thy blessed mother , thou receivedst the crosse of thy passion , and bore it continually to the houre of thy dissolution . christ. to this end , that thou mightst by affection & compassion become an acceptable sacrifice unto god , wholly inflamed with the fire of charity , all the rust and rubbish of sin being consumed , and wasted : consider diligently with a lively heart , how i suffred a double martyrdome ; one in my body , another in my soule or spirit . as touching the martyrdome of my body consider , that there was never the suffering of any martyr so sharp , so painfull , that it might be compared with my suffering : which i will prove unto thee , by authority , by signe , by reason . first , by authority . for i my selfe crying out of the greatnesse of my sorrows , said , o all yee , who passe by this way , consider and see , if ever there were sorrow like unto my sorrow ! as if i should have said , there was never any . secondly , by signe ; forasmuch as there were never so many signes seene in the martyrdome of any , as at my passion , implying the sharpnesse and painfulnesse of it : to wit , when the sunne was darkned , the earth moved , &c. as if by the dolorous clamours of my passion they had conceived a sense of devout compassion , bemoning me the son of god , hanging on the crosse. for it was not in the creature to indure the injury done to the creatour . wherein wicked and obdurate hearts are justly reproved , who will not be wrought to compassion , nor softned with a pious devotion , in the remembrance of my death . thirdly , i prove unto thee the bitternesse of my passion by reason . forasmuch as my complexion was most excellent , both by reason of the incorruption of my flesh , as also by reason ofthe of the most proportionable union or mixture of the elementary qualities . for i tooke corruptible flesh of the virgin , for the freeing of all originall sinne , that is , of inordinate concupiscence . now to such a complexion , was required comelinesse of beauty , and strength of body . because therefore , by how much more proportionable the union is of those elements and qualities , whereof man is composed and compacted : by so much more difficulty , and violently is he dissolved : hence it appeareth , that the separation of my body and soule was more painfull , than the death of others . also my blessed flesh , by how much more it was freer from all spot or blemish of sin : by so much also it became more * sensible of torments . now concerning my spirituall martyrdome , which i suffered in my soule ( as i said before unto thee ) it began at such time as i was first conceived in the wombe of my mother , or that my soule was infused into my body : and continued without intermission . yeeres and a halfe , till such time as my soule was separated from my body upon the crosse. so as , i became a martyr even in the wombe of my mother . wherfore i was not so much as one moment , without the most bitter martyrdome of my spirit : because whatsoever i suffered in the night when i was taken , or the day following when i was slaine , in mocking , reviling , spitting , nayling , and stretching upon the crosse , &c. this throughly and wholly my most holy soule long before suffered . but thou art especially to consider , that those dolorous piercing darts of the virgin , my blessed mother , became the excessivest object of my sorrowes ; who having a tender and respective eye to all my dolours , in perfect charity , as became the condition of her motherly excellency , so much grieved for my sorrowes , as was sitting for such a woman to grieve . and all the sorrowes of my mother , continually wounded my mind . so as , my mothers crosse ministred unto mee a new crosse. another object of my continuall sorrow , was all those martyrdomes which were at any time done , or to bee done upon any of mine elect for me . so as , in very truth i say unto thee , that all those paines , griefes , tribulations , persecutions , and miseries , which any man was to suffer , or should suffer aswell in body , as in soule , from adam , even to the very last man , that shall bee borne to the end of the world : all these i suffered alwayes in my soule must fully , and through my compassion they did more hurt me , and more sharply grieve me , than any mans corporall paine , which hee actually suffereth , ever personally did . and there are two causes which give sufficient testimony of the truth hereof . one is , because i , in the glasse or mirrour of my divinity did behold all things created and to bee created , things past , present , and to come , which were to me present . and i , from the very first instant of the infusion of my soule into my body , began alwayes to observe , till such time as i gave up my ghost upon the crosse , all the paines which i was to endure , and whatsoever all my elect from the beginning of the world , had at any time suffered , and such as being not yet borne , were to suffer , even to the end of the world : all this i suffered in the inferiour faculties of my soule . and in each of these was i more inwardly and grievously tormented in my spirit , than any one could be in his owne proper body , at such time as hee is to suffer tortures or torments . another cause which procured so great paine in my spirit , was abundant love . for love begetteth griefe and heavinesse in the spirit : so as , by how much thy love towards me was more intensive or greater , by so much more is thy soule tormented with my death and passion . and because i have alwaies and above comparison loved thee , and every man , more than hee can love himselfe , therefore have i suffered greater paine than all that which any one hath ever suffered upon earth , or was to suffer , or shall suffer to the end of the world . thou knowest , that when paul had consented to the death and stoning of stephen , and did persecute christians , i said unto him , saul , why persecutest thou me ? and yet he persecuted not me in my owne proper person , but in the persons of my beloved friends ; because what good or evill soever befalleth my friends , befalle●h me . and this proceedeth from the great love which i beare unto men . thus therefore maist thou consider , how and by what meanes my passion exceeded in paine the passions of all that ever suffered , or shall suffer , because i suffered both in my body and soule , and that immaculate , and by nature delicate , and for so long time , to wit , for thirty foure yeeres did i suffer martyrdom in my spirit , both for my selfe and all my elect. laurence in one night was broyled on a gridiron ; bartholomew in one day was slaine ; katherine in one houre was broken on a wheele , &c. all these tortures never hurt any one of them so much in their owne bodies , as they tormented me in my soule , for thirty foure yeeres . whence isay , truly he hath suffered for our infirmities , and borne our sorrowes . and therefore , i could never laugh , but often weepe , appearing as one of forty yeeres , when i was scarce thirty . which came to passe , by reason of the continuall justice , which i incessantly bore for my passion that was to come , and the suffering of my elect , which i alwaies clearly beheld , and painfully suffered by strength of imagination . whereupon i oftimes said unto my father , many are my grones : and my heart is sorrowfull . to thee likewise doe i say , that thou maist bee moved with compassion and affection towards mee , that my life is waxen old with heavinesse , and my yeeres with mourning . sinner . surely , o my good jesu , as i have heard and understood , no conceit can sufficiently apprehend the depth of those anguishes and sorrowes of thy most holy soule , nor griefes and passions of thy body . but a very deepe question doth trouble my mind , to wit , how heavinesse , paine , or anguish could befall thy blessed soule , seeing it was alwaies in great joy through contemplation of thy divinitie , which was so amiable to behold , that if the damned in hell could but behold the amiable countenance of god , as the blessed spirits doe in the kingdome of heaven ; they could bee tormented by no griefe , nor heavinesse , either by the fire of hell , or sight of the devils in hell . christ. it is true , that my pure and blessed soule was glorified , albeit my body was mortall . for my soule , from the very instant of her conception , and ever after , even when i was upon the crosse , was as * glorious , and in as great joy and delight , in respect of her superiour faculties , as she is at this day in heaven , sitting at the right hand of god my father . but in respect of her inferiour faculties , she was in a continuall and incessant heavinesse , and sorrow for the causes aforesaid . which could not bee by course or order of nature , that in one and the selfe-same soule together , and at once , there should be so great joy , and so great heavinesse , for this was miraculous and supernaturall . because , according to the course of nature , joy and delight doe expell sorrow and griefe , so as they cannot suffer together in one and the selfe-same soule . and to the end , thou maist more clearely understand these things , i would have thee to know , that the source and fountaine of all my sorrowes , was that high and ineffable divine dispensation , whereby it was forbid mee , that the influence of my glorie , and fruition thereof , which were in the superiour faculties of my soule , should redound to the inferiour , for otherwise shee had felt no sorrow . but because this influence was by the divine dispensation prohibited mee , therefore did i at once perfectly enjoy all joy , according to the superiour faculties , and perfectly suffer and become most vehemently afflicted , according to the inferiour faculties . and thus miraculously hath the power of my father , joyned anguish with greatest sweetnesse , and highest power with lowest weaknesse . because that this influence prohibited me , was altogether repugnant to the course of nature . for naturall it is , and according to the course of nature , that the superiour powers or faculties redound to the inferiour , and the inferiour have impression in the superiour . and by how much this dispensation was more wonderfull , by so much was my sorrow more sharpe and dolefull . thou art to know also , that i kept my naturall strength during my passion , even to the point of death . whereby it followeth , that my passion was more dolorous . sinner . surely , hee is worthy of death , who refuseth to live to thee , my lord jesu , who laidst down thy life for us . yea , though alive , yet he is * dead , who in the remembrance of thy most bitter continuall passion , and representation of thy crucifying , beareth not thy pricks in his body , by sharpnesse of repentance : and upon the altar of his heart , crucifieth not himselfe for thee , by making a crosse for himselfe to represse carnall delights . christ. he that will come after mee , let him deny himselfe , and take up his crosse dayly , and follow me . sinner . o jesu , the power of god , and the wisdome of god , give me the understanding of these words . christ. in these my words , i have proposed three things to a reasonable man , made to the image of god ; to wit , * servitude , lowlinesse , sharpnesse . servitude is implyed in denying himselfe : lowlinesse , in bearing of my crosse : sharpnesse , in imitation of mee . that hee , who by disobedience fell from the state of a threefold felicity , might rise againe by obedience , being humbled with the affliction of a threefold misery . for he had fallen from himselfe , from society of the angels , from the sight of god , that is , from dignity , liberty , felicity . let him therefore heare my counsell , that by denying himselfe , that is , his owne proper will , hee may regaine his owne liberty ; by taking up his crosse , that is , by chusing to bee contemned , and disvalued by others , hee may regaine the angels society : by following me , that is , by imitating the steps of my passion , by chastising of his flesh , he may regaine the sight of my glory . sinner . truly , it is meet and right , yea necessary , that they suffer with thee , who will reigne with thee , that they imitate thee , who will enjoy thee . christ. happy is this sentence of thine owne mouth . happy , yea three and fourefold happy is he , who alwaies considereth how strait and narrow , how bitter and sharpe the way is , which leadeth to life , when it behoued me to suffer , that i might enter into my glory . if i bought my owne glory at so high a rate : who shall have it altogether freely , and for nothing ? therefore , there is no other way , by which thou canst come to the heavenly reward , but by labours and afflictions . that rich man , who chastised not himselfe with labours of repentance in this world , is now in eternall paine in hell . but the poore man , with the dolour and labour of this miserable life , hath purchased a crowne of eternall glory . sinner . woe is mee , that i am allured with the sweetnesse of carnall delights , and deceived with the vanity of secular joyes ; when as i ought to imitate thee , whom i read to have oft sorrowed and lamented , but once in spirit to have rejoyced . mary thy virgin-mother once rejoyced in a so●g . o how of●en hath the sword of sorrow gone thorow her soule ! iohn , thy forerunner , paterne and preacher of repentance , rejoyced once in his mothers wombe , but how often may wee well beleeve that hee lamented after his comming from her wombe ? christ. when i hung upon the crosse , i promised paradise to none , but one that was upon the crosse. such are upon the crosse , who cruci●ie their flesh , with the vices and concupiscences thereof . upon the crosse also i prayed onely for such as sinned negligently , not for such as sinned wittingly . for so long as they are such sinners , they are excluded from the embraces of me that was crucified ; who with hands spred upon the crosse , embraced all , for whom i suffered . if thou wilt therefore ascend after me , and reigne in heaven with mee , thou must follow mee by the way of the * crosse , by which i have entred into my glory . look for no easier way ; in the way which i have gone before thee , thou must follow . for if thou stray from my steps , thou shalt perish . attend diligently , that thou maist know , by what way thou maist ascend into heaven . at such time as i came into the world , i descended by a * ladder that had three steps , to wit , of humility , whence it is read of me , thou shalt finde the babe : of poverty , whence it followeth in the same place , wrapped in cloaths : and of austerity , as ensueth , laid in a manger . and by these steps i afterwards returned to heaven . these steps mine excellent apostle paul intimateth , writing thus of me ; he emptied himselfe , behold the step of poverty ! taking vpon him the forme of a servant : behold the step of humility ! becomming obedient even unto death : behold the step of austerity ! but whither hath this ladder of three steps brought mee ? heare what followeth . for this cause therefore hath the lord exalted him , and given him a name which is above all names . fooles therefore and mad-men are they , who would ascend up into heaven after me by a ladder that hath steps contrary to these ; to wit , by richesse , delights , and honours . surely , this ladder leadeth to hell , as the first did to heaven . sinner . it is a great shame for the servant to bee feasting and idling , while his master is suffering and labouring . christ. whosoever devoutly meditateth of this my passion , cannot but bee ashamed to follow the pleasure of the flesh . the memory of my crucifying , crucifie●h all vices . in the paines of my passion , all the delights of the flesh , and of the world are condemned : which , if thou wouldest subdue without difficulty , thou must devoutly remember my passion , and sweetly delighting thy selfe in it , sincerely cleave to my wounds ; yea , if thou wouldst foile and resist the devill , who especially pursueth and persecuteth the religious , and restraine him from annoying thee , thou oughtest dayly and devoutly to remember my passion . but necessary it is , that they imprint the example and fimilitude of my crucifying in their manners , who imprint the signe of my crosse for their defence in their foreheads ; that by his law they may bee formed , by whose faith they are armed . for otherwise , he disloyally beareth the stampe of his king , whose will he doth not observe . neither doth hee rightly protect himselfe with his signe , whose command he doth not obey . sinner . o good jesu , vouchsafe to bestow on my hearing a fuller joy , by recounting to mee thy most unworthy sinner , the rest of those benefits and fruits , arising from the dayly remembrance of thy most holy passion . christ. the memory of my death , by a dayly ruminating thereof , ought to burne upon the altar of thy mind , for many reasons . first , because thou canst doe nothing more acceptable unto mee , than to exercise thine heart in my most holy passion , with love , compassion , reverence , and imitation . whereof thou canst not doubt , being assured thereof by many authorities of holy scripture . wherefore i doe advise thee to stamp my painfull love , and loving paine in thy soule , and to be thankfull unto me , saying : * set me , as a signet , upon thine heart : as if he should say , love mee , as i love thee . remember not onely how great things i have done for thee , but how sharpe and unworthy things i have suffered for thee , and see if thou doest not give mee an ill requitall , if thou doest not love mee . for tell mee , who loves thee as i doe ? who desireth to be loved of thee , as i doe ? set me , therefore , as a signet upon thine heart , that thou maist love me with all thy strength : upon thine arme , that thou maist performe those things which please mee with all thine affection : upon thine heart , that whatsoever is deare unto thee , thou maist set aside for me , and alwaies preferre me , and alwaies more and more love me . secondly , thou oughtst continually to remember my passion , because by it thou art led by the hand to the love of god. for by my passion , i have shewne to thee the quantity of my affection . and love deserveth love againe . understand what i say ; i would not reedeme man with praier , for so oft times man freeth man from captivity . nor with the price of gold and silver : for so sheep and oxen are bought : but with the price of my bloud , that by the price of the thing bought , my love might bee weighed . do not therfore dis-esteeme thy worth : consider oft times thy price . if i had redeemed man with gold or silver , it might have beene thought , that the soule of man had beene comparable ● to temporall riches . that which is redeemed , is more precious than that by which it is redeemed : therefore the soule of man is more precious than my bloud . thirdly , ●or stirring of devotion ; whence it was that sampson found an honeycombe in the mouth of a dead li●n . i am the lion of the tribe of iud● , in whose death the honeycombe of devotion is found , wherewith the spirit of man is refreshed . o that thou wouldst seriously consider , how upon the crosse my mouth appeared like one halfe-alive , open , and my tongue bloudy ; surely , if thou hadst an heart of iron , it would have melted with compassion and devotion . the fourth fruit arising from the memory of my passion is , that in it is found a guard of defence against all enemies . whereupon my apostle peter ; christ suffered for you , arme your selves likewise with the same mind . and i say ; enter into the rocke . as a souldier , who unable to withstand his enemy in the field , flyeth to his tents . briefly , the * enemy shall prevaile nothing against him , whom the daily exercise of my passion doth delight . the fifth is , because with no exercise is man so much enriched as with my merits , applied to him , and made his , by the hand of faith ; for the foundation of all grace , and the root of merit , ( as it hath sole relation to me , and derived to man by faith in me ) consisteth in the sorrow of heart and body , for my crosse. for this cause mine elect apostle said ; i have esteemed my selfe to know nothing , but jesus christ , and him crucified . and that devout sonne of my blessed mother , bernard , * it is my highest philosophy ( said hee ) to know crist jesus , and him crucified . but thou oughtst to grieve , because there are many enemies of my crosse. for the lovers of pleasures are my persecutours ; they are guilty of my death , not as authors or fautors , but as contemners 〈◊〉 my death : these are they , who make the merit of my passion in them of no effect ; who make themselves unworthy of mine heavenly blessing , & unspeakable glory : who living in their delights , laugh at the mysterie of my passion ; who tread mee the sonne of god under their feet , and lay reproach upon the spirit of grace . a carnall life is an injury unto god , contempt of my crosse , and redoundeth to the contumely of all the blessed trinitie . the sixt is , the allaying of the labours and dolours encountring man in his way of repentance , and life of religion . for a devout faithfull souldier hath no feeling of his owne wounds , when hee seeth the wounds of his loving captaine . and to this end have i contemned all earthly goods , that i might shew how they were to bee contemned : and sustained all adverse things , that i might teach how they were to bee sustained . the seventh is , the extinguishing of carnall desires : for with the sight of my passion , whatsoever is carnal● decreaseth . the eighth is , the stirring of compunction and repentance for sinues . for who is he that grieveth not highly , when he recals to mind how his sinnes were so odious to god the father , that for taking them away , he would have his beloved sonne crucified and put to death ? the ninth is , the begetting of good hope and considence : for in my crosse the sinner hath his sanctuary , as a murderer flying for refuge to the church-yard . nothing is so bitter even unto death , which may not be cured by my death : i have changed the sentence of thy eternall punishment , into the crucifying of my body , subject to a dolorous languishment . for i , in that sentence which pilat pronounced against me , taking upon me , the person of all sinners , to purge their sins wherein they had long laboured , was adjudged to death for all sinners . sinner . i conceive and contemplate by this which thou ( my good jesu ) hast said , that albeit this sentence was very unjust , and therefore execrable in respect of thee , because man had no power over god , the wicked over the just : yet in respect of us , it was manifold common modious and profitable : and the reason hereof is amiable and venerable ; because hee wholly reversed that sentence pronounced upon the first man , for sinne . for the sentence of a dolefull exclusion was denounced against him . whence it is written , the lord cast out man from the paradise of pleasure , and set an angell to keepe the way of the tree of life . but happy and honourable was thy sentence , because 〈◊〉 called back a banish'd man , for by this sentence the sonne for the servant was injuriously cast out of his inheritance , by the husbandmen of the vineyard , the law of moses . therefore thy apostle saith , that jesus might sanctifie us , hee suffered without the gate . and well it was that he suffered without , that he might bring us back againe to within : for we have entrance by his bloud . but i beseech thee ( most loving jesu ) from the very inward affection of mine heart , by those paines , with which , as with most sharp arrowes , thy most sweet heart was pierced , and those of the virgin thy blessed mother , at the hearing of that sentence of thycondemnation ; that i may deserve through thy merits , to be delivered in the houre of my death , and the last day of judgement , from thatsharp and terrible word of the sentence of eternall damnation , which thou wilt thunder out against the reprobates : depart from me yee cursed into everlasting fire , prepared for the devill and his angels . christ. happy is he , from whose memory the last judgement never departeth , that by the feare thereof , hee may preserve his life from naughtinesse and pleasure of the flesh . for surely , that judgement is highly to be feared , wherin all things are made manifest without witnesses , where the hoast of all the angels and saints shall stand round about , and every creature shall tremble with exceeding feare , before my tribunall seat . what will they say then , who in this short time have lived negligently and carelesly ? meane time i expect you patiently , and invite you all to my kingdome lovingly . time will come , when i shall require an account of you , for this your negligence , and shall say unto you , for you am i made crooked , for you ( i say ) am i made crooked upon the earth , for you am i scourged , for you with spittings defiled , for you is my face buffeted , for you am i unjustly condemned , for you am i crucified , for you upon wood am i hanged , with gall am i fed , and with vinegar quenched , that i might make you all saints eternally crowned . i have called you all my brethren , i have offered you to my father , i have sent you my holy spirit , i have promised sed to you paradise . what should i have done more , and i have not done it , that ye might be saved ? tell me ye sinners : what have yee suffered for me your governour , who when i was just , suffered so great things for your sakes ? these truly shall bee demands proper for that day of judgement . sinner . alas , miserable wretch that i am , what shall i say , or what shall i doe , when i shall not bee able to shew ought that is good before so great a judge ? christ. amend thy life , while time is : change thy manners , overcome evill temptations by resisting , punish sinnes committed by lamenting . let thy sinne find thee here a punisher , that thou maist find me there no judge but a saviour . if thou doest these things faithfully and with constant affiance , thou shalt bee secure in the terrible day of vengeance . neither let the greatnesse of thy sinnes terrifie thee : for i am much more mercifull , than thou art finfull . surely great is thy misery , but infinite is my mercy . if thou bee asinfull man , i am the lamb of god , that taketh away the sins of the world : who came not to call the just , but sinners . in a word , more mercy and love shalt thou finde in mee , than thou darest either hope for , or wish for . a familiar expostulation of the flesh , to god the father , ●ouching christ . by 〈…〉 booke en●●●led stimulus amoris . cap. xiv . give eare , how the flesh lifteth up the soule against the spirit , contemplatively raised , yea even against christ. for , saith the flesh : i preferre my complaint to thee god the father , just and of infinite mercy , touching thy sonne ; beseeching thee , that thy justice would consider the injury done mee , and that thy mercy would condescend to my misery . this thy sonne full of knowledge and power , hath circumvented me by his wisdome , and 〈…〉 violence by his power . this thy sonne by his wisdome cloathing himselfe with flesh , became like unto mee , and by his too much humilitie and ineffable benignitie , craftily entred in upon me : he became more humble than all , hee became despicable to all , hee tooke upon him the necessities of all , he bore the infirmities of all , he vouchsafed to be most cruelly crucified for all , to be afflicted as well with compassion , as in his most grievous passion , through meere affection to all , to expresse the love of his heart , by the opening of his side , and from thence to derive those sacraments which gave remedy to all mankinde . what should i say more ? hee hath ordained his flesh for meat , his bloud for drink , and promised himselfe for a reward , inasmuch as he girded himselfe , and being to depart thence , ministred to such as eat at thy table . by all these meanes , and many others , which i neither know , nor am able to declare , hath hee not onely wondrously allured my soule , deputed to the support and comfort of mee , but by entring in unto her , hath so highly drawne her by his power , and so joynd her unto him by his delights , as now shee cares not at all for mee , but rather afflicts , dejects , treads downe , and vilifies mee ; and that which seemes grievouser than all things else , she loves those that lay this disgrace on me , remembring him or them more especially in her prayer , who inferre these injuries on me ; and if none as yet be done mee , shee desires that hereafter they may bee done me . thus am i mortified , and she cares not ; thus lye i grovelling in mud , and shee rejoyceth : yea , it is the very highest pitch of her desire , to see my sorrow with new sorrow multiplied , that my sorrow might bee more sensibly conceived . this seemes to bee her glorie to bring injuries , contumelies , and whatsoever is worst upon me . thus leaves shee mee desolate and afflicted ; meane time , it is her desire to remaine still with thy sonne , still to bee fed with his flesh , made drunk with his bloud , and wheresoever he is , to be ever with him . now she appeareth like a small tender infant with him in the manger ; now she embraceth him in the armes of the blessed virgin ; now is she nourished with him , with the milke of the virgin. now she hungers with him , now shee thirsts with him , now is shee spit upon with him , now is shee wounded with him , now is shee sorrowfull upon the crosse with him , now with thee in heaven rejoyceth she with him , shee is comforted with him ; wheresoever hee goe , shee goes with him , shee cannot endure to bee from him , shee can intend herselfe to nought without him : what shall i say to thee , o father , touching thy sonne , who hath made my soule given unto me , so drunke with his love , and thus estrang'd her from mee ? if hee hath robb'd mee , thou maist command restitution to be made me . neither seemes it to me a small injury , thus to deprive me of this precious and inestimable jewell of my mind . for why doth my soule appointed for me , only love thy sonne ; why doth she thus hate mee , why relinquisheth shee all things concerning me ? behold , how she swallowed up with the incomparable love of thy sonne , walketh as one without sense ; now there is nought else shee heareth , nought else shee thinketh , or tasteth , nought else shee smelleth , being alwaies desirous to rest in his armes . there is shee joyed , there is she cheered , there abundantly delighted , there , made drunke with too much love , is shee lodged . neither is it to be wondred at , if this my soule cleave so constantly to thy sonne : because , unlesse she were harder than stone , and more insensible than iron , seeing thy sonne hath done such great things for her , she can doe no lesse than this for him . yea , where is that stone so hard which would not rend with the heat of so great love , yea melt like wax , if all these aforesaid benefits should be done it ? i doe not then complaine to thee , o most benigne father of my soule , for that shee hath done no more than she ought : but of thy sonne , who hath so forcibly allured her with the benefits of his mercy , and by that meanes left mee in so great misery . an answer of the father to the flesh. cap. xv. attend and hearken , what answer this most gracious father makes to the flesh. forasmuch as thou art my creature , i will shew thee justice with mercie . whereas then thou wert ordained to bee the soules hand-maid , yet hadst ever a desire to play the mistresse , and demeaning thy selfe alwaies inordinatly , hast caused her to serve thee and not mee , by making her prone unto all evill , and which is worse , hast subjected her , who was made after my image , to the bondage of satan . thou , i say , who hast made her worse than any brute beast , being by thee defiled and ab●ominably polluted , yea , above all darknesse blackned , and so much altered , as i cannot know that noble creature stamped and formed to so glorious a feature : needfull it was then , because i loved her so much that was inclosed in thy flesh , that my sonne should take flesh upon him , that so hee might allure her to his and my love . and because the soule by cleaving to thee , her flesh was become dead , it was my will that my sonne who became flesh should be slaine for her , that she might be quickned . neither was this in my sonne any circumvention or deceiving , but mine and his ineffable vouchsafing . and because thou , o flesh , hast done evilly ever from thy first infusion , but my sonne hath beene inflamed towards thy soule with exceeding affection , and hath wholly given himselfe up for her redemption , therefore my justice exacteth many things , especially , that i wholly and totally resigne her unto him , and that shee abhorre thee more than dung , and that she desire that thou maist bee abhorred of all . but forasmuch as thou hast be sought not onely my iustice but mercy ; it is my will that thou in some measure bee refreshed with that present sweetnesse which thy soule feeleth in my sonne ; yea more than all this , i will hereafter endow thee most nobly and most perfectly : and if thou beest truly obedient to thy soule , from henceforth deliver thee from eternall punishment , and bring thee to an inheritance gloriously permanent , where i live eternally resident . a pithy meditation upon this expostulation and answer , to inflame the soule with a devout fervour . is it so , o my soule , that shee , whom thou hast so daintily cockred , with whom thou hast so familiarly conversed , and to whom thou hast so easily consented , is thy domestick enemy , and by so much more fearfull because domesticall ? chastise her whō thou hast cherished , estrange thee from her , with whom thou hast so freely consorted , incline not to her , to whose advice thou hast so freely condescended . it is ismael that playeth with thee ; who , whilest she playes with thee , playes upon thee . looke upon that gracious shepherd , who hath sought thee ; fix thine eye upon that precious price , with which he bought thee . the worth of the whole world comes farre short of the worth of that price ; be it then thine highest honour to advance his praise . let no sinne soile that image which is so richly beautified : let no cloud obscure that light which was so freely bestowed . hee that tooke on him flesh for thee , hee that in his flesh suffered so much for thee , hee that gave himselfe to gaine thee , and shew'd himselfe so truly thine to retaine thee : let him solely and wholly have thee . suffer not thy flesh to converse with thee , till she become a true convert in the practice of piety . better is it for thee by contempt of thy flesh to augment thine owne honour , than by obedience to thy flesh to procure thy dishonour . short is the fight , but great is the conquest . recoile not ; for thou hast him for thy * chiefetaine , who hath vanquish'd that foe , who , to this houre , hath given all chiefetaines the foile . fight valiantly then under his banner ; embrace all contempts for his honour . erect the eye of thy faith to heaven , while thou directest thy feet on earth , that after thy well-past pilgrimage on earth , thou maist bee rewarded with a lasting inheritance in heaven . amen . generall rules of living well . the highest pitch of wisdome's pie●y , by which man 's taugh● both how to live & die . every day drawest thou nearer than other to death , judgement , and eternity . bethinke then with thy selfe every day , how thou maist stand in the severe discussion of death and judgment , and how thou maist eternally live . thou art to take an exact account of all thy thoughts , words and deeds , because an exact account is to be given of all thy thoughts , words and deeds . thinke every evening , that death is that night approaching : thinke every morning , that death is that day accoasting . deferre not thy conversion , nor the performance of any good action till to morrow , because to morrow is uncertaine , but death is ever certainly waiting . there is nothing that hinders piety more than delay . if thou contemne the inward calling of the holy spirit , thou shalt never come to true conversion . doe not defer thy conversion , nor the practice of any religious action to thy old age ; but offer unto god the flower of thy youth : uncertaine is old age to the young , but certaine destruction attendeth him that dieth impenitently young . there is no age more fit for the service of god , than youth , flourishing in abilities both of body and mind . for no mans sake oughtst thou to take in hand an evill action ; for not that man which thou so respectedst , but god in whose brest all the treasures of wisdome are stored , shall in the end judge thy life : doe not then preferre any mans favour before the honour of thy maker . in the way of the lord wee either increase or decrease : take examination then of thy life every day , whether in the practice of piety thou increasest or decreasest . to stand in the way of the lord is to goe back . let it not then delight thee to stand in the course of piety , but endevour alwaies to walke in the way of the lord. in thy conversation bee cheerefull to all , distastefull to none , familiar to few : live to godward devoutly , to thy selfe chastly , to thy neighbour justly . use thy friend as a pledge of affection , thine enemy for a triall of thy patience , all men to a well-disposed benevolence , and wherein thou maist more effectually worke to beneficence . while thou livest , dye dayly to thy selfe and to thy vices ; so in thy death maist thou live to god. let meekenesse appeare in thy affection , mildnesse in thy countenance , humility in thy habit , modesty in thy habitation , patience in tribulation . let facility be in thine accesse , decency in thy dresse , humility in thy presence , affability in thy discourse , benignity in thy wayes , charity in thy works . let constancy be in thine eie , content in thy chest , temperance in thy cup. observe moderation in thy desires , discretion in thy delights . think alwaies of those . things past , evil committed , good omitted , time mis-spēded . think alwaies of these . things present : ●he shortnes of this present life , the difficulty of being saved , the fewnesse of those that are to be saved . think alwayes of these three things to come , death , than which nothing is more horrible ; judgement , than which nothing is more terrible ; the paine of hell , than which nothing more intolerable . let thine evening prayers redeeme the sinnes of the forepast day ; let the last day of the weeke reforme the offences of the dayes gone before . thinke in the evening , how many soules are that same day thrown head-long into hell ; and give thankes unto god , for that hee hath given thee time to repent in . there be three things above thee , which ought never to depart from thy memory : that eye which seeth all things , that eare which heareth all things , and those bookes wherein all things are recorded . wholly hath god communicated himselfe to thee ; communicate thy selfe likewise wholly to thy neighbour . that is the best life , which is wholly employed to the behoofe and benefit of others . render to thy superiour obedience and reverence , to thy equall counsell and assistance , to thy inferiour succour & supportance . let thy body be subjected to thy mind , and thy mind to god. bewaile thy evils past , disesteeme thy goods present , covet with all the desire of thine heart those goods to come . remember thy sin , that thou maist grieve : remember thy death , that thou maist cease from sinne : remember gods justice , that thou maist feare : remember gods mercy , lest thou despaire . withdraw thy selfe as much as thou canst , from the world , and devote thy selfe wholly to the service of god : thinke alwayes , how chastity is endangerd by delicacy , humility by prosperity , and piety by employments transitory . desire to please none but christ : feare to displease none but christ. beseech god alwayes , that as he bids what he would , so he would doe what hee bids : that hee would protect what is done , and direct in what is to bee done : endevour thy selfe to bee what thou wouldst have thy self thought to be ; for god judgeth not according to the outward semblance , but according to the inward substance . in thy discourse beware of much speech , because account shall be required of every vaine word . whatsoever thy works bee , they passe not away , but as certaine seeds of eternity , are they bestowed : if thou sow according to the flesh , from the flesh shalt thou reape corruption : if thou sow after the spirit , from the spirit shalt thou reap the reward of eternall retribution . after death , neither shall the honours of this world follow thee , nor heaps of riches favour thee , nor pleasures enjoy thee , nor the vanities of this world possesse thee , but after the fatall and full period of this life all thy works shall follow thee . as then thou desirest to appeare in the day of judgement , appeare such in the sight of god at this present . thinke not with thy selfe what thou hast , but rather what thou wantst : pride not thy selfe for that which is given thee , but rather become humbled for that which is deni'd thee . learne to live now while thou maist live . in this time is eternall life either got or lost . after death there remains no time for working , for then begins the time of rewarding : in the life to come is not expected any worke , but payment for the worke . holy meditation may beget in thee knowledge , knowledge compunction , compunction devotion , devotion may produce prayer . great good for peace of the heart , is the silence of the mouth : by how much more as thou art divided from the world , so much more acceptable art thou unto god. whatsoever thou desirest to have , aske it of god ; whatsoever thou already hast , attribute it to god : he is not worthy to receive more , who is not thankfull for what he hath received : then stops the course or current of gods grace to man , when man makes no recourse by thankfulnesse to god : whatsoever befals thee , turne it to good ; so often as prosperity comes upon thee , thinke how occasion of blessing and praising god is ministred unto thee ; againe so often as adversity a●●ayles thee , thinke how these are admonitions for the repentance and conversion of thee . shew the force of thy power in helping , the force of thy wisdome in instructing , the force of thy wealth in releeving . neither let adversity bruise thee , nor prosperity raise thee : let christ be thy scope of thy life , whom thou art to follow here in the way , that thou maist come to him there in thy countrey . amongst all other things , let profound humility , & ardent charity be thy greatest care . let charity raise thine heart unto god , that thou maist cleave unto him : let humility depresse thine heart , les● thou becom proud & so leave him . esteem god a father for his clemency , a lord for his discipline ; a father for his sweet power , a lord for his severe power ; love him as a father devoutly , feare him as a lord necessarily : love him because he will have mercy : feare him , because he will not suffer sin . feare the lord , and trust in him ; acknowledge thy misery , and declare his mercy . o god , thou who hast given us to will , give us likewise to performe . the sorrowfull soules solace , gathered from saint augustine in his tract upon the . psalme , upon these words . my soule thirsteth for thee , my flesh also longeth after thee . behold here how the soule thirsteth ; and see how good it is for the soule that thirsteth ; to wit , because shee thirsteth after thee . there are who thirst , but not after god. every one that would in his owne behalfe have ought performed , is in heat of desire , till he have it effected ; and this desire is the thirst of the soule . now see what various desires are in the hearts of men : one desireth gold , another silver , one desireth possessions , another inheritances , one store of money , another stock of cattle ▪ one a faire house , another a wife , one honours , another children . you see these desires , how they are in the hearts of men . all men thirst after one desire or other , yet can there scarce one be found , who may say , my soule hath thirsted after thee . for men thirst after this world , and they understand not how they are in the wildernesse of idumaea , where their soule ought to thirst after god. let us therfore say , my soule hath thi●sted afther thee ; let us all say , ( for wee are all but one soule in our fellowship with ( christ : ) let this our soule thirst in idumaea : my soule ( saith he ) hath thirsted after thee , and my flesh hath longed sore for thee . he held it too little for the soule onely to thirst , but that his flesh should thirst . now i would know , seeing the soule thirsteth after god , how the flesh may be said to thirst after god : for when the flesh thirsteth , it thirsteth after water ; when the soule thirsteth , shee thirsteth after the fountaine of wisdome ; of which fountaine our soules shall bee made drunke , as is said in another psalme , they shall bee satisfied with the plenteousnesse of thy house : and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures , as out of thy river . we are then to thrist after wisdome , to thirst after righteousnesse . nor shall we be satisfied with this , nor filled with that , till this our fraile life shall be ended , and we come to that which god hath promised . for god hath promised to make us equall with the angels . now the angels thirst not as wee doe , nor hunger as wee doe , but partake of the food of truth , the food of light of immortall wisdome . therefore are they blessed : and in so great blessednesse ( being in that heavenly city of hierusalem , from which we are here as aliens ) they take care of us poore pilgrims , they commiserate us , and by gods appointment they assist us , that at last we may returne to our common countrey , & there at last with them be satisfied with that divine fountaine of truth & eternity . wherefore let our soule now thirst , & let our flesh also thirst eagerly . yea my flesh ( saith he ) longeth after thee : because to our flesh , is resurrection promised by thee . even as blessednesse is promised to our soule : so also is resurrection promised to our flesh . such is the resurrection of the flesh which is promised unto us . heare , learne , and understand what may be the hope of christians . for what end are we christians ? not to this end are wee christians , that we should seeke earthly happinesse , which even theeves and malefactors oft-times enjoy . no , wee are christians for another kind of happinesse , which shall be then by us received , when this our transitory life shall be ended . for this then is the ressurection of flesh promised to us . and such is the resurrection of flesh to us promised , that this same flesh which wee now carry about us , may rise in the end , and retaine her incorruptible glory without end . neither let this seeme incredible unto you , because you see the dead falling to corruption , and returning to dust and ashes . suppose that any dead corpse should be burnt to ashes , or that dogs should teare it , doe you therefore thinke that it shall not rise againe ? all these parts which you see peecemeale divided , and into small graines of dust resolved , remaine all whole with god ; for into them doe the elements of the world passe , from whence they first came , when wee were made : these wee doe not see , yet wil god , when he knowes his owne time , produce them ; who before we were made , when his sacred will was , produeed us from them . such resurrection of the flesh is promised to us , that , albeit this flesh which we now carry , be the same which shall rise again , yet must it not have that corruption , which it now hath . for now through the corruption of our frailty , if we eat not , wee faint and hunger ; if we drinke not , wee faint and thirst sor water ; if we wake long , we faint and fall a sleep ; if we sleep long , we faint and so awake ; if we eat and drinke long , albeit we eat and drinke for nourishment , yet doth this long refection become a defection ; if wee stand long , wee are weary , and therefore wee fit ; and if we fit long , we become wearied , and therefore we rise . then consider , how there is no constant state in our flesh : because our infancy flyeth away into childhood , and then if thou seeke infancy , there is no infancy , because it is now childhood , which was even now infancy . againe , that childhood passeth into youth , and then if thou seek childhood , thou canst not find it . this youth becomes a man ; and then if thou seeke that youth , hee is not to bee found . this man becomes old : thou seekst a strong man , and hee is not to be found . and this old man dyes : thou seekest an old man , and hee is not to bee found . our age then standeth not , every where there is wearinesse , every where tediousnesse , every where corruption . considering therefore , what hope of resurrection god promiseth unto us ; in these our manifold defects , we thirst after that incorruption , and so our flesh longeth much after god. in this idumaea , in this wildernesse , by how much she laboureth , by so much more eagerly she thirsteth ; by how much she is wearied , by so much shee thirsteth after that infatigable incorruption , for which she was created . albeit , my brethren , the flesh of every good and faithfull christian in this world , thirsteth after god. because if his flesh need bread , if it need water , if it need wine , if it need money , or what reliefe soever it need , he ought to beg for these at the hands of god , not from devils and idols , or what other powers of this world , i know not . there are who when they suffer hunger in this world , leave god , and call on mercury , or iupiter , or their heavenly pan , as they call him , ●r some other such like de●ils , that they would releeve ●hem : these mens flesh thirst●ot ●ot after their god. for ●hey that thirst after god , eve●y where ought to thirst both ●n soule and flesh ; because god both giveth his bread 〈◊〉 the soule , that is , the word of truth ; and god giveth to the flesh also , whatsoever are necessary , because god made both the soule and the flesh . for thy flesh , thou calst upon devils : tell me , hath god made thy soule , and the devils made thy flesh ? hee who made thy soule , he likewise made thy flesh . hee who made them both , he likewise feeds them both . let both these in us thirst after god , and out of much labour be moderately refreshed , that in him , to whom we are solely devoted , we may be wholly fixed . meditation . o my soule , recollect thy selfe ! hast thou thirsted after thy saviour ? hast thou followed him in the sweet smell of his savor ? hast thou left thy thirst after gold , possessions , honours , beauty ? hast thou tenderd to him thy sole and soveraigne dutie ? hast thou onely relyed on his providence ? rested in his goodnesse ? feare not , so thou faile not : thou shalt be ranked , where the saints are onely numbred , by an happy arrivall in the land of righteousnesse ; which hee give thee , who gave himselfe for thee . ☜ in terris ; vita nostra , dies una . ☞ in coelis ; dies una , lux aeterna . mans mutability . a meditation extracted out of s. augustine , in his tract upon the . psal. upon these words , ierusalem is builded as a city , that is compact together in it selfe . vers. . now , my brethren , whosoever erecteth the light of his mind , whosoever laieth aside the darknesse of his flesh , whosoever cleareth the eye of his heart , let him lift up and see what this it selse is . how shall i call it selfe , but it selfe ? o my brethren , if you can , understand what is this it selfe . for even i my selfe , if i should speake any thing else but it selfe , doe not speake it selfe ; yet doe we labour by some neere affinities of words and significant proprieties to bring the infirmity of the mind , to meditate of this it selfe . what is this it selfe ? that which is alwayes one and in the same manner , and not now one thing , and then another . what is then it selfe but that which is ? and what is this which is ? that which eternally is . for whatsoever is alwaies altering from one to another , is not , because what it is abides not : yet not so as locally it is not , but summarily it is not . and what is this which is , but hee , who when he sent moses , said unto him , i am that i am ? and who also said , thus shalt thou say unto the children of israel , i am hath sent me unto you . behold it selfe , i am that i am ; he who is , hath sent mee to you ! but thou canst not conceive it , it is farre from thee to understand it , far from thee to apprehend it . retaine therefore that which he was made for thee , since to conceive him it is farre from thee . retaine the flesh of christ , by which raised being sick thou maist bee relieved , and left halfe-dead by theeves woūded , thou maist be to an inne conducted , and cured . let us then runne to the house of the lord , and come to the city , where our feet may stand in the gates ; that city which is builded as a city , that is compact together in it selfe . it selfe is this whereof it is said , thou art the same , and thy yeares shall not faile . behold it selfe , whose yeares shall not faile ! brethren , doe not our yeares daily faile and fade in the yeare ? for those yeares which are come are not now , and those which are to come are not yet . now are these failed which are come , and those shall faile which are to come . houres past bee already gone , and houres to passe are not yet come , & when they are come they likewise shall passe , and faile . what be those yeeres which do not faile , but those which stand ? if yeares then doe there stand , those yeares which stand is one yeare ; and that one yeare which stands , is one day : because that one day hath neither rising nor setting , neither begun from yesterday , nor excluded from to morrow , but standeth alwayes the same day . and whatsoever thou wilt , thou maist call this day ; if thou wilt , they are yeares ; if thou wilt , it is a day : thinke what thou wilt , yet it standeth . for this city partakes of stability , being compact together in it selfe . worthily then , because it becomes partaker of this stability , doth he say who runneth thither ; our feet were standing in thy courts , o ierusalem . for all things doe there stand , where nothing passeth : wilt thou then stand there , and not passe ? runne thither . none hath it selfe of himselfe . attend brethren : hee hath a body , but this is not it selfe , because it stands not in it selfe . it is changed by ages , it is changed by removes of places and times , it is changed by corporall diseases and defects ; therefore it stands not in itselfe . heavenly bodies do not stand in themselves , for they have their certaine changes , though secret : certainly are these changed from place to place , they ascend from east to west , and againe they goe about to the east . these then doe not stand , these are not it selfe . neither doth mans soule stand itselfe . for with how many alterations and cogitations is she varied , with what pleasures is shee changed and from her selfe estranged , with what desires infected and infested ? the very mind of man which is said to bee reasonable , is likewise mutable , it is not it selfe . now it will , now it will not : now it knowes , now it knowes not : now it remembers , now it forgets . none then hath it selfe of himselfe . hee who would have had it selfe of himselfe , that hee might bee it selfe to himselfe , is falne . he is falne from an angell , and become a devill . he drunke a health to man in pride , hee threw himselfe downe by envying him who stood . he would be it selfe to themselves , have principality to themselves , dominion in themselves . they would not have the ●rue lord , who truly is it selfe , to whom it is said , thou shalt change them , and ●hey shall be changed , but thou art the same . now therefore , after ●o long affliction , after so many diseases , difficulties , labours , let the humbled soule returne to it selfe , and be in that city , that is compact together in it selfe . ☞ vera copia , cupiditatis inopia . ☜ vera inopia , cupiditatis copia . minds tranquillity . a meditation gathered out of saint angustine in his tract , upon the . psal. upon these words : who hath set peace in thy borders . ver. . who hath set peace in thy borders . how much have yee all rejoyced ? love this , my brethren . wee are much delighted , when this love of peace cryeth from your hearts . how much hath it delighted us ? having as yet said nothing , expounded nothing , but only pronounced this verse , yee have even cryed out . and what is it that hath cryed from you ? the love of peace : what doth it present unto your eyes ? whence doe yee cry , if yee do not love ? whence doe yee love , it yee doe not see ? peace is invisible . where is that eye , by which it is seene , that it may be lov'd ? neither would it be cryed upon , unlesse it were lov'd . these are those representments of invisible things , which god exhibits unto us . with what beautie hath the conceit of peace seized on your hearts ? what then shall i now speake of peace , or of the praise of peace ? your affection preventeth all my words : i shall not performe it , i am not able to undergo it , i am too weake to doe it . let us deferre all our praises of peace to that countrey of peace . there shall wee more fully praise it , where wee shall more fully possesse it . if wee thus love peace begun in us , how much shall we praise it when perfected in us ? behold , this i say , my beloved children , children of the kingdome , citizens of hierusalem , because in hierusalem is the vision of peace , and all those who enjoy and love peace are made blessed in it . this , which ye so much love and affect to heare named , pursue it , desire it , love it in your house , love it in your businesse , love it in your wives , love it in your children , love it in your servants , love it in your friends , love it in your enemies . this is that peace which heretiques have not . now what doth peace here amidst the uncertainties of this region , in this pilgrimage of our mortality ; where , as yet , no one is transparent to another , none seeth the heart of another , what doth peace ? it judgeth not of things uncertaine , it confirmes not things unknowne . it is apter to conceit well of man , than evilly to suspect him . it grieves her not much to have erred , in conceiving a good opinion of him that was ill-affected . but dangerous it is , to conceit ill of him who ( perchance ) is good , not knowing how hee is disposed whom we so rashly judged . what doe i lose , if i beleeve such an one is good ? if it be uncertaine whether he be evill , ( albeit you are to be cautelous whether this be so , ) yet are you not to condemne him as if it were so . this peace commandeth , seeke peace , and ensue it . heresie , what doth it teach ? it condemnes those it knowes not , it condemnes the whole world. we do now desire that peace which we have here in hope . for as yet , what peace is there in us ? the flesh lusteth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh . where is there full peace in any one man ? when shall it be full in any one man ? even then , when it shall be full in all the citizens of hierusalem . when shall there be full peace ? when this corruptible hath put on incorruption , and this mortall hath put on immortality , then shall there be full peace , then firme peace . nothing then contesteth against the soule in man , shee is not against her selfe , nor in any part wounded ; there is no frailty of the flesh , no corporall want , no hunger , no thirst , no heat , no cold , no wearinesse , no want , no provoking to wrath , nor surely any cautelous care of avoyding a foe , or affecting a friend . all these things , my brethren , fight against us , wee have not yet full and perfect peace . in that ye have cryed , ( who even now hearing the name of peace out of your desire to peace have cryed ) this cry of yours proceeded from thirst , not from fulnesse . the same father augustine , a glorious light of the church , a constant champion for the truth , and a powerfull evincer of all such errors as opposed the truth , in his love to peace , composed likewise this sweet meditation , to beget in every devout heart the like affection : gathered out of his tract upon the . psal. upon these words : meeke men shall possesse the earth , and shall have their delight in the multitude of peace . ver. . upon which , with a passionate devotion , an affectionate passion , hee analiseth thus : this earth , whereof we have so often spoken , is holy hierusalem . the meeke shall be delivered from this their pilgrimage , and shall live for ever with god , and of god. therefore shall they possesse the earth for an inheritance . and what shall their riches be ? they shall be delighted in the multitude of peace . for the wicked , hee may be delighted in the multitude of gold , in the multitude of silver , in the multitude of servants , lastly in the multitude and store of wealth , of delicious wines , sumptuous and luxurious feasts . but admit , hee should be alwayes stored , alwayes in these suted , were not his case to be lamented ? but what shall be thy riches , what shall bee thy dainties ? multitude of peace : thy gold shall bee peace , thy silver peace , thy farmes peace , thy life peace , thy god peace . whatsoever thou desirest shall be to thee peace . that which is here gold , cannot be unto thee silver : that which is wine , cannot bee unto thee bread : that which is unto thee light , cannot be drinke : whereas thy god shall bee to thee all things . thou shalt eat him , and never hunger : drinke him , and never thirst : be enlightned by him , and never become blind : bee supported by him , and never faile : hee wholly shall possesse thee wholly and entirely . thou shalt suffer there no extremities for another : have him , with whom thou shalt possesse all : enjoy all , and hee enjoy thee all , who is all in all : because thou , and hee , who is joyned in societie with thee shall be one : which one , god himself shall wholly enjoy in you , who shall possesse you . this is the end of a man that loveth peace . ☞ summa ●hilosophia , crucis scientia . ☜ christi vita , christiani philosophia . christian philosophy . a meditation culled out of s. augustine , in his tract upon the . psalme , upon these words : his praise is above the earth and the heavens : for he hath exalted the horne of his people . ver. . what is his praise in heaven and in earth ? is it because he praiseth ? no , but because all things praise him , all things cry unto to him : the beauty of all things is in some sort the voyce of those which praise the lord. the heaven cryeth to the lord ; thou hast made me , not i my selfe . the earth cryeth , thou hast fashioned me , not i my selfe . how then doe these cry ? when thou consid●rest these and findest this in these , out of thy consideration they cry , out of thy voyce they cry , his praise is in heaven and in earth : consider the heaven , it is beautifull : consider the earth , it is beautifull : both of them are together very beautifull . it is he that made them , he that guides them : it is his command that governs them : it is hee that alters times , supplies moments . even hee of himselfe supplies them . all things therefore doe praise him , whether they be in station , or motion , whether they be from earth below , or from heaven above , whether they be in declining or renewing . when thou seest these , and rejoycest in these , and art lifted up in contemplation to him that made these , and considerest how these invisible things of his are understood by these which are made , then is his praise in heaven and in earth , that is , thou praisest him for things earthly , thou praisest him for things heavenly . and because hee made all things , and that there is nothing better than him ; whatsoever he made is below him , and whatsoever seemes pleasing in these , is lesse pleasing than hee is . let nothing then so much please thee in these which he hath made , as he himselfe , by whom they were made . but if so thou love this which he hath made , thou art much more to love him , by whom they were made . if these be so beautifull which he hath made , much more beautifull is hee by whom they were made . his praise is in heaven and in earth , and he shall exalt the horne of his people . now ( in this vale of teares , and field of tares ) is the horne of his people humbled in threshings , tribulations , temptations , beating of brests . when shall the horne of his people be exalted ? when the lord himselfe shall come , and our sun shall arise , not this which is seene with our eyes , and ariseth on the good and evill , but even that sunne whereof it is said , unto you that feare the lord , shall the sunne of righteousnesse arise , & health shall be under his wings ; and whereof the proud and wicked shall say , the light of righteousnesse hath not shined unto us , and the sunne of understanding rose not upon us . hee shall bee our summer . now , fruits in winter time appeare not in the root . thou observest how dry trees are in winter . he that knows not the observation of these things , prunes the dry vine before the fruit come , and , perchance , next spring it becomes so dry , as it brings forth neither flower nor fruit , when it should come . both these are alike in winter , this liveth , that is dead : but the life of this , and the death of that , are both in secret . the summer approacheth ; life appeareth in this , death is discovered in that . beauty of leaves precedeth , plenty of fruit succeedeth : the vine is attired with that beauty in her leafe , which she retains in her root . therefore , my brethren , we are now while we are here , in our condition like other men . like as they are borne , eat , drinke , live , and are cloathed , and so passe over their life ; even so the saints . sometimes doe these things deceive men , whence it is they say , behold , since this man became a christian , did his head never ake ? or now being a christian , enjoyes hee more than i doe ? o dry vine ! thou observest the vine planted neere thee how naked it is in winter , but never how dry it is by heat of summer . the lord our beauty will come , who lay hid in the root ; and then will he exalt the horne of his people , after this our captivity wherin we mortally live . whence it is that the apostle saith , iudge nothing before the time , untill the lord come , who will lighten things that are hid in darknesse , and then shall everie man have praise of god. but thou wilt say , where is any root ? where is any fruit ? if thou beleevest , thou knowest where thy root is . for there it is , where thy faith is , where thy hope and charity is . heare the apostle , for yee are dead : they appeared as it were dead in winter . heare how they live , and your life is hid ( saith he ) with christ in god. behold , where thou hast thy root ! when then shalt thou bee adorned with beauty ? when shalt thou be multiplied in fruit ? heare what followeth , when christ which is our life shall appeare , then shall yee also appeare with him in glory . the soules jubilee , gathered from saint augustine , in his tract upon the . psalme , upon these words : rejoyce the soule of thy servant : for unto thee , ô lord , doe i lift up my soule . for thou , lord , art good and mercifull , & of great kindnesse unto all them that call upon thee . rejoyce the soule of thy servant . rejoyce her , because unto thee do i raise her . she was in earth , and in earth shee felt bitternesse : now , lest she should pine away through bitternes , and so lose all thy gracious sweetnesse , i have raised her up unto thee , rejoyce her with thee . for thou onely art joyfulnesse : the world is full of bitternesse . surely , very rightly doth he exhort his members , that they have their hearts on high . let them then heare it & doe it : let them lift that up unto heaven , which is in an evill state while it is upon earth . for there the heart doth not corrupt , if it be lifted up unto god. if you have corne in low places , lest it should corrupt , you remove it higher : doe you then seeke to prepare a place for your corne , and will you suffer your heart to corrupt on earth ? you remove your corne to an higher room , lift up your heart unto heaven . but how may i doe this , will you say ? what cords , what pulleis , what ladders are needfull ? these staires , are thy affections : thy way , is thy will. by loving thou ascendest , by neglecting thou descendest . standing on earth thou art in heaven , if thou love god. for the heart is not lifted , as the body is raised . the body , that it may be raised , changeth her place , but the heart , that it may be roused , changeth her will , for unto thee , o lord , doe i lift up my soule : for thou , lord , art good and mercifull , therefore rejoyce her . as one wearied and tediously affected with the bitternesse of earthly things , shee desires to bee sweetned , and hath sought the fountaine of sweetnesse , but could not find it on earth . for what way soever she turned herselfe , she found scandals , tribulations , feares , tentations : in what man living safe security ? of whom certaine joy ? and if not of himselfe , how much lesse from another ? for either men are evill , and of necessity wee must suffer them , yet hoping withall that they may be changed : or they are good , and so wee ought to love them , yet fearing withall lest they become evill , because they may be changed . there , the wickednesse of those begetteth bitternesse of soule : here , care and feare equally surprize us , lest hee fall away from us , who walked sometime uprightly among us . what way soever then the heart shall turne her , she findes bitternesse in earthly things : shee has not wherewithall to sweeten her , unlesse shee lift her selfe up unto god her maker . for thou , lord , art good and mercifull . what is this mercifull ? thou supportest mee till thou perfectest me . for truly , my brethren , i will speak as a man unto men and of men . let every one bring hither his heart , and behold himselfe without flattering and without glozing . nothing is foolisher , than flattering & seducing ones self . let every one then consider and see what and how many things are acted in mans heart ; and how , for most part , our very praiers are hindred by various thoughts , so as our hearts will scarcely stand firme before god. it desires so to enjoy it selfe that it may stand , and in some sort it flyes from it selfe , yet for all this it findes no lettices by which it may confine her thoughts , or barres by which it may restraine her distractions , and wandring motions , and stand joyfully before her god. rare it is , that a prayer should occurre devoutly fixt , amongst so many prayers . now every one would say , that , what befalleth him , befalleth not another , unlesse we found in the sacred scripture of god , that david in one place prayed and said : o lord , i have found my heart , that i may pray unto thee . hee said , hee had found his heart , as if it used sometimes to fly from him , and he to pursue it as a fugitive , and could not lay hold on it , and to cry unto the lord , my heart hath forsaken me . therefore , brethren , considering what hee here saith , thou art good and mercifull , i conceive that for this cause he cals him a mercifull god , for that hee suffereth these things in us , and yet expecteth prayer from us , that hee might perfect his good work in us . and when we have given it him , by offering our oblation of prayer unto him , hee receiveth it freely , and heareth it friendly , neither remembers hee those prayers of ours , which we so unseasonably presented , but receiveth this one which we scarcely found , yet found wee humbly offered . for tell me , brethren , what man is he , with whom if his friend shall begin to talke , and he will not answer him , but observes him to decline from him , and to direct his discourse unto another , as if he were wholly aliened from him , who , i say , could endure this ? or suppose thou should'st intercede a judge , and addresse thy selfe to him in such a place as hee may heare thee , and suddenly , when thou should'st speake unto him , thou leavest him , or entertainest some trifling discourse with thy friend , how could hee endure this ? yet doth god suffer so many hearts of such as pray , and thinke of many wandring thoughts while they pray , i forbeare to speake of thoughts hurtfull , i forbeare to speake of things depraved and offensive unto god : for to thinke even of superfluous thoughts , is an injury unto him , with whom thou speakest . thy prayer is a speech unto god. when thou readest . god speakes unto thee : when thou praiest , thou speakest with god. but what ? are wee to despaire of man-kind , and now conclude , that every man is damned , when any wandring thought shall creepe in upon him , and interrupt his prayer ? if wee should conclude thus , brethren , i doe not see what hope might remaine in us . but forasmuch as wee have hope in god , for great is his mercy , let us say unto him ; rejoyce the soule of thy servant : for unto thee , o lord , doe i lift up my soule . and how have i lifted it up ? as much as i could , as much as thou gavest me strength , as soone as i was able to lay hold on my fugitive soule . so long as thou stoodst before me ( suppose him to speake in the person of god ) thou entertainedst such vaine & superfluous thoughts , as thou scarcely pouredst forth one fixt or stable prayer unto me . what more canst thou answer unto this , but , that thou lord art good and mercifull ? mercifull thou art in suffering me . i fall away through sicknesse , heale me , and i shall stand : strengthen me , and i shall bee strong . meane time , till thou doest this , thou sufferest mee : for thou lord , art gracious and very mercifull . not onely mercifull , but very mercifull . for our iniquity aboundeth , and thy mercy aboundeth yea full of mercy art thou to all such as call upon thee . what is it then that the scripture saith in so many places , they shall call upon me , but i will not answer . ( certainly he is mercifull to all such as call upon him ) unlesse it be for that some calling upon him , doe not call upon him , of whom it is said , they have not called upon god ? they call , but not upon god. thou callest for what thou lovest : thou callest for what thou wishest in thee ; thou callest for what thou would'st have come to thee . wherefore , if for this end thou call upon god , that money may come to thee , that an inheritance may descend to thee , that temporall dignity may befall thee , thou callest upon him for those things which thou desirest that they may come unto thee : but thou makest god here a furtherer of thy lusts , not a favourer of thy desires . is god good , if he give thee what thou would'st have ? what if thou would'st have what is ill ? were hee not more mercifull unto thee in not giving thee what thou would'st have ? yet , for all this , if hee doe not give it thee , god is as nothing unto thee : for thou sayest , how long have i sought , how oft have i sought , and yet am not heard ? but what hast thou sought ? perchance , the death of thy enemy : what if he also besought thine ? he who created thee , he likewise created him : thou art a man , hee likewise is a man : but god is the judge , hee hearkneth both , but hee heareth not both . thou art sad , for that thou art not heard in thy prayer against him : be glad , that hee is not heard in his prayer against thee . but thou wilt say , i did not seeke this , i sought not the death of mine enemy ; but i besought the life of my child : what evill sought i in this ? thou soughtst no evill , as thou thinkest ; but tell mee , what if hee were taken from thee , lest sin should change his understanding ? but thou wilt say , hee was sinfull , and therefore i desir'd that hee might live , that hee might reforme his life . thou desiredst that he might live better : but what if god saw that he by living longer , would become worse ? how knowest thou then whether might more redound to his profit , to dye or live ? seeing then thou knowest not , returne into thy heart , leave this to the secret counsell of god. but what shall i then doe , wilt thou say ? how may i pray ? how maist thou pray ? as thy lord hath taught thee , as thine heavenly master hath taught thee . call upon god , as god ; . love god , as god. nothing is better than hee , desire him , covet him . see how this princely prophet calleth upon the lord in another other psalme , one thing have i desired of the lord , that i will require . and what is this hee desires ? even that i may dwell in the house of the lord all the dayes of my life : and to what end ? to behold the beauty of the lord. if then thou desirest to be the lover of god , with thy sinc●rest affections , and chastest sighes love him , like him , long for him , languish for him , than whom thou canst find nothing more joyfull , nothing more gracefull , nothing more cheerefull , nothing more diuturnall . for what more diuturnall , than what is sempiternall ? doe not feare that hee at any time will fall from thee , who hath made thee , that thou shouldst not fall from him . if then thou callest upon god as god , be secure , thou art heard ; thy portion hath relation to that verse , he is very mercifull to all such as call upon him . doe not then say , he hath not given me this . returne unto thy heart , and discharge thy conscience , examine it , doe not spare it . if thou hast at any time called upon god for temporall benefits , assure thy selfe that therefore hee did not give them thee , because they would not profit thee . in this , brethren , let your hearts be edified , your christian hearts , your faithfull hearts ; lest yee fall into murmuring against god , by being discontented , when frustrated of your desires : and in vaine it is to kick against the prick . make recourse to the scriptures . the devill is heard , and the apostle is not heard . how seemes this unto you ? how are the devils heard ? they besought him that they might goe into the heard of swine , and it was granted them . how is the devill heard ? he besought him , that he might tempt iob , and it was suffered him . how is the apostle not heard ? lest i should be exalted out of measure , through the abundance of revelations , there was given unto me a pricke in the flesh , the messenger of satan to buffet me . for this thing i besought the lord thrice , that it might depart from me . and he said unto me , my grace is sufficient for thee : for my power is made perfect through weaknesse . he heard him , whom he had disposed to damnation : and heard not him whom hee prepared to salvation . the sick patient asketh many things of his physician : yet the physician gives them not , hee heares him not after his will , but for his health . make god then thy physician : aske of him health , and hee will bee thy health : not only as outward health , but as he himself is all health . love not then any health beside him , but as thou hast it in the psalme , say unto my soule i am thy salvation . what is it unto thee what hee give thee , so he give himselfe unto to thee ? now wouldst thou that hee give himselfe unto thee ? what if that thou wouldst have hee will not give thee , that hee may give himselfe unto thee ? hee removes impediments from thee , that hee may enter in unto thee . brethren , observe and consider what god gives here unto sinners , and hence gather what hee keepes in store for his servants . to sinners that blaspheme him , hee gives daily the benefits of heaven and earth , hee gives fountains , fruits , health , children , wealth , abundance . all these goods things none giveth but god. hee that gives such things to the sinfull , what thinkst thou stores hee up for his faithfull ? doest thou thinke this of him , that hee who gives such things to the evill , reserves nothing in store for the good ? yes truly , hee reserves not onely earth but heaven . nay perchance , i speake of something too low when i speake of heaven : hee reserves himselfe who made heaven . beautifull is heaven , but more beautifull is the maker of heaven . but ( saist thou ) i see heaven , but i see not him . thou hast eyes to see heaven : but thou hast not as yet an heart to see the maker of heaven . to that end came hee from heaven to earth , that hee might cleanse thine heart , whereby he might bee seene who made heaven and earth . but freely with patience expect salvation . hee knowes best with what medicines to cure thee : hee knowes best how to cut thee , how to seere thee . thou art become sick through sinne , hee comes not onely to cheere , but to cut and seere . doest thou not see what paine men suffer under the hands of their physicians , who promise unto them an uncertaine hope of life ? thou shalt bee cured , saies the physician , thou shalt bee cured if i cut thee . and this is but the promise of man , and promised to man. neither is hee certaine who speakes it , nor hee who heares it : because hee speakes it unto man , who made not man , nor perfectly knoweth what may become of man : yet gives man credit to these words of man , who knowes not what becomes of man : hee submits his members unto him , hee suffers himselfe to bee bound , or sometimes unbound he is cut and seer'd : and perchance hee recovers health for a few dayes , yet after this short recovery of health , hee knows not when hee must dye ; and perchance hee dyes while he is in cure , or perhaps hee cannot bee cured . but to whom hath god at any time promised , and deceived ? i●ius horreo su●●ma affluentia , cujus cordi● scrinio sana conscientia . the christian storehouse , rendred from saint augustine in his tract upon the . psalme , upon these words : wee shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine house , even of thine holy temple . what are those good things of the house of god ? brethren , let us suppose to our selves some rich house , imagining it to bee stored with all good things , how plenteous it may be , what store of vessels of gold and silver there may bee , how numerous a family , what abundance of stock and store , in a word how the house it selfe may delight us with pictures and structures of marble , arched roofes , curious columns , specious spaces , sumptuous rooms : behold , such things are desired , but as yet out of the confusion of babylon . prune all these desires , o citizen of hierusalem , prune all these : if thou wilt returne to thine heavenly city , let not captivity delight thee . but if thou hast already begun to goe out of babylon , doe not looke behind thee , doe not loyter in the way . there want not yet enemies to perswade thee to stay still in thy captivity and exile . let not then the speeches of the wicked prevaile with thee . desire the house of god , and desire the good things of that house : but not such , as thou usest to desire either in thine owne house , or in thy neighbours or patrons house . there is goodnesse of another nature in this house . what need wee to declare what those good things be of that house ? let him exp●esse them who singeth in his going out of babylon : we shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine house . what are those pleasures ? sometimes , perchance , wee erected our hearts to gold , to silver , and other pretious things : doe not seeke such , these oppresse , they doe not refresh . let us here then meditate of those pleasures of hierusalem , those pleasures of the house of the lord , those pleasures of the temple of the lord : because those pleasures which are of the house of the lord , those are pleasures of the temple of the lord. wee shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine house : holy is thy temple , wonderfull in righteousnesse . these are the pleasures of that house . hee sayes not , thy holy temple wonderfull in pillars , wonderful in pictures , wonderful in marbles , wonderfull in gilded buildings , but wonderfull in righteousnesse . thou hast outward eyes , wherewith thou maist see marble structures , golden statues : but within is the eye wherewith thou maist view the beauty of righteousnesse : within , i say , is the eye wherewith thou maist view the beauty of righteousnesse . if there bee no beauty in righteousnesse , whence is it that the righteous old man is loved ? what may his body present to delight the sight ? hee presents crooked lims , a rugged forehead , an head whitened with hoary haires , weaknesse in all parts , full of aches and complaints . but , perchance , though this decrepit old man delight not thine eyes , hee may delight thine eares . with what voyce ? with what song ? for though , perchance , while hee was young , hee sung well , all those ayres are decayed with age . for can the sound of his words possibly delight thine eares , seeing he can scarcely pronounce his words through the dropping decay of his teeth ? yet if hee bee just , if he covet not that which is anothers , if hee out of his owne distribute to the necessity of others , if he admonish discreetly , and understand rightly , if hee beleeve sincerely , if hee bee ready for the profession of truth to bestow even his decayed lims ( for many have beene martyrs when they were old ) wee are moved to love him . but whence is it that wee love him ? what good thing doe wee see in him with these eyes of our flesh ? nothing . there is then a certaine beauty of righteousnesse , which wee see with the eyes of our heart , and which wee love , and wherewith wee burne . what was it that begot so much love in men to these martyrs , when their lims were piece-meal● torne by beasts ? when their bloud wherewith their corps were embathed , distained all things , when their bowels were rent and shed abroad with the teeth of beasts , had the eyes any objects but spectacles of horrou● ? what was there in them that could bee loved : but that in such a shambles of torne members , there appeared an unblemished beauty of righteousnesse ? these are the pleasures of the house of god ; with these prepare thy self to be satisfied : but that thou maist bee herewith satisfied when thou commest thither , it behoves thee to hunger and thirst after it , while thou art a stranger : thirst after this , huger after this , for these shall bee the pleasures of god. heare that king to whō these things are spoken , who came to recall thee , and through himselfe hath made a way for thee , what sayes hee ? blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , for they shall bee satisfied . holy is thy temple , wonderfull in righteousnesse . and doe not thinke , brethren , that this same temple is without you . love righteousnesse , and ye are the temple of god. man his owne foe . what an enemy is man to himselfe ? hee sees above him , heaven , offering it selfe unto him ; below him , hell , threatning perdition to him ; on earth , hee sees nothing worthy his affecting . friends hee observes , and hee finds them shadowes of time : the best of their constancy cloaths it selfe with a seeming mourning , and closeth all those glorious protests of devotion and service , with a teare-sacrifice to his urne . all those faire monuments of his discerning providence are razed ; those undeserving palmes , which afforded him applause , now closed . those annals of his care , to an unknowne posterity recommended . those precious vading houres , which well expended , might have gain'd him eternity , are so many heralds to deblazon his vanity . time hee had enough to estate him in immortality ; but pleasure , honour , or earthly profit appeared such precious pearls in his bleered eye , as hee could reserve few or no minutes for so inestimable a purchase , as the permanent possession of a future happinesse . hee eyed that least , which would have cleared his eye-sight most : making that his supreme object , which should in wisdome have beene his lowest subject . he could not possibly affect ought more , than what conduced least to his spirituall improvement . were he in company ; those hee made choice for his consorts , whose debauch't course had sprinkled a deepe tincture on their fame : and had made them onely exemplary in that which deserved imitation least . did hee walke abroad ; hee made no use of those various objects , which might have diverted his eye from admiring the excellence of the creature , to fix and inspheare it in the sole satisfying contemplation of his creator . not the least sprig , seed , or grassepile , but reteined in it a mysterious impression of so exquisite an artist : yet with what an easie contempt and per●unctory reflex , hee lookes on these , as if they dictated nothing to him but a vading vanity ? yet see , poore groundling ! if some flourishing meadow , faire pasture , fruitfull farme , or any other attractive object of sensuall profit present their sight and site unto him ; with what a passionate interbreath hee salutes these earthly objects , with a servile irregular wish ; oh that these were mine ! meane time , hee h'as more than hee enjoyes ; and enjoyes lesse peace , by ingaging his rough rubbish desires to every place . what an angling hee makes to catch that , which catcheth him most ? hee makes the day his purveyor for the world ; the night his remembrancer of his cares : so as , that very time which was allotted man for rest , becomes his disquiet . if hee ayme at honour , hee makes it his flame ; and never leaves it , till his ayry wings be singed by it . secure hee was before hee sought ; but as one wearied in the haven , he commits his unstear'd vessell to the dangers of the maine ; where his competitors bee those pilots which plash him ; who never leave him , till they cause his top and top-galant to yeeld with dishonour ; which , his unbounded spirit unable to brooke , becomes his secret pioner . when pleasure seazeth his fort ; how long and tedious are those slow-running houres , which divide him from idolatrizing his light-affected mistresse ? what numerous fancies his deluded imagination suggests to him ; presenting to his intranced conceit , more moving objects of imaginary delight , than the loosest sibarite ever ▪ yet enjoyed ? hee reteines a constant modell of her favour , feature , posture ; but how light shee weighs in the scale of honour , hee never dreames . hee flatters himselfe with the conceit of her reply , upon the delivery of a set speech ; farced with farre more complement , than ornament of art . poore foole ! how much a scattred or ravish'd favour transports him ! meane time , shee works on his fortune , while shee guls his guilded person with a seeming affection . thus splitted in his fortune , hee becomes cashiered of his temporary favorite . and now time comes , and must needs draw his feature . heavens blesse me ; how like a fleshlesse starveling , this amorous skeleton lookes ! hee , who once fed on fancy , longs after a more substantiall food to refresh his appetite . our two late prophets talkt of droughts and plagues ; and his incessant desire is by a petitionary way ( for otherwise his exhausted fortunes cannot worke , nor project him a course to subsist ) that they would intercede ( if their phanatick illumination would give leave ) that the drought of his seered liver might bee quenched , and the plague of his purse cured . wee have now epitomiz'd man to his full ; and discovered him to be the only occasion of his owne fall . oh that hee would recollect himselfe ! and consider from whence hee came , what hee is , and whereto hee must goe . first , let him reflect upon the state of his earthly being ; that weake contexture wherof hee is moulded ; next , what weake and infirme supports hee stands on ; and how soone those shaking bases shall decline , when necessitated fate shall undermine them ; lastly , those miseries one mispent houre shall make him lyable to : when with ●ighes , and teares , and what not ; hee shall petition for redemption of time , which want of time will not afford him ; nor all his powerfulst advocates on earth procure him ; nor all his prayers and teares , be they never so plentifully effused , assure him . o man ! seeing then , earthly honor becomes acorroding competitor to the owner ; ayme at that , which shall without corrivalship highly improve , and securely confirme the injoyer . seeing , worldly wealth sates not the desire , but ministers fresh fuell to the possessor ; addresse thy more erected thoughts to that solec-sufficing and entirely-enriching treasure , which shall cloze thy safely-confined desires for ever . lastly , seeing thou art so much transported with the vading shadow of worldly pleasure ; fix thy sole content on that absolute good , which transcends all extent : so shalt thou , who before wer 't a foe to thy selfe , become a friend to him , who to redeeme thee , ingag'd himselfe . two devout prayers , or meditations of f. lewis of granado , gathered forth of his meditations in spanish , and heereto annexed . god forbid that i should rejoyce , but in the crosse of our lord iesus christ , whereby the world is crucified to me , and i unto the world , gal. . . to christ crucified . wee adore thee , o lord jesu christ , and blesse thy holy name , for that thou hast redeemed the world by this thy crosse. wee give thankes to thee , most gracious saviour , for that thou hast so highly loved us , and cleansed us by thy bloud from our sinnes : as likewise , for that thou hast offered thy selfe upon the crosse for us , that with the most sweet smell of this thy most noble sacrifice , inflamed with the fire of thy love , thou mightst reconcile god to us , and procure our peace with him . blessed bee thou for ever , o saviour of the world , o reconciler of men , repairer of angels , restorer of heaven , triumpher over hell , conquerour of the devill , authour of life , destroyer of death , and redeemer of them , who sate in darknesse , and shadow of death . to the sacred mystery of the crosse , by jesus sanctified : and to jesus , who was on it crucified . o crosse , thou drawest hearts more powerfully unto thee , than the adamant doth iron● : thou more clearly enlightnest our minds , than the sunne doth mens eyes : thou more vehemently inflamest our soules , than fire doth coales . wherefore , o most holy crosse , draw mee unto thee powerfully : enlighten mee continually : inflame mee vehemently and vigorously , that my mind and cogitation may never depart from thee : thou also , my good jesu , illuminate the eyes of my soule , that in this crosse i may understand how to behold thee : to wit , that i may not onely contemplate those extreme sorrowes which thou sufferedst for my sake , and take compassion of them : but that i may also know , that the examples of those many and excellent vertues , which thou heere exhibitedst , were to mee recommended , that they might by mee be imitated . wherefore , o thou teacher of the world , o thou physician of our soules , here doe i come to the foot of thy crosse , she wing my wounds and sores unto thee : heale mee , o my god , and prescribe mee what i should doe . i acknowledge , and confesse , o lord , that i am vehemently addicted to sensuall affections , and too great a lover of my selfe , which selfe-love i perceive hindereth much my spiritual profit and proficience . so as , being oft-times ensnared either with my pleasures and delights , or deterred with the labour of fasting , i lose the benefit of pious and devout exercises : with the losse whereof my salvation likewise is endangered . this sensuality of mine is to mee very tedious , very grievous : for truly it desires at set houres to feast * daintily and delicatly , it desires after dinners and suppers , to solace it selfe in discourses and delights ; likewise , to take the ayre , walke in gardens and arbours , alwayes affecting one recreation or other : but teach thou mee , o lord , by thy example what i ought to doe . o with what confusion , with what shame doe i conceive my selfe to bee cloathed , so often as i behold , after what sort thou entertainedst that most delicate , and most tender body of thine ? in the midst of those anguishes and dolours of thy most bitter death , thou ministredst to it no other repast nor receit , than that which was * confectioned of gall , and vinegar , by those cruell and hatefull apothecaries . and at that time , whose tongue , i pray thee , durst complaine of thy * meat , that it was eyther cold or raw , and ill dressed , or too quickly , or slowly dished , upon sight of that table spread , o lord , for thee , in that thy so great necessity ? in stead of delights and discourses , which i seeke in my suppers , and banquets , thou hadst the voyces of them , who with moving , and mowing , and wagging their heads , derided and blasphemed thee , saying , * hey , thou that destroyest the temple , and buildest it in three dayes . this was the musick , this the harmony of thy banquet . likewise , when thou stuckst nailed hand and foot upon the crosse , this was thy * walking into the garden . for albeit , thou hadst another garden , wherto thou retiredst after supper , yet was it not to walke in , but to pray in ; not to refresh thee , but to shed thy bloud : not to delight thee , but to grieve , sorrow , and bee in the agony of death . what shall i say more of the rest of those refreshments of thy blessed flesh ? my flesh requireth a soft bed , a pretious weed , spacious and specious houses , but tell thou mee , o my holy love , what an one might be thy chamber ? what thy house ? what thy garment ? thy garment is nakednesse , and thy purple the * habit of derision . thy * house is to bee conversant in publike assemblies , exposed to the distemperatures of sunne , and ayre ; and if i seeke for any house of thine besides this , it is a stable for beasts . foxes have their holes , and the sparrowes of heaven their nests : but thou the creator and maker of all things , hast not whereon to * lay thine head . o yee curiosities and superfluities , how comes it to passe , that there is any place left for you among christians ? either let us cease to be christians , or let us cast from us all these delights and superfluities : seeing our lord and * master hath not only cast from him those things which were superfluous , but even those things also which were necessary . now it remaineth , lord , that i see what a chamber thou hast . tell mee , o sweet lord , where it is that thou lyest , where thou sleepest at noone ? i lay mee downe here at thy feet : teach mee , what i ought to doe . for this my sensuality will not well relish a sermon of thy crosse. i desire a bed soft and sweet , and if i awake at prayer time , yet doe i suffer my selfe easily to bee overcome by sloth : i expect likewise a morning slumber , that i may get rest for my head . but tell mee , o lord , what rest thou hadst upon that * bed of thy crosse. when as leaning on the one side , thou wert wearied , how couldst thou rest thee on the other side , that thou mightst bee eased ? may not thine heart here burst ? may not all thy sensuality here dye ? o solace to the poore ! o , shame to the rich ! o strength to the penitent ! o condemnation to the soft and delicate ! neither is jesus christs bed for you , nor his glory for you . o lord , give mee grace , that after thy example i may subdue and kill my sensuality ; but if not , i beseech thee , that even this very moment thou wouldst take my life from mee . for it is not reasonable nor tolerable , that thou shouldst bee fed upon the crosse , both with gall and vinegar , and i seek after delights , and most exquisite dainties : nor that thou shouldst ●ee so poore and naked , and i with such earnestnes hunt a●ter worldly riches , and so wretchedly love and affect them : nor that thou shouldst have a * crosse for thy couch , and i seeke a soft bed , a pleasant chamber , and delight of the flesh . bee ashamed therefore , o my soule , when thou beholdest thy lord , hanging upon the crosse : where imagine him to bee * preaching unto thee , and rebuking thee after this manner . i tooke for thee ( o man ) a crowne of thornes : thou in contempt of mee , wearest a garland made of flowers . i for thee , stretched out my hands upon the crosse : wilt thou reach thine forth to pleasures and dalliance ? i dying , could not quench my thirst so much as with water : wilt thou seeke after precious wines and viands ? i , both on the crosse , as likewise all my life long , was full of reproaches , and sorrowes : wilt thou bestow thy time upon honours and pleasures ? i suffered my side to bee opened , that i might make thee even partaker of my heart : wilt thou have thine exposed and opened to vaine and perillous loves ? a short and fruitfull confession of a sinner unto god , for obtaining contrition . o god of inestimable and eternall mercy , god of unmeasurable piety , god the creator and redeemer of mankind , who purifiest the hearts of such as confesse their sinnes unto thee ; who releasest all such from the bond of iniquity , as accuse themselves before the sight of thy divine majesty : i beseech the power and depth of thy goodnesse with inward groanes : that according to the multitude of thy mercies , thou wouldst grant mee to make a pure and sincere confession before thee of all my sinnes , whereof my guilty conscience doth accuse mee . and that thou wouldst give mee true repentance for all such things as i have committed , in naughty thoughts , depraved cogitations , wicked consent , unjust counsell , in concupiscence and uncleane delights , in evill and hatefull words , in malicious works , in my seeing , hearing , tasting , smelling , and touching . i truly even in all my members doe conceive my selfe guilty above measure : because , as the starres of heaven , and sands of the sea ; so doe i know my sinnes to bee innumerable . but to thee , lord , who knowest all secrets , and who hast said , thou desirest the repentance of a sinner , doe i reveale all the secrets of my heart , accusing my naughtinesse , and my many and very great sinnes , which i have committed before the eyes of thy fearefull majesty , all my wretched life long , especially these ( here for the better increase of thy devotion and spirituall compunction , maist thou particularize some of thy grievouser sinnes ) with all those my evils , which are open and manifest , o god of mercy , in thy sight . and now , o most gracious lord , looke upon mee and have mercy on mee , and give unto mee a fountaine of teares and remission of all my sinnes , through thy free mercie , and that with inward confession of heart , and affection of desiring remission , seconded with so sincere a confession . rectifie and reforme in mee , o most loving father , whatsoever is depraved in mee , either in word , deed , thought , through my owne impietie , or the devils subtiltie ; and by joyning mee a member to the unity of the church , make mee partaker of thy redemption ; and admit mee to the sacrament of blessed reconciliation , as one who hath no confidence but in thy mercy and compassion . a confession of sinnes ; by blessed augustine . o mercifull , pitifull , great and terrible god : i confesse unto thee my sins ; to thee , to thee , doe i discover my wounds : for thine ineffable goodnesse bestow a salve on mee . thou , o most mild lord , vouchsafedst to say : i desire not the death of a sinner , but rather that hee may turne from his wickednesse , and live . i confesse , that my life is in thy sight wicked and crooked , that my life is falling into the lake of misery , and my soule perishing in my iniquities . lust , sinfull delight , naughty works , wrath , prid● , impatience , malice , envy , gluttony , ebriety , theft , rapine , lying , perjury , scurrility , foolish speaking , murmuring , detraction , ignorance , infidelity , distruct , negligence of gods commandements , as contagious glagues have slaine my soule . mine heart and lips are polluted . my seeing , hearing , tasting , smelling , and touching have enfeebled my soule with sinnes , and i am wholly lost as well in my cogitation , as action . i beseech thee , o my lord god , whose mercy hath no end , draw mee unto thee , as thou drewest that sinfull woman . as thou gavest grace unto her , not to cease from kissing thy feet , washing them with her teares , and wiping them with her haires : so graciously vouchsafe to grant unto mee , that according to the greatnesse of mine iniquities , thy great love may bee in mee , that for thine unmeasurable piety , thou maist forgive mee all my sinnes . bestow on mee pardon for evils past , continence for evils present , and cautelous prudence for evils to come : grant mee , i beseech thee , before i dye , most fully to obtaine thy mercy : and suffer not my dayes to bee ended , till my sinnes bee pardoned , but as thou willest and knowest , have mercy on mee , amen . a praier before the holy communion . haile , o most holy flesh and bloud of christ , wherereof i am made partaker in these visible elements . haile o thou highest sweetnesse , who knowest no losing , takest away all loathing , destroyest death , restorest life . haile thou blessed food , which leadest thine elect from the exile of this world to their country . haile thou happy sacrifice , which art offered upon the altar of the crosse , to god ●he father , for the whole burden of our sinnes . haile thou manna more white than snow , more sweet than honey , more precious than all gold . take from mee , i beseech thee , o good shepheard , mine iniquities : that with a purified heart and spirit , i may deserve to taste these holy of holiest . let this venerable sacrament bee an impregnable safeguard to mee against the deceits of the enemy : that fed with this wholesome viand , i may passe the slippery wayes of this life , in a blamelesse conversation , and come unto thee , the bread of life , and the true lord of angels , without any hinderance of the devils subtilty or malice . o lord heare mee , bee pacified with mee , attend mee , and tarry not from mee , o my god , for thy goodnesse sake . for none can bee worthy of so great a mystery , unlesse thou , ô omnipotent god , make him worthy , amen . a praier of th. aquinas , to be said after celebration of the holy communion . i give thankes to thee , o holy lord , omnipotēt father , eternall god , who hast vouchsafed to refresh me thy grievous sinner , and unworthy servant , for no deserts of mine , but for thy sole mercy sake , with the precious body and bloud of thy sonne our lord jesus christ . and i beseech thee , that this holy communion may not bee of guilt to mee unto condemnation , but a soule-saving intercession of remission and consolation . let it bee unto mee the armour of faith , and the shield of good-will . let it bee unto mee a removing of my vices , a rooting out of lust and licentiousnesse , an increasing of charity and patience , humility and obedience , and of all vertues . let it bee a strong defence against all mine enemies , as well visible , as invisible ; a perfect quieting and composing of my motions , as well carnall as spirituall : a constant cleaving in thee , the one and true god : and a happy consummation of mine end . and i beseech thee , that thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring mee thy most unworthy ●inner , to thatineffable banquet , where thou with thy sonne and holy spirit , art true light , full satiety , sempiternall joy , consummate gladnesse , and perfect felicity to thy saints : through the same christ our lord , amen . another praier of s. bonaventure . o most sweet lord jesu , transpierce the marrow and bowels of my soule , with the most sweet and wholesome wound of thy love ; with cleare , sincere , and most holy apostolicall charity , that my soule may languish , and melt alwayes with the onely love and desire of thee ; let her long and faint af●er thy courts ; let her desire to be dissolved , and to be with thee . grant , that my soule may hunger after thee , the bread of angels , the repast of holy soules , our dayly bread , super-substantiall , having all pleasantnesse of taste , and all delight of sweetnesse : may mine heart alwayes hunger and feed on thee , on whom the angels desire to looke , and with the sweetnesse of thy taste , let the bowels of my soule be filled : may shee alwayes thirst after thee , the fountaine of life , the fountaine of wisdome and knowledge , the fountaine of eternall light , the streame of pleasure , the fulnesse of the house of god : may shee alwayes looke about for thee , seeke thee , finde thee , draw towards thee , come to thee , meditate of thee , converse with thee , & doe all things to the praise and glory of thy name , with humility and discretion , with love and delectation , with facility and affection , with perseverance to my dissolution : and bee thou alwayes my onely hope , my whole trust , my riches , my delight , my joy , my gladnesse , my quiet and tranquillity , my peace , my sweetnesse , my perfume , my solace , my meat , my repast , my refuge , my succour , my wisdom , my portion , my possession , my treasure , wherin my mind and mine heart may be alwayes fixed , grounded , and unmoveably rooted . amen . a prayer for all judges , and justiciaries . o almighty god , who judgest iniquity in equity , and doest inscrutable things : thou , who weighest the mountaines in a balance , and wilt bring the iudges of the earth to judgement : direct their understandings to discerne what is right , give them courage and resolution to doe what is right . give them wisdome in their waies , faithfulnesse in their works , uprightnesse in their walkes . remove from them covetousnesse ; and let it bee their ambition to advance thy glory . let neither rewards bee in their hands , nor revenge in their hearts . take from them all drousinesse and dulnesse , all security and remisnesse . imprint in their hearts a feare of thy name , a reverence to thy throne , and in all their judgements a sweet attemprature of me●cy and judgement . make them tremble when they call to mind whom they personate ; and imitate thee in being compassionate . let not the orphans prayers , nor the widowes teares be unremembred : seeing these are bottled up by thee , let them not bee despised by them that represent thee . o let righteousnesse drop upon the earth , that as dew falleth upon the grasse , so every flowry border of this thine inclosed garden , may bee watred by the dew of thy grace . suffer not this iland to mourne , nor her people to grone , because of injustice , oppression , and wrong . put an hooke in the nostrils of all such imperious iudges , who take thy law into their mouth , and hate to be reformed . as for those , who turne iudgement to wormewood , and leave of righteousnes in the earth . these , who buy the poore for silver , and the needy for shoes . these ▪ that put farre away the evill day , and approch to the se●te of iniquity : the lord will be avenged of them : hee will mite the great house with breaches , and the little house with clefts . but remove these judgements from thine israel , o god : may no corruption raigne in her palaces , nor iniquity in her pathes . may a zeale of thine house , a feare of thy name , a love of piety , an hate to partiality , seize upon the hearts of all iudges and iusticiaries in this kingdome , that they may execute their places without respect of persons , and afterwards raigne with those three individuate persons , god the father , god the sonne , and god the holy ghost , trinity in unity , and unity in trinity , to whom bee all glorie , amen . a prayer for peace or tranquillity of mind . gracious god , who art a god of peace , and hast pronounced a blessing upon those who make peace , give mee that which thou blessest , that i may enjoy what thou lovest , embrace that which thou approvest , affect that which thou commendest , possesse that wherin thou delightest . thou knowest that debates , variance , and contention doe distract our devotion , distemper the affection , disquiet every good motion , disturbe every pious intention . grant therfore , i beseech thee , that these differences to which i am ingaged , or may hereafter bee intangled or inthralled , be to the glory of thy great name , the preservation of mine honest repute and fame , and quiet of my affaires , peaceably composed . cut out of mee towards my family all severity , towards my familiars all disloyalty , towards my neighbours all extremity . grant mee peace of mind in my living , peace of conscience at my dying , and after death that peace which passeth all understanding . cause all tumults of the flesh to cease in mee , all immoderate affections to decrease in mee , all inordinate motions to dye in mee . sanctifie my heart , purifie my mind , direct my spirit , erect my faith , correct my life . remove from mee all occasions of difference , that i may find quietnesse of conscience . grant that i may sow the seed of righteousnesse , walke in the wayes of holynesse , make profession of my faith with all singlenesse , that i may come to the possession of happinesse . let mee seeks peace and ensue it , love thy law and pursue it , reforme thine image and renue it . suffer not the tempests of this world to dismay mee , the errors of this life to perplex mee , or the terrors of death to appall mee . i know , o lord , affliction to bee bitter to him that suffers it impatiently ; but sweet to him that suffers it constantly . thou provest those thou lovest , and afflictest those thou affectest . affliction then cannot be bitter , when it maketh us better . what though disgrace obscure mee , wrongs inure mee , reproach impeach mee , injuries presse thicke upon mee ? i am made strong through him to beare them , who bore the crosse for me , suffered all dishonour for mee , shed his bloud for mee , lost himselfe to finde mee , became sold to redeeme mee , racked upon the crosse to reach mee a crowne , climing mount calvarie , to mount mee to glory . o make mee then ready in my suffering to imitate thee my saviour ! though warre assaile mee without , give mee peace within . humble my spirit , that i may bee of that temper , as i may still reflect upon the image of my saviour , that living in his feare , i may dye in his favour , amen . of the presence of the conscience in every place : gathered out of saint bernards meditations . cap. xiii . i cannot conceale my sinnes : because whither soever i goe , my conscience is with mee : carrying with her whatsoever i have laid up in her , bee it good or evill . shee keepes for mee living , shee renders to mee dying , whatsoever shee hath received from mee , to bee laid up in her , or kept by her . if i doe well , shee is present , or if i seeme to doe well , and thence become proud , shee is present likewise . shee is present with mee living , shee followes mee dying , every where is there inseparable confusion for mee , according to the quality of that which is laid up in my conscience by me . thus , thus , in mine owne house , and from mine owne family have i accusers , witnesses , judges , and tormentors . my conscience doth accuse mee , my memory is a witnesse against mee , reason is my judge , will my prison , feare my tormentor , delight my torment . for so many as there have beene of evill delights , so many there shall bee of sharpe and painfull torments : for thence are wee punished , whence wee are delighted . a consideration right pithy , profitable , and proper , to inforce in us a more serious meditation of the former . whither then wilt thou fly , o miserable soule , or where wilt thou make thy retire ? neither to the east , nor to the west , nor to the desart mountaines . fly thou maist , but escape thou canst not . woe is mee , what a day of terror will that bee , when thou shalt finde no place to secure thee , no friend to speake for thee , no meanes to reprive thee , all to reprove thee , none to relieve thee . when adam must bee brought from his bushes , and sarah from behind the doore , and man shall say to his conscience , ●s ahab said to elias , hast thou found mee , o mine enemy● poore guilty soule , though ●hou shouldst fly from the field to the city , from the ●ity to thy house , from thy house to thy chamber , yet wouldst thou finde no rest . for there , even there , where ●he wals inclose thee , privacie seemes to secure thee , the curtaines of the night to obscure thee , yet there will thy surcharged conscience accuse thee , thy memory witnesse against thee , the rule of reason judge thee , thy will imprison thee , feare torture thee , delight torment thee . miserable creature , where pleasure becomes a torture , delight a torment ! alas ! if thou hadst none without thee to hunt thee , thou hast one within thee will haunt thee , afflict thee , affright thee , though none should pursue thee : the wicked flee when none pursueth . o cast thine eye upon thy selfe , and see if thou bee not one of this number . what hast thou done during thy way●aring in this vale of misery , that might deserve the least drop of gods mercy ? what sinnefull motion hast thou not admitted ? what sensuall action not committed , what spirituall direction not omitted ? behold thy state in sin conceived , by sinne deceived , and into satans family received ! thou hast sur●eted in the delights of sinne , and estranged thy thoughts from the joyes of sion . thou hadst rather enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season , and to the slavery of sense subject the principality of reason , than by contempt of earth lay thee a sure foundation in heaven . miserable soule , what will become of thee , when these earthly joyes shall bee taken from thee , when these time-suting friends which seeme to love thee , shall leave thee , and by reason of that corrupt shell wherein thou sojournest , shall loath thee ? when left to thy selfe , and through anguish of spirit well neare bereft thy selfe , thou sh●lt call for comfort , but none will come neare thee ; for one of thy many fri●nds , but none will heare thee ; for one minutes rest , but none will ease thee ; for the least hope of comfort , but none will cheere thee . where canst thou looke , and not finde new objects of grie●e ? if to heaven , see how thy sinnes have incensed it ; if to earth , see how thy example hath defil'd it ; if to hell , see how thy sinnes purchase hath deserved it ! what hast thou to plead for thee ? what succour , what shelter to secure thee ? alas ! now thou art to bee presented before a judge , who is upright , and will not bee bribed ; who is all-seeing , and will not bee blinded ; who is equally minded , and will not be bended . forged oathes cannot delude him , personall respect deprave him , hireling advocates by perswasion draw him , or powerfull potentates by countenance ore-awe him . the judges of the earth shall bee judged by him ; and the kings of the earth shall tremble before him . o what will become of thee ( sinne-soiled soule ) in these straits of extremity , these intricate mazes of misery ! poore thou art , and who will enrich thee ? naked of good workes , and who will cloath thee ? hungring after this world , which cannot feed thee ; thirsting after honours , which cannot fill thee . o how long hast thou preferred the prodigals huskes of vanity , before the delitious viands of eternity ? how long hast thou turned in thy bed , like a doore on the hinges , promising thy selfe security , when nothing was farther from thee ? o reflect upon thy misery , and implore gods mercy ! even that god , in whose sight the very heavens are uncleane , such is his purity . that god , which came not to call the righteous , but the sinner to repentance , such is his piety . art thou sick ? yea sin-sick , soule-sick . * teares are the best electuary to cure this desperate malady . the * penitents brine is the ange●s wine . when sinners weepe , angels rejoyce : for right well they know , that they which sow in teares , shall reape in joy . bee a turtle then in thine heart , passionatly throbbing ; a pelicane in thy brest , compassionately piercing ; an hart in thine eyes , incessantly weeping ; a swan in thy voyce , deaths elegy singing , a philomel in thy note , for thy lost chastity ●ighing ▪ a crane in thy life , circumspectly watching . o shut , yea speedily shut , i say , thine eyes from vanity , that the objects of heaven may onely delight thee ; shut thine eares from levity , that the subject of vertue may invite thee ; shut all thy senses from the deluding motives of sensuality , that reason may bee thy guide , the love of god thy goad , heaven thy goale , peace of conscience thy crowne of glory . shut the doore of thine inner chamber , and there poure out thine heart to gods honour : where reposing , and from the world retyring , thou maist thus invoke him , thus invite him . let nothing bee unto mee ( i beseech thee ) pleasant without thee , nothing sweet , nothing specious , nothing appeare unto mee without thee precious . let all things appeare vile unto mee without thee . whatsoever is contrary to thee , let it bee displeasing to mee : and let thy good-will and pleasure , be my indeficient desire and endevour . let it irke mee to rejoyce without thee , let it delight mee to rejoyce with thee , and weep with thee . o good jesu , if it bee so sweet to weep for thee , how sweet is it to rejoyce for thee ? thus to meditate , is to recrea●e thy wearied soule in the greene pastures of spirituall comfort ; to bath thy panting soule in the pure chrystalline streames of eternall solace ; to refresh thine hungry spirit with heavenly manna ; to tune thy voyce to an holy hosanna . oh then , leave to love the world before thou leave the world . redeeme the time , because the dayes are evill . avoid the occasion , lest thou become void of reason . examine thy wayes , thy words , thy works . subtract an houre from thy sleeping , to adde to thy praying . mans security is the devils opportunity . watch therfore , for thou knowst not when the theefe will come . the holy hermit s. ant●onie , who became first professor of an eremiticall or solitary life , when he had read that divine sentence of holy scripture , — goe and sell all that thou ●●st , presently conceiving it to be meant by him , hee did so . goe and doe thou likewise . follow thy sweet saviour in a devout contempt of the world , from the cribbe to the crosse , from mount olivet to mount calvary , and from the tree of his crosse , hee will reach thee a crowne of glory . follow , i say , with fervour , the steps of thy saviour . say with holy hierom , it my mother should hang about mee , my father lye in my way to stop mee , my wife and children weep about mee , i would throw off my mother , neglect my father , contemne the lamentation of my wife and children , to meet my saviour , christ jesus . my heart is ready , my heart is ready , doe what thou bidd●st , and bid what thou wilt . but above all things , that thou maist bee at peace with thy maker , and more gracious in the sight of thy saviour , make the evening the dayes calendar : say to thy selfe ; o my soule , what hast thou done to day ? what sinne hast thou healed in thee ? wherein was god honoured by thee ? how hast thou increased or decreased , profited or failed ? doing thus , thy conscience shall not accuse thee , but defend thee ; thy memory shall not witnesse against thee , but for thee ; thy reason shall bee a judge to acquit thee , not condemne thee ; thy will shall not restraine thee , but free thee ; no feare shall affright or come nye thee ; no delight shall torment thee ; but as thy delight was in the law of the lord , ●o thy delight shall bee in the house of the lord for ever . even so come lord iesus , come quickly . upon these miscellane meditations , with other mixt subjects , conteined in this precedent tract ; a clozing sonnet . morall mixtures or divine , aptly cull'd and couc●●d in order , are like colours in a shrine , or choice flow'rs set in a border , or like dishes at a feast , each attended with his sallet , to delight the curious guest , and give relish to his palat . store of colours , they are meet , when wee should ones picture take , one choice flow'r bee 't neere so sweet , would no pleasing posie make , one dish be it neere so precious to the sent or to the tast , though at first it seeme delicious , it will cloy the sense at last . here are colours permanent , objects which will cheere the eye , here are flowers redolent , which will bloome and never dye , here are dishes of delight , ( such delights can never cloy ) to renew the appetite , and to new-revive your joy . muse not then , if here you see in this various worke of mine , such a mixt variety , sorting with this hum'rous time : though the sunne shine in our sphere , cloud or night invelop it , but the sunne shines ever here , darting forth pure rayes of wit. now the fr●uit i wish to gaine , is your profit for my paine . finis . a reply to a rigid precisian , objecting , that flowers from romish authors extracted , became lesse wholesome and divinely redolent . sir , it was your pleasure positively to conclude touching flowers of this nature , that they lost much of their native beauty , vigour and verdure , because called from a roman border : wherein i referre you to that sententious poet , to returne you answer . flores qui lambunt terrae vapores , non magis tetros referunt odores , nec minus suaves redole●e flores , tibridis oris . which i have thus rendred in true currant english , fearing lest that latine metall might disrelish your more queasy palate . flow'rs which doe lick up from the earth a vapour , yeeld to the nosthrils ne're the w rser savour , nor bee those soo●s lesse redolent in odour which gro● by tiber a christian diall ; by which hee is directed , how to dispose of his houres while he is living , how to addresse himselfe for the houre of his dying , and how to close his dayes with a comfortable ending . faithfully rendred according to the originall . to the generous , ingenious , and judicious , sir walter vavasor knight and baronet ; together with his vettuously accomplished lady : r. b. zealously consecrates this christian diall . to your grand-father have i welcom bin , receive this gage in memory of him ; whil'st no sun-diall may more truly give the houre o th' day , than this the way to live . the life of johannes justus lanspergius , a carihusian ; authour of these meditations entitled , a christian diall . iohannes justus lanspergius , borne of honest parents at lansperge a towne in bavaria , after such time as hee had finished his course in the study of philosophy at cullen , hee gave there the name to the order of the carthusians , wherein being growne famous for the space of . yeares , both by example of manners and piety , as also by writing books of devotion and sanctity , he slept in the lord the . of the ides of august , in the yeare of christs nativity , m.d.xxxix . a christian diall ; by which he is directed how to dispose of his houres while he is living , how to addresse himself for the houre of his dying , and how to close his daies with a comfortable end●ng . faithfully rendred ●cording to the originall . a briefe institution , with an exercise for an happy death : expressed in a familiar conference betwixt god and the soule . as there is nothing , o soule , which may make the love of the world more distastfull ●nto thee , or that may bring thee to so great contempt of it , and of all creatures in it , as the consideration of the shortnesse of this life , and certainty of death , whereby all thy endevours , all thine honours , all thy pleasures , thoughts , desires , and all thy joyes shall perish : so is there nothing that may solace or refresh the loving soule with greater joy , than the beleefe and hope she hath to become associated to mee , united to me , and swallowed up in mee : where there is hereafter no offence , no sinne , no separation , no danger , no feare , no sorrow . where the soule full of charity may alwaies praise mee , alwayes magnifie me , become most perfectly obedient , most perfectly pleasant unto mee , and that shee may bee with mee , where shee may desire nothing , love nothing , feele nothing else beside me , where she may wholly possesse me , & be wholly possessed by me . these things , forasmuch as they cannot firmly nor ●ully befall thee in this life , but then onely , when thou shalt bee with mee in my kingdome , to wit , when all thy desires shall bee satisfied , both in praising and loving mee , and when i shall bee all i● all . therefore it is , that ●hou justly cravest , and justly with thy whole heart de●irest in that prayer which i gave ●hee , let thy kingdome come . wherefore , o daughter , if thou lovest mee rightly , ●aithfully , fervently : thou wilt desire with all thine heart , this kingdome , that is , this state or condition ; for this with sighs thou wilt pray , to wit , that my kingdome may come , wherein thou maist with most sweet love bee to mee united , wholly in mee melted and molded . and because ( as i said before ) this cannot come to passe but by death , therefore this death , which is the gate and passage to life , is to my saints in desire , and life in patience . hence thou seest , how a soule perfectly loving mee , feareth not death . for whath hath such a soule to lose by exchange of this miserable-unhappy life , but the sta●e of sinning , snares of offending , occasions of ruine , deceits of enemies , self-frailty , feares , with other innumerable occurrents , which straiten the soule , either ignor●●t , or weake , or luke-warme , ( not to speake here of the dangers of the body ) and therefore alwayes fainting and falling . manythings here would the soule have which shee ought not , or which she even knowes nor though shee would have them . many things would shee which she cannot . in many things is the soule ignorant , blind , and walking among snares , or in darknesse , whence shee knows not how to free her selfe . how then may shee not worthily wish , how not rejoyce , that shee is delivered from these sorrowes , and dangers ? why therefore , o soule , doest tho● feare , why dost thou not desire death ? for tell mee what evill shall death bring unto thee ? if thou fearest nothing in this world , death can take nothing from thee . if thou love any thing in this world , it is with danger , yea thou lovest thine owne danger . cease therefore to love the world before death , that thou maist nothing at all feare death . furthermore , if thou love me onely in this life , joy for that thou shalt dye , for that thou shalt never enjoy what thou lovest , before thou dye . but i know what thou fearest : truly , thou lovest nothing in this world , thou possessest nothing which thou wouldst not lose , or grievest to lose ; yet feare and terror surprize thee , because thou knowest not whether thou beest worthy of love or hate ; thou knowest not how thou art to bee entertained by mee , whether to rest or punishment . o daughter , thou oughtst not to bee too curious after the knowledge of these things , yea it is not expedient for thee to know them . stand constantly , although thou feare ; in hope and affiance , both living and dying , set thy rest upon mee . thou canst not live well of thy selfe , neither canst thou dye well of thy selfe . thou hast both from mee . what , if i shall give thee grace to live holily , shall i not also give thee grace to die happily ? seeing thou hast all things from mee , exp●ct●● all things of mee , how can●● thou expect the one , and despaire of the other ? of thy selfe thou canst neither live well , nor dye well . put thy trust th●re●ore in m● , cast thy thought upon mee , ground all thy feare and care upon mee . as thou canst resist no tentation , avoid no sinne living , so neither dying . if i forsake thee no● living , if i faithfully prevent tentation , and moderate it in thy life , that thou maist beare it : i am ready to doe the very same unto thee at thy death , that thou maist vanquish it . never goe to fight with thine owne weapons , but rely on mee . if thou rely on mee , i will fight for thee . and if thou have mee fighting with thee and for thee , what hast thou to feare , who art nothing of thy selfe ? and as concerning the condition or quality of death , feare nothing . there is no kind of death that can hurt the just : for the just man , with what death soever hee shall bee surprized , shall bee at rest . wherefore , let it trouble thee nothing , whether thou die at home or abroad , in thy bed or in thy field : neither art thou to feare , whether the death bee naturall or violent , which takes thee away . for if one kind of death were more unhappy than another , all my saints ( surely ) were most unhappy , the most part whereof in times past , in the judgement of the world , and eye of flesh , most unhappily ended this life . which of mine holy martyrs dyed a naturall and timely death ? whom hath not the violence of the * crosse , racke , fire , or sword extinguished ? nothing therefore shall it hurt thee , whether thou dyest of the plague , or an apoplexy , or any other kind of death , in the bed , or in the field . onely watch , that thou maist bee found in faith , hope and charity : and no death or kinde of buriall shall harme thee . but forasmuch as speaking to thee , i likewise speake to them , who are as yet imperfect in my love ; i advise you all in this , that yee love innocence , and hate iniquity . if thou hast at any time sinned , what soule soever thou bee , cease , grieve , repent , that thou hast sinned , so long as thou livest . yet so repent , if thou wishest to thy selfe a fruitfull repentance , that thou returne not againe to thy sins , or to thy former state of sinning . alwayes expect death , and prepare thy self for it , as if thou wert at this very present to dye . but lest some devout institution should be wāting to the weake in spirit , by which supported , they may learne in some sort how to dye , i will adde something more to these . first therefore , thou oughtest to remember what mine apostle saith , and what truth it selfe speaketh , yee have not here an abiding city , but ye se●ke for one that is to come ; unto which here in this world , no otherwise than in a journey yee walke as pilgrimes . now your pilgrimage is ended , when your life is clozed . death therefore is the very last line , running betwixt this exile wherein yee are , and the countrey whereto yee goe ; so as , there is no other gate , by which yee may passe from this valley of your pilgrimage , and enter your countrey , your heavenly inheritage , but by death . death then most certainly doth wait for you , like as a most certaine end is limited to your life . but this difference there is betwixt the good and evill , that here in your pilgrimage yee all travaile mixtly , all , i say , albeit not all in a right way ; yee long after your blessed countrey : all yee , so long as yee are in your journey , although yee wander , may returne unto the true way . but when yee shall come to the end of your journey , in the gate it selfe , that is , at the point of death , yee are discerned , that some of you may passe from exile unto life , others to misery and eternall death . it is not then lightly to bee considered , nor negligently observed , how every one is to bee prepared before death come . for there yee leave all things after you , in which yee trusted . bee they riches , honours , friends , or any other vaine thing whatsoever , they shall availe you nothing at the houre of death , but leaving these behind you , ye shall goe naked unto the tribunall of god , to receive according to your works . what blindnesse , nay what madnes is it then , to rejoyce here in your journey , to love fraile things , which profit nothing ; to neglect the time and occasion of living well , and as if without all sense of god , through drousinesse and drynesse of mind , to rellish those things onely which are of the flesh , to have in pursuit those things onely which are outward , and not at all to consider the dangerous state of the inward man , and so to come unto death ? alas ; how innumerable are those miserably wretched ones who are here deceived , with the love of the world ensnared , and ●y drawing after them the yoake of the devill , how unhappily slaved ? and thus unexpectedly they come unto death , with hearts both hardned and blinded . alas ; how unhappy is the end of their life , with whom there was never meditation of death , nor preparation for health ? such things therefore are to bee rejected , as hinder the spirit , delight the flesh ; such things to bee relinquished as are not expedient ; in such sort is every one to live every houre , as if that were his very last , wherein he should dye and goe to judgement . this is the most fruitfull , profitable , & soveraigne counsell , o daughter , that thou maist live after this manner , and that death may be to thee no terrour . now then , if not continually , yet frequently , should that houre bee presented before thee , as if it were before thine eyes , wherein thy soule going out of thy body shall be judged for all thy workes , words , and thoughts . this therefore oughtst thou even at this present to injoyn thy selfe , that thou maist live so even now , to the end thou maist be found so prepared , is thou wouldst thy selfe to bee prepared , whensoever death shall undoubtedly come . it is the property of a most sottish and senselesse heart , to deferre amendment of life to that time , when time expireth , when thou canst live no longer , when now thou art not to amend thy life , but to appeare before god as thou art already amended . surely , not sinnes only , but even all things doe leave thee going out of this life . thou art not then properly said to leave thy sins , when thou canst now sin no more : but if whilest thou hast ability to sin , thou cease from sin ; true repentance is never to be called late : but this which is deferred to the end of thy life , it is to be feared that it is seldome true . for if through feare of damnation only , being even now to die , thou sorrowest , and art ready for the avoiding of punishment to performe any taske , be it never so extreme , to obtaine pardon : thou sorrowest not out of charity , in that thou hast offended god , but out of selfe-love , for that thou wishest to thy selfe good and not evill . for thou sorrowest , because thou hast brought to thy selfe eternall damnation by thy sinnes : wheras , if thou rightly sorrowest , for this only wouldst thou sorrow , in that thou , so disobedient unto me , so unthankfull to me , so reproachfull to me , hast not exhibited due honour and reverence unto me : whom thou oughtest with al affection to have honored , whatsoever should befall thee . whereas now , forasmuch as thou only sorrowest for thy selfe , if danger were avoided , or no revenge on sinne inflicted , thou wouldst never lament , though thou hadst offended me a thousand yeares together . true repentance , which reconcileth the soule unto me , springeth from charitie , and bewaileth this especially , that shee hath so greatly and grievously contemned and offended mee her best , greatest , gracioust , and most faithfull lord god , her creator and redeemer . hence , i say , is his heart wounded , for as much as so unthankfully , so disobediently , and so proudly , being bu● dust and nothing ; hee hath lifted up his head against me whosoever therefore desireth to dye happily , let him ( as mine a postle admonisheth him ) live soberly , justly , and holily . an evill death followeth not a good and just life but precious in my sight is th● death of my saints ; yea , after what sort of death soever they die , that is , whether they dye by water , or fire , or in bed . but to prepare thee all the better for death , the meditation whereof is the life of every wise man ; take here along with thee this short exercise , by which every one may instruct and addresse himselfe , that he may take a course to be found in that state , in which he may not feare to dye . wholesome admonitions , teaching a christian how to dye well , whatsoever dying thou wouldst wish that thou hadst done , doe the same even now . whatsoever thou wouldst have done , doe not commit this unto others to be done after thy death , but doe thou it thy selfe , for if thou thy selfe bee negligent of thine owne salvation , and a traytour to thy selfe , how shall strangers tender thy happinesse ? doe not repose trust in uncertaine and vaine promises : neither commit thy selfe to doubtfull events . so live and so doe , that thou maist bee safe in thy conscience , and as if thou wert this day to dye . never goe to sleepe , till such time as thou hast examined the expence of the day , with the conditions and actions of thy life . discusse and call to judgement thine heart , and examine all thy senses , and whether thou art become better or worse this day . never goe with that conscience to sleepe , with which thou darest not dye . if thou findest thy selfe in that state , wherein thou fearest to dye , search out the cause of this feare . for ( peradventure ) some sins are in thee , whereof thou hast not as yet repented , or refusest to confesse ; or else thou forbearest to abstaine from sinne , and occasions of sin , or thou takest upon thee some profession , office , or vocation , which i admit not of ; or thou continuest in hatred , or in the unjust possession of others goods , or too much affected to the desire or delight of temporall affaires , or taken with the inordinate love of some creature , or drowned with the delight of earthly and visible things ( as of honour and riches ) thou canst not turne thy selfe to mee , tasting nothing of those things , which are of the spirit , but onely let loose to outward things , and loathing those which are divine , therefore it is that thou fearest death : because thy soule guiltie of evill in her-selfe , foretelleth what torments shall befall her after death . if any of these shall be in thee , thou oughtest to abhorre , pursue , and with all thine endevour to free thee of them . for which purpose , and the better effecting of so glorious a designe , it may helpe thee much to imitate my steps , embrace my crosse , and with rigour of mind , and with holy hatred commenced against thy selfe , to denounce warre upon all thy vices , to have a purpose to sinne no more , frequently and infatigably to renue the same , with no infirmitie or pusillanimity to be dejected , to contemplate the examples of me and my saints , to commend thy selfe to the prayers and exhortations of good men , to give way to my inward and divine inspirations , to exercise prayer and holy reading , never to admit of idlenesse , to love silence and retirednesse . these and such like doe change the naughtinesse of the mind , and chase away the feare of death . when thou shalt come in the end of every day , say thus to thy selfe : now is my life become shorter by one day . earely when thou risest , say thus to thy selfe : o gracious god , now am i nearer to death by one night . an exercise , whereby earely , or whensoever thou willest , thou maist poure out thy heart unto god , for a good death . o omnipotent , eternall god , my creator and lover , i praise , laud , adore , and blesse thee , for that thou so mercifully and patiently hast suffered mee , groveling in my sins and my unthankfulnes , even unto this houre , to which thou of thy goodnesse hast brought mee , enriching me with thy benefits , conferring this life with things necessary for this life upon me , with an angelicall guardian protecting me , and inlarging towards mee thy mercy , who am injuriously ●nworthy , and a spectacle of misery . ah gracious god , who knoweth whether the terme of my life shall be pro●ogued to the evening ? o what death shall i desire ? o ●ost mercifull lord , god , and father , give unto mee contrition , whereby with all mine heart i may bewaile my sins , and my offending thee . and doe not suffer my soule to goe forth from her bodie , till she be reconciled to thee in mercy , adopted to thee by grace , adorned with thy merits and vertues , inflamed with most perfect charitie , and accepted according to thy all-good-will and pleasure . o most gracious lord jesu christ , if this i desire of thee do please thee , grant it unto me , although i bee most unworthy to bee heard of thee ; grant unto me , i beseech thee , for thine infinite mercies , and the merits of thy passion , that i may bee purged in this life from all my sins , that dying , and through vehement and true contrition pricked , and in most ardent charitie to thee united , i may goe out unto thee , my most sweet redeemer , being forthwith freed and secured from all damnation , and future affliction . notwithstanding , o most loving jesu , i doe offer and resigne my selfe unto thee , whether it be to poverty , penury , or any other extremitie , for thy glories sake , according to thy good-will and pleasure : beseeching thee only this , that thou wouldst bee mindfull of my frailty , vilenesse , weaknesse , and misery , as also of thy goodnesse and charity , that thou wouldest never forsake mee , nor depart from mee , but that thou wouldst alwayes wholly governe and possesse mee , according to thy good pleasure . amen . an oblation of christ and his merits to his father . o omnipotent most gracious father , i doe offer unto thee all those pains , dolours , reproches , stripes , and rebukes , all adversities , extremities , and labours of thine onely begotten jesu christ , the lambe immaculate , which hee suffered in his body for me ; likewise all his actions , and every of his members afflicted for me , his bloud shed for me , and with prophane feet trampled ; also his most noble and devout soule , separated from his lovely body for me , his merits likewise and infinite vertues . likewise the powers or faculties of his soule and body , and all those vitall parts in him , given up unto death for mee , albeit inseparably united to his divinity : yea , the whole christ , thy blessed sonne , god and man , omnipotent and infirme , despicable and glorious , doing wonders and hanging upon the crosse , these ( i say ) doe i offer unto thy sacred majesty , to the expiation and satisfaction of all my sins , and of all the world , and to the mortification and extinction of all mine evill passions , affections , and vices , to the supply of all my negligences , and to thy praise , and thanksgiving for all thy benefits . o god be mercifull unto me a miserable sinner , for his sake . have mercy on mee for the love of jesu christ , thy beloved son. the dying mans diary , or a christians memento mori ; divided into a five dayes exercise . there are , who all the yeare long present the figure and feature of death before them by some certaine exercise , and prepare themselves no otherwise for death , than if they were even then to dye , and that for the space of five dayes continually . the first day , they meditated of the griefes & infirmities which goe before death , and horrour of death : unto all which they resigne themselves . the next day , they thinke of their ●ins , confessing them with so great diligence and intention , as if they were to dye presently after their confession . therefore they spend this day in sighs and teares . the third day , they come unto the blessed eucharist with all the fervour they may , receiving it as their viaticum in their passage from this their exile . the fourth day , they make continuall supplications unto god , for the unction of the holy spirit , whereby they might be illuminated , and the hardnesse of their hearts mollified : and this they do , as it were , for extreme unction . the fifth day , they become most fervent supplicants unto god for a spirituall death : wherby they may perfectly dye to the world & to themselves , and live with god. and to everie of these dayes may be applyed proper psalmes and prayers , as also divine invocations , & giving of thanks , for all benefits conferred by god upon them all their life long . profitable counsell for one approaching neare the point of death . o daughter , seeing thy selfe in this extremitie , prepare thy soule for god ; so order and dispose here in thy life time of thy goods temporall , that after thy death no difference nor debate may arise . it is most profitable for thee to dispose of thy goods in thy life time , and to redeeme thy sins , whilest thou livest , with works of mercie . whatsoever thou wouldest recommend to others to doe for thee , labour to doe it of thy selfe . for if after death thou go to eternall torment , the provision of a will , a pompous funerall , almes and doales after death , what will these availe thee , when thou art damned ? offer these oblations to me now whilest thou art living , that thou mayest not onely be delivered from thy sins , but by increasing in my grace , never fall into damnation , but by my preventing grace preserving thee from sin , persevere in good works even to the end . when death draweth neare , see that thou wholly free thy selfe then from all unnecessarie cares and imployments , strive to meet me immaculately , affectionately , faithfully , promising nor presuming nothing of thy works , but through my assured mercie to obtaine salvation : and in this faith committing and commending thy selfe , and all thou hast in this world , to my providence and good pleasure , receive the sacraments humbly and devoutly . those peculiar priviledges and graces also , which have power in them through my merits , and are given by mee as a treasure unto the church ( albeit many oft-times abuse them , as they do other most holy things ) if thou canst have them , cause them to be applyed unto thee . for even this , verie holy persons of both sexes , and famous for their miracles , have formerly done . an exercise , wherein the sick person with sighs and groanes ( because otherwise it can scarcely be done ) may resigne himselfe unto god , and fervently desire , that he may deserve to be joyned unto him . o most faithfull lover , most mercifull lord jesu christ , grant unto mee , that with heart and mind i may feele , what i say : as the hart brayeth for the rivers of water , so panteth my soule after thee , ô my god. i have chosen to be an abject in the house of the lord , rather than to dwell in the tabernacle of sinners . blessed are they that dwell in thy house , ô lord , for ever and ever shall they praise thee . my soule hath thirsted after thee , ô god , when shall i come and appeare before thy face ? why art thou sorrowfull , ô my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within mee ? trust in the lord ; therefore will i now confesse my selfe unto him , the salvation of my countenance , and my god. shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant , ô lord , save me for thy mercies sake . let me not be confounded for ever , for i have called upon thee . be not far from mee , ô my god. looke downe upon mee and help mee , ô my god. the poore is left unto thee , thou wilt be the orphans helper . thou art my refuge in my tribulation , which hath compassed mee : o my joy deliver me from these that encompasse mee . make hast to helpe mee , ô lord god of my salvation . for thou art my strength , and my refuge , my helper and my protector . doe not then leave me , nor despise me , ô god of my salvation . behold i come unto thee , ô my god , whom i have despised and offended : for the whole earth is full of thy mercie . therefore doe i flie unto thee , my most mercifull father . receive mee according to thy word , when thou sayest ; ( i will not the death of a sinner ) and let mee live , and confound mee not in my hope . o my god , i doe not pray unto thee , for a life temporall , but i call upon thee for the salvation of my soule , who art life eternall . o my sweet lover , o my lord god , for as much as i have offended thee ; for that i have neglected thine inspirations and admonitions , for that i have at any time loved ought be●ide thee , or without thee , for this , o my lord god , for this doe i grieve : and i beseech thee , that thou wouldest give unto mee so much grace , as i may with all mine heart grieve a●d lament during everie moment of my life . would to god that i might poure out and offer unto thee everie drop of my bloud with teares , for griefe and love , into thy most sweet heart . o sweet jesu , i neither desire nor expect of thee life nor death , but thy good will and pleasure : may it be done unto mee according to thy will. if it be thy will , o my sweet jesu , that i shall dye , receive my spirit : and although i come in the evening , as the verie last of all , grant unto mee , that i may receive eternall rest with thee , and in thee . but if it be thy will that i shall live longer , o sweet jesu , i purpose this , and i crave the assistance of thy grace for this , to amend the rest of my life , and to offer my selfe wholly as a burnt sacrifice unto thee , to thy glorie , and according to thy good will and pleasure . o most desired jesu , for as much as i have consumed my life in sin , to the reproch of thy glorious name , nor to this day have begun to serve thee : grant unto mee , that i may now at last perfectly begin , and employ all the powers of my soule an● body , and all the remainder of my time given mee by thee , to thy glorie , and according to thy best and most perfect will. o most mercifull jesu , be thou neare mee in these my paines and miseries , with which i am straitened , and i● any more grievous than these shall come upon mee , for that i have deserved not onely more grievous , but most grievous by reason of my sins : grant that i may patiently beare them . o sweet jesu , if i had never at any time sinned , nor at thine hand evilly deserved , notwithstanding to thy glorie , and for thy love , good will , and pleasure , i offer and resigne my selfe unto thee , either in these or any other punishments , to deale with mee according to thy will , not my worth , but in the multitude of thy mercies , on which i relye , and on which i call , that by thy power thou wouldest raise and rouze up the frailtie of my flesh , and strengthen with longanimitie , and confirme with patience the pusillanimitie and instabilitie of my spirit : that i may not ●all downe , as one either vanquished with tentation , or faint through pusillanimitie : but swallowed up with the most burning heat of thy love , i may onely sigh after thee , onely desire thee , and leave , loath , and contemne the world , with all that is in it : giving thee thanks with all mine heart , for all things , whether ministring unto me occasion of joy or sorrow . o most loving jesu , i chuse thee , i wish thee , i desire thee , i meet thee , and i renounce whatsoever thou art not in mee : what thou willest , i will : what thou nillest , i nill : whatsoever thou abhorrest , i abjure . and though sometimes , that 〈◊〉 is contrarie to this will in mee , may be incident unto mee , i beseech thee , o my god , that thou wouldst not impute it unto mee , nor judge mee according to that depravednesse of will in mee , but according to this election of my mind , by thy grace wrought in mee . because i contradict all those things which i ought not to will : yea , though ( which for thy mercie sake avert ) i hereafter vanquished , should consent unto , yet now doe i accurse and abjure them . o most loving jesu , if it please thee , and redound to thy glorie , grant unto mee that i may be pre●erved in this life from all sins and punishments , into which after death i ought otherwi●● to come , to which i am subject , or may possibly come , and that thou wouldst receive my soule by the hand of thy mercie , immediately from this life to eternall joyes . o lord iesu christ receive my spirit , &c. a christians last-will , or testament . containing a protestation or testament , not unprofitable to be repeated , or meditated of everie christian at the point of death . composed , as may be probably gathered , by joannes lansper gensis , and faithfully rendred according to the originall . a christians last-will , or testament . containing a protestation or testament , not unprofitable to be repeated , or meditated of everie christian at the point of death . composed , as may be probably gathered , by joannes lansper gensis , and faithfully rendred according to the originall . in the name of the father , and the son , and holy ghost . i. m. an unhappie sinner , redeemed with the most precious bloud of our lord jesus christ , and that for his great love towards mee , no merit of mine , doe confesse and acknowledge publikely , or by this hand-writing , or in these words , before the omnipotent god , and before the whole hoast of heaven , and before you , so many as stand here as witnesses about me , ( if necessitie shall so require ) that i am , and desire so to dye , a son truly obedient to the holy catholique church , with that ●inceritie as becommeth a christian. and i beleeve and confesse generally , all and everie part , particle , portion , or article of the christian faith , to the beleefe whereof everie christian stands bound : especially all those particular points whether plainly expressed , or necessarily implyed in the twelve articles of christian faith , for as much as they were delivered unto us , from the holy spirit , by the twelve apostles , and recommended to us for evangelicall truth . and i farther beleeve and adhere to their inter pretations , or expositions , yet not to all or everie one , but to those onely , which were published by the holy fathers , received , admitted , ●pproved and confirmed by the most sacred councells , and tried by the truest touch-stone of infallible scripture . and to be briefe , i beleeve whatsoever a christian ought truly to beleeve . in which faith so immoveable and firme , i rejoyce with all mine heart to dye , holding and offering this writing in mine hand , as a most impregnable and invincible shield against all the insults , assaults , deceits , and subtilties of the devill . and if it so come to passe ( which god forbid ) that by instigation of the devill , or violence of sicknesse , i should thinke , speake , or doe any thing contrarie to mine attestation aforesaid , or should fall into any apostacie , diffidence , or desperation : i wholly revoke and reverse that , whatsoever or howsoever it shall be , here in the presence of you all , and make it as voyd and of no effect , as if i were distraught of my wits when i did it . wherefore i appeale unto you all that are here present , and to thee , o holy angell , to whose guard i am committed , that yee beare witnesse of this my protestation before the omnipotent judge . now , for as much as concerneth my selfe , i doe pardon and forgive all injuries of what nature , qualitie , or condition soever , as have beene done mee , desiring heartily that the like may bee done to mee by those , whom i have at any time offended , either in word or deed . i doe likewise crave and desire with all mine heart , that i may bee made partaker of all good works , which either are already done , or shall be hereafter done by holy men through the whole church : whensoever , or whereinsoever their office or ministerie may be usefull to mee : but principally of the most bitter passion , and most innocent death of our lord jesus christ. and may this my naturall , voluntarie , and desired approch of death , stand through his merits and mercies , for all my sinnes . and i wish to god that i had never at any time sinned , either against god , or his lawes , or my superiours , or my neighbours , or my selfe . lastly , i give thanks to mine omnipotent god , for all his benefits bestowed upon me , and i commend my body and soule into his hands , and to the bitternesse of the passion of our lord jesus christ , to whom be praise , and honour , and dignitie for evermore , amen . an elegie of st. dionysius , a carthusian , of the judgement of death , and the sundrie casualties thereof . to earth returnes , whats'ere from earth had birth ; flower fades , shade vades , what 's bred is brought to earth . nought judge i long that doubtfull bound can stay , to morrow day may be my onely day . short is that day to day : which well may be my day , my doome , a fearefull day to me . a fearefull horrid day , when all my store is clos'd in clay , and i can earne no more . who thinks his dayes long ( 'las ) he thinks amisse , nor long nor safe is one whole day of his . in vaine speake i of dayes , dayes not exprest , when not one day nor houre can promise rest . thy long liv ' d hopes ( if so thou like ) extend , yet nought of nought , shall come to nought i'th'end . thou●ands , ten thousands , thousand thousands were on earth , now earth , whose names lye buried here : this onely rests , that each receive his hire , good works deserve good gifts , ungodly fire . behold the fearefull judge , thy finall doome ! prepare thy selfe , this dreadfull day will come . feare then and quake , compose , direct thy mind , live to dye now , and suffer what 's assign'd . an epistle of ludovicus blosius , written to an especiall friend , upon the perfecting and publishing of his worke entituled , the parlour of the soule . behold thou hast , my dearely beloved in christ , a the parlour of the soule , which thou hast so long time desired . having now lately written the spirituall glasse , both for thy selfe and mee , i had purposed to have added nothing thereto : howbeit afterwards , i could by no meanes satisfie thy desire , unlesse i annexed unto it , the spirituall iewell , crowne , and casket , all which this our parlour containeth . which truly came later to the presse than thou wished : but take it in good part , being done by the p●rpose and ordinance of god. now if thou setting aside sometimes thy more weightie cares and employments , become delighted with the reading of such simple bookes as are published by mee ( as thou seemest to be delighted ) i doe advise thee that first thou enter into this parlour , and diligently consider and discusse those things which are therein : and afterwards that thou take into thy hand that psychagogia , which i have collected some yeares agoe , out of augustine and gregorie . for the doctrine of the fathers set downe in these two books , shall mightily comfort and confirme thee being of so good disposition , and inflame thee to the love of god & thy heavenly countrey . let it not be tedious to thee ofttimes to read over these and such like devout works , yea , though thy reading afford small or no sweet relish to the palate of thine heart . for too delicate is he , who casteth aside all such holy and wholesome directions as he had once read , or heard , and will not read nor heare them any more . i give thanks unto my lord jesus , for that thy brother , after such time as he had read over that tract of mine entitled , comfort for the weak hearted , and now by mee published , hee becomes now lesse afflicted with inordinate feare , than before . let him ascribe that reliefe , as received solely from god and his holy doctors , who speake unto him in that tract of comfort . he does well surely , to grieve and sorrow for that hee hath offended god without measure or number all the by-past time of his life : neverthelesse hee is to have his affiance and confidence in the boundlesse sweetnesse of gods mercie . let him thinke how most of those who had slaine christ , afterwards received pardon by beleeving in christ : to the end truly , that all men should learne , that no crimes or offences are so grievous , which god most gracious and full of the fatnesse of mercie , will not forgive to such as are faithfull converts and true penitents before him . for it is an especiall propertie ●est becomming our most holy god , to have mercie and spare these , who humble themselves before him , and heartily ●eg pardon of him . rightly doth thy brother confesse that at all times he is verie imperfect : yet let let him remember , that the imperfect cost christ as deare as the most perfect . that inconstancie or instability of mind , wherewith hee saith , that hee is afflicted in his prayer , is common to innumerable servants of god. there is no cause then that hee should be hereby so much amated . for if hee suffer this distraction against his will , and strive wirh his best endevour to become attentive , his prayer humbly poured forth in this distraction , is ofttimes more usefull and fruitfull , than if it were performed with great attention of heart . for god approveth his desire , affection , and devout endevour , and purgeth the soule with such like griefes as these , or else conserveth and adorneth it being purged and purified from these distractions . exhort him alwayes , that hee be of good courage . if with a patient and resigned heart , hee suffer for the love of god his afflictions , and want of health , whereof almost hee daily laboureth , hee need not doubt , but so soone as he shall lay off this grievous , onerous , and bitter load of corruptible flesh , hee shall enjoy eternall joy and health . goe to then , my beloved , let us observe our selves , i pray thee , vigilantly , and so endevour to live circumspectly , as becommeth true christians , who beare both the style and state of christianitie . let us passe over all the residue of our present life profitably . in all things that wee doe , let us wirh sing●enesse of heart principally respect the praise and glorie of god. let us love iesus , who loveth us with a most ardent and unmeasurable love . for his honour let us mortifie in us as much as wee may , our owne proper and depraved wills and vices . let us subject and conforme us in all things to gods will. let us beare a mind humble and resigned : continually desiring and studying to please god. for by this meanes wee shall at last come to that chiefe and most joyfull good : which that wee might possesse , wee were created to the image of god , and redeemed with the pretious bloud of christ. wee shall come , i say , unto god , who is the amiable abysse & fountaine of all light , life , beautie , excellencie , sweetnesse and abundance . then shall wee be truly blessed , seeing the vision of all beautie infinitely exceeding and excelling all the sense-attracting objects of this whole world : for wee shall behold in the light of glorie the mellifluous countenance of god , and in him , by a most sweet fruition of him , shall wee rest , and obtaine imperturbable peace . then shall wee abound with unspeakable joy , & shall be fully satisfied , and shall perfectly love , and praise god for evermore . o how great felicitie is it to attaine to the cleare vision of god ; and againe , how great infelicitie , to be deprived of it , and to be drenched in hell , and there horribly to be tormented without end ! farewell in the lord , and pray for mee . that excellent part of the dialogue composed by d. henricus suso , wherein the praises and profits of afflictions are expressed , and many other precepts usefully delivered , some few dayes since i inserted in my comfort for the weake hearted , that i might gratifie thy brother . he shall easily procure it , so soone as it shall be reprinted . as touching the sayings of the aforesaid suso , which thou desirest should be sent unto thee , here receive them , as i have compiled them for thee , and addressed them to thee . certaine choyce or select sayings of d. henricus suso . of the love of the world , and of the love of god. that most holy and beloved man of god , henricus suso , lamenting the infelicitie of such , as intangled in vaine love , and wholly given over to this present world , doe neglect god and their owne salvation , exhibiteth his complaint be●ore god after this manner . truly , o lord , it is a thing much to bee lamented , that so many hearts fit for holy love , so many excellent and beautifull soules stamped with gods image , which by a spirituall wedlock with thee contracted , might become q●eenes and empresses , and have dominion over heaven and earth , should so foolishly and imprudently estrange themselves from thee , deject themselves so basely , and perish so wittingly . surely i am perswaded , that if the inward eyes of all men should so see thee , as i see thee , all transitorie love would be forthwith extinguished in them . i cannot sufficiently admire , o lord , ( albeit i stood sometimes far otherwise affected ) that any ones soule should possibly rest in any thing but in thee , the most vast and unbounded depth . o incomprehensible good , and inwardly to be embraced ! o most sweet lord , how well is it with that soule which onely loveth thee , and which thou with the divine streames and beames of thy grace , excellently enlightenest , and to to thy selfe more nearely joynest and couplest ! what heavenly and mellifluous consolation doth such a soule draw from thee , what secret delights of sacred love doth shee conceive in thee ? thou art the boundlesse sea of most pure and inestimable pleasures . what amiablenesse , comelinesse , beauty soever can by any meanes be conceived , all that above all measure , is to be found in thee plenteously stored . nothing that is pleasant , gratefull , or plausible , can bee found in any creature , which is not in a most pure and exquisite manner infinitely more aboundant and excellent in thee . so often as i behold the formes of beautifull objects , when i take a view by inward contemplation of heaven , earth , woods , and fields , and of the whole world , all these things seeme to convent , and summon my heart in these words : consider how amiable and beautifull he is , who hath made us , who is the fountaine of all beautie . o lord jesus what joy doe i receive from thee ? surely , while i doe thinke , how i am beloved of thee , the most high god ; whatsoever is within mee , melteth through the joy which i conceive of thee . for this therefore doe i rejoyce in my mind , for as much as thou art so good , as thou vouchsafe●t to be my friend , as i constantly hope , and confidently trust . of the passion of our lord. the same suso in a dialogue bringeth in the eternall wisdome , that is christ jesus , talking with his minister of his passion , after this manner : the heart of man is much more gratefull unto me , if it be freed of earthly love , and by perpetuall diligence intentive to imitate the excellent example of my life , than if hee should follow mee with continuall laments , and should shed so many teares as there be drops of raine which fall from the aire . for in the suffering of my most bitter death , this especially have i intended & aimed , that men sho●ld imitate mee : albeit pious and devout teares bee likewise verie acceptable unto me . if thou canst not remember my most bitter passion with watrie eyes , doe it notwithstanding , with a cheerefull mind , for these unmeasurable good things which thou derivest from it . but if neither joyfully nor dolefully thou canst meditate of it , yet with a drie heart to my praise trace cursorily over it . for so shalt thou performe an office of observance , no lesse gratefull to me , than if with teares of compassion and sweetnesse of affection , thou shouldst wholly melt into a floud of devotion . for by this means shouldst thou effect a work through love , without respect unto thy selfe . but to the end that this my passion may pierce nearer thine heart , and thou become more affected to it , heare what i shall speake unto thee . the soule which hath bound her selfe in many sins , may with the treasure of my passion so much enrich her , and apply it to her , that though she deserved a thousand yeares to be punished , and with a thousand kinds of exquisite tortures to be afflicted , in a short time both the sin and punishment due for the same may sue release , and in her passage hence comfortably depart in peace , and bee translated to heaven as her true resting place . but this must be done by this meanes ; by weighing and discussing with a contrite heart frequently and fervently the greatnesse and multitude of those odious sins , wherewith so irreverently shee ●a●h offended the eyes of her heavenly father ; afterwards for works of satisfaction , as hee is not to omit them , so is hee to disvalue them , as such , that if compared with his sins , they are no more than one drop of water in comparison of the maine sea ; but hee is to advance and extoll wonderfully the greatnesse of my satisfaction , seeing the verie least drop of my pretious bloud , which everie where streamed from my whole body , had beene sufficient for taking away the sins of a thousand worlds : of which satisfaction of mine , neverthelesse so much everie one applyeth to himselfe , as hee conformeth himselfe to mee in suffering with mee , and as hee humbly and seriously crowneth the smalnesse of his satisfaction , in the infinitenesse of my expiation . of the holy eucharist . in that selfe-same dialogue of suso , the wisdome incarnate discoursing of the holy eucharist , saith to his minister ; the least gift that proceedeth from mee in the venerable sacrament , shineth and beameth much more gloriously unto all eternitie , than any splendour of this visible sun , and is much more brighter and clearer than the verie bright day-star it selfe . briefly , it adorneth thee much more excellently , by a certaine eternall comelinesse & beautie , than at any time any summer , be it never so pleasant , beautifieth the earth . but dost thou not ( perhaps ) doubt whether this most illustrious divinitie of mine be more bright than any sun , and my most excellent soule more sparkling than any star , and my glorious body more delightfull than the pleasantnesse of any summer ? all which in verie truth thou conceivest in the eucharist . where i am the bread of life to the devout and well-prepared : but to the unworthy , who continue by affection or action in mortall sins , i am a temporarie plague here , and an eternal curse hereafter : for on these waiteth certaine damnation , unlesse they be reconciled to mee by true repentance . surely , if any one were endued with the naturall puritie of all the angels , & renowmed with the the integritie and sanctitie of all the saints , and adorned with the good works of all mortall men ; yet , though thus accomplished , were not hee worthy to receive mee in the sacrament . but when man doth all that hee can , nothing more is required at his hands , seeing wha●soever is wanting through him , i supply in him . but far better it is to come to this venerable sacrament in love , than to abstaine from it through feare . of resigning , denying , and mortifying himselfe . svso likewise wrote these singular sentences touching resigning and denying ones selfe . a perfect life consists not especially in this , that thou abound in comfort , but that thou submit and resigne thy will to the divine will. that thou humbly obey his will in the bitter sop of affliction , and the sweet syrupe of consolation ; and that thou place and debase thy selfe under the feet of all men . for nothing is more pleasing to the supreme angelicall spirit himselfe , than in all things to satisfie the divine will : in so much , as if hee knew that it would redound to the praise of god , to pull up nettles , or other weeds by the root , he would most desiredly performe this taske before all others . there is no resignation more perfect or excellent , than to be resigned wholly in the forsaking of himselfe : neither ought any one to bee too much grieved in mind , if he have small experience of spirituall sweetnesse : let him rather think how hee is unworthy of it . a true resignation of himselfe to the will of god , both in affaires certaine and uncertaine , without all doubt freeth and secureth man from all perils and occurrents , causing him to rejoyce with true peace in all things . so great is the pietie and benignitie of god , that hee can by no meanes at any time forsake him , who with a confident heart relyeth on his goodnesse , and recommendeth and resigneth himselfe wholly to his divine providence . true submission , depression , and abnegation of ones selfe , is the root of all ver●ues , of all health and happinesse . it grieveth one surely to bee wise and eloquent , and notwithstanding to be enjoyned silence : to be by others disesteemed , derided , iujuried , to heare himselfe calumniated and traduced , and not to defend & revenge his cause : or for a wise and honourable man to give place to a naughtie wretch , and one of no reckoning , a●d not to withstand it : and yet all this is nothing else surely than by deniall of himselfe , to become conformable to the excellent patterne of christ. now albeit , in suffering affliction wee be not alwayes of a mind equally resigned , yet are wee not to conclude therefore , that ●ope of salvation is taken away , or the grace of god lost : so that wee doe not kick and rebell against god with a stubborne mind . works , exercises , and instructions , whether performed with our owne proper will , or affection derived from it , although they may seeme joyes , yet are they of small consequence , so long as denying and resigning of our selves bee not joyned with them . it becommeth a man that is partaker of reason , to doe these works not out of a naturall propension , or appetite , like bruit beasts following the instinct of nature , but with reason , to the praise of god , and for the love of god , so as hee in no place seek his owne private gaine , delight , praise , reward , but onely god. so to deny , mor●ifie , and relinquish our selves ought wee , that wee may in no case refuse to bee disvalued , or suffer adversitie for god , that wee may diligently refraine both our tongue ▪ and senses , suffering no inordinate delight to possesse us , or the desire thereof to surprize us . as a plate or lamell of gold set unto our eyes , doth no lesse hinder our sight , than a plate of iron : so it behoveth us to renounce , and remove from our minds all instable mortall creatures , be they never so noble , if wee will enjoy that most excellent good , which is god. in true deniall , the whole summe of perfection consisteth : without which none shall profit , what way soever hee turne him . almightie god grant us grace , that with incessant endevour wee may perpetually strive to deny , mortifie , relinquish , resigne , goe forth of our selves , and dis-esteeme our selves . amen . to his most deare and affectionate sisters , their faithfull brother dedicates this passionate pilgrim ; as a living memoriall of his unfained love never dying . my teares , my joyes ; my widdow-weed , my bride ; my prize , heav'ns praise ; my love , christ crucifide . the passionate pilgrim ; breathing a contemplative mans exercise : offering a penitent soules sacrifice . the contemplative mans exercise : or penitent soules sacrifice . the wise mans heart is ever fixt on god , and with a filiall kisse receives his rod. goe to now , miserable man , flye a little thine occupations , retire thy selfe for a space from thy tumultuous cogitations . lay aside now thine onerous cares , and set apart thy laborious distentions . reserve thy selfe a while for god , and rest thy selfe a little in him . enter into the chamber of thy mind , shut out all things besides god , and those things which helpe thee to seeke him , and having shut thy gate , seeke him . say now , o my heart , say now ; o my lord , i seeke thy countenance , thy countenance , o lord , doe i seeke . goe to therefore now my lord god , teach mine heart , where and how it may seeke thee , where and how it may find thee . o lord , if thou beest not here , where may i seeke thee being absent ? but being everie where , why doe i not see thee present ? but surely thou inhabitest a light inaccessible . but where is that light inaccessible ? or how shall i come to that light inaccessible ? or who will guide mee , and bring mee to it , that i may see thee in it ? then , with what signes , with what face shall i seeke thee ? i have not seene thee , o lord my god , i have not knowne thy face . what shall hee doe , o most high lord , what shall this thy forraine banisht one doe ? what shall thy servant doe , doubtfull of thy love , and far casten off from thy face ? hee longeth to see thee , and thy face is far from him . hee desireth to come unto thee , and thine habitation is inaccessible . hee desireth to find thee , and knoweth not thy place . hee affecteth to seeke thee , and knoweth not thy countenance . o lord , thou art my god , and thou art my lord , and i never saw thee . thou hast made mee , and re-made mee : and all those good things which i have , hast thou bestowed on mee , and i have not yet knowne thee . finally , to see thee was i made , yet have not i done that for which i was made . o miserable condition of man , to lose that for which hee was made ! o hard and harsh chance is this ! out alas , what ha's hee lost , and what ha's hee found ? what is gone , and what abideth ? hee hath lost happinesse , for which hee was made , and hee hath found unhappinesse , for which hee was not made . that is gone , without which nothing is happie , and that abideth which of it selfe is nothing but unhappie . man did eat the bread of angels , which now hee tastes not : now hee eats the bread of sorrowes , which then hee knew not . o the publique lamentation of men , the universall mourning of the children of adam ! hee flowed in all plenteous manner , wee sigh for hunger . hee abounded , wee fast . hee happily possest , and miserably lost : wee unhappily need , and miserably beg : and alas , wee remaine emptie . why did hee not keepe for us when he easily might , what we so grievously want ? why h'as hee thu● shut the light from us , and brought darknesse upon us ? wretched men , whence are wee expulsed , and whereto are we forced ? yea , whither are wee headlong throwne , where overwhelmed ? from our countrey to exile : from the sight of god to our blindnesse : from the joy of immortalitie , into the bitternesse and horrour of death . miserable exchange ! from how great good , to how great evill ? great losse , great griefe , nothing but griefes . but out alas for me unhappy wretch , one amongst the rest of the miserable children of eve , divided from god , what have i done , what have i begun ? whither did i goe , whereto am i come ? to what did i aspire , in what doe i now sigh ? i sought for good , and behold trouble . i went towards god , and behold i became an offender against my selfe . i sought for rest in my secret paths , and i found tribulation and sorrow in my inward parts . i would have laughed through the joy of my minde , and i was enforced to rore through the griefe of mine heart . joy was expected , and behold how sighes were increased ! how long , lord , wilt thou forget us ? how long wilt thou turn thy face from us ? when wilt thou look upon us , and heare us ? when wilt thou enlighten our eyes , and shew thy face to us ? when wilt ●hou restore thy selfe to us ? o lord look upon us , heare us , enlighten us . shew thy selfe to us , that it may be wel with us , without whom it is so ill with us . have mercie on our labours and endevors directed to thee , who are able to doe nothing without thee . enlighten us , helpe us . i beseech thee , o lord , let mee not despaire through fainting , but respire by hoping . i beseech thee , o lord , mine heart is made bitter with her desolation , sweeten it with thy consolation . i beseech thee , o lord , i hungry have begun to seeke thee , let me not depart fasting from thee ; i hunger-starv'd have come unto thee , let me not depart unfed from thee . i poore come to thee rich , i miserable to thee mercifull , let me not depart empty and contemned : and if before i eat i sigh , grant that after my sighs i may eat . o lord , i am become crooked , and cannot but looke downward , raise mee that i may looke upward : mine iniquities are gone over mine head , they overwhelme me , and as an heavie burden presse me . free and disburden mee , lest the ditch stop her mouth upon me . let me look upon thy light , though a farre off , though from the deepe . teach mee to seeke thee , and shew thee to mee seeking thee : because neither can i seeke thee , unlesse thou teach mee : nor finde thee , unlesse thou show thee . let mee seeke thee by desiring , desire thee by seeking , finde thee by loving , love thee by finding . i confesse , o lord , and i give thankes : because thou hast created in mee this thine image , that being mindfull of thee , i might think of thee , and love thee . but so abolished is this image with the blemishes of vice , and so darkned with the smoake of sinne , as it cannot doe that for which it was made , unlesse thou renue , and reforme it . i presume not , o lord , to pierce thine height , for i can by no meanes nor measure compare mine understanding to it , yet i desire in some sort to understand thy truth , which mine heart beleeveth and loveth . neither doe i beleeve to understand that i may beleeve , but i beleeve that i may understand . for this , likewise , i beleeve , that unlesse i beleeve , i shall not understand . therefore , o lord , thou who givest understanding to faith , give unto mee that i may understand so much , as thou knowest to be expedient for mee ; for thou art as wee beleeve , and this thou art which wee beleeve , true god , who livest and reignest world without end . deahts memoriall . the child of god thinkes willingly of death , to rest with him , who after death gives breath . now to shut up all , with that which closeth all , by imposing a period upon all ; we are to consider , now when the sinfull soule beginneth to be loosened from these bonds of flesh , with what bitter terror shee is afflicted , with what stings of a biting conscience shee is distracted . shee remembers the things forbidden her , which shee hath committed ; shee considers the things commanded her , which shee hath negligently contemned ; she bemoanes those opportunate times of repentance offer'd her , and which shee so fruitlesly apprehended ; shee bewailes that immoveable article of strict revenge , inevitably approching her . she h 'as had sufficient time of sojourning here ; shee is now compelled to goe hence . shee would regaine that which shee h'as lost , but she is not heard . behind her , shee beholds the whole course of her forepast life , all which shee accounts as one short pace . she casts her eyes upon her selfe , and collects the space of an infinite perpetuity . she laments therefore , in that she h'as lost , what in so short a space she might have got , the joy of all ages . she bemoanes her selfe , in that for so short a pleasure of fleshly delight , she h'as lost the unspeakable sweetnesse of perpetuall solace . shee blusheth , in that for this substance which is subject to wormes , shee h'as neglected that which was to have beene ranked amongst quires of angels . now she lifteth up the beames of her minde , and no sooner beholdeth the glory of immortall riches , than shee becomes confounded , for that she h'as lost them for the poverty of this life . againe , when shee casteth her eyes under her in a despicable reflex upon the valley of this world , and eying it to be nothing but darknesse , but above her wonders at the beautie of that eternall light , she clearly sees , that it was night , and darknesse which shee loved . o that shee might but purchase some small remainder of time for repentance , what a sharp course of conversation would she take upon her ? what and how great things would shee promise ? with what vows of devotiō would shee enwreath her ? in the meane time , while her divine eyes grow darke , while her heart beats , while her hoarse throat gaspes , her teeth grow by little and little black , and draw , as it were , unto them a certaine rust , her countenance becomes pale , and all her members stiffe . while these , then , and such like as forerunning offices of approching death attend her , all her works and words present themselves before her ; nay , not her very thoughts are absent , and all these bring in bitter testimony against their author . all these are heaped together before the eyes of her viewing them , so as , even those things which she shunneth to behold , she is inforced , though against her will , to take notice of . besides all this , there is here an horrid troupe of devils , and there a glorious traine of angels . by that which appears betwixt them , may be clearly perceived , which of them h'as most property in her . for if tokens of piety bee discovered in her , shee is cheared with the delights of an angelick invitation , and allured with the sweetnesse of an harmonious melodie , to go forth . but if the blacknesse of her merits , and the impurity of her foule and filthy life adjudge her to the left hand , presently with an intolerable terrour shee becomes surprized , with the violence of a sudden force she is disturbed , dejected , invaded , and from the prison of miserable flesh violently haled , that to eternall torments with bitternesse shee may be tugged . now , after her departure from the body , who can utter what armed troopes or squadrons of wicked spirits lye in ambush for her ; what treacherous traines furnished with cruell tortures besiege the way that receives her ? and lest the soule should escape thē , legions of furies , as it were , in military rankes or battalions inclose her . this and ●u●h like frequently to meditate of in thine heart , what else is it than to shunne delightfull blandishments , to be divorc'd from the world , and to shake off unlawfull motions of the flesh , and constantly to retaine the sole purpose of attaining perfection ; which that wee may doe , god for his mercy grant us . amen . sedeo , sileo , signo . deaths distinction . o my soule , good is the death of the just , in respect of tranquillity , better in respect of novelty , best in respect of security . contrariwise , the death of sinners is the worst , and rightly the worst , evill in losing the world , worse in parting from the flesh , but worst in that twofold an● guish of a worme never dying , and a fire ever burning , and which is worst of all , in being deprived of divine contemplation . holy memorials ; or heavenly memento's . memor fui domini , & delectatus sum . a bono die bonum opus suscipiamus ; & ab illo die , in quo veluti , christus ascenderit , piis desideriis ascendamus . of his conception . memoriall i. i was not , and thou didst make mee ; i had no being , and thou gave it mee . i was conceived in sinne , before i conceived what was sin. nature laid on mee a staine , before she brought mee to a visible state . my bloud was corrupted , before ever i entred . tainted it was , when eve was tempted and weakely consented . thus did my parents make mee forlorne , before ever i was borne . even then , whē the second skin was my coat , was sin my cognizance . seeds of sin sprung in mee , before the light tooke notice of mee : and these had their rooting from those that bred mee . long before i had abilitie to sin , were all my members made instruments of sinne . before i had the use of any sense , sin had made a slave of every sense . for mine eyes , while they were as yet sealed , sights of sin had enter'd thē . for mine eares , though they were as then closed , ayres of sin had pierced them . for my taste , before i enjoy'd it , an apple had poyson'd it . for my touch , before i employ'd it , had eves pulse ▪ soiled it . for my smell , before i knew how to use it , had the steames of earth choaked it . i was shut up as one in darknesse : and darke i was within as well as without , by means of mine originall uncleanenesse . i conversed with none , none with mee : my mothers wombe was that living tombe which inclosed mee . thus before ever i saw the sun , became i a growing lump of sin unable was i to commit it , yet apt enough to be conceived in it . nothing i had about me , but what did staine me . the materials whereof i was made , i am asham'd to name . ah! poore shell of corruption ! impure shrine , or new-form'd piece of pollution ! i as then knew not by whom i was made , how i was made , when or where i was made , or for what end i was made . miserable ignorance ! i knew her not in whose wombe i was conceived , nor that sin wherin i was conceived . i was as a stranger to my fathers house , yet was i daily in it . an alien was i to my brethren , yet lived i amongst them . and as a thing not knowne , sojourn'd i amongst my kinsmen . capable abilities had i both inward and outward , yet enjoyed i the benefit of neither . without all sensible compassion , a daily paine was i to my sickly mother . i lived as one dead , for many months together ; and was fed , without seeking food , by course of nature . i was as one closed up , and might have no passage till the time appointed . i increased daily , yet knew i not the meanes of my growth . he only who made and fashioned me , knew mee ; long before i came out of the wombe , did hee know what would become of mee . paths had he prepared for me , before i had knowledge how to walke in them . hee had determined mine end , before i received birth . long time did i wrastle with my enforced restraint , labouring still to be freed ; yet became i more miserable by my freedom than restraint . i wished , and yet i knew not what , i was the very least of a childe ; what lesse then , could be my knowledge ? i was weary of my bed , yet going out of it i was fit for nothing . by this i foretold how far i would be from being content with my estate on earth ; when my weake infancie could not bee content with her condition before my birth . in a better case was i when so incased , than when to the miseries of earth inthralled . a right worldling was i , before i came into it , for i grew no sooner a little strong , than i grew to be weary of my former estate . any one that had seene mee , would have thought there had been no sin in mee . but i became so naturalized a ●inner as it was a taske no lesse hard for mee to put off sinne than nature . but as one kept in too long , like a new-fledg'd bird , i begun to flicker a little with my tender unset wings , and to leave my first nest . but sharply was she that bred me pained with mee before shee could bee discharged of mee . so unnaturall was i to mine owne before i entered the world . gather hence what may bee expected from mee , after my entrie into the world . of his birth . memoriall ii. i thought i had got out o' th' iayle : but i found one worser than that which i left . for having changed a lesser world for a greater , i found my miseries so much more numerous , as the place i came to was larger than the former . in the very beginning i shewed my selfe to my friends unthankfull ; yet must they hold mee excused ; for those salutes were naturall . they entertained mee with smiles , and i gratified them with teares . lachrymae were the onely musicall aires that usher'd mee to this vale of woes . my very first voyce implyed a prophecie : my teares forerunners of my following miserie . i came into the world naked ; whereas all other creatures come cloathed and armed . with what joy was i received , while those that saw mee , cried , how like is hee to his father ? and they said well , if they pointed at adam , for his bloud made me his sonne , and like himselfe a sinner . what a foolish part it was ( had i well considered it ) to see wise men rejoycing at the sight of one who was entring the tyring-house of mourning ! the thracians , though pagans , shewed themselves in this more christians . these lamented their babes birth , but rejoyced at their death . what great delight could any take in mee , when i came so bare into the world , as i brought not with mee one poore ragge to shroud my shame : and all the regreets i returned them , teares and shrikes ? these deserved no great entertainment of joy . to see such a feeble thing , as could afford it selfe no succour . an infant pilgrim , who could not find a tongue to beg him harbour ! one , who wanted all things , yet could not tell it 's owne ●ants . this might rather move compassion than joy . and such a poore one was i. nothing did i see that could please mee . still were my late-unsealed eyes flowing , my seeble voyce shriking ; nought but notes of miserie everie where resounding . and deserved these such pleasing entertainment ? by my birth , i got nothing to my selfe , but teares ; to my friends , nothing but cares and feares . to feed mee was their care ; lest i should be better fed than taught was their feare . sleepe , food , and shrikes , all which begot my parents trouble , were the best things i rendred them ; and the whole expence of those houres , which i bestowed on them . silly infancie ! when that pleaseth the parent best , and batteneth the infant most , which profiteth the world least , sleepe . small cause had my parents to have joyed in my birth , had they considered how my entrie led mee into a maze of miserie , a vale of vanitie . how that small portion of flesh , which i brought along with mee , would in time prove my profest enemie . my first teares told the world that i had something in mee , which annoyed mee . my originall guilt struck teares into mine eyes , feares into my heart . naked came i , as one stript of his coat . and this nakednesse came by the losse of my garment of innocence . my grandfire never found himselfe naked , till hee had transgressed . then , and never till then , flew hee to the bushes . but what avail'd it him to flye from his sight , whose eyes were in everie place ? small doubt but i would have taken the same course , could i either have considered my guilt , or found feet to hasten mine escape . but i found an ignorance in the one ; and a weaknesse in the other . thus was i borne in sinne , before i could beare up my selfe . yet for all this did my parents account of mee as a rich prize . dandled must i bee till i sleepe ; wrapt in warme cloaths ; carefully nursed ; tenderly used : and if my too deare parents got but one poore smile from their babe , they held their care and cost highly recompenced . thus begun i my life in teares , and continued it with feares , hopes , and griefes . which made mee many times with heartie sighs in the privie chamber of mine heart , to conclude : better was the day of ones death , than the day of his birth . and that the best thing that could bee unto man , was not to be borne at all : and the next , to dye soone . for what brought i into the world with mee , but pulleyes which haled mee along to miserie ? and what bestowed the world on mee , when shee had received mee , but clouts and bands . the one to proclaime my povertie , the other my captivitie . so as , all the entertainement i had from this goodly store-house of worldly happinesse , was want , and restraint . thus scarce able to creep , ( yet distinguished by reason from all other creeping things ) i at last got crawled from the state of infancie to childhood . where , as i increased in yeares ( though insensible , and therein more miserable ) i increased still in the measure of my wants and woes . of his childhood . memoriall iii. now was i weaned from my nurses milk , but not from my grandhams sin . i begun with christs crosse , but soone was i tired with learning it ; which shewed how quickly i would be afterwards wearied with bearing it . i held the condition of any creature more happie than that of a scholler . so as it was my desire ( so soone did the heat of goodnesse , the hopes of towardlinesse expire ) to learne in jest , but play in earnest . i found in my selfe a conceit apt enough for any sports ; in these i could lesson others : but in the schoole of vertue , i was ever slowest in reading , or taking out any such lesson to my selfe . how long seemed that day , when learning was enjoyned me for a taske ? how speedie that houre , wherin libertie was given me to play ? thus like a beare to the stake , was i haled to my booke , wherein i found afterwards the happiest state . wandring , albeit not much harmfull fancies , begun now to seaze on mee . i was seldome contented , by being seated in that place where i was : nor with that sport i last affected . when i was in my fathers house , my desire was to bee in the field ; when i was in the field , i longed to bee at home . my childish ambition ( indeed ) was not high . my delights , as they required no great cost ; so were they purchased with lesse care . easie and narrow were my desires ; they aspired no higher than to points , pins , or cherry-stones . trifles had so taken up my imagination , as it could reach no further . yet in these weake vanities , my desire was to be a conquerour . now when i found my selfe growne from my coat , my parents fou●d no such thing in my conditions . those were childish still , and held both their first shape and size . none ever breathed , that was longer time a child : or that longed lesse after the state and style of man. my thoughts were so fitted to that age , as if that age were ever to bee master of my thoughts . i measured everie one by mine owne last , and mused how any one could bee serious . i knew not what they meant by a deare summer , or an unseasonable harvest . these were the least and lightest of my cares : while i found plentie , i dreamed little of others scarcitie . mine highest outrage was the breach of an orchard . yet such inbred seeds were sowne in mee by his grace that made mee , as i thought this was not well done of mee . but whatsoever i did in my selfe correct ; others were as apt quickly to corrupt . if other children approved it , i gave way unto it . i shap't my affection by their liking : my election by their loving . thus went i on a proficient in nothing so much as folly . i wished for time after time to please my childish fancie : but never weighed the preciousnesse of time , nor how all things slav'd to time were vanitie . few and weake were my desires ; nor did they much differ from those of an inferiour creatures , being altogether for the present . how easily might any one have deceived mee with shadowes for substance ; esau in preferring a messe of pottage before his inheritance , was never more foolish , than i was in the estimate of my vanities . what a brave youth held i my selfe with mine eldern gun , hobbie-horse , and rattle ? a poore pride , and yet rich enough for that time . what was onely before mee , seemed deare unto mee . yesterday was too long for mee to remember : and to morrow too long for mee to expect . i held the present day , the only date of my pleasure . no day was to mee ominous , but if any were , none so much , as after a long breaking up , to returne to schoole . i found in my selfe a naturall feare ; but this proceeded rather from sight of the rod , than any propensitie to what was good . this feare taught mee first how to flatter ; and this i began first to practise on my master . what faire promises would i make him , in hope of one houres reprive from him ! all things should bee amended ; meane time , nothing lesse intended . thus went i on in my childish wayes ; wise enough to be a wag ; too light , to bee truly wise . so as , i might be well compared to that top , i so much used ; which alwayes ran round , & never went forward , unlesse it were whipt . a true truant , but a weake proficient . libertie i still desired , yet made no use of it . books i loved onely for their cover ; flowers and indented letters i preferred before the matter . thus was my childhood bestowed ; though some glowing hopes rak't up in the embers appeared ; which did not a little glad their longing hearts which gave me nurture : but how these hopes ripened , you may hereafter gather . of his youth . memoriall iv. by this time i had served two apprentiships in the world . and was growne higher in stature , but for my dis●retion , it kept still the same measure . yet turning over a new leafe , and recalling to mind my former life ; i never lookt on what my childhood did , without a glowing blush . yet for all this , might my childhood , if i ●ad fallen back into it , been as much ashamed of what was done in my youth , as my youth was of what was done in my childhood . now had i left my scraple , scourge , and top with my coat . for then in my heat of y●uth , did i hunt after pleasures of more height . heavie hunting , when i made mi●e own darling a prey to my foe ! i could walk in no place , but snares were laid ready for mee , to entrap mee ; yet would not i so much as eye them , lest by taking notice of them , i should avoyd them , and so lose the pleasure i tooke in them . thus were my delights mounted to a fuller height ; and quickened with more youthfull heat ; both which beget in my now relenting soule a late , but heartie hate . not a day passed over my head , without some spirituall hurt . the easiest of my vanities were light amorous poems . i held those , employments for my best houres . o what a prize , what a bootie , held i a favour snatcht from a light piece of beautie ? my fortunes were not great , which enjoyned mee to a spa●er expence . but if my small credit could supply what my fortunes wanted ; i stickt not much on the me●nest commodities to make up that want . my melancholly ever proceeded from want of money . while roring was in request , i held it a complete fashion . for civility , i held it for such a rag of unbeseeming gentrie , as i scorned to take acquaintance of it . i had long before this , aspired to a pipe of rich smoake with a tinder-box , and these gave light to my lighter discourses . i held my pockets sufficiently stored , if they could but bring mee off for mine ordinarie , and after dinner purchase mee a stoole on the stage . i had cares enough besides hoording ; so as , i held it fit to disburden my selfe of that , and resigne it over to the worldling . a long winter night seemed but a midsummer nights dreame , being merrily past in a catch of foure parts , a deep health to a light mistresse , and a knot of brave blades to make up the consort . i could jeere him to his face , who● i needed most , ten at hundred , i meane ; and he would not stick to pay mee in mine owne coyne . i might beg a courtesie at his hands , but to starve for 't never prevaile ; for herein i found this instrument of us●rie and the devill to be of one societie ▪ and that they craved nothing of any one , save onely s●ouritie . a weake blast of light fame , was a great part of that portion i aimed at . and herein was my madnesse ! i held nothing so likely to make mee knowne to the world , or admired in it , as to be debauch't , and to purchase a parasites praise by my riot . it is not in mee ; no , it is far from mee and my memorie , to recall to mind what miriads of houres that time mis-spended . scarcely one poore minute can i bethinke mee on , wherein i did ought , or exprest my selfe in ought , that might redound to his honour , whom now in mine age i have only sought . how truly might i say in those daies , in those many evill dayes , i had beene secure , if society had not made me impure ? and yet must i be enforced to retract this too , if i desire freely to lye open my selfe , and speake what is true . for of all those consorts , whose company i used , i found no consort worse than my selfe . yea , i confesse ( and may this my confession be never without heartie contrition ) that it is impossible for mee to remember , how many poore simple soules , who when they scarce knew how to sin , i taught them ; when they were willing to sin , i perswaded them ; when they withstood sin , i constrained them ; when they enclined to sin , i consented to them . yea , to how many i lay snares in the way where they walked , for how many i made pit-fals in the way when they sought it : and to the end i might not be afraid to commit , i feared nothing at all to forget . ( aug. med. c. . ) o how often have i returned , after such time as i had mourned , to that v●mit which i seemingly loathed , and to that clay wherein i formerly wallowed ? how strong were my promises ; how weak my performance ? what lesse then can i doe , than resolve my selfe into teares ; that my bespotted soule may be rinsed ; my many , innumerably many sins may be rinsed ; my too secure soule from the grave of sin raised ? with anguish of heart , and bitternesse of spirit will i therefore conclude , calling on him who is my trust : lord forgive me the sins of my youth . of his manhood . memoriall v. when i was a childe , i loved childishnesse : when a youth , delicacie and wantonnesse . but being now come to man , what can bee lesse expected than fruits of obedience ? fruits ! few , god knowes , and those bitter fruits . never did man reade man more , and expresse man lesse . a long time had i been a stranger to my fathers house ; many yeares had i sojourned with the unwary prodigall in a strange countrey . i had spent my portion , that faire portion of many rich graces , which my heavenly father had bestowed on me ; i was driven to such want , as i was like to starve ; yet would i not acknowledge my poore estate . returne i would not to my father ; nor crave any succour ; though i was become a most miserable creature , a foule uncleane leper , one utterly lost for ever , had not some kind-hearted samaritan relieved mee in such time of danger . but necessitie brings ever along with her some remedie . i suffered my sore to be opened , that it might bee cured . i found my selfe sick , & i besought my physician , my heavenly physician , that hee would looke upon mee with the eyes of his compassion . and he came unto me , and healed mee : yet , with this condition , that i should sin no more . but i found the custome of sin too hard , and the continuance thereof too sweet to bee left so soone . no sooner had i recovered strength , than i returned to my former state . i found the abilities of nature too strong in me , to leave sin so speedily . no sentence in all the scripture was so fresh nor frequent in my memory , as , at what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin , &c. ezek. c. . but i abused the text , and by it promised to my selfe more libertie . i held it security enough to sinne secretly . as one retired from the sight both of god and man , to promise more impunitie to sinne , i stickt not to say , who seeth mee ? but woe is mee ! what was worst of all , and what without griefe of heart i shall never remember : though i saw many eyes upon mee , and that my example might have done good to many ; for that in the opinion of others , i was ranked both for knowledge and condition before many others ; those whom i might by my uprightnesse have improved , by my loosenesse of life i depraved . which made me call to minde with much heavinesse of heart , what i had sometimes read : of so many deaths is every one worthy , as he hath given evill examples to those that live with him , or left evill examples to those that shall succeed him . o my god ( thus would i many times commune with mine owne heart ) how many deaths have i deserved , who held it not enough to undoe my selfe , by taking upon me a liberty of sinning ; but to undoe others too , by chalking them out a way by my unhappie example for the like freedom of trāsgressing ! this , i confesse , could not chuse but make me to o●hers most hatefull ; my selfe to my selfe most distasteful . and yet for all this , swum i still in the same streame . truth it is , that frō my youth up , whē as yet no early soft downe had cloathed my chin , i had takē a full perusall of my owne estate . i found in me , what of necessity might bee either corrected by me ; or nought could i looke for lesse than misery . some bosome sins likewise i foūd in me after i came to mans estate which ill became the condition of man , and i sought for cure of them . amongst these , one i culled forth more deare to me than the rest , and which neither day nor night would afford mee any rest . and i found meanes to remove it , or to weane mee from it ; and i applyed them , but got no helpe by them , because i mis-applyed them . for i well remember , after such time as i had beene advised , what directions to use , to allay , if not take away , the poyson of that darling sin wherewith i was infected ; i tooke great care for a while , to observe whatsoever was injoyned mee : and to neglect no meanes to procure my safety . first , i shut my windowes ; i admitted no treaties ; i abstained from dainties . secondly , i suffer'd not my thoughts to converse with lightnesse . thirdly , i presented my suit to that high court of requests , for more assistance . fourthly , i subjected my flesh to holy discipline and obedience . fifthly , i meditated of death ; and how this dainty pampered flesh would in that time turne to deformitie and rottennesse . sixtly , i imparted my griefes to my superiours , to receive the benefit of their godly counsell and holy prayers . but flesh and bloud became soone weary of this taske . which i no sooner neglected , than i made relapse into that malady , which during all the time of my spirituall exercise , was well asswaged . thus in my entry to the state of man , after such time as i was gone downe to the grave , and that the pit had nearely received mee ; had not my good god taken pity of mee , and showne the light of his countenance upon me : even then , i say , was i no sooner set againe on my feet , then i returned to my accustomed filth . and though manhood had swallowed up my ●outh ; yet did my manhood taste lesse of man than my youth . of his age. memoriall vi. behold ! how hee who would not remember his creator in the dayes of his youth ; nor remember that hee was a man ; is now come to that feeble estate , as hee can scarce remember himselfe . now are those evill dayes come on me , wherein i may say , i have no pleasure in them . now , and never till now , feele i the keepers of my house to tremble , and the strong men bow themselves , and the grinders cease , because they are few , and those that looke out of the windowes bee darkned : now i feele the silver coard loosed , the golden bowle broken , the pitcher broken at the fountaine , the wheele broken at the cisterne . ( eccles. . ) and yet is there none so old , but hee hopes to live one yeare longer ; though the longer he lives , his miseries increase in number . but what am i now , who have seene so many evill dayes ; and learn●d so much by others follies ; and read man over and over in every volume ? sure , either now or never there is some appearance of grace , when there is so neare approach to my grave . to be old in yeares , and young in houres , is an unchristian piece of arithmetick . neither can there be any sight more unseemely , than to see an old man , gray in haires , and grave in yeares , to have no other argument to prove his years , but his haires . i am now gathering my vessels in the haven : neither doe i find ought without me , that may so much cheare mee , as to hold me one minute longer from my countrey . i have passed the maine , and am come a shore . and yet i must put forth a little further , before i can reach my wished harbour . i have already entered the suburbs ; my weake age tels me i draw neare the walls . and yet i feele many things wanting in mee , that tell me , i am not so well furnished as i should be . i finde , indeed , in me no great abilitie to sinne , but what of all that ? did my will to sin die , while i had ability to sin ? if it did not ; all this is nothing , nor shall advantage me ought at my ending . for hee who ceaseth from sinne when hee can sinne no more , cannot be said to leave sinne , but sin to leave him . there is not one servant in all my meniey that is able to doe any service for mee ; not one living power or faculty that can discharge that peculiar office they owe mee . it is high time for mee then to shut up shop , and to leave my trade ; my too long trading in sinning , wherein i have spent so many houres ( never to be recalled ) of precious time . i am now esteemed of , but as some old moath-eaten calendar without date . if i talk like to one of my yeares ; unseasoned youth jeeres such gravity ; if i speake ought below my selfe , straight am i taxed of levity . if i doe ought youthfully , it ill becomes mee ; and if i doe like my selfe , gravely , that distastes me , because it dislikes them whose company delights mee . i have greene thoughts shrowded under gray locks . so as , it seemes i differ in nothing from what i was at first , but only in haire , and unable limbs . for i have a will to doe what i did , if i had abilitie to doe what i would . never was decrepit thing more strong in will , more weake in power . i am now made use of , like as of some aged sullied record ; only brought forth to looke upon , and then laid aside . would i but know what a small portion of worldly meanes might suffice mee ; seeing nature hath now drawne out my threed of life to the full length ; i could not but confesse that my small remainder of dayes now left mee , had a competencie to serve mee : yet , while i have one foot in the grave , my desires are more deepe than the grave ; more thirstie than the earth , to which i am every moment drawing nearer , though in my earthly affections daily stronger . there is nothing in all my house of lesser use than my selfe ; neither is my body halfe so weake as my minde . my life is but at best , a dying sleepe . nor bee my cares ever at better rest , than when i am asleepe . the most that can be now said of me , is this ; he was a man in his time . but that time is done ; for now i turne child again ; and cannot for a world help my selfe , so neare am i to the brinke : yet see what light thoughts sparkle out of this dead turffe ! my eyes darken ; my teeth blacken ; my heart heateth ; my hoarse throat ruttleth ; my countenance hath lost her colour ; all my powers and motions their vigour : yet can those darke eyes look and long after anothers farme ; those teeth grate and grinde themselves for revenge ; that poore beating throbbing heart wish for a longer life ; that seere and sallow countenance desire to looke young ; those decayed powers wish to be strong . my friends put me in mind of my will : and my sicke soule answers them with a sigh : friends , advise him to forget his will : for it was that onely which undid mee and him . but my outward house must not bee yet disposed of ; i love it too well to leave it . yet a little ; and yet a little . spare mee but a very little ; i finde not my selfe altogether so weake , as my weaknesse should yet stand in need of a will. thus doe i love to deceive my selfe ; while that strong man stands at the doore , readie to arrest mee . i daily see how those who are every way stronger , are enjoyned to pay their debt to nature . but this i apply not to my selfe ; i looke still for some dayes to bee added to my life . none so weake , but hee is fit for some worke . though i can neither digge , nor delve , nor fashion my selfe to any hand-labour ; i can devise how to make my barnes larger : but what is all this to setting of my house in order ? alas ! how long have i wearied my selfe with these wayward cares ? how long have i beene in preparing , and am still unprepared ? what a stirre i made for a state , and still neglected my inward state ? yea , what got i for all my cares , but an unhappie inheritance of hopes and feares ? and what were my hopes , but from those things , from whence i could not expect for either hope or helpe ? and thus i keep my couch ; no lesse fearfull to lose what i alreadie have ; than i was sometimes carefull to get , what i now have . woe is mee ! shall i therefore neglect heaven , because heaven h 'as dealt so bountifully with me ? shall that which i now scarcely enjoy ( for i enjoy it without joy ) deprive mee of my chiefest joy ? here i feele all the infirmities of nature ; there i shall partake a lasting youth , and with it abundance of pleasure . yet these worke weakly on mee . i would faine build my tabernacle here . and yet i finde no great comfort here . for what may i bee said to enjoy , that i possesse ? attendants indeed , of old age i have many , and such as cleave neare mee . but for ought else without mee , i cannot challenge them properly ; because a very short time shall impropriate these to my posteritie . those things then that grieve mee , i have ; nor will they leave mee till i goe to my grave : but those things that should cheare mee , i have not : for they must shortly leave mee , or i them ; when corruption shall bee my mother , and wormes my brethren and sisters . thus hath my life beene as a tale that is told : sphinxes riddle is now made good in me : my second childhood records mine aged infancie . my age h 'as made time change my tence ; i was , and that is all can be said of mee . his pleasures . memoriall vii . some will thinke it strange , that age should be a fore-runner to pleasure ; and will dislike mee for ranking them in this manner . but if they knew my aime , they would quickly rectifie their censure , and approve of mine order . for i doe not here treat of pleasure , as a subject fore age , to delight in : for rare were that delight ( unlesse it receive life from above ) that could suit well with it . no ; my meaning is to take a survey ( not without teares ) of all those pleasures which my vaine youth affected ; with those which my riper age frequented : with these which my declining time ( these few and evill dayes of mine ) have pursued . and in the review of these , i finde those pleasures of my youth , full of vanitie ; yet not enthralling mee to so much miserie , as those of my riper growth ; nor those so dangerous , as these of mine age . everie time brought with it a new tide . in the first prime of my youth ; i made choyce of such delights as sorted best with my fancie ; wherein i shewed such agility , as few in the exercise of them surpassed mee . but in these i found much vanity : for they either wearied mee , or they were weary of mee . the beasts of the field became my prey ; while i became a prey to those beasts within . in these an easie ambition tooke mee ; contending with those who were given to like sports , for the masterie . this , i must confesse , was neither greatly harmfull nor usefull . those poore creatures which i had in chace abroad , could have done mee little harme ; had not my passions wrought mee disquiet at home . which , though they assailed and assaulted mee , yet did they not wholly surprize mee . and yet did i many things , which beget in mee now a glowing shame . my youth was not so well seasoned , as to use pleasure as it should be used . i was too hot in the quest and pursuit of it , to shew any discretion in the exercise of it . and too strongly was i fixed on those poore objects , wherewith my unstayed eyes were fed , to make use of what mine eyes beheld , for mine inward good . but long did i not bestow my selfe on these : for when i came to more yeares , i abandoned those pleasures i pursued at first ; i betooke mee to those that seemed more manly ; but i found by bitter experience , that they onely seemed so : for these are they who now sting mee like adders , and afflict my troubled soule with a thousand terrours . for in those times i well remember , with what securitie i used to sit in my summer-arbour . how my thoughts were only laid to satisfie my loose desires . let us take our fill of pleasure ; thus i talked with my wandring senses . and quickly opened they their windowes to let sin in ; but no passage found i by them to let sin out . they cried with the horse-leach , more , more . i found them as insatiable as hell , or the grave . yea , when strength of nature failed , and the powers of sin became weakened , my wanton will supply'd , wherinsoever my abilitie wanted . thus in my strength , was i led away captive ; nor could i redeeme my liberty for many yeares . this caused mee many times in the chamber of my heart to peruse the story of sampson : who , when hee was strongest , shewed himselfe weakest , in disclosing his strength to a dalilah . and this , mee thought , came neare mee ; i could never read it , but i was stinged with it . for at that time was i in my full strength ; and conceivingst state . i had improved my helps by discourse , and behaviour of my selfe , by reading bookes and men . in the one i read what should bee done ; in the other , i beheld whatsoever was either praise-worthy , or otherwise done . none could disguise himselfe from the world more ; or seemingly impeach his honour lesse . but what was the issue of all this ? a double sinne could receive no lesse than a double scourge . halt with man , i might ; with god , i could not . the longer hee deferred ; the more hee inferred . in that sin , wherein any one is most delighted ; shall he be punished . sweet meat must have sowre sauce . i considered ( but too short time did those thoughts lodge with mee ) that these pleasures were but for a moment , but no lesse space than eternitie ended the torment . i considered too , how that eternitie depended on this moment . yet , for all this did i enlarge mine heart unto pleasures . the day seemed long , wherein i did not enjoy them : the night long , wherein i thought not of them . i knew what sinne it was to sollicit a maid unto lightnesse ; or to be drunken with wine , wherein was excesse : or to suffer mine heart to be oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse : yet , for all this , run i on still in mine evill wayes ; and so continued till my evill dayes came upon mee ; which fitted themselves for pleasures too , but of another degree , and in an higher straine of vanitie . alas , poore decrepit age ! what pleasure can the whole world find for such a cripple ? thine eyes are too dim to discerne beautie ; thy lame legs can find no feet , to walke to the house of the strange woman . thy may-flowers no sooner withered , than thy may-games ended . uselesse yeares , hawthorne haires , fruitlesse cares stick close to thee ; all things else ( saving onely these constant companions , the infirmities of age ) have long since left thee . the least distemper begets in thee a surfet . young men , when they see thee merrie , laugh at thee ; because thy mirth so ill becomes thee . old men wag their heads at thee , seeing thee doe what so ill-beseems thee . thou hast had already enough of the pleasures of sin : let the younger brood now enjoy what thou hast tasted . and yet this must not be . that man were too too old , for whom the world could not find one pleasure to fit his age . this to my griefe , i found in my selfe . old sores are ever hardest to bee cured ; and vices in old age most desperate . heare then my distemper ; and to cure it , afford mee your prayers and teares to my saviour . the lesse i need , the more needfull am i in my desires . i have more than a competence to maintaine mee during this short remainder of my pilgrimage , lent mee . and yet this will not serve my turne : my mouth is halfe filled with gravell ; and yet are not my desires filled with what they enjoy . and thogh my verie nailes might serve for a spade to dig my grave ; they had rather be moulded and be rusted with telling of coyne . though i can scarcely see it when i account it : this sufficeth mee , without hope of enjoying to hoord it . my whole librarie is brought into one volume : & that penn'd with no great art . my cash-keeper lookes to it , and i to him , lest hee corrupt it . this vast volume bears this title , creditor and debitor . but for my debts , i owe few ; save onely to him , to whom i owe my selfe . meane time , i am so far from discharging it , as i scarcely vouchsafe to acknowledge it . o lessen in mee these unhappie cares ; that it may be henceforth my whole care , to apply to this old sore a speedy cure . let mee not onely speake it , but thinke it : vanitie of vanities , and all is but vanitie , save onely to please god , and to serve him . his labours . memoriall viii . my breeding was such , as it never acquainted mee with any hand-labour . neither was my constitution so strong as to endure it : nor my disposition so low as to brooke it . free-bred were my studies : so as , lapwing-like , with shell on head , i begun to write , before my yeares could well make mee an author . but hence my teares ! the subjects i made choyce of , were of love ; to close with my fancie , which was verie light . i was proud in bearing the title of a writer ; which , i must confesse , together with the instancie of such as either truly applauded mee , or deluded mee , made mee ambitious after the name of an author . and what were those light poems i then penned ; but such as are now pensive odes to my dolorous soule , grieving to peruse what my youth so dearely loved ? o how familiar was i with parnassus , helicon , hippocrene , and all the muses ! meane time , i seldome or never thought of that heavenly olympus , which crowns all vertuous labours with true happinesse . it was the saying of an holy father ; those studies which i once loved , now condemne mee ; those which i sometimes praised , now disparage mee . far more cause have i to say , how , those labours which i once fancied , now afflict mee : those which sometimes delighted mee , now perplex mee . i am many times in company , where i heare some of my youthfull verses repeated : and though i doe neither owne them , nor praise them : yet must i in another place answer for them , if hee , on whom i depend , shall not in these teares which i shed , drowne the memory of them . for alas ! how many chaste eares have i offended ; how many light eares have i corrupted with those unhappie workes which i have published ? what wanton measures have i writ for the nonc't , to move a light curtezan to hugge my conceit ; and next her venus and adonis , or some other immodest toy , to lodge mee in her bosome ? light stuffe , to be entertained in so flourishing a state ! o how the reremembrance of these doe grieve me ! when that talent , which might have beene employed to gods glory ; became a forge of lightnesse and vanity ! o how much better had it beene for mee to bury it , than to use it to his dishonour , who gave me it ! was this the triall of wits , to make choice of no other theame , than what corrupts best wits ? was learning made to no other end , than to make lines , so many lures ; to take a mod●st eye ; or worke on an easie minde ; or to lead a poore deluded soule to hell ? was wit given to be exercised in wantonnesse ; or to prostitute it selfe , only to please it selfe , with lightnesse ? unhappie wit , that is so employed ! ill-goven'd learning , that is so bestowed ● we cry out of the devill ( and good cause have we to doe so ) for tempting our grandam eve , and deceiving her with his subtiltie ; tell mee then , what age , sex or degree may not justly cry out of such as mee , who have tempted our grandams children so often with our ribaldry ? well might that devout father call poetry , the devils wine ; to make men and women drunke with their prophanenesse ; abuse them with their lightnesse : but woe is mee ! it was not all kindes of poetry that he condemned . for what sweet and heavenly wits have been employed in poesie ? what devout teares have their divine workes begot ? what holy motions , heavenly fancies have these bred ? poesie then is a divine influence ; and the choice of the subject makes the difference . this i speake not in defence of my selfe , but in defence of it which i have so much abused . for many sweet poems have i read , which could not chuse but beget in an attentive reader many good thoughts : and whose inventions , whether they were couched in prose or verse , deserrved of all cleare judgements , their applause ; and these live to posterity ; because they enlivened vertue : & set up such a light upon the altar of devotion , as shal never go out . but these i followed not . let my teares therefore be many ; because the fruits which others reaped by my labours , were but few . neither was i onely vers'd in these . for being put on by my superiours , at whose dispose i was , i addressed my pen to labours historicall , morall and divine . neither was i in these lesse blame-worthy : for even those , wherein i should only have aym'd at gods glory , had ever in them some sprinklings of vaine-glory : nay , what was more ; ( for enough i cannot speake to my owne shame ; ) those cardinall vertues whereof i treated ; and which to the imitation of others i commended ; found ever the worst example in my selfe . which could not chuse but redound to my great dishonour ; to see mee the least observer of that , which i commended to another . likewise , those theologicall vertues , which in those my diviner workes , i so highly honoured ; with those seven beatitudes , the practice whereof i so much pressed ; where found they my imitation in them , to confirme my admiration of them ? now tell mee , was this all that might bee required of mee ? was it sufficient for mee to commend to others , what i meant not to amend in my selfe ? was this the duty of an author ? whether bee our lives to bee showne in our pens , or our pens in our lives ? truth is , for one active man , we have ●en contemplative . amongst which , none ever professed more , and expressed lesse , than my selfe . i could sometimes say , and confirme it with a vow ; that i could never dictate with tongue , nor relate with pen , what i conceived not first in heart . but none could finde this in me , that did reade me ; or by conversing with me , found mee . so as , withdrawing my selfe a little aside from ●he world , and considering my owne fearfull estate , whom even ripenesse of time , cals out of the world : i goe on many times in this appeale to my selfe . looke , i pray thee , looke , a little on thy selfe : and let no strange eye see thee , nor eare heare thee , nor tongue judge thee but thy selfe . what hast thou writ ; or of what hast thou writ ? of love ; of love ! but didst thou not corrupt that style , and make it lust ? yes ; heavens know , thou didst . againe , didst thou chuse a better subject ? how didst thou handle it ? wel enough in thy line ; but too too ill in thy life . o then , let it be thy labour , in this thy small remainder , to begge forgivenesse of him , whom thou didst so much dishonour : and if ever there bee spent by thee more lampe-light on those studies , let him onely have the praise , who rewards ●●ery faithfull labourer in the evening , and gives to his labour successe . his life . memoriall ix . life is a race , or progresse to death . the house i sojourne in , a tent or tabernacle . the people i converse and consort with , as i am , and all our fathers before us , pilgrims . every day h 'as his date ; yesterday was nor as to day , nor to day as to morrow . two things there are , which makes mee ever to wonder , the more i thinke of them . the one is , to heare a stranger ( as we are all ) to breathe out so many longing wishes , languishing desires : o that i were at home ! o that i were in mine owne countrey ! and what home is this hee meanes ? is it his owne home ? his owne native countrey ? no ; it is his earthly tabernacle . perchance he liveth ( if a pilgrimage may be properly called a living ) farre in the north , and upon occasion he is call'd up to the south ; o how tedious are his houres till he returne ! yet was hee as neare his countrey , before as now . the latter is , to see a poore way-faring man ( as we are all ) when he is in his journey , and wearied with travaile , overload himselfe , as if hee purposely meant to fore-slow his speed to his countrey : or set himselfe on building in the way , as if he had quite forgot the place whereto he was to goe . this i am sure , is my estate . albeit , i have found even in those who would have highly rejoyced in enjoying that light which i am call'd to ; and no doubt , would have made far better use of it , than i doe ; excellent resolves touching their contempt of earth : although their understandings were so darkned , as their mis-guided thoughts could mount no higher . these could conclude ; wheresoever we be , we are in our countrey , and our countrey with us , so it be well with us . but well it cannot bee with us , so long as passions of the minde disquiet us within , and infirmities enfeeble us without . i heare some call this life a prison ; but yet these who call it so , live not like prisoners . delights and delicacies become not fotters . nay , if we truely held it a prison ; wee would desire our libertie : but we either know not , or acknowledge not our misery . others can call it a banishment ; others a punishment ; others a death . but if a banishment , why wish wee not to be restored ? if a punishment , why seeke wee not to bee released ? and if a death , why sleepe wee in it , and desire not to be raised ? no ; no ; these are but words in the aire . like such as commend abstinence , in their surfets ; or discourse of mortification in their cups . not one of these , who compare themselves to prisoners , would be , if they might bee , freed ; nor one of these exiles , infranchised ; nor one of these who hold themselves thus punished , delivered ; nor one of these who hold themselves dead-alive , revived . this i am sure , is my case : though i finde all things in the world to bee nothing but vanitie ; and of those , man the greatest vanitie ; and of all men , my selfe th●●●●lest of vanity . for i have rejoyced all my dayes , in a thing of nought . and i thought still in mine heart to put farre away the evill day , by approaching to the seat of iniquitie : but i found that the eyes of the almighty were upon mee , and that i groped but in darknesse , to wound my selfe . wretched man ! how long have i been in a miserable state , and knew it not ? how long have i beene a stranger to my fathers house , and returned not ? i have read it , deare lord , in thy book ; and i have found it by experience in that publike register of mans mortality : how this life is truly compared to a course , to a roast ; and what swifter ? to a weavers shuttle ; and what ●●icker ? to a tale that is told ; what shorter ? to a shadow ; what sooner vanishing ? to grasse ; what sooner withering ? to the tracke of a ship ; what lesse appearing ? to the flight of a bird ; what more speedily gliding ? yet for all this have i loaded my selfe with thicke clay ; as if i were too fleet in my course to heaven , and needed trashing . but would you know in what places , i have beene most versed ; and with what persons , most conversed ? i shall render you a just account ; meane time , what account i shall make for my mis-spent houres , heaven knowes . after such time , as my parents had brought mee up at schoole ; to get mee an inheritance in that , wherewith no earthly providence could endow me ; i was sent to the vniversitie ; where ( still with an humble acknowledgement of others favours and seasonable endevours ) i became such a proficient , as time call'd mee , and examination approv'd mee for a graduate . and in these studies i continued , till by universall voice and vote , i was put upon a task , whose style i have , and shall ever retaine , the sonne of earth ; terrae filius . from the performance of which exercise , whether it were the extraordinary favour which the vniversitie pleased to grace mee withall , or that shee found some tokens in mee of such future proficience as might answer the hopes of so tender a mother , i know not : but , sure i am , i received no small encouragement both in my studies and free tender of ample preferment . and too apt was i , to apply this the worse way . for this extraordinary grace begot in mee a selfe-conceit of my own worth : ever thinking , that if this had not proceeded from some more deserving parts in mee : that rich seminary of all learning would not have showne so gracefull a countenance towards mee . notwithstanding , i laboured by that grace which was given mee , to suppresse this opinion in mee ; and humbly to acknowledge my wants and weaknesse in all ; my abilitie in nothing . but applause is a dangerous eare-ring : which i found by giving too easie eare to my owne praise ; which , as it deluded my judgement , so it expos'd me to censure . true , too true i found it , that in the sight of our owne parts , wee need no borrowed lights . this it was , and onely this that induced mee to put my selfe forward in publique exercises with much confidence : wherein ( such happinesse it is to bee possest of opinion ) i seldome or never came off with disgrace . having for sundry yeares together thus remained in the bounteous bosome of this my nursing-mother ; all ●hich time , in the freedome of those studies , i reap't no lesse private comfort , than i received from others incouragement ; i resolved to set my rest upon this , to bestow the most of my time in that place , if it stood with my parents liking . but soone was i crossed by them in these resolves : being injoyned by them to turne the course of my studies from those sweet academick exercises , wherein i tasted such infinite content : and to betake my selfe to a profession , which i must confesse sui●ed not well with my disposition : for the fresh fragrant flowers of divine poesie and morall philosophy could not like well to be removed , nor transported to those thorny places and plashes of the law. but no remedy ; with an unwilling farewell i tooke my leave of philosophy ; to addresse my studies to that knowledge , which at first seemed so far different from my element ; as if i had been now to be moulded to some new dialect ; for though i was knowne to most tongues , i became a meere novice in this . here i long remained , but lightly profited : being there seated , where i studied more for acquaintance than knowledge . nor was i the onely one ( though a principall one ) who run deeply in areeres with time ; and gulled the eyes of opinion with a law-gowne . for i found many in my case , who could not recompence their parents many yeares charge with one book-case . yet amidst these dis-relishing studies , whereto i was rather enforced than enclined : i bestowed much precious time ( better spent then in tavernes and brothells ) in reviving in mee the long-languishing spirit of poetrie , with other morall assayes ; which so highly delighted mee , as they kept mee from affecting that loose kind of libertie , which through fulnesse of meanes , and licentiousnesse of the age , i saw so much followed and eagerly pursued by many . this moved mee sometimes to fit my buskin'd muse for the stage ; with other occasionall presentments or poems ; which being free-borne , and not mercenarie , received gracefull acceptance of all such as understood my ranke and qualitie . for so happily had i crept into opinion ( but weake is that happinesse that is grounded on opinion ) by closing so well with the temper and humour of the time , as nothing was either presented by mee ( at the instancie of the noblest and most generous wits and spirits of that time ) to the stage ; or committed by mee to the presse ; which past not with good approvement in the estimate of the world . neither did i use these private solaces of my pen , otherwise than as a play onely to the imagination : rather to allay and season more serious studies ; than accoun● them any fixt imployment . nor did i onely bestow my time on these ; for i addressed my selfe to subjects of stronger digestion ; being such as required more maturitie of judgement , though lesse pregnancie of invention : relishing more of the lampe , than those lighter measures which i had formerly penned : wherein i grew as strong in the opinion and reputation of others as before . this i must confesse , begot in mee a glowing heat and conceit of my selfe : but this i held an easie errour , and the more dispensable , because arising from the infirmitie of nature . howsoever , i can very well remember ( and what other followers can bee to such a remembrancer but penitent teares and incessant feares ) that i held it in those dayes an incomparable grace to be styled one of the wits . where , if at any time invited to a publique feast , or some other meeting of the muses , wee hated nothing more than losing time ; reserving ever some select houres of that solemnity , to make proofe of our conceits in a present provision of epigrams , anagrams , with other expressive ( and many times offensive ) fancies . but wits so ill employed , were like weapons put into mad mens hands . they hurt much , benefitted little : distating more than they pleased ; for they liked onely such mens palats , as were male-contents , and critically affected . by this time i had got an eye in the world ; and a finger in the street . there goes an author ! one of the wits ! which could not chuse , but make mee looke bigge , as if i had beene casten in a new mold . o how in privacie , when nothing but the close evening , and darke walls accompany mee , doth the remembrance of these lightest vanities perplex mee ! how gladly would i shun the memory of them ! how willingly forgoe that sweetnesse which many conceive to bee in them ! but let mee goe on ; for i am yet but entring that high bet-path of my younger follies . having thus , for divers yeeres together , continued at inns of court ; where that opinion the world had of my works , gained mee more friends ; than the opinion men had of my law , got mee fees . for such as affected scenes more than suits were my clients . i thought with my selfe to take a turne or two in pauls ; and to peruse a whol● gazetta in one walke . this i conceived might improve mee ; first , by indearing and ingratiating my selfe with that societie : which , i must confesse , were richly endowed with two excellent parts , invention , and memorie . secondly , by screwing some subject from their relations , which might set my pen a work upon occasion . but i found not there what i expected , which made mee leave that walke , and turne peripateticke ; a civill exchange-man ; where in short time i got acquaintance of the best ; being such gentle merchants , as their wealth could not so darken their worth , but they would willingly enter lists in a combat of wit. these , i grant , tooke great felicitie in my company : nor did it repent mee of bestowing some houres with these : whose discourse of forraine newes strengthened by such able intelligence , did infinitely please . and these , without so much as the least losse to themselves ( i may safely vow ) would not stick upon occasion to accommodate me : which winged my desires for the court ; the better to accomplish mee . where i found gracefull acceptance with choycest acquaintance . but cynthia could not bee still in her full orbe . i begun to withdraw my thoughts from the pursuit of these , and recount with my selfe what i had seene : store of wealth in the one , and a beseeming state in the other . yet for all this i found my selfe but a planet in both . fixt i could not bee , till some constant calling admitted mee . i resolved then , seeing i found nothing either in court or citie , but cares : cares in the one , of getting to hoord and gather ; cares in the other , of getting to spend and scatter : in the one , more rinde than pith ; in the other , more pith than rinde . this partaking more of complement , that of substance : yet a naturall straine of insinuation in both : but their objects different . the one making a cringe for fashion ; the other for gaine . while the former makes his vowes too familiar with his protests , to be beleeved ; the other sees too deepe a glosse of his commodities , with shopoaths to be lik't . the one , with a low dook of your servants servant , proclaimes him the servant of time , and no ones servant . this i wholly dislik't , for i found the title of servant otherwise applyed by that divine vessell of election , that devout sanctuarie of sanctification , that pure mirrour of supreme contemplation . his title was , as it was likewise of others of his fellow-labourers : paul a servant of iesus christ ; iames a servant of iesus christ ; iude a servant of iesus christ. with this complement these began their epistles : a sain●-like preamble ! an heavenly cour●●hip ! such as all christians are to imitate . the other , with his subtill weights and measures ( reserving ever my best thoughts for the best ) made mee suspect him , that hee sold his commodities by retaile , and his conscience by whole sale . upon review of these , ( i say ) i resolv'd to leave those cinnamon trees of the court with their sweet rindes ; and those palmato's of the citie with their broad shades : and to turne honest countrey-man : where my parents providence had setled a competent estate upon mee . here i lookt to finde nothing but plaine dealing ; where i found in very deed , nothing lesse . for upon a more serious perusall of that life , with the benefits that rose from it , and conditions of those who were borne and bred in it ; i found a cunning colt wrapt up in a russet coat . men as apt to catch , as if they had beene hatcht in the harpies nest . such as would not stick to hazard their part and portion in the tabernacle for a symoniacall contract . and still i went on to dive into the qualitie of those ilanders . where i found some pining through want , others repining at their neighbours wealth , few or none cōtent w th their estate : yet none so poore in estate , as hee would not , though hee spared it from his belly , have a fee in store to maintaine a suit . long i had not remained in this fashion , till it pleased the prince to put mee in commission for administration of iustice : a vertue , and a choyce one too , yet such an one , as by the abuse of man , not of time , may be compared to the celedony stone , which retaineth her vertue no longer than it is rubbed with gold . for my carriage therein , i appeale to such as knew mee : many imperfections and failings ( heaven knowes ) accompanyed mee , which by an humble acknowledgement of mine owne wants , & an earnest desire of supply by gods grace , became so rectified in mee ; as what before seemed crooked , was by that golden rule of his divine will in mee streightned . thus have i passed my dayes ; traced many wayes ; where the longer i lived , the more i sinned ; which caused mee to wash my couch with teares , and to remember the follies of my youth , manhood , and age , with anguish of heart . o how much it now grieves mee , to have grieved so much at the sight or thought of gray haires ; and to have grieved so little at the thought or sight of my sinnes ! may it then bee my care to call for grace , lest i bring my gray haires with lasting sorrow to thei● grave . o may the remainder of my dayes teach mee to number my dayes , that i may goe to him , and live with him , who is the length of dayes ! his death . memoriall x. welcome , thou unwelcommest to man , because i have in part pu● off man , through his grace by whom i am ; and who for mee became man , to free mee from the curse of the law , due to man. o death , how terrible hadst thou been unto mee , if hee who dyed for mee , had not conquer'd thee ! and yet many things present themselves before mee , which highly perplex mee . sinnes , nothing but sinnes muster themselves before mee , to affright mee . yea , sinnes which i never thought of till now , appeare foule and ugly unto mee . but i know my redeemer liveth , and that with these eyes i shall see him . though the furies of sinne and satan enter their pleas against mee ; though my secret sinnes tell mee that i am the child of disobedience , that i have justly incurred gods heavie wrath and displeasure ; and that my strange sinnes have deservedly made me a stranger and alien to the house of my father . though my whole course hath beene a continued curse , by transgressing his law , who satisfied the law for me : though i have made every creature mine enemie , by offending that heavenly maker , who made them and me : though i finde no good thing in mee ; not one witnesse within mee , to speake for mee ; not one day , nay not one houre of my life without sinne to accuse mee ; not one poore worke of charitie so pure , and without vain-glory , as to plead for mee ; not one friend , amongst all those many , who profest themselves mine , to appeare for mee . yet have i one , who h'as vanquished death , sinne , and satan . one , who will cure my wounds , because i have opened them ; and cover my sinnes , because i have discovered them . one , who will bring mee home to my fathers house , bring forth his best roabe to adorne me , put a ring on mine hand to inrich me , and bring me to his great marriage feast , which shall for ever refresh me . one , who wil turne his curse into a blessing ; and with the sight of his dearest selfe satisfie my longing . one , who as hee made his angels , ministers for mee on earth ; will make them my companions in heaven . one , who though hee could see no good thing in me , will of his owne free goodnesse supply mee . one , who will send his holy spirit to witnesse for mee : and will shew to his father those prints of his love , those skars of his wounds to speake for mee . one , who will evince the testimony of sinne , so as though it accuse mee , it shall never impeach me . one , who is all charity , and with the eyes of mercy will looke on my misery ; and in this houre of my necessity will plead for mee . one , who when all my friends shall leave mee , will cleave neare mee : and at the houre of my death will so defend mee , that mine enemie may have no power over mee . yet for all this ; old acquaintance cannot be so easily parted ; i feele a trembling in my flesh : it is death to her to be divided from her soule . therefore shee desires still to bee a cottage , ( though a crazie one ) for the entertainment of such a guest . and though every pusse , every blast threaten her fall ; yet hopes shee with a little repairing to hold out still . foolish flesh ! if thou lov'st that guest , as thou professest , why doest thou lodge her under such rotten tarrases ? for whilest thou keep'st her in that crazie cottage , thou hold'st her from a princely palace . ' las ! shee came to thee , not to bee a dweller , but a sojourner . give her leave then to goe home againe : for in a strange land is shee , while shee lodges with thee . o ; but i heare thee answer : this stranger ( if you please to style him so ) is as loth to part with mee , as i with her . is it so , poore soule , hast thou wallowed so long in mire ; or encamped so long in these shades or shrouds of clay ; as thou beginnest to bee enamoured of them , and never remove from them ? is it so , that thou hast beene such a long stranger in thy owne countrey , as thou hast quite forgot it , or car●st not much if thou never see it ? h 'as the life of a souldier so taken thee ; or the straying libertie of a pilgrim so seaz'd upon thee , as thou preferrest a wandring life , before a setled being in thy countrey ? woe is mee for thee ! but , 'pray thee tell mee , what is it that hath so woo'd and wonne thee from thy first love ? o i heare thee ; or that false idumite which holds thee , cry out : o ; must i leave my friends , honours , pleasures and possessions ? yes ; thou must leave and lose all : thy friends and honours may , perchance , accompany thee to ●hy grave ; but there they will leave thee : and for thy pleasures and possessions , they will not doe thee that gra●e , to attend thee to thy grave , ●●r before thou come there , ●hey have vow'd to leave thee . these are strong stayes●o ●o depend on ! faire props to rely on ! firme foundations to build on ! i see then , ( languishing soule ) what it is that holds thee . thou either griev'st to lose what thou here lovest : or feares to feele there what thou for thy sinne deservest . o my soule , by this may any one gather , that thou hast beene a constant worldling ! for if thou hadst possessed the things of this life without loving of them ; thou wouldst easily lose them without grieving for them : seeing , whatsoever without love we enjoy , without griefe we forgoe . but stay a little ! stay a very little ! and with pati●nce heare mee . be not , o bee not so fast glued to earth , that thy thoughts become loosened from heaven ! i know well , it is thy flesh , which thus disquiets thee . it is shee who suggesteth these things to thee . wrastle then with her , and give her the foile ; it is better that shee faile , than thou fall . tell her ; oh tell her : for this will charme her . those worldly friends , on whom shee so much relyes ; can neither deliver themselves nor her from death . they may professe much ; and vow to intercede for her to any prince or potentate breathing , while shee is living flesh : but dying , they will leave her for a prey to her brothers and sisters . and all their friendly teares will be then dried up . sorrow takes quickly a surfet in the funerall of her dearest friend . his poore corps is with earth no sooner covered , than their time-love becomes discovered . these be the shadowes , wherewith our flesh-flyes are deluded . they may remember us sometimes while wee live on earth , but they soone forget us when wee are laid in earth . aske her then ; will shee be stayd by these friends , of which time makes shadowes , or injury profest foes ? secondly , if friends have not in them such firme dependence , as to promise any assurance : hopes shee from honours to receive any sure footing or continuance ? no ; tell her , these are of all temporary blessings most various and dangerous . various , in respect of the object from whence shee receives them , being man : and consequently , apt enough upon the least occasion , to change his minde . and dangerous , in respect of those corrivals and privie underminers , whose highest taske it is to bring these favourites into disgrace . o how happie had many beene , had they never knowne what honour meant ! for as it incumber'd them living , so it distracted them dying : exposing them to many dangers both living and dying . aske her then ; will shee bee staid by these honours , which can neither privilege her from death , nor comfort her at the houre of death , nor secure her after death ? thirdly , if shee bee thus forsaken of all her honours , what can she expect from pleasures ? la● ! these long since left her , when age seaz'd on her : and thrice happy shee , had shee left them , before they left her . if there bee pleasure in cramps and aches : her weake decrepit limbes retaine stil● a memory of them . these she h'as constantly to attend her ; nor vow they to leave her , till the cold earth receive her . for now those ivory-beds , carpets and laces , are but as so many racks and tortures to her , when shee remembers them . all these have left her in paine : and if shee taste pleasure in that , may she long enjoy it . but thou●h those more active pleasures have wholly left her : shee sees her buildings , and to leave them , and to whom shee knowes not , it deepely grieves her . those pleasant walkes , which with the helpes both of art and nature shee so carefully contrived ; those shadie delightfull arbours , wherein shee so retiredly and contentedly reposed ; those silent groves , christall springs , dainty refectories , wherein shee so delightfully sported , bathed & banquetted : must she lose all these ; and for a cover of mouldred earth , wherein all her beautie lyes buried ? it must bee so ; there is no remedie ; the cold earth must receive her perished beautie . nor should the losse of all these grieve her ; seeing these were so confined to time , as they could promise no constancie to her . yea ; they deserved rather to bee loathed than loved ; seeing the sight of them too often estranged her thoughts from him that made them . aske her then , where bee all those who sometimes enjoyed these pleasures to the full ! where those objects , wherein they delighted ? looke ! reade ! their memories are as letters written in dust . their glorious buildings have lost the names of their founders . they sleepe in their earth : but that account sleepeth not , which they mnst render for their vanities on earth . fourthly , seeing her forepast pleasures have wholly left her ; but the bitter remembrance of the abuse of them stayes with her : the sweetnesse of the one being spent : but the bitternesse of the other left : what content may shee finde in her possessions ; the worldlings minions ? 'las , nothing ! these are tane from her , and bestowed on another . shee is now to goes to her long home ; and another is to possesse her dwellings . though here , shee held passing of time a meere pastime ; and a large possession the sole solace of a worldling ; now she findes enough of earth in a very smal portion of it . no matter now whether her granars be enlarged ; her revenues increased ; her treasures slored . these be none of hers ; the very wind h 'as as great a share in them as shee h'as . nor did they deserve so much loving , when they were in their very height of enjoying . being such as were got with care , kept with feare , and lost with griefe : proper things to dote on ! the fulnesse of them could not stay , one poore fit of an ague : nor get a reprive at deaths hand for a minute . besides , that long unwilling adieu of the unhappie possessour at his heavie departure : o death , how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions ! seeing then , no outward thing should so much delight man , as to withdraw his thoughts from the maker of man : or so trouble him in his passage or translation from earth , as to divert his affections from heaven in his remove from earth . seeing , all things are not onely vanity , but affliction : where such as are highliest possest of them , are most ensnared and deluded by them : seeing , the beauty , riches , pleasures , and contentments of earth , are no sooner appearing than vanishing : no sooner found than lost . why doest thou tremble , o my flesh ! why are thou so troubled , o my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within mee ! put thy trust in the lord , and hee will deliver thee . yea , but i heare thee , in a silent secrecy , framing this reply ! these worldly respects are not the things that make death appeare so terrible unto mee . noe ; i can freely bid farewell to the world ; there is nothing in it , that makes mee enamour'd of it . i see nought at all in it , but sinne , or occasions of sinne : neither did i ever possesse ought , which did not afflict mee more in the forgoing , than it delighted mee in the enjoying . tell me then ( poore fearfull soule ) what is it that so much troubles thee in this thy passage ? what is it that makes thee so shake and shudder in this thy dissolution ? o my sinnes ! my sinnes ! it is the remembrance of my sinnes , which makes mee unwilling to depart from this place where i committed them : or to fix mine eyes on that place , which is so pure as it cannot abide them . i cannot thinke of that place wherein i have not sinned ; nor of that houre wherein i have not highly transgressed . and can one minutes repentance discharge such long arrerages ? o my perplexed soule , remember to thy comfort that divine cordiall : at what time soever a sinner repenteth , &c. as i live , i would not the death of a sinner , &c. my mercie i will not take from him : there is mercie with the lord , and therefore is hee feared . hee shall call upon mee , and i will dedeliver him in the time of his necessitie . draw yet nearer , and thinke of the saying of that sweet father : o humble teare , thine is the kingdome , thine is the power : thou art not affraid to enter in and appeare before the presence of the judge : thou , though thou enter alone , shalt never returne alone : whatsoever thou askest , thou shalt have ; thou overcommest the invincible , and bindest the omnipotent . this angelicall wine will bring thee to the societie of the angels . doubt not ; stagger not . raise and rouse up thy selfe with the wings of faith . whence comes it , that the soule dyeth ? because faith is not in it . whence that the bodie dyeth ? because a soule is not in it . therefore the soule of thy soule is faith. no evill then can befall thee , so thy faith doe not faile thee . where watry eyes make faith their anchor , they promise a calme sea , and a safe arrivall to the christian passenger . and though late repentance be seldome true , yet true repentance never comes too late . that devout and well-prepared father , when hee was readie to die ; with much sweet assurance , and christian confidence , spake thus to stillico and others about his bed ; i have not lived so among you , that i am ashamed to live longer to please god : and yet againe , i am not affraid to dye , because wee have a good lord . though thou canst not in thine owne approvement so truly say this ; crowne thy passage with a devout wish ; desire to bee dissolved , and to bee with christ ; present him with a pious devotion to thy inward'st thoughts : imagining him even now bowing his precious head to kisse thee ; spreading his gracious armes to imbrace thee : his angels comming forth to meet thee ; the whole hoast of heaven to conduct thee to the palace of eternitie , after this thy approaching dissolution from this vale of misery . let nothing divide thee from that love which is in thee to christ iesus . one houre in his courts is better than a thousand in the courts of princes . humbly commend thy selfe to his protection who made thee ; to his affection , who redeemed thee ; to his direction , who sanctifi'd thee . feare it not , timorous soule , but thy fathers power will defend thee ; his sonnes wisedome will enrich thee ; the holy spirits goodnesse will comfort thee : even in these pangs of death which assaile thee . oh how sweet is the remembrance of these things to mee ! there is nothing now that may divide mee from him , to whom i am spiritually espoused . there is no friend so deare to mee , as hee who gave his life for mee . no honour so highly valued of mee , as his , who became a reproach for mee , that by his owne dishonour hee might honour mee . no pleasure so delightfull as his presence , whose sight shall ever cheere mee . no possession like his fruition , who is my portion in the land of the living ; to whom to bee joyned shall ever joy mee . every minute then seemes grievous , every moment tedious , till i bee dissolved ; that i may see him after whom i have so longed ; to whom to bee united , i have so thirsted ; in whose sweet presence to remaine , in whose courts to abide , i have so desired . these pangs i feele , are to mee cheerefull ; these messengers of my approaching dissolution , to mee gratefull ; these humane wrastlings , which i now endure , to mee delightfull . i know well , i am such metall as i must bee tried before i bee fined . o! as i draw by little and little nearer my end ; so may i in true love draw nearer to thee . to thee , my redeemer , in whom my trust is placed ; my confidence planted ; my hopes crowned ; my pilgrim-dayes happily closed ; my heritage , after these dayes of my pilgrimage possessed . i feele now my longing soule fleeting from this darke cell , this noysome shell of corruption ; every gaspe now promiseth a dissolution . my breath is corrupt : my dayes are cut off , and the grave is readie for mee . i enter'd this world with a shrique , and i leave it with a sigh . nor doe i sigh for that i love it , or am unwilling to leave it ; but for that i have beene too long divided by living in it , from him , in whom my desires are here fixed , there filled : the houre is come , and it is welcome ; the houre of my translation to glory . come lord jesus , come quickely . amen . finis . errata's . page . line . for he , reade they. p. . l. . for this , r. these . p. . l. . for huger , r. hunger . p. . l vlt. for glagues , r. plagues . p. . in tit. for deahts , r. deaths . p. . l. . for divine , r. dimme . p. . l. . fore fore , r. for . requi●e the authors paines with thy pen , in correcting these literall errors : and remember him in thy private prayers , who will render the like to thee in his christian vowes and teares . both hand and heart are joyntly given , my hand subscribes , my heart 's for heaven . a spirituall spicerie containing sundrie sweete tractats of devotion & piety . ●●ndon . printed by i. h. for goo● huton ▪ at 〈◊〉 in hol●● notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e gruytrodius . bonaventura . author . ibid. augustinus . author . granado . augustine . aquinas . bonavent . author . bernard . author . ibid. ibid. lanspergius . ibid. lanspergius . lanspergius . dionysius . blosius . suso . augustine . damian . bernard . author . notes for div a -e * in that he was inno●ent , he became more sensible of torment . * o sacred-secret mystery , requiring of us no curious discussion , but serious devotion ! * he is dead in trespasses who liveth not in the remembrance of christs passion , by washing his precious wounds with pious teares of holy compassion . * three ●●ngular precepts of christian imitation . christs counsell . * the way by the crosse , is the way to the crown●● . * the christians ladder , conducting him to christ his saviour . * the christians signet with his posie . * med●tation of christs sacred passion , a soveraigne receit against satans temptation . * a christians philosophie . the terror of the last judgement . a most comfortable conclusion . mat. . luke . * imperator noster christus eum hostem vicit , qui adhuc omnes imperatores stravit . miscell . theor. itin. psal. . exod. . psal. . psal. . psal. . galat. . i cor. . psal. . mat. . malac. . wisd. . i cor. . colos. . reg. . psal. . prov. ▪ psal. . psal. . matth. . job . cor. . psal. . mat. ● . no fire gives quicker heat to heath , than christs crosse to mans heart . no fire works more upon combustible matter , than the wood of the crosse on a pliable nature . meaning by this materiall wood of the crosse of christ , tha● spi●ituall wo●d of life , chr●st jesus ●hanging on the wood of the crosse. * delicacy the devils darling . * christs confection . * christs refection . * christs musique . * christs perambulation . * christs habit . * christs house . * christs repose . * christs conversation , our imitation . * christs bed . * christs c●adle a cr●bbe , his couch a crosse. * christs sermon upon the crosse. in ore gratiam , in more ●aga●iam● , in 〈◊〉 solatiu●● . amos . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . august . in enar. s●p . . psalm . prov. . . * electrum l●chry●arum , electuarium animarum . * lachrymae peccatorum , sun● vinum angelo●um . bern sup . cant. my● rham oculoru● dici●●us me ru● angelorum . anselm . damas. in hi●t . barlaam . luke . . licot sparso ●●ine , s●is● is vestibus , uber● quibus ●e nutrierat , m●ter ostēda● , li●●t in limine pa●er jaceat , per contemptam matrem , per calcatum patrem , perge siccis ●culis , & ad vexillum crucis ev●la . hieroh . rev. . . notes for div a -e the love of god is the faithfull soulesguide . * nec locus sufficeret cruc●●us , ●ec cruees corporibus . joseph . lib. . de bell● iud. cap. . exce●lent motives for the weake i● spirit , preparing them how to die . a divine memoriall . no true repentance without charitie . meditation of death , the wis● mans life . motives of fearing death . spirituall physick against this fe●rfull distemper . christian memorials . jam. v. . mar. . . christs mercies , my merits . a conclave animae . notes for div a -e pet. damian . de hor●●ort●● . bern. notes for div a -e aug. med. . s. bern. s. ambrose . the schollers medley, or, an intermixt discourse vpon historicall and poeticall relations a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious, who best know how to confirme their knowledge, by this briefe suruey, or generall table of mixed discourses. ... by richard brathvvayte oxon. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the schollers medley, or, an intermixt discourse vpon historicall and poeticall relations a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious, who best know how to confirme their knowledge, by this briefe suruey, or generall table of mixed discourses. ... by richard brathvvayte oxon. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by n[icholas] o[kes] for george norton, and are to bee sold at his shop neere temple-barre, london : . printer's name from stc. the last leaf is blank. running title reads: a suruey of histories. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic 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edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the schollers medley , or , an intermixt discovrse vpon historicall and poeticall relations . a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious , who best know how to confirme their knowledge , by this briefe suruey , or generall table of mixed discourses . and no lesse profitable to such as desire to better their immaturity of knowledge by morall readings . distinguished into seuerall heads for the direction of the reader , to all such historicall mixtures , as be comprehended in this treatise . the like whereof for variety of discourse , mixed with profite , and modest delight , hath not heretofore beene published , by richard brathvvayte oxon. hor. quod verum atque decus turo & rogo — & omnis in hoc sum. london , printed by n. o. for george norton , and are to bee sold at his shop neere temple-barre . to the right honovrable , the lord of sovthampton ( learnings best fauorite ) rich : b●…athvvayte wisheth perpetuall encrease of best meriting honours . right honovrable , so rarely is pallas shield borne by the noble , or supported by such whose eminence might reuiue her decaied hopes : as brittaines pernassus ( on which , neuer were more inhabitants planted , and homer-like , more vsually expulsed ) is growen despicable in her selfe , because protected by none but her selfe . hinc ferrea tempora surgant : wanting their cherishers ( those heroicke patrons ) whose countenance in former times made the studies of the learned mor●… pleasant ( hauing their labours by such approbation , seconded . ) yet in these times ( my honourable lord ) wee may finde some roiall seedes of pristine nobility ( wherein we may glory ) reserued , as it were , from so great ruines for the preseruation of learning , and the continuance of all vertuous studies ; amongst which your noble selfe , as generally reputed learned , so a profest friend to such as be studious of learning : a charracter which euer held best correspondency with honour , being a fauorite to them who can best define honour : expressing to the life ( what proprieties best concord with so exquisite a maister-peece : it is ob●…erued that all the romane emperours were singular in some peculiar art , science , or mystery : and such of the patricijans as could not deriue their natiue descent ( with the particular relation of their ancestours most noble actions ) were thought vnworthy to arrogate any thing to themselues by their vertues . these romanes were trucly noble , bearing their owne annals euer with them , either to caution them of what was to be done , or excite them to prosec●…te what was by them commendably done : nor knew they honour better limmed , or more exactly proportioned , then when it was beautified by the internall ornaments of the minde . many i know ( my good lord ) whose greatnesse is de ▪ riuatiue from their ancestours vnto themselues , but much eclypsed by their owne defects : and plants which had a noble grafter , vse now and then to degenerate . but so apparant is your lustre , that it borroweth no light but from your selfe ; no eminence but from the lampe of your honour , which is euer ready to excite the vertuous to the vndertaking of labours well meriting of their countrey , and generally profitable to all estates . in subiects of this nature ( my honourable lord ) i cannot finde any more exact then these suru●…ies of ●…istories ; many wee haue depraued : and euery iasciuious measure now becomes an historian . no study in his owne nature more deseruing , yet more corrupted none is there : o then if those ancient romanes ( mirrours of true resolution ) kept their armilustra with such solemnity , feasts celebrated at the surueyes of their weapons : we that enioy thes●… halcyons daies of peace and tranquillity , haue reason to reserue some time for the solemnizing this peaceble armour of histories ; where we may see in what bonds of duety and affection wee are tied to the almighty , not onely in hauing preserued vs from many hostile incursions , but in his continuing of his loue towards vs , wee cannot well dijudicate of comforts but in relation of discomforts : nor is peace with so generall acceptance entertained by any , as by them who haue sustained the extremities of warre . many precedent experiments haue wee had , and this i le hath tasted of misery with the greatest , and now reuiued in her selfe , should acknowledge her miraculous preseruation , as not proceeding from her owne power , but deriued from the supreme influence of heauen , whose power is able to erect , support , demolish , & lay wast as he pleaseth : hinc timor , hinc amor. hence wee haue argument of feare and loue. feare from vs to god , loue from god to vs : cause wee haue to feare , that subiect not our vnderstandings to the direct line and square of reason , but in our flourishing estate ( imitating that once renowned sparta ) who was — nunquam minus faelix quam cum felix visa — abuse those excellent gifts we haue receiued , contemning the meanaces of heauen , and drawing vpon our selues the viols of gods wrath , heauier diffused , because longer delayed . wee should recollect our selues , and benefite our vngratefull mindes with these considerations : that our present felicity be not buried in the ruines of a succeeding calamity . these histories ( my noble lord ) bee the best representments of these motiues . and in perusing discourses of this nature ( next to the sacred word of god ) we are strangely transported aboue humane apprehension , seeing the admirable foundations of common-weales planted ( to mans thinking ) in the port of security , wonderfully ruinated : grounding their dissolution vpon some precedent crying sinne , which laid their honour in the dust , and translated their empire to some ( perchance ) more deseruing people . here ciuill warres , the originall causes of the realmes subuersion : there ambition bred by too long successe : here emulation in vertue , the first erectors of a flourishing empire : there parasites , the scarabe of honour , the corrupters of roiallie disposed affections , and the chief●…st enginers of wracke and confusion , buzzing strange motions in a princes eare , occasioning his shame , and their owne ruine . here states happy , before they raisd themselues to the highest type and distance of happinesse . and generally obserue wee may in our humane compositions , nothing so firme as to promise to it selfe constancy , so continuate as assure it selfe perpetuity , or vnder the cope of heauen , any thing so solid as not subiect to mutability . this suruey ( my lord ) haue i presumed to dedicate to your honour , not for any meriting discourse which it comprehends , but for the generality of the subiect : your protection will raise it aboue it selfe , and make me proud to haue an issue so highly patronized : it presents it selfe with feare , may it be admitted with honour : so shall my labours be in all duety to your fauour deuoted , my prayers exhibited , and my selfe confirmed your lordships wholy , rich : brathvvayte . to the vnderstanding reader . so many idle pamphleters write to thee now a daeies , as thy vnderstanding ( in my iudgement ) seemes much disparaged : i haue euer resolued to haue this motto : catoni solus dormio : but where that cato is , there 's the difficulty . hee is too heauy for the court , too wise for the citty , and too precise for the countrey . if my booke chance to finde him , i know my subiect shall bee entertained , and my petition shall bee heard , for auriculas asini non habet — to giue my labour but impartiall censure . vnderstand thy selfe reader and thou vnderderstands me : if thou battle at ordinaries thou art not for me , thou hast thy wit in the platter : for ●… neuer knew him wise that onely delighted to fare-well . r. b. the scholers medley , or an intermixt discovrse vpon historical and poeticall relations . in the suruey of histories , the true relators of things done , with a probable collection of things to come , by precedent euents : i thought good compendiously to contract some especiall caueats , as well for obseruance in historical discourses , as for preuention of such inconueniences ( or exorbitances rather ) as happily might occurre in such narrations . first therefore i haue propounded to my selfe this methode , ( by way of inferance ) to describe the true scope at which all histories ought to aime , and to which they should principally be directed . secondly , to distinguish of seuerall vses and fruits of histories . the end whereof being exactly set downe , a di-iudicating power may easily collect from what subiect the choicest and selectedst fruits may bee deduced . thirdly , the profite which redounds to euery state , either aristocraticke , democraticke , or monarchicke , by the true and vnderstanding vse of histories . the true vse and scope of all histories ought to tend to no other purpose , then a true narration of what is done , or hath beene atchieued either in forraigne or domesticke affaires , with a modest application ( for present vse ) to caution vs in things offenfiue , and excite vs to the management of im●…loiments in themselues generous , and worthy i●… . so as it pleased the orator to call historie the 〈◊〉 , or m●…rror of mans li●…e : charactring the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this vniuerse , the states of princes , eu●…nts of wa●…res , conquests of renowned captaines , euen all designes , either publicke or p●…iuate by a succinct discription , or map rather ●…xpressing e●…ery par●… affaire : and what ( as a worthy historian hath obs●…rued ) can be imagined more worthy admiration , then in a safe and retired port , in the harbour of secure rest , in our ptiuate reposes to see there a prince beleagred with many hostile apponents , straight by miraculous meanes defeating them , and by his owne policie , ( the supreme purpose of the almighty ) to plant himselfe in tranquility , where ( as farre as humane apprehension could reach ) nought but imminent ruine could be expected : there a cittiy by wise and discreet gouernment wonderfully preserued : here amidft concealing or shadowing rather of the conquerours exploits by his moderation in conquering , implies how he could beare his fortunes , if he were conquered . we may read no state in her selfe so secure , but may be shaken , exemplified well in rome , the gouernesse of ample territories , and now made subiect to those which were her subiects : no prince of so prosperous imploymen●…s , so successiue proceedings , or generall forces , but either vanquished at home or abroad : abroad by forraigne powers , or at home by his owne illimited affections ; instanced in that great and potent prince of of macedon , who ( though prince of the whole world ) could not play prince of his little world , being slaued to distempered passions . no citty but sore harased , if notrazed . nor could that italian tryacala ( which taking her denominate from the greeke , comprehends all beauty ) stand against the iniury of time , or withstand the battry of all assaults ; which makes me taxe that ci●…ty of arrogance ( whereof hyppo . speaketh in his booke of the increase of citties ) vpon the gates whereof was this impressa ingrauen , intact●…manet . to see these states so well and liuely decoloured , cannot but conferre no lesse delight ( being grounded on vertue , where all true and perfect delights bee seated ) then the relation of the troian affaires ( being made by so excellent and experimented an historian as ithac●…s ) delighted that chaste greeke penelope : theseus trauels ariadne , or alcides labours omphale . but to the vse of historie . historie being a minte of profit and delight , the seasoning of more serious studies , the reporter of cases adiudged by euent , the enterlude of our haps , the image of fortune , the compendiarie director of affaires , the representer of humane successe , the infallible character ( by collation had with things past , and things to come ) of succeding euents : should not aime at lasciuious stories , amorous subiects ( vnlesse by way of disgression to smooth a serious discourse with a modest insertion of mirth ) but to prosecute the argument of the historie without friuolous ambages , or impertinent circumstances . affectation ill beseemes an historian : for hee should vnderstand what office he supports ; not any thing draind from his owne inuention , but to performe the charge of sincere relation . i approue of his oppinion that thought , inuention to be least needfull to an historian , but disposition more then to any . it is sufficient for an historian to expresse what hee hath read or seene , truly , without concealing any thing , in partiall r●…spect to any person , making truth the period of his discourse . the phylosopher thought a poore man was not to be an historian : for necessity would inforce him temporise and obserue humors : nor a rich man , for he had his eye fixed vpon his estate , and durst not vn-rip great mens errors , lest he should loose by his labours . but i disaprou●… his censure , and refell it with anothers opinion of the same sect : si diues de fortunis & infortunijs scribat , sie enim vtriusque fortunae sortem aequius ferat . si pauper de fortunis scribat , vt cum eas attigerit , melius eas regat & teneat . the error of iudgement should not be appropriated either to want , or eminence of fortune : for so should we subiect the inward to the outward , the intellectuall power to the externall varnish , preferring the eye of the body before the light of the minde . yet to intermeddle in estates , so much as to dis-able them ( by extenuating theit powers ) lessening their reuenewes , or ecclipsing their pristine honour and eminence , by mentioning some insuccessiue euents they haue had by warre , or other occurrents , i wholly disallow it , proceeding either from priuate enmity to the state , or from a malevolent nature ( vnfitting for so good a professour ) apt to sting all , because an enmy to himselfe and all . states should not bee laid too open : but when occasion serues to describe the seates of countries , regions , &c. or to touch the manners and conditions of inhabitants , how they liue , and to what trades most inclined , with whom they haue commerce or the like , will not derogate any thing from the scope of an history , or any way implye a digression . it is thought , ( and that by the authentickst historians ) that caesar ; by the description of u●…lateranus , which he made of britaine , declairing how the people were sauage , and vnapt for military discipline , the places of defence vnprouided : and then shewing how fruitfull the whole island was , replenished with all necessaries , was induced to take his expedition into britaine , and to conquer it , though preuented by a brutus , who to rid rome of tyranny , restored poore britaine to her liberty , for his iourney was staied by death . and ( doubtlesse ) there is nothing which inflames the minde of man more vnto valour and resolution , then the report of the acts of their auncestors , whose monuments remaining of record with this impress : non norunt h●…c monumenta mori , must needs stirre vp in them a desire of imitation . many examples i could produce herein , as the trophies of mil●…iades inducements of imitation to casar : the acts of achilles to alexander , of vlysses to t●…lamon , of the greekish heroes to prymaleon , of danaus to linceus , aegeus to theseus . many times ( we reade ) where a naturall defect and want of courage was seated , euen a retrograde from the sphere of valour , there ( though a barren seed-plot to work on ) by historical discourse hath magnanimity shewne herselfe in more perfect & real colors , thē if nature her selfe had implanted in that man a natiue desire to fight , so powerfull is history in her selfe , where nature in her selfe expresseth small power . this discourse therefore should not bee emploied in any thing saue in excitements to glory , motiues to warlike designes ; since by it valour is quickened , a desire of honour inflamed , countries fame dispersed , and monuments of neuer dying glory erected : o then who should so disalow the precious treasure of a refined discourse , as to mix it with impudent and scurrilous inventions ; such fictions as are not onely in themselues fabulous , but to the vnstaid reader ( of which sort wee haue too many ) mortally dangerous . which fables ( in my opinion ) fall among the impertinent and feagured tables called milesiz ; onely aiming at the depravation of manners , and the effeminating best resolued spirits . the ripnesse whereof ( by such vnseasoned discourses ) become blasted before their time : o that the depravednesse of these times should taint so generally approued study : making histories meere panygi●…icks ( poems of adulation , to insinuate and winde themselues into the affection of the great , leauing the scope of an history to gaine by their studious trafficke . but let vs returne to the office of a good historian . he will not write but vpon singular grounds , reasons impregnable ; conferring with the best to make his narrations confirmed of the best : hee writes the stories of princes truely without concealing their errours ( by way of silencing them ) or comment vpon an history , annexing to it an vnnecessary glosse . he will not be so ingaged to any , as that he will be restrained of his scope ; or so countermanded , as that he must of necessity illustrate vice , vertue cannot passe without her character : a good historian will alwaies expresse the actions of good men with an emphasis , to sollicite the reader to the affecting the like meanes , whereby hee may attaine the like end . this was the cause all the noble heroes in ancient time did liue to posteritie their acts to imitate : not so much for record of their owne memorable lifes , as for the propagating their countries eternall honour by succeding worthies . as those establishers of good and wholesome lawes made themselues with their countrie renowned : mynois and radamanth among the cretensians ; orpheus among the thracians , draco and solon in athens , lycurgus in lacedemon , zamolx is among the scythians : nor bee historians ( if so the professours merite that style ) of lesse esteeme then the prudentest and most experienced statists . for these direct euery senatour in polliticke affaires by producing such as excelled in administration of iustice , describing the very natures of such lawes , and the causes why such lawes were enacted to present times . these ages haue beene , and are to this day , much indebted to transcriptions , inventions are oft times slow , where the application of things inuented to the present state seemes more facile and easy : hereto then should the scope of histories tend ; not onely to personate the acts of men vpon the theater of this world , but likewise to cull out such lawes , orders , and precepts , as well morall as diuine , which may benefiet their present estate . sysambris skin was a good caueat for succeding iudges : iustice before went on crutches , and more were troubled with demosthenes disease then with phoycions bluntnesse . the historian must not sow pillowes to the elbowes of magistrates , nor sooth corruption with an humour of shadowing vice : he showes what was done : and commends the one to reprehend the other . vertue neuer wants her character , nor vice her reproofe : for such hystoricall relations as induce to vertue and deterre from vice , comprehend in them the true vse of such subiects , being apologeticall and morall to reforme , not mylesian or prophane to deforme or disfigure the exact simmetree of a vertuous idiome . no maruell if alexander laid the workes of homer vnder his head , being such as directed him how to be a head , how to gouerne prouinces , how to sway his inordinate affections ; so as cleanthes fable ( vertues best elucidary ) had her liberall sciences neuer better portraied , then the differences twixt true fortitude , and a foole-hardy boldnesse were by homer deblazoned . here a hectors badge of true valour , there an antenor whose grauity purchas'd him honour : there a diomedes no lesse wise then resolued , here a troilus stoutnesse but vnaduised here warres well managed abroad , but lesse successiue at home , examplefied in agamemnon , there a subtile scouce , no lesse frieghted with pollocy then successe in sinon . all these are expressed by that heriocke historian . qui quid sit pulchrum , quid turpe quid vtile , quid non ? plenius ac melius chrysippo & crantore dicit . these acts couid not but minister sufficient matter of admiration to such iudicious readers , as apprehended each circumstance in the subiect ; making that apt connexion of all , that the body might seeme more excellent , by the proportioning of euery member . histories in themselues are diuerse , producing seuerall fruits to the pervsers , according to euery mans affection : which made that moderne historian compare them to a banquet , wherein were to be serued seuerall dishes ; some to prouoke appetite , others to satiate , more delightfull subiects penned for relishing more serious studies , grauer discourses to ripen the vnderstanding , by applying the instructions of forraine states to our owne iudgements : where we may make vse of the best part of man ( in his reasonable power ) and that is election : approuing of what is good , or may in it selfe be beneficiall to the state : and slieghtly obseruing discourses of indifferency , as accomplements , ceremonies , circumstances , and the like , resembling faire frontespices which are made rather for ornament then vse . it is necessary for a good historian to haue maturity of iudgement , to apprehend what is fittest for his discourse , and to be as little complemental as may be , lest the varnish marre the worke ; for the words of an history in my opinion iumps with mirandula : — vt non sint le●…ta ita nec neglecta : the one implics a kind of deiection , the other a minde too curious to profite any , desiring onely to please himselfe . caesar in his comment , shewes no lesse discipline in the art of history , then in the discipline of armes : vsing a stile as well fitting a souldier , as curiosity the smoth tongue of an orator . it is true which are obserued of him : si acta eius penitus ignorasses , per linguā tamē militem esse diceres : hauing neither hi●… phrases too selected , ( as to shew a singularity ) or too neglected to expresse a c●…relesnesse in his writing . the records of things done commended to posterity should not be enrolled , as the chaldees did their hieroglyphicks in ciphers and intricate conclusions , but in words most significant , phrases modestly elegant , and discourse most pertinent ? here by way of disgression let me touch the ridiculous labours , and vnfruitfull trauailes of such who passe the alpes , trace vncoth places , des●…rts , promontories ; for what end heauen knowes , s●…ue onely to wrest ou●… a phantasticke behauiour of superfluous wit , or to comme t on othe●…s trauailes by way of dirision : these are such as vpon their returne , publish what they haue seene ; some more then they haue seene , which i tearme commenting trauailers : others lesse then they haue seene ( or at least the most 〈◊〉 ) which i tearme phantasticke trauailers . such as lye on their trauell , either doe it for admiration , or hauing run vpon the aduerse shelues of a deplored fort●…ne , are enforced to inuent strange things for the reliefe of their deiected estate . such as publish lesse then they haue seene , ( omitting things of the greatest consequence , to satisfie our humors with trifles ) do it to gaine pregnancy , or singularity rather of conceit : they talke not of the acts of princes , nor the sites of regions , the temperature of such clymates , or any materiall discourse , but to shew an exquisite straine of wit , purchased by a little fruitlesse trauell : they insert friuolous occurrents , borrowed , or ( it may be ) inuented by their owne phantasticke braines . these misse the marke a good traueller should aime at : they should obserue lawes in forraigne places , like a good lycurgus to ●…ranspose so glorious a freight to their owne countrey . they should not ( like our fashion-inuenters , our italionated albionacts ) so much obserue what is worne on the body , as what habit best beseemes the nature and condition of their minde . since flourishing common-weales are then the highest , when in externall habilliments the lowest : for sparta neuer flourished more , then when she conformed her state to the imitation of the 〈◊〉 . many realmes haue we knowne to be miraculouily protected , by meanes of experienced men : which experience they either receiued by trauell or example : yea , many empires ( and those of amplest circumference ) haue beene reduced from a kinde of seruitude within themselues , by experiments deriued from a far●…e . for trauell , the excellent designes of sertorius , eumenes , marius , ●…nd antonius , may sufficiently confirme the profite to bee reaped thereby . for example : we shall read in all the roman annals , a certaine vehement desire in all the worthy patritians of imitating whatsoeuer they perceued to be worthy imitation in their predecessours , marking the euents of their intendments , and collecting the goodnesse of the meanes by the prosperous successe in the end . these were worthy monumentall honours , that could not onely imitate the vercues so transparant in others , but euen exemplifie their memorable actions in themselues . we are placed in the following ages , but we scorne to follow the precedent times in their vertues , though expert enough in contriuing politicke designes : the fabricke of our inuention can dispose or transpose it selfe to any shape , any impression , or priuate gaine or aduantage : but publicke affaires may bee aduocates for the●…selues ; they are a merchandise too farre estranged from our affections , none will trauell to purchase their countr●…es peace : solon and we haue few that goe mad for th●…ir countrey ; but tarp●…a's wee haue too many , that are mad with desire to betray their countrey . few law-inacters , many law-infringers : making wholesome lawes , like tarandulas web , wickets for great ones to come through , but snarles for little ones to hold . but to returne to our former argument : by the right vse of h●…story , we see vertue reuiued when her defender is dead : and to say the truth , i may vse thales sentence in this discourse : ●…ithout history , nihil mortem à vi●…a differre : since the life of the dead depends vpon the memory of the liuing : for without some memoriall of actions prosecuted , what difference betwixt the valiant acts of ithacus , and the shamefull retirednesse of aeg●…schus ? betwixt aeneas piety , and pigmalions cruelty ? they are dead , and their poore vrne can speake no more for them , then pompeys sepulchre spake for him : hic situs est mag●…us , here hee lyes that was once great : powerfull in popular command , generally succesfull , before his pharsalian discomfite : here hee lies that was stiled his countries patron , romes best centinell : yet failing in the close of his fortunes , drooping in the vpshot of his victories : time can erect no other monument in his remembrance : uixi , & uici : onely once i liued , and was once conquerour . it is recorded , that when alexander came to the tombe of achilles , and beheld the mirror of greece , shut vp in so small a scantling of earth , ( a parcell of that whole which could hardly containe him liuing ) he wept bitterly , adding : heccine sunt trophea ? be these all the monuments , all the trophies this world could affoord thee ? is greatnesse so soone extinguished , and the lampe of honour so soone put out ? a good motiue for alexander , to caution him of his mortality , and might make vp this conclusion : alexander thou art not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : not the sonne of iupiter , but the sonne of earth . the like we reade related by qu●…ntus curtius : that when this great prince of maccdon came into persia , an obiect of no lesse pitty , then example of humanc frail●…y , represented it selfe vnto him : to wit , the poore sepulchre of that victorious cyr●…s , on which he found no other inscription then this : o man , whosoeuer thou be , or from what pl●…ce soeuer thou shal●… come ( for i know thou wilt come ) know , that i am cyrus , who translated the emp●…re from the medes to the persians : pray thee doe not enur me for this little handfull of earth that doth couer me . this epitaph could not choose but fixe an impression of remorse and commiseration ( as indeed it did ) in that great conquerours heart : seeing whereto all his victories tended : so as neroes affecting command and soueraignty was well answered by seneca : pulchrum est regnare ( said ne●…o : ) nihil est , si nihil quaras , replied senec●… : certainly ( if i be not blinded with the loue of historical discourse ) there is no means better to deter from vice , nor more effectuall inducements vnto vertue , then these moral relatiōs . by them we see the liues of princes , and their employments ( prima sp●…cie leta ) ●…n their first entrance or passage pleasant , and delightfull , promising no lesse then successe , and in successe continuance : afterwards , tractu dura , more difficulties attending , as if the wheele of fortune were remoued to a place subiected to more occurrents ; yet not so dangerous , as to bee attended by ruine : nor so secure , as to promise an vndoubted issue . euentu tristia , a strange catastrophe of so faire beginnings : where , in the first , there was security grounded vpon more then hope : in the second , hope , though not secure : in the third , neither hope nor security , but depriuall of both . yet euen in these conuersions , if it please the reader to cast his eye vpon the admirable moderation of some princes affections , he shall see verily a christian resolution in a pagan . furius camill●…s could not bee daunted , ( ●…ough vniustly censured : ) his exile neither made him d●…ected , nor his dictatorship proud . phocion , that honest senatour ( to satisfie an vnsatiate appetite of reuenge ) renders vp his life willingly , and when hee could not dye without paying for his death , so indifferent was life to him , as he confirmed his resolution by this epiphonema : itaque nisi empta nece mo●…i mihi athenis non licuit . what should i speake of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 publicola , whose moderation in the ebbe of fortune , and surplusage of miseries , made him more admired , then hated . the equall temper of rutilli●…s , the exceeding modesty of l. quintius , the graue and serious respect of fabius maximus , the temperate deliberation of marcellus , and the admirable gouernment of tiberius gracchus ; the wi●… staidnesse of metellus , and the discreete patience of ma●…cus bibulu●… . we vse to be more excited to goodnesse by examples then precepts , and such instances in histories are not a little perswasiue , representing to our eyes the diuers obiects of piety in c●…riolanus , of iustice in aristides , of prudence in cleobul●… : and to be briefe of all vertues so well practised by pagans , as they may well deserue an imitation by christians . to proceede now to the discourse it selfe ; i allow of a copious phrase in historie : for contraction of sentences doth oftimes contract the sence , or at least makes the subiect lesse intelligible : cornelius tac : seemed to affect an intricate kind of writing , yet his argument in it selfe so copious might modestly apologize his succinctnesse ; approuing tullies opinion , where he propounds , what errors are most subiect to taxing in such discourses - titio sum etiam est si nimium apparatis v●…rbis compositum , aut nimium longum est : taxing in the one singularity , commending in the other breuity : yet he seemes to oppose himselfe in it by plaine contradiction , making relation of the same discourse . non parum fructus habet in se copia dicendi , & commoditas orationis : but these tend rather to rhetoricall narrations , then hystoricall discriptions : tacitus is to be preferred before the most , 〈◊〉 a dilated compendiary of many declined states , disvnited prouinces : shewing the vices of the time , where it was dangerous to be v●…rtuous , and 〈◊〉 innocence tasted the sharpest censure : what g●…rbe best 〈◊〉 with the state of that ●…me , describing the 〈◊〉 tongue - facundam i●…micitijs , more partiall then time-obseruers . where amici curi●… , were parasiti curi●… : the courts friends , the courts popingayes ; heere hee shewes a great man rising , and his fall as suddaine as his erection : the immeritorious in election for greatest honours , and the vertuous depressed , because they will not mount by sinister meanes . there a prince that shewed great testimonies of his approued vertues , so long as he was subi●…ct , but raised to an vnexpected height he seconded this conclusion : - an ill prince spoiled a good subiect : so was galba : omnium consensu capax imperij , nisi imperasset : o what singular fruits may be gathered out of that one history , to teach men in high estates how to moderate their greatnesse ; and others of inferior ranke , rather to liue retired , then to purchase eminence in place by seruile meanes . but of all the diuers affections of princes , either well or ill disposed , minister no little delight to the iudicious reader : here o●…e so popularly affected , as he had the tricke to bind his subiects to alleageance by a natiue insinuation , such was augustus , antonius pius , septimus seuerus ; one whereof seemed rather to affect popular satisfaction then his owne , subiecting ( as he himfelfe professed ) his entirest thoughts to propagate his countries glory : anton : clemency , was the chaine that vnited and combined ( in a knot inviolable ) the hearts of the romanes to him , publiquely protesting : hee had rather saue one citizen , then destroy a thousand enemi●…s . but seuerus was loued ( which seemes no lesse admirable ) for that which engenders , for most part , greatest occasion of offence , and that was seuerity ; being no lesse exact in punishing his friends then enemies . but to reade ouer the life of scilla , we shall see an opposition in his nature . none that ere did more good to his friends , or more harme to his enemies : nay , euen in brothers ( deriued from one stem ) discrepant natures ; titus , the loue and darling of man-kind , domitian a professed foe to all man-kind ; the one banishing parasites his pallace , the other a persecutor of flyes : what more delightfull subiect can be imagined , then to conuerse ( and that without perill ) of the dangerous euents of warre ? of the diuers dispositions of princes , raisings and razings of empires : some shaken by the vi●…iousnesse of the people which inhabite them , being so long secure , till ruine impose a periode to their security : some by ( ciuill and intestine factions ) making their deerest countrie the sad spectator of their funerals , their entirest friends , their prof●…ssed foes ; and the argument of loue and amity , the ground of ciuill dissentions : the cause whereof ( for most part ) proceeds from a continued peace , for retirednesse from forraigne affaires , make vs bent to prosecute managements d●…mesticke , and the ouer-flow of successe ( purchased by peace ) makes men more capable of iniuries , euen to their best friends . this was the reason moued athens to erect places of martiall exercises ( euen in peace ) that so the youths being daily invred to such exercises , might employ their strengths in them , and not in ciuill commotions . this we haue by relation of histories , which so manageth affaires of state , as i am of that sages opinion who auerred : that no man could be an experienc't statist , that was not initiated in the reading of histories , which he confirmes with reasons no lesse authenticke , calling them the aptest and exquisitest directions that can attend man , either in publique or priuate affaires , at home or abroad . diuerse therefore of our famous senatours in rome , haue employed th●…ir times in these studies , as salust , whose wel-couch'd stile , succinct sentences , and purenesse of w●…iting , may a●…rogate , if not the chiefest place , yet to be inserted amongst the chiefest : varr●… one of reputed esteeme , and of ample possessions , tooke in ha●…d the like taske , to illustrate his natiue tongue not onely , with apt and accomodate phrases , but likewise to compile the memorable acts of the romanes , and to reduce them into an exact order , to excite his countrimen , by perusing the valiant attempts of their ancestours : eorum gloria in●…lammare ad eandem virtutis exercitationem 〈◊〉 : to be in●…lamed and prouok●… . by t●…ir 〈◊〉 and glory 〈◊〉 , to imitate th●…●…n th●… lik●… : a●… there is nothing cer●…ainely that 〈◊〉 m●…re 〈◊〉 impr●…ssion in a resolued minde , th●…n th●…●…port of ●…ormer exploits ; hearing this man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and vigilant 〈◊〉 , to contemne all 〈◊〉 , oppose himselfe to ●…ll dangers , whereby he ●…ght 〈◊〉 some-thing ●…orthy memory : anoth●…r ( sustai●…ing 〈◊〉 labours ) to purc●…ase hims●…lfe but a little ●…lory . this man subiected to seawrackes , exposed to the mercy of the 〈◊〉 , enuiro●…ed and hemmed in by emin●…nt danger●… , y●…t moderating his passions , armes himselfe against th●… perils of se●… , aduerse wi●…ds , the menaces of ruine , with resolution ●…o endure the worst of fates , euer meditating of that motiue to patience : no●…cere hoc primum 〈◊〉 , quid facere victor debet , uictus pati . these obseruations , are receipts , or cordials against the maladies of fortune : a man thus resolued cannot be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a p●…ince , for hee gouernes a dominion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an empire more imperious , a dia●…hy , o●… monarchy rather : hauing disconsorting affections , euer laying siege and battry to the pallace of the 〈◊〉 . ●…hich moued plutarch in his morals defini●… to con●…lude : that he who mod●…rated his affections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but hee that neuer past the bound●… and 〈◊〉 of temp●…rate motiues , nor felt the deluding enforcements o●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…im , was wholy vertuous : but the mo●…als p●…oposition was better then his conclusion : 〈◊〉 mortall ( since the staine of his originall puri●… ) co●…ld 〈◊〉 subsist so secure , or remai●…e so vnmoueabl●… , as neuer to be engage●… to perturbations , the 〈◊〉 attendants of 〈◊〉 . in this first entrance to my discourse , hauing spo●… some-thing in generall , of the vse and fruit of hystory : hauing by an ( equall diameter ) determined the proper place and center at which such historicall relations ought to tend : i will descend to the diuision of histories , which may properly branch themselues into — diuine , discursiue , morall , physicke , or mixt. for diuine , i will not comprehend them in my discourse , being such as depend on their owne arches , drained from the pure spring of coelestiall wisedome , and therefore impossible to erre either in action or relation : yet necessarily ( now and then ) immixed with morall histories , because their weight may better poise in the scale of euery iudicious reader , when hee seeth morall discourse so well fortefied , as by the pillar of truth : albeit i approue of hesiods words . fabulous relations should not , nor ought they to be authorised by holy writings : it was a pagans obseruation , and worthy ours : so should our prophane pamphleters , restraine their libidinous writings more , and either write that which should propagate themselues a generall reputation , without derogation to the sacred writings of the almighty , or silence their workes ; least they should depraue many , for a priuate reward , or pedling gaine : more i insist vpon this , because too many haue i knowne steeped in this promiscuous subiect , well read in scripture , to wrest them , otherwise babes and sucklings , for they cannot reach to the depth of such mysteries , but onely touch them to corrupt them : but their cymerian cloude , when it shall be dispersed , aud the raies of a reasonable vnderstanding to them exhibited : they will repent them ( i feare it not ) and heauens grant that repentance , be not like the after-raine , out of season of their prophaner mixtures . o let them turne their eye of consideratiō ( whosoeuer they be ) to the miserable end of lucian , cleand : metrodoras , whose disastrous fals answered their blasphemous risings , contemning the sacred writ of heauen , and prostituting their labours to the merited censure of confusion : but too much of them . times are not so easy to be wained from their habite of errour , or induced to a course of more sanctimony : lampes and oilely studies were made fruitlesse at epictetus death , his lanthorne hung vp , ( as a monument of his vertues ) made a deeper impression in his schollers , then all our mo●…iues , precepts , or examples can ●…o in ours : that age was more apprehensiue of good , thi●… of ill. now to our discursiue histo●…ies . many discourse without matter , onely descanting vpon idle theames : more obserued for their idlenesse , then for any subiect wher●…on they entreate : such be foolish phantastickes that spend their oile vpon vnnecessary subiects . i haue apprehended many of this vaine , but they shall be namelesse , talking of strange horse-races , such as their barra●…ne muse neuer conceiued : others of fabulous histories , neuer found out by that arch-artist nature , whence they deriued their foundation ; for such , i passe vntouched , being such as they hardly conceiue their owne writings . discursiue histories , are either true or feygned : if true , they comprehend in them a certaine ground , not onely forti●…ied by a reasonable production , but also by the authority of such , whose authentiquest labours claime to themselues , a kinde of authority without further proofe : such wee reade to be the labours of cornel : t●…c : tit : liu : trogus pompeius , and many others , whose subiect confirme their authority : being such as repres●…nt the diuerse euents of things done , by histori●…all relation , and ocular presentation : for diuers of those worthy historiographers haue bene interrested euen in such probable , and generally allowed discourses by personall presence , in the management of such affaires : as commineus of all histories ( amongst our moderne ) most approueable , being an eye witnesse of what he writ . but in ample tearmes to explaine what the condition of an historian is , let mee in briefe , yet materiall words expresse what he meanes : not such as inueigh against states , or politique gouernments , for such are rather satyrists , then historians ; nor such as personate the entire acts of a marti●…list , by assentatiue tearmes , which are such as insinuate themselues by a glossing stile to win the affection of their patron ; lesse to be borne with be these , then the other , subiecting the free vse of historie to a parasite and oylie tongue : which moued alexander so exceedingly against aristobulus , as that on a time , hearing his owne actes deblazoned farre aboue truth , he commanded his labours should be throwne ouer boord : saying ; hee was almost induced to throw aristobulus after : a caueat very nece●…sary for all clawing par●…sites that make their pen mer●…enary , and therefore as may be inferred vpon their workes , dare not vnrip the vitiousnesse of times , least by vnbosoming truth , they should incurre the offence of some person , to whom their labours are ingaged , their fortunes subiected , and their endeauours partially deuoted . plato banished all poets athens : but a fauourable glosse would restaine that ostracisme , onely to peculiar wits ( petulant i meane ) such as the prince of sparta prescribed his well-gouerned citty , for presenting some obscoene verses to his queene : but i wonder why plato excluded not these historians , since their labours were prostitute ( like the publique strumpet ) for gaine , making their wr●…tings to the opinion & imitation of that scarabee of history , who being demanded why he wrote not truth of such a prince ; replyed : viuit , quis veralice●… ? his life kept him in a●…e , he durst not expresse his vices to the quicke , lea●…t he should bite too much . indeed i must acknowledge there should be a reuerend and modest concealing of such personages in criminall causes , so the bounds of the history can admit it . and sometimes a natiue pusillanimity restraines vs to speake that which we know , because silence ( as the wise sage said ) neuer occasioned so great offence as speech . and , veritas odium parit , is a motto for these daies too probable , too well authorised ; where sinnes go with impunity , adorning their growth with a faire out-side , to second that tyrant of syracusas proposition : et quis corriget ? quis audet prodere , si crimen audiat ? sur●… such tyraniz●…ng subiects , or obiects rather of feare , must needs be terrible to the poore historian : he cannot shew iulus canius spirit , spit in the face of ●…anny : hating by a modest silence to pamper vice , though reprehension cost him a gage , hee could redeeme with nothing saue life : such was that cordus ( the romane historian ) who for speaking truth , was censured vnworthily . but if princes or potentates should exactly obserue the courses and reuolutions of times , the subsequent degrees of ruine and deposition ( vices apologized ) they would commend such an historian ( and no lesse desertfully ) who emploieth his time , wasteth his oile , and macerates himselfe in the scrutine of true relations , by conferring histories together , and with a iudicious approbation , or electing power , extract whatsoeuer may seeme most probable and authenticke . many worthy statists haue desired , and in themselues no lesse deserued ( though perhaps some little sparke of vaine-glory may seeme to appeare in them ) to haue their memorable acts recorded : as cicero his withstanding catyline , cato his opposing caesar , solon his pysistratus , and demosthenes his philip : their acts recount●…d , and committed to memory , induce others to the like attempts ; and like a coole arbour to a wearied passenger , yeelds no lesse delight to themselues , which persius seemes couertly to shadow in his first satyre : et pulchrum est digito monstrari & dicier hic est . this finger is history , which truly demonstrates the life of the person , characters his vertues , or vices ; disposing euery particular member , and branch of his discourse in such an exact methode , that it res●…mbles a faire beautifull building , which yet deserues more commendations for the contriuement , then the outward and garish garnishment . edes ( opera sunt ) quae si culte extruantur , mi●…us restat , si minus sumptuose . true , bookes historicall haue no better beauty ( nor indeed can they ) then an apt and methodicall disposicion : other accomplements are superfluous , resembling some of our works now and then published , with faire and beautifull frontispices , as if some worthy conueiances ( rare buildings of a●…t and nature ) were within so comely portalles . but alasse ! looke inward , nought but rubbish , and refuse of some old building , vnhandsomly repaired , or some frothy inuention , not worth halfe so much cost : these should feare ( as the philosopher told the mindians ) least their whole labours should flie out at their gate , hauing their gate so promising , their labour so immeriting : but such as goe od ▪ prelum tanquam ad prelium , ( for so indeed they doe ) furnish themselues aforehand with exactest labours to stand in defiance against the spirit of detraction : for we cannot fortifie our workes against all assa●…lants : some beeing addicted to carpe , because long custome hath consirmed in them a desire of reprehension . aelianus , in his naturall history , reports , how the vipers issue is the bane and death of the parent : certainly , as libri are our liberi , our children , which we should be as carefull and prouident in bringing vp , as the father ouer his childe : so oftentimes they play the vipers with vs , they murder vs in our name & reputation , much disparraging their parents , being priselesse and therefore vnfit for presse : nay , they do more , they oftentimes asperse an imputation vpon her that should bee no lesse deere ( if not more ) vnto vs , then our selues : our countrey , making her floury bosome a nourisher of ●…ruitlesse labours , a scale to licentious libel●… , or brothell rather of lasciuious measures . and how shall we make answere for so many motiues to lust , so diuers inforcements to inordinate affectons , and so temporizing subiects in humoring great ones , and soothing vice in her maiesty . debemur morti nos nostraque : where our workes must abide scanning , and that by a iudicious censurer , one that can vnrip the secretest of imagination , and knowes the bent of our purposes . thus much i haue writ briefly ( by way of inference ) to caution such as by their labours ere●…t a throne for impiety to sit in : these humor-mongers , that can with caesar the dictator , atros dies albos facere , make blacke white , and maske vice with a vaile better suiting with vertue : now will i discend to their opposite , and that is , the satyricall writer , or historiomastix . some of these are very dangerous to a state , laying it open too much : and though acts should be related , as they were done : yet if the circumstances may seeme any way detractiue to some person , or stat●… , they are better silenced , ( if it may stand wi●…h the body of the history , ) then discouer●… . i haue knowne some too precise in this veine : and one especially i remember , who speaking of the great sultan , could not be content to describe his palace , managements , domesticke and publicke , person , and the like ; but of his piked beard , the colour of his stockings : and in the end comming neere him ( said he ) and indeed neerer then need was , his breath was noysome . these , and such like imperti●…ent circumstances , are so friuolous , that they imply a defect of iudgement in the authour , to insert such idle , and immateriall ambages in a history of consequence . but the●…e are far from those historio-mastixes of our time , some whereof personate the wrongs of a noble ancestor to his lineall successour , mouing him to r●…uenge : this is one of the furies brands : for you shall neuer see one of this kinde , but a tergo nemesis , he hath vengeance at his backe , a spleenefull ●…on disgorged vpon the best of deserts . and thus he inserts the iniuries : such a family ( well meriting of prince and countrey , and euer sound loyall to the state ) was vndeser●…edly censu●…ed by the 〈◊〉 suggestions of such , and such ; whose suggestions are ( as yet ) vnreuenged , but the heauens are iust . what motiues more enforcing to ciuill commotion ? iniuries ript vp , haue oftentimes hazarded states : and there was neuer any people , nation or gouernment , which haue not from time to time had one of these . thersites , as deformed in minde as body ▪ ( for so homer characters him ) was euer kindling the ●…lame of ciuil combustion betwixt achilles and agamemnon at the siege of troy , about the rape of briseis , euer harping vpon that string to set them together by the eares . why achilles should yru sustaine so great reproach , that haue engaged your selfe for agamemnon , and his brothers glory ? be all your hopefull serui●…es , your valiant exploits , y●…ur incomparable a●…chieuements , so rewarded ? hath agamemnon no place for valour ? no r●…gard to honour ? why then desist achilles , embarke your selfe for greece , and le●…ue this braue champion to himselfe and his fortunes , your merits ( being gone ) will be better esteemed : you had but one prize , ( and that prize vnworthy too of your valour ▪ ) and must that prize , got with much sweate , many difficulties , imminent dangers , multitude of occurrents , now be taken from you ? but one briseis , one deere one , and yet achilles must loose her , alasse poore resolution ! why it is better to be aegystus , a coward , a recreant , one that retires himselfe from armes , fighting close under clytemnestra's target . such a carpet-knight is better then a martiall-knight . then would he presently moue agam●…mnon in like sort , in no case to moderate his desires : why should achilles haue so faire a paramour , and the prince of greece want one ? these are poysonous and virulent heads , that suggest into the eares of princes , arguments of reuenge , causes of distrust , motiues of suspition and iealousie : not to profite themselues , but to satisfie the deprauednesse of their owne natures , intended to nothing but the subuersion of states , the setting at discord vnited princes : en ' pallor ! &c. — it was thought , that in that glorious and christian-like expedition of those memorable heroes , princes recorded in the eternall booke of fame , against the turkes , whose hostility had laine waste those blessed and fruitfull coasts , where the remnant of israel was once planted : that the greatest cause of the ill successe of that warre , proceeded from some factious heads , setting ( that vnfortunat , yet neuer sufficiently praised heroe ) the duke of normandie , and the king of france , at variance : an impious and disasterous enmity , being a maine impediment for the hindering a warre , no lesse glorious to heauen then generally beneficiall to all the world . some haue imputed the cause to certaine expostulations betwixt the two princes , which grew afterwards to words of publicke reproach and infamy ; vpbraiding each other with diuers insolencies offered by their countries , one to another . what ere the motiue of this dissention was ( how varied soeuer the opinions of writers bee herein ) the braine that contriued it was sure the forge of great impiety , and an irrepairable detriment to the christians , exposing them to ruine , slaughter , and desolation . the like we reade of those two renowned citties , sparta and athens : which two flourishing common-weales long time liued in vnity , without the least motion of warre : but in fine , reading the workes of a mutinous historian : mutinous indeed ; for his factions before , had beene sufficient , without further inducements by writing : such bloudy and cruell warres ensued , as the fire of those intestine combustions was not extinguished with lesse then an vniuersall effusion of bloud . many more i could produce , euen neere at home , but i must not insist vpon one argument too long , since i haue entred a spacious and intricate maze , that promiseth entrance enough , if i can ( with ariad●…es threed ) finde a passage to my precipitate aduenture . thus much haue i spoken of state-snarling historians , that make their workes like prickes , or goads to the publicke state . i will now proceed with my former diuision of history , and finde in these two extreames ( assentation , and state-inuection ) a meane to direct vs in the perfect and exact vse of historicall narrations : medio tutissimus ibis ; neither too depressed , as if thy labours exprest their maisters pouerty : nor too erected , to intimate thy states security . thou art too depressed , when with lagging wings thou stoopest to euery base lure , or obiect of affection , making thy inuention a scale to others pleasure , writing nothing lesse then truth , because truth cannot teach thee how to liue . thou art too erected , when like an eminent censor thou taxes the acts of princes , with such an austere brow , as if thou hadst forgot the discipline of history , and w●…rt transformed to a profest satyrist ; mixing thy i●…ke with farre more gall then discretion : yet transported with imaginary motiues of selfe-conceit ; cares not who be galled , so thou ( with ctesiphon ) kicke against the moiles heeles . for the latter , there 's no profession more easie , nor subiect more frequent , nor argument more generall : and as invenal saith : di●…ficile est satyram nonscribere : nam qui●… inique , tam patiens vrbis , tam ferreus vt teneat se ? for the first , i neuer knew any discourse worth reading , proceed from so base and ignoble merchants : they sell their workes by retaile ; and hope of a gainefull dedicatory , makes them contemne methode , truth , subiect and all : irus skrippe is open , relieue but the needy artist , hee will imitate the bohemian curre , fawne on a good suite : shew the proiect of his intendments to him , and protest him , he will insert monumentall characters of honour to grace thee ; onely bestow thy bounty , and shew not thy selfe vnworthy of so fabulous an attendant : his inuention is tied to his benefactors : then dries the source of his fancy , when they restraine the spring of their bounty . these two sorts ( as not worthy an historicall title ) haue i proscribed the bounds of my discourse : if betwixt such two dangerous shelues , i can finde a retired harbour for the truly named historian to breath himselfe in , i haue attained my wished expectance . the meane betwixt these two , giues vs obseruation of noting causes and effects , how produced , and how ended : counsels and successes , how intended , how administred : then he proceeds further , making resemblance betwixt nature and nature , state and state , the gouernment of this prouince and of that : then differences of actions & euent : some wisely carried , bearing themselues faire , and promising a compleat satisfaction to the vndertaker : yet what opposition betwixt the end and beginning , ruine being the period , or extreme of his hopes . many such opposite conuersions , or catastrophes rather , may we daily see in the managements of warres : who more happy in his countries protection , and who more successiue in his prosecution , then pompey the great in his first entrance to martiall exploits ? yea , ( as caesar acknowledged himselfe ) he had conquered , if he had knowne when he had conquered : yet in euent , whose designes more vnhappy ? not onely depriued of the bent of his hopes , proscribed ( as it were ) his natiue countrey , and enforced to begge a poore sepulchre in a forraine countrey : but euen most oppressed by their cruelty , whose seruice , vnder his owne banner , had beene rewarded royally . such discourses often moue in men a commiseration , in seeing vertue so ill guerdoned , and vice ( vnder a counterfeit garbe ) of innocence receiue an immerited reward : and this certainly haue most historians euer obserued in their writings : so liuely to expresse the disasters of deseruing men , that their relations might moue a kinde of sensible pitty and remorce in the peruser , which is best exemplified by circumstances : for the time , place , cause , and person , with other necessary adiuncts , do ( for the most part ) lay a more open and smooth tract to the inforcement of passion . lucan , that heroicke historian , brings forth cornelia sitting vpon the shore , where her husband tooke his last farewel of her : where ( like another niobe ) she makes a limbeck of her eyes , and descants her owne calamity , oft wishing his returne ; and when depriued of his sight , yet the eye of her imagination represents a new obiect of sorrow . here , in such royall compositions , and funerall conclusions , he describes the diuersity of nature , in two contrary subiects : a seruant faithfull , sitting ore the headlesse trunk of his vnhappy mnister : a slaue as vngratefull , haling his once well-esteemed lord and generall to the fatall shore : where ( without taste of remorce , remembrance of former merits , or regard of countries loue ) he depriues him of life . such tragicke occurrents require their emphasis , and a kinde of vn-vsuall working passion : that the history may present to our eyes , the very acts how they were done ; making her discourse ( as it is ) a theater of humane actions . i know pittifull stories haue strange effects , if amply described : for warriers themselues in the report of their owne mis-fortunes ( of all men most pittilesse ) haue hardly contained themselues from teares : aeneas , wept to see the ruines of his countrey so liuely depictured in didoes hall : but when he beheld his poore father anchises hanging on his owne shoulders ( hauing no other refuge in so imminent disasters , ) suspiria mittit , hee could weepe no longer : for teares mittigate griefe ; but with a passionate silencing of his miseries , treasured his vn-vtterable woes in the balefull centre of his heart . xerxes , when of a populous army , as euer passed out of asia , he had but so many left as might attend him in a poore cocke-boat , to accompany him in his distressed expedition , the history mentions , that he wept bitterly ; enstiling himselfe , the rui●…e of his countrey , the slaughter of many resolute souldiers . nay , titus himselfe , the flower of all the roman emperours , in the sacke and subuersion of that once glorious citty ierusalem , is said to weepe exceedingly , beholding so many lamentable obiects of pitty ( dead carkasses lying in open ditches ) so as not able to containe himselfe , hee cryed out , i call hea●…en to witnesse , i am not the cause of this peoples slaughter . many such representments we haue very vsuall in histories , motiue for their passion , and memorable for their end , proceeding from the iust iudgment of god , to caution others by their miserable fals . there is another propriety in a history , which should be obserued : and that is a iudicious collation , or comparing of histories one with another : the defect and want hereof , is the principall cause why so maine discordancies & meere oppositions in histories arise : and that not in circumstances alone , but in materall points , as original foundations of cities , succession of princes miscited , the sites of countries ( an obseruance more geographical ) ill-disposed , with many other errors , which are grounded vpon no other reason , then the want of conferring such histories together , as tend to the present subiect we haue in hand . nay were it not much thinke you , now to proue directly , that the very computation of yeares which they deriued from their ancient kalender , and which they obserued as ceremonially and religiously ( in their kind ) as wee the yeares from christs incarnation , was very defectiue amo●…gst themselues ? and yet this is easily done : for their opinions about their olimpiads in greece , for the time of their erection are diuerse : the foundation of rome as vncertaine , since the founder himselfe is not as yet generally agreed of , for the diuers relations of numitor and amul●…is , romulus and remus , with their mother rhe●… , o●… ilia , ( as some wil haue it ) make vp a laborinth of themselues without further confusion : but to inferte the strange conueyance ( or apotheosis ) of romulus : suddainely vanished forth of their sight , and by the testimony of iulius proculus , transplanted to some other place of more eminence ; hardly deserues the credite o●… an historian : yet some there be which shew more fauour to this famous founder of rome , daigning to bestow a monument of him , which is erected for him in the temple quirinus . indeed it were little enough to memorize so renowned an establisher , with a tombe , and to consecrate the place of his buriall ; as achilles tombe , or monument in sygeum , theseus in athens , aiax in the rhetian shore , and alcides reliques in oëta : reade but ouer the romane annals , and you shall find the discordancies of historians in these computations of times to be great : as especially the destruction of troy , confounding the seuerall times of troies sacking , missing their accompt from laomedon to the succession of priam. but i haue touched the errour enough , let vs now descend to the preuention of it . before we take in hand any discourse we must alwaies meditate of the meanes , ere we can attaine the end : which end is soonest atchieued , when we addresse our selues for such subiects ( as haue bene in our ●…ime ) wherein we may receiue instruction , by some that haue bene interrested in those affaires , of farre more certainety then any transcription . but intending our studies to any forraine r●…lation ( whereof it may be we haue some one record ) i would not depend vpon the antiquity of the record ( for we haue many antient fables ) but recollect my selfe and examine the probability , whether such particulars are like to be are resemblance of truth or no : and herein we imitate the antientest and best authorized historians that euer wrot . valerius maximus had recours●… , not onely to romane annals ( which were kept with great care ) but he vsed to conferre with such as had any breuiats of the romane liues in their hands : comparing thē together , that he might cull and chuse out from the best authours ( as himselfe witnesseth ) such documents , as not onely propogated the glory and pristine height of his country , but might moue succeding ages to emulate their vertues . the like of that true morall historian plutarch , whose style so modestly garnished , and so sententiously concluding , hath ( a●…d not without cause ) purchased him the name of the father of histories . laertius a worthy recorder of those famous sages of greece ; describes his countries happinesse with great modesty : whose sentences may beseeme the grauest vnderstanding to extract , and vpon oc●…asion to accommodate to his owne purpos●… : here he shewes spirit in a philosophers pen , one opposing himselfe against a tyrant ; there a moralist , making yong men fit sociates for the matur●…st ●…imes : here a cynicke contemning the glory of the wo●…ld , though offered him ; there a mery greeke , laughing at the vanites of men wholly beso●…ed and subiected to mundane slauery . o what christian-like maximes , what diuine conclusions , what solide arguments , what enforcing reasons be there included , onely to moue men to the embrace of vertue ? with discourse plentifull enough in oppositions betwixt ethnicke and ethnicke ; out-stripping nature ( if it were possible ) in reasoning , and drawing an argument , neere to diuine approbation , and ready to confirme it , if the generall blindnesse of the time , and their want of further reuelation would admit of their asser●…ion . thus much for the former branch of my di●…ision , of histories true and authentique : now i will entreate of relations feigned ; yet such as moralized include an excellent meaning , drained from the vncorrupted springs of hellicon . all relations feign●…d are not to be excluded : for many poeticall narrations there be which comprehend in them a wonderfull sharpenesse of iudgement , pregnancy of inuention , and a great measure of discretion ; of which sort , none more excellent then the workes of homer , weauing many pretty conceits in the web of his history , to make the subiect it selfe more pleasant : the more i commend him to the reading of the iudiciously generous , because i could neuer finde in his workes any scurrulous affectation , but prosecuting his discourse with a modest grauity , as if nature , that had 〈◊〉 him of his corporall sight , had done it , to make the eye of his vnderstanding more piercing : for to reade the maiesty of his stile , the wel-coucht fables immixt in his warre betwixt the greekes and troians , may as in a store-house imagine the treasures of all wits to be locked vp in him . many excellent histories haue bene deriued from him , as well in prose as contracted measures , for his pleasing variety r●…lisheth more then others , because through all his workes , he vseth lesse digression then others : and pitty it is , that euery impolish'd hand should haue to do with the transcription of his lab●…urs : grieuing the poore blind-man with their blindnesse , for who so blind as buzzard ? and if stesychorus was worthily strucke blinde for commenting on u●…nus beauty , and discommending hellens forme : much more deserue they an exacter punishment , that dare comment on his eterniz'd labours , who detected venus lust , and portraied hellens inconstancy . to prescribe in what tongue histories are to be read , i know their owne garment is most na●…iue . but such haue beene the di●…parraging labours of our english translators , that romes tongue , and gr●…eces characters , grow as vulgar and common with vs , as the italian garbe : so as we seeme beholding to others , both for speech and raiment . i do know some workes are necessary to be translated , being such as expresse the politick states of realmes , which imparted to the illiterate , oftentimes conferre no little benefite to our countrey . but other workes there be , which modesty would haue concealed , being records of the viriousnesse of former times ; as the obscene and sensuall conuents , or prostitutions rather , of those mirrors of impi●…ty , ●…he roman emperours , the relation whereof acquaints the depraued too well with such impudence . but because i haue entred into a catalogue of poeticall histories , i will proceed further into the m●…morable , and no lesse ingenious works of hesyode : much i cannot write of hystoricall matter in hesyode ; yet what he writ of that subiect , comprehended in it more height and true proportion , then any poet that euer writ . with what hazarding danger doth he there delineate the rare combate betweene c●…ix and cy●…nus ? now equally poizing their valours ( as if nature had made them of that equal power ) to the end to leaue the conflict vncertaine . presently ( vpon occasioned aduantage ) he shewes a better and a worse : yet so , as without the least imputation , or disparrage to either of their spirits ( making them as imparalell as equall ) but applies the euent to some auspicious , genious , or diuine power , fauouring one more then another . straight , with a new passage , he proceeds to the resolued exploits of hercules ; and with an admirable facility describes his labours . he it was , that by the assisting hand of iupiter , of whom he descended , slew the cleonian lyon , the erimanthian boare , the bull of marathon , the lernean hydra , and the winged hart : he who purchased no lesse memorable trophies in hell , then on earth ; haling the three-necked c●…rberus , and rescuing pros●…rpina , ( if the supreme powers had not inhibited ) from the tyrannicke hands of infernall pluto : discomfiting the centaures , vanquishing achelous ( being his corriuall in the loue of faire deianeira , the 〈◊〉 , the cremona giants , the traiterous nessus , antheus , augeas stables , apples of hesperides , cacus , busyris , hurling diomedes to his horses ( to quit his own tyranny ) freeing hesyone from the whale , sacking troy in reuenge of the perfidious laomedon , subduing those inuincible giants , 〈◊〉 and albion , redeeming orcalia , and betricia from the captiuity of gerion : and wearing the amazon baldricke , to intimate his victories in those warlicke prouinces ▪ these , and the like , doth hesyode set downe with that probable coherence , that i●… the matter it selfe did not imply an impossibility , one would be certainly induced to beleeue so concorda●…t an history . presently he descends to the generation of the gods , making vp a genealogy in that distinct order , as the pagan gods ( for so one hath obserued ) were much indebted to him for so wel deriuing their pedigree , which without his inuention ( perhaps ) had laine obscure . lucian deserues his place , whose otherwise ill-deseruing parts , being a profest foe to all diuine adoration , purchased him an end as miserable as his prophanations merited ; being deuoured by dogges : yet in this regard we haue propounded our opinion about historical fictions , i will giue him his dueplace : one of an excellent wit , ripe vnderstanding , and labourious withall , to finde out the ancient manuscript●… , and records of authorized histories : yet , foras●…uch as his ●…itings are interlarded now ●…nd then with inuectiue sp●…ches against the coelestiall powers , arguing too much of natures power , too little of the soueraigne of natur●… . i would haue the generous reader to prepare himselfe in the perusall of such discourses , as calypso instructed vlysses against the syrens inchauntments , thus inuiting him : hue ades ô ingens graecorum gloria vlysses . siste ratem , &c. — thus englished . come hither noble ithacus , of valiant grekes the choice , take harbor here , incline thine eare vnto the syrens voice : for there nere was any did passe , since we arriued here , this liquid way , but wisht to stay , our warbling notes to heare . hence pregnant wits , and ripe conceits much knowledge haue conceiu'd : as for the acts you did at troy , we newes long since receiu'd . and how the gods pursu'd the greekes , the troians greekes pursue , the grecians hate in sacking troy , heauens hate in wracking you . of these inchauntments did calypso fore-warne ulysses with this preparation , that he should command his assotiates in his ship , to binde him , when he approached neere those fatall harmonists , and to stoppe their eares , least they should be made a prey to their cr●…elty . so must euery one prepare himselfe in such syren-discourses the liberty of these times , perswades some too easily to lucian●… arguments ; and those which ( in feare of diuine power ) dare not deny the omnipotencie of the immort●…ll power in word , yet their prophane couuersation implies an absolute apostasi●… in them in their workes . i wish these digrssions were not needfull : for then i might more directly proceed in my discourse , which the deprauednesse of times will in no case suffer . but in these feigned histories i wholly exclude all ribaldry , times themselues haue instruction sufficient for obscene subiects , without any further excitements : nor can i admit , that those vnprofi●…able stories of primalion , palmerin de olina , the knight of the sunne , gerilion , with many other fictiue discourses should be entertained by youth : many of these relations haue strangely transported diuers well-promising wits into strange amazements ; especially such as conceiue more delight in them , then more serious studies . some we haue heard , that in reading the strange aduentures of orlando furios●… , and conueying the very impression of his amorous passion to themselues , would presently imitate his distraction , run starke naked , make loue-songs in commendation of their angelica , put themselues ●…o intollerable torments to gaine the affection of their supposed mistresses . others , in imitation of some valiant knights , haue frequented desarts , and inhabited prouinces , ecchoi●…g in euery place their owne vanities , endorsing their names in barkes of trees , wholly turned sauag●… , aud vntractable to personate that knight more liuely . such histories i onely allow of ( whether in prose , or verse , for epickes may be writ in either ) as yeeld profit with delight ; not subiecting their discourse to obserue some indiscreet humour of the time , for application , but preuention . many read , and ( in the loosnesse of their owne liues ) make application of the worst vnto themselues ; hoping with herostratus , to be memorable for villany : these are like spiders , that turne the sweetest and most wholesome ●…lowers to ranke poyson ; the discredit of an history , and a gr●…at strengthner of vice . others there be , that transported onely with the delight and present variety of the history , make history onely ( as our gallants doe their tobacco ) a spender of time : they apply not the fruit or vse of histories . but as in some pleasant or delightfull dreame , satisfied for the present time : but past , quite razed out of memory . in stories of this nature , ( such i meane as bee ●…eigned ) i approue of those best that res●…mble truth : the neerest according to flaccus opinion : ficta volupt●…tis causa sint proxima veris. for the impossibility of the relation oftentimes maketh the subiect more ridiculous : whereas the concordancy , or apt connexion of the history ( though the maine plot be false ) enforceth more attention . and thus much of poeticall histories : i will come to the second branch of my diuision of histories ( to wit ) morall . morall histories be such , as conduce to a ciuill and morall institution of life or manners ; teaching what is to be done , and what auoided . xenophon in his instruction of cyrus , propounds what reasons should especially induce a morall historian to speake more of examplary motiues to vertue , then any thing else ; because ( saith he ) if cyrus had not beene elected king amongst sheepheards , it may be , he had neuer reigned ouer the persians : but the very title , which was giuen him by rurall swaines , enforced him to attempt further . moral histories teach men to behaue themselues in all 〈◊〉 : if imployed in embassages , commerce , or any n●…gotiation whatsoeu●…r , it directs them how to hazard f●…irely , beare themselues discreetly , and support the burthen imposed on them stoutly . these kind of stories are the best nurses , they weane vs from a childish effeminacy , and traine vs in more virile and man-like actions : so as education is called by the phylosopher , a second nature , habituating vs to the kinde of our breding : morality likewise is called , the soueraignesse of education , the squar●… of human actions , the best schoole-mistresse for vnbridled youth , that r●…straines affections raging , erects our passions too much asswaging , tempers our spirit , and 〈◊〉 vs to that perfect symmetrie , ut expede herculem , you may know h●…rcules by his foote , the inward habite by externall appearance , hence was it that alexander glorified so much of his stagyrian moralist : achilles of his phenix : of whom he had receiued so much good , as hee ingeniously acknowledged ; by phenix he could both , bene dicere , & bene agere . to be briefe , there is no exorbitancie in nature , which by morall narrations hath not beene reformed : seneca was naturally coue●…ous : which disposition , or malady rather , he shrowdes couertly in that sentence of his , inserted in his book●… , de tranquillitate animae . nec aegroto , nec valeo . yet by daily conference with morall histories , and precepts of ciuill institution , he could moderate his desire of hauing , esteeming the treasure of his minde o●…ely worth possessing . qui cuncta habet , nec tamen habetur , as salust obserueth . the like we reade of stylpho , a romane , whom ( as cicero speaketh ) was of all other most libidinous , yet by reading of morall pr●…cepts , amplified with graue examples , became most continent . the infirmities of this time are great , and need the hand of an expert physitian ; no medicine , nor antidote , more soueraigne to cure these contagious vlcers , then morall physicke , if the disease be greene , ( i meane the diseases of the minde : ) wee haue heere lenitiues to mittigate , if it be old , and growne to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a very gangrene , griefes insensible , being most incurable ? we haue corrasiues to eate away all those corrupt tetters that hinder the cure . this is a ●…ingular art , and farre surpassing galens , aesculapius , or hypocrates : their cures were but externall , these internall : and so much more worthy is the cure of the minde then the body , by how much the one is more pretious then the other . o diuine art ! o secret mystery ! the greekes called this discourse , the life of man : for without it , he would degenerate from man , and loose the best ornaments of humane nature : the light of reason , the eye of election , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , great indeed , in comparison of the small esteeme this world makes of it : labouring of a great burthen of impiety , an huge freight of sinne , an insupportable carriage , & feeling her own strength vnfit for such a weight , yet refuseth to entertaine a companion that would willingly and readily lighten her burden . distempered age , that labours of minds phrensie , captiuated to vnworthy bondage : how long will thy intellectuall eye be shut ? how long hood-winckt ? if thou fall with open eyes , thy misery is greater , seeing thy fall yet would not preuent it , falling with blinded eyes : no maruell , that sees thine owne infirmity , and scornes the direction of others eyes to conduct thee . alasse , here be many intricate mazes , vnfrequented laborinths , places of imminent perrill , and thou art blind : no suspect of any strata geme or ambush doth possesse thee , thou promisest thy selfe most security , when most beleagred with perill . it was no meruail●… if miserable oedipus , runne into brakes and bri●…rs , when his erring feete were guided by two bli●…d eyes ? here be many seducements : and as in the pagan time , there were more temples erected in honour to bacchus and uenus , then to iuppiter and apollo : so for one example of piety and religion , wee haue ten of vice and licentiousnesse : heere the baite o●… ambition , hung out and swallowed , and like enough by a gudgion ; there the painted flagge of vaine-glory , leading a troupe of vices in a ring-dance : heere a silken foole welesteemed — for — nasci a principibus fortuitum est — hee was borne rich : there a ragged sage descanting on morall precepts , but n●…ither garded nor regarded . heere rosa mundi , the rose of worlds vanity , set on a splay-foote , making art a couer for natures deformity : there a plumpe of feathers dangling on a head more light then feathers , to make platoes naked definition of man true — homo est animal bipes , implune : no matter for reason : they would bee loath to be indued with more then is needefull for a phantasticke head — an ordinary portion of reason will serue an ordina●…y . o that these poiselesse braines would but imploy their time in morall discourses , what excellent matter might they find out worthy the iudicious approbation of refined wits . it is obserued that in athens , and in rome also , yong gentlemen were to bee imploied in preferring some law in behalfe of the people : or patronizing such as were poore , and destitute of succour in themselues : patronizing such , and protecting them in publicke defence of their cause , or the like . this was the first step of preferment vnto cicero , defending roscius against scilla : and that with such vehemency , as generally hee was approued for his seriousnesse in a poore actors cause . and sure generous mindes cannot be better expressed then in actions of this nature , whereby they may not onely secure themselues and their entirest affections from the friuolent assaults of irregular perturbations ; but also purchase vnto him , the generall loue and fauour of such as obserue their disposition , and admire it . by morall reading wee vse to bee most excited to these compassionate effects : exampled in them whom we deseruedly think of , and earnestly couet to imitate : not taxing them vnworthily , nor commenting otherwise of their vertues , then as we receiue by transcription from others . former ages ( in this kinde ) haue beene more charitable , but the apprehension of our owne defects makes vs suspectfull of others . as in rome , if the pisoes be frugall , they are censured parcimonius ; if the met●…lli religious , they are taxed superstitious ; if the appij popular , they are termed ambitious ; if the manlij austere , they are stiled tyrannous ; if the lelij wise , they are curious ; the public●…le aspiring , if courteous . many such mam●…threpts we haue , that censure others actions to the worst , making their owne depraued iudgements , censors of others vertues . but morall precepts would remedy this obliquity , and will vs first be maisters of our owne aff●…ctions , ere wee fish in the troubled waters of other mens errours : but this age confirmes the ass●…rtion of a wise romane senatour : suam cu●…usque culpam authores ad causam tranferunt : or , which seneca writes in his epistle to his friend lucil : many ( saith he ) my frierd lucilius commit faults in rome , but will in n●… case heare that they committed them : the aedile laies blame vpon the questor , the questor on the praetor , the praetor on the consul , the consul on the censor , the censor on the 〈◊〉 . apollogizing and defending errours , the greatest cherisher of them : for how is it possible we should am●…nd them , that will not confesse we did commit them ? but acknowledgement is a precedent direct●…sse to reformation , according to the traged : word●… : quem paenitet fecisse pene est innocens . in morall studies much excellent matter may be chose out of that mirrour of morals plutarch ; not onely to instruct youth , in the rudiments and precepts of vertue : as how to beare himselfe in all occasions , how to conceale and smother his passions , with a wise ouer-maistring of ●…is affe●…tions ; and how to redresse the multiplicity of iniuries by taking oportunity by the fore-top . but euen old men likewise , such as haue seene many changes and alterations in their times , and were well nigh perswaded , that all the volumes of the world could not shew them more , then they in the reuolution of times had seene : but seeing instructions rare to them , and vnaccustomed precepts fit for the maturest head to plod on , they then confesse that their old age hath bene a dotage , verefying — addiscendo se semper senescere : reaping more profite by o●…e morall precept , then a whole yeares experience in worldly affaires . many old men we haue ( that can discourse of the change of princes , ) whose gray-haires be as so many records of what they haue seene : but alasse , confer with them of true morall experience , and you shall finde them as yong in houres , as old in yeares : their knowledge in the infancy , though their one foote in the graue , ready to bid adiew to the world , when they are halfe scarcely erudiated in the preuentiue sleights of this world : a simple age , when we haue no other testimony that we haue liued long , saue onely our gray-haires , and yet the generall ignorance pleades pardon : none so generous as those which know the least , none of a ranked spirit , that wil cast the ●…ie of a iudicious applause , vpon the meriting labors of any man. it is recorded , that licinius , coleague in the empire with constantine the great ( being vncapable of learning himselfe ) by reason of the slownesse or barrennesse of his vnderstanding , was wont to call learning the very poison and publick plague that infected the realme : the romane historians , haue applyed this vanity of his , rather to his want of iudgement , then any thing else , being not able to comprehend the benefi●…e of arts. the like of maximiman , who wa●… d●…sirous to attaine some extraordinary height in ●…loquence ; which when he could not ( by reason of his naturall duln●…sse ) attaine vnto , hee enuied and maligned others . many hau●… we that second these , glorying in their own●… ignorance , and making a rediculous spectacle of learning : as a superficiall ornament to accommodate more to the threed-bare sophister , then the generous 〈◊〉 . i r●…call to minde the a●…cient presage vpon all arts , and the pr●…iction concurres well with this time : 〈◊〉 for a philos●…pher , and smoake for a coun●… . it was spoken in the declining age of the rom●…n empire , when vice rode in his foot-cloath , and vertue ( like a poore iris●… lacky ) ran at his stirrop . but morall learning illumines the intellectuall power with a better and cleerer fore-sight ; shewing the difference betweene goodnesse and appearance : for true morals loue not to garnish their portraitures with shadowes . the best meanes to distinguish betwixt the ignorant and morally instructed , is to put them into their habilliments of ●…ature , send them both forth naked into the world , and their distinct characters will appeare more manifest . alasse , the moralist cannot discourse of what the world most affecteth ; hee sees the ambitious man rouing at v●…setlded ends , meaning to ingrosse the whole world to himselfe ; he smiles at his illimited desires , and wonders whereto his fond pu●…poses tend : he considers the euent , ●…re he take in hand the meanes , and hates desire of popular praise , or ostentation , lest he should grow proud by ●…orraigne obseruances : he entertaines death with a cheerefull brow . terror of death is not terrible to one prepared for her ere she come ; alwayes taking her , as one of the necessities of nature , and in●…uitable , meditating of her , as one — qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponit naturae . these considerations euer ●…ortifie a good morall against the violence of all assaults inward and outward ; apprehending his substance , and composition , to be such , as cannot barracadoe it selfe against the encounter of nature . agathocles , that tyrant of syracusa , in all his tyranny , had a good morall statue to represent to him the idiome of his mortality ; hauing the vpper part of his image made of marble , gold and iuory , but the feet of earth , to intimate of how weake and infirme ground , he and his goodly promising person stood . o if we should but reade the choyce variety of diuinely composed sentences , comprised in those elaborate workes of the ancient morall historians : they would moue vs to no lesse apprehension of our owne weaknesse , then if some expert or curious painter , ( apelles-like ) should portray to vs euery part and lineament of this little man we carry about vs. morality ( saith a good morall ) is mans anatomy ; it shewes euery part of his body , how composed , how disposed : and prescribes how this excellent composure may be best preserued : it deales not by predominancy of planets , ( as our ponderous burthens of nature calculate , ) but by an euen symmetry of vertues gouerning the inferior spheares , the bodies liniaments . nor deales it like your phantastike musitian , that bestowes more charges on the couer of his instrument , then the instrument it selfe : but by the couers debasement , augments the excellency of the instrument , the diuine faculties of the soule . but i may seeme to run too farre in this subiect , confounding morall history with philosophy : which though i might defend for morall phylosophy , is nothing else then a globe of morall precepts drawne from historicall grounds ; yet to make mine own passage mo●… smooth , i will descend to the next branch of history , intituled physicall . histories physicall , be especially conuersant in the search of the natures of things : approuing that opinion of the phylosopher : ea physica sunt , quae natur as rerum explorare solent : whether things animate or inanimate ; in liuing creatures , as in the search of beasts , birds , serpents , and the like ; and of vegetiue bodies , as plants : in ●…reatures inanimate , as in the sc●…utiny of me●…als , the distinct natures of stones , &c. wi●…h which discourses the greatest emperours haue beene delighted . those admirall workes of plinie , aristotle , and aelian , with many others , are sufficient to erudiate the most incapable in these relations : where they doe , abdita rerum rimari . here describing the very intimate natures of beasts , the rar●… and incredible vertues of plants , and hearbs , the virulent natures of serpents , and the attractiue powers of stones , mettals , and the like . the crocodile , a most dang●…rous beast , ( ●…requenting the riuer nyl●…s ) and a profest foe to man : the ichneumon , a little creature , yet powerfull in her selfe , and in her power a profest foe to the crocodile . to set downe the seuerall properties of all , or of most sorts of beasts , would craue an ample volumne of it selfe : i will onely ( as in my former discourse ) expresse the vse of naturall histories , and to what persons most accommodate . we reade of diuers most famous princes and monarchs to haue applied their mindes to the search of these studies : alexander ( otherwise most potent in armes , and sole commander of the world ) addicted his minde to the scrutiny of these rarieties : as may appeare most manifestly by his letter ( at this day extant ) to his maister aristotle , containing the strange proportions of beasts , with their natures ; which during his indian warre , he had obserued : describing the strange and vnheard of qualites of the 〈◊〉 aspi●…kes , cerasts , and many other kindes of serpents , continualy infesting his army ; professing ( as he himselfe writeth ) he found more difficulty in discomfiting beasts , then subduing men : for the one sort assaulted him when his troopes were well disposed , cheerefull , and full of alacrity : but the other inuaded him by night . ita vt ne in castris quidem nimium ocij detur : alwayes was this puissant prince much giuen to see the naturall qualities of beasts , so as no present could bee more gratefull , or acceptable to him , then some strangely natured sauage , making excellent vse of this theory , appropriated to the natures of men : which vpon all occasions ( with singular delight ) hee vsed to apply vnto his nobles disposition , which attended him . those noble and couragious dogges , which were sent him by the kings of albany , much contented him : they would not stirre at small beastes , disdaining them ( as it were ) in the ouer-flow of their courage , contemning any encounter but with lyons , and elephants . this magnanimity could the valiant emperour apply well enough to himselfe : hee saw his owne nature delineated , or charactred ( as it were ) in their courage , scorning to triumph on the conquered , solacing him euer with this extreame , yet cheerefull comfort : sup●…rest sperare salutem . the like desire of exploring the naturall properties of beastes , possessed s●…torius : one no lesse prouident , to shelter himselfe in aduersity , then in all his actions continent , amidst his prosperity ; who after his regiment in spaine , erected many places for taming of wild beasts , delighting exceedingly to see the aptnesse of some ioyned with a certaine naturall flexibility , and the backwardnesse of others , retaining euer a certaine semblance of their first nature , so d●…epely imprinted , as difficultly remoued . nay what stratagems vsed he ( by his white har●… ) to support and gouerne the whole fabrique of his declining estate : implying that by his hinde , or hart , he receiued instructions from diana , which the people ( with such superstition ) beleeued , that by his glory he conquered enuy , enlarging the bounds of his iurisdiction , and making his exile the symbole of his renowne , till by the bloudy conspiracy of perpenna and antoniu●… , he was depriued both of crowne and life . demetrius a worthy souldiour , and one well meriting of his country , was much inclined to this study : so as at home , if at any time sequestred from his more serious affaires , he conceiued exceeding pleasure and delight in the portraying of those beasts he had seene : excellent he was in the frame of any simillitude , but more diuine in his owne ; being of that exact forme , elegant constitution , and sweetely mixt complexionut â pictoribus , sculptoribusque ei similis non potuerit effugi : a rare modell of nature , when ( by nature ) he was imparrale●…d . alcibyades , no lesse deseruing , yet worse censured , was well experimented in the natures of beasts , but more in plants : hauing an hearbe , euen to this day ( amongst our apothecaries ) called after his name . alcybiadon - or the wilde buglosse . and for mettals , minerals , or the like . none more accommodated to such studies then that soueraigne of romane hearts augustus , hearing his lapidary dioscorides with especiall delight : so as in time hee was not onely able to distinguish of any stone , but to describe their natures : vsing likewise the art of alchemy , more expert in their recalcinations ( saith the romane historian ) then the best professours of that time , and consequently i may conclude then the gro●…se quacke-saluers of our time . you see it is no disparagement for the generous , or heroicke spirit to bee studied in these notions : since the peerelesse for valour , and true r●…solution haue dedicated themselues vnto them : yet would i not haue them so besotted , or bewedded , to these studies , as to forget more important intendments : i confesse these are rather to make a man compleate , then exactly necessary , and a superficiall knowledge is sufficient for learning of this nature ▪ and well do i approue of that ornament of learning ( the best lustre to the schoole of arts ) where he would rather haue a gentleman superficially seene in all , then profoundly learned in one : too much retiring to these studies , accord not with grauity or state , but to discourse ( by way of reason ) without sophisticall argumenting well beseemes the most generous minds . it is an happy thing to keepe a meane in wisedome , not to striue ( i●… an ouer-flow of vnderstanding ) to out-strip nature , in the investigation or search of naturall things : a little will serue vs in indifferent things , and more it relisheth of discretion , to know when we haue enough ; then , with an vnbounded will of affecting knowledge , superstitiously to know more then nature hath prescribed . this excesse in desire of knowing , hath beene a contagion , that hath infected and poisoned the mature●…t studies : especially in things so impertinent , as when the pitch of that they expected was attained ; their knowledge conduced no more to the profite of the repub : then if with endymion they had sl●…pt their time , and passed their life ouer i●… a fruitlesse silence . it pleaseth the orator to tearme such a study — invitilis mentis agitatio : sayling in the troubled streame , where a more cleere and calme passage doth shew her selfe . thus i approue in these naturall discourses , a superficiall discursiue knowledge , to exclude ignorance , but no such affectiue height , least in so exquisite a search of nature , we should show our selues naturals . wee say the generous should be but mediocrit●…r doctus : i need not insist vpon the perswasion , wee haue too many of iuvenals painted blockes in the way of learning , that neuer meane to come neerer . so as i may answere , as an athenian reasoned , what the cause should be why there was such an ebbe of good wits in athens : because ( saith he ) they run into the sub-vrbs , and dwell with lais. the best and ripest wits are most subiect to corrupting , concording well with the natiue deprauation of these times , where medeas rule is made an axiome , euery one with lin●…ius seeing the best , but with blinde baiard , depriued of the eye of their election . too much of them : our treatise requires a better subiect , then such staines to their countries fame , and pristine honour , making her complaine , as rome did in time of old : eone vos produxi , &c. is this the fruit of my long labour , the freight of my race , and the reward of my motherly loue , to bring you vp , and then ( like vipers ) to sting me that hath nourished you ? well then , my blessings must bee turned of necessity vnto execrations : and that breast which first nourished you with the milke of comfort , must be the very sepulcher to interre you that buried my honour . thus did rome hollow out her complaint against her ill-nurtured issue , and no lesse cause albion against her vndisciplined race , that seeme as if they were , fruges consumere nati . but to proceede in our discourse : histories of this nature , are very needful for professors of phisicke : for how shold they conceiue the true art of cōposition , if the simples wherof the compounds are made , & their vertues be not perfectly knowne v●…to them ? braseualus , de examine herbarum , exemplifies this discourse more fully , i will referre th●…m to that place , not entertaining that subiect which is but superficially traduced to me ; and i haue alwayes made that obs●…ruance ( in way of axiome ) to all my readings , which siluius ●…n his booke , de simplici●… . medicament . inioyne●…h himselfe : what art soeuer a man knoweth , let ●…im only exercise and vse it : for otherwise he shall but descry his owne ignorance , as i haue noted in some : quos cum nes●…e piguit , mentiri n●…n pig●…bat . an odious scandall to a generous-minded scholler , to write that which he is ignorant of himselfe ; lesse ashamed to lye , then to be defectiue in knowledge . but especially some we haue of this sort , that lie vpon their knowledge : some ( as in traians fabling age ) write arts of horsem●…nship , that neuer rode otherwise then agesilaus with his children , on cocke-horse . others can exactly prescribe times for planting , sowing , reaping , and the like ; playing the good husband-man ( i pray you marke him ) that neuer read virgils bucolickes : these are vsurping wits , presuming on the affable censures of these depraued times . ignorance can apologize herselfe : for what writer now a dayes weares not that liuery ? to our history : these naturall discourses of the qualities of beasts , birds , serpents , and other crea●…ures , be likewise especially ne●…dfull for diuines : ●…hey may amply dilate vpon the admirable wo●…kes of their creator , by the s●…ruey of his creatures . for euen all birds and beasts ( if exactly considered ) shew the infinite power of the almighty ; not onely in creating , but infusing such 〈◊〉 natures and dispos●…tions in them . the witty emblematist also 〈◊〉 his pretty inuentions from these resemblances ; portraying the creature , and annexi●…g his deuice to the portray . nay , they are very motiue perswasions to the acknowledging of our owne weakenesse and infirmity : spurres to thankfulnesse , as that excellent embleme where a larke was pearched , with these verses : cantat al●…uda deo laudes gratissima summo , hinc nos ingratos grata lacescit auis . englished thus . the early larke her gratefull minde displaies , discanting morne by morne her makers praise : whence she doth taxe such as vnthankefull be , that haue more cause , yet giue lesse thankes then she . we haue many such witty embl●…mes , well befitting the most christian vnderstanding to contemplat●… ; drawing the inscrutable wisedome of god from the excellency of his creatures : the diuerse formes whereof generally varying , their different natures in few things concurring , and their continuance so mainly discording , may minister to the greatest atheist , no lesse c●…e of admiration , then c●…use of execration of his irreligious and damnable opinion . here the hyene ( as plinie relates ) can imitate the voyce of any man , and that so neerely , as his voyce can hardly be distinguished from the voyce of him he imitateth , taking his denomination from the greekes , according to his naturall rapine . there the fiber , or beuer ( by what instinct humane wisedome could neuer reach to ) to satisfie his couetous pursuer , bites off his owne stones , being the price ( he knowes ) for which he is pursued . here see the dissembling sphinx , able to personate any p●…ssion , either of ioy or sorow . there the wonderfull nature of the rhynocer●…s : the lyon so naturally vali●…nt , as not to be daunted ; yet behold the silly cocke can make him tremble . then represent to your generous reading , the naturall enmity betwixt the horse and the beare , the wolfe and the lyon , the ●…ox and the badger ; such a natiue disagreeing remaines among these beasts , as their hatred is implacable ; euer pursuing their enemy with an inueterate hate : for an enmity ingrafted by nature , cannot be suppressed by lesse then nature . many conflicts were instituted in rome ( at solemnization of any festiuall , or in remembrance of some memorabl●… exploite atchieued ) betwixt beasts : whence the romanes gathered great knowledge , seeing the remisnesse of some natures , and the eagernesse of others . some of an vnquailed spirit , yet in strength vnable to maintaine their spirit : others ( like our vnweldy epicures ) sinowy and fleshy enough , haue stre●…gth at will , but defect of cour●…ge so curbes them , as the ouer-flow of ability waines in the rising ; not daring to encounter with one of lesse strength , but more vivacity . when fabius maximus went in embassage to pyrrhus , prince of epyre , with whom ( at that time ) the romanes had warre : he denounced open hostility against him and his territories , for not performing some conditions included in the league . pyrrhus to terrifie fabius , commanded his guard to place an elephant behinde the arras , that at their next pa●…ly , fabius seeing so terrible a beast , might of his owne accord solicite peace . but fabius ( though one at that time vnacquainted with such sights , for neuer were any elephants then seene in rome ) hearing him send out his hollow voyce , replied : the sound of a roman ram will be more terrible then the voice of an epyrian el●…phant . but these grewe afterward to publicke spectacles : so as in any triumph of some victorious , or puissant captaine , there were many elephants , ounces , panther●… , tygers , and other sauadge beasts slaine , offering them ( in triumphant manner ) to the temple of the goddesse victoria . varr●… , a romane peere , one to whom the romane tongue was much indebted , did illustrate the annals of rome with their ceremoniall triumphs ; shewing also what beasts were wont to be sacrificed to the gods , and for what cause that institution was obserued ; if the victory ( saith he ) was purchased with the losse of bloud , they vsed to sacrifice to mars , a cock●… ; but if without bloud , they offered an oxe . these naturall desc●…iptions of beasts are very delightfull to the generous reader ; they are very fit for illustrating any subiect ; making comparison betwixt the natures of beasts , birds , or plants , and other materiall subiects of our discourse ; comparing lust , incest , and such lasci●…ious exorbitances to the lapwing , represented by tereus , the rauisher of phylomele : inferring by the spider , arrogancy , or p●…ide , that durst compare with pallas for preëminency . by the c●…rmorant , grating oppression , sencelesse and remorc●…sse of others miseries . progue ( i●… a swallowes habite ) implying the swiftnesse of reuenge to murder . in the beasts of the forrest this may likewise be obserued : the lyon ( a fierce beast ) of an heroicke nature , contemning the deiected ones , nor caring to feed on carrion : he is of a maiesticke disposition , and hates to be vngratefull for the least benefites receiued : if the mouse rid him of base seruitude , he will finde time to requite her loue one way or other . this may represent the person of a king ( for indeed he is the king of beasts ) who scornes to triumph ouer the subiected , but to tyrannise ouer the proud . the el●…phant resembles a man prest downe with honour ; being once downe , he cannot rise : he is like some great man , who puf●…ed vp with the prospero●… gales of his fortunes , can finde no knees of legiance , or submission to either prince or state ; his ioynts are inflexible , and the load of his honour insupportable : once downe , impossible to rise , but by some vn-vsuall occurrent . the wol●… , ( a state-gormandizer ) preyes vpon the innocent , suckes the bloud of the orphane , i●…paires others meanes to enlarge his owne : cruelty is the habilliment he best liketh , making the state a wilde forrest for euery sauage to liue in , but a shambles for the poore silly lambkin to suffer in . the goate , your wanton and sensuall amorist , that skippes here a●…d there , in euery brake of vani●…y , till so entwined , as the sale of his repu●…ation makes him beg for a good name : but the eyes of generall obseruance are not so dazeled , they haue seene his heart , and registred his follies . the beare , one that portends by his birth , what he will be : an vnhandsome peece of flesh ; one that needs licking before he be brought to fashion : heere 's natures deformity , charractring by the foulenesse of the body , the filthinesse of his disposition : tyrants we haue had of this resemblance , who came the wrong way into the world , but to intimate what wrongs they would do vnto the world . but now of tamer creatures . the lambe cannot drinke of a troubled spring , no more can innocence . the hare euer sleepes with open eyes : so doth good prouidence . the cony is fruitfull and fearefull : so is nuptiall chastity . the emmet is in summer euer fore-seeing a winter : such is good husbandry . shall we proceede in birds likewise , and examine their natures ? the turtle for constancy : the cran●… for vigilancy : the rohin expresseth his loue to man : the nightingall to women : none more industrious then the larke , more laborious then the wr●… : more odious to her selfe , and others , then the cuckow : more heroicke then the eagle , more base then the buzz●…rd ? then obserue what 〈◊〉 ins●…incts gi●…en to certaine birds , to prognosticate the euents of things . the crow a ●…ore-teller of what weather will come to passe . the halcion or seamew remarkeable in prediction of stormes , and the swallow , craue , and many others , exact obseruers of seasons . other birds there be that haue more humane feeling : pliny reports that there be certaine birds which howle excedingly at the ecclipse of the sunne ; as if naturally moued by som ( by some miraculous influence or instinct from heauen ) to suffer with a diuine body . so extremely suffering : let vs descend to wormes , serpents , and creeping things , we shall see in them distinct qualities also . the serpent pareas , creepeth on his taile , and with the sharpenesse of his belly makes a ●…urrow vpon the ground where he crawleth . strange things be reported of the serpent s●…raphis , adored by the aegyptians as a god : some feeding vpon raw flesh , intimating their rauenous natures : others on fish ( as diuers serpents ) liuing vpon the banke of the riuer nilus : others on plants , and the fruit of trees , which plautus expresseth by the vine-fretter . matura uitis folia inuoluolus carpit . but other creep●…ng creatures there be very beneficiall to humane society . the silke-worme , whose labours make our silken-gallants . to that excesse are we come , as our brauery must be maintained , by the diligence of the simplest creatures , cloathing our selues with the very bowels of wormes : wonderfull is their generation . the add●…r in her selfe obnoxius and hurtfull , yet she casts her skin ( to expresse ●…er good meaning to man ) an excellent cure to many diseases . the poore worme , of her selfe , neither greatly harmefull nor profitable , onely ( by a synonomy b●…twixt m●…n and her ) she is the best mirrour of humany glory , an embleme of our mortallity : and an importunate guest that will come to banquet on our bodies , though not inuited : shee is called uermis ( quasi inermis ) shee can but turne againe , that 's all the defensiue , or offensiue weapon she hath ready . these silly contemptible creatures be especiall motiues to a good man , of thankefulnesse : the ●…xample we reade in that deuoute father anselme , who walking on day in his garden , and seeing a poore worme crawling vnder his feete , presently applyed this christian-like vse to himselfe . o lord , thou mightst haue made mee like this worme , contemptible and base , to liue in the holes and cauernes of the earth ; but such was thy mercy , as thou wouldest not , bestowing on me thine owne image , that thy similitude might bee glorified in mee : a comfortable meditation of a zealous father , and wo●…thy our obseruation . we will now discourse of the skaly fishes in their kind , that the maiesty and power of god ( by giuing such diuersity of natures to fishes ) may appeare in the depths , as before it was manifestly expressed vpon the earth , and all dry places : here is a tyrannicke power euen in the ocean , and an absolute gouernement without restraint of power : here is a musicall concordancy likewise ; a diapason of sea-inhabitants . the dolphine playing a soft straine , resembling a meane : the sturgeon ( swimming against the streame ) sharpens her note , more neere a treble : the ●…ulis a smoth counter-tenor , and the rowling porpoise the base . here is great enmity likewise for predominancy : and that amongst the greatest , the orcke with the whale : the cuttell with the thorne-backe ; the sea-horse with the sea-vrchine : many rare ver●…ues in little creatures : with what strangenesse the r●…mora ( a fish of small bignesse ) holds a ship , when in her full saile ? how wonderfully the torpedo deliuers her-selfe , being taken by the vnhappy fisher ? disgorging her owne bowels , to stupefie the taker , with an vncoth amazement . the acipenser , or which pliny cals , sacer piscis , feeds on nothing but mans flesh , implying a caueat to man : that hauing so many enemies euen in earth , and not free from them in the depths , should not spend his time in security , but preuent the enmity of all creatures by a dilligent and vigilant care to himselfe . long could i protract this discourse , but two materiall parts of this relation with hold me from insisting longer : the first whereof first offering themselues , be plants and vegetatiue bodies . the wis●…st of all kings was much conuersant in these studies , knowing euery tree , euery hearbe , and euery flower : a cedro libanon vsque ad hysopum supra parietem : an excellent commendations in a king ; not addicting his minde to other things then the purchase of knowledge , euen in inferiour things : that a generallity of knowing , might make him worthy of gouerning . probus the romane emperour , who succeeded florianus in the empire , was much addicted to planting , and distinguishing the natures of flowers , the vertues of plants , with proper obseruances accommodated for the knowledge of all seasons , apt for grafting , stilling and the like : planting the mountaine almus scited neere syrmius , and the mount aureus in maesia the higher , with vines . the like we reade of galerius maximinus , surnamed armentarius , and many others of the romanes , whose diligence was much employed in such pleasant affaires . resemblances in these vegeta●…iue bodies , requires obseruance ; to see the vime like a fruitfull mother of many faire children , sending out her ripened ●…lusters , faire blossoming sprigges , and infinite store of pretty slippes , imitating their mothers fruitfulnesse , and bending with her owne burden , as not able to support herselfe without some stay or vp-holder : the pittifull elme stretcheth her armes out to beare her vp , in pure compassion moued to helpe her , that in herselfe and f●…uitefull issue , was so helpefull vnto others . the vine seemes sometime to weepe ( for teares indeed she sheds ) as if in throwes and paine of her labour : these teares distilling from the vine cure the leprosy : so as she seemes both fruitfull and soueraigne , yeelding no lesse comfort in her teares , then verdure in her spraies . many of these teare-shedding trees there be , as the myrrh , dropping amber , and the rosined fyrrh : these by allusion may seeme to commiserate our vnhappy states subiected to miriads of anxieties , by the taste of one tree , whose dismall fruite made vs wretched . some trees we haue for harbour and shadow one●…y , resembling our dissembling professours ; whose externall appearance makes great show of a fruitefull inside , when nothing , saue a meere naked pretence of piety , remaines in them . others for fruit , without any store of blossomes , and such be they as desire rather to be good , then so accompted . some trees pine away , as if surprised with an amorous passion , exemplified in the box : others shew by their freshnesse , to whom they are consecrate , as the myrtle . some loose not their colour in winter , like the patient man , who beleagred with the worst of fortunes oppositions , neuer changeth countenance for the matter : but like that uenetian motto writ in triumph : nec stuctu nec statu mouetur . others not subiect to any hurt by thunder , as the bayes : resemble the sincere conscience , not discomfited with any assault , or dismaied with any terrour . sweete odours , flowers , and all other beauties strowed vpon this arteficiall carpet garnish the earth , as the internall vertues inhabiting the minde do the soule : this discourse more concerning the hearbist , then historian , makes me more briefe in the handling hereof . for stones , and all kinds of minerals , it is a knowledge worthy gentlemen : wherein i may likewise comprehend the ancient knowledge of coines , in what emperours time , and their seuerall inscriptions . we reade how iulius caesar came into bri●…tany in hope to finde pearles ; though caligula's trafficke seemed lesse worthy , commanding his souldiers to gather cockle-shels . it is a very generous quality , ( and sometimes hee shall be put to his iudgement ) to distinguish rightly and ●…xactly of saphires , emraudes , diamonds , &c. this requires exact iudgement , iustres may be giuen to glasse , as well as diamond : adulterate gemmes , passe current with our nouice : the siluer-smiths of ●…phesus haue instructed ●…his age sufficiently , and fraud must be incorporate to euery profession . if these gemmes , i talke of , were ornaments of the minde , i should desire longer to insist vpon them : but being ( as these times vse them ) rather foments to ensnare and entrappe , then attractiue motiues , according to their natiue properties , being ordained as resemblances of vertues : i will not dilate of their valewes , onely of their power , more pertinent to my discourse , and better according with my knowledge , who aeschylus-like , haue long time drawne water out of anothers cesterne , but neuer filled mine owne bucket . many excellent vertues of stones , doth pliny in his naturall history set downe vnto vs : as some haue power to frustrate the effect of poyson : others very powerfull against the operations of magicke spels , with-craft , and the like : but as a iudicious commentary writes of him : mul●…a scribit , quae mehercule vera non existimanda s●…nt : yet to stand in suspence with vs ( for the reuerence of such a learned authour ) because their effects haue not bene as yet tried of vs. many things ( i confesse ) seeme by all probability like the amalga , to haue more moone then sunne in them : but the experiments which we haue in some , makes vs more credulous in others . the diamond ( whose character is not to be razed ) resembles the pure impressions of vertue we haue receiued , and which is traduced to vs by the intellectuall eye of the soule , which in no case should be razed or abolished in vs , but to be augmented with a greater encrease of vertues : it resembles also the truely charitable man , that to do good to others , impaires his owne fortunes : for the best motto that euer was made of the diamond was this : dum formo , minuo . the stone mithrax ( saith pliny ) is of a perfect colour , till opposed to the sunne , and then it looseth his colour : it alludeth to many of our painted sepulchers , our she-puppets : none more cleere , or amiably-coloured then they , till the sun glitter on them , and their slightly laid on varmish , presently then dissolueth : quantum mutatur ab illa : true sodoms apples , no sooner touched , then to dust and corruption turned . topaz , her opposite ( in natiue vertue ) shineth most in the thickest darkenesse : the very idea of vertue her selfe : the clouds cannot interpose themselues betwixt her , and her natiue lustre : the glo-worme glisters not more by night , then it doth in obscurity : a pretious stone fittest for these times , and an ornament wel-beseeming the greatest personage : for the cloude of errour should not be able to obscure their thoughts , euer bending their course to the mark of honour . to recount the vertues of all , were a superfluous taske , for so should i make a collection meerely of what hath beene wri●…ten before , i onely set downe with my selfe , to extract the speciallest , and to make resemblances of them with the natiue proportions of such things as are most vsuall obiects to our outward sences . i will briefly touch the admirable deuices of minerals , and so proceede to my intended 〈◊〉 . mines the lower laid , the better : in them we disbowell ( as it were ) nature of her hidden treasure●… ; yet the earth , like a kinde and bountifull mother , willingly vnrips her owne breast , to enrich her children , the diuers veines , and ●…ordons which wee find there , like hidden or concealed streames , hauing filled vp their treasure-channels ( because so long time vn●…mptied ) minister store of all mettals vnto their digger . c●…sar in his commentaries , seemes greatly to haue delighted herein , ha●…ing so quickely found out with what sorts of mettals , these britaine-coasts most abounded : some we haue of these mineralists that by the supe●…fices of the earth , can iudge , what kinde of mettall best agrees with that soile ; and without pier●…ing the ground ( can prettily well ) presage the euent of their labour : their studies deserue cherishing , being grounded on honest foundations , and such as ha●…e much be●…efited their countrey by their industry . the north-part in their copp●…r-workes most labourious , merite their share of commendations ; both profiting themselues , and yeelding an amp●…e gaine to the kings reuenewes out of their labours . the most pretious mines haue beene euer found out in regions least inhabited , and where the inhabitants could make little or no vse of so large a bounty of nature , as to this day among the indians , men that would exchange their preciousest things for trifles : like aesops cocke , preferring a barley-corne before a pearle . yet in these labours ( in themselues praise-worthy ) i altogether disalow such ( of which our reading ministers too many examples ) that haue digged the sepulchres of the dead , to finde some hidden treasure buried with them . a sharpe law was enacted ( for this end ) amongst the aegyptians , ( which nation vsed to interre their chiefest iewels with the dead party ) that whosoeuer should violate the sacred rites of the dead , by digging vp their treasures inchested with them , should be buried quicke . a pretty story to this purpose is recorded of semyramis , that valiant q●…eene of assyria , who before her death , commanded that a faire monument should be erected ouer her , vpon which should be ingrauen this inscription : whosoeuer shall digge vp this stone , let him but looke vnder it , and he shall finde an infinite masse of treasure . cyrus hauing conquered that people , chanced to come where that curious monument was erected ; and seing this inscription vpon it , presently commanded the stone to be taken vp , which being done accordingly , he found no treasure , but this caution of better value then all treasures : none but fooles and mis●…rs would digge vp the bones of the dead . a reward well fitting the miserable desire of an insatiate minde . i might annexe to this discourse , the excellent study of antiquities , and speake in part of them , but our coast is freighted with such elaborate antiquaries , as the digression might seeme lesse necessary : through all the body of this discourse ( including physicall relations ) i haue but shadowed the chiefest , without intention to entreate of ●…uery particular , vsing ualerius maximus words : quis omnis ●…ui gesta modico voluminum numero comprehenderit ? i will descend to mixt hist●…ries , which was the last branch of my diuision . mixt histories are composed , or compounded of all those three , of which we haue sufficiently entreated before . variety of subiects best agree with the frame of these writings : they expresse to the quicke , not only what was done discursiuely , but what should haue beene done morally , and deriuing the euent from probable causes , arising from nature , they conclude their discourse , making it vniuersall . some haue stiled these miscellaneae , because a commixture of all affaires ; they playing the morall phylosopher as well as historian : comprehend all which the other could any way seeme to entreate of ; bei●…g the abridgement of all relations , and in themselues sufficient to produce incredible effects : they require especiall reading , ripe iudgement , and an apt disposition withall to make their members , so diuersly hanging , vnite in one maine body . i approue of salusts opinion : ex ijs negotijs quae ingenio ex●…rcentur , in primis magno vsu est memoria rerum gestarum . yet of all those records , none in themselues more eminent , because none more elaborate then mixt histories : they contract in one leafe ( as it were ) what a whole volumne could scarcely comprehend . there must be a generall knowledge in these discourses , making a well-composed body of many scattered limbes , gathered from the reliques , or ashes of their deceased authors . for as a good limber will not see any blemish in his portraiture ; but ( ere he hang it out ) will desire to make euery part and proportion in a kinde of correspondency , to moue a more deepe impression in the beholder : so should there be an equall correspondency in these kinde of histories , letting no discourse passe ( if of consequence ) without a mixture of both morall and physicall reasons ; lest one little blemish ( one omission of either ) should be a disparrage to the whole . here antomedon-like , he should set out vertues table , making his life a globe of precepts : there , like an excellent naturalist , he should dilate vpon the natures of things , or probable reasons ( as i said b●…fore ) de●…iued from nature . the maister-peece ( like the warp●… in the web ) is discourse : for these buttresses , without a maine foundation , would soone decay . wits compared to soiles : some naturally fruitfull , without forci●…g : others , without continuall labour and ●…illage , will bring forth nothing but tares ( or the husbandmans teares ) some fit for barley , others for wheat , oates , or the like : and some most apt for missellane . so in wits , some naturally ripe & forward ; others require a more deliberate dispatch : the o●…e more pres●…nt , the other more solid . p●…egnant & ripe wits are not so good , they are like a rasorkeene and sharp●… , but his edge is soone rebated . one compared them , & not vnfitly , to soft wood , ready to receiue any impression from the limber ; but for warping , is vnable to keepe , and therefore not fit for any worthy , or curious portraiture . such wits are these , which be rather fit apt ●…or inuention , then iuditious scanning of any authour : they can inuent , better then extract ; and consequently vnfit for these mixed discourses whereof we now entreate , exquisite labour is the producer of these histories ; which ( for the most part ) is intolerable to your sharpest wits ; being rather for the present , then any serious deliberation . salust in his iugurthine warre , includes a pretty commixture of histories ; as if he had intended to make a president for relations of this kinde , where he brings in micipsa vpon his death-bed , speaking to his sonnes : equidem ego regnum vobis trado fi●…mum : si boni eritis , sin mali imbecillum . wherein he so liuely characters the state of pri●…ces , and the morall instruction of a father dying , to his c●…ildren , with the seuerall natures and dispositions ●…f ●…hem ; that it seemes hee purposed to instance t●…is kinde of writing in so excellent a subect . here he shewes dissimulation in a prince , euen at his end : there an vnworthy plot of an adopted sonne , seeking to reigne by indirect meanes . here micipsa exhorts them ; with , colite talem hunc virū , imitamini virtutem . yet he intimates withall , his feare of aspiring , seeing his nature so boundlesse . there he describes the iealous doubts , and perplexed windings of adherball ; there the drooping spirit of hyempsall , and the royall disposition of iugurth : so as by reading their diuers natures , one might coniecture for whom the gouernment of numidia was reserued . these histories are most fruitfull , they draw both attention , and they comprehend in them great plenty of instruction . attention by their variety , instruction by their morality ; including a pe●…swasiue kinde of writing in the one , and a delightfull proceeding , or continuance in the other . some historians in this kinde , and not vnfitly , lay open the causes of decayes in citties , empires , and gouernments : as romes fall proceeding from her popes pride , babylons from her ryot , the medes from her security , the tyrians from their sumptuousnesse in apparrel ; the christians ( in easterne parts ) more to their shame , and our griefe , from their ciuill dissention among themselues . thus haue the flourishingest common-weales fallen to desolation , and dissolution , their highest spires ruinate , their temples , with their places , of prophane adoration , defaced ; nothing remaining to boast of , saue that they once were happy , once victorious . yea iugurth himselfe seemes to expresse the cause of romes ruine ; shewing how subiect they were ( euen the purple fathers , the reuerent benchers ) to take bribes , & receiue oyntments , which would close their mouth for speaking in the common-weales behalfe . for when he was complained of , vnto the senate , for the murder of hyempsall : and the senate hauing then government ouer numidia in chiefe ; which realme ( as others ) w●…s tributary to them , commanded iugurth to appeare before them vpon such a day ; fully resolued to punish his insolencies . he so wrought by rewards , as their censure was not onely mittigated , but ( as the historian records ) tanta commutatio incessit , vt ex maxima inuidia in gratiam & fauorem nobilitatis iugur . veniret . a strange metamorphosis , when states were so soone changed , which portended a sudden change of their gouernment , falling from so great glory , and ●…minence , to eternall obscurity . many histories of these natures there be , which depend vpon apt allusions , equally mixt with discursiue , morall , and physicall : discursiue to delight and tricke on the appetite , by a sweet variety ; seeing the change of great states in a few leaues ; being a speech meerely documentall , to better our liues , teach vs what should be done , as well in priuate as publike . phisicall , in the character of seuerall ●…atures , aptly accommodated to the subiect whereof we ent●…eate . with wh●…t delight do we reade the diuers inclinations of princes ? here a catyline , doing little , and ●…peaking much : there a iugurth , doing much , ●…nd speaking little . here ●… philip drunke , and in his drunkennesse raging against his foes : there an alexander , drunke too ; but in his passion raging against his best friends . here a caesar , then whom , none euer 〈◊〉 more good to his followers : there a nero ▪ then whom , none more desertlesse to his followers . here a working crafty wit , stirring vp trifling rewards , to containe him in suspence ; instanced in ti●…erius : there an affable minde , set out in threed-bare words , one that could neuer flatter ; specified in titus . these seuerall natures we may see , and marke what successe they had : some , the more thinking , the more not knowing what to thinke : yet to obserue the work of heauen , seldome , or neuer haue these suspitio●…s heads cause to rest ; but th●… more they suspect , the more motiues they haue to suspect : for this craft is alwayes hatefull , and procureth enemies : sub●…ill councels being odious vnto the world , and so dis-fauoured of god , that they are alwaye●… waited on , and attended with most vnprosperous ends . we shall see in prophane stories a maine diuersitie , euen in the simplest and shallowest vnderstandings , the subtillest sconses the meanes of their own decay ; as in sejanus , who in the opinion of his owne worth , grew in time , ferox sceleris : such aspiring spirits be ( for the most part ) vsed like sponges , wet with their spoyles and extortions , with which being a long time soaked , they are ●…t last crushed and condemned , that th●…ir long gathered wealth might returne to the princes coffers . traian vsed ●…o call the treasury , or exchequer ( by way of comparison ) the splene , because it increasing , brings to all the other parts a pining . the simple ( or innocently imagining statist ) comes euer to an expected end in his hopes ; as they are not great , so not subiect to so great an ecclipse : yea , the hopes of these men attaine sometimes ends aboue expectance : such was h●…luius pertinax his successe , who ( neuer aiming at the title of emperour ) was crowned when he was from thoughts of titulary honour most sequestred : r●…pugnansque suscipiens vsing a kinde of withstanding ere he would entertaine so great a weight . and in al histories , if we obserue the diuers occurrents which befell men in great and eminent places , we shall see euer the honestest purposes seconded with the happiest euents ; and the disproportion of the end euer sorting with the discordance of the minde : for the intention is discussed by him that layeth the foundation , and ( of all empires in dust at his pleasure ) breathing euer vpon the sincere purposes of the good , and confounding the deepe defigues ( vpon what pretence soeuer grounded ) of the euill . in mixt histories ( as the scope whereat they ai●… ) is mixed part with profite , and part with delight , to make the discourse m●…re compleat : so should the seriousnesse of the subiect attract a kinde of maiesty to it ; for impossible it is , either with trimnesse of words , propriety of aptly-annexed , and duly-applied sentences , or any other elegancy whatsoeuer , to make a subiect ( of it selfe light and friuolous ) beare the portray of state : for words ( if well applyed ) illustr●…te , and add●… a beauty , but not any way better the weight of the matter . there be three things which be especially required in histories of this nature , to make them perfect : first truth , in ●…incerely relating , without hauing any thing ( as tacitus obserueth ) ●…austum ex van●… , foisted in by our owne inuention , to smooth the passage of our story . secondly , an explanation in discouering , not onely the sequels of things , but also the causes and reasons drawing to the conclusions . thirdly , iudgement in distinguishing things by approuing the best , and disallowing the contrary . for the first , stories should be true , or at least resemble truth , because by so much , they are more pleasing , by how much they resemble truth the neerer ; and so much more gracefull , by how much more probable and doubtfull : we haue many histories ( euen of this kinde ) mixed , that comprehend in them nothing lesse then truth : yet by their smooth carriage , and their proper ▪ circumstances with such aptnesse drained and disposed , they haue been taken for truth , and registred amongst workes of more s●…rious consequence . such were those apologae fabulae ( whereof we haue in part spoken before ) which contained in them many pitthy and graue 〈◊〉 , and worthy obseruation in the excellentest moral : these are fitly called by tully , mirrors of mans life , patternes of manners , and images of truth . their neere resemblance of truth , made the reader more attentiue , subiecting his eare to discourses probable , more then to things surpassing the bounds and limits of beliefe , as producing vnheard of miracles ( meere conceptions of the braine ) phanaticke chymeras : a gyant immured in a rocke , yet able to pierce it through , win a whole monarchy with his owne single hands , lead a multitude of kings captiues , and returne home without a wound . here strange inchaunted castles , ladies and knights detained in most base seruitude by an airy monster : there admirable victories purchased vpon incredible , oddes : and to be belieued , it pleaseth the painter so to deliniate their vertues . but of these erronious stories there be some obserue no methode , planting an arcadie in a brittanny : as if by some super-natural accident there were a transplantation of regions , or some earth-quake in the authors braine , whence this immane colosse of an irregular discourse proceeded . which strange representations be not vnlike to your lanskip ; where vpon the sea , whatsoeuer we see , by land , seemes in our saile to go with vs : euen so do these vain historians make strange obiects vnto vs , of places impossible , transiting whole countries to make an impolished straine of pastorall musicke ( one good bell-weather would make as perfect harmony ) sound well in a clownes eare . to be short , my opinion positiuely is this : that historian which can ioyne profite with a modest delight together in one body or frame of one vnited discourse , grounding his story vpon an essentiall truth , deserues the first and principall place : and he who ( vpon a fained discourse ) can proportion it to a likenesse of truth , merits the next . as for him that ( like one of duke humphreyes knights ) obserues neither meane nor measure , but gorge their own insatiate appetites with full messes of vntruths ( without probability ) should be dealt withall , as that wandring italian squire was vsed , for his monstrous lying : tost in a blanket , till his erring spirit by suffumigations , or some such like meanes , were canuased out of him . great blemishes these be to so reputed a profession , aiming neither at profite nor modest delight , but imitating your mercenary actors , spurt out some obsoene ieast to make a prophane rogue applaud him : and sure if the strict doome , and censure , of banishment , were to be inflicted vpon any kinde of learning , rather should it be pronounced against such as these then any . the pagans haue abhorred them and much more odious should they bee in a christian common-wealth , where vertue should be the scope of all our actions . they are like some comoedies wee reade now a daies ; the first act whereof is in asia , the next in affrica , the third in europa , the fourth in america : and if ptolomeus , or marcus paulus had found out a fi●…fth part of the world , no question but it had beene represented on their vniuersall stage : such as these ought to haue some distinct language , utopian , or some other grunting tongue eng●…ossed to themselues : for they should profite more , by being lesse vnderstood . much they speake of vallour , and many imaginary heroes are pitching their pauillions ; but i will take my leaue of them with my french prouerbe : beaucoup de bruit , è peu de fruict : much bruite , but little fruite : battels more fierce ( by report ) then alcahors : that was but kings , their 's giants : and one of those giants as able to vanquish all those kings , as for milo to carry his bull on his shoulders . for the second : their should be an explanation in discouery of the causes , with a direct and graduall proceeding to the sequels : as thus ; in description of a solemne iust , or tournament , it is necessary for the historian to show the cause why such solemnities were instituted : i do know many things there be in discourses , which may be as well implyed as inserted ; but in festiuals , solemne games , euents of duellors , or publicke trials : the causes forcing should and ought to be as well deciphered , as the ends succeeding : how should we haue knowne of the vniting of the sabines with the romanes , or the occasion of their marrying together , but by those dissembled feasts ordained by romulus , to bring his purpose to effect : the circumstances of which feast ( are with a certaine concordancy ) amongst most of the romane writers agreed on ; standing ( though with too nice prec●…senesse ) i confesse vpon the place , occasion , and houre of the day , with such a liuely transcription , as if the sabine rape had bene committed in their time . the like we reade of the destruction and vtter subuersion of the gabians , in the time of tarquin superbus : the generall vnion of historians , about the time , place , and occasion , so concordantly iumping , as if all those proceedings ( as well in the stratagemes by tarquins yongest sonne , as the very contents of that letter writ by the father to his sonne , for the management of this exploite ) had bene set downe by one pen. the like in that combat , or bloudy banquet rather of thomyris her eldest sonne , and the persian cyrus , with such natiue descriptions of euery circumstance , the riuer araxis , the place of their passage , the reasons which moued thamyris to suffer their passage , and the very plot where their tents were pitcht , their dainty viands left for the scythian surffet , in what sort prepared , & how insatiably desired by the scythian army , comming rather to feast then to fight : and then their defeate , being there vanquished , where they were most confident of victory . in these explanations , the reader should not be delayed , or frustrated too much in his hopes , by vnnecessary ambages : we should not trifle out the time in vaine and impertinent repetitions , it cloies and satiates the appetite too much : not vnlike to your great feasts , reseruing the choycest dainties for the end , when the appetites of the guests are satisfied before they come : it is a good frugall course , and includes an occonomicke pollicy , their best dishes may be preferued for another time : he that discouers euents and sequels without their precedent causes , is as one that would draw a riuer dry , without knowing whence the spring is deriued : applying the conclusions of things , as it pleased the ethnickes in ancient time , to reserre them to the arbitriment of fortune ; making euer this womanish argument : the euent was so , because it was so ; and it was so because fate would haue it so : answering titus opinion , potestates fato dari : but these which thus apply the course of all conclusions to fortune , be as blind as fortune : nay , farre more ; for though fortune be blind , yet she is not inuisible : but these men are not onely blind in the eye of common sence , but invisible in the composure of their owne arguments ; their conclusions being as blind as themselues . in making likewise our iudgement of histories , and considerately applying it to our present interests , we must specially regard the dispositions of the agents , and dilligently remarke how they are affected in minde , this is the least dece●…uing ground of forming opinion : by the nature of the agent , coniecturall euents or reasons of euents may be drawne : as if an ambitious man be imployed in embassage twixt prince and prince , he is to be suspected that his treaty will be lesse happy , in that his illimited passions oftimes , rather aggrauate then allay causes of ciuill discord . men of moderate dispositions , purchase peace with lesse adoe , and more successefull ; for princes ( ballancing their owne wrongs , to their apprehension insupportable ) cannot endure brauing ▪ but will rather try the extreamest of fortune , then be vnworthy of themselues , by hearing and bearing affronts with patience . the like we haue obserued in the successe of war , a wise and experienc't leader , to haue accomplished great matters with a handfull of men ; and that aphorisme to be very true : better is an army of harts , with a lyon to their leader , then an army of lyons , hauing an hart to their leader : and contrary wise the vnhappy euents of most flourishing empires , the miserable slaughters of most puissant armies , by the vnaduised gouernement of their agents , or tyranny of their regents , whose improuidence made much people vnfortunate : to see han●…iball once a conquerour , because his hopes were not seated on indirect meanes , and by his owne traculent disposition , to become a prey to the conquered , makes ●…his assertion good . many examples we haue of the like , where the nature of the agent ill affected , crossed not onely the successe of hopefull designes , but buried their names in obliuion , of such i speake , as haue bene interrested in the like aduentures . as sometimes where the agents haue bene neglectfull of religion ; depending more vpon their owne proper resolutions , then the power of heauen directing all humane a●…aires to their appointed ends : as wee may reade in that memorable disaster of the romanes at canne , where the consull v●…ro , with a populous army of experienc't souldiers , was vtterly discomfited ; and that ( as the romane historians haue obserued ) because of iunoes wrath conceiued against uarro , for erecting ( in derision of iupiters temple ) a mimicke-boy to keepe watch , as the solemne order was . the like of potitius detracting from the honour of hercules : the like reuenge inflicted on virilius by aesculapius : by iuno lacinian q. fulv : by proserpine on plenimius : by iupiter , on that sacriligious tyrant dionysius : by apollo on the pirate-prince thymasitheus : on alexand●…r by c●…res . sometimes by the libidinous disposition of the gouernour , other sometimes by his auarice : now and then by his impatience , and most of all by his recklesnesse , haue the sequels of things proued lesse fortunate , because the precedent motiues , or instruments directing to the end , had no better likely-hoods in them . wee wonder not at all , to see troubled water come from an v●…cleere spring : nor at tares growing in the sluggards field ; but we admire successiue ends , drawne from improbable causes : many times there be ( i confesse ) intrinsecall motiues , which like , as that beauty is the best which cannot be expressed by the painter , so arrogates it the chiefest place ( that inwardly mouing cause , i meane ) because , the efficient cause of causes , more sure , more infallible then the euidentest demonstration : and i haue ( for my part ) euer superstitiously feared to bring such causes in question : since such arguments haue ministred no small occasion to the prophaner wits , both of ancient and moderne times , to boulster their insufficient opinions : as to arguethus : heere we see a flourishing common-weale supporting her selfe by no other mean●…s then iustice ; reaching to as high a perfection in euery degree , of as exact gouernment , as the blindnesse of the time would permit : yet this state ( so flourishing ) laid wast by a people exposed to all impieties : here the end can hardly be collected by the fore-going cause . equity was in the conquered , tirrany in the conquerour : here is a maine discrepancy in the beginning , and conclusion ; and the actiue causes ordinarily mouing seeme ( cardine uerso ) to oppose themselues . it is true ; but tell mee ( whosoeuer thou art ) that lucian-like composest this argument : is he that sets vp , and confounds , what empires as b●…st pleaseth him , tyed to meanes , or secondary causes ? there is no realm which for some abuse or other , hath no●… deserued to loose her glor●… ; and herei●… doth the maiesticke power of heauen shew aboundant mercy , to some kingdomes in chasti●…ing them before they come to the heigth of sinne , that their eclypse of glory , might be an increase vnto them of vertue ; their ●…bbe of honour , an occasion of acknowledgement of their creator . for euen in the best common-weales , we reade , that the experiment of some externall misery or disaster , hath reduced them to more ripe consideration of themselues , and an exact search in themselues , discussing the causes of the gods indignation against them . present extremities are of that force to humane bodi●… , that the present apprehension of their woe , seemes in some sort to extenuate their pride , in●…lameth religion , ●…iteth men to vndertake a labour for the benefite of their country ( with the losse of themselues ) to appease the wrath of the gods. this was the cause why the romanes vsed to haue the gate of the temple lanus open in warre , but shut in peace : for nec●…ssity ( as well in these times as in pagan times ( vseth to be the mo●…e of deuotion . explanation of causes , is an elucidary or examply●…g , as it were of the matter whereon we entreate : happy ( saith t●…e poet ) is hee , that hath knowne , or doth know , the principall causes of things , as well precedent as su●…uent : euents may be knowne ( i confesse ) without their causes , but so defectiue is that knowledge , as the co●…ntrie shepe-heards prediction is of weather : his obseruan ces are causelesse because artlesse , iudging of the cloude ( by vsuall approbation ) making experiment his ground , without recourse had to naturall causes : to shew the destruction of troy by alcydes , without explaning the perfidious dealing of laomed●…n : or of troies second subuersion , without the rape of hellen : or of romes translated aristocracy , without relation made of those ciuill warres , planting c●…sar in his mona●…chy ; or of that ample and potent empire of media translated to the persians , without the precedent causes arising from the glory , and eternall renowne of cyrus , would make a confused history , as if the former chaos were reduced to her first indigestion : causes are the springs of euents . if we should reade the diuers effects of glory , the sundry mouing causes of perpetuall honour , amongst the romanes , we would admire them : some hauing raised themselues to an exceeding eminent pitch of greatnesse , and that by as vnaccustomed meanes , selfe-affiance , or confidence of their owne vallour , instanced in cne : scipio , publiquely proclaming : that nothing was more generous then this confidence , more infallible then prediction , more powerfull than celerity in dispatch , or more eminent then the digni●…y of the person : the like of scipio aemilian●…s , scipio n●…ca , furius phyl●…s , luc. crassus , m. scaurus ▪ and many others , whose greatest fame was purchased by that meane , which vseth to be the greatest errour i●… humane society , 〈◊〉 of a mans owne deseruings : which likewise hath beene ruine to many populous and most puissant empires . then to diuert our eye to an opposite of conceit , and that is modesty , or a silent shadowing of their owne demerites : excellent and memorable examples whereof may be produced out of valer : m●…ximus in his . booke , entreating of modesty : where he obserues ( by way of explanation , ) the meriting parts of many , whose resolutions shadowed , made the lustre of their country more eminent . likewise to describe , the strange , and vnexpected , rising of some , qui p●…steris fuere nobilitatis initium , & virtutis exemplum : borne of nothing ; yet by some priuate indowments , either of i●…sinuating , as the ignoble wits : or of state-obserui●…g , as those elated natures , grieued ( as it were ) with the obscurity of their birth , in seeing others lesse ( it may be ) meritorious , ascend the throne of highest honours , possesse the eminentst places , in contempt & despi●…e of fortune , & humblenes of b●…rth , crowde in the presse of the honored , if but sor enobling their country by their peculiar deserts . this wa●… obiected against cicero , which he as sufficiently answered : satius est me meis rebꝰ gestis storere quam maiorum opinione ni●…i . dependance of auncestors conferre small or no glory to vs , if our succ●…ding worth shew not a correspondency to our prodecessours glory . tullus hostilius , tarquinius priscus , tulliu●… seruius , perpenna , and t●…rrentius 〈◊〉 , & that mirror of countries loue , m. portius cato : their births ignoble , y●…t they made their cradles noble by their many d●…seruing parts ; characters of proper nobility , not deriued from their fathers greatnesse , but from their owne eminence : nor haue there wanted others who degenerated from their a●…cestors well deserued liues : scipio affriā , his countries honor , leaues a scipio the monument of his own dishonor : fabius maximus , ●… sonne , for worthlesse respect , deseruing the name of fabi●…s minimus : clodius pulcher beautified with ornaments of mind , as well as body , makes his country no lesse hopelesse by his birth , then renowned by himselfe . the like of 〈◊〉 his nephew , one least equalling so many deserued parts of his thrice glorious ances●…our : the one a prosessed prostitute to all licentious places , an arch-protector of sensuality , hauing no other clients , but noted s●…rumpets : the other a supporter of equity , a resister of indirect proceedings , a mirror of continence in his time ; and one , second ●…o none , saue cicero , in promptnesse of speech , and a present modestly composed eloquence . in the description of their natures we include the causes of ●…heir ends ; vertue being ( as we said before ) euer seconded with euent answerable to her intent , either in the beginning , middle , or end . and certai●…ly , whosoeuer should but read the desolations of the mightiest empires , or their rising , shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their gouernment , occasions of their glory , or ruine . nor can we ( wi●…hout cause ) admire the erection & establishing of the turk●…sh empire , her many dilated prouinces , extended confines ; and almost soueraigne command in the easterne parts . let vs but consider their politicke gouernement ( subiecting all lawes of conscience , or religion , to the furthering of their designes ; planting their seat ( maugre the fury of all opponents ) in those floury and spaciou●… territories , where once the sanctified feet of the sacred apostles vsed to tread . yet in their policies ( because not proportionate to vertue ) shall they be subu●…rted . they haue erected themselues to an exceeding height , ( with the gyants menacing the fabricke of heauen ; ) but their fall will be more miserable , by how much they be of miseries more i●…capable . for that kingdome which is not established in peace , shall be ruined by warre ; & where vertue had not her predominance , there shall the illimited rage of vice take her residence : and where she is an inhabitant , there is imminent desolatiō menaced . to make explanation of causes in this , were needlesse , because the seate of such a gouernement is the occasion of her fall ; for ruine and extirpation haue euer followed imp●…ous gouernours at the heeles . yet in making vse of this especiall branch of history : explanation of the discouery of causes , i will limit and restraine it to an asser●…aine bound . we must must not search causes aboue their natures ; there be many hidden and concealed reasons , which to enquire after , were vnlawfull ; much lesse to wade into the secret conuentions of that facred power from whom all visible and apparant causes borrow their light . what we may gather by authenticke relation , or prob●…ble im●…gination , may without pre●…udice , or error , be produced . as for supernaturall causes , the more we sound them , the more we sound into the shallownesse of our owne iudgements ; neuer further from apprehendng them , then when we seeme to apprehend them . now to the third , that is , iudgement in distinguishing things , by approuing the best , and disallowing the co●…trary . dijudication of histories , or i●…dgement in distinguishing the approuedst , proceeds from a mature vnderstanding . in this historicall scale we must ba●…ish all lasci●…ious and petulant wits , conuersant ●…bout fro●…thy and licentious obscenities . the workes of an historian should be monuments of antiquity , true heralds of acts ; either prosperously , or insucc●…ssiuely atchieued : and not forments to lust , inducements to sensuality . two sorts there be which ecclipse an historians glory : from the one , we reape the haruest of shame , where characters of myrrha , and uenus ( the wantons votarie●… ) are deblazoned in their colours : yet in their descrip●…ions more pernitious to easily-inclined youth , then euer archilochus was to the spa●…tan dames . poore albion hath laboured too long of this impostume ; such historians must either be exiled , or the common-wealth must of necessity be depraued . vice h●…th too many supporters , without the furtherance of authors . from the other , there redounds no other benefite , then impertinent inquisitions of strangely-sought out antiquities ; so ●…recise in description , so cur●…ous in foundation and so selfe-opiniona●…e of their owne writings , as they oft-times doe on●…ly ( haerere in verb●… ) omit●…ing the substance to set out ( with phydias ) the shadow : search of a fruitlesse antiquity , occasioning a contempt in the body of the history . as in the foundation of a cit●…y , neglecting the materiallest parts of the discourse ; as vpon what occasion the citty was rather erected there , then in another place , by what meanes it was augmented , how con●…inued , and other necessary circumstances omitted : they insist vpon affaires of l●…sse consequence ; finding out where the first stone was laid , when the foundation of such a citty was digged . this causes often-times great volumes , with small benefite to the reader , and indeed rather implies an affecting-opinion in the authour , of pleasing himselfe , then others . ancient records are necessarily inserted in histories ; but such are to be supported by truth , including a necessary relation to the subiect where of he intreats . otherwise , such antiquities ( as for selfe-pleasing ) are produced , expresse nothing . propt●…r plebaeium & invtilem quendam opinioni●… succum . these be rather opinionists then historians . these two kindes ( like ianu●… face ) stand contrary-wayes : the one sort ( to wit the first ) are charons best factors , they traffique for a ladyes bon-voyage to hell ; there 's not a line in all their writings , that tastes of modesty , or relish v●…rtue : if pluto and his angels had not one she-prophet , nor state-moppet within all his dominions , to make his empire noble : yet these broth●…ll-authors ( ●…or better i cannot name them ) would by their lime-twigges furnish his ( malasperanza ) with a full saile . my lady here sits and reades , wonders at the ingenuity of the man , ( a pr●…gnant youth doubtlesse , ) and will make her pregnant too , if she haue any mouing faculty in h●…r ; his best character is the schoole-maister of folly , the introduccr of sensuall liberty , extinguisher of pure loue , experienced instructer to lust , harbourer of illimited desires ; and consequently harbinger to the diuell . as the martin will not build , but in faire houses , so this man will not liue , but in the ruines of honour : he is too conuersan●… in the court , too familiar in the citty , and sometimes too willingly entertained in the countrey . his pen , as it is mercenary , so his labours pernitious , his state labours of penury ( and he would rais●… it ) his soule of a lethargy , but seekes not to redeeme it . to be briefe ( for such a subiect is not worthy dilating on . ) as augustus banished naso to naxos , and his depraued workes to the darkest corner of his study : so should these petulant wits bee expulsed euery well-gouerned common-weale , and their prostitute labours sustaine enpolis censure . for the other , as none yeeld or affoord more benefite to their countrey , then laborious and iudicious antiquaries : so trifling and opinionately-conceited historians may benefite themselues , but hardly can communicate the best of their knowlege vnto others . opinion is a maine opponent to iudgement : the one guided ( or rather drawne ) by a precipitant will , the other disposed by the directing eye of reason . opinion ( lesbian-like ) frame their line by their worke , and not their worke by their line : but iudgement hath euer ( cleanthes-like ) a table equaly mixed or furnished with seruices of arete & pomona , vertue and pleasure : the one to profite , the other to delight : which equally-mixed iudgement should be especially conuersant in censurers of histories ; they must not do , as it is reported of ualerius maximus , inhibite many things in the euening , which he would approue of in the morning , and command that to be enacted one houre , which he would be ashamed to confirme the next houre . a setled & wel-seasoned iudgment will with ( circumspection ) not so much censure a modest digression in a history , as the vse which may be made of that digression ; nor tax ●…ny thing in a faithfull historian , though he shadow at the corruptiōs of the age with bitternes : for oylie and temporising tongues , are nourishers of these vitious and irregular times ; where , as beasts in the desart , so men liue in the world : nor be censurers to taxe such things for impossibilities , because they haue not heard of the like ; nor such r●…lations as false , which haue not occurred to their readings . for how should we giue credite to those incredible attempts of former times , where victories were atchieued with lesse adoe , then may-games in these times . to s●…e antheus renewing his strength , and doubling his force by falling : those magnanimous romans erecting their spirits most when they were neerest declining . i haue euer obserued these times , as they second the first in gradation , so they stand inferior to the first in exploits and managements of resolution . censures should b●… ballances equally and euenly disposed ; neither inclining to partiall affectation of person or state ; but ready to giue approbation where the verity of discourse , and sincerity of the author giues his pen fre●… scope to curbe errour , and attribute to vertue her merited titles . alasse , that censurers should be either so engagaged to the seruile command of popular glory , or tied to great mens sleeues , that the historian●… labours must be razed , which truth would haue raised : vertue hath in her selfe a soueraigne end , to which all liberall arts and sciences ( in themselues truly noble , and meriting honour ) haue their aime and recourse . this occasions learning to be neglected , and the exact scrutinie of ancient records ( then the which nothing more beneficiall ) to be suppressed , or at least , not a little darkned : when a rhadamanth , or criticke censurer must haue the corrections of our industrious labours , and iuditious volumes : which ( to feed his owne indigested humour ) must be subiect to many friuolous inte●…lacings . but patience ( which is c●…mes sapientiae , non famula concupiscenti●… ) must be the poore historians supporter , making vse of times abuse , and applying this salue to his misery , which the poet inferred , as cause of romes subuersion , and calamity . prim●… peregrinos obsc●…na pecu●…ia mor●…s intulit . but let me stay a little , that i may make an end the sooner ; ●…re i proceed to the tru 〈◊〉 of histories , i must caution two so●… of men , which ( in their reading ) peruert the vse and scope of history , by a maleuolent disposition , either bred in them by nature , or ingendred by custome , a second nature : the one foolishly precise , whose behauiour ( as one obserueth ) are like a verse , wherein euery sillable is measured ; or like your spaniards aspect , who will not smile beyond a poynt , for feare to vnstarch his looke . these cannot taste any thing well , that is not absolute ; yet for their iudgement a uenetian asse may out-strip them : he is ( vnmeasurably proud ) wise in hi●… owne conceit , ●…hath an orbe in his braine , which euer turning round , makes his iudgem●…nt brain esicke . the other , farre more intollerable , because more troubled with the rising of spleene : he detracteth from the best , and findes scruples in infallible truths ; his owne iudgement , as it is defectiue , so it en●…ies a-against others , maturer in the height of vnderstanding , and more exact in the ancient surueyes of truth . but as fortitude of body deriues her essence from the imbecility of the minde , and the ability of the mind from the d●…bility of the body : so the authors glory is oft-times reuiued , and augmented by the sting of detraction , as the detractors in●…amy by the authors glory : vertue alone is crowned , vertue in her selfe , is of all possessed . she it is alone by which man is eternized . this is she that steeres the poore historians barke against all oppositions . in this harbour therefore may i repose , leauing the depraued reader to the distemprature of his owne humor , and betaking my selfe to my propounded taske . we must walke in a more modest path for iudgement in the relation of euery act that is done : we ought to vse a kind of deliberation , consulting with our own intimate vnderstandings , and aske them whether such an act is worthy memory , or no : for many things we see and reade , which discretion would rather ha●…e omitted , then to writing committed ; we haue occasion sometimes to vnrip the tyrannicke liues of princes , and their illimited affections , of dissolute gouernements , and to what peculiar vices most engaged ; yet in the summary rehearsall of these vices , we do oft-times ( as an excellent historian hath well obserued ) instruere malos , teach men to be euill , instructing them in the exercise of those impieties , with which before they were scarce acquainted . thar memorable law-giuer being demanded what punishment was to be inflicted on him , who should chance to slay his father , or mother : he answered them with , haud equidem puto , &c. i do not think there can be any of so vnnaturall disposition . acts silenced sometimes doe better then if expressed : for the curtaine of vices drawne , moues imitation rather than euitation : in distinguishing also of things good and necessary from their contraries , we should not mixe triuiall discourses in our maine relation : they much impaire and disparage the weight of an history , distracting the readers minde with impertinencies , where the subiect might of it selfe be better prosecuted ; nor can any thing shew more indiscretion in an author , then these vagaries , where attention can no way be moued , the expectances of men satisfied , or a reall delight with profite apprehended . attention ( as that eloquent orator noteth ) is there the quickest , where we promise to speake of things , great , new , vn-vsuall , or of such affaires as may conduce to the benefit of the common-weale , to the establishing of religion , piety , or the like . now such serious discourses ( in themselues graue and ponderous ) are not to be mixed with euery friuolous digression ; the body of the history b●…ing solid , should not depend of weake and infi●…me members : which might seeme to resemble the roman colosse , of an huge proportion in body , but feeble feet ; so as one day the frame of the whole was demolished by the debility of one part . yet in this graue and firme composition , there must be one necessary cau●…at inferted : that whencesoeuer we draine the approbation of our di●…course ( as from many , and those to our iudgement of the selected authours ) we reconcile their opinions , and make one vnited body of so many dispersed parts . this i thought to caution ( as well the histories peruser , as the generallest collectors of ) because i haue obserued this foule errour ( and that in both ancient and moderne relations ) where diuers authors were cited , and their seuerall opinions marshalled on a row : but as in a battell , when the wings be broken , there insueth nought but an vn●…uersall confusion ; so without reconcilement in the conclusion , he leaues the reader in suspence , whose opinion to entertaine ; because not directed by the author . this implies a double defect ; either from stupidity , not able to distinguish ; or from a pertinacy , not willing to communicate his iudgement to others . the latt●…r is more intollerable then the first ; for the one includes a na●…iue defect , ( which he would remedy if his apprehension could better it . ) the other a malitious d●…sire of ingrossing knowledge to hims●…lfe ; though both vnworthy of an historicall place : for ignorance deserues small entertainment in so iuditious an argument : and a peruerse disposition much lesse , concealing his knowledge from his countrey , which by his subiect it seemes he intended to benefite . in distinguishing likewise , we should euer obserue to cull out such perspi●…uous sentences , as comprehend most , yet least i●… affectation : for such taste euer of singularity . hortensius was called by pythias ( for his too much gesturing ) a profest mimicke , a dionysian : the same ti●…le may be giuen our curious relators : th●…y binde their subiect to their words , esteeming no discourse in it selfe worth iudicious obseruation , but what is replenished and full fraughted with polite sentences , making the matter indebted to the superficiall art of the composer . these beseeme not a history , dilated circumstances , instances too much stood vpon , an ambiguous leauing of some-thing vndetermined : they leaue the vnde●…standing in doubt what to resolue , the iudgement what to thinke , the thoughts what to deliberate : so as our reading conferres no other profite , saue an int●…icate ●…inding , or wr●…athing , of many anxities vp together : giuing the minde free scope to imagine the euent , being implyed by the authour . an historian in his writings should haue a kind of seeming security , for his stile and order of speech : yet not so , ( as to omit an exact or wittily composed ieast ) to relish the readers distaste : such was tacitus vse , by enterlacing the seriousnes of his tale , with some iudiciall , ( but strangely briefe , ) sentences : annexing some pleasant straine , either of me●…re purpose invented , or from the occasion of his subiect deriued , to sweeten the heauier part of his discourse : which should not be too long insisted on , for that w●…re trifling ; but shadowingly touched , ●…or that implyes ple●…ty of subiect , not flying to tr●…uiall relations , to make vp a greater volume , but for the delight of the iudiciously affected : misce●…do v●…ile dulci. but alasse , where this distinguishing of iudgement of histories requires great labour , it os●…imes ob●…aines as little fauour : the present age cannot admit of such discourses , they be too serious : so that whosoeuer should compile a volume of iudiciall extractions , or approued obseruances , should hardly haue as many readers , as persius coniectured for his labours : vel duo , v●…l nemo : o ill disposed times ! when iudgement goes a wool-gathering . 〈◊〉 had two which he especially respected aboue the rest of his nobles , and the one of them was a mecenas , a patron of learning , and a grace to the sacred influence of poesie : but where should we finde an atl●…s for pernassus in these daies , where noble ( yet degenerate spirits ) esteeme him that will be pandor to his punke , aboue him that will be patron to a poem : it seemes strange that in best experienc't times , where knowledge should be hightned , the foggy vapours of ignorance dispelled : nay , where these times haue respite from warlike alarums , and therefore may securely feede at mineruaes table , should be so delighted with superficiall shadowes , contemning the perfect essence and lustre of man , ( to wit ) how to know himselfe . here the miser digs ( and with the dormouse ) sleepes out his time in a fruitlesse scraping ; there the prodigall ( carelesse of times expence ) bastardizeth his fathers prouidence , leauing no more to himselfe , then that he could not take from himselfe , a poore graue : heere the ambitious man , displaying his pie-coulored flags of vanity ( in the elation of his spirit ) contemnes the inferiour ranke of men , euer aiming at an higher sphere then popular presse , till his aspiring produce his falling , and the honour which he purchast without merite , forsakes him not without shame : but which of these will take paines to see himselfe represented in exemplary histories ? if the picture of old menedemus were hung vp in the eye of the miser ( he would i doubt it not ) gaze with his foure eyes on the picture , but make little or no vse on the patterne : the ambitious man , if he saw the character of himselfe in that vast and indetermined minde of catyline , in that ambitiously insinuating spirit of sejan , i feare me he would rather make vse of the meanes of his rising then caution himselfe by his vntimely declining : the prodigall ( expressing his owne mirrour , by theotimus errour ) who preferred lust before his eyes , would ( m●…ch i feare it ) rath●…r da●…ken the eye of his soule , to satisfie the eye of his body , then moderate hi●… passions on earth , to reape the fruite of his moderation in heauen . o that these times would so distinguish of their abuses , as being discou●…red they may be censured ; for where abuses are concealed they seeme afresh to be renewed , and ( with authority ) confirmed , but being openly ript , they may be whipt and stript : first displayed to the eye of the world , then summoned before the throne of iustice. o let histories , as they be records of what were done , whether good or euill ; excite vs to be good , and deter vs from being euill : stories are replenished with examples of both sorts , for they be store-houses of precedent euents , and consequently so to be obserued and digested , as the iudicious reader may better dispose of his euen●…s . i haue noted in discourses of this kind , the obseruance of that generally iudicious gentlman , and the best aduancer of depressed learning , where he saith : some bookes are to be tasted , some to bee swallowed few to be chewed and dig●…sted . such as are to be tasted i comprehend , in s●…ories of modest accomplement , superficiall flourishes , garnishing our discourse modestly without vaine ostentation or brauery : such are to be swallowed , as those amorous , and fruitlesse labours of braine-sicke authours , freighted with continuall hyperboles , comely in nothing but loue , such are to be chewed and digested , as include discourse tending both to instruction and delight , &c , so then heere we may come to our iudiciall point , we see and reade histories , some onely to be tasted , others swallowed , some few chewed , as beasts were in the old law. histories being ruminated and chewed , yeeld a continuall profite , and the more meditated , the more beneficiall ; which seemed well approued ( and no lesse worthy our obseruance ) by his institution ▪ that wished ●…uery reader to take these three remembrances in his way to reade : libenter , dilligenter , and intelligenter ; the first yeeldes a present delight , because it includes a willingnesse ; the next a dilligent attention , implying a seriousnesse ; the last an vse of both , enfolding an vnderstandingnesse : these three attend a iudicious distinguishing of histories , iudgement in discerning what is best , and these to apprehend the best : these foure commixed resemble twinnes at two burthens , all directours one to another : for without iudgement we may chuse the worst as soone as best , taking our aime onely at delight , without recourse to profite , best agreeing with the outward sence ; here is a want in the election : without willingnesse , our reading breeds a loathing ; without dilligence , our discourse is fruitlesse ; and without vnderstanding , our minds be erring : and thus much for dijudicating of histories , an essentiall part of this booke : i haue but summarily set downe my opinion ( grounded on the collections of oth●…rs ) herein , that i might prosecute the former parts of my diuision in the methode of this history , contracting much into a little body . the methode which i propounded to my selfe in the beginning , was first to describe the scope of histories : secondly , the vse , fruite , and eff●…ct of histories in generall : and the third ●…xtracted from the second , was the parti●…ular profite which redounded either to a family in p●…iuate , or administration of states in publique by these histories : for the first , being the originall whence the two others are dra●…ned , i haue spoken sufficient : longer ( i confesse ) was i enforced to insist vpon them , then my volume ( which i prescribed my selfe ) would ●…dmit : but the many vses , subdiuisions , and grounds naturally arising from them , enenforced me to ●…rosecute the argum●…nt more fully : i entend now to handle the second part , to wit , the fruit & vse of history , the speciall'st motiue inducing reading . the greatest and mouingst argument of perswasion to the vndertaking of this or that , is the benefite we expect redounding from our enterprise : i will succinctly expresse the seuerally mouing effects of profite ( the worldly mans admant ) from history , naturally and essentially deriued : which being laid open , i hope the miser ( who as seneca noteth , is good to none , but worst to himselfe ) will be profitable both to himselfe and others : my exordium shall be drawne from him , because i take him to be one of the deuils chiefest factours , and more benefite should i yeeld my country in bringing in such a one , then in taking an arch-pirate : from him descending to euery vitious professour ( binding my selfe euer to my tackling ) the fruite of history in it selfe able to reclaime the deprauedst from their habituated enormities . the miser , that is indebted to both back and belly , so engaged to the world , as he must haue his houshold god of the world , euer harboured in his bosome , or made his pillow to sleep on , the key of his rust : he that neuer fed nature in all his daies with competency ; or durst recreate himselfe , for feare least his recreation should play cheater , and cosen him of his prouidence : being the moath of the vertuous , the harbour of the vitious : carrying a conscience more infectious then rats-bane euer about him , if euer he haue grace to cast his eye into an historicall discourse ( next to the sacred writ ) he shall find as soueragne antidotes for his malady , as in any place . i will anatomise the misers corruptions , and like an artificiall practitioner first open his wounds , and then infuse balme into them ; which vnction if it will not serue , i shall then apply more rough and sharpe plaisters . now maister miser , that is , meere wretched man , thou hast sufficient , and more then is competent for nature , yet thou art not satisfied : a very , very little will serue thee for thy vse , for thou neuer hadst the grace to know what an honest expence meant : thou cautalizest thy selfe , amidst of plenty , 〈◊〉 ; thou hast a good minde to be rich , but that 's impossi●…le : semper au●…rus ●…get ; there is a greedy ●…orme that is euer consuming and gnawing on thee : thou ●…rt at liberty , yet imprisoned , and in more intollerable seruitude , then the miserablest captiue vpon earth ; yet thy chaines are of gold , thou art a gorgeous prisoner , thou art subiected to more hazards then a merchant ven●…urer , to more rightly-oppressing , and sur-charching cares , then an emperour ; to more hourely distractions , ●…nd terrible apparitions , then a murtherer : thou wouldst sleepe if thou couldst , but thy disturbed thoughts depriue thee of that comfort : to be briefe , as thou art in image the best , so in disposition the worst of all creatures , being thine owne tymon , thine owne hangman ; that macerates thy selfe , and makes thy appetite euer insa●…iate . i will leade thee into a spatious field of histories , where thou shalt see thy immerited minde deblazoned in her colours , not a memorable instruction for liberality ( thy absolute opponent ) but shall be produced for thy vse : that seeing the eminence of thy aduersary , thou maist hate thy selfe , and be r●…conciled a●… last to thy foe . the liberall-hearted-man is as much maister to himselfe , a●… thou art thine owne slaue : he surpasseth thee in vse of his owne , and can direct himselfe by an equall proportion , limited euer to a generally approu●…d end : he hates to draw in the sailes of his bounty , in the presence of desert , and makes no more account of his owne , then to distribute to others wants a share of his fortunes , nor esteemes he that his owne , of which he hath not power , and in his power can freely giue : he verefies the verse ( approuing a liberall mind : quod nunquam dederit , non habuisse putat : he neuer was so farre engaged , or enthralled , to any earthy substance , as to make it chiefe-tane ouer his intellectuall part : he makes this his position , and scornes it should be controuled by any inferiour subiect : to giue , and to delight i●… giuing : and that day wherein , ( to the moity of his fortunes ) he hath not demonstrated the rare character of his bounty , he cries out with ti●…us , amici , perdidimus diem : this day hath bene an ab●…idgement of my generous intentions , a restraint to my extended mind●… ; i did n●…uer show my selfe , lesse to be my selfe , then in this daies exigent : this is he who measures vertue for his meere peace and contentment , and not according to successe ; he shows not his liberality for obseruance , but peculiar satisfaction , for he imagines no greater infelicity , then to be miserable ; his promises are euer relatiues with his performances : he scornes to dissemble with the world , he neuer annointed his tongue to enrich his fortunes , the perfect idiome and character of his natiue properties is already depictured : i will illustrate this mirrour of vertues with examplary mirrours , professours of this vertue : reade but the ancient romane annals you shall see many renowned for liberallity , and in syrac●…sa too , for her eminence and exquisite gouernment no lesse glorious : in rome a fabius maximus : who willlingly forgoes his patrimony , to preserue his countries reputation : se enim p●…trimonij , quam patriam fidei inopem esse malui●… . paula no lesse renowned , and in this more to be obserued , because a woman , whose sex implies a parsimony , releiuing the poore distressed romanes ( coupt vp in the walle●… of cann●… ) making her selfe poore , to adde power ( by her bounty ) to the afflicted . quintus considius ( of all most memorable ) an vsurer and bountifull , a blacke swan was neuer rarer : the pagan vsurer ( it seemes ) had a conscience , which our christian vsurer wants : for in that bloudy , and inhumane conspiracy of catyline , second to none , our moderne counterbuffe , our powder-treason , except●… : he remmi●…ed all his debtors , laying his bils and b●…nds vpon o●…e pile , making a bone-fire with them : where i make no question , but the vsurers conti●…uall customers , the poet archias , and his eccho the actor roscius had reason to sweare : quod nunquam ignem vidiss●…nt clariorem : that they neuer saw a cleere●… , or m●…re comfortable fire in all their dayes : it may be considiu●… did this , because he saw the disability of his debtors ( ●…or those ciuill commotions had much empou●…rished all estates ) and therefore in pollicy , once to exp●…sse hi●… bounty , thought it fittest to forgiue them that , which they were not able to giue . more worthy is the memory of quintiu●… flaminius , who in an isthmiam triumph , in the presence of his countries soe , the daring phillip of macedon , redeemed such as were phillips captiues at his owne charge : worthy our obseruation it is , willing to answere so publique solemnity , with an vniuersall-concording harmony , making such free spectators , that were before in seruitude . the modest prince hier●… of syracusa , who in meere compassion of the slaughter of the romanes , at the lake thrasimenus , sent to the afflicted remnant of that wofull army , three hundred thousand bushels of wheate , two hundred of barly , and two hundred and f●…urty pound weight of gold to releiue their wants , a●…d manifest his royall bounty . i may annex the memorable example of gillia of agrigentum , who was rich in mines , but much more rich in minde , alwaies rather inclined to distribute then scrape : so as his house ( and that not vndeseruedly ) was called officina munificentiae , a ware-house of bounty , erecting monuments for publick vse , that the ●…ies of the people mightbe delighted with so gratefull spectacles . here were prepared sumptuous feasts , yeelding and ministring food , & all other necessaries for the sustaining nature , to all way-faring men , bestowing dowers vpon maids , and reli●…fe to the poore , ministring plenty of comfort ( out of his royall exchequer ) to such as had sustained any detriment , or damage . to be briefe , he kept open hospitality , receiuing fiue hundred cel●…nsian gentlemen at one time , by occasion of tempest driuen vpon his coast , which he fed at his owne table ; and at their departure royally adorned them with sumptuous garments . to be short thou wouldst not ( saith our history ) haue taken him for any mortall , for he was too liberall , but the very bounties-bosome of propitious fortune . thou hast seene these examples of liberality , i will now vnrip thy owne casket , and see what worthy pictures thou hast lockt vp in it . i see many bagges of mould , but not one ragge of conscience : great chests ram'd vp with inexorable barres , crammed with auarice , famine , and oppression . lucifer is thy treasurer , and prouing a faithfull seruant : for he will not cheate thee for a world , lest he should loose his part of thee in the world to come . thou committest to him the keyes of thy conscience ; which opens and shuts vpon all occasions : he being one of thy family , how canst thou chuse but be prosperous ? yet bele●…ue me , ( thy end will be poore and miserable ) not one of those many angels thou possessest , like a good angell , will guard , or giue thee so much as the least taste of com●…ort . i come not to instruct thee , like a diuine , but to illustrate my assertions by historicall examples , which i haue here placed before thee , to deterre thee from their life , that thou mayest auoid their death . auarice , or ( which is extended ●…urther ) mysery ▪ was best exempli●…ied in hermon ; who to decciue his owne friends , and depriue them of that which he made his god , at his death , made himselfe his owne excecutor : this man would be loth to loose so pretious a friend , death must not part him and his riches . no question but his opi●…ion was , he might purchase himselfe a tabernacle of rest with his rust : and translated from the vale of earth , might erect himselfe a mansion of pure gold , for he carried the stuffe with him . i could here produce infinite other examples , which to auoid tediousnesse i omit , and returne to our discourse . history may yeeld no lesse profite to the prodigall , who makes himselfe the last of his name ; who no sooner ( yea oft-times sooner ) then he hath shut his fathers eyes , opens his fathers chest , and wipes away the remembrance of his fathers death , with the euidence & broad seale of hi●… fathers loue : he had need of some direction . there be many mazes for the yong man : i haue knowne many exposed to all delights , and ( as it were ) sold vnder the gage of prostitution , who by historicall obseruations haue not onely reclaimed their former error , but grew singular mirrors of purity . no question , if catyline , whose minde was euer subiected to illimited affections , had but perused the excellent relations of his noble predec●…sor , he had not beene onely able to extinguish that common and vniuersall combustion , which his aspiring s●…irit raised to consume his whole countrey ; but had beene memorable for his owne atchieu●…ments : for the best of roman historians ( that i may vse the words of the best commentor vpon crispius salustus ) saw thus m●…ch into his disposition , that so long as he retired himselfe from tho●…e factious and 〈◊〉 spirits , cethegus , leutuli●…s , with others of that hatefull consort , none shewd him-himselfe a more profitable member to the common-weale , or more ready to endanger himselfe for her 〈◊〉 ; imploying his time in s●…rious discourses ; which not onely moderated his affections ▪ but poised him to the equall ballance of a vertuous discourse : which afterwards per●…erted by the depraued suggestions of those ruffi●…s , reduced those faire beginnings to nothing , & him to a miserable death , & perpetual i●…famy . the very same effect we see in all other vices ( which wo●…ld be w●…ll extenuated ) if vitiou ▪ mi●…des would apply themselues to these , and the like discourses : we should haue our d●…unkards see into their owne shame , deblazoned by the epyrotes ; our epicures by the rauenous vit ellij , spending their fortunes in pampering their worst houshold seruant ; our carnall brothellists , by those impudent prostitutes in n●…roes time , who were neuer weary of their shame , till ●…heir publicke filthinesse ingendred a loathing in the professors themselues : looke to th●…se me●…s ends . oh how long might i prosecute this argument without want of copiou●… discourse ! here producing an helliogab●…lus , generally hated for his i●…satiate lust , and least pittied in that ebbe of his 〈◊〉 ( his miserable death ) when men vse most to be pittied , being attended at his funerals with milit●…ry reproaches : here goe wee to bury a dogge of distempered lusts : there a wanton messalina , r●…warded with a death beseeming her . here an aspiring sejanus , shaken with an vnexpected end , and made miserable in his best fort●…nes , interred with dry eyes : for who will pitty the fall of ambition ? there an herostratus ( memorable for nothing but villany ) purchasing by his fame , an infamous end . here a bloudy perillus , expert in the inuention of cruell proiects , punished with the torture of his owne inuention : there a fleering parasite , who circumvents himsel●…e with his owne policie . such exemplary motiues be frequent in histories , and able in themselues ( if duly pondered ) to e●…force nature from herselfe , and reduce man , prima●…ily addicted to this or that vice , to a consideration of his own estate , wisely fore-seeing his owne danger by others misery ; wisely cautioning the yong man to leuell his affections at an other scope , then the depraued intendments of the time wherein he liueth ; making difference betwixt sence and reason : the o●…e common to beasts with men : the other a disiunct propriety onely to man from beasts : for reason , the directresse of our vnderstanding , the limiter of our affectio●…s wit●…in honest bounds , the touch-stone to dijudicate what is good , from what is ill , the intellectuall notion of the soule , should be euer the conductor of our fancies ; which is best shewne , when ( antomedon-like ) we can delineate v●…rtue in no better shadow , then the tablet of our owne hearts ; expressing our selues the best by that , which makes our selues the best , to wit , in prosecuting v●…rtue with an earnestnesse , that in the end we may become maisters of our selues , gouernours of our affections , and right signiors ouer our in-disposed fancies . but to come more neere thee in this second part of my diuision , we must distinguish of the seuerall fruits and effects of history , directed to peculiar ends : as first , art thou a louer , and desirest to complement with thy beloued ? thou art in a dangerous way , and if thou wisely select not such histories , as may ( like soueraignes ) rather allay & moderate thy brain-sicke passion , then kindle the fire of thy sencelesse reason , be-lulled with nightly apparitiōs of thy beloued faire one , to what exorbitances shalt thou be made subiect ? but i know the nature of thy sicknesse : thou art like one who hath taken poyson ; and though drinke be mortall to him , yet he longeth out of all measure for it . there is no subiect so fitting thy humor , as amorous sonn●…ts , historicall relations , carolli●…g out the discontents of vns●…tisfied loue . leander swimming ouer hellespont , to crop a blossome alrea●…y cropped . achilles retiring discontented for the losse of his briseis , agamem●…on for his chryseis : these are subiects fit for thy loue-sicke fancie ; whereas opposites to loue , ( morall relations , instructing thee in a more equall & reasonable path ) wo●…ld better cure thy disease , and bring thee to an vnderstanding of thy selfe . absence ( we say ) from our mistresse , makes vs most forgetfull of her ; and lest we thinke of her when we discourse of arguments least concerning her ; whilest reading idle pamphlets , the very bane and canker of youth , and age too : for age is as subiect to dotage , as youth to fancy ; putting vs in minde of our former distracting passions , crying : nec m●… minor vrget a●…or : with hard-hearted mistresse , inconstant dame , fickle in affection , inconstant in thy resolution , shedding as many teares as would drowne our mistresse , if she were not so light , as she is able to beare herselfe aboue water . alasse poore louer ! and whereto so many fruitlesse wishes , so discomfortabl●… laments , so discordant ecco's of redoubled sighes , aye me vnhappy ? thou knowest not how these reasonlesse perturbations make thee more lothed then loued , more intranced then fancied ; and more beleagred with passions a-new , then to salue those passions wherewith thou wast tormented of old . reade the continent life of zenocrates , dedicated wholly to chastity ; not a lais ( though neuer so motiue ) can induce him to gage his reputation to a harlot . reade me the noble disposition of scipio affrican , who scorn'd to make himselfe a slaue to his fancie , the royall minde of that potent alexander , who would not captiue ●…is affection to his captiue : the vndestained resolution of the matron antonia , wife to drusus ; that chaste tragedian sophocles , who being demanded , whether he euer applied his minde to sensuall affections , replied ; dij meliora : heauen forefend a strumpet should put on a tragicke buskin . these continent relations will reduce thy stragling motions to a more setled and retired harbour . but yet i must proceed further ; art thou ambitious , and hast both wings and will to flye ? thou art soaring with icarus , and thy waxen wings ( no question ) must be dissolued with icarus : he gaue a sea a name : but thou hast a sea in thine owne braine , tho●… art floting , and ( camelion-like ) feedest vpon the air●… of thy own●… fancy : thou art now for building a second pyr●…mides in the aire ; and no doubt but thou wouldst p●…rfect thy intentions , if death preuent thee not . thou 〈◊〉 a vaine foole , thou seest many daily decli●…ing meri●…s vnd●…seruing , raised to height aboue themselues : not a senator , or sage purple father , but subiected to an vndese●…uing censure : and what is the cause ? why , honour procureth censure ; and yet thou art well , serued w●…ll , safely retired , not enuied , nor maligned by ●…he opposites of greatn●…sse ; and yet thou desirest ( like another phoe●…s ) to shine in the eye of the court , to shew thine owne admiration by a vaine flourish , commenting on thine owne per●…ections , which need some exposition ▪ ●…or they cannot demonstrate themselues . alas●…e , how strangely art thou transported aboue thy selfe ! not apprehending how the meanes of rising oft-times procure an vnexpected fall . consider thy owne vnb●…idled desires , and seeke to repr●…sse them , i pray thee do ; and take this obseruance with thee : neue●… looke into , either moderne histories , or an●…ient , for the proiect●… , how they grounded the foundation of their plots ; but aime at the end and euent of their designes , what issue they had : there thou shal●… see a caesar reign●… long , and attaine the very height of his hopes ; yet his continuance ●…bridged , and his new-established monarchy ( in himselfe ) qui●…e ruinate in a stab . here a sejanus ( who was 〈◊〉 ) a great hunter after cruelty , become the last of his aspi●…ing desires , and the sponge ( ●…s taci●…us obserueth ) who being squised , only en●…iched his emperours fortunes , and made himselfe miserable by his owne fall : for ambitious men , who leap to greatnesse , for the most part , hop without heads , and too late repent their madnesse . to run 〈◊〉 euery vice pa●…ticularly , would require a 〈◊〉 ampler of themselues , then i haue allot●…d my 〈◊〉 . proceed i must to my third branch , the particular profit●… which redounds to euery priuate stat●… or family , from discourses of this nature . i know that the naturall deprauation of man is such , as that he fixeth his minde vpon that , which ( for the most part ) conferres least profite , and most delight : this is liuely exemplified euen in historicall discourses ; where we shall see men ( for the most part ) rather addicted to fabulous trauels , the suruey of str●…nge and neuer-heard of ilands , prodigious sights , monsters , chymera's , and meere imaginary fancies , then to such narrations as might minister instruction ●…nd benefite to euery particular reader . some we see delighted with the strange and incredible miracles of mandeuill : others with the victorious combats of our beuis of south-hampton : others , more conuersant with the tragicke histories of our time ( prodigies in part meerely inuented . ) and last of all ( which in my iudgement is worst of all ) others with the phantasticke writings of some supposed knights , ( don quixotte transformed into a knight with the golden pestle ) with many other fruitlesse inuentions , moulded onely for delight without profite . these histories i altogether exclude my oeconomy , or priuate family ; i haue culd out more beneficiall discourses for youth ●…o employ themselues withall ; producing a subiect from the pure cabbin of truth : not from the brain●… of euery quackesaluer , that runs out his inuentions by selling lyes at grosse-sale . to expresse our latine authors i need not , so much is our countrey be●…ited by translators , as the neat-heard in this houell may discourse as well of corneliu●… tacitus ( if he ●…now his mothers tongue ) as our best latinist . in my opinion no argument better for instruction then that authour : and if i should dwell vpon one , i had rath●…r insist vpon his phrases ( though seemingly perplexed ) then any other roman authour , how perspicuous soeuer . tranquillus writes true , but he vnrips the immodesties of the time with too long discourse vpon euery particular vice . nothing ( saith quintillian ) can be esteemed more perfect , then the elegancy and breuity of salusts speech ( presertim apud vacuas & eruditas aures ) and i assent to his opinion ; the singularity of his phrase was ( which may seeme strange ) without affectation : so aulius gellius ( a very aristarchus for the search of antiquities ) testifieth of him . neither was ●…abius afraid to entitle him , the chiefe of the roman historians , as thucydides the prince of the grecians . yet in these histories there is an exactnesse of vnderstanding required ; and more do their writings conduce to state-affaires , then priuate and domesticke employment . i will retire my selfe to such as may yeeld the reader no little profit by consideration had to the iudgments of god ; modestly mixing morall instructions with a sweet variety of diuine discourse : a matter which may seeme directly opposite to my first intention , but is not so ; for these histories which i meane to produce , are so grounded vpon infallible truths , as in that respect they may seeme to merite a morally diuine title . iosephus works i esp●…cially entertaine into my family , as best describers of the iudgments of god , expressers , to the life , of an obdurate and stiffe-necked generation . here to behold the incomparable beauty of that glorious temple ( the type of the coelestial temple ) founded by that wisest of men , & that peace of princes , salomon , defaced , and that citty which was once called , the citty of the great king , demolished , and laid leuell with the ground . then to direct our eye to the wonderfull iudgments of god in raising ciuil discords , and mutinies amongst the iewes themselues , the greatest means of their subuersion , the main predictiōs of their ruine and vtter destruction , before these warres came vpon them , yet their impieties not a whit lessened , their arme of sinne shortned , or remorse of conscience excited : no refuge to the religious , but defence to the wicked in euery place of the cit●…y ministred : then surueigh the pollution of that sacred temple , where altars were once erected , peace-offering sacrificed , and the prayers of the holy consecrated to god ; there nought but effussion of bloud , slaughters among themselues ( an occurrent remarkeable ) committing no lesse massacres vpon themselues , in the ceasing of warre , th●…n the romanes did in the heate of warre : being wholly exposed to tyrannicall factions in the citry ; to expose themselues to romane seruitude more easily . these examples of gods iustice , are worthy our obseruation , to admonish vs of our p●…culiar duties , carefull how we offend , serious in the administration of iustice : for how should we think he will spare the wilde vine , that hath thus dealt with his owne naturall vine ? when he hath delt thus with the greene tree , what will he do with the dry tree ? that vine was planted with his owne hand , watered with the dew of his especiallest fauours srom heauen , dressed and pruned , yet behold the wilde boare hath rooted it vp : et seges est vbi troia fuit : the truth of that history is so vndoubted , as besides his owne concordance in relating , there is none that euer made question of the truth and verity thereof , composing what he wrote , not by report of others , who speake ( for most part ) as they are affect●…d , but by the approbation of his owne eyes , the best outward directresses to inward knowledge . to this noble historian ( for he was nobly discended ) i may adde those excellent greeke writers , worthy and memorable : as nicephorus , evagoras , socrates , &c. for their diuine examples plentifull , the successe of the christians amidst the tirannies of the cruellest emperours wonderfull : the diuerse sorts of 〈◊〉 by those tyrant●… inuen●…ed , pittifull ; and ●…he dismall and terrible end of those bloud ▪ suckers , fearefull . heere thou shalt see an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aboue himselfe , with the acclamation of his people : not the voyce of man , but of god : a●…d presen●…ly behold ●…is pompe conuerted into loathsomnesse , his precedent ioy , to a subsequent pensiuenesse , and the ●…xcellency of admiration to a suddaine amazednesse ; he that seemed before a god , and no man , is now by god made the miserablest of man , forlorne and deiected : nay , if we would obserue the whole current of their histories , we shall see in them that god euer vsed to recompence the offendour with a punishment of the l●…e nature : nic●…phorus reports , how herodias daughter hauing begged the head of iohn baptist , chanced on a time to go ouer a maine riuer , frozen ouer with ice , where the ice presently parting receiued her , and meeting againe cut off her head , a true and euident testimony of gods iudgement . the like of that blasphemous wretch iulian , a foule mouth'd detractor from the glory of god : who on a time mocked a christian for talking reuerently of the bowels of chists co●…passions : but what end came of this miserable atheist : his bowels fell out of his belly being thrust through with a iaueling , confessiing the power of god with a regreate , saying : vicisti ô galilee , &c. yet vouchsasing to bestow no better name on him , then galilean , a fearefull end of a most prophane blasphemer . the like of dioclesian that cruell emperour ( and a great persecutor of the christians ) who , whilst he raigned seemed little or nothing to feare the diuine power of heauen , yet the history records , that feare was the greatest occasion of his death , no , that he died by a voluntarry feare , very iealous of the aire , least it should peirce his braine . these examples extracted from infallible grounds , may seeme the iudicious vnderstanding of the grauest , and fittest for priuate families , where order is best attained by examples : we vfe most to be moued , when we see the end of such a man , to caution vs ; who hauing led his life securely , concludes the period of his daies as miserably : and some haue i knowne euen of the discreetest and most vertuous parents , who to deter their children from drunkennesse , vsed ( like as the epirotes did with their children ) to hang the picture of a hog wallowing in a filthy pudle , with this inscription on it : nunc ebrius astet — neque suem sumpsisse suam formam : drunkard , if ●…hou wouldst see this forme of thine , come heere and see 't depictured in a swine . the lasciuious and sensuall worldling , deciphered with this character : myrha hanging in a chaine of gold about her father cyneras bed , with this impressa . hinc amor vt tenuit suspendet . the miserable wretch that makes his gold his god , best expressed by menedemus , with his spade , deluing and digging for life , with this mo●…r : sic mihi diuitijas famulique parti . trewest deciphering os all vices , proceeding from the exemplary 〈◊〉 of delinquents , committing what they like , and at last feeling what they like not : the best gouernment in priuate , proceeds from histories , and the serious reading thereof : the vertuous ma●…ron squaring her course , by that modestest of roman●… dames lucretia , making her ( colum her thorum ) her distaffe , her best companion in her bed , when her husband was absent : no vitious minde can depraue her , she is fighting at home with her owne passions , whilst colatine her husband , fights in the field against his countries enemy : but you shall see lentulus and aruns , their ●…iues rioting , and reuelling , in their husbands absence . if our historians , now a daies , would employ their lampes and oile in the deliuery of profitable history , such as might rather tend to the cherishing of the vnripned blossomes of vertue , then the nipping of them : how happy members were they , yea : that i may vse salusts words , though they retired themselues from publicke affaires , yet ; maius commodum ex eo ●…tio , quam ex ali●…rum n●…gotijs reipub : venturum : yet such haue beene the depraued humours of former times , that the best obseruors and relators , haue purchased little , saue enuy , for their labours : no , the very chiefest historians haue opposed themselues one against another . titus liuius was so violent against poore salust ( as seneca obserueth ) as he obiected that certaine things , transcribed by salust out of thucydides , though elegantly applyed , yet by him depraued and corrupted ; which aurelius fuscus also , noteth to be done , as it were , of set purpose by salust , to derogate from the excellency of thucydides writings : a meere detraction to such a worthy authour : but what workes meriting emulation , haue not euer had enuy for their attendants . i conc●…iue the reason to proceed from that of hesiod , who inferreth in professions , none to be more apt to en●…y one another , then such as be of one trade : figulus figulum odit : true , for where either singularity is required , or hope of gaine , there enuy is euer shooting her impoisoned arrowes : and ( for the most pa●…t ) ●…nuy raigneth there most , where our labours deserue most : the low mushrome is seldome touch●…d by the violence of any tempest , but the peering cedar is euer exposed to all vehemencies . for the particular vse of histories , and their f●…uite , i haue gathered these obseruances , extracted from a iudicious writer : expert he was in all histo●…icall rela●…ions , as his apt similitudes more fully demonstrate : what they are i haue heere set downe , and as contractedly ( as i could imagine ) for the benefite of cuery vnderstanding reader . if history comprehend in it any ceertaine documents for the instruction of mans life , i suppose it expedient for all men ; as well to select and make vse of it , as to rush violently into such most plentifull and fruitfull fields of history , where all exemplary grounds are in ample sort propounded . for what can be more pleasant , or more profitable , then in the theatre of mans life ; so , to be made wary and wise by other mens harmes ( and that without harme ) as to sit in safety , and yet to be instructed in all parts without ieopardy : chusing out examples of all kind , which thou maist apply vnto thy owne peculiar vse , vpon all occasions : and whereas history , is conuersant oftimes in the secretest counsels , importing the weightiest affaires of the greatest persons : we that are men do with greatest appetite couet them , as likewise to be interressed in their euents , because it is impossible ( through the shortnesse of mans life ) otherwise to abridge the successions of times , by the limit of our forgetfull memory : or to see the prosperous fortunes , successes , and ends of empires , or manifestly to conceiue the causes of euils , either priuate or publique ; or in euery hard and difficult assay , to haue a president before our eyes , of such things as were t●…yed before vs , or which were in hazard before they were attempted by vs : and that i may speake all in one word ; to iudge of things present , by things past , which is the property of a wise man , and discreetely to fore-see of what is to come by all succeeding euents . but it becommeth vs , to come so much the better furnished , by how much our history is with all fruits better fraught a●…d replenished : and whereas there is the very same difficulty in iudging rightly , as well of our owne , as anothers life ; there is none that can duely ( how piercing-ei'd soeuer ) iudge of anothers life , that hath not measured his owne : of both sides it is to be implyed , that not onely a maine difficulty is heere placed , but also before we be to this history addressed , it is required necessarily , that we be not onely endued with a certaine ciuill wisdome and moderation , but also to haue our liues grounded on a setled inten●…ion vnle●…se we will be miserably , and that perpetually , deluded with the vaine illusions of this life . for euen as it fares in a most sumptuous and royall banquet , replenished with all sorts of dainties , one thing seemes delightfull to one which is distastfull to another , sew things are liked of all , euery one being best pleas●…d with his owne , though all dishes be alike to the glutton : and as euery one's appetite is , so is he affected ; yet there is a meane ( which nature hath ordain●…d ) and a certaine kind of nourishment , which in it selfe is meerely simple and vncorrupted , and best agreeing with our bodies : from which , whosoeu●…r departeth so , as he crammeth himselfe aboue the bounds or determination of nature , will finde more in conueniency then profite in it : so in this diuersity of mans life , though the●…e be a thousand formes , and a thousand purposes , and as euery one is resolued in minde and iudgement , so he iudgeth of his owne and anothers life : yet there is one onely path of vertue , which whosoeuer keepeth and obs●…rueth wisely , he onely maketh vse of his life really . others , as in a doubtfull supper , when they inuite themselues to all pleasures , can neither find out in themselues or others what might deserue imitation , or whereto they might make recourse : but if there be any thing giuen to man by nature , which is in his power to vse well or ill , it behoueth him to vse great circumspection in the vse thereof : but what is he i pray thee , that will vse more exact consideration in all his words and works ( by the direct line of vertue ) then in the vse of such meates as are set before him ? and who thinks not himselfe sufficiently instructed herein ? in which how wonderfully are men deceiued ? supposing that discourse to be history , which teacheth the reader , ministring to him matter of learning ( yet so ) as a banquet ministreth vse and appetite to euery one as he is affected . this is the reason that we see some so delighted with the sweetnesse of reading , as obeying their owne pleasure , they loose the inestimable fruits thereof . such haue no other scope in all histories , then with which our generous musitions , vs●… to passe time away , vpon their instruments , employed in reading onely , to spend their weary houres , which be presently encountred with more wearisomenesse : for there is no pleasure in it , which hath no reference to uert●…e , the glitt●…ring obiect of glory and ambition exciteth others , and that which showes a flexibility of minde in all other things , vainely transports them to euery braue and eminent image , forgetfull how glorious and remarkeable examples are produced by writers ; not onely to follow vertue , and contemne honour offered vs ; but if a competitor were admitted vs to countermaund the authority of our honour , to endure him with patience ; yet , though none but fooles will purpose to aspire to such merited excellence , without the like meriting vertue : we see many men , by the very reading of excellent things , to taste in themselues a certaine kind of excellency , arrogating much to themselues , and resembling those tragedians , who imitate the state of such persons they represented , after they haue put off their habits . there be also ( but of these there be but a few ) ●…hom new , and vnacustomed things do delight ( men ●…f vulgar apprehension ) who hearing the state of emperors , for the most part , more esteeme the purple then the man , the picture the●… the work : so effectuall a force , doth history exercise , and imprint in the minde of the reader . now it is the scope , and draught of all histories to excite mans sloth , and to arme him against all dangers ; a●…d whereas the force of examples ( then which nothing can be imagined more powerfull to perswade ) tend especially to that end ; it commeth to passe that by the security of men ( who thinke other mens harmes little or nothing to concerne them ) such things ( as in themselues are memorable and worthy obseruatio●… ) be read and heard with a deafe and carelesse ●…are . to briefe , there be some also ( which on●… would hardly thinke ) offend in a more seuere , and critticke kind of reading : as if things should not be writ as they were done , but as they ought to haue beene done . where●…ore , partly by this curio●…ity , partly by that secu●…ity ( the very surfet of confused and rash reading ) it commeth to passe ( as in a body pestred with corrupt humors ) that a certaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or ill disposion of iudgement and opinion , which ought especially to be sound and sincere in the course of our life , and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or bad temperature , conuerting all food into ill humours , vseth to be contracted in vs : and as meate auaileth such as be distempered nothing , so no prosite at all by these meanes is ministred to our reading . i suppose thou s●… est how the very same reason is in reading history , & disposing the course of thy life : but this is certainly the greatest difficulty ( to wit ) the per●…ersenes of our iudgmēt , which is the speciali'st cause ; that we are not moued with examples as we ought , ●…ut what way as our minds is inclined and affected most : and this difficulty is no lesse then the other : forasmuch as writers so desc●…ibe things done , as they do not onely ●…arry fauo●…r , but follow their owne appetites ( like some builders ) euer interposing their owne peculiar iudgements , ( of their owne accord ) praising some things , ( though not praise-worthy ; ) and whatsoeuer liketh them , they imagine it worthy approbation : which ( surely ) if they did simply , it were easie to consent or dissent vnto them . but euen as cookes ( for the most part ) do more respect their maisters palate then his profite : euen so an historian ( i could wish the most did not so ) applies himselfe to the appetite of the reader . we are oft-times therfore deluded by these two meanes , our owne iudgement , and the preiudice of the author , not laying things open and naked , as they were done . an historian is the best interpreter of acts atchieued ; whose iudgement , i●… it chance to be corrupt , it commeth to passe , as when wine ( of it selfe neat and generous ) taketh either some wa●…t of the caske , or is corupted by some other distast , which either proceeds frō an imposture , or folly great & intollerable . we may see in one onely example , the iudgement of the writer : the prophane historian ascribeth the ●…uents of serious and weighty affaires , to the councell and industry of men ; al-be-it he hath sufficiently tried how fowly those men were deceiued in the euents . hence it is that men be drawne to great ●…olly ; that they , whose knowledge was scarce sufficient for the consideration of things subiected before their eyes ; and whose force and strength not much 〈◊〉 little worm●…s , should by one small successe arrogate the gouernment of the whole world vnto them . but a good historian teacheth thus : things ( saith he ) are purposed by man , but 〈◊〉 , and moderated by god ; whereby he riddeth the scrupulous reader both of folly and superstition ( a mischi●…fe no less●… then the other : ) and in all other pro●… good historians ( whose studies are onely consecrated to holinesse ) ought not to be ignorant of the agent and instrument wherein they differ , and what be their seuerall effects : the one mouing , and the other moued . but especially i admonish thee to this end ; that whereas i obserue many authors of that kinde , who for their exceeding force of innumerable examples , deserue to be read ; i could wish that the no●…ice-reader discusse with himselfe as circumspectly and seriously as he can by proposing to himselfe both the fruits which might redound , & the dangers which might occurre him in his reading : for to one that runnneth ouer all histories cursorily , or who rashly and vnaduisedly spends his time without any exact obseruance , of priuate or publicke duties , it commeth to passe as to countrey clownes , who in sacking of a neighbour citty , take spoile of some apothecaries shop well furnished with all receits ; where , prouoked with the sweetnesse of some iunkets or spices , being the first that came to their hands , and imagining the rest to be of the same sort , they swallow , sup vp , deuoure , and gormandize all before them ; whereby presently some are taken with a strange disease , others with a phrensie , most are bereft of life ; none but strangely distempered , which occasions laughter through all the army : for as mans life ( so history the image of mans life ) hath her commodities and discommodities : for the gouernment of mans life consisteth onely in the vse of his life . in these collections , as in a most cleare mirror , may our yong ga●…lant see into his errors : he shall be of necessity forced to distaste himselfe , till he haue relinquished his mid-night reuels , surceased from his licentious meetings , and reduced his disconsorting passions vnto a calme & retired harbour ; here the publicke magistrate shall be able to dispose of himselfe , and office deputed vnto him ; seeing matters worthy imitation , and precepts worthy the grauest and ripest consideration : one to instruct , others to correct , and all to make per●…ct this whole module of man. the philosophers axiome is : om●…e quod non ens est , malum est . and worse then no being , ( hau●… they ) who measure out their liues without a due proportion drawne from others , and applied to themselues instruction is the light of being , the directresse of liuing , and the best schoole-mistresse that disciplines vs dying : states publicke are managed by her , offices priuate admistred by her , and the wisest men haue desired to possesse her . no beauty more permanent , gemme more eminent , or treasure more excellent ; it beautifies it selfe , and no phydias could euer portray any picture so well as i●… portrayes it selfe . and what instruction better then that which comes from history , where the true image of our life is delineated , vertue in her best colours expressed , and vice ( without either shadow or pretence ) laid open and naked . the prodigall reades , and sees himselfe r●…presented in another person , he sees the miserable end of others , which ( vnlesse he will fall with open eyes ) must needs caution himselfe : he sees haire-brain'd courses , leaue both patrimony and reputation behinde them : penelopes woers , euer woing , neuer winning . the miserable wretch , that pincheth himselfe to enrich his vnthankfull posterity , may see the fruit of gathering perdi●…ion to himselfe , and oft-times occasion of ruine and speedy desolation to his surfeitting heire . here the braue souldier seeth his owne fame ; acts duly and fully expressed : not a famous exploite ( deseruing memory ) must be silenced , but the very name of the agent , ( ●…o excite others the more ) must be r●…corded . here the effeminate milke-sop , that fights best vnder his ladies flagge , first man that will come to a lasciuious banket , but last that will come to a pitched field : he ( i say ) must shew himselfe , though smally to his credite : yea , alcybiades ( though otherwise well deseruing of his countrey ) must be set out in his ignominious death , as well as his memorable life ; giuing vp the ghost in the lappe of his concubine tymandra . absolute histories will not admit of the least concealement ; but representing euery act , person , and euent , vse to illustrate what is worth insisting vpon , omitting ( or at least cursorily passing ouer ) more fruitlesse subiects : and how delightfull may it seeme to euery iuditious man , when in reading of ancient records , he conferres the stratagems of warre then vsed , with the present obseruance of this time : sees ( and seeing ) notes the sundry dispositions of men , how noble in themselues , and how generally esteemed inuincible , by a sudden conuersion laid low , beneath the stirrop of fortune , and made a spectacle of fate . then to obserue states , better gouerned in their decline then in their height ; and farre more able in power , when in the eye of the world least powerfull . the romans , when they had attained the very height of felicity , that all gouernements were their tributaries , then they began to stoope most vnder their burden ; and pressed with their owne grandeure , seemed to imitate the phoenix , who weary of her selfe , desired to haue her ashes renewed , but her selfe extinguished . what ambitious tyrants proud of their owne strength , and secure of diuine power , are laid flat in the height of their expectancies : so as where they pla●…ted the foundation of their hopes , there they were most defeated , to expresse the prouidence , & all-working maiesty of god , who disposeth of all gouernments , pulling down the tyrannicall empires , and setting wise and discreet princes in their place ; and no motiue ( of prophane writings ) more effectuall then histories , to draw vs to a consideration of ou●… selues , and the maiesty of god , whose excellencie beautifies this vniuerse , teaching vs to admire , and ( in our admiration ) to tremble and feare , having recourse to the incomprehensible iudgements , and secret counsels of the almighty . euery priuate family may draine hence vnspeakeable profit , obseruing the diuers casualties , and mutabilities subiect to euery one that is interessed especially in matters of state ; preferring their owne priuate , and free life , before popular admiration , so intangled with continuall incertainties . here may the poore husband-man , at his leasure , receiue tidings from forraigne courts : here may he learne what difference there is betwixt the coulter and the scepter , the share and the shield . here may the marchants wife , pitty her poore husband , tossed with so many aduerse windes , inuironed with so sundry dangers , and exposed to so miserable aduentures , she cannot chuse but play true at home , that hath a husband so faithfull abroad , who endangers himselfe to make her secure : why should any come into his hazard , that like a tenis-ball casts himselfe into euery hazard . here the wife of the valiant souldier may see what difficulties her distressed husband is exposed vnto , heat , cold , watching , hunger , thirst , al inconueniences , to propagate the glory of his country , & purchase himself a name eternally memorable . his poore family hath reason to poure out their prayers for his deliuerance , and thankfully ascribe all glory to the power of heauen for his safe returne . to be briefe , what particular estate not engaged to relations of this nature ? the mariner seeth his dangers ; & seeing them , obserueth the influence of the starres , and planets , the orion and the pleiades ; yet in all these obseruances , he gathers there is a power aboue , whom the sea and windes obey : to him therefore , as ( the expertest pilote ) he flies for succour , finding no harbour more secure , no repose more safe . the souldier sees into the discipline of armes ; and ( by history ) apprehends how a small handful of men haue oft-times conquered an army , to the iudgement of man inuincible : he sees into it , and admires the wonderfull power of god , who worketh oft-times directly against all meanes , to teach vs thus much : that his power is not limited to meanes ; but can effect ( without the least instruments ) what in his sacred synode he hath ordained . here the marchant seeth into the riches of the whole earth , how it pleaseth god to subiect all things to the seruice of man , to the end man might onely reserue himselfe for the seruice of god : he obserues the exceeding fauours of heauen shewne vpon earth , and he collects hence , that those ioyes , those comforts & exceeding treasures which he keepeth for the elect in heauen , must needs be great aboue all comparison . si ●…anta solatia in die lachrymarum , quanta conferet in die nuptiarum ? these considerations must of necessity moue him to play the good merchant , who finding one gem of price , will sell all and b●…y it . euery priuate houshold is a little kingdome within it selfe , and needs instructions ( though not soe consequently serious ) as the greatest palace , and royallest empire : order must be obserued in the one , as well as in the other , a principality in both , and a subiection to both . what fitter for the housholder to traine his children , seruants , and attendants in ( next diuine writ ) then the reading of profit●…ble sto●…ies , such as excite to vertue , and stirre vp their mindes to the vndertaking of some thing worthy a resolued spirit . i know the base minded groome hearing the prosperous successe of lucius quintius , who was chosen one of the patricij from his plow stilt , and afterwards by his valour and magnanimity , reserueth the name to this day , of triumphalis agricola : a poore husband-man sitting in his chaire of triumph , will desire by all meanes to imitate so notable a president ; scorning to rip vp the bosome of the earth , when he may purchase himselfe more fame by the deblazing his honour vpon earth . the home-spun sheepheard hearing the renowned acts of romul●… , fed and brought vp among sheepheards : and of cyrus , who bare himselfe a prince among sheepheards , will cast away sk●…ippe and sheepe-crooke , and behaue himselfe a worthy successor in their profession . the gardiner hath an emperour of his profession to imitate , and an honest one too , as his name implies , to wit , probus . the wood-man , or forrester , a pompilius . the diuiner , a zoroastres , and the philosopher , an anto●…ius . but many haue we , that we may better imitate then princes : as their state was eminent , so were their natures depraued . wee shall read that many of them were as good law-breakers , as law-makers ; and the greatest vices appeared least , ( though most approued ) in greatest men . they had euer vertuous pretences to shadow vice : sin became clothed in tissue . we shall see impunity of offence to be a great supportresse of them , presuming still on the kings mercy , & squaring their course to his discipline : for subiects loue to imitate their prince , either in vice or vertue : but more are there inclined to the worst thē the best , making this conclusiō , through long & inueterate custom of sin : which medea with that cunning & quaint discourse seemed to compasse , with this subtile preparation , laying this grand-hold of proceeding : fructus est scelerum tibi nullum sceleris putare : a position of machiauel : wherein euery iudicious reader may gather the admirable and inscrutable wisedome of god , frustrating their deuices , anhilating their purposes , neuer bringing their designes to effect : yea , which is more worthy our obseruation , making there the most fooles , where they thought themselues to be most wise : for their pollicies either in gouerning , or establishing empires , how farre short haue their purposes euer come to effects . examples i could produce many of this nature , as well diuine as morall . how safe thought cyrus himselfe established in his new translated monarchy , when behold his security ends as miserably , as his beginnings had a flourish of seeming happinesse : vnfortunate he was to be depriued of his hoped-for greatnesse , by a sex so weakely effeminate : soucing that head ( which was head to a powerfull gouernement ) in a tunnell of bloud , with this bitter inuection : satia te sanguine quem diu sitij●…ti , cuiusque insatiabilis semp●…r fuisti . the like of his successour cambyses , who hoping to plant himselfe in a royall throne by bloud , miserably ended his owne life by his owne bloud . an excellent and notable example of a sacrilegious and bloudthirsty-prince , who sought to establish himselfe by indirect meanes , ( to wit ) by the murther of his owne naturall brother mergis . i insist lo●…ger vpon examples because i haue oft-times found that sentence of demosthenes to bee most true : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . these examples being best motiues vnto piety , and indeed more forcible , in that we haue two occasions in exemplary precedents of imitation ; the one to caution vs not to do this or that , least we fall into the like punishment , being attended on by the like meanes : the other ( like a sweete lenitiue ) inducing vs by reasons drawne from profit , which we conceiue may redound any way by the like examples , which the poet seemes to illustrate when he saith : exemplo alterius qui sapit ille sapit . the greatest benefite in priuate , i imagine to be drawne likewise , from the right and exact vse of history : which particular good i haue ranked in the second place , and that is this : in priuate to behold the sundry dispositio●…s of princes and people : reasons whereof cannot be giuen , but onely from the temperature of the region wherein they liue : which reasons drawne from coniecturall grounds are oftimes deceiued in themse●…ues ; as in disposing or ordering of states to the square of wisedome . this benefite i haue gathered , and placed in the rereward : last obseruances ( i know ) take greatest impression , and none more needfull then this : when we shall haue commerce with any people , then to call to mind their disposition , least we incurre a greater mischiefe through our ignorance . strangely iealous are some nations , they haue actaeons eyes , perchance his eares : we must shew our selues modestly bashfull toward such ; euery lasciuious looke is as good as a comment for such men , taking our eye to be the directresse of our heart : others more prodigall of their wiues reputation , seeme respectlesse of their shame , or the hostage of honour , so they may encrease their estate , and raise their fortunes out of honours ruines . other people we know to be of a surly , proud , and intractable nature , liuing more by their owne will ( making it their law ) then the square of reason . others seemingly humble , more dangerous farre then the other ; vnder pretences religiously honest , masking treacherous and disloyall proiects : neuer lesse your friend , then when seeming most so : he hath a fleering looke , smooth face , sleeke tongue ; can obserue times , and for priuate aduantage ( like a second sinon ) vnbosome himselfe vnto you : there be no windowes in his heart , therefore beleeue him not ; if by the transparancy of thy eye thou couldst see into that rotten sepulchre of his sugred-poisoned hea●…t , thou wouldst admite so faire and beautifull an out-side , to haue so loathsome & hideous an inside : better charactred thou canst not haue him then by history , it is the best image of thy life , and can best set out in their owne natiue colours such deformed images . thy whole life wrap●… vp in experiments either at home or abroad , cannot tea●…h thee so much , as one yeares serious discourse in history will teach thee in one yeare . lvcid . scriptis aspiret meis , qui fa●…et voti●… ▪ finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a three-fold diuision . . scope of histories . . fruit of histories . . the profite redounding to 〈◊〉 families by histories . office of an●… historian . 〈◊〉 of transcriptories . seuerall fruits of history . profite of history . vsc of 〈◊〉 and example . imitation in vertue . . what s●…ile best seru●… an history . diuersity of affections . how studious the romanes were of histo●…ies . diuision of histories , diuine , discu●…siue , morall , physicke , or mixt . in noct. & di●… . not to mix●… sacred with prophane . vid. lypsium in prescript : in lib. de const . corrupters of scripture . discu●…siue histories . diuision of disc●…rsiue histories . faithfull historians . 〈◊〉 historian , and the sycophant historian . hiero & l●…rna . a mod●…st caution for all historians . the commendation of a sincere historian . fruitlesse labours . l●…centious 〈◊〉 . the satyricall historian . 〈◊〉 this hu●…or in the seditious and fact●…ous write●…s of our time . a true aphorisme . a memorable christian , and royall expedition . a mischicuous plot . factious historians amongst the ancient . an excellent meane for an historian to 〈◊〉 . lib. . satyr●… . a flattering historian . vicisses , si te vicisse , cognouisses . mouing historians . how to moue passion , and by what circumstances . liuely impressions of remorce drawne from the son towards the father . comparing of histories ve●…y necessary . a differenc●… amongst the pagans in their computation of yea●…es . vid. aul. gell. & laert. transcriptions oft-times vncertaine & defectiue . the variety of discourse in laertius . feigned relations or poeticall histories . homer an excellent & heroicke poet ; shadowed onely at , because my iudicious friend maister tho : heywood , hath taken in hand ( by his great industry ) to make a generall ( though summary ) description of all the poets liues . labours disparraged by translators . many illiterat of the exactest iudgement . hercul●…s labours . 〈◊〉 . in iliad . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . feigned histo●…ies approued tending to instruction . such histories onely merite that name , which yeeld profite with delight . morall 〈◊〉 . the praise of morall hist. a caution for your silken gallant . platoes definition . the fruite of morall reading . 〈◊〉 . these times , old in yeares , but yong in houres . the cause why learning is contemned . . . to whom death is not terrible . an excellent obseruation by a tyrant . morality man●… anatomi●… . the seuerall kindes of physicall obseruations . these two beasts , in nature & feature different , by one peculiar nation ( aegypt ) equally ●…euerenced , what princes best assected these studies . couragïous dogges . natures of beasts . 〈◊〉 ce●…ua 〈◊〉 . natures of plants . nature●… of mines . plutarch & suet. expedi●…nt not necessary . 〈◊〉 in●…lyta no●…ine truncus exhibuit . ●…one materna cura se prouexit embleme●… o●… birds . the contemplation of the crea●… ministe●… admiration in vs toward our creator . vid. sambucum & alciat . the distinct na●…ures of beasts expressed . vide lucium flor. in lib. do sab. be●…l . & pos●…ea de bello tarent . cap. ▪ si multo sanguine victoriam obticuissent , gallum : si absque sanguine , bouem marti i●…molarent . &c. resemblances in beasts . ●…sus tanquam orsus . seuerall pro●… resem ▪ bling seuerall persons . vid. aur. vict. natures of serpents , and of pagan 〈◊〉 . see the discourse of asia , and affricke , entituled : the far●…ell of fashions . in aulular . s●…ll . de contempt . mundi . singula solatia singulis malis obuiantia preparauit deus . august . the worme a motiue of thankfulnes , and the best charracter of humane frailty . diuersities of natures in fishes . iulis vide plinium quam ●…nacem piscem appellat , &c. contention amongst ●…ishes . the study of kings in plants , herbs , a●…d fruits , &c. to wha●… especiall resemblance these 〈◊〉 bee accommodate . plinius . teare-shedding trees . buxus amator●… languere similima visa est , pallor inest illi pall●…t & omnis amans . alciat . a resemblance of odou●…s , flowers and other beauties to the inward graces & ornaments of the minde . of pretious stones . iulium caesarem spe margaritarum , britanniam pet●…se . the ver●…ues of stones described . the patient man like ●…he stone gallasia ; hard as the diamond , cold like ice , not to be fired . or the stone amazantus , once on fire wil neuer go out . strange effects in stones . allusions of certaine stones to internall graces . of mine●…als . the northpart famous for copper-work , by their labor and industry yeelding no small benefite t●… their coun●…ry . a pretty cau●…ion for a miser . mixt 〈◊〉 mi●…t histories composed of all kindes . these requir●… a generall knowledge , & extend furth●…r then all the rest . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of wits . example of mixt histories . mixt histories ●…ost fruitfull . causes precedent directors to the euents . distinct proprieties in all historie●… . inclination●… different i●… princes . vertue euer ●…ttended with a prosperous end . policy her owne ●…ine exemplified . what subiect best concord●… with mixt hi●… . three things necessarily required in histories of thi●… nature . histories should be true absurdities in historians of our time . explanation in discouery of causes . a concord in circumstances amongst historians . the euent gathered by foregoing causos . tanti esse exercitum q●…nti imperato●…m luc. fl●…r . . lib. contempt of religion , the cause of realmes subuersion . this euen the very heathens haue obserued . in aur●…am cr●…teram delphos perferendam curasset . valer. max. such things as bee aboue vs , be not to bee argued of vs. kingdom●… 〈◊〉 to acknowledgement by the taste of ●…seties . causes directo●…ies of eu●…nts . a disposition , yet not limited , an order yet not coacted , a meanes yet not enforced : qui enim ( si voluit ) omnia si●…e medijs creare potuit , ea etiam siae medijs ( si voluit ) seruare potuit . many kingdomes much renowned , by that meanes , which makes them most debased : selfe●…ceit . honour the ●…st when it i●… deriu●…d from ●…r selues . 〈◊〉 . the wonderfull establishing of the turkish empire . concealed reasons not to be searched . dijudication of histories . ●…id . ●…siod . in noct. & di●… . sicut bestiae in eremo , ita genti●…es in mundo . greg : in moral . . cap. . virg. in a●…nead . superbire est supra regula ire . hae●… 〈◊〉 quae faci●… 〈◊〉 deum , &c. s●…neca deliberation n●…dfull in histories of main consequence . strange nouelties draw attentiō , mo●…e approbation , if probability be mixed in the discourse . opinions draw●…n from diuers authou●…s should bee reconciled . a double d●…fect , obstinate and ignorant . vid. aul. gel. in noct. a●…ic . words should bee accommodate to the matter , not the matter to the words . non ●…hi vanitati sestiuitas proprie cedit . a three-fold discourse branched into a threefold obseruance . three obseruances worthy our considerationinreading . vse of those three obseruances . the methode prosecuted . vse of history . the misers profite by history . a miser cannot be rich . a miser his owne hangman . a 〈◊〉 i●… two differ●…t dispositions . the liberall mans aphorisme . the character of a liberall man. examples of liberallity . an vsurer neuer found his countries friend . an vsurer bountifull against his will. examples of bounty an o●…gst the 〈◊〉 . planted is this cit●…y 〈◊〉 , on that 〈◊〉 moun●…ame agrag●…s . a memorable instance of hospitality . miserable end●… of misers . the young mans maze . o●…r predecesso●…s vertues motiues of imit●…tion q●…m propri●…tatis seruantissimum , voc●…t gelliu●… . histories best discouerers of errors . instances of famous delinquents . history the b●…st tou●…hstone to dijudicate ●…wixt what i●… good and ill . how to be maisters ouer ou●… selues . passions pro●…ding from 〈◊〉 - sicke louers , &c. a louer●… ●…phonesis . look vpon the history of antony and cleopatra . vid. val. max. lib. . cap. . 〈◊〉 fall of 〈◊〉 . third branch . particular profit drawne from history to particular persons . what fabulous histories more suff●…red then approu●…d vid. in vit . neron . aul. gel. in noct. attic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 wa●…re giue a●… 〈◊〉 b●…uty to the discours●… . 〈◊〉 is said to haue his tents there first pitched wh●…re our sauiour was taken . in mo●…tem oliuarum castra metans , &c. the iudgment of god in that history most remarkeable . diuine histories . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . punis●…ment alluding to the condition of the fact . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . v●…d . lud. vinem de educ . virgin . . lib. an vsuall meanes o●… reclaiming drunkards from their bestiall filthiness●… . euery vice briefly deciphered . oeconomicall 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 priuate families how to be dispos●…d . historian●… most p●…ositable to th●… common●… . enmity amongst historians themselues . hesiod . lib. a compendious discourse of the gene●…all profite of h●…story . an apt similit●…de . nulla volupta●… est quae non respicit virtutem . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in tit●…lis & imagini●…s . artificium beneuolentiae colligendae habe●…tes . gulam s●…pius quam commodum heri spectant . instruction the light of vnderstanding histories mirrors for all states . histori●… must n●…t 〈◊〉 . rome in her decay compared 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 . a christian consideration of the power and 〈◊〉 ▪ of god. profit deriued from histories to priuate families . merces domestica in coniugio longinqua in nauigio ●…ita est . the description of a mariners danger . the souldiers discipline by histories . all arts may be reduced to noble atempts and condigne fortunes by their owne professions . royall errors . machiuels position . iust. . lib. ipse enim gladio sponte sua euagin●…to in femore grauiter vuln●…ratus , 〈◊〉 , ibid. examples best motiues to piety , confirmed by the o●…ator demosth. noli obscurare faciem , qualis es talis appare . basilius . historicall rela●…ions , occasions of publique experiments . a comment upon the two tales of our ancient, renovvned, and ever-living poet sr jeffray chaucer, knight who for his rich fancy, pregnant invention and present composure deserved the countenance of a prince and his laureat honor : the miller's tale and the wife of bath : addressed and published by special authority. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a comment upon the two tales of our ancient, renovvned, and ever-living poet sr jeffray chaucer, knight who for his rich fancy, pregnant invention and present composure deserved the countenance of a prince and his laureat honor : the miller's tale and the wife of bath : addressed and published by special authority. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], p. printed by w. godbid and are to be sold by peter dring ..., london : . dedication signed: r.b. reproduction of original in the pembroke college (university of cambridge) library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng chaucer, geoffrey, d. . -- miller's tale. chaucer, geoffrey, d. . -- wife of bath's tale. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - apex covantage rekeyed and resubmitted - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - allison liefer text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a comment upon the two tales of our ancient , renovvned , and ever-living poet s r jeffray chavcer , knight . who , for his rich fancy , pregnant invention , and present composure , deserved the countenance of a prince , and his laureat honour . the miller' 's tale , and the wife of bath . addressed and published by special authority london , printed by w. godbid , and are to be sold by peter dring at the sun in the poultrey neer the rose-tavern . . ex dono ricardi attwood a. m. coll. soc . . collegium siv●●lula marice de valentia communiter nuncupata pembroke hall , to the highly honoured , and nobly accomplished , s r john wintour , secretary of state to her sacred majesty , the queen mother ; a loyal subject to his sovereign , a faithful servant to his countrey , a resolute sufferer for both ; r. b. his most devotional serviteure presents these illustrations , primarily intended , & purposely published , for entertainment of retired hours . this comment was an assay , whereto the author was importun'd by persons of quality , to compleat with brief , pithy , and proper illustrations , suitable to such subjects . a commentary upon chaucer's prologue to his millers tale. when that the knight , &c. our famous and ever-living chaucer , having in his knight's tale expressed the sweet comical passages of constant love , covertly shadowed under the persons of palamon and arcite corrivals in their love to emely : our merry host , infinitely delighted with the pleasure of that story , desires to have these tales continued , as the task was at first by him contrived . unbokled is the male , &c. a familiar and proper kind of speech , implying how their wits being now set a work , and the male of their conceits unbokled , none should be so unsociably retired , as to ingross his conceits to himself , and not have them discovered . now telleth sir monke , &c. he gives the monk pre-eminence ; but the drunken miller admits of no such precedence : his drink frees him from all monastick reverence . but in pilates voice he began to crie , and swore , &c. here he describes to life the humor of a drunkard ; fearful oaths are ever the overflows of full pots . our host saw that he was dronken of and said , abide robin leve brother , ( ale a pleasant contest betwixt our host and the miller ; whom he first mildly labours to perswade , but when no reason will prevail , he concludes , — tell on a devil way thou art a fool , thy wit is overcome . wherein the host discovers his anger , and in a passionate manner gives way to his humor . now herketh qd . the miller , all and but first i make a protestacion ( some , that i am dronke , &c. the miller makes strong liquor his apology , purposely to procure more attention , and incur less offence : for true was his observation in assayes of this nature : in telling tales , unless the truth we smother , in pleasing one , we may displease another . right cautious are we then to be of the nature and humor of the hearer , and to peruse him , before we disclose our selves unto him . — if i mispeake or say ( pray wite it the ale of southwarke , i you like a true ale-stake , he tels you where the best ale is ; and this was made good long ago , as may appear by that overworn proverb , the nappy strong ale of southwrike keeps many a gossip fra the kirke . he proceeds to the argument of his tale , in these words , for i woll tell a legende and a life both of a carpenter and his wife &c. this is the subject which must give life to his tale : but entring into more free discourse of the lightness of the carpenter's wife , and the carpenter's disgrace , he is interrupted by the reve in these words , the reve answered and said stint thy clap , &c. this reve being of the same profession , cannot endure to hear a carpenter defam'd upon any condition . he taxeth him for laying such infamy on mens wives . whose spotless honour is their highest treasure , and whose good name once lost , is lost for ever . this dronken miller spake ful sone agen and said , leve brother dswold , who hath no wife is no cockold . he proves that the husband's crest is in his wifes curtsie ; and to allay his fury , he confesseth freely that there are many good wives , amongst which , the reve's wife may be one , for ought he knows of . to demen of my self that i am one , i woll beleve that i am none . this agrees well with that tenet , which applied seasonably , may afford a soveraign receipt to jealousie : it is better to be one , and think him none , than to be none , and think him one . the old bard could sing as much : more blith that cockold looks , who thinks him none , than he who ne'xe was one , yet thinks him one . an husband should not be inquisitife of goddes privete , ne of his wife . an excellent rule of direction , including a twofold precept . first , not to pry too curiously into the secret cabinet of god's divine will. secondly , not to be too jealously inquisitive after the actions of his wife . for the former , as it is an argument of too daring presumption ; so the later , of weakness and indiscretion . what should i more say , but this miller he nolde his word for no man forbere , &c. here our ingenious chaucer displays the frontless boldness of a rustick . on he will go with his tale in spite of all opposition . in the end , our poet , out of a native and free-bred modesty , as one doubtful , lest some passages might offend the chast ear of a modest hearer , he directs him to other historical tales , plenteously stored with singular precepts of morality ; which , together with his own apology , he expresseth in these lines , and so weaves up his prologue . — uuhoso list it not to here tourne over the lefe , and chose another tale. a comment upon the miller's tale. whilom there was dwelling in oxenford a rich gnofe , &c. it giveth no less life than probable light to any story , to make mention of the place , person , profession , with other circumstances concurring . this induced our poet here , as elsewhere throughout all his tales , to express such a place where his scene is formed , such persons to whose condition his discourse is fitted , with all such passages , by which the conceipt of the reader might become artfully entangled , his expectance pleasantly deceived , and the plot at which he aimed , and by which he was directed , cunningly closed . you are to observe then , that the scene here , is laid in oxford ; in which shire , our poet was born and educated , and by rich. . with the mannor of newholme , in the same county endowed . a rich gnofe . a rich grub , or miserable caitiff , as i render it ; which interpretation , to be proper and significant , i gather by the sence of that antient metre , the catiff gnof sed to his crue , my meney is many , my incomes but few . this , as i conceive , explains the author's meaning ; which seems no less seconded by that antient english bard. that gnof , that grub , of pesants blude , had store of goud , yet did no gude . howsoever , we are to suppose him to be a lodger or tabler of scholars and other artists , for their chamber and weekly commons ; as he sheweth after . with him there was dwelling a poor scholer . this poor , hath been an epithete ( it seems ) for scholars in all ages ; but especially for astrologers , of which profession this scholar was , who spend so much time upon experiments and conclusions , and make such a pudder about jacobs staff , as they never leave , till they get a scrip to 't , and so make up a beggarly conclusion . if that men asken him in certain houres when the men should have drought or shouers . he professed certain ( but most uncertain ) conjectural notions of weather , and so probably he might , having ( as may be supposed ) an almanack in his bones , by the long familiarity he had with his hostess alyson , the carpenter's wife . howsoever ; it may well appear , that albeit he could judiciously prognosticate of seasons , and by turning of the weather-cock , gather where the wind was : it was but ill wind to him ; for it blew him no good . a chamber he had in that hostelrie , alone , withouten any companie , full tetously dight , &c. here he describes his chamber and furniture ; with the privacy he enjoyed , to make his studies more successfully fortunate , according to that of the poet , t' improve their knowledge , those who have desire , must learn to leave themselves , and to retire . whence we may ground , that retirement is the best means for improvement of knowledge . and he hemself as swete as is the rote of licores , or of any cete wall . here he glanceth wittily at the delicacy or effeminate privacy of this scholar : from whence he descendeth to the too accurate disposing or shelving of his books , his augur stones , with other mysterious appendices of his seldom practis'd art. likewise , to his press or wardrobe , where his cloaths were curiously folded , his table with stammel , or some other carpet , neatly covered , with his psaltery , or instrument of musick hanging at his bed-head , to give himself and the family delightful melody . this he fits with a song , to make his musick more compleat , himself more admir'd , and his suit by his hostess better accepted . thus spun our young astrologer out his time ; thus spent he his coin , the yearly pension which his friends allow'd him . this carpenter had wedded new a wife . an unequal marriage ; frosty age and youth cannot suit together . this disparity in years , begets a distraction in their affections : suspicious he is of her youth , and no less conscious of his own debility ; both which ( like speedy harbingers ) make ready way for jealousie . he knew not cato : for his wit was rude , that bad men wed his similitude . this was not only the advice of cato , but both of pittacus , and that cynick diogenes , who on a time , being sollicited by a young man , for his best counsel or advice touching his marriage , wished him to go forth into the streets , where the very children would direct him in his choice : like will to like . faire was this yong wife , and therewithall is any wisele her bodie gentle and small . here he descants on the beauty of this young bride . so small her wast , as nature made small wast . so sung our modern poet , which agrees well with his description : he compares her body to a weesle , of all other creatures , smallest , sleakest , and straightest . after this , he goes to describe her apparel ; which suits so well with the artless curiosity of that time , as every line finds out one native ornament to grace and beautifie her attire . her seint studded , or girdle , barred with silk ; her barm-cloath , or partlet , as white as morrow milk ; her embroidered smock , her colere of cole black silk ; the capets or tassels of her white uolupere , gorget or stomacher , suted to the same colour ; her fillet of silk , and set full high . and sikerly , she had a likerous eie . the eye is called love's dart. a wandring eye discovers the affection of the heart . it seldom roams abroad , but it either takes , or is taken . what an index is to a book , is the eye to the mind . full small ipulled were her brows two , and they were bent , and black as any slo . the brow is the beacon of fancy . a bent brow implies a soveraignty or command of affection . a black brow , constancy of resolution . she was moch more blisful for to see , then is the new perigenet tree , &c. here he sets forth the amiableness of her person in sundry proper and familiar resemblances ; wherein first , he metonemically compares the cheerfulness of her countenance to the peregenet-tree , for the fruit of that tree . secondly , the softness of her skin , and tenderness of flesh , being that euryale praised in her ulysses , to weatherwool ; the lustre of her complexion to danaes tower ; the clearness of her voice to a swallow ; her nimbleness to a kid ; the sweetness of her breath to braket or methe , or apples laid in hay ; her wantonness to a colt ; her goodly proportion and presence , to a maste ; her straightness , to a bolt . from these , he descends to such ornaments as she usually wore ; which ( no doubt ) received more grace from her , than she from them . with a broch as broad as the boss of a buckler , was she adorned ; with shoes or sandals laced : in a word , she was a primrose , a peerless paragon , a pigges nye , a bedfellow for any lord , a spouse for a good yeoman . all this is so fully , freely , and familiarly exprest by him , as it shall need no farther illustration . now sir , and eft sir , so bifel the caas that one day this hend nicholas fell with this young wife to rage & pley while that her husband was at oseney . opportunity is the bay or port of fancy ; many storms and billows did this amorous scholar incessantly suffer ; sundry rubs and oppositions did he encounter ; before opportunity wafted him to this long-expected harbour . at oseney ; an ancient abbey , distant scarce half a mile west from oxford ; seated in a vale no less fruitful , than delightful , whose very bels were formerly famous , in our old english catches . to this oseney was our carpenter gone , leaving his inmate astronomer at home , to turn over his books , and try whether the sign were in aries or no. much water goes by the mill , which the miller little knows on ; and some chips must be cut by the scholar , which our carpenter little wots on . to be short , as fancy cannot endure to be long ; our youthful boorder boords his amorous hostess , and that so familiarly , as it requires a curtain , for the love of modesty . passionate are his enter-breaths ; affectionate his protests ; intimate his love ; desperate his life ; if he may not enjoy what he seems only to love , and without which , he desires not any longer to live . but relentless she seems , howsoever she means . she said , i woll not kiss thee by my faie , why let be , quod she , let be nicholas , or i woll cry out , harrow and alaas , &c. true is that maxim ; follow love , and she will fly you ; fly your love , and she 'l come nigh you . how far will some young wenches seem from taking , when they are most taken ? what a weak kind of wrestling they will use ? what an easie resistance they will make ? what a pattering with their lips , as if they would cry out ? but our experienc'd youths do little fear them , for if they cry , they 'l cry that none may hear them . but quite another course takes this our nicholas ; what he cannot win by a violent assault , he hopes to obtain by an easie parley : nor is he frustrate of his hopes , having prevail'd as he expected . this nicholas gan mercy for to crie , and spake so fair , and profered her so fast that she her love granted him at last . this argued our hostess alysons good nature , who would not be won by violence , but by a more easie and affectionate temper . she confirms her self his , and swears by s. thom. of kent ( an usual oath in those daies ) that she will be at his command : provided , that opportunity prevent all occasion of jealousie , to which infectious jaundise her husband was infinitely subject . nay thereof care ye nat , quod nicholas . alyson's consent quickens nicholas conceit : it rests now , that he contrive some plot , that he may with more conveniency branch the carpenter's pate . she accords to his device , and gives way to whatsoever he shall work . this , as it was their first amorous encounter , they express their mutual love in lip-labour , hopeful promises of a succeeding favour : so the poet observes : who knows not , lips are gates to those that woo ? which freely ope , grant farther entrance too . this curtsie he requites with a pleasant new tune on his psaltery . thus cheers she his lip with her kiss , he , her ear with his melody . than fell it thus , that to the parish cherch ( christs own woorks for to werch ) this good wife went on an holy day ; her forhede shone , &c. here he turns aside from the former subject he had in hand , and enters into another discourse ; wherein , he first tels you of our hostess repair to the church ; but in so trim and neat a dress , as by all probability she resorts rather to see and be seen , than hear and be taught ; for fashion , than devotion : afterwards , he descends to speak of the beauteous feature , and curious attire of the parish-clerk , absolon . now was there of the chirch a parish clerke , the which that was cleped absolon , troule was his heer , &c. in this description he glanceth at the pride of the clergy ; shewing how vanity began to strut within the wals of a monastery . for if a poor parish-clerk must be so curiously dressed , as to have his hair curled , and so womanishly disheveled , his eyes so effeminately pilled , his shooes artificially carved , and in all points so completely accoutred ; what may we think of those , whose revenues were greater , places higher , and whose persons , in the eye of the world , more popular ? such poets , these corrupter times require , to tax our clergy boldly , where such who should be exemplary practicers and professors of humility , become too much admirers of apish formality , and too serious followers of these shadows of vanity . but such witty evasions have some of these , as i never see any of them , but they put me in mind of the pregnant and present answer of that sprusado to a judge in this kingdom , a rigid censor of mens habits ; who seeing a neat finical divine come before him in a cloak lined through with plush , thus encountred him : sir , you never read that paul ever went in a plush cloak . but i read , my lord , said he , that paul left his cloak at troas , and whether that cloak was lined through with plush , or no , it is more ( my word ) than either you or i know . for to point at some of these both in diet and habit ; in stead of locusts and wild honey , they must ( good men ) content themselves with lobsters , cramm'd capons , and coney ; and for raiments of camels hair , damask cassocks down to their heels ; and for leathern girdles about their loyns , formal fashes , or apostolical , canonical roses , to enamour their loves ; with downie cushions for their knees , in their rare , short and sweet orisons to their lord : but too tedious are such tasks for fat bellies . we will go on with our tale. a merry child he was , so god me save , well coud he let blood , clip , and shave , in twenty manner coud he trip & daunce . an excellent description of a parish clark ; it seems he was a jovial boy ; and left his too loose or irregular conversation might bring him to a deprivation , and so exclude him from the benefit of his profession , he initiates himself sufficiently in other trades : he can play the barber-surgeon , in cases of necessity ; and keep a dancing school to shew feats of his activity ; he can play the musician too , and make taverns and tap-houses resound with his melody . this absolon , that was joly and gaie , goeth with a censer on a sundaie , censyng the wives of the parish faste and many a lovely look on hem he cast , and namely on this carpenters wife , &c. a fit person for such a personal employment : he carries a censer for cupid's altar . many objects he eies ; sundry amiable presentments he views ; yet comparing them with this matchless alyson , he holds them all inferiour beauties below comparison . and absolon his geterne had itake for paramours he thought for to wake , and forth he gooth jolly and amerous till he came to the carpenters hous . long and tedious had this task been to absolon , had he bestow'd it upon his devotion . love's watchful eyes may be properly compared to those three hesperian sisters ; their portels are never closed , but ever vigilant to prevent an intrusive rival . now are we to suppose him mounting the carpenter's wall , where , directly under the beauteous alyson's window , who lay closely locked in the unweldy arms of her jealous husband : he chants out some amorous roundelay , to which he tunes his melodious gittern . long had he not warbled in this manner , till the carpenter awakes out of his leaden slumber . this carpenter awoke , and heard him sing , and spake unto his wife , and said anon what alyson , here 's thou not absolon , &c. hourly fears , daily frights , and incessant cares beget broken sleeps , short rests , and disquiet dreams . the carpenter's head lay on so hard a pillow , being , as he thought , stuft with horn-shavings , as his sleeps could not be long . he awakes his alyson , who , perhaps , was awake before he call'd her . and she answered her husband therewithal , yes god wote john , i here it every dele . notably did he express the effects of fancy , who sung thus ; th' effects of pow'rful love , do best appear , when passion feeds the eye , and fils the ear. how our alyson's affection was seated , or her senses sated , might hence be probably gathered : like a second dulcina , she seeming slept , but did not sleep ; heard , yet would not hear . a favourable gloss would interpret thus : she was loath to disquiet her diseased husband , or put a disgrace on this amorous clark ; this ( as may be well imagined ) begot in her a resolved silence . nor will absolon , though he receive small comfort in his suit , omit the least opportunity for alyson's sake . he wooeth her incessantly , walks all the night long constantly , kembs his locks curiously , price and prayer intercede for him powerfully , he vows to become her servant ( in those daies a rare kind of complement ) he quavers in his musical aires melodiously , he sends her pyment , methe , wafers , and choicest spices , to win her love with presents of delicacy ; he shews her proofs of his activity , and in theatral actions personates herod in his majesty . but what availeth him , as in this caas she loved so , this hende nicholas that absolon may blow the bucks horne &c. all his labour is but in vain ; fruitless are all these tasks ; to no purpose his late watchings . these are but as if he striv'd to make the blackamore white : this our poet confirms with an usual proverb in those daies . full sooth is this proverb , it is no lye , men say right thus , alway the night flie maketh the ferre leafe . as if he should say , daily company passeth holiday love . absolon hath too strong a corrival of nicholas , to prevail in his purchase . long familiarity strengthened with domestick acquaintance , hath so firmly cemented their affections , as all this trim clark's rhetorick cannot dissolve it . now is it high time for them to address themselves for their project . and so bifell it on a saterdaie this carpenter was gone to osnaie . it may seem that he was carpenter to the abbey , by his usual resort thither : as sundry other artificers were constantly retained , and by a yearly pension tied , to repair any such ruines or decaies , as casually befel in the abbey . this nicholas no lenger would tarie , but doeth full soft unto his chamber carie both meat and drink &c. nicholas becomes his own purveior , and has now betaken himself to his chamber , to devise some plot to deceive the carpenter , and possess him of his dearest paramour . private he must be ; and retired , and as one with an extasie surprized , lie gaping as if he were planet-struck . directions to this purpose are given to his alyson , that the plot may draw on to a fairer conclusion . all saturday nicholas mues himself up in his chamber , where he bestows the day in his repast or repose ; and so continues on in this his pleasant restraint till sunday night : which long restraint of nicholas liberty , drives our simple carpenter into a marvellous perplexity . this selie carpenter hath great merbeile of nicholas , or what thing might him eile , and saied : i am a drad by s. thomas it stondeth not aright with nicholas . he is now grown as jealous of nicholas life , as he was before of his alyson's love. first , by falling into consideration of man's frailty , he fears that he died suddenly : and this he holds more probable , by recalling to mind a spectacle of mortality which he had lately seen . i saw to day a corse born to cherche that now on monday last i saw him werche . this confirms him in his fear : longer he will not debate the matter ; forthwith he must be resolv'd what is become of nicholas , of whose safety he becomes so suspicious . one then must be directed , and sent to his chamber , to see what is acted . go up ( qd he unto his knave ) anone cleape at his dore , & knock fast with a stone . on goes this rude usher , to observe his master's command : he cries shrilly , knocks stoutly , presseth him to answer boldly ; but nicholas , as one taken with a fit of astrology , resolves him with silence . at last , lest he should leave his master still in suspence , and so procure his displeasure , he seeks about till he finds an hole or passage , where a cat us'd to creep in ; where he pries like a cat for a mouse . till at the last he had of him a sight , this nicholas sate gaping ever upright , as he had keyked on the new mone . here plays nicholas the part of a profound astronomer ; and h 'as one trick above ela , wherein none of all his fellow-consorts or astronomical professants can ever come near him : for he by help of his prospective glass , can distinctly and apparently discover all the starry regiment quite through the roof of his chamber . howsoever , doubtless he gapes for some preferment , or else to make an asterisme of his mouth , where some constellation or other may certainly fix . this could not chuse but beget a wonderful amazement in this pitiful spy. adowne he goeth , & tolde his maister sone in what aray he saw this ylke man. this increased the number of his distracted fears , as may appear by the sequel : for presently upon return of this sad relation , this carpenter to blissen him began and said : now helpe us seynt frideswide . a saint in those daies usually invoked , when any one was either blasted , bewitched , or by a spirit haunted . divers are his conceipts of nicholas ; sometimes he thinks that his much study hath made him mad ; other sometimes , that he labours of some other malady , & that now he is struck into a dangerous extasie , which requires some present remedy . amidst these various doubts and distempered fears , far more wisely than could be well expected from the conceipt of such an head-piece , he imputes the cause of this distemper to his too curious search or enquiry after gods secrets . i thought aye well how it should be , men shoulden not know of gods privete &c. this he confirms with a late accident . right so fer'de another clerk with astronomy , he walked into the fieldes for to pry upon the sterre , to wete what should befall , till he was in a marlpit yfall . columella observes , that man of all other creatures , hath one muscle to erect his eye upward , whereas others are depressed , and haled downward ; yet this was not given him to eye that which is concealed from him . we are so to admire the creature , as in it we adore the creator : we are so to bestow the eye of our outward man , as we darken not our inward light : for by fixing our eyes too intentively on objects of secrecy , we may justly fear , lest we should be consumed by the beams of his glory . it is a good lesson which that sage so seriously recommended to his scholars ; be not wise overmuch ; lest ye become ignorant in that which you should know most . but little needed our carpenter fear the depth of study in his astronomer . a better course therefore he resolves of ; and that is to cudgel him out of his humor , and so cure this threatning distemper . get me a staffe . madness must be cured by correction , and spare diet. spare , did the carpenter think , were nicholas's commons ; albeit , he had better provision in his knap-sack , than he knew of . he means therefore to correct his humour on the one side with bombasting , as the patient on the other side had practised on himself by fasting . he shall out of his studieng , as i gesse , and to the chamber dore he gan him dresse . though nicholas might justly commence an action of forcible entry against his unruly host , where he was farmer , during the lease of his chamber ; seeing his door raised from the hasps , his deep studies disturbed , his astronomical slumber disquieted , and all things topsie-turvy turned , yet would not he budge a foot , but like one made up in wainscot , this nicholas sate as still as any stone , and ever gaped upward into the eire &c. this troubles john carpenter more than all the rest ; who verily thinks that he is either fallen into despair , and therefore , like a discreet monitor , puts him in remembrance of some devout meditation , by awaking him from that lethargy or amazed distraction . or else , that he is forespoken , or blasted by some ill spirit , which makes him use his charm to cure this mischance . i crouch the from elves , & from wicked wights ; therewith the night spell he said anon rights , on four halves of the house about , and on the dreshfold of the dore without . here he repeats the night-charm used in those daies , when they shut their doors at night , and opened them in the morning : confirmed by that old sylvane charm , fawns and fairies keep away , while we in these coverts stay ; goblins , elves , of oberon's train , never in these plains remain , till i and my nymph awake , and do hence our journey take , may the night-mare never ride us , nor a fright by night betide us : so shall heav'ns praise sound as clear , as the shrill voyc'd chantecleer . scarcely could nicholas keep his countenance , when he heard the carpenter run so glib with his spels : but having indentted with his face , not to blush , with his eye , to look up , and his tongue , to be mute ; with a constant boldness , a fixt amazedness , and a resolved silence , he performs his plot , that at night he may enjoy his place . and at the last this hende nicholas gan for to sike sore , and sain alas , shall all this world be lost ? now is nicholas awak'd out of his trance , and to the carpenter's great grief , discovers what he has seen in his astronomical dream . which , at first , his host seems to slight , wishing him to think on god. this nicholas answered , fetch me drinke , and after woll i speke in privete of certain things , that toucheth the and me . though nicholas's vision was moist , his mouth was dry ; down goes the carpenter to quench the astronomer's thirst ; and now returning with a large quart of mighty ale , that might compare with stingo , for it would cut a feather , they toss'd the cannikin lovingly one to another : which done , and having set the carpenter by him ; nicholas begins ; yet before he has well entred into his sad story , the door being first shut , he solemnly swears his host to keep counsel in a secrecy of such high consequence ; for should he discover what he imparted , his light discovery would be throughly revenged . nay christ it forbid for his holy bloode , qd tho this sely man , i am no blabbe &c. now he begins to give better ear to this heavy relation ; and vows to be secret , upon any condition . now john ( qd nicholas ) i woll not lye i have yfounden in mine astrologye &c. a deep red youth , and such an one as will not stick to belie his knowledge , rather than want admirers . amongst those then may he be well numbred , who pretend a familiar knowledge to all the houses of heaven , and yet can scarce pay house-rent for their own . see how his banks overflow ! he discovers the time of this dangerous deluge to a minute . the rain which fell at noah's flood , was but an april shower to this inundation : within one hour must the whole world be drowned , only those few saved , which by his rare and mysterious art are preserved . the weakly-credulous carpenter believes him ; having never seen the bow in the cloudes , or never heard for what token of covenant it was given . thus shall mankind drenche , and lese her life , this carpenter answered and said , alas my wife ! and shall she drenche ? alas mine alysoun &c. there is nothing perplexeth him so much as the loss of his dear alyson . pity it were , thinks he , that so prety a morsel of flesh should go the way of all fish. so as never till now begins he to provide for his own safety , wife , and family . — is there no remedy in this caas ? as if he should say , alas , my learned guest nicholas , must we be all meat for haddocks ? no remedy ? no means of safety ? 'las , for my self i care not so much ; for i have the one foot i' th grave already ; i am not a man long for this world : but that my alyson , who is in the very flower and prime of her time , the very daisie and honey-suckle of her time , that she should become provender for a sea-horse , or lodge in the guts of a whale , it would make any ones heart yern within him , that has any man's blood in him . besides , for her age , she may have many pretty chips when i am gone . o then , good guest nicholas , provide for her safety , if not for mine . who knows not , but if you two can agree , she may be meat for you , when i am worms-meat . thus might the poor carpenter seem to have expostulated with his learned astronomer ; as one desirous to receive some small comfort from this profound artist , which might minister a remedy in cases of such urgent necessity : and afford to his alyson ( whom he preferred before all his family ) some promising hopes of safety . is there no remedy ? yes , yes , full good ( go hende nicholas ) now begins he to lay his lime-twigs more cunningly : he gives the deluded carpenter directions how to prevent this imminent danger : he repeats unto him the story of noah's deliverance . nothing is to be undertaken rashly , without serious advice and deliberation ; yet in regard both of the apparency aand imminency of that danger , he adviseth him to take some speedy course , that the peril may be seasonably prevented , and their safeties procured . this asketh hast , and of an hasty thing men may not preche , ne make tarying ; anon go get us fast into this inne a kneding trow , or else a kemelin , for ech of us . here must the carpenter be sent his errand : he must provide materials for his security . though every tub be to stand upon his own bottom , every one must not strike on his own tub. thus is this carpenter appointed to become purveyor against this great deluge . and love makes all tasks light ; for , not the fear of death , but the love of his dear alyson , which he preferred before his own life , quickens his wind-gall'd feet , to prevent all occasion of fear . but this dark and mysterious artist nicholas , adviseth him withal , that in no case he discover this secresie , either to his man robin , or his maid gille ; for they are barred by name from all hope of safety : neither is it sitting that he should be too inquisitive touching gods privacies , touching the preservation of some , and subversion of others . let it suffice him , that these means are provided for the deliverance of himself and his alyson . go now thy way . the troughs now are to be provided , and sufficiently victualled , with hatchets to cut them down from the roof where they are to be tied , when the flood hath once entred . a passage too must be made for these marvellous barges through the main wall into the garden . than shalt thou swim as mery i undertake as doeth the white ducke after her drake . a proper and familiar comparison . two especial inducements there were which moved this careful carpenter to address him to his laborious task : the first was , security . the second , soveraignty . light is that labour which may safety bring , in doubtful acts , fear 's an ingenious thing . that the carpenter likewise aspired to soveraignty , might be probably gathered by that comfortable hope of an universal monarchy , which nicholas suggested to him . and than we shall be lordes all our life of all the world , as was noe and his wife . this sets the carpenter upon his pantofles ; while the learned clerk nicholas adviseth him by all means , that when every one is to enter into their roof-trough or kimelyn , none speak one to another , but with a constant and reserved silence remain as still as the night . john must not speak to his alyson , nor alyson to her john. besides , these kneading tubs must be divided by equal distance one from another . thus is the plot contrived , and no less successefully continued . the carpenter's credulity promiseth a fair issue to this torrent of astronomy . this ordinaunce is said , go god the speed , tomorow at night , whan men ben all a slepe , into our kneding tubbs woll we creep . love will creep where it cannot go . dark and straight is that crany , through which love cannot find out a way . by this , you may collect , how the carpenter hath his commission sealed , his pasport granted , and all things facilitated for so terrible an occurrent . this sely carpenter goth forth his way full ofte he said alas , and welaway , and to his wife he told his privete , and she was ware , and knew it bet than he . notwithstanding his great hast , he will take so much time , as to impart this secrecy to his dearest alyson ; who , as she was known to the plot , conjures him by all those professions of love which he had ever vow'd her , to follow the advice of their learned guest : she cunningly aggravates all those seeming occasions of fear , which wrought strongly enough already on the carpenter's imagination , so as it little needed any re-impression . this sely carpenter beginneth to quake , him thinketh verily that he may se does flodde come waltring as the see &c. such strange effects works a possessed fear . he considers not the improbability of this relation , but seemingly apprehends the present approach of this fanatical deluge , with all those menacing dangers which accompany it : yet must not this fear foreslow , but accelerate his dispatch . the three tubs are provided , victuals purveyed , and these necessary store-houses in the roof reared . besides , that all things might be with more secrecy carried , robin and gylle are removed , and to london upon a sleeveless errand directed . and on the mondy , whan it drow to night , he shette his doore , without candel light , and dresed all thing , as it should be and shortly clomben up all thre . he had purposely fixed sundry rings or wooden pins , by which , as by stairs or stalks they might climb into their tubs : where , with a constant and continued silence , they lay closely immured ; while the carpenter lay trembling and shaking , hourly expecting this fearful inundation : but nicholas and alyson ever thirsting and longing for the carpenter's good rest , that with the active joyes of love they might seal their affection . the carpenter applies himself to his devotion , as if he and all the world were near their dissolution ; but these two amorous souls pray for nothing more , than his rest , and their recreation . the deed slepe , for wery besinesse fel on this carpenter , right as i gesse about curfewe time . the many employments to which this carpenter stood engaged , had with a various medley of cares and fears so over-wearied him , that as one now resolved to sleep out that small scantling of time which is left him , about cock-crow he bids a silent good-night to learned nicholas , and lovely alyson . love's eyes are open , and can take no sleep , while aged eyes their leaden slumber keep . which security gives them opportunity ; he snorts not so fast in his tub , but they hast as fast to leave their tubs , and go to bed . and doun of the ladder than stalketh nicolay . and alyson full softe after she spedde , without words mo , they went to bedde . as this feat was by both equally plotted , so are they now in the conclusion mutually pleased . the carpenter's age enjoyes more rest than their youth . let night's sable curtain enskreen these dark actions . lust's palace hath but very few minutes of contenting solace . they may sate sense for a time , but never satisfie reason with an inhibited touch . we are now to retire a little from this discourse , and descend to our love-enthralled absolon , who desires nothing more , and hopes to deserve nothing less , than to enjoy fair alyson's love : to whom he addresseth his course . this parish clerke , this amarous absolon that is for love alway for wo begon upon the monday was at osenay with company , him to disporte and play . if god have his church , the devil will have his chappel ; yea and his chaplain too . absalon repairs to the abbey of osenay , where he employs the day , not in devotion , but in a serious inquisition after john the carpenter , and his beloved alyson . private conference he hath with a cloysterer , in whose relation he conceives infinite pleasure . for by his means he receives intelligence of the carpenter's absence from home : which opportunity chalkes out a seasonable time for absolon's jubilee . some maner comfort shall i have parfaye my mouth hath itched all this long daie that is a signe of kissinge at the leest all night me mette eke , that i was at a feest therefore i woll go slepe an hour or twey and al the night then woll i walke and pley . he conjectures by the itching of his mouth , that he shall be graced at least with a kiss ; which prediction he found most true , as you shall read in the tale hereafter . it is most certain , what the comedian sometimes wittily observed : we dream by night what we most think of by day . this youthful quirister meditated of nothing so much all the day long , as of kissing comfits , and luscious feastings . and these were the subjects of his dreams . in the amorous discoursing and discussing whereof , he sets this up for his rest : he will go sleep an hour or two , that he may more ably turn night-walker , or more properly , eave-dropper . for alyson's chamber-window must be his rendesvouz ; where he resolves to sing his apocryphal catches . whan that the first cocke hath crow anon up riste this joly lover absolon . he sleeps not his business . and to make himself better accepted , at poynt-devise must his body be attired ; his breath , to cure all rankeness , must be with cloves , granates , and lycorice sweetned ; his hair daintily trimmed and tressed , under his tongue a true-love flower couched , to make his designs more auspicious , himself to his love more gracious . up to the carpenter's house he hyeth , where he stayeth , and sueth . what do ye honycombe , swete alysoun ? my fayre birde , my swete sinamome . how this dapper youth melts with love ! his amorous oration is all honey and cynamon : he cals her his honey-comb , and she makes him her coxcomb . then he descends to speak of that uncessant anguish of mind that he suffers . like a lamb after his dam goes he bleating ; like a turtle for his mate waits he mourning : as a maid without meat sits he fasting ; yet for all this , like a calf she discards him . go fro the window , iack foole , she said , as helpe me god , and swete saint iame i love another , or els i were to blame well bet than the ( by iesu ) absolon go forthe thy way , or i woll cast a stone . this sweet cynamon clark is properly rewarded ; she vows to stone him , quite contrary to his expectance . she prefers the stars before the quire. her nicholas she enwreaths and enjoyes ; mean time let the poor quirister chant his humming catch to the seven stars : let him cool his toes in moonshine , while she is rid of him she loaths , and enjoys him she loves . yet , lest absolon should be numbred among those weak wooers , who relinquish their suit upon the first repulse , he rears his battery , though with a more easie sollicitancy , than he did at first . alas qd absolon , and welaway that true love was ever so yuel bysette than kisse me , sin it may be no bet &c. he remembers , it seems , the presage of his itching lips ; the height of his amorous ambition is now confin'd to a kiss . all his night-labour is now brought to lip-labour . which suit our beauteous alyson , in meer compassion , rather than any affection to his person , thus answers , wilt thou than go thy way therwith qd she ? yecertes lemman , qd this absolon . small favours would not be neglected , because they may be introductions to higher curtsies when occasion is offered . mean time absolon prepares his cynamon mouth for a tast of an unsavoury curtsie . he takes his corporal oath of his constant fidelity , and makes alyson's posteriora's the book he swears by . whence observe , with what intollerable petulancy she jeers the poor cloysterer ! all this while , you may imagine , nicholas slept not ; but heard this untoward dialogue , after his long wished , wooed , and now enjoyed amorous encouner . to whom she imparts her plot , which he approves , and she effects . the window she undoth , and that in haste have do ( qd she ) and spede the fast let not our neigbours thee espy . this absolon gan wipe his mouth full drie a civil preparation for an uncivil salutation . now at last he perceives how something ever hath some savour : but small sweetness tasts he in her too low curtsie , under favour . abacke he sterte , and thought it was amis . his experience had inform'd him sufficiently in the knowledge of a woman's lip : this had not that smoothness which he expected . yet ( quoth he ) i may be deceiv'd . dame alyson may have an hair-lip , for ought that i know : while he thus expostulated the case , te he qd she , and clapt the window to te he , a word of disgrace , scorn , or contempt : she laughs at him after she had galled him : before she shut the window to , had she shut her back-door too , absolon had receiv'd the greater curtsie , and she exprest the more civility . but being thus , not only rejected , but disgraced ; absolon goeth forth a sory paas a berde , a berde , said hende nicholas . nicholas has a fine world on 't ; his host is incaged , his hostess in his arms inclosed , his corrival discarded , and new conceits arising , other contents hourly devised . this sely absolon herde it every dele and on his lippe he gan for angre bite and to himselfe he said , i shall the quite the worm will turn again . poor absolon thus abused , of his sleep deprived , casts about in his mind how he may be revenged . he cannot endure to sit down with this wrong : his fancy is now changed into a frenzy ; his love to revenge . many had he serv'd , yet was he never so answered ; many had he lov'd , yet never so rewarded ; many had he kist , yet never any lip that so relished . his passion in the end works it self into a vertuous compassion . for he was healed of his maladye full ofte paramours he gan defie and wepe as doth a childe that is ybete . what rare effects will the apprehension of a conceived disgrace produce ? first , it dictates of revenge ; then it begets an inbred hate to the object before loved , and by whom the disgrace was occasioned : after all this , it resolves into tears , till opportunity be offered , that the intended revenge may be inflicted . a softe pace he went over the strete unto a smith men callen dan gerveys &c. absolon having received such rough entertainment in venus court , flies for revenge to vulcan's forge : where he beats his brain intollerably , about the manner of his revenge . stronger is his desire , than his conceit ; yet becomes that so quickned by passion , as now he assaies to execute , what his doubtful imagination hath so many several waies projected . his pate is his anvile , the forge his study ; so as , i may properly apply those antient verses , upon this occasion , to our truant chantery-man . that scholar well deserves a widdie , who makes his study of a smiddie . well ; suppose him now cooling his toes at the blacksmith's door , as he had done before to his dainty paramour . thus flies he for refuge to this lemnian , to be revenged on his lemman : true it is ; when vulcan and the muses meet , safely may mars warm venus feet . but secure is gervase of any such overture . this absolon knocketh all easily and said undo gervase &c. he knocks easily , lest he should be discovered , and consequently his plotted revenge defeated ; or else , that he should not for a night-walker be publickly noted . what who art thou ? smug the smith , it seems , was at work ; or else of a light sleep . it am i absolon . this he utters softly through a cranny , lest it should come to discovery . what absalon , — sum gay gyrle god it wote hath brought you thus . it seems this chanterer was a notable tarrier ; and generally observed for an inordinate walker . but little cares absolon for this aspersion : he had more tow on his distaffe . his head was otherwise employed ; his brain otherwise exercised . revenge was his dearest minion , which he preferred before the embrace of a wanton . — frend so dere the hote cultre , in the chyinney here as leve it me , the smith of antient acquaintance , would be loath to deny him so ordinary a curtsie : were it of gold , or nobles in a bag , he would lend it him : albeit , he wonders what employment he may have for it at so unseasonable a time ; but he receives it , upon promise to return it , with relation next morning how he did employ it . and caught the culter by the cold stele full softe out at the dore gan he stele . now he renews his siege with fire and faggot : up to the carpenter's wall he mounteth , and at alyson's window he knocketh . she , who lay waking , as one fearful of her own security , or doubtful of her husband's jealousie , or over-joy'd with nicholas's sweet company , answers him presently , but timerously , as if he were some thief ; while he , to free her from that suspition , and make better way to his intended revenge , shapes her this reply . i am thyn absolon , thyn own derling of golde ( qd he ) i have the brought a ring . a modern poet sometimes sung : there 's nought a young man can devise , will tempt a woman more than prize . upon which grounds builds he his project ; he tenders her a ring which his own mother ( eris mother of revenge ) bequeathed him , and that curiously engraven , and this will he give , so far he seems surpriz'd with love for one poor kiss . nicholas is risen , and he will have it , and as uncivilly requite him for it . for , thought he , shall mine hostess exceed me in conceit ? she put a palpable disgrace upon him , and i will do the like . and ope the window did he hastily &c. here our astronomer lyes his level , and dischargeth his shot with a powder ; while our chanterer is prepared with his red hot cultre . and he was redy with his yron hote and nicholas in the arse he smote . he has got a ring with a witness . lust must ever have a rue rub . he who even now , so lasciviously wantonned , and so freely tasted delights prohibited ; he who surfetted in pleasures , and had hung up his abused host for a scare-cow , see how he is scarrified ! of goeth the skin an hondbrede about the hotte cultor brende so his toute . here 's a plaister for his pleasure . he that tasts the sweet , must have the sowr we'te . he rageth , raveth , and roareth like another oetean hercules . he can rest in no place , so sharp is his inflammation ; he can repose in no place , so deep is his incision ; so small is the solace he now conceives in his alyson . helpe , water , water , for goddes hert . this carpenter out of his number sterre . what this deep soothsayer prediction'd before in jest , he now cals for in earnest . little dream'd he , when he foretold of that general inundation , that he should stand in need of some of it to cool his inflammation . but no sooner had he sent forth this pittiful clamour , than the poor carpenter , who lay snorting all this while in his suspended trough , and had taken more rest though less pleasure , than his guest , began to rouse himself out of his slumber ; and fearing the imminency of danger , with his axe he smites the cord in two , by which his kimelin or tub was tyed ; that so he might by a passage purposely made through his garden , slice the depths , and so lanch into the main ocean . and down goeth all . down goes the carpenter , down goes tarboord , larboord , ship , tackling , and all his provision . — till he came to the cell upon the flore , and there a swoune he lay up stert than alison and hend nicholay . he never left tumbling till he came to the cellar floor ; and now senseless , what with the fall , and what with fear ; he lies in a swoun . this fall from his roost , frights them from their rest. this unexpected accident rouseth and raiseth fair alyson and her unfortunate nicholas ; who ( as may be supposed ) might walk in his shirt , for any rest he could take , since his late lecture read him on his posteriora's ; yea , and one who stood in more need of a plaister , than any such panick distemper . but need makes the old wife trot . some plot must they devise or other , or they stand disgraced for ever . with joynt consent therefore , they raise a clamour in the streets , call their neighbours together , to view this doleful spectacle of a distracted carpenter : for all must be imputed to his distemper . the neighbours , both small and grete in ronne — it is the condition of common people to press into the view of such novels , be they never so disastrous . yea , we shall observe how the most contemptible wretch , who before was never eyed ; if he chance to be wounded in the street , with what numbers of vulgar spectators he becomes forthwith enclosed : so attentive be their ears , so intentive their eyes to become nuntio's of others miseries . here then you may suppose this common rout standing in a ring or circle , gazing and admiring the unfortunately-deluded carpenter like a blind point in the midst of a centre , weakly languishing : while this rustick and uncivilized fry , ready to hear what nicholas and his alyson were as ready to report ; gave all attention to the sad , but feigned relation of this woful accident . no matter , though the poor carpenter interrupt them , his tale must not so much as be heard by them . their story was the first , and it must be best heard . they told every man , that he was wood he was agast so of noyes flood . alas good man ! what a solemn discourse they make of his frenzy , to palliate the rankness of their inordinate fancy : with more than frontless impudence they avouch , that it was the carpenter's distempered conceipt , that brought himself to this mis-fortune . for standing in great fear of a second noah's floud , which out of his own brain-sick phantasie , he had long time conceited , to prevent all ensuing danger , he had caused to be provided one kimelyn for himself , and other two for them to hang for company , with all necessary provision against the violence of such an approaching inundation . this were they enforced , for peace sake , to condescend to , being neither willing to incur his displeasure , nor cross the fury of his incorrigible humor . this merry relation changeth the common peoples admiration into laughter ; they jeer the lame carpenter , and by their light credulity vindicate two wantons from dishonour . though he vow and swear , they have vowed not to hear . that beast of many heads will not credit this beast of one head . they applaud the jest , and asperse on him the disgrace . thus was alyson cheared , nicholas cheated , absolon revenged , john the carpenter gulled , and the spectators infinitely pleased . nor is it to be doubted , but if this accident had not hapned , nicholas or alyson would have found one trick or other , to have deluded the carpenter , enjoyed their pleasure , and evaded danger . and none in my judgment more probable than this ; to wit , that when this supposed deluge had not come according to the time limited , nicholas out of a dissembled zeal , would have pretended , how by the incessancy of his prayers , heaven's wrath was appeased , their cataracts stopped , and this universal overflow till an other season stayed . howsoever , by the sweet harmony which all this family afterwards enjoyed , as may be charitably supposed , our comment upon this tale shall be in these verses finally closed . the cloud 's dispers'd , the floud or deluge past , and absolon of wanton become chast , john to his alyson is reconcil'd , and shee , perhaps , by nicholas with child , john doth his jealous humor quite disdain , what alice did , she will not do again . heav'n smiles , earth joyes , when all things fall amending , and tragick acts have such a comick ending . a commentary upon chaucer's prologue to the wife of bath's tale. experience , though none authoritie &c. this english homer , our incomparable chaucer , here brings in an antient wife of bath , with an old wives tale , yet not so old as true , seeing her own experience had confirm'd , whatsoever her tongue express'd : wherein she draws the first occasion of her discourse , from the griefs which accompany a married life ; being either weary of their present choice , and consequently affecting change ; or being deprived of their choice , brings upon them new discontents , by an untowardly change . then she discourseth of the number of husbands which she had since her twelve years of age. wherein , she presseth an argument against such , as held opinion against by gamy . that sithen christ went never but onis to wedding , in the cane of galilee &c. as if she should say , albeit christ , who honoured marriage with the very first miracle that ever he wrought upon earth , never went to any wedding but once , and that in cane of galilee , will you hence conclude , that we are never to marry more than once , and so exclude bigamy ? so might you infer ( upon like consequence ) because christ never scourged buyers and sellers out of the temple but once , nor was tempted in the desart ( for ought we read ) but once , nor wept over hierusalem more than once , that neither sacrilegious symonists are more than once to be scourged , nor temptation more than once to be suffered , nor tears of compassion more than once to be tendred . nay , to refell this erroneous opinion , which , even some of the antient fathers of the primitive church have with too much pertinacy held , this good old wife of bath hath an argument in store for her own purpose , which she borrows from the very touchstone of truth , the holy scripture . — iesu god and man spake in represe of the samaritan ' thou hast had five husbands — whence she proves , that in those daies there was no such restraint , but that it was usual and lawful for any one to marry after the decease of their husband : albeit , we find it commended by apostolical authority , and recommended to posterity , that those only were to be honoured for widows , who were widows indeed . true it is , that in this place here alledged by our wife of bath , this samaritan was reproved , not for that she had married five husbands , but for that after their deaths , she had taken her self to one who was not her husband ; with whom , till then , she had lived without remorse of conscience in all incontinence . albeit , that any one should be restrained to a prescript number either of wives or husbands , it was yet never heard . not to insist therefore upon the difficulty of the text , nor to play schole-divine , which would ill beseem one of her sex , she makes use of a text far more easie and proper for her purpose . but well i wote expresse without lie god badde us for to were and multiplie that gentill text can i well understond &c. she could find in her heart to multiply in husbands as well as children . one of the ends of marriage she observes , and this she embraceth with so free admittance , as her age must not deprive her of hope to multiply : husbands therefore she holds necessary associates in all ages , as well for recreation as procreation ; being for their love to leave whatsoever they most tenderly love . parental love is excluded , where wedlock is admitted . neither bigamy , nor octogamy ( if wives become their husbands survivers ) are to be questioned . the last is no sooner committed to earth , than a new one is to be sought for on earth . love and youth , no nor age , if it have a colts tooth , can converse with ghosts and goblins . this she confirms by instance . lo he the wise king salamon i trow had wives mo than on as would god it leful were to me to be refreshed halfe so ofte as he . she holds it an honour to encrease in this number ; and by variety to allay satiety . whence , she reflects upon her own former estate , and highly joys in her interchange of choyce . blessed be god , i have had five of which i have pyked out the best both of their nether purse , and eke their chest. she provides her self of a husband to fit every sense , that she might more sensibly enjoy what she did by all likelihood most affect . that she might attain the end , she neglects not the means : no procreation without action . she holds it fit therefore to share in his ability of person , as well as fortune . and because practice begets perfection , she loves ever to be in ure : she finds far more advantage in dispatch , than delay ; her old husband must no sooner be dispatch'd , than a new one must be catch'd : thus is she ever mated and matched . of five husbands scolynge am i welcome the sixte when ever he shall dy . the thought is taken : all flesh is mortal ; but of all flesh , she would have none more mortal than her husbands . she would ever have her aged husband look like death's-head ; mean time , her sage admonitions are never wanting , to bid him remember his end . life is but a trouble ; but of all others , she is most troubled with his life . thus dictates she of her husband's pilgrimage ; which , by how much the shorter , it is for her all the better . a new change is her royal exchange : nor is the market so scarce , but she hopes to fit her turn with a new choice . mean time , you may hence perceive , that she would have her husband's life of any stuff rather than perpetuano or sempiternum . like a charitable wife , she could wish with all her heart that his soul were at rest , while she were left to the cares of the world and the flesh ; for both which , she would so seasonably provide , that as fortune , and her late husband's providence had sufficiently furnish'd her for the one , so she would take especial care that she were not famish'd in the other . this she confirms , not only with her own opinion , but by apostolical doctrine . for than the apostel saith , that i am fre to wedde a godeshalfe , where it liketh me &c. this likewise she strengthens , to give freer scope to her own affections , with a fresh current of new instances . what recketh me though folke say villany of shrewd lameth , and of his bigamy ? &c. here she makes a rehearsal of sundry persons ( and some of them antient holy patriarchs , as abraham and jacob ) who had divers wives : and in the end , proceeds farther , discoursing of the state of virginity ; which was recommended by way of counsel , and no express precept , by the apostle ; concluding : he said , thereof precept had he none men may counsaile a woman to be one but counsailing is no commaundement he put it in our own judgement . to all which , she addeth this enforcing reason : for had god commaunded maidenhede then had he dampned wedding out of drede . virginity to have the precedency is admitted , but not that wedlock should be rejected . to live a virgin is an extraordinary gift : this , she acknowledgeth , her weakness could never attain to . the use of this doctrine therefore , she thus applies unto her self : and for to ben a wife , he yave me leve of indulgence , so it be not to repreve to wedde me , if that my make die without exception of bigamie . this doctrine she approves , for it relisheth sweetly to her palat. yea but hence there ariseth another objection ; it is not good to touch a woman . to which she answers ; not inordinately or licentiously : for peril is , both fire and tow to assemble . it is good for young folk to avoid occasion ; for it is that which breeds a contagion . the fire of fancy needs no oyl to inflame it , nor any other fewel to feed it , than opportunity , which never comes uninvited . true it is ( saith she ) that many there are who can live maidens all their daies ; and these prefer chastity before any man's society : and much good may it do them . for my own part , i find no such strength in my self ; my frailty requires a fellow-helper . for well ye know , a lorde in his houshold hath nat every vessel all of gold some ben of tre . all be not of one temper in their disposition , though of one mould in respect of their composition . all are not to be lillies of chastity ; for so in short time should the world become a desart . vessels there are in one house of different metals and tempers ; yet those which are of the contemptiblest substance , are for use and service . uirginite is great perfection and continence else . some of our antient fathers have compared virginity to gold , continence to silver : both of excellent esteem , albeit the former incomparably to be preferred before the later . but all have not the gift of chastity , i mean , of virgin-purity . many things are in holy writ unto our observance offered and recommended , which are not expressly observed . other things there are by express precept to some more especially commended and commanded , whereof others may seem to be freed and exempted , at least , not so straitly injoyned . — christ , that of perfection is well badde not every wight he should go sell all that he had — he was a young man to whom christ gave this command ; one neither charged with family nor progeny . and in him , directing his speech to all such , as were resolv'd to leave the world , and retire from all earthly cares , that they might attain perfection , by inuring themselves in these tabernacles of clay , to an angelical conversation . these were with mary to be speculatively affected ; mean time those martha's , who were troubled about many things , were not for their provident care in domestick affairs , altogether condemned . both in their degrees being respectively approved . i woll bestow the flower of all myn age in the acts and fruit of marriage . she will lose no time . let others be saints for her ; she knows what she was made for : these members ( saith she ) of generation , were not made only for emission and evacuation , but likewise for conception and procreation ; nor only for distinction sake , to know male from female , but that male should be known by female . why should men else in her bokes set that man should yeld to his wife her dette now wherewith shuld he pay his payment ? if he ne used his sely instrument . husbands are to give their wives due benevolence ; but how should they receive their benevolence , if they wanted the instrumental means ? there was nothing made in vain , much less that main and principal point , without which , to this wanton widow , all the world were not worth a point . true it is , and she confesseth it , that there have been many saints , who have led all their lives in perfect chastity ; and she is so far from envying their virginity , as she highly honours their memory ; yet must they give her leave to take another course , for fear she should do worse : their actions must not be her example . let hem with brede of pure whete be fedde and let us wiues eat varly bredde . virgins are to be fed with purest manchet , because their degree is highest ; wives with barly bread , because their condition is lower ; yet so she may enjoy here what she most like , she cares not much though her reward be less when the later harvest comes . — with barly bred , marke tell can our lord iesu refreshed many a man. all must not eat pure manchet ; nor all attain a virgin-state : this is her resolution . in such a state as god hath cleped us i woll persever , i nam not precious in wifehode woll i use myn instrument as frely as my maker hath it sent . she constantly holds to her old tenet : she was not made for a maid . what she hath receiv'd , must be as freely us'd . she expects both her morn and even benevolence : she hopes to bestead her self of such a man , as will out of his honesty or civil curtsie , pay his debt . neither will she for her part be altogether unthankful , as he wipes off the old score , he may begin a new . an husband woll i have i woll not let which shall be both my dettour and my thrall and have his tribulacion with all upon his flesh , while that i am his wife i haue the power during all my life upon his proper body , and nat he , right thus the apostle tolde to me and bad our husbonds for to loue us well all this sentence me liketh every dell . she means to fit her self of an husband both for ability and conformity to please her mind . he must give her due benevolence and become enthralled to her service . she expects homage and fealty from him , which she means to requite with some tribulation upon his flesh. she will confirm her affection with fresh remembrances of correction : whosoever wears the doublet , she means to wear the breeches . this braving humor of hers was to life described by our modern poet : great 's her ambition , though her size be small ; give but a wench her will , and she has all . soveraignty she will have , and such a domineering power over his captive body , as the mare must prove the better horse . this she makes good not only by her own private opinion , nor any fabulous tradition , but ( to her own gloss ) apostolical doctrine : thus picks she out the kernel , take the shell who list . so as methinks she very nearly resembles her humor , who , like a sprightly bride , hearing those words of matrimony , to serve , obey , love and honour , so hardly digested them , as she willed the minister to go no farther , till she had considered better of the matter : whence the poet , in the person of this metall'd girle ; two last i like ; to do the firster two i shall not have the patience i vow . whilst this jolly wife of bath thus descants on her own command , intending , as you have heard , to make her next husband her slave : up stert the pardoner , and that anon now dame qd he , by god and by seint john ye ben a noble prechour in this caas i was about to wedde a wife , alas what , should i bye it on my flesh so dere : yet had i lever wed no wife to yere . this commanding dame startles her hearers ; and will cause this poor pardoner answer his minister , as sometimes a young man answer'd upon like occasion : who , being to stand as godfather for a child , and to answer for it at the fount , was asked , dost thou forsake the devil and all his works , &c. ( as is in the words of baptism ) answered in behalf of the child , i forsake them all . the very same day , this young man was to be married , and being by the minister demanded , dost thou take this woman to thy married wife ? &c. imagining belike , that he was then answering in the person of the child , to forsake the devil and all his works , presently replied , i forsake them all . while the pardoner , poor man , stands thus perplexed , fearing he need take up no other cross , than his wife , if his fortune be to cope with such a whipster as this virago . abide qd she , my tale is not begon nay , thou shalt drinke of another ton &c. the pardoner had thought the worst was past ; but she had another brewing for him , worse than the first ; and this must have a stronger tast of the bitter hop of tribulation . her own experience , as she confesseth , had sufficiently furnished her for matter of discourse upon the troubles and afflictions which accompany marriage ; nevertheless , for so much as most part of men are more induced by examples than reasons , she means to enlarge her self in that kind . for i shall tell ensamples mo than ten who so wol not beware by other men by him shall other men corrected be these same wordes writeth ptolome an excellent sentence of ptolomy in his astrological observations ; he that will not be warned by others , shal be a warning unto others . though others harmes cannot make him beware , the harm which he incurrs shall beget in others a more circumspect care : his folly shall make others wise , his weakness others more wary . dame i wol pray you , if your will were said this pardoner , as ye began tel forth your tale , spare for no man and teche us young men of your practike . this pardoner being a young man , and desirous to be instructed in that honourable state , to which in short time , he purposeth to address himself , craves her direction , whereto she inclines . gladly ( qd she ) if it may you like but that i pray to all this company if that i speke after my fantasy as taketh not a grefe — she easily gives way to his request , provided , that none of all her company take distast at ought she shall say ; being now to speak freely , and after her own phantasie , purposely to pass time away : after which introduction , she proceeds to this her pleasant relation . now strs , than shall i tell forth my tale as ever more i drinke wine or ale i shal say soth . tho husbonds that i had thre of hem were good , and two were bad . she repeats afresh the number of her husbands , with their dispositions , yea , and constitutions too , as appears after : the thre good men were riche and olde unuethes might they the statute helde in which they were bounden unto me ye wot well what i meane of this parde . as if she should say , they were rich in possessions , but of cold constitutions . nature was decay'd in them ; they could not perform the dues of marriage . their sleeps were too long , and their benevolence too short ; this was her meaning , she needs no clearer exposition . as god me helpe , i laugh whan i thinke how pitously a night i made hem to swinke but by my fay , i tolde of it no store they had me yeve her londe and her treasore &c. they wanted not their curtain-lectures ; being far better taught than fed . time was indeed , when she humored their old chops , and used all diligence to win their love ; not a good morsel , but they had their part ; but this was before they parted stakes . the world is alter'd from what it was : they have now infeoffed her in the whole . all their lands and hereditaments , estates real and personal , were past to her and hers for ever ; insomuch , as should they have arrived to the happiness to have surviv'd her , they could hardly recover their thirds . now she holds it lost labour to strive to please , where no profit can arise . what , should i take kepe hem for to please : but if it were for my profite and myn ease i set hem so a worke by my faie that many a night they songen wel awaie . they never laugh't till their hearts ak'd before they were married . she sets them their task , and every night they were to render an account . before this their unhappy marriage , they might sing care away ; now must they change the burden of their song to well away ; for well it cannot be with them before their dying-day . the bacon was not fet for hem i trowe that some men haue in essex at donmowe . the old proverb was this : he that is not with penitence taken for that he married not before , or married now , may challenge a flitch of essex bacon , and carve his morsel in the cow of donmow . but these poor snakes ofhers were far from challenging any property in either . for their marriage had brought out no good effect in them , but only repentance . rough were her salutes , bare her commons , cold her comforts . so far were they from command , as their lives were a continued slavery . i governed hem so well after my lawe that eche of them full blisful was and fawe to bring me gay things fro the fayre they were full fain whan i spake hem faire . fair words make fools fain . it is true what the poet sometimes sung : with price or prayer the hardest heart is won , which age must do , when nought else can be done . these aged and decrepit husbands of hers , must supply their want of due benevolence with bounty and benificence . one comfortable smile , or amorous look , are the readiest keys to unlock these old mens chests . to the fayr they go , or rather creep ; but of necessity they must go whom the devil drives . where their only business is to curry favour with a commanding dame , by purchace of a fayring . other means they want to purchase their peace ; they purpose therefore to buy it at any price . content is worth a crown ; and it must cost them a crown , but they will procure one minute of content : and that 's the longest lease they can possibly expect . ye wise wives that can understonde thus shuld ye speke , and bere hem on honde for halfe so boldly there can no man swere and lye , as a woman can . an excellent commendation for her own sex ! and confirmed by a tragick poetess of our own , in these words : women are least of goods , the worst of evils , their best are worse than men , their worst than devils . truth is , they may make bold with themselves ; albeit , no modest nor gentile spirit , ( unless they sweat in swetnam's surquedry ) can find in their heart to throw such aspersions on them . but omitting this , you shall here perceive that this wife of bath , out of her grounded experience , like a judicious schole-mistress to all young married wives , begins her lecture ; where she informs them how to demean themselves in their several places . free and friendly is her advice , accept it who list ; thus she proceeds . a wise wife shall if that she can her goode bere him in honde the cowe is woode and take witnesse of her owne mayde of her assent : a twofold exposition may be drawn from these lines . first , if the good-wife desire to put money in her purse , she will pretend , for want of grain , or some other vendible commodity , that her cow is run mad , and that she hath sold her to the butcher for little or nothing , purposely to prevent danger ; mean time she converts the benefit of this pretended bargain to her self , and so cheats her husband . or else thus ; she hath appointed a meeting with a private friend , to whom she can well spare a morsel , when her husband sees not ; and the place of this meeting is the byer , or where her kine lie ; where to prevent her husband's repair , and free their amorous embraces from all suspicious fear , she feigns her cow to be wood , which she makes good by her maid's assent , who is ready to justifie her dames speech : she wills him therefore to be wary that he come not there , lest he receive some hurt . which fetch is not much unlike that of hers , who desirous to do a courtesie to a friend , but out of all hope to get opportunity for effecting what she did so much desire ; at last she remembred , how there was nothing in the world more terrible to her husband , than a bear ; by which means she fitted her self of what she most lov'd , by affrighting him with what he most fear'd . this trick therefore she plays him , with consent of her sweet-heart , whom she preferr'd before him . she contracts with her friend to cover his servant in a bear 's skin , and tie him near to that private place where they had appointed , and which the poor wittal himself no less suspected . up he mounts , but as quickly descends ; for the terrible sight of this counterfeit bear drove from his memory the conceit of all other fear , which the epigrammatist no less pleasantly weaves up , in this manner . a wily wench there was ( as i have read ) who us'd to capricorn her husband's head ; which he suspecting , lay in private wait , to catch the knave , and keep his wife more strait but all in vain ; they day by day did mate it , yet could his four eyes never take them at it . this subtil wench perceiving how they should at last prevented be , do all they could : for now italian-like , her husband grew horn-mad , i wis , and kept her in a mew ; invent'd a trick , which to accomplish better , unto her friend she closely sent a letter , and thus it was ; friend , you shall know by me my husband keeps me far more narrowly than he was wont ; so as to tell you true , you cannot come to me , nor i to you . yet spite of his eyes , and as many more , wee 'l use those pleasures which we us'd before : only be wise , and second what i wish ; which to express ( my friend ) know this it is ; my husband , as he hates the horn to wear , of all the badges forth , so fears he th' bear , more than all other beasts which do frequent the heathy forest's spatious continent . if thou wilt right me then , and pepper him , cover thy servant in a false bear 's skin : and come to morrow as thou us'd before , tying thy servant to my chamber door . after this quaint direction he attir'd his man in bear-skin , as she had desir'd : entring the chamber , he received is with many a smile , back-fal , and sweetned kiss . for they 're secure of all that was before , having a bear , that kept the busfe from dore. the wittal fool no sooner inckling had , then up the stairs he ran as he were mad : but seeing none but th' bear to entertain him , of horns he never after did complain him . i have here set down this conceit to the full , because it hath such near resemblance to this part of chaucer's tale : wherein we proceed . — but herkneth how i sayde . sir old reynarde , is this thyn aray why is mine neighbours wife so gay ? the first instruction she gave young wifes , was how to gull their husbands , and how they were to cram their purses with nimble cheats , or enjoy an amorous choice . now like a domineering housewife , she tells them , how they must twit their husbands , if their neighbours wives goe trimmer or neater than they . as if she should say , what sir raynard , ye fox-skin'd chuffe , must i come behind such a gossip for fashion ? must i snayl-like , keep still under roof , while thou goes a ranging to thy neighbour's house , and neighs after thy neighbour's wife ? you sir , may whisper a wanton tale in the ear of such a maid , and you must not be reproved ? nay sir lecher , you must be in all your amorous actions approved ? mean time , if i have a gossip or a friend , without conceit of ill , i must be chid , while you , sir , come reeling home , upbraiding me , that i play wanton in such an house , or dishonour you in such a place . every ale-bench must be the stage where you act my disgrace : where sometimes , you revile me , for my poverty ; or else disparage me for my parentage ; or if my descent be above yours , you tax me of pride , and tell me , high blood ever sparkles for good cloathes . sometimes my mirth mads you , otherwhiles my melancholy distracts you . if i be fair , my fort is half wonne , my chastity cannot hold out long ; every opportunity tempts me , every light assailant taints me . some , you say , chuse us for portion , others for proportion ; some for beauty and outward feature , others for breeding and behaviour ; some for affability , others for agility ; some for pure and dainty hands , others for small enazur'd arms ; all which , you say , are lures to lust , and keep the high-road to the devil's court. again , if i be foul , why then i turn common haxter ; i will never want for trading : as fair forts are won by long siege ; so we that are foul , will rather lay siege unto others , than not be won . spaniels are not more fawning , than we are fancying . he were a mean personage we could not affect , and this were our comfort , she is a black crab that can find no mate : though our choice be not so worthy , we shall find one gandergoose or other to fit our fancy . thus saist thou lorel , whan thou goest to bed that no wise man nedeth for to wed . a strange kind of even-song ; when the day is spent in ranging , and the evening in railing . doest thou think , lorel , that to go to heaven by a wife , is to go by bow and not by string ? well sir , i hope to see you go by the string , and then your way will be readier . you say , a dropping , smoaky house and a chiding wife will cause a man fly out of his house . what will a dropping nose do , you ice-ickle you ? you say , wives have the trick to dissemble and shroud their vices , yea , and colour them too with fair pretences , as if they were special vertues ; but wood that shines most , is most commonly least sound : we can find time to fit you with a peny-worth , and make your ears look through your night-cap , after the new fashion : and what of all this ? we leave ( i hope ) sufficient for your queasie stomachs , when all this is done . again , like a proverbial old dottrel , you say , that not only for oxen , asses , horses , and hounds , but even basons , lavers , spoons , stools , pots , & other vessels , men use to try them , before they buy them ; whereas , wives must not be tryed , till they cannot deny it ; being to be wedded before they be bedded . heyday ! is your spirit so coltish ? it seems , if your judgment might pass , or stand for a decree , you would try before you married , and so take occasion to repent before you needed . neither will these untowardly humors content you , but they must yet run on worser extreams . your doltship will not stick to say , how nothing displeaseth me more , than not to hear my beauty praised , my less than ordinary parts admired ; nay , i am discontent forsooth , when you look not babies in mine eyes , and fame my beauty in every place ; again , if you make not a solemn feast on my birth-day , with preparation of luscious fare for your guests , of sumptuous attire for my self , a free and friendly welcom to all , especially to my nurse , whom you must that day highly honour , and the crisp-hair'd wag that attends me in my chamber , with all my fathers folk and his allies , you are out of my books for ever . thus saist thou old barel full of lies . and yet of our prentise ienkin for his crisp heer , shining as gold fine and for he squireth me both up and doune hast thou caught a false suspectioun i woll him nat . — thus sir , you use the liberty of your lavish tongue ; yea , my poor prentice jenkin cannot be free from your jealousie and suspition . if i at any time use him for the squire of my body , or to usher me in the streets : your yellow humour interprets this to be too much familiarity , and that jenkin must become father of your progeny . no sir , you shall know that i am not brought to that low sail , but if you should dye to morrow , i could make choice of a statelier minion than jenkin . but to let this pass , how is it , you old musty dotard , that with a sorrow you hide the keys of your chests from me ; have i not a property in your goods aswel as you ? do you mean to make an ideot of me ? thou shalt nat both though thou were wood be maister of my body and of my good how is it sir , that you sometimes promised with your body to honour me , and with all your worldly goods to endow me , and that now with the first you dishonour me , and for the later ( like a devil in the vault ) you lock them from me ? i think sir , if it were in your power , you would lock me up in your chest too , but that 's above your cunning . had you but so much wit in your sage sconce , you would rather in this sort demean your self towards me , good wife , go where you list ; disport your self where you please , mine ear is open to no tales ; my knowledge hath given me that approvement of you , as i cannot susspect you . for i must tell you , we women cannot endure that any one should question us where we live , or whom we love ; where we gad , or when we gossip . of all men blest be that saying of the wise astrologer ptolomy , who drew this conclusion from the depth of his philosophy . of all men his wisedome is the best that recketh not who hath the world in hond . his condition is the happiest , who for affairs of this world is indifferentest . this sentence here this goodwife useth , purposely to withdraw her husband from intermedling in his own estate , and absolutely to invest her self in it . as if she should say , you sir , that have the one foot in the grave already , how is it that you incumber your mind so much with things transitory ? you have enough for your time ; shake hands with the world , seeing the world hath now shaken hands with you . leave the care of these businesses to me . neither , do i only speak this in behalf of your temporal estate , but in delights of your bed. what if another take a shive of your cut loaf ; must this trouble you ? doubt not , good man , but you shall have enough left to serve your turn . he is too too envious , that cannot endure another should light his candle at his lanthorn . this neither lessens your light , nor the other weakens your delight . thou saiest also , that if we make us gay with clothes , or with precious array that it is peril of our chastite &c , besides , all this , you say sir , if we go gay , we must needs be gamesom . we cannot be neat , but we do it to get a new mate : and this you strengthen with an apostolical exhortation , array your selves in comely apparel , with shamefastness and modesty ; not with broided hair , or gold , or pearls , or costly apparel ; but as becometh women that profess the fear of god. it seems , you are an excellent text-man for your own purpose . but i must not grow out of love with my self , for your censure . i mean not to be taught by your text ; nor to make your rubrick my rule . i nill not worch as moch as a gnatte thou saiest also , i was like a catte . comly comparisons ! you say a sleek-skinn'd cat will ever go a caterwawing ; she cannot abide keeping at home . no more will i ( for so you apply it ) i must needs be shewing my gay cloaths , there is no remedy ; for pride cannot endure to attend a family . sir old foole , what helpeth thee to spien for though thou play argus with his hundred iyen &c. never play the fool thus , to think that your jealousie can prevent opportunity . no jealousie can ever that prevent , where as two parties once be full content . for had you as many eyes as aristor's son , the hundred-eyed argus , i should find one trick or other to gull you , and distinguish your coat by an invisible crest . thou saiest eke , that ben things three the which troubleth all this yearth . wine is furious , an eave-dropper dangerous ; but a woman , you say , of all others most malicious . yea , you have other proverbial resemblances , which , at first sight , are like your wise parables ; wherein you compare a woman's love to hell , ever raging ; to barren land , no good bearing , without water , thirsty and feering ; to wild-fire , ever burning , and desiring to consume whatsoever is combustible , or apt for kindling : you say likewise , as trees are decayed by worms , so are husbands by their wives . but truth is , if we trouble you at board , such feeble lorels as you , trouble us as little in bed. lordings , right thus as ye haue understond bare i stiflly mine old husband on hond . oft-times would i twit them with these and such like speechs , which ( as i pretended ) were usually bolted forth by them , when they were drunk ; and two witnesses had i in readiness to justifie their abuse , my jolly jenkin , and my neece . oh how i could set my countenance to frown and lowr , and sell store of powts for nothing ! i was never in my right home , but when i was out of tune ; i could whine , and plain , when i felt but little pain . mean time , he that came first to mill , had his corn first ground . i made no bones of chusing a dainty morsel for my own tooth : yet all this while , i lay all the blame on them : they were in the fault , though i reapt the fruit. of wenches would i bere hem on hond when that for sick , unnethes might they stond . i charg'd them with wenching , when god knows , they stood in greater need of a cawdle . yet it delighted these old chrones to be so thought of : they desir'd rather to be tax'd of luxury , than disability . and to to sharpen their appetite , i told them , that so jealous a conceit i had of them , as my walking forth a nights was for no other end , than to take them napping with their dainty doxies . under which colour and pretence , i took my range , and freely consorted with those i lov'd best . i had a friend in a corner to cool my choler , and cure my distemper . reer suppers were my solace : i suited my youthful fancy to jovial company : and company causeth somewhat . disceit , weping , spinning , god hath give to women , kindly while that they live . to have deceit in our waies , tears in our eyes , and the spindle in our hands , is an instinct given us by nature : by which subtil means , i ever had the better of them , and gave them the foyl at their own weapon . continually was i murmuring and repining , i was a chafing dish at their board , and wormwood in their bed. i caus'd them bite o th' bridle , while i was ever chawing some good bit. i would no lenger in the bed abide ( if i felt his arme ouer my side ) till he had made his ransome unto me than would i suffer him to do his nicete . i must tell you , i was a coy dame , and stood on my pantofles . i could not brook that his dry and seer arms should embrace my wast . had his body indeed been as strong as his breath , i could have lik'd him better ; but the weakness of the one gave an earthy strength to the other . turn to him i would not under a couple of capons ; he must purchase my love , or farewel frost . and therefore euery man this tale i tell wiue whoso may , all bene for to sel with empty honds — i am nothing nice in the discovery of my own device ; make use of it who will. here is the fair , buy who list : they may furnish themselves for nothing . sometimes i would not stick to put on a smooth brow , and feign a kind of fonding , with a strong desire of seeming to accept what was privately tendered by him . and make me than a fained appetite and yet in bacon had i neuer delite . yet all this was but a seeming appetite ; such course meat was not for my dainty stomach . all this , and more did i for mine own ends , which i had no sooner obtain'd , than i put on mine old countenance . little quiet could he have either in his repast , or repose , at bed , or at board . yea , so strong was my spleen , so violent my hate , as had the pope's holiness been present , i am persuaded i should have shewn small reverence to his pontifical presence . out might my passion have issued , and shewn her impatience . neither do i remember that he ever gave me one word , but i gave him two for 't . yea , should i now make my last will and testament , and discover to the world all our bickerings , and unsavoury parlies ; i would take my book-oath that i am nought behind with him , but have sitted him to the full . and this was the direct way to purchase my peace , otherwise had we been at debate for ever . for though he loked as wode as a lion yet should he faile of his conclusion &c. thus could i vye in colours to delude his nature , and fit my disposition to oppose his humor . if he playd the lamb , i could play the lion ; if he the lion , i the lamb. than would i say , good lefe take kepe how mekely loketh wilkin our shepe cum nere my spouse , — what a racket my pretty pigsnie keeps ? let me kiss thy tother cheek , my lovely honey-suckle . can you that have preach'd so long of job's patience , retain so long in your heart any malice ? ye men , as you are stronger by nature , so should you be discreeter , and of stayeder temper . what man , are you jealous of me that you do not only enjoy me ? what , would you have my best commodity to your self ? why , take it to you , and much good may it do you . i know you for a notable soaker ; you cannot endure a sharer : well , go to ; you shall have it to you , and your sole use for ever . for know , my best spouse , if i would set my jewel at sale ; i could go in more gaie and fresh arraie than i do now : but the honest continence of my desire makes me walk in homelie attire . good sooth , you are much to be blam'd ; i have no toy , but for your tooth . my own breast knows best whether i love any other ; for if i did , your quick eie would soon discover it . such maner words had we on houd now wyll i speake of my fourth husbond . thus far has our wife of bath discours'd of the natures , humors , and features of her three first husbands : wherein she hath exprest to life how harshlie youth and age are suited ; with especial directions how the distastes of a loathed bed may be allaied ; how youthful delights may be wisely carried ; and the waiwardness of age better tempered . my fourth husband was a revelour this is to say , he had a paramour . she is now fitted in her kind ; what she feigned to be in her three husbands before , she finds really lov'd by her fourth : neither will she abate him a hair , and she gives the reason . — i was yong and full of ragerie stubborn and strong , and joly as a pie. she was but in the flower of her youth , albeit , she had dispatch'd three husbands ; full of metal and agilitie ; of a stubborn and strong will , for it had never been deni'd her ; of a pliant and nimble body ; and this had such found who had tri'd her : one as right as my leg , and seemingly , of that wanton wenches humor , who could not endure to have this word , notwithstanding , mentioned in her jointure , but lik'd well of this clause , provided alwaies ; which if he were not , another should . that her education or breeding was good , may appear by those singular qualities which she privately both professed and practised . she could dance neatly , and sing to the harp sweetly , if she had but liberally tasted of the sweet grape : which , it appears , she dearly loved , by her free reproof towards one , by whom his wife was not only from drinking wine restrained , but being taken at it , was of life deprived . metellus , the foule churle the swine that with a staffe berast his wife her life for the dronke wine : though i had be his wife &c. this is meant of that temperate roman , metellus , who , albeit he fell into this violent extream , upon the finding of his wife distempered with wine ( which vice , by the testimonie both of plutarch and macrobius , was held among the romans to be more punishable in women , than adulterie ) was highly renowned for a noble and victorious . souldier , having highly improved his fame to his countries succeeding honour . but had this good-wife of bath been metellus his wife , she vows she would have pli'd the pitcher in spite of all his valour : and had a little touch of venus game too , after her blood were inflam'd with the spirit of liquor . for also seker , as cold engendreth haile alicorus mouth must have a lecherous taile . this her own experience had taught her , which she patcheth up with a shread of her philosophy , to strengthen it the better . wine , indeed , affords fewel for lust. the understanding part being darkned and drowned , the sensitive part becomes domineering , by subjecting reason to blind affection . she finds poor defence for her honour , who deprives her self of that which should be her best armour . but lorde christ , when it remembreth me upon my youth , and my jolite it tickleth me about the hart roote unto this daie it doth my hart boote &c. it delights her to remember the pranks of her youth ; and no doubt , it would highly content her to have a tast of aeson's herb , and so become young again : for her desires continue strong , though her strength be weak ; her thoughts green , though her hairs be gray . but age alas , that all woll envenime nath me beraft my beaute , and my pith let go farewel , the deuil go therewith . a charitable old trader ! age like a venom , hath crept upon her , the beauty and strength of her youth have left her ; both which , seeing she cannot recover , she freely bequeaths the devil that which she cannot keep with her . yet holds she on in her old trade of folly. the floure is gone , there nis no more to tell the bran ( as i best can ) now mote i sell. few or none but they will leave sin , when sin hath left them ; but this merry gossip will scarcely leave it , when she is now left by it . though the flower of her youth be lost , the bran of her age is left , and that must now be bolted , or she will never rest contented . but yet to be right merry woll i fonde now forth to tell of my fourth husbonde . all this which hath been said last , must serve for a preamble to her fourth husband ; of whom her discourse must be but short , according ( as may be supposed ) to the length of his life , and height of her love. i saie i had in hart great despite that he of any other had delite . he was of a wanton life himself , and therefore looks for his wife in the oven , where himself had been . ill doers are ever ill deemers . none are more suspicious than such as are most vicious . a licentious man's eye is in every corner ; to whom the very least occasion will minister apparent ground of suspition . but he was quit , by god and sainct ioce i made him of the same wood a troce &c. truth was , he could not for his heart be more jealous of me , than i was of him . neither indeed , had he any just cause to suspect me of wantonness . here she excuseth herself that she never consorted with any good fellows for her own bodily pleasure , in all this husband's time . only she invited them to good chear ; being now turn'd professed gossipper : and all this , perchance , ( so perverse was her disposition ) rather to nettle and sting her husband , than any singular delight she took , either in respect of her comrades , or delicacy of tooth : as may be probably gathered by those verses immediately following . — i made folke such chere that in his own grece i made him frie for anger , and for very jelousie . out of a jealousie , or rather a constant persuasion , that she was as liberal of her flesh , as of her fare , he fried himself in his own grease : he wasted himself with anger : seeing both a weakning of his fortune , and impeaching of his honour ( as he verily suspected ) cope so closely one with another . by god , in yearth i was his purgatorie for which i hope his soul be in glory . it seems she was good for something , if it were but to become her husband's purgatory ; more properly the touchstone of his patience . by this means she thinks he had his purgatory on earth , and consequently , without any rub or stay in his way , he may go directly to heaven . afflictions being exercises , he needed not suffer his body to rust for want of them , having both at bed and at board such plenty of them . for god it wote , he sate ful oft and song whan that his shoe full bitterly him wrong . like a down-right honest man , he set the best face he could on 't . yet when he feigned most mirth , he had greatest cause to mourn . every man knew not where his shoe wrinch'd him . he might laugh till his heart ak'd again , yet never a whit nearer relief : she had vow'd to be his executioner , purposely to become his executor . he died whan i came fro hierusalem and lieth in grave under the rode beem . this good wife , belike , had taken her pilgrimage to jerusalem , either voluntarily or by injunction . no doubt , had she plaied pilgrim all her time , her husband had a lighter heart . but now coming home , she finds her husband drawing near his last home . whom she sees no sooner departed , than she takes course to prevent his revival , to have him no less suddenly , than solemnly buried . under the rood-loft ( a place of especial reverence in sormer times ) she causeth his grave to be made ; albeit in no sumptuous manner as ancient heroes have been interred , as she after expressed . all nis his tombe so curious as was the sepulture of him darius which that apelles wrought so subtelly it is but wast to burie him preciously . to bestow on him so gorgeous or sumptuous a sepulchre , as was that which was erected in the honour of darius , formed by the curious art of famous apelles ; or as that of artimisia in the memory of her mansolus , were but ( as she thinks ) lost labour : so much cost would make a poor executor , and too much impoverish the survivor . let him farewell , god give his soul good rest . he is now in his grave and in his chest . he is now laid in earth , and his soul , i hope , at rest : he had my leave to be gone before he went. to grieve for that which cannot be remedied is bootless . i will spare then to shed any tears , seeing they are no less foolish than fruitless . and so good night to my fourth husband . now of my fifth husband woll i tell god let never his soule come in hell . she had no sooner left her fourth husband in his grave , than she makes ready to go to church for a fifth . and of such an one she speeds her self , that it seems his soul deserv'd well of her , whatsoever his body did . yet is it to be wondred at , how she should be so charitable in her blessings towards him , who was so shrewd in his blows , towards her . but of this she gives a reason : truth is , he was shrewd to me , and gave me store of rib roast , imagining belike that i was of the nature of the wallnut tree , that must be cudgelled before it be fruitful ; yet for all this , i cannot but remember him with a great deal of love . though he gave me correction , he had an other winning way to gain my affection . he was of an able and active body , and could till me on with such pretty toies and tales when he desired to have that which i no less desired my self , and he could win me with a smile , and with a smooth brow allay my storm . i trow i lov'd him the better , for that he was of his love so daungerous to me . a strong womans reason . follow women , they will fly you , fly but women , they 'l draw nigh you . if you would a woman move , seem to love not , when you love . the way then to win them , is seemingly to wean our affection from them . proffer'd ware , be it never so precious , is disvalued ; that only is held worth our purchase , which is with niceness gained : whatsoever is forbid us , is with eager appetite pursued by us . to utter our ware with danger , will improve our commodity most to our advantage and honour . and to great chepe is hold at to little price this knoweth every woman that is wise far fetch'd and dear bought is good for ladies . a vile price makes the commodity no less vile . highly then was this husband affected , because he was dainty and nice in his affection . he caus'd her now and then to bite o th' bridle , and to fast , that her stomach might become stronger for the next feast . she had now and then a bit and a buffet with 't . all her dayes were not holy-dayes ; this made her pleasure ( because rare ) more welcom , when it came . my fifth husbonde , god his soule blesse which i took for love and no richesse he sometime was a clerk in orenforde and had left schole , & went at home to bord with my gossip , dwelling in our toun god have her soul , her name was alisoun here she expresseth his state , condition , and profession ; his state or condition , it may seem , was but mean , but his person promising ; pure love and no other worldly respect made her chuse him . he was a scholar , and unpreferr'd , and consequently not like to be rich . but now had he left schole , with his hopes of some poor fellowship , which were but small , in regard of his weak parts , or that he had no letters commendatory , from some great or powerful favorite , to procure it ; and now in stead of a fellowship , he intends to board himself privately with dame alyson , this good-wifes gossip . now whether this were the self-same alyson , the carpenter's wife , mentioned in our miller's tale , i will not here dispute ; only , with submission alwaies to deeper judgments , i conceive , that by all probability it should be the very same alyson , but that this clerk of oxford here mentioned , was nicholas the astronomer , who fancied dame alison , i cannot assent ; for this bears another name . be she what she will be , it appears she was a kind-hearted gossip , and of inward acquaintance with our wife of bath : being ever constantly of her bosom-counsel , together with another wife , whom she names not , and her neece , in all which , she reposed great considence . no secret could there be , which might either concern her husband or her self , but it was imparted to one of these three . no counsel so private , no passage so secret , which was not to these communicate . and so i did it often god it wote that made his face full ofte redde and hote . this wife of bath was too full of chinks to be a good secretary . her husband could tell her nothing over night , but next day she would be carrier of it abroad : wherein our poet privately glanceth at such as too freely use to commit their nearest thoughts to the secrecy of a woman : whereof though some be seals , others be sieves . and so befil , that one 's in a lent so oft time i to my gossip went &c now she comes to relate the season and occasion of her first familiar acquaintance with this clark of oxford , her jolly jenkin : this begun in lent , but she means to make it no time of abstinence . she and her kind gossip must take air , and in such moneths as afford most delight . yet cannot those fresh and fragrant fields sufficiently refresh them , unless they have jenkin the scholar for an usher to conduct them . and a good opportunity had this good wife , for her husband was at london : with liberty therefore might she take her range to vigils , visitations , preachings , pilgrimages and processions ; to stage-playes , puppitplaies and marriages ; where she might see and be seen ; yea felt , heard and understood . her gay scarlet petticoat , and broad-cloath gown need now fear no moaths ; they are too daily worn to be eaten with worms . her cloaths make every day their holiday . till her husband come home , she means not to make her own house her home . the field must be her walk , and jenkin her mate . now woll i tell forth what happed me i saie , that in the fieldes walked we . now begun she to grow more familiar with this dainty clerk. she is now not only for walking , but talking with him ; yea , and dalliance too ; till in the end , she holds him for her only private friend , and such an one , as she could find in her heart to commend to his trust the greatest secret she has in the world . i spake to him , and saied how that he if i were wedowe , should wedde me . this is plain dealing , and deserves the scholar's favourable construction : as if she should say , ye scholars are dangerous youths ; when ye woo least , ye win most ; when ye speak least , ye prevail most . did ye perceive nothing , sir jenkin , when of all others , i chus'd you to keep me company ; walked and talked with you privately ; and made you acquainted with my bosom-secrecy ? truly , i must tell you , should mine husband die , as all flesh is mortal , i am verily persuaded that i should wish with all mine heart to enjoy an armful of you . in good sooth we women are the veriest fools in the world : if we love , we cannot lain : whereas you men are mighty dissemblers , and will bring us weak things into fools paradise : when you seem to love us , you will soonest leave us . well , durst i trust you , i could tell you somewhat would make your ear tingle : but i will not ; and yet i think i must ; it will needs out . i am half persuaded you have given me some love-powder , or i should never fawn nor fond on you after this manner . know sir , i made choice of you for your person , no preferment nor possession ; for i hear , you have but a poor scholar's fortune . now think not that i stood unprovided before i came to be acquainted with you . no sir ; i must tell you , i need not want for pleasure , if i took delight in such chaffer . i ever held her a foolish mouse that had but one hole to creep out at . i am neither so old nor mishapen , but i should find one or other to accept of the motion . i bare him on hand he had enchaunted me my dame taught me forsoth that subtilte . a dainty device ! this was dame alyson's subtilty . and that she might all the better persuade him , that she thinks on him by day , she tels him how she dreams of him by night . where she relates to him the circumstances of her terrible dream : how she verily thought in her sleep that he came and assaulted her , purposing to have slain her : and how she started , as she lay upright in her bed , to resist his fury ; which were the least of her thought upon so fair an opportunity . yet interprets she all this in the best sence . for that abundance of blood wherewith she thought her self embath'd , did signifie gold , which he might be sure to enjoy , if ever her husband should die , and her self to boot . for blood betokeneth gold , as i was taught and all was fals , i dremed of him right naught . all these supposed dreams were but to delude him , and make him more confident of the love she bare him . a right careful observer of whatsoever her subtil tutor dame alyson had inform'd her . one who had sufficient experience to instruct an apt scholar in rules of dalliance . and now sir let me se , what shal i sain a ha , by god i haue my tale again . an excellent rhetorical * figure here used by our poet. it seems the remembrance of the proper personage of her neat clark , had like to have made her quite forget her tale. yet , at last , she recals to mind the story whereon she is to treat , which subject , sometimes , she was as apt to forget . whan that my fourth husbond was on bere i wept algate , and made sorie chere . or for want rather of natural tears , she furnish'd her self of other effectual means : she wrapt an onion in the one nook of her handkercher , or pump'd for tears ; or drew her face into a purse , purposely to feign a kind of sorrowing , when her heart was full of joy , in hope to enjoy her jenkin . but for that i was purveied of a make i wept but small , and that i undertake . no doubt , but she had prov'd a better mourner , had she been a worser purveior : like to that widow , whereof i have heard this story . that , having buried three husbands , and all those with a very small portion or quantity of tears , she came at last to the grave with her fourth , for whom she wept bitterly ; which her neighbors much wondring at , demanded of her the cause why she should be so immoderate in her sorrow for that last husband , who had been of so harsh and rough a disposition , and so patient at the deaths of all the other three , who were of loving and affable natures , and had deserved so well at her hands ? to whom she made this answer ; that she wept not so much for that she was of her sweet husband deprived , as that she was now destitute and unprovided ; whereas at the deaths of her other husbands , she was ever of another prepared before the other was buried . to church was my husband born on morow with neighbours , that for him made sorow and tenkin our clerke — it is to be wondred why she let him lie so long unburied ; but it seems there was some solemnity to be used , or else that his friends and neighbors did expect it . you may imagine now , when she sees her sweet-heart jenkin amongst other mourners , that she has made a league with her eyes , not to shed one tear ; with her heart , not to send forth one sigh , unless it be in jest , and so fool the spectators . neat were his legs , pretty were his feet : these were her objects in this spectacle of sorrow . this serious survey or perusal of jenkin's person had so taken up her eye , as it could fix it self on no other object , while he was in presence . yea , her blood began to sparkle now afresh in her , so as in her own conceit she was twenty years younger than she was in the morning . though forty winters had already blown upon her ; and consequently some tokens of age had stamp'd their impreslures in her : she had alwaies a colt's tooth . yea , she had divers other signs of an invincible patient , as she her self after confesseth . gap tothed i was , and that bicame me wele i had the print of dame uenus sele as helpe me god , i was a lustie one and faire , riche , and yong , and well bigone . she was gap-tooth'd , or wide-spaced , not like pirrhus , whose teeth were all one bone , undivided . though this might seem some deformity , it became her well , even as venus mole made her more lovely : right bullion she was , apt for any impression . of a lively and lusty nature ; a fresh and lovely feature ; rich in fortune ; young in her own opinion ; and every way ( as she thought ) deserving affection . in sense , she was venereal ; in heart , martial ; venus gave her the gift to be lascivious ; mars to be couragious ; taurus was her ascendent , mars therein predominant : but had mars been her husband , her too common dalliance might well have chang'd taurus into aries , and enjoyn'd him to hold of her for term of life in capite . alas , alas , that ever love was sin . she bestows the deserving name of love upon hateful lust ; but these are to be remarkably distinguished , because their natures are wholly different , as the poet sometimes well exprest them , in his description of love. love , what 's thy name ? a phrensie : whence thy birth ? from heaven : how comes it then thou liv'st on earth ? i live not there . yet each usurps thy name : 't is true indeed , but hence redounds their shame . i live not there , my nature's pure and just , but lust lives there , and love 's a foe to lust. this merry wife of bath could find in her heart , that this wantonness of hers , which she terms love , were no sin ; and pity it is , thinks she , that 't is not so , seeing it affords such sweet self-delight to the sense . i followed aie mine inclination by vertue of my constellation that made me i couth not withdrawe my chamber of uenus from a good felawe . herein our poet covertly taxeth such who attribute so much unto natural providence , as though it were inevitable , and thereby use it as a refuge or sanctuary , for all their evil actions . unto which may be objected the answer of chrisippus , writing in this manner : although ( saith he ) that nature hath provided all things from the beginning , and that by her providence all things are moved and stirred up by a certain necessary reason and motion ; yet notwithstanding our dispositions and minds are no further subject or in danger thereof , than their propriety and quality is concordant and agreeable unto the same . for , if by nature our wits be first made wholsom and good , apt to receive good notions , fair impressions ; by being after indued with reason and understanding , either they do utterly put off and avoid all evil influences and accidents , or else by their discreet temper , receive and bear them more easily without hurt or dammage . if contrariwise , our dispositions be rude and gross , not endued with any kind of letters or good learning , to assist and help them withal , with every light conflict or assault of our natural inclination , we run headlong into all kind of errors and vice. for we ought first to know and understand , that neither the stars , nor any natural influences do provoke or force us to any thing , but only make us apt and prone : and being so disposed , do , as it were , allure and draw us forward to our natural inclination . this might be illustrated by example of the cylinder-stone ; which by nature being apt to roll and tumble , and being cast or thrown down into hollow or steep places , doth run without ceasing , not so much because it is cast or thrown , as for his own nature or aptness thereunto , and not having any thing in it self to withstand the same . yet have i ●●●tes marke upon my face and also in another privie place . it seems our venus had been at her lemnian forge ; she had got some marks of her trade , which she meant to carry with her to her grave . she confesseth , she never loved with discretion ; for in the whole course of her trade she never made any distinction . her appetite was equally eager to all proper promising persons , were they of what rank or fashion soever . the black was admitted as well as the white , the poor as the rich : her fort gave way to all assailants . what should i say ? but at the moneths end this joly clerk ienken , that was so hend hath wedded me with great solempnite and to him yave i all the londe and fee — she had past her mourning month , and now comes in her hony month , where jenkin is become owner both of her self and her state . what was given her by age , she as freely bestows upon youth . grants of her lands , keys of her chests , all her goods movable and immovable , personal and real , are at his service , without any eviction , molestation , or incumbrance soever . but no sooner restrains he her of her range , then she repents her of her gift . gladly would she have him re-convey it to her , but though he be a meer scholar , he is no such gooselin . now the reason why she repents her of what was conferred by her , was this ; he begun not only to restrain her , but chastise her . by god he smote me ones with his fist for that i rent out of his booke a lefe that of that stroke , my ere 's wer defe . as if she should thus say , who would have thought that this smooth-chinn'd princock , but new-come from schole , should thus begin to scourge me , who have had the schooling and scourging of four antient benchers ? admit i rent a leaf out of his book , when the story did discontent me , must he presently fall to his rubber of cuffs , and so be reveng'd on me ? well , though this quaint clerk fell aboard so roughly with me ; i think i gave him his pennyworths ; judge you that hear me . never was lioness more fierce , nor jay more jangling . though he labour'd to restrain me , in despite of him i took my liberty . from house to house went i gossipping . neither his oaths nor anger could wean me from mine humor . for which full oft time would he preache and me of old roman jestes teache . he ply'd me with lectures out of old roman stories for his own purpose : amongst which , he told me , how one sulpitius gallus utterly forsook his wife , for shewing her self but once openly at the door , and taking a view of passengers as they went by . also , how another roman ( novellus torquatus ; or i mistake it ) wholly relinquish'd his wife , for making resort to a summer game without his knowledg . and how plutarch ( whose authority might more properly be alledged in this argument ) affirmeth that it is a custom in egypt , that women should wear no shoes , because they should abide at home . then would he confirm these antient stories with holy writ , and shew how ecclesiast . gives express charge to all husbands , that they should in no wise suffer their wives to wander or stray abroad ; knitting up his goodly precepts and examples with this shrewd proverb ; whoso buildeth his hous all of salowes and pricketh his blind hors over the falowes and suffreth his wife for to seche hallowes he is worthy to be honged on the gallowes . sallows are but mean timber-wood to build on ; fallows are uneven grounds for a blind horse to ride on : and hallows or pilgrimages dangerous waies for young wives to go on . the first shews improvidence , the second rashness , the last weakness * . but all for nought , i set nat an hawe of his proverbes , ne of his old sawe ne i would not of him corrected be i hate him that my vices telleth me . but all these goodly precepts and proverbs which he delivered in this sort unto me , were but as if he had sown dust in the air. i valued them not worth the bloom of a haw-thorn . for truth was , those who either corrected me , or reproved those vices which they saw in me , were never after cater-cosins with me ; for such vices as we love , we defend ; nor can we easily forgo them without distast . now woll i saie you soth by s. thomas why that i rent out of his booke a lefe for which he smote me , that i was defe . the book out of which i tore this leaf , was entitled valerius max. a roman author , one who wrote much to our reproof and dishonour . with him had he joyned theophrastus , at whose conceipts , he unmeasurably laughed , while i at his laughter was grievously netled . with these had he bound up st. jerom's book against the heretick jovinian , together with tortulanus , crisippus , tortula , and helowis , sometimes abbess not far from paris . and with these ( to enlarge this his miscellane volume ) had he bound together the parables of solomon , ovid his art of loving , with sundry other tracts or treatises , discoursing of several subjects . now , would you know how he employed these books ? it was his accustomed manner every night when he had leisure , to recreate himself in these works : more legends and lives had he of wicked wives , than ye could repeat of good wives throughout the bible . all these had he purposely compiled , and were by him nightly recounted to make me discontented . for trusteth well , it is an impossible that ony clerke would speake good of wives but if it been of holy sainctes lives — it is not now as it was in chaucer's daies ; present times have clarks , who can approve and love this sex. such , i say , as having proper liniments to woo with , natural habiliments to win with , canonical faculties of their own to wed with , become no reprovers , but improvers of so honourable a state. wherein i hold them wise ; sure i am , they trace the steps of the wise : for all the seven wise men of greece were married : albeit ; there never wanted in any age scornful inveighers against women , yea , and persecuters of them too in publick theatres ; such were euripides , hesiodus , with many others , who out of some bitter experience had of their own unhappy choice , made that sex , now and then , the subject of their invection . it was a stoick's saying , no wise man was fit for a woman , yet may a woman be fit for a wise man ; yea , and fit him too a penniworth for all his wisdom . but if a woman would have hearts-ease , and world at will , let her marry one of our sedentary-desk clarks , or pedantical fools , who know not what the world means ; for so may she have the world at will. now in the very last verse mentioned by our poet , this good wife of bath shadows out such jealous clarks ; who , when they suspect their wives affected to company , or any way addicted to liberty , they will pull out some antient story or other , discoursing of the lives of saintly or holy women , to reclaim them from their gadding , and restrain them in their freedom of living . ne of none other woman never the mo who peinteth the lion , tell me who ? by god , if women had written stories as clerkes han , within her oratories &c. these clarks ( saith she ) are of that condition as they will neither speak well of wives nor any other women . but they can paint a lion that never saw his feature , but by report ; this is but only as it pleaseth the painter . had women written stories ( as our theano , with many moe mirrors of our sex could have done ) they would have found colours to display the vicious natures of men , and discovered them guilty of more enormities than the issue-male of adam should ever redress . the children of mercury and uenus been in her working full contrarious . a contrariety there is in the workings of mercury and venus . the objects at which they aim their several faculties , are wholly opposite . mercury is for wisdom and speculation ; venus for riot and sensual meetings . yea , their dispositions are likewise divers ; for , exaltation of the one is the humiliation of the other ; which ( as if this good-wife had been well read in an erra-pater , or some other astronomical author ) she confirms with this instance : and thus god wote , mercury is desolate in pisces , where uenus is eraltate and uenus falleth where mercury is reised therefore no woman of no clerke is preised . mercury and venus are ever in opposition . for true it is , employment hath no time to offer sacrifice to venus shrine . elegantly shadowed by lucian , feigning cupid's encounter with the muses : for he that converseth with his mind , by whose eye the body is directed , will not intermit his affairs , to have his mind with lust infected . mercury admits himself no time to take a turn in venus walk . the clerke whan he is old , and may nought do of uenus werkes , not worth his old sho . long study hath brought him to the sciatica . he hath so inur'd himself to the speculative part , as he is wholly out of use with the practick . the remainder of his daies ( saith she ) he spends like a cricket , in a chimney-corner , in descanting on the lightness of vvomens natures , wherein he shews the poorness of his own humor . but now to purpose , why i told thee that i was beaten for a booke parde upon a night jenkin , that was our sire redde upon his booke , as he sate by the fire of eve first &c. but would you know ( quoth she ) more at large the cause of my beating ? i will now return to my purpose , and fully relate to you the occasion . sir jenkin ( as he accustomably used ) having laid his heel on the ratting crook , to pass the winter-night away , or rather , as i expounded it , to disquiet me , took a book in his hand , ( a various volume of numerous authors ) wherein he read of eve first , how she by consenting to the serpent , brought all mankind to the brink of perdition . which mortal sore requir'd a soveraign salve , even the blood of the lamb , which regained man , before lost , and restored our blood , before corrupted . lo here expresse of women may ye find that woman was the losse of all mankind . jenkin applies the text he had read ; but few or none of all his she-audience will vouchsafe to make use of his application . but to the end he may work stronger upon his wives phantasie , he brings on a fresh army of examples in this kind . what did treacherous delilah to her sampson , when by discovery of his counsel , she robb'd him of his hairs , wherein lay all his strength ; and after , of his eyes , which gave him all his light ? what did deianira to her hercules , when with nessus poysoned shirt , she set him all a fire ? vvhat did zantippe to socrates , when she crown'd him with a chamber-pot ? which shameless abuse of hers , when such as were his friends , wished him to revenge , he washed off his disgrace with this patient answer : it never yet was deem'd a wonder to think that rain should follow thunder . she thundred so much before with her tongue , as he could expect no less than rain . what did pasiphae wife to minos of crete , whose brutish lust , and monstrous birth , have made her infamous to all succeeding times ? what did clytemnestra to her agamemnon ? what dishonour did she to her noble parents tindarus and leda , when she not only expos'd her self to aegistus lust , but depriv'd her princely husband of life ? what did eriphyle wife of amphiaraus , when for a gold-chain , she disloyally betrayed her husband polynices , when he had hidden himself , because he would not go to the wars of thebes ? what dispatch made livia of her husband , because she lov'd him too little ? what dispatch made lucilia of hers , because she loved him too much ? what answer received latumerus of arrius ( a philosopher in alexandria , in augustus time ) when he made his sorrowful complaint unto him , how that he had a tree in his garden of such a strange nature , as all his three wives , through meer despight , had hang'd themselves on it ? o ( quoth surly arrius ) do me the courtesie , dear brother , to give me a plant of that blessed tree , that it may grow and prosper in my garden : for never did any yet plant it , that might make better use of it . what wives in these later times do we now read of , who not only consented to see their husbands murdered , but in the very presence of those dislaughtered corps suffered themselves to be defiled ? some have driven nails through their brains ; others have depriv'd them of life by poysonous potions : as might be instanced in the tragick examples of drusilla , faustina , corombona , messalina , and many others . all which stories sir jenkin would read so distinctly , passionately , and devoutly , as if they were his evening orizons . and therewithall he knew mo proverbes than in this world there groweth grasse or herves . he was a most proper proverbial jenkin , and could twit his testy wife with store of such proverbs as these , which he had at his finger end . it is better to live with lions and dragons , than in house with an angry woman . better to abide on the roof ever smoking , than below with a wife ever chiding . yea , so perverse , ( said he ) are they in will , so contrary in work , that they ever hate what their husbands love , like what they loath . they cast away shame , when they cast off their smock . and for their modesty , this is my opinion , to see beauty accompanied by chastity , were like a gold ring in a swine's snout . who coud wene , or who coud suppose the wo , that in mine hart was and pine and whan i saw he would never fine to reden on this cursed booke all night all sodainly thre leues haue i plight dut of his booke — how much this good-wife was netled with his nightly lectures , she can hardly express her self , much less her interpreter . howsoever , one may easily collect by those furious sparks of her passion which issue forth , that there is a dangerous fire within . for first , she takes a poor revenge on his book , and tears it ; then she collars with him , and with a sound blow o th' ear , throws him down backward into the fire . which he , never till now inflam'd with such unmanly fury , requites with such a stroke on her head , as senseless she fals on the floor . die she will needs , there 's no remedy ; and the rather , as may be imagined , to make him guilty of her death , and so raise him to the ladder of his suspended advancement . but coming now at last to her self ( for long had she been by her self ) in this sort she re-assaies to course him , before she leave him . oh , hast thou slain me false these i saied for my lond thus hast thou murdred me ? et i be dedde , yet woll i ones kisse thee . though she approach near the gates of death , she can open the gate of her teeth , and make the poet's observation true , wheel of a womans tongue is like a river , set it once going , it will go for ever . well ; it seems , before her departure , she means to give him a strange encounter . sirrah thief , do you hear ! you that first enchanted me , ' and so ravish'd my love from me ; you that have seiz'd of what was due to me : nay , you blood-hound , you that for my land have thus murdered me , draw near me , let me kiss thee , and so good night to all the world . it shall not be said , but i die in charity ; so , close up mine eyes , i shall die presently . this dying salute could not chuse but drive poor jenkin into sundry extreams . for , thought he , should she die in spite after this manner , i should make a fair end , but a worse face in an halter . gladly would he ( if she were not past hope ) recover her ; down on his knees he goes , and kisses her ; rubs and chafes her ; though she needed small chafing , being as hot at stomach , as any pepper . in the end , he resolves to salute her , and if her stomach be come down , to reconcile himself to her ; but still he fears , she is either nearly dead , or wholly deaf to such an humor . and nere he came , and kneled faire adoun and saied , dere suster , swete alisoun as helpe me god i shall thee neuer smite that i haue doen it is thy self to wite foryeve it me , and that i thee beseke and yet est sones i hit him on the cheke — a right fair and proper acknowledgment of his offence ; if she will but forgive him this rash and unadvis'd assault , may he never desire any favour , nor deserve any love from her , nor in his greatest need receive any succour , if ever he attempt any such presumptuous part thereafter . and yet alas ( saith he ) it was your fault that we fell into this debate : had you rul'd your tongue , i had held mine hand ; yet forgive it me , dear sister , sweet alyson , and i promise you , upon jenkin's honesty , that your tongue shall never force me to like fury . while poor jenkin is thus labouring in all humble manner to compose his own peace , the dead coarse revives , and fetcheth him such an overthwart blow , as his head rings again . which ( good man ) sounds better in his ear , than ever any of her sweet kisses relished his lip ; for , thought he , if she have such lightness in her fingers , she cannot but have some liveliness at her heart . and saied : thefe , thus moch am i bewreke now woll i die , i may no lenger speke . like the humorous lady in the comedy , she is every foot dying , to make him the more despairing ; though she had already wreaked her self of him sufficiently , yet will she die with this revenge , in spite of all his remorse . and to confirm , that she is near death , she concludes , i may no longer speak : a dangerous sign that she is past all hope of recovery . for when a woman is laid speechless , the bell may well ring out . but see what a bright beam darted forth of this black cloud ! — at last , with mikell care and wo we fell accorded within our seluen two he yaf me all the bridell in mine hond to haue the gouernaunce of hous & lond and of his tongue and of his hond also and made hent brenne his book anon tho . the world is well amended with dame alyson ; she was even now for giving up the ghost ; but holding it far better , upon some reasonable tearms , to live than die , she is content to take heart of grease , and live a while longer ; provided , she may have the bridle in her own hand , the government of his estate , the command of his tongue and hand ; and lastly , that she may burn this apocryphal book , which bred all this variance and debate : to all which he accords , and so the peace is made . a very beneficial peace for jenkin , albeit upon hard tearms : for by this means , became all occasions of future difference prevented , a shrewd dame to a peaceable wife changed . and to her no less useful , being for term of life , of all his estate without any compartner , absolutely seized . never from that time did any wife from denmark to india ( to take her own compass ) live with husband in more unity , nor shew truer arguments of constancy , than she did to her jenkin , , and all this without hypocrisie . — and so was he to me i pray to god , that sitte in maiestie to blisse his soule , for his merch dere now woll i say my tale if ye woll here . one true-love knot betwixt them both : so faithful was his love to her till the end , as she cannot chuse but remember his soul in her prayers after his end. after which orizon , she makes ready to tell her tale. the frere lough whan he had heard all this now dame qd he ) so haue i joy or blis this is a long preamble of a tale . the frier , amongst others of her attentive audience , starts up , and jeers this good wife of bath , for making so long a preamble to her tale , which , for ought that he knew , might prove as short ; and so resemble the mindian building , who , for making large gates to a little city , were scornfully advised by that cynick diogenes , to be very circumspect and wary lest their city should run out at their gates . and whan the sompner herd the frere gale lo ( qd this sompner ) by goddes arms two a frere woll entermete him euermo lo good men , a flie and eke a frere woll fall in euery dish and eke matere . in defence of her , and opposition to the frier , up stands the sumner ; who reproves the frier for interrupting this good-wife in her tale ; as if he should say , marry duck sir frier , must you be ever intermedling in others affairs ? you will have an oar , i see , in every one's boat : and make that old proverb good : a fly and a frier will fall in every man's dish and matter . what have you , sir frier , to do with her preambulations ? whether she amble or trot it concerns you nothing . you hinder our sport ; sit down , and give her way . ye wolt thou so sir sompner ( qd the frere ) now by my fay i shall , or er i go tell of a sompner such a tale or two that all the folke shall laugh in this place . what , sir sumner , are you so malapert ? must you control a frier ? well! for your grave reproof , i shall , before we part , tell a tale or two of a sumner , that will give occasion enough of laughter . now els frere i beshrew thy face ( quod this sompner ) and i beshrew me but if i tell tales two or thre of freres — the sumner will not abate the frier an ace . he has a tale or two to bestow on the frier , and to fit him with his own cool , before they come to syttingbourn , towards which they were journeying . he sees his patience already netled , and he hopes , when it comes to his turn to tell his tale , the frier will not find himself much refreshed . our host cried peace — like a peaceable moderator , our host , who was the very first mover and contriver of this task , cries peace . let the woman go on ( quoth he ) with her tale ; how is it , that you fare as if you were drunk ? you trouble us ; revenge your distasts on one another in your tales , when your time comes ; if you prepare , we shall hear . then turning himself to this wife of bath , he persuades her to go on , in these words ; doe dame , tell forth your tale , and that is best all redy sir ( qd she ) right as you lest if i haue licence of this worthy frere yes dame , tell forth your tale , i woll it here . go to dame , let not their jarring trouble you . you know what you have to do ; i hold it best , that you go on with your tale. i am ready ( saith she ) to obey your will , provided that i may have this worthy frier's leave , whose patience i have so far abus'd with my long preface ; which , although it solace not him , it gave me that delight , as i could have travell'd farther in this discourse , and never been tired . at last , with the frier's permission , and promise of attention , she goes on with her tale , in this sort . a comment upon the wife of bathes tale. in the old daies of king attour of which the bretons speken great honour — prince arthur , the son of uther , born in cornwal , was crowned king of britain in the year . he was a prince , for spirit no less couragious , than in all his attempts victorious . his courage proclaimed him a man , and his good fortune an happy man. he fought twelve several battels against the saxons , and alwaies returned conqueror . and having now to his succeeding memory reduced his countrey to quietness , and planted the peaceful olive in his confines ; to express his true love to chivalry , and memorize such who were not only associates , but assistants in his victory ; he constituted the order of the round table , in which order , he only retained such of his nobility , as were most renowned for vertue and chivalry . this round table he kept in divers places , especially at carlion , winchester , and camalet in somersetshire . in memory of which foundation , by the testimony of leyland , there is yet to be seen in denbighshire , in the parish of llansavan , in the side of a stony hill , a place artificially compos'd , wherein be four and twenty seats for men to sit in , some less , and some bigger , according to their several statures ; cut out of the main rock by man's hand ; where young people coming to seek their cattel , use to sit , play , and repose : they commonly call it arthur's round table . to insist on those fabulous relations which former times have broached touching this prince , i will not , but refer them , who take delight in the report of such wonders to our old wives legends . let it suffice them , that in this king's daies ( if they will take the word of a good old wife of bath ) all was this lond fulfilled of fairy the elfe quene , with her joly company &c. king oberon , queen mab , prince cricket , and his paramour pig-widgeon , with all their fair company , used to repair hither , and dance a cinque-pace upon the meads , ( if they had so much art among them . ) yea , by usual resorting and consorting together , they became so familiar with our milk-maids on the downs , as they would not only sport with them , but woo them and win them ; whence the poet : pug wooed jug , a wily cub , to drink with him a sillibub , which drunk , they so familiar grew , as jug became one of the crew . but this ( saith our wife of bath ) was many hundred years ago . king oberon's race is quite extinct and gone , or else confin'd to some other remote island , where they reside . and she gives a reason of this . for there as wont to walk was an elfe there walketh now the limitour himselfe . * limitors and holy friers supply the place of fairies . their orizons , anthems and prayers have conjur'd down all fayries . before times , young wenches durst not safely go by themselves : every bush had his hob-thrush , but the world is well amended . women may go safely vp and doun in euery bush , and vnder euery tre there nis no other incubus but he . safe and secure may now our maids be . no incubus , goblin , or night-mare shroud themselves in the bushy thickets to surprize them , or with a cold sweat in the night-times to oppress them : the devout frier hath scar'd them . there is no other incubus but he . neither need they fear any dishonour ; for nothing but holy honesty attends the frier . and so fell it , that this king artour had in his house a lusty bacheler . amongst others of his princely retinue , for whom only this brave victorious prince reserved his round table , one lusty youth there was in his court , who giving reins to his desire , encountred a young amorous maid , and ravish'd her ; the report of this rape within few daies came to king arthur's ear , who , to expiate the guilt of so foul a crime , and free his royal court of all dishonour , denounced upon this wanton courtier due censure : which censure ( as may be probably conceived ) was grounded upon the statute then , as now in force ; that he who committed any rape should suffer death . albeit , in those daies , an especial kind of death was inflicted on the ravisher , and that was , he should lose his head ; to counterpoize this offence , in depriving another of her maiden-head . but that the quene , and other ladies mo so long prayden the king of grace till he his life graunted in that place and yaue him to the quene — as it hath been ever accounted the highest honour for knights to afford succour and relief to distressed ladies , so hath it been the custom of noble and affable ladies to commiserate the miss-fortunes or overtures of dejected knights . such favour found this young gentleman at the hands of his queen and her ladies : who , no sooner heard of this judgment of death pronounced upon him , than with prayers and tears ( prevalent suitors to a compassionate prince ) they labour'd to reverse that sentence , and afford some comfórt to his approaching ruine . as they pray'd , so they prevail'd ; the king ( a mirror in his time , both for justice and mercy ) gives this knight's life to his queen , to dispose of , as shall best like her . nor need he fear ought else than a gracious usage at her hands , from whose sollicitancy he had received his reprieve , if not reversal of judgment . the quene thanketh the knig with all her might and after this , thus spake she to the knight &c. the queen , after due thanks rendered unto the king , for speeding so well in her suit , takes opportunity to talk with this knight ; and tels him how , indeed , by her means , she had procur'd his reprieve for a time ; but yet he was not to hold himself safe nor secure from danger . his life was given her , and she would bestow it on him , provided that he performed what she propounded , and assoiled what she demanded . i graunt thee thy life , if that thou canst tell me what thing is it , that women most desiren beware , and kepe thy necke bone from the iren . a necessary caution for this condemned gentleman . as if she should say , go to sir , your fact was hainous , for which you have here your sentence . the sentence of death , you know , to be already pronounced ; to attemper the sharpness of which censure , i have interceded for you ; and so far prevailed , as it is now in my hands whether you live or die . nor is my brest so steeled , as altogether insensible of compassion . yet must such a crime as you have committed , sustain the difficulty of some task before it be remitted . this question then you must resolve me , if ever you mean to expect any favour from me . it concerns our sex , as from our sex you are to acknowledg the benefit of your life . and if thou canst not tell it me anon yet woll i yeue the leue for to gon a twelue month and a day , to seke and lete an answere sufficient in this matere . if the question seem too intricate , i will give you a twelve-moneths time to consider of it ; yet with sureties for your return at the years end . go to , this is all the favour i will shew you . wo was the knight , and sorowfully he siketh . mightily perplexed was this distressed knight ; but seeing there is no remedy , but he must either assoil this question , or despair of safety ; he prepares himself for his journey . wherein , you may suppose , what coasts he frequents , with what people of all qualities and conditions he consorts ; he leaves no place unsought , where he conceives the least hope that this question may be assoil'd . but he ne couth ariuen in no cost where as he might find in this matere two creatures according yfere . as many men so many minds . a whole college of physicians had not more different opinions ; nor all the antient philosophers more discrepant tenets concerning felicity . some said it was riches that did most delight them . others thought honours did most content them . others held that gorgeous attire did highliest take them . some said mirth , others said delight in bed , others to be widows oft . some , and those of the self-same sex ( for who knows better their hearts than themselves ) taking compassion of this poor perplexed knight , and desirous to satisfie him in what they could , unriveted the very secrets of their own brests , and told him plainly what of all things in the world they for their parts most desired , and what of all others most contented them . for my part , said one , there is nought that delights me more , than to have hearts-ease , to be cheared , cherished , flattered and pleas'd ; ever to have my words seconded , my arguments maintained , and in all my business to have my self duly attended . another of the same sex , and for her opinion , by all likelihood of the same sect , starts up , and affirms ; that for her part , she lov'd nothing better , than to be free and at her own dispose ; to be countermanded by none , to do what she list ; not to be reproved for any vice that she loved ; to be esteemed wise ; more free than nice ; more buxom than precise . for trewly there nis none of us all if any wight woll clawe vs on the gall that we nill kike — here this good-wife of bath puts in her vye , and confirms their opinion , who held that nothing delighted a woman more than to be soothed , seconded , and humored . for whosoever ( saith she ) use to claw us on the gall , or nettle us , they shall find us to have stomachs . we cannot endure to be controlled ; give us the swinge , or they that oppose us , are sure to be swinged . again , if we be subject to any vice , we cannot brook that any other's eye should prie into our bosoms . when we are lightest , we desire to be held demurest ; when most vitious , to be reputed most vertuous . they are lov'd most by us , who defend our vices ; they offend us most , who stile not our vices vertues . and some men sain , that grete delite haue we for to ben holde stable and eke secre and in one purpose stedfastly to dwell and not bewray thing that men vs tell . here she proceeds in the delivery of their several opinions ; when she shews , how some held it their highest delight to be esteemed constant in their courses , secret in their counsels ; to hold their first purpose immutably , and to conceal whatsoever was recommended to their secrecy . but how lightly ( saith she ) we of our sex set by keeping of counsel , that fable of * midas , reported by ovid , will sufficiently discover . — woll ye here the tale ? ouide , among other things small said , midas had vnder his long heere 's growing on his heed , two asses ears . mida , quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because his eies were blinded or filmed with covetousness . he was king of phrygia , and one of the richest that ever reign'd . the poets feign , that after he had restored silenus unto bacchus , to gratifie his courtesie , bacchus promised him what gift soever he should demand ; upon which offer , he desired that whatsoever he touched , might be into gold turned . by which means , the very meat which was provided for his repast , became gold ; so as , though he surfetted in gold , he famish'd for food . well then deserved he an asses ears for his labour , who could not satisfie his desires without starving nature . now to cover this deformity ( as may be supposed ) he wore purposely long hair , so as none knew of it , save only his wife , whom he especially trusted , and to whose secrecy those long ears of his were only disclosed . she , who had solemnly vow'd never to disclose what he had recommended to her trust ; both to keep her oath , and yet disgorge her stomach of that secret , which lay so fretting and frying on her , as she must needs be delivered of it ; resolved one day to go down to a marish near adjoyning , far remote from the sight or search of man ; where , just like as a bittern puts his beak in a reed , and through the hollowness of the cane makes a shrill and sharp sound , so lay midas wife with her mouth to the water , using these words ; dost thou hear , thou marish ? my husband has a pair of asse's ears ; this is a secret , none but my self knows of it ; i would not for a world impart it . so , now my heart is eased : my lace would have broke , if i had not disclos'd it . the remnaunt of the tale , if ye will here redeth duide , and there ye may it lere . this story you may read in the eleventh book of his metamorphosis , where the reason of this transformation is lively expressed . this knight , of which my tale is specially whan that he sawe , he might not come thereby this is to say , what women louen most within his herte sorowful was his goste , &c. many coasts and countries had this distressed knight search'd , sundry folkes judgments and opinions had he sought , yet is he no nearer , than when he began . different were their conceits , according to the difference of their minds . nothing was definitely concluded , because their judgments were so diversly distracted . on draws the time , in which his summons cals him home ; which , rather than he will not keep , in regard of those dear friends words engaged for him , he resolves to suffer a thousand deaths . thus perplexed , wanders this pilgrim knight , hopeless of any resolve for his question , and consequently out of all hope to procure his pardon . but home he goth , he might not soiourne the day was come , he must home returne and in his way , it hapned him to ride in all his care , under a forest side where he saw upon a daunce go of ladies foure and twenty , and yet mo &c. amidst these distracted cares of his , as he travels homeward ( for approached was the time of his return , with a general expectance of his resolve ) as he casts his troubled eye aside , he sees a company of dainty and delicate ladies , sylvanes or wood-nymphs all , leading a pleasant dance near to the forrest side ; towards them he addresseth his course , in hope to receive some comfort from them . but to increase his anguish , no sooner draws he near them , than they vanish . no creature saw he that bare life saue in the grene , he saw sitting an old wife a fouler wight there may no man deuise . beauty was gone , and deformity left . all those amiable ladies were quite vanished ; and none remaining but an old hag , whose sight begot in him more loathing than loving . those , whom former times have painted out for the most ugly , and worst-favoured creatures that ever breathed ; even nays , catastes , thestylis , were dainty paragons in nature * again the knight the old wife gan arise . a proper salute , and as mannerly a regreet , you may expect , as an old trot of her shape could afford . for thus she seems to accost him : god may you bless , young gentleman ; for you look like a bonny gamesom youth . what way bound you so fast down by this uncouth forrest ? sure , if i miss not my mark , you are out of your aim ; for this is no high-way ; sooth in god , there is somewhat or other , that gripes you by th' heart ; for your fresh flowry countenance looks pale . is it love , a god's name , or some sike giddy thing that girds you ? — tell me what ye seken by your fay peradventure it may the better be this old folke conne much thing ( qd she ) we old trots are good for something . we have many fine medicines in store , that lustier hussies little wot on . read your rede to me then boldly , you shall find me an honest old woman ; and a true trusty friend in a corner , though she be never so ore-spent by nature , may do a buxsom boy a pleasure . my lefe mother ( qd this knight ) certaine i nam but deed , but if that i can sain what thing it is , that women most desire coud ye me wisse , i wold quite well your hire . his time limited is so short , and so speedy his task , as it admits no delay . he discovers unto her the reason of his raunge in that desert and unfrequented forrest . the question that he is injoyned to assoil upon pain of life , he declares unto her . albeit small comfort he expect from her . this he no sooner imparts , than she returns him this unexpected answer to bring him back to himself , from this high-beat path of his approaching danger . plight me thy trouth here in my hand ( qd she ) the next thing that i require of the thou shalt it do , if it be in thy might and i woll tell it you , or it be night . dapper youth , quoth she , this geer is of some weight ; it is a dear wade , when your life lies upon last stake . well , go to ; you have travell'd far , and you are never a chip the wiser . you shall see an old wife has some wit. but first you must requite me , or i mean never to resolve you . give me your hand-promise , that after i have told you this question , you will grant whatsoever i shall demand of you , if it be in your power ; do not deny me , lest i leave you as i found you . haue here my trought ( qd the knight ) i graunt . life is sweet ; he will neither deny her , nor delay her , but vows truly to perform whatsoever shall be injoyned by her . than qd she , i may me well auaunt thy life is safe — be of good chear then . your life is as safe as mine , and safer too ; for i have one foot i th' grave , as you may see , already . i will so truly resolve it , as the queen herself , who first put this question to you , shall before all that fair assembly maintain it , that the proudest she that wears a kerchief on her head , shall not deny it . withdraw your self into that arbour , and i will tell you . — without lenger speche tho rowned she a pistel in his ere and bad him to be glad , and haue no fere . the preciousest ear-ring that ever he wore . what he had sought for among so many beauteous damosels , in so many frequented places , in such eminent courts , and could never attain , he finds now in the brest of an old withered hag , in a wild forrest , far remote from the seat or sight of men . suppose him then , thus provided , now approaching the court , where he is expected according to his day limited , to return his answer , where he is either to come off with honour or danger . ( the quene her self , sitting as a justise ) assembled ben , his answere for to here and afterward this knight was bode apere . a great assembly of women are purposely come to court to hear this knight's answer , and to give their judgments , as may be thought , whether this question to him proposed , were by him truly or no resolved . a general silence by an o yes , thrice publickly cried , was to all women injoyned . a task , i grant of no small difficulty , but this was , to th' end this knight should not be interrupted . the knight , after his appearance , and so free audience , with a shrill voice and stout spirit , as one confident of his answer , assoiles the question with this resolution : my liege lady : generally , qd . he women desiren to haue souerainte as well ouer her husbonds as her loue and for to ben in maistry hem aboue this is your most desire , though ye me kill doth as you list , i am here at your will. there is nothing which a woman desires more than soveraignty ; command is her content ; dominion her minion ; her will her weal . this the poet confirms : nor love , nor life , nor liberty , nor land , can please a wench , unless she have command . soveraignty is such a pearl in her eye , that life is a loathing unless it be attending . thus hath he returned his answer ; now hear what applause it receives in this fair foeminine assembly . in all the court nas there wife ne maid ne widow , that contraried that he said but said , he was worthy han his life . by general voice and vote he is held worthy to have his life . their own bosoms else would have condemned them , and netled the old rivell'd hag , from whom he receiv'd that answer , and who all the time had been silent , to have stirred her glib tongue among them . now imagine , after this question so fully resolved , and the whole court of women ready to be dissolved , with what unexpected joy this late perplexed knight was transported ; which , ( behold the mutability of all earthly comforts , ever sweeter in ambition than fruition ) was as quickly exiled , by another occurrent : which now succeedeth . and with that word , up stert the old wife which that the knight fond sitting on the grene mercy ( qd she ) my soueraine lady quene — no sooner was this question resolved , the knight pardoned , and all ready to depart , than up starts this old trot , and appeals to the queen , who sate as chief justice ; to whom she exhibits her petition , after that , like another omphada , she had unnimbly rushed down upon her four quarters , and in her best homely manner had done her reverence : madam , i am an old woman , and so must youngest here be , if they live to 't ; yet an old woman deserves her due as well as the youngest : this gay knight , simply though i stand here , was taught by me his answer : for which he plighted me his troth , that whatsoever i should demand at his hand , if it lay in his power , he would perform . before the court than pray i the sir knight ( qd. she ) that thou me take unto thy wife for well thou wotst , that i haue kept thy life . you shall not say , sir knight , that i love you ill ; both to save your life , and procure you a wife , is no mean courtesie . i mean to bestow no worse than my self on you ; and many a poor knight would be heartily glad of a worse choice . you know promise is debt ; nor can you pay your debt , unless you tender your self . if i say false , say nay upon thy fay . this knight answerd , alas and welaway . she puts him to his book-oath , but he will neither take it , nor her by his good-will . he must now turn over a new leaf , and act another fresh scene of sorrow . for , thinks he , if life be nothing without society , what may that life be worth , where he must live with her whom he eternally loths ? thusto live were to die ; yea to die were to live , rather than embrace such a life . better thinks he , it had been by many degrees , to have stood mute , and submitted himself to the extreamest censure , than upon such hard tearms to have procur'd an answer , the issue whereof will undo him for ever . he resolves then to make her a fair proffer , the acceptance whereof , though it should make him a beggar , yet in his conceipt infinitely happier . take all my good , and let my body go . nay qd she , than i shrewe vs both two . as if he should say , i confess freely , that i have receiv'd an incomparable courtesie from you ; being the next means under god and my gracious soveraign , of preserving my life ; nor will i deny but i promis'd you upon the answer i receiv'd from you , whatsoever were in my power , i would freely and without exception give you . but little did i expect that my self should be the gift . alas ! you are an old woman , and should think of other matters , than such youthful marriages . for what would this beget but jealousie in you , discontent in me , and some miserable end to us both ? this disparity in our years , can make no true harmony in our affections . age , generally is more given to the world , than the flesh ; accept then of my fortunes , i lay them down at your feet , and leave me to the wide world to raise me an estate . i have nothing too dear for you but my self ; release me of that , and take all . this , he thought would have prevail'd , but he is far deceiv'd ; she expressly answers him , that it was not his fortunes that could content her ; no , nor all the precious ore , metals , nor minerals of the whole earth . as his own life was by her means saved , so expects she that his own person shall recompense it . set your heart then at rest , saith she , as you receiv'd from me the benefit of your life , so nothing will content me but being your wife and your love. my loue ( qd he ) nay my dampnation alas that any of my nation &c. my love , my loathing ! hanging and wedding go by destiny , and he holds it disputable , whether his loss of life or choice of such a wife , were the greater misery . he holds martial's opinion in his affiance to this woman . paula likes me , so shall i never her , because she 's old , unless she elder were . he could be the better contented to marry her , if he were but persuaded that he should shortly become her survivor ; mean time , this is his conceipt ; though , he received from her the benefit of his life , yet he holds his life at too high a rate to be enthralled to her love . neither , as he verily thinks , would this disgrace which he should thus incur , by ingaging himself to this unweldy beldame , who was a very fardel of diseases , reflect only upon himself , but on his whole nation : for to describe her , and bestow on her her true character , what was she , but a sapless seer stock without verdure ; a crawling creeping cricket , without vigour ; a proportionless feature without favour ? one , whose mouth like a common sewer , was ever driveling ; whose nose , like a perpetual limbeck , was ever dropping . the sciatica had taken possession of her hip ; the megrim of her head ; an aged film had quite covered her eyes ; and an incessant cough taken seizure of her lungs . her mouth was discharged of the grinders ; from which issued such a steam , as it would have put a serjeant in mind of his mortality . yet must this proper puss be this knight's dainty bride ; for howsoever he hold himself highly disparaged , his nation dishonoured , his succeeding hopes eternally dashed ; — the end is this , that he constrained was , that nedes must he her wed and taketh this old wife , and goeth to ved . he must perform his promise ; where women are judges , the worst of their sex must not be wronged . now what a comfortable bridal this was , let them judge , who have known the misery of a loathed bed. bat no remedy in cases of such inevitable necessity ; he must put on the best countenance he can , and learn to dissemble with the world , the bitterest of whose discontents he hath now sufficiently tasted . now wolden some men say parauenture that for my negligence , i do no cure to tellen you the joy and the array that at the feast was that ilke day . now some ( saith this old wife of bath ) will perhaps expect that i should speak of the joy and jollity , feasts and solemnity of this goodly marriage , as first , how the bride and bridegroom were attired , with what companies attended , what dainty cates were provided , how the feasters were ranked , with what musick and melody cheared . to the which thing answere shortly i shall i say there was no joy ne feest at all . they that expect any jovial day at such a bridal-day , are much deceived ; there was nothing there but pouting , louring , and cloudy weather ; all things were out of temper ; no consort could keep any concord , when the chief of the feast were at such mortal discord . they that came to their table , might be sure to find store of foul in every corner ; foul looks , foul lips , foul linnen . well may we think then ; gret was the sorow the knight had in his thought whan he was with his wife a bedde ibrought . he is now entring his mount aetna , or his cancasus rather ; for she is cold enough for any season . a perpetual feaver now afflicts him . rest he cannot , yet may she rest , and will not . he waloweth , and turneth to and fro . his old wife lay smiling euermo and said : o dere husbonde , o benedicite fareth euery knight thus as ye ? while he makes his bed his rack , turning to and fro , tossing and wallowing in his sheets of shame , for so he holds them , his bed-fellow expostulates the cause with him , and with a comfortable smile , as you may gather , by her amiable favour and feature , thus accoasts him ; good god , dear husband , what a tossing and turning you make ! fares every knight with his wife as you do ? is this the comfort of a first nights marriage ? marry , fie upon wedding and this be it . are king arthur's knights so dainty of their love , as they will tender no benevolence to them from whom they receive the benefit of their life ? sure , others are neither so coy nor curious , so dainty nor dangerous of their busses nor embraces as you be . am not i she , who preserved your life from danger , and since have married you , which deserves some honour ? how is it then , that like a mad man , you shew this distemper , and with-hold that freedom of love from me , which you ought in duty to tender ? first night had been no such great matter , if you had been more sparing of your love hereafter . fy , what is my gilt ? for gods loue tell me it and it shall be amended if i may . amended ( qd this knight ) alas nay nay &c. sure my guilt cannot be so great , but if you look on the means of your safety , that will excuse me ; but if i have been in ought blame-worthy , do but impart it , and i shall amend it . amend it ( quoth the knight ) that 's impossible . when i look on thy deformity , it makes me quite forget the means of my safety . thy presence makes my bed loathsom ; thy old age and base birth make my life wearisom . no wonder then , if i thus toss , turn and turmoil my self , when i see no object that may afford to my restless misery the least hope of comfort . burst then , poor hapless heart , since thou art destitute of all hope , and deprived of all means of help . is this ( qd she ) the cause of your unrest ? ye certainly qd he , no wonder nis . what , saith she , is this all you can object against me ? is it my base parentage , or mean personage the only reason of your distast ? yes , answers he , what reasons can be greater , when neither outward worth , nor equality of birth suits with mine honour ? now sir ( qd she ) i couth amend all this if that me list , erit were daies three do well ye might beare you vnto me . well sir , these are no such great eye-sores , but they might be cured ; yea , and before three daies were expired , if you demeaned your self towards me as became a loving husband . but whereas you stand so much upon gentility of blood ; trust me , sweet spouse , these titles are but trifles . those only are to be held generous , who are vertuous ; those ignoble , who are vicious . nobility of blood , if it want inward worth , is soon corrupted ; and the highest family without vertue , stained . it is true , we derive from our ancestors our descents , yet if we come short of them in deserts , we more dishonour them , than we are honoured by them . for howsoever they confer on us their inheritance , they cannot leave us their goodness ; that must be by our own endeavours obtained , not to us lineally derived . he is a right gentleman , that has gentle conditions ; from whence he took his name , as it agreed best with his nature . wel can the wise poete of florence that hight daunte , speke in this sentence . daunt , a famous italian poet , of whom succeeding times have given this approved testimony ; ingenuous daunt , who had the art to sit his subject to his verse , his verse to it . he was laureat in his time , and of such a pregnant present conceipt , as he was no less honoured by the eminentest princes then living ; who joy'd to be his mecoenas : than memorized after his death with a rich and sumptuous monument , with his effigies to life engrav enon it . lo in such manner rime is dauntes tale ful selde up riseth by his braunches sinale prowesse of man : for god of his goodnesse wol that we claim of him our gentilnesse . here this old woman shews her self graced with inward worth , though she want outward parts , in a free delivery of her reading both in poetry and philosophy . wherein she first repeats daunt's divine sentence , how we are to attribute all glory unto god , from whom we receive not only outward prowess , but all inward goodness . from our elders , we may receive fortunes and temporal blessings , which usually prejudice most , where they are possess'd most : but for inward abilities , it is not in their power to derive them to us , nor bestow them on us . and he gives the reason , which he confirms with a familiar instance : for , saith he , should goodness be derived lineally , then where there is any goodness in the ancestor , it should diffuse and propagate it self to all his family ; none that descended from him , should be addicted to any villany : there would be an heritage of goodness in the whole linage . just as fire , should you carry it into the darkest cell betwixt heav'n and frozen caucasus , yet would it , according to its natural quality and operation , give light and heat ; the darkness of the house could neither obscure nor extinguish it ; till what fed it were consumed , and so it self became quenched . but it is far otherwise with gentry , it derives no such native motion nor operation from her family . for god it wot , men may full often find a lordes son done shame and villany — as bastard-slips take seldom deep root , so the freest and most generous plants bring not alwaies forth most fruit. the hopefullest cyens are oft-times most degenerate . catiline and cethegus were a shame to their fathers ; so were semphroma and lucilla to their mothers . he or she then ( saith this moral bride ) that would be accompted generous , let him be vertuous ; he cannot be a gentleman , that is not endowed with a gentle mind . be he or she never so nobly descended , if debauch'd , they are but peasants . neither can we justly challenge to our selves any honour from our ancestors , if we second them not in actions worthy the renown of those ancestors . it is neither priority of place , nor nobility of race , that deserves approving , but gentleness and affability , which from god have their sole beginning . thinketh how noble , as saith ualerius was thilke cullius hostilius . tullus hostilius , of whom so glorious a mention is made by valerius maximus , was the third king of the romans , a prince of singular sobriety , a singular observer of all vertues ; insomuch as his own goodness rais'd him to that greatness . his poverty could not keep him from imperial dignity , because the eyes of all good men were upon him ; by whose general suffrage he was elected , and to a regal seat advanced . peruse likewise the works of seneca and boetius , two authors most sententiously divine , and you shall find ( saith this old bride ) that it is gentle deeds that make one truly gentile . by all which , she expressly concludes , that an honourable descent infers not ever eminence of desert ; for as one may be low bred and well dispos'd , so may one be high-born , and ill-affected . and therefore dere husbond , i thus conclude al were it that mine anceters were rude yet may that hie god , and so hope i graunt me grace to live vertously . surcease husband , to twit me thus with baseness of birth ; though mine ancestors were rude , yet if god give me grace to be good , my vertuous life shall ennoble my low line . let not this therefore so much distast you , though my descent be mean , i purpose to supply that want by deserts , if that may please you . and there as ye of pouertie me repreue the hie god , on whom that we bileue in wilful pouerte chese to lede his life &c. secondly , whereas you seem so much to tax me for my poverty ; that condition is rather to be loved , than reproved . he who may be a pattern to us all for imitation , preferred voluntary poverty before any other condition . neither may we think would he have chus'd it , if there had been any evil in it . the philosopher saith , to be silent in prosperity , chearful in adversity , in both to shew an indifferency , is the highest pitch of philosophy . it is the saying of sage seneca , and other learned men , that he only is prosperous and happy , who contents himself with his poverty ; admit he be not worth a shirt to his back , he has wealth enough , who holds himself content . he is the richest , whose desires are fewest ; he the poorest , whose wishes are fullest . there is no poverty but sin properly . juvenal speaks merrily : he that 's so poor he is not worth a groat , before a thief may sing a merry note . yea , to describe more fully the excellency of poverty ; it is a soveraign good , though generally hateful , inwardly fruitful . an expedite dispatcher of business ; for howsoever we pay for expedition in these courts on earth , this is that leads us in the expeditest course to the court of heaven ; it enlighteneth our understanding , enliveneth our conceiving , rectifieth our judgment , if in these gusts of seeming affliction we be patient . these , and many other excellent fruits produceth poverty , though few or none entertain it willingly . nay , which is more , it brings man to the knowledg of himself , and of god , who , for his love to man , humbled himself . besides , it is a very clear mirror or looking-glass , wherein he may distinguish friends from foes , and try whom he may safely trust . reprove me then no more ( gentle sir ) for my poverty ; nor grieve your self at that which brings with it more comfort than misery . now sir , eke of elde ye repreued me and certes sir , though none autorite were in no boke ye gentils of honour saine that men shuld an old wight honour &c. lastly sir , whereas you despise me for mine age ; if no authority did enjoyn you , nor no book inform you , that age were to be reverenced , even your own gentility would exact this from you , and that inbred civility which nature hath planted in you . when you see an old man , for the reverence you bear unto his age , you clepe him father . will you contemn me then , because i am like your mother ? in this respect , you should rather cherish , than discourage me , honour , than disparage me . gray hairs were once in reverence till now , so were deep furrows in an aged brow. believe it sir , though * gray hairs be young mens terrors , they are old mens treasures ; though young mens laughter , they are old mens honours . more experience is here shrouded , than fair looks , or fresh looks ever yet attained . now there as ye sain , that i am foule and olde than drede you not to ben a cokewolde . now whereas you still cast in my dish , mine age and deformity ; this you may use for an antidote against jealousie . when you are abroad , you need not fear me ; affection is grown so cold in me , it can work no strong effects on my phantasie . neither will any one desire much to court me , for my deformity . decrepit age and want of beauty , are sufficient guardians to preserve chastity . for as age is ever attended on by honour , it is with more reverence loved than lusted after . but natheles , sin i know your delite i shall fulfil your worldly appetite . these now ( qd she ) one of these things twey to haue me foule and olde , til that i dey and be to you a trewe humble wife and neuer you displease in all my life orels wol you haue me yong and faire and take your aduenturst of the repaire that shal come to your house , because of me or in some other place , may well be ? but go too sir ; i see these pleas will hardly please . the bride that lyes by you must be beautiful or she will not content you . beauty is a dainty pearl in your eye . well ; you shall have your desire : there is nothing that may delight you , wherein i will not satisfie you , if it be in my power to grant you . go to then , i will offer to your choice two things , wherein please your self , and you shall please me who am your second self . first is , whether you will have me aged and deformed as i now am ; and so find me an humble , loving , and affable wife , unwilling to displease you , ready at bed and board to be disposed by you , in all respects conformable unto you . or else , you will have me young and fair , and subject your self to the hazards of beauty . for well you know , that as youth is sooner tempted , so is beauty soonest tainted . i cannot avoid it but i must have suitors to court me , servants to comfort me , dainty didappers to visit me . your house must be alwayes open to strangers , mine arms to embraces , my perfum'd lips to youthful kisses . now chese your seluen whether that you liketh this knight auiseth him , and sore siketh but at the last , he said in manete : my lady and my loue , and wife so dere i put me in your wise gouernaunce theseth your self , which may be more pleasunce and most honour to you and me also i do no force whether of the two — the world is well amended ; now when it is in his choyce , he stands indifferent for her change. yet could he find in his heart that she had beauty , so none might share with him in her beauty . but jealousie is such a dangerous malady , as to prevent all occasion , he will content himself with her deformity , rather than become subject to so cureless an infirmity . first therefore he here adviseth , then sigheth , lastly thus concludeth : albeit , dear wife , you may imagine what comfort it would be to me to enjoy a beautiful bed-fellow ; one whose outward parts might make her honoured where-ever she resorted ; and whose sweet . society might allay my distasts , and improve my comforts whensoever occasioned ; yet shall not you find me so drenched or drowned in sensual delights , as to prefer mine own appetite before the light of reason . i understand by your grave and discreet arguments , that you are wise , which is to be incomparably valued above all outward beauty . make choyce then of what may seem best in your own discretion ; i will in no wise give way to my own blind affection ; which of these two soever may tender you most pleasure and honour , chuse it , and so dispose of me and it , as your honour may be most advanced by it . i shall hold my self content whether of these two you accept . for as you liketh , it suffiseth me . than haue i got of you the mastrie ( qd she ) sin i may chese , and gouerne as my list ye certes wife ( qd he ) i hold it for the best kisse me ( qd she ) we be no lenger wrothe for by my trueth , i woll be to you bothe &c. now what she so long aim'd at , she has got ; her own will ; and therein , which may seem more strange , his happiness . you have given me , saith she , the mastery ; which shall be such a government , as it shall not have the least tast of tyranny . this you have done so freely , as it injoins my usage to be friendly . go to sir ; you shall hence find what benefit an obedient and observant husband may reap by resigning his will to the will of his wife : you stood doubtful at first , whether of those two offers which i made you , were to be accepted by you ; that is , whether you would have me continue as i am , aged and deformed , but withal constant , continent , and to your command obedient ; or young and beautiful , but withal youthful , and in danger to become incontinent . but now i shall take from you all occasion of doubting , and make you happy in your affection . for i will be to you both young and beautiful ; and withal so constant in my love , so continent in my desires , so moderate in my delights , so temperate in my resolves , so discreet in my directions , so vertuously good and gracious in all my actions , as you shall find your happiness fully crowned in enjoying me . nor will i feed your hopes with any long delay ; for by the next morning , shall my beauty be such , as no lady from east to west may compare with me ; whereof , with my life , dispose as may best please you . and so they slepte till it was morow graie and than she said , whan it was daie cast vp the courteine , and loke how it is . and when this knight saw all this that she so faire was and so yong therto for joy he hent her in his armes two . howsoever it be said , that they both slept ; it is probably to be doubted , whether he , at least , slept or no. such a longing desire he had to see this approaching hour of her transmutation . but when this happy hour was approached , aurora her burnish'd beams dispersed , and the curtain drawn aside , by which this brides beauty might be discerned ; it is not to be imagined how strangely this over-joyed bridegroom was intranced . straight-waies he inwreaths her in his arms , looks babies in her eyes ; and as one embathed in bliss , a thousand times a row he kisseth her , meerly transported with joy for the beauty he saw in her . thus did they surset it in midst of plenty , ten kisses short as one , one long as twenty . to treat farther of it , i will not ; modesty would have this subject enskreened , & left to the imagination to conceive it . let it suffice , that as her beauty could not chuse but give him content , so was she to him constant and obedient : in which mutual affection ; seconded with perfect joy , free from all jar , they continued till their lives ended . — and iesu christ us sende husbondes meke , yong , and fresh a bedde and grace to ouerliue hem that we wed . and i pray to god , to short her liues that will not be gouerned by her wiues and olde and angry nigardes of dispence god send hem sone a very pestilence . here at last this good old wife of bath ends her long relation with a serious supplication ; by which she shews that she has one colt's tooth yet left ; neither doth she pray only for her self , but for the whole congregation of her sex : that they may have husbands meek , to live with , young , to love with , and fresh , to lie with ; that they may ever be their survivors ; that such husbands may have short lives , who will not suffer their wives to be governors ; and that a pestilence may light on all such husbands and niggardly cot-queans as cannot dispose of their own , but are misers . and so ends she her story to make her audience merry . thus then will we conclude our comment , and recount the comical passages of their nuptial content , woven up in these verses . the king 's appeas'd , the queen rests satisfi'd , the bridegroom joyes in his new-formed bride no part in her appears from top to toe but may give nature thanks for making't so ; inward and outward graces joyntly meet , to make his comfort in her more compleat ; long did they live together in true love , while each with other in affection strove : may all folk marry so that would live well , or let them tarry , and lead apes in hell. an appendix . after such time as the autor , upon the instancy of sundry persons of quality , had finish'd his comments upon these two tales ; the perusal of them begot that influence over the clear and weighty judgments of the strictest and rigidest censors ; as their high approvement of them induced their importunity to the author to go on with the rest , as he had successfully done with these two first : ingenuously protesting , that they had not read any subject discoursing by way of illustration , and running descant on such light , but harmless fancies , more handsomly couched , nor modestly shadowed . all which , though urgently press'd , could make no impression on the author : for his definite answer was this : that his age , without any appellant , might render his apology ; and priviledge him from commenting on conceptions ( were they never so pregnant ) being interveined with levity , saying ; of such light toyes hee 'd tam a long adew , nor did he mean his knowledge to renew . neither could he entertain any such thought of perfection in these , being begun and finish'd in his blooming years ; wherein the heat of conceipt , more than the depth of intellect dictated to his pen. the remainder of his hours henceforth was to number his daies : but if aeson's herb should revive him , and store him with a new plumage , he was persuaded that his youthful genius could not bestow his endeavour on any author with more pleasure nor complacency to fancy , than the illustrations of chaucer . amidst this discourse , a critick stepping in , objected out of the quickness of his censure , much like that phantastical madam , who drew rapsodies from her carpet , that he could allow well of chaucer , if his language were better . whereto the author of these commentaries return'd him this answer : sir , it appears , you prefer speech before the head-piece ; language before invention ; whereas weight of judgment has ever given invention priority before language . and not to leave you dissatisfied , as the time wherein these tales were writ , rendered him incapable of the one ; so his pregnancy of fancy approv'd him incomparable for the other . which answer still'd this censor , and justified the author ; leaving new-holme to attest his deserts ; his works to perpetuate his honour . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * conventicles are tickle places for holy sisters ; those are booths for such ware , as i could wish all young bridegrooms to beware of : st. — — is rather a sanctuary for our aunts than saints . a place reported by borgius for a frequent receipt of pilgrims : pomaerius in his summaenian annals . notes for div a -e * a proprias limites terris imponendo , & removent ibus anathemat a denunciando dicti , ut veresimile est . * bacchus bounty so freely bestowed , waa not so discreetly employed by midas , as neptune's gifts were by theseus : this brought midas to the brink of misery : those wrought theseus sase delivery . * this mother-midnight , shap'd like a sweden hag , and by all likelihood the fayries midwife . lib. . c. . * cani juvenum spectra , senam specula ; juvenum ludibria , senam decora : adag . whimzies: or, a nevv cast of characters brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) whimzies: or, a nevv cast of characters brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , - , [ ], , [ ] p. printed by f[elix] k[ingston] and are to be sold by ambrose rithirdon at the signe of the bulls-head in pauls church-yard, london : . by richard brathwait. printer's name from stc. the first two leaves and the last leaf are blank. the title page is a cancel with a conjugate blank leaf. variant: with cancellandum title page, with "sold by r. b[ostock?]." in imprint; [ ] p. of preliminaries. "a cater-character, throwne out of a boxe by an experienc'd gamester" has separate pagination, and dated title page with "sold by r.b." in the imprint; register is continuous. variant: imprint has "sold by a.r.". includes index. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng characters and characteristics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion whimzies : or , a new cast of characters . nova , non nota delectant . london , printed by f. k. and are to be sold by ambrose rithirdon at the signe of the bulls-head in pauls church-yard . . to his mvch honored friend , sir alexander radcliffe , the accomplishment of his noblest wishes . sir , some have i heard affirme , ( but more tarily , i hope , then truly ) that to bee a knight and a scholler , was the mirror of knighthood : howsoever the tenet hold , sure i am , that you are this mirror . being as you are ennobled by des●…ent , so enabled by desert ; a patron to the le●…rned professant , and in all le●…ing a ●…ich proficient . this i●… was , and this onely , which first induc'd me , contrarie to that native di●…position everbred in me , so freely to tender my selfe to the knowledge of you ; and which hath ever since stamped in mee so deepe an impression of you . let others affect your title , while i live to honour your selfe . the generous and free goodnesse of your minde , is my object , than which it is not possible to treate of a more attractive subject . this is to bee incomparably valued above any outward good . let this serve for the prelude , not to delude you , for you are wiser ; but to expresse my selfe really unto you , whose noble s●…ccesse i doe intimately tender . you may bee pleased to remember that at my last entercourse with you , it was my promise upon a precedent purpose to addresse some small memoriall to publike view under your name , in lieu of those many respects which i beare you . which promises , i must ingenuously conf●…sse , ( as in this kinde , so in all others justly grounded ) it hath beene ever my course religiously to observe . for in comming short of performance in what wee promise , argues either a precipitate rashnesse in the promiser , or inconstancie in his resolves , or forgetfulnesse in what he undertakes . it is recommended unto us by authenticke storie , that it was the usuall observation both of a roman emperor , and of an english monarch , never to promise any thing but what they registred and set downe with their owne hands : which rule requireth imitation even of in●…eriours . an expression whereof i have here made in the tender of this alphabeticall gradation of characters , to your generous & ingenious veiw . neither ( indeede ) without a preceeding ground of reason did i make choyse of this subject . for howsoever the argument may seeme much bet : yet in my opinion may it bee much bettered both in style and substance . many characters ( i confesse ) have beene published both in former times , when the ignorance of the age could scarcely render the ambiguitie of the word : as likewise in these more refined times of ours , wherein , as in habit and attyre , so in discourses of this nature , nothing but rarities ( bee they never so light ) can afford delight . but to give them their true and native character , they relished more of aphorisme . than character . for to suite them with their approvedst and retentivest title , what else are characters but stampes or impressures , noting such an especiall place , person , or office ; and leaving such a marke or cognizance upon it , as the conceit may neither taste of too much lightnesse ; nor the cloze of so wittie an observance leave too much bitternesse , nor the whole passage or series incline to too much dulnesse ? truth is , he that should strive in each particular , either for style or subject , to please the various palats of all men , would prove an excellent taylour to fashion this age ; & might in time make a coate for the moone . strong lines have beene inrequest ; but they grew disrelishing , because they smelled too much of the lampe and opinionate singularitie . clinchings likewise were held nimble fl●…shes ; but affect●…tion spoyl'd all , and discovered their levitie . characterisme holds good concurrence , and runn●…s with the smoothest current in this age ; so it bee not wrapp'd up in too much ambiguitie . hee writes best , that affects least ; and effects most . for such as labor too intentively to please themselves , they for most part make it their labour to please none but themselves . this hath beene ever my maxime , that singularitie and affectation are antypodes to iudgem●…nt and discre●…ion . selfe-opinion mak's a mans selfe his owne minion . he is the true embleme of narcissus , and doates more on his owne shadow , then an others substance . but i will not looke too much on these glo-wormes ; they are soiles to the purest paper : leaving their spongie labours to the worst of censure . for these few digested papers , ( wherein you shall too highly prize mee , if at vacant and retyred houres you daigne onely to peruse mee ) i dare confidently avouch , you shall finde me to have preferred the pi●…h before the rinde , and caused the maid to attend upon her mistrisse . my provision was how to furnish the maine building : for other ornaments or imbellishments of art , they tendered themselves ; they were not much sought after . now it resteth that this character or token ( for so the word may import ) of my true zeale , unto your noble selfe , retaine that impression in you , which he retaines that honours you . these are more lasting memorialls than materiall jewels , and to the judicious more imcomparably pretious . the richest cabinet is the minde ; the treasures thereof purer than the oare of any mine . which when wee communicate to our friend , wee make him really ours , wee enfeoffe him in ours ; yea , wee incorporate him in us , and make him individually ours . so may we ever bee , till i surcease to bee clitus-alexandrinus . to the equall reader . characters in this age , may be properly resembled to squibbs or crackers ; they give a cracke and a flash , and so dye : or to passing faire faces , but ill-fauoured ; at which the more we looke , the 〈◊〉 we like . or to raw and ill-drest meat , which procures in the longing appetite a loathing ; being to be egested long before it come to bee digested , or to the growth of mushrom's , who no sooner florish than perish : or to the first flourishes of trees , whose bloomes and blossomes are so tende●… , as they cannot repell the violent distemper of any weather . thus ev●…ry post displaies their post●…re . but here be fruits ( equall reader , for so i would have thee ) of former setting , deeper rooting and longer promising . if thou beest ignorant , here is an a. b. c. for thee , in this table alphabeticall . if solid , here are plenty of passages , moving and materiall . what is wanting then but thy equall acceptance ? in confidence whereof , clitvs will retire , to call forth this iury , which consists of foure and twenty ; but neither so good men nor true as the state would have them . whimzies : or , a new cast of characters . . an almanack-maker is an annuall author , no lesse constant in his m●…thod then ma●…r ; enlarging his yeerely edition with a figure or cipher . he cites as familiarly , as if they were his familiars , euclid , ptolomi●… , ticho-brache , &c. but ▪ beleeve it , many have spoke of robin hood , that never shot in his bow . hee scrapes acquaintance of a fortu●…ate gentleman , one 〈◊〉 , whom he erron●…ously takes for brother of that feigned knight parismus ; whose name hee interprets to bee , bo●…i ominis captatio , whereof he himselfe for his part , was never capable . horizons , hemisphear●…s , horoscopes , apogaeum's , hypogaeum's , perigaeum's , astrolabes , cycles , epicycles are his usuall dialect ; yet i am pe●…swaded they may bee something to eate , for ought he knowes . his frequent repetition of mazzaroth , 〈◊〉 , orion , and the pleiades ▪ proclaime him highly versed in the astrologicall 〈◊〉 of io●… , whom he resembles in a paralell line of poverty , rather than patience . hee ha's the true situation and just proportion of the p●…incipall angles or houses of the heaven or firmament : yet can hardly pay house rent for his ow●…e . forty shillings is his yeerely pension upon every impression : but his vailes are meaner , unlesse he have the art for stolen goods to cast a figure : wherein , trust me , hee h●…'s a prety smattering . he walks in the clouds , and prates as familiarly of the in●…luence of the moone , as if h●…e had b●…ene the man that was in her . hee would make you beleeve he●… had a smacke of poetry , by the verses which hee ●…ixeth above every moneth , but doe not credit him , hee is guiltlesse of that art : onely some stolen shreads he hath ●…aked out from the kenn●…ll of other authors , which most 〈◊〉 hee assumes to himselfe , and makes an additament to his labours . whole summer nights long hee lyes on his backe , as if hee were melldew'd or planet-strucke , gazing on the starrie gallerie : and would make you believe that hee knew the names and markes of all the oxen that draw charles waine . hee talkes much of the . signes , yet i am confident , that one might perswade him that the cardinals hat , or sarazens head were one of them . he keeps a terrible quarter with his iacobs staffe , which he conjectures was first found at iacobs well ; as his erring erra pater informes him : for other cabals hee disclaimes them . the memorable work of co●…veying the n●…w river from ware to london ▪ was the issue of his braine , if you may believe him : yea , he will tell you , the state is much engaged to his notions . he ha'●… some small scruple of physitian in him , and can most empyrically discourse of the s●…ate of your body : but had he st●…re of patients , hee would slaughter more than a pest●…lence . he ha's a little judgement in your chris●… : and which is best season for 〈◊〉 : yet hee knowes not , whether phlebotomie bee a man or a woman . not a high-w●…y m●…n in europe can direct you better in the roade : all which he ha's by instira●…ion , for he scarce ever 〈◊〉 out of smoke o'●…h citie . he ha's excellent observations for planting , plo●…ng , setting , sowing ▪ with other ●…xperimentall rule●… of 〈◊〉 , yet never was master of ●… plough in all his ti●…e . ce●…taine ( but most 〈◊〉 ) g●…erall notions hee 〈◊〉 of t●…e seas●…ns of weathers , which hee express●…th in such strange and unbaptized language , as like the delph●…an sword , it may cut either way . about four a clock at night ( saith he ) which may as soone fall out at foure a clocke i' th morning for ought he know's , there will fall some mizling , drizling drops , with some whistling , rustling windes , &c. all which he findes out of the depth of art. he professeth some skill in palmistry ; wherein trust me , the gip●…ies do farre out-strippe him : poring on the table of your hand , hee fetcheth a deepe sigh , thinking of his owne unfurnish'd table at home , than which none can bee barer . and examining the lines of your table , he alwayes findes his owne to be most ominous . hee shewes himselfe deeply read in antiquitie , by the artlesse draught of his threed-bare chronologie ; and imps his illiterate worke , for want of better s●…uffe , with a trite discourse of weights and measures : most ponderously dividing them into troy and aver depois : where hee findes his owne gold still too light by many graines for either scale . his cage ( or studie if you please ) is hung about with moath-eaten mappes , orbes , globes , perspectives ; with which hee can worke wonders . his shelves for want of authors , are subully inter-woven with spiders ca●…les , which hee makes the stupid vulgar beleeve , are pure elixirs extracted from the influence of the moone . it is the height of his ambition to aspire to the credit of a blanke almanack . ; upon which election hee holds himselfe a 〈◊〉 author . if famous , he seldome dies ; for some ●…iour artist will assume to himselfe his name . but if he die , an other phoenix-like , will bee forth with raked out of his ashes . his death makes him in this infinitely happy ; it is not b●…tter to him in respect of his su●…stance : and in this onely hee expresseth hi●…e a scholer ; he d●…es poore . in a word , this may be his comfort , he leaves his kindred in a settled and composed peace : for they neede not fall by the eares together for his goods . that which he long discoursed of but understood not ( i meane his clymactericall yeare ) ha's now attach'd hi●… : and so ends his perpetuall a●…nack . . a ballad-monger is the ignominious ni●…kname of a penu●…ious poet of ●…hom he partakes in no●…g but in povertie . his straine ( in my opinion ) would sort best with a ●…unerall elegie , for hee writes most pittifully . hee ha's a singular gift of imagination , for hee can descant on a mans exec●… long before his confession . nor comes his invention farre short of his imagination ; for want of truer r●…lations , for a neede he can finde you out a sussex dragon , some sea or inland monster , drawne out by some shoelane man in a go●…nlike feature , to enforce more horror in the beholder . hee ha's an excellent facultie in this ; hee ha's one tune in store that will indifferently serve for any ditty . h●… 〈◊〉 your onely man in request ●…or christmas carols . his workes are lasting-pasted monuments u●…on the insides of country ale-houses , w●… they may 〈◊〉 without expence of a fa●…ing : which makes their thirstie author crie out in this manner , if he have so much latin : quò licuit chartis , nō licet ire mihi . he stands much upon stanza's , which halt and hobble as l●…mely as th●…t one legg'd ca●…tor that sings them : it would doe a mans heart good to see how twinne-like hee and his songman couple . wits of equal size , though more holding vailes befall the voyce . now you shall see them ( if both their stockes aspire to that strength ) droppe into some blinde alehouse , where these two naked uirginians will call for a great potte , a toast , and a pipe . where you may imagine the first and last to be only called for out of an humour ; but the midst out of meere necessitie , to allay hunger . yet to see how they will hug , hooke , and shrugge over these materials in a chimney corner ( o polyhymnia ) it would make the muses wonder ! but now they are parted : and ste●…tor ha's fitted his batillus with a subject : wheron hee vowes to bestow better lines than ever stucke in the garland of good will. by this time with botches and old ends , this balladbard ha's expressed the quintessence of his genius , extracted from the muddie spirit of bottle-ale and froth . but all is one for that ; his ' rinkilo must have it , if he wil●… come to his price , yet before hee have it , it must suffer the presse . by this , n●…ck ballad ha's got him a quarterne of this new impression ; with which hee mounts holborne as merry as a carter ; and takes his stand against some eminent bay-win●…ow ; where he ven●…s his stuffe . hee needs not dance attendance ; for in a trice you shall see him guarded with a ianizarie of cost rmongers , and countr●…y gooselings : while his nipps , i●…s , bungs and ` prina●…o's , of whom he hol●…s in fee , oft-times prevent the lan yer , by diving too deepe into his clients pocket ; while h●…e gives too deepe attention to this wo●…derfull bal●…d . b●…t stale balla●…-newes , like s●…ale fish , when it beginnes to smell of the pa●…yer , are not for queas●…e stomacks . you must therefore imagine , that by this time they are cashier'd the cit●…e and mu●… now ride poast for the countrey : where they are no lesse admir'd than a gyant in a pageant : till at last they grow so common there too , as every poore milk maid can chant and chirpe it under h●…r cow ; which she useth as an harmelesse charme to make her let downe her milke . now therefore you must suppose our facetious ballad-monger , as one nectar-infused with some poetical liquor , re-ascending the horsehoof'd mount , and with a cuppe of sixe ( for his token-pledge will bee taken for no more ) hee presum's to represent unto the world a new conceite , intitled ; a proper new ball●…d , to the tune of bragadeery round . which his chant●…leere sings with varietie of ayres ( having as you may suppose , an ins●…rumētall polyphon in the cra●…e of his nose . ) now he 〈◊〉 a n●…urall base , then a perpet●…all treble , and ends with a countert●…nure . you shall heare him feigne an artfull straine through the nose , purposely to 〈◊〉 uate into the attention of the purer brother-hood : but all in vaine ; they blush at the 〈◊〉 of this knave , and demurely passing by him , call him the lost childe . now , for his author , you must not take him for one of those pregnant criticke suburbane wits , who make worke for the fidlers of the citie . for those are more knaves , than fooles , but these quite contrary . in those you shall finde salt , sense , and verse ; but in these none of all three . what then is ●…o bee expected from so sterile a pernassian , where impudence is his best conductor , ignorance his best instructor , and indigence his best proctor ? shall we then close with him thus ? hee is constant in nothing but in his clothes . he 〈◊〉 casts his slough but against b●…tholomew faire : where hee may ●…asually e●…danger the purchase of a cast suite : else , trust me , hee is no shifter . in a word , ●…et his poo●…e corpes a sheete to s●…rowd them in at his dying , they 〈◊〉 more than his ●…use could ever make him worth while hee was living . . a corranto-coiner . is a state-newes-monger ; and his owne genius is his intelligencer . his mint goes weekely , and he coines monie by it . howsoeuer , the more intelligent merchants doe jeere him , the vulgar doe admire him , holding his novels oracular . and these are usually se●…t for tokens or 〈◊〉 curtsies betwixt city and countrey . hee hol●…s most constantly o●…e fo●…me or me●…hod of disc●…urse . he ●…etaines some militarie words of art , which hee shoot●…s at randome ; no matt●…r where they h●…t , they cannot wound any . he ever leaves some passages doubtfull , as if they were some more intimate secrecies of state , clozing his sentence abruptly , — with heereafter you shall heare more . which words , i conceive , he o●…ely useth as baites , to make the appetite of the reader more eager in his next weeks pursuit for a more satisfying labour . some generall-erring relations he pick●…s up , as crummes or fragments , from a frequented ordinario : of which shreads he shapes a cote to fit any credulous foole that will weare it . you sh●…ll never observe him make any reply in places of publike concourse ; hee ingenuously acknowledges hims●…lfe to bee more bounden to the happinesse of a retentive me●…ory , than eyther ability 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . or pregnancy of conceite . hee carryes his table-booke●…ill ●…ill about with him , but dares not pull it out publikely : yet no sooner is the table drawne , than he turnes notarie ; by which meanes hee recovers the charge of his ordinarie . paules is his walke in winter ; moorfi●…lds in sommer . where the whole discipline , designes , projects , and exploits of the st●…tes , netherlands , poland , switzer , crim chan and all , are within the compasse of one quadrangle walke most judiciously and punctually discovered . but long he must not walke , lest hee make his n●…wes-presse stand . thanks to his good invention , he can collect much out of a very little : no matter thou●…h more experienc'd judgements disprove him ; hee is anonymo●… , & that wil secure h●…m . to make his reports more credible ( or which he and his stationer onely aymes at ) more vendible , in the relation of every occurrent : he renders you the day of the moneth ; and to approve himselfe a scholler , he annexeth these latine parcells , or parcell-gilt sentences , veteri stylo , novo stylo . palisado's , parapets , counterscarfes , forts , fortresses , rampiers , bulwark's are his usual dialect . hee writes as if he would doe some mischiefe ; yet the charge of his shot is but paper . hee will sometimes start i●… his sleepe , as one affrighted with v●…sions ; which i can imp●…te to no other cause but to the terrible skirmishes which h●… discours'd of , in the day time . he ha's now tyed himselfe apprentice to the trade of minting : and must weekly performe his taske , or ( beside the losse w●…ich accrues to himselfe ) he disappoi●…ts a number of no small fooles , whose discourse , discipline , and discretion is drill'd from his state service . these you shall know by their mondai's morning question , a little before exchange time ; stationer have you any newes . which they no sooner purchase than peruse ; and early by next morning ( lest their countrey friend should bee deprived of the benefit of so rich a prize ) they freely vent the substance of it , with some illustrations , if their understanding can furn sh them that way . he would make you beleeve that hee were knowne to some forraine intelligence , but i hold him the wisest man that hath the least faith to beleeve him . for his relations he stands resolute , whether they become approved or evinced for untruths ; which if they bee , hee ha's contr●…cted with his face never to blush for the matter . hee holds especiall concurrence with two philosophicall sects , though hee bee ignora●…t of the t●…nets of either : in the collection of his observations he is pe●…ipateticull , for hee walkes circularly : in the dig●…stion of his relations he is stoicall , and sits regularly . hee ha's an alph●…beticall table of all the chiefe commanders , generals , leaders , provinciall townes , rivers , ports , creekes , with other fitting materials to furnish his imaginary building . whisperings , mu●…trings , & bare suppositions are suffici●…nt grounds for the authoritie of his relat●…ons . it is strange to see with what greedinesse this ayrie chameleon being all lungs and winde , will swallow a receite of newes , as i●… it ●…ere physicall : yea , with ●…at frontlesse insinuation he will scrue himselfe i●…to the acquaintance of some knowing intelligencers , who trying the cask by his hollow sound , do familiarly g●…ll him . i am of opinion , were all his voluminous centuries of fabulo●…s relations compiled , ●…hey ●…ould vye in number with the 〈◊〉 of many fo●…erunning ages . you shall many ti●…es finde in his 〈◊〉 , pasquils ▪ & corranto's miserable di●…ractions ; here a city taken by force , long before it bee besieged ; there a countrey laid wa●…e before ever the enemie ent●…red . he many times tortures his r●…ader with impertinencies : y●…t are these the tolerablest p●…ssages throughout all his discourse . he is the very landskip of our age . he is all ayre ; his eare alwayes open to all r●…ports ; which how incredible soever , must passe for currant , and find vent , purpos●…ly to get him currant money , and delude the vulgar . yet our best comfort is , his chymera's live not long ; a weeke is the longest in the citie , and af●…er their arrivall , little longer in the countrey . which past , they melt like butter , or m●…tch a pipe and so burne . but ind●…ede , most commonly it is the height of their ambition , to aspire to the imployment of stopping mu●…tard-pots , or wrapping up pepper , pouder , s●…aves-aker , &c. which done , they ●…xpire . now for his habit , wapping and longlane will give him his character . hee honours nothing with a more indeered observance , nor hugges ought with more intimacie than antiquitie , which hee expresseth even in his 〈◊〉 . i have knowne some love fish best that smell'd of the panyer ; and the like humour reignes in him , for hee loves that apparell best th●…t ha's a taste o●… the brok●…r . some have held hi●… for a scholler , but trust m●…e such are in a palpable errour , for hee never yet understood so much latine , as to construe gallob●…lgicus . for his librarie , ( his owne continuations excepted ) it consists of very few or no bookes : he holds himselfe highly engaged to his in●… , if it can purchase him victuals , for authors hee never converseth with them , unlesse they walke in p●…les . for his discourse it is ordinari●… : yet hee will make you a terrible repetition of desperate commanders , unheard of exployts ; intermixing with all his owne personall service . but this is not in all companies : for his experience hath sufficiently inform'd him in this principle : that as nothing workes more on the simple than things strange and incredibly rare ; so nothing discovers his weaknesse more among the knowing and judicious , than to insist by way of discourse , on reports above conceite . 〈◊〉 th●…se therefore , hee is as mute as a fish . but now imagine his lampe ( if he be worth one ) to be neer●…ly burnt out ; his inventing genius , wear●…d and surfoote with raunging over so many unk●…owne regions ; and himsel●…e wasted with the ●…ruitlesse expence of much paper , resig●…ing his place of weekly collecti●…ns to an other : whom in hope of some little share , h●…e ha's to his station●…r recommended , while he lives either poorely respected , or dyes mis●…rably ●…uspended . the rest i end with his owne cloze ; next weeke you sh●…ll heare more . a decoy is a brave metall'd blade , as apt to take as to give . h●…s morni●…g preparative is , what sconce shall we build ? though he never bare office in the ward where he lives , he ha's the word of a constable , and can bid stand . he is a witty hypocrit ; for sometimes i●… occasion serve , he can play the civill div●…ll , and cou●…terfeite a demure 〈◊〉 . he will cloze with you in any ●…rgument out of a pregnant-prese●…t conceite : s●… as hee would make one 〈◊〉 he had the eleme●…ts of all learning : bu●… hold him to it , and he will ●…all ●…ff , a●… hee doth in his whole cour●…e ●…rom the practice of goodnesse . to 〈◊〉 his frie●… or rather befriend 〈◊〉 , h●…e will turne true asi●…n knight , and sweare for you most pragmatically . a more affable or sociable companion the world cannot afford you : for hee will mould himselfe to your humour , be it in the quest of busi●…esse or pleasure : your owne shadow cannot bee more attendant , nor more obsequiously observant . his onely desi●…e is but to know where you lodge ( and for want of his high-road revenewes ) hee will bee your incessant visitant . having by this wrought o●… your easie temper , and in your bosome purchased him a friendly harbour : hee pretends occasions abroad ; and complaines his horse is lame , and what injurie the base f●…rrier had done him . this in civility you cannot chuse but take notice of , especialy to so intimate a friend , who ha's so many times vow'd to engage his person for your honour . by this hee mounts your palfrey , and makes for the countrey ; where if he doe not speede himselfe of a fortune by the way ; next friday in smithfield you s●…all finde your demilance in the faire . whom if you should chance to owne , yet were you never a whit neerer your owne : for your sweete-bosome friend will not sticke to face you and sweare you out of him . nay , hee will taxe you of impudence and countenanc'd by some of his own co●…rades , vow revenge for this undigested imputation . now , i●… your discretion will not bee thus outbrav'd no●… baffelt , hee will shew himselfe tru●… sparke of valour , and encounter you where you will or dare . but set up this for your rest , if you adjorne time , you shall as soone meete with your horse as ●…im . but these a●…e but pe●…ty assayes to other of his master-peeces . by th●…s hee hath taken upon him the title of a great heire ; which is seconded by the approvement of his 〈◊〉 f●…ye . all cubs of one lit●…er , and equally fur●…ished ●…or a cheating lecture . this some rich mercer . milliner , or taylour , or some other necessary appendice of a gentleman is presently pos●…est of ; who become humble supplicants for his custome , and by corrupting the groome of his chamb●…r , ( who was corrupt enough already ) purposely cheat●… themselves with expence of some ●…w crownes . along goes ou●… de●…oy ▪ as a●… imaginarie h●…ire , well accoutred and attended , towards his 〈◊〉 of cust●…me . 〈◊〉 , as o●…e borne to more m●…anes than bra●…nes , hee be●…aves himselfe like a very gandergoose , which strengthens his credu●…ous creditors gainefull expectance , hoping to make an essex calfe of him . but his acquaintance begets a good effect in them , for it ever ends with repentance . but these are but his civill citie cheats , for want of employment abroad . for howsoever his name , in its owne proper signification seeme to render him , his profession ha's proclaim'd him an universall 〈◊〉 . publike faires are his revenewes ; and there is nothing which hee keepes better in heart tha●… their time . he ha's his varietie of led suites : and can ( if neede require ) counterfeate the habit of grazier , gallant , or citizen all in one day . with which habits he playes the cunning impostor , and deludes those whose cond●…n hee 〈◊〉 : he had neede bee one of volpon●…'s true-bred cubbes that shall smell him out . private alleyes and by-lanes are his sanctuaryes in the citie : but places of publike frequent in the countrey . h●…e ha's more d●…xes than a gipsie , which hee makes use of , ei●…her for receiving his purchase , or for informing him of a prey . if at any time hee shall bee accused or attached by some simple count●…ey officer : ●…ee affronts him with such biggswolne words of points of reputa●…on ▪ g●…ntile , estimation , detraction , derogation ; as holding all these to be severall titles of his honour , hee not onely releases him , but most humbly complaining , invites him to a dinner ; lest his too rash attach of a gentleman of ●…rship , ( for 〈◊〉 his ignorance holds him ) should bring him in danger . which simplicitie of his our decoy observes , and workes upon it . hee must have his reputation salv'd with some 〈◊〉 album , or hee will not sit downe with this disgrace . which ( to prevent all ensuing harme , taking him bound withall that hee shall stirre up no powerfull friend against him , whereof our cheate pretends a myriad ) this officiall offall applyes , to cure the ulcer of his impostum'd reputation ; and so they part , a foole and a foist . you shall finde him now and then betting with some of his rooking consorts in bowl-alleyes ; where if a young novice come , he stands confident of a purchase . you shall see him presently ( yet with a reserved counterfeit civility ) cloze with him . his owne 〈◊〉 shall not seeme more intimate . but our young mast●…r still goes by weeping-●…rosse ; he leaves as few crummes of comfort in his purse , as haire on his chinne , or wit in his pate . it is above the reach of conceite , to observe him , how understandingly he will converse with a countrey farmer , after hee ha's saluted him at the 〈◊〉 doore . his tale is of a tur●…e , his matter a mattocke , his plea a pl●…ugh . but the catastrophe is a peece of plate , which he ever leaves the country-man in pledge for . to display him by his garbe , or describe him by his garment , were a taske of some difficultie ▪ hee sorts a●…d suites himselfe purposely to foole the world , i●… such varietie . sometimes you shall see him n●…ate and b●…ske , and accoutred bravely : next day , like one at oddes with himselfe , nitty a●… na●…y . which inde●…d , is his tru●… naturall garbe , that best become him : and may bee best preserv'●… in regard of those uncertaine veils which befall him . hee may for most part compare with those brave roman emperours for the manner of his death ; for hee seldome dyes in his bed . hee hopes one day to be advanc'd above the residue of his fellowes , which i conjecture must either bee on the pillorie or the gallowes : where i leave him . . an exchange ▪ man is the peremptorie br●…nch of an intergatorie ; what do 〈◊〉 ? he would make you b●…eve , that hee will furnish you 〈◊〉 ; but such profuse boun●…y 〈◊〉 ●…ot pay scot and lot ; your mony therefore must be your p●…edge , ●…efore you have his ●…inket . it is a wonder to s●…e what var●…ety of knick-k●…acks he ha's in so small a compasse . his quest of i●…quiry is , ●…at is most in request : so as , 〈◊〉 shoppe co●…sists as much of fa●…n as 〈◊〉 ▪ forme as 〈◊〉 . it would make one muse how ●…ver so many g●…w-gawes should finde vent in a wise state ; and yet the l●…bouring invention of the braine is ●…ver teeming and produci●…g so●… eye-temp●…g bab●…e or other , to allure the ne●…fangle passenger . the hurrii●… of a coach is as pleasi●…g me●… to 〈◊〉 in his expe●…tance , ●… th●… last sound before a new-play is to an i●…ching audience . w●…en the simp●…e goe to market , 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 get mony . by 〈◊〉 ●…y l●…dy w●…th he●… d●…apred 〈◊〉 ▪ hav●… as many poakes as 〈◊〉 , are mou●…ted the staires ; a●…d 〈◊〉 now th●… long pe●…patetick gallery ; they a●…e encountred with volleyes of more questions , then they know how to resolve . gladly would this salique traine buy all they see , if their revenues would mount to the price . but they must in civill curtsy leave some few commodities for others . meane time they buy more then they know how to employ . " that is a prety conceited toy ( sayes my ladies gentle woman ) i will buy it whatsoever it cost me : which discreete spe●…ch delivered in the hearing of our exchange-man , it must want no praise , a●…d consequently no p●…ice . h●…e ●…ll usually demand the three 〈◊〉 value for any commod●…ty ; but farre bee it from me to 〈◊〉 him to have the consce●…ce ●…o ●…ake it if they would give it . it is his onely drift without any other policy to make triall of 〈◊〉 judgement : his equall and conscionable moderation is such ( at least hee will pretend so much ) in these trivial●… subjects of gaine , as hee hates to wo●…ke on any ones weaken●…sse , being the expressivest argum●…nt of mercinarie ●…asenesse . but were all that traffick with him as well-li●…'d in pate as purse , wee should finde many emptie shoops b●…fore the next vacation . by this , a new troope of ruffling pl●…m'd myrmidons are arrived ; and these will swoope up all before th●…m ; n●…t so much us a 〈◊〉 ty●…e , be it never so ougly , shall es●…ape their encounter . now out w●…th your lures , baites , and lime-twiggs , my nimble d●…dapper . your harvest is not all the yeare . see how hee s●…ruggs ; and with what downe-right reverence hee entertaines them ! if oaths , civill complements , demure lookes have any hope to prevaile with raw and vnexperienc'd credulity , he is in a notable thriving way : for he ha's set his partridg●… al●…eady ; there is no doubt of ●…pringing them till his n●…t be spread over them : by wh●…ch meanes he ha ▪ s a tricke to catch the old one . s●…lence , and you shall hea●…e his project . the ancient matron which strikes the stroake , and directs her young charge in their merchand●…ze , is by this time as firmely retained by ou●… exchange-man , as ever was lawyer by his client . what great matter is it , though it cost him a muffe , a wrought wastcoate , or some curious border ? hee may pay himselfe in his price : for they are too generous ( so their direc●…sse approve it ) to stand upon tea●…mes . let this suffice ; it is a good market , where all are pleased , and so are these . they joy no lesse in his commodity , than hee in their money . yet are the savages , in my opinion , much more to be approved in their commerce than these . indeed they exchange pretious stuffe for tri●…es : bevers and ermi●…s for knifes , hatchets , kettle-drums and hobby-horses . but this they doe out of their superfluity ; whereas our nicer d●…mes bestow that upon trifles , which might support a needfull family . but the age labours of this epidemicall error ; too universall therefore is the crime to admit of censure . now you must suppose that invention is the exchange-mans most usefull a●…tizan . therefore , for his better returne , he keepes his weekely synodall with his girdler , perfumer , tyre-woman and sempster : who bray their braines in a mortar , to produce some usefull renew , some gainefull issue for their ●…hriving master . never was poore ●…ade more troubled with fashions than these are . by this time , 〈◊〉 something invented ; which , wh●…st it is now in his embrio , re●…ives admittance to his shoppe , and to take the curious passenger , appeares in his full shape . he needs not use any exchange - 〈◊〉 to set it forward ; novelties will ve●…d themselves . a vacation is his vexation ; and a michaelmas tearme the sole hope of his 〈◊〉 . h●… ha's by th●… ti●… , serv'd all offices in hi●… 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 now drawes ▪ homeward . 〈◊〉 portion hee had ●…f the world , hee ha's bequeathed to his executors , adm●…istrators , and assignes . the birds are ●…low 〈◊〉 ; his customers gone ; it is hig●… time to shut up shop . . a forrester is a wood-man ; but by all likelyhood hee shall lose that t●…tle , if hee live to another age ; for there will be little or no wood left in all his forrest . hee proves by his w●…ndfals , it is an ill winde that blowes no man profit . his commo●…-weale is his chace , his people deere . though his subjects bee wilde , hee can tame them with a powder . though hee make no porters of them , hee drawes a part of his main●…enance from their 〈◊〉 . ●…he judgement which i●… most requis●…te to a man of his 〈◊〉 , c●…nsists in singling out a go●…d de●…re . hee is an excellent 〈◊〉 - man , and will serve your warrant daintily , if you fee him . hee weares by his side , what hee would not for a world have fixt on his front : though hee have many times deserv'd it , by playing the rascall deere , leaving his owne doe , breaking over his owne pale , and ranging in anothers purlew . but for all that she is impaled , when fitly tappised , she may prove one of swetnams brood , hee act●…s bird , if calysto's egge bee rightly hatched . one would take him for the living signe of robin hood with a forrest bill in his hand . hee ha's a warren to turne co●…e-catcher ; where he erects a place of ex●…cution for his ver●…in . you would thinke him a co●…templative man by his solitarie walkes ; and no question b●…t hee might benefit hi●…selfe mu●…h that way ; but his m●…nde stands not so affected . he weares his mothers livery , and domineeres like a petty king in his owne liberty . hee k●…epes a choyce consort of musicians ; with which hee is not at so much charge as to the value of a lut●…-string . amorous and attractive is his colour , else semele had never so much affected it in her iuppiter . his very habit includes an emble●…e . hee attires himselfe to the colour of the forrest to deceive his game ; and our spirituall enemy attyres himselfe in the colour we most affect and least suspect , to receive his prey . were he a scholl●…r , hee might infinitely improve his knowledge by the objects which hee dayly sees . he i●… as the a●…podes to us ; for our day is his n●…ght , his night our day . he●… is one of l●…tona's se●…vants ; and is so conversant with her , as hee knowes certainely whether the moone be made of greene chees●… or no. hee is a proper man of his hands ; but most couragious when hee is impal'd . yet if his friend come for a peece of flesh , he will not walke that night , but sl●…pe as soundly as a constable . but visit any other his chase , hee will ferret them . he can do miracles with his line-hound ; who by his good education ha's more sophistry than his master . hee were a brave man , had hee the world as hee ha's his dogge in a string . for venison , h●… is generally better provided than the commander of the game : and give the blade his dew , hee is no niggard of his flesh : for hee will c●… large tho●…gs out of anothers leather . if his game thrive not , the cause must bee imputed to a murraine or a stormie winter ; but his generous , if not m●…rcenary bounty , was the occasion rather . his body proclaimes him apt for any employment , but his breeding hath accommodated him better for a pale than a pike , a chace than a campe. for discourse , expect no such matter at his hands ; a very small quantitie of reason will su●…fice the creatures hee converse●…h with . a naturall bluntnesse doth best beseeme him ; for rhetoricke becomes not the woods . if wee bee companions to ostridges , wee shall be sure to savour of the wildernesse . hee knowes whether the poets conc●…te of fa●…nes and s●…lvanes bee true or no ; for th●…y walke in his raunge at wakes and maygames hee 〈◊〉 a brave 〈◊〉 : for our wenches of ●…e greene hold him a marvellous proper man. for the rest of our hobbinols , they retai●…e such an opinion of his valor , they dare scarc●…ly say their sou●…es are their own●… . for his revenew's , be●… they more or lesse , hee makes ●…ven worke at every yeeres end . he ha's no land but leases ; and th●…se will weare out in time . the 〈◊〉 which ●…ost dignifie him , are these ; he can hallow , give a gibbet , wi●…d a horne ▪ cut up a peece of flesh , and laugh at an ignorant animal that takes saime between the frontl●…s . when he is to present some ne●…ghbouring gentleman in his masters n●…me , with a side or a fouch hee ha's an excellent art in improving his venison to the best ; and in aggravat●…ng the d●…fficulties hee suffered before h●…e could come to his purpose ; and whereto tends all this , but to binde a greater curtesie upon the receiver ▪ and to purchase a better reward for hims●…fe ? for memory , hee may vye with x●…xes ; he knowes all his wilde regiment by head . for religion , hee cannot be justly taxed in his tenets , either of 〈◊〉 or error ; for hee is yet to chuse . the lawnd is his templ●… , the bi●…ds his quirresters . his employment for the winter quart●…r is a con●…nuate imposture ; laying spring●… for woodcockes , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , &c. his condition of all 〈◊〉 is most mutable ; his 〈◊〉 count●…nance variable ; and his place to many overtures ●…vable . it were necessary there●…ore that hee tooke ●…at fees while he is in office ; that he may have something to build on in his vacancie from s●…rvice . but in this particular he is so well cautioned , as his pr●…decessors lecture hath made him completely armed . if he live till he be old , he incurs th●… th●… ge●…erall fate of an ancient discarded servingman ; clozing the evening of his life with contempt or neglect . those materials or appendices of his place , horne , lease and bill he resignes ( if not pawn'd already ) to his successour ; ●…ho keepes a mig●…ty racket the first q●…arter , but af●…rwards falls off , imitating endym●…on , his predecessors steppes , in conniving at his friends , and compounding with his 〈◊〉 . the greene l●…very , that embleme of frailtie , which h●…e wore living , must now bee the carp●…t t●… cover him dying . out of all hi●… spacious raunge , he ha's rese●…ved so much ground a●… may afford him a grave . more hee n●…edes not , and to bee debarr●…d t●…is , even in humanity he can●…ot . what rests then , but that hee rest after his long walke ? while 〈◊〉 a●…fixe his owne epitaph upon his owne naked monume●…t , to make his memory more perp●…tuate ; defessus sum ambulando . pitty were it then to disquiet him . . a gamester is a merch●…t-venturer , for his stocke ru●…nes alwaies upon hazard . h●…e ha's a perp●…tuall pals●…y in his elbow ; which never leaves shaking till his fortunes bee shaken . hee remembers god more in oaths than orison●… . and if hee pray at any time , it is not premeditate but extemporall . the summe of his devotion consists not in the expression or conf●…ssion of himselfe like a penitent sinner , but that he may come off at next meeting a competent winner . but where findes hee any such in all our collect●… ? h●…e so over-braves and abuseth the poore dice , that if they were his equalls , they would , questionlesse , call him to account for 't . the ordinarie is his oratorie , where h●…e pr●…yes upon the countrey-gull to feede himselfe . hee was a gr●…at heire , and entred the world full-handed ; but falling to game purposely to make him more compleate , his long acre hath past the alienation offi●…e , and made him a stranger to his fathers mansion-house : and now hee is fitter for a gamester than ever hee was ; let fortune doe her worst , his estate cannot be much worse . in his minority , he plaid ever upon disadvantage ; but experience hath now sufficiently inform'd him in his maturity ; though his dice seeme square , he seldome playes so . advantage is his advancement ; wherein if you prevent him and bring him to square , he is ever seconded with sinister fortune . sundrie prety passages and conveiances h●… ha's in his pockets , sleeves , and other private places ●…or his little familiars ; and these furnish him at a dead lift . you feare ●…gging , and to make sure worke , you bring him a box ; but all this will not serve your turne ; hee ha's a bee in a box to sting you . it is his care to creepe into a good suite of cloaths ; lest the ordinarie should barre him by and maine . which having purchased , by translating and accommodating it to the fashion most i●… request , it seemes quarterly new . hee feedes well , howsoever hee fare . hope and feare make his recreation an affliction . hee ha's no time to refresh his mind , being equally divided betwixt hope of g●…ine , and feare of losse . for his losse of patience , it is so familiar with him , as hee holds it no losse . money is of too deare and tender an estimate to let it slippe from him , and hee like a stoicall stocke to say nothing . t●…llus hostilius put feare and palenesse in the number of his gods : and it is pittie ( saith lactantius ) that ever his gods should goe from him . these two are our gamsters furies , which startle him in midst of his iubilee . hee is poore , yet miserably covetous ; envie like ivie , is ever wreathing about his heart : others successe is his eye-sore . hee seldome ha's time to take ayre , unlesse it be to a play ; where if his pockets will give leave , you shall see him aspire to a box : or like the ●…ilent woman , sit demurely upon the stage . where , at the end of every act , while the encurtain'd musique sounds , to give enter-breath to the actors , and more grace to their action , casting his cloake carelesly on his left shoulder , hee enters into some complementall d●…scourse with one of his ordinarie gallants . the argument of their learned conference is this ; where shall we suppe , or how shall we trifle away this night ? where shall we meete to morrow ; or how bestow our selves ? hee takes no course how to live , nor knows any way how to thrive but in this high-bet-path of idlenesse . any other imployment were his torment . it were the wisest part to deale with such lewd and inordinate walkers , time-triflers , standers , sitters in the wayes of idlenesse , and incendiaries to a civill state , as philip of macedon dealt with two of his subjects , in whom there was little hope of grace , or redemption of time : hee made one of them runne out of the countrey , and the other d●…ive him : so his people was rid of both . the longer hee lives , more arguments of his basenesse hee leaves . whom hee consorts with he depraves , and those that beleeve him hee deceives . it were a strange account that hee would make , if he w●…re call'd to 't ; since his first imitation in this profession . surely , hee would expresse himselfe a second marg●…tes , of whom it is said , that h●…e never plowed , nor digged , nor addressed himselfe to ought all his life long that might tend unto goodnesse , being wholly unprofitable to the world. to disswade him then ●…rom this habitu●…te course of perverted liberty , might sceme a fruitlesse taske : ●…or ●…eates must be ●…is revenues or he 〈◊〉 . howbeit to such as are but freshmen , and are not throughly salted with his rudiments , these caut●…ons will not prove altog●…ther uselesse . this complete gallant , which you see every way thus accoutred , is master of nothing but what hee weares ; and that in lavender ere long . hee is famous in nothing but in being the last of his house . he is onely used by the master of the ordinarie , as men use cumminseede , to replenish their culverhouse ; his employment is the draught of customers . have your ●…yes about you , if you play with him : for want of a l●…underer hee can set your ruffe n●…atly by helpe of a glasse behinde you , or a dammaske pummell to discover your gam●… . this he will do so ●…imbly , as you shall scarce know who hurt you . in a word , bee our you●…g novices affected to play ? let them remember plato's golde●… rule : parvum est al●…â luder●… , & non parvum est assuescere : it is no great matter to play at dice , but it is a great error to make dice their dayes-taske . let it be their pastime , not their practice . let them know further , that gamest●…rs are but as rivolets , but the boxe that maine ocean into which they descend . by this time you may suppose our cunning gamester to bee now fallen to his very last stake ; his wit in the waine ; and his fortune in the eb●…e . hee cannot hold out long , for infamie ha's mark't him for a cheat ; and the more generous professants have by this discarded him for a bum-card . hee is out of credit with the ordinarie ; and entertain'd with a scornefull looke by his owne familiars . hee resolves therefore to turne penitentiarie , now when he ha'●… nought el●…e to doe . suppose him then walking l●…ke a second malevolo with a dejected eye , a broad-brim'd hat or'e-pentising his discontented looke , an e●…wreathed arme like a dispassionate lover , a weake yingling spurre guiltlesse of gold , with a wint●…r suite , which must of necessitie suite him all summer ; till drawing n●…re some cookes shop , hee takes occasion to mend his spurre-leather , purposely to a●…lay hi●… hunger with a comfortabl●… savour . happy were hee , if hee , ●…ho in his time had beene so boun●…ifull to the gamesters box●… might now receive any benefit or competent rele●…f from the pooremans boxe : but miserie no so●…ner found him , tha●… pitty left 〈◊〉 : it is high time then for us to l●…ave him . . an hospitall-man is the 〈◊〉 of a greater work ; b●…ing all that is left of a decay●…d g●…ntleman , a maimed souldi●…r , or a discarded servingman . hee is now ta●…ked to th●…t in his age , which hee was little acquainted with in his youth . hee must now betake himselfe to prayer a●…d devotion ; remember the found●…r , benefactors , h●…ad and members of that ●…amous foundation : all which he performes with as much z●…ale , as as actor aster the end of a play , when hee prayes for his majestie , the lords of his most honourable pri●…ie counc●…ll , and all that love the king. he ha's scarce fully ended his orisons , till hee lookes backe at the buttry hatch , to see whether it bee open or no. the sorrow hee conceives for his sinnes ha's made him drie : the proselyte therefore had n●…ede of some refresh●…ent . his gowne and retyred walkes would argue him a s●…holler : but it is not the hood that makes the monke ; hee can bee no such man unlesse hee have it by inspiration . but admit he were , hee is at the best but a lame scholler . a great part of a long winter night is past over by him and the rest of his devout circumcellions in discoursing of what they have beene and seene . while sometimes they fall at variance in the relation and comparison of their actions . but all their differences are soone rinsed downe in lambs-wooll . which done , with a friendly and brotherly regreete one of another , as loving members of one soci●…tie , they betake themselv's to their rest . before the first cocke at the longest awakes o●…r hospitall-man ; ●…or aches and crampes will not suffer his sleepes to be long : which is a great motive to make his prayers more frequent . the morning bell summons him early to his devotions , whereto , howso●…ver his inward man stand affected , his outward is with due reverence addressed . no sooner ha's hee got repast for his soule , than he prepares r●…leefe for his belly . hee cannot endure to chastise it so lo●…g as he may cherish it . austeritie he can embrace , so it restraine him neither in his repast nor rest . for other bodily exercises , hee stands indifferent : for hee findes his body unable to use them . to speake of the condition of his life , hee might conceive an high m●…asure of contemplative sweetnesse in it , if the sunne of hi●… soule ( too long e●…clipsed by the interpos●…ion of earth ) could clearely apprehend it . it is stra●…ge to see with what tendernesse he embrace●…h this life , which in all reaso●… should bee rather by h●…m loathed than lov●…d . his head i●… a recep●…acle of catarrhs , his eyes 〈◊〉 of sluxes and 〈◊〉 , his brest a conduit of rhumatick●… distillations ; the sciatica ha's seazed on his hippes , aches and convulsions racke his backe and reines ; in a word , his whole body is a very magazen of diseases ; and diseases , you k●…ow , are the suburbs of death . yet he hopes to put the hospitall to the charge of another livery gowne , and a whole yeers com●…ons ; whence hee seemes to verifie the proverbe : there is none so desperately old , but he hopes to live one yeere longer . yet for all this , hee ca●… never be 〈◊〉 merry : being injoyned to a taske , which he cannot i●…ure 〈◊〉 to without irksomnesse or 〈◊〉 . for to bring an ●…axter●…o ●…o the exercise of devotion , is ●…o bring an old bird to sing pricksong in a cage . the rules of his house hee observes most punctually ; but for clancular houres of private prayer and devotion , hee absolu●…ely holds them workes of supererogation . his campe is now translated into a cloister ; yet his zeale as much then as now : for a●… hospitall-fire , and too liberall 〈◊〉 ha's cool'd his fervor . he conc●…ives as much delight in discoursi●…g ●…t the g●…te , as 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 c●…l ; yet h●… demu●…e 〈◊〉 , ag●…d reve●…ence , an●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expect●…ce . ho●…ly in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hee 〈◊〉 o●…●…is 〈◊〉 , and guides he ha's to waft him to the port of felicitie ; wherein it were to be wished , that as hee is retentive of the one , so he would not bee unmindefull of the other . there is no provision hee neede take care for , but how to dye , and that he will doe at leasure , when necessity calls him to 't . the world is well changed with him , if he could make right use on 't . in stead of the cold ground for his pallat , armes and alarmes , and volleyes of shot ; he may now lie softly , sleepe sweetly , repose safely , and if hee looke well to the regiment of ●…is soule , discampe securely . feares and foes he may have within him , but neither foes nor feares without him . armour he ha's aswell as before , and that more complete : this is spirituall , that corporall . methinks it should not grieve him to remember hee was a man in his time . that condition is the best , which makes him best . admit he had meanes , yet being a meanes to corrupt his minde , they were better lost than possest . in his summer arbour of prosperiti●… hee was d●…sperately sicke , for hee had no sense of his sinne . sycophants he had to dandle him in the lappe of securitie , and belull him in his sensuall lethargie . these tame beasts are gone ; these summer-swallowes flowne ; the fuell of his loose-expended houres consumed ; the veile which kept him from discovery of himselfe , removed . what remaines now , but that hee alien himselfe from the world , seeing what he had in the world is aliened from him ? his soules-tillage is all the husbandry hee neede intend . this neglected , his case is desperate ; this resp●…cted , all is fortunate . every day then , as his body is nearer e●…rth , let his soule bee nearer heaven . hee feedes but a languishing-lingring life , while hee lives here : it is but a ●…abernacle at the best , so long as he is encloistered ; upon his manumission hence , hee is truly enfranchised . while he had meanes , he might leave an estate to his successour ; and so much meanes hee ha's now , as will cause some hospitall-brother thanke god for his departure . the thirstie earth gapes not more greedily for his corp●…e , than some beadsm●…n or oth●…r doth for his place . he ha's by this got his pasport ; hee ha's ●…id the world a d●…w , by paying n●…ture ●…r de●… : dry eyes att●…nd him ; his 〈◊〉 brothers follow him , a●… bri●…g hi●… to ●…is long home . a shor●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 up hi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; more state hee needes not , and lesse hee cannot have . . a iayler is a surly hoast , who entertaines his guests with harsh language , and hard usage . hee will neither allow them what is sufficient for them , nor give them liberty to seeke an other i●…ne . hee is the phy●…itian , and they are his patients ; to whom hee p●…escribes such a strict die●… , that if they would , they cannot surfet . if at any time they grow irregular , hee allayes their distemper 〈◊〉 cold iron . hee receives the first fruits o●… the a●…m svasket , and leaves them the 〈◊〉 . he holds nothing more unprofitable to one of his place than 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 more dissorting than compassion ; so as it little moves him to see his famish'd family in affliction . his mency cannot bee more impious than he is imperious : hee domineeres bravely ; beares himselfe towards his ragged regiment bravingly ; and makes himselfe almner of their poore treasury . hee is in fee with the constables of all the wards to send him night-walkers to be his pay-masters . hee turnes not his key but hee will have his fee of every inmate . if hee would turne them out , hee deserv'd it better ; but hee both stayes and starves them together . if hee provide any cheere for them , it must be whipping-cheere . his ornaments are fetters , boults , and mannacl●…s . these are his bracelets , yingles , and caparisous : thus must his enthralled crickets live ever in an iron age . yet according to a proportionable weight in starling , hee will abate a proportionable weight in iron . hee so doubles and redoubles his wards , as one would thinke he had some infinite treasure ; but hee that should seeke for any such within his precincts , should lose his labour . hee ha's a rough hoarse voice ever menacing fire and faggot : for hee ha's contracted with his tongue never to utter one syllable of comfort : and concludes , that the iayler in the acts , was o●… too milde temper to supply the place of a iayler if his prisoner have revenew's , and desire to breathe the ayre of liberty ; hee m●…y purchase an artificiall daies freedome and a keeper to boot , by his bounty . but his exhibition must be good , otherwise he sleights his quality . for those poore snakes who feed on reversions , a glimpse through the key-hole , or a light through the grate , m●…st be all their prospect . he ha'●… many times troubled and broken sleepes ; and starts out a bed , crying , the prison is broken : so incessant are his feares , so impressive his cares . which to prevent , he redoubles his wards , reburdens his irons ; and if all this will not doe , but that the fury of feare still dogges him : hee fortifies his thoughts against suspition with strength of liquor . which 〈◊〉 him as insensible of feare , if occasion were offered , as he was be●…ore app●…ehensive of feare , ere any 〈◊〉 of suspition was ministred . hence it appeares , that nothing amates him so much as feare of a prisoners escape . for his ●…innes , they never so much as breake hi●… sleep , trouble his head , or 〈◊〉 his minde . when the sessions draw neere , how officio●…sly obsequious he is to any o●… his well-lin'd prisoners ? now hee must 〈◊〉 how to mince his guilt , and 〈◊〉 his owne gaine . he ha's already comp●…unded with him ●…or the summe : the project must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his braine . 〈◊〉 , if it hit , hee ha's vow'd to bee ●…runke that night ; but if it ●…il'd , pu●…posely to be reveng'd of himselfe , he will quench his hydropicke thirst with six shillings beare , and so dye of a male-tympanie . if any of his more happy prisoners be admitted to his clergy , and by helpe of a compassionate prompter , hacke out his necke-verse , hee ha's a cold iron in store if hee be hot , but an hot iron if hee be cold . where there be many irons in the fire , some must coole . if his pulse ( i meane his purse ) bee hot , his fist may cry fizze , but want his impression : but if his pulse be cold , the poore beggarly knave must 〈◊〉 his literall expression . hee heares more ghostly instruction at the ordinaries funerall sermon before an execution , than all the yeare after : y●…t is his attention as farre distant from that sermon as newgate from tyburne . and yet say not but hee is a most constant friend to his convicted inmates , for hee seldome ever leaves them till hee see them hang'd . now some againe will object that hee is a subtile macchiauel , and loves to walke in the cloudes , because he never resolves those with whom hee deales , but fils them full of doubts , and in the end ever leaves them in suspence . but this is a badge of his profession , and consequently pleades exemption . doe you heare yo●… new-gate bird ? how sweetely the pilfring syren sings ! well warbled chuck . the c●…im tartar with the bunch of keyes at his belt will requite thee . thou knowest hee expects a masters share , or no release . one note higher then , as thou hopes for releefe . he ha's collectors too with basons to improve his rents : which consist of vailes and bribes : but hee is more beholden to the later . it is just contrarie with his oeconomie and with others ; the greater his theevish family is , the richer is his fare . hee can doe sometimes very good offices ( if hee please ) by discovery of cacus cave . but it is not the publike which hee must preferre before his particular : annoint him , and he will come on like an oy●…d glove . notable intelligence hee receives dayly from his ancient inmates : who for the good entertainement they have already received , and what they may expect heereafter , pr●…sent him now and then ●…ith a remembrance of their love ; and so they may afford it very good cheape , for it cost them nought . but now what with surfets , colds , fears , frights . supose him dra●…ing neare his goale-delivery . though hee had about him emblemes of mans life dayly ; though hee saw continuall objects of humane misery ; though hee encountred with nothing but specta●…les of infelicity : yet his security imprisoned his understanding , so as hee made no use of them . hee is now roming , hee knowes not whither ; and must of necessity grapple with that which hee scarce ever thought of before this instant of his departure . death ha's entred one ward already ; no churlish affront can possibly amate him ; no humane power repell him . now hee ha's a poore prisoner within him , that suffers more anguish than ever any sicke captive did without him . hee gropes under his head , and hee findes his keyes gone ; he looks inward , and he finds foes many , but friends few or none . cold are those comforts which are in him ; many those discomforts which enthrall him . yet two beame-lines of comfort dart upon him in this houre of terrour ; from him he expects succour who received the penitent thiefe , and converted the layler . . a keeper is an equivocall officer ; for if by a keeper you intend a raunger or forrester , he is a wild-man , or a woodman , as wee have formerly given him his character . if by him you intend a iayler , hee is an iron-monger , whose iron sides will suffer no compassion to enter . if an alehouse-keeper , his house is the divels booth , and himselfe the recetter . if a keeper of horses at livery , he is a knave without a livery ; he will put in your hand a lame palfrey , who will lay your honour in the dust . if a fi●…ld-keeper , hee is a night walker , who though he have store of neare inmates ever about h●…m , they ever backbite him . hee imitates the bellman in his ●…ogge , but wants his bell . if the world doe not bely him , hee will sooner share with a night-catcher than descry him . if a doore-keeper a frequent third day at a taking new play , will make this collector a colloguer . if a shop keeper , deepe oathes , darke shoppes , base wares , false weights have al●…eady proclaim'd him a civill cunning impostor . if a booke-keeper , he may get him frien●…s , if his master bee not all the wiser ; and improve his owne meanes by change of a figure . but leaving these , give me a good house-keeper , who onely of all these merits a deserving character . he preserves that relique of gentry , the honour of hospitality , and will rather fall , than it should faile . he revives the black iack , puts beefe in his pot , makes poore passengers pray for him , his followers to sticke neere him , his countrey to honour him , his friends to love him , his foes to prayse him . hee wonders how any one should bee so voyde of pitty as to leave his smoaklesse house in the countrey , where he ha's his meanes , to riot in the citie , and estrange himselfe to his ●…riends . hee conceives for what end he was borne , and keepes hi●… dayes-account ●…o discharge the old score . hee affects nothing so much as discr●…t and well-tempered bounty ; he admits no injurious thought to lodge within him . how it 〈◊〉 him to see a full table ▪ men to eat●… his meate , 〈◊〉 to feede thos●… m●…n ! hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so low , as to ac●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w●…th those bas●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who preferre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pub●…●…ate , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his ●…oy to become a liberal dispencer , and to releeve the needy with the fattest portion of his trencher . competence hee holds the best fortune ; and herein hee strives to confine his owne desires . the sunne of his aymes tends rather to the releefe of others want , than his owne weale ; yea he holds the releefe of their want his supreme weale . the court seldome takes him , but if it doe , he is never taken by it . hee hath set up his rest , that the place which gave him first being , with meanes to support that being , shall receive what with conveniencie hee may bestow while hee lives in it ; with some lasting remembrance of his love when hee departs from it . hee is generally the pooremans friend ▪ and will suffer no oppressor to nes●…le neare him . 〈◊〉 is hee altoge●…her so pre●…ise as to admit of no pl●…asure . wherefore hee keepes horses , hawkes , hounds , or whatsoever the most free and generous dispositions usually affect : yet shal●… not his recreations so seaze on him , as to fore-slow any usefull offices in him . hee divides his day into distinct houres , his houres into devout ta●…kes . his affabilitie ●…ixt with sweetnesse of bounty , his bounty with alacrity , hath so wonne his family , as no earthly state ca●… promise more felicity . it is like a well-rigg'd ship ; every one knowes their peculiar charge or office : their love unto their mast●…r makes it no eye service . his garner is his c●…untryes mag●…zin . if a famine threaten that coast , hi●… provision must bee brought forth , purposely to 〈◊〉 downe the market . his heart bleeds to see a famish'd soule languish ; he will therefore by timely releefe succour him lest hee per●…h . hee sets not his aymes on purchasing : it contents him well to preserve what his ancestors l●… him . hee makes even with the world , as hee would with his owne soule . one principall care counterpoizeth the rest : yea , the more s●…riously to addresse himselfe to this o●…ely one , h●… disvalues all the rest . neither is there o●…ght which conferres more true glorie on these deserving actions , than his disesteeme of worl●…ly praise or popular applause . hee shuts his ea●…e when he heares himselfe approv'd , and rejoyces most within him●…elfe when his deservingest actions are least observed . the begger or distressed traveller , hee holds to be his most 〈◊〉 benefactors , rather than he theirs . he●… holds it better to give than ta●…e ▪ wherefore he acknowledges himselfe their debtor , who petition his almes in this nature . knocke at his gate , and you shall finde it not surely but civilly guarded ; e●…ter his court , and you shall see the poore and needy charitably rewarded ; ascend up higher and steppe into his hall , and you shall read this posie in capitall letters inscribed ; a pilgrimes solace is a christians office . suppose christmas now approaching , the ever-green ivie trimming and adorning the portalls and partcloses of so frequented a building ; the usuall carolls , to observe antiquitie , cheerefully sounding ; and that which is the complement of his inferiour comforts , his neighbours whom he tenders as members of his owne family , joyne with him in this consort of mirth and melody . bu●… see ! t●…e poore mans comfort is now declining with the old yeare ; which fi●…ls their eyes as full of water , as he is of sicknesse through infirmitie of nature . this mirror of hospitality now breathes sh●…rt ; it is to be ●…eared he will breath his last . he may leave an heire to inherit his meanes , but never his minde . well , funerall blacks are now to bee worne aswell inward as outward ; his sonne mournes least , though hee bee at most cost . it is thought erelong , he will mourne in scarlet , for vanitie ha's seaz'd on him already , and got him to forsake his countrey , and forsweare hospitalitie . . a launderer is a linnen barber , and a meere sa●…urnine ; for you shall ever fi●…de her in the sudds . vsed shee clipping asmuch as washing , sh●…e were an egregious counterfeite , and might quickly come within compasse of the statute . shee is an epicene , and of the doubtfull g●…nder : for a l●…nderer may bee asw●…ll a male as a female , by course of nature . but for her , there woul●… be no ●…hifter ; with whom qu●…rterly shee becomes a sharer . shee is in principall request with collegiat vnderbutlers , pu●…ie clarks in innes of cha●…y , with other officers of inferiour qu●…litie ; unlesse higher gra●…uates will deigne to shew her their humility , in progresse time ( being f●…llen into contempt ) shee followes the court ; and consorts familiarly with the black-guard . b●…t shee scornes the motion ( i meane to be so poorely employed ) during the flourishing spring of her youth : for shee ha's good vailes , b●…sides her standing wages : and now and then gets good bits which neither the principall nor seniours know of . her young masters , whom shee serves with all diligence , neede no cocke but her : shee 'll come to their chambers , and wake them early ; and if they have the spirit to rise , may at their pleasure use her helpe to make them ready . shee is a notable witty , ta●…ing titmouse ; and can make twentie sleevelesse ar●… in hope of a good turne . by her frequent recourse and familiar concourse with professours of law , she knowes by this how to put a case : and amongst her ignorant neighbours can argue it when she ha's done . in some byalley is her dwelling generally : where she keepes a quarter , as if shee were she-constable of the ward . if shee demeane herselfe wisely , and pretend onely a car●… of preserving her honesty , shee may come in time to some unexpected advancement . but truth is ( as it fares commonly with the easiest and tractablest natures ) she is of that yeelding temper as she cannot endure to bee long woo'd b●…fore shee bee wonne . her fort may be sackt by paper pellets of promises and assumpsits , if shee be credulous ; or by silver shot of plates and p●…eces , if shee be covetous . whence it is , that in very short time , the dropping fruite of this launderer , becomes like a medlar ; no sooner ripe than rotten ; yea many times rotten before it b●…e ripe . now for the stocke which should support her trade : a very little will set her up , and f●…rre lesse will bring her downe . she will finde friends , if her parts be thereafter . neither shall shee neede much curiositie in her 〈◊〉 : onely she must indent with h●…r brest to bee secret , with her 〈◊〉 to bee silent , and with her 〈◊〉 to bee constant . shee must not tell what shee sees ; dictate on what shee heares ; nor blush at what she enjoyes . shee must bee modestly seeming strange , where shee most affects , a●…d relish nothing more than what shee inwardly rejects . to salve the credit of the punie clerk her young-master , she turnes honest woman , and matcheth herselfe to the houses botcher . the necessitie of the time is such , as these hopefull nuptialls must not stay for a licence , admit they could purchase it . delay breedes danger ; and so pregnant the wench is growne , as shee doubts lest before she be honoured with the style of bride , shee become a mother . but her long experience in law-quirks hath sufficiently inform'd her ; a childe borne within marriage is freed from bastardy , and may inherit all their hereditarie lands , if they had a●…y . she by this ha's aspi●…'d to the purchase of a gowne and a f●…lt : so as shee now wives it , as if shee were head-marsh●…ls wife of the ward . she ha's got a neate guilded book too , to make her neighbours conceite her to bee a scholler : but happy were shee if shee were as guiltlesse of lightn●…sse as of learning : for the cover , shee may handle it , and upon alledging of a text of scripture tosse it , but for the c●…nt ●…ts , as she knowes them not , so she greatly cares not . she now scornes to be so meanly imployed in her owne person , as she ha's formerly beene ; she ha's got her therefore a brace of vnderla●…ndresses to supply her place , performe her charge , and goe through-stitch with her trade . the sweate is theirs ; but the sweete is hers . these must be accomptants weekely of their commings in ; and returne a just particular of all such vailes , profits , or emoluments , as usually or accidentally have any way accrued . shee now stands upon her pantofles forsooth ; and will not wet her hand , lest shee spoyle the graine of her skinne : mistris ioan ha's quite forgot that shee was once iugge . yet shee keepes ●…ome ancient records of her former youthfull profession . when a horse growes old , he loseth the marke in his mouth : but it is not so with her , for shee in her age retaines the marke of the beast in her nose , that is flat . severall waies she ha's to advance her inconstant meanes in severall places : if her continuance in court purchase ●…er the least scruple of esteeme , by petitionarie course she labours her preferment : but her request ●…ust not be great , because her repute is but small . which upon procurement , must suffer many divisions , subdivisions , and subtractions , before she be admitt●…d to a share . if her aboad in the citie , hath poss●…st her mistress●…s with an opinion of her secrecy : shee is made an usefull agent that way . nothing ca●… bee too deare for her : shee becomes a gainefull factor , and though she ●…either doe nor suffer , yet receives shee with both hands from agent and patient . if her residence in any incorporate societie hath got her esteeme , her age r●…ceives for her long service a pencionary recompence : meane time exchange of broomes for old shoes , and other vailes of decayed linnen raise her a maintenance . but like a barbers-ball , with much rinsing and rubbing shee now growes quite wash'd away . she dyes neither very rich nor contemptibly poore ; neither with much love , no●… great hate . so much she hath reserv'd out of all the labours of her life , as will buy some small portion of diet bread , comfits , and burnt claret to welcome in her neighbours now ●…t her departing , of whose cost they never so freely tasted while she was living . a metall-man is nothing lesse than what his name imports . hee ha's a beetle head , and a leaden heele . the embleme of him is exprest in the hollow-chamell voyce of that walking trunkhos'd goblin , any ends of gold or siluer ? the arch-artist in this minerall is the alchymist ; for the rest are all sublunarie unto him , hee onely mercurie sublimate unto them . his stoves , limbecks , and materialls are already provided : his longacres have beene measured out to m●…ke his provisions come in . hee hold●… himselfe nothing inferiour to kelley in art , hee onely wisheth but himselfe like fate . seven yeares are now expired , since his promethean fire received first light ; & yet the philosophers stone may be in sysip●…s pocket , for ought that hee knowes . the●…e is no artist that ha's more 〈◊〉 than he , upon lesse grounds . hee doubts not but before the signe enter aries , hee-shall like another iason , purchase a golden fl●…ece . it is the highest imployment wherein hee ingageth his most intimate friends , to furnish him with sufficiency of brasse , copper , pewter , &c. hee will make the state rich enough , if hee have enough to doe withall . by this , hee thinkes hee sees a corner of the philosophers stone , yet hee cannot discerne the colour . hope of profit bereaves him of sleepe ; but the cost of his art deprives him of profit . it is a wonder to observe what rare crotchets and ●…evices hee retains purposely to guli himselfe ! what choyce structures 〈◊〉 intends to erect out of his pure elixirs ! yea , so farre deluded is hee with the strength of a transported imagination , as one might easily make him beleeve that the reparation of pauls was onely reserv'd to be his master-p●…ece ; and that many of our duke humfreys knights expected when he should perfect it . the flourishing citiewalkes of moorfields , though delightfull , yet not so pretious or beautifull as he will make them . those sallow-coloured el●…s , must be turned into yellow-h●…sperian plants : where every bankerupt merchant may plucke a branch at his pleasure , to resu●…nish his decayed treasure . o the transcendencie of art ! hee lookes backe at the houre of his nativitie , and by a prob●…ble argument of the constellation wherein hee was borne , hee gathers that the crucible of his braine must be the indies of this state. not a morning shines upon him , wherein he expects not before the west receive him , but that his hopes shall enrich him , and those many jeering mountebanks that attend him . every dayes experience , becom●…s now a pretious observance : which makes him thinke hee drawes neare the shore ; and so he doth , for now the ship of his fortune rides at low water . yet i●… he as rich in mountaines of golden conceites and ayrie imaginations as ever hee was : his speculation in time will make him as rich as a new-shorne-sheepe ; but this his wisedom beleeves not . heyday ; what a racket hee keepes ? elevate that tripode ; sublimate that pipkin ; elixate your antimonie ; intenerate your chrysocoll ; accelerate our crucible . quicke , quicke , the mint staies for our metall . let our materials bee infused . our art requires your diligence ; your diligence ample recompence . how much may one houres remissnesse prejudice this consequent businesse ? frustrate the states expectance ? and perpetually estrange the richest discovery that ever age brought forth , from our successours . deare democritus , hold thy sides or they will cracke else ! this diving paracelsian seekes amalthea , but findes amalga . his metalls have more moone than sunne in them . how hee tyres himselfe in a wilde-goose-chase ? as neere he was yesterday as to day , yet poorer to day than yesterday . his art ha●…s arriv'd her secretst port , attain'd her highest pitch . which makes him now convert his speculation into admiration : wondering that this stone s●…ould be so long conceal'd from him . by this time hee encounters with a nimble quackesalver , who forgeth new 〈◊〉 to delude him . hee encourageth 〈◊〉 i●… his attempt , seconds him with his advice and assistance ; purposely to extract out of ●…he decreasing limbecke of his fortunes a monethly allowance . h●…e limits him a time , which expir'd , his hopes are arriv'd : but before the time come , this nimble doctor is flowne . but what more powerfully prevalent than error ? all these rubbes shall not draw him from his byas . he will not desist till he see an end of something ; and so he may quickly , for his fortunes now he a bleeding but now his expence becomes more easie and temperate : for though his device be delicious , yet the ebbe of his fortunes makes him in his disbursements more parcimonious , and in distillations lesse pretious . before the next moneth end , his art hath wrought out the end of his state : so as this alchymist becomes all-a-mist , and theogenes-like ends in smoak●… . a bill must bee now erected , a chymical schedule pasted , where his hopefull utensils were lately reared ; and if any m●…tall'd sparke will spend some crownes in the same science , the pupill may have a tutor : whose judgement and pretious experiments hee may use for boord-wages . now will any one buy a kettle , a caldron , or a limbeck ? how much is the state deceiv'd in this greatmans master-peece ? how his hopes are thawed ? his fortunes distilled ? and his aymes miserably cloz'd ? how this threede-bare philosophe●… shruggs , shifts , and shuf●…les for a cuppe of sixe , whose thirsty desires were once for aurum potabil●… ? few or none compassionate his infelicitie , save onely the metall-men of lo●…hburie , who expected for their grosser metalls ready vent by meanes of his philosophy . his sumptuous fires are now extinguished , the oyle of his lifes lampe consumed , his hopes into impossibilities resolved , and hee in his last scene on earth , to earth returned . . a neuter is an hedg●…hog ; who ha●…h two holes or portalls in his siege ; one toward the south , another toward the north. now when the southern wind blowes , hee stoppes up that hole , and turnes him northward : againe , when the northerne●… ●… winde blowes , hee stoppes up that hole likewise , and turnes him southward . such an vrchin is this neuter , who will suite himselfe with the habit of any profession for lucre . gregorie nazianzen called iuli●…n the apostata a cham●…leon ; fo●… hee could change himselfe into all shapes and colors . such a cha●… is the luke-warme laodicean . what aboundance of zeale hee will pretend among the zealous ? what indifferency among our timists ? how hot he is in palat , but how cold at heart ? hee ha's procur'd a dispensation with his conscience , that hee may the warilier and wiselier run with the tyde . hee holds him a simple christian that will professe publikely . what hee holds to bee orthodoxall privately . it is his art to put the wrongside outward ; and to dazle the eye of the world with faire showes , and golden shadowes . what cringes he will make to a rising favorite ? how he will mould him to his temper ? and scrue himselfe into his knowledge in servilest manner ? his owne shadow cannot bee more inseparably attendant , nor more officiously observant . it is the bent of his studies to dive into his disposition ; and then to apply fuell of his owne provision to feede it . he desires to be nothing lesse than what hee seemes : for hee feares by wearing himselfe too familiarly in the world , hee might in short time weare himselfe out . a formall morall zeale calls him to the church ; where hee ha's one pharisaicall eye to looke up , and an other publican eye to looke downe . for the notes which he gathers , they are either worldlypoliticall , or none at all . he will resolve of nothing definitely without some reservation ; but of all others , what religion he will bee of , must be his last resolution . hee were a wiseman that could catch him in any tenet that hee holds . hee admires the d●…●…ipline of our church ; but is not 〈◊〉 resolved as yet to be a member of her . he grounds his saith on what the bravest , not on what the best hold . preferment is a tender object to his eye ; he affects nought with more fervor ; receives nought with more honor ; forgoes nought with more displeasure . a conscience ( saith he ) i professe ; but yet i would not have it so nicely scrupulous , as to reject opportunitie of profit ; that conscience is too regular , that maks her master a beggar ; he is too stoicall that is wholly for his cell , and nothing for the world. thus hee labours to take off the fire-edge from his conscience , and to coole it ; to the end hee may be l●…sse limited or restrained by it . by which meanes , hee beginnes to bee more secure ; since libertie of conscience tooke from him all grounds of a religious feare . propose now the way , so it direct him to profit , which hee will not tread with delight . one minutes taske in the schoole of vertue tastes of more strictnesse , than iliads of yeeres in the temple of mammon . hee ha's now taken a course with his consci●…ce for quietnesse sake , never to call it to an evening account : that m●…ght trouble his sleepe , and distemper his next dayes projects . he ha●…h enough to doe , that hath to doe wi●…h the world. 〈◊〉 contemplations might hinder his practice that way . whatsoever therefore he 〈◊〉 himse●…fe to be , he hath made a covenant with his heart to cl●…ave to the world , as the remora to the ship : hee ha's conceived such infinite 〈◊〉 in it , as he can relish 〈◊〉 ●…t what savou●… of it . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore are those m●…morials which informe him in this thriving course of godlesse policie : and which hee holds as maximes in each societie . he will seeme to love the church , but live by sacriledge . honour his l●…ra , but creepe c●…nningly into h●…s 〈◊〉 . hold the middle path betwixt baal and b●…thel . heare much , and observe it , speake little that may be obs●…rved ; and lastly remaine in such s●…spence in matters of religion , as to bee as farre from resolving at the day of his death , as the houre of his entering . excell●…nt conclusions , drain'd from a dangerous sconce , but a farre more dangerous soule . what will this puffin come to in time ? long ha's hee walk'd in the clouds ; and hung his conscience in so even a ballance b●…twixt atheisme and religion as one graine would cast him . how s●…rious an instrum●…nt of iustice he will shew himselfe towards recusants , upon 〈◊〉 tou●… th' execution of penall statutes ? againe , how remisse and conniving , if hee perceive no such thing intended ? it is a singular argument of his wisedome not to fish in troubled waters , nor swim against the streame . hee makes that use of religion , which men make of upright shoes ; to weare them with indifferencie on either foote . vpon perusall of antient martyrologies ( but seldome is he so well employ'd ) he wonders at mens constancie , how they could finde in their heart , by insisting on scruples , to deprive themselves of life and liberty . the paines of compiling so large a volume might have beene sav'd , had all those constant professors b●…ene possessed of his spirit . thus hath he liv'd to deceive all the world , and himselfe the most . for hee , who tendered the welfare of no friend ; nor relyed on any vertuous ground ; nor reserv'd one poore minute to meditate of the supreme good ; nor valued ought worthy esteeme , but what the world brought forth ; nor ever en●…ered into consideration of his owne estate ; nor accounted otherwise of reli●…ion , than as a cloake ; nor of christianitie , than as a dreame ; nor of the whole practice of pietie , than of ●…umane policie . behold how his fr●…ends discard him ; hypocrisie arraignes him ; his long belull'd conscienc●… awakes him ; atheisme condemnes him ; and his desperate contempt of veritie hopelesly torments him ! see how this grand polititian hath deluded himselfe ! how this co●…terfeite picture , who was neither masculine nor feminine christian , but a neuter , hath catcht himselfe in his owne ●…rror ! his discourse of heaven , was as of a matter of complement ; his treatie of earth , as of his choicest continent . but now ●…is mouth is fill●…d with gravell ; and that which once che●…r'd him , hath now choaks him . to his outward friends hee walk't in a mist , but to his inward hee c●…uld ●…ot ; by the former as hee was discarded , so by the latter is h●…e discovered . long time hee d●…spenc'd with con●…cience : who 〈◊〉 h●…th vow'd no longer 〈◊〉 . . an ostler is a ●…ottleman ; not a ba●…ber in europe can set a better edge on his razor , than hee can set on horses teeth , to save hi●… provender . the proverbe is ; the masters eye 〈◊〉 his horse ; but the ostlers starves him . now , if you desire to h●…ve your palfrey make quicke dispatch of his provender , m●…ke your ostler his supervisor , and by nimble co●…veyance he will quickly make an empty manger . what a rubbi●…g and scrubbing hee will make in hope of a small reward at cloze of a reckoning ? what humble obeysance may you expect at his hand , when he prostrates himselfe in such low service to the heeles of your horse ? thus labours he by currying your beast , to curry favour with your selfe . hee ha's no litter●…re , ●…hough hee trade something ●…are it . he●… profits out of measure ; his ostrie must not be tide to winchester . if oates seeme deare , hee will tell you how much their price quickned at every quarter last ma●…ket day : and hee ha's one close at his elbow that will second him . hee will justifie it , that no hoast on all the road got his hay so sweetly or seasonably as his master . though th●…re bee ostlers of all countreys , yet generally are they northerne men ; and those you shall finde the simplest , but diligent'st , and consequently the honestest ; for industry and simplicitie are antidotes against knavery . but it is twenty to one , hee will be as neere your co●…ntreyman as hee can informe himselfe , purposely to procure your better respect , and purchase the larger reward . hee will tell you , if hee find you credulous , that your horse hurts at w●…thers , or hee is hoofe-bound ; but referre all unto him , and you shall bee sure to pay both sadl●…r and farrier for nothing . hee can direct you to a pot of the nappiest ale in all the streete , and conduct you too , so the tapster know not . hee ha's sundry petty-officers , as vnder-ostlers , litter-strowers , boot-catchers , to whom little accrues after his deductions . he pro●…esseth some skill in horses , and knowes how to cure diuers maladies with oyle of oates ; but hee will never cure so many as he ha's diseas'd , nor fat so many as he ha's starv'd . to a bare stranger that promiseth but small profit to the stable , hee will be as peremptorie as a beadle . he will feed his horse with delayes and demurres , and cause him stay greater guests leasure . but how officious the snake will bee , where hee smels benefit ? he speakes in his ostrie ( the chiefe seate of his hypparchie ) like a frog in a well , or a cricket in a wall. when guests horses stand at livery , he sleepes very little , fearing lest they should eate too much ; but at bottle , hee is more secure ; howsoever , he ha's a dainty deutifrice that will charme them . hee is a constant stable man ; and herein onely commendable ; consta●…cy in respect of his place , and humilitie in respect of his person , makes him both knowne and k●…avish . he ha's a notable glib veine in vaine discourse : no countrey can you name , but it is in his verge ; his long acquaintance with people of all conditions and countrie●… , is become so mathematically usefull unto him , as he ha's the geographicall m●…ppe of the whole co●…tinent ( so farre as this lland extends ) i●… his illiterate pericranium ; which he vents by way of description , upon every occasion ; and this he makes his weekely stablelecture . he is at very little charge with his 〈◊〉 but for his ●…alse sh●…rt and night-cap ; which he weares as ornaments to his p●…ofession , and in them acts his daily penance : for it is his use to encounter your pal●…ry in a shirt of male , be he male or female . if he rise to any preferment , he may say , gramercy horse ; yet will he hardly confesse so much . he aspires somtimes to tapster , holding it the more beneficiall place ; but howsoever , better for him , for hee may now d●…ke of free cost . long-winter nights watching , and early rising ( for hee must bee either the guests cocke , or they his ) have much foreslow'd his diligence : for now hee will endure a call or two before hee rise . but this is no fault of his , but the diversitie of his occasions : for his desire is naturally to rise early , and to be officious to his guests before they bee stirring , in giving their horses provender , which they may dispatch in a trice , before ever their masters come out of their chambers . when hee finds convenient time and leasure , hee will tosse a pot sociably with his neighbour . but none are so familiar with him as the smith and sadler , whom hee is bound to present ( upon some private composition ) to any gentleman or other , that shall have occasion to use them . if hee may make so much bold with you , hee will send his commends sweetned with a nutmeg , by you to the ostler of your next i●…ne ; & this bege●…s reciprocall courtesies betwixt them , with titles too , which they are wholly guiltlesse off ; as honest boy ; true blade , &c. but these stiles are but given them by their fellow ostlers , whose desertlesse commendations exact as much at their hands . if hee be but indifferently honest ( as i would have no superlative degrees of honesty in that profession ) hee improves the benefit of the in●… above comparison : all desire to harbour where there is an honest ostler . which opinion once purchased , hee retaines for ever ; and by it strengthens him with his masters favour . hee begins now to bee a landed man by meanes of his honesty and usury . if he●… have the grace to stay the good houre , hee may succeed his master , and by matching with his m●…stresse rise to inne-keeper . but this is very rare , for hee is not by halfe so neate a youth as the chamberlaine . long and sore did hee labour in the spring of his youth , before hee came to reape any crop in the 〈◊〉 of his age . hee is now growne resty . p●…ofit is an alluring bai●…e , but it cannot make him doe that which hee did . now hee loves to s●…ort under the manger , and sleepe out his time before his departure : yet he cannot endure that any should succeed him in his place , though hee cannot supply it himself . well , suppose him now drawing on to his last quarter ; some graspes or gripes of mortality hee feeles , which makes him conclude in his owne element ; grasse and hay , we are all mortall . hee could for all this , finde in his heart to live one yeare longer ; to compare his last yeares vailes and this together ; and perchance , redeeme his arrerages too with better measure . but his ostrie is shut up ; the guests gone ; their reckoning paid ; onely a poore guest of his owne stayes yet in her i●…e . and ha's not discharged . but now i see the i●…e dissolved ; the signe of her being fallen to earth , and de●…aced and his inmate lodged , where the great inne-keeper ha's appointed . a post-master is a chequerman : who though hee gallop ●…euer so fast , yet can hee hardly with his post ouertake his ●…ay ; fo●… that is alwaies before hand with him . the first question he askes you , ( for else he ha's none materiall ) where is your commission ? though you know the length of his stage , and price of his miles , yet his post-boy hath horses of all prices : to whom if you bee not liberally minded , looke for no other but to bee lamely mounted . one would verily thinke that hee had some charme in the blast of his horne , for he makes passengers leave their high-road and give way in the midst of winter , to foundred hackneys inevitable danger . hee rides as securely as if hee were in fee with high-way men , before whom hee may whistle as merrily as an emptie . traveller , without lea●…t feare of encounter . our night is his artificiall day , as hee makes it . there is nothing that gives so terrible a report in his eare as a packet of letters , for that postes away at free cost . to save weight hee seldome rides with a band , unlesse it be upon affaires of highest consequence , and then this hopefull sprig holds it no small honour to pride himselfe in the weare of an halter . hee is generally more peremptorie than other guides ; for you may haue them as you two can agree ; and they will usually abate of their demands ; but two pence halfe pennie a mile is his price , and hee will not abate a denere of it through out all his stage . hee will discourse with you most cursorily , touching what hee heare●… of matters of state : and to gaine him more esteeme in the opinion of the ignorant , will not sticke to bely his knowledge . hee is valiant , not by naturall instinct , but by vertue of his commission , which authorizeth him to take way of his betters . hee can retur●…e a surly answer , or resolve a waggish question , and this is wit enough for one of his profession . he is familiarly vers'd with oaths of all natures ; and these hee blusters out as frequently , as if they w●…re his naturall rhetorick . hee quarters out his life into foure cantons , eating , drinking , sleeping and riding ; but the second and last are two principall ones . h●…e trusseth up your port●…antua wi●…h all 〈◊〉 and alacrity , to 〈◊〉 your good opi●…ion , but most of all i●… hope of your bounty . h●…s 〈◊〉 a●…e meerely voluntaries , which ( so prevalent is custome ) hee as constantly expects , as if they were his 〈◊〉 : your liberality makes him register your name ; enroule you amo●…g his benefactors ; and take notice of you upon your retur●…e : yet must you continue your munificence , or former bounties will dive deepe into the lethe of forgetfulnesse . hee will bee your servile servant so long as hee tast●…s of your benevol●…ce ; your pampered lade shall not bee foundred of all foure , your palfrey loosely saddled , or budget carelesly trussed . besides , to expr●…sse a kind of morall remembrance of curtsies received , like a gratefull gnat , he will recommend your bounty to his succeeding post-boy , who will accurately furnish you with a dreami●…g drom●…dary , to accelerate your journey . hee rides altogether up●…n spurre , and no lesse is 〈◊〉 for his dull supporter ; who is ●…s familiarly acquainted with a ●…anterbury , as hee who makes chaucer his author , is with his tale ; and who by sore expe●…ence and spur-ga●…'d dilige●…ce is growne well-neare as intelligible as his m●…ster , in the distance of his stage ; further than which it is impossible to hale him . hee rides most commonly with on●… spurre ; and to him that is so inquisitive , as hee will demand the reason of it , hee can readily shape him this waggish answer ; hee holds two superfluous , for if the one ●…ide of his lad●… goe forward , hee thinkes hee will not leave the other behind . hee becomes in short time an excellent farrier ; which knowledge he attaines out of his owne proper but bitter experience : for his stable is a very shop of all diseases ; glanders , yellowes , fashions , maladers , curbs , scratches , staggers , strangles , ringbones , windgalls , navelgalls , bogspavings , with a myriad more of practicall contingents become his familiar acquaintance . on these hee daily practiseth , but rarely cureth . a packe of dogs he usually keepes , which hee feedes with the provision of his owne stable : for hee that us'd to carry one , in short space becomes carrion . he holds shooes usel●…sse implements , for hee seldome rides a bootl●…sse●…rrand ●…rrand . and now drawing neare the end of his stage , he is neither much wiser nor richer , then when hee first entred the world . his life as it properly resembles a post , ( for it cannot have relation to an apter comparison ) is now very nearely runne out a breath . and yet observe the miserable condition of this horse-fly ! though hee never gained farther experience in the whole course of his life than the practise of some curelesse cures , the distance of his owne stage , to give a windy summons with his horne , and to hoise a pot of ale at the doore , yet nothing is so bitter to him as the remembrance of his dissolution . his life was a labor , his age a pilgrimage , his service servitude . no rest , no repose , poor repast tasted hee on earth : yet preferres hee this labour before a quiet and reposed harbour . many yeares ha's hee spent to small purpose ; his hours are uselesse ; his endeavours fr●…itlesse ; and now after such a quotidian feaver of an hectick●… labour , being fallen from his horse , and out of request ( by a writ of ea●…e ) with that science he becomes wormes provender : for his legac●…es , they are to bee discharged out of arrerages ●…rom the exchequer . . a quest-man is a man of account for this yere : yet of 〈◊〉 such honour i●… new-troy , as he was in old-rome . he never goes withou●… his note-booke , w●…ich . 〈◊〉 ●…ee have so much lati●…e , he 〈◊〉 ●…is vade mecvm . wher●… i●… he ha'●… th●… names of all the 〈◊〉 , middle . sizemen , and 〈◊〉 , wi●…hin his whole ward . and this is all the m●…thod 〈◊〉 is r●…quired in his common-place book . he is a sworne man ; which oa●…h serves an ●…njunction upon his conscience to be honest howsoever , hee must bee brought to accompt for it . the day of his election is ●…ot more ready for him , than h●… fo●… it . hee assumes upon h●…m a parcell of illb●…seeming gravit●…e ; strokes his beard , as if it were the dew-lap of his conce●…te ; fetcheth an imperti●…ent 〈◊〉 , purpo●…ely to pump for more wit ; and co●…cludes with a set punctual gesture , laying his soape-besmeared hand upon his reverend brest : god make me an honest man. whence he most ingenuously implyes , that hee is not as yet , made that man hee should be : but much may be done in time . hee keep●…s an ●…speciall register of all such ●…nmates a●… nestle within his ward : whose povertie must be squeezd to eas●… the richer ; yet sleighted with neglect for their labour . these hee visits qua●…terly , which visitation they ( poore gnats ) may properly tearme a plague ; which in time they recover of , for it leaves not a token . some treasure he hath under his hand , which hee must returne ; hee can convert very little to his owne use , nor defeate the parish of any house rent : for hee ha's as wise men as himselfe in the ward , who now in his lifetime are made his supervisors , to looke to his fingers , that the pretended gravitie or reverence of his person authorize him not to abuse his place . this makes many more unwilling to be so dignified ; because much labour but small profit is to accrue it . yet his wifes pew in the church is a mighty motive : for by this meanes shee becomes exalted according to the dignitie of his office , which with a most supercilious zeale she accepts ; and doub●…s not but some of her neighbours will envie it . this place hath not put on more reverence in him , than state on her . eye but her postures , and you will confesse it . her eye is wandring , wooing observance . her f●…ote most gingerly paced , for more state-reservance . her tougue too civ●…cally mincing , for vulgar attention . meane time , this questman he●… husband , the better to enable him for his place , becomes frequently versed in sundry ancient presidents . he casts his eye behi●…de him , to see wh●…t was done before him : and hee smiles at the simplicitie of his preceeding officers ; and turning to himselfe , most sagely concl●…des : the●…e wanted thy sconce boy . he is now a●…mitted ( by 〈◊〉 of the reverence of his haires ) to the learned counsell of the ward . where he shoots his bolt with the foremost . some orders or parochiall constitutions , hee ha's beene long studying , which he purposeth the next revestrie day to present to the rest of his worshipfull brethren , to the end they may bee put in speedy execution . but l●…ke good purposes , ( the more is the pitty ) they seldome take . after evening prayer time , he descends immediatly into the low gallery , which he with the rest of the wise masters make their consistorie . where ( like good parishioners , studious of the publike good ) they treat of all such abuses as are crept into the body of their ward . while their censures become as ●…ifferent , as their persons ; their voyces as their places . one shewes ●…imselfe a paracelsian , and hee professeth the cure of these maladies by mineralls and incisions ; another a dioscoridan , and he holds them more curable by leniments , emplasters , and unctions ; the third a meere mountebanke florentine , who wraps up his receits in a remnant of rhetoricall bombast , but never returnes one healthfull patient . so long , and as fruitlesse as long , debate they the cause and cure of these ●…normities , till an aged nod or two dissolve their councell : and summon them to a new 〈◊〉 upon expence of halfe pints a peece . where they fall in , till some argument , whereof they are ignorant , make them fall out . all which time our 〈◊〉 scornes to bee silent ; as one desirous rather to speake to no purpose , ●…han not to speake at all . some quaint words hath he got , which he u●…derstands not ; and these he useth upon all occasions . neither are they more ignorantly delivered by him , than they are pittifully ad●…ired by them . it is a strange thing to observe how much he●… is improved since the last yeere : neither is it possible to dive into the reason of it . for ●…ither is there some admirable secret facultie concealed from the judgement of man , in the lining of a furr'd gowne , or else it is to bee wondred at , whence this late-bred sufficiencie of his should proceede . but in this surely h●…e shewes himselfe most wise , in that hee communicates not his knowledge to any but the ignorant : for it is that makes his judgement passe for currant . but his yeere is now upon expiration ; and his account drawing to his preparation . where honestie and 〈◊〉 m●…ete , there cannot chuse but bee a good account . and in him neither can b●…e wanting ; for his b●…ard shewes the one , and his place proves the other . hee cannot now shew himselfe so shallow nor appeare so silly , but hee will retaine the opinion of a deepehead-peece : for hee is now o●…e of the seniours . a very small portion of understandi●…g , and lesse of wit , will serve him to spinne out the remainder of his time . for a cipher in some place stands in more account , than a figure doth in another . what rests now , but that he rest , since his rents are collected , his account perfected , himselfe discharged , and another pew-fellow , equall to him both for worth and wit , by generall vote and voice elected ? . a ruffian is a roring dam without a ruffe . none more valiant than hee in tongue , lesse resolute in heart . he ha's vow'd to bee ill-condition'd in all companies ; and to presse a quarrell rather than misse it . a white-liver'd souldier and a gallant is the fittest patient hee can practise on . one would thinke his very language would fall at ods with it selfe , and out-brave the speaker . he ha's a dangerous eye , not to strike ( for so i meane not ) but to move ones patience to strike him . for a kinde of uncivile contempt doth alwayes attend his looke , as base provoking language accompanies his tongue . hee hath ranked himself with a troope of shallow uncivile shallops , like himselfe : whose chiefest valour consists in braves , scru'd faces , desperate mouchato's , new-minted oaths ; all which moulded together , make a terrible quarter in an ordinarie . he weares more metall on his heele , than in his purse . he triumphs damnably on some stolne favour , bee it lighter than a feather , and threatens mischiefe to him that will not pledge her . but it falls out many times , that he is bastinado'd out of this humour . you shall best distinguish him by a nastie neglectfull carriage , accoutred with disdaine and contempt , so as his very countenance is a letter of challenge to the beholder . those which know him , rather jeere him , than feare him : for they experimentally know , that a pigmey would beat him . and with such ( forasmuch as his shoulders have felt their censure ) hee keepes a faire and civile quarter . his soveraignty is showne highest at may-games , wakes , summerings , and rush-bearings : where it is twentie to one but hee becomes beneficiall b●…ore he part , to the lord of the man our by meanes of ●… bloody nose or a broken pate . hee will now and then for want of a better subject to practise on , squabble with the minstrell , and most heroically break his drone , because the drone cannot rore out his tune . the wenches poore soules , sh●…ke in their skinnes , fearing a mischiefe : and intreat their ●…hearts to give him faire language . all is out a square while hee is there . but th●…se are but his 〈◊〉 pagea●…ts . hee will i●…trude most frontl●…sly into any company ; and advance himsel●…e with the highest at an ordinari●… ; yet many times hee eates farre more than hee can defray ; yea , now and then hee receives where hee should disburse ; a kicke , i meane , from some surly naprie groome , which serves in full discharge of his commons . never crept fardell of worser qualities into more choyce and select companies . but these hee cannot consort with long . for their purses are too strong-string'd , their hearts too well - 〈◊〉 , their hands too truly-metal'd to veile to his b●…senesse . he must be discarded , and with disgrace , if he haste not . suppose him then with his restie regiment dropping out of a three-pennie ordinarie : where the last mans cloake is sure to bee seaz'd on for all the reckoning . but when the cooke eyes it more precisely , and considers how irreparably it is aged , hee will not take it in full satisfaction of his hungry commons , without some other pawne : which for feare of clubbes , they submissively condescend to : by disroabing one of their complices , who may best spare it , of an ancient buff-jerkin ; whose lapps you may imagine , by long use , so beliquor'd and belarded , as they have oyle enough to frie themselves without any other material . yet they cannot pocket up this indignitie with patience : wherefore they vow to be revenged , which for most part , is as basely clozed . next night the●…efore , these nittie ha●…ters intend with strong hand to breake his glass●…indow's , or at dead-time of night to pull downe his signe : and so ends their faire quarrel . to a play they wil hazard to go , though with never a rag of mon●…y : where after the second act , when the d●…ore is weakly guarded , they will make sorcibl●… entrie ; a knock with a cudgell is the worst ; whereat though they grumble , they rest pacified upon their admittance . forthwith , by violent assault and assent , they aspire to the two-pennie roome ; where being furnished with tinder , match , and a portion of decayed barmoodas , they smoake it most terribly , applaud a prophane jeast unmeasurably , and in the end grow distastefully rude to all the companie . at the conclusion of all , they single out their dainty doxes , to clozeup a fruitlesse day with a sinnefull evening . whereto ( truth is ) they repaire , rather for releefe then to releeve : yea , their house of sin becomes oft-times their house of correction : for when they will not pay for what they call for , lais and her laundrie will returne them their payment by assistance of such familiar inmates , as she will make bold to call for . but suppose now this ty●…darian tribe dispersed , out of all civile societies discarded , and with no better entertainment than contempt , wheresoever received . our ruffian ha's left his mates , and they him . povertie ha's now seaz'd on him ; for his braine , it is as barren of a shift , as his backe guiltlesse of a shirt . those iron tooles of his , with which hee affrighted his scar-crowes , hang now in long-lane for a signe of the sword and buckler . his slasht suite , like l●…bels or tart-papers hang peeee meale , estrang'd both from substance and colour . his yingling sp●…rre hath lost his voyce , his head his locke ; yea , his decayed lungs the puff of a r●…rer . the wall now must bee no subject of quarrell ; nor his distended mouch●…to a spectacle of terrour . the extreamest effects of hunger , have taken him off from standing upon points of honour . he would gladly encounter with death if hee durst : but there was such distance betwixt him and the rememberance of it , during the whole progresse of his unfruitfull life , as now it startles him to entertain●… the least thought of death . yet may this bee one of his inferiour comforts , hee leaves nothing behind him , that may bee termed properly his owne , that is worth enjoying . in a word , he cannot be so wearie of the world , as it was long since of him . never was creature lesse usefull or more unfruitfull ; let it content hi●… , that hee hath prevented that contempt by dying , which hee should have i●…curred dayly by living . . a sayler is an otter ; an amphibium that lives both on land and water . hee shewes himselfe above hatches in shape like a male meeremaid , visible to the halfe body . hee stands at his 〈◊〉 , and holds out his hand to you , as if he craved your more acquaintance : where , though hee tell you , that hee is your first man , doe not beleeve him : for his founder zabul●…n was long after adam . hee never shewes himselfe nimbler , nor contests with his fellowes with more active vigour , than in shooting the bridge at a low water . hee will hazard a life in a whirlewind without feare , rather than lose the benefit o●… his fare . the bredth of an inch-boord is betwixt him and drowning , yet he●… sweares and drinks as deepely , as if hee were a fathom from it . his familiarity with death and danger , hath armed him with a kind of dissolute security against any encounter . the sea cannot rore more abroad , than hee within , fire him but with liquor . hee is as watchfull as a crane in a storme , and as secure as a dormo●…se in a calme . in a tempest you shall heare him pray , but so amethodically , as it argues , that hee is seldome vers'd in that practice . feare is the principall motive of his devotion ; yet i am perswaded , for forme sake , he shewes more than hee feeles . hee loves to fish in troubled waters , have an oare in every mans boate , and to breake the tenth commandement in the conclusion of his lukewarmeprayer ; hey , for a rich prize . he●… lives in a tottri●…g state , and he sits himselfe to it . hee is as constant as the moone in his resolves . so hee can have sea-roome , no coast holds it selfe to bee of more firme land. if hee play the sea-sharke , and advance his fortunes by a precious prize : yet to spare his executors that labour , hee intends a course to leave them few ends of gold or silver . hee must feede his valour with the liquid sp●…rit of some piercing elixer : and thus hee ducks and dives out his time like a true didapper . hee makes small or no choice of his pallet ; he can sleepe aswell on a sacke of pumice as a pillow of downe . he was never acquainted much with civilitie : the sea ha'●… taught him other rhetoricke . compassionate himselfe hee could never much , and much lesse another . he ha's condition'd with the sea not to make him sicke : and it is the best of his conceite to jeere at a ●…ueasie stomacke . hee is more active than contemplati●…e , unlesse h●… turne ast●…nomer , and that is only in cases of extremity . he is most constant to his shirt , and other his seldome-wash'd linnen . he ha's been so long acquainted with the surges of the sea , as too long a calme distempers him . he cannot speake low , the sea talkes so lo●…d . his advice is seldome taken in navall affaires ; though his hand be s●…rong , his head-peece is stupid . he is used therefore as a necessary instrument of action : for hee can spinne up a rope like a spider , and downe againe like a lightning . t●…e rope is his roade , and the top-mast his beac●…n . one would think his body were wounded , for hee weares pitch cloath upon it : but that is invulnerable , unlesse a bullet casually finde out a loope-hole , and that quite ripps up his saile-cloath . he partakes much of the chameleon , when hee is mounted the top-mast : where the ayre is his diet-bread . his visage is an unchangeable var●…ish ; neither can winde pierce it , nor sunne parch it . he ever takes worst rest when he goes to bed most sober . hee will domineere furiously in the height of his potation , but hee is quickly cudgell'd out of that humour by the master of the house of correction . hee ha's coasted many countreys , arrived sundry havens , sojourned in flourishing cities , and conversed with various sorts of people : yet call him to account , and you shal find him the unfruitfull'st navigatour that ere you conversed with . deepe drinkers have ever shallow memories : he can remember nothing more precisely , than the great vessel at heidelberg ; affaires of ●…tate are above his sconce . it is his best arithmetick to remember his months pay : and if necessitie urge him not , hee would scarcely thinke on that either . what a starveling hee is in a frosty morning with his seafrocke , which seemes as if it were shrunke from him , and growne too short , but it wil be long enough ere hee get another ? his signe is alwayes in aquarius , unlesse hee bee in his pots , and then it is in aries . hee is of a phlegmatick watry constitution ; very little sanguine , unlesse it bee in a sea-fight ; wherein , though he expect no honour , he expresseth some dying sparkes of valour , in hope to become sharer in a pyraticall treasure . hee hath an invincible stomack , which ostridge-like could well-neare digest iron . he is very seldome subject to surfet , or shorten the dayes of his watry p●…lgrimage with excesse : unlesse it fall out upon rifling of wines , that he endanger his top-saile with an over-charge . he is many times so long on sea , as hee fo●…gets his friends by land. associats hee ha's , and those so constantly cleaving , as one voyce commands all . stares cannot bee more faithfull in their society , than these hanskins in their fraternity . they will brave it valiantly , when they are ranked together , an●… relate their adventures with wonderfull terror . yet these relations ever halt through want of learning , which defect abridgeth the story of their deserving . necessary instruments they a●…e , and agents of maine importance in that hydrarchy wherin they live ; for the walles of their state could not subsist without them : but least usefull they are to themselves , and most needfull of others supportance . they taste of all waters and all weathers : onely the gale of prosperitie seldome breathes on their sailes : neither care they much for any such companion . they ●…epe without feare of loosing what they enjoy ; and in enjoying little , they share in the lesse burden of cares . yet it is much to bee wondred at , that our sayler should have such frequent occasion to erect his eye upward , and retaine such servile dejected thoughts inward . he converseth with the starres , observes their motions , and by them directs his compasse ▪ singular notions derives hee from them , meane time hee is blind to him that made them . he sliceth the depths , and is ignorant of him that confine●… them ; he cutteth the surging swelling waves , and thinks not of him that restraines them ; he coasteth by the shel●…s , and forgets him that secures him . true is that maxime ; custome takes away the apprehension of passion . in the infancy of his pro●…ession , there appeared not a billow before his eyes , which convey'd not a feare unto his heart . numerous perils ha's hee now passed , hourely objects of approaching danger are presented , yet these aswell as those equally sleighted . death he ha's seene in so many shapes , as it cannot amate him , appeare it never so terrible unto him . yet needs must that enemy affright him against whom hee comes , for whom hee was never provided before hee came . well ; suppose him now ●…rawing towards the port , where all mortalitie must land . hee ha's tugg'd long enough upon the maine , he must now gather up his vessels within the haven . he ha's drawne in his sayles and taken adew of the sea : unlesse she shew him so much kindnesse , as to receive him into her briny bosome , and intombe him dying , whom she entertained living : which courtesie if she tender him , the wormes are deceived by him , for hee goes not the way of all flesh , but the way of all fish , whose fry feedes on him , as their foref●…thers fed him . . a traveller is a iourneyman ; but can never bee freeman , till hee bee end●…nized in his owne countrey . hee is troubled with a perpe●…uall migrim ; at sea hee wisheth to bee on land , and on land at sea. hee makes his life a right pilgrimage , for hee finde●… no place to abide in , but only to ●…ojourne in : so as the wandring iew may bee his embleme . the whole world is his inne , where savage beasts aswell as reasonable men are his inmates . hee converseth with all nations , and p●…rtakes of their natures : wh●…rein generally , ●…ice becomes a more attractive object than vertue . whence it is , that hee oftner i●…proves his knowledge , than his 〈◊〉 ; his language , than carriage . hee takes a survey of this universe , in the sites of cities , countries a●…d provinces ; and observes what s●…emes most remarkeable ; meane time hee observes himselfe so sleightly , as o●…e can hardly distinguish the substance from the sh●…dow . now hee is for lanching i●…to the deep●… ; to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stat●…s ; 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 himselfe all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…dy age wher●…in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or other from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make his fruitles●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…lued , himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his re●…urne mor●… 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 will usually lose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…lated discourse of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : and if his memory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●…mpe hi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ye●… , n●…w ●…nd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 absurd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…cipall subject o●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon rare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ments , which hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 su●…h ●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 er●…han ●…han 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blazons as if he were their herald : styling constantinople the store-house of greece ; paris the regall of france ; venice the eye of italy ; florence the seat of beauty ; rome the lady citty ▪ with her imprese : orbis in vrbe . in which , as in all things els , he is meerely titular . he can mould himselfe to all conditions , fashions & religions . but in all these three hee returnes for most part , far worse than before he went forth . in the first he ha's learn'd to be loose & lascivious ; in the ●…econd , phantastically humorous ; in the third , strangely superstitious . some things hee observes worth remembring , if hee liv'd in an other age : but like an understanding timist , hee holds no concurrence with that fashion , which ag●…ees not with the humour of his nation . having now chang'd his ayre , and with continuance , his h●…ire , but not one of his ●…onditions ; he reviewes his owne cou●…trey with a kind of disdainefull loathing , as if there were nothing in it worthy l●…ving . he disvalues out rarities , disesteemes our beauties , j●…eres at our complement , slights our entertainem●…nt , and clozeth up his u●…seasoned distaste with an interjection of admiration : o the rare objects that i have seene in my dayes ! then hee runnes on in a meere verball circuit of affected discourse , which the ignorant onely admire , and weaker than wome●… affect . meane time , hee introduceth some conceits of his owne , as fashions in r●…quest : whi●…h hee seconds with high approv●…t , being his owne 〈◊〉 . a●…d that hee might represent in himselse this patterne of perfection , and move others to imitate his postures : you may suppose him walking , like one ●…ade up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him , nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ooke ●…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , no●… 〈◊〉 ●…composed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accoutre him . with ●…hat c●…pt he 〈◊〉 ●… com●… ▪ co●…gie ? and as if it we●… 〈◊〉 , to a man of hi●… pl●… , 〈◊〉 to observe his distance , 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or ●…od ▪ aswell as pace ▪ 〈◊〉 will rectifie that error too , to make those co●…orts with ●…hom hee deignes to converse , or com●…ate himsel●…e ▪ every way acc●…d as himselfe . he●… hol●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much ingag'd to his o●…ces : so highly hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with him ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b●…ught 〈◊〉 ●…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . now ▪ should ●…ee 〈◊〉 ●…p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 collect the be●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his tra●… ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expence of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 ●…ould 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 g●…eat , his 〈◊〉 ●…ts small : his ●…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 short of hi●… d●… . hee is 〈◊〉 , ind●…d , in that which this age calls co●…t hee is all for your serv●… serva●… , and titles of lowest observance . hee overcomes his mistresses stomach with this overlarded protest ; he lives not but by her , nor desires to live but for her ; hee plants his love in an equall diameter betweene bellon●… and minerv●… , reason and courage ; yet is hee no lesse barraine of the one , than coole in the other . or else , hee marrieth with his instrument his voyce , matched with an italian canto , and ayr'd with more 〈◊〉 , than hee ha's pence in his budget . this is the vintage of his pilgrimage . he hath traced this th●… of earth , and made himselfe the embleme of what hee is ; much hath hee seene , with many hath hee convers'd , and a full view hath hee taken of this inferiour globe . div●…rsity of soiles , variety of fruits , multiplicity of creatures h●…ve his eyes enjoyed , yet rest not satisfied ; through many coasts and countreyes hath hee travell●…d , yet his experience in those peoples natures little improved ; in sundry citties hath hee sojorned , yet from their knowledge now estranged . merchants of unvalued fortunes hath hee seene splitted , while their factors sported ; ruin'd while they rioted . cur●…izans hee hath observed , their sumptuous state , the fuell of their maintenance , and how their comick scenes ever clozed with tragick catastrophe●…s . forraine savorites hath hee marked , their projects , designes , ●…vents : what faire flourishes their first admittance to their princes p●…esence shewed ; how soone tho●…e fading blossoms of vading glory were nipped . stately and sumptuous statues of victorious champions hath hee eyed , their inscriptions perused , and trampled upon those scattred ashes ( the remaines of a greater worke ) which sometimes were with the b●…eath of fame enlivened . thus great stones are become great mens covers . no distinction betwixt the noble and ignoble , save onely that the higher peer●… is crushed with the heavier pils . high and goodly structures brought to rubbish , and flourishing states to ruine , hath hee noted . and now drawing towards his owne native so●…le ; hee admireth nothing more , than to see hospitality so much honoured abroad , and so contemp●…ible at home . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 househol●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . he goes to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 knocks , but the court●…a's ●…a's swallow'd vp the hall ; this complete peregrine may sooner breake his nocke thun his fast ; which makes him cry out most passionately , forth of a sensible compassion of his owne necessity : o the 〈◊〉 of hospitality which i have seene ! but by this time , his carier●… through the world hath made him wearie . he ha's a great desire for the benefit of his countrey ( as hee pretends ) to communicate these leane scraps of his starved travailes to the world . publish'd hee would have them ( according to the erata's of his life ) : in folio : but so indigested are his collections , and so illaborate his style , as the stationer shunnes them like a noli me tangere , fearing their sale . well ; though the world will not receive them ; long winter-nights and his neighbours credulous eares shall enter●…aine them . where having told his tale , hee hopes out of the wide circumference of his trav●…iles , to find so much ground as will afford him a grave . . an vndersheriffe . is a master of fence ; and by deputation , the co●…ntenance of of the county wherein hee lives ▪ the kings letters he opens as familiarly , as if they were but neighbourly commends : and bring●… more unwelcome salutes from the prince , to his subject , than he hath thanks for . wai●…es and straies hee impounds in his pocket : for felo●…s goods , hee compounds for them at his owne rate : all which hee doth by vertue of his office , if there bee any vertue extant in it . a terrible pudder hee keepes with his repledges and distresses : the state could hardly subsist without such a grave ▪ censor . hee professeth more execution than judgement . a great portion of his discretion is incorporated in his whi●…e staffe : which is as terrible to a yealous debter , as deaths head to an ●…surer . if hee attemper his office with the balme of con●…ivence , it bindes an ample recompence . next to whetting ones knife at the counter-gate , i hold it the 〈◊〉 assay to affront him ▪ if you would gratifie him , a better turne you cannot doe him , than by turning informer at the sheriffs turne . where , presentments of decayed wayes , but●… , blood-sheds , with other enormities , are no lesse beneficiall to the publike state in their redresse , than to his private stocke upon the distresse . notable cunning terriers hee hath besides , of all sorts and sizes ; some to rouse and raise his game ; others of lighter temper to have it in hot pursuit : the last sort on whom hee principally relyes , being stronger and stiffer , to cloze & grapple with his prey , and bring it downe . thus hee sh●…wes himselfe every way more active than 〈◊〉 . hee is of an excellent memory : for if you cannot remember your debts your selfe , hee will put you in mind of them . his head is many times full of proclam●…tions , which , hee cannot rest , till hee vent . hee would make a strange secretarie , for hee will not sticke to cry at the crosse , what hee heares . hee tenders all serviceable observance to his superiours , a kind of slight acquaintance to his equalls , but a disdainfull contempt to his inferiours . by helpe of some law-presidents , he retaines the elements of that profession , which hee makes singular use of : though he●… bee no sworne att●…rney , hee can accept grat●…ities in lien of fees ; and by meanes of his i●…bred ingenuity , alter the propriety of them . he is much conversant in the statutes : imploying a great part of his time in an usefull exposition , or rather inversion of them . he would gladlybring in profit , and keepe him●…elfe within compasse of statute . this is the the highest pitch of knowledge , which his vocation calls him to : and this hee hopes conference and experience in time will bring him to . authority is his sole subterfuge in all his extremities : which ( by abusing his author ) many times leaves him in his own hand . in the subject of wr●…gs ; he is oftner active than passive . none can justly lay an aspersion on him , which hee hath not some underhand 〈◊〉 to take to . it is his constant te●…et ; so long as the root holds untainted , the inferiour sprigs and si●… may bee supported : but when it growes shaken , the branches must needs suffer . so long as hee holds up his head , his nits may finde harbour : but squeaze him , and and they are starv'd for ever . hee yearely improves his place by some usefull proiect or other , which hee leaves as a memoriall of his love , and argument of his wit to all succeeding professors in that cra●…t . he never serv'd as apprentice to plasterer or mason , and yet hee knowes the craft of da●…bing ; and hee will lay it on before hee suffer disgrace . crimes require curtaines ; spiders their ●…auls . places of office must be unct●…s if vici●…s . but service is no inheritance ; lest therefore in processe of time , either hee should grow wearie of his place , or his place of him ; like a provident pismire , hee beginnes now in his summer , to store up against wi●…ter . fi●… and amercia●…ents must inhaunce his rents and hereditaments : for which he contracts now and then with the clerke of the market , whom he palpably guls , and consequently proves ; all clerkes are not the wisest men . such a parcell of ground buts neer him , and is an eye-sore to him : gladly would he have it , though the owner have neither mind nor neede to sell it . his braines must plot for this purchase ; and his witty genius , after long plodding , hath found a way to supple him . contempts , which this simple snake never dream'd of , must be forth with levied . no interplea nor demurre will serve ; he must timely prevent the occasion , and remove the ground ( which is the ground-●…ork of his disquiet ) from him and his heires for ever , by accepting a low price to purchase his owne peace , and make the vn●…ersheriffe his friend . of two extreams the lesse is to be chosen ; thus s●…rues he himsel●…e i●…to every convenient bargaine . by this time , so important are his affaires at home , as they estrange him from employments abro●…d . his nimble f●…rrets must ●…ow b●…ome pioners for their 〈◊〉 ; ●…ho coupes them , lest they should grow too fat to endure labour . suppose him then , who was once a man in his time , and an experienc'd professant ; one , who had beene acquanted with most ●…rits except holy writ ; served precepts many , but observed few ; retired like a cricket to his oven-mouth : where he warmes himselfe well without , having cold comfort to warme him within . during the whole progresse of his time hee was for gathering , the residue of his dayes hee be●…owes in disposing . hopefull cubbs he hath to conferre his hopelesse state on . no matter ; their ●…arth-resolving fathers fines make them fine ; his amerci●…ents cause them div●… deepe into the mercers booke . now the webbe of his fading fortunes i●…terwoven with the injurious warp of dishonest practices , is to b●… divi●…d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i●… sh●…dds and 〈◊〉 . so mu●…h hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…d h●…ire , wh●… 〈◊〉 ●…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…irst and last of h●… 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to his second ; so much ●…o his ●…rd : with comp●… portio●… , to b●…tter his daughters proportion●… . meane time , ( see the fatall overture of this wisemans providence ! ) he is called to an accompt before his time , ( yet all in due time ) for ar●…erages to the high-sheriffe his master , and abuse of his place . his whole estate will hardly repay the st●… . hee would gladly come off faire , and i cannot blame him : but his pi●…ce road still at harbour till now : an unexpected ●…mpest hath assailed him : and he ●…ust make speedy restitution for all his pillage . hee could dispense well enough with conscience , and gaine by the c●…ntract : but the misery of it is , hee findes himselfe now at last a prisoner and in bonds to the sheriff●… ; whereby hee stands bound to keepe him harmel●…sse ( but well had it beene for his countrey if he had prov'd so : ) which securitie is the argument of his t●…agedie . it w●…e not amisse that hee altered his will , and ( though much against his will ) made his mast●…r his sole exec●…tor . it must bee so : thus by prolling to get all , hee ha's fool d himselfe out of all : o●…ely , hee may goe with more peace to earth , since hee ha's made so cleare account on earth . it were a si●…ne to disq●…iet him , since hee 〈◊〉 his quie●…us est with him . . a wine-soaker is an ingenious engine , that runs on wheeles . if one of the wits , he is a m●…rry cricket , or a muddy criticke ; a wittie waggish brain●…-worme , and can solely hug a pot , as if it were his darling . he is mighty valiant , for he dare be drunke ; and desperate if hee bee challenged , for his weapons are pot-g●…ns . by this time hee hath called the drawers rogues , with much facilitie , yet ( as hee is a true northerne blade ) joyes in their felicitie . and now , for it growes late , he hath had his evening lecture , and trenching home , suppor●…ed by his friendly impress●…r , makes every foote an indenture . hee calls the scavingers wife familia●…ly 〈◊〉 ●…ough 〈◊〉 be as 〈◊〉 as o●… of 〈◊〉 ●…gher 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 , ●…rough 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of , long 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f●…ll ( if the cell●… 〈◊〉 be open ) and unsealing hi●… eyes , seeing the consorts of iniquitie , cli●…ging close to a pot in the nooke of a chimney , hee ●…owes himselfe thrice blest to have fallen into so sweete and sociable a company . by this , hee falls further ; whence a p●…danticall 〈◊〉 starts up , and askes him ; what sayes th●… pr●…phet ? and he answers ; h●… bade 〈◊〉 go●… seeke my fath●…rs asses , a●…d having found them to 〈◊〉 againe . after him struts up a most thrasonicall thraskite , and askes him ; what saith th●… calydonia●… po●… : and hee answers , that the 〈◊〉 ●…f an asse in the 〈◊〉 of a cella●… , t●… an illiterate gull is a d●…licate 〈◊〉 . he loves sometimes ●…o take the ay●… , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong b●…th th●… 〈◊〉 ●…ffords . wh●…re h●…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 encounters with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , w●…ich sa●…kes his ●…all , make●… his 〈◊〉 c●…t 〈◊〉 e●…glish , his supporte●…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thei●… pos●…ures , ●…nd 〈◊〉 da●…gerously . by this time his 〈◊〉 is heard , and ●…ow th●…s val - 〈◊〉 growne 〈◊〉 , ●…uld fig●…t i●… hee k●…w how 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his sally out a door●… if he●… 〈◊〉 finde it . ye●… he will out●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…o rem●…die , a●…d stalke h●…meward , ●…hough it be la●…e 〈◊〉 ●…he 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 ●…ay , 〈◊〉 he u●…happily ●…ll into ●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hee tax●…h ●…he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 la●… do●…res so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a●… 〈◊〉 time a ●…ight . y●…t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if he can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i●… som●… bl●…de , alley , hee terribly affrights the passenger if hee meete any : for hee coasts here and there , as if it were saint anthonies fi●…e , or some ignis fatu●…s ; whereas , his cressetflaming nose is the sole incendiary of these chymera's . hee ha's a mightie desire to squabble with the watch ; but the inarticulate motion of his tongue makes those illiterate r●…g-gownes thinke hee speakes heathen greeke . so as their compassion to a stranger , which they gather by his strange language , moves them to commiserate his case ; this gets him a lanthorne and a conducter ; but for his lodging , he is nere a whit the nearer , for he ha's quite forgot his plantation . thus th●…n like hyppocrates twinnes walke these two coupled together , but secure from danger , for a watchmans lanthorne is a drunkards supersedeas . gladly would this frozen centinell returne to his charge , and leave his luggage : but hee clings to him like the barke to the tree ; hee calls this goat-bearded groome his amaryllis , and hee will love her eternally . at last his a●…aryllis ( this officer i mean ) perswades him for want of a bed to take a nappe on a bench till the morning : but he ha's so much wit as to scorne advice , preferring this walke in his gallery ( for so hee tearmes it ) before the repose in his pall●…t . it is a wonder with what extravagancies hee entertaines his conducter : who admires his l●…arning , if he were himselfe . by this , the blinde lanthorne growes surfoot , sleepie , and thirstie ; along therefore with his zame ( like a night-roving lazarell●… ) hee accoasts a taphouse boldly , thumps stoutly , and by vertue of his au●… ●…ters couragiously . 〈◊〉 a dozen quencheth the officious salamanders thirst , ●…nd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…andring 〈◊〉 t●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; ●…here hee is left ●…o t●…e 〈◊〉 c●…re , or drawers cure ; p●…r t●…e charge it is his , if hi●… coyn●… 〈◊〉 a●…swere : howsoever , a good 〈◊〉 never sham'd his master . 〈◊〉 ●… word , hee i●… in the evening , what you shall not finde him in the morning . hee takes leave of th●… draw●…r ▪ with a solemn●… salute 〈◊〉 i●…●…e were dyi●…g ; and so he is , for h●…e 〈◊〉 and dropp●…s downe d●…ad at the ●…nd of a reckoning . . a xantippean is a scold in english. the wheele o●… her tongue goes with a perpetuall motion : yet she spits more than she speakes : and never spits but in spite . shee is never lesse at ease , than when she is quiet ; nor better pleased , than when the whole family is displeased . shee makes every place where shee comes , an 〈◊〉 , and rayles it about at her owne proper charge . she is never at quiet but when she is at rest , nor at rest , but when she is sleeping , nor then neither ; for purposely she awakes the house with a terrible fit of snoring . a burre about the moone is not halfe so certaine a presage of a tempest , as her brow is of a storme . l●…urell , hauthorne , and seale-skinne are held preservatives agai●…st th●…nder ; but no ●…ceite can bee found so soveraigne as to still het clamour . she makes such a pattring with her lips , as if she were pos●…st ; and so shee 〈◊〉 , with the spirit of cont●…ntion . she is wormewood in bed , and a chafing-dish at boord . shee cannot possibly take cold , for shee is ever in a heat . shee holds no infirmit●… worse then to be tongue-●…de . she loves a good bit but hates a bridle . it is a wonder shee fell not fowle with the priest , when shee was married . many times since hath she cursed him , but hee feares no worfe . methinks i see the creeping snaile her husband , blesse him , as if there were light ning , when hee comes in her presence . shee ha's either quite forgot his name , or else shee likes it not , which makes her re-baptise him with names of her owne . shee accoasts him with such fresh but furious encounters , as he sneakes away from her like a tr●…ant from his master . hee is never more homely used than at home : so as to comfort his cold stomach , and encourage him all the better against his next encounter , he hath challeng'd a pot of ale to enter lists with him in a single combat . the challenge is entertained , the field pitched , the weapons provided . where , though the pot lose more blood , yet the challenger gets the foile . home hee would goe , if he could goe , but he must f●…st learne to stand before hee goe ▪ and so by holds till hee crawll home . m●…netime , suppose him now 〈◊〉 out his indentures at le●…gth ▪ obse●…ving his recoyles and r●…treits , and spen●…ing halfe the night and more in his short iourney . moone-light he needes not , for hee hath a nose in graine to guide him , which , were his eyes matches , would quickly fire him . but see the strength of imagination ! while his crazie vessell is rowling homeward , a sudden panicke feare suggests to his phantasie ever working , the apparition of a spirit now approaching . betwixt two wayes , perplexed with two mindes , he stands amazed ; feare bids him retire , and desire bids him go on . and so strange hath his resolution wrought with him , as he intends not onely to goe on his way , but to expostulate the case with this imaginarie hoblin that bids him stay ; and thus hee encounters it , having first blessed him , to make him more suc●…ssive in the conquest of it : if tho●… beest a good spirit , thou wilt doe m●…e no harme , such is my affiance ; and if the divell himselfe , thou hast ●…o reason to doe mee harme , for i married thy sister , and claime thy alliance . but this spirit in a sheete , is presently transform'd into some sheepe , so as his feare ( if he had so much apprehension left him ) is to reflect more on his spirit at home , than this in the way : for this was but seemingly visible , whereas that he goes to , will prove personally sensible . hee findes her asleepe , but muttering words of revenge : which upon her awaking ( and long may it bee first ) shee makes shew of , by grinding he●… teeth , b●…ting her fist , and other outward tokens , fully to execute . all this while , hee sleepes soundly without rocking , till an unseasonable correction awake him . now the waspe is raised ; the horn●…t roused . sure hee is to bee caperclawed ; cap a pe , he hath ●…o sence for it . he must beare it off with he●…d and shoulders , and arme himselfe with patience , against all encounters . every looke she darts is a lash to sco●…rge him ; every word she speaks is a wound to g●…ll him . — non vox hominem sona●… , o lea certe ! happy were hee , if the world were rid of him , or hee of her . gladly would hee reclaime her without shame , or disclaime in her his share : but as shee hates ever to admit of the former , so he despaires of the happi●…es to partake of the later . sūdry distract●…d thoughts doe perplexe him ; sometimes hee thinkes verily , that this ill-agremēt betwixt them , proceds either from some ceremonie in his marriage negle●…ted ▪ or some circum●…e or other om●…tted , or that the ba●…es of 〈◊〉 were not dewly published , or sure in some point or other they were not rightly married . so as , gladly would hee ( if the orders of the church would permit it ) bee remarried , to trie for once a conclusion , if hee cou●…d preuent his former disquiet , by an old ma●…riage new solemnized : but his pastor smell●… his drift , and will by no meanes condescend to so irregular a motion : fearing ( by all likelyhood ) th●…t when hee commes to the giving of this woman to this man , he will not take her but leave her in his owne hand . but his indifferencie little troubles her : her onely feare is , that shee cannot picke quarrels enough to baste him : which afflicts her above comparison . if a●…y one reprove her for it , shee twitts them with ignorance , replying , she knowes better than they what is good for him ; and she seconds her assertion with naturall reading . if cudgelling be usefull to the walnut tree , to make it fruitfull , a little correction seasoned with discretion , cannot do amisse to make her husband more dutifull . this causeth him to resolve some times of more violent conclusions : for hee thinkes with himselfe , how desperate sores must have desperate cures . he vowes therefore , to bring her in all disgrace to the cucking-stoole ; and shee vowes againe , to bring him with all contempt to the stoole of repentance . thus , tread he never so softly , this 〈◊〉 will turne againe . there is no humour ( so strangely is she humorous ) can affect her ; no conceit , how pregnant or present soever , delight her ; no company , how affable or sociable soever , content her . shee is apt to interpret what shee heares , evermore to the worst sense . more captious than capable of offence . impatient of any ones prayse . attentive to the report of their disgrace . onely ●…trong in will , which shee counterpoizeth with want of worth . all her neighbours blesse them from her : wishing this quotidian fever of her tongue cur'd with a raz●…r . she hath liv'd to a faire houre ; for wheresoe're she comes , shee may have the roome her selfe . she needes neither contend nor contest for priority of place , nor precedencie at table , nor opinion in argument ; her selfe serves for a whole messe , for her gossips have left her . well for all this , there is a meagre , rawbon'd shrimpe , that dare and will accoast her . he is not one of many words , though she be . but his will is his law ; which none can oppose , much lesse prevent , with price , prayer , power , or policie . her unpeaceable tong●… must now bee bound to good behaviour ; a lasting silence must charme it . this her neighbours heare , that shee is laid speechlesse , ( which assures them she cannot live long : ) to her therefore they repaire , to performe the last office of christian charitie , and commend her ( with all their hearts ) to earth , implying how weary they were of her company . her funerall solemnity is the first day of her husbands iubile : for all the wrongs she did him on earth , she ha's made him sufficient amends now by her death . howbeit , hee , on whom by generall suffrage of the gods , the golden tripode was first bestowed , and to whom our zantipp●… was espoused , held that currish opinion of timon fit to bee exploded ; who wish'd all women suspended , blessing all such fruit , trees , as were so plentifully stored : to whose milder judgement i appeale ; clozing with the poet. curst bee the tree which timon blest , curst be his hatefull vowes , women were made in bowers to hugge . and not to hang on bow●…s . . a yealous neighbour is an e●…ve-dropper . he would make an excellent ratcatcher , for hee is creeping and sneaking in every corner . though hee have no argument whereon to ground his credulous suspicion , his imagination suggests to ▪ him variety of matter , which serves for fewell to feele his distemper . the signe with him is ever in aries , as hee is strongly conceited . the next yeare hee will bee a high-flyer , for hee is this yeare a brancher . hee dare not for an empire goe a hunting , lest his dogges take him for acteon , and so worry him . his blood is foulely infected , which a●…yes him desperately with the yellowes . the bird galgulus hath first ey'd him , which makes him labour of an incurable iaundise . hee would pawne his estate for those two rings of giges and hans carvile , but the latter hee holds fitter for his purpose , though the former might make him an invisible cuckold . hee lookes with a meagre complexion , which discovers his inward infection . hee feeles not a pimpl●… in his forehead , which publisheth not his fat●… . sometimes hee will expostulate his wrongs himselfe , and say ; well ; what remedy ? i am neither the first nor last ; patie●… shall be my plaister . m●…ane time , hee is as patient as a waspe or an hornet . hee will scarce credit his owne eyes , when he sees nothing but actions of modesty : all which he imagins m●…re deceptions of sight ; purposely to gull his ignora●…ce , and guild s●… with a saintly holinesse . he heares all that neighbour neare him , or resort unto him , say , they never saw children liker their father ; and 〈◊〉 ( replies he ) no●… one of them al is like an other . he is a little puritanically affected , the private conventicles hee affects not . hee feedes his humour more with sh●…dowes than substance . travaile hee would to the next market towne , in hope of profit ; but hee turnes backe before hee come halfe way there , to take her napping to his owne discredit . hee is sometimes resolved to proclaime his shame , but hee feares by that meanes , hee shall increase his shame , and adde to the number of her acquaintance . how like a sillie man hee lookes in the presence of his wife and a proper attendant ? wha●… a dejected eye hee casts upon himselfe , and how ●…lous he is of this strangers count'nance ? he feeles , whether his eares go not through his night-cappe ; and if his forehead beginne not to burgen . hee bids his apprentice looke to his foreman , and acquaint him with what hee heares or sees . hee calls the shoomaker impudent knave , for pulling on his wives shooe ; and offering to beate him , wisheth it were his last : and that , as hee is ever working his owne ends , he may have a speedy end . hee exclaimes grievously against her body-maker , and inverting his name , calles him directly baud-maker : he vowes to strip his corporation starke naked , and lash him with whalebone . hee buyes his wives gownes ready made , fearing ( belike ) some false measure from the tayler . in her presence he fetcheth a deepe sigh , semi-brev'd in these words : well ; shee might bee honest , if shee had so much grace ; i have been held a proper man in my time . you shall find him by whole houres together eave-dropping under his lettice , or peeping through a key-hole , purposely to take her napping . never man tooke more paines to adde fresh fuell to his affliction . hee could wish with all his hart , that it were enacted by the whole house of parliament for fornication to bee f●…lony . he hath solemnely vow'd , never to take journey when either the signe is in ari●…s , 〈◊〉 , or capric●… . when the lion banished all hor●…-beasts his court , it was impossible for me ( saith he ) to turne co●…rtier . hee had some smattering in the elements of all learning , but hee ha's forgot all , and now like a tr●… must turne back to his horne-book●… . thus he trifles out his time in the discovery of his owne sh●…me . he hunts all the day long from chamber to chamber : and lest locks or boults might become a supersedeas to shield her dishonor , he resolves to keep open-●…ouse to give more ayre to his larder , though he suffer pillage for his labour . he hath la●…ly created a new officer , who every evening cryes , h●…ng out your la●…thorne and candlelight maids ; the night is darke , and the entrie long ; timely preventions is the life of policy . with his wife sleeping and waking he keepes diapason ; he wakes till shee sleepe , lest she should give him the slip . his sleepes are shor●… and troubled : and when hee awakes , the first thing hee does , is seeking whether shee bee there or no. hee lookes sometimes as if hee were affrighted ; but it is his owne 〈◊〉 that haunts him : yet were his wife all ●…pirit and no substance , he should be lesse affrighted . hee dare not for a world looke himsel●…e ●… ▪ th glasse , lest he should eye his owne 〈◊〉 . he holds that a wife may ●…e her husband o●…e of the strangest 〈◊〉 in europe . he 〈◊〉 he could sustaine nature without sle●…p , that he might take full●…r view of his wives nightwo●…ks . hee is ●…ever lesse drunke with this distemper , th●…n when he is distempered with liquor : and then hee gives best opportunitie , but sees it not . he hath but lately stept into an office , and that one of the lowest in all his ward , yet hee verily thinks that the whole ward holds him for one of the headmen of their parish . store of bisket , w●…fers and c●…eawayes hee bestowes at his childs christning , yet are his cares nothing lessned ; he is perswaded , that he may eate his part of this babe , and never breake his fast . h●…e presents himselfe for a gentleman-ush●…r to his wife , when her humour is for taking the ayre : before whom he walkes most pedantically stoic●…ll , yet with a r●…cting eye , lest some fiend should steale away his proserpina . in a word , his yealous minde , and his two suspicious eyes are the hesperid●…s , his wife the golden grove ; whose fruit is so mellow , as he feares it will fall before the time . it is in vaine to apply any receites to cure his malady ; no vnicornes horne can poss●…bly helpe this poisouous infection . suspition once grounded , and by continuance hardned , can scarcely by force of any argument bee removed . for all this , howsoever it fare with him touching his r●…ll estate , it thrives well with him in his p●…onall ; for hee ha's store o●… cornucopia . he is by this time as weary of the world , as his wife is of him . he would gladly leave it , but there is something hee so dotingly loves in it , as he cannot find in his heart to forgoe it , unlesse along with him he might carry it . he knowes how to dispose of his goods , but not of all his moveables . he doubts another must possesse , what hee enjoyed with so much care : and jeere at his follies , whilest his successour supplies his place . hee would articulate with his wife , if hee had so much hope in her constancy ; or opinion of his owne deserts , to expect from her so much loyalty ; clozing his short-liv'd words with these passionate interbreaths ; nay surely , i shall bee s●…one forgotten . her protests cannot remove from him this conceite ; it were to no purpose therfore for her to promise what hee neither will beleeve , nor shee intends to performe . his eyes now begin to shroud themselves in their lodges . he hath by this disposed of all things that are in his power , even to that vessell of frailtie , his earth-reverting body , which ( according to his mind ) is to be buried in some cell , roach , or vault , and in no open place , lest passengers ( belike ) might stu●…ble on his grave . meate for his funerall pye is shred , some few ceremoniall teares on his funerall pile are shed ; but the wormes are scarce entred his shroud , his corpse-flowers not fully dead , till this yealous earth-worme is forgot , and another more 〈◊〉 , but lesse yealous , mounted his bed . . a zealous brother is a sure stake t●… his sist●…r ; hee sets forth in an amsterdam print his faith and workes in two severall tomes , and in two different volumes ; the fi●…st in folio , the latter in decimo sexto . hee is an antip●…s to all church government ; when shee feasts hee fasts ; when shee fasts ▪ hee feasts ; good-fryday is his shrove-tuesday ; hee commends this notable carnall caveat to his family ; eate flesh upon day●…s 〈◊〉 , it is good against popery : he buyes a blank-almanack , to set downe his conventi●…le houres . breach of promise with the 〈◊〉 , hee holds an indifferent err●…r , but with his sister it is piacular . t●…ere is nothing so farre out of tun●… in his ●…are as church-musicke . he keeps a 〈◊〉 quarter in his sinnefull syn●…dalls , and denounceth an heauie woe upon all wakes , summerings , and rush-bearings : preferri●…g that act , whereby pipers were mad●… 〈◊〉 by act of parliament , before any in all the acts and monuments . his band is a diminitive , but his chol●…r a su●…erlative , if hee bee provok'●… ▪ hee is so 〈◊〉 with i●…spiration , as he holds it a disti●…sting of the spirit to use pr●…meditation . no spirit can affright him so much in any shape , as in the habit of a sirpecloath . hee ever takes the crosse on his left hand , to avoid superstition . hee ha's bountifull benefactours , from whom hee receives weekely presents ; and they know his mind : halfe sacrifices are abhominable ; this faithfull family is his monopoly ; hee ha's ingross'd them to himselfe ; hee feedes on them , while hee feedes them . his frequent preaching leaves him no time to pray in ; he can stand better than he cā 〈◊〉 . hee loves mix●… societies , and hee takes this from the arke , where there was a male and female of every kind . hee avoucheth , that learned lilie most orthodoxally proved the undoubted necessity of matrimony in the presbytery , in his declination of hic & h●…c sacerd●…s . hee holds his mother tongue to be the originall tongue ; and in that only he is constant , for he hath none to change it withall . hee wonders how babel should have such a confused variety of tongues , and hee understand but one . he never reades any author , lest hee should bee held for an apocryphall p●…stor . one would take him for an incessant student by his pale visage and enfeebled body ; but the bent of his studies intends more the practick than theorick . hee is seldome or never constant to those tenets he holds : which proving for most part scarce orthodoxall , doe usually convent him : which makes him grow in great request with the purely-ignorant . hee holds all bonds bearing date at lammasse , michaelmasse , candlemasse , or any masse whatsoever , to be frustrate and of no effect ; but by changing masse into tide , they become of full force and vertue . mattins and u●…spers hee holds two dangerous words ; hee loves not to heare of the●… . he maintaines equality in presbytery ; but if the necessity of time be such , as a superintendent bee requisite , his zealous followers hold none si●…ter to supply that place than hi●…selfe . for the decision of al doubts , difficulties , and differences hee makes a private family his revestry . whatsoever tends to the doctrine of mortification , hee holds for romish : abstinence therefore he avoucheth to be an error newly crept into the church ; but if you put this inter gatorie to him , in what time it crept , this weaklyread depone●…t knoweth not . no season through all the yeere accounts hee more subject to abhomination than bartholomew faire : their drums , hobbihorses , rattles , babies , ie●…trumps , nay pigs●…nd ●…nd all are wholly i●…daicall . the very booths are brothells of iniquity , and distinguished by the stampe of the beast . yet under favour , hee will authorize his sister to eate of that uncleane and irruminating bea●…t , a pig , provided , that this pig bee fat , and that himselfe or some other zealous bro●…her accompanie her : and all this is held for authentick and canonicall . though hee seeme all spirit , yet during his beeing in this tabernacle of clay , he holds it fitting to have a little relish of the flesh . he preferres the union of bodies before the union of minds ; and he holds no unity worse than churchconformity . hee conceives more inveterate hate towards the church of rome , than the temple of mecha : and could finde with all his heart rather to embrace the traditions of the latter , than submit to the discipline of the former . his devotion consists rather in elevation of the eye , than bending of the knee . in his extemporall se●…mons hee is a sonne of thunder , denouncing terror , but seldome hope of favour to the ●…jected si●…ner . this desperate 〈◊〉 hee continues , and holds them till night , and then leaves them children of darkenesse . hee thumps a pulpit pittifully , as if hee were angry ; but if hee be , it is with those onely that come short in their oblations . he baptizeth his children with scripture-names ; wherein onely hee shewes the depth of his reading . yet in these hee mistakes miserably , for want of e●…ymology ; taking aman for amon , diana for dina . he holds one probable tenet constantly ; that there are no walking spirits on earth ; and yet he finds a terrible one at home : which all his divinity cannot conjure . this hath made him sometimes , to have a months mind to go for virginia , to save soules : till hee right wisely considered , how the enterprise was full of perill , and that hee wanted materialls to defray the charge of his travell . of all sects of philosophers , he cannot endure to heare of the academicks ; for he never came amongst them . of all metals , hee hates latin : for hee hath heard how it was sometimes the roman tongue ; and that cannot chuse but be schismaticall . he feares no shot so much as that of the canon ; for it injoynes him to that which he most hates , conformity . hee would beyond sea , but his duck will not swimme over with him : which makes him peremptorily conclude ; shee is better fed than ta●…ght . hee was once in election to have beene a vice-verger in amsterdam , but he wanted an audible voice . howsoever , hee is holden a great rabbi amongst his brethren , whose weakenesse hee strengthens with perillous paradoxes : which when hee comes to explaine , hee as littl●… understands as his amazed hearers . he was pleased sometime to make so bold with affaires of state , church-government , with otherlike subjects farre above his verge , as a late asthma ha's taken him , and restrain'd him to a perpetuall silence . this makes his illiterate brutes to double their pensions for his maintenance ; and to idolize him the more , because taken notice of by the state. and now hee is altogether for his privat lectures ; where he vents such unauthenticke stuffe , as it proves pregnantly from what spirit it comes . hee now takes time to intend controversies , which he secretly commenceth amongst his owne familists , against the communion book and book of common prayer . anthems and versicles he holds papisticall ; sundry other ●…xceptions hee finds no lesse criminall . but these quarrels become conv●…ntuall , and he must answer them . in the end , the contemptiblenesse of his person , with the weakenesse of his fortunes , rid him out a bryers : while now , after so many alterations in matters of religion , he purposeth to have some little bartring with the world , be●…ore he goe out of it , lest his poore progeny curse him that ever he came in it . but truth is , he shewes the necessity of his 〈◊〉 in nothing so much as in w●…nt , which onely makes him out of love with the world , and gives him the true marke of a schol●…r . some he hath to provide for , if hee knew how : but hee must leave them , being abj●…cts through poverty , objects of charity ; yet ha's he no great reason to expect that his broode should partake of those good workes now after his death , which hee could never endure to heare so much as commended all his life . by this our c●…rnelius is become tacitus , since hee dropt into his bathing-tubbe , where hee left his haire , and lost his honour : since which time , he is quite falne off from his zeal●…us br●…threns favour : for the dampe of his life hath so darkened the light of his doctrine , as now for want of audience , hee may save himselfe a labour . thus reft of friends , fortune , health and libertie , hee clozeth his evening lecture with a senselesse lethargie . there is nothing now that troubles him so much in his sicknesse , as that the bells shall ring for him after his death . which to prevent , hee hath taken course with his executour to give the sexto●… nothing ; purposely to put the bel●…rey to ●…ilence ▪ some 〈◊〉 hee hath of his owne , who howle not so much that hee s●…ould leave them , as that nothing is left them . &c is the most notorious knave pickt out of all these : as . if under colour of astrology , he practise the art of necr●…ncy . . if nick ballader contract with bully purser , to get him a base booty from a ninny new●…om'd forth a countrey . . if he abuse forraine states , and gull the reader to cram his belly . . if he sharke where hee hath ●…ngag'd his heart , and prove disloyall to his fraternity . . if hee vent base ware with oaths , and improve his exchange by perjury . . if he ra●…nge without his pale , and make the country fo●…termother to his progeny . . if he professe himselfe honest , and publish himselfe cheate upon discovery . . if o●…r h●…spitall-man pretend but zeale , and prize piety as the miser hospitalitie . . if our i●…yler tyrannize over his ten●…nt ▪ and triumph in his miserie . . if the keeper neglect his soule , and prepare not for her deliverie . . if she wash her skinne , but 〈◊〉 her s●…ule , and so soile her inward beauty . . if he set too high a stamp upon his meta●… , and blanch his alleageance with colour of al●… . . if our 〈◊〉 halt betwixt two , and slight his conscience for worldly policy . . if to save his provender , he set a●… artificial edge on a strangers palfrey . . if hee furnish his poster with a foundred hackney . . if what hee collects in the ward , he convert to himselfe and his meniey . . if hee out-brave his best friends , and slave himselfe to any villany . . if he row without feare to gaine h●…m a f●…re , and hazard a passengers safety . . if hee travaile to novellize himselfe , and not to benefit his country . . if to enrich his retchlesse progeny , he care not much to begger the whole county . . if hee drinke till he rore , and roring uncivilly wrong himselfe ●…nd his company . . if hee scold till shee scare her husband , make him debauch himselfe , and abandon his family . . if hee proclaime himselfe a monster causelesly , and brand his posterity with the odious marke of bastardy . . if his hollow heart display him for a counterfeit , and his painted zeale taxe him of hypocricy . if so or so , know , that such an one is an a perse a for knavery ; whose comick beginning shall cloze his dying act with a tragick catastrophe . so good night to all the foure and twenty . finis . a cater-character , throwne out of a boxe by an experienc'd gamester . — ova prognatus ab uno . . an apparator . . a painter . . a pedler . . a piper . london , imprinted by f. k. and are to be sold by r. b. . dedicated and devoted by clitvs — alexandrinvs , to his no lesse honovred then endeared , sr. alexander radcliffe , knight of the bath . a cater-character , throwne ovt of a boxe by an experienc'd gamester . an apparator is the usher of a gho●…t in a white sh●…ete . he tels you of that , which hee himselfe seldome or never rememberstill , his end , summons . he can most pragmatically discourse of the subject of p●…nnance , but findes no time to apply the use u●…to himselfe . honesty were a maine prejudice to his practise : which makes him hold that acquaintance of most weight , whose conversation is most light . circumspect you must be in your words , howsoever you expresse your selfe in your works : for his eare lyes ever open for advantage : which hee will advance in a publike court , with a frontlesse impudence . his conscience is a delphian sword , and will cut both wayes : yet annoint him ; and you berust him , and consequently charme him for being so glad in the sheath . hee can tell you of a way how to do●… you good , and it is in his hand , so hee be capable of your gold . he ha's a plaister in store for a debauch't credit ; and can mince a pennance with his familiar acquaintance . protests he ha's , and store of them ; he will bee your friend , and your fee shall binde him . he can winke as well as see , and distinguish of your guilt by your guild . this makes him ever goe partiall-guilt , holding it an inseparable appendice to his place , to ayme at his owne particular , and by it procure the peccants peace : his ordinary dialect is the thundring out of canons to the vulgar , whose honest simplicity begets in them wonder : which thawes and resolves it selfe into admiration , to observe the fearefull depth of the man. yet so wise hee is , as one truly conscious of his owne ignorance , hee can cri●…ge low to a knowing presence , and rellish a submissive reproofe for his connivence . he carries still his ephem●…rides ab●…ut with him , which he dayly enlargeth with scandals a●…d defamations . the best report that comes to his eare , is the ill report of his neighbour : which he seemes sorry for ; mea●…e time out of his feigned sorrow , he really discovers his neighbours shame . hee usually takes more strict notice of christenings than burials , and is better vers'd in their filiations , than if he were overseer for the parish . hee might bee truth by his true search , for hee lyes lurking in ev●…ry corner . it were his breaking for the age to bee vertuous ; his vailes are the vices of the time ; which he vowes to ferres , and so turnes conycatcher . a pestilent head-peece hee ha's to blow up suburbane traders : with whom hee trucks , if they feare to bee fruitfull : for others , their sterility hath procured them free licence . hee is the very scourge of the time , and were the time better he would scourge himselfe . revenues are good mens vertues ; but his stocke h●… ▪ s no such dependance : light weights are his subsistence . an ignorant curat is his patient ; whose purpose is the subject of his phlebotomie . bleede hee must , or hee dyes . the neglect of his cure , is the object of his care ; yet cannot this poore curat doe him a greater injury , than labour reformation of this malady . hee domineers bravely in his place , as if it were his chappell of ease : meane time , he is as timerous as the ●…are , lest his clandestnie contracts breede him harme . in a word , he is the safest , that knowes him laest ; but if knowing , he is securest that knowes him best . braves cannot affront , where knowledge hath already arm'd . let him appeare then , in ●…hat portriature or posture he will , he cannot dismay where knowing resolution is forewarn'd of his strength . his reading is his practise ; nor of all others , needes hee any choake ; for want of ready pay is the generation of his subpena . it were great pitty he should want friends , hee is so obsequiously observant unto his owners : yet those that are knowne to him most , are affectionately beholden to him least . he complaines of the iniquitie of the age ; but were it better , hee were worse . he ha's a catalogue of abuses , which hee makes his morning , meridian , and evening orisons . if he can be so happy as to adde to their score , it inhanceth his state : which procures his seldom - 〈◊〉 heire an apparators 〈◊〉 , when he is gone . long time ha's hee beene an instrument of discovery touching abuses of the church : yet none i●…formes of him , whose president is the worst : hee ha's so choakt his accusers with shreads and parcels of broakt civilian latine , as they are gravell'd , and hee in the opinion of the illiterate , graced . by this , hee ha's perform'd his place with generall approbatio●… : and now hee is to bee apparator for himselfe . this hee so much the more feares , as he was the more unprovided for it before it came . it were well for him , that he might finde a proxi , to discharge his place : but his conscience summons him to a personall apparance . bequeath his goods he may , which his executors enjoy ; but the occasion of their joy , is his griefe . l●…ve l●…nger he would , but the world saies he ha'●… liv'd too long . ●…rience hath ta●…ght him so much , as the ripe●…esse of his si●…e hath raised him to that height , as hee can mount no higher . he must of necessity then leave his place to a novice to succeede him : while he , poore man , becomes apparator for himselfe . his summons are given , his shrowde , the remainder of his conniving f●…es , prepared ; his sexton stayes at the holemouth , and will not bouge a foote , till this old fox be ea●…thed . a painter is a face-maker ; and the worst in all his shop is his owne . he can never hold his hand from the table , which proves him a true englishman ; for he cannot leave it when it is well . by a speciall priviledge granted to his art , hee ●…xerciseth martiall law , and hangs and drawes within himselfe : wherein hee observes a legall and lineall method in his forme of ex●…cution : he drawes first , and hangs afterwards . sometimes hee will play the egregious flatterer , and bestow more gracefull beauty on your face , than ever nature gave you , and so gull you . he lookes on you as if hee would looke through you , when h●…e draw●…s you : yet he shewes you a kinde of barber-obeisance , being content to stand ▪ while you sit . he is a partiall artist : he will portray a man of note for nothing ; but b●…ing obscure , a cat of mount sh●…ll receive more curtesie from hi●… pencile , than a nobler creature . he is not intangled much in law ; yet he 〈◊〉 now and then to westminster , where hee practiseth upon grave 〈◊〉 , & makes faces , and this hee liv●…s by . hee will not abate you an hair●… , if he be exquisite ; having none , he will supply the want of that excrement with a curious shadow , and so procure an artfull ornament . he observes small method in the ranking or disposing of his painted creatures : a la●…y and a monkey may stand cheeke by joule one with the other . nothing so much angers him , as to have dirt thrown on his picture ; and yet the m●…terials of it are of no better temper . hee sometimes playes the witty satyrist , and displayes light tweakes in loose roabes ; bu●… draw them out with po●…kes on their h●…ads , he will not , for that would darken his art. hee ha's an a●…tificiall veile for all his d●…formities ; and can make the ugliest hagge ●…nlike her s●…lfe , purpos●…ly to make her like her s●…lfe . his judgement consists not in pul●…e but phy●…nomy . there is nothing hee undertakes , but he ha's some colour for it . he ha's pomatum and other rare confections to allay the inflamation of a cind●…rous face ; and yet a saint antoni●…s fire constantly sparkles in his owne . when hee paints a shoulder of mutton , his teeth water , wishing with all his heart , he could infuse substance into the picture . hee can zeuxeslik●… , though not like ze●…xes ▪ paint grapes , but the fowle that takes them for liv●…ly , deserves 〈◊〉 name . he can accommodate his portraiture with a true garb ; hobs●…n the carrier must have his picture , with his hand in his bag to designe his condition . he make●… the ●…ye of his feature , a light g●…dding creature ; for it reflects on every corner . he miserably abuseth the nine wor●…hies , both in their postures , p●…lfreys and 〈◊〉 : but pres●…ription pleades excuse beyond exception . the nine muses are much misused ; the ●…ree graces ungraciously handl●…d . by all which it appeares , he assumes to himselfe a po●…ticall l●…ence , alb●…it hee never attained to the freedome of that company . he holds a paint●…rs lib●…rtie to b●…e of equall authoritie to the highest profess●…nt of poetry ; but his pencile must vaile to their p●…n . ignorance , which originally hatched this conceit , being retain'd to defend his cause , replyes ▪ the painter knowes not what the 〈◊〉 meane . fantas●…s are his features , and their ●…ffigies the embrio of his braine . whence it is , that ●…ll those ancient heroes become his proteans . neither is hee onely familiar with these : for h●…e will make no lesse bold in missh●…ping the patriarchs , by reserving one beard in store for a whole tribe . hee receives upon trust some chronicle stories , both divine and humane ; which ( p●…esupposing him to bee of eminent employment ) hee makes use of in pageants , chimney-peeces and bay-windowes . but if he bee of no frequent custome , he trudgeth with a trusse of colours on his back downe to the countrey ; where most humbly complaining , hee prostrates his art and industry at the feet of a most vigil●…nt church-warden : by whose wisedome if he be entertained , that the church may be beauti●…ied , and his intolerable art discovered ; he belards the walles with monstrous false english : for which , if at any time hee receive reproofe , hee returnes this answer ; he could paint better , but th●… countrey will not bee at the charge of good english. and if you seriously aske him , where hee had those sentences , hee will with no lesse impudence than prophanenesse tell you , they are foolish conceits of his owne . now and then he is imployed at funerals , which he performes most pi●…ifully . his ●…noyl'd colours fall off like other mourners : his horse-gold displaies the integrity of the artist . if hee be so ambitious , as to fixe his lamentable elegy on the hearse , his leane lines fall so slat , and cloze in such unjoynted cadencies , as they ever redound to his shame . but in these , as they are a spheare too high for his imployment , he is r●…rely vers'd . my lord maiors day is his iubile , if any such inferiou●… artist be admitted to so serious a solemnity : if not , countrey presentments are his preferment ; or else hee bestowes his pencile on an aged peece of decayed canvas in a sooty alehouse , where m●…ther red cap must be set out in her colours . h●…e hee and his barmyhostesse draw both together , but not in like nature ; she in ale , h●…e in ●…yle . but her commoditi●… goes better downe , which he meanes to have his full share of , when his worke is done . if she aspire to the conceite of a signe , and desire to have her birch-pole pull'd downe , hee will supply her with one ; which hee performes so poorely , as none that sees it but would take it for a signe hee was drunke when he made it . a long consultation is had , before they can agree what signe must be rear'd . a meere-m●…ide , sayes shee , for that will sing catches to the youths of the parish . a lyon , sayes he , for that 's the onely signe that he can make . and this he formes so art-lesly , as it requires his expression : this is ●… lion. which old e●…lenor rumming , his tap dame , de●…ies , saying , it should have been a meere-maid . now and then hee turnes rover , and bestowes the height of his art on archers stakes . sundry whimzi●…s hee ha's in his head , but of all others there is none that puzzles him so much as this one : hee ha's a speciall handsome master-peece ( for so he termes her ) and is so jealous of her , a●… when any one inquires for his picture , hee simply mistakes himselfe , and shewes them act●…on . gl●…dly would he cure this in●…red malady with the secret receipt of an it●…lian s●…curitie , could 〈◊〉 a●… contrive it , or his state pro●…ure it . well , so it is , that hee who tooke the d●…aught of others , and liv'd by it , must now leave that trade , for death hath drawne him out to the full body . his chiefe master-artists imprese was this : no day without a line : but now the last line of his life is drawne . if hee dye well , it i●… more than hee did all his life time . his memory seldome survive●… him : being now the image of death , as hee was before a living picture . a pedler is a m●…n of ware. a wandring st●…rre ; o●…e , whose chiefest ●…ommerce is with country wen●…es . the materials of their truck●…ng are of his part , pinnes , ribbons , a●…d laces ; of theirs , cony-skins , lambe-skinnes , and feathers ; for marrow-bones , their honest si●…plicity never knew the operation o●… them . what doe yee l●…cke , is his ordinary intergatory ; yet you may lac●… many things , ere he can supply you . pepper doe ye want , ●…d he will p●…pper it for you ; he ●…ill sell you clots for clov●…s , cou●…se crumm●…s for currans , orpine for saffron , and ●…ompound your pepper with his earth-pouder , to gull you . it were a strange disease , that his fardell cannot cure ; blessed bee his genius ! hee ha's a receit to cure any one from breaking , but himselfe : and this is the least hee do●…bts , for his p●…pouder court is his onely te●…ror . he is no ●…choler , yet turning rope-maker , hee drawes stron●… lines ; which draines more from c●…rdener than philosopher . it is a prety thing to observe how hee carries his trinkilo's about him : which m●…kes the countrey choughs esteeme him a man of prize . a countrey rush-bearing , or morri●…e pastorall , is his festivall : if ever hee aspire to plum ▪ porridge , that i●… the day . here ●…he guga-g●…les gi●…gle it ●…ith his 〈◊〉 nifles : while hee sculkes u●…der a b●…h , and showes his wit never till then , in admiring their follie●… . h●… ha's an obscene vei●…e of ballatry , which m●…kes the wen●…hes of the greene laugh ; and this purchaseth him , upon better acquaintance , a posset or a sillibub . hee is ever removing his tents : and might bee complain'd of for non-residence , if his informer could gaine ought by'●… . the tinker of turvie cannot put him downe at long-staffe : which hee could finde in his heart to employ for high-way receits , if his white liver would give him leave . would you have a true survey of his family , and number them by the pole ? you shall fi●…de them subsist of three heads : himselfe , his truck , and her misset . where the last weares , commonly , the sleakest skinne . hee might bee a good ma●… by the philosophers reason : for every place is his country : and generally least trusted in his owne . his atlantick●… shoulder●… are his supporters : if they faile , his revenues fall . his judgement consists principally in the choice of his ware , and place of their vent . saint martins rings , and counterfeit bracelets are commodities of i●…finite consequence : these will passe for current at a may-pole , and purchase a favor from their may-marian . one would take him for some appendice of a souldier , by his lether , but you shall find as much valour in his hamper . there is nothing so much disheartens him as the report of a pr●…sse : this makes him stirre his stumpes : but if that will not serve , he turnes counterfeit crippl●… , and as one cut off by the stumps , he cants his maimes most me●…hodically : and this practice hee most co●…stantly retaines till the coast be cleare . sometimes he co●…sorts wi●…h his bungs : and these keepe centinell neare his booth , to take notice of a 〈◊〉 prey ; which purchase makes the sile●…t evening in some blind a●…ley , or place of knowne 〈◊〉 , the divider of their prize . he 〈◊〉 a certaine catalogue of al●… the principall faires : where , though he have little to vend , he can find some way or other to bring i●… a booty . he will not sticke to pretend , for want of better supply , an extraordinary skill in physick : and so turnes most impudent dogmaticall quacksalve●… . what transnaturalized elixers will this mercenarie mountebanke produce to delude the vulgar : all which hee findes experiments of usefull consequence , till the whipstock waine him from his practice . it were wonderfull this generall artist should not thrive , having so many irons i' ch fire . yet he findes himselfe in nothing so constant as in matter of estate being for all his endeavour neither worse nor better , but just as hee was at first , a direct beggar . now , should you a●…ke him the reason : hee will tell you , one of his calling cannot bee honest and thrive too . if hee could have faced and outfac'd truth , set a deceitfull glosse on his adulterate w●…res , or dispencd with oaths to beget cu●…tome , his pack had beene a storehouse of rich commodities before this time : but making conscience of his de●…ling , was his maine undoing . thus would hee make you credulously beleeve that he were seaz'd of what he never had , nor shuld he live longer , would ever have . well , something hee would gladly leave the young hamperman , his hopefull heire , whom he fur●…isheth , to expresse his love , for want of better fortunes , with the improved example of his life . he shewes him in a landskip the whole modell of his pedler ▪ p●…grimage , with whom he may to his much benefit securely truck ; and on whose sun ●…licity hee may most usefully worke . he tells him some mysterious secrets , which he never durst till that houre discover , lest they should have prevented him of a naturall death . now hee is to leave the world , and to his successors grie●…e , to leave nothing unto him in all the world . his fathers empty hamper is his sole patrimony . truth is he sh●…wd great improvi●…ence i●… the course of hi●… li●…e , not to leave one poore knot o●… blacke ribbo●… , to display his tr●…de , and beget a few seeming mourner●… . b●…t his comfort is , he dies cn●…ven boord . his ex●…cutor ( if any such minister bee 〈◊〉 ) may thanke god for his wan●… of credit , for it kept him out of debt . well ; now hee is to trace no more the mountaines nor vallies ; this merry mate is now turn'd grave ma●… . his funerall obits are soone solen : nized . next day at the longest , his t●…arefeigning widow cnters new commerce ; and hopes to aspire to a ioynture e●…e shee dye . his sonne , as one retentive of his fathers memento'●… , t●…aceth his pathes ; lives in as honest name and fame as his predecessor did : and that hee might resemble his father in fortune as well as same , hee dyes neither much indebted by reason of credit , nor leaves much owing him by those with whom he traded . and so for altogether have they joyntly shut up their hamper . a piper is a very droane , ever soaking and sucking from others labours . in wakes , and rush-bearings he turnes flat rorer . yet the youths without him can keep no true measure . his head , pipe , and leg hold one consort . he cannot for his hanging fit himselfe to any tune , but his active foote or great toe will keepe time . hee is never sober , but when hee is either sleeping , or piping : for his repast partakes too much of the pot , to keep him sober in his feeding . he is generally more carefull how to get a coate for his pipe than his child . and a ●…ibband hung in his chamber drawes him into an overweening humour and hono●…r of ●…o musicall a savour . hee might bee not altogether improperly charactred , an ill wind that begins to blow upon christ masse eve , and so continues very lowd and blustring all the twelve dayes : or an airy me●…eor composd of flat●…ous ma●…ter , that then appeares and vanisheth to the great peace of the whole family , the thirt●…enth day . his st●…tors voice 〈◊〉 it self to the expression of a largesse upo●… receit of the least benevolence . hee deserves not his wench , that ●…ll not p●…y for her dance . hee is ●… dangerous instrument in the common wealth ; for drawing together routs and riotous assemblies : yet so long as they dance after his pipe , there can bee intended no great perillous project of state . since h●… was enacted rogue by parliament , hee ha's got hold of a shamelesse tunelesse shalme to bee his consort , that the statute might take lesse hold of his single quality . and to grace it the more , he ha's shrowde●… himself with the inco●…porate reverence of a pye-colour'd livery . yet it is to be feared that the snake must ere long , lose his slough ; for either his vailes faile him , or he falls from his vailes . a continued practice of his prosession hath brought him to that perfection , as hee can pipe when hee cannot speake : so as , his c●…anter becomes his interpreter , and performes the thankfull office of a true servant , in speaking for his mute master , who cannot speake for himselfe . hee is oftner out of tune than his pipe ; yet never plaies better voluntari●…s than when he is drunke . in one respect , he may be compared to a downe-right satyrist : he will not stick to play upon his best friends . he infinitely preferres his art before all other mecha●…icks : yet all the meanes of his gettings is but from hand to mouth . the most dissorting comp●…ion for his humor , is the ti●…r for hee is a metall man , which the piper is not : besides , they are so unsociably affected to their liquor ; as it is death to them to drinke to one another ; yet the nooze of the law oft●…imes reconciles them , when it injoynes them to hang both together . hee is of an invincible strong breath , whereof hee leaves usually in the blast of his pipe such a vaporous and vicious steeme , as it would go neare to poyson any creature but a piper . hee suites himselfe to the seasons of the yccre , wherein if his honest neighbour partake of any be●…efit , h●…e expects his musicall share . and to winde him the more in his love , without which hee cannot live , every distinct time must bee accommodated to a severall tune . hee ha'sa straine to inchant the sheepheard in his shearing ; an other for the husbandman in his ●…eaping ; in all which hee ha'sa peculiar priviledge for gleaning . sundry corners hee reserves in his k●…apsack for these neighbourly bounties , which in short time , by prescription , become customarie to him , and all his lineall succcssor●… of the same science , after him . i●… his bonny blouze , or dai●…ty doxie , being commonly a collapsed tinkers wife , or some high way commodity , taken up upon trust , demand of him supply , after these numerous in-comes , hee bids her goe pipe . for his bed , hee leaves it the soonest , and goes to it the latest . hee is injoy●…ed by his place , to rise early , rore highly , and ●…ouze the whole family . so as , his pipe may be properly tearmed the instrumentall cause both of their rising and his owne . he is no constant dweller , and yet he is no shifter . all he reedes , he puts into his pipe : which consisting of three notes , breaks out into a most vociferous syllogisme . he will be heard at ho●…se-races ; where it makes him infinitely proud , if the horse will but vouchsafe to lay his nose to his droane . this so transports him , as it makes him think himself worthy to be recorded in those musicall aires or annals of orpheu●… and arion , who made beasts follow them . which hee doth dayly , for his doxy dogs him . being weary of the country , or shee rather weary of him , hee dives into some suburban or citty-cellar , where hee rores like the divell in a vault . heere hee deepely inhanceth his cellar-rents , if hee had grace to keepe them : but truth is , whatsoever hee draines from the four corners of the city , goes in muddy taplash downe gutter-lane , and so sinks down into p●…ier alley . so he get his morning draught , which ends about midday , at the soonest , hee stands not much upon breakefast : neither indeede will his vailes finde supply both for thirst and hu●…ger . this sauce-●…eam'd porcupi●… , when his veines b●…gin to warme , will b●…e many times monstrously mal●…pert , which purchaseth him a beating with much patience . you may breake his head as good cheape , as any mans in europe . if his prugge aspire to so much stock or so great trust , as to brew to sell ; hee will bee sure to drinke up all the gai●…es . hee will not sticke to runne on score with a score , so h●… may have credit : but when they come for their coine , hee solicits some longer time , and payes them home with a tune : t is merri●… when malt-men meete . but th●…y may pipe small e're they mee●…e with their money . by this , his holy bush is pulled downe , which proclaimes him ba●…kerupt : by which meanes , he may most politickly compound upon i●…fferent tearms with his malt-worms ▪ thus are his fortunes no perpetu●…tie : an ill winde bla●…s them : being commonly , ligh●…ly got amongst nimble heel'd fooles , and lewdly spent amongst heavie headed knaves . his vocatio●… is no peculiar station , but a roving r●…creation . there is no m●…n will more sufficiently sit downe to eat , nor more cheerefully rise up to play than himselfe . to keepe him company , and free him of th●…t , which his leaden conceit is seldome capable of , melancholy , he wisheth no other associate than a iack●…napes , or a iolly 〈◊〉 : wherein it is his highe●…t straine of studie to accommodate his ape with a guarded coate , and so foole his spectators out of their coine . he dies a sound man and merrily , for hee dyes a piper , but no good death , for hee hath played away his time . hee could finde in his heart to pipe longer , but his winde failes him , which makes him play his lastgoodnight . his wealth may appeare by his 〈◊〉 which containes the over worne remains of a motley livery , a decayed pipe-bagge , and halfe a shirt ; all wh●…ch , without his neighbours chari●…y , will scarce amount to the purchase of a sheete . finis . clitvs retire ; waste no more oyle on these , no care can cure a desperate disease : should'st write as much of ev'ry bas●… profession , europe would bee too strait for that impression . meane time , these swaine●… may on the plaines goe breath them , for thou hast left a curious piper with them . clitvs his genethlia vpon the birth-day of his sonne iohn . vagi●…ndo ●…allem intramu●… , suspirando relinquim●…s . with shreekes we live , and with a sigh we die ; thus live we , die we , griefe is ever die . god blesse thee iohn and make thee such a●… one , that i may ioy in calling thee my son. thou art my ninth , and by it i divin●… that thou shalt live to love the * muses nin●… , and live by loving them : for it were fit a younger brother had an elder wit. thou maist be gamester , or what trade thou'ls choose , for much i shall not leave my boy to loose ; and that 's fit'st for a gamest●…r : but bee sure ●… addresse thy care upon thin●… inwardcure . " be honest , and thou canst not want a friend , " neither before thine end , nor in thine end . three things three vovchers for thee undertake , the world , flesh , divel , th●…u must quite for sake ; and so i hope thou wilt : to th' world i show thee , but thy poor fortune 's such , she will not know thee . and for the flesh , ev'n nature must permit that it be given t●… thee , e're thou to it . now for the divel , he ha's so much to doe with roring boyes , hee 'l sl●…ght such babes as tho●… : yet be not too s●…cure , but put him to'●… , for hee 'le play at small game , e're hee sit out . th' e●…crease of thy revenues is but small , looke ●…o thy braines , poore iohn , for that is all . a better legacie i have not for ●…ee , vnlesse thou dye , and i sing di●…ges o're thee : by which i should collect , thou wer 't bu●… lent me , as thou wast neare that time by nature sent mee : b●…ing onely sh●…wne on earth , but to abst●…e from ●…inne on earth , and turne to earth again●… ▪ and so shouldst ●…hou rise high , by vading hence with a sweete smile , in state of innocence . this is my cloze ; " short be thou or long liver , " live well , my boy , " that thou maist live for ever . finis . an alphabeticall table of the characters . an almanack-maker . a ballad-monger . a corranto-coiner . a decoy . an exchange-man . a forrester . a gamester . an hospitall-man . a iayler . a keeper . a launderer . a metall-man . a neuter . an ostler . a post-master . a quest-man . a ruffian . a sailer . a traveller . an vnder-sheriffe . a wine-soaker . a xantippean . a yealous neighbour . a zealous brother . &c. or the egregious'st pimpe of a●… this debauch't order , with a briefe but free cens●…re , of their nature , nurture , and number : closing with the supply of a curiouscountrey-cater-character , to supple the rig●…r of the roughest censor . vpon the errata's . as there ●…ee characters ●…f errors , be●…rrors ●…rrors incident to characters . these , be they literall or materiall , it is in th●…e , reader , to make them veniall . in epist. to reader , lin . . for fo●…r , reade firmer . p. . l. . f. shoope , r. shoppe . p. . l. ●… . f. imitation , r. ●…itiation . p. . l ●… . f. & ▪ r. at . p. . l ▪ . f. as , r. an . p. ▪ l. . f. fail'd , r. ●…aile . p. . l. ▪ f. ●…unne , r. summe . pag. . lin . . for surely , read surly . p. . lin . ▪ for feares no worse , r. fares no ●…se . p. . l. . f. the , r. yet . p. . l for feele , r feed . p. . l ▪ . f. alterations , ●… ▪ altercations . p. ●… . l . f. hee , r. s●…ee . second part. pag. lin . . f. clandestnie , r. cl●…ndestine . in the genethlia , l ▪ . f. die , r. ni●… . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 procul●…●…strts timonia ficus ab h●… , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ramis sacta se●…cta 〈◊〉 . . almanack-maker . . ballad-monger . . corranto-coiner . . decoy . . exchange-man . . forrester . . gamester . . hospitall-man . iayler . . keeper . launderer . . metal-man . . neuter . . ostler . . post-master . . quest-man . . ruffian . . sailer . . traveller . . vndersheriffe . . wine-soaker . . xantippean . . yealous neighbour . . zealous brother . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 dr●… ▪ ming dro ●…ne pl●… the grand i●…postor ; hi●… m●…rry chante●…●… meer●… inc ban●…r ▪ ca●…sing peopl●… to 〈◊〉 in a r●…ng , as if he bad r●…sd the div●… 〈◊〉 a circl●… . notes for div a -e na●… est xix . feb a●… d●… . . * musa 〈◊〉 , natura nov●…m pul●… pr●…lem exhib●…it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a -e ●…lias 〈◊〉 , ilium ●…orum . times curtaine dravvne, or the anatomie of vanitie vvith other choice poems, entituled; health from helicon. by richard bathvvayte oxonian. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) times curtaine dravvne, or the anatomie of vanitie vvith other choice poems, entituled; health from helicon. by richard bathvvayte oxonian. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. printed by iohn dawson for iohn bellamie, and are to be sould at the south entrance of the royall-exchange, london : . in verse. signatures: a-g h⁴ i-o. the first leaf is blank. "panedone: or health from helicon" has separate dated title page; register is continuous. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion times cvrtaine drawne , or the anatomie of vanitie . vvith other choice poems , entituled ; health from helicon . by richard brathvvayth oxonian . ille ego qui quondam . london printed by iohn dawson for iohn bellamie , and are to be sould at the south entrance of the royall-exchange . . to the famovs seminary of all accomplish'd knowledge , his deare foster-mother , the vniversitie of oxford ; the happie supplie of iudicious witts , with the encrease of all succeeding honovr . to thee ) deare mother ) in whose learned lap , i once repos'd , and from whose batt'ning papp i suckt the milke of knowledge , send i these which if they please , as i could wish then please i 'me honor'd by them , and will still renew my loue to them , because they 'r lik'd by you . but these are feeble , scarce penfeathered , and like young lapwings run with shell on head ; nor can i blame them : for belike they 'ue heard , how i was young when i to you repair'd : growing in some sort riper ; and these doe expect the like , that they shall thriue so too : which i confesse lies onely in your power , for if you smile they liue , die if you loure ; nor need i feare , for i did neuer know any darke cloud sit on your smoother brow . yours in all endeared observance , r. b. a griefe : personated in the avthor , and dedicated to time , of whom hee borrowes the subiect of his passion . care charming sleepe , thou sonne of sable night , that cheares our drowping spirits with delight ; making vs forget care , as if kept vnder by some sweete spell , or some lethean slumber , away and leaue me : thee i brooke not well , " sorrow best fitteth with a cloudie cell . and what more cloudy , then where sun nere shone , where nought keeps concord but continu'd mone , where sighes of louers , passions of the minde , are all the guests , that you are like to finde ? poore blubberd soule , is griefe in her extent ? or is your source of teares alreadie spent ? afliction workes distraction ! aye me then , that feeles the most , yet showes the least of men . yet if thou haue the memorie to relate the poore remainder of thy forlorne state , expresse it boldly : men are pleas'd to heare those griefes discourst , that once were hard to beare . o then attend , and when my speech doth leaue , say , if ere any had more cause to grieue ! you idle houres , our calenders of ruth , and time ill spent , the preiudice of youth , are first presented to my grieued heart , come then ( as first presented ) act your part , come , for you can , and well i know you will , tell me what i haue done or good or ill . good ; that is recken'd soone : but th' ill i 'ue done , much doe i feare will not be summ'd so soone . you keepe the score , and chalke from day to day , while i run on in debt , and will not pay ; yet i must pay , my creditor will call , where i must pay both vse and principall . first for the houre : or for the least of time , minute or instant , for that 's onely mine , what instant is there , or hath euer beene since i knew sinne , wherein i did not sinne : what moment did i good , or if i did , was not vaine-glorie in the action hid ? i know it , o i know it but too well , and much it grieues my pensiue soule to tell what shee has done , and gladly would i leaue my tale , and say , i know not how to grieue ; but i must speake , what time doth presse me too , " for it's lesse shame to speake then shame to doe . why did i know , if that my knowledge were the onely cause why i so farre did erre ? as sure it was : since sacred discipline should make our mindes eternally divine ; not darken'd with earths substance , but in loue of her owne image , seeke for things aboue , from whence her image came ! blest had i bin ; if , as i knew this , so i had but seene into the reall glory of my soule , o that had then beene faire , that now is soule . vnhappie i to care more for the rinde then for the pith , the bodie then the minde , vnhappie i to make my wit a baite vnto my selfe : my knowledge a conceit too ouer-weening ; o i did not well , knowing for this , the brightest angell fell conceipt is like a shaft shot from a bow , which flyes a while aloft , but lighteth low . low did my iudgement light , when i did ayme , by selfe renowne to purchase me a name : whereas ( god-wot ) that worth which was in me , scarce could redeeme my name from infamie . for what is humane eminence , estate , honour , demerit , an auspicious fate , conquest , renowne , trophies of lasting worth , when they that got them , lie in bed of earth ? nothing . 'las nothing : ther 's no good in them , for these yeeld small perfection vnto men ; saue what the world giues , and that is giuen oft times on earth , is neuer found in heauen . i meane of merit , where men popular , in their affections vsuallie doe erre , in counting that desert , which hath a show of goodnesse in it : but is nothing so . for i haue seene , even in these fewer yeares which i haue liu'd , how many one appeares in show and outward luster to be that which he is not , if you obserue his state . now vertues are pretences , where we owe lesse farre to substance , then wee doe to show . and good we call him ( so the vulgar deeme ) who though he be not good , yet good doth seeme . o time for thee i grieue ( thou grieues for me ) and mutuall loue should i expresse to thee : thou see'st our errors , wherewith we abuse thy selfe , that art of all most precious . thou see'st our vainest pompe , and how we tie , our admiration onely to the eye of our beholder : thou art he , that sees our times expence , those great arrerages which are against vs : and it well appeares , thou pitties vs , sending out brinie teares in pure remorce , which we , throwne on the shelues of desolation , shed not for our selues . here rides poppea , neroes concubine , in her gilt chariot ; there rash catiline , vnbounded in 's desire ; here claudius prest to affections most incestuous ; here messalyna , an insatiate whoore ; there danae wrastling with a golden shower ; here couetous midas sold to auarice ; there old hermocrates with his foure eyes ; poring on 's almanacke , cursing the earth , and blessing 's fate when there ensues a dearth . i le be reveng'd , ere many dayes be done , and 't shall be said nere mother censur'd sonne , with more extended rigour : thus shalt'be . now in these young dayes of thy iollitie , when pleasures mansion in thee , now when youth ryots in vaine delight , i with my syth ( for i can vse times-syth ) will cut thee downe , and then ( my son ) where 's all thy pompe become ? frolicke a while , like summer-butterflies , i am the chest where all thy honour lies ; nor canst thou passe deaths verdict , nor my doome , i was thy cradle , i must bee thy tombe . see see ( vnhappie youth ) the vtmost date of all thy time , see what thou leuellst at ? a shrowd , a graue ; where then 's thy glory seene ? of where those shows of honour that haue beene eminent in thee ? 'lasse they 'ue lost their breath , and are extinguisht in the stroake of death . what is the hight of honour prun'd so soone ? is our youths may-game with such quicknes done ? o then ( poore soule ) why staiest thou here so long , or tuttle-like throbbs not thy dolefull song t' expresse thy pilgrimage ? is here a place euer to dwell in ? no ; so short's the pace of humane frailtie , that the strong'st of all , stands not so firme , but he may feare to fall . and is this world such a precious dish , where few haue what they need , none what they wish , as it deserues our admiration ? no , what ere the worldling thinke , it is not so . honours , preferments , riches , and estate are but as fewell , which engender hate to the possessour , for who ere was seene rich , and had none that ever enu●ed him ? why should i craue to please an outward sence , when reason seekes no more then competence ? and that 's a very little : as some foode to sustaine nature , and some cloaths , not proud nor gairish , but such fitting weedes as should saue vs from summers heate and winters cold . for who ( remēbring th' cause why cloths were made ) even then , when adam fled vnto his shade for covert of his nakednesse , will not blame himselfe to glorie in his parents shame ? weepe , weepe ( phantasticke minion ) for to thee my grieued passion turnes : o may i be cause of conversion to thy selfe , that art compos'd of man , and therefore i beare part in thy distracted habit : ( ougly peece , for so i tearme thee ) woman-monster cease , cease to corrupt the excellence of minde , by soyling it with such an odious rinde , or shamelesse cover ? waining , wavering moone , that spends the morne , in decking thee till noone ; hast thou no other ornaments to weare saue such wherein thy lightest thoughts appeare ? hast thou no other honour , other fame , saue roabes , which make thee glory in thy shame ? lasciuious idoll , that with painted cheeke , sinne-drawing eye , thy sacred vow doest breake with thy creator : hence thy sinne is more , adoring that which thou shouldst not adore . what ? no conversion yet ? doest yet persist in thy deprau'd condition ? pray thee desist from thy deformed fashion : let that tyme which thou hast vainely spent to become fine , be now redeem'd , that after-times may say , thy night of pride is turn'd to vertues day . 'las what auailes this sleeking of thy sinne , when the cold wombe of earth shall take thee in . to lodge with her ? where for delicious sweetes , corruption shall embrace thee , and those sheetes wherein thy lustfull bodie tooke delight , shall shrowd thy corps in deaths eternall night , yet thou replies : i must obserue the time : must i looke darke , when all my sex doth shine in beautie and perfection ? pray thee heare , if it be darknesse to be graue in weare , modest in gesture , womanlike in all , chuse thee that habit , what so ere befall . it 's vertues liverie , and will more expresse of true perfection , natiue excellence in beautie , luster , comelinesse , and show , then all our light-tail'd huswiues ere shall doe . these are the deuils lures , made to ensnare vnwarie youth , with their dissembled faire . these are those spotted lepers that defile , the flowrie bosome of this fruitfull i le . these are those smiling hyenes that confound the spacioust kingdomes , & make curst the ground . these are those panthers , which with smiling chere , proue there the worst , where thy the best appeare . these are niles crocodyles , which hauing power , oppresse the people , and the state deuoure . these are those babells strumpets , with false formes deceiuing men , yet are surpriz'd by wormes , the worme of conscience , which shall ere abide , and bee a corasiue for lust and pride . iniurious staines , if i could but impart the secret hate i beare you in my heart , and had but power to will , not one i sweare of that adulterate sex should nestle here : or if they did , they should such pennance haue , as they might goe true conuerts to their graue . for silkes should saccloth , and for powdred haire , should ashes be their penitentiall weare : so might my doome authenticke be and iust , " sackcloth on pride , and ashes strow'd on lust . here scilla , then whom none could ever be , more friend to 's friend , or foe to 's enemie . lastly , here 's all that 's * ill : but what is good , is not at all , or is not vnderstood . here is no phocion , cato vtican , no trustie brutus , nor no african , no thales , solon , nor no pistacus , no periander , nor cleobulus ; no bias , chylo , now the senate's done , the * tripod's stolne , and all the sages gone . what my perplexed soule , whither so fast , more fairely on , the faire will not be past : tutch not abuses , but with modest lipp , for * some i know were whipt , that thought to whip ; vnto thine owne : thy errors are enow , and full too many for one page to show . where in discourse mixe passion with thy line , and hold thy course till that the sun decline , that now thy passions waking , now asleepe , may weepe and laugh at time , may laugh & weepe . for oft we see , men troubled with annoy , doe laugh for anger , and doe weepe for ioy . time is portrayed bald , yet my young minde , letting occasion passe , catcht time behinde , i catcht indeed , but could not apprehend , which made me sigh for my deplored end . vnhappie youth ( quoth i ) thus i began , that art endew'd with reason , best of man , yet armes the best of man , to mans offence , making thy reason bond-slaue vnto sence . thou canst distinguish well of euery time , and knowes by th' aire when th' sunne ' gins to decline , whether faire weather 's like for to ensue , this thou obseru'st , and thy coniecture's true . but 'las how simple art , when thou wouldst finde , the natiue temper of thy sin-sicke minde , how far 's thy knowledge off ? so far , god wot , that tho thou seeme to know 't , thou know'st it not . nor can thy ignorance plead for defence , for knowledge has inform'd thy conscience , which so afflicts thee , there 's no hope of peace , for conscience is a thousand witnesses . seest thou thy shame , and canst thou loue the name of ougly sinne , that brought thee to that shame ? seest thou thy forme made glorious at the first , by the pollution of thy sinne accurst ? seest thou thy selfe and doest not blush to see , the best of creatures made the worst by thee : seest thou the sunne spher'd in his roiall course , how vpon plants , fruits , mettalls he has force , and with his beames reflects on euery place , adorning th' heauen with his transpierciue grace ? seest thou this glorious light , and doth thy soule thinke it will shine on any thing so foule , as thy corruption ? o no : such art thou , in thy enormious actions , as to show the horror of thy sinnes , would craue more time then houres thou hast to liue : vnhappie clyme whose birth doth shame his countrey , and i see that verdict now to be pronounc'd on me , and that on due desert : for where i might haue made my countrie happie : through delight of vaine affections , wherewith i was tane , my selfe was to my selfe my countries shame . vnhappie i to frustrate the desire of my deare countrie , which did plant me higher then my demerits were , yet such was i in my succeeding course , as vanitie conceited , ' bou● desert , made me so proud as that became worst ill , that seem'd most good . and can presumption yet restraine my pace ? or is my shame so hardned , as my face dare view the light ? o impudence in sinne , when in our end , we doe afresh beginne to multiplie offences ! can yon light ( yon splendent bodie ) which shows true delight to euery blossome , can it seeing thee abide t' expresse her former putitie , whilest thou art in presence ? no , i know it will seeing thy shame , glade in some shadie hill , and quite obscure her luster , that thy crime might see it selfe in th' absence of her shine . 'las i doe labour of a fruitlesse birth . and viper-like , makes my poore mother earth , curse th'time shee bore me : did i not sayes she , foster thy youth , brought vp too tenderly ? did i not suffer mine owne brest be pierc't , the secret cranies of my bosome searcht , that thou might be refresht ? did not my loue , beare vp thy weake lims , when thou couldst not moue from mine owne centre ? did not i produce store in aboundance for thy priuate vse , of which thou canst not say , thou ere hadst skant , possessing that which many better want ? am not i she that cheares thee , when alone , yet as contemned i am trod vpon ? am not i shee supports thy feeble stand , and like a nursing mother , with my hand dandles thee on my knee ? yet for all this , thou kils thy mother with a iudas kisse . affliction to my age , shall my wrong'd brest be furrow'd for thy good ? when i 'me opprest more by such bratts , to whom i fauour shew , then by such strangers , as i neuer knew : no , no , depraued issue , for thy name , i hate to tell 't : ●ith it augments my shame . but what ( my muse ) art thou so lustie growne , as censuring others , thou forgets thine owne ? come , come expresse thy griefe , make thy complaint and to sad notes tune thy soules dreriment . let not one line , one accent , or one word run from thy pen , that may delight afford vnto the reader : but such notes as force passion in men , and in thy selfe remorce ; make those thy best of concord : if ere i could portray sorrow with a teare-dimd eye , affliction in her colour , or distresse in natiue feature , o may i expresse that image now , and when it 's fully showne , may i enstile't an image of mine owne . dissolue thy selfe , and as thou art a man nere swallowed vp of sinne , let th' ocean of thy distreaming eyes assoyle that sinne , which thou ( poore soule ) art thus emplunged in . what ; no teeres ? sorrow art thou gone from me , as if i stood not any neede of thee ? is due compassion throwne on shipwrackes shelfe , so ruth-lesse growne , it will not waile it selfe ? perfidious and accurst that issue is , whose head-long course conuerts the parents blisse , vnto a curse , and am not i that birth of desolation that remaines on earth daring heauens-maker ? as if he that made me to his glorious image , were afraid to enter plea against me ; sinfull wretch thinks thou that god , who doth the heauens stretch like to a curtaine , he whose soueraigne might produced out of pitchie darknesse , light ; compos'd the ball of earth , bounded with shores the raging ocean , that it should no more second her invndation : who began a little world , in a little man. he who each plant , each blossome , fruit , and spray , cheareth and cherisheth from day to day . he whose transpierciue eyes each thing beholds , and with his eye of knowledge pure , vnfolds the secret of our thoughts , he whose power can subdue the lyon , and leviathan ; he whose exhaled breath convert'd to ire throwes downe the wicked to eternall fire ; he whose advanced signall doth retaine a milke-white colour ; like a tamburlaine , implying mercie , which if 't doe no good , next he advanceth , signifieth blood , ruine , subversion : he who is the king of the whole earth , and swayeth euery thing by lyne of his direction : he whose seate is in the clouds , and 's ea●ie to entreate , if he finde true contrition : he whose power can crop our huma●e glorie like a flower . he who hath euer beene , is now , shall be . what is it , that he cannot doe with thee ? wert thou a giant , yet such is his force . who like a giant 's prest to run his course ; that thy aspiring thoughts should soone decline , like to those giants were in form●r time . wert thou of such great power , as some haue beene , whose populous armies dryed the riuers cleane , yet would that god of hosts , thy power confound , and strow thy slaughterd corps vpon the ground . wert thou in strength of bodie eminent , yet lasse how soone is that consum'd and spent with one dayes sicknesse ? were thy beautie rare , thy golden tresses like the sun-beam'd haire of grace lesse absolon : perchance't might be thy haire would worke thy baine , as well as he . wert thou as rich as cresus , yet would time interre thee , and that goulden calfe of thine ; whil'st miser-like thou might thy richesse curse , ' sith th'deuils mouth is term'd a mis●rspurse . wert thou as royall , as agrippa was , who seem'd in pompe and glory to surpasse humane condition , whilest applauses than should crowne thy state : the voice of god not man. yet for that luster deckt with varied formes , wretched thou art , when all cōsum'd with wormes ? alas distracted soule , what 's fine aray , or fare deliciously for euery day : yea , i doe thinke , if i were forc'd by want , i could in time learne th' trade of sycophant : and profit by it , for there 's verie few , " but they liue poore that labour to write true ; yet can i not if i should burst my gall , gaine me that good opinion of all . nor doe i care for 't : for come what can come , i am resolu'd how ere i find their doome : let this serue for the proaeme , and now see your pictures drawne in times anatomie : which seene , you cannot but admire the more , to read me smooth that was so harsh before . times anatomie , displayed in six distinct subiects . . riches . . pouertie . . iustice. . iniustice . . fate . . death . by richard brathvvayte . oxonian . — sic tempora slemus . of richesse . to thee the worldlings idoll , doe i make , these harsh●tund poems for my countries sake , which thou hast wrong'd too long , alas for woe , that we should see 't and suffer 't to be so . it 's thou that fosters enmitie , debate , sedition , faction , and doest ruinate the noblest states , in haling downe the rod of vengeance on thee , that thou art made a god on earth : for who , i pray thee doe but show deserues a cap , or bended knee but thou ? who merites honour , who can's credit stretch so farre as thou , that art esteemed rich ? nay , let me step yet further , i shall finde , the worldes trash held soueraigne of the minde . for who are wise but rich-men , or who can find th' golden meane , but in a golden man ? he is earths darling ; and in time will be , hells darling too , for who 's so fit as he , indeed if riches were sincerely vs'd , and not so much by cormorants abus'd ; that make their chest their christ , then might wee find , in richest states , a charitable minde : who like good stewards of what they possesse , would distribute to th' poore or more of lesse : if not the silks of sydon , or of tyre , yet is their bountie showne by their desire ; for not the gift , but th' mind of him that giues , accepted is , and his reward receiues . but 'las how farre off many rich-men be , from th'bond of loue , or lincke of charitie ? where rich-men giue to th'rich , thinking it vaine , to giue to them that cannot giue againe , these will not doe as we in scripture read , that bids v● on the waters throw our bread . " for then be sure , how ere wee seeme to others , " we would regard our poore distressed brothers . and make his tears which he poore soule sends forth as ●egisters whence we produc'd our birth . for 'las when we shall from this house of clay , be cleane dissolved , as we must one day ; how heauie will our doome at that time be , that pitied not our brothers penurie ? where shall our po●pe and maiestie be then , where all those honors we receiu'd ' mongst men ? where 's our attendance , where 's our noble birth ? or where 's our wealth we gloried in on earth ? 'las we shall then be stript of all we haue , nought left vs but a coffin and a graue : and happie we if so it might befall , the graue might end our griefe , but this 's not all ; lower the wretched must of force descend , to that same place where sorrowes haue no end . and doest thou yet ( fond rich-man ) hugg thy pelfe , which makes thee an arch-traytor to thy selfe ? doest thou consume thy dayes , adorning it , that damns thy soule , infatuates thy wit ; makes thee a rebell , forcing thee to swerue , from thy creator , whom thou ought to serue ? tortures thy guiltie conscience ( simple foole ) to haue thy state to witnesse ' gainst thy soule . but thou 'l obiect , why should i be so rough 'gainst thee , that art resolu'd to doe enough before thou diest : for i doe heare thee still harpe on a good , and charitable will. which shall expresse what thou in life time ment , by thy last will , and finall testament . good-wills be good indeed , and worthily doe they deserue our best of memorie : but much i feare , this good is mixt with ill , and that good wills proceed not from good will : for if they did methinkes it should not grieue them , to giue them freely , 'fore they 'r forc't to leaue them . and sure methinkes none can be sayd to giue , but such as doe it franckly while they liue . " for when they 'r dead ( as 't shall be after showne ) " that which they giue cannot be call'd their owne . and why should we our rich-men so commend that giue faire legacies before their end ; since iudus well we know , of all men worst gaue dying , all he had , yet dy'd accurst : yet these men giue but part , iudas gaue all , ( may english - iewes be warn'd by iudas fall . ) o then let time , whose ripe occasion brings a blest successe vnto the best of kings . excite you rich-men , both in life and death , but most in life , to cheare such with your breath ; the breath of life , food , rayment , and the like , as at your doores send out their rufull shrike , shutnot your eares , for be you sure of this , shutting from them , you shall be shut from blisse ; take them into your houses , for we reede , some haue receiued prophet in their weede . for if you open not vnto the poore , how shall you enter when you knocke at door● of sions pallace ? for , approu'd wee see saints minister to saints necessitie . be then your selues , and with zacheus giue , not on your death-beds , but now whilest you liue , and are in health , for such shall haue reward , though not on earth , yet surely afterward ; and their reward shall be so much the more as they were open-hearted to the poore . but'las how many spunges now there be which soake the needie , and with crueltie oppresse the silly orphane ? it is true , too many be there of this wicked crew , that pester this sweete iland , with the cryes of poore distressed soules , whence vengeance hies with fethered speed , to make these great-ones know " there is a god aboue that sees below ; and can discu●se each secret , and has power to punish the rich when they the poore deuoure . deare noboth cryes , and none doe pittie him , while ahab sleepes securely in his sinne ; naboth must loose his vineyard , true he must " for what 's vniust , by greatnesse is made iust . his ground lyes ●itly for him , and he will either obtaine it , or his neighbour kill : for if the poore-man chance but to denie it , he meanes with some forg'd title to come by it ? so as by force he 's stript of land and all , ' for th' prouerbe holds , the weakest goes to th'wall . but heare me rich-man whom so ere thou be that triumphs thus in others miserie : when thou hast purchast what thou didst desire , be sure oppression must not loose her hire ; for there 's a iudgement , and a sharpe one too , will startle thee , though thou art carelesse now . then wil poor naboth , whom thou here didst wrong witnesse against thee , while thy faltering tongue without defence , with silence charm'd shall be , yeelding to all that is obiect'd 'gainst thee . how fearefull will that sentence then appeare . when death and horror shall be euery where ? when gastly spirits summon thee to hell , and thou art forct to bid thy ioyes farewell : " where cruel worms shall eate thy hart-strings out " where grones & grieues , sighs , shrikes sound all about . what is the fruit then of oppression ? sure that vale of tophet which shall ere endure . and make him draw an euer-loathing breath , dying in life , and liuing in a death . o then how happie hee that so doth liue as th' one hand knows not , what the other giue . dispencing freely , what he doth possesse of all his substance , which doth well expresse his loue to god , whose mansion is aboue , bearing his image such especiall loue ; for god hath promis'd such to liue for euer , " sith he himselfe doth loue a chearefull giuer . o that this flowrie i le , whose sacred name makes her recorded in the booke of fame ; where times - illustrate trophies show her glory , " so well display'd in many auncient storie ; would scourge these gold-adorers for exemple , " all symmoniacke patrone● out at h temple : so should the gospell , ophyrs purest gold , be more esteem'd then to be bought or sold ; so should we haue in sion shepherds store , vvhich come not in at window , but at dore : so should our church resume her golden age ; and learning freely get a parsonage . so should good shepherds make their flocks encrease and know their office not to flea nor fleece . so should our church be as it ought to be , not subiect to smooth-faced symonie . so should our church-men gain them more esteeme , " seeme what they be , and be the same they seeme . so should th'donation of 'a benefice ayme at a man of merit , not of price ; so should gods house be honour'd more then now , hauing such pastours as might tell vs how . o patrones if you knew how ill it were , to make the church a mart , or publique faire : where magus - like you sell the churches good , if this i say you rightly vnderstood ; you would accurse the riches you haue got by such synister meanes : and wish your lot had beene employment in the common-weale , ( though on the mean'st condition ) then to steale , purloyne , embezle what the church doth owe , which you on lust and ryot doe bestow . much better were 't to begge from doore to doore , then being rich , to make gods temple poore . for well i wot the fathers symonie , layes heauie curse on his posteritie . and that foundation which is so begunne , seldome succeedes from father to the sonne . for this we know approu'd by sacred writ , which comprehends the mysteries of wit ; not humane but diuine , where treasures store are lockt vp from the proud , and ope to th' poore . that though the rich seeme in aboundance blest , and now secure sayes , now soule take thy rest . yet all this blisse continues but a day , for night will come and take his soule away . yea , though the rich-men of the world doe seeme , like a bay-tree , whose leaues be euer greene ; yet their foundations stand not on firme ground , " for comming back their place shall not be found . but for the righteous and his hopefull seede , who euer saw them forc't to begge their bread . sure dauid did not ( as himselfe hath told ) though he was young and liu'd till he was old . o how the best of blessings are abus'd , good in themselues and if discreetly vs'd . natures indowments , but deprau'd we see , and count them worst of any things that be . for it 's the best of fortunes complement , to ayme in riches at the soules content ; which planted on the soueraigne of blisse , makes what is ours in essence one with his . but such as ayme at honour , and by art of smooth insinuation , make their heart a stranger to their language , to obtaine a little earthly profit ; what is their gaine but th'guerdon of ambition ? which aspires too high , to reach the port of her desires . yea , i may say , if ere we could espie a cammell haled through a needles eye ; or any worke how difficult so ere , accomplisht by a pigmey : we may here produce the like , nay , i may say farre more , for like to this was nere produc'd before . " for it's a sentence that 's alreadie giuen , it 's hard for rich-men to inherite heauen . such men indeed as are by wealth inricht . to make their gold their god , their chest their christ. gold make not rich , whence is that prouerb growne so common now : content is worth a crowne . for many poore-men richer farre we see , through their content , then such as richest be . old chremes in the poet rakes for pelfe , and to enrich his heire torments himselfe . which when his son has got ( marke th'misers care ) he spends as fast on lust and luscious fare . bare were his fathers dishes , bedding meane , home-spun his coat , his chop-falne cheeks as leane ; hunger his sauce , his recreation paine , to tell his gold and put it vp againe . yet see the fruit of 's labour , and his end , what th'father could not vse , the sonne can spend . for true it is which was auerr'd by one , " a scraping father makes a sporting sonne . well knowne that maxime is ( tho th'instance euill , happie 's that sonne whose father goes to th'deuill . many we reade of , that were like to these , as hermon , phaedon , and hermocrates : the first whereof was so enthrall'd to wealth , as he contemn'd the benefit of health ; and seeing that there was no remedie , but he must yeeld to fraylemortalitie : to shew that loue he bore to wealth before , he made himselfe his owne executour . next phaedon was , who seeing death at hand , commanded such as did about him stand ; that when he was departed , streight they should , stitch in his winding sheete peeces of gold , for sure ( quoth he ) i am , those iudges three which be in hell , will soone corrupted be ; if they but see this gold , and so shall i by bribing hell obtaine my libertie . but of all others that hermocrates may be esteemed for the vain'st of these , who when he saw that fatall time was come , that he must die , command'd them build a tombe of purest gold , and that there should be layd three bags of gold as pillowes for his head ▪ for if ( quoth he ) our death as it 's exprest , be but a sleepe , in which we seeme to rest , till that our soules such priuiledge obtaine , to re-assume their bodies once againe . small is the rest which i am like to haue , without this blest companion in my graue . and heare me friends , good cause i haue to doubt it , since while i liu'd , sleepe could i nere without it . o if we knew what wealth were in content , and how a verie little 's competent to nature , we would learne what scriptures teach , desiring rather to be good than rich . for goodnesse is a lasting epithyte , and giues vs knowledge of that infinite which is transcendent , if then vnderstood " it is the best of richesse to be good . and sure methinkes three causes there should be , might moue vs hate all super fluitie in these respects : first , they inconstant are and subiect to mutation ; next , the care they bring to their possessour : last of all they force vs from gods prouidence to fall , which violation slaueth some we see , falling from god vnto idolatrie . for though this golden calfe of horeb stand , not open to the world , yet this land hath many priuate baalites , i feare , which more affection to their idoll beare , then to their maker : and though they haue art to hide their guilt , they worship't with their heart , and hath not then this iland cause to mourne , to see her people thus to baals turne , and leaue their god ? yes , she has cause to show at no time more effects of griefe then now : where this souls-dropsie , thirstie auarice enforceth rich-men to idolatrise ; who , when they haue cram'd vp their chests with store , the more they haue , they couet still the more . and whereto tends all this ? if we might stay , or going hence beare our estate away : there were some reason of our care to get , and yet no cause of our adoring it . but neither borne to stay , nor beare it hence , thus to admire it , it is foolishnesse . for know rich-man a shrowd shall be thy store , " this poore men haue , & rich-men haue no more . " but haste the muse to what is knowne of thee , " as thou wast borne to 't , write of pouertie . finis . of pouertie . now vnto thee that art contemn'd of all , derided , spurned , forced from the wall vnto the kennell , do i frame my speech , that i thy selfe some patience might teach . and moue withall such as doe heare thee cry , " but stop their eares , to some more charitie . take comfort then , for thou shalt see on earth , most of thy coate to be of greatest worth . though not in state , for who ere saw but merit , was rather borne to begge than to inherit ; yet in the gifts of nature , we shall finde , a ragged coate oft haue a royall minde . for to descend to each distinct degree , by due experience we the same shall see . if to pernassus where the muses are , there shall we finde their dyet very bare : their houses ruin'd , and their well springs dry , admir'd for nought so much as pouertie . here shall we see poore aeschylus maintaine his nighterne studies with his daily paine ; pulling vp buckets ( but 't was neuer knowne ) that filling others , he could fill his owne . here many more discerne we may of these , as lamachus , and poore antisthenes ; both which the sweetes of poesie did sipp , yet were rewarded with a staffe and scripp : for i nere knew , nor ( much i feare ) shall know it , any die rich , that liu'd to die a poet. if to profession of the law we goe , we find the best practisioners proue so ; for such we count the best , as will not be ( for conscience-sake ) corrupted with a fee ; whilest others of lesse conscience farre , than wit , thinke him not wise , cannot dispence with it . if to the plow-man , who doth till the land , and gets himselfe a liuing by his hand : oft we shall finde for all his early care , continuall labour , and his slender fare ; his hopefull crop hath not his wisht successe , or something else mis-carries , more or lesse ; which questionlesse , is to the plowman sent , to try him with , and make him patient . yea , we shall see that fortune beares a hate , in euery order , ranke , degree , and state : to men of most demerit : th' cause may be , fortune is blind and cannot merit see : or for because her selfe is ignorant , shee giues the wittall , le ts the wittie want , desiring onely such men to aduance , as honour her and fauour ignorance . and sure me thinkes , an instance may be giuen , euen in these sacred ministers of heauen ; such i doe meane who honour much the lord ▪ in reuerent dispensing of his word , breaking the bread of life with due respect , yet are rewarded with a meere neglect : reaping for their deserts no other grace , then some poore stipend , or a curates place . this is their hyre , while others lesse deseruing in conuersation , graue respect and learning eate of the fat , non-residence must serue , feeding themselues , while their poore flockes doe sterue : such were those abby-lubbers who could sleepe , and fleece their flocks , but seldome feed their sheep . these like to drones ( for so they seeme to me ) liue on the labours of th' industrious bee : for while the bee ( to make her honey-combe ) romes here and there : these dronelike stay at home , and eate the fruit ( so be these lubbars fed ) for which the bee so truely laboured . call vp thy spirits then , who ere thou be that are distrest by meanes of pouertie . for this thou see'st descendeth in a bloud , and claymes possession onely of the good. it 's not our vertues , nor the worth of men ●ow rare so euer , can exempt vs then from this affliction , but it 's in our will ( dispos'd by god ) to take it well or ill . for he that takes it as from heauen sent , for 's better triall and experiment , " makes a right vse of what he doth sustaine , " and for his want , shall haue a treble gaine . some we haue read of rich , and others poore , yet being dead , we finde of them no more then that they were , and being now both gone , twixt rich and poore the difference is none . and therefore was it shaddow'd well at these , by that same cynick-doggd diogenes , who on a time to make a speciall vse of humane state , went to a charnell house , where store of skulls , and bones he gathered , of princes , peeres , and beggars that were dead . which being done , he lay'd them in the way where alexander was to passe that day ; who in victorious manner passing by , askt him the reason , why those bones did lye in such a frequent place ? quoth he , i know here be the bones of swaynes and princes too , and i haue sought ( but all i did is vaine ) to know which is the princes from the swayne . it 's true indeed that vertue onely giues life to our name , by which it onely liues : for outward states how glorious so ere , make vs but honour'd onely while we 'r here , for when the hour-glasse of our life is runne , that admiration which we had is done , and all that pompe and beautie of our day by syth of fate is taken cleane away . we read of in the stories of fore tyme , how that redow●ted sultane saladine , after exployts and sundry victories , with which be had enlarg'd his seignories ; brauely at●hieu'd , he fell extreamly sicke , and feeling now the sting of death to pricke , he call'd his chieftaine to him , who at hand , drew neere and askt him what was his command . to thee ( quoth saladine ) as generall of my victorious armie doe i call , for thou hast seene me with my persian darts to force a terror in the easterne parts . yea well thou know'st i neuer lost the day but still departed conquer our away : yet now behold how i am captiue led , and in my conquests now a● conquered ; for i am forc't by deaths assault to yeeld , and coward-like to leaue thee in the feeld . hie to damascus , where in th' open streete , in stead of ensignes rea●e this winding sheete ; and say , behold great saladine's berest of all he had , nought but this sheete is left . euen he whose temples , wreaths of fame adornes , pray'd to by kings , becomes a prey to wormes . is this the end of great ones ? ' i as what then is th'difference twixt them and meaner men ? little or none , to say i may be bold , since both had their creation of one mould , both haue one forme , one feature , yet we see in formes alike , what different honours bee . so as we cannot well resemble it to any one similitude more fit then to some faire brick-building , where we know some brickes are plac't aboue , and some below : these on the spires and turrets , whose high seate implie those men we spake of , that are great . these on the eue● , or neere the pent-house plac't , shaddow those men which liue by time disgras't . yet when this building shall be pulled downe , and her aspiring turrets overthrowne ; gazing vpon those ruines with our eye , we cannot iudge which brickes were low , which hie : yea those same brickes perchance at next remoue , which were below , shall then be plac't aboue . others there be , these diffrent states expresse , by a resemblance to a game at chesse ; where some are kings , some made to guard on thē . some peeres and bishops , others meaner men ; yet shall you hardly know them which is whether , when they are put vp in a bagge together . some haue compar'd these states vnto a stage , where each haue roabes that fit their personage : some princely monarcks , others vassayles be , the meane-men slau'd to great-mens libertie . yet is their play no sooner end'd and done , but they 'r vnstript of th'garments they put on . and being disrob'd , they are no princes more , but those same persons which they were before . though some i know , that will not with their will put off their suites , but loue to weare them still ; that they ( belike ) of people might be knowne , or rather this , cause they haue pawnd their owne ; " but there 's no hope of such in any age , who make their stew their tyre-house , streete their stage . but heare me ( starueling ) now to thee i come , that begg'st all day , yet hardly gets a crum , how ere thou seeme afflicted and forlorne , " thou liu'st not halfe so poore , as thou was borne , now thou hast rags , tho meane god-wot they be , but at thy birth th'hadst nought to couer thee : then , if thou hadst want succour and reliefe , thou had no tongue to manifest thy griefe , but now thou hast a tongue , and tho none heare thee " yet there is one aboue that will be neare thee : and can auenge thee , for it 's he that heares thy ruthfull cryes , and bottles vp thy teares . besides i see th' aduantage thou may haue ore richer men , in going to thy graue : for well i know , when they approach their end , they must take leaue of kinsman and of friend ; which puling come with finger in the eye , and makes them farre vnwillinger to die . whiles thou in death feeles soueraigne remedie to all thy griefes , and through thy pouertie , importunes death when shee doth seeme to stay , and comming meetes him , better halfe the way : for now at last thou thinks the time is come wherein thou may'st be equall vnto some that here dispis'd thee ; and indeed thou may " for thou hast lesse to answer for , than they . be this thy recluse then , and here repose thy selfe a while to descant of thy woes , and tell me when th'haste read this poaeme ore , if thou finde not more solace then before . finis . of iustice. now vnto thee who like the euening star , sends forth the rayes of natiue glory far ; doe i addresse my muse : ô that she might haue so much power as to describe thee right ! this is a vertue that doth comprehend all vertues in her , and indeed 's the end whereat all good men ayme , wherein they trust , for him we count a perfect man that 's iust. so that of all those vertues which we call ( for their transcendent natures ) cardinall , then this same vertue ampler there is none , including one in all , and all in one , but first , that i may make her better knowne . i will describe her mansion and her throne , what she admires , who her attendance be , which showne , her worth the sooner you may see ▪ first , for her throne it 's neither high nor low , but in an equall or a middle row . for high she will not by no meanes abide , least by her height she should be taxt of pride ; nor so deiected , as her humble seate , might cause contempt of iustice to the great . therefore as she 's of vertues soueraigne queene , she sits enthroned in a golden meane . those she admires be no magnificoes , no fliers , no flirts , nor no ardelioes , no slie informers that insinuates , no sharking lawyers , shifting aduocates ; no brib'd atturneys that take dooble fees : no , she 's too good to brooke the best of these . but rather such as students are in lawes , to heart their clients in a righteous cause , such as when they before her throne appeare , neither are brib'd with gold , nor curb'd with feare ; these be her darlings , these will she desire to consort with , these onely she 'l admire . those which attend her are deseruing men , and will doe iustice , right , in spite of them that dare oppose her , for withouten these we should see iustice often on her knees , since iustice though she speake with resolution , her speech is vaine , not put in execution : but when her followers readie are at hand , to put in execution her command , then iustice beares a farre more gracious shew , for what she wills , they willing are to doe . of all the acts which king cambyses did , there was no one that better merited ; then when he ( for abuse of iustice ) made the skin of iudge sysambris to be fleade , and to deterre all others from like wrong caused it neere the iudgement-seate be hong . so pure's the throne of iustice , and her eye so piercing , as there 's no obliquitie , how small so ere , which seemes to daze her light , but quickly 't is discerned by her sight . her eyes be euer open , for she knowes that there be many which to th' world showes no lesse then saints , yet being try'd they 'r nothing , yea worse then so , they 'r wolues in a sheeps clothing . well may we thinke then , iustice had not neede to sleepe , when foxes 'mongst her lambkins feed . and subtile sconces shrowded oft we see vnder pretences of simplicitie . but to the end i rightly may define th' professour of a vertue so diuine , methinkes he should be one that knowledge had , and awfull power to terrifie the bad ; a graue aspect , mixt with austeritie , which should be temper'd so with lenitie that in them both he might be vnderstood , a scourge to th' ill , a chearer of the good . nor is he bound to th' letter of the law , for-summum ius , summ ' est iniuria . but with a modest exposition may sweeten his censure , and the sence allay . nor should he ( as that iudge we read of ) be , who heard the widdow not for equitie but for she was still knocking at his gate , and in her suite was so importunate as he was forc't by her intreaties than , to doe her right , yet fear'd not god nor man. but such an one , as in his makers sight desires to doe to euery one what 's right , and with euen ballance weighs the poor'st that arre as well as those men that be richer farre ; deserues to be professour in this time of such a vertue , noble , and diuine . for if there were respect of persons had , much doe i feare there 's many would be bad , who now restrayned are and kept in awe , " not so much for their god , as for the law. " for wicked men if ere they finde restraint " of working ill , it 's feare of punishment . but stay , me thinkes i heare a supplicant , whose cause is good , yet for he is in want , his fee-lesse lawyers neuer are prepar'd to ope his case , and so he 's neuer heard . true there be such , but why doth iustice sit , but to reforme such grieuances as it ? is his cause good ? the first in plea is his , and though he come in forma pauperis ; though some for diues plead , some shall not chuse but shall be forc't to plead for lazarus . it 's true there shall : but it 's so slightly done , as th' poore mans case being open'd , he is gone , th' lawer i meane , for long he will not stay to plead his cause that has no fees to pay ; or if he plead he doth so post it ore as hauing done , he doe's respect no more , whether his threed-bare client loose or win , then th' libertine to act a sensuall sinne . but in this place now when i come so neare , i will insert a storie i did heare ; which being related , though not halfe so well as it was told , may please the client well . in that last age when rome 'gan to decline from her first height , and that there was a time for vicious men to follow their owne will , where none were great but such as would be ill . that hydra - headed snake the multitude , in publique court vnto the synod sude , that such corruptions as by law were bred might by their censures now be punished : the discreete senate ioath for to offend such factious members , did attention lend vnto their suite , and granted them free vse to apprehend such as did law abuse : which being done , their rage brookt no deniall , but brought these corrupt lawyers to their tryall : where such as were found guiltie , and had done such odious crimes , as made poore-men vndone were liable to th' censure of the court , which ( as i reade ) proceeded in this sort . gracchus hold vp thy haud , here art thou tride and guiltie found ( which cannot be denide ) of many fowle abuses , such as these , brocage in suites , demurrers , dooble fees , corruption , subornation , nay , what 's worse to leaue the deuill in thy clyents purse , dancing and capring , for the which and more by thee in like sort acted heretofore : heare what the censure of the court has done to thee , that hast so many ouerthrowne ; thou and catastes thy false scriuiner shall in the publique market-place appeare , where for example to posteritie , you both shall stand vpon the pillorie . where on your backes shall be endorsed these three words , - pro euertendo pauperes . which done , that ioue may grant you absolution , you shall be forc't to make a restitution , for euery bribe , shift , tricke , deuise , or cheate , bill , bond , release , indenture counterfeite , done , to be done , or caused to be done by you , or your's , for friend , foe , father , sonne : which pennance past for errors heretofore , the court awards you nere to practise more , this iudgement after past on two or three , but still the people prone to mutinie ; haled out more , nor would they be restraind till all their lawyers were ( well neere ) arraind : good god how many diffrent minds were then , where there were far more censures then were men ! for faction ( is so strange a natur'd elfe ) as it agrees but seldome with it selfe . some cried let 's whip them , others cried far lowder , let 's burne these vipers of our realme to powder : others dislikt of that , and thought not fit , least as the phaenyx doth a phaenyx get by her owne ashes ; or as we doe reade , the beetles ordure doth the beetle breede ; so the ashes of these lawyers ( which were pittie ) might raise a dampe to poyson all the cittie . for if they liuing such corruption breed , how corrupt will they be when they are dead ? while they were scaning thus , one amongst th' rest , starting vpright , sayd , he did thinke it best , since that their crimes extended but to state not life , their substance should be consiscate ; but how , quoth one ? vnto the treasorie ; no ( quoth another ) to the commonaltie : since well i know ( and manifest it is ) the commons purses payed well for this . debating thus , one of the grauer sort of law-professours stood vp in the court , and after due obeysance ( as was fit ) to such high peeres as did in councell sit , he thus began : you conscript fathers , you that sit in iudgement to giue each their due . thus farre haue heard , what we could speake , what they , now will it please you heare what i can say ; diuerse be th' censures which be giuen on vs , and rightly too , for great is our abuse , yet well your honours know no fault 's so great which easie glosses may not mitigate ; yea , it is knowne , some natures be so bent , kindnesse doth more with them then punishment . for such to lenitie will oft submit , when rougher termes can neuer mannage it . know then graue senators we doe allot an ample portion of all we haue got by fraud , collusion , or by any way to speciall vses , but not such as they seeme to inioyne vs : ( no my lords ) it 's fit that we , who haue encreasd our state by wit , aduice , wise prouidence , and pollicie , should not haue such fond caruers as these be to share our fortunes , for it may be knowne , they 'l ill keepe ours , that could not saue their owne . fond caruers ( quoth the rabble ) ? yes , said he ; with that through the court , there rose a mutinie ; but being represd , he tooke the better heede to moue the rout : and thus he did proceede . we are content ( therefore ) to giue to th' vse since we to giue can neither will nor chuse ) of such as be depriu'd of natiue sence , reason and gouernment a competence for to relieue them , and that there-withall there may prouided be an hospitall or house for their abode , we doe agree a bed-iem house b'erected speedily . this is our will , and we doe freely giue it , by th' mad we got it , and to th' mad we leaue it . this was no sooner by the lawyer sayd , then all approu'd it , and were well appaid ; where th' monster-headed vulgar ope'd her iawes and did confirme this doome with one applause . this good they did that nere did good before , nor as it's like , will ere doe any more . but this 's a tale which i haue heard with moe , and i would haue it to be taken so : for all of no profession's good we see , nor all of lawyers , nor shall euer be : yet if ere iustice shin'd , may she shine here , and make our albyon her hemyspheere . that as we haue a steward of our owne , who iustly weld's and beareth vp her crowne ; so we may haue dispencers vnder him , who through their iustice may discomfit sin . finis . of iniustice . now vnto thee , to speake i must be bold , who sets the throne of iustice to be sold , who to the orphanes cry , and widdows teare , voyd of remorse of conscience , stops thine eare ; who shines in purple , and in it doest show , farre worse then that , a purple conscience too : thou that doest vayle to great ones and doest seeke to gratifie their lordships , i must speake , for if i should be silent , whisht , or doumbe , the stones 'i th stree●es i know would haue a tong . thou crams thy coffers with a suites delay , and like an epicure from day to day feedes on delicious cates , which thou doest carne to fill thy maw , while th' poore for iustice sterue . thou philip - like sleepes , when th' widdow cryes for iustice at thy hands , and rubb'st thine eyes , and rashly doest pronounce ere well prepar'd , thy iudgement in that cause thou neuer heard : " for which the widdow her appeale doth make from philip sleeping , to philip awake . thou laetharge , thou that for promotion sake , contemnes thy soule , ruines that soueraigne state , which giues vs perfect essence , thou that sleepes when poore mens causes come to plea , but keepes thine eyes , thine eares , and euery facultie , that thou in them might rich-men gratifie . for well thou know'st that wretches of this sort , either haue done , or will annoynt thee for 't . and yet thou snorts on still , making that th●one where iustice vs'd to sit , a place vnknowne to any that professeth her , whose sight eclipsed is , when right 's put downe by might ; and loe , how right 's supprest by thee proud whoor , that makest the rich to triumph ore the poore . thou that contemns the weake and desolate , making them call for vengeance at thy gate : thou that hoords ire against the day of ire , and shalt sustaine that soule consuming fire , endlesse in her consumption : it is thou which ruines ample prouinces , where grew trophies of honour once , but through thy shame , haue lost their greatnesse , honour , worth , and fame . for whence is th' prouerbe spoke so commonly , " iustice's a relique of idolatry : but as in auncient time when idols were so much ador'd and reuerenc'd euery where ; and oracles , predictions of each state , told foolish people what should be their fate ; these pagan gods ( or deuils ) would not tell ought good to them , that did not please them well , no more will iustice ( or iniustice rather ) ( for this by times obseruance may gather ) approue of any cause , how firme or iust so ere it be , till shee be bribed first . or this same prouerbe may produce good sence , if it be not mis construed from hence ; as simple men thought none could happie be , but such as reuerene'd their idolatrie ; offring their iewels , ornaments , and store , to make their idols rich , themselues as poore : supposing them thrice blessed , that could come to heare good tydings from apolloes tongue ; whereas in deede if they the truth could seeke , it was their gifts which made apollo speake . so may we see men labour to this end , to get , sir reuerence , iustice , for their friend , which when they haue attain'd , they set no more by all those doubts which they were in before , then doth the sea-bit mariner esteeme , when he ' sa-land , those dangers he hath seene , for why he knowes , he has a patron got , who what his cause is , greatly standeth not ; for well he sees the law is in his will , to make the ill seeme good , the good seeme ill . these be those spiders that obscure the shine of iustice , which 's depraued through the tyme wherein they liue , while cripple iustice halts , entituling th' seruant to the maisters faults , for it 's not th' fault of iustice , but of time , to taxe the seruant for the masters crime . but from iniustice now must i descend , to others subiects , wishing that an end of their depraued raigne may soone appeare , who staine with purple sins the robes they weare ; thus from thy foule infection i 'le remoue me , meaning to leaue thee , since i cannot loue thee . finis . of fate . fate , sayth the ethnicke , is a firme decree , which , though foreseene , may not preuented be wherby ( poore snakes ) by pur-blind fate they 'r se like bedlam fooles , to dance in errours net . others haue grounded this opinion too , which some approue , and others disallow , that in this vale of anguish , euery man hath some one angell for his guardian ; and that our fortune good or bad shall be as those same angels keepe vs companie ; if good-ones be our guardians , o then by their attendance we are happie men : if euill , ruine shall attend our state , so by these two we may collect our fate ; and from that god to whom all angels sing , these angels haue their power , as from their king : for th' good doe nought vnlesse he perfect it , nor ought the ill , vnlesse he them permit . but late diuines seeme to expound this place , that this same angell is the sauing grace , which doth assist such as in faith doe call , and leaueth others to themselues to fall by his iust iudgement , who in 's palme containes this globe of earth , and tries the hearts and reines : 'mongst other passengers were ferried ouer , chanc'd to resort a pedler and a drouer , both at one time ; the drouer he did bring sheepe to the faire , which he was carrying , of ewes good store ( right butcher-ware ) there came and 'mongst the rest a bonnie butting ram , whose awfull front the rest securely kept , and all this while the cup-shot pedler slept . with many a nod drawne from his drowsie braine , which th' ram obserues , and butts at him againe ; the pedler now , ●eeling belike some smart , with such like words as these began to thwart the carelesse ram , sir i am at a word , butt you at mee , i 'le butt you ouer-boord . and not one word the pedler could speake more , till he began to nod iust as before ; where with th' in censed ram thinking he ment to push at him , so fierce a stroake him lent as his distemper'd noddle seem'd dismaid , with violent assault his hornes had made : yet part through griefe and anguish which he felt , he now resolu'd to wash the rams white pelt , which he perform'd , his fury to discouer , and roundly takes the ram and throwes him ouer ; the louing ewes seeing their sweet-hart swim , resolu'd with one consent to follow him ; which th' lawyer in his pleadings noting than , " brother ( quoth he ) this was a lustie ram , for much i doubt whether our wiues or no , if we should be thus vs'de would follow so . but to be briefe , not any one was found , of all the drouers flocke , which was not drown'd , so as a suite's commenc'd betwixt these twaine , wherein the plaintiffe seemeth to complaine , and by petition humblie doth craue that for his losse he some reliefe may haue ; which how it was determin'd by the lawes , being ( me thinkes ) a presidentall cause , i will not now insist on , but discusse what fate decree'd herein , and briefly thus . when th' pedler met the drouer , his intent concurr'd not , questionlesse , with this euent , nor meant he any harme vnto his sheepe , when he exempt from care fell fast a sleepe ; nor gaue he the occasion , but the ram , who with his furious force awak'd the man , nor was he to be blam'd when he did ayme to take reuenge , the worme will turne againe . where was the fault then ? you will say in fate ; no , not in her but in the pedlers pate : or to ascribe more properly the fault nor fate nor pate were cause of this but malt. one other instance i will here produce , which i by way of supposition vse , a forme which i approue so much the rather , 'cause from supposes none offence can gather . a friend inuites another to his house . whose presence after growes iniurious vnto his reputation , for he growes more inward with his wife then each man knowe● and this continues , yet who can descrie the slie effects of louers priuacie , obseruing such a watch , as neither wit , art , or suspicion may discouer it . now vnto whom should we impute the blame , to him that caus'd him come , or him that came , 〈◊〉 vnto fate , since he by accident vnto the house as one invited went ? if we should skan whence th' first effect did spring , we properly may lay the fault on him who through the too much confidence he had , gaue way vnto his wife , and made her bad , so as my iudgement is , the case so stands , as he may take his hornes in his owne hands ; for nere had he run on dishonors shelfe , or gain'd him infamie , but through himselfe . or else we may ascribe't to womans will , which hath a natiue pronenesse vnto ill ; so as what will be will be , and what man may force a woman doe more than she can ? and my opinion's this , it is no boote to curbe a wench , that is inclind'd vnto 't , for be shee in restraint or libertie , her eye still waits for opportunitie ; which got , she 's so resolu'd as she will venter to taste delight should thousand eyes preuent her . yea , on my conscience , though i nere haue tride it , i durst protest the more they are denide it , the liker are they when fit time they finde , to serue their iealous husbands in their kinde : for though we force them euer to obey , and to make sure worke , vse both locke and key , italian-like , yet when the time shall come , be sure we may that they will hitt vs home ; for this my firme position still shall be , " hornes can we not preuent , though we foresee . but all too long our pen seemes to dilate , vpon this pur-blind goddesse , pangan * fate : if we doe good , as few are our good deedes , let vs conclude that good from god proceedes : if ill , as many ills doe we commit , vpon our selues let 's lay the cause of it ; so like true christians we will euer hate , to take from god that we may adde to fate . " thus fate 's a panim idoll ; onely he " disposeth vs , by whom wee onely be . finis . of death . death is a passage , and if vnderstood , a gratefull messenger vnto the good , by which they passe from this same house of clay to syons court , where they shall liue for aye . why should death then a terrour be , since it is made the meanes , by which we freedome get ? here are we pilgrimes , and though store i haue , yet for all this i am but fortunes slaue ; subiect to euery hazard , and am faine to keepe with care , what i haue got with paine . yea , tell me thou that in all honour liues , and wantest nothing , had'st thou neuer grieues to discontent thee ? or if thou wer 't free from discontents ; did nere mortalitie vrge thee to dissolution ? thou wilt say , thou had'st in deede , but soone they went away ; and gone , thou hast forgot those griefes as cleane as if thou nere had felt , what they had beene . vnhappie wretch , this is thy too-much pride to vaunt of those , should make thee mortifide , for griefes be passions , which may caution thee , to thinke thou art not where thou ought'st to be ; which thou may hence collect : a traueller hauing through many a desert wandred far , and now returning home , he is at rest from th' care with which he was before opprest . but thou wilt say : thou once was of that minde , when thou had no estate to leaue behinde , when thy attendance was of reckoning small , thy fare but meane , thy honour none at all : when thou in th' eye of worldly men did seeme of that contempt as if thou hadst not beene ; but now the case is altered , and doest hate to thinke on death , since thou hast raisd thy state . what argument this is , thou streight shall see , scanning those things which seeme to hinder thee . me thinkes a pilgrime farre from his abode , and in his trauayle pressed with a load , should much desire ( hauing beene wearied with that he bore ) to be disburdened : and so should thou , if thou could'st feele thy selfe , desire to be disburdened of thy pelfe , which as a load , to many men is giuen , and makes the way seeme tedious towards heauen . yea , sure i am , there is no man drawes breath , if he haue hope in after-time , but death will seeme as pleasant , and as well accepted , as if he had obtayn'd what hee expected . for well he see 's , his labours haue an end , his foes are quell'd , and he shall haue a friend , which will receiue him , where such ioyes appeare , as farre surpasse these comforts he had here . it 's true indeed , that many are dismayd , when they doe see death on a wall portrayd , they like not his proportion , for he breeds diuerse distractions in their troubled heads : whence i st we see so many soules depart with eyes deiected , and with heauie heart . for why , distrust they haue ere to entreate pardon of god. because their sinn's so great . wretched these , in that they entertaine , that hideous sinne hatcht first by odious caine , crying with him , and with him i must leaue them , " so great 's our sinnes , the lord can nere forgiue them . more could i speake , for subiect had i more , but some perchance will say i spoke before of death in fate , but these as seemes to me , should not confounded but distinguishd ' be ; " for this twixt fate and death 's the difference , " fate doth ordaine , death is the ordinance . finis . to him vvhom trve merit hath ennobled ; the right honorable iohn earle of bridge water , vicovnt brackley , the accomplishment of his selectedst wishes . hatcht in the nest of honor , you are blest , in hauing vertues to support your nest ▪ for though you 'r grac'd by birth , and great by bloud , i more admire this title , you are good . for this ( as it true greatnesse doth expresse ) shall crowne your honor with all happinesse . ) but natiue vertue needs no artfull bayes ; " vertue her selfe's her prize , her selfe her prayse . your honors humbly deuoted ; rich : brathvvayte . the avthor continves his former discovrse , anatomizing man more fully in these foure subiects . . preparation . . securitie . . court-ship . . hospitalitie . of preparation . qui se minus parat , periet . well was it spoken by the oratour , that in each worke we should prepare before we did attempt , least too much rashnesse breede a strange euent , for want of good ●ake heede . it 's true indeed , for if we should dilate on euery fortune , ranke , degree , and state , we should find out by due experience , nought fits successe so well as prouidence . for as in armies , chiefetaines doe prepare , to ranke their souldiers , and haue speciall care that euery troupe be rightly ordered , to th' end their hopes may be accomplished . or as in builders , ere they will assay to reare the walls , they first will make a way for the foundation , that the ground-worke layd , what they intend may better be assayd . or as in plow-men , let this instance be , though last , yet first for their antiquitie ; first till the ground , as they doe thinke it neede , before they sow in it their hopefull seede ; so should each man before he doe depart , till and manure the furrowes of his heart , that th' earthly seed of his corruption may put incorruption on another day . and like that holy father ; whom we reade , that sleeping , waking or what ere he did , he heard this summons sounding in his eare , " ariseye dead to iudgement come appeare . or that denout and blest anachorite , who thought himselfe still in his sauiours sight ; and therefore fear'd to act ought that was ill , seeing his iudge was present with him still . but 'las how few now in the world be , that thinke the lord their secret sins can see , whilest working what is ill , they think 't no shame to violate the glorious stile or name of their profession , ( and it seemes no lesse ) by seeming goodnesse , seeming holinesse . " many we haue can till the fruitfull ground , " but for mind-tillage few or none are found . how foolish , and how carelesse then are we , to spoyle our soules for want of husbandry ? i know not how some others thinke of it , but sure to me , it were a matter fit , that we should make our preparation here , now whil'st we liue , least when we shall appeare before that throne ( as we of force must come ) hearing our crimes , we stand ( as men are dumbe ) nothing to speake , whence shall ensue our hyre , depart yee hence into eternall fire . many there be , preparing still we see , to raise a state to their posteritie ; which with as prodigall a hand is spent , ( for many times they know not how it went ) as ere their dung-hill fathers scraped it , " for what 's ill got should goe as ill , it 's fit . others there be to gaine their pleasures , will prepare themselues 't attempt the worst of ill , no worke 's too great , no instrument too fowle , ( though 't raze their name , & damne their precious soule , ) is vn-affa●'d , till they their pleasure get , which once obtain'd , repentance vshers it . others , for honours , with ambitious wings , soare to the crownes , and diadems of kings : these will prepare their engines to attaine , what they expect , and what they make their ayme must be atchieu'd : there is no other way , hence is't they care by night , and carke by day . and yet behold what fruit ambition giues , her care 's her curse , her-selfe of life depriues ; " for of all others , seldome seene i haue , " ambition goe gray-headed to her graue . others i see , which i am loath to see , for it includeth albyons miserie : prepare themselues , not as those virgins did , to haue their lamps with oyle replenished : but with adulterate beauties , to ensnare our yongling gallants , and with brayded hayre in azur'd brests layd open , painted cheeke , loose wandring eyes , their lustfull obiects seeke , which sought & found , that obiect which they spi● , makes seeming fancie sparkle in their eye . these with as varied formes ( as we doe reade proteus ere had ) change their phantasticke weed from day to day ( ô heauen suppresse this sin ) for blest were we , if it had neuer bin . but yet , for all this garish vanitie , read but a lecture of mortalitie to these she-sainted idolls , you shall finde , some small impressions of a vertuous minde ; as such as haue their eyes vpon the booke of sacred writ , yet how ere they looke vpon the text , the preacher's busied in , this text's a pretext , but to hide their sin : " for how so ere their eyes may seeme to stay , " fixt on the text , their heart 's another way . but know ( faire pictures ) though with many formes you deceiue men , you cannot deceiue wormes . nor will th' account ( that great account ) you owe , for all your trimnes be dispen'st with so . prepare you better garments then be these , for these i thinke will not your maker please : making you such strange monsters , as i doubt his doome will be : away i know you not . some more i see , which full as busie are how to sow difference , and therefore care onely to gayne themselues a faire estate , by others wrong , oppression , and debate . these too prepare ( but not as i could wish ) their nets , that they in others states may fish , and slily too , lay their pretended suites , filling their clients heads with thousand doubt● ▪ protesting ( god forgiue them ) it would please them very well , their client were at peace : when priuately , with a dissembling heart , they vow as much vnto the aduerse part . yet this 's a sinne which craues a libertie , because our lawes giue it impunitie ; and reason good ( so 's conscience tyde to pelfe ) as th' best i know , may punish't in himselfe . many more of this sort i know there is , which make their preparatio● , but amisse ; few so exactly doe it , as they should , which makes me speake more boldly then i would ; but he that curbs me for 't , i 'le answer him , i know not how to blush in taxing sinne , nor will i spare him though his splene should burst , " but curse those vices which my god hath curst . yet with compassion , for i know i am my selfe that writes , as subiect to the same as they to whom i write : yea i doe know till i haue pay'd to nature what i owe , there is no fact how great so ere it be committ'd by one , but may be done by me , if he who in the heauens hath soueraignes place , should not preuent me by his speciall grace . yet i doe wish , and i am sure of this , that charitie 's producer of my wish , each would prepare for one , that when we goe from this same vale of teares , and sea of woe to the iudicious triall of gods throne , each might be fit to giue account for one . so euery soule might with affiance say vnto her god , in that same dreadfull day , thou bad and i obey'd , and being tride , like ●o fine gold my soule was purifide : " thou wil'd , i went , thy loue was my delight , " i sought , thy grace did crowne me in the fight . if this indeed were weigh'd , as it should be , men would depart from hence more willingly ; knowing how death would be a meanes to giue life to our soules , and make vs euer liue . some haue i knowne , who for the same intent haue in their life time rear'd their monument , that when so ere they look'd vpon their tombe , they might conceiue what would of them become . which sheb●a did , ( as we in scripture reade ) who built his tombe before that he was dead ; and this proceedes from doubt in many one , of th' heires neglect when that the father 's gone ; but see what fate poore shebna had , for he hauing prepar'd a tombe so gorgeously , as art and nature could not both inuent a more exact or curious monument , enforced was ( vaine man ) through times disgrace , to take his buriall in another place . this speake i not for to deterre such men , ( sith such praise-worthie rites i honour them ) from their endeuours , as desire to haue themselues and theirs successors in one graue : for , it 's a custome which may seeme to be , authoriz'd by diuine authoritie ; sith auncient patriarchs , and those which came from iacob , isaac , and abraham , were ( as in sacred writ is oft times red ) with their deceased fathers buried . yea , there is nought i of my friends doe craue more , then to lye within my fathers graue : that whom i liuing lou'd , taking my breath from him , i may renew my loue in death . but herein i doe taxe their vanitie , who doo prepare them tombs where they may lye in state like princes , and doe glorie in those monumentall couers of their sinne ; yet are respectlesse where their soules shall dwell , this preparation doth not like me well . for it 's preposterous , this couer should , ( being compos'd of nothing else then mould ) haue such exceeding honours to attend it , while th' soule has not one vertue to defend it . pure is the bodies shrine , but filthie foule is that same shrowd , which doth enfold the soule . this is the cause that makes me to deplore these times so ill , that were so good before : where vertue raign'd , and as a soueraignesse , made the soule glorie in her happinesse . where pure deuotion , as an heauenly light , directed man to doe those things were right : where th' soule was precious held , and whose chiefe care was 'gainst the day of vengeance to prepare . least vnprepar'd to answer for their sinne , they knocke at gate , but may not be let in . well did that holy father thinke of this , ( which to obserue each of vs i could wish ) who euery night before he went to bed , to make this due account was ' customed , goe to my soule , vse not a slight delay , but answer me , what hast thou done to day ? what hast committed of those workes are ill , or what omitted that thou shoul'dst fulfill ? whom hast thou wrong'd , whom hast thou iniured , where be those hungry , which thou shuld'st haue fed ? whō hast opprest ? whe●ce comes the orphanes tere , the widdows prayer ? soule , i must iudge thee here , least by deferring iudgement to the last , i pay more deare , for th' actions which be last . thrice happie soule , that is so well prouided , before his soule from bodie be deuided : with chearefull spirit may he hence depart , with eyes erected , and with light some heart : with soule-renewing comforts , and with peace , with hope , with health , with saints compleate encrease ; with zeale , with ioy , with hope of libertie , to rest in him who ends our miserie . o may we so liue in vnited loue , that ones example may another moue ; so by examples we at last shall come , with ioy and triumph to the marriage-roome . finis . of securitie . si securus , vres . no vice i thinke , that euer was , or is , end●gers th' soule of man , so much as this . which that i may define , it seemes to be the sleepe of sin , or the soules lethargie , sencel●e●●e , and carelesse of what ere befall , secure then , when she should most of all stand on her guard , nor is she ' fraid a whit of any harme , till she encounter it . this vice consorts with such as loue to feede , and cram themselues : where she doth vse to breed these perturbations in the minde of man , whence th' source of our corruption first began . lust , ryot , sloth , contempt of godlinesse , pride , dissolution , and forgetfulnesse of what we are , exposing ( o most fowle ) the glorious substance of an heauenly soule , vnto the basest seruitude , that is , to wit , th' delights of earthly vanities . yea , i may say there is no vice at all that makes th' soules motion so vnnaturall vnto her selfe , as doth securitie : since th' soule , which should in action euer be , becomes by her , slothfull , remisse , and dull , prest by a belly that is euer full . many we haue that labour of this vice , yea , of this sinne our great-men haue a spice ; who with the rich-man fare deliciously , are clad in purple , and neglectfully looke on the poore , while lulled in sinnes lapp , they neuer mind what afterward may happ : these giue no eare vnto the pitious mones , nor dolefull shrikings of distressed ones ; these are secure of their poore brothers grieues , " for they haue some sow pillows to their sleeues . euen prelates which should peirce the eares of kings but they doe worse in speaking pleasant things ; for well they finde more profit's to be got by smeering vice , as if they knew it not , then by displaying vices that are bred , for this hath caus'd some to be silenced . o age ! when men that are the mouths of god , and should not spare to shake the fearefull rod of his displeasure , will for some light matter , reuolt from god , and be induc'd to flatter : but of all other , there 's none so secure , or prone vnto it , as the epicure . for we may heare him euer bent to cry let 's eate and drinke , to morrow we shall die . a strange perswasion , and an argument as 't seemes to me , from reason different , that shortnesse of our time should make 's forget our selues so much , as to be giuen to eate when we should die : if this approu'd might be , " there were some cause of mans securitie . when after death , and that our time is gone , there were no farther matter to be done . but there is something in vs , that doth show , and tell vs plaine , our end must not be so , which may be prou'd by our experience , if we haue felt the sting of conscience . ●ra , what soere our atheist obiect , ●gainst that high and supreme archi-tect , ●hough now he feele it not , he must confesse , ●nd that with gall of inward bitternesse , ●here is a power ( and that a diuine power ) who will auenge him of the wicked doer . ●ut some i heare to argue in this sort , and with my soule i am much sorry for 't : ) this day we may enioy our pleasures ; true ●●and then you 'l , what , begin next day anew to vse those pleasures which you did before , and so from day to day treasure vp store of vengeance ; o how fearefull is this path , to trace you on vnto the day of wrath ? hence you presume of god : but doe not thinke , " that god doth sleepe , tho he may seeme to winke . for like as in th' old world we doe reade , when they had sported , feasted , married , and now became as those that care-lesse were , through ryot , and excessiue belly-cheere : the flood came on them , so as we may see , they were cut off in their securitie : euen so may you , that seeme to make delay of your conuersion thus , from day to day , be taken napping in your height of sinne , how fearefull then 's the case that you are in ? i know delight in sinne , doth custome bring , and custome to securitie's the spring which makes vs hardned ( adding to sinnes store ) which more in number , seeme lesse then before . but that we may , against this hydra fight , ' first head we cut off must be sins delight , which when we haue lopt off , we may begin to take away the custome of this sinne . and so through want of custome , we may free our selues in time of this securitie o that we would consider but our dayes , how short they are , and with how many wayes we are enclos'd with foes on euery side , with inward motions , as with lust and pride : with outward motions , as with bayts of sinne , where euery sence doth let a traytour in . o then we would be wise , and stand in doubt , least these foes should get in , that now are out . nor can we be too warie of our foes , since we are pestered with some of those which are within our bosome nourished , and as our life 's more dearely tendred : these be our houshold friends , which sting to death , depriuing them of life , which gaue them breath . " and of all others none annoy men so , " as doth a priuate or domesticke foe . for he by subtile vnsuspected guile , ( pretending nought but amitie the while ) enters the fort ( and like a cunning elfe ) becomes a very traytor to himselfe . yet so , as when his practises haue end , this seeming friend , becomes an hellish fiend . yea , we shall finde his saying true , who sayth , securenesse brings apostacie of faith , which is approu'd in many a wretched man , as for example in that iulian , who through securitie despis'd the rod of iustice , and turn'd rebell vnto god. yea , many such euen in this age we know , who start a side , like to a broken bow : and are forgetfull ( as before was said ) for what especiall purpose they were made . hence may i iustly taxe the libertine , who idly spends the most part of his time , in prophanation of the sabboth day , and in the streetes neglectfully doth stay , as if there were no vineyard where he might labour one houre at least , before 't be night : and yet i doe not grieue for them so much , as i in due compassion , doe for such , who haue beene idling , both in youth and age , and now nereth ' end of their frayle pilgrimage : are now as farre from god , when they haue done , nay , farther too , then when they first begun . o misery i that men who reason haue , and now through age , haue one foote in the graue , should through a wilful blindnes , thus bewray such mad greene thoughts , now when their heads be gray . ●e thinkes those furrowes which be in their face , should as a mirrour tell them here 's no place long to dwell in , or if they would but see gray hayres , those heralds of mortalitie , which as predictions , age is wont to send , me thinkes they might remember now their end . but this they will not : they 'l endure no glasse , lest they should see how soone their time doth passe . sure i doe thinke , what th' morall sayd of old , of all that be nought's viler to behold , then such a man , who many yeares hath spent , yet of his yeares can show no argument , saue his gray-haires : for he doth nature wrong , that shows no fruits how he hath liued long . yea , we should know great difference appeares twixt our expence of houres , and of yeares , for many may be aged in the one , who leaue no name behind when they are gone : such is th' expence of yeares , but happie they , who by their ●oures doe measure out their day ; for when they die , the vertues of their minde , like a sweete oyntment leaue their smell behinde . thus much in briefe of th' vice : now't doth remaine to speake , where this securitie doth raigne . finis . of court-ship . et tacuisse nocet . before i enter this secure repose , there comes such store of per●umes to my nose , i am nere sti●led : but i haue a tricke , by meanes of art will tutch them to the quicke ; and so disperse these sweetly * sented men , as hardly there will one appeare 'mongst ten , and this it is : i 'le canvase vp their vices . their braine sicke humors , and their strange de●ices ; their courting , congeing , and their coniuring , their culling , clipping , c●inging , capering ; their garish weares , and apish complement , and so i hope , i shall disperse this sent : which , if my footing were not all more speedie , might haue infected well my brai●e alreadie . rouse then thy selfe ( my muse ) and sprightly on vnto these men are made of cinnam●n . which similee can hardly be denide . their rind being better then all th' bulke beside . me thinkes i see a ne● inuented state , of foure coach-horses standing at the gate , with distinct furniture accordingly , to shew his lordships honors liuery : next this i see two irish lackyes stand , with eyther one a horse rod in his hand , where with they oft times make the beggars feele the lash , for following their lords coach wheele . close ●e their breeches made vnto their thighes , guarded like two pie-collor'd butterflies ; so as to see these iack-a lents come after , would make a man halfe dead , burst out with laughter . there straight i see a prisoner through a grate , desire their lord to be compassionate ; while court like , he , stops his relentlesse eare , and eyther cannot heare , or scorns to heare . thus in all state goes this magnifico , with coach-horse , one coach-man pages two , which ●euen without him make the number euen with romes mounts , for they make likewise seuen . then must his trayne be great , it cannot chuse , being in attendance growne so mountainous : but let him passe , this errour is but small , to other-some , that i must cope withall . next thing i see , is one that 's like a man , yet so disguis'd , discerne him not i can , nor well distinguish him , by outward shape from some strange monkey-fac't arabian ape . faces he makes of such a se●erall sort , i cannot show them ▪ to be hanged for 't : but sure i am ( for ought i vnderstand ) he found not such strange faces in our land , for ciuill albyon is , and cannot brooke to looke , but as her maker bids her looke . yet this same strange proportion'd caualliere , or new-italianated courtier , drawes admiration to him in each place , and by disguises gets especiall grace ▪ for while he has the garbe of forraine courts , and all the morne he spends in distinct sorts of french , italian , germaine complement , zwelan , ven●tian , dutch accoutrement : where he will speake of th' state of euery court , yet knowes not but onely by report . yet would it doe ones heart good to heare , his strange discourse , though he was neuer there . vp must his fashions goe , which though they seeme th' ill fauouredst ones , that euer yet were seene . they are in most request , and he 's an asse , that hates th' fashion , or will let it passe . and now , because there commeth to my minde an auncient storie , which i chanc't to finde , 'mongst other workes of serious consequence , i meane to write it , as i tooke't from thence . the scythians a people stout and bold , though much annoy'd by violence of cold ; were euer held ( as by their acts is showne ) the truest heyres of honour and renowne : yet in their height of triumph and estate , they fell becomming too esseminate . for when the prosperous gailes of victorie , had made them proud of their prosperitie , and good successe had so blowne vp their minde , as fortune like , their fortune made them blind . they straight begun to cast away their armes , as if they were secure of after●harmes ; and like new-fangle humorists , desire to mould themselues into some quaint attire . which to performe , they presently intend some odd conceited fellow for to send , to forraine coasts , that he thereby might come to gaine some fashions , and so bring them home . straight one addressed was ▪ who forthwith went and compast round the northerne continent , where though he saw strange fashions , yet was he not so contented but would farther see . at last , inclining south-ward , there he stay de within an iland : and so long survayde the customes , natures , and the strange attire of th'people there , as he did much admire ( so sottish was this scythian traueller ) the phrenticke habit of the ilander . who wore no garment , but from foote to head with plumes of birds vs'de to be fethered , so as he seem'd ( sayth storie ) in a word , in forme a man , but clothed like a bird. this when the curious scythian had seene , to trauell any farther did not meane ; but with glad heart determin'd to returne , and shew his country th'fashions that were worne . yet thought , ere he his iourney would begin , to take some of those fethers 'long with him . and there-withall to take aduice , had care , of one of th' best experienst taylors there , how to dispose the fethers , as they lay , which hauing learn'd , he posted on his way ▪ after long trauayle he at last arriu'd in his owne country , which no lesse reuiu'd his long-expecting country-men , then when there comes repriuall to condemned men . and as we see birds flocke against ill wether , so all in troupes they crowded in together . vowing withall , what country , or what nation so ere it were , they would obserue the fashion . forth comes his fethers pluckt from peacocks , owles , wood-cockes , and phesants , and all fethred fowles , directing them how ordered they should be , ( and that of all the countries he did see ) though many in strange fashions did excell , yet none like this did please him halfe so well . no sooner had the barbarous multitude , seene these strange nisles , but they forthwith sew'd , that this might be authoriz'd , through the court , that who so ere ( being of the better sort ) for none saue such admitted were to weare this bird like weede , should from that time appeare in publique place , vntill they had put on this new-found roabe , which was agree'd vpon . then might you see the garments which of old were furrs of beasts to keepe them from the cold ; cleare throwne away , and none of ranke there were but did discard their auncient country-weare . but long they had not vs'd this forraine fashion , but each was troubled with a sundry passion : one with a sowing-humour in his head , another was as much distempered with collicke : he , with shortnesse of his breath , this man through cold had nerely catcht his death , for why ; this weare fitt'd not the scythians , but those tan-skinned aethiopians , whose sulphurous heate might better farre allow of such light weeds , then their sharpe aire could doe . one of the wisest of this barbarous crew , now seeing , what was likely to ensue , command'd forthwith ( experience maks men witty ) certaine chiefe men to fire a part o' th' cittie : which done , an vprore presently arose through all the streets , and to the court-gate goes : the chill-cold courtiers knew not what it meant , yet all amazed thought for to preuent this dangerous fire , in hast therefore they came forth of the court , to quench this threatning flame : all fethred as they were : but ( see mad soules ) the flame catcht hold on these tame-fethred fowles , and th'more they sought by labour to appease it , the more they did by their soft plumes encrease it : long had they not about these fire-workes beene , but there was not a fether to be seene ; which cing'd and gone , the fire encreas'd no more , but was supprest , that grew so great before . after which time no fashions they 'd retaine , but thought it meete to take their owne againe . i might be taxed for a knavish wit , if i in briefe should seeme to morall it . and therefore haue resolu'd to let it passe , and be reputed for some braine-sicke asse , that spent his oyle and labour for delight , then to be forc't to answer what i write . for other slight abuses in the court , doubting i might be brought in question for 't . if i should taxe the greatest ; i 'me prepar'd , here to deblaze them briefely afterward . finis . of hospitalitie . non eadem est aetas . thou thing out of request , for vnto thee , that was an honour to our auncestrie , the poore-mans supportresse , trauellers repose , to thee will i my sorrows now disclose ; for well i know ( if any good there be ) their very hearts doe bleed with griefe for thee . where be those many officers thou had , 'las they 'r discarded and may run starke mad , but nere be pittied , a flout or mocke is their salute , their stoue a whipping stocke ; their wages lashes , their repast bare platters , their wine , pure conduit-renish , garments , tatters . o thou that once ( by ●imes eternall storie ) was clept our ilands port , our englands glorie : thou that by thy strong ●amily kept out , iack straw , wat tylor , and that rabble rout of factious noualists who sought t'infest , by their distempred heads , our countries rest ; thou that supprest such tumults by thy hand , as menaced the quiet of our land ; how art thou vanisht , or where art become , that thou doest keepe so seldome times at home ? way-faring men , when they but chanc't to looke , were glad at heart , to see thy chymneys smooke . when now as i and many more suppose , thy chymney smoke is turned to thy nose . yea , such as vs'd by thee to take repast , may sooner breake their neck then breake their fast . b●t whence proceedes this threatning miserie ? from thee ( thou curse of albyon ) ●surse ; soule-ranking poyson , state-deuouring sinne , that makes dice on mens bones , and fleas their skin . thou lay'st vn●allowed fist on each estate , and makes the poore come cursing to thy gate ; thou ruines walled townes , and thee 't doth please to turne great houses into cottages . there 's none ( for thee ) can reape content in life not from the prince vnto the oyster wife . it 's thou layes hold vpon each familie , seazing on persons of all qualities . for where 's the may game , and the morice dance , the auncient blew-coate , and his cognisance ; where 's those black-iacks which vsed were at first for the way-faring man to quench his thirst ? vanisht , they 'r vanisht : where ? to the court , beleeue me ( poore-men ) i am sorrie for 't . for pittie is it , that a place so great , should ( of reliefe ) our needie people cheate . thus hospitalitie is banisht cleere , betwixt the court , and th'damned vsurer ; it 's rare to see a man of worship ride , with more then one poore lackie at his side ; or if he haue a man or two at most , he couenants for feare of too much cost , that each of them ( so niggardly's the else ) should be at charges to maintaine himselfe . and sure me thinkes , these great-men that retyre , as i may say , vnto an other's fire ; shutting vp house , and all , that who should looke that way , should scarcely see a chymney smooke : might become rich : for why , they nought bestow , their meanes be great , the rate they 〈◊〉 at , low ; small 's their attendance , slender is their port , and shut their buttery-hatch to barre resort . but why should i thinke so ? as they from th' poore hold backe their hand , the lord holds back his store . that widdow of sarepta ( as we reade ) had still her arke with meale replenished ; and th'more she gaue , she still receiu'd the more , for god encreas'd her much-decreased store . but naball that rich churle , who denide to giue to dauid , seeming to deride this zealous king , with who is dauid say , that i should giue my coine and meate away ? what end had he ? he was depriu'd of all , his state , his store , his life , his abigall . and he , whom naball did deride before , became the sole possessour of his store . " for he that liuing will not th' poore reward , " shall be enforc't to giue it afterward . but vnto theo my muse addresseth first , ( and heauen forbid i blesse what god hath curst ) who doest consume the sun-shine of thy dayes in damn'd oppression , and all workes delayes of charitie , and almes workes till death and desolation choake thy corrupt breath . thou earth-mould thou , who a● it seemes to me , hadst thy beginning from that familie of th'braucadori , which in florence are , extorting bankers , and so named were , ( because the word if rightly vnderstood ) signifies scrape gold ( or in briefe ) scrape-good . it 's thou my muse shall freely reprehend , beginning fresh , when seeming at an end ; and heauen i wish , that it were put to me , what punishment should be infflict on thee . for then ( be sure ) of what degree or sort , so ere thou wer 't , that i would plague thee for 't . yea in an auncient cannon reade we shall , this ranke denied christian buriall . so as their bones were neuer to be found , interr'd in any part of holy ground . and true it is ( for th'reason is allow'd ) that the confused rout and multitude of lawyers and physitians , which are bred , ( like horse flies ) from a state distempered , are signes of ill-disposed bodies , sure , and long 's that state not likely to endure . yea , of these two , i know not whether's worse , to purge the bodie , or to purge the purse : both strange distempers breed : whence it is meant a clyent is his lawyers patient . but th'number of our grating vsurers , their factors , and those eare-markt scriuiners ; while they within our country are remaining show a disease that 's fatall 'mongst vs raigning . but hast i must , and passe from vsurie , the greatest foe to hospitalitie : and speake a word or two vnto the court , showing those wrongs she doth the poorer sort . thou princely seate , whose bountie like a streame should water each drie corner of our realme ; harbour not such , as should themselues expresse by giuing harbour to the harborlesse . let them not there haue any residence , but banish them ( thou starre of honour ) thence : that in their country they may once appeare . , such good house-keepers as their fathers were . this done , thou shalt bring glorie to thy court , and needfull soules relieu'd shall blesse thee for 't . finis . and tell thee too when i had made them knowne , thy vices were not worthie of a crowne . i haue no rhetoricke but bluntnesse i , nor knew i euer how to face a lye ; as many can , yea , and some great ones too , as our court-apple-squires , and fauns can doe : i doe cashiere all priuate parasites , lad●e-fied monkyes , lustful catomytes , painting , and pursting , sleeking of the skin , poudring of hayre , to let temptation in ; light-fether-dressings , fardinggalls avant , that makes a wench backt like an elephant ; open displayed brests , sin-tempting eyes , crocodyles teares , and faithlesse periuries : vermillion cheeks , bought beauties , i do shun you , for i am madd when i doe looke vpon you : but first to thee will i addresse my way , who in a loue-sicke passion thus doest say ; " loue brookes no sharers , i 'le not suffer ioue " to be a riuall in the wench i loue . you will not s ir ; why , what a wood-cocke art , to thinke thy-selfe a man of such desert : that any wench will so her loue confine , to make her-selfe in essence none but thine ? herein thou show'st thy owne simplicitie , to thinke a woman will imprisoned be ; since it is true which hath beene oft times sed , nor loue , nor lust can ere be limitted . why , i will tell thee man i had a wench , some thirteene dayes agoe no longer since , and she did vow ( as well i know she can ) of all she lou'd i was the onely man : ●f i but frown'd , so straitely i did keepe my wench in aw , she would begin to weepe ; 〈◊〉 i but laugh'd , it cler'd her raynie day , she would laugh too , and wipe her teares away ; in briefe what ere i did ( so kind was she ) one note kept measure't wixt my loue and me : yet to ther day ( i pray thee louex heare me ) she that was mine by vow , doth now cashere me , calling me foole that had so little sence , to thinke that she with faith could not dispence ; adding withall , that there was nought more cōmon then breach of faith , and promise with a woman . yet know ( quoth she ) tho th'greatest prince assault , " if woman yeeld it is the womans fault . thus by experience ( louer ) i was crost , thus did i loue , thus was my labour lost . if thine be constant , thou hast that reward , which i few louers euer yet haue heard ; but if she be , of thus much sure i am , she is a milke-white crow , a cole-blacke swan . next vnto thee , whose gaudie vanitie , makes thee forgetfull of mortalitie ; thy glorie is not placed in thy minde , for who the least of beautie there can finde , sith vertue has no place , which euer giues life to the soule , by which it euer liues ; but odious vice , which blemisheth the eye of vnderstanding with obscuritie ; thy glorie is in clothing , yet behold what that diuinest salomon hath told ; nought is more vaine then this ? at least thou 'l yeeld in beautie to the l●●lies of the field , which neither spin , nor labour , yet they be " fairer then salomon in his royaltie . yea , this obseruance tells me , which by some hath beene reputed for an axiome . " the greatest princes that are clad in ermine , " take them at best , they are but food for vermine . " and why should shapeles forms be so much loth'd , since bodies they are but , as they are cloth'd ? this comes not nere the beautie of the soule , since th'fairest bodies are oft times most fowle in th'constitution of the inward man , which is the best of beautie , sure i am . vertue adorns her best , nor can she finde any complexion purer then the minde : here , not improperly may i make vse , of th'nuptiall song of wittie claudius , which was composed for the marriage-bed of good honorius to maria wed . " tender honorius , in the purple roome " borne , to his fathers glorie now shall come , " and giue that hope to such as see him raigne , " as if that saturne were return'd againe ; " for little can porphyras pallace doe , " if that with birth we haue not vertues too . " he shall conclude my taske , no more i 'le say , " pleas'd or displeas'd , this 's my placentia . finis . a conclvsive epigram , entitvled the great-mans alphabet . come hither great-man that triumphs to see , so many men of lower ranke to thee ; that swells with honours , and erects thy state , as high as if thou wer 't earths potentate . thou whose aspiring buildings raise thy name , as if thou wer 't sole sonne and heyre of fame ; thou whose ambition doth on dainties feast , ayming to be some pettie king at least ; thou whom oppression hath by wrong made great , priding thy selfe of thy vsurped seate ; thou that doest thinke it signe of noble bloud , rather to ayme at great then to be good ; thou whose demerits , though thou beare a port , and canst looke big , are but of th'meanest sort . thou whose patcht honour , take away thy land will for an ordinarie scarce currant stand ; thou whose best qualities deriued be , onely from thy command , and not from thee : heare me ( thou worlds atlas ) and discerne what 's best of honour , greatest men may learne . i haue sought farre , and yet i cannot finde , to what set place their glorie stands confin'de : who once were famous , and had tongues enow , to ring their noble acts the world throw . methinkes that agamemnon whose renowme , euen to the eares of sacred powers did come , to make his fame more lasting , should not be so soone obscur'd in his posteritie ; nor that same mirrour of the myrmidons , nor braue thalestris of the amazons ; nor cretan minos , ilus , atreus , , the persian cyrus , trojane dardanus . yet see , where be these heroes ? now they seeme through tymes disgrace as if they had not beene : so short's our memorie , that if we haue nought to preserue our honour in the graue , saue th'tongs of men to blaze what we haue done , scarce will our names be heard in time to come . yet you will say those monuments we leaue , will to our dying fame true honour giue : as marble shrines , statues of iuory , porphyrite columns grauen curiously , arches of lasting mettals , these will show what we were once : and though men would not know our actious , yet our monuments infuse knowledge in them , they cannot will nor chuse . alas how weake's his fame , that do's repose his confidence in any one of those : soone fading is his name , and short's his time that 's shut within circumference of a shrine : yea , frayle's his glorie fitting with his nature , who hopes to reare his fame by such a matter . for where should we find tombs now ouergrowne with grasse and rubbish , yea , where-fields are sowne , vineyards are planted , as it may appeare , it is not knowne where they interred were ? some say the caue of minos , king of crete , who afterward had his iudiciall seate in hell , as soueraigne vmpire , founded was on idas mount , where though by store of grasse and mouldred ashes , which are haled forth , by the combustiue matter of the earth : his ag'd memoriall was extinguisht clene , yet some appearance there is to be seene , which doth expresse that minos sepulcher , vnited was with th'tombe of iupiter : and that faire ida , which so fruitfull grew with euery pleasant plant ( as poets shew ) would decke his flowry monument with thyme , with bayes his tombe , with luniper his shrine ; so as no virgin votaresse there was , who had that way occasion for to passe , but would ( for so the cretans did allow it ) " tender her best of adoration to it . of such relations we haue subiects store , as aiax tombe vpon the rhetian shore , in oeta great alcydes , mytilene a place where many worthies layd haue beene , as pythacus an auncient sage of grece , alcaus , valiant antemenydes , yea though a statist subtile as a fox , they will display thy errours with a pox ; if a vaine-humorous lording , whose creation came vp the to-ther day along with fashion , whose onely gracefull neate accoutrement stands on a little broken complement ; then some will say , while ore thy graue they passe , " here lies a widgin-lord , a foot-cloth asse . if an imperious beggar that canst sute for such ones land , and put th' true owner out ; thou shalt be taxt and censur'd in thy graue , and term'd withall a base collouging slaue . if a spruce pension-gallant , that hast nought , ( saue a phantasticke cringe ) that 's worthie ought , receiue this brand ( nor care they if thou scowle ) of a vaine-glorious , idle , formall foole . if an ambicious greene wit , thou doe clime , hoping to scale the seate of ioue in time : if thou repine that any one should checke thy soaring flight , till pride shall breake thy necke , rest well assur'd , they will be bold to tell that pride did lackey thee post-hast to hell . thus then thou seest , how great so-ere thou be , ( if ill ) thou subiect art to infamie ; nor can the greatnesse of thy worth or place , exempt thee from the censure of disgrace , for those who whilest thou liu'd durst hardly mew , ( now being dead ) will giue thy crimes their due . o then let vertue be thy monument , for it will keepe thee , when thy life is spent , in a perpetuall memorie ! for 'las what 's marble , iron , iuory , or brasse to make thee glorious in the eyes of men , since of all those , there 's scantly one 'mongst ten , who plac't their names in shrines , but were forgot before the sheete they lay in was halfe rott . yea such as these , who like the sonnes of earth , triumphed liuing , in their noble birth , boasting of their discent , yet could make knowne , not any one good action of their owne to glory in , might well resembled be , in each respect and natiue propertie , vnto a lampe , which when the oyle is spent , sends from her steeming snuffe , a noisome sent ; " liuing they shone like lamps , at least they seem'd , ( but all things are not so as they are deem'd ) but dying they doe show what filthie stuffe they were made of , by sending forth their snuffe . but when true vertue is commixt with bloud , then noblenesse must needes be rightly good : for bloud and vertue being ioyn'd together , makes what agrees with one , accord with eyther . there is no balme so precious vpon earth , as vertue is ▪ for it preserues our worth from times mutation ; no corruption can enter the coffin of a vertuous man ; for though the syth of fate haue cut him downe , yet in his death he is farre better knowne then in his life , because when men doe misse him , seeing his workes they 'gin afresh to blisse him . o may thy great-nesse ( then , ) who ere thou art , be grounded first vpon a sincere heart , for that will last , when that same guilded honour will fayle her selfe , and all that trust vpon her . short is our time , our sorrowes they are long , fickle our state , our soule-assailants strong ; weake's our defence , rude is our discipline , rustie our armes , our courage feminine : what recluse then ? whereto may we repaire , to be secure from imminent despaire ? it 's not our greatnesse , nor descent of bloud , how high so ere can doe vs any good : no ; it 's our goodnesse , not our greatnesse shall in that same day giue priuiledge to all , which heauens i wish , that it might once be set on great-mens brests , and made their alphabet . finis . to the high and illvstriovs monarch , christian king of denmarke a panegyricke or gratulatorie embleme , with the successiue continuance of his maiestie . the embleme . great christian king soueraigne of many hearts , royall supporting-atlas of all arts ; bellonas chieftaine , & minerv●es friend , true worths aduancer : please thee to attend , to one of albyons swainelins , who would be blest in himselfe , writing ought worthie thee . long may our whitecliffs , which gaue albyon name , prepare themselues such friends to entertaine ; long may ou● far-fam'd court her luster show , made glorious by such royall friends as thou . long may our halcyon daies crowne albyons king , while prosperous gailes such friends a shore doe bring . long may our cōmerce free to both remain , the dane with english , english with the dane . happie vnited powers confirm'd by loue , and nere-alliance , as those quires aboue . may you keepe blessed concord , and renew your yeares by times successe : o may that dew destill'd on hermon , fructifie your land , s●ielded and shored by the soueraigne hand of the almightie : that no forraigne foe , nor homebred innouatour , may vndoe that sacred vnion , so bequeath'd to eyther , as hand in hand , you may march on together . and thou triumphant queene , that dissipates the spacioust prouinces , and raisest states by vnexpected meanes , ( great victorie ) smile ( o attend my prayer ) auspiciously , on two religious kingdomes ! may thy wings shadow th' atchieuments of two royall kings : that their propitious fates enstil'd may be , as faiths-de●endors , so true heires to thee● o may those auncient monuments of time , stucke on their predecessors hears●s , shine more now then euer , that ' i th age to come the father may relate vnto his sonne what conquests and what glory hath beene got , and such renowne as they expected not ! shine out faire lampe of honour , and giue way , it 's ●ot the morne , but euening crownes the day ; may peacefull morning , and victorious euen , blesse them on earth , eternize them in heauen . nor can i doubt in such apparant sweetes of reall goodnesse , where perfection meetes , and makes a well-tun'd concord , but the earth will glorie much to haue so great a birth planted within her bosome : for the blisse of earths inhabitants , consists in this , when princes gouerne with religious eye , and iustice lodgeth in a monarchie . there 's no complaint , but with harmonious sound , ( like heauenly dwellers ) they make blest the ground where they inhabit : there vnited peace makes their barnes ful , giues to their flockes encrease . there sacred temples are erect'd on high , and praises sung to heauens pure maiestie : there 's no repining at an-others weal● , all like sareptahs widdow haue their meale renew'd , and re-encreas'd , which still we see , succeedes to such giues hospitalitie . for vertues haue their guerdon , and appeare bright in heauens eye , to such as soiourne here . o happie then where maiestie doth shine , if vertues keepe a tune , or keepe a time : there 's a terrestriall hierarchie , which doth show faire in such men , as doe such vertues owe ! in thee ( rich mirrour ) i haue heard and sen , what merits admiration in meane men , much more in princes , nor can i expresse imagination freely : yet i guesse then yet thou art possest of : and it is the best ( inferiors can doe ) to wish successiue dayes , continuance of friends , renowned liues , and time-eternis'd ends : to those we are oblig'd to : and to thee ▪ much are we tyed , accepting poesie , with such a gracefull aspect , as thy breath , infuseth life in vs , when meager death seem'd to surprise vs : should we then forget the best revivour of our vncheer'd wit , the mirrour of affected clemencie ? o no , for then vngratefull we should be , and make our workes contemptuous to such men as haue vouch sat'd some time to harbour them : indeed , if labours could a promise giue , to such as patronize them , ere to liue with fames light-sayles displayed , i know we might haue far more patrons , then haue workes to write : but what can hyble promise that is there , worthie th'attention of a princes eare ; some scattred spraies perchance , which cropt might be . from adons garden . or apolloes tree . some sweetened dropps drawne from that sacred spring where all the warbl●ng nine were wont to sing . for neuer garden yet was halfe so sweete , as where apollo , and the muses meete . yet what are these ? and what are we that write , since kings be choice & must haue choice delight . to cheare their pure affections ? it is true ; albyons pernassus has but little new , or store of pure varieties : yet there be some that haue sung in th' eare of maiestie ; and with acceptance ( though with homely straine ) which is the cause that now they sing againe . nor doth the tune , but tenure of the minde make the best concord : which if princes finde , they cherish it , to make the consort more , ( for so the royall'st princes did before ) and to continue what the auncients did , our moderne ages haue authorized what they confirm'd : nor can we glorie lesse , sith we haue such that can as well expresse , their countries fame , the honour of their king , as well in loftie straines , as sonnetting , as euer former bards , and with lesse toyle , for our's more free , their's was a forced soyle . and what esteeme haue authors of this kind beene amongst potentst monarchs , we shall finde in tymes be●t mirrour , auncient historie , where they reserue dew wreaths for poesie . the worlds great viceroy slept not as we reade , without the workes of homer vnder 's head ; augustus lou'd his maro , martiall had a domitian , and tart iuuenall no worse protectour , aged soph●cles , sweet-breathing hesiod , graue euripide● passion-affecting aeschylus , all these had places to retire to , and could please with smooth , quicke , pithie , various passionate , choice , natiue , modest , and elaborate , passions , affections , measures , and delights for men , maids , matrons , loue-admiring knights , campe-royall planters , where no act did passe , which they engraued 〈◊〉 in leaues of brasse . their monumentall tablets : these were they that could distinguish 'twixt the chearefull day of resolution , where 's true vertues light , and recreant spirits clouded with the night . of a depressed minde : nought could be done vnder heauens glorious cresset , but was showne by an impartiall pen , and did remaine for after● ages to looke ore againe . and were not these workes for a princely eare to descant on : when vertue did appeare in naked feature , and 〈…〉 name to be in nature and in essence same what she was moulded for ? and she it is that neuer had another mott but this . if spotlesse reputation be away , men are but guilded lime , or painted clay . and what apelles euer could portray , and pure substance , or so well display the perfect forme of being , as this art , or diuine influence , can describe each part of honours faire proportion ; this is she that giues a liuing soule to maiestie , records the acts of princes , and sets downe , what 's worth record fr● th' plow-share to the crowne . renewing life in death , for by her breath , selfe-same may liue , that is surpriz'd by death : making his actions breathing : nor can tyme impose a period to an art diuine ; for it 's transparant in obscuritie , cleare in the silent shade , and loues to be , as vertue is in action : this being true , what can we doe , but giue this art 〈◊〉 due , more to her grace , but as she 's princely bred , so by a prince to haue her sheltered . it will erect her spirits , cheare her wings , and make her perch euen on the crest of kings : admiring her owne beautie : and who can amongst a world of princes , finde a man who might her patronage better beseeme , then thou great prince , brother to albyons * queene , whose ripened iudgement aimes at some great end , in reading nought , but it does apprehend . and what more precious ornament can be worne by a prince , then such a theorie ? but 'las how weake's my muse to set thee forth , that beáres within thy selfe the markes of worth , as honors natiue characters ? and best is honour showne , when grauen on the brest of the possessour ? like adorns thy heart , for speaking thee , who knows not what thou art ? o may it be ( i pray ) the supreame will of heauen , to adde more glory to thee still , that each succeeding day may giue encrease to a succeeding honour : may sweete peace smile on thy fruitfull empire , and extend , her large commission to the worlds end . so shall minerua flourish , and make great the faire foundation of thy royall seate . meane time ( victorious prince ) gaine the renow●e ▪ and in thy christian title , ouer-come . finis . an embleme vpon the royall masqve presented in the king of denmarkes last being here . personated regally , shadowed really , and alluded rarely . thrice glorious spirits , royall in your state , albyons - faire lusters highly consecrate . to him whom you on earth doe represent , may you be euer in this element of perfect ioy : that the full height of time may ( as you were presented masculine ) cheare vp your man like thoughts , that your great birth ( being enstil'd no lesse then gods on earth ) may when your time 's expir'd ( and long may 't be ere that time come ) put on eternitie . your masque presents a life ( silent you came , so maskers doe ) and we expresse the same in our birth-entrie , nothing can we speake articulate ; onely sends out a shreque , to shew our misery ; the next you beare 's a vizard , which implyes these robes we weare , of flesh , and of mortalitie ; which when time shall dissolue , we are no longer men , but angels : your disguise may shadow at , that strange desire we haue to immitate forraine disguised habits , when it 's knowne , we haue more comely habits of our owne . those feminine-mirrors ( ladies ) you brought in , shows adams happinesse , and adams sinne ; his happinesse , when god to make his state perfect-delightfull , gaue to him a mate , ●lesh of his owne flesh , and bone of his bone , thinking't not good that man should be alone . his sinne , when 's mate , wherein he seem'd to be happie , did haplesse taste th'forbidden tree . liuely was this exprest , when th'ladies bore from you those gemms and iewells which you wore ▪ implying that pure gemme of innocence , adam was robd of by eues negligence . taking from th' ladies : thus much did impart , " men spous'd to women , ●ob them of their heart , for it 's no longer theirs , for theirs is gone , one heart in two , or two reduc't to one . this is my embleme for the masculine , now must our woman-pen turne feminine . delicious moulds of nature , whose pure forme was form'd by nature , chiefely to adorne and beautifie her-selfe : which she did shew , first in her-selfe , examplified by yow . you mask'd , thus much implies , that modestie innate to woman-hood , ought most to be where sexes are immixt : those princely men , which you depriu'd and robbed of their gemmes , includes your true humilitie : being forc't to take from that sex , eue tooke of at first : and that perfection which you haue began , not from your selues , but from the worth of man. these ornaments ( are vertues emblemes ) where beautie by honour graced do'es appeare more chearefull , and assumeth to it more of diuine essence , then it had before . you spoy●'d , portrayes your modest ▪ princely shame , scorning to take and not to giue againe ▪ here is a great minde showne : whose plac't delight , is nere to take , more then it will requite . those virgin-lamps of yours , with oyle sustain'd , expresse those virgins , that were entertain'd into the bride-chamber : hence you are compar'd to those wise-virgins that had care to haue their oyle prepared , and might come , with virgin-glory to the nuptiall roome . your oyle 's the splendour of a vertuous life , and she 's a virgin , that 's a virgin-wife ; making her husband ( linkt by sacred right vnto her selfe ) sole mate of her delight . the place where you present this masque of yours , may seeme an embleme , to those heauenly powers which shine in syons-court : pure mirrors here , and glorious daughters of perfection there . your masque expir'd , includes our frayle lifes-taske , whence was 't that prince compar'd it to a maske , wherein men were disguis'd , nor could one then discouer right the phisnomie of men , hauing their face obscur'd : and such be now those , who are nothing lesse then what they show , hauing appearance to the out-ward eye , of seeming that they are not inwardly . but when our masque of flesh is stript off cleane , then is it clearely showne , what we haue beene . your d●nce ( times measure ) may be thus exprest , lifes-action is a dance , which craueth rest ; your selues th' ideas of true excellence , show what you shall be when you goe from hence . finis . to the ivdiciovs and generall approued , hvmfrey davmp ort , esquire : practitioner in the common lawes ; whose subiect , is the goodnesse of the cause ; and whose ayme is to redresse wrong : the accomplishment of his vertuous desires , with the perusall of this encomiastick poem . vpon the worthie and sincere pro●icients and professants of the common law : an encomiastick poem . lavv is the line , whose levell is dispatch , a lampe , whose light shows iustice what is right , a larke , whose vnseal'd eyes keepe early watch , a loome , whose frame cannot be sway'd by might , a list , where truth puts iniury to flight ; ( choice list , straight line , bright lampe , sweet larke , strong loome ▪ guide , shine , shield , guard , and liue truths martialist . law is the sterne , which steres the ship of state , the glorious stem , whence iustice , science spring , the chearefull star , which early shines and late , the staffe , whose stay supports the languishing , the streame , whose spring is ever cherishing ; rare sterne , rich stem , cleare star , firme staffe , pure steram , stere , cheare , direct , support , refresh the ●ene . blest then are you , who labour to redresse the poore mans case , and measure your contents by shielding th' weake from awfull mightinesse , like graue professants , good proficients , clozing with equitie your ioynt consents ; 't is you , 't is you , who in this blemish'd time , send out your lights , while other starres decline . when grece in glory flourish'd , shee did reare some images neare iustice sacred throne , which to be l●me and blind portraid were , as proper obiects to be look'd vpon , implying what in iustice should be done ; blind to distinguish friend or foe , and lame from taking bribes to staine astraenas name . cleere lights , pure lamps , rare stems , rich streams of life , who shine , beame , spring , and draine your christall course from iustice throne , to coole the heat of strife by curbing aw with law , with censure force , to chastise with restraint , cheare with remorce ; long may you liue , since by your life you giue iustice new breath , and make her ever liue . salus ciuitatis sita est in legibus ▪ a prayer to the high covrt of heaven , for the high court of parliament now assembled : that their councells and consultations may bee so directed , as gods glory may be advanced , and vnitie in church and common-wealth established . lord what am i that i should speake to thee , or what art thou to bow thine eare to mee that am but dust ? lord heare not as i am , a sinne-conceived and polluted man , but for thy christ , who to redeeme his sheepe , did seeking finde , and till he found did seeke his wandring lambkins ; heare what i doe pray , " who art the pilgrimes staffe , the shepherds stay . giue lord ▪ o giue to all that doe professe thy glorious name and gospell , quietnesse , defeate the malice of thy syons foes , but specially ( good god ) th' attempts of those who wish with all their heart to prey vpon this little eden , flowrie albyon ; it is thy hedged garden , water it , as to thy sacred wisedome shall seeme ●it ; it is thy fruitfull vine , may it increase vnto thy glory ( lord ) and syon● peace , that ravenous wolfe or subtill fox nere may breake in by force and steale her grapes away . and for asmuch confusion needes must breede where members doe subsist without a heade , blesse our drad soueraigne , lord , blesse him , that he both in himselfe and his posteritie , may stere , support , and guide the sterne of state , that others eying vs , may wonder at the blessed peace and freedome we obtaine vnder so wise and good a soueraigne . and may hee ever haue one of his owne ( if ' t be thy pleasure ) to sit on this throne , this peacefull i le to solace and secure , so long as sunne or moone shall ere endure . ●lesse the most prudent councell of this land , lord in their consultations haue a hand ; may thou and they in iudgement still consent , but specially th' high house of parlament , which by thy will and prouidence divine , to right the state , 's assembled at this time . lord be amongst them , that whats'ere they doome , may be to th'weale and peace of christendome . may popular opinion never draw them , may loue to god and good-men over●aw them : may all their acts bee a continued story , to further and advance thy sacred glory : may prince be pleas'd , state eas'd , and men with men liue here in loue , and rest in peace : amen ▪ finis . panedone : or health from helicon : containing emblemes , epigrams , elegies , with other continuate poems , full of all generous delight ; by richard brathvvayte esquire . licet toto nunc helicone frui . mart. doe not looke on me with a carelesse eye , first read and iudge , then buy or else goe by . london printed by iohn dawson for iohn bellamie , and are to be sould at the south entrance of the royall-exchange . . the number and order of these epigrams , as they are to follow in this tract , entitvled panedone . divided into two parts . the first , dilating it selfe to these subiects . . to the vvorld . . cares cure ; or , a figg for care . . an elegie entituled , bound , yet free . . free , yet bound . . a dialogue of hobbinoll , &c. . a pastorall eglogue betweene cuddie and rowie . . the parrets spring . . narcissus embleme . the second part. . ebrius experiens ; or , the drunkards humour . . the old-mans hearse ; or , the yong mans iubile . . the eye . . vpon fortune . . vpon mya . . the signe in cancer . . hymens eglogue . . hymens choice . . loues description . . a nuptiall hymne . . an elegiack sonnet . . the widdow-bride . . coridon , or , the western huntsman . to my trvely worthie and mvch respected friend , sr thomas gainsford knight : his best wishes . once sr ▪ to lash the world●made't ●made't a sport , and many thought i should be lashed for 't , so as some nere-ones did me much importune to shrow'd my selfe and shield me from mis-fortune but i ( resolu'd to iustifie my writ ) did not as others did , recant from it , but still avouch'd vnto that vicious crew , that i would stand to 't , what i wrote was true . whence euery braine his rackt construction had , while one suppos'd me to be surely madd ; for tell me , thou large continent of vice , what may be now esteemed of most price , amongst thy worldlings ? honour , honour , thou art shee to whom they sacrifices doe ; thou art that painted idoll , whose esteeme some value more then soules , how●ere they seeme : while with ambitious wings they mount so high , as like icarian fooles they tutch the skie , to make them heires of ruine ; for we know 〈◊〉 ●ates are most secure , which are most low , so this vn●ounded greatnesse doth expresse it best in depressing him who doth possesse it . next this ( for what is 't greatnesse may not doe ) is a grand crime which i 'le deblazon too , cries ; and it 's oppression , which doth still arise from widdowes teares , and from poor● orphanes here doth a poore 〈◊〉 craue he may haue right , but ' las his title is kept downe by might , good is his cause and yet hee fareth worse , because l●ane fees doe issue from his purse . then what reliefe may to the poore be giuen , saue to refer him and his cause to heauen ! for shrubbs by these high pines are so kept vnder , that if they risé they 'r surely broke asunder . now ye fat bulls of basan ( i must speake ) why doe yee feed and prey vpon the weake , why doe yee grinde the faces of the poore , to squize their state , their substance to deuoure , as if exempt from vengeance ▪ doe yee thinke god's so indulgent hee will ever winke at your oppression , violence , and wrong ! no , he will strike though he ha's spared long , and in his fury will estrange your land from you and yours , in turning of a hand . next partiall-guilt corruption , i must make thy staine my subiect for pure iustice sake , whose sacred shrine polluted by thy meanes , repines to see those time-eternis'd streames of themis , troubled with that puddle stench , where bribed fists haue sole pre-eminence : here comes a plaintiffe with a cause as good as truth can make 't if rightly vnderstood , yet ' cause he knows not whom or when to fee , hee 's ouerthrowne against all equitie ; so as this iustice was compar'd by one , aptly vnto the celedoni● stone , which stone , as by historians we are told , retaines her vertue being rubb'd with gold , so as the nature of the stone is such , as gold preserues her vertue with her tutch , for ceasing but with gold to rub this stone the secret vertue is extinct and gone . thrice blessed haue those dayes esteemed bin , which the renowmed basill liued in , when during th' time hee sat vpon his throne , neither were plaintiffe nor defendant knowne , but like critolaus scale , with such even weight were all things pois'd , as equitie and right still gain'd the conquest , and iniurious wrong was censur'd too , were th' client nere so strong . dem●sthenes being asked , what men had that most resembled god , hee answered , " be charitable and embrace the truth , 't is this that god affects , and this he doth . it is reported that at athens , there certaine graue images erected were , which images had neither hands nor eyes , implying thence that iudges should despise bribes or affection , or divert from right for friends respect to darken iustice light . o let these mirrors ( i will say no more ) which haue divulg'd their fame so long before , be annalls or records for vs to read , that as we imitate them , so our seede , carefull preservers of our memorie , may stampe like formes in their posteritie . next vnto thee thou vlcer of this land , which hales downe vengeance from th' almighties hand , vpon thy impious contracts , vsurie , thou hideous horror , forge of iniurie , fraud and collusion , thou prodigious pile , menacing desolation to this i le , and to her flourie borders , doe i come , to giue thee notice of that fearefull doome , which shall , ( as sure as heuen ) pronounced be , vpon those odious imps that vsher thee ▪ this canker-worme , as it is registred , was by licurgus , sparta banished ; in egypt amasis did punish it , with such severitie as did befit ; cato did banish't out of sicilie , solon condemn'd it in that nurcerie of fame-eternis'd athens , which did heale many distractions in the common-weale . if wee from pagans such examples gather , who had but light of nature , how much rather ought we such horrid crimes to chace away , who haue bin taught far better things then they ! for we are christians , and should rather giue ethnickes example how they ought to liue , then by a course depraued to expresse that we are least what we by faith professe . of more ( my patron ) could i censure thee , as incest , sacriledge , church-symonie , eare-marked periurie , which in each coast sweares men out of their state by knights of th' post ; with thousand more , but i must now prepare to sing my canto , styl'd , a fig for care , wherein i 'le proue ( nor care i if thou scoule ) the greatest worldling is the greatest foole . finis . cares cure , or a figg for care. happie is that stat● of his , takes the world as it is , loose hee honour , friendship , wealth , loose hee libertie or health , loose hee all that earth can giue , hauing nought whereon to liue ; so prepar'd a mind's in him , hee 's resolu'd to sinke or swim . some will pule if they but heare , how next summer will be deare , as th' engrosser who doth heape graine , laments when it is cheape : gallants who haue run their race in all ryot , feare the mace ; punkes whose trunkes of lucre smell , feare the bridewell more then hell. but when i remember these , hermon , and hermocrates , lesser flies are quickly tane while the great breake out againe ; or so many schismes and sects which foule heresie detects , to suppresse the fire of zeale both in church and common-weale ! should i weepe to see some write to adde fuell to delight but no taske to vndertake any time for conscience sake ; or to mourne to see the doue ever censur'd for her loue , while the puttock flies away priuiledg'd what ere he say ! should i grieue when i 'me in place that my foe should be in grace , or in silent woe lament at my friends his discontent , or repine that men of worth should want meanes to set them forth . or disdaine my wench should be kinde to any one but me ! should i blind my eyes with teares , or oppresse my heart with feares , when nor teares nor feares auaile such whose choicest comforts faile , by conuerting that sweete ayre of delight vnto despaire , for i know no enter-breath limits these saue onely death ! should i sigh for that i see world goes not well with me , or inveigh 'gainst envious fate still to lowre on my estate , or reproue such as expresse nothing saue vnthankfulnes . or expose my selfe to griefe , cause my woes are past reliefe ! should i grieue because i giue no contentment where i liue , though my best endeuours proue that my actions merit loue ; or repine at others ayme gaining more then i can gaine , when their vaine mis-guided course showes their humour to be worse ! should i pine away and die or my childish teares descrie 'cause my neighbors are vntoward wilfull wife , and seruants froward , or exclaime 'gainst destenie who so crossely matched mee , or desire no more to liue since i liue the more to grie●e ! should i mourne , repine , or mo●● to be left distrest alone , or wish death approching nie with a bleered blubb'red eye , cause my meanes i scarce can find of proportion with my minde , or breath sadly 'cause my breath drawes each minute neerer death ! no there 's nought on earth i feare that may force from me one teare , losse of honour , fredome , health , or that mortall idoll , wealth ; with these babes may grieued be but they haue no power ore me ; lesse my substance lesse my share in my feare and in my care . feare he must that doth possesse least his substance should grow lesse , which oft driues him to extreames both in broken sleepes and dreames ; but so little doe i care for these fethers in the ayre , as i laugh while others grieue louing these which they must leaue . wretched moles who pore on earth and conceiue no taste of mirth , but in hoording heape on heape what 's the fruit in end they reape saue returning to that slime which they tugg'd for all their time ? sure i am , reduc'd to clay poorest are as rich as they . care i would but not for this 'cause it lessens care of blisse ; yet not so as not to care what we spend or what we spare , for this carelesse course we call meerely vaine and prodigall ; but that golden meane to keepe as no care may breake our sleepe . thus to loue and thus to liue , thus to take and thus to giue , thus to laugh and thus to sing , thus to mount on pleasures wing , thus to sport and thus to speede , thus to flourish , nourish , feede , thus to spend and thus to spare is to bid , a figg for care. finis . an elegie , entituled bound yet free , speaking of the benefit of imprisonment . thou whom we call liues death , captiuity , yet canst contemplate in the darkest cell ▪ of thingst aboue the reach of vanitie , doest in my iudgement libertie excell , in that thou teachest man to mortifie his indisposed passions , and canst well direct him how to mannage his estate , confin'd to th'narrow prospect of thy grate . hee sees the passage of this globe of earth , and makes right vse of what his sight partakes ; some hee observes expresse a kinde of mirth , of which hee this dew application makes ; if they did know the miserie of birth , with deaths approch , they would not hazard stak● of soules eternall glorie for a day of present ioy , which one houre takes away . others he heares , bemoning of the losse of some deare friend , or 't may be not so well , decrease of a fortune , or some other crosse , which to forgoe they deeme a second hell , ( so firmely fixed be their mindes on drosse ) as nought smells well , but what of gaine doth 〈◊〉 these he● condemns , and proues that euery way the captiu'st wretch's in better state then they . others he notes observing of the time . mere fashion-mongers , shadow of the great , and these attendance giue where th' sun doth shine , and like to isis asse admire the b seat , more then the person , 'cause the robes be fine that hang about it : and hee do's entreat their absence ; for these cannot well ( saith he ) by liuing , leaue name to posteritie . others as base and farre more daungerous notes hee as politician machauells , who ' count that c gaine which is commodious , adhering to themselues and to none ells , for these make auncient houses ruinous , and charitie from out the realme expells ; reducing th ' orphanes teare and widdows curse , to th' damn'd elixir of their well-cramm'd purse . others hee notes and they would noted be , for d painting , pur●ling , smoothing , cerusing , show they would be obseru'd for vanitie , starving their soules by bodies cherishing ; and these he laughs at for their fool erie , for while they put the case to garnishing , that shell of frailtie , they 'r indifferent what shall become of th' soule the instrument . others there be which seeme least what they are , pretending truth in falshood , and doe gull the world with shadows ; yet doth he compare the passage of events and finds at full their end 's attended with an endlesse care , and pregnant wit which seem'd so smooth proues dull , when e thousand testates shall produced be , for to disclose his close f hypocrisie . others hee sees and taxeth , for they hold proportion with the world , and being made after a better image , yet are sold to all collusion , making in their trade this vile position ; who 'l be rich when old must cheat being young : but see how they 'r displaid , so oft haue they g deceiu'd , as now they must perforce deceiue themselues by mens distrust . others as prollers of the time hee sees , but scorns to take acquaintance , for their h fate presageth worst of ills , whose best increase proceeds from good mens fall ; yet marke their state as indirectly got , so little peace accrewes in state to any , for the hate of god and man attends them ; and how then should there be peace , wher 's war with god & men ? more hee beholds , and he obserues them too . and numbers their dimensions as they passe the compasse of his prospect to and fro , for this same grate he makes his looking glasse . in which he sees more then the world can show , conferring what is present with what was ; extracting this from times experienc'd schoole , " the captiue's freer then the worlds foole . i for by the first , wee show but what we are , and moralize our selues , in being pent close from the worlds eye , which we compare vnto a k prison ; since th' infranchisement we haue's in l heauen : then howsoere we fare , though bound , yet free in mind , th'imprisonment we suffer cannot so our spirits depresse , that th' freedome of our minds should seeme ought lesse . ought lesse ; nay more : for we approue as true , what the divine morall taught , that one may haue a fuller and more perfect enteruiew of the starres beautie in a hollow caue then on the superfici●s : for the shew of pompe distracts our passions , and doth slaue our m reason to our sence ; whence we may know " the dangers of high states are seene below . below ; and what more low then to be shut from open aire , n strang'd from the sight of men , clos'd in obliuion , linked hand and foote least their escape gaine libertie ? what then , shall this enthrall my soule ! it cannot doe 't ; it does aspire aboue the thoughts of them who shed their o childish teares when they are sent by higher powers to take them to restraint . there is no giddie-headed want-wit there , who makes profuser meetings all his blisse ; for such ( for sooth ) must change their e country ayre because they are sicke , yet know not whence it is : here are no mincing dames who long to goe to rumford , hoggsdon , or to pimlico . lastly , 'mongst many thousands which my pen might here produce , should 't be a f poets fate ( as no one fate more ominous 'mongst men ) to be accus'd for glancing at the state , here they 'r exempt from such as censure them , for worst of g fortune hath exprest her hate to their obscured glory ; so as they may chant high straines , yet none notes what they say . their tunes are tones and accents of delight , which pearce the ayre , when most bereft of ayre , and with soule-cheering beames disperse the night of their consuming cares : for all their care is to erect their thoughts vnto that light which cannot be eclyps'd but still shines faire : where glory 's endlesse , boundlesse in content , h prison a pallace , freed from restraint . if i life indeed were such a iubile , that euery houre , day , yeere did promise vs continuate health , and wealth , and libertie , then had we better reason to excuse the loue we haue to our mortalitie ; but since we see , we cannot will nor chuse but must be reft of these , why should we grieue to leaue as men , what men are forc'd to k leaue ? nor skills it much where we be reft of these , whether in thrall or freedome ; but of th' two i 'de rather loose my fortune where i cease to make resort to any , and must know no more of world or the worlds prease , but am retired from the publique show of this frayle l theatre , and am confin'd in flesh , to taste true libertie of m mind . a mind as free as is the bodie thrall , transcendent in her being , taking wings of morning to ascend , and make that all of hers immortall ; sphering it with kings whose glory is so firme it cannot fall ; where euery saint in their reposure sings triumphant n peans of eternitie to him whose sight giues perfect libertie . then whether my restraint enforce or no , i 'le be my-selfe , but more in my restraint ; because through it i see the end of woe , tasting in griefe the essence of content : that when from this same o dooble ward i goe , this same entangled prison , th' continent of heauenly freedome may receiue my soule which flesh imprison might but not controwle . rest then ( retired muse ) and be thy p owne , though all thy owne forsake thee ; that when friends , fortune , and freedome are but small or none , thy hopes may ayme at more transcendent ends ; so by thy q bodie in straite durance throwne , thy vnconfined soule may make amends ; for that which shee had in her freedome lost , in that most blest wherein shee seem'd most crost . finis . free , yet bound . an epigram vpon marriage , dilating vpon the seruile freedome , or free servitude of such as are married . non sum qui fueram . married ; what meanes that title ? servitude ; who would embrace it then ? hee that desires to loose his freedome , which so soone expires as hee ioynes hand in hand to her hee su'de : which firme affiance oft times most is ru'd , where wanton folly scorch'd with youthfull fires , plants all content on earth in th' marriage-bed , and what delight 's to loose a maiden-head . poore hair brain'd louer , little doest thou thinke how thou art fledg'd in birdlime , and ensnar'd with thousand mazes ; little hast thou car'd what should ensue hereafter , till the brinke of thy transform'd estate did make thee sinke into the verge of care , where thou hast shar'd for an vncaptiu'd minde , a minde in cage , with griefes well suting such a pilgrimage . once might thou sing , and though thou little had , knew well to tune thy pipe vnto thy eare ; but now how strange those strains of mirth appeare , it 's featur'd in thy looke , for it is sad ; and yet we know thee for the selfe-same lad that thou was once when as thou soiorn'd here : and in a happier case then thou wast then , " for lads are farre inferiour vnto men . true , in conceit and growth of yeares they are , if those alone conferr'd to happinesse , but 'las conceite oft adds to wretchednesse where men conceiue th' extremities of care , which change their minds as yeares doe change their haire , and makes them know that earth affords no blesse like to a minde enfranchis'd , whose free life takes contemplation for his wedded wife . a happie wife , whose portion is her-selfe , not garish in her habit , for her minde is to a purer subiect still inclin'd , then admiration of soule-clogging pe●fe ; she steeres her well-rigg'd ship from euery shelfe , and failes with easie tide and happie winde : her ayme is heauenly , and hows'ere on earth , shee merry seeme , it 's but a fained mirth . but what a difference there is 'twixt these , a wife contemplatiue which we doe take , when we for wife our contemplation make , and such a wife as we must seeke to please , studies her owne content , delight , and ease ; whose vanities we must of force partake , and slaue our selues , which is the worst of ill , vnto a boundlesse and a bendlesse will. and hence the pregnantst witts are so deprest as their aspiring greatnesse must decline , and loose their worth by giuing way to time , which , if they were themselues , they would detest ; but as worse fo●tune still pursues the best , so sad events such witts are most divine : where mind made weake by want or discontent is spent with woe which should in worth be spent . and yet , me thinkes , i might obiect 'gainst this , how loue combin'd in one should rather add , and giue a grace vnto the worth we had , then any way obscure so choice a blisse ; for one we know may sooner doe amisse , hauing no firme direction , but is glad to follow his owne motion , then that man " who ha's one to aduise him all shee can . and thanks to heauen , i haue got such an one , who though shee be no profest monitor , shall as shee merits , be my counsellour ; for shee is firme aboue comparison , and loues all musique saue division : nor yet assumes shee to her selfe that power as her instructions were so absolute , that first with reason shee should not dispute . but 'las how many haue not cast thier lot in such a hopefull field , where euery houre their wiues shrude tongue like satans parretour summons their splene to vengeance , which made hot with wrath and furie hath oft-times begot children vniustly fathered ; for the power of women's such , and so it hath beene still , " the husbands badge is in the womans will. and rather then they 'l vnrevenged be , they will incurre the shame of prostitute , least that their husbands should be destitute of some fit crest for want of heraldrie , where both partakers are of infamie , for one with other equally doe sute ; shee to bestow and hee for to receaue that which may make men stumble on his graue . on graue ; no , no , that cannot couer shame ; it 's but the bodies cover , fraylties shrine , which may remaine as monument of tyme , but little adds to th' honour of our name , for some thing els perpetuates our fame then stone or varnish , for they soone decline ; where * vertues , ( odor-like ) perfume the dead , and make them liue when they are buried . what freedome then to marriage , if that rite haue right solemnization ; which t' adorne with seemely state consisteth not in forme onely , but in the minds affected right , where eyther takes from other mutuall light , neither with spite nor spirit ouer-borne , pure from deprau'd affection , which is bred forth of a lust vnto a marriage-bed . where pro●idence makes her to studie wife ere shee attaine that title , and doth sit considering what may that state befit ere shee betake her to a married life , resoluing nere to make domesticke strife , caring for them be got , more then to git ; briefely , to solemnize this nuptiall rite , as being ever in her makers sight . yea , this were freedome , and so blest a state as single life were but a painted blisse to such an essence ; but to instance this is rare on earth , so hard is humane fate which by our wills is growne prevaricate , training vs sooner farre to doe amisse then to walke iustly in the way that 's right , " so weake's our will , so feeble is our might . yet if in one this freedome may be found , each man 's to hope the best , not to despaire , because they 'r sowen in euery place so rare , but rather thus his confidence to ground , though good decrease and ill-ones doe abound , yet there are ill and foule and good and faire ; of which , thy fate is ill , if shee thou choose be so transform'd , as shee be none of those . if worst of these , as foule and ill together , yet of that foule and ill thou may make vse to better thy defects by her abuse ; and for her lothed foulnesse staying with her may thus resolue , that vice nor blemish neither can force thee from her whom thou once didst chuse ; and this 's the benefit thou shalt reape hence , thou shalt ( tho dubb'd ) be crown'd with patience . " wiues let such marrie then as seeme to need 'em , " and in their bondage make a show of freedome . sic perit experiens , experiéndo perit . finis . a dialogve betvveene hobbinoll the ploughman , and nathaniell spruce the gentleman ; vvherein it is proved , how rusticitie hath advantage vpon gentrie in the libertie of liuing . hobb : many good morrows to my land-lords heire ; nath : the like to hobbinoll , but pray thee tell well . what makes my chuff to looke so fat and faire , thy plump-cheekes ( hobb ) mine looke not halfe so well . hobb : not yours ( young-maister ) ! there 's no cause they should , care kills a cat , there 's not a day you liue but you haue cares , i warrant , twentie folde more then we feele : for first , before you wiue you mun go● common with your neerest kin , and if they thinke it fit her portion be , with other things amang well equalling , pe●chance they will ( if they be brib'd ) agree . nath : brib'd hobb ! why can none without bribing haue her hobb : not fitly maister ; some-thing has some savour ▪ and councell well deserues to haue his fee , for it 's their liuing , and they must liue by it ; nath : friends counsell's free ; hobb : nay , whosoere they be this you shall finde probatum , if you 'le trie it , brains are as good demaines where there be braines and certaine too , as any on our down . nath : indeed where friends make of their friends againe . hobb : and pray you say , is that but seldome knowne ? yes , maister , there is one and one i know , for hee is my doore-neighbour , and indeed a very cricket , but of late did grow so very rich , that now for store of breed there is no heardsman like him ; yet his wealth grew to this height by th' benefit hee made of his entirest friends : though , since his health 'gan to decay , hee sorrowes as it 's said , and well he may , for nere did any swaine in such short time so great revenues gaine . nath : sorrow , good hobbinoll , what causeth it ! hobb : why his estate man , indirectly got ; and he may thanke his over-weening wit for all his griefe . nath : i tooke him for a sot , a very goseling , one that could doe nought but prate of sheep-skins , or a breeding ewe ▪ hobb : yea , maister , but if he could profit ought , he would soone make a goseling-bird of you , so quaint he is , for i haue throughly tride him , ●s scarce a man can keepe his owne beside him . nath : it makes me wonder ; but good hobb : proceed , and proue what libertie you haue ' boue vs that are your lands-lords . hob : shall i sr indeed ? nath : yes pray thee hobb ; hob : then i will proue it thus : we may goe wooe ilke weeke a sundrie wench , and none talke on 't ; but when you goe to woo● there 's such a stirre as there is no defence against report , for all must know it too . and than a thousand things are to be done , as iointures , f●offments , ere the match be made , which ( wele i wote ) wee never thinke vpon , but locke and like , and then are bargained . and is it not , i pray you maister say , a shrude vexation to be barr'd our sport , by being cross'd by such a long delay , and kept from that when we came thether for't● nath : why man , our state requires mature advice , and better is that match like to succeede , where rashnesse hath no sway nor getts no prize then such as yours that 's finish'd with such speede . hob : nay , maister , for successe 'mongst such as you , if truth were knowne , we should but finde a few ; but i may safely sweare ere i were crost of her i lou'd , if shee did fancie mee i would loose whatsoere i prized most , and neuer stand vpon 't so curiously : roundly to worke wee goe without ere spech of any feoffments ▪ and we thinke we 're sped of state enough if wee a marriage reach , though foure bare leggs are not enough in bed . nath : no by my faith hob : there is more to doe then name of marriage , which is such a state as th'knot we tie wee never can vndoe , till it be loos'd by th' ordinance of fate . hob : yes maister , such as you knows to dispence with such good haly things , for if there be betwixt the married paire a difference , then streight divorce is sew'd and presently a separation made ; in which respect hob must confesse you haue more freedome far then such as he ; for where we once affect , without remoouing we are ever there . nath : hob you are knavish growne● but let that passe ▪ proceede to show wherein our libertie is lesse then yours . hob : i 'le tell you sr ; tyme was ▪ but that was clep'd a golden time , when we ( as sheepherds vs'd ) might sport vs on the plaine , where phyllis danc'd with coridon the swaine ; each sheepherd culld his deare and colld her too , and in dispite of fate possest that blisse where they had time to chat , to sport , to wooe , where shee did call him hers , and he her his : then ( ô thrice happie then ) nought was more lou'd nor worthier louing then a vertuous life ; where sweete experience onely that approu'd was free from difference and exempt from strife ▪ then were our feelds so free we needed not merestones or buttells , for none durst approch with violent hands to seaze on that we got , or by deceite vpon our bounds incroch . but afterward ( as after-times proue worse ) a greedie kinde of humour did possesse the mindes of sheepherds , altring quite the course which they before held : being conscionlesse , betroth'd to no especiall one , but all in a communitie ; where small distasts made them remoue their loue , and so to sall to lavish their affections on out-casts , stale-mercenaries that their honour prize no more then hacknies that are put to hire ; or l● ke our neighbour eliots , who deuise how to fulfill the height of their desire , how sinfull ere the practise be they make which for their lust they onely vndertake . thus sheepherds grew , but for their low estat● being inferiour to the better sort , their vices were scarce tax'd or pointed at , till by report ( what 's swifter then report ) the sundrie mischiefes done vpon the plaines , as by eye-witnesse daily did appeare , committed by the practise of those swaines , came at the last to great pandoxus eare . hee , as a gracefull guardian , tendring still the state of sheepherds , yet much discontent his whilome honest swaines should grow so ill , sent some choice men to giue them chastisement ; which they receiu'd and kindly entertain'd , admitting them to dwell amongst them too , and so they did , where they not long remain'd till as the swaines did , they began to doe ; so as these goodly tutors grew in time as ill , or worse then ere the sheepherds were ; vice h●gging-hanting minions , who in prime and thus pandoxus argued , nor could he for all his princely vertues ( as who ere possessed more ) waine his nobilitie from th'vicious life wherein they nuzled were . yet what they did ( as well pandoxus said ) was quickly bruted ; but what wee committed the meaner swaines i meane , was silenced : for wee , whose actions our conditions fitted , were neuer noted whatsoere wee did ; yea , what is more , none were more prone to speake of great-mens errors , which were seldome hid , then wee , whose liues did like affections seeke . for euery day we drunke our sheepherds health in wassell cupps , not caring for our heards , how well or ill they far'd , a figg for wealth , wee made our chopps wagg , and our grisled beards , ( our maister-sheepherds ) still discharg'd our score , and would haue done 't , if 't had bin ten times more . nath : why , this was excellent , but pray thee say were you nere chastis'd for 't ? hob : no , never wee ; we plide our merriments from day to day , and past our iollie liues as pleasantly as if wee had beene lords , and they our slaues whom wee in dutie seru'd ; yea , i may sweare i nere receiu'd from thyrsus any braues , but was esteem'd of him and his so deare , that some haue ask'd , seeing him vse me so whether i was his owne , or that he meant on hobbinol some doughter to bestow , and that , i 'me halfe perswad'd was his intent , for wee were halfe agree'd . nath : pray thee tell true ; hob : yes marie maister , it may well appeare that wee were halse agree'd , i 'le say to you , for i was well agreed to marrie her . nath : what hob conceited growne ! but i will yeeld to thy discourse , for i haue oft times found by due experience , that the priuate field , where th' carefull husbandman manures his ground , makes her poore farmer in a better state then the prime lord : for he may merry be , yet shall his actions nere be glanced at , for his low ranke makes him from rumor froe . hob : yea maister , i 'le ensure you , if hee should ( as when the drinke i● in the wit is out ) throw house quite out at windows , yet hee would be little talk'd of : but if you should doe 't your name would soone be rumord , for your place would make men note you . nath : most certaine hobbinol , which should induce men of more generous race choice and select socitie to cull , since th' veriest slaue that makes of time abuse , with vs compar'd , advantage hath of vs. finis . a pastorall eglogue betweene cuddie and rowie . rowie . wele mett is cuddie man of ●ickle la'er , and mare he leues may hee haue ●ver mare , for hee 's a bonnie ging . cuddie . rowie for shame why doest thou ruse me , thou art far to blame ; smaw is my la'er , my knawledge lile worth , when sike an ane as rowie bouteth forth . rowie . ha cuddie , but if anie did but mell and tanke sae barely on thee but the sell , we le siker i'se that thou would pout full soure , and ought or laug there would be capps at h floor . cuddie . thou's far misled ; if i were sike an ane i reede thee rowie , i cudd haue a swaine a buxom hussie , that for tougher and good ther 's nane her fallow , and i her ha woed , and many laikings has shee tane frame , yet whan wee sud be yoak'd it will not be . rowie . why , it 's an aud sain sa , sike men as thou that knaws the maste , knawes lile how to wooe ; for i haue ane a neibour wonning here wha has a sonn that nere this dozen yere has bene at farran scules , and now his dad crankie and worne wad haue this clarkly lad to boun him to a wife , and sooth to say my daughter tibb is shee that hee wad ha . but sike a wooing ( cuddie ) seld was sene , he will not tell my lasse what he doe's mene , but taukes of starres , and clipses of the sun , an on a man stands sta●ing i th the moone , of wether-gaws and many sike as these ; cuddie . but wele i wate these will not tibbie please . rowie . na cuddie na , shee 's but an ingrant thing , an lile recks for aw his coniuring : ya i may sa thus lang hee sought the wance , and i nere saw him busse her mare than ance . cuddie . the mickle lummer's swaimish ; rowie . hee 's indede , but t will be lang ere sike a milk-sopp spede : hee that wull woo and win wha he does wooe , mun faune on her hee makes his suite vnto , ●●ke morne and even hee mun his seruice doe , and be right blith , an shee wull tak it too ; bukes make not lovers wise , for hee that can put himselfe forwardst is the speeding man. cuddie . now is i wele avis'd , and sees how lang i 'ue gan● astray and woo'd my loue a-wrang ▪ for aw the chat i vs'd whan i dud wooe her , was to make knawn my learning ever to her , and aye i thought that was the way to git her , whereas i fu● that there was nane vnfitter , for th's●affish carri● wad not cum nere hand me ; rowie . the cause was this , shee cud not vnderstand thee . cuddie . rowie it 's true , and i may rue the day , that i so fondly learn'd the woers way , but wele i trow'd , but se how ill i sped , wha ere i wooed , i mut as frelie wed . rowie . a faute wele knawn ' mang th'trimmer gang of men wha thinke whare they get an● they may get ten , but we sall find , though they 'r na chip the wiser , these elvish harlottries are oft the nicer . cuddie . alesse for wae , i nere knew anie faire , but trow'd themsels far fairer than they were ; for this 's a true said saw ' mang womanhood , " shee knaws but lile that knaws not to be proud . rowie . ruse women cuddie , if thou meane to spede , for kindlie words wull stand thee in good stede ; they are th' weaker ging , and yet we see they oft-time proue to be as strang as wee . cuddie . in will they are . rowie . then cuddie buckle still sin● they are strangst in wull , to doe their will. the parrotts spring . psittacus vt vocem rapuit prometheus ignem . stolne waters be the sweet'st , may th' parrot say , whose borrowed note and coate his truth bewray : but it 's prodigious for fowls to sing of wood-cocks caught within a parrotts spring . vpon the other banke directly opposite , stood pan the arcadian god in porphyrite , curiously featured : who ●namoured of the beauteous nimph syrinx , had her in eager pursuite : vpon the fringe of the border was this motto engrauen . vt vidi vt perij . pan deus arcadiae correptus amore , syringem insequitur , fugit illa , syrinx hinc fistula dicta est . englished , the sheepheards god with * syrinx beautie ta'ne , had her in chase , whence pipes from syrinx came . if pipes proceeded from restraint of ill , play pipe , mount may-poule , we 'le be frolick still . finis . the second part . ebrivs experiens ; or the drunkards humour . some say i drinke too much to write good lines ; indeed i drinke , more to obserue the times , and for the loue i beare vnto my friend to hold him chat , then any other end : yea , my observance tells mee i haue got more by discoursing sometimes ore a pot , then if i had good-fellowship forsooke , and spent that houre in poring on a booke . and this 's the cause ( we see it now and then ) " the greatest clerkes are not the wisest men : which is confirm'd by times-experienc'd schoole , " the meerest scholler proues the meerest foole . but canst thou loue ? to satisfie his choice , i told him yes , faining a womans voice : for i had so much sense left in my braine , as i resolu'd to trie his cupping vaine ; then vp he counts ( tho wine of wit had reft him ) how many farmes his father now had left him , all which ( quoth he ) must to our heires succeede , which i found true , for all came vp indeede : beside , and happie may that word betide , " for of that all came vp , some fell beside , which , if it had not had a speedie vent , had gon well niet'haue drown'd his beauteous saint . thus lay we long like images of death , whilest the fat lubber prest me vnderneath ; stirre could i not , so motionlesse was i , whilest he did coll and kisse melouingly ; yea , i am perswad'd , if the drawer had not come , as good hap was , into our forlorne roome , by kisses store ( so kinde a heart had he ) he had gone nere in time to stifle mee , for breathlesse i could neither speake nor moue me , so heauie was the block that lay aboue me . at last releas'd , and both vpon our feete , to quench the passion of our loue-sicke heate , on tearmes of friendship , now to make an end , i was coniured by my kissing friend to pledge him but one health , and then depart , which if i did is ' de ever haue his hart , i gaue assent ; the health , fiue sences were , ( though scarce ●ne sence did 'twixt vs both appeare ) which as he drunk i pledg'd ; both pledg'd & drunk , seeing him now full-charg'd , behinde i shrunke , whilest hee his meaning copiously displaide , and in the chimney all his senses laide . nay , then good-night ( quoth i ) i will not stay with him that casts his senses so away , for this in me experience begitts , " he cannot loue his friend that loaths his witts . yet as a friend i caus'd him to be led , in a magestick sort vnto his bed , for hauing left his senses there behinde him , i plac't him there , that they next morne might finde him . " thus much for humours which so diuerse be , " as in each subiect there 's varietie , " all which obseru'd with apprehensiue eyes , " may add vnto the knowledge of the wise ; for weake's his iudgement or deprau'd's his will , " cannot extract good from apparent ill . finis . the old-mans hearse ; or the yong-mans iubile . ioy appeares in midst of teares . hears't thou not vitulino , who is dead ! thy father man ; nay , hang not downe thy head like to a bull-rush : there 's no cause at all that thou so childishly shuld mone his fal whose fall's thy rising ; for he wish'd to die . yea , and to put his soule in ieopardie , with his iniurious course to make thee rich , or thy wrong father'd imps he car'd not which : but what is that to thee , thou need'st not care , how his sin-pricked-pressed soule doth fare ; the prouerbe is , how ere th' effect seeme euill , " happie 's that sonne , whose father goes to th' deuill . yet shed some fained teares ; but i doe feare , th' art not so tender-harted , therefore heare what thou shalt doe ; put on a vergis-looke , and tye an onion in thy napkins nooke , which will enforce thee weepe , ( right sure i am ) and make thee seeme a tender-harted man ? but many things it's fitting thou should haue , to bring him honestly vnto his graue ; as first , though he was first that ere exprest , his gentrie by his coate or by his crest , thou must prouide some herald that may draw his late-vnknowne descent , and by the law of armes may gentilize the pesant so , as you for gentlemen may after goe . which , that each thing may be in order done , let th' herald ranke the mourners one by one , where some poore snakes that cottage on thy land may carry each a scutchion in their hand , and seeme to mourne , tho they were much to blame to mourne his death that sought to beggar them . but some diuine thou must haue to commend his zealous life , and his religious end ; which taske , as it thy bountie doth require , " for th' labourer is worthie of his hyre , clapp me a brace of angells in his fist , and that will make him say , thy father 's blist , though his corrupted conscience say no , for what is it good angells will not doe ? o how he 'le make the church ring with his prayse , entitling him , the mirrour of his dayes , a patron of pure iustice , one , whose doore was thronged still with crowding of the poore , ( without least crum of comfort ) being knowne , to be the almes-basket of the towne . and then he ' le faine a teare , and wish to see the happie end of many such as hee ; and he ha's cause to wish it , for their death might guild in time his mercenarie breath . then he ' le descend to mans mortalitie , which he ' le dilate on as historically ; " where 's good aeneas , tellus , ancus he " that was so rich ? as other mortalls be , " consum'd to dust , so as that supreme blesse " they plac'd in wealth , 's reduc'd to rottennesse . and will not this doe brauely ? when a swine that nere did one good deed in all his time , but grunting in his stye , or in his stall , nere fed * staru'd soule but at his funerall , must be canoniz'd saint ! thrice blessed gold , that art so soueraigne to eternize mould , and make corruption glorious , whose esteeme can make our foulest vices vertues seeme ! where an incarnate diuell that did shon the sight of god is made an angell on , transpos'd from earth to heauen ; yet ten to seuen in all his life he scarce once thought on heauen . now when he ha's thy fathers vertues show'd , wilt thou not thinke thy angells well bestow'd ? yes vitulino , and will make this vse of his depraued doctrine : timès abuse drawne from oppression , iniurie , and wrong , may purchase praises from a hyrelings tongue , sooner then best deseruings ; which may be a motiue to thy owne securitie , obseruing how opinion oft-times giues " best name to him that most securely liues . this done , & now the s●ope-sleu'd mourning gown● is from his sable pulpit comming downe , and thy worme-breeding father 's to be laide in his last home , there must a tombe be made of porphyrite marble , or the thracian stone , to memorise his worship being gone ; whereon t'engraue some verse , were not amisse , t' expresse his worth , as such an one as this . " demas dide rich they say , but 't is not so , " for he dide poore , and was indebted too ; " how should that be ? obserue me & i 'le tell yee " he dide indebted both to backe and bellie , " for all he scrap'd from his atturneyes fees , " seru'd but starue his maw with bread and cheese : " so as 'mongst those we rightly may him call . " whose life spent lesse then did his funerall . " for all his life his house scarce eate one beast , " yet dead , his son makes vp the churles feast . this monument when thou erected hast , and on the front a plate of brasse hast plas't , with this inscription , or one of like sort , ( but epitaphs indeed should be more short ) let this same tombe where thou thy father lay be th'place of payment on each festiuall day ; for 't would delight the old chrone but to heare his sonne and heire to make his checker there : besides chinke's a misers heauen on earth , and therefore now when he is in the dearth of comfort , it were good t' allay his paine with sight of that would raise him vp againe . but now to thee , who like stericyd●s canst draw sun , moone , and starres what way thou please with thy guilt iacobs staffe , me thinkes i see , by calculating thy natiuitie in thee ( yet i 'me no wizard ) midas fat● " that staru'd himselfe to better his estate . yet thou'lt descend to th' lapp of danae , mall , besse , coy kate , or bashfull barbarie , in showers of gold , and then will wish and wooe , but still with gold , for else thou know'st not how ; and promise all content , as curious fare , gorgeous attyre , and pleasures ' boue compare , destilled ambers , pearled broaths , and th' fruit which wretched adam tasted ; for no doubt " women doe loue that fruit which is denide them " more then all profferd fruit that grows beside them . but what 's this vitulino ? doest not know , a wanton wench will not be pleased so ? a toothlesse hagg perchance , whose onely blisse consists in hoording , will like well of this , and will adore thy golden-calfe , for shee in other ioyes ha's no felicitie ▪ but such , whose prime of yeares , and pride of youth , grac'd with a smile as blith , a skin as smooth , charm'd with loue-whispring tales , loue-piercing eyes , rapt with delight of dreaming fantasies , wedded to loue , not wealth , content , not gold , being so free as riches cannot hold , nor power restraine , scorne with their heeles to haue their vncontroul'd affections made a slaue to dunge or drosse , where loue is oft-times crost , the most in that where it possesseth most . and yet how soueraigne is't to see a chest ramm'd with whole heapes of gold ; o shee is blest that may possesse so glorious a saint ! indeede shee were if there were no content but in possessing ; but alas we finde there is another secret in the minde , that passeth earth , such difference doe we feele , 'twixt plutoes court , and platoes common-weale . yet boast thou may , that thou art one of those that hast to guild thy friends , to gall thy foes ; for who will not attend thee and bestow their best observance on thy t●encher too , and cappe and knee this isis asse of wealth , ●and cry , - the lord preserue your worships health ? but if thou'de looke into the inner man , and th' treasure he enioyes , i doubt me than , thou wouldst complaine , and thy estate deplore , to see thy soile so rich , thy soule so poore , indeed i must confesse th' hast wealth at will , store of possessions , and increasest still thy large-inhanced rents ; but ( pray thee ) can these ( of themselues ) make thee a happie man ▪ no vitulino , for when time shall come , thy pompe must be reduced to a tombe , a shrowding sheete , a silly clott of clay , and all those summer-gnats are flowne away , ( thy fained friends i meane ) wealth cannot bayle thee from those tormenting pangs that shall assayle thee . where 's then thy * gold , those lands lay here and there , perchance possessed by another heire then he for whom thou aym'd them ; yea 't may be that he thou hated most ( as oft we see ) claimes to be thy successour ! and can this that adds grace to our foes , include our blisse ▪ it cannot ; therefore heare me ere i leaue thee , my lines shall say , i loue thee , though i grieue thee . take an * example by that faithlesse iew , whose soule i feare ( and ô i doubt too true is my religious feare ) who had the name of an oppressor : though from him thou came , trace not his stepps ; let charitable deedes be those renewing and reviving seedes which blossome in thy soule ; remember hence " no griefe like to a wounded conscience . make not the widdow weepe , the orphane cry , sith euery teare that falleth from her eye , is botteld by the lord ; relieue the poore out of the great aboundance of thy store ; make * restitution with good zebedee of what thy father got iniuriously ; " so fame acknowledging her selfe thy debter , " shall say , ●●nce prou'd the sonne the fathers better . finis . the eye . cleare is my eye and yet my eye is dim , because the obiect of my sight is sin . menippus and mercator . menip . helpe ( reuerend chremes ) helpe what shall i doe ? mine eyes , mine eyes . mer. how now , what 's matter now ? menip . oh chremes helpe me with your spectacles , i haue such paine and dimnesse in mine eyes . mer. dimnesse my sonne , some cloud , some pannickle , some cataract , perhapps it 's but some pearle . puluis benedictus , the collirium i cleped ierosollimitanum were excellent ; christi's sure . menip . true , but my sicknesse ha's indeed no cure . mer. why thine eyes well . menip . no , there 's before mine eye a webb , a mist , so rancke , i cannot spie a thiefe , that takes my purse before my face ; a letcher may from 's friend get speciall grace , a winke , a nodd , a foote , a wringe , a kisse , sent by some childe , yet i see none of this . the price of pepper , cloues and mace this yeare and what 's like either to be cheape or deare , in each place of the habitable world , such wondrous helpe these spectacles afford . thou seest what store of sables there shall come from rhezan , spotted armines from the donn . thou seest when warres betwixt the turke shall rise and sophie , then , then brasse wil beare good prize . thou seest the sugar canes in chyna too , silke ranke as grasse , which makes thee hunt out so the north-west passage to preser●e the men that thither may returne , but two of ten from this lov'd golgatha . a hundred weight of sugar six pence ! why , who would not freight with all the elements to get to iapon , a march-pane three times cheaper then a capon . oh happy eyes , which certainly will soone discouer next new nations in the moone , and what commoditie , what quintessence of newer traffique may be had from thenc● . mer. what dost thou mocke me now ? thou meagre spy ▪ got by consent of some anatomy , i le teach ye ieast at a magnifico . exit . menip . what are ye gone ? stay , let my blessing goe along with thee ; may , may thy gracelesse sonne , of all that thou dishonestly hast wonne , not leaue a groat : let him make duckes and drakes too of thy money , that their flight may take into the coffers of safe-keeping thames , then let him lauish out all that remaines to lull his sences in a lethargy of pleasure curelesse , vntill beggary , nip him by th'sleeue and make him try a friend in vaine for six-pence ; ( for , but few will lend great summes to desperate debtors ) : last of all , let him die leprous in an hospitall . i. h. finis . ¶ vpon fortune . fortune , who calls thee blinde is not to blame , for so much is imported by thy name ; worth thou respects not : he that doth inherit thy blinde estate is one of least demerit ; who knowes not worth , but 's wont to derogate from style of man , to better his estate . fondling that fawnes on greatnesse , i detest to be by thee or thy vaine fauours blest ; for if i should , who liue in wisedomes schoole , would gather hence i were some brain-sicke foole that had no meanes ( for so they would report me ) but iust as purblinde fortune did support me . and what were i then but a garish asse , that casts a perfume where he 's wont to passe ; protesting ( vaine protests ) he ha's betraide , a ladies honour by her chambermaide ; sweares by his silken sinnes , he can dispence with faith , friend , promise , soule , and conscience ; to make his way more cleare , more eminent , vnto his courtly puppet , his faire saint ; whose onely glory is to vaunt of sinne , " and as he boasts of her , shee feedes on him ! o world , how vaine is he that doth r●ly vpon thy fained , forged flattery ; when best deserts ( so thin is merit sowen ) are to degrees of worst opinion growne ? when time affords no ioy but vnto such , as are esteem'd for hauing ouermuch ; and younger brothers , onely heires of wit for want of meanes , are forc'd to silence it ! " farewell imperious mole , i doe defie thee , " since none but wittalls can be fauour'd by thee . finis . ¶ vpon mya . if mya liue , as shee is said to liue , why doth she dye ? nay , that 's her least of care , if you meane death ; no , i doe meane her haire , farre from that dye which nature did it giue ; for 't was of iettie hew , which if you note is colour'd now as white as any goate . wonder of ages ; be there any such , as in contempt of nature garnish art ? sure such a changelings haire must haue a heart as changing ! true , but this doth little touch your lustfull sensuall dame , whose onely ayme , is to gaine pleasure with the losse of shame . thou purple-purfled●powdred idoll thou , whose beautie is lusts bootie , and whose skin is honours staine , whose soule is sold to sin , expos'd to shame ; thou that erects a stew to brothell in : why wilt thou be aray'd so strumpet-like , yet would be styl'd a maid ? thou that doest woe man with a wandring eye , bare-bathed brest , which to enforce delight , is no true natiue but adulterate white , that daily dyes , yet hopes thou nere shall die ; summe vp thy follies , and try all alone if thou canst answer of a thousand one . but what is this to thee , whose impudence ( so dangerous are habits ) makes thee now , secure of worlds shame and vengeance too ; for letharg-like the sensuall loose all sence , drench'd in the source of pleasures , wch't doth grieue them , ere to forgoe till they be forc'd to leaue them . and so art thou ; yet mya thou hast time , which vs'd , redeemes the time that thou hast lost , reform'd in that wherein thou erred most . which will reuiue that drooping soule of thine : who in her selfe deiected seemes to be , because thy body's more esteem'd then she . finis . ❧ the signe in cancer . acrabbed shrow through sicknes weakly brought , wish't by all meanes a doctor might be sought , who by his art that hee her griefe might know , felt both her pulse , and cast her water too ; which done , he to her husband turn'd againe , and wish'd him be content , all was in vaine : for when the signe 's in cancer shee should die ; to whom her husband answer'd presently ; " if that my learned doctor had beene so , she had beene dead beleeue it long agoe : for these ten yeares and odd she ha's beene mine , and i ne're knew yet out of that signe . finis . hymens eglogue betwixt admetus and menalchas . menal. what makes admetus sad , what ere it be , some cause there is that thus hath alter'd thee ; is it the losse of substance or of friends , or thy content in discontentment ends : is it some scruple in thy conscience , which vnresolu'd doth leaue thee in suspence ; is it that thou thy long●wish'd loue should leese ? admet . no no , menalchas it is none of these . menal. thou art not sicke ; admet . nor sicke , nor greatly well . menal. where lies thy griefe ? admet . my countenance will tell ; menal. smooth is thy brow , thy count'nanc'e fresh enough : admet . but cares haue made my wreakefull minde as rough ; menal. of cares admetus ! admet . yes i haue my share : menal. yet hope of cure ; admet . no hope of cure to care . menal. nay then i se 't is loue that thee doth wring : admet . thou errs menalchas , it is no such thing . menal. if therefore losse of friends , nor losse of wealth , want to enioy thy loue , nor want of health , if neither discontent nor griefe doe show care in thy face , nor sorrow in thy brow , if thou be free , as we all know thee free , engag'd to none , what is it grieueth thee ? admet . wouldst know menalchas ? menal. yes ; admet . i 'le tell thee than ; " the case is alter'd , i 'me a married man. finis . ❧ hymens choyce . faire may shee be , but not opinion'd so , for that opinion euer lackies pride ; louing to all , yet so , as man may know , shee can reserue the proper name of bride : for weak's that fort , and easie is 't to win , that makes a breach for all to enter in . i 'de haue her face and blush to be her owne , for th'blush which art makes is adulterate , splene may she haue , yet wise to keepe it downe , passion , yet reason too to moderate : comely not gaudy , she and none but she weares the best clothes , that weares to her degree . finis . ❧ loues description . loue , what 's thy name ? a phrensie ; whenc'e thy birth ? from heauen ; how comes it then thou liues on earth ? i liue not there ; yet each vsurps thy name : it 's true indeede , but hence redounds their shame ! i liue not there , my nature's pure and iust , but lust liues there , and loue 's a foe to lust . finis . an hymne thalassicall , or nvptiall ; implying two worths included in one name , paradoxally intimating the true happie state of contented love . what i haue , that i craue , frank i lost , yet frank i haue ; happie am i in possessing of her that giues loue a blessing : blessed loue ' boue earthly ranke , stated in my style of franke , happie style that thinkes no shame in respect of nature , name , forme , affection , and in all to be franke , as we her call . yet so franke , that though shee be free , it 's in such modestie , as no creatures are , haue bin , can , or may taxe her of sin . pure in loue , sincere in heart , faire by nature , not by art , crimson blushes which display ▪ reddest euen makes cleerest day ; cleerest , where like ida's snow lillies on her cheekes doe grow ; yet so mixt with true delight , as the red contends with white ; yet ore'comm'd with modesty , red ore white gets victory . thus two franks in beauty one , yeelds enough to dote vpon ; equall both in fauour , feature , honour , order , name and nature ; both inclining to one stature , equall'd by no earthly creature . for if i should paint them out , from the head vnto the foot , i should make you then confesse they were earthly goddesses : and that nature made these two , as those mirrors which might show her perfection and her store , challenging , who could giue more ! thus both equall in one letter , one to either , neither better ; twin-like seeme as time had fixt them , as two spheres not one betwixt them ; yet if needs one th' best doe craue , in my thoughts it 's she i haue : she , whose vertues doe excell as they seeme imparalell ; modest , yet not too precise , wise , yet not conceited wise ; still in action , yet her will is so pure it ne're acts ill ; virgin-modest , yet delights to discourse of hymens rights ; yet she blushes when she heares , ought that 's light sound in her eares ; and with skarlet-die displaies , what to women yeelds most praise : for praise-worthy 't is in women , to blush at that act is common ; since in speech those actions show ill , which modest are to doe ; for a maid should be afraid , hearing th' losse of maiden-head . with this poem , and a pearle sent to frank my faithfull girle ; i conclude with friendly vow , to my frank her neigbour too . finis . an elegiack sonnet . if i onely had beene hee , that had stood so farre aloofe , or had beene such armour proofe , dide i had not as you see shot by womans iealousie . wretched woman why should thou dote so much on idoll-beautie , deeming onely fit to sute thee , when it is not one nor two , nor a thousand more will doe ? yet loue loues not these exchanges , loue is constant , firme , and pure , drawne by no eye-charming lure ; it is lust that onely ra●nges , where new loue old loue estraunges . what is life then but a farme , and the best a farmer is of this life he counts a blisse , where true loue sustaines no harme , ne●e engag't to fancies charme ! finis . the vviddovv bride . to the accomplish'd ladie of his thoughts m. e. t. exquisite receite of all divine vertues ; the complete issue of her selectedst desires . feeding i famish , fired by thy eye , which makes me dying liue , and liuing die . faire shall i name thee , to expresse thy worth ! nay , thou hast something else to se● thee forth , then thy externall beautie , which no time shall ere deface , and that is truely thine . though outward white grac'd with an inward faire , vnite in one , exceedeth all compare . for what may glorious saints , whose divine feature immortaliz'd aboue an humane creature , appropriate vnto themselues saue this , though they 'r invested with the roabe of blisse ! pure is their stole , the state of innocence , full be their lamps of divine influence , complete's their armour , and their order too , " thus they attend the lambe where ere he goe . and thou terrestriall angell , who canst giue , ( though young ) example to the old to liue , divines what thou shalt be : for i doe see , all sacred gr●ces treasured in thee ; as in some curious artfull cabbinet , where patience shines as a rich iewellet set in a precious tablet , which may best allusion haue to thy vnspotted brest , where vertues haue their mansion : should i speake more freely of thy merits ? i will seeke no moderne modell to conforme the state of my affections , or will imitate any with affectation , but that grace which thou reserues in action , speech , and pace . honour of ages , what a sympathie of soule-enthroning vertues workes in thee , to make thee more affected● where desire of moderation tempers th' heat of ire ; content all selfe-repining , and delight to see another prosper , that base spite which worldly moles expresse from day to day , in seeing others flourish more then they . no , thou art earthly sainted , and canst taste what fruit's in mundane pleasure being past , when this same circle of our humane blesse qui●e run about , shall end with wretchednesse and is not this aboue th'conceit of man , that thou the weaker sex shouldst seeme to span , this abstract of thy life with such respect vnto thy soule form'd by that architect , whose glory is thy ayme ? nay , that thy prime scarcely arriu'd at th' freshnesse of her time , should so disvalue earth , as to bestow thy heart on heauen , thy frayler part below . where life like to a shade , whose vading glorie summs vp our discontents as in a storie , gets disesteeme with thee , fixing thine eye vpon a more transcendent emp●rie . but that which shall extend thy dayes more long then time can limit , is thy suffring wrong , smiling at iniuries , as if thy brest were of that temper , griefes could not molest , nor soile her glorious mansion , but appeares more eminent by th' iniuries shee beares . i 'ue heard indeed , some womans nature 's such as they can hardly ever beare too much ; the sense whereof , hows'ere our criticks take it , may be confirm'd in thee ; for thou doest make it the trophie of thy triumph , and the crowne of all thy conquest , to be onely knowne thy selfe in thy affliction , where reliefe " in soules sole solace giues receipt to griefe . " for palms pressd downe doe ever rise the more , " and spices bruis'd smell sweeter then before . so as this sentence verifide may bee , thou tyres affliction , not affliction thee . mirrour of women , what a triumph 's this , when there is nought how great soere it is that can depresse thy minde below the sphere where it is fixed ! for 't is this i sweare , and onely this , which moues me to affect thy selfe far more then any light respect , drawne from the tincture of a moving faire , which to minds beautie 's short aboue compare . for i haue knowne the smoothest sleekest skin , soild with the blemish of so foule a sinne as beautie lost her lustre by that staine , which once made blacke could nere be white againe . but thou in both complete , art such an one as without assentation there is none may glory more of what shee doth possesse , though on my knowledge none doth glory lesse . and happie hee if hee had knowne his happ , who might repose in such a ladies lapp , secure from censure : but how weake is sence when reason's darkned through concupiscence ! alasse of error ; that our humane eye , expos'd to lust and boundlesse libertie , should derogate from man : where if wee knew how woman's to expect from man her dew ▪ as man from woman ; we should streight infer " to thinke of a strange beautie , is to err . he who did till those flowrie fields , which lay like adons groue nere to the mllkie way , if he had knowne what happinesse it is in mutuall loue t' enioy a mutuall blisse , where two diuiduate soules doe selfely moue by one vnited sympathie in loue ; hee would haue thus concluded sure i am , " who dotes on more then 's owne is lesse then man. but now to thee my lines their loue extend , making thy selfe their centre where they end . " thou mildest mould of matron modestie , " liue as thou liu'st and gaine eternitie ; patience shall giue thee convoy , fame renowne , both which contend to reach thee triumphs crowne . finis . to his mvch esteemed friend sr g. d. knight ; the accomplish'd issue of his best wishes . if promise be , as it is said to be a debt , you may expect the like of me ; which tho it be not pai'd , it shall be don and then your quittance for my corydon . receiue him sr. for trust mee hee 's your owne , and one that will be knowne where you are known ; whom if you cherish ( as i hope you will ) from yeare to yeare hee 'le better 's running still , and grow in time to be a dogge of prize , and scorne to spend his mouth in common cries ; for time will come ( as i perswaded am ) when hee 'le be heard and hallow'd too of pan. yours assured , r. b. corydon , or the western-huntsman . the game 's a-foot : see how the huntsmen run , each capps his hound , but chiefely corydon ; still goes the voice on him , nor doth it rest , till it disperse it selfe from east to west : to it western-huntsman to it , prize is thine , great pan doth know it , who vouchsaf'd to lend his eye , and his eare vnto the cry. blaze not the fame-spred chace of marathon , of hillie oeta , heathie calidon , for th' chearefull coasts of peacefull albyon , may show new-market , roiston , mar●bon ; and boast as much vpon their game as any one could doe of them , and amongst their doggs not one could match matchlesse corydon . cease poets cease , so much to dote vpon the straines of linus , orpheus , amphyon ; what could they doe our huntsmen cannot doe , moue rocks , tame tygres , make woods harken too ▪ this they can doe , and more if need make our heards surcease to feed , hills to answer to the plaine woods to ecco them againe . nay , what is more , succeeding times may sing , that these delights were followed by a king , and such a king whose knowledge did descry that he was nurst by winged mercury : great must this pleasure needes be then , that is esteemed by such men , whose opinion ought to stand for a maxime in the land. and if we should make choyce of any sense to giue content , none hath like excellence vnto the eare , for it instructs vs how what 's fit know , to heare , to speake , to doe : and yet we haue both eye and eare as equally confined there ; as if nature these did cull for to make our sport more full . and for their habit , as it seemes to me , they weare their mothers earths owne liuery , most comely and least gaudy ; as before our fig-leau'd parents in the garden wore . thus may we see , if we will see , there 's none ha's like antiquitie , when the first , as forc'd with shame weau'd them greene , and wore the same . to proue of what esteeme these woodmen were it 's said that ioue became a forrester , and thought no colour could more mouing be , to gaine the loue of flame-scorch'd semele ; then in a youthfull greene araid to sue for loue vnto the maid , though ( fond girle ) this would not doe till he came in glory too . the delian votresse with her nimph-like traine follow their hounds till that the game be slaine , where speckled ibis , mennal'd dorcas lead , and bloody rugg with rhesus coupled ; make hot pursuit and hold the chace treble , meane , countertenure , base , different size and different note some cold-sented others hote . thus eye , eare , habit , colour , and esteeme makes this delight , as it hath euer beene princely , where pan himselfe daigns to descend to cheere his care , and for no other end . happy you siluanes that abide , where such true royall huntsmen ride , who awhile doe leaue the court in the lawns to haue some sport . make the whole subiect of their discourse , invection , or which is worse , personall aspersion . but such , whose inbred loue to goodnesse , hath implanted in them such affection to good men , and such zealous hate to the vicious : that if they were removed from the all-seeing eye of heauen , and the suspicious search of earth ; yet they would expresse their loue to goodnesse , in the lowest vault of darknesse . for these i am , and may i ever be their corriuals : for aspiring to be great in the court of vertue , is a glorious ambition . now for such , whose conceits grounded on errour , iudge whatsoever wee write to haue no other ayme then popular : i 'de haue them know , i 'me none of these that seeme to build their hopes on other mens esteeme . as my obiect is good in generall , so my subiect is free and generous ; far from such mercenarie factors , or hireling brokers , who set at sale the stale commoditie of their labours : for these must taste of vulgar froth , or they are not vendible ▪ yet they will professe ( how odious soere be their profession ) that they haue drunk deepe of the iuyce of helicon , and by vnvtterable raptures can extract the life and elixir of poesie . such as these ( for these were they who formerly blemished the glory of so divine an art ) caused one of the fathers in great indignation to terme poetrie the diuells-wine ; venting whatsoever the loue of gaine , or their distempred brains had invented . excellently might those punishments be moralized , which were inflicted on stesichorus inveying against helen , on aristophanes against cleon , eupolus against alcibiades , calisthenes against alexander : where the satyre pronounc'd on himselfe a censure ; but i will addresse my pen to such , whose meriting labours haue gain'd them deserved esteeme . and aristippus-like ) haue ever grounded their subiect on vertue ; preferring the minds lustre , before the bodies cover . neither affection nor affectation had power to remoue these from their anchor : for as passions were the billows they bickred with , and did encounter ; so vertue was their land-marke , where , after long sayle , they expected harbour . here shows homer himselfe an heroick sophocles ; and there sophocles a tragicke homer : where the wide world was their theater , vice their subiect of reproofe , vertue their trophie of renowme . these deserued memorialls aboue the date of time ; monuments more lasting then age. mettalls are of short perpetuitie ; these , because eterniz'd by vertue , succeede to eternitie . my wish is , that my oyle may be so employed , that you ( gentlemen ) whose judgements are vnblemished , conceits refined , and from vulgar opinion far divided ; may in pervsall of my workes rest pleased . times broad-spred curtaine i haue drawn in part , next draught shall shadow it with farre more art . meane time , receiue this , which promiseth a greater , when opportunitie shall afford more leisure . finis . ¶ vpon censure . well , ill , or neither , but indifferent , how ere your censure be i am content ; for hee 's a fauning foole , the worlds minion , that onely writes to gaine himselfe opinion . sacra poaesis musica mentis . finis . errata'es are growne so familiar with bookes , as they become their appendices ; correct onely such as corrupt the sense ▪ for literall errors , they march in such ranks and squadrons , as they seeme incorrigible . errata . in charact. of griefe , page ▪ for skin , sin . for banish , vanish ▪ ibid in riches , page . for adoring , adorning : for but , nor ▪ ibid in fate , page vlt. for pagan , pangan . ●lacentia , pag. vlt. for he , we ▪ masque embleme , pag. . lin . . for bridall-chamber , bride-chamber . encomiastick . pag. . for astrea , astrena ▪ bound , yet free , pag. . in marg . for , in titulis , in vtilis . vpon his name , to whom his encomiastick vpon the common law was dedicated . astreas name and yours doe both agree , and both i hit , yet both mistaken bee . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 epha kai hmepai . * laert : in vit , philos. * one whom i admire , being no lesse happie for his natiue inuention , then exquisite for his proper and clegant dimension . notes for div a -e * nisi cor tuum esset fatuum , non crederes fatum : aug. notes for div a -e * ayming onely at such , whose sense consists in sent with reseruation of his best thoughts to the noble affected courtier : notes for div a -e aninstance produced by way of personall allusion . notes for div a -e * this pae negyrick poem was wri during the life of our late queene : whose princely vertues ( like precious odours ) will euer preserue her sacred memory . notes for div a -e cant. . . ● . psal. . ● . isa. . . ioh. . . notes for div a -e a aduersis et pro●eris boni ad perfectionem virtu●is acced●●● . aug. b hi stupen● in utilis & imaginibus . annulo magis quam animo credentes . c alexander severus would haue smoak'd such sellers of smoake-xerxes would haue pu●led their skin over their eares . d quid facit infacie christianae purpurissus &c. hierom : ad furiam de viduit : servand ; tom. ●ampla sati● forma pudicitia . proper ▪ e fugiet ab agro ad ciuitatem , a publico ad domū , a domo in cubiculum &c. aug. in e●ar : sup. . psalm . f nil interest habere ostiū apertū , vultume clausū . cic. g the bread of deceit is sweete to a man , but his mouth shall be filled with grauell pro. . . h regitur fatis mortale genus . sen● . on trag. i vbi pars diuina in homine mersa est . k omnis vita seruitium est . sene : de tranq : anim . l inquilins in terris , in col● in coelis . m ancillan● dominari & dominā ancillari magna abusio est . bern. let senes become subiect to the soueraig●tie of reason . n ae si hismanae so 〈◊〉 tati penitas alicnus esset . o afranius hearing his effeminate sonne cry out , alas , me wretched ; replied as severely : if one part grieue thee , would to god all parts did smart alike . . ●useul● e solum coe ●umque mutant , more● tamen eosde retinent vid. senec. de tranq et lips. de constan . hoc fuco prodire licet , lucemque tueri quae mihi vitae frui , quae caeruisse mori . f tune poaetae dignum nomen habes ? habeas cognomen et i●i . g hinc leges ( inquit so ●ou ) aranearum tel●s si milimas esse ; ● quibus parum difficile est , potentio●ibus elabi : ●●nuoribus ●utem mustis exceder● , nagis ar●●uum . la. ●rt . in vit . solon . h sitanta delect abilia contintat car●er , qua●ta , qu●so , continere poterit patria ? aug. soliloq cap. . i hoc nobis adsert longius vitae spatium , quod plura mala partim videmus , partim sustinemus , partim perpetramus . nazien . in funeb : orat. pro caesarto . k non mag num est sua sed se relinquere . l vniversus mundus es ercet his 〈◊〉 nem . in quo mimum vitae agimus . m animi in perio , corpo ris seruit● magis vtimur . salus seruitute corporis , o● tim● libert● t● mentis fruimur . n quae 〈◊〉 tica ? quae organa ? qu● cantilenae ? quae ●elodi ▪ tbi sine fine decamātur &c. aug. in m● nu : cap. vi . o in causa , in qua deo pla cere cupio , homines non sormido . greg in indict : . ep ▪ . p caelum so●que mu● , teipsum nmutans : et : de cons : ●ilosop . q the body ●ll chasti●d , the soule ●comes ●eared ; ●aking af●ction her tercise to ●y her con●ancy , her ●trance to ●r natiue countrey , ●er assurace ●a the state of glory . * solae est atque vnic● virtus ; neque datur dono , neque accipitur ▪ salust . * inter 〈◊〉 irgines quae d●s petuntiús solitabantur , aphnidem , assandram ● syringemrum votis nicè obsti●sse tradi●● est . notes for div a -e t●ssoes apollogie transcribe wherein a drunkard humour 〈◊〉 to life described . * mi●●m pe●it lazarus & 〈◊〉 non datur , guttam diues postulat & non ●uditur . vpon the late deceased pinch-gut demas . * aurum e●si volueris , forte non h●bebis : deu● cum vólueris , habebis . aug. * sit filiu● ipse p●renti in patris ex●●iplum . * non remittitur peccatum , donec restituitur ablatum . this is ●poken as 〈◊〉 i● going ●way in a ●hafe : ●xpressing ●he testie nature of age. ●mprecatio . it is heere to be vnderstood , the reason why the satyrist directs his imprecatiō not to himselfe , but to his sonne ; ●t is because nothing can be sayd to an old man , that will so soone moue hi● patience concerning himselfe , being vpon the point of going hence ; as the malediction of his sonne , in vvhom are laid vp all his hopes , and resemblance of a new life in his posterity : in whom he may be sayd to liue after death , as he deriued from him naturally , breath . notes for div a -e astrea davinporta . anagram . veni , porta ad astra . a new spring shadovved in sundry pithie poems. musophilus brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a new spring shadovved in sundry pithie poems. musophilus brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. printed by g. eld, for thomas baylie, and are to be sold at his shop, in the middle-row in holborne, neere staple-inne, london : . musophilus = richard brathwait. in verse. signatures: a-e⁴. the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in harvard university. library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a new spring shadovved in sundry pithie poems . mvsophilvs . quid nescis , si teipsum noscas ? london , printed by g. eld , for thomas baylie , and are to be sold at his shop , in the middle-row in holborne , neere staple-inne . . to my worthy and iudicious friend , sir francis ducket knight ; his best wishes . so many kinde respects haue i had showne from you and yours , that if you were mine owne as you are mine ; for what can be more neere , then loue and blood contracted in one spheere ? i could not prize loue at a higher rate , nor to my selfe more kindnesse vendicate : in lieu whereof , ( but ' lasse th' requitall's small ) i tender you this spring , and this is all : wherein , if ought tune fitly with the time , i 'ue stil'd it yours , it shall no more be mine . yours in all respectiue loue mvsophilvs . in militem scientem distichon . non titulo militis , militis sed nomine tanti gaudeo , nam milites curo quid intus habent . cor non corticem . vpon the new spring . a new spring 's found which cureth most diseases ; it cleeres the eye-sight , and the bladder eases , it cooles the stomacke , and it cheeres the heart , and giues free passage to th' digestiue part , it recombines the sinnewes too , some say , and makes the cripple throw his crutch away . so as there 's none that iustly can complaine them , since both a * knight and 's spring doe entertaine them . hee , out of loue and bounty mixt together , it by it's vertue healing such come thither . o that the reader could like vertue finde in my new spring , to cure the griefes of minde , but much i feare me , if it had like force , the bodies care would make my spring tast worse . philo a nevv spring . philo to philemon . non vltra . each day and houre ( my friend ) that shines on thee esteeme it as thy liues epitome ; nor need i by a precept further show it , since 't is so well aduis'd vs by the poet : " 'mongst hopes , cares , feares , and all the griefes thou hast , " imagine euery day to bee thy last : so shall the sight of each approaching day summon thee hence that thou may hast away : meane while contend in vertue and in grace , hastning to th' end of this thy pilgrims race , this weauers shuttle , grasse , post , shadow , span , so short's the course , so small 's the time of man. mans securitie , the diuells opportunitie . man thinks the shade of night can couer sin , but night and day be all alike to him , whose eyes as they are piercing , so they be pure , and doe loath the least impiety . morall . how oft haue i ( o lord ) erred in this , thinking thee blinde when night approched is ; where if i rightly did distinguish light , i 'de thinke mans day farre darker then thy night : for there 's no night with thee ; but such a day , as needs no sun to chase the night away . annotation vpon the precedent morall . it is obserued by the learned , that adam after his fall or defection from god , seeing his owne nakednesse which hee procured to himselfe by his owne disobedience , being borne in a primitiue freedome of will , to haue fled for refuge , or couert rather , to a shadie groue in the garden , imagining to exempt himselfe from the punishment due to his sin , by flying to the shade to couer his sin ; implying ( say they ) that man no sooner erreth , then hee seeketh some sconce , some defence for the sinne which he commiteth . but hee that rewardeth in publike , discusseth the secrets of our hearts in priuate : the night is to him as the day , for hee seeth not as man seeth ; hee that securely pretendeth darkenesse for a couert to his sin , and in the presumption of his owne security expostulates with his creator , saying , who seeth me ? shall receiue his reward in the land of darknesse ; for the secrecie of his sinne cannot auoid the piercing and searching eye of the lord. let him therefore stand in feare of gods iudgement both in the morning and euening , that he may shun the arrow that flyeth at the noone-day , and the pestilence that killeth in the euening . a diuine embleme . nosce et tace . tu te time si viues tute . thou better part of man : the inward eye , extended farre boue sense ; how should the path ( erring and straying from humanity ) haue guidance but by thee ? where each man hath a natiue pronenesse to obliquity , subiecting reason to vnbounded wrath , reaching as high by 's eye , as by his faith. where truth lyes hid , curb'd by iniurious time , as in a caue obscur'd : til th' glorious sun disperse this mist of error by his shine , discouering that which was in darknesse done : still cheerefull be that faire aspect of thine by whose refulgent beames such acts be showne as but for thee ( deere light ) had nere bin knowne . age , which in some is as a tale that 's told , wherein we rather be then seeme to liue , tells me that it 's not many yeeres make old ; but houres how well dispos'd , since we must giue accompt for euery talent which we hold ; and though the lord seeme this accompt to driue : time will approach when there is no repriue . then may my number be in houres , not yeares , how good , and not how many , liu'd , not spent ; vvhere may my sinnes force sighs , my errors teares , liuing on earth , yet leauing earths content to earthly-minded moles , who sum their feares by losse of goods , and giue no free assent to ought , saue what is to their profit ment . my eyes not fixt but mouing in their spheare , transcend fraile objects , nor can they behold ought worthy louing or affecting heere , where best of natures treasures is but mold ; which in the worlds eye how faire so ere , they shew their gawdie lustre is but gold , which when the mizer has is onely told . let me haue riches inward ; for the rinde of earths exterior beauty , my desire rests well contented , howsoere i finde : and further should our soule-rapt thoughts aspire then to content the body ; for the minde , as in her ranke of honour she is higher , shee scornes ( pure mirror ) to be soild with mire . how hard is 't to be good , and not decline from that small share of goodnes , where the age in which we liue , bids vs to suite the time and make no mention of a pilgrimage ? it 's true indeed , we seldome see the prime , of vertue made continuate ; for the page which lackies patience oft ends with rage . hee liues the best who hath the least account , accounting euery day to be his last : that when he comes vnto his finall poynt , to make recourse vnto the yeares be past , and sees to what the totall summe doth mount : he may reioyce , t' haue made so little wast of precious time , while he on earth was plast . how est offend we ? and as rockt asleepe secure of iudgement , in the bed of sin lie we as men exempt from vengeance ; sheepe straid from their shepheard , which hath euer bin so kinde t' his flocke , as he hath sought to keepe them safe by his owne harme ; yet leaue we him , pursuing th' path of error we are in . if there be hell , why doe we liue on earth as if there were none ? yea , if common sense tells vs a pilgrimage hath no true mirth ; where this day we are he ere , next calls vs hence : why liue we heere as if we nere should forth from this vast grate of griefe ? our residence is short on earth ; then let vs hasten hence . th'vnseemliest obiect mans eye can behold is age attended on by nought but yeares ; where his gray-hayres may tell vs he is old , but there 's no other signe of age appeares : wherefore his age seemes as a tale that 's told , his life a medley of desires and feares , desire of life to welcome death with teares . what is this curious modell man ? whose shape diuinely featured includes all faire in him as in her abstract , but an ape , that imitates all formes , in habite , haire , carriage of body , and whats'ere may make his vanity admir'd , now heere now there . distasting most the tast of 's country ayre . if man consist of body and of soule , and that the being of the first relies vpon the latter ; why should it controule the first by which it liues ? or why despise , or striue to make her : chiefest beauty foule with her seducing trifling vanities , which presse the soule so low it cannot rise ▪ that know thy selfe , deriued her first birth and pettigree from heauen , and did appeare on earth to make it seeme an heauenly earth ; but see what chanc'd : men so besotted were , of their defectiue knowledge , as a dearth fell amongst humble men , learning to erre and fall by pride , as did that a lucifer . o let vs then confesse , ( as well wee may ) our knowledge it is nothing ; and the good that 's in vs is not ours ; nor can we say ought proper ours saue sin , so rank's the blood of our corrupted nature : where each day paints out our frailety , which if vnderstood , man has no cause at all for to be proud . if euery euen were as it ought to be , it should keepe count of all the day that 's past ; asking our sin-surcharged soule , what she hath done ? which reckning should be neuer rac't out of the table of our memory : but haue it so , o're all our actions plac't , that th' forme we haue may neuer be defac'd . if every houre we spend must beare record when we shall summon'd be ; how carefull should man be of euery worke , and euery word , done , to be done , or spoke ? for how shall mould , clay , and corruption stand against the lord ? on whom wee all are truely said to hold : seeing the crimes we act so manifold . where each mans conscience shall his tophet be , his sinnes his testates , and his last farewell to earth , his entrance into misery : where his owne soule appeares his onely hell , th' companions that attends him , doubts and feares , mouing despaire to sound her larum bell , to warne him to the place where he must dwell . mansion of horror , where the quenchles fire burns without ceasing , where the gnawing worme eates without resting , and that wofull hire death neuer dead , though dying ; where the forme of all confusion formeth her retire ; thrice happy he if he had neere beene borne that 's markt to come to such a place forlorne . no life but shade of life ; for what is life , but a continuall death , wherein we die each day a little ? where dissention , strife , restlesse ambition , treason , periury , oppression , violence bee onely rife : where outward obiects daze the inward eye , and ill 's made good by sinnes impunity . liue may i neither to my selfe nor time , since time-obseruers now proue parasites ; but to make streight that great accompt of mine , after so many dayes , so many nights , past in neglect : so may my soule in fine possesse ( then happy she ) those pure delights which doe include of comforts infinites . muse doe i much when i doe heare men call ( whether experience tell them , or their art ) some yeares more safe , some climactericall ; where if we looke into our humane part : in houres , dayes , yeeres , we shall perceiue how all summon alike deaths parley to our heart ; from whom to get we striue , but cannot start i haue long sought that essence of my being , a faithfull friend ; and i , haue found in some , a veine of protestation well agreeing with friend , if christian , but when i should come to take a surer triall , he was fleeing , prouing a summer swallow ; this 's my doome my friend 's in heauen , on earth he has no roome . when i obserue earth's as a ball in th' ayre , i askt my selfe what may i seeme to be , that liues as if i had my mansion there , planting my hopes on mutability ? and i doe finde who otherwise liues heere then as a forraigne trauellor though hee seeme wise to some , hee seemes a foole to me . this house i liue in , like a shaking frame threatens each day a fall ; yet i secure where i must goe to , or from whence i came liue so , as if this building would endure , and to eternity extend her name : but 'lasse how weake am i , seeming most sure , while sin wounds deepe and doth despaire of cure . some , farre lesse wise then curious , doe delight to glaze their windowes with perspectiue glasse , presenting sundry obiects to the sight , as hils , dales , seas , and whatsoere shall passe within an equall distance : but the light which the bay-windore of my mansion has , hath no such various prospect , though it might , but opens wide that she may see what 's right . may goodnesse be the abstract of my fayre , my best aduice , direction of the word : may worlds-care be still my least of care , may my selfe-loue be now to loue the lord : may i obserue a time to spend , to spare , not taking thought to waste , or how to hoard , but in expence to keepe me on euen board . rich had i rather then accounted be , sayes the worldling : but i am not of his minde ; for my account is dearer vnto me then this same barke of man , this outward rinde ; yet rich are men of most account we see ; it 's true indeed , wee by experience finde , oft goes the cart before , the horse behinde . arise to iudgement , is a doome of feare to flesh ; for why shee could contented be to build her selfe a tabernacle heere , liuing to bee her owne posterity ; but th' soule mounts vpward to an higher sphere striuing to breake from her captiuity . nor can shee ioy till shee 's at liberty . her nunc dimittis , is her cheerefulst song , her passage th'entrance to a safe repose , her comfort this , ( though her restraint was long ) griefes past be counterpoiz'd with present ioyes . her hope that she shall make her party strong , being both rid of her perfidious foes , and sphered there where sacred comfort flowes ▪ in our first birth we shrike , in death we sigh , thus discontent is man , in birth and death ; in birth we shrike because affliction 's nigh , in death we sigh , sigh , sith wee cannot breath : thus both in death and birth there 's misery ; and more in death then birth , if so his wreath of glory be reduc'd to wrath beneath . an elegie which the author entituleth bound yet free ; speaking of the benefit of imprisonment . thou , whom we call lifes death , captiuity , yet canst contemplate in the darkest cell of things aboue the reach of vanitie , dost in my iudgement liberty excell ; in that thou teachest man to mortifie his indisposed passions ; and canst well direct him how to mannage his estate , confin'd to th'narrow prospect of thy grate . hee sees the passage of this globe of earth , and makes right vse of what his sight partakes : some he obserues expresse a kinde of mirth , of which he this due application makes ; if they did know the misery of birth with deaths approach , they would not hazard stakes of soules eternall glory , for a day of present ioy , which one houre takes away . others he heares bemoning of the losse of some deare friend ; or 't may be not so well , decrease of fortune , or some other crosse , which to forgoe they deeme a second hell , ( so firmely fixed be their mindes on drosse ) as nought smels well but what of gaine doth smell . these he condemnes , and proues it euery way , the captiu'st wretch's in better state then they . others he notes obseruing of the time , meere fashion-mongers , shadowes of the great ; and these attendance giue where th'sunne doth shine , and like to isis asse admire the seat , more then the person , cause the robes be fine that hang about it : and hee doth intreat their absence ; for , these cannot well ( saith hee ) by liuing , leaue name to posteritie . others as base and farre more dangerous , notes he , as politician machauels , who count that gaine which is commodious adhering to themselues , and to none els : for these make ancient houses ruinous , and charitie from out the realme expels , reducing th' orphans teare and widdowes curse to th'damn'd elixie of their well-cramm'd purse . others he notes , and they would noted be ; for painting , purfling , smoothing , cerusing , shew they would be obseru'd for vanitie , staruing their soules by bodies cherishing . and these hee laughes at for their foolery ; for while they put the case to garnishing , that shell of frailty , they 're indifferent what shall become of th' soule the instrument . others there be which seeme least what they are , pretending truth in falshood , and doe gull the world with shadow , yet doth he compare the passage of euents , and finds at full their end 's attended with an endlesse care , and th'pregnant wit which seemes so smooth proues dull , when thousand testates shall produced be , for to disclose their close hypocrisie . others hee sees and taxeth , for they hold proportion with the world , being made after a better image , yet they 'r sold to all collusion , making in their trade this vilde position : who 'll be rich when old must cheat being young : but see how they 'r displaid , so oft haue they deceiu'd as now they must , persorce deceiue themselues by mens distrust . others as prollers of the time he sees , but scornes to take acquaintance ; for their fate presageth worst of ills , whose best increase proceeds from good mens falls : yet mark their state as indirectly got , so little peace accrewes in state to any , for the hate of god and man attends them ; and how then should there be peace wher 's war with god & men ? more hee beholds , and hee obserues them too , and numbers their dimensions as they passe the compasse of his prospect too and fro , for this same grate he makes his looking-glasse , in which he sees more then the world can show , conferring what is present with what was ; extracting this from times experienc't schoole , the captiue's freer then the worlds foole . for by the first we shew but what we are , and moralize our selues in being pent close from the worlds eye , which we compare vnto a prison , since th'enfranchisement we haue's in heauen : then howsoere we fare , though bound , if free in minde , th'imprisonment we suffer , cannot so our spirits depresse , that th' freedome of our minds should seeme ought lesse : ought lesse ; nay more ! for we approue as true what th'deuine morall taught : that one may haue a fuiler and more perfect enteruiew of the starres beauty in a hollow caue , then on the superficies ; for the shew of pompe distracts our passions , and doth slaue our reason to our sense ; whence we may know , the dangers of high states are seene below . below ; and what more low then to be shut from open ayre , strang'd from the sight of men , clos'd in obliuion , linked hand and foot least their escape gaine liberty ? what then shall this enthrall my soule ? it cannot doo 't , it does aspire aboue the thoughts of them who shed their childish teares when they are sent by higher powers to take them to restraint . the truth of things , ( saith sage democritus ) lies hid in certaine caues , that is , the cell of thraldome which restraines and limits vs , which makes vs happy if we vse it well ; for we 're sequestred from th'pernicious obiects of earth , and may in priuate tell , what we in publike were , where we doe finde , the freest man may haue the slauish'st minde . for my experience tells me th' act of sin , proceeds from sinnes occasion , which restrain'd , to meditate soules freedome we begin , and flie from earth when th'body is enchain'd , making our thoughts contemplators of him , whom if we get we haue sufficient gain'd : so as the grate of our captiuity , is th' gate that opens to soules liberty . whence 't is wee see so many tast the ayre of freedome , with neglect of what they are ; making their will their law ; but when they share their portion in affliction , then their care is in the honour of that inward faire , and they lament the state wherein they were : for man in state forgets himselfe and his , till his affliction tells him what he is . if life indeed were such a iubile , that euery houre , day , yeare , did promise vs continuate health , and wealth , and liberty , then had we better reason to excuse the loue we haue to our mortality : but since wee see we cannot will nor choose , but must be rest of these , why should we grieue , to leaue as men what men are forc'd to leaue ? nor skills it much where we be reft of these , whether in thrall or freedome , but of th'two i 'de rather lose my fortune where i cease , to make resort to any , and must know no more of th' world or the worlds prease ; but am retired from the publike show of this fraile theatre ; and am confin'd in flesh to tast true liberty of minde . a minde as free as is the body thrall , transcendent in her being , taking th' wings of th' morning to ascend , and make that all of hers immortall , sphearing it with kings ; whose glory is so firme it cannot fall : where euery saint in their reposure sings th'triumphant paean of eternity , to him whose sight giues perfect liberty . then whether my restraint enforce or no , i le be my selfe , but more in my restraint ; because through it i see the end of woe , tasting in griefe the essence of content : that when from this same double-ward i goe , this same entangled prison ; th' continent of heauenly freedome may receiue my soule , which flesh imprison might , but not controule . rest then ( retired muse ) and be thy owne , though all thy owne forsake thee , that when friends , fortune and freedome are but small or none , thy hopes may ayme at more transcendent ends ; so by the body in strait durance throwne thy vnconfined soule may make amends , for that which she had in her freedome lost , in that most blest wherein she seemd most crost . the statue of agathocles . the argument . agathocles , a tyrant of syracusa , caused his statue to be composed in this manner : the head of gold , armes of iuorie , and other of the lineaments of purest brasse ; but the feet of earth : intimating of what weake and infirme subsistence this little-world man was builded . whence wee may collect what diuine considerations the pagans themselues obserued and vsually applyed to rectifie their morall life ; where instructions of nature directed them not onely in the course of humane society ; but euen in principles aboue the reach and pitch of nature ; as may appeare in many philosophicall axioms , and diuinely-inserted sentences in the workes of plato , plutarch , socrates , and amongst the latines , in the inimitable labours of seneca , boaethius , tacitus and plinius secundus . vpon the morall of this statue of agathocles , insists the author in this poem , concluding with this vndoubted position : that as foundations on sand are by euery tempest shaken ; so man standing on feet of earth , hath no firmer foundation then mutability to ground on . the poem . agathocles , me thinks , i might compare thee , ( so rare thou art ) to some choyce statuarie , who doth pourtray with pencill he doth take , himselfe to th' image which hee 's wont to make . how artfull thou , and gracefull to by birth , a king , yet showes that thou art made of earth ; not glorying in thy greatnesse , but would seeme made of the same mould other men haue beene : a head of gold , as thou art chiefe of men , so chiefe of mettalls make thy diadem ; victorious armes of purest iuorie , which intimates the persons purity ; the other lineaments compos'd of brasse , implies th'vndanted strength whereof thou was : but feete of earth , show th'grownd on which we stand , that we 're cast downe in turning of a hand . of which , that we may make the better vse , me thinks i could dilate the morall thus : man made of earth no surer footing can presume vpon then earth , from which he came , where firmenesse is infirmenesse , and the stay on which hee builds his strongest hopes , is clay : and yet how strangely confident he growes , in heauen-confronting boldnesse , and in showes bearing a gyants spirit , when in length , height , bredth , and pitch he is of pigmies strength : yea , i haue knowne a very dwarfe in sight , conceit himselfe a pyramis in height , ietting so stately , as it were in 's power to mount aloft vnto the ayery tower. but when man's proud , i should esteem 't more meet , not to presume on 's strength , but looke on 's feete , which nature , we obserue , hath taught the swan , and ought in reason to be done by man. weake are foundations that are rear'd on sand , and on as weake grounds may we seeme to stand ; both subiect to be ruin'd , split , and raz't , one billow shakes the first , one griefe the last . whence then or how subsists this earthly frame , that merits in it selfe no better name then shell of base corruption ? 't is not brasse , marble , or iuorie , which , when times passe , and our expired fates surcease to be , reserue in them our liuing memorie ; no , no , this mettall is not of that proofe , we liue as those vnder a shaking roofe ; where euery moment makes apparant show ( for want of props ) of finall ouerthrow . thus then me thinks you may , ( if so you please ) apply this statue of agathocles . as he compos'd his royall head of gold , the pur'st of mettalls ; you are thereby told that th' head whence reason and right iudgement springs should not be pester'd with inferior things : and as his actiue sinnewie armes are said ( to shew their purenesse ) to be iuored , like pelops milke-white shoulders ; we are giuen to vnderstand , our armes should be to heauen ( as to their proper orbe ) enlarg'd , that we might there be made the saints of purity : by rest of th' parts which were compos'd of brasse , ( being of bigger bone then others was ) we may collect men made of selfe same clay , may in their strength doe more then others may . lastly , on earth as men subsistence haue , their earthly feet doe hasten to their graue . of sleepe . sleepe is the prison that restraines the sense from due performance of her offices , yet th' glorious soule is of that excellence it mounts aloft , and scornes such bonds as these ; shee acts when th' outward senses are asleepe , building fantasticke castles in the ayre , and diues sometimes into th'obscurest deepe , conferring things that are with things that were ; she fills the labouring senses with extreames , and dreames of loue if that she bee in loue , for what by day she thinkes by night she dreames ; seeming all mouelesse when shee 's knowne to moue . oft she betrayes the action of the day , while th'labouring sense blabs on the dead of night , and guilty of her selfe seemes to bewray what we or did or thought , and though our sight is fixt on no one obiect ; yet the eye of vnderstanding has her proper sphere wherein she moues and has her soueraignty , and being once there , she is euer there . nor can man properly be said to rest , when sweet-charmd morpheus shuts his leaden eyes : vnlesse it be by th' outward sense exprest , for th' soule nere rests , nere sleepes , nere vacant lies : but as we see in martiall pollicie while some doe sleepe some still keepe centinall , that they may notice giue if ought they see approching neere the breaches of the wall ; so this same watchfull spie is euer seene cautiue and circumspect least th'foe should win , her strait-beleaguer'd fort and vanquisht cleane the bodies power by letting error in ; yet see we oft the temper of the soule follow the bodies various temperature , and as foule water comes from springlins foule , so if the body be disposed pure exempt from passions , she will euer keepe a calme retension of her faculties : for guilty minds are troubled still with these . and this we see in passions of the minde or her affections rather , there is none but is to some one humour more enclin'd then to another ; as the chollerick one , whose passion spurnes at reason , and delights in nothing lesse then to bee patient : and this he showes in darkest silent nights , when sleepe aduiseth him to be content . next is the sullen sallow melancholly , whose nature's saint or diuell , and it dreames either of subjects pure or most vnholy , for of all humours this is in extreames . the third a warry crude , raw phlegmaticke , ( a bed-rid humour ) yet in youngest bloods , and he is spitting still and rhewmaticke ▪ whose dreames are neither bad , nor greatly good . the last and best , for it doth show affection in red and white is sanguine , and is mixt so equally of all , as this complexion is th' onely one where beauties starre is fixt ; and th' dreames her senses whisper are so cleare from any thought of passion , as her will is o're her passions so to domineere , that no delight may traine her vnto ill ; all these doe dreame ; but there 's no perfect rest to any these , saue to a guiltlesse brest . vpon the foure constitutions , as cold and drye attend on age , so hot and moist on youth ; but hot and drye distempers show , farre more then any doth : the last ( not worst ) might well be first , is cold and moist together , which giues digestion such free course , as it exceeds the other : all these appeare both heere and there , but no distemper's worse our gallants thinke , and so thinke i , then drynesse of the purse . of hospitality . where art thou ? no where ? no , where 's thy consort of old black-iacks , blew-coats ? they 'r flown to th' court where they 'r transformd . to what good dyonise ? to pages like pie-colourd butterflies ; alasse poore country , thou hast nothing then but vast penurious houses without men ; a row of smoake-lesse chimneyes which agrees , with barme-lesse hogsheds , empty butteries , vvorme-eaten rafters , vvindores spider-wouen , vvalls snaile-belimed , a loome-mudded ouen estrang'd from bake-meats , nasty dayeries , halls hung with caules and forlorne nurseries . and yet panurgus thou art more to blame then court house-keepers , for thou thinks no shame vvhen foot-bet trauellers that 's like to burst vvith heat , come to thy house to quench their thirst , to boult thy buttry-dore and bid them goe to th' alehouse , where th' aue nothing to bestow : vvherefore to saue their money , thou dost bring , these wearied trauellers to some wholsome spring , vvhere they may drink their fill ; whenc't may appeare thou 'lt rather wast thy water then thy beere . and thou cremutius that doest nere display thy bounty but vpon thy marriage day : vvhere thou inuites thy friends vnto thy store of resty bacon ; for thou hast no more of cates , to make their welcomming exprest , with one reserued kilderkin of th' best ; whose key thou kept as i informed am , till thy feast-day , and then thou gaue't thy man : the wilie porrus , who had so much wit as to appoint a time which might befit his iolly cumrades to drinke vp thy beere while thou and thy staru'd guests conferring were : but by what hap i know not , he is found , with his boon-socio's trauersing their round , which makes thee sweare , fearing thy beere should lack , to pull thy blew-coate from poore porrus back , but how did porrus mittigate thy rage ? sir take your coate , so you will pay my wage . but this doth little moue thy worthlesse minde , he weares thy coate , thou keepes his wage behind . and luscu , thou that neuer made expence , in vaine disbursements aboue eighteene pence in all thy time ; me thinks i see in thee the misers mirror or anatomie rightly depictur'd , who hath wealth at will , yet ( like th' hydropticke man ) is thirsty still : seest thou not luscus how thou starues thy selfe , to cram thy coffers and encrease thy pelfe ? and yet how fond art thou , all thou dost saue , will in the end afford thee but a graue , a shroud , thus ends thy care , thus ends thy store : this beggers haue and princes get no more . and yet , vnhappy thou , drains golden streames , t'inhance thine owne by indirectest meanes . making this axiom with thy humour fit , thou cares not how thou get , so thou may get : but if thou knewst what wiser men doe know , thou wouldst not get before thou question how . the shrift . a time there was , and diuers there be yet , vvhose riper yeares can well remember it : vvhen folke were shriuen for th' sinnes they did commit and had their absolution as was fit : mongst which , as one crime doth another get , vvhere hope of pardon doth authorize it , for vertues turtle-like doe single sit , but th'troope of vices still in squadrons meete ; a boone-companion to his liquor giuen , came thither with his neighbours to be shriuen . steuen ( quoth frier ) for 's christen name was steuen , vvhat sinnes hast done to grieue the lord of heauen ? speake freely man , and it is ten to seauen , but by due pennance i will make all euen : confession is the way , when man is driuen into despaire , that guides him vnto heauen . i haue beene drunke last day and this day to , and may be next day too for ought i know : tell me then ( holy frier ) directly how or in what sort i may my pennance doe ? drunke ( quoth the frier ) now by the faith i owe i know not what it meanes , nor as i trow vnder confession had i't ere till now , yet come next day thou's heare what thou shalt doe . meane while the frier would not neglect his time , to know the secret of this drunken crime , therefore betime , ere foure a clock did chime , this profane practice grew to be diuine : for vpsefreese he drunke from foure to nine , so as each sense was steeped well in wine , yet still he kept his rouse , till he in fine , grew extreame sicke with hugging bacchus shrine : vpward and downeward it did worke so sore , as if his vitall spirits could worke no more , or that he were ariuing on the shore where mortalls must ariue : but rid of store , that did oppresse his stomach ore and ore , at last he got a nap vpon the floore , which hauing tempered his braines , he swore to trye conclusions with the pot no more . stephen kept his steauen , and to the time he gaue , came to demand what pennance he should haue ? what pennance ( quoth the frier ? ) i 'le tell thee knaue , i thinke it fit this pennance to receiue : " goe and be drunke againe ; for if it haue " th' effect with thee it had with mee , i de craue " no sharper pennance to the sinfullst slaue , " for soone it would possesse me of my graue . " thus in this sea of sodome where each shelfe " menaceth ruine to the forlorne elfe , " the drunkard is a pennance to himselfe . quidam erat . a preaching frier there was , who thus began , the scripture saith , there was a certaine man : acertaine man : but i doe read no where of any certaine woman mention'd there ; a certaine man , a phraze in scripture common , but no place shewes there was a certaine woman ▪ and fit it is that wee should ground our faith on nothing more then what the scripture saith . the signe in cancer . an epigram . a crabbed shrew , through sicknes weakly brought , wisht by all meanes a doctor should be sought ; who by his art that hee her griefe might know , felt both her pulse and cast her water too : which done , he to her husband turn'd againe , and wishd him be content all was in vaine : for when the signe 's in cancer , she would dye ; to whom her husband answerd merrily : " if that ( my learned doctor ) had beene so " she had beene dead beleeue it long agoe ; " for these ten yeares and odde she has beene mine , " and i nere knew her yet out of that signe . a prize . three darlings haue i , and i know not which to make a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; first is mee●ly rich , faire , ●●se , but we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be different , and where that is there can be no content . the next as louing as the turtle is , whose lip distills pure nectar with her kisse , but this 's my feare , her nature is so prone to giue content , she cannot keepe to one. the third is rich and wise and well adorn'd with inward graces , but she is deform'd , so as for all that i doe treasure lacke , i would not get it on a cammels backe . vvhich should i haue of these they all loue me , one must i haue , i cannot haue all three ? himens eglogue betweene admetus and menalchas . menalchas . what makes admetus sad ? what ere it be some cause there is that thus hath alter'd thee . is it the losse of substance , or of friends , or thy content in discontentment ends ? is it some seruple in thy conscience , which vnresolu'd doth leaue thee in suspence ? is it that thou thy long wisht loue should leese ? admet. no , no menalchas it is none of these . menal. thou art not sicke ? admet. nor sicke , nor greatly well . menal. vvhere lies thy griefe ? admet. my countenance can tell . menal. smooth is thy brow , thy countenance fresh enough . admet. but cares haue made my wreakfull minde as rough . menal. of cares admetus . admet. yes , i haue my share . menal. yet hope of cure . admet. no hope of cure to care . menal. nay then i see 't is loue that thee doth wring ; admet. thou errst menalchas , there is no such thing . menal. if neither losse of friends nor losse of wealth , vvant to enioy thy loue , nor want of health , if neither discontent , nor griefe , doe show care in thy face , nor sorrow in thy brow , if thou be free as we all know thee free , engag'd to none , what is it greeueth thee ? admet. vvouldst know menalchas ? menal. yes . admet. i le tell thee than ; the case is alterd : i 'me a married-man . thankfvlnes . the early larke , from earth to heauen doth raise her well-tun'd note to chaunt her makers praise , why should not men ( indew'd with reason ) show themselues more thankfull , sith more thanks they owe ? finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * sir edward bellingam , a knight of extended bounty and curtesie . notes for div a -e quare ista omnia , nisi quia in mōtem illum ascenderūt , in quem primus ascendit angelus , & descendit diabolus . august . in soliloq . cap. . caput de auro innuendo regis dignitatem , brachia de ebore intimando eius venustatem , caetera lincae menta de aere , denotando strenuitatem ; pedes ver● de terra indicando eius fragilitatens . a preparative to studie, or, the vertue of sack this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing h ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing h estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) a preparative to studie, or, the vertue of sack beaumont, francis, - . brathwaite, richard, ?- . edwards, henry, th cent. heywood, thomas, d. . taylor, john, - . [ ], p. [s.n.], london : . variously ascribed to thomas heywood, henry edwards, francis beaumont, richard brathwaite, and john taylor. in verse. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng drinking of alcoholic beverages -- england -- early works to . london (england) -- social life and customs -- th century. a r (wing h ). civilwar no a preparative to studie: or, the vertue of sack· [no entry] c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a preparative to studie : or , the vertue of sack . london , printed anno dom. . a preparative to study : or , the vertve of sacke . fetch me ben. iohnsons scull , and fill 't with sacke , rich as the same he dranke , when the whole packe of jolly sisters pledg'd , and did agree , it was no sinne to be as drunke as hee ; if there be any weakenesse in the wine , ther 's vertue in the cup to mak 't divine ; this muddy drench of ale does tast too much of earth , the malt retaines a scurvy touch of the dull hynde that sow'd it , and i feare there 's heresie in hops ; give calvyn beere , and his precise disciple , such as thinke there 's powder treason in all spanish drinke , call sack an idoll , we will kisse the cup , for feare their conventicle be blowne up with superstition ; aw●y with brew-house almes , whose best mirth is six-shilling beere and psalmes . let me rejoyce in sprightly sack that can create a braine even in an empty pan , canary ! it is thou that dost inspire and actuate the soule with heavenly fire . thou that sublim'st the genius-making wit scorne earth , and such as love or live by it , thou mak'st us lords of regions large and faire , whilst our conceipts build castles in the ayre . since fire , earth , ayre , thus thy inferiors bee , henceforth i le know no element but thee ; thou precious elixar of all grapes welcome , by thee our muse begins her scapes ; i would not leave thee sack to be with iove , his nectar is but faign'd , but i doe prove thy more essentiall worth : i am ( me thinkes ) in the exchequer now , harke how it chinks , and doe esteeme my venerable selfe as brave a fellow as if all that pelfe were sure mine owne , and i have thought a way already how to spend it , i would pay no debts , but fairely empty every trunke and change the gold for sack to keepe me drunke , and so by consequence till rich spaines wyne being in my crowne , the indies too were mine , and when my braines are once aflote ( heav'n blesse us ) i thinke my selfe a better man then croesus , and now i doe conceipt my selfe a judge , and coughing , laugh , to see my clyents trudge after my lordships coach unto the hall for justice , and am full of law withall , and doe become the bench as well as hee that fled of late for want of honestie , but i le be judge no longer , though in jeast , for feare i should be talk't with like the rest , when i am sober : who can chuse but thinke me wise , that am so wary in my drinke ? oh , admirable sack ! heer 's dainty sport , i am come backe from westminster to court , and am growne young againe , my phtisick now hath left me , and my judges graver brow is smooth'd , and i turn'd amorous as may , when she invites young lovers forth to play upon her flowry bosome : i could winne a vestall now , or tempt a saint to sinne . oh , for a score of queenes ! you 'd laugh to see how they would strive , which first should ravish mee . three goddesses were nothing : sack has tipt my tongue with charmes like those which paris sipt from venus when she taught him how to kisse faire helen , and invite a farther blisse , mine is canary-rhetorique , that alone would turne diana to a burning stone , stone with amazement burning with loves fire , hard to the touch , but short in her desire , inestimable sack ! thou mak'st us rich , wise , amorous , any thing ; i have an itch to t'other cup , and that perchance will make me valiant too , and quarrell for thy sake : if i be once inflam'd against thy foes that would preach down thy worth in small-beer-prose , i shall doe miracles as bad or worse , as he that gave the king an hundred horse : i 'me in the north already ; lasley's dead , he that would rise , carry the king his head , and tell him ( if he aske , who kill'd the scot ) i knock't his braines out with a pottle pot . out ye rebellious vipers ; j 'me come back from thence againe , because there 's no good sack , t'other odde cup , and i shall be prepar'd to snatch at starres , and pluck downe a reward with mine owne hands , from iove upon their backs that are , or charles his enemies or sacks ; let it be full , if i doe chance to spill over my study by the way , i will , dipping in this diviner incke my pen , write my selfe sober , and fall too t agen . finis . the last trumpet: or, a six-fold christian dialogue viz, betweene death, the flesh, and the soule. between the divell, the flesh, and the world. ... betweene the soule and the city of god. translated from the elegant latine prose of richard brathvvait esquire, into english verse, by iohn vicars. novissima tuba. english brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the last trumpet: or, a six-fold christian dialogue viz, betweene death, the flesh, and the soule. between the divell, the flesh, and the world. ... betweene the soule and the city of god. translated from the elegant latine prose of richard brathvvait esquire, into english verse, by iohn vicars. novissima tuba. english brathwaite, richard, ?- . vicars, john, or - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by thomas harper, for robert bostocke, and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church-yard, at the signe of the kings head, london : . translation of: novissima tuba. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng eschatology -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the last trvmpet : or , a six-fold christian dialogue . viz. betweene death , the flesh , and the soule . betweene the divell , the flesh , and the world. betweene man and his conscience . betweene conscience , sinne , and man. betweene god and the soule . between the soule and the city of cod. translated from the elegant latine prose of richard br●thvva●t esquire . into english verse , by iohn vicars . arise yee dead , and come to judgement . hor. de ar●e poetica . decies repetita placebit . london , printed by thomas harper , for robe●●●●●●ocke , and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church-yard , at the signe of the kings head , . to the right worshipfull , his ever most highly honoured good friend , sir vvalter pie , attourney generall of the court of wards , and to his truely vertuous and religious consort , the lady hester pie , i. v. most cordially wisheth the kingdome of grace here , and the kingdome of glory hereafter . right worshipfull , my thankful thoughts long wandring , seriously , which way i might my gratefull heart apply , fully and fitly to expresse & show the infinite perpetuall debt iowe to both your worship , and your families , for many free and friendly courtesies to me and mine : in stept this little booke , and my desire t' accomplish undertooke . vpon which proffer , promptly i laid hold , and most respectively have ( thus ) made bold to dedicate both it and my poore all to both your worships due memoriall : both , as a symboll of my sincere heart obliged by indelible desert ; as also , that like philips little lad , this trumpet may sound a memento glad vnto your wor. soules with comfort sweet , here , to prepare with god in christ to meet , to shake off all earths clogs and remora's which hurt or hinder us with dull delayes , from running ( here ) our race with patience , from winning the reward of recompence . in both which bound respects , i humbly pray that this my little tract , last trumpet may sound sweetly in your worships ●ares & minde , and friendly favour and acceptance finde , to'rd him , who ever , ev'ry way is bound to you and yours to rest and to be found your good wor. in all obsequious observance to be commanded . iohn vicars . to the worshipfull , his very worthy and most ingenious and ingenuous learned and religious author , richard brathvvait esquire . i. v. wisheth all true holinesse and happinesse , here and hereafter . most worthy sir , when first by happy chance i cast my fight vpon the sparkling lustre , beauty bright of your rich jewell lockt-up & enclos'd in a neat cabinet : i , strait suppos'd it was great pitty , such a pretty jemme should be shut up from publike view of them who could not with the latine key unlocke your casket , and partake of your rich stocke . i therefore have ( most worthy sir ) made bold to ope the locke , lay ope your jemme of gold , to every gracious eye and godly minde that in such iewels can pure pleasure finde and , thus with my weake breath your trump to sound in a knowne tone , whose eccho might rebound , and on the hearers hearts reverberate to minde their present and their future state . and ( hence ) i must ingenuously confesse , i primely should and would the same addresse vnto your worthy-selfes sole acceptation were i not bound by most strict obligation to those my honour'd friends forementioned by cords of many favours thereto led . but next to them , accept , i humbly pray this borrowed-light from your suns lustrous ray ; these bubling streames , weake straines that have their motion , from your full fount , as tribute to your ocean . in confidence of which great courtesie thereof perswaded , by your piety , praying your worship may be aye possest of all true holy , happy joyes ; i rest , your good worships in his best poore services to be commanded , iohn vicars . authoris opinio de interprete suo . ex eo quod legi , te de hippocreni altiùs ebibisse collegi . optandum est , quod heliconiades nostri in hisce oleum operamque studiose impenderent , quo apud posteros faeliciora minervae monumenta relinquant . interim , quae primum conscripsi & edidi ( modò superiorum authoritas ijs suffragetur ) ingenuè approbo , eo scilicet more , quo tu integre transtulisti . ingenij titulum meruit , mihi crede , perennem , qui cupit ingenio sacra levare suo . hoc tibi ●icarivs fecit ; musisque peregit o●ficium vatis : dulce poema suis. imprimatur , sa . baker . aprill . . the last trumpet : or , a six-fold christian dialogue . the first , betweene death , the flesh , and the soule . the argument of the first dialogue . the flesh presenting the soules mayd . by death encountred , sore afrayd ; shewes forth voluptuous-gallants state , whilst ( yet ) they be degenerate ; how prone to pride and vanity , how fear'd of death , how loath to die ; vntill the lady-mistresse , soule , by grace rowz'd up , does chide , controule her servant , flesh , her fit to make to welcome death , and life forsake . death . ho , who 's within ? ope the doore , instantly . flesh. who 's that which knockes so bold and boysterously ? de. t is he , that , till he enters , will not part . fl. stay , i le peepe out ; and see ( first ) who thou art , and , whether thou deserv'st , heere , to remaine ; if not , knocke long enough , and all in vaine . de. well , now , what think'st thou ? wilt thou open now ? fl. o fearefull monster ! ugly beetle-brow , blinde of both-eyes , without or lippes or chin , hence , with a mischiefe , i le not let thee in . knocke on , yea knocke thy selfe to death , thou may'st , but , i le not ope the doore , whiles there thou stay'st . de. open , for , i will enter : mark th' event . fl. what ? and without my mistresses consent ? de. i , without leave of mistresse or nice mayd : yea , though by all within i be gaine-sayd . fl is 't possible ? whence cam'st thou , hither , pray ? who sent for thee ? thou might'st have kept away : for , we have , heere , within , farre fayrer mates , fine fellowes , merrier guests , within our gates : sure , th' art some courtier , by thy sirly face . de. indeed , both court and cart , in me have place , and , i , in them , doe challenge equall right . fl. i prethee , say , who art thou ? what strange wight ? de. i , surely , am thy sister and thy brother . f. hence , beast ▪ th' art some hermophrodite or other . de. therein ( indeed ) thy words are probable ; for , of both sexes i am capable . fl capable ? true , too much too , i beleeve : but , if my thoughts doe me not much deceive , thou neither lookest like male or female , but , art , more truely , some ghost lanck and pale . de. i am a ghost , yet , am thy looking-glasse , where , thou mayst see thy state like with ring grasse . fl. who were thy parents ? de. they that thee begot . fl. that 's strange ; but , surely , thus much i doubt not , thy parents would have pluckt out both their eyes , ere from their loynes an imp , like thee , should rise . de. yet , they me bred . for , biting-death did spring from their bold biting the forbidden thing , fl. whence cam'st thou then ? d. from thine owne wilfull sin . fl alas , alas . then we must needs be kin . de. true. we are both of one stock , land and line , fl. yet , small resemblance twixt thy state & mine . de. true , i confesse it , yet i tell thee plaine , nor thou nor any that alive remaine , can me , when i am present , passe , excell , with fitter frame of joynts though ere so wel , with more just mixture of the elements , with fairer structure of corps lineaments , or stronger state of body ; but i say , ● being present , am more choyce than they . fl. me thinks this is most strange , how can this be ? de. because , even natures-selfe hath chosen me ●or her anatomy . thou know'st right well , ●hat all that doe in surgery excell ●nd physicke , choose for their anatomie corps that surpasse in beauties excellencie . fl. t is true ( indeed ) of such as hanged be ; then , in that number i must reckon thee : and therefore tell me for what fact so foule hast thou beene hanged , and so left thy soule ? de. well , wanton wench , for all thy witty prate , i 'll be thy wooer and thy wedded-mate . fl. ha , ha , ha , ha . i never shall desire such a yoke-fellow to me to acquire , as will me make quite weary of my life , and fill my marriage-bed with hate and strife : when for my spouse i shall embrace a spirit , and stinking smels of rottennesse inherit . no , with the proverb , rather i 'd like well to dye a virgin , and leade apes in hell . de. so , so , meane while , i must , i will embrace thee ▪ fl. hands off , or to thy graves & ghosts i 'll chase thee ▪ de. soft , sister , soft : untoucht , i 'll touch & take thee ▪ thou art deceiv'd , if thou think'st to forsake me or scape my hands . delay not , instantly , if death but say the word , thou ( sure ) shalt dye . i stand unmov'd , when thou art mov'd , molested , i rise unhurt , when thou by death art rested . he which thee spoiles , spares not or sexe or age , conditions rare , face faire or head most sage . perhaps thou'lt say ( thou say'st no more than truth ) that nothing is , than death , more full of ruth , more tart and terrible , more curst , unkinde , as who , to looke on mens looks , is most blinde , is deafe and dumb to heare or answer treats is pittilesse , perniciously downe beates without distinction or least difference ▪ all , lyable to 's lawlesse violence ; not having least respect to good or bad , but , forcing all to one condition sad . fl. aye me poore wretch , must my flesh delicate , which fragrant flowers adorne and decorate , which sweet perfumes with odours rare perfume , must these faire joynts to rottennesse consume ? and all their moysture and their milk-white hew , be dry'd , drawne out , by such an elfe as you ? de. damsell , disdaine it not , these sinews bare , these rigid bones have grasped ladies faire ; equall to thee , for bodies beauty bright , for dignities and honours utmost height ; for smooth and soft conditions deare as thou , these , oft , i make to my embraces bow . fl. embrace them still , so thou lett'st me alone . what ? shall these dainty fingers , ever knowne to touch and strike the warbling lute-strings sweet enamell'd with pure azure-veines regreet , shall these , i say , once touch thy clay-cold wrists , or shall this haire of mine in curious twists , and rare layd wreaths , bound up , with garlands deckt and odoriferous perfumes , to affect the nisest nosthrils , like sols sun-beames bright , shall these under thine eagle-tallons light ? shall this high forehead , and these temples faire , adorn'd with aprils prime-sprung flowers most rare , fall underneath thy raw-bon'd fingers harmes , shall these my snow-white alablaster armes fitted for onely amorous kinde embraces , feele thy cold-icey grasping pawes disgraces ? shall these my tinckling , teachable fine feet , accustomed to measures , dances sweet , dance into thy darke cell , the loathsome grave ? or , finally , shall this my body brave , so neat , compleat , so worthy admiration , yeelding to amorous eyes such delectation , be shut up in a vile and filthy urne , and into noysome putrefaction turne ? de. spare farther speech , i none of these respect , i neither doe thy fingers fine affect , though ere so small or slender , shining faire , with golden rings and sparkling diamonds rare . i care not for thy tender lovely locks , though glistring like pure wooll among the flocks . i care not for thy temples faire and high , though deckt with fragrant flowrs most curiously . i care not for thine armes more white than snow , or , than the purest ivie that can grow . i care not for thy tender tinckling feet , although for wanton dances ere so meete . finally , neither can thy body fine nor any of thy bodies outward shine allure my minde , entice me , thee to spare , i , nought at all , for all thy neatnesse , care . for , well thou know'st , for this thy candor quaint , painters , doe me , a mans dead karkasse paint , consisting of bare bones , with sinews joynd where , thou , nor eares , nor eyes , nor nose canst finde , naked , deformed , ugly to be seene of neither sexe , handling a sithe most keene . o artificiall piece of painters wise ! deform'd , indeed , but full of mysteries . and , wilt thou ( damsell ) heare me them relate ? for thy sake ( then ) i 'll do 't most accurate , although , therein , thy outward beauty gay i nought regard . then listen , these are they . first , i am shewn , with hollow holes , no eyes to signifie , i no mans person prize , of whatsoever power or dignity , of whatsoever wealth or quality . i also am described without eares , to shew that death no mans petition heares , and that no prayer or humblest supplication can of my furie finde least mitigation . i pourtray'd am , without a nose to smell , thereby ( vaine dainty damsell ) thee to tell ▪ and thee lascivious wanton gallant brave , that i , in thy sweet sents no pleasure have . againe , i pictur'd am naked and bare to intimate that i doe nothing care for earthly substance or for treasure great , for bribes or gifts , which worldly wise doe cheate . i also am depainted without skin , or flesh or bloud , all raw-bon'd , meagre , thin ; to shew , assure , ( o damsell delicate , o spruce nice youths , too fond , effeminate , that neither your rare glistring beauty bright , nor vaine faire out sides can me ought delight . yet further , i in neither sexe am showne ; whereby it may be eviden●ly knowne , that i have firme resolved not to spare or male or female , whatsoere they are . finally , i am figur'd ( still ) to stand with a most large and sharp sithe in my hand , to shew , that as the mower in the field makes corne and grasse unto his sithe to yeeld so , i from off the earth doe all men mow , as ( thus ) the poet pithily doth show . sicut ante falcem seges ; ante mortem summi reges . that is , as corne before the sithe most keene , so in deaths presence , kings are seene . fl. and , art thou so inexorable , death ? that thou spar'st none , bereavest all of breath . de. i , i spare none , not one , who ere they be . fl. alas , this seemeth most unjust to mee ; what ? dost thou lusty lively youths destroy , but newly stept upon the brincke of joy ? together with the old decrepid sire , who , worne with age , seems every houre t' expire , and breathe his last , by aches , curelesse paines , and therefore counts thy presence precious gaines . de. all 's one to me , the youngling or the sage . fl. alas , what profit's ( then ) in youthfull age ? since youth and old age have but one condition , and must submit to fates most dire commission . de. indeed , if thou dost their condition eye , they both are subject to mortality ; but , if their probable-departure hence , thou mayst discerne this onely difference ; as , young-men , soone may dye , though ere so strong : so , old-men can't alive continue long . death is for old-men ever at the gate , for young-men he with nets and snares doth wait . to old-men he is still before their eyes , to young-men close behinde their backes he lyes . death is the child hood of weake infancie , death is the lad-age of our childe-hoodry , death is the youth of our lad-age estate , death is the manly-hood of youthfull fate . death is the old-age of our man-hood stout , death after old age doth decrepid flout . for death is of decrepid-age the death , and ( thus ) t is plaine that none that ere drew breath could sheltred be in such a close estate , but , death made entrance in him , soone or late . fl. alas , i surely thought ( but plainly see , i did but gull my selfe ) that none like mee , so lusty , lively , in their youthfull-blood so fresh in flower of age , so quickly shood be nipt and cropt , but , might make truce with death , and so enjoy a longer , happier breath . de. o no , for , short is that felicity , which still is tended with fragility . fl. ah , though t is short , yet , who desires it not ? de. he that a tyresome tedious life hath got . fl. yet , euen he would scape death if he might . de. hast thou nere heard or read those lessons right . that , 't is farre best , not to be borne at all , or soone to leave this life most tragicall . that , dead than living , are in happier state . that , nought than sleepe does death more personate . that , death 's the hav'n of ills , the help 'gainst woe , the onely easer of all griefes that grow . that all must dye , that death concludes all strife , that death is better , happier , farre than life . fl. that i have read them oft , to minde i call , but , held none true , and so forgot them all . de. it seemes indeed , th' are all slipt out of minde . fl. true , for , those things , in which , no joy we finde , we scarce beleeve , and eas'ly let them goe . de. but say , think'st thou that thou shalt die , or no ? fl. i thinke i shall , but yet withall i hope the day 's farre off , ere death with me will cope . de. we hope things good , we hate things that are bad . and , what can worse be either held or had , than a continuall warfare , jarre and strife , and , still to prop a transitorie life ? fle. o , but , what ere does please , gives ease to all . de. and , canst thou that a pleasant passage call ? which is encombred with so many straites , whereon , fierce famine , thirst , and labour waits , crosses and losses , and a sea of woe , which , from corrupted life doe fleet and flow ? fl. men us'd to paine are not so passionate ; and we are so inur'd to such a state , and , daily so acquainted with all these , that , we scarse feele them ; or , though felt , they plese . de. wouldst thou not count it a choice benefit , if , one would thee of these dire fetters quit ? fl. yes , i should hold it the best favour found , if , first , i could beleeve that i am bound . de. peace , peace , for shame , canst thou not plainely see lifes discommodities base bonds to be ? fl. o spare me , prethee , till i think them so , till i beleeve them such , pray let me goe . de. nay , now i smell thy foxe-like fallacie , i 'll not doe so , nor shalt thou so me tye as ( once ▪ one did , who spying me draw neere , and brandishing this fatall-sithe i beare still in my hand . this onely suit did make , that with my deadly dart i would not take his life from him , untill he quite had done his deepe devotions , pious prayers begun , which finished , hee 'd thanke me very much , and , quietly to dye would never grutch . i having ea●●ly granted his petition , and bound my selfe by oath , to this condition , not once to touch him , till he quite had ended his orizons and prayers so pretended : he instantly left off , left me deluded , and from that time he with himselfe concluded , and made a vow , he never death would pray to spare him , more , unto his dying-day . mayd , 't is most easie , never to beleeve , things we desire not , and , which most us grieve , but , i will deale with thee another way , and cause thee ( instantly ) aside to lay this vicious most pernicious fond opinion . then lend an eare , put off ( thou wanton minion ) thy carnall-nicenesse , for , i 'll now declare things which to thee most wholsome , healthsome are . hee 's teachable that diligently heares , shew thy selfe such and lend me thy prest eares . so shalt thou surely understand and finde , that i have ( herein ) bin to thee most kinde fl. o death , i 'll heare thee most attentively ; but , o , i would not have thee in mine eye . de. then , shut thine eyes , onely set ope thine eares , and now ( first ) tell me , how thou spend'st thy yeares ? how thou employst thy selfe , what paines dost take ? what dost thou daily thy chiefe pleasure make ? that thou art so much taken and delighted with lifes false fleeting sweets ? more fitly slighted . fl. o sir , my exercises be most sweet , and to my nature , every way most meet . i feele no frying heat , nor freezing cold , my hand did never wheele or distaffe hold , my heart in serious studies i nere pent , to sweeter pleasures , i my selfe have bent , namely , in delicate delights to flow , to please my tooth , to publike sports to goe , to swim in luscious liquor , sparkling wine , to be arayd in vestures rich and fine . to be a guest at banquets , nuptiall-feasts , to be at playes and other joviall-jests . to dance lascivious measures , spend the nights with youthfall gallants , juvenile delights , on rich embroydered beds of doune to lie , my flesh in sweet hot bathes to clarifie . finely to feed , fully to sleepe and snort , to fill my flesh with pleasures of each sort . de. but , that thou maist thine own prime-state review , and take a just account and reckoning true , how thou hast spent each day from morn to night , what speciall work does this taske expedite ? fl. i never worke , nor any worke desire , my onely businesse is earths joyes t' acquire . de. what joyes are they ? i prethee to me show ; sure they be rare , whence such rare love doth grow . fl. my chiefest care is for my cloaths and meat , my dainty breakfast in my bed to eate , which is provided in such costly wise , that nothing wants my palate to suffice . this proeme past ; that all things may concurre to answer my desires , in bed i stirre and rowle my selfe by soft-degrees most slow , ( as , when a doore smooth on the hinge doth goe ) and , thus , a sweet and soaking nap , i take , desirous nothing more to shun , forsake , then forreine quarrels , and domesticke strife , from publike tumults , to preserve my life ; to shun all courtly cares , to spend my dayes in silent rest , and be at ease alwayes ; to make my selfe most s●icke and smooth with fat , at bankets full of merry-table-chat . de. but , now i hope thou wilt at last arise . fl. yes , that i will ; for , i doe not so prize my bed , to make it my worlds sole delight , nor my bed-chamber a theatrick-sight . but , now , sols glorious rayes paynting the skies , with golden-beames and glistring on mine eyes through the transparent-windowes ; nicely , i call for my gowne full of embroydery , of various , curious colours , wrought most rare with flora's imitable tap'stry fayre . which , ere put on , how many thoughts have i touching its neatnes or its bravery ? sometime , i such a gorgeous gowne do prize , as may attract on me beholders eyes ; but , instantly , therewith some fault i finde , and then another coat i call to minde . for that , againe ( when brought ) i doe not care for , eyther t is too-heavy for my weare , or , for the times not fashionate enough , i therefore , quickely , cast it off , in snuffe ; and , for another ( yet ) i foorthwith send ; thus i in choosing cloathes whole mornings spend . de. and thus , i thinke , by trying them they teare , as much , or more , than if thou didst them weare . fl. my clothes , at last , put-on to my content , within mine owne doores i cannot be pent : but , instantly , gad-out , and thither goe , where greatest concourse of fit mates i know . nor am i mindfull much of novelties , that is my mistresse soules chiefe exercise ▪ de. thou sayst most true , for , she intends the mind , but , thou , thy meat , to feasting still inclinde . for , t is the mindes connative quality to be most greedy after novelty . fl. true. but i haunt not common-confluences of people , for such purpose ; but my senses finde ( inwardly ) selfe-tickling daintinesse which , or i cannot , or i ●ill suppresse . this , thus , within me sparkes more ardently and , thus , thereto , more fuell i applie . for , if in that concourse of gallants great i spie a prime-rose-youth most compt and neat he me , no sooner eyes then fries with love ; and from his guardian , soone , himselfe does move , and followes me , where-ere m● lust him leads . if i but frowne , a sigh his sorrow pleads ; if i but smile , he is most jocond , straite , on each kinde word , a laugh doth ever waite : he sports with 's spoyler , ignorant , meane while , that he ( thus ) dallies but with ismael vile , d. thus whiles thou play'st , thou prey'st , yea stay'st the youth . fl. 't is so , indeed , thou sayst the very truth . for , whomsoere i view , if he obey , i either deeply wound , or deadly slay . yet , neither i my selfe unhurt depart , for , i , by nature , have so kinde a heart that he , whom by my lust , i captive take , doth me ( thereby ) his servile captive make . de. thus , for the most part , it betideth , still , the spoyler proves a spoyle , by after-ill . but , prethee tell me , whither dost thou lead this lustfull-lad , that thus thy paths doth tread ? fl. i 'll freely tell thee all , and nothing hide . this lusty lecher still doth by me bide , and , if i finde him worthy every way , my best embraces to my bed most gay adorn'd with rich and rare wrought tapestry , full of love-sweets , i bring him by and by . but , first , if cupid call for delicates , we have a banquet , which lust stimulates ; in which , and amorous tales we spend the day , or else goe see some sight , or merry play . or , if we please to walke the pleasant fields , where flora's beauty fayre much comfort yeelds ▪ we , hand in hand , or arme in arme doe goe and , wanton jests and gestures , oft , do show . our names we grave upon the barke of trees , or else ( at last ) we tyred with all these , doe lye and coole us under some coole shade , or else in some sweet hot-bath , ready made , we both doe bathe , our joynts to supple more , thus , softly , sweetly , is my life past ore . de. a brave account ( sure ) of a gallant state , but , tell me , whether ought thou didst relate , hath made thee better or a jot more wise ? fl. pish , i least care to purchase such a prize , as honesties or wisedomes ayrie-gaine , let him that will ( for me ) those entertaine . my flesh is tickled , toucht with tendernesse , this world , mine inne , doth wholly me possesse , de. but , all wise men of whom i ever heard , have , evermore , that life , as best , preferr'd , wherein , they , every day , themselves have found in gravity and goodnesse to abound . fl. yet , did not they with all their goodnesse perish ? de. so thinks the world , but yet , in heav'n they flourish fl. well , be it so . and let them live there still , so i may have worlds-pleasure at my will. de. i ? say'st thou so ? yet , prethee say againe , whiles thou dost such a jocund life sustaine , in what case does thy mistresse , soule abide ? does she not with thee sharply chafe and chide ? fl. indeed , shee 's somewhat angry with me , oft , but , with a smiling looke and answer soft , i can her quickly please , but usually i leave her in her closets privacie , close at her prayers ; where , if she stayes too long i cease not to suggest , with motions strong , all my distracting-pleasures , to her minde , whereby , she , in that exercise can finde but little ioy and comfort ; which , to me , tedious and irkesome , i ( still ) finde to be . meane-while , my heaven born mistresse lady great , transported with coelestiall zealous heat and sacred furie , chides me bitterly , and , with these words , her anger out doth flie . " o! how perversely dost thou shew thy selfe , " how troublesome to me ( thou carnall elfe ) " why dost thou such base thoughts to me suggest " when i am to my pious prayers addrest ? " thou should'st me evermore , in all , obey , " and not my heart with such vaine-toyes orelay . " hast thou not read what i have writ and plac'd " over my chamber-doore ? there , read thou may'st , " and rightly know , what i most wish , desire ; " my god to get is all i doe require . ( for , this , indeed , is her inscription , still ) " o doe not , then , pervert and change my will. " i know whom i have served and obay'd , " nay , whose blest-bride , my selfe , i , thus , have made , " nothing , to me , more odious is than sin ; " nothing , than prayer , hath , ere , more pleasant been . " o! let the doores be , then , barr'd-up most fast , " that all the house may inward lustre cast : " let both the eyes be shut and closed ever , " that , loathsome lust may be admitted never . in such-like maner ( oft ) she useth me , but , from my practise i le not altred be ▪ for , ever still , i slily doe foment some new and unknown tickling toy to vent , which may not onely much distract her minde from sacred meditations ; but may binde and re-unite her love a fresh to me , then , i to her , make this complaint , most free . " sweet mistresse , you your-selfe too sharply use , " and , too-too strict and rigid courses chuse : " o! will you , ne're , your owne rare beauty minde ? " but , still , be to your selfe , so curst , unkinde ? " o! spare your eyes , weepe not so much , so oft " turne not , into hard horne , your knees so soft , " by frequent kneeling ; you have long enough " yea too-long led a life austere and rough ; " ile finde you merrier mates , if you 'll forsake " your closet , and , with me , worlds joyes partake . my lovely lady , heereupon , replies : " how merrily , at dice , the time hence flies , " how muddily , at prayers , it stickes and stayes , " how still it steales away , at sports and playes ? " how slow it seemes to goe , how tedious spent , " when , at gods worship , we are most intent ? and thus , my mistresse heereto condiscends ▪ and ready eares to my allurement lends . de. it seemes , then , that the mayd , her mistresse sways . fl. most true . for she , in nothing , me gaine-sayes : but alwayes holds me as her merriest mate , hugs me , with kisses does me consolate . we be as one , `wee 'gree as one , in all , namely , that we quench nor the sparkles small of our sweet loves deare lusts , but them fulfill not to deterre , but to preferre them still . de. thus , thou ( o flesh ) given as thy mistresse ayde art her destruction and chiefe scandall made . fl. o sir , y' are much mistaken in the thing , rather , much joy and solace , i her bring . de. thou dost not ioy , but her annoy with woe . fl. nay , then farewell sir , if you censure so , de. farewell ? nay soft , ther 's no way to evade , for ( yet ) more talke , i have thus long delayde . nay , whimper not , you doe but beat the ayre , if , for your strugling , you thinke i 'll you spare . fl. let me alone , or i aloud will cry ; if thou provok'st me with thy cruelty . de. canst thou accuse me , now of fornication ? fl. no , but for theft i 'll bring mine accusation . de. indeed , if accusations may suffice , the innocentest party guilty lyes : but , can it by thy nimble wit be showne , to be a theft to claime and take mine owne ? fl. if those two pronounes mine and thine might cease , the worlds deep discord would not so encrease . de. how right thou hit'st the nayle , yea , pamper'd flesh , whiles thou dost live , jars wil arise afresh . i tell thee , wench , thy white skin , painted face , does in a realme raise more contentions base , than all thy ladies utmost art or skill and strength of wit is able ( ere ) to still . but , i have caught thee , now , and thou art mine , i 'll now take care to end thy cheats most fine . fl. o , i had rather run into a stewes , than such a spighted spittle-house to choose . de. i easily beleeve thee , but , now know thou must such brothell-houses quite forgoe . death to the suburbs now , hath made his way , then ( neer the walls ) thou inmate canst not stay . fl. what dost thou meane to touch me ? raw-bon'd face , de. to give thee ( now ) a deadly cold embrace . fl. most irkesome and unpleasant are esteem'd th' embraces of a wooer , ugly deem'd . but what ? is death in love with flesh , i pray ? de. yes eagerly , thy flesh to turne to clay . fl. thou needs must be in love , who art in want . de. i therefore covet , 'cause i feele such scant . fl. will not a piece of me give thee content ? de. no , by no meanes , for ti 's most evident that deaths devouring jawes , no parts will take , but all or nothing is his proper stake . fl. yet , many gallants full of youthfull heate , famous for beauty brave , and bodies neate , have thought themselves t' have got an ample prey , if , on these roseall lips they could but lay and fixe one onely kisse , and wisht no more , and yet must thou , worne lancke and thin , all-ore , and , as thou seemst to me , bloodlesse and bare ; have me all-whole , as thine insatiate share ? de. i will not bare one inch , i le have thee full . fl. oh! whither dost thou , thus , me hale and pull ? de. even to my horrid-house of clay , the grave . fl. o! must thou such an expiation have ? must my fayre corps fill-up an uglie urne ? de. it must , indeed , and must to dust returne . fl. and , what companions shall i therein finde ? de. onely great crawling wormes , bred of thy kinde . fl. o! wilt thou not me spare , but one yeere more ? de. no , not one howre , i told thee so , before . a statute-law , heerein , doth on me lie , and i my charge must discharge , instantly . fl. what ? instantly ? ay me most wofull wretch ! spare me , but till i doe my mistresse fetch : for , she , alas , doth little dreame of thee , or , of thy now so neere approach to me . de. indeed , i thinke no lesse ; for i beleeve , thou friendlier entertaynment wouldst me give , if more familiarly thou didst me know . but , hence , such strangenesse doth betweene us grow : and , hence , i am your so unwelcome guest , 'cause , scarce , one thought of me is ere exprest . yet , call her foorth , i le promise make , nere doubt , i le thee not touch , before she , first , comes out . fl. o mistresse , mistresse ! are you , now , asleepe , more sound than ere you us'd , that hence you keepe ? soule . thou art deceiv'd , mayd , if thou thinkest so ; that ever i did sleepe , i doe not know . but , what 's the newes ? what is the cause and case , that thou me call'st , with such a frighted face ? fl o mistresse ! ther 's extreme necessity faln on us both ; for , most impetuously a stranger knockes at doore , of horrid hew , and ( if i may speake what i thinke is true ) of fierce aspect , a most deformed creature , and every way of most uncomely feature . he stands without , but spite of you or me he plainly threats that he let-in must be . so. who is 't , i prethee , that so saucily behaves himselfe ? what ? is 't not fit that i should mistresse be of mine ? bid him let 's see what right he has to enter , then , tell me . fl. tender ( indulgent mistresse ) i you pray your tender mayden , flesh , i neither may , nor dare so much as looke him in the face , much lesse expostulate , with him , the case i would not for a thousand worlds and more goe backe againe ( alone ) to him , to th' doore : so gastly , ghostly , frightfull , spritelike , he , fierce , furious , fatall , doth appeare to me . so. then tell me ( prethee ) what may be his name , or whence this formidable creature came . fl. aske him your selfe ( i pray ) a monster , sure , o , i cannot to talke with him endure . for , such bold liberty of speech he us'd , and me without least blushing so abus'd , as that he , me , his paramour did call , and , on me layd his fatall pawes withall . onely , he ( herein ) shew'd some courtesie and plighted promise to me seriously , that , untill you ( deare mistresse ) came out hence , he would not on me use his violence . so. alas , poore foole , and what wilt thou then be when i thy mistresse , soule , goe out of thee ? nothing ( alas ) but a poore karkasse dead , on which , foule crawling worms must full be fed . but , i 'll goe meet him and doe what i may timely to tame his pride . who art thou ? say ? de. i am the utmost end of every thing . fl. o mistresse goe not neere him , feare his sting , o , if you love me , send him ( soone ) away , by treats or threats , by force or fullest pay ; by any meanes , we must him quickly quaile , and packe him hence , or our whole house will faile . so. peace peevish wench , i 'll forth & talke with him . who ere thou art , under this vizard grim , horrid hobgoblin-like , which dost beset and thus unseas'nably our household fret and fright , and much disquiet our sweet rest , know this , that thou canst nought at all molest or terrifie my soule , no though thou bring a thousand deadly darts , and dost them fling with utmost furie , and this court surround , yet with least feare thou never canst me wound . what , though my carnall mayde , the flesh be frighted ? for , shee 's ( indeed ) with nicenesse o're-delighted , and unacquainted with so grim aspects , and such unpleasing spectacles neglects ? yet , my prepared soule shakes off such feares , and all such frights as buzing-flyes out-beares . then cut off all delayes , make plaine relation , what is thy name , and proper compellation ? de. i fright not folkes with any titles strange , nor yet with many , mighty names doe range ; my name is short , yet sharp to what hath breath , and i by all , am vulgarly call'd death . so. 't is very well . fl. but , fare you well were better ; his hideous presence does me feare and fetter . de. but lady , if you please , i will more plaine explaine my selfe ; i , to the heavenly traine am hasty-herald . bodies dissolution . th' inevitable-end . the resolution of all things . and , the robber of mankinde . to thee being sent , thee friendly to unbinde and set at liberty : this thy nice-mayd the flesh , to see , in her sepulture layd . fl. what sepulture , i pray ? de. an earthly bed , with a clay-pillow underneath thy head . fl. i have no need of such a chamberlaine to make a bed for me , so coorse and plaine , i have already , beds more soft and sweet , and , than thy bed , for m● ( me thinks ) more meet . so. i think you meane the grave to be your bed , de. you think most true & hit the nayle o' th head this i have ready made , then let your mayd goe downe with me , for , therefore have i stayd , and therefore am i hither come to thee , and , this demand is thus commanded me . so. nor may i such commission disobey . fl. o my deere mistresse , send him ( soone ) away , o will you ( now ) forsake me ? o , wherein have i ( so farre ) to you offensive bin ? thus to be left , have i not still regarded and done your will ? and must be ( thus ) rewarded ? peace , mayd , we must resistlesse-fate obay , death is not sent to be sent backe with nay . and , surely , if thou soundly didst conceive and rightly weigh these things , thou wouldst perceive and see and say that ( thus ) thou much dost gaine , rather than any detriment sustaine . fl. o when shall i this paradoxe hold true ? so. when sense doth yeeld , and reason doth subdue fl. must ( then ) my sense to reason so submit ? so. i , by all meanes , it is most just and fit . fl. o strange ! then what have you ( my mistresse done ▪ who have bin still by my perswasions won , and , all this while , to them have lent your eare , listning to me ( your mayde ) without all feare , whiles i my selfe was wholly led along , and taken up with lustfull senses strong . i still was angling with this hooke and bait , and you to catch it , greedily did waite . thus , you with least allurements i could traine from prayers to playes ; things sacred to prophane . thus , not your reason but my carnall-sense led you along with fearelesse confidence . why ( then ) doe you ( now ) reason so much presse ? which , you your selfe , so long , did thus transgresse . so. o mayden , mayden , this is it , indeed , ●hat makes me ( now ) so willing to be freed , and thee forsake ; unlesse my soule i 'll kill , ● freely must confesse i did thy will ; but , o my soule , thou hast an inmate bin too long ( alas ) in this darke house of sin . yet , be not sorry that i now must leave thee , and that thy mother , earth , must now receive thee . ●whence first i thee received as my friend , and , whither ( now ) i doe thee recommend ) for , 't is that i may thee enjoy againe , a body farre more faire , without least stayne . fl. is 't possible that i can fairer be ? by lying in the earth disioyn'd from thee ? who but a mad man can beleeve this thing ? ●hat such a place should glistring beauty bring ? ●nd make my flesh more faire ? where earth 's my bed , ●he grave 's my house , and wormes on me are fed . so. yet , thus 't will be . for , dost thou not ( now ) find ●hat sleepe makes thee of livelier , fresher minde ? fl. what then ? so. what sleep is , that is death also . fl. but , death is too too long a sleepe , i trow . so. why shouldst thou judge so ? who would think sleeps too long , whom , in her armes , his mother keeps ? fl. rather his step-dame , who 'd not that refuse ? so. thou dost thy mother most unkindly use . is not the earth thy naturall-mother just ? from thence thou cam'st , thither returne thou must . thou , hitherto , art most unworthy knowne , of my aboad with thee , and kindnesse showne : i have but us'd thee as an inne by th' way ; wherein , although , i , peradventure , may lodge for a night , yet may not there remaine ; feare not to die ( then ) death shall be thy gaine ; since , t is a passage , and sets-ope the gate , of a more happie life , more blessed state . de. forbeare , i pray , these tedious altercations , death cannot suffer such procrastinations . many great tasks on me imposed are , which i must expedite with speciall care . so. and , we will readily heavens will obay ; onely , forbeare a little while , i pray , till i have made my maid more fit for thee , for , she is nice and timorous , you see , and is much frighted at thy fearfull face , stand by ( therefore ) i pray , a little space ; till i but onely her more pl●ant make , to thy unwelcome message ; and to take my wholsome counsels , admonitions free , which , being done , i will most readie be to tread the foot-steps of that gorgias grave , in sweet desire my passage forth to have : who , being asked ( once ) if willingly he was content to leave this life and dye , answer'd ; yes truly ; for , i go hence , glad , as from a rotten ruin'd cottage bad . de. i pray proceed ( then ) and perform your mind . so. come neere ( my flesh ) to me thy mrs. kinde , prepare thy plyant eares , and facile heart , to these last precepts , which i 'le now impart . fl. deare mistresse , speake , for whatsoere you say i ready am to heare , to grant , obay . so. friends parting-words most inly penetrate and ●he sad sighes they ( then ) ejaculate , do in the hearers heart stampe deepe impression , and make them yeeld farre more intent concession . we both are ( now ) a long-farewell to take , and i from thee , and thou from me must make a separation , and disunion large ; come hither ( then ) and heare my parting-charge , prepare , and fit thy selfe , forthwith , for death , before he fiercely comes to stop thy breath . forsake those pleasures , wherewith ( heretofore ) thou wast engaged , yea ingulft all ore ; leave them , i say , and being left , despise them and henceforth as thy souls chiefe murtherers prize them , and , now , the small remains of time yet lent , to gaine thy god in christ , let whole be spent . the fight is short , the victory is great . and though the skirmish may much danger threat ; by how much more thou dost in battell strive , the more the ioy , in conquest , thee'll revive . for , marke this one thing in a speciall measure , if , for the love of earth and carnall pleasure thou leave gods love , and seeme his grace to scorn gods love will leave thee wretched and forlorne , even in thine houre of most necessity , and give thee over to hels tyranny . thou art arriv'd ( now ) at the haven of rest , where vessels must be firmely rig'd and drest . thy day of death , which , as thy last , did fright thee , is thy eternall birth day to delight thee . then cast off every clog that would thee stay if any darling sin lye in thy way which thou extremely hast delighted in ( as , with too many thou hast tyred bin ) then leave it , loath it . for , thy foot must tread a holier way , a happier life to lead . what ere is brittle , is of little price , and being fraile doth faile us in a trice ; and now thy feeble flesh must needs abide the common-chance which does all sorts betide . then , wonder not , thy predecessours all did tread the selfe-same path , both great and small , how aptly answered they in such-like case ? whether we watch or sleepe in any place , whether we talke or silent hold or peace , whether we walk or from our works doe cease , whether we will or nill in any thing , by times least minutes we doe daily bring our sliding , gliding dayes ( at last ) to end , and then to natures course must bow & bend . then weep not ( my poore mayd ) cease showres of tears at this my parting from thee , cease all fears . in heavens duetime , we both againe shall meet , and with full joy enjoy a union sweet . fl. deare mistresse , these your admonitions kinde doe mightily prevaile and ease my minde . yet , i cannot some strugling thoughts dissemble to thinke to dye and be dissolv'd , i tremble . so. alas ( weake flesh ) that 's it i most desire ; to be dissolv'd , and flye to th' heav'nly quire. o doe not thou indulge thy selfe too much , why dost thou looke so pale at deaths sweet touch ? why dost thou quake and quiver at his sight ? since thou shalt have a frame more faire and bright than ever ( yet ) thou hadst or canst conceive ; these rotten mud-walls thou must onely leave , to be pull'd downe and be built up againe to turne to dust , then ( ever ) new remaine . he ( onely ) feare of death is fit to show , which to his saviour christ is loath to goe ; ● goe before that i may see his face , we both shall joyne , and hee 'll us both embrace . meane-while thou must sleepe sweetly in thine urne , and , there into thy native dust returne , ●rom whence thou shalt in farre more beauty rise , ●nd see thy saviour , even with these same eyes . ●or , thou art laid in earth , to lay-away thy earthly-substance , corrupt state of clay . be then couragious . for , as corne , men sowe , must , first , dye in the ground , before it grow , must , first , seeme rotten , ere it rise againe : even so thy body , like unto the graine , must , first , lye dead and rotten in the grave , ere it in heaven , eternity can have . fl. now , truly mistresse , you have sweetly said ; i now am much assur'd , and well apaid : being ( thus ) fore-warn'd , i am fore-arm'd from feare , death's face is ( now ) lesse terrible , than ere . and ( now ) o lovelesse-life , burnt out enough , put out thy light , ceasse ( now ) thy twinckling snuffe , farewell , deare mistresse , sweetest , soule , farewell ; in this assured hope , ring out my knell . that in my gods good time , i , rais'd shall be , with thee , my soule , my saviour christ to see . so. having this hope , in dying thou shalt live ; and , i , with joy , shall me to thee , regive . de. how hardly can these two divorced be ? have ye done talking ? and given way to me ? your mutuall last-farewell take ( now ) i pray ; time and my taske will ( now ) no longer stay . so. o death , i prethee ( now ) take thine own time ; make haste , that i , to heaven my haven may clime come ( now ) and put thy charge in execution , for , i , with this one well-fixt resolution , will winde up all . i have not so liv'd here , in this vaine world ( yet , hereunto , i feare , i have beene too-inclin'd , too much affected , which , now i grieve , and leave thee more neglected as that to live ( here ) longer , i should shame , or that i durst not dye for feare of blame : and that because i serve a master kinde , whom i , in christ , doe reconciled finde . thus , therefore to goe out of this fraile life , is to goe into heavenly pleasures rife : thus , life to leave , is aye to live in peace , in full fruition of all joyes encrease : thus , thee my mayd , i to the earth commend , whiles i heavens kingdome happily ascend . de. thus ( then ) adeu to both of you . the end of the first dialogue . the second dialogue . betweene the divell , the flesh , and the vvorld . the argument of the second dialogue . the world and flesh to every evill are onely agents for the divell : but here , the flesh being mortifi'de , sathans suggestions are deny'de ; who can do nought but tempt to ill , has no more power , although more will ; which amply to the world he showes , and how ore carnall men he crowes . but neither ( yet ) the world effects , nor , he himselfe his foule projects vpon the sanctified heart , dead to the world and hels blacke art. the divell ( thus ) repell'd each way with rage recoyles , makes ( there ) no stay . di. where are ye my comragues , my servants true ? my martiall-mates , by whom i must subdue ? what ? is there no hope left to lift or force the sullen soule from her religious course ? whereon she is so fixt and fully bent . what ? no devise this geere for to prevent ? must my high glory suffer such eclipse ? and be so child , nigh kild with pious nips ? surely , i ever since my first great fall have burn'd with lust , and boyl'd with bitter gall of deepe desire to fence and fortifie , yea and expatiate our large emperie . yet still i finde by old experience , that whiles the soule gets the preheminence , ore thee the flesh , reason the soule subjects , and grace guides reason , all hath ill effects : my projects perish and my engines faile , my force growes feeble and my power does vaile . be stirring ( then ) my champions old and brave , for , work enough to doe , yee see ye have . fie , are ye not asham'd more sound to sleep now , than ye us'd , and sluggishly to keepe your hands within your bosomes , since that you have for your master so much work to doe ? for shame arise , shake off this drowsinesse , and hunt and haunt about with eagernesse . now is my summer-season , harvest faire , which , if by your neglect and want of care it be let slip and fruitlesly past over . farewell all hope for ever to recover my owne peculiar strength and princely state : o then faire flesh , neat , nice and delicate , my faithfull servant , whom above the rest i most doe trust and ever prized best ; and , on whose strong assistance and brave ayde i ever have my chiefe assurance stayde , and justly too : for , a domesticke foe wounds the more deeply , gives the deadlier blow . but what hast thou beene doing all this while ? why dost thou thus waste time ? my hopes beguile ? what ? wilt thou ( now ) prove turne-coat , backward flye and leave me in my most necessity ? fl. alas , i know not what to doe or say ! my mistresse hath me starv'd and pin'd away ; and to hard fastings , she harsh stripes does adde , i wretch am nought but skin and bone ; too bad . whereby i am not unto lust incited , nor with lascivious mo●ions ought delighted : if i to walke abroad to friends affect , i am recall'd , shut up , and soundly checkt ; if i desire full feasts enflam'd with wine , she useth on me most sharpe discipline . what ere is irkesome to me she commands , what ere delightsome , stricktly she withstands . then , in this case , alas , what should i doe ? i cannot her content , and yet serve you . di. thou say'st most true . but how may this thing be ? that she should so much curb and bridle thee ? what ? hast thou lost all power of reluctations ? all thy most slye acustom'd inchantations ? i have thee knowne a most facetious-lasse , a nimble artist , apt to bring to passe with fine insinuations her to prove , and , so , thy selfe t'ingratiate in her love ; where are those fiery tickling darts layd by ? wherewith thy soule thou woundedst frequently ▪ where are ( i say ) those carnall cogitations which with importunate rife molestations did beat upon thy heart ? occasioned by drinke , sleepe , pleasure , flesh-much pampered ? hast thou forgot , that death first entrance made at those two windowes which the soule betrayd ? where are ( then ) those bright sparkling lights most fayre ? which us'd to be ensnar'd and to ensnare . canst thou behold no face , as thy fit prize ? or hast thou pull'd-out lust-alluring eyes ? or , is 't for love of vertue , my chiefe foe , that thou dost lifes sweet pleasures thus forgoe ? fl. my mistresse 't is that on me does inflict a rigid sparing course and life most strict . di. and , what of that ? must thou therfore be nice ? fle. o sir , a moderate life does murther vice ; quite quencheth lust , doth valiant vertue nourish , corroborates the soule , makes the minde flourish , and elevate it selfe to things above ; whereby it comes to passe that i still prove more faint and feeble , she more active is ; she stronger ; i more weake to doe a misse . di. thou dost endure sharp slavery indeed ; i wish thee ( then ) shake off thy yoake with speed . deale roundlier with thy soule , her tartly chide , for , if so saint-like she in thee abide , and exercise on thee such holinesse , thou loosest me , and dost thy selfe distresse . thou must therefore , beginnings most withstand , and have this sentence ready still at hand , pleasure is of all ill the luscious meat . this , thou must sugredly suggest , repeat vnto the minde of thy great mistresse faire , with this thou must her heart entice , ensnare , which part , by thee , with wit and craft well playd , thou hast the day , and victour shalt evade . fl. but , these mine armes unarmed are and faint , my courage dead ; i can me not acquaint with earths delights , nor seeke nor yet suggest to any pleasures , for i them detest . my nimblenesse of wit doth faile me quite , connative-lust in me hath lost it's might . i see not ought unlawfully to will , i more wish food , than pleasures to fulfill . di. i ? is it so ? returne ( then ) to thy dust ; thou art not worthy my least love or trust . yet stay a while , for i 'll to thee call forth my other agent of more precious worth . which , with more care and sedulous respect will all my high designes fully effect . ●ome neere , most worthy world , my stedfast friend , my matchlesse mouse-trap , whereinto i send besotted sinners , who , with heedlesse hearts are caught , whiles they neglect soule-saving parts . thou , world , i say , who when thou seem'st to smile , dost much more hurt , than when thou dost turmoile . and , when thou dost entice to be affected , art most to be avoyded , disrespected ; then , with supine neglect to be despised , when men by thee are forced or advised . hence 't is that they which have thy favour found , are like those men , which in deep seas are drownd . wo. sir , i am ready and most promptly prest , in all things to performe your high behest ; most forward , free , t' endure all labours great to suffer pinching hunger , cold or heat , yea , and what not ? whereby i may expresse my bounden best , to you , with eagernesse . di. hark , dost thou hear my most obsequious client ? how readily addrest , how prest and pliant ? with all approved care his best to bend the confines of our kingdome to extend . fl. i heare right well , and cannot choose but smile : d. what makes thee smile , thou thin-skin'd quean most vile fl. his madnes , which a measure doth surmount d. but , my wise world does thee most sottish count , whose rigid life , thy life hath well nigh spent , and strooke thee dead to pleasure and content . fl. nay rather : but what rage of slavish sinne does vexe and much perplex all those , within , which thirst so after worlds wormewood and gall ? and following him , doe on lifes shipwracke fall , enduring ( thus ) much mischiefe , and the power of impious tyranny , soules to devoure . d. what 's this ? who made thee such a preacher , pray ? fl. she , which me governs and whom i obey . di. a wretched service 't is to be regarded , where a sharpe-life is for full-pay rewarded . fl. nay rather , hee 's to foolish bondage bent , which serves the wrangling-divell , nere content . di. is 't possible thou should'st thus saucie be ? i 'll plague this-pride with all extremity . fl. your threatnings great doe little me affright , i need not feare the divels fraud or might ; having the lord farre stronger on my part . i know ther 's nothing sweeter to thy heart than , at thy pleasure , me to make to sin , and having sinn'd , mine overthrow to win ; but , now at last i have resolv'd to leave thy slavish yoake , which did me long bereave of my best liberty ; for , now i see how many sinnes , so many divels in me : and , that unlesse i these from me expell , the others will within me lurke and dwell . but , thou hast surely lost a mayd of me ; and , blest be heaven , whose grace hath set me free . the flesh , well rul'd , is servant to the soule , if this doe rule , the other 's in controule . wo. intollerable is thine insolence , to heare thee longer , i want patience . fl. and , want it still , who cares for that , i pray ? wo. thou shouldst ( i think ) give , to thy elder , way . fl. my elder , that thou art , indeed , i grant , not better , whiles th' art sathans stiffe servant . wo. why ? what hadst thou been ( prethee ) without mee ? fl. nay , but for me , what had become of thee ? wo. the world , i ( surely ) evermore had bin . fl. nay , rather , a wilde desert , empty , thin . for , what 's the world ? if men do it not furnish , and , what is man ? if flesh do him not garnish . di. thou arguest wittily ; but , yet , i say , the world begirts and hems thee every way . fl. but , were not flesh , in being , presuppos'd , it could not be begirt and so enclos'd . di. well , well , forbeare , i can no longer beare thee : or hold thy peace , or i 'll no longer heare thee . but , if thou ( thus ) me crosse and contradict , i 'll on thee ( soone ) my utmost rage inflict . fl. thou canst not hurt one-haire upon my head vnlesse my maker hath so ordered . meane-while , i 'll heare what exhortation fine thou giv'st the world to act all thy designe . di. i 'll let thee heare , if so thou wilt conceale it . fl. nay , whatsoere i heare , i 'll ( sure ) reveale it . lest , others , which thy counsels do not know , through ignorance , themselves do overthrow . di. thou treacherous slut , go on ( then ) do thy worst , if , thou forsake me , i have others nurs't , and nuzled-up , and those of thine owne kinne , and neere acquaintance , who have ever binne my farre more constant active instruments , clinging close to me with their full consents . fl. i doubt it not ; but , o that it might be , that , them , by grace , i throughly clens'd could see ! then , they , with me , would quickly thee forsake , and , faithfully , their soules their soveraignes make . di. come thou to me ( my world ) lend thou thine eare thou , all my crafts & counsels ( now ) shalt heare . wo. speak on ( great sir ) thy world is stil and mute , bold , to heare thy hests , and then to execute . di. brave world , my most renowned champion by whom , i most of my large empire hold ; whom , whither i may praise for readinesse to my commands ; or for selfe-nimblenesse , in thy inchanting arts ; i know not well ; so bravely thou , in both , dost beare the bell . meane-while , what may i thee most fitly name ? a theatre full of contentions flame . where all do act their parts , contend and strive , but very few , with victorie , do thrive . thou hast circensean-games , those pristine sports , which have beene exercis'd in romes rare courts ; and those , most exquisitely ready made , where , each may his affected course invade ; where thou shalt finde a miscellanie strange , all of all sorts in their base courses range . there , first and worst of all , thou maist behold the avaricious , greedy after gold , who want , as well , the wealth already got , as , that , they tugge and toyle for , and have not . who ride and run , and sweat and sweare , and lye , by right or wrong , by force of fallacie , to gather heaps of wealth , and hoorded gaine , in using which , as hopelesse , and as vaine , as if they never had them in their hands : in which respect , here , all the difference stands twixt greedy havers , and those , nothing-having that , these , in wanting ; those themselues depraving of use of what they have , their state do show . either , things wanted , they do covet , so , that , they may have them ; or , things ( now ) enjoy'd , they feare to loose , or , lest they be destroy'd . they , filthy gaine before plaine losse esteeme , and wealth got any way , they pleasant deeme . all nets and snares , all gins and grins they lay to compasse coyne , and make a gainfull prey . if profit but peep out with halfe an eye , then are they tickled , netled , eagerly ; they itch to be made rich , and flie to gaine , they grace neglect , which makes me laugh amaine . they sing with franticks , and with fooles they run t' a painted paire of stocks , where th' are undone . for , what else do they , but make their owne snares whiles hoording gold , they heape up galling cares ? who knows not how that achans wedge of gold , and dagons house , them to destruction sold ? yet , with such subtill shifts i use to hide and cloake and palliate their poysonous-side , that , not least glimpse of my-sly-worke appeares , nor of their owne-salvations-losse , least feares . and , how ( indeed ) should they or feare or flie , the danger , which they cannot finde or spie ? riches are got with toyle , are kept with care , with envy and distrust encreased are ; at last , with gripes of conscience , griefe of heart , or , they from us , or we from them must part : yet , these , the vicious avaricious-man idolatrously love , yea worship can ; and in his heart to them a church erects : for , that , man worships , which he most affects . they , then , that prize gold more than god above , their goods as gods ; land , as their lord , they love . next , my brave world , within thy compasse wide the puft-ambitious round about do ride ; and , these are alwayes fowlers for high honours on highest turrets to erect their banners . and , for this end , sleepe from their eyes they banish , and from their minds sweet rest & peace doth vanish . proudly they perk aloft , unsafely sit , headlong they tumble , when their barke is split . wherein , they , me their prince ( right ) personate , who , higher raisde , fell more precipitate . briefly , here , in thy courts take their carreire voluptuous-wantons , who no colour feare , who , for a little posting-shade of pleasure hazard salvation , soules eternall treasure . here also run the wrathfull fretfull rout , who swell and swagger , rage and rave about , who , salamander-like , live best in fire whose gratefull works answer my great desire . for , if peace-makers be gods sonnes esteem'd ; then ( sure ) peace-breakers must my sons be deem'd . here , run the rabble of hels envious elves , who pine at others , but most pinch themselues . who are much vexed at their neighbours joy , and no lesse jocond at their great annoy . whose base and most malicious inclination , is unto me of passing acceptation . here , finally , are sottish-sluggish-ones , who passe their lives like lifelesse lazie-drones . all these do ramble in thy circle round , by whom our treasurie most rich is found . for , as saints souls are gods best treasures deem'd ; so , i their spoile have my best sport esteem'd . then , buckle to thy businesse , play thy part , now let me see thine active , expert heart . i may suggest foule facts unto the thought , thou must them urge , & see thē throughly wrought . but , if thou long , our empire to enlarge , thou must most chiefly execute this charge : namely , ith'first place , to remove or stay , occasions , tending to good , any way . thou , many-men ( i thinke and hope ) shalt finde , to let alone forbidden-things enclinde , more out of shame or feare , than for good-will ; this shame , thou from their minds , must push-off still that , neither sense nor shamefac'dnesse therein may curbe or keepe them backe from any sinne . this , if thou dost , as easily thou mayst , if thou flinch not , nor from my counsell stray'st , that goodly troope , and traine of seeming-saints , shall , bare and blinde and snar'd in sins constraints , run●e after thee , and thou with cords of vice , shalt them to dance after thy pipe , entice ; and draw them up and downe from sinne to sinne ; from one lust to another , them to winne : and , thus , they , tyr'd and myr'd with sins , at length , shall passe before their driver , voyd of strength . meanewhile , my selfe , will nothing intermit , which may my thrones enlargement fully fit , and , if thou shew thy selfe my servant true , i 'll pay thy worke the wages just and due . i ( as thou know'st right well ) will exercise , that expert art , practis'd by hunters wise , who hunt in garments greene like groves and woods , wherby the deere , which 'bout the mountains scuds , they , at more leasure with more pleasure may deceive , of life bereave and beareaway . iust so , will i , most nimbly play my part , now , here : now , there : i up and downe will start ; sometime a lambe , sometime a lyon stout , sometime thick-darknesse ; then i 'll light bring out : and so to severall times , conditions , places , i 'll put on most fit various tempting-faces . for , to deceived men mourning , i 'll be sad , to cheat the cheerfull , i 'll be merry-mad : to gull the godly ( if so be i might ) i 'll be transform'd ' nto an angel bright : to sting the strong , i 'll seeme a lambe most milde , to murther meeke-ones , ravening wolfe most wilde . yea , oft , i openly rage , lyon-like , oft , with the dragon , secretly i strike . by these means ( though , somtimes a strong knit band may our temptations happily withstand ) yet , ther 's no doubt , but ( at the last ) we shall vpon an happie hoped issue fall . for , no man ( alwayes ) lives so cautelous but may , sometime , ensnared be by us ; so he upon thy pleasing baits do rest , and my most various pills do well digest . for why ? much difference must be in th' essayes , to crosse the craft of all my cheating wayes : to beare the frequent , yea continuall blows of him , whose subtill nature plainly shows his genuine-cunning and sly policie , got , by hid malice and antiquitie . for , since the time that i from heaven fell , i fell a vexing those whom god loves well : even his deare sonnes : and , never ( yet ) did cease my hatred 'gainst that creature to encrease till i had utterly undone , destroy'd his precious soule , with me , to be annoy'd : that creatures soule ( i say ) which god did make his master-piece and image blest to take , that he might also , at the last , possesse that heavenly glory , matchlesse blessednesse , which i through mine owne pride most justly lost , and , ever since , hath me most dearely cost . fl. o , how most plainly hast thou shown thy selfe to be the devill ( indeed ) a damned-else . but , all thy snares and gins are laid in vaine so long as i do none of thine remaine : whom onely , thou dost greedily affect , whom wholly thou wouldst impiously infect . for , whom , indeed , can all thy snares allure ? if , he , relying on my counsell sure , refuse thy cheating counsell to obay ; t is mine-owne simple softnesse that makes way for all thy jugling tricks ; i say , t is i that fit voluptuous-lust for venerie . the avaritious for accursed gaine ; th' ambitious for his swelling loftie-straine , the envious for his most malitious heart : the wrathfull how to act his raging-part . the gluttonous for his lust-breeding-cates . the slothfull , who for sleepe and slumber waits . then , what needs all thy supersilious boast ? thou canst but tempt , and try , and move , at most , for , then , if i resist , refuse , withstand , thou dost but cast thy seed upon the sand . they , then , which truly are discreet and wise ( and , herein , i ingenuously agnize , i speake against my selfe ) o let them ever curb my indulgent nature , nuzle it never ; o let them ( alwayes ) use all rigidnesse 'gainst me , their flesh , which work mine own distresse let them delight to exercise on me , what ere may crosse me most , most irksome be . but , as for pleasing-things , which me affect , o let them quickly , wholly , them reject ▪ which wholesome counsell if they timely take , they shall , not onely , thy hopes frustrate make , and put thee , their arch-enemie to flight , but , having with victorious sweet delight finisht the battell , got the conquest brave , at last , a crowne of glory they shall have di. thou filthy queane ; why dost thou thy selfe show our most nefarious , most perniciou● foe ? fle. because that he alone tha me created , thus , to himselfe ( by grace ) me regulated : when , to my lust i full allowance gave , i was thy servant and thy wretched slave , but , once recal'd and freed from that estate , by holy abstinence made moderate , i learn'd my god , whom best i ought , to serue ; from thee , whom first i followed , thus to swerne . di. and what ? wilt thou , my world , forsake me too ? wo. i must forsake thee ; what else shall i do ? for , if the flesh forsake me , what am i ? on whom my state hath its dependancie . di. nay , do not so : rather our darts let 's cast , and force her to our beck and check at last . fl. he which may forced be , knows not to dye ; but , i have learn't t' embrace death readily : and , dye i will to sinne , thee to destroy , and bid farewell to th' world and worldly-joy . wo. if thou bid me fare-well , i ill shall grow , forsake not me , for i with thee will go . di. then farewell both , for hell 's my onely due , thither i go , from whence i came to you : meane-while ; let all know this , that boldly sinne and grieve not at it ; they have hell , within ; a hellish-conscience lodging in their brest , and i have slaves and whips the same t'infest . an end of the second dialogue . the third dialogue . betweene man and his conscience . the argument of the third dialogue . man and his conscience altercate about the soules and bodies state . man ( here ) complaines of much unrest , that conscience does him sore molest . conscience , as much , of man complains , that his ill-doings her constraines to testifie against him still , 'cause he resists his makers will. where , by the way , conscience displayes sweet rules for ordering all his wayes ; and , to them both , true peace to winne , finding the cause of all in sinne. man. vvhy , o my conscience dost thou so perplex me ? why dost thou so much gripe and grinde and vex me ? wilt thou , mine inmate , whom i entertaine , tell tales of me , and 'gainst me ( thus ) complaine ? con. the charge , which i receiv'd to keep in trust , alive i looke to : dead , returne i must . ma. alas , poore conscience , if i ruin'd be , i prethee what will ( then ) become of thee ? con. how-ere thou fare , i 'll beare thee company , and the same smart we 'll suffer mutually . alive or dead , i will thee not forsake , if thou live well thou wilt me happie make : if thou live ill i shall both figh and groane , and all my griefes and wrongs i will make knowne . for or against thee , i must witnesse beare : a thousand armies ( hence ) cannot me feare . and , this , i know , that though revenge come late , yet , t is most sure , and layes-on heavy waight . ma. wretch that i am , i ( then ) am quite undone , what shall i do ? o whither shall i run ? con. run ? what ? to hide thee ? ah , there 's no place left , i am of all retyring-holes bereft : though thou couldst creepe into earths intrals low , earth , no safe shelter could on thee bestow . if thou more swift than easterne-winde couldst flie , thou couldst not scape my fierce velocity . as swift as thought , i , th' ayre can penetrate , and , nothing can my course procrastinate : but , i would follow , yea pursue thee so , that i would still , in thine owne footsteps go . " then , say not thou , there 's none can me espie , " none can me heare , fast shut is eare and eye . " who can me view , since darknesse me doth hide , " since strong stone-wals close me on every side . " since none can see me , whom i need to feare , " tus● , god , my faults does not in mem'ry beare . vaine , most profane are all such thoughts as these , shall not the eyes-creator see with ease ? and shall not he that made the eare , soone heare ? or , he that plants the heart , know all things cleare ? all things to his omniscience naked are ; fly from the field to th' towne with frighted care , out of the street into thy house make haste , thence , though thou be in thy bed-chamber plac'd , yet , know , that i , by thy creators will , within thee rest , and am thy witnesse still . whom , if thou with an evill-eye behold , to use those words , to me , thou wilt be bold , of ahab to elias ( impiously ) what ? hast thou found me , o mine enemie and , i , most readily shall answer thee , i have thee found , and must against thee be , 'cause , thou hast sold thy selfe to worke what 's i●● before the lord , which does thy guilt fulfill . behold ( therefore ) i now against thee rise , and bring upon thee purchas'd miseries . ma. alas , i then perceive , our foule offences are most unsafe , though daub'd with faire pretences . con. what though they could be safe in their commission , if , yet , they bring thee to unsure condition ? or , what good comes to sinners by being hid , if , guilt , to hope so , long , does them forbid ? ma. enforme me ( then ) good conscience how i may make thee , my gladsome witnesse , in me stay . con. the best and briefest counsell i can give , is , thee t' advise , a holy-life to live ; a life inculpable of crying-crimes , vnspotted with the evils of the times ; a life declaring power of godlinesse , a life that heavenly graces doth expresse . by dying to all lusts and foule desires , by doing all good-deeds that love requires . by giving freely , what to each belongs , forgiving , friendly , all received wrongs . not coveting what is anothers right , to do , as thou'dst be done by , with delight . by shunning that which makes the soule to dye , chusing what makes it live eternally . ma. these are hard tasks and bitter lessons , sure , and , such , as flesh and bloud cannot endure . con. o , but it will be farre more harsh and hard , t' endure the worme of conscience and be barr'd and shut out from the beatifick-sight of gods all-cheering face and beauty bright . which paine of losse , doth doubtlesse farre excell , all other the most horrid paines of hell ; namely to be , both , torne and tortur'd , there , to be distracted and distrest with feare , where , neither , the tormentors tyred be , nor , those tormented ( ever ) death can see . ma. alas , that death 's most dire and tart , indeed , ah , shew me how i may from it be freed . con. the onely-way is to the world to dye , before thy soule out of this world doth flye . ma. what ? must this spacious , specious , aedifice adorn'd with rarities of precious price , full of so many various , curious pleasures the onely magazine of so much treasures , must this , i say , be vilipended so ? must i this world , so rare , so faire , forgo ? con. vndoubtedly , if thou in these delight , with deadly danger they thy soule will smite . for , look , how much the flesh this world affects and the false-seeming-sweets thereof respects ; so much the more the soule will be perplext , and , with the fire of hell be plagu'd and vext : on th' other side , how much the flesh is tam'd , so much the soule with heavenly hope is flam'd . ma. but yet , we see , all men do still desire the present-state , t is this they most require . con. but yet , i know , t is far the worst condition , t' enjoy things-present in a full fruition ; but , therewithall , to be quite stript and bare , of future-comforts to have part or share . o , t is most sweet , onely the world to use : but , god alone t' enjoy , and chiefe to chuse ! thou hast not in this world a fixed station , nor , here , must ( ever ) have thy habitation : who , then , can sing his song in a strange-land ? who would build castles on the sinking-sand ? alas , we ( here ) our selves should so behave , that , when the wormes did eate our corps in grave , our soules , in heaven , triumphantly might sing , with quires of saints and angels to heav'ns king. thither our spirit ever should ascend , whither we do propound our journies-end . thither we should make speedy haste , yea flie , where we shall ever live , and nere-more die . dost thou pure gold , nere to be spent , desire ? eternall-life , which , never ends , require . the land of havilah , in paradise , hath in it , store of gold of precious price . t is earth thou bear'st , that , thou must leave behinde , t is earth thou tear'st , that , thou must nere-more mind but , t is a land thou seek'st , and would'st receive , that is the land which thou shalt never leave . men , rather , are gods stewards , than treasurers , riches ( therefore ) upon them he conferres . what ( then ) we reape , we piously should sowe and liberally and lovingly bestow . that , this true faith and due obedience , might be repayd with heav'nly recompence . the things we give are small and not our owne ; those we shall have are great ▪ and from gods throne ▪ m●n , whose affections are celestiall , are justly stil'd angels terrestriall ; and , no man shall ( hereafter ) god possesse , in whom , god dwels not ( here ) by holinesse . if sathan , prince of earth , hath thy least part , god , king of heav'n , will not dwell in thy heart . the spirit of evill ( then ) cast out , disdaine , that so thou mayst gods spirit entertaine . remember , whence thou cam'st , thine offspring base , and , this will make thee blush and hide thy face ; consider , where thou art , and sigh for wo , and , quake , to thinke , whither , thou ( once ) must go . ma. all are ( i know ) made of one potters clay , and , must resolve into the same , one day . con. then , every man , being mould , must into earth , moulder away , whence , first , he took his birth . ma. nothing 's more true . con. and , flesh is but a froth cloth'd with fraile beauty , a meere menstruous cloth . man. t is even so , i can it not denie . con. why ( then ) dost thou so fat and beautifie that flesh of thine , which after a short while must be devour'd , in grave , by wormes most vile . but , as for thy poore soule , thou let'st it pine , nor , dost with good works make it faire and fine . which , thus , to god and 's angels thou shouldst show thou dost not ( sure ) the price of thy soule know . man. yes , very well . con. i feare the contrarie ; for , else , thou wouldst not it so vilifie . know , this , o man , know this , i say to thee ▪ the losse of one soule , greater losse to be , than of a thousand bodies : for , t is plaine , bodies may be reviv'd , that have bin slaine : but , o , the soule which once by sinne is dead , can never be to life recovered , but by a miracle , christs bloud apply'd , which cannot be , where it is still deny'd . o , then , behold , and blush to see thy sloth , or , rather , sinfull sottishnesse , or both : in ( thus ) preferring barke before the tree : shels 'fore the kernels , flesh 'fore the soule in me . not onely blush at this , but sigh and groane whiles thou considerest how th' art left alone , here , in a region full of enemies , ready and greedy the● for to surprise , where are domesticke-traytors worst of all , where death is in the pot to worke thy fall . and , where thy foe stands ready , thee to catch , and thou hadst need to stand upon thy watch . and , here and there to cast a carefull eye , and , every where all dangers to descrie . not onely , blush and sigh , but quake with woe , when thou remembrest whither thou must go : namely , into a land most darke and drie , a lake that burnes with brimstone furiously , a place of punishment and tortures great , where hideous horrour hath eternall seat : where is no order , but confusion strange , where errour , terrour fiercely raigne and range . ma. is there no hopefull nor no helpfull place ? con. no , none at all . where god is not by grace , there he is present by revengefull power , the wicked , like dry stubble , to devoure . for , if , thou hast not god , thy father kinde , a wrathfull judge thou wilt him , surely , finde . but , if thou long and labour to avoyde gods vengeance , let thy pains be all employde , in walking in the wayes of gods commands , wherein ( indeed ) a christians beauty stands . which is the mirrour or best looking-glasse , where all may see the paths they ought to passe ▪ which is the summe of our religions state , his image , whom we serue , to imitate . christs lovely-lover , is his lively-picture , as he is figur'd in the holy scripture . he beares a christians badge and title true , which , him , a christian , by his deeds doth shew . for , t is but halfe-enough to bud and blow , vnlesse in good works , we , full-ripe do grow . he lives but badly , which don't well beleeve , faith , with unfruitfull lives , does but deceive . true faith will not be clos'd , but will breake out , if , life be in the tree , fruit forth will sprout : so , if , firme faith hath in the heart due place , it will shine forth in vertues sparkling grace . for , wherefore is mans body said to die ? because the soule does thence expire and slie : so , how else is it that the soule is dead ? but , because faith is not there harboured . thy soules life ( therefore ) is thy faith sincere ; and faiths-life ( best ) by good works doth appeare . man. alas , this being so , what is my case ? having bin such a stranger to true grace . con. sure , all the while that grace hath in thee ceast , thou hast not bin a man , but a meere beast . for , without knowledge of our god , indeed , all men are like bruit beasts in fields that feed . man. this i confesse , therefore i pray thee show which way i may god and my selfe well know ? con. in holy-writ , thou shalt the right-way finde , into what paths thy foot must be enclin'd . there is the light , which will the way direct , there is the life , which thou must best affect . man. but yet whiles thou , within me art offended , all holy duties by me best intended , are tedious and most troublesome to me , nothing , well done ( as i desire ) i see . every thing clouded is with discontent , vnsweet , unsavory , lumpish , negligent ; i therefore first , and most desire to see , a reconcilement made 'twixt thee and mee , that so more freely and more fruitfully i may performe all acts of piety . con. would'st thou , indeed , have me full pacifi'de ? thou ( then ) must please me , or else i shall chide , for , whatsoere against me is committed , is but a building unto hell-fire fitted . if therefore , either feare of punishment , or , hope of high reward to full content , can win thee ought and wooe thee to be wise if quietnesse of minde , a precious prize , if peace of conscience , a continuall feast , which every good man strives to have encreast , may thee incite , then doe not me provoke , nor , with the grins of sins thy selfe fast yoake . the sea my nature doth most aptly show whereon , if any filthy foame doth flow , any dead karkasses or slimy-weeds , ●t , into furious boylings , soone proceeds , it rages , rumbles , tumbles , all about and is not quiet , till it quite throw out those filthy scums upon the bankes and shore , of which it seem'd to labour much before ; that , thus , it eas'd of that superfluous stuffe . might calmed be and cease to be so rough : ●o , i my selfe , thy conscience , use to swell , to boyle and toyle , to rise and rage ; untill the lees and dregges , the least remaines of sinne ▪ be utterly expelled from within . for , nothing does me so much presse , oppresse , as , wilfully-committed-wickednesse ; with whose intollerable burthen prest , till eas'd thereof , i can enjoy no rest . ● , would'st thou , therefore ever merry be , would'st thou , continually , me cheerefully see , ● then 't is thy part , timely , with due zeale , my soares ( thy sinnes ) with penitence to heale . ●or , looke , how-much man sees and knowes his sinne , the more to grone and grieve he does begin ; ●nd , true repentant-teares are angells-wine , with these , the soule being washt , in heav'n wil shine , dost thou desire ( then ) to be never sad ? t is a good-conscience , that makes ever glad . man. alas , i knew all these , before you spake , but , never yet , right use of them did make . con. vnprofitable is that science , sure , which , comfort to the conscience don't procure . indeed there is much-science every where , but , little-conscience does abroad appeare . what good will science or great knowledge doe ? if conscience be uncleane , obscene , in you . thou shalt not be , at gods last dreadfull day , arraigned by the booke of science gay ; but , by the booke of conscience , every-one shall answer , at the lords tribunall throne . such ( then ) as , at that great day , thou wouldst be , such , let the lord ( now , in this life ) thee see . conscience , is a voluminous great-booke , whereinto , whosoere doth please to looke , shall find all writ i th stile of verity , and with the pen of doubtlesse certainty . and , thence ( i th day of judgement ) wil be sought , not , how much hast thou read , but how much wrough● not , how well hast thou spoke , what good words given ▪ but , to live well , how hast thou car'd and striven ? man. o! woe is me ; if this ( alas ) be so , what i shall say or doe , i doe not know . i see and have seene , shamefull-things , and yet , i have not bin asham'd or blusht at it . i find and feele things bitter and most tart , yet , have not ( as i ought ) bin griev'd at heart . con. i , this is it ( indeed ) that makes me sad ; for , t is thy only griefe that makes me glad . for , by how much the more , thou sencelesse art ; so much the more i sigh and sob and smart : thy teares are healing-tents to cure my woe , which , if they from within doe gush and flow , sins-pardon , life , unto thy soule thou gain'st , and , peace of conscience , inwardly obtayn'st . for , evils-past , hurt not , if not affected , but , if sins shame be in this life neglected , the future thought thereof will worke much blame , and , thou wilt grieve for want of former shame . man. but yet , this one thing ▪ i would gladly know , wherefore thou dost distract , distresse me so ? for , if thy prickes did me not waking keepe , ● might , a nights , more sound and sweetly sleepe . thou being quiet none would me molest , nor , with such turmoyles my fayre peace infest . con. i told you at the first , and t is most true ; he that made you , made me a mate for you , yea , your in-mate and fellow up and downe , ●o vex you , or with comfort you to crowne . now , marke this well ; a sinners sleepe and rest , can never pleasant be , to him , at best . for , all the naps man takes not in the lord , nought else but evill doe to him afford . thinke not ( therefore ) thy selfe secure to be , although thou dost no open witnesse see ; for , when a body in a sunshine-day is seene without a shadow ; then , i say , and not till then , a mans soule may be found vnto no conscience-testimony bound . but , why dost thou still lay the blame on me , of all thy trouble and anxietie ? behold , the spightfull sp'rite , to us , drawes nigh , that brings upon us-both our miserie . man. alas , what is it , where is it , i pray ? con. thou shalt it see anon ; but now give way , and in those bushes hide thy selfe a while . for , ever since sinne did thee ( first ) beguile , thou cunningly knewst how thy selfe to hide in shadie shrubs , thy nakednesse being ey'd : which nakednesse being seene to thy disgrace , thou guiltily didst flie from gods blest face . man. o that 's too true ; i thinke on 't ( now ) with woe ; but , i 'll forbeare , since thou wilt have it so : goe to that witch , i pray , whiles i , a space , doe up and downe this thicket walke and trace . the end of the third dialogue . the fourth d●alogue . betweene conscience , sinne , and man. the argument of the fourth dialogue . here conscience does encounter sinne , 'twixt whom , hot bickerings doe begin . for , tender conscience eas'ly spies sins wiles and guiles and fallacies . sin , also boldly , by the way , her soule-bane baits does full display ; and faine therewith would conscience catch , but conscience wisely doth her watch . man , to his conscience comes at last , and all due blame on sinne doth cast . resolving , sin , ( now ) to detest , so , he and conscience sweetly rest . con. what ? sin ? ill-met ; whither so fast do'st go ? sin. to meet thee still , whether thou wilt or no. con. i thinke no lesse indeed ▪ else thou would'st not so pertly and apertly plod and trot . but , be assur'd thou shalt as welcome be to me and my house , when ere i thee see , as water to a ship , clowds at a feast , which ( then ) intrude , when they are look't for least . sin. yet , who is he , that me not much esteemes ? or , me unworthy his acquaintance deemes ? con. yet , herein thou thy selfe most plainly show's● a subtill syrene , wheresoere thou go'st . for , with thy most nefarious inchantations thy cheating charmes and slye insinuations thou never ceasest to bewitch , abuse , all that this worlds vast sea to sayle doe use . sin. the fault 's their own ; why do they not forbeare me ? and stop their eares & then they need not heare me ? con. o that they would , how happy were they then ▪ but , o , thou hast a hooke , wherewith , poore men , poore carelesse men ( thy wiles that have not watcht , nibling the bait ) are couzned ( so ) and catcht . for , to the proud and supercilious breast , thou , high and huge and hard things dost suggest . perswading them inferiours to disdaine , and , at great meetings for prime-place to straine to scorne the company of meane and poore , whereas indeed the gaine would be farre more vnto their credit so to use inferiours , as they would used be by their superiours . so , when thou dost the avaricious finde , with quenchlesse-thirst of gold thou fir'st their minde . who , still the more they have , doe crave the more , and , tantalize in midst of copious store . tyred all day , with toyle ; all night with care ; and ( whereby they most miserable are ) the lesse they need , the more they covet still . now , every sinne ( chiefly this ancient-ill of avarice ) is harder farre to cure , in old-men , than it is in young-men , sure ; which is most strange ; since old-men neer their grave , in that respect , should , mindes more holy have . if thou ( againe ) meet with voluptuous mates , thou , ready hast for them , most pleasant baits , faire ivory-beds , richly embroydered , whereon , themselves , at ease , to stretch and spred , adorn'd with flowers , perfum'd with odours sweet , ' tindulge their lewd and lustfull bodies meet . faire-fac'd companions , drencht in deeds unchaste , places and playes , idly their houres to waste . finally , all in one word to conclude , thou , evermore , mens mindes dost vexe , delude with choyce of cheating-tricks , new fopperies , and , either having quite put-out their eyes , or , with full-sight dost them so much bewitch , that , headlong , they fall in thy deadly-ditch . sin. why ? what a stirre is here ? why brand you me with this blacke-coale of odious-treacherie ? con. dost aske me why ? 'cause thou deservest worst of all men living , of me , most and first . whom , day by day , thou dost so plague and paine , as if those punishments which poets faine to be upon some men impos'd , inflicted , who , in their lives had been to lust addicted , to cruelty , beastiall licenciousnesse ; were exercis'd on me ; with such distresse , and deepe distraction , am i daily drencht , with such great gripes , i , inwardly am pincht , that all my paines seeme hornet-stings or bites or sathans buffets , when to hell he smites . and , which is most and worst , no helpe i finde , so long as thou art in my sight and minde , sin. these peevish whinnels , ever , wretched are ; but , many , much more wretchedl● doe fare , than need requires , complaining causelesly . but , i , even-now , observ'd thee testifie , and ' against me urge that i deserved worst of all men , but of conscience most and first . tell me , i pray , who , me , first being , gave ? was it not adam that made all men have by one-incessant-line , right to damnation ? for , all in adam , sinning , lost salvation . i , surely , mine owne maker could not be ; he was my maker , who , as soone as hee was sensible of thee , flew from gods face to hide him 'mongst the trees in conscious-case . flew to the tree ( i say ) whose bitter fruit had he ( herein , than any beast , more brute ) ne're tasted ; he had not offensive bin , and , so had nere begotten me , call'd sinne. why dost thou ( then ) so much of me exclame ? 't is man alone , is worthy all the blame . 't is he alone that digged his owne pit , and , by selfe-folly , so fell into it . he waxed proud and saucily desired , to be like god , to be a god , aspired ; but , thereby , he most like the divell became , hence flow thy teares , this did mans mischiefe frame . con. oh i confesse it . sin or sathan either , than this , thou say'st , spake nothing truelier ever . but yet i cannot choose , but much admire , how thy incessant toyle does thee not tyre . sin. pish. that which pleaseth , never tyreth any . and herein , i finde instigations many . hatred of good , love and delight in ill , the depravation of mans first free-will . these are the chariot-wheeles on which i roule and range about t' effect my fancie-foule . my waggoner is waggish-vanity , which drives my horses ( lusts ) most furiously . hence i , so indefatigable , rest , being of most various-pleasures ( still ) possest if , proudly , i to prance abroad affect , with rich and rare apparell i am deckt . which , of the newest fashion must be made , whereby beholders eyes on me are stayd , with gazing admiration , and thus , i , admire my selfe , as much as passers-by , if , i my flesh to pamper doe delight , my table ready furnisht is in sight , with luscious cates and delicates most deare , with all choice rarities that make good cheere . if i be farre from sea , i fish affect , if neere the sea , i flesh doe most respect . there 's nothing new , but i long for it , have it , nothing so costly , but my lust doth crave it . if , i a dancing-match or play would see , thither i haste , where thickest clusters be . nor can the mimicke-actors give content , nor fond spectatours be to pleasure bent if i be absent : for , in publike meetings where i see vanity use pleasing greetings , there i am quickly present , there i finde not any , but is prest to please my minde , my pleasant presence yeeldeth such delight , that all things are most joviall in my sight . con. hence i collect , that sins most prompt intention is exercis'd in actions of invention . sin. you hit the very white . for , sinne is ever pregnant and active , and is idle never ; but , one thing from another ( still ) begets , and , so an edge upon her lovers whets . con. nay rather , sinne makes them the more secure , security does them to sloth enure . sin. what if it doe ? with this soft lethargie whiles i doe mine , thus , cocker cunningly , i tye them closelier to me , every day , they are my shades and follow me , each way . they are my souldiers and will for me fight , they , as good servants , serve me with delight . and , so much they expresse to me their love , and their firme stedf●stnesse to me approve , that , like good citizens , they readily will lose their liues to prop my liberty : nor thinke they any toyle too much , they take to shew themselves obsequious for my sake . for , they which love , or labour not at all , or , love their labour , or account it small . con. but , certainly , nothing doth sooner fade and putrifie , than love , thus weakely laid . since all thy promises so goodly thought , like snow before the sunne doe come to nought . nay rather , to the soule that in them joyes , they bring a deadly sting and dire annoyes . sin. dost thou not think my promise prevalent ? con. yes ; for who ere is thereof confident , is pressed downe t'eternall-death , thereby ; for this men finde by most sad certainty , that nought is worse than sinners happinesse ; that , ther 's no woe , where is no wickednesse . sin. but , one among a thousand , let me see , that is of this severe conceit with thee . con. ah , though i cannot one , 'mongst many , show , yet , more 's their madnesse and sure overthrow . sin. this is your censure ; who thinks so beside ? t' enjoy things present , all doe ( best ) abide , and ever have done so . let them that feare for future and contingent cases care . better 's one bird in hand , than two i' th bush , future uncertainties who'll prize a rush ? things present , being pleasant in our sight , are therefore more desir'd and most delight . con. hence 't is ( indeed ) that men so dote and erre , hence they their syrene-pleasures so preferre , because they walke not ( here ) by faith , but sense , hurryed along with loose improvidence , but , if they did consider seriously this life to be a perpetuity of sad repentance , since , all vices here , the longer us'd , the stronger doe appeare ; and , what they loose by thus observing thee , and what they get by being from thee free , how little would they joy , how much lament ? how little time of grace would be mis-pent ? with how small pleasure and how slender joy they ( thus ) incurre perpetuall annoy ? " whereas , if all that ere from adam came , " and , all of these were preachers of choice fame , " and , all these preachers hels least-pains should preach " these all , could not hels least paine fully reach , " nor can it be imagined or knowne , " what parts from torture : ( there ) will be alone , " and , that no anguish of all temp'rall smart " may to th' eternall woes which pierce the heart " of damned soules in hell , compared be . if these , and such like things , men right would see , and seriously consider ; nothing , then , ( o , thou prodigious mischiefe of all men ) nothing ( i say ) would they account or deeme more foule than thee , nothing more base esteeme . and so would shunne thee , as a snake i'th'way , or , as a viper on their hands that lay . yea , though they knew ( which , then , man does not know that , god , for such a sinne , would mercy show , yet , for sins filth and selfe most odiousnesse , men would abhorre and hate ( so ) to transgresse . s. forbeare , i pray , whence gush these great cōplaints c. sins curst incroachmēts are their chiefe cōstraints ; by whose most impious charmes and flatteries faire , men , into bruit beasts metamorphiz'd are . who , doffing their most due humanity , put on most belluall inconcinnity . for , unto whom , that hath his eyes in 's head , is it not palpably discovered ? how chastity is hazarded in pleasures ! humility quite lost in beaps of treasures ! how piety is choakt in worlds-affaires ! how truth , by tatling fals on lying-snares ! how charity , by this worlds bravery , is froze to death , or turn'd to knavery ! sin. tush , tush , these hazards little trouble me . c. yet , thou , them breed'st , & they my burthens be . sin. i rather thinke , this thy minds maladie proceeds from selfe-pusillanimitie . thou hast ( it seemes ) a stomacke , queazie , sick , on which , each little mote does nauseous-stick : and , that , which others hold a tender sprig , precisely , thou , count'st , than a beame , more big . con. a soft and tender-conscience man must cherish , not bruise or breake it , and so make it perish . sin. well , go-to , then ; if thou so tender be , why art thou not to my delights , more free ? con. because thy pleasures make my heart more sad , nor , any true content in them is had . such an apertion , or by-way to joy , is joyes desertion , high-way to annoy . such toyes and trifles , best effects of vice , can't a good-conscience , to thy lure , entice . but , tell me , did'st thou never heare or know , good conscience price , bad-conscience plague and wo ? sin. i never knew of eithers price or paine . con. now , then , thou shalt , and understand them plaine . good-conscience is a cabinet of treasure ; an everlasting-feast , full of true-pleasure . contrariwise , than conscience-naught and bad , a greater plague and paine cannot be had . for , it hath made a finall-separation , twixt it and peace and constant contentation . for , as , to good-men , goodnesse is rich gaine ; so , wickednesse is wicked-mens dire paine . sin. this thy precisenesse and austerity , will never suffer thee live cheerfully . con. o , farre be it , that any should suppose , such joy in sin , as from sweet vertue grows . whose rich reward is god himselfe , no lesse , who , vertue gives to those whom he will blesse . in whom , my joy is safe lockt-up and hid , in whose exchange , who ever would me bid the world and all its pleasures in my hand ; yea , though they were , in number , as sea-sand , yet , should they not my heart allure to leave , my joy in god , and so my soule deceive . sin. but yet , for all this , this worlds happinesse ( for , other i know none ) i still professe , is the most excellent , and much depends on choice of merry-mates and joviall-friends . on hunting after honours , heaping treasures , and , on enjoying various sorts of pleasures . but , these ( belike ) are wholly opposite , to vertues practise and approv'd delight . con. thou art mistaken . vertues are , indeed , true riches ; not base wealth , which earth doth breed . worlds wealth to serue , is god to disobay . and , though worlds-service does to worldlings , pay some seeming joy ; yet ( ever more ) gods saints finde it a clog and cause of great complaints . these do it estimate their prime perfection to passe this desert , by gods spirits direction . this state of grace , heav'ns glorious place , they count to be neere-kinne , and long to climbe that mount. the worth of all this world , hels worke they deeme , earths honours , they , earths tumours do esteeme . but , to performe gods sacred will and pleasure , they count their souls most high and happy treasure . sin. what prat'st thou of thy silly saints to me ? they are not of my fold , nor ere will be . and , their encrease , does decrease my great powers , but , who comes yonder ? a true friend of ours ; my docible young scholler ; man , no saint , and , that 's my joy , whom i must ( now ) acquaint with my rare rudiments . for , i suppose , what 's humane ( touching vice ) within him grows . man. aye me , of all men living , most forlorne ; i too-too long , in silence , have forborne ; but , now i neither can nor will forbeare . wilt thou not cease to hunt me every where ? sin. t is thou that hunts and haunts me to and fro . ma. i must confesse it : but , for doing so , i now am overwhelm'd with woe and shame , yet , this my sense of sins most deadly blame , being the first and firme step to salvation , makes me find hope of my regeneration . sin. how 's that ? this gives me very poore content . ma. i do confesse ( i say ) with full assent , that i have finn'd , and it was onely i , not foolish fortune , or my destiny , no , nor the devill , but evill in mine owne brest , i therefore onely 'gainst my selfe protest , and , if i should thee ( o my conscience blame , or , thinke my sinne from any other came , i , to those dogges might be resembled right , which ( as divine plato doth truly write ) do snap and snarle and bite the rowling stone , cast at them ; but , regard not whence t was throwne . no rather , now at last , with weeping eyes and wofull heart , against my selfe i rise ; whom i have made my worst intestine foe , and treacherously ensnar'd my soule in woe . nor , do i onely 'gainst my selfe thus rise , but , make a serious solemne-vow , likewise , ( heav'n ratifie the same ) that i will ever , from this time forward , use my best endevour that , thou ( o sinne ) shipwracke of mans salvation shalt nere , in me , have willing habitation . but , if by force , thou wilt breake in againe , yet , thou shalt never domineere and raigne . con. a pious vow , and godly resolution , the lord will ( surely ) bring to blest conclusion . ma. i doubt it not , and therefore will persist , and , since i seeme , of two parts to consist , a soule and bodie : if the first of these by any smallest sinne , hath least disease , it stings and wrings thee strait , with bitter s●art , o my syntericke , sinne-opposing-part ! i therefore purpose a new course to take ; whereby , my conscience , i may chearfull make whereby , my soule i may with grace renourish . and , my internall family may flourish , and , as for thee , my flesh , since thou art apt , to draw in sinne , and be by sinne entrapt ; yea , sin , as water , to drinke in , and sucke , ( and , he which addeth sin to sin , doth plucke , and hale his soule to hell , as with a rope ) thou delicate fine-philistine , i hope , i shall thee tame , new-mould , and mortifie , nere let thee rest , till thou , with me , comply , to dye to sinne , till i have runne my race , all this i trust , by power of heavenly grace . con. most sweetly thou resolv'st ; o ever may god , by his spirit , perfect it , i pray . sin. well , if thou me forsake , i 'll others finde , who , will me entertaine , and use more kinde : for , whiles , on earth , there any men remaine , i make no doubt , but i shall rule and raigne . ma. but , i will frustrate all thy hope in me , if , to my votes , my god propitious be ; now ( then ) my conscience ; let us both go in , and , since we are thus fairely freed of sinne , so hatefull to us both , now , mutually , let us rejoyce with sweet tranquility . an end of the fourth dialogue . the fift dialogue . betweene god and the soule . the argument of the fift dialogue . god ( here ) the soule most kindly greets , with many sacred sugred sweets ; even wooes the soule free-love t' embrace , assures it of assistant-grace . the sanctified-soule complies , bewailes her faint infirmities ; resignes her selfe to gods dispose , and with his holy-call doth close ; god helps it on , with faire directions and cheeres it on , with sweet affections ▪ the soule ( thus ) on gods leasure waits , till , he , to glory , it translates . god. a rise , my love , my dove , most pure and faire , to come to me , make haste , thy selfe prepare . soule . what sacred voyce is this ? blest invitations ? candy'd with such sweet loving compellations ? g. his , who creating thee , inspir'd thy life , inspiring it , espons'd thee , as his wife . s. my great creator , and my glorious king ? g. yea , thy free-lover , whence , thy good doth spring s. i know thee , o my god , that thou art he , who , fully , freely , firmly , lovest me : since , for my sake , thy sonne , thou hast not spar'd to free me , when to hell i was ensnar'd . g. my sonne i gave , yea , and mine onely sonne ; that thou might'st not , for ever , be undone . s and what ( deare god ) shall i repay to thee ? g. nothing , but love for love , which pleaseth me . s. what heart ( o lord ) can be so stupifide ? as , by thy love , not to be mollifide ? g. that heart , which hides the favours i bestow . s. lord , what have i , that did not from thee flow ? g. returne me thanks ( then ) that thou mayst have more , for , grateful hearts do find my favours store . s. let my poore prayer ( good god ascend to thee , that thy rich grace , my ( so ) descend on me ; for , by thee onely , 't is , i life retaine , to thee ( then ) wholly , me i give againe . g. thou giv'st thy selfe , to me : t is well . but , where where are the fruits that thou to me dost beare ? s. alas , o lord , what fruits can i expresse ? as of my selfe , till thou me till and dresse ? if thou vouchsafe upon my heart , thy field , to sow such seeds as may thee good fruit yeild , thou must ( o lord ) by thy blest hand of grace , first , plucke up all my weeds of vices base . g. thou say'st most true ; but , wilt thou , willingly , submit thy selfe to graces-husbandrie ? s. o , burne me , bruise me , breake me , heere , o lord ; so , thou ( hereafter ) mercy dost afford . o , let that hand that form'd me , me reforme . let it correct , so it to thee conforme . g. draw neere to me ( then ) and i will thee draw ; and listen to the lessons of my law. s. speak ( lord ) for , i thy hand-mayd do thee heare , and gladly bend my most attentive eare . g. then , first of all , thou must wel know and see both , whence thou cam'st ; what th' art ; what thou shalt be . if thou me please , whence ( first ) thou didst proceed , thou , now art , and shalt be , most blest , indeed . thou wast , what now thou art not , and 't was i that gave thee , this , thy present-entity . i have thee over others set and plac'd ; and thee with high prerogatives have grac'd . superiour-things , for joy ; equall , for mates ; inferiour things , to serue thee in thy straits . s. what canst thou give unto me , for me , more , if , thou , thy selfe dost give , t is all rich store . g. i gave thy selfe , to thee , when thou wast nought , i gave my selfe , to thee , being worse than ought . i have my selfe , for thee , at last , reserved , that thou , in endlesse-blisse might'st be preserved . s. o blessed mysterie of most dimension ! o blessed benefit of large extension ! g. a mysterie it is , wherein ( indeed ) thou must of three things take especiall heed : . the mercie of thy ever-loving lord ; . the merit , which christs sufferings do affords . and the free grace of gods most holy spirit , which , the sweet gospell cals thee to inherit . . my mercie lov'd thee , ere it thee created , and thee from other creatures separated . . the merit of my christ did purchase thee , when , moved , meerly , by his love most free , thy miserie caus'd him the heavens to leave , and , for thy sake , such wrongs ( here ) to receive . . the grace of my good spirit thee ( then ) did call , when it did preach and teach thee therewithall , it freed thee fully , when thy state it saw , and , from fouls , bodies , dangers did thee draw . s. o , that i were of brinish teares a spring , that i these loves might fully see and sing ! g. thus , thou hast , briefly , first , seen what thou wast , vpon thy present state , thine eyes ( next ) cast . see what thou art which ( thus ) is first defin'd ; the soule is the plaine image of the minde ; the minde gods image is : but , god's more great than is the minde , and has ( there ) supreme seat . the minde ( againe ) is greater than the soule ; the soule doth all the bodies parts controule ▪ and , thus ( o soule ) thy dignity is great , adorn'd with diverse ornaments complete : ( even princely priviledges ) which remaine , to make thy lustre of an higher straine . on thee is graven the image of thy maker , thou art redeem'd with christs bloud , and partaker of all he is ; espous'd by faith , to him , thy dowrie is his spirits graces trim ; invested with his vertuous righteousnesse , and , made , than glorious angels , little lesse . first ( then ) if any aske , whose image rare and superscription is this , thou dost weare ? well mayst thou answer , t is the image right of supreme caesar , soveraigne lord of light . if , yet , they aske thee , how it was defac'd ? tell them , by rust of sinne , it was disgrac'd . how wast repaired ? by thy saviours bloud . how wast espous'd ? by faiths-ring pure and good . how is 't endow'd ? with influence of gods spirit . how is 't adorn'd ? with flowers of christs due merit . how is it plac'd and grac'd with dignity ? even , with blest angels in their purity . say , then , good soule , is not this state most blest ? yes , sure ; unlesse earth has thy joy possest . for , who , except he a ranke traitour be ? traitour , i say , both unto me and thee , dares be so bold this image to put out ? since it is heavenly caesars , past all doubt . who shall thy soule make vendible to vice ? redeem'd , with such a summe ? thou art blouds price . who shall , thee , such an amiable bride , vnto thy heavenly king , in wedlocke tyde once dare to violate or lay least staine ? since , thee , my specious soule , i entertaine . who shall endevour to eclipse or dim thy sacred secret inward-light most trim , glistring most gloriously from heaven on thee ? since t is the light of my blest spirit , from me . who shall , once , dare to crop those fragrant flowers of vigorous-vertues from our heavenly bowers ? those precious aromatick-sents of grace ? since th' are thy beauties , sent from our blest face . who can divorse thee from those blessed-mates promis'd my saints , in their celestiall states ; yea , set about thee ( here ) still , to defend thee ? since they are angel-troops that do befriend thee . thus hast thou seene thy first and present state : now , hearken , what condition does thee waite . namely , if ( here ) thou live a saint divine , in heaven thou shalt angelically shine . be , therefore , ever going , growing ever , faint not in my paths , and go backward never : but , to stand still is to go backe in grace , for , here 's no medium , or abiding-case . thou either must go freely forward still or , certainly , thou wilt go backe to ill . in which thy pious progresse have a care especially to keepe thy paths most faire , by that most holy grace , humility ; which , will thee lead with sweet stability . prate not of thy proficiencie at all , or growth in grace , lest pride do make thee fall . for , what soere is done , 's undone againe , if lowlinesse do it not safe sustaine . he , therefore , which does other vertues get , but , does not , with humility , them set , doth like to one that carries dust i th' winde whereof , he ( soone ) himselfe doth empty finde . men , therefore , fitly , call humility rare vertues queene ; death of impiety . faire virgins mirrour ; and the mansion neat , which the blest trinity hath made its seat . nor can that soule be counted poore and bare that shines with beauteous beams of meeknesse rare . for , this knows well to order its owne minde , which , seldome i in rich and great men finde . and hence it is , that men say , poverty in good mens mindes doth guard humility . in having which , they are farre richer , sure , than he which could the whole worlds crowne procure . s. o , my deare lord , whereof should i be proud ? whose nature yeelds not ought by thee allow'd . in many things , i my deficience know ; in nothing i can least sufficience show . g. be of good courage ( soule ) for , usually , he that most feares his owne sufficiencie , best fares in piety . for , how should he desire supply , which no defect doth see ? mine onely grace which is sufficient still is most pure balsum , which from me does thrill . and it requires a vessell pure and sound , and , in such , onely , will be sweetly found . i 'll ( therefore ) clense the cisterne of thy heart , and then the balsum of my grace impart ; yea , i will leade thee to yet higher things , to yet more fluent and more pleasant springs , put forth thy hand , and i will thee embrace . know'st thou my presence is in every place ? s. yes lord , i know in every place thou art , and yet not circumscrib'd to any part ; i know that thou art present every where , yet , neither place nor motion do thee beare . g. and dost thou know i have an all-seeing-eye ? s. i know , acknowledge it submissively ; and that thou , lord , revenger of all ill , dost eye and spie , see and fore-see all still . if i should hide my selfe in earth most deepe , thy piercing eye could sentinell ( there ) keepe , if i in wildernesse would build my nest , even there should i to thee be manifest . g. and dost thou know that i am judge of all ? s. most certainly ; and that my saviour shall the whole world judge with equity and right , though he , on earth , was sentenced , with spight . g. o , if thou didst both know and well beleeve that i thy god do every thing perceive . am present every where , and must judge all , i thinke ( so oft ) on sinne thou wouldst not fall . s. we all ( o lord ) are very weake and fraile ; and i know none , so apt , as i , to faile . g. by how much thou thy state more fraile dost so much the stronger thou shalt daily grow . but , tell me now this one thing , wouldst thou faine know , be counted worthy me to entertaine ? s. blessed , thrice blessed is that soule most sure , that can his god , to be his guest procure . for , he can never want a sure protection , in whom thou dwel'st , worthy thy sweet refection . g. thou shalt be worthy if thou follow me ; s. lord , to the crosse , in christ , to purchase thee . g. that blessed author , finisher of faith , hanging upon the crosse , bequeathed hath , in his last-will of love and piety , to divers sorts , a severall legacie . to his apostles , persecutions tart , vnto the iews his corps and wounded heart ; his spirit into his heavenly fathers hands . vnto the virgin , iohns firme fostering-bands : to the beleeving-thiefe , blest paradise ; to soule-slaying sinners , helt , just pay for vice ; and , to repentant-christians , he set downe , a certaine crosse , before a promis'd crowne . s. o testament full of pure charity ! from whence i may collect infallibly that all the hope of mans salvation blist doth in christs meritorious death consist . g. and whence thou mayst collect thy dignity , the purchase of a soule , a price most high ; which , at no lower rate could ransom'd be , but by christs bloud shed on the crosse for thee , vse ( then ) all care thy selfe to watch and ward , vnto thy latter end have great regard . and this most holy wholesome sentence grave be ( evermore ) sure in thy minde to have ; whether i sleepe or wake with watchfull eye , or whatso'ere i do , continually me thinks , that last great trumpets sound i heare ; arise ye dead to judgement ( now ) appeare . s. a sound ( o lord ) indeed , most lowd and shrill , to saints most glad , to sinners sad and ill . g. and yet ( alas , i pitty thy poore case ) this shaking sound which should all evill chase ; no sooner is remembred , than forgot , and , this , the soules rich worth doth staine and spot . an asse fals in a pit , and is puld out ; but , if a soule falls , no man looks about . ev'ry man does his bodies death much feare , but , very few do for the soules death care . and , whence ( i pray ) does this souls-slaughter rise ? because men do that precious thing despise , which being lost and carelesly neglected , a soule so falne cannot be re-erected . nothing ( men say ) more precious is than time ; and yet ( alas , oh t is a common crime ) nothing is ( now a dayes ) esteem'd more base , nothing more slighted than these dayes of grace . yet , on this moment , which men ( here ) let fly , dependeth ( most ) mans blest eternity . then let not pastimes , passe the times away , but up , be doing good in this thy day . correct thy selfe , and then my mercy crave ; no fault so great , which cannot pardon have . s. but ( o my god ) i many things ( here ) finde , by liking which , i staine and soyle my minde . g. but , he them all , contemnes most easily , which alwaies mindefull is that he must dye . s. o , but ( deare god ) i feare i shall dye never . g. dye to the world , and live with me for ever . but , marke this well ; unto the world to dye , is , to forsake this world primarily ; not to be left , by it : for if that men begin repentance , and to leave sinne , then , when they can sinne no longer , and forsake the world , when they no more of it can make ; sinne leaveth them , they doe not leave their sinne , the world leaves them , ere they this worke begin . not to avoyd a danger when thou may'st , is , not to have thy hope upon me plac'd ; but 't is to tempt me rather , wilfully , leaving the rule , liking security . in hope ( therefore ) feare , fearing take good heed ; thus , of much danger thou shalt ( safe ) be freed . beare tryals then , and thou shalt comforts have , no conquest comes , without a battaile brave . s. most holy lord , i all things will forsake , all tryals i will gladly undertake , that i ( at last ) may thee my god possesse , who art my all in all , in all distresse . forsake thy-selfe and then thou shalt me finde , put off all high-conceipts , all pride of minde . a christians prime-praeludium and best tryall , is to divorce himselfe , by selfe-denyall . thou art not mine , if thou preferre thy will , before my pleasure , in thy actions ill . for , no man , heere , can stand , which , heartily , will not himselfe , for my-sake , vilifie . thou hast within thee , from me , still to teach thee ; or , stay with me , or else returne and reach me . when-ere thou shalt be mov'd or avocated , by ill-affects , nay , defects instigated , give me thy-selfe ( then ) and thou shalt me gaine , love me and thou shalt my free love obtaine . s. certainely ( holy lord ) he loves not truly , who loves ought with thee , which thee loves not duely ▪ love , to the thing-belov'd , transaminates , and in its love , it-selfe ( full ) fatiates . i wholly leave my-selfe , nought is in me , i , totally being thine , will rest in thee . and , in my saviours armes i doe desire . my life to lead , and sweetly to expire . but yet , i cannot comfortably sleep ▪ vntill my soveraignes armes me safely keepe . g. be comforted ( poore soule ) thou shall be sure to be more safe , then , rest thou heere secure ; a christians-crosses are a christians crowne and shall obtaine immortall high renowne . persist , therefore , in this my cordiall-love , wherein , if thou thy-selfe sincere approve , thou wilt a thousand deaths more soone endure , than , willfully ( by sin ) my wrath procure . persist ( i say ) in my religious feare , wherein , if thou thy-selfe uprightly beare , thy house of clay thou shalt well regulate thy actions , thou shalt , wisely , ordinate . thus , thou shalt sweetly have repose in me , thou need'st not feare , because my love 's in thee . for , that soule ( surely ) cannot feare that loves but , that soule , whom no love of me ( once ) moves . for , perfect love all servile-feare casts-out , and fortifies the soule from griefe and doubt . it brings-forth most enduring-dignity , and , fits thee for my saints society . s. most holy god , so write thou in my heart , by finger of thy spirit , the sacred art of memory of thy mellifluous-name , that blacke-oblivion nere blot out the same . yea , print upon my soule and sincere minde , and , graven on my brest , let me ( still ) finde thy sacred pleasure , which , no chance or change , may violate or from my thoughts estrange . come , lord , come perfect , what thou hast begun , and , in-mee , on-mee , thy blest will be done . g. goe-on , then , with thy gracious resolution , bring all to holy , happie execution ; live , heere ( as other saints ) a little space , then , thou , in heaven shalt have a glorious place . the end of the fifth dialogue . the sixt dialogue . betweene the soule and the city of god. the argument of the sixth dialogue . the soule being ( here ) in heav'n suppos'd ; and in its longed joyes repos'd ; gods holy city is brought in , it s gracious welcome to begin : and to the soule to demonstrate its most victorious , glorious state . the soule is ravisht with delight , at its coelestiall sacred sight ; reproves the worlds fond aberration , neglecting this so great salvation : whereof , it-selfe ( thus ) now , possest , abides in endlesse peace and rest. all-haile most holy city of the lord ; what glorious sights are these , thou dost afford ▪ most blessed spouse of christ , beloved bride ; what amiable joyes in thee abide ! what sacred songs , what musicke doe i heare ! what heavenly hymnes , with most melodious cheere doe chant about mine eares , in every street ! what pleasant fruit-trees ! o what manna sweet doe i ( here ) see and savour , touch and taste ! in midst of what sweet pleasures am i plac'd ? what precious prizes are there , heere , afforded ? o what most glorious matters are recorded of thee blest city of our god of love , and that most justly ? for all true i prove ! for , in thee is ( indeed ) a habitation of onely such as joy with exultation . even here where 't is more difficult , to say , what is not here , than what is , to display ; yea , though mine eloquence did all 's excell , yet could i not its glory truely tell . c. now then ( most welcome soule ) from this blest sense , thou feel'st and find'st by good experience , that one day in gods house is better biding , than , elsewhere are a thousand dayes residing . s. i finde it so ( indeed ) and one day , here , doth an eternall day to me appeare ; to which no yesterday gives any place , nor any morrow makes to end its race . where nothing is that was not ( first ) here flowing , or , which ( already ) is not here , full growing . so sweet and pleasant is this lasting light , so full of rare and ravishing delight , that , if the soule could it enjoy no more , than but one-houre and so must give it ore , even for this-onely sweet , the pleasures rife and flowing temp'rall-ioyes of all mans life , though ere so many yeeres spent jollily , ought all to be contemn'd most worthily . for , in thy sight ( o god ) a thousand yeeres as yesterday , instantly past , appeares . c. but , say ( sweet soule ) what dost thou ( now ) esteem of that most slippery-age ? what dost thou deeme and judge of those thy former dayes ( now ) past ? those fleeting-yeeres , quite spent , and could not last , and which shall nere-returne ? what thinkst thou ? say , of that fast fleeting time , now , fled away ? all that is past thereof , is ( now ) no more , and all to come thereof , none can restore . what , of that-day , whose morning-houres are fled ? whose afternoones are not recovered . what of that-houre , whose minutes from thee sliding ? for their remainder , there was no abiding . are not all these , as if they neere had beene ? compar'd with this blest state thou ( now ) art in . for , in this most desiderable land , no troubling-toyle is to be tooke in hand . no pining pinching-paine is to be borne no griefe whereby the heart is hurt or torne . but , heer 's the highest honour to be had , heer 's mutuall-love to make the heart most glad heere , thou by knowing perfectly shall see , heere , by delighting , thou shalt loving be . heere , by possessing , thou shalt ever praise , heere , to thy god , be chanting heavenly-layes . whom , thou shalt see to satisfie thy pleasure , whom , thou shalt have to fill thy will , full-measure , whom thou shalt to thy joy , enjoy for ever , whom thou to love and laud shalt aye persever . where thou shalt flourish in eternity , where thou shalt glister in pure verity ; where thou shalt shine in perfect purity , where thou shalt joy in sweet security , where thou shalt finde endlesse stability of perfect-knowledge rare facility . of sweet-repose and rest a happy sense , of all that may content , the quintessence . o how can i describe sufficiently , this holy-cities faire felicity ? whose citizens are blessed angels bright , whose temple is the father of all light ; whose splendour is the sonne of righteousnesse whose glorious-love the spirit doth expresse . s. o sacred-city , joyes variety ! o blessed state of saints society ! c. and , we reciprocally are as glad , of this thy fellowship with us now had , as wee are of our-owne blest happinesse . for , thou dost now so sweet a place possesse , where , one soules comfort , comforts all the rest , none , heere , anothers-good doth ill-digest , but , each of us does take as much delight in others blisse , as in his proper right . s. o then , how happy is my blessed-state , whom such choice mates doe so associate ? so many sacred citizens doe meete , so lively , lovely saints so kindely greete : how sweet was this blest cities meditation , to me , when i on earth had habitation ? but , o how much more sweetnesse doe i taste , to be in it , of it , belov'd , embrac'd ? to contemplate my soules faire bridegroome blest , my soules sweet soule , my prince of glorious rest . c. but , come ( faire sister ) give me now thy hand , and thou shalt in me , see and understand our yet more sacred sweets , our mansions faire , glistring with gems and precious stones most rare . i will thee into our wine-cellars guide , where , flagons full of purest wine abide ; into our refectorie choicely deckt with heauenly dainties palates to affect . where neither longing doth ingender paine , nor fulnesse doth least nauseousnesse containe . where , neither he that eates is over-cloyd , nor , what is eaten is not full-supply'd . where , ever over-flowing flouds of pleasure will cheere thy soule in most abundant measure , and will thy heavenly heart inebriate with love-divine , yet still most temperate . here run pure rivers of the wat'r of life , here are faire meads , gardens of pleasures rife , here 's augmentation of felicity , glories-encreasings with sure constancie . beds of delight , boards of aboundant joy , all that may comfort , nothing to annoy . yea , from this mount of savorie spices rare behold , at full , a heavenly mirrour faire , and , therein , see saints glistring splendour bright , and all their honour of majesticke might . in this faire port of peace is labours rest , this creeke of comfort foes cannot infest , here being safty with eternity , contentive joy with full satiety . with various noveltie all rare delight , and sugred sweetnesse in gods sacred sight . s. and , who would not both long and like it best ▪ to set downe here his everlasting rest ? both for its peace , and for its pleasant light ▪ for its eternitie and gods blest sight . in ever knowing god the fathers power , the wisedome of the sonne , in 's heavenly bower , the holy spirits tender clemencie , to have full knowledge of the trinitie . c. t is true , ( sweet soule ) gods secrets open be , there he will befull seene and lov'd of thee . s. o , blessed-vision , in himselfe seene trim , to see god in us , and our selues in him ! c. yea to see him , who is the light of lights the rest and receptacle of delights . life of all living , seat of travellers , the palme , the prize , the crowne of conquerers . s. o , who can gods great goodnesse understand , how wondrous are the works of his right hand ? yesterday i was in earths darknesse dimme , to day in heavens resplendent lustre trimme . yesterday in the roaring lyons power , to day , i th' hands of my sweet saviour . yesterday , brought unto the gates of hell , to day in paradise , where joyes excell . yesterday in the worlds circumf'rence round , to day in abrahams bosome blestly found . o , that men living on the earth below , did least part of celestiall joyes well know ! then , solely , seriously , all paines the'yd take in holy duties : no least losse they 'd make of precious time , which no man can regaine , nor would so fruitlesly their lives retaine . divines would ( then ) more study lives than learning more to live well than quaint disputes discerning . their chiefe philosophy they would it deeme , to know christ and him crucifi'de esteeme . grave oratours would not so breake their brains to vent strong lines , invent such losty strains , as , holily and heartily to speake , and , by good works , from guilded words would break . the worlds great traders would more piously , endure and not procure an injurie , and count a quiet and good conscience best , yea farre beyond the greatest gaine possest . then , that intolerable beast most wilde , i meane , that canker covetice most vilde , would not so rage and rave in courses base , but , yeeld to time , as the fit time of grace . yea all of all sorts would so sparke and shine , in holinesse of life and gifts divine ; that , those two sayings , at the last great day , should never from their thoughts depart away , go , o ye cursed , into fire eternall . come , o ye blessed , to a crowne supernall . oh , what can be more harsh , more full of wo ? than ( then ) to heare that bitter saying , go . but , what can better ( then ) pronounced be ? than , that blest invitation i● ? come ye . two sentences , than one of which , none sadder , and , than the other , none was ( ere ) heard gladder . oh , if men would these throughly ruminate , then , they more soundly would recogitate and thinke upon the last and dreadfull day ; as that , on which , they must resolve to clay . yea , they the judgement-day would duely tender , as that , on which , they must a reck'ning render . then would they muse and meditate on hell , as on that lake where woe and horrour dwell . and thinke on heaven , as on a glorious place , and kingdome of incomparable grace . their time , yet left , to heaven they 'd consecrate , their lampe , yet light , aloft they 'd elevate . no day without a line , no line should be without a guiding-rule to sanctitie . no smallest sand out of the houre-glasse , without ( at least ) one trickling teare should passe . they , nothing , not time-present , would count theirs , whose onely minute , all their due appeares . the morning they would make dayes inchoation , the evening , that dayes due examination . their bodies from their beds they soone would raise , their drowsie sleepe they 'd shun without delayes : their candle lighted , they betimes would pray , and , give their god the first-fruits of the day . then , they would boldly looke death in the face , yea , gladly they 'd invite his hastie pace ; and , being wholly dead to earths false joy , they best would live , while they seem'd life to ' stroy by dying , so , they death would deadly wound , and , by deaths death , their life would best be found . thus , they would not count death a pang or paine , but , rest from sorrow and their greatest gaine . thus , earth disdain'd and heav'n obtain'd , all blest , they would approach the haven of endlesse rest . but , worldlings ( alwayes ) finde by proofe most bad whiles they breathe out this sentence sowre and sad ( o death , how bitter is the thought of thee ! to those that earthly peace , with wealth , do see ? ) that unto whom the world 's a blandishment . to them it brings , from heaven , a banishment . for , two most distant loves do men ( still ) make of two most distant cities to partake ; the love of god , ierusalem erects , the love of earth , proud babilon protects . the place of peace , ierusalem is nam'd , babilon is seditions seat proclaim'd . but , they shall nere in peaces-city dwell which love not peace , but like confusion well . o , then that men on earth these things would minde , they ( even on earth ) an heavenly life would finde . g. thou dost ( indeed ) most sweetly meditate , things well befitting soules in heavenly state ; for , if men did these things , more seriously , discusse and scan , and to themselues apply , they , to the world , would ( sure ) more strangers be , and cleave to god in neerer amitie . but , we must joy in gods revealed will ▪ rejoyce in converts comming to us , still ; pray the approach of all terrestriall saints who , this our cities ruine and restraints must restaurate and full re-edifie , and make complete to all eternity . meane while ( sweet soule , beloved , lovely mate ) come thou to us , with us cohabitate , blest in thy selfe , gratefull to us all blest , most blessed in this blessed state of rest , come let us ( now ) with interchang'd embraces with mutuall joy , new songs , go take our places in gods most admirable tabernacle , all sacred saints most holy habitacle . now , thy ( once ) ministers become thy mates ; now , 'mongst the lillies in most lovely states , 'mongst troops of glorious angels shining bright thy lustre ( now ) may glister , full of light . yea , now , thou mayst lye downe on beds of roses amongst gods lovely lambes in sweet reposes . come , come ( i say ) be now exceeding glad , that thou art with celestiall beauty clad ; ioy , in enjoying endlesse joy and peace , in gods blest presence , which can never cease . s. o , most mellifluous sweetnesse most admird ! o , heavenly honey pleasures most desir'd ! how sweet thou art in serious meditation ! how farre more sweet in thy due declaration ! how much more sweet to view and contemplate ! how most transcendent sweet in blest estate ! t is not in all i am to set thee forth , t is past my power to blaze thy blessed worth . but , t is enough for me that i possesse thee , that being in thee blest , i , thus , do blesse thee . that i aloud , his laud and praise may sing , that plac'd and grac'd me here , heav'ns glorious king ; to whom , with iesus christ and his blest spirit who doth all power and praises , wholly , merit , even , heavens ineffable trine-unity , be halelujahs sung eternally . amen . ephes. . . arise , thou that sleepest , and stand up from the dead , and christ shall give thee light . bernard . an account must be given of all the time lent unto us , how it hath beene spent by us . aug. upon psal. . my brethren , if ye are perswaded that we shall enjoy any such things , in that countrey , whe●eunto the celestiall-silver trumpet incites and summons us : and for their sakes ye are willing to abstaine from things present , that there ye may receive those future comforts more copiously : do , then , as those men , who being invited to a great feast , keepe their stomacks empty , and are content to abstaine , that their appetites may attaine an ( even ) insatiate satisfaction . finis . the arcadian princesse; or, the triumph of iustice prescribing excellent rules of physicke, for a sicke iustice. digested into fowre bookes, and faithfully rendered to the originall italian copy, by ri. brathvvait esq. silesio, mariano. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the arcadian princesse; or, the triumph of iustice prescribing excellent rules of physicke, for a sicke iustice. digested into fowre bookes, and faithfully rendered to the originall italian copy, by ri. brathvvait esq. silesio, mariano. brathwaite, richard, ?- . marshall, william, fl. - , engraver. [ ], , - , , [ ] p. printed by th. harper [and eliot's court press], for robert bostocke, and are to bee sold at his shop in pauls churchyard, at the signe of the kings head, london : . probably a translation of an untraced italian work by mariano silesio. possibly an original work by richard brathwait. "eliot's court press pr[inted]. quires aa-qq; harper the rest"--stc. with an additional title page, engraved, signed: will: marshall. scul:. the first leaf bears verses "vpon the frontispice". "the consuls charge" (caption title) begins new pagination on a . the last four leaves contain a biography of the putative author. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion vpon the frontispice . hee that in words explaines a frontispice , betrayes the secret trust of his device : who cannot guesse , where mott's and embl●…mes be , the drift , may still bee ignorant for me . the arcadian princesse ; or , the trivmph of ivstice : prescribing excellent rules of physicke , for a sicke iustice. digested into fowre bookes , and faithfully rendred to the originall italian copy , by ri. brathvvait esq. uulnera clausa potius cruciant . greg. london , printed by th. harper for robert bostocke , and are to bee sold at his shop in pauls church yard , at the signe of the kings head . . 〈◊〉 . . rec●…nsui hanc versionem operis mariani sile●…ii florentcu●… 〈◊〉 , the arcadian princesse , or physicke for a sicke iustice , &c : unà cum vita author is annexa , quae continet folia . aut circa , in quibus nihil reperio sanae doctrin●… aut bonis ●…oribus contrarium quo 〈◊〉 cum p●…blica utilitate imprimatur , sub ea tamen conditione ut si non intra annū proxime sequentē typis mandetur , haec licētia ●…it omnino irrita . 〈◊〉 haywood . to the excellent modell of true nobility ; the right honourable , henry somerset , earle of worcester , baron herbert , lord of chepstow , ragland and gower ; all correspondence to his recollected'st thoughts . sir ; i have heere sent you an italian plant , translated to an english platte : whose flower will not appeare halfe so delightfull to your smelling , as the fruit will become 〈◊〉 for preserving . you shall here meet with an author walking in an unbeat path . one , who discurtains the vices of that time so smoothly , though smartly , as his continued allegorie pleads his apologie . a right italian wit shal your honor find him , quick & spritely : & of eminent race and ranke in his country . and it is my joy , to addresse a worke so richly interveined with straines of wit and iudgement , to one , whom descent and desert have equally ennobled ; and who with so cleare and discerning a spirit can iudge of it . now , if this new dresse doe not become him , all that i can say in mine owne defence is this , and no other ; there is great difference betwixt taylor and translator : sure i am , that the loome is the same , if not the lustre ; the stuffe the same , though not the colour : wherein hee freely appeales to your censure , who hath profest himselfe your honours in duest observance , ri. brathwait . to the deserving reader . deserving reader ; every author , as this scribbling age goes , may finde a reader well worthy his labour ; but very few authors publish such workes as deserve the labour of a discerning reader . like to some of our porcupinetheatrall pantomimes , who dare adventure in their spongie labours , begot of a barmie spirit , and other no●…ious vapours , to display a gentlewoman in her compleatest nature ; though they erre egregiously in her favour , figure and feature . peruse this , and returne me answer , if it be not worth thy labour to bestow an houre or two in the reading of this author . forraigne he is , and yet familiar ; choice and dainty his conceits , yet allayed with so sweet a temper , as they retaine in them the relish of a good nature . so free his invention , and so cleare from invection , as it admits no sinister inver●… nor intention . whatsoever hee 〈◊〉 inserts , holds apt proportion and connexion with 〈◊〉 subiect whereo●… hee treates . so as , being not onely a stranger , but so discerning an author , hee can expect no lesse than a candid censure from so deserving a reader . the testimonie of sabaeus amnianus , touching mariano silesio ; with his judgement of his worke , entituled , the arcadian princesse ; or , the triumph of iustice. what pregnancy of conceit , and gravity of judgement , that learned florentine silesio expressed , may appeare by those excellent labours of his : wherein hee addressed his penne to subjects of divers natures , according to those occasionall employments , wherein hee stood engaged . his youth hee bestowed in poesy ; wherein he shewed that vivacity and quicknesse : as the court of florence resounded with the fame of his ●…imensions . in his riper yeares , hee became employed in affaires of high consequence : being twice elected by the vote and suffrage of the whole state for an embassador to the genueses : where hee demeaned himselfe in such sort , as hee was with no lesse cautious observance admired abroad , than with all honour entertained at his returne home . but growing old , and wearied with the mannagement of publique affayres : hee desired to retire , and in his retirement to addresse the remainder of his dayes to some profitable workes which might live in his death , and to posterity revivè the memory of his life . amongst which , hee composed a worke ( in my iudgement ) of exquisite wit , entituled the arcadian princesse : wherin hoth language , and invention discovered their master-piece . he dyed an ▪ dom. . and interred with great solemnity in the latmian arch . the op●…ion of corranus amnensis touching silesio : with his iudgement of his workes ; and of those , his high approvement of that master-piece , entituled the arcadian princesse . with what pregnancy of wit , and solidity of judgement the ever-living silesio , whom to silen●… were to detract from the fame of florence , was indowed , may sufficiently appea●…e by his exq●…isite labours . in which art and nature so sweetly contend●…d , as they erected such trophies in hi●… lines , which exceeded the bounds of fate , or time , to be by oblivion blemished ; or by neglect seazed . hee was descended of a noble family , which hee renowned by his owne actions , by making his own penne the surviving annall of her memory . hee was twice elected by the generall voyce and vote of the state , for embassador to the genue●…s : where he demeaned himselfe with such cautious reservance and judicious prudence , as hee became no lesse admired abroad where he stood interessed , than honoured at home when he returned . but wearied with affaires of state , and desiring much retirement , he privately withdrew himselfe into the country ; where willing to publish some workes , by leaving to the world , before he left the world , such legacies of his love , in his life , as might live in his death ; he composed div●…rs subjects of infinite benefit and approvement to the state. howbeit , in his yonger yeares hee stood much affected to poesy ; wherein hee so excelled , as his poems were held equall with those enlivened composures of tasso's . his invention was much employed in his youth , ( which time he bestowed in observance of the court ) in court-maskes and other theatrall presentments ; wherein none ever contended with him , who in the end did not ingenuously veile unto him . but growing to riper yeares , hee retired from these , and accommodated his stile to the maturity of his time . in which serious studies such accomplishment seconded his retirement , as his private recluse could not be free from concourse : so highly did such as perused him , lov●… him , as they desired nothing more than to live with him . amongst others of his labours , during his retire , hee wrote a booke entitled the arcadian princesse , which hee caused to be transcribed and sent to florence ; a worke in my opinion , of incomparable worth , for language and invention . that parthenius , of whom hee makes such honourable mention , was such a favourite of the muses , as so many poems of his as are extant , have equall'd , if not surpast those moenian measures of petronius . having thus flourished for many yeares , with much fame in florence , and enjoyed the sweetnesse of many retired houres in his countrey repose , he bad the world farewell with a smile . anno dom. . and was interred with all solemnity in the lemnian arch . the testimonie of adrianus barlandus , touching silesio : in his historicall observations on florence . silent i should be touching silesio ; but being daily vers'd in the perusall of his labours , i might seeme conscious to my selfe of envying his worth , if i should seeke to obscur●… , what my judgement doth so highly admire . truth is , he lived long before us , yet lives hee still with us . for though he dye , his annals live . now , to render him in his true effigies and expressive character ; he was an eloquent orator , an elegant poet , and in the maturer close of his time , an eminent patritian . in his writing , hee was witty without scurrilous lightnesse , serious without censor●…ous sowrenesse . accurate without affectation ; passionately moving beyond imitation . hee had the happin●…sse to gaine friends , and to retaine them : which facility in gaining , and felicity in retaining , may bee ascribed to his discretion , who in the whole passage of his life was never knowne to lose his friend for a jest : nor entertaine a jealous conceit of his trust without apparant cause . during his aboade at court , he was much honoured ; in his retire , he was much frequented : in both generally loved . many princely favours were showne him by the duke , which with a native modesty he rejected . and being demanded by some of his friends , why hee accepted not such gracious tenders , being assured arguments of his future advancements ; hee was wont to answer them : that those glorious favours were golden fetters , which might endanger to restraine the liberty of his better part . being on a time importuned in his youth by two complete curtezans , to write a poeme in the praise of beauty ; he made answer : that hee could goe neare to paint them out , but hee thought his pensill might bee well spar'd , for they knew better how to paint themselves . he could never endure to comply with a light friend , saying , that he who entrusted himself with a faune , brought his discretion in question . he was affable to his friends , reconcileable to his foes , affectionate to all . abstenious in his dyet , civill in his habit , temperate in his delights . he lived to a ripe age ; and was intombed in a monument of thracian marble , within the lemnian arch . the ivdgement of conradus minutius , touching silesio : and the surviving memory of his labours . svfficiently wee cannot admire , much lesse imitate these exquisite composures of that florentine silesio . by so much more famous for his learning , because borne in a time , almost ignorant of learning . he was of pregnant wit , present conceit , solid judgement and retentive memory . hee scorned nothing more , than to impe his wings with others feathers ; for his usuall saying was this : he does himself dishonour , who makes himselfe witty by anothers labour . in the time of his reside at court , there were no transcripts held so precious as his poems . in his r●…per yeares , bidding adue to those trifles of youth , ( for so was hee pleased to style them ) he addressed his employments to more serious studies : for observing , how the state tooke especiall notice of him , he held it indiscretion to bestow his oyle on ought lesse , than what might redound to the benefit of the state. albeit , in his latter yeares , being much addicted to privacy , he retired and withdrew himselfe from the grandeure of publique affaires : resolving to dedicate the remainder of his dayes to a contemplative life , which hee called his soules love : where hee breathed forth many divine fancies full of spirit and morall profit . hee dyed , anno dom. . and was honourably buried in the lemnian arch , with a pyram●…dall monument erected over him . a summary of the contents : with an explanation of every distinct subiect , and personall name , contained in this allegoricall discourse , entituled , the arcadian princesse , or , the triumph of iustice . composed at first by that incomparable ornament of florence , mariano silesio , in the italian tongue . the mista the arcadian princesse , and soveraignesse of iustice , in her supposed descent from heaven , and visit of earth , makes a survey or scrutiny of her pretorian ; which state in sixe distinct persons , ingeniously presented , she findes miserably distempered . for the preservation of her judiciall soveraignty , she addresseth her care for their recovery : whence the author properly entitles his first booke , themista's care . shee findes metoxos her first consul in this representative body , and personating partiality , taken with a squinancy . epimonos , personating pertinacy , with an apoplexy . vperephanos , presenting vaine-glory , with a phrensie . meilixos , personating pusillanimity , with an epilepsie . vpotomos presenting severity , with a plurisie . amerimnos , personating security , with a lethargy : whence it is , that hee styleth his second booke , the state-soare . these severall distempers shee recommends to the cure of aescvlapivs ; who , after the discovery of their griefes , applies proper receits to the qualitie of their distempers , and restores them to their health : whence it is , that his third booke beares the title of the cons●…ls cvre . themista transported with their unexpected recovery , seemes doubtfull at first of such good newes : which to strengthen with more certainty , and enliven her depressed spirits with more alacrity ; isotes , personating equity , inapt-composed measures becomes relat●…r of metoxos recovery . epieices , personating moderation , becomes relator of epimonos recovery . tapeinos , presenting humility , becomes relator of vperephanos recovery . iscvros , personating fortitude or constancy , becomes relator of meilixos recovery . elecmon , presenting mercy , becomes relator of vpotomos recovery . epimeles personating industry , becomes relator of amerimnos recovery . and to second her longing hopes , she causeth her ●…ate distempered consuls to come before her to describe the manner of their cure , the highest object of her care : this done , themista delivers her charge to her restored and re-estated consuls ; wherein shee recommends to them the love of iustice and equity : closing with a thankefull remonstrance to aescvlapivs : 〈◊〉 to erect lasting trophies of living memory , to gratifie his successive care in her consuls recovery . so as , from the expression of her charge , and the apprehension of this universall joy , silesio entitles his fourth and last booke , the consvls charge , with themista's trivmph . the arcadian princesse , or , the triumph of iustice ; prescribing excellent rules of physicke for a sicke ivstice . themista's care . the first book . argument . themista descends from heaven , purposely to revisit earth : expressing in apt measures , what desire the heavenly powers have to see iustice executed . the excellency of iustice , properly styled the epitome of all vertues . poesy i. thus long in heav'n ; now must we downe to earth , to see what fruits that hopefull soyle brings forth , how iustice thrives , from whose divinest birth all sacred vertue doe derive their worth , w●…ose presence makes the earth resound with mirth : " harsh is the accent of that melody , " where iustice doth not keepe her iubily . nor doe those glorious powers which shine above , and dart their beams upon th' inferiour spheare , on any object fixe their eye of love , more than on that , where iustice doth appeare ; whose gracefull beauty like a golden grove , adornes the earth , and like a conquerer , empals their heads with wreaths that follow her . how heav'ns do smile , to see good men reputed ! how goodnesse shines , when error is suppressed●… how earth revives , when iustice's executed ! how worth appears , when vertue is r●…freshed ! how ●…tate endeers , that 's with true honor su●…ted ! these beare no other frontispiece than this , " the excellence of iustice what it is . iustice ! a vertue styled properly by those which know the goodnesse of her n●…ture , " vertues choice abstract or epitome , who lives above the reach of any satyre , and scornes a name that 's got by infamie . blest is that state ; her sciens heirs of honour , who hath so bright a star to shine upon her . for to the l●…st of iustice shee 's confin'd , " but such a bird , i feare , is rare to find . argument . themista bewailes the corruption of the time ; what miseries befall that state , where iustice is not administred ; she laments arcady , ( where shee is supposed to descend ) for suffering the seate of iustice to be so defiled : the comely face of so promising a state disfigured . prose i. pitifully perplexed themista , who can see thee , and not suffer with thee ? who can endure to take a view of thy griefe , and not afford thee the tribute of one poore teare for thy reliefe ? shee , who was sometimes more beautifull than the evening starre ; more amiable than the curiousest and choysest feature upon earth ; how is she become darkened ? how is her beauty blemished ? her glory obscured ? her favour perished ? her feature blanched ? observe but the corruption of the time , and then see if my sorrow be groundlesse ! consider this universal contagion , & how should my sorrow but be endlesse ! heare the mercenary guilded tongue , who stands not much upon the cause , so he may receive his coyne , how he coynes untruths , belyes his owne knowledge , inveighs against a subject of innocency , to delude the credulous eare of his too easie iudge : and all this to enrich his seldome-thriving posterity , with the injurious revenues of his partiality ! there , another seconds a great mans cause with a brazen face ; where the better cause must fare the worse , because the worser cause hath the better purse . so as justice becomes so perverted , as she may be compared to the celedonie stone , which retaineth her vertue no longer , than while it is rubbed with gold . the precious stone diocletes , though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it loseth them all , if it be put in a dead mans mouth : so iustice , which is the sole ornament and accomplishment of state , that sacred-secret cement to knit up all breaches and divisions , though it have many rare and exquisite vertues in it , yet doth this soveraignesse of all princely vertues , loose them every one , when she is put into a corrupt mouth , or a deceitful heart ; who guilds iustice over with pretences ; or assuming upon him some awfull command , bindes her to peace , purposely to cram his owne purse . and what is this but worme-wood iustice , making that bitter , which is sweetly relishing of its owne nature ? what excellent hieroglyphicks were conceited by the antient ethnicks , to designe ( amongst other expressions ) the right office of justice ? the athenians erected images of iudges without hands and eyes : implying , that rulers and magistrates should neither be infected with bribery , nor any other way drawn from that which was lawfull and right . lame they should bee in receiving a fee , blinde in discerning friend from foe . but alas ! all ages could ever better prescribe , than observe : yet of all ages , none more irregular than * this , where corruption becomes a custome , and no greater foe to a good cause , than poverty , or a powerfull adversary . nor can that state be secure , where such iniustice raignes . though the night silence her , the wals encompasse her , the curtaines of 〈◊〉 shrowd her : there can be no darknesse so thick and palpable , ( were it like the cimmerian shade ) that the p●…ercing eye of heaven cannot spye thorow it . vain is thy hope , thou scarlet peccant , by sinning secretly , to sinne securely . impiety plays the sycophant with her selfe , when she promiseth her self impunity . that state cannot chuse but bee to misery engaged , where justice is not duely administred . should shee pride it with the babylonian , brave it with the theban , trade it with the tyrian , sport it with the sydonian , or spell it with the aegyptian ; her bravery shall turne to rags , her glory to contempt , her wealth to want , her sport to discontent , her knowledge to folly ; the whole fabricke of her state , to an universall misery . and this is thy miserable estate , poore arcadia ! for how is thy former beauty blemished , the comely face of so promising a state disfigured , by suffering the seate of justice , ( astraeas throne ) to be so defiled , the ornaments of vertue stained ? shall wee bemoane thy disconsolate state , while thou senselesse of thine owne misery , perceives not that thou art wounded ? yes , thy want of sense aggravates our sense of sorrow . o that we were turned all a niobe , and resolved into teares , so wee might but extract from thee one sigh , to argue thou hadst a sense of thy sinne ! reflect , we pray thee , upon thy former beauty ; and what it was that thus hath blemished thee . want of consideration makes thee thus senselesse of thy affliction . let us wipe thine eyes , that thou maist see thy selfe , and seeing , loath that which hath made thee so unlike thy selfe . hither are wee come to revisit thee , and hopefull were wee to have found thee in the same state , wherein wee did leave thee . but corruption hath seaz'd on thy bench ; thy scarlet hath got a staine ; this is thy state ; hence is our griefe . argument ▪ themista recollects her spirits ; comforts her selfe with the conceit of her owne innocency ; she bethinks her how she may take away this staine , and restore the light of iustice to a disconsolate state. poesy ii. bvt whence com these sloods of tears ? ease they may , but cannot cure ; free thy breast of fruitlesse feares , joy thou mayst in being pure ; this corruption of the time , js mans fault , it is not thine . js not thine ! no , heav'n knowes ; strive then to attemper griefe ; doe not waste thy selfe with woes , teares can tender ●…mall reliefe : they that nought but sorrow vent , ne're can cure their patient . let it be thy care to heale , as thine art hath found the sore , and restore a common-weale to that health it had before : so maist thou support that state which lyes now disconsolate . artists , when they search a wound , and doe finde th' incision deepe , must not f ll into a sound , nor like babies pule and weepe : the distemper 's now descride , let some physicke be applide . argument . themista directs a message by her servant euphorbus to the counsell of state. prose ii. bvt present necessity of cure , admits no time of complaint . so as , calling forthwith of her servant euphorbus , who was there attending her , she delivered to him her message in these words . come hither euphorbus , we have ever had sufficiēt proof of thy diligence , being at all times no lesse ready to discharge our trust , than we to impose our command . nor are wee ignorant of thy approved care in performing whatsoever may either redound to our honour , or benefit of the republique , wherein wee are highly interessed . thou shalt therefore receive these directions from us ( as wee solely rely on thee ) the substance wherof wee shall deliver thee in these particulars . thou art presently to repaire to our counsell of state ; acquainting them with our command , that forthwith all frivolous delayes & unnecessary excuses set apart , they repaire to our palace , and there attend our pleasure , in behalfe of the publique service . vvherein , if they become inquisitive what the businesse may be : thou maist answer them in generall tearmes , that wee are to expect an account from them , in their affayres of iudicature ; wherein , if any of them prove defective , they are for example-sake to receive condigne censure . some complaints wee have already heard against them , which how iustly exhibited , wee will as yet suspend , till more frequency of proofe evince them . informe them likewise , since our descent to earth , how we have visited their pretorian , wherein wee found nothing but confusion : their comitiall courts like desarts , wilde and unexercised ; onely some surreptitious proctors were there fishing , who knew no methodicall course of pleading , nor any law-intergatory , but the demand of their undeserved fees ; whereof receiving no presét discharge , with a stentors voyce , they re-eccho their vouchers and double vouchers in a clamorous replication . some decayed remnants , or uselesse instruments of discording iustice , wee likewise found : who had got so much tongue , as parachito-like , they could cry , commit him , commit him , before ever they had heard what hee had done . from whence wee gathered , that many had aspired to that place , before ever they knew what the definition of justice was : so as , they usually caused the nocent and innocent to cast lots whether of them should be punished . innumerable such objects of sorrow have we viewed , since wee descended ; the sad memory whereof renewes our griefe , and leaves us ever with a teare in our eye , a sigh in our heart : nor should we be comforted , but that the knowledge of our owne innocency hath so fortifide us , as no censure can deservedly touch us . make haste euphorbus , and deliver our message with a courage : meane time , wee shall expect their attendance , with a due and formall account of all their actions . with this message her faithful servant euphorbus departed , while she taking her lute in her hand , to expell melancholy with a straine of melody , and retaine a constant remembrance of her servants fidelity , chanted out the●…e layes . argument . themista reioyceth in the enioying of so faithfull a servant ; shee recounts the benefits redounding from such : and reproves the uniustnesse of unthankfull masters , who come short in recompencing such . poesy iii. well ! euphorbus , thou art hee with thy service comforts't mee . when i am surpriz'd with griefe , thine advice affords reliefe : thou finds solace when i ioy , suffers with me in annoy : be it mirth or discontent , thou art for that element : so as i may well averre , having such a comforter ; " there 's no treasure may compare " with a faithfull servants care : who is early up and late to increase his masters state . hee 's a crane for vigilance , an emmet for his providence : hee 's no sea-maw , that can show any tempest in his brow : he is legall , loyall , iust , sworne unto his masters trust : gracelesse are such thanklesse men , who such servants can contemne , for they take farre more delight to receive than to requite : curt'sies they retaine not long , yet can recompence a wrong . any one will cheere his curre when he barks and makes a sturre , and gives warning to his house if he doe but heare a mouse : what is he , pray tell me than , cheeres his curre , & checks his man ! argument . euphorbus returnes answer to themista , that the whole body of her councell of sta●…e is become infirme , as they cannot without apparant danger of death , repaire to her grace . hee shadowingly delivers unto her , in what manner they are handled , and how long they have continued . prose iii. no sooner had euphorbus dispatched his message , than he returned answer unto his lady : humbly shewing to her grace , that her whole councell of state was growne so infirme , some through distempers , others through weaknesse of nature , as they could not without apparant danger of death , attend her grace . what , is their infirmity so universall , ( answered themista ) as none of all our conscript fathers , whose reverend judgements were sometimes held oracular , can now tender us their observance ? pray thee relate , euphorbus , how are they handled , or whether they pretend but this onely , to free them from attendance . truely , ( answered euphorbus ) so please your grace , i thinke they doe not counterfeit . for i am perswaded , little did they expect my comming , yet found i some of them raving , as if taken with some dangerous phrensie : others so melancholy and lumpish , as i could scarcely force one word from them in an houre ; and when it came , as good as no thing , for it was to no purpose . others infinitely given to laughter ; but none so discreetly sober as might deserve admittance to your presence . severall were the humors did surprize them , yet not one temperate humour among them . some were altogether silent , and they the wisest , for they spoke nothing : others too liberall and lavish of tongue , whose discourse was so disjoynted , as the scene of one of their distracted sentences , lay in all the foure parts of the world . heavens blesse me ( said themista ) is arcadia , once a seat of justice , a treasurie of prudence , and a fruitfull nurcery of all liberall and free borne studies , become a fatuano or bedlam of distracted persons ? be our hopes so quickly blasted ? but inveterate sores are hardest to be cured ; tell us then euphorbus , how long may report give out , that these distempers have continued ? not long , as i heare ( answered euphorbus ) nor these neither continuate , for they admit intermissions . more dangerous are they ( replyed themista ) these interspirations minister new matter to their distemper'd humour to worke on . but pray thee what times are held most violent . some of them ( answered euphorbus ) are in good temper till after noone ; their pulses beat moderately , their conceits full of quicknesse and pregnancy , their understandings poized with serious solidity ; they can walke , talke , and converse no lesse gravely than gracefully . but the meridian hath no sooner overshadowed them , then they have quite lost their former alacri●…y . talke they cannot without stammering , nor walke without supporting ; yea , they cleane forgot what they did i th morning ; and should your grace aske them a question , they cannot answer you without sleeping . what a soporiferous humour is this ( replide themista ? ) sure they have drunke oppium or night-shade , or they could never be so heavy-headed : but how stand the rest affected ? truely madame ( said euphorbus ) some of them are so fierce and violent , as their gates are ever kept bolted ; where , if you would bee admitted , you must pay the porter . vpon your admittance , if you desire to goe farther , you must liberally reward the doore-keeper ; by whom being brought into their presence , you shall finde them like so many state-idols reered up , beckning nothing but awfull reverence . which made mee remember the saying of cineas , that hee never came in presence of the roman senators , but he verily thought hee came before so many magnificent emperour●… bigge and boysterous are they in their salutes , as thus ; fellow , approach nearer . whereas poore snakes , their affrighted supplicant●… fearing to come within their reach , or draw neere the side of their grate , ( for it may be supposed , they have heard the description of a caniball ) double their reward to that commodious keeper of the ward , to procure their escape . yet are not these alwayes thus cruell and untractable . for there were divers mollifying playsters and other suppling oyles to allay their distemper , and b●…ing them ( as i heard after ) to a more pleasing and affable humour : but these were privately applied , and by their most intimate follower●… practised , or el●…e they could worke no cure . trust mee ( quoth ●…hemista ) howsoever their natures are to bee suppled , these distempers are worst to be cured : for they partake of two incorrigible humours ; immoderate inflammation of the heart , and insatiate extension of the hand ; their bloud therefore must be cooled , and the nerves of their palmes straitned , or they can never bee cured ; but how are the last disposed ? cleare of an other humour ( answered euphorbus ) for these seeme ind●…fferent how the world goe ; they are sparing in dispatch , but speedy in repast ; the height of their humour is a plenteous dinner : free they are from anger , or any passionate distemper : onely , they feed so liberally , as they g●…ow unwealdy : they hate nothing more than businesse , so as their judgements ever close with a reference : yet are they of good dispositions , but through discontinuance growne so useles●…e , as they cannot possibly give the grace attendance . well done , euphorbus ; thou hast freely , though shadowingly , discovered their maladies : it rests , that amidst these discomforts wee conceive through their misery , wee comfort our selfe with the continuate remembrance of our owne integrity . argument . themista continues her comforts in dilated measures , upon reflexe had to her owne integrity ; she imagines her absence to be the greatest cause of these maladies : for whose cure , she bestowes her whole care. poesy iiii. grieve may we wel , yet in our griefe may wee impart some equall measure of reliefe unto our hart . wee suffer in their misery , yet when we view our well-approv'd integrity , we then renew those comforts we conceiv'd before and still retaine ; " such may sit safe and sing a shore have past the maine . no treasure to a spotlesse mind , whose vertues are in an untainted heart enshrin'd , which cures all care . yet was not phoebus free from blame to make his sonne a coach-man ere he knew the same , proud phaëton . nor we to leave our throne to these , who cannot keepe their lips from cup●… , their hands frō fees , nor eyes from sleep . our absence was the cause , i feare , through want of us , which made these conscript fathers here distemper'd thus . it rests , that we partake a share , ( though wee 'r secure ) in their distresse , and have a care upon their cure. argument . themista resolves to goe visit her langu●…shing iusticiaries : euphorbus diswades her from it : shewing what danger she might incurre by such a visit : no plague more infectious to the body , than the corruption of vice to the mind . prose iv. bvt cures of this nature ( said themista , require present reliefe . there is more advan●…age in dispatch , than delay ; for by neglect of opportunity , we ever lose the benefit that accrues by it . it is not so hard to give comfortable counsell to the afflicted , as to finde a fit season when to give it . expedition is the best season in extreames : lest by delaying of our cure , wee dispatch our patient . it shall be our first resolve then to goe visit our languishing iusticiaries , and to employ our best care for their cure. it is their inward estate that we tender , for in that consists their highest honour . we are not affraid , ( to use the words of our sententious petrarch ) to see the ●…uinous houses of their decaied bodies shaken ; for we know well their condition , with the necessity of their dissolution : so their soules , vessels of pur●…r substance , though guests of their bodies , farewell . we ever hold critolaus ballance for our direction ; who poizing the goods of body and fortune in one scale ; and the goods of the minde in the other , found those pretious & inestimable goods of the minde so far to weigh downe the other , as the heaven doth the earth & seas . wee stand still for that rich and curious cabbinet of the soule ; which , so long as it is not rifled by that vitious crue of inordinate affections , all is safe , all secure : but once soyled , hardly restored to her former beauty but alas for sorrow ! wee cannot chuse but sigh , to see old men so senselesse of their misery . grieve they cannot for themselves , though they see themselves now descending to their graves . vncomfortable is that affliction , which conceives for it selfe no sensible compassion : and such is these mens case . their bodies are by age weakened , with rumerous infirmities enfeebled ; there is scarce a day but threatens ruine to their crazie cottages . yet are they as fresh and youthfully greene for vice , as if they but lately entred this theatre of vanity , and might promise to their sparkling youth more yeares , than they can hours , by all possibility . on then , euphorbus , wee will vi●…t them , lest they perish through our neglect . desist madame ( answered euphorbus ) from a resolve of such infinite danger . i understand their disease to be infectious ; sure i am , their whole family seemes to have a spice of the same malady ; be not then such an enemy to your selfe , as to expose your honour to apparant danger , and so perish through your owne errour . this , madame , will turne your visiting of them , to a visitation in your selfe . vvho will goe into an infected house , or tempt the divine providence , by subjecting himselfe wittingly to inevitable perill ? and no plague more infectious to the body , than the corruption of vice●…o ●…o the minde . of what strong constitutions were some of these , who now lye mortally languishing ? able they were to the sight of man to repell all crudities ; yet see how soone they were vanquished , and to the inbred corruption of their own vitious nature , miserably captivated . i know , madame , that you partake of immortality ; yet is there something mortall in you ; that may bring you to stoop to that lure , which , although you now loath , by consorting with them , you may hereafter love . and what then safe amongst us , if you should faile , or fall from us ? good madame then , intend your owne safety : too much affection may bring you to an infection : prevention is the life of policy . he is an indiscreet generall , who lyes his owne person open unto perill : for his fall makes an end of the battell . secure your selfe by retiring to your palace : let artists , whose profession it is to intend these cures , search their griefes , and expose their persons unto danger ; be it your care , our joy , to enjoy the safety of your honour . argument . themista concludes , that a pious disposition ever carries with it a preservative against all vicious infection : shee continues her purpose of visiting distempred s●…atists , and prepares a confection against all corruption . poesy v. though vices like diseases runne in blood , a free-borne disposition that is good , may amongst vicious persons p●…rest live , and in her breast weare a preservative 'gainst all infection . " herepels all vice , " who lookes to have god still before his eyes . the sighing hart being wounded , straight doth flye by meere instinct , for cure to ditany : so will the beare , if she feele any griefe , fly to the herbe acanthus for reliefe : balme-mint delights the bee , to which amaine she makes recourse , to ease her of her paine : right well her celandine the swallow knowes , whereto , if ought distemper her , she goes . and shall these creatures , which have onely sense , challenge above us a preeminence ? no ; wee 've the herbe of grace , whose sacred stem affords such native vigour unto men , as where it is applide , they need not feare that any foule infection can come there . surcease to move us then ; we must prepare to visit these who so distemper'd are : weake conscript-fathers ! like 's that state to fal when such night-birds doe keepe the capitall . but that we may our selfe the stronger make , confection 'gainst infection wee will take●… which shall be this : " a pure untainted brest , with oyle of grace , the better to resist . the state-soare . the second book . argument . themista having visited and felt the pulses of her languishing councell , bemoanes their desperate estate ; she adviseth for their recovery ; but findes the height of their distemper , to exceede the compasse of her cure ; she resolves to send her servant euphorbus for aesculapius to procure their recovery , and prevent their relapse into the like infirmity . prose i. no sooner had themista felt the pulse of her diseased statists , than she perceived their distemper to be of that nature , as being a desperate soare , i●… required a desperate cure. some of their pulses beat faintly ; as if nature were spent in them , & their wasted lamps neare the snuffe . others cleare of an other temper , for they beat so violently , as it might bee easily gathered , that their enraged humour rather laboured of fury and frenzy , than any other indisposed quality . diversly found she her languishing senate affected ; but none of them rightly tempered ; which drove her into these and such like perplexed resolves . where ( said she ) shall we turne us , and see not some heavy object or other to afflict us ? every where doe we see a distempred state ; every where a growinggroaning malady . and what way may wee cast for their recovery ? hee that visiting his friend , findes him sicke , and will not minister unto him ; heavy , and will not comfort him ; needy , and will not relieve him ; such an one may be rather said to mocke him than bemoane him , scoffe him than cheere him , scorne him than succour him . but alas ! we feare much that the nature of their disease far exceeds the measure of our art . maladies of this quality require an experienc'd hand to afford them remedy . and so tenderly affected are wee to their persons , as wee shall not have the heart to search their wounds , as a pittilesse artist should doe : for these griefes cannot be cured , unlesse they be to the bottome searched . meane time , how worthily may wee bemoane this distracted estate ; when those who should be the guardidians of the republique , are so besotted and benummed ; or otherwise with some exorbitant passion so transported , as they , who should guard the publique state , cannot guide their own persons : but like children , goe by holds , to keepe themselves from fals ? where may the wronged finde redresse , when hee that doth the wrong , is exempted from censure ; either by corruption , which seales up the mouth of justice : or ignorance , which knowes not how to distinguish of the quality of an offence ? happy were those dayes wherein ba●…il the emperour of constantinople lived : for so peacefull was his state in the gracious progresse of his time , that whensoever hee came to his iudgement-seat , hee neither found party to accuse , nor defendant to answer . but we , to live both in these factious & unpeaceable times ; and to bee distitu●…e of such as should censure these crimes , where connivence gives impunity to impiety , and greatnesse becomes a subterfuge to guiltinesse ; who can justly blame us , to vye in teares with the errours of the time ; and bemoane that state with a compassionate pitty ; which we cānot by our own endevours remedy ! now , should we leave them to théselves , how should they possibly cure their owne soares , who are insensible of their effects ? true it is ; that as the scorpion hath in her the remedy of her owne poyson ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him the punishment of his owne wickednesse : which never leaves to torment and affli●…t his minde , both sle●…ping and waking ; as it fared with apollodorus , hipparchus , pausanias and many others ; who were so conscious of their owne enormities , as they were ever in pursuit by their owne furies . but what of all this ? neither personall shame , nor apprehension of their owne guilt , nor any other subsequent effect , could afford to the publique state , a soveraigne cure ; till these vicious ones were weeded , vertuous ones elected , and the whole forme or modell of the state changed . o my perplexed spirit , how justly may wee take up the complaint of our divinely-morall seneca ! who writing to his friend lucilius , discovered the face of a corrupted state in this sort : our newes from rome are these ; the walls of rome are ruined ; the temples not visited ; the priests fled ; the treasure robbed ; old men are dead ; young men are mad ; and vices are lords over all . o my good friend luciliu●… , if these things seeme great faults , there be greater yet than these in rome : and they are , that no man will confesse himselfe culpable of any of these things : but the dictator layeth fault upō the consul ; the consul upon the censor ; the censor upon the pretor ; the pretor upon the aedile ; and the aedile upon the questor : in so much as ; because no man will confesse his fault , we have no hope of amendment . but fruitlesse are these complaints ; our griefes require a speedy hand , and a resolved heart ; de●…terity in the one , and constancy in the other ; speedy in applying , and happy in performing . wee shall doe well then in resolving to send our servant euphorbus for aesculapius ; by whose incomparable skill , not onely means may be made for their recovery ; but directions had for preventing their relapse into the like infirmity . haste then with winged speed , eup●…orbus , to that prime artist of physicke ; present our loue unto him ; the desire we have to see him ; how much we relye on him ; the necessity of his repair : which shall individually tye us to him . argument . themista descants on the birth and worth of aesculapius , the admirable effects of physicke ; with a just and judiciall reproofe of all empiricks . poesy i. betwixt such men there is great ods whose parents are immortall gods and have their birth above ; and those who take their birth frō mē , or from low earth , derive their stem , as their owne acts approve . great aesculapius , who was bred of heav'nly not of earthly ●…eed doth his rich gifts impart ; nor is hee honoured in scorne by pagans in a serpents forme , but for his divine art . for as the serpents watchfull care exc●…eds all other creatures farre in wit and polic●…e : so aescu●…apius doth exceede all artists sprung of mortall seed in his dexteritie . thrice sacred art ! which d●…st restore to life , what was decay'd before , and re-infusest breath to breathlesse souls , by giving health ' the rich & poor mans chiefest wealth ' to stay th' arrest of death . but haplesse they , who deadly ●…icke , relye upon an empiricke whose physick makes them worse , for what ●…e doth apply to them agrees not with the state of men but rather with his h●…rse . " you then , on whom distempers make surprize , " be known to such , have practise and advice . argument . aesculapius offers his best service to themista ; she discovers unto him the cause of her griefe ; shee remembers the endeared name of her parthenius ; his poeme ; the many vertues which did enrich him : she intreats aesculapius his best succour ; and hee promiseth his best art and assistance unto her . prose ii. no sooner had euphorbus delivered his ladies message to aesculapius , who was then engaged in sundry cures of great difficulty , by meanes of priapus and his dissolute followers , ( who had brought a dangerous d●…ease into that province where he resided : ) then pre●…ently , this divine artist repaired to themista , offering to her his best service ; which was accepted by her with much thankfull entertainement and affectionate solace . and sitting together in a delightfull arbour , without more delay , she discovered the cause of her griefe unto him , in this manner . renowned sir , to impart unto you , the grounds of our griefe in every particular , would require an ample volume of iliads : neither would time suffice , nor your numerous imployments admit , any such copious relations . in one word , if miserably-perplexed hecuba , whose fortune in her time had no paralell , expressed such discon●…olate effects in the sad ashes of her ruin'd troy , and her slaughterd children ; we are sure the sorrowfull scene of our tragicke mishaps , may deserve some annals to memotize them , lest continuance of time might burie in oblivion , the heavy issue of such dolefull occurrents . wee well remember , how polo the tragedian , acting the part of electra upon the stage ; and being mournefully to bring in the bones of her brother orestes in a pot , hee brought in the bones of his owne sonne lately buried , that the sight of them might wring forth true tears indeed ; and by their passionate presentment of them , act it more feelingly : for obj●…cts of ocular passion cannot chuse but worke in the actors person . the same part may wee be truely said to personate : nor may we possibly so display them to life , whom wee a●…e here to present , as our afflicted brest conceives : so that , as pictures receive their life from shadowes , so are you aesculapius to conceive them shadowed , when our tongue cannot reach so high as to have them fully expressed . for murdering wounds doe ever lose their tongue ; " small griefes do speake , when greater griefes are dombe . but you will say , true passion admits no rhetoricall introductiō ; 't is true ; yet fares it with us in this discovery of our fresh-bleeding woes , as it doth with such , on whom the judgement of death being now pronounced , and now come to that fatall place , where they are to satisfie the law , and disburden their conscious souls of many secret facts , which till then , never came to light , nor admitted a discovery : many trifling delayes will they pretend , purposely to protract time , and enjoy the sweet society of an expiring life : but omitting these , wee will now descend to a free delivery of these our captiv'd and restrained griefes : in discovery whereof , pardon our effeminacy , if we drop some teares , to ease the surcharged relapse , of our afflicted heart . know ( quoth she ) thou divine artist , that we were sometimes styled the soveraignesse of justice ; and in person , intended our care to the execution of it . during which time , our imparalel'd state flourished , lawes were duely administred , good men were rewarded , the evill justly punished ; the state of ●…ustice so equally poized , as saturns age seem'd to be revived . having thus planted our state , we held our selves se : cure : but too much security gives vice opportunity to make her entry : for no sooner were wee removed ( recommending our government to such , whose fidelity we held so inviolably firme unto us , as nothing could divide them from us : ) then that blessed state , where before never corruption raigned , no oily nor sycophant tongue ever pleaded , no malady nor distemper raged ; became universally diseased . not one sound member left uninfected . sundry vicious and malignant humours distilled srom the head to the body : which so distempered the whole state , as nothing could bee more ●…eared than an epidemicall contagion . to give some wofull instances herein , that my griefe may appeare reall without dissembling ; truely passionate without faigning : what a number of conscript-fathers lye now desperately languishing ; & what small hope have we of their recovering ? sicke , & heart sicke they are ; yet like children , rather would they have their soares to rankle , corrupt , and putrifie , than have their wounds search'd , and so finde remedy . one wee had ( and onely one ) who was sound at heart , whose name ( and blest be the memoriall of so untainted a name ) was parthenius : to them onely odious , who were vicious ; by them proscribed , who were contagious ; by all esteemed , who were truely vertuous . him they banished in our absence , nor since could hee ever be admitted to our presence . whose pregnancy may appeare by that poeme which his nimble notarie ephepomenos in his person , ingeniously composed , and by a petitionary way in his exile presented , to expresse the wrongs he had ●…uffered , and how injuriously the censure of his proscription had beene pronounced ; nor shall it a little comfort us , to repeate it , now in his absence ( whose memory is so pretious to us ) who first address'd it : exil'd ! sterne state , what was the cause ? corruptiō , or neglect of lawes ? for th' first , i may be bold to sweare , i had least share in all the shere . ten yeares & more i serv'd the state ; yet all that time i nothing gat : and for the last , i never slept , while other birds the capitol kept . speake pig , lamb , chicken , capon , goose , if ere i wrong'd astraeas ho●…se , or made it errours rendevous , or ever minc'd a mittimus ; or e're was of that nasty tribe to sleight a brawle , to take a bribe ; or sought a wrong cause to advance , or e're supprest recognizance : if any these against me call , i 'le loose man , cognizance and all . but trust me , state , while i cōplain , my losse , me thinks , becomes my gain : now may i freely walke at large , and ne're be put to any charge : and view what weaklings cannot see , the secrets of philosophy : or with my muse in private meete , lest ●…ustice set us both by th'feet●… , while we bemone astraeas throne to see a stone sit on a stone . thanks then not to my friend but foe , whose loving hate hath freed m●… so . " iust is my brethrens bench i trust , " and i 've within a brest as just . nor was he more pregnant in wit , than rich in the supply of all vertues : for all that knew him , will give this testimony of him , that his constancy in opposing strong delinquents , did exile him . for like an impregnable rocke , he stood stoutly against all opposition ; or like a sweet cooling spring in a desart , refreshed both himselfe , and others in their affliction , or like green bayes in hoary winter , flourished still in the most violent and tempestuous season . such men have our corruptedst times brought forth , but those were rare , as soranus and cannius , phocion and socrates ; whose surviving vertues preserue their memory to posterity ; and whose steps our parthenius hath so well trac'd in acts of justice and piety . but to you aesculapius , must wee addresse our request ; it is your succour we intreate ; whose experienc'd art hath wrought such admirable effects . be it your care to tender our senates cure. so shall you finde us just in our requitall ofso ample a benefit , whensoever opportunity shall so offer it selfe that we may show it . whereto aesculapius replied ; as pitty moves me to commiserate your estate ( noble lady ) so shall it appeare , that my zeale to your honour is unfaigned , by the expression of my cure. let it suffice , madame , that i doe here promise my best art and assistance in the accomplishment of your desires : meane time , comfort your selfe with expectance , till time come that wee present to your honour some manifest tokens of successe , by the effects of your practise . argument . themista bemones parthenius his banishment ; wishing him some rayes of comfort amidst those clowds of discontent : how meditation of others miseries , is a soveraigne balme to attemper , if not to cure any ones affliction . poesy ii. what age is this , when such are forc't who liue the best , to fare the worst ? what better may a state befit then wisedome , honesty and wit ? which in parthenius were compil'd , the onely cause hee was exil'd . had he plaid buffoun , fawn or knave to pandor , flatter or deceive , he had far more respected bin , nor felt those perils he is in : for he by soothing great mens crimes had beene a minion for these times . but he still scornd such base extreams to gather wealth , by servile means : he rather did the gods beseech pure to live poor than basely rich . well then , though thou an exile be , thou hast a brest to comfort thee : choice vertues to thy cell frequent , to cleare those clouds of discontent with sacred rayes , to crown my wish , " that exile may become thy blisse . but while our dolefull eare applies her selfe to others miseries , a soveraign balm they doe procure to temper ours , if not to cure : for when we others woes expresse , they heale our own , or make thē lesse . but so it fareth not with mine , for they 'r increas'd with thought of thine . argument . aesculapius delivers his opinion touching his patients ; their wounds must be discovered , before they be cured ; hee enjoynes them one by one to shew unto him how they are handled , that receits to the quality or distemper of the patient may be seasonably ministred . prose iii. this exquisite artist aesculapius , having duely observed their distinct humours , passions , symptoms and dispositions ; freely in this manner delivered his opinion , touching his patients . it is easie ( said he ) to collect by the outward physnomy , that there is an inherent malady : but there is some difficulty in discovering , the true nature or effects of that infirmity , by any conjecture derived externally . wee of our profession receive especiall notions by the patients urine , and by other practick meanes , whereof our experienc't artists make singular use : yet may we erre in these , be our judgements never so cleare ; because the water doth not ever discover the quality of the humour : yea , i my selfe have heard of one within these few years , who was esteemed an eminent professor in our art , and of excellent judgement in waters , to have returned his opinion , that such a water as was brought unto him , ( rather indeed to try him , than any necessity they had to employ him ) was the water of one who was deepely fallen into a consumption , yet was it the stale of a fat palfrey , as appear'd afterwards upon discovery . i hold it then very needfull in the whole course of our practice ( if the patient be not altogether insensible of his owne griefe , by reason of the height or extension of his malady , or incapably of any such discovery in respect of his infancy ) that he freely disclose the nature or condition of his owne griefe : by shewing in every particular how he is handled ; at what times most distemperd ; how in his siedge , how in his stomacke affected : all which are ever by the patient himselfe best discovered , and upon his relation , by physicall directions best attempered . my conclusion then shall be this ; forasmuch as no wound can be possibly cured , unlesse it be first discovered ; nor salued , unlesse to the bottome searched : i hold it not onely fi●… , but necessarily consequent , that one after another hee brought forth in a chaire , and before they receive their meanes of cure , disclo●…e truely how they feele themselves handled ▪ that a receit to the quality of the disease might be seasonably ministred . vvhereto , after themista had condescended , her distemper'd statists were brought forth one after another , according to their degree and order ; whom aesculapius his boy comforted with a musicall measure after this manner . argument . harmonious , aesculapius his boy , comforts the deiected patients ; recounting what innumerable difficult cures his master had effected . poesy iii. take courage to you sirs , of this you may be sure , who has you now in hand hath done as great a cure. when nonius that same scabbe did of a strume complaine , he cur'd th' impostume quite by opening of a vaine . demosthenes was hoarse and could not raise a note , yet cur'd he him , and pull'd an oxe out of his throate . stesichorus , whose veine was fluent and divine , the onely lyricke straine reputed in his time , when he had lost his eyes through helena's disgrace , my master them restor'd and set them in their place . theotmius was choak't with helleborian fume , yet he his gullet swept , and brought his pipes in tune . diaphanus as cleare as ever christ all was , that any one might view his guts as he did passe , was by his art so clos'd with cement that he made , that nought could be descride within his solid shade . stilpho a man of note , but fiercer than a lyon , more wanton than a goate , he made more chaste than dian. lime-twigs were brusons hands , they were but touch and take , his pilfring was his lands , yet them so stench did make by oyles which he applide , as theft did him displease : thus hath his art beene tride with thousands more than these . take courage then ; that care which he in these did shew , his wisedome will not spare to any one of you . argument . themista causeth metoxos , the ancientst of her senators to be brought forth ; shee acquaints him with her care for his cure ; she wils him to declare unto ae●…culapius , how he feeles himselfe handled , and to what distempers most subiect ; metoxos discovers his griefe , with the effects of his distemper , in each particular . prose iv. no sooner had that admirable artist told themista , what necessity and consequent utility there was in the discovery of a patients griefes ; and how none , were he never of so quicke and piercing a judgement , could come so fully to the knowledge of their distemper , as when the sufferer himselfe became the relator ; then this equall soveraignesse of iustice ; themista , caused metoxos , the antientst of all her senators to be brought forth , acquainting him with her care for his cure : which done , after some comfortable exhortations to prepare his feeble and uncomposed minde , she wil'd him to declare there unto aesculapius how he felt himselfe handled ; how in the state of his body disposed , and to what distempers most subject . themista was not more ready to command , than metoxos was to obey ; so as , raising himselfe a little in his chaire , and borne up with pillowes to give him more ease , with the best voyce that his enfeebled spirits could afford , he begunne to discover his griefe , with the effects , in these particulars . seeing madame ▪ ( said he ) that it is your sacred pleasure , that i disclose mine owne griefes , which by con tinuance , are growne so habituate , as i solace my selfe in my sufferings , i will humbly observe your command . first then , i must ingenuously confesse , there is such a secret sympathy betwixt my nature and the temper of that metall , as i can see no gold but my teeth water . there is such an extension likewise of my sinewes , as mine hand is ever open , nor can i for a world shut it together , till some powder of the foresaid minerall close it . i feare too , a decay in my lungs ; for i am become of late very asthmaticall : and am oft times troubled with a swelling in my throat ( when saturne is predominant ) so as i cannot for the whole world speake for my client . . i am a little troubled with the migrim , which makes mee i cannot looke steadily upon a just complainant . and albeit , i must confesse , that i am an old man , and that the very lampe of my life is nearely spent , yet doe i affect dalliance , and am infinitely taken with three curtezans , philia , dusnoia , aneleutheria : the immoderate haunting of whose company hath so weakned my spirits , as it hath driven mee into a consumption . argument . themista laments the misery of their condition , who make gold their god ; or proportions iustice by amity , enmity , or commodity ; nothing so pretious to a composed minde , as integrity . poesy iv. wretched are worldlings , who their hopes dosettle on the base rubbish of an earthly mettall , which like to bright glasse , though it shine , is brittle when it is used . like midas blinded with an endlesse hunger , they reare an idoll to their isis honour , gold is their sole god , and they doate upon her shamelesse abused . yet worse are they far , who doe justice measure by profit , hatred , or unequall favour , where he that gives most , may respective have her as he desireth . like to a fresh rose in a spinet closed , nothing 's so pretious as a minde composed , pure and untainted is her heav'nly closet where she retireth . argument . themista causeth metoxos to withdraw ; epimonos is called forth , who after some reluctancy ( sorting well with the pertinacy of his spirit ) shewes after what manner hee is handled . prose v. metoxos having so freely discovered his distemper , themista caused him to withdraw , and keepe apart from consorting with any ( being told first by aesculapius , that his disease was very contagious ) and acquainting him withall , that aesculapius would take course for h●…s recovery as well as the rest , after hee had heard a free and particular discovery of every ones distemper & infirmity . which done , epimonos was called forth , who discovering at his very first approach his refractorie nature , after some reluctancy , suiting well with the pertinacy of his spirit , shewed after what manner he was handled , in this sort . since i must perforce , ( said hee ) addresse my selfe to doe what mine owne nature will hardly incline un●…o ( though , i must confesse , i had farre rather labour still of my supposed distemper , than be put out of my humour ; ) i will for once , madam , become mine owne anatomist before your honour , and this reverend artist , whom you so highly tender . . i feele very usually such a stiffnesse or unpliablenesse in my selfe , as i would not willingly bee either led or driven . . the more i am mov'd , the lesse i feele . . i have got such a buzzing in mine head , as i can heare no mans opinion but mine owne . . and now of late , grown so insensible of my malady , as i greatly feare , ere long , to fall into an apoplexy . argument . themista justly reproves such , as being wed●…ed to their owne opinion , will not incline to reason , but preferre a precipitate wil●… before a deliberate judgement . poesy v. like to a top which runneth round , and never winneth any ground ; or th' dying ●…cien of a uine , that rather breaks than it will twine : or th' sight-lesse moale , whose life is spent , divided from her element : or plants remov'd from tagus shore , who never bloome , nor blossome more : or darke cimmerians , who delight in shadie shroud of pitchie night : or mopping apes , who are possest their cubbes are ever prettiest : so hee , who makes his ow●…e opinion to be his one and onely m●…nion : nor will incline in any season to th' weight of proofe or strength of rea●…on , but prefers will precipitate 'fore judgement that 's deliberate : he nere shall lodge within my roofe , till rectifide by due reproofe , hee labour to reforme this ill , by giving way to others will. argument . themista causeth vperephanos to be brought forth ; who after some arrogant passages , sprung from an insolent humour , is at last content to disclose the nature of his distemper . prose vi. shortly after , upon themista's especiall command , was vperephanos brought forth ; who , after some arrogant passages distemperately uttered , in holding himselfe exempt from others command , was at last content ( with much seeming discontent ) to disclose the nature of his distemper . although ( said he ) i know no soveraignty whereto i am subject , unlesse my own disposition in meere curtsy , give way unto it ; or this absolute soveraignesse of justice injoyne it , i will daigne to ranke my selfe with others , ( though much inferiour to my ranke ) in this naked discovery . so it is with me , . that i verily thinke my selfe ( especially at the full of the moone , and when the dogge — starre rageth ) to be atlas , and that the weight of the whole world lyes upon my shoulders . . i feare much , that this life shall no sooner leave me , than the world will make an idoll of me . . i feele a perpetuall tinckling and sowing in mine eares ; and these i hold to be the tongues of the state , who are chanting my praises . . i wonder how the world was governed before i came into it . . i neither see nor heare any , but they admire me ; and were i isis palfrey , they would adore mee . . i finde a windy or flatuous matter neare to the orifice of my stomack , which gathers like a purse , and fals into my bladder . . i am troubled with many humerous and fantasticke dreams , amongst which , that i have a shuttle-cocke in my brain ; and am swallowing gudgeons . . and when i awake and walke abroad , i am so taken up with favour and fancy , as when i am my selfe , and in good temper , i doubt verily i shall fall into a phren●…ie . argument . themista wonders how any one should bee so much transported with vaine-glory , as to bee wholly forget●…ull of their owne frailty . the onely way to humble man , is to con●…ider how many imperfections accompany him , and how short hee comes , in ought that may truely accomplish him . poesy vi. why should man be transported with conceit of fame , strength , beauty , excellency of wit ? or catch himselfe with a vaineglorious bait ? or make his soule a servile prey to it ? why should hee th'ro●…e of frailty so forget ? which like a mirrour or true chry stall glasse , presents his native face wheres'ere he passe . should hee conceive what imperfections are , in check-roule his attendants ; which obscure those glimmering vertues in him few and rare ; vvhat poore defence to keepe his fort secure ; how hee 's hemm'd in with danger ev'ry houre ; how hee exceeds in complements of sin ; how short in that which should accomplish him . o then i know this painted butterfly would hang his wing , and yeeld himselfe a man ! a man ! the embleme of mortality ; who , if he would but imitate the swan , and eye his feete , he would be humbler than ! since his best vertues , if to life exprest , are but resplendent vices at the best . argument . themista cals forth meilixos ; who in all submissive manner shewes the weakenesse of his constitution by nature . prose vii . no sooner was that vaine glorious statist remov'd , being to retire to a private cell or recluse divided from the rest ; fearing , belike , his distemper , which was sometimes furious beyond measure ; than themista ( whose care was ever addressed for their cure ) cals forth meilixos ; who in all humble and submissive manner shewed ; that from his very childhood , hee was of a weake constitution ; . of an ea●…ie and facile nature ; ever cold & aguish ; . subject to bleeding ; . and sinew-shrunk : . he●… was growne so feeble , as he could scarcely support himself : . he found a great decay in his sight , and could goe no way but as others led him . hee would freely submit himselfe to any extremity , so hee might enjoy the least hope of recovery ; but hee greatly feared an hereditary malady , descending to all his family , and that was an epilep●…ie . argument . themista comforts meilixos ; she assures him his disease is not desperate ; cordials rather than corrasives are to be applied : wherein shee submits her selfe to aesculapius opinion . poesy vii . be of good comfort , thy weake state meilixos , is not desperate . let thy dead spirits be reverst , by recollecting them disperst . thou ha●…t a feeling of thy griefe , which promiseth more quicke reliefe than those , whom sharper fits assayle , and cannot tell us what they ayle . this expert man , thou maist be sure , by his experienc't care , and cure , will thy di●…temper take away , or by his art the griefe allay . " for such as have both skill and will , " doe often cure , but seldome kill . now , my conceit is that these grieves crave cordials more thā corrasives : ●…n which opinion i submit to aesculapius , as is fit . argument . themista sends for vpotomos ; shee commands him to discover his griefe , which hee performes with much discontent . prose viii . not a little was meilixos comforted , by these sweet measures ; so as his very countenance gave promising hopes of his recovery . but being commanded to retire , and with patience at●…end the opportunity of his cure ; themista forthwith sent for vpotomos ; who presented himselfe with a sterne and rough countenance : indifferent he seem'd who were pleas'd , who displeas'd : full of discontent was his visage : nothing but fire and fury sparkled from his eyes : small was the reverence he shewed in the presence of his soveraignesse . in one word , hee seem'd as if he had falne at oddes with himselfe ; so cloudy was his countenance , so distastfull his appearance . being at last commanded to discover his griefe ( whereof hee retain'd an index in his face ) and in what sort hee felt himselfe distempered ; as one incensed with that command , and fixing his ferret eyes in a furious and dispassionate manner , with much avers●…nesse returned this answer . it is not my condition to thaw or resolve into teares , nor come with an humble complaining , like that white-liver'd senator , whose effeminate nature discovers the babie to be of a poor & irresolute téper . i can disclose my griefe without a groane ; and my paine without a plaint : which , to satisfie my selfe , next your command , lady ; to whom by our officiall degrees we owe some soveraignty , i shall briefly unfold . for my constitution , it is strong and full of vigour , unlesse some violent fit of anger bring it to distemper . from whence some incident maladies arise , which enfeeble the strength of nature ; and whereof i shall here returne a relation more punctually particular . . first then , i can justly complaine of nothing more than inflammation of mine eyes , and heat of stomacke . . and i verily thinke , that my too long familiarity with one eris , a neare acquaintance of mine , hath so infected my bloud , as it is impossible to bring it to a right temper ; so as this exquisite artist of yours ( madame ) may save that labour . for i never yet saw that object , which gave mee delight ; nor that subiect , wherein i tooke content . . i am subject to fearefull dreames , which so startle and distract me , that albeit i am but seldome drunke , yet am i never mine owne man , neither sleeping nor waking . . i am grievously troubled with stitches , and with that incessancy of passion , as they admit no intermission . all which together , heate my bloud so intemperately , as i much feare a dangerous pluri●…ie . argument . themista condemns these fiery and furious spirits , who ever labour to distemper : and before ever they heare the cause , pronounce their censure . as wounds are to be searched , so are they with oyle to be suppled , and with balme healed . poesy viii . yee fiery furious spirits , sonnes of thunder , who fil judiciall seats with nought but wonder ; yee labour of distemper ; rack our lawes , pronouncing judgement ere you heare the cause ! know yee shrill bonargs , for to you we speak , whose state-recov'ry is the goale we seek , thunder spoiles fruits when they are in their setting , sharp doomes indurate natures most relenting . the glorious sunne works by divine reflex on sev'rall subjects , sev'rall effects ; for when hee 's pleas'd his tresses to display , " same beames which soften wax , do harden clay . for howsoe're all of one masse be made , yet equally all are not tempered . this then my counsell is , lest ●…ustice wither , favour and rigour must be mixt together ; so wounds wel searcht , ( t is folly to conceale them ) there 's oyle to supple , and a balm to heale them . argument . themista sends for amerimnos to come unto her , whom her faithfull servant euphorbus findes sleeping in a corner ▪ being asked the ground of his distemper , after a nod or two , hee returnes her t●…is answer . prose ix . that sullen discontented malevolo , had no sooner uppon themista's command retired , being close pent up in a cave , lest he should quarrell with the light ( a consort much different to his unsociable humour ) for privacy was his lawne , and discontent his lure : then themista sent her faithfull servant euphorbus for amerimnos , the very last of her patricians , to come unto her ; whom hee tooke napping , for he found him sleepingin a corner . long did he whup and hollow , but all in vaine ; * endymion never slept soundlier on latmus mount , than this state-crickit did in his chimney nooke . many wayes he used to awake him forth of that lethaean slumber , by cramping , tickling under th' eare , applying fumes to his nose ; but fruitlesse was all euphorbus practise : till at last , starting suddenly out of his dreame , hee called aloud sympotio , sympotio , ( for so was the yeoman of his cellar called ) bring me a lusty cup of frontineack , to cleare mine eye-sight this morning ; but hee was much mistaken both for the time o' th day , & his liquor ; for it was now drawing towards the evening ; and for his frontineack , there was none such in all his cellar . howsoever , euphorbus had prevented his carouse by his message ; being then to deliver unto him his thanklesse errand . long was it , after such time as euphorbus had acquainted him with t●…emista's pleasure , before this dreaming man could call to minde what that lady might be ; so much had sleep dull'd him , or his darling sacke besotted him , as a mindlesse ▪ oblivion had seaz'd on him , and made him quite forget who first advanc'd him . at last , rubbing his over-steep'd noddle , & sounding a retrait to his wandring senses , who were gone a wooll-gathering , hee gave eare to euphorbus message ; and with an indented pace ( with two bonsocio's to support him ) addressed himselfe with best speed he could , towards themista : by whom being asked the ground of his distemper , after a nod or two , he returned this drowsie answer . madame , i tooke very good rest , before your servant call'd mee , and should shortly doe so againe , if you would but dismisse mee . truth is , i am neither greatly sicke nor well : for mine appetite to eate , drinke and sleepe , did never yet faile me ; but it fares with me as with them that are taken with an atrophie , though i feed well ; . i thrive ill . in the afternoone , i am ever taken with a . dry hecup : which makes mine head so heavy , as i 'm enforc'd to lay my chin on my breast : i know not what familiar hath throwne his clubbe over me , but questionlesse , there is some gipsie tricke in it , for i can never heare iustice talkt of , but i must have a . nappe . i am ever . dreaming on the bench , that i am shooting at rovers , which makes me to pronounce judgement at hap hazard : wherein ( like a just man ) i am ignorantly innocent whether it passe for plaintiffe or defendant . the greatest fault i finde with my self , is my . defect of memory ; so as i verily thinke , i shall play messala corvinus , and forget my owne name , and so by degrees fall into a lethargy . argument . themista concludes , that there can bee no secure state , where security fits at the sterne . she solicites aesculapius care , and recommends them to his cure. poesy ix . how can that state be secure , or true freedome ever erne , where security hath power , to direct and guide the sterne ? haplesse-hopelesse is that clime , which is of this humour sicke , and in sleepe consumes her time , ruine to states politicke . " states are ever most secure , " when they hold thēselves least sure . but you grave artist , we sollicit who daign'd our patients to visit , neither care nor cost to spare , so you cure them by your care. " for we to that skill of yours recommend our s●…natours : praying heav'ns your cure to blesse , and to crowne it with successe . the consvls cure. the third book . argument . aesculapius admires the difference of their distempers ; and after some discourse of his travaile and practise , préscribes phy●…icall directions to metoxos . prose i. when the learned aesculapius had heard this free delivery of their infirmities ; turning to themista , madam ( said hee ) i never found more different distempers in any state. through most parts of the whole world have i travailed , and in my travaile practised either in my owne person or by mine agents . where in my survey of this vniverse , and the exercise of my profession , i encountred with divers maladies , which had made fooles of the best physitians : yet with cures of more difficulty than these , have i seldome grappled . personally stood i engaged for the service of athens , when that great plague so universally raged , as there sufficed not among the living to burie the dead . even then , i say , when that flourishing treopagus , where those jud●…cious senators ( surnamed areopagites ) exercised judgement was not onely left desolately unfrequented , but the very seates of iustice were with brambles over-shadowed ; the publique market place where such confluence of people from all coasts and countries resorted , with grasse covered ; those sumptuous buildings , wherein a●…t seem'd to contend with her selfe , utterly re●…inquished ; and those glorious temples of the gods , by rea●…on of shady coverts so obscured , as their magnificence could not be discerned . when ( i say ) nothing but an universall desolation had seaz'd on that disconsolate city , so as her very enemies , who sometimes maligned her happinesse , now melted into teares to see her glory so eclipsed , and to misery reduced . even then did i happily arrive at pylae , and by my art so purified the ayre ( which was then so infected , as the very birds fell downe dead with corruption of it ) as in very short time , the city recovered , the senators returned , the citizens re-inhabited their relinquished mansions . the like service i did to the flourishing state of sparta , where they erected a temple to mine honour ; and retaine to this day the memory of me in a sumptuous statue , which they reared for me . bizantium will acknowledge the like courtesie ; and so will all states , who have at any time beene surprized with any raging malady . but this i doe not speake of to set my selfe at sale , or like our mercenary mountebanke , to erect a stage for discovery of my cures ; and by a comick enterlude with a servile buffoun , foole my selfe into popular esteeme : or set up in some frequented place , a fictitious catalogue of my incredible cures ; or hang up my picture , to enforce a deeper impression in the taking eye of the vulgar ; or with sophisticated oyles , delude the sight of a bleere-ey'd spectator . no ; i doe value more the honour of my profession , than to set it at so low a rate as to begge estimation : or by sordid means s●…rue my selfe into opinion . true worth can never admit of ostentation . it shall be my glory to afford my best art to others necessity ; wherein their health shall be my highest gaine , their recovery my wished goale . and to you , madam , doe i speake it , who●…e vertuous fame ●…hall ever endeere mee to your memory ( nor was i ever conscious of flattery ) that my practise hereupon these your distempered statists shall manifest to the world , that effects give the best approvement to all professions . but delay ministers fuell to a growing disease ; this preamble , madam , was but to acquaint you with the method of our profession , who must aggravate the difficulty of their cure , to procure them the more credit . whereat , themista smiling , replied ; renowned sir , leave that method to such novice artists , who stand in need of a publique cryer of their cures ; for your selfe , we dare avouch , that so much are you indebted to fame , or shee rather indeered to you , that you cannot be more highly possest of opinion than you are . that fame of pergamus , your scholler galen , hath disperst your glory by the excellency of his art . that joynt name of sixe renowned physitians , hippocrates hath with no lesse repute advanced you . that surviving glory of anazarba , dioscorides , whom the familiarity showne him by those princely but unhappy amorists , marke antony , and cleopatra , so highly raised ; hath with no lesse art improved your fame . the universall opinion which all nations retaine of you , may be probably gathered , by those many temples erected to your honour , and entitled by your owne name , the more to dilate your honour . what statues have beene reared , what shrines erected for you ? and how severely have punishments beene inflicted on such as have either detractively inveyed against you , or sacrilegiously dishonoured you ? which might be instanced in the misfortunes of dionysius ; who , though he made a jeast of sacriledge , and gave easie reines to all prophanenesse , yet his exile from the flowry boundiers of his empire , rewarded him for his impious designes towards the gods : amongst which , for the dishonour hee did unto you , aesculapius , in cutting off your beard , and clozing up his sacriledge with a jeere , saying , it was unfit , for you the sonne to have a beard , and your father apollo to have none . it is true , lady , ( answered aesculapius ) just was the censure inflicted on dionysius ; but undeserved was his impiety towards mee , for those many favours which his countrey had received from me . howsoever , you shall know ( madame ) that i was never ambitious after fame ; which , for the most part , is soonest procured , when it is least desired : for where vertue is the sole ground of our actions , it ever drawes to her some discerning spectators to crown them with a deserving applause . ever to doe good hath beene mine ayme without affectation ; for actions done for vaine-glory , lose their desert ; but protraction in cures ; gives life to distempers . it is more than high time , that we now addresse our selfe to our practise : wherein , though most of our surreptitious empiricks , gaine them experience by the death of their patients ; our patients ( so heavens breath on our endeavours ) shall suffer no such fatall prejudice by our experience . nor doe we feare it , aesculapius , ( answered themista , ) where theory , practise , and honesty meete together in one subject , the cure cannot but promise successe ; proceed then happily to your succe●…ding fame , and your patients cheerefull recovery . aesculapius having thus received themista's charge , for the care and cure of her consuls ; prepares proper receits to be seasonably applyed to every malady . hee craves eucrisius assistance ; whose presence assures him of successe in his practise . and first , because first in order , and a distemper of infinite danger , and therefore requisite to have the expeditest cure , he cals forth metoxos , to whom he gives these directions . metoxos , you have a foule body , full of vicious and malignant humours , my opinion therefore ( drawne from the seldome erring rule of judgement and practise ) is this ; that you first be purged , that your body may be better prepared . secondly , you must be blooded , that all corrupt , clotted and congealed blood may bee removed . thirdly , you must have a vomit , that all crudities which lye rotting about your stomacke , may bee exhaled . the necessity of which experiments shall appeare ( said aesculapius ) by the effects , which each of these produce . . for your siege , the lake cocitus , or stimphalus were odoriferous bathes unto it . the whole history of ajax cannot show the like : for the luscious't nutriment ever renders the loath somst excrement . . secondly , for your blood , it is so thicke and corrupt , as buls blood is of a pure , simple , and subtile quality in comparison of it : which may appeare by the standing colour , or iewish tincture you have in your face , which being laid on with an aurum technicum , cannot blush . . thirdly , for the crudities of your stomacke ; they are so numerous , and those so onerous , as they that see your eiectments , will hold them meere deceptions of the sight : for sometimes , you shall cast up a whole oxe ( equall for proportion to milo's bull ) which stucke so in your throat , as you could not speak , but brought you by meanes of this obstruction , in great danger of a squinancy ; other times , a massie basen and eure , all partiall-guilt ; now an hundred or two of rixe dollors ; and in the end , when your stomacke is disgorged of these , you shall cast up a whole covy of partridge , ducke and mallard , cram'd capons , with much other both wilde fowle and tame ; all which lay fluttering on your queasie stomacke , unconcocted . and all this by the sorcery of your curtezan analeutheria . having prescribed you these directions ; and prepared for you a pectorall of hearbe of grace : with a plaister of liver-wort ; ( for i conceive all these distempers to proceed from an ill liver ) i must advise you to be patient in your cure ; which if you doe , i make little doubt , but to work a rare cure upon you . for this hath beene ever my positive conclusion in the whole course of my practise , that there is nothing , which makes diseases more incurable , than the negligence or impatience of the patient : as might bee instanced in sisambres ; which story , harmonius , it is my pleasure you relate in a musicall straine , while i prepare his physicall ingrediences . argument . harmonius relates how sisambres one of king cambyses iudges , and taken with like infirmity as metoxos was , would not bee perswaded to take a purge , nor bee cured of those corrupt humours , wherewith hee was oppressed : which cost him his life , being by cambyses command flead , and his skinne nayled to the judiciall seate , upon which his sonne , succeeding him , was to sit , to put him in minde of his duty . poesy i. oft would cambyses that great persian king acquaint sisambres with 's disease , and to his couch his choice physitians bring , yet hee 'd incline to none of these . purge , purge ( said one ) sisambres , ●…r you dye , looke to 't by time , you 'r one of note ; a vomit take ( said this ) for i descry a stall-fed oxe sticke in your throat . you 'r ranke in blood , sir , you must blooded be , an other artist to him said , there is no cure like to phlebotomie , to have your humour right allai'd . but none of these could any way prevaile , sisambres their opinions s●…eighted ; knows any ( said he ) better what i ayle than i my selfe ? that art 's quick-sighted that sees more in us than our selves doe feele ; that wee 'r distemper'd thus or thus , wherea●… our temper steeres the common-weale ; " physitians cure yourselves not us . your purging pils , vomits , phlebotomie shall worke no practick cure on mee ; he that is well how can he better be ? be gone , your art deserves no fee. " he that can feed and sleep , and take his ease , " he may be sicke , but 't is a sweet disease . but poor●… deluded iudge , he could not finde that which most distemper'd him , those ranke corrupting humours of his minde , which caus'd him after loose his skinne . for when no art nor counsell could perswade , cambyses held it very meete , sisambres for example should be fleade , and 's skinne nail'd to the iudgement seate , that his succeeding son might thence rememb●…r the duty was impos'd on him , to doe what 's iust to all , as he did tender the future safeguard of his skin . " his griefe , metoxos , much resembled yours , " purge then by time , & please superiour powers . argument aesculapius prescribes directions to epimonos ; diseases insensible are most incurable ; he is confident of his cure , if hee freely submit himselfe to his care : with the danger hee may incurre by declining from his prescriptions . small griefes in an untoward patient , become in short time mortally desperate . this he instanceth in the misfortunes of m. caelius , the relation whereof hee recommends to harmonius . prose ii. disposed had this judicious artist no sooner of metoxos , whose violent distemper required present reliefe ; than , leaning a little on his elbow , as one deepely engaged to some serious contemplation , hee in the end burst out into these words . madame ( quoth hee to themista ) it is an usuall proverbe in these parts , that the ship had need be free from leakes , where the pilot is drunke . what doe you meane by that ( answered ●…hemista ) mary thus ( quoth aesculapius : ) your grace hath here a faire , ample , & flourishing estate ; of a large extent is your government ; but the members , wherof your state consists , had need bee well disposed , when their heads be so distempered . how doe you thinke of us ( answered ●…hemista ) we should be the head ? doe you finde any such distemper in our affections ? excuse me , madame , ( replyed aesculapius ) there is none that knowes you , but truely honours you ; your actions are rightly squared ; your affections sweetly tempered ; your scale of justice equally poized : but a sinister hand perverts it . the fountaine is not to be blamed , if any troubled or brackish water , partaking of the earth , not of the spring , corrupt it . pure is her nature , and had so continued , had not some impurer mixture soil'd her ; which is meerely contingent , and no way inherent to her . and how ( said themista ) might we restore these corrupted conduits of ours to their former purity ? by preserving and reteining your owne ( answered aesculapius : ) the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleares and purifies it . in our applying cures to subjects of this nature , it must be our worke to imitate , but yours to perfect . equall prejudice befals iustice , either through your absence , or connivence . where , if a fluxe of humors be not timely prevented , the whole body will become shortly endangered . trust mee , noble lady , had my patient metoxos been begun with in time , he might have beene cured with lesser difficulty and danger : for there is nought that more hazards us , than giving way to an humour . vvhich i shall returne manifest proofe of in the cure of my next patient , ●…hose habituate infirmity will force me to the utmost of mine art ; in trying many conclusions , e're i shall bring him to a perfect recovery . the more are we tyed to your attendance ( answered themista ) being so full of practise , and those so powerfull and eminent patients , which remaine under your ●…ure , in all parts where you reside : but themista knowes how to requite a curtsie of such high consequence ; which shall appeare in a more reall and expressive recompence . presents and ample promises are moving objects to mercenary professants ( answered aesculapius ) but as nature hath enabled me with gifts of knowledge , so hath shee given me a contented minde , to confine my desires to my present fortune . to doe good shall bee my greatest gaine ; more than this i little need , and to obtaine this shall be mine highest ayme . and so turning him towards epimonos , who all this while sate bolt upright in a chaire , without any sensible appearance of paine , hee freely imparted his minde unto him , in this manner . i am not ignorant , epimonos , what danger you are in ; yet let not this amate you : the more danger in the cure , the more shall be my care. be you confident in hope , as i constant with my best helpe . my directions shall be usefull , & withall , so experimentall , as being carefully observed , they shall in very short time , become ( in your particular ) soveraigne and healthfull . first then , forasmuch as i very well know the pertinacy of your humour to bee such , as it must be corrected , before any medicine can be properly applied , or usefully ministred : i am of necessity to take this course ( for milder receits might prove worse ) that lenitive and mollifying plaisters be used to foften the . stifnesse of your arteries ; to lay cantarides to your necke , to sucke away those . crude humours , which by concretion so benumme and stiffen your necke , as you cannot bow it . i am to apply likewise , goats blood , to dissolve that adamantine humour congealed within the membrane or thinne skinne which incloseth your heart . and because , diseases insensible are most incurable , i must use a little s●…arifying , to bring you to a . feeling of your griefe , and perfecting my cure nor is this all , sundry other ingrediences are to be prepared , before a cure of this difficulty can be possibly effected . i am therefore to prescribe you a diet drinke , strongly tempered with the juyce of morphasmos and aisthema , hearbs of soveraigne vertue for your malady . these must be daily applyed , and as hot as you may suffer them : wherin i intend to be personally employed , that nothing may be omitted , for the expediting of your cure. neither let the long continuance of your physicke any way dishearten you ; it is a constant maxime amongst us ; " no taske of difficulty can be effected speedily . though our course bee slow , it will prove more sure . our running empirickes , who kill an hundred e're they come to so much experience as to cure one , would hold you in hand that this were but an easie cure ; yet twenty to one , they would kill you before they cur'd you . for their art is to heale the wound , but never search the cause : so the skinne be whole , they never thinke of rankling within : but to the honour of your princesse , to whose service i have devoted my best art , and the benefit of my patient whom i take in hand , you shall receive a more safe and soveraigne cure from me . for i may assure you , out of my confiden●…e of art , and his assistance , who gives prosperous successe to all arts , that by observing my directions , you shall not onely prevent falling into an apoplexy , ( a spice whereof you have already ) but cure any o●…her infirmity that hath befalne you , through your owne opinionate pertinacy . for the physitian conceives hope in cures most difficult , where he hath to deale with a temperate patient . whereas , if you will not freely submit to my prescriptions , but with a violent swinge decline from my directions , looke upon the danger you incurre , and then thanke your owne opinionate error . small griefes in an untoward patient , become in short time mortally desperate : which might be instanced in the misfortunes of m. caelius ; the relation wherof , that his fate may be your caveat , i recommend to you harmonius . argument . ha●…monius reports in these musicall dimensions , how m. caelius , because hee could not endure any one to speake but himselfe , nor heare any ones opinion but his owne , nor use his hand in the pleading of any ones cause but his friends , became dombe , deafe , and lame : and being advised before , hee fell into the height of this extremity , to seeke for remedy , refused all advice , a●…d so by being deprived of all sense , 〈◊〉 into an apoplexy . poesy ii. those , who their opinion prize by their esteeme , not others eyes ; those , who prefer their owne conceit , and hold all other judgements weake : doe run their ship upon such shelves , they still bring ruine to themselves . so caelius to opinion tide could scorne all other men beside , and rudely interrupt their speech , and treat of things above his reach . none their disourse could so contrive , nor their opinion freely give , nor ought determine , but his wit must newly forme and alter it . but see the issue of this man , and to what end he after came ! he , who himselfe would onely hear●… , and to another stoppe his eare ; who was to that perversenesse grown , he 'd sleight aliudgments but his own ; who would no good mans cause intēd , nor plead for any but his friend ; see heav'ns iust judgement ! he became by sacred doom , domb●… , deafe & lame . and being advis'd to looke betime ere strength of nature did decline , still solely-wise he would despise their wholesome councell and advice : till at the last depriv'd of sence and reasons sacred influence , an apoplexy seaz'd each part , till death besieg'd and tooke his hart . " the way to purchase wisedom●…s prize " is never to be overwis●… , " and will appeare diviner still " by the resigning of our will. argument . aesculapius acquaints vperephanos with the difficulty of his cure ; the quality and variety of his receits ; he exhorts him to patience , or his griefe will grow to more violence : this hee instanceth in py●…heas , whose heavy fate hee leaves to the quicke touch and descant of harmonius . prose iii. svrely ( said aesculapius to harmonius ) thou hast deblazoned the tragicke scene of caelius misfortunes in right colours : for he was ever said to have a good right hand , but an ill left hand , because he could plead against a man better than for him . which procured him no lesse hate , than his mercenary eloquence purchased him gaine . but our cures are many , and the day runnes on : we must now addresse our best endeavours for your recovery ( quoth he to vperephanos : ) wherein i must tell you freely ( nor would i have it to discourage you ) that your cure is of greatest difficulty . your very action , gesture , and discourse puts me in minde of rhemnius palaemon , that arrogant grammarian , or rather grammatist ; who vaine-gloriously boasted , that good literature had first life by him , and should after dye with him . or like gorgias the orator , who ever advanced himselfe to the highest place , and arrogated to himselfe the deservingst praise . you have hit his humour rightly ( answered themista ) heavens grant you may fit him with as proper a remedy : but in good sadnesse , sir , how doe you finde him affected ? distracted , you would say , madam , ( replied aesculapius . ) the oetean hercules had never a more violent beating pulse , after hee had put on that empoisoned shirt of nessus . observe the madding motion of his eyes ; how wildely hee lookes ! in what a disioynted circuit his discourse runs on ! i can assure you , madam , for all his silence , hee verily conceits at this instant , that the wisedome of all politicke states is confined within the empty circumference of his braine . a dangerous head-piece , trust me ! this i am sure of , were the government of the vniverse left to the guidance of his sconce , we should have a mad state. yet i can tell you sir , ( said themista ) that since our unhappy absence from these parts , he was held the onely oracle of our court. nothing was definitely decre●…d ; no censure pronounced ; no judgement delivered ; nor any publique act promulgated ; unlesse it were first by him approved : so universally was hee reputed . this it is , and onely this ( answered aesculapius ) that hath madded him . had he beene opposed in his will , we had never beene put to this worke . so dangerous it is to sooth or second some humours , as it fares with these , as the ape dealt with her darling : they kill them , while they coll them . shady honours are their beauties ; applause is their minion ; nor doe they care so much for desert , as opinion . this humour is long rankling before it come to burst out : but this ery●…ipelas or wilde fire being once kindled , the flame is not so soon to be quenched . all this time , sate vperephanos upright in his chaire , shewing a supercilious kind of state : and expressing a kinde of humorous action or apish formality , in wink●… , noddes , and other strange gesticulation : which ●…lapius well observing , and drawing near him ; ask't him how hee did ? excellently well ( quoth vperephanos ) for how is it possible i should doe otherwise ? the greedy eyes of the vulgar are fixt upon me ; the whole counsell-chamber relyes on me ; the publique state , hath recommended the helme of her government unto mee . if i faile , she fals ; her grandeure lyes on my shoulder ; in the wounding of whose honour i suffer equally . goe to ( quoth aesculapius ) you know not what you suffer : you are madded with an over-weening opinion of your owne wisedome . assure your selfe , the state stands in no such neede of you ; should you perish , she would flourish . shee hath other shoulders to support her ; other lights to direct . her than your addle braine . goe to sir , would you have your selfe displayde in your owne native colour ? i must doe it , and roundly too , or i shall never bring you to a discovery of your selfe . i will tell you then what i feare , though you feele no such occasion of feare in your selfe . i finde as well by your cra●…is as chri●…is ( with the graduall courses of your paroxysmes , symptomes , and other concurring distempers ) that you have beene bit by a ma●… dogge ; so as you must . eate a piece of his liver : which must bee stuffed with the leaves of the low shrub tapeinotes . you are like wise for certaine dayes together to be . tyed chinne-deepe in lazarello's poole ; where you are to bee kept to a low dyet . neither can i finde any meanes better to cure your distemper , than to . remain there , till all those bedlam fooles laugh you out of your humour . howsoever , you must bee patient , or your griefe will grow more violent , as it fell out with pytheas ; whose heavy fate i leave to you harmonius , to descant on in your wonted manner . argument . harmonius chants out the misfortune of the athenian pytheas ; who became so selfe-conceited , as hee was wont to lay his eare to cranies in wals and portells , to heare himselfe applauded : to weane him from this humour , hee was oft advised ; but being deafe to counsell , and growing as in yeeres , so ever higher blowne with the bladder of arrogancy , hee declined at last to a frensie . poesy iii. how blinde is he , who labours to be knowne to all mens imperfections but his owne ? how can he have an eare to any cause , that is engag't to popular applause ? this , pytheas found , who grew in time so strong through selfe-conceit in eloquence of tongue , as he suppos'd , each place that he came in , there was no other talke but praising him . to wals and portels would he lay his eare , through creeks , & cranies too , that he might hear his much desir'd applause , which having done and heard his praise , he held his prize halfe-won . many disswad't him from this madding course , but all in vaine , his humour still grew worse , deafe was his eare to counsell , all his art was to gaine praise , no matter for desert . ripe were his yeares and mellow , yet age-grown , with arrogancy was he bladder-blowne : so as , when neither reason could perswade , nor he by wholesome counsell would be swaide , but so admir'd his selfe-conceited worth , as he had beene some deity on earth : he , as i 've heard some of his nation tell , into a fearefull frensy , after fell . whence i conclude , " 't is better farre to want " wit , and to know 't , than to be arrogant . argument aesculapius prescribes meilixos cordiall and comfortable things , to restore nature so much decay'd in him . hee gives him assured hope of his recovery , for that he findes him of so tractable a nature , so pliable a quality . hee wils him to keepe home , till hee be perfectly restored to his health ; and that those epilepticke passions , to which he is subiect , might endanger him , by comming abroad , or walking neare any steepe place , as it fell out with melotes , which story hee commends to harmonius . prose iv. madam ( said ae●…culapius , turning himself to themista ) this was a mad piece to make a consul of ; but there was never any good wit without some egregious folly . they that would suffer themselves to be troubled at the sight of every mad statist , would have some thing to thinke on . wise men can never bee discovered , but by others folly . venus never shewed more beauty , than when nais sate by her , and shew'd her deformity . all this is true ( answered themista ) but nothing troubles us so much , as to see one , whose judgement should have ministred advice to others , so bleered and blemished in his own . surely , had you knowne this vperephanos , when wee first knew him , you would have admir'd him for pregnancy of wit , solidity of judgement , and generality of worth . nothing was spoke by him , but infinitely became him ; ripe hee was of conceit , and rich in fancy . and it was that ( said aesculapius ) and nothing but that ( as i said before which brought him to this dangerous frensy . i must tell you , madame , for mine ancient experience hath found it true : that person had need of a composed spirit , and to have a constant and staid wit , who preserves it untainted , when hee is hugged in the court , honoured by the state , and humoured with applause . the axiome is , " it is rare to bee great and good ; but no lesse authentique is this , rare it is to bee popular and wise . many have beene thought fit to governe , before they came to governe ; wise they were in mannaging , constant in pursuing , and prosperous in atchieving , but all this , while they were private men . the bowl●… chang'd her byas , when it came to runne on more steepe grounds . promotion is the touchstone , which tryes every mans metall . these pregnant-piercing wits , have commonly dangerous diving conceits : which become subject to crackes or flawes , if they be either by competition opposed , or by arrogancy and applause too much tickled . i could instance you many eminent personages here in arcady , who became subject to this distemper , though during their time of privacy , most sober . the wise ithacus had the hearbe moli in store , for an antidote against such sirenes . but let this nothing amate you ( madame ; ) wee have so dispos'd of him ; as we hope to leave him in far better temper , than wee found him . he had no sooner spoken this , then meilixos was presented to him , whom hee received with an affable entertaine ; and drawing neare him , and gently stroaking his temples with his hand ; take heart of grace to you ( quoth hee to meilixos ) my life for yours ; there is no such violence of distemper , but i shall quickly allay the decreasing heate of this humour . i could wish that my patient , whom i had last in hand , were in no greater danger . looke up man , bee not dejected ; within few dayes i doubt not , but to set you on your feete . milde and moderate hath beene your humour , and i shall fit you with receits of like nature . alas , good man , how hee trembles before ever ought be applyed unto him ! these be symptomes of a weake and pusillanimous spirit . i am verily perswaded , one might work strange conclusions on such a subject : so easily were he to be deluded , if any one would bestow so much time , as to practise upon his weakenesse : such strong impressions may conceit worke upon a feeble subject . it is not to bee doubted ( answered themista ) but very many have been brought to their graves through conceit , before ever they came to be sicke : as might be instanced in that white-livet'd emperour dioclesian , one unworthy of so imperiall a title ; with other persons of inferiour quality . to confirme this ( said aesculapius ) i have heard ( madam ) of some rare conclusions tryed upon condemned persons : who were hoodwinckt , with their armes laid bare for incision , as if they had beene to bee blooded to death . luke warme water was applyed and sprinckled upon their untoucht veines , by the supposed chirurgion ; a strange kinde of whispering or muttering was used about him , as if the delinquent were even then expiring . nothing left undone to delude him : nor were their endeavours fruitlesse ; for conceiving this to be true , as they surmized , with an easie credulity vanquished , meekely but simply hee expired . or like that cobler of mantua , who was brought to bee sicke by perswasion , when there was no distemper nor weaknesse at all in his constitution . as they were thus discoursing , meilixos ( whether through conceit of his owne distemper , or long fasting , i know not ) became sensibly fainting ▪ which , aesculapius quickly perceiving , runne to him : and ministring to him out of an amethist boxe , which hee held in his hand , two or three small pellets of soveraigne vertue to breake winde , and give way to respiration ; used these words unto him . what 's the matter , meilixos ; will you dye in despight of physicke ? you should wrong nature much , to enfeeble that by conceit , which shee hath so well strengthened and fortifide for your content . will you dye , because you are not sicke ? or , will you bee sicke , because a groundlesse feare tels you , you are not well ? fye sir , reflect upon your selfe , and tender your owne estate ! children can play , till their heads ake ; and will you lye downe and dye , and feele nothing ? but admit you were subject to some exuberant humours , or dangerous distempers ( as all humane respiration passing through such earthen pipes , cannot but by their rubbish receive sometimes ▪ obstruction , or some mouldy , & earthly infection ) these being seasonably disclosed , may bee no lesse speedily prevented , than perfectly cured ; e●…pecially , to such easie cures as yours , which are not grown indurate nor habituate , and consequently with more facility salved . give good attention then to my directions , and hold your selfe for safe , if you observe them . my purpose is ( meilixos ) to prescribe you cordiall and comfortable things ; to restore nature , rather weakned than decayed in you . i perceive your sight likewise , by too much depression of the op●…icke part , to bee much darkened , so as i must wash your eyes with eye bright water , to . ●…ecover your sight . bleeding you are ●…ubject to , which i must stench . . annointed must your sinewes be with nerveoyle , to . supple and strengthen them ; and all this , to bring you to a better feeling of your ●…elfe . i am likewise , to apply certaine 〈◊〉 to your temples , and other affected places , to . keepe you from cold faint sweats and swounings , to which i finde you naturally subject . nor ( to your cōfort ) am i any way doubtfull of your recovery , for that i finde a tractablenesse in you , to follow my directions . yet withall sir , observe this caveat , ( for declining from it may highly endanger you ; ) keep home , for these epileptick passions , to which you are subject , might engage you to manifest perils by comming a broad , or walking neare any steepe place , as it fell out with melotes ; the discovery of which story i commend to harmonius . argument . harmonius rehearseth , how melotes one of consul-order , of a weake constitution , weaker apprehension , but weakest in dispatch , became much subject to swounings , and in the end by a weakning or failing of the vitall spirits , to epileptick passions . he was inioyned by his physitian , to keepe himselfe close for aseason , for the ayre was too subtile , and piercing for his weake constitution : but especially , to avoide walking alone neare any steepe or precipitious place : but hee , either forgetting , or neglecting this direction , being one day walking on an high mount in his garden , untimely perished . poesy iv. he that can instructions give , and will no directions take , hee 's not worthy for to live , nor himselfe a censor make . such an one melotes was , to a consul order rais'd , who for weaknesse did surpasse , and for nothing truely prais'd . of a constitution weake , apprehension weaker too ; nothing could he undertake but dispatch did weakenesse show . subiect was he oft to swo●…nes , till his vitall spirits fail'd , and epileptick passions him incessantly assail'd . his physitians , artists rare , did injoyne him to keepe close for a season out o' th ayre , and a private stove to chose : subtile-piercing ( would they say ) is the ayre , and it will make strange impressions many way on a constitution weake . but you 'r specially to shunne , we advise in any case , to walke private or alone neare a precipitious place . but how 's ere he was directed , by these rules of art to doe , he forgot or else neglected , which procur'd melotes woe . for h●…e walking on a day , ( as i 've heard it oft times sai●…d ) on a mount ranke-set with bay , he untimely perished . for deprived of all s●…nse , while th' vertigo tooke his braine , he fell headlong downe from thence , and did ne're revive againe . well deserves that man , like fate , who knowes to prevent all ill , in a steepe and slippery state , leaves advice & loves selfe-will . " such one may conceit him strong , " but his safety holds not long . argument . aesculapius causeth vpotomos to be bound : hee tels him , hee must use the art of chirurgery as well as physicke , in the dispatch of his cure : he wils him by al means to avoid the company of eris , whose familiarity had so infected him ; and the renewall of whose acquaintance , would bring him to a relapse , and make his disease desperate : ●…his he confirms with the story of aeacus , the relation wherof he leaves to harmonius . prose v. you see , madame , ( said aesculapius to themista ) what dangers hence occurre , by meanes of a remisse patient . who , albeit , hee holds nothing more pretious than health , and seemingly neglects all outward respects for purchasing of it : yet are directions of health no sooner given , than forgot , no sooner prescribed , than neglected . so apt is man to forget what most imports him , and entertaine that with delight , which fruitlesly delights him ; and in the end destroyes him . it is true ( said themista ) present delights so captivate the sense , as it will seldome or never suffer us to converse with reason . we love nothing better than life , yet by living ill wee prevent all meanes of living long . nature dictates this unto us ( answered aesculapius ) that wee should tender nothing more than health , nor value any directions like those which tend to the conservation of it ; yea , the poet himselfe could sing : nor house , nor ground , nor any store of wealth , can relish his distaste , that h 'as no health . what a miserable thing is a rich sicke man ? his gold ( which hee made his god ) cannot allay his distemper , nor afford him one minutes ease ●…or all his treasure . yet see deluded soules ! how they prize the end , and slight the meanes ! how selfe-will exposeth them to millions of extreames ! live they would ; and to lengthen their hopes of living , they expresse their bounty to their physician , by endowing him with an ample pension ; his receits , so long as they relish their sickly appetite , they receive : but stricter directions they utterly reject , at least , intermit , because they comply not with their humours . much like that foole of millain , who preferred a sugar pil before his life . these may be truely said ( answered themista ) to have their whole understanding placed in their sense . they preferre what may please , before what may ease ; their will before their weale . and such is the desperate state of your distempered statists ( said aesculapius . ) infinitely credulous ( besides all this ) they are apt to bee deluded , by whatsoever shal be ( though never so improbable ) to their blinded affections suggested . so as they may wel seem to be ranked , and endenized amongst that credulous plebeian society of margant ; who were made to beleeve , upon the ruines of a sumptuous and magnificent abbey-spire , that the state intended their spire ( though many miles distant ) should supply it : to divert which intendment , in all humble and petitionary manner , with joynt consent , according to their weak conceit , they beseeched the state ( with ample gratuities to some interceding favorites for their better successe ) to commiserate their case , and spare their spire . to which the state , pretending them all favour , after much laughter , pleasantly condescended . is it possible ( said themista ) that any rationall society should be so deluded ? very easily ( answered aesculapius ) as i could instance with many moderne examples : but ( madame ) i must crave your patience a little ; for i have now to deale with a violent patient : one , whose imperious ▪ disposition hath at all times made his will his law . which aesculapius had no sooner spoke , than hee forthwith caused vpotomos to be call'd forth : full of fire and fury were his eyes ; fierce and revengefull were his threats ; bloudy and truculent were his hands ; rigid and relentlesse was his heart ; full of passionate distemper were his answers . vvhich aesculapius well observing , willed vpotomos to be bound ; for till such time as he were fast tyed , hee could neither practise upon him , nor the patient suffer such experiments , as were to be practised on him . all which being done , according to his command , and taking him by his strong-beating pulse , hee used these words unto him . sir , i must freely tell you , that such is the nature of your distemper , that i must use the art of chirurgery as well as physicke , in the performing of this cure. for you must be . opened , and a worme taken out of your gall ; the maine cause of your distemper . i am likewise to prepare cupping-glasses to . coole and temper your braine . then , make a drink well-mixt with the juyce of metriot and euchrasia , to . remove your pluriticall stitches . which done , i am to apply oppian plaisters , with a certaine quantity of the juyce of sunneidesis infused , to . repell those fearefull dreames which so startle and distract you . but what availeth it to minister these receits , if you doe not observe them ? or to bring you to your feete , if you , through neglect of what is here prescribed you , make way to recidivation , and consequently to your owne undoing ? though physicians have the body in cure , if the patient second not their cure with his care , the cure is lost , and all those receits they so artfully prescrib'd , reduc'd to nothing . it is one of our maximes ; art is long in purchasing ; life short in continuing ; and experience subject to deceiving . but art is never more lost , than when bestow'd on a carelesse patient ; nor life more short , than with a recreant ; nor experience more deceiving , than when exercis'd on him , who admits no government . for , to use the proverbe of that ignorant man , had you as many lives as plutarch , all would be quickly lost , where directions are not observ'd . how many have we knowne fall backe irrecoverably ill , because they presumed they were well : saving their physitian a labour , by their too speedy payment of their debt to nature ! the onely meanes to preserve health recovered , is to avoid all occasiōs of incurring a relapse . i remember , there were two philosophers of sev●…rall opinions in this kinde : the one irrefragably , though paradoxal●…y , held , and set his rest upon 't , that hee , who would shunne occasion , was lesse than a man : concluding , that he , who could not see beauty without tempting , nor honour without aspiring , nor gold without coveting , came farre short of a reasonable man ; because sense was his guide , and the acquisition thereof his goale . therefore would he expose himselfe to the liberty of all occasio●…s , that he might better soveraignize over sense by the government of reason . but the other was of a farre more cautelous nature , and ( perhaps ) of as resisting a temper : for hee would not presume too much upō his own strength , nor grapple with tentation in her height , but wisely standing on his own guard , prevent the meanes of being tempted , lest temptation might chance to give him the foile in the end . playing too long with the candle , ●…ver ends with a cinged wing . all this i meane to cloze up in one word , by way of application to your owne particular . vpon your recovery ( as i cannot promise it , lest you become too secure in the purchase of it , yet shall my best art labour it ) i could wish you by all meanes to avoid the company of eris , whose familiarity hath so infected you . for i must tell you , such acquaintance upon renewall , will bring you to a relapse , and make your disease desperately mortall . which might be confirmed by the story of aeacus , the relation whereof i leave to harmonius . argument . harmonius shewes , how aeacus sonne to iupiter and europa , not onely for his own naturall severity , but through his ancient acquaintance and neare familiarity with eris , was made one of the three iudges in hell . poesy v. sterne aeacus , ioves and europa's sonne , who once as iudge sat on an ear●…hly throne , in all his acts of justice did appeare so per●…mptory-rigid and severe , as all that he pronounc'd to th' worlds wonder , resolv'd itself to nought but threats & thunder . one comes b●…fore him , and he was his hrother , who had but stollne a judgement 'gainst another , and he was hang'd for 't ; and th' atturney too , for stealing judgement 'fore th' defendant knew . celsus a theevish poet brought to barre , and was arraign'd as other felons are , sans baile , without least hope of his r●…prive , for stealing suckets from an others hive . cacus an arrand thiefe , was judg'd to dye , which judgement suited well with equity ; where aeacus then sitting on the bench vttred these words , recorded ever since . " sirrah , to you i speake , ere i have done , " i 'le cause all falshood to that period come , " that th' grazer shall not need his heards to keep , " a very bush shall serve to shield his sheepe . yet f●…r all this , cacus that theevish knave broake out of iayle , and hid him in his cave , to which ●…arke r●…cluse there repair'd such restore , as there increa'st more thieves , then e're before . ●…xions wheele , and sisyphus his stone , pro●…etheus eagle , were the proper doome of this rough iudge ; with tantalus his thirst , who might not drink , although his gall should burst : for his degree of punishment was such , he might not tast●… that which h●… lips did touch . nor was h●… on●…ly thus ●…y nature cruell , for he a consort had , who plide fresh ●…uell to his enraged splene ; eris was she , one , who was full as furious as he : and in her house he lodg'd , and her he lov'd , nor woul●… doe ought , unlesse by her approv'd . till tax'd in th end for to this end it came ) of being naught with that curst curtezan , as much familiarity did show , ( though i 'le not say if this be true or no ) he was depriv'd of honour and of favour , and made one of hels iudges for his labour . thus 'cause he bore himselfe on earth so well , he became reft of earth , and thrust to hell : that as he had exprest his rigour here , he might continue th' practise of it there . much good may 't do him ! but for all his raign , he might be mov'd , i thinke , to come againe . argument . aesculapius wils amerimnos to rouse himselfe up . hee compares him to the ostridge , both for stomacke and action . hee prescribes him a dyet . he paralels him to messala corvinus , and margites ; the report of whose state he recommends to harmonius . prose vi. no doubt of that , an●…wered aes culapius , in ●…eply to the last stanza o●… harmonius : but he is now in for all the weeke . these be the fruits of all severe mammothrepts , who relish nothing but iustice , iustice ; but never supples it with oyle of mercy . now , if i should be iudge , all these fiery incendiaries or lawrackers should bee all made readers of the anat●…my lecture in pluto's court. there might they finde subjects fit to worke on , and to exercise their relentlesse spirits withall . there might the stage-scourger lash poore roscius till he smoak't again , and hee himselfe choak't againe with the steame of sulphurous powder , to gratifie him for his thanklesse labour . there might hee spend his spirits in the survey and display of others miseries . here , a slye symonist poring through a window , impained with flaming lights , and seering his nose with drops of scalding cement . there , an ambitious fire-flye , catching at an empty clowd , which resolving it selfe into a flashing vapour , fals down , and cingeth his braving mouchato's for his labour . here , a frisking flesh-flye , leaping at a painted legge of mutton , and falling backe , drencheth himselfe over head and eares in a cornelian tubbe , where he leaves all his hayre . there , a prodigall land-gull playing at ducke and drake in acheron with his imaginarie pieces ; till his fathers ghost haunt him , and the furies finde him , and so ends his pastime . heere , an hydropicke earthmoale , who being made tankard-bearer to that forlorn family , is put to an endlesse taske , by filling danaus tubs with water , wherein he consumes his endlesse-dying life to a fruitl●…sse labour . there , a light liquorish luscious landresse , who set a bucking pluto's and proserpina's linnen , and found ▪ faulty with one of the scullery , is injoyned this pennance , by a judiciall ●…entence ; to be publiquely whipt with knotted rods of glowing steele in phaëtons cart , till she entred suerties to furnish with fresh and cleane napery , all the infernall court. surely ( said themista ) you have made such a free discovery of pluto's family , and those proper penalties which are inflicted on the whole livery , as they shall need no better survey for their society : yea , wee should verily thinke , but that we are better conceited of your temper , that you have now and then a moneths minde to play the satyre : not that it complyes with your nature , but purposely to allay more serious studies with the pregnancy o●… so piercing an humour . no surely ( answered aesculapius ) i could never much affect that study : it was my desire rather ( madame ) to intimate unto your grace , the remorselesse natures of such , as my last patient was : who ever mixed wormewood with justice ; racking up your lawes to the highest pinne : and in a word , preferring execution before iudgement . these i hold fittest for those places , where there inhabits none but notorious delinquents , and exquisite punishments . nor doe i misse their humour farre : for one of this rank , as i remember , stickt not publikely to professe , and confirme it too with a solemne protest , " that it was his iubile to " hang many : & that a great execution , was his recreation . it was great pitty ( said themista ) but he should make one of the number , seeing an action of that nature , afforded him such infinite pleasure . it is observed by our physitians ( answered aesculapius ) that none die of an ague , nor without an ague . but sure i am , that these fiery and furious spirits are ever possest of an hot fever : and such an one , as partakes no intermissions . so as , in my opinion , these may be in some respect resembled to aristides , ( though one more temperately just , and judiciously temperate ) who dying of the bite of a weasell , exceedingly lamented it was not a lyon. as their ambitious spirits are unbounded , and with fury ever distempered ; they can indure nothing worse than a contemptible affront , nor receive ought better than a foile from an imperious foe . with what a braving domine●…ing command , have i observed some of these beare themselves , amongst their inferiours ! how prompt were these to command ; and how ready those to obey ? so highly had their purple transported them , as they assumed more than could become them . whereas , no sooner had they put off their lyons case , and adjourn'd the court , then they would daigne to embrace those , whom before they contemned ; & communicate themselves to such , as before they sleighted . especially , where either private ends , or some other particular respects wrought upon the coppy of their countenance . but admit , these were to their inferiours never so soveraignizing , they knew well when to bee supple , and how to veile to the shadow of greatnesse . no surly looke , nor clowdy aspect ; no bended brow , nor contracted front , were then to be seene . low congies , humble salutes , earth-touching ducks , gave these powerfull magnifico's all promising entertaine . now , what poore protean patriots are these ! meere slaves to the time , and staines to the face of iustice. how easie were these to bee wrought to any impression ! and these v●…cers must bee launced , or the whole body must bee necessarily distempered . it is most true ( said themista ! ) and hence a●…e our tears ! for , when a precious or gorgeous case alters the equity of the cause , what a case are we in ? these were not the directions which we gave them , when wee last left them . nor were these , those conscript fathers wee left sitting , when wee tooke leave of earth , to mount to heaven . for what a sweet union of mindes ; what fixt resolves for advancing iustice ; what a discreet temper in the whole current of all their actions , appear'd then amongst them ? no powerfull adversarie could over-beare our sage and impartiall senate . blinde was shee in respect of person ; lame in respect of bribes . constant was she in executing what was right ; resolute in suppressing what was unjust . choice was that harmony , where neither affection could draw , nor power over-awe , nor any sinister respect deprave . would your grace ( answered aesculapius ) have your ivstiaries blinde and lame ? you need not wish it , madame , for you shall finde variety of defects among them . for some of these grave senatours , your grace shall perceive to be so blind , as they can hardly find the right way to the bench , during all your sessions . others so lame , as they will vouchsafe to goe hand in hand with their constables , and both goe downe of one side , and hal●… in their office . you make your self pleasant ( said themista ) with our cr●…pples : but all this applies no salve to our soare ; no cure to our care. but in convenient time , doubt it not , madam ( answered aesculapius ) but my art shall produce some soveraigne effect : i have hitherto gone through all your distēpred statists , one onely excepted ; to whom , as i have done to the rest , i shall apply such receits , with such usefull directions for preserving health , as the cure may every way answer your expectance , and restore them to their former temper , to your honour , and the advancement of iustice. which aesculapius had no sooner spoken , than he bids amerimnos ( the last , though not least of all this distemperd tribe ) to rowse himself up for shame . and the sooner to awake that drowsie & remisse spirit of his , wherewith he was so much depressed , as nothing sounded well in his eare , that might put his body to any toile ; hee caused one to play upon a iew trumpe , and to apply the instrument close to his eare , purposely to keepe him awake : which done , hee used these words unto him . sir , i must tell you , i can cōpare you to no one thing more fi●…ly , than to the ostridge , both for stomack and action . for the ostridge can digest ought , yet neither fatter nor fuller : and for action , though he seeme to have the wings of an eagle , yet hee never flyes up . this is just your condition , whose long habituate sloth hath made you the very embleme of a snayle , who leaves no other print nor impression of pace nor place , but a little slime . but to prevent all growing occasions of a further malady , & apply a seasonable cure to your stupid and insensible infirmity , i must prescribe you this diet . your broath every morning before you goe to hall , must be made of spinage , day-nettles , and burdocks , to . sharpen your intellect . and to . keepe you after noone awaking , i will prepare for you an antiopian plaister , with an epimeleian julip , to lay warm unto your temples . i must enjoyne you at all hands to . abstaine from all strong drinks ; and never to drinke betwixt meales , but with your teeth shut . i meane to provide you a night-cap strongly chafed with the perfume of cornu-copia ; purposely to . make your sleeps shorter , and your conceit sharper . and because i finde by your vrine , and other soporiferous symptomes , that your kidneys are over-larded with oyle of dormise , i meane by sweatings and suffumigations to . extract all those viscid & oily humors ; for these , by arising from the stomack , and fuming up into the braine , caused messala corvinus , by acquainting himselfe with amnestes , to forget his owne name ; and margites , through a carelesse security , to fall by degrees into a curelesse lethargy . the report of whose state , i recommend to harmonius straine . argument . harmonius , after he hath touch'd a little upon corvinus his want of memory , with the supposed occa●…ion of his infirmity , displayes the retchlesse condition of margites ; whose discourse was fruitlesse , life uselesse , end ruthlesse . hee slept till he eate , and eate till hee slept ; till such time , as falling asleep with meat in his mouth , hee was choak't . poesy vi. corvinus was a roman borne , and to the consul order sworne , one of such fame , as onely hee had then the art of memorie . each signe from th'mount capitoline vnto the mountaine exquiline , hee could their names distinctly tell , with what occurrents as befell ; no table-booke he us'd at all , his braine was his memoriall : so as to style him , some did please , the ages ephemerides . but note th'catastrophe of this , all 's fraile what●… ever humane is●… walking alone upon a time neare to the mountaine aventine , where choughs and fuskites bui●… their nest , hee there repos'd to take his rest ; one of these birds at this same time gath'ring leaves , sticks , stones , moss●… and lime with other like materials , to build her nest ; a stone let fals from her injurious haplesse claw , which gave corvinus such a blow , as one day when the censor came , with others to enroll his name , corvinus had his na me forgot , and did confesse he knew it not . but some say , his infirmity came by amnestes company , with whom he was acquainted long ; " but i must not forget my song . more retchlesse was margites st ate , his came by sloth , but this by fate : his forenoon questions were these two ; . first , whar's a clock , i faine would know . . next , what provision ? i would dine . then would he sleep till supper time . so as , that character of his , in my opinion , might be this : " a fruitlesse tongue , a●… uselesse life , " a ruthlesse end , a tearelesse wife . cambletes that loose lydian king , who spent his time ●…n ryoting , was sober , if compar'd to him , a very slave unto his skinne ; 〈◊〉 , hee , of whom'tis s'ed that lying with his wife in bed , he in a dreame devour'●… his bride , while she poor soule , slept by his side ; but waking from his ravenous sloth , finding his wives hand in his mouth , and nought of all but that left on her , hee slew himselfe to shun dishonour . but this was worser farre than hee , devouring wife and familie ; so as two such would cause a dearth , to glut thēselves , & starve the earth . ericthous bowels they were vast , yet were they far by him surpast ; his would be fi●…'d , these could be neuer ; from such ●… gulph the state deliver . but see ! hee who no measure kept , but sle●…ing a●…e , and eating slept , a●…●…naw ●…res was ●…apping t'ane , and 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 worlds gaine : " for eat●…ng-sleeping ( this is troth ) " he was found choak't with meat in 's mouth . far'd lollards in each country so , i wote well how the world would go . argument . themista returns aesculapius thankes for his care , with a confident expectance of his cure : to whose diligence and successe she vowes ( as she is iust ) an ample recompence : shee exhorts them to have patience in their cure : meane time , shee resolves , with her owne presence , to discharge the place of iustice , till their recovery shall better enable them for that service . prose vii . rendring of thankes is but a naked tribute ( said themista ) for so ample and extended a curtsie , as you have offered us ; for your knowne experience hath laid on us so confident an expectance , that nothing lesse than a faire and promising cure may be expected from one of such exquisite art , seconded with such constant care . yet shall not thanks be all ; we have a minde as ready to requite , as to receive : so that we vow , as we are just , ( for so our title and actions shall ever render us ) to returne an ample recompence to your successive diligence . arts deserve their rewards : for else should their edge be rebaited , and their spirits amated , who doe professe them . madame ( answered aesculapius ) i am neither so weake in fortunes , nor servile in my thoughts , nor remisse in my desire of doing good , as to make reward my object : for my part , i never yet reared a stage to vaunt my selfe , or vent my stuffe . doing good shall bee ever my goale ; and the health of my patient , my gaine . neither is that fame deservingly purchased , which is got by meere ostentation , or desire of popular praise ; nor that gaine well grounded , nor that art well employed , which exposeth it selfe to a price . o that we had many professants of your art and of your minde ( said themista to aesculapius ! ) then should not mercenary artists so delude the state , nor asperse upon the republike so foule a stain . where experiments generally take life from the death of their patients . but wee must withdraw our selfe , and addresse our discourse to these our distempred statists ; whose present infirmity , as it requires your helpe , so it rests that wee use our exhortation to move them to patience in their cure , with hope of recovery by submitting themselves to your care. wherewith , shee presently caused her sicke-languishing consuls to be brought forth ; and being disposed in severall couches , according to their degrees , imparted her selfe unto them in this sort . servants , and you our sometimes deputed assistants in the execution of iustice : even of that justice , which is the summarie & absolute beauty of all cardinall vertues . but alas ! how much have you detracted from the glory of so divine a soveraigne ? how farre have you runne astray ? yea , how foulely have you abused our commission ? when the wronged widow with teare swolne eyes cride for reliefe ; you either slept and could not heare ; or were corrupt and would not heare ; or sensel●…sse of an higher judgment , and did not feare ; what your ●…isguided course had given you just occasion to feare . but see the fruits of your labour ! observe what you suffer ! a fearefull distemper for your precipitate error ! now are you falne into the hand of the physitian , by making so cōtinued a league with ▪ your transgression : but farre be it from us to insult upon distresse , or enliven your griefes with fresh repetition of your crimes . as we have hitherto intended our best care for your cure , so it rests that wee exhort you to suffer with patience the hand of so experienc't an artist , that he may the better perfect his cure. the resigned will of a morigerous patient makes that cure easie , which to a perverse patient would become desperate . your physician , whose dispersed fame ha●…h made him admir'd , where he was never kno●…ne , gives us good hope of your recovery ; albeit your distempers are of severall quality ; which implyes , that some of your cures will be more easie , others of more difficuly . now as our exhortation tends to this purpose , to move you to patience , so our desire shall be that upon your recovery , you redeeme your lost time with redoubled diligence . for should you become remisse in your care , upon the perfecting of your cure , it had beene much better that you had continued still in your distemper , than to recover health to your more dishonour . plutarch reports ▪ that antigonus had in his armie a valiant souldier , but of a sickly body . antigonus observing his valour , and grieving that so stout a resolution should bee seconded by so weake a constitution , procured his physicians to take him in hand ; and he was healed . now , being sound , he began to fight in some feare , to keepe himselfe a good distance from danger , no more venturing into the vanne or forlorne place of the battell . antigonus noting and wondring at this alteration , asked him the cause of this new cowardize . hee answers , o antigonus , thou art the cause . before , i ventured nothing but a diseased corps , and then i choose rather to dye quickly , than to live sickly : i invited death to doe me a kindnesse : now it is otherwise with mee , for i have somewhat to loose . be not you , like this recreant souldier ; upon recovery of your health : improve it to the publique wealth . you have lost much time ; bewaile that losse with numerous teares ; the most pretious and propitious tribute for misspent houres . feede not on a diseased state ; neither reare your foundation on others ruines . it hath beene the condition of many of your profession ( with griefe wee speake it ) so they fatned themselves , they car'd little how leane their starv'd clients were . which moov'd that country boor , far more wittily , than could bee well expected from one of his breeding , to answer one of your ranke , yet of far more integrity , in this manner . it hapned that this boore driving a teame of horses upon the high way , was encountred by a pregnant practitioner in your profession : who observing his foremost horse fatte and faire , and bravely caparison'd , with a garland in his topping , the more to beautifie him ; demanded of this conceited boore , why his fore-horse was so gaily deckt , and so fatte , and those that came behinde , so poore and leane ? o sir , ( answered the boore ! ) my fore-horse is a lawyer , & these leane jades that follow him , his clients . but such difference of feeding brings a flourishing state to ruine . bee it your care to neglect no meanes for recovery of your enfe●…bled health ; nor to omit no time , wherin you may benefit the state by your health . meane time , it shall be our resolutiō , with our own presence to discharge the place of iustice , till your recovery shall better enable you for that service . so every one of you to his couch , we to our iudiciall seate : where wee must first play alcides part , by purging that augean stable of the state. prune the luxurious vine , that it may thrive the better , and vendicate arcadia's late blemished honour . the consvls charge the fourth booke . argument . harmonius brings tidings to themista of her consuls recovery ; the sundry symptomes and effects of every malady ; the rare experiments used by aesculapius in the cure of their infirmity ; closing with a triumphant paean in the honour of his memory . poesy i. health to themista , solace and content ! to whom i am by aesculapius sent , in humble manner briefly to relate her late distemper'd consuls good estate . a timely salve's applied to their wound , their braines recover'd , and their senses sound ; what they admir'd before , they now despise , in each point grave , judicious and wise . they solely prize what gaines them just esteeme , all else they hold a meere deluding dreame . o heav'ns to see , what i might oft-times see , what strange effects sprung from each maladye ! what various symptomes from one patient ! now was he jocund , streight-way disc●…ntent . now fierce as any lion , strait would hee become as tame as any lambe could bee . with what an appetite metoxos would gape , if he chanc'd to see a peece of gold ? and as 't had sympathized with his nature , he ne're could eye it but his teeth would water . his hand stretcht out he used still to have , ne're shut but open , hopefull to receive . short was his breath , his lungs decaid and wasted , swolne was his necke , his corrupt breath distasted . a migrim seiz'd his braine , no cure was found , where e're he went , the world turned round . yet though this chrone could neither sleepe nor feed , he had a wanton colts-tooth in his head : and where some youths with one contented bee , this uselesse trunke was still in fee withthree . * three famous curtezaus , where he resorted , and more than age could promise , nimbly sported . yet loe ! what divine art can bring to passe ! you would not know him for the man he was . such choice receits my famous master us'd , as now he is unto himselfe reduc'd . his wandring eye is fixt , his fancie cleare , no roving passion●… in his minde appeare : yea , his composed temper it is such , nought can be spoke in 's praise , may seeme too much . but now it may be you desire to heare the manner of his cure ! lend but your eare , and i le acquaint your grace ; though men of art be oft-times loth such secrets to impart : but aesculapius is not such an one , what he professeth , he would have it knowne . to weane this consul from desire of gold , he first contriv'd a curious antique mold , wherein was pe●…sonate a man of note , with golden laddles haling downe hi●… throat ; which sight so terrifi'd this peere of state , a●… the meere object bred in gold an hate . next , artfull pills of gold , which gave delight farre lesse unto the palate than the sight : for though the golden colour made him taste i●… , the bitter paste within did make him cast it : so as within short time , he could behold nothing lesse pleasing to his eyes than gold . can we then too much glory attribute to him , who having heard your graces sute , emploid his art , ( an art which heav'ns affect ) and to his art conferr'd such rare effect ? i know not , i , for i am but a boy , what may impart to mortals highest joy ; but sure i am , if benefit of health preferred be 'fore honour , pleasure , wealth , " all sacred paeans we are bound to give " to him , by whom we love , by whom we live . next him , epimonos , one of such awe , hee ever us'd to make his will his law ; inopposition both with earth and heav'n , hee ever stood , nor would be led nor driven . stiffe and unpliant were his arteries , his acts to others meere antipodes . the more you mov'd him , lesser did hee feele , and wisht his head had stood upon his heele . such a strange buzzing in his eares was growne , hee 'd heare no mans opinion but his owne . nay , now and then he would not stand upon 't , but to call nature to a strict account , and tax her too for some supposed crime , which was not natures , but the fault of time . " i muse ( quoth he ) what wood-cocke could prevaile " with nature so , to decke the peacocks taile " with such a various lustre , beauteous pall , " and to the ostritch give no taile at all . " and why the oxes hornes so bravely spread , " should not stand on his shoulders bu●… his head , " being the stronger part , as all may see ; " farre sitter then his armour there should be●… . n●…r could hee e're this criticke humour smother , but still finde fault with one thing or another . but this rare artist , when hee had discride this strange distemper , and receits applide to cure his malady , resolv ▪ d to frame a shrine , t' enforce epimonos to shame . and his device was this : one demophon , who us'd to sweat i th' shade , to shake it h' sunne ; was in an artfull modell featured , and in each part so nearely shadowed to this epimonos , so like was hee , as he himselfe unto himselfe could bee . the more he ey'd this modell wrought so fit , the more he saw himselfe displaid in it ; all jeer'd him to his face , to heare him hold opinions which reason had control'd : so as to chastice this opinionate , he was adjudg'd by censure of the state , till he his perverse humour should disclaime , t' expose his person to a publike shame . which censure past , like birds about an owle , the rabble rout enclose this humorous foole ; some strip him nak'd , some twitch him by the nose , others doe crampe him by the thighs or toes ; each has an hand in his just punishment , as if they had beene by the furies sent . all this epimonos no sooner eyes , than to himselfe with winged speed he flies . " art sleepe or wake , epimonos , said hee ? " or seeing , not observ'st what thou dost see ? " canst thou forget thy selfe , and see this shape ? " or to thy selfe thy selfe a stranger make ? " thy forme and feature are ( with this ) the same , " thy actions too doe merit equall shame . " who ever wedded more to his opinion ? " who to himselfe a more deluded minion ? " who more averse from that which others thought ? " who more esteeme from disesteeme e're sought ? " who lesse conceiving and perversly vaine ? " who lesse admir'd , and higher hopes retaine ? " who lives to be lesse lov'd , and more selfe-priz'd ? " who ever lesse affected , more dispis'd ? " fie then recant ; he has the happi●…st wit , " who has discretion to attemper it . " and of all others , those the least doe erre , " who in opinion are least singular . " let stoicks be to opposition given , " who to extreames in arguments are driven ; " submit thy judgement to anothers will " ifit begood ; oppose it mildly , ill . " discreetest tempers passion will forbeare , " and make good use of what they see or heare . " these , strifes compose , but diff'rence seldome stirre , " nor by rash answers , censurings incurre . " be thou the same , so maist thou ever bee , " while others suffer , from all censure free . such rare effects this modell in him wrought , as affability did steere his thought ; all his desires were how to give content , and frame his actions to another bent than what he er'st affected ; as in fine , he was the choicest mirrour in his time . if then t ▪ extoll their patrons , many please , wh●… store them with inferiour gifts to these ; " all sacred poeans we are bound to give " to him , by whom we love , by whom we live . next , vaine uperephanos , who still thought that th' world without him would be brought tonought ; for whe●… the dogge-starre rag'd , he us'd to cry , " no other atlas ha's the world but i. " i am that onely hee supports the state ; " cements division , shut●… up ja●…us gate ; " improves the publike f●…me , chalks out the way " how princ●…s sh●…uld command , subj●…cts ob●…y . " i am that lesbian rule directs each action , " and rectifies thé crooked line of faction . " nought passeth my discovery , for my sense " exten●…s it selfe to all intelligence . " yea , i mperswaded , whensoe're i die , " ( as wisest men cope with mortalitie ) " the greatest statists that s●…rvivors b●…e " will make an idoll-d●…ity of m●…e . " for quickly would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fabri●…ke quaile , " if my atlanticke shoulder●… sh●…uld ●…ut f●…ile " to give 't supportance : this 's the very cause " they s●…ile me the lycurgus of just lawès ; " fame my renowne , consume whole summer-d●…yes " in the relation of my consul-praise . this aesculapius finds , and streight applies receits unto his temples and his eyes ; a flatuous humour forthwith hee extracts from his enflamed stomacke , which distracts his intellect : and to recall ●…is wit , ( for by a mad dogge hee was lately bit ) he makes the liver of the dogge be min●…'d , and in a silver-valley-fountaine rin●…'d ; which he prescribes him drinke from day to day , so by degrees his fury to allay . this done , exactly done , he causeth one * to paint the plot of tarquin and his sonne ; when hee in hidden characters did show how hee should act the gabian overthrow . where th' highest poppies in his garden stood he politikely pruned with his rod : implying th' ablest states-men that had watcht o're th' state the m●…st ▪ should soonest be dispatcht . but for such poppies as did under-g●…ow , those poppies were but puppies , let them goe . under this story hee an embleme made of atlas by the world overlaide ; who bore it up , but being out of breath , the world and her supporter fell therewith . this story having read , with th'embleme too , he found himselfe displaid , but knew not how . yet more he read , the more he might perceive himselfe so form'd , no artist could engrave his sculpture to more life ; which to discusse , he with himselfe in priuate argued thus . " what might this story meane by poppy flowers ? " or by those high-ones lopt by higher powers ? " by poppies , consuls ( sure ) implied bee , " and those prun'd first , are highest in degree . " these tender-rising flowers which lowest are , " imperious tarquin bids his sextus spare , " they are below his censure ; those who were " great in the worlds esteeme , and popular , " must hop without an head , and learne to trie " the fate of greatnesse being doom'd to die . " againe , peruse this embleme , and in it " the ruine of an over-weening wit. " these , who presume in others disesteeme , " to bring to passe whats'ere they vainly dreame ; " or to partake with others hold a scorne , " boasting that th' state is on their shoulders borne ; " are heere by atlas lively shadowed , " and in them thy vain-glory censured . " see , see uperephanos , thy condition " debl●…zon'd in this embleme of ambition ! " thou held thy shoulders onely fit to beare " the state , and her declining body reare , " thou deem'd no action meriting applause , " wherein thou wert not stil'd the moving cause . " thou thought the publike state could not subsist , " unlesse it did on thy supportance rest . " thus to thy selfe thy selfe an idoll was , " and more ador'd than ifis golden asse : " whereas themista well perceiv'd by thee , " thy private crimes were not from censure free . so well this story and this embleme wrought , uperephanos was so humble brought , as he on earth disvalu'd nothing more than what his vainest humour priz'd before . more wise , but lesse conceited of his wit ; more pregnant , but lesse apt to humour it ; more worthy , ' canse he could agnize his want ; more eminent , because lesse arrogant . in briefe , so humbly-morally-divine , he was esteem'd the non-such of his time . if then for him who doth us outward good , we will not sticke to hazard state and blood , " all sacred paeans we are bound to give " to him , by whom we love , by whom we live . next him meilixos , such a starved one , as he had nothing left but skinne and bone . the shady substance of aliving man , or object of contempt where er'e he came . yet had hee able parts , and could discourse , presse moving reasons , arguments enforce , expr●…sse his readings with a comely grace , and prove himselfe a consul in his place . but weake he was , though for his judgement strong , and would not hold in any reason long : for though hee could to secret'st notions dive , hee held himselfe the simplest man alive . so as in arguments hee still would yeeld , and to one meane in judgement leave the field . weake was his constitution , small his feature , ofeasie-pliant temper , facile nature ; cold , aguish , and subject unto bleeding , his radicall humour dri'd with too much reading ; yea , his weake health runne on that dang'rous shelfe , his fe●…ble corps could scarce support it selfe . and for his eyes , they did so ill bested him , he could goe no way but as others led him . so as , oft privately he would complaine , and tax his weaknesse too , but all in vaine , why his desires in action fell so short , which to himselfe hee question'd in this s●…rt . " how is 't meilixos ? must thou ever fall " from worse to worse by being physicall ? " is there no hope of cure , no helpe to care , " but still be rank'd 'mongst those who weakest are ? " must thou in silence live , retired die , " and cloze thy dayes with this infirmitie ? " others can walke , discourse and reason too , " and other noble actions bravely doe : " thou none of all these offices retaines , " but sitt'st bench-mute with thy decayed braines . " where 's that delinquent thou e're censur'd yet , " that thou by justice might opinion get ? " nay , wherein hath thy doome made defference " 'twixt deepe-dyde guilt , and spotlesse innocence ? " put out thy lamp then ▪ which her light so smothers , " it gives no lustre to thy selfe nor others . great aesculapius forthwith to prevent occasion of ensuing detriment , prepares his choice receits to cheare his blood , extracts what 's ill , and renovates the good . nought hee omits to expedite his cure , whereof such may despaire , are most s●…cure . all which perform'd ( what cannot art effect ? ) h●…e shewes himselfe a curious architect : structures hee frames , and in them statues too of inus , iphiclus and many mo ; where hee deviseth iphiclus to stand on inus shoulders ; and at his command to steere the pinnace of a troubled state ; meilixos looks , and laughs at this conceit ; consults with reason , questions ev'ry doubt , and longs to sift this statue-morall out . at last he finds the morall's meant by him , and represents the state that he is in . which found , he makes a morall application unto himselfe , discoursing in this fashion . " what 's meant , meilixos , by this statue here , " where dwarfish inus doth a giant beare , " the nervie iphiclus ? o be not blinde ! " thy feature in this picture thou shalt finde . " each consul is an iphiclus of state , " who , when by weaknesse he will derrogate " from th' honour ●…e retaines ; or judgement wave " what his owne mouth definitively gave ; " or bend the modell of impartiall law , " to the imperious frowne of feare or awe ; " or to plebeian censure , ever rude , " give way , because there is a multitude : " then , then a pigmeis shoulders him support , " because he fals in estimation short " of what the state expected at his hands , " by giving way to popular commands . " lay off this weaknesse then ; know thine owne place ; " let thine owne actions give degree a grace . " preferre the just mans cause ; advance his right ; " and censure favourites in caesars sight . " poize thy opinion ; if 't with justice stand , " maintain't against the chieftaines of the land ; " but if it want in weight , incline to his " whose scale more equall and impartiall is . " for as great weaknesse in that man appeares , " who credulous , beleeves whats'ere he heares : " so doe wee hold him too opiniona●…e , " who deemes all wisdome treasur'd in his pate . " be humbly modest , and discreetly wise , " nor foolish , nor too prudent in thine eyes . " for ●…s the former strengthens ignorance , " so doth the latter taste of arrogance . t were rare now to imagine how this wrought upon meilixos , and how soone it brought his weak-inclining spirit to aspire to reputation , and with strong desire to feed more noble thoughts than he e'●…e knew , before this artist his presentment drew . if we hi●… praises then so much display , who gives us health , or addes to life a day , or helps decayed beauty , or repaires our chop-falne cheeks , or winter-molted haires : " all sacred paeans we are bound ●…o give " to him , by whom we love , by whom we live . next him upotomos , one more severe , ne're purple wore in this inferiour sphere ; rough and distastefull was his nature still , his life unsociable , as was his will. eris and enio his two pages were , his traine sterne apuneia us'd to beare . terrour and thunder e●…eho'd from his tongue , though weake in judgement , in opinion strong . a fiery inflammation seiz'd his eyes , which could not well be temper'd any wise : for they were bloud-shot , and so prone to ill , as basiliske-like , where e're they lookt , they kill . no lawes but draco's with his humour stood , for they were writ in characters of bloud . his stomacke was distemper'd in such sort , nought would digest ; nor could he relish sport . his dreames were full of melancholy feare , bolts , halters , gibbets hallow'd in his eare : fury fed nature with a little food , which ill concocted did him lesser good . " i le purge these augean stables of the state , " ( thus would he say ) and make these locusts shake " who hold themselves secure : where if our lawes " cannot detect them , i shall mint some cause " to bring them within lash of punishment ; " admit they be sincerely innocent . " if none should but delinquents censur'd bee , " good would turne bad through much impunitie . " beside●… , that witty fable of the cranes " implies no lesse than what our purpose aimes : " " if good be found in bad mens company , " " the good with bad must suffer equally . " for pregnant proofes , presumptions i will take , " and open guilt of meere suspition make . " for trembling captives who are doom'd to die , " i meane to triumph o're their miserie . " no word of comfort from my mouth shall come , " but domineering language to their doome . " for why ! old age with new infirmities " upon my crazie joynts so strongly seize , " as long i cannot live : lose then no time , " but of an errour m●…ke an hainous crime : " that these decoys who hope to trample o're thee , " may by thy rigid judgement goe before thee . " i muse at his relenting spirit sheds teares , " when he the doome of any felon heares : " my brest 's of stronger temper ; i would see " a subject worke so strange effects on mee . " no , no ; my flaming eyes delighted are " to see a troope of rake-hels stand at barre " accus'd for odious facts , and heare them frame " fruitlesse excuses to their dying shame . " wherefinde i none through th' circuit where i go " or in those counties i 'm deputed to , " want of employment doth me much displease , " which makes me tax these supine justices " of their remisnesse ; or to their disgrace , " they know not what belongs unto their place . " or , as i 'm wont t' interpret actions still , " people be there too simple to doe ill . " for loth would i bee attributes to give " of doing good to th' purest men that live . " nor be they worthy of those roabs they weare , " who in their office will not be severe . this our experien'st herbist having found , and search'd his strong distemper to the ground ; salves he applies to cure his rankling wound , and cleare those vitious humours which abound . 'mongst which , the rar'st experiment of all , was taking of a red-worme from his gall , which fretted with such fury night and day , as no receit this passion could allay , till hee h dop'ned him , and wrought his cure , while he impatient , would no art endure . no parthian tigre , mountaine lionesse who hunts for him , who made her issulesse , could shew more boundlesse fury ; but in vaine did this enchained patient complaine : for to be cur'd although he did refuse , being fast bound , hee could not will nor chuse . this done , and his distemper well allaid , hee caus'd a curious orbell to be made , where syracusan tyrants were portrai'd and all their cruelties to life displai'd . next this , argestes in a frame lay under , by divine justice strucke from heav'n with thunder ; one , who was thunder all , and ne're could give hope to an humhle penitent to live : but held this irrelenting tenet still , " the way to cure a corrupt state s to kill . in curious artfull manner these were drawne , and to upotomos awaking showne : whos 's now more piercing eye streight apprehends both what the story and the shrine intends ; which to himselfe appli'd , hee thus began to tax himselfe , cleane l ke another man. " heav'ns blesse me ! i have had a fearfull dreame , " for i was swimming in a p●…rple sterame " of bloud which i have shed , and s●…ill mee thought , " the more i sunke , the more i upward sought . " peering at last a shore , from th'curled maine , " a flash of fire streight pasht ●…ee downe againe . " and now awake , what see i but the same , " my selfe displ●…yed in argestes , frame ! " here syracusan tyrants shew to mee " what they affected , brutish crueltie . " there , sterne argestes tels me by his fate , " that cruelty's the object of joves hate . " o then upotomos , in time repent , " * and grieve thou art not throughly penitent ! " drench thy dry soule in rivolets of teares , " enhearse thy sable soule in lasting feares , " embathe thy panting heart in flouds of griefe , " enroll thy selfe amongst all mourners , chiefe ; " water thy bed with penitentiall showres , " and for wilde weeds , bring forth delicious flowe●… " for never did the sunne yet shine upon " that wretch , who sinned more than thou hast do●… " " thus for each drop of bloud unjustly shed , " " let sighs for sins with sands be numbered . such were the fruits these choice receits produc'●… he holds himselfe by eris much abus'd : her th●…refore he discards , and vowes to bee a p●…sident of affabilitie . a milde-sweet presence forth with he puts on , and with that presence a delightfull to●…gue ; a melting heart , a moist distilling eye , an open eare to heare a plaintiffes crye . if a physitian then such bounties have , from whom we hope we may some health receive ; that if his purges doe us any good , he meanes to purge our purse as well as bloud : " all sacred paeans we are bound to give " to him , by whom we purely love , and live . next amerimnos , not the least , though last , amongst these active spirits slept fo f●…st , as th' drowsie dormouse in her shady cave could more secure retirement never have . two holes in 's siege the hedge-hogge reareth forth , one to the south , the other to the north : now when the south-wind blowes he stops that hole , and turnes him northward , to the northerne pole ; againe , when th' north-wind blowes , he leaves his booth , steps up that hole , and turns him to the south . and such an urchin amerimnos was , who littl●… car'd how precious time did passe , so he might sleepe secure , his palate please , and for his honour get a writ of ease . but so addicted was he unto sloth , hee 'd fall sometimes a sleepe with meat in 's mouth . his driveling chin did with his bosome meet , with beard to belly , belly to his feet : which was stretcht forth to that extensive breed , his two supporters did no pent-house need . so as , none would have ta'ne him at that time f●…r any other than a porcupine . wise aesculapius caus'd his man to shake him , but no exte●…nall motion could awake him ; so as he found all such enticements vaine , for if he wak'd , ●…e fell asleepe againe . an ep●…meilian julip he applies unto his breasts , his temples , and his eyes , with cheerfull perfumes , wrought by choicest art , to re-dispose the intellectuall part . all viscid humours he extracted quite , to give his understanding cleerer light . and that his practice more successe might have , he form'd silenus sleeping in a cave ; fruits and delicious liquours toucht his lip , yet would he not bow downe his necke to sip . neare to cave a speckled aspicke came with poys'nous sting to wound the sleeping man , but an industrious emmet did prevent the envious aspicks venomous intent : for she awak'd him with a chearfull charme , so as the aspicke did him little harme . this amerimnos eyes ; which makes him see into himselfe and his stupidity . this he finds meant by him , for now his sense had shaken off her former drousinesse : thus to himselfe then his discourse hee fits by recollecting his dispersed wits . " silenus and an as●…icke ! pray thee eye " this quaint device , and see what't may imply . " slothfull silenus while he sleeps in sinne , " becom●…s assaulted by an aspicks sting . " but th' emmet , by which diligence is meant , " awakes silenus , foiles the asps intent . " apply this to thy selfe , let industry " be still thine harbinger to usher thee ; " hate what thouer'st affected , barraine sloth , " take no delight in a delicious tooth ; " let state-employment reave thee of thy rest , " that thou with honour maist repaire thy nest ; " thinke thy selfe richest when thou livest best , " so shall this conscience be a cheerfull guest . and his resolves hee brought to such successe , as all his actions fam'd his worthinesse : rich was the treasure of his well-spent time , wherein no day without a vertuous line . pure the composure of his well wrought minde , to publike works of piety confin'd . what trophies are wee then for him to reare , whose care hath cur'd these statists we have here : and of distemper'd men brought them to feele both their owne griefes , and of the common-weale ? for if we them reward who have a care t' intend our bodies , or our states repaire ; farre ampler bounties wee ▪ re to render him , who gives repaire unto our state within . " t●…iumphant paeans then wee 're bound to give " to him , by whom we love , subsist , and live . argument . themista seemes at first not to bee perswaded that cures of such difficulty could so expeditely be effected ; she fals into an admiration of her owne happinesse , with a resolved tender of thankfulnesse , if harmonius relation become seconded by successe ; she gives especiall direction , that her consuls bee admitted to her presence , to expresse by their discourse , apparent arguments of their cure ; metoxos , the ancientest of her consuls , is called forth , and declares the manner of his cure , which hee ascribes to aesculapius incessant care ; he disclaimes his former folly , and appeales to isotes , whose company he onely admits to relate his recovery . prose i. doe i sleep ? or waking , am i deluded ? is it possible that our metoxos should bee recovered ? is that sacred thirst of gold in him so soone quenched ? surely , cures so difficult and habitually inveterate , cannot so speedily bee effected . wee say , " no taske of importance may admit a speedy dispatch : yet this , of all others , most intricate , is to a short limit confined . that hee , who could distinguish of no other colour but gold ; and held no other colour worthy use in heraldry ; should now hold it adulterate for abusing the state. rare experiments , trust me , so they be ●…eall , and not delude mee . wee know not what to thinke of it , lest wee should perplex our thoughts too much by embarking our selfe upon it . yet , wee have heard , if any one infected with the iaundise , shall but looke upon the bird icterus , he forthwith recovers and regaines his former beauty and colour ; why should i then doubt , but upon these experiments , which the sacred secrecie of art hath discovered , that my long distempered consul metoxos should despaire of recovery ? why may not these terrible presentments worke so much upon his fancie , as the impression of them may avert him from what he most affected ; and adhere to tha●… which before hee least relished ? which effect , should wee see produced , to what height of admiration might wee bee raised ? nor should we close our receit of happinesse , without a resolved tender of thankfulnesse ; could harmonius relation ( seconded with such native action ) become seconded by an answerable succes●…e . but fit it were , that what wee heare confirmed by report , wee see made good by entercourse to those , with whom wee are to addresse our discourse . wee purpose therefore to give especiall direction , that these our consuls bee admitted to our presence , to expresse by their discourse , apparent arguments of their cure , and soveraigne effects of our care. and that this may bee done the better , wee will call each of our consuls personally in their order . having said thus , shee gave especiall directions , tha●… metoxos , the ancien●…est of all her consuls , should be called forth ; whom shee no sooner saw approaching , than shee i●…agined how it was with him . for his very outward posture expressed an alteration in his temper . and al●…●…he better to try conclusions on her recovered patritian ; shee caused sundry peeces of gold to bee scattered in the way as hee ascended up to their iudiciall throne ; purposely to see whether that metall , wherewith his captived af●…ections were ●…ormerly so much ; not onely restrained , but enchained , would take his eye or no ; but all these were too inferiour baits for so rectified a spirit . these hee valued equally as dust ; and with a noble command , or princely contempt of all despicable objects , advancing himselfe with a gracefull presence towards themista , applied himselfe to her command . who desirous to gather by his discourse , what shee had collected by his presence , willed him to declare the manner of his cure , to the e●…d ●…he migh●… render a more ample requitall of aesculapius care . madam ( quoth metoxos ) to relate every particular ingredience used by this divine artist , would so enlarge the extent of my discourse , as the relation would appeare no lesse uselesse to the hearer , than tedious to the relator . to avoid then all frivolous and fruitlesse ambages , which are usually so far from dir●…cting or enlightning the understandi●…g , as they are made rather for distracting or burthening our apprehension , i shall 〈◊〉 returne u●…to your grace●… ●… just account of the benefits i have received , the incomparable comforts i have conceived ; all which may bee easily gathered by those many infirmities whereto before i stood engaged , and whereof , ( thanks to the supreame deity ) i am now perfectly cured . it is not unknowne unto my soveraigness●… , with what distempers i was seized ; insomuch as , i never came to the bench of iustice , but i shewed some apparent argument or other of my weaknes : which caused some of my nearest to imagine , that i was surely either bewitched or possessed . your sacred medall ( the exquisitest master-peece of art that ever arcady produced ) being moulded of pure gold did so sympathize with my partiall-gilt nature , as i could never looke upon the statue , but my teeth did water : no other object could take me , so much was i devoted to that plebeian idolatry . as for my hands , i could never shut them , so much had hope of gaine enlarged them : for i imagined , if they were shut , how could they partake in any booty , or receive any competible share in a clients enforced bounty . for my lungs , they were so decayed , as an asthmaticall apnaea had surprized them . besides , a dangerous swelling in my throat , when saturne had predominance over the clientall regiment ; with a desperate migrim , which averted mine eare from the suit of a just , but poore complainant , daily threatned a dissolution to this my weake earthly structure . yet could these cōstant nuntio's of my frailty , little weane mee from mine accustomed folly . for though age had wrought many deep furrowes in my face ; and sundry growing infirmities incident to age , had enfeebled nature , and engaged mee to a continuate distemper : ye●… in this my decrepit doting ag●… , was i infinitely taken with three impudent curtezans ; whose wooing-winning enticements had so far prevailed with mee , as that day seemed tedious , which i spent not in philia's , du●…noia's , or analeutheria's company . which , though some thought i did purposely to improve and enrich my state ; sure i am , their amorous embraces , and incessant attendance , much weakned and impaired my strength . now observe the rare effects of this divine art ! by the benefit i received from aesculapius , to whose especiall care your grace recommended our cure , i loath nothing more than what i did formerly love ; my thirst , which before was onely for gold , now extends solely to the publike good . now , would your ladiship know the meanes which brought mee first to an hate of this fury ! bee pleased ●…o heare mee , and you shall receive a true relation from mee . after such time , as this divine artist aesculapius had prepared my body , and applied divers soveraigne receits for my more speedy recovery ; and amongst others , certaine gilded pils , which procured in mee so violent a vomit , as i could not for long time aft●…r looke upon that object , but i did highly distaste it : he bethought himselfe by what meanes hee might worke the deepest impression upon my imagination ; which he observed to bee so clouded and troubled , as nothing came from me , but distractedly and indisposedly uttered . hee observed , as the eyes were the members of the body , so they were the windowes of the minde ; nay , that the eye was a living glasse , or such a representative mirrour , as by reflexion of conceit , the delinquent might soonest come to the knowledge , acknowledgement & amendment of his errour . for this end he d●…vised and artfully contrived certaine curious emblemes presented to life ; which were discovered unto mee in an ovall ; where i might apparently see a picture , as neare resembling mine owne person , in favour and feature , as could bee imitated by art , or first initiated by nature . no part of all mine habit undisplayed ; no action or gesture by mee used , but there presented . so as , in very truth , i either thought that there was some other metoxos besides ▪ mee ; or else that some had assumed metoxos habit and person , purposely to delude mee . but how doe you thinke was the posture of this picture framed ? in what manner disposed ? this metoxos , as hee was thus portrayed and personated , seemed to mee bound to a flaming stake ; and those three curtezans , on which i so much doated while i was distempered , standing there like distracted furies , haled downe whole laddles of moulten gold downe his throat ; ever and annon bellowing forth these words with a fearful voice ; quench thy thirst metoxos ; here is gold for thee ; partiality deserves such a partiall-gilt bounty . this presentment did not a little startle mee ; so as comparing this feature with mine owne ; his action gesture and posture with mine owne ; those three curtezans , which i tendred as mine owne , with those exquisitest torments inflicted upon that image which resembled mine , as nearly as i mine owne ; i begunne to recollect my discatered senses , and in this manner to expostulate with my selfe . metoxos so fully to life portrayed ! and my whole life in this image of metoxos so lively displayed ? sure there is something in it , which , as yet , i little dreame of . there is , questionlesse , some secret mysterious morall cov●…rtly shadowed in this presentment : well , i purpo●…e to dive farther yet into the depth of this aenigmaticall riddle . discusse then each particular , to the end thou maist become the more authenticke expositor . what may seeme to bee meant by these three curtezans , and those laddles of moulten gold , which they are incessantly powring downe the throat of this personated metoxos ? are not these the reall personages of those amorous curtezans , which thou sometimes so miserably affected ? yet , are these they , by whom metoxos becomes wofully tormented . but whence the cause ? eye the impreze , and it will informe thee : for partiality . examine then every circumstance , and see if the shadow agree not with the substance . reflect upon thy selfe , metoxos , and observe well if these have not proper allusion to thee ! thine owne forme thou here seest undistinguishably cōcurring ; thy three amorous dalilahs attending and tormenting ; with partiality , the cause producing , why these torments are inflicting . consider likewise , how torments are ever inflicted , by that subject whereon wee stand most affected . and what was it metoxos , that in the whole course of thy distempered justice , thou most affected ? what was it wherto thou stood most engaged ? was it not gold , metoxos ? yes sure ; that was the bait which did only take mee : it was my use to poise the worth of the cause , by the weight of the purse . gold was the cement , which souldred partiality with iudgement . o divine embleme ! this shall worke more rare effects upon my corrupted sen●…e , than any other physicall ingredience . it shall bee my constant resolve to loath , what i did so miserably love ; that i may fall in love , with what i did so desperately loath . discretion shall give direction to my affection ; i purpose henceforth never so intentively to fix upon the bye , as to become forgetfull of the maine . these presentments tendred mee by so judicious and exquisite an artist , shall by the power of him that made mee , worke such impr●…srons in mee , as no time shall raze out the memory of so impressive a character ; nor decline mee from being just , for either lucre , feare or favour . nor was this embleme onely there expressed ; but midas likewise , with his asses eares , to life presented ; who desiring whatsoever he touched , might to gold bee turned , received his wish in his dish , and so for want of naturall nourishment , became famished . but this wrought no such effect upon my conceit , as did the former : for so strangely was i unnaturalized , or estranged rather from my na●…ive and in-bred disposition , as nothing appeared more distastfull to my sight , than the object of gold ▪ euer dreaming of those fearefull torments , which those my darling dalilahs , complete curtezans , inflicted upon tha●… picture , which so nearly re●…embled metoxos feature . these soveraigne effects partly derived from those precedent receits , partly from these impressive emblemes ; made mee remember that physicall maxime so often delivered , by aesculapius our great professor : when a man bleeds at the nose , and through abundance of bloud , is brought in danger of his life , the physitian lets him bloud in his arme , to turne the course of the bloud another way : if love issue out in too violent a streame , it is to be cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancie : or else , by fixing our eye upon some more at●…ractive object , divert the course of that madding passion . now madam , such shall ever bee my constant humility , as i must solely ascribe this incomparable benefit of my cure , to aeculapius incessant care : whose exquisite art produced this incredible worke . it rests then , that howsoever my soveraignesse bee pleased to dispose of mee , i●… shall bee my fixt intention , utterly to di●…claime my former folly : while i appeale to isotes whose company i onely admit to rela●…e my discovery . argument . isotes in musicall ayres relates the incredible effects of metoxos cure ; the modera●…i on or attemperature of his desires ; his distaste of all such meats as bred in him any distemper ; and how much the mista might improve her owne , by advancing his honour . poesy ii. see , lady , see , metoxos state transform'd from what it was of late ! that j●…undise eye , wh●…ch could behold no object but refined gold ; that hand , which like a thirsty grave , was ever open to receive ; that heart , whose native tincture spilt , was chang'd into a partiall-gilt ; that tongue , which knew not how to speake , till chinke made way the string to breake : can looke , touch , like , and make discourse , with free and unconstrained force . such rare effects your grace shall find●… in cure of your me●…oxos minde . vertue his spotlesse brest inspires with moderation of desires ; poore though in state , his minde is pu●…e , stor'd with the sweet attemp'rature of choice st graces that can sute a man to make him absolute . what meats in him distemper bred , his taste hath quite dis-relished . naught hee affects but what may give meanes to direct him how to live . receive him then into your grace , his vertues will deserve his place . nor can you ever more improve your honour , than by good mens love : for when your grace to these is showne , you give improvement to your owne . advance him then ; it is not chance but choice which merit should advance . argument . themista , sufficiently perswaded by what shee heares , joyes much in m●…toxos recovery ; shee causeth epimo●…os , her second consul , to advance himselfe before her ; hee returnes an ample testimonie of aescul●…pius divine theorie ; in a sensible and passionate manner , hee discovers the effects of his former infirmity , with pregn●…nt demonstrances of his recovery ; and appeales to epieices , whose society hee onely affects , to returne his opinion . prose ii. no more , isotes , ( said themista ) wee are now altogether confident of metoxos successive cure ; whom to adva●…ce , ( if his infirmity admit no relapse ) shall bee our especiall care. nor can wee joy in any melody comparable to this of metoxos recovery . but we will see ( quoth shee ) whether this happy effect hath befallen the rest of our consuls ; and with that , causing epimonos , her secondary , to advance himselfe before her ; shee willed him to returne the manner of his recovery ; with what especiall receits were applied to cure his malady . epimonos , whose long ▪ grounded pertinacy , hade made most of his friends despaire of remedy ; in an affable and generous manner , making three low congies before hee approached themista's presence , addressed himselfe in this discourse unto his soveraignnesse . doe not ( imparalleld princesse ) take mee now for that peevish & perverse epimonos , whom i did once too actually personate ; which presentment made me most unfortunate . i have now put off that habit ; nor will i ever ( by divine assistance ) reassume it . i confesse , madam ; nor shall it repent mee to confesse it , so i repent mee of it , and resolve never to incurre it , that my long habituate infirmity , by continuance , had brought mee to a meere insensiblity . such a stiffnesse , or unpliablenesse i found in every part : that though i felt my selfe unwealdly ; every faculty most averse from performing her proper duty : yet in ●…his case ( see my prevaricate misery ! ) would not i either be led or driven by any . the more i was moved , the lesse i felt ; so insensible grew i of my present estate . an incessant buzzing i had got in my head , which barrocadoed mine eare from inclining to any ones opinion but mine owne . this t●…at ever-living artist , to whose divine cure wee were all recommended , had no sooner observed , than hee prescribed such choice physicall directions to cure my growing infirmity , that i became within short space to have some little feeling of my selfe , from which i was before so estranged , as i held my selfe most healthfull , when most distempered ; best resolved , when most distracted ; and seemingly in my perplexed estate most happy , when most distressed . my morning draughts , which used to bee f●…ntineake , were resolved into diet-drinks , strongly tempered with the cooling juyce of eucampes , with other simples immixed ●…o allay the distempered heat of my bloud ; and to restore nature so much weakned . having made this introduction to his cure , and now set mee on my feet , by the continuance of his diligence and care ; to the end i might come to a more full survey and discovery of mine owne folly , he framed this device : that one demophon , who was naturally of an humour different to all others , should bee in a shrine portrayed , and in a window presented , where i made my prospect . but so nearely resembling mine owne person , was this featu●…e , as i should disclaime mine owne p●…ysiognomy , to confesse any resemblance liker . long a●…d intentively did i eye the picture . nothing could i find in it , but might personate my selfe ; nor ought in my selfe , which might not allude to it . so as , not able to containe my selfe any longer ; nor to conceale my thoughts from my picture ; like another narcissus , not doating but doubting , or perplexedly discoursing with his shadow , i addresse my demands in this manner . how 's this ? one sweating in ashade , and shaking in the sunne ! this sure , is meant by demophon , yet doth the embleme beare the figure of epimonos . and rightly so it may ; for who ever , being man , was more averse from the nature , more contrary to the humour of man ? what was it that eve●… yet plea●… thy conceit , which thou saw pleasing to another ? or what ever afforded thee delight , and complide wi●…h anothers conceit ? nay , un rivet the secret cabine●… of thy retired'st thoughts , and observe how much thou hast abused the state , depraved thy consul-sea●… by adhering too much to thy sel●…e , and perverting justice , by opposing others to please thy selfe ? what edict didst thou ever heare published ? what direction for state government ever divulged ? what iudgement upon a convicted delinquent pronounced ? or what act soever publikely concluded , which thou traduced not , because by others more wise , but lesse opinionate , approved ? what a strange mould , epimonos , was this , wherein thou wer●… casten , thus to dislike , what others liked ; thus to affect , what others hated ? was thy wit either so quicke and pregnant ? or thy judgement so strong and constant ? or thine experience so transcendent ? or thy p●…rson so precedent , as all others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to thin●… 〈◊〉 ? no , this was not it , but thine own●… 〈◊〉 - will which made th●…thus opion●…te . o how harshis his condition , whose sole delight is opposition ! what can h●… 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 give content ; when nothing but his owne dev●…e pleaseth his con●…it ? o the folly of a poore wo●…mlin ? who , i●…●…ise , can ●…teeme thee fo●… more wise , in seeing thee so desi●…ous to oppose ? womans strength consists in tongue ; should a mans consist in will ? protogenes could never hold his hand from the picture ; nor thou an envious eye from anothers labour . is it wisdome enough to traduce , or to oppose what others approve ? bee the antipodes in this only happier than we , because they walke in an opposite course against us ? say , say , epimonos , how many poore delinquents ; nay , meere innocents , hath thy pertinacy doomed to death ; for no other cause , but that thy colleague●… lenity 〈◊〉 life ? againe , to how many hath thy aversnesse breathed life , to whom consuls vote , commons voice , and the mouth of iustice had doomed deat●… ? it is the saying of a philopher , that every one should have a f●…iend , and an enemie ; that his friend may tell him the truth ; and hi●… enemie make him mor●… observant of his wayes . yea , that his friend might seasonably correct him ; and his enemie by his indig●…ities exercise him . bu●… how ●…arre became i e●…tranged from this philosophicall tenet ! for as he●… could not possibly bee my friend , who applied not himselfe to my opinion ; so could hee bee no lesse than mine enemie , who sought to mould mee to his instruction . my friend and monitor hee could not bee ; how might he then correct mee ? my enemie and improver hee could not bee ; how might hee then exercise mee ? it is true , that th●… prienean sage wished rather to be a iudge amongst ●…is ●…oes 〈◊〉 his friends : and his reason was , that the affection , and intimacy , hee bore to his friends , might incline him to connivence ; whereas , the jealousie h●…e had of his foes , would cause him to bee more cautious in the ex●…cution of iustice. but what power had these respects with mee ? it was neither friend that i esteemed , nor foe that i feared , but my darling will , whereto i beoame solely wedded ; and which to second , my best endevours were ever addressed . i have oftentimes wondred at the patience of an indulgent magistrate , to give such 〈◊〉 of speech even to a pretended delinquent : or to suffer himselfe to bee opposed by way os reason ; as if his place were not of sufficient strength to exercise his power without farther reason . and as children are tied to rules in their arguing ; so i held th●…m childish consuls , who stood confined to these restrictions in their judging . but now , ( thanks to aesculapius d●…vinest theorie ! ) my outward conformity closing so sweetly wi●…h inward unity , may assure my soveraignesse of an infallible recovery . i am taught now , how to sweat in the sunne , and shake in the shade ; to submit my opinion to others judgement ; to disclaime mine owne for insufficient ; to desist from standing too long in argument , and to encline to reason , whensoever produced . all which , as ample testimonies of aescul●…pius care , and pregnant demonstrances of my cu●… ; i have here no lesse briefly , than plainly returned ▪ to you , divine lady , with the manner of my recovery , the benefit whereof i freely ascribe to your furtherance and bounty . nor shall you ever have cause to tax mee ( if so you please to imploy mee ) either of pertinacy , or of any il●…egality ; for by all my hopes i vow , since these incredible effects were wrought on me ; i have disvalued mine owne opinion ; beene so jealous of mine owne weaknesse ; as i ●…ave applied my selfe to nothing more , than a seeming privacie or retirednesse ●…rom businesse . howbeit , as i am not borne for my selfe , but for her honour , by whose meanes i am now come to myselfe , madam ingage me , wherein , if you shall conceit that my employments may fall short from perfecting ought which may redound to your reputation : i shall here become silent , by a modest restraint of selfeapprovement , and ingeniously appeale to epieices opinion . argument . epieices reports how much epimonos is altered ; how his unsociable nature is attempered ; how observant hee is to all , and how desirous to improve the good of all ; and admiring how art could possibly season pertinacy with so much lenity : hee assures themista , that shee may rest confident in the affiance of so constant a servant . poesie iii. madam observe , if you can finde a purer minde ! or with selecter graces fill'd or lesse selfe-will'd ! how much hee 's altered in state from that of late ! harsh was his nature , now as milde as any childe ; unsociable once was hee as one could bee ; now hee 's full of sweet remorse and choice discourse , and of such a temper too as i may vow ; none would take him , to see him passe , for th' man hee was . observant is hee unto all that deigne to call , nought here on earth more wins his love than to improve the good of all , which if be gaine h●… h' 〈◊〉 his aime . much i admire how art could season want of reason , or that pertinatious spirit should inheris such a true candor by meere art as to impart such rich rayes to mortall man as hee now can . accept him then , dread soveraignesse , for countreye blesse , f●… now you may affi●…ce have nought can dep●…ave this constant confidence in him , who wean'd from sinne , " his noble temp'●…ature will shew " his service to the state and you. argument . themista over-joyed to heare such a successive change ; and wishing the like effect in the rest of her patient consuls , wi●…s vperephanos to appeare in publike presence ; whose humble obeisance infinitely takes her . hee is so farre from preferring himselfe before others , as hee esteemes himselfe the unworthiest of all others . hee blusheth at his former impertinences , and strengthens his intentions with divine resolves ; hee vowes to admit none but tapeinos into his company , to whose judgement hee appeales in his recovery . prose iii. a maxime there is ( said th●…mista ) and wee finde it now fitly closing with our conceit : " what wee affect , exceeds all estimate ; now , what was it on earth wee more affected , than to see this our selfe●…pinionate and distempered epinomos so rectified . as to conforme his will to anothers bent ? what might comparably so overjoy us as to become an ocular witn●…sse of such a successive , but unexpected change ? never did teeming moth●…r conceive more comfort in the view of ●…er long laboured birth ; nor the hazardou●… merchant in his safe arrivall to land ; nor the industrious husbandman , who is frui●…full in hope , before hee partake the benefit or fruit of his crop , than wee in the apprehension of this so much desired change . it is most true ▪ that without the influence of divine grace , we can doe nothing , no more than the bird can flie without wings , the ship saile withou●… wind or tide , the body move withou●… the soule . from which ▪ how much is hee estranged , whose opinionate pertinacy him confident of his owne makes strength , and consequently a dangerous pione●… to his owne estate . we know right well , that it is one thing to fall into light sins through occasion onely , or human●… frailty : and another thing ●…o fall through affected negligence and security : bu●… worst of all to fall through a precipitate will , and malltious obstinacie . needs then must it over-joy us , to ●…ee one ( and one whom wee held so tender ) after so perillous a fall to recover , and in his recovery , quite to shake off his distemper . and may heaven so propitiously smile on our wishes , that the like effect my bee produced from the rest of these our patientconsuls ; whose late infirmities , as they did much afflict us , so shall the visible arguments of their recovery , no lesse entrance us . this said , shee willed vperephanos , ( whose cure was conceived to be of greatest difficulty ) to appeare in publike presence , and shew some apparant effects of his attempered malady . whose humble obeisance , at the very first blush , infinitely tooke her : wondring more at his lowly carriage , affable countenance , and winning observance , than at any of all her recovered patients . but being againe required by his soveraignesse to relate the mediate or effectuall meanes for cure of his distemper ; with a composed gravity , and well-seasoned humility , hee proceeded in this manner . it is not unknowne ( madam ) to any personage o●… quality within your whole state , how that my distemper was not naturall but accidentall ; for a long time did i sit in the seat of iustice ; du●…ing which time i appeale to such as then knew mee , whether i discharged not my place with all integrity and uprightnesse . vertue i ever cherished ; vice i chastised ; the good i encouraged ; the evill i disheartned , and the publike good secured . but being in that populous state where i was , retaining that name which i had , and transported with that applause i heard ; one morning walking forth to take the ayre , ( no common ayre , but the breath of popular applause ) it chanced that i was bit by a mad dog , ( a pricke ear'd cur of phro●…ema's litter ) whose poysonous fang begun so to rankle , as the venome dispersed it selfe thorow every part , till at last it seized on my very braine ; and so drove mee into a miserable distraction . " i thought every shady-tufted branch , forced by a pleasing gale , bowed it selfe with a low salute to give mee a congie . those ayerie quiristers , the birds , chanted and chirped out my praise . in a word , so terribly was i madded , so highly distempered , as my fellow-consuls forbore to sit with mee ; my intimately-professed friends withdrew themselves from mee , after such time as they had laboured to winne and weane mee , but could not prevaile with mee . onely some alleyes of thopeias , meer●… insinuating foists , ( as i afterwards well perceived ) clunge neare mee , feeding , like horseleaches , on my distemper ; and raising themselves by my ruine and dishonour . yet were these my friends on which i fawned ; the shadowes which i followed ; the snakes i fostered : all which found fresh fuell to my furie ; new matter to my humour , to feed my distemper . thus did i rove ; thus did i range ; no constant nor setled thought lodged in mee . i was so blowne up with the bladder of alazoneuma , as i mounted aloft with the wings of selfe-conceit ; imagining this inferior orbe to be a spheere too low for my unconfined spirit . what others ( were it never so usefull to state , or conducing to publike good ) propounded , my irreiragable opinion sleighted . for that deare minion whom i so religiously served , and to whose observance i had endeered my nearest resolves , had so bewitched mee , as no power could countermand the power of my will ; or encroach so farre on the bounds of my irresistable authority ; as those whose better tempered thoughts well deserved priority in opinion , were disesteemed by the precipitate torrent of my ambition . being thus carried on the wings of the wind , i became so hardned through the habit of mine infirmity , as nothing better relished mee , than to feed my distemper with whatsoev●…r might best agree with the quality of mine indisposed humour . but this had our exquisite , and fame-eternized . artist no sooner discovered in me , than according to your directions ( most divine soveraignesse ) hee addressed himselfe to my cure. which to effect the better , hee first sought out the cause of my distemper : this found , hee applied such soveraigne receits to my long exulcerate sore , as the expeditenesse of his cure , expressed the infinitenesse of his care : all which ( to observe in my discourse some methodicall decencie or order ) was performed in this manner . hee first applied to mee certaine medicines of a corrading quality , to bring mee to a more sensible feeling of my selfe ; for all that time , wherein i laboured of my distemper , i had no feeling at all of my infirmity , and therefore indifferent , or rather secure for any remedy . for being bit ( as i said before ) by a mad dogge , whose rancorous and envenomed tooth had spred a dangerous malignant humour thorow every veine of mine infected body ; that uncomparable artist caused the dogges liver to bee smally minced , and with the prime leaves of the low shrub tapeinotes , to bee mixt : which was my break-fast for many mornings together , till i begunne to have some little feeling of my distemper . but subject i was ever and anon to fearefull relapses and recidivations : which my physitian soone perceiving , caused mee for certaine dayes together to bee tied chi●…ne deepe in lazarllio's poole , where i was kept to a low diet , purposely to coole my inflamed bloud , and qualifie my violent distemper , occasioned by the infection of my liver . for i must freely confesse , that an ill liver was the onely occasion o●… all my distemper . by this time had i suffered many a cold bath : so as my bloud became cooled ; my inflammation ceased , my corrupt liver restored ; while one day , in a private arbour where i usually reposed , after my time of recovery , i might behold a curious tablet , purposely devised by aesculapius especiall direction , as i afterwards perceived . wherein was engraven tarquinius superbus , to his full body ; in his posture walking , and with a little rod lopping the tops of poppies : while on the other side of this tablet , stood atlas supporting the world ; but under his burden , at the first seemingly fainting , and afterwards utterly failing and falling . having seriously fixed mine eye on these statues , i begun to reflect upon my selfe , and to examine mine owne thoughts , whether there were not something that might have proper relation to my selfe in the delineature of those features : and thus i privately conversed with mine owne affections . say , vperephanos , is there nothing here presented to thine eye , which thou maist not u●…efully convey to thine heart ! is not this very tablet , a mirrour of thy late distempered humour ? canst thou eye this tablet , and not discerne thy selfe in it ? or observe this embleme , and peruse it without a blush , seeing it displayes thine own shame ? canst thou eye these mounting poppies , whose height surpasse others , how soone they are pruned ; and can thy boundlesse ambi●…ion or selfe-admiring hold it selfe secured ? by these poppies were shadowed eminent peeres , whose rising height was tarquins eternall hate ; so as , their height was the sole occasion of their sinister fate . inferiours were secure , while these ●…uffered ; exempt from danger , while these perished . had their heads never mounted above others , they had been as safe from perill as others . apply this embleme to thy selfe ; for narcissus never had a fuller view of his owne beauty in the fount , by which hee perished ; than thou hast here of thine owne deformity , by which thou maist bee truly cautioned . for say , vperephanos , who ever mounted higher in selfe-conceit ? who more selfe-admiring , or others lesse esteeming ? yet in this thou fell short of their goodnesse and happinesse , whom thou observest in this embleme shadowed . for the●…e pe●…res whom tarquin gave direction to his sextus , in so covert and darke a manner to cut off , were not onely great , but good . their glory was their countreyes honour , which they ever laboured to advance by their owne danger . their desires had a more glorious object , than popular praise : so as , with a sweet , though a sad evening , they closed their dayes . whereas , they delight was not to be really good , nor improve the state , but to bee great , though it were to the ruine and subversion of the state. o the misery of an hot and high spirit ! where our owne aimes are meerly titular , affecting nothing more than to bee popular . reflect then , unhappy vperephanos upon thine owne disposition , and in this embleme , eye the discovery of thine owne person . desire rather to bee ranked amongst those low tamrisks , than rising poplars . but if this embl●…me , or historicall allusion can worke no deepe impression on thee ; observe that por●…raiture of atlas , and then see if thy life bee not personated in that fable . atlas is heere shrinking under his burden : and to whom may this allude more properly than thy selfe ? for how long , ( miserably-deluded soule ) hast thou supposed out of thine arrogant , and selfe-admiring conceit , that the whole fabricke of this vniverse solely leaned on thy shoulders ; and that it could not subsist without thy supportance ? resolve then into teares ; pride not thy selfe in thy distemper , seeing fooles and mad-men laugh at thine humour . be so farre now from preferring thy selfe before ot●…rs , that thou esteeme thy selfe the worst of all others . blush at thy former folly ; and those friends which thou hast lost by pride , regaine by humility . strengthen thy intentions with divine resolves ; that nothing may worke more on thy minde , than redeeming of time : which , by how much more precious , by so much more carefully employed . in a word , seeme not to be good , unlesse thou beest that which thou ●…eemest : for semblance of goodnesse , howsoever it deceive the eye of the beholder , it ever asper seth most blemish on the owner , when policy hat●… lost her vizard , hypocrisie her colour . thus , madam , to my selfe i discoursed ; and thus eve●… since have i resolved . nor is it my desire , that your grace should only rely on my relation ; or give such easie credit to my pretended conversion , as to receive no other approvement : for i shall no lesse humbly than f●…eely appeale to tapeinos his judgement , whom i religiously vow , onely to admit into my company , to deliver his opinion touching my recovery . argument tapeinos proves how happy it is to be humbled , that they may more sensibly feele the maladies to which they are affected ; none more unhappy than hee who never felt adversity ; the way to weale , is ingeniously to acknowledge our owne want ; cedars will never remember that they were once shrubbes ; promotion declares what men bee , and humility informes them what they should bee . hee concludes vperephanos happy by his fall : being thereby made apt to supply wherein before hee did most faile . hee admires his temper , and commends him to themista's service , as one deserving honour . poesy iv. how happy is his fate who humbled , becomes wise , contented with his state , he seeks no more to rise ? his fall hath made him feele those maladies hee , had , and sensibly to ●…eale those humours which were bad : else would they ne're correct those humours they affect . more haplesse none 〈◊〉 he , who swims in worldly blisse , and holds adversity estrang'd from him and his ; the way to weale , is then in plenty and in scant by curbing selfe-esteeme t' acknowledge our owne want ▪ but cedars brooke the worst to heare thei'r shrubs at first . promotion is the glasse declares what mortals bee , but how they hence should p●…sse informes humility . then rightly may i call uperephanos state more happy by his fall than he appear'd of late ; made apter to reforme what others held in s●…rne . it rests then i admire his temper , and commend his service to your quir●… that 's stiled vertues friend . and take this of my word , his m●…re deserving parts will such content afford they 'l winne the knowing'st hearts , and thinke him worthy too of th' honour you bestow . argument . themista commands meilixos to bee brought forth into the presence-chamber ; where hee relates the manner of his cure ; hee repents him of his time so remissely lost , and resolves to regaine , what his security had lost by neglect ; hee appeales to iscuros , to deliver his opinion to his soveraignesse touching his cure : and intends to redeeme his many mispent houres with a redoubled care. prose iv. perplexed , and 'twixt hope and feare devided , stood all this time themistâ , as one ●…earefull whether these so pleasing objects were not meere phantasies and deceptions of sight : but no one of all these inforced in her so impressive a motive of wonder and amazement as the strangely altered and me●…amorphos'd condition of vperephanos : the more she●… observed him , the lesse shee beleeved what shee saw in him : for shee thought , how the wolfe might probably change his haire , but hardly his condition : especially , having beene so strengthened by custome , and an in nate malevolency of disposition , as it promised lesse hope of recovery , by reason of the continuance of his infirmity . wonder she could not sufficiently at his lowly carriage , assable countenance , and winning observance ; wherewith shee was more taken than with any of all her recovered patients . for to see one , whose ambition had mounted the clowdes , and whose selfe-conceit exceeded the confidence of mortals , fall so farre off from preferring himselfe before others , as to esteeme himselfe the unworthiest of all others ; nay , to avert his eare from his owne praise , and make humility his onely prize ; to knit his discourse so firmely with the cement of discretion ; and so sweetly sea●…on it with moderation , as in a wise diffidence , to submit himselfe ever to others opinion ; to blush at his former impertinences , and strengthen his well-disposed intentions with divine re●…olves ; briefely , to relinquish all such infectious consorts , as fed him most in his humour , and with the b●…llowes of sycophancy , kindled th●… flame of his distemper ; and to supply them with the vertuous society of tapeinos ; one , whole humility well deserved esteeme in the eminenst family . i say , to see all these concurring in one , and one of whom there was least hope , could not chuse but much transport her , and so much the more over joy her , as it was least expected by her . desirous then to heare the happy iss●…e of this generall cure , after shee had infinitely rejoyced in this unexpected recovery of her consul vperephano●… , which cure shee held to bee of greatest difficulty , shee forthwith commanded that melixos should bee brought into the presence-chamber ; who , upon his princesse command , related the issue of his cure , after this mann●…r . how weake i was of constitution ; how unconstant in my resolves ; how desperately-diffident of mine owne abilities ; how flexiblyyeelding to any ones proposition , were it never so averse nor devious from reason , your gr●…ce cannot be ignorant . meagre , lea●…e and exhausted was my consumed body ; no faculty but desisted from preforming her due office , because in each of them i had a diffid●…nce . goe upon mine owne legs i could not , for they would not support mee ; nor direct my course any way , but as others led me , i would not , so much had distrust wroght on mee . bleede i would , if i should but see any spectacle of griefe , for a whole day together : and with an effeminate effluence o●… teares , d●…cover my childish nature . this our fame-crowned artist , aesculapius observed , and with receits duely applied , laboured by all means to effect , what his divine art hath now perfitted . cordiall and comfortable things he prescribed , to restore nature so much decayed ; mine eies with eye-bright water hee daily washed , to recover my sight almost perished ; hee stanched my incessant bleeding ; strengthened my sinues weake and declining ; and applyed certaine fomentations to keepe me from cold sweats and swouning . nought was wanting to b●…ing my cure to perfection . patient i was of idlenesse , impatient of businesse . nothing so relished me , so distempered was my palat ; nothing digested with me , so raw was my stomach . but having now at last by his especiall care , beene brought to a sense of my griefe , and probable expectance of cure ; i was permitted , at certaine seasons , to walke abroad and take the ayre ; but never without a guide , who still attended mee , lest by being left unto my selfe , some disaster might befall me . one day , as i was walking in an open gallery , my keeper shewed mee an excellent piece in porphyrite marble ; wherein was portrayed the dwarfe inus , bearing the gyant iphiclus on his shoulders . which statue as i intentively eyed , so i personally applyed , for i found my selfe presented in it : being purposely invented and erected by my physitian , that in it , as in a mirror , i might see mine owne condition . requesting therefore my guardian to retire a little , and to leave mee to my selfe : in a private & familiar discourse , after this sort i uttered mine owne thoughts , wishing no eare but the subtle ayre to partake my complaints . a picture ! yes meilixos ; and in it thine owne feature . how ! inus supporting iphiclus ! a weake columne for such a colosse . the morall without inversion may be thus applied . when a statist suffers himselfe to be overswayed by a pleibeian ; or out of a setled jealousie of his owne weaknesse , inclines to every vulgar opinion ; or out of a various wandring conceit what he now decrees , hee presently revokes ; or out of a disesteeme of his owne judgement , will not maintaine what he usefully propounds ; hee in his owne person presents this embleme . now reply to thine owne thoughts , meilixos , and observe , if thou be not the person here shadowed ! how much hast thou ever relyed on others opinions , were their judgements never so shallow nor defective ; their conditions never so obscure nor plebeian ? what judgement didst thou ever pronounce , which thine owne weakenesse did not make thee repent ; or some inferiour opposition did not cause thee recant ? tell mee then , if thou see not here the gyant iphiclus borne a loft on the dwarfish inus his shoulders ? who ever more confident of anothers opinion , or more diffident of his owne ? who ever depended more on others supportance , or trusted lesse his owne strength ; occasioned meerely by his owne remissenesse ? who ever mannaged a state with more coldnesse , or censured delinquents with more indulgence ? who ever suffered himselfe to be more deluded by the advice of weakenesse , or misguided by simple directions ? and what else was this , but to bee borne on dwarfish shoulders ? irresolute was i ever in my designes ; nothing could i doe which seemed not better undone than done . for , whatsoever the preceeding day effected , the following day ever distasted . in competition for offices , i stood ever divided , which to adhere to . such a newter among the romans , was that famous , but various orator , who could not resolve , whether hee should take caesars or pompeies part . such among the grecians , was titides , who could not determine whether he shuld joyn himselfe with achilles or hector . thus like a top which alwayes rnnnes round , and never goes forward unlesse it be whipt , traversed i my ground in a doubtfull circuit : never lesse resolved then when i had least occasion to doubt . but lest i , should become too tedious to your grace , by too much enlarging my discourse , you may understand by the effects , the proficience of his care . for as his receits , had prepared me , so these moving emblemes wrought such deepe impression on mee , as i now hate nothing more than pusillanimity , to which i was formerly engaged , ●…steeming resolution and constancy the highest honour of a consul . i neither approve of draeco's lawes , writ in bloud , nor theano's writ in sand. in all politique states , i shall ever hold law to be the line , execution the life : but law without execution a leaden sword in a golden sheath . it now repents me of my time so remissely lost ; nor shall the remainder of my time be wanting in resolves , to regaine by some industrious act , what my security or childish lenity hath lost by neglect . but what are golden promises , but faire flourishes , being coldly seconded by actuall performance ? it shall bee my constant taske rather to practise than to talke . as your graces care hath brought mee to partake in the benefit of this cure ; it shall be my continued endevourto addresse my employments wholy to your honour . the infirmity of mine age may make mee ●…aint , but my integrity shall never faile . now to strenthen your conceit in my recovery ; i shall willingly disclaime my selfe , and ingenuously appeale to iscuros , to deliver his opinion to you my soveraignesse , touching my cure ; with an immutable resolve to redeeme my many mispent houres with a redoubled care. argument . iscuros imparts himselfe to themista ; he on firms her in the opinion of meilixos conversion ; hee perswades her to encourage him in his vertuous designes ; good dispositions are rather to bee cheered than checked , cherished than chastised ; a sweet and well-disposed temper allayes the sharpenesse of a rigid censure : hee assures themista with much confidence of meilixos fidelity and diligence : and that his late alteration well deserves both her affection and estimation . poesie v. madam know meilixos cure is not in show ; then begin , sweetly to encourage him with these times in hi●… vertuous de●…ignes . good dispositions ●…heer'd , n●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cherish'd not chastic'd , for pro●…ciencie . a sweete temper sweet●…ns sharpeness●… of rough 〈◊〉 . rest assur'd of meilixos safely cur'd , that his care will supply th●…se ●…ants that were ; and with fidelity and diligence regaine his honour and your confidence . for of late choice receits have cur'd his state ; do●… not then feare but hee 'l deserve esteeme , andrestore what deprav'd his life before . " such d●…serve best who knowing good and ill , " shunn●… ill , doe good with a resolved will. adverbs crowne all our actions , which excell when we performe good acts , and act them wel . argument . themista becomes infinitely taken with the ●…opefull recovery of her late distempered consuls ; shee causeth vpotomos to bee called forth ; who discovers himselfe by sundry arguments , to be much chang'd from what hee was ; he disclaimes all familiarity with eris , whose malitious nature had corrupted his bloud ; after much importunity hee prevailes with elecmon , who attended on him during his infirmity , to relate to themista the manner of his distemper , & grounds of his recovery . prose v. receits , said themista ! yes ; these are choice receits indeed , and such as minister no lesse comfort to the agent than patient . what exquisite cures are effected , where art is by discretion seasoned ? how variously were these our languihing consuls distempered ? ●…d by what 〈◊〉 experiments recovered ? i●…alous wee were ( and love it ●…as that made us jealous ) of their recovery : wherein art hath performed more than our hopes could expect ; by making wisemen of fooles , and such as were utterly lost in an overweening concei●… of their owne wit , to becom●… sensible of their own●… want sundry effects were produced from these distempers , and no lesse sundry recei●…s applyed to cure their distempered humou●…s . some were wise enough , had they no●… hrough too much arrogance , knowne it too well ; others ●…oo were wise enough , but through too much diffidence , they knew it not well . some so selfe-opinionate , as they could never brooke opposi●…ion ; others so selfe-diffident , as they ever appeal'd from their owne opinion . some were conceited of ●…aving what they had not ; others of not-having what they had . some contemned all dangers , and death it selfe , with more courage , than judgement ; others trembled at the shaking of a reede , preferring the shadow of an opinionate fear●… before all judgement . but to what ●…nd doe we spend th●… time in repetition of thei●… distempers ? that darke cloude of our sorrow i ▪ now dispelled , those duski●… vapours of ●…ur discomfor●… dispersed . now may wee cheerefully breath , when wee live in th●…m , in whom the state may prosperously breath . all other are bu●… secondaries to these comforts . yet , howbeit we are perswaded of the recovery of some , we are not altogether confident of all . wee are yet to take survey of other two ; the one whereof , for severity , the other for security , may equall if not surpasse the examples of any . vpon which words , turning her eye aside , shee caused vpotom●…s to bee celled forth : whom at his first approch , shee thus encountred . now vpotomos , how goes the world with you ? is your boundlesse fury ought attempered ? your dispassi●…nate violence allayed ? can you converse with patience ; or teach your unconfined spirit obedience ? can you suffer in anothers woe ; or rejoyce in a●…others weale ? can you drop a teare with a sorrowfull deli●…quent ; or wi●…h that a poore arraig●…ed captive may prove innocent ? can you favour life with a candide censure ; and take no felicity in denouncing a sentence of rigour . are you so farre from insulting o're a dejected offender , as you can partake in compassion with such a sufferer ? can you cheerefully brea●…h on the face of innocency ▪ and with an attentive ea●…e ▪ heare a wronged planti●…e without roughnesse ? can you put off the dresse of an imperious presence ; and enterteine your equals with mildnesse ? could you wish ; while you sit on your judicia●…l bench , to your prisoners a solemne iubile ; so the state might not suffer ●…hrough such impunity ? could you finde in your heart , personally to suffer for the state ; so the state might not suffer for impiety ? in one word , could you wish rather to bee private and retired ; than to prejudice the state by being eminent or publike ? could you forgoe all honour , to improve your countries fame by your dishonour ? if so , then happy is themista in her vpotomos ; if otherwise , shee must cheerefully content herselfe with the hopefull recovery of the rest of her patients . vpotomos all this while with a grave and well-composed behaviour , gave all attention to his soveraignesse ; and now with a low andre verend salute , kneeling on his knee , as became the majesty of such a person , befo●…e w●…om hee was to 〈◊〉 his discourse , he begun to relate the happy disposure and attemperature of his distem pered humour , after this manner . it is most true , madam , that never any who sate a●… the helme , or st●…r'd the rudder of so ●…lourishing an estate 〈◊〉 a ever subject to more un●…uff rable enormities than i have beene . never i say , was stat●…sman more distempered ●…nd in his distemper mor●… domineered , for what wa●… it i more affected , than t●… have mine owne humour satisfied : which to effect , how much hath the line and level of justice beene made crooked . the course of equity perverted ? hence proceed my tears ! hence my feares ! teares , in a sensible remorse of my guilt ; feares , lest the remainder of mine houres should no●… regaine what my former foliies have lost . nor is the remembrance , madam , of mine actions to any on●… more distastefull , than they are to me hatefull . worthy was that answer of the invincible alexander to his mother ; who desirous to execute an innocent-harmelesse man , the better to prevaile with him , remembred him that herselfe for the space of nine moneths had carried him in her wombe , nourished him with her owne bloud , and painfully laboured in his birth ; and for these reasons hee must not say her nay . aske ( saith hee ) good mother , some other gift of mee , and i will grant it : for the life of a man can by no benefit be recompenced . but how farre was this sentence of just compassion from me estranged ; when i desired nothing more than to inflict punishment equally upon the innocent as on the delinquent ? iulian the apostata once answered very wittily touching the liberty given accusers ; if onely to accuse , it were sufficient , who could be innocent ? but wha●… a free ●…are have i ever given to accusers ? what liberty to their suggestions ? an●… how easily have i credited their improbable surmises ? nothing relished better than thunder and torture . nor did i read any discourse with more delight , than the ex●… inventions o●… those tyrants , who bestowed the●…r time , or allo●…ted large pensions on others in their time , for contriving rare and unheard-of torments , for their supposed delinquents . phereclus , and perillus were ●…y minions ; thei●… projects were my parternes dennis the ●…yrant ( as plutarch witnesseth ) gave his enemies no other torme●…t , but salt meat to eat , and no drinke ro drinke ; and made them labour hard and not sleepe . and these relations were my choicest recreations at retired houres : when either businesse , or state gave way ; or mine owne desires affected repose . yet see ! whatsoever affected mee most by day , ever affrighted mee most by night . those two severe and cruell sentences which my fury had pronounced , were ever to mee in my sleepe in bloudy characters presented . not withstanding all this , demadis i ever taxed , for finding faul●… with draco's lawes , for being writ in bloud : for ( said i ) if offenders cover their foule actions with inke , why should not justice colour them with bloud ? but as the scorpion hath in her the remedy of her owne poyson , by natures secret infusion ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him the punishment of his owne wickednesse , which never leaves to torment and afflict his surprized minde , both sleeping and waking : all which in numerous instances occurred to mee ( if i could have made use of what was presented to mee ) in the tragicke stories of appollodorus , hipparohus , pausanias , and many others , recommended to the memory of approved historians . night ●…y night was i startled with fearfull visio●…s ; presenting the persons of such as had received any cruell censure from mee . yet did i fleight all these visions , as children dreames ; th●… next day begot a new doom ; the scene wherein i acted , was ever tragicall to the delinquent . thus i raigned , ranged and raged , till mine eyes grew inflamed , my stomacke swolne up and puffed ; my bloud , by too much familiarity with eris , a waspish sorceresse , infected . all out of temper ; thus i continued for many moneths together : till your fame-spred artist , to whose especiall care , and effectuall cure , wee were all commended , sought out the grounds of my distemper . intollerable paine i suffered , yet was i scarce sensible of the causelesse which i suffered . all which time , hee omitted no opportunity to restore me to my selfe ; who , howsoever i was seldome drunke , yet was i never mine owne man. nor did hee professe lesse art i●… chyrurgery than physicke : for having by way of incision opened mee , hee tooke a worme out of my gall ; the mainest cause of my distemper . then hee applied cupping-glafses ●…o coole and temper my braine ; the heat whereof had so enraged mee , as no object , were it never so pleasi●…g no●… eye-taking , could delight mee . a diet-drinke too , hee prepared mee , well mixt with ●…he soveraigne ju●…ce of me triot and euchrasia , to remove those pluriticall stitches , wherewith i was incessantly annoyed : ●…pplying withall , oppian plaist●…rs , with a proportionable quan●…ity of the juyce of sunneidesis infused to my stomacke , to repell those fearefull dreames , which so migh●…ly start●…ed and affrighted mee , as not one houres rest could secure mee , one minutes quiet solace mee . these receits by degrees brought mee to some little conceit or apprehension of mine owne distemper ; so as , in short time i was suffered to walke abroad , and to refresh my crazie-co●…sumed body with moderate recreation ; of which i was before debarred , being fast tied , and t●… such strict restraint confined ▪ as i was neither permitte●… to take the benefit of the fresh ayre , nor to enjoy the society of any ; so intollerable was my rage , so boundlesse my fury . and being now in good hope of recovery , which enlarged my late restraint to more liberty ; it hapned one day as i walked in a private garden , purposely a●…lotted mee ( for each of us had ou●… distinct walks , lest our distracted and distempere●…●…umours , upon our encoun●…ring one another , might beget some fearefull inconvenience ) that in the lowest border of the garden , i might see a curious orbell , all of touch , wherein the sy racusan tyrants were no lesse artfully portrayed , than their severall cruelties to life dsi played : nothing was omitted , to discover tyranny in her owne naked feature ; nor expresse cruelty in her truest nature . diamater-wis●… on the other side of the columne stood argestes strucke with thunder , just as hee was pronouncing his bloudy censure . twice had i path'd my border-walke , when this statue first presented it selfe unto mee ; yet with a slight and carelesse eye i passed by it , as if the act of mine owne li●… had no relation at all unto it . but in the end , being alwayes in mine eye , which could not chuse but convey some impressive conceit to mine heart ; i beganne t●… discusse , by way of conjecture , the allusive meaning of these emblemes : which , a●…er some more serious expostulation with mine owne thoughts , i returned in these words . what should this meane vpotomos ? dost thou feele any shaking or shuddering in thine owne flesh , that it should intend any relation to thy s●…lfe ? eye thine owne nature , and compare it with the feature . say , say , vpotomos , what were these syracusan tyrants ? cruell to their foes , and scarce constant to their friends . exquisite for inventing torments to sate their 〈◊〉 , but unapt to incline their eare to a sui●… of mercy . prone to sp●…ll , but slow to spare . such , as never joyed but in a bloudy banquet . the stage , where these acted their inhumane parts , was ever hung about with blacks ; their very private arbours stucke with ebon sprigges , to put them in minde of their blacke designes . but what are all these to thee ? yes , vpotomos , reflect upon thine owne inhumanity , and in these thou shalt finde thine owne a●…atomie . then actions , with change only of time and person , were thine . indeed , they were more eminent , because advanced to an higher orbe of gov●…rnment . but this leffeneth nothing thy guil●… , but ra●…her aggravates thy shame . the higher these werein honour , the more they had to follow their humour . the body o●… greatnesse never walkes without an extensive shadow . but thy command had no such boundier . thy power was confined yet to the highe●…t pin o●… extremity screwed . read then thy selfe in this syracusan piece . but if this worke not effectually with thee , nor enforce those bloud-shot eyes to view thy insatiate cruelty ; then looke on that statue of argestes . wherein observe his quality and vocation ; and thou shalt finde it to side with thine ; his ca●…astrophe and utter ruine , and beware it be not seconded by thine . polo the tragedian ( whose living memory breaths yet to posterity ) acting the part of electra upon the stage , and being mournfully to bring in the bones of her brother orestes in a pot , he brought in the bones of his owne son lately buried , that the sight of them might wring forth true tears indeed , and by the passionate presentment of them , act it more famously . for objects of ocular passion , cannot chuse but work in the actors person . apply this , vpotomos , and that impartially ; here thou seest thine owne life acted in an embleme . let it worke so much true passion in thee , as the fore-past memory of thy selfe may make thee hatefull to thy selfe . let that which thou here seest occularly presented , and to thy selfe properly applied , become a motive to d●…terre thee f●…om what thou formerly so much affected , an inducement to allure thee to what thou lately so much distasted ; a wile to weane thee from what thou so dearly loved ; a lure to win thee to what thou so deeply loathed . delay may b●…get dang●…r ; take hold then of opportunity to prevent this danger . nor did i remit what my resolution had fixt : for so well had physicke corrected mine h●…mour ; and so strongly had these emblemes wrought on my conceit , as i forth with disclaimed all familiarity with eris , from whom arose the very first ground of mine unhappinesse . for her malitious nature it was , had corrupted my bloud , infected my vitall parts , and wholly estra●…ged mee from the sensible ●…eeling or compassionating the infirmities of man. since the sleighting of whose favour , meerely proceeding ●…rom ●…he correction of mine humour , i feele my selfe cleare changed , and quite of another temper : for i am turned all niobe , so as my la●…e relentles spirit is now resolved into teares ; i can wish unto others as to my selfe : commiserate others griefs , as if they had relation unto my selfe : truly imagining , that as i see ●…he image of every man in my selfe , so i am to partake i●… their affections , as if they were presented in my selfe . 〈◊〉 i conceit , nor shall any pleasing pride , sprung from the knowledge of mine owne weaknesse , make mee lesse cautious in shunning all occasion of falling into like infirmities . now elecmon , to you i appeale , with whom friendly importunity is hopefull to prevaile ; that as you are best acquainted with these passages by mee delivered , ( seeing you attended on mee during my infirmity ) so to relate to themista the manner of my distemper , and grounds of my recovery . to which elecmon at the first seemed altogether unwilling , till long importunity had so wonne him , as addressing himselfe to themista , in aesc●…lapius honour , hee related the circumstances of vpotomos recovery , in this manner . argument . elecmon reports what apparant danger hee incurred , so long as vpotomos was distempered : and in his recove ry how much hee was comforted ; hee holds the time bestowed on his attendance , to be a taske of incomparable happinesse : and his absolutest solace , to live and die in his service , hee much feares his desire of retirement from affaires of state ; hee could wish theref●…re themista , as shee tenders the fame and honour of her court , to re-advance him to his former charge , which might conduce to the strength of the state , and her recovery . poesy vi. iust like sea-tossed port-encountred men , recount those dangers which secured them , the n●…m'rous she●…ves , and fate-divining sands , their strange delivery from pyrats hands ; so i now fr●…ed from danger , may relate those perils which environ'd mee of l●…te . see him , whose boundlesse fury once as strong as any tigresse robbed of her young ; or like a raving dogge , if any vext him , without distinction bit at him stood next him , till quite bereftof reason , sense and braines , depriv'd of liberty , confin'd to chaines , hee might not feed of commonaire , nor eye that glorious sunne which cheeres mortal●…ty ! i brought him still to bed , and up againe , and to afford him ease , refus'd no paine . the ranke distemper of his strong disease i strove to curbe , hi●… fury to appease : thus grapled i with danger , to allay what art and physicke now hath ta'ne away . nor am i l●…sse cheer'd in 's recovery , than griefe enthrall'd through his infirmitie . ' the darker that our criticke dayes appeare , " whe●… sunne shuts out , doe ever ●…hine most cleare . for n●…w i hold the time which i bestow'd on ●…is attendance ( for so mu●…h i ow'd ) to be a taske of higher happinesse , than i in outward accents may expresse . nor can there be more solace , still ●…ay i , then in his service both to live and die . for loe ! how his affections are dispos'd ? how sweetly temper'd , and how well compos'd ! his boundlesse fury now h 'as lost her sting , triumphing in a glorious suffering of injuries ; which his conceiving heart beares for improvement of his better pa●…t . his sole desires on goodnesse grounded are ; his patience crown'd ; none in his wrongs must share ; while he disvalues with a smiling please the pressing burden of his injuries . how sensibly it grieves him to retaine the mem'ry of delinquents hee hath slaine by tyrannizing c●…usure ! which appe●…res by this , " no minute but affords some teares . no walks but private solitary groves shut from frequent ; his contempl●…tion loves ; no treatise nor discourse so sweetly please as sacred-secret soule soliloquies . no other resolution h●…e retaines then what proceeds f●…om firme and setl●…d braines ; nor is there ought w●…ich can distaste him more than to affect what he admir'd before . ( temp●…sts send " th' even crownes the d●…y ; cl●…re m●…rnes may " and comick showes may have a tragicke end : but th' sentence is inverted quite with him , whose blosso●…s ever were lesse promising in 's youth , which his distemper'd bound●…esse rage brings to mature perfection in his age . those choice chiefe v●…rtues which adorne a state , should i with m●…rallistse numerate , i might conclude upotomos hi●… brest the cabbinet , where rarest vertues rest : confirm'd by his av●…sion from those who stile them vices friends , but vertues foes . but much i feare hee ha's a fixt desire from state-affaires in private to retire ; which to prevent , themista , as you tender your fa●…'d-courts honour , ●…nd h●…r ancient splendor , so re-advance him to his former place , and cheere his griefe with p●…offer of your grace : which may conduce to make the w●…rld knowne unto your trophies , triumphs and renowne : for a more knowing sage you cannot crave , to store a state with what a state should have . argument . themista in this discourse of vpotomos , conceiveth no small pleasure ; she wonders at the strange alteration of his temper ; shee cals amerimnos to come before her : whom her servant euphorbus found sometime sleeping in a corner ; hee acquaints her , how his decayed memory is restored ; his dull and unactive spirits revived . hee appeales to epimedes , to deliver his opinion to his so veraignesse themista , personally , and po●…itively ▪ touching his nature , temper and recovery prose v. qvestionlesse ( said themista ) under favour , this is not vpotomos , whom you describe after this manner . can a relentlesse disposition bee so soone tamed , as to affect what hee before so mortally hated ? who would not conceive infinit pleasure in the alteration of such a temper ? what a glorious liberty that infranchised mind enjoyes , who puts off man to converse more freely with heaven ? but if wee must beleeve vpotomos nature to bee th●…s altered , wee would faine know where his old condition is now seated . sure , if that ancient pythagorean opinion hold firme , that there is a transmigration of soules into other bodies , there is some body much distempered with his humour : having either left what hee had unto another , or made an exchange with anothers nature . but happy is such a losse , which brings the los●…r gaine ! precious such a change , which admits no change , but to the republike a constant choice ! redoubled is our joy , to re-possesse what our conceit had utterly lost : and to finde in him whom wee held for lost , what wee b●…fore all others incomparably prize . but let us not forget our last consul , though ( perchance ) security hath made him to forget himselfe . which said , shee cals amerimnos to come be●…ore her , whom her servant euphorbus had sometimes found sleeping in a corner : whom shee no soo●…er beheld approaching towards her presence , then shee thus accoasted him . amerimnos , wee should willingly addresse our discourse unto you , all the better to satisfie our selves how those artfull experiments have wrought with you ; which have already produced such admirable effects in the rest of our consuls , who laboured of no lesse dangerous distemper than your selfe . but much wee doubt your drousie attention would dampe our discourse with a sleepie conclusion . much like that over-watcht epicureall 〈◊〉 , who being to give his opinion in a businesse of high consequence , betwixt plaintiffe and defendant , but slept all the time it was in pleading ; as one suddenly awakt , but unprepared of a discreeter answer ; return'd his opinion in the selfe-same element , whereof hee had probably dreamed , in this manner : all cumaea ha's not a piece of sounder ra●…ie wine . this smooth , but smart conceit , caused all such as were there present to bite the lip , but with a secret silent smile to passe the j●…st over , for the reverence of their soveraignnesse , and civill feare , lest they might dash amerimnos out of countenance . but hee little amated , though conscious enough of the quicknesse of the conceit , with a decent and well-composed gesture , after three low congies made to her honour , delivered his minde in these expressions unto her . it is said of the silk-worme ( madam ) that shee surceaseth from spinning for certaine dayes together , that she might after so retired a rest , spinne the better . and charity will judge that i have slept all this time , purposely to watch the longer . though endimion kissed luna on latmos mount , and for a long time together slept in her lap , yet did this sleepy swaine at last returne to his flocke , and redeeme the time by redoubling his care , which his security had lost . i confesse , madam , the whole progresse of my life , hath been a continued sleepe . nothing was ever more opposite to my nature , than to impose my selfe a taske , or some diurnall ●…abour . long epicur●…all feasts were my onely delightfull repasts ; my sole taske was to please my taste ; which made mee ofttimes sleep , when i should have watched for the publike state : so as , those very geese , who with their gagling preserved the capitoll , were more praise worthy in their generation , than the security of my remisse and state retired condition . in cases of iudicature , such as were of necessity to make repaire to my bench , sticked not to say that they came thither as to a lottery ; ●…or causes were there determined at haphazzard , not by equity . for as lawyers pleaded , while i slept and heard not ; so awaking i gave sentence in what i understood not . in a word , the whole state both of my minde and body was grievously distempered . for though mine appetite increased , my digestion failed ; my judgement became weakned ; my memory decayed ; and the whole fabrike of this little man fearefully languished . all which aesculapius , that inimitable artist no lesse observed , and by your graces direction , seasonably prevented . for first , h●…e regulates mee to a prescript diet , with elixir'd broaths every morning to sharpen mine understanding ; hee prepares me next , antiopian plaisters to keepe mee the afternoone awaking ; after these , epimeleian julips laid warme to my temples ; whieh with fumes of strong liquor , were ever aching . these applied , hee injoyned me to abstaine from all strong drinkes , and ( what was most averse from mine hydropick nature ) never to drinke betwixt meales , b●… with my teeth shut . whic●… prescription i no lesse cu●… ningly eluded than evaded , for i practised with a profe●… tooth-drawer , to pull m●… out two of my broadest teeth : by meanes whereof , and the benefit of a can●… though my teeth were shu●… ▪ to observe his direction , i plenteously flowed in mine afternoones potation . hee provides too a night cappe strongly chafed with the lemnian powder of cornu copia ; purposely to make my sleepes shorter , and my conceit stronger . and because hee found by my vrine , and other soporiferous symp●…omes , that my kidneye were overlarded with oyle of dormise ( whose society i ever so much affected , as i admired their condition ) by meanes of sweatings and suffumigations , hee extracted all those viscid and oyly humours . by meanes of these receits so physically applied , i begun to have some little feeling of my selfe ; and to hold up my head , which before , like a perpetuall penthouse , hung drilling and dropping o're my brest , leaving ever some asper●…ions on my venerable skirts . my physitian , who never tyrannized over his patients , but upon their recovery , enlarged their restraint , to solace their weakned spirits with a discreet liberty ; gave directions to my keeper , that i should take the aire , and refresh mine over-wasted , and wearied body with some temperate recreation . this granted me , and walking one day in a delightfull spinet , beautified with shady poplars , i might se●… a curious peece of antique worke , seemingly cut out of a naturall rocke , and over-growne with ivie , to prove her antiquity . the device was this ; an aged man , bearing the name of silenus , sleeping in a cave , matted round with mosse ; round about him were shadowed fruits of all kinds ; and below him silver springs flowing with delicious liquours ; yet still so desirous seemed hee of rest , and so infinitely addicted to sleepe , as hee would not so much as heave up his head either to those luscious fruits , tha●… grew so delightfully dangling above him , nor inclin●… it to those delicious liquours that flowed so plentcously playing under him . neare to this cave was por●…rayed a speckled aspick , with a winding-circling pace , creeping towards him , and shooting out his venomous sting to wound him ; which an industrious emmet obse●…ving , seeks to prevent , by awaking him with a gentle touch , to preserve him from the aspicks mortall sting . long i mused on the depth of this embleme ; wherein i fou●…d such intricacy , the more i dived into it , the shorter i came of it . till one morning ( whom wee no lesse truly than properly cal●… the muses minion , the conceits pregnantest da●…ling ) expostula●…ing with my selfe no lesse seriously than secretly , what this might meane ; i fell into a parley with mine owne thoughts , which i digested and dilivered in this sort . awake , amerimnos , for thou seest here silenus ( and in him thine owne embleme ) long since awaked . how ! silenus ! in a cave sleeping , with fruits growing above him ▪ fountaines flowing under him ; an aspick creeping towards him ; and a wary emmet with a friendly smart awaking him ! what may all this meane ? thou canst not see thy selfe , amerimnos , but thou must needs understand it . silenus , that mirrour o●… security , whose whole life was an incessant sleepe ; whose cave was his commonweale ; and whose sole delight was in a senslesse sur●…er . silenus , who neither thought of combustions abroad , nor factions at home ; desiring nothing more than to fare well without care taking ; reape without labouring ; live wi●…hout loathing ; enjoy without ●…uffering . now reflect upon thy selfe , am●…rimnos , and see what affinity thou hast with silenus ! what hast thou done but spent thy time in a car●…lesse slumber ? how remisse in thy charge ? how respectlesse of thine honour ? didst thou ever ( to unrivet this embleme ) partake of those rich fruits growing ab●…ve thee ; state-affaires , employments o●… publike safety ? or sip o●… those chrystall-gliding rivolets flowing under thee , those low rils , humble soules , objects of compassion and pity ? no ; thes were estranged from thee ; thy onely taske was fruitlesse security . thus thou slept , while the subtill aspick takes advantage on thy mis-employed privacy . for loe ! with a snakie pace hee drawes towards thee , purposely to sting thee , and that mortally : did not the emmet ( that native embleme of industry ) with a friendly remembrance raise and rouze thee . make use of this then to thy benefit , lest by neglecting the opportunity offered , thou become irreparably lost and ruined . which , the better to effect , make industry thine harbinger ; temperance thy caterer ; moderation thy monitor : so shalt thou not onely redeeme the time thou hast lost ; but bestow the remainder that is left , to the benefit of the state , and improvement of thine honour . nor did the impression of this embleme work on mee , as other presentments usually doe ; which , as in eying objects in a glasse , are no sooner left than lost : for as by those receits formerly applyed , my decayed memory became restored ; my dull and unactive spirits revived ; my love to employment inflamed : so the sight of tha●… ●…bleme hath so powerfully wrought on my thoughts , as i am rosolved ( nor doe i feare but heaven will ever breath on such divine resolves ) with this small remainder of dayes that are left , to redeeme the time i have lost . for i hold nothing lesse seemely than one who is ancient in yeares , and hath no other argument to shew for his age , but his yeares . this then , seeing practise is the lise of knowledge , shall be my position . " no day without a line ; no line wi●…hout a rule . this my couclusion : " i could wish , that as i spent my former time in sleepe , i might now addresse mee to continuate action without sleepe : if it might stand with the conservation of natu●…e , without rest to endure labour . but modesty bids mee to bee spare in mine owne approvement , being to r●…ceive life and light , not from ours but others judgement . i appeale then ●…o epimeles , to d●…liver his opinion to you my soveraignesse , personally , positively , and impartially , touching my nature , temper , and recovery . argument . epimeles appointed amerimnos k●…eeper , declares what long sleeps hee had before hee could bee awakt , during his distemper ; how shortly after his recov●…ry , hee was a cocke to all the family ; lastly , in all submission upon reflex had to his diligence and discretion , hee holds amerimnos service not any way derogating from themista's reputation . poesie vii . nature bids us sleepe and wake , amerimnos did not thi●… , hee a lasting nap would take , and to sleep●… confine his blisse : long coutinued were his dreames , " uices ever hunt extreames . in a silent shadie bower , usually would hee repose , clad with sweet-breath'd sycomour , chaf'd with buds of damaske rose : where secure , hee quite forgate both his owne and publike state. till of late by secret art and inimitable skill , his physitian did impart such a prom●…tnesse to his will ; as 't is rare what hee attempts by his rich experements . for rest●…r'd security from all businesse estrang'd , ranking now with industry is to vigilancie chang'd : crane nor hinde can either bee watchfuller in launes , than hee . resty and unactive once was his body earth-opprest , clotted was his aged sconce , for employment now addres●… : for since his rec●…very , hee 's a cocke to th'family . lastly , lowly with submission ▪ and reflex to diligence , i doe hold that h●… discretion , constance service , vigilance shall no way detract but sut●… with themista's high repute . argument . themista with a princely affectionate grace receives her late distempered , but now recovered consuls into her favour : and recalling parthenius from exile , creates him prime consul . shee gives the charge ; wherein she declares what the state requires at their hands ; and how they may advance their countreyes glory by this their restauratio●… and recovery ; closing , shee vowes to erect a lasting trophy to aesculapius memory . an epitome of the whole . this section trencheth mainly upon these two subjects ; the consvls charge , with themista's trivmph ; in the expression of her consuls recovery and restauration . with parth●…nivs his reduction from exile and reauguration . prose vii . clouds so clearly dispersed ; distempers ▪ so soundly cured joyes so unexpectedly tendred ( said themista ) cannot not chuse but worke strange effects upon our conceit . for as griefes before thought lessen their burden ; so 〈◊〉 reduced to joyes , 〈◊〉 our affection . to finde what probability tels us wee may finde , can never over-joy us ; but to finde what all possibili●…y discourageth us to finde , must needs infinitely in●…rance us . which spoke , with a princely affectionate grace , shee received her late distempered , but now recovered consuls into her favour : conferring upon them , according to their distinct qualities , distinct honours . which conferred , making a sudden stop , as if somewhat had beene left undone , which she intended , shee unfolded her resolves in this sort . wee have read ( quoth she ) that an experienced generall is worth a whole army ; an expert mariner the succour of a navie ; a discreet master the honour of his family . yea , that an army of harts with a lion to their leader , is better than an army of lions with an hart to their commander . lest therfore , you my revived consuls , should like the bird ibis , receive the excrement you have egested , by returning to the vomit you have relinquished , our purpose is to recall our trusty and welbeloved parthenius from exile , where hee hath beene too long de●…ained ; and to create him prime-consul , as his actions have ever merited : seeing his defence of goodnesse was the onely cause hee became proscribed . which directions given , that hee should bee forthwith called home , to the end , her late-reformed senators might bee better informed , and in their good resolves confirmed ; with a gracefull reverend aspect mounting her judiciall throne ( having first commanded cletor the pretorian cryer , with three o's ace to command silence ) shee addressed herselfe to a publike prepared charge , in the assembly of her consuls , with an huge confluence of other plebeians , after this manner . it is not unknowne ( grave iusticiaries ) how upon our especiall trust reposed in you , wee did sometimes make choice of you to bee of our commission , to execute justice , and to doe your country & us all faithfull service . but how remisse you were in your care , how neglectfull of your charge , wee will not here relate : for it shall bee our glory to see our perishing hopes revive in your recovery . but what is it to suffer incision , corroding powders , or experiments above humane sufferings ; and through distemper to make all these receits uselesse , by giving free issue to those rancorous wounds , which before were closed . if statues bee not daily wiped , they will with dust become blemished : so , if those impressures of manly vertues , which you now seemingly retaine , bee not afresh revived , and by all industrious meanes preserved , your glory will become darkned , your memory obscured . you hold it unseemly to stampe your princes image in base mettall : and what lesse doe you , when you staine our purest robes of justice , with your impurest actions ? o my patritians ; should you but consider how much wee tender our honour , which receives not her beauty from any outward lustre , but from the inward purity of her divinest nature ; no doubt but you would suffer the worst of all extreames , before you would incline by the crooked line of your actions , to blemish so royall and reall a beauty . yea , should you but thinke in what neare obligements you stand engaged to ou●… bounty , 〈◊〉 whence , after your first-being , you ●…ave received your well-being ; no doubt but you would ing nuously agnize ( if thankfulnesse retained the least touch or tincture in you ) that you stood more bound ●…o our grace for your breeding , than to your naturall 〈◊〉 for your first-being . for if any one love his carnall father , from ●…hom hee onely had a mortall body , how much ought hee to love such an one , from whom hee shall receive immortall glory ? if so much a mother , who brought him a man full of miseries into this world ; how much more one , who shall conduct him full of joyes into another world ? if so much your carnall brethren , who by partaking with you in an earthly inheritance , make you poorer ; how much more on●… , who by conferring on you a●… heavenly inheritance , shall make you richer ? if so much a sonne , for whom you so much labour , not knowing whe●…her you may perfect ought in him that may deserve your favour ; or whether hee will hereafter reverence you as a father ; or whether he will oppose you , or render evill unto you for the good hee hath received from you ; how much more one , who will eternally reward & recompence you , for a few houres service received from you ? if so much a wife , who ( perchance ) loves another better than you ; how much more such an one , who will never estrange her from that love shee beares you ? for us , you are especially to love , without whom no civill society can either subsist or live . all which may bee easily proved by this necessary consequence . for if you love him so much , who bestoweth a portion of his estate on you ; how much more such an one , who could finde in his heart to leave friends and kinsfolks , and to goe into a strange countrey ; yea , to engage their owne body to gaine you liberty ? now have not wee expressed our love amply in arguments of this ●…ature ? have wee not left our owne native countrey ( those beauteous mansions of astraeas glory ) for your succo●…r , sa●…ety and security ? have you not recovered through us , what you had once lost ; to the end you might become happy through that , which you valued least ? but wee will not upbraid you with our courtesies ; bee it your care now after the dispatch of your cure , that this judiciall place , whereto you are now restored , may bee by your actions dignified ; the pulike state , where you are deputed , rectified ; and your many neglected houres , with a numerous supply of vertues , carefully redeemed , which the better to effect , two things bee solely necessary : an unspotted conscience towards your selves ; and an untainted fame in respect of others . by which meanes , you may not onely redeem●… time , but improve your own fame , to the imitable example of others . nothing , you know , more precious than time ; ye●… what more disvalued ? no thing more perillous than neglect of opportunity ; yet how easily incurred ? bee the expence then of your houres , your constantest cares . and because medicines ever worke best by their contraries ; and vices are ever best cured by their contrary vertues : whatsoever you shall finde in you irregular , prevent the growth by a seasonable remover . vices can never possibly bee cured , unlesse they bee curbed : nor ever supplanted , unlesse they bee timely weeded . which the better to effect , it shall be now ou●… task briefly and plainly to addresse our discourse to each of you in particular ; that by a more free survey or discovery of your nature , you may become masters of your owne passions , and better rectifi●…rs of your errours . and to you first , metoxos , ( to observe order ) whose very name renders partiality , a vice whereto you have been addicted naturally . lysanders saying was this , c●…ildren must bee deceived by dice and blanks , men by oaths . now sir , open your owne naked bosome , and there examine your selfe , how your behaviour hath beene in the management of your place ! how many have you deluded with promises ; nay , seconded those bare promises with bold oaths , that you would stand for them in the justnesse of their cause , by defending them against the enmitie of powerfull opponents ? but how soone were those golden promises dissolved , when apparent hope of reward was presented ? so prevalent was the power of gaine , as it caused innocencie to give place to guilt . now reflect upon this , metoxos , with your cleare eyes ; for before they were bleared with rewards : and stretch out your hand to th●… releefe of the poore , but draw it in from receit of bribes . and take ever along with you those two sayings o●… two grave sages ; doe no thing for love of money : and , staine not justice with partiality . what untimely , but deserving fates , some , even of your profession have encountred , whose tongues wer●…●…ipt with gold , and mad●… gaine their goale ; might be●… instanced in sundry personages of eminent ranke , bu●… ignominious life . some whereof have b●…ene suddenly stabbed ; others privat●…ly strangl●…d ; others openly pistoled by their injured plaintiffes , whose unredressed wrongs winged their enraged fury with too speedy revenge . nor were these scarce bemoaned while they perished . and of these our roman annals are plenteous in examples . amongst which , nothing more bloudy than that slaughter which was made by the germans upon ●…heir revolt from the roman empire , through the woods a●…d marishes ; nothing more intollerable than the insultings of the barbarous , speci ally ( to instance the evenging aimes of popular fury ) against the pleaders at the barre , plucking out the eyes of some , and lopping off the hands of othersome ; one had his mouth stitcht up , after his tongue was first cut out , which the savag●… actor grasping in his hand , said to it ; thou viper , at last give over hissing . so implacable was the fury of a barbarous nation , upon innovation of government , against persons of your profession . which , as it is an honour to that state , where justice is equally administred ; so it detracts from her , where partiality is priviledged . but admit , these forraine instances should not worke strongly enough upon your conceit , metoxos ; draw homeward , by recalling to mi●…de that tragicke story of sisambres , so m●…sically descanted by harmonius : with those pleasing paeans of thankfulnesse delivered by isotes . now to you , epimonos , whose very name displayes your pertinacious nature ; be never so tied to your owne opinion , as to avert your ●…are from reason . how can hee ever possibly improve himselfe , who shuts his attention from all but himselfe ? to what purpose were counsels or assemblies of state , if one mans private opinion should bee onely delivered , and all others silenced ? learne then ( for this lesson will infinitely profit you ) to submit your selfe to others judgement , to humble your selfe in others approvement ; for so by hearing others , you may become enabled in that wherein you are naturally most defici●…nt . nor will it bee amisse , while others read books , for you to read men ; even that unhappiest of men , m caelius , so passinately described by harmoniu●… : with those soule-reviving epods of your epieicies . for you , vperephanos , whose name suted well with your thoughts ; as your cure seemed to us of greatest difficulty , so you give us no lesse occasion to joy in your recovery . the foolish are ever taken most with arrogance and applause ; and such was your condition . whose unconfined greatnesse could not want his parallel shadowes to follow it . but these deceitfull sycophants , who make pretences employers of all their senses , are not unlike the herbe sardonius , of which solinus reports , that it maketh th●… eaters thereof to looke as if they laughed , but in laughing die . properly may wee stile them brokers of old stuffe , or barterers of contemptible ware : who sell their masters at any rare for their owne advantage . antisthenes said truly of them , that it was better to fall into the clawes of ravens , than such ●…ame rooks : for ravens feed onely upon dead carkasses , but flatterers upon living men . alexander severus ( a great enemy to these ) caused his corrupt courtier turinus in the open market to be fastned to a stake , and and stifled with smoke ; the cryer thus crying to the people , let him perish with that hee sold to the parish . so dealt dionysius with his damocles , by ever putting him in perill of his life ; lest his perillous practises should endanger the state. but a kinde physitian ever contends with the disease , but never contests with his patient ; beware of these , vperephanos ; you are now set againe on your feet : for inclining to them may bring you to an untimely fate . " deere are ever most fearfull in their best laires : doe not in the fatnesse of your estate feed them , lest they feed on you , whose immeriting favour did first raise them . lay aside the presence of contempt and disdaine ; put on an affable and humble countenance ; bee full of comfort to an oppressed client : so shall these honours re-conferred on you , become permanent . envie , the soules impostume , eating up the heart and marrow of her master , let it never nestle in your bosome : rejoyce ever in others risings ; so may princely compassion steere your course , and shield you from ruine . in a word , demeane your selfe thus , and good men will love you ; the evill stand in feare o●… you ; and the whole state , upon acknowledgement of your integrity , honour you . meane time , bee not forgetfull of the heavie fate of pytheas , so pithily chanted by harmonius : which , if it taste of too much heavinesse , allay it with those divine aires of your tap●…inos . for you , meilixos , whose very name resolves it selfe into pusillanimity , the onely ground of your infirmity , raise your selfe from earth , and eye the place to which you are advanced . the quaile ( a bird on whose nature reflect sundry mysterious emblemes ) as hee flies over the sea , feeling himselfe beginne to bee weary , lights by the way into the sea : then lying at one ▪ side , hee layes downe one wing upon the water , and holds up the other wing towards heaven : lest hee should presume to take too long a flight at the first , hee wets one wing : lest hee should despaire of taking a new flight afterwards , hee keepes the other wing drie . apply the morall to your selfe ; so shall you neither faint too much , by distrusting your weaknesse : nor pride your selfe too much in the discharge of this publike service . which done , as wee are confident of you , so shall you finde us none of those unthankfull ones , to sucke your milke like mules , and then to kicke you with our heeles . wee know well how to bestow our favour to the proportionable merit of every ones labour . looke up cheerfully then meilixos ! let not an imperious grande , who sets his face in his ruffe ; knits his browes ; and with winks and nods deciphers his command , over-awe you ; nor make your tongue falter in pronouncing his distastefull censure . for in any cause wherein you desire to please us , you are not to feare evill men ; whose course hath beene ever opposite unto us . thales compared lawes to spider-webs : but such are ever to bee spunne in a corrup●… state. ours are * speaking lawes , that dare tax a delinquent , bee hee never so potent ▪ and herein shew you●… resolution : that our state may see you truly changed , and worthy the supportance of that charge wherein you are entrusted . but especially retaine in minde the sad story of melotes , sung so lately to you in such apt measures by harmonius : whose pensive straines you may sweeten with tho●…e musicall measures , of iscuros . now , for you , vpotomos , in whose very name was portrayed the rough scene of your life ; and whose steeled heart could sometimes , like a spring-locke , shut it selfe , but never open to the least thought of compassion : as you have go●… a niobe in your eye , and a philomels thorne to your brest : so addresse your selfe to mercy , and never hereafter give receit to cruelty . demosthenes being demanded what men had , that most resembled god ? he answered , to be charitable , and embrace the truth . retaine in you this resemblance , so shall your place receive more honour from you , than you from it . for as justice is ( as all other vertues be ) a meane betwixt two extreames ; lenity & severity : so we rather incline to his censure , who mixeth justic●… with favour , than his , who thundreth nothing but iudgement & rigo●… . o how hatefull hath the very name of cruelty bin in all ages ! which , howsoever som●… parasites , for the tyrants sake , have sometimes applauded , they as soon cōdemned ? antiochus was at one time saluted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a glorious prince , and a furious tyrant . and plutarch reporteth , that when dionysius the tyrant , asked the wise men of his court which copper was the best ; antiphon answered very readily , that in his opinion that was the most excellent , whereof the athenians had made the pictures of the two tyrants , * armodius and aristogiton : implying , that their statues were to bee preferred before their persons ; their buriall before their government . there is nothing that may more highly content us , than to see the members of our * family , affably pleasing , seasonably thriving , prosperously succeeding , mildly reproving . yea , know vpotomos , that it is the part of a good man , to bee able to say , that hee hath rather spared , where he might have spilled ; than to have spilled , where he might have spared . especially , where good natures are brought on the stage , who are commonly wonne more by clemency , than severity ; by affabilit y and favour , than extr●…mity and rigour . put on then a more lovely looke ; ●…uit your selfe with a more lightsome dresse . shew l●…sse fire in your eye ; lesse fury in your heart . estrange your selfe from the company of eris ; inure your memory to the censorious fate of aeacus , so lively chanted by harmonius : ever now and then refreshing your rectified disposition with those ●…ree and friendly expressions of elecmon . lastly , to you amerimnos , a drowsie name for a watchfull centinell ; whose secure sleepe would have ruined the most flourishing state. after so long a sleepe , you must now prepare your selfe for as long a watch. better w●…re it never to enjoy life , than to make life a continued image of death . now sleepe & death are termed two sisters ; and night the mother of them both . the poet called one of the sonnes of sleep , 〈◊〉 , a terrifier of men . what then might you bestiled , amerimnos , whose ●…ole felicity was security ; and in a lasting dreame , summed up the dayes of your mortality ? what was this else , but to make a trifle of time ; and to bestow the precious oyl●… of your life , on the 〈◊〉 delights of sloth ? much better it were not to be , than fruitlesly to bee . but where the evening can make no good account of the day , youth must needs runne in great arrerages with age. now , such an one may more properly be said to have slept a long sleepe , than to have led a long life . for what should life bee but a continued day-taske ? where , as eternity depends on a moment ; so should this moment of time ever addresse it selfe to eternity . for know , howsoever this temporall sunne which you here see with your eyes ; and directs you in your journals and wayes , after it hath set , may rise againe : yet when the sunne of your life shall once set , never looke for a rising of it here againe : being once closed , it becomes for ever to this life darkned and benighted . time lost cannot then bee redeemed ; nor the fruitlesse ex●…nce of your profuser houres regained . it is said of demonax , a philosopher who flourished in the time of adrian , that he naturally eschewed money and solitarinesse : which wee never remember , but wee wish that metoxos our first consul , and you amerimnos the last in order , had equally partaked of his nature : that as disesteeme of the one might have begotten in him an hate to cove●…ousnesse : so your dislike of the other might sharpen your desires to a love of businesse . but as in him an●…●…he rest , so in you , amerimnos , bee our wishes crowned ; for wee see your desires how much they are to employment enflamed ; and how your lateunactive spirits become now quickned . nor doe wee doubt , but that these good re●…olves by your constant endeavours , will grow so richly improved , as wee shall have cause to apply the saying o●… that famous athe●…ian to you ; you had perished , had you not perished . for as his youth was exposed to all sensuality , wantonnesse and lib●…rtie , so hee excelled in the maturitie of his time , in policie , martiall prowesse and vertue . bee it then your honour ●…o shunne whatsoever may redound to your dishonour . neglect no opportunitie , whereby you may any way benefit the state . apply you●… selfe to that publike service ; the discharge whereof may produce in you incomparable solace . make choice onely of such for your acquaintance , where you have hope either to better them , or to be bettered by them . a●…d be not too familiarly versed in the works of aristom●…chus : they treat too much of wine , but too little of wit. lastly , remember that fearefull distemper of messala corvinus , with the dishonour of lazie margites , rendred in that dainty canto of harmonius : which you may discreetly temper with those industri ous dimensions of epimel●…s . now , as out of our princely and affectionate grace , we have received you our late distempered , but now recovered consuls , into our favour : and here given you in charge , how you are to demeane your selves in affaires of state ; with a free declaration of what the state requires at your hands : and justified ●…ithall , upon all and every such particular defects , whereto you were formerly subject : so now our exhortation shall bee , that you bee cautious of a relapse . and to the end you may lesse erre in your affaires , ever submit your selves to the discreet advice of parth●…nius ; whom i have purposely placed over you , not onely in matters of doubt and difficulty to resolve you , but in all your deportments of state , to informe you . experience is a good mistresse ; and so anciently and irreproveably hath hee borne 〈◊〉 in businesse of state , wherin we have ever employed him ( till in our absence some libertines of our time had exiled him ) to his honour , and our improvement ; as none ever yet knew him , were they never such rigid censors of others actions , who could justly tax him , eithe●… of partiality to friend , or pas sion towards his foe . receiv●… him then ; for it shall not derogate from your wisdomes to have embraced such a patriot , who makes the publike good his highest object . now , whereas wee have here set you as beacons or watch-to●…ers to foresee danger from a farre , and timely ●…o prevent it before it come to our doores , you are hence to understand , how all mens eyes are on you ; and how light errours in you are most irregular , because exemplar . drops are but small things , yet joyned together , they will in time rise to a river . graines of sand are but small bodies , yet if much sand bee heaped together , it not onely presseth , but oppresseth the under-lyer . y●…e say , you have a voided grand crimes ; take heed yee be no●… overwhelmed with small sands . time is precious unto all , but most unto age : for where few houres are allotted , fit it were that they were well bestowed . bee yee then men of that setled ▪ seasoned , and well-composed temper , as to fix and terminate your thoughts on that sole-soveraigne good , which may fully close , s●…ale and sate your desires . for tell us , good fathers , what can be a more contemptible thing than man , if hee erect not his thoughts above man ! so , as the very locust or grashopper ( creatures of emptinesse and feare ) are no greater slaves to the wind than man. how varying in his resolves ; how delaying in his performance ; being oft-times prevented by death , before hee beginne what hee so long resolved ? but of all ages , most varying is hee in age : which we may properly illustrate by this similitude : when the sunne is in the meridian , and the beames of it perpendicular to our bodies , shadowes change not suddenly ; but when it beginnes to decline to the fall , every moment almost , they vary . mans life is a spanne ; a narrow spanne , which hee shall n●…ither fall short off , nor exceed ; no , not one little or point of it ; not the br●…adth of the smallest haire , or atome ; no , not the 〈◊〉 gothsimere ▪ or any other extenuate or imaginary thi●…nesse whatsoever . now , how should any man , if endued with naturall capacity , think but this vapour of smoke , this light-vading breath , may promise to it selfe any long continuance ; especially , when the threed of life is not onely spunne thinne , but worne small ? when age goes poring on the ground , as if hee were looking for some place where he should lie ? but hope of living long is that universall antidote , that makes many a mithridates venture on poyson . of this both age and youth doe equally surfet . for no decrepit groundling is so old , but hee hopes hee may live one yeare longer . but higher bee our hopes in you , who hold that life to bee most blessed , wherein whatsoever is best , is both loved and injoyed . these , as most deluded mor●…alls commonly bee , being fed with a deceiving hope of living long , become altogether secure of living well : whereas you , who preferre a good life before a long life , and esteeme nothing worthy prizing here , but what may highly conduce to your safe conduct elsewhere : make no other aestimate of life , then as of a scene ; which being wel and bravely performed , crownes th●… exit with an applause . the best and principallest blessing confirmed by the authority of herodotus in cleobulus and biton , trophonius and agamedes ? and that pithy conclusion of silenus , who being taken prisoner by king midas , pai●…d this ransome , teaching the king the best thing , that might chance any man , was never to bee borne , the next to die as soone as might bee . what are we then to think of you , who being borne to the state , live to support it , love to advance it , and rejoyce to see it ? implying an auspicious birth , a gracious life , ever expiring with a glorious cloze . bee your lives then long or short , they cannot redound to your shame , because employed to the improvement of the state. live you would not , but for it ; and dye you would willingly to secure it . the most potent princes that ever breathed , have showne but weake prerogatives against fate ; nought but vanitie was to bee attributed to them , retained they never so much earthly glory on them , who dwelled in houses of clay , whose foundation was in the dust , which are crushed before the moath . were they never so numerously attended ; with the bankes and barres of the sea surrounded ; at home and abroad secured ; yet could they not from mortality be●… exempted . which no sooner seazed on them , than they were soonest left by those , who seemingly clove the closest to them . now , what were these temporizing fawnes , but such as made dialls of their masters ? so long as the sunne shone on them , and could afford them a shadow , they lookt on them ; but no sooner had the sun left them , than they were left by them . so quickly they past by them with a carelesse neglect , from whom they expected no further benefit . but vertues are your attendants , which will survive the memory of all monumentall structures . thus you have heard ( to draw in our sailes , and apply our oares to the shore ) how the reputation of a state is preserved by a wise councel ; and how you may advance your countreyes glory by this your restauration & recovery : be it then your task to put in practise what you have heard . never was their fairer opportunity offered : nor an ampler reward for a shorter service , t●…ndred . now then , in this your evening send out some beamelins of your deserving . that as iustice , whom you serve , is compared in beauty to the evening starre , so you may show your selves beautifull starres in the evening . short is your labour , perpetuall shall be your honor . cheerefully then entertaine the one that you may more happily enjoy the other . now to cloze with thankfulnesse ( for ungratefull are they who will not ingenuously acknowledg such ample curtesies ) wee vow by themista's throne , to erect a lasting trophie to aesculapius memory ; that succeeding ages may record how ready wee were to requite . so wee leave you , but never leave to love you , so you love the state , for whose service and solace wee have re-advanced you . so themista ascended ; her senators descended ; where their office of iustice became so well discharged , as it was well for the state that her consuls madded , being ever after better mannaged , than before such time as they fel first distempered . finis . oper●… de nobis testantur nostra , etiamsi taceant nostri . the life of mariano silesio , the approved author of this worke. excellence of spirit is best exprest when most opposed ; nor is there any better exercise than opposition , to set a true edge on resolution . this might bee instanced to life in the life of mariano silesio ; who ever armed himselfe with the smoothest brow against the roughest braves of fortune . a florentine borne ; generously descended ; and gracefully endowed . seasoned he was with the elements of all learning ; wherein he became so highly improved , as his rare expressions , relishing of no inferiour spiri●… , rendred ●…im both admired and loved . yet in that affluence of friendly observe●…s , he●… wanted not some priva●…e detractours ; wh●… the mor●… they laboured to dirk●…n his lustre , the more they lost their labour : and ( what they least expected ) gave spreading wings to hi●… fame and honour . much of his youth hee spent in court-attendince ; where he bestowed more pretiou●… houres in usefull observance , than youthfull dalliance . so as that very place , which commonly becomes an effeminatour of o●…hers , bec●…me an improver and rectifier of his manner●… . complie hee could not with corruption ; nor affect that , which in the eye of vertue deserved not approbation . insomuch as , being one day in the court of florence , and hearing a lady of suspected fame m●…ch admired for her agility and quicknesse in dan●…ing , replied , my admiration shall cloze in this ; o that a soule so heavie , should present so light a body ! an inimit able faculty hee had for elegance of phrase in prose and an incomparable facillity for neateness●… of invention and ●…weetnesse of dimen●…onin v●…rse . both which with such a free-streaming current naturally flowed , as with a pleasing disdaine they scorned to be forced . w●…ich caused him to he●… much imployed in hi●… yo●…nger yeares , in the invention and setting forth of court-maskes and other princely presentments ( impressiv●… obiects of i●…finite d●…light to refined spirit●… ) all which hee perf●…rmed with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of art ; as no place but hold it selfe honoured by his person ; nor , no 〈◊〉 too amply extended , to ●…nlarge hi●… pe●…sion . albeit , o●…t of the freedome and largenesse of his mind , he would ever re●…urne this ans●…r ●…o such liberall b●…stowers : it will d●…raact from the muses to bee mercinari●…s : and , liberall art●… should have lib●…all hearts ▪ and slow re●…eivers . hee could never 〈◊〉 vulgar prais●… , nor titular applause , drawne from selfe-●…ffectation or that ambiti●…us gro●…nd of g●…ining opinion . th●… he styl'd opini●…e idol●…try , ●…hich transformed selfe ▪ ●…y into a desperate frenzie . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w●…nt t●… say of poggius and pierus , two reputed wits in those dayes ; that hee could not endure poggius conceit , because it made too bold with heaven ; nor pierus , because he ●…sted to much of earth . so●…ne after his retire from court , hee matcht himselfe in a noble family . a consort so exquisitely accomodated , and richly adorned with all gracefull perfections , as her name , like some precious perfume , still preserves her memory in florence . but see the mut●…bility of humane happinesse ! shortly made death an exchange with his choice : to whose vertuo●…s memory hee addressed his continuate anniversaries . poems of an high and enlivened spirit : where every stanza reteines his owne native weight ; and expresseth its own th●…ught without an enforced state . with such obs●…quious teares , and choice funerall composures , hee discharged that ex●…quiall office , which hee , devoted to her memory , was owing , and of whose divine vertues hee was so much enamoured , living : as h●… expressed ( nor were his expressions feag●…d ) in these lines by him addressed to her , during his remove from ●…er : health crowne mine hop●…s in thee , for in thine health , mine health , helpe , hope consist ; my weale , my wealth . after her death , hee became a recluse neare to the cliffs of arpina , north-west from corcyra ; where his friends resorted to him , in hope to weine him from that course , by propo●…ing to him many eminent favourites in court , and to bring him backe to florence : but his fixt resolves on retirement , returned them this answer : diswade me not ; for nee'r could i bestow such freedome on my better part as now ; where th' duke himselfe , were hee not th' man hee is , would wish in 's heart but to enjoy my blisse : whose choice content affords me so much power , as i may vye with greatest emperour . but fearing the solicitous importunity of such prevalent friends , ( powerfull advocates to a relenting nature ) with much secrecy , ●…ee removed into a part more desert and remote , wherewith a selfe-contenting privacy , hee bestowed the remainder of his daies in contemplation : s●…ling his portell with this inscription : invisvs video . to describe him , ●…ee was of a middle stature ; plea●…ing countenance ; gratefull pres●…nce ; present discourse ; pregnant wit ; rich fancy ; rare memory ; an affable disposition , though naturally a little subject to passion ; which hee ever so sweetly tempered with discretion , as it never overmastered reason . to such an excellent soveraingty in the command of his affections had hee aspired , as his inner-house to no disquiets stood engaged . sundry workes ▪ during the time of his retire ; hee composed ; wherein were expressed such height of wit and clearenesse of judgement , as they received the character of divers tongues . amongst which , hee tooke especiall care , that this worke should bee fairely transcribed , and sent to florence ; where it was entertained with such esteeme , as it received a double honour , both for its owne worth , and memory of the author . his last dying words , or invitation of death ( as is reported ) were these : i have got my-selfe , as much out of the world as i could , though not so much as i would ; come then my friendly messenger , and take me out of this creeke , where i have hitherto retired , that after so long bondage , i may be freed . hee lived to a ripe age ; being both in yeares and vertues numerous . vpon the errata's . the genuine translator of this ingenio●… author , was wholly absent from this . 〈◊〉 . for themista's court , whereof this subject tr●…ats , excluded thes●… errors f●…om all cure . this may serve for his excuse . besides , it was divided upon severall presses ; no marva●…le if ●…e suffer in the one or 〈◊〉 . be it your cand●…r to cleare it ; upon this ingenious condition , that the next impression shall redeeme it . praelia militibus constant , & prela figuris ; hinc indispositis error vbique lo●…is . errata . in ter . test. auth. in some coppies , for fam●… . read fawne . lib. . pag. . lin . vlt. for the r. your . ib. p. . ●… ▪ p●…nult . for rumerous r. numerous . lib . p . l. . for incapably r. incapable . ib. p. . l. . for hee , r. bee . ib. p. for theotmius , r. th●…otimus . ib. p. l. for to , r. of . ib. p. . & . figures misplaced . lib. . p. l. for treopagus , r. are●…pagus . ib. p. . l. . a word undivided . ib p. . & . figures misplaced . lib . p . l. . for epimomos , r. epimonos , ib. p. . l. ●… . a line transposed . ib. p. . l. . for they , r. thy . ib p. . stanza's undivided . ib. p. . l. . for causelesse , r. cause for ( a meere inversion of sense . ) ib. p. . letters in sundry lines disjoynted . ib. p. . l. . for epieicies , r. epieices . ib. p. . l. : for . evenging , r. revenging . ib. . l. . for iustified , r. insisted . for the litterall errors , i leave them to the penne of the candide reader to amend them . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e this aut●…or differs from the f●…rmer 〈◊〉 th●… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a -e this summary was by the 〈◊〉 ●…refixed , that these names●…uiting ●…uiting with the natures of these persons heere pres●…nted , might be explaned . h●… displaye●… these nu●… distempers , by branching them into d●…stinct fi gure , as may appe●…re in the second booke . notes for div a -e * here the originall transcribed ann. dom. . fr●…ely g●…anceth at the corruptions of that pres●…nt state : which by a long cessation f●…ō arms with the cilic●…ans abroad , and genueses at home , was growne to that fulnesor surfet , rather , of peace ; as plenty the fostermother of security , had begot in thē with their affluence of wealth , a confluence of vi●…e . vid. vit . mar. sil. no greater argument of ●… corrupt state , ●…han 〈◊〉 of m●…rit . * endymion vero si fabulas audire volumus , n●…sclo quando in latm●… obdormivit , nondum ut opinor experrectus . cicero lib. . tuscul ▪ quaest . as sergius galba . chi ha bianco ●…avallo , & bella moglie no viue mai sansa doglie . diocl●…siā dalmata . ☜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hominem fragilem non faciu●…t , sed qualis si●… , ostendunt . kemp. * philia . dusnoia . aneleuteria . * this story is raised to his full height and postu●…e , in that historicall discourse , entituled , the politike leader . * ista liquescens pluvia , lavet peccati diluvia . doleat reus , ut deleat deus . ☞ sicut pro●… probitas ipsa est prae●…ium : ita impro●… nequitia ipsa est supplici●…m . 〈◊〉 . de con●…ol philos . hee made recourse to the m●…one , to kn●…w the course of the moone . eò n oganti fi●… p ▪ r●…us 〈◊〉 , quò tractas maris 〈◊〉 . niobis effi●…ies . . periand . se●…c . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * others report , that two statues were erected in honour of these two persons , for doing their countrey such good service , as ridding her from the unsufferable tyranny of pisistratus . * nostra sit familia candide ●…ucunda , conditè secunda , prosperè faecunda , modicè irácunda , crit●…l oeconom . it is the highest glory of a flourishing state , to reward a deserving patriot . pacis olivam , palladis palmam parthenopis lauream quas omnes fluctuantis status hyems decerpserat , amae , niore cultu sereniore conditione , aestus restituerit hyacinth . notes for div a -e as may likewise appea●…e by ●…is free reproofe of madam alisialensona for her incontine●…t l●…fe : though at that time a mistris to the dukes especiall favorite . times treasury, or, academy for gentry laying downe excellent grounds, both divine and humane, in relation to sexes of both kindes : for their accomplishment in arguments of discourse, habit, fashion and happy progresse in their spirituall conversation : revised, corrected and inlarged with a ladies love-lecture : and a supplement entituled the turtles triumph : summing up all in an exquisite character of honour / by r. brathwait, esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) times treasury, or, academy for gentry laying downe excellent grounds, both divine and humane, in relation to sexes of both kindes : for their accomplishment in arguments of discourse, habit, fashion and happy progresse in their spirituall conversation : revised, corrected and inlarged with a ladies love-lecture : and a supplement entituled the turtles triumph : summing up all in an exquisite character of honour / by r. brathwait, esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng conduct of life. courtesy. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion times treasury : or , academy for gentry . laying downe excellent grounds both divine and humane , in relation to sexes of both kindes : for their accomplishment in arguments of discourse , habit , fashion : and happy progresse in their spirituall conversation . revised , corrected , and inlarged , with a ladies love-lectvre ; and a supplement , entituled , the tvrtles trivmph : summing up all in an exquisite character of honour . by r i : brathwait esq. london , printed for nath : brooke , at the angel in cornhill . . to the right honourable , william , earle of strafford ; sonne and heire to that incomparable master-piece of wit , worth and wisdome , thomas , lord vventvvorth , viscount woodhouse . late lord deputy of ireland , my constantly memorized and perpetually indeared mecenas . all corresponding honour and happinesse suitable to a branch of such rising hopes ; lineally ennobled and enabled to all proficience . highly honovred ; piety , as it hath the promise , so it renders the best deblazon to the house of honour . in which highest ascent of heraldry , ( for all other titles or gradations appear irreall and shady ; ) vertue the greatest signall and symboll of gentry , is rather expressed by goodnesse of person , then greatness of place . for , howsoever the bleere-ey'd vulgar honour the purple more than the person , descent more then desert , title then merit : that adulterate gentility , which degenerates from the worth of her ancestors , derogates likewise from the birth of her ancestors . it is true indeed , that desert hath at all times had some sinister eye darting on it : especially , where malignant spirits held it a sufficient crime , to grow great . for these , forth of a restlesse ambition , were ever interposing a cloud betwixt deserving men and the sun-rising . but so strongly fenced were they with integrity : and so richly furnished in principles of theory , and humane phylosophy , as they accounted it too light an encounter to enter lists with such opponents ; whom they held so far unworthy of their hate , as they pittied their weaknesse . their spight fell infinitely below their spirit ; their spleane beneath their scorne . for such was their quicknesse and vivacity of spirit , as they could look death in the face with more cheerfulnesse , then those spungy puffins could brook competition : or idolize their adulterate greatnesse . now , for this attractive object of honour , as it has been gods goodnesse , lineall descendence , and your princes especiall observance , in relation to your incomparable father , to advance you to it ; so has it been hitherto your happinesse , in this your hopefull proficience and gracefull initiation to businesse , to entertaine humility and integrity for your reteiners , the better to preserve you in it . this is the way , as your genuine candor and noble experience hath found it , to make all good men , your friends : and to admit none to repine at your rising , but vertues foes . and such censorious pursuers of their eminentest actions , have our heroick'st spirits in all ages patiently suffered : making use of them as necessary monitors , to put them in minde how to compose and regulate the posture of their greatnesse . and these were such , whose infant effeminacy , youthfull delicacy , or native liberty had estrang'd them from the knowledge of morall or divine mysteries : so as , they might be well compared to the ostrich , who ( as the naturall historian reports ) hath the wings of an eagle , but never mounts : so these had the eagle-wings of contemplation , being indued with the intellectuall faculties of a reasonable soule ; yet either intangled with the light chesses of vanity , or trashed with the checker'd po●zes of selfe-conceipt and singulari●y , they never mounted above the verge of sensuall pleasure . but i am here to tender unto your honours judicious view , a gentleman , quite of an other garbe : a compleat academick , a civiliz'd scholler , and a scholastick courtier . one whose education hath made formall enough , without apish formality : and conceiving enough , without selfe admiring arrogancy . a good christian in devout practising , no lesse than zealous professing ; yet none of the forward'st in discoursing on religion . for he observes ( as long experience & select acquaintance have brought him to be a judicious observer ) that discourse of religion hath so occupied the world , as it hath well-neere driven the practise thereof out of the world. where most men have more of tongue than life : and more ready to dispute than live : seeking rather to be accompted . eloquent orators , then sincere christians : scholists than practists . he esteemes such onely happy , who are of that number whom the world accounts fooles , but god , wise men . he understands , that whatsoever is sought besides god , may so imploy the minde , as it may be occupied , but never satisfied . he observes the whole fabrike of humane power ; and he concludes with the preacher ; ecquid tam vanum ? he notes how the flesh becomming obedient , behaveth her selfe as a faithfull servant to the soule : this governeth , the other is governed ; this commandeth , the other obeyeth . finally , he summes up all his observations with this : he that sigheth not while he is a pilgrim , shall never rejoice when he is a citizen . this is the graduate in this academy for gentry , whom i have here againe presumed to recommend to your protection : and to you he makes recourse , not so much for shelter , as honour ; ( having sole interest in it by right from your father : ) for his title , it exempts him from servile bashfulnesse , being a person so freely indenized , so compleatly indowed . neither can he do lesse then ingenuously collect , how by your fathers gracefull patronage ; ( whose obliged servant i was in his life ; and faithfull remembrancer in his death : ) he has been cry'd up with a generall suffrage : attesting withall , that no prejudicate critick , whose use it is never to judge of the purity of a lampe , till it expire in the socket , durst assaile him ; since his honours improved command , arched with so integrious a protection , did secure him . nor is he changed from what he was , although improved by this new edition : nor hopes he to fi●de you otherwise , then your prudent fathers reflexions ever were ; ( whose imparalel'd parts and immerited favours to me , shall reteine a constant anniversary in me ; ) to the muses , and their refined fancies a profest guardian . now , if any of those corky censurers , qui mercurium in linguâ non in pectore gerunt , shall chance to accoast my gentleman : i resolve me , his education hath made him so accomplished at all assayes , and his conversing with the most piercing'st judgements , hath brought him to that pefection , as he can discerne of what mould or temper these criticks are ; concluding , voces sunt , praeterea nihil , as is said of the nighting all . this onely resteth ; if i limne him to the life , in spite of censure , he will merit the patronage of honour : if i faile in my art , ( as i dare not presume of my strength ) it is in your honour to impute the fault rather to the pen than the man ; whose intimate affection to your lordship , will quickly sweeten and attemper the rigidst censure : and signe an easy indulgence to such an obsequious errour . your honours in all devotion , lineally obliged , r i : brathwait . the english gentleman . youth . argument . the dangers that attend on youth ; the vanitie of youth , display'd in foure distinct subjects ; three violent passions incident to youth ; physicke prescribed , and receits applied to cure these maladies in youth . youth . howsoever some more curiously than needfully may seeme to reason , that there be diverse climactericall or dangerous yeeres in mans time ; sure i am , that in mans age there is a dangerous time , in respect of those sinne-spreading sores which soile and blemish the glorious image of the soule . and this time is youth , an affecter of all licentious liberty , a comicke introducer of all vanitie , and the onely 〈◊〉 apparent to carnall securitie . this it was which moved that princely prophet to pray , lord forgive me the sinnes of my youth . sinnes indeed ; because the youthfull sinner is ever committing , but never repenting ; usually provoking god , but rarely invoking god. this is he who snuffeth the wind , with the wild asse in the desart , being like the horse or mule which hath no understanding , by giving sense preeminence above reason : and walking in the fatnesse of his heart , as one wholly forgetfull of god. he may say with the psalmist , though in another sense , vt jumentum factus sum apud te : upon exposition of which sentence , it is laudable ( saith euthymius ) that in the sight of god we take our selves as beasts to shew our humility , but not to resemble beasts in ignorance or brutish sensuality . many are the dangerous shelfes which menace ruine and shipwrack to the inconsiderate and improvident soule , during her sojourning here in this tabernacle of clay : but no time more perilous than the heat of * youth , or more apt to give fuell to the fire of all inordinate desires ; being as ready to consent , as the devill is to tempt , and most willing to enter parley with her spirituall enemy upon the least assault . it is reported by eusebius , that s. iohn meeting a strong young-man , of good stature , amiable feature , sweet countenance , and great spirit , straightway looking upon the bishop of that place , he said thus unto him : christ being witnesse and before the church , i commend unto thee and thy care this young man , to be especially regarded and educated in all spirituall discipline . whom when the bishop had received into his tuition , and promised that he would performe whatsoever he ought , saint iohn againe and againe gives his charge , and contesteth his fidelity : and afterwards he returnes to ephesus . the bishop takes the young man home ; brings him up as his owne sonne , keepes him within the limits of his duty , intreats him gently , and at last baptizeth him , and confirmes him . afterwards , upon remitting something of his care , and giving freer reines to his liberty , the young man takes occasion to shake off the yoke of tuition , and fals into bad company , who corrupt him : diverting his course from the path of vertue by these meanes : first , they invite him to banquets , then they carry him abroad in the night , afterward to maintaine their profuser expence , they draw him to theevery , and so by degrees to greater wickednesse , being now made captaine in this theevish company . at last saint iohn returnes and saith ; goe to bishop , give me my depositum which i and christ committed unto thee in the church which thou gouernest . this bishop was astonied , thinking that he had deceitfully demanded some money which he never received , and yet durst scarce distrust the apostle . but as soone as saint iohn said , i demand the young man and soule of my brother : the old man hanging downe his head , sighing and weeping , said ; ille mortuus est , he is dead ; how and with what kind of death , said iohn ? deo mortuus est , he is dead unto god , answered the bishop : nam nequam & perditus , & uno verbo latro evasit : for he is wicked and lost , and in a word a theefe . much matter might be collected from this story , to inlarge the ground of our proposition , to wit , what imminent dangers are ever attending on youth , and how easie it is by the painted flag of vanity , and sensuall pleasure , to draw him to ruine . for doubtlesse , many excellent rules of instruction had this grave bishop delivered and imparted to his young pupill : many devout taskes and holy exercises had he commended to his practice : many prayers full of fervent zeale had he offered for his conversion : many sighes had he sent , many teares had he shed to reclaime him from his former conversation . yet see , how soone this youthfull libertine forgets those instructions which he had taught him , those holy taskes which were injoyned him , those zealous prayers which were offered for him , those unfained sighes and teares which were shed for him ! he leaves this aged father , to become a robber , he fl●es from the temple to the mountaine ; he puts off the robe of truth , and disguiseth himselfe with the vizard of theft . and no small theefe , but a leader . rachel was a theefe , for shee stole idols from her father ; iosuah was a theefe , seeing he stole grapes from canaan ; david was a theefe , seeing he stole the bottle of water from saul ; ionathan was a theefe , since he stole hony from the hive ; iosaba was a theefe , since he stole the infant ioash . but here was a theefe of another nature ; one , whose vocation was injury , profession theevery , and practice cruelty : one , whose ingratitude towards his reverend foster-father , merited sharpest censure : for bysias the grecian , osiges the lacedemonian , bracaras the theban , and scipio the roman , esteemed it lesse punishment to bee exiled , than to remaine at home with those that were ungratefull for their service . so as , it is not only griefe , but also a perillous thing , to have to doe with ungratefull men . and wherein might ingratitude bee more fully exemplified than in this young-man , whose disobedience to his tutor , sleighting his advice that had fostered him , deserved severest chastisement ? but to observe the cause of his fall ; wee shall finde how soone those good impressions , which he had formerly received , were quite razed and defaced in him , by reason of depraved company : whence we may gather , that youth being indeed the philosophers rasa tabula , is apt to receive any good impressure , but spotted with the pitch of vice , it hardly ever regaines her former puritie . whence we are taught , not to touch pitch ▪ lest we ●e defil●d● for as that divine father saith , occasiones faciunt latrones . truth is , the sweetest apples are the soonest corrupted , and the best natures quickliest depraved . how necessary therefore , the care and respect youth ought to have in the choyce and election of his company , may appeare by this one example , which sheweth that society is of such power , as by it saints are turned into serpents , doves into devils : for , with the wise we shall learne wisedome , and with the foole we shall learne foolishnesse . dangerous therefore it is , to leave illimited youth to it selfe : yea , to suffer youth so much as to converse with it selfe . so as , that greeke sage , seeing a young man privately retired all alone , demanded of him what he was doing ? who answered , he was talking to himselfe . take heed , quoth he , thou talke not with thine enemie . for the naturall pronenesse of youth to irregular liberty is such , as it is ever suggesting matter of innovation to the soveraingtie of reason . now to reduce these enormities incident to youth , to certaine principall heads , wee will display the vanity of youth in these foure distinct subjects : gate , looke , speech , habit : that by insisting and discoursing on each particular , wee may receive the feature of lady vanity portrayed to the life . it is strange to observe how the very body expresseth the secret fantasies of the minde : and how well the one sympathizeth with the other . i have seene even in this one motion , the gate , such especiall arguments of a proud heart , as if the body had beene transparent , it could not have represented him more fully . and i have wondered , how man endued with reason , could bee so farre estranged from that wherewith he was endued ; as to strut so proudly with feet of earth , as if hee were never to returne to earth . but especially , when youth is imployed in ushering his mistresse , hee walkes in the street as if hee were dancing a measure . hee verily imagines the eyes of the whole citie are fixed on him , as the very patterne which they esteeme worthy imitation : how neerely then concerns it him to stand upon his equipage . he walkes , as if he were an upright man , but his sincerity consist onely in dimension . he feares nothing so much as some rude encounter for the wall , and so bee discredited in the sight of his idoll . now i would be glad to weane this phantasticke from a veine of lightnesse , and habituate him to a more generous forme . first , he is to know , how that which is most native and least affective , deserves choisest acceptance . we were not borne to glory in our feet , the bases of mortality : but to walke as children of light , in holinesse and integritie . safer it were for us , to observe and make use of that , which the swan is reported to use , when at any time shee glories in the whitenesse of her colour , to wit , shee reflects her eye upon her blacke feet , which qualifies her proud spirit : making her so much the more dejected , as joying before in her owne beautie , she was erected . excellently was that embleme of humane frailty shadowed in the image of agathocles the syracusan tyrant , who commanded his statue to be composed after this fort : the head to bee of gold , signifying purenesse ; the armes of ivory , intimating smoothnesse ; the body of brasse , implying strongnesse ; but the feet of earth , importing weakenesse . be the head-peece never so pure ; bee it a diadem of gold we weare , it cannot promise to us perpetuitie ; we stand on earthen feet , how may wee then stand long , relying on such weake supporters ? though nebuchadnezzar strut never so proudly upon the turrets of his princely palace , saying , is not this great babel which i have builded ? he knowes not how soone he shall be deprived of his glory , and be enforced to feed with the beasts of the field , being as one estranged from his former magnificence . quid ergo ad nos consolatio mundi ? let us not glory in mundane vanity , nor repose too much confidence in these feet of frailty . si pes in terris , mens sit in coelis ; though our foot be on earth , let our minde bee in heaven : knowing , that ( as saint augustine saith ) three cubites of earth doe expect us ; and how little or much so ere we possesse , this is all that shall be left us . the next subject wee are to treat of in this display of youthfull vanity , is his looke : wherein hee is ever noted to shew a kinde of contempt , expressing by his eye , what he conceives in his heart . here is oculatus testis , an eye-witnesse to tax him of his pride ; disdaining to fix his eye upon the lower shrubs , as if a reflex on them should derogate from his glory . they that looked upon sylla's ring , could not choose but take notice both of sylla's seale and the treason of iugurth ; so hee , that should but eye a proud looke , could not choose but collect from what heart so disdainfull a looke proceeded . i have ever observed , the most generous to bee least affective in this kinde : for it is , and hath beene ever an inherent propriety in them , to expresse a generous affability as well in looke as speech . the eyes ( saith a good father ) are members of the flesh , but windowes of the minde ; which , eagle-like , should be ever erected to the beames of righteousnesse , and not depressed by any unworthy object of externall basenesse . the onely sight of god is the true food and refection of our minds : wee looke to be satisfied , but satisfaction wee cannot finde in any outward object ; much lesse in contempt of our poore brother , who many times exceeds us more in worth , than we him in birth . but tell me young gallant , what it is that moveth thee to this contempt of others ? is it thy descent ? alas , that is none of thine ; thou derivest that glory from thine ancestors , whose honour by thy ignoble life , dieth . yea , recall to minde how many glorious houses now lye buried in the grave of oblivion , by the vicious course of irregular successours : and againe , how many houses , whose names formerly were not so much as knowne , either raised from others ruine , or advanced by industrious merit , usurpe their glory . is it thy riches ? indeed , if the philosophers axiom be true ; riches is a signe of eternall glory , there were some reason to glory in them : but wee shall finde this glory meerely imaginary , yea a great darkener and blemisher of the internal glory & beauty of the mind . for as the moone doth never eclypse , but when she is at the full : so the minde is never so much obscured , as it is with the superfluitie of riches . and againe , as the moone is farthest off from the sunne which giveth it light , when it is at the full ; so a man , when he is the fullest of riches , is farthest off from that equity and justice , which ought to give him light in all his proceedings . and therefore , he might doe well herein to imitate the fly , which putteth not her feet in the great masse of honey , but onely taketh and tasteth with her tongue so much thereof as serveth her turne , and no more , lest by doing otherwise , she might remaine taken and drowned therein , yea , if we should but reflect and take a view of certaine ethnicks , whose admirable contempt of riches eternized them , wee should observe what inimitable continencie was in them , and what an hydropticke thirst of avarice remaineth as yet unquenched in us . and though wee must live according to lawes , and not to examples , yet cicero held that nought could be taught without example ; wherefore , to enforce this argument further , wee will here produce certaine heathens , who contemned riches so much , as being offered , yea obtruded , they would not accept them . anacharses refused the treasure sent him by croesus : anacreontes refused the treasure sent him by polycrates : and albionus refused the treasure sent him by antigonus . the like moderation wee read in fabius maximus , crates , mimus , and most of the greeke philosophers . this indifferencie towards fortune , is excellently described by the sententious seneca concluding , nihil eripit fortuna , nisi quod ipsa dedit . to insist on more examples , were to enlarge this branch too much ; we will therefore shut them all up with that divine observation of the wise simonides ; who being asked once , whether vertue or riches were of more reputation , made answer , that the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the rich , than the rich the vertuous : thence inferring , that wealth was a great nourisher of vice , and povertie of vertue ; or rather implying , how those who are richest are oft-times the retchlest , being ever with vices more infected , who are to highest fortunes advanced . wherefore i assure me , thou wilt not glory in riches for they deprave the soule , which should bee in the body , like a queene in her palace . whence then proceedeth this haughtie looke ? perchance thou wilt object , that thou art a man of place ; admit thou beest : is there nothing thou canst finde to expresse the eminence or greatnesse of thy place , to which thou art called , save a disdainefull of surly looke , a neglectfull or scornefull countenance , contemptuously throwne upon thy inferiour ? surely , if such an one thou bee , how great so-ere thou bee , i will admire rather thy seat than thy selfe : and conclude with aristippus , a stone sits upon a stone . these are they , at whom our moderne poet glanced pleasantly , when he saith ; they dare not smile beyond a point , for feare t' unstarch their looke , so punctuall and formall they are , as besides a kinde of formall and phantasticke humour they are nothing : or to expresse them better ; they thinke it a derogation to honour , to converse with basenesse ; they shew a great deale of peremptory command in an awfull looke , imagining it a sufficient argument of greatnesse , for midas asse to have minos countenance : for thus hath time drawne out their formes to me , they be and seeme not , seeme what least they be . since then neither descent , for that is derived from others ; nor riches , aptest to deprave us of all others ; nor place , being worst expressed in glorifying our selves and contemning others ; should move us to put on the countenance of disdaine to our inferiours : we are to conclude , that humilitie , as it opens the gate unto glory , so affability , a vertue right worthy every generous minde , cannot bee better planted than in the eyes , those centinels which guard us , those two lights which direct us , those adamantine orbes which attract affection to us . a face erected , first to man was given , t' erect his eyes unto the king of heaven . let not then any other object entertaine it , at least , not retaine it : if they be to be imployed in any worldly object , let them be imployed in contemplating his workes who made the world ; for all other objects are but meere vanitie and affliction of spirit . the third subject we are to discourse of , is speech ; a propriety wherein man is distinguished from other creatures : yea , the onely meanes to preserve societie among humane creatures . quanto melius est docere quàm loqui , tanto melior est quàm verba locutio , saith s. augustine : by how much better it is to teach than to speake , by so much better is speech than words . here this learned father maketh a maine difference betwixt speech and words : which distinction may bee properly applied to the argument whereof wee now treat . the rash young man , who useth no guard to his mouth , nor no gate of circumstance unto his lips , inureth himselfe to many words , but little speech . now to define speech , it is nothing else than an apt composing , and an opportunate uttering of words ; whence it is said , words spoken in season or opportunitie , are like apples of gold with pictures of silver . and herein is youth many times blame-worthy , who will professe himselfe a speaker , before hee know what to speake ; yea putting his oare in every mans boat , admits no conference , not treaty , no discourse , how transcendent soever , but he will bee a speaker : though it oft-times moves some wise phocion to say to this jangling pithias , good god , will this foole never leave his babling ? aristotle debating of the convenience and propriety of discourse before alexander , maintained that none were to be admitted to speake but either those that managed his warres , or his philosophers which governed his house . observe here what strictnesse was imposed even upon heathens , to restrain them from too much libertie of speech , onely such being admitted to speake , whose approved judgement in military or philosophicall discourse might worthily bee said to deserve attention . divers reasons of no small consequence might bee here produced , why young men were not to give their opinions in any matter of state in publike places ; but wee will reduce them to two . the first whereof may be imputed to their rashnesse in resolving ; the second to a passionate hotnesse in proceeding . for the first , to wit rashnesse in resolving : it is the property of youth without premeditation to resolve , and without counsell to execute . now is it possible any good effect should succeed from such unsteady grounds ? yes , you will say ; some are of that present and pregnant conceit , as a matter is no sooner imparted , than they apprehend it : and for speech , divers have had such excellent gifts , as they would shew more native eloquence in a speech presently composed , than upon longer preparation addressed . did not tiberius better in any oration ex tempore , than premeditate ? have not many in like sort , as if secretly * inspired , expressed and delivered abundance of profound learning upon the present ? it is true ; yet are we not hence to collect that premeditation is fruitlesse , that rash and inconsiderate resolves are to be admitted , or young mens advice , which is for most part grounded on opinionate arrogancie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , secundum opinionem , non secundum veritatem , should be authenticke . for admit young men were eloquent , yet foolish eloquence ( which must needs bee in unseasoned youth ) is as a sword in a mad-mans hand , it cannot but hurt much ; being first , apt to perswade , and likewise by delivering dangerous matter , no lesse prompt to deprave the eare that is perswaded . the second reason which we observed , why youth was not to give his opinion in any publike place , was his hotnesse in proceeding . it is intolerable for these young-heads to be opposed : they are deafe to reason , as if opinion had possest them of purpose to oppose reason . this appeared in those violent attempts of catiline , cethegus , lentulus , and their factious adherents ; who , though privately cautioned and friendly advised by such , whose long experienced love and fidelity assured them of their unfained amity ; yet rather than they would lose the opportunity of their aimes , all counsell must be rejected , and their owne private opinions ( without ground of reason ) embraced . but to come nearer them in our discourse : these young-blouds use rather , catiline-like , to speake much and doe little , than iugurth-like , to speake little and doe much . of all innes , they love not that of harpocrates , with the signe of the finger on his mouth . they are unmeasurably passionate in any argument ; and so nailed to their owne opinion , as conceit transports them above reason , and leaves no place for contradiction . it is commonly said , that law , logicke , and the switzers may be hired to fight for any one ; and wee have found out one that will match them . now you have received the character of his speech , i would labour to reclaime him from his errour ; which to effect the better , he must know , that being a gentleman , ( for to such an one chiefly do i direct my discourse ) he can asperse no greater imputation on gentry , than in exercising his tongue in fruitlesse and frivolous discourse , or spending his breath in uselesse or needlesse contention . the tongue ( as one observes ) is a small member ; but very glibbery and prone to ruine : apt it is to rebell , if not restrained ; prompt to innovate , if not confined . but of all the fallies or excursions which are made by the tongue , none in my conceit lesse beseeming a gentleman , than in giving reines to passions , to slave himselfe to illimited fury : much more profit should he finde in expostulating with passion , recalling to minde that saying of archytas so much commended ; who being angry with one of his hindes , said , o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ? where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith bernard ) is sweet and profitable ; where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . may your speech , ( gentlemen ) bee so seasoned , as it may relish of discretion : rather learne the art of silence , than to incurre the opinion of rashnesse : for the one seldome gives argument of offence , but the other ever . speake , but not with affectation , for that gives a better rellish to the eare , than to the conceit : speake , but not in assentation , for that is mercenarie , and seemes better in the mouth of a slavish sycophant , than a generous professant : speake freely , yet with reservation lest the comedians phrase have some allusion to your opennesse ; being so full of chinkes , as secrecie can have no hope to finde harbour in your bosome . as to speake all that we know ▪ sheweth weaknesse : so to impart nothing of that we know , inferres too much closenesse : to observe a meane in these extreames , choice respect is to bee had with whom we converse . if we finde him apt to conceale wee may more safely and freely deliver our minde ; but where suspicion of secrecie ministres argument of distrust , wee are to be more cautelous : for it is great folly to engage our thoughts to the secrecie of him whom we know not . worthy commendation was augustus in this respect , who was so choice in the election of a friend , to whom he might communicate his privatest thoughts , as he would imploy much time in searching and sifting him , ere he would retaine him . and hence i might take occasion to tax divers , who are too readie to open their bosomes unto all encounters ; and yet i must freely confesse , that this credulity of theirs , meerely proceeds from the goodnesse of their nature : for they imagine ( such is their easie simplicity ) that others are as secret , as they open . such is the affability of unexperienced youth , as they cannot reserve the secret'st of their thoughts , but must discover them upon the first view to their first acquaintance : whence plautus , benignitas eius vt adolescentuli est ; wherein he seemes to instance youth , as a patterne of ingenuous affability : no lesse ready to utter his thoughts , than his subtill applauder is to heare them . much more fruit should hee reape by observing that divine precept of ecclesiasticus : thou that art young speake , if need be , and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked . comprehend much in few words ; in many be as one that is ignorant : be as one that understandeth , and yet hold thy tongue . wherein he proposeth an exact rule to be observed by youth , even in circumstance , as well as substance of speech . now it may be expected , that i should propose a forme for words , as i have proposed a rule for discourse ; but my reply to him , who expects this , shall be the same which demosthenes made to aeschynes the orator ; who having found fault with demosthenes questioning him of certaine words which he had pronounced something rare and strange , was in this sort answered by him ; that the fortunes of greece depended not upon them . only thus much i will adde , to reclaime him , who more curiously than pertinently , insisteth rather on words than substance : that as there is no man but would esteeme him for an indiscreet builder , who preferreth the care of his frontispice before the maine foundation ; or such an one for a foolish painter , who bestoweth more art upon the varnish than the picture : so whosoever intendeth his care rather to finde out words than matter , may bee holden for a verball rhetorician , but no serious orator . to be short , if you will have my opinion touching the use of words ; i esteeme such to be most elegant , which are least affected ; for there is a native propriety of speech which best becomes us ; being adorned with such ornaments , as grace our discourse better than adulterate art , which many times bestowes so much time upon beautifying her selfe , as shee forgers whom shee should serve . vvee are now to descend briefly to the last , though not least vanitie incident to youth ; and it is habit or attire . wherein i have not a little wondered , falling now and then into more serious meditation with my selfe , how any man , having reflex , by the eye of his soule , to his first fall , should glory in these robes or raggs of shame , being purposely invented to cover his sinne . sin indeed ; for had not man sinned , his shame had never beene discovered . poore fig-leaues were then the onely shelter , to shroud from shame this miserable sinner . then was adam his owne taylour , and stood not much on fashion , so his nakednesse might finde a cover . come then and heare mee , thou perfumed gallant , whose sense chiefly consists in sent ; and observe how much thou derogat'st from thy owne worth , the covering a shell of corruption with such bravery . all gorgeous attire is the attire of sinne ; it declines from the use for which it was ordained , to wit , necessity , and dilates it selfe purposely to accomplish the desire of vanity . forraine nations , on whose flowry borders the glorious sun-shine of the gospell hath not as yet shined , though for their silkes and sables , none more plenteous or precious , yet with what indifferencie doe they use these riches ? it may be you will object , that art hath not as yet showne her cunning amongst them ; so as their neglect of fashion meerely proceedeth from want of skilfull artists , to introduce the forme or fashion of other countries ( by meanes of civill government , more curious and exquisite ) to their people . but i shall prove , & that by impregnable arguments , how this contempt of pride is naturally planted in them ; yea , with what scorne and derision they looke upon other countries , usually affected to this delicacie and effeminacie in apparell . such as have travelled , and upon exact survey of the natures of forraine countries , have brought the rich fraught of knowledge stored with choicest observations to their native home , have confirmed this : for they have found such contempt in other nations , touching these fruitlesse vanities , wherein wee idolatrize our owne formes , as it strucke admiration in them , as their records , to this day ext●nt , doe apparantly witnesse . to instance some whereof , as the ruffian , muscovian , ionian ; yea even the barbarous indian , it may appeare with what reservancie they continue their ancient habit ; loth , it seemes , to introduce any new custome , or to lose their antiquity for any vaine-glorious or affected novelty : with a joynt uniformity ( as it seemes ) resolved , tam in cultu numiuis , quàm apparatu corporis , moribus legibusque uti praesentibus , etiamsi deteriores sint . but leaving them , because we will a while insist upon prophane authorities ; let us reflect our dim eyes , bleared with the thicke scales of vanity , to those divine sages , whose excellent instructions no lesse imitable than admirable , merit our approbation and observation . it is reported by laertius , that on a time croesus , having adorned and beautified himselfe with the most exquisite ornaments of all kinds , that either art or cost could devise ; and sitting on a high throne , to give more grace or lustre to his person , demanded of solon if he ever saw a sight more beautifull ? yes ( quoth hee ) house-cockes , phesants , and peacokes ; for they are clothed with a naturall splendour or beauty bestowed on them by nature , without any borrowed elegancie . the like contempt appeared in eutrapelus ; who valued the internall beauty of his minde , more than the adulterate varnish of art. besides , hee was of this opinion , that hee could not doe his foe a greater injury , than bestow on him the preciousest garments he had , to make him forgetfull of himselfe and his owne frailtie ; whose nature the poet excellently describeth thus : the sage eutrapelus right wisely bad his foes should have the richest robes he had , thinking he did them harme , himselfe much good , " for given , they made him humble , them more proud . amongst many profitable lawes enacted by numa , the law * sumptuaria conferred no small benefit upon the state publique . for by that law was prohibited , not onely all profuse charge in funerall expences , but likewise the excessive use of apparell , whereby the roman state grew in short time to great wealth , labouring to suppresse those vices , which usually effeminate men the most , to wit , delicacie in fare , and sumptuousnesse in attire . now there be many , i know , who invent fashions meerely to cover their deformities , as iulius caesar wore a garland of laurell to cover his baldnesse withall ; and these seeme excusable , but they are not : for did not hee who made thee , bestow this forme on thee ? could not he have stamped thee to the most exquisite or absolute feature , if it had so pleased thy creator ? and wilt thou now controule thy maker , and by art supply the defects of nature ? beware of this evill : i can prescribe thee a better and safer course , how to rectifie these deformities . hast thou a crooked body ? repaire it with an upright soule . art thou outwardly deformed ? with spirituall graces be thou inwardly beautified . art thou blinde , or lame , or otherwise maimed ? be not therewith dejected , for the blinde and lame were invited . it is not the outward proportion , but the inward disposition ; not the feature of the face , but the power of grace which worketh to salvation . alcibiades , socrates scholar , was the best favoured boy in athens ; yet , ( to use the philosophers words ) looke but inwardly into his body , you will finde nothing more odious . so as one compared them aptly ( these faire ones i meane ) to faire and beautifull sepulchers ; exteriùs nitida , interiùs faetida ; outwardly hansome , inwardly noisome . notable was that observation of a learned philosopher , who professing himselfe a schoolmaster , to instruct youth , in the principles and grounds of philosophie , used to hang a looking-glasse in the schoole where he taught ; wherein he shewed to every scholar he had , his distinct feature or physnomy : which he thus applied . if any one were of a beautifull or amiable countenance , hee exhorted him to answere the beauty and comlinesse of his face , with the beauty of a well-disposed or tempered minde ; if otherwise he were deformed , or ill featured ; he wished him so to adorne and beautifie his minde , that the excellencie of the one , might supply the defects or deformities of the other . but thou objectest ; how should i expresse my descent , my place ; or how seeme worthy the company of eminent persons , with whom i consort , if i should sleight or disvalue this general-affected vanity fashion ? i will tell thee : thou canst not more generously , i will not say generally , expresse thy greatnesse of descent , place , or quality , nor seeme better worthy the company with whom thou consortest or frequentest , than by erecting the glorious beames of thy minde , above these inferiour things . for who are these with whom thou consortest ? meere triflers away of time , bastard slips , degenerate impes , consumers of their patrimony , and in the end , ( for what other end save misery may attend them ? ) heires to shame and infamy . these ( i say ) who offer their morning prayers to the glasse , eying themselves so long , till narcissus-like they fall in love with their owne shadowes : and many times like that wrethed lady , if any deformity chance to blemish their beauty , they no sooner eye their glasse , than the discovery of their deformity brings them to a fearefull frency . o england , what a height of pride art thou growne to ? yea , how much art thou growne unlike thy selfe ? when , disvaluing thy owne forme , thou deformest thy selfe by borrowing a plume of every country , to display thy pie-coloured flag of vanity . what painting , purfling , powdring and pargeting doe you use , ( yee idols of vanity ) to lure and allure men to breake their first faith , forsake their first love , and , yeeld to your immodesty ? how can you weepe for your sinnes , ( saith saint hierome ) when your teares will make furrowes in your face ? with what confidence do you lift up that countenance to heaven , which your maker acknowledges not ? doe not say that you have modest minds , when you have immodest eyes . death hath entred in at your windowes ; your eyes are those cranies , those hatefull portals , those fatall entrances , ( which tarpeia-like ) by betraying the glorious fortresse or citadell of your soules , have given easie way to your mortall enemie . vtinam miserrimus ego , &c. i would i poore wretch ( saith tertulian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , an cum cerussa , & purpurisso , & croco , & cum illo ambitu capitis resurgatis : no , you staines to modesty , such a picture shall not rise in glory before her maker . there is no place for you ; but for such women as aray themselves in comely apparell , with shamefastnesse and modestie , not with broided ha●re , or gold , or pearles , or costly apparell . but , as becommeth women that professe the feare of god. for even after this manner in time past did the holy women , which trusted in god , tire themselves . reade , i say , reade yee proud ones , yee which are so haughty , and walke with stretched-out neckes , the prophet isaiah , and you shall finde your selves described , and the judgement of desolation pronounced upon you . because the daughters of sion are haughty , and walke with stretched-out neckes , and with wandring eyes , walking and minsing as they goe , and making a tinckling with their feet ; therefore shall the lord make the heads of the daughters of sion bald , and the lord shall discover their secret parts . and hee proceeds : in that day shall the lord take away the ornament of the slippers , and the calles , and the round tyres . the sweet balles , and the bracelets , and the bonnets ▪ the tyres of the head , and the sloppes , and the head-bands , and the tablets , and the eare-rings . the rings and the mufflers . the costly apparell , and the veiles , and the wimples , and the crisping-pins . and the glasses , and the fine linnen , and the hoods and the lawnes . now heare your reward : and in stead of sweet savour , there shall be stinke , and in stead of a girdle , a rent , and in stead of dressing of the haire , baldnesse , and in stead of a stomacher a girdling of sack-cloth , and burning in stead of beauty . now attend your finall destruction : thy men shall fall by the sword , and thy strength in the battell . then shall her gates mourne and lament , and shee being desolate shall sit upon the ground . see how you are described , and how you shall be rewarded ! enjoy then sinne for a season , and delight your selves in the vanities of youth : be your eyes the lures of lust , your eares the open receits of shame , your hands the polluted instruments of sinne : to be short , be your soules , which should be the temples of the holy ghost , cages of uncleane birds ; after all these things , what the prophet hath threatned shall come upon you , and what shall then deliver you ? not your beauty ; for to use that divine distich of innocentius , tell me thou earthen vessell made of clay , what 's beauty worth , when thou must dye to day ? nor honour ; for that shall lye in the dust , and sleepe in the bed of earth . nor riches ; for they shall not deliver in the day of wrath . perchance they may bring you , when you are dead , in a comely funerall sort to your graves , or bestow on you a few mourning garments , or erect in your memory some gorgeous monument , to shew your vaine-glory in death , as well as life ; but this is all : those riches which you got with such care , kept with such feare , lost with such griefe , shall not afford you one comfortable hope in the houre of your passage hence ; afflict they may , releeve they cannot . nor friends ; for all they can doe , is to attend you , and shed some friendly teares for you ; but ere the rosemary lose her colour , which stickt the coarse , or one worme enter the shroud , which covered the corps , you are many times forgotten , your former glory extinguished , your eminent esteeme obscured , your repute darkened , and with infamous aspersions often impeached . if a man ( saith seneca ) finde his friend sad , and so leave him sicke without ministring any comfort to him , and poore without releeving him ; we may thinke such an one goeth to jest , rather than visit or comfort : and such miserable comforters are these friends of yours . what then may deliver you in such gusts of affliction which assaile you ? conscience ; shee it is that must either comfort you , or how miserable is your condition ? she is that continuall feast which must refresh you ; those thousand witnesses that must answer for you ; that light which must direct you ; that familiar friend that must ever attend you ; that faithfull counsellour that must advise you ; that balme of gilead , that must renew you ; that palme of peace , which must crowne you . take heed therefore you wrong not this friend , for as you use her , you shall finde her . she is not to be corrupted , her sincerity scornes it ; shee is not to bee perswaded , for her resolution is grounded ; shee is not to bee threatned , for her spirit sleights it . she is aptly compared in one respect to the sea , she can endure no corruption to remaine in her , but foames , and frets , and chafes , till all filth bee removed from her . by ebbing and flowing is shee purged , nor is she at rest till shee be rinsed . fugit ab agro ad ciuitatem , à publico ad domum , à domo in cubiculum , &c. discontentedly shee flies from the field to the city , from publicke resort to her private house , from her house to her chamber ; shee can rest in no place ; furie dogs her behinde , and despaire goes before . for conscience being the inseparable glory or confusion of every one , according to the quality , disposition or dispensation of that talent which is given him , for to whom much is given , much shall be required : we are to make such fruitfull use of our talent that the conscience wee professe may remaine undefiled , the faith we have plighted may be inviolably preserved , the measure or omer of grace we have received , may be increased , and god in all glorified . which , the better to effect , wee are to thinke how god is ever present in all our actions ; and that ( to use the words of augustine ) whatsoever we doe , yea whatsoever it bee that wee doe , he better knowes it than we our selves doe . it was seneca's counsell to his friend lucilius , that whensoever he went about to do any thing , he should imagine cato , or scipio , or some other worthy roman to be in presence . in imitation of so divine a morall , let us in every action fix our eye upon our maker , whose eyes are upon the children of men ; so shall we in respect of his sacred presence , to which we owe all devout reverence , abstaine frome vill , doe good , seeke peace and ensue it . such as defil'd themselves with sinne , by giving themselves over unto pleasure , staining the nobility & splendour of their soules through wallowing in vice ; or otherwise fraudulently , by usurpation or base insinuation , creeping into soveraignty , or unjustly governing the common-weale ; such thought socrates , that they went a by-path separated from the counsell of the gods : but such , as while they lived in their bodies , imitated the life of the gods , such hee thought had an easie returne to the place from whence they first came . if the pagan had such a divine conceit of those , whose approved life represented a certaine similitude or resemblance of god , as he imagined , no glory could be wanting to them , in regard of their integrity : let us embrace the like opinion , and expresse such apparent demonstrations of sanctitie , that as wee exceed the pagan in regard of that precious light we enjoy , so wee may exceed him in the conversation of the life we lead . but how should these painted sepulchers , whose adulterate shape tastes of the shop , glorying in a borrowed beauty , ever meditate of these things ? how should their care extend to heaven , whose basiliske eyes are only fixed on the vanities of earth ? how should that painted blush ( that iewish confection ) blush for her sinne , whose impudent face hath out-faced shame ? two loves ( saith that learned bishop of hippo ) make two cities . hierusalem is made by the love of god , but babylon by the love of the world . and these are they , who engaged to wordly love , have forsaken their true love ; they have divided their hearts , and estranged their affections from that supreme or soveraigne good . o then ( young men ) come not neere the gate of this strange woman , whose feet goe downe to death , and whose steps take hold on hell . this is the woman with an harlots behaviour , and subtill in heart . this is shee , who hath d●ckt her bed with ornaments , carpets and laces of aegypts and perfuming her bed with myrrhe , aloes and cynamon . take heed thou sing not lysimachus song ; the pleasure of fornication is short , but the punishement of the fornicator eternall . but of this subject we are more amply to treat hereafter ; onely my exhortation is to youth , whose illimited desires tend ever to his ruine , that if at any time it bee your fortune to encounter with these infectious ulcers , these sin-soothing , and soule-soiling lepers ; and they like that whorish woman in the proverbs , invite you to their lothed daliance , saying , come , let us take our fill of love untill the morning : come , let us take our pleasure in daliance : that you shake off these vipers at the first assault , and prevent the occasion when it first offers it selfe . for know , that which a devout and learned . father saith concerning the dangerous habit of sinne , is most true ; prima est quasi titillatio delectationis in corde secunda consensio , tertium factum , quarta consuetudo . sinne begins with an ●ith , but ends with a skar . the first degree begins with delight , the second with consent , the third with act , and the fourth with custome . thus sinne by degrees in men of all degrees , like a broad-spreading tetter , runnes over the whole beauty of a precious soule , exposing the fruits of the spirit to be corrupted by the suggestion of the flesh . but too farre ( i feare me ) have i digressed from this last branch , whereof i was to discourse , to wit , of habit , or attire : albeit i have enlarged my selfe in nothing which may seeme altogether impertinent to our present purpose . for discoursing of the vanity of women ( whose phantasticke habits are daily theames in publicke theatres ) i imagined it a necessary point to insist upon : partly to disswade those shee-painters of this flourishing iland from so base and prostitute practice . base , for festus pompeius saith , that common and base whores , called schaenicolae , used dawbing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . partly to bring a loathing of them in the conceit of all yong gentlemen , whose best promising parts use often to be corrupted by their inchantmens . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. there is one flower to bee loved of women , a good red , which is shamefastnesse . saint hierome to marcella saith , that those women are matter of scandall to christian eyes , quae purpurisso & quibusdam fucis ora oculosque depingunt . i might here likewise justly tax such effeminate youths , whose womanish disposition hath begot in them a love to this hatefull profession ; but i will onely use diogenes speech , which hee made to one that had anointed his haires ; cave ne capitis suaveolentia vitae maleolentiam adducat . or that saying hee used to a youth too curiously and effeminately drest : if thou goest to men , all this is but in vaine ; if unto women , it is wicked . so as being asked a question of a young man , very neatly and finely apparelled , he said , hee would not answer him till he put off his apparell to see whether he were a man or a woman . there is another objection , which i imagine youth will alledge , to prove how expedient it is for him to bee choice or curious in respect of apparell . it gaines him more acceptance and esteeme with men of eminent place . but hearken how the apostle opposeth himselfe to this ; reproving such whose judgement consists in the eye rather than in the braine proceeding thus ; if there come into your company a man with a gold-ring , and in goodly apparell , and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment , and ye have a respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing , and say unto him , sit thou here in a goodly place ; and say unto the poore , stand thou there , or sit here under my foot-stoole : are yee not partiall in your selves , and are become judges of evill thoughts ? so as , howsoever these diffident wordlings , annulo maegis credunt quam animo ; it is not the habit , but the heart which god accepts : yet most acceptable is that habit which is not so sumptuous as seemely , not so costly as comely . true indeed it is , that the popular eye , which cannot distinguish of the inward beauty , but observeth rather what wee weare , than what wee are , admires nothing more than the outward habit ; as wee may reade how much herod , being arrayed in royall apparell , was applauded by the people , who gave a shout , saying , the voice of god , and not of man. but that all-seeing and all-scearching eare of the divine majesty seeth not as man seeth . hee prefers lazarus rags before dives robes . though the one bee clothed in purple and ●ine linnen , and the other seeme despicable in the eye of the world , in respect of his nakednesse ; yet , mortua necessitate , peribunt opera necessitatis : the one is translated to glory boundlesse , the other to misery endlesse ; for this sorrow which hee here felt , ended when he did end ; but the joy which he obtained , exceeded all end . thus farre have i laboured to answer all such objections as might bee proposed in defence of this generall-approved vanity , concluding ; quod peccata sericea , teterrima sunt vitia ; no sinnes like to silken sinnes , for they ever crave impunity , the foster-mother of all impiety . i intend yet to proceed in decyphering the lightnesse of youth , by expressing three grand maladies incident to youth ; whereof i purpose to dilate particularly , to move the young man to be more cautelous of his wayes , in the mazie labyrinth of this life . these three ( for all the rest may be reduced to them ) are comprehended under lust , ambition , revenge ; of which briefly , according to our former method , we purpose here to intreat . so exposed is youth to sense , and so much estranged from the government of reason ; as it prosecutes with eagernesse whatsoever is once entertained with affection . this might appeare in the ruines of troy , occasioned by the unlawfull love of paris ; where the violent intrusion and usurpation of anothers bed , brought an irreparable fall to the trojans . some have given two reasons ; why youth is more subiect to this illimited passion , than any other age . the first is , that naturall heat or vigour , which is most predominant in youth , provoking him to attempt the greatest of difficulties , rather than suffer the repulse where hee affects . the second is , want of imployment : which begets this distemperature ; whence the poet. take away idlenesse , and without doubt , cupids how breakes , and all his lampes goe out . this want of imployment was it , which moved aegistus to shew himselfe more familiar with clytemnestra , than stood well with his honour ; for had hee ranked himselfe with those valiant greekes , whose resolute adventures gain'd them generall esteeme , hee had prevented occasion and purchased himselfe equall renowne by his valour , as by vaine expence of time he incurred dishonour . witty and proper was that elegant invention of lucian , who faining cupid . to invite the gods to an amorous feast , prevailed with all of them to give way to love , till he came to pallas ; but she was found conversing with the muses , and would admit of no time to enter parly with cupid . true it is , that exercise draweth the minde from effeminacie : and remisnesse feeds the desire , and addes fuell to unlawfull heat . and no lesse occasion gives wanton discourse , or lascivious bookes to the enraged affections of distempered youth : so as , much more blessed were the state , if restraint were made of composing or publishing such subiects , where every leafe instructs youth in a new lesson of folly . alcaeus a man of good reputation and generall observance in the common-wealth ; what toyes wrote he of the love of young men ? all the writings of anacreon are onely of love . but most of all other , rheginus even burned with love , as appeareth by his writings . yea , even philosophers ( and that by the counsell and authority of plato , whom therefore dicearchus did worthily reprehend ) became the commenders and honourers of love . such discourses should , bee throwne to the darkest corner of our studies , as that of ovids was by augustus , which tend to corrupt youth , and divert his minde from the exercise of vertue . but alas ! to what height of licentious liberty are these corrupter times growne ? when that sex , where modesty should claime a native prerogative , gives way to foments of exposed loosenesse ; by not only attending to the wanton discourse of immodest lovers , but carrying about them ( even in their naked bosomes , where chastest desires should onely lodge ) the amorous toyes of venus and adonis : which poem , with others of like nature , they heare with such attention , peruse with such devotion , and retaine with such delectation , as no subject can equally relish their unseasoned palate , like those lighter discourses . yea ( which hath strucke me to more admiration ) i have knowen divers , whose unriper yeeres halfe assured mee , that their greene youth had never instructed them in the knowledge , nor brought them to conceit of such vanities , excellently well read in those immodest measures ; yea , and prompt enough to shew proofes of their reading in publike places . i will not insist upon them , but leave them to have their names registred amongst those infamous ladies ; sempronia , scribonia , clytemnestra , cleopatra , faustina , messalina , whose memories purchased by odious lust , shall survive the course of time ; as the memory of those famous matrons , octavia , porcia , caecilia , cornelia , shall transcend the period of time . to expresse what especiall motives tend most to increase of this passion , i thinke it not amisse : because i hold it necessary to propose the cause , before we come to cure the effect . for i thinke , according to the opinion of socrates , that then my instructions have brought forth good fruit , when by them any one shall be provoked to apply his disposition to the knowledge and practice of vertue . which , the better to effect , you shall know , that there is no one motive more generally moving , or enforcing to an eager pursuit of our immoderate affections , than curious or luscious fare , delicious liquors , which might appeare ( if we should have recourse to history ) in those prodigall feastings of antonius and cleopatra : where no cost was spared to give more free course to lascivious desires . to prevent this , ( as may be probably gathered ) greece in her flourishing estate , restrained women both publique and private accesse to banquets : and kinsmen kissed their kinswomen to know whether they drunke wine , or no , and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some iland . plutarch saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sicke or weake , the senate was to give them licence ; and not then in rome neither , but out of the city . macrobius saith , that there were two senators in rome chiding , and the one called the others wife an adulteresse ; and the other his wife a drunkard : and it was judged that to bee a drunkard was more infamy . here we may collect what strictnesse , even the heathen used , to observe a morall course , and to represse such inordinate motions , as most commonly invade the eminent'st states , when long peace hath rockt her people asleepe , snorting in the downe-bed of security . sure i am , as there is nothing which brings eithera publike or private state to a remisnesse of government sooner than peace or plenty ; so nothing effatuates the understanding of man more than excesse in meat or drinke , subjecting the intellective part to the bondage of sense . for what may be the discourse of epicurists , but lascivious , begot on excesse of fare , curious and luscious ? these are dilating ever on the rape of ganimedes , lais in euripides . beauty is their object , and vanity their subject . white teeth , rolling eyes , a beautifull complexion ( an exteriour good ) being that which euryala praised , when shee washed the feet of vlysses , namely , gentle speech , and tender flesh . thus are their tongues tipt with vanity , their desires ayming at sensuality , and their delights engaged to fleshly liberty . amongst the romans ; venus or cous was the best chance at dice : and no chance , ( till some heavy mischance over-take them ) more happy in their opinion , than to receive a loving smile or cheerefull aspect from their terrestriall venus . some countries i have read of , whose naturall basenesse , being given to all avarice , induced them to disesteeme all respects in this kinde , and to make merchandize of their womens honour . such are the women of sio reported to be , who are reputed for the most beautifull dames of all the greekes in the world , and greatly given to venery . their husbands are their pandors , and when they see any stranger arrive , they will presently demand if he would have a mistresse : and so they make whores of their own wives , and are contented for a little gaine to weare hornes : such are the base minds of ignominious cuckolds . here is a dangerous i le for our amorous gallant , who makes his travell ( with griefe i speake it ) too oft the ruine of himselfe and his estate . happy are those ( but too few are those ) who with wise ithacus stop their eares to these soule-tainting and sinne-tempting syrens . yet some there are , and some there have beene ever ( i perswade me ) whose noble conquests over themselves and their owne desires , have seconded , if not surpassed those many conquests which they atchieved in forraine nations . as the admirable continencie of alexander the great , in sparing darius wife and his three daughters . the continency of scipio during the space of foure and twenty yeeres , wherein his prosperous exploits could purchase him no more glory , than in the besieging and taking of a city in spaine , he gained him renowne , by repressing his flame of lust , when a beautifull maid was brought him : restoring her with a great reward to allancius , a celtiberian lord , to whom shee was espoused . no lesse worthy was that part of marius , who having sylla's wife and sisters in his power , sent them nobly , unattempted . an example of like continencie might hee instanced in mahomet the great , towards the faire * greeke ; whom , albeit hee entirely loved , yet to shew unto his peeres , a princely command of himselfe and his affections ; as he had incensed them before by loving her , so hee regained their love by sleighting her ; whence the poet : with that he drew his turkish symeter , which he did brandish ore the damsels head ; demanding of such ianizers were there , if 't were not pity shee'sd be slaughtered ? pity indeed ; but i perforce must doe that which displeaseth me , to pleasure you . many such instances , ancient and moderne histories afford , but i must not insist on each particular , lest i should inlarge my selfe too much in this branch . my exhortation shall be to such , whose unmellow yeeres crave instruction , that they would betake themselves to imployment : for idlenesse maketh of men , women ; of women , beasts ; of beasts , monsters . and amongst imployments , ever mix such readings as may minister matter , either divine , or morall , to allay the heat of this distempered passion . we reade of the roman stilpho , that albeit he was naturally addicted to all incontinency , yet by reading certaine precepts of morall philosophy , he became an absolute commander of his owne affections . hate to consent to that , which so transformes man , as hee wholly loseth the true title of man , and becommeth meerely bestiall . nos qui accepimus rationis lucem communem cum angelis , non transeamus vitam in silentio cum pecoribus . thou art beautified with an angelicall feature ; let it not participate of any inferiour creature . to be short , art thou a gentleman ? beare that posture still : staine not a native glory with an infamous blemish . this vice of all others , derogates most from honour : for we commonly say , such , whose lightnesse incurres scandall , to have lost their honour . o let not the honour of a generous minde suffer eclipse , for a minutes pleasure ! lais asking of demosthenes so much for one nights-lodging , he presently replyed : i will not buy repentance at so deare a rate . dearer is the rate of shame , than of coine . prize honour at that estimate , as the height of pleasure may never have power to surprise it . canna , wife to synattus , whom one synoris , of greater authority than synattus , loved : making no small meanes to obtaine her love yet all in vaine ; supposed the readiest way for effecting his desire to bee the death of her husband , which he performed . this done , he renewed his suit ▪ to which shee seemingly consented . but being solemnly come into the temple of diana for celebrating the nuptials , she had a sweet potion ready , which shee drunke to synoris , where with they both were poisoned , to revenge her husbands death . here is a pagan patterne of inimitable continency ; who rather than she would consent to contract mariage with her husbands foe , dis-valued all future hope of preferment , yea embraced death , as a happy agent of her intended revenge . the wise ( saith that sententious philosopher ) may gather gold out of dung ; which may be thus applyed . the wise christian , may cull excellent flowers from an ethnicke garden : for the envious man he is the spider which sucks poison from the fragrant'st and freshest flowers . i will conclude this point ; and intreat the generous affected , whose glory should be vertues booty , and whose best beauty to be enriched by her bounty ; to make vertue their prize , being so praise-worthy of her selfe , as shee needs no outward praise . to purchase which incomparable blessing , i could wish , gentlemen , that your resort to eminent places bee more spare , till you finde in your selves an aptnesse to resist , if any unchaste motion make assault . yet good it were not to presume , upon one single triall ▪ for the disposition may bee more temperate ar one time than another ; and the assault also more perillous . to court beauty is an enterprize of danger : for some i have knowne , who upon their accesse to beauty , have beene free-men , who upon their returne , became slaves . but you will object ; to vanquish where there is no assault made , is a weake conquest ; true , but to play with the candle till we suffer our wings to bee cing'd , is a greater folly . i would not hazard my honour upon those termes , as by affronting temptation , to bee caught . to conclude this branch , as the substance of the soule is pure , so this masse of flesh is corrupt : staine not the purity of the former , by conversing with the latter : for to parley with so subtill an enemy , is to give way to his policy . observing these , you shall goe to your graves with honour ▪ not to the graves of lust , the sepulchres of shame , and receptacles of corrupted love . wee will now descend to the second maladie incident to youth ; that eagle-soaring passion , ambition . those who are affected to this , use to say with tiridates in tacitus : sua retinere privatae domus , de alienis certare regia laus● est . these can never confine themselves to their owne , raising their hopes above possibility : but are building airie castles , of purpose to confront greatnesse . we shall never heare them talke of any subject save soveraignty or dominion . one termed an empire , a monstrous and untamed beast ; and so may this passion be well defined : whose aime is onely to purchase glory , albeit her aymes be planted on indirectest termes . we reade how pausanias killed philip of macedon onely for fame or vaine-glory : so did herostratus burne the temple of diana at ephesus , with this resolution ; because hee could not by any act of renowne eternize his memory , he would gaine him fame , though by an act of infamy . how violent these ambitious heads are , and have beene ever , there is scarce any state which hath not felt : where civill warres have menaced no lesse danger to the state , than forraine powers ; private factions , than open hostilitie . in some likewise , so deepe impression hath ambition wrought , as the envie which they conceive at others greatnesse , deprives them of all rest : this appeared in themistocles , who walked in the night-time in the open street , because he could not sleepe : the cause whereof , when some men did enquire , hee answered , that the triumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest . the like height of ambition shewed alexander , weeping bitterly to see his father win so fast before him , fearing nothing should remaine for him to conquer . now , how naturally youth is affected to this illimited motion , may be observed even in usuall games ; where youth , rather than hee will endure the foile , exposeth himselfe to all encounters . it is glory which he aimes at , and before he lose it , he will hazard himselfe for it . his prize is his praise : hee values nothing more than to get him a name , which may brute his renowne , and gaine him respect with his dearest . his disquiet ( for what is ambition , but a distraction of the mind ? ) is to affect that best , which doth afflict him most . augustus had broken sleepes , and used to send for some to passe the night away , in telling tales , or holding him with talke . see the misery of ambitious spirits , whose ends are without end , limiting their desires to no other period than sole soveraigntie . their ayrie thoughts ( like icarus wings ) are ever mounting , till the sunne , which they threatned , dissolve them . inferiour taskes they as much sleight , as eagles doe flies : they love not to stoope to basenesse , when many times lowest fortunes entertaine them with no lesse discontent , than despaire can force them to . and in their lowest ebbe , when hope forsakes them , and their neerest ( like tiberius friends ) shrinke from them , and no comfort remaines , save expectance and sufferance of all extremities ; you shall heare them upraid prince or state , relating ( with much vain-glory ) what dangers they have undergone for them . instance whereof , even in these latter times , might be produced ; as in that ambitious french-man , the brave byron , who seeing no way but one , burst out into these violent extremes ; i have received three & thirtie wounds of my body , to preserve it for him , and for my reward , he takes my head from my shoulders : he now quencheth the torch in my bloud after hee hath used it . this is the condition of high spirits , whose aimes were transcendent , to close up their tragicall scene with a vain-glorious boast of what they have done : little considering , how their countrie might lawfully exact and expect as much as was in them to performe , and they still debrours to her , because they had their being from her . yet see ( though sometimes they stand upon termes of resolution , desiring to die standing ; ) when the sentence of death is pronounced , and all future hope extinguished , they will be ( as that great french-man was ) supple as a glove : presenting their heads as willingly to the sword , as agis did his unto the halter . it is strange to note , how these men walke in clouds , imagining themselves most secure , when imminencie of perill assures them nothing lesse . the reason whereof may seeme to be this ; they flatter themselves in their vanitie , as pygmalion with his image , or narcissus with his shadow ; reposing more confidence in their owne valour , and the aide , which ( themistocles or pausanias-like ) they contract abroad , linking and uniting themselves with forraine powers , than on all the information of friends , or the perswasions of a loyall and uncorrupted heart . but these ( as that heroick prince noted ) must bow or breake : be their persons never so hopefull , or directions behovefull to the state , they must be curbed , or the state endangered . their properties is ever to swim in troubled waters : nor can they endure to be mated . though their aimes bee to perpetuate their greatnesse , yet those beasts , which are bred about the river hypanis , and live but one day , may oft-times compare with them for continuance : whence the poet saith excellently , out of his owne observation ; much have i seene , yet seldome seene i have , ambition goe gray-headed to his grave . there is nothing which the ambitious man hates so much as a corrivall ; he hopes to possesse all , and without a sharer . but so indirect are his plots , and so insuccessive their end , as hee findes to his great griefe , that the promise of securitie had no firme foundation to ground on : nor his attempts that issue they expected . now gentlemen , you , whose better parts aime at more glorious ends , so consine your desires to an equall meane , that mounting too high bring you not to an irreparable fall . wee are borne indeed ( as that divine father saith ) to be eagles , and not iayes ; to fly aloft , and not to seek our food on the ground : but our eagle-eyes are to be fixed on the sunne of righteousnesse , not on temporall preferments . we are to soare to the tower from whence commeth our helpe . for it is not lifting up a mans selfe god likes , but lifting up of the spirit in prayer . here are wings for flying , without feare of falling : for other aymes , they are but as feathers in the aire ; they delude us , howsoever they seeme to secure us . but i heare some young gentleman object , that it is a brave thing to be observed in the eye of the world ; to have our persons admired , our selves in publike resorts noted , yea our names dispersed ! indeed i grant ; he who consists on nothing more than showes , thinkes it is brave to heare , loe there be goes ! but such , whose solid understandings have instructed them in higher studies , as much disvalue popular opinion , or the corckie conceits of the vulgar , as true nobilitie scornes to converse with any thing unworthy it selfe . their greatnesse hath correspondence with goodnesse : for esteeme of the world , as in respect of their owne worth they deserve it , so in contempt of all outward glory they disvalue it . come then ( yee nobly affected gentlemen ; ) would yee be heires of honour , and highly reputed by the highest ? resemble the nature of the highest : who humbled himselfe in the forme of man , to restore miserable man ; vilifying himselfe , to make man like himselfe . it is not , beleeve it , to shine in grace or esteeme of the court , which can innoble you : this glory is like glasse , bright but brittle ; and courtiers ( saith one ) are like counters , which sometime in account goe for a thousand pound , and presently before the count bee past , but for a single pennie . it is more glory to be in the courts of the lord , to purchase esteeme with him , whose judgement never erres , and whose countenance never alters . it is reported by comines in his french annals , that charles , whom he then served , was of this disposition , that he would make assay of the greatest matters , revolving in his mind how he might compasse them : yea perchance ( saith he ) assayes farre above the strength of man. see the picture of an ambitious spirit , loving ever to be interessed in affaires of greatest difficultie . caemelion-like on subtill ayre he feeds , and vies in colours with the checkerd meeds . let no such conceits transport you , lest repentance finde you . it is safer chusing the middle-path , than by walking or tracing uncouth wayes , to stray in your journey . more have fallen by presumption , than distrust of their owne strength . and reason good ; for such who dare not relie on themselves , give way to others direction ; whereas too much confidence , or selfe-opinionate boldnesse will rather chuse to erre , and consequently to fall , than submit themselves to others judgement . of this opinion seemed velleius the epicurean to bee , of whom it is said ; that in confidence of himselfe he was so farre from feare , as hee seemed not to doubt of any thing . a modest or shamefast feare becomes youth better : which indeed ever attends the best or affablest natures . such will attempt nothing without advice , nor assay ought without direction : so as their wayes are secured from many perills , which attend on inconsiderate youth . my conclusion of this point shal be in a word ; that neither the rich man is to glory in his riches , the wise man in his wisdome , nor the strong man in his strength : for should man consider the weaknesse and many infirmities whereto he is hourely subject , hee would finde innumerable things to move him to sorrowing , but few or none to glory in . againe , if he should reflect to the consideration of his dissolution , which , that it shall bee , is most certain , but when it shall be , most uncertaine : he would be forced to stand upon his guard with that continuall feare , as there would be no emptie place left in him for pride . this day one proud , as prouder none , may lye in earth ere day be gone . what confidence is there to be reposed in so weake a foundation ; where to remaine ever is impossible , but quickly to remove , most probable ? then ( to use petrarchs words ) be not afraid though the house , the bodie be shaken , so the soule , the guest of the body , fare well : for weakning of the one addeth for most part strength to the other . and so i come to the last passion or perturbation incident to youth . revenge is an intended resolve , arising from a conceived distaste , either justly or unjustly grounded . this revenge is ever violent'st in hot blouds , who stand so much upon termes of reputation , as rather than they will pocket up the least indignitie , they willingly oppose themselves to extremest hazard . now this unbounded fury may seeme to have a two-fold relation ; either as it is proper and personall , or popular and impersonall . revenge proper or personall , ariseth from a peculiar distaste or offence done or offered to our own person ; which indeed hath ever the deepest impression : which may be instanced in menelaus and paris ; where the honour of a nuptiall bed , the law of hospitalitie , the prosessed league of amitie , were joyntly infringed : or in antonie and octavius , whose intestine hate grew to that height , as antonies angell was afraid of octavius angell . which hatred , as it was fed and increased by fulvia , so was it allayed and tempered by octavia ; though in the end it grew irreconciliable ; ending in bloud , as it begun with lust . revenge popular or impersonall , proceedeth extrinsecally , as from factions in families , or some ancient grudge hereditarily descending , betwixt house and house , or nation and nation . when annibal was a childe , and at his fathers commandement , he was brought into the place where he made sacrifice ; and laying his hand upon the altar , swore , that so soone as he had any rule in the common-wealth , he would bee a prosessed enemie to the romans . whence may be observed , how the conceit of an injury or offence received , worketh such impression in that state or kingdome where the injury is offered , as hate lives , and survives the life of many ages , crying out with those incensed greekes ; the time will come when mightie troy must fall , where priams race must be extinguish'd all . but wee are principally to discourse of the former branch , to wit , of proper or personall revenge : wherein wee shall observe sundry occurrents right worthy our serious consideration . that terme ( as i said before ) usually called reputation , hath brought much generous bloud to effusion : especially amongst such , qui magis sunt soliciti vani nominis , quàm propriae salutis : prizing vain-glory above safetie , esteeme of valour above securitie of person . and amongst these , may i truly ranke our martial duellists , who many times upon a taverne quarrell are brought to shed their dearest bloud , which might have beene imployed better in defence of their countrey , or resistance of proud infidels . and what is it which moves them to these extremes ; but ( as they seeme to pretend ) their reputation is engaged , their opinion in the eye of the world called in question , if they should sit downe with such apparent disgrace ? but shall i answer them ? the opinion of their valour indeed is brought in question ; but by whom ? not by men of equall temper , or maturer judgement , who measure their censures , not by the last of rash opinion , but just consideration . for these cannot imagine how reputation should be brought in question , by any indiscreet crime uttered over a pot , whereof perchance the speaker is ignorant , at least what it meant : but of these distempered roisters , whose only judgement consists in taking offence , and valour in making a flourish ; of these i have seene one in the folly of my youth , but could not rightly observe till my riper age : whose braving condition ( having some young gooselin to worke on ) would have made you confident of his valour : instancing what dangerous exploits hee had attempted and atchieved , what single fields hee had pitched , and how bravely he came off : yet on my conscience , the battell of the pyg●●ies might have equall'd his , both for truth and resolution . yet i have noted such as these , to be the bellowes which blow the fire of all uncivill quarrells ; suggesting to young gentlemen ( whose want of experience makes them too credolous ) matter of revenge : by aggravating each circumstance to enrage their hot bloud the more . some others there are of this band , which i have like wise observed : and they are taken for grave censors or moderators , if any difference occurre amongst young gentlemen . and these have beene men in their time , ( at least accounted so ) but now their fortunes falling to an ebbe , having drawne out their time in expence above their meanes , they are enforced ( and well it were if misery forced them not to worse ) to erect a scence , whereto the roarers make recourse , as to their rendevous : and hereto also resorts the raw and unseasoned youth , whose late-fallen patrimonie makes him purchase acquaintance at what rate soever ; glorying much to be esteemed one of the fraternity . and he must now keep his quarter , maintaine his prodigall rout with what his parcimonious father long carked for ; prepare his rere-suppers , and all this , to get him a little knowledge in the art of roaring . and by this time , you may suppose him to have attained to some degree , so as he can looke bigge , erect his mouchatoes , stampe and stare , and call the drawer rogue , drinke to his venus in a venice-glasse , and to moralize her sex , throwes it over his head and breakes it . but for all this , he hath not fully learned his postures : for upon discourse of valour , he hath discovered his cowardize ; and this gives occasion to one of his cumrades to triumph ore his weaknesse . who entring upon termes of reputation , and finding himselfe wrong'd , he would gladly wipe off all aspersions , and gaine him opinion in the eye of the world : but recalling to mind , the dangers incident to quarrels , he thinkes it best to repaire to that grand moderator ( whose long experience hath made his opinion authenticke ) to receive satisfaction , whether hee may put up the injury offered him , without touch of disgrace . now he must be fee'd for his opinion , ( as if he were some grave legall professour : ) which done , his reply must tend to the definition of a wrong , and what the law of valour holds for satisfaction in actions of that nature . againe , ( for still he works on this young-gallants weaknesse ) how the world esteemes his opponent to be a brave sparke ; one whose spirit cannot be daunted , nor fury appea●ed with lesse than bloud : drawing him in the end by some rhetoricall perswasion ( as nothing more smooth than the oily tongue of an insinuating foist ) to some base composition , whereof he and his complices are made equall sharers . now gentlemen , i could likewise produce certaine wofull occurrents , which have befallen some of your ranke and qualitie , and that within these few yeares , by consorting with such grand c●tt●rs : who pres●ing them to offence , could not endure such affronts , but with resolution ( which ever attends a generous spirit ) encountring them , have been utterly overthrowne , either in doing or suffering . but you will aske me , how should this be prevented ? can any gentleman suffer with patience his reputation to be brought in question ? can he endure to be challenged in a publike place , and by that meanes incurre the opinion of coward ? can he put up disgrace without observance , or observing it , not revenge it , when his very honour ( the vitall bloud of a gentleman ) is impeached ? heare me , whosoever he be that frameth these objections ! i am not ignorant how many unjust and immerited aspersions shall be throwne upon men of eminent'st desert , by such , whose tongues are ever steeped in calumnie : but who are these , save such as the glory of greece ( the everliving homer ) displayeth in the contemptuous person of thersites ; whose character was , more deformed in minde than bodie ? their infamous and serpentine tongues inured to detraction , deserve no other revenge , ( next legall punishment ) save avoiding their company , and bruting their basenesse in all societies , where their names are knowne , to caution others of them . i am spoken evill of ( saith seneca ) but the evill speake it : i should be moved , if m. cato , if wise lelius , or the two scipio's should speake this of me ; but it is praise for mee , to have the evill displeased with mee . it is true ; for as no imputation can truly be said to staine a pure or undefiled soule , whose inward sinceritie ( like a brazen wall ) beats backe all darts of envie or calumnie ; so it is not in the power of the evill to detract from the glory of the good : for what then should remaine secure from aspersion of the vicious ? but i imagine , you will reply ; it is not only the report or scandall of these men of uncurbed tongues , ( for so pindarus termes them ) but of such , whose eminent esteeme in the world , gives approbation to what they speake , which awakes my revenge . if they be as you terme them , men of eminent esteeme , and that esteeme by merit purchased , ( for all other estimation i exclude it : ) i need little doubt , but the distaste which you conceive against them , hath proceeded in some part from your selfe ; and that upon maturer consideration , you should find your own bosome guilty to be the cause of these aspersions . if otherwise it happen , ( as i grant it may ) that upon private surmises , or suggestions derived from some factious heads , these men of more eminent note and esteeme have brought your name in question , because ( as they were informed ) you formerly aspersed a blemish upon their honour : i would not have you to erre so farre from your owne judgement , as without further discussing the cause , to fall into desperat extremes : for were it not much better for you to sift the cause , how you both are abused , whereby that base suggestour might be duely censured , and your wrongs mutually redressed , than to vow revenge ere an injury be offered ? yes sir , beleeve it , much better and safer , and in the opinion of discreet men , wiser : howsoever our hare-brain'd gallant , whose property is to act before hee resolve , esteeme it a derogation to expostulate on termes of disgrace , but to publish war ere the league be broken . we account him who can beare the most , to bee the strongest ; yet esteeme we him who can beare injuries most , to be the weakest ; so ill disposed is mans temper , as for an opinion of reputation , hee will incurre apparant errour . now there is another revenge , which proceedeth from a nature farre more inglorious than the former . and that is , when for some little distaste conceived against our inferiour , ( even in worldly respects ) wee labour his undoing : yea many times , because hee stands too resolutely for right , wee threaten his ruine : but true shall we finde it : as the high doe use the low , god will use the highest so . and this might appeare in poore naboth , who because he would not give the inheritance of his fathers , his vine-yard , he must be stoned . but of this revenge i am not to insist : for this is an evill more properly inherent to our rich oppressours , who grind the face of the poore , and raise them an house to their seldome thriving heires out of others ruine . only my wish shall be , that their dwelling may be with owles and ostridges in the wildernesse , and not in the flowry borders of this iland , lest shee be forced to vie sighes for their sinnes . i might now in this subject of revenge , inlarge my discourse by speaking of anger , from whence revenge may seeme to receive her originall being : which anger the poet termes a short fury : anger is madnesse , and as strong in force , but not in course so long . for what differs an angrie man from a mad-man , save onely in this ; his violence of passion continues not so long : for the time it is as vehement and as violent . excellent therefore was that precept of moderation given and observed by that renowned emperour theodosius , drawne ( as may appeare in the like example of augustus ) from a former patterne : of whom it is written , that he would never in his anger proceed to revenge , or so much as shew any argument of distaste , till hee had repeated over the foure and twentie greeke letters . but to conclude this last branch , my exhortation to all young gentlemen shall be , whose high spirits cannot endure affronts , that they would labour to expostulate with passion ; which if once protracted , will bee sooner tempered , meditating also of these divine places of scripture : which receits are indeed most powerfull and effectuall to allay this passion . wee that are by nature children of wrath , ought to give place unto wrath . for the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of god. yea , we ought to imitate god , which if wee will doe , we must not continue in wrath , knowing , god will not contend , nor bee wroth for ever . hee is slow to anger . yea , every man ought to bee slow to wrath : for it is wisedome . if we will joyne in the true lovers knot , we must not be angry , for , true love is not provoked to anger . and if wee will prevent the effect , wee are to avoid the occasion ; therefore are we taught to have no familiarity , neither strive with an angry man. would wee appease anger ? we must doe it by meekenesse . lastly , may we be angry ? yes , but how ? bee angry , but sinne not . let not the sunne goe downe upon your wrath . neither give place to the devill . thus have we runne over all those predominant humours , which beare most sway in distempered youth . let us now , according to our former purpose proceed in applying certaine receits to cure these dangerous maladies . which briefly ( to avoid all curious divisions ) may be reduced to these two : active and contemplative . the one in exercising and performing the offices of our calling : the other in practising workes of piety , exercises of devotion , meditation , contemplation . for the former , to wit , active , every action hath two handles ( to use the philosophers words ; ) the one whereof consists in plotting or contriving ; the other in effecting . without the former , the latter is precipitate ; and without the latter , the former is frustrate : both concurring , the action becomes absolute . but to speake generally of action , as it is the represser , so idlenesse is the producer of all vice . whence came that ancient edict amongst the romans , mentioned by cicero ; that no roman should goe thorow the streetes of the city , unlesse he carried with him the badge of that trade whereby he lived . insomuch that marcus aurelius speaking of the diligence of the romans writeth ; that all of them followed their labour . now gentlemen , i perswade my selfe , you will most of you object and say with the displaced steward in the gospell , we cannot dig : ( and i could wish that many of our eminent ones , would adde unto it , and to begge we are ashamed . ) it is true indeed ; i know your breeding hath beene otherwise : but admit you cannot digge , doe yee inferre hence that yee are exempted from all labour ? in no case are you so to argue . there are other taskes , other imployments besides manual and mechanicke labours , which require your furtherance . and these are forraine or domesticall : forraine , as to benefit your country by rare discoveries , re-conveying the rich freight of knowledge ( by conference with forraine nations ) to your native soile : or by personall adventure , to stand resolutely in defence of the faith , against those profest enemies of christendome , the turkes ; whose fury and hostile cruelty , the easterne parts ( to our great griefe be it spoken ) have already wofully sustained . domesticall ; as in studying the practice of lawes , or other humane studies ; in labouring to determine differences betwixt party and party ; in chastising and due censuring , ( as farre as their callings give leave ) of such factions or litigious sectists , as either in church or common-weale disturbe the quiet of the realme , and distract the state with frivolous or fruitlesse ambiguities . here are labours fit to entertaine gentlemen , and nought derogating from men of eminentest descent or quality . for in actions of this nature have the best and most renowned states and princes in christ●ndome beene trained and exercised : glorying no lesse in the happy and successive management thereof , than in subduing the potent'st and flourishing'st kingdomes . secondly , for the contemplative , which participates more of the minde : i could wish all gentlemen ( as they claime a prerogative in height of bloud ) so to erect their contemplations above the sphere of these lower and inferiour mortals , whose cogitations pressed downe with rubbish and refuse of earthly preferments , cannot distinguish light from darknesse : that they may imagine ( as in truth they ought ) that whatsoever is fought besides god , may possesse the minde , but cannot satisfie it . now , of all exercises of devotion , i must principally commend prayer ; being ( as one excellently noteth ) to be numbred amongst the chiefest and choisest workes of charity . for by prayer are digged forth those treasures , which faith beholdeth in the gospell : being goas sacrifice , mans solace , and the devils scourge . for the time & place of prayer , i will not insist much of it ; howsoever , divers more curiously than profitably , precisely than wisely , have quarrelled about the place : excluding withall , some places as unfit for prayer . but in a word , for the place of prayer or devotion , this shall be my conclusion ; as there is no place exempted from tempting , so there is no place exempted from praying : and for the time , as wee are continually assaulted , so are wee exhorted to pray continually , that wee may bee the better provided to resist those temptations which are usually suggested . amongst those many devout and divine prayers commended to youth , none more needfull or effectuall than that of the psalmist ; remember not the sinnes of my youth . nor any memoriall more powerfull , than that of the preacher ; remember thy creator in the dayes of thy youth . for by the latter are we put in minde of him , whose grace is to preserve us from sinne ; and by the former to call on him , whose mercy it is to forgive sinne . now gentlemen , have i composed and perfected what i purposed touching my first observance , entituled youth . wherein i have inlarged my selfe so much the more for two principall respects : the one , lest by being unprovided you should fly away naked ( as the young-man in the gospell ) wanting sufficient instruction to informe your weaker understandings : which moved me to amplifie each particular subject with variety of morall reading ; because i knew how such discourse would relish more pleasantly to a young-mans palate , than graver or more serious matter . the other , lest wanting a convenient foundation to worke on , the maine building might shrinke . now , this i purposely framed for the basis or ground-worke , the rest as stories , which are made to beautifie the foundation : for in these observances ensuing i intend brevity , yet with such perspicuity , as the gentleman to whom i write , may the better understand himselfe , and direct his courses to that bent of honour whereto all generous actions are directed . the english gentleman . argument . of the diversity of dispositions ; the disposition is not to be forced ; what disposition is most generous . disposition . how different the dispositions of men be , our usuall converse & commerce with men may sufficiently instruct us . yea even in youth , where the first seeds of inclination are sowne , we shall observe such diversitie , as the grasse-piles of the earth may scarce vie with them for variety , the starres or sands for multiplicity . where you shall note some youths of such wel-affected or tempered dispositions , as they shew undoubted arguments of future good : and these are such , whose natures are rather to be cherished than chastised , cockered than curbed : for the least distaste which their guardian or tutor can shew , workes such impression in them , as they could willingly choose rather to suffer his correction than his distaste . others there be , whose perverse and refractory natures are not to bee dealt with all upon equall termes : and these are the very antipodes to those well-tempered dispositions which wee spake of before : for they ever walke in a contrary path , directly opposite to such , whose native affabilitie gains them love by an inbred courtesie . these ( diogenes-like ) are ever entring the temple , when others goe forth ; or repairing to the market , when others come from it . and these must taste of sharper censure ▪ for lenitie will not prevaile , therefore rigour must . the like may be observed even in their dispositions to learning : where wee shall finde some apt enough to get , and as apt to forget : others more solide ; though for the present ●low , yet more retentive . and these , as with hardnesse they get it , so hardly will they lose it ; for their difficultie in gaining , is supplied by a facilitie in retaining . likewise , as the principall workes or faculties of our understanding be three ; first to discourse ; secondly , to distinguish ; thirdly , to choose : we shall also observe an admirbale difference in these , in respect of their distinct qualities . where we shall finde one as apt to discourse , as unable to distinguish or choose ; and such an one hath all his judgement in his tongue . another of greater depth and maturer judgement than the former , more able to distinguish or choose , than apt to discourse : for though he want facilitie of utterance ( which want is generally supplyed by more excellent gifts ) yet so quick and subtill is the piercing eye of his judgement , as he is no lesse prompt in conceiving , than slow in uttering . now to treat of the dispositions of mens mindes ; it is strange to see what difference appeares in them , ( even by naturall and infusive motion . ) rome brought forth the pisoes for frugalitie , the metelli for pietie , the appij for austeritie , the manlij for affabilitie , the lelij for wisdome , and the publicolae for courtesie . which conditions appeared so lineally in their successours , as they seemed representers of their ancestours natures , as well as features . yet what reason can be given touching these distinct affections , save those prime seeds sowne in them by nature , which produce not onely these dispositions in themselves , but dilate or propagate their effects in others , to wit , those in whom they have stamped a likenesse both of image and condition . now to collect or gather , how men are affected , there is no course more direct , or in it selfe lesse erring , than to observe what delights they affect , or what company they frequent . augustus being at a combat , discerned the inclinations of his two daughters , iulia and livia , by the company which frequented them : for grave senators talke with livia , but riotous persons with iulia. truth is , we shall ever see persons of like condition love to consort together ; for their qualitie or equalitie rather of disposition moves a desire of familiaritie one with another . likewise for delights , wee shall ever observe such , whose lighter dispositions affect libertie , to be frequenters of publike meetings , agents in may-games , profest lovers of all sensuall pleasures . that roman curtezan sempronia , was noted for her singing , sporting and dancing , wherein shee laboured to shew more art than became a modest woman , with other motives of licentiousnesse . but in my opinion , there is no one meanes to sift out the disposition of man better , than by noting how he beares himselfe in passion , which is of that violence , as many times it discovers him though his purpose was to walke never so covertly from the eye of popular observance . should we have recourse to the lives of sundry tyrants , whose outward appearance or semblance promised much goodnesse : we might finde sufficient matter to confirme this argument . some whereof ( as tiberius ) so commonly carried and covered their plots , as none could dive into their thoughts , pretending ever most smoothnesse , when they intended a tempest . yet if at any time ( as it befell many times ) their spirits became netled or incensed ; so farre did passion transport them , as they apparantly expressed their natures , without further character . other discoveries may be made , and those are the manifestest of all , how men are affected or disposed when they are least themselves : and this is ( with griefe i speake it , for too highly doth albion labour of it ) when man , losing indeed that name , at least his nature , becomes estranged from the use of reason , by drowning his understanding with drunkennesse . in high germanie , the parents of such children as should be married , will see those which should be their sonnes in law to be drunke before them , to see what disposition they are of , before they marrie their children unto them . for they imagine , if they be subject to any especiall vice , they will then discover it , having no locke to keepe it secret . yet in this there are different humours which reigne and rage according to the disposition of the person subject unto it : as we shall see one lumpish without all conceit ; another jocund and merry , apt for any conceit : one weeping , as if some disastrous fortune had befallen him : another laughing , as if some merry scene were presented him . we reade of two distinct conditions in philip & alexander , when they were in drinke , for the one shewed his rage and furie towards his foes , the other to his friends : the one whereof participaes of more true generous spirit than the other . for as nothing can be imagined more ignoble , than to triumph over our friend ; so nothing relisheth of more resolution , than to shew our spirit ( so it be upon equall termes , and without braving ) upon our enemie . but would you indeed see the disposition of man truly discovered , and the veile which kept him from sight , cleare taken away ? then come to him when he is advanced to place of honour or esteeme ; ( for pr●motions declare what men be : ) and there you shall finde him pourtrayed to life . galba was esteemed in the opinion of all , fit to governe till he did governe . many have an excellent gift of concealing and shadowing ( which giveth grace to any picture ) so long as they are obscure and private : but bring them to a place of more eminent note , and give a lustre to their obscuritie , you shall view them as perfectly , as if their bodies were transparent , or windowes were in their bosomes . here you shall see one unmeasurably haughtie , scorning to converse with these groundlins ( for so it pleases him to tearme his inferiours ) and bearing such a state , as if he were altered no lesse in person than place . another , not so proud as he is covetous : for no passion ( as a learned schooleman affirmeth ) is better knowne unto us than the coveting or desiring passion , which he calls concupiscible : and such an one makes all his inferiours his sponges ; and ostridge-like can digest all metalls . another sort there are , whose well-tempered natures have brought them to that perfection , as the state which they presently enjoy makes them no more proud than the losse of that they possesse would cast them downe . these ( camillus-like ) are neither with the opinion of honour too highly erected , nor with the conceit of affliction too much dejected . as their conceits are not heightned by possessing it , so they lose nothing of their owne proper height by forgoing it . these are so evenly poized , so nobly tempered , as their opinion is not grounded on title , nor their glory on popular esteeme : they are knowne to themselves , and that knowledge hath instructed them so well in the vanitie of earth , as their thoughts have taken flight , vowing not to rest till they approach heaven . pompey being cumbred with his honour , exclaimed to see sylla's crueltie , being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignitie he had ; and cried out , o perill and danger never like to have end ! such is the nature of noble spirits , as they admire not so much the dignitie of the place to which they are advanced , as they consider the burden which is on them imposed ; labouring rather how to behave themselves in their place , than arrogate glory to themselves , by reason of their place . neither are these sundrie dispositions naturally ingraffed in men , meerely produced from themselves , as the affections or dispositions of our mindes doe follow the temperature of our bodies ; where the melancholy produceth such , the cholericke , phlegmaticke , and sanguine such and such , according to humours predominant in that body , whence these affections are derived : but i say , these participate also of the clime wherein we are . for otherwise , how should our observations appeare good , which we usually collect in the survey of other countries ; noting certaine vices to be most entertained in some especiall provinces ? as pride among the babylonians , envie among the iewes , anger among the thebans , covetousnesse among the tyrians , gluttonie among the sidonians , pyracie among the cilicians , and sorcerie among the aegyptians , to whom caesar gave great attention , as alexander was delighted in the brachmans . so as i say , our dispositions how different or consonant soever , doe not only partake of us , but even of the aire or temperature of soile which bred us . thus we see what diversitie of dispositions there is , and how diversly they are affected : let us now take a view of the disposition it selfe , whether it may be forced or no , from what it naturally affecteth . the philosopher saith , that the disposition may be removed , but hardly the habit. but i say those first seeds of disposition , as they are primitives , can hardly be made privatives : being so inherent in the subject , as they may be moved , but not removed . not removed ( objectest thou ! ) why ? disposition can be of no stronger reluctance than nature ; & we see how much she may be altered , yea , cleare removed from what she formerly appeared . for doe we not ( in the view of humane frailty ) observe how many excellent wits drained from the very quintessence of nature , as apt in apprehending as expressing a conceit , strangely darkened or dulled , as if they had beene steeped in some lethaean slumber ? nay doe we not ( in this round circumference of man ) note divers honest and sincere dispositions , whose gaine seemed to bee godlinesse , and whose glory the profession of a good conscience , wonderfully altered , becoming so corrupted by the vaine pompe or trifling trash of the world , as they preferre the puddle before the pearle , forsaking christ for the world ? doe wee not see how uprightly some men have borne themselves all their time without staine or blemish : being all their youth vertuously affected , all their middle-age charitably disposed , yet in their old-age miserably depraved ? againe , doe we not behold , how many women , whose virgin-modesty and nuptiall-continency promised much glory to their age ; even then , when the flower of beauty seemed bloomelesse , so as their very age might make them blamelesse , when their skin was seere , and their flesh saplesse , their breath earthie , and their mouth toothlesse ; then , even then fell these unweldie beldames to embrace folly , promising longer continuance to pleasure , than they could by all likelyhood unto nature ? now tell me how happened this ? were not these at the first vertuously affected ; if disposition then could not be forced , how came they altered ? all these rivers of objections i can dry up with one beame , darting from the reflex of nature . thou producest divers instances to confirme this assertion , that dispositions are to bee forced from what they were naturally affected unto . whereto i answer , that dispositions in some are resembled ( and not improperly ) unto a beame cloathed or shadowed with a cloud ; which ( as we see ) sheweth his light sometimes sooner , sometimes later : or ( as by a more proper allusion may seem illustrated ) may be resembled to the first * flourish in trees , which according to the nature or quality of the internall pith , from whence life is diffused to the branches , send forth their bloomes and blossomes sooner or later . true it is you object , that to the outward appearance , such men shewed arguments of good dispositions , for they were esteemed men of approved sanctity , making conscience of what they did , and walking blamelesse and unreproveable before all men : but what collect you hence ? that their dispositions were sincerely good or pure , if society had not depraved them ! no , this induction will not hold : it is the evening crownes the day . what could be imagined better , or more royally promising , than nero's quinquennium ? what excellent tokens of future goodnesse ? what apparant testimonies of a vertuous government ? what infallible grounds of princely policy , mixed with notable precepts of piety ? yet who knowes not , how all the vices of his ancestours put together , seemed by a lineall descent to bee transferred on him : being the patterne and patron of all cruelty , the author and actor of all villany , the plotter and practiser of all impiety : so as , if all the titles of cruelty were lost , they might be found in this tyrant . how then doe you say , that his disposition was naturally good , but became afterwards depraved , and corrupted ? no , rather joyne with mee and say , that howsoever his disposition seemed good during those five yeares , wherein hee dissembled with vertue , and concealed those many vices which he professed and possessed afterwards : yet indeed he was the same though not in shew , yet in heart . only now the cloud being dispersed , his tyrannous and inhumane nature became more discovered , acting that in publike , which he had long before plotted in private . for howsoever our dispositions may seeme forced , from what they naturally or originally were ; it is but a deception , they remaine still the same , though advice and assistance may sometimes prevaile so much with them , as for the time they seeme to surcease and discontinue from their former bent ; but returning afresh , they will antaeus-like , redouble their strength and become more furious . for resolve me , and shew what may be the effectuallest or powerfullest meanes to remove disposition , or alter man most from what hee may seeme naturally inclined unto . can honour ? no ; for that man , whose inclination is subject to change for any exteriour title , is not to bee ranked amongst these generous spirits , with whom i am onely here to converse . for these admire titles , and assume a kinde of affected majesty , to make their persons more observed . but tell me , what are these whom honour hath thus transported , expressing state with winks and nods , as if the whole posture of state consisted in gesture , but meere popin-jayes , who glory more in the painting or varnish of honour , than the true substance of it ? and to speake truth ( as i had never fortune to dote much on an immerited title , nor gloze with counterfeit greatnesse ) their dispositions howsoever they seeme to the vulgar eye changed , they are nothing so : for their inclinations were ever arrogantly affected , so as they no sooner became great , than they deblazoned their owne thoughts . can riches ? neither ; for such , whose imaginations are erected above earth , scorne to entertaine discourse with ought that may make them worse : all in the world being either fumus or funus , a vanity or vexation , as the preacher saith . these conclude , that no object lesse than heaven , can satisfie their eye ; no treasure lesse than eternity , can answer their desire ; no pleasure save what hath concurrence with felicity , can gaine them true delight . now for these earthly moles , who are ever digging , till their graves be digged ; their dispositions are of baser temper : for they can taste nothing but earthly things . they measure not estate by competence , desiring only so much as may suffice nature , but by abundance ; which fares with them as liquor with an hydropticke man , who , the more he drinks , the more he thirsts : so the more they have , the more they crave ; making their desires as endlesse , as their aimes effectlesse ; their hopes as boundlesse , as their helpes fruitlesse . when their mouths shall bee filled with gravell , and corruption shall enter those houses of clay , for which so much provision was stored , and so small a share in the end contented . can acquaintance ? no ; for if company better me ( by an internall grace working secretly , yet effectually in me ) my disposition consented , before such good fruit was produced : if it makes me worse , my disposition , by consenting to suggestion , induced me that i should be thereto moved . yea generally , whosoever is wel-disposed , will keepe no man company , but either in hope to better him , or to be bettered by him : as he , whose inclination is vicious and corrupt , leaveth the company he frequents ever worse than when he found them . for as a * troubled fountaine yeelds impure water , so an infected soule vicious actions . can travell ? no ; for , give me a man that hath seen iudasses lanterne at s. deninis's ; the ephesian diana in the louvre ; the great vessell at heydleberge ; the amphitheatre at vlysmos ; the stables of the great mogol ; or the solemnities of mecha ; yea all the memorable monuments which the world can afford ; or places of delight to content his view ; or learned academies , to instruct and inrich his knowledge ; yet are not all these of power to alter the state or quality of his disposition : whence the sententious flaccus ; to passe the sea some are inclinde , to change their aire , but not their minde . no ; shouldst thou change aire , and soile , and all , it were not in thy power to change thy selfe : yet as soon thy selfe as thy disposition , which ever accompanies and attends thee , moving in thee a like or dislike , just as she is affected . having thus proved , that the disposition is not to bee forced ; we are now to descend to discourse of the noblest and most genorous disposition : which we intend to make knowne by certaine infallible markes , which seldom erre in their attendance , being vowed servants to such as are vertuously affected . the first is mildnesse ; the second munificence ; the third fortitude or stoutnesse . mildenesse is a quality so inherent , or more properly individuate to a gentleman , as his affability will expresse him , were there no other meanes to know him . hee is so farre from contemning the meanest , as his countenance is not so cheerefull , as his heart compassionate : though the one be no lesse gracious in promising , than the other generous in his performing . hee poizeth the wrongs of the weakest , as if they were his owne ; and vowes their redresse as his owne . hee is none of these surly sirs , whose aime is to be capp'd and congied ; for such gentility tastes too much of the mushrom . you shall never see one new stept into honour , but he expects more observance than an ancient : for though he be but new come from mint , he knowes how to looke bigge , and shew a storme in his brow. this meeknesse admits of humility to keepe her company ; in whose sweet familiarity she so much glories , as she cannot enjoy her selfe without her . and in very deede , there is no ornament which may adde more beauty or true lustre to a gentleman , than to be humbly minded ; being as low in conceit , as he is high in place ; with which vertue ( like two kinde turtles in one yoke ) is compassion ( as i noted before ) linked and coupled : which compassion hath many times appeared in the renownedst and most glorious princes . when pompeyes head was offered to caesar , as a most gratefull and acceptable present , it is reported that hee washed the head with teares of princely compassion , and inflicted due punishment upon his murderers . the like is written of titus , that love and darling of mankinde , in his taking and destroying of ierusalem , using these words ; i take god witnesse , i am not the cause of the destruction of this people , but their sinnes : mixing his words with teares , and tempering his victorious successe with royall moderation . the like is related of marcus marcellus , who having wonne the most flourishing city of syracusa , stood upon the walls , shedding plenty of teares before he shed any bloud . and this compassion attracts ever unto it a kinde of princely majesty , gaining more love than any other affection . for as proud spirits , whose boundlesse ambition keepes them ever a-float , till they sinke downe for altogether , use to triumph in others miseries , till misery in the end finde them out : so these , in a discreet moderation or noble temper , will never assume more glory to themselves for any exploit , how successively or prosperously soever managed . such is the native modesty , wherewith they are endued , as their victories are never so numerous or glorious , as to transport them above themselves . which modesty surely becommeth men of all degrees , but especially men of eminent and noble ranke , to the end they may understand and acknowledge in every action that there is a god , from whom all things proceed and are derived . now as there is no glory equall to the command or soveraingtie over our owne passions ; the conquest whereof makes man an absolute commander : so there is no ornament which confers more true or native grace to one ennobled by place or birth , than to put on the spirit of meekenesse , being expresly commanded , and so highly commended of god , as the goodnesse thereof is confirmed by a promise ; the meeke shall inherit the earth . so humility is said to purchase gods favour ; for by that one vertue wee become to have a resemblance of him , whose glory it was to disesteeme all glory to fashion us like unto himselfe . now how precious may that exquisite treasure appeare unto us , which conferres so much light on us , as by it we are brought to know our selves : being strangers , as it were , and aliens unto our selves , till humility tooke off the veile , & shewed man his anatomy . so rare was this divine vertue , and so few her professors in former time , especially amongst such whose titles had advanced them above inferiour ranke , as the place which they held made them forget the mould whereof they were made . an excellent historicall demonstration we have hereof , as we receive it from venerable bede , who reports it thus : aidan a religious bishop , weeping for king osvinus , and demanded by the kings chaplaine why he wept ; i know ( said he ) that the king shall not live long : for never before this time have i seene an humble king. which hapned accordingly , for hee was cruelly murdered by oswin . but ( thanks to him who became humble for us ) wee have in these declining dayes , among so many proud simeons , many humble iosephs , whose chiefest honour they make it to abase themselves on earth , to adde to their complement of glory in heaven ; so much sleighting the popular applause of men , as their onely aime is to have a sincere and blamelesse conscience in them , to witnesse in that judiciall day for them . these have not ( like those furies of revenge ) hearts full of wrath , but with all meekenesse and long-suffering will rather endure an injury , than inflict too violent revenge , though they have ready power to effect or performe it . it is reported of thomas linacres , a learned englishman , much commended for his sanctitie of life , that when hee heard it read in the fifth chapter of s. matt. diligite inimicos ; blesse them that curse you , &c. he brake forth into these words , o amici , aut haec vera non sunt , aut nos christiani non sumus ! o my friends , either these things are not true , or we are no christians ▪ true it is indeed , that so strangely are some men affected , as they tender revenge equally deare as their owne life : their plots are how to circumvent , their traines how to surprize , their whole consultations how to inflict due revenge , where they have alreadie conceived distaste . and these are those bulls of basan , who rome and rore , and when the prey falleth , they seaze on it , and teare it with their teeth . on these men may that of the poet be truly verified ; they feare no lawes , their wrath gives way to might , and what they plot they act , be 't wrong or right . but how farre the disposition of these men may seeme removed from the meeke and humble affected , whose only glory is to redresse wrong , and render right judgement unto all , there is none but may at the first sight apparently discerne . for these humble and mildly-affected spirits , stand so firme and irremoveable , as no adversitie can depresse them , no prosperitie raise them above themselves . for adversities , they account them with that excellent morall , nothing else than exercises to trie them , not to tire them . and for prosperities , they receive them as they come ; not so much admiring them , as making a profitable use of them ; and with a thankfull remembrance of divine bountie , blessing god for them . these are those impregnable rockes ( as one aptly compared them ) subject to no piercing ; those greenē bayes in midst of hoarie winter , never fading ; those fresh springs in the sandie desart , never drying . whos 's many eminent vertues , as they deserve your imitation , ( gentlemen ) so especially their meeknesse , being the first marke i tooke to distinguish true gentilitie . the second was munificence ; that is , to be of a bountifull disposition , open-handed , yet with some necessary caution , as to know what we give , and the worth of that person to whom we give . for without these considerations , bountie may incline to profusenesse , and liberalitie to indiscretion . this moved that mirror of roman princes , the emperour titus , to keep a booke of the names of such , whose deserts had purchased them esteeme , but had not as yet tasted of his bountie . so as , it is observed of him , that no day came over his head , wherein he exprest not his princely munificence to such , whose names he had recorded : which , if at any time through more urgent occasions he neglected , he would use these words to such as were about him : o my friends , i have lost this day ! no lesse was the bountie which cyrus expressed , first in words , but afterward in deeds , to such souldiers as tooke his part against his grand-father astyages ; that such as were footmen , he would make them horse-men , and such as were horse-men , hee would make them ride in their chariots . it is said of the house of the agrigentine gillia , that it seemed as if it had beene a certaine storehouse or repository of all bountie . such indeed was the hospitalitie ( esteemed in this iland formerly , one of the apparantest signals of gentrie ) which was showne to all such as made recourse to that mansion . and because i have accidentally fallen into this discourse , let me speake a word or two touching this neglect of hospitalitie , which may be observed in most places throughout this kingdome . what the reason may seeme to be i know not , unlesse riot and prodigalitie , the very gulfes which swallow up much gentrie : why so many sumptuous and goodly buildings , whose faire frontispice promise much comfort to the wearied traveller , should want their masters . but surely i thinke , as diogenes jested upon the mindians , for māking their gates larger than their citie ; bidding them take heed , lest the citie run out at the gates : so their store-house being made so strait , and their gates so broad , i much feare me , that provision ( the life of hospitalitie ) hath run out at their gates , leaving vast penurious houses apt enough to receive , but unprovided to releeve . but indeed , the reason why this defect of noble hospitalitie hath so generally possessed this realme , is their love to the court. this moved his highnesse of late , to declare his gracious pleasure to our gentry : that all persons of ranke and quality should retire from the citty , and returne to their countrey ; where they might bestowe that on hospitality , which the liberty of the time ; too much besotted with fashion and forraine imitation , useth to disgorge on vanity . their ancient predecessours , whose chiefest glory it was to releeve the hungrie , refresh the thirstie , and give quiet repose to the weary , are but accounted by these sweet-sented humorists , for men of rusticke condition , meere home-spun fellowes , whose rurall life might seeme to derogate from the true worth of a gentleman , whose onely humour is to be phantastically humorous . o the misery of errour ! how farre hath vanity carried you astray ( ye generous spirits ) that you should esteeme noble bountie , which consists not so much in bravery as hospitality , boorish rusticitie ? how much are you deluded by apish formalitie , as if the only qualitie of a gentleman were novell complement ? or as if there were no good in man besides some outlandish congie or salute ? alas gentlemen , is this all that can be expected at your hands ? must your countrey which bred you , your friends who love you , the poore , whose prayers or curses will attend you , be all deprived of their hopes in you ? no ; rather returne to your houses , where you may best expresse your bountie , by entertaining into your bosome , that which perchance hath beene long time estranged from you , charitie . for beleeve it ( as assuredly yee shall finde it ) that your sumptuous banquetting , your midnight revelling , your unseasonable rioting , your phantasticke attiring , your formall courting shall witnesse against you in the day of revenge . for behold the lord commandeth , and he will smite the great house with breache● , and the little house with clefts . returne therefore before the evill day come : distribute to the necessitie of the saints , become good dispensers of what you have received , that yee may gaine your selves grace in the high court of heaven . but as for yee that put farre away the evill day , and approach to the seat of iniquitie ; ye that sing to the sound of the vi●ll , and invent your selves instruments of musicke , yee shall goe captive with the first that goe captive . o miserie ! that man with so beauteous an image adorned , with such exquisite ornaments of art and nature accomplished , to so high a ranke above others advanced , should delude himselfe so with the shade of vanitie , as to become forgetfull of his chiefest glory ! but experience ( i doubt not ) will unseale those eyes which lightnesse and folly have blinded ; till which happie discovery of youthfull errour , i leave them , and returne to my former discourse . you may perceive now , how requisite bountie is for a gentleman , being an especiall marke ( as i observed before ) whereby we may discerne him . amongst sundrie other blessings conferred by god on solomon , this was not one of the least , in that he gave him a large heart : not onely abundance of substance and treasure to possesse , but a large heart to dispose . indeed this is a rare vertue : worldlings there are , who possesse much , but they enjoy little , becomming subject to that which they should command . the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and rich not using , is by these two expressed ; the one carendo , the other non fruendo . of which two , the greater misery is the latter ; for he slaves himselfe to the unworthiest servitude , being a servant to obey , where he should be a master to command . to conclude this point in a word ; if wee ought to shew such contempt to all earthly substance as hardly to entertaine it , much lesse affect it ; let us make it a benefit , let us shew humanitie in it , by making choice of the poore , on whom we may bestow it . this which we waste in rioting , might save many from famishing : let us bestow therefore lesse of our own backs , that we may cloth them ; lesse of our owne bellies , that we may feed them ; lesse of our owne palats , that we may refresh them . for that 's the best and noblest bountie , when our liberalitie is on such bestowed , by whom there is no hope that it should be required . the third and last marke whereby a true generous disposition is distinguished , is fortitude or sloutnesse : being indeed the argument of a prepared or composed minde , which is not to be dismayed or disturbed by any sharpe or adverse thing , how crosse or contrary soever it come . excellently is this fortitude defined by the stoicks , terming it a vertue which standeth ever in defence of equitie : not doing , but repelling an injurie . those heires of true honour , who are possest of this vertue , dare oppose themselves to all occurrents in defence of reputation ; preferring death before servitude and dishonour . if at any time ( as many times such immerited censures occurre ) they die for vertues cause , they meet death with a cheerefull countenance ; they put not on a childish feare , like that bandite in genoa , who , condemned to die , and carried to the place of execution , trembled so exceedingly , that he had two men to support him all the way , and yet he shivered extremely . or ( as maldonatu●● relates ) how he heard of those which saw a strongman at paris condemned to death , to sweat bloud for very feare : proving out of aristotle , that this effect may bee naturall . but these whose generous spirits scorne such basenesse , never saw that enterprise which they durst not attempt , nor that death which could amate them ; where honour grounded on vertue , without which there is no true honour , moved them either to attempt or suffer . but now to wipe off certaine aspersions laid on valour or fortitude : wee are not to admit of all daring spirits to be men of this ranke : for such , whose ambition excites them to attempt unlawfull things ; as to depose those whom they ought to serve , or lay violent hand on those whom loyall fidelitie bids them obey ; opposing themselves to all dangers to obtaine their purpose , are not to be termed valiant or resolute , but seditious and dissolute . for unlesse the enterprise be honest which they take in hand , be their spirits never so resolute , or their minds prepared , it is rashnesse , but not valour , having their actions ever suted by dishonour . sometimes likewise the enterprize may be good and honest ; the cause for which they encounter with danger , vertuous ; the agents in their enterprize couragious ; yet the issue taste more of despaire than valour . example hereof wee have in the macchabees , in the death of razis one of the elders of ierusalem , a lover of the city , and a man of very good report ; which for his love was called a father of the iewes . one , who did offer to spend his body and life with all constancie for the religion of the iewes ; yet being ready to be taken on every side , through the fury of nicanor , who so eagerly assaulted and hotly pursued him , he fell on his sword : yea , when his bloud was utterly gone , he tooke out his owne bowels with both his hands , and threw them upon the people , calling upon the lord of life and spirit , that he would restore them againe unto him ; and thus he died . whence augustine , that devout father and most excellent light of the church , concludeth , that this was done magnè , non benè , more resolutely than rightly : for hee was not to lay violent hand upon himselfe , though there were no hope of safetie , but imminent danger in respect of the furious and bloudy enemie . now this fortitude , whereof wee here discourse , as it is grounded upon a just foundation , so it never ends in basenesse or rashnesse : in basenesse , as in not daring ; in rashnesse , as in too inconsiderately attempting . it is so farre from any act of despaire , as it hopes so long as it breathes ; for to despaire , is to entertaine the extremest act of feare , which is farre from her condition . now to discourse of the aime or end whereto all her actions are directed : it is not any peculiar interest which moves true resolution so much as publike good . for such , whose aimes are glorious , are ever conversant in redressing wrongs , ministring comfort both by advice and assistance to such , whose weaknesse hath felt the power of greatnesse . for as in every good man there is naturally implanted a desire of goodnesse ; so in every valiant man there is a native desire to gaine honour by redressing injuries : yea , admit to honour were to accrue unto him by endevouring to right or releeve such as are distressed , yet for vertues sake ( which is a sufficient reward to her selfe ) he undertakes the taske . for charitie , being a good and a gracious effect of the soule , whereby mans heart hath no fancie to esteeme , value or prize any thing in this wide world beside or before the care and studie of god , so inflameth a well-disposed man , as his desire is only to doe good , whereby he might in so doing glorifie god , the beginner and accomplisher of all good . now there are many motives to excite men to valour , as may be collected from histories properly and profitably tending to this purpose . but the usuallest motive is anger , being indeed the whetstone of fortitude : or the princes presence ; as wee reade of the macedonians , who being once overcome in battell by their enemies , thought the only remedie to animate their souldiers , was to carry philip being then a childe in a cradle to the field ; thereby stirring up the zeale of loyall and faithfull subjects to defend their innocent prince : and this whetstone so sharpned their swords , that indeed they won the battell . or the renowne of ancestors ; as the people of tangia in america alwayes in their warres carried the bones & reliques of their memorable predecessors , to encourage their souldiers with the memory of them , to avoid and eschew all timiditie . so tacitus reports how the germans inflame their spirits to resolution & valour , by singing the memorable acts of hercules . or the sound of warlike alarmes ; as the nairians in india stirre up their people to battell , by hanging at the pummels of their swords certaine plates to make a noise , to animate & incense them to warre . so alexander the great hearing antigenida that excellent trumpetter sound his trumpet to battell , was stirred up in such sort to fight , that his very friends were not secure from blowes which stood about him . or the passionate effects of musicke ; as s. basil recounteth one timothie to be so excellent in musicke , that if he used a sharpe and severe harmony , he stirred up men to anger , and presently by changing his note to a more remisse and effeminate straine , he moved them to peace : both which effects he once produced in alexander the great at a banquet . or conceit of the generalls discipline and magnanimity ; as may appeare by the victorious swede , his late prosperous attempts , and numerous conquests : whose martiall discipline , and personall valour , hath ( no doubt ) begot in his souldiers an emulation of honour . or opinion of the enemies crueltie ; as in the yeere . appeared in agria a city in hungaria , engirt with long siege by mahomet bassa with an army of turkes amounting to threescore thousand , and battered with sixtie cannons ; in the citie were only two thousand hungarians , who with incredible valour repelled thirteene most terrible assaults : resolved to endure famine , or any extremitie soever , rather than yeeld to their truculent and insatiable desires . wherefore they never came to parley of truce , but to answer their enemies fury with cannons and calivers . at last , when the bassa had offered them many favours , they hung over the wall a coffin , covered with blacke , betwixt two speares , signifying thereby , that in that citie they would be buried . so the turkes despaired of successe , and the hungarians , to their eternall glory and renowne , prevailed : preserving themselves and their citie , whose libertie they defended from the turks slaverie . and hence i might take occasion to advance with due deserved praise the glorious memory of such , whose resolution hath had no other ayme , than defence of the truth against those profest foes of christendome ; who have alreadie taken possession of the holy land , making the keepers of that sacred sepulchre ( the most blessed monument that ere was erected on earth ) to pay them tribute , whose high-swelling pride is growne to that height , as their empire seemes to labour with her owne greatnesse . o what tender christian eye can behold these wofull distractions in christendome , and abstaine from teares ? to see christian armed against christian , while the common foe of christians laughs at these divisions , taking advantage of the time to enlarge his dominions . o who can endure to see pagans and infidels plant , where the blessed feet of our saviour once trod ? to heare mahomet called upon , where christ once taught ? to have them usurpe and prophane those temples , where he once preached ? to reare them altars for their false prophets , where those true prophets of god once prophesied ? to see mahomets oratorie erected , where the iewish temple was once seated ? to behold his palace in the cathedrall church of san sophia , now become his seraglia ; where stood once the high-altar or communion-table , and patriarchall throne , now made , and so used as a turkish moschie , with uncleane hands polluted , by unbeleeving hearts possessed ? alas for sorrow ! that soveraigntie should so much blind , or desire of command beare so much sway , that christ * enemie should get advantage by our discord . o thrice happie ( and may it be soone so happie ) were the state of christendom , if all civill and unnaturall broiles ( for unnaturall it is for christian to shed christians bloud ) were appeased and ended ! that they with one consent might assaile this common enemie , marching even to constantinople ( once the glorious seat of a victorious emperour ) crying with one voice , downe with it , downe with it even to the ground . and easily might this be atchieved , if christendom would joyne minde with might , that this vncircumcised philistine might bee discomfited , till which time christendome can never be secured . but to conclude this discourse , ( for i feare i have enlarged my selfe too much in my digression ; ) as fortitude is that noble marke which giveth a gentleman his true character , shewing resolution as well in suffering , as acting : my exhortation to our english gentrie shall bee , that they so demeane themselves , that their countrey may bee honoured by them , true worth expressed in them , and their predecessours vertues seconded , if not surpassed by them . the english gentleman . argument . what education is ; the effects of it . how a gentleman may be best enabled by it . edvcation . education is the seasoner or instructesse of youth , in principles of knowledge , discourse , and action . of all inferiour knowledges , none more behoovefull than the knowledge of mans-selfe ; of all superior , none more usefull nor divinely fruitfull than the knowledge of god , who for man gave himselfe . by view had of the one , man shall have a sight of his misery ; by view had to the other , man shall finde cause to admire gods mercy . hence that hony-tongued father desired that his knowledge might extend it selfe onely to these two : to know god ; to know himselfe ; now as the beauty and splendor of the sunne is best discerned by his beames ; so is the greatnesse of god best apprehended by his workes . whereof i may say , as simonides did of god , that when hee had required but one day to resolve what god was : when the day was expired , hee was more unable to answere , than at the first . so as hermes termes the sunne-beames of god to be his workes and miracles ; the sun-beames of the world to be the variety of formes and features ; and the sunne-beames of man , diversity of arts and sciences . touching knowledge , it is in god to know all things ; in man to know some things ; in beasts to know nothing . as we cannot extend to the distinct knowledge of the creator , so let us extend our knowledge above the reach of the inferiour'st of gods creatures . it is written of alcibiades , that he was skilfull in all things , in all exercises : so that he seemed in every nation to obtaine the conquest , in what prize or mastery soever hee tooke in hand . it is not for us to labour the attaining of such exactnesse : vnum est necessarium : one onely knowledge transcends all others , the attaining whereof makes the knower happy ; as the want of it makes man , how knowing soever in all other sciences , most unhappy . for what skills it to have knowledge in reasoning of high and deepe points concerning the blessed trinity , and want charity , whereby wee offend the trinity ? let us therefore esteeme it the crowne of our hope , to attaine to the excellent and incomparable knowledge of him who made us , whose bloud did save us , and whose holy spirit daily and hourely shields and shadowes us . next is to know himselfe ; an excellent knowledge grounded on true humility : where man shall finde how many things he is ignorant of ; and of these things which he knows , how far short he comes of that perfection which is required of him , it was a saying of a grave philosopher , by learning alwayes something , i grow old . now how fruitfully were our time from infancie to youth , from youth to man-hood , from man-hood to old-age imployed , if our aimes were so to direct our knowledge , that we might attaine the understanding and knowledge of our selves . then would not selfe-conceit transport us , nor opinion of our own knowledge entraunce us , but wee would divinely conclude ; wee have reaped more spirituall profit by dis-esteeme , than selfe-esteeme . alphonsus of arragon answered an orator , who had recited a long panegyricall oration in his praise : if that thou hast said consent with truth , i thanke god for it ; if not , i pray god grant me grace that i may doe it . the like temper i could wish in each gentleman , who in respect of meanes more than merit , shall many times heare himselfe approved and applauded by such tame-beasts or glozing sycophants , who feed on the prodigalls trencher . let not applause so much transport , or praise so farre remove man from himselfe , as to become ( by the vaine blast of others breath ) forgetfull of himselfe . humbly esteemed hee of his knowledge , who concluded : this i onely know , that i know nothing . nothing in respect of that i should know ; nothing in respect of that which is injoyned me to know ; nothing in respect of others who know farre more than ere i may know . for ( saith bernard ) how canst thou possibly be a proficient , if thou thinkest thy selfe already sufficient ? but alas , how farre hath selfe-opinion estranged man from knowledge of himselfe ; who rather than he will be found ignorant in any thing , will assume upon him a supposed knowledge in every thing ? hee will rather lye upon his knowledge , than seeme defective in any knowledge . whence one speaking of the knowledge of mans selfe , most divinely concludeth ; nosce teipsum first descended from heaven to earth , is now ascended from earth to heaven , leaving miserable man admiring his owne feature , as if he were his owne maker . and whence proceedeth this , but because he hath ascended unto that mountaine , to which the first angell ascended , and as a devill descended ? whereas , if he duely considered those many imperfections whereto he is engaged ; those many debts and bills of errours , which , as yet , are undischarged ; that naturall or originall sinne wherein he was conceived ; and that actuall sinne wherewith hee is daily polluted ; hee would questionlesse conclude ; what 's man whose first conception's misery , birth baine , life paine , and death necessity ? which divine meditation is of power to subdue the whole man of sinne , and bring him under the yoke of obedience , by an incessant consideration had of gods mercy , and mans misery ; which may produce in him a more blessed effect , by extenuating and humbling himselfe , both in respect of the substance or matter of his creation , and in respect of the irregenerate course of his conversation : as also in contemplating the ineffable mercie of the almighty ; whose grace it is , that directs miserable man , and reduceth him from erring ; whose compassion it is , that raiseth him from falling ; and whose tender mercy it is , that supporteth him in his rising . but in my conceit , there is no one motive more effectuall , or divinely powerfull , to bring us to a true and perfect knowledge of our selves , than to observe with what passions or perturbations we are encountred ; especially when through immoderate excesse , wee are in the cup of forgetfulnesse drowned . which saint basil confirmeth , saying : that passions rise up in a drunken man , like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . which passions are not such as are prevented by reason , and directed by vertue : for these are not altogether to bee extinguished , as the stoicks supposed , but to bee provoked as movers of vertue , as plutarch teacheth . but rather such distempered or indisposed affections as are suggested to man by his implacable enemies : labouring to undermine and ruine the glorious palace of his deare-bought soule . vpon which affections seriously to meditate , were to expell all selfe-conceited or opinionate arrogance ; to become humble in our owne thoughts : concluding , that our knowledge is ignornet , our strength weakenesse , and our wisedome folishnesse . being ( as one well observeth ) like a spring-locke , ready of our selves to shut , but not to open ; apter to shut grace from us , than to receive grace into us : or like stones upon the top of a hill , by reason of our heavie and earthy nature , ready enough to tumble downe , but without the helpe or motion of another , slow enough to mount up . saint anselme walking abroad in the field , and beholding a shepheards boy , who had caught a bird , and tied a stone to her leg with a threed ; and ever as the bird mounted , the stone haled her backe againe . the venerable old man moved with this sight , fell a weeping pitifully , lamenting the miserable condition of men , who endevouring to ascend up to heaven by contemplation , are detained by the passions of the flesh ; which enforce the soule to lye there like a beast , and not soare to heaven by that proper motion , which was first giveth her by her creator . now to conclude this first point , ( by making a fruitfull use or application of what hath beene already spoken ) i could wish young gentlemen , whose aimes , perchance , are addressed to purchase rather the light freight of forraine fashions , than the precious gemme of selfe-knowledge , to bee otherwise minded , by conforming themselves to his * patterne and example , who though he knew all things , boasted not of his knowledge , but abased himselfe to make us rich in all spirituall knowledge . as for such as are puft up and know nothing , but dote about questions and strife of words , whereof commeth envie , strife , railings , evill surmisings , perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes , and destitute of the truth ; wee are taught to withdraw our selves from them , because their fellowship is not of light , but darkenesse ; their knowledge no perfect nor sincere knowledge , but palpable ignorance ; their wisedome no sound nor substantiall wisedome , but meere foolishnesse . their wayes are not by the flockes of the shepherds , but ragged and uneven wayes , leading their deluded followers head-long to all perdition . deare christians , though i know this point to have beene gravely and exactly handled by many solid and learned divines , whose holy oyle hath beene fruitfully imployed in unmasking and discovering these dangerous separatists , who have sowne the seed of pernicious doctrine in the eares of their weake auditory : yet i thinke it not amisse to presse this exhortation further , lest your speedy ruine prevent you of all hope hereafter . beware of these pharisaicall doctors , whose purity onely consists in semblance and outward appearance ; whose doctrine hath ever a taste of pride ; whose counsels ever tend to faction ; and wose wayes are ever antipodes to the truth . these are called prophets , but they are none : being humble teachers , but proud doctors . outwardly specious , but inwardly vicious : having faire rindes , but false hearts : having a shew of godlinesse , but denying the power thereof . come from among them and leave them , for their wayes lead to death , and their paths to destruction . saint iohn would not come in the bath where the hereticke cerinthus was . another holy man ( though most innocent ) could endure to be accounted a whoremaster , an uncleane person , and the like ; but when one called him heretike , hee could beare no longer . wee have here ( thankes to our maker ) more pleasant and delightfull springs to retire to , than these troubled and corrupted puddles , which taste of nothing but pollution . leave these , and love those . where can there be vnity , where there is no conformity , where a holy zeale or compassionate fervour , when nothing is spoke but by the sonnes of thunder ? bee ye wise unto salvation ; may godlinesse bee your best knowledge ; that , dissolved from this tabernacle of earth , yee may keepe consort with the angells in a blessed harmony , because ye resembled them on earth in mutual love and unity . and let this suffice for the first branch , to wit , knowledge . now we will descend to the second , to wit , discourse , with some necessary cautions very profitable , if put in use , to direct ( or rather limit ) such , whose too liberall and profuse speech oft-times brings them within the censure of indiscretion . democritus calls speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the image of life , because it represents to man the occurrents and passages of his life . now forasmuch as through the subtility of time , men use to shroud and conceale their thoughts , by expressing least what they intend most ; speech becomes a darke image , representing man not as he is , but as hee seemes . diogenes wondred that men would not buy earthen pots before they proved by the sound whether they were whole or broken : yet they would bee contented to buy men by their speech . the old proverbe used by socrates , and approved by ancient philosophers , was this : loquere ut te videam . subtill purposes were not then shadowed or gilded with faire pretences ; but so s●mple were their meanings , as they needed no words of art ( meerely invented to delude ) nor the gawdy ornaments of perswasive oratory to colour them . but to propose some necessary cautions worthy observation of the generous in their discourse ; i would have young gentlemen to beware especially of two errours , usually occurring in subjects of this nature ; affectation , and imitation : the one for the most part arising from our selves , the other from too ardent a desire of imitating others . the first sort generally , are so miserably enamoured of words , as they little care for substance . these are ever drawing a leaden sword out of a gilded sheath ; and will not lose a dram of rhetoricke for a pound of reason : having , as theocritus said of anaximenes , a floud of words , but a drop of reason . these are ever talking , till their mint of words faile them , and then of necessity they turne silent . these will lay themselves open to their professed'st enemie , so they may gaine applause , and get the opinion of good speakers , being the onely marke they shoot at . and indeed , these seldome hurt others , but many times themselves : for these are those fooles , which carry their hearts in their mouthes ; and farre from those wise men , which carry their mouthes in their hearts . though discretion of speech be more than eloquence , these preferre a little unseasoned eloquence before the best temper of discretion . and thus much of affectation . imitation tastes no lesse of barrennesse , than the other of phantasticknesse : though i must confesse , this draweth neerer true humility , in that it dis-values it selfe , to become a serious observer and imitator of others . but great men especially cannot want imitators , be the occasion never so unworthy imitation . if caesar have an use to hold his necke aside in his discourse or pleading , hee shall have one to affect and imitate that deformity . if vespasian draw in his face in a purse , ( as if it went hard with him ) hee shall have one to represent it , as it were naturally . and , which is of all others most intolerable , so habitually are these grounded on imitation , as they are conceited that nothing can so well beseeme them , as this uncomely fashion which they have observed ; and now imitate in others . whereas if they would consider , how nothing forced may appeare with that decencie , as when it is naturally descended , they would ingenuously confesse , that this apish or servile imitation detracts much from the worth of man , who should subsist on himselfe , and not relye on others postures . in briefe , that discourse is most generous , which is most genuine : nature may beseeme that , which imitation cannot ; but to addresse our selves to imitation of others , in that which even appeares ridiculous in the persons themselves , this inferreth grosse stupidity . it is an excellent lesson which a holy father giveth to all discoursers , that they should rather bee given to heare , than speake : and in matters of argument , to assoile a needlesse question with silence . so as cicero preferreth wisedome attired with ignorance , before speech attended by folly . now because the best of discourse tendeth to perswasion , which is the life and efficacie of speech ; and this perswasion consisteth on three parts ; life of the speaker ; truth of the subject ; and sobriety of speech ; of necessity these three must be observed , ere we can have our audience sufficiently perswaded . first , for the life of the speaker : if speech ( as wee have said ) be the image of life , why should not we conforme our life to our speech ? we would be loth to be taxed of indiscretion in our speech ; let us labour likewise to appeare blamelesse and unreproveable in our life . for he that forgetteth to conforme or fashion his life to his speech , his speech to his life is like unto a man beholding his naturall face in a glasse : for he beholdeth himselfe , and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . wherefore gentlemen , of all others , ought to be most respective of their conversation ; for a little soile is a great blemish in them , whose education promiseth more than inferiour men . such men , for most part , gaine best authority or approbation in discourse , who having beene ever observed to speake probably , and not of subjects above the reach or pitch of humane conceit . neither can any thing disparage or lay a deeper aspersion upon the face of gentry , than to be taxed for fabulous relations . especially therefore should they inure themselves to probable discourses , being such as may gaine them an opinion of reputation , and bee a meanes to conferre more authority on their discourse . the second is the truth of the subject , which must needs import much authority : for how should wee perswade , where the subject admits no probability of truth ? therefore were it meet , that wee make choice of what wee relate , not mainetaining whatsoever wee heare by report , for undoubted truth : for so should we be made * knights of post to all newes-mongers , being no lesse ready to sweare , than they to report . i have casually fallen into the company of some , whose onely relation was novelty : these would entertaine no discourse but forraine , speaking as familiarly of the states of princes , and their aimes , as if they had new crept from their bosomes . but alas , how ridiculous are these in the sight of judicious men , whose eyes are not so sealed , but they may easily discerne the arrogancy of these , who affect rather to be admired than beleeved ? excellent and proper for our present purpose , is that fable of the fowler and the bird : a fowler having taken a bird in his snare , was humbly intreated by the bird , that he would free her and give her liberty , and shee would requite this courtesie with three good lessons ; which ( if duly observed ) would profit him more than her small body . vpon these conditions , the fowler was contented to release the poore bird , provided , that the lessons were so profitable and usefull unto him , as shee pretended . which , in briefe , were these : not to lose a certainty for an incertainety : not to give credit to things beyond probability : nor to grieve for that which is past remedy . these lessons received , the bird was forth with released : who being now at liberty , and mounting aloft in the aire , and triumphing in so blest a freedome , chanted out this merry madrigall ; had'st thou knowne the wealth i had , thou would'st nere have let me gone , for it would have made thee glad to enjoy so rich a one . in my bladder there 's a stone , than which , never earth brought forth one of more unvalued worth . this the discontented fowler had no sooner heard , than presently he repented himselfe of so rare and inestimable a losse ; which the nimble bird perceiving , thus replied : how apt's man for to forget what might give him most content ? thou at liberty me set , when i taught thee to repent nothing how the world went ; nor what crosse ere fell on thee , if past hope of remedy . but thou griev'st thou canst not have what thou canst not get againe : thus thou mak'st thy selfe a slave to thy selfe , and mourn'st in vaine : and long may'st thou so complaine . for my lessons i was free , yet thou keep'st not one of three . the perplexed fowler inquisitive of knowing further pressed the bird againe ; asking her in what particular he had broken any of her lessons ? to whom the bird , flickring a little with her wings , as one that gloried in her unexpected liberty , answered ; the lessons which i gave thou sleight'st , and weig'st them but a rush , or else thou would'st not lose one bird in hand , for two in bush. the next was , things incredible nere credited should be , yet thou beleev'st a precious stone worth worlds is hid in me . the last , for things remedilesse thou never shouldst complaine , and now when i am flowne from thee , thou wishest me againe . many excellent morals are shadowed in these fables , which may deserve observation of the pregnant'st and maturest conceit ; not onely in the subject or substance of the admonition , but in the person which giveth this admonition . where the poets smoothly , but tartly , used to introduce beasts , birds , and such like creatures ; admonishing man , the noblest of all creatures , of his duty . yea of beasts , they made choice sometimes of the grossest and contemptiblest , as the asse , to expresse the want of consideration in man ; whose diviner parts drowned in the lees of sensuall corruption , or carnall security , become forgetfull of that , for which they were principally created . it were easie to enlarge this subject with much variety of examples ; but my purpose is , in digressions , rather to touch than treat . we have handled two particulars , effectually moving to perswasion ; the life of the speaker , that it bee unreprovable ; the nature of the subject whereof hee speakes , that it be probable . now wee are to descend to the third , which is sobriety of speech : an especiall motive to attention , being that which cicero much commendeth , and for which hortensius was much commended . albeit , arguing in syla's cause , he was taxed by l. torquatus , and called for his too much effeminacy in apparell , as also for his too much action of body , not onely a common actor , but even a dionysia , who was famous for her moving and wanton gesture . to whom hortensius answered , callest thou me dionysia ? sure i had rather be a dionysia than as thou art , torquatus : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : one without learning , barbarous and uncivill . now this sobriety consists not onely in the pronunciation of speech , but sober carriage or deportment of the body , which indeed addeth no little lustre to discourse . i have observed in some , a kinde of carelesnesse in their forme of speaking ; which , though it gaine approbation in men of eminent ranke , it would seeme harsh and contemptible in men of inferiour condition . others there are , who can never enter into any set or serious discourse , but they must play with a button ; or like some of our clodded elders , who for helps to discourse , milch their gloves , as if they drained their subject from such trifling action : and these , me thinks , resemble our common-fidlers , who cannot play a stroke , to gaine a world , without motion or wagging of their head , as if they had rare crochets in their braine : but this mimicke and apish action keepes small concurrence with the postures of a gentleman , whose speech as it should bee free , native and generous ; so should the action of his body admit of no phantasticke imitation or servile affectation , which expresseth little , save a degenerate quality or disposition . others i have likewise noted , to conclude their set speeches with winkes and nods , as if the understanding of the whole world were confined to the circumference of their braine : and these usually expresse more soliditie of conceit in the action of their bodies , than the motion of their tongues . for oft-times , through want of matter ( being gravell'd with an affected gravity ) they are forced to trifle time in impertinencies , and leave that matter untouched for which they came . i could wish that young gentlemen would principally observe this lesson , to be sober in arguments of discourse , but especially in reasoning : for there is nothing that darkeneth or obscureth the light of reason , more than the boundlesse effects of passion , which makes a man forgetful of that he should say , no lesse than indiscreet in that he doth say . but especially in publike assemblies , where difference of judgements oft-times racke our speeches to a higher pin , ought deliberation to be had : for there we cannot recall so soone what we have spoke amisse , as in private , where lesse premeditation may afford matter of satisfaction . i approve likewise of his opinion , who would have such , whose pleasant conceits minister content to the hearer , if they meane to jest publikely , & force their wits to stem the streame of the worlds judgements , ( which , i say , are different , and therefore more observant ) that they use pericles custome , who determining to speake any thing publikely , desired the immortall gods , that no improvident word , should passe his mouth . certainly , whosoever he bee that speakes and never meditates , may bee compared to the uncleane beast , who digests and never ruminates . neither is it hard to gather this , even by their discourse , which consists meerly on ventosity , digressive and impertinent , spending much wind to small purpose ▪ resembling pytheas that foolish orator , who would never leave his babbling . hee that meditates before hee bee prepared ( saith one ) builds his house before stones be gathered . but sure i am , he that discourseth before he bee provided , serves up his dishes before they be seasoned . albeit tiberius bee said to doe better in any oration ex tempore , than premeditate . now i could reduce these discursive motives of perswasion , to two generall heads : to wit , vehemencie of passion ; or instancie of demonstration : and first for vehemencie of passion , here may wee produce an apt and proper example . there came a man to demosthenes , desiring his help to defend his cause , and told him how one had beaten him : demosthenes answered him againe , saying , i doe not beleeve this to be true : the plaintiffe then thrusting out his voice aloud , said , what , hath he not beaten me ? yes indeed ( quoth demosthenes ) i beleeve it now , for i heare the voice of a man that was beaten indeed . whence appeareth , what effects vehemencie of passion produceth , expressing her wrongs so well in words , as they enforce beleefe to the hearer . likewise , because examples illustrate , though they doe not prove ; touching instancie of demonstration , we have an excellent one in that of cato : who determined to strike the senate and romans in feare , discoursed at large of the carthaginian warres , aggravating the danger by proper circumstances , which threatned the publike state ; and instancin● the ruine of many eminent and flourishing states occasioned by the securitie of their people . but they objecting againe , that carthage was farre from them ; he shewed them greene figs , implying thereby that carthage was not farre distant , for otherwise the figges would have beene dried and withered . these kindes of discourses , seconded by instance , are very moving and perswasive ; for as speech is called the object of the eare , so is such kinde of instance an object to the eye , which must needs be more perswading , because visibly appearing . but wee have inlarged this subject too much ; wherefore to draw in our sailes , and apply particularly , what in generall hath beene discoursed : i could wish young gentlemen considerate in what they speak , because speech is termed the index of the minde , and can best expresse him , whether he taste of rinde or pith . now because moderation of the tongue is such an absolute vertue , as it displayeth the wisdome of him that hath it ; whence the wisest of all princes , he that bridleth his tongue is most wise : i must needs preferre discreet silence before loquacitie , for in much speech there shall want no sinne ( saith solomon : ) whereas silence is exempted from all censure , so it bee mixed with discretion . it is said , that pythagoras would desire two things of god ( if the possibility thereof could stand with the conservation of humane society : ) that hee might not speake , that hee might not eat : for by the one , hee should prevent offence in discourse ; by the other , avoid surfet through excesse whence the poet ; silence is such a soule-entrauncing charme , it may doe good , but can doe little harme . albeit , that pythagorian silence i cannot approve of , being many times prejudiciall to the publike state : for by silence ( saith the orator ) is errour approved , the lustre of vertue darkned , good and wholesome precepts suppressed ; whereby youth might be instructed , private families directed , all inordinate motions corrected , and the whole structure of this little world , man , rectified and repaired . but especially in divine professors and dispencers of the sacred word , is silence most hurtfull : for these should bee shrill trumpets in sounding and delivering the sweet tidings of salvation , the tidings of peace and spirituall consolation . the pastor ( saith a blessed father ) by holding his peace , doubtlesly killeth sinners : that is , when he will not tell the house of iacob his sinnes , nor israel her transgressions ; but cries , peace , peace , when there can be no true peace : for what peace unto the wicked , saith the lord ? so as the word of the lord which came unto the prophet , rouzed him up with this fearfull caveat : if thou givest not the ungodly warning , he shall perish but his bloud will i require at thy hand . with whom the apostle harmoniously joyneth ; woe unto mee if i preach not the gospell . for in that cause wherein the faithfull and painfull pastor is to please god , he is to sleight the pleasure or displeasure of men . now gentlemen , yee whose education hath engaged you farre in the expectance and opinion of others ; yee whose more generous breeding promiseth more than others ; yee whose nobler parts should distinguish you from others ; let not those innate seeds of gentilitie first sowne in you , as in a hopefull seed-plot , be nipped in their rising : which , that yee may the better prevent , exercise your selves in noble discourses , not wanton or petulant , for these breed a dangerous corruption even in the life and conversation of man. quintilian would not have nurses to be of an immodest or uncomely speech , adding this cause ; lest ( saith hee ) such manners , precepts , and discourses as young children learns in their unriper yeeres , remaine so deeply rooted , as they shall scarce ever be relinquished . sure i am , that the first impressions , whether good or evill , are most continuate , and with least difficultie preserved . how necessary then is it , that an especiall care or respect be had herein , that choice be made of such , whose modest and blamelesse conversation may tender you their brests in your infancie , and furnish you with grave and serious precepts in your minoritie ? that your knowledge may be fruitfull ; your discourses usefull ; and your actions in the eyes of the almighty gratefull . of which action , we are now to speake ; being the third branch which we observed in our definition of education . that education is the seasoner of our actions , wee shall easily prove , if we observe the rare and incredible effects derived from it : which , that wee may the better doe , you are to know , that every action hath two handles ; the one whereof consists in contriving , the other in performing . in the former , we are to observe deliberation : whence the orator ; before wee take any thing in hand , wee are to use a diligent or serious preparation ; that we may effect what we intend , and more prosperously succeed in that we take in hand . in the latter , is diligence required ; for what is premeditation or preparation worth , if it be not by diligence seconded ? when annibal was a childe and at his fathers commandement , he was brought into the place where he made sacrifice , and laying his hand upon the altar , swore , that so soone as he had any rule in the common-wealth , he would be a professed enemie to the romans : nor did hee infringe the vow which his infancie had professed , but expressed when he came to be a man , what he had protested to performe being a childe . no device unassayed , no stratagem uncontrived , no labour neglected , no taske unattempted , which might conferre honour on carthage , or expresse his mortall and implacable hate to rome . in this one example , we shall see the strength of education : for though annibal had no cause personally given him , to vow all hostilitie rather on rome than any other place ; yet in respect he received his breeding from such as were professed foes to the romans , he seconds their hate , resolving to live and die romes enemy . the like may be observed in the demeanour & conversation of men : in which respect also , education discovereth her absolute power . for shall wee not see some , whose faire outsides promise assured arguments of singular worth , for want of breeding meere painted trunks , glorious features , yet shallow creatures ? and whence commeth this , but through want of that which makes man accomplished , seconding nature with such exquisite ornaments , as they enabled him for all managements publike or private ? licurgus brought two dogges , the one savage , wild , and cruell ; the other trayned ; to let the people see the difference betwixt men brought up well , and badly : and withall to let them understand the great good of keeping lawes . now what are these savage and wild dogges , but resemblances of such , whose untrained youth never received the first impressions of a generous education ? these , as they were bred in the mountaines , so their conversation is mountainous , their behaviour harsh and furious , their condition distempered and odious . yet see the misery of custome ! what delight these will take in actions of incivility ! nothing relisheth with them , save what they themselves affect ; nor can they affect ought worthy of approbation , for education ( which one cals an early custome ) hath so farre wrought with them , as they approve of nought freely , affect nought truly , nor intend ought purposely , save what the rudenesse of education hath inured them to . these mens aimes are so farre from attaining honour , as they partake of nothing which may so much as have the least share in the purchase of honour . their minds are depressed , and as it were earth-turned : for they aspire to nothing which may have being above them ; neither can they stoop any lower , for nothing can be under them . nor can their actions be noble , when their dispositions by a malevolent custome are grown so despicable . hence it is , that the philosopher saith ; the divine part in such m●n is drowned , because not accommodated to what it was first ordained . for how is it possible that their affections should mount above the verge of earth , whose breeding and being hath beene ever in earth ? they ( saith phavorinus ) who sucke sowes milke , will love wallowing in the mire : inferring that as our education hath formed us , so will we addresse our selves in the passage and current of our life . for as nature is too strong to bee forced , so education ( being a second nature ) hath kept too long possession to be removed . she it is , that in some sort mouldeth our actions and affections , framing us to her owne bent ; as if we received all our discipline from her , by whom we were first nourished , and since tutored . but you may object , if education expresse such power , as her first native impressions cannot be suppressed ; how did those men appeare educated , whose first breeding was in mountaines , and afterwards advanced to no lesse glory than a diadem ! such were romulus and remus ; that translator of the median empire to the persians , victorious cyrus ; and hee who from the plow-stiles was elected emperour , to wit , gordius . surely their education came farre short of that which is expected in the majesty of a prince ; yet what inimitable presidents of renown were these , shewing much resolution in conquering , and no lesse policie in retaining what they had conquered . to begin with the first , to wit , romulus ; truth is , he laid the first foundation of a glorious and flourishing state ; yet as his nurse was a wolfe , he plaid the wolfe to his brother . he planted his kingdome in blood , as his infancie received food from her , whose native disposition affecteth blood . neither can i be perswaded , that his carriage could be so civill , as that his first breeding left no relique nor relish of barbarisme ; especially , when i reade what injuries or indignities were offered the sabines by him , what cruelties were acted upon his owne vncle , what impieties were committed upon the neighbouring heards-men : the multitude whereof expressed how cruelly he was naturally addicted , and that the first seeds which his savage education had sowne in him , could hardly be suppressed . touching cyrus , no question his breeding was not altogether in the mountaines , for he had recourse or resort ( though unknown ) to astyages court , where he received no small bettering in the progresse of his reigne . neither ( as it may probably be collected ) would harpagus permit so great hopes , as were treasured in him , and by all auguries and predictions likely to be confirmed of him , to be destitute of instructions fit and accommodate for so high a person . for else , how should such excellent lawes have been devised ; such exquisite cautions for state government provided ; the empire of the medes , with whom it had so long continued , to the persians peaceably translated , and without faction established ? these ( i say ) might probably confirme , how well this victorious shepherd was furnished with all precepts apt to informe him ; stored with all princely habiliments fit to accomplish him ; and exercised in all regall discipline , the better to prepare him against all occurrents that should assaile him . for the last , as he was from obscurity raysed , so did hee little in all his time that could be worthily praysed , being more skilful in setting of a turnep , than setling of a state ; more experienced in correcting the luxurious growth of his vine , than rectifying those abuses raging and reigning in his time : so as , his small acquaintance in state-affaires , during his minority , made him lesse affected to those imployments in his riper yeares . whereas , if we reflect upon the noble and inimitable exployts of alexander the great , whose same hath given life to many volumes , we shal see that his princely education , gave him such rare impressions of glorious emulation in his father philip , as it raysed him to those hopes he afterwards attayned . for where was that enemy he encountred with , that he overcame not ? that citie he besieged and won not ? that nation he assailed and subdued not ? yet who more mildly affected , though a souldier ; or more humble-minded , though a conquerour ? which may appeare by that answer of this invincible chieftaine to his mother ; who desirous to execute an innocent harmlesse man , the better to prevaile with him , remembred him , that her selfe for the space of nine moneths had carried him in her wombe , and for that reason he must not say her nay . but what replyed he ? ask● ( saith he ) good mother some other gift of me : for the life of a man can be recompenced by no benefit . behold a princely disposition lively charactred , having an eye no lesse to saving than subduing ; to retaine mercy than to gaine a victory ; to preserve the conquered than become a conquerour ; to get a friend than to win a field i which , as it requires a noble and free disposition , not engaged to cruelty , boundlesse ambition , desire of tryumph without compassion ; so questionlesse it shewes a composed , civill , and generous education : for these exclaime not with the poet : omnis in ferro est salus : but esteeme it the most glorious conquest to be subduers of their owne wils , preferring the saving of a life before the gayning of an empire . yet doe i not conclude these men to be exquisite , as if they were freed from all such ins●lting affections as usually invade the brests of these high aspirers : for so should i renounce the credit and authority of all histories . themistocles ( as i have elsewhere noted ) walked in the open street because hee could not sleepe : the cause whereof when some did enquire , he answered , that the tryumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest : see the strength of ambition , how powerfully it subdued a man of approved resolution and exquisite temper ! pausanias killed philip of macedon only for fame and vaine-glory : see the weaknesse of a high spirit , whom the least blast of flickring fame could so transport , as to embrue his hands in blood to gaine him an infamous glory ! no , my aime is rather to expresse the noble acts & atchievements of such whose breeding had shewn them as wel by precept as example , what might best become such eminent personages . hippocrates recounteth of a certaine sort of men , who to be different from the vulgar ( being men more nobly descended ) chose for a token of their nobility , to have their head like a sugar-loafe : and to shape his figure by art , when the child was borne , the midwives tooke care to bind their heads with swathes and bands , untill they were fashioned to the forme . and this artificialnesse grew to such force , as it was converted into nature : for in processe of time , all the children that were borne of nobility , had their heads sharpe from their mothers wombe . for the truth of this relation i will not argue much , but sure i am , if art have such power on the outward forme , education which is termed a second nature , can produce no lesse effect from the inward man. for have we not read , how divers naturally addicted to all licentious motions , by reading morall precepts , and conversing with philosophers , became absolute commanders of their owne affections ? have they not ( some i meane , and those of place and esteeme ) even in the height of their desires , when opportunity was offered , an occasion ministred , and all motives to a sensuall banquet mustered , restrayned their desires , subjected sense to the obedience of reason , and became kings by not consenting , whereas they had become despicable slaves by yeelding ? yes , and in that more remarkable , that they were heathens , who had no knowledge of god , but directed by the light of nature only . what then may we imagine might be done by long education and continuall practice , during the time of infancy , which ( as the philosopher saith ) is that smooth and unwritten table , apt to receive any impression either of good or evill ? for which cause , as all times require instruction , so this time especially , because subject to correction ; which moved sundry peeres to send for certaine wise and discrect men to instruct their children during their greener yeares . achilles had his phoenix , * alexander his * callisthenes ; alcibiades his socrates ; cyrus his xenophon ; epaminondas his lycias ; themistocles his symmachus : to whom they ought more ( as they themselves confessed ) than to their owne naturall parents : for , from them ( their parents i say ) they received onely living , but from these they received meanes of living well . but me thinkes we decline rather to knowledge than action ; let us therefore presse this point a little further , and returne to where we left . during that prosperous and successive time of victorious sylla , pomp●y the great then a young man and serving under him , received such seasoning from his military discipline , as made him afterwards chosen amongst so many brave spirits , to try the hazards of fortune with the victorious caesar. nor was his judgement inferiour ( if we may build on the credit of history ) to his potent adversary , though fortune made him her slave , tryumphing no lesse in the quest of his death , than view of his conquest . themistocles ( whose name as wee have oft repeated , so in all records worthily renowned ) having been trained from his infancy in the discipline of warre , became so affected , and withall so opinionate in himselfe of martiall affaires , as being moved on a time at a publike feast to play upon the lute , answered ; i cannot fiddle , but i can make a small towne a great citie . see what long use in experiments of warre had brought a noble souldier to ! his actions were for the publike state ; his aimes not to delight himselfe or others with the effeminate sound of the lute , but to strike terrour in his foe with his sharp pointed launce . now what should we thinke of these , whose more erected minds are removed from the refuse and rubbish of earth , ( which our base groundlins so much toyle for ) but that their thoughts are sphered above the orbe of feare ? death cannot amate them , imminent peril deterre them , disadvantage of place or inequality of power discourage them ; this is their canto , and they sing it cheerfully : the onely health ( what 's ever doe befall ) that we expect , is for no health at all . this might be confirmed by sundry histories of serious consequence , especially in those memorable sieges of rhodes , belgrade , vienna , and many other ; where the resolution of their governours sleighted the affronts of that grand enemy of christendome , the turke , and by their valour purchased to themselves both safety and honour . thus farre have we proceeded in our discourse of education , which we have sufficiently proved to be a seasoner of action , as well as of speech or knowledge . neither in actions military onely , but in all manual arts practised in rome , during her glorious and flourishing state ; from which even many ancient families received their name , beginning and being . as the figuli from the potters ; the vitrei from the glaziars , the ligulae from the pointers ; the pictores from the painters ; the pistores from the bakers . all which ( as wee may reade in most of the roman authors ) had applyed themselves , even in the first grounds of their education to these arts , wherein they grew so excellent , as they inriched their posterity by their carefull industry . but to speake truly of action , as it is generally taken , neither speech , nor knowledge , of which wee have heretofore spoken , can well want it . wherefore demosthenes defining the principall part of an oration , said it was action : the second the same : the third no other than action . isocrates for lack of a good voyce , ( otherwise called the father of eloquence ) never pleaded publikely . and cicero saith , some men are diserti viri , but for lack of action , or rather untowardnesse , habiti sunt infantes . whence it is , that sextus philosophus saith , our body is , imago animi . for the mind is ever in action ; it resteth not , but is ever l●bouring , plotting or contriving , addressing it selfe ever to imployment . the like affinity hath action with knowledge which is not reduced to action . whence it is , that many ( too many , heaven knows ) bury their knowledge in the grave of obscurity , reaping content in being knowne to themselves without communicating their talent to others . but this is hiding of their talent in a napkin , putting their candle under a bushell ; resembling the envious spitefull man , who wil not open his mouth to direct the poore passenger in his way , or suffer his neighbour to light his candle at his : for both imply one thing , as the poet excellently singeth ; who sets the trav'ller in his journey right , doth with his candle give his neighbour light . yet shines his candle still , and doth bestow light on himselfe , and on his neighbour too . for this burying or suppressing of knowledge , it may be aptly compared to the rich miser , whose best of having is onely possessing ; for that communicative good hee knowes not , but admires so much the golden number , as he preferres it before the numbring of this dayes . yea , as it is much better not to have possessed , than to mis-imploy that whereof wee were possessed ; so is he in a happier case who never knew any thing , than such a man who knew much , yet never made a communicative or edifying use of his knowledge . as may appeare by the parable of the talents . the contemplative part indeed affords infinite content to the spirituall man , whose more erected thoughts are not engaged to the meditations of earth , but are spheared in a higher orbe . this mans minde , like archimedes ayme , should enemies invade him , death and danger threaten him , inevitable ruine surprize him , his desire is onely to preforme his taske , and that taske the highest pitch of a soule-solacing contemplation . and this kinde of rapsodie , or intrauncing of the soule ( as i may terme it ) ministers unspeakable delight to the minde of that man , who is usually affected to these divine aspirations , as a godly father termes them . yet these contemplative persons , whose retirednesse of estate , immunitie , or vacation from publike governement have drawne their affections wholly from the thought of earth or conversing with men ; as they relish more of the cloister , than society of nature ; more of the cell or frocke , than community which affords the most fruit ; so they never extend further than satisfying their owne disconsorting humor . i confesse indeed , their contemplations farre exceed the wordly mans , for his are to earth confined ; or the voluptuous mans , for his are to pleasures chained ; or the ambitious , for his are to honours gaged ; or the deluded alchymist ( whose knowledge is a palpable mist ) for his are to impossible hopes restrained ; yet as profit and pleasure make the sweetest musicke : so contemplation joyned with practice , make the fruitfullest knowledge . to conclude our discourse touching education , on which as the principall'st seasoner of youth , wee have long insisted ; may the first seeds of your more hopefull harvest ( worthy gentlemen ) be so sowne , as they may neither by extremity of winter , that is , by too awfull rigour , be nipped ; nor by the scorching heat of summer , that is , too much connivencie of your tutor , parched . so may your countrey reape what shee hath with long hope expected , and receive a plentifull croppe of that which shee her selfe , by hopefull education , hath long manured . the english gentleman . argument . of the necessity of a vocation ; no man is exempted from it ; of vocation in generall ; of the vocation of a gentleman in particular ; and how he is to imploy himselfe therein . vocation . vocation is a peculiar calling allotted to every one according to his degree . wherein wee are to consider ; first , a necessity of vocation ; secondly , no exemption from that vocation : and first of the first . in that originall or primitive purity of mans nature , i say before his fall , there was no such command exhibited , as was afterwards injoyned . for then he was created pure , and deputed soveraigne over a pleasant and flourishing empire , a delightfull eden , receiving no inhibition after so large and ample a commission , save this , that of the tree of good and evill , hee should not eat of it . but when adam had transgressed , this command was forthwith directed to him and his sin-stained posterity : in the sweat of his face should he eat bread . then , then , and not till then began adam to delve , eve to spin ; inferring that the sweat of their browes should earne them a living . there where none that did gallant it in the workes of a wormes . there were none that pierced the bowels of the b earth for precious stones to adorne them ; none that had minde of precious c odours and aromaticall sweets to perfume them . in briefe , none held it then a grace to have the out-cast d feathers of birds to plume them ; the very excrements of e beasts to sent them ; the bowels and intralls of f wormes to cloath them ; the white excretions of g shell-fish to decke them . those leathern coats were provided to cover mans shame , and to evince him of h sinne. they were provided likewise to repell the extremity of i heat and cold , to shelter him against the violence of all seasons . there were other vocations then intended and attended , other labours proposed and sustained , other fashions used and observed than the vanities of this age , where the devill that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that imitating and apish thing , as damascen cals him , peccati fomenta succendit , kindles those foments of sinne to traine wretched man to the lake of perdition . hence it is , that he sets up that vexillum superbiae , to which all the sonnes and daughters of vanitie repaire ; affecting incivilitie before modestie , inquiring after the fashion , not how neat it is , but how new it is . these imagine it a labour sufficient , a vocation for their state and degree equivalent , to spend the whole morne till the mid-day in tricking , trimming , painting and purfling , studying rather to die well , than l●ve well . these are they who beautifie themselves for the stage , to become deluding spectacles to the unbounded affections of youth . they make time only a stale for their vanities , and so prostitute their houres ( those swift coursers of mans pilgrimage ) to all enormous libertie . these are penelopes wooers , gilded gallants , whose best of discourse is complement , or apish formalitie ; whose best thoughts reach but to where they shall dine , or the choice of an ordinary ; and whose best actions are but ravishing of favours from the idolls of their fancie . but how farre short come these of that necessitie of vocation injoyned them ? they thinke it sufficient so to attire themselves , as they may become gracious in the eye of their mistresse : whereas that , wherein they seeme to themselves most gracious , to the eye of a grave and considerate man may seeme most odious : as in apparell , wee say that onely to be commendable which is comely , that laudable which is seemely : for it is an ornament which adorneth . now how deformed are many of our rayments drawne from forren nations , and as ill seeming our ilanders , as cockle-chaines agricola's souldiers ? certainly , this attire becommeth not a christian , but such as are prostitutes to the whore of babylon . the garment of a true follower of christ , is innocencie , which , because it cannot be simple or absolute , wee should endevour to lessen our imperfections daily , becomming conformable to his image , who being free from sinne , tooke upon him our sinne , to free us from the guilt of sinne , and punishement due unto sinne . let us therefore endevour our selves , i say , to attaine the reward of our high calling in christ : which that wee may the better obtaine and purchase at his hands , by whom wee expect reward , wee are in the meane time to serve him in our vocation here on earth , that we may reigne with him in heaven . now that there is a necessitie of vocation injoined all , of what ranke or degree soever , wee may prove by many pregnant places of scripture , inveighing against idlenesse , and commending imployment unto us . amongst which , that of the prophet ezechiel may be properly applied to our purpose . behold ( saith he , speaking of the sinnes of ierusalem ) this was the iniquitie of thy sister sodome ; pride , fulnesse of bread , and abundance of idlenesse was in her , and in her daughters : neither did shee strengthen the hand of the poore and needy . againe , in that of the proverbs : he that tilleth his land , shall be satisfied with bread : but he that followeth the idle , is destitute of understanding . againe ; hee that is sloathfull in his worke , is even the brother of him that is a great waster . againe , that of the sonne of sirach : if thou set thy servant to labour , thou shalt find rest : but if thou let him goe idle , hee shall seeke liberty . againe ; send him to labour , that he goe not idle : for idlenesse bringeth much evill . this likewise the blessed apostle admonisheth the thessalonians of , saying , for even when we were with you , this we warned you of , that if there were any which would not worke , that he should not eat . for we heare , that there are some which walke among you inordinately , and worke not at all , but are busie-bodies . therefore them that are such , we warn and exhort by our lord iesus christ , that they worke with quietnesse , and eat their owne bread . againe , that serious exhortation of the apostle to timothy , describing the natures of such factious and busie-bodies as intend themselves to no setled imployment : but being idle , they learne to goe about from house to house : yea , they are not only idle , but also pratlers and busie-bodies , speaking things which are not comely . againe , that expresse charge given by the apostle touching everyones distinct profession or vocation : let every man abide in the same vocation wherein he was called . see here how much idlenesse is condemned , & labour commended : the former being the mother of all vices ; the latter a cheerer , cherisher , and supporter of all vertues . for wherein may man better expresse himselfe than in the display and dispatch of such offices , to the management and execution whereof he was first created ? vertue , as it consists in action , time in revolution , so the maze of mans life in perpetuall motion : wherein non progredi est regredi , non procedere recedere est . it is given to man to labour , for life it selfe is a continuate labour . see then the necessity of a vocation , being a peculiar labour allotted or deputed to any one person in particular . whence sprung up first the diversity of trades and occupations , which now by processe of time have aspired to the name of companies , gained daily new prerogatives , the better to encourage them in their severall offices . it is a saying of cn. dentatus ; that he had rather be dead , than live dead : meaning that vacancie from affaires , and retiring from such actions as tend to the conservation of humane society , was rather to dye than to live . for life , that is compared to a * lampe or burning taper , so long as it is fed with oyle , giveth light ; being an embleme of mans life , which should not be obscured or darkned , but ever sending forth her rayes or beames both to light it selfe , and others . whence the poet : life is a lampe whose oyle yeelds light enough : but spent , it ends , and leaves a stinking snuffe . gellius compares mans life to iron : iron ( saith he ) if exercised , is in time consumed ; if not exercised , is with rust wasted . so as this rust ; which indeed is rest from imployment , doth no lesse consume the light or lampe of our life , than labour or exercise : for our life decayes no lesse when we are eating , drinking , or sleeping , than toyling or travelling about our worldly affaires . so much of our life is shortned , as we are even in these things , which preserve and sustaine nature , imployed : thus death creeps on us when we least think of it , suprizing us when we least expect it . some with amnon carousing , others with haman persecuting , or with senacherib blaspheming , or with belshazzar sacrilegiously profaning , ahitophel plotting , the children mocking , that incredulous prince of israel distrusting , or that rich man in the gospel presuming . few or none with iacob exhorting , with martyr-crowned steven blessing , with the apostles rejoycing , or with all those glorious martyrs , whose garments were deepe dyed in the blood of zeale , singing and tryumphing . and a good reason may be here produced , why many dye so wofully dejected : for how should they close their dayes cheerefully , who have spent all their dayes idly ? if they that disobey god , shall plant the vineyard , and others shall eat the fruit ; how may those expect to be partakers of the fruit of the vineyard , who neither obey god nor plant vineyard ? how long have many , whose exquisite endowments were at first addressed for better imployments , stood idling in the market-place , never making recourse to gods vineyard , either to dung or water it , refresh or cherish it ; labouring rather to breake downe her branches , than sustaine it ? how many bee there , who will rather employ whole yeares in contriving some curious banquetting-house , than one moneth in erecting one poore almes-house ? how choice and singular will the most be in their tabernacles of clay , while the inward temple goes to ruine ? as charles the emperour said of the duke of venice his building , when he had seene his princely palace like a paradise on earth : haec sunt , quae nos invitos faciunt mori . they draw us backe indeed , and hale us from meditation of a more glorious building , which needs not from the inhabitant any repairing . how necessary is it for us then , to addresse our selves to such imployments , as may conferre on the state publike a benefit ? for as we have insisted on the necessity of a vocation , so are wee to observe the conveniencies of a vocation . which that wee may the better doe , wee are to consider three especiall things , which as scales or greeses may bring us to the right use and exercise of our vocation . the first consideration is divine , or to god-ward ; the second civill , or to man-ward ; the third peculiar , and to our selves-ward . for the first , because indeed the rest have dependance on it , and could have no subsistance but from it ; we are to consider by whom we are deputed to such a place or office , and for what end . the person by whom wee are so deputed , is god , who in his goodnesse as he hath bestowed an image more noble and glorious on us than on any other creature , so hath he enabled us to execute our place under him with due feare and reverence to his name , ever observing the end for which we were to such places deputed ; which is , to honour him , and be helpefull unto others who resemble him : which is the second consideration we before observed , and termed civil , because in civil society requisite to be performed . by the love of god ( saith a good father ) is love to our neighbour ingendred , by the love of our neighbour is our love towards god increased . now if wee should communicate all that wee possesse unto our neighbours , and want this love , which only maketh the worke fruitfull and effectuall , we were but as tinkling cymbals ; we are therefore incessantly to crave of god by prayer , which ( as that godly divine saith ) is to be numbred amongst the greatest workes of charity ; that he would infuse into us the fervour of his love , by which only is granted us to attaine true neighbourly love , performing such workes of charity in our vocation , as we may preserve that union and communion , which members of one mysticall body have one with another . and this love thus planted , cannot bee so silenced or smothered , but it will be discovered , and that by such effects as are usually derived from charitie : for these will not grinde the face of the poore by extortion , or draw teares from the orphans eyes by oppression , or sow the seed of discord betwixt neighbour and neighbour by the spirit of contention . no , as they are placed in a vocation , they will shew themselves to all helpfull , to none hurtfull . they will be an eye to the blinde to direct them , a staffe to the lame to support them , a visitant to the sicke to comfort them , a samaritan to the wounded to heale them , a garment to the naked to cover them , meat to the hungry to releeve them , drinke to the thirstie to refresh them ▪ being all unto all , that by all meanes they might gaine some . these are the effects of this love , which with adamantine tyes becomes linked to the love of god , and to man for god. the third consideration is peculiar ; wherein we are principally to take heed of selfe-love , a vice no lesse fatall than universall . which selfe-love as it hath many branches , or siens , according , to the disposition of the owner , so it produceth no lesse variety of effects . the ambitious man being ever aiming , ever aspiring , thirsteth after honour , and never leaves hunting after it , till hee fall with his owne grandure . his pie-coloured flagge of vanity is displayed , and his thoughts ( so open hearted is he ) as if hee had windowes in his breast , discovered . his agents are weake and unsteady ; his aymes indirected and maligned by envie , concluding his comicke beginning with a tragicke catastrophe . yet see how selfe-conceit transports him , sycophancy deludes him , and an assured expectance of an impossibility detaines him . now see him uncased ; he useth rather with catiline to speake much and do little , than with iugurth to speake little and doe much . he entertaines all with broad-spread armes , and proclaimes liberty , but none will beleeve him . for how should he proclaime , or proclaiming conferre that on others , which he enjoyes not in himselfe ? or how should he enjoy that inestimable libertie , which the earthly-sainted or contented only enjoy ; when he is become a slave to his owne unbounded desires , and through selfe-conceit , is made a prey to his foes deceit , falling in that lowest , where his expectance raised him highest ? yet see whence these effects proceed ● surely from no other spring than that troubled well-spring of selfe-love , which leaves her distressed master engaged to sundry extremes . the like may be observed in the avaritious man ; ( for to these two instances is my present discourse restrained : ) whose misery it is to admire rather than imploy what he enjoyes . the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and the rich not using , is by these two expressed ; the one carendo , the other non fruendo . of these it may bee truly said , that their gaine is not godlinesse , but their godlinesse is to reape gaine . and though apparent a losse be to be preferred before filthy gaine : yet they wholly and onely embrace such b arts , trades , or sciences , from which a certaine gayne may bee procured . they know ( and that knowledge makes them more culpable ) that gaine cannot accrue to one , without losse to another : yet they will rather prejudice another in the greatest , than bee an inconvenience to themselves in the least . they have felt by experience , that wealth is a great nourisher of vice , and poverty of vertue ; yet will they erect an idoll to honour her by whom vice is nourished , but disesteeme her from whom many vertuous motions and affections are derived . true it is indeed , that when any d object of profit is tendred us , necessarily are we induced to condescend to the meanes of acquiring that profit . againe , we all seeke profit , and are ( as it were ) haled unto it : yet this is to be intended such profit , as holds concurrence with honesty . they know , ( and wofull it is that they make no better use of their knowledge ) how e gaine maketh men worse : and but for gaine no man had beene evill . for this filthy f gaine accuseth nature , and reproveth us that our life being so short , should have desires so long , labouring to joyne land to land , when so small a scantling will serve our turne at our departing . they know how truly that sententious poet sung ; g wealth disesteemes all learning , and all arts , faith , honesty , and all our better parts . there is a h native will or inclination to f●ining and lying in all such as seeke after wealth , and desire gaine . see how servile and ignoble their condition is , whose affections , slaved to private profit , embrace any course how indirect soever , for selfe-love , or selfe-gaine ! that are ever harping upon that of the poet ; i he shall be noble , valiant , wise , a prince , or what he will , that ha's but wealth , no matter how he got it , well or ill . but how farre short comes vulgar opinion of truth , whose judgement is in their eyes or eares , not measuring man , nor his worth , by those nobler parts within him , but by his wealth or habit , whose best of glory is without him ? little know these earth-worms how they shall bee uncased , and with what misery then inclosed . for if they did , they would preferre ( right sure i am ) the inestimable purchase of vertue , before this rust or r●bbish , which leaveth the possessor as full charged with care , as his chest stored with c●ine . vertue is of that noble and unconfined nature , as she k seeketh nothing that is without her ; there is her glory . againe , there can bee no vertue which is not l free and voluntary ; there is her liberty . againe , she m subdueth all things ; there is her soveraingty . againe , n fortune gives place to her ; there is her precedency . for o fortune can take nothing away but what she her selfe giveth . againe , they onely are p rich which are enriched with vertue ; there is her felicity . so as howsoever the philosophers axiome be , that riches is a signe of eternall glory ; sure i am , that vertue directeth man in this maze of misery , to the true sight and light of glory . this is that morning-starre sent from that sun of the morning to direct us ; that brazen wall reared by that brazen serpent to shield and protect us ; that faire lily of the valley cropt by that fairest of ten thousand to beautifie and adorne us ; that sweet oderiferous plant budding out of the root of iesse to sweeten and perfume us . what skils it then , if wee bee deprived of all , possessing vertue that includeth all ? * the levites who were chosen for the altar and for gods owne service , were to have no possessions : for the lord was their inheritance . againe , god chuseth the poore for an inheritance of his heavenly kingdome . againe , blessed are you that be poore , for yours is the kingdome of heaven . and againe , miserable are you rich men , who in your riches have all your consolation . againe , o death , how bitter is the remembrance of thee to that man , whose peace is in his substance ! hence wee see the difference betwixt the state and condition of the wordling , whose affections are wholly planted and placed upon earth , and his whose desires transcend the pitch of earth , having his feet below , but his faith above . the poet very covertly and wittily in decision of such , whose delights were wholly fixed on mould , satyrically concludeth ; not only vertue , winged fame , and honour too i say ; but things divine and humane too , must riches all obey , but to returne where we left , whence commeth this so avaricious and illimited desire , but only from a selfe-love which these men have to their owne private and peculiar profit ? which that wee may the beter prevent , being such a shelfe as it endangers the shippe that commeth neere it ; wee are daily to examine our selves , and observe what especiall affection wee are most prone unto : which found out , wee are to apply such remedies , or receits , as may best cure such enormities , as arise from the vicious and corrupted source of our affections . now to come to the cure ; because medicines provided and not applied , are fruitlesly imployed . are ye naturally subject to vaine-glory ? labour to suppresse those motions even in their rising , by becomming vile and contemptible in your owne sight . are yee affected to wantonnesse and effeminacie ? impose your selves a taske , inure your bodies to labour , reserve some houres for reading , as well those exquisite morall precepts of heathen writers , as those blessed patternes of continencie recorded in sacred writ . are ye slaved to the misery of a worldling ? wrastle with your affections , entertaine bounty , affect hospitality , so in time yee shall become weaned from base and servile parcimony . to be briefe , as vices are best cured by their contraries , ever oppose your selves to that which your natures affect most ; for this is the way to make you , that were slaves before , commanders of your owne affections : which soveraignty surpasseth all inferiour command , for by this meanes you command those , who have had the greatest monarchs in subjection . thus have wee proposed the necessity of a vocation , and what especiall rules were to bee observed in the undertaking of that vocation : which observed , yee shall conferre no lesse good on your countrey , who expects much good from you ; than yee shall minister content unto your selves , finding all depraved or distempered affections buried in you . and so wee descend from the necessity of a vocation , to inquire whether any from the highest to the lowest be exempted from it . no lesse authenticke than ancient is that position , the higher place the heavier charge . so as , howsoever that erring opinion which vulgar weakenesse hath introduced , seeme approved , that men whom fortune hath made great , may hold themselves exempted from all vocations , because either noblenesse of bloud may seeme too worthy to partake of them , or greatnesse of successe ( little subject to the feare of want ) hath made them too high to stope unto them : i may safely averre , that of all other degrees , none are lesse exempted from a calling than great men , who set like high peeres or mounts , should so over-view others , as their lives may bee lines of direction unto others . hee sinnes doubly , that sinnes exemplarily : whence is meant , that such , whose very persons should bee examples or patternes of vigilancy , providence and industry , must not sleepe out their time under the fruitlesse shadow of security . men in great place ( saith one ) are thrice servants ; servants of the soveraigne , or state ; servans of fame ; and servants of businesse . so as they have no freedome , neither in their persons , nor in their actions , nor in their times . first , they , are servants to their soveraigne or state , for as they are by place sett neere his person , so are they with due and tender respect ever to observe him , in affaires tending to the safety of his person , and generall good of the state. they are servants ( likewise ) of fame : for howsoever the actions of inferiour men may seeme sleighted with neglect , or clouded with contempt , they are sure to have their deeds bruted by fame , either to their glory or disgrace . yea , these are also eager hunters after fame , preferring opinion before all other inferiour respects , and wishing rather themselves to dye , than it should die . whence it was , that anaxagoras telling alexander that there were many worlds ; alexander wept , replying , that he had not wonne one : implying , that his fame , being that which he principally tendred , having scarce yet dispersed it selfe to the circumference of one world ; it would be long , ere it could diffuse or dilate it selfe to many worlds . lastly , they are servants of businesse ; being placed neere the helme of the state : and therefore like wise and vigilant pilots , must be carefull lest the rudder of the state be not shaken by their security . neither is their state so sure , that it should move them to be secure : for men in high places are for most part pursued by many enemies , whose eyes are ever prying into their actions , which they invert , by labouring to bring the state in distaste with their proceedings . now what meanes better to frustrate their practices , than by a serious and cautelous eye , to looke into their owne actions ? diogenes being asked , how one should bee revenged of his enemie , answered ; by being a vertuous and honest man. which badge ( i meane honesty ) as it should be the cognizance of every christian ; so should it shew her full lustre or splendour in these persons whom descent or place hath so ennobled . now these enemies of greatnesse , if right use be made of them , may conferre no small profit to such as they hate . nasica , when the roman common-weale was supposed to bee in most secure estate , because freed of their enemies , affirmed , that though the achaians and carthaginians were both brought under the yoke of bondage , yet they were in most danger , because none were left , whom they might either feare for danger , or who should keepe them in awe . this wee shall finde verified even in our selves : for tell me , are wee not most circumspect in all our actions , wherein wee have to deale with our enemie ? are wee not fearefull lest by some inconsiderate or prejudicate act , he take advantage of us , and consequently circumvent us ? so as our enemies may bee used as tutors or monitors to instruct us , warning us to bee advised what wee undertake , lest they take hold of us in our mistake . there is also another benefit redounding to us , of which it were likely we should be deprived , if wee wanted enemies , by whom this benefit is on us conferred . and it is this ; wanting enemies , wee many times make of our best friends , enemies . whence oenomademus in a faction in the i le of chios , counselled his fellowes that they should not expell all their enemies , but still leave some in the city , lest ( quoth he ) being void of all our enemies wee should begin to quarrell with our friends . thus you see , how men of place are of all others least exempted from a vocation ; for as idlenesse would give them occasion to sinne , so by their enemies should they be soone detected of shame : being more subject to detraction in those actions which are their best , than likely to plead a protection for such as are their worst . we may well then conclude this point , with that of a true and noble historian ; in the greatest fortune , there is the least liberty ; for by how much any man is higher placed , by so much is he more generally noted . wee say , that there is required the greatest care , where there is the greatest danger : now what danger more presently imminent , or more powerfully violent , than highnesse of place , threatning ruine daily to the possessour ? where honour feeds the fuell of envie , and enmity ever pursues in chace such as are advanced by fortune : whence our moderne poet excellently concludeth ; study thou vertue , honour's envies bait , so entring heav'n thou shalt be graduate . how necessary then even in private respects to themselves is circumspection ; not only in labouring to prevent occasions of feare , but the finall and fatall effects thereof ? so may those , whom either fortune hath raised , or noblenesse of birth advanced , say with majestike marius : they envy my honour : let them also envie my labour , innocencie , yea , those admirable dangers which i have passed , for by these was my honour purchased . now then , how should such whose height of place hath raised them above the lower ranke of men , imagine that their place may exempt them from their taske ? offices are peculiarly assigned to all men , and vocation to all rankes of men . whence came that ancient edict amongst the romaas , mentioned by cicero in lib. de leg. ( as wee have else-where noted ) that no roman should goe thorow the streets of the city , unlesse hee carried with him the badge of that trade whereby he lived : insomuch that marcus aurelius , speaking of the diligence of the romans , writeth , that all of them followed their labour . so as , there was no difference betwixt the patricians and plebeians ; inter faecem & florem civitatis ( as one well observeth ; ) but an expresse taske was imposed and exacted on every subject . whence it grew that the roman empire became absolute soveraignesse of many other ample dominious : whose flourishing estate ( as it was described to king pyrrhus ) appeared such ; that the city seemed a temple , the senate a parliament of kings . neither is it to be doubted , but even as god is no accepter of persons , so his command was generall , without exception of persons ; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eate bread albeit i doe not hence conclude , that all are to intend the plough , or betake themselves to manuall trades : for so i might seeme to presse that exposition which a frier once urged against latimer , touching reading of scripture in a vulgar tongue : if the rude people ( objected hee ) should heare the scripture read in english , the plow-man when hee heareth , hee that holdeth the plough and looketh backe , is not apt for the kingdome of god ; would there upon cease to plow any more : & the baker , when hee heareth it read , a little leaven corrupteth the whole lumpe ; might be moved not to use leaven at all : and when the scripture saith , if thine eye offend thee , plucke it out ; the ignorant might bee perswaded to pull out their eyes ; and therefore it was not good to have the scripture in english. to which objection latimer vouchafed no other answer than this : hee would wish the scriptures to be no longer in english , till thereby either the plow-man were perswaded not to plow ; or the baker not to bake . no , i am not so stupid , as not to apprehend how severall places or offices are deputed to sundry men : how some are appointed for guiding and guarding the state ; others for ranking and ranging powers in the field ; others for teaching and training of youth in the schoole ; others for propounding and expounding of the lawes of our realme at the barre ; others for caring and curing of malad●es in the body ; others for breaking the bread of life , and breathing the spirit of comfort to the afflicted . whence wee gather , that of all degrees none are exempted or excepted : a vocation is proposed and imposed , which , of necessity must be by one or other observed and intended . for as in the mutuall offices of our body , every member intends that peculiar function or office to which it is assigned or limited ; so in the body of the state ( being all members depending and subsisting of that state ) wee are all in our mutuall places or offices to discharge that taske which is injoyned us . wherein i should thinke it convenient , if we observed the selfe-same rule , which the members of our body use in the due performance of their offices . for wee see not one of them incroach or intrude into anothers place or imployment : the eye it sees , and handles not ; the hand it handles , and sees not ; the palat it tastes , and smels not ; the nose it smels , and tastes not ; the eare it heares , and walkes not ; the foot it walkes , and heares not . and so of the rest : but contrariwise , how itching are men after such imployments as least concerne them ? how officious in businesse which least touch them ? the dray-man hee will play the divine ; a dairy-woman the physician ; the collier the informer ; the farmer the lawyer . wherein surely , i have observed in the small progresse of this my pilgrimage , no small inconvenience redounding to the publike state. for say , whence sprung all these schismes in the church , these many rents in christs seamelesse-coat , but from those , who of mechanickes became divines , professing to teach , before they were taught ? whence are so many mens dayes abridged , their easie maladies without hope of being cured , but by meanes of these horse-leaches , who gaine experience by the death of their patients , professing themselves artists , before they know the definition of an art ? whence are so many unjustly vexed , so injuriously troubled , but by these base informers , who become disturbers rather than reformers ? whence arise these differences , betwixt party and party , but by meanes of some factious and seditious instruments , who like the serpent dipsas , sucke the moisture and verdure of every hopefull plant , building their foundation on the ruine of others ? surely , as wee have statutes enacted , of purpose to have such turbulent members duely curbed and censured ; so were it to bee wished that such lawes as are to this end provided , were likewise executed : for by this meanes the flourie borders of our realme should bee stored with grave divines , and learned professors , leading their flocks to the greene pastures of ghostly instruction , not to the by-paths of errour and confusion ; with judicious and expert physitians , who are not to learne experience by the death of their patients ; with sincere and uncorrupted officers whose ayme is not to gaine , but to redresse abuses ; with upright and con●cionable lawyers , whose desire is to purchase their clients peace , and not by frivolous delayes to cram their purses . o what a golden age were this ● when each performing a mutuall office unto other , might so support one another , as what one wanted , might be supplied by another . then should wee have no sectists or separatists divided from the unity of faith to disturbe us ; no artlesse quack-salvers or cheating mountebanks to delude us ; no factious brands to set a fire of debate amongst us ; no currupt or unconscionable lawyers , by practising upon our states , to make a prey of us . then should we heare no ignorant laicks familiarly disputing of the too high points of predestination , rejecting the ordinary meanes of attaining salvation : as may be seene in the synodals or conventicles of many seduced soules , even in these dayes , where some barbar is made a cathedrall doctor , to improve , rebuke , and exhort : but how is it possible that ought should bee hatched but errour , where singularity grounded on ignorance is made a teacher ? s. basil talking with the emperour valens of matters of religion , and the cooke comming in saucily and telling the holy man his opinion , that it was but a small matter to yeeld to his master the emperor in a word or two ; and that hee needed not to stand so precisely in divine matters which seemed indifferent , or of no moment . yea , sir cook ( quoth s. basil ) it is your part to tend to your pottage , and not to boyle and chop up divine matters : and then with great gravity ( turning to the emperour ) said , that those that were conversant in divine matters with conscience , would rather suffer death , than suffer one jot of holy scripture , much lesse an article of faith to be altered or corrupted . so carefull have former times beene of the reverence which ought to be had in dispensing the heavenly mysteries of gods word : admitting none to so holy and high a vocation , but such who had vrim and thummim , knowledge and holinesse : beautifying their knowledge , i say , with holinesse of conversation : being not onely speakers but doers ; for no word-men but work-men are fit for the lords vineyard . the like complaint might bee made touching these physitians of our bodies : where artlesse and ignorant handicrafts-men , who perchance upon reading of some old herball , wherein were prescribed certaine doubtfull cures for certaine maladies , will not sticke to professe themselves galenists the first houre : setting out a painted table of unknowne cures to raise them credit . to whom in my opinion , that tale may be properly applied , which is related of one alphonso an italian ; who professing physicke , wherein his fortune was to kill oftner than he did cure : one day as he and his man nicolao rode on the way , he might see a great multitude of people assembled upon a hill ; whereof being desirous to know the cause , he sent his man nicolao to inquire further : who , understanding that there was one to be executed for committing a murder , put spurres to his horse , and running with all speed to his master , wished him to flie : where-with alphonso not a little astonished , demanded the cause : why master ( quoth nicolao ) yonder is a poore wretch adjudged to die for killing one man , and you in your time have killed an hundred . neither are wee lesse to grieve for the pressures which burden our state by such , who sow the seed of discord betwixt neighbour , & neighbour supporting champertie & embracerie in buying of titles , maintaining suits out of a contentious or turbulent disposition . which enormities , as they are by apt and necessary lawes thereto provided , duly censured ; so were it to bee wished , that for example sake some one , whom the impunitie and indulgencie of this time hath made too presuming , were punished according to the extremitie of the law thereto provided : for then should wee enjoy those happy halcyon dayes , wherein basil the emperour of constantinople lived : who , whensoever hee came to his iudgement seat , found neither partie to accuse , nor defendant to answer . to this end then and purpose tendeth our present discourse , that as a peculiar vocation is deputed to every one in this pilgrimage of humane frailty ; so hee should not intermix himselfe in affaires or offices of different nature . a man may be excellent in one , who cannot be exquisite in many . let us then so addresse our selves , as we may be rather fruitfull in one , than fruitlesse in many . doe wee feare by being excellent in one to purchase hate of many ? let us sleight that hate which is procured by good means ; for so long as wee live here , sometimes adverse fortune will crosse us , oft times envie curbe us : but where the mind hath given way to the infirmities of nature , and beares with a prepared mind whatsoever may be inflicted on her , shee makes no account of detraction ; for that vertuous resolution which is in her , doth daily more and more rayse and advance her . neither are we to be strong in tongue and weake in act ; as those , whose only valour is vaunting , and honour verball glorying : for of all others , such men are the slothfullest , whose force and power is wholly seated in the tongue . no , rather let us know that vertue consists in action , which by long habit becomes more pleasant than the habit of vice , whose vaine delights tender no lesse bitternesse in the end , than they did promise sweetnesse in the beginning . agendo audendoque res romana crevit . let our eare , as it is a sense of instruction , become a light of direction : for then we heare with profit , when we reduce what we heare to practice . thus you have heard both of the necessity of a vocation , and how none is to be exempted from a vocation : wherein , gentlemen , i could wish , that as birth and breeding have advanced you above others , so you would shew such arguments of your birth and education , as may make you seeme worthy of a glorious vocation ; expressing such exemplary vertues in your life , as might gaine you love even in death . and so i descend to speake of vocation in generall ; wherein i will bee more briefe , because i have partly glanced at it in our former discourse . vocation may be taken equivocally or univocally ; when wee speak of vocation in generall , it is equivocall ; when of any speciall vocation in particular it is univocall . without vocations no civill state can subsist ; because idlenesse maketh of men women , of women beasts , of beasts monsters . it was one of the sinnes of sodome , as wee may reade in the prophet ezekiel . it was that which brought david the anoynted of the lord , nay the man after gods owne heart , to commit adultery . it was this which moved solomon to bid the sluggard goe to the pismire to learn good husbandry . to be short , it was this which moved the prophets to denounce judgement upon the flourishing'st cities , for their security . how necessary then is it for all estates to be carefull , lest they incurre a heavy and fearefull censure , to addresse themselves to especiall vocations , beneficiall to the state , and pleasing to god , whose glory should bee our aime , without any by-respect unto our selves ? wee shall see in most places both at home and abroad , how such trades or vocations are most used , as may best suit with the nature and condition of the place . as in our port-townes traffick and commerce , conferring no lesse benefit to the state by importance , than profit to other countries by exportance . againe , in our townes lying further within land , the inhabitants use some especiall trade to keepe their youth in labour ; whereby they become not only beneficiall to themselves , but usefull and helpefull unto others . amongst which , i cannot be unmindfull of the diligence of the towne of kendall , and worthy care which they have to see their very young children put to worke , being a labour which requires no great strength , to wit , woolworke . wherein , so approved hath their care and industry beene , as they have gained themselves no small esteeme in forraine places , who are made partakers of the fruit of their labours . for i have knowne a family , consisting of seven or eight persons , maintained by the worke of two or three stones of wooll , which amounted not above thirty shillings : and with this they maintained credit , living in an honest and decent manner . whose labours as they were laudable , so have they beene no lesse furthered , favoured , and encouraged by our late gracious soveraigne of renowned memory ; who of his princely clemency , hath damned all such impositions or heavy taxations as might any way impaire or impeach the free use of that trade . since which time , upon renuall of their charter , his sacred majesty hath beene lately pleased , not onely to enlarge their liberties , but likewise to dignifie their magistracy with a title of more eminence : which had it stood with his princely pleasure , might have received high improvement by creation of a burgesse . albeit now of late , the town of kendall , so famous for wool-work , by reason of a late decrease or decay of trade in those parts , is grown no less penurious than populous : so as ( with griefe i speake it ) such inhabitants as formerly by their paine & industry were able to give an alms at their door , are now forced to beg their almes from door to door . the redresse whereof , as it hath been by the prince and those prudent guides and guardians of our state , the lords of his privie councell , duely intended ; so no doubt , but by their wise care it shall be accordingly effected , and those poore people after so many miseries sustayned , wholly releeved ; to the advancement of gods glory , the supportance of many a needfull family , and the succeeding renowne of his majesty , to whom every subject oweth his life , love and loyalty . the like commendation i could give to the copperworkes used in the north ; more especially about keswicke , where divers dutchmen being planted , have for many yeares expressed no lesse judgement than industry in sundry excellent and choice experiments , which to their succeeding fame may perpetuate their memory . for these , like cunning and experienced artizans , have to doe in the bowels of the earth , whence they digge copper , which with incredible paines they bring to the hammer . for so steepe , ragged and cliffie are those mountaines , whence their copper is digged , as it might seeme a matter of impossibility to effect so intricate a worke ; but so infatigable are the labourers which they employ , as their patience in suffering is no lesse to be commended , than their skill in contriving to bee admired . but to speake in generall of all vocations , sciences , or mysteries : wee are ever to observe the place and convenience , hereof , that wee may the better appropriate some especiall vocation according to the necessity and convenience of the place . as ship-masters in places of trafficke and navigation ; shepherds , graziers , and farmers , in places of plantation : according to that ancient proverbe ; gardiners in theffalie , horse-coursers in barbary . now if you should object touching the difference of vocations , that some are more necessary than others : yea such as now seeme most necessary , have formerly ( as may appeare ) beene held trades of indifferency : my answer is , i grant it ; yet not so altogether as some might object against the necessity of a smiths trade , by alleaging that of the prophet samuel ; there was no smith found thorowout all the land of israel . for this did not inferre that smiths were of least use or imployment in israel , but rather the necessity of them made so few amongst them , as may appeare in the latter part of the verse : for the philistines said , lest the hebrewes make them swords or speares . here see the cause why there were so few in israel , because they would have beene most usefull and behoofefull to the people of israel . for this cause were they banished , slaughtered and deprived of all meanes to assist their distressed countrey , whose people hid themselves in caves , and in hold , and in rocks , and in towers , and in pits . for the first invention of trades , arts or sciences , as they were in time and by degrees brought to perfection , so had they proper and peculiar persons , from whom they received their beginning and foundation . for example , tillage from cain , pasturage from abel , vintage from noah , navigation from zebulun , brazery or smith-worke from tubal-cain , musick from iubal ; which by succession of time came to such perfection as they are now in . the satyre at the first sight of fire , would needs have kissed and imbraced it , but prometheus checked him . so highly admired were things unknown , and so familiarly employed being once knowne . the like we may imagine at the first rising of trades , what difficulties attended them , and what imperfections were incident to them ; being like the beares whelpe , ever in licking , before they came to perfecting , ever in renuing & furbushing , ere they came to such furnishing , as they now express . yea , if we should make recourse to all such scholastick sciences or vocations ( if i may so terme them ) as have the name of liberall sciences : wee shall find that in their infancy or minority , there were many defects and blemishes in them , having not as then attayned that heighth or growth , which they have acquired at this day . for then wee had not a quintilian to play the grammarian ; a subtill scotus to play the logician , an eloquent cicero for a rhetorician ; a learned euclid for a mathematician ; a studious archimedes for a geometrician ; a famous hippocrates to renowne a physician ; a sense-ravishing orpheus to eternize the musician . many conclusions were then to bee sought and explored , ere such perfection as wee now enjoy could bee attayned . for to instance grammar ; how long may wee imagine , and tedious might the taske be , ere so many rules could bee so aptly digested , and disposed ? how long before such rules could be by authority of so innumerable authors approved ? how long being approved , before they could so generally and without opposition be received ? the like may be spoke of logicke , which is rightly termed the locke of knowledge , opened by the key of art : what subtill and intricate sophismes ? what formall and effectuall conclusions ? what rules of art to direct them in the maine current of their proceedings ? those foure questions produced by arist. in his posteriors , how fit are they to be observed in the managing of every subject : quid nominis , quid rei , qualis sit , propter quid sit ? likewise his distinction or division of places ; topicall , or rhetoricall , called insita , being intrinsecally ingraffed or inserted in the nature of the thing : also places derived ab antecedentibus & consequentibus ; as the sunne hath showne , whence it followeth , that day hath appeared ; the sunne is set , whence it followeth that night is approached . also places derived à comparatione majorum minorum & aequalium . as if christ washed his disciples feet , much more ought wee to doe the same one to another . likewise in those locall circumstances , very necessary for searching and discussing the truth of any matter ; who , what , what time , and where , how , why , what helps were there ? why ; as the offence was more blame-worthy in iudas than if it had beene done by any other , being his disciple ; and so of the rest . all which , as they tend properly to the office of an orator ; so minister they no little elegancy even to our familiar discourse : wherein wee most commonly ( though wee observe not so much ) use some one of these places , to aggravate or extennate the subject whereof wee speake . the like also of rhetoricke ; what perswasive inductions , what powerfull arguments are there to be found ? the definition whereof , if wee should expresse in one word , it is , to make great things little , and little things great . after aeschines being banished athens , was come to rhodes , he declared in an oration the cause of his exile , the rhodians no lesse satisfied with the pregnancie of his reasons , than ravished with the elegancy of his phrase , wondred at the athenians who had banished him so undeservedly . o ( quoth he ) you heard not what demosthenes answered to my reasons ! this moved philip of macedon in a treaty of league betwixt him and the olynthians , to demand of them their orators : little doubting , but having once deprived them of the stayes and supporters of their state , by receiving them as hostages , hee might quickly receive the province into his subjection . it is above imagination to consider of the rare effects derived from moving or perswasive rhetoricians , resembling in some sort passionate actors ; who to move passion , such an order keepe , as they feigne teares to make their hearers weepe . now the difference betwixt actors and orators ( saith cicero ) is , that the one intermixeth levity in their action , to make their hearers laugh ; the other use all gravity , authority , and serious arguments ( with a gracefull insinuation ) to perswade . wherefore those are accounted ridiculous , these esteemed prudent . neither is this excellency of theirs onely in passion or efficacie of perswasion , but in a subject of more admiration : which is , they can make blacke seeme white , and cloath that which in the eye of the world seemes most deformed , in a beautifull habit which art polycrates that athenian rhetorician had , who praised the tyrant busyris ; the like had seneca , who praised the dissembling claudius ; favorinus , who commended the deformed thersites ; no lesse elegant was * maro in commending his gnat ; lucian a flie ; apuleius his asse ; also favorinus a quartan ague ; glauco , injustice ; synesius , baldnesse ; lucian , flattery ; erasmus , folly. which elegant paradoxes they have so wittily and perswasively handled , as they gained more approbation , than if they had been themes commonly received : for there is no discourse , of what nature soever , that can comparably delight the reader or hearer , like these which seeme opposite to opinion generally received , yet by strong and effectuall reasons use to be proved and maintained . neither was this rhetoricall art lesse required in the campe than in the court : for if wee should peruse histories both of ancient and succeeding times , wee should finde what rare effects were brought to passe by this smooth inducing art of rhetoricke . how souldiers became animated by hearing their leader play the orator , in extenuating the enemies power , in proposing assured hopes of victory , and putting them in mind of their ancestors glory ; againe , in shewing them the benefit of a rich booty , promising them much honour if they live , and no lesse memory of their valour if they should dye . the like ( to descend to all those arts whereof wee have formerly spoken ) may be said of the rare and admirable effects of the mathematicks : what singular conclusions have beene drawne from thence by the line of art ? what secrecies above humane conceit have beene drained and derived from that mysterious knowledge ? wherein many have offended rather by being too curious , than by being too little solicitous . whence it was , that euclid being demanded by one too inquisitive in the secrecies of heaven , touching a question , which ( as hee thought ) was more profound than profitable , hee answered ; surely , i know not this , but thus much i know , that god hateth such as are curious searchers after his secrets . i might here produce the basis on which the study of the mathematicks is grounded , as also the exquisite and admirable effects or conclusions from thence derived , but i hasten to the rest . the power of geometry was shewne sufficiently in that studious artist archimedes , who by his owne proper power repelled the whole force of marcellus and all his army , laying siege to syracusa : so as it was imagined that this one man did more good in the defence of the city by his art , than all the rest of the inhabitants did by the force of armes . neither had marcellus ( as it was generally thought ) in long time prevailed , although the city was in most places razed and ruined , if it had not beene by false and trecherous meanes privately yeelded and betrayed . where this mirror of his time , the famous archimedes , was suddenly in his study surprized , and by a common souldier ( much against marcellus will ) cruelly murdered . touching physike , what rare cures have beene wrought by such excellent and expert artists as have professed this knowledge ? it is wonderfull to read , what perfection mithridates attained in this profession , being the first that found and gave name to that knowne receit against all poison , mithridate : with which he so inured his body , to repell the force of poison ; as in his ebbe and decrease of fortune , when hee had lost in one houre what hee had in so many yeeres gained , being deprived of all meanes to cure his misery , he laboured to finde a way to end his misery , and that was to deprive himselfe of life ; which the better to effect , he drunke poison ; but so strongly had his former receits fortified his body against such baneful effects , as it would not worke , nor as hee expected , produce that tragicall issue with him . the rare cures of dioscorides ; the admirable experiments of hippocrates , to them that shall but peruse their workes , will confirme the excellency of this art : where the one concludeth , that art is long , life short , experience deceiving : implying , that so rare an art could not bee attained , but by much industry ; life being so short , and a very embleme of frailty , was to be used tenderly ; and experience being so deceiving , was to bee put in practice carefully . they give us this precept ; in sickenesse to respect health principally , and in health action . health , that we might might bee made for action ; action , that wee might the better preserve our health . lastly musicke , the first beginning or invention whereof , as it merits admiration ; so the perfection of it , at this day deserves applause : finding an open torteise on the ground , from it the art of musike first was found . so observeth du bartas ; which indeed may rather be limited to one kinde of instrument , whereto the torteise may seeme to have resemblance , that is , the lute . pythagoras chanced once into a company of drunkards , where a musitian ruled their lascivious banquet : hee presently commanded him to change his harmony with a dorion , ( or an heavier tone ) and so with this tragicke melody moved them to cast off their garlands , ashamed of whatsoever they had done , being brought by the accent of grave and solemne musicke to sobriety . whence it was , that aristotle forbiddeth in his common-wealth , certaine lascivious musicke , & alloweth the doricall , which is of another kinde . the arcadians by musicke were transformed from savage and barbarous people to civility , and transported ( as it were ) from the violent current of naturall cruelty , to affability and courtesie . shall wee descend to some diviner effects of musicke , confirmed by holy writ ? saul being vexed with an evill spirit , when david played upon his harpe , he was comforted , and the evill spirit departed . musick causeth mirth and moans ; divine mirth , as appeareth in solomons songs ; a holy turtle-like moane , as appeareth in ieremies lamentable threnes , davids penitentiall psalmes . elizeus prepared his spirit to receive the influence of prophecie by musicke . when israel had passed the red-sea , moses with the men , and miriam the prophetesse , sister of aaron , with the women , sung panegyries of praise to god , with hymnes and musicall instruments . the like did iudith , when shee had vanquished holofernes . so did deborah , when sisera was discomfited . augustine reports of himselfe , what comfort he conceived at the beginning of his conversion ; what teares hee shed , and how hee was inwardly moved with the harmony and melody which was used in churches : yet thought that holy father ( as hee rightly thought ) that he offended when he was delighted more with the note and melody of the song , than sense of the psalme : and therefore highly commendeth saint athanasius , who caused the reader of the psalme to sound out the words with so small a forcing of his voice , as it seemed rather like one that did pronounce it , than one that did sing it . but i feare me . i have strucke too long on this string ; wherefore , lest i should wrong your generous patience too much , for whom i addressed my selfe at first to this taske : i purpose now to descend from speaking of vocation in generall , to speake of the vocation of a gentleman in particular ; hoping to make amends by refreshing you in this , whose patience i have so much tired in the other . now are wee to addresse our selves in a more restrained and particular discourse , to propose a gentleman his vocation ; which , perchance , by our nicer and more curious gallants , whose sense consists in sent , will be distasted and dispalated : but to such , whose understanding consists not in perfumes , nor tye themselves , to the vaine garbe of complement , as the onely posture whereon gentry relyes , these ensuing observations will not ( i assure me ) seeme altogether unwelcome . saint bernard writing to one haimericus , chancellor of rome , in his very first salutation , without further insinuation , wisheth him to forget those things which are behind , and to follow the apostle to those things which are before . which no man can doe , that either stands still , or is idle . wherefore hermes saith generally , nothing in the whole world is altogether idle . the wiseman hath allowed a time for every thing else , but for idlenesse he hath allowed no time . moses arke had rings , and barres within the rings , to signifie that it was not made to stand still , but to be removed from place to place . iacobs ladder had staves , upon which he saw none standing still ; but all either ascending or else descending by it . ascend you likewise to the top of the ladder , to heaven , and there you shall heare one say , my father doth now worke , and i worke also . whereupon basil noteth , that king david having first said , lord , who shall dwell in thy tabernacle ? addes then , not hee that hath wrought righteousnesse heretofore , but hee that doth now worke righteousnesse ; even as christ saith , my father doth now worke , and i worke also . descend you likewise to the foot of the ladder , to the earth , and there you shall heare that figtree accursed , which did beare leaves and no fruit . whereupon theophylact noteth , that iohn baptist having first said , the axe is laid to the root of the tree ; addes then , not every tree that hath not brought forth good fruit heretofore : but , every tree that doth not now bring forth good fruit shall be cut downe , even as that fruitlesse fig-tree was cut downe , and cast into the fire . therefore we must so walke , as god seeing our continuall fruitfulnesse , may say of us , i see men walking like trees . men walke like trees , when men are never idle , but alwayes abounding in the worke of the lord : as the tree of life every moneth bringeth forth twelve manner of fruits . but that i may the better proceed in that which i have taken in hand ; you are to know , that the life of man is either active or contemplative , so as all our imployments have relation to the one , or to the other . which two were represented in mary and martha . the one whereof was very attentive , sitting at iesus feet , and heard his preaching : but martha was cumbred about much serving . the former sitting at iesus feet , hearing him preaching , may signifie likewise the spirituall man , whose actions , affections , motions and intentions , are wholly bent to the service of god , leaving all things to gaine him , who left his life upon the crosse to save him , the latter being cumbred about many things , signifies the naturall man , who betakes himselfe to the employments of this life , ministring to the necessity of his family , labouring with his owne hands to get him a competent living . neither are these to be divided one from the other , partaking indeed so neerly one of another . for as we are not altogether to imitate hermite or anchorite in being wholly retyred from the world ; so like the libertine or loose worldling are wee not too much to bee cumbred or intangled with the world . for the first , as it implyes a kind of hate to humane society ; so the latter infers our too much care to the things of the body . now to observe that golden meane , which may free us from being taxed by the one , or tainted with the other : i doe thinke it fitting , that gentlemen should be sociably affected , ever with a reservancie , with whom they keepe company ; likewise from worldly affections weaned , that being on earth they may have their minds seated above : being ( i meane ) so free in the inward man , as rather than they will slave the noblest motions of the soule to the unworthy bondage of the body , they will endure want , contempt , or whatsoever the blinde world can lay upon them . the vocation of a gentleman , without more curiositie of division , is either publike or private . publike , when imployed in affaires of state , either at home or abroad : at home , either in advising or acting ; abroad , as by way of embassage , or personall exploits in the field . private , when in domesticke businesse hee is detained , as in ordering his household ; or if not as yet attained to the name of housholder , in labouring to know such things as may ripen his understanding when he comes unto it . touching the first , to wit , publike affaires of state ; as all are not fit for such a charge or burden ; so there is a necessitie injoyned such , who are able to undertake so great and weightie a taske , to submit themselves willingly to the command of their soveraigne , whensoever his pleasure shall bee to make triall of their sufficiencie in affaires of state. in the carriage whereof , divers necessarie cautions have beene formerly observed by statesmen . as first , to avoid all occasions of distrust , never to shew too much inwardnesse with forraine states : for this may beget a suspect in your prince , that your aymes are neither faire nor loyall . it was this which broke byrons necke , being accused to have had conference with one picote , borne at orleans , and fled into flanders to have intelligence with the arch-duke , to which picote hee had given an hundred and fifty crowns for two voyages to that effect . likewise , it was objected against him , that he had treated with the duke of savoy three dayes after his comming to paris . likewise , the intelligence he had from the duke of savoy in the taking of bourges , giving him advice to attempt against the kings armie . likewise , that he should bring the king before s. katharines to be slaine there : and to that end had written to the governour , giving him some tokens to know his majestie . likewise , that he had sent la fin to treat with the duke of savoy , and the count of fuentes . to which , although hee replied , and in some sort purged himselfe , yet those treaties or parlies which were proved against him , shewed him guiltie of divers indirect proceedings against him . it is dangerous therfore to entertain conference with strangers in matters of state : for howsoever your aymes may be faithfull and honest , such treaties may bee so racked and misconstrued by such as maligne your greatnesse , as they will bring you in danger , if not to finall distresse . it is no lesse dangerous to one imployed in affaires of state , to bee too credulous ; and that in two respects : either by being too credulous in giving trust to the relations of others , or by being too credulous in imparting his thoughts to the secrecie of others . for the former , it detracts much from the worth and estimate of man , yea ( and if i may so say ) argues great indiscretion to have an eare open to all reports , seconding whatsoever is related , with an opinion of credulitie . for such as these , whom either greatnesse of place by descent , or some more noble and native characters of personall worth have advanced , need not want for relaters in this kinde , especially if they finde them apt to beleeve whatsoever they shall be readie to report . neither are any sort of men more subject to the garbe of strange and novell relations than travellers : who may arrogate to themselves a libertie of invention in this kinde , by authoritie . whence it is said , that travellers , poets and lyars , are three words al of one signification . now there is no meanes better to avoid the company of these fabulous relaters , than by interrupting them , or by requiting their tales ( to argue their incredibility ) telling stories farre more strange , and indeed beyond the compasse of common sense : whereof i have heard a merry conceited tale to this effect : a certaine traveller , or at least one who desired though hee never deserved that title , reporting wonderfull and incredible things which hee had seene in his travell , amongst the rest related this : vpon a time it befell ( said he ) that i travelled along a certaine desart in arabia felix , where i with others who then accompanied mee , were assayled by a violent showre , so as labouring to fly for shelter to some covert , wee might perceive a little coppice , wherein grew great store of cabbages of such huge proportion , as the very leaves thereof ( so largely extended were the spurges ) might by their greatnesse give shadow to five hundred men . this tale being told , one amongst the rest , to answer his tale , makes this reply by way of discourse upon such occurrents as had hapned him in his travell , proceeding thus ; it fortuned that i with some other gentlemen of eminent ranke and quality , travelled neere the riphean mountaines , in the clifts of which mountaines abundance of all metals , but especially of copper , is daily found : now as wee coasted along , wee might perceive some three leagues westward from those mountaines , a great number of people beating and knocking with incessant labour , but for what end we knew not : wherfore with one consent wee resolved to approach neerer them , and see about what they so eagerly laboured . where wee found five hundred braziers making of one caldron , which was of so huge proportion , as not any one of all those braziers , though they were all employed in one worke , could heare one another strike . good god ( quoth the former traveller ) for what use was so huge a caldron made ? surely ( replyed the second ) i cannot imagine for what use it should be , unlesse it were to boyle your cabbage in . this present and pregnant answer so daunted that fabulous traveller , as hee was ever after more sparing in discourse of his travels . a states-man ought likewise to beware of giving credit to all forrain relations : for divers there be who presuming of the distance of place , will invent and vent their inventions to curry favour : having so couched and digested their new-minted new●s , as they passe for currant , at least they seeme probable for the present . and herein certainely have many beene abused , giving approbation to what was spoken only by way of insinuation . the second respect , wherein a states-man ought not to be too credulous , is this ; hee must not be too open-brested in imparting his thoughts to the secrecy of others . for if wee say , that even a private man committing his secrecy to another , becomes his slave to whom hee committed it : much more a states-man , whose affaires have no other limit than the publike state , by imparting his thoughts , or rather laying himselfe open to the trust or secrecy of others , makes himselfe bound , where he was before free ; yea , hee endangers the body of the state , whereof hee is an especiall member , by commending or committing her private intendments to the hazard of rumour , which should not be so much as possessed of the least intelligence given in matters of such maine importance . to be full of chinks in affaires of ordinary consequence , implyes a great weaknesse : but especially , where the state is interrested , there is enjoyned that comicke impreza : if wise , seeme not to know that which thou knowest : at least , divulge not thy secret'st thoughts to the danger of discovery , whereby thou put'st thy head under anothers girdle . he is my dear friend ( saith one ) to whom i will impart my inferiour aimes ; but he shall be incorporated with me , to whom i will make knowne what may endanger me . the like is requisite to bee observed in affaires of state : where all counsels and consultations tending to the safety and security of the publike state , should be layd up as a secret treasure , and not discovered to every mans trust . this that prudent and politicke states-man , harpagus rightly understood , when in disclosing a secret of state unto cyrus that persian monarch , hee commanded such letters as included the summe of his directions , to be inclosed and sowed in the belly of a hare , and so dispatched the messenger towards that victorious commander . there is likewise required a noble and prepared resolution in every states-man : being so affected , as neither price can taunt him , nor power over-awe him : addressing his aymes wholly for the benefit of the state , preferring death before his countries prejudice . of this resolution or constancie of mind we have a notable example in lewis duke of bavaria commended for his constancie ; in so much as being threatned by albert the marquesse of brandenburgh , that if hee would not condescend to some reasonable ransome for his liberty , hee would deliver him over into the hands of his enemy , answered , aske that thing of me being prisoner , that thou wouldst aske of me at liberty . the like wee reade of pantaleon , who restrayned in most strait bondage , was never a whit dismayed , nor so much as sighed , when hee beheld his son paraxaspis thrust to the heart . this resolution or stoutnesse of mind , might be illustrated by divers examples of the like kind , but my purpose hath ever beene ( because these doe rather illustrate than prove or confirme ) to take them , as it were by the way , but in no case to dwell on them : wee will therefore descend to forraine imployments of state , as affaires of embassage or treaty with any prince or state. now it is expedient that such as be imployed in affaires of this nature , be choyce and select men both in gifts of nature , and state-experience . for in nature is the foundation layd , which by experience and continuall employment in state-busines , useth to be stored , furnished , and accomplished . so as i doe not altogether assent to his opinion , who thought that in choice of instruments to treat or negociate by way of embassie betwixt prince and prince ; it is better to chuse men of a plainer sort , who are like to doe that that is committed to them , and to report backe againe faithfully the successe , than those that are cunning to contrive out of other mens busines , somewhat to grace themselves , and will helpe the matter in report for satisfaction sake . for his conclusion agrees not with his premises ; for ( saith he ) if you would worke any man , you must either know his nature , and fashions , and so lead him ; or his ends , and so perswade him ; or his weaknesse and disadvantages , and so awe him ; or those that have interest in him , and so governe him . now how should a man , whom a simple plainnesse only possesseth , one whom no diving or penetrating reach enableth , one whom the outward semblance only instructeth , how should he ( i say ) by working any man , either know his nature or fashion , and so lead him ; since his eye can reach no farther than the outward seeming , which as oft deceives , as it receives diversity of habits which it weares ? or how should he ( i say ) know his ends with whom he treats , and so perswade him , since politicke men doe usually pretend that which they least intend : shewing a faire glosse , and putting on a false face to delude , and deluding to colour their designes more cunningly ? or how should he discover the weaknesse or disadvantages of the person with whom he deales , when his owne weaknesse so disables him , as hee oft-times lets opportunity slip , when the best advantage is for him ? or how discerne those which have interest in him , when his aymes are onely to conclude with him , with whom hee deales , without relation to any intercedent meanes to effect his busines ? neither is it to be doubted , but such whose understanding hath attained a higher pitch , will be as ready to doe that which is committed to them , as those on whom a more plainnesse hath naturally seized : for these will duly consider the great danger they are like to incurre , if they should exceed their commission either in doing too much , or detract from their commission in doing too little . for in affaires of this nature , especially parum agendum est de proprio , yea , though in the opinion of the party employed , it seeme that hee could goe more effectually to worke , than just as his commission directs him . manlius torquatus commanded his sonne to be put to death , for fighting ( albeit prosperously ) against his commandement . pub. crass. mutianus sending to his enginer to send him the bigger of his two ship-masts that he had seene in athens , to make a ram to batter downe the wals ; the enginer sent him the lesse , imagining it to be fitter : wherefore mutianus sent for the enginer , and caused him to bee so cruelly whipped with rods , that he dyed therewith . if disobedience in such affaires as these , being of lesser consequence , seemed among the heathen cause sufficient to pronounce sentence of death upon the offender ; what may they deserve , who in conceit of their owne wisedome , dare take upon them directions of their owne ; without tying themselves expresly to their commission ? and of these there bee two sorts : the one , even in greatest and most important matters , will presume to take upon them without direction of authority : wherein as they commonly erre , so they give advantage to him with whom they have to deale , of making his owne bargaine upon such termes as shall best please him : for how should one mans judgement equall a whole judicious councell ? so as in dealing with cunning persons , we must ever consider their ends , to interpret their speeches ; and it is good to say little to them , and that which they least looke for . the other sort tye themselves something more strictly or precisely to their commission ; for these will be loath to digresse from it in matters of weight and substance , but rather in some impertinent ceremony or circumstance : as wee reade in the generall history of spaine , that there came two embassadours out of france unto king alfonse the ninth , to demand one of his daughters in mariage for their soveraigne king philip one of which ladies was very faire , and named vrraca ; the other nothing so gracious , and called blanch. they both comming into the presence of the embassadours , all men held it a matter resolved , that their choyce would light upon vrraca , as the elder and fairer , and better adorned : but the embassadours enquiring each of their names , tooke offence at the name of vrraca , and made choyce of the lady blanch ; saying , that her name would be better received in france than the other . for matters of such indifferencie as these , it is not to be doubted but they are left to the discretion of the instruments : but for affaires of state , as they require due deliberation in discussing ; so require they the joynt assent and approbation of the state ere they come to concluding . there are likewise publike imployments , wherein gentlemen upon occasion may be interessed , which extend themselves to military affaires : in which , as it is not the death , but the cause of the death which makes a martyr , so it is not the action , but the ground of the action which merits the name of valour . that act of razis , in taking out his owne bowels , and throwing them upon the people , it was an act ( saith s. austin ) that tasted more of stoutnesse than goodnesse . for what could that act of his benefit his countrey ? wherein could it adde spirit to the distressed maccabees ? wherein allay the heavy burden of their affliction , or minister the least releefe in the time of their persecution ? that act of resolution by that noble bohemian , as it tasted more of true valour ; so it reared a columne of perpetuitie to his ever-living honour ; which exploit is thus recorded : when mahom●t the second of that name besieged belgrade in servia , one of his captains at length got up upon the wall of the city , with banner displayed . another bohemian espying this , ran to the captaine , and clasping him fast about the middle , asked one capistranus standing beneath , whether it would bee any danger of damnation to his soule , if hee should cast himselfe downe headlong with that dogge , ( so hee termed the turke ) to be slaine with him ? capistranus answering , that it was no danger at all to his soule , the bohemian forthwith tumbled himselfe down with the turke in his armes , and so ( by his owne death only ) saved the life of all the city . the like worthy exploits might bee instanced in those heires of fame , the rhodians , in the siege of their city : the knights of malta in their sundry defeats and discomsitures of the turks : the inhabitants of vienna , who being but a handful in comparison of their enemies , gave them not only the repulse , but wholly defeated their designes . this valour or fortitude , which indeed appeareth ever in the freest and noblest minds , is excellently defined by the stoicks , to be , a vertue ever fighting in defence of equitie . these who are professors of so peerelesse a vertue , are more ready to spare than to spill : their aimes are faire and honest , free from the least aspersion either of crueltie or vain-glory : for as they scorne to triumph over an afflicted foe , so they dislike that conquest ( unlesse necessitie enforce it ) which is purchased by too much bloud . the salmacian spoiles rellish better to their palate : for they are so full of noble compassion , as the death of their enemy enforceth in them teares of pitty . this appeared in those princely teares shed by caesar at the sight of pompeys head ; and in titus that darling of mankind , in those teares hee shed at the sight of those innumerable slaughters committed upon the iewes . now as my purpose is not to insist on the postures of warre ; so i intend not to dwell upon every circumstance remarkable in martiall affaires , but upon the maine scope of militarie discipline , whereto every generous and true bred souldier is to direct his course . let your aime bee therefore , gentlemen , to fight for the safetie and peace of your countrey , in the defence of a good conscience , which is to bee preferred before all the booties of warre : for as you have received your birth and breeding from your countrey ; so are you to stand for her , even to the sacrifice of your dearest lives ; provided , that the cause which you entertaine in her defence be honest , without purpose of intrusion into anothers right , or labouring to enlarge her boundiers by an unlawfull force . for howsoever the ancient heathens were in this respect faultie , being some of them truce breakers , others violent intruders or usurpers of what was little due unto them : wee for our parts have learned better things , being commanded not to take any thing from any man , but in all things learne to be contended . but of all enterprizes worthy the acceptance of a gentleman in this kinde , if i should instance any one in particular , none more noble or better deserving ( as i have else-where formerly touched ) than to warre against the turk that profest enemy of christendome ; the increase of whose empire may bee compared to the milt in mans body ; for the grandure of it threatens ruine and destruction to all christian states , drawing light to his halfe moone by darkening of others , and shewing even by the multitude of his insolent titles what his aimes be , if the lord put not a hooke in the nose of that leviathan . praise-worthy therefore are those glorious , and ( no doubt ) prosperous expeditions of such english and other christian voluntaries as have stood , and even at this day doe stand engaged in personall service against the great turke : for these , though they perish in the battell , shall survive time , and raise them a name out of the dust , which shall never be extinguished . these are they who fight the lords battell , and will rather die than it should quaile : these are those glorious champions , whose aime is to plant the blessed tidings of the gospell once againe in that holy land , which now remaines deprived of those heavenly prophets which she once enjoyed , of those godly apostles which she once possessed , of that sweet singer of israel with which her fruitfull coasts once resounded . o gentlemen , if you desire imployment in this kinde , what enterprize more glorious ? if you aime at profit , what assay to your soules more commodious ? if you seeke after fame , ( the aime of most souldiers ) what expedition more famous ? since by this meanes the practices of christs enemies shall be defeated , the borders of christendome enlarged , peace in sion established , and the tidings of peace every where preached . neither did ever time give fairer opportunity to effect it , than now , when the very guard of his person , his ianizaries begin to mutine and innovate , by interposing their suffrages in his government . besides , in assayes of this nature , being taken in hand for the peace and safety of christendome , assureth more securitie to the person engaged : for little need hee to feare a strong foe , that hath a stronger friend . admit therefore that you returne , as one that commeth with red garments from bozra , so as the devill and his angels like wilde bulls of basan run at you , you shall breake their hornes in his crosse for whom you fight . as wee have discoursed of imployments publike , which wee divided into two ranks , civill and military ; and of the manner how gentlemen are to demean themselves in court or campe ; so are we now to descend to imployments private , wherein wee purpose to set downe such necessary cautions or observances , as may seeme not altogether unprofitable or unusefull for the consideration of a gentleman . and first , i will speake of the imployment of a private iustice of peace , wherein he is appointed and made choice of , not only to redresse such annoyances as may seeme to prejudice the state of that countie wherein he lives , and is deputed iustice ; but likewise to mediate , attone and determine all such differences as arise betwixt partie & partie ; for to these also extends the office of iustice of peace . yea , wee are to wish him to be , as well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a compounder , as a commissioner of the peace . godlinesse should bee their chiefest gaine , and right and peace their greatest joy : for such are both pacidici , & pacifici , pleaders for peace , and leaders to peace : peace-lovers , and peaceable livers . as for the rest , they are deservedly blamed , that confine all their practice not within those ancient bounds usque ad aras , but with those usuall bounds , usque ad crumenas . the old position was was , iustice is to bee preferred before profit ; but now the termes are transposed in the proposition , and the avaritious desire of having never disputeth of the equity of the cause , but of the utilitie . kinde men such are but where they doe take , hardening their hearts against the crie of the poore . if a man come to demand justice , hee shall speed ill , having no money to give , no coine to present , no friends to speake , his cause is like to fall . suppose out of two mites hee give one : the rich adversaries horse eats up the poore clients oats ; there needs no oedipus to unfold this riddle : in the end the poore sheepe , that lost but a locke of his wooll in the countrey , loseth his whole fleece in the citie ; consumeth what he hath , spendeth his time , loseth his hope , and falleth his suit , be it never so good and honest . whereas such ( and of such we only speake ) as doe a right judgement to the fatherlesse and widow , beare a resemblance of god , who is a loving father to the orphane , and a gracious iudge to the widow . these will not for conscience sake pervert the right of strangers , fatherlesse , &c. for such as doe so , shall bee b cursed upon mount ebal : but these like pure lampes , diffuse those divine beames of unblemished justice , to all places where they reside , resembling david , who c executed judgement and justice to all his people : or like that propheticall dove , ieremiah , ever d exhorting to execute righteousnesse & judgement . or like that good patriarke abraham , ever e commanding his houshold to doe righteousnesse and judgement . for these know , how f all the wayes of god are judgements . and , that , g just & like a great deepe are gods judgements . and the wicked h tremble at gods judgements . and the wicked , i understand and not gods judgments . and therfore strive against k perverse judgements . because they know what l equitie is to bee required in judgements . having ever before their m eyes gods judgements . o how pretious are the lips of those who preserve judgement , being an honour to their countrey , a pillar to the state , leaving a memorable name to themselves , which as that princely prophet saith , shall never rot ! these are they , who have their faces n covered , lest they should have respect unto the person ; as godlinesse is their gaine , and the preservation of a good conscience their principall ayme ; so if there were neither reward here , nor else where , for such as executed justice and judgement ; yet for conscience sake , and a sincere love they bore to truth , would they continue in their zealous care to the profession and protection thereof . these are not of that leaven who turne iudgement to worme-wood , and leave off righteousnesse in the earth . for such in stead of judgment and equitie , execute crueltie and oppression . these are not of that sort , who preferre the purple before the person , the person before the cause ; never examining the cause how good it is , but observing the man how great he is . no , their counsells and counsultations tend to the publike peace , and the redresse of such enormities as arise from vicious humours , breeding and spreading in the state. now what imployment more fitting or accommodate for a gentleman of what degree soever than this , which inables him in affaires tending as well to himselfe in particular , as the sterne of the state publike in generall ? would you see errours and abuses in the state redressed ? you are seated where by your owne authoritie you may have them reformed . would you have officers execute their places under you honestly , being from corruption freed ? your prince , by especiall notice taken of you , hath so advanced you , that you may see all offices under you duely executed , and where default shall bee , have them punished . would you further the poore mans cause , and see his wrongs releeved ? it is in your hand to effect that which you have desired . would you purge your countrey of such superfluous humours , as from long peace and too much prosperitie have oft-times issued ? you are those physitians who may lance & cure those broad-spreading sores , with which the state hath beene so distempered . would you curbe factious and contentious members , who like samsons fire-brands tyed to foxes tailes , kindle the fire of all division , and labour to have them extinguished ? you have authoritie to see such censured , that publike peace ( as becommeth a civill state ) might bee maintained . now there are two extremes which ( like two dangerous rocks ) are carefully to bee avoided , lest the precious freight of iustice might thereby be endangered . the one is rigour , the other indulgence : i approve therefore of his opinion , who would have intus mel , foris oleum ; as well cordialls as corrasives : for as some men ( and those of the basest & servilest condition ) are onely to be deterred from doing evill by the censure or penalty of the law ; so there are others of a more generous and noble disposition , who are only to be reclaimed by faire and affable meanes ; & these are to bee brought in rather by love than awe . for as wormewood of it selfe , expels diseases , yet is to bee anoynted with honey , that the improvident age of childhood might bee deluded , and they from their nurses teats the sooner weaned : so though this wormewood of rigour and severity bee of force to cure and expell most diseases raging or reigning ; yet being allayed with the honey of mercy and indulgence , it will sooner weane children , that is to say , such whose soft and easie temper is best perswaded by courtesie , than wormewood untempered , that is , than the law to her highest pin wrested . indeed these boanerges , the sonnes of thunder , are powerfull in deterring such , whose braving and domineering natures use to oppose themselves to right : for perswasions are as little available to these , as to sow sand in the ayre ; wherefore as the law hath provided fit meanes to curbe and chastise such , whose obstinate and refractory natures will not by easie meanes be induced , so hath it qualified or attempered the rigour or bitternesse of such provisions , where there is assured hope , that the partie by easier perswasions will bee reclaimed . for if wee will resemble that absolutest patterne or abstract of all iustice , god himselfe , wee shall reade that he came as well in a still voyce , as in thunder , so as , albeit a god when he delivered the law , came downe in the sire ; and the b glory of god appeared on mount sinai , as a consuming fire ; and out of gods mouth went a c consuming fire ; and in gods wrath against d israel was kindled fire ; and e eliah was taken up into heaven by a chariot and horses of fire ; and the f angell appeared to moses in a flame of fire ; and g every mans worke shall be tryed by fire ; yet god , as he is to the wicked a h consuming fire ; so to the godly he is a i comfortable fire . bee not then ever cloathed with fire ; reprove the enormities of the state with the spirit of mildnesse , which if it will not prevaile , unsheath the sword of iustice , that such may bee severely curbed , who by gentlenesse would not bee cured . it is not to bee doubted , but you shall encounter with delinquents of severall natures : the chastizing of both which sorts is left wholly to your discretion : for many things , though expresly enacted , are in respect of the manner , referred to your discretion to see them executed . many there are , who will rather die for the act , than discover the act : like epicharia a libertine of rome , who made privie to a conspiracie against nero , would not disclose the plotters thereof , though tormented with cruell punishments : or leena , who conspiratour against the tyrant hyppeas , was not agast at the death of her friends , though torne with extreme torments , but resolute to the end would not reveale her partners , but bit in sunder her owne tongue , and spit in the tyrants face . there are others likewise , who will expose themselves to all extremities that law can inflict , onely to gaine themselves a name ; such was herostratus , who burned the temple of diana of ephesus , onely for vaine-glory : but to these you are not to use indulgence ; for they that brave it in sinne , esteeming mischievous practices to bee their chiefest glory , are fallen into that gall of bitternesse , as in them there is small hope of remedie . better it is that one perish , than that unitie perish , and in these ( sure i am ) that maxime is true ; he that spareth the evill , hurteth the good : for it is impossible that any state should flourish with increase of good men , where there is no difference made betwixt the good and evill . wherefore you are to deale in the state , as skilfull gardners or vine-dressers doe with their vines ; they cause the wild branches to bee pruned , that their naturall siens may bee better nourished . vnfruitfull members , and such as are more burdensome than behovefull to a state , are to bee purged and pruned , that such whose honest care and providence deserves due praise among you may bee the more encouraged , seeing these , who used to live on others labours , duly punished . yet in all your censures beware of this , that no personall distaste aggravate in you the qualitie of the crime : i meane , let no private hate or dislike to any person , cause you to punish him , for this is a partiall and indirect proceeding , relying rather upon the authority of your place , than equity of the cause . farre more generous is it to bury all hate towards your foes , especially when by meanes of your place , it rests in your power to spare or punish . when caesar commanded the demolished monuments of pompey to bee set up againe ; cicero told him that in erecting pompeyes trophies , hee established his owne . and no lesse generous was scaurus , domitius his enemy , who when a certaine servant of domitius came before the judgement seat to accuse his master , hee sent him home to his master . the like of cato and murena . be your censures likewise free from passion ; for there is nothing that so troubles the pure current of iustice , or so much transformes man from himselfe , as giving way to wrath . the saying of archytas is much commended , who being angry with one of his hindes , said ; o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ! heare the poore mans cause with an equall and impartiall eare ; let not the greatnesse of his adversary bee any barre to his plea , or any hinderance to his cause : beare your selves sincerely with all singlenesse , uprightly without partiall connivence ; standing for your foe equally as your friend , if your foes cause bee as honest as your friends . it was bias saying , that hee had rather bee a iudge amongst his enemies , than amongst his friends : and this might probably bee his reason ; because his enemies would pry more narrowly into his actions than his friends ; and therefore his desire was to bee by them onely approved , by whom he was chiefly observed . yea , herein might you partake of a right noble revenge upon your enemies ; in shewing apparent testimonies of your care and zeale to the truth ; in preventing all occasions of scandall ; in preferring , iustice even in cases which neerely concerne your friend , before all termes of friendship ; having the testimonie of a good conscience within you , as a wall of brasse against all opponents : for hence it was that diogenes being asked how one should be revenged of his enemy , answered , by being a vertuous and honest man. for the whole life of every good man giveth testimony unto god of the integrity or uprightnesse of his conversation . but beware above all things ( as i formerly noted ) of accepting or respecting persons ; for this is the very bane of iustice. let not the rich man with all his presents tempt you , nor those many friends which hee hath laid up in store to speake for him , taint you . fie for shame ( saith innocentius ) now adayes man is esteemed according to his money , whereas rather the mony should bee esteemed according to the man. every one is reputed worthy , if hee bee wealthy ; and naught , if hee bee needy ; whereas rather every one should be reputed wealthy , if bee worthy ; and needy , if hee bee naught . marcus caelius was said to have a good right hand , but an ill left hand ; because hee could plead against a man , better than for him . bee you so equally handed , as poyzing the weight of the cause sincerely , you may minister right judgement to all parties , beeing as ready to defend the cause of the needy , as of the wealthy , giving him the best countenance ; who hath the best cause . it was romes fault , which presages romes fall , to bee facunda inimicitiis , facunda praemiis ; farre be it from our iland , who as she hath enjoyed a long peace , so ought she to become more thankfull to that god of peace , who in his mercy hath strengthned her bulwarkes , enclosed her as a hedged garden , fed her with the flower of wheat , making her feete like hindes feete to runne the wayes which hee hath appointed . and so i come to speake of such private affaires , as require the care and charge of a gentleman , even within the compasse of his owne family . if there bee any that provideth not for his owne , and namely for them of his houshould , hee denieth the faith , and is worse than an infidell , saith the apostle . now how carefull should wee be to remove from us , so hatefull a title as the name of infidell ? have wee not our appellation from christ ? but in vaine are wee named after christ , if we doe not follow christ. wee were not borne to passe our time in an improvident or carelesse sensualitie ; wee were not created onely to cramme our selves , and spend our daies in security ; man ( saith iob ) was borne to labour , as the sparkes to flie upward ; at least to provide for his owne family , over which hee is made a master , by releeving them outwardly with all necessaries , and inwardly with all good and wholesome instructions . now to propose you a forme , in what manner you are to demeane your selves towards all degrees within your family : i shall little neede , since the apostle himselfe hath so notably laid downe every ones office or duty : where he sheweth in what manner wives are to submit themselves unto their husbands ; and againe , how husbands should love their wives , even as christ loved the church , and gave himselfe for it . in the next ensuing chapter , hee declareth the duty of children in these words ; children obey your parents in the lord , for this is right . then hee descendeth to the duty of parents ; and yee fathers , provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in instruction and information of the lord. then touching servants ; servants bee obedient unto them that are your masters according to the flesh , with feare and trembling , in singlenesse of your hearts as unto christ. concluding the last duty with masters ; and yee masters doe the same thing unto them , putting away threatning ; and know that even your master also is in heaven , neither is there respect of person with him . thus have wee briefly and cursorily runne over those particular duties , deputed to every one from the highest to the lowest in their peculiar places and offices ; where wee can finde no exemption from the servant to the master , but that certaine particular duties are enjoyned either . as every mans house is his castle , so is his family a private common-wealth , wherein if due governement bee not observed , nothing but confusion is to bee expected . for the better prevention whereof , i have thought good to set downe sundry cautions , as well for direction in affaires temporall , as spirituall : which observed , it is not to be doubted , but that god will give you all good successe to your endevours . first therefore , in affaires temporall i could wish you to observe this course ; so to provide for the releefe and supportance of your familie , as you may not onely have sufficient for your selves , but also bee helpfull unto others ; sufficient for your selves in providing food and apparell , being all which iaakob desired of god ; and helpfull unto others , in giving food and rayment to the fatherlesse , in providing releefe for the desolate and comfortlesse , in harbouring the poore , needy and succourlesse , and briefly in ministring to the necessity of the saints , and all such as are of the family of faith. and because providence is the way by which releefe both to your selves and others , may bee sufficiently ministred , beware of prodigality , and excesse , lest you give your honour unto others , and your yeeres to the cruell . lest the strangers should bee filled with your strength , and your labours bee in the house of a stranger . goe rather to the pismire , who though shee have no guide , governour , nor ruler , provideth in summer her granary for winter . neither is it sufficient to gather , but frugally to dispose of that which is gathered : this providence admits of no vitellius break-fasts , nor cleopatra's bankets . the prodigals dainty tooth brought him to feede on huskes . esau's to sell his birth-right for a messe of pottage . ionathans for a honey-combe to endanger his life . the israelites to murmure against moses . babylons golden cup , to fill her full of abominations . i have observed , and no lesse admired than observed how some have , consumed their estates in satisfying their appetites , and that only in the choice of meats & drinks ; and was not this a great vanity ? that those whom meats , though lesse delightfull , yet more healthfull , might have sustained , and fewer diseases occasioned , could not content themselves with that which might have better satisfied nature , but to shew themselves epicures rather than christians , will bestow the revennues of a manour upon the superfluous charge of a supper . for these are they , who like the erycthons bowels , will disgorge as much upon the boundlesse expence of their own family , as might serve wel for releeving a whole countrey . these are they who like the endive or misselto , suck up al the natiue verdure and vigor of such plants as they inwreath : for by their excesse , though their owne luscious palats taste no want , the comonalty feeles it , when they goe to the markets , and finde the rate of all provision inhaunced by such , whose prodigality scarce extends a provident eye to themselves , much lesse to the behoofe of others . it is said of cambletes the gluttonous king of lydia , that hee dreamed hee devoured his wife , while they lay sleeping together in the same bed ; & finding her hand betweene his teeth when hee awaked , hee slew himselfe fearing dishonour . howsoever the history bee authenticke ; sure i am the morall taxeth such , whose epicureall mindes are only set upon prodigall expence , without respect either of present fortunes , or care to posterity , whose want is oft-times procured by their riot . to bee short , as parcimony is too late when it comes to the bottome ; so it may bee with discretion used , when it is at the top : for i approve of his opinion , who would have a gentleman neither to hoord up niggardly , nor lash out all lavishly . for as the former argueth a miserable and ignoble minde , so the latter sheweth a minde improvident and indiscreet ; both which are to bee so avoided , that a meane betwixt both may bee duely observed . for as i would have a gentleman , even in arguments of outward bounty , shew whence he was descended ; so would i have him keepe a hanke , lest his too free disposition bee through necessity restrained . so as in matters of expence , i hold his resolve authenticke , who said ; i will never spare where reputation bids me spend , nor spend where honest frugality bids me spare . it is a good rule , and worthy observation : for whosoever spares , when with credit and reputation hee should spend , is indiscreetly sparing : and whosoever spends , when with honest frugality he may spare , is prodigally spending . now in governement of a family , as i would not have you too remisse ; so i would not have you too severe , towards your servants ( i meane ) and those who have received their severall charge from you : this it was which moved the apostle to exhort masters to put away threatning ; adding this reason : for know that even your master also is in heaven , neither is there respect of person with him . therefore it was saint augustines prayer unto god , that hee would root out of him , all rashnesse , frowardnesse , roughnesse , unquietnesse , slownesse , slothfulnesse , sluggishnesse , dulnesse of minde , blindnesse of heart , obstinacie of sense , truculencie of manners , disobedience to goodnesse , repugnance of counsell , want of bridling the tongue , making a prey of the poore , shewing violence to the impotent , calumniating the innocent , negligence of subjects , * severity towards servants , harshnesse towards familiars , hardnesse towards neighbours . hence note , how in this holy fathers repetition and enumeration of many grievous and odious sins , hee toucheth severity towards servants , as a hainous and egregious offence : and not without great cause ; for if we bee taught not to muzzle the oxe that treadeth out the corne : and that , we are to spare the life of our beasts : much more ought wee to have mercy over such as partake with us in the same image , which wee have equally from him received , by whom wee live , move and have our being . i approve therefore of them , who put on the spirit of mildnesse towards such as are deputed or substituted under them , bearing with one anothers weakenesse , as those who have a compassionate feeling of humane infirmities , not laying such heavy burdens upon them , as they themselves will not touch with their finger , but will in some measure partake with them in all their labours . but of all other vices incident to masters , there is none more hateful in the sight of god and man , than the unthankefulnesse or disrespect of masters towards their servants , when they have spent their strength , and wasted themselves in their service . these like the greyhound in the fable , may well say , that they see nothing can please , but that which doth profit : when they were young , able and fit to endure labour , they were respected ; whereas now being old , infirme , and helplesse , either to themselves or others , they are sleightly regarded . whereas , if they were thankfull masters , these whom they once loved for profit-sake in youth , they would now love in age , in respect of the profit they reaped by their youth . but , alas , doe we not see how nothing is more contemptible than an old servingman ? hee may say hee was a man in his time , but that is all . there is no man that will know him , since his blew-coat knew no cognizance ; the losse of his crest , makes him hang downe his crest , as one crest-fallen : so as the poore larke may boast of more than he may ; for every larke hath his crest , saith simonides , but hee hath none . to redresse this , as in humanitie you ought , so i know such as are generously disposed , will : that those who have deserved well under you , being now growne aged , yet unpreferred , may by our care be so maintained , that their service of labour may be made a service of prayer , offering their sacrifice of devotion unto god , that great master of a houshold , that he in his mercy would give a happy successe unto all your endeavours . now as the labourer is worthy of his wages ; for , cursed is he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire : so there is an especiall care required in every seruant to looke unto that which is given him in charge . for the better discharge whereof , it is inioyned you that be masters , not to be too remisse in your care , and over-seeing thereof ; for much over-sight is usually committed for want of a good overseer . admonish your servants that they intend their charge ; suffer them not to idle , but in their peculiar places to doe that which they in dutie are to performe , and you in reason are to expect . wherein , as they proceed in diligence , so are you to requite their care with a cheerefull thankfulnesse . if it be your lot to have such an one as iaacob was , ( as rare it is to find such an one as he was ) reward him not with a bleare-eyed leah , for a beautifull and faire rachel : i meane , abridge not , nor scant not their wages ; for this is a discredit to your selfe , and a discouragement to your servants . if he say , these twenty yeares i have beene with thee : thine ewes , and thy goates have not cast their young , and the rams of thy flocke have i not eaten . whatsoever was torne of beasts i brought it not unto thee , but made it good my selfe : of mine hand diddest thou require it , were it stollen by day , or stollen by night . i was in the day consumed with heat , and with frost in the night , and my sleepe departed from mine eyes . thus have i beene twenty yeares in thine house , and served thee fourteene yeares for thy two daughters , and six yeares for thy sheepe , and thou hast changed my wages ten times . if ( i say ) he hath thus served you , and shewne faithfulnesse in that charge over which he was appointed , reward him with a bountifull hand , and encourage his care with your best countenance . whereas , contrariwise , if you meet with such a servant , that saith in his heart , my master doth deferre his comming ; and shall begin to smite the servants , and maidens , and to eat , and drinke , and to be drunken ; you are not to use remisnesse to such a servant , but to cut him off , lest you give example unto others , by your indulgence , to be of the like condition . in briefe , as a good servant is a precious jewell , tendring the profit and credit of him he serveth ; so an evill servant , whose service is onely to the eye , and not for conscience sake , is a scatterer of his substance whom he serveth ; aiming only at his owne private profit , without least respect had to his masters benefit . difference therefore you are to make of their care in cherishing the one , and chastising the other ; which can hardly be effected , unlesse you , who are to make this difference of your servants , have an eye to their imployments . neither would i have your care so extended , as to afflict and macerate your selves by your excessive care : a meane is the best , both in the preservation of health and wealth ▪ be diligent ( saith solomon ) to know the state of thy flocke , and take heed to thy herds . yet withall note his conclusion ; let the milke of thy goates be sufficient for thy food , for the food of thy family , and for the sustenance of thy maids . whence you may observe , that to gather is admitted , so the use or end for which we gather be not neglected . for such , whose hydrop●icke minds ever raking and reaping , yet know not how to imploy the blessings of god , by a communicative exhibition unto others , are become vassals unto their owne ; making their gold-adoring affection an infection , their reason treason , and the wealth which they have got them , a witnesse to condemne them . but i have insisted too long on this point , especially in framing my speech to you , whose more free-borne dispositions will ever scorne to bee tainted with such unworthy aspersions : wherefore i will descend briefly to such instructions , as you are to use touching spirituall affaires , being masters of housholds in your private families . wee reade that abraham commanded his sonnes , and his houshold , that they should keepe the way of the lord , to doe righteousnesse and judgement . and wee are taught what we must doe returning from gods house to our owne : and what we are to doe sitting in our houses , even to lay up gods word in our heart , and in our soule , and binde it for a signe upon our hand , that it may be as a frontlet betweene our eyes . and not onely to be thus instructed our selves , but to teach them our children , speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house , and when thou walkest by the way , and when thou lust downe , and when thou risest up . and not so onely , but thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house , and upon thy gates . whence you see , how no place , time , or occasion is to be exempted from meditating of god : but especially in housholds and families ought this exercise of devotion to he frequently and fervently practised ; for a blessing is pronounced upon the performance hereof , as appeareth in the foresaid place , and the nexet ensuing verse , where he saith ; you shall doe all that i have commanded you , that your dayes may be multiplyed , and the dayes of your children , in the land , which the lord sware unto your fathers to give them , as long as the heavens are above the earth . marke the extent of this blessing , for it promiseth not onely length of dayes to them that performe it , but even to the children of them that performe it ; and that in no unfruitfull or barren land , but in the land which the lord sware unto your fathers to give them ; and that for no short time , but so long as the heavens are above the earth . so as , this blessed promise , or promised blessing , is ( as one well observeth ) not restrained , but with an absolute grant extended : so that , even as the people that were in the gate , and the elders wished in the solemnizing of that mariage betwixt boaz and ruth , that their house might be like the house of pharez ; so doubtlesse , whosoever meditates of the law of the lord , making it in his family , as a familiar friend to direct him , a faithfull counsellor to instruct him , a sweet companion to delight him , a precious treasure to enrich him , shall find successe in his labours , and prosperitie in the worke of his hands . but amongst all , as it is the use of masters of housholds to call their servants to account for the day past ; so be sure , gentlemen , and you who are masters of houses , to enter into your owne hearts , by a serious examination had every night , what you have done , or how you have imployed your selves , and those talents which god hath bestowed on you , the day past ; in imitation of that blessed father , who every night examined himselfe , calling his soule to a strict account , after this manner ; o my soule , what hast thou done this day ? what good hast thou omitted ? what evill hast thou committed ? what good , which thou shouldst have done ? what evill , which thou shouldst not have done ? where are the poore thou hast releeved ? the sicke or captive thou hast visited ? the orphan or widow thou hast comforted ? where are the naked , whom thou hast cloathed ? the hungry , whom thou hast refreshed ? the afflicted and desolate , whom thou hast harboured ? o my soule , when it shall be demanded of thee , quid comedit pauper ? how poorely wilt thou looke , when there is not one poore man that will witnesse thy almes ? againe , when it shall be demanded of thee , vbi nudus quem amiti victi ? how naked wilt thou appeare , when there is not one naked soule that will speake for thee ? againe , when it shall be demanded of thee , vbi sitiens quem potasti ? esuriens quem pavisti ? vbi captivus quem visitasti ? vby moestus quem relevasti ? o my soule , how forlorne , wretched , and uncomfortable will thy condition be , when there shall not appeare so much as one witnesse for thee to expresse thy charity ? not one poore soule whom thou hast releeved ! one naked whom thou hast cloathed ! nor one thirstie whom thou hast refreshed ! nor one hungry whom thou hast harboured ! nor a captive whom thou hast visited ! nor one afflicted whom thou hast comforted ! thus to call your selves to account , by meditating ever with saint hierome of the judgement day , will be a meanes to rectifie your affections , mortifie all inordinate motions , purifie you throughout , that you may be examples of piety unto others in your life , and heires of glory after death : concluding most comfortably with the foresaid father ; if my mother should hang about me , my father lye in my way to stop me , my wife and children weepe about me , i would throw off my mother , neglect my father , contemne the lamentation of my wife and children , to meet my saviour christ iesus . for the furtherance of which holy resolution , let no day passe over your heads , wherein you addresse not your selves to some good action or imployment . wherefore apelles posie was this , let no day passe without a line . be sure every day you doe some good , then draw one line at the least : according to that , line upon line , line upon line . and phythagoras posie was this , sit not still upon the measure of corne . doe not looke to eat , except you sweat for it : according to that , hee which will not worke , let him not eat . in my fathers house ( saith christ ) are many mansions . so that no man may sing his soule a sweet requiem , saying with that cormorant in the gospel , soule take thy rest : for in heaven onely , which is our fathers house , there are many mansions to rest in . in this world , which is not of our fathers house , there are not many mansions to rest in , but onely vine-yards to worke in . wherein , because not to goe forward , is to goe backeward , we are to labour even to the day of our change . hereupon charles the fifth gave this embleme , stand not still , but goe on further ; vlterius : as god saith to his guest , superius : sit not still , but sit up higher , doing thus , and resolving to be no masters over that family , whose chiefest care is not the advancement of gods glory , you shall demeane your selves , being here worthy that vocation or calling , over which you are placed , and afterwards , by following hard toward the marke , obtaine the prize of the high calling of god in christ iesus . the english gentleman argument . of the difference of recreations ; of the moderate , and immoderate use of recreation ; of the benefits redounding from the one , and inconveniences arising from the other ; of recreations best sorting with the qualitie of a gentleman ; and how he is to bestow himselfe in them . recreation . recreation , being a refresher of the mind , and an enabler of the body to any office wherein it shall bee imployed ; brancheth it selfe into many kinds ; as hawking , which pleasure , one termed the object of a great mind , whose aymes were so farre above earth , as he resolves to retire a while from earth , and make an evening flight in the ayre . hunting , where the hounds at a losse shew themselves subtill sophisters , arguing by their silence , the game came not here ; againe , by being mute , it came not there ; ergo , by spending their mouthes it came here . fishing , which may be well called the embleme of this world , where miserable man , like the deluded fish , is ever nibbling at the bait of vanitie . swimming , an exercise more usuall than naturall , and may have resemblance to these diving heads , who are ever sounding the depths of others secrets ; or swimming against the streame , may glance at such whose only delight is opposition . running , a recreation famously ancient , solemnized by the continued succession , or revolution of many ages , upon the * olympiads in greece , so as the accompt or yearly computation came from races , and other solemne games used on olympus , wrastling , leaping , dancing , and many other recreations of like sort , as they were by the continuance of many yeares upon olympus kept , and with publike feasts duly celebrated : so in many places of this kingdome , both southward in their wakes , and northward in their summerings , the very same recreations are to this day continned . shooting amongst the scythians and parthians , was an exercise of especiall request , as afterward amongst the amazonites , being women expert above all people of the world in shooting , and practising the dart. bowling amongst the romans was much used , especially in lucullus time , whose garden-alleyes were ever stored with young gentlemen , who resorted thither to recreate themselves with this exercise . the greekes had a a cynosargus , to traine and exercise their youth in wrastling , and a cerostrotum to annoint their bodies in before they wrastled . the ancient romans had a b circus , to inure and practise their youth against military service , wherein they wrestled and contended . they used likewise , as the french doe to this day , the exercise of the c ball , which play is never sufficiently praised by galen : being an exercise wherein all the organs or faculties of mans body are to be imployed ; as the eye to be quick and sharpe in seeing , the hand ready in receiving , the body nimble in moving , the legs speedy in recovering . that fencing also was of much use and practice among the romans , even in their height of glory , and during the flourishing time of their empire , may appeare by that high commendation which cicero giveth it , terming it , d the strongest and soveraignest exercise against death and griefe . the iusts , turnaments and barriers ( likewise ) were amongst our ancient knights usually practised and observed , both for gaining the favour of such ladies as they loved , as also for the honour of their countrey , vanquishing such strangers with whom they contended ; may appeare in histories of all ages . or to descend to more soft and effeminate recreations : we shall find , of what great esteeme musicke was , even with some , who were in yeares as ripe , as they were for wisedome rare . socrates , when he was well strucke in yeares , learned to play upon the harpe . minerva and alcibiades disliked the loude musicke of dulcimers and shalmes , but admired the warbling straines of the harpe . plato and aristotle would have a man well brought up in musicke . lycurgus in his sharpe lawes allowes of musicke . chyron taught achilles in his tender yeares musicke . achasia , with diotima and hermione , taught pericles prince of troy ( or rather duke of athens ) musicke . epaminondas of leuctra , was experienced in musicke . themistocles was lesse esteemed , because not seene in musicke . alexander was so ravished with musicke , that when he heard a trumpet , he used to cry , ad arma , ad arma ; not able to containe himselfe : so highly were his spirits erected by the force of musicke . painting likewise among the ancient pagans , was for a recreation used , though at this day , through the dishonour our painted sepulchers doe to their maker , much abused . fabius surnamed pictor from whence the fabij tooke their names , was a painter , for he painted the walls of the temple of peace . metrodorus a philosopher , and painter of ath●ns , sent to by l. paulus to bring up his children , and to decke the roman triumphs . protogenos his table wherein bacchus was painted , moved king demetrius lying at the city rhodes , so much to admire his rare art and workmanship , that whereas he might have consumed the city with fire , he would not for the preciousnesse of that table : and therefore staying to bid them battell , wonne not th● city at all . so campaspe pictured out in her colours by by apelles ; and crotons five daughters , lively pourtrai'd by zeuxes , gained those famous artists no lesse honour . howsoever his art was in painting , i cannot chuse but commend his quicke wit in answering , being by them reproved whom he most distasted ; and thus it was . two cardinals reproving one raphael a painter , in that he made the pictures of peter and paul too red , answered , that saint peter and saint paul were even as red in heaven , as they saw them there , to see the church governed by such as they were . this device or invention of painting , was by the pagans generally , but especially those of the better sort , taken onely for a recreation , and no trade or profession ; labouring to shew their cunning in beautifying , garnishing and adoring the triumphs of their conquerours , or indecoring their temples dedicated to the gods . as the scythes used to erect obeliskes or square stones upon the hearse of the deceased , in number so many as he had slaine of his enemies : where he that had not slaine an enemy , could not drinke of the goblet , spiced with the ashes of some memorable ancestos , at solemne feasts and banquets . for other painting ( too much affected at this day ) it was not so much as used by any matron , wife , or virgin. whose best red was shamefastnesse , and choisest beauty maiden bashfulnesse : onely , as festus pompeius saith , common and base whores , called shaenicolae , used daubing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . but this may seeme an art , rather than a recreation ; wee will therefore descend to some others , whose use refresheth , and recreateth the minde , if imployed as they were first intended , being rather to beguile time , than to reape gaine . and first for the antiquity of dice-play , we have plenty of authorities every where occurring : being much used by all the roman emperours at banquets and solemne meetings , where they bestowed themselves and the time , at no grame so much as dice . so as , augustus was said to be a serious gamester at dice : affecting them much , when at any time he retired from court , or campe. whence it is , that suetonius bringeth in augustus caesar speaking thus ; si quas manus remisi cuique exegissem ; aut retinuissem quod cuique donavi , vicissem , &c. if i had exacted those chances which i remitted every one ; and kept that which i bestowed , i had gotten by play ; whereas now i am a loser by my bounty . though no game more ancient , or which indeed requireth a conceit more pregnant than the chesse ; which we read to have beene in great request amongst the ancient romans , whereof we have a history in the time of caius caligula , tending to this purpose . this emperour being naturally addicted to all cruelty , chanced one day amongst others , to send for one canius iulus , a philosopher of eminent esteeme at that time : with whom , after some conference , the emperour fell into such a rage , as he bade him depart thence , but expect within short time to receive due censure for his boldnesse : for ( quoth he ) flatter not thy selfe with a foolish hope of longer life , for i have doomed thee to be drawne by the officer unto death : but see with what resolution this noble canius bore himselfe ! i thanke you ( quoth he ) most gracious emperour , and so departed . within some few dayes after , the officer ( according to the emperours commandement ) repaired to the houses of such as were adjudged , not by any legall processe , but only by the emperours pleasure , to suffer death ; amongst which , he made repaire to canius house , whom he found playing at chesse with one of his companions . the officer without delay gave him summons to prepare himselfe , for it was the emperours pleasure he should dye : whereat , as one nothing amated or discouraged , he called the officer unto him , and * numbring the chesse-men before him and his companion with whom he played : see ( quoth he ) that after my death thou report not that thou hadst the better of the game : then calling upon the centurion or officer , bee you witnesse ( quoth he ) that i was before him one . thus laughed this noble philosopher at death , insulting as much over death , as he insulted over him , who adjudged him to death . this kinde of game , now of latter yeares is growne so familiar with most of our neighbouring countries , as no one play more affected , or more generally used . so as we have heard of an ape who plaid at chesse in portingall : which implyed , the daily use and practice of that game , brought the ape to that imitation , and certainly , there is no one game which may seeme to represent the state of mans life to the full , so well as the chesse . for there you shall find princes and beggars , and persons of all conditions , ranked in their proper and peculiar places ; yet when the game is done , they are all truss'd up in a bagge together : and where then appeares any difference betwixt the poorest beggar , and the potentest peere ? the like may be observed in this stage of humane frailtie : while we are here set to shew during the chesse-game of this life , wee are according to our severall rankes esteemed ; and fit it should be so , for else should all degrees be promiscuously confounded : but no sooner is the game done , the thred of our short life spunne , than we are throwne into a bagge , a poore shrowding sheet , for that is all that we must carry with us : where there shall be no difference betwixt the greatest and least , highest and lowest : for then it shall not be asked us how much we had , but how we disposed of that we had . thus farre have we discoursed of the first part , to wit , of the difference of recreations : thinking it sufficient to have touched onely such as are most usuall and knowne unto us . for some others , which we have purposely omitted , lest our mindian gate should grow greater than our city , we shall have occasion to speake of some of them , when wee are to discourse of such recreations , as are to be made choise of by gentlemen of best ranke and qualitie . in the meane time we will descend to the second part , to wit , the moderate and immoderate use of recreation . if wee eat too much honey , it will grow distastfull ; so in recreations , if we exceed , they must needs grow hurtfull . i approve therefore of his opinion , who adviseth us to doe with recreations , and such pleasures wherein we take delight , as nurses doe with their brests to weane young children from them : annoint them a little with aloes ; sprinkling our sweetest delights with some bitternesse , to weane us from them with more easinesse . neither is it my meaning , that gentlemen should be so from the pleasure of recreation weaned , as if from society wholly estranged : for this were like him , who became hermit because hee might not have her he loued . or like to him who immur'd himselfe to a rocke , as if he cared not a button for the world , having bestowed upon butters all the state he had in the world . but rather so to attemper , or allay the sweetnesse of such pleasures or delights as they betake themselves to , that they bee never too much besotted with them . this course that gentleman took , who , perceiving himselfe too much affected on hawking , resolved one day to weane his mind a little from it , by trying his patience with some inconveniences incident to it . wherefore hee set a lazie haggard on his fist , and goes to his sport : where hee finds store of game , but few flights ; for wheresoever the partridge flew , his hawke never made farther flight than from tree to tree , which drove the gentleman faulconer to such impatience , as hee lesse affected the pleasure for long time after . the like i have heard of a gentleman , who used much bowling , which recreation hee so continually practised , for the love hee bore it , as his occasions were much neglected by it ; which to prevent , as hee rode farre for his pleasure , so hee stayed late ere hee returned home , of purpose , so to become wearied , that his mind by that meanes might from his pleasure bee the sooner weaned . but these experiments as they are oft failing , where the mind is not come to settling : so , in my opinion , there is no meanes better or surer to weane man , endued with reason , from being too much captived or inchayned with these pleasures , than to consider what benefits redound from moderate recreation , and againe what inconveniences arise from immoderate delight therein . first then , let us consider the end for which recreations were ordained , and wee shall find that they were rather intended to beguile time , than to bestow our selves on them all our time . though many , too many there be , who will not stick to say with him who sported himselfe in the warme sunne , vtinam hoc esset vivere , would to god this were to live ; would to god this recreation were a vocation , this pleasure my trade for ever . no , as recreation was at first intended for refreshing the mind , and enabling the body to performe such offices as are requisite to be performed : so is it not to be made a trade or profession , as if we should there set up our rest , and intend nothing else . consider therefore the benefits which redound by a moderate or temperate use of recreation . first , it refresheth or cherisheth the mind , accommodating it to all studies : clearing the understanding which would be easily depressed , if either with worldly cares , or more noble and generous studies , wholly restrained . it is said of asinius pollio , that after the tenth houre he would be retained in no busines , neither after that houre would he reade so much as any letter . of cato likewise , that hee used to refresh his mind with wine : the like of solon and archesilaus , that they would usually cheere their spirits with wine : yet , whosoever should object drunkennesse to cato , might sooner prove that crime honest , than cato dishonest . so as , whether we beleeve the greeke poet , it is sometimes pleasing to be a little madding ; or plato , who in vaine expulsed poets the bounds of his common-weale ; or aristotle , that there can never be any great wit without some mixture of folly : we shall find , that even the gravest and most experienced statists have sometimes retyred themselves from more serious affaires , to refresh and solace their tired spirits with moderate recreations . the poet excellently describes a man buried in the deepe slumber of contemplation , after this manner ; he dies , pent up with study and with care . so were the anchorites and hermites in former time , being wholly divided from society ; yea so immured , as they seemed to be buried living . whose conversation , as ( questionlesse ) it argued a great mortification of all mundane desires ; so it ministred matter of admiration to such , who , given to carnall liberty , wondred how men made of earth , could bee so estranged from conversing with inhabitants of earth . but to leave these , and imagine their conversation to be in heaven , though their habitation was on earth : wee perceive hence , how beneficiall recreation is to the mind , in cheering , solacing , and refreshing her , if used with moderation . how it lessens those burdens of cares , wherewith shee is oppressed ; revives the spirits , as if from death restored ; cleares the understanding , as if her eyes , long time shut , were now unsealed ; and quickens the invention , by this sweet respiration , as if newly moulded . neither is this benefit so restrained , as if it extended only to the mind ; for it confers a benefit likewise to the body , by enabling it to performe such labours , taskes or offices , as it is to bee employed or exercised withall . there are two proverbs which may be properly applyed to this purpose ; once in the yeere apollo laughs ; this approves the use of moderate recreation . apollo's bow 's not alwayes bent ; this shewes that humane imployments are to bee seasoned by recreation : we are sometimes to unbend the bow , or it will lose his strength . continuall or incessant employment cannot be endured : there must be some intermission , or the body becomes enfeebled . as for example ; observe these men , who , either encombred with worldly affaires , so tye and tether themselves to their busines , as they intermit no time for effecting that which they goe about : or such as , wholly nayled to their deske , admit no time for recreation , lest they should thereby hinder the progresse of their studies : see how pale and meager they looke , how sickly and infirme in the state of their bodies , how weake and defective in their constitution ? so as to compare one of these weaklings with such an one as intermits occasions of busines , rather than he will prejudice his health ; reserving times as well for recreation and pleasure , as for imployment and labour , were to present a spectacle of inius dwarf , not two foot high , and weighing but seventeen pound , with iolaus the youthfull son of iphiclus , whose feature was free , complexion fresh , and youth renewing ; such difference in proportion , such ods in strength of constitution . for , observe one of these starved worldlings , whose aimes are only to gather and number , without doing either themselves or others good with that they gather ; with what a sallow and earthly complexion they looke , being turned all earth before they returne to earth ! and what may be the cause hereof , but their incessant care of getting , their continuall desire of gaining , being ever gaping till their mouthes be filled with gravell . so these who are wholly given , and solely devoted to a private or retired life , how unlike are they to such as use and frequent society ? for their bodies , as they are much weakned and enfeebled , so is the heat and vigour of their spirits lestened and resolved , yea their dayes for most part shortned and abridged ; the cause of all which proceedeth from a continuall secluding and dividing themselves from company , and use of such recreations , as all creatures in their kind require and observe . for if we would have recourse to creatures of all sorts , wee shall find every one , in his kind , observe a recreation or refreshment in their nature : as the beast in his chace , the bird in her choice , the snaile in her speckled case , the polypus in her change , yea the dolphin is said to sport and play in the water . for as * all things were created for gods pleasure , so hath he created all things to recreate and refresh themselves in their owne nature . thus farre have we discoursed of moderate recreation , and of the benefits which redound from it ; being equally commodious to the mind as well as the body , the body as well as the mind : to the mind in refreshing , cherishing and accommodating it to all studies ; to the understanding , in clearing it from the mists of sadnesse : to the body , in enabling it for the performance of such labours , taskes , o● offices , as it is to be imployed or interessed in . it now rests that wee speake something of her opposite , to wit , of immoderate recreation , and the inconveniences which arise from thence ; whereof wee shall but need to speake a word or two , and so descend to more usefull points touching this observation . as the wind caecias drawes unto it clouds , so doth immoderate recreation draw unto it divers and sundry maine inconveniences : for this immoderation is a loosener of the sinewes , and a lessener of the strength , as moderation is a combiner of the sinewes , and a refiner of the strength . so dangerous is the surfet which wee take of pleasure or recreation , as in this wee resemble chylo , who being taken with the apprehension of too much joy , instantly dyed . now who seeth not how the sweetest pleasures doe the soonest procure a surfet ? being such as most delight , and therefore aptest to cloy . how soone were the israelites cloyed with quailes , even while the flesh was yet betweene their teeth , and before it was chewed ? so apt are wee rather to dive than dip our hand in honey . most true shall every one by his owne experience find that saying of salomon to be , it is better to goe to the house of mourning , than to goe to the house of feaesting ; for there may we see the hand of god , and learne to examine our lives , making use of their mortality , by taking consideration of our owne frailty : whereas in the house of feasting , wee are apt to forget the day of our changing , saying with the epicure , eat , drinke , and play ; but never concluding with him , to morrow we shall die . so apt are we with messala corvinus to forget our owne name , man , who is said to be corruption ; and the sonne of man , wormes meat . for in this summer-parlour , or floury arbour of our prosperity , wee can find time to solace and recreate our selves : lye upon beds of ivory , and stretch our selves upon our beds , and eat of the lambes of the flocke , and the calves out of the stall . singing to the sound of the violl , and inventing to our selves instruments of musicke like david . drinking wine in bowles , and anointing our selves with the chiefe oyntments , but no man is sorry for the affliction of ioseph : so universall are we in our iubile , having once shaken off our former captivity . to prevent which forgetfulnesse , it were not amisse to imitate the romane princes , who ( as i have elsewhere noted ) when they were at any time in their conquests or victorious triumphs with acclamations received , and by the generall applause of the people extolled , there stood one alwayes behind them in their throne , to pull them by the sleeve , with memento te esse hominem : for the consideration of humane frailty is the soveraignest means to weane man from vaine glory . whence it was that themisto●les , when symachus told him , that he would teach him the art of memory , answered , he had rather learne the art of forgetfulnesse : saying , he could remember enough ; but many things he could not forget , which were necessary to be forgotten ; as the over-weening conceit of himselfe , the glory of his exploits , and merits of his actions , the memory whereof tended more to his prejudice than profit . but to descend to the particular inconveniences occasioned by immoderate recreation ; we shall find both the mind and body , as by moderation cheered and refreshed , so by immoderation annoyed and distempered . it was a good rule which those great men of rome observed in their feastings and cup-meetings ; wee will drinke not to drowne us , but to drowne care in us : not to reave sense , but revive sense : not as those who are ever carousing in the cup of nepenthe , steeping their senses in the lethe of forgetfulnesse . for these , like those base elyots slaved to ebriety , have buried that glory of man , the reasonable part , in the lees of sensuality . these are so farre from standing upon their guard , as the divell may safely enter , either upon the fore-ward or rere-ward , without resistance : for mans security is the divels opportunity , which he will not slip , though man sleep . i read of one leonides a captaine , who perceiving his souldiers left their watch , upon the citie wals , and did nothing all the day long but quaffe and tipple in ale-houses neere adjoyning , commanded that the ale-houses should be removed , being the cittadels wherein they resided , from that place where they stood , and set up close by the wals ; that , seeing the souldiers would never keepe out of them , at the least-wise that they might watch as well as drinke in them . these were souldiers fit for such a captaine , and a captaine worthy the training of such souldiers ; being one who could sort himselfe to the necessity of the time , and frame himselfe to their humour ; when hee could not bring them off with more honour , yet hee brought them to stand upon their guard , though they could hardly stand to their tackling ; so as i conclude , their march could not chuse but be lazie , when their heads were so heavie . generally , but irregularly is this broad-spreading vice of drunkennesse holden now a-dayes for a recreation ; so deepely rooted is the custome of impiety , being once strengthned by impunity . for what is our sabbath recreation in city and countrey , but drinking and carousing ; imagining ( belike ) that the sabbath cannot be profaned , if wee use not such workes or labours wherein our vocation is usually imployed ? if the iewes made the temple of god a den of theeves ; wee come neere them in making that our temple , which gives harbour unto theeves . for what are our city , or countrey ale-houses , for most part , but the divels booths , where all enormities are acted , all impieties hatched , all mischievous practises plotted and contrived ? these are those sinkes of sinne , where all pollution and uncleannesse raigneth , where fearfull oathes and profanation rageth , whence all sensuall liberty ariseth . o gentlemen ! let not this professed friend to security attend you : it wil make you unlike your selves , transforming that glorious image which you have received , like circes guests , who became swine , by being too sensually affected . it was sage cleobulus saying , that ones servant made merry with wine , was not to bee punished ; for ( saith hee ) in seeing him , thou shalt see thy folly of drunkennesse all the better . whence it was that some countries have formerly used ( though the custome seeme scarcely approved ) to make their slaves or vassals drunke , to shew unto their children the brutish condition of that vice ; whereby they might be the better weaned and deterred from that , which , through the liberty of youth , is usually affected . for if we should but observe the brain-sicke humours of these professed drunkards , wee would rather admire how reason should bee so strangely drenched and drowned in the lees of senselesse stupidity , than ever be drawne to become affecters of so loathsome a vice . yet see the misery of deluded man ; how many , and those of excellentest parts , have beene , and are besotted with this sinne ? for who ever lived , and shewed more absolute perfection in action and person , than that great conqueror and commander of the whole world , alexander the great ? yet what uncomely parts playd he in his drunkennesse ? how full of noble affability and princely courtesie being sober ? how passionately violent , once fallen to distemper ? witnesse the burning of persepolis , to which cruell attempt hee was perswaded by a common and profest strumpet , even thais , whom all greece had noted for a publike prostitute . likewise his killing of clitus , being one whom he so dearely affected , as he was never well , but when he enjoyed his company . of both which facts he so repented , as it was long ere hee would be comforted . neither only such as he , who was a souldier , and therefore might seeme rather to claime in some sort a liberty in this kind : ( for of all others , we observe such as these to be more addicted to these distempers , than others whose more civill and peaceable conversation have inur'd them to better temper : ) but even those ( i say ) whose sincerity of life , and severity of discipline had gained them all esteeme in their countrey , have beene likewise branded with this aspersion : as censorius cato , than whom none more strict or regular ; asinius pollio , than whom none more gracious or popular ; solon , than whom none more legall ; archesilaus , than whom none more formall . yet if we did but note how much this vice was by the pagans themselves abhorred , and how they laboured to prevent the very meanes , whereby this vice , might be either cherished or introduced , wee would wonder , that moderation in a heathen , should be so weakly seconded by a christian. amongst them , kinsmen kissed their kinswomen , to know whether they drunke wine or no ; and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some iland . plutarch saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sicke or weake , the senate was to give them licence , and not then in rome neither , but out of the city . and how much it was hated , may appeare by the testimony of macrobius , who saith , that there were two senatours in rome chiding ; and the one called the others wife an adulteresse , and the other his wife a drunkard , and it was judged that to be a drunkard was more infamy . thus you see even in pagans , who had but onely the light of nature to direct them , how loath they were to drowne the light of reason through drunkennesse , being indeed ( as a good father well observeth ) an enemy to the knowledge of god. to conclude then this first point ; may it be farre from you , gentlemen , to deprive your selves of that which distinguisheth you from beasts : make not that an exercise or recreation , which refresheth not , but darkeneth the understanding . drinke you may , and drinke wine you may , for wee cannot allow the device of thracius , but wee must disallow saint pauls advice to timothy , vse a little wine for thy stomacks sake , and thine often infirmities . so as you are not enjoyned such a strict , or laconian abstinence , as if you were not to drinke wine at all : for , being commanded not to drinke , it is to bee implyed , not to use drunkennesse , wherein is excesse ; for in many places are wee allegorically and not literally to cleave to the text. as for origen , strange it is , that perverting so many other places by allegories , onely he should pervert one place , by not admitting an allegory . for our lord commanding to cut off the foot , or any part of the body which offendeth us , doth not meane wee should cut off our members with a knife , but our carnall affections with a holy and mortified life ; whence it is , that a origen was justly punished by using too little diligence , where there was great need , because hee used too great diligence where there was little need . no lesse worthy was b democritus errour of reproving , who was blinded before hee was blind : for a christian need not put out his eyes , for feare of seeing a woman , since howsoever his bodily eye see , yet still his heart is blind against all unlawfull desires . neither was crates thebanus well advised , who did cast his money into the sea , saying , c nay sure i will drowne you first in the sea , rather than you should drown me in covetousnesse and care . lastly , d thracius , of whom aulus gellius writeth , was for any thing that i can see , even at that time most of all drunken , when hee cut downe all his vines , lest hee should be drunken . no , i admit of no such strict stoicisme ; but rather ( as i formerly noted ) to use wine or any such strong drinke to strengthen and comfort nature , but not to impaire her strength or enfeeble her : for as by a little we are usually refreshed , so by too much are wee dulled and oppressed . there are some likewise , and these for most part of the higher sort , ( i could wish they were likewise of the better sort ) who repaire to the house of the strange woman , sleeping in the bed of sinne , thinking so to put from them the evill day : and these are such as make whoredome a recreation , sticking not to commit sinne even with greedinesse , so they may cover their shame with the curtaine of darkenesse . but that is a wofull recreation , which brings both soule and body to confusion ; singing lysimachus song , short is the pleasure of fornication , but eternall is the punishment due to the fornicator : so as , though hee enjoy pleasure for a time , hee shall be tormented for ever . but consider this , gentlemen ; you ( i say ) whose better breeding hath instructed you in the knowledge of better things , that if no future respect might move you ( as god forbid it should not move and remove you from these licentious delights ) yet respect to the place whence you descended , the tender of your credit which should be principally valued , the example which you give , and by which inferiours are directed , should be of force to weane you from all inordinate affections , the end whereof is bitternesse , though the beginning promise sweetnesse . it was demosthenes answer unto lais , upon setting a price of her body , non emam tauti poenitere : sure i am , howsoever this heathen orator prized his money above the pleasure of her body , and that it was too deare to buy repentance at so high a rate ; that it is an ill bargaine for a moments pleasure , to make shipwracke of the soules treasure ; exposing reputation and all ( being indeed the preciousest of all ) to the object of lightnesse , and subject of basenesse , paying the fraught of so short a daliance with a long repentance . wherefore my advice is unto such as have resorted to the house of the strange woman , esteeming it only a tricke of youth , to keepe their feet more warily from her wayes : for her house draweth neere unto death , and her paths unto hell. so as none that goe in unto her , shall returne , neither shall they understand the wayes of life . let such as have herein sinned , repent ; and such as have not herein sinned , rejoyce , giving thankes to god , who hath not given them up for a prey to the lusts of the flesh ; craving his assistance to prevent them hereafter , that the flesh might be ever brought in subjection to the spirit . for , as the lionesse having beene false to the lion , by going to a libard ; and the storke consorting with any other besides her owne mate , wash themselves before they dare to returne home ; and the hart after he hath satisfied his desire , retires to some private or desolate lawne , hanging downe his head , as one discontent , till he hath washed and rinsed himselfe , and then hee returnes cheerefully to his herd againe : so wee cannot be unto god truly reconciled , till wee be in the flood of repentance thorowly washed . thus shall you from the wayes of the strange woman be delivered ; thus shal your good name , which is aptly compared to a precious ointment , remaine unstained ; and a good report shal follow you , when you are hence departed . there is another recreation used by gentlemen , but especially in this citie ; which , used with moderation , is not altogether to be disallowed : and it is repairing to stage-playes ; where , as they shall see much lightnesse , so they may heare something worthy more serious attention . whence it is , that thomas aquinas giveth instance in stage-playes , as fittest for refreshing and recreating the mind ; which likewise philo iudaeus approveth . but for as much as divers objections have beene , and worthily may bee made against them , wee will here lay them downe , being such as are grounded on the sacred word of god ; and , with as much perspicuity and brevity as we may , cleare and resolve them . playes were set out on a time by the citizens for the more solemnity of a league concluded betwixt the cantons of berna and tiguris ; touching which playes , sundry differences arose amongst the ministers of geneva , which could not easily be determined , about a young boy , who represented a woman in apparell , habit , and person : in the end it was agreed of all parts , that they should submit the determination of this difference , with generall suffrage and consent , to the authenticke and approved judgement of their beza , holden for the very oracle both of vniversity and citie ; and who had sometimes beene vers'd in theatrall composures , to his glory . this controversie being unto him referred , hee constantly affirmed , that it was not onely lawfull for them to set forth and act those playes , but for boyes to put on womens apparell for the time . neither did hee only affirme this , but brought such divines as opposed themselves against it , to be of his opinion , with the whole assent and consent of all the ecclesiasticall synod of geneva . now in this first objection , we may observe the occasion , which moved these zealous and learned divines to make a doubt of the lawfulnesse of stage-playes ; because ( said they ) it is not lawfull for men to put on womens apparell , or women to put on mens : as we reade how stephanio , an actor of roman playes , was whipped , for having a mans wife waiting on him , shorne in manner of a boy . which doubt , being so soundly and sincerely cleared by so conspicuous a light of the church , wee will no longer insist upon , but descend to the next objection . we are therfore to come to another place of scripture , pressed likewise by such as oppose themselves to the lawfulnesse of stage-playes , as we find it written in the . psalme : turne away mine eyes that i see no vanity . which requireth of us a two-fold consideration ; generally , for the whole nature of things , as in that place of salomon , vanity of vanities , &c. in which sense i freely confesse that stage-playes may passe under the name of vanity . specially , for subjects vaine , light , foolish , frivolous , fruitlesse , being such as are to bee applyed or accommodated to no good use or profitable end ; in which sense or signification our stage-playes may in no sort be termed vanity . for we shall gather , by a right use and application of such things as we shall heare and see , many excellent precepts for instruction , sundry fearefull examples for caution , divers notable occurrents or passages which , well applyed ( as what may not be perverted ) may conferre no small profit to the judicious hearer . the third objection may probably ground it selfe upon the testimony of saint luke , chap. . . w●e unto those that laugh now , &c. whence it may be gathered , that , if the scripture condemne laughter , then consequently stage-playes also , whose speciall aime and intendment is to make men laugh . but it is to be understood , that christ directeth his speech to those perverse and malicious men , whose mourning is but a dissembled sorrowing , outwardly grieving , and inwardly laughing ; who speake one thing with their mouth , but professe another thing in their life : for this is not to be understood of the common society or conversation of men , as if christ should forbid any one to laugh at all ; but rather of immoderate laughter : whence is that of the poet ; woe unto thee whose spleene affecteth laughter , for thy short joy shall turne to sorrow after . for , as feare begetteth humility , so too much mirth procureth levity . much laughter corrupteth manners , and looseth the sinewes of their former strength , but a grave countenance is the preserver of knowledge : yet addeth ecclesiastes unto this ; there is nothing better than for man to rejoyce in his workes ; which david confirmeth , psalme penult . so as there is nothing by this objection proved , but what with all reason may be approved ; for immoderate mirth is that which is here condemned , being that which we have in this observation especially touched and taxed : whence wee may inferre , that moderate delight , tasting more of sobriety than levity , is not onely allowed , but commended . the fourth objection is taken from saint matthew , chap. . . but i say unto you , that for every idle word , &c. of which words , that we may use no other exposition , than what the ancient fathers themselves have used ; wee will shew in this place their severall expositions upon this parcell of holy scripture . tertullian in his booke of patience , understandeth by every idle word , whatsoever is vaine and superfluous . but theophylact by idle words understandeth lyes , calumnies , all inordinate and ridiculous speeches . chrysostome , almost after the same manner interpreteth it , saying , that by idle words are understood such as move uncomely and immodest laughter . gregory understandeth by these which want the profit ever redounding from modesty , and are seldome uttered upon any precedent necessity , things frivolous , fables , old-wives tales . all which severall expositions , as they agree in substance , so doe wee cloze with them in every circumstance . for such as these which corrupt youth by light and scurrilous jests , so little are they to be affected , as the very stages ▪ where these are used are to be hated . for the fifth , it is written cor. . . and exod . . the people sate downe to eate and drinke , and rose up to play : which argument is drawne from chrysostome , where he sheweth that by these words the apostle meant two maine inconveniences , being the effects of false worship , and endangering the soules shipwracke , to wit , the idolatry , or idolomany of the israelites done to the golden calfe in dan and bethel . but farre be this from the conceit of any , to imagine , that stage-playes , intended for modest delight and recreation , should ever move the spectatour to such abomination . for so much ought stage-playes to bee from introducing any to such impiety , as they should not so much as once present in their shewes or pageants , ought that might tend to the depraving of the hearer in matters of conversation , much lesse in drawing their minds to any profane or pagan opinion : which should not bee so much as once named , much lesse entertained amongst christians . for the sixth , it is grounded on the foundation of the same apostle , where in divers places he writeth expresly against fables ; as tim. . . give no heed to fables , &c. againe , tim. . . but cast away profane , and old wives fables , &c. againe , tim. . . taxing such as shall turne their eares from the truth , and shall be given unto fables . againe pet. . . the apostles in their doctrine were not directed by deceivable fables . but for these comedians , let them speake for themselves , being such as follow the steps of terence , menander , &c. or may be properly referred to the lesbian rule of menander , and the lydian stone of paul. for such as breed corruption in our manners ( that i may jumpe in opinion with plato ) let them saile to * anticyra , and undergoe due censure for their errour . but how worthy the works of some of the ancient comedians have bin , may appeare by the apostle's alleaging divers of their sentences in his epistle , and vouchsafing to use the name of their poets , by a generall title , to approve some things in them worthy reading . as that of luke . . a proverbe used by euripides in his tragedies ; that also of menander , made sacred by the mouth of the apostle paul , cor. . . as it is likewise manifest that the same apostle paul used the authority of aratus and epimenides , act. . . all which adde a reverend approbation to the authority of poets . the seventh objection which these stage-antagonists frame , is taken from ephes. . . where the apostle willeth and warneth that these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. that is , such things as become no man , and which our very eares should abhorre to heare , ought not to be so much as once named amongst christians . whereto i answer , that as these things tending to lightnesse were inveighed against by the apostle , that he might leave unto us a more excellent patterne or example of modesty , which is an ornament that suteth best with the children of god : so there is none , having the light of grace in him , or fearing the judgement that is to come , who will applaud these scurrilous jests , which are wont to deprave , but seldome to edifie the understanding : whereof the poet speaketh ; iests that unseasond are i cannot beare , for they distaste a modest bashfull eare . but it may be here againe objected , that every thing being ( as augustine testifieth , ) either a hinderance or a furtherance ; these stage-playes , which are properly called the bellowes of vice , may rather seeme a hinderance in the course and progresse of vertue , then any furtherance to him in his practice therein . besides , playes ( saith ambrose ) ought not to be known of christians , because there is no mention at all made of them in holy scripture . whereto we briefly answer thus with peter martyr , that sound and profound divine , that in holy scripture we have ( as it were ) a generall rule set downe unto us , touching all things mediate or indifferent , in the number whereof are playes necessarily included . yea , but augustine the prince of the latine fathers , seemes to affirme , that even those stages or theaters where their interludes were acted , were more abominable then those idolatrous sacrifices , which in honour of the pagan gods were offered . but hence is to be understood , that this holy father meant of such solemn playes or interludes , as were acted and usually celebrated by the heathen in honour of their father * liber , and other ethnicke gods for the yearely increase of their fruits : wherein many uncomely and immodest parts were played . yea , but where shal we find these stage-actors in former times so much as countenanced , being such as quintilian termeth expresly , hypocrites , from counterfeiting the manner , measure , motion , gesture , gate , grace , and feature of such persons as they represent ; whose fashion they often reteine when they have resumed their owne habit ? yes , and by the eminent'st and noblest personages . edward the sixt so much approved them , as he appointed one who was a witty courtier to be ( as it were ) the chiefe master or disposer of the playes , who by his office should take care to have them set forth in a princely and sumptuous sort ; which office to this day reteines the name of the master of the revels . likewise our late queene elizabeth of blessed memorie , rightly stiled the worlds phoebe ; among women a sybilla , among queenes a saba , how well shee approved of these recreations , being ( as shee termed them , ) harmelesse spenders of time , the large exhibitions which shee conferred on such as were esteemed notable in that kind may sufficiently witnesse . neither did shee hold it any derogation to that royall and princely majestie , which shee then in her regall person presented , to give some countenance to their endeavours , whereby they might be the better encouraged in their action . yea , if we would but peruse some books treating of this subject , wee should find poets in generall to have received such countenance and approbation from the most eminent'st princes , as their poems never wanted patrons , nor the authors themselves benefactors : which by instances i entend here to confirme , though the prosecution hereof may seeme digressive to our present discourse . wee read how much amyntas king of macedonia , made of the tragicall poet euripides , the athenians of sophocles ; in what price the noble and heroick poems of homer were holden by alexander , placing them in that curious cabinet which he got in the spoile of darius : and not onely homer the father of the poets , was so honoured by him , but for his sake all other meaner poets : in so much as cherilus no very good poet had for every verse well made , a philips noble of gold , amounting in value to an angell english , and so for every hundred verses ( which a cleanly hand could presently dispatch ) hee had an hundred angels . and since alexander the great , how theocritus the greeke poet was favoured by ptolomie king of egypt , and berenice his wife . ennius likewise by scipio , virgil and horace by augustus ; betwixt which two poets the emperour sitting one day , and one that might be bold asking what he did ; marrie ( said he ) i sit here betweene groanings and teares ; for the one was ever sighing , & the other seemed as if he were ever weeping . but to descend to our later times ; how much were iehan de mehune , and guillamn● de loris made of by the french king ? and ieffery chaucer , father of our english poets , by richard the second ; who , as it was supposed , gave him the mannor of newholme in oxfordshire ? and gower by henry the fourth ? harding by edward the fourth ? also how francis the french king made sangelais , salmonius , macrinus , and clemens marot of his privie chamber , for their excellent skill in latine and vulgar poesie ? and henry the eighth , for a few psalmes of david , translated and turned into english meeter by sternhold , made him groome of his privie chamber . also one gray , in what favour grew he with henry the eight , and after with the duke of somerset , protectour , for his hunt is up , hunt is up ? and queene marie , for one epithalamie , made by vargus a spanish poet , at her marriage with king philip , solemnized in winchester , gave him during his life two hundred crownes pension . nor were poets only eminent in this kind , but esteemed for their universality of knowledge , apt for any office publike ; as in the administration of common-weales affaires , conduct of armies , &c. for we find that iulius caesar was not onely the most eloquent orator of his time , but also a very good poet , though none of his doings therein be now extant . quintus catulus a good poet , and cornel. gallus treasurer of aegypt ; and horace the most delicate of all the roman lyricks , was importuned by many letters of great instance , to bee secretary of state to augustus the emperour ; which hee neverthelesse refused for his unhealthfulnesse sake ; and being a quiet man , and nothing ambitious of glory , retired himselfe from publike deportments . and ennius the latine poet , was with all respect entertained as a fellow and counsellor by african , for his amiable conversation . so antimenides , of whom aristotle reports in his politicks ; and tyrtaeus the poet , though a lame man , was chosen by the oracle of the gods from the athenians , to be generall of the lacedemonians army . nor may that noble and honourable memoriall of that worthy woman twice french queene , lady anne of britaine , wife first to charles the eighth , and after to lewis the twelfth , adde lesse glory to this exquisite art ; who passing one day from her lodging toward the kings side , saw in a gallerie m. allan● chartier the kings secretary , an excellent poet , leaning on a tables end asleepe , and stooped downe to kisse him , saying thus in all their hearings : wee may not of princely courtesie passe by and not honour with our kisse , the mouth from whence so many sweet ditties and golden poems have issued . yea plato himselfe , howsoever he may be said to exclude divers poets the bounds of his common-weale , for their obscene and immodest labours , which effeminated youth , training them rather to the carpet than the campe ; yet wrote he many epigrams and excellent poems in his younger yeeres , before hee intended himselfe to philosophy . for even in fables appeare seeds of vertues , as macrobius testifieth . yea , but our stage-stingers , or poet-scourgers , will againe object , that these theaters , which were at first erected for honest delight and harmelesse merriment , grow many times busie with states , laying aspersions on men of eminent rank and quality ; and in briefe , will spare none , so they may gaine themselves by disparaging others . but i must answer thus much for them , albeit , - non me tenet aura theatri ; that such as imploy their pens in taxing or tainting any noble or meriting person in this kind , deserve no better censure , then as they whipt , so to be whipt themselves for their labour : for they must know ( to use the words of one who was once an eminent statist ) that some things are priviledged from jest , namely religion , matters of state , great persons , any mans present businesse of importance , and any case that deserveth pity ; and generally , men ought to find the difference betweene saltnesse and bitternesse . certainely , he that hath a satyricall veine , as hee maketh others afraid of his wit , so hee had need be afraid of others memory . this was very straitly looked into by the ancient heathens , who ordained many strict lawes to punish such bitter satyrists as touched the good name of any citizen , either in publike stage , or any private worke . the ancient romans had a law enacted in their twelve tables , that whosoever should impeach any ones good name , or detract from the credit of his person , either in verse or action , should suffer death . so as tiberius slew scaurus , and not altogether undeservedly , for writing a spitefull tragedy against him . in like manner did augustus banish ovid , for writing too wantonly towards some that were neere him . so nero injoyned lucan silence , for his * smooth invection framed against him . so as stesichorus , writing bitterly against helen , aristophanes against clean , eupolis against alcibiades , callisthenes against alexander , suffered equall punishments according to their demerits . this eupolis is said to be one of the first comedians , and was drowned in hellespont , about the time of that famous sea-fight betweene the lacedemonians and athenians : but i can scarcely assent to his opinion ; for wee find it recorded , that hee was throwne into the sea by alcibiades , for presenting him on the publike stage , embracing timandra in a lascivious sort ; and that hee used these words : oft times , eupolis , hast thou drowned me upon the stage , i will once drowne thee in the sea . thespis likewise is said to be the first inventer of a tragicke scene , as * horace witnesseth : thespis , some , say inventing first the straine of tragicke scenes , grew famous in his veine ; whose actors that ye might the better note , with painted faces sung the lines he wrote , mounted in chariots ; which with greedy eares the people heard , and hearing sent forth teares . and in these did satyrus ( no doubt ) among the greekes shew an admirable art , being so highly extolled by demosthenes ( for unto him did this satyrus propose the first forme of speaking plainely and articulately ) as hee was no lesse praised by him , then the roman roscius was by cicero , or aesopus , to whom cicero useth many titles of love and familiarity in his epistles . for roscius and aesopus were held the choicest and chiefest orators , even at that time when the common-weale excelled not onely in eloquence , but also in wisedome . the like of pilades and hyla , master and scholler , who were such passionate actors , as they enforced admiration in the hearer . but to what end should i prosecute either comicke or tragicke subjects any further ? my opinion briefly is this ; as comedies should breath nothing but terenee's art , cecilius gravity , menanders sweetnesse , aristophanes conceit , and plautus wit : so tragedies should relish of nothing but of the royall and majestick measures of sophocles , the sententious fulnesse of euripides , and the sincere integrity of seneca . for these which tend to corrupt youth , making their stages stewes , or their scenes meere satyres , to detract from the credit or estimation of any person , either publike or private ; as their authors deserve due punishment , so should they be avoyded : the former sort , because they are in danger to deprave us ; the latter , because perhaps wee shall heare them touch the credit of such as are neere us . for such as enterludes ( gentlemen ) as participate with neither of these , but in a temperate and equall course mixe profit with honest delight ; you shall account the time you bestow in hearing them , not altogether fruitlesly spent . for albeit the italians are held worthy before all others to carry away the garland for poesie , being for number and measure fuller , and for weight and merit better , as may appeare in the happy labours of petrarch and boccace ; yet if wee looke home-ward , and observe the grace of our presentments , the curiosity of our properties , and propriety of our action , we may justly conclude , that no nation is , or hath beene so exquisite in that kind . but to draw in our sailes , touching this recreation : as i approve of the moderate use and recourse which our gentlemen make to playes ; so i wholly condemne the daily frequenting of them : as some there be ( especially in this citie ) who , for want of better imploymnet , make it their vocation . and these i now speake of , be our ordinary gentlemen , whose day-taske is this in a word : they leave their beds to put on their clothes formally , repaire to an ordinary , and see a play daily . these can find time enough for recreation , but not a minutes space for devotion . so as i much feare me , when they shall be strucke with sicknesse , and lie on their death-bed , it will fare with them as it fared with a young gentlewoman within these few yeares ; who being accustomed in her health every day to see one play or other , was at last strucke with a grievous sicknesse even unto death : during which time of her sicknesse , being exhorted by such divines as were there present , to call upon god , that he would in mercy look upon her , as one deafe to their exhortation , continued ever crying , oh hieronimo , hieronimo , me thinkes i see thee , brave hieronimo ! neither could she be drawne from this with all their perswasions ; but fixing her eyes intentively , as if she had seene hieronimo acted , sending out a deep sigh , shee suddenly dyed . and let this suffice to have beene spoken of the moderate use of this recreation : upon which i have the longer insisted , because i am not ignorant how divers and different opinions have been holden touching the law fulnesse of stage-playes , which i resolved to reconcile in as briefe and plaine a manner as i could , before i descended to the rest . for as much as wee have begun to treat of such recreations as require small use or exercise of the body , wee will first proceed with such as follow , being ranked in the same siedge , because recreations of the same nature : descending from them to exercises requiring more alacrity of spirit , and more ability of body . of these , which may be rather termed exercises of the mind , then exercises of the faculties of the body , are cards and dice , a speciall recreation : meerely invented and intended to passe tedious winter nights away , and not to hazard ones fortunes at them , as many inconsiderate gamesters now adayes will not sticke to doe : which done , what ensueth hence , but entertaining of some desperate course , which bringeth the undertaker many times to an end as infortunate , as his life was desolate ? which makes me thinke i never see one of these gamesters , who in a bravado will set their patrimonies at a throw , but i remember the answer of one minacius , who having on a time lost at dice not only his money , but his apparell too ( for hee was very poore ) fate weeping at the portall doore of a taverne : it chanced that a friend of his seeing him thus to weepe and lament , demanded of him , how it was with him ? nothing , ( quoth minacius ; ) why weepest thou then , ( said his friend ) if there be nothing ? for this cause doe i weepe ( replyed minacius ) because there is nothing . his friend still wondring ; why then ( quoth he ) dost thou weepe thus , when there is nothing ? for the very same cause ( quoth he ) because i have nothing . the one understood that there was no cause why he should weepe ; the other wept because hee had nothing left to play . how many be there who may sing lachrymae with minacius , going by weeping-crosse : being either by crosse fortune , as they ascribe it , or rather by flat cheating , as they may properly terme it , stript of their substance ? amongst the romans * venus or co●s was the best chance at dice : but indeed the best chance that any one can have , is not to throw at all . howsoever , i could wish young gentlemen to beware of frequenting these common gaming houses , where they must either have fortune with advantage , or else be sure to play like young gamesters to their owne-disadvantage . truth is , i would have none to play much , but those which have little to play . for these , as they have little to lose , so they cannot bee much poorer , if they lose all . whereas such , whose ancestors have left them faire revenues , by investing them as heires to their providence ; need little to raise or advance their fortunes by these indirect meanes . for tell me , gentlemen , doe ye game for gaine , or passing time ? if for gaine , it is needlesse , ye have sufficient . if for passing time , your stake should be lesse , and your care for winning , more indifferent . besides , doe ye not observe what foists yee have daily resorting and frequenting these houses ; whose purses are lined with cheats , and whose profession is only to sharke ? shun their companies then , left they prey upon you : whereby you shall make your selves subjects both of want and weaknesse . of want , by filling their purses with your coine : of weaknesse , by suffering your selves to bee made a prey of by their cheats . if you will game , make choice of such as you know to be square gamesters , scorning to bring their names in question with the least report of advantage . as for tricks frequently used in these dayes , learne rather to prevent them , then professe them : for i never knew gamester play upon advantage , but bring him to the square , and his fortune was ever seconded with disadvantage . but above all , use moderation in play , make not your recreation a distemper : and set up this as your rest , never to mount your stake so high , as the losse of it may move you to chol●r . and so i descend to recreations more virile , wherin i will be briefe , because i would hasten to the next branch . in this ranke may be numbred hunting and hawking , pleasures very free and generous , and such as the noblest dispositions have naturally affected . for what more admirable then the pleasure of the hare , if we observe the uses which may be made of it , as i have * else-where more amply discoursed ; purposing here rather to touch them , then treat of them ? in her doubles , note her cunning ; in the dogges , eagernesse in pursuing : where all the senses remaine for the time pleased , but when at default , how much are they grieved ? what an excellent melody , or naturall consort to delight the eare ? what choice objects to content the eye ? what odoriferous smels in the floury meads , to refesh the nose ? only the touch and taste must have their pleasures suspended , till the sport be ended . non sine lepôre , tanto labore , pro uno lepore homines torqueri video ; saith one very wittily and elegantly . i can never chuse but laugh , to see what labour men will take for a poore hare . what mountaines they will climbe , what marishes they will passe , what brakes and bryers they will runne through , and all for a hare ? which may be an embleme of humane vanity ; where men ( miserable deluded men ) will refuse no toyle or labour to gaine a trifling pleasure . what indirect courses they will take for a moments delight , which is no sooner showne them , then vanished from them ? these pleasures are most commonly affected by youth , because they have agility and ability of body to maintaine the pursuite of them : whence the poet ; the beardlesse youth , when 's guardians reines doe yeeld , sports him in horse , and dogges , and open field : the reason may be this ; hee cannot endure restraint : for the heat of youth must needs take aire , or it choakes it selfe with too much holding . it must be carried aloft on the wings of the wind , taking an icarian flight , but never fearing his fall . such dogges as were presented by the king of albanie unto alexander the great , who would not stirre at small beasts , but at lions and elephants , are the fittest for his kennell ; for youth is no sooner moving then mounting . whence ascanius in a youthfull bravery wisheth some boare or savage lion should descend the mount , and cope with him he would . so subject is youth to expose it selfe to all dangers , swimming ever with bladders of vaine-glory , till they receive water , and it sinke . there are some also of these youthfull hunts-men , who when they cannot speed in their sport , will rather buy it , then want it ; that having their game on their backe , they may proclaime to the world , how they are masters of their profession . and these are excellently displayed by the poet , in the person of gargilius . at once gargilius , who one morne betime sent out his servants forward to the chace , with hunting poles , and twisted nets of line , to buy a boare , which through the market place laid on a mule , as if his men had slaine him , would , as bee thought , eternall glory gaine him . so apt are many in inventing , and eager in pursuing ought which may raise them a name , though in things meerly indifferent . for as reputation is a common conceit of extraordinary vertue , so every one laboureth to acquire the end , albeit they misse the meanes of acquiring it . for how should any one imagine ( unlesse his conceit were wholly darkened ) that these things could be any meanes to perpetuate his name ? but so soon transported is youth with any phantasie suggested ( albeit upon no sufficient ground builded ) as whatsoever his conceit whispers to him , that may tend to his praise , hee entertaines it with a greedy and eager desire , laboring to effect what may gaine him popular esteeme . so as the lover is never more blinded with affection towards his beloved , than youth is in affecting that which may cause him to be praised . to speake much touching this recreation i will not addresse my discourse : onely this is my opinion , that as it is generous , so generally is it most harmelesse , so it be moderately used ; for otherwise it may weaken or enfeeble the body , impaire the health , and be occasion of many inconveniences : for in my discourse upon the particular branch of this observation , i am onely to approve of such recreations as are used with moderation : as hawking , which ( as i before observed ) is a pleasure for high and mounting spirits : such as will not stoope to inferiour lures ; having their minds so farre above , as they scorne to partake with them . it is rare to consider , how a wild bird should be so brought to hand , and so well managed as to make us such pleasure in the ayre : but most of all to forgoe her native liberty and feeding , and returne to her former servitude and diet . but in this , as in the rest , wee are taught to admire the great goodnesse and bounty of god , who hath not onely given us the birds of the ayre , with their flesh to feed us , with their voice to cheere us , but with their flight to delight us . the eagle , which is indeed the prince of birds , and the prime hawke , was observed much among the ancient romans in all their auguries : so as an eagle hovering in the aire , in the reigne of augustus , and at last settling upon the name agrippa , and just upon the first letter of that name , a. a lightning descending downe from heaven , struck the first letter of his owne name out , c. whence sooth-sayers , by conjecturall arguments gathered , that hee should but live an hundred dayes after , and be afterwards canonized for a god : because aesar , the residue of that name , in the tuscane language signified god. for the romanes , of all nations under the cope of heaven , relyed most upon the prophesying of birds : so as wee read , that they ever kept their oscines , or birds of augury , by which they collected what their successe should be , both in peace and warre . albeit , some there was among the heathen , who made small account of them : so as claudius pulcher , when in taking his auspicia , or the predictions of his successe before sicily , the pullets would not feed , he commanded they should be plunged in the sea , that they might drinke , seeing they would not eat . it is the saying of an ancient father . that the piercing eye of the eagle exceeds the sight of all other birds : being of such sharpe sight , as reflecting the beames of the sunne fixed upon her , she can looke upon the sunne without shutting her eyes , which are not to be dazled , shine the sunne never so brightly . so as it is said , shee makes a tryall of her brood when they are but young , by mounting up , and fixing their eyes against the sunne : of which , if any be so tender-eyed , as they cannot looke upon it , shee disclaimes them ; but such whose sharpe sight can look stedfastly upon it , shee tenders them as her selfe . whence many secret and sacred uses might be gathered ( for this is but the type of a divine morall ) if i should insist upon the exposition of that blessed father ; but i must briefly descend to speake of the moderate use of this recreation . this pleasure , as it is a princely delight , so it moveth many to be so dearely enamoured of it , as they will undergoe any charge , rather then forgoe it : which makes me recall to mind a merry tale which i have read , to this effect . divers men having entred into discourse , touching the superfluous care ( i will not say folly ) of such as kept dogs and hawkes for hawking ; one paulus a florentine stood up and spake : not without cause ( quoth hee ) did that foole of millan laugh at these ; and being entreated to tell the tale , hee thus proceeded ; vpon a time ( quoth hee ) there was a citizen of millan , a physician for such as were distracted of lunaticke ; who tooke upon him within a certaine time to cure such as were brought unto him . and hee cured them after this sort : he had a plat of ground neere his house , and in it a pit of corrupt and stinking water , wherein hee bound naked such as were mad to a stake , some of them knee-deepe , others to the groin , and some others deeper , according to the degree of their madnesse ; where he so long pined them with water and hunger , till they seemed sound . now amongst others , there was one brought , whom hee had put thigh-deepe in water : who after fifteene dayes began to recover , beseeching the physician that hee might be taken out of the water . the physician taking compassion of him , tooke him out , but with this condition , that hee should not goe out of the roome . having obeyed him certaine dayes , he gave him liberty to walke up and downe the house , but not to passe the out-gate ; while the rest of his companions , which were many , remaining in the water , diligently observed their physicians command . now it chanced , as on a time he stood at the gate , ( for out hee durst not goe , for feare he should returne to the pit ) hee beckned to a young gentleman to come unto him , who had a hawke and two spaniels , being moved with the novelty thereof ; for , to his remembrance , before hee fell mad , hee had never seene the like . the young gentleman being come unto him ; sir ( quoth he ) i pray you heare me a word or two , and answer me at your pleasure . what is this you ride on ( quoth hee ) and how doe you imploy him ? this is a horse ( replyed he ) and i keepe him for hawking . but what call you that , you carry on your fist , and how doe you use it ? this is a hawke ( said hee ) and i use to fly with it at pluver and partridge . but what ( quoth he ) are these which follow you , what doe they , or wherein doe they profit you ? these are dogges ( said he ) and necessary for hawking , to find and retrive my game . and what were these birds worth , for which you provide so many things , if you should reckon all you take for a whole yeere ? who answering , hee knew not well , but they were worth a very little , not above six crownes . the man replyed ; what then may be the charge you are at with your horse , dogges and hawke ? some fifty crownes , said hee . whereat , as one wondring at the folly of the young gentleman : away , away sir , i pray you quickly , and fly hence before our physician returne home : for if he find you here , as one that is maddest man alive , hee will throw you into his pit , there to be cured with others , that have lost their wits ; and more then all others , for hee will set you chin-deepe in the water . inferring hence , that the use or exercise of hawking , is the greatest folly , unlesse sometimes used by such as are of good estate , and for recreation sake . neither is this pleasure or recreation herein taxed , but the excessive and immoderate expence which many are at in maintaining this pleasure : who as they should be wary in the expence of their coine , so much more circumspect in their expence of time . so as in a word , i could wish young gentlemen never to be so taken with this pleasure , as to lay aside the dispatch of more serious occasions , for a flight of feathers in the ayre . the physician saith , that it is the best exercise which is , ad ruborem , non ad sudorem ; refreshing the spirits , and stirring up the blood a little , but not putting a man into any great sweat : for hee that makes his recreation a toyle , makes himselfe likewise pleasures thrall . refresh your spirits , stirre up your blood , and enable your bodies by moderate exercise : but avoid mixing of distemper with your pleasure , for that were not to refresh , but depresse the spirits ; not to stirre up , but stop the course of blood ; not to enable , but enfeeble the body . and so i descend to the next branch , treating of recreations best sorting with the quality of a gentleman . to propose what recreations may please best , i cannot , ( because i know not how to stand affected ) but i shall , as neere as i may , recount what especiall recreations best sort and sute with your quality . of all those which i have formerly touched and treated , there is none but may be approved and entertained with an equall indifferencie , being ( as i have said ) tempered and moderated with discretion . but some there are i have not touched , which may be so much the more admired , forasmuch as they are by our young gentlemen usually affected ; yea , and as especiall ornaments to grace and accomplish them , generally esteemed : as fencing and dancing ; the one to accommodate him for the court , the other for the campe. of which two recreations , to give my opinion freely , there is required a knowledge ; but respectively to such ( i meane ) as onely intend to court or gallant it : for these shall have occasion to make use of their knowledge , in the one to grace and beautifie them ; in the other to shield and defend them . yet in neither of these would i have them to imitate their masters : for so may they turne cowards , and so shew themselves true fencers . or in their dancing use those mimicke tricks which our apish professants use ; but with a reserved grace to come off bravely and sprightly , rather then with an affected curiosity . you shall see some of these come forth so punctually , as if they were made up in a fute of wainscot , treading the ground as if they were foundred . others you shall see , so supple and pliable in their joynts , as you would take them to be some tumblers ; but what are these but iacke-an-apes in gay clothes ? but others there are , and these onely praise-worthy , who with a gracefull presence gaine them respect . for in exercises of this kind ( sure i am ) those onely deserve most commendation , which are performed with least affectation . now i have heard of some who could doe all this ; shew an excellent grace in their carriage ; expresse themselves rare proficients in all school-tricks ; being so much admired as who but they : yet observe the cloze , and they spoile all with an english trick , they cannot leave it when it is well . it is said of apelles , that hee found fault with protogenes , in that hee could not hold his hands from his table : and right so fares it with these young cavalieroes , when they have shewne all that may be shewne to give content , striving to shew one tricke above ela , they halt in the conclusion . for fence-play , i have knowne some puffed up with a presumption of skill , to have beene too apt in giving offence ; so as of professors of worth , they became practisers of wrong . but see their unhappinesse ● this conceit or over-weening opinion of their surpassing skill , brings them many times to an unexpected end , by exposing themselves to inevitable dangers . and this they doe either for vaine glory , being ambitious after fame ; or else out of a quarrelling disposition , being no lesse apt to conceive or apprehend the smallest occasion of offence , then to prosecute revenge upon occasion offered . for the first , the bravest and noblest spirits have beene affected to it , i meane ambition , but their ends were more glorious . as themistocles , who walked in the night time in the open street , because hee could not sleepe : the cause whereof when some men did enquire , hee answered , that the triumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest . the like might be observed in alexander , who sighed that his father should winne so much , and leave him so little to winne . so as it is said that hee wept , hearing that there was another world , saying , he had not yet wonne one world. but with these it fareth many times , as it did with marius , who not contented with the glory hee got in the cimbrian warres , by seeking to augment it , did extenuate it . yet are these more noble in their aimes , then such whose ambition it is to commit all impieties , onely to gaine them a perpetuall infamy : as pausanias , who killed philip of macedon , onely for fame or vaine glory ; so did herostratus burne the temple of diana , to get him a name by an infamous act . for the latter sort , being such as are given to quarrels , i have ever noted their gaines to be small in all their adventures . for what are these but such as value blood at a low rate ? they pretend how their reputation stands engaged ; they cannot put up such disgraces but with touch of cowardise ; and what a blemish were it , for ones reputation to be brought in question , upon termes so neere concerning them , and not seeke revenge ? where the wide world would take notice of their disgrace , pointing at them in the streets , and saying , there goe such and such who were most grosly baffled ; preferring their blood before their honour , their safety before their reputation ! o gentlemen , how many of your ranke and quality have perished by standing upon these termes ! how many , and those of the choycest and selected'st ranke , have exposed themselves to extremest danger , whereby they might gaine themselves the stile of valiant ! how many even upon trifling occasions have gone into the field , and in their heat of blood have fallen ? sure i am , their deare countrey hath felt their losse , to whom in all due respect they should have tendered both love and life , and not have made prodigall expence of that , which might have beene a meanes to strengthen and support her state . yet doe i not speake this , as one insensible of wrong , or incapable of disgrace : for i know that in passages of this nature , publike imputations require publike satisfaction , so that howsoever the divine law , to which all humane actions ought to be squared , may seeme to conclude , that wee are to leave revenge to whom revenge belongeth ; yet so passionate is the nature of man , and through passion so much weakned , as hee forgets many times what the divine law bids him doe , and hastens to that which is owne violent and distempered passion pricks him to . now to propose my opinion , by way of direction , in a word it is this : as one may be a angry and sinne not , so one may revenge and offend not ; and this is by b heaping c●ales of fire upon our enemies head : for by this c meeknesse is anger appeased , and wee of our owne fury revenged . but the best meanes to prevent occasion of distaste in this kind , is to avoid the acquaintance or society of such as are given to offence : whence it is that the wisest of kings exhorteth us in these words ; d to have no familiarity with an angry man , neither goe with the furious man. and why ? lest thou learne his wayes , and receive destruction to thy soule . for indeed these , whose turbulent dispositions are ready to entertaine any occasion of offence , albeit the occasion perchance was never intended , are unfit for any company , or to passe time withall in any recreation . so as , of one of these it may be said , as was said of scava , who shewed apparent arguments of resolution , to slave himselfe to the servile yoke of tyrannous subjection ; infelix dominum quantâ virtute parasti ! how many courses , miserable man , hast thou tryed ; how many wayes hast thou traced ; how many adventures entertayned ; to get thee a master , fury , arch-traytor to that glorious fortresse of patience ? these are those blood-bounds who are ever in quest , and are never satisfied in pursuit , till their eyes become the s●d spectators of a fall : yea , rather then these men will be out of action , they will engage themselves in maintaining other quarrels ; so prompt they are to take offence , as a strangers engagements must be made their owne , rather then they will discontinue in their former profession . another sort there are , who albeit they find ability in themselves to subdue and moderate this passion of furie by the soveraignty of reason , yet it fares with them as it did with hannibal , who knew better how to conquer , then how to make use of his conquest : or as it is said of glendor , that hee was more able to get a victory , then skilfull to use it . so these , though reason like a discreet monitor advise them to moderate their passions , yet so ambitious are they of popular praise , as rather then they will lose the name of being esteemed resolute , they will oppose themselves to all perils , and entertaine a course in the eye of true valour most dissolute . yet respect to our good name , being indeed the choycest and sweetest perfume , must not be so sleighted , as to incurre apparent termes of disgrace , and not labour to wipe off that staine , by shewing some arguments , that wee have so much conceit as to apprehend what an injury is , and so much spirit as to take revenge on him , by whom the injury is offered . it is true ; neither am i so stupid , as not to conceive how insupportable the burden of those wrongs is , which touch our name . so as indeed , ( to speake as a man unto men ) these wrongs are above the nature of mortality to beare : for the naturall man tasting more of earth then heaven , whilest hee ponders the quality of his disgrace , and how farre hee stands engaged , in respect of the opinion of men , to beare himselfe like himselfe , and not to bury such wrongs in silence , as if senselesse of the nature of an injury ; hee never considers what the divine law injoynes , but casteth his eye upon the wrong hee sustaines . wherein , if passion will needs over-master reason , ( albeit i doe not hold it consonant to the divine law , morall or nationall , but to all generous spirits experimentally usefull ) i could wish him to come off faire at the first , for this either wins him the buckler , or loseth it : so shall hee ever gaine to himselfe an esteeme of conceit , in knowing the nature of a wrong ; and an opinion of spirit , in daring to wipe off the disgrace that shall be laid upon him . for this is my position , faile at the first , and faile ever : for as the first onset terrifies the enemy , so in actions of this nature , the onely meanes to gaine opinion is to come off bravely in the beginning . now perchance it may happen , that he from whom you have received wrong , will take no notice of your distaste , but will doe as hee did , who receiving a challenge upon some personall touch , whereby hee apprehended the occasion for his best advantage , of making choice ( as the challenged may ) of time , place , weapon , and second , returned this answere to the messenger ; for the time , i know not when ; for the place , when that time comes , it shall be the alpes ; for the weapon , it shall be guy's sword that slew the cow on dunmoth heath ; and for my second , it shall be your selfe , that i may bring you within the compasse of duelloes . if with such your fortune be to deale , ( as many there are more valiant in tongue then hand , more apt to offer wrong then tender satisfaction ; ) know thus much , that these alpes which hee hath named , and whereto he never meanes to come , is what place soever you shall meet him ; the time , whensoever you shall have fit opportunity to encounter him ; the weapon , though hee chuse it , you may refuse it , ( because it is too closely kept to come to ) and make choice of your own weapon , left by going to warwicke castle to procure a sword , you forget your wrong before you come there ; and the second , your only selfe ; that as you are particularly wronged , you may be particularly righted : for , as the wrong toucheth you and no second , so you are to right your selfe without a second . but the safest and surest course , ( as i said before ) not to partake with men of this condition , is to refraine their company and conversation : for these firy spirits , who have thersites tongue and ant aeus hand , are dangerous to consort with ; for they seldome resort to any meeting , but either they doe hurt , or receive it . so as , even in these tolerable recreations of horse-races , cockings , bowlings , &c. you shall ever see these throw one bone or other to make differences amongst men of quality and ranke , wherein they will be sure to be interested as seconds , if not as principall agents . my advice therefore is , that you avoid their company , as disturbers of the publike peace , interrupters of all honest recreations , and protest enemies to all civill society . for , as we read of the bird curuca , that she will rather hatch the egges of another , then hatch none at all ; so these will rather engage themselves in others differences , and like subtill spiders spin the webbe of dissention , then be without imployment : but they hatch the cockatrice egges , reaping the fruit of their labours to their shame . but wee have insisted too long upon them ; wherefore wee will returne to our former discourse . as wee have briefly touched some recreations well sorting with the quality of a gentleman , being such as tend especially to his accomplishment outwardly ; so are wee now to treat of such as may conferre no lesse benefit to the inward man , by enabling him for matters of discourse . of which ranke , reading of history , is to be accounted as one tending especially thereto ; and that not onely in respect of discourse , but in respect of discipline and civill society ; being there taught how to demeane or behave our selves in all our actions , how to moderate our affections , how to gaine worthy esteeme both in our managements publike and private . cicero entring into the commendation of histories , honours them with this rhetoricall definition : histories ( saith he ) are the witnesses of times , the light of truth , the life of memory , the mistresse of life , the messenger of antiquity : in which notable exemplification , hee shewes what excellent fruits may be gathered from the select flowers of histories . first , how the passages and events of former times are there recorded ; secondly , how the truth of things by the light of history is discovered ; thirdly , our memory is revived ; fourthly , our life is directed ; fifthly , antiquities successively transcribed . in tacitus are three notes which are required in a perfect history ; first , truth , in sincere relating , without having any thing haustum ex vano ; secondly , explanation not onely of the sequels of things , but also the causes and reasons ; thirdly , iudgement in distinguishing things , by approving the best , and disallowing the contrary . touching which three notes , we are to observe first , that there is necessarily required in every history a sincere relation of truth , foisting nothing in , which may seeme either fabulous or impertinent . likewise , it is not enough to lay downe or explaine the sequels or issues of things , but the causes and reasons from whence those sequels issued . thirdly , there is required judgement in distinguishing probabilities from improbabilities ; never setting ought downe for a grounded truth without approved authority . having thus proposed unto you the fruits redounding from history , as also what is required therein , to make it more generally affected ; it rests now that i shew my opinion touching your choice of histories : of which subject , because i have * heretofore copiously treated , i will only speake a word , and so descend to the last branch of this observation . augustine , in his fourth booke de civit. dei , cals salust a noble and true historian ; noble in respect of his descent ; true in respect of his discourse . neither doth hee indeed deserve any lesser title : for his phrase is elegant without affectation ; his discourse continuate without impertinent digression , and the series of his history stored with much sententious instruction . from the depth of a princely judgement , caesars commentaries have received most noble approbation . but if you would take view of a flourishing state , whose greatnesse never any attained to , being raised from such beginnings ; be acquainted with * tacitus or livie , where you shall observe the courses and passages of many eminent princes , how they bare themselves in their height , how in their hate . heare you shall see , those men who ( as cosmo saith ) carry their heart in their mouth , are more to be pitied then feared : for these judge men onely by the outward appearance : whereas tiberius gloried in nothing so much , as in cunningly cloaking his purposes with faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding his subjects resolutions with a seeming good . here you shall likewise observe others so obsequiously seeming , as they strove not onely to satisfie the * minds , but eyes of the citizens , understanding well enough , that the common sort of people were catcht sooner by a * cheerfull countenance , and a pleasing outward semblance , then any other respect whatsoever . some you shall see note much , yet will be seene to note little : therefore agrippina in tacitus , knowing her life to be attempted by nero , knew well that her onely remedy was to take no notice of the treason : so is scipio described by cicero , to be the most cunning searcher of mens minds ; and sylla by salust . others you shall observe so much dejected presently upon any losse sustained , as they entertaine affliction with a desperate sorrow , crying out with afranius sonne , alas mee wretched ! or philotas-like , receive such deepe impression or apprehension of their disgrace , as through it they are forced to lose the faculty of speech . whereas others , like furius camillus are neither puffed up with honour , nor cast downe with disgrace : as his dictator-ship could not make him too haughtily affected ; no more could exile from his countrey cause him to be dejected . such was the resolution of the ancient romans , who at the disaster of canna , when their utter ruine and overthrow was rung in every place , did nothing unworthy themselves . here you shall encounter with a iugurth , speaking little , but doing much : there with a catiline , speaking much , but doing little . here one , in all mens opinions worthy of an empire before hee had it , but most unworthy when hee hath it ; exemplified in a galba : there one much doubted before hee have it , but generally loved when he had it ; exemplified in b severus . againe , observe you may in the course of histories , how justly god hath shewne himselfe towards such as practised treason against their princes , though they were heathens : find out one of all those who conspired caesars death in the capitoll , who died in their bed . for no sooner had antony shewed in his funerall oration the thirty three wounds wherewith caesar was deprived of life by his conspirators , and erected a temple to caesar , and sung a mournefull hymne in memory of caesar ; then trebonius and decimus , were the first that were dispatched , being of the conspiracie . cassius likewise was killed on his birth-day : who , some say , killed himselfe with the same dagger wherewith caesar was killed : yea , observe the misery of these assasinates , being so unhappy , as they could hardly find one so friendly , as to lend a hand to end their misery . for , cassius offered his throat to pindarus his page : brutus to strato , who denying to doe it , was answered by a servant ; votis tuis nec decrit amicus nec servus . the like revenge was inflicted on septimius , for betraying his master pompey . the like on the magi , for their treacherous attempts , after the death of cambyses . the like on bessus for his disloyalty towards darius . and to descend to later times , even within the bounds of our owne nation , what just revenge seconded those perfidious complices ; alectus for conspiring against his deare soveraigne carausius ; and that arch-traytor edrike , for his treacherous practices with canutus the dane , and breach of allegeance towards king edmond ? for seldome hath any state in any age beene so happy , as it hath not bred a catiline with a catulus , a cet●egus with a curtius , a sertorius with a soranus , a quadratus and quintianus with an aemilius and coriolanus . besides , you shall observe what justice and integrity appeared in the heathen , chastising such as would bee bribed or corrupted , though they were their enemies . so as mitbridates tooke manius acilius , one of the chiefest embassadors of the romans , and set him contemptuously upon an asse , till he was come to pergamo , where he put molten gold in his mouth ; reproving the romans for taking gifts . the like reward had tarp●ia , being corrupted by t. tatius to deliver the capitoll : for having betrayed the gates of the capitoll to the enemy , onely upon promise , that they should throw her the bracelets , which they wore on their left armes ; this they accordingly performed , throwing also their targets upon her , with which she was pressed to death . you shall likewise find there , what reverence the pagans shewed to their idolatrous temples ; and how carefull they were to observe their countrey rites , which they esteemed sacred , and what successe ever followed the enterprises of such as committed sacriledge . the very heathen observed , that after such times as the grecians once offered violence to the temple of pallas , that they lost all their hope , and never thrived after . lactantius reporteth of divers who were grievously punished for their impiety and profanenesse towards the gods ; as namely fulvius the censor , who for taking away certaine marmoreas tegulas out of the temple of iuno lacinia , was distraught of his wits . appius claudius for translating and conveying those sacred reliques which were before consecrated to hercules , within a while after lost the use of his eyes . dionysius , who made a jest of sacriledge , taking a golden cloake from iupiter olympius his image , a woollen cloake being put in stead thereof , saying , that a golden cloake was too heavie in summer , and too cold in winter , but a linsie-woolsie cloake was fit for both ; cutting off also aesculapius golden-beard , saying , it was no reason that the son should have a beard , and apollo his father have none ; and taking away certaine cups of gold which they held in their hands , saying , it was a great madnesse , to refuse them offered ; was for these driven into banishment . pyrrhus for robbing proserpina's treasury , suffered shipwrack not farre from the shore . zerxes , who sent foure hundred of his souldiers to delphos , to spoyle the temple of apollo , had them all destroyed , and burnt with thunder and lightning . marcus crassus , for taking a great masse of money out of the temple , which pompey would not meddle withall , perished there with his whole army . and here in albion , wee reade of brennus , who in his expedition to delphos , was by a sudden hurly-burly , or immoderate feare , through a noise heard in the bowels of the earth , ( raised indeed by the lamentable shrikings and howlings of the distracted druids and ministers of apollo ) despairing of further successe , perished with all his armie . whence may bee observed , how justly such were punished , who contemned the religion of their countrey , robbing their temples , and enriching themselves with the spoyle of their gods : who albeit they were idols and no gods , or rather divels and no idols , yet so ill was their successe in all their affaires afterwards , as they attributed the cause of their miserable ends to the contempt of their gods . but howsoever this may seeme erroneously ascribed , sure i am , that thus it may be rightly applied : that where god is dishonoured , his temple profaned , and religion contemned , nothing can be succesfully or prosperously concluded . it is wonderfull to note in such evill times , so good men , as wee shall every where meet with in the course of histories . an aristides for iustice , a celopidas for temperance , a numa for prudence , a trajan for patience , an african for continence ; all which in this cleanthes table , history , shew admirable vertues in a corrupt government . againe , reflect your eye on those whose love to their countrey deserves eternall memory ; and you will no lesse wonder at the greatnesse of their minds , then the happinesse of those realmes that enjoyed them . king darius upon a time , by chance opening a great pomegranat , and being demanded of what hee would wish to have as many as there were graines in that pomegranat ? answered in one word , of zopyrus's . now this zopyrus was a right noble and valiant knight , who to reduce babylon to the subjection of his lord and master , and defeat the traiterous assyrians , suffered his body to be rent and mangled , and being thus disfigured , fled straight-wayes to babylon , where the assyrians were intrenched : whom hee made beleeve that darius had misused him in this sort , because hee had spoken in their behalfe , counselling him to breake up his siege , and to remove his armie from assaulting their citie . they hearing this tale , and the rather induced to thinke it true , because they saw him so shamefully disfigured in his body , were perswaded to make him their chiefe captaine : by which meanes hee betrayed them all , and surrendred both them and their citie into his masters hands . the like wee reade of codrus prince of athens , who according to the counsell of the oracle , sacrificed his life willingly , to preserve the libertie of his countrey . the like did gobrias , who offered his body to slaughter , to free his countrey of a tyrannous traytor . yet observe withall , the ingratitude of former ages to men of best deservings ; which caused aeschines say , that though the citie of thebes and athens were full of naughty men , yet not so full of any sort as of ungratefull men . this felt hannibal , this felt asdrubal , this felt african ; while asdrubal within , must be accused by asdrubal without : and noble african , then whom none ever deserved better of his countrey , may begge a resting place for his bones , but must not have it . againe , it will not bee amisse to note the sundry occasions of warres , proceeding from the sundry dispositions of men . some strove for soveraignty ; others for preservation of their liberty : where , so eager was the one of gaining glory , the other of defending their liberty , they were many times brought to such straights , as there was more roome for beholders , then fighters ; many bearing armes , but could not use them . no lesse remarkable is it , to note what incredile exploits have beene atchieved by a handfull of men under a valiant leader : whereby a more particular survey had of their actions , wee shall find that observation of plutarch to be most true : better is an armie of harts , with a lion to their leader , then an armie of lions with a hart to their leader : an army being said to derive her strength from her selfe , but her spirit from her captaine . in a word , gentlemen , to observe the revolution of times , the mutation of states , the natures and dispositions of persons , the issues and events of things , would be an imployment of no lesse delight then profit ; conferring the ebbings and flowings of forraine estates with our owne . but to draw homeward , lest , like messala corvinus , by remembring the name of a stranger , we forget our owne : there is no history more usefull , or relation more needfull for any gentleman , then our owne moderne chronicles , where hee shall observe many notable passages worthy his reading : as first , how his countrey was first planted ; how by degrees it became peopled ; how to civility reduced ; how by wholesome lawes restrained ; and how by the providence of the almighty , in so calme and peaceable manner established . here hee shall see a good king , but a bad man ; there a good man , but a bad king. againe , here hee shall see the state more weakned by civill broiles , then forraine warres ; securitie being no lesse hurtfull at home , then hostility abroad . scipio used to have this sentence in his mouth ; that easie , favourable and affable captaines , were profitable to the enemie , which though they were beloved of their souldiers , yet they set little by them . this shall you see verified in the too much indulgencie of many of our captaines , through which lenitie they made many hopefull souldiers absolute cowards . againe , to note the raising of many obscure persons to great honour ; as likewise the pulling downe of many eminent houses and families , would enforce no lesse admiration in us of gods divine providence , then of his secret iustice , who pulleth downe , and setteth up , as seemeth best to his wisdome . to observe likewise , in the corruption of blood , what noble families have beene tainted , which by the princes clemencie were againe restored . what dangerous attempts and practices have beene undertaken , not onely to shake , but supplant the glorious frame of this iland ; labouring to divide and remove all succession to this crowne , from the royall line of our princes , and to invest forraine princes therewith : where an english king was summoned to the french kings court , while normandie was yeelded by us , the welsh invaded us , lewis with a speedy arrivall accosted us , and iohn himselfe was forced to leave us . nay , which was more , one of the nurseries of our iland was displanted ; for at that time was oxford of her students forsaken and abandoned , ( which before , for the space of three hundred and nine yeares , had successefully flourished ) so as not onely the state , but learning , the sterne of state , became much weakned . yet observe , how happily this storme was calmed , when it was least expected ; for by the vicount of mellin his confession , lying then upon his death-bed , was the whole practice of the french , by a french-man discovered ; which was no lesse happily afterwards prevented . for king iohn , being to repentace moved , tooke an oath before his barons that all things should be reformed , which the barons likewise seconded with an oath to confirme his proceedings . so iohn was absolved , and that crowne which he had before resigned , he forthwith resumed ; being in this made more happy , in that being once so unhappy , hee came to defeat his foes , make sufficient triall of his friends , and recover that by submission , which hee had lost by his pride . againe , if wee should but reade , and reading consider , how peacefull the government , how quiet the sleepes , how cheerefull the delights were of such as came by lawfull and lineall succession to the crowne ; and the heavie nights , troubled thoughts , broken sleepes , and many tedious houres which those were owners of , who came by usurpation to enjoy ( with little joy ) a princely diadem ; wee should of necessity conclude with pompey ; who being combred with his honour , exclaimed to see sylla's cruelty , being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignity hee had , and cryed out ; o perill and danger never like to have an end ! for to use one example for all ; who should but consider the practices which richard the third used to get a crowne , planting his kingdome on an indirect foundation , blood , and those many strange passages and overtures which happened in his reigne , with those fearefull visions which appeared to him before his death , would certainely set downe this for his rest ; that it is not what wee have without us , but what we have within us that procures us peace or disquiet . whence polydore virgil upon that terrible dreame of richard the third , the night before bosworth field , in which hee was s●aine , useth these words ; i doe not beleeve that these were the ghosts of men that did affright him , but the guilt of a troubled conscience that did torment him . certainely , discourses of this nature cannot chuse but minister profit with delight , and enable you that are gentlemen to entertaine the time with much content to them that heare you . for in this treasury or store-house of history , you shall find better meanes , then all the helpes of discourse which our weake pamphleters can publish , to enable you for discourse in all companies . for to restraine or tye your selves to a set forme of discourse , as if you were to doe nothing without rules , were too pedanticall : besides , you should be sometimes so scantled , for want of subjects , that unlesse the subject whereof you are to discourse fall happily within your owne element , your ship for want of sea-roome would runne a-ground . whereas history ( the sweetest recreation of the mind ) will afford variety , ( being not curtaild by epitome's , which are the moths of history ) both for table-talke to delight , and discourse of more serious consequence . which in my opinion would better seeme a gentleman , then to entertaine time in nothing but the cry of dogs , or flight of hawks ; which , as they are gentlemanly pleasures , and worthily approved ( as i formerly noted ) so are they to be used but onely as pleasures and recreations : of which to speake sparingly were much better , then onely to discourse of them , as if our whole reading were in them . neither doe i speake this without just cause ; for i have noted this fault in many of our younger brood of gentry ; who , either for want of education in learning , or their owne neglect of learning , have no sooner attained to the strength of making their fist a pearch for a hawke , but by the helpe of some bookes of faulconry , whereby they are instructed in the words of art , the will runne division upon discourse of this pleasure : whereas , if at any time they be interrupted by occasion of some other conference , these high-flyers are presently to be mewed up , for they are taken from their element . wherefore , gentlemen , let me advise you in a word , so to entertaine time in recreation , as the pleasure you take therein , draw not your minds from more serious and usefull employments . i have proposed to you , and made choice for you , of some recreations which may no lesse delight and benefit your minds , then these other active delights doe your bodies ; use them , and you shall find such pleasure in them , as you may perceive profit and pleasure so equally mixed , as if at first intended to make your delight perfect . and so i come to the last branch , shewing how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in them . as one said of love , that it should bee a toy and no toyle ; so say i of recreation ; the spirits should be cheered by it , not drowned in it ; refreshed , not depressed . i doe not like of this eagernesse after pleasure ; for it argues too much sensuality : the minde should be so tempred , as it may shew an indifferencie to the use of pleasure . which i have surely found , as a maine errour in most part of young gentlemen ; whose eager appetite so unmeasurably pursuing the quest of pleasure , cannot conteine it selfe from expressing outwardly , the love it conceives to such a pleasure inwardly . so as i have observed some intraunced ( as it were ) with joy in the chace of hare , or the flight of hawke ; which in my opinion argued much lightnesse : for no sooner was their pleasure at a stay or default , then all their former delight was turned to a contrary passion . i commend therefore his resolution who said ; hee was never so over-joyed with pleasure , but he thought it good to allay that surpassing joy , with the remembrance of the end of that pleasure . it is an excellent thing to moderate our joyes , by considering the shortnesse of them : and to allay the height of them , by observing what breaches or intermissions are incident to them . wherefore above all it becommeth a gentleman to be circumspect in this kinde , for even by his outward carriage may his weakenesse be discovered . sure i am there is nothing that tasteth more of true wisedome , then to temper our desires in effects of joy ▪ so as i cannot sufficiently wonder , how chylo being accounted one of the seven sages of greece , should be so overtaken with joy , as to die with excesse thereof . the like wee reade of argia the prophetesse , who being carried in a chariot of gold to the temple by her two sons , whereat shee conceived no lesse joy than if her two sonnes had beene invested with the title of emperours , through excessive joy immediately died . but these passions rather become women then men , who should bee themselves still , but especially when they feele any such conceit undermining them . it is written of polycrates , that meditating one day with himselfe , how hee had never any thing which crossed him all his life , but enjoyed all successe both at home and abroad , so as he became fearefull to his foes , and powerfull to his friends , resolved to try how he might crosse his good fortune , by a voluntary incurring of losing that he did exceedingly love . wherefore one day hee went unto the sea-side , where taking off a ring which he did especially tender , he threw it into the sea , intending thereby to crosse himselfe , whom fortune would not : but see how policrates was crossed in his crosses : for not long after a fisherman came and presented him the ring hee had lost , having found it in the belly of a fish ; which did not a little trouble the prince , saying ; i perceive the gods owe me a displeasure , which they will doe when i least expect it , and make me so much the more unfortunate , in that i never knew what misfortune meant . which he afterwards found true , being deprived both of crowne and dignitie . certainly , there is no meanes better to attemper and allay ones joy conceived in the pursuit of any pleasure , then to crosse himselfe in the quest thereof : for this tasteth of true manhood , when one can master his affections , and stay himselfe in that he loves . neither is this hard to doe being once assayed ; for wee shall finde more true content in the moderation of our pleasure , then in the pleasure it selfe . i have heard of some young gentlemen , who purposely crossing themselves in some one pleasure or recreation which they loved , and betaking themselves to their chamber , apprehended such a deepe impression of the fruition of their pleasure , as they visibly ( as it were ) enjoyed that pleasure in their chamber which others enjoyed in the field . that conceit is strong i will not deny ; but that it should worke so strange and strong an effect , i am doubtfull ; yet whosoe're they be ( if any such there bee ) sure i am , they may well crosse themselves in pleasures abroad ; having such pleasant conceits within themselves . now , as i would have young gentlemen to use moderation in the exercise it selfe ; so would i have them observe like moderation in their expence or charge requisite for that exercise or pleasure . it is deare bought pleasure that makes the posterity beggers . nero was taxed for his prodigalitie , because he would have his fishing-rods of gold , and his nets of purest silke ; vitellius for his embroderie , as well as his epicurisme ; lucullus for his gardens ; antoninus for his bathes ; caracalla for his robes ; commodus for prodigall expence in all recreations . now what madnesse is it to bestow that to delight mee , which i may wish one day i had to sustaine mee ? to bestow that on my pleasure , which i may chance need to releeve nature ? wee have heard of one within this citie , who like a prodigall heire to his fathers thriving providence , bestowed an incredible masse of money to satisfie his five senses : but sure i thinke he was distraught of his senses , and therefore quickly satisfied . it is no pleasure but a brutish affection , which gives it selfe so over to delight it selfe , as rather then it will be restrained or moderated , will engage credit , state and all to have her desires fulfilled . likewise in games at cards , dice , chesse , or such houre-beguiling recreatious , i would not have our gentlemen to play for that which may occasion in them the least base or unworthy feare . you shall see some of these peasantly gamesters , who partly for desire of winning , or else for feare of loosing , shew a perpetuall palsey in their joynts ; so full of troubled thoughts they are , or passionate feares , which apparantly discover a basenesse of disposition in them , whom either hope of gaine or feare of losse can drive to such extreames . i would have you therefore so to bestow your selves in these , as they may never force a change of colour in you : for there is nothing that may derogate more from the native character of a gentleman , then to expresse the least semblance of feare , for the losse of ought that hee shall play . neither is it any lesse touch to a gentleman , whose affections should be so composed as they may expresse his nature , without any other character , to fall into passion for ought that hee shall lose . albeit i have heard of one , who ( much subject to this imperfection ) chanced to be reproved by his friend , who in friendly and familiar sort wished him either to learne more patience in gaming , or else to surcease from game . what ( quoth hee to his friend ) dost thou thinke i am a stocke or stone , that i should have no sense of my losse ? surely i thinke there is no man that knowes how he comes by his money , but will bee moved for the losse of it . but i approve not of his maxime : you shall see an old gamester beare all crosse chances with an equall and undejected spirit , whereas our young gamesters ( for passion is most incident to novices ) upon a crosse throw , pull their haire , teare the cards , stampe and fret like gumm'd grogram : so far they are from patience for want of experience . their younger and unmellowed yeeres never felt the crosses of a gamester , and therefore can hardly digest them when they come . this the philosopher seemes to confirme , saying ; nothing can be violent , being once habituate , for use or custome as it makes perfectnesse , so it begets a composednesse of mind , to endure with patience whatsoever the extremity of fortune may inflict . but now in my discourse of passion , which makes men so much forget themselves as they will , rather then want a fit subject to revenge their ill fortunes on , minister occasion of offence to their dearest friends ; there is one thing which i would have our young gentlemen to take heed of , and that is , in their heate and height of passion to forsweare gaming at all , or with such an one , because they had never fortune to be savers at his hands ; yet as men carelesse of what they sweare , without respect to what they formerly protested , presently fall to game againe with the selfe-same company which they had so lately abjured . a dolefull and wofull example we had of this , within these few yeares , of one , whose more eminent parts interested him greatly in his countries hope ; yet having dipt his hand in blood , was , according to iustice and equity adjudged to die , which was afterwards accordingly executed . this gentleman , whose education had beene ever with the best , and in the most frequented places , used much gaming , at which hee had generally ill fortune ; so as feeling the smart of it , he resolved , binding his resolution with a solemne protestation , that if ever he gamed againe , he might be hanged : which imprecation was so usuall with him , as nothing more frequent . but see this gentlemans miserable end ! within few yeares after , hee suffered in himselfe what he had so often wished for himselfe . take example hence , you , i say , who are so prodigall in oathes , vowing , protesting and swearing , in your heat of passion , what you are no lesse apt to forget having cooled your passion : for though you little feare the effecting of that which you wish to your selves , yet time may come when you would wish you had not used those imprecations upon your selves . there is another thing likewise which i could wish young gentlemen to bee mindefull of , and it is to make distinction of times for their recreations : for as all times are not for all pleasures , no more are pleasures for all times . wee are therefore to reserve so much time for our more serious affaires , as not to give way to pleasure or delight , and so neglect what wee should principally intend . no expence is more precious then the expence of time ; which is rather imployed then wasted , when bestowed to the good and benefit of the imployer . so as , even in matters of pleasure or recreation , i could wish you to betake you to those games which may best benefit your understanding ; as in games at cards , the maw requires a quicke conceit or present pregnancy ; the gleeke ( because of variety ) requires a retentive memory ; the cribbage a recollected fancy ; the pinache quick and vn-enforced dexterity . these are good exercises of the minde , and such , as being made recreations onely , and no tricks to circumvent , may afford some helpe or benefit to the gamesters understanding . now therefore , doe not ( theotimus-like ) preferre lust before your eyes ; preferre not any profit you are to reape by gaming , before the inward benefit which you may reape by conceiving . it is a mercenary trade to frequent gaming houses for gaine , to alter the property of a recreation , and make that an anguish , which should be a solace ; a torture , which should bee a pleasure . for what pleasure can that gamester enjoy by play , whose heart is surprized with hope , feare , passion , despaire , and a thousand perturbations , which , like tiberius vision , are ever startling him ? surely , if there be any pleasure in these recreations , those onely enjoy it , whose mindes are neither cast downe with the feare of losse , nor over-joyed with the hope of gaine ; making this use of all adverse or crosse fortune : how miserable is that man , whose highest hopes rely on so light a mistresse ? how simple hee , whose conceit is grounded on the constancy of fortune , who is onely constant in inconstancle ? how pitifully pitilesse is his case , who puts finger in the eye , because he hath felt her frowne ? how forlorne is his hope , who having had experience of the extreamest affronts of fortune , is ever giving himselfe occasion of new sorrowing ? but contrariwise , how truly happy is he , who makes use of fortunes braves , and receives what chance soever comes , with a cheerefull brow ? how truely blessed hee , who cares as little for the insults of misfortune , as he prizeth all momentary successe which so blind a goddesse can afford him ? there is no griefe more base or unworthy , then that which taketh beginning from losse in game : for why will we make a voluntary hazard to procure us sorrow ? why should any one imagine himselfe to bee more dearely tendred by fortune then another ? if you play square , without intendment of advantage , then expect no more then another may looke for , being equally interested in the share of fortune . for in these recreations , as it is mercenary gaine which is got by game ; so it is an indiscreet griefe to sorrow in losse , or reioyce in gaine . recreations are not to be used as men use trades ; these are to maintaine us ; the other to refresh us . so as they greatly pervert the use of pleasure , which make it a daily taske , as many of our english gentlemen doe ; who , made heires of their fathers providence , esteeme it the onely generous qualitie , to make use of their fathers coine , without respect to his care. these are they who blemish their descent , and detract from the glory of their house , consuming the sun-shine of their dayes in works of darknes . i have read a conceited treatise composed by an italian , entituled a supplication to candle-light : discovering the abuses committed and curtained by the silence and secret shade of night . where it might be demanded , as god in esay did aske the divell our subtill watch-man , custos quid de nocte ? and there hee shewes how a great office is not so gainefull , as the principall-ship of a college of curtizans . for no merchant in riches may compare with these merchants of maiden-heads , if their female inmates were not so fleeting and uncertaine . too many , i feare me , there be of these licentious gamesters , who make sinne a recreation , wantoning in the lap of impudence , exposing their estate and name to a miserable hazard : whose youth , as it addes fuell to desire ; so age , the truest register of the follies of youth , will besprinkle those desires with the bitter teares of repentance : grieving to have committed , what may hardly be redeemed . for hee that surceaseth but then from sin when hee can sinne no more , forsaketh not his sinnes , but his sinnes forsake him . it is one thing to fall into light sinnes , through occasion onely , or humane frailty : and another thing to fall through affected negligence and security . farre be the latter from you , gentlemen , whose aymes ought to be so much the more glorious , as your descents are noble and generous . though humane frailty move you to offend , labour to redeeme that time wherein you did offend , by vying sinnes with sighes , those ungodly tares with uncessant teares ; for if you will live when you be dead , you must die to sinne while you be alive . and for as much as pardon cannot be procured , but where repentance is renewed : as wee are omnium notarum pe●catores , so should we be omnium horarum poenitentes ; as every houre sinning , so every houre sighing ; as every houre committing , so every houre bringing forth fruits of remission . thus , like hismenias the thebane , who would shew musicians of all sorts , to imitate the best , and reject the worst ; have i proposed and set downe recreations of all sorts , making choice withall of such especiall and select ones , as best sort with the quality of a gentleman ; concluding how , and after what manner he is to bestow himselfe in them . neither have i taxed any particular recreation , provided that it transgresse not the bounds of modesty , but admitted it as indifferent for the use of a gentleman . yea , such recreations as may seeme to undergoe the censure of lightnesse , have i not only not reproved , but worthily approved , being with decencie used . whereupon gregory saith , i admire king david a great deale more , when i see him in the quire , then when i see him in the campe : when i see him singing as the sweet singer of israel , then when i see him fighting as the worthy warrior of israel : when i see him leaping , then when i see him weeping : when i see him dancing before the arke , then when i see him drawing forth his armie to the field . when david fought with others , hee overcame others , hee wounded others , hee made others sicke : but when hee danced before the arke , and delighted himselfe , hee was overcome himselfe , hee was wounded himselfe , hee was sicke himselfe . but this sicknesse did rather affect him , then afflict him ; joy him , then annoy him . i will play still ( sayes hee ) that others may still play upon mee . for it is a good sport when god is delighted , though michol be displeased . whence you see , that it is not the recreation , but the circumstance tending to that recreation , which for most part giveth occasion of offence ; as the time when gods sabbath is not to be dishonoured , nor our serious occasions intermitted ; the place where the holy ground is not by the feet of lightnesse to be profaned , nor places where iustice is administred , to the exercise of such delights inured ; the persons who , wee must take such heed lest the weakest of our brethren bee scandaled , or offence to any by our sports occasioned . doing thus , wee shall glorifie god , not onely in this life , but in that best and blest life which is to come ; if wee fall not backe into the same sinnes , but bid a long fare-well to the illusions of the divell ; if with diligent attention to the word of god , earnest desire of conversion , and continuall confession of our sinnes , wee procure the carefull eye of the almighty to watch over us . for it sufficeth him in his great mercy that wee surcease from sinne , whereby we shall be more easily moved to the practice of all good workes . wherefore to conclude this observance with that exhortation of golden-mouthed chrysostome , to the end wee may render more honour to his sabbath : let not any one hence-forth be seene trying masteries on horse-backe , nor spending any part of the day in unlawfull meetings ; let not any one hence-forth consort himselfe in games at cards or dice , or the tumultuous noise which ariseth from thence . for i pray you answer me ( saith hee ) what profit is there in fasting , if all the day eating nothing , you game , sport , sweare and forsweare , and so spend the day in worse then nothing ? let us not , i beseech you , be so negligent in that weighty affaire of our salvation , but rather let our communication be of spirituall things . and let every one take in his hand a godly booke , and calling his neighbours together , water both is owne understanding and theirs who are assembled , with heavenly instructions , that so wee may avoid the deceits of the divell . performing this , gentlemen , your recreations shall be healthfull to your selves , helpfull to your countrey , delightfull to the vertuous , and beseeming men of your ranke , nobly generous . the english gentlman . argument . of acquaintance ; of the choice of acquaintance ; of constancy in the choice of acquaintance ; of reservancy towards acquaintance ; of the absolute end of acquaintance . acqvaintance . the comfort of an active life consists in society , as the content of a contemplative consists in privacie . intermission of action in the former , is a kind of death ; intention to devotion in the latter , is a pleasant life . for solitary places are the best for prayer ; but publike for practice . we read that christ went out into a solitary place , and there prayed : but he entred into the synagogue , and there preached ; that such libertines as were there trained might bee reclaimed . and wisedome cryeth without , and uttereth her voice in the streets , that her words might be practised . as there is no publike state which can subsist without commerce , trafficke , and mutuall society ; so there is no creature living , whose life would not be tedious , being debarred from all use of company . there are two birds which are noted both in divine and humane writ , to be lovers of solitarinesse ; the owle in the desart , and the pelicane in the wildernesse : which two , among divers other birds , were accounted uncleane , and therefore were not to be eaten by the iewes . as retirednesse from occasions abroad , makes us more serious in occasions at home : so this privacie or solitarinesse makes the memory more retentive in affaires usefull to our selves , but withdrawes our hand from affording helpe or assistance to others . but life should be communicative ; not only intending it selfe ; but labouring wherein it may doe good to any . for whereas saint bernard saith , that the a affinity is neere betweene the dwellers in a cell and in heaven : it is to bee understood , that such whose mortified affections , and regenerate , will have concluded all b worldly honours to be worldly tumours ; and all c secular honour to be the devils trafficke , have stepped neere unto heaven . neither are wee to conclude thence , that such who have to deale in the world , by commerce at home and abroad , are excluded from this affinity . for there are many ( as wee are to be charitably perswaded ) who live in the world , and have to doe with the world , yet are not of the world ; that is , are not so affected to the world , as they could not find in their hearts to forgoe all things they have in the world , for the love of him that created the world . yea , who would not say , and with much comfort affirme , wee will seeke one good wherein consisteth all good , and that sufficeth , wee will seeke one joy wherein consisteth all joy , and this onely joyes us . it is * grace and not the place , which saveth the soule . for , as there may bee a wolfe in sheeps cloathing , so there may bee a worldly mind in a hermits dwelling . mans security is the divels opportunity , which may bee found in the wildernesse as well as in the world , neither is the one place lesse subject to temptation then the other . the wildernesse is secret , yet christ was tempted in it . the night is silent , yet doth that princely prophet warne us , to lift up our hands in the night watches of temptation . for the life of man , as it is a continuall temptation , so is there neither time , place , sexe nor condition exempted from temptation . the monks cell and the monarchs court are equally subject to it . this , devout bernard seemes to confirme in his description of such as professed a monastick life , saying ; they were large promisers , but slow performers ; faire tongued flatterers , but snarling back-biters ; simple-seeming dissemblers , but malicious betrayers . againe , wee ( saith hee ) receive all in our monasteries , in hope to better them , whereas in the court it is more usuall to receive such as are good , then to make them good : for wee have found by experience , that more good men have decreased then profited in it . hence wee may conclude this point , that no place is priviledged from temptation , neither cell nor court ▪ but those places are , and have beene ever most subject to danger , where men were left to themselves to enter lists with temptation : which proceedeth either from the naturall frailty of man , in that hee falleth from best to worst ; or his want of judgement to discerne best from worst : whence the poet most divinely concludeth , when want of judgement reignes in humane brest , the best is ta'ne for worst , the worst for best . god in his sacred wisdome having created man , thought it not good that hee should be alone ; and therefore made him an helpe meet for him . it was an excellent saying of that sage cynicke , who seeing a young man all alone by himselfe , and demanding of him what hee was doing , i am talking ( quoth the young man ) with my selfe ; take heed ( saith he ) thou talke not with thine enemy . for howsoever cato might say , in respect of the inward delight he tooke in contemplation , i am never lesse alone , then when alone ; wee shall find this true , that man is never more ready to give way to temptation , then when hee is alone . how needfull then is acquaintance , being indeed the life of the living ; the particular benefits whereof extend to discourse , advice , and action ? it is experience hath begot wisdome , and memory as a mother , hath brought it forth . now , what experience could wee gaine , if we should onely be left to our selves , and have none to helpe us in treaties or matters of conference ? it is said of demosthenes , that hee recovered his speech only by direction ; long would it be ere wee attained to any perfection of speech , either in manner or matter , if we wanted these usuall helpes of conference , which enable us when , where and how we should speake . for as the satyre was affraid at the first sight of fire ; or that captaine , who looking himselfe in a glasse when hee was angry , was affrighted with his owne countenance ; so should we , having never consorted or conversed with men , stand amazed when wee approached their company . for what is it that ministers boldnesse and audacity to men , save their usuall frequenting of assemblies ? or what is it , that so much benefits their knowledge , but their acquaintance with such who are professants of knowledge ? plutarch reporteth , that plato came forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause but onely to see his deare friend phocion the philosopher . see here the love of good men one to another ; for amongst evill men can be no true friendship . for it is the aime of acquaintance that makes it good or evill ; as to insinuate ones selfe into acquaintance for their owne ends , to wit , to profit by it , or worke on others weaknesse , this is acquaintance for machiavels schollers , whose principall aime is to undermine ; and under pretence of amity , shroud their villany . these hold concurrency with frier clement , ravilliae , iaurequy , baltazar gerard. they have an open gate , but a shut countenance ; or if an open countenance , a close shut heart . aristotle saith , that friendship is one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies , whereas these men , whose acquaintance hath relation to their owne peculiar ends , have a heart and a heart ; a heart outwardly professing , and a heart secretly practising ; a heart outward , and a heart inward ; outwardly pretending , and inwardly plotting . these are no acquaintance for you , gentlemen ; their hearts are too farre from their mouthes ; learning to prosper by others errours . yea , by often conversing and practising with others , no lesse cunning then themselves , they have so farre prevailed , as they are not onely able to match them , but out-strip them : serpens nisi serpentem comederit , non fit draco : these are they who hatch the cockatrice egges ; come not therefore neere them , for the poyson of aspes is under their lips. yea , they sucke the gall of aspes , and the vipers tongue shall slay them . yet , to leave you alone without company , would make your life as much loathed , as choice of acquaintance makes you love it . he is a weak prince that enjoyes an empire without people ; and no lesse desolate or disconsolate in his state ; who wants not for meanes , yet wants a friend to whom hee may impart his mind . lend me your hands therefore ( gentlemen ) and i will direct you in a way how to make choice of acquaintance in matters of advice , which is the second benefit redounding from the use of acquaintance . if a man ( saith seneca ) find his friend sad and so leave him ; sicke without ministring any comfort to him ; and poore without releeving him ▪ wee may thinke such an one goeth to jest rather then visit or comfort . whence we may observe the office or condition of a friend , who , if his friend be sicke , hee will visit him ; if ●ad , hee will cheare him ; if poore , hee will releeve him ; if afflicted in mind , hee will comfort him ; otherwise his friendship is but dissembling , his visiting him a meere mocking of him . iob called his friends miserable comforters , because their discourses were rather afflictions then comforts , their counsels rather corasives then cordials , their exhortations rather scourgings and scoffings , then soule-solacing refreshings . these doe not advise friends , but despise them ; miserable are such comforters . wherefore i may well distinguish acquaintance into two sorts ; the one halcion-like , come to us in a storme ; the other swallow-like , draw neere us in a calme . the former sort observe perianders precept , shew thy selfe still the same , whether thy friend be in prosperity or adversity : but the latter observe that sentence of optatus , all for the time , but nothing for the truth . all acquaintance may be either compared to pitch staining , or to balme curing . hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith , saith the sonne of sirach ; such is the nature of much acquaintance , especially in these latter dayes , where vanity is more affected , then the practice of vertue , which should bee onely loved . where many returne worse then when they went forth , confirming that sentence , sanabimur , si separ●mur à coetu . but balme , it refresheth , cheereth , and cureth ; such is that acquaintance , whose conceits are delightfull , discourse cheereful , and instructions fruitfull . these , if we be at any time doubtfull , will advise us ; if in necessity , will releeve us ; if in any affliction , either outward or inward , will beare a part with us , to allay griefe in us . a little stybium is too much , such are the first ; a great quantity of styrax is too little , such are the last . a * iuniper-tree maketh the hottest coale , and the coolest shadow of any tree : the coale is so hot , that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole yeare : so doth true friendship or faithfull acquaintance ; it affordeth the coolest shadow to refresh us , and the hottest coales , implying fervour of affection , being once kindled , to warme us . when poore andr●mache craved vlysses advice , what hee thought best to be done in behalfe of her young sonne astyanax ; conceale him , ( said hee ) this is the onely meanes to save him . this shewed his faithfulnesse in advising , albeit her countries foe ; for otherwise hee would have perswaded her to submit her selfe and him to the hand of the mercilesse souldier ; or reape a benefit by their bondage , making them his owne captives : as it is in the fable of the crow , who comming to the eagle that had got a cockle , the fish wherof hee could not get out neither by force nor art , hee counselled him to mount up on high , and throw the cockle downe upon the stones , and so breake the shell : now all the while did the crafty crow stay below expecting the fall : the eagle throwes it downe , the shell is broken , the fish by the crow is taken , and the eagle deluded . many such counsellors there be , who advise not others for their good , but their own good . others there be , who make use of their friends or acquaintance meerely for their owne ends ; and rather then they will bee prevented of their aimes , they will expose the life and safety of their friend to imminent perill . and these resemble the fox , who seeing a chestnut in the fire , made use of the cats foot to take it out . but these are not those friends , whose advice is faithfull , as their friendship is firme and gratefull . their aimes are indirect , their advice tends to their owne benefit , their counsell tastes of profit , and their directions become as pitsals to their friends . those to whom i would have gentlemen knowne , are men of another ranke and quality , appearing like the canii , senecae , aruntii , and sorani ; whose admirable vertues were inimitable in so corrupt a government . neither would i have them to shake off these friendly monitors , if at any time their advice relish not halfe well to their palate ; but rather honour them for their vertuous sincerity , as epaminondas honoured lysias , agesilaus xenophon , scipio penetius , alcibiades socrates , achilles phoenix , sent him by his father peleus . for such as will not endure a friendly reproofe , i would have their acquaintance doe with them as plato did with dionysius , who perceiving him to be incorrigible , left him . the rebukes of a friend are better then the kisses of an enemy ; for the one , though at first displeasing , tend ( if rightly used ) to his conversion ; but the other , though pleasing , tend ( if not prevented ) to his confusion . had alexander understood this aright , hee would have preferred the faithfull advice of his affectionate clitus before all his conquests ; for by his instruction might hee , have learned humility , which lesson had beene worth his worlds monarchie . had nero , that president of tyrants , or monster of men , given eare to the wise advice of his loyall and learned seneca , he might have found a subject to love him , a scholler to live with him , a souldier to fight for him , and a mother to blesse him . for surely , as of all possessions friendship is most precious ; being suted with vertue , without which there is no true friendship ; so are wee to value the life of our friend , as the crowne of our glory . for tell me , are you sad ? your friends conceit , as a soveraigne receit , will cheere you . are you disposed to be merry ? mirth alone , is a single consort , your friend will partake with you . would you have one to passe the tedious night away , in telling tales , or holding you with talke ? your friend will invent a thousand pastimes to cheere you , and make the night seeme lesse tedious unto you . is the burden of your griefes too heavy to beare ? you have a friend to share with you in your burden . in briefe , want you comfort ? hee will supply it ; want you meanes to releeve your wants ? hee will afford it ; want you counsell ? hee will impart it ; want you all that man can want ? you want not a friend who will supply your wants with his want . and so i descend from the benefit redounding from advice , to the third and last , which is the profit or benefit which redounds from one friend to another in every peculiar action , exercise , or recreation . cicero , the glory of rome , and flower of orators , exemplifying the prowesse of themistocles and epaminondas , useth these words ; the sea shall sooner overwhelme the isle it selfe of salamine , then it shall drench the remembrance of the salamine triumph : and the towne of leuctra in boeotia shall sooner be razed , then the remembrance of the field there fought , forgotten . but howsoever these monuments may be razed or defaced by continuance of time , sure i am that the love which they shewed to their friends , even to the apparent danger of their owne lives , shall eternize their memory . pelopidas a noble grecian , skirmishing with the lacedemonians against the arcadians , untill such time as being hurt in seven places , hee fell downe at last for dead : then presently epaminondas , out of a princely resolution and noble affection to his distressed friend , stepping forth bestrid him , and fought to defend his body , hee alone against many ; till being sore cut on his arme with a sword , and thrust into the brest with a pike , hee was even ready to give over . but at that very instant , agesipolis king of the lacedemonians came with the other point of the battell in a hapyy houre , and saved both their lives when they were past all hope . here see apparent arguments of true love , mixed with a noble and heroick temper : for friends , are to be tryed in extremities , either in matters of state or life : in state , by releeving their wants ; in life , by engaging themselves to all extremes , rather then they will suffer their friend to perish . these are they who will latch the blow of affliction laid upon their friends , with the buckler of affection ; preferring death before their friends disgrace . marcus servilius a valiant roman , who had fought three and twenty combats of life and death in his owne person , and had alwayes slaine as many of his enemies as challenged him man to man ; when as the people of rome resisted paulus aemilius triumph , stood up and made an oration in his behalfe : in the midst whereof hee cast up his gowne , and shewed before them the infinite skars and cuts he had received upon his brest ; the sight of which so prevailed with the people , that they all agreed in one , and granted aemilius triumph . here observe the tender respect of one friend towards anothers honour : there is nothing unassayed , nothing unattempted , which may procure or further it . for this friendship or combination of minds , as there is nothing more precious , so there is nothing which doth comparably delight or solace the mind like unto it , being faithfully grounded . their discourse ( like some choice musicke ) delights our hearing ; their sight ( like some rare object ) contents our seeing ; their presence fully satisfies us in our touching ; their well-seasoned jests ( like some delicious banquet ) relish our tasting ; and their precepts ( like sweet flowers ) refresh our smelling . thus is every sense satisfied , by enjoying that which it loveth : as the senses wanting their proper objects , become uselesse ; so men , whether in prosperity or adversity wanting friends to relye on , are wretched and helpelesse : so as there is no greater wildernesse then to bee without true friends . for without friendship , society is but meeting ; acquaintance a formall or ceremoniall greeting . whereas it is friendship , when a man can say to himselfe , * i love this man without respect of utility : for ( as i formerly noted ) those are no friends but hirelings , who professe friendship onely to gaine by it . certainely , whosoever hath had the happinesse to enjoy a true and faithfull friend , to whom hee might freely impart the secrets of his brest , or open the cabinet of his counsels , hee ( i say ) and onely hee hath had the experience of so rare a benefit daily redounding from the use of friendship : where two hearts are so individually united , as neither from other can well be severed . and as it is certaine , that in bodies inanimate , union strengthneth any naturall motion , and weakneth any violent motion ; so amongst men , friendship multiplieth joyes , and divideth griefes . it multiplies joyes ; for it makes that joy communicative , which before was single ; it divideth griefes ; for it shares in them , and so makes them lesse . now perfection of friendship , is but speculation , if wee consider the many defects which are for most part subject to all worldly friendship : yea , and as the world increaseth in age , so it decreaseth most commonly in goodnesse : for in courts , are suits and actions of law ; in cities , tricks and devices to circumvent ; in the countrey , ingrossing and regrating , of purpose to oppresse . it is rare to see a faithfull damon or a pythias ; a pylades or orestes ; a bitias or a pandarus ; nisus or euryalus . and what may be the cause of this , but that the love of every one is so great to himselfe , as hee can find no corner in his heart to lodge his friend in ? in briefe , none can gaine friends , and make a saving bargaine of it , for now it is a rule commonly received , hee that to all will here be gratefull thought , must give , accept , demand , much , little , nought . so as it may seeme , it is not given to man to love and to be wise ; because the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved ; so as , hee dis-esteemes honour , profit , yea life it selfe , so hee may gratifie his beloved . but my opinion is quite contrary ; for i hold this as a firme and undoubted maxime ; that hee who is not given to love , cannot be wise . for is hee wise , that reposeth such trust in his owne strength , as if hee stood in no need of friends ? is hee wise , who dependeth so much on his owne advice , as if all wit and wisedome were treasured in his braine ? is hee wise , who being sicke would not be visited ; poore , and would not bee succoured ; afflicted , and would not be comforted ; throwne downe , and would not be raised ? surely in the same case is hee , who fleights the purchase of a friend , preferring his owne profit before so inestimable a prize . there is none , whether hee be valiant , or a profest coward , but may stand in need of a friend in a corner . for be he valiant , hee stands in need of a friend to second him ; if a coward , hee needs one to support him : therefore , whosoever wanteth fortitude , whether it be in mind or body , let him embrace friendship ; for if his weaknesse proceed from the mind , hee shall find a choice receit in the brest of his friend , to strengthen and corroborate him , so as griefe may assaile or assault him , but it cannot dismay or amate him . againe , if his weaknesse proceed from the body , that weaknesse is supplied by the strength of his friend , who will be an eye to direct him , and a foot to sustaine him . telephus , when hee could find none amongst his friends to cure his wound , permitted his enemy to doe it : and hee who purposed to kill prometheus the thessalian , opened his impostume with his sword . if such effects have proceeded from enmity , what rare and incredible effects may be imagined to take their beginning from amity ? then which as nothing is stri●ter in respect of the bond , so nothing is more continuate in respect of the time : being so firme , as not to be dissolved ; so strict , as not to bee anulled ; so lasting , as never to be ended . neither is this benefit derived from friend to friend , onely restrained to matter of action or imployment ; but extendeth it selfe to exercises of pleasure and recreation . for tell me , what delight can any one reape in his pleasure ? wanting a friend to partake with him in his pleasure ? takes hee delight in hunting ? let him choose acquaintance that may suit him in it : not onely a hunter , but one whose conceit ( if occasion serve ) can reach further ; such an one i would have him as could make an embleme of the forrest where he raungeth , compose a sonnet on the objects which he seeth , and fit himselfe for ought hee undertaketh . of which ranke , was that merry epigrammatist , ( as it may be imagined ) who being taxed for wearing a horne , and could not wind it , made this replie ; my friend did taxe me seriously one morne , that i should weare , yet could not wind the horne : and i repli'd , that he for truth should finde it , many did weare the horne that nere could wind it : hows'ere of all , that man may weare it best , who makes claime to 't as his ancient crest . to intervene conceits or some pleasant jests in our recreations whether discursive or active , is no lesse delightfull then usefull : but these jests should bee so seasoned , as they may neither taste of lightnesse , nor too much saltness . iests festive are oft times offensive , they incline too much to levitie ; jests civill ( for into these two are all divided ) are better relishing , because mixed with more sobriety and discretion . catullus answer to philippus the atturney , was no lesse witty then bitter : for catullus and he being one day at high words together ; why barkest thou , quoth philippus ? because i see a theefe , answered catull●● . he shewed himselfe a quick anatomist , who branched man into three parts , saying , that man hath nothing but substance , soule , and body ; lawyers dispose of the substance , physicians of the body , and divines of the soule . present and pregnant was donato's answer to a young gentleman , who , beholding a brave company of amorous ladies and gentlewomen , meeting donato comming towards rome , as one admiring their number and feature , said , quot coelum stellas , tot habet tua roma puellas . by and by answered donato , pascua quot haedos , tot habet tua roma cinaedos phaedro being asked , why in the collects , where christian bishops , and pagans be prayed for , the cardinals were not remembred ? answered , they were included in that prayer , oremus pro haereticis et schismaticis . well requited was that young scholler , who giving his master this evening salute : domine magister , deus det tibi bonum serò ; was answered by his master : et tibi malum citò . witty but shrewd was that answer of a disputant in my time to his moderator in posterior : who demanding of him , what the cause should be , that he with whom he disputed , should have so great a head and so little wit ; replied , omne m●jus continet in se minus . a base minde was well displaid in that covetous man , who unwilling to sell his corne while it was at an high price , expecting ever when the market would rise higher ; when he saw it afterward fall , in despaire hanged himselfe upon a beame of his chamber ; which his man hearing , and making haste , cut the rope and preserved his life : afterwards , when he came to himselfe , hee would needes have his man to pay f●r the cord hee had cut . but i approve rather of such jests as are mixed with lesse extremes : pleasant was that answer of scipio nasica who going to ennius house in rome , and asking for ennius , ennius bade his maid tell him hee was not within . so ennius on a time comming to scipio's house , and asking whether hee was at hom● ? i am not at home , answered scipio : ennius wondering thereat ; doe i not know that voice ( quoth hee ) to be scipio's voice ? thou hast small civility in thee ( answered scipio ) that when i beleeved thy maid thou wert not at home , yet thou wilt not beleeve me . likewise to report a jest , is an argument of a quick wit , as leo emperour of bizantium answered one , who being crook-backt , jested at his bleared eies , saying , thou reproachest me with the defect of nature , and thou carriest nemesis upon thy shoulders . domitius reproaching crassus that he wept for a lamprey ; crassus answered , but thou hast buried three wives without one teare . alexander asking a pyrate , that was taken and brought before him , how he durst be so bold to infest the seas with his pyracy ? was answered with no lesse spirit , that he pl●ied the pyrate but with on ship , but his majesty with a huge navy : which saying so pleased alexander that hee pardoned him : reaping especiall delight in that similitude of action , by which was transported the current of the kings affection . other conceits there are more closely touched , covertly carried , and in silence uttered ; as that of bias , who , when an evill man asked him what goodnes was ? answered nothing : and being demanded the cause of his silence , i am silent , quoth he , because thou enquirest of that which nothing concerns thee . the same bias sailing on a time with some naughty men , by violence of a tempest , the ship wherin they were became so shaken & tossed with waves , as these naughty men began to call upon the gods ; hold your peace ( said bias ) lest these gods you cal upon , understand that you be here . but lest by dwelling too long upon jests , i forget the series of my discourse , i wil succinctly conclude this branch , with my judgment touching acquaintance in this kind . as i would have gentlemen to make choice of their acquaintance by their sound , so i would not have them all sound : musicke doth well with aires , but there is no musicke in that discourse which is all aire . my meaning is , i would not have these acquaintance which they make choice of , all words or flashes of wit : for i seldome see any of these who are so verball , much materiall ; or these who are all wit , but through height of a selfe-conceipt they fall to much weakenes . for these many times preferre their conceipt before the hearers appetite , and will not sticke to lose their friend rather then their jest ; which in my opinion is meere madnes : for he that values his jest above his friend , over-values his conceipt , and had need of few jests , or great store of friends . i have knowne some wits turne wittals ; by making themselves buffouns and stale jesters for all assemblies . which sort are fitter for gentlemen to make use of as occasion serves , then to entertaine them as bosome-acquaintance ▪ for as the benefit which redounds to one from another in action , exercise , and recreation , is mutually imparted ; so is the danger no lesse incident one to another , where the ends or uses are perverted . thus farre have wee proceeded in the discovery of those particular benefits which redound from discourse , advice , and action , by meanes of acquintance : being the cement which so firmely joyneth minds together as they may be encountred by extremes , but divided never . now for as much as the essential triall of acquaintance consists in matters of highest consequence , wee are now to addresse our selves to such a choice , as our choice may admit no change . the precept of that ancient sage is worth remembring , follow such friends as it may not shame thee to have chosen . certainly , there is no one argument to evince man of indiscretion , more holding then this ; that he makes no difference or distinction in the choice of his friends : in which respect no man can bee to warie or circumspect , because herein , for most part , consisteth his wel-fare or undoing . it were meet therefore that a gentleman made choice of such for his friends or acquaintance , as are neither timists nor timonists , fawners nor frowners . for the first sort , they are for all seasons , and all weathers ; so as they may be fitly compared to the hedge-hogge , who hath two holes in his fiedge ; one towards the south , another towards the north : now when the southerne wind blowes , hee stops up that hole , and turnes him northward ; when the north wind blowes , hee stops up that hole likewise , and turnes him againe southward . such vrchins are all temporizers : they turne as the winde blowes , and sute themselves for every occasion . these friends or acquaintance who follow not us but ours , will be seene in all liveries : princes have felt the inconveniency of them , and inferiour states have not beene free from them : but the highest states , generally , are most subject to these reteiners ; for princes by experience we have seene abused most where most their trust hath beene . now there are two kinds of princes ( saith comines ) ; the one are so cautelous and suspicious , as they are scarce to bee endured : for they are almost come to that passe , as they thinke themselves ever deluded and circumvented . such was dionysius the tyrant of syracusa , who grew so suspicious as he would not trust any barber to shave him , causing his own daughters to learne to shave . others there bee , who are so farre from harbouring suspicion , as being of a dull and lumpish wit , they scarce understand what is commodious for them , and what not . such was domitian , who cared more for catching of flies , then reteining of friends : being so farre from preventing danger , as he never fore-saw it till hee felt it . in these there is small constancy of mind ; for as they easily discontinue friendship , they as easily decline from hatred and embrace friendship . constantine the great , being a profest foe to all these timists , or temporizing sycophants , was wont to call them gnats and moths that pester a princes palace : so aspiring be their aimes , so base their meanes ; who like base beetles as they have begun , in every cowsheard nestle neare the sun. whence , as it may bee probably gathered , was that sentence derived , amici curiae , parasiti curiae ; fawning rather then friending , tendring onely love where they hope to receive gaine . th●se as they have ianus front , for they carry two faces under one hood : so have they s●m●ns heart professing love , but practising hate : of which sort the ever-living homer thus concludeth : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . there 's nought on earth i more detest , then sugred breath in serpents brest . whence it was that the great spi●ited byron , who shewed more passion then resolution at his death , howsoever during all his time none was ever held for a more brave or noble souldier ; perceiving his trust ( as he collected ) betrayed by la fin , with whom he had conspired , and by whom his practice was disclosed , he confessed that la fin had bewitched him , exhorting his hoast to be warie of him , le●● he should delude and circumvent him with his impostures . for certainly , as more expresly appeared , not only at the time of his execution , but in all the passages of his practice , as hee had reposed great trust in la fin , in the whole management of that busines ; so having seen his trust weakned , and those many protestations of amity infringed , ( though in practises of that nature there can be no true league of friendship ) it moved him no lesse to impatience , then the discovery of his teason . but these fawning friends or timists which wee have now in quest , as they are onely for the present time , so will they undertake many times the most enormous and indirect course , to raise their hopes , that can bee devised . when the rash aspiring catiline had promised to divulge those new tables , wherein were contained the proscription of the rich , magistracies , priest-hoods , rapines , and all other insolencies , which either the shocke of warre , or will of the conquerour gives way to : hee had followers enow upon the instant to second him in his hatefull courses ; being such as either his youth had made him acquainted with , or his dissolute course had consorted with : which unhappy followers made him , doubtlesse , more violent in his attempts , and lesse considerate in his directions . how needfull then is it , to prevent the occasion of so maine an inconvenience ? how expedient is it to avoid the frequent or society of such as will not sticke to be assistants in mischiefe ? how consequent a thing is it to weane ones selfe not onely from their familiarity and inward acquaintance , but even from so much as conversing with them or writing to them . themistocles was suspected to be knowne to pausanias treason , although most cleare of himselfe , because he wrote unto him . for as the nature of man is originally depraved , so by consorting with vicious men the arme of sinne becomes strengthned . the fuller ( as it is in the fable ) would by no meanes suffer the collier to dwell with him under one roofe , lest he should soile what he had rinsed . which fable hath a morall relation to the course of our life , and the nature of such as we usually confort with : for there is a traffique or commerce as well of manners as persons ; of vertues and vi●es , as other commodities . the babylonian had beene naturally said to bee arrogant , the theban passionate , the iew envious , the tyrian covetous , the 〈◊〉 rioter , the egyptian a sorcerer : neither did these nations keepe these vices to themselves , for they induced others likewise , to whom they had recourse and commerce , to be affected to the like : for the very egyptians had so bewitched caesar himselfe with their illusions , as hee gave great attention to them ; as alexander was delighted with the brachmanes . for vice is such an over-growing or wild spreading weed , as there is no soile wherein it likes not , no kinde of nature ( of what temper soever ) it invades not , and invading surprizeth not . to the body diseases are infectious , to the mind are vices no lesse obnoxious : for vices are the diseases of the minde , as infirmities breed distempers and diseases to the body . so as whether we observe the state of church or common-weale , we shall find vices to be of a nature no lesse spreading then diseases ; neither the state or symptome of the mind lesse endangered by the infusion of the one , then the body by the infection of the other . for as the state politicke is much weakned by the haunt of these vices , so is that mourning dove the church , many times afflicted to see her selfe torn with schismes and divisions : whereas * waspes make honey-combes , so marcionists make churches . how needfull then is it to divide our selves from the consorts of vice , without entertaining the least occasion that might induce us to give consent to her followers ? augustus wore ever about him , for preservative against thunder , a seales skinne , which plinie writes checketh lightning ; as tiberius wore alwayes about his necke a wreath of laurell . but let us carry about us that moli , or herbe of grace , whose precious juyce may repell the spels of so inchanting a syren . for as the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleares and purifies it , so shall this soveraigne receit cure all those maladies , which originally proceed from the poyson of vice . the mind so long as it is evill aff●cted , is miserably infected . for so many evils , so many divels , first tempting and tainting the soule with sinne , then tearing and tormenting her with the bitter sense of her guilt . saint basil saith , that passions rise up in a drunken man , like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side ; whatsoever that holy father saith of one vice , may be generally spoken of all : so as wee may truely conclude with that princely prophet ; they come about us like bees : though they have honey in their thighs , they have stings in their tailes , wounding our poore soules even unto death . requisite therefore is it to avoid the society of such whose lives are either touched or tainted with any especiall crime : these are dangerous patternes to imitate , yea , dangerous to consort with ; for , as the storke being taken in the company of the cranes , was to undergoe like punishment with them , although she had scarce ever consented to feed with them ; so be sure , if wee accompany them , we shall have a share of their shame , though not in their sinne . avoid the acquaintance of these heires of shame , whose affected liberty hath brought them to become slaves to all sensuality , and sure ere long to inherit misery . give no eare to the sycophant , whose sugred tongue and subtill traine are ever plotting your ruine ; hate the embraces of all insinuating sharkes , whose smoothnesse will worke on your weaknesse , and follow the poets advice ; avoide such friends as feigne and fawne on thee ; like scylla's rocke within sicilian sea. so dangerous are these sirenian friends , that , like the sicilian shelves , they menace shipwracke to the inconsiderate sailer . for these , as they professe love , and labour to purchase friends ; so their practices are but how to deceive and entrap those to whom they professe love . whence it is that salomon saith , a man that flattereth his neighbour , spreadeth a net for his steps . that is , hee that giveth eare to the flatterer , is in danger , as the bird is before the fowler . hee whistleth merrily , spreadeth his nets cunningly , and hunteth after his prey greedily . and let this suffice to be spoken for the timist , who professeth observance to his friend onely for his owne end . now , gentlemen , as i would not have you to entertaine time with fawns , so neither with frowns . the former , as they were too light , so the latter are too heavy : the one too supple , the other too surly . for these timonists ( for we have done with our timists ) as cicero said of galba's leaden and lumpish body , his wit had an ill lodging , are of too sullen and earthly a constitution . it is never fair weather with them , for they are ever louring , bearing a calender of ill weather in their brow . these for the most part are male-contents and affect nothing lesse then what is generally pleasing : appearing in the world naturalized demophons ; whose humour was to sweat still in the shadow , and shake in the sunne . so as , howsoever they seeme seated in another clime , for disposition they are like the antipodes unto us , opposing themselves directly against us in all our courses . they are of democritus mind , who said , that the truth of things lay hid in certaine deepe mines or caves ; and what are these but their owne braines ? for they imagine , there can be no truth , but what they professe . they proclaime defiance to the world , saying , thou miserable deluded world , thou embracest pleasure , wee restraine it : thou for pleasure doest all things , wee nothing . now who should not imagine these stoicks to be absolute men ? such as are rare to see on earth , in respect of their austerity of life , and singular command over their affections ? such as are divided ( as it were ) from the thought of any earthly busines , having their minds spheared in a higher orbe ? such as are so farre from intermedling in the world , as they dis-value him that intends himselfe to negotiate in the world ? such , as when they see a man given to pleasure , or some moderate recreation , whereby hee may be the better enabled for other imployments , sleight him as a spender of time , and one unfit for the society of men ? such , as say unto laughter , thou art mad ; and unto joy , what meanest thou ? such , as take up the words of that grave censor in the poet : tak'st thou delight to race those pathes , where worldlings walked have , which seldome doe refresh the mind , but often doe deceive ? yet behold , how many times these mens severity comes short of sinceritie ! they will lay heavy burdens on others shoulders , which they will be loath to touch with the tip of their finger . the taskes which they impose on others are insupportable , the pressures they lay on themselves very easie and tolerable . of this ranke was aglataidas , of whom that noble and faithfull historian comines writeth , saying : while he served in the campe hee was of a most harsh austere condition , doing many things perversly , and desiring rather to be feared then loved . such was this timon , from whose name wee entitle these frowning friends , who can hardly be true friends to any , being so opposite or repugnant to all , as they can scarcely hold concurrence with any . neither was this timon ( as plutarch reporteth of him ) onely harsh and uncivill towards men , but towards women also : so as going forth one day into his orchard , and finding a woman hanging upon a wild fig-tree : o god ( quoth he ) that all trees brought forth such fruit ! vnfit therefore was this timon for the acquaintance of man , who profest himselfe so mortall and irreconciliable an enemy to the sociablest and entirest acquaintance of man. so as , these timonists , are to be cashiered for two reasons ; first , for their owne harsh and rough condition ; secondly , for the unjust grounds of their opinion , which dissents so farre from society , as it disallowes of marriage , the ordinary meanes appointed to preserve society . so as , leaving them and their opinion , as already evinced , wee will descend to make choice of your neerest acquaintance , ( i meane ) the choice of your wife ; the first day of which solemnity promiseth either a succeeding iubile , or a continued scene of sorrow , where nought is sung but dolefull lachrymae . it was pleasantly spoken of him who said ; wives are young mens mistresses ; companions for middle age ; and old-mens nurses . the first sort , take as much content in wearing their mistresse favour , as winning it ; the second sort , in winning rather then wearing it ; the third neither in wearing nor winning it , but like children , to be cherished and cockered by it . the second sort are wee onely to speake of , where wives are to be made companions , and such entire ones , as they are bone of your bone , and flesh of your flesh . in the choice whereof , wee will propose such necessary cautions , as shall be no lesse usefull to your selves , if rightly observed , then motives of comfort , if duely and exactly considered . hee was reputed one of the wise men , that made answer to the question ; when a man should marry ? a young man not yet , an elder man not at all . of which opinion was arminius that ruler of carthage , whose harsh conceit of marriage proceeding either from personall disability , or some experience of womans levity , deserves small approbation . for had it beene arminius fortune to have matched with arminia , hee would doubtlesse , rather have fallen into admiration of so sacred a rite , then into distaste of it . for this noble lady being bidden to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband : at night when they were returned home , her husband asked of her , how shee liked the bride-groome , whether she thought him to bee a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth ( saith she ) i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . or had calanus prevented hi●●o of his choice , hee would have fallen from his stoicall dreame to a nuptiall song ; for one of hiero●s enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath , hee went home and questioned his wife why she told him not thereof ; but what answer gave this continent lady ? surely ( said shee ) i thought all men had the same savour . or had claudian injoyed so inimitable a consort , as the no lesse beauteous then vertuous clara ; whose constant affection to her decrepit and diseased valdaure , in sh●wing most love when a loathsome bed might have ministred most dista●●e hath recommended her living memory to the succeeding annals of posterity . o● had timon attained the happinesse to joyn hands with theogena , wife to agathocles , hee had not inveighed so much against the state of marriage ; for this renowned lady shewed admirable constancy in her husbands greatest misery , showing her selfe most his owne , when hee was relinquisht and forsaken of his owne ; saying , that she was not given him to bee a sharer onely in his prosperity , but in what fortune so●ver should befall him . or had zenocrates enjoyed zenobia , hee would no lesse have admired his fortune , then beshrewed himselfe for depriving himselfe so long of so sweet a companion . for this princely lady , after the death of odonatus ( though a barbarian queene yet ) by her reading of both roman and greeke histories , so managed the state after the decease of her husband , as shee reteined those fierce and intractable people in her obedience ; being a woman no lesse absolute for learning , then discreet governing : for she abridged the alexandrian , and all the orientall histories , ( a taske of no lesse difficulty then utility ) whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisdome and authority . or had aristippus beene so happy as linked himselfe with artemisia , hee would have preferred so kind and constant a yoke-fellow before all exteriour contemplations : for this chaste and choice lady after the death of her beloved mansolus , thought it not sufficient to erect a glorious monument in his memory , but to enshrine him in her owne body , by drinking his ashes , and interring him in her selfe . many such eminent women may wee reade of in histories both divine and humane , whose vertues have equalled , if not surpassed most men . so as , howsoever it was the milesian thales his saying , that hee had cause to give fortune thankes for three things especially ; first , for that hee was a man , and not a beast : secondly , that hee was a man , and not a woman : thirdly , that hee was a greeke borne , and not a barbarian : women there be whos 's more noble endowments merit due admiration , because as in their sex weaker and inferiour , so in the gifts of the mind richer and superiour . but now to our choice : for it is to be received as already granted , being by the authority of an apostle confirmed , that mariage is honourable among all : and every honourable thing is more eligible , then that which is not honourable : so as hee that shunneth mariage , and avoideth society , is to be esteemed a foe to humanity , or more then a man ; as hee whom homer reprehendeth , saying : that hee was tribe-lesse , law-lesse , and house-lesse . i could wish every young gentleman to make that choice of his mistris , which seneca would have one observe in the choice of a master ; choose him for thy master ( saith he ) whom thou mayest more admire , seeing him , then hearing him : neither altogether , as egnatius in catullus is brought out shewing the whitenesse of his teeth : for all outward perfections , are but as fuell to feed desire , without that inward faire , which onely maketh woman worthy loving . for what is a beautifull complexion , being an exteriour good ; or that which euryclea his nurse praysed , when shee washed the feet of vlysses , namely , gentle speech , and tender flesh , wanting those inward graces , which truely adorne and beautifie women ? so as it is much better to follow his direction in the choice of a wife , who said , that they were to be chosen a modestiâ non formâ ; which modestie cannot admit of this ages vanity , where there is nothing lesse affected then what is comely . for , b these garish fashions agree well with none but prostitutes and shamelesse women . c neither can that face bee a good one , which stands in need of these helpes . for d what madnesse is it to change the forme of nature , and seeke beauty from a picture ? e which picture is vices posture , and the ages imposture . f neither doe these affected trumperies , nor exquisite vanities become a christian. g for what is more vaine , then dying of the haire , painting of the face , laying out of brests ? h doe not say that these can have shamefast minds , who have such wandring and immodest eyes . i for the habit of the mind is to be discerned by the carriage : so as even in motion , gesture , and pace , is modesty to be observed . how miserable then is the state of these phantastick idols , who can endure no fashion that is comely , because it would not bee observed ? how base is her shape , which must borrow complexion from the shop ? k how can she weepe for her sinnes ( saith s. hierome ) when her teares will make furrowes in her face ? with what confidence doth she lift up her countenance to heaven which her maker acknowledges not ? l i would , i poore wretch , ( saith tertullian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , whether with cerusse , and vermillion , and saffron , and those tyres and toyes upon your head , you are to rise againe ! which if they doe , they shall certainely witnesse against them , m to receive the reward of their painting in a lake of tormenting . n for these are they who lay hands upon god , correcting with a hand of contempt the workemanship of god. these never carry a box of oyntment to bestow on the members of christ , but a o box of complexion they have in readinesse to bestow on a cheeke . which sort of wantons ( for how should i otherwise terme them ) are well displayed by one in their colours after this manner ; p she surely keeps her fault of sex and nation , and best alloweth still the last translation : much good time lost , shee rests her faces debter , sh' as made it worse , striving to make it better . this introduced vlcer , which is now esteemed no sore , because custome hath taken away the sense of a sore ; how much it was abhorred formerly , may appeare by that command or constitution purposely exhibited to restraine it . q doe not paint thy face which god hath made . but if our women would but consider how hatefull these abuses are in the sight of the almighty , yea , how much they were loathed even of all honest women in former ages , they would distaste them , sure i am , farre more then they affect them . for if wee will credit saint r hierome ; writing to marcella , who saith ; that those women are matters of scandall to christian eyes , which painted their faces and their eyes with vermillion , and such like adulterate complexions . yea hee writes , that maximilla montanus his prophetesse , a woman-divell , by command from him whom she served , did use to paint . so festus pompeius saith , that common and base whores , called schoenicolae , used dawbing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . so did the druids amongst the romans , expresly shadowed by the poet , s preserve what nature gave you , noughts more base , than belgian colour on a roman face . t so did our ancient brittaines , but not to make their faces more amiable , but to appeare more terrible to the enemy . thus much , gentlemen , i thought good to write , before you make your choice , that you may see who are worth loving before you make your choice . u there is one flower to be loved of women , a good red , which is shame fastnesse ? here make your choice , and you shall finde farre more content in a native then artificiall blush . for as diogenes said to one that had annointed his haire ; x take heed that thy smelling head bring thee not an ill-smelling life ; so beware lest these perfumed ones become not polluted ones . for whosoever shall use them , i cannot choose but suspect them : howsoever i have read of some that maintained the use of painting , grounded upon these ensuing respects : y such a cause there may be ( saith one ) that women may use painting , and without sinne : as for example , if it bee done of purpose to cover any blemish or deformity . likewise , if the husband command that his wife should doe it , to the end that among other women shee might appeare more amiable : which opinion seemes likewise confirmed by another , who affirmes . z that to receive more beauty by attire or painting , though it bee a counterfeit worke , yet it is no mortall sin . so as platina writeth , that paulus secundus , bishop of rome , used to paint himselfe : whom if diogenes had seene , he would doubtlesse have said to him , as he once said to a youth too curiously and effeminately drest : if thou goest to men , all this is but in vaine ; if unto women , it is wicked . wicked surely , it cannot choose , being ( as it were ) a reproving or reforming of the almighty , whose workmanship is so absolute , as it admits of no correction . take heed therefore that you be not taken with one of these idols , as pigmalion was with his image ; but so direct your affections , as she may be worthy your embrace , whom you shall chuse . which that you may the better effect , follow the sages advice in your choice : match with your equall , if not in fortunes , for so both may prove beggars , at least in descent : so will she the better content her selfe with your estate , and conforme her the better to your meanes . for i have seldome seene any difference greater , arising from marriage , than imparity of birth or descent , where the wife will not sticke to twit her husband with her parentage , and brave him with repetition of her descent . likewise , as i would not have you to entertaine so maine a businesse without mature advice , so i would not have you wholly rely upon a friends counsell : but as you are to have the greatest oare in the boat , so to make your selfe your owne carver : for hee that is enforced to his choice , makes a dangerous bargaine . wherefore ground your choice on love , so shall you not chuse but like ; making this your conclusion ; to her in hymens bands i 'le nere be tide , whom love hath not espous'd and made my bride . for what miseries have ensued on enforced marriages , there is no age but may record : where rites enforced , made the hands no sooner joyned then their minds divorced , bidding adieu to content , even at that instant when those unhappy rites were solemnized . the next observance in making your choice , is matter of portion ; a busines not altogether to be neglected ; for if she be a good wife , a good portion makes her no worse : and if an ill one , she had need of a portion to make her better . for he hath a hard bargaine that hath neither portion in a wife , nor out of a wife . we would account him a weake and simple man , that would enter bond without either consideration , or security to keepe him harmeles . you are sure to be bound , be not so far from consideration , as have nothing to shew for your self for your own security . i can cōmend his wit who having made choice of a proportion , moving enough to gain affection , was not content so , but he must know further touching her portion ; that as her proportion procured love , so her portion might enable him how to live : like a quicke epigrammatist he proceedeth thus ; i got a portion and proportion too , one got , the other i desir'd to know ; which knowne , though at this season i was free , a thousand pound cost me my liberty . o foole ( quoth my alexis ) to be bound , to thraldomes yoke , to gaine a thousand pound ! content thee friend ( said i ) for wot'st thou what , i have beene bound for a lesse summe then that , yet nere was banke-rupt ; but if so i doubt to lose by th' bargaine , i will banke her out . it is a true saying , something hath some savour ; whereas hee that neither gets good wife nor good portion , will make but a hard saver . for he that wants a wife to cherish him , had need of some money to cheere him . having now made choice of your wife , being so well disposed ( as it is to be intended , ) shee should not bee much restrained ; for shee hath already resolved to bee no gadder , but , in resemblance of the snaile , a good house-keeper . the egyptians , by an especiall decree ( as plutarch reports ) injoyned their women to weare no shooes , because they should abide at home . the grecians accustomed to burne , before the doore of the new married , the axletree of that coach wherein she was brought to her husbands house , letting her to understand , that shee was ever after to dwell there . which custome she approveth , having made her family her common weale , where she addresseth her selfe to govern without intermedling in others affaires . neither is shee onely to be freed from restraint of liberty in going abroad ( for her occasions call her , or else she could be contented to be housed for ever : ) but in her desire of apparrell , or any thing else that she affecteth . for whersoever christ is , there is a shamefastnes ; like as wheresoever antichrist is , there is b shamelesnes . and this chosen vessell well understands that all garish and gorgeous attire , is the attire of sin , which she will not so much as partake with , having learned how that modestie is the only ornament which beseemes a matron . wherefore , you should much wrong your choice to restraine her from the use of any pleasure which shee affecteth , for so well disposed is she , as she affecteth no pleasure than to converse with vertue , which she holdeth at a higher rate than to be purchased with a masse of treasure . but admit it were your fortune to bestow your selfe on one , whose licentious affection might second faustina's , whose pride sempronia's , and whose shrewd tongue zantippe's : you must make a vertue of a necessity , and so learne to inure you to patience , as you may be able by continuall exercise to encounter and subdue the violentest passions . how wisely did aurelius cover his faustina's shame , labouring to reclaime by mildnesse , when he could not prevaile by bitternesse ? how discreetly was sempronias proud humour curbed and with as little impatience as might bee reproved ? how resolutely did socrates forbeare his wife zantippe , though a froward woman , because hee thought he might better and with more patience converse with others ? for marriage is no such merchandize , as to promise returne with advantage to all factors . there is a ceremoniall custome used by the duke of venice upon the ascention day , to goe in a vessell called the bucentor , made galley-wise , with other nobles a mile or two into the sea : casting a ring into it , ( by which ceremony they wed the sea ) that it may never leave the citie upon dry land . certainely , whosoever he be that marrieth a wife , empledging his faith unto her by a ring , must not thinke that hee hath brought his ship to a perpetual harbour , but rather that hee is now putting off from land , and entring the maine ocean , where hee is to encounter with many violent blasts , contrary winds , surging waves , ebbes and flowes , which will not end till his journey end . it were wisdome therefore to beare what wee may not avoid : considering , that as the marriage state is subject to many occurrences , so it is endowed with sundry excellent priviledges , as the gravity of the state requireth : as in rome , the lex iulia gave precedency to him who had most children ; and in florence at this day , hee that is father of five children , straight-way upon the birth of the fifth , is exempted from all imposts , subsidies , and loanes . also here in england , a married man ( out of a tender respect to h●s posterity ) is not so soone prest into the warres as single men or batchelors . wherefore as the state is more honoured , so is more sobriety and government in it required ; bearing your selves patiently without bitternesse , and forbearing your wives for their sexes weaknesse . having thus farre discoursed of acquaintance , both at bed and boord ; it were not amisse , if wee set downe some especiall direction , which might better instruct you in the choice of them ; which , as protogenes seeing but a little line drawne in a table , knew straight-wayes it was apelles doing , whom hee had never seene ; shall upon first sight resolve you , that those friends , or acquaintance to which these instructions shall direct you , are worthy loving and knowing . there is no one note more infallible of true friendship , then to expresse a faithfulnesse in misery : which faithfulnesse is ever found in these noble and generous dispositions , who can say with chilo , that in all their life-time they were never guilty of ingratitude . so as nobility and affability hold for most part concurrency : whence the poet ; a disposition towardly and good , implies a generous and a noble blood . these keepe continuall records of courtesies received ; with a catalogue of such friends as have at their hands worthily deserved . it is reported of hen. the . that hee never promised any thing , but hee registred and set it downe with his owne hand . such noble sparkes are these , who , as they receive acceptably , so they render backe bountifully , making no other benefit of amity , then as of a mutuall or reciprocall courtesie . neither is it to bee wondered at , that i should here make choice of descent , or birth , as an especiall or infallible note of true and faithfull amity : for there is a naturall straine in all creatures , which they take from the parents that bred them . strong men from strong their native strength doe gather , both bull and horse take spirit from their father . it is a common saying amongst us , that a gentleman will doe like a gentleman ; hee scornes to doe unlike himselfe , for his word is his gage , and his promise such a tie as his reputation wil not suffer him to dispence with . men of this ranke , as they are ready to beare an equall share in their friends misery , so are they resolved with a spirit undanted , ( if such be their chance ) in their owne persons to sustaine misery ; for they esteem no man so unhappy , as hee that cannot beare unhappinesse . in sicilia there is a fountaine called fons solis , out of which at mid-day , when the sunne is neerest , floweth cold water ; at mid-night when the sun is farthest off , floweth hot water . such fountaines are these firme friends , who , when the sun shineth hottest upon you , with the raies of prosperity , will yeeld you cold water , no great comfort or succour , because you need it not : but when the sunne is farthest off , and the darkest clouds which fortune can contract , sit heaviest on you , then they send forth hot water ; they weepe with you , there is hot water ; they suffer with you , there is hot water ; they cheere you drooping , comfort you sorrowing , support you languishing ; and in your extreamest fortunes are ever sharing . these cry with theophrastus , what care we if this friend be rich , that friend poore , we are the same to either ? make choice therefore of these well bred ones , for though some degenerate , most of them hold . whereas , contrariwise , these who are of a base dung-hill descent , it is seldome seene but they have some base and unworthy condition ; being generally all for the time , but little for trust ; or as tops which alwayes run round , and never goe forward , unlesse they be whipt . such a neuter among the romans was tully , who could not resolve , whether hee should take caesars part or pompeyes part . among the grecians was tydides , who could not determine whether hee should joyne himselfe with achilles or hector . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . among the persians was nabarzanes , who seeing his masters fortunes decline , laboured to joyne himselfe to him whose fortunes , were in rising . such were tiberius friends , who shrunke from him , hearing with patience tiberium in tiberim . and such were our northerne borderers , who have beene alwayes uncertaine friends in extremities , and assured enemies upon advantage . of which it may be said , as was spoken of the philosophers cloake , pallium video , philosophum non video : i see the cover of a friend , but no friend . for as nothing is more hatefull then a doubtfull and uncertaine man , who now draweth his foot backe , and now putteth it forward ; so there is nothing more distastefull to any man , then these faire protesting friends , whose hollow and undermining hearts make a shew of faire weather abroad , when there is a tempest at home ; comming towards you with their feet , but going from you with their hearts . in briefe , they are danaus tubs , or running sieves that can hold no water . leave them therefore to themselves , if you desire in safety to enjoy your selves . now , to the end i may acquaint you likewise with the rest of such motives to love as are powerfully working in the affection of the mind ; as wee have touched the first motive or inducement to love , to wit , parentage or descent , which cannot so farre degenerate from it selfe , but it must of necessity shew it selfe : so it attracts other motives of love unto it , as benevolence in rewarding : excellency or admiration proceeding from the fame of such redoubted hero's , as have their names charact'red and engraven in leaves of brasse , to preserve their memory : as solomon for his wisdome , whom , no doubt , nicaula queene of saba had a desire to see and bee knowne to , through report of his wisdome ; so as her long journey seemed short , having understood that to be true with her owne eare , which shee had onely heard of before by report . how much likewise was david affected for his valour , in discomfiting the uncircumcised philistin ? so was alexander , whose report brought the amazon thalestris from her owne countrey , of purpose to be knowne to so invincible a spirit . so hercules , achilles , dardanus , diomedes , scipio , hannibal , constantine , &c. whose exploits purchased them love to such as were never acquainted with their persons . pardoning likewise of injuries , is an excellent motive of love. when chyle's brother was angry , that himselfe was not made ephorus as well as hee : o ( quoth hee ) i know how to suffer injuries , so doest not thou ! though diogenes the cynicke answered uncivilly to alexander , when he came to his poor mansion in synope , his philosophers barrell , yet hee replyed unto his satyricall speech with no indignation , but said to such of his attendants , as derided the boarish and exoticke speech of diogenes , if i were not alexander , i would wish to be diogenes . the like instance may be confirmed by holy writ : where miriam , for murmuring against moses , was stricken with a loathsome leprosie : hee could not suffer this condigne punishment to be inflicted on her , but demanded of god that hee would cure her . another motive to love , is hatred , where an ill occasion procureth among enemies a reconciliation . herod and pilate enemies before , were reconciled in combining their powers , together against christ. mastives , if set together , will fight till death , but in the presence of a bull will joyne together . sometimes mutuall affliction procureth mutuall affection . such resorted to david , as were persecuted by saul , being such as were amaro animo . where sauls enmity brought david to a triall of hushai's faithfull amity ; where hee found the words of ecclesiasticus to be true , a faithfull friend is a strong defence ; and hee that findeth such a one , findeth a treasure . for when wee are in the greatest straights , such an one sheweth the most strength : so as the apostles words may be verified , strength is made perfect in weakenesse ; where one afflicted friend supporteth another , by joyning their strenghts together . another motive there is , proceeding from some especiall delivery from danger : for who will not esteeme him for a friend , who will expose himselfe to danger , to deliver his friend ? iudith entred bethulia with holofernes head , and by that meanes preserved her countrey from ruine and desolation . esther procured the death of haman , repealed those severe and cruell lawes enacted , proclaimed , and even ready to be executed by hamans suggestions , in the kingdome of the medes and persians ; whereby shee purchased eternall honour , love and memory in her countrey . the same love gained moses for delivering the israelites from the thraldome of egypt . the like may be said of iosua , sampson , macchabeus , and many others frequent in holy writ . the romans so highly honoured and affected such as protected their countrey , and defended her liberty , as they bestowed no lesse style on them then patres patriae . another motive there is , drawing one enemy to love another , induced thereto in respect of compassion , or some other princely vertue which he seeth in him . when saul understood that david might have taken away his life , and would not , levavit vocem & flevit : his threats were changed into teares , and his passion into a teare-swolne admiration , to see his foe so full of compassion . wee are induced likewise to love them that tell and confesse sincerely their offences ; for an ingenuous acknowledgement of what is done , moves us to commiserate his case by whom it is done ; yea quencheth all hate , as if a small sparke were drenched in the sea. likewise in the toleration of wrongs , wee are enforced to love him who suffereth them , and having power to revenge , will not out of the noblenesse of his spirit , doe what hee may . to conclude , bountie is a motive to love ; for giving gifts gathereth friends : which bountie is most worthy acceptance , when done with cheerefulnesse : hilarem datorem diligit deus . thus have we traced over such motives as generally induce or procure love , friendship , or acquaintance ; wherein observe the lesson of the sonne of sirach : depart from thine enemies , and beware of thy friends : for some man is a friend for his owne occasion , and will not abide in the day of thy trouble . now if you would understand , how a man may know a friend , you shall find him described , and by certaine infallible markes discovered in the twelfth chapter of the same book . but alwayes , beware ( saith he ) of deceitfull friends , lest feeling the bitternesse of them , you find the saying of the prophet true : all the men of thy confederacie , have driven thee to the borders : the men that were at peace with thee , have deceived thee , and prevailed against thee : they that cat thy bread , have laid a wound under thee : there is none understanding in him . make choice then of him for your acquaintance , whom you may worthily esteeme of as a second-selfe : so may you communicate your counsels freely , acquaint him with your griefes friendly , and share in comforts and afflictions fully . thus much for the choice of acquaintance ; wherein i have the rather enlarged my discourse , because i know that as there is nothing more usefull to direction or instruction , then where good ones are elected ; so there is nothing more hurtfull in the maine matter of discipline or conversation , then where ill ones are affected and frequented . many and singular were the commendations attributed to augustus , amongst which none more absolute then this : as none was more slow in entertaining , so none more firme or constant in reteining : which agrees well with that of the sonne of sirach : if thou gettest a friend prove him first , and be not hasty to credit him . but having found him , we are to value him above great treasures : the reason is annexed : a faithfull friend is a strong defence , and hee that findeth such a one , findeth a treasure . this adviseth every one to be no lesse wary in his choice , then constant in the approvement of his choice ; so as it rests now , that wee presie this point by reasons and authorities , illustrating by the one , and confirming by the other , how consequent a thing it is to shew our selves constant in the choice of our acquaintance . there is no one thing more dangerous to the state of man , or more infallibly proving fatall , then lightnesse in entertaining many friends , and no lesse lightly cashiering those who are entertained . which error i have observed to have borne principall sway in our new-advanced heires , whose onely ambition it is to be seene numerously attended , phantastically attired , and in the height of their absurdities humoured . these are they who make choice of acquaintance onely by outward habit , or which is worse , by roisting or ruffian behaviour : with whom that false armory of yellow bands , nittie locks , and braving mouchato's , have ever had choice acceptance . and herein , observe the misery of these depraved ones , who having made choice of these mis-spenders of time , and abusers of good gifts , they will more constantly adhere to them , then with better affected consorts . oh that young gentlemen would but take heed of falling unwarily upon these shelves , who make shipwrack of their fortunes ( the remaines of their fathers providence ; ) yea not onely of their outward state , which were well to be prevented , lest misery or basenesse over-take them ; but even of their good names , those precious odours which sweeten and relish the pilgrimage of man ! for what more hatefull then to consort with these companions of death , whose honour consists meerely in protests of reputation , and whose onely military garbe is to tosse a pipe in stead of a pike , and to fly to the tinderbox to give charge to their smoakie ordnance , to blow up the shallow-laid foundation of that shaken fortresse of their decayed braine ? these hot liver'd salamanders are not for your company ( gentlemen ) nor worthy your acquaintance ; for of all companions , those are the worthiest acceptance , who are so humble-minded and well affected , as they consort with others purposely to be bettered by them ; or being knowing men , by their instructions to better them . that course which the ancient vestals observed , such usefull companions as these have ever seconded : they first learned what to doe ; secondly , they did what they had learned ; thirdly , they instructed others to doe as they had learned . such as these were good companions to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . first , they are good to pray with ; for such as these only were they who assembled together in one place , imploying their time religiously in prayers , supplications , and giving of thankes , and honouring him , whom all powers and principalities doe honour with divine melodie : which was expressed not so much with the noise of the mouth , as with the joyfull note of the heart : nor with the sound of the lips , as with the soule-solacing motion of the spirit ; nor with the consonance of the voice , as with the concordance of the will : for , as the precious stone diacletes , though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it loseth them all , if it be put in a dead-mans mouth : so prayer , which is the onely pearle and jewell of a christian , though it have many rare and exquisite vertues in it , yet it loseth them every one , if it be put into a dead-mans mouth , or into a mans heart either , that is dead in sinne , and doth not knocke with a pure hand . so many rare presidents have former times afforded , all most inimitable in this kind , as to make repetition of them , would crave an ample volume ; wee will therefore onely touch some speciall ones , whose devotion hath deserved a reverence in us towards them , and an imitation in us after them . nazianzin in his epitaph for his sister gorgonia , writeth , that she was so given to prayer , that her knees seemed to cleave to the earth , and to grow to the very ground , by reason of incessancie or continuance in prayer ; so wholly was this saint of god dedicated to devotion . gregory in his dialogues writeth , that his aunt trasilla being dead was found to have her elbowes as hard as horne ; which hardnesse she got by leaning to a deske , at which shee used to pray ; so continued was the devotion of a zealous professor . eusebius in his history writeth , that iames the brother of our lord , had knees as hard as camels knees , benummed and bereaved of all sense and feeling , by reason of continuall kneeling in prayer ; so sweet was this taske , undertaken for gods honour , where practice made that an exercise or solace , which the sensuall man maketh a toyle or anguish . hierome in the life of paul the eremite writeth , that hee was found dead , kneeling upon his knees , holding up his hands , lifting up his eyes : * so that the very dead corps seemed yet to live , and by a kind of zealous and religious gesture to pray still unto god. so transported or rather intraunced was the spirit of this lovely dove , as even in death hee expressed the practice of his life : these followed augustines rule in their forme of prayer : seeke ( saith he ) what you seeke , but seeke not where you seeke . seeke christ , that 's a good what . seeke what you seeke ; but seeke him not in bed , that is an ill where . but seeke not where you seeke : moses found christ not in a soft bed , but in a bramble bush . for as wee cannot goe to heaven on beds of down , no more can these devotions pierce heaven which are made on beds of down . albeit , every place is good , for as no place is freed from occcasion of sinne , so no place should be free from prayer , which breaketh downe the partition wall of our sinne . but certainely those downie prayers taste too much of the flesh , to relish well of the spirit : for as he is a delicate master , who when his belly is full , disputeth of fasting ; so hee is a sensuall prayer , who in his bed onely , addresseth himselfe to devotion . neither are these onely good companions to pray with , but also to play with ; i meane to recreate and refresh our minds with , when at any time pressed or surcharged either with cares of this world , or in our discontinuance from more worthy and glorious meditations of the world to come ; for as in the former wee are usually plunged , so by the latter wee are commonly enfeebled , at least wearied , if by some recreations , to entertaine and allay the tediousnesse of more weary houres , we be not refreshed and solaced . now in our choice of acquaintance , as like requireth like , so are wee to sort our selves to an equality both in degree and condition . when some of alexanders companions demanded of him , if hee would runne a race with them ; willingly , ( said he ) if there were kings to runne withall . for this parity breeds affection , and an equality of minds in any recreation : while neither respect to an inferiour ranke begets contempt , nor an eye to superiority begetteth feare . besides , as there is an equality of degree , so is there an equality of mind concurring with that degree . there is no pleasure affected by one , which is not entertained with free approbation by another : for in all their jestings , sportings , and delightfull meetings , they are provided of a disposition , equally tempered to give a jest , and take a jest : having ever in mind that common english proverbe , play with me , but hurt me not ; jest with me , but shame me not . for their sports as they are harmelesse without guile , so their conceits are pleasant without gall : there is neither saltnesse in the one , nor harshnesse in the other . neither doe these make sport or pastime a vocation , as if they were borne to nothing else then play : for these delights of theirs , which are ever moderate , and therefore truly seasoned , they make use of , as physicians of suger-plates , which they minister to their patients , to take away the taste of a more bitter potion ▪ it is worth observing , to note the excellent use , which these men make of recreation . they can use it with such temperance , as they can command the pleasures which they use , and not bee commanded by it . their onely pleasure is to contemne pleasure , yea , " even to dis-esteeme it in their height of pleasure : neither , because pleasure delighteth , doth it please them ; but because it pleaseth , it doth delight them . it is the excellent'st office of some mens vertue to perswade the use of pleasure , recounting at their table creatures of all sorts , with which by how much more they are filled , by so much more their appetites remaine unsatisfied . briefly , whereas their discretion hath subjected appetite to reason , in gaming they play without desire of gaining ; in recreations of the body , their aime is to refresh and renue nature , without any desire of mastery ; in their solemne feasts , they feed without surfetting ; in their may-games , they are merry without exceeding ; in their flashes or encounters of wit , they are pregnant , present , and pleasant without offending . those are most fruitfull and fertile in rendering fruit ( saith the philosopher ) which partake most of cold and moist : which position intendeth the conceptive part ; but my assertion reacheth further ; for i conclude , such as these being equally tempered , to be most copious in the principle workes or faculties of the understanding , being three ; first to discourse , secondly to distinguish , third to choose . for the first whereof , it resteth that wee now proceed in proofe , concluding , these not to be onely the best companions to pray or play with ( as wee have formerly proved ; ) but to converse or commerce with , as wee shall hereafter make manifest . megabizes esteemed alexander as a prince , whiles hee stood in his schoole and said nothing ; but when hee began to talke of things which hee knew not , hee said unto him , that even his little children would laugh him to scorne . this speech of megabizes proceeded ( as may be imagined ) from some words utrered , or reasons alleaged by alexander , which relished little of philosophy , being a study to which a souldier is for most part a stranger . but these men , whom we now have in hand , and whom wee have made choice of , as fit companions to converse and commerce with , are men of such singular discretion , as they will preferre silence before discovery of their ignorance . these know for what end or purpose the bars and gates of the lips and teeth ( like a double ward ) were ordained to limit or restraine the tongue . these observe , how man hath two eyes to see with , two nostrils to breath with , two hands to labour with , two feet to walke with , but one tongue to talke with ; implying that one tongue requires as much government as any two members of all the body . neither onely is their speech wisely silenced , but when delivered , discreetly seasoned : seasoned with mildnesse and affability , without the least expression of roughnesse or austerity . where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith bernard ) is sweet and profitable ; where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . neither in mildnesse and affability onely , but in the highest pitch of wisdome , is their discourse seated . whence it was ( as i have heretofore noted ) that aristotle debating of the convenience and propriety of discourse before alexander ; maintained , that none where to bee admitted to speake , but either those that managed his warres , or his philosophers which governed his house . which wisdome of discourse hath beene formerly so much affected , as plutarch reporteth that plato came forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause but onely to see his deare friend phocion the philosopher , and to converse with him . this caused nicaula , the queene of saba , to travell from her owne countrey to iudea , to heare the wisdome of salomon : yea , peruse those athenian nights in gellius , how , and in what excellent manner , with what variety of discourse , propriety of conference , strength of arguments those winter-nights were bestowed , and you shall find there fit companions for scholers , souldiers , and all generous professours . neither are they consorts onely fit to converse with , but to commerce with also ; for these are no bankrupt merchants , or desperate factors , who use to dispence with conscience and credit , rather then in a conscionable sort discharge their credit . so as , howsoever the sonne of sirach may seeme to conclude , there be two things , which mee thinke to be hard and perillous ; a merchant cannot lightly keepe him from wrong , and a victualler is not without sinne . so well and equally are the ships of these good merchants ballasted , as rather then they will make shipwrack of a good conscience , or runne their reputation upon the shelfe of disgrace , they will suffer the worst of extremes . these are none of those , who make sale of deceitfull commodities , to enrich their seldome thriving progenie with impostures . these are none of those tri●●ing mountebanks , who draw on customers with faire protests , and shew strange experiments upon their sophisticated oiles , to delude the ignorant . these are none of our inconsiderate factors , who make exchange of english money with indian trifles , enriching forraine countries with our treasures , and fooling our owne with their feathers . these are none of our sea-sharkes , who under pretence of merchandize , exercise pyracie ; bearing the world in hand that they befriend us , when they practise all hostility against us . these are none of our dangerous spies , who pretending they come to trade or commerce with us , arrive purposely to note what strength is amongst us . no , these are factors of better temper and more honesty , hating deceit , though that might enrich them ; scorning the mountebankes trade , though that might draw customers to them ; discarding all inconsiderate factors , who give money for feathers , though in fooling others , they might gaine by them ; casheering all sea-sharkes , who by pyraticall practices use to support them ; excluding all dangerous spies , who to discover others weaknesse , purposely embarke them . in briefe , would you have their character ? they can discourse of novelties without affectation , impart their minds freely without dissimulation , valuing no losse so great , as the hazard of their reputation . these are those friends which deserve your choice and acceptance ; these are they , who , as upon good grounds you have made choice of , so should you be constant in your choice . for you are not to be so light in the choice of your acquaintance , as in the choice of your fashion ; where every giddy head sorts himselfe to what is newest , not what is neatest ; for so should you be ever choosing , and farre from constancy in choosing . rather having got a friend and proved him , first in matters of small weight , and afterwards in affaires of greater consequence ; labour by all meanes to reteine him , for you have found a treasure : forsake not this old friend , for the new is not comparable unto him . you have got a friend , proved and tried him to be no ambitious man , for ambition is fearefull , and for the least crosse of fortune will forsake true friendship . you have got a friend , proved and tried him to be no covetous man , for covetousnesse selleth fellowship , faith and honesty ; to conclude , you have got a friend , who will not by glozing deceive you ; by aiming at his owne private ends , entrap you ; by hunting after popular prayse disvalue you ; or by consorting with politike heads , endanger you . keepe him then , and be constant in your choice , holding him so firmely knit unto you , as if hee were individually united to your selfe ; for a friend , ( provided that hee be such an one as wee have charactred him ) is a second-selfe , and therefore as impossible to be divided from you , as you from your selfe . and may this suffice to be spoken touching constancy in the choice of acquaintance , wherein as wee ought to be circumspect in our choice , so ought wee to be constant , having had proof of the faithfulness of our choice . there is nothing which argues more indiscretion , then an aptnesse of discovering our selves ; so as , wee are advised in getting a friend , to prove him first , and not to be hasty to credit him . for albeit the precept may seeme generall , the secrets of our friend wee may not discover ; which is confirmed by the sonne of sirach , who discovereth secrets , loseth his credit , and findeth no friend after his will : yet , how many are there , who either through weaknesse that they cannot conceale , or through unfaithfulnesse , as they will not , have brought their friends to extremest hazard ? yea , not onely our common friends , but even those who sleepe in our own bosome ; as dalilah plaid with samson , either simply or subtilly , will discover our secret'st counsels to our enemy : so as , wee may take up the complaint of samson , which hee made in the discovery of his riddle : if hee had not plowed with our heifer , hee had not found out our riddle . had not that woman by the river of soreke , that subtill dalilah , betrayed his trust , how invincible had samson remayned ; no lesse powerfull to his friends , then fearefull to his enemies ? whence we may gather , how dangerous it is to discover the secrets of our heart , even to those to whom we have engaged our heart : for wee ought not to give our friend power over us . this is seconded by a divine precept : give not thy sonne and wife , thy brother and friend , power over thee while thou livest ; and give not away thy substance to another , lest it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe . whence wee are advised to a two-fold reservancy ; first , in concealing our secrets ; secondly , in reteining our substance . for the first , hee explaines himselfe more fully in the ensuing verse ; as long as thou livest , and hast breath , give not thy selfe over to any person . for the second , hee gives a reason in the end of the former verse ; give not away thy substance to another , lest it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe . of which two parts , and the reservancy which we are to observe in either , my purpose is briefly and plainely to intreat ; and first of the first , to wit , reservancy of secrets , wherein i will be as briefe as the quality of the subject will suffer me . it is said of geese , that when at the change of seasons , they passe from cilicia over the mountaine taurus , which abounds with eagles , they carry stones in their bills , for feare their cry should discover them to their enemies . reason should teach us that which nature hath instructed them , lest by diverting from the rule of reason , we become inferiour to them , who never had the use of reason . for there is nothing which detracts more from the glory of man , than by too prodigall a discovery of himselfe , to lay himselfe open to the trust of another : so as it may bee positively averred , there is nothing that betrayeth a man so much to ruine , as his owne credulity . dionysius gave straight commandement the head of brias , one of the gentlemen of his chamber , should bee cut off , for telling plato , who had demanded of him what the tyrant did , that he had stripped himselfe by reason of the heat , and was painting in a table . so tender were princes of the discovery of their actions , even in affaires of indifferency . let us imitate therefore that grecian of former times , who being told that his breath did smell , answered , it was by reason of the many secrets , which had a long while lain rotting , and putrefying within him . let our bosome ( the recluse of secrets ) be like the lions den in the apologue ; towards the mouth whereof , the prints and prickings of sundry sorts of beasts , might easily be discerned , — sed nulla retrorsum , but from thence none at all . let us alwaies talke with harpocrates , at the signe of the finger on the mouth ; and learne of anacharsis , that the tongue hath need of more strong restraint than nature . let us not be too curious , with them of bethshemesh , in the search of other mens secrets , nor yet too carelesse with hezekiah , in the discovery of our owne . morality giveth us a prohibition for the one , and a precept for the other : seeke not to know that secrecie thy friend reserved hath , but keepe what 's tender'd to thy trust , though drunke with wine and wrath . and indeed it is a profanation of duty to publish any thing we should not ; and too much insinuation to wind our selves into the privacy of others secrets , which make knowne wee ought not . those things therefore , which are to bee concealed , let us conceale them , vt curia martis , athenis , as close as either silence or darknesse will afford us meanes to keepe them , both from eye and eare : for the better effecting whereof , there is necessarily required in every one a wise distrust , and slownesse of beleefe , wherewith the brest must so equally bee ballasted , that hee may suddenly runne on , without suffering shipwracke in such a doubtfull and dangerous course . it hath beene ever held a singular argument of policy , to have an open face , but a shut heart ; to give entertainment with a free and affable countenance , but with a wise and discreet reservancy of our counsels , to prevent the occasion of giving our friend power over us . yea , but it may be objected , it may sometimes fall out that a friend cannot performe the office of a friend , but by discovering the secret purpose or practice of another . for how could faithfull ionathan advertise david of sauls wicked purpose against him , but by discovering what saul in secret had imparted to him ? how could he ( i say ) have advertised david of his fathers fury , by shooting three arrowes , but by discovering what his father had secretly intended against him ? to which objection it may be thus answered ; that , as amongst evill men there can be no true friendship continued , so neither are the secrets of such men , tending ever to mischiefe and effusion of innocent bloud , to be concealed , but by all meanes should be discovered , that such tragicall issues might be prevented . yea , but it may be againe objected , that admit this were so , may wee not impart our griefes to a friend , or communicate our counsels to one , whom we have made triall of to be trusty and faithfull ? to which i answer , that we may , but with this provision , that we never unrip our bosome so farre , as to give our friend power over us , in matters which may either concerne life , state , or name . for though your experience of the trust of such a friend hath beene long , and those affaires wherein you have imploied him , of serious consequence : we have known many comicall beginnings , have a tragicall catastrophe ; many promising mornings turne to duskie after-noones ; many faire glozing friends recoile ( like the bat in the fable ) and become either neuters , or profest enemies . so as , it was wisely answered by that learned sage to one who demanded of him , what he thought to bee the hardest thing in the world ; to keepe counsell , quoth he . wee say it is good sleeping in a whole skin ; but how can our sleepes be quiet , our rest from terrours freed , when we have lost our liberty by committing our secrets , to others trust ? yea , but friendship , being one soule ruling two hearts , or one heart dwelling in two bodies , loseth her prerogative , if excluded from partaking in her friends griefes or comforts : for would you thinke it well , that your friends should finde you sad , and so leave you ; sicke without ministring any comfort to you ; or poore , without releeving you ? surely , you could not choose but thinke such an one commeth to jest , rather than to visit or comfort you . now , how should he comfort you , who is wholly ignorant of the cause of your discomfort ? or how minister any receits to you , when he knowes not what distempers you ? or how releeve you , when hee knowes not of any poverty that hath befallen you ? whereto i answer , that these are not to be numbred among those secrets which we hold unfitting to be imparted or discovered , by one friend to another ; for the discovery of these may profit , but cannot prejudice us : whereas , the disclosing of such secrets as concerne our name , may afterwards brand us with infamie ; or such as concerne our state , may bring us to poverty ; or such as concerne our life , may weave our unhappy webbe in a fearefull tragedy . therefore it is good counsell , not to give our friend power over us , but with a circumspect eye to take heed whom we entertaine as a friend ; and of what nature those secrets are , which we impart to that friend , when that unhappy emperour commodus had communicated his secret'st thoughts to martia , his best affected concubine ; and withall , how his purpose was , before many daies were ended , to dispatch latus and electus two of his senators : shee perceiving how the world went , and that the emperour was no lesse inconstant in his love , than illimited in his lust , discovered to the senators what the prince had intended against them ; which to prevent , with one consent they resolved to dispatch the emperour , and so rid them of all occasion of feare . farre more hatefull was that act of bessus and nabarzanes , in discovering the counsels of their vnfortunate prince darius ; which discovery , though it deposed their prince of crowne , and deprived him of life , rewarded those disloyall traitors with a deserved end . should we but take a view of the doublenesse and deceitfulnesse of friends , whose only aimes are , for most part , to take advantage of our o●pennesse , we should find , though there bee some hushai's or faithfull friends ; so there be some false brethren , who secretly ( under pretence of amity ) will labour to undermine us . for if wee bee great , wee shall have some to ply our veine , soothing us with the height of our place , the eminence of our state , our easie accesse to a higher step , if wee will take hold of occasion ; and with these are yong-men , whose unripened judgements never attained to the discovery of persons , chiefly pleased ; to these are their secret'st thoughts ever imparted ; on these are they wholly planted , and in these is their principall trust reposed : yet loe , they trust in broken staves of reed , on which if they leane , they will goe thorow their hand and pierce it . againe , are wee rising to greatnesse , and in the first spring of promotion ? wee shall find these chattering swallows ever flying about us , pertending friendship and secrecie in our counsels ; but misery attends us , if wee entertaine them . to be briefe , are we rich ? if wee have discovered any secret to them , which may prejudice us being revealed , wee shall be sure to have that secret vented , if our hollow counsellour be not rewarded . are wee poore ? though our state need not feare undoing , our secrets must be discovered , if the meanest may be gratified by the discovery . thus no ranke may be exempted , no degree freed from prejudice , where counsels are disclosed . indeed sometimes it hapneth , that a friend discovers the secrets of a friend ; because , out of the justnesse of himselfe , and the integrity of his owne conscience , which no respect will suffer him to violate , hee cannot endure the sinister or indirect practice of his friend , and therefore discovers it to give meanes of prevention to the innocent . which may be instanced in the vicount of melin his confession , who lying upon his death-bed here in england , disclosed the purpose of king lewis his master , to the chiefe peeres and barons of the realme ; who considering the inevitable danger into which they were falling , by giving free entrie to the french king , wisely in time ( and but in time ) expulsed him , receiving their unhappy deposed king , to avoid an ensuing mischiefe . now the occasion of this discovery , though it bee divers wayes conjectured , yet the probablest in my opinion is , to referre it to the compassion which count melin had of the english nation , whose state had beene , to the judgement of all men , grievously shaken , had lewis , as hee was already arrived , beene peaceably possessed of the same . now to conclude this point , i hold that english proverbe worthy our remembrance , in affaires of secrecie : one may keepe counsell , but two cannot : implying , that it is the safest and surest course to be a mans owne secretary , so shall hee not give his friend power over him , but sleepe quietly without feare of discovery , having none but his owne brest to betray him to his enemy . the second thing , which , as wee formerly noted , requireth a reservancie in us towards our acquaintance , is a respect to our substance ; which should neither be lashed out lavishly , nor hoorded up niggardly . and herein i have observed a great vanity in young gentlemen , who are no sooner mounted in their fathers saddle , or made hei●es of his providence , then upon purchase of acquaintance , ( which a young master cannot want ) hee begins to squander his revenues upon gifts , to feed his thirsty followers : but see the issue of these bountifull novices , they change their acres into peeces , and so peece-meale divide them , till they fall all into peeces , and have not one peece to cover them . so as , it is true which the poet hath observed ; the prodigall and foole gives what hee scornes and hates , and with his state makes other men to glory in their states . wherefore the lesson is good , and well deserveth our observation● which is given to us by the son of sirach ; that not onely to our friends , acquaintance , or the like , but even to our children , whose naturall respect to their parents , should bind them to be gratefull , wee should not bee too forward in distributing our substance , concluding thus : for better it is that thy children should pray unto thee , then that thou shouldest looke up to the hands of thy children . if we be advised to use this reservancie to our own , even those whose naturall affection will enforce bounty at the parents hand , much more to our acquaintance , whose pretended semblances , or outward protestations many times tend rather by fawning to feed on us , then by true profession of friendship to bestead us . oh gentlemen , how many through too easie a hold have exposed themselves , as a prey , to the avaritious desires of their followers : where many times it falleth out , that the servant is able to purchase his master , having enriched himselfe by feeding his humour ! yet see the unthankefulnesse of many of these ; having made them a garment of their masters shreads , and raised themselves to a great estate by his prodigality , they can learne to put on a scornefull countenance towards their landlesse master , entertaine him with contempt , forget his bounty , and ascribe all to their owne thriving providence , which proceed meerly from his profusenesse . so well can these thriving timists , who raise their fortunes from their masters ruines , shape themselves to all times , that they may profit by all meanes . there are acquaintance likewise , whose aimes as they extend onely to themselves , so they will use any indirect course , how irregular soever , to bring their purpose about . and of these , wee had a late example , even in our owne countrey , and within the wals of this flourishing citie : which example , that it might remaine to the memory of succeeding times , for the benefit whereof , as well as of these present , our labours should be addressed , i thought good here to set downe . there was a young gentleman , whose profuser course having consumed much of his meanes , was enforced upon some present extremities urging him , to make a morgage of a peece of land , which peece was the very last which hee had left him : the money being lent and spent , and now the un-foreseene day of payment approaching , the young gentleman driven to an exigent , made recourse by chance , to an ancient acquaintance of his , by trade a chandler , who was a monied man , and could find a friend in a corner , who upon a commodious bargaine would at any time bestead him of a good summe . hee , the chandler i meane , noting what benefit the morgage of the young gentlemans land might be unto him , if he redeemed his estate , which now lay a bleeding , and tooke the morgage into his owne hand , concluded with the gentleman , and releeved his present wants , proposing a certaine day for redemption of the said morgage : which was kindly accepted of by the gentleman , little thinking how he fell from the fire into the flame , and by avoyding charybdis , had fallen into scylla . the time now drewneer , which was limited the gentleman to redeeme the premisses : whence a double care or feare ensued ; a feare and provident care in the gentleman of procuring money to redeeme it ; a feare in the chandler , lest it should be redeemed , and so the hopes hee had of so beneficiall a bargaine frustrated . which to prevent ( marke the impiety of the age even in this one example ) the chandler against the day limited and prefixed , repaires to a consort of opportunate agents for his purpose ; assassinates fleshed in all mischiefe , and ready to embrace any motion , or engage themselves in any action , which might minister fuell to their riot . and these hee acquaints ( as it seemes their acquaintance was ancient ) how hee knew of a rich bootie for them , if they had hearts to attempt , and resolutions to effect , what their present wants enforced them to attempt . they desirous to heare of that booty , promising him reward if their purpose came to effect , pressed him ( as little pressing needed to such a base instrument ) that he would discover , where this booty might be purchased . hee imparted his mind freely , and told them that such a gentleman ( being the same who had made a morgage of his land unto him ) was to come provided of a great summe of money , upon such a day , and by such a place , as gave opportunity for the attempt , which they might easily obtaine , having none but himselfe and his man to resist them . they , at the first seemed jealous of him , imagining it was some fetch meerly to intrap and circumvent them ; but being more confident upon his protestations , that his purpose was to benefit them , not to betray them ; they generally consented to this plot , provided that they might have his company , not onely to direct them , but share and partake with them : whereto the chandler condescended , choosing rather to be an assistant in the practice , then prevented of his purpose . to be short , vizards and disguises were provided , and all things fitted , that such an attempt might be furthered : where , by direction of their leader , they tooke their stand , where the unfortunate gentlemen was to passe ; who , within some few houres after , came according to their expectance , provided of a summe purposely to redeeme his estate ( the last remainder of his fortunes ) out of the hands of the chandler but hee is intercepted and bid stand , whose present occasions admit no stay : and in briefe , stripped of all his money , and bound , hee and his man , and throwne into a gravell-pit , where we leave them ; and returne to this perfidious chandler , who expecting to be a sharer as well in the stake , as in the forfeiture of his estate , is by his witty copesmates used after another sort then hee looked for ; being bound hand and foot , and throwne into a ditch adjoyning ; where hee remayned , till a shepherds boy having occasion to come that way , hearing one pitiously mourning , drew neere to the place where hee heard the voice ; but seeing one lye there bound in an ugly vizard , and disguised after an uncouth manner , as one afraid , hee run from him , albeit the chandler humbly intreated him , to lend his helping hand to loose him . the noise which the chandler made , desiring aid from the shepherd , and the shepherd denying aid to the chandler , was now come to the eare of the afflicted gentleman , and his man : wherefore they sent out their complaint , as men pittifully distressed ; which the shepherd hearing came forthwith to the place where they lay bound , and seeing the gentleman , and his man , lent them his helping hand , and delivered them from their bands : directing them withall , to the pit where the chandler , his treacherous acquaintance , lay ; whom he knew by his disguise to be one of those , who had taken his money from him : but having pulled off his vizard , and perceived him to be none but the chandler , his professed friend , you may imagine what diversity of perplexed thoughts encountred him ; but suspecting the worst , which after proved the truest , hee caused him to be brought before a iustice , where he was examined touching the premisses , which , to his shame , he confessed , discovering himselfe to be both actor and authour of that persidious complot . for which , being committed , and legally tryed , hee was adjudged according to his desert , to receive the condigne punishment of death . whose goods being confiscate , our late prince of renowned memory , out of his royall compassion to the gentlemans estate , allotted him so much in his princely bounty , as redeemed his engaged lands , repossessing him therof to his great joy , & an example to succeeding ages , not to repose too much confidence in the profession of acquaintance . many examples of like sort ( though this may seeme imparallel ) might be here produced , but i cannot insist upon this point . what hath beene herein discoursed , principally tendeth to this end and purpose , to deterre young gentlemen from discovering themselves too openly to these glozing and temporizing acquaintance , whose onely ayme is to benefit themselves by their weaknesse , and make their prodigality the onely foundation of their providence ; whence it is that many times they become enrichers of their retinue , but beggerers of their posterity . and which is of all others most miserable , those whose sponges they were , and had squeased them of all their fortunes , will contemptuously demean● themselves towards them , and unthankfully sleight them , who by improverishing their owne meanes , have enriched them ; whose natures in the person of one especiall ungratefull man , are to life expressed by the poet ; ragg'd rockes him bred , brute beasts him sed , no thankefulnesse can enter his scared brest , or sealed chest , which is of flinty temper . and let this suffice to bee spoken of reservancie towards acquaintance , both in respect of our secrecie of counsell ; lest by discovering our selves either upon confidence of anothers trust , or transported with passion , ( the end whereof is the beginning of repentance ) wee give our friend power over us , and so by too credulous trust bewray our owne weaknesse : or in respect of our substance ; by a prodigall bounty to our friends and followers , without respect had of our meanes , and so make our followers our masters . so as , it is right wholesome counsell , which that wise son of sirach gave , and which wee formerly alleaged , but cannot be too often renewed ; give not away thy substance to another , lest it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe : concluding with this excellent precept ; be not excessive toward any , and without discretion doe nothing . now excuse mee gentlemen , if i have insisted longer on these two points , then the quality of the subject wee have in hand , might seeme to require : for i am not ignorant how many of your ranke have unfortunately fallen on these two dangerous shelves ; either , i meane , by too open a discovery of themselves , or by too prodigall a hand in giving , what they may afterwards stand in need of to releeve themselves . but of these wee shall have occasion to speake more amply in our discourse of moderation ; meane time , let this lesson be ever imprinted in the tablet of your memory : impart your mind , but not your secrets ; give where you see desert , but with such reservancie , as it may neither repent you to have given , having extended your bounty to such as are thankefull ; nor grieve you to have discovered your selves , having imparted your mind to such as are faithfull . it is a maxime in philosophy : whatsoever is , it is for some end : so as all our counsels and consultations , businesses and negotiations , have ever an eye or ayme to some speciall end , to which they are properly directed . for as wee see in elementary bodies , every one by naturall motion tendeth to their owne proper center , as light bodies upward , heavy ones downeward , being places wherein they are properly said to rest or repose ; even so in arts and sciences , or the proper objects to which they are directed , and wherein they are peculiarly said to be conversant , there is ever a certaine end proposed , to which , and in which their aimes are limited or confined . whence it is , that excellent morall saith , that every taske , labour , or imployment must have reference and respect to some end : which the poet confirmeth saying , all things which are , must have a proper end , to which by course of nature they doe tend . so as in my opinion , there is nothing which proceeds in a course more contrary to nature , then suits of law , whose object is end without end ; consuming time and substance in frivolous delayes , and multiplicity of orders , which like hidra's heads , by lopping off , or annulling one , gives way to decreeing of another . now to enter into discourse of the absolute end of acquaintance , wee are as well to reprove the indirect ends , which some make of it , as approve of those good and absolute ends for which it was ordained . wherefore to come unto the point , wee are to understand that acquaintance is nothing else but a familiar friendship , or friendly familiarity , which wee have one with another . now there is nothing which doth comparably delight the mind , like a faithfull friendship ; being , as the stagyrian philosopher well defineth it ; one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies . so as , of all possessions friendship is most precious , where wee are to make no other estimate of our friends life , then of our owne glory : a friend being nothing else then a second selfe , and therefore as individuate as man from himselfe . how much then is this sweet union or communion of minds abused , when friendship is onely made a state of , professing love and familiarity onely for our owne ends ? and where shall wee come , where this abuse of friendship and sociable acquaintance is not practised ? in the court wee shall find smooth and sweet-sented friends , who make friendship a complement , and vow themselves ours in protests , congies , and salutes : but whereto tend they , but to wind us in , and so become engaged for them ? for it stands with reason thinke they , as wee are familiar with them in complements of courtesie , so they should be familiar with us in the mercers booke . too precious are these mens acquaintance , and too heavy their engagements ; let us therefore turne from them , and travell towards the citie . and what shall wee find there , but many dangerous and subtill friends , who like politike tradesmen , having heard of our estates , and how we are come to yeeres to dispose of them , will professe themselves to be our countrey-men , in which respect wee cannot chuse , but make bold with them and their commodities rather then any stranger ? yet it is strange to see how strangely and unconscionably they will use us , making ever their commodities vendible with protestations , and binding them upon us with termes of courtesie . wee must then needs conclude , that these men tender friendship but onely for their owne ends . wee are therefore to seeke further , and descend to the countrey , where wee are likest to find them . yet see , the generall infection of this age ! wee shall find there , even where simplicity and plaine-dealing used ever to keepe home , great monied men , who to enrich their seldome prospering heirs , will offer us any courtesie , and to shew they love us , they will lend us to support our state , and maintaine our riot : but observe their aimes ; in feeding us , they feed on us ; in succouring us , they soake us ; for having made a prey of us , they leave us . likewise wee shall find there , many summer-swallowes , and find that sentence in them verified ; though one swallow make no summer , yet one mans summer makes many swallowes . where then shall we find them ? surely in all these places which wee have traced : for in the court , wee shall find friends no lesse compleat then complementall ; in the citie , frinds no lesse trusty then substantiall ; and in the countrey , friends no lesse faithfull then reall . notwithstanding , wee are taught to beware of our friends ; and the reason is this , for that some man is a friend for his owne occasion , and will not abide in the day of trouble . having now made choice of such friends and acquaintance , as may seeme to deserve both our knowledge and acceptance , wee are to respect the aime or end to which all friendship and acquaintance may truly and properly be referred . which ( as wee formerly observed ) is not only matter of gaine or worldly profit , as these brokers and sellers of amity esteeme it : for as much friendship may be found in cheape amongst the huxters , or in smith-field with the horse-coupers , as these professe . but rather , how we may benefit the inward man by a friendly conversation one with another . for which cause ( as wee have else-where noted ) came plato forth of asia into cilicia to see and converse with his deare friend phocion ; nicaula the rich saban queen , to visit salomon ; brutus the sincere roman , to converse with vtican . these , though pagans , so highly valued knowledge , as their aime was to entertaine friendship with knowing-men , purposely to increase , at least preserve their knowledge . for learning , which is the producer of knowledge , hath ever had such exquisite and admirable effects , as it hath gained due and deserved esteeme , not onely in respect of opinion , but title and honourable approbation . so as , nathan citraeus writeth , that in prage , an vniversity of bohemia , where iohn hus , and hierom of prage professed , that , they that have continued professours for the space of twenty yeers together , are created earles and dukes both together . and therefore their stile is to be called illustres , whereas they which are singly and simply but onely either earles or dukes , are called spectabiles . neither maketh it any matter that they have no revenews , to maintaine earledomes or dukedomes : for they have the title notwithstanding , even as suffragans have of bishops . this esteeme of learning was no lesse effectually expressed by one , who encountring with a scholer , who through necessity was enforced to turne begger , cryed out ; a scholer and a begger too ? the age is blind doth plainely show . yet how contemptible riches ( that worldlings idol ) hath ever beene to these , whose conceits were not engaged to pelse , nor their affections to desire of having , may appeare by the admirable contempt of divers pagans towards riches , preferring a voluntary poverty before all worldly possessions . this might bee instanced in anacharsis , who refused the treasure sent him by croesiis ; in anacreontes , who refused the treasure sent him by polycrates ; and albionus , who refused the treasure sent him by antigonus . the like indifferency towards riches , appeared in the admirable and inimitable patience of zeno , who hearing all his substance to bee drowned by shipwracke upon the sea ; fortune ( quoth hee ) bids mee to addresse my selfe to philosophy more speedily . the like in mimus , who threw his goods into the sea , saying ; packe hence , yee evils , for yee were hinderances to mee in my pursuit after better goods ; it is better for mee to drowne you , then be drowned by you . whence it was that demetrius was wont to say , that nothing could be more unhappy then that man , to whom no adversity ever hapned : for that opinion even amongst the ethnicks hath beene generally held for most authenticke , that nothing can be truly said to be good or evill , but a good or evill mind . now whereas we have sufficiently proved , that no true friendship can be but onely amongst good men , ( i meane morally or civilly good ) and that ayme in the profession of friendship or acquaintance , is either to better them , or be bettered by them : wee are in like sort to make this our aime or supreme end , that having made choice of such whose eminent parts deserve our respect and acceptance , wee are to imploy our time in conversing and conferring with them , the better to enable us in imployments publike or private . neither is this onely the absolute aime or end of friendship , for so we should inferre that our acceptation or intertainment of friends had reference onely to our owne private ends , without relation to him with whom wee have entred the lists of acquaintance . wee are therefore to have an eye to these especiall offices of friendship , being such as deserve our observation and imitation , if so be wee deserve the name or title of friends . first is , if wee see our friend doubtfull or unresolved , to advise him ; if afflicted , to comfort him ; if sick or restrained , to visit him ; if weake in estate or impoverished , to relieve him ; if injured , to labour by all means to right him , and in all things to be helpefull to him , supplying his necessity by apparent testimonies of our approved amity . it is reported , that on a time , duke godwin bringing up a service to edward the confessors table , he chanced to slip with one of his feete , but to recover himselfe with the other ; whereupon presently he used these words in the kings hearing ; one brother supports another . o ( quoth the king ) so might i have said too , if godwin had not beene ! meaning , that he was the cause of his brothers death , whose life was a staffe to his state , but his fall a weakning to his feet . certainly , every faithfull friend should be as a brother : or , as in a naturall body one member ministers aid and succour to another ; where the head cannot say to the foot , i have no need of thee , nor the foot to the hand , but every one in their distinct and mutuall offices are ready to execute their severall duties : so , i say , should friends and acquaintance be one to another ; not in preying or feeding one upon another , as if all were fish that came to net ; for this were to make no difference or distinction betwixt friend or foe , but for some intendment of private benefit to dissolve the strict bond of friendship . wheras a friend , being indeed a mans second selfe , or rather an individuate companion to himselfe , ( for there is one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies ) should be valued above the rate of any outward good , being such a happines , as he giveth a relish to the dayes of our pilgrimage , which otherwise would seeme like a wildernes : for the world , as it is both to bee loved and hated ; loved as it is the worke of the creator ; hated as the instrument of temptation unto sinne ; ministers some few houres of delight to the weary pilgrime , by the company and society of friends , recourse and concourse of acquaintance , without which comfort , how tedious and grievous would these few yeeres of our desolate pilgrimage appeare ? how highly then are we to value the possession of a good friend , who partakes with us in our comforts and discomforts , in the frownes and fawnes of fortune , shewing himselfe the same both in our weale and woe ? it is written of sylla , that never any did more good to his friends , or more harme to his enemies . which princely courtesie to his friends could not choose but increase them , howsoever his extreame courses towards his enemies might seeme rather to inrage than appease them . for as remembrance of benefits argues a noble nature , so forgetting of injuries ( having in the meane time power to revenge ) implies a bravely resolved temper . whence it was , that themistocles , when symmachus told him , he would teach him the art of memory , answered , hee had rather learne the art of forgetfulnesse ; saying , hee could remember enough ; but many things hee could not forget which were necessary to bee forgotten . as the over-weening conceit of himselfe , indignities done him by his foes , opposition in the quest of honour , and the like ; all which a great minde could hardly brooke , being so illimited as he can admit of no corrivall in his pursuit of honour . but to descend to the greatest benefit which proceeds from friendship , commerce and acquaintance : we shall find how miserable the state and condition of this flourishing iland had beene , whose halcyon dayes have attained that prerogative of peace , which most parts of christendome are at this day deprived of ; had not the friendly compassion , and devout zeale , of sundry learned and faithfull instruments of christ , delivered her from that palpable blindnesse and heathenish idolatry , under which she was long detained captive . * s. ierome , in the end of his dialogue against the pelagians , writeth thus : vntill the very comming of christ , ( saies he ) the province of britaine , which hath beene oftentimes governed by tyrants , and the scottish people , and all the nations round about the ocean sea , were utterly ignorant of moses and the prophets . so that then , by the testimony of s. ierome , all our religion was superstition , all our church-service was idolatry , all our priests were painims , all our gods were idols . and to appropriate to every nation their peculiar god , there was then in scotland the temple of mars ; in cornwall the temple of mercury ; in bangor in wales , the temple of minerva ; in b malden in essex , the temple of c vistoria ; in bath the temple of apollo ; in leycester , the temple of ianus ; in yorke , where peters is now , the temple of d bellona ; in london where pauls is now , the temple of e diana ▪ therefore it is very likely , that they esteemed as highly then of the goddesse diana in london , as they did in ephesus ; and that as they cried there , great is diana of the ephesians , so they cried here , being deluded with the same spirit , great is diana of the londoners . even no more than . yeeres before the incarnation of christ , when iulius caesar came out of france into england , so absurd , senselesse and stupid were the people of this land , that in stead of the true and ever-living lord , they served these heathenish and abominable idols , mars , mercury , minerva , victoria , apollo , ianus , bellona , diana , and such like . and not long after , anno christi . king lucius being first christened himselfe , forthwith established religion in this whole kingdome . but thanks , thankes be to god , in the time of the new testament , three and fifty yeares after the incarnation of christ , when ioseph of arimathea , came out of france into england , many in this realme of blind and ignorant pagans became very zealous and sincere christians . for saint philip the apostle , after hee had preached the gospel throughout all france , at length sent ioseph of arimathea hither into england : who , when he had converted very many to the faith , died in this land , and hee that buried the body of christ , was buried in f glastenbury himselfe . also simon zelotes , another apostle , after he had preached the gospel throughout all mauritania , at length came over into england : who when he had declared likewise to us the doctrine of christ crucified , was in the end crucified himselfe , and buried here in g britaine . about this time h aristobulus , one of the seventy disciples , whom saint paul mentioneth in his epistle to the romans , was a reverend and renowned bishop in this land. also claudia a noble english lady , whom st. paul mentioneth in his second epistle to timothy , was here amongst us a famous professor of the faith . since which time , though the civill state hath beene often turned up-side downe by the romans , by the saxons , by the danes , by the normans , yet the gospel of christ hath never utterly failed or beene taken from us . this the holy fathers of the church , which have lived in the ages next ensuing doe declare . tertullian , who lived anno . writeth thus ; i all the coasts of spaine and divers parts of france , and many places of britaine which the romans could never subdue with their sword , christ hath subdued with his word . origen who lived anno . writeth thus ; k did the i le of britaine , before the comming of christ , ever acknowledge the faith of one god ? no ; but yet now , all that countrey singeth joyfully unto the lord. constantine the great , the glory of all the emperours borne here in england , and of english bloud who lived anno . writeth in an epistle thus ; l whatsoever custome is of force in all the churches of egypt , spaine , france , and britaine , looke that the same bee likewise ratified among you . saint chrysostome who lived an. . writeth thus ; m in all places wheresoever you goe into any church , whether it bee of the moores , or of the persians , or even of the very iles of britaine , you may heare iohn baptist preaching . saint ierome , who lived anno . writeth thus ; n the french-men , the english-men , they of africa , they of persia , and all barbarous nations worship one christ , and observe one rule of religion . theodoret who lived anno . writeth thus ; o the blessed apostles have induced english-men , the danes , the saxons , in one word , all people and countries , to embrace the doctrine of christ. gregory the great , who lived anno . writeth thus ; p who can sufficiently expresse how glad all the faithfull are , for that the english-men have forsaken the darkenesse of their errours , and have againe received the light of the gospel ? beda , who lived anno . writeth thus ; q england at this present is inhabited by english-men , britaines , scots , picts , and romans ; all which though they speake severall tongues , yet they professe but one faith . thus you see , how the gospel of christ , having beene first planted in this land , by ios●ph of arimathea , and simon zelotes ( in whose time aristobulus and claudia , and not long after king lucius also lived ) hath ever since continued amongst us ; as testifieth tertullian , origen , constantine the great , athanasius , chrysostome , ie●ome , theodoret , gregory , beda , and many more , which might here have beene alleaged . now , how singular and exquisite a benefit have our progenitours received , by meanes of these faithfull professours of the gospel , and first planters of the christian faith here in this iland ? what a miserable famine of the word had the people of this land sustained , if these faithfull friends and sincere witnesses of the truth , had not loosed from the shore , and embarked themselves in danger , to deliver them from the danger of soules shipwracke ? in which danger , wee likewise had beene sharers , had not this so rich a fraught , so inestimable a prize rescued us from danger , and directed our feet in the way of peace . the story of theseus includes an excellent morall ; whose love to his deare friend perithous , the poet labouring to expresse , shewes how hee went downe to hell , of purpose to deliver his friend from the thraldome of pluto , under whom hee remained captive ; which without offence or derogation , may properly seeme to allude , ( next to that inimitable mirrour of divine amity ) to these noble and heavenly warriours , who descended ( as it were ) even to the jawes of hell , encountring with the insolent affronts of many barbarous assassinates , ready to practice all hostility upon them : yet see their undaunted spirits ! their godly care enflamed with the zeale of devotion , and their love to the members of christ , kindled with the coale of brotherly compassion , made them as ready to endure , as those hellish fiends and furies , the enemies of truth , were ready to inflict : choosing rather to perish in the body , then to suffer the poorest soule , bought with so high a price , to bee deprived of the hope of glory . these were good and kind friends , being such as would not sticke to lay downe their lives for their friends ; suffering all things with patience and puissance of mind , to free their distressed brethren from the servile yoke of hellish slavery , and bring them by meanes of gods spirit , by which they were directed , to the knowledge of the all-seeing verity . such as these professe not friendship under pretences or glozing semblances , making their heart a stranger to their tongue , or walking invisible , as if they had found the stone in the lapwings nest ; but as they are , so they appeare , affecting nothing but what is sincerely good ● , and by the best approved . their absolute ayme or end of friendship is to improve , reprove , correct , reforme , and conforme the whole image of that man with whom they converse , to his similitude whom all men present . if at any time they enter into discourse , it ever tends to fruitfull instruction ; if at any time they enter into serious meditation of the world , their meditation is not how to purchase estate , or fish after honour , or build a foundation on oppression , to enrich their posterity with the fruits of their injurious dealing . no , they have the testimony of a good conscience within them , which testifies for them , should the world and all her complices bandie against them . wherefore , admit they should bee put to all extremities , and suffer all the indignities , which envie or malice could dart upon them , the weight of every injury is to bee measured by the sense or feeling of the sufferer ; for the apprehension of the sufferer makes the injury offered , great or little ; if hee conceit it small or no injury , howsoever others esteeme it , the burden of the wrong is light , and therefore more easily sleights it . now , gentlemen , wee have traced over the whole progresse of acquaintance , wherein if happely it be thought , that we have sojourned too long , my answer is ; that in passages of greatest danger , there is required more circumspection , then rashly to goe on without due deliberation . and what occurrent in all the passage or pilgrimage of man , is beset with more danger then the choice of acquaintance ; especially to you , gentlemen , whose meanes is the adamant of acquaintance ? wee have therefore insisted the longer upon this subject , that you may be the lesse subject to such , who will winde them in with you , of purpose to feed and prey on you . to cure which maladie , no receit more soveraigne , then to imprint in your memory that golden rule or princely precept , recommended by that pious and puissant saint lewis to his sonne philip , in these words : have especiall care that those men , whose acquaintance and familiarity you shall use , be honest and sincere , whether they be religious or secular ; with whom you may converse friendly , and communicate your counsels freely ; but by all meanes avoide the company of naughty and wicked men : whose society ever tends to inordinate respects . take these cautions therefore as the last , but not least worthy your observation . be not too rash in the choice of your acquaintance , for that shewes weaknesse ; nor inconstant to those you have chosen , for that argues lightnesse ; nor too forward in the discovery of your counsels ; for so you might bee taxed of too much opennesse ; ever ayming at that absolute end of acquaintance , to profit more and more in the practice of goodnesse . so shall god bee your guide , good men your friends , and your countrey where you had education , receive much glory from your life , and conversation . the english gentleman . argument . moderation defined ; no vertue can subsist without it ; wherein it is to be used ; wherein to be limited ; of the accomplished end which attends it . moderation . in the whole progresse of mans life , which is nothing else , but a medley of desires and feares ; wee shall find , that there is no one vertue which doth better adorne or beautifie man , than temperance or moderation ; which indeed is given as an especiall attribute to man , purposely to distinguish him from brute beasts , whose onely delight is enjoying the benefit of sense , without any further ayme . this moderation therefore , being a note of distinction betwixt man and beast , let us draw neere to the knowledge of this so exquisite a vertue ; which , that wee may the better attaine , let us first see how she is defined : because every instruction grounded upon reason touching any subject , ought to proceed from a definition , that we may the better understand what that is , whereof wee dispute . moderation is a subduer of our desires to the obedience of reason , and a temperate conformer of all our affections , freeing them from the too much subjection either of desires or feares . first , it causeth our desires to be subject to the obedience of reason , pulling us alwayes by the sleeve , and remembring us how wee are men and partake of reason , and therefore ought not to subject our desires to the captivity of sense , as brute beasts which have no reason . secondly , it is a conformer of all our affections , freeing them from all unworthy subjection , either in respect of our desires or feares : of our desires , as having learned in all things to bee contented , whether that portion wherewith god hath blessed us , be little or great : of our feares , as suffering no worldly thing to be so neerely endeered to us , as to feare the losing of it , which wee so dearely tender . for the first , it is an excellent saying of a sage morall , there is no difference betweene having , and not desiring ; for hee that desires nothing , injoyes more then hee that possesseth the whole world ; for his desires are satisfied , which the worldling can never be , so long as his thoughts and desires are to the objects of earth engaged : so as , the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and rich not using , is by these two expressed , the one carendo , the other non fruendo : whereas , if the poore having little , desire no more then that little which they have , they become rich in desire ; and enjoy by desiring little , more above estimate then the dung-hill wretch ( whose eyes cannot enjoy themselves for coveting ) will ever be master of . for as men sicke of an atrophie , eat much , but thrive not ; so these , though they devoure widowes houses , feed upon the fat of the land , lay land unto land , and hoord up treasure to enrich a progeny of rioters , yet these seldome thrive with the fat of their oppressions , but make oft-times as fearefull ends , as their beginnings were calme and prosperous . it is a singular blessing , which the poet attributes to one , who was not onely rich , but could enjoy that hee had freely ; god gave thee wealth and power to use it too , which these earth-wormes of ours can never doe . neither onely in matters of desire , are wee to entertaine the choice company of moderation , but in our feares , where we many times feare to forgoe , what wee already with much content enjoy . so as the former direct their ayme to what they have not ; but the latter stand surprized with feare , lest they should leese what they already have : the former argues an avaritious mind , who can never confine his desires to what it hath ; the latter , a worldly besotted affection , that can never find heart to forgoe what it already enjoyes . a philosopher perceiving dionysius to sit merrily in the theater , after hee was expulsed his realme , condemned the people who banished him : certainely , this prince shewed an admirable moderation , both in respect of his desires and feares ; first , in his desires , extending not his thoughts above that low verge whereto his tyrannie had forced him ; nor fearing any succeeding losse , being above the reach of greater misery . this moderation appeared in furius camillus , whom neither honour could too much transport , nor disgrace cast downe ; bearing the former with no lesse temperance , then he did the latter with patience ; and esteeming it his onely conquest , to conquer passion in the height of affliction . it is likewise a great argument of moderation , when in extremity , wee stand prepared to encounter with the worst of danger , passing all inducements to feare , with a mind no lesse resolute than cheerefull , saluting affliction with a smile , and entertaining surmises of danger with a jest . this did crassus , who being willed by the arabian guides to make haste before the moone was past scorpio ; but i ( said hee ) feare more sagittarie , meaning the archers of persia. there is nothing which expresseth more true worth in any man , then his constancie and courage in the encounters of this life ; imitating , in this respect , vespasian , who upon the instant of his dissolution , when death had summoned him to make present surrender , by paying his debt to nature , of that short lease of life , which with many an unquiet houre he had traced , standing up upon his feet , used these words ; it became an emperour to take his leave of earth standing : implying , that the extremities , which either nature or fortune could inflict upon him , could not so much deject him , or by their assaults enforce him to doe ought unworthy himselfe . whence wee are taught ( and well may this lesson deserve our observation ) to entertaine this life with patience , expecting death with a desired assurance : for there is no better meanes to moderate the passions of desire and feare , then to enter into meditation of the world ; and withall to consider , how there is nothing of that esteeme in the world , that may seeme worthy our desires , coveting to have it ; or worthy our feare , inwardly doubting to lose it . this serious consideration will bee of force to move the greatest worldling to a moderation of his desires , subjecting them to the obedience of reason . whereas , if hee should give reines to his owne avarice , ericthous bowels could not containe more in proportion , then his in an illimited desire and affection : for the world , being like a city without a wall , a house without a doore , a ship without helme , a pot without a cover , and a horse without a bridle ; hath brought out people equally consorting with her in nature and temper ; of unbridled and uncorrigible dispositions , naturally affected to all sensuall liberty , preferring one minutes pleasure or profit before an eternity of succeeding pleasures and profits , reserved for those only whose lives are imployed in promoting their makers glory , being wholly addressed to please him ; and whose deaths , like the choicest odours , sent out a sweet smell , the perfume of a good and vertuous life , sending out a voice even in their last period to praise him . what admirable moderation divers ancient princes have shewen , especially in their contempt to the glory and pompe of this life , histories can afford sufficient examples ; but to omit forraigne instances , my purpose is to insert here one of our owne ; which , by how much more neere us , by so much deeper impression should it enforce in us . canutus that was absolute king almost of five kingdomes , somewhat before the conquest , upon a time in his progresse riding neere the thames , light and sate downe before the shore : then , as it were to try a conclusion , hee commanded the water being now ready to arise againe and to flow , not to come any neerer him : but the water keeping his naturall course , came up still higher and higher , till it began to wet him . whereupon to his nobles , which were about him , yee call mee ( sayes he ) your king and master , and so indeed i am ; and yet loe yee , i cannot command so much as this little streame ; but doe what i can that will doe still as it list . whereupon presently hee posted to westminster , and resigned his crowne to the crucifix there ; neither could hee ever after this be perswaded to weare it any more . the like indifferency to all princely , honours , shewed those memorable saxons , kingulfus , iva , ceodulphus , eadbertus , ethelredus , keredus , offa. sebbi , sigebertus . charles the fifth emperour of germany , gave up his empire into the hands of the princes electors , and with-drew himselfe in the yeere . into a monastery . the like of late yeeres did his sonne , king philip of spaine . neither need wee to exemplifie this subject , touching contempt of the world , onely in such as the glorious light of the gospel had shone upon , but such whose time of darkenesse had never attained to so blessed a sunne-shine : as it may be instanced in dioclesian , who voluntarily relinquished the flourishingest empire in the world . yea , to adde one example more , even amongst those whose best religion is policie , and whose onely aimes are to inlarge their own soveraignty : amurah the second , emperour of the turkes , after he had gotten infinite victories , became a monke of the straightest order amongst them , in the yeere of our lord . all which may seeme to confirme what sel●ucus being king was wont to say , that if a man knew with what care a diadem was clogged , hee would not take it up , though it lay in the street . so as , when the romans had despoiled antiochus of all asia , hee gave them great thankes , saying , they had rid him of many insupportable cares . now , as we have defined this vertue to be a subduer of our desires to the obedience of reason , and a temperate conformer of all our affections ; so are wee to direct our eye to the conclusion , to wit , a freer of the affections from the too much subjection , either of desires or feares . so as , we are here to observe , that hee is the man whom our definition only aimes at , whose well-tempered brest is neither transported with a desire of enjoying what it hath not , nor surprised with a feare of losing what it now enjoyes : having so much as may content him , the losse whereof should hee sustaine , could nere deject him . such an one the tragick poet entituleth a prince , as one too worthy to bee numbred amongst the inferiour ranke : who feares , desires , and flilling cares suppresse , are kings at least , they can be nothing lesse . for these are they who have absolute soveraignty over their passions , and in prosperity scorne as much to be proud , as in adversity to shew themselves base . yea , they will rather entertaine the extreamest encounters that misery can lay upon them , then lose the least of that liberty of mind , with which their noble temper hath endued them . in briefe , those onely who dis-value sublunary things , esteeming them as they are , onely to minister to our necessity , and not to reare them , as blind worldlings use , in the tabernacle of their heart to commit idolatry , keepe consort with this definition ; for the golden meane , as it is onely approved by them , so in a princely moderation of their affections , they are ever readiest to enter lists with their owne passions , that if any either exceed or come short of this meane , they may so square and hammer it till it bee reduced to a proposed meane . and let this suffice , for the definition : we will now descend to the second branch , wherein wee intend to shew , that no vertue can subsist without moderation , being indeed the temper which allayeth and aptly disposeth all our actions , making them equally seasoned , which otherwise would become violent and immoderate . as moderation is a subduer of every inordinate or indisposed affection , so is it a seasoner or temperer of all our actions , making them seeme worthy the title of vertuous , which without this temper would appeare vicious . for without this moderation , he that is liberall should incurre the name of prodigall , the frugall the name of miserable , the resolute be termed dissolute , the morall civill man a coward , the wise stoicall , the regular meerely formall , the just rigorous , the mercifull remisse . so defective is the structure of all vertues , wanting the sweet temper of moderation to season them . neither proceedeth this from the malevolent or uncharitable censures of men , as former times , have beene too apt to traduce or mis-interpret their best deservings , by aspersing some unworthy blemish upon their demerits : as in rome , if the pisoes bee frugall , they are censured-parcimonious ; if the metelli religious , they are taxed superstitious ; if the appii popular , they are termed ambitious ; if the manlii austere , they are stiled tyrannous ; if the lelii wise , they are curious ; the publicolae aspiring if courteous ; but meerely upon the want or deficiency of such actions , which are not tempered with moderation . for to give instance in each kinde ; how nobly and invincibly did alexander the great beare himselfe in all exploits ? how much feared abroad , and how much loved at home ? how affable to his friends , and how terrible to his foes ? yet how much were all his actions , of valour and matchlesse resolution darkened through want of moderation , being so excessively given to passion in his drinke , as his nearest and dearest friends could not bee secure from his fury ? for howsoever those acts and exploits of his against darius , yea against all opponents , expressed the noblenesse of his person , with the continued attendance of succeeding fortune ; yet the death of clytus , the torments he inflicted on callisthenes , and depopulation of persepolis , detracted as much from his glory , as ever his conquests gained him glory . likewise , how just and sincere was agesilaus held in all matters of justice ? how free from this ages staine , corruption ? how farre from personall respect , or to be over-awed by the offenders greatnesse ? so as , like the worlds generall ( of whom we even now made mention ) and of whom plutarch reports , that he used to shut the one eare with his hand when he heard any accuser in criminall causes , thereby ( as he said ) reserving audience for the defendant ; semblably did this renowned patron and patterne of unblemished iustice greatly eclipse those more glorious lights which shone in him , for want of moderating his affection towards his children ? so as his riding upon a cockhorse did no lesse argue his weaknesse , than his sincerity in matters of iustice witnessed his uprightnesse . albeit , his discreet parentall answer to such sages as occasionally repaired to him amidst that trifling pleasure , might seeme to qualifie this error : gentlemen , yee that see mee thus highly taken with this childish and vnmanly pleasure , till yee have children of your owne , suspend your censure . lastly , how profoundly wise was the lacedemonian chilo held to be , being numbred among the seven sages of greece , and elected ephorus , a place of especiall honour and esteeme ? how exquisite his sentences ? how quicke and pregnant his answers ? how solid his reasons ? how absolute in all his proceedings ? yet behold for want of moderation of his passions , how childishly hee gave way to excesse of joy , whereby he was inforced to pay his debt to nature . whence wee may easily collect , that no vertue , how cardinall soever , can subsist without the assistance of moderation , being that lesbian rule which direct● the modell , and makes it truly accomplished . all vertues ( saith one ) doe make a common-wealth happy and peaceable : but temperance alone is the sustainer of civill quietnesse ; for it taketh care that the realme be not corrupted with riot and wanton delights , whereby divers states have bin cast away ▪ or , to descend more particularly to those divine effects which this vertue produceth , it hindreth dishonest actions , restraineth pleasures within certaine bounds , and which maketh men to differ from bruit beasts . moreover , this is that herbe , which mercury gave to vlysses , lest he should taste of the inchanters cup , and so with his fellowes be transformed into a hog , wallowing in the mire of all sensuall delights . so as , whosoever is endued with this vertue , stands fortified against all assailants ; those eye-sores ( for so plutarch cals them ) i meane those attractive objects of lust , cannot surprize him : nor those worldly tumours ( for so eucherius stiles them ) i meane worldly honours , intrap him . not those robes or ragges of shame , the gorgeous attire of sinne ( which hierome cals antichrists veile ) delude him . nor those theeves of time , ( for so the orator is pleased to call them ) i meane friends and acquaintance , over-joy him . in briefe , as the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleeres and purifies it ; so there is no poison either arising from the tempting object of beauty , from the ambitious aspiring to honour , from the attire of sinne or cover of shame , or from those sweet time-beguilers or acquaintance , which is not frustrated by this choice and soveraign receit of temperance . so as this is that vertue , which ( though in generall it deserve to bee affected of all ) great men ought specially to embrace , that by their example the common sort might become temperate : for this is the reason why so many now a daies live riotously like beasts , namely , because they see noblemen , and magistrates that governe the common-wealth , to lead their lives wantonly , as sardanapalus did . whence it was that the poet so seriously concluded ; great is the crime , it cannot chuse , if he be great that doth it use . for as we see in colours , there is none which discovers any soile or blemish so much as white ; or as we have observed in the eclipse of the sunne , that it drawes more eyes to view it , than the darkning of any inferiour light : so amongst the children of men , though sinne be sinne in every one , yet more noted , and in that more exemplar , in these high peering cedars , i meane our peeres and nobles , then in these lower shrubs , whose humble condition frees them from like publike observance . how necessary is it then for you , gentlemen , whose birth hath enobled you , whose breeding hath enabled you , and whose more generous spirits have emboldned you , to undertake assayes for the glory and benefit of your countrey , the better to expresse your love and allegeance to your prince : to become affecters and practisers of so singular a vertue , that your lives might be patternes of moderation unto others , seeing more eyes are fixt upon you than on inferiours ? you are moulds wherein meaner men are ●asten ; labour then by your example to stampe impressions of vertue in others , but principally temperance , seeing no vertue can subsist without it . it is dangerous ( saith austine ) when prodigality and riot sway a scepter ; neither onely is it dangerous for the person whose illimited affections , of a prince make him a vassall ; but for the whole body of the state , training it to all impiety by his evill example . the laconians , by meanes of wife and temperate princes , became admired for their moderation and continence : insomuch as their spare diet , their home-spun raiment , and their generall hate to all accesse , made them no lesse honoured at home , than feared abroad . whereas , contrariwise , the sidonians , by following the riotous examples of some of their licentious princes , fell into all excessive gluttony . so powerfull and perswasive were the lives of princes , to inforce impressions of goodnesse or badnesse in the imitation of their subjects . but to take a review of those maine assailants of temperance , lust , ambition , gorgeousnesse in apparell , luscious fare , company-keeping , and the like , we shall find that where this temperance is , albeit these objects even in their height should encounter him , the bait will bee long laid ere it can take him . for to run over all these , and illustrate them with proper instances , wee shall plainely shew ; that where a divine power is ready to assist , and man no lesse ready , upon temptations approaching , to resist , all these motives can take no place . what admirable continencie shewed alexander in the conquest of his affections , sparing darius wife and his three daughters ? how greatly did this worlds monarch enlarge his glory by this onely conquest ? yet to reflect upon those objects of beauty we shall finde ; if records be true which write of them , that for beauty they were incomparably gracious , and for state the choicest dames of persia. the like we reade of scipio , who being a young man of foure and twenty yeeres of age , of strong constitution , and promising personage , in the taking of a citie in spaine , repressed his flames of lust , albeit a beautifull maid was brought him ; restoring her to a young man called allutius , to whom she was espoused , with a great reward . but incredible is the report of zenocrates continency , who lying all night with lais though shee used all the provocations and inticements shee could devise , yet he remained immoveable to her voluptuous inducements . and to close this illustration with an heroicke instance , cleopatra in the last tragicke scene of her disasters , kneeling at the feet of caesar , laid baits for his eyes ; but in vaine , her beauties were beneath that princes chastity . neither are histories ( those precious treasuries of time ) lesse plentifull in instances of moderation touching motives of ambition . when all the worldly romans ( i meane such whose demerits had gained them an eminent esteeme with their countrey ) had a desire to preserve their memories by erection of their statues , cato would not ; and being demanded the cause , answered ; if i might choose , i would rather have it asked why cato hath no statues erected for him , than why they are erected for him : implying that vertue , which is the most continued shrine , and , as that sage morall saith , maketh man a god , had more power to eternize him , than all materiall monuments ; which , as they are subject to corruption , so shall their names bee , which are engraven on them . from their contempt shewen to these sumptuous covers of corruption , iunius and blaesus , by the testimony of tacitus received no lesse glory ; whose statues , because they were not engraven in stone , appeared more conspicuous to the eye of the state. no lesse moderation of his desires shewed agesilaus , that princely patterne of iustice ; who , when the aegyptians , came forth of purpose to adore him , for those numerous and glorious victories which hee had atchieved , couched himselfe close upon the grasse , without least shew or semblance of majesty , expressing the humility of his thoughts by the lownesse of his seat . but of all others , there is no one example , to instance a true moderator of ambition , like that noble and victorious champion ; godfrey de boloigne , whose valour so bravely employed in expulsing the turkes and freeing ierusalem , that citie of the great king , from miserable slavery , had gained him so deserved a name , as it was thought fit his honourable service should be rewarded with a golden diadem ; but how answered this glorious champion ? farre bee it from mee ( quoth hee ) to suffer the servants head to be with a crowne of gold paled , where the masters head was with a crowne of thornes pierced . to produce likewise instances in such whose moderation in attire , manifested their contempt to these covers of shame , we shall find lycurgus , phocion , pelopidas , with many others , such profest foes to gorgeous apparell , as they alwayes reteined their ancient countrey weare with such plainenesse , as they expressed what they were , by the garments they wore . for a mans garment ( saith the sonne of sirach ) and his excessive laughter , and his going , declare what person hee is . insomuch as augustus caesar bore alwayes hatred to gorgeous and sumptuous apparell , terming it the blazer and bruiter of our pride , the nests to hatch the lascivious brood of lechery . in like manner , to descend to all those assailants of temperance , wee shall find many excellent subduers of their owne affections , using an admirable kind of restraint or moderation in their fare . the number of guests amongst the romans in any solemne feast privately observed , was not great , seldome times exceeding nine ; whence aulus gellius saith , that the number of guests should beginne with the graces , and end with the muses ; that is , they must not be fewer then three , nor more then nine . which use was occasion of that adage , septem convivium , novem convitium faciunt ; seven make a banquet , nine a riot . albeit that luxurious emperour heliogobalus seemeth to have beene delighted with the number of eight ; whence he invited to supper , to make his feast more singular , . bald ones , eight blind ones , eight gouty ones , eight deafe ones , eight hoarse ones , eight very blacke ones , eight very long ones , eight very fat ones , and eight hooke-nosed ones , being delighted with that greeke proverbe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : whose ape , it seemes , that late conceited academicke was , who invited the blind , lame , and deformed to a supper , for whom hee had provided fowles , as different to their pallat by nature , as they were to others in feature ; furnishing his feast with owles , cuckowes , staniels , and popinjayes , to make himselfe infamously famous for his invention . but to proceed with these ethnicke instances of moderation ; democritus preserved his life without any other sustenance , save only the smell of hot bread , for the space of nine dayes : which abstinence or restraint was not injoyned him ; for neither his owne estate , nor any superior commanding power , had enforced him to that misery ; but purposely to prepare himselfe for celebrating with more solemnity the feasts which were kept in honour of ceres , called commonly ( as i take it ) buthysia ; resembling in greatnesse of celebrity , and magnificence of estate , that huge sacrifice called hecatombe . pythagoras likewise was of that wonderfull moderation in his fare , and that through no infirmity of nature , in that hee could not , but through an incessant desire to his studies ; with a vehement affection to the preservation or propagation rather of all living creatures ; as hee would desire two things of god , if the possibility thereof could stand with the conservation of humane society ; that hee might not speake , that hee might not eat : by the one to prevent offence in discourse , by the other avoid surfet by excesse . so as , hee commanded his schollers even in unreasonable things , as birds , beasts , fishes , &c. to abstaine from cruelty ; entreating both fowlers and fishers to let goe the fowle and fish they had caught , or else redeeme them with money , and let them goe . but too immoderate was this care , and too foolish this pitie ; for creatures were ordained for the use and service of man ; hee then that neglecteth the use , neglecteth likewise the ordinance . but in subjects of moderation , none more absolute , then where nature is urged by necessity to crave releefe , and occasion is ministred , yet the desire restrained : as in extremity of thirst , when nature requireth drink , which according to the philosophers axiom , is the very last refuge of nature , either through compassion or manly moderation , her desires is restrained . this did alexander , who out of a princely moderation or noble compassion , when hee was almost consumed with drought , having a head-peece full of water presented unto him , would not drink himselfe , but offered it to his souldiers . much to bee admired was this act of moderation , and a motive of generall affection , that a prince urged by the extreamest effects of thirst , and having occasion and meanes to satisfie the request of nature , yet moved with compassion towards his fellow-souldiers ( for so used hee to terme them ) hee chused rather to want himselfe , then to be wanting in any compassionate office to their necessity . certainely this act deserveth so much the more to be commended , by how much the extremity was greater which hee suffered . darius , when in his flight hee dranke muddy and stinking water , said , that hee never dranke a sweeter draught . which implyes , what torment he indures who feeles the extremity of thirst . the last assailant of temperance ( as wee formerly observed ) was company-keeping ; which indeed is such a stealer of time , or beguiler of tedious houres , as it makes passing of time a meere pastime . yet observe , what diligent care hath beene had , by making choice of such ( as i have else-where noted ) whose society might better them . peruse those athenian nights in gellius , and you shall find how fruitfully those nights were employed , how delightfully passed : making discourse of philosophy , that well-consorting melodie , which gave generall content to all the company . besides , it is worth our observation , to take a view of the speciall care divers ancients have had of the company they consorted with : having such in as great distaste that were evill , as they bore all due reverence to such as were good . wee reade how the prienean bias , having occasion to saile on a time with some ill-disposed men , by reason of a violent tempest , the ship wherein they sailed was so shaken , as these wicked men , moved rather by feare then devotion , begun to call upon their gods ; which bias hearing , hold your peace ( quoth hee ) lest the gods you call upon understand that you be here ; covertly taxing their impiety , and shewing that their prayers would be little acceptable to the gods . but an example much more divine , and so much deserving our imitation , may be here commended to us in the person of the blessed evangelist s. iohn , who would not come within the bath where the hereticke cerinthus was , so much did hee hate the fellowship of him , who , to use augustines words , was no fanne for the lords floore . thus have we run over those mainest and mightiest assailants of temperance ; now let us , as wee have illustrated each of them with proper instances of moderation , annex some reasons why these assailants of temperance ought to be restrained : and first for the first . lust , the sensuall mans sinne , is said to bee a friend which brings man in acquaintance with the divell , as ebriety is an enemy to the knowledge of god. besides , it is a vice detestable both to the brute beast and barbarian ; it with-drawes the mind of the creature from meditation of his creator ; makes man commit sinne even with greedinesse ; makes the image of god companion for a harlot ; makes him who should be the temple of the holy ghost , a cage of uncleane birds ; prostitutes the glory of the soule to the pleasure of sinne ; and prefers a sensuall delight before the obedience of reason . hee sels his birth-right for lesse then a messe of pottage , exposing his soule to the trafficke of shame . hee values a minutes joy above all future delight ; yea , rather then lose his present content , he will suffer an eternity of torment . this bleere-eyed lover is so blinded with affection towards his beloved , that hee will rather lose his owne soule , then lose that which hee affecteth . thus you see the lustfull man uncased , his blindnesse discovered , his sundry weaknesses displayed , and the heavy effects which from hence are derived : good reason then have you to restraine an affection so over-spreading , a motion so mortally wounding , a contagion so generally killing . take into your consideration the shortnesse of the pleasure , being but a moment ; the vengeance or punishment due to that pleasure , being eternall . what wise man , having neerely served his apprentiship , will for a minutes pleasure forfeit his indenture , and lose his freedome for ever ? wee should hold him destitute of common sense , who having a princesse offered him , will foolishly lose her for embraces of an harlot . if you will keepe your selves unspotted till the day of his comming , you shall bee espoused to a princely bridegroome , and receive palmes in your hands at his comming . go● not in by the wayes of the strange woman , but keepe your beds undefiled , knowing the state which you have undertaken to bee honourable before god and man. for i in no case will limit you to a monasticke or regular restraint , but approve of both estates , i meane both the single and married life , being undertaken in the feare of god , worthy the acceptance of every faithfull christian. for the virgins estate , as it drawes neerer to angelicall perfection , so the married to the preservation of humane society or propagation . so as saint augustine might seeme rather to be traduced , then truly alleaged for this place , virgins doe more then lawfull , as adulterers lesse : for my conceit shall ever be freed , from imagining so divine a father to approve of such an errour : for both estates are commended ; the one good , the other better ; both which titles , as they are by the apostle on these two estates conferred , so are they by us to be reverently esteemed . briefly , restraine all immoderate desires of the flesh , which fight against the spirit , so shall you find that inward tranquillity which obedience to your lusts shall never bring you . ambition , the second assailant of temperance , is such an high-mounting bird , as shee useth to build her nest ever in the tallest cedars , hatching her aeries in the highest spires , to expresse her unbounded aymes . this passion or distraction rather , of all others , brings man soonest to a forgetfulnesse of himselfe : ever aspiring , but never obtaining ; ever sailing in a tempestuous sea , attented by many hostile and piraticall adherents , whose aymes are to intercept all peaceable passengers , filling the whole state full of mutinies and combustions . pindarus describes him to be such an one , who strives to touch the clouds , and cope with iove himselfe , but is aymes draw him on to speedy ruine . what reason then is there to foster or cocker such a profest foe to publike and private peace ? who is hee , having understanding , will receive into his barge , where hee is , a quarrellous turbulent fellow , who in desperate fury will not sticke to over-whelme the vessell , both of himselfe , and the rest that consort him ? who is hee that will engage him in perill , when hee may in safety enjoy himselfe , and be free from danger ? who is hee that will desire to climbe , when he knowes there is no meanes to save him from falling , being got up ? surely the ambitious man is ever environed with perill , yet such is his folly , hee will rather chuse to incurre danger , then lose the present opportunity of acquiring honour . besides , they whom this unbounded passion hath once surprized , are so much distempered , as of sleepe they are quite deprived ; which disquiet proceeds either from emulation towards others , or an ambitious desire of advancement in themselves . for the first , themistocles was wont to say , that miltiades victory in marathon , bereaved him of his sleepe . for the latter , sylla could never take rest , till by the terrour of his legions , hee had obtained the law valeria to be made , whereby hee was created dictator for eight yeares ; as caesar the law servia , by which hee was perpetuall dictator . albeit , having obtained what they desired , and arrived at the port whereto their course was directed , they found an empire to be a monstrous and untamed beast , wounding them with many thorny cares , which deprived them of all seasonable rest . doe you then love to be at peace to enjoy perfect liberty , to be divided from all occasions of disquiet ? restraine those icarian thoughts , whose soaring wings are ever laved in the depth of ruine . confine your thoughts within an equal limit : and let not your projectments be above hope of effecting . those braving builders of babel , aymed at too high a story to bring their worke to perfection . let the foundation be built on firme ground , and the building will prosper better . for howsoever faire pretences may for a time appeare in the habit of truth , daubing up a rotten inside with a specious out-side ; hee that sitteth in the heavens and searcheth the hearts and reines , shall have them in derision , breaking them in peeces like a potters vessell . restraine then this fury or frenzie of the mind , and with timely moderation so bound in and confine your affections , as no aspiring thought may enter that place , which is reserved for a higher place : so shall you enjoy more absolute content in restraining , then enlarging your thoughts to the motives of ambition . gorgeous attire , being the third assailant moving man to glory in his shame , and gallant it in his sinne , is to be especially restrained , because it makes us dote upon a vessell of corruption , strutting upon earth , as if we had our eternall mansion on earth . what great folly is it to preferre the case before the instrument , or to bestow more cost upon the signe then on the iune ? me thinkes the bitter remembrance of the first necessity of clothes , should make men more indifferent for them : if man had never sinned , his shame had never needed to have beene covered . for sinne was the cause of adams shame , and his shame the cause hee fled unto the shade , which afforded him fig-leaves to cover his nakednesse . what vanity then , yea , what impudence to glory in these covers of shame ? would any one having committed some capitall offence against his prince ; for which hee is after pardoned , but on condition hee shall weare a halter about his neck , become proud of his halter , and esteeme it an especiall badge of honour ? wee are all in the selfe-same case ; wee have committed high treason against the king of heaven , yet are wee received to mercy , bearing about us those memorials of our shamefull fall or defection from our king ; which should in all reason rather move us to bee ashamed of our selves , then to prize our selves higher for these ornaments of shame . sure i am , as hee is a fond man that values the worth of his horse , by his sumptuous saddle or studded bridle ; so hee is most foolish , who estimates a man by his garment . yet see the misery of this age ! the cover of shame is become the onely luster to beautifie him : but be not yee so deluded ; prize the ornaments of the mind for the choicest and chiefest beauty : farre be it from you to glory in this attire of sinne , these rags of shame , these worme-workes , which with-draw your eyes from contemplating that supreme bounty and beauty , purposely to fix them upon the base objects of earth , which detract much from the glory of a reasonable soule . the swan prides not her selfe in her black-feet ; no more should you in these covers of your transgression , which , whensoever yee looke on , may put you in mind of your first pollution . no reason then to affect these , which had man never sinned , hee had never needed , being before clothed with innocency as with a garment , and with primitive purity , as with a rayment . whence it appeares , that many glory in the rags of shame , while they glory in these robes of sinne : now who , endued with reason , would pride him in that which augments his shame , or esteeme that a grace which asperseth reproach on him ? nicetas saith plainely ; no punishment so grievous as shame . and nazianzen yet more expresly ; better were a man die right out , then still live in reproach and shame . ajax being ready to dispatch himselfe , used these as his last words ; no griefe doth so cut the heart of a generous and magnanimous man , as shame and reproach . for a man to live or die , is naturall ; but for a man to live in shame and contempt , and to be made a laughing-stock of his enemies , is such a matter , as no well bred and noble minded man that hath any courage or stomacke in him , can ever digest it . delight not then in your shame , but in a decent and seemely manner affect that habit most , which becommeth most ; restraining that profusenesse , which the vanity of this age so much exceeds in ; and assuming to your selves that attire which gives best grace to modesty , and hath neerest correspondence with gentility . neither is luscious fare to be lesse avoided , or with lesse strictnesse restrained . many reasons whereof might be here produced , but wee will cull out the chiefest , to weane our generous vitellians from their excessive surfets . first , dainty dishes are foments to wanton affections , begetting in the soule and unaptnesse to all spirituall exercises : for this is a generall rule , that the body being strengthned , the soule becomes weakned : for fasting is a preparative to devotion , but riot the grand-master of distraction . looke how it is in the health of the body , and so it is in the state of the soule : if a man have a good appetite , and a stomacke to his meat , it is a signe hee is well in health ; in like sort , if a man be content to follow christ for the loaves to fill his belly , and care not for the food of his soule , questionlesse all is not well betweene god and him ; but if wee have a longing and a hungring desire of the word , then indeed his heart is upright in the sight of god. for as saint augustine noteth well ; if the word of god be taken by us , it will take us . but what meanes may be used to procure this longing and hungring desire in us ? not luscious or curious fare ; for that will move us rather to all inordinate motions , then the exercise of devotion : no , it is fasting that makes the soule to be feasting ; it is macerating of the flesh , that fattens the spirit . for it is sumptuous fare , that is the soules snare : sagina corporis , sagena cordis : it is the net which intangles the heart of man , drawing her from the love of her best beloved spouse , to dote on the adulterate embraces of sensuall beauty . neither is it fare , but delight in fare ; not simply the meat , but the desire or liquorish appetite , which produceth those odious effects : as for example , when the loose affected man maketh choice or election of such meats , purposely to beget in him an ability , as well as desire , to his sensuall pleasures . whence a learned father most divinely concludeth : i feare not ( saith he ) the uncleanenesse of meats in respect of their difference , but uncleannesse of desire in respect of concupiscence . neither doth the kind or difference of the meat ( saith another ) pollute so much , as the act of disobedience , eating that which is inhibited . now to propose a rule of direction ; not any one surer or safer can be set downe , then what an ancient father hath already proposed . wee nourish our bodies ( saith hee ) lest by being too much weakned , they faile us ; and wee weaken them by abstinence , lest by too much feeding them , they presse us . so then , temper your desires , that neither too much restraint may enfeeble them , nor excesse surcharge them . for as the body being weakned , the soule becomes strengthned ; so where the body becomes too much enfeebled , the performance of spirituall exercises is disabled : but in all things , take heed of pampering a disobedient servant ; hee sleeps in your bosome , that imagines mischiefe against you . who , the more hee is fostered , the more is your danger furthered : the more hee is cockered , the more is your heat of devotion cooled : chastise then this domesticke enemy in time , for hee participates of the nature of a serpent , who spreads most his poyson , where hee receives harbouring . now as the philosophers observe of the hart , that being pursued by dogs in hunting , by reason of heat , and losse of breath , being tired with the chase , hee hasteneth to the rivers ; or wearied in fight with a serpent , or stung , or wounded by him , while the serpent resteth on the the ground , hee seeketh to some cold fountaine , whereby the affection of the venome received , may be abated , and his former vigour restored . even so , such as are wounded , and strucken of the old serpent , must have recourse to christ , that fountaine of living waters , that all sensuall desires arising from excessive delight in delicious fare , may be the better allayed . neither onely is restraint to be used in the choice , and change of meats , but in the excessive use of drinkes . the reasons are two ; the one is , it is an enemy to the knowledge of god ; the other is this , it is held to be an enfeebler or impairer of the memorative parts ; for you shall ever note that deepe drinkers have but shallow memories . their common saying is , let us drowne care in healths : which drowning of care makes them so forgetfull of themselves , as carried away with a brutish appetite , they onely intend their present delight , without reflexion to what is past , or due preparation to what may succeed . o restraine then this mighty assailant of temperance ! bee ever your selves ; but principally stand upon your guard , when occasion of company shall induce you ; being the last we are to speake of . this company-keeping , how much it hath depraved the hopefullest and towardliest wits , daily experience can witnesse . for many wee see civilly affected , and temperately disposed of themselves not subject to those violent or brain-sicke passions , which the fumes of drinke beget ; till out of a too pliable disposition they enter the lists of good fellowship ( as they commonly terme it ) and so become estranged from their owne nature , to partake with zanies in their distempered humour . so as in time , by consorting with evill men , they become exposed to all immoderate affections ; such is the strength of custome . whence it is , that saint basil saith , passions rise up in a drunken man ( note the violence of this distemper ) like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . now you shall see him compassionately passionate , resolving his humour into teares ; anon like a phrenticke man , exercising himselfe in blowes ; presently , as if a calmer or more peaceable humour had seized on him , he expresseth his loving nature in congies and kisses . so different are the affections which this valiant mault-worme is subject to ; yet howsoever , out of a desperate bravado he binde it with oathes , that he will stand to his tackling , he is scarce to be credited , for he can stand on no ground . but to annexe some reasons which may effectually disswade every generous-affected spirit from consorting with such * sociats as are a blemish to a gentleman ; imagine with your selves , how mortally dangerous it is to enter an infected house ; how fearefull would any one bee of the state of his body , if hee should have one in his company who had the carbuncle or plague-sore running upon him ? how much would hee condemne his owne rashnesse to entertaine any such in his company ? and with what respect or cautelous advice would he prepare to expell the poyson of that infection , at least to prevent the occasion ? no cost might be spared , no care intermitted , that some soveraigne , receit might be procured , whereby the apparent danger , into which his inconsiderate rashnesse had brought him might be removed . now if our bodies , being but the covers of more curious and exquisite instruments , be so especially tendred , with what respect ought we to provide for the safety or security of our soules ? the ground of a disease is to mixe the sound with the sicke : now the soules disease is sinne , wherewith shee laboureth more painfully than the body can doe , being annoyed with any infirmity . those that are sicke , are vicious men , whose disease though it be insensible , and in that lesse curable it breakes out into loathsome ulcers , which staine the pristine beauty of the soule . now as wee serve so many vices , wee serve so many masters ; and so many masters , so many divels , each one having so many divels , as evils . which miserable servitude to prevent ( for no slavery is baser than the service of sinne ) the best and soveraignest receit that may be applied or ministred to the soule-sicke patient is the receit of adversion ; to turn aside from the waies of the wicked , and to keepe no company with the transgressour : for this adversion from the companions of sin , is a conversion to the god of sion . would you then have god turne to you ? turne you from your sinnes . would you bee at one with your maker ? be ever divided from these sensuall mates , so shall you bee made happy by the company of your maker . would you bee sound at heart ? leave to consort with these of an uncircumcised heart , whose paths lead to perdition , and they that walke therein shall be the heires of shame . for howsoever these instruments of sinne ( as i have sometimes observed ) may make a shew of godlinesse , or pretend , meerely under colour to give a varnish to their vicious lives , and a semblance of goodnesse ; yet it is but meere painting they deale with ; they deny the power thereof in their life and conversation . a ridiculous actor in the citie of smyrna , pronouncing , o co●lum ! o heaven ! pointed with his finger toward the ground : which when polemo the chiefest man in the place saw , he could abide to stay no longer , but went from the company in a chase , saying : this foole hath made a solecisme with his hand : hee hath spoken false latine with his hand . such ridiculous actors are these time-spenders ; they pronounce heaven with their mouth , but point at earth with their lives ; like wise polemons therefore stay no longer with them , if at any time you have consorted with them ; for their practice is onely to gull the world , and with smooth pretences delude their unhappy consorts . their profession is how to play the hypocrite christian , but being unmasked , their odious physnomies are quickly discovered . make use therefore of your experience , and with all temperance so counterpoize the weight of your passions , as none of these assailants ( though their incursions be never so violent ) may ever surprize the glorious fortresse of your minde . which the better to effect , let lust , be counterpoized by continence ; ambition by humblenesse ; gorgeous apparell by comlinesse ; luscious fare by abstinence , and company-keeping by that sweet seasoner of all vertues , temperance . thus you have heard , how as without salt there can be no seasoning , no warre without discipline , no tillage without manuring , no estate without mannaging , no building without a foundation ; so no vertue can subsist without moderation . as wee have hitherto expressed the dignity or sufficiency of this vertue , in that it giveth subsistence to all other vertues : so are we now to intreat of the amplenesse of it , proposing such subjects wherein it is principally said to be conversant . now , though there be no humane action which is not subject to many defects , being not throughly seasoned by this exquisite vertue , yet the use thereof may bee reduced to these two , as proper subjects wherein it is to be exercised ; expence of coine , and expence of time : for without moderation in the one , we should be prodigall of our substance : without moderation in the other , we should grow too profuse in the expence of that , which is more precious than any earthly substance . now touching worldly substance , as wee are to bee indifferent for the losse or possession of it , so ought wee to to carefull in the use or dispensation of it . as it is not to be admired when we possesse it , no more is it to be altogether dis-esteemed , because we stand in need of the use of it . if money bee so much to bee contemned , ( saith an ancient father ) expresse thy bounty , shew thy humanity , bestow it upon the poore : so may this , which of necessity thou must lose , releeve many , which otherwise might perish by hunger , thirst , or nakednesse . thus to bestow it , were not prodigally to spend it , but to lay it up in a safer treasuris , even in christs almes-boxe , to the disbursers great advantage . yea , but you will object you have other meanes to imploy it in ; you have a family to support , a posterity to provide for , a state to maintaine , and pleasures suiting with your ranke and quality to uphold : i grant it , and you doe well in having a care to your family , for he is worse then an infidel that wants this care . it is commendable likewise in you to have an eye to your posterity , for nature requires this at your hand . to maintaine likewise your state , and to continue your pleasures suiting with men of your ranke ; i allow it . but where , or in what sort must this be done ? for the place where , surely none fitter than your owne countrey where you were bred ; setting up there your rest , where you received your birth ; let your countrey ( i say ) enjoy you who bred you ; shewing there your hospitality , where god hath placed you , and with sufficient meanes blessed you . i doe not approve of these , who fly from their countrey , as if they were ashamed of her , or had committed something unworthy of her . how blame-worthy then are these court-comets , whose onely delight is to admire themselves ? these , no sooner have their bed-rid fathers betaken themselves to their last home , and removed from their crazie couch , but they are ready to sell a mannor for a coach. they will not take it as their fathers tooke it : their countrey houses must bee barred up , left the poore passenger should expect what is impossible to finde , releefe to his want , or a supply to his necessity . no , the cage is opened , and all the birds are fled ; not one crum of comfort remaining to succour a distressed poore one . hospitality , which was once a relique of gentry , and a knowne cognizance to all ancient houses hath lost her title , meerely through discontinuance : and great houses , which were at first founded to releive the poore , and such needfull passengers as travelled by them , are now of no use but only as way-markes to direct them . but whither are these great ones gone ? to the court ; there to spend in boundlesse and immoderate riot , what their provident ancestors had so long preserved , and at whose doores so many needy soules have beene comfortably releeved . yet see the miserie of many of those rioters ! though they consume their meanes , yet is the port they live at meane : for they have abridged their familie , reduced their attendants to a small number , and ( unnecessary expences set aside ) drawne themselves to within as narrow a compasse as possibly they may . for to take a view of those which are in ordinary roule ; you shall finde none but a page , a coachman , a lackey , and perchance a cooke . if the vailes of the house will maintaine one , or they bee not in fee with some city-cooke , whom they usually repaire to , at best betrust , and so run on score quarterly . now if you aske me , how their meanes should be consumed , when they live at so low commons ; my answer is , the lesse they bestow on their caterer , the more they bestow on their taylor . they cut it out of the whole cloth , and divide their acres peece-meale into shreds . where their phantasticke light-ones resort oftner to the house of the body-maker than the soule-maker : affecting nothing more than what may make them most noted . but observe the issue of these courses , gentlemen ; when they have maintained their riot with much expence , and engaged their means to these great monied men , whose iubile it is to entertaine acquaintance with one of these greene wits , they run upon the shelfe of ruine , and make their posterity the heires of want . which having incurred , what distracted and divided sleepes , what distempred thoughts , what hourely afflictions may wee imagine them to be subject to ? for what engagement worse then debt , when every shadow resembles a sergeant , every familiar touch or stroke of a friend , an arrest of an officer ? augustus caesar , hearing of them talke in his court , what a huge summe of money a certaine knight in rome owed at his death , and that all his goods were to be sold , to make payment of his debts , commanded the master of his wardrobe to buy for him that bed , wherein this knight used to lye : for , sayes hee , if i cannot sleepe soundly in that bed wherein hee could sleepe , that owed so much , then surely i shall sleepe in n●ne . surely , there is no affliction greater to a noble spirit , whose thoughts cannot endure engagement , then to be subject to the extremity of an unconscionable creditor , who usually makes advantages his revenues , and forfeitures the inhauncers of his fortunes . neither is this respect to be had onely in the disposing of your selves in court or citie , but likewise in the countrey : for though it be best spent , which is bestowed in hospitality , and in releeving those hungry soules , whose expresse images require your charity ; yet are you to consider how charity begins with it selfe : so as , howsoever you are bound to releeve and support those , whose present wants exact so much at your hands , yet ever with reservancie of a competent or convenient providence , so to sustaine the want of others , as not to procure want to your selves by sustaining others . but this needs little pressing : for experience shewes , that very small instruction will suffice any one to be provident enough in their bounty or exhibition to the poore . let us therefore divert the current of our subject , and addresse our exhortation to you ; purposely moving you to a moderation of your expence in your pleasures , or those more easie vanities of this life . as profit and pleasure make the sweetest musicke , so there is no pleasure , how incomparably delightfull soever for the present , but it affords much bitternesse , having no respect to providence . now , as all vertues may be comprized under the name of frugality , provided that we understand it to be of that absolute power and command , that neither excesse nor diminution beare any sway in it , it appeareth that without this frugall moderation no state can be well mannaged , no estate rightly husbanded ; so as , whether you have an eye to pleasure or profit , this frugality or equally tempered providence must bee soveraignesse in both . for first , there is no pleasure which hath not respect to vertue : how then may that properly be termed a pleasure , which hath no relation to frugality , under which name all vertues may seeme to be comprized ? likewise , there is no profit which is not joyned with honesty , how then may that properly be termed a profit , which hath no respect to honest providence , upon which all profits are truly grounded ? the best course then that you can follow , either in your choice of pleasures , or pursuit of profit , is ever to examine whether that pleasure which you affect , have respect to vertue , or that profit which you have in pursuit , be firmely grounded on honest providence : so shall neither pleasure so much inthrall you , as to engage your fortunes to her , nor profit so entangle you , as to neglect conscience for the love you beare her . surely , there is nought more dangerous to young gentlemen , whose unriper yeares have not sufficiently instructed them in the follies of vanity , then to give reines to their desires , and so become bondslaves to pleasure . for those that will deny their eyes nothing that they can desire , nor resist their owne wils in ought that they affect , bee they endued with never so much wisdome , it becomes foolishnesse , being blinded with their owne delights . they then onely , whose native temperance hath prepared them , or continuall wrastling with the infirmities of nature hath inured them , have attained this degree of perfection ; not onely ( i say ) to use moderation in their expence , but in their restraint of every pleasure ; labouring to become commanders of themselves in the desires and affections of this life : which of all others make men the absolutest conquerours . for man , whose naturall pravity , drawne from the corruption of his first parents , is ever working in him new motions of disobedience ; layeth continuall siege and battery to the fortresse of the soule , suggesting to her motives of pleasure and delight , which the carnall man will easily condescend to , because he savoureth not the things of the spirit . yea , how many doe we see , who begin in the spirit , but end in the flesh , making their end farre worse then their beginning ? how necessary then is this moderation , to curbe or checke such inordinate motions as arise in us , by reason of our naturall infirmity and weaknesse ? neither doe i so much insist upon the moderation of your expences , as if coine were of that esteeme , as it onely deserved respect . for if riches increase , wee are not to set our hearts upon them ; but rather to shew our indifferencie towards them in our free and liberall use of them . but hee who gave gifts before hee gave time , creating all things for our use in the world , before hee brought us into the world , without the use or ministery of these could preserve and support us , whom hee hath appointed as governours or rulers over all these : for hee who created all things without meanes , can likewise preserve those things which hee hath created without meanes . yea , though hee hath given us the fruits of the earth to feed us , the fels of beasts to cloath us , yea , workes out of the bowels of wormes to beautifie us ; yet is hee tyed no more to these exteriour meanes , then hee was before , creating all things without meanes . no king is necessarily tied , that onely pure bullion should bee current among his subjects , for if occasion serve , hee may stampe leather , brasse , or any other metall , which being authorized by his image or superscription , is not to be denied within his dominions . much more hee , who conteines the world in his fist , restraines not his power to any outward meanes , working sometimes with meanes , sometimes without meanes , sometimes against meanes , sometimes above meanes . with meanes , as when hee fed those which followed him into the wildernesse with bread ; above meanes , when hee fed so much people with so little bread ; without meanes , when hee himselfe fasted so long without bread ; against meanes , when hee caused the very ravens to bring his prophet bread . no , this exhortation rather tendeth to move you to relye on gods providence , yet withall not to abuse those creatures which hee hath bestowed on you , but to use them with temperance , sobriety , and moderation : for what is it to abound in all riches , surfet in pleasures , enjoy the treasures of the whole earth , yea to want nothing that either the eye can desire , or the heart affect ? surely nothing . * alexander , the monarch of the world , had all other things save onely a sepulcher to bury him in , when hee was dead ; hee never thought of that : for alas , when corruption shall receive what mortality renders , and man after so many dayes passed over in delights , shall make his bed in the darke , those perfunctory pleasures , which hee so much affected , those temporary blessings which hee enjoyed , shall bee as if they had not beene . so moderate therefore your expences in the use or dispensation of your earthly mammon , that it may appeare , your hearts are where your treasure is , and your treasure where your heavenly master is : for what is this world , but a list environed with fearefull combats ? so as the world is more to be feared when it smileth , then when it frowneth ; and more to bee taken heed of , when it allures us to love it , then when it moves or induceth us to contemne it . howsoever , they who embrace the world are like unto them , who are drowned in waters ; for their minds are so drenched in the depth of worldly affections , and so entangled by the reeds and oaze of earthly vanities , as they are divided from the sailers starre , and the haven of the ship-wrackt soule , being miserably forced to grope in darkenesse , without a light to direct them ; and to remaine wofully shelfed , being farre from sight of heaven to receive them . and let this suffice to have beene spoken touching moderation in your expence of coine ; i meane , your frugall dispensation of such estates , as god hath blessed you withall ; ever remembring that you must give account of your talent ; not onely ( i say ) of your talent of knowledge , but of that talent of substance , whereof in this life you were possessed . and so i descend to your expence of time , that precious treasure which is incomparably to be valued above all that wee enjoy ; because it affords a respit of using or employing , whatsoever wee enjoy . time is so absolute and soveraigne a regent , as hee is all-commanding , but not to be countermanded ; whence we commonly say , time and tide stayeth for no man. there is nothing undertaken by man , which can be effected without the attendance and gracefull assistance of time. neither can experience be gained , nor truth , the daughter of time discovered , nor the issue of any mans expectance attained , nor any thing worthy observance produced , unlesse time further it . there is nothing of consequence , that can bee done at an instant : great taskes require long time ; neither can wee limit time , but time will limit us : whence it appeares , that nothing can be intended , much lesse affected , unlesse time assist and second it . time being thus precious , wee must of necessity value it above any inferiour substance , seing without the company of time , wee are wholly deprived of the use of our substance . whence it was that a friend of mine caused these two verses to be set directly before his table of accounts ; if coines expence be such , pray then divine how rare and precious is th' expence of time ? now there be three sorts of persons , with whom i am to encounter by way of admonishment , for their abuse or carelesse expence of time ; the ambitious , voluptuous , and miserable covetous person . for the first , hee trifles away time , in the pursuit of impossibilities , spending his meanes , and mis-spending time , in hope of a day ; which day hee seldome or never sees , for his time is abridged before it come : so as the date of his death anticipates the day of his hopes . now to point out the place of his abode ; hee is ever to bee found in the eminentest places , for obscurity fits not his humour , whose onely aimes are to acquire honour . he is so farre from moderating his humour , as hee is humorously conceited of his worth , and thinkes whatsoever the parasite saies in his commendations , to be no lesse then what hee in his owne proper person deserves . for his contemplations , they are ever mounting , yet seldome so high mounting as heaven , for his thoughts are directed to another sphere . hee is prodigall in his feasts , solicitous in the pursuit of friends , impatient in the quest of rivals , and importunate in the dispatch of his affaires : and though it be a greater reproach to lose what is got , then not at all to get ; yet his aime is to get , though hee fore-see his losse before he get : and though the least liberty be apportioned to the greatest fortune , yet in his highest fortunes will hee use the greatest liberty : the reason his , hee conceits himselfe to walke in a cloud , where no popular eye can reach him . hee is unmeasurably opinionate , and admires his owne knowledge , wherein hee discovers his owne folly : for as hee that seekes to bee more wise then he can be , shall be found to be lesse wise then hee should be ; so hee who conceits himselfe more wise then hee is , displayes himselfe to the world what hee is . so as it seemes , hee differs in opinion from the poet ; who holds this as a maxime : he 's solely wise , who is not selfely wise , but humble in the judgement of his eyes . now his daily tasks may be aptly compared to domitians sports , who spent the whole day in catching flies . for those many projects which hee hath devised , those impossible aymes hee hath contrived , those ayrie turrets hee hath reared , fall in the end to nothing ; and like those misty conclusions of the deluded alchymist , bewray the folly of him that formed them . and as domitian grew ashamed of his owne impieties , exiling all arts , lest the knowledge of them should bring him to a discovery of himselfe : so the ambitious man , whose aimes are as boundlesse , as his purposes fruitlesse , when his eyes begin to be unsealed , and those scales of ambition , which hindred his sight , removed , hee will then ( if then be not too late ) acknowledge his shame , and ingenuously confesse , that his unbounded aimes deserved no better guerdon ; for had his actions beene sincere , they had made him more secure . likewise for the voluptuous man , whose belly is his god , and sensuality his delight , let me speake thus much : as his care extends but onely to the day , slaving himselfe to the pleasures of sinne , and preferring the huskes of vanity , before the soule solacing cates of eternity : so shall his misery appeare greater , when deprived of those delights , wherein his sole felicity consisted . this fleshly libertine mis-imployeth time in two respects ; first , in respect of himselfe ; secondly , in respect of those good creatures which were ordained for the use or service of himselfe . in himselfe , by exposing so glorious an image to the subjection of sense , and mis-applying those gifts which hee hath received , being diverted from those good offices , for which they were bestowed . in gods good creatures , by converting them to abuse , which were only ordained for use ; and turning them to wantonnesse , which were created for health and releefe of weaknesse . this is hee , who makes life a merriment , his pilgrimage a pastime , each yeare his iubile . this is hee , who turnes fasting into feasting , praying into playing , almes-deeds into all mis-deeds . this is he whose sole delight is in dainty feeding , to cause inordinate motions to be stirring , without least respect at all of his soules starving . this is he , whose dishes are the poore mans curses , and whose gate is the beggers gaole , where they are barred from the least crum of comfort . this is he , who walkes and struts in the street ; sends forth his eye to bring him in a booty of lust , or acquaint him with some new fashion , or delight him with some vaine shew . this is hee , who sends forth his eare , to convey unto him some choice melody to intraunce him ; his taste , with some luscious viands to provoke him ; his smell , with some rare perfumes to cheere him ; his tooth , with soft cloathing , or whatsoever may more effeminately move him . but whereto shall these outward delights availe him , when the cold earth shall entertaine him , when hee shall be divided from them , and they from him ? when belshazzer beheld the hand upon the wall , hee was put quite out of his humour of jollity ; his cheerefulnesse was turned into pensivenesse , his mirth into mourning , his solace into sorrowing . even so shall it fare with the voluptuous man , whose delight was onely on earth ; when that fearefull and ungratefull summons shall peremptorily injoyne him to bid adieu ( a long adieu ) to those sensuall consorts which accompanied him , those inordinate meetings which so much delighted him , yea , all those licentious pleasures which so inchained him ; hee will exclaime ( but in vaine shall be those exclamations ) and curse the occasions of his mis-spent time. o what a hard taske would hee endure , to redeeme what his security hath lost ? what extremities would hee suffer ? what difficulties undergoe ? how great and exceeding things would hee promise ? in what bonds of firme devotion would hee stand engaged ? surely there is nothing that either flesh could sustaine , or mortality suffer , which hee would not most willingly indure , to deliver his endangred soule from eternall torments . lastly , for the miserable covetous wretch , who makes great use of his coine , but small use of his time , treasuring up vengeance against the day of wrath ; how carefull is hee in making his barnes larger , in filling his chests fuller , in inhauncing his rents higher ; but how respectlesse of that supreme good , wherein all happinesse consisteth ? see , how menedemus-like , hee is ever digging and delving to raise a fortune for his seldome-thriving posterity . thus lives hee to become an eternall affliction to himselfe ; in whose person the poet very properly expressed a misers nature after this manner ; thus doe i digge , thus doe i delve t' enrich my state thereby , yet th'poorest slave of all i have , enjoyes as much as i. this was one of those vanities which the wisest of princes observed , as incident to the children of men , that many gathered , yet knew not for whom they gathered , having likewise no power to use what god had in his mercy bestowed . now to give this miserable caitiffe his due character : hee is his owne executioner , being good to none , but worst to himselfe . his eye is so fixed on earth , as hee finds no time to erect it to heaven . hee employes so much time in getting and gathering goods , as hee reserves no time for doing good . hee little observes how all earthly things are sweeter in the ambition , then in the fruition ; in the affection , then possession . nor how the circular world cannot fill the triangular heart , no more then a circle can fill a triangle ; where still there will bee some empty corners . hee runs on still in desire , labouring of a disease incurable , till death cure him . hee encreaseth his cares with his substance , and the more hee addes to his estate , the more hee detracts from his content : the poore hee hath alwayes with him , for hee makes all poore that deale with him . in briefe , hee is of all others most miserable , because in his riches hee hath all his consolation : which like the aegyptian reed , will faile him in his confidence , leaving him bare and naked to the testimony of a guilty conscience . for how secure was the rich-man ( as hee thought ) when hee invited his wretched soule to take her rest , having much goods laid up for many yeeres ; but this selfe security was the occasion of his succeeding misery ; for that night was his soule to be taken from him . it is a true saying , that the divell requires nothing of man but security , for that gives him opportunity of practising his undoing . now , how bitter is the remembrance of death , much more the unwelcome approach of death to this miserable covetous man , who hath all his peace in his substance ? for if nothing be so terrible as death ( as aristotle writeth : ) which antiochus feeling sensibly in himselfe , crieth out thus ; oh into what adversity am i come , and into what flouds of misery am i now fallen ? hee addeth the reason anon after ; for i must die with great sorrow in a strange land. surely then , to the miserable worldling , who hath made a covenant with sinne , and a league with transgression , must the approach of death seeme terrible , being to be divided from the staffe of his confidence , from thence to descend without least hope of comfort to the land of forgetfulnesse : for , as it cannot possibly be , that hee should dye ill , who hath lived well ; so it cannot be , that hee who hath lived ill , should dye well : for as the scorpion hath in her the remedy of her owne poyson a receit for her owne infection ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him the punishment of his owne wickednesse , the which doth never leave ( so incessant is the torment of a guilty conscience ) to wound and afflict his mind , both sleeping and waking : so as to what place so ever hee betake him , hee cannot so privately retire , but feare and horrour will awake him ; nor fly so fast , though hee should take the wings of the morning , but fury and vengeance will over-take him . having thus farre proceeded in the treating of such subjects , wherein temperance is required , and of such assailants , by whom shee is usually encountred and impugned : it rests now , that i impart my advice briefly touching temperance or moderation of the passions of the mind , whereof ( omitting the rest , as having else-where discoursed of them ) i will onely , and that briefly , insist of these two , the passions of ioy and sorrow . this passion ( to insist on ioy first ) requires direction , to order our desires aright in the matter ioy. every man loves a glad heart ; and wisheth ioy , as the fruit of his labours ; but therein many mistake . first , one rejoyceth in his substance , hee hath gotten much . secondly , another rejoyceth in his promotion . thirdly , another doateth upon that mad mirth which salomon speakes of . fourthly , another rejoyceth in a table richly deckt , an over-flowing cup , a faring deliciously every day . fifthly , another rejoyceth at the destruction of him , whom he hates . sixthly , another rejoyceth in sinne , and wickednesse . it is a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly . it is the drunkards joy to be at the cup early , and to sit till the wine hath enflamed them . the twi-light glads the heart of the adulterer . the oppressour danceth upon the threshold of him that is oppressed . ismael geereth at isaac . holy iob was as a tabret to the godlesse ones ; and the drunkards made songs on david . but this is not that ioy which is required , because the foundation of this ioy is grounded on sinne : wherefore wee are to find a ioy more pure , more permanent : for the ioy of the wicked is short , but the ioy of the righteous shall endure for ever . this ioy which wee are to seeke , and whereon wee are to ground our sole content , is no carnall but a spirituall ioy : the ioy of our hearts , the divine melody of our soules , conclude with the blessed apostle ; god forbid that we should rejoyce in any thing , but in the crosse of christ , and him crucified : for in this did all the saints and servants of god joy , disvaluing all other joy , as unworthy the entertainment of the soule . wee are to rejoyce likewise , for as much as god hath called us not to uncleannesse , but unto holinesse . we are to rejoyce in the testimony of a good conscience , being that continuall feast which refresheth every faithfull guest . wee are to rejoyce in our brothers aversion from sinne , and conversion to god ; in his prosperity and successe in his affaires of state . but above all things wee are so to moderate our joy in the whole progresse of our life , that our joy may the more abound in him , who is the crowne of our hope after this life . the like directions are required in our moderation of sorrow : for there is a sorrow unto death ; which to prevent , understand this by the way , that not so much the passion , as the occasion enforcing the passion , is to bee taken heed of . sorrow wee may , but not as ammon did , till he had defloured thamar , for that was the sorrow of licentiousnesse : sorrow we may , but not as ahab did , till he had got naboths vineyard , for that was the sorrow of covetousnesse : sorrow we may , but not as iosephs brethren did , greiving that their father should love him more than them , for that was the sorrow of maliciousnesse . sorrow we may , but not as ionah did , grieving that the ninivites were not destroyed , for that was the sorrow of unmercifulnesse . lastly , sorrow wee may , but not as the * gergesenes did , grieving for the losse of their swine , for that was the sorrow of worldlinesse . these sorrowes are not so much to be moderated as wholly abolished , because they are grounded on sin : but there is a religious and godly sorrow , which , though it afflict the body , it refresheth the spirit ; though it fill the heart with heavinesse , it crowneth the soule with happinesse . and this is not a sorrow unto sinne , but a sorrow for sin : not a sorrow unto death , but a sorrow to cure the wound of death . by how much any one ( saith a good father , ) is holier , by so much in prayer are his teares plentifuller . here sounds the surdon of religious sorrow , the awaker of devotion , the begetter of spirituall compunction , and the sealer of heavenly consolation ; being the way to those that beginne ; truth to those that profit , and life to them that are perfect . but alas , the naturall man ( saith the apostle ) perceiveth not the things of the spirit of god ; for they are foolishnes unto him , neither can hee know them , because they are spiritually discerned . it is true ; and this should move us to more fervor of devotion , beseeching the divine assistance to minister strength to our weaknesse , that what is wanting in the flesh , may be supplied by the spirit ; yea daily to set an houre-glasse beside us , and observe those precious graines ( the minute treasures of time ) how swiftly they run thorow the cruet , whereof not one must fall unnumbred : for as a haire of the head shall not perish , no more shall the least moment of time . now how healthfull were it ( though the carnall man distate it ) to vie teares with graines of sand ; that our sinnes , being as the sands of the sea-shore , that is , numberlesse , might bee bound up and throwne into the deepe sea of eternall forgetfulnesse : so as they may neither rise up in this life to shame us , nor in the world to come to condemne us . surely if you would know those blessed fruits which true penitent sorrow produceth , you shall finde that he who sowes in teares , shall reape in joy : neither can any one goe to heaven with drie eyes . may your teares be so shed on earth , that they may bee bottled in heaven ; so shall you bring your sheaves with you ; and , like fine flower , being boulted from the bran of corruption , receive your portion in the land of the living . and may this sacrifice of teares which you offer up unto him , whose eyes are upon all the wayes of the children of men , minister like comfort to your soules , as they have done to many faithfull members of christs church . and let this suffice to have beene spoken of such subjects , wherein moderation is to bee used : for to speake of moderation of sorrow for sinne , i hold it little necessary , seeing most men ( so insensible are they of their inward wounds ) come rather short of that sorrow which is required , then exceed in any sort the measure that is prescribed . as moderation in all the precedent subjects is to be used , so in all and every of them is it to be limited ; for to be so stoically affected ( as wee have formerly noted ) as not to entertaine so much as modest mirth , or approve of the temperate and moderate use of those things , which were at first ordained for the use and service of man , digressing as farre from the rule of moderation in restraint , as the profusely minded libertine doth in excesse . how hard a thing is it then to observe with indifferency an equall or direct course herein , when either by leaping short or over , we are subject to error ? so saith blessed cranmer ; some lose their game by short shooting , some by over-shooting : some walk too much on the left hand , some too much on the right hand . now to propose what forme of direction is best to be observed herein : wee will take a view of those subjects , whereof wee formerly treated , and set downe in each of them what moderation is to be used . all waters are derived from three waies or currents : springing either by fountaines and spring-heads , from the bowells of the earth inwardly drained ; by rivers and conduits , from those fountaines derived : or haile and snow from the earth extracted ; where some ascend , some descend : so passions are three wayes moved in our bodies ; by humours arising out of our bodies ; by externall senses , and the secret passage of sensuall objects ; or by the descent or commandement of reason . now to insist on the motion or effect of each passion , we shall not greatly need , having sufficiently touched them in our former discourse : we will therfore upon a review of those severall subjects , lust , ambition , gorgeous apparel , luscious fare , company-keeping , &c. reduce them and the occasion of them to those three troubled springs , from whence miserable man , by meanes of the immoderate appetite of sense , sucks the banefull poyson of sinne ; the concupiscence of the flesh , the concupiscence of the eyes , and the pride of life : for whatsoever is in the world ( as a good father noteth , and as the blessed apostle himself affirmeth ) is one of these : as first , whatsoever suiteth or sorteth with the desire or delicacy of the flesh , ministers fuel or matter to feed the concupiscence therof . now this fleshly libertine takes no delight in the spirit , but in the flesh ; he loves to be cloathed in purple and fare deliciously every day ; he loves to be cloathed in purple and fare deliciously every day ; he loves to keepe company with those consorts of ruine and misery , who drinke till they be inflamed , and delight themselves in the pleasures of sinne . secondly , whatsoever relisheth of vanity , ministers him objects of content , to feed the unsatiate concupiscene of his eyes : which eyes like dinah , stray from him , fixing themselves upon some vaine object , which suits ever best with his choice , who owes them , and so conveyes some present but perfunctorie delight unto him . as if he be covetous , they shew him naboths vineyard ; if wanton , a beauteous bersheba , or the sandals of iudith , which ravished the eyes of holophornes ; if dainty-tooth'd , iacobs red pottage ; if proud the silkes of tyre ; in briefe they fit every one with an object according to his condition . lastly , whatsoever may minister content to the proud and high-minded man , who walkes upon his turrets , saying , is not this great babel which i have builded ? is suggested to him ; putting him in minde of hamans honour , but never of hamans ladder ; telling him of balthazar 's birth-day , whereon he feasted royally , but never of his last day , whereon hee died fearefully ; shewing him herods garment which shone as the sunne , and of his applause , the voice of god and not of man ; but never of the eclipse of that sunne , when hee became so loathsome as his smell could be endured by no man. now to propose our rules of limitation in the moderation of these : as we are commanded to subdue the flesh with those inordinate affections , which arise from the infirmitie thereof ; so are wee not enjoyned to kill the flesh , for so should we digresse from the rule of humanity : for no man hateth his owne flesh , but loveth and cherisheth it . no , our righteousnesse in this life , which may be rather said to consist in the remission of sinnes , than perfection of vertues , as it is to be furthered by all ordinary and direct meanes , so are we not to transgresse that law , line , or limit which is prescribed . wee must not cut off our members with a knife , but our carnall affections with a holy and mortified life . whence it is , that origen was justly punished by using too little diligence where there was great need , because hee used too great diligence where there was little need . for , gelding himselfe , hee prevented himselfe , of a greater conquest : for there is no mastery to get the mastery , of sinne through disabilitie . for as hee that surceaseth but then from sinne , when hee can sinne no more , forsaketh not his sinnes , but his sinnes forsake him ; so he who disableth himselfe for committing sinne , lest his abilitie should draw him to sinne , disableth not his sinnes , but his sinnes disable him : for howsoever he hath disabled the act of sinne , he hath not supprest the occasion , which resteth not so much in the act , as in the desire to sinne . no lesse worthy was democritus errour of reproving , who was blinded before he was blind : for a christian need not put out his eyes for feare or seeing a woman ; since howsoever his bodily eye , see , yet still his heart is blinde against all unlawfull desires . the princely prophet saith indeed , lord turne away my eyes from vanity ; but this turning doth not so much imply the looke of the eye , as the lust or assent of the heart . neither is it so requisite to make a covenant with our eyes that they shall not looke upon a woman , as to make a covenant with our hearts that they may never lust after a woman . in like sort , if any intemperate or immoderate desire to luscious fare or delicious drinke should surprize us , whose subtill fumes unrivet each joynt of the memory , and loosen the cement which held it fast ; ( for you shall ever note , as i said before , that deepe drinkers have but shallow memories : ) wee are so to prevent the abuse , that we contemn not the moderate and healthfull use of them . for as to use them in excesse is to abuse them , so not to use them at all is to contemne or neglect gods providence in them . wee must not say with the epicure , let us eate and drinke , for to morrow wee shall die ; but rather let us eat and drinke , as if to morrow wee should die ; remembring that strict account which every one must give of the use or abuse of gods creatures : for it is not the use , but abuse which produceth sinne . so as thracius , whom i formerly touched , and of whom aulus gellius writeth , covertly glancing at his folly , was for any thing that i can see , even at that time most of all drunken , when he cut downe all his vines , lest he should be drunken . likewise in the quest or pursuit of honour , as it is ambition to hunt after it , undeserved ; so it is the most apparent testimonie of true and approved vertue to obtaine it undesired . for this reluctancy to receiving of honour , can never bee without some mixture of pride : for they would have the world to observe , how well they deserve it ; and againe , their humility ( which is seldome in these without some tincture of vaine-glory ) in that they so little desire it . so as , these popular and firie spirits , whose only aymes are to dignifie themselves , deserve no sharper curbe for over-valuing them selves , than these , who pride themselves in their humilitie , deserve for counterfeiting a kind of debasing or dis-valuing of themselves to the eye of the world . whence i might take occasion to speake of those precise schismaticks , who cannot endure any precedency or priority of place to be in the church , but an equalitie of presbyterie ; nay , what is now growne amongst them to a more desperate frenzy , their maine worke is to advance a lay-presbytery , which till by farel and viret from the chymera's of a vaporous or viperous brain hatched , was never dreamed : but i wil leave them to a sharper censure , til they be throughly cured of their distemper . now for the second motive to sinne , which is the concupiscence of the eye ; as it is so to be moderated that it stray not , so should it bee so directed that it sleepe not ; sleepe not , i say , in the survey of that , for which it was created . the eye strayeth when it coveteth what it should not ; it sleepeth when it retireth from what it should : it strayeth when it lusteth after a strange woman ; it sleepeth when it readeth not the law of god , to reclaime it from lusting after a strange woman : it strayeth , when it lusts after naboths vineyard ; it sleepeth when it lookes not after gods vineyard . neither is the eye so to be limited , as if contemplation were only intended ; for as it is not sufficient to pray , unlesse we practise as well as pray : so is it not sufficient to looke upon the law , unlesse wee live after the law on which we looke . wee read that abraham buried sarah in the cave of macpelah , that is , in a double sepulcher . he that burieth his mind in knowledge onely , without any care of practice , he buries sarah in a single sepulcher : but he that buries his mind , as well in the practice and feeling of religion , ( which is all in all ) as in the knowledge and understanding of it , hee buries sarah in a double sepulcher : and so must all wee doe which are the true children of abraham : for then with abraham burying our spirit in a double sepulcher , wee shall with elizeus have a double spirit ; a spirit that as well doth , as teacheth . otherwise , wee are but tinkling cymbals , making onely a sound of religion , without any sound or sincere profession : being ( as that honey-tongu'd father saith ) in body inward , but in heart outward . now the eye , as it is the tendrest and subtilest organ of all others , so should the object on which it is fixed be the purest and cleerest of all others . the eagle accounts those of her young ones bastards , which cannot fixe their eyes upon the sunne , and with equall reflection ( as it were ) reverberate the beaming vigour or splendour thereof : which should be the embleme of divine contemplation ; teaching us , that howsoever wee have our feet on earth , wee are to have our eyes in heaven : not by prying too saucily into the sealed arke of gods inscrutable will , but by meditating ever of him , so to rest in him , that after earth wee may for ever rest with him . it is observed by profest oculists , that whereas all creatures have but foure muscles to turne their eyes round about , man hath a sift to pull his eyes up to heaven . how farre divert they then their eyes from the contemplation of that object , for which they were created , who cannot see their neighbours ground but they must cover it , nor his beast but they desire it , nor any thing which likes them , but with a greedy eye they heart-eat it ? so large is the extent or circuit of their heart to earthly things , as they can see nothing but they instantly desire ; so strait is the circumference of their heart to heavenly things , they set no mind on them , as if altogether unworthy their desire . so as i cannot more aptly compare these idolizing worldlings to any thing , then to the bird ibis , which is of that filthy nature , as shee receives those excrements in at her mouth , which shee had purged before from her guts . neither doe they resemble this bird only in respect of their bestiall or insatiate receit , but also in the unbounded extent of their heart . oris apollo writeth , that the egyptians when they would describe the heart , paint that bird which they call ibis ; because they thinke that no creature , for proportion of the body , hath so great a heart as the ibis hath . neither hath our worldly ibis a lesse heart to the filthy desires of the world , being of necessity forced to leave the world , before hee can leave desiring the things of this world : or their eyes , satan-like , come from compassing the whole earth , esteeming no joy to the worldling , like much enjoying : yet am i not so rigorously affected , or from feeling of humanity so farre estranged , as with democritus , to move you to pull out your eyes , that the occasion of temptation might be removed , by being of your eyes , those motives to temptation , wholly deprived . nor with that inamored italian , to wish you to fix your eyes upon the beames of the sunne , till they were feared , that the sight of your mistresse might not move your disquiet . no ; enjoy your eyes , and make them direct●rs to guide you , not as blind deceitfull guides to entrap you ; use the object of this sense , but weane it from assenting to concupiscence ; concluding over with that good remembrance , may that object bee from our eyes removed , which makes us from our deare lord divided . now for the last motive , which is the pride of life ; it was lucifers sinne , and therefore should bee each true christians scorne . for this sinne ( saith an ancient and learned father ) are the children of the kingdome thrown into utter darknesse : and whence commeth this , but because they ascend up unto that mountaine , unto which the first angell ascended , and as a devill descended ? hee who entertaineth this motive , is an ambitious man , who ( as one rightly observeth ) may be well and fitly similized with the chameleon , who hath nothing in his body but lungs ; so the badge of the ambitius is to be windy and boisterous : whereas , if he would measure all his undertakings , rather by the dignity of the thing , then the ambition of his mind , hee should find as much content as now hee finds disquiet . it was the rule of a wise states-man , and well deserves it the observance of every private person , but especially of such who sit nere the sterne of state ; not to suffer any ambitious heat transport him , but to measure all things according to their dignity and worth : and withall , rather to referre the opinion of themselves and their actions to the censure of others , and freely put themselves to be weighed in the judicious scale or ballance of others , then to be approvers of themselves without the suffrage of others : for certainely , as there is no humour more predominant then ambition , nor apter to make man forgetfull of himselfe ; so hee who is of a haughty and proud disposition * dis-values all others , purposely to prize his owne deserts at an higher estimate . i remember with what character that proud english cardinall was decoloured , who bare so great a strok in this kingdome , as it was in his power to shake the foundation of monasteries , and from their ruines to raise his owne structures ; that hee was so puffed up with ambition , as hee preferred the honour of his person , before the discharge of his profession . surely that sentence was verified in him , promotion declares what men bee ; for never was his nature throughly discovered , nor his inside displayed , till his out-side was with the cardinals pall graced . how necessary is it then for man , being more subject to pride himselfe in his height , then with patience to receive a fall , to learne how to moderate his acception of honour , before he come to honour ? for i doe not so limit him , as if hee should not at all receive it , but rather how hee should demeane himselfe having received it . neither in ambition onely , but in that attire of sinne , gorgeous apparell , is the like limitation to be used : for herein are wee to observe such decencie , as neither the contempt thereof may taxe us of irregular carelesnesse , nor affectation thereof evince us of too singular nicenesse : for the former , as it implyes a carelesse indifferencie , so the latter argues an effeminate delicacie : for god hateth no lesse in man this sloth and sluttishnesse , then he hateth too much neatnesse and nicenesse . yea , i have oft-times observed no lesse pride shrouded under a thred-bare cloake , than under a more sumptuous coat , so as , antisthenes went not farre a wrong , who seeing socrates shew his torne cloake , shewing a hole thereof unto the people ; loe quoth he , thorow this i see socrates vanity . it is not the hood which makes the monke , nor the cloake which makes the philosopher ; but the disposition of the mind , which makes him a true or false professour . it is good therefore , in the use of these things to observe the end for which they were ordained ; now apparell was not ordained to pride us in it , but to be kept warme by it . peter martyr sheweth , that cloathing doth keepe the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the naturall heat of the body ; and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre . this then being ordained for necessity , is not to be used for vaine-glory : for howsoever ( to such excesse of vanity is this age growne ) that fashion is esteemed nearest , which is newest ; discretion will informe you better , and tell you that fashion is of all other the choicest , which is the comliest . but that these three maine motives to temptation , and profest assailants of moderation . i meane , concupiscence of the flesh , concupiscence of the eyes , and pride of life may be the better resisted , incessant prayer is to be used . for prayer is gods honour , mans armour , and the divels terrour ; it is gods oblation , mans munition , and the divels expulsion . by prayer are those treasures digged , which faith in the gospel beholdeth . as it is then gods sacrifice , let it be mans exercise , that it may defeate the divels malice : saying with blessed augustine ; behold , o lord my god , the whole world is full of the snares of concupiscence , which they have prepared for my feet , and who shall escape them ? truly he , from whom thou shalt take away the pride of his eyes , that the concupiscence of his eyes may not seaze upon him ; and from whom thou shalt take away the concupiscence of the flesh , that the concupiscence of the flesh may not surprize him ; and from whom thou shalt take away an irreverent and unbridled mind , that the pride of life may not craftily deceive him . o happy he , to whom thou shalt do this i surely he shall passe his dayes in safety ! thus far have i proceeded in discourse touching both manner and matter , how and wherein moderation is to be limited . where , in the pursuit of honour , as i would have you no canius , too stoically to contemne it ; so no cassius , too tenderly to affect it : likewise in the pursuit of wealth , as i would have you no mimus , too scornfully to hate it ; so no midas , too slavishly to hug it : likewise in the pursuit of fancie , as i would have you no arminius , too severely to loath it ; so no arsenius , too dearely to love it : likewise in fare , as i would have you no phythagoras , too rigorously to abstain from it ; so no diagoras , too riotously to epicure it : likewise in apparell , as i would have you no diogenes , too carelesly to use it ; so no demosthenes , too curiously to chuse it : lastly , in pleasure , as i would have you no philopomenes , too strictly to despise it ; so no philoxenus , too highly to prize it . for origen himselfe eunuching , democritus his eyes blinding , crates his money drowning , and thracius his vines destroying , no lesse offended ( as wee have before observed ) in exceeding the limit by nature proposed , then the libertines of their time , came short of that rule which moderation had prescribed . but drawing neere shore , i am now to descend to the last branch of this observation , treating of the accomplished end which attends moderation . as there is no art or science which hath not some especiall end , to which it is properly directed ; so is there no vertue which workes or actuates not for some end ; in the acquisition whereof it is fully satisfied . now touching this end , whereto all vertues were and are properly directed ; both heathen and divine philosophers with one consent have concluded it to be that summary or supreme good , then which nothing could be better in respect of the fulnesse , higher in respect of the worthinesse , or safer in respect of the secureness . but how different in opinion the ancient philosophers have beene touching this summary or supreme good , what it should be , or wherein it might be properly said to consist ; there is none having bin conversant in their ethicks , but he sufficiently knowes it . so as varro reporteth , that these ancient philosophers have held and maintained two hundred threescore and eight severall opinions concerning felicity . where some placed their summary good in honours or preferments , others in pleasures or delights , but few in that true or accomplished felicity , the testimony of a good conscience , which only makes man happy ; and without which , enjoying all , hee enjoyes nothing : for were this felicity or accomplished end , to which all vertues are properly directed , to bee found on earth , then were the hopes of many good and vertuous men frustrated , whose thoughts are so farre above the foundation of earth , or all those perfunctory delights , which this low theater can afford , as they have esteemed such men of all others most miserable upon earth , whose thoughts were not erected above earth , but slaved to the desires of this life , as if their hopes extended no further . no , in vaine were those many sighings and groanings in the spirit , those incessant labours and watchings , which the faithfull so willingly undergoe , if there were no happinesse save onely in enjoying the delights of this life ; the fruition whereof , as they tender no true sweetnesse , so are they ever attended by sharpe repentance . for howbeit , every one be reputed worthy , if hee be wealthy , and nought if hee bee needy ; yet when sinne , having three punishments , feare , shame , and guilt ; feare of judgement , shame of men , and guilt of conscience : shall convent and convict him , hee shall find that riches cannot deliver in the day of wrath . so as howsoever the sinne seeme sweet , the sting of sinne shall wound his heart : for the bread of deceit is sweet to a man , but his mouth shall bee filled with gravell . likewise the high-minded man , whose heart hath beene only set on titles of honour , howsoever he seem'd raised or reared above the pitch of common earth , disdaining these poore wormelings , who had the selfe-same maker , though inferiour to this high cedar in honour ; when hee shall be forced to call corruption his mother , and wormes his brethren and sisters ; when he must leave that high babel , which his pride erected ; those worldly swelling tumours , his slippery honours , which he once enjoyed ; those sycophants , the followers of greatnesse , which hee so much affected ; yea , the world it selfe , where all his imaginary glory was stored ; hee shall then find goodnesse to be farre better then greatnesse , and worldly dignity to adde fuell to these viols , which hee hath worthily incurred . likewise the voluptuous man , as hee hath enjoyed the treasures of sinne for a season , sported him in his beds of ivory , feasted royally , fared deliciously , and fed all his miserable senses with a loathed satiety , hee shall feele that the pleasure of sinne was finall , but the punishment due to sinne eternall ; hee shall feele a worme ever gnawing , never ending , fiery teares ever streaming , never stinting , griefe ever griping , never ceasing ; death ever living , never dying : yea , that worme which gnaweth and dieth not , that fire which burneth and quencheth not , that death which rageth and endeth not . but if punishments will not deterre us , at least let rewards allure us . the faithfull cry ever for the approach of gods judgement ; the reward of immortality , which , with assurance in gods mercy , and his sonnes passion , they undoubtedly hope to obtaine ; with vehemency of spirit inviting their mediator : come lord iesus , come quickly . such is the confidence or spirituall assurance which every faithfull soule hath in him , to whose expresse image as they were formed , so in all obedience are they conformed , that the promises of the gospell might be on them conferred and confirmed . such as these care not so much for possessing ought in the world , as they take care to lay a good foundation against the day of triall , which may stand firme against the fury of all temptation . these see nothing in the world worthy their feare ▪ a this only ( say they ) is a fearefull thing , to feare any thing more than god. these see nought in the world worthy either their b desire or feare and their reason is this , c there is nothing able to move that man to feare in all the world , who hath god for his guardian in the world . neither is it possible that he should feare the losse of any thing in the world , who cannot see any thing worthy having in the world . so equally affected are these towards the world , as there is nothing in all the world , that may any way divide their affection from him who made the world . therefore may we well conclude touching these , that their light shall never goe out : for these walke not in darknesse , nor in the shadow of death , as those to whom the light hath not as yet appeared : for the light hath appeared in darkeness , giving light all the night long to all these faithfull beleevers , during their abode in these houses of clay . now to expresse the nature of that light , though it farre exceed all humane apprehension , much more all expression : clemens understandeth by that light which the wise-woman , to wit , christs spouse , kept by meanes of her candle which gave light all the night long , the heart ; and he calleth the meditations of holy men , candles that never goe out . saint augustine writeth , among the pagans in the temple of venus , there was a candle which was called inextinguishable : whether this be or no of venus temple , wee leave it to the credit of antiquity , onely augustines report we have for it ; but without doubt in every faithfull hearer and keeper of the word , who is the temple of the holy ghost , there is a candle or light that never goes out . whence it appeares that the heart of every faithfull soule is that light which ever shineth , and his faith that virgin oile which ever feedeth , and his conscience that comfortable witness which assureth , and his devoted zeale to gods house that seale which confirmeth him to be one of gods chosen , because a living faith worketh in him , which assures him of life , howsoever his outward man , the temple of his body , become subject to death . excellently saith saint augustine : whence comes it that the soule dieth ? because faith is not in it . whence that the body dieth ? because a soule is not in it . therefore the soule of thy soule is faith . but forasmuch as nothing is so carefully to be sought for , nor so earnestly to be wrought for , as purity or uprightnesse of the heart : for seeing there is no action , no studie , which hath not his certaine scope , end , or period ; yea , no art but laboureth by some certaine meanes or exercises to attaine some certain proposed end ; ( which end surely is to the soule at first proposed , but the last which is obtained : ) how much more ought there to bee some end proposed , to our studies , as well in the exercises of our bodies ; as in the readings , meditations , and mortifications of our mindes ( passing over corporall and externall labours ) for which end those studies or exercises were at first undertaken ? for let us thinke with our selves , if we knew not , or in mind before conceived not , whither or to what especiall place wee were to run , were it not a vaine taske for us to undertake to runne ? even so to every action are wee to propose his certaine end : which being once attained , we shall need no further striving towards it , being at rest in our selves by attaining it . and like end are wee to propose to our selves in the exercise of moderation , making it a subduer of all things which sight against the spirit , which may bee properly reduced to the practising of these foure ; overcomming of anger by the spirit of patience ; wantonness by the spirit of continence ; pride by the spirit of humility ; and in all things unto him whose image we partake , so neerely conformed , that , like good proficients , wee may truly say with the blessed apostle , wee have in all things learned to be contented . for the first , to wit , anger , as there is no passion which makes man more forgetfull of himselfe ; so to subdue it , makes man an absolute enjoyer of himselfe . athenodorus a wise philosopher , departing from augustus caesar , and bidding him farewell , left this lesson with him , most worthy to be imprinted in an emperours brest ; that when hee was angry , hee should repeat the foure and twenty greeke letters . which lesson received caesar as a most precious jewell , making such use thereof , as hee shewed himselfe no lesse a prince in the conquest of this passion , than in his magnificence of state , and majesty of person . no lesse praise-worthy was that excellent soveraignty which architas had over this violent and commanding passion , ( as we have formerly observed ) who finding his servants loitering in the field , or committing some other fault worthy reproofe , like a worthy master , thought it fit first to over-master himselfe , before he would show the authority of a master to his servants : wherefore perceiving himselfe to be greatly moved at their neglect , as a wise moderator of his passion , hee would not beat them in his ire , but said ; happy are ye that i am angry with you . in briefe , because my purpose is onely to touch these rather than treat of them , having so amply discoursed of some of them formerly : as the sunne is not to goe downe upon our wrath ; so in remembrance of that sonne of righteousness , let us bury all wrath : so shall we be freed from the viols of wrath , and appeare blamelesse in the day of wrath . for in peace shall we descend to our graves without sighing , if in peace we be angry without sinning . secondly wantonness , being so familiar a darling with the flesh , is ever waging warre with the spirit ; she comes with powdred haire , painted cheeks , straying eyes , mincing and measuring her pace , tinkling with her feet , and using all immodesty to lure the unwarie youth to all sensuality . these light professors ( as st. ierome to marcella saith ) are matter of scandall to christians eyes ; those eye-sores which wound the inward man with the sting of anguish . now what receit better or more soveraigne to cure this malady , than to take away the cause which begets this infirmity ? and what may wee suppose the cause to be , but the complacency of the flesh ? when wee labour to satisfie our desires , and give easie reines to our affections . for the flesh , while shee is obedient , becomes a servant to the soule : shee governeth , the other is governed : this commandeth , that is commanded : but having once begun to usurpe , shee will scarcely ever become a faithfull and loyall subject . what necessity then is there injoyned us to stand upon our guard , when we have a tarpeia within our gates , ready to betray us to our professed enemy ? with what continuall and incessant labour ought wee to imploy our selves , that this untamed iebusit● might bee so tired and wearied , that all inordinate motions might bee extinguished , which by sloth and want of imployment are ever cherished ? let us then embrace continence , and by power of so good a spirit dispossesse the bad . let us not entertaine those dangerous motives to sinne , which , like a snake in the bosome will wound us to death . and what bee those motives ? wanton thoughts and wanton words , which corrupt mens manners with wicked workes . it is a sure note and worthy observance ; whensoever any thought is suggested to you which tasteth of evill , make the doore of your heart fast , lest you give actuall possession to the divell . wanton words likewise are dangerous motives to incontinence ; the habit whereof being once attained , will hardly be relinquished . so as speech , which democritus cals the image of life , being exercised in scurrility , seemes to deface that image , by laying on it the darke and sable colour of death . for as muddy water is an argument that the fountaine is troubled : so filthy words are witnesses that the heart is corrupted . a good tree brings forth good fruit , a pure spring cleare water , and an uncorrupt heart words tending to the edification of the hearer . now hee who useth his tongue to filthy communication , incurres a threefold offence : first , in dishonouring god ; secondly , in sinning against his own soule ; thirdly , in ministring matter of scandall or offence to his brother . how necessary is it then , to keepe a watch upon our mouth , and a gate of circumstance unto our lips , that we offend not with our tongue ; which like the poisonous adder , stings even unto death , wounding the soule with an incurable dart ? neither doe i , speaking of wantonnesse , onely restraine my discourse to incontinence , but to whatsoever else may properly tend to the complacency or indulgence of the flesh , as to tender obedience to her in the desire of luscious and lascivious meats , or the like ; including all such as turne the grace of god to wantonnesse , making a profession of faith , but denying the power thereof in their life and conversation . thirdly , pride , that luciferian sinne , whose airie thoughts are ever mounting , must be subdued by the spirit of humility . we would hold it to be no faithfull part of a subject , to make choice of no livery but his , who is a profest foe to his soveraigne . and what i pray you , doe we , when we attire our selves in the habiliments of pride ; not onely outwardly in gorgeous apparell , choicest perfumes , and powdred lockes ; but likewise inwardly , in putting on the spirit of pride , attended by scornefull respects , disdainfull eyes , and haughty lookes ? can wee bee truly termed subjects ? may wee , wearing the divels crest , partake of the seamelesse coat of christ ? may we expect a crowne after death , that oppose him who wore a thorny crowne to crowne us after death ? no ; as the souldier is knowne by his colours , the servant by his cognizance , the sheepe by his marke , and coine by the stampe ; so shall we bee knowne by our colours , if wee be christs souldiers ; by our crest or cognizance , if his followers ; by our marke , if his sheepe and lambkins ; by our stampe or superscription , if his coine or sterling . o know , how much wee are the humbler , by so much to our beloved are we the liker ! let us resemble him then in all humility , that afterwards wee may reigne with him in glory . lastly , that wee may become conformable unto him , whose image wee have received , wee are to learne of the blessed apostle , in all things to bee contented . content ( saith the proverbe ) is worth a crowne , but many crownes come farre short of this content . now to propose a rule how this content may be acquired , were a lesson well worthy our learning : which i could wish might bee as soone learned as proposed : for content briefly , consists in these two ; to bee free from desiring what wee have not ; to bee free from fearing to lose what wee already have . now hee , who seeth nothing in the world worthy desiring , cannot choose but be free from feare of losing , being so indifferent touching the world , or whatsoever else hee hath in enjoying . for he that neither hath , nor seeth ought in the world which he esteemes worthy his love , enjoyeth nought but hee can willingly bee content to leave ; for no man feareth the losse of that which he doth not love . but to draw neerer a point : these two passions or affections of desire and feare ; desire of having more than wee have ; feare of losing what wee already have , may be properly said to have a threefold respect : to the goods or endowments of the minde , of the body , and of fortune . for the first , plato in his timaeo saith ; if a man lose his eyes , or feet , or hands , or wealth , we may say of such an one , hee looseth something ; but hee who loseth his heart and reason , loseth all . for in the wombe of our mother , the first thing which is ingendred or participates forme , is the heart ; and the last which dieth , is the same heart . so as properly it may be called reasons treasurie or store-house ; where those divine graces are seated , which conferre the best beauty to man , giving him a note of distinction from other creatures , the more to dignifie man. for howsoever all creatures have hearts , yet only to man is given an understanding heart . other creatures have hearts indeed sensible of present paine , but they cannot recall to minde what is past , or probably collect by what is past , the seasons of times , or issues of affaires likely to ensue . in the heart of man , there is the reasonable power , with which hee governeth himselfe ; the irascible power , with which he defendeth himselfe ; and concupiscible , by which he provideth for things necessary to releeve himselfe . now admit wee were deprived of that principall blessing , the intellectuall part , so as like raving and raging orostes , we were forced to take many blinde by-paths , wanting the means of direction by reason of our wofull distraction , and crying out with octavia in seneca ; o , to the spirits below that i were sent , for death were easie to this punishment ! admit , i say , all this ; yet is the afflicted soule to bee content , abiding gods good leisure , who as hee doth wound , so he can cure ; and as hee opened old tobiths eyes , so can he , when he pleaseth , where he pleaseth , and as hee pleaseth , open the bleered eyes of understanding : so with a patient expectance of gods mercy , and christian resolution to endure all assaults with constancie , as he recommendeth himselfe to god , so shall he finde comfort in him : in whom he hath trusted and receive understanding more cleare and perfect than before he enjoyed . or admit one should have his memorative part so much infeebled , as with corvinus messala he should forget his owne name ; yet the lord , who numbreth the starres , and knoweth them all by their names , will not forget him , though he hath forgot himselfe ; having him as a sign●t upon his finger , ever in his remembrance . for what shall it availe , if thou have memory beyond cyrus , who could call every souldier in his army by his name , when it shall appeare thou hast forgot thy selfe , and exercised that facultie rather in remembring injuries , than recalling to minde those insupportable injuries , which thou hast done unto god ? nay more ; of all faculties in man , memory is the weakest , first waxeth old , and decayes sooner than strength or beauty . and what shall it profit thee , once to have excelled in that facultie , when the privation thereof addes to thy misery ? nothing , nothing : wherefore , as every good and perfect gift commeth from above , where there is neither change nor shadow of change , so as god taketh away nothing but what he hath given , let every one in the losse of this or that facultie , referre himselfe with patience to his sacred majestie , who in his change from earth will crowne him with mercy . secondly , for the goods or blessings of the body , as strength beauty , agilitie , &c. admit thou wert blinde with appius , lame with agesilaus , tongue-tied with samius , dwarfish with ivius , deformed with thersites ; though blinde , thou hast eyes to looke with , and that upward ; though lame , thou hast legges to walke with , and that homeward ; though tongue-tied , thou hast a tongue to speake , and that to god-ward ; though dwarfish , thou hast a proportion given thee , ayming heaven-ward ; though deformed , thou hast a glorious feature , and not bruitish to looke-downward . for not so much by the motion of the body , and her outwardly working faculties , as by the devotion of the heart , and those inwardly moving graces , are wee to come to god. againe , admit thou wert so mortally sicke , as even now drawing neere shore , there were no remedy but thou must of necessity bid a long adieu to thy friends , thy honours , riches , and whatsoever else are deare or neere unto thee : yet for all this , why shouldest thou remaine discontented ? art thou here as a countryman , or a pilgrim ? no countryman sure ; for then shouldest thou make earth thy country , and inhabit here as an abiding city . and if a pilgrim , who would grieve to bee going homeward ? there is no life but by death , no habitation but by dissolution . he then that feareth death , feareth him that bringeth glad tidings of life . therefore to esteeme life above the price , or feare death beyond the rate , are alike evill : for he that values life to be of more esteeme than a pilgrimage , is in danger of making shipwracke of the hope of a better inheritance ; and he that feareth death as his profest enemy , may thanke none for his feare but his securitie . certainly , there is no greater argument of folly than to shew immoderate sorrow either for thy own death , or death of another : for it is no wisedome to grieve for that which thou canst not possibly prevent , but to labour in time rather to prevent what may give the occasion to grieve . for say , is thy friend dead ? i confesse it were a great losse , if hee were lost ; but lost hee is not , though thou bee left ; gone hee is before thee , not gone from thee ; divided onely , not exiled from thee . a princesse wee had of sacred memory , who looking one day from her palace , might see one shew immoderate signes or appearances of sorrow , so as shee moved with princely compassion , sent downe presently one of her pensioners to inquire who it was that so much sorrowed ▪ and withall to minister him all meanes of comfort ; who finding this sorrowfull mournes to bee a counsellor of state , who sorrowed for the 〈◊〉 of his daughter ; returned directly to his soveraigne , and acquainted her therewith . o ( quoth she ) who would thinks tha● a wise man and a counsellor of our state could so forget himselfe , as to shew himselfe 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 of his childs ! and surely , whosoever shall but duly con●ider mans 〈◊〉 with deathe necessity , cannot chuse but wonder why any one should bee so wholly destitute of understanding , to lament the death of any one , since to die is as necessary and common as to be borne to every one . but perchance it may bee by some objected , that the departure of their friend is not so much lamented , for that is of necessity , and therefore exacts no teares of sorrow , being , if spent , as fruitlesse as the doome reverselesse ; but their sudden and inopinate departure . whereto i answer , that no death is sudden to him that dies well : for sudden death hath properly a respect rather to the life , how it was passed or disposed , than to death , how short his summons were , or how quickly closed . io. mathes . preaching upon the raising up of the womans sonne of naim by christ , within three houres afterward died himselfe : the like is written of luther , and many others . as , one was choaked with a flie , another with a haire , a third pushing his foot against the tressal , another against the threshold falls downe dead : so many kinde of wayes are chalked out for man , to draw towards his last home , and weane him from the love of the earth . those whom god loves , said menander , the young : yea , those whom hee esteemeth highest , hee takes from hence the soonest : and that for two causes ; the one , is to free them the sooner from the wretchednesse of earth ; the other , to crowne them the sooner with happinesse in heaven : for what gaine wee by a long life , or what profit reape wee by a tedious pilgrimage , but , that wee partly see , partly suffer , partly commit more evils ? priamus saw more dayes and shed more teares than troilus . let us hence then learne so to measure our sorrow for ought that may or shall befall us , in respect of the bodie , that after her returne to earth , it may bee gloriously re-united to the soule , to make an absolute consort in heaven . thirdly , and lastly , for the goods or blessings of fortune ; they are not to command us , but to bee commanded by us ; not to be served by us , but to serve us . and because hee onely in the affaires of this life is the wealthiest , who in the desires of this life is the neediest ; and he the richest on earth , who sees little worth desiring on earth : we are so to moderate our desires ( as i have formerly touched ) in respect of those things we have not , that wee may labour to over-master our desires , ( in thirsting after more than wee already have ; ) likewise so to temper and qualifie our affections in respect of those things we have , as to shew no immoderate sorrow for the losse of those we have , but to be equally minded , as well in the fruition of those we have , as privation of those we have not . for of all others , there is no sorrow baser nor unworthier , than that which is grounded on the losse of oxe , or cow , or such inferiour subjects . neither incurre they any lesse opinion of folly , who carried away with the love of their horse , hound , or some such creature , use of some prize or conquest got , to reare in their memory some obeliske , or monument graced with a beauteous inscription , to preserve their fame ; because ( poore beasts ) they have nothing to preserve themselves : for howsoever this act seeme to have some correspondence with gratitude , labouring only to grace them who have graced us , rearing a stone to perpetuate their fame , who memoriz'd our name by speed of foot , yet is it grosse and so palpable to those , whose discretion is a moulder of all their actions , as they account it an act , worthier the observation of an heathen than a christian. cimon buried his mares , bestowing upon them specious tombs , when they had purchased credit in the swift races of the olympiads . xantippus bewailed his dogs death , which had followed his master from calamina . alexander erected a citie in the honour of bucepha●us , having beene long defended by him in many dangerous battells . and the asse may well among the heathen be adorned with lilies , violets and garlands , when their goddesse vesta by an asses bray , avoyded the rape of priapus . but howsoever these actions among pagans might carry some colour of thankefulnesse , rewarding them , by whose speed , fury , agility , or some other meanes , they have been as well preserved as honoured : yet with christians , whose eyes are so clearely opened , and by the light divine so purely illumined ; would these seeme acts of prophanesse , ascribing honour to the creature , to whom none is due ; and not to the creator , to whom all honour is solely and properly due . in briefe , let us so esteeme of all the goods and gifts of fortune , as of vtensils , fit for our use and service , but of the supreme good , as our chiefest solace : for he who subjected all things to the feet of man , that man might be wholly subject unto him , and that man might be wholly his , hee gave man dominion over all those workes of his : so hee created all outward things for the body , the body for the soule , but the soule for him ; that shee might only intend him , and only love him , possessing him for solace , but inferiour things for service . thus farre , gentlemen , hath this present discourse inlarged it selfe , to expresse the rare and incomparable effects , which naturally arise from the due practice of moderation , being indeed a vertue so necessary , and well deserving the acquaintance of a gentleman , ( who is to bee imagined as one new come to his lands , and therefore stands in great need of so discreet an attendant ) as there is no one vertue better sorting ranke , not onely in matters of preferment , profit , or the like ; but in matters of reputation or personall ingagement , where his very name or credit is brought to the tesh . looke not then with the eye of scorne on such a follower : but take these instructions with you for a fare-well . doth ambition buzze in your care motions of honour ? this faithfull attendant , moderation , will disswade you from giving way to these suggestions , and tell you , ambition is the high road which leads to ruine , but humility is the gate which opens unto glory . doth covetousnesse whisper to you matters of profit ? here is one will tell you , the greatest wealth in the world , is to want the desires of the world . doth wantonnesse suggest to you motives of delight ? here is that h●rbe of grace , which will save you from being wounded , and salve you already wounded . in briefe , both your expence of time and coine , shall be so equally disposed , as you shall never need to redeeme time , because you never prodigally lost it ; nor repent your fruitlesse expence of coine , because you never profusely spent it . thus if you live , you cannot chuse but live for ever ; for ever in respect of those choice vertues which attend you : for ever , in respect of your good example , moving others to imitate you : and for ever , in respect of that succeeding glory which shall crowne you . the english gentleman . argument . of perfection ; contemplative and active ; the active preferred ; wherein it consisteth ; of the absolute or supreme end whereto it aspireth , and wherein it resteth . perfection . wee are now to treat of a subject , which , while wee are here on earth , is farre easier to discourse of , then to find ; for perfection is not absolute in this life , but graduall . so as , howsoever wee may terme one perfect or compleat in respect of some especiall qualities , wherewith hee is endued ; yet , if wee come to the true ground of perfection , wee shall find it farre above the spheare of mortality to ascend to : for man , miserable man , what is hee , or of himselfe what can hee , to make him absolutely perfect ? exceed hee can , but in nothing but sinne , which is such a naturall imperfection , as it wholly detracts from his primitive perfection . time was indeed , when man knew no sinne , and in that ignorance from sinne consisted his perfection . but no sooner was that banefull apple tasted , then in the knowledge of sinne hee became a professant . wee are therefore to discourse of such perfection , as wee commonly in opinion hold for absolute , though in very deed it appeare onely respective and definite ; for to treat of that perfection which is transcendent or indefinite , were to sound the sea ▪ or weigh the mountaines , so farre it exceedeth the conceit of man : yea , i say , to taske humane apprehension to the discussion of that soveraigne or supreme perfection , were as unequally matched , as ever were earth and heaven , strength and weaknesse , or the great beh●moth , and the silliest worme that creepeth in the chinks of the earth . let us addresse our selves then to this taske , and make this our ground , that as no man is simply good but god ; so no man is absolutely perfect till hee be individually united to god ; which on earth is not granted , but promised ; not effected , but expected ; not obtained , but with confidence desired , when these few , but evill dayes of our pilgrimage shall be expired : yet is there a graduall perfection , which in some degree or measure wee may attaine , becomming conformable unto him , whose image wee have received , and by whom wee have so many singular graces and prerogatives on us conferred . and this perfection is to be procured by assistance of gods spirit , and a desire in man to second that assistance by an assiduall endeavour : which devout and godly endevour , that it might be the better furthered , and his glory , by whose grace wee are assisted , the more advanced ; needfull it were to reduce to our memory , daily and hourely , these two maine considerations . first , those three profest enemies that infatigably assaile us , which should make us more watchfull . secondly , that faithfull friend , who so couragiously fights for us , which should make us more thankefull : for our enemies , as they are some of them domestick , so are they more dangerous ; for no foe more perillous then a bosome foe . besides they are such pleasing enemies , as they cheere us , when they kill us ; sting us , when they smile on us . and what is the instrument they worke on , but the soule ? and what the time limited them to worke in , but our life ? which humours doe swell up , sorrowes bring downe , heats dry , aire infect , meat puffe up , fasting macerate , jests dissolve , sadnesse consume , care straineth , security deludeth , youth extolleth , wealth transporteth , poverty dejecteth , old-age crooketh , infirmity breaketh , griefe depresseth , the divell deceiveth , the world flattereth , the flesh is delighted , the soule blinded , and the whole man perplexed . how should we now oppose our selves to such furious and perfidious enemies ? or what armour are wee to provide for the better resisting of such powerfull and watchfull assailants ? certainely , no other provision need we , then what already is laid up in store for us , to arme and defend us , and what those blessed saints and servants of christ have formerly used , leaving their owne vertuous lives as patternes unto us . their armour was fasting , prayer , and workes of devotion : by the first , they made themselves fit to pray ; in the second they addressed themselves to pray as they ought ; in the third they performed those holy duties , which every christian of necessity ought to performe . and first , for fasting , it is a great worke , and a christian worke ; producing such excellent effects , as it subjects the flesh to the obedience of the spirit ; making her of a commander , a subject ; of one who tooke upon her an usurped authority , to humble her selfe to the soules soveraignty . likewise prayer , how powerfull it hath beene in all places , might bee instanced in sundry places of holy scripture . in the a desart , where temptation is the readiest ; in the b temple , where the divell is oft-times busiest ; on the c sea , where the flouds of perils are the nearest ; in d peace , where security makes men forgetfullest ; and in e warre , where imminent danger makes men fearfull'st : yea , whether it be with daniel in the f denne ; or manasses in the g dungeon ; whether it be with holy david in the h palace ; or heavenly ieremie in the i prison : the power and efficacie of prayer , sacrificed by a devout and zealous beleever , cannot choose but be as the first and second raigne , fructifying the happy soile of every faithfull soule , to her present comfort here , and hope of future glory else-where . thirdly , workes of devotion , being the fruits or effects of a spirituall conversation ; as ministring to the necessity of the saints ; wherein we have such plenty of examples , both in divine and humane writ , as their godly charity , or zealous bounty might worthily move us to imitate such blessed patternes in actions of like - devotion , for such were they , as they were both liberall , and joyed in their liberality , every one contributing so much as hee thought fit , or pleased him to bestow . and whatsoever was so collected , to the charge or trust of the governour , or disposer of the stocke of the poore , was forthwith committed . here was that poore-mans box , or indeed christs box , wherein the charity of the faithfull was treasured . neither did these holy saints or servants of god , in their almes , eye so much the quality of the person , as his image whom hee did represent . and herein they nourished not a sinner , but a righteous begg●● ; because they loved not his sinne , but his nature . but now , because wee are to treat of perfection in each of these wee are to observe such cautions , as may make the worke perfect without blemish , and pure from the mixture of flesh . as first in that godly practice of fasting , to observe such mediocrity , as neither desire to be knowne by blubbered eyes , hanging downe the head , nor any such externall passion may tax us to bee of those pharisees , whose devotion had relation rather to the observance of man , then the service of god ; neither so to macerate the body , as to disable it for performing any office which may tend to the propagation of the glory of the highest . for the first institution of fasts , as it was purposely to subdue the inordinate motions of the flesh , and subject it to the obedience and observance of the spirit ; so divers times were by the ancient fathers and councels thought fitting to be kept in holy abstinence , of purpose to remove from them the wrath of god , inflicted on them by the sword , pestilence , famine , or some other such like plague . saint gregory instituted certaine publike fasts , resembling the rogation weeke , with such like solemne processions against the plague and pestilence , as this rogation-weeke was first ordained by another holy bishop to that end . as for the ember-dayes , they were so called of our ancient fore-fathers in this countrey , because on these fasting dayes , men eate bread baked under embers or ashes . but to propose a certaine rule or forme of direction , there is none surer or safer , then that which wee formerly proposed : so to nourish our bodies , that they bee not too much weakned , by which meanes more divine offices might be hindered ; and againe , so to weaken our bodies , that they be not too much pampered ; by which meanes our spirituall fervor might bee co●led . for too delicate is that master , who , when his belly is crammed , would have his mind with devotion crowned . secondly , for prayer , as it is to be numbred among the greatest workes of charity , so of all others it should be freest from hypocrisie : for it is not the sound of the mouth , but the soundnesse of the heart , which makes this oblation so effectually powerfull , and to him that prayeth , so powerfully fruitfull . it is not beating of the breast with the fist , but inward compunction of the heart , flying with the wing of faith , that pierceth heaven . for neither could trasylla's devotion , whereof gregory relates , have beene so powerfull ; nor gorgonius supplication , whereof nazianzen reports , so fruitfull ; nor iames the brother of our lord his invocation , whereof eusebius records , so faithfull ; nor paul the eremites daily oblation , whereof ierome recounts , so effectuall ; if pronunciation of the mouth , without affection of the heart ; beating of the brest , without devotion of mind ; dejection of face , without erection of faith , had accompanied their prayer . for it is not hanging downe the head like a bulrush , which argues contrition , but a passionate affection of the heart which mounts up to the throne of grace , till it purchase remission . thirdly , for almes-deeds and other workes of devotion , being the fruits or effects of faith , as they are sweet odours , and shall not lose their reward , being duly practised ; so wee must take these three cautions by the way , lest such sweet fruits bee corrupted . the first is , to give her owne , and not anothers , for that were robbery : the second is , to give to the poore , and not to the rich in hope of commodity : the third is , to give in mercy or fellow-feeling of others wants , and not for vaine-glory . for howsoever the poore need not care for any of these respects , because hee is rewarded ; yet the giver is to care , because his reward should hereby become frustrated . certainely , there is nothing which relisheth better to the palate of our maker ▪ then ministring reliefe to the needy begger , who is gods begger , as a holy father cals him , and therefore should be relieved for his cause that sent him . those goats set on the left hand doe affright me , not because they were robbers , but because they were no feeders , saith nazianzen : therefore are we willed to feed the hunger-starved soule , lest want should famish him ; for if wee suffer him to die for food , wee , and none but wee did famish him . thus if wee observe a-right the zealous and religious practice of those blessed patternes , who have gone before us , and have left their memorable lives as examples to be imitated by us , we shall in some measure attaine to that perfection , whereof wee now discourse ; labouring so to moderate our affections herein , as neither vaine-glory , nor any other fleshly respect may interpose it selfe in actions of such maine and serious consequence . for albeit , as i formerly noted , no man may come to that absolute perfection , either in matters of knowledge , or practice of life , as if nothing could bee further attained , but that the very highest pitch of perfection were acquired ; yet are there degrees which in some measure may be attained , if those vertues which conduce to this perfection bee duly practised . for , it is not professing of vertue , but practising ; neither practising of one , but all , which gives life to this perfection . for hee whom wee sincerely perfect call , excels not in one vertue , but in all . which perfection farre exceeds all others , derived from some exqui●ite knowledge in arts or sciences ; for these , how absolutely soever they be , come farre short of that perfection which longer time and experience might bring them to . alcibiades is reported to have beene so skilfull in all arts and exercises , that he won the prize in what enterprize soever he tooke in hand ; which was no small glory , when in the olympian or istmian games he no sooner appeared , than those who were to contend with him , were forthwith dismaied : yet came this perfection short of that whereof we now discourse . for it may bee probably gathered , that , albeit hee was the activest in his time on istmus . yet all the activest youths of greece were not on istmus ; or if they were , yet the whole world had youths more active , and in all parts more absolute than they were in greece . for to seeke perfection on earth , either in respect of minde or body , either in ability of the one , or excellency of the other , were — in aethere quarere nidum ; hee only being most perfect , who acknowledgeth himselfe to bee most imperfect . cicero brings in m. antony , saying that there bee many follow , and yet come not to the perfection . which hee might have instanced the best in himselfe : for who , for discipline more exquisite , for attempts in his own person more valiant , for ripenesse of wit more pregnant , or for tongue more powerfully perswasive than m. antony ? yet to observe how much those more excellent parts were disabled , that light of understanding darkned , that pregnancy of wit rebated , that perswasive orator by a wanton oratresse seduced ; yea , even that mirror of men blemished , might move us freely and ingenuously to acknowledge , as there is nothing more variable than man in respect of his condition , so nothing more prone to evill in respect of his naturall corruption . so as , howsoever he may seeme in some sort perfect , either in moderating his affections with patience , or subduing his desires with reason , yet there is ever some one defect or other that darkens those perfections . wherefore , as marius bombasted his stockins to give a better proportion to his small legs ; if any one would have his good parts set out , hee had need to weare some counterfeit disguise to cover his wants , and so gull the world , as iuno deceived ixion with a cloud . truth is , that the worthiest men have beene stained with some notable crime . caesar , though hee were moderate , yet was hee incontinent : alexander though continent , yet was he immoderate : sylla , though valiant , yet was hee violent : galba , though eminent , yet was hee insolent : lucullus generous , yet delicious ; marcellus glorious , yet ambitious ; architas patient , yet avaritious ; archias pregnant , yet lascivious . so as homers understanding , platoes wit , diogenes phrase , aeschines art of oratorie , and cicero's tongue , could not assume to themselves such perfection , as to free them from other blemishes , which detracted as much from their worth , as these perfections added to their glory . for howsoever that saying of solon may seeme authenticke ; all things among men are sound and perfect ; it is to be understood that he meant of dealings or * commerce among good men , whose word is their bond , and whose profession is to deale uprightly with al men . all things among such men are sound and perfect , for no commoditie can move them to infringe their faith , or falsifie their word for any advantage . but it may be objected , if none can be perfect , whence is it that we reade ▪ we ought to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect ? or how is it that paul exhorteth us to perfection ? or how may we be presented every man perfect in christ iesus ? surely not of us , nor of our selves , but through him who became righteousnesse , and all perfection for us , that he might perfect that in us , which was farre from us , without his especiall grace working or operating in us . yet are we to labour and strive hard towards the marke that is set before us , not ceasing till wee become conformable unto him , and be made perfect in him . but become conformable unto him wee cannot , unlesse wee take delight in contemplating him , to whom our desire is to be conformed . we will therefore descend to the second branch proposed , to wit , the contemplative part of perfection , wherein we shall easily finde what divine comfort is ministred to the minde , in contemplating him , who distinguished man from the rest of his creatures , by a reasonable minde . it was the saying of a heathen , if god tooke delight in any felicitie , it was in contemplation . to the free use whereof , even those which are ( as hortensius called l. torquatus ) unlearned , rude an ignorant , may bee admitted . for howsoever some have beene pleased to terme the images of saints , laymens-bookes ; sure i am , whosoever he be , be he never so simple or ignorant , that contemplateth god in his creatures , shall finde sufficient matter , in that voluminous booke of his creation , to move him to admire the work-manship of his maker . for the heavens are his , the earth also is his ; and hee hath laid the foundation of the world , and all that therein is . so as , even from the cedar of lebanon to the grasse upon the wall , hath he shewen his power , and his might to the ends of the world . now to the end this contemplation might not bee hindred by any worldly objects , wee are to with-draw our eye from the creature , and fix it wholly upon our creator . for how can any one behold the glory of heaven , when his eyes are poring upon earth ; or how should hee , whose affections are planted upon his gold , erect his thoughts to the contemplation of god ? so as wee must not only leave whatsoever we love on earth , but even leave our selves till wee become wholly weaned from earth ; so shall our affections be in heaven , though our temporary plantation bee on earth . for what are these ostrich-winged worldings , who never flie up , stooping to every lure that either honour , profit , or preferment cast out , but base haggards , who lie downe and dare not give wing for feare of weathering ? whereas these high fliers , whose aimes are above earth , are ever meditating of earths frailtie and heavens felicitie . these consider , how the solace of the captive is one , and the joy of the freeman another . these consider , how that hee who sighs not while he is a pilgrim , shall not rejoyce when he is a citizen . these consider , that it is an evident signe that such an one hates his countrey , who holds himselfe to bee in good state while hee lives a pilgrim . these will not preferre the husks of vanitie before those inestimable treasures of glory . these , and only these , value earth as it should bee valued , desiring rather to leave earth , than set their love on ought upon , earth . neither can death take any-thing from him going out of the world , who sets his love on nothing in the world . whereas it is much otherwise with them , whose eyes are accustomed to darknesse ; for they cannot behold the beames of that supreme veritie : neither can they judge any thing of the light , whose habitation is in darknesse : they see darknesse , they love darknesse , they approve of darknesse , and going from darknesse to darknesse , they know not whither they fall . such was demas , who forsooke his faith , and embraced this present world . such was simon magus , who bewitched the people with sorceries , to gaine himselfe esteeme in the world . such was demetrius the silver-smith , who brought great gaines unto the crafts-men , and mightily enriched himselfe in the world . and , in a word , such are all those whose eyes are sealed to heavenly contemplations , but opened to the objects of earth , prizing nothing else worthy either viewing or loving . it is rare and wonderfull to observe what admirable contemplations the heathen philosophers enjoyed , though not so much as partakers of the least glimpse of that glorious light which is to us revealed ! how deeply searching in the influence of planets , how studious after the knowledge of herbs , plants , vertue of stones , which inforced in them no lesse admiration , than delight in so sweet a contemplation ? now if the heathens , who had no knowledge of god , but only a glimmering light of nature , being not so much ( i say ) as the least beamling in comparison of that glorious light which wee enjoy , conceived such sweetness in the search of causes and events , preferring their contemplation before the possession of earth , or all that fraile earth could promise ; what surpassing comfort or ineffable sweetnesse are wee to conceive in the contemplation of god ; the one and only practice whereof maketh man blessed , although in outward things hee were the poorest and needfullest in the world ? the blessed saints and faithfull servants of god have beene so ravished with this sweetnesse , as they were drunke with joy in contemplation of the highest . for either honour or preferment , they were so indifferent , as they rejected it ; and for riches so equally contented , as they dis-valued it , selling their possessions , and laying the money at the apostles feet . yea peter , to instance one for all , no sooner tasted this sweetnesse , than forgetfull of all inferiour things , hee cried out as one spiritually drunke , saying ; lord , it is good for us to bee here ; let us make us here three tabernacles , let us stay here , let us contemplate thee , because wee need nothing else but thee ; it sufficeth us , lord , to see thee , it sufficeth us , i say , to bee filled with such swetnesse as commeth from thee . one onely drop of sweetnesse hee tasted , and hee loathed all other sweetnesse . what may wee imagine would hee have said , if hee had tasted the multitude of the sweetnesse of his divinitie , which he hath laied up in store for those that feare him ? surely , the contemplative man , whose affections are estranged from earth , and seated in heaven , makes use of whatsoever hee seeth on earth , as directions to guide him in his progresse to heaven . his eyes are not like the ambitious mans , whose eye-sore is only to see others great , and himselfe unadvanced : nor like the covetous mans , whose eyes ( tarpeia-like ) betray his soule , seeing nothing precious or prosperous which he wisheth not : nor like the voluptous mans , whose sealed eyes are blinde to the objects of vertue , but unsealed to the objects of vanitie , seeing nothing sensually moving which he affects not : nor like the vain-glorious mans , who practiseth seldome what is good or honest for the love of goodnesse , but to bee praised and observed . whereas the true contemplative man loves vertue for vertues sake , concluding divinely with the poet ; this amongst good men hath beene ever knowne , vertue rewards herselfe , herselfe's her crowne . and for these light objects of vanity , hee as much loaths them as the voluptuous man loves them ; and for coveting , hee is so farre from desiring more then hee hath , as hee is indifferent either for injoying or forgoing what hee already hath ; and for aspiring , hee holds it the best ambition of any creature , to promote the glory of his maker . hee is ever descanting on this divine ditty ; god! for his thoughts are spheared above earth , and lodged in the contemplation of heaven . and if so be , that hee chance to fixe his eye upon earth , it is , as i said before , to direct his feet , and erect his faith to the contemplation of heaven . for by consideration had to these temporall goods ( to use the words of a devout father ) hee gathereth the greatnesse of the heavenly councell : comprehending by the little ones , those great ones ; by these visible , those invisible ones : for if the lord shew , or rather showre so great and innumerable benefits from heaven , and from the ayre , from the land and sea , light and darkenesse , heat and shadow , dew and raine , winds and showres , birds and fishes , and multiplicity of herbs and plants of the earth , and the ministry of all creatures successively in their seasons ministring to us , to allay our loathing , and beget in us towards our maker , an incessant longing , and all this for an ignoble and corruptible body ; what , how great , and innumerable shall those good things be , which hee hath prepared for them that love him , in that heavenly countrey , where we shall see him face to face ? if hee doe such things for us in this prison , what will hee doe for us in that palace ? great and innumerable are thy workes o lord , king of heaven ! for seeing , all these are very good and delectable , which hee hath equally bestowed upon both good and evill : how great shall those bee which hee hath laid up onely for the good ? if so divers and innumerable be the gifts , which hee bestoweth both upon friends and foes ; how sweet and delectable shall those be , which hee will onely bestow upon his friends ? if such comforts in this day of teares and anguish , what will hee conferre on us in that day of nuptiall solace ? if a prison containe such delights , what , i pray you , shall our countrey containe ? no eye , ( o lord ) without thee , hath seene those things which thou hast prepared for them that love thee : for according to the great multitude of thy magnificence , there is also a multitude of thy sweetnesse , which thou hast hid for them that feare thee : for great thou art , o lord our god , and unmeasurable , neither is there end of thy greatnesse , nor number of thy wisedome , nor measure of thy mercy , neither is there end , nor number , nor measure of thy bounty : but as thou art great , so be thy gifts great : because thou thy selfe art the reward and gift of thy faithfull warriours . thus is the spiritually contemplative man ever employed , thus are his affections planted , thus his desires seated , caring so little for earth , as hee is dead to earth long before hee returne to earth ; drawing daily neerer heaven , having his desire onely there , long before hee come there . now to instance some , whose profession was meerely contemplative , having retired or sequestred themselves from the society of this world , wee might illustrate this subject with many excellent patternes in this kind , as those especially who strictly professed a monasticke life , becomming severe enemies to their owne flesh , and estranging themselves from conversing with man. which kind of discipline , as it was in respect of humanity too unsociable , so in respect of themselves doubtlesse , sweet and delightfull ; being so intranced with divine contemplation , as they forgot earth and all earthly affections . of this sort , you shall reade sundry examples ; whereof one more memorable then the rest might bee instanced in him , who reading that sentence of holy scripture , goe and sell all that thou hast , presently imagining it to bee meant by him , did so . the like contempt towards the world , might bee instanced in holy ierome , paulinus that good bishop of nola , and many others , upon which i would bee loath to insist for brevity sake . neither certainely can they , whose thoughts are erected above the center of earth , having their hearts planted where their treasure is placed , deigne to fix their eye upon ought in the world , because they see nothing worthy affecting in the world : for they thinke godlinesse is a great gaine , if a man bee content with that hee hath . they doe good , being rich in good workes , and ready to distribute , and communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come , that they may obtaine eternall life . yea , they have not only learned in whatsoever state they are , therewith to be content , but wholly to relinquish both selfe and state to advance the glory of god. but it may be now well objected , that these men whereof we now treat , are fitter for a cell then a court , and therefore too regular masters to have young gentlemen for their schollers : for how should these , whose education hath beene liberty , conversation publike society , and who hold good fellowship an appendice to gentry , betake themselves to such strictnesse , as to be deprived of common aire , live remote from all company , passing the remainder of their dayes in a wildernesse , as if they had committed some egregious fact that deserved such severe pennance ? mistake me not , my meaning is much otherwise : for as i would not have gentlemen libertines , so i would not have them hermits ; for the first , as they are too prodigally secular , so the latter are too severely regular . neither am i ignorant how a * cloyster may bee no lesse shelter unto errour , then a more publike place of delight or pleasure . but my discourse touching this contemplative perfection , was purposely to draw the curtaine from before the picture , and to shew to their eye that faire idaea , or feature which hath beene so long shadowed ; i meane the faire and beautifull structure of the inward man , which so long as it is darkened with these bleere-eyed leahs , these objects of vanity cannot enjoy it selfe , but peece-meale , as it were , divided from it selfe , seemes wholly deprived of life ; for a heart divided cannot live . and what are these objects of vanity , whereon the eye of your contemplation is usually fixed , but those soule-soiling sores of this land , pride and voluptuousnesse ? with what greediness● will a young gallants eye gaze upon some new or phantasticke fashion , wishing ( o vaine wish ! ) that hee had but the braines to have invented such a fashion , whereby hee might have given occasion to others of imitation and admiration ? with what insatiablenesse , will hee fix his eye upon some light affected curtezan , whose raiment is her onely ornament , and whose chiefe●t glory is to set at sale her adulterate beauty ? no street , no corner but gives him objects which drawes his eye from that choicest object , whereon his whole delight should bee seated : no place so obscure , wherein his contemplative part is not on the view of forbidden objects greedily fixed . how requisite then were it for you , young gentlemen , whose aymes are more noble then to subject them to these unworthy ends , to take a view sometimes of such absolute patterns of contemplative perfection , as have excelled in this kind ? but because a three-fold cord is hardly broken , i will recommend unto your consideration a three-fold meditation , the daily use and exercise whereof may bring you to a more serious view of your owne particular estate . first is , the worthinesse of the soule ; secondly , the unworthinesse of earth ; thirdly , thankefulnesse unto god , who made man the worthiest creature upon the earth . for the first : what is shee , and in glory how surpassing is she ( to use the selfe-same words which an holy father useth ) being so strong , so weake , so small , so great , searching the secrets of god , and contemplating those things which are of god , and with her piercing wit is knowne to have attained the skill of many arts for humane profit and advantage ? what is shee , i say , who knoweth so much in other things , and to what end they were made , yet is wholly ignorant how her selfe was made ? a princesse surely ; for as a queene in her throne , so is the soule in the body ; being the life of the body , as god is the life of the soule ; being of such dignity , as no good , but the supreme good may suffice it : of such liberty as no inferior thing may restraine it . how then is the soule of such worthinesse , as no exteriour good may suffice it , nor no inferiour thing restraine it ? how comes it then that it stoops to the lure of vanity , as one forgetfull of her owne glory ? how comes it then to be so fledged in the * bird-lime of inferiour delights , as nothing tasteth so well to her palate as the delights of earth ? surely , either she derogates much from what shee is , or there is more worthinesse on earth , then wee hold there is . having then taken a short view of the dignity or worthinesse of the soule ; let us reflect a little upon the unworthinesse of earth , and see if wee can find her worthy the entertainment of so glorious a princesse . earth , as it is an heavy element , and inclineth naturally downe-ward , so it keepes the earthly minded moule from looking upward . there is nothing in it which may satisfie the desire of the outward senses , much lesse of the inward . for neither is the eye satisfied with seeing , bee the object never so pleasing ; nor the eare with hearing , bee the accent never so moving ; nor the palate with tasting , bee the cates never so relishing ; nor the nose with sm●lling , bee the confection never so perfuming ; nor the hand with touching , bee the subject never so affecting . and for those sugred pils of pleasure , though sweet , how short are they in continuance , and how bitter , being ever attended on by repentance ? and for honours , ( those snow-bals of greatnesse ) how intricate the wayes by which they are attained , and how sandy the foundation whereon they are grounded ? how unworthy then is earth to give entertainment to so princely a guest , having nothing to bid her welcome withall , but the refuse and rubbish of uncleannesse , the garnish or varnish of lightnesse ? for admit this guest were hungry , what provision had earth to feed her with , but the huskes of vanity ? if thirsty , what to refresh her with , but with worme-wood of folly ? if naked , what to cloath her with , but the cover of mortality ? if imprisoned , how to visit her , but with fetters of captivity ? or if sicke , how to comfort her , but with additions of misery ? since then , the worthinesse of the soule is such , as earth is too unworthy to entertaine her , expedient it were that shee had recourse to him that made her , and with all thankfulnesse tender her selfe unto him , who so highly graced her . let man therfore in the uprightness of a pure and sincere soule weaned from earth , and by contemplation already sainted in heaven , say ; what shall i render unto thee , o my god , for so great benefits of thy mercy ! what praises , or what thanksgiving ? for if the knowledge and power of the blessed angels were present with me to assist me , yet were i not able to render ought worthy of so great piety and goodnesse , as i have received from thee ; yea surely , if all my members were turned into tongues , to render due praise unto thee , in no case would my smalnesse suffice to praise thee , for thy inestimable charity which thou hast shewn to me unworthy one , for thy onely love and goodnesse s●ke , exceedeth all knowledge . neither is it meet that the remembrance of a ●enefit should be limited by day or date ; but as the benefits wee receive are daily , so should our thankefulnesse be expressed daily , lest by being unthankefull , god take his benefits from us , and bestow them on such as will be thankfull . and let this suffice for the contemplative part of perfection ; descending briefly to that part , which makes the contemplative truly perfect by action . we are now to treat of that , which is easier to discourse of than to finde : for men naturally have a desire to know all things , but to doe nothing ; so easie is the contemplative in respect of the active , so hard the practicke in respect of the speculative . how many shall we observe daily propounding sundry excellent observations , divine instructions , and christian-like conclusions touching contempt of the world , wherein this active perfection principally consisteth , yet how far short come they in their owne example : so easie it is to propound matter of instruction to others , so hard to exemplifie that instruction in themselves ! this may be instanced in that ruler in the gospel , who avouched his integrity and perfection , concluding that he had kept all those commandements which christ recounted to him , from his youth up : yet when christ said unto him , sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poore , and thou shalt have treasure in heaven , and come follow me : we reade , hee was very sorrowfull ; for he was very rich . so miserable and inextricable is the worldlings thraldome when neither the incertainty of this life , nor those certaine promises made unto him , in hope of a better life , can weane him from the blind affection of earth . necessary therfore it is , that he who desires to attaine this active perfection , unto which all good men labour , moderate his desires towards such things as he hath not , and addresse himselfe to an indifferency of losing those things which hee already hath : for he , whose desires are extended to more than he enjoyes , or who too exceedingly admires what he now enjoyes , can never attaine that high degree of active perfection . the reason is , no man whose content is seated on these externall flourishes of vanity , can direct his contemplation , or erect the eye of his affection to that eternall sunne of verity , whom to enjoy , is to enjoy all true perfection ; and of whom to be deprived , is to taste the bitterness of deepest affliction . now , how are we to enjoy him ? not by knowledge only , or contemplation ; but by seconding , or making good our knowledge by action : for we know , that there is a woe denounced on him , who knoweth the will of his father and doth it not ; when neither his knowledge can plead ignorance , nor want of understanding in the law of god , simplicity or blindnesse . we are therefore not onely to know , but doe ; know , lest ignorance should mis-guide us ; doe , lest our knowledge should accuse us . behovefull therfore were it for us to observe that excellent precept of holy ierome : so live ( saith he ) that none may have just cause to speake ill of you . now there is nothing which may procure this good report sooner , than labouring to avoid all meanes of scandall ; as consorting with vitious men whose noted lives bring such in question as accompany them . this was the cause ( as i formerly noted ) why saint iohn would not stay in the bath with the hereticke c●rinthus . o how many , and with much griefe i speake it , have we knowne in this little iland , well descended , with choicest gifts of nature accomplished , of their owne disposition well affected , who by consorting with inordinate men have given reines to liberty , and blasted those faire hopes , which their friends and country had planted on them ! how requisite then is it , for every one whose thoughts aime at perfection , to consort with such as may better him , and not deprave him ; informe him , and not corrupt him ? for if there be a kind of resemblance betwixt the diseases of the body , and the vices or enormities of the mind ; what especiall care are we to take , lest by keeping company with those who are already depraved , we become likewise infected ? men would be loth to enter any house that is suspected only to be infected ; which if at unawares they have at any time entred , they presently make recourse to the apothecary to receive some soveraigne receit to expell it . and if men bee so affraid lest this house , the body , which like a shaken building menaceth ruine daily should perish , what great respect ought to bee had to the soule , which is the guest of the body ? shall corruption bee so attended and tendred , and the precious image of incorruption lessened and neglected ? god forbid ; specious or gorgeous sepulchres are not so to bee trimmed , that the cost bestowed on them should cause the divine part to bee wholly contemned . to remove which contempt ( if any such there bee ) i will recommend to your devoutest meditation these two particulars . first , who it was that made us : secondly , for what end he made us : to which two briefly , we intend to referre the series of this present discourse . for the first , we are to know that no man is his owne maker : it is hee that made us , who made all things for us , that they might minister unto us and to our necessity , ordaining these for our service , and himselfe for our solace . he it is who hath subjected all things to the feete of man , that man might wholly become subject unto him : yea , and that man might become wholly his , hee gave man absolute dominion over all those workes of his ; creating all outward things for the body , the body for the soule , and the soule for himselfe . and to what end ? even to this end , that man might onely intend him , onely love him , possessing him to his solace , but inferiour things to his service . now , to dilate a little upon this great worke of our creation , wee may collect from sacred scripture a foure-fold creation or generation . the first in adam , who came neither of man nor woman ; the second in eve , who came of man without woman ; the third in christ , who came not of man but woman ; the fourth in us , who came both of man and woman . for the first , as he had from earth his creation , so it shewed the weaknesse of his composition , the vilenesse of his condition , with the certainty of his dissolution . for the second , as she had from man her forming , so it figured their firmenesse of union , inseparable communion , and inviolable affection . for the third , as he came onely of woman , so he promised by the seed of the woman , to ●ruise the serpents head , who had deceived woman , and restore man to the state of grace , from which hee had fallen by meanes of a woman . for the fourth , as wee came both from man and woman , so wee bring with us into the world that originall sinne , which wee derive both from man and woman ; the sting whereof cannot bee rebated , but onely through him , who became man borne of a woman . but in this great worke of our creation , wee are not to observe so much the matter , as quality and nature of our creation . for the matter of our creation , or that whereof wee bee composed , what is it but vile earth , slime and corruption ? so as , howsoever wee appeare beautifull , specious and amiable in the sight of man , whose eye is fixed on the externall part , yet when the oile of our lampe is consumed , and wee to dust and ashes reduced , wee shall observe no better inscription than this ; behold a specious and a precious shrine covering a stinking corps ! wherefore ought we to observe the internall part , and the especiall glory wee receive by it : for hereby are we distinguished in the quality of our creation , from all other creatures , who governe their actions by sense onely , and not by reason . hence it was , that that divine philosopher gave god thankes for three speciall bounties conferred on him : first was , for that god had created him a reasonable creature , and no brute beast ; second , for creating him a man and no woman ; third , for that he was a grecian , and no barbarian . this it was which moved that blessed and learned father saint augustine to break out into this passionate rapsodie of spirit : thy hand could ( o lord ) have created me a stone , or a bird , or a serpent , or some brute beast : and this it knew , but it would not for thy goodnesse sake . this it was which forced from that devout and zealous father this emphaticall discourse , or intercou●se rather , with god ; who upon a time walking in his garden , and beholding a little worme creeping and crawling upon the ground , presently used these words ; deare lord , thou might'st have made me like this worme , and crawling despicable creature , but thou would'st not , and it was thy mercy that thou would'st not ; o , as thou hast ennobled me with the image of thy selfe , make mee conformable to thy selfe , that of a worm i may become an angell ; of a vassall of sin , a vessell of sion ; of a shell of corruption , a star of glory in thy heavenly mansion . and in truth , there is nothing which may move us to a more serious consideration of gods gracious affection towards us , than the very image which wee carry about us : preferring us not onely before all the rest of his creatures in soveraignty and dominion , but also in an amiable similitude , feature , and proportion ; whereby wee become not onely equall , but even superiour unto angels , because man was god , and god man , and no angell . to whom are wee then to make recourse to , as the author of our creation , save god , whose hand hath made and fashioned us , whose grace hath ever since directed and prevented us , and whose continued love ( for whom he loveth , he loveth unto the end ) hath ever extended it selfe in ample manner towards us ? how frivolous then and ridiculous were their opinions , who ascribed the creation of all things to the elements ; as anaxim●nes to the piercing aire ; hippeas to the fleeting water ; zeno to the purifying fire ; zenophanes to the lumpish earth ? how miserable were these blinded , & how notably evinced by that learned father , who speaking in the persons of all these elements , and of all other his good creatures , proceedeth in this sort ? i tooke my compasse , ( saith he , speaking to god ) in the survey of all things , seeking thee , and for all things relinquishing my selfe selfe . i asked the earth if it were my god , & it said unto me that it was not , and all things in it confessed the same . i asked the sea , and the depths , and the creeping things in them , and they answered , wee are not thy god , seeke him above us . i asked the breathing aire , and the whole aire , with all the inhabitants thereof made answer , anaximenes is deceived , i am not thy god. i asked the heaven , sun , moone and stars : neither are we thy god , answered they . and i spake to all these who stand about the gates of my flesh , tell me what you know concerning my god , tell me something of him : and they cried out with a great voice , he made us . then i asked the whole frame and fabricke of this world , tell me if thou be my god : and it answered with a strong voice , i am not , said it , but by him i am , whom thou seekest in mee ; hee it was that made mee , seeke him above me , who governeth mee , who made mee . the interrogation of the creatures is the profound consideration of them , and their answer the witnesse they beare of god , because all things cry , god hath made us : for as the apostle saith , the invisible things of god are visible to bee understood by those things which are made , by the creatures of the world . thus wee understand the author of our creation , of whom seriously to meditate , and with due reverence to contemplate , is to die to all earthly cogitations , which delude the sinne-be-lulled soule with extravagancies . and let this suffice for the first memoriall or consideration , to wit , who it was that made us ; we are now to descend to the second particular , which is , for what end he made us . he who rested not till h● had composed and disposed in an absolute order of this vniverse , proposed us an example that we should imitate : so long as we are pilgrims here on earth , so long as we are sojourners in this world , we may not enjoy our spirituall sabbath ; wee may stay a little and breath under the crosse , after the example of our best master , but rest wee may not . for what end then did hee make us ? that wee might live such lives as may please him , and die such deaths as may praise him ; lives blamelesse and unreprovable ; lives sanctified throughout , pure without blemish , fruitfull in example , plentifull in all holy duties , and exercised in the workes of charitie ; that he who begetteth in us both the will and the worke , may present us blamelesse at his comming . now , that our lives may become acceptable unto him , to whose glory they ought to bee directed , we are in this tabernacle of clay to addresse our selves to those studies , exercises and labours , which may benefit the church or common-wealth , ministring matter unto others of imitation , to our soules of consolation , & in both to gods name of glorification : wherein appeareth a maine difference betwixt the contemplative and active part : for sufficient it is not to know , acknowledge and confesse the divine majesty ; to dispute or reason upon high points touching the blessed trinitie ; to bee wrapt up to the third heaven ( as it were ) by the wings of contemplation ; but to addresse our selves to an actuall performance of such offices and peculiar duties , as wee are expresly injoyned by the divine law of god. our lord in the gospel , when the woman said , blessed is the wombe that bare thee , and the brests that gave thee sucke : answered , yea rather blessed are they that heare the word of god , and keepe it . and when one of the iewes told him that his mother and brethren stood without , desiring to speake with him ; hee answered , and said unto him that told him , who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? and stretching forth his hand toward his disciples , hee said , behold my mother and my brethren : for whosoever shall doe the will of my father which is in heaven , the same is my brother , and sister , and mother . it is not knowledge then , but practise which presents us blamelesse before god. therefore are wee exhorted to worke out our salvation with feare and trembling . not to idle out the time in the market-place , as such who make their life a repose or cessation from all labours , studies , or vertuous intendements . of which sort those are , ( and too many of those there are ) who advanced to great fortunes by their provident ancestors , imagine it a taske worthy men of their places to passe their time in pastime , and imploy their dayes in an infinite consumption of mis-spent houres , for which they must bee accomptants in that great assize , where neither greatnesse shall bee a subterfuge to guiltinesse , nor their descent plead priviledge for those many houres they have mis-spent . o how can they answer for so many vaine and fruitlesse pleasures , which they have enjoyed , and with all greedinesse embraced in this life ? many they shall have to witnesse against them , none to answer for them : for their stoves , summer-arbours , refectories , and all other places wherein they enjoyed the height of delight , shall be produced against them , to tax them of sensuall living , and witnesse against them their small care of observing the end for which they were made . o gentlemen , you whose hopes are promising , your more excellent endowments assuring , and your selves as patternes unto others appearing , know that this perfection whereof we now intreat , is not acquired by idling or sensuall delighting of your selves in carnall pleasures , which darken and eclypse the glory or lustre of the soule , but in labouring to mortifie the desires of the flesh , which is ever levying and levelling her forces against the spirit ! now this mortification can never be attained by obeying , but resisting and impugning the desires of the flesh . wherefore , the onely meanes to bring the flesh to perfect subjection , is to crosse her in those delights which shee most affecteth . doth shee delight in sleepe and rest ? keepe her waking ; takes shee content in meats and drinkes ? keepe her craving ; takes shee solace in company ? use her to privacie and retiring ; takes she liking to ease ? inure her to labouring : briefly , in whatsoever she is delighted , let her bee alwayes thwarted ; so shall you enjoy the most rest , when shee enjoyes the least . hence it was that saint ierome , that excellent patterne of holy discipline , counselleth the holy virgin demetrias , to eschew idlenesse : exhorting her withall , that having done her prayers , she should take in hand wooll and weaving , after the commendable example of dorcas , that by such change or variety of workes , the day might seeme lesse tedious , and the assaults of satan lesse grievous . neither did this divine father advise her to worke , because she was in poverty , or by this meanes to sustaine her family ; for she was one of the most noble and eminent women in rome , and richest ; wherefore her want was not the cause which pressed him to this exhortation , but this rather , that by this occasion of exercising her selfe in these laudable and decent labours , shee should thinke of nothing , but such as properly pertained unto the service of god : which place hee concluded in this manner . i speake generally , no rayment , ornament , or habit whatsoever , shall seeme precious in christs sight ; but that which thou makest thy selfe , either for thine owne peculiar use , or example of other virgins , or to give unto thy grand-mother , or thy mother , no , though thou distri●ute all thy goods unto the poore . see how expresly this no●le woman was injoyned to her taske , that by intending her selfe to labour , shee might give lesse way unto errour . certainely , as mans extremity is gods opportunity , so the divels opportunity is mans security : we are then principally to take heed , lest wee give way to the incursion of satan , by our security of life and conversation . and what is it that begetteth this security , but idlenesse , which may be termed , and not improperly , the soules lethargie ? for nothing can be more opposite to this actuall perfection , then re● or vacancy ; wee say , vertue consisteth in action , how then may wee be said to be favourers , followers , or furtherers of vertue , when we surcease from action , which is the life , light , and subsistence of vertue ? wherefore , as it is little to reade or gather , but to understand and to reduce , to forme what wee reade , gather or understand ; for this is the ornament of art , the argument of labour : so it is little or to no purpose , that wee know , conceive or apprehend , unlesse wee make a fruitfull use of that knowledge by serious practice , to the benefit of our selves and others . i have knowne divers physicians , some whereof were of great practice , but small reading ; others of great reading , but small practice ; and i have heard sundry men of sufficient judgement confidently averre , that in cases of necessity they had rather hazard their lives in the hand of the practicke then theoricke : and their reason was this ; though the practicke had not exercised himselfe in the perusall of bookes , hee had gained him experience in the practice of cures ; and that the body of his patient was the onely booke within his element . to which assertion i will neither assent , nor wholly dissent ; for as he that practiseth before hee know , may sooner kill than cure ; so he who knoweth , and seldome or never practiseth , must of necessity , to get him experience , kill before hee cure . but sure i am , that many ignorant lay-men , whose knowledge was little more then what nature bestowed on them , by meanes of regular discipline , and powerfull subduing of their owne affections , have become absolute men ; being such as reached to as high a pitch of actuall perfection , as ever the learned'st or profoundest man in the world attained : for it is neither knowledge nor place , but the free gift of gods grace , which enableth the spirituall man to this perfection . now , forasmuch as not to goe forward , is to goe backward ; and that there be two solstices in the sunnes motion , but none in times revolution , or in a christians progression ; the onely meanes to attaine this actuall perfection , at least some small measure or degree therein , is every night to have our ephemerides about with us , examining our selves what we have done that day ; how farre wee have profited , wherein benefited our spirituall knowledge . againe , wherein have we reformed our life , or expressed our love to christ by communicating to the necessity of his saints . by which meanes , wee shall in short time observe what remaines unreformed ; esteeming it the sweetest life , every day to better our life . but principally , are wee to looke to our affections which rise and rage in us ; and , like the snake in the fable , pester and disturbe the inner house of man : for these are they , which ( as saint basil saith ) rise up in a drunken man , ( drunke i meane with all spirituall fornication ) like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . when the affections of men are troubled , they change them like circes cups , from men to beasts . neither is it so ill to bee a beast , as for man to live like a beast . o then , let us have an eye to our affections ; let them bee planted , where they may be duly seasoned ! earth makes them destastefull ; let them be fixed then in heaven , the only thought whereof will cause them to be delightfull . and to conclude this branch ; it will not be amisse for us , to counterpoize our affections ( if we find them at any time irregular ) with weights of contrary nature ; as if we find our selves naturally affected to pride ( that luciserian sinne ) to counterpoise it with motives of humility ; as the vilenesse of our condition , basenesse of our composition , and weaknesse of our constitution : or naturally inclined to covetousnesse ( that mammons sinne ) to give , though the gift afflict us , liberally , that our forced bounty may in time weane us from our in-bred misery : if of grating oppression , or grinding extortion ( that ahabs sinne ) let us make restitution with good zacheus , and though wee cannot doe it so frankly as hee did , yet let us doe it as freely as wee may ; that our restitution may in some sort answer for our former oppression : if of excesse in fare and gluttony ( that dives sinne ) let us so moderate our delight in feeding , that our delight may be to sustaine nature , and not oppresse her with exceeding : if of lust or sensuality ( that ammons sinne ) where that sinne may abound , the sense is obeyed , let us subject all our delights to the government of reason , and reason to the soveraignty of grace , that the flesh may be resisted in what it most affecteth , and in that seconded , wherein it least delighteth : if of envie , ( that serpentine sinne ) let us entertaine brotherly love , for envie can beare no sway where love raigneth : if of wrath ( that cains sinne ) embrace patience ; so shall fury bee suppressed , where patience is lodged : if of sloth , ( the sluggards sinne ) let us inure our selves to some exercise that may most delight us , so in time wee may become exercised in taskes of greater difficulty : being first from sloth weaned , afterwards to greater labours inured . thus to fight were to vanquish ; thus to enter lists , were to reape spirituall solace ; for through him should wee triumph , who sees us fighting , cheers us failing , and crownes us conquering . and this shall suffice to have beene spoken of the active part of perfection , purposing according to our former method , to compare the contemplative and active together ; the parts or properties of both which , being duly examined , it shall more plainely appeare how the active is to be preferred . it is a barren faith , wee say , that is not attended on by good workes ; and no lesse fruitlesse is that knowledge which is exercised onely in contemplation , and never in action . wee are therefore with elizeus to have a double spirit ; a spirit that as well doeth , as teacheth , not onely a profering of words , but also an offering of workes . so as , it is not breathing or moving , or talking , which argue a spirituall life , but abounding plentifully in all holy duties , expressing those effectuall and powerfull fruits of a living faith by workes of charity and obedience , which may any way tend to the glorifying of god , edifying our neighbour , or conforming our selves to him , whose image wee beare . now , as there is no comfort comparable to the testimony of a good conscience , being that inseparable companion which shall attend us to glory or confusion , so there is no punishment , torment or affliction so grievous as shame , which deriveth the cause , ground , and beginning , either from doing that which wee ought not , or from not doing that which wee ought : as the comfort we reape from the testimony of a good conscience , deriveth properly the primary cause and effect from doing that which wee ought , and abstaining from doing that which wee ought not . and what be those workes which are principally commended unto us , but workes of charity and devotion ? for to our owne soules ( saith a devout father ) shall wee be right acceptable and gratefull , if wee compassionate the estate of our poore brother , by being mercifull : yea , there is nothing that commendeth more a christian man , or argueth a christian-like affected mind , then to shew compassion to those that are afflicted . for in this there is a resemblance betwixt the creature and creator , loving , as he himselfe loved ; shewing compassion , as hee shewed . o let me commend this so commendable and generous a quality , to your admittance , gentlemen ! for beleeve mee , there is no one property that shall better accomplish you , no armoury that may more truly deblazon you : for it is a badge of gentry to shew compassion towards misery . what profit shall you reape , if having onely superficially read some treatise tending to the comfort of such as either in body afflicted , or in mind perplexed , or in both distressed ; if you apply not these directions of comfort to them thus miserably dejected ? what reward , i say , shall you receive , upon the account by you given , of the sicke which you have visited ; when having knowne how to comfort men in their affliction , you have not ministred the least comfort to them in their visitation ? or when you shall be demanded , where are the hungry which you have refreshed , the thirsty whose thirst you have quenched , the naked whom you have cloathed , the miserable oppressed soule , whose case you have not onely pitied but redressed ? and you shall answer , how you did indeed visit them , but minister small comfort unto them ; you knew them to bee oppressed , and the way to redresse them , but other occasions detained you , as you could not releeve them ; nay rather , have you not added worm-wood to their affliction ? have you not surfetted in their suffering , fatned your selves in their famishing , and raised your states by their ruine ? were not your tables stored , when they were starved ; did not you feast , when they fasted ; did it not affect you to see them afflicted ? if at any time you felt this in your selves , let the dolefull remembrance thereof produce torrents of teares from your distreaming eyes ; supply your manifold misdeeds with many almes-deeds ; your transgressions with compassions ; your oppression with foure-fold restitution ; that your sinne may no more be had in remembrance : yea , let mee use that exhortation to you , which a learned father used upon like occasion , let charity smite your bowels ; see not the image of your redeemer disgraced , but forthwith labour to right him ; see him not oppressed , but to your power redresse him ; see him not starve , if you have bread to releeve him ; or thirsty , if you have drinke to refresh him ; or naked , if you have a garment to cloath him ; or in any sort distressed , if you have meanes to succour him . oh consume not that on prodigality , which might procure the prayers of many poore soules for you ! their prayers are your praises ; their morning and evening sacrifice , way markes to direct you unto paradise : take heed then you offend none of these little ones , but cheere them ; bee not as thornes in their eyes , or pricks in their sides , but minister all necessary comfort unto them . now , if this appeare a matter of difficulty , pretending that the supportance of your state exacts so much of you , as you can reserve nothing to exhibite upon these workes of charity ; heare mee whosoever thou bee that makest this objection : bee provoked , o christian , bee provoked by the widow of sarepta to this encounter ! encounter i call it , because the flesh suggests sundry occasions to avert thee from it . that charitable widow though shee had but a little meale , shee imparted of that little to a prophet ; though shee had but a little oile , yet shee freely bestowed it to refresh a prophet . the woman of samaria , when iesvs said unto her , give mee to drinke , answered ; how is it that thou being a iew , askest drinke of mee , which am a woman of samaria ? sundry such like answers will flesh and blood make , to dispense with workes of charity ; or like the answer of churlish nabal ; who is david , and who is the sonne of ishai ? there bee many servants now adaies , that breake away every man from his master : shall i then take my bread , and my water , and my flesh which i have killed for my hearers , and give it unto men , whom i know not whence they bee ? o let not these objections divert the current of thy compassion ! eye not so much his countrey , whether neighbour borne , or a stranger , as his countenance , the expresse image of thy saviour . but to descend to some reasons , why the active part of perfection is to be preferred before the contemplative , this amongst others is the most effectuall and impregnable . in that great day of account , when the sealed booke of our secrete●● sinnes shall bee unsealed , our privatest actions discovered , our closest and subtillest practises displayed , and the whole inside of man uncased ; it shall not be demanded of us , what knew wee , but what did wee . fitting therefore it were to preferre action before knowledge in this life , being so infallibly to be preferred after this life . howbeit greater is their shame , and sharper ( doubtlesse ) shall bee their censure , whose education in all arts divine and humane hath enabled them for discourse , fitted or accommodated them for managements publike or private ; yet they , giving reines to liberty , invert their knowledge to depraved ends ; either making no use of such noble and exquisite indowments , or which is worse , imploying them to the satisfaction of their owne illimited desires . o happy had these beene , if they had never knowne the excellency of learning , for ignorance is to be preferred before knowledge loosely perverted ● yea but , will some object , i cannot see how any one should observe a law before they know it ; wherefore , as i thinke , knowledge is to be preferred , because by knowledge is action directed . it is true indeed , knowledge directs and instructs , for otherwise wee should grope in darkenesse ; neither doe i exclude all knowledge , but admit so much as may instruct man sufficiently in matters of faith , put him in remembrance of heaven , whose joyes are ineffable ; of hell , whose paines are intolerable ; of the last judgement , whose sentence is irrevocable . so as i exclude onely this grosse ignorance , or blind paganisme , for to these is the way to heaven closed , because they are divided from that light , without which the celestiall way cannot be discerned . whereas then i have so much insisted heretofore upon the contemplative part of perfection , my ayme was to shew how those , who continued in a contemplative and solitary life , sequestring themselves from the cares and company of this world , doubtlesse conceived ineffable comfort in that sweet retirement ; yet in regard they lived not in the world , the world was not bettered by their example . but in this active perfection , where the active part no lesse then contemplative is required , wee intend those who doe not onely know , but doe ; and in the actions of this life , use to make their light so shine before men , that they may see their good workes . yea , but it may bee againe objected , all sinnes bee properly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and beare the name of ignorance : how then may wee exclude any knowledge ? every sinne indeed implyes an ignorance of the creature towards the creator ; which ignorance imports rather a forgetfulnesse . for admit a man should steale , commit perjury , or any such act contrary to the expresse will and commandement of god ; it were to bee imagined , that this breach or transgression of the divine law , proceeded not of ignorance : for hee could not choose but know , that consent to any of these incurred the breach of his law : but rather it may be said , hee had not god before his eyes , but out of a wilfull forgetfulnesse , violated the ordinances of god. but to conclude this branch in a word , the active is to bee preferred before the contemplative , for two respects : the first , whereof hath relation to our selves : the second to others . to our selves , having account to make for the actions of our life , how wee have imployed or bestowed those talents which hee hath lent us ; what use , profit , or benefit wee have made of them ; in what spirituall affaires have wee beene exercised , in what holy duties trained ! have wee not preferred private profit before the testimony of a good conscience ? have wee not laboured to inhaunce our meanes by sinister and indirect courses ? have wee not with-drawne our hand from releeving our needfull brother , or defrauded the labourer of his wages ? have wee not consorted with the evill doer , and encouraged him in his sinne ? have wee not hindred some pious worke tending to the honour of god , and imitable for example of others ? have wee propagated the gospel , comforted sion when shee mourned , repaired those breaches which were in her , and received those in peace which blessed her ? have wee onely sought the kingdome of god , and the righteousnesse thereof ; esteemed godlinesse to be great riches ; left our selves and all , to be followers of him who gave us dominion over all ? if wee have done this , as wee are here in the alpha of grace , wee shall be there in the omega of glory : here initiate , there consummate : but having knowne the will of our father , and done it not ; read principles or instructions of a good life , and observ'd them not ; conversant in deepe mysteries , and applyed them not ; studied in all arts and sciences , and practised them not ; how miserable is our knowledge , pronouncing on us a heavier judgement ! wherefore in respect of our selves , whether our knowledge bee great or little , if our conversation bee not in heaven , though our habitation , during our pilgrimage be on earth , our knowledge is but as a tinckling cymball , and shall smally availe us before the high tribunall . for knew wee the power and vertue of all creatures , of all plants and vegetive bodies , from the cedar of lebanon , to the hyss●p upon the wall , yet were this knowledge fruitlesse , being not seconded by a life conformable to that knowledge . § . secondly , in respect of others ; action is the life of man , and example the direction of this life . how much then doe such men prejudice those who live in the world , that betake themselves to a private or retired life , estranged from humane society , and ending their daies in some solitary cave , as men divided from the world ! for howsoever their manner of life bee religious , their discipline strict and rigorous , and in their devotion fervent and zealous ; yet they deprive others of the benefit , which they might reape by their example . wherefore most safe and sure it is ( to use the words of a judicious author ) for those who have a desire to take upon them a solitary life , to retire and withdraw their affections before they withdraw their bodies from the world , and to force the world to flie from their minde , before they flie the world ; lest going out of the world , they carry about with them the world . for as hee may live ill , who liveth apart from the society of men ; even so , though they flie not into the wildernesse , yet may they flie the world , and amidst the crowd of people live solitarily by an inward contemplation of the supernall glory ; and in midst of a clamorous court conferre with themselves , and converse with god : in the meane time , whatsoever they know or can doe ▪ that may any way tend to the common-good , benefit or utility of humane society , to effect it accordingly , and not bury that talent in the ground , which they have received from above ; which rule they are to observe after the example of the most holy and excellent men of both orders , ecclesiasticall ( i say ) and secular . thus farre have wee proceeded in the examination or discussion of these two especiall parts of perfection , contemplative and active ; wherein by manifest and infallible arguments wee have proved , how the active part is to bee preferred , both in respect of our selves and others ; because a life well acted shall minister most comfort to our selves , besides that light of example which it yeelds unto others . now as the active is preferred , it resteth that wee shew you wherein this active part of perfection consisteth ; which discovered , that whereof wee treat , and would gladly finde , may bee the sooner attained . there is no building , which as it relies on a foundation , consists not of some materiall composition ; no body but it consists of nerves , arteries or sinewes , which cement the lineaments together ; nor confection which consists not of some simples , for otherwise it were not mixed , but simple and uncompounded . the like may bee said of this choice and exquisite confection , this active part ( i meane ) of perfection . for as all rivers tend to the sea , to make one ocean ; all creatures to make one vniverse ; so all vertues aime at perfection ; which once attained , they surcease from action . now in this discourse of active perfection , the period of man , wee doe not meane of that absolute perfection or accomplishment , which admitteth no blemish or imperfection ; for wee are to seeke that above us , not below us ; for our righteousnesse , justice and perfection is such in this life , as it rather consisteth in the remission of sinnes , than perfection of vertues . yea , wee sinne daily , so as properly we can attribute nothing to our owne strength but weaknesse , to our owne ability but infirmnesse , to our resolves but uncertainnesse , to our wils but untowardnesse , to our affections but depravednesse , nor to the whole progresie of our lives but actuall disobedience . but rather ( i say ) wee meane of that christian perfection , which every one in this tabernacle of clay is to labour for ; that wee may become perfect through him who became weake that wee might bee strengthned , hungry that we might be nourished , thirsty that wee might bee refreshed , disgraced that wee might be honoured ; yea , who became all unto all , that by all meanes hee might gaine some . but wherein may this actuall perfection bee properly said to consist ? in mortification ; which like the swift gliding torrent of hydaspes , divides or dilates it selfe to two channels ; action , and affection : action in expressing it ; affection in desiring to expresse it : action in suffering , affection in desire of suffering . the one actuating no lesse in will , than the other in worke . where the action being more exemplar , and in that more fruitfull , gives precedency to affection , which concurres with the act to make the worke more graciously powerfull . for , where a worke of mortification is performed , and a hearty desire or affection to that worke is not adjoyned , that action may bee properly said to bee enforced , rather than out of a free or willing disposition accepted . now this twofold mortification extends it selfe properly to these three subjects ; life , name , goods . life , which even humanity tendreth ; name , which a good man before the sweetest odours preferreth ; goods , on which the worldling , as on the supreme good , lieth . for the first , many excellent and memorable examples of sundry devout and constant servants of christ iesus , are in every place frequent and obvious ; who for the confirmation of their faith , and the testimony of a good conscience , joyfully and cheerefully laid down their lives , esteeming it an especiall glory to bee thought worthy to suffer for him , who with all constancy suffered , to become an example of patience to them : which were easie to illustrate by the sufferings of many eminent and glorious martyrs . prudentius writeth , that when ascl●piades commanded the tormentors to strike r●manus on the mouth , the meeke martyr answered ; i thanke thee , o captaine , that thou hast opened unto mee many mouthes , whereby i may preach my lord and saviour : tot ecce laudant ora , quot sunt vulnera : looke how many wounds i have , so many mouthes i have to praise and laud the lord. ignatius words were these , to witnesse his constancie at the time of his suffering : frumentum sum christi , & per dentes bestiarum molor , ut mundus panis dei inveniar . i am christs corne , and must bee ground by the teeth of wilde beasts , that i may become pure manchet for the lord. it is reported that blessed laurence , being laid upon the gridiron , used these words to his tormentors : turne and eate , it is enough . saint andrew , when he went to bee crucified , was so rapt with joy , as hee rejoyced unmeasurably in that blessed resemblance of his masters death . blessed bartholomew willingly lost his skin for his sake , who had his skinne scourged , that hee might bee solaced . iohn dranke a cup of poison , to pledge his master in a cup of affliction . thus laurence's gridiron , andrewes crosse , bartholomew's skinne , iohns cup , expressed their mortification , by a willing surrender of their life for his sake who was the lord of life : yea , should wee survey those strange invented torments , during the bloudy issue of the tenne persecutions , which were contrived by those inhumane assasinates , whose hands were deep● died in the bloud of the saints , wee should no lesse admire the constancy of the persecuted suffering , than the cruelty of the persecutors infesting : what rackes , hookes , harrowes , tongs , forkes , stakes were purposely provided to torment the constant and resolute professours of the truth , wearying the tormentors rather with tormenting , than abating any part of their constancie in the height and heat of their tormenting ! yea , they were solaced in the time when they suffered ; esteeming * death to bee such a passage , as might give them convoy to a more glorious heritage . neither did these blessed professors of the faith , receive comfort by the eye of their meditation firmely fixed on heaven , but by the compassion and princely commiseration of divers eminent ad victorious emperours bearing soveraignty then on earth . constantine the great used to kisse the eye of paphnutius which was bored out in maximinas time . the like noble and princely compassion wee reade to have beene shewed by titus , trajan , theodosius , and many other princes graciously affected towards the poore afflicted and persecuted christians : yea , god moved the hearts of those , who naturally are most remorselesse or obdurate , in commiserating the estate of his afflicted . which may appeare by the gaolor in the acts , who washed saint pauls stripes and wounds . o how comfortable were these passions or passages of affliction , these tortures or torments , the trophies of their persecution ; the blessed memoriall whereof shall extend the date of time , receiving a crowne of him , who is the length of dayes ! so , as king alexanders stagges were knowne and hundred yeares together by those golden collars , which by the kings commandement were put about their neckes ; or as king arthurs bodie being taken up some what more than six hundred yeares after his death , was knowne to bee his by nothing so much , as by the prints of ten severall wounds which appeared in his skull ; so these glorious stampes of their passion , shall appeare as trophies to them in the day of exaltation ; because , as they lost their lives for the testimony of the gospel , they shall finde them recorded in the booke of life , receiving the crowne of consolation , for the deep draught which they tooke of the cup of affliction . and reason there is , we should dis-value our lives for the profession of our faith , since forlorne and miserable is his life , that is without faith . for if the heathen , whose future hopes were fixed on posterity , and not so much as the least knowledge of eternity , dis-esteemed their lives to gaine them renown , or propagate their countries glory ; much more cause have wee to subject our lives to the censure of death , having hope after death to live in glory . it is reported , that the body of cadwallo , an antient king of the britains , being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections , was put into a brazen image , and set upon a brazen horse over ludgate , for a terror to the saxons : and zisca , the valiant captaine of the bohemians , commanded that after his decease his skin would bee flayed from his bodie , to make a drum , which they should use in their battels , affirming that as soone as the hungarians , or any other enemies , should heare the sound of that drum , they would not abide but take their flight . this moved scipio to appoint his sepulcher to bee so placed , as his image standing upon it , might looke directly towards africa , that being dead , he might still bee a terrour to the carthaginians . if respect of pagans to their country , or an eye to popular glory did so inflame them , as their countries love exceeded their love of life , surviving in their death , and leaving monuments of their affection after death ; how lightly are wee to value the glory of this life , if the losse thereof may advance our fathers glory , or ought tending to the conversation of this life ; being assured by him , whose promises faile not , by such a small losse to gaine eternity ? now , as it is not the death , but the cause of the death which makes the martyr ; we are to know , that to die in the maintenance of any hereticall opinion is pseudo-martyrdom● for howsoever those arians , manichees and pelagians ; those macedonians , eutichees and nestorians ; yea , generally all hereticks were constant and resolute enough in seconding and maintaining their erroneous opinions ; yet forasmuch as the cause for which they contended was heresie , tend it might to their confusion , but never to their glory : for as honey-com●es ( saith learned tertullian ) are by waspes composed , so are churches by the marcionists ( and consequently by all heretickes ) disposed : in whose synodals or conventicles , many thousands are perverted , none converted , or to the church of christ faithfully espoused . whereas truth , which may be pressed , but not oppressed ; assailed , but never soiled , like the greene bay-tree in the midst of hoarie winter , or a fresh spring in the sandy desart , appeares most glorious , when her adversaries are most malicious ; bearing ever a countenance most cheerefull , when her assailants are most dreadfull . neither only in this glorious act of martyrdome , but in all inferiour works , the affection of the minde , as well as the action of the man , is to bee considered : for god himselfe , who hath an eye rather to the intention than action , will not approve of a good worke done , unlesse it be well done . as for example ; when the pharisie fasted , prayed , gave almes , and payed tithe of all that he possessed , he did good workes , but he did not those good works well : the reason was , hee exalted himselfe in his workes , without attributing praise unto him , who is the beginner and perfecter of every good worke : for his fasts were hypocriticall & not of devotion , his prayers ineffectuall , because they sounded of ostentation ; his almes unacceptable , because exhibited only for observation ; and his tithes abominable , being given to colour his secret oppression : for which cause did our saviour pronounce a woe upon them , saying , woe unto you pharisies ; for yee tithe mint and rue , and all manner of herbes , and passe over judgement and the love of god : these ought yee to have done , and not to leave the other undone . whence it appeares , that the worke it selfe was approved , but the manner of doing it reproved ; for that they preferred the tithing of mint and rue , before the judgement and love of god ; so they preferred it , as the one was performed , while the other of more serious and consequent importance was omitted . whence wee are cautioned , that in our workes of mortification , we doe nothing for any sinister or by-respect ; but only for the glory of god , to whom , as all our actions are properly directed , so are they to have relation onely unto him , if wee desire to have them accepted . is it so , that this actuall perfection is to be acquired by mortification , wherein is required not only the action but affection ? and that wee are even to lay downe our lives , if the cause so require , to promote the glory of our maker ? tell me then , gentleman , how farre have yee proceeded in this spirituall progresse ? have yee unfainedly desired to further the honour of god , repaire the ruines of sion , and engage your owne lives for the testimony of a good conscience ? have ye fought the lords battell , and opposed your selves against the enemies of the truth ? have yee shut the doore of your chamber , the doore of your inner parlour , i meane your heart , from the entrance of all earthly affections , sensuall cogitations , and expressed true arguments of mortification , the sooner to attaine this high degree of christian perfection ? have yee made a covenant with your eyes not to looke after the strange woman ; a covenant ( i meane ) with your hearts never to lust after her ? have yee weaned your itching and bewitching humours , from affecting forraine and out-landish fashions . which howsoever they be to fashion conformed , they make man of all others most deformed ? have yee done with your reere-suppers , midnight revels , curtaine pleasures , and courting of pictures ? have yee left frequenting court-maskes , tilt-triumphs , and enterludes , boasting of young ladies favours , glorying more in the purchase of a glove , than a captaine in the surprizall of a fort ? have yee cashiered all those companions of death , those seducing consorts of misery , and betaken your selves to the acquaintance of good men , conceiving a settled joy in their society ? o then thrice happy you ! for having honoured god , he will honour you ; having repaired the ruines of sion , hee will place you in his heavenly sion ; or engaged your lives for the testimony of a good conscience , hee will invite you to that continuall feast of a peaceable conscience ; or fought the lords battell , hee will say you have fought a good fight , crowning you after your victory on earth with glory in heaven ; or shut the doore of your chamber , and kept the roome cleane and sweet for your maker , hee will come in and sup with you , that you may rejoyce together ; or made a covenant with your eyes not to look after the strange woman , with those eyes yee shall behold him , who put enmitie between the serpent and the woman ; or weaned your itching and bewitching humours from affecting out-landish fashions , madding after phantasticke habits ( for * stuffe it skils not , whether silken or woollen , so the fashion be civill and not wanton , ) you shall be cloathed in long white robes , and follow the lambe wheresoever he goeth ; or done with your mid-night revels , and court pleasures , you shall bee filled with the pleasures of the lords house , and abide in his courts for ever ; or left frequenting maskes , tilt-triumphs , and enterludes , the glorious spectacles of vanity , you shall bee admitted to those angelicall triumphs , singing heavenly hymnes to the god of glory : or chashier'd those companions of death , whose end is misery , you shall have the saints for your companions , and share with them in the covenant of mercy . doe yee not hence observe what inestimable comforts are reserved for those who are truly mortified ; mortified , i say , in respect of your contempt to the world , which is expressed by ceasing to love it , before you leave it ? who would not then disvalue this life , and all those bitter sweets , which this fraile life affordeth , to possesse those incomparable sweets which every faithfull soule enjoyeth ? yea , but our silken worldling , or delicate wormeling will object ; this discipline is too strict for flesh and bloud to follow . who can endure to yeeld his head to the blocke , or his body to the faggot , when the very sight of death in another , ministers to the beholder motives of terror ? surely , this is nothing to him that duely considereth , how be that loseth his life shall save it , but he that saveth his life shall lose it . what is a minutes anguish to an eternity of solace ? wee can endure the launcing or fearing of a putrified member , and this endures as long as our time of wrastling with our dissolution , which brings us to our saviour : nor skils it much , what kinde of death wee die , seeing no kinde of death can hurt the righteous , be the terrors and torments of death never so numerous . the way then to contemne death , is to expect it , and so to prepare our selves for it , as if wee were this very houre to encounter it ; resolving never to goe with that conscience to our bed , with which wee durst not goe to our grave ; being so uncertaine whether before the next morne wee shall bee taken out of our bed , and shrouded for our grave . and this shall suffice touching our mortification or contempt of life , if with such a sacrifice wee may bee thought worthy to honour him who gave us life . wee are now to speake of mortification in respect of name or report ; wherein , you are to understand , that this is two-fold : first , in turning our ●ares from such as praise us ; secondly , in hearing with patience such as revile us . for the first , it is and hath beene ever the condition of sober and secret men to avert their eare from their owne praises ; at least with a modest passing over such vertues as were commendable in them : which modesty appeared in alphonsus prince of aragons answer to an orator , who having repeated a long panegyricall oration in his praise , replied , if that thou hast said consent with truth , i thanke god for it ; if not , i pray god grant me grace that i may doe it . others likewise we reade of , who could not with patience endure their persons or actions to bee praised above truth : this princely passion appeared in alexander , who hearing aristobulus , a famous greek historian , read his writings purposely penned upon the memorable acts he had atchieved , wherein he commended him farre above truth ; being mightily incensed therewith , threw the booke into the river , as he was sailing over hydaspes , saying with all , hee was almost moved to send aristobulus after . neither indeed will any wise man endure to heare himselfe praised above truth , seeing no lesse aspersion may be laid on his person by being too highly praised , than if he were discommended : for should wee praise one for his bountie , who is publikely knowne to the world to be parcimonius ; or for his humility , who is naturally ambitious ; or for his continencie , who is licentious ; our praises would not tend so much to his honour ; as to the display of his nature : yea , even he himselfe , guilty in himselfe , would tax us , knowing that he the least of all others deserved these praises from us . it is flattery ( saith one ) to praise in absence ; that is , when either the vertue is absent , or the occasion is absent . but in the report of our owne praise , admit wee should deserve it , the safest course is to withdraw our eare from hearing it , lest vaine-glory transport us upon hearing of those praises which are spoken of us : for if our aymes be only to purchase popular esteeme , preferring the praise of men , before the praise of god , or the testimony of a good conscience ; as our aymes were perverted , so shall wee bee rewarded . now there is no better means to abate or extenuate this desire of praise in us , than duly to consider whose gifts they bee , that deserve this praise in us : for were they our owne , wee might more properly be praised for them ; but they are gods , and not ours , therefore is the praise to be ascribed unto god , & not unto us . for he that would be praised for gods gift , & seeketh not gods glory , but his owne in that gift , though he be praised by men for gods gifts , yet is he dispraised by god ; for not seeking gods glory , but his own for this gift : and he who is praised by men , god dispraising , shall not be defended by men , god judging , nor bee delivered , god condemning . whereas , he that loveth god , will chuse rather to bee deprived of all future glory , than detract by any meanes from god the author of all glory . let us then so avert our eare from selfe-praise , or ought else that may beget in us vain-glory or ostentation , that we may become like unto him , who dis-esteemed all worldly praise from the houre of his birth to the houre of his passion . secondly , we are to heare with patience such as revile us : and reason good ; for observing this , a blessing is pronounced on us ; blessed are yee ( saith the lord of all blessing ) when men shall revile you , and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake : rejoyce and bee exceeding glad , for great is your * reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you : yea , not only the prophets , but even him of whom all the prophets bare witnesse ; yet became hee as one that did not heare , having no rebukes in his mouth . when hee was tempted in the wildernesse , the scripture was his armour of resistance ; when hee was reviled on the crosse , he prayed for his enemies , to expresse his heavenly patience . now , if the sonne of god was in the desart tempted , what hermit can expect to bee from temptation freed ? if the master be reviled , how may the servant looke to bee intreated ? for howsoever some , or indeed most of the ancient fathers , doubt whether the divell did know that christ was god or no ; touching that parcell of scripture , wherein christ was tempted in the desart ; yet may it appeare probable by inference from the text it selfe , that after iesus had said unto him , it is written thou shalt not tempt the lord thy god ; the divell tooke him up into an exceeding high mountaine , and shewed him all the kingdomes of the world , and the glory of them ; saying , all those things will i give thee , if thou wilt fall downe and worship me . whence i collect , that after christ had told him that he was god , he continued his temptation ; which was an argument to evince him of palpable ignorance ; or of distrust to christs speech , which argued his diffidence : but our purpose is not too curiously to insist upon these subtill digressions ; it sufficiently appeareth , that christ who ought to bee every faithfull christians patterne , was reviled , yet opened not hee his mouth ; but with sweet silence and amiable patience offered his prayers unto his father for them who maliciously offered him upon the crosse ; leaving us an example of admiration and imitation , that following him and suffering with him , wee might likewise reigne and remaine with him : yea but will our spritely-stately gallant object , can any man , who knowes the value of reputation , with patience suffer publike disgrace ? is there any punishment so grievous as shame ? yea , were it not better for a man who is eminent in the eye of the world , to die right out , than still live in reproach and shame ? for a man to live or die , is naturall ; he performeth but that taske to which al mortality is injoyned ; but for a man to live in shame and contempt , and bee made a spectacle of disgrace to the world , an apparent touch or taint to his friends , a laughing stock of his enemies , is such a matter , as no well-bred and noble minded man , that hath any courage or stomacke in him , or tenders his esteeme , can ever digest it . true it is , that flesh and bloud will suggest many such objections ; and if there were nothing to bee valued so much as worldly esteeme , o● popular grace , which relieth on opinion , as soone lost as got , there were some reason to stand so punctually upon termes of reputation , but the eye of a christian ought to extend it selfe to an higher object . we are exhorted to heape coales on our enemies heads ; to render good for evill ; and to bee revenged on them by well doing . diogenes being asked how one should bee revenged of his enemy , answered , by being a vertuous and honest man. what matter then though all the world revile us , having a sincere and unblemished conscience within us , to witnesse for us ? socrates in his ecclesiasticall history writeth , that athanasius being accused by one iannes , to have killed arsenius , and after to have cut off his hand , that he might use it to magicke and sorcerie , cleared himselfe notably of this slander : having by good hap found out arsenius , who lay hid for the nonce ; hee brought him before the councell of tyrus , whereto hee was convented , and there hee asked his accuser , whether hee ever knew arsenius or no ? hee answered , yes : then athanasius called him forth , with his hands covered under his cloake , and turning up the one side of his cloake , shewed him the one of his hands ; & when most men surmised , that the other hand at leastwise was cut off ; athanasius without any more adoe , casteth up the other side of his cloake , and sheweth the second hand , saying , you see arsenius hath two hands , now let mine accuser shew you the place where the third hand was cut off . whence two remarkeable considerations are recommended unto us : malicious subornation in the accuser : gracious moderation in the accused . for the former , let the speech of a heathen man for ever be printed in your hearts ; who when his friend came unto him , and desired him to take a false oath in a cause of his , made answer : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . you must ( saith he ) beare with me , there are many friends to bee gotten if i lose you ; but if by forswearing my selfe i lose the favour of god , i cannot get another there is but one god. for the latter , as soft words pacifie wrath , so by a pleasant conceit hee cooled all wrath , sleighting so much the aspersion of his accuser , as even of his enemies he gain'd him honour . to instance which moderation or patience , even in sundry heathen men , towards such as aspersed disgrace upon them , were it not that i feare enlarging of this branch too much , i might produce many heroicke and princely examples , as vespasian , his sonne titus , marcellus , demetrius , yea , the stiffe and rough-hew'd hercules , who cared not a flie for backbiting termes . but i am to use a word or two unto you , gentlemen , by quest of inquiry how you are found affected herein , and so descend to the third and last branch arising from this subject . have ye not delighted in hearing your owne praise , but reproved such as praised you , or turned your eare from their applause , lest it should transport you ? have yee distributed to the poore , without looking who saw you ? have yee fasted without hanging downe your head , to cause men observe you ? have yee prayed with zeale , fixing your eye only on god , that hee would look on you ? have yee performed the workes of charity , and that for conscience sake , and not for vain-glory ? have yee not too pharisaically prided your selves in your own integrity ? have yee ascribed to your selves shame , and to god the glory ? have yee heartily wished rather to bee deprived of all hope of glory than by your meanes to detract in any wise from gods glory ? o then happy & blessed are you ! for having turned your eares from the applause of men , you shall receive applause from angels ; or having distributed to the poore without looking who saw you , you shall bee plenteously rewarded by him , whose eyes are ever upon you ; or fasted without hanging downe your heads , to cause men observe you , you shall feast with him , who will erect your heads , and with glory crowne you ; or performed workes of charity for conscience sake , and not for vaine-glory , your● workes shall goe before you , and be accounted for righteous through him who shall cloath you with glory ; or not too pharisaically prided your selves in your owne integrity , you shall become justified with the publican ▪ and admitted to honour by humility ; or ascribed to your selves shame , and to god the glory , god shall wipe off your shame , and bring you to the full reuition of his glory ; or heartily wished to bee deprived of all hope of glory , rather then by your meanes to detract in any wise from gods glory ; your desire of advancing gods glory , shall after your passage from this vale of misery , estate you in the inheritance of glory . againe , have yee heard with patience such as revile you ? have yee answered them as hee did , who being accused by his enemy of one sinne , accused him likewise of ignorance , saying , thou accusest mee of one , when i am guilty of a thousand ? have yee not stood upon termes of reputation ▪ but with patience suffered all disgraces ? have yee overcome your enemy with mildnesse ? taken revenge on him by your vertue and goodnesse ? fortified your selves against all calumnie , with the spirit of patience ? o then right blessed are you ! for having heard with patience such as ●evile you , an eternall blessing is pronounced on you ; or having beene as ready to condemne your selves , as others to accuse you , your purged conscience shall freely acquit you ; or not stood on termes of reputation when men disgrac'd you , you shall be graced in heaven , where no disgrace shall touch you ; or overcome your enemy with mildnesse , the mild lambe shall crowne you with happinesse ; or taken revenge on him by your vertue and goodnesse , you shall be refreshed with the fountaine of sweetnesse ; or fortified your selves against all calumnie with the spirit of patience , with palmes in your hands shall yee sing with joyfulnesse . gather , o gather hence what ineffable solace is conferred on the patient ! whatsoever hee suffer here , shall in superabundant measure bee recompenced else-where . but it may be objected , that some aspersions are not to be borne with : for those scandals which are laid upon our persons , where our faith is not taxed or touched , may bee more easily endured ; but where these are struck at , they are not to be suffered . to confirme which , wee reade how peter and iohn having by prayer and imposition of hands , given the holy ghost , and simon the sorcerer saw that through laying on of the apostles hands , the holy ghost was given , hee offered them money , saying , give mee also this power , that on whomsoever i lay hands , bee may receive the holy ghost . but peter incensed herewith , saith unto him , thy money perish with thee , because thou hast thought that the gift of god may be purchased with money . whence it appeareth , that out of a holy zeale , one may shew passion towards such as detract from the honour of god , or asperse a blemish upon his servants in the worke of their ministery . the like we reade of paul , that glorious vessell of election conceiving much indignation against one who had withstood the word ; saying , alexander the copper-smith did mee much evill , the lord reward him according to his workes . the reason is inclusively annexed ; of whom bee thou ware of , for hee hath greatly withstood our words . the like spirit of zeale might iames and iohn bee said to be of , who when they saw that the saritanes would not receive christ , said ; lord wilt thou that wee command fire to come downe from heaven and consume them , even as elias did ? but how this passion of theirs was approved , may appeare by the ensuing verse , but hee turned and rebuked them , and said , yee know not what manner of spirit yee are of . now to cleare this objection , there is no patterne which wee ought sooner to imitate then christ himselfe , who is the master of truth , and directeth us in all truth ; who as hee was most blamelesse of all others , for in his mouth was never guile found , yet was hee in his owne person more blamed , in his doctrine more reproved , in his miracles more injured then all others : for one while hee is accused to have a divell ; anon , that hee casteth out divels through the prince of the divels ; anon , that hee is a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber , a friend of publicans and sinners : yet what answer vouchsafed hee unto all these save onely this , wisedome is justified of her children ? now i know there are differences of scandals or aspersions , where some leave deeper impression then others doe : for as the name is more precious then any earthly substance , so it receiveth the deepest staine when the estimation of our faith is questioned , being the very maine foundation whereon all religion is grounded , and the perfection of that building which makes a christian rightly accomplish'd . saint basil could shew himselfe calme enough in his conference with the emperour , till a cooke came in , and saucily told him , hee did not well to stand so precisely upon such small matters , but rather to yeeld to his master the emperour in a word or two : for what were those divine affaires whereon hee so much insisted , but such as with indifferency might be dispensed ? but what answered this reverend father ? yea , sir cooke ( quoth hee ) it is your part to tend your pottage , and not to boile and chop , up divine matters , which , as they little trouble you , so in weight and consequence are farre above you . and then with great gravity turning to the emperour , said , that those that were conversant in divine matters , which were principally to be intended , would with conscience rather suffer death , then suffer one jot of holy scripture , much lesse an article of faith already received , to be altered or corrupted . another holy man , though most innocent , could indure to be counted a whore-master , an uncleane person , and the like ; but when one called him an heretike , hee could beare no longer : so neere be we touched , when our faith is questioned . but as wee have a noble and glorious patterne , who shewed himselfe a conquerour in his suffering , let us wrastle with flesh and blood ; that suffering all things for him , and with him , wee may after our conquest joy in him , and with him . and let this be sufficient to have beene spoken of mortification in respect of our name or esteeme in the world , labouring daily to dis-value and humiliate our selves while wee are in the world . if it be no great thing to leave our substance , but our selves ; let us at least leave our substance , that wee may the better enjoy our selves . it was the wise exhortation of the wisest of princes ; honour the lord with thy substance , and with the first fruits of all thy increase ; annexing a promise to this precept : so shall thy barnes bee filled with plenty , and thy presse shall burst out with new wine . but forasmuch as many things are required to the mortification of this earthly mammon , wee will reduce them to two speciall heads , the better to retaine in memory this meanes of mortification : . to consider from whom wee have received these worldly blessings . . how to dispose of them , lest they become cursings of blessings . for the first , wee are positively to set downe , that every good gift and every perfect gift commeth from above ; the beasts that graze on a thousand hils are his ; the treasures of the earth are his : for from whom should wee thinke are they derived to us , but from him by whom they were created for us ? hee who never had it , how can hee give it ? but hee who hath all , guids all , governes all , and is all in all , is sole sufficient for all . hee it is then that maketh rich and maketh poore , exalteth and humbleth , sending forth his waters out of their treasuries , and all things are drowned ; shutteth them in their treasuries , and all things are dried . he it is that maketh the fruitfull barren , and the barren fruitfull . instead of the thorne shall come up the firre tree , and instead of the briter shall come up the mirtle tree , and it shall be to the lord for a name , for an everlasting signe that shall not be cut off . he it is that made heaven and earth and all things replenished heaven and earth with all things , giving man dominion , over all things , that man might be subject unto him who made all things . mow as hee gave them to man , so are they to be disposed of by man , to his glory who made man. and how is that ? not in laying land unto land with the oppressour ; nor in repairing to the house of the strange woman with the adulterer ; nor consuming your substance in excesse with the rioter ; nor hoording up vengeance against the day of wrath with the miser ; nor grinding the face of the poore with the extortioner : but rather distributing freely of that which you have , and communicating to the necessity of the saints : so shall you make to your selves friends of your unrighteous mammon , and shall be fed with manna in the courts of sionr gainefull is the use of that money , which is put out to the workes of charity ; which be it more or lesse , cannot but be exceeding great , being given with devotion , and the worke attended by singlenesse of heart and sincerity of affection ; for where a sincere will is not joyned with the worke , the worke cannot be effectuall to the doer , howsoever it may seem fruitfull to the beholder . at which sort of men , who erect sumptuous workes rather for popularity and affectation , then piety or sincere affection , the poet pleasantly glanceth ; these statues reare in publike wayes , as trophies of their love , which , as they heare , in passengers will admiration move , and gaine a fame unto their name , which may survive in them : but trust me , sirs , these workes of theirs shew them vaine-glorious men . which workes , howsoever usefull unto others , were better undone then done in respect of themselves : for to glory in our workes , doth not only derogate from our workes , but denounce upon us a greater damnation , ascribing to our selves what duly , properly , and solely ought to be attributed to the glory of god. but to draw neerer the point wee have in hand ; there is nothing that weaneth our minds more from the meditation of god and mortification to the world , then our earthly affections , which beare such sway over us , as they will not suffer those divine motions or meditations to take root in us . this is excellently shadowed in that parable of the great supper , where many guests were invited , but all with one consent began to make their excuse : the first , hee had bought a peece of ground , and hee must needs goe see it : the second had bought five yoke of oxen , and hee must goe prove them : and another had married a wife , and therefore hee could not come . these , though the fatlings be provided , the choicest dainties prepared , wherewith their hunger-starved soules might be refreshed , cannot come ; the world must detaine them , their earthly respects inchaine them , their sensuall delights restraine them : they cannot come , though often invited ; nor resort to this great supper , though all things be provided . these seldome or never take into their more serious consideration , the state of the blessed in heaven , or the state of the damned in hell. neither can the joyes of the one allure them , or the paines of the other deterre them . these will dispense with the word for the profit of the world , and enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season , deferring repentance till it be past season . saint chrysostome relateth how paulus samosetanus that arch-hereticke , for the love of a woman for-sooke his faith . saint augustine relateth divers , who denied the torments of hell to have eternity , thereby to flatter their affection with a pretended assurance of impunity . saint gregory imputeth it to avarice and covetousnesse , that many forsake their faith . these follow not the example of sundry devout men , the memory whereof is recommended unto us in holy writ ; who being possessors of lands or houses , sold them , and brought the prices of the things that were sold , and laid them downe at the apostles feet : and distribution was made unto every man according as hee had need . the like contempt , in respect of earthly substance , wee reade to have been in many noble and equally affected pagans , as crates , bisias , zeno , bias , anacreon , anacharsis ; who ▪ though they had scarce the least glimpse of an eternity , yet they dis-valued the substance of earth as the subject of vanity . but i must now draw in my sailes , and take a view of your dispositions ( gentlemen ) how you stand herein affected ; that seeking what i expect to find , i may no lesse glory in your aversion from earth , then if you were ascending iacobs ladder , to have your names enrolled in the kingdome of heaven . have yee honoured the lord with your substance , and tendred him the first fruits of his bounty ? have yee acknowledged every good thing to come from him , as from the fountaine of mercy ? have yee subjected your selves unto him , as hee hath subjected all things to your soveraignty ? have yee disposed of them soberly and solely to his glory ? have yee beene oppressors , and with good zacheus made foure-fold restitution ? have yee not exposed your inheritance to riot and pollution ? have yee not hoorded up vengeance against the day of affliction ? have yee not grinded and grated the face of the poore with extortion ? have yee distributed freely , and communicated to the saints necessity ? have yee made you friends of your unrighteous mammon , and so made your selves way to the heavenly sion ? have yee done these workes of compassion with singlenesse of heart , and without affectation ? have yee beene by no earthly respect detained from comming to that great lords supper , to which you were invited ? o then in a happy state are you ! for having honoured the lord , hee will fill your barnes with plenty ; or having acknowledged all good things to bee derived from his mercy , hee will give you a fuller taste of his bounty ; or subjected your selves to his obedience , hee will cause every creature to doe you service ; or disposed of them soberly and solely to his glory , hee will exhibit his good gifts unto you more fully ; or beene oppressours , and made restitution , you shall with zacheus become vessels of election ; or not exposed your inheritance to riot and pollution , you shall be safe from the doome of confusion ; or not grinded the face of the poore with extortion , the poore shall beare record of your compassion ; or distributed freely to the saints necessity , hee that seeth in secret shall reward you openly ; or made you friends of your unrighteous mammon , manna shall be your food in the heavenly sion ; or done these workes singly , and without vaine-glory , you shall be cloathed with the garment of mercy ; or not detained by the world from going to that great lords supper , yee shall be graciously admitted and exalted to honour . thus to dispose of the substance of the world , is to despise the world : preferring one meditation of the pleasures and treasures of heaven , before the possession of the whole earth : and esteeming it farre better to be one day in the house of the lord , then to be conversant in the palaces of princes . o then , yee whose generous descents and mighty estates promise comfort to the afflicted , releefe to the distressed , and an hospitable receit to all such as repaire to you for succour or comfort , minister to the necessity of the saints , be liberall and open handed to the poore , having opportunity , doe good unto all men , especially unto them who are of the household of faith ; bee exercised in the workes of the spirit and not of the flesh , so shal ye build upon a sure foundation , and in the inheritance of gods saints receive a mansion . turne not ( i say ) your eare from the cry of any poore man , lest his cry be heard , and procure vengeance to be poured on your head : pitty the moanes of the afflicted , wipe off the teares of the distressed , comfort them that mourne in sion . the ordinary forme of begging in italy , is , doe good for your owne sakes . doe good for your owne sakes , for your owne selvs , for your owne soules . no a sacrifice to god more gratefull , to your selves more usefull , or to your own soules more fruitfull , then to be zealous in all holy duties , and compassionate to the needful : b for , he that in himselfe burnes not in devotion , can never inflame another with the zeale of devotion : c neither can any one shine , unlesse before he burne : shine in the works of compassion , unlesse he burn before with the zeale of a devout affection . so as many though they be d lights in respect of their ministry or office , yet are they snuffs in respect of their use , effect or service . exhibit therefore freely of those good gifts and bounties which god hath bestowed on you , and shew your liberality now in the opportunate time ; for , as there is a time that none can worke , so there is a time when none can give : give it then in your life time , that you may expresse your charity with your own hand , and not by way of legacie : for many make good wills , which i much feare mee proceed not of good will ; being rather by the sentence of mortality inforced , then of their owne charitable disposition affected , to leave to the poore afflicted of the world , which they so exceedingly love , while they sojourned here in the world . and what shall these bountifull legacies availe them , these charitable wills profit them , when they shall make their beds in the darke , and enter parlie with their owne consciences , whether this coacted charity of theirs proceeded from compassion or compulsion , leaving what they could no longer enjoy , and giving that which was not in their power to give ? surely , no more benefit shall this inforced charity conferre on them , then if they had sowne the sand : for fruitlesse is that worke which deriveth not her ground from a pure intention or sanctified will. in the easterne countries , they put coine in the dead mans hand , to provide for him after his departure hence . the like provision carry these along with them to their graves , who deferre giving , till they cannot give , making their executors their almoners , who many times defeate the poore , or number themselves in bead-roll of the poore , whereby they gull the deceased , enriching their owne coffers with the poore mans box . o gentlemen , you whose corps are followed with many mourners , and oft-times inward rejoycers ; send out those sweet odours of a good and devout life before you ; dispense and dispose faithfully , in whatsoever the lord above others hath enriched you ; deferre not your charity to your death , lest you be prevented of your charity by death ; bethinke your selves how you would be provided if that great master of accounts were this houre to call you before him , and make your reckoning with him ; would you not bee glad ; your conscience told you , how you had beene faitfull disposers or imployers of those talents , which were delivered to you ? would not your hearts rejoyce within you to have such a testimony , as the witnesse of an undefiled or spotlesse conscience within you ? would it not intraunce you with an exceeding joy , to heare that happy and heavenly approbation , well done , good and faithfull servants , you have beene faithfull over a few things , i will make you rulers over many things : enter yee into the joy of your lord ? if this could not choose but joy you , so dispose of your earthly mammon , that you may be partakers of this surpassing joy in the courts of sion . and so i descend to the last branch of this last observation , expressing that object of ineffable consolation , whereto this active perfection aspireth , and that spirituall repose of heavenly solace and refection , wherein it solely and properly resteth . man is borne unto trouble , as the sparkes fly upward , being here a sojourner in the inn of this world ; and drawing every day neerer and neerer the end of his pilgrimage ; where mans life is the travellers embleme ; his forme of living , the very mirrour of his sojourning ; his home returning , the type or figure of his dissolving . in which progresse or journall of man , by how much more the sun-diall of his life proceedeth , by so much neerer the night-shade of death approacheth . yet , behold the misery of man ! his desires are daily to disquiet and disturbe himselfe : for shew me that man howsoever affected , or in what degree soever placed , whose desires are so firmely fixed , as his mind is not troubled in the pursuit of that whereto his aymes are directed . for to begin with the highest , because his thoughts are ever aspiring'st ; doth the ambitious man ayme at honour or preferment ? behold , he purposeth with himselfe to gaine or attaine such a place under his prince , not so much for his owne ends ( as he pretendeth ) but to be usefull to his friends , and behovefull to his countrey ; but since that houre , he entertained the first infant thoughts of ambition , hee hath felt sufficiently the danger of that infection : reaping no other fruits but distractions , in respect of competitors , or want of enjoying himselfe , being pestred by multitude of sutors . or , is he covetous ? there is nothing which he eyes or beholds upon this vniverse , tending to profit , or promising hope of profit , which hee presently conveyes not to his heart , coveting whatsoever hee sees , and seeing nothing that he doth not covet : hee tumbles and tosses , and will not suffer his eyes to slumber , but like miserable menedemus in terence , or greedy gripus in plautus , hee afflicts and torments himselfe , making his owne desires his owne disquiets . or , is hee voluptuous ? his fond affection procures in him this phrensie or distraction : hee goes to the house of the strange woman , gives eare to her incantation , sports with ismael , lusts after her beauty in his heart : and is taken with her eye lids ; yet see how sensuality brings him to misery ! by meanes of this whorish woman , hee is brought to a peece of bread : and the adulteresse will hunt after his precious life : but to passe over these , and take a view of such whose course of life seemes better disposed , then to converse with the world , either by ambitiously aspiring to honours , the great mans darling ; or by too eager a pursuit after riches , the worldlings mammon ; or by too hot a quest after pleasure , the wantons minion . for to reflect a little upon the aymes of such who affect contemplation , and every day better their knowledge in the serious or exquisite search of the natures , vertues , or operations of all creatures ; wee shall find , to use the words of salomon , that even in these there is vanity and affliction of spirit : for , howsoever wisedome raines downe skill and knowledge of understanding , exalting them to honour that hold her fast ; yet salomons conclusion after the search of wisdome and folly , is definitively this ; in much wisdome is much griefe : and hee that increaseth knowledge , increaseth sorrow . for should man labour to engrosse all learning , knowledge and wisdome , his labour were but vaine , and his search fruitlesse ; seeing he , whose understanding was deepest , conceit quickest , and wisdome greatest of all them that were before him in ierusalem , hath thus concluded : all this i have proved by wisdome ; i said , i would be wise , but it was farre from me . adding the reason hereof ; that which is farre off , and exceeding deepe , who can find it out ? for be our search never so curious , our desire covetous in the pursuit of knowledge , wee shall find by daily experience our own weaknesse : where , though our wils be strengthned , our abilities are weakned , being ever more hopefull in our undertakings , then powerfull in our performance ; yea , it is a property inherent to us , and naturally ingraffed in us , to have an itching desire of knowing all things , but of doing nothing : yet neither in knowledge nor action may wee satisfie our desire or affection : vaine and endlesse therefore is our search in the former , as weake and fruitlesse is our pursuit of the latter . there is no end of writing many bookes , no end of reading many bookes , no end of storing our libraries with many bookes : for under the cover of these , much covetousnesse oft-times lurketh . these are not of that inestimable price , ( though they containe much spirituall comfort ) as may fully store or enrich the heart ; fully replenish or satisfie the heart ; fully settle or establish the heart : for where the desires of the heart are not fulfilled , how can shee hold her selfe sufficiently enriched ? or where her desires are not accomplished , how may shee rest satisfied ? or being not there seated , where her desires are settled ; how can shee bee quieted ? hence it is , that a devout father compares his heart unto a mil ; for as a mil ( saith he ) swiftly wheeleth and turneth about and refuseth nothing , but whatsoever is put upon it , it grindeth : but if nothing be put upon it , it consumes it selfe : so is my unstable heart alwayes in motion , and never resteth : but whether i sleep or wake , it dreameth and thinketh of whatsoever it encountreth . can then neither honour , nor wealth , nor pleasure satisfie his unconfined heart ? can neither honours surprize her , wealth enjoy her , nor pleasure intraunce her ? no : these are vanity , and lighter then vanity , receiving their true colour from the poet , who bestoweth on them this portraiture ; wealth is a wave , honour a bait of death , catching at which were catcht and choak't therewith . for tell me , is not the ambitious man as fearefull to incurre disgrace , after hee is received to his princes favour , as hee was jealous of a competitor before hee got into favour ? againe , is not the miserable rich man , who reposeth all comfort in his substance , all his consolation in his riches , as fearefull to lose what hee already enjoyes , as hee was doubtfull of prevention in what hee now enjoyes ? or is not the voluptuous carnall man , whose onely delight is daliance with his perfidious dalilah , stinged with as much griefe after his desires are satisfied , as hee was stirred with delight before his pleasures were effected ? or is not the contemplative man , whose aimes being higher , should tender him content in fuller measure , afflicted in mind , when hee finds himselfe come short in knowledge of what hee expected , and reads every day something which hee never before observed ? what content then in these flourishing may-buds of vanity , which in repentance and affliction of spirit , doe onely shew their constancy ? so as one well observeth , if man should not be afflicted by god , yet should hee be afflicted by himselfe ; consuming himselfe with his owne envie , rancour , and other distempered affections , which have more fury and torment attending on them , then the evill it selfe which procureth them . yet behold the wretched condition of unhappy man ! though neither honour bee permanent , nor from perill freed ; nor riches prevalent to make him after death the better friended , nor pleasures so excellent , as to free him from affliction when they are ended : yet are they for most part preferred before those heavenly honours which are ever permanent , and never altering ; before those incorruptible riches , which inrich the soule after death without decreasing ; and before those ineffable pleasures , where neither desires breeds longing , nor satiety loathing . so as , i cannot more fitly compare the actions of these sensuall affected men , then with that childish act of the emperour honorius , who taking especiall delight in a hen called roma : upon a time understanding , by report of such as told him , that roma was lost , he exceedingly lamented : whereupon some of his familiar friends , and such as were neere-him , noting his terrour ; it is not your hen that is lost , but your citie roma , that is taken by alaricus king of the gothes . wherewith comming a little to himselfe , hee seemed to beare with much more patience the surprize of the one , then the losse of the other . o childish simplicity ! you say well ; yet the like is in us . wee cannot endure that any one should steale from us our silver ; yet either honour , riches , or pleasure may have free leave to steale away our heart . wee would by no meanes be defrauded of our treasure ; yet it troubles us little to be depraved with errour . wee avoid the poysons of the body , but not of the mind ; intending more the diet of the body , then the discipline of the mind . since then , in these externall desires , this actuall perfection , whereof wee have formerly treated , may receive no true rest or repose , for to those it only aspireth , wherein it resteth ; wee must search higher for this place of peace , this repose of rest , this heavenly harbour of divine comfort : wee are to seeke it then while we are here upon earth , yet not on earth : would you know , what this soveraigne or absolute end is , wherein this actuall perfection solely resteth , wherein the heart onely glorieth , and to the receiver , long life , with comfort in abundance amply promiseth ? hearken to the words of iesus the sonne of sirach : it is a great glory to follow the lord , and to bee received of him is long life : nor skils it much , how worldlings esteeme of us ; for , perhaps , they will judge it folly to see us become weaned from delights or pleasures of the world ; to see us embrace a rigorous or austere course of life , to dis-esteem the pompe and port of this present world . this ( i say ) they will account foolishnesse ; but blessed are they who deserve to be of that number , which the world accounts for fooles , god for wise men . but miserable is the state of those forlorne worldlings , whose cheefest aime is to circumvent or intrap their brethren , making their highest aimes their owne ends , and accounting bread eaten in secret to bee the savourest , and stolne waters the sweetest : for these never drinke of their own cisterne , or feed of the flesh of their owne fold ; but partake in the spoile of others , yet wipe their mouthes as if they were innocent : but behold this haman-policy shall make them spectacles of finall misery , wishing many times they had been lesse wise in the opinion of the world , so they had relished of that divine wisdome , which makes man truly happy in another world ; even that wisdome ( i say ) who hath built an everlasting foundation with men , and shall continue with their seed : neither can this divine wisdome chuse but bee fruitfull , standing on so firme a root , or the branches dry , receiving life and heat from so faire a root . now to describe the beauty of her branches springing from so firme a root ; with the solidity of her root , diffusing pith to her branches : the root of wisdome ( saith the wise son of sirach ) is to feare the lord , and the branches thereof are long life . this feare , where it takes root , suffers no wordly feare to take place . many worldlings become wretched , onely through feare lest they should bee wretched ; and many die , onely through feare lest they should dy : but with these , who are grounded in the feare of the lord , they neither feare death , being assured that it imposeth an end to their misery ; nor the miseries of this present life , being ever affied on the trust of gods mercy . how constantly , zealously , and gloriously many devout men have died , and upon the very instant of their dissolution expostulated with their owne soules , reproving in themselves their unwillingnesse to die ; may appeare by the examples of such ; whose lives as they were to god right pleasing , so were their soules no lesse precious in their departing : upon some whereof , though i have formerly insisted , yet in respect that such memorable patternes of sanctity cannot be too often represented , i thought good purposely ( as usually i have done in all the series of this present discourse , where any remarkeable thing was related , to have it in divers places repeated ) to exemplifie this noble resolution or contempt of death , in the proofe and practice of some one or two blessed saints and servants of god. ierome writeth of hilarion , that being ready to give up the ghost , hee said thus to his soule ; goe forth my soule , why fearest thou ? goe forth , why tremblest thou ? thou hast served christ almost these threescore & ten yeares , and doest thou now feare death ? saint ambrose when hee was ready to die , speaking to stillico and others about his bed ; i have not lived so among you ( saith hee ) that i am ashamed to live longer to please god : and yet againe i am not afraid to die , because wee have a good lord. the reverend bede , whom wee may more easily admire , than sufficiently praise for his profound learning , in a most barbarous age , when all good literature was in contempt , being in the pangs of death , said to the standers by ; i have so lived among you that i am not ashamed of my life , neither feare i to die , because i have a most gracious redeemer . hee yeelded up his life with this prayer for the church ; o king of glory , lord of hostes , which hast triumphantly ascended into heaven , leave us not fatherlesse , but send the promised spirit of thy truth amongst us . these last funerall teares , or dying mens hymnes , i have the rather renued to your memory , that they might have the longer impression , being uttered by dying men , at the point of their dissolution . and i know right well ( for experience hath informed me sufficiently therein ) that the words of dying men are precious even to strangers ; but when the voice of one wee love , and with whom wee did familiarly live , cals to us from the death-bed , o what a conflict doe his words raise ! how strongly do griefe and affection strive to inclose them ! knowing that in a short space , that tongue , the organs whereof yet speak , and move attention by their friendly accents , was to bee eternally tied up in silence , nor should the sound of his words salute our cares any more : and certainly , the resolution of a devout dying man , being upon the point of his dissolution , cannot but bee an especiall motive to the hearer , of mortification . which was one cause , even among the heathens , of erecting statues , obelisks , or monuments upon the dead ; that eying the sepulchers of such noble and heroick men as had their honour laid in the dust , they might likewise understand , that neither resolution of spirit , nor puissance of body could free them from the common verdict of mortality : which begot in many of them a wonderfull contempt of the world . albeit it is to bee understood , that christians doe contemne the world much otherwise than pagans : for ambition is a guide to these , but the love of god unto them . diogenes trod upon plato's pride with much greater selfe-pride : but the christian with patience and humility surmounteth and subdueth all wordly pride ; being of nothing so carefull , as lest hee should taste the lotium of earthly delights , and so become forgetfull with vlysses companions of his native countrey . meane time he sojournes in the world , not as a citizen , but as a guest , yea as an exile . but to returne to our present discourse now in hand ; in this quest after that soveraigne or supreme end whereto all actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it resteth , wee are to consider three things : . what is to bee sought : . where it is to be sought : . when it is to be sought . for the first , wee are to understand that wee are to seeke onely for that , the acquisition whereof is no sooner attained , than the minde , whose flight is above the pitch of frailty , is fully satisfied . now that is a blessed life , when what is best , is effected and enjoyed : for there can bee no true rest to the minde in desiring , but partaking what she desireth . what is it then that wee seeke ? to drinke of the water of life ; where our thirst may bee so satisfied , as it never be renued ; our desires so fulfilled , as never higher or further extended . hee that hath once tasted of the fountaine named clitorius fons ( and choice is the taste of such a fountaine ) will never drinke any wine ; no wine mixed with the dregs of vanity , no wine drawne from the lees of vaine-glory : the reason is , hee reserves his taste for that new wine , which hee is to drinke in his fathers kingdome . and what kingdome ? the kingdome of heaven ; a kingdome most happy , a kingdome wanting death , and without end ; enjoyng a life that admits no end . and what life ? a life vitall , a life sempiternall , and sempiternally joyfull , and what joy ? a joy without sorrowing , rest without labouring , dignity without trembling , wealth without losing , health without languishing , abundance without failing , life without dying , perpetuity without corrupting , blessednesse without afflicting , where the sight & vision of god is seene face to face . and what god ? god the sole sufficient , summary , supreme good : that good which we require alone ; that god who is good alone . and what good ? the trinity of the divine persons is this summary good , which is seene with purest mindes . the heart triangle-wise resembleth the image of the blessed trinity ; which can no more by the circumference of the world bee confined than a triangle by a circle is to bee filled . so as the circular world cannot fill the triangular heart , no more than a circle can fill a triangle ; still there will bee some empty corners : it saies , so long as it is fixed on the world , sheol , it is never enough : but fixed on her maker , her onely mover , on her sweet redeemer , her dearest lover , she chants out cheerefully this hymne of comfort ; there is no condemnation to them which are in christ iesus . she then may rest in peace . and what peace ? a peace which passeth all understanding . shee then may embrace her love. and what love ? a love constantly loving . shee then may enjoy life . and what life ? a life eternally living . shee then may receive a crowne . and what crowne ? a crowne gloriously shining . this crowne ( saith s. peter ) is undefiled , which never fadeth away . the greeke words which s. peter useth , are latine words also ; and they are not only appellatives , being the epithetes of this crowne , but also propers ; the one proper name of a stone , the other of a flower : for isidore writeth , there is a precious stone called amiantus , which , though it bee never so much soiled , yet it can never at all bee blemished ; and being cast into the fire , it is taken out still more bright and cleane . also clemens writeth , that there is a flower called amarantus , which being a long time hung up in the house , yet still is fresh and greene . to both which , the stone and the flower , the apostle , as may bee probably gathered , alludeth in this place . here then you see , what you are to seeke . for are your desires unsatisfied ? here is that which may fulfill them . are your soules thirsty ? here is the well of life to refresh them : would you bee kings ? here is a kingdome provided for you . would you enjoy a long life ? a long life shall crowne you , and length of daies attend you . would you have all goodnesse to enrich you ? enjoying god , all good things shall bee given you . would you have salvation to come unto your house and secure you ? rest you in christ iesus , and no condemnation shall draw neere you . would you have your consciences speake peace unto you ? the god of peace will throughout establish you . would you have your constant'st love ever attend you ? he who gave himself for you , will never leave you . would you have him live for ever with you ? leave loving of the world , so shall hee live ever with you and in you . would you have a crowne conferred on you ? a crowne of glory shall empale you . seeke then this one good wherein consisteth all goodnesse , and it sufficeth . seeke this soveraigne or summary good , from whence commeth every good , and it sufficeth . for hee is the life by which wee live , the hope to which wee cleave , and the glory which wee desire to obtaine . for if dead , hee can revive us ; if hopelesse and helpelesse , he can succour us ; if in disgrace , he can exalt us . him then only are wee to seeke , who , when wee were lost , did seeke us ; and being found , did bring us to his sheepe-fold . and so i descend from what wee are to seeke , to where wee are to seeke , that seeking him where hee may bee found , wee may at last finde him whom wee so long have sought . for the second , wee are to seeke it while wee are on earth , but not upon earth , for earth cannot containe it . it is the philosophers axiom , that which is finite may not comprehend that which is infinite . now that supreme or soveraigne end , to which this actuall perfection is directed , whereto it aspireth , and wherein it resteth , is by nature infinite : end without end , beginning and end , imposing to every creature a certaine , definite , or determinate end . the sole solace of the soule , being onely able to fill or satisfie the soule , without which all things in heaven or under heaven , joyned and conferred together , cannot suffice the soule : so boundlesse her extent , so infinite the object of her content . how should earth then containe it , or to what end should wee on earth seeke it ; seeing whatsoever containeth , must of necessity bee greater than that which is contained ? but earth being a masse of corruption , how should it confine or circumscribe incorruption ? seeing nothing but immortality can cloath the soule with glory , it is not the rubbish or refuse of earth that may adde to her beauty . besides , the soule while it so journes here in this earthly mansion , shee remaines as a captive inclosed in prison . what delights then can bee pleasing , what delicates relishing to the palate of this prisoner ? shee is an exile here on earth : what society then can bee cheerefull to one so carefull of returning to her countrey ? if captives restrained of their liberty , exiles estranged from their countrey , can take no true content either in their bondage , bee it never so attempred ; nor in that exile , bee they never so attended , how should the soule apprehend the least joy , during her abode on earth ? where the treasure is , there is the heart : her treasure is above , how can her heart bee here below ? mortality cannot suit with immortality , no more can earth with the soule . whereto then bee the motions of our soule directed ? to him that gave it ; no inferiour creature may suffice her , no earthly object satisfie her , nothing subject to sense fulfill her . in heaven are those heavenly objects , wherewith her eye rests satisfied ; in heaven are those melodious accents , wherewith her eare rests solaced ; in heaven those choicest odours , wherewith her smell is cherished , in heaven those tastefull'st dainties , wherewith her soule is nourished ; in heaven those glorious creatures , wherewith her selfe is numbred . what difference then betwixt the satiety and saturity of heaven , and the penurie and poverty of earth ? here all things are full of labour , man cannot utter it : the eye is not satisfied with seeing , nor the eare filled with hearing : whereas in heaven there is length of daies , and fulnesse of joy without ending . and wherein consists this fulnesse ? even in the sweet and comfortable sight of god. but who hath seene god at any time ? to this , blessed augustine answers excellently : albeit ( saith hee ) that summary and incommutable essence , that true light , that indeficient light , that light of angels , can bee seene by none in this life , being reserved for a reward to the saints onely in the heavenly glory ; yet to beleeve , and understand , and feele , and ardently desire it , is in some sort to see and possesse it . now , if wee will beleeve it , though our feet bee on earth , our faith must bee in heaven : or understand it , wee must so live on earth , as if our conversation were in heaven : or feele it , wee must have so little feeling of the delights of this life , as our delight may bee wholly in heaven : or desire it , wee must hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , to direct us in the way which leadeth to heaven . it cannot be ( saith a devout holy man ) that any one should die ill , who hath lived well . wee are then to labour by a zealous , religious , and sincere life , to present our selves blamelesse before the lord at his comming . o if wee knew ( and grosse is our ignorance if wee know it not ) that whatsoever it sought besides god , possesseth the mind , but satisfies it not ! wee would have recourse to him , by whom our minds might bee as well satisfied as possessed . but great is our misery , and miserable our stupidity , who , when wee may gaine heaven with lesse paines then hell , will not draw our foot backe from hell , nor step one foot forward towards the kingdome of heaven . yea , when wee know , that it pleaseth the divell no lesse when wee sinne , then it pleaseth god to heare us sigh for sinne ; yet will wee rather please the divell by committing sin , then please god by sending out one penitent sigh for our sinne . for behold , what dangers will men expose themselves unto , by sea and land , to increase their substance ! againe , for satisfaction of their pleasures , what tasks will they undertake , no lesse painefull then full of perill ! a little expectance of penitentiall pleasure can make the voluptuous man watch all the night long , when one houre of the night to pray in would seeme too too long . early and late , to enrich his carelesse heire , will the miserable wretch addresse himselfe to all slavish labour , without once remembring either early or late to give thankes to his maker . without repose or repast will the restlesse ambitious sparke , whose aimes are onely to be worldly great , taske himselfe to all difficulties to gaine honour , when even that which so eagerly hee seekes for , oft-times bring ruine to the owner . here then you see where you are to seeke : not on earth , for there is nought but corruption ; but in heaven , where you may bee cloathed with incorruption : not on earth , for there you are exiles ; but in heaven , where you may be enrolled and infranchised citizens : not on earth the grate of misery , but in heaven the goale of glory . in briefe , would you have your hearts lodged , where your treasures are locked ; all your senses seated , where they may be fully sated ; your eye with delightfull'st objects satisfied , your eare with melodious accents solaced ; your smell with choicest odours cherished , your taste with chiefest dainties relished , your selves , your soules amongst those glorious creatures registred ? fix the desires of your heart on him , who can onely satisfie your heart ; set your eye on him , whose eye is ever upon you , and in due time will direct you to him ; intend your eare to his law , which can best informe you , and with divinest melody cheere you ; follow him in the smell of his sweet ointments , and hee will comfort you in your afflictions ; taste how sweet hee is in mercy , and you shall taste sweetnesse in the depth of your misery : become heavenly men ; so of terrestriall angels you shall bee made angels in heaven , where , by the spirituall union of your soules , you shall bee united unto him who first gave you soules . and so i come to the third and last ; when wee are to seeke , lest seeking out of time , wee be excluded from finding what wee seeke , for want of seeking in due time . if words spoken in season bee like apples of gold with pictures of silver ; sure i am , that our actions being seasonably formed or disposed , cannot but adde to our soules much beauty and lustre . to every thing there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven : which season neglected , the benefit accruing to the worke is likewise abridged . there is a time to sow , and a time to reape : and sow wee must before wee reape ; sow in teares , before wee reape in joy . seeke we must before we find ; for unlesse wee seeke him while hee may be found , seeke may wee long ere wee have him found . after the time of our dissolution from earth , there is no time admitted for repentance to bring us to heaven . hoc momentum est de quo pendet aeternitas . either now or never ; and if now , thrice happy ever . which is illustrated to us by divers similitudes , examples and parables in the holy scripture : as in esau's birth-right , which ( once sold ) could not be regained by many teares ; and in the parable of dives and lazarus , where abraham answered dives , after hee had beseeched him to send lazarus that hee might dip the tip of his finger in water , and coole his tongue ; sonne , remember that thou in thy life-time received'st thy good things , and likewise lazarus evill things : but now hee is comforted , and thou art tormented . and in the parable of the ten virgins , where the five foolish virgins tooke their lamps , and tooke no oile with them ; but the wise tooke oile in their vessels with their lamps ; and when the bridegroome came , those that were ready , went in with him , and were received : but those foolish ones who were unprovided , though they came afterwards , crying , lord , lord , open unto us , could not be admitted . for know , deare christian , and apply it to thy heart , ( for knowledge without use , application or practice , is a fruitlesse and soule-beguiling knowledge ; ) that hee who promiseth forgivenesse to thee repenting , hath not promised thee to morrow to repent in . why therefore deferrest thou till to morrow , when thou little knowest but thou maist die before to morrow ? this day , this houre is the opportunate season ; take hold of it then , lest thou repent thee when it is past season . man hath no interest in time save this very instant , which hee may properly terme his ; let him then so imploy this instant of time , as hee may be heire of eternity , which exceeds the limit of time . let us worke now while it is day , for the night commeth when no man can worke . why therefore stand wee idling ? why delay we our conversion ? why cry wee with the sluggard , yet a little , and then a little , and no end of that little ? why to morrow , and to morrow , and no end of to morrow , being as neere our conversion to day as to morrow ? why not to day , as well as to morrow , seeing every day bringeth with it her affliction , both to day and to morrow ? meet it is then , for us to make recourse to the throne of mercy in the day of mercy , and before the evill day come , lest wee be taken , as hee who beat his fellow servants , when the great master of the houshold shall come . o earth , earth , earth , heare the word of the lord ! earth by creation , earth by condition , earth by corruption . remember now thy creator in the dayes of thy youth , while the evill dayes come not , nor the yeeres draw nigh , when thou shalt say , i have no pleasure in them . while the sunne , or the light , or the moone , or the starres that bee not darkened , nor the clouds returne after the raine . in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble , and the strong men shall bow themselves , and the grinders cease , because they are few , and those that looke out of the windowes be darkened : and the doores shall be shut in the streets , when the sound of the grinding is low , and hee shall rise up at the voice of the bird , and all the daughters of musicke shall bee brought low . also when they shall be afraid of that which is high , and feares shall bee in the way , and the almond tree shall flourish , and the grashopper shall bee a burden , and desire shall faile : because man goeth to his long home , and the mourners goe about the streets . or ever the silver coard be loosed , or the golden bowle bee broken , or the pitcher bee broken at the fountaine , or the wheele broken at the cisterne . then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was , and the spirit shall returne unto god who gave it . hence then are wee warned not to deferre time , lest wee neglect the opportunate time , the time of grace ; which neglected , miserable shall wee be , when from hence dissolved . yea , but will some object ; true repentance is never too late : which is most true ; but againe i answer , that late repentance is seldome true . repent then while ye have time ; for as in hell there is no redemption , so after death there is no time admitted for repentance . o remember that a wounded conscience none can heale ; so that , like as the scorpion hath in her the remedy of her owne poyson ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him the punishment of his owne wickednesse , the which doth never leave to torment and afflict his mind both sleeping and waking . so as , the wicked man is oft-times forced to speake unto his conscience , as ahab said to eliah , hast thou found mee , o mine enemy ? now there is no better meanes to make peace with our consciences , then to set god continually before our eyes , that his spirit may witnesse to our spirits , that wee are the children of grace . wherein many offend daily , who promise to themselves security , either by sinning subtilly or secretly : subtilly , as in dazling or deluding the eyes of the world with pretended sanctity , and concluding with the poet ; that i may just and holy seeme , and so the world deceive , and with a cloud my cunning shroud , is all that i doe crave . but such hypocrites will god judge , and redouble the viols of his wrath upon their double sinne . secretly , when man in the foolishnesse of his heart committeth some secret sinne , and saith , who seeth him ? there is none looking thorow the chinke to se mee , none that can heare me , but simple fooles : how much are these deceived ? is there any darkenesse so thicke and palpable , that this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the piercing eye of heaven cannot spie thee through it ? o if thou hope by firming secretly , to sin securely , thou shalt be forced to say unto thy god , as ahab said unto elijah , hast thou found mee , o mine enemy ? nay , o god terrible and dreadfull , thou hast found mee . and then let mee aske thee in the same termes that the young gallant in erasmus asked his wanton mistresse ; art thou not ashamed to doe that in the sight of god and witnesse of holy angels , which thou art ashamed to doe in the sight of men ? art thou so afraid of disgrace with men , and little carest whether thou be or no in the state of grace with god ? art thou more jealous of the eyes of men , who have but power onely to asperse a blemish on thy name , or inflict a temporall punishment on thy person , then of his , who hath power to throw both thy soule and body into the burning lake of perdition ? it was a pretty saying of epicurus in seneca ; whereto are offences safe , if they cannot bee secure ? or what availes it guilty men to find a place to lye hid in , when they have no confidence in the place where they lye hid in ? excellent therefore was the counsell of zealous bernard , and sententious seneca , that wee should alwayes , as in a mirrour , represent unto our eyes the example of some good man ; and so to live as if he did alwayes see us , alwayes behold us : for wee , who know that the eyes of god are upon all the wayes of men , and that no place so remote , no place so desart or desolate , as may divide us from his all-seeing presence , ought to be in all our workes so provident and circumspect , as if god were present before our eyes , as in truth hee his . and therefore prudentius in one of his hymnes gives this memorandum ; thinke with thy selfe , if thou from sinne would free thee , be 't day or night , that god doth ever see thee . o then let us fix our thoughts upon god here on earth , that wee may gloriously fix our eyes upon him in heaven ! let us so meditate of him here on earth , that wee may contemplate him there in heaven ! so repent us to have dishonoured him here on earth , that wee may be honoured by him in heaven ! let us become humble petitioners unto him , and prostrate our selves before his foot-stoole : of whom if wee begge life , his hand is not so shortned , as it will not save ; his eare so closely stopped , as it will not heare . it is reported that when a poore man came to dionysius the tyrant , and preferred his petition unto him standing , the imperious tyrant would not give eare unto him ; whereupon this poore petitioner , to move him to more compassion , fell downe prostrate at his feet , and with much importunity obtained his suit : after all this , being demanded by one why hee did so ; i perceived ( quoth he ) dionysius to have his eares in his feet , wherefore i was out of hope to be heard till i fell before his feet . but god , who intendeth rather the devotion of the heart , then the motion of the hand , or prostration of the body , will heare us , if wee aske faithfully , and open unto us , if wee knock constantly , and having fought a good fight , crowne us victoriously . thus you have heard what wee are to seeke , where wee are to seeke , and when wee are to seeke . what ; a kingdome , not of earth , but of heaven . where ; not on earth , nor in earth , but in heaven . when ; while wee are here on earth , that after earth we may raigne in heaven . what ; a garden inclosed , a spring shut up , a fountaine sealed . what ; a crowne of righteousnesse , a precious pearle , a hid treasure . what ; wisdome , health , wealth , beauty , liberty , and all through him who is all in all . aristippus was wont to say , that hee would goe to socrates for wit , but to dionysius for money : whereas this wee seeke , and seeking hope to enjoy , confers upon us the rich treasures of wisdome , and abundance of riches for evermore . for , first seeke wee the kingdome of heaven , and the righteousnesse thereof , and all things else shall bee ministred unto us . secondly , where wee are to seeke . where ; in heaven , the house of god , the citie of the great king , the inheritance of the just , the portion of the faithfull , the glory of sion . where ; not without us , but within us ; for the kingdome of god is within us . so as i may say to every faithfull soule , intus habes quod quaeris ; that is within thee , which is sought of thee . it is god thou seekest , and him thou possessest ; thy heart longeth after him , and right sure thou art of him , for his delight is to bee with those that love him . lastly , when ; on earth : when ; in this life : when ; while wee are in health ; while wee are in these tabernacles of clay ; while wee carry about us these earthly vessels ; while wee are clothed with flesh ; before the evill day come ; or the night approach ; or the shadow of death encompasse us ; now in the opportunate time , the time of grace , the time of redemption , the appointed time , while our peace may bee made : not to deferre from youth to age , lest wee bee prevented by death before wee come to age ; but so to live every day , as if wee were to dye every day , that at last wee may live with him who is the length of daies . what remaineth then , but that wee conclude the whole series or progresse of this discourse with an exhortation to counsell you , an instruction to caution you ; closing both in one conclusion to perswade you to put in daily practice , what already hath beene tendred to you . now , gentlemen , that i may take a friendly farewell of you ; i am to exhort you to a course vertuous , which among good men is ever held most generous . let not , o let not the pleasures of sinne for a season , withdraw your mindes from that exceeding great weight of glory kept in store for the faithfull , after their passage from this vale of misery ! often call to minde the riches of that kingdome after which you seeke : those fresh pastures fragrant medows , and redolent fields diapred and embrodered with sweetest and choicest flowers : those blessed citizens , heavenly saints and servants of god , who served him here on earth faithfully , and now raigne with him triumphantly . let your hearts bee exditers of a good matter , and your voices viols to this heavenly measure . o how glorious things are spoken of thee thou citie of god ; as the habitation of all that rejoyce is in thee ! thou art founded on the exaltation of the whole earth . there is in thee neither old-age , nor the miserie of old-age . there is in thee neither maime , nor lame , nor crooked , nor deformed , seeing all attaine to the perfect man , to that measure of age , or fulnesse of christ. who would not become humble petitioner before the throne of grace , to bee made partaker of such an exceeding weight of glory ? secondly , to instruct you where this crowne of righteousnesse is to bee sought ; it is to bee sought in the house of god , in the temple of the lord , in the sanctuary of the most high. o doe not hold it any derogation to you , to bee servants ; yea , servants of the lowest ranke , even doore-keepers in the house of the lord ! constantine the great gloried more in being a member of the church , than the head of an empire . o then , let it bee your greatest glory to advance his glory , who will make you vessels of glory ! but know , that to obey the deligths of the flesh , to divide your portion among harlots , to drinke till the wine grow red , to make your life a continued revell , is not the way to obtaine this crowne . tribulation must goe before consolation ; you must clime up to the crosse , before you receive this crowne . the israelites were to passe thorow a desart , before they came to canaan . this desart is the world , canaan heaven . o who would not bee here afflicted , that hee may bee there comforted ! who would not be here crossed , that hee may bee there crowned ! who would not with patience passe thorow this desart , onely in hope to come to canaan ! canaan , the inheritance of the just ; canaan , the lot of the righteous ; canaan , a fat land flowing with milke and honey ; canaan , an habitation , of the most holy ; canaan , a place promised to abraham ; canaan , the bosome of father abraham , even heaven ; but not the heaven of heaven , to which even the earth it selfe is the very empyraean heaven , for this is heaven of heaven to the lord : because knowne to none but to the lord. thirdly , and lastly , that i may conclude , and concluding perswade you ; neglect not this opportunate time of grace that is now offered you . i know well , that gentlemen of your ranke cannot want such witty consorts , as will labour by their pleasant conceits to remove from you the remembrance of the evill day : but esteeme not those conceits for good , which strive to estrange from your conceit the chiefest good . let it bee your task every day , to provide your selves against the evill day ; so shall not the evill day , when it commeth affright you , nor the terrours of death prevaile against you , nor the last summons perplex you , nor the burning lake consume you . o what sharpe , extreme , and insuperable taskes would those wofull tormented soules take upon them , if they might bee freed but one houre from those horrours which they see , those tortures which they feele ! o then while time is graunted you , omit no time , neglect no opportunity ! bee instant in season and out of season , holding on in the race which is set before you , and persevering in every good work even unto the end . because they that continue unto the end , shall bee saved , what is this life but a minute , and lesse than a minute in respect of eternity ? yet if this minute bee well imployed , it will bring you to the fruition of eternity . short and momentany are the afflictions of this life ; yet supported with patience , and subdued with long sufferance , they crowne the sufferer with glory endlesse . short likewise are the pleasures of this life , which as they are of short continuance , so bring they forth no other fruit than the bitter pils of repentance : whereas in heaven there are pleasures for evermore , comforts for evermore , joyes for evermore : no carnall , but cordiall joy : no laughter of the body , but of the heart : for though the righteous sorrow , their sorrow ends when they end , but joy shall come upon them without end . o meditate of these in your beds , and in your fields ; when you are journeying on the way , and when you are so journing in your houses : where compare your court-dalliance with these pleasures , and you shall finde all your rioting , triumphs and revelling , to bee rather occasions of sorrowing than solacing , mourning than rejoycing ! bathe you in your stoves , or repose you in your arbours , these cannot allay the least pang of an afflicted conscience . o then so live every day , as you may die to sin every day ! that as you are ennobled by your descent on earth , you may bee ennobled in heaven after your descent to earth . laus deo. totum hoc ut à te veniet , totur● ad te redeat . a gentleman is a man of himselfe , without the addition of either taylor , millener , seamster or haberdasher . actions of goodnesse he holds his supreme happinesse : the fate of a yonger brother cannot depresse his thoughts below his elder . hee scornes basenesse more than want ; and holds noblenesse his sole worth . a crest displayes his house , but his owne actions expresse himselfe . hee scornes pride , as a derogation to gentry ; and walks with so pure a soule , as hee makes uprightnesse the honour of his family . hee wonders at a profuse foole , that hee should spend when honest frugality bids him spare ; and no lesse at a miserable crone , who spares when reputation bids him spend . though heire of no great fortunes , yet his extensive hand will not shew it . hee shapes his coat to his cloth ; and scornes as much to bee holden , as to bee a gally-slave . hee hath been youthfull , but his maturer experience hath so ripened him , as hee hates to become either gull or cheat. his disposition is so generous , as others happinesse cannot make him repine , nor any occurrent , save sinne , make him repent . hee admires nothing more than a constant spirit , derides nothing more than a recreant condition , embraceth nothing with more intimacie , than a prepared resolution . amongst men hee hates no lesse to bee uncivill , than in his feare to godward to bee servile . education hee holds a second nature ; which ( such innate seeds of goodnesse are sowne in him ) ever improves him , seldome or never depraves him . learning hee holds not onely an additament , but ornament to gentry . no complement gives more accomplishment . hee intends more the tillage of his minde , than his ground ; yet suffers not that to grow wilde neither . hee walkes not in the clouds to his friend , but to a stranger . hee eyes the court with a vertuous and noble contemplation ; and dis-values him most , whose sense consists in sent . hee viewes the city , with a princely command of his affections . no object can with-draw him from himselfe ; or so distract his desires as to covet ought unworthily ; or so intraunce his thoughts , as to admire ought servilely . hee lives in the countrey without thought of oppression ; makes every evening his dayes ephemeris . if his neighbours field flourish , hee doth not envy it ; if it lie fit for him , hee scornes to covet it . there is not that place hee sees , nor that pleasure hee enjoyes , whereof he makes not some singular use to his owne good , and gods glory . vocation hee admits of , walking in it with so generous and religious a care , as hee makes piety his practice , acts of charity his exercise , and the benefit of others his sole solace . hee understands that neither health commeth from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . hee recommends himselfe therefore in the morning to gods protection and favour , that all the day long hee may more prosperously succeed in his labour . hee holds idlenesse to bee the very moth of mans time : day by day therefore hath hee his taske imposed , that the poison of idlenesse may bee better avoided . hee holds , as gods opportunity is mans extremity ; so mans security is the divels opportunity . hoping therefore hee feares , fearing hee takes heed , and taking heed hee becomes safe . hospitality hee holds a relique of gentry : hee harbours no passion but compassion . hee grieves no lesse at anothers losse than his owne ; nor joyes lesse in anothers successe than his owne peculiar . recreation hee useth to refresh him , but not surprize him . delights cannot divert him from a more serious occasion ; neither can any houre-beguiling pastime divide him from an higher contemplation . for honest pleasures , hee is neither so stoicall as wholly to contemne them , nor so epicureall as too sensually to affect them . there is no delight on mountaine , vale , coppice , or river , whereof hee makes not an usefull and contemplative pleasure . recreation hee admits , not to satisfie his sense , but solace himselfe . hee fixeth his minde on some other subject , when any pleasure begins too strongly to worke upon him : hee would take it , but not bee taken by it . hee attempers his attractivest pastimes with a little alloes ; to weane him all the sooner from their sweetnesse . hee scornes that a moment of content should deprive him of an eternity of comfort . hee corrects therefore his humour , in the desire of pleasure , that hee may come off with more honour . acquaintance hee entertaines with feare , but retaines with fervor . hee consorts with none , but where hee presumes hee may either better them , or bee bettered by them . vertue is the sole motive of his choice : hee conceives how no true amity , nor constant society can ever bee amongst evill men . hee holds it a blemish to the repute of a gentleman , and an aspersion to his discretion to make choice of those for his associates , who make no more account of time , than how to passe it over . conference hee affects ; and those hee admits onely into the list of his discourse , whom hee findes more reall than verball , more solid than complementall . hee will try him before hee rely on him : but having found him touch , they touch his honour that impeach him . moderation in his desires , cares , feares , or in what this theatre of earth may afford , hee expresseth so nobly , as neither love of whatsoever hee enjoyes can so enthrall him , nor the losse of what hee loves can any way appall him . a true and generous moderation of his affections , hath begot in him an absolute command and conquest of himselfe . hee smiles , yet compassionately grieves at the immoderation of poore worldlings in their cares and griefes ; at the indiscretion of ambitious and voluptuous flies in their desires and feares . perfection he aspires to ; for no lower mound can confine him , no inferiour bound impale him . vertue is the staire that raiseth to height of this story . his ascent is by degrees ; making humility his directresse , lest hee should faile or fall in his progresse . his wings are holy desires ; his feet heavenly motions . there is no sense which he offers not up as a sweet incense , to expedite his course and refresh his conscience . he holds it the sweetest life to be every day better , till length of dayes reunite him to his redeemer . hee hath plaid his part on this stage of earth with honour ; and now in his exit makes heaven his harbour . finis . an exact table , or directory , leading to the principall points contained in this booke , yovth . observat. . ovr youthfull yeares , our climactericall years ; with the dangers that attend on youthfull yeares ; seconded by an authentick story out of eusebius . p. . the vanity of youth displayed in foure distinct subjects . two reasons why young-men were not admitted to deliver their opinions in publike assemblies . . three violent passions incident to youth . two reasons why youth is naturally subject to those illimited passions of ambition , lust , revenge . ibid. especiall motives or incendiaries , tending to the increase of those passions . the proper postures of a compleate roarer . physicke prescribed , and receits applyed , to cure these maladies in youth . what choice imployments deserve entertainment from a gentleman . ib. disposition . observat. . the diversity of dispositions . pag. a probable judgement of our dispositions , drawne from the delights we affect , or company we frequent . passion the best discoverer of our disposition . ibid. discovery of dispositions in distempers . ib promotion held ever , mans best anatomy lecture . the disposition is not to be forced . what disposition ( being distinguished by three infallible markes ) is most generous : mildnesse . munificence . stoutnesse . the proper ayme or end whereto the actions of true resolution are directed : with the prudent observation of cortugall , one of the turkish princes , in his perswasive oration for the besiege of rhodes . edvcation . observat. . what education is . pag. education dilates it selfe to three subjects . ibid. our knowledge reflects upon two particulars . a profitable exhortation to all such as are drawne away by strange doctrine . two especiall errours incident to subiects of discourse ; affectation , imitation , whereof gentlemen are seriously cautioned . perswasion , being the life and efficacy of speech , consisteth on three parts . ibid the excellent morall of a bird , and a fowler . . immoderate passion , in arguments of discourse and reasoning , to be avoided education either improveth or depraveth . education , the best seasoner of action , as well as of speech , or knowledge : no lesse prevalent in arts manuall ; than actions martiall . ibid. & the admirable effects of education . ibid. how a gentleman may bee best enabled by education . ● education , the best seasoner of youth . vocation . observat. . the definition , necessity , and conveniencie of a vocation without personall exception or exemption . pag. . . vertue consists in action , time in revolution , the maze of mans life in perpetuall motion . pag. . l. three necessary considerations touching the conveniencie of a vocation ; divided and applyed . the efficacy of prayer in every vocation ; and the exercise thereof seriously recommended . ibid. we are to resist vices , by practising and doing acts of the contrary vertues . men of place , in respect of three distinct objects , are three wayes servants . . l. . men of place , of all others are least exempted from a vocation . . l. the ground of all novellisme . vocation in generall . the first invention of trades , arts , or sciences . the ancient borough of kendall ( upon serious discourse of manufacture ) worthily commended for their industry in wooll-worke : the judicious dutch-men of kes-wick , for their copper-worke . a serious survey and judicious display of all the liberall sciences . . the vocation of a gentleman in particular . the vocation of a gentleman hath imployment publike or private . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in publike affaires of state. ibid. how in chusing knights and burgesses of parliament , those are ever to be preferred , who seeke least after it : and how a too eager pursuit after offices , argues either arrogance , avarice , or weaknesse . ib. the life of man either active or contemplative . . l. . directions of reservancy , usefull to all gentlemen in their keeping of company . ibid. l. credulity , in two respects , dangerous to persons imployed in affaires of state. credulity in beleeving the relations of others . credulity in imparting his thoughts to the secrecy of others : shewed in a conceited story . . . resolution in suffering neither price to draw him , nor power to over-awe him : the one to taint him , nor the other to daunt him . disobedience punished in acts most successive . the holy war , as a consequent action of honour , recommended to the undertaking of all young gentlemen . . lin . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in publike affaires . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in private affaires . ibid. two perillous shelfes which endanger iustice. how iustice is to be poized equally . ibid. impunity the foster-mother of all impiety . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in his owne family . every family a private common-wealth . . marg . a gentleman is so to demeane himselfe in his family , as he neither hoord up niggardly , nor lash out lavishly . . l. he is to keepe a hanke of his bounty , lest too much profusenesse bring him to misery . ib. l. he is neither to be too remisse , nor too severe in his family . ibid. how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in spirituall affaires within his family . the exercise of devotion commended , a blessing thereon pronounced , if duly performed ; which blessing is on a precept and a promise grounded . . recreation . observat. . the difference of recreations . pag. of the moderate and immoderate use of recreation . the benefit redounding from moderate recreation . the inconveniences arising from immoderate recreation . the yeare of iubile defined and described . ib. objections against stage-playes , proposed and resolved . . what honours ancient and moderne times have conferred on poets , and what bounties for their poems . . what especiall subjects are privileg'd from i●sts . who the first comedian , who the first tragedian . ibid. a wofull example of a gentlewoman , who was a continuall frequenter of stage-playes . his vindication from a traducing opinion , conceived of him touching stage-playes . ib. mar . excesse of gaming reproved . cheaters displayed ; their humours experimentally decoloured , their habit , garbe , and formall insinuation discovered . ibid. young gamesters most subject to passion . a dolefull example of one that at game used imprecation . ibid. another moderne example covertly shadowed , of one who desperately surprized with distemper of losse , poysoned himselfe . ibid an excellent morall discourse of hunting . the story of the foole of millan , and his discourse with a falconer . of recreations best sorting with the quality of a gentleman . in exercises of recreation , those onely are most approved , by whom they are with least affectation performed , and with most freedome of mind embraced . . l. the misery of duello's . an accurate discourse of valour , and how in arguments of contest or challenge , a gentleman may come off with honour . a collection and election of histories . the knowledge of our owne moderne chronicles , most beneficiall to gentlemen . . history the sweetest recreation of the mind . the judgement of god inflicted upon the actors and authors of treason , sacriledge , &c. . what good morall men have flourished in evill times . . how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in recreation . prodigality condemned , moderation in expence , as well as in the exercise it selfe , commended . distinction of times for recreations , necessarily injoyned . no expence more pretious , then the expence of time . ibid. election of games for recreation : which conduce most to memory or retention ; which to pregnancy of conceit or apprehension . ibid. acquaintance . observat. . of the use of acquaintance . pag. mans security , the devils opportunity . . l. a display of some monasticke professors . ib. privacy no lesse perillous than society . ibid. the particular benefits derived from acquaintance , extend to discourse . advice . action . of the benefit wee reape by acquaintance in matters of discourse . ibid. of the choice of acquaintance in matters of advice . friendship resembled to the iuniper tree , whose wood is sweetest , shade coolest , and coal● hottest . ib. marg . of the benefit properly derived from one friend to another in every peculiar action . the expressive character of a reall friend . the benefits which redound from the mut●all union or communion of friends in the exercise of pleasure . all iests either festive or civill . ibid. those jests are best seasoned , that are least salted . a rule of infallible direction touching choice of acquaintance . ibid. of the choice or judicious approvement of acquaintance , in affaires of highest consequence . neither timist nor timonist are within the lists of acquaintance to be entertained . ib. the timist , or time-observer , displayed , and displaced . ibid. the timonist , or time-detracter , discovered and discarded . evil society the source of all sensuality . what directions are to bee observed in the choice of a wife . which branch hath proper relation to three choice characters , annexed to the end of this worke ; which characters are in some copies only annexed , and for some other observations hereafter reserved . the harsh and heremiticall conceit of the carthaginian arminius , touching mariage . ibid. the character of a shamelesse wanton . the character of a shamefast woman . advice in respect both of portion and proportion . . . &c. priviledges granted to such as are maried . nobility and affability hold equalli'st concurrency . ibid. l. sundry inducing motives to love recountèd . of constancy in the choice of acquaintance . who are best consorts to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . l. three faculties of the vnderstanding , with their objects . of reservancy towards acquaintance . a two-fold reservancy ; in reconciling our secrets . ibid. &c. in reteining our substance . an admirable story , clozing with an unexpected catastrophe , of a prodigall gentleman , and an unconscionable creditor . . &c. of the absolute end of acquaintance . all things by course of nature have their proper end , save only suits of law , which admit no end . ibid. l. a briefe survey of acquaintance , in city , court , and countrey . learning , the moving'st inducement and exquisitest ornament of acquaintance . ibid. &c. titles formerly conferred on such as were learned ibid. the absolute aime or end of acquaintance , is either to better them , or be bettered by them . especiall offices wherein friendship and acquaintance should be exercised . ibid. what gracious effects were produced by the friendly compassion of those faithfull instruments of gods glory , in the first conversion of this kingdome . . . the flourishing state of the church , amidst many hoary winters of innovation , turbulent times of persecution . . an excellent conclusive precept recommended to all young gentlemen . ib. & moderation . observat. . moderation defined . pag. our life a medley of desires and feares . ibid. moderation of princes in their contempt of soveraignty , illustrated by an example of one of our owne . otho's resolution , who by dying had rather prove himselfe a mortall creature , than by living , load himselfe with cares of an emperour . no vertue can subsist without moderation . a review of those maine assailants of temperance , lust , ambition , gorgeousnesse in apparell , luscious fare , company keeping , &c. illustrated by divers instances . . &c. what excellent fruits are derived from temperance . conquest of a mans affections , the greatest victory . chastity the choicest ornament of youth . ibid. a distinction of degrees , conjugall , viduall , virginall . a more particular display of cheaters , with their obsequious natures , &c. wherein moderation is to be used . expence of coine . expence of time . motives to hospitality with a reclaim of our gentry from the court to their countrey . three sorts of persons encountred and reproved for their abuse or carelesse expence of time , the ambitious . voluptuous . miserable-covetous . the ambitious mans designes aptly compared to domitians catching flies , or the misty conclusions of the deluded alchymist . the voluptuous libertine misse-imployeth time in two respects ; in respect of himselfe . in respect of those good creatures , ordained for the use and service of himselfe . ibid. the covetous wretches treasury , the store-house of his misery . nothing so terrible as the approach of death to a worldling . moderation of the passions of the mind , reduced to two subjects , ioy. sorrow . ibid. the christians ioy is no carnall but a spirituall ioy. his sorrow is not a sorrow unto sinne , but a sorrow for sinne . ibid. eye is made the sense of sorrow , because the sense of sin . wherein moderation is to be limited . the occasion of all immoderation derived from those three troubled springs : concupiscence of the flesh ; concupiscence of the eye ; pride of life . excellent rules prescribed for moderating cares of the flesh . ibid. the eye , as it is the tendrest and subtillest organ of all others , so should the object wheron it is fixed , be the purest and clearest of all others . the eagle an embleme of divine contemplation . ibid. the worldlings earthly honour resembled to the bird ibis , her filthy nature . ibid. the desperate fate of an inamoured italian . ibid. l. the proud luciferians of this world similized to the chamelion , who hath nothing in his body but lungs . . lin . promotion declares what men be ; instanced in cardinall woolsey . ibid. the power of prayer expressed by these three distinct characters : it is . gods honour ; mans armour ; the devils terrour . or thus , gods oblation ; mans munition ; the devils expulsion . which pious practise , as it is gods sacrifice , so should it be mans exercise . ibid. and absolute clozing direction tending to true moderation . ibid. of the accomplished end which attends moderation . ibid. the difference betwixt the ethnicke and christian ethicke , in the opinion of felicity . the exercise of moderation reduced to a three-fold practise ; overcomming of anger , by the spirit of patience . wantonnesse , by the spirit of continence . pride , by the spirit of lowlinesse . he who useth his tongue to filthy communication , incurs a three-fold offence : in dishonouring his maker . in blemishing his soules image or feature . in ministring matter of scandall to his brether ▪ wherein true content properly consisteth those two passions or affections of desire and feare ; desire of having more than we have ; feare of losing what wee already have , may be properly said to have a three-fold respect : to the goods or endowments of mind . ibid. body . ibid. fortune . ibid. no attendant more tenderly constant to a gentlemans reputation , than moderation . moderation the best monitor in advising and advancing him to the true title of honour . perfection . observat. . no perfection in this life absolute , but graduall . pag. two considerations of maine consequence : the foe that assaults us . the friend that assists us . the christians compleate armour . ibid. the first institution of fasts , with the fruit thereof . the power of prayer : with examples of such as were most conversant in that holy exercise . ibid. & circumstances observable in workes of charity and devotion . ibid. objections and resolutions upon the ground of perfection . . lin . . &c. of the contemplative part of perfection . a corollary betwixt the heathen and christian contemplation . examples of a contemplative and r●tired life . a three-fold meditation of necessary importance : worthinesse of the soule ; vnworthinesse of earth ; thankefulnesse unto god , who made man the worthiest creature upon earth . . &c. of the active part of perfection . no contagion so mortally dangerous to the body , as corrupt company is to the soule . two especiall memorials recommended to our devoutest meditations : the author of our creation . ib. the end of our creation ib. a foure-fold creation . . lin . the fabulous and frivolous opinions of foure heathen philosophers , ascribing the creation of all things to the foure elements . . l. their arguments evinced by pregnant testimonies , both of scriptures and fathers . ibid. the end of our creation . ibid. singular precepts of mortification . idlenesse begetteth security , properly termed the soules lethargy . a christian ephemerid●s ; or his evening account . ibid. the active part of perfection , preferr'd before the contemplative . no armorie can more truly deblazon a gentleman , than acts of charity and compassion . the active preferred before the contemplative , for two respects ; the first whereof hath relation to our selves ; the second to others . . ignorance is to be preferred before knowledge loosely perverted ; with a comparison by way of objection and resolution , betwixt the conveniences of action and knowledge . ibid. action is the life of man , and example the direction of his life . . lin . wherein the active part of perfection consisteth . active perfection consisteth in mortification of action and affection . mortification extends it selfe in a three-fold respect , to these three distinct subjects : life . name . goods . illustrated with eminent examples of christian resolution , during the ten persecutions . . not the act of death , but the cause of death makes the martyr . no action , how glorious soever , can bee crowned , unlesse it bee on a pure intention grounded . ibid. mortification in respect of name or report , is two-fold : in turning our eares from such as prayse us . in hearing with patience such as revile us . scandals distinguished : and which with more patience than others may bee tolerated . . . &c. mortification in our contempt of all worldly substance : pitching upon two markeable considerations by whom these blessings are conferr'd on us . how they are to bee disposed by us . vaine-glory shuts man from the gate of glory . an exquisite connection of the precedent meditations . the absolute or supreme end whereto this actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it solely resteth . singular patternes of mortification , in their contempt of life , and embrace of death . . the reason of his frequent repetition of sundry notable occurrences throughout this whole book : wherein sundry passages throughout this last edition have suffer'd in the obscurity of their expressions , by the omissions of their marginall authorities , digits or directions . the heart can no more by circumference of the world be confined , than a triangle by a circle filled . . lin though our feet be on earth , our faith must be in heaven . a pithy exhortation ; a powerfull instruction ; clozing with a perswasive conclusion . . a character intituled , a gentleman . the english gentlevvoman , drawne ovt to the full body : expressing what habilliments doe best attire her , what ornaments doe best adorne her , what complements doe best accomplish her . the third edition revised , corrected , and enlarged . by richard brathvvait esq. modestia , non forma . london , printed by i. dawson . . to her , whose trve love to vertve hath highly ennobled herselfe , renowned her sexe , honoured her house : the right honourable anne , countesse of pembroke ; the only daughter to a memorable father , george lord clifford , earle of cvmberland . the accomplishment of her divinest wishes . madam ; some moneths are past , since i made bold to recommend to my right honourable lord your husband , an english gentleman ; whom hee was pleased , forth of his noble disposition to receive into his protection . into whose most honourable service he was no sooner entertained , & upon due observance of his integrity approved ; then upon approvement of his more piercive judgement , hee became generally received . out of these respects , my most honourable lady , i became so encouraged , as i have presumed to preferre unto your service an english gentlewoman , one of the same countrey and family , a deserving sister of so generous a brother : or ( if you will ) a pleasing spouse to so gracious a lover . whom , if your honour shall be but pleased to entertaine ( and your noble candor is such , as shee can expect nothing lesse ) especially , seeing her exquisite feature takes life from his hand , whose family claimes affinity with your fathers house ; you shall find excellently graced with sundry singular qualities , beautified with many choice endowments , and so richly adorned with divers exquisite ornaments , as her attendance shall be no derogation to your honour , nor no touch to your unblemish'd selfe , to reteine her in your favour . the living memory of your thrice noble and heroick father , may justly exact this addressement of mine to his daughter : of whom my father sometimes held such neare dependance , being ever cheered by his countenance , and highly obliged to his goodnesse . this memoriall made mee confident of a patronesse ; and so much the rather , being to preferre a maid so complete and richly qualified , as shee could not chuse but deserve highly from the hand of so noble a mistresse . sure i am , the sweetnesse of her temper , sorts and sutes well with the quality or disposition of your honour : for shee loves without any painted pretences to be really vertuous , without any popular applause to be affably gracious , without any glorious glosse to bee sincerely zealous . her education hath so enabled her , as shee can converse with you of all places , deliver her judgement conceivingly of most persons , and discourse most delightfully of all fashions . shee hath beene so well schooled in the discipline of this age , as shee onely desires to reteine in memory that forme which is least affected but most comely ; to consort with such as may improve her knowledge and practise of goodnesse by their company ; to entertaine those for reall and individuate friends , who make actions of piety expressivest characters of their amity . diligent you shall ever find her in her imployments , serious in her advice , temperate in her discourse , discreet in her answers . shee bestowes farre more time in eying the glasse of her life , to rectifie her errors , if there be any , then the glasse of her face in wiping off such outward staines as might blemish her beauty . neither in preserving that , is shee altogether so remisse , as not to reteine that seemely grace in her feature , as may put her in remembrance of the unexpressive beauty and bounty of her maker . neate she goes usually in her attire , which shee puts on with more care then cost . and to these she addes such a well-seeming grace , as shee bestowes more beauty on them , then she receives from them . phantasticke habits or forraine fashions are so farre from taking her , as with a sleight but sweet contempt they are dis-valued by her . she wonders how a wise state should imploy so much time in inventing variety of disguises to disfigure their shape . this makes her desire rather to be out of request with time , then with a civill and well-composed mind ; whose honour it is to be prized more by her owne internall worth , then any outward weare . constant shee is in her behaviour ; wherein shee affects little , but observes much ; with a bashfull admiration shee smiles at these civilized simpring dames , whose onely glory it is to affect a kind of reserved state ; which , as they hold , consists principally in a mine'd speech , set looke , or ginger pace ▪ shee loves alwayes to bee her selfe , nor to entertaine ought which may estrange her from her selfe . so as , there is nothing in the whole posture of her behaviour , but with a native gracefull propriety doth infinitely become her . take upon her to instruct others , she will not , such is her humility ; albeit , every moving posture which comes from her , may be a line of direction unto others to follow her . complement she affects not , as the world takes it . the word in his owne native and unborrowed signification is good , and in that sense she admits it ; but to bee restrained to an inforced formality , shee cannot relish it . whence it is , that shee prefers the incomparable liberty of her mind , before the mutable formality of a deluded age . shee desires to bee compleat in the exercise of goodnesse ; to improve her honour not by titles but a lovely and lively proficience , graced with a continuate practise in all vertues . shee cannot indure this later introduc'd kind of complement , which consists in cringies , congies , or supple salutes . a cheerefull modesty is her best complement , which shee ever weares about her as her chiefest ornament . decency shee affects in her cloathes , affability in her discourse ; shee hath made a covenant with her eyes never to wander , nor intentively to bestow themselves on any other object than the glory of her maker . a proper personage is no such attractive motive to her eye , to make her loose her selfe . whatsoever shee undertakes beseemes her , because shee affects nought but what naturally becomes her . her beauty is her owne ; and whatsoever else may better accomplish her . her pathes are evenly vertuous ; her desires truly religious ; piety is her practise ; which shee expresseth so fully in every action ; as the whole course of her well-disposed life is not so much as justly conscious of the least aspersion . so highly shee values her estimation , as shee will not engage it to suspition . promises cannot tempt her , nor hope of advancement taint her . she wonders one should preferre a conceit of being great , before a desire of appearing good . protesting lovers shee holds for no better then deceiving lures . bee their vowes of service never so incessant , their assaults never so violent ; her resolves have vow'd her constant . hope of profit cannot surprize her , nor thought of pleasure vainely delude her . estimation shee holds her highest grace , with which untainted shee purposeth to goe to her grave . shee knowes how to fancie ; and in her she reteines what she fancies most ; a chaste soule : this is that shee loves , and with which shee cheerfully lives . shee was never yet acquainted with a passionate ah me ; nor a carelesse folding of her armes , as if the thought of a prevailing lover had wrought in her thoughts some violent distemper . so seriously doth shee taske her selfe to imployment , as shee never reserves so much time as to treat of so light a subject . yet she unfainedly vowes , that if it be ever her fortune to make her choice , her constant affection must never admit any change. to be generous in every action , hath beene ever the height of her ambition . howsoever she might boast of descent , her desire is to raise it by desert . shee holds , no family can be truly generous , unlesse it be nobly vertuous . her life must expresse the line from whence she came . she scornes to entertaine one thought below her selfe : or to detract from the glory of that house from whence she came . as the blood that streames through her veines was nobly derived , so must it not by any action or affection drawne from the rule of her direction , become corrupted . for honour , she admits it , but seldome or never admires it ; the staires by which shee meanes to clime to it , must be faire and firme , or shee will never mount them . she rather admires the ages folly ; while shee observes how many hazard their high-priz'd liberty , for a vading glimpse of popular glory . her desires are higher seated , where they are only to be sated . a secure state consists not in styles but vertues , which are honours surest stayes . therefore her highest honour reflects on her creator , wherein she is so farre from fearing , wherein she is so farre from fearing , as she is ever wishing more corrivals . this is the gentlewoman whom i have presumed here to present unto your ladiships service , whose sweet converse will at retired houres afford you choicest solace . neither should you ranke her amongst the lowest of your meney , will it displease her , such is her humility : for she hath learned as well to obey as command . nor will she spare for any paines , so her diligence may please . only ( madam ) be pleased to shine upon her with the gracious raies of your favour , to shrowd her bashfull endeavours under the wings of your honour ; and entertaine her blushing approach with your benigne censure . so shall you find a constant desire of requitall in her ; and engage him , whose intimate zeale to your honour recommended her , your ladiships devoted servant : richard brathwait . to the gentlevvoman reader . gentlevvomen : i have here presented unto your view one of your owne sexe ; one , whose improved education will bee no blemish but a beautie to her nation . peruse her , and i make little doubt , but you will so approve of her behaviour , as you shall acknowledge her right worthy the title of a sister . more shall you find in her , by freely conversing with her , than in those yovng but loose english gentlewomen , whose long mercinary prostitution upon the stall , hath brought them out of request , and made them grow too stale , by being exposed to publike sale. many countries hath shee coasted , sundry dangers accoasted , courts and cities hath shee frequented , to returne home better freighted , and re-convey the benefit of that fraught to this iland , where shee was first bred and now arrived . doe yee itch after fashion ? shee is for you ; yet not that , which the vanity of this age admits ; but what modesty onely affects . shee hath observed much in forraine courts , which deserv'd rather contempt than imitation ; this shee would not for a world introduce into a well-govern'd state ; so tender shee is of her fame , as no place nor person shall derive from her the least staine . whatsoever shee hath commendably seene , is no lesse fully than faithfully showne , and with that temporate style drawne , as in every line some one precept of vertue seemes to shine . neither in this her strict or serious observation of times , doth shee resemble those lamiae , who use to take their eyes with them when they goe abroad , but lye them aside when they come home : no ; so little doth shee favour her selfe , as shee preferres others censures before her owne ; and in no one particular so much expresseth her owne true glory , as in the constant practise of humility . hence it is , that shee is no curious pryer into others actions , nor too censorious a reproover of others directions : being , indeed , a tyresias in the eying or de●scrying of others errors , an argvs in her owne . what is good and amiable in the eye of vertue , shee embraceth with an affectionate tender ; making it her highest honour , to promote the glory of her maker . but lest by being too serious , shee might become tedious ; shee will not sticke to walke abroad with you into more pleasing groves or pastures of delight : where shee will converse with you of love , and intermixe her discourse with such time-beguiling tales , as variety shall no lesse sharpen your attention , then the modesty of her method beget admiration . every subject shee treats of , you shall find so equally tempered with profit and delight ; as the one shall no lesse benefit your mind , than the other solace your eare . shee can reprove without gall , blush without guilt , love without guile , live without gaine . her gaine is to purchase vertue more followers ; her guile , to deprive the world of her favourers ; her guilt , to defeat all vitious pioners ; her gall , to dis-relish all voluptuous practisers . shee can discourse of love without lightnesse ; converse with love without loosenesse ; and consort with those shee loves without lewdnesse . she knowes how to reteine a seemely state without pride ; to expresse her selfe praise-worthy without selfe-praise ; and in all her actions to make vertue her highest prize . humility , which is the princesse of vertues , the conqueresse of vices , the mirror of virgins , and crowne of christians , shee so much honours , as shee values it above all humane glory : whence it is , that shee hath ever reapt more spirituall profit by dis-esteeme then selfe-esteeme . day by day shee recreates her selfe in her garden of good-will ; and in her recreation , shee makes this her soule-solacing meditation : who bee they that neighbour neare mee , and whose weake estates stand in need of mee ? concluding with this charitable resolution : there is none so poore , but to my power i will relieve , so long as i live , for the honour of his image whom i love . shee divides her day into houres , her houres into holy taskes . employment takes away all occasions of distraction . should shee suffer a light or indisposed thought to worke upon her imagination : or give way to any such intruder to disturbe the peace of her inward house , shee would endure her selfe worse for many yeares , and inflict upon her extravagant affections such a censure , as might deterre them thenceforth to wander . shee distates none more than these busie house-wives , who are ever running into discourse of others families , but forget their owne . neither holds shee it sufficient to bee onely an house-keeper ; or , snayle-like , to bee still under roofe : shee partakes therefore of the pismire in providing , of the sareptan widow in disposing : holding ever an absent providence better then an improvident presence . shee is no common frequenter of publike feasts , but if neighbour-hood require it , shee will admit of it : wherein shee demeanes her selfe so civilly , as there is no discreet person but joyes in her society . there is nothing must beget in her a distemper , having ever a tender eye o're her honour . in the report of others praises shee is attentive , but deafe to her owne . bee shee in places of publike resort or privately retyr'd , shee ever enjoyes her selfe ; neither can excesse of birth transport her , or any crosse occurrent much perplexe her . there is nought that aliens her mind more from those with whom shee consorts , then an immodest discourse , which shee interrupts with a discreet anger . wheresoever shee sets her rest , she makes vertue her guest ; whom shee entertaines with so sweet an embrace , as nothing can divide them : so firme and inviolable is the league that is betwixt them . shee conceives no small delight in educating the young and unexperienced damsels of your sexe : wherein shee reteines an excellent faculty and facility . it shall not bee amisse therefore for you who have daughters , to recommend them to her direction , whose government is such , as neither her too much indulgence shall spoyle them ; nor restraint dull them . whatsoever shee in many yeares hath learned ( so desirous is shee to benefit where her observations may afford profit ) shee is willing to impart ; to the end shee may procure her more servants , whom shee religiously hath ever vow'd to serve . long hath shee beene a learner , neither is shee asham'd to bee so still . onely for vertues honour , is shee become a teacher ; that the younger may bee instructed by those that are elder ; the undisciplin'd by such as are riper . neither shall you find her show in performing what shee hath so perfectly learned : for her very life is a continued line of direction , being solely dedicated to a vertuous profession . saint cyprian did sharpely reprove a rich woman , for comming into the lords temple without her oblation : but this reproofe shee would bee loath justly to incurre : therefore shee goes better prepar'd , that her portion of glory may bee sooner shar'd : having an oblation in her hand , devotion in her heart , and a crowne of consolation in hope . you then , who love modesty , entertaine her ; for shee will sort well with your humour , and through her acquaintance improve your honour . for such , who sacrifice the morne to their glasse , the afternoone to the stage , and evening to revelling ; shee holds no correspondence with them . these shee holds for no imployments ; nor the professors of them worthy her knowledge . they must not abuse time , that are commended to her trust . shee is not so weary of time , neither doth shee so disvalue it , as with such impertinences to consume it . those likewise , who preferre fashion before decency , formall punto'es before reall formality , and will suffer themselves to bee deluded by vanity ; they must not bee admitted into her family . shee hath learned better things than to foole her selfe in a painted disguise ; or to labour of that vniversall disease , which the corruption of a full and florishing state usually produceth . shee hath learned with that better sister , to chuse the better part . constant bee her purposes , contentment her desires , consonant her delights . bee it then your honour to bee informed by her ▪ seeing her instructions are equally mixt with profit and pleasure . now if you object , that shee hath beene too slow in comming , seeing her gentleman so long since arrived ; heare mine answer ; and suspend your censure , by imputing this fault to our english error : where venus is longer in trimming , than mars in training : though hee too , in these distracted times , hath beene too slow in marching . many provisions were required by her , before the world were to bee possessed of her . much likewise expected from her , before the world had knowledge of her ; this made her the longer to retire , that shee might profit the more in her returne . may you , gentlewomen , bee the instance of it ; so shall both the author and his labour rejoyce in it . to draw then to a conclusion , lest my por●ell rise too high for my building ; as you are not to expect from her any guga-tyres , toyes , or trifles ; love-sented gloves , amorous potions , perfumed pictures , or love-sicke pouders ; so shee doubts not , but to find in you an eare , prompt to attention ; a tongue , cleare of invection ; a spirit , free from detraction : with an heart apt to harbour affection . now for the volume , i had purposely made it more portable , that it might become your more sociable follower ; had not my observation told mee , that albeit amiablenesse consist in a lovely feature , the goodlinesse of a gentlewoman rests in her comely stature . vertue can never bee showne in too large a volume : nor vice scantled by too small a proportion . ample iliads are too strait for the one : little models too large for the other . besides , this corresponded better with the portraiture of the english gentleman , her affianc'd lover . for the margin , i have not charg'd it with many notes , lest you should neglect the garment , by being taken too much with the border . improve it to your best profit , and let god have the glory of it . the english gentlevvoman . argument . the necessity of apparell ; of the vse and abuse of apparell ; two meanes by which the vse may bee inverted to abuse ; that apparell most comely , which confers on the wearer most native beauty , and most honour on her countrey . apparell . had adam never committed sinne , he had never needed figge-leaves , to cover his shame . sinne made him fly to the grove for shelter , and shame compelled him to play the artlesse tayler , and through meere necessity to make him a cover . well enough was he before that time attyred , albeit naked : and so happily stated , as wee are to imagine , that ignorance kept him not from the knowledge of his nakednesse , but that his originall purity freed him from these necessities . but no sooner was the forbidden fruit tasted , then poore adam became tainted , his nakednesse discovered ; so as now for honour of modesty , hee must of necessity betake himselfe to that science , whereto ( being free till that time ) hee was never bound apprentice . his inhibited taste made him sensible ( and therein more miserable ) of what before hee felt not . no distemperature of cold or heat could before that time annoy him . now his failing in performing what he ought , brings him to a feeling of that hee never knew . now tender eve , whose temperate repose ministred her all content in a sweet and cheerfull arbour , with all the varieties and delicacies of nature , feels a shaking and shivering in her joynts : such a strange distemper hath the tast of an apple wrought in her . she must fit her selfe then to endure that with patience , which shee procur'd to her selfe and second selfe , through disobedience ; and put on what before she needed not , a vaile to cover her nakednesse , and subject her selfe to these necessities . it is true , that cloathing keeps the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the naturall heat of the body ; and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre . all creatures enter the world sheelded and shrouded , save onely poore man , who enters lists naked . tender and delicate h● is by nature ; more subject to prejudice by distemper , then any other creature . now to fence himselfe against all occurrents , and the better to endure all intemperate violence , the divine providence hath accommodated it selfe to his necessity , from the very first entrance of his infancy : yet were it fit , when hee reflects upon himselfe thus decked and attired , to recall to mind the prime occasion of these necessities . so equally tempered was the ayre where hee first breathed ; so farre from the distemper of heat or cold freed ; with such variety of all delights stored ; as then in all happinesse hee seem'd to bee stated : but presently after his fall , began these to faile . that soyle , which before was naturally fruitfull , became wild without manuring : those rivers , which before were purely relishing and delighting , became muddy , brackish , and distasting : yea , that ayre , which before was ever sweetly and temperately breathing , became unseasonably scorching or freezing . necessity then hath provided for adam and his collapsed posterity a coat , to shroud them from the inclemency of all seasons . and whence came this necessity , but from sinne ? to glory then in these necessities , is to glory in sinne : which were , as if some grave capitall offender , having committed high treason against his soveraigne , should , notwithstanding , out of a princely clemency be pardoned ; yet with this condition , that hee should weare a cord or halter about his necke during his life , to put him in remembrance of his disloyalty and treason : in which badge , this frontlesse traytor should pride himselfe more , then if it were some ancient crest of honour . reflect then upon the originall source of your sorrow , eve , yee daughters of eve. ambition prompted her to sin , sin brought her to shame , shame to her shroud . meere necessity compelled her to weare what before shee knew not , and to provide her selfe of that which before shee needed not . how is it then , that these rags of sinne , these robes of shame , should make you idolize your selves ? how is it , that yee convert that which was ordained for necessity , to feed the light-flaming fuell of licentious liberty ? was apparell first intended for keeping in naturall heat , and keeping out accidentall cold ? how comes it then that you weare these thinne cobweb attires , which can neither preserve heat , nor repell cold ? of what an incurable cold would these butterfly-habits possesse the wearer , were pride sensible of her selfe ? sure , these attires were not made to keepe cold out , but to bring cold in . no necessity , but meere vanity , introduced these pye-coloured fopperies amongst us . vnvaile many of our light curtezans , whose brothell practice hath reft them of the ornament of a woman , and you will find a strange metamorphosis ; venus armata turn'd to venus calva : wee say there is no good congruity in a proud heart and a beggers purse : why should wee then pride our selves in that which displayes our beggery ? before wee had cloathes , wee wanted nothing ; having cloathes , wee stand in need of all things . primitive purity exempted us from these necessities ; originall impurity subjected us to these necessities . cold wee grew in charity , cold in every christian duty ; garments then stood wee in need of , to shroud us against the tempest of a benummed conscience . these habits then , it appeares , were ordained , at first , for necessity to shield us : vanity had not then set invention on worke , nor the age sent her phantasticks abroad to trafficke with forraine fashions . winter made choyce of his garment to fit the season ; so did summer , without an affected singularity , fit him to a seasonable fashion . they stood not much either upon colour or curious border ; temperate heat they desired to reteine , intemperate to repell ; cold to keepe out , naturall warmth to keepe in . this was that ancient times intended ; this was all that they affected . necessity enforced them to doe what they did ; otherwise , i am perswaded , they had not beene , to this day , made . those then that esteeme more of apparell , how gorgeous soever , then of a worke of necessity , detract from their owne glory , to sute themselves in stuffes of vanity . there is nothing in its owne nature so absolutely good , but it may bee corrupted ; what was at first intended for some good vse , if perverted , declines into some apparant abuse . now , gentlewomen , ( for to you i direct this discourse ) would you observe the right use , and divert in no particular from the ordinance of apparell ; modesty must be your guide , vertuous thoughts your guard , so shall heaven be your goale . when the roman princes , in their conquests , or triumphant honours , were with acclamations and vollies of salutes received , by the generall applause of the people extolled , and in their triumphall eber or chayre of state seated ; there stood alwayes one behind them in their throne , to pull them by the sleeve with this memoriall ; remember thou art mortall . a more usefull memoriall you cannot have , then these robes you weare , of your owne frailty nor a more effectuall motive to humility . had not sinne worne you out of gods favour , and rest you of your native splendour , you had never worne these habits , signals of your dishonour . i commend her for the good use which shee made of her apparell , who never eyed her garment , but shee watred it with a teare , remembring what necesities her ambitious thoughts had brought her to : for by aspiring to know more then shee did , shee became deprived of that excellent beauty which shee had . patternes likewise of modesty you may bee , and herein singularly usefull by your examples , unto others of your sexe . nor can you possibly expresse it better , then in observing that divine precept , by learning how to array your selves in comely apparell , with shame-fastnesse and modesty , not with broided haire , or gold , or pearles , or costly apparell ; but , as becommeth women that professe the feare of god. for even after this manner in time past did the holy women , which trusted in god , tire themselves . here is a prescript forme by way of direction , for your habit . choicer ornaments you cannot have to adorne you ; nor any fashion that will better seeme you . where you walke , you may enjoy your selves freed from light eyes , gazing and admiring vanity : your very habit is your testate to witnesse for you : loose thoughts nestle not in your bosome , nor doe wandring distractions surprise your breast : you have learned to your highest solace , even in every motion , action , posture , gesture , to observe modesty , as an ornament to honour . for , seeing that the very habit of the mind may bee best discerned and discovered by the state or carriage of the body , the disposition of the body by the habit ; to avoid scandall , and retaine that christian opinion which every one ought to preserve , wee are to make choyce of that attire , which confers most seeming gravity on us . this the very heathen , whose best direction was mortality , were carefull of : for in the use of apparell , they reteined such constant course , as they held it the greatest blemish they could asperse upon their nation , to introduce any new or exoticke fashion , either to effeminate the dispositions of their people , or to derogate from the honour of their memorable predecessours ; whose model was their direction in habit , and all other observable customes . what a simple , honest rusticity our ancestors reteined in their weare , might bee easily discerned , if wee should make recourse to one of their ancient wardroves ; where antiquity may prescribe for many ages , and constantly second what antiquity had introduced . yea , so observant were former times of those fashions which preceding ages had recommended to them , as they held it ominous to innovate , or bring in any new forme , even in matters of indifferency . when darius had altered the fashion of his sword , which used to bee persian , into the forme of the macedonian ( in the yeare immediately before hee fought with alexander ) the chaldees or sooth-sayers prophecied , that into what fashion as darius had altered his sword , time would reduce his state ; and that the persian glory was drawing towards her last period , by subjecting herselfe to the soveraignty of macedon . which prediction was soone confirmed by the next yeeres conquest . but tell mee , yee curious dames , who hold it a derogation to your honour , to entertaine ought that is vulgar ; whereto were cloathes first ordained , but to cover that nakednesse which sinne brought , and to skreene that shame which the effect of sinne first wrought ? the use of apparell is not to dignifie the wearer , or adde more beauty to the creature . sure i am , that a judicious eye , who measures dignity by desert , scornes to preferre the case before the instrument , the rinde before the pith. those who are worthy to bee your iudges , will determine your worth by what there is in you , not by what you weare on you . let may-games and morrices beautifie themselves with anticke dressings , to captivate the vulgar eye ; your breeding hath beene better , your judgements clearer , your observations wiser , than to stoope to such base lures . our life consists in the perfection or temperate infusion of naturall or radicall humour , or in the conservation of naturall heate : to preserve this , to increase that , nature hath provided meanes inward and outwards . to invert the use , is to pervert the ordinance it selfe : so use the outward , that you darken not the inward ; so dispose of the inward , that it may rectifie the outward . reflect on antiquity , yet no farther then may suit with the decency of the age , wherein you live . i am not ignorant , how many fashions formerly used , would in this age deserve rather derision than approvement . and that the infancy of the world had many shapes , as then but onely in their embrio or rather conception , which succeeding times , accommodated by more exquisite artists , brought afterwards to perfection . vse your habit as an ornament of decency ; let it not have the least edging of vanity . many eyes are fixed on you , sundry motives of imitation are derived from you . send not out one fruitlesse sigh for any phantasticke fashion which you see : they cannot bee sighes of compassion , that are sent meerely out for fashion . sigh rather that your country should labour of so vaine a birth , as to preferre forraine inventions before the ornament of a maiden i le , constant modesty . spend not a fruitlesse houre in an unprofitable garnish of corruption : vse these outward dressings as if you did not use them : let them bee rather your scorne than your pride ; your contempt than content . bee those curious cases of mortality decked or dawbed with never so much adulterate beauty , they cannot conferre upon themselves one beameling of lasting glory . looke upon those poore bases of frailty , your feet , what a tinkling they make , to partake of a lascivious meeting in privacy : eye those rising mounts your displayed breasts , with what shamelesse art they wooe the shamefast passenger : view those wandring lamps , how they rove abroad , as if they would flye out of their lodges , and spheare themselves in some amorous orbe . call them home , lest , dinah-like , they lose themselves by straying , impeach their honour by wandring , bring themselves woe by their lascivious wooing . affect no fashion that may beget in your generous bosomes a light thought ; contemne that fashion which detracts from the native beauty of the feature , or which brings it to that admiration of the creature , as it makes it forgetfull of the creator . o how contemptible a thing is man ( the word may reflect equally upon either sexe ) if hee erect not his thoughts above man ! what a poore use makes that miserable creature of his being here , who bestowes so much time in the tyring-house , as hee forgets what part hee is to play on the stage ? o consider the preciousnesse of time ! it is all that may bee properly s●id ours . neither can wee terme that portion of time which wee call ours , yeares , or dayes , or houres : a moment is our portion , and the commandingst emperour hath no larger proportion . of which moment , whatsoever is past , is not now : and whatsoever is to come , is not yet . eye then your houre-glasse , vye in teares with graines of sand . bestow not this little scantling , this moment shorter than nothing , in too curiously attiring of vanity , but in meditating of your owne frailty , and redeeming the time you have lost in security . as apparell was ordained for necessity , use it with christian civility . in observing this , you make the use good , which shall hereafter redound to your greater gaine . o but the misery and levity of this age is such , as that becomes generally least affected , which adornes us most ; that valued most , which beseemes us least . time was indeed , and may that time once reshine upon us , when the onely flower to bee loved of women , was a native red , which was shamefastnesse . the face knew not then what painting was , whose adulterate shape takes now acquaintance from the shop . then were such women matter of scandall to christian eyes , which used painting their skinne , powdring their hayre , darting their eye . our commerce with forraine nations was not for fashions , feathers and follies . there was distinction in our attires ; differences of ranks and qualities ; a civill observance of decent habits ; which conferred no lesse glory on our ile at home , than victorious mannagements by the prowesse of our inhabitants did abroad . if wee reflect on them , wee must of necessity blush at our selves ; seeing , what wee have received for use , wee have converted to abuse . that distinction which decency found out for habits virile and feminine , what commixture hath it found in latter times ? what neare resemblance and relation hath womans to mans : suting their light feminine skirts with manlike doublets ? semiramis , that victorious princesse , commanded all to weare tyres upon their heds , and to put upon them womans apparell without distinction , that shee might reigne securely without exception : thus the comely habit of modesty became a pretended vaile to an usurped soveraignty . a feminine regiment occasion'd this ornament : invention then became a project of policy , and found no head to looke out from a light balcone or prospect of vanity ; but these succeding times have tyred our women with tyres ; translating them to a plume of feathers . fashion is now ever under faile : the invention ever teeming , phantasticke wits ever breeding . more time spent how to abuse time , and corrupt licentious youth , than how to addresse employment for the one , or to rectifie the distempers of the other . take a survey of all degrees , and tell me what uniformity you finde in this particular . and to make instance in three severall places ( for to these all others may have proper relation ) take a more precise and punctuall perusall of city , court , and countrey ; and returne me a briefe of your survey . in the first , you shall finde many grave matrons , modest maids , devont widdowes : but are these all ? no ; with these you shall finde a strangely mixt generation : some affecting nothing more than what is most novell and phantasticke : others envying what they disdainfully see in others ; which fashion rather than they will misse , they will not sticke to set their honour at sale : all , or most , true biantines , carrying all their wealth about them . for the second , you shall find , amongst many other plants of promising growth and excellent proficience , sundry sweet-sented sprigs of cynnamon , whose rinde is worth all the body . no discourse can rellish their formall palate , but fashion ; if eves kirtle should bee now showne them , how they would geere their grandam ? for the last , though it bee long ere they creepe into forme , having once attain'd it , they can take upon them as unbeseeming a state in a countrey pew , as if they were ladies for that yeare , and had beene bred in the art of mincing since their childhood ▪ but what are these , but such , whose expence of time is scarcely valued ? sacrificing more houres to their looking-glasse , than they reserve minutes to lament their defects . such , whose vertuous thoughts never harbour the least conceit that may betray their honour , or deprave those more noble parts wherewith they are indowed ; scorne to drowne their better part in these dregs of sensuality . vertue is their attendant , honour their object , all inferiour delights their lowest subjects . day by day have these their taske imposed , that the poyson of sloath may bee better avoyded : no day passeth without a line , no action without a limit : observing the course of that vertuous mirror , of whom it is said , in distinct houres she did divide the day , to walke , to worke , to meditate , and pray . much different from this pious resolution , was that libertines impious conclusion , who held that none could bee frequently devout in prayer , and fashionably decent in attire . shee bestowed too much time on her glasse , to reserve any for her lampe . pride had exiled her zeale ; delicacy of habit , sanctity of heart . her day might bee easily divided : shee bestowed the forenoone on her skinne , the afternoone on a play , clozing her evening lecture with a reere supper : and this was her christian taske . miserable is the condition of that creature , who , so her skin bee sleake , cares not if her soule bee rough : so her outward habit bee pure and without blemish , values little her inward garnish . such an one hath made a firme contract with vanity , clozing her contemptuous age with a fearefull catastrophe . thus farre have wee discoursed of the effect or abuse it selfe , wee are now to treat of those two sources , from whence these abuses properly arise ; to wit , delicacy in being more curious in our choyce of apparell than necessity or decency doth require ; secondly , superfluity , in storing more variety and change of rayments than either nature needs , or reason would admit , were shee not transported with a sensuall affection , by giving way to what unbounded appetite requires . in the search of any minerall , wee are first to digge for the veine : and in the curing of any malevolent effect , wee are duely and seriously to inquire the producing cause , that by stopping the spring or source , wee may stay the violence of the streame . wee are then to insist of those two precedent means , by which the use may bee inverted to abuse ; and that which of it selfe is approveable , if observed with decency , becomes justly reprehensible by corrupting so necessary and consequent an use , either by delicacy , which weakens and effeminates the spirit , or by superfluity , which ever darkens the beameling of reason with the cloud of sense . reproofe touching apparell may bee occasioned from foure respects : first , when anyone weareth apparell above their degree , exceeding their estate precious attire . whence it is that gregory saith ; there bee some who are of opinion , that the weare of precious or sumptuous apparell is no sinne : which if it were no fault , the divine word would never have so punctually expressed , nor historically related , how the rich man , who was tormented in hell , was cloathed with purple and silke . whence wee may note , that touching the matter or subject of attire , humane curiosity availeth highly . the first stuffe or substance of our garments , was very meane ; to wit , skinne with wooll , whence it is wee read , that god made adam and his wife coats of skinnes , that is , of the skinnes of dead beasts . afterwards ( see the gradation of this vanity derived from humane singularity ) they came to pure wooll , because it was lighter than skinnes . after that to rindes of trees , to wit , flax. after that to the dung and ordure of wormes , to wit , silke . lastly , to gold and silver , and precious stones . which preciousness of attire highly displeaseth god. for instance whereof ( which the very pagans themselves observed ) we read that the very first among the romans , who ever wore purple , was strucke with a thunder-bolt , and so dyed suddenly , for a terror and mirror to all succeeding times , that none should attempt to lift himselfe proudly against god in precious attire . the second point reprehensible is , softnesse or delicacy of apparell : soft cloathes introduce soft mindes . delicacy in the habit , begets an effeminacy in the heart . iohn baptist , who was sanctified in his mothers wombe , wore sharpe and rough garments . whence wee are taught , that the true servant of god is not to weare garments for beauty or delight , but to cover his nakednesse ; not for state or curiosity , but necessity and convenience . christ saith in his gospel , they that are clad in soft rayments , are in kings houses . whence appeareth a maine difference betwixt the servants of christ , and of this world . the servants of this world seeke delight , honour , and pleasure in their attire : whereas the servants of christ so highly value the garment of innocence , as they loath to staine it with outward vanities . it is their honour to put on christ iesus ; other robes you may rob them of and give them occasion to joy in your purchase . the third thing reproveable is , forraine fashions : when wee desire nothing more than to bring in some outlandish habit different from our owne ; in which respect ( so apishly-anticke is man ) it becomes more affected than our owne . against such the lord threatneth , i will visit the princes and the kings children , and all such as are cloathed with strange apparell . which strange apparell is after divers fashions and inventions , wholly unknowne to our ancestors . which may appeare sufficiently to such , who within this , or , or . yeares never saw such cutting , carving , nor indenting as they now see . the fourth thing reproveable is , superfluity of apparell , expressed in these three particulars : first , in those who have divers changes and suits of cloaths ; who had rather have their garments eaten by moaths , than they should cover the poore members of christ. the naked cry , the needy cry , the shreekingly complaine unto us , how they miserably labour and languish of hunger and cold . what availes it them that wee have such changes of rayments nearly plaited and folded ; rather than wee will supply them , they must bee starved ? how doe such rich moath-wormes observe the doctrine of christ when hee saith in his gospel ; he that hath two coats let him give one to him that hath none ? secondly , wee are to consider the superfluity of such who will have long garments purposely to seeme greater : yet , which of these can adde one cubit to his stature ? this puts me in remembrance of a conceited story which i have sometimes heard , of a diminutive gentleman , who demanding of his tayler , what yards of sattin would make him a suite , being answered farre short in number of what hee expected : with great indignation replied , such an one of the guard to my knowledge had thrice as much for a suite and i will second him . which his tayler with small importunacy condescended to , making a gargantua's suite for this ounce of mans flesh , reserving to himselfe a large portion of shreads , purposely to forme a fitter proportion for his ganimede shape . the third superfluity ariseth from their vanity , who take delight in wearing great sleeves , mishapen elephantine bodies , traines sweeping the earth , with huge poakes to shroud their phantasticke heads , as if they had committed some egregious fact which deserved that censure : for in the easterne countries it hath beene usually observed , that such light women as had distained their honour , or laid a publike imputation on their name , by consenting to any libidinous act , were to have their heads sow'd up in a poake , to proclaime their shame , and publish to the world the quality of their sinne . now to insist more punctually on that effeminatour both of youth and age , delicacy of apparell ; i would have our daughters of albion , reflect upon themselves , those poore shells of corruption : what a trimming and tricking they bestow on their brittle houses . petrarch's advice was , that wee should not be afraid though our out-houses , these structures of our bodies , were shaken , so our soules , the guests of our bodies , fared well . whereas contrariwise , these , whose onely care is to delude the outward appearance with a seeming faire , so they may preserve the varnish , disvalue the foundation . o may this folly be a stranger to our nation ! to allay which fury , attemper which frenzie , i hold no receipt more soveraigne , then to enter into a serious meditation of your frailty : as first to consider , what you were before your birth ; secondly , what from your birth to your death ; lastly , what after death . if you reflect upon the first , you shall find that you have beene , what before you were not , afterwards were what now you are not ; first made of vile matter ( see the embleme of humane nature ) wrapped in a poore skin , nourished in an obscure place , your coate the second skinne , till you came to a sight of the sunne , which you entertained with a shreek , implying your originall sinne . thus attired , thus adorned came you to us ; what makes you then so unmindfull of that poore case wherein you came among us ? hath beauty , popular applause , youthfull heate , or wealth taken from you the knowledge of your selves ? derive your pedigree , and blush at your matchlesse folly , that pride should so highly magnifie it selfe in dust , or glory most in that which brings with it the most shame . why doe you walke with such haughty necks ? why doe you extoll your selves so highly in these tabernacles of earth ? attend and consider ; you were but vilde corrupted seed at the first ; and now fuller of pollution then at the first . entring the world with a shreeke to expresse your ensuing shame , you became afterwards exposed to the miseries of this life and to sinne ; in the end wormes and wormes meat shall you be in the grave . why then are you proud , yee dusty shrines , yee earthen vessels , seeing your conception was impurity , birth misery , life penalty , death extremity ? why doe yee embellish and adorne your flesh with such port and grace ; which within some few dayes wormes will devoure in the grave ? meane time you neglect the incomparable beauty of your soules . for with what ornaments doe ye adorne them ? with what sweet odours or spirituall graces doe yee perfume them ? with what choyce flowers of piety and devotion doe yee trim them ? what habits doe yee prepare for them , when they must bee presented before him who gave them ? how is it that yee so dis-esteeme the soule , preferring the flesh before her ? for the mistresse to play the handmaid , the handmaid the mistresse , is a great abuse . there can be no successe in that family , where the houshold is managed so disorderly . o restraine your affections , limit your desires , beare an equall hand to the better part ! the building cannot stand unlesse you remove the rubbish from the foundation . the soule in the body is like a queene in her palace . if you would then have this little common-wealth within you to flourish , you must with timely providence suppresse all factious and turbulent molesters of her peace : your passions , especially those of vaine glory , must bee restrained ; motives to humility cherished ; chaste thoughts embraced ; all devious and wandring cogitations excluded ; that the soule may peaceably enjoy her selfe , and in her palace live secured . whereto if you object , that this is an hard lesson ; you cannot despise the world nor hate the flesh ; tell mee where are all those lovers of the world , cherishers of the flesh , which not long since were among us ? nothing now remaineth of them but dust and wormes consider diligently ( for this consideration will be a counterpoize to all vaine-glory ) what they now are , and what they have beene . women they were as you are : they have eat , drunke , laughed , spent their dayes in jollity , and now in a moment gone downe to hell . here their flesh is apportioned to wormes , there their soules appointed to hell fire : till such time as being gathered together to that unhappy society , they shall be rowled in eternall burnings , as they were before partakers with them in their vices . for one punishment afflicteth , whom one love of sinne affecteth . tell mee , what profiteth them their vaine-glory , short joy , worldly power , pleasure of the flesh , evill got wealth , a great family , and concupiscence arising carnally ? where now is their laughter ? where their jests ? where their boasting ? where their arrogance ? from so great joy , how great heavinesse ? after such small pleasure , how great unhappinesse ? from so great joy they are now fallen into great wretchednesse , grievous calamity , unsufferable torments . what hath befallen them , may befall you ; being earth of earth , slime of slime : of earth you are , of earth you live , and to earth you shall returne . take this with you for an infallible position in these your cottages of corruption : if you follow the flesh , you shall be punished in the flesh : if you bee delighted in the flesh , you shall be tormented in the flesh : for by how much more your flesh is cockered in this world with all delicacy ; by so much more shall your soules bee tormented in hell eternally . if you seeke curious and delicate rayments , for the beauty and bravery of your rayments shall the moath bee laid under you , and your covering shall be wormes . and this shall suffice to have beene spoken touching delicacy of apparell : wee are now to descend briefly to the second branch , superfluity ; whereof wee intend to discourse with that brevity , as the necessity of the subject , whereof wee treat , shall require , and the generality of this spreading malady may enforce . divine is that saying , and well worthy your retention : the covetous person before hee gaine loseth himselfe , and before hee take ought is taken himselfe . he is no lesse wanting to himselfe in that which he hath , than in that which he hath not . he findes that he lost not , possesseth that he owes not , detaines that he ought not , & hates to restore what he injuriously enjoyes . so unbounded is the affection , or rather so depraved is the avaritious mans inclination , as he cannot containe his desires within bounds , not enter parley with reason , having once slaved his better part to the soveraignty of a servile affection . this may appeare even in this one particular . food and rayment are a christians riches : wherein hee useth that moderation , as hee makes that apostolicall rule his christian direction ; having food and rayment , i have learned in all things to bee contented . but how miserably is this golden rule inverted , by our sensuall worldling ? competency must neither bee their cater in the one , nor conveniency their tayler in the other . their table must labour of variety of dishes , and their wardrobe of exchange of raiments . no reason more probable than this of their naked insides , which stand in need of these superfluous additaments . what myriads of indisposed houres consume these in beautifying rotten tombes ! how curious they are in suiting their bodies , how remisse in preferring their soules suit to their maker ! how much they are disquieted in their choyce , how much perplexed in their change , how irresolute what they shall weare , how forgetfull of what they were ! this edging suits not , that purle sorts not , this dressing likes not : off it must after all bee fitted , and with a new exchange , lesse seemely , but more gaudy suited . the fashion that was in prime request but yesterday , how it begins to dif-rellish the wearer , as if it had lost the beauty by unseasonable weather ; thus is fashion fallen into a quotidian fever : see our completest fashion-mongers , how much they tyre themselves with their attiring , how they trouble themselves with their trimming ! had wee more new exchanges erected , we should have them plenteously peopled , and with such variety of feminine fancies stored , that invention should sooner lose her spirit , then our phantastick dames their appetite . and to take a fuller view of vanity , that pride may blush at her owne formality ; observe what babies , most of our fashion affecters bee ! rare trinkets they have got , to improve their projectors gaine ; yet having wonne them , they know not how to weare them . a forraine tyre-woman must have a constant pension , to put this love-bespotted idol into a more complete fashion . it seemes wonderfull to me , that they are not wholly crushed , with that onerous burthen with which they are pressed . what a shop of guga nifles hang upon one backe ? here the remainder of a greater worke , the reliques of ancient manor converted to a pearle chaine . there the moity of an ill-husbanded demaine reduced to a carknet . long traines must sweepe away long acres : the epidemicall vanity of this age doth exact it ; and shee is held least worthy affecting , that doth least affect it . what ? sayes my delicate madam ; is it for one of my ranke or descent to affect what is vulgar ? how then should i become popular ? i confesse , wee are all composed of one earth , yet is there to bee presupposed a difference in our birth . were it fitting that i should fall off , either from that delicacy which is generally approved , or that variety which is by our more generous formalists applauded ? what availes a mighty fortune to a miserable disposer ? or brave meanes , where a base mind is the dispenser ? apparell must be with delicacy sorted , variety suited , or the dignity of the person , be it never so conspicuous , will be obscured . admit variety be meere superfluity , at worst it is but the ages vanity ; which is such an universall malady , as it pleads exemption without farther apology . whereto i answer ; it is true , the age labours of this disease , where the eye becomes a determiner of our worth , by the outward habit which wee weare : it reflects not on what is in us , but what is on us . shee is not to be accounted a court visitant , who restraines her selfe either in her choyce of delicacy , or variety of habit . what then ? shall a vitious or effeminate age deprave your judgement ? or a corrupt time deprive you of judgement ? no ; you have more absolute perfections within you , than to be blemished with these imperfections which you too frequently carry about you . the more you display your pye-coloured flagge of vanity , the more lures you throw out of loosest liberty ; the more foments you use of soule-soyling delicacy , the deeper lodging you bespeake your selves in the lake of eternall misery . to such i onely speake , who , so they may furnish themselves of a dainty artist , to teach them how to dye well , make it the least of their care how to live well . these who love to dye their haire , but never change the dye of their corrupted heart : these will not stick with frontlesse impudence to boulster their depraved liberty ; they may be , without controule , dispensers and disposers of their owne . this variety and delicacy wherein they expresse themselves by an especiall marke of distinction from others , they derive it from the affluence of their owne fortunes , and not from others : which being so justly enjoyed , and without injury , admits no exception in all probability . whereto i reply , with the words of a divine father , art not thou , whosoere thou bee , a robber , who hast received goods as a steward or dispenser , and entitlest thy selfe selfe the impropriator or owner ? for what faire glozes or pretences soever thou makest for thy selfe , to gild thy shame , or mince thy sinne , it is the bread of the needy , which thou with-holdest ; the coat of the naked , which in thy chest thou storest ; the shooes of the bare-foot , which with thee lye rotting ; the coyne of the begger , which with thee lyes moulding . away then with these superfluous dressings ; you see daily objects of your charity , bring out your wardrobe , and cloath the naked . that which you so prodigally spent upon your selves , convert it to the more glorious attiring of your naked soules . see that your kings daughter bee all glorious within , that the king of kings may take pleasure in her . let not so precious an image bee defaced , so specious a virgin defiled , so glorious a creature dishonoured . instead of delicy , decke your selves modestly ; instead of superfluity , out of your variety communicate freely to others necessity . wee are now to descend briefly to the last branch of this first observation , declaring , how , that apparell is most comely , which confers on the wearer most native beauty , and most honour on her countrey . as that is ever held most generous which is least affected , most genuine which is least forced ; so there is nothing which confers more true glory on us , then in displaying our owne countries garbe by that wee weare upon us . the crow in the fable was sharpely taxed for her borrowed feathers : the fable , though it spoke of a crow , the morall pointed at a man. habit ( wee say ) is a custome ; why should it bee our custome to change our habit ? with what constancy some other nations observe their native attire , histories , both ancient and moderne , will sufficiently informe us . nothing is held more contemptible with them , then apishly to imitate forraigne fashions : prescription is their tayler , antiquity their tutor . amongst the ancient heathen , even their very habit distinguish'd widdowes from matrons , matrons from virgins . so as not onely sexes , states , conditions , yeares , but even linages , races , and families were remarkeably discovered . wee usually observe such a fashion to bee french , such an one spanish , another italian , this dutch , that poland ; meane time where is the english ? surely , some precious elixir extracted out of all these . shee will neither relye on her owne invention , nor compose her selfe to the fashion of any one particular nation , but make her selfe an epitomized confection of all . thus becomes shee not onely a stranger to others , but to her selfe . it were to bee wished , that as our countrey is jealous of her owne invention in contriving , so shee were no lesse cautelous in her choice of wearing . gregory the great thought that angles did neerly symphonize with angels , not so much in letter , as in favour and feature ; were it not pitty that these should darken their beauty with vailes of deformity ? were it not pitty that there should not be an analogy in their name and nature ; that the angles might partake of angels in nature as well as feature ? but the gold has chang'd his colour ; our purer mintage her native splendor . truth is , there is nothing which confers more native beauty on the wearer , then to bee least affective in whatsoever shee shall weare . shee asperseth a great blemish on her better part , who tyes her selfe to that formality , as shee dare not put off the least trifle that shee weares , nor put on ought more then shee weares , lest she should lose the opinion of compleat . there is a native modesty even in attire as well as gesture , which better becomes , and would more fully accomplish her , if fashion were not such a pearle in her eye , as it keepes her from the sight of her owne vanity . i confesse , light heads will be easily taken with such toyes : yea , i have sometimes observed a phantasticke dressing strike an amorous inconsiderate gooseling sooner into a passionate ah mee , with a carelesse love-sicke wreathing of his enfolded armes , then some other more attractive object could ever doe . but what is the purchase of one of these greene-wits worth ? what benefit can a young gentlewoman reap in enjoying him , who scarcely ever enjoy'd himselfe ? meanes he may have , but so meanely are they seconded by inward abilities , as his state seems fitter to mannage him , then he to marshall it . a long lock he has got , and the art to frizle it ; a ring in a string , and the tricke to handle it : a whole forrest of synonimies , has he by retaile purchased ; which , like so many dis-jointed similees , impeach his novellisme of palpable non-sense . for his discourse , to give him his true character , his silence approves him better ; for his wit , hee may laugh at a conceit , and his conceit ne're the wiser ; for his other parts , disclaiming his substance , i appeale to his picture . now , gentlewoman , tell me , doe you trim your selfe up for this popinjay ? would you have the foole to weare you , after so many follies have out-worne you ? let modesty suit you , that a discreeter mate may chuse you . be it your prime honour to make civility your director . this will incomparably more grace you , then any phantasticke attire ; which though it beget admiration , it clozeth alwayes with derision . you cannot possibly detract more from the renowne of your countrey , where you received birth and education , than by too hot a quest or pursuit after outlandish fashions . play not the dotterell in this too apish and servile imitation ; let other countries admire your constancy and civility : while they reflect both on what you weare , and what you are . bee it your glory to improve your countries fame . many eyes are fixed on you , and many hearts will bee taken with you , if they behold those two ornaments , modesty , and humility , ever attending you : discretion will bee more taken and enamoured with these , then toyes and feathers . there is nothing so rough but may bee polished ; nor ought so outwardly faire but may be disfigured . whereas the beauty of these two cannot by adulterate art be more graced , by the aged furrowes of time become defaced , or by any outward occurrent impaired . there are many beauteous and sumptuous cases , whose instruments are out of tune . these may please the eye , but they neither lend nor leave a sweet accent in the eare. may-buds of fading beauty ; fruits which commonly fall before they be ripe , and tender small sweetnesse to them that reape . these baths of voluptuous delights , chaste feet disdaine to approach . vertue must either be suited with consorts like her selfe , or they must give her leave solely to enjoy her selfe . bee you maids of honour to this maiden princesse . consecrate your day to vertuous actions , your night to usefull recollections . think how this world is your stage , your life an act. the tiring-house , where you bestow'd such care , cost and curiosity , must be shut up when your night approacheth . prepare oyle for your virgin lamps ; marriage robes for your chaste soules ; that advancing the honour of your countrey here on earth , in your translation from hence , you may find a countrey in heaven . the english gentlevvoman . argument . behaviour reflects on three particulars ; how to behave her selfe in company ; how in privacy : that behaviour most approved , which is clearest from affectation freed . behaviour . behaviour being an apt composure , of the body in arguments of discourse and action , expresseth every person in so faire a character , that if his brest were transparant , hee could not bee displayed fuller . albeit , some love to become so estranged or retired rather from the eye of the world , as they have made it their highest art and absolutest ayme , to shrowde themselves from the conceit or discussion of man : by entring covenant or contract with dissimulation , to appeare least to the eye , what they are most in heart . of this stampe was tiberius , who gloried in nothing so much ( neither indeede had hee many demeriting parts to glory in ) as in cunningly cloaking his foule purposes with faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding his subjects anxious resolutions with a seeming good . sometimes imminency of danger , begetting an apprehension of feare , will produce this eflect : whence it was , that agrippina in tacitus knowing her life to bee attempted by nero , knew well that her onely remedy was to take no notice of the treason . neither is it rare to finde a staide looke , and a staid thought in one and the same subject . but for as much as this is held the seldomest erring index , ever expressing innocent thoughts the best , and discovering disloyall thoughts the soonest , wee are to proceed to such particulars as the subject principally reflects on : which are three ; action , affection , passion : whereon wee purpose so to insist , as what deserves approvement in each of these particulars , may bee by our nobly disposed gentlewomen cheerefully entertained , carefully reteined , and to the improvement of their fame , the choicest odour , chiefest honour of true nobility , employed . vertue is the life of action , action the life of man : without the former , all actions are fruitlesse : without the latter , all our dayes are uselesse . now in this one subject , it is strange to observe what diversity of active dispositions wee shall finde . some are employed to the purpose , but they are so remisse in their employment , as they lose the benefit of it . others are imployed to no purpose , making a passing of time a meere pastime , comming as farre short of one usefull action at their death , as they were incapable of it at their birth . others sleepe out their time in carelesse security ; saluting the morning with a sacrifice to their glasse , the noone with a luscious repast , the afternoone with a play or a pallet repose , the evening with a wanton consort , accoutred with a reere-banket , to belull the abused soule with the sleepe of an incessant surfeit . others have crept into such an apish formality ; as they cannot for a world discourse of ought without some mimmicke gesture or other ; which , seeme it never so complete to them , appeares ridiculous to the beholder . this was semphronia's error , for which she was generally taxed , before ever her honour was publikely tainted . what a tinkling you shall observe some to make with their feet , as if they were forthwith to dance a morrice ? they are ever in motion like puppets , but in actions of goodnesse meere punies . their pace is a pavin in the street ; their looke a lure to a lascivious attempt ; they expresse nothing by their gesture worthy the image they beare . besides , who is hee , whose judgement will not taxe these of lightnesse , by these light an uncivill appearances ? a womans honour is of higher esteeme , than to bee thus dis-valued . light occasions are many times grounds of deepe aspersions . actions are to bee seasoned with discretion , seconded by direction , strengthened with instruction , lest too much rashnesse bring the undertaker to destruction . in the maze or labyrinth of this life , many bee our cares , mighty bee our feares , strong our assailants , weake our assistants , unlesse wee have that brazen wall within us to fortifie us against all occurrents . o then , let not the least action betray you to your enemy , for you have many ; within you , for they are dangerous , because domesticall ; without you , for they are strangers , and therefore doubtfull ! let your actions bee your applausivest actors ; the scene of your life is short , so live that your noble actions may preserve your memory long . it was seneca's counsell to his deare friend lucilius , that whensoever hee went about to doe any thing , hee should imagine cato , or scipio , or some other worthy roman to bee in presence . to second his advice , which may conferre on your glorious actions eternall praise , set alwayes before your eyes , as an imitable mirror , some good woman or other , before whom you may live , as if she ey'd you , shee view'd you . you may finde women , though weake in ●exe and condition , yet parallels to men , for charity , chastity , piety , purity , and vertuous conversation . re-visit those ancient families of rome , and you shall finde those famous matrons , octavia , portia , caecilia , cornelia , make a pagan state seeme morally christian. nor were nicostrata , mother to evander , corvina , sappho , women lesse famous for learning , than the other for blamelesse living . neither have our moderne times lesse flourished with feminine worthies , as might be illustrated with sundry eminent instances , if i would reflect upon this subject : but this hath beene the theame of sundry panegyrick poems , which makes me more sparing in it : onely in your behalfe , and to your honour , let me retort their criticke censure , who draw from the very etymon of your name an occasion of error : women are woe to men ; no they 're the way , to bring them homeward when they run astray . in a word , conforme your selves to such patternes as are imitable ; imitate them in all such actions as are laudable ; so live , that none may have occasion to speake evilly of you , if they speake truly . the memory of dorcas liveth still ; shee was full of good workes and almes which shee did . yea , even the very coats and garments which shee made , while she was living , were showne the apostle as arguments of her industry , memorials of her piety . hence it was that saint ierome , that excellent patterne of holy discipline , serious professor of divine doctrine , counselleth the holy virgin demetrias to eschew idlenesse : exhorting her withall , that having done her prayers , shee should take in hand wooll and weaving , after the commendable example of dorcas , that by such change or variety of workes , the day might seeme lesse tedious , and the assaults of satan lesse grievous : concluding his devout exhortation , with this definite position , i speake generally , no rayment , ornament , or habit whatsoever , shall seeme precious in christs sight , but that which thou makest thy selfe , either for thine owne peculiar use , or example of other virgins , or to give unto thy grand-mother , or thy mother , no , though thou distribute all thy goods unto the poore . see how strictly this holy father proceeds with his religious daughter ! yet was this demetrias , to whom hee addressed this his exhortation , a noble lady ; not one , whom poverty did enforce to actions of such necessity : but one honourably descended , richly endowed , powerfully friended . let this lady bee your patterne , her action your direction , her obedience your instruction , that you may share with her in a peacefull dissolution . entertaine no time without some devout taske : reflect upon the noblenesse of your descent , ennoble it with excellence of desert . for you must know true honour is not wonne , vntill some honourable deed bee done . waste not prodigally the precious lampe of your life without some vertuous action that may purchase love . your time is lesse than a minute in respect of eternity , employ that minute so , as it may eternize your memory . let this bee your highest taske ; to promote the honour of your maker , esteeming all things else a slavish and servile labour . there is nothing which requires more discretion , than how to behave or carry our selves while wee are enthralled to affection . the lover is ever blinded ( saith wise plato ) with affection towards his beloved . reason is laid a sleepe , while sense becomes the master wooer . whence came that usuall saying , one cannot love and be wise . but i wholly oppose my selfe to their assertion , who seeme thus farre transported with the sensuall opinion of affection . my tenet is , one cannot truely love , and not be wise . it is a beldam frenzy and no fancy , which gives way to fury , and admits not reason to have soveraignty . yet in this subjects , gentlewomen , is your temper best tryed , your discretion most required , and your patience , oft-times , most exercised . looke therefore how you plant it , lest you bootlesly repent it , when it is mis-placed . it is most certaine , there is nothing more impatient of delay than love , nor no wound more incurable while wee live . there is no exemption , all have a taste of this potion , though it have severall degrees of operation . looke all about you ; who so young that loves not ? or who so old , a comely feature moves not ? yet what different passions arise from one and the selfe-same subject ? here , gentlewomen , you shall see some of your sexe so surprized with affection , as it bursts out into violent extremes ; their discourse is semi-brev'd with sighes , their talke with teares ; they walke desperately forlorne , making launds and desolate groves their disconsolate consorts . their eyes are estrang'd from sleepe , their weakened appetite from repast , their wearied limbs from repose . melancholy is their sole melody ; they have made a contract with griefe , till griefe bring them to their grave . and these poore wenches are much to bee pittied , because their owne tender hearts brought them to this exigent : having either set their affections , where they thought verily they might bee requited and were not , or else where they received like seeming tender of affection , but afterwards rejected , what they wished to effect they could not . so as , in time , if continuance of absence reduce them not to a better temper , they fall into a poore maudlins distemper , by giving reines to passion , till it estrange them from the soveraignty of reason . whereas others you shall see , though not such kind soules , nor halfe so passionate , yet more discreet in their choyce , and in the passages of love more temperate . these will not deigne to cast a loose looke upon their beloved : but stand so punctually upon their termes , as if they stood indifferent for their choyce , albeit constantly resolved never to admit of any change . these scorne to paint out their passions in plaints , or utter their thoughts in sighes , or shed one dispassionate teare for an incompassionate lover . their experience hath taught them better notions : they will seemingly fly to make them follow , and so take them by whom they are most taken . they can play with the flame , and never cinge their wings ; looke love in the face , and preserve their eyes ; converse where they take delight , and colour their affection with a seeming disdaine . these are they who can walke in the clouds to their intimatest friends : make their eyes strangers to their hearts , and conclude ; nothing more foolish then love , if discovered ; nothing more wise , if artfully shadowed . but i neither approve the violence of the former , nor indifference of the latter . the one interlayeth affection with too much passion , the other with too much dissimulation . these were well to bee so allayed or attempered , as neither too much eagernesse taxe the discretion , nor too much remisnesse argue coolenesse of affection . for the former , i must tell them , they give great advantage to an insulting lover , to entertaine love with such vehement ardour : it fares with these , as with hot duellists , who fight themselves out of breath , and so subject their relenting force to the command of a better tempered enemy . for the latter , they hold constantly that position in arguments of love , as well as in other actions of their life ; she knowes not how to live , nor how to love , that knowes not how to dissemble . i must tell these , dissimulation sorts not well with affection : lovers seldome reade loves politicks . let them appeare what they are , with that discreet temper , as they may deserve the embraces of a noble lover . in briefe , let such as are too hot in the quest of their desires , attemperate that heat with intermissions : such violence is best rebated by absence . contrariwise , such as are too coole , let them quicken that easinesse with their more frequent conference , and assiduate presence . what a furious and inconsiderate thing is woman , when passion distempers her ? how much is her behaviour altered , as if iocasta were now to be personated ? true it is , some with a bite of their lip , can suppresse an intended revenge : and like dangerous politicians , pleasingly entertaine time with one they mortally hate , till oportunity usher revenge , which they can act with as much hostility , as if that very moment were the actor of their injury . but this passion never workes more tragicke or fearefull effects , then when it streames from iealousie or competition in the subject where they love . whereof we have variety of instances even in our owne iland , to omit italy , which is a very theatre of tragicke conclusions in this kind . it is not long since wee had one matchlesse president of this stampe . it sometimes pleased a young gentlewoman , whose fortunes had swell'd her high , to settle her affection on a gentleman of deserving parts , which hee entertained with a generous requitall : nothing was omitted that might any way increase this respect , or second the height of their joyes . continuall resort and frequent made them inseparably one : no day so pleasing , as when they were together ; no houre so tedious as when they were asunder . but how short is that moment of vading happinesse , which hath in it a rellish of lightnesse , and is not grounded on essentiall goodnesse ! long had they not thus lived , and sociably loved , but the gentlewoman conceived some private suspition , that her selfe was not sole soveraignesse of his heart , but that another was become sharer in his love . neither was this competitrice , whom shee suspected , any other then her owne attendant , whose caskets shee secretly opened , where shee found a ring of especiall note , which shee had formerly bestowed on him . this confirmed her conceit , changed her reall love into mortall hate ; which shee seconded with this tragicke act : inviting him one day to a summer arbour , where in former times they were usually wont to repose , amidst of an amorous discourse , shee casually fixt her eye upon three lennets , one whereof picking some privet leaves purposely to build her nest , flew away , while the two which remained , lovingly billed one with another : which shee intentively observing , used these words ; how tenderly and intimately doe these poore fooles mate it ? were it not pitty they should ever bee divided ? which words shee had no sooner uttered , then the shee-lennet flew away , and left the male alone , till another returned : with whom the hee-lennet billed , and amorously wooed as hee had done before : which shee more seriously eying , o , quoth shee , how light these males are in their affection ; this may seeme to you an easie error , but were i judge of birds , it should receive due censure . why lady , ( replyed hee ) these poore birds doe but according to their kind . yea , but what doe yee kind men then , who ingage your loves , interest your selves , empawne your soules to bee constant where you professe love , and performe nothing lesse then what you professe most . nor would her long intended revenge admit more liberty to her tongue ; for with a passionate enterbreath shee clozed this speech with a fatall stabbe : leaving so much time to her unfortunate and disasterous lover , as to discover to one of that sorrowfull family the ground of her hate , the occasion of his fall , which hastned on the dolefull scene of her tragedy . now to allay or abate these passionate furies , there is no better meanes then to enter parley with reason ; to chastise all such innovating motions as disquiet the inward repose of the mind ; to use the helpe of such wholsome instructions , as may attemper the heat of those indisposed and inordinate passions . anger , being an inflammation of blood about the heart , is such a fury , as to give way to it , is to disclaime reason : much wisedome is then required , mature advice to bee used , all assistants of art and nature to bee employed before this adder can bee charmed . for wee shall hardly see any one more forget themselves , then when they are surprized with this passion . some you shall observe so amazed or entranced , as they become wholly silenced : they cannot utter an articulate word to gaine a kingdome . gladly would they expresse their distaste , and menace revenge , if their tongues would give them leave , but wrath hath tyed them to good behaviour . others are so voluble of tongue , as nothing can passe them untouch'd , to asperse disgrace on such by whom they hold themselves wrong'd . if any infamy ( which to that time lay buried ) offer it selfe to their memory , how they joy in the occasion of venting their malice on their persons , bee their calumny seconded with words of fowlest aspersion : which sort of people the ever living pindarus termes persons of unbounded and unbridled tongues . to remedy which enormities , take along with you these instructions : they will benefit you much in the height and heat of your anger , and allay your passion when it rageth and riseth into hugest distemper . forthwith , so soone as you shall perceive your selves moved , restraine your passion ; but if you cannot appeale nor compose your inward commotion , at least restraine your tongue , and injoyne it silence , that if it speake no good , it may speake no evill , lest being loose and set at liberty , it utter what wrath , and not reason dictates : more soveraigne and peacefull it will be for you to retire from society , make recourse to your oratory , by recommending to your best physician the cure of this infirmity . vse likewise this cordiall salve to your corroding sore ; the receit is divine , if seasonably applyed , and will minister you comfort when you are most distempered . so soone as your disquieted minds begin to expostulate with the quality of your wrongs , which your enemy is apt to aggravate and exasperate , purposely to hasten your precipitate revenge ; propose and set before you all the disgraces which possibly you can suffer , and conferre them with those that were aspersed on your saviour : this will prepare you to suffer , teach you to conquer : for arrowes foreseene menace lesse danger . likewise , when you consider the injuries which are done you by others , you may reflect upon the wrongs which are done by you unto others : for the consideration of your owne infirmity , will exact of you towards others an impunity . weigh with your selves how much others suffer of you , how much god himselfe suffers of you , who , if hee should have inflicted revenge for every particular offence , you should have perished long since . in a word , you your selves are frequently grievous , and displeasing to your selves : seeing then you are so distastefull unto your selves , as you must of necessity suffer many injuries and affronts from your selves , repine not at the sufferings which are inflicted by others on your selves . you are likewise to consider these discommodities which arise from this passion ; which will arme you with patience , if of your selves you have any compassion . what availes it to be revenged , after our injury bee received ? is your wound by anothers wound to be cured ? or disgrace tendred , by rendring disgrace restored ? besides all this , see what he obtaineth , who anger obeyeth : . hee is deprived of the crowne of glory , and reward of eternity . . hee becomes a minister and instrument of the divell : . hee destroyeth his owne soule , that hee might hurt anothers body : for a dispassionate or angry person is like unto him , who , that hee may kill his asse , destroyeth himselfe ; or rather like him , who for huge debts which hee is not able to discharge , is throwne into prison , and disdainefully refuseth any ones offer to pay his debt for him . for by him , who doth you wrong , is the debt which you owe to god , forgiven , if with patience you suffer the injury which is done . whereas the angry person , who will bee his owne revenger , telleth god how and in what sort hee is to deale with him : that as hee suffered not small disgraces from another , so neither should small things bee suffered in him by god : as it is written , with what measure you mete , the same shall bee measured to you againe . six other detriments or discommodities there bee which arise from the exorbitancy of this passion . for by anger is lost , first , wisedome , while reason becomes blinded . secondly , righteousnesse ; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of god. thirdly , society ; for the acquaintance of one angry man , is pleasing unto none . bee not , saith the wiseman , a companion with the angry man. fourthly , concord , while peace is disturbed . fifthly , the light of truth ; because anger casteth the darkenesse of confusion upon the mind or understanding , from whom god hideth the cheerefull beame of his divine knowledge . sixthly , the splendor of the holy spirit : upon whom , saith the prophet , shall my spirit rest , but upon the humble and quiet ? that is , upon the meeke , mild , and compassionate . thus you see what benefits may bee procured by attempering , what discommodities incurred by fostring this passion . whereon i have the rather insisted , because i am not ignorant , how the strongest and constantest tempers have beene , and may bee distempered and disparaged by it ; much more you , whose mainest strength consists in the expression of that passion . at all times therefore use a moderate restraint ; in the prime of your yeares , when youth sends forth her first promising blossomes , behave your selves mildly without bitternesse , humbly without haughtinesse , modestly without lightnesse , soberly without childishnesse . the caske will reteine her first taste ; the wooll her first dye ; the purest tablet her prime impression ; the loyall'st spirit her first affection . if you shew too much waywardnesse in your youth , small good is to bee expected in your age . as you tender your preferment , seeme milde while you are maids , lest you prove scare-crowes to a young mans bed . conforme your selves likewise to a nuptiall state , and preserve your honour without staine . contest not with your head for preeminence : you came from him , not hee from you , honour him then as hee cherisheth the love hee conceives in you . a domestick fury makes ill harmony in any family . the discord which was hatched and increased towards m. anthony by fulvia , was ever allayed and attempered by the moderation of octavia . bee you all octavia's ; the rougher your crosse , the richer your crowne . the more that injuries presse you , the more shall your patience praise you . the conflict is but short and momentanie , the triumph glorious and impall'd with eternity . and thus much touching those three particulars , whereon your behaviour principally reflects ; wee are now to descend to the next branch , which shall shew how a gentlewoman of ranke and quality , ( for to such onely is my discourse directed ) is to behave her selfe in company . society is the solace of the living ; for to live without it , were a kinde of dying . companions and friendly associats are the theeves of time . no houre can be so tedious , which two loving consorts cannot passe over with delight , and spend without distaste . bee the night never so darke , the place never so meane , the cheerefull beames of conceiving consorts will enlighten the one , and their affections mutually planted , enliven the other . what a desart then were the world without friends ? and how uselesse those friends without conceiving mindes ? and how weake those mindes , unlesse united in equall bonds ? so then , love is the cement of our life : a load without love . now , gentlewomen , you are to put on your vailes , and goe into company . which ( i am perswaded ) you cannot enter without a maiden-blush , a modest tincture . herein you are to be most cautelous , seeing no place can bee more mortally dangerous . beware therefore with whom you consort , as you tender your repute : for report will brute what you are , by the company which you beare . augustus being at a combat , discerned the inclinations of his two daughters , iulia and livia , by the company which frequented them : for grave senators talked with livia , but riotous persons with iulia. would you preserve those precious odors of your good names ? consort with such whose names were never branded , converse with such whose tongues for immodesty were never taxed . as by good words evill manners are corrected , so by evill words are good ones corrupted . make no reside there , where the least occasion of lightnesse is ministred ; avert your eare when you heare it , but your heart especially , lest you harbour it . to enter into much discourse or familiarity with strangers , argues lightnesse or indiscretion : what is spoken of maids , may bee properly applyed by an usefull consequence to all women : they should be seene , and not heard : a traveller sets himselfe best out by discourse , whereas their best setting out is silence . you shall have many trifling questions asked , as much to purpose as if they said nothing : but a frivolous question deserves to bee resolv'd by silence . for your carriage , it should neither be too precise , nor too loose . these sempring made faces partake more of chambermaid then gentlewoman . modesty and mildnesse hold sweetest correspondence . you may possibly be wooed to interchange favours : rings or ribonds are but trifles ; yet , trust mee , they are no trifles that are aym'd at in those exchanges . let nothing passe from you , that may any way impeach you , or give others advantage over you . your innocent credulity ( i am resolved ) is as free from conceit of ill , as theirs , perhaps , from intendment of good : but these intercourses of courtesies are not to be admitted , lest by this familiarity , an entry to affection be opened , which before was closed . it is dangerous to enter parley with a beleagring enemy : it implies want or weaknesse in the besieged . chastity is an inclosed garden , it should not be so much as assaulted , lest the report of her spotlesse beauty become soyled . such forts hold out best , which hold themselves least secure , when they are securest . it was the saying of a worthy generall , presuming on a mans owne strength is the greatest weaknesse ; and the readie way to betray himselfe to dangers is to contemne them . nasica , when the roman common-wealth was supposed to be in most secure estate , because freed of their enemies , and strongly fenced by their friends , affirmed , that though the achaians and carthaginians were both brought under the yoke of bondage , yet they were most in danger , because none were left , whom they might either feare for danger , or who should keepe them in awe . how subject poore women be to lapses , and recidivations , being left their owne guardians , daily experience can sufficiently discover . of which number , those alwayes proved weakest , who were confidentest of their owne strength . presumption is a daring sinne , and ever brings out some untimely birth , which viper-like deprives her unhappy parent of life . i have knowne divers so resolute in their undertakings , so presuming of their womanish strength , so constantly devoted to a single life , as in publike consorts they held it their choycest merriment to give love the affront , to discourse of affection with an imperious contempt , geere their amorous suiters out of count'nance , and make a very whirligig of love . but marke the conclusion of these insulting spirits : they sport so long with love , till they fall to love in earnest . a moment makes them of soveraignes captives , by slaving them to that deservedly , which at first they entertained so disdainfully . the way then to prevent this malady , is to weane you from consorting with folly . what an excellent impregnable fortresse were woman , did not her windowes betray her to her enemy ? but principally , when shee leaves her chamber to walke on the publike theatre ; when shee throwes off her vaile , and gives attention to a merry tale ; when shee consorts with youthfull bloud , and either enters parley , or admits of an enter-view with love . it is most true what the sententious morall sometimes observed : wee may bee in security , so long as wee are sequestred from society . then , and never till then , begins the infection to bee dispersed , when the sound and sicke begin to bee promiscuously mixed . tempt not chastity ; hazard not your christian liberty . you shall encounter with many forward youths , who will most punctually tender their uselesse service to your shadowes at the very first sight : doe not admit them , lest you prostitute your selves to their prostrate service . apelles found fault with protogenes , in that hee could not hold his hands from his table . whereas our damsels may more justly finde fault with their youthfull amorists , for that they cannot hold their hands from under the table . it is impossible to come off faire with these light-fingred fooles . your onely way is rampire your chaste intentions with divine and morall instructions , to stop the source , divert the occasion , subject affection to reason , so may you become emperesses of that which hath sometimes tyrannized over emperours : by this meanes shall every place where you publikely resort minister to you some object of inward comfort : by this meanes shall company furnish you with precepts of chastity , inable you in the serious practice of piety , and sweetly conduct you to the port of glory . privacy is the seat of contemplation , though sometimes made the recluse of tentation . from which there is granted no more exemption in the cell , than in the court. here is the lawne where melancholy drawes her line . here the minde becomes our mate ; silence , our sweetest conference : where the retired becomes either the best or worst friend to himselfe . there is none , who ever conversed with himselfe , or discanted solely with his owne humour , who can bee ignorant of those numerous slights or subtilities , which by that great tempter ( whose long exercise hath made him no lesse subtill in contriving , than cruell in practising our ruine ) are privately shadowed and shrowded , purposely to circumvent poore man , and leave him deluded . diogenes , when hee found a young man talking alone , demanded of him what hee was doing ? who answered , hee was conversing with himselfe : take heed ( quoth hee ) thou conversest not with thine enemy . of the like stampe was that love-sick girle , who became so immazed in loves error , as shee minded her worke least when shee eyed her sampler . never lesse alone then when most alone : for then , and never so freely as then , enjoyed fancy full scope of action , as when her retired privacy gave her thoughts leave to converse with affection . then and onely then became jealous love a projector , contriving wayes for enjoying her lover . no italian device , closed it never so inordinately with sense , could be unattempted , to catch him by whom shee was catched ; to seaze on him by whom shee was surprized . so eagerly cunning became fancy in feates of policy , as shee would rather lose herselfe , then by meanes of her deluded privacy , lose opportunity . to you , gentlewomen , i direct my discourse , whose privacy may enable you , if well employed , for better things than the toyes , tyres , & trifles of this age . how many ( the more our misery ) bestow their private houres ( which might be dedicated to contemplation , or workes of piety & devotion ) upon light-feather'd inventions , amorous expostulations , or minting of some unbeseeming fashions ? how few enter into account with their owne hearts ; or so consecrate their houres to gods honour , as they make privacy their soules harbour ? the day they spend in visitations ; how rare and tedious is one houre reserved for meditation ? what a serious intercourse or sociable dialogue is betweene an amorous mistresse and her looking-glasse ! the poynt or pendent of her feather wags out of a due posture ; her cheeke wants her true tincture ; her captious glasse presents to her quicke eye one error or other , which drives her into a monstruous distemper . pride leaves no time for prayer . this is her closet for ladies , where shee fits and accommodates her selfe to fashion , which is the period of her content , while purer objects are had in contempt . this is not the way to make privacy your mindes melody . these employments should sooner afflict than affect you , because they will sooner distract than direct you . your spirits will bee revived most , when these are valued least . let me therefore recommend to your choyce , patternes of more exquisite worth : such whose devotion may bee your direction , whose direction your instruction . devout mention is made of zealous anna , who made recourse to the temple , offring her incessant prayers , a viall of sweet odours , that shee might conceive a sonne : of whom , to her succeeding memory , the scripture recordeth , that after her teares so devoutly shed , her prayers so sincerely offred , her religious vowes so faithfully performed , her countenance was no more altred ; piety begot in her divine love , faith in gods promise made her beleeve , and zeale to gods house caused her to persevere : thus sighing she sought , seeking shee obtained , and obtaining shee reteined a gratefull memory of what shee received . no lesse fervour shewed ester in preferring the suite of her distressed israelites ▪ what perswasive oratory , what powerfull rhetoricke , what inducing reasons shee used , to have their unjust censure reversed , their insupportable wrongs redressed , their aggrievances relieved , the incensed king appeased , and them to favour restored ! shee wooed with teares in her eyes , faith in her heart , almes in her hand : gods cause was the progresse of her course ; shee desired nothing more then how to effect it ; which was seconded with a successive conclusion , because begun , continued , and ended with devotion . the like zeale expressed iudith for her besiedged bethulites ; the love of god had so inflamed her , as no feare of the enemy could amate her ; faith armed her with resolution , constancy strengthned her against all opposition . her armour was prayer , bethulia's cure her care , holy desires her sole attendants ; shee enters her enemies pavilion with a zealous confidence ; implores the divine assistance in her entrance ; and discomfits a daring foe with cautelous silence . her sighes and teares were as the first and second raine ; they brought successe to her thirsty soule , and a glorious conquest to her native soyle . no lesse are wee to admire the wonderfull devotion of that teare-swollen magdalen , who with devout love sought her deare spouse intombed , whose body with obsequious odours shee had embalmed before ever hee was interred . shee , when his disciples were departed , left not the sepulchre of her sweet master ; still shee sate sorrowing and sighing , weeping long and much , rising from her seat of sorrow , her grave of griefe : where hee was , hee is not ; and where hee is , shee knowes not : with pious teares , watchfull eyes , weary wayes , shee re-visits againe and againe the desart caves of his relinquish'd sepulchre , hoping at last to have the happinesse to behold , whom with so fervent a desire shee sought . now once and againe had shee entred his desolate tombe ; but little was all this to her that lov'd so much : the power or efficacy of every good worke consists in perseverance . but observe the comfortable effect of her effectuall love ! for as much as shee loved more than the rest , and loving wept more than the rest , and weeping sought more than the rest , and seeking persever'd , allowing her selfe no rest : therefore deserved she to finde , behold , and speake unto him before the rest . and not onely so , but to become the very first messenger of his glorious resurrection to his disciples , according as her choyce spouse had commanded her , and by especiall commission recommended to her : goe , tell my brethren that they goe into galile , there they shall see me . hence note the fruit of a devout heart ; the incomparable prerogative granted to divine love ! nazianzen in his epitaph for his sister gorgonia , writeth , that shee was so given to prayer , that her knees seemed to cleave to the earth , and to grow to the very ground by reason of incessancy or continuance in prayer . gregory in his dialogues writeth , that his aunt trasilla being dead , was found to have her elbowes as hard as horne : which hardnesse shee got by leaning to a deske , at which shee used to pray . such as these deserve your imitation ; for their vertues , like sweet odours , have sent out a pleasant perfume . they prayed , and obtained what they pray'd for ; they liv'd and practis'd what they sought for ; they dy'd and enjoy'd what they so long time sigh'd for . you are taught to enter your chambers and bee still . still , and yet stirring still : still from the clamours and turbulent insults of the world ; still from the mutinous motions and innovations of the flesh . but never still from warring , wrastling , bickring and embattailing with the leader of those treacherous associats , tyrannous assassinats . o should you consider what troopes of furious and implacable enemies are ever lying in ambuscado for you ; how many soule-tempting syrens are warbling notes of ruine to delude you ; what feares within you , what foes without you , what furies all about you ; you would not suffer one graine of sand to drop through the cruet , without a dropping eye ; not one minute passe undedicated to some good employment , to prevent the fury of such desperate assailants . make then your chamber your private theatre , wherein you may act some devout scene to gods honour . bee still from the world , but stirring towards god. meditation , let it bee your companion : it is the perfume of the memory ; the soules rouzer from sinnes lethargy , the sweetest solace in straits of adversity . let it bee your key to open the morning , your locke to close the evening . what an argument of indiscretion were it for one , amidst variety of choyce and delicious viands , to discourse of vanity , and suffer himselfe to famish in the presence of such plenty ? this is your case , if amids so many soule-solacing dainties of spirituall comforts , you divert your eye , by fixing it on these objects of earth : and repose not your selves in those fragrant borders of divine contemplation ; which , by how much they are more frequent , by so much they become more sweet and redolent . surely , there is nothing that relisheth more sweetly , tasteth more daintily , with-draweth your mindes from the world more speedily , strengtheneth you against the temptations of your enemy , excites or exerciseth you in every spirituall duty , as the soule-ravishing contemplation of the supreme deity . all other objects are vanity . they may play upon your fantasie , and so delude you ; but being weakely grounded on piety , they can never suffice you . taske your selves then privately , lest privacy become your enemy . as mans extremity is gods opportunity , so the divels opportunity is mans security . let not a minute bee mis-spended , lest security become your attendant . bee it in the exercise of your needle , or any other manuall employment , attemper that labour with some sweet meditation tending to gods honour . chuse rather with penelope to weave and unweave , than to give idlenesse the least leave . wanton wooers are time-wasters : they make you idolize your selves ; and consequently hazzardize the state of your soules . let not their lip-salve so annoynt you , as it make you forgetfull of him that made you . bee you in your chambers or private closets ; bee you retired from the eyes of men ; thinke how the eyes of god are on you . doe not say , the walls encompasse mee , darkenesse o're-shadowes mee , the curtaine of night secures me ; these be the words of an adulteresse ▪ therefore doe nothing privately , which you would not doe publikely . there is no retire from the eyes of god. i have heard of some , who for want of more amorous or attractive objects abroad , have furnished their private chambers with wanton pictures , aretine tables , sibariticke stories . these were no objects for christian eyes : they convey too inordinate an heat from the eye to the heart . the history of christ is a peece of portraiture that will suite your chambers best . eye no object which may estrange you from thought of your maker . make every day your ephemerides . let your morning initiate your purposes for the day , the day second what your morning purposed , the evening examine your mornings purpose , your dayes purchase . and so i descend to the next branch , how you are to behave your selves in publike , which should be by so much more punctuall , for as much as the world is more stoicall . women in sundry countryes , when they goe into any publike concourse or presse of people , use to weare vayles , to imply that secret inscreened beauty which best becomes a woman , bash-full modesty . which habit our owne nation now in latter yeares hath observed : which , howsoever the intention of the wearer appeare , deserves approvement ; because it expresseth in it selfe modest shamefastnesse , a womans chiefest ornament . i second his opinion , who held it ; for divers maine respects , a custome very irregular an undecent , that women should frequent places of publike resort , as stage-playes , wakes , solemne feasts , and the like . it is occasion that depraves us ; company that corrupts us . hence it was that some flourishing states , having eyed the inconveniences which arise from the usuall resort of women to enterludes and other publike solemnities , published an expresse inhibition against such free and frequent meetings . had hippodamia never wandred , shee had prov'd an hypemnestra , and had never wantoned . had dinah never roaved , shee had prov'd a diana , and had never beene ravished . yet farre bee it from me , to bee so regularly strict , or laconically severe , as to exclude women from all publike societies . meetings they may have , and improve them , by a civill and morall use of them , to their benefit . they may chat and converse with a modest freedome , so they doe not gossip it . for these shee-elpenors , and feminine epicures , who surfet our their time in an unwomanly excesse , wee exclude them the pale of our common-weale . bee they of what state soever , they are staines to their sexe for ever . especially such , who carouse it in deepe healths , rejoyce at the colour of the wine , till it sparkle in their veines , inflame their bloods , and lay open a breach to the frailty of their sexe . for prevention whereof , wee reade that kinsmen kissed their kinswomen to know whether they drunke wine or no ; and if they had , to bee punished by death , or banished into some iland . plutarch saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sicke or weake ; the senate was to give them licence , and not then in rome neither , but out of the city . macrobius saith , that there were two senators in rome chiding , and the one called the others wife an adulteresse , and the other his wife a drunkard ; and it was judged , that to bee a drunkard was more infamy . truth is , they might joyne hands as mates of one society , for i have seldome seene any one subject to ebriety , preserve long untainted the honour of their chastity . now for publike employments , i know all are not borne to bee deborahs , to beare virile spirits in feminine bodies . yet , in chusing the better part , you may fit and accommodate your persons to publike affaires , well sorting and suting with your ranke and quality . claudia and priscilla were nobly descended , yet they publikely resorted where they might bee religiously instructed ; and no lesse publikely instructed others in those principles wherein they were informed . it is said of the vestall virgins , that they first learned what to doe ; secondly , they did what they had learned ; thirdly , they instructed others to doe that which they had both done and learned . for this , the rich saban queene left her owne region to heare the wisdome of king salomon . surely , howsoever some , no lesse properly than pregnantly , have emblematiz'd woman by a snaile ; because shee still carries her house about her , as is the property of a good house-keeper : yet in my judgement ( wherein i ingenuously submit to others censure ) a modest and well behaved woman may by her frequent or resort to publike places , conferre no lesse benefit to such as observe her behaviour , than occasion of profit to her private family , where shee is over-seer . i have seene some in these places of publike repaire , expresse such a well-seeming state without apish formality , as every action deserved imitation of such as were in their company . their conceits were sweetly tempered without lightnesse ; their jests savory , yet without saltnesse ; their discourse free without nicenesse ; their answers milde without tartnesse ; their smile pleasing , mixt with bashfulnesse ; their pace gracefull without too much activenesse ; their whole posture delightfull with a seemely carelesnesse . these are such mirrors of modesty , patternes of piety , as they would not for a world transgresse the bounds of civility . these are matrons in their houses , models in publike places . words spoken in season , are like apples of gold with pictures of silver : so opportunately are their words delivered , so seasonably uttered , with such unaffected eloquence expressed , wheresoever this sweet and well-tempered discretion is seated . whereas others there be , whose indiscretion makes discovery of an ocean of words , but a drop of reason . they speake much , but expresse little ; their conceits are ever ballased with harshnesse ; their jests foisted in with too much dulnesse ; their discourse trimmed up with too much neatnesse ; their answers leavened with too much sowrenesse ; their lookes promising too much lightnesse , or unsociable perversenesse ; their pace either too quicke or too slow in dispatch of busines ; their whole posturean indisposed frame of irregular absurdities . but to draw in our fayles , touching the prosecution of this branch ; our reproofe shall reflect upon two sorts especially , whose devious course drawne by an indirect line , may seeme to deserve reprehension worthily . the first are such who give too easie raines to liberty , making pleasure their vocation ; as if they were created for no other end , then to dedicate the first fruits of the day to their glasse ; the residue to the stage or exchange . these , no sooner have they laid their artificiall complexion on their adulterate faces , then they grow sicke for their coach. they must visit such a lady , or what , perchance , is worse , such a lord. a minute now in their chambers seemes a moneth . shall wee display one of these in her colours ? the play-bils must be brought her by her pentioner : her eye views and reviewes , and out of her feminine judgement culs out one from among them which shee will see , purposely to be seene . much shee observes not in it , onely shee desires to be observed at it . her behaviour in a box , would make any one thinke shee were a bee in a box ; shee makes such a buzzing and rusling . this is her daily taske , till death enter the stage and play his part ; whom shee entertaines with such unpreparednesse , as her extreme act presents objects of infinite unhappinesse : as it sometimes fared with a gentlewoman of our owne nation , who so daily bestowed the expence of her best houres upon the stage , as being surprized by sicknesse , even unto death , shee became so deafe to such as admonished her of her end , as when her physician was to minister a receipt unto her , which hee had prepared to allay the extremity of that agonizing fit wherewith shee was then assailed , putting aside the receipt with her hand , as if shee rejected it , in the very height and heate of her distemper , with an active resolution used these words unto her doctor : thankes good horatio , take it for thy paines . so inapprehensive was shee of death at her end , because shee never meditated of death before her end . now for the second sort , they are meere antipodes to the former ; these are onely for profit , as the other were for pleasure . these become so wedded to the world , as they afflict their spirits , macerate their bodies , estrange themselves from offices of neighbourhood , to improve their revenewes , by discovering their too much providence to the world . and these are commonly such , as are matcht to schollers , whose contemplation hath taken them from the world , and recommended the management of their estate to their wife . now to both these sorts let mee addresse my instruction : as i could not possibly approve of the former , because they made pleasure their businesse : so i cannot commend these , because they make not their businesse a pleasure . let these take heed , that they incurre not that miserable insensibility , which i have heard sometimes befell to a worldling of their sexe : who approaching neere her haven , & entring now her last conflict with nature , was , by such as stood about her , earnestly moved to recommend her selfe to god , tender the welfare of her soule , and to make her salvation sure ; thus briefly , but fearfully answered , and forthwith departed : i have made it as sure as law will make it . or as wee read in a booke enituled the gift of feare , how a religious divine comming to a certaine vsuresse , to advise her of the state of her soule , and instruct her in the way to salvation , at such time as she lay languishing in her bed of affliction ; told her , how there were three things by her to be necessarily performed , if ever she hoped to be saved : first , shee was to be contrite in heart ; secondly , shee was to confesse her sinnes ; thirdly , shee was to make restitution according to her meanes . whereto shee thus replyed ; two of those first i will doe willingly : but to doe the last , i shall hold it a difficulty ; for should i make restitution , what would remaine to raise my children their portion ? to which the divine answered ; without these three you cannot be saved . yea but , quoth shee , doe our learned men and scriptures say so ! yes surely , said the divine . and i will try ( quoth shee ) whether they say true or no , for i will restore nothing . and so resolving , fearefully dyed , fearing poverty temporall , more then eternall , which shee was of necessity to suffer , ( without gods infinite interceding mercy ) for preferring the care of her posterity , before the honour of her maker . to be short , the former sort deserves reproofe , for making pleasure their ●ocation ; the latter for barring businesse all recreation . a discreet temper will moderate both these ; the first , by holding pleasure a pastime , and no businesse ; the last , by applying a cure to an incessant care , and immixing some pleasure with businesse , to attemper it , lest it incline to heavinesse . both which , equally concurring , are ever conferring to the labouring mind , inward quietnesse . complexion inclosed in a box , gives no tincture to the cheeke , nor morall precepts unapplyed , beauty to the mind . thus farre have wee proceeded in directions of behaviour ; insisting on such remarkeable observances , as might better enable you in each particular . wee are now to say before you , upon serious discussion of the premisses , how that behaviour is to be most approved , which is clearest from affectation freed . apes are catcht in desarts by imitation . would not you be caught by indiscretion ? imitate nothing servilely , it detracts from your gentility . i have noted some of our chambermaids take upon them such an unbeseeming state , when they came to visit their poore friends in the countrey , as they punctually retein'd both gate and garbe of their mincing mistresses in the city . to their parish-church they repaire to be seene and showne ; where if any of these civilized iugs chance to be saluted by the way , having quite forgot both broome and mop , with a scornefull eye they will not stick to returne this majestick answer : wee thanke you , my good people . it is discretion that appropriates to every peculiar degree their proper distinction . many things will beseeme the mistresse , which agree not with the quality of the maid . but in no degree will that behaviour seeme comely , which affectation hath introduced , be it in court , city , or countrey . you shall see many , purposely to cover some naturall blemish or deformity , practise that which makes them appeare farre more unseemly . here one indents with her lips to semper , that shee may hide the want or greatnesse of her teeth . another contracts with her tayler , lest nemesis should be seene sitting on her shoulder . a third weares her gowne with a carelesse loosenesse , to cover or colour her bodies crookednesse . this , with fabulla , buyes an artfull periwig to supply her art-fallen haire : that enazures her seered veines , embolsters her decayed brests , to purchase a sweet-heart . what an affected state this generally-infected state assumes , purposely to gaine a popular esteeme ? survey our streets , gaze on our windowes ; you shall see gazers to entertaine your eyes with variety of phantasticke behaviours . but these are none of vertues followers . would you be prayse-worthy ? vertue to her selfe is her chiefest prayse , her choycest prize . there is nothing comparably precious to a continent soule . affectation shee will not admit , for her habit ; both her habit and behaviour are proper not enforced ; native and not apishly introduced . shee cannot wooe a wanton lover with a dissembled blush , nor promise more with an outward presence , then shee resolves to admit with a spotlesse conscience . outward semblances , if light , shee holds apparant blemishes to her life . her life , as it is a line to her selfe , so she would have it a light to others . lacides prince of argos , was accounted lascivious onely for his sleeke lookes , and mincing gate . so pompey , because hee used to scratch his head with one finger , albeit very continent and modest . beleeve it , though your person be the booke , your behaviour is the index . which will require a large comment , if it expresse it selfe in ought probably incontinent . now , for as much as nothing better seemes you , more commendably adornes you , or more absolutely accommodates you , then what is native and unaffected , so it be by education seasoned : bee your owne women ; dis-value all apish formality ; resort not to the temple to take a patterne of some new fashion : modest discretion blusheth at such servile imitation . what you see in another , may become them , which would not become another . the asse in the fable seeing the dogge fawne and leap upon his master , though it would beseeme him , but sorting not with his nature , it got him a beating for his labour . now to distinguish betwixt an enforced and unaffected behaviour , it is most easie ; the very first blush will discover the one by the other . you shall observe these who are tyed to affectation in this kind , set their looke , gate , and whatsoever else may conferre a phantasticke grace on their usurped behaviour , so punctually , as if they had entred a solemne contract with eye , face , hand , foot and all , to hold constantly their dimension , to beget in the beholder a more setled admiration . whereas contrariwise , these whose free , genuine , and generous demeanours expresse themselves lesse strictly , but farre more comely , scorne to tye their affections to these servile restraints . they hold it farre more sutable with an italian pantomime , who professeth hope of profit upon the stage , to confine them to these regularities , then discreet women , whose honour is their honest behaviour ; and whose praise it is , to be exemplary to others in goodnesse , and not others apes in imitating their phantastick fashions . to conclude then this observation ; as you are generous by birth , dote not on that which is most ridiculous on this stage of earth . approve your selves chaste virgins , continent wives , discreet matrons , honourable widdowes , in your vertuous and modest demeanour . preserve that eternally , which gives accomplishment to gentility . your educations ( as may be presupposed ) have so beautified you , as the garbe you reteine is most proper unto you . the hyaena is a dangerous beast : yet her subtilty and cruelty take life from affectation and imitation . desire you to bee so behav'd , as others may admire you ? in your choyce of behaviour , inure your selves to what is neatest , not what is newest . invention in subjects of this kinde , doth more harme than good . so behave your selves , that too much curiosity may not taxe you of pride , nor too much majesty of state : modesty mixt with humility will temper both these , and make that behaviour which appeares in you , so well become you , as if it were borne with you , and not affectively derived from others to you . the english gentlevvoman . argument . complement defined ; how it may be corrupted ; how refined ; wherein it may be admitted as mainely consequent ; wherein omitted as meerely impertinent ; what complement gives best accomplishment . complement . complement hath beene anciently defined , and so successively reteined ; a no lesse reall than formall accomplishment . such as were more nobly and freely educated , and had improved their breeding by forraine observations ( so sweetly tempered was the equall union and communion of their affections ) instructed others in what they had seene and observed , either at home or abroad , worthy imitation or approvement . nothing was admitted in those times publikely , but what was by the graver censors first discussed privately . iealous were the pagans of forraine fashions : for , with such constancy they reteined their owne , as they seldome or never itched after others . the tyrian and sidonian were so suspected of pride , through their effeminacy in attire , and other light fashions which they used , as they were held dangerous to commerce with . so purely did those poore beamelings of nature reflect on her people ; that formality was held palpable hypocrisie , faire semblances and coole performances meer golden shadowes to delude others , but gull themselves most . princes courts were princely seminaries . delicacy was there no tutresse , nor effeminacy governesse . if alcibiades , albeit in athens the beautifull'st , for native endowments the pregnant'st , and for descent one of the noblest , introduce ought irregularly ; or expresse any complement which relisheth not of civility ; the author must suffer the censure of the city . it was very usuall in former times , when any embassie was addressed from one state unto another , for the senate or councell , from whence any such legate was sent , to schoole them in sundry particulars before they tooke their journey or received their commission : but in no caution were they more strict , then in expresse command that they should use no other garbe , complement , nor salute upon their approach in forraine courts , then what they had seene used and observed at home . thus their owne native fashion , became a note of distinction to every nation . neither am i ignorant , how , even in one and the selfe-same province , there may be generally introduced a different or distinct garbe : which proceedeth either from the commerce and confluence of people there resorting , and consequently improving their behaviour and elocution by their mutuall conference ; or from the princes court , where all state and majesty hath residence ; or from the temperature of the ayre , to which some have attributed an especiall preeminence . whereas , in desart and remote places , on which the beames of civill society seldome reflect , wee shall find nothing but barbarisme and unsociable wildnesse . education is the improver of the one , and producer of the other . wee shall ever see complement shine most in places eminent . there are objects fit for such subjects : such as expect it , and bestow their whole dayes practice in exercise of it : these aspire to the nature or definition of no art more eagerly , then complement , which they hold the absolute ornament of gentility . howsoever , mainely repugnant be their tenets touching the subsistence of complement . some have held , it consisted in congies , cringes , and salutes ; of which errour , i would this age wherein wee live , did not too much labour : others , meerely in a painted and superficiall discourse ; wherein they so miserably tyed themselves to words , as they tyred the impatient hearers with foolish repetitions , frivolous extravagancies ; being , in a word , so affianced to the shadow , as they forgot the substance . the last , which were onely reall and complete courtiers , held a seemely gracefull presence , beautifide with a native comelinesse , the deservingst complement that could attend us . certainely , if wee should exactly weigh the derivation of the word , wee could not imagine so meanly of it , as to consist meerly of words , or anticke workes . it was first intended to distinguish betwixt persons of civill and savage carriage : yea , to appropriate a title of preeminence to such , who exceeded others in grounds or precepts of morality ; whose lives appeared as lampes to enlighten others , and consequently perpetuate the memory of themselves . many noble and eminent ladies are recorded , both in divine and humane writ , to have excelled in this complement of honour . these knew the definition of it , and moulded their conversation to it : they knew what belonged to a posture of state ; they could court it without apish curiosity ; embrace love with a reserved modesty ; expresse themselves complete without singularity . forraigne fashions they distasted ; painted rhetoricke they dis-relished ; reall complement was all they affected . love they could without dissembling ; discourse without affecting ; shew court'sie without congying ; still retaining what was best beseeming . in the court they resided to better it ; not a straid looke could promise a loose lover least hope of a purchase ; nor coynesse dishearten a faithfull servant from his affectionate purpose they knew not what it was to protest in j●st ; to walke in the clouds ; to domineere over their captives , or entertaine many suitors . they freed complement of dissimulation , made vertue their load-stone to affection ; their actions were dedicated to good ends : by which meanes they made god and good men their friends . nor doe i feare it , but that our flourishing albion hath many such noble and complete ladies ; who so highly esteeme the true and native definition of complement , as they preferre the substance before the shadow . honour is their deerest tender , goodnesse their line , by which they daily draw neerer to perfection , their proper centre . thus farre for the definition , wherein we have the rather inlarged our discourse , that the subject whereof wee treat , may be discovered in her owne nature ; such as owe attendance to her , become better proficients in their instructions derived from her . neither can wee observe what may really deserve your imitation , but by discerning the excellence of that whereof wee treat by a true and proper definition . there is nothing on earth so pure , but abuse may corrupt it ; nothing so good , but custome may deprave it . this may appeare in this one subject , which wee have now in discourse . former times were not so jaded to fashions , as to esteeme nothing formall , but what was phantasticall . it was not then held the life of complement , to have the art to set a face , court a glasse , make a cringe or a ducke . legges were held for usefull supporters , but no complementall postures . new-minted words made not their tongues more complete : nor an outlandish salute their persons more admired . virgin-modesty made resolution her steletto to guard her honour : plumes and feathers were held light dressings for staid minds ; suspicious trimmings for stale maids . actors might weare them in their presentments upon the stage , but modest matrons were never allowed to weare them in the state. women were admitted to have painters , but not to be their owne painters : campaspe was pictured out in her colours by apelles : crotons five daughters lively depictured by zeuxes , yet these , without any helpe of art , still retained their owne native features . it was the complement of that age to deliver their mind freely without mincing , converse friendly without glozing ; walke the street demurely without gazing . wherein ( with submission ever to graver judgements ) this latter age , in mine opinion , deserves just reproofe . education is a second nature , and this hath given that freedome to women , as they may admit any oportunity to entertaine time with their amorous servants ; redart wanton tales with light blushes ; passe a whole afternoone in a bay-window , in congies , courtesies , and other uselesse complements . flashes of wit are made beguilers of time ; and these mixt now and then with such lascivious passages , as modesty might justly hold it selfe abused to be so encountred : alas ! who knowes not what secret traines are laid for credulous women , under these pretenced parlies ? doe you observe how their tongues are tipt with your praises ; how they honour your shadowes ; admire the earth you tread on ; adore the ayre you breath on ; and with their ayrie applauses so gild you , as in the end they palpably gull you ; leaving you no lesse miserably deluded , than themselves seased of what their sensuall quest pursued ? beware of that complement which gives way to rob you of your choycest ornament . egnatius , in catullus , is brought out , shewing the whitenesse of his teeth : a poore subject to raise an encomiasticke poem . these are theames for an amorous muse : white teeth , rolling eyes , a beautifull complexion ( all exteriour and inferiour goods ) being that which euryala his nurse praised , when shee washed the feet of vlysses , namely , gentle speech , and tender flesh . no lesse perswasive by the elegancy of the one , than invasive by delicacy of the other . but all these outward imbellishments give but small accomplishment to the inward beauty : " where good 's a better attribute than faire . now bee not these dainty subjects for a complete youth to discant on ? what crotchets and extemporall conceits are hatched out of an addle braine ? the very shadow of iulia's haire must not want the compleatest honour , that either art can devise , or cost erect . not a cooplet but must bee poetically complete ; which , out of an amorous phrensie , must , with mounting hyperboles , bee thus continued : skinne more pure than ida's snow , whiter farre than moorish milke , sweeter than ambrosia too , softer than the paphian silke , indian plumes or thistle-downe , or may-blossoms newly blowne , is my mistresse rosie-pale , adding beauty to her vaile . an excellent peece of complementall stuffe to catch a selfe-conceited one . many you have of your sexe , who are too attentive auditors in the report of their owne praises . nothing can bee attributed to them , which they hold not properly due unto them . which conceit , many times , so transports them , as , narcissus-like , they are taken with their owne shadowes ; doting on nothing more than these encomiasticke bladders of their desertlesse praises . let mee advise you , whose discretion should bee farre from giving light eare to such ayrie tritons , to disrellish the oylie complement of these amorous sycophants . it is hatefull oratorie , that brings you to selfe idolatrie . much more usefull and beneficiall it will bee for you to reteine that modesty which appeared in alphonsus prince of aragon's answer to a plausive orator ; who having repeated a long panegyricall oration in his prayse , replyed ; if that thou hast said , consent with truth , i thanke god for it ; if not , i pray god grant mee grace that i may doe it . you shall encounter with some of these complete amorists , who will make a set speech to your glove , and sweeten every period with the perfume of it . others will hold it an extraordinary grace to become porters of your misset , or holders of your fanne , while you pinne on your maske . service , observance , devotion , be the generall heads of their complement . other doctrine they have none , either to instruct morally , or informe politically . beleeve it , gentlewomen , they are ill-spent houres , that are bestowed in conference with these braine-wormes . their frivolous discourse will exact from you some answer : which if you shape justly to their dialect , there will bee more vaine wind spent , than you can redeeme with many teares . let no conceit transport you above your selves ; hold it for no complement worthy your breeding , to trifle time in love-toyes . they detract both from discretion and modesty , and oft-times endanger the ruine of the latter fearefully . this kinde of complement with great ones , were but meere canting among beggars . hee or shee are the completest , who in arguments of discourse and action are discreetest . full vessels give the least sound . such as hold complement the sole subject of a glib tongue , active cringe , or artfull smile ; are those onely mimicks , or buffouns of our age , whose behaviours deserve farre more derision than applause . thus you have heard how complement may bee corrupted ; wee now purpose , with as much propriety and brevity as wee may , to shew you how it may bee refined : to the end , that what is in its owne nature so commendable , may bee entertained with freedome of choyce , and reteined without purpose to change . the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleares and purifies it . it is the honour of the physician to restore nature , after it bee decayed . it is the sole worke of that supreme architect to bring light out of darkenesse , that what was darke might bee enlightened ; life out of death , that what was dead might bee enlivened ; way out of error , that the erring might bee directed ; knowledge out of ignorance , that the ignorant might bee instructed ; a salve out of sinne , that sinnes sore might bee cured ; comfort out of affliction , that the afflicted might bee comforted ; hope out of despaire , that the desperate might bee succoured ; a raising from falling , that their fall might bee recovered ; strength out of weaknesse , that his great worke might bee glorified . gold thrice tryed , becomes the purer and more refined : and complement the most , when it is best accommodated . true it is , that society is either a plague or a perfume . it infects , where consorts are ill-affected ; but workes excellent effects , where vertuous consorts are assembled . it is the sweetest note that one can sing , when grace in vertues key , tunes natures string . where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith mellifluous bernard ) is sweet and delectable : where one man is meeke , it is profitable : where neither , it proves pernicious and uncomfortable . it is society that gives us , or takes from us our security . let me apply this unto you , gentlewomen , whose vertuous dispositions , ( so sweetly hath nature grac'd you ) promise nothing lesse than fervorous desires of being good . would you have that refined in you , which others corrupt , by inverting the meanes ? or expresse that in her native colours , which will beautifie you more than any artificiall or adulterate colours , whose painted varnish is no sooner made than melted ? make choyce of such for your consorts , whose choyce may admit no change . let no company bee affected by you , which may hazard infecting of you . the world is growne a very pest-house : timely prevention must bee used , before the infection have entred . you have no such soveraigne receits to repell , as you have to prevent . the infection of vice leaves a deeper spot or speckle on the mind , than any desease doth on the body . the blackmoore may sooner change his skin , the leopard his spots , than a soule deepe dyed in the graine of infection , can put off her habituate corruption . bee it then your principall care to make choyce of such bashfull maids , modest matrons , or reverend widdowes , as hold it their best complement to retaine the opinion of being continent . infamy hath wings as swift as fame . shunne the occasion , lest you undergoe the brand . posthuma , because given to laughter , and something forward to talke with men , was suspected of her honesty ; where being openly accused , shee was acquitted by spurius minutius , with this caveat , to use words sutable to her life . civility , trust me , is the best and most refined complement that may bee . courting in publike places , and upon first sight , it affects not ; for it partakes more of impudent than complete . bee it of the city that argument of discourse bee ministred , it can talke freely of it without mincing ; or of the court , it can addresse it selfe to that garbe in apt words without minting ; or of the countrey , in an home-spun phrase it can expresse whatsoever in the countrey deserves most prayse . and all this in such a proper and familiar manner , as such who are tied to complement , may aspire to it , but never attaine it . hee that hath once tasted of the fountaine clitorius , will never afterward drinke any wine . surely , howsoever this civill and familiar forme of dialect may seeme but as pure running water in comparison of complement , which , like nectar , streames out in conduits of delight to the humorous hearer : yet our discreet complementer preferres the pure fountaine before the troubled river . it is true , that many fashions , which even these later times have introduc'd , deserve free admittance ; yea , there is some thing yet in our oare , that may be refined . yet in the acceptance of these , you are not to entertaine whatsoever these finer times have brought forth . where variety is affected , and the age to inconstancy subjected , so as nothing but what is rare and new becomes esteemed : either must our inventions bee present and pregnant , our surveyes of forraine places serious and sollicitant , or wee shall fall into decay of fashion , or make old ones new , and so by antiquity gull our nation . truth is , though our tongues , hands , bodies , and legges bee the same , our elocution , action , gesture , and posture are not the same . should the soule of troilus , according to that erroneous transmigration of pythagoras , passe into the body of one of our english courtiers ; or hortensius , ( who was an orator active enough ) into one of our english lawyers ; or antigone ( who was complementall enough ) into one of our english curtezans ; they would finde strange cottages to dwell in . what is now held complete ; a few yeares will bury in disgrace . nothing then so refined , if on earth seated , which time will not raze , or more curious conceits dis-esteeme , or that universall reduction to nothing dissolve . that complement may seeme pleasing ; such a fashion generally affecting ; such a dressing most complete : yet are all these within short space covered with contempt . what you observe then to be most civill in others , affect it ; such an habit needs not to bee refined , which cannot be bettered . fashion is a kinde of frenzy ; it admires that now , which it will laugh at hereafter , when brought to better temper . civility is never out of fashion ; it ever reteines such a seemely garbe , as it conferres a grace on the wearer , and enforceth admiration in the beholder . age cannot deface it ; contempt disgrace it ; nor gravity of judgement ( which is ever held a serious censor ) disapprove it . bee thus minded , and this complement in you will bee purely refined . you have singular patternes to imitate , represent them in your lives , imitate them in your loves . the corruption of the age , let it seize on ignoble spirits ; whose education , as it never equall'd yours , so let them strike short of those nobler indowments of yours : labour daily to become improved , honour her that will make you honoured : let vertue be your crowne , who holds vanity a crime : so may you shew holinesse in your life , enjoy happinesse at your death , and leave examples of goodnesse unto others both in life and death . courts and eminent places are held fittest schooles for complement : there the cinnamon tree comes to best growth ; there her barke gives sweetest sent . choice and select fashions are there in onely request ; which oft-times like those ephemera , expire after one dayes continuance : whatsoever is vulgar , is thence exploded ; whatsoever novell , generally applauded . here bee weekely lectures of new complements ; which receive such acceptation , and leave behinde them that impression , as what garbe soever they see used in court publikely , is put in present practise privately ; lest discontinuance should blemish so deserving a quality . the courts glosse may bee compared to glasse , bright , but brittle ; where courtiers ( saith one ) are like counters , which sometime in account goe for a thousand pound , and presently before the count bee cast , but for a single penny . this too eager affection after complement , becomes the consumption of many large hereditaments . whereto it may bee probably objected , that even discretion injoynes every one to accommodate himselfe to the fashion or condition of that place wherein hee lives . to which objection i easily condescend ; for , should a rusticke or boorish behaviour accompany one who betakes himselfe to the court , hee might bee sure to finde a controuler in every corner to reprove him ; or some complete gallant or other , pittifully to geere and deride him . but to dote so on fashion , as to admire nothing more then a phantasticke dressing , or some anticke complement , which the corruption of an effeminate state hath brought in , derogates more from discretion , then the strict observance of any fashion addes to her repute . this place should bee the beacon of the state ; whose mounting prospect surveyes these inferiour coasts which pay homage and fealty unto her . the least obliquity there , is exemplary elsewhere . piercing'st judgements , as well as pregnant'st wits should bee there resident . not a wandring or indisposed haire , but gives occasion of observance to such as are neere . how requisite then is it for you , whose nobler descents promise , yea , exact more of you then inferiours , to expresse your selves best in these best discerning and deserving places ? you are women , modesty makes you completest : you are noblewomen , desert accompanying your descent will make you noblest . you may , and conveniency requires it , reteine a courtly garbe , reserve a well seeming state , and shew your selves lively emblemes of that place , wherein you live : you may entertaine discourse , to allay the irkesomenesse of a tedious houre ; bestow your selves in other pleasing recreations , which may no lesse refresh the mind , then they conferre vigour and vivacity to the body . you may be eminent starres , and expresse your glory in the resplendent beames of your vertues ; so you suffer no blacke cloud of infamy to darken your precious names . shee was a princely christian courtier , who never approached the court , but shee meditated of the court of heaven ; never consorted with her courtiers , but shee contemplated those citizens of heaven ; nor ever entred the presence-chamber , but shee thought of the presence of her maker , the king of heaven . and how shee was never conscious of that thought which redounded not to her subjects honour ; which shee preferred next to the love of her maker , before the fruition of an empire . such meditations are receits to cure all inordinate motions . your lives should be the lines to measure others actions . vertue is gracious in every subject , but most in that , which the prince or princesse hath made gracious . anciently , the world was divided into three parts , whereof europe was held the soule ; properly , every politike state may be divided into three cantons , whereof the court is the sunne . you are objects to many eyes ; be your actions platformes to many lives . i can by no meanes approve that wooing and winning complement ( though most courts too generally affect it ) which makes her sole object , purchase of servants or suitors . this garbe tastes more of curtezan then courtier : it begets corrivals , whose fatall duello's end usually in blood . our owne state hath sometimes felt the misery of these tragicke events ; by suffering the losse of many generous and free-bred sparkes ; who , had not their torches beene extinguished in their blood , might to this day have survived , to their countries joy and their owne same . so great is the danger that lyes hid in affable complements , promising aspects , affectionate glances , as they leave those who presumed of their owne strength , holding themselves invulnerable , many times labouring of wounds incurable . be you no such basilisks ; never promise a calme in your face , where you threaten a storme in your heart . appeare what you are , lest censure taxe you of inconstancy , by saying , you are not what you were . an open countenance and restrained bosome sort not well together . sute your discourse to your action ; both to a modest dispose of your affection . throw abroad no loose lures , wandring eyes , strayed lookes ; these delude the spectators much , but the actors most . a just revenge● by striving to take in others , they are taken by others . how dangerous doe we hold it to be , in a time of infection , to take up any thing , be it never so precious , which wee find lost in the street ? one of your loose lookes , be it darted with never so complementall a state , is farre more infectious , and mortally dangerous . there is nothing that sounds more cheerefully to the eare , or leaves a sweeter accent ; nothing that conveyes it selfe more speedily to the heart , or affords fuller content for the time , then conceit of love . it will immaze a perplexed wretch in a thousand extremes ; whose amazed thoughts stand so deepely ingaged to the object of his affection , as hee will sustaine any labour , in hope of a trifling favour . such soveraignty beauty reteines ; which , if discretion temper not , begets such an height of conceit in the party beloved , as it were hard to say , whether the agent or patient suffer more . to you let me returne , who stand fixed in so high an orbe ; as a gracefull majesty well becomes you , so let modesty grace that majesty ; that demeaning your selves like complete and gracious courtiers on earth , you may become triumphant and glorious courtiers in heaven . this garbe , as it suites not with all persons , so sorts it not to all places . for a mechanicke to affect complement , would as ill seeme him , as for a rough-hewen satyre to play the orator . it is an excellent point of discretion , to fit ones selfe to the quality or condition of that place where he resides . that vrbanity which becomes a citizen , would rellish of too much curiosity in a countrey-man . that complement which gives proper grace to a courtier , would beget derision or contempt , being personated by a merchant or his factor . in affaires of state , is required a gracefull or complete posture ; which many times procures more reverence in the person interessed , then if that state were omitted . whereas , in ordinary affaires of trafficke , it were indiscretion to represent any such state , or to use any expression , either by way of discourse or action , that were not familiar . that person , who prefers complement before profit : and will rather speake not to be understood , then lose one polite-stollen phrase , which hee hath purchased by eare onely , and understands not , may account himselfe one among his bank-rupt brethren , before hee breake . it is pittifull to heare what a remnant of fustian , for want of better complement , a complete-countrey-gossip ( for so shee holds her selfe ) will utter in one houre amongst her pew-fellowes . how shee will play the schoole-mistresse in precepts of discipline and morall behaviour ! nothing so gracefull in another , which shee will not freely reprove ; nothing so hatefull in her selfe , which shee will not confidently approve . teach shee will , before shee be taught ; and correct form● it selfe , to bring forme out of love with it selfe . to which malady , none is more naturally subject , then some ladies cashiered gentlewoman , or one who hath plaid schoole-mistresse in the city , and for want of competent pay , removes her campe into the countrey : where she brings enough of vanity into every family throughout the parish . shee will not sticke to instruct her young pupils in strange points of formality , enjoyning them not to aske their parents blessing without a complement . these , as they were never mistresses of families , so they are generally ignorant in employments of that kind . those three principall workes or faculties of the vnderstanding , which might enable them to discourse , distinguish , and to chuse , are so estranged from them , as their discourse consists solely in arguments of vanity , their distinction in meere shadowes of formality , their choyce in subjects and consorts of effeminacy . eight things , saith hippocrates , make ones flesh moist and fat ; the first , to be merry and live at hearts ease ; the second , to sleepe much ; the third , to lye in a soft bed ; the fourth , to fare well ; the fifth , to be well apparelled and appointed ; the sixth , to ride alwayes on horse-backe ; the seventh , to have our will ; and the eighth , to bee employed in playes and pastimes , and in such time-beguiling recreations , as yeeld contentment and pleasure . these are the onely receits in request with those shee-censors wee now discourse of ; and of whom it may be said , as was sometimes spoken of one margites , that he never plowed , nor digged , nor did any thing all his life long that might tend unto goodnesse ; and by necessary consequence wholly unprofitable to the world . who , howsoever they are lesse then women at their worke , yet at their meat ( so unconfined is their appetite ) they are more then men , and in their habits ( so phantasticke is their conceit , neither women nor men . so as , were diogenes to encounter one of these , hee might well expostulate the cause with her , as hee did upon like occasion with a youth too curiously and effeminately drest : if thou goest to men , all this is but in vaine ; if unto women , it is wicked . but these wee hold altogether unworthy of your more generous society ; whose excellent breeding hath sufficiently accommodated you for city , court , and countrey ; and so fully inform'd you how to demeane your selves in all affaires ; as i make little doubt , but you know wherein it may bee admitted , as mainely consequent ; and wherein omitted as meerely impertinent . i meane therefore to descend briefly to the last branch of this observation ; declaring , what ornament gives complement best beauty or accomplishment . it is true , what the sonne of sirach sometimes said ; when a man hath done his best , hee must beginne againe ; and when hee thinketh to come to an end , hee must goe againe to his labour . there is nothing so exact , which may not admit of something to make it more perfect . wee are to goe by stayres and steps to the height of any story . vertues are the staires , perfection the spire . but i must tell you , gentlewomen , the way for you to ascend , is first to descend : complete you cannot be , unlesse you know how replete you are of misery . humility is the staire that conducts you to this spire of glory . your beauty may proclaime you faire ; your discourse expresse a pregnancy of conceit ; your behaviour confirme you outwardly complete . yet there is something more then all this required , to make you absolutely accomplished . all these outward becommings , be they never so gracefull , are but reflections in a glasse ; quite vanished , so soone as the glasse is removed . critolaus balance was of precious temper , and well deserving estimation with heires of honour ; who poised the goods of body and fortune in one skale , and goods of the mind in the other : where the goods of the mind so farre weighed downe the other , as the heaven doth the earth and seas . to lead a dance gracefully ; to marry your voice to your instrument musically ; to expresse your selves in prose and verse morally ; are commendable qualities , and enforcing motives of affection . yet i must tell you , for the first , though it appeare by your feet to be but a meere dimension , in the opinion of the learned , it is the divels procession : where the dance is the circle , whose centre is the divell . which may be restrained by a more easie or moderate glosse to such wanton and immodest revels , as have anciently beene used in the celebration of their prophane feasts by pagans , and are to this day by pagan-christians ; who , to gaine applause from the spectator , care not what shamelesse parts they play in the presence of their maker . but what are these worth , being compared with these inward ornaments or beauties of your mind ; which onely distinguish you from other creatures , and make you soveraignesses over the rest of gods creatures ? you have that within you , which will best accomplish you . let not that bee corrupted , by which your crooked wayes may be best corrected . hold it no such necessary point of complement , to shew a kind of majesty in a dance ; and to preferre it before the complement of a religious taske . those sensuall curtezans , who are so delighted in songs , pipes , and earthly melody , shall in hell rore terribly and howle miserably ; crying , as it is in the apocalips ; woe , woe , woe . woe shall every one cry severally , for the reward they have received in hell eternally ; saying and sighing , woe is mee that ever i was borne : for farre better had it beene for her , that shee had never beene borne . and againe , cursed bee the wombe that bare mee a sinner . after this , shall shee cry out in her second woe against her selfe and all the members of her owne body : woe bee unto you my accursed feet , what evill have you brought upon mee , miserable wretch , who by your perverse paths and wicked wayes have shut heavens gate of mee ? woe unto you my hands , why have you deprived mee by your sinfull touch , and sensuall embrace , of the crowne of glory ? by your meanes am i brought to hell fire , where i shall bee tormented eternally . woe unto thee , thou cursed tongue , what mischiefe hast thou brought upon mee , by uttering words so scurrilous and filthy , and singing uncivill songs so frequently ? o ye cursed eyes , who by your unlawfull objects of concupiscence , have deprived mee of gods presence , and never shed one teare for your sinnes in token of repentance ! now begins your intolerable weeping ( yee teare-swolne eyes never dryed ) before all the divels and the damned . woe unto thee my heart , what hast thou put upon mee , who by thy lustfull thoughts and unlawfull joyes , hast deprived me of eternall joyes ? the third woe , that shee shall cry out , is this , saying : woe unto the bitternesse of my torments , for they are comfortlesse : woe unto the multitude of them , for they are numberlesse : woe unto the eternity of them , for they are endlesse . would our wanton curtezans , who sport it in their beds of ivory , surfeit it in their delicacy , wanton it in the bosome of security , and dedicate their whole time to sensuality , reflect upon such a soveraigne salve or spirituall balme as this ; they would draw backe their feet from the wayes of wantonnesse , and exercise them wholly in the paths of righteousnesse . they would remove their hands from unchaste embraces , and inure them to the search of scriptures . they would stop their mouthes from uttering ought uncivilly , and teach their tongues to bee orators of modesty . they would turne their eyes from vanity , and fixe them on the purest objects of eternity . that so , instead of bitternesse of torments , they might taste the sweetnesse of divine comforts : instead of multitude of torments , they might partake the numberlesse number of gods mercies : and instead of the eternity of those torments , immortality with gods saints and servants . prevention is the life of policy : the way to avoid those , and enjoy these , is to live in your court here on earth , where you are spheared , as in the presence of god and his heavenly angels , where your hope is seated . though your feet bee here , your faith should bee there : here your campe , there your court. meane time , while you sojourne here , you are to hold a good christian the completest courtier : and that vertue is the ornament , which gives complement the best accomplishment . silken honour is like painted meate ; it may feed the eye , but affords no nourishment . that courtiers coate gives a vading glosse , whose heart is not inwardly lin'd with grace . let goodnesse guide you in the way , and happinesse will crowne you in the end . let your complete armour be righteousnesse , your complement lowlinesse : complete in nothing so much as holinesse ; that in your convoy from earth , you may bee endenized in heaven , naturall citizens , angelicall courtiers . the english gentle-vvoman . argument . decency recommended as requisite in foure distinct subjects : decency the attractivest motive of affection : the smoothest path that leads to perfection . decency . decency takes discretion ever along with her to choose her fashion . shee accommodates her selfe to the place wherein shee lives , the persons with whom shee consorts , the ranke or quality shee partakes . shee is too discreet to affect ought that may not seeme her : too constant to change her habit for the invention of any phantasticke wearer . what propriety shee expresseth in her whole posture or carriage , you shall easily perceive , if you will but with a piercing eye , a serious survey , reflect upon her demeanour in her gate , looke , speech , habit. of which , distinctly , wee purpose to intreat , in our entry to this observation ; that by these you may probably collect the excellency of her condition . that , wherein wee should expresse our selves the humblest , many times transports us most , and proclaimes us proudest . it is no hard thing to gather the disposition of our heart , by the dimension of our gate . what a circular gesture wee shall observe some use in their pace , as if they were troubled with the vertigo ! others make a tinkling with their feet , and make discovery of their light thoughts , by their wanton gate . others with a jetting and strutting pace , publish their hauty and selfe-conceited minde . thus doe our wantons ( as if they had transparent bodies ) display their folly , and subject themselves to the censure of levity . this cannot decency endure . when shee sees women , whose modesty should bee the ornament of their beauty , demeane themselves more like actors than civill professants , shee compassionately suffers with them , and with choyce precepts of morall instruction ( wherein shee hath ever shewne her selfe a singular proficient ) shee labours to reclaime them : with amorous , but vertuous rhetoricke , shee wooes them , hoping by that meanes to winne them . shee bids them looke backe to preceding times , yea those , on which that glorious light which shines in those christian dayes , never reflected ; and there they shall finde women highly censured , for that their outward carriage onely made them suspected . a vaile covered their face , modesty measured out their pace ; their spectators were as so many censors : circumspect therefore were they of their carriage , lest they should become a scandall or blemish to their sexe . their repaire to their temples was decent , without any loose or light gesture ; entring their temples , constant and setled was their behaviour . quicke was their pace in dispatch of houshold affaires ; but slow in their epicureall visits or sensuall gossipings . they had not the art of imitating such huffing & mounting gates , as our light-spirited dames now use . they were not as then learn'd to pace : so far estrang'd were they from the very least conceit of vanity in this kinde . how much more should these purer times , where verity is taught and embraced , vanity so much tax'd and reproved , affect that most , which adornes and beautifies most ? is it not palpable folly , to walke so hautily in these streets of our captivity ? eye your feet , those bases of frailty , how they , who so proudly strut on earth , are but earth , and approach daily nearer their earth . the swan , when she prides her selfe in her whitenesse , reflects on her blacke feet , which brings downe her plumes , and allayes her selfe-conceit with more humblenesse . what anticke pageants shall wee behold in this survey of earth ? with what apish gestures they walke , which taxeth them of lightnesse ? how like colosso's others walke , which discovers their haughtinesse ? how punctually these , as if they were puppets drawn by an enforced motion ? how phantastically those , as if their walke were a theatrall action ? these unstaid dimensions argue unsetled dispositions . all is not well with them . for if one of the spartan ephori was to lose his place , because hee observ'd no decency in his pace , how may wee bee opinion'd of such women , whose yeeres exact of them stayednesse , whose places reteine in them more peculiar reverence , and whose descents injoyne them to a state-reservance ; when they , to gaine observance , admit of any new , but undecent posture ? deserve these approvement ? no ; discretion cannot prize them , nor judgement praise them . vulgar opinion , whose applause never receives life from desert , may admire what is new , but discretion that onely which is neat . it is one thing to walke honestly as on the day , another thing to walke uncivilly as on the night . decency becomes the one ; deformity the other . neither onely are modest women to bee cautelous how they walke , but where they walke . some places there bee , whereto if they repaire , walke they never so civilly , they cannot walke honestly . those who value reputation , will not bee seene there ; for honour is too deare a purchase to bee set at sale . such as frequent these places , have exposed themselves to shame ; and made an irrevocable contract with sinne . they make choyce of the twy-light , lest their paths should be discovered ; and shrowd their distained actions with the sable curtaine of night , lest they should bee displayed . these , howsoever their feet walke softly , their hearts poste on swiftly , to seize on the voluptuous prey of folly . farre bee these wayes from your walkes , vertuous ladies , whose modesty makes you honoured of your sexe . though your feet bee here below , let your faith bee above . let no path of pleasure draw you from those joyes which last for ever . though the world bee your walke while you sojourne here ; heaven should bee your ayme , that you may repose eternally there . live devoutly , walke demurely , professe constantly ; that devotion may instruct you , your wayes direct you , your profession conduct you to your heavenly countrey . it is a probable argument , that such an one hates her countrey , where onely shee is to become citizen , who thinkes it to bee well with her here , where shee is a pilgrim . walke in this maze of your pilgrimage , that after death you may enjoy a lasting heritage . so shall you praise god in the gate , and , after your christian race finished , receive a crowne . it is most true , that a wanton eye is the truest evidence of a wandring and distracted minde . the arabians proverbe is elegant ; shut the windowes , that the house may give light . it is death that enters in by the windowes . the house may bee secured , if these bee closed . whence it was , that princely prophet praid so earnestly , lord turne away mine eyes from vanity . and hence appeares mans misery : that those eyes , which should bee the cesternes of sorrow , limbeckes of contrition , should become the lodges of lust , and portals of our perdition . that those which were given us for assistants and associates , should become our assassinat● . our eye is made the sense of sorrow , because the sense of sinne ; yet more apt is shee to give way to sinne , then to finde one teare to rinse her sinne . an uncleane eye is the messenger of an uncleane heart : confine the one , and it will bee a means to rectifie the other . many dangerous objects will a wandring eye finde , whereon to vent the disposition of her corrupt heart . no place is exempted , no subject freed . the ambitious eye makes honour her object , wherewith shee afflicts her selfe , both in aspiring to what shee cannot enjoy , as likewise in seeing another enjoy that , whereto her selfe did aspire . the covetous makes wealth her object ; which shee obtaines with toile , enjoyes with feare , forgoes with griefe : for being got they load her , lov'd they soile her , lost they gall her . the envious makes her neighbours flourishing field , or fruitfull harvest , her object ; shee cannot but looke on it , looking pine and repine at it , and repining justly consume her spirit with envying it . the lascivious makes beauty her object , and with a leering looke , while shee throweth out her lure to catch others , shee becomes catcht herselfe . this object because it reflects most on your sexe , let it bee thus disposed , that the inward eye of your soules may bee on a superiour beauty fixed . doe ye admire the comelinesse of any creature ? remove your eye from that object , and bestow it on the contemplation of your creator . wormes and flyes , that have layen dead all winter by reflexe of the sunne beames , are revived : so these flesh-flyes , who have beene long time buried in these sensuall objects of earth , no sooner reflect on the sunne of righteousnesse , than they become enlivened and enlightened . those filmes which darkened the eye of their mindes , are removed , those thicke cataracts of earthly vanities are dispersed and dispelled , and a new light into a new heart infused . i know well , gentlewomen , that your resort to places of eminent resort , cannot but minister to you variety of objects . yea , even where nothing but chaste thoughts , staid lookes , and zealous desires should harbour , are now and then loose thoughts , light lookes , and licentious desires in especiall honour . the meanes to prevent this malady , which like a spreading ulcer disperseth it selfe in every society , is neither willingly to take nor bee taken . dinah may bee a proper embleme for the eye ; shee seldome strayes abroad , but shee is in danger of ravishing . now to preserve purity of heart , you must observe a vigilant discipline over every sense . where , if the eye , which is the light of the body , bee not well disposed , the rest of the senses cannot choose but bee much darkned . wee say , that the want of one peculiar sense supplies that defect with an higher degree of perfection in the rest . sure i am , there is no one sense that more distempers the harmony of the mind , nor prospect of the soule , then this window of the body . it opens ever to the raven , but seldome to the dove . raving affections it easily conveyes to the heart ; but dove-like innocence it rarely reteines in the brest . as it is a member of the flesh , so becomes it a servant of the flesh ; apprehending with greedinesse , whatsoever may minister fuell to carnall concupiscence . this you shall easily correct , by fixing her on that pure and absolute object , for which shee was made . it is observed by profest oculists ( an observation right worthy a christians serious consideration ) that whereas all creatures have but foure muscles to turn their eyes round about , man hath a fift to pull his eyes up to heaven . doe not then depresse your eyes , as if they were fixed on earth , nor turne them round , by gazing on the fruitlesse vanities of earth ; but on heaven , your haven after earth . in the philosophers scale ▪ the soule of a flye is of more excellence then the sunne ; in a christian scale , the soule of man is infinitely more precious then all creatures under the sun. preserve then the honour of a beautifull soule , which suffers infinitely when it is blemished with any soile . so order and dispose your lookes , as censure may not taxe you of lightnesse , nor an amorous glance impeach you of wantonnesse . send not forth a tempting eye to take another ; nor entertaine a tempting looke darting from another . neither take nor bee taken . to become a prey to others , will slave you● to make a prey of others , will transport you . looke then upward , where the more you looke you shall like , the longer you live you shall love . without speech can no society subsist . by it we expresse what we are , as vessels discover themselves best by their sound . discretion makes opportunity her anvile , whereon is wrought a seasonable discourse . otherwise , howsoever wee speake much , wee discourse little . that sage stagyrian debating of the convenience and propriety of discourse before alexander , maintained , that none were to bee admitted to speake ( by way of positive direction ) but either those that mannaged his wars , or his philosophers which governed his house . this opinion tasted of too much strictnesse ( will our women say ) who assume to themselves a priviledge in arguments of discourse , be the argument never so course whereon they treat . truth is , their tongues are held their defensive armour ; but in no particular detract they more from their honour , then by giving too free scopeto that glibbery member . for to such as professe their ability at this weapon , may that saying of pandolphus bee properly applied : they speake much ill , but they speake little well ; they speake much , but doe little . againe , they doe little well , but they doe much ill ; they say well , but doe ill . they promise much , but doe little . what restraint is required in respect of the tongue , may appeare by that ivory guard or garrison with which it is impaled . see , how it is double warded , that it may with more reservancy and better security be restrained ! to give liberty to the tongue to utter what it list , is the argument of an indiscreet person . in much speech there can never want sinne , it either leaves some tincture of vaine-glory , which discovers the proud heart , from whence it proceeded ; or some taste of scurrility , which displayes the wanton heart , from whence it streamed ; or some violent and dispassionate heat , which proclaimes a rancorous heart , from whence it issued . whereas , a well-disposed mind will not speake before it conceive ; nor deliver ought by way of expression , till it be prepared by a well-seasoned deliberation . that philosophers speech deserves retention ; who seeing a silent guest at a publike feast , used these words : if thou beest wise , thou art a foole ; if a foole , thou art wise in holding thy peace . for as propriety of speech ministers no lesse delight then profit to the hearer : so it argues discretion in the speaker , begetting him such attention , as not one syllable fals from him , which merits not retention . in your dialect then , you are not to hide your talent , if it probably appeare that you may improve any one by it . wherein let me advise you never to tye your selves so strictly to elegancie or ornament , as by the outward trimming to forget the benefit of speech , and so fall into expressions impertinent . this were to preferre the rinde before the pith : and to ingage sense to a profuse speech . as discourse usually edifying confers a benefit to the hearer ; so discourses ●●itlesse and wandring , as they tire the eare , so they taxe the discretion of the speaker . it was an excellent precept of ecclesiasticus : thou that art young , speake , if need be , and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked . comprehend much in few words ; in many be as one that is ignorant : be as one that understandeth , and yet hold thy tongue . the direction is generall , but to none more consequently usefull then to young women ; whose bashfull silence is an ornament to their sexe . volubility of tongue in these , argues either rudenesse of breeding , or boldnesse of expression . the former may be reclaimed by a discreet tutor , but the latter , being grounded on arrogancy of conceit , seldome or never . it will beseeme you , gentlewomen , whose generous education hath estranged you from the first , and whose modest disposition hath wean'd you from the last , in publike consorts , to observe rather then discourse . it suites not with her honour , for a young woman to be prolocutor : but especially , when either men are in presence , or ancient matrons , to whom shee owes a civill reverence , it will become her to tip her tongue with silence . touching the subject of your discourse , when opportunity shall exact it of you , and without touch of immodesty expect it from you ; make choyce of such arguments as may best improve your knowledge in houshold affaires , and other private employments . to discourse of state-matters , will not become your auditory : nor to dispute of high points of divinity , will it sort well with women of your quality . these shee-clarkes many times broach strange opinions ; which , as they understand them not themselves , so they labour to intangle others of equall understanding to themselves . that divine sentence , being made an individuate consort to their memory , would reclaime them from this errour , and free them from this opinionate censure : god forbid , that wee should not be readier to learne then to teach . women , as they are to be no speakers in the church , so neither are they to be disputers of controversies of the church . holy bernard pleasantly glanced at these , when on a time entring a church , wherein the image of our lady was erected , hee was saluted by the image in this manner , good morrow bernard ; which device having quickly discovered , perceiving some person to bee purposely inclosed in it , hee forthwith replyed : your ladiship hath forgot your selfe ; women should be no speakers in the church . in one word , as modesty gives the best grace to your behaviour , so moderation of speech to your discourse . silence in a woman is a moving rhetoricke , winning most , when in words it wooeth least . now , to give speech and silence their distinct attributes or personall characters , wee may gather their severall tempers by the severall effects derived from them . more shall wee see fall into sinne by speech then silence : yea , whosoever intendeth himselfe to speake much , seldome observes the course of doing what is just . in the whole current of your discourse , let no light subject have any place with you : this , as it proceeds from a corrupt and indisposed heart , so it corrupts the hearer . likewise , beware of selfe-prayse ; it argues you have slow neighbours , or few deserts . let not calumny runne descant on your tongue : it discovers your passion too much ; in the meane time , venting of your spleene affords no cure to your griefe , no salve to your sore . if opportunity give your sexe argument of discourse ; let it neither taste of affectation , for that were servile ; nor touch upon any wanton relation , for that were uncivill ; nor any state-politicall action , for rhe height of such a subject , compared with your weaknesse , were unequall . if you affect rhetoricke , let it be with that familiarity expressed , as your plainenesse may witnesse for you , that you doe not affect it . this will make your speech seeme gracious to the hearer , conferre a native modesty on the speaker , and free you of all prejudicate censure . there is nothing which moves us more to pride it in sinne , then that which was first given us to cover our shame . the fruit of a tree made man a sinner ; and the leaves of a tree gave him a cover . in your habit is your modesty best expressed ; your dispositions best discovered . the habit of the mind is discerned by the state or posture of the body ; the condition or quality of the body by the habit , which either addes or detracts from her beauty . as wee cannot probably imagine such to have modest minds , who have immodest eyes ; so can wee not properly say such women to bee modest matrons , or professors of piety , who in their attire shew arguments of their immodesty . it skils not much , for the quality of your habits , whether they be silken or wollen , so they bee civill and not wanton . for albeit , some have affirmed that all gorgeous attire is the attire of sinne , the quality of the person may seeme to extenuate the quality of that sinne . for noble and eminent personages were in all times admitted to weare them ; and to be distinguished by them : neither , indeed , is the sumptuousnesse of the habit so reprehensive , as the phantasticknesse of the habit in respect of the forme or fashion . it is this which derogates higly from the repute of a christian , to see her affect variety and inconstancy of attire , more then ever did pagan . there is nothing which introduceth more effeminacy into any flourishing state , then vanity in habit . where wee may observe fashion , many times , so long affected , till all fashion become exiled . surely , whatsoever our lighter disposed curtezans thinke , it is civility which addes most grace ; decency which expresseth best state ; and comlinesse in attire , which procures most love . other habits , as they display the mind of the wearer , so are they subjects of laughter or contempt to any discreet beholder . time is too precious to bee made a pageant or morrice on . these misconceived ornaments are meere deformities to good minds . vertuous and discreet matrons would bee loath to weare ought that might give least scandall or offence to their sexe . forraine fashions are no bai●s to catch them , nor phantasticke , rather phanaticke dressings to delude them . they cannot eye that habit which deserves approving , nor that attire which merits loving , where civility is not patterne . decency is their choycest every , which sets them forth above all embroyderie . there was an ancient edict amongst the romans , purposely to rid the state of all uselesse loyterers , that no roman should goe through the streets of the city , unlesse hee carried with him the badge or signall of that trade whereby hee lived : insomuch , that marc. aurelius , speaking of the diligence of the romans , giveth them this deserving testimony , that all of them followed their labour . now i marvell , whether upon due survey of all those artizans , either periwig , gregorian-maker , or tyre-woman , had any set place or proper vocation , or what badges they might beare to signifie their profession . would not these new-found artists have beene rather derided then approved , geered then applauded ? sure , rome was more civill then to give way to so contagious an evill . vesta had her maidens , so had viriplaca her matrons ; but neither of their followers could admit of any new minted fashions . that lady city had never soveragniz'd over so many rich states , swelling empires , victorious princes , had shee exposed her selfe to such vanity , which had beene the greatest eclipse to her spreading glory . to you let mee bend my discourse , whose more generous parts conferre more true beauty on themselves , then these outward fopperies can ever doe : doe not betray your names to suspition . the chaplet of fame is not reserved for wantons , nor such as sute themselves to the habit of lightnesse ; for these adde one degree more to their sexes weaknesse : but for such women as array themselves in comely apparell , with shamefastnesse and modesty , not with braided haire , or gold , or pearles , or costly apparell . but , as becommeth women that professe the feare of god. for even after this manner , in time past , did the holy women , which trusted in god , tyre themselves . here you have a direct platforme , how to attire your selves outwardly ; suting your civill habit with variety of sweet graces inwardly . let not then these spider-cauls delude you , discretion will laugh at them , modesty loath them , decency contemne them . loose bodies sort best with these adulterate beauties . those , whose conversation is in heaven , though they so journe here on earth ; those , whose erected thoughts spheare them in an higher orbe then this circle of frailty ; those , whose spotlesse affections have devoted their best service to goodnesse , and made modesty the exact mold of all their actions , cannot endure to stoope to such braine-sicke lures . and such are you , whose generous descent , as it claymes precedence of others , so should your vertuous demeanour in these foure distinct subjects , gate , looke , speech , habit , improve your esteeme aboue others . in gate , by walking humbly ; in looke , by disposing it demurely ; in speech , by delivering it moderately ; in habit , by attiring your selves modestly : all which , like foure choyce borders , perfumed with sweetest odours , will beautifie those lovely lodges of your soules with all decency . meane while , imprint these divine motions in your memory . and first for the first , hold this tenet ; to walke , walking to meditate , meditating to make the subject of it your maker , is the best portion of the creature : for the second , to fix your eye with that indifferency on the creature , as it never avert your contemplative eye from your creator : for the third , to direct your speech to the benefit of the hearer , and to avoyd impertinences for conscience-sake farre more then censure : for the fourth and last , to make choyce of that habit , whose civility may doe you honour , and publish you examples of decency to any discreet or temperate beholder . what is it that conveyes more affection to the heart , then decency in the object wee affect ? the spouse in the canticles was blacke , but comely ; and this gave praise to her beauty . a straid looke may move affection in a light heart , but in a vertuous mind it begets hate . truth is , in this disordered age , where the best shot to be discharged is the taverne bill , the best alarum is the sounding of healths , and the most absolute march is reeling ; discretion hath received such a maime , as affection is seldome measured by what wee are , but what wee weare . vanity hath set up her flagge ; and more fresh-water souldiers desire to fight under her banner , then the ensigne of honour . but all this workes little upon a constant and rightly-tempered disposition . such an one plants there his love , where with comfort he may live . doe you thinke that a jetting gate , a leering looke , a glibbery tongue , or gaudy attire can move affection in any one worthy your love ? sure no ; hee deserves a light one for his choyce , who makes his choyce by one of these . to bee an admirer of one of these , were to preferre in his choyce a may-marrian before a modest matron . now there are some fashions which become one incomparably more than another : the reason whereof may bee imputed either to the native propriety of the party using that forme , habit , or complement ; or else to the quality of the person , which makes the fashion used , infinitely more gracious . for the first , you shall never see any thing imitated , but it seemes the imitator worst at the first : habit will bring it into a second nature ; but till such time as custome hath matur'd it , many imperfections will usually attend it . whereas , whatsoever is naturally inbred in us , will best beseeme and adorne us ; it needs no other face than what nature gave it , and would generally become worse , were it never so little enforced . for the second , as in any theatrall presentment , what becomes a peere or potentate , would not sort with the condition of any inferiour substitute ; every one must bee suited to the person hee presents : so in the theatre of state , distinct fashions both in habit and complement are to bee retained , according to the place wherein hee is ranked . lucrece , no doubt , stamped a deeper impression of affection in the heart of her beholder , by addressing her selfe to hous-wivery and purple-spinning , than others could ever doe with their reere bankets and riotous spending . all are not of aegystus minde , who was taken with a complement of lightnesse . this argued , that a youthfull heat had rather surpriz'd his amorous heart , than any discreet affection preferr'd him to his choyce . but how vading is that love , which is so lightly grounded ? to what dangerous overtures is it exposed ? where vertue is not directrice in our choyce , our inconstant mindes are ever prone to change . wee finde not what wee expected ; nor digest well what wee formerly affected ; all is out of square , because discretion contriv'd not the building . to repaire this breach , and make the object wee once entertained , ever beloved : let nothing give us content , but what is decent . this is the habit , gentlewomen , which will best become you to bee woo'd in , and content a discreet suitor most to have you woone in . all others are neither worth viewing , wooing , weighing , nor wearing . rich iewels , the more wee looke on them , the more are wee taken with them . such iewels , are modest women , whose countenance promiseth goodnesse , an enforced smile native bashfulnesse , every posture such tokens of decency and comelinesse , as caius tarquinius in his caia could conceive no fuller happinesse : shee , i say , who made wooll and purple her dayes taske , and this her constant impreze , where thou art caius , i am caia . conforme then your generous dispositions to a decency of fashion , that you may attract to your selves , and beget in others , motives of affection . fountaines runne by many winding and mazie currents into one maine river ; rivers by sundry channels into one maine ocean . severall wayes direct passengers into one city ; but one onely way guides man to the heavenly city . this way is vertue , which like some choyce confection sweetens the difficulty of every occurrent that encounters her in her quest after perfection . of all those cardinall vertues , it is temperance onely which seasons and gives them a vertuous rellish . which vertue dilates it selfe to severall branches ; all which bud forth into one savoury fruit or other . it is true , that hee who is every way complete , may bee properly styled an absolute man. but what is it which makes him complete ? it is not a seru'd face , an artfull cringe , or an italionate ducke that deserves so exquisite a title . another age will discountenance these , and cover these complete formalists with dust . no , ladies ; it is something that partakes of a more divine nature , than a meere complementall gesture . if you would aspire to perfection , observe the meane , that you may attaine the end . temperance you cannot embrace , if decency bee estranged from your choyce . if temperate , you cannot chuse but bee decent : for it includes an absolute moderation of our desires in all subjects . come then , gentlewomen , love to bee decent , and that will teach you the best complement . you have that in you , which , divinely employ'd , will truly ennoble you . your descent may give you an higher ascent by way of precedency before others , but this you cannot appropriate to your owne deserts , but that nobility of blood which is derived to you by others . labour to have something of your owne , which you may challenge to bee yours properly , without any helpe of an ancient pedigree . how well doth it seeme you , to expresse a civill decent state in all your actions ? you are in the eyes of many , who precisely observe you , and desire to imitate whatsoever they note observable in you . you may then become excellent patternes unto others , by reteining decency , and entertaining her for your follower . shee will make you appeare gracious in their sight , whose judgements are pure and uncorrupted ; howsoever our corkie censurers traduce you , your fame cannot bee blemished , nor the odour of those vertues which so sweetly chafe and perfume you , decayed . decency attended you in your life , and the memory of your vertues shall crowne you after death . even there , where youth never ageth , life never endeth , beauty never fadeth , love never faileth , health never vadeth , joy never decreaseth , griefe is never felt , groanes are never heard , no object of sorrow to bee seene , gladnesse ever to bee found , no evill to bee fear'd . yea , the king shall take pleasure in your beauty , and at your end invest you with endlesse glory ▪ prize not then the censure of sensuall man , for hee is wholly set on vanity ; but fixe your eyes on him , who will cloath you with eternity . let this bee your crowne of comfort , that many are improved by your example , many weaned from sinne , many wonne to sion . by sowing the seed of goodnesse , that is , by giving good examples , expressed best by the effectuall workes of faith , you shall reape a glorious harvest . actions of goodnesse shall live in you , and cause all good men to love you . whereas , those are to bee esteemed worst , who not onely use things evilly in themselves , but likewise towards others . for , of so many deaths is every one worthy , as hee hath left examples of naughtinesse unto posterity . let vertues then bee stayres to raise you ; an improved fame the rudder to steere you ; these will adde unto your honour , seat you above the reach of censure , and joyne you individually to your best lover . the english gentlevvoman . argument . estimation , a gentlewomans highest prize ; how it may be discerned to be reall ; how superficiall : how it may be impregnably preserved ; how irreparably lost : the absolute end , whereto it chiefly aspires , and wherein it cheerefully rests . estimation . estimation is a good opinion drawne from some probable grounds : an unvaluable gemm● , which every wise merchant , who tenders his honour , prefers before life . the losse of this makes him an irreparable bankrupt . all persons ought to rate it high , because it is the value of themselves , though none more dearely then those , in whom modesty , and a more impressive feare of disgrace usually lodge . these , so cautelous are they of suspition , as they will not ingage their good names to purchase affection . publike resorts , because they may corrupt , they avoid ; privacy they consort with , and in it converse with their owne thoughts , whether they have in them ought that may betray them . they observe what in others deserves approvement , and this they imitate ; with an uncorrupt eye they note others defects , which they make use of as a caveat . for , as life is a globe of examples ; so these make the pious examples of others , the models or patterns of their lifes . pure is their mold , but farre purer the temper of their mind . fame they hold the sweetest flower that ever grew neere the border of time. which , lest either it should wither for want of moisture , or wanting warmth should lose its vigour , they bedew it with gracious affects , and renew it with zealous resolves . descent , as they draw it from others , so would they improve it in themselves . ancient houses , now and then , stand in need of props and pillars ; these would they have supplied with the cardinall vertues . these are emblemes of your selves ( noble ladies ) who so highly tender your honour , as estimation gaines you more then what your bloods gave you . for this is inherent and primitive , whereas the other is descendent and derivative . it is a princely command of your affections , which mounts you to this height of goodnesse : distinguishing betwixt blind love , and discreet affection . pleasure cannot make you so forgetfull of your honour , as to deprive you of that in a moment , which you shall never recover . vertue hath taken that seazure of you , as no light thought can seize on you , or dispossesse her of that claime shee hath in you . treacherous tarpeia's may bee taken with gifts ; but your honour is of too high an estimate to suffer the least blemish for reward . you observe what staines have laid , and doe yet lie upon many ancient families by meanes of attainders in their progenitors . their bloods ( say wee ) were corrupted , whereby their estates became confiscated , their houses from their lineall successors estranged , and they to lasting infamy exposed . certainely , though not in so high degree ( for these were capitall ) many families have received deepe staines from light actions ; which neither time , though never so aged , could weare out , nor the living exploits of their noble successors wipe off . for the highest family sticks ever upon it the deepest infan●y , when at any time stained : and diffuseth her beames with fullest glory , where it is by piety graced . vice hath ever beene of a deeper dye then vertue ; and the memory of the one commonly survives the fame of the other . wounds , when they are healed , leave their scarres behind them : paths reteine their prints . your memory shall neither receive life from that noble blood which sprinkles in you , nor from any monumentall shrine which may her eafter cover you , but from those precious odours of your ever-living vertues , which shall eternize you . these are of power to make such as long since dyed , and whose unequall'd beauty is for many ages since to ashes turned , reteine a flourishing fame in the gratefull memory of the living . penelope for spending chaste her dayes , as worthy as vlysses was of prayse . a daily siege shee suffered , and in her conquest equall was shee to those victorious peeres of greece , who made troy their triumph . estimation was her highest prize . suiters shee got , yet amidst these , was not her vlysses forgot . long absence had not estranged her affection ; youthfull consorts could not move in her thoughts the least distraction ; neither could opportunity induce her to give way to any light action . well might greece then esteeme her penelope of more lasting fame then any pyramid that ever shee erected . her unblemished esteeme was of farre purer stuffe then any ivory statue that could bee reared . nor was rome lesse beholden to her lucrece , who set her honour at so high a price , as shee held death too light to redeeme such a prize . though force , frights , foes , and furies gaz'd upon her , these were no wounds but wonders to her honour . the presence of a prince no lesse amorous then victorious , could not winne her ; though with him price , prayer , and power did joyntly wooe her . well deserved such two modest matrons the choice embraces of two such heroicke champions , as might equall their constant loves with the tender of their dearest lives . and two our histories afford , whom succeeding fame hath recorded eminent , because double conquerours , both of cities and of themselves ; puissant and continent . this noble testimonie wee receive of scipio , that being a young man of twenty foure yeares of age , in the taking of a city in spaine , hee repressed the slaming heat of his youthfull desires , when a beautifull maid was brought him , restoring her to a young man called allutius , to whom shee was espoused , with a great reward . right worthy was hee to conquer another , who could with such temper subdue himselfe : such good successe hath ever attended on these morall vertues , though professed by pagans . the other heroe was rightly avgvstvs both in name and nature ; and wheresoe're , you looke , a victorious caesar . cleopatra kneeled at his feet , laid baits for his eyes ; but in vaine ; her beauties were beneath that princes chastity . absolute commanders were these heroicke princes of their affections , yet a farre more singular argument of his composed disposition , and of morall , if not divine mortification , shewed that young man spvtimia in valerius maximus , whose beauty did so incomparably become him , as it occasioned many women to lust after him : which this noble youth no sooner perceived , then hee purposely wounded his face , that by the scarre hee sustained , his beauty might become more blemished , and consequently all occasion of lusting after it , clearely removed . this might bee instanced in one of your owne sexe ; a religious votaresse , whose chaste bosome was a sacred recluse dedicated to goodnesse : and who upon the encounter of a lascivious lover , returned this answer : sir , i honour you so much , as i have chosen rather to suffer , then by my tyrannous beauty to make you a prisoner : wherewith discovering her face , in complexion much altered , by some impostured colours , which shee had caused to bee laid upon it : hee vowed to relinquish his suit , imagining that shee had poysoned her face , to waine him from his impure affection . this hee had no sooner said , then shee ranne to a spring neere adjoyning to wash it off : see , said shee , i am the same i was ; but you are much better : for now you are brought to see your errour , in being so much taken with a skin-deepe beauty , which onely consists in dye and colour . now ( gentlewomen ) if you make estimation your highest prize ; if you preferre honour before pleasure , or what else is deare or tender ; your fame will find wings to ●ly with . this will gaine you deserving suitors . portion may wooe a worlding ; proportion a youthfull wanton ; but it is vertue that wins the heart of discretion . surely , i have seldome knowne any make this esteeme of honour , and dye a contemptible begger . such as have beene prodigall of it , have felt the misery of it ; whereas , a chaste mind hath ever had something to succour and support it . thus you see what this inward beauty is , which if you enjoy , you sit farre above the reach of calumny ; age cannot taint it , nor youth tempt it . it is the estimation within you , that so confines you , as you hate that place which gives opportunity , that person which makes importunity his agent to lay siege to your chastity . now wee are to descend to the second branch , wherein we are to shew you how this estimation , which is your highest prize , may be discerned to bee reall ; which is not gathered by the first appearance , but a serious and constant triall . in philosophy , a man begins with experience , and then with beleefe ; but in divinity , wee must first beginne in faith , and then proceed to knowledge . true it is , that the sunne , moone , and starres become subject to vanity ; yet charity bids mee beleeve , that there are many beauteous and resplendent stars in this our firmament , many fresh fragrant roses in this our inclosed garden of albion , who have preserved their beauty without touch , their honour without taint . where , if vanity did touch them , yet did it not so seize on them , as to disfigure or transforme them . you ( noble gentlewomen ) are those stars , whose glory can never bee eclipsed , so long as your estimation lives unstained ; you are those fragrant roses , whose beauty cannot be tainted , so long as your stalke of honour growes untouched . now , to the end that your lustre many not bee like to that of the gloworme , nor rotten wood , which is meerely imaginary , compared with that is reall ; you are not to make faire and glorious pretences , purposely to gull the world , and cast a mist before the eyes of bleered judgements . you may find maskes to shroud your face ; but no shroud to enskreane you from the eye of heaven . no , you are to be really , what you appeare outwardly . these that walke in the clouds , though they deceive others much , yet they deceive themselves most . observe then this rule of direction ; it will accomplish you more then any outward ornament that art can bestow on you ; bee indeed what you desire to bee thought . are you virgins ? dedicate those inward temples of yours to chastity ; abstaine from all corrupt society ; inure your hands to workes of piety , your tongues to words of modesty . let not a straid looke taxe you of lightnesse , nor a desire of gadding impeach you of wantonnesse . the way to winne an husband is not to wooe him , but to bee woo'd by him . let him come to you , not you to him . proferred ware is not worth the buying . your states are too pure , to bee set at sale ; too happy , to bee weary of them . so long as you live as you are , so your minds bee pure , you cannot possibly bee poore . you have that within you , will enrich you , so you conforme your minds to your meanes . in the discourse of vertues , and true estimate of them , none was ever held more excellent then that which is found in chaste youth . you are conquerours in that , wherein the greatest conquerours have fail'd . your chaste paths are not trac'd with wandring desires ; your private chambers arras'd with amorous passions ; you spinne not out the tedious night in ah mee 's . your repast findes no hinderance in digestion ; your harmelesse repose no love-sicke distraction . others you may command ; by none commanded . others will vow their service unto you ; while you are from all servitude freed . live then worthy the freedome of so noble a condition ; for your virgin state wants nothing that may enlarge her freedome . againe , are you wives ? you have attained an honourable state ; and by it made partakers of that individuate union , where one soule ruleth two hearts , and one heart dwelleth in two bodies . you cannot suffer in that , wherein you have not one share . griefe by your consort is allayed ; joy by partaking with him is augmented . you have now taken upon you to become secretaries to others as well as your selves ; but being one and the same with your selves , doe not betray their trust , to whose trust you have recommended your selves . imagine now ( to recall to memory an ancient custome ) that you have broken the axletree of your coach at your doore ; you must bee no more straglers . these walking burses and moveable exchanges , sort not with the constancie of your condition . you must now intend the growth and proficience of those olive branches about your table . like a curious and continuate builder , you must ever addresse your selves to one worke or other . from their infancy to their youth . from their youth to their maturer growth . for the first , i know well that distich to bee most true : a mother to bee nurse , that 's great and faire , is now held base : true mothers they bee rare . but farre was it from those ancient heroicke ladies , to thinke this to bee either a disgrace to their place , or a blemish to their beauty . their names are by aged annals memorized , and shall by these of ours bee revived . such were cornelia , the mother of gracchus , and vetruria of coriolanus ; who became examples of goodnesse and chastity ; educating their children which they had brought up from their own brests , with the milke of morality . the like did portia the wife of brutus ; cleobula the daughter of cleobulus , one of the seven sages of greece ; sulpitia the wife of calenus , who not onely instructed her children which shee had tenderly nursed , with excellent precepts while shee lived , but left sundry memorable instructions , as legacies or mothers blessings to them , when shee dyed . hortensia , the excellent daughter of a most eloquent orator , deserved no lesse fame , for her motherly care in nursing and breeding , her ability in copious and serious discoursing , her gravity in composing and digesting such golden sentences , as shee afterwards recommended to the perusall of her surviving children . edesia borne at alexandria , farre excelled others in profundity of learning , and piety of living ; shee was admired by such as lived in her time : performing the office of a nurse in her childrens infancy , of a guardian in their minority , of a sage counsellour in their maturity . paulina the wife of seneca , as shee was excellently seasoned with the precepts of her husband , so shee surceas'd not from commending them to the practice of those children shee had by her husband . whence it was , that seneca bemoaned the ignorance of his mother , for that shee had not so exactly observed the precepts of his father : by reflecting upon his paulina , who was so serious an observer and improver of the directions of her husband . what shall i speak of theano , the daughter of metapontus ? phemone , who was first that ever composed heroicke verse ? corinnathia , who exceeded the poet pindarus in her curious and artfull measures ; and contending flue severall times with him for the garland ? argentaria pollia , the wife of lucan ; whom shee is reported to have assisted in those his high and heroicke composures ? zenobia the queene of palmira , who learned both the greeke and latine tongue , and compiled an excellent history ; approving her selfe no lesse a constant wife to her husband , then a nursing mother to her children ? theodosia the yonger daughter of the vertuous and victorious theodosius ; no lesse renowned for her learning and other exquisite endowments of minde , than by being inaugurated with an imperiall title , to which shee was afterwards advanced . the centons of homer shee composed , and into one volume reduced , which to her surviving glory were after published . diodorus logicus his five daughters , all which excelled in learning and chastity , and left memorials of their motherly care to their posterity . these were tender nurses , carefull mothers , reverend matrons . or to give them that title which antiquity hath bestowed on them ; they were in so darke and cloudy a time , patternes of piety , presidents of purity , champions of chastity , mirrours of modesty , jewels of integrity : women ( to use plutarchs words ) so devoted to contemplating , as they conceived no delight in dancing ; yet could not contemplation estrange them from performing such proper offices as did concerne them . they knew what it was to obey ; that it was not fit for an inferiour member to command the head , nor for them to soveraignize over their husbands . what had sometimes beene taught them by their mothers , they now carefully recommend to the serious review of their daughters : wives with obedience husbands should subdue , for by this meanes they 'le bee subdu'd to you . thus learned they the duty of a wife , before they aspired to that title : conforme your selves to their examples : the cloud which kept them from a full view of their condition , is in respect of you , dispersed ; your eyes are cleared , not with any pagan errour filmed . bee then in this your christian conjugall pilgrimage so conformed , that as with increase of dayes , so with approvement of deserts you may bee confirmed . againe , are you widowes ? you deserve much honour , if you bee so indeed . this name both from the greeke and latine hath received one consonant etymology ; deprived or destitute . great difference then is there betwixt those widowes who live alone , and retire themselves from publike concourse , and those which frequent the company of men . for a widow to love society , albeit her intentions relish nothing but sobriety , gives speedy wings to spreading infamy . saint hierom writing to eustachia , gives her this counsell ; if thou shalt finde any question in scripture , harder then thou canst well resolved ; demand satisfaction from such an one , who is of a most approved life , ripe age ; that by the integrity of his person , thou maist bee secured from the least aspersion : for in popular concourse and court-resorts there is no place for widowes : for in such meetings shee exposeth her honour to danger , which above all others shee ought incomparably to tender . yea , but , will you object , admit our inheritance , family , fortunes , and all lye a bleeding , may wee not make recourse to publike courts , for redresse of our publike wrongs ? what of all this ? doe not complaine that you are desolate or alone . modesty affecteth silence and secrecy ; a chaste woman solitarinesse and privacy . if you have businesse with the iudge of any court , and you much feare the power of your adversary , imploy all your care to this end , that your faith may bee grounded in those promises of christ : your lord maketh intercession for you , rendring right judgement to the orphane , and righteousnesse unto the widow . besides , ye have courts for righting widows and redressing orphans ; where those very impreze's wrought in their cushions , cannot chuse but be like so many representative hieroglyphicks or usefull memorialls of iustice , to render to your just complaints and injurious pressures convenient solace . this inestimable inheritance of chastity is incomparably more to bee esteemed , and with greater care preserved by widowes then wives : albeit , by these neither to bee neglected , but highly valued . out of that ancient experience which time hath taught them , their owne observations inform'd them , and the reverence of their condition put upon them ; they are to instruct others in the practice of piety ; reclaime others from the pathes of folly , and with a vertuous convoy guide them to glory . it would lesse become them to tricke and trimme themselves gaudily or gorgeously , then young girles , whose beauty and outward ornament is the hope and anchor-hold of their preferment : for by these doe they their husbands seeke , and hope in time to get what they seeke . whereas , it were much more commendable for widowes neither to seeke them , nor , being offred , to accept them : lest enforced by necessity , or wonne by importunacy , or giving way to their frailty , they make exchange of their happy estate for a continuate scene of misery . a widow ought to pray fervently , to exercise workes of devotion frequently , that the benefit of her prayer may redound to her effectually and fruitfully ; and not returne backe from the throne of god drily or emptily . for i would ( according to menanders opinion ) have a widow not onely to demeane her selfe chastely and honestly , but likewise to give examples of her blamelesse life to such as heare her instructions attentively . for she ought to be as a glasse to young maids , wherein they may discerne their crimes . now i hold her a chaste widow , who though shee have opportunity to doe it , and bee suited by importunity unto it , yet will not suffer her brest to harbour an unchaste thought , or consent unto it . in that countrey where i was borne ( saith lud. vives ) wee usually terme such widowes the greatest associates and assistants of vices , whose too much delicacy in bringing up their children , makes them oft-times depraved , and to all inordinate liberty addicted . wherefore , i approve well of their course , who recommend the care of their children to some discreet and well-disposed person . for such is the too tender affection of mothers towards their children , and so much are they blinded with the love of them , as they thinke they treat them too roughly , albeit they embrace them never so tenderly . saint hierome writing unto salvina , saith ; the chastity of a woman is fraile and fading , like a flower quickly perishing and vading , with the least gust or blast of adverse fortune failing , if not falling : especially , where her age is apt for vice , and the authority of her husband wants to afford her advice ; from whose assistance , her honour derives her best succour and supportance . who , if shee have a great family , many things are required of her , and to bee found in her , to minister supply to the necessity of time , and use of affaires , wherein shee stands interessed . requisite therefore it were , that shee made choyce of some one discreetly ripe both in yeares and inward gifts , by whose honest integrity her family might bee better mannaged , with more diligence attended , and to the woman lesse occasion of disgrace objected . for i have knowne very many women , who , albeit they spent their dayes continually within their owne doores , yet have fallen into reproach , either by some persons observing them , or of their owne families disposed by them ; for suffering their servants goe abroad too neatly , arguing thereby a neglect of their family : so as the handmaids pride brought her mistresse into suspition of contemning her honour . which proceeded , as may bee probably gathered , from the subtilty of some quick conceipts , imagining that the maids knowledge of her mistresse lightnesse ( to purchase her secrecie and connivence ) advanc'd her to such neatnesse . sure it is , that an honest woman , who●e fame is her highest prize , requires nothing else , desires nothing else , than to satisfie her husbands bequest , though dead : honouring him with a due commemoration and admiration of his vertues : for the lives of those that dye , consist in the memory of those that live . so did anthonia the daughter of marc. anthonie , and wife to drusus : leading all the remainder of her life with her stepmother , and reteining alwayes the remembrance of her dead husband . the like did livia , who left both her house and land , that shee might dwell under one roofe with noemia : fearing , perhaps , lest the maids of her family growing too lasciviously wanton and inordinate , might by their lightnesse prejudice her honour , which shee incomparably valued above any treasure . see you not here by our discourse ( gentlewomen ) what excellent lights darted out from those darke times ! estimation was their best portion ; nothing of equall prize unto it choycest vertues were their . ornaments , which they preserv'd with such constancy , as feare of death could not deprive them of them , though after death they had scarce the least glimpse of immortality . thus have wee traced over these three conditions , which wee have stored with precepts , strengthened with examples , sweetned with choycest sentences ; that this reall estimation , whereof wee treat , might bee discerned ; and that superficiall esteeme , whereon wee are now to insist , discovered . many desire to appeare most to the eye , what they are least in heart . they have learned artfully to gull the world with apparances ; and deceive the time , wherein they are maskers , with vizards and semblances . these can enforce a smile , to perswade you of their affability ; counterfeit a blush , to paint out their modesty ; walke alone , to expresse their love to privacy ; keepe their houses , to publish them provident purveyors for their family ; receive strangers , to demonstrate their love to hospitality . their speech is minced , their pace measured , their whole posture so cunningly composed , as one would imagine them terrestriall saints at least , whereas they are nothing lesse than what they most appeare . some you shall observe so demure , as in their salutes they forbeare to expresse that freedome of curtsie , which civill custome exacts of them . those true trojan dames , to pacifie their incensed husbands , could finde a lippe to procure them love , and supple their contracted looke . whereas , these civilized dames , either out of a reservancy of state , or desire to bee observ'd , scorne to bee so familiarly demeaned ; as if they renounced antiquity , and sought by all meanes , that such customes as plead prescription , might bee reversed . their lippe must bee their cheeke ; which as it reteines a better tincture , so many times a sweeter savour . at these , the poet no lesse pleasingly than deservedly glanced in this sonnet : tell me what is beauty ? skin ; pure to th' eye , but poore within . what 's a kisse of that pure faire ? but loves lure , or adons snaire . nectar-balme did adon sippe not from venus cheeke but lippe . why should then loves beauty seeke , to change lippe unto her cheeke ? all which hee elegantly clozeth in opposition to himselfe , with these continuate stanza's : cheeke shall i checke , because i may not taste it ? no ; nature rather ; who to th' eye so plac'd it , as none can view it , but hee must draw neare it ; o make the chart familiar , or else teare it ! to puchase improvement of esteeme by these meanes , were to swim against the streame . discretion cannot approve of that for good , which selfe opinion or singularity onely makes good . these are but superficiall showes , which procure more contempt than repute , more derision than ground of esteeme . it is not a civill habit , a demure looke , a staid gate that deserves this report , unlesse all these bee seconded with a resolved soule , and a religious heart . those who dedicate themselves to the service of vertue , preferre the pith before the rinde , substance before appearance . what can bee safe , will these say with lucretius , to any woman , if shee prostitute her honour , or make it common ? good women , as they labour to avoyd all occasion of scandall , so much more any act that may give breath to scandall . civill they are in heart and habit ; constant in the profession of vertue . for others , they imitate the whoorish woman , who wipes her mouth , and saith , who seeth mee ? so they carry themselves charily , they care not how little chastely . there is none lookes through the chinke to see them , none in presence to heare them ; freely therefore may they commit , what shall afterwards shame them . let mee then direct my speech to these whited walls , who make pretences their best attendants , immaske their impudence with the vayle of darkenesse . tell mee , yee deluded daughters , is there any darkenesse so thicke and palpable , that the piercing eye of heaven cannot spye you thorow it ? o , if yee hope by sinning secretly to sinne securely , you shall bee forced to say unto your god , as ahab saith unto elijah : hast hou found mee , o mine enemy ? nay , o god terrible and dreadfull , thou hast found mee . and then let mee aske you in the same termes that the young gallant in erasmus asked his wanton mistresse : are you not ashamed to do that in the sight of god and before his holy angels , which you are ashamed to doe in the sight of men ? sinnes may bee without danger for a time , but never without feare . stand then as in the presence of god : redeeme the time you have lost ; love that which you have hitherto loath'd ; loath that which you have hitherto lov'd . know that these superficiall complementors , are hypocriticall courtiers ; these formall damazens , profest curtezans . you must not hold religion to bee meere complement . i will not say , but the bleered eye of humane reason may bee taken with these ; and conceive them reall , which are onely superficiall : but the all-seeing eye cannot bee deceived ; hee sees not as man seeth . neither distance of place , nor resemblance of that object , whereon his eye is fixt , can cause him to mistake . the bowells of the earth are unto him as the surface ; bee it your resolve to compose your selves , ever as in his presence : considering , how in chastising you hee does but justice , and in sparing you hee shews his patience . would you then bee courtiers , grac'd in the highest court ? throw away whatsoever is superficiall ; and entertaine what will make you divinely reall . it is not seeming goodnesse that will bring you to the fountaine of all goodnesse . the figge-tree brought forth leaves , yet because it yeelded no fruit , it was cursed . doe yee blossome ? so doth every hypocrite . doe yee bring forth fruits ? so doth a christian . what is it to purchase estimation on earth , and lose it in heaven ? this will sleepe in dust , but that never . your highest taske should bee how to promote gods honour , and to esteeme all things else a slavish and servile labour . thus by seeming what you are , and really expressing what you seeme , you shall purchase that esteeme with god and good men , which is reall , by shunning ostentation , which would set such a vading glosse on all your actions , as they will seeme meerely superficiall . a discreet commander will take no lesse care in manning and mannaging the fort hee hath wonne , than in winning it . it is a constant maxime ; there is no lesse difficulty in keeping than getting . some are more able to get a victory , than skilfull to use it ; others have more art to use it , than courage to atchieve it ; few or none so accomplish'd , as propitiously to winne it , and prudently to weare it . wee are now to suppose , that you ( vertuous ladies ) to whom wee addresse this labour , are victoriously seated in the fort of honour , where beauty cannot bee planted , but it must bee attempted . but so constantly gracious are your resolves , that though it bee assaulted , it can never bee soiled ; attempted but never attainted . this you desire , and to this you hope to aspire . in the port or entrance of every castle , city , or cittadell , there useth some percullas to bee in readinesse , to frustrate the enemies assault , and keepe him from entry . the like must you prepare , if you desire to have your honour secured , your daring enemie repelled , and a glorious conquest purchased . and what must this spirituall engine bee , but a religious constancy , to resist temptation ; and all the better to subdue it , to shunne the occasion ? i doe not admit of any parlies over your wals ; they give new breath to the beleaguer , and oft-times makes a prey of the beleagured . if the assault bee hot , devotion best fortifies the hold . one christian aspiration breathes comfort to the besieged , and promiseth reliefe when shee is most straightned . of all arrowes these which are darted by the spirit of zeale , wound the enemy most , and procure the archer best rest . and that in all assaults whatsoever , plotted or practised by so malicious a tempter . lactantius sheweth , that in his dayes , among many other examples of the weaknesse of idolatry , in the presence of christianity , a silly servingman that was a christian , following his master into a certaine temple of idols ; the gods cried out , that nothing could be well done , as long as that christian was in presence . the like recordeth eusebius of dioclesian , the emperour , who going to apollo for an oracle ; received answer ; that the just men w●re the cause that hee could say nothing . which apollo's priest interpreted to bee meant ironically of christians : and thereupon dioclesian began his most cruell and fierce persecution in eusebius dayes . sozomines also writeth , that iulian th'apostata endevouring with many sacrifices and conjurations to draw an answer from apollo daphnaus , in a famous place called daphne , in the suburbs of antioch : understood at last by the oracle , that the bones of s. babylas the martyr , that lay neere to the place , were the impediment why that god could not speake . and thereupon , iulian presently caused the same body to bee removed . and finally , hereof it proceeded , that in all sacrifices , conjurations , and other mysteries of the gentiles , there was brought in that phrase recorded by scoffing lucian ; exeant christiani ; let christians depart : for that , while they were present , nothing could be well accomplished . hence collect the force of a christians presence ; it extinguisheth the flame of a pagan sacrifice . zealous thoughts , servent desires , devout affections will suffer no diabolicall assault to surprize you . christian constancy will so arme you ; pious motions so inflame you ; thoughts of heaven so transport you ; contempt of the world so weane you ; as no object of delight can draw you from contemplating him that made you . it will not be amisse , if now and then you reflect on the constancy and resolution of ancient heathens , who so highly prized their honour , as it was their highest scorne to give way to an injurious vsurper . camnia wife to synattus survives to this day , as a mirror of feminine constancy ; whom one synoris , a man of greater authority then he , loved ; and making no small meanes to obtaine her love , yet all in vaine , hee supposed the readiest way for the effecting his desires , to be the murdering of her husband : which hee performed . this act of horror was no sooner executed , and by the robe of his authority shrouded , then hee renewed his suit , to which shee seemingly assented : but being solemnly come into the temple of diana , for celebrating those nuptiall rites , shee had a potion ready , which shee dranke to synoris : wherewith they were both poysoned , to revenge her husbands death . chiomara , wife of orgiagon , a petty king of that province , upon discomfiture of the gallo-graecians , being ravished by a roman captaine , gave a memorable example of conjugall vertue ; for shee cut off the fellowes head from his shoulders , and escaping from her guard , brought it to her lord and husband . more then feminine was the resolution of epicharia , a libertine of rome , who made privie to a conspiracy against nero , to free her native mother of such a monster , would not disclose the plotters thereof , though tormented with exquisitest tortures . neere resemblance had leëna's name with her leonine nature , who being conspirator against the tyrant hyppeas , and nothing agast at the death of her friends ( though torne with extremest torments ) would not reveale her partners , but bit in sunder her owne tongue , and spit it in the tyrants face . or to instance you in subjects lesse tragicall , but for constancy every way equall . armeniae , a noble lady , being bidden to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night , when they were returned home ; her husband asked her , how she liked the bridegroome ; whether shee thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , sayes shee , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon no other , but they selfe . an excellent commandresse was this lady of her affections : and no lesse imitable was shee , whom wee are to instance next ; for her modest and bashfull covering of her husbands infirmities . one of hero's enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath ; went home and questioned his wife , why shee told him not thereof : who answered , shee thought all men had the same savour . without question , there is nothing that addes more true glory to a woman , or better preserves her esteeme , then to reteine a constancy in the quality or disposition of her estate . bee shee young or old , let her fame live ever fresh ; and like greene bayes , most flourishing , when the winter of adversity is most nipping . vertue cannot exercise her owne strength , nor expresse her owne worth without an opposite . spices send forth the sweetest smell , when they are most bruised ; and palmes spread the broadest , when they are soarest pressed . resolution without an assailant , would , in time , become effeminate . yet , i must tell you , it is dangerous to tempt either youth or age with motives of fancy , or to give least way to a promising opportunity . you shall find secret assacinates enough to undermine you , you need little to become your owne betrayers . i have heard of a noble lady in my time , whose descent and desert equally proclaime her worth , so tender of the esteeme of her honour , as shee held it scarce safe to receive any letter from a great personage , whose reputation was touched by rumour . this was the way to preserve her honour impregnably , and to reare it above the reach of calumny . neither are you to bee cantelous onely of your estimation in subjects of love and affection : but even in your domesticke affaires , which trench upon your providence or expence . your discretions in these are brought to the stage . let not profusenesse draw you to spend , where honest providence bids you spare ; nor niggardlinesse cause you to spare , where reputation bids you spend . shee deserves not to bee governesse of an house , who wants discretion to moderate her expence . let her reflect upon her progeny , intend her charge , and provide for her family . a good wife is compared to a wise merchant , who brings his trafficke from a farre . now , a wise merchant will not have his oare in every mans boate , but will seriously addresse his care to his owne . busie women would make ill snayles , and worse house-wives ; straglers will never become good house-keepers . to cloze this branch : so compose your affections at home and abroad , as providence may expresse you care and charge in the one ; a grave and reserved reverence preserve your esteeme in the other . as your lives are lines of direction to your selves , so should they bee arguments of instruction unto others . bee you planted in what state soever , let your good report be your greatest stake for ever : so may you reape what your vertues have deserved , and keepe your estimation impregnably preserved . none can preserve what hee loves , by mixing it with the society of that hee loathes . the ivye while it winds and wreathes it selfe about the plant , with an envious consumption decayes the sap . if you be companions to ostridges , you shall favour of the wildernesse . socrates called envie an impostume of the soule : so may every corrupt affection bee properly termed . vices love neighbourhood , which , like infectious maladies , doe ever most hurt , when they draw nearest the heart . there is nothing ( gentlewomen ) that brings your honour to a more desperate hazard , then giving reines to your owne desires . these must you subdue to the soveraignty of reason , if you expect rest in your inward mansion . what better fruits then ignominy may carnall liberty produce ? when you make the theatre your chiefest place of repose ; phantasticke gallants , who never yet converst with vertue , your choisest consorts ; delicious viands , servants to your liquorish appetites ; what conclusion may wee expect from such dangerous premisses ? when modesty puts off her vaile , and vanity begins to ruffle it in sinne ; when chaste desires are chased out a breath , and lightnesse pleads prescription ; when vermillion has laid so deepe a colour on an impudent skinne , as it cannot blush with sense of her owne shame ; when estimation becomes a word of complement , or carelesly worne like some over-cast raiment , valued as painted pageants doe guilded puppets , onely for shew ? what prodigy fuller of wonder , then to see a woman thus transform'd from nature ? her face is not her owne , note her complexion ; her eye is not her own , note her straid motion ; her habit is not her owne , eye her strange fashion . whilest loose weares imply light workes ; and thin cobweb covers promise free admittance to all sensuall lovers . yea , which is more , shee holds it no shame to glory in sinne , nor to court vice in her owne livery ; all which she maintaines to be complements of gentility . thus vice is ever in fashion , and keepes her gradation till shee aspire to the height of her building . shee begins with conceit , seconds it with consent , strengthens it with delight , and incorporates it with custome . one of this ranke have i oft-times observed tracing the streets of this flourishing city ; who , as one weary of her sexe , forbore not to unwoman her selfe , by assuming not onely a virile habit , but a virago's heart . quarrels shee would not sticke to bind upon any fresh-water souldier , whose late induction to the siege of gallants , had not sufficiently informed him in that posture . nothing desir'd shee more then to give affronts in publike places , which shee did with that contempt , as the disgrace shee aspers'd on others , was her sole content . places of frequent were her rendevou ; where her imperious tongue run descant on every subject ministred ; her selfe she usually ingaged for a second , upon least occasion offered . now could these courses any way choose but cause that to be irreparably lost , which by any modest woman should be incomparably lov'd ? tell mee , were not his spirit armour of proofe , who durst encounter with so couragious an amazon ? or enter nuptiall lists with such a feminine myrmidon ? surely , these , as they labour to purchase them opinion of esteeme , by their unwomanly expressions of valour , so they eclypse their owne fame , and by these irregular affronts , detract highly from their essentialst honour . such may gaine them observance , but never esteeme . take heed then , lest publike rumour brand you . scandall is more apt to disperse what is ill ; then opinion is to reteine what is good . when the world is once possest of your shame ; many deserving actions of piety can hardly wipe off that staine . esaus birth-right was temporall , yet once lost , many teares could not regaine it ; your soules honour is a birth-right spirituall , which once lost , many tedious taskes shall not redeeme it . let your estimation bee by you so tenderly lov'd , as you will rather choose to loath life , then irreparably lose that , which is the sweetest consort of humane life . there is nothing which workes not for some end , wherein it may rest and repose . long before that glorious light wee now enjoy , did the very heathens , who had no knowledge of a future being , rejoyce highly in the practice of morall vertues , and performing such commendable offices as might purchase them deserved honour , living ; and eternally memorize them dying . this might bee illustrated by severall instances in maids , wives , and widowes . for the first ; those locrian virgins deserve our memory ; whose custome it was , yearely to be sent to troy : which use continued for the space of a thousand yeares ; yet was it never heard , that any of those virgins were ever deflowred . who can likewise passe over in silence those seven milesian virgins ; who , at such time as the gauls raved and raged every where , subjecting all to fire and faggot , deprived themselves of life , lest hostile force should deprive them of their honour ? with what praises also may we worthily advance those daughters of scedasus of leuctra , a towne situate in the region of boetia ; who having in their fathers absence , hospitably received two young men , by whom , made drunke with wine , they were that night defloured : conceiving a mutuall sorrow for their lost virginity , became resolute actors in their owne tragedy ? aristomenes of messana , when in those publike feasts called hyacinthia , hee had surprized fifteene virgins , with the souldiers which attempted their dishonour , straightly commanding them to forbeare fron● using any such violence : whose command when they refused to obey , hee caused them to bee slaine ; redeeming those virgins with a huge summe of gold . afterwards , these virgins hearing that this aristomenet was accused about the death of one of those men , whome hee had commanded to be slaine ; they would not returne into their owne native countrey , till such time as , prostrating themselves before the feet of the iudge , with their prayers and teares , they had delivered from bonds the defender of their honour . yea , to draw neerer home , and instance this maiden-constancy in one of our owne ; i have heard of a notable spirited girle , within the wals of this city ; who , albeit shee frequented places of publike concourse boldly , discoursed freely , expressed her selfe in all assayes forwardly ; yet so tender was shee of preserving her honour , that being on a time suited by a young cavaliero , who was so taken with the height of her spirit , wherewith shee was endowed , as hee preferred it before the beauty of an amorous face , wherewith shee was but meanely enriched . shee presently apprehending the loosenesse of his desires , seemingly condescended : so shee might be furnished and appointed , and the busines with that secrecy carried , as no occasion of suspition might bee probably grounded . this answer-cheer'd our young gallant ; winged with hope to enjoy , what his wild desires did so much affect . a coach is provided ; all things prepared ; the very place appointed where they shall meet , to hasten their light journey : which , for more privacy , must bee the countrey . time and place they observ'd ; but before shee would mount her coach , calling him aside , shee tels him , how she had vow'd never to consent to any man in that kind , till shee had first tri'd his metall in the field . draw hee must , or shee will disgrace him ; in which combat , instead of a more amorous conflict , she disarm'd him , and with a kicke , wisht him ever after to be more wary how hee attempted a maidens honour . for the second , excellent was the answer of those lacedemonian wives ; who , being immodestly suited , made this reply : surely , wee should give way to your request , but this you sue for is not in our power to grant : for when wee were maids , wee were to bee disposed of by our parents ; and now being wives , by our husbands . at such time as the inhabitants of tyre came to lacedemon ; suspecting them to bee spies , they threw them into prison ; whose wives , having got leave to visit and comfort them in their captivity , changed garments with them , and according to their countries guise , vailed their faces , by which meanes the men escaped , leaving their wives restrained : which deeply perplexed all the lacedemonians . no lesse conjugall love shewed alcestra to her admetus ; laodimia to her prothesilaus ; panthia to her susius ; artemisia to her mausolus ; zenobia to her oedonatus . these were good wives , which zenophon cals the highest grounds of humane felicity . nothing being more amiable then an honest woman , saith theognis ; nothing conferring more joy to man , saith sententious xistus . for the third , what singular mirrors of viduall continency , and matron-like modesty were cornelia , vetruria , livia , and that most christian widow salnina , to whom saint hierome directed many sweet and comfortable epistles . these you might have found attired in grave funerall garments , ( as memorials of their deceased husbands ) of modest behaviour , reverend presence , publishing to the world a contempt of the world , in their outward appearance . now , what may you suppose did those pagan ladies hold to be the absolute end , whereto this tender care of their estimation chiefly aspired , and wherein it cheerfully rested ? it was not riches , nor any such temporall respect : for these they contemned , so their honour might be preserved . no ; there was implanted in them an innate desire of morall goodnesse ; mixed with an honest ambition , ●o to advance their esteeme during life , that they might become examples unto others of a good morall life , and perpetuate their memories after death . your ambition ( ladies ) must mount higher , because your conversation is heavenlier . it is immortality you aspire to ; a lower orbe cannot hold you ; nothing else may confine you . bee it then your highest estimation to honour him , who is the horne of your salvation : the crowne of your hope , the staffe of your helpe , the tower of your defence , the hope of your solace . let not a moment of deluding vanity , deprive you of the hope of eternity . your voyage is short ; your hazard great . many difficulties encounter you in the way ; addresse your selves therefore in the way , to some good worke . let patience teach you how to suffer , devotion sweeten your encounter , estimation crowne you with succeeding honour . the english gentlevvoman . argument . fancy●s is to bee with deliberation grounded ; with constancy reteined : wanton fancy is a wandring phrenzy ; how it may bee checked , if too wilde ; how cheered , if too coole ; an attemperament of both . fancy . fancy is an affection privily received in by the eye , and speedily conveyed to the heart . the eye is the harbinger , but the heart is the harbourer . love conceiv'd at first sight , seldome lasts long . deliberation must lead it , or else it is mis-guided . looke before you like , is a good rule ; but to like at first looke makes an house of mis-rule . is hee of hansome personage whom you love ? his proportion is a moving object to your eye , but his portion ( it may bee ) will not agree with your state . againe , admit hee have both these ; proportion to purchase your esteeme , and portion to maintaine your estate : his brest is not transparent ; his disposition may bee crooked ; and that will cast downe all that was before affected . themistocles being demanded by a nobleman of greece , whether hee had rather marry his daughter to one rich and evill , or one poore and good ; made this answer : i had rather have a man without money , than mony without a man. whence it was , that portia , the younger daughter of portius cato , being asked when shee would betake her selfe to an husband , replyed ; when i finde one that seekes me , not mine . witty was that young gentlewomans answer to an inconsiderate suiter : who with much instancy sollicited the father for the affection of his daughter ; whereto having at last consented , and the covenants of marriage concluded ; this indiscreet wooer unseasonably imparts his minde to the daughter ; who made strange with it , saying , she never heard of any such matter : yea but , replied hee , i have made your father herewith acquainted , and bee hath already consented : and you may marry him too , answered shee , for you must hold me excused . there is no time that exacts more modesty of any woman , than in her time of sniting ; a shamefast red then best commends her , and the movingst orator that speakes for her . like venus silver dove , shee is ever brouzing on the palme of peace ; while her cheeke betrayes her love , more then her tongue . so as virgil , the very prince of our latine poets , when hee should bring in king latinus privately conferring with his wife amata , and turnus , to whom in nuptiall bands hee was to espouse his daughter : hee brings in the young maid weeping , blushing , and silent . whence is implyed , that it becomes not a maid to speake of marriage in her parents presence , for that were small argument of modesty or shamefastnesse . there is a pretty pleasing kinde of wooing , drawne from a conceived but concealed fancy ; which , in my opinion , suits well with these amorous younglins : they could wish with all their hearts to bee ever in the presence of those they love , so they might not bee seene by those they love . might they chuse , they would converse with them freely , consort with them friendly , and impart their truest thoughts fully ; yet would they not have their bashfull loves finde discovery . they would bee seene , yet seeme obscured ; love , but not , disclose it ; see whom they love , but not bee eyed . this the poet in the person of a shepherdesse neatly displayeth : phillis to willowes , like a cunning flyer , flyes , yet she feares her shepheard should not spy her . now , in this subject of fancy , as there is nothing more dangerous than entertaining it without due and deliberate advice : so there is nothing growes more generally fatall to the indiscreet lover than by grounding affection on outward respects , without relation to that inward faire , which onely makes the object of fancy full of beauty , and presents every day as a marriage-day to the party : by performing the office of a princely combiner of beauty and majesty together . neither affluence of estate , potency of friends , nor highnesse of descent can attemper the griefe of a loathed bed . these may play upon the fantasy , but never give satisfaction to the fancy . wherefore ( gentlewomen ) to the end you may shew your selves discreetest in that , which requires your discretion most , discusse with your selves the purity of love , the quality of your lover ; ever reflecting on those best deserving endowments of his , which either make him worthy or unworthy your love . affection , though it enter in by the narrow cranny of the eye , it shoots at the heart ; which , unlesse it bee seasoned by judgement , it can not deserve so faire a title . a discreet eye will not bee taken with a smooth skinne ; it is not the rinde but the minde that is her adamant . iustina a roman maid , no lesse nobly descended , than notably accomplished , being married to one more rich than wise , exclaimed against her fate , that folly should hale her to so loathed a bed . and good reason had shee to repine , when his groundlesse jealousie made her a tragick spectacle of misery before her time . for seeing her white necke , that object begot in him presently an argument of suspect , which hee seconded with revenge , to vent the fury of his nature , and publish to the world the weakness of his temper . let deliberation then bee the scale , wherein you may weigh love in an equall poize . there bee many high and consequent circumstances , which a discreet woman will not onely discourse but discusse , before shee entertain so mysterious and honorable estate . disparity in descent , fortunes , friends , with other like respects , many times beget distraction of mindes . whence it was , that pittacus of mitylene , being intreated by a young man , to afford him his best advice , in the choyce of two wives tendred him , whether hee should marry ; the one whereof was equall to himselfe both in birth and wealth ; the other surpassing him in both ; wish'd him to goe along the streets of the city , where children use to play , and there observe what they did advise him . truth is , inequality in these , procures distaste ; but where there is a difference in the seazure of disposure of the heart , ( which should bee the firmest and strongest cement to unite affection ) there ariseth the greatest hazard . thence is it , suspition workes upon every light and frivolous subject ; while the other party hunts after opportunity , to surfet on forbidden fruit , and give her suspitious mate just ground of jealousie . feed hee may his indigested humour in a jealous pasture , and vow revenge when hee shall finde an apt subject , meane time hee becomes invisibly gull'd , while hee deludes himselfe with painted shadowes . — no iealousie can ever that prevent ; whereas two parties once bee full content . severall i know , are the effects of love , as are the dispositions of those that love . livia made quicke dispatch of her husband , because shee lov'd him too little : lucilia of hers , because shee loved him too much . phoedra fancied theseus lesse than shee should , but young hippolytus more than hee would . which effects are usually produced , when either disparity of yeares breed dislike ; or obscurity of descent begets contempt ; or inequality of fortunes , discontent . deliberate then before you marry , and thus expostulate with your selves touching his condition , whom you are to marry " is he young ? i will beare with his youth , till better experience bring him to the knowledge of man. my usage shall bee more easie , than to weane him from what hee affects , by extremity . youth will have his swinge ; his owne discretion will bring him home ; at least , time will reclaime him ; hee shall not finde mee put on a cloudy brow , or entertaine his freer course with a scowle . i must conforme my selfe to him , confirme my love in him , and so demeane mee towards him , that conjugall duty mixt with all affability many winne him . " againe , is hee old ; his age shall beget in mee more reverence ; his words shall bee as so many aged and time-improved precepts to informe me ; his actions as so many directions to guide me ; his rebukes as so many friendly admonitions to reclaime mee ; his bed i will honour , no unchaste thought shall defile it ; his counsell i will keepe , no forraine brest shall partake it . i will bee a staffe to him in his age , to support him ; an eye to direct him ; an hand to help him ; his substance i will not scatter on a youthfull lover : but serve him still , whom i have vow'd to honour . " againe , is hee rich ? much good may it doe him ; this shall not make me proud ; my desire shall bee , hee may imploy it for his best advantage ; i will move him to communicate unto the needy , that his riches may make him truly happy . it is a miserable state that starves the owner . i will perswade him to enjoy his owne , and so avoyd basenesse ; to reserve a provident care for his owne , and shunne profusenesse . " againe , is hee poore ? his poverty shall make me rich ; there is no want , where there wants no content . this i shall enjoy in him , and with him ; which the world could not afford mee , liv'd i without him . it hath beene an old maxime ; that as poverty goes in at one doore , love goes out at the other ; and love without harbour , falls into a cold and aguish distemper : but this rule shall never direct my thoughts ; should poverty enthrall me , it shall never appall me ; my affection shall counterpoize all affliction : no adversity can divide mee from him , to whom my vowed faith hath individually ti'd me . " in a word , is hee wife ? he shall be my thales . is hee foolish ? i will by all meanes cover his weakenesse : as i am now made one with him , so will i have mine equall share in any aspersion that shall bee throwne on him . thus if you expostulate , your christian constant resolves shall make you truly fortunate . your fancy is on deliberation grounded ; which promiseth such successe , as your marriage-dayes shall never feare the bitter encounter of untimely repentance , nor the curelesse anguish of an afflicted conscience . the selfe-same rule which augustus was said to observe in his choyce and constant retention of friends , are you , gentlewomen , to apply to your selves in the choice of your second-selves . hee was slow in entertaining , but most constant in reteining . favorites are not to bee worne like favours : now in your hat , or about your wrist , and presently out of request . which to prevent , entertaine none to lodge neere your heart , that may harbor in his brest ought worthy your hate . those two motto's i would have you incessantly to remember ; for the useful application of them may highly conduce to your honour . the one is that of caia tranquilla , which shee ever used to her royall spouse caius tarquinius priscus ; where thou art caius , i am caia . the other , that of ruth unto naomi ; whither thou goest , i will goe : and where thou dwellest , i will dwell . there is no greater argument of lightnesse , then to affect the acquaintance of strangers , and to entertaine variety of suites . these , as they distract the eye , so they infect the heart . constant you cannot bee where you professe , so long as you affect change . vowes deliberately advised , and religiously grounded , are not to be dispenc'd with . but say , you never vowed : have you made outward professions of love , and entertained a good opinion of that object in your heart ? againe , are you resolved , that his affection is reall towards you ? that his protests , though delivered by his mouth , are engraven in his heart ? let not so much good love bee lost ; insult not over him whom unfained affection hath vow'd your servant : let wolves and beasts bee cruell in their kindes , but women meeke , and have relenting mindes . it were to much incredulity in you to distrust , where you never found just cause of distaste . yea , but you will againe object ; wee are already by your owne observations sufficiently instructed , that fancy is to bee with deliberation grounded , that love lightly laid on , lasts not long . should wee then affect before we finde ground of respect ? should wee entertaine a rhetoricall lover , whose protests are formall complements , and whose promises are gilded pills , which cover much bitternesse ? no , i would not have you so credulous , lest your nuptiall day become ominous . make true triall and experiment of his constancy , who tenders his service to you . sift him , if you can finde any branne in him . taske him , before you take him . yet let these be sweetly tempred with lenity ; let them not bee taskes of insuperable difficulty . this were tyrannize , where you should love . this was omphales fault to make her faithfull servant , a servile slave . alas ! shall hee fare the worse because hee loves you ? this would induce others , who take notice of your cruelty , to loath you . and make your discarded lover , surprized with an amorous distemper , to reply , as absalom to 〈◊〉 , is this thy kindnesse 〈◊〉 ●hy friend ? my counsell is , that , as it will bee usefull for you to deliberate , before you take so much as the least notions of an affectionate servant ; yea , and to second that deliberation with some probable proofe or triall , that hee is truly constant : so it will bee a gratefull office in you , to reteine him in your favour with a gracious respect ; to countenance the improvement of his constancy with a cheerefull and amiable aspect : to banish all clouds of seeming discontent , and to give him some modest expressions of the increase of your good conceit towards him . let this bee done , till hymen make you individually one then , and never till then , may love enjoy her full freedome . shee stands priviledg'd by a sacred rite to taste that fruit , which before was forbidden . mutuall respects , like so many diametrall lines , pointing all to one centre , are then directed to one exquisite object , the purity of love ; which produceth this admirable effect : it makes one soule rule two hearts , and one heart dwell in two bodies . now , i would have you , when your desires are drawne to this period , to become so taken with the love of your choyce , as to interpret whatsoever hee shall doe , ever to the best sense . it were little enough that you reteined a good opinion of him , who stands in so many severall ingagements obliged for you . should your riot bring him into debt , his restraint must make you free . durance must bee his suit , while better stuffe makes you a coate . hee must content himselfe with restraint , to give you content : let nothing discontent you more then to entertaine him with contempt . yea , what conscience is there in it , but hee should receive and affable and amiable respect from you ; seeing , if your conscience be no conformalist , hee must pay for you ? these respects should perpetually tye you , to honour him , who becomes so legally ty'd for you . requite these then with constancy , and reteine this ensuing example ever in your memory . theogena , wife to agathocles , shew'd admirable constancy in her husbands greatest misery , shewing her selfe most his owne , when hee was relinquisht and forsaken of his owne ; clozing her resolution with this noble conclusion : she had not onely betaken her selfe to bee his companion in prosperity , but in all fortunes that should befall him . conforme your selves to this mirror , and it will reforme in you many a dangerous errour . thus if you live , thus if you love ; honour cannot chuse but accompany you living , much comfort attend you loving , and a vertuous memory embalme you dying . wanton love seldome or never promiseth good successe ; the effect cannot bee good , when the object is ill . sense must bee the blind lanthorne to guide her , while shee rambles in the street : for reason , shee leaves her sleeping with the constable . what devices shee hath to purchase her a moment of penitentiall pleasure ? her eye looks , and by it the sense of her mind is averted ; her eare heares , and by it the intention of her heart is perverted ; her smell breathes , and by it her thoughts are hindered ; her mouth speakes , and by it others are deceived ; by touch , her heat of desire upon every small occasion is stirred . never raged alcydes on mount oeta , nor orlando for his angelica , more then these vtopian lovers , for their imaginary shadowes . there is a kind of spider bred in pulia , called tar●nd●l● , which being of a diverse nature , causeth diverse effects ; some to dance , some to sing , others to weepe , or watch , or sweat . the soveraignest cure it admits of , is musicke ; while the patient by dancing , or some other vehement exercise of that sort , expulseth the poyson , and gives passage to his pores of respiration . many like creatures there bee of a malignant nature , but none comparable to a distempered lover . now , that wee may use the method of art ; to cure the effect , is to take away the cause : my purpose shall be first to discover those incendiaries of foments of this inordinate passion , or intoxicating poyson ; secondly , the effects arising from them ; lastly , the cure or remedy of them . for the first , wee may very properly reduce the prime grounds of this wanton fancy , or wandring phrenzie to a catalogue included in these two verses : sloth , words , bookes , eyes , consorts , and luscious fare , the lures of lust , and staines of honour are . one every of which particulars to insist , would enlarge this branch too much ; wee will onely poynt at them and so leave them . for the first , sententious seneca saith , hee had rather endure the utmost of fortunes extremity , then subject himselfe to sloth or sensuality . for it is this onely which maketh of men , women ; of women , beasts ; of beasts , monsters . this then is to be shunned , if the reward of vertue be to bee shared . secondly , words corrupt the disposition ; they set an edge or glosse on depraved liberty : making that member offend most , when it should beee imployed in profiting most . the tongue is more effectuall then any letter ; let it be then so employed , as it may improve the hearer . thirdly , bookes treating of light subjects , are nurseries of wantonnesse : they instruct the loose reader to become naught ; whereas before , touching naughtinesse hee knew nought . a story of the rape of ganimedes , or of light lais in eurypides , are their daily lectures . plato's divine philosophy , or dicearchus pious precepts of morality , must vaile to alcaeus , or anacrons wanton poesie . venus and adonis are unfitting consorts for a ladies bosome . remove them timely from you , if they ever had entertainment by you , lest , like the snake in the fable , they annoy you . fourthly , eyes are those windowes by which death enters ; your inward house cannot shine , unlesse these bee shut ; objects they have of more beauty to take them , then these sights of vanity , which miserably taint them . eve looked on the fruit before shee coveted , coveting she tasted , tasting shee perished . thus aspiring to the knowledge of good and evill , became to her and her posterity evill . the eye is a living glasse , but if wee make it a false glasse , it will neither represent us truly , nor discover our blemishes freely ; but make that seeme faire which is odious and ugly . by this meanes , may good objects become eye-sores unto us , which , if clearely viewed , would like a soveraigne eye-bright , restore sight unto us . fifthly , consorts are theeves of time , they will rob you of opportunity , the best treasure time can afford you , if you suffer them to incroach on you and abuse you . chuse such then for your consorts , of whom you may have assured hope , that they will either better you , or bee bettered by you . chuse such , whom you may admire both when you see them and heare them : when you see their living doctrine , and hear their wholesome instruction . lastly , luscious fare is the fuell of every inordinate concupiscence . nothing so much feeds it , nor insensates the understanding by delighting in it . by restraint of this , you shall learne to moderate your desires . whence you may rejoyce , yet in him , who is your joy , if you can live sparingly , and embrace the meanes that may chastise in you all sensuality : for by your spare life is lust extinguished , vertue nourished , the mind strengthned , the understanding to heavenly things raysed . yea , abstinence availeth much for preserving health of body and length of life . whence it is said : hee that dieteth himselfe , prolongeth life . which the profound stagyrian confirmes in these words : to abstaine from riot and superfluity , is the soveraign'st prescription or physicke for the body . now to descend to the second branch of our division in this observation ; wee might here enumerate those many odious and inhumane effects , which have and doe daily arise from the violence of this wanton fancy or wandring phrenzy ; and what tragicke events it hath in all times produc'd : but they would seeme relations too full of horror to your modest and timerous natures . onely let mee tell you , if you desire to be satisfied in subjects of that kind , our italian stories will afford you variety : where indiscreet love clozeth her dolefull scene with so miserable an exit , as no pencill can expresse any picture to more life , then an historicall line hath drawne out the web of their miseries . so as , that ancient adage might seeme verefied : that from slaves and miserable people god hath taken away the one halfe of their understanding . now , to cure this desperate malady ( though to you the cure , i hope , bee needlesse , being free from all such violent distempers ; ) the best and soveraign'st receit is to fortifie the weaknesse of your sexe with strength of resolution ; that , with incessant devotion . bee not too liberall in the bestowing of your favours ; nor too familiar in publike converse . presume not too much on the strength of a weake fort. make a contract with your eyes not to wander abroad , lest they be catch'd in comming home . treat not of love too freely ; play not wagges with the blind boy ; hee has a dangerous ayme , though hee hath no eyes , sport not with him , that may hurt you ; play not with him , that would play on you . your sports will turne to an ill jest , when you are wounded in earnest : the fly may be then your embleme : so long the foolish fly playes with the flame , till her light wings are cinged in the same . fly to an higher sphere : you are yet untouch'd ; this wandring phrenzy hath never yet surpriz'd you ; prevent the meanes , and it shall never invade you . be not such foes to your selves , as to purchase your owne disquiet . examples you have of all sorts , both to allure and deterre you . pure love admits no staine . such a fancy is never incident to a phrenzy . if ever then you entertaine any love , let it be such as brings with it a vertuous solace ; for all others , howsoever they may seeme to promise some perfunctory delight , they ever cast up their last account with repentance . when a man bleeds at the nose , and through abundance of blood is brought in danger 〈…〉 blood in his arme , to turne the course of the blood another way . if love issue out in too violent a streame , it is to be cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancy : or else by fixing our eye upon some more attractive object , divert the course of that madding passion . expostulate with fancy , thus you may , safely and freely : how is it with me ? me thinkes , it fares otherwise then it hath done formerly . a strange distemper i find in my mind ; and it might seeme to resemble love , if i knew the nature of it . love ! can virgin-modesty returne that accent , and not blush ? yes ; why not ? if the object i affect be worthy loving . and if not , what then ? is not the lover ever blinded with affection towards his beloved ? he , who may seeme a thersites to another , may be a paris in mine eye . were hee poore as irus , fancy makes him dearer to mee , then the wealth of croesus . yea , but a little advice would doe well . art thou perswaded that this non-parallell , thou thus affectest , hath dedicated his service onely to thee ? yes ; his protests have confirm'd him mine . besides , his continuall presence seconds what hee protests : that houre is tedious , wherein hee sees me not ; those pleasures odious , which my presence accompanies not . his eye is ever fixed on me ; his sole discourse is to me . what i affect he embraceth with delight : what i dis-relish , hee entertaines with distaste . these , i must confesse , ( gentlewoman ) are promising arguments of unfained love : yet may all these erre , and consequently leave you in a miserable error . your true-love may prove a iason or a theseus , and leave you in the bryers for all your confidence . you say , his protests have confirm'd him yours ; hee hath attested heaven to beare record of his love . alas of credulity ! take heed hee play not the part of that ridiculous actor in smyrna , who pronouncing , o heaven ! pointed with his finger to the ground . or like that namelesse lover , who solliciting a gentlewomans affection with abundance of amorous rhetoricke , concluded with this emphaticall protest ; that shee was the onely mistresse of his thoughts : which conclusion being over-heard by one to whom not long before upon like protests hee had ingag'd his faith ; shee replied , d●● not beleeve him , gentlewoman ; the selfe-same arbour where you now are , might witnesse that hee hath made the very like protests unto me , many times before . trialls in affaires of this nature have ever a truer touch than protests . it is easie for beauty to extort a vow , or a temporary protest ; which many times is as soone forgot as made . let not these then worke on your credulity . there bee , i know ( and so all bee that are truly generous ) who rather than they would infringe their faith , would ingage their life . but all are not of that noble temper . others there bee , who can tip their glozing tongues with rhetoricall protests , purposely to gull a credulous creature , for the purchase of an unlawfull pleasure ; which obtain'd , they leave them to bemoane their lost honour . with more safety therefore may you suspect , than too rashly affect . it will not bee amisse for you to reade him , before you chuse him . as thus ; hath his faire carriage got him estimation where hee lives ? hath hee never inur'd his tongue to play hypocrite with his heart ; nor made ceremoniall protests to purchase a light mistresse ? hath hee kept a faire quarter , and beene ever tender of his untainted honour ? hath hee never boasted of young gentlewomans favours , nor runne descant on their kindnesse ? hath hee kept himselfe on even boord with all the world , and preserv'd his patrimony from ingagement ? hath hee ever since hee vow'd himselfe your servant , solely devoted himselfe yours , and not immix'd his affection with forraine beauties ? chuse him , hee well deserves your choyce ; in which choyce , let this bee your impreze ; my choyce admits no change . to bee short ; the blessing which boaz pronounced upon ruth , shall like a honey-dew distill daily from the lips of your husband : blessed bee thou of the lord , my spouse ; thou hast shewed more goodnesse in the latter end , than at thy beginning , in as much as thou followest not young men , were they poore or rich . contrariwise , where you find no such demeriting respects in him , who makes love unto you ; checke your wilde fancy by time , lest a remedilesse checke attend your choyce . covertly knew that unfortunate lady how to paint out her griefe , the extent whereof her tongue-tide passion could not relate ; when like a fruitfull vine , shee had brought forth many faire and promising branches to a debaucht husband , by whose profuser course , her hopes which shee had stored in her numerous progeny , perished , and her selfe through griefe irrecoverably wasted ; shee wrote these pensive lines with a diamond in her chamber window , to give a living shadow to her lasting sorrow . vp to the window sprung the spreading vine , the dangling apricocke , and eglantine ; since when , that vine and branches too were found , shred from their root , laid sprawling on the ground . it is not so hard to give comfortable counsell to the sorrowfull , as to finde a fit season when to give it . i would have you , whose more noble parts promise much comfort to your families , give such attention to seasonable counsell , as you may prevent all ensuing occasions of sorrow . it is the condition of an inconsiderate person , who never foresees his fall , to cloze the issue of his misfortunes with this improvident conclusion ; i would never have thought that this should have thus come to passe ; i never dream'd of this event . it will bee more usefull and beneficiall to you , to checke your wilde fancy , if any such seaze upon you , than to give way unto it , and consequently undoe you . repentance comes too late at marriage-night . affaires of such weight and consequence are not to bee entertained without due advice , nor seconded with rashnesse . in one word ; have you plaid a little too long with the flame ? have you given too free accesse to your desertlesse lover ? have you suffered your heart not onely to thinke of him , but with more intimate respect to harbour him ? lodge him no longer in that roome ; it deserves a farre better guest . i will not heare you , if you reply , and say ; this is a taske of impossibility . continuance of time , with discontinuance of his presence , will easily effect it . meane time , fixe your eye upon some more deserving object . revenge your selfe of that conceit , that shall a-fresh present him to you . so shall the wildnesse of your fancy be checked ; your halfe-lost liberty regained ; and your affection afterwards planted , where it may bee better acquited ; there seated , where it may bee more sweetly seasoned . there bee haggards of that wilde nature , as they will by no meanes be reclaim'd ; neither love nor feare will cause them stoop to any lure . emblemes these are to such wayward girles , whose inflexible natures will neither bee woo'd nor wonne at any rate . these had rather dye for love , than bee deem'd to love . their hearts are smeer'd over with salamanders oyle , and wil admit no heat . they may entertaine suiters , but it is with that coldnesse of affection , as the longer they resort , the lesser is their hope . they may boast more of the multiplicity of their suitors , than their suitors can of any probability to bee speeders . as it chanced sometime in a contest betwixt two maids , who comparing one with the other their descents , friends , and suitors : make no comparison with me , replyed the one to the other , for i must tell thee , i have more suitors than thou hast friends ; more shamelesse you ( answered the other ) unlesse you meane to set up an house of good fellowship . these unsociable natures , who many times deferre making their choyce , till age bring them to contempt , and excludes them from all choyce ; or , danaë-like , live immured in their chamber , till their fort bee undermined by some golden pioner ; detract much from the relenting disposition of their sexe . it is their honour to be woo'd and won . to be discreet in their choyce , and to entertaine their choyce without change. of such i speake , who have not dedicated their dayes to virginity , which is such a condition , as it aspires to an angelicall perfection . good , ( saith venerable bede ) is conjugall chastity , better is viduall continency , but best is the perfection of virginity . yea , virginity exceeds the condition of humane nature , being that , by which man resembles an angelicall creature . wee reade likewise , that the vnicorne , when hee can be taken by no force nor subtill engine , will rest and repose in the lap of a virgin. to those onely i direct my discourse , who have a mind to take themselves unto the world , and to entertaine their lover : but it is with such coolenesse , as it drives their dispassionate sweet-heart into strange extreames . and this proceeds commonly from an over-weening conceit , which these dainty damsels have of their owne worth : with the apprehension whereof they become so infinitely taken , as they can find none worthy their choyce . of this disdainefull opinion was the unhappy gentlewoman , who after many faire fortunes tendred , suitors of deserving quality rejected , made her incestuous brother her licentious lover . a crime detestable even to barbarians and bruit beasts . insomuch as it is reported of the cam●ll , that they usually hood-winke him , when at any time they bring his mother unto him ; which act he no sooner knowes , then hee tramples her under his feet , and kicks her to death with his heeles : so hatefull is incest even to bruit beasts , whose native instinct abhors such obscene commixtures . you , whose discreet affections have cast anchor , by making choyce of some deserving lover ; afflict him not with needlesse delayes ; if hee merit your choyce , one day is too long to deferre him ; if undeserving , taxe your owne indiscretion so rashly to entertaine him . is it bashfull modesty that with-holds you ? i commend it ; it well becomes you . chastity cannot expresse it selfe in a fairer character , then in blushing lines of loving shamefastnesse . is it consent of friends that detaines you ? i approve that too ; these rites are best accomplished , when they are with consent and consort of friends solemnized . but if the ground of your delay trench either upon some future expectance of better fortunes ; or indifferency of affection in respect of your choyce : the issue cannot possibly prove well , being built upon such weake grounds . for , to insist cursorily upon either of these two ; shall a deceiving hope of preferment dispossesse him of your heart , whom personall deserts make worthy of your love ? looke to it ; such fortunes cannot purchase you content , which are got with an aged husbands contempt . it shewes a servile nature to cashiere a faithfull lover , because hee is poorer ; and to preferre another lesse desertfull , because hee is richer . this inconstancy cannot succeed well , because the foundation is grounded ill . againe , are you indifferent or luke-warme in affection ; in respect of your choyce ? for shames sake what doe you make of love ? do you use it like a toy or tyre to put off or on as you like ? must it resemble the fashion ? this day in request , and next day out of date ? this , indeed , is such a cool & easie-tempered love , as it will never mad you ; yet , trust me , it may well delude you . fancy will not so be plaid with . you will object , i imagine , your stomacks are too queasie to digest love. why then did you ever seeme so greedily to feed on that , which your stomacks now cannot well digest ? have you surfeited on the substance ? lay that aside for a while , and bestow your eye on the picture . such impressions have sharpened the dull affections of many lovers . alexander being much in love with apelles , as one highly rapt with the exquisitenesse of his art , proposed him that mcdell for a taske , which hee , of all others , affected most ; commanding him on a time to paint campaspe , a beautifull woman , naked ; which apelles having done , such impression wrought the picture in his affection , as apelles fell in love with her ; which alexander perceiving , gave him her . it is incredible , what rare effects were sometimes drawne from a morian-picture , being onely hung up in a ladies chamber . if such impressive motives of affection draw life from a picture , what may bee conceived by the substance ? oris apollo writeth that the egyptians , when they would describe the heart , and fit her with a proper embleme , paint the bird ibis : because they thinke that no creature , for proportion of the body , hath so great an heart as the ibis hath . it is the bird of love must bee the embleme of your heart . it is neither picture nor posture can content her . much lesse these inferiour pictures , which wee call moneyes : which are so farre from satisfying the affection , as they are onely for the mold or worldling : whose grosser thoughts never yet aspired to the knowledge of loves definition . as then , the precious stone diacletes , though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it loseth them all , if it bee put in a dead mans mouth : so love , though it bee a subject so pure , as none of a more refined nature ; so firme , as none of a more holding temper ; so hot , as none of a more lasting fervour : yet becomes her splendour darkened , her vigor weakened , her fervor cooled , when shee is in a cold brest entertained . resemble , rather , the iuniper-tree , whose coale is the hottest , and whose shadow is the coolest : bee hot in your affection , but coole in your passion . if you finde any thing which cooleth love in you , remove it ; if any thing which urgeth passion , quench it : contrariwise , feed in you loves heat ; but represse in you all passionate hate . take into your more serious thoughts , a view of his deserts whom you affect : increase the conceit of them by supposing more than hee expresseth . the imagination of love is strong , and works admirable effects in a willing subject . yet in all this , let no one straid thought wrong your maiden-modesty so much , as to suggest to you a straine of light-nesse . other closet-treaties you may entertaine safely and freely , without touch of modesty . as to thinke of the honour of that state , to which you are approaching ; the mutuall comfort from that mysterious union arising ; how griefes will bee attempered by one anothers suffering ; how joyes will bee augmented by one anothers sharing . these thoughts cannot but well become you ; nor otherwise chuse than with a pure affection inflame you ; nor receive lesse than free acceptance from you . thus may that love , which seem'd before to have beene as chilled , by these modest motives bee cheered . that day no blacke cloud should by right sit on your faire brow ; no cold dampe seaze on your heart . you have got one whom a sacred gage hath made yours ; with a cheerfull requitall render your selfe his . this cannot choose but highly please the pure eye of heaven , to see that mysterie so sweetly solemniz'd , which was honoured by christ , with his first miracle on earth . in this last branch of our observation , wee are to propose an attemperament of both those indisposed fancies before mentioned , and deservedly taxed . first , the wildenesse of the one ; secondly , the coolenesse of the other : by seasoning them both with an indifferent temper . in a vine , wilde and luxurious branches are to bee pruned , that such as are free and kindly may bee better cherished . in the spirituall field of your heart , is never to bee expected any fruitfull increase of vertues , till there be weeded out of it all the thornes of vices . the difference betwixt a wise and wild love , is this : the one ever deliberates before it love ; the other loves before it deliberate . the first question that shee askes , who wisely loves ; is hee , who is here recommended to my choyce , of good repute ? is hee rich in the endowments of his minde ? next question shee askes , are of a lower siege : may his personage give content ? are his fortunes such , as may not beget in love a contempt ? thus beginnes shee that loves wisely , with goods inward , and ends with outward ; whereas , shee that loves wildly , beginnes with outward , and ends , or else never remembers the inward : is hee , you tender to mee , of promising personage ? is hee neat in his cloathes ? complete in his his dresse ? can he court mee in good words ? and perfume them with sweet protests ? can hee usher me gracefully in the street ? and in very pace expresse a reserved state ? next question shee askes , must bee neare the same verge : is hee rich in manors ? hath not fortune made him a younger brother ? can hee , to buy himselfe honour , pawne the long-acre ? may his swelling means furnish me of coach , caroach , and daily fit mee for some exchange trifles ? i have a moneths mind to see the man ! hee cannot but deserve my love . wherein shee sayes well , for in very deed hee could deserve little else . now as the former , seldome bestowes her selfe , but where shee findes content ; so the latter , seldome or never , but either shee with her choyce , or her choyce with her falls into contempt . the reason is , this wilde girle never cares for more than to bee married . if shee may but see that day , it accomplisheth her content : though shee have but one comicall day all her life . yea , it is as well as can bee expected from her hands , if shee attaine that style without some apparant soile . such as these i could wish , to prevent the worst , they were married betime , lest they marre themselves before time . albeit , moderate restraint , seasonable advice ( presupposing some seeds of grace to worke on ) have wrought singular effects in many of these wilde-ones , who afterwards became grave and modest matrons . to you then , kind-hearts , am i to recommend some necessary cautions , which carefully observed , may make you wiser than you thought of ; and cause you have a tender care of that , which before you had never mind of . your brests are unlock'd , your tongues unty'd ; you cannot love , but you must shew it ; nor conceive a kinde thought , but you must tell it . the index of your hearts you carry both in your tongues and eyes ; for shame , learne silence in the one , and secrecy in the other . will you give power to an insulting lover , to triumph over your weakenesse ; or , which is worse , to worke on the opportunity of your lightnesse ? doe not ; rather ramme up those portells which betray you to your enemy , and prevent his entry by your vigilancy . keepe home and stray not , lest by gadding abroad , you incurre dinahs fate . you have consorts of your owne sexe to passe time withall ; their society will teach you to forget , what is better forgot than kept . let not a straid thought betray your innocency . checke your madding fancy , and if it use resistance , curbe it with restraint . it will doe excellently well , if you forbeare to resort to places of publike meeting ; till you have drawne up and seal'd a covenant with your eyes , to see naught that they may not lawfully covet . these , when they wander , they breed in the heart a dangerous distemper . lastly , addresse your imployment ever to something that is good ; so shall your fantasie finde nought to worke upon that is ill . this shall afford you more liberty , than the whole worlds freedome can afford you . now to you , coy ones , whom either coldnesse of nature hath benummed , or coynesse hath made subtill to dissemble it . you can looke and like , and turne another way , where you like most . no object of love can take you , till it overtake you . bee not wise too much . true affection cannot endure such dissimulation . divide not him , whom you love , into such extremes : you may be modest , and spare a great deale of this coynesse ; it is the rule of charity to doe as you would bee done to . now , would it content you to bee entertained with disdaine , where your deserts merit acceptance ? rectifie this then in your selves , which you would not have done by another to your selves . it is an ill requitall , to recompence fancy with contempt , or constant love with disdaine . this were to incurre ingratitude , a vice so odious , as no age could finde ever ought more uncivilly impious . i do not move you to bee too open-hearted ; or if so , not too liberally to expresse it : this were no discovery of fancy , but folly . so conceale and smoothly palliate your love , as your lover may not despaire of all hope to obtaine your love . indifferent curtsies you may shew without lightnesse , and receive them too in lieu of thankfulnesse . i leave it to your discretion to distinguish times and places ; for these may either improve or impaire the opportunity of such like curtsies . doe not immure your beauties , as if a jealousie of your owne weaknesse had necessitated this restraint . there can bee no conquest , where there is no contest . converse with love ; conceit with your selves whom you could like . this your cooler temper may admit , and still reteine that liberty which is fit . falconers use many meanes to make their hawks sharpe ; they begin with short flights , till weathring bring them to endure longer . pigmalions image received not life in all parts at once ; first , it took warmth , after that , vitall motion . is love coole in you ? let a kindly warmth heat that coldnesse . is love dull in you ? let a lively agility quicken that dulnesse . is love coy in you ? let a lovely affability supple that coynesse : so , in short time , you may have a full rellish of loves sweetnesse . now wee come to the attemperament of these ; wherein wee are to extract out of grosser metals some pure oare , which wee must refine , before it can give any true beauty to this specious palace of love . draw neare then , and attend to what of necessity you must observe ; if ever you meane to deserve her love , whom you are in civility bound to serve . in sicilia there is a fountaine called fons solis , out of which at mid-day , when the sun is nearest , floweth cold water ; at midnight , when the sunne is farthest off , floweth hot water . this should bee the lively embleme of your state ( gentlewomen : ) who , now after those cooler vapours of your frozen affection dispersed , those lumpish and indisposed humors dispelled , and those queasie risings of your seeming coynesse dispossessed ; have felt that chaste amorous fire burne in you , which will make you of shamefaste maids , modest matrons . when the heat of passion is at mid-day , i meane his full height , with those to whom faith hath engag'd you , and love , before the hostage of that faith , confirm'd you ; then are you to resemble the quality of that fountaine , by flowing with cold water of discretion and sweet temper , to allay that heat ; lest it weaken those you love , by giving way to passion , which patience cannot chuse but loath . againe , when heat is farthest off , and providence begins to labour of a lethargy ; when servants remit their care , neglect their charge , and the whole family grow out of order , through the coldnesse of a remisse master ; resemble then that fountaine , by flowing with hot water ; win and weane these whom love and loyalty have made yours , with warme conjugall teares , to compassionate their neglected estate , and by timely prevention to avert the fate of improvident husbands . or thus , if you please , may you make your selves gracious emblemes of that fountaine : doth the sun shine at mid-day , and in his fullest height on you ? do the beams of prosperity reflect brightly on you ? flow with cold water ; allay this your heat and height of prosperity , with some cooling thoughts of adversity , lest prosperity make you forget both the author of it , and in the end how to bestow it . againe , doth the sunne shine farthest off you ? doth not one small beameling of prosperous successe cheere you ? flow with hot water ; vanquish adversity with resolution of temper . desist not from labour , because fortune seconds not your endevour . to conclude , as your wild fancy ( if you were ever surpriz'd of any ) is now rectifi'd ; your coolenesse heatned ; your coynesse banished ; so conforme your selves to them , whom one heart hath made one with you , as no cloud of adversity may looke so blacke , no beame of prosperity shine so cleare , wherin you may not with an equall embrace of both estates , beare your share . the english gentlevvoman . argument . gentility is derived from our ancestors to us , but soone blanched , if not revived by us ; vertue the best coat ; a shamefaste red , the best colour to deblazon that coat ; gentility is not knowne by what we weare , but what we are ; there are native seeds of goodnesse sowne in generous bloods by lineall succession ; how these may bee ripened by instruction . gentility . gentility consists not so much in a lineall deblazon of armes , as personall expression of vertues . yea , there is no ornament like vertue , to give true beauty to descent . what is it to be descended great ? to retein the priviledge of our blood , to bee ranked highest in an heralds booke ? when our lives cannot adde one line to the memorable records of our ancestors ? there should bee no day without a line , if wee desire to preserve in us the honour of our line . those odours then deserve highest honours , that beautifie us living , and preserve our memory dying . should wee call to mind all those our ancestors , who for so many preceding ages have gone before us ; and whose memory now sleeps in the dust ; wee should , perchance , finde in every one of them some eminent quality or other , if a true survey of their deserving actions could bee made knowne unto us ; yea , wee should understand , that many of them held it their highest grace , to imitate their predecessors in some excellent vertue ; the practice whereof they esteemed more prayse-worthy , than the bare title of gentility . now , what just reproofe might wee deserve , if neither those patternes , which our ancestors had , nor the vertuous examples of our ancestors themselves , can perswade us to be their followers ? their blood streames through our veynes ; why should not their vertues shine in our lives ? their mortality wee carry about with us ; but that which made them immortally happy , wee reteine not in us . their gentility wee clayme ; the priviledges they had by it , wee reteine . meane time , where is that in us , that may truly gentilize us , and designe us theirs ? what a poore thing is it to boast of , that our blood is nobler , our descent higher ? tell me , can any one prescribe before adam ? and what shall hee finde in that first ancestor of his , but red clay ? the matter whereof hee was made , it was no better ; nor can wee suppose our mortar to bee purer . hee most emphatically described our genealogy , who cryed , earth , earth , earth : earth by creation , condition , dissolution . no lesse fully understood hee the quality of his composition , with the root from whence hee tooke his beginning , who called earth his mother ; wormes his brethren and sisters . his kinsfolkes hee could not much boast of , they were such inferiour creatures ; no strutters in the street , but despicable creepers . let me now reflect upon you , gentlewomen , whose generous birth should bee adorned with vertuous worth , and so make you moving objects of imitation both in life and death . are you nobly descended ? ennoble that descent with true desert . doe not thinke that the privilege of greatnesse , can bee any subterfuge to guiltinesse . your more ascending honour requires more than a common lustre . in places of publike resort you challenge precedency , and it is granted you . shall the highest place have the least inward grace ? no ; let not a word fall from you , that may unbeseeme you . others are silent when you discourse ; let it bee worth their attention ; lest a presumption of your owne worth draw you into some frivolous excursion . there is not an accent which you utter , a sentence you deliver , any motion in your carriage or gesture , which others eye not , and eying assume not . your retinue is great ; your family gracious ; your actions should bee the life of the one , and line of direction to the other . to see a light lady descending from a noble family , is a spectacle of more spreading infamy , than any subject of inferiour quality . i cannot approve of this apish kinde of formality , which many of our better sort use ; it detracts from their descent , to make affectation their tutresse . they were free-borne ; nothing then that is servile can become them . it is nothing to reteine the favour or feature of your ancestors , and to estrange you from that which truly dignifi'd your ancestors . vertues have more living colours , and are seconded with more lasting honours than any outward beauties . you deceive your selves , if you thinke that honour received her first life from descent ; no , it was demerit that made descent capable of honour . a pedigree argues your gentility ; but had not some deserving action beene , you had never attained to any noble pedigree . for gentility is not to bee measured by antiquity of time , but precedency in worth . if brackish or troubled water seldome come from a pure spring ; wilde and unsavory fruit from a good tree ; whence is it , that noble predecessors , whose pure blood was never corrupted with any odious staine , should bring forth such degenerating scions ? surely , this generally proceeds from the too much liberty that is granted to our youth ; whose inclinations , though otherwise good and equally disposed , are usually by custome , which becomes a second nature , miserably depraved . society they affect , and this infects them ; repaire to publike places they admit , and this corrupts them . those eminent examples which their noble progenitors left them , become buried with them . they comply with the time ; vertue ( they say ) can hardly subsist , where vice is in highest request . what though plato advise them to make choyce of the best way of living , which may bee easily effected by assiduate use and daily custome : they have learned to invert his rule , by affecting that custome most , which tends to the practice of vertue least . besides , there is another reason which may bee probably alleaged , why generous descents become so much corrupted ; and vertuous parents by vitious children so frequently seconded . our nobler women , though in other respects truly imitable , and for their vertuous conversation admirable , come short in one peculiar duty , which even nature exacts of them , and which being duely perfom'd , would doubtlesly , no lesse enable and ennoble them who are descended from them , than any particular , were it never so powerfull , that could informe them . these which are mothers by generation , are seldome their nursing-mothers by education . no marvell then , if they degenerate , when they partake of the natures of other women . though their owne mothers blood streame through their veines , a strangers milke must feed them , which makes them participate of their nature , as they are fed with their substance . wheresoever the nurses milke is received , the nurses manners are likewise reteined . whence it was , that chrysippus expresly commanded that the very best and wisest nurses should bee made choyce of ; that what good blood had infused , might not by ill milke be infected . it was the joynt advice both of plutarch and phavorine , that a mother should bee her childrens nurse : because , commonly , with the milke of the nurse , they sucke the quality or condition of her life . yea , according to an ancient decree , women were bound to nurse their owne children , and not to have any other women ( unlesse necessity enforc'd them ) to nurse them . let this then bee rectifi'd ; yee , whose noble descents have made you eminent in the eye of the world , and whom gods blessing hath made fruitfull mothers , to bring forth a faire and hopefull increase unto the world ; nurse them with your owne milke : this will expresse in you a motherly care to them , and beget in them a greater measure of child-like love to you . your care , the more it is parentall , will exact of them a love more faithfull and filiall . nurse them , i say , with the milke of your owne brests to feed them ; with the milke of your owne lives to informe them . so shall their actions prove them to bee your successours ; when they shall not onely derive their blood from you , but on this theatre of humane frailty , shall publish themselves to bee true representers of you . for in vaine is your blood to them derived , if your memory by their vertues be not revived . give them then that which may make them yours . goodnesse may bee blamed , but her succeeding memory can never bee blanched . thus shall you not onely shew your selves worthy of that house , from whence you came , but after your period on earth , bee receiv'd into a more glorious house in time to come . it is not the nobility of descent , but of vertues , that makes any one a gracefull and acceptable servitour in the court of heaven . houses are distinguished by coats and crests ; but these are dignifi'd by something else . in heraldry , those are ever held to be the best coats , that are deblazoned with least charge . consequently , then must vertue needs bee the best coat . shee requires the least charge ; in her attire , shee is not sumptuous ; in her fare , delicious ; nor in her retinue ( the more is the pitty ) numerous . shee confines her desires upon earth within a strait circumference ; a very small portion of that metall will content her . her desires are onely there seated , where they may bee satisfied . shee sees none so great in the court , as may deserve her envy ; none so rich in the city , as may beget in her an earthly desire ; none so repos'd in the countrey , as to induce her to change her state . shee is infinitely happy , in that shee aymes at no other happinesse , than where it is to bee found . ambition may display her pie-colour'd flagge ; but shee will never get vertue to bee her follower : her desires are pitcht upon a farre more transcendent honour , than these state-corrivals on earth can ere afford her ; or by their competition take from her . pleasure may cast out her lure , but vertue is so high a flyer , as shee scornes to stoupe to ought unworthy of her ; it pleaseth her to contemplate that on earth , which shee is to enjoy in heaven . these feathers in the ayre , are objects undeserving her care . profit may seeke to undermine her ; but all her policy cannot worke on vertues constancy . content is her crowne ; contempt of the world , her care ; what wordlings seeke , shee shuns ; whence it is , that her beauty , in the darkest night of adversity , shines . in a word , shee is an absolute commandresse of her selfe ; and easie is it to have that command , where no turbulent passions labour to contend . farre otherwise is it with those , who be they never so generously descended , popularly graced , nor powerfully guarded , yet being not adorned with this crest , distinguished by this coat , they can neither enjoy freedome within , nor safety without . lewis , the eleventh had a conceit , which , no doubt , proceeded from his melancholicke and indisposed humour , that every thing did stinke about him : all the odoriferous perfumes , or fragrant savours they could get , would not ease him , but still hee smelled a silthy stinke . so fares it with them , whose corrupt hearts , like musty vessells , not throughly seasoned with vertue , send forth no other smell than what is most distastefull to a pure and well-disposed minde . now , there bee many , who make an outward semblance of conscience ; and promise to the world apparant arguments of their uprightnesse ; whose inward cells , like corrupt charnell-houses , afford nothing but filthinesse . yea , these , to make the world more confident of their sanctity , will not sticke to condemne themselves , dis-value their owne worth , and rank them amongst the unworthiest that breath on earth . yet , though they disprayse themselves before others , they cannot endure to bee dispraysed by others . whereof wee read one excellent example to this purpose : there was a certaine woman , who had taken her selfe to a cloyster-life , and seemed very devo●t ; so as shee usually said to her confessor , who came often unto her , to heare her confession , and partake of her devotion : good father , pray unto the lord for mee ; for i am a woman so evill , yea , even so utterly naught , as i much feare lest the lord punish others for my sinnes . vpon this , the priest out of a discreet zeale , desired to try whether there were in her the foundation of true humility or no. next time therefore , that shee uttered the like words unto him , saying ; that shee was the very worst of all women ; the priest forwith answered : i have often times at many bands heard thus much of thee before this . whereat shee being presently incensed , replyed : you lye in your throat : and whosoever hath told you , or reporteth such things of mee , are all lyers . to attemper which immoderate passion , the priest humbly returned her this answer : now i perceive thy pride and hypocrisie ; for as much as thou speakest that of thy selfe , which thou disdainest any other should speake of thee . and this is no signe of true humility , but of inward pride and grosse hypocrisy . these dissembled , bee they never so assiduate , semblances , are no colours for vertues crest , they must bee dyed in graine , or they will not hold . these , who expresse modesty in their outward carriage , are good examples to those that consort with them ; yet if their private parler bee a witnesse of their dishonor , they deface the figure of goodnesse in themselves . vertue consists not in seeming but performing , nor piety in appearing but practising . what is it to bee outwardly retyred from the world , and inwardly affianced to the world ? how are those women in turkie affected , that most part of the yeare come not abroad ? those italian and spanish dames , that are mewed up like hawks , and lockt up by their jealous husbands ? this is such an enforced restraint , as it many times begets loose desires in the restrained . it is the prevention of occasion that crownes us . more prayse-worthy were those women of sio , could they confine their actions within the bounds of modesty , than these restrained libertines . for those iland women , as they are the beautifull'st dames of all the greekes , so have they more liberty granted by their avaricious husbands , than all the dames in greece . for their wives prostitution is their promotion . so as , when they see any stranger or promising factor arrive , they will presently demand if hee would have a mistris : which , for want of better supply , they mercenarily tender him in the person of their owne wives : so willing are they to weare the lasting badge of infamy , for base lucre or commodity . it is not then an enforced moderation of our affections , that deserves the stile of goodnesse . wee are to enjoy freedome in our desires , and over those a noble conquest , if wee merit the name of vertuous . come then , gentlewomen , you see what coat will honour your house most . other coats may bee blanched by corruption of blood ; or blemished by some other occurrent : but this is so pure as it will admit of no staine . fantasticall and false prophecies may bee ominously advanced , published , and dispersed , upon arms , fields , beasts , or badges , against which our lawes have ordained necessary provisions . but no augur , seer or southsayer can by any such groundless divination , detract from the constant beauty or splendor of his coat . soveraignizing saladine , after hee had made himselfe a terrour to many potent princes , by making them his subjects , who never till then knew what subjection meant ; after hee had atchieved so many prosperous victories , taken in so many flourishing provinces , and attained the highest degree of an imperiall greatnesse ; being surprized by so mortall and fatall a malady , as hee despaired of recovery : called his chiefetaine or generall before him , and bad him haste away to the great city damascus , and there in the midst of that populous city , to fixe his shrouding-sheete upon a speare , and display it like a banner , with these words ; this is all that souldan saladine hath left of all his ensignes ! this , the remainder of all his victories ! how happy had that emperour beene , if after so many memorable exploits done by him living , so many imperiall trophies of his dispersed victories erected by him breathing , hee had reserved this coat to have memoriz'd him dying ? dorcas coats were brought forth and shown , after shee departed . so live , that your best coats , which are your vertues , may give testimony of you , when earth shall receive you . let not your gentility become blasted with infamy ; nor your noble families labour of that scarcity , as not to give vertue all hospitality . divinely sung our moderne poet : to bee of gen'rous blood and parents borne , and have no gen'rous vertues , is a scorne . let it bee your highest scorne , to stoupe to any base thought . it is not priority nor precedency of place , but propriety and proficiency in grace that makes an honourable soule . that cloath is of most worth that weares best ; and that fashion of most esteeme that holds longest in request . vertue is right . sempiternam for weare ; and of that complete fashion , as with christian women it growes never out of date . make choyce of this stuffe then to suite you , of this coat to gentilize you . all others are but conterseits in comparison of her ; whose property it is to honour those that serve her ; harbour those that flye for refuge to her ; and to reward those who constantly stand in defence of her honour . there is nothing can wound you , being thus armed ; nothing ill-beseeme you , being thus adorned ; nothing disparage you , being thus honoured : heraldry findes a coat for your house , but vertue findes honour to grace your person . reteine those divine impressions of goodnesse in you , that may truly ennoble you : display your gentility by such a coat , as may best distinguish your family ; so shall you live and dye with honour , and survive their fame , whose onely glory it was to enjoy fortunes favour . painters are curious in the choyce of their colours , lest their art become blemished through those decayed colours , wherewith their pictures are pourtrayed . some are opinion , that the receit of painting or colouring the substance of glasse through , is utterly lost ; neither that these late succeeding times can regaine , as yet , that mysterious perfection . farre more is it to bee doubted lest vertue , which wee have proved by infallible arguments to bee the best coat , want her true colour , and consequently become deprived of her chiefe lustre . some pictures , i know , will doe well in white ; yet it is colour that gives them life . beauty never darts more love to the eye , not with quicker convoy directs it to the heart , then when it displayes her guiltlesse shame in a crimson blush . there is one flower to bee loved of women , which is the chiefest flower in all their garden ; and this is a good red , which is shamefastnesse . these standing colours are slow wooers to discreet lovers . vertues coat then is best beblazoned when a shamefast red breathes upon it . protogenes tables , wherein baccbus was painted , and all his furious bacchanals to life displayed , moved king demetrius to such admiration , during his siege of the city rhodes , that where hee might have consumed the city with fire , and buried the glory thereof in ashes , would not for the preciousnesse of that table : so as , protracting time by staying to bid them battell , wonne not the city at all . if a livelesse picture could enforce such affection in a knowing commander , what effects may wee thinke will a living substance produce ? truth is , there is such sweet and amiable correspondence betwixt vertuous beauty , and shamefaste modesty , as the one cannot subsist without the others society . not a light passage can want the attendance of a blush , whilest modesty is in presence . yea , though shee bee not conscious of any conceit , that might beget in her face a shamefaste blush ; out of a modest compassion shee will not sticke to blush , when shee observes ought in another deserving blame . her eares glow at any light report ; which , lest they should grow too credulous , shee fortifies with reason , to oppose the too easie entrance of suspition . shee partakes of no resemblance lesse than that of the chamelon , whose naturall property it is to represent all colours save white . shee is a milde and moderate interpreter of others actions ; but a serious censor of her owne . light discourses , which tend rather to the depraving of the hearer , than ministring any usefull subject to an attentive observer , shee excludes ; uncivill complement shee abhorres ; what onely is modest shee approves ; and seconds her approvement with a gracefull smile . shee holds an infected minde to bee more dangerous than an infected house : such company shee shunnes , on whom the rayes of vertue seldome or never shine . there is not that condition , bee it never so meane , which shee cannot with cheerefulnesse entertaine : so as , shee holds outward poverty the best enricher of an inward family . her desires are so equally poyzed , as shee neither seekes more than shee enjoyes , nor wants freedome to dispose of what shee enjoyes . honour shee affects , yet with no such eagernesse , as to hazzard the losse of a dearer honour , for so uncertaine a purchase . friends and favourites shee admits , and with that constancy , as it neither repents her of accepting , nor them of tendring such vertuous fruits of amity . here you have her , gentlewomen , who will tell you , and in her selfe exemplifie what shee tells you ; that modesty is the choycest ornament that can adorne you . now if you purpose to trace her path , or conforme your selves to her line ; you must worke on your affections , to embrace what shee loves , and reject whatsoever shee loathes . are you conversant at any time with such protesting servants , as make deepe oaths meere complements ; and whose tongues are witty orators in running descant on a wanton tale ? these are such consorts as modesty would bee loath to converse with . shee can never endure any of these discourses without an angry blush . should you delight in these , you should quickly heare her out of a vertuous passion , cry out with the poet : o age ! most of our women know not now , what ' t is to blush , till painting tell them how . againe , should you entertaine in your naked bosomes , what some wantons have too much affected , light amorous poems ; perusing them with no lesse content , than if they had beene purposely penned to worke on your conceit ; this cannot stand with your modesty : these may corrupt you , but never rectifie what is wandring in you . suffer not a wanton passage to play on your fantasie . sinne would never enter in upon you , if shee found but a preparation of resistance in you . tell me , what a sweet grace conferres it on you , to mixe your salutes with modest blushes , and entertaine your suitors with a shamefaste bashfulnesse ! sure i am , where love is discreetly grounded , this cannot chuse but be an especiall motive to affection . there may bee , i grant , such wilde lovers , who preferre the loose love of an inconstant phaedra , before the chaste embraces of a continent antiope : but their indiscreet choyce is ever seconded with a fearefull cloze . those , who esteeme more of a painted cheeke , than a native blush , shall finde all their imaginary happinesse resolved to a painted blisse . it is modesty and not beauty which makes the husband happy . would you then deserve the title of chaste virgins , constant wives , modest matrons ? while you are ranked amongst the first , converse not privately with a wanton thought ; send not forth a wandring eye to fetch in a sweet-heart . dis-value not your owne worth so much , as to wooe others to become your suiters : this would bee a meanes rather to depresse love , than increase it ; impayre love , than improve it . if you bee worthy winning , you cannot chuse but bee worthy wooing . meane time , let not a straid looke betray your too forward love ; nor a light conceit tax you of deserved reproofe . dye your cheeks with a rosie blush , when you heare ought that may detract from the modesty of your sexe . bee as silent as the night ; your best rhetoricke consists in maiden blushes , and bashfull smiles ; which will worke more powerfully on a lovers heart , than a rhetoricall tongue , bee it never so curiously tipt with art. for the second ranke , you know how strict a duty is imposed on you ; now are you not to converse with strange love , or suffer any other person have the least share in your affection . to court love , or use any complement , purposely to winne a private favorite , would detract as much from your honour , as for a souldier to flye from his captaine , and adhere to a stranger . hee hath invested you in himselfe , and ingaged himselfe yours by a sacred vow , which death onely may reverse : the dispersed loves which you enterteined before , must now bee reduc'd to one , and that but one , by whose mutuall choyce two are individually made one . a heart divided cannot live ; no more can the heat of divided love . you are now so farre from entertaining any stranger ; as you have vow'd with your heart , not to enter so much as any treaty with an unjust intruder . it is dangerous to converse with a profest foe , whose drift it is to undermine you ; and such an one is every loose lover , who labours with the licentious art of adulterous oratory , to deprive you of that inestimable gemme , which of all others , most adornes you . for you that are matrons , ripenesse of yeares hath enjoyned you to bid a lasting adieu to the vanities of youth . now are you set as examples of gravity , for others to imitate . it were dotage in you now to begin to love , when your decay in nature tels you , it is not long you are to live . you have hitherto performed your parts with a genercus approvement of your actions , faile not in the conclusion . this small remainder of your declining pilgrimage , should bee wholly dedicated to the practice of goodnesse ; that your pious end may second your vertuous beginning . the sunne shines ever brighter at his setting than rising ; so should your life appeare better at your departing than entring . it were incomparably beneficiall for you , now in this your exit , to have your affections seated in heaven , before you depart from earth : leaving some memorable examples of your wel-spent life , which may eternize you after this life . this will make your names flourish ; and cause others in a vertuous emulation of your actions , to reteine your memory in their lives . to bee briefe , bee you of what condition soever , either in respect of your age or state ; there is nothing can better become you than a modest shamefastnesse : which consists either in averting your eare from your owne praise ; or with-drawing your presence from dishonest or uncivill discourse ; or rejecting an importunate suitor , whose too inconsiderate entertainment might question your honour . i have noted in some women a kind of zealous and devout passion , when they chanc'd but to heare any light or wanton communication ; they could not hold but reprove them for their impudence , and amidst their reproofe , to adorn the rosie circlets of their cheekes with a blushing shamefastnesse . surely , this expressed a singular modesty in them ; which i would have you ( gentlewomen ) in a serious imitation of them , to represent in your selves . it will happen , many times , that you cannot chuse but encounter with some frontlesse buffouns , petulant pasquills , whose highest straine of obscene wit , is to justifie some fabulous story , or repeat an uncivill tale ; which you are to entertaine with such disgust , as these odious relaters may gather by your countenance , how much you distaste such uncivill discourse . for it is a sweet kinde of evincing sinne , to discountenance it with a modest shame . thus shall you make your very frowne an ingenuous index of your uncorrupt heart : and to adde one line more unto your honour , display the character of your guiltlesse shame in a maiden blush , a virgin-colour . severus the emperour would have majesty preserved by a vertuous disposing of the desire , not by a curious effeminacy in attire . for , as wee cannot account him for lesse then a foole , who prizeth his horse by the faddle , and trappings that hang about him , more then by the worth that is in him : so is hee most foolish , who values the man by the worth of his cloathes , rather then those inward parts that doe accomplish him . how many formall gallants shall wee observe , whose onely value consists in putting on their cloathes neatly ; wearing their cloaks before them , as if they would forgo them ; or bestow them upon some pandor to usher their mushrom gentility to a house of light society : with whom , if you should converse , you might easily finde aesops , painted seuls , fairely promising , but weakly performing ? the greatest obliquity these can finde in our age , is the too carelesse observance of fashions ; which our neate formalists have no great cause to taxe for an errour , seeing affectation in the choice of fashion is this ages humour . the golden apple was given to the fairest , not the finest ; the golden tripode , neither to the fairest nor finest , but wisest . for might the fairest have obtain'd it , alcibiades , being the daintiest and best favoured boy in all athens , might by right have challeng'd it . againe , might the finest have enjoy'd it , the lydian croesus , being richer in attire than any of his time , might have pleaded for it . of whom it is said , that solon of salamine came to visite him ; not to admire him , as simple people did , whose judgements most commonly were plac'd in their eyes : but to reprove him for his vanity , an apt subject for philosophy ; and weane him from that which threatned ruine to his state. this delicate prince had that learned sage no sooner found decked and adorned with the choisest ornaments , and seated on an high throne , than hee encountred that grave philosopher with this vaine question : demanding of him , whether hee had ever seene a more glorious sight ? to whom solon right gravely answered ; yes , quoth hee , i have seene house-cocks , phesants , and peacocks : and these were graced with a naturall beauty ; whereas yours is but a borrowed glory , which must vaile to time , and shake hands , ere it bee long , with mortality . to these that fabulous story of the persian prince crysalus may bee properly applied , and personally resembled ; who , with his pye-colour'd reteiners , presenting themselves at iupiters marriage like painted fooles , became transformed into plumed fowles . truth is , should wee judge of mens worths by their outward weare , or distinguish gentility by a fashionable attire , wee should erre more in judgement , then a blinde man in his first discovery of colours . what eminent ladies are recorded in the continuate histories of fame ; whose esteeme tooke first breath , not from what they wore , but what they were ? it was not their ayme to strike a stupid beholder into admiration with a phantasticke habit , nor allure an humorous lover with a conceited complement . our simple elders knew not what it was , to set their face , or court a looking-glasse . it was their highest taske to correct those errours that were in them : by which meanes they became so inwardly lovely , as none truely knew them , that could doe lesse than entirely love them . surely , there is no state that suites so sitly with gentility , as the low , but loyall attendance of humility . this is shee , who ( as shee is rightly defined ) is the princesse of vertues , the conqueresse of vices , the mirror of virginity , the choisest harbour or repose for the blessed trinity . shee considers , how hee , by whom our corrupt blood was restored , our unvaluable losses repaired , and our primitive nakednesse compassionately covered , was not with a diadem crowned , nor in a stately bed couched ; yea , scarcely rather with one poore coat covered : which hee wore not as an ornament to his body , to bestow on it trimnesse , but for necessity to cover his nakednesse . what a poverty is it then for you , whose ancient descent promiseth something extraordinary in you , to have nothing to boast of , save onely a gilded outside ? it was necessity that invented cloathes for you ; now were it fit to pride you in that , which depriv'd you of your prime beauty ? you shall observe in many of our grave matrons , with what indifferency they attire themselves . their inward ornaments are their chiefest care ; their renewing and repairing of them , their highest cure . they have found such choice flowers , as they afford more spirituall delight to the soule , than any visible flowers or odours doe to the smell . and what are these , but divine and morall precepts , soveraigne instructions ; which have taught them how to contemne earth , conquer death , and aspire unto eternity ? these by a continued custome or frequent converse with heavenly things , cannot now conceive any object to bee worthy their beholding on earth . fashions may bee worne about them , but little observed by them . the wedding garment is their desired raiment . this they make ready for the nuptiall day ; the meditation whereof so transports them , as nothing below heaven can possesse them . it is not beauty which they prize ; for they daily and duely consider the prophets words ; all faces shall gather blacknesse . againe , they remember the threats which god denounceth upon beautifull , but sinfull niniveh , i will discover thy skirts upon thy face . this makes them seriously to consider the dangerous quality of sinne , and to apply ninivehs salve to their sore : that wine of angels , the teares of repentance . which , howsoever it is , as one wittily observes , every mans medicine ; an universall antidote , that makes many a mithridates venture on poison : yet works it not this banefull effect with these ; for their affections are so sweetly tempered , their hearts so truly tendred , as they make not repentance security to delinquents : they well remember that aphorisme of spirituall physicke : as hee that sinnes in hope of remission , feeds distemperature to seeke a physician ; so hee that repents with a purpose of sinning , shall finde an eternall place to repent in . these , who thus belull themselves in the downe-beds of security , labour of an irreparable lethargy . they make bold to sinne , as if they were sure to repent . but the medicine was made for the wound , not the wound for the medicine . we must not suffer our selves voluntarily to bee wounded , in hope we have to bee cured : but prevent the meanes , that wee may atteine a more glorious end . the choicest receipt , the chiefest antidote then is to prevent the meanes or occasion of sinne ; which if at any time wee commit , to infuse the balme of repentance into it ; which seasonably applyed , may minister a soveraigne salve to our sore , so wee intend our care to so consequent a cure . come then , gentlewomen , beginne now at last to reflect on your owne worth . vnderstand , that gentility is not knowne by what you weare , but what you are . consider , in what member soever your creator is most offended , in that shall every sinner bee most tormented . remember , how the time shall come ( and then shall your time bee no time ) when the moath shall bee your underlining , and the worme your covering . trimm● your selves then with an inward beauty ; that a glorious bridegroome may receive you . fashion your selves to his image , whom you represent . that fashion onely , will extend the date of time , and crowne you with immortality after time . these , who have their judgements in their eyes , may admire you for your cloaths ; but those , who have their eyes in their heads , will onely prize you by your inward worth . were it not a poore ensigne of gentility , to hang up a phantasticke fashion to memorize your vanity after death ? so live , that you may ever live in the memory of the good . it will not redound much to your honour , to have observed the fashions of the time , but to have redeemed your time ; to have dedicated your selves to the practice of vertue all your time ; to have beene mirrors of modesty to your succeeding sexe ; to have dis-valued the fruitlesse flourish of fading vanity , for the promising hopes of a blessed eternity . o eternity , eternity ! let this ever emphatically sound in your memory ; supply then that in you , which bleered judgements expect without you . you challenge precedency in place , expresse your selves worthy of that place . vertue will make you farre more honoured , than any garish habit can make you admired . the one is a spectacle of derision , the other of true and generous approbation . this you shall doe , if you season your desires with discretion ; if you temper your excursive thoughts , and bring them home with a serious meditation of your approaching dissolution . it is said of the palme tree , that when it growes dry and fruitlesse , they use to apply ashes to the root of it , and it forthwith recovers : that the peacefull palmes of your vertuous mindes may flourish ever ; that their branches may ever blossome and never wither ; apply unto their roots the ashes of mortification ; renue them with some sweet and soveraigne meditation . that when you shall returne to your mother earth , those that succeed you may collect how you lived while you were on earth : by making these living actions of your gentility , happy precursors to your state of glory . fountaines are best distinguished by their waters , trees by their fruits , and generous bloods by their actions . there are inbred seeds of goodnesse ( saith the philosopher ) in every good man : and these will finde time to expresse themselves . it was davids testimony of himselfe : from my youth up have i loved thy law. an excellent prerogative given him , and with no lesse diligence improved by him . now these native seeds , as they are different , so are the fruits which come of them , variously disposed . some have a rellish of true and generous bounty ; wherein they shew that noble freedome to their owne , in their liberality towards others : as their very actions declare unto the world , their command and soveraignty over the things of this world . others discover their noble disposition , by their notable pitty and compassion ; these will estrange themselves from no mans misery . if they cannot succour him , they will suffer with him . their bosomes are ever open with pittifull zenocrates , to receive a distressed one . over a vanquish'd foe they scorne to insult ; or upon a dejected one to triumph . they have teares to partake with the afflicted ; and reall expressions of joy to share with the relieved . others shew apparant arguments of their singular moderation ; abstemious are these in their dishes ; temperate in their companies ; moderate in their desires . these wonder at the rioters of this time ; how they consume their daies in sensuality and uncleannesse their account is farre more straight ; their expence more strait ; but their liberty of mind of an higher straine . cloathes they weare , but with that decency , as curiosity cannot taxe them ; meats they partake , but with that temperance , as delicacy cannot tempt them . others from their cradle , become brave sparkes of valour ; their very childhood promiseth undoubted tokens of succeeding honour . these cannot endure braves nor affronts . generous resolution hath stampt such deepe impressions in their heroicke mindes , as fame is their ayme ; which they hunt after , with such constancy of spirit , as danger can neither amate them , nor difficulty avert them from their resolves . others are endued with a naturall pregnancy of wit ; to whom no occasion is sooner offered , than some dainty expression must second it . others with more solidity of judgement , though of lesse present conceit . and these are such , as generally imploy themselves in state-affaires ; wherein experience , purchased by an usefull expence , of time , doth so ripen them , as the publike state takes notice of them , and recompenceth their care with honours conferred on them . these and many other excellent endowments shall wee observed to bee lineally derived from ancestors to their successors ; which , as they reteine a neare resemblance of their persons , so they represent their actions : so powerfull is nature in bestowing her distinct offices on every creature , wherein they generally partake of their disposition as well as outward feature : whence the poet ; stout men and good are sprung from stout and good , horses and steeres reteine their parents blood . yet see the iniquity of time ! it fareth oft-times with those who are endowed with these vertues , to bee most traduced , where their more noble and eminent parts are to bee highliest honoured . which , as it was a maine error in former ages , so descends it to these present times . when rome was in her glory , this eclipsed her light , by detracting from their demerits most , whose free-bred vertues deserved of their countrey best . sundry families shee had , famous for their vertues , which by a depraved and mis-interpreting censure , became branded with undeserved aspersions . if the piso's were frugall , they were held parcimonious ; if the metelli devout , they were superstitious ; if the appii strict , they were rigorous ; if the manlii affable , they were ambitious ; the laelii , if wise , they were dangerous ; the publicolae , popular , by being courteous . but with good and well-disposed persons , vertue is never out of favour , though it bee never so much impeached by a traducing censure . thus you have heard , gentlewomen , what vertues have lineally and by blood descended from parents to their children ; what especiall inward graces usually attend some especiall families , which no lesse memorize them , than those native honours which are conferred on them . now , to select such as sort best with your sexe and condition ; in my opinion there is none that ennobles you higher , or makes you more gracious in the eye of the beholder than modesty , which was the greatest advancer of many roman families . this is that vertue , which expresseth you to be women ; this is that , which makes you honoured amongst women . chaines and carkenets , iewels and habiliments may bee valued ; but this ornament is of that high estimate , as it is not to bee prized . now , there is nothing that will cause this to appeare more pretious unto you , next to the testimony of a good conscience within you , with an ardent desire of promoting his glory who made you , than a reflexion to your family which bred you ; whose honour to preserve , as it is your especiall duty , so no object of profit or pleasure , no attractive lure of deceiving honour should remove this opinion from you : to bee high borne and basely minded , is to ingraffe bastard slippes in a noble stocke . branches of a crooked and inflexible quality , highly degenerate from true gentility . high and heroicke vertues become great houses . for , as they were first made great by being good , so should they by surceasing from being good , lose their title of being great . if by abusing the liberty of time , you detract from your ancestors fame , you lye a blemish on his shrine ; which , though it touch not him , yet it taints you who represent him . this , no doubt , was that noble lady right mindfull of , when on a time being sollicited by a powerfull suitor , who wooed her first in person , and after in a wanton rhetoricall letter ; shee , as one tender of her honour , and perceiving that the scope of his suit tended to her dishonour , answered his fruitlesse sollicitancy in this sort , with great modesty : should i condescend to your suit , i should not only derogate from the honour of my present state , dis-value that which i hold most deare , make my selfe a subject of contempt to every eare , but asperse that infamy on my family , which would beare record of my inconstancy . o what would the next age report of me , that i should so farre degenerate from those that bred me ? no ; poverty may enter in at my gate , but dishonour shall never lodge in mine heart . reserve these promises of honour for such , as prize them above their honour : that generous blood which distreames through my veines , shall sooner bee dried , than it shall bee for any hope of advancement ingloriously stained . such singular resolves many of our albion ladies , questionlesse , even at this day reteine ; who , rather than they would incurre the least dishonour , or occasion suspition by their too free entertaine of light suitors , would confine themselves to their chambers , and debarre themselves of publike recourse . seeing then , that there are native seeds of goodnesse sowne in generous bloods by lineall succession ; which even in their first infancy give faire promises of their inward beauty ; expresse your selves daughters worthy such vertuous mothers . emulation of goodnesse in great persons is honourable . their pictures you hang up , that their memories may live with you . enjoy their vertues too , and their memories shall live fresher in you . all memorials , being materials , be they never so durable , are subject to frailty ; only these precious monuments of your vertues survive time , and breath eternity . you spring from a noble seminary ; let those seeds of goodnesse which are sowne in your youth , come to that ripenesse in your age , that as in piety you imitated others , so you may become presidents unto others ; as you were here seasoned with grace , a good report may follow you to your grave . all which by instruction onely may bee effected , as in our next branch shall bee more pregnantly proved . he cannot chuse but live well , who conformes himselfe to that hee heares . good instructors are such faithfull monitors , as they will advise what is most fitting , not what is best pleasing . and these are to bee entertained with such endeered respect , as their speeches , bee they never so tart , should not incense us , nor their reproofes , bee they never so free , distaste us . though clitus open rebukes cost him his life , his free and friendly reproofe exprest his love ; so as alexander could never sufficiently bemone his losse . those native seeds of goodnesse , whereof wee formerly treated , bee they in our infancy never so plentifully diffused , yet in time they would grow ranke and wilde , unlesse they were by seasonable instruction ripened . now , gentlewomen , there bee no tutresses fitter to perfect this excellent worke in you , than those who were the secondary instruments of being unto you ; neither can those , who are derived from you , become better instructed than by you . your love , i confesse , will bee more indulgent , yet your care so much the more incessant . their dispositions are best knowne unto you ; if motherly affection then will give way to discretion , who more fit to mold them than you ? preceding times may afford you variety of examples in this kinde . cornelia instructed hers in all piety ; portia hers in exemplary grounds of chastity ; sulpitia hers in precepts of conjugall unity ; edesia hers in learning and morality ; paulina hers in memorials of shamefaste modesty . these , though heathens , were excellent informers of youth ; so as their children were more bound to them for their breeding than bearing , nurturing than nursing . besides , there is an inbred filiall feare in children to their parents , which will beget in them more attention in hearing , and retention in holding what they heare . now , there is no instruction more moving , than the example of your living . by that line of yours , are they to conforme their owne . take heed then , lest by the dampe of your life , you darken both their glory and your owne . i might propose unto you bookes of instruction , which might minister arguments plenteously in this kinde : but so short is the memory in reteining what it reads , yea so distracted is the minde in observing what it reads , that , as it fares with our naturall face in a glasse , from which the glasse is no sooner removed , than the resemblance of it is abolished ; even so , the booke is no sooner left out of the hand , than the contents are leapt out of the heart . yet , to the end you may not bee unprovided of such tracts as may enable you for instruction , and prepare you to encounter with tentation ; i will recount such unto you , as may best accomodate you for the one , and fortifie you against the other . learned vives in his instruction of a christian woman , recommends unto them these glorious lights of the church , s. hierom , cyprian , augustine , ambrose , hilary , gregory ; annexing unto them those morall philosophers , plato , cicero , seneca , &c. of which , severally to deliver my opinion , it is this : than s. hierom none more gravely copious , as may appeare by those pithy and effectuall epistles of his , directed to those noble ladies , marcella , demetria , laeta , furia , &c. wherin he useth singular exhortations , invincible arguments , perswasive reasons , sweet similitudes , and forcive examples . modesty is the subject hee commends unto them ; decency in apparell hee approves in them ; to a moderate restraint of liberty hee enjoynes them ; to an exemplary holinesse hee exhorts them ; and with sweet and comfortable promises of an incorruptible reward he leaves them . than s. cyprian , none more devoutly serverous ; in his reproofes hee shewes mildnesse ; in his treaties a passionate sweetnesse ; hee winnes the sinner by inducing reasons ; hee strengthens the soule mightily against temptations ; hee proposeth an excellent way of moderating the affections ; hee applyes soveraigne receits to soveraignizing passions : and concludes with that sober and discreet temper , as with a divine insinuation hee wooes , winnes , and weanes the sinner , and in a spirituall tye unites him to his redeemer . than s. augustine , none more profoundly judicious , more judiciously zealous ; pithy are his directions , powerfull his instructions : in his meditations hee is moving ; in his soliloquies inwardly piercing ; in his manuall comfortably clozing . amongst all those conflicts in our christian warfare , hee holds none sharper than our combat with chastity . hee applies meanes how wee may resist , resisting vanquish ; and by our christian victory , receive crownes of eternall glory . that conquest , hee holds , deserves small honour , which is atchiev'd without encounter . in a divine rapsodie drawne , as it were , from himselfe , hee shewes what should bee done by us . earth is no object fit to entertaine our eye ; nor her deluding melody our eare : hee exhorts us therefore to leave earth now while wee live , that leaving earth for altogether , wee may enjoy our best love. than s. ambrose , none more divinely plenteous ; sweetly serious are his instructions ; enforcing are his reasons : hee speakes home to the sinner ; whom hee no sooner findes wounded for sinne , than hee applies a spirituall salve to cure his sinne . many grave sentences are in his offices methodically couched ; singular directions to guide every christian in his spirituall path-way , are there delivered . like an expert physician , hee first gathers the nature or quality of your distemper , and then ministers soule-salving receipts to restore you to your right temper . hee shewes you how in your very motion , gesture , and pace you are to observe modesty : concluding that nothing can afford true comfort to a sojourning soule , but practise of piety . than s. hilary , none more fully sententious ; hee discovers the occasion of our corruption familiarly ; adviseth us with many passionate and teare-swolne lines to provide for our inward family ; hee proposeth us a reward , if wee contemne earth ; he threatens us with the law , if wee contemne life . sundry moving and effectuall lessons hee recommends to the perusall of women of all rankes , ages , and conditions . tenderly hee compassionates the case of a sinner ; passionately treats hee of those torments which shall last for ever : with prayers and teares hee sollicits them that have gone astray , to returne ; those that are already return'd , to goe no more astray . hee concludes with an usefull exhortation to sorrow for sinne , promising them , forth of that store-house of comforts , contained in the gospell , for this their momentaine sorrow , an incessant joy in sion . than s. gregory , none more highly mysterious , nor contemplatively glorious ; divinely morall are his morals ; full of heavenly comforts are his instructions ; hee walkes in an higher way than others trace , yet with that humility , as there is not a cloze from him , but it discloseth in him a love of meekenesse , lowlinesse , and piety . with proper and elegant similitudes are his works adorned ; with choice sentences , as with so many select flowers , neatly garnished ; in a word , hee is sweetly substantiall , and substantially sweet . hee reprehends the times gravely ; commends the practice of vertue gracefully . with an holy zeale hee reproves the remisnesse of the ministry . directions hee gives unto women , to have an especiall care of modesty : concluding , that the love of this life should not so possesse us , as to deprive us of that inheritance which might eternally blesse us . in good mindes hee holds poverty the portresse of humility : accounting those evils or adversities , which doe here presse us , to bee the cords which draw us unto god who made us . touching those three philosophers , this is my conceit of them ; wherin none can otherwise chuse than concurre with me , that shall seriously read , and sincerely scanne them : than plato , none more divinely philosophicall ; than cicero , more philosophically rhetoricall ; than seneca , more sagely morall . but for as much as it is not given to most of you to bee linguists , albeit many of their workes bee translated in your mother tongue , you may converse with sundry english authors , whose excellent instructions will sufficiently store you in all points ; and , if usefully applied , conferre no small benefit to your understanding . i shall not need particularly to name them to you , because i doubt not , but you have made choice of such faithfull reteiners and vertuous bosome-friends , constantly to accompany you . neither , indeed , are bookes onely necessary ; conference will singularly improve your knowledge ; but that is not altogether so convenient nor decent for your sexe in publike places . so as , i much condemne their opinion , who hold no meanes so fitting to bring their daughters to audacity , as a frequent consort with company . this , in time , begets in them rather impudence than boldnesse . it was held a touch to a maid to bee seene talking with any one in a publike place . but in private nurseries , which may bee properly termed your houshold academies , it will suit well with your honours to treat and enter into conference one with another ; or in such places , where your owne sexe is onely conversant . for such indiscreet mothers , who usually trim and deck their daughters , to send them forth to showes , meetings , or enterludes , they annoint havin with oyle , that it may burne the better . but much more blame-worthy bee those , who take them along to tavernes and gossippings ; which education a little time will bring into custome , and make modesty a stranger to her selfe . for above all things ( saith the philosopher ) ought young girles to bee kept from ebriety : which hee confirmes with this reason : it is good , saith hee , for young men and maids to bee kept from wine , lest such become afterwards protest drunkards , profuse rioters , and prodigall exposers of their honour : the maine occasion whereof , are their parents , by meanes of their ill instruction , and worse example . it is the very first instruction that takes the deepest impression ; how necessary then is it for you , gentlewomen , whose sexe is the embleme of weakenesse , and whose best resolves are oft-times weakned by youthfull promises , to furnish your blooming youth with wholesome instructions : and so to improve them , that they may increase in vigour , as you doe in stature ? this your sexe exacts of you ; this your present estate requires of you ; and this shall easily bee effected by you , if having ( as is to bee presupposed ) discreet and religious mothers , you submit your selves in all humble obedience to their direction . for as it is very hard for any one to know how to command , unlesse she know first how to obey ; so will it bee unto you to performe the office of a mother , if you never knew the duty of a daughter . strict and severe may those commands seeme to your youth , which riper age will easily digest . againe , you that are mothers , become patternes of modesty unto your daughters . your living actions are the lines of their direction . while they are under your command , the error is yours , not theirs , if they goe astray . their honour should bee one of the principall'st things you are to tender ; neither can it bee blemished , without some touch to your credit . i have knowne some inconsiderate mothers , and those none of the lowest ranke or quality , who , either out of a confidence they had of their daughters good carriage , or drawn with the hopes of some rich suitors to advance their marriage , have usually given too free way to opportunity , which brought upon their daughters names a spreading infamy . your instructions will doe well with them , till society deprave them : divert then the occasion , so shall your daughters , bee they never so poore , have good , portions of reputation . suffer not then those who partake of your image , to lose their best beauty . sigh then if they bee soyled , for their shame must bee on you aspersed . grace is a pure balme , and consequently requires a pure and sound vessell . in vaine is it infused , if the vessell bee not whole and found to preserve it . it must bee pure , that what is infused into it , bee not polluted ; it must bee sound , that what is poured into it , bee not effused , and it must bee deep , that it may bee more capacious in receiving of what is infused into it . looke then to your own actions ; these must informe them ; looke to your owne examples , these must confirme them . without you they cannot perish ; with you they may . what will you doe with the rest that is left , when you see a part of your selfe lost ? the harpie hath the face of a man , but a bird so cruell by nature , as when shee is an hungry , shee will assault any man and kill him : after which bloudy repast , shee becomes thirsty , so as , going to the river to quench it , shee sees her owne face ; and recalling to mind how it resembles him whom shee flew , she conceives such griefe , as shee dyes therewith . if your education or instruction deprave those who derive their beginning from you , the resemblance of this story may have proper relation unto you . but if your pious examples enable them , their proficiency in vertue shall ennoble you ; your comforts shall bee multiplyed in them ; your hopes seconded by them ; and , to your ever-living fames , the memory of your vertues preserved by them . let not that adage prove true , in respect of your charge : the most precious things have ever the most pernicious keepers . nothing more precious than a virgins honour ; it were shame for the mother to prove a tarpeian or treacherous keeper . that conceit was elegantly expressed by the emperour charles the fifth , in his instructions to the king his sonne ; that fortune had somewhat of the nature of a woman ; that if shee bee too much woo'd , shee is the farther off . but i hope i shall not finde that aversenesse in you . i have wooed you in words ; expresse your selves wonne by the testimony of your workes . i would not follow the indiscretion of empericks , which minister the same medicines to all patients ; i know well , that such physicke as agrees with age , would not agree with the hot constitution of youth : to either sort therefore have i applyed my severall receits : and to both , doe i addresse my conclusion . let the whole progresse of your conversation bee a continued line of instruction ; let the mother discharge her office in commanding , and that without too much rigour or indulgence ; let the daughter performe her duty in obeying , with all faithfull and filiall observance : so shall honour grace you here , and glory crowne you there with an heavenly inheritance . the english gentlevvoman . argument . honour is painted , when it is not with vertue powdred ; no cloth takes such deepe tincture , as the cloth of honour ; honourable personages should bee presidents of goodnesse ; vertue or vice , wether soever takes hold first , reteines a deeper impression in honour , than any lower subject ; that , vertue may receive the first impression by means of an in-bred noble disposition , seconded by helpes of education ; which reduc'd to habit , aspires to perfection . honour . promotion discovers what men bee , but true honour shewes what they should be . that is fed with a desire of being great ; this is inflam'd with a noble emulation of being good . it is a miserable thing to observe what brave and heroicke spirits , whose resolutions neither danger could amate , nor any disaster perplexe , have beene madded with an ambitious quest after honour ; what difficulties they incountred ; what oppositions they suffered ; what intricate pas●ages and provinces they entertained ! corrivals they could not want in their rising ; nor envyers of their greatnesse in their setling ; nor spectators to rejoyce at their setting . rough and menacing was the sea , on which they sayled ; dangerous and sheluy the wayes , by which they passed ; yea , full of disquiets was the port , at which they arrived . nay , which is worse , in what sinister and indiscreet paths would they walke ; upon what strange plots and projectments would they worke ; how discontentedly and disconsolately , with themistocles , would they walke , till they attained their end ; which , many times , brought them to an untimely end ? so quickly is poore man deluded with this shady picture of greatnesse , as hee will not sticke to engage for it his hopes of quietnesse . but these bee not those eminent personages , of whom i am now to treat : for such mens honour is meerely painted , because it is not with vertue poudred . morall philosophy , much more our christian theory , could never hold that for deserving greatnesse , which had not neare relation to goodnesse . those only they esteemed worthy honour , who did not seeke it , much lesse buy it , but were sought by it . such as knew not what it was to admire the purple , nor fawne on a rising favorite ; but interveined their actions with the precious oare of divinest vertues . such as had attained to a singular command or soveraignty of their affections : so as they had learned to say , as chilo answered his brother , wee know how to suffer injuries ; so doe not these fiery and furious spirits . it is a poore expression of greatnesse , to exercise it in revenge ; or in triumphing over inferiours ; or countenancing unjust actions . these detract from honour ; neither can their memory live long , who makes authority a sanctuary to wrong . know then , ( noble gentlewomen ) that your honour , bee it never so eminent ; your descent , bee it never so ancient ; lose both their beauty and antiquity , if vertue have not in you a peculiar soveraignty . be your wanton fancy painted and trimmed in never so demure or hypocriticall disguise ; bee your ambition or courtly aspiring never so shrouded with gilded shadowes of humility ; bee your unbounded desire of revenge never so smoothly coloured with the seeming remission of an impressive injury : in a word , should you never walke so covertly in a cloud ; nor never so cunningly with a dainty kind of dissembling gull the world ; all this will not avayle you . when your bodies shall come to be shrouded , then shall all your actions bee uncased . rumour then wil i take more liberty to discover unto the world , what you did in it . shew me that deepest dissembler , who retired himselfe most from the knowledge of man , and came not to discovery , for all his secrecy , to the eyes of man. many you have knowne and heard of that were great , but failing in being good , were their pretences never so specious , did not their memory rot ? iezabel was more eminent in titles than abigal ; but lesse glorious in her fame . such a poore piece of painted stuffe is that adulterate honour , which from vertue receives not her full lustre . when the subtill spider shall weave her curious web over your monuments ; when those beauteous structures of yours shall hee dissolved ; when all your titular glory shall bee obscured ; when those fading honours , on which you relyed , and with which you stood surprized , shall bee estranged ; and you from this goodly low theatre of earth translated ; it shall bee then demanded of you , not how eminent you were in greatnesse , but how servent in actions of goodnesse . while your skinnes then are with choycest odours perfumed , let your soules bee with purest vertues poudred . now for vertue , would you know how to define her , that you may more eagerly desire to become her reteiner ? or would you have her described , that you may thence collect how well shee deserves to bee observed ? heare the poet ; vertue in greatest danger is most showne , and though opprest , is never overthrowne . such a noble resolved temper ever accompanies vertue , as no prosperous successe can ever transport her , nor any adverse occurent deject her . shee feeds not on the ayrie breath of vulgar applause : her sole ambition is to aspire to an inward greatnesse ; to bee truly honourable in the title of goodnesse . great attendance , punctuall observance , stately retinues are not the objects shee eyes : shee loves to bee knowne what shee is , by that constant testimony which is in her , rather than by any outward ornament , much lesse formall complement , that may apishly suit her . would you enter then ( gentlewomen ) into a more serious survey of your selves ? would you rightly understand wherein your persons deserve honour , or how you may bee eternally honoured by your maker ? tender your service to vertue ; avoyd what is hurtfull ; admit what is helpfull . sacrifice not a vaine houre to the altar of vanity . employ your time in exercises of piety . dedicate your dayes to the advancement of gods glory . a soule solely dedicated to gods honour , is the best spirituall cloister . see not that poore soule in want , which your noble compassion will not relieve . have you friends ? hold them deare unto you , if deare in the eye of vertue ; otherwise , discard them , for you shall bee more stained by them , than strengthened in them . have you foes ? if vicious , they deserve ever to bee held so ; but if they affect goodnesse , prize them above the value of your highest fawning friends : who , as they are meere observers of the time , preferre your fortunes with which you are inriched , or honours to which you are advanced , or some other by-respect secretly aymed , before those essentiall parts which are in you , and truly ennoble you . are you of esteeme in the state ? become powerfull petitioners for the poore mans sake : preferre his suite : entertaine a compassionate respect of his wrongs : labour his reliefe ; and doe this , not for the eyes of men , but of god ; who , as hee seeth secretly , will reward you openly . againe , have you such as maligne your honour ? their aspersions cannot touch you ; he that made you , hath made you strong enough to despise them , and with a patient smile , or carelesse neglect to flight them . those that are good , can have none but those that are evill to bee their foes . the sweet smell of your vertues hath already dispersed themselves ; your memory is without the reach of infamy : live then secure , while your vertues shine so pure . reteine a true and unenforc'd humility in you ; so shall honour appeare more gracefully in you . imitate not those sudden-rising gourds of greatnesse , who have no sooner attained the titles of ladies , than this report makes them put on a new port ; old acquaintance must bee forgot ; scorne must sit on their browes ; and a contemptuous disdaine on their lips . though their mold bee but the same , they would faine change themselves into another mold . these are such as deserve not your knowledge ; though they be by their titles honoured , their titles by their ignoble actions become blemished . let them therefore study making of a face ; composing of their ga●e ; preserving of their vaine pompe ; with an unbeseeming port : while your contemplation shall fixe it selfe on no other object , than that true expressive end of honour : which is , to reteine a christian humility in your state ; a noble compassion in your eye ; an affable sweetnesse in your discourse ; and exquisite practice of goodnesse in your whole life . to dis-esteeme vertue , and hugge that painted idoll of titular honour , is to contemne the instrument , and foolishly to prize the case or cover . bee ye never so eminent , ye are but painted trunks , if vertue bee not resident . let her then not onely bee resident but president over all your actions ; so shall you not onely live but dye with honour ; by leaving that succeeding memory of your vertues behind you , that time may here eternize you , when time to eternity shall change you . for as salt to every subject , whereto it is applied , gives a savour ; so gives vertue the sweetest rellish unto honour . cloth dyed in graine reteines ever the deepest colour ; but none of deeper dye than the cloth of honour . if it bee but with the least blemish tinct , it can never wipe off that taint . spots in white are soonest discerned , and errors in great personages , whose actions should bee whites for inferiours to shoot at , are quickliest discovered . true corall needs no colour ; no more needs true honour any exteriour lustre . when parasius , that exquisite painter was to take a counterfeit of hellen , hee drew her with her head-attire loose ; and being demanded the reason , answered , shee was loose . bee your actions never so darkely shrouded , nor your amorous encounters cunningly carried ; there will bee ever some private pencill to pourtray them , some quicke-sighted eye to display them . loves enterview betwixt cleopatra and marke anthony , promised to it selfe as much secure freedome as fading fancy could tender ; yet the last scene clozed all those comicke passages with a tragicke conclusion . no pleasure can bee constant , unlesse it afford inward content ; nor can it minister content , unlesse it bee on vertue grounded . honour then must chuse for her selfe such a consort , as shee may not bee ashamed to have chosen . a vigilant circumspection should attend her ; resembling in this particular , the watchfull crane , whose wary eye ever feares , and by a timely feare prevents surprizall . now , there is nothing that asperseth a deeper staine upon the cloth of honour , than too much attention unto sycophants . these are they , which transport honour above her selfe , by bringing her to a vaine and odious idolizing of her selfe . these will not suffer their trencher-patronesse to reflect on her selfe , nor to enter into a private treaty with mortality . those bee too sowre and severe tractates for greatnesse . death is to bee thought on with these , when nothing else is to bee thought on . o what pernicious consorts bee these for noble personages ? antisthenes said truly of them , praestat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quàm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incidere : for ravens seede onely on dead carkasses , but flatterers upon living men . o banish these your portells ! let not your loose tyre-women , while they trimme you without , soile you within . you shall finde their oratory , a continued scene of sycophancy . these will infuse a poysonous juyce into your too credulous eares : and the more to delude you with selfe-idolatry , tell you how such a dressing infinitely becomes you ; such love-spots enamour young gallants of you ; how those rivells of contemptible age are estranged from you . give no eare to such inchanting ayres ; they do but this to inlarge their vailes . their glozing will labour your confusion . they will make you forgetfull of your being , and consequently deprive you of your well-being . every foole ( saith menander ) will bee taken with arrogance and applause ; whereas the judiciously wise account it their highest happinesse , to meditate of the meanes how to prevent their highest unhappinesse . it is a miserable thing in a man ▪ to make himselfe a beast , by forgetting himselfe to bee a man : which usually comes to passe , when wee propose before our bleered and deluded eyes the glorious spectacles of this theatre of vanity , but never seriously meditate of our owne frailty , nor of the excellency of that supreme beauty , which makes the enjoyer absolutely happy . that mot of the athenians to pompey the great , thou art so much a god , as thou acknowledgest thy selfe to bee a man , was no ill saying : for at the least to be an excellent man , is to confesse himselfe to bee a man. violets , though they grow low and neare the earth , smell sweetest ; and honour appeares the fullest of beauty , when shee is humblest . alas ! what are titles worth , when deserts are wanting ? the best signall of descent , is distinguished by desert . antiochus was at one time saluted both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a glorious prince , and a furious tyrant . so s●itting is the applause of the vulgar , as it never conferres on the subject it approves or applauds , any permanent honour . it is miserable ( saith the poet ) to rely on anothers fame ; but worse , to begge fame from them that are infamous . it is prayse worthy to bee by some dis-praysed ; yea , vertuous actions , should they bee by vicious persons commended , would rather lose of their lustre , than become any way improved . to bee cheerefull in adversity , humble in prosperity , and in both to shew a temperate equality , is worthy praise , and deserves honour for a prize . yet , should these bee but onely pretences to gull the world , or delude the simple admirer , they would in time unmaske themselves , and display their counterfeit insides with shame to the world . false and adulterate colours will not hold , nor vertuous semblances long reteine the esteeme they have . wee have ever held them for most ridiculous , who follow the fashion , and were never yet in fashion . and such are all those counterfeit followers of vertue , who pretend fairely , but fall off foulely . these may be properly , in my opinion , compared to our new counterfeit stuffes ; which , as at first they are made best , so do they weare best at first . your cloth , gentlewomen , must bee of another nap : it must not bee the best a farre off . flowers , edgings , laces , and borders doe beautifie the outward attire , but adde no grace to the inward man. now , that cloth is the best , which strinks the least . doe any extremities encounter you ? let the innocency of your untainted mindes cheere you ? doth disgrace or infamy presse you ? you have a cloud of witnesses within you , that can beare testimony of you , and for you . that person needs not feare any foe , that hath within him such an incomparable friend . there was never any yet so happy , as to bee wholly freed from adversity , and never feele any gusts of affliction . trials of patience are sweet encounters ; by a minde rightly-resolved , they are with more delight than distaste entertained : which , as they come not unexpected , so are they no lesse cheerefully received . it is the argument of a generous spirit , to expresse his highnesse most , when the world accounts of him least . honour , if truly grounded , can looke in the face of terrour , and never bee amated . her device deserv'd approvement , who in the portraiture shee made for her selfe , directed her eye to the picture of vertue , and pointing thereat with her singer , used this imprezza : that picture is my posture . truth is , shee that makes vertue her object , cannot but make every earthly thing her subject . yea , there is nothing shee weares , which shee makes not a morall use of to better her selfe . her very attire puts her in minde of what shee was before shee needed it ; and how breach of obedience necessitated her to weare it . shee will not therefore pride her selfe in her shame , nor glorifie her selfe in the cover of sinne . shee cannot eye her selfe with any selfe-love , seeing shee lost her selfe by affecting that which shee ought not to love . her head-tyre puts her in minde of the helmet of salvation ; her stomacher , of the brest-plate of righteousnesse ; her partle , of the shield of faith ; her very shooes , of the sandals of peace . in this tabernacle of earth , shee is every day nearer her port of rest ; for her discourse is ever seasoned with discretion , winged with devotion , and graced by her owne conversation . shee is none of these , who are saints in their tongues , but divels in their lives : shee propounds nought fit to bee done , which shee confirmes not with her owne action . againe , for her actions , shee is free from publike scandall , as her whole life is a golden rule of direction , a continued precept of instruction . in a word , shee considers from whence shee came ; her descent was noble , and this shee graceth with noble vertues . her house must receive no dishonor from her , but an ample testimony of a deserving successour . let this idaea , gentlewomen , bee your patterne . pure is the cloth you weare ; let no staine of yours blemish it ; no moath of deserved detraction eat into it . many of your sexe , though highly borne , have so blemished the honour of that house from whence they came , and corrupted that noble blood from which they sprung , as their memory rots , yet their infamy lives . againe , others there have beene , who though obscurely borne , yet by those eminent vertues which did adorne them , those divine parts which did truly ennoble them , they became enlightners of their obscurity , filling annals with their glorious memory . imitate these ; relinquish those . honour is not worth receiving , unlesse it bee entertained by one that is deserving : yea , how many have incurred disgrace by dis-esteeming vertue , when they were advanced to highnesse of place ? nay , how many while they lived obscure , lived secure , and preserved their good names , who afterwards , by becomming great , lost that private esteeme which before they possest ? so hard it is to encounter with honour , and every way returne a saver . seeing then no cloth takes such deepe tincture as the cloth of honour , let no vicious aspersion spot it , no corrupt affection staine it ; lest , by being once blemished , it bring that honour into contempt , which before you reteined . land-markes are usually erected for direction of the mariner , and magistrates elected for instruction of the inferiour . the keele of mans life being ever more laden with vanity than verity , and more chilled with the bitter gusts of affliction , then cheered with the soule-solacing drops of true consolation , is ever tossed with contrary windes : neither , without the helpe of some expert pilot , can poore deluded man arrive safely at the port where he would bee . pride transports him , avarice infects him , riot corrupts him , sensuality secures him , anger distempers him , envy consumes him , idlenesse duls him . thus becomes hee piece-meale divided from himselfe , because hee reflects not with a pure and impartiall eye upon himselfe . what great need stands hee in then of direction in this maze of misery , vale of vanity ? hee portraid him well , who in the description of him , stil'd him a story of calamity , a statue of infelicity . hee is fraile in resisting , prone to falling , slow in rising . examples then were usefull , to conduct him in his iournall . and who more fit to bee these presidents , than such whom an honourable descent that ennobled , or princes favour advanced ? it is not for these to entertaine any servile or degenerate affection , nor to harbour one mutinous thought against the soveraignty of reason . to bee a lady of honour is more then titular . shee is onely eminent , who makes every action of her life a vertuous president . goodnesse must bee infused in her blood , that descent may partake of desert . now , there bee three especiall objects , upon which they are to reflect : charity , chastity , humility . an honourable minde is best showne in her liberall and compassionate exhibition to such , whose necessities require reliefe . yea , shee loves those best , to whom these arguments of bounty are in highest measure exprest . shee averts not her eare from the needy beggar , shee will shew him all favour for his image or feature . shee holds it an unbeseeming state , to entertaine a sowre looke , where noble pitty should beget in her a compassionate love . shee is so daily and duely inured to workes of mercy , as shee joyes in no object more than occasion of bounty . shee considers ( and this shee divinely applies unto her selfe ) how nought but vanity is to bee attributed to them , reteine they never so much earthly glory on them , who dwell in houses of clay , whose foundation is in the dust , which are crushed before the moath . silken vanity cannot delude her , nor any opinionate conceit of her owne estate transport her . her minde is not subject to wavering , nor her walke to wandring . bee her life long , her goodnesse becomes improved ▪ bee it short , her desires are crowned . neither reserves shee the gleanings for him , that is master of the harvest . poverty , appeare it never so despicable to her eye , it conveyes compassion to her heart . shee gives almes of the best , for his sake whom shee loves best . her piety is such , as shee prefers her almes-basket before her cabinet . a miserable minde shee hates ; for shee conceives how nothing can bee better worth enjoying , than a liberall desire of disposing : which shee expresseth with that cheerefull alacrity , as it inhanceth the value of her bounty . thus shee lives in a free and absolute command of what shee enjoyes ; with an hand no lesse open than her heart ; that action might second her pious intention . neither is the true nobility of her minde lesse discerned by her love to chastity . pure bee her thoughts , and unstained . the sanctuary of her heart is solely dedicated to her maker ; it can find no roome for an inordinate affection to lodge in . shee knowes not how to throw out her love●attracting lures ; nor to expose the glorious beauty of her soule to shame . a moments staine must not blemish her state . shee will not therefore give her eye leave to wander , lest it should betray her honour to a treacherous intruder . how weak prove those assaults , which her home-bred enemies prepare against her ? her looke must bee set on a purer object than vanity : shee will not eye it , lest shee should bee taken by it . her discourse must bee of a better subject than vanity : shee will not treat of it , lest shee should bee engaged to it . her thoughts are not admitted to entertaine vanity : they must not conceit it , lest they should bee deceived by it . occasions wisely shee foresees , timely prevents , and consequently enjoyes true freedome of minde . you shall not see her consume the precious oyle of her lampe , the light of her life , in unseasonable reere-bankets , unprofitable visits , or wanton treaties . those will shee not admit of for companions , who are prodigall of their honour . these shee reproves with a milde spirit , labouring to reclaime them with an ingenuous tender of her vertuous compassion towards them . none shee more distastes than these brokers or breakers of licentious bargaines : shee excludes them the list of all civill society . how cautelous shee is , lest suspition should tax her ? outwardly , therefore , shee expresseth , what shee inwardly professeth . that honourable bloud which shee from her predecessors received , till death surprize her , will shee leave untainted . neither is there ought shee hates more than pride , nor scornes more than disdaine . shee rightly considers how her daies are mensurable , being but a span long , which implies her brevity ; and miserable , being altogether vanity . shee disclaymes that state which consists in scornefull lookes ; a sweet and affable countenance shee ever beares : the honour shee enjoyes makes her humbler ; and the prayses which are given her , work in her thoughts no distemper . so farre is shee from affecting the pompe of this world , as it growes contemptible to her higher-mounting thoughts . a faire and well-seeming retinue shee ever keepes about her : but none of these must bee sycophants , with their oylie tongues to delude her ; neither must any , who cloaths his countenance with scorne , attend her . shee observes on what steepe and dangerous grounds ambition walketh . her sleepes are sweter , her content higher , her thoughts heavenlier . it is one of her greatest wonders , that any one should bee so rest of understanding , as to forget what infirme ground hee stands on . the purest creature , bee shee never so absolute in her feature , is of no richer temper than earth , our common-mother . shee is wiser than to preferre a poore handfull of red earth before her choycest treasure . though her deserts merit honour , shee dis-esteemes her owne deservings : being highly valued by all but her selfe . thus shee prepares her selfe daily for what shee must goe to . her last day is her every dayes memoriall . lower may her body bee , when interred ; but lower cannot her mind bee , than at this instant . so well hath shee attained the knowledge of her selfe , as shee acknowledgeth all to bee fraile , but none frailer than her selfe . here , gentlewomen , have yee heard in what especiall objects you are to bee honourable presidents . you shine brighter in your orbe than lesser starres . the beames of your reflecting vertues must admit of no eclipse . a thousand eyes will gaze on you , should they observe this in you . choyce and select are the societies you frequent ; where you see variety of fashions : imitate not the newest , but neatest . let not an action proceed from you , which is not exemplary good . these that are followers of your persons , will bee followers likewise of your lives . you may weane them from vice , winne them to vertue , and make them your constant followers in the serious practise of piety . let your vertues cloath them within , as their veiles doe without . they deserve not their wage , who desist from imitating you in actions of worth . your private family is a familiar nursery ; plants of all sorts are there bestowed . cheere & cherish those that be tender ; but curbe and correct those that bee of wilder temper . free and fruitfull scions cannot bee improved , till the luxurious branches bee pruned . but above all things , take especiall care that those vices spread not in you , which are censured by you . you are soveraignesses in your families : neither extend your hand too much to rigour ; neither contract it by shewing too much remisnesse or favour . let neither vertue passe unrewarded , nor vice , if it grow domineering , passe unreproved . foule enormities must admit of no privileges . no ; should you , by a due examination of your selves , finde any bosome-sinne secretly lurking , any subtill familiar privately incroaching , any distempred affection dangerously mutining ; bee your owne censors . bee not too indulgent in the favouring of your selves . proficients you cannot bee in the schoole of vertue , unlesse you timely prevent the overspreading growth of vice . let not your sunne , the light of your soule bee darkned ; let not your spring , the fount of your vertues bee troubled ; let not your fame , the perfume of your honour bee impaired . as you are generous by descent , bee gracious by desert . presidents are more powerfull than precepts : these onely lead , those draw . bee examples of goodnesse , that you may be heires of happinesse . the style you enjoy , the state you reteine , the statues which after you may remaine , are but glorious trophies of fading frailty . vertues are more permanent monuments than all these ; these are those sweet flowers that shall adorne you living , impall you dying , and crowne you with comfort at your departing . lastly , as you were honourable personages on earth , where you were presidents of goodnesse ; so shall you bee glorious citizens in heaven , where you are to bee participants of all happinesse . where vertue●s ●s sowne in a noble seed-plot , manured and fructisied by good discipline , strengthened by example , and adorned with those more gracefull parts , which accomplish the subject wherin vertue is seated ; what bickrings of fortune will it sustaine ? what conflicts in the necessities of nature will it cheerefully encounter ? her spirit is raised above any inferiour pitch : yea , the habit of goodnesse hath wrought such divine impressions in her soule who is thus disposed ; as society may improve her , but cannot corrupt her ; because a zealous affection to vertue doth possesse her . you shall ever observe these , whom nobility of blood hath advanced , to reteine some seeds or semblances of their progenitors ; which are so impressive in them , as no occurrent , bee it never so violent , can estrange these from them . here you shall see a native affability , or singular art of winning affection , to one naturally derived . there in another such a rough and unseasonable austerity , as her very count'nance is the resemblance of a malevola . some from their infancy have reteined such a sweet and pleasing candor , as they could cover anger with a cheerefull smile , and attemper passion with a gracefull blush . besides , they had the gift to expostulate with their discontents , and by applying seasonable receits to their wounds , free themselves from falling into any desperate extreames . others would rather dye , then suffer the expressions of their passions to dye . for affronts , as their spirits could not beare them , so did their actions discover them , and make them objects of derision to such as observ'd them . and whence proceeds all this ? surely , from the very first relish of our humours ; when that unwrought table of youth becomes furnished with choice characters ; and the subject begins to affect what is engraven in them ; by continuance of time they become so habituate , as no art can make them adulterate . sempronia was too light in her youth , to bee staid in her age . fulvia gave too much way to her passion in her youth , to attemper it in her age . zantippe was too shrewd a maid , to become a quiet wife . what nature hath not effected in us , may by industry bee facilitated in us , so wee begin to worke while the waxe is soft . o gentlewomen , how many , whose excellent endowments deserve admiration , either by selfe-opinion have become transported , or by giving loose reines to passion , have miserably wandred , or by inveying against others more deserving parts , have wittingly transgressed ? by which meanes , they become spectacles of contempt , who otherwise by their conceiving discourse might have given occasion of content . it is too true , that the liberty of greatnesse is such , as it is more apt to finde fewell to feede the humour of vice , then to minister any usefull ingredience for the recovery of vertue . great mindes are many times sicke of great maladies , which by soothing parasites become insensible , and consequently incurable . vice in a poore habit never reteines that majesty , which it displayes in a richer robe . is it so ? reflect then upon your selves ; if vice seeme so specious , what will vertue do : ( though all your vertues bee but indeed specious vices . ) beleeve it , if you cherish vertue in your minority , shee will performe the office of a faithfull guardian . the widowes teares shall bee very few , for shee will finde justice to redresse her : the orphans cryes shall not bee so loud , shee will finde compassion to cheere her . the state shall not exclaime of surfeits , for temperance shall shield her : nor the church of coldnesse , for zeale shall inflame her : what a sweet consort is an unison of vertues to the eare of a divine soule ! all other musicke is dis-rellishing , because it workes not on the affection . now would you know whence it comes , that vertue or vice , whethersoever takes hold first , reteines a deeper impression in honour , than in any lower subject ? the reason is evident : as in their state or condition they are more eminent , so is their representative example in others more inherent . doe these honourable personages then love vertue ? they are vertuous molds unto their followers : they shall finde in their shadowes what they expresse in themselves . iulia could not bee loose , when lucretia was so chaste : shee saw that in her mistresse which deserv'd love , and to that shee conform'd the line of her life . to consort at unseasonable houres with loose lovers , or to entertaine light discourse to beguile time , was no authenticke doctrine in her mistresse family : no day was without her taske , no night without her peculiar employment . there is no question , but the prime yeeres of this noble lady were seasoned with such exquisite instructions , as what her youth had received ; were not in her riper yeares to bee abolished . first , motions have deepe impressions : especially , when they become seconded by examples of authority , whose very persons impose on their pupils a resistlesse necessity . the estimate of honour , with those who are truly honourable , is at too high a rate to ingage it selfe to the hazard of disgrace , for any temporary profit or delight . their onely profit is to become proficients in the practice of vertue ; their highest delight , to subdue their delights to the obedience of reason , for the love of vertue . such as these , are to bee accounted onely noble ; for their desires are so , which they ever ennoble with deserving actions . for tell me , can any one whose judgement is not blinded , or inward light not wholly blemished , esteeme that person for honourable , whose outside onely magnifies it selfe in a poakt head , a poland sleeve , and a protean body ? no ; these are but outward badges of their inward vanity . these have too much coare at their heart , to bee of sound health . if they have no other expressions to deblaze their honour , they are rather objects of contempt than state , bee they never so glorious to the eye of our vulgar . it hath beene ( and i could wish it were not to this day continued ) an usuall forme of breeding , with some more eminent persons , to have their children practise a kinde of state from their infancy ; which , indeed , being truly defined , was a phantasticke supercilious garbe , which discovered more pride than deserved prayse . neither could these so easily relinquish in their age , what was commended to them in their youth . for such as commonly attended their persons , extolled whatsoever they saw by them , or in them expressed ; such is the misery of greatnesse that if it be not an exact censor and reprover of her owne vanity ; they shall finde approvers of it by those odious professors of sycophancy , whose glozing condition hath beene the ruine of many a noble family . for what may bee the usuall dialect of these tame-beasts to their bounteous benefactors , those prodigall disbursers of their fathers providence , but this parasiticall parley ? it would well become you , to bee rarely seene , reservedly affable ; to reteine state in your pace , awe in your face , scorne in your eye , a storme in your brow , with a gracefull contempt in all your carriage . an excellent direction to purchase hate ! these followers are not for your honour . the way to divert their straine , is to affect what they distaste . you cannot want vitious libertines to second you in a sensuall course , if your owne disposition stand so affected . calphurnia could not bee good , when messalina was so naught . your lives , as they are lines to your selves , so should they bee lights unto others . are you modest ? it will beget a love of modesty through all your family . not one who owes their observance to you , but will admire this vertue in you , and practise it in themselves , because they see it so highly valued by you . againe , lightnesse , or any irregularity in you whatsoever , will not redound onely to your owne , but your whole families dishonour . which opinion once possest , your honour receives such a mortall wound , as no continuation of time ( so lasting is the record of infamy ) may perfectly cure it : which seemes confirmed by our moderne poet : search all thy bookes , and thou shalt find therein , that honour is more hard to hold than win . how cautelous then ought you to bee of that , which preserves your well being ? many nobly descended , are sufficiently instructed , how to reteine their state , what place to take , by remembring whence they came ; meane time , they forget whence they came first . o consider how this speciosior pulvis , this more specious or seemingly precious dust of yours , is but dust ! vice will but varnish it ; it is vertue that will richly e●ammell it . your birth rather restraines than improves your liberty ; your sexe should detract from it selfe , were it estrang'd from modesty ; your beauty , honour , and all , are servants to time ; or worse , if bestow'd ●n vanity . let vertue reteine such deepe impression in you , as no vicious affection may seize on you . occasions are dangerous perswasions : prevent therefore the meane , that you may attaine a more glorious end . that onely deserves your love , which shall make you for ever live . vertue , if you love her and live with her , by becomming your survivor , will crowne your happy memory with succeeding honour . it is usually observ'd , that hawkes of one ayrie , are not of one nature ; some are more metall'd , others more lazy . as in birds , so in all other creatures . livia and iulia , angustus his daughters , were sisters , but of different natures . some there are , who even from their infancy have such excellent seeds of native goodnesse sowne in them , as their dispositions cannot rellish ought that is irregular . in arguments of discourse , they are moderate ; in company temperate ; in their resolves constant ; in their desires continent ; in their whole course or carriage absolute . others naturally so perverse , that , like our * humorous ladies , they can affect nought that others love , nor rellish ought that others like . the byas of their fancy runnes still on the fashion ; their tongue a voluble engine of feminine passion ; their resolves full of uncertainty and alteration . the whole enterlude of their life a continued act of femallfollies . it were hard to winne these to the love of vertue , or those to delight in vice . this might easily bee illustrated by divers memorable instances , personated in such , who , from their very cradle , became seriously devoted to a religious privacy , supplying their want of bookes , wherein they were meerely ignorant , with a devout and constant meditation of gods works , wherein they employed their whole study . industrious were their hands in labouring , and bounteous were they in bestowing . a native compassion lodged in their hearts , which they expressed in their charitable workes . hospitality to the stranger and needy beggar , was their highest honour . suffer they would the height of all extremes , ere they would suffer the desolate to want reliefe . so strongly were their affections fortifi'd against the assaults of an imperious lover ; as death was to them a cheerfull object to preserve their high-priz'd honour . such singular effects as these , have beene usually produced by an innate noble disposition ; so as , some of these whom wee have here cursorily shadowed , were endowed with such virile spirits , as they stickt not to spit in the face of tyranny ; others were not abash'd to * disfigure their owne beauty , lest it should become an adulterers booty . in these had vertue taken such deepe impression , as nothing could deepely touch them , but what trenched on their reputation . though by nature they were timorous , and inconstant , resolution had so prepar'd them , as they became discreetly valiant ; looking death in the face without feare , and embracing her stroke as a favour . doe you admire this in them ? imitate them , and you shall bee no lesse by succeeding times honoured , than these in ours admired . conceive your life to bee an intricate labyrinth of affliction ; the very anvill , whereon the heavy hammer of misery incessantly beateth . reflect on your birth ; and you shall perceive how you give the world a good morrow with griefe ; looke at your death ; how you bid the world good night with a groane . ioy then cannot bee long lasting , when you are daily taking leave of the place where you live ; which now , though living , you are leaving . besides , no continued hope of comfort can bee expected , where feare presents her selfe an inseparable attendant . feare has command o're subject and o're king , feare has no phere , seare's an imperious thing . to allay which feare , addresse your selves to that most , which may give you occasion of fearing least . and what may that receipt be ? a minde purely refin'd from the corruption of this infectious time . meditate therefore of that never fading beauty that is within you . labour to preserve it from the injury of all incroaching assailants . if your flesh with any painted flourish of light rhetoricke wooe her , timely prevent her before shee winne her . if the world with her lure of honour , command , or the like , seeke to draw her ; reclaime her , lest vanity surprize her . if her profest enemy labour to undermine her , make knowne his long-profest enmity unto her , that a vigilant circumspection may arme her . admit your dispositions become sometimes averse from the practice of that which you should most affect ; divert the current of them . you love liberty ; confine it to moderate restraint . you affect honour , curbe it with a serious meditation of your owne frailty . you desire to gather ; sowe your bread upon the water : charity will bring you quickly to a better temper . you admire gorgeous attire ; remember the occasion how you first became cloathed : had not sinne beene , these poore habiliments had never needed . doth delicate fare delight you ? consider how it is the greatest misery to pamper that delicately , or cherish it with delicacy that is your mortall and profest enemy . doe wanton consorts worke on your fancy ? cure , betime , this dangerous phrenzy . avert your eye , lest it infect your heart : converse with reason , and avoid nothing more than occasion . doe you finde your affections troubled , or to passion stirred ? retire a little from your selves ; attemper that boyling heat which workes so violently on you ; and in the end , resolve thus ; it will redound more to our honour to bridle anger , than to engage our discretions by giving reynes to our distemper . can you not see your neighbours field flourish without an envious eye ? of all others , expulse this soonest ; because of all others , it partakes of the divell the nearest . as you are commanded to love him as your selves , so with not that evill unto him , which you would not have to fall upon your selves . lastly , doe you finde a remisnesse in you to any employment that is good ? shake off this naturall dulnesse , and inflame your affections with a divine ferventnesse . you have hitherto beene slow in doing good , shew that in doing ill . meane time , with the wings of holy and heavenly desires , mount from earth to heaven ; plant your affections above , though your pilgrim dimensions bee here below . which the better to facilitate , reteine ever in your memory this devout memoriall or meditation : think whence you came , and bee ashamed ; where you are , and bee aggrieved ; where you goe to , and bee affrighted . every way wherein you walke , as it is full of snares , so should it bee full of eyes . those two roots of inordinate feare , and inordinate love , have brought many to the brinke of misery , by plunging their mindes in the puddles of vanity . looke about you ; snares you shall finde within you , snares without you . snares on your right hand , and those deceitfull ; prosperity in affaires temporall . in which , such persons are usually taken and surprized , by whom the benefits of god are abused . as the rich , when hee bestowes his wealth in attiring himselfe sumptuously ; the mighty , in oppressing the needy ; the amorous or lovely , in giving others occasion to bee taken with their beauty : whence the lord by the mouth of his prophet : thou hast made thy beauty abhominable . snares likewise on your left hand , and those fearefull ; adversity in affaires in temporall . in which the poore , infirme and afflicted are intangled and miserably inthralled : who by suffering affliction impatiently , curse god , their neighbors , and themselves in their adversity : whence that divine and devout father saith : in affliction the wicked detest god , and blaspheme him ; but the godly pray unto him , and prayse him . now , vertuous gentlewomen , whose titles doe not so much transport you as your love to goodnesse doth inflame you ; may you hence observe , how noble and generous dispositions , which , indeed , are properly defined equall or temperate disposers of the affections , have and doe ever receive the first impressions of vertue ; which are with constancy reteined , as they were cheerefully received . expresse then this nobility of your well-disposed natures in affecting what is good . vice throwes her aspersions on no subject so much as on honour . relinquish then rather all state , than it should reteine the least staine . much is promised by your disposition ; and no lesse by your discipline or education . your well-seasoned youth was never knowne to that rudenesse , which more rurall or servile states were bred in . second these rising hopes of inward happinesse . you are fruitlesly great , if you bee not fruitfully good . every moment wafts you nearer your haven ; let every action draw you nearer heaven . if you feare at any time to wander , religious feare will bee your conductor . if you doubt the issue of your encounter , stedfast patienc● will bee your encourager . if you distrust your owne strength , you are securer ; humility will crowne you with honour , and direct you to an happy harbour . as inbred noble dispositions have then enrich'd you , which by helpes of education are seconded in you , professe your selves lovers of vertue by your affections , advancers of vertue by your actions , that as honour attends your persons , fame may crowne your names , felicity your soules . what remaines then , to perfit this absolute master-piece of honour ; but that yee reduce to habit , and consequently to their best improvement , these initiate seeds of goodnesse sowne in your native disposition , growne by succession , and ripened through education ? now are yee in the way , and daily nearer the end of your worke . your unconfined soules must ever bee aspiring , till they come to their perfection . there is nothing under heaven , that can satisfie a soule created for heaven . are you virgins ? let your virgin-lamps bee fed with the oyle of charity . bee ready before the bridegrome call you ; yea , call on him before hee call you . let not your virgin-vayles bee vayles for vices . entertaine not a light thought , lest by degrees it spread to a sinne . in suffering ismael to play with you , though her sport seeme in jest , your ruine will prove in earnest . eye not that object , which may enthrall you ; heare not that subject , which may corrupt you ; rellish not that delight , which may deprave you ; admit not of that conceit , which may delude you . retort a light discourse with a maiden-blush ; it argues a spotlesse soule . hee well described a virgins prime beauty , who display'd it in shamefaste modesty . let your good name bee such a precious oyntment as you would not spill it for a world . are you matrons ? enlarge your selves by instruction unto the younger ; this is the office of a reverend mother . derive some portion of that knowledge unto others , which you fruitfully received from others . your lives must bee their lines . every action of yours is exemplar ; take heed then , it lead not into error . as you are ripe in yeares , so appeare rich in houres . remember not a sinne without a sigh ; nor a toy without a teare . there is no sinne more odious , because none more insolently glorious , than to remember sinnes committed with joy , and apprehend them with delight . your families should bee vertues nurseries , wherein your selves are to bee governesses and presidents of goodnesse . here you are to teach your children in the trade of their wayes , that when they are old , they may not depart from them . briefly , are you young or old ? esteeme no life sweeter , then when every day improves you and makes you better : then when every taske tastes of goodnesse , to advance your honour . delights , as they may moderately cheere you , so let them not play too much on your fancy , lest they take you : bee not commanded by them , but command them . the onely meanes to weane you from them , or make you more indifferent for them , is to fixe your affections on those which doe infinitely surpasse them . there is no comparison betwixt a palace and a prison : neither betwixt finite and infinite is there any proportion . o how happy were you , if with spirituall eyes you might once behold , how the princes goe before , joyning with the singers , and in the midst , young damsels dancing ! the way to contemplate these , and consort with these , is to meditate of heaven , which enjoyeth all these . here no pleasure , bee it never so promising ; no delight , bee it never so relishing ; no recreation , bee it never so refreshing ; but , though it cheere you in the beginning , it cloyes you in the end . last day , you were at court ; where revels , reere-bankets , showes , and solemnities , were objects to your eyes , eares , and tastes : but all these are vanished . this day , you coach to th' exchange ; where you see all kinde of vanities set at sale , that may any way soile a deluded soule : but the night clozeth the day , which makes them shut up shop , and then all those vanities are shrouded . next day , you goe to a play ; wherein you expect some new scene of mirth , or some state-action lively presented : but the last exit , your impreze of frailty , dismisseth you , and then all those artfull presentments , which gave so much content , are removed . thus you runne in a maze , while you lay the scene of your mirth on earth . recollect then your divided thoughts ; seat there the delight of your minde , where you may find a continued mirth . earth is too low a stage for an act of that majesty ; and too straight to give your best guest content within her mud-wals of misery . let not one houre passe by you , which is not well past . every day requires his due ; every houre her proper hire . consider , how the eyes of heaven are upon you ; how that generous stemme , from whence you were derived , expects much from you . the former injoynes you , upon hope of a future reward , to bee more cautelous ; the latter , as you tender the honour of your house , to bee vertuous . besides , know ( noble ladies ) that all the port or state-magnificence which this inferior globe can afford you , clozeth ever with more discomfort than content , bee your persons never so seemingly happy , nor happily secure , that doe enjoy them . yea , how happy had many eminent personages beene , had they never beene taken with this shadow of happinesse ? conclude then , for this conclusion will beseeme you , and in your highest ascent of honour incomparably secure you : honour is vertues harbour ; onely those styl'd great , are vertues friends , and vices foes . that glorious light of the church , an industrious searcher and judicious censor of antiquities , s. augustine , saith , that anciently the romans worshipped vertue and honour for gods . whence it was , that they built two temples , which were so seated , as none could enter the temple of honour , unlesse hee had first passed through the temple of vertue : to signifie that none was to bee honoured , unlesse by some vertue he had first deserved it . the morall admits no other exposition than its owne expression . for honour , none should bee so daring bold as to wooe her , till by passing thorow vertues temple , hee get admittance unto her . if you desire to bee great , let it bee your height of ambition to aspire to honour in the court of vertue . where the lowest cannot bee lesse than a lady of honour , because the lowest of her actions correspond with honour . such a service were no servitude but a solace . admit , that sometimes you affected forraine fashions , now let forraine nations admire your vertues . perchance , the delicacy of your nature , or misery of a long prescribed custome will not so easily at the first bee wholly weaned , from what it hath for so many yeares affected . vse than an easie restraint at the first ; withdraw your affections from vanity by degrees ; reserve some select houres for private devotion ; check your fancies when they dote on ought that may distract you . the first encounter will bee hardest ; time will bring you to that absolute soveraignty over your passions , as you shall finde a singular calmenesse in your affections . for the windes of your passions shall no sooner cease , then that vast boundlesse sea of your distemper'd affections shall become calme . what a brave salique state shall you then enjoy within your owne common-wealth ? vigilancy becomes warden of your cinque ports ; not an invasive forrainer dare approach , while shee with watchfull eyes waits at the port. all your followers , are vertues favorites . piety guides you in your wayes ; charity in your workes . your progenitors deserved due praise , but you surpasse them all . thus shall you revive the ashes of your families , and conferre on them surviving memories . but , it is the evening crownes the day ; sufficient it is not to diffuse some few reflecting beamelings of your vertues , at your first rising , and darken them with a cloud of vices at your setting . as your daies are more in number , so must they bee every day better . what availes it the mariner to have taken his compasse wisely , to have shunned rockes and places of danger warily , and at last to runne on some shelfe , when hee should now arrive at the bay where hee would bee ? rockes are ever nearest the shore , and most tentations nearest your end . if you resolve then to come off fairely , prepare your selves for some encounter daily ; observe your exercise of devotion duely ; resist assaults constantly ; that you may gain a glorious victory . this is all the combat that is of you desired ; wherein many of your sexe have nobly deserved . stoutly have they combated , and sweetly have they conquered . emulate their vertues , imitate their lives , and enjoy their loves . so may you with that patterne of patience dye in your owne nests , and multiply your dayes as the sand : so may your vertues , which shone so brightly in these courts of earth , appeare most glorious in those courts of heaven . so may these scattered flowers of your fading beauty , bee supplied with fresh flowers of an incorruptible beauty : yea , the king himselfe shall take pleasure in your beauty ; who will come like a glorious prince out of his palace of royall honour , to grace you ; like a specious spouse out of his nuptiall chamber , to embrace you . meane time , feare not death , but smile on him in his entry ; for hee is a guide to the good , to conduct them to glory . conclude your resolves with that blessed saint ; in hope no lesse confident , than in heart penitent : wee have not lived so in the world , that wee are ashamed to live longer to please god : and yet againe , wee are not afraid to dye , because wee have a good lord. short is your race , neare is your rest : onely , let the lesse of earth bee your gaine , the love of god your goale ; and angelicall perfection , to which your constant practice of piety and all christian duties have so long aspired , your crowne . the feare of the lord is a pleasant garden of blessing , there is nothing so beautifull as it is , eccles. . . trin-uni deo omnis gloria . a gentlewoman , is her owne tyrewsman ; one that weares her owne face ; and whose complexion is her owne . her iournals lie not for th' exchange , needlesse visits , nor reere-bankets . showes and presentments shee viewes with a civill admiration ; wherein her harmlesse desire is , rather to see than bee seene . shee hates nothing so much as entring parly with an immodest suitor . retire from occasions drawes her to her arbour : where the sole object of her thoughts is her maker . her eyes shee holds her profest foes , if they send forth one loose looke ; teares must sue out their pardon , or no hope of reconciliation . her resort to the court , is for occasion , not fashion : where her demeanour ever gives augmentation to her honour . her winning modesty becomes so powerfull a petitioner , as shee ever returnes a prevailing suiter . during her abode in the city , shee neither weares the street , nor wearies her selfe with her coach : her chamber is her tyring-roome , where shee bethinks her how shee may play her part on the worlds theatre ; that shee may gaine applause of her heavenly spectators . her constant reside is in the country ; where hospitality proclaimes her in-bred affection to workes of piety . all which shee exerciseth with that privacy , as they will witnesse for her , shee feares nothing more than vaine-glory . in her house shee performes the office of a mistris , no imperious governesse . shee knowes when to put on a smooth brow , and to cherish industry with moderate bounty . her discreet providence makes her family look with a cheerefull countenance : her posterity cannot chuse but prosper , being nurs'd by so naturall a mother . the open field she makes her gallery ; her labourers , her living pictures ; which , though shee finds meere pictures , hanging on , rather than labouring , passion transports her not above her selfe , nor forceth her to the least expression unworthy of her selfe : shee passeth by them with a modest reproofe , which workes in them a deeper impression , than any fiery or furious passion : her neighbors shee daily wooes and winnes : which shee effects with such innocent affability , as none can justly tax her of flattery . an over-seer for the poore shee appoints her selfe , wherein shee exceeds all those that are chosen by the parish . shee takes a survey daily and duly of them , and , without any charge to the hamlet , relieves them . she desires not to have the esteeme of any she-clarke ; shee had rather bee approv'd by her living , than learning : and hath ever preferr'd a sound professant before a profound disputant . a president of piety shee expresseth her selfe in her family , which shee so instructs by her owne life , as vertue becomes the object of their love . her taske shee sets her selfe daily , which shee performes duely : her owne remisnesse , ( if any such be ) shee reproves by so much more than others , as she knowes her owne life to bee more exemplary than others . some bookes shee reads , and those powerfull to stirre up devotion and fervour to prayer ; others shee reads , and those usefull for direction of her houshold affaires . herbals shee peruseth , which shee seconds with conference : and by degrees so improves her knowledge , as her cautesous care perfits many a dangerous cure . in all which , shee turnes her eare from her owne praise : humbling her selfe lowest in heart , though descent ranke her highest in place . she affects nothing more than mildnesse ; distastes nothing more than harshnesse . prosperity could never worke so upon her thoughts , as to transport her ; nor adversity so weaken her well-resolved temper , as to amate her . though shee tender her family ; extend her care to her posterity ; her highest ayme is the practise of piety . her discretion hath enabled her to distinguish of times : whereby shee informes her selfe when shee should bee provident and frugall , when bounteous and liberall . her gate is not more open than is her heart ; where shee holds the poorest her richest guests . shee thinkes that day wholly lost , wherein shee doth not one good worke at least . she is no busie-body , nor was ever , unlesse it were about her family , needle , or sampler . she holds that day the swetest , which in actions of goodnesse is the fruitfull'st . like a good merchant , shee brings her merchandize afarre , and yet shee travels not farre for it ; shee ●its at the sterne , steeres the rudder of her state , and frees it from hazard when driven to a strait . her husband shee acknowledgeth her head ; whom to oppose , were to mutine against her leader , and consequently shew her selfe an unruly member . if hee bee intemperate , shee wooes and winnes him with love ; and , in time , weanes and reclaimes him from his irregular life . so conformable is shee to his opinion , both in points of religion , and arguments of providence ; as the exchequer must bee no sponge to her husbands purse through her conscience . yet makes shee conscience her gaine ; and in that blessed commerce , humility her guide , heaven her goale . her houshold shee makes her common-weale ; wherein not any from the highest to the lowest of her feminine governement , but knowes their peculiar office and employment : to which they addresse themselves ( so highly they honour her they serve ) with more love than feare . shee becomes promoter , i meane of no office to wrong her countrey , but the tender care of a mother in behalfe of her well-educated progeny ; to which the world no sooner gives entertainment , than shee begins to enable them for their advancement . markets shee seldome visits , nor any place of freer concourse : for shee findes when her eyes are abroad , her thoughts are estrang'd from home . would you take a fuller view of her ? draw nearer ; observe her even in these which some of her sexe esteeme least , with how generous a beauty shee adornes her selfe most . apparell shee weares ; and sighes when shee remembers her sexe . she wonders how that fig-leafe , habit , should bee so strangely altered . how this ensigne of originall sinne should bee so quaintly slasht , and indented . what paines sinne takes to display her shame ! her garment is of another cut . though shee cannot rectifie this broad-spreading malady , the corruption of this age must not draw her to that vanity . shee knowes the use of apparell , which shee would bee loath to invert . ordain'd it was , to keepe in naturall heat , and to keepe out cold : this shee observes with a gracefull presence , making this her impreze : comely , n●t gaudy . behaviour shee sets out with a civill expression , without much art or affectation . there is nothing which doth not infinitely become her . in places of resort , shee is so highly admir'd , as those which observe her , could bee well content to serve her . she is generous in all ; not a look but gives life to love ; and that so vertuously dispos'd , as not a light thought can distract it . her very motion is a moving direction ; shee never learned to tinkle with her feet , to wander with her eyes , to staine her spotlesse honour with a painted blush . all shee doth is her owne ; all her owne doth incomparably please ; which shee clozeth with this impreze : loving modesty is a living beauty . complement shee admits , but not that which this age affects ; shee preferres substance before meere formality . pith before the rinde , performance before ceremony . shee distastes nothing so much as that court fustian ; which , in her e●teeme , is quite out of fashion ▪ your servants servant . shee cannot protest in jest , nor professe what shee meanes not in earnest . shee cares not for this rhetoricall varnish , it makes a good cause suspitious ; her desire is to expresse her selfe in action more than discourse . that complement which consists in congies , cringies , and salutes , dis-rellisheth her palate most : it tastes too much of the caske ; for the rest shee is secure , so her actions bee really pure ; her selfe completely honest . thus shee summes up her dayes , makes vertue her praise , this her impreze : civill complement , my best accomplishment . decency is her native livery ; though shee make no shadow of it , her owne shadow is not more individuate . in her attire shee is not so sumptuous as seemely , not so costly as comely ; in her discourse shee delivers her mind not so amply as fully , nor so quickly as freely ; in her whole course shee expresseth her inward beauty . her glasse is not halfe so usefull to her selfe , as the glasse of her life is to others . whatsoever is worne by her , receives a singular grace from her . her fashion is never out of request ; though more constant in it , than the age would admit . shee lives to bring time into some better t●●e : this is her taske in every place ; this is that which crownes her with peace ; while shee deviseth this for her impreze : virgin-decency is vertues livery . estimation is that precious odour which gives sweetnesse to her honour . dye had shee rather with it , than enjoy an empire and live without it . it is the goale of all her actions . the crowne of all her labours . poverty shee holds an incomparable blessing , so her name bee inriched by estimation : no lead fly can corrupt that ointment . happy needs must be her state , that preserves this without staine . this shee feeds not with the juyce of vain-glory ; nor seeks to augment it with a fabulous story . many have purchas'd praise in oylie lines , that never merited applause all their lives . her desire is to be , rather than seeme ; lest seeming to bee what shee is not , shee gull the world ; but her selfe most , by playing the counterfeit . resolute is shee in this her impreze : my prize is her owne prayse . fancy she entertaines with a cheerefull but chaste bosome . though love be blind , her love has eyes . no lesse faithfull is shee in reteining , than doubtfull in entertaining . protests are dangerous lures to credulous lovers , but her fancy is too staid to stoope unto them . shee can love well , but lest shee should repent soone , and that too late , shee will try before shee trust , have some reason to like before shee love . shee holds that fancy a frenzy , which is onely led by sense . shee makes reason her guide , that content may bee her goale . long time shee debates with love , before ever she give love her heart ; which done , shee confirmes the bargaine with her hand . her constancy shee displayes in this impreze : my choyce admits no change . gentility is not her boast , but that which dignifies that title most . titles from ancestors derived , and by their successors actions not revived , shee holds degenerously usurped . vertue is her soveraignesse ; in whose service to live and die shee holds the absolutest happinesse . gentry shee thinkes best graced by affability : to bee surly , derogates as much from her worth , as basenesse from nobility of birth . her linage is best distinguish'd by her crest , her worth by her selfe . her desert gives life to her descent . not an action comes from her , but excellently becomes her . shee ever reflects on the house from whence shee came , whose antiquity shee ennobles with numerous expressions of piety ; from the rising height of which increase , shee drawes this christian impreze : desert crownes descent . honour shee deserves more than desires ; this shee may admit , but not admire . weake shee holds that foundation of honour , where vertue is not a supporter . that antick portrature of state must needes decline , where piety beares not up the traine . the more honour that is conferr'd on her , makes her the humbler ; shee cloathes not her looke with a disdainfull scorne , nor clouds her brow with an imperious frowne . farre more esteemes shee the title of goodnesse than greatnesse . shee holds nothing more worthy of her approving , than a daily drawing nearer to perfection , by her vertuous living . her whole pilgrimage is nothing else than to shew unto the world what is most requisite for a great personage . in a word , shall wee take a re-view of her noble carriage in each of our observances ? for the first , she is fashionably neat ; for the second , formally discreet ; for the third , civilly complete ; for the fourth , amiably decent ; for the fifth , precious in repute ; for the sixth , affectionately constant ; for the seventh , generously accommodated ; for the eighth , honourably accomplished . whence it is , that shee impalls her diuinall race with this imperiall impreze : honour is vertues harbour . goe on , then , shee may with honour , seeing the king in her beauty takes such pleasure . a divine presage of promising goodnesse was her infancy ; a continuate practice of piety was her youth and maturity ; the cloze of her pilgrimage a calme passage from frailty to felicity . longer would the earth keepe her , but so should shee bee kept from that which shee values farre better . her husband cannot stay long behind , seeing his better part is gone before . finis . appendix vpon a former supposed impression of this title . during my late and long abode in the countrey , i was advertised by a friend from the universitie , that my english gentleman was matched in the citie . which report did not a little perplexe me ; that one so tenderly nursed , carefully nurtured , and by the testimony of all such as did judiciously know him , absolutely accomplished , should without his fathers consent , become tide , whom a generous liberty had made free . besides all this , i was infinitely troubled with the feare of his choice . for , thought i , should he now bee married to some young-roisting-minx , who ne're knew what providence meant , but intended more the tricking and trimming of her selfe , than decking or dressing of her soule ; who makes it her sole taske , to sacrifice the morning to her glasse , the mid-day to the stage , the evening to a light consort or recre-banket ; and so spin out her time in a sensuall surfeit ; how would this distemper him , and consequently dis-rellish them , who treasured up their hopes in him ! this begot in me diverse resolves , which were seconded with a fresh fally of doubts and feares . sometimes i resolved , if the match were not already concluded , nor the rites solemnized , to forbid the baines lest it should bee his bane , so rashly to contract , before hee had his parents consent . but i feared , lest this might have the selfe-same issue , which that cashiered souldier had , who having bestowed seven yeares and more in service with the states ; and now returning home ; and comming on a holiday to the parish church where hee was borne , hee might heare the baines of matrimony published betwixt one who bare his owne wives name , and another , to whom shee was to bee espoused , as hee rightly conceived . so as , impatient of farther delay , hee forbad the baines ; but to no purpose ; for though shee bare her name , shee was not his wife whom hee heard published ; for his owne wife was long before , to the curate of the parish solemnly contracted . all this while recollecting my senses , and adding spirit to my resolves , i began a fresh thus to expostulate with my selfe : admit this young gentleman were married , and by his choice disparaged ; were it not in the compasse of our lawes to redresse it ? yes ; for , thought i , her carriage will not bee so faire , but one may take advantage of it ; and consequently procure a divorce by it . or , should her circumspect levity bee such , as none could discover it , nor taxe her demeanure for it , yet presumptions and probabilities , exemplified with fat fees , would bring her to a discovery , and in short time produce a nullity . records upon due search , ( had they not of late either subtilely or tumultuously beene defaced ) i needed little doubt , but they would furnish me with eminent instances of this kind ; which being feelingly pressed , would become very prevalent before a conceiving court. besides , i might justly insert this in the course of my pleading , as a sufficient ground or motive to separation ; pregnant proofe i have of a precontract betwixt this english gentlewoman and him ; which marriage , though it were not solemnized with an externall rite , yet by mutuall consent was it confirmed , and reciprocally plighted with a ceremonious entergage of hand and heart . but i held it fittest , to addresse my course to the place , before i resolved of the materiall points of my pleas . and first to conferre with my gentleman himselfe , that i might understand by him how hee stood affected ; and whether his owne relation would confirme , what erring report had so constantly bruited . but to my comfort , as i left him , so i found him ; of too discreet a temper , to bee taken with any such counterfeit creature . such reports , hee ingenuously confess'd , there were dispersed ; but what am i ( said hee ) by these disparaged ? my untainted honour is neither improv'd nor impeach'd by rumour . hee builds weakely , who reares his foundation on the opinion of the vulgar . have you ever seene me so lightly enamoured , as to preferre either face or habit , before a deserving spirit . did you ever injoyne mee that morall embassie , which i have not faithfully performed ? or imposed on mee that taske , being noble and generous , which i have not carefully discharged ? were your eyes ever witnesses of any loose or light affection , to which i too pliably inclined ? or have you at any time observed mee so lightly credulous , as constantly to affect what was transitively commended ? have you ever knowne me sacrifice my lampe to the idoll of an undeserving love ? or melted into passion , to display the least impression of that love ? or flattered that love with any forced hyperbole , or passionate line ? or with folded armes past over a tedious houre , with an amorous redoubling of a mees ? how fares it then , you should so rashly conceit , what prejudicate report had so lightly dispersed ? no , believe it ; had it beene my unhappy fate , to have engag'd my faith to such a staine ; or darkened my discretion with such a foile ; or interchang'd my present happy estate , with such a blemish of her sexe ; i would have razed out my title , and expos'd my selfe a contemptible subject to all people . besides all this , i verily thinke , i should have turn'd true courtier , and made it my perpetuall progresse , never to lye with her . this did not a little revive me , to heare him so constantly expresse himselfe : being therefore thus freed , from what i feared , i desired nothing more than to search out the occasion of this feare . where i perceived , that a mercenarie * meretrician , who had taken upon her the state and stile of gentlewoman , with more impudence than became her sexe , had challenged acquaintance of my gentleman ; which , though his modesty did distaste , his civility would not altogether reject , but permitted her like a thing of sale , to lye apart from him on the open stall . this propinquity of lying , or contiguity of lodging , begot a groundlesse probability of their loving . but how farre his affection was estranged from her , shall appeare by the entertainment hee gave to this gentlewoman , whom wee here tender ; upon whose arrivall , hee expressed the true ground of his affection , after this manner : with a chast embrace of true conjugall love , you are welcome . let it not amate you , nor lessen my former esteeme with you , in that report hath blaz'd me forgetfull of you , by preferring an undeserving choice before you . fame were not her selfe , if all the grounds of her reports were truth . indeed , if either titles could have drawne me , or mercenarie respects seaz'd on me , i had bin neither yours nor mine owne ; for in being lesse than yours , i could not possibly have beene mine owne . but tell me , my vertuous choice , did you ever know me either taken with titles , or deluded with showes ? here is one indeed , who intrusively , and with lesse modesty than became her sexe , pressed my acquaintance ; but could her forwardnesse worke upon my affection , or leave with it the least retentive impression ? no ; should i chuse againe , as now my choice admits no change , i should equally prize the love of a wench too forward , and of one too froward : and entertaine them both with that indifferent respect , as neither the forwardnesse of the one , should beget in mee a desire of winning , nor the frowardnesse of the other , move me to spin out my time in fruitlesse wooing . indeed , i was seated in a warmer clime than where you resided . the south was my seate , while the north was your nest ; yet could not that clime make me discontinue my claime . coole is that love which either ayre can distemper , or distance of place dissever , or any disastrous occurrent alter . you know what pledge i left you ; nor did i ever since , engage it to any but you . never shall you find me any such paphlagonian partridge , as to have two hearts . it is not title but substance , i affect . your vertues were my first motives of affection ; i did not eye your descent , though nobly eminent ; nor those outward accomplishments of yours incomparably excellent ; nor your fortunes , in a worldings eye highly consequent . these i confesse , might produce rare effects , in such , whose conceits onely worke on outward objects . mine eye was fixed in an higher spheere ; spheered in a more glorious orbe . what i observed in you , did so enamour me , as i preferred that inward faire , which did so truely grace you , farre above those outward ornaments which did superficially adorn you . could you imagine then , that a forraine beauty could engage me , or a simpring civilized thing , whose best habilliments were borrowed , and whose very complexion , like a bee in a box , preserved , should so weane me from what i deservingly fancied ; as to become affianced to her , whose exposed liberty had made her publickly suspected ? no ; i never distinguished true merit by any of these : being such weake supports , as should any one relye on them , they would faile them , if not fall under them . but mildly tempered shall my construction be of my deare loves suspect . i perswade my selfe , it was a surpassing affection that first begot this conceit : which now sweetly allayed and attempered by reason , will admit of no such feare ; seeing discreet fancie cannot dispence with faith , nor ●hat faith incline to any separation , till enforced by an inevitable fate . with these and such like amorous regreets , mixt with other variety of choice discourse , they entertained time ; while shee , now safely seaz'd of him shee solely lov'd , and in whom her desires were fully cloz'd ; importunatly sought rather , out of an apprehension of love than feare , ( as what creature more impatient of a corrivall , or more solicitous of revenge in the quest of love than a woman ) to know the true ground of that report , which rumor had dispersed ; that any other should bee interessed in his love , whom so constant and continuate an affection had confirmed hers . wherein hee fully resolved her , by relating unto her , how amongst other impertinent pasquils , usually foisted , and wherewith publick presses are frequently farced , which begets in our age such a surfeite , as more learned labours become dis-rellished , and the surquedry of wit onely affected ; a young gentlewoman , whose ungenerous parts scarcely deserved that title , had by a secret or surreptitious claime made challenge unto him , but never durst to that day professe any such thing publikely before him ; which hee so sleighted , as his thoughts never deigned to stoope to so low a lure ; having long before , on a purer object fixed his love , and to her sacred shrine sacrificed the remaines of his life . this relation so cleared her from the least thought of suspicion , as it added now strength to her already-sufficiently strengthened affection . equally communicated became their joyes , sociably attempered became their griefes : no sorrow could worke so violently , nor breake forth so passionately , which the sweet union and communion of their concording mindes , could not qualifie ; no solace could transport them so highly , nor seaze on them so hotly , wherein with joynt affections they did not partake mutually , and which , with a vertuous temper they allayed not mildly . thus were they individually plighted , thus are they inseparably placed , mutually pleased , immutably planted , equally solaced , and now to the publike view of the world , solemnely united . imagine then , if at any time you encounter with the impression of any former labour bearing this title , that'tis but the embrio of his braine , whose mercenarie profession it is to divulge any corkie subject , that may promise but the least hope of profit ; resembling that ancient pantotipe of amsterdam ; who publikely protested , that hee could bee well contented , that the turkish alcaron were universally professed , so the priviledge of it might bee to him and his assignes solely granted . for this appendix , it was occasionally writ upon the report of publishing a subject bearing this title : which , belike , hearing of the coming forth of a more deserving consort , hath beene discreetly silenced , or by neglect of time , in obscure privacy retyred . now if any such amphibium , after so long diving shall appeare venting , let it receive what it deserves to have , timely suppression . for such readers , as are rather taken with titles than substance , and become miserably enamoured on a beauteous frontispi●e ; i would request of them this favour , to spare their labour of perusing more than the title-page , which will serve well enough for their classick discourse of authors ; for these , it is their highest honour , to furnish their uselesse memories , with scholies and catalogues of unread authors ; and to taxe them too of some egregious errors , although these subjects mount farre above the pitch of their critick censures . in a word , let our gentleman with this his incomparable choice be compared , and you shall find them equally matched , affectionately mated , and both for ornament and substance compleatly graced . so i commend you to the perusall and parallel of these ; which if you truely imitate , bee yee of what sexe or state soever , they will make you truely commendable , and crowne your ripened age with honour . embleme . some hold these observations to bee long , some more judicious , hold them to be short , thus are they censur'd bee they right or wrong ; what should wee then make censure but a sport , since good or bad , wee 're ne're the better for 't ? which to attemper , i should thinke it best , " vertue were censor in each authors brest . a compendious table ; wherein the principall points contained in this booke , are with no lesse brevity than perspicuity , propriety than facility couched . apparell . observat. . of the necessity of apparell . pag. . primitive purity exempted us from these necessities ; originall impurity subjected us to these necessities pag. . apparell keepes the body warme two wayes : first by keeping in the naturall heate : . by keeping out accidentall cold . pag. . these benefits are inverted by phantasticke fashions late introduc'd : where attires are not made to keepe cold out , but to bring cold in . pag. . & . of the use of apparell . . to makes this use good , modesty must bee our guide , vertuous thoughts our guard ; so shall heaven bëe our goale . ibid. a me●●●rable instance of a religious woman ; expressing what divine use shee made in the eying of her apparell . ibid. the habite of the minde may bee best discerned by the carriage of the body ; the disposition of the body , by the habite . pag. . the constancy of the heathen , in reteining their ancient countrey fashion ; and immutably observing the habite of their owne nation . ibid. habite is to bee used as an ornament of decencie ; without the least border or edging of vanitie . pag. . directions , how to dispose the senses ; and that reason must keepe sentinell , lest they become sensuall . ibid. the preciousnesse of time ; whereof , a moment is our portion ; nor hath the commandingst emperour a larger proportion . ibid. how contemptible a thing is man , if hee erect not his thoughts above man ! ibid. of the abuse of apparell . ibid. more time spent how to abuse time , and corupt licentious youth ; then how to addresse employment to qualifie the distractions of the one , or to rectifie the distempers of the other . pag. . this illustrated by instances in three severall places . citty , court , and countrey : and accommodated , with observations proper to every subject . ibid. the taske of a vertuous mirror , and a true lady of honour , expressed ; and to all ladies , as a president of goodnesse , zealously recommended . pag. . the life of a meere libertine instanced and displayed with a relation of those desperate conclusions to which shee adhered . ibid. how the use of apparell may bee inverted to abuse : either by delicacy , or superfinity . pag. . reproofe touching apparell , originally occasioned from foure respects : . sumptuousnesse . and that confirmed by a memorable example . . softnesse . and that confirmed by a memorable example . . strangenesse . and that reproveable in these . particulars : . superfluousnesse . and that reproveable in these . particulars : variety . ibid. immensity . ibid. vanity . ibid. all which are interveined with sundry instances of various delight . pag. . & &c. a disswasion from delicacy of apparell , by reflecting on the embleme of humane frailty , the modell of our mortality . which continuate subject is stored with a select variety of divine and humane observations . pag. . & . superfluity of apparell condemned ; the fashion-mongers answered : clozing that branch , with a devout admonition and personall application from divine basile extracted , and usefully applyed . pag. . & . that apparell most comely , which conferres on the wearer , most native beauty , and most honour on her countrey . pag. . habit is a custome ; yet it is our custome to change our habit. ibid. each countrey reteines a fashion of her owne , save our owne . ibid. ours an extraction or confection of all , which makes us ieered at by all . ibid. gregory the great being highly taken with the comely feature of the english ; said , it was great pitty that those angles should not , in disposition as well as proportion , resemble angels . ibid. phantasticke fashions are no motives of affection to discreet lovers . pag. . discretion will bee more taken with modesty , than vanity ; and humility , than vaine-glory . ibid. the world is our stage , our life an act ; the tyring-house , where wee bestow'd such care , cost and curiosity , must bee shut up , when our night approacheth , and strips us of these robes of our mortality . without vertue , all humane glory is a vading beauty ibid. behaviour . observat. . behaviour reflects on three particulars . action . pag. . affection . pag. . passion . pag. . vertue is the life of action , action the life of man. ibid. in this subject some are employed ( but remissely ) to the purpose . others are employed to no purpose . others sleepe out their mind in security . others creepe and cringe into an apish formality . none of these direct the bent of their actions , to the object of true glory . ibid. a womans honour is of higher esteeme than to bee thus disvalued . light occasions are many times grounds of deepe aspersions . actions are to be seasoned with discretion , seconded by direction , strengthened with instruction , lest too much rashnesse bring the undertaker to destruction . ibid. a briefe commemoration of divers noble women , who as they were honourable by descent , so were they memorable for desert . parallels to the best men for conversation , though weake in sexe , nature and condition . pag. . an exhortation to young gentlewomen , to conforme themselves to such imitable patternes : concluding with that excellent instruction addressed by st. hierom to that holy virgin demetrias ; commending nothing so much unto her as industry , the better to inure her in the practise of pietie . hier. ad demet. ibid. nothing requires more discretion than affection . pag. . one can never truely love and not bee wise : which directly opposeth plato's opinion . ibid. nothing more impatient of delay than love : nothing of more different passion : with an exact relation of their distinct operation . ibid. love is neither to bee too subtilly coloured , nor too simply discovered . if too hot , the violence of it is best rebated by absence ; if too coole it is to bee quickned with more frequent conference , and assiduate presence . pag . passion never workes more fearefull effects , then when it streames from iealousie : verified by a tragicke example in our owne ile and time occurring , and to succeeding times surviving . ibid. remedies to appease anger , and every passionate distemper . pag. . & . * the discommodities which arise from passion ; the benefits which redound from attempering it . * greg. moral . lib. . cap. . ibid. &c. an usefull exhortation , to this temperate moderation . pag. how a gentlewoman is to behave her selfe in company . ibid. modesty and mildnesse hold sweetest correspondence in all societies . pag. chastity is an inclosed garden ; and by no licentious foote to bee entred . ibid. oth●r vices are discomfited by fight , lust onely defeated by f●ight . aug. lib. de honestate mulieris . pag. we may be in security , so long as we are sequestred from society . ibid. we are to subject affection to the soveraigntie of reason . ibid. how a gentlewoman is to behave her selfe in privacie . ibid. patternes of singular devotion recommended to h●r imitation . pag. , & . meditation being a key to open the morning , a locke to close the evening , should be a gentlewomans bosome companion . ibid. gentlewoman , without much reservancie , are not to frequent publike places of society . pag. instances of such , as being discreetly reserved , accommodated their persons to publike affaires , and became improved by them . pag. a judicious recollection of such who intend time , and such who mispend time : clozing with the relation of sundry fearefull examples , to deterre loose livers from the like securenesse . pag. & that behaviour most approved , which is clearest from affectation freed . ibid. vertues habit and behaviour is free and not affected ; native and not traduced . pag. an accurate distinction or dijudication betwixt an enforced and unaffected behaviour . ibid. a gentlewoman is so to behave her selfe , that to● much curiosity taxe her not of pride , nor too much majesty of state. pag. complement . 〈◊〉 . complement defined . pag ●●● with what 〈…〉 retained their forme of complement . ibid. & different g●●●es proper to distinct places . ibid. a 〈◊〉 betwixt reall and 〈◊〉 complemen● . ibid. a deserving commendation of 〈◊〉 english ladies , in their unaffected way of complement . ibid. & . how complement may be corrupted . ibid. a descr●pti●n of am●rous 〈◊〉 , with a just repre●se of thei● 〈◊〉 hyperbolees . pag. the complement 〈◊〉 by some great ones , were but meere c●nting among beggars . pag. how complement 〈◊〉 be refined . ibid. civility is the best and most refined complement that may be . pag. civility is never out of fashion 〈◊〉 deserving admiration . pag. it is society that gives us , or takes from us our security . pag. ● wherein complement may be admitted , as mainely consequent . pag. the court is the beacon of the state ; the seate or schoole of complement . ibid. as courtiers are objects to many eyes ; so should their actions be platformes to many lives . pag. corrivalship in a light c●r●●zans love , hath deprived many a hopefull g●ntleman of his dearest life . ibid. in contests of love , it is hard to determine whether the agent or patient suffer in me . ibid. wherein complement may be omitted , as meerely impertinent . pag. apish formalists , or complementall actors dis-esteeme those three principall faculties of the vnderstanding . discourse . distinction . election . singular directions , how to accommodate them in all these . ibid. & . what complement gives best accomplishment . ibid. sensuall curtezans are their owne furies . pag. . a good christian the compleatest courtier : vertue the ornament , which gives complement the best accomplishment . ibid. decency . observat. . decency recommended as requisite , in foure distinct subjects : gate . pag. . looke . pag. . speech . pag. . habit. pag. . gate . it is no hard thing to gather the disposition of our heart , by the dimension of our gate . ibid. though our feet bee here below , our faith should be above . pag. . no path of pleasure should draw us from those joyes which last for ever . ibid. looke . a wanton eye is the truest evidence of a wandring mind : our eye becomes the sense of sorrow , because the sense of sinne . ibid. an vncleane eye the messenger of an uncleane heart . ibid. distinct objects proposed to eyes diversly affected . ibid. by looking upward , the more wee looke , we shall like ; the longer we live , we shall love . pag. . speech . without speech can no society subsist . ibid. excellent rules for propriety of discourse . pag. . & . a deliberate apprehension begot by serious attention , is to goe ever before discourse . ibid. what subject suites best for a gentlewomans discourse . ibid. a pleasant answer of mellifluous bernard , applyed to all forward shee-church discoursers . ibid. silence in a woman , is a moving rhetoricke . ibid. habit . there is nothing which moves us more to pride it in sinne , than that which was first given us to cover our shame . pag. . sumptuousnesse of the habit deserves not so much reprehension , as phantasticknesse of the habit , in respect of the forme of fashion . pag. . decency is a civill gentlewomans choycest livery , which sets her forth before all embroidery . ibid. time is too precious to be made a pageant or morrice on . ibid. a briefe but most usefull application of those foure proceding subjects . pag. . decency , the attractivest motive of affection . ibid. nothing convayes more affection to the heart , than decency in the object we affect . ibid. in this age , the best shot to be discharg'd is a taverne reckoning , the best alarum carousing , and the most absolute march reeling . ibid. no habit so decent , as what is native and properly habituate . pag. . where vertue is not directresse in our choyce , our inconstant minds are ever prone to change . ibid. nothing should give us content , but what is decent . ibid. decency the smoothest path that leades to perfection . pag. . the onely way to be compleat , is to be decent . . an adumbration of that glory , reserved for those that affect decency . ibid. a vertuous exemplarie life crownes the soule with eternall rest . ibid. estimation . observ. . estimation , a gentlewomans highest prize . pag. . the losse of estimation makes the richest merchant an irreparable bankrupt . ibid. fame , the sweetest flower that ever grew neare the border of time. ibid. a continuation of sundry eminent personages ; puissant in armes , continent in desires ; and absolute commanders of their owne affections . pag. , . greece and rome were no lesse honoured for penelopes and lucretia's constancie ; than for vlysses wisedome , or collatines loyalty . ibid. portion may woe a wordling ; proportion a youthfull wanton ; but it is vertue that wins the heart of discretion . pag. . a select improvement of our albion ladies . pag. . how estimation may be discerned to be reall . ibid. instructions of singular use for maides , wives , and widowes : illustrated with proper instances in each kinde . the way to winne an husband is not to wooe him , but to be woo'd by him . pag. , . mother 's the fittingst nurses of their owne children ; seconded by examples in all ages . pag. , . &c. a mistresse of a family many times taxed for her handmaides delicacy : instanced and illustrated copiously . pag. the lives of the dying , consist in the memory of the living . ibid. how estimation may be discerned to be superficiall . pag. . many desire to appeare most to the eye , what they are least in heart . ibid. the first occasion of kissing the lip : with a free reproofe of our late but too neate introduc'd custome of kissing the cheeke , elegantly shadowed in a sonnet . ibid. discretion cannot approve of that for good , which selfe-opinion or singularity onely makes good . ibid. those who dedicate themselves to the service of vertue , preferre the pith before the rinde , substance before appearance . pag a 〈…〉 wanton women . ibid. sinnes may 〈…〉 but never without feare . ibid. superficiall complementors , are hypocriticall courtiers . ibid. directions how to be gracious courtiers in the highest court. ibid. how estimation may be impregnably preserved . pag. . of all arrowes , those which are darted by the spirit of zeale wound the enemy most , and procure the archer best rest : confirmed by sundry notable examples . ibid. & none can walke safely , that walkes not religiously . ibid. a reflection upon the constancy and resolution of heathens , r●●●mmended to the imitation of christian wom●n . ibid. vertue cannot exercise her owne strength , nor expresse her owne worth without an opposite . ibid. an instance in a noble lady . pag. a direction in the cloze . ibid. how estimation may be irreparably lost . ibid. the * ivie while it is winding , decayes the plant , with which it is wreathing . * ilices hederae , agiles horae conficiunt . ibid. an instance of a citie-virago . pag. an use of this instance . ibid. the absolute end , whereunto estimation aspires , and wherein it cheerefully rests . ibid. this confirmed by sundry examples ; and one most remarkeable of our owne . ibid. & &c. an application to these ladies of our owne . pag. . fancy . observat. . fancy , is to be with deliberation grounded . pag. the eye is fancies harbinger , but the heart is her harbour . ibid. directions for settling and disposing our affection . pag. loves purity is to be discussed , before it be entertained . ibid. not the rinde but the minde it discretions ad●●●ant . ibid. the misery of jealousie debla●●n●d and exemplified . ibid. singular resolves for a conjugall 〈◊〉 . pag. . & fancy is to be with constancy retained . p●g . two memorable mottoes recommended . ibid. the waywardnesse of some women justly reproved , and how that humour may be rectified . pag. the admirable puritie and efficacie of love. ibid. memorable examples of conjugall constancy and continency . which constancy or rather pertinacious fancy might be instanced in that hartfordshire widow ; who , though l●ft deeply ingaged by her husband , was strongly sollicited by sundry eminent suitors : all which she rejected , making choice of a d●b●u●ht spend-thrift ; and , though much disswaided by her friends , she declined not her affection , saying ever , he was good enough to lye in a ●ayle ; which she performe , for the very same day they were married , her bridegroome was arrested and committed to prison , where she accommodates him with all necessaries , but never to this houre admits him the enjoyment of her person . pag. ● an exhortation tending to the imitation of such famous presidents . ibid. wanton fancy is a wandring ●renzy . ibid. wanton love , seldome or never , promiseth good successe : covertly shadowed in the instance of a wretchlesse lady ; who , though an hoary dye had discoloured her haire , and ripenes of yeares had summoned her to her 〈◊〉 , yet so farre was she estrang'd from 〈◊〉 , as her brothell-bed chased with 〈◊〉 broaths , became an ●arbouresse to three ●●●dinous consorts night by night . to this fury of loose fancy , as she prostituted her honour , so wheresoever she struck a●ch●r , ill successe did ever accompany her . ibid. the inc●ndiaries or soments of this inordinate passion , to sixe particulars reduced , all which are in one distich includ●d . ibid. the odious and inhumane effects in all 〈…〉 the violence of this wanton fancie , or wandring frenzie . pag. . soveraigne receipts to cure this desperate maladie . pag. what kind of affection deserves a gentlewoman● election . ibid. how fancy may be checked , if too wilde ; confirmed by a philosophicall demonstration or physicall experiments . ibid. a pleasant and pit●y expostulation with fancy . ibid. a disswasion from too much credulity to the light protests of deceiving fancy : confirmed by a moderne example . pag. a gentlewoman may with more safety suspect , than too rashly affect . ibid. a discreet resolution upon tearmes of affection , seconded with the promise of an assured blessing . ibid. the secret impression , and passionate expression of an unfortunate lady in the relation of her misery . ibid. & it is not so hard to give comfortable counsell to the sorrowfull , as to finde a fit season when to give it . ibid. consideration , a necessarie guide to affection . ibid. repentance comes too late at marriage night . ibid. how fancy may bee cheered if too cold . ibid. the incomparable honour of a virgin-condition . pag. the hate of iu●est with brute beasts . ibid. the bird of love , the embleme of a lovers heart . pag. moneyes are inferiour pictures to true lovers . ibid. the absolute end of a conjugall state. ibid. an attemperament of both those indisposed fancies before mentioned . pag. the difference betwixt a wise and wilde love , consists in this : the one ever deliberate● before it love ; the other loves before it deliberate . ibid. necessarie cautions for all kind-hearted gentlewomen . ibid. & . the like for all coy or coole-affected gentlewomen . ibid. a sweet attemperament of both these humours : with an apt emblem explained and properly applied , to such , as are with either of these humours distempered . pag. gentility . observat. . gentility , is derived from our ancestors to us , but soone blanched , if not revived by us . pag a perswasion to the imitation of our ancestors vertues . pag. there was nothing mortall about them but their bodies , and those were too fraile cabonets for such rich eminences to lodge in : whereas , there is nothing but frailties about ours , for loose and licentious love to lie in . ibid. those odours deserve highest honours , that beautifie us living , and preserve our memory dying . ibid. to see a light lady descending from a noble family , is a spectacle of more spreading infamy , than any subject of inferiour quality . ibid. gentility , is not to be measured by antiquity of time , but precedency in worth . ibid. the reason why generous descents become so much corrupted ; and vertuous parents by vitious children so frequently disparged . ibid. & mothers , the naturallest nurses : confirmed by precept , custome , and example . pag. ibid. * supra pag. , & an effectuall perswasion to that duty . ibid. vertue the best coat . pag. heraldry proves vertues coat to be the best , because deblazoned with least charge . vertue is no admiring lover of ought that is below her . pag. the misery of this age , in sumptuousnesse of attire . ibid. a notable example of hypocriticall piety . pag. . sinnes prevention , is to prevent the occasion . ibid. a shamefaste red the best colour to deblazon vertues coat . pag. gentlewomen are to reflect more on their inward worth , than on their outward weare . pag. the honour of humility . pag. a glorious approvall of modest matrons . pag. it will not redound much to a gentlewomans honour , to have observed the fashions of the time , but with a discreet contempt or civill neglect of fashion , to have redeemed her time . pag. living actions of true gentility , happy precursors to the state of glory . ibid. there are native seeds of goodnesse , sowne in generous bloods by lineall succession : variously instanced . ibid. & those who are with the choycest vertues endowed , become oft times , most traduced . ibid. there is no one vertue which makes a gentlewoman more gracious in the eye of her beholder , than modesty , the greatest advancer of many ancient family . ibid. to be high borne and basely minded , is to ingraft bastard suppes in a noble stocke . pag. high and heroicke vertues become great houses : confirmed by the resolution of a noble lady , in rejecting the powerfull solicitancy of a sensuall suiter . ibid. emulation of goodnesse in great persons is honourable . ibid. how these native seeds of goodnesse may be ripened by instruction . pag. no tutresses sitter to perfect this excellent worke in gentlewomen , than those who were the secondarie instruments of their beeing : strengthened by example and reason . ibid. a select choice and recommendation of sundry bookes of instruction , to the perusall of our english gentlewoman . ibid. a briefe enumeration , serious discussion , and judicious election of sundry ancient fathers , with other morall authors . ibid. & &c. english translations , the lights of ladies , but dampes of schollers . pag. private nurseries , houshold academies . ibid. the first instruction takes the deepest impression ; with an usefull application to every condition . pag. . necessarie directions highly conducing to the good report and repute of maides and matrons . ibid. the most precious things have ever the most pernicious keepers . nothing more precious , than a virgins honour ; it were a shame for the mother for any base lucre , to prove a treacherous keeper . ibid. the whole progresse of a gentlewomans conversation should be a continued line of direction : to which line he confines his observation . pag. honour . observat. . promotion discovers what men be , but true honour shewes what they should be . pag. honour is painted , when it is not with vertue poudred . pag. morall philosophy , nor christian theory , could ever hold that for deserving greatnesse , which had not neare relation to goodnesse . ibid. their memory cannot live long , who make authority a sanctuary to wrong . ibid. vertue defined , and by it true gentility with the honour of an ancient family expressed . pag. an accurate connexion with a personall application of the preceding subjects , to all gentlewomen . ibid. & be women never so eminent , they are but painted trunkes , if vertue be not resident . ibid. vertue should not onely be resident but president over all their actions . ibid. no cloth takes such deepe tincture , as the cloth of honour . ibid. no pleasure can be constant , unlesse it afford inward content . ibid. there is nothing asperseth a deeper staine upon the cloth of honour , than too much attention unto sycophants . ibid. soveraigne receipts against the poison of flattery ; with a serious exhortation to the entertainement of humility , patience , constancy , and every generous vertue . ibid. & violets , though they grow low and neare the earth , smell sweetest : and honour appeares the fullest of beauty , when shee is humblest . ibid. honour , if truly grounded , can looke in the face of terrour , and never be amated . pag. she that makes vertue her object , cannot but make every earthly thing her subject . ibid. honours imprezza and pasture . ibid. honours compleat armour , dresse , and portraiture . ibid. her description , with motives to her imitation . ibid. a briefe but usefull application . ibid. honourable personages should be presidents of goodnesse . ibid. landmarkes are usually erected for direction of the mariner , and magistrates elected for instruction of the inferiour . ibid. the world , a maze of misery , a vale of vanity . pag. man , a story of calamity , a statue of infelicity . pag. to be a lady of honour , is more than titular . ibid. three especiall objects , upon which honourable personages are to reflect : charitie . pag. ibid. chastitie . pag. ibid. humilitie . pag. ibid. a most accurate and serious discourse on each particular object . pag. , & the very last day to an honourable christian , is every dayes memoriall . ibid. the actions of noble personages , like sweet odours , diffuse themselves by imitation to their followers . pag. those that are followers of their persons , will bee followers likewise of their lives . ibid. their private family is a familiar nursery . ibid. foule enormities must admit of no priviledges : eminent persons are to be their owne censors . ibid. an excellent application , by way of exhortation to all such honourable censors . ibid. vertues are more permanent monuments , than statues , styles , trophees , or obeliskes . ibid. vertue or vice , whethersoever takes hold first , reteines a deeper impression in honour , than any lower subject . ibid. in these , whom nobility of bloud hath advanced , be ever some seeds or semblances of their progenitors reteined . ibid. this confirmed by philosophicall reason and example ; president and precept . pag. great mindes are many times sicke of great maladies : how this by timely prevention may be seasonably cured . ibid. the efficient cause , why vertue or vice , whethersoever takes hold first , reteines a deeper impression in honour , than in any lower subject ; illustrated by instance . ibid. first motions have deepe impressions ; first notions firme retentions . pag. the greatest profit of honourable personages , is to become proficients in the practice of vertue ; their highest delight , to subdue their delights to the obedience of reason , for the love of vertue . ibid. the corruption of time hath introduc'd that deformity of fashion , as it asperseth on our formall imitators much imputation . ibid. where youth is initiated in affectation of state , it partakes in age of too much pride . ibid. the humour , temper , and danger of our tame-beasts , or state-parasites . ibid. a reservancy of state in pace , face , & every posture , recommended by an insinuating faune , to a phantasticke gallant . ibid. sycophancy the ruine of many a noble family . ibid. an election of honest and discreet followers . ibid. gentlewomens lives , as they are lives to themselves , so should they bee lights unto others . ibid. for popular honour , vice will but varnish it ; it is vertue that will richly enammell it . singular motives to mortification . pag. that vertue may receive the first impression , by meanes of an in-bred noble disposition , seconded by helpes of education . ibid. a pleasant epigram alluding to all humerous ladies . marg. pag. ibid. a choice recollection and expression of such vertues as sort and suit with the condition of our noblest ladies : with cautions to attemper them in all extreames : by an usefull reflection upon all the senses ; and those commanding passions , which domineere most over the senses . ibid. & a singular meditation for recollection of our affections . pag. & . vice throwes her aspersions o● no subject , so much as on honour . ibid a fruitfull application to all young gentlewomen , for regulating their dispositions , and bow to make them true inheritrices of honour . ibid. vertue reduced to habit , aspires to perfection . pag. there is nothing under heaven , that can satisfie a soule created for heaven . ibid. exquisite directions for virgins , wives , and widowes . ibid. & we are to esteeme no life sweeter , than when every day improves us and makes us better . ibid. a divine contemplation , reflecting upon our mutabilitie on earth , our immortality in heaven . ibid. & a review of our ladies court and citty solace . ibid. recreations run a maze , while they lay their scene of mirth on earth . ibid. a twofold consideration full of sweet and select consolation . ibid. how happy many eminent personages had beene , had they never beene taken with this shadow of happinesse . ibid. no passage to the temple of * honour , but through the temple of vertue . * honor virtutis praemium ; virtus honoris pretium . ibid. if gentlewomen desire to be great , let it be their height of ambition to aspire to honour in the court of vertue . ibid. what a brave salique state shall gentlewomen enjoy , when vigilancy becomes warden of their cinque ports ? pag. perseverance is the crowne of goodnesse . ibid. a constant resolution , the diadem of a christian in her dissolution . ibid. a character , entituled ; a gentlewoman ; wherein such an one is described , whose desert answeres her descent ; whose actions truely ennoble her selfe : with a briefe touch or review of all his observations ; which are showne to bee objects of her love , improvements of her life . an appendix , upon a former supposed impression of this title ; wherein the authors feares are suggested , discussed , and resolved : and his compleat english gentlewoman to as compleat a gentleman espoused . where they rejoyce , like two tender turtles , in their mutuall triumph of love and honour , joyntly combined . finis . what may be wish'd in widow , wife or maid , is in our frontispice to life portraid : who seekes for more , may thus much understand , shee takes that feature from an higher hand . vpon the errata . to describe an english gentlevvoman without an error , were a glozing palpable error ; and to free her more than an english gentleman of error , were to incurre a prejudicate censure . of both which , without farther apologie , the presse hath sav'd me a labour : yet reflect upon the weakenesse of her sexe , ( whose purest selfe dignifies her sexe ) and the subject will injoyne thee to hold it thine highest honour , to salve her error with an ingenuous candor . so maist thou vindicate the author , and by beeing a vertuous lover , gaine a most deserving mistresses favour . prelum . crimen authores patiuntur omnes . praelium . typus . crimen authores patiuntur omnes . cippus . errata in the english gentlewoman . page . line . for eber , read ebor. pag. . l. . f. mortality , r. morality . pag. . l. . f. balcone , r. belcone . pag. . l. ult . f. and , r. an . pag. . l. . f. anacrons , r. anacreons . pag. . l. . f. phavorius , r. phavorinus . pag. . l. . f. strinks , r. shrinks . had woman , mans choyce succour , ne're beene sinner , pure as shee 's faire , shee 'd had no error in her : now , humble soule , her error to descrye , shee still reteines the apple in her eye . a ladies love-lectvre : composed , and from the choicest flowers of divinitie and humanitie culled , and compiled : as it hath beene by sundry personages of eminent qualitie , upon sight of some copies dispersed , modestly importuned : to the memory of that sexes honour ; for whose sweet sakes he originally addressed this labour . by ri. brathvvait esquire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . london , printed by iohn davvson , . to that absolvte owner and honovr of discreet fancy , mris . elizabeth westby . mistris , receive here with a booke , the reall abstract of your selfe . for in it , when you have read it , do but converse with your owne thoughts , and you shall finde your selfe portrayed . phidias could never with all his art , present a master-peece of such beautie , as vertue can doe in drawing her line , & bestowing on it a modest blush to enliven fancie . these idaea's are englands cynthia's . you were sometimes pleased to peruse your selfe shadowed in my elegiack poem ; require this for a more lasting and living embleme . now , as to wish you what you already have , i neede not : so to wish you more then you already have , i cannot : unlesse some new choice might accomplish his happinesse that should attaine it . goodnesse is such a dower , as no maid can bring with her a better portion ; nor no widow enfeffe herself in a fairer iointure . may you ever shine in these , which make a woman most eminent : while you leave me infinitely joying in enjoying the title of your affectionate servant , ri. brathvvait . the stationer to the reader . at the instancy of sundry persons of qualitie , to my knowledge , was this our author induced to publish this epitome ; extracted from the choicest flowers of fancie : but in such a compendious method and manner , as it may abide the test of the severest censor ; seeing all such light passages , taking life from the too loose pens of ariosto , tasso , baccace , rheginus , alcaeus , &c. are here omitted : lest the modest eares of those beauties , at whose request and to whose bequest this epitome or love-enlectured lady , was addressed , might be offended by such affected levitie . entertaine it as thou shalt reape profit by it : farewell . a ladies love-lectvre : stored with all varietie of ingenious moralitie : extracted from the choicest flowers of philosophie , poesie , ancient and moderne history . and now published at the instancy of sundry persons of qualitie . ovos conspicui lumina phoebi . the excellency of women in their creation . section i. howsoever that divine plato , whose very infancy presaged many faire expressions of his future maturity ; definitely professed , that he had , amongst many other blessings which the gods had bestowed on him , greatest cause of all others to give them thankes for three things : first was , for that they had made him a reasonable creature , and no beast : second was , for civilizing him a grecian , and no barbarian : thirdly , in making him a man , and no woman : yet did hee sometimes ingenuously confesse the necessitie of them in winding up all his humane felicitie in these foure particulars ; so i may have ( said he ) eyes to reade , my mind to conceive what i reade , my memory to conserve what i have conceived and read , and a woman to serve me at my neede ; should adversitie assaile me , it should not foile me ; should an immerited disgrace lye heavy on me , it should not amate me ; should my endeared friends forsake me , by enjoying my selfe thus in mine owne family ; i should laugh at the braves of fortune ; account reproach my repute : and partake in the free societie of so sweet and select a friend within me , as no cloud without mee could perplex me . here was a brave philosophicall resolution ! he could see nought on earth , that could divert his thoughts from the contemplation of heaven ; provided , that he enjoyed that on earth , which made his earth seeme a second heaven . some are of opinion , indeede , that hee had perused the mosaicall law , and that he bestowed much time in it , during his reside with his deare friend phocion in cilicia . no marvaile then , if he found there the excellency of their creation : with their primary office or designation . being made helpes for man : and so intimate to man , as she tooke her mould from man , as man his modell from mold . yea , but she was made of a rib , will some say , and that implide a crooked condition . no ; but rather thus , a rib is bending , which presupposed her pliable disposition . and if that ancient philosophicall maxim hold good : " that the temperature of the soule followes the temperature of the body ; we must necessarily conclude , that , as their outward temperature and composure is more delicate : so their inward affections must be more purely refined . no violent passion so predominant , which their mild temper cannot moderate ; provided , that they be seasoned with grace , which makes them proficients in all spirituall growth . for a quicke unsanctified wit is a meere pery for the divell : whereas witts accompanied with humilitie , make their privatest soliloquies to converse with actions of glory . these , and onely these reteine in memory the object and end of their creation . and as those affectionate sabines call'd their wives their penates , their houshold gods , through that incomparable comfort they conceived in them , and benefits they derived from them : so are these domi-portae , damae-portae , delitiae horti , as that witty epigrammatist was sometimes pleased to enstile them , the choicest sociates of humane solace : so as ; if the world were to be held a wildernesse without societie , it might justly despaire of that comfort without their company . whence it is , that the wise man concludeth ; without a woman would the house mourne . when that delphick oracle had told that flourishing and ▪ victorious state ; that her many triumphes and trophies should not secure her ; nor her numerous ports so enrich her ; nor that confidence she reposed in her powerfull allyes priviledge her : for the very beautifull'st city she had , her sole magnificent metropolis , whose present glory aspired to the clouds , should labour of her owne providence , and interre her honour in the dust ; if they did not by sprinkling the purest dust that earth could afford , upon their prophaned altars , expiate her guilt , and appease their wrath . a strong and serious consultation being forthwith taken ; they advised amongst themselves which might be the purest and most precious dust ; but so many men , so many mindes . for the earth-worme , who made gold his god , and that dust his deitie : held none to be purer then the soile or dust of gold . others held , that none was purer then the dust of that copper whereof the athenians had made the pictures of the two tyrants , armodius and aristogyton : because their death gave life to the state ; their dust recovered their countries fame . others held ebonie , because the most continuate monument of humane memory , and monumentall embleme of his mortalitie . others held ivorie , because an emblematicall mettall of puritie . while one , whose opinion was delivered last , though his judgement appeared best , freely imparted himselfe to them , taxing them all of errour . for , saith he , it is not the pouder , dust or ashes of any materiall shrine that can be possibly any way propitious to the gods : as the enormitie of our losses hath incensed them , so must the ashes of some living sacrifice appease them . my opinion then is positively this : the ashes of some undefiled virgin must be sprinkled on their altar , if we meane to preserve our state and honour . this experience hath confirmed long since so highly usefull , as wee may reade what eminent states had perished ; how their glory had been to dust reduced ; nay , their very names in oblivion closed , and with dishonour cloathed , had not the fury of the incensed gods beene pacified , and by offertories of this nature attoned . this might be instanced in those sacrifices of iphigenia , hesyone , mariana , with many others : whose living memory raysed it selfe from dust , in so free and voluntary offering themselves to the stake , to deliver their endanger'd state ; confirming their country-love with the losse of their dearest life . search then no further , yee conscript fathers , how to appease their wrath ; virgin ashes cannot but be the purest dust of earth . whose sacred vowes , as they are dedicated to vesta , who cannot admit her temple to be prophaned by any impure touch : so ha's shee conferred such an excellent priviledge on a virgin state ; as the fierce untamed vnicorne , when nothing can bring him to subjection , nor attemper the madding fury of his disposition : as if he had quite put off his nature , and assumed another temper , he will be content mildly to sleepe in the lap of a virgin ; and in eying her , allay his passion . with joynt voyce and vote all the ephori inclined to his opinion : which so well appeased those divine furies , as their state , before by the oracle so highly menaced , became secured ; their altars , which were before prophaned , purged : and those pollutions , whereof their city laboured , clearely expiated . these poeticall fictions , though they easily passe by the eare , yet they convey by a morall application , an emphaticall impression to the heart . for hence might be divinely concluded : there is nothing comparably precious to a continent soule : nothing of so pure nor pretious esteeme , as a virgin state . and that a woman , being the weaker vessell , when shee either in her virgin-condition remaines constant , or in her conjugall state loyall , she so much more inlargeth her glory , as her sex or condition partakes more of frailtie . but to divert from these ; eye her in the excellency of her creation you shall finde her in her qualitie , an helper ; in her societie , a comforter ; in the perplexities of her consort , a counsellour ; and in all these , a sharer . had her beautie no other imbellishment , it were a moving object to entertaine a loving consort : but when inward ornaments accomplish that beautie , what a sweet perpetuall harmony runnes descant on their societie ? this makes a private family an earthly paradise . no frayes within , no feares without : no illimited passion raging either within or without . the reason is , she discreetly considers for what end she was created : and addresseth the whole course of her affaires to accomplish that for which she was created . in eying her selfe in the glasse , she admires not her owne beautie ; but his goodnesse , who bestowed on her so gracefull an image of fancy not to winne others unto lightnesse , but to waine others by her example from the pathes of loosenesse ; and by her patterne of pietie , decline them from vanitie , by chalking them forth a way to conduct them to happinesse . section ii. their imitable vertues , illustrated with examples . no discourse more prevalent to goodnesse , then what is illustrated by examples . on darke nights the least starre shewes her glory : which if it darted forth his lustre by day , would not be discovered so easily . then is goodnesse most improved , when the indisposition of the time does least approve it . those foure cardinall vertues , whereon all others have and hold a necessary dependance ; are compared by that devout and divine father , saint ambrose , to those foure rivers which issued from the foure borders of the garden of paradise : and of these imitable vertues , wee shall finde women such incomparable professours , as their actions deserve imitation and admiration . how prudently did artemisia and zenobia , thomyris and penthisilea demeane themselves in the mannagement of their affaires whether publique or private ! they might worthily take up the saying of that discreet contemplative roman : " they were never lesse alone , then when alone . for these when they were left to themselves , they were not left eyther lesse fear'd or lov'd . these held up their states so wisely ; disposed of their counsells so discreetly ; governed their people with feare and love so equally : mannaging all their actions with those prudentiall grounds of policie ; as their allyes lov'd them , their enemies fear'd them : none about them , but did honour them , desiring nothing more then to enter into a firme and inviolable league with them . so just likewise they were in all affaires of judicature ; that if those dayes were accounted happy wherein basill the emperour of constantinople lived ( and worthily might they be so esteemed ) for that whensoever hee came to his judgement seate , he neither found partie to accuse , nor defendant to answer : no lesse memorable were those halcyon daies of theirs ; when litigious appellants were so handled , that if they commenced any suite without just ground , they were to pay to the defendant double costs , to the publique state a mulct , and receive a personall disgrace : being disabled ever after to beare any publique office , or be imployed in any military or civill state-service . worthy indeede , of high commendations was the answer of that invincible alexander to his mother , who transported with passion ( as what humane condition but subject to such affections ) being desirous to execute an innocent harmelesse man , the better to prevaile with him , and the more impressively to worke on him , remembred him that herselfe for the space of nine moneths had carried him in her wombe , fed him with the substance of her selfe , and for that reason he must not say her nay . aske ( saith he ) good mother , some other gift of me : the losse of a mans life can be recompenced with no benefit . and no lesse wisely did the emperesse admonish her husband ; when , without ever examining or discussing the qualitie of the crime , he was ready to pronounce the judgement of death upon a delinquent ; who , for ought he knew , might appeare innocent . o , quoth she , leave your game at tables , and looke into the tables of moses , and you will finde how unjust it is to execute before you examine , to condemne before you advise . so temperate too , were many eminent women both ancient and moderne , as they dis-relished nothing more than inconsiderate passion . that discreete and well-composed speech of architas is much commended , who being angry with one of his hindes , said , o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ! and no lesse deserving approvement was that noble ladies assertion : " so farre aliened hitherto have my thoughts beene from any predominant distemper , as i have chused rather to give way unto death ; then an indiscreet anger . whence it was , that noble biscoy , no lesse happy in his wives vertues , then his many victories ; avouched : that though he had foiled all his assailants , he could never yet foile his wives patience . whereas , that girle was quit of all other humour , whom , when her husband found her one day , all off th' hinges ; demanded of her , what had displeased her ? answered , because she saw nothing that could displease her . what excellent tempers many of their sex have showne , if wee would insist on examples , or enlarge our discourse with varietie of instances ; we might finde both our greeke and roman annals stored with such choice and select flowers , as we should more easily finde arguments of admiration than imitation . for many of these acted the parts of rare philosophers : knowing how to be silent in prosperitie , patient in adversitie , in neither of these to shew a distemper'd qualitie ; in either of these to expresse motive arguments of philosophie . in their discourse , they could argue without bitternesse ; in their habit , goe neately without nicenesse ; in the whole mannage of their affaires , live purely without affectednesse . tell me , sayes one , with whom thou conversest , and i will tell thee who thou art . this made them cautious with whom they consorted ; lest others conversation might make them suspected . those light examples of iulia , posthumia , and semphronia deterred them from conversing with any that might corrupt them . these had not onely perused but practised that arabian proverbe : " to shut their five windowes , that their house might give light . these windowes were their senses ; which , when they become most opened , the house of the mind becomes most darkened . these therefore , must be closed , that their inner house may be cleared . and this hath our christian philosophie in an exacter manner and fuller measure taught us : as fire and water will not sort well together : no more will heavenly and earthly delights ever strike in one harbour . these have drawne their resolutions to this period , and happy they in so glorious period : if the flames of hell were on the one side , and sinne on the other side , they would rather lie in those flames then sinne . nor have their sex showne lesse excellence in their fortitude of spirit : preferring their fame before life ; their honour before the utmost extreames of death , danger or disaster . this that epicaria , a romane libertine , and a vindicator of romes liberty ; this that leaena , that couragious revenger of hippeas tyranny confirmed ; when no torments could amate them ; no objects of terrour or torture amaze them : when the one chus'd rather to spit out her tongue , then spite her countrey by disclosing the revengers of her wrong ; the other to be torne by wilde beasts , then make that tender bosome of her native countrey , a receipt for tame beasts . here were virile spirits cloathed with womanly habits . their mindes were better composed , then to give way to an effeminate passion , when they beheld their indeared countrey suffer in her reputation . thus did their noble sex shew prudence without singularitie ; iustice without partialitie ; temperance with modestie ; fortitude in those amicable expressions to their countrey . section iii. their moderation of passion . although we have discoursed of this subject before , in our treaty of temperance : yet to amplifie this point ; wee shall finde , that there is no passion , whereto by reason of our humane frailtie we are most inclined , which we shall not observe by imitable mirrors of this sex to be strangely attempered , nay subdued . and first , to begin with what worketh strongliest upon our weake conditions : revenge ; which may reflect , by a proper and genuine division upon these three distinct objects , life , fame , fortunes . for the first , how bravely could that noble spartan lady , when she was staged upon the scaffold , to receive the stroke of death , becken to her injurious accuser ; with a mild and gracefull aspect advertise him of the wrongs he had done her : wishing him to lay his hand on his heart , and make his peace seasonably with the gods ! for my life , quoth shee , as it is of little use to the state , so i lesse prize it in regard i can benefit my country smally by it . trust me , i pitty more the indangering of your inward peace , then the losse of my life . this may be redeemed by an elysian freedome ; yours never to be prevented but by perpetuall sorrowing . indeede i lose my friends , but these are without me . but you should have a nearer friend within you , from whose sweet amitie and amiable familiaritie if you should once sever , ( heare the last breathing words of a dying woman ) you are lost for ever . so easily did she remit that wrong which cost her life . with what moderation did that triumphant thomyris beare the death of her sonne ! a feminine passion could not extract from her well-tempered eyes one teare : nor from her resolved heart one sigh . she knowes how to shadow passion with a cloud ; and immaske the designe of a future revenge with the whitest vaile . she chuseth rather to perish in her selfe , then doe ought unworthy of herselfe . she could put on a countenance of content , when she heard how her sonne had paid to nature her debt , though in a reflexion to his youth , before his time . i was his mother , and hee is now returned to her , who is mother to us both . if i lov'd him too much while he lived with me , i will make satisfaction for that errour , by bemoaning his losse the lesse , now when hee has left mee . but i finde her moderation in this object , amongst all others most imparallel'd ; which i the rather here insert , because she was a rare phoenix both in our time and clime : a woman nobly descended , richly endowed , which by her practise of pietie and workes of mercy became highly improved . she , when she understood how passionately and disconsolately her noble husband tooke the death of his daughter whom hee infinitely loved ; ( for her promising infancy gave apparent arguments of succeeding maturitie : ( made it one of her constant'st taskes to allay his passion ; and by playing the part of a faithfull and discreet consort , expostulates with the grounds of his immoderate sorrow in this manner : how is it sir , that your wisedome should thus forget it selfe ? is it any newer thing to dye then to be borne ? are we here placed to survive fate ? or here planted to pleade a priviledge against death ? is our daughter gone to any other place , then where all our predecessours have gone to ? yea , but you will say , she dy'd in her blooming youth ; before the infirmities of a decrepit age came upon her ! the more was shee bound to her maker . the fewer her yeares , the lesser her cares , the fewer her teares . take upon you then something more of man ; and partake lesse of woman . these comforts which i make bold to apply to you , might be more seemingly derived to me by you . to grieve for that which is remedilesse , argues weakenesse ; and not to prevent what admits a probabilitie of cure , implies carelesnesse . let us neither be too effeminatly weake in the one ; nor too securely remisse in the other : so may wee cure the one with patience , and redeeme the other by a timely diligence . for the next object reflecting upon their fame : nicetas sayes plainely , no punishment so grievous as shame . and nazianzen yet more expressely ; better were a man dye right-out , than still live in reproach and shame . ajax being ready to dispatch himselfe , used these as his last words ; no griefe doth so cut the heart of a generous and magnanimous spirit , as shame and reproach . for a man to live or dye is naturall : but for a man to live in shame and contempt , and to be made a laughing-stocke of his enemies , is such a matter as no well-bred and noble-minded man , that hath any courage or stomacke in him , can ever digest it . and yet bravely-spirited leonida , sleighted those assailants of her fame with no lesse dis-respect then her foes sought to blemish it . i am more confident of my fame , said she , then to suspect how any light tongue should impeach it . nor was that vertuous clareana lesse resolute , who directing her speech to her accusers ; told them ; her fame was so farre distanced beyond the reach of their impeaching ; as it ingenuously pittied the weakenesse of their detraction . this confirmed the resolution of that noble patron ; who occasionally used these words in a grave and great assembly : no womans fame could priviledge it selfe from a dangerous ●aint , if it were in hazard to suffer or lose it selfe by a poysonous tongue . for the last but least , which is fortune : many heroicke spirits have we had of this sex , who so farre dis-esteemed this outward rinde , ( for no other title would they daigne to bestow on it ) as one of them freely professed : " what matter is it , whether i be rich or poore , so my minde be pure ? and these instances are not so rare , but we may finde another of the same sex , to second so vertuous and accomplished a sister . the poorest thing on earth , is to suffer ones enlivened thoughts to be fixt on earth . and we have a third to make up a consort . she is of a weake command , who submits her thoughts to the command of fortune . and this a quaternion of brave resolved spirits expressed , in delivering the noblenesse of their thoughts in these proper imprezes ; which with their diamonds they left writ in the panes of their owne chamber windowes : the device of the first was this : it is not in the power of fate , to weaken a contented state . and the second scornes to fall short of her resolution : fortune may sundry engines finde , but none to raze a noble minde . the third in contempt of fortune , inlargeth this subject : should fortune me distresse , my minde would be no lesse . the fourth , to shew her affection true toutch , attests her constancy in this : fate may remove life , but not love . thus have we showne their spritely tempers in their contempt of all oppositions that might assaile or assault them : life they sleighted , being in competition with honour . fame , though it was too high a prize to lose , yet being not conscious to themselves of any staine , they neglected with a gracefull scorne the irregular libertie of a loose tongue . and for fortunes , they stood so indifferent , as they held content their crowne ; and that crowne the absolutest imbellishment of an infranchis'd mind . section iiii. their continency in assaults . noble spirits cannot chuse but preferre that most , which incomparably adornes them most . though the case give an outward beautie to the instrument ; yet it is the instrument gives the harmony to the case , or all were out of case . now if creatures , who never were indowed with reason : and whose highest desires confined themselves to sense , so much abhorred a communitie in the use of their sex , or an incestuous commixture of seed in their generations of one kind : how much more , those , who have captivated their sense to reason , and knowne what it was to give reines to unbounded libertie ; or slave their inward freedome to the weakely recompenc'd service of vanity ? for man , who as he is the noblest creature , and accomplish'd best with those choicest ornaments of grace to beautifie so princely a feature : so is he to discover some impressions of the dignitie of his nature , by living so on earth , as after earth hee may live for ever . o how hatefull it is , for a beast to be liker man , then man to himselfe ! for beast to partake of man , while man partakes no lesse of beast ! lust , saies that ambrosian father , is detestable to brute beasts and savages . the loving turtle forsakes her laune , and dis-esteemes life , when she has lost her love . on no greene branch will she perch ; no cheerefull ayre will she breath ; no new confort will she entertaine . a retired melancholy is her affected melody : privacy is her mansion ; remotest shades close best with her disposition . the porphyrio , or purple cout , cannot endure to repaire to his nest , after that he findes it stained with an adulterous foote : yet so loving is hee to his owne , as he scornes to take any unworthy revenge of his make , but by an incessant passion of continued griefe , to weave out the web of his woes , and so dispatch himselfe . it is reported of the camell , that they usually hood-winke him , when at any time they bring his mother unto him : which act ( observe this incestuous hate ) he no sooner knowes , then he tramples her under his feete , and kickes her to death with his heeles . so egregiously hatefull is incest , even to brute beasts , whose native instinct abhorres such obscene commixtures . nay , to present to your eyes the spleenefull disposition of some creatures ; who , to revenge their abused loves , have reteined a memory above their qualitie , to expedite their intended tragedy . this might be instanced in that memorable example of crathis ; who dwelling in the towne of sybaris , so monstrously , and unnaturally raged in the heate of immoderate lust ; as on a time neglecting all humanitie , to extinguish the violent flames of his bestiall affection , came to a she-goate , and coupled with her : which , the he-goate as one seeing , yet reserving revenge for a fitter time , found the said crathis one day fast asleepe : upon presentment of which opportunitie , to revenge the injury of his corrupted love , and revenge the horrour of his detested lust , hee presently fell upon him , and mall'd him to death with his hornes . by these , you shall collect , how myrrha never lookes better , then when mya stands beside her : and how the preciousest gems shew ever in the darkest places their fairest lustre . ladies we have here , who are so farre from a light assent , as they scorne to admit a weake assault : which confirmes the judgement of that nobly-accomplish'd , though unfortunate gentleman : in part to blame is she that has beene tride , he comes too neare , that comes to be denide . this that noble minded lady armenia expressed ; who being solemnly invited to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night when those royall rites had beene solemnized , and they returned , her husband asked her , how she liked the bridegroome , whether upon perusall of him she thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , sayes she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . those receiving portells of her senses , were shut against all forreigne intruders : shee had made a morall league with her loyall eyes , to fix on no unlawfull beautie ; lest her surprized eye might ingage her to folly . nor could these hold it to stand with their repute , either to heare , or conceive ought that might worthily trench upon their husbands fame , or redound to his reproach . one of hiero's enemies , finding nothing else in him , whereby he might revile him , or asperse disgrace upon him ; reproaching him with a stinking breath : went home and questioned his wife why she told him not thereof ? who answered , she thought all men had the like savour . this confirmes that maxim of divine plato : the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved . but to enlighten the beautie of this subject with one exquisite and imparallel'd example , for all ; bestow your eyes upon chiomara , wife of orgiagon , a petty king of that province , upon discomfiture of the gallo-gracians , being ravished by a roman captaine , gave a memorable patterne of conjugall vertue , and sponsall continency : for she cut off the fellowes head from his shoulders , and escaping from her guard , brought it to her lord and husband . we might enlarge this discourse by illustrious examples derived from the continence of those dalmatian and sabine ladies : who preferred their honour before life ; holding nothing in more contempt then loose love . that princely care which darius wife and his daughters had to preserve their highly-valued honour : and how much their care was cherished by that universall conquerour . and though youth matched with age , oft-times begets distracted thoughts , yet might we produce instances , not onely in the survey of forraigne states ; but even within our native borders : how fresh-blooming youth , unequally affianced to hoary age , has borne it selfe so free from scandall , that , though they might professe themselves vestall virgins at the funerall of their husbands ; yet so cautious were they to decline shame , as their modest thoughts scorned to incline to a prohibited embrace of sinne . albeit , i must ever cloze in opinion with the poet : there 's nothing does more dully move in fancies orbe , then aged love . age then , with an ingenuous acknowledgement of his owne strength , should not fully such prime redolent blossomes with an earthy touch . yet if old age must doat ( as 't is too common ) that age suits better with the man then woman . thus have you heard how continent this weaker sex has beene in their assaults : how constant in their resolves : how ready to encounter with the extreames of death and danger , rather then impaune that incomparable gage of their honour . love was the line by which they were directed ; fame the ayme to which they aspired : and honour the centre wherein they closed . section v. their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of affection . it is true ; " nothing deserves lesse credit then the looke . yet in candid and ingenuous natures , it appeares much otherwise . for these cannot disguise their count'nance with a counterfeit appearance . these are they , who make their face an index to their mind . they cannot walke in the clouds with tibur●ia : nor adulterate their cheekes with a false blush ; nor cast forth taking lures from their eyes . these are what they seeme : and , as to seeme lesse then they are ; would tax them of weakenesse : so to seeme more then they are ; would evince them of arrogance . to avoide then these two hazzards : they desire to have their thoughts legible in their eyes . these be farre distanced from the conceit of that wanton : who , with a presuming confidence affirmed : that she could catch more with her eyes , then others could with their embraces . but such as these , are such profest traders in the merchandize of honour ; as they merit no esteeme in the eye of goodnesse : for as these cloath their actions with habiliments of splendid sinne : so they close , for most part , their light spun scene with apparent shame . these then , we resolve to leave behind us : addressing our penne to such vertuous patternes as are rank'd before us : and such , whose modest countenance scornes to entertaine the least acquaintance , either with scorne or too much smoothnesse ; lest the one might imply pride , the other lightnesse . these cannot endure to partake of their despicable condition , who can shew an open-house , but reteine a shut count'nance . they have hospitalitie in the one , as well as the other : and to a vertuous lover , have ever in readinesse a prepared harbour . i cannot remember , said that modest matron ; that i have suffer'd mine eyes to stray from me : nor to hunt after forreine suiters , to bring them home to me . i have not ey'd that face , since i was married , which could either so take me , as to preferre it before his , who had best title to me ; nor so delude me , as to beget in my thoughts a glowing fancy ; and so corrupt me , by admiring a strange beauty . no doubt , but that princely surveyor of his daughters dispositions , augustus ; could gather well enough by iulias light lookes , as well as her loose consorts , what received freest entertainment in her heart : as hee might , to his comfort , collect what vertuous thoughts accompanied his livia , by observing those staid lookes and modest countenance , which bestow'd an incomparable addition on her virgin beauty . pietie , as it receives scandall from the countenance ; and chastity treason from the eye , by conveying trecherous thoughts to the heart : so modesty runs many times on hazzard by the outward habit . all gorgeous attire is held the attire of sin . being such as is either worne above our ranke ; or by a garish and phantastick effeminacy , to introduce that broad spreading tetter of vanity , or loosenes of folly into the state. that simple old woman , belulled with a sleepy zeale , had a minde to goe to 'th church , purposely to take a nap : and many of our daintie ones , desire nothing more , then to goe to the temple , to present to a deluded eye a new dresse . o the phrensie of humane vanitie , when the sanctuary cannot plead priviledge from this selfe admiring idolatry ! it is a true position ; as to lust makes one a sinner , so he falls into the same list who has a desire to be lusted after . modesty then , as it is the decent'st dresse for a virgin , much more for a reverend matron ; whose demure looke ; unaffected gate ; civill habit should returne a president unto others ; how to conforme themselves to the time without affectation : and how to demeane themselves in the whole progresse of their life , as may deserve a vertuous imitation . these , as they reteine a loyall heart : so they affect a civill habit . they have no lures for light eyes . these mould their course to the example of that religious-noble widow : who , after the death of her truly honour'd and endeared lord , could neither in the habit of her person ; nor furniture of her chamber , admit of any other colour , but the sable livery of a mourner . and being one day demanded by a compleate courtier ; whose sense consisted most in sent , why shee would not put off that sullen-cloudy habit ; seeing it was high time for her rather to thinke of a new choice , then still to confine herselfe to that disconsolate recluse . o sir , replyed she , though my husbands funeralls were long since solemnized on earth : yet shall they be ever in solemnizing with me so long as i am on earth . this habit , me thinkes , so infinitely becomes me ; as i should not looke like my selfe should i put any other on me . neither can i hold this funerall roome a disconsolate recluse , as you please to stile it : for , trust me sir , i conceive more absolute comfort in it , by remembring his person whom sometimes i enjoyed in it : then if all that various affluence of your courtly pleasures should accompany it ; for by inthralling my selfe to these , i should become lesse my selfe , by depriving my widow-thoughts of those soule-solacing soliloquies , and sweet aspirations i enjoy in it . excellent was the answer of that heroick stranger ; who being asked why she addressed not herself to the habit of our countrey : because , quoth she , i can finde no constancy in the habit of your countrey : you affect forraigne fashions so much , as it implies you dis-affect your owne : why should i then accommodate my selfe to yours , who have none of your owne ? the way then to preserve opinion is , in our choice of habit , to admire no selfe-affected fashion . we have choicer ornaments to beautifie us , then those whose outward splendour highly detracts from that inward beauty which should truly accomplish us . now , in our expression of affection ; which requires a great measure of discretion ; we shall finde a rare temperance in the feminine sex. these could shadow their reserved loves with a discreet secrecy : and with an absolute command of what soveraignizeth most over that sex , decline apparent grounds of jealousie . that modest mytilene confidently maintain'd : that she had rather cease to live , then surcease to love : yet would she rather in exile live , then discover her exil'd love . it argues , indeed , a modest policy , to reserve our affections to our selves ; yet not so long , as to deprive us of the meanes to enjoy those whom we love equally as our selves . delay gives way to corrivalls : fabius maximus , indeed , wonne by delaying , but delay seldome speeds so well in our assay of loving : and yet , to see a declining chrone , who had liv'd long enough to number her dayes ; and whose aged furrowes had return'd a numerous arithmeticke of expended yeares ; play the wanton in a love-sicke expression , could not chuse but beget more sensible motives of derision then affection . this suites well with that old prediction : when age casts her slough , and takes on her youth , when old chrones breed young bones and are swelling , th' antipodes here , and we to their sphere , must both in a yeare change our dwelling . there be other inducements too , which are of force to re-tardate affection : and these are such holding remora's , as wee cannot possibly saile fairely , nor arrive safely , nor partake the f●uition of our hopes freely , nor enjoy our freedome fully , so long as these distance us from the object of our fancy . i would be , said that discreet lover , individually ti'd to thee , but that one tie divides me from thee . and what was this , but that lineall tie of consanguinitie , which restrained them from the tie of conjugall fancie ? this legall tie of honour , that amorist more elegantly expressed in this manner : had you the beautie of helena , the presence of cleopatra , the spirit of penthisilea , those endowments of zenobia , those fortunes of nicaula , the majestie of sophonisba , those melting kisses , moving embraces of myrrha ; and that my owne fancy should make choice of you for my bride , yet have we● a mother that would forbid the banes . that sacred bond of the church , divided him from his choice . love must hold a distance , where devotion will not admit of the allyance . in this expression of affection ; what may seeme boldnesse in the woman ; may comply well with the qualitie of the man. if there were bashfulnesse on both sides , love might hold a perpetuall progresse , and to her palace of pleasure , never be admitted to have accesse . yet to veile both with more modesty , and phidias-like , draw a more artfull curtaine to shroud fancy with more reserved privacy ; lovers use to supply this expression with the office of their pen : which , as it cannot blush , so it can usually more amply inlarge it selfe by writing ; then the perplexed secretary may in modesty doe by discoursing . and to returne a president of this ( because subjects of this nature are best graced , when grounded on examples ) i shall here propose the conceit of one , who both for state , stile and subject may well deserve , not onely your approbation but imitation in this kind . lines used to be those lights , which gave direction and accesse to the seat of love . but where constancy of affection seconds a profession of zeale ; that mistresse was accompted too remorselesse ; who entertained not his suite with a promising smile , and confirmed not that smile with a pleasing consent . honours , fortunes , all , have beene already prostrate . your selfe made the sole object , without the least reflex to any by-respect . nothing could be proposed , that might render you satisfaction , which was not embraced with a firme and loyall affection . to close with your desires , was the crowne of my content . this was my highest ambition . for , had present fortunes power to have withdrawne me , or possibilitie to have over-wrought me , or the faire and free tenders of powerfull allyes to have prevailed with me ▪ beleeve it , dearest , i might long before this time have fixed and planted my choice on an object of fancy : but how selectly and sincerely i have reserved my selfe for you , since those ample demonstrances of that gracefull and affectionate favour received from you , i will appeale to any candid or equall relatour in the world . o spin then no longer time ! mutuall be our consents , as they expect mutually immutable joyes . tell me , deare one , were it not better to be fixt then daily removing ? fix on your owne condition . though your affable and humble nature , which highly improves your honour , may beget in you this incomparable temper ; if you would please but to recollect your discreeter and more compose● thoughts , you should finde great distinction betwixt this fixed and that your present unsetled condition . this may suite well with some disposition , but me thinkes it should not poize evenly in the scale of your discretion . some may , happely , feed their hopes with a day will come ; now were it not more happinesse to you , to see that day shine upon your owne : wherein the world may have cause to blesse you , both church and commonwealth be improved by you , and your selfe amply partake in those living comforts , which derive their birth and breath from you ? let me receive one line , for a linke to combine this love . as it shall infinitly transport me in the perusall , so it shall incomparably solace you in the happy consummation of that nuptiall , which shall confirme me , legally and loyally yours . thus you see what expressions deliver themselves with most modesty , when the pen becomes their secretary . and how unbeseeming an oratour love is , when she wooes with too bold a face . hence you may collect ; what beautie accompanies a bashfull looke ; what an attractive fancy to a modest eye , derives it selfe from a civill dresse : and how entire love is best exprest , when with crimson blushes most deprest . these beget in a discreet temper more favour , then a leering looke , a wanton habit , or light expression shall ever recover . section vi. their violence upon such as were corrivalls in their choice . his judicious observation closeth equally with our experience ; who said : " the best things becomming ill , ever prove worst . an evill man is the worst of all creatures ; an evill christian the worst of all men ; an evill professor the worst of all christians . a woman , though she be a delicate creature , and , in her owne proper condition , of a sweet nature ; yet in one respect she may be resembled to the iuniper , which once kindled , will hardly be quenched . no fury to be compared to the anger of a woman ; which is aggravated or attempered according to the qualitie of the wrong wherewith she holds herselfe injuried . it is said of the river * himetus ; that it distreames or divides it selfe into two channells : which send forth waters of different natures . the one is sweet and pleasing : the other brackish and dis-relishing . we may properly apply this divided current to our present subject : by imagining a woman to this river ; as she is compared in an higher hieroglyphick , & of a more enlivened nature . and in this allusion , let us conceive these two channells variously streaming , to those two distinct affections soveraignizing over her , and in her severally working . these two similizing or discording passions shall borrow the names of love and hate . in both which we may properly call most of our women silla's daughters ; then whom none ever shewed more love to his friend , nor more hate to his enemy . and to discourse more amply of these ; wee shall finde some kinde hearts dispatch their husbands by loving too much : others , meere antipodes to the former , by loving them too little : this might be instanced in lucia and lucilla ; livia and iulia. two of these never held themselves so happy , as when their husbands were in presence ; the other two ever held nuptiall love at such a distance ; as they were never more discontented then when they were present . darke seem'd the house when their husbands were in it : clear'd was that cloud , when their husbands had left it . whereas those two other loyall dames , exprest themselves true theogena's ; who so tender'd her agathocles , as shee shewed admirable constancie , in her husbands greatest misery : professing her selfe most his owne , when hee was relinquish'd , and forsaken of his owne . but this revenge , whereon wee insist in this section ; proceeds for most part from grounded jealousie , or too exuberant fancy : which will admit willingly of no corrivall ; but if it doe , the issue generally becomes tragicall . our italian theaters have at all times reeked with these bloody issues ; which both in those admirable histories , long since published : and in that subject entituled , gods revenge against murder ; lately revived , and as i conceive from the former partly extracted , are copiously handled . ancient times had their hands imbrued in these crimes . their dye was as deepe ; though their fact seem'd lesse , in regard they were not so conscientious of what they did . hippolytus was guiltlesly murdered by a woman . hercules poysoned by a woman . candaules poniarded by meanes of a woman . yet examine these in a direct line , and you shall find all these perishing through too much love . they could not inflict that torment upon their lovers , which they themselves would not suffer , by designing themselves their owne tormentors . though phaedra's love to hippolytus were incestuously grounded ; and that unlawfull heate so impetuously enforced , as it could not be restrained , till it was with blood asswaged : yet her selfe selfe became the sacrifice to expiate her love-sicke malice . and for deianira , how constant she was in her affection : how loyall in her love : how inviolable her vow : the tragedian will returne you a faire account : and acquite her of all suspition , by the discovery shee made unto nessus , of her affection . that shirt which was given her by treacherous nessus , was intended to increase , as shee thought , a more vehement love in her hercules . lastly , for candaules wife , her shamefull , and too naked discovery unto gyges , justly expos'd his person to those miseries which he suffered : for the injury done to her modesty , was the onely occasion to hasten his tragedy . now , i must confesse , wee have had in all ages savage monsters , as well as civill matrons . and these of messalina's race ; who would not sticke to quench the heat of their lust in the actors blood . others no lesse cruell , but in their affections more loyall . and these had servants , but they could not endure to have them reteiners to many mistresses . this begot teares in their eyes , but stings in their hearts . too much love quickned their revenge . wronged fancie transform'd it selfe into a fury . this may confirme that passionate admiration of that heroick tragedian : how sharpely stings a womans discontent ! now there is no inducement more motive to give wings to this passion , then matches contracted with di●taste : proceeding either from disp●rity of yeares , or descent : which many times workes sundry distractions : and begets severall beds before their honey moneth bee well ended . when maids are deepe struck in yeares , be their fortunes never so promising , their alliance strengthning , or the beauty of their inward parts deserving ; they are commonly courted by youthfull fancy , with a neglectfull contempt . their rivell'd skin merits not a light amorous touch : nor their rugged browes deepe-indented with aged furrowes , a gracefull looke . and the like may be said of our stale batchelors ; who are so long in chusing , and so singular in their affecting ; as their affection fals into a neglect ; their declining persons into a contempt . to these may that similitude be not altogether improperly applyed : one having liberty given him to goe thorow a whole wood , to make choice of the best staffe he could find ; provided , that he chused it in his going on , but not in his returning back ; taking his course , and with a curious eye observing where hee might fit himselfe best : hee found many faire and streight plants that might serve his turne : but these would not content him ; on hee goes still , expecting better : till comming to the end of the wood , he found none but crooked ones to supply his choice , and of those no great change . then , but too late , hee repented him of his too-much singularity , in neglecting the opportunity of chusing what might give him content : and in submitting himselfe to a choice , which , in respect of those he refused , might deserve contempt . thus have wee discovered the grounds of those tragicke straits , which unhappy lovers have falne into : either by matching where they did not love ; or by being jealouse over those whom they did too much love ; or by conceiving a mortall hate towards those , who were corrivals in their love . which cruelty , as it proceeded from jealousie ; so that jealousie sprung many times from the disloyalty of those inconstant servants , to whom they bore such intimate fancy : as may appeare more amply in this their ensuing apology . section vii . their modest defence . you have heard what cruell creatures , those fatall effects of jealousy , and corrivalry , have made of the sweetest , and softest natures . and yet let not these relations lay such deepe tinctures , or aspersi●ns on that weaker sexe : as if blind affection had so inthralled reason to sense ; that there were no place left for their modest defence . cruelty indeed , admits no apology : yet when too impressive a fancy occasions this cruelty , it merits rather the title of a distracted phrensie , then an affected cruelty . many of these were inflamed with such heat of love : as the catastrophe closed as well with the losse of their owne life , as the life of their friends . yea , could they have forgotten the injury done them by the disloyalty of their servants : they could willingly have dispenced with that breach of faith : and expiated their guilt , with the haplesse embrace of their owne fate : truth is , their impatience was too great , to expostulate with reason : which drove them into this fury , or phrensie of passion . and this that noble , but unfortunate crescentia witnessed ; when after such time as shee had set her affection on a disloyall servant : and by her meanes , fortunes and favours , had highly advanced him : finding her love so meanely requited , as a strange mistresse became entertained , where her fancy should have beene solely lodged : another , and she a light curtezan , harboured , where shee should have beene honoured : shee burst forth into these extreames : the issue whereof sealed the period of her love , with the forfeiture of her life . o my demetrius , were 't not in restraint ; and who did inlarge thee ? were 't not hopelesse of fortunes ; and who advanc'd thee ? were 't not engag'd to the opposition of a powerfull foe ; and who atton'd thee ? nay , were 't not growne contemptible in the eyes of the lowest ; and who restor'd thee ? were not thy dejected fortunes so farre distanced from hope of reliefe , as not the least beameling of comfort afforded thee redresse ? where was thy sabina then to befriend thee ? no , no , demetrius , her light affection tooke first grounding from thy fortune , as thy fortune received birth from my too hasty loving , and too easie believing of so unthankefull a servant . yet shall it appeare to the world ; that though my love first issued from the source of folly : yet even in that there appeared a loyall constancy ; which , as it shall weave up the web of my fate ; so shall it beare record to posterity of thy unjust breach of faith . but spinne forth no more protractive houres , unhappy gratiana , in expostulating with his breach : or to no purpose , in wasting thy tedious breath . may my premature end , occasioned by my too credulous trust , become a caveat to all my sexe , to reteine more esteeme of their fame , and to be more carefull whom they trust . my indiscreet love brought me to ruine before my time : may my example bee a memoriall to after-times , to prevent their ruine derived from such meanes : and closing their hopes with such fearefull ends . nor was her hand lesse ready to execute , then her tongue was to dispute . for with these words , shee closed her amorous woes : farewell demetrius ; and redeeme the injury thou hast done to me , in expressing thy constancie to sabina's beauty . my best wishes shall attend thee : though thy subtilty did first wind me , then by surprizing my honour , wound me ; and wounding , unthankefully leave me . but to divert from these memorable , though miserable instances of constancy ; with the wrongs they suffered by their too light credulity : wee will now descend to such particulars , wherein these censorious timonists ( whose poore degenerate spirits are ever delighted most in detracting from women , or aspersing some unworthy disgrace upon their sexe ; ) usurpe this liberty , to lay upon their purest reputes a lasting infamy . wee shall in every place heare calumnious tongues too lavish in this error , and inveighing against them in this manner : what vice is there extant , which is not in the practise of women frequent ? if vanity were lost , where were it to be found , but in their light bosomes ? the forbidden fruit is ever in their eye : and ever dangling in their desire . whatsoever is prohibited , is by them most affected : whatsoever by obedience injoyned , scornefully neglected . if young , they are lascivious : if old , they are covetous . their whole life a comedy of errors : their formall feature a fardell of fashions . alas poore girles ! have you no defence against such viperous tongues ? when you desire to goe neat , or , according to your ranke , to hold your place ; you are term'd proud , or ambitious . if frugall , you are covetous . if you discover your wrongs , you are malitious . if with admiration you chance to eye the fulnesse of anothers estate , you are envious . if you be sparing in your dishes , you are penurious : if choice in your dishes , you are delitious . if you innocently converse with a youthfull neighbour , you are streight lascivious : if you keepe home , you are lazy , or unsociably censorious : if you walke abroad , you are too liberall of your honour , and to light eyes suspitious . nay , they will not sticke to presse this argument yet a little further : if goddesses themselves were wantons : what may wee thinke of the hand-maids of those goddesses ? dircetis that great goddesse of ascalon , could be inflamed with love to a youth , who sacrificed to her : and gratifie his oblation with a sensuall affection : yea , and close her loose love with as base a conception . 't is true ; the fable reports so much : yet if wee may give credit to the authority of a poet : wee shall find this goddesse resolving her eyes to teares : and , as one highly ashamed of her incontinency , exposing that adulterate brat to the desart : abandoning the society of that light amorous youth : and to make the scene more fully tragicall , throwing her selfe downe into a lake , bounding upon ascalon : to confirme unto the world , that if her staine were great , her sorrow was no lesse . the harbinger of the morne , could not so soone usher in these roseat consorts of the ensuing day : as this deluded goddesse ( if wee may grace her with such a title ) offered her penitentiall teares to her polluted shrine : her pleasure could not be so great , but her torture was more . yea , but these feminine criticks will say ; it is not enough for the youth of their sexe to glory in their growth of vanity : but even those old maquarella's ; whose very earthly breath divines their approaching returne to earth : as if they had perused aesons herball , and freely partak't of his receipts : must assume a gracefull presence of youth ; and fill up their irreparable decayes with art-beauty : by new plaistring those crazy buildings , which had long since falne into the lord paramounts hand , for want of repaire . alas , is this all ? if the weaker sexe deserve such reproofe , in their desire to cover their rivals : or smoothing those rugged deformities , which their decline in nature has laid on them : what may wee thinke of those old seniors , whose eyes have beene long since incased ; and whose constant aches in their bones , have beene above all other prognostications approved : and yet these can vaile their reverend age with an artfull peri-wigge : and court a light piece with as much vaine rhetoricke , as if their winter had beene metamorphos'd into a spring : and their silver-haires into downy blossomes ! that old blade had , no doubt , greene thoughts ; who coming to a barber to be trimm'd : and being asked by his complete trimmer , after what fashion hee would weare his beard whether he would looke amiable to his friend ; or terrible to his foe ; or point vice to his apparell ? this ancient fashion-favorite answered him , that hee would ( in regard of the rarity of the cut ) be trimmed point-vice to his apparell . which this nimble snap did ; and that to a haire , till he had not left him one haire , to worke on : this rivell'd scaledrake , having seene himselfe in the glasse , durst hardly acknowledge his owne face : but terribly distemper'd hee was to see himselfe so strangely disfigured ( which indeed might have beene prevented , if a sleepy distemper had not belulled him while he was trimmed . ) howsoever , seeing himselfe a stranger to himselfe , hee fell into a terrible quarter with his roguish trimmer : asking him in a cholericke manner , how he durst to abuse his face ? excuse me , reverend sir , said the barber ; i am but a naked trimmer , but your worship was the director : you told mee , that you would be trim'd point-vice to your apparell ; and i have observed your direction : for i have left your face as haire-bare , as your coat was thred-bare ; and that was point-vice to your apparell . the next objection you can presse against them , is this : they are covetous . but tell me , can you find in all their sexe such a midas , as to with the very meat he eate , to bee turn'd into gold ? or such a passionate incompetible revenger , as with silla , never to forgive , nor forget the injury done him by an offender ? or such a marrow-eating envious tetter , as ctesiphon , who macerated himselfe in the prosperity of an other ? or such an idolater of honour , as themistocles , who could not sleepe for the ambition he bore to those triumphs of miltiades ? or such a glutton , as cambletes , who dreaming hee had devour'd his wife ; as before , no dainties could asswage his hunger , he became his owne executioner , for feare of dishonour ? or such a catamite , as that bithinian ; who was a woman for all men ; and a man for all women : an equall agent or patient to satisfie nature ? or such a lazie lollard as margites was ; who never digged , ploughed , nor sowed , nor ever did any good all his life long in the least weight or measure : but slept out his time in a sluggish , and uselesse manner ? but some will againe object ; none can deny but they are light in their favours ; changeable in their fancies : the posies of their love-rings , ever hold check with this impreze : " our choice admits a change . no , no ; you shall find their disposition of a more choice and constant temper . for should they imitate our wanton free-natur'd youths , who having lately enter'd loves-lists , and brought some shreads of their fathers unnecessary providence to passe the alienation office ; you might find them accommodated with myriads of amorous servants . of which number that wanton wooer , and lavish lover , might be well accounted , who gloried in the multitude of his mistresses , and boasted of his fits and fancies ; resolving to be a servant to many , but a consort to one : though one has left me , i 've fresh storc enow , and all these presse me to performe my vow . content you girles , i me for one or none , one wench at once , will be enow for one . whereas , even that amorous curtezan of venice , whose embraces appear'd more mercenary , then complied with her honour , could protest , though shee had many servants , her sole solace was in one favorites service : stoope shee might to the lure of many : incline she could not , but to the love of one . 't is true , an impudent woman may wooe man : and if confidence dictated that it was loyalty , which caus'd modesty so farre transgresse , she that should thus woe , could not chuse but win ; for such oratory could not but be prevalent , where bashfull fancy became oratrix , and was predominant . as men woo women , might women woo men , for one watch now , there would be ten . this that stage-wit expressed in his enforced conceit , betwixt ecco and narcissus : this woe to man , shall henceforth be no woman , since woe to man is now become a woo-man . sometimes indeed , it was more curiously then usefully , more subtilly then fruitfully demanded ; why a woman might not as properly wooe man , as man woman : and that arabicke resolution , retrived from the very depth of imagination , with much ingenuity assoiled this question . wooing , said that arabian , was but a lovely seeking : now wee seeke not for that wee have , but what we have not . it is more proper then for the man , in this loves quest , to seeke for what he has lost ; then for the woman to seeke for what shee already has . the man he has lost his rib , and hee seekes after her that has it . meane time it were folly in her to seeke it , when she has it . it is for him then to seeke it ; who , though hee may not have it : yet he seekes to enjoy her who has it . againe , will some say : but why were all the furies women ; those three fatall sisters women ; those circean witches women ; those inchanting sirens women ? did not the first imply their cruelty ? the second their implacability ? the third their impiety ? the fourth their subtilty ? and with these you might insert that late chimera of the german hog-fac'd gentlewoman of wirkham : all alike probably true , and credibly built upon equall grounds . but to answer these prodigies of nature ; tell me , yee critick cavallieres , who have surely got a stroak over shins with some french faggot , or you would never thus inveigh against so exquisite a subject ; why were all the muses women ; all the sibyls women ; those watchfull hesperides women ; those nine-worthies , so lately memoriz'd , women ? surcease then , and close with me in their modest defence ; if you see in them any lightnesse , impute that to their weaknesse . againe , if you see in them that composednesse , which best becomes them : account that in them a reall goodnesse . sweet sociable soules they are , when grace conducts them . the path they walke in , is chalked forth by modesty : the track they pursue , is the practise of piety : where the period of so gracefull a scene , closeth ever with felicity . none ever but those proud pharisees , who us'd to weare philacteries , and ceremoniall philanties on their browes and elbowes , were knowne to winke at the approach of women : and may such winke still ; who , though they have sealed eyes , they may have seeing hearts . for though desire come in by the windowes : yet some mens windowes may seeme to be shut , when the doores of their desires are open . fancy may play the wanton within , while modesty seemes to play the goaler without . thus have you heard their modest defence : and how calumnious pens and tongues are ever most vers'd in traducing innocence . where if a woman be demure , she is taxt of coynesse ; if courteous , she is taxt of lightnesse ; affability and disdaine equally ingage her to a rigid censure : yet for all this , pure minds cannot be so amated : nor goodnesse , which reteines with her an inseparable witnesse , so eclypsed . the sunne appeares in his fullest beauty , when hee breaks forth of a cloud . so vertue , when she has dispell'd those malignant vapours which interpos'd her , shewes her selfe then in her clearest feature . this in those divine apothegms , which even in their greatest extreames they composed , may fully appeare , as you shall heare in our ensuing section hereafter . section viii . their witty aphorismes , apothegms , and answers . from these , no doubt , but the best principles of humane learning have derived their being and beginning . but as the best fruits are soonest corrupted , the earliest bloomes quickliest blasted ; so have our choicest maxims of this nature lost much of their lustre , by being diverted from that object whereat they aymed . pure rils should not bee so corrupted , by giving way to such troubled or brackish inlets as dis-relish the purest water , in making it quite degenerate from its owne primitive nature . some aphorismes there bee ( if they may merit that style ) which lose much of their state , and detract too much from their light , by their too weake discovery of an anacreonticke straine ; which generally makes obscene pasquils of serious apothegms . but these are not worth our observation : it shall be our taske , to avoid distaste ; by laying before you those witty aphorismes , apothegms , and answers ; the perusall whereof may afford both delight and profit ; the one to cheare you , the other to store you : whensoever any occasion of such discourse shall be ministred to you . that noble lady , though her descent and fortunes might fixe her above an inferiour spheare , shewed excellent arguments of a composed temper , and an humble nature in this resolution : as my descent exacts of me a tender eye to my reputation : so should my example be a president to others of imitation . for those , who commit any unseemely act in a publike presence , doe as much as lye in them , to murder those who take observance of them . my gate shall not publish me proud : nor my habit phantastick : for i find nothing in me , worthy such idolatry . that sicilian matron closed her content with an incomparable contempt of the world ; who publikely protested , that shee could eye nothing in this theatre of earth , that might seeme worthy to entertaine so divine a guest as her soule . and as of a finite to an infinite , there was no proportion : so it was impossible , that the circumference of earth should confine that infinite beauty of the soule to her dimensions . that moderne mirror of true nobility exprest her selfe a brave soveraignesse over her affections : who held it the greatest derogation to feminine honour , to discover the least distemper in subjects of anger . when i take a serious survey , said shee , of mine owne infirmity : and re-collect daily what cause i give my maker to be angry with me : i am halfe ashamed to expresse my passion of anger to any . can he forbeare me who made me ; and cannot i forbeare them who are equall in their creation with me ? cannot poore dust containe it selfe in patience with dust , when he can shew his gracious patience to ambitious dust , who made all of dust ? no lesse composednesse of spirit did that heroick parisian discover in her desire to see others flourish without repining : yea , wishing with that divine morall ; that all envious persons had their eares and eyes seated in all cities , that with others prosperities , being the proper objects which they most maligned , these , in the survey of them , might be more tormented . nor is that noble attestation of hers to be here omitted ; deserving so well in lasting characters with the point of a diamond to be inscribed . i doe not see my neighbours field flourish , but i wish it were more fruitfull ; nor any one honoured , but i wish it amplifi'd , if the person be desertfull ; nor any of my sexe beautifull , but i conceive joy in so faire a feature , being inwardly gracefull . it is an argument of a servile quality , to dart an envious eye on anothers prosperity . if hee be rich , and worthy of what he possesseth , much good may it doe him ; if unworthy of what hee enjoyeth ; it were a malitious pitty to envie him , having within him what will undoe him . he is already seazed of such a marrow-eating tetter , as this festred vlcer needs no other torture . a good proficient in the schoole of vertue , had that theban lady proved ; who held nothing so pretious as a continent soule : vowing withall ; that , should shee find in her bosome a thought of incontinence ; if it were possible , shee would estrange her selfe from an harbour of such lightnesse . neither could that brest reteine any impression of shame , that could present a sacrifice of love to any , but her husbands shrine : clozing her resolves with this divine impreze : as my hand has confirm'd the gift of my heart : so shall the loyaltie of my heart confirme the testimony of my hand . when that princely dame of ferrara , had heard of those luscious and licentious feasts of domenico silvio , that italian cleopatra ; good god ( said she ) has not the flesh foments enough , but it must be provoked , to the utter ruine of that divine part which should command it ? this is not to with-draw fuell from a flaming desire , but to feed it : and by feeding , famish that injuried guest which suffers for it . alas ! woman is not so strong , as to have all meanes diverted , by which her modesty might bee preserved : and to unrivet all those operative secrecies of art , by which their forts of honour may be betrayed . the wanton idumite is already too stirring ; shee needs no fresh fuell to feed her affection . it is strange , said the pious edessa , that wee should so cast about by sea and land to feed those , who will feed upon us : and to throw forth baits to those , who meane to make a prey of us . i never fare better , said that sage abstemious lady , then when i seeme to fare worst . abstinence is such a choice receipt , as it will admit of no sensuall deceipt . what can delude me , so long as i make my appetite subject to reasons soveraignty . there is no day so tedious , said that discreet consort , to a grave senatour , as that which is made a stranger to any taske . that sun shall not shine on me : nor that place entertaine me , which shall not receive some argument of life from me . for better were it for me by dying to cease from living : then by living unprofitably to be ever dying . for my part , in all this continued chesse-game of our life , i shall ever hold him or her the greatest looser , who riots forth the rich treasure of time in fruitlesse pleasure : for , as the deepest staine to an active spirit is sloath ; so the greatest griefe that can befall an improving man , is his losse of time . it is rare likewise to observe what excellent rules they not only delivered unto others ; but what they themselves reteined , that their owne exemplary life might publish to the world , they taught not others what themselves neglected : nor imparted by way of precept unto others those lessons which they sleighted . as the very best of gods creatures , in the opinion of that wise stagyrite , is that man who enjoyes himselfe in the execution of what is legall and just : so the very worst of his creatures is that man , who divides himselfe from what is lawfull or just . what incomparable creatures these feminine mirrors have showne themselves , even in these offices of judicature , would this briefe epitome give mee leave , i could here amply illustrate with many , both ancient and moderne instances : where you might find some even reproving their emperours for remisnesse of justice , in shewing too much lenity : or taxing their severity of justice , in their inflicting on easie delinquents too much cruelty . with instances of this sort our roman and greeke annals are so plentuously stored , as this subject shall little need to be further illustrated . this is most certaine ; as the prime intention may be properly said to give a name to the worke : for the very best work scarcely merits the title of a morall action , being not accompanied by a pure intention : so with what pure intentions many of these heroick ladies beautified their noble actions , may be easily confirmed by many memorable acts by them atchieved ; and with that modesty , as they could not well endure to have their names recorded in the performance of those pious workes and sacred structures ; which , as they were dedicated to devotion ; so were they sincerely erected , without the least tincture of vaine-glory , or heat of ambition . and well might many of their pious resolves cloze in such conclusions : when they so divinely considered , how they enter'd this life with the society of a teare ; how they past over this life in labour and care ; and how they were to end this life with griefe and feare . this made them cautious not only of their actions , how they were performed ; but of their thoughts , how they stood affected : as likewise of their words , how they were delivered . this moved them to observe that excellent discipline in the regiment of their tongue , which that experienc'd professor so discreetly recommended . there is a time , wherein we are to speake nothing : and there is a time , wherein we are to speake something : but there is no time wherein we are to speake all things . rightly did these observe , and seriously did these reteine , what they had received : by the very speech which is delivered , may we gather how the mind stands affected . neither can evill communication become a christian. and whereas youth it selfe is ever interested in most dangerous hazards ; they tooke a course to restraine youth , lest their light youth might beget a sad age . in a word , these observed those perillous motives to sin , and therefore wisely stopt their eares to the syrens song : kisses , words , bookes , light-eyes , cates , merry mates , make chastest minds to open fancies gates . thus have we in a succinct manner , to their surviving honour presented testimonies of their ability and piety in their aphorisms , apothegms , and witty answers : wherein they discovered an admirable promptnesse of wit , preparednesse of mind , and depth of judgement . but we are now to descend from these golden sayings which they uttered , to those glorious workes which they composed . in which their memory shall bee crowned : and with which our epitome , or love-lecture in morality , clozed . section ix . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , either for history or poesy . zeale of goodnesse is such a glorious ambition , as it can never be too aspiring . and in this , many eminent and heroick spirits of their sexe shew'd themselves worthy corrivals . where wee shall find some excellently vers'd in history . others in rare compositions , to give a rich lustre unto poetry . others far above the delicacy of their sexe , in the profound search of philosophy . others no lesse usefull in compiling morall precepts , properly conducing to an oeconomy . various patterns wee might here produce in each of these ; examples of such mysterious learning , and high contemplation , as their memory deserves no lesse admiration , then their piety imitation . for professors , and rich improvers of their knowledge in those precious treasures of time , history , and antiquity , wee shall find a princely zenobia , and a sage cleobula . for affecters , and happy enrichers of poesie , a spritely corinnathia , and a pharsalian pollia . for serious searchers of profound secrets in philosophy , a theoretick theano , and a divine diotima : a woman , who was so famous a philosopher , that both socrates and plato went to heare her lectures . and for morall precepts , and rules of oeconomy , a lovely sulpitia , and a stately edesia . prompt were their wits , rich their fancies , and so bravely composed their affections , as those who enjoyed them , might hold themselves so farre as humane happinesse extended , truly beatifi'd by them . one chancing pleasantly to repeat , in the presence of his wife , that old assertion ; how , of all inferiour blessings , the very summary of them might be comprised in this three-fold dimension : . to have a wife of his owne chusing . . to have an orchard of his owne planting . . to have a child of his owne begetting . but what answer'd his wife to this supposed abstract of all humane happinesse ? truly , said shee , if you had not done the first , you had never beene my husband . and if you have not done the second , you are the worser husband . but should you conceive the least suspition of the third , i should account you unworthy the name of a husband . truth is , such sweet consorts as wee have here in this section described ; and with whose vertues those very monumentall statues which enshrined them , are perfumed : confine not the period of their love to a honey-moneth . their delights are more perpetuate , because with goodnesse beautifi'd . for skin-beauty returnes but a sickly appetite to fancy . whatsoever reteines in it selfe a proclivity of decaying or declining , cannot conceive much felicity in the enjoying . for though the present object delight , one poore fit of a fever will darken those attractive rayes of content : and enforce the late enjoyer to distaste that most , which his bleere-ey'd judgement did so causelesly admire . whereas these , whose interiour beauty begets to their happy consorts a permanent fancy ; have beene ever reputed the choicest companions to ●ray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . every of which wee shall illustrate by personall instances gregory in his dialogues writeth , that his aunt trasilla being dead , was found to have her elbowes as hard as horne : which hardnesse shee got by leaning to a deske , at which shee used to pray . the like writes hierome of asella , who , though confined to the straight compasse of a cell , enjoyed the whole circuit of heaven . but lest wee might fall into the heresie of the euchitae ( a thing i must confesse little to be feared , seeing the knees of devotion every where so benummed ) who professed to doe nothing else but pray : because the apostle exhorteth us to pray continually . so that professing to pray , and to doe nothing else , in effect they did nothing lesse : seeing , as theodoret reporteth of them , they did nothing for the most part but sleepe . whereas in basils judgement , a prayer should be filled not with syllables , or good words , so much as good workes . now i say , lest women should become so wholly contemplative , as wholly to forget the office of being active : wee shall present to you such , who are no lesse apt consorts to play with , then devout supplicants to pray with . right wisely knew that empresse how to play her irish game , who admonished her husband , that the life of a man was more to be valued , then a throw at dice. the losse of a life was to be recompensed with no benefit . when the game is ended , a new game may supply it : but when a life is forfeited , once deprived , it cannot be restored . an excellent direction , and worthy our observation in our forme of play , was that princely feminine caution : in game play faire , and doe not sweare , sleight hope of gaine , scorne thoughts of feare . the brave resolution of that noble gamester , discovered no lesse masculine temper ; who , to prepare her selfe against the braves of fortune , fortifi'd her well-composed spirit with this antidote : should a blacke cloud sit on my fate , i can with patience sleight her hate . nor were some of these inimitable femals , onely fitting consorts for subjects of devotion , to pray with ; nor onely pleasing companions for scenes of recreation , to play with : but moving sociats for arguments of communication , to commerce and converse with . those tyrian and sidonian women might confirme their propriety and expeditenesse in the way of commerce : with our daily experience of discourse with creatures of that sexe in treaties of converse . it seemes those three gentlemen , as if they had beene trium-viri in their fruition of this happinesse , could returne sufficient arguments of their mistresses abilities in this kind : while one making choice of this posy , expressed the absolutenesse of his choice in the neatnesse and elegancy of her discourse ; which hee recommended to the impressure of his diamond in a window : my choice is one , whose accents beare such weight , as all discourses else to mee seeme light . these lines when another gentleman had perused ; as one who conceiv'd himselfe no lesse enriched by his choice ; seconds the former in this manner , by engraving this impreze to his mistresse honour : single's my choice , yet with her cheered am i , as if that single conference were many . the third nothing short in his conceipt , of the like beauty , and for subjects of discourse no lesse moving in the care of fancy , to publish to the world that hee tender'd his deserving mistresse no lesse affection , with a more enlivened or mounting invention , closed his opinion he reteined of her in this commendation : my consort 's single , yet when shee is by me , mee thinkes the spheares in warbling quires draw nigh me . such as these may wee well hold , with that eminent statist , for old mens nurses , and young mens mistresses . should their youthfull prime entertaine by an enforced injunction a frosty consort : their vertuous temper is such , as their enforced choice must admit no change . euryala was never more obsequious to tender ithacus , then these will expresse themselves to their decrepit husbands . their disparity in yeares must not beget in their affections any disloyaltie of thoughts . though they be young brides , they will performe the offices of old nurses . their care must extend it selfe , instead of amorous embraces , to preserve health in their declining husbands : which they addresse themselves to with no lesse alacrity , then if they had beene matched to persons of more vigorous quality . these have made a league with their eyes ; that they shall be no betrayers of their hearts . as it was their doome to marry unequally , and to bestow their virgin youth on meere patients engaged to each infirmity : so they have vowed solely to observe them ; constantly to love them ; peaceably to live with them : and amidst all overtures so to beare with their infirmities , as no peevish humour of age shall distemper them : nor any groundlesse jealousie suggest to their revenge an opportunity to wrong them . and this their observance must not proceed from any by-respect ; as many cautelous younglings doe ; who usully accommodate themselves to their perverse husbands humour , with hope of a day to come after . their affections are pure without dissembling ; their care constant without projecting ; their desires addrest to please without humoring . others wee shall find of their sexe , fit to be young-mens mistresses ; and these no lesse modestly pleasing , then vertuously affecting : these can stand upon their points without apish nicenesse : and hold their distance without a squeamish precisenesse . they can love without fonding ; ingratiate themselves without fauning : neate they desire to goe without phantasticknesse ; sweetly can they converse without affectednesse ; these hold it a feminine madnesse to pride themselves in that , which stript their predecessors of their purest state . these reflect upon eve with a teare-swolne eye ; and in a retired contemplation , and recollected affection , present her image to their well-composed thoughts : and this they make their diarie to the end it may worke upon their imaginations more effectually . o was not eve created in her will free and innocent ; in her reason sage and prudent ; in her command strong and potent ? and what deprived her of so blest a condition , but an indisposed heat of ambition ? had her thoughts confin'd themselves to the lists of her present state , shee had never throwne upon her posterity such a surviving staine . o had shee beene content with what shee was , her sexe had never beene so miserable as it is . her ambition became our perdition : her pride our ruine . they sigh to see their sexe so vainely magnifi'd ; to heare them with titles of worthies dignifi'd ; to have their portratures in such magnificent manner beautifi'd ; these they sleight with more religious contempt , then ever the victorious vtican did the erection of his statue ; being no embellishment , as hee accounted it , to the essence of vertue . well deserving a succeeding memory was that motto : i did never in any thing to my selfe arrogate , wherein i did not from my selfe derogate . and such is the modesty of these patterns of piety , as they cannot endure to have their commendable actions too much observed , or publickly applauded , lest by hearing themselves praised , they might incurre vaine-glory , and so become deluded . their constant nuptiall impreses , or loves loyall posies were these : chaste faith enstiles me spouse . " a hand for my wheele , a bed for my spouse . " where thou art caius , i am caia . i love , i live , and yet i give that to my love by which i live . to live and have no heart were strange , yet have i none but by exchange . death may contract my life ▪ but not my love . such as these famous mirrors shall wee occasionally encounter withall , in our readings : who , though they were ethnicks borne , reteined in them such impressions of morall goodnesse : as their memory left an annall to posterity ; being so much more to be admired , in regard those times wherein they flourished , were with mists of pagan ignorance clouded . these desired to doe well , and not to be applauded ; to advance vertues , and not to have their names recorded : nor their amiable features with glorious frontispices impaled . to improve goodnesse by humility , was their highest pitch of glory . this their sundry excellent fancies confirmed ; their elegant labours discovered ; whereof though many have suffered oblivion through the injury of time , and want of that incomparable helpe of the presse , the benefit whereof wee enjoy : yet shall wee find by the testimony of our approvedst authors , that many of these women , which for brevity sake wee have onely shadowed , have beene assistants to the highest and most enlivened composures that ever derived birth or breath from helicon . besides other historicall relations , whose memory , time shall sooner expire in her selfe , then obscure . turne over those mysterious volumes of the sibyls ; those accurate ayres of corinnathia , that incomparable corrivall to the poet pindarus ; those emathian raptures of argentaria , that happy consort , and assistant to the heroick lucan . neither need wee travell abroad in pursuit of forraigne instances wee have not onely formerly enjoyed , but even in these times are we seazed of many eminent and deserving women , and in addition to their honour , no●ly descended , who rightly merit the style bestowed on them ; the wits . and these have the happinesse to judge of a well-composed line ; to breath spirit in invention ; to correct the indisposure of a scene ; to collect probably ( a worke i must confesse of greatest difficulty ) what may best comply with the humour of the time , or suite best with the propriety of court-maske , or publike stage . others wee have , who , by the helpe of our numerous translations , can read a lecture upon homers iliads , and with that exactnesse , as if with dares phrygius , they had beene personally interessed in that tragick service . others singularly versed in tongues ; and all these with such modesty managed , as if their many tongues had made them tongue-ti'd : and with a sweet composed silence so incomparably graced them , as if in others presence they had made exchange of their elocution with attention . let mee then addresse my discourse to you , who make it your taske to detract from this sexe . some of you have i heard traduce them , in laying such injurious aspersions as these upon them : women , of all others , are to bee esteemed the improvidentst governesses of their cinque-ports . they pervert the use of their five senses , by ingaging them to sensuall ends . eares they have , and these make them eve-droppers . eyes they have , and these make them tempters . smels they have , and these are compounded of love-pouders . tastes they have , and these returne them rioters . touches they have , and the●e render them free embracers . their feet make them gadders ; all their faculties , irregular li●ers . if old , their rivell'd furrowes make them sullen ; if young , their taking beauties make them wanton . if rich , they are haughty ; if poore , they turne naughty . every thing must live , and poverty cooles the hotest love . that adage proves ever true : love when it wants harbour , fals many times into a fever . besides , what a misery it is to bee matched to such an one , as affects nothing more then fashion ? such an one , who reserves more unfained adoration to her glasse ; then to the prime maker of the object of that glasse . the tender love shee beares to her tyre-woman , makes her forgetfull of the duty shee ought to tender to her husband . to such as these , husbands become meere shelters : those names they beare , serve onely for sk●●anes to salve their wives honours . againe , how pittifully discontented will some of these spotted beauties appeare ; when they see a dresse they affect , which their parents care , or husbands cost will not procure . lye downe and die they must instantly , there is no remedy : women they are not of this world , if they may not enjoy the loosest vanities of the world . but well did those two conceipts cloze , and in creatures of this pettish and perverse humour ingeniously meet : while one , having had his handfull , no doubt , of such a wilde one , wrote these two lines with his diamond in the chamber window of his discontented peat : maids that will die because they 'r lightly crost , may grieve their parents , but themselves the most . the other answer'd him in the same key , though in a more generall tone : by vixons that will dye for being crost , their countrey gaines farre more then shee has lost . thus doe these feminine criticks , whose best of elocution is detraction , labour to vilifie that sexe , without whose being they had never beene . but imputing the ground of their immeriting splene to some hard fortune they have suffered in the choice of their wanton , wilfull , or unsociable mistresses : or from their disdainefull repulse , which might probably beget in them this pittifull reproofe ; wee will leave these to feed and fat themselves with the seldome-thriving food of their distemper ; and addresse this our clozing discourse to you , who are those pious patterns of feminine honour ; for whose sakes , not onely in the maine subject more fully amplified , but even in this epitome more briefly contracted , wee have bestowed our oyle and labour . yee worthy women , who have no other device but the dresse of vertue to beautifie your frontispice ; yee , who give a gracefull accomplishment to those three incomparable ornaments of a woman , complexion , favour , and behaviour : for the first ▪ it is your owne , and not borrowed ; for the second , it is ever with a second looke improved ; and for the third , it is every way without affectation accomplished . yee , i say , whose living actions become so exemplar , as they are directories unto others how to live at distance from errour ; shall bee ever patronesses to these lines , as these lines shall bee relators of your vertues . yee reteine in your memory those mysterious emblemes of your creation ; yee find that you were made of man ; but not of his head , as to bee his imperiall ; nor of his foot , as to bee his vassall ; but of his ribbe , to bee his equall . yee were given him for helpes , not to spend his estate ; but to partake with him in every estate in his comforts to augment them , in his discomforts to allay them . the phantastick habits of the time have no power to delude you ; price nor prayer to corrupt you ; much lesse to dissease him of your fancy , who by right enjoyes you . as in your creation you are excellent ; so in your imitable vertues eminent . as in your passion moderate ; so in assaults continent . as in countenance , habit , and expression of your affection modest ; so , forth of loyall zeale to those you love , and with whom you account it your highest happinesse to live , to those who are corrivals in your choice , violent : albeit , with a modest defence may that violence , proceeding from an exuberance of affection , be sweetned . as your witty aphorismes , apothegms , and answers have confirmed you seriously pregnant ; so have your eminent labours publish'd you integriously diligent . and in each of these subjects , contracted in one entire individuall modell , have i portrayed your worth : which , so long as you hold correspondence with vertue , shall become the continued annall of my pen ; and in your noble acceptance , account it a sufficient guerdon for my paines . finis . the contents , disposition , and order of this ladies love-lectvre . sect . . hee treats of the excellency of women in their creation . plato's opinion touching women . the story of the delphicke oracle : with the explication and application of it . nothing comparably precious to a continent soule . eye a woman in the excellency of her creation ; she is found in her quality , an helper ; in her society , a comforter ; in the perplexities of her consort , a counsellor : and in all these , a sharer . sect . . their imitable vertues , illustrated with examples : and confirmed to be most eminent patternes in their practise and profession of the foure cardinall vertues . these compared , by an apt resemblance , to those foure rivers streaming forth of paradise . the way to sinne , is to open to occasion , and let temptation come in . the five senses are those cinque ports , which being well guarded , this little world , man , may remaine secur'd . sect . . their moderation of passion in motives to revenge , properly reflecting upon these three distinct subjects : life . with admirable instances in each of these : and with dainty motto's or imprezes to imbellish these . fame . with admirable instances in each of these : and with dainty motto's or imprezes to imbellish these . fortunes . with admirable instances in each of these : and with dainty motto's or imprezes to imbellish these . sect . . their continency in assaults . sundry historicall emblemes of beasts and birds , illustrating this subject . how an unaffected reservancy suites best with conjugall fancy . age becomes rather an object of pity , then fancy to the eye of youth . sect . . their modesty , in count'nance , habit , and expression of affection . candid thoughts are ever most legible in the eyes . piety receives scandall from the count'nance ; and chastity , treason from the eye , by conveighing treacherous thoughts to the heart . imitation of forrain habits , begets in us a dis-esteeme with forrainers . more advantage in dispatch then delay . delay gives way to corrivals . fancy , when it falls remisse in pursuit , it produceth cold fruit . a pleasant old prophesie of aged fancy . a presidentall love-letter . sect . . their violence upon such as were corrivals in their choice . a parallel betwixt the river himetus and the disposition of a woman : with the reasons of this allusion . a womans disposition bounds upon two extreames : boundlesse love. or endlesse hate . no receit more soveraigne then the one ; no deceit more subtile then the other . one of the best policies in a christian , is to delude a wily wanton : and decline the fury of a jealous woman . disparity of years , fortunes , or descent , ever begets in the parties married most discontent . a similitude suiting well with the temper of a stale batchler . sect . . their modest defence . though cruelty admit no apology : yet when too impressive a fancy occasions this cruelty , it merits rather the title of a distracted phrensy , then an affected cruelty . love , when it falls into these extreames , is more apt to expostulate with passion then reason . a memorable example in this kind . degenerate and creeping spirits are ever promptest to taxe the weaker sexe of errors . their censorious objections retorted , and with a merry story requited . womens inventions discover no such lightnesse in their love-imprezes and poesies , as more masculine spirits usually doe in their devices . an arabicke resolution to this question : why a woman might not as properly wooe man , as man woman ? none but proud pharisees were ever known to winke at the approach of women : and these , though they had sealed eyes , they had seeing and stealing hearts . sect . . their witty aphorismes , apothegms and answers . obscene pasquils detract from the style and state of serious aphorismes . these divine and morall aphorismes were not onely delivered by them , but personated in them : in their humility , contentment , charity , patience , continency , abstinence and industry . their excellent rules delivered unto others , for the better regiment of their thoughts , words , and workes . sect . . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , either for history , or poesie . and all this ennobled by memorable patterns and professors in all ages : where zeale of goodnesse was such a glorious ambition , as it could never be too aspiring . the discreet reply of a wife to her husbands assertion : " how all inferiour blessings were comprised in this three-fold dimension : . to have a wife of his owne chusing ; . to have an orchard of his owne planting . . to have a child of his owne begetting . nuptiall delights are more perpetuate , because with goodnesse dignifi'd . whatsoever reteines in it selfe a proclivity to declining , cannot conceive much felicity in the enjoying : whereas these , on goodnesse , not on greatnesse cast their care , ●shee's truly noble that is vertues heire . consorts inwardly beautifi'd , are the choicest companions for closet . casket . carpet . and this authorized with ancient and moderne instances . the ingenious contest of three gentlemen , touching their fruition of happinesse in their choice ; with answers to each others imprezes . discreet women sort themselves to their choice , in each condition : whether they be old-mens nurses , or young-mens mistresses . though they be young brides , they will performe the offices of old nurses . and being young-mens mistresses , they can shew a modest freedome without squeamish precisenesse . their pleasant love-posies to their loyall consorts . no learning shewes more lustre , then when enshrined in the bosome of a woman . no eloquence leaves a deeper impressure , then when delivered by the tongue of a woman . their silence an implying eloquence . their defence in the disposition of every sense , to the improvement of their honour , against the opposition of every critick feminine censor . he addresseth his conclusion to all such worthy women , whose vertuous lives promise a glorious evening . and with a recollection of every subject formerly handled , recommends them to their usefull observance : his labours to their gracefull acceptance . a sonnet . ladies , yee , that would be faire , i a cerusse can prepare will make you clearer then the ayre , 't is such choice and precious ware . hold your purse , it costs you nought , 't is in no shop to be bought , worth an empire , seldome sought , being from elysium brought . have yee rivels in your face , want yee love-spots for a grace , want yee borders , edging , lace , favour , feature , posture , pace ? would yee ever be in fashion , vye inventions with our nation , in your treaties move compassion , suite your persons to occasion ? would yee make affection flye from your love-attractive eye , to intrance the standers by , wishing there to live and dye ? would yee fixe in fancies spheare , or enjoy your onely deare , and no sly corrivall feare , apt to undermine you there . would yee feed on such choice food as enliveneth the blood , purging ill , infusing good , " a rare conserve for woman-hood ? would yee courtly measures tread on the flowry-checker'd mead , would yee no love-powders need , would yee in your seed succeed ? would yee love and feele no heat that may wrong chaste delia's seat , would yee in rich language treat , without envie become great ? here is one will make you fit both for lineament and wit , as yee cannot chuse but hit the marke that may accomplish it . here is one will fancy move , and such a tyre-woman prove in the discipline of love , as ne're was such a turtle-dove . poore shee is , yet is shee pure , vertve her name , her only lure a constant care , a carefull cure to make her loyall lovers sure . " this 't is will cheere your amorous braines like nectar , " and crowne you happy schollers in loves-lecture . the turtles trivmph ; presented in a svpplement : highly condvcing to an usefull application , and gracefull reconciliation of the two former subjects . continued by ri. brathwait , esquire . london , printed by iohn dawson . intentissimo viro , pvblicae salvtis stvdiosissimo , iohanni banks militi ; attvrnato avgvstissimi regis generali : r. b. parnassidvm hvmillimvs ; observantiae vestrae deditissimvs , heroinam hanc coronidem , legali ivgo , sponsali voto , geniali thoro , conjvnctam . d. d. d. a svpplement , highly condvcing to an usefull application , and gracefull reconciliation of the two former subjects . long time have these two affectionate consorts beene divided ; now at last it is their happinesse to become united : to confirme their loves , which they have vowed to remain inviolably firme , to their expired lives ; wee are to propose such necessary observances , as may prevent all occasion of distrust , and divert all grounds of future distrust . we are then in this usefull connexion ; first to treat of conjugall offices , being inherent , as that grave morall tels us , betwixt husband and wife , wife and husband . secondly , of parentall offices , being subsequent , as that profound stagyrite teacheth , of parents to their children , and children to their parents . thirdly , of domestick offices , being concomitant , as that sound stoicke reasoneth , being of masters to their servants , and servants to their masters . fourthly , of neighbourly offices , being reciprocally dependent , as that excellent politicke concludeth , being mutuall civill offices , or courtesies , betwixt neighbour and neighbour . in all which distinct subjects , our purpose is , with such brevity , and perspicuity , to deliver our usefull directions , that in this very breviarie may be layd downe the rules of an entire oeconomie : which , being perused with attention , and seconded with retention , may not onely prevent all occasion of dissention at home , but all division abroad . for , be the sea never so troubled , there is good hope , that the groaning ship may be better secured , when wisedome and moderation performe the offices of a pilot , and with a vigilant eye , steers her against all occurrents . of conjugall offices . it was the saying of the wisest of kings : hee that findeth a wife , findeth a good thing , and receiveth favour of the lord. and that he might more emphatically expresse the incomparable estimate of a good wife , and how far in the scale of judgement , she is to be preferred before substance , riches , or any worldly inheritance ; to render them the more proper , and genuine distinction , he returnes them not only a distinct gradation , but also a different derivation : house and riches are the inheritance of the fathers : but a prud●nt wife commeth of the lord. in what high estimation are you then , gentlemen , to hold discreet women ? and what happinesse may you be said to enjoy in casting your lots in so faire a field , so fruitfull a ground ? where you are caius , shee will be caia , such is her constancy . where you are agathocles , she will be theogena ; yours in prosperity and adversity . fulnesse of fortunes cannot transport her , nor any indigence dej●ct her . shee cannot endure to admit of that italian proverbe for orthodoxall , which they hold for a tenet so generall ; when love wants harbour , it drives love into a fever . no ; so shee may live , where she enjoyes her love , she is rich enough how soe're she live . now , what mutuall offices are required , that love so freely tendered , may be requited ! humanity , sayes the philosopher , exacts love for love . but love her you cannot , if you mixe your love with any , or fix it on any , wherein shee partakes not . let it then be your care , that she only have the monopoly of your love . let her bed be undefiled , your vow inviolate ; remembring ever that divine maxim : to breake a spo●full vow 's an odious sin ; to keepe't unstain'd , h 'as still an honour bin , and , to observe this lesson better ; conceive with your selfe , how ill you should digest her , if shee should wrong you in the same sort . it is an apparent argument of honest wisedome ( said that ancient sage ) to module an other by our owne measure . for to impose heavie burdens on others , and never to partake of them ; to injoyne taskes on others , and not to share in them , argues an indulgency in respect of our selves , our inhumanity unto others . entertaine this fellow-helper then which you have received , and to whom , by a sacred nuptiall tye ( recorded in heaven , solemnized on earth , and confirmed by the mutuall gages of two individually united hearts ) you stand affianced , with an affectionate continence ; knowing , how an heart divided cannot live , nor a divided fancy truly love . for , as there is nothing so precious as a continent soule : so is there nothing more odious , than a nuptiall bed stained with an adulterate soyle . that devout father , saint ambrose , can tell you , that it is a crime detestable to savages and barbarians ; how much more to be excluded from the practise of christians . the very birds of the ayre can retaine a memory of a dishonour'd love ; witnesse the porphyrio , who , as the naturall historian reports , no sooner finds another too familiar a sharer in her love , then she despaires any longer to live : her nest she leaves desolate , and in her distasted life she becomes so disconsolate , as being so injuriously abused by her endearedst friend , she chuseth griefe to be her only associate to accompany her to her grave . how passionately takes the loving turtle the losse , or dereliction of her beloved ? she will brouze on no greene herbe ; sit upon no flourishing sprig ; nor entertaine any new love . she frequents the retired laune ; where throbs and dis-passionate threnes become her choycest melody ; sighes , griefes and groanes , her widows obsequy . receive these loyall emblemes of constant fancy , in the precious store-house of your memory ; ever making use of these morall readings , that if creatures , directed onely by sense , scorne to be sensuall , much more purity should that soule retaine , which is rationall . how mournfully did that propheticall dove expresse his pious zeale , and devout compassion in the discovery of this sinne , a great dishonour to the house of sion ! in the morning every one neighs after his neighbours wife . nay , observe how hee seconds it , that the brutish nature of this sin might be fuller displayed ; in the morning they are as fed horses : thus were they sated and surfeited in their sensuall delights , making the pleasures of sinne their gaine , and the torments of hell their goale . shall wee close this with the positive conclusion , of that vessell of election ? marriage is honourable among all , and the bed undefiled : but whore-mongers and adulterers god will judge . or with that passionate expostulation of the prophet , in the person of god himselfe against this sinne , with the numerous professors of this sinne ? how should i spare thee for this ? thy children have forsaken me , and sworne by them that are no gods : though i fed them to the full , yet they committed adultery , and assembled themselves by companies in the harlots houses . but to use the words of that elegant morall , it is the least of our feare but to find more rich treasure in your tents , more pious graces in your pavillions ; your descent promiseth largely to your family ; that as your predecessors vertues were as signals , or land-markes to their posterity : so you , walking in the same pathes , might derive the like streamlings of goodnesse unto yours . an ancient family , saith that excellent ethick , retaines ever some beame-lings transcending others : and as a genuine modesty is for most part an attendant to ingenuity ; so are generous graces those constant'st consorts , which hold in equipage with true gentry . that solid cinick , hearing how a young gallant , descending from the order of the ephori , became hatefully debaucht , preferred his suite , and in it humbly begged this loose rioters estate : the whole synod wondring much , how , and on what grounds that wise dogge ( for so they were pleased to stile him ) preferred his suite ; seeing the gentleman was neither distracted , nor any way so disabled but hee might well enough manage that estate was left him : o conscript fathers , said he , know you not how this profuse foole ha's forfeited all that estate he had by his ancestors , by discovering his owne bastardy , in degenerating from his ancestors vertues ? ha's hee not made his family a brothell : and exposed his wives honour to a lascivious duell ? hee ha's not only stayned his house , in becomming so enormiously ill ; but in depraving others , who might have become , had not his example made them ill , ingenuously good . strip him then of all without him , who ha's already stript himselfe of all graces within him . trust me , fathers , wee have none here that will bemoane his losse ; but those whom even goodnesse loaths to looke upon ; and whose very lives make athens a l●th-stow of pollution . and such mourners have all prodigals ; nor doe these weepe to lose him , but by his losse to lose that estate which did supply them . give me him then , good senators ; i shall become his trusty faithfull guardian , and keepe him short enough to consort with a wanton . now to decline the just reproofe of such jeering cinicks ; nay , the distaste of all good men ; ( for men of honest quality can never relish any thing better than actions of piety : ) be it your highest terrestriall pleasure , to tender her , whom you ought to honour : to estrange from your thoughts those injurious embraces of an usurping lover . and remember ever lisimachus song ; the memory whereof will preserve that pure splendor and beauty of your soule from an eternall staine . the pleasure of fornication is short , but the punishment of the fornicator is long . one dayes dalliance exacts many yeares of repentance . imprint in your retentive memories the excellent interrogation of that choice mirror of chastity ; patterne of presidentall piety : how shall i doe this wickednes , and sin against god ? he chused rather to lose his coat , than his honour . opportunity could not tempt him , nor importunity taint him : price , prayer , power became al weak in power , to surprize a disposition so resolutely pure . be his patterne your president , his president the pattern for you to imitate . nor is this conjugall office , or duty restrained only to this limitation . as your affection is to be constantly continent to their bed : so are you to be affably pleasant at board . i have observed a strange kind of imperious and domineering soveraignty in some husbands ; who held it a great posture of state to insult over their wives : nay , to be marvellously discontented with what dishes soever were served ; to catch at offence , and to relish nothing better , than to discountenance those , whose desires were levelled only to please . but this argued in them a perversenesse of disposition ; resembling that ill-condition'd aglataidas , who was never better pleased , then with displeasing others : nor ever relished any dish better than what was distasted by others . or like that strangely temper'd demophon , who used to sweat in the shade , and shake for cold in the sunne . now i could wish to these , if their wives affability cannot in time reclaime them ; that their lots had beene throwne in more rugged grounds : for had these beene match'd with our zantippe's , iulia's , lucilla's , or faustina's ; no doubt , but they would have addressed the best of their endeavours as much to please , as their perverse humours are now to displease . then they would have studied apologies purposely to divert the furious torrent of their displeasure ; and for the purchase of one poore smile , engaged themselves to an herculean labour . it was a singular philosophicall use , which that wise socrates made of his wives shrewdeness : whether i go abroad ( said he ) or i return home , i am fenced with the armour of patience against whatsoever shall come . hee had so freely fed upon the herbe of patience , as nothing could distemper him , how violent soever the assault were that encounter'd him : yea , those bickerings he grapled with at home , made him better prepared to entertaine all encounters abroad : so as , with mithridates , hee had so well fortified his virile spirits , with soveraigne receipts , against the invasive power of all poyson , as he could performe the part of a true philosopher , in smiling upon affliction ; and receiving all distastes with so composed a brow , as hee wondred much how any motives of anger should in an intellectuall soule beget the least distemper . for , whosoever he be that in resemblance of this morall mirrour of admirable patience , can in prosperity be silent , and not transported ; in adversity , patient , and not amated ; in neither of these distempered ; in either of these philosophically composed ; scornes to ingage his more airy thoughts , to an un-manly passion : having already sphear'd them in an higher mansion . in the very same scene , gentlemen , are you interessed ; wherein should you fall short , or in the least measure defective : most part of all our spectators eyes are fixed on you , whose censure will prove as quick sighted , as your errour ; accounting you unworthy those brave parts bestowed on you , because mis-acted by you . entertaine these then , to whom you are espoused , with a free , and no servile affection . waine them from passion , if at any time they become ingaged to any , rather with a pleasing smile , then a daring frowne : for the former partakes more of an awfull soveraignty , then cheerfull fancy . the way to preserve in any family a sweet consorting , and concording harmony , is never to have the master and mistris of the house , at one time angry . let the sweetnesse of the one allay the sharpenesse of the other . it was an excellent resolution , which that laconian lady ever reteined : my husbands frowne shall be a beame to disperse my cloud , which cannot chuse but beget in him a cheerfull reflexe , seeing i make discontent a stranger to my heart for his sake . now there is one thing , gentlemen , which i am to annex to what i have formerly delivered ; which , being carefully remembred , and cautiously practised , cannot chuse but highly improve this conjugall love ; without which , your unconsociable communion were but an hellish life : and it is this . are you conceited , that shee whom you have married , is endowed with a sufficient measure of discretion to governe a family : and without just exception can propose to her selfe , with those recommended to her charge , rules of good huswifery ? doe not intermixe your care with her charge . the disposall of a daery , is more proper for a mistris than a master of a family . strong and manly offices become the man ; soft and delicate the woman . nor is there any intrusion lesse beseeming then this ; nor ought that more exasperates the spirit of a woman , then to have her care suspected , or her charge interposed by her husband ; either through a jealousie of her care , neglect of her charge , or disability to manage any such charge . those two honest rurall lovers , though their estates were but meane , their quality obscure , their place of habitation poore ; yet knew they how to distinguish their cares , by a fit addressement of themselves to their peculiar charge . palemon was not to meddle with his galatea's spindle ; nor galatea with her palemon's hook : distinct persons , distinct offices . besides , it is a derogation from gentry to converse too much with a daery . other imployments doe farre better become him : and persued with a discreet care ; may more improve him , then to intermedle in such inferiour offices ; which , as they suite meanly with him , so they decline him from the care of what may more properly become him , and more amply profit him . there was nothing which aliened the affections of those assyrians , more from their effeminate king , then his too familiar conversing , and manuall imploying of himselfe in the use and exercise of his needle ; weaving of purple ; and inuring himselfe to such feminine offices , as held no correspondence with the quality of a prince , nor the entertainment of any generous subject : for if agesilaus deserved to be in some sort condemned , for stooping to so low and unprincely a pleasure , as riding on cock-horse with his children ; which implyed only a tender parentall affection : much more deserve such to bee highly censured , who debase themselves in such servile , and un-virile offices , as detract from the honour of their place , and occasion many times domestick distaste . in a word , gentlemen , as you have more generous imployments to reteine you , more improving cares and studies to entertaine you : so have you more imitable patterns to propose unto you , what may infinitely become you . eagle spirits cannot stoop to low lures . reflect upon your family ; and by your faire examples , informe your posterity . leave to your noble consorts , the care and charge of what best suits with their sex : imploy your selves in what may better correspond with your state . different hands mixed in these , will rather redound to your prejudice , then profit ; disparagement , then credit . as you have made your choyce , recommend to that choyce her peculiar charge : this will heighten the opinion of your discretion , and raise an addition to her care . thus if you shall demeane your selves to your well-disposed consorts ; you shall find them ready , with chaste and cheerfull bosoms , to receive you ; with affable , and affectionate lookes to entertaine you ; with sweet innocent smiles to enchaine you : for , so constantly united unto you shall bee their love , as they will hold it their highest terrestriall happinesse , there to plant where you love : your danger shall become their greatest terrour ; your safety their gracefullest honour . for , as it shall be the fullest period of their joy to enjoy you : so shall it be accounted by them their dis-passionatest scene of griefe to forgoe you . nor shall you need any other monument to memorize their love , then those sweet joyes they conceive in your life , those sincere teares they sacrifice at your death . now to you , gentlewomen , are we to addresse our discourse . you have heard what conjugall offices are to be tender'd to you : and wee must now lay downe such peculiar offices , as are to be render'd by you . for husbands , wee have furnished you with such choyce , as their persons accommodated with faire , and generous qualities , admit no change . be you the same in affection , which they expresse themselves in a votive and loyall profession . let me tell you , though you be the weaker sexe ; yet that weaknesse must not give the least priviledge to any staine . the roman ladies were so farre from giving occasion , as they usually estranged themselves from places of suspicion . now , the only meanes to secure you , is so to fortifie those parts within you , as no dangerous pioner may betray you , nor ingage your safety to the assaults of a glozing enemy . wee have many english proverbs , both pithy and pregnant , but for your use none so consequent , as that arabian adage : shut your windowes without , that your house may shine within . it is related ( for ancient annals would have no memorable action , were it either to the fame or infamy of the agent , shrouded ) that tarpeia betrayed the gates of the capitol to the enemy , only upon promise , that they should throw her the bracelets , which they wore on their left armes ; which they accordingly performed , throwing also their targets ( to counterpoize those ornaments ) wherewith shee was pressed to death . it is true indeed , price , prayer , and power are dangerous assailants to forts of fancy : but to rebaite the force of these , hold price at such a distance , where it holds in competition with your honour , as it deserves not to be admitted into the scale , where a generous spirit is commander . and for prayer , though it be a perswasive oratour , yet must it be put to silence , when it is abused , and made an agent to corrupt honour . lastly , for power , that resolute megara may give you a brave lesson in her tragick constant expression : whom power can quell , she knowes not how to dye . no ; as price is too servile a solicitor to procure love in any loyall lover ; so is prayer too uncivil an oratour to worke any impression in arguments of honour : and for power , it is a poore grounded fancy that will yeeld her fort up , when she may keepe it , to so intrusive an vsurper . now , there is no way better to remaine safe from such impairers , and impeachers of honour , then to avoid conversing with them . corrupt society is a dangerous introduction to any inward malady . posthumia could not be taxed more for her immodesty , then semphronia or iulia were for consorting with light company . it is to bee supposed , you are now fixed , because espoused : you must then keepe your eyes at home ; not like those lamiae , whose custome was to incase them in a box ; for so they might remaine uselesly shut to the necessitated care of your family ; but from opening them to any light objects of vanity . dinah had not erred , had she not strayed : nor had she strayed , had her eyes beene restrayned . wee may imagine that noble lady armenia , when she was invited , with her husband , to the solemnizing of those princely nuptials of magnificent cyrus , that she might have seene many goodly , and amiable personages , pleasing and attractive objects : such as wanton eyes would have taken infinite delight in : but how sixt was her outward eye on him solely , to whom she stood ingaged by an inward tye , may appear by that discreet modest answer , which shee returned her husband : who at night when they were come home , demanded of her ( it may be out of a causelesse jealousie , which hee conceived of her ) how shee liked that princely bride-groom , whether she thought him not to be a faire , and beautifull prince , or no ? and what personage in all that brave assembly rendred the most gracefull presence to her eye ? truth , sayes she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon no other but thy selfe . this was an excellent patterne to imitate ! when no object could so take her eye , as to convey the least impression of deluding fancy to her heart . there is small doubt , but those experimentall maxims hold constantly currant : that the very state and composure of the mind is to be seene in the cariage and posture of the body : and that by the gesture and composition of the body , is to be discovered the quality , and disposition of the mind . so as , were one as cunning in his carriage , as tiberius was in his ; who could walke in the clouds to his friends ; and with pretended glozes delude his foes : or as subtile , as that apostate iulian , whom gregory nazianzen called a chamelion , because hee could change himselfe into all shapes and colours : or as crafty as herod antipas , that cunning foxe , who could ingratiate himselfe with his foes , for his owne ends : yet in the secretst , and subtilest carriage of all these , wee shall ever find by the outward gesture , some probable appearance of the inward temper . ambition cannot walke so privately , nor retyre her selfe from the eyes of men so cunningly , nor deceive a weake eye so much with a seeming humility : but some action or other will draw out to life his anatomy , themistocles may walke in the night , and have none but the moone and stars to be his spectators ; yet for all this , there be such observing spies and pioners within him , as the night cannot bee so darke , nor his retired thoughts so close , but humane eyes may see him ; and discover too the necessitie of his walke : for they find by his discontented looke , and ambitious gate , that miltiades triumph will not suffer him to sleepe : so as , no sooner doe his inward thoughts betray him , then his outward eyes display him : every trifling action becomes his discoverer ; every weake passion or broken fancy breaths forth the quality of his distemper . let me , gentlewomen , returne againe to you , and make such usefull application of these , as may improve you : stand your minds affected to publike assemblies , or private visits ? doe these enterludes , or pastimes of the time delight you ? begin you to dis-affect a countrey life , and with a night perswasive rhetorick , to incline the affections of your easie husbands to plant in the citie ; and to leave their ancient mannor-houses , sometimes memorable for hospitality ? trust me , these are no promising arguments of modesty . plants transplanted doe seldome prosper : and beauty exposed to all hazards , highly endangers the preservation of honour : cities and places of great confluence have brought to composed minds much prejudice ; especially , where a recession or diversion from imployment leaves the mind to talke with it selfe , without bestowing it selfe on any usefull designe , publike or private . nay , by estranging her acquaintance from good company , whose advice might assist her ; whose precepts might informe her ; and whose pleasing harmelesse discourse might delight her . and in exchange of such friendly consorts , entertaine society with light fantastick spirits , from whom no other profit can bee derived , then what vanity hath suggested , and the conceit of a deluded fancy hatched . o how many have preserved their reputes untouched , their names unquestioned , their fames unblemished , during their reside in the countrey , who , by entring acquaintance with light fashions , and loose consorts , incurred much infamy ! but as it is not the place , but grace , which workes most effectually with the soule ; be it your care to intend your inward cure : your pretence for the citie may be physick ; but if that physick of your bodies , beget in your minds an infirmity ; it had beene much better for you to have retained still those sickly bodies , you had in the countrey , then by so dangerous a recovery to labour of a farre worser malady in the citie . that sententious petrarch could say , it made no great matter , how the outward house ( alluding to the body ) fared , so the inward house ( alluding to the soule ) flourished : how the outward subsisted , so the inward were supported : yea , we shall observe how the decay , or decrease of the one , becomes many times the repaire and increase of the other . for too much agility of body , begets now and then a debility in the soule . restraine then your eyes from those outward objects , which may any way darken the prospect of your inward house . it is one of our especiall cares in our architecture , that our houses bee pleasantly seated ; and to faire prospects dilated . and we hold it an unneighbourly office , that any one whose contignate dwelling boundeth or butteth neere us , should upon any new superstructure , or late erected story darken the light of our windowes : this must not be endured ; the questmon must be informed , the wrong done us must be aggravated ; nothing omitted , to have the injury of our lesser-lights reformed , and our unsufferable wrongs ( as wee immeritedly account them ) redressed . mean time , any ill disposed neighbour , any vicious or distempered intruder , may at will and pleasure incroach upon the liberty of our higher rooms , these glorious structures of our soules . pride may damp and darken our lights , by over-topping them ; avarice may stop and straiten our lights , by soiling them ; riot may close and clot up our lights , by cloying them ; lust may raze and deface our lights , by peeping and peering through them ; wrath may bruise and break down our lights , by assailing them ; envie may obscure , nay immure our lights by interposing them : and sloath , like a more fruitlesse then harmelesse weed , may blanch and blemish our lights by over-spreading them . come then , ladies , let me become your watchfull bel-man , hang out your lights . the night you walke in is very darke ; and dangerous bee those assailants , to the court of honour , which encounter you . lay aside those love-sports , which your deluded fancies dictate to you , and falsely tell you , that they infinitely become you . lay aside , i say , those numerous love-sport trifles , distinguished by these idolatrous titles : your favour , your fancy , your complexion , your affection , your dasie , pancy , mirrha , venus , and phoebe . o exchange these love-babies with divine graces ! this will incomparably become you , and make you amiable in his sight , who made you . suffer not your eyes to wander ; but fixe upon that centre , where all mortality must of necessity take harbour : obstruite quinque fenestras , ut luceat domus . saint hierome gives this excellent testimonie of that devout woman , asella ; who being confined to a cell , enjoyed the whole circumference of heaven . though i doe not limit you to a cell , i would have your thoughts confined to one orbe ; seeing they cannot be circumscribed by any limit but heaven . thus farre have i addressed my discourse to you , for composing your affections , and contriving your fancy to your choice , whose election admits no change : i am now to caution you , and that briefly of a dangerous guest , which like the snake in the fable , many times disturbs the quiet of a whole house : and this is violent and distempered passion . the indiscreet fury of some wives have made prodigals of frugall men : yea , those who never knew what a loose or debauched course meant ; nor were much addicted to any liberty , became uncivill , and irregular by their wives fury . and howsoever i can by no meanes approve this aversion from goodnesse in the man , yet must i highly condemne the impatience of the woman , who abused so much the temper and good nature of the man. entertaine you then no acquaintance with these sprightly virag●'s , whose only sweet temper is ever to be out of temper . let not a frowne sit on your brow , nor a sparke of fury dart from your eye ; nor one syllable of harsh language from your tongue . soft words mitigate wrath ; observe this rule then , it will so prepare you against all suffering ; as you shall taste an incomparable sweetnesse in your suffering ; rejoycing most in that incounter , wherein you seemed most to suffer . give no place to wrath , but give place to your husbands in time of their wrath . the onely way to allay passion , is to calme it with an expostulation . this that bravely composed roman lady , made excellent use of ; who when shee found her husband quite off the hinges ; affecting nothing more ; then to catch at offence ; with a sweet countenance , and pleasing language , she enter'd into a faire treaty with him after this manner . o my deare quintianus , whence may these distempers grow ? you had a iuliana , i must confesse , a consort well deserving your choice ; and because your now espoused chariclea supplies her place , doth it repent you of your change ? and yet , me thinkes , should you recollect your selfe , and in an equall scale weigh your chariclea's love , you would hold it an ungratefull guerdon , to requite her loyall love with a distastefull looke . your first choyce was faire , incomparably faire , of a gracefull presence , perswasive language ! it is confess'd . yet knew this abstract of perfection , to break forth into passion . but she knew her owne worth , so as passion lodging in such a subject , might admit an easie dispensation ; and make that eagernesse appeare a vertue in her ; whereas even mildnesse , seated in so imperfect a peece as my selfe , may present it selfe like a vice , being shrouded with so meane a cover ! beleeve it sir , as nature has bestowed little on me , to make me proud ; relinquish me for ever , if my respect to honour shall not supply those defects of a more exquisite feature : your anger shall not beget in me the least distemper ; but , if at any time i be moved , it shall be , because you are discontented . have you occasion to rejoyce ? i shall increase it . have you cause to grieve ? i shall allay it . should you in any extremity suffer , i should desire nothing more then to become your sharer . many , very many might you have had , more rich in portion , more choice in proportion , but never any more true in her affection . in one word ; as there is no office in chariclea , which shall not bestow it selfe to quintianus honour , during life : so may it be quintianus goodnesse to accept the loyall sacrifice of her devoutest love . this conjugall protest wrought so impressive an effect in her too passionate husband ; as , recollecting his dis-joynted affections , he became so truly inamoured of his choyce , as the conceit of her imparallel'd vertues estranged his resolves , not onely from the least apprehension of a future change : but fairely attemper'd in him all motives of choller ; so as , it was rare to find in him upon any occasion whatsoever , any appearance of distemper , much lesse of any inconsiderate anger . there is no doubt but grounds of distaste may be easily suggested ; especially , where either iealousie , arising from an exuberance of fancy ; or an intended desire to displease , workes upon the conceit of the party . but admit , gentlewomen , your eyes and eares were so strongly possest of your injuried bed , as you may visibly perceive a breach and violation of that faith , which by a sacred vote , should in reason and religion have admitted no blemish unto death : yet if you shall find a relenting disposition in them , doe not aggravate your wrongs by too bitter an expression of them . the confession of a wrong should beget in you an indulgent smile ; yea , though a modest shame could not brooke to make too open a discovery of what loosenesse of folly had committed ; yet , though never so covertly shrouded , being with a resolved contrition closed , and not hypocritically cloathed , it deserves to be ingenuously remitted . this might be in him instanced , who desirous by a line to discover the irregularity of his life , brought in a livelesse monument to witnesse unto the world the relenting guilt of a sorrowfull delinquent . this babe had prov'd one of our wits , no doubt , but bastard-slips doe seldome take deep root : botolph , prepare for this small corpse a shrine ; the crime , beleeve it , was not his but mine . but time would sooner faile me , then this subject scantle me ; i must not inlarge my selfe too much , lest i deceive your trust . one thing i am to advise you of , which observed , may prevent many occasions of distaste , which are usually ministred . as i formerly advertised your husbands , not to intermedle in those feminine imployments , which concerne your charge : so be it your modesty to decline from those interesses , which properly admit their care . it is an hatefull thing , saith that devout father , to see a man practise the spindle , and a woman to handle the speare . you have peculiar offices equally designed ; let them not bee improperly mixed . that roman was much condemned for imparting secrets of state to his wife ; but his wife was more publikely taxed for laying downe grounds how to rectifie the state to her husband . this is a presuming evill , and too largely spreading , said that cinick , to bee cured , till selfe-conceit , by a timely reproofe , be rebaited . humility is the way to prevent it : for though pride be a dangerous mate to accompany man : yet it is never so domineering , as when it pleads for soveraignty in a womans mind . remember then that divine mandat ; it will be a meanes to calme it : thy desire shall be subject to thine husband , and hee shall rule over thee . which subjection , as it implyes a distinct condition , so it begets in every family an harmonious order , or disposition : if there be danger in civill warres , there can be no great security in domestick brauls : where both the conqueror , and conquered , become equally endammaged . doe not contest then for precedency , since the divine law hath given your consort the priority . and in one word , to the end you may appeare more amiable in his sight who made you ; and in his choyce , for whom hee made you ; reteine in memory that divine lesson , for it prescribes you a perfect rule of direction , how to behave you selves in your whole course or conversation : in your very motion , gesture , and gate , observe modesty ; it will infinitely become you , and attract a kind of reverend esteeme in those who eye you . this will make your husbands to second what a noble gentleman sometimes pronounced in testimony of his good fortune , and approvement of his choyce : who , as it was long before hee married , so did much happinesse crowne his expectance , after such time as hee was espoused . i thanke god ( said he ) that i abandoned my conceit , and thus embraced an honourable state . as i was long time in chusing , i shall bee longer ere my thoughts incline to a changing . as increase of posterity put me upon the one , so shall my vowed fidelity divert me from the other . her condition , whom i have taken , doe's so suite me , as i should make my selfe unworthy such a choyce , should i ingage my desires to any forraine fancy . vndeserving is he of a worthy one , who intangles his affections with more then one . this is the way then , gentlewomen , to ingratiate your selves in their bosoms with whom you live , and whom onely you are entirely to love ; to make a contract betwixt your eyes and hearts , when at any time you goe abroad , or are admitted to any necessary visit : that your eyes may not become treacherous tarpeia's to your hearts . nor suffer any intrusive thought to enter , that may incroach upon your honour . for it is no lesse errour to have a desire to be sought by others , then to seeke after others . to cast out deluding eyes , and , like subtile falconers , with light deceiving lures , to seaze on amorous fooles ; which howsoever it imparadise them , it cannot chuse but highly disparage you . for speaking eyes are such dangerous orators , that though they allure others to folly , they ever ingage themselves most to apparent misery . but your discreet moderation ha's taught you a better lesson ; your thoughts are impatient , in giving reines to any such diversion . one sun is but for one spheare ; one diadem for one head ; and one conjugall embrace for one bed ; this best becomes you , this crownes you . this , as it confirmes your loyall love , while you are living : so will it leave a memory of your goodnesse at your dying : for , as to love a wife while she lives , is a pleasing fancy ; so to reteine the memory of a wife when she dies , is an act of piety . thus having sufficiently treated of this conjugall office , which deserves preheminence , because dignified by a primitive ordinance : wee purpose now to descend to our second observance , wherein wee are briefly to recommend to your candid iudgements , the distinct qualities of parentall and filiall offices . of parentall offices . parents , as they beare a naturall love to those they get , so are they to have an innate care in providing for those they have got . which parentall care properly reflects upon two objects : internall , externall : internall , the better to inable and prepare them for the happy fruition of things eternall ; externall , to accommodate them in a way of livelihood , lest they should become indigent , or necessitous in things temporall : the former ha's proper relation to nurture ; the latter to such necessaries , as conduce to the conservation of nature . for the first , it is an excellent lesson , which the wiseman giveth : teach a child in the trade of his way , and when he is old , hee will not depart from it . wee say , vessels keepe a savour of their first liquor : as cloath dyed in graine reteines his prime tincture . how cautious then should parents be of their childrens nurture ? if wee should take a re-view of preceding ages , we might find with what diligence and intentive care , the very ancient pagans provided schoole-masters for their children ; not only to instruct them in principles of learning , but discipline of living . yea , even our most ancient and eminent princes , ( so much was soveraignty enamoured on philosophy , men of highest quality on morall piety ) reteined ever some philosophers to their familiars : as alexander , aristotle ; ●arius , herodetus ; augustus , ●iso ; pompeius , plauto ; titus , pl●ni● ; adrian , secundus ; trajan , plutarch ; anthonius , apollonius ; theodosius , clandinus ; s●v●rus , fabatus . and there were not onely imployed in their owne conference : but in composing and delivering precepts , or rules of instruction to their children : you then , parents , who reteine in you better grounded hopes , then airy thoughts of elysian fields ; you , i say , who treasure great hopes in your posterity , and with a provident eye labour to improve their estates , by advancing them to places of dignity : be it your primary care , to enrich them inwardly ; that they may know how to manage an estate , before they come to be masters of an estate : many have lept into faire and full fortunes , conferred on them by their parents providence ; who , as they kn●w little how their too carefull fathers got it ; so with as much indifference they dispatcht themselves of it . education , which is a second nature , had given them no better nurture , then to follow feathers in the ayre ; their best of philosophy was hunting or falconry . and more excusable had it beene , if they had to closed : but corruption of manners stript them of all their mannors : forty entertaining those consorts of death , loose pandars , or light parasites , they exhaulted those streaming treasures , and exuberant fortunes , in one yeare , which many yeares ac●ompanied with watchfull ●ares , had to ●●lici●ously gathered . nor is it indeed a thing possible , that young gentlemen , who are mounted to high e●●stes , attended by numerous reteiners ; supplyed with variety of pleasures ; but indigent in these mentall treasures , should devote themselves without some miraculous inspiration , to any studious employments learning , as it was a stranger to them in their youthfull minority ; so the very thought of it begets a fastidious aversenesse to their memory . bookes are for retired spirits ; but soone tired would their spirits be , to be so retired . divine fancies , they hold i remiticall frenzies . such studies must never make them leane : for they professe themselves aliens to all stories , but legends of love. o what a word of disgrace in these novices eares , is the title of a scholler ? and to estrange themselves the better from such pedanticall consorts , they have resolv'd already , never to entertaine any such for their follower or ret●iner , that holds least correspondence with a philosopher . the reason is , as their parents indulgence would not suffer them to l●arne when they were young : so now they hold themselves too old to learne . to prevent this malady ( too epidemicall in most places ) be it your principall care to prepare such tutors for them , as may instruct them in the principles of divine and humane learning : and by their incessant diligence , so enable them , as they may taste a sweetnesse in those sciences they have learned . for the onely reason of his neglect , or remissenesse in arguments of knowledge , is their deficience in knowledge . for did they but understand the sweetnesse of learning , they would preferre the incomparable delight of one houres study , before a myriad of houres imployed in vanity . that brave picene had arrived , no doubt , at this port ; who , though his descent was noble , his revenues ample , and his objects of pleasure many ; yet hee ingenuously protested , that the least graine of philosophy , which either his tutors industry , or his owne sedulity had purchased him , was of more weight in his scale , than all the revenues that were left him . truth is , as youth is most docile to learne , so it is many times most facile to erre . and because diverse and sundry are the dispositions , with which our masters are to encounter : so there is required in them ; a free and plenteous measure of discretion , to the end they may accommodate their discipline to every ones disposition . some natures they shall find sweet and affable ; others rough and intractable . some apt to get , and no lesse apt to forget ; others flow to get , but apt to reteine . some to be won by an apple ; others to bee taught by the rod. and in these discoveries ▪ i should with parents rather to recommend the scrutinie to their masters ; then by too much indulgency to interesse themselves . he deserves not to be a master , whose discretion applyes not it selfe to the disposition of his scholler . neither is our discourse only restrained to arguments of learning . i am not ignorant how children descending from one root , may differ in the quality of their mind . some are not capable at schoole , who may shew themselves sufficient for a trade . as you then shall find your children disposed , be it your care to have them so bestowed : as neither your too much indulgence may decline their improvement : nor your too remisse care beget in them a neglect of their advancement . for youth , as it may become depraved by too much cockring , so may it be nipped in the bud , and consequently too much discouraged , by too rigid a curbing . be it then your prime care to lay a faire foundation : and to give them such accomplishment by a generous education , as their very posture may confirme them branches of honour : scorning to appeare in that designe , that may in the least manner derogate from their place , or lay a blemish on their blood . if thou beest cato's sonne , said that brave roman , doe nothing unworthy of cato's father . this patterne , but in a more divine imitation , should all children reteine in their memory : to prove unto the world , that they are true native scienes derived from such a family : from whence , as they received their birth , so they labour to improve it by presenting good examples upon this theatre of earth . o if inconsiderate youth did but know , what precious time it bestowes in trifling vanity ; as in dedicating those first houres of the day , in crisping those wanton love-lockes ; in cerussing and repairing a decayed beauty , by idolatrizing themselves in the reflexion of a flattering glasse ; by composing an adulterate countenance , purposely to induce fancy ; and , like wanton dalilah , to rob deluded man of his strength by their lascivious folly ! againe , how it bestowes the after-noone in needlesse visits , immodest objects , light presentments ; but scarcely reserves one minute , after so many mis-spended houres , for workes of devotion ! o , i say , would youth but lay these to his heart , and cloze the period of his thoughts with this short expostulation : o what have i done ! hee would returne no doubt with the poore penitent prodigal , and acknowledge his sinne ; hee would feed no longer on the husks of vanity ; nor goe astray , any more in those by-paths of folly . he would returne , i say , with the turtle , truly mourning ; bestow the remainder of his dayes in repenting : and desire no longer to live after he desisted from that pious resolution , which had so wholly possessed him , as it had left no hope for vanity to seize on him . now to perfect this good worke , let it be the especiall care of parents , to educate their children religiously , to season their infancy with principles of piety . for there is nothing that makes elther youth or age more wavering in points of religion ( next temporary respects , which too often times coole divine effects ) then ignorance in the grounds of religion . now , as it is the office of parents to plant them in it : so is it their duty to suffer no temporall respect to decline them from it . it was that learned fathers resolution ; i will hold that faith now when i am old , which i was nursed in when i was young . there is more beauty in our christian truth , then ever appeared in helen of greece . this moved that victorious emperour constantine the great , to protest , what his princely constancy had ever exprest , that he preferred his happinesse in being a member of christs church , before his being the head of an empire . seeing that the priviledges of faith are of larger extent , then the confines of an empire ; and of that inestimable price , as no treasure is to be compared to her : it becomes every sincere professor , to desire rather to suffer , then so incomparable a princesse should suffer in her honour : nay , rather to perish by speaking , then that truth should perish for want of a speaker . having thus laid downe the foundation , whereon the first hopes of youth are to be grounded ; with such eminent graces , wherewith it is to be seasoned : and such consequent principles of religion , wherein necessarily it is to be confirmed : wee are now to descend to our secondary parentall care ; which as it is not to precede the former , so is it not to be neglected in a proportionable measure and order . the soule indeed , as it is of a more precious substance then the body , so ought their cares to be of a distinct quality . this the poet intimated elegantly : lesse is the losse of fortune then of fame , more of a soule then of a glorious name . diverse then , and of distinct nature be these different cares : wherein parents are to be so much the more cautious , in regard their too anxious and immoderate cares , may become highly noxious . o how many by doing too much for their children , have undone their children ! be it then your especiall ayme , in these temporall cares , to improve your meanes by honest wayes . a revenue got with honesty , is a thriving portion to posterity : whereas , estates built on rapine , or the ruine of others , what shallow foundations have such fabricks , being many times no sooner raised , then razed ! these illegitimate patrimonies , as that grave morall stiled them , seldome survive an age : for the macerating cares of an exacting father , treasure their hopes most commonly on a prodigall successor . howsoever then , that apostolicall admonition is ever to be remembred ; and by a discreet providence to be seconded : if there be any that provideth not for his owne , and namely for them of his houshold , bee denieth the faith , and is worse then an iufidell : yet let a religious feare ever accompany this care . gods honour must be in the first place ; or there can bee no peace in any place . now to advance his honour , and obtaine favour in the presence of our best master , let not the provision for a family , nor improvement of a posterity make you remisse in your care of eternity . be owners of your owne ; seeke not to reape , what you have not sowne . scorne to be intruders in anothers right ; or , in the confidence of your power , to crush your inferiour ; or to grinde the face of the poore , by working on his necessity who flies to you for succour ; or by removing buttals , to enlarge your boundiers ; or by any meanes , to surprize others , to inhance your injurious co●ers . the partridge ( saith ambrose ) makes her a nest of stolne eggs , which she hath not laid , but as soone as the birds are hatched , the true mother cals them all away from their thievish step-dame : this may be the proper embleme of the covetous and cruell man , incubat auro . such incroaching brooders be all unconscionable misers , who sit hatching those golden egges ( to use the words of the apologue ) which they never lay , but , to their griefe , must be stript by the true owners , of what they so immoderately love . for the oppressors wealth is like achans wedge : turnus belt : dagons house broke dagons neck ; and all usurping possessors are to expect the like fate . gnipho the vsurer ( as lucian feigneth ) lieth in hell lamenting his miserable estate , that one rodochares ; an incestuous prodigal did on earth consume his goods wastfully in the su●feits of pleasure , which hee with care , and unjust meanes had scrap'd together . the way to decline these laments , and prevent those infernall teares ; is with discretion to moderate your cares and feares . let not an unjust nor injurious thought seize on you ▪ nor a desire to improve your selves by anothers ruine surprize you ; let not a widowes teare , nor an orphans shreeke beare record against you ▪ these have shrill voyces , and will find an avenger : one who has a bottle to preserve the teares of the one , as a precious elixir ; and an eare to compassionate the cryes of the other , like an indulgent father : the way then in these temporall cares , to make you happy parents , is with that indifferency to value gold , as to make godlinesse your chiefest gaint : to preferre the approvement of equity , before the improvement of a posterity ; to rejoyce more in honest poverty , than in those swelling titles of iniquity . for beleeve it , that little common-weale of man cannot chuse , but enjoy much quietnesse , where conscience becomes soveraignesse , and receives preheminence . now , there is one errour that i have observed in parents , which were well to be rectified : it is too generally spreading , and consequently exacts the more expedite prevention . it shall be our care to prescribe a cure : which if it admit a cure , it shall amply recompence our care . many , too many make it their prime ayme , their principall care in preferring their children , to fixe upon inheritance , or portion . their sonnes must marry with c●●cires , and so joyne land to land . a survey of their estates with whom they intend to match , must precede all inducements of love . grounds of fancy must be rank'd in the second siege . proportion is to veile to portion . reall affection to a rich possession . it was onely hope of promotion , that preferr'd this loves motion . were those inward ornaments of this great inheretrix never so meanly accoutred , being thus encountred , and with such rare fortunes embellished , they must be above their estimate valued : there is not so much as the least question made of the young gentlemans love . the parents choyce must admit no change . meane time , what miseries have attended such enforced marriages , every age can afford variety of dolefull instances : where an vnion of hands begot a dis-union of hearts . the reason might be this ; indirect affections seldome receive a blessing . they invert the use of marriage , who make portion directrice of affection : fancy subordinate to fortune . love is not to be made such a page of : bee it then your office to examine the affection of your child , before you engage their persons to an enforced choyce . though a good fortune be not to be rejected , yet is a good liking betwixt the parties to be preferred . in a word , let vertue be the ayme : and the marriage-day cannot chuse but cloze with a glorious even . in bestowing likewise your younger children upon trades , you are to be very circumspect in the choyce of their masters , with the quality of their professions . ingenuous natures suite not well with rigid masters . neither are tender , or delicate constitutions for toyling ●or sinnewy professions . this was especially observed by the ancient romans , which made them exquisite artists in those manuall mysteries . wee have here in this our flourishing iland many staple trades ; wherin , as it is no derogation for our gentry to interesse their younger children ; so by gods blessing , and their good endeavour , they become many times so well improved , as they need not obsequiously ingratiate themselves to any inferiour favour , nor rely on a pentionary supply , or any necessitated succour , being able by a civill remonstrance to render curtesie for curtesie to their elder brother . neither can i approve the indulgence of such parents , whose too tender affection towards their children , declines them from all hopes or helpes of preferment in this kind . birds wee see , after such time as they have brought forth their young ones , will not for ever foster them under their wings . they must be sent abroad to provide themselves food to releeve them , to build them nests to receive them , and fitting mates to consort them . and must these be wiser in their generation , than those nobler creatures , who partake of reason ? these observe the meanes by which they are directed to conserving ends . now , would you have these meanes defined ; they are properly styled , the way by which wee are directed , to that scope or marke , at which we aymed . as you are then by nature their parents , be it your care to raise them meanes of supportance . as they had from you their being , let them receive from you grounds of subsistence . let not your delicacy estrange their spirits from industry ; lest by too much hugging them , with the ape in the fable , you stifle them . send them then forth into the world , that as you have educated them , so you may reape the fruit of your provisionall care , by their improvement . for , trust me , highly are such parents to be condemned , who leave their estates so perplexed , as they recommend the lively-hood of the younger , to the remisse consideration , or doubtfull commiseration of the elder . for these , many times , entertaine such profuse followers , as their vast and unbounded ryot begets a neglect in them , towards such as were recommended to them , by making servants of their brothers , and brothers of their parasites . besides , the charge of annuities , as they exhaust the estate of the elder , making him live all his time like an ancient descendible begger ; so it begets an irregular course in the younger : who , either falling short in receipt of his annuall allowance , or exceeding his bounds , ingageth his perishing hopes to some desperate action , which in the end spins to a full length , the threed of his ruine . so many fearefull examples , both ancient and moderne , present themselves daily upon the stage of our state , as they need no further illustration in this kinde . that maxime holds ever authentick : brethren are ever kindest one to another , when they are least beholding one to another . assigne then to every one their peculiar portion , which will become such a firme cement or ligament to their affection ; as their mutuall supplyes may produce reciprocall tyes : by which harmonious freedome , or propriety of living ; one may enjoy the others society , without the least conceipt of a too tedious beholding . in the disposing too of your estates , let me advise you not to neglect opportunity of doing good to your owne , now while it is in your power to dispose of your owne . many by deferring the settling of their estates to their death , become abridged of their intents , by being prevented with the inopinate arrest of death : and so leave their distracted estates to be determined by lawyers , who being sed with fat fees , make fooles of your intended heires : leaving them after many an humbly complayning to bemoane their leane fortunes , when they fall into consideration how their extracted estates , by those numerous suite atoms , are resolved into papers : and how their long practise in a litigious kind of alchimy , by a precious pragmaticall pouder , has reduc'd all their chymicall fortunes into the remaines of a greater worke , the elixir of poverty . sicknesse is a sufficient burden of it selfe : disburden then your selves , by disposing of your estates before sicknesse commeth : not by dis-possessing your selves of them , for so you may give others power over you ; but by a discre●t and deliberate disposure of them , that temporall cares may lesse intangle you , when sicknesse shall surprize you : and your inward house be set in such order , as your composed soules may receive rest to your comfort , and gods honour . thus farre have wee enlarged our discourse , in laying before you the care which you are to have in spirituall affaires , for improving your children in that best knowledge , which may truly enable them for their highest inheritance : as likewise how you are in a conscionable provision to addresse your inferiour care for their temporall subsistence . in which two respects , as you shall performe the office of prudent and affectionate parents : so shall those rich treasures , which you deposit in succeeding hopes of your children , crowne your silver haires with incomparable comfort : for as this religious care was sincerely discharged by you : so shall you receive those filiall offices from yours , as may amply recompence your care ; and , as you shall now heare , returne to their labourer a deserving hire . you have heard what is required of parents to their children ; their incessant cares ; jealous feares ; and these intermixed with such doubtfull hopes , as not one houre without a corroding care ; nor a promising hope without a threatning feare . it was observed in augustus , that so long as his two daughters iulia and livia were in his presence , hee could never returne any expression to his councell with much resolvednesse . his mind was not fixed upon an answer , but upon his daughters behaviour . where he collected by the company they frequented how their affections were inclined . if iulia converse with a ruffian , it becomes no lesse a sting to her fathers heart , then a staine to his daughters reputation . whereas if livia enter into discourse with any grave senatour ; this pleasing object redounds equally to his solace , as well as her honour . now to recompence these numerous cares and anxious feares , which become constant companions to parents hearts , let children returne a gratefull remonstrance of their duty and zeale in these three distinct respects . first , in tendring them the sacrifice of obedience ; secondly , in performing that filiall office with all reverence . thirdly , in affording them , if necessity should thereto enforce them , their best supportance . of these we shall take occasion to treat severally , and with that perspicuity , as the very youngest and rawest in these offices , may vnderstand his peculiar duty . it was an excellent admonition of that sonne of sirach ; honour thy father from thy whole heart , and forget not the sorrowes of thy mother . which admonition in the next ensuing verse he strengthneth with this emphaticall remembrance : remember that thou wast borne of them , and how canst thou recompence them the things that they have done for thee . this confirmes that maxime of the stagyrite : to our masters , our gods and parents can never be rendred an equivalence . and if that divine rule hold , that the obedience we exhibit to our superiours , we even exhibit to god himselfe , who is the lord paramount , and in whose presence the highest potentates are inferiours ; what superiority in a degree of such propinquity exacts of us a more filiall duty ? whence it was , that blessed basill falling into a serious contemplation of this tender native affection , affirmeth ; that we are bound to love our parents as our owne proper bowells . so as hee well deserveth , saith saint gregory , to bee punished with blindnesse , which lookes vpon his parents with a louring count'nance , or with proud eyes offends the piety of his naturall parents . canst thou looke ( said that excellent morall ) vpon those who brought thee forth into the world with a contemptuous eye , as if they were not worthy to live in the world ? must those who bred thee , breed a distaste in thee ? art thou by being a man of place , ashamed of thy birth , which gave thee a being upon earth ? must thine honour so degenerate from nature , as nature must veile to honour ; and make the affluence of a fading state to soveraignize over her ? are these arguments of obedience , when creditors become debters , and parents servants to their children . as every family is a private soveraignty ; so ought there to bee a disposition , order , or apt symmetry in every member of that family . the members are ministers unto the head : so are children and servants to the master of the house . should the least member surcease to minister , the head could not chuse but infinitely suffer . now , how unnaturall bee those tendrells , how adulterate those scienes , which decline from that stemme which gave them growth ; from that parentall stocke , which render'd them their first birth ? the philosopher , indeed , gives a reason why parents love their children more , then children their parents : and why they know more then those children that derive their being from them : because , sayes he ; as water is the purest which flowes from the fountaine head the nearest ; so that love which descends from the originall root is ever the dearest : and for as much as true love is ever grounded upon knowledge , for otherwise it merits rather the title of folly then fancy ; in regard parents know us better to be theirs , then we our selves know us to be theirs : so much more as their knowledge is surer , so much is their parentall affection purer . whence the poet delivers this for a knowne experiment . nature do's oft descend , but seldome mount , parents areeres fall short in their account . but if children would consider how they have received their native being from them : againe , those incessant cares which attend them : with those promising hopes which they have treasured in them , they would hold it one of the highest taskes , and noblest acts of piety , to be imployed in those offices of filiall duty ; and to performe them with all alacrity . besides , doe children desire a blessing ? the honour which they render unto their parents is confir●ed with a promise . nor is any commandement ratified with a stronger assumpsit . length of dayes is promised , which implyes an abridgement of time to such as neglect it . nay , that i may presse this argument a little further , by recounting those benefits which arise from parentall honour : wee shall generally observe , how that dis-regard to obedience , which children shew towards their parents , ●s fully requited by the disobedience of their children , when they come to be parents . for what more may you expect from yours , then what you tendered unto yours ? you may collect hence what singular blessings are from obedience derived : againe , what discomforts even to posterity are from disobedience occasioned . the one proposeth a long life ; the other implyeth a short life . the one conferrs a comfort on us in our posterity ; the other a myriad of afflictions in our progeny . nor can that child be of ●a ingenuous nature , who with a free and uncoacted embrace addresseth not his best endeavours to advance this honour . let him but respect upon his parents tendernesse , and hee cannot chuse but highly taxe himselfe of unthankefulnesse ; should hee suffer the neglect of one houre in returning the obedientiall sacrifice of a child to his father . neither is any time to be exempted from so pious a taske . for as their tender and vigilant eye has beene from infancy to yeeres of more maturity ever intentively fixed , that their hopes might be improved , and their comforts ●n that improvement numerously augmented ; so ought it to be the delightful'st study to their posterity , to crown their parents white hairs with comfort ; and in imitation of that ve●tuous corinthian , to recollect themselves , by considering what might give their parents most content : and with all cheerfulnesse to performe that for them , even after their death , which they conceived could not chuse but content them in their life . alas , so indulgent are most parents , and so easily contented , as the very least offices of duty performed by their children , transport them above comparison . when children in obedience play their part , they drop young blood into an aged heart . nay , i may truly affirme of this precious plant of filiall obedience , what our ancient poets sometimes wrote of that aesonian herbe , or what the ever living homer reported of his moli ; that it has power to restore nature , and beget an amiable complexion in the professor . for a good life attracts to the countenance ( sayes the ethick ) expressive characters of love . now should you more curiously then necessarily enquire after the extent of this obedience ; as , wherein it is to be exercised , and to what bounds confined : take this for a positive rule ; that in whatsoever shall not be repugnant to the expresse will of god , there is required this observance : yea , even in matters of indifference , it is farre safer to oppose your owne wils , then distaste your parents . it was an excellent saying of saint gregory ; hee that would not offend in things unlawfull , must oft abridge himselfe in things lawfull . the way to infuse more native heat in this obedience , is to shew an alacrity of obeying , even in subjects of indifference ; for a remissenesse in these cannot but argue a probable coolenesse in those of higher consequence . and , as the command of a discreet father will injoyne his child nothing but what may comply equally with piety and reason : so will a dutifull child submit himselfe to his fathers command , without the least unbeseeming debate or expostulation . thus from these premisses may wee draw this infallible conclusion : would you enjoy length of dayes , glad houres , or a succeeding comfort in yours ? answer their aged hopes who have treasured their provisionall cares for you ; bring not their silver haires with sorrow to their grave : but returne them such arguments of proficience in every promising grace ; that your sincere and unfeigned obedience , may not be only a surviving comfort to your parents , but a continuall feast to your owne conscience . neither are you to performe these offices of obedience , with a regardlesse affection , or without due reverence . for , as god would have those who are labourers in his vineyard , to doe their worke with cheerefulnesse : so is it his will that naturall children returne all offices of duty , and filiall obedience with humility and reverence . age is a crowne of glory , when it is found in the way of righteousnesse . and this closeth well with that saying of the preacher : the crowne of old men , is to have much experience , and the feare of god is their glory . but admit they were such , whom native obedience injoynes you to reverence : as the nearer to their grave , the further from knowledge : the nearer to earth , the more glued to earth : yet for all this , in lawfull things are you not to alien your thoughts of obedience from them : but as you derived your being from them , so with a sensible compassion of their infirmities , with the veile of piety to cover their nakednesse . it is true indeed what that sententious morall sometimes observed : a there is no sight more unseemely then an old man , who having lived long , reteines no other argument of his age then his yeares . this moved curius dentatus to conclude so positively , b that he had rather be dead , then live as one dead . neither indeed is age to bee measured by yeares but houres . many are old in yeares , who are young in houres : many old in houres , who are young in yeares . for time is of such unvaluable estimate , that if it be not imployed to improvement , it becomes a detriment to the accomptant . no object more distastefull ( said that divine morall ) then an c elementary old-man : no subject of discourse more hatefull ( said witty petrarch ) then a d dialecticall old-man . a logicall age , howsoever it appeare copious in words ; it seldome becomes plenteous in workes . free discoursers in philosophy , are oft the slowest proficients in the practick part of philosophy . whereas , it is better to be a truant at schoole , then in the practise of life . for , as it is better to know little ; and practise much ; then to know much , and practise little : so it is a more usefull knowledge , to learne the art of living , then of learning . for many with their learning have gone into hell : whereas none , were they never so simple , but by living well have gained heaven . it is an excellent caution indeed , and well deserving our deepe impression : if thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth , what canst thou find in thine age ? put sufficient it is not to gather , but to make use of that experimentall treasure . medicines deposited afford small benefit to the patient : nor are talents to bee buried : nor our lights under a bushell shrouded . knowledge cannot be usefully active , unlesse it be communicative . howsoever , then , age in respect of her ancient livery with those aged emblemes of her antiquity exact reverence : yet deserves it most honour when those gray haires are beautified with knowledge . oh , how pleasant a thing is it , when gray headed men minister judgement , and when the elders can give good counsell ! oh , how comely a thing is wisedome unto aged men , and understanding an● prudency to men of honour ! this no doubt , as it begets them esteeme amongst their equals : so it highly improves their reverence with inferiours . for , foolish age , though it should be exempted from derision ; yet such is the levity of time , and piercing eye of youthfull observation , as age becomes censured by youth ; whereas youth ought rather to interpret the best , then detract in the least from the reverence of age . it is too true , that every obliquity , be it either of higher or lower quality , is more incurable in age , then youth . the reason is , age becomes more insensible of what it has committed , and growes more indurate through an accustomed habit : whereas , though an unconfined heat of youth drive the other into folly : an ability of conceipt brings them to an apprehension of what they have done : and consequently to a recollection of themselves , to reforme what they have mis-done . now , the way how to improve this reverence in parents to their children , and magistrates to their inferiours ; is to expresse such patterns of piety in the whole course of their life , as the very shadows reflecting from such mirrors may produce an awfull reverence , zeale , and love in their observers : with a zealous desire of imitation in their successors . this , no doubt , begot a pious emulation in our predecessors towards those , whose actions being of ancient record , induced them to trace those steps wherein they had walked : and with much constancy to professe those vertues , which they had found in them so highly approved . others lives became their lines ; lines to direct them by their coppy : lights to conduct them to an higher pitch of true nobility . it is a rule worthy inscription on the ancient wardrobe of age : old men , by how much they are unto death neerer , by so much more ought they to be purer . this will attract unto them duty in their life ; and eternity after death . now , gentlemen , that you may better observe this reverence , addressed to those to whom you owe all obedience : be it farre from you to debate or dispute their commands : it suites not well with the duty of a child to expostulate with a father ; especially , in morall respects : where the quality or nature of the command discovers no opposition to the law divine . be never in their presence without a pious feare , and awfull reverence . interrupt them not in their discourse : neither preferre your owne opinion before their advise . it tastes of an ill condition to stand upon conditions with a father , upon proposals of meanes or exhibitions . but much more distastefull to contest in termes ; as if the memory of nature were lost in you , and all acquaintance with piety estranged from you . this it was which moved that dis-passionate theban , to take up his unseasoned sonne in this manner : putting him in mind of his neglect , even of civile duty ; which the better to remember , hee layes before him his uncivile demeanour in this severe character . an ale-house seemes by your apologie an excellent receipt for a male-content . i am sory you have lost the principles of more divine philosophy . you might recall to mind those attick studies , wherein you were sometimes versed ; those academick colleagues , with whom you discoursed : a memoriall of these might have better qualified this humour ; by reducing your troubled affections to a clearer temper . but my hopes now are to be resolv'd into prayers : for as yet there can appeare small hope , where your morning sacrifice is offer'd to smoake : a sweet perfume for an intended convert ! you seeme to presse your father to a performance of promise ; god blesse you ! i see plainely your pen must necessarily make that maxime good : — where there is a want in the practise of piety , it must needs beget a neglect of duty , nay of civility . i could wish that you would be as ready to reform : the errours of your life , as i to performe the offices of a fatherly love : so speedily do's love descend , so slowly do's it ascend . to conclude all in one , — i must tell you , to condition with a father , argues no good condition in a sonne . but let the wisest consort you consult with advise you , and with their tap-rhetorick surprize you ; you shall find that i have power to proportion meanes to every ones merit . from which resolution , neither shall affection draw me , nor power over-awe me : so as , if you expect from me a patrimony , exercise piety . be what you seem● , or prove the same you vow , wee have dissembling practisers enow . thus have you heard the course of a profuse sonne , with the resolution of a dis-consolate father . collect hence what discontents accompany the one : what distractions conscionably may attend the other children reflect constant cares , but uncertaine comforts . cares are proper attributes to parents : comforts , those fruits , after a long seed-plot of cares , the sole harvest they reape . it is true , parents are to dispence with discomforts in their children ; and receive them as familiar guests to lodge with them : but what heavy fates attend such children , as exemplarily present this condition ! welcome guests you cannot be to your father in heaven , who make your inferiour cares such unwelcome guests to him on earth . i have found in some children a serious inquisition after their fathers yeares : so as , if they could possibly have contracted with the register , to inlarge his aged character , hee could not want an ample fee for so gratefull a labour . such as these would ride in their fathers saddle before their time . but trust me , few of these lap-wing hopes or loose-pinion'd desires , but they cloze in a fatall catastrophe : and as their ill-grounded hopes were scean'd in prodigality , so they end tragically in an act of misery . let it be your honour to reverence their gray haires , and with wishes of pious zeale to rejoyce in their length of dayes : for this it is will bring an happinesse to your age ; and beget a reverend obedience in yours , as you in all piety offer'd like sacrifice unto yours . for take this for a constant position ; you shall seldome see any prodigals falling short of these inherent offices of duty , but if they live to have a progeny , they receive the like discomforts from their posterity . nay , i have knowne very few such vnnaturalists , who desired their fathers death , in hope to enjoy his land ; that ever enjoy'd much comfort in possession of that land : for as these murder their parents in their hearts , so they are many times stifled in the fruition of their hopes : tasting more aloes of discontent in their enjoying : then ever they did sweetnesse in their expecting . consider then the excellency of that divine proverbe : a foolish son is a griefe unto his father , and a heavinesse to her that bare him . now , lesse then foolish you cannot be , so long as dis-obedience hales you to ruine : for your folly becomes an abridger of your dayes : or an ingager of your yeares to many dis-consolate cares : inverting that by making it a cursing , which by preserving it in his owne purity , might have beene an incomparable blessing . remember then that golden sentence , and let it reteine a faire character in the signature of your conscience : childrens children are the crowne of the elders : and the glory of the children are their fathers . as you are their crowne , so let them be your glory . let every day wherein you live , produce a testimony of your unfeigned duty , your entire love . this shall be a meanes to accumulate gods blessings on you : and leave patterns of piety , to such as shall succeed you , with a sacrifice of like obedience to please you , and in the memory of their vertues deservingly to prayse you . thus by performing the religious taske of sincere obedience , you cannot chuse but seasonably afford them your supportance , to whom you tender'd such entire reverence . should children forget their duty to those that bred them ; or neglect all such pious offices as properly become them . should those native impressions be wholly razed in them , which , as shadowes to their bodies , should individually attend them . should humanity lose his name , or piety relinquish her nature : yet might these , even by fixing on sensible creatures , find such moving objects , as the very parentall affection which these inferiour emblemes beare to those that gave them being , could not chuse but strike in them a glowing shame , and present to their weake memory , the neglect of their necessitated duty . it is said of the cranes , that when their parents have moulted their feathers , their young ones seeke about for all such necessaries as may relieve them , till such time as their aged parents recover their feathers ; or by death leave them . likewise to shew how wee ought to succour and support our parents when they grow aged , may be instanced in the tender affection of the storke : whereof wee reade , that when the storkes grow old , their affectionate brood take up their parents upon their owne wings , and set them in their nests , and like tender infants place them in their owne bosome ; where they nurse and nusle them , affording them all supportance that may any way accommodate them . nay , of all the birds in the ayre , the vultur onely suffers his parents to perish with hunger ; which discovers his ravenous and odious nature . it is most true what an ancient father sometimes observed : should wee bestow on them whatsoever we could possibly conferre on them , yet could wee not doe that which they have done for us , beget them . how tender then should wee be of their supporting , from whom we receive the source of our being . it is written of the tyger , though a beast of a savage and truculent nature , that when they take away the young one , they set looking glasses , or some transparent models in the way to stay the pursuit of the she tyger ; wherein seeing her selfe represented by reflexion of the glasse , she there solaceth her selfe with the conceit of her owne forme , while the hunters make way for escape . whence wee may take a view of the tender affection of the savagest creature to her cubs in an imaginary reflexion on their feature . these unfeignedly love those who came from them ; and no doubt by a secret instinct of nature , are equally requited by a thankefull remonstrance returned to them : and shall the parthian tyger reteine more impressive characters of a tender nature , then the most noble and rationall creature ? you heard before , how when the old storke through age becomes naked of feathers ; destitute of all personall supply or succour : when her life becomes tedious unto her , through those infirmities of age which attend her ; yet shee receives comfort from those , who derived their being from her : shee is fed by her brood , and carried by them from place to place upon their wings . so was aged anchises carried by his pious aeneas : and so should all children doe to their distressed parents . valerius relates an excellent example , wherein hee shewes how we ought by so imitable a patterne to succour and support our parents when they are in necessity ; which hee commends unto us in this admirable story : there was sometimes a certaine noble woman of high descent and parentage , who being adjudged to dye for some foule offence , yet in respect of her family the iudge decreed she should not dye publikely ; but be shut up in prison , and so dye for hunger . but her tender-hearted daughter being then married , having got leave of the iudge that shee might daily visit her mother , a dis-consolate prisoner , but before she were admitted to her , to be carefully search'd that shee brought no reliefe unto her : so as , being in that manner prevented to afford her such comfort or repast as she desired ( behold how wittily naturall affection became provided ) shee pull'd forth her owne brests , and with her milke nourish'd her mother . and when the iudge wondred how shee could so long subsist , being deprived of all meanes of reliefe ; having at last heard what her daughter had done unto her mother , being moved with compassion , and the unexemplary piety of her affection , he restored the mother to her daughter . now shall pagans expresse better the piety of christians , then christians the humanity of pagans ? shall a beameling shew more splendor , then the sonne it selfe , whose reflection affords that lustre ? a glimmering at the best had but these ethnicks , and that onely darting from the light of nature : whereas we enjoy the sunne in his meridian glory ; being adorned with an inward beauty : expecting no elysia● f●●lds , but those essentiall joyes of eternity . as our hopes are higher ; our expectance surer , our grounded assurance firmer : let our affections appeare purer ; our actions in the practise of piety clearer . it was an excellent commendation which that monument bore in her front to the memory of that vertuous matron , constantia , the lady lucie : a true performer of all duties to husband , parents , children , friends . in the first , expressing conjugall constancy ; in the second , filiall piety ; in the third , naturall propinquity ; in the fourth , reciprocall courtesie . now , of these , some have maintained that no office was more obliging , then that of a child to his parent , confirming their affection with this reason : in the losse of a wife , one may redeeme that losse with the marrying of another : in the losse of a child , one may repaire that losse in the generation of another : and in the losse of a friend , one may recover that losse by the purchase of another : but should we forgoe a father or a mother , wee cannot possibly restore that losse with the supply of another . howsoever i stand doubtfull of the authentick validity of this opinion : seeing wee are expresly injoyned to leave father and mother for our wife : which parentall dereliction implyes , that man is to adhere to his wife in the nearest tye of affection ; no doubt but wee are by the law of nature , nay by the definite command of our maker , rather to surcease from living , then from supporting those from whom we received our being . our breeding was their care ; let our care bestow it selfe on their succour . let not a wish proceed from our heart to accelerate their end : though a wish extend not to an act , yet it breaths too much inhumanity to worke upon so native a part . man should be of a more noble and malleable a temper , then to partake of the nature of a viper . it is reported , that towards the north-west part of ireland , there is an iland so temperate , or by some miraculous influence so indowed , as when any inhabitant there becomes worne with age ; or so enfeebled , as their life becomes an affliction : so tedious their houres ; so fastidious their yeares ; their children or friends must remove them out of that place , before they can dye . whether there be any such enlivening ile or no , i shall leave to the credit of the relater : but i much feare mee , there be many remorcelesse friends , and gracelesse children , who would find ready hands to remove those eye-sores from that iland ; long before such times as any such decrepit age seized on them : desiring rather to enjoy their present fortunes then the presence of their persons . but such premature hopes resolve themselves into weake helpes : for where sonnes are sicke of the father , or daughters of the mother , they generally decrease no lesse in the prosperity of their estate , then quality of their nature . be it then your care to provide for their necessity ; to support them in their misery ; and cheerefully returne them all such offices of piety , as may relieve their age , and consequently improve your comfort in a surviving posterity . and so we descend briefly to those domestick offices , wherein the servant is to expresse himselfe with all diligence and reverence to his master ; as likewise in what manner every master is to demeane himselfe towards his servant , in a gratefull and ample measure to requite his endeavour . wherein , as they merit precedency , we are first to treat of the offices of a master : and in the second place of those duties of a servant to his master , which are ever to be rendred with competent honour . of domestick offices . every private family is a little city ; wherein if there should be no order , nor harmony , that distracted government would beget a private anarchy . it were a great abuse ( said that mellifluous bernard ) for the mistris to play the hand-maid ; the hand-maid and mistris : yet as the eyes of the hand-maid should be upon the eyes of her mistris ; so must not the eyes of the mistris be estranged from the eyes of her hand-maid . as there is a deputative charge recommended to the one : so should there be a supervisive care in the other . now , as masters challenge to themselves a power to command : so are they to have discretion in knowing what they command . in some cases , servants may more conscionably dis-obey , then obey the commands of their masters . ioseph would not ingage his honour , by prostituting his chaste thoughts to a prohibited pleasure , for the losse of a light mistris favour . lawfull things only , as they are by masters to bee commanded ; so are they with all alacrity by servants to be obeyed . now to walke in such a faire a smooth path of commanding ; as neither the master may erre in the exhibition of his commands : nor the servant shew himselfe remisse in observing what is commanded : the master is to decline two extreames ; the neglect whereof many times begets either a contempt or hate in the master : an insolence or remissenesse in the servant . these are leuity and severity : for as the one makes the servant more insolent : so the other makes the master more hated . the wise-man , indeed , proposeth a rule how masters are to command : and in what manner they are to demeane themselves to their servants : which he expresseth to life in these words : he that delicately bringeth up his servant from youth , at length hee will be even as his sonne . whence he inferreth , that too much delicacy or familiarity with ones servant begets a contempt . this makes him quite forget his servile condition : and strangely infuseth into him an over-weening conceit of his owne abilities : which begets in him such a malapertnesse , as in short time his perverse disposition confi●mes the wise-mans assertion : he will not bee chastised with words : though hee understand , yet hee will not answer . it is dangerous then , to make a copesmate of our inferiour . you are then to observe a meane in this ; neither to insensate them by too much indulgency : nor decline their affections from you by too much severity . that indiscreet act of vedius pollio could deserve no lesse then an extreame censure ; who , as one stript of humane nature , could so intemperately tyrannize over his servants , as to cause one to bee cast into a fish-pond for breaking a glasse , what an excellent rigid master would this man have beene for our lascivious and spritely gallants , who cannot present an health to their britle venus , without the breach of a venice glasse ? now , there be many masters , who with zimri , by seeking their servants , lose themselves . these are so glued to the world , as they verily think the world has not enough mould to give every one an handfull . they never looke upon the wheele ( for such emblemes are farre from them ) which in its motion has ever the least part or portion of all his proportion upon the ground . earth receives the least part of it ; whereas earth enjoyes the most of their heart . these , though they reteine the title of masters , are in their condition poorer then the lowest of their servants . for in those comforts or complies of nature , they partake the least share . their sleeps are distracted ; their unseasonable repasts undigested : their clothes sordidly or broakishly suited . so as , such miserable wretches as these , who are only rich in having , but poore in enjoying , want no character to discover the quality of their slimy nature , but that epitaph or inscription which was addressed for one of the like temper , and in this manner : here lyes hee who had stocke and store , had flocks i' th field , had corne o' th floore , had goats within , and gates at 's doore , had all a-shore , yet dyed poore . i vow by fate , a wondrous feate , that such a mate should dye for meate . it is farre better to possesse little , and enjoy it : then by possessing much , to be estranged from the enjoyment of it . these , as they are ever their owne tormentors : so they for most part leave few mourners , but fat executors . i have observed many of these rigid and severe masters , suited with the very sluggisht and sloathfull'st servants . such , as though they pretended diligence in their masters sight , it was , but eye-service at the best : for their masters absence gave them an easie dispensation with conscience . their seeming labour must then turne loyterer ; their late distemper'd rest into a shady repose or plenteous repast . such as these will be the aptest for taking up those words of that malapert servant in the gospel : my master doth deferre his comming . hee resolves therefore to take advantage of time ; and to play the commander in the absence of his master . where , like an imperious censor , he begins to smite the servants , and maidens , and to eate , and drinke , and to be drunken . these are many times the fruits of parcimonious masters : who , by tasking their servants too strictly : or by deteining from them what they are to render them in equity ; either make them dissolute , or some other way desperate : whereof wee have such daily examples , as their too insulting command have brought many timorous servants to a fearefull end . the like may be spoken of domineering mistresses ; who make their correction of their maids , their sole recreation . and these for most part , are of that tenacious nature , as they will not afford a competence to their family , but ingage themselves to famine amidst of plenty . these , as they live without love , so they generally dye without teares . their excessive care to advance a posterity , as it expos'd them to an indiscreet parcimony ; so it ever closed their memory with an incompassionate elegy . this that injuried melissa in the poet expressed ; who , having long time served where shee little profited , and now freed of her sharpe mistris drusilla , by death attached ; resolved to revive her mistresses memory , one no lesse decrepit in mind then body , in this loves lachrymae , or her ladies elegie : ladies tell mee , you that shine in the fancy of the time , would you live when you doe feele maladies from head to heele ? rugged wrinkles on that brow whiter once then ida's snow ; many rivels , beamlings few where the rose and lily grew ; when those dangling'trosses shall in a timely autumne fall ; when that breath shall earth partake , which was once ambrosiack ; when those pearled cordons shed leave your mouths unpeopled ; when your nose and chin shall meet , balmy palme has lost her heat ; when those weake-supporting feet faile in traversing the street ? if death pleasing be to such , why should frailty then thinke much , when like grasse she is cut downe for others good , and for her owne ? let not a tear then dimme your eye , when you see your mother dye . she only to her mother goes where for a while she must repose , till her united parts shall sing a glorious paean to her king ; or to dis , i know not which , who made her poore by being rich : " for ready entrance who 'l deny her , " that has the keyes of angels by her ! but let us decline our course from these parcimonious natures ; being such as make themselves most miserable in having : by enjoying least what they have in possessing : and in briefe deliver the true character of a deserving master . which we shall not presume to commend unto you , as a patterne , or modell drawne from the engine of our owne conceit : being already so exactly presented to life , by that glorious convert , and excellent vessell of election in these words : yee masters , doe unto your servants , that which is just , and equall , knowing that ye also have a master in heaven . and to attemper the inclemency of sterne and implacable masters , whose highest glory it is domineere over their servants , he useth this exhortation : put away threatning ; for know that even your master also is in heaven , neither is there respect of persons with him . now to observe this golden meane in your command ; neither beare your selves so indulgent , as your remissenesse may probably beget a neglect in your servant : for so by remitting your care , might you occasion him to difert , or omit his charge : nor cruell ; for your distemper may discourage a well composed nature , and make him weary of his imployments for so severe and rigid a master . be it your care , that neither your remissenesse make him sleight you , nor your to much strictnesse bring him to hate you : so shal your gracefull demeanour deserve the choyce of such a servant , as i am now to present unto you : whose service shall be to your solace : and whose behaviour shall ever conduce to your profit and honour . now , as you have heard those distinct offices of masters to their servants : you , who are in all lawfull things to obey your masters , recollect what especiall duties import you : and how you stand obliged , both by divine and humane law to performe conscionably , what you are enjoyned to observe legally . and to expresse your selves the better in the performance of this duty , let not such taskes nor imployments as are injoyned you , be done perfunctorily or remissely , but cheerfully , and with all alacrity . observe the direction of that sage morall : that labour loseth a great part of its honour , that is done in a secure or drowsie manner . a servant , to render himselfe truly obedient , must have agility of hand , and alacrity of heart . many by repining have lost their penny in the evening . and know ye , that as a curse is denounced on that master , who defraudeth his servant of his wages : so can no blessing redound unto that servant , who defraudeth his master of his worke . it was the apostles exhortation , and it well deserves your attention : servants be obedient unto them that are your masters according to the flesh , with feare and trembling , in singlenesse of your hearts as unto christ. whence you may collect , how pretences of obedience without reverence and sincerenesse can purchase no acceptance . let it bee your principall care to reteine a memory of your highest master : by which you shall learne to performe those offices to his honour , which are recommended to your charge ; and in the evening of your service , amply remunerate your care . iacob , because hee did the duty of a carefull servant , became a master of dutifull servants . he shall never know well how to command , that has not learned first how to obey . obedience is a thankfull sacrifice : neither can he well expresse it to his invisible maker , who has not endeavour'd to render it to his visible master . you know well what is commended and committed to you : discharge your place with discretion ; it will improve your masters affection ; confirme his good opinion ; and conferre a blessing on your fortune . a discreet servant shall have rule over a lewd sonne . doe you observe this honour ? as you tender then your reputation , let your service be ever seasoned with discretion . let not your labours be to the eyes of men ; seeing you are in his sight , whose eyes are upon all the children of men . let not your masters presence be the sole motive to your diligence : but when hee is farthest divided from you , addresse your imployments as if hee were present with you . let no wandring thoughts distract you : as you are seated in a vocation , you must not suffer it to admit of the least distraction . this has made too many labourers mighty loiterers , by suffering their thoughts to wander amidst those interesses of their labour . thinke how many are made slaves of servants : this cannot chuse but sweeten your taske , in conceiving that extreame servitude which others taste . let not an indiscreet word passe from you : know how you are to serve . let your speech then suite with the condition of a servant . a malapert answer may exasperate the passion of the most indulgent master . but above all things observe this caveat : guild not over your errours with glozing excuses . to defend an errour , is the way to confirme you in errour . nor is there any hope of his reclayming , who either stands in justification of his offence , or with a frontlesse boldnesse labours to approve it , either by a palliated excuse , or apparent defence . for in this case , saith the civilian , the meere defence equals the quality of the offence . now to divert all occasions of wandring , be it your care to assigne every distinct houre his peculiar taske . there is no rust that consumes iron so much , as sloath enfeebles or effeminates the spirit . idlenesse makes of men women , of women beasts , of beasts monsters . let it not then be said of you , what was sometimes spoken of margites ; that he never plowed , nor digged , nor did any thing all his life long that might tend unto goodnesse . such as these are wholly unprofitable to the world . furnished with ericthous bowels , but philoxenus hands : for howsoever they are lesse then pigmies at their work , yet at their meat they are more then men . i would have these patrons and patterns of idlenesse used , as zeno handled his servant bruso ; who being taken with theft , and alledging for himselfe that it was his destiny to steale ( so apt are the most irregular to weave excuses ) his master shaped him as ready an answer , and thy destiny to be beaten . the crab-fish , ( when as the oyster doth open her selfe ) by a politick instinct casteth a stone into her shell ; by which meanes being not able to shut her selfe againe , she becomes a prey unto the crab. the fathers by a proper allusion apply this unto the divell ; when hee findeth men gaping and idle , he casteth into them some stone of temptation , whereby he workes their overthrow and ruine . the sloathfull man is the divels shop ; there hee workes , ever most busie when men are lazie ; ever intentivest when men are securest . for as mans extremity is gods opportunity , such is his piety : so the divels opportunity is mans security , such is his policy . you are to know then , that health commeth not from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . the earth begun from her former fertility to faile , when adam begun to fall . it needed not then such culture , as it afterwards required to make it fruitfull . had adam never transgrest , hee had never received that strict command of eating his bread in the sweat of his browes . eden was then a native fruitfull garden : but adams sinne alter'd the soyle . as you are then injoyned , and by a strict covenant tyed ; neglect no time wherein you may in a conscionable way render unto your master an usefull account of your imployment . and as this is required at your hands ; so let this bee done with cheerfull hearts . for where alacrity accompanies any good , or pious action , it argues a sincere previous intention : which indeed , is the crown of every action . for good actions may be ill done , either by being corrupted in their doing , or by being not intended before they were done . you are then to performe your labours with singlenesse of heart ; which affords an high approvement to every act . there is one thing more , which you are carefully to prevent : for as the errour is more generall , so it requires a timely diversion , lest habit begin to sleight the quality of the offence , through an inurement or continuance of practise . i have observed many servants to hold this opinion : that if their care extend it selfe to what is committed to their charge ; they are not bound in conscience to looke any further : the charge of their fellow-servants holds no relation with them : they doe what is injoyned them , and this ( as they erroneously pretend ) may sufficiently discharge them . it is true , indeed , as the world goes , such servants may bee well received into the list of carefull reteiners , who addresse their labour to what is peculiarly injoyned them by their masters : but if they should duly consider the office of a faithfull servant : their care would dilate it selfe to an higher extent . for that servant cannot love his master sincerely , nor performe those offices which are required of him effectually , unlesse hee reteine a cautious and vigilant eye towards his fellowes care , and to their neglects prescribe a cure . yet not so , as by an insinuating way , so to ingratiate themselves in their masters favours , as by private whisperings or suggestions to lay a disgrace upon their fellow-servants . this is neither an act of duty ; nor any such office as may hold coherence with charity . for her rule is , to doe as you would be done unto . but if you apparently perceive that those who are in family with you , neglect their charge , or profusely dissipate your masters goods ; you are not in conscience bound to bee their secretaries . for when no admonitions will reclaime them , corrasives instead of cordials must be applyed to them . thus have you heard what you are to doe , and what you are to decline . much is expected from you , because much is committed to you . remit not your care ; but reflect on your heavenly master , in whose presence you ever are . begin the actions of every day with a memoriall of piety : so shall you prosper better in the performance of those offices in your family . and so we descend to our last observation ▪ which strikes anchor upon those neighbourly offices , which wee are to doe mutually one to another . of neighbourly offices . ovr daily experience and hourely observance may sufficiently informe us ; that , as our speech is the bond or arterie of humane society : so is humane society ; an especiall solace in this vale of misery . that rough philosopher , who gloried more in his contempt of the world , then others did in enjoying the fulnesse of it , though he naturally affected retirednes , yet could he not chuse but apprehend a great happines to consist in the mutuall enjoyment of one anothers neighbour-hood . this moved him to returne that answer to one , who intreated his resolution touching a parcell of ground which he was to purchase , with the conveniences which accomodated it : before thou become purchaser , inquire first who shall be thy neighbour . an ill neighbour makes an unhappy farmer : neither can the purchase be deare , who has a friendly neighbour at his doore . it was the wisemans positive assertion : he that despiseth his neighbour is destitute of wisedome . now , to preserve this neighbourly vnion : that as propinquity of place hath joyned them , so a sweet harmony of mindes may ever accompany them : you are first to know in what especiall offices this neighbourly amity is to bee exercised what proper obiects it reflects upon . that knowing how and in what particulars it consisteth , you may neither decline from the object at which it aimeth , nor become defective in performing those proper offices which it requireth . our ethicks will tell you , that these neighbourly offices , whereof wee are here to treat , either pitch upon arguments of discourse , and communication ; or upon action and negotiation ; or pastime and recreation . and first for matters of discourse ; wherein you are to bee so cautious , as nothing proceed from you as may either ingage his life , fame , or substance ; nor put your selves upon so desperate an hazard , as by your too free and inlarged discourse , to empaune your freedome under anothers girdle . which obvious perill that you may the better decline ; beware of these four precipices : for many by too securely failing upon the maine , have perished in their too much security , and through too much confidence lost themselves irrecoverably . first then , play not too much the part of an egregious traveller , by telling marvailes , nor of too pragmaticall a sophister , by pressing reasonings ; nor of too tart a critick , by detracting from others merits ; nor too arrogant an opinionist , by making comparisons . the first may erroneously dictate to your deluded thoughts that you are admired , when indeed you shall finde your selves to bee pittifully jeered . the second may perswade you that you are scholastically approved ; when you are in the test of him that heares you , pedantically censured . the third may hold you in hand that you are with resolution against all opposition armed ; whereas your too liberall censure makes you hated . the last , though it like you best , can never bee more by others distasted , then when by your selves most relished . we usually say , we may speake any thing safely , under the rose . but this proverbe is to reteine a discreet restriction . the rose is an embleme of charity ; which so long as wee make our obiect , wee may speake safely , because our discourse is seasoned with a pious reservancy . but no place can secure us , be it never so retired , unlesse the subject of our discourse be so seasoned . thinke then before you speake , that an irrevocable word beget not in you too untimely a repentance for what you have spoke . many , too many , will rather loose their friend then their jest . but these are dangerous to consort with : a jest unseasonably uttered has occasioned too many an indiscreet buffoun much losse , and irreparably divided them from others love . there is no greater deliberation then to bee taken in any passage of this life , then in our choice of acquaintance : many have perished by being too credulously confident of the privacy or fidelity of those they consorted with . catiline had never been so unexemplarily mischievous , had he not so daily consulted and consorted with a cethegus . now in arguments of discourse , as you are to addresse your scope according to the quality of the person , or necessity of his occasion with whom you converse : so three particulars are mainely observable in treaties of this nature : verity , vtility , modesty . by the first , we are taught to deliver nothing upon trust or fabulous report , but what is infallibly true and integrious . by the second , not to insist upon impertinences , but to presse upon that subject which is usefull and commodious . by the third , to decline too much vehemency in arguments of discourse ; for this argues a disposition arrogant and impetuous . for these with that daring epicurean velleius , are so confident and peremptory in matter of argument , as not a period must be delivered , but they expect it should be for a maxim received . and herein they erre most , because they hold themselves secure from erring . to bee briefe , in subjects of discourse ; let it be your care to regulate your speech to the direction of that ambrosiack father ; whose advice is , that there be weight in our words , sense in our speech , gravity in our discourse . which observed , neither shall your hearer be tediously cloyed , nor any impropriety discovered ; but by meanes of this communicative discourse become so mutually interessed and improved , as the evening may returne a faire account of whatsoever has beene delivered . secondly , as these neighbourly offices may pitch vpon action or negotiation ; be it ever your prime ground , ( as i have else-where observed ) to doe as you would be done vnto : you would not have your trust deceived : delude your neighbour with faire pretences . let your contracts bee just without circumvention ; your intentions cleare without collusion . suffer with your neighbour , as if it were in your owne particular . comfort him when you shall finde him perplexed ; relieve him when you shall find any way necessitated . now in directions of comfort , it is not so hard to give comfortable counsell to the sorrowfull , as to finde a fit season when to give it . make choice then of an opportunate houre , wherein the office of an affectionate neighbour may be performed ; and the action to which it is addressed , cheerefully seconded . tell me , is he brought upon the stage for his life ? performe the part of a constant damon to your distressed pitheas . bring him off if it lye in your power : especially , if his innocence merit your defence . sollicite his cause ; labour to free him from tyrannizing foes . it is a worke of piety , and reteines the highest place in those living annals of amity . againe , comfort him in the losse of those he loved . attemper his griefe with seasonable advice . so compassionate his teares , that they may find a sympathy in your eyes , and an antidote in your discourse . it was no lesse divinely then wittily said of epictetus the philosopher , who going forth one day , and seeing a woman weeping that had broken her pitcher ; and the next day meeting another woman weeping for that shee had lost her sonne : yesterday i saw teares shed over a broken pitcher ; and to day teares shed over one for paying his debt to nature . sociable and seasonable counsell in these , as it effectually workes upon the patient , so is it an argument of a pious disposition in the agent . you desire comfort in these cloudy dayes of your affliction ! minister the like solace upon every occasion : so shall others be stirred up to afford you the like receipt in your greatest strait : the like remedy in your pressingst extremity . in the second place , you are to tender his good name . for fame and honour is such a precious odour , as it survives man : and reteines the memory of his actions in a lasting shrine of glory or shame : these are monuments which cannot perish . touch , ieat , marble , ivorie , are all of them materials of mortality : whereas a precious fame survives such perishing metals , and makes perpetuity her trophey . the righteous shall be ever in remembrance : but the memory of the wicked shall rot . as it is palpable flattery then to bestow an adulterate beauty upon immeriting actions : so is it an act of impiety to detract from the repute of deserving persons . this moved devout hierome to conclude : to lay upon good men an aspersion , admits not easily a pardon . this were to discourage vertue , and to imbolden vice . be it then your especiall care to value his honour with whom you familiarly consort . such a pure stole as an undefiled fame may admit no staine . to observe this , let the preachers advice , be your impreze : if thou hast heard a word against thy neighbour , let it die with thee , and be sure , it will not burst thee . now in the choyce of those with whom you desire to be intimate , as you are to try before you trust , prove before you approve ; so having once confirm'd them yours , let their fame be equally pretious to you as your owne . first for your choyce , let them be such as you may rest confident that you may either better them , or be better'd by them . it was the advice of a learned morall , and the wisest may reserve an attentive eare for such usefull counsell : be not too easie in entertaining , but be constant in reteining . for the former , as it may taxe you of levity ; so the latter cannot chuse but accuse you of much inconstancy . if hee deserve your love , tender his fame as your owne life . if it be your opinion of him , that hee deserves not to be so enlisted ; use more freedome to him in trifles , then in what may appeare more consequent . it was the expression of a divine father to his affectionate friend : tuus sum totus . but before such time as his pious discretion admitted of any such subscription , by a more serious examen and discussion of his parts , he had found him worthy his affection : that maxime is true : love transanimates into the thing loved . they who truly love , fix on no object with more desire , then on that wherein they see their friends desire to cloze . hearts so really devoted , cannot possibly be divided . for as aristotle saith , friendship is one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies . how is it possible then that such an amicable union should admit of the least division ? for these sweet musicall ayres of entire affection , never suite well with those warbling measures which consist of divisions : for friendship implyes an equality ; nay , it is more platonically spheared , and infers a community . now there are five degrees of civill society ; . is of one family ; . of one city . . of neighbourhood or propinquity . . of amity . . of one countrey . all which produce effects in a severall manner , according to their contiguity , analogy or order . albeit , that society which derives it selfe from the lineall tye of blood , challengeth to it selfe the highest prerogative . now , i must not prescribe you what neighbours you are to have , but how to demeane your selves with those you have . and of these , none are held more dangerous , then such as are either superciliously insolent , or furiously impatient . for the former , that poet pourtrayes him to life in these his lofty and enlivened measures : whose proper similies so nearly allude unto him , as i cannot omit him . like to the bending shoulders of our anticks , who seeme as they 'd supported the foundation of an imperious structure , when god wot those arched cielings , rafters , beames and all would fe●le th' weight of their grandeure , and decline to mouldred earth , had they no firmer ground-workes to buttresse their rare fabrick : — so did th' fly i th' fable glory , that she rais'd the dust those spoke-wheeles fanned ; — thus though sense forbid it , a selfe-opinion ever thinkes she did it . neither be our impatient and violent spirits lesse incommodious in neighbourly offices . for with these , the least trespasse is of such high quality and nature , as it must admit no arbitrator . archita's milky dove must not build in their lovure . it were a taske of difficulty to consort with these neighbourly : and yet a moderate and well-composed temper may not only attemper such an humour , but bring his neighbour to a recollection of himselfe , and consequently to an acknowledgement of his errour . these effects wrought socrates , stilpho , and that tarentine archita's in theirs : and the like elixir may you extract from yours , if you seasonably apply your advice after the heat of their passion , and so by degrees bring them to enter treaty with reason . by which meanes you shall win them , by waining them from what did most unman them . now , there is no better office in the opinion of our soundest moralists , that can be expressed by one neighbour to another , then in moving him to peace , if he be contentious : and exhorting him to patience , if he be furious . where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith mellifluous bernard ) is sweet and profitable : where one man is meeke , it is commodious : where neither , it proves pernicious . for the contentious person , as he spins subtile webs to intangle others : for the most part ( with that grecian shipwright phereclus ) he becomes a prey unto others . it is said , that law , logick , and the switzers may be hired to fight for any one : sure i am it holds with these factious men , whose disposition holds ever in opposition with peace : and can find a fee for a lawyer , when they can scarce find a farthing for a dinner . these make their whole life a continued suite ; till they have brought such an irrecoverable consumption to their estate , as they leave no other inheritance to their posterity , then the remaines of a greater worke , reversions of poverty . i must confesse such litigious tetters are dangerous neighbours : for as they scorne to take wrong , so for most part they are as unwilling to doe any one right . yet a discreet temperate neighbour may worke much good upon such an indisposed nature . it is said agltaidas , that hee was a man of that surly and crooked disposition ; as hee dis-relished nothing more then the purchase of others affections . his only ayme was to disturbe others peace : and detract from others praise . yet , behold , how this rough peece , of a surly saturnine became affable ; of a cloudy critick , indifferently sociable , by a neighbourly consorting with those , whose propinquity of place , and familiarity of speech wrought strongly upon his spirit ! now , there is another office in you requisite , and to your neighbour expedient : and that is to afford your comfort by a seasonable exhortation of him to patience . if you find him dejected by receiving a legall censure otherwise then he expected , or , as hee conceives , deserved : by which hee holds himselfe so highly disparaged , as hee is ever harping upon that sentence of nicetas ; " no punishment so grievous as shame : or that expression of nazianzene , which reteines a more impressive stampe ; better were a man dye right out , then ever live in reproach and shame : or that dis-consolate speech of ajax , who being ready to dispatch himselfe , and with a desperate hand to divert the current of a maturer fate , used these as his last words ; no griefe doth so cut the heart of a generous and magnanimous man , as reproach and shame : oh then deferre no time , but seasonably apply your taske by infusing into his breathing wounds some balmy comfort , such as that cordiall was of a divine poet : nulla tam tristis sit in orbe nubes , quam nequit constans relevare pectus ; nulla cordati scrinio clientis ansa querelis . no cloud so dusky ever yet appeared , which by minds armed was not quickly cleared ; ne're suit to th' bosome of a spirit cheered sadly resounded . againe , should you find him afflicted with sicknesse , which hee increaseth with a fruitlesse impatience ; wishing a present period to his daies , that so death might impose an end to his griefes . suffer him not so to waste his spirits ; nor to dishonour him who is the searcher of spirits ; but apply some soveraigne receipt or other to allay his distemper , which vncured might endanger him for ever . exhort him to possesse his soule in patience : and to supply this absence of outward comforts with the sweet relishing ingredients of some mentall or spirituall solace . ingenious petrarch could say , be not afraid though the out-house , ( meaning the body , ) be shaken , so the soule , the guest of the body , fare well . and he closed his resolution , in a serious dimension , who sung : he that has health of mind , what has he not ? 't is the mind that moulds the man , as man a pot . lastly , doe you find him perplexed for losse of some deare friend , whose loyall affection reteined in him such a deepe impression , as nothing could operate in him more grounded sorrow , then such an amicable division ? allay his griefe with divine and humane reasons : tell him how that very friend which he so much bemones , is gone before him , not lost by him . this their division will beget a more merry meeting . let him not then offend god by lamenting , for that which he cannot recall by sorrowing : nor suffer his too earthly wishes for his owne peculiar end , to wish so much harme to his endeared friend as to make exchange of his seat and state of immortality , with a vale of teares and misery . admit he dyed young ; and that his very prime hopes confirmd the opinions of all that knew him , that a few maturer yeares would have so accomplish'd him , as his private friends might not onely have rejoyced in him , but the publique state derived much improvement from him . his hopefull youth should rather be an occasion of joy then griefe . though priam was more numerous in yeares , yet troilus was more penurious in teares . the more dayes , the more griefes . no matter , whether our dayes be short or many , so those houres we live be improved and imployed to gods glory . but leaving these , admit you should find him sorrowing for such a subject , as deserves no wise mans teares : as for the losse of his goods . these teares proceed from despicable spirits , and such whose desires are fixed on earth . so that , as their love was great in possessing them , so their griefe must needs be great in forgoing them . many old and decrepit persons ; to whom even nature promiseth an hourely dissolution ; become most subject to these indiscreet teares : for with that sottish roman , they can sooner weepe for the losse of a lamprey , then for the very nearest and dearest in their family . at such as these , that morall glanced pleasantly who said : those teares of all others are most base , which proceed from the losse of a beast . and these though their grounds of griefe appeare least , yet many times their impatience breakes forth most . fearefull oathes and imprecations are the accustomablest ayres or accents which they breath . these you are to chastise , and in such a manner and measure , as they may by recollection of themselves , agnise their error , and repeat , what that divine poet sometimes writ , to impresse in them the more terror : that house which is inur'd to sweare , gods judgements will fall heavy there . these , as they are inordinate in their holding , so are they most impatient in their losing . and it commonly sareth with these men as it doth with the sea-eagle ; who by seeking to hold what she has taken , is drench't downe into the gulfe , from which shee can never be taken . it was the saying of sage pittacus , that the gods themselves could not oppose what might necessarily occurre : sure i am , it is a vaine and impious reluctancy to gaine-say whatsoever god in his sacred-secret decree has ordained . his sanctions are not as mans , they admit no repeale . what availes it then these to repine , or discover such apparent arguments of their impatience , when they labour but to reverse what cannot be revoked , to anull that which must not be repealed ? exhort them then to suffer with patience , what their impatience cannot cure : and to scorne such servile teares , which relish so weakly of discretion , as they merit more scorne then compassion . now , there is another kinde of more kind-hearted men , who though in the whole progresse of their life , they expressed a competent providence ; being neither so frugall as to spare where reputation bad them spend ▪ nor so prodigall as to spend where honest providence bad them spare . yet these , even in the shore , when they are taking their farewell of earth , having observed how their children , in whom their hopes were treasured , become profuse rioters , set the hoope an end , and turne spend-thrifts too : and so close their virile providence with an aged negligence : sprinkling their hoairy haires with youthfull conceipts : and singing merrily with the latian lyrick : our children spend , and wee 'l turne spenders too , and , though old-men , doe as our young men doe . this i must ingeniously confesse is an unseemly sight : that old men when yeares have seazed on them , and their native faculties begin to faile them ; should in so debaucht a manner make those discontents which they conceive from their children , the grounds of their distemper . for as the adage holds it prodigious for youth to represent age ; so is it ridiculous for age to personate youth . but for decrepit age , as it is for most part unnaturall to bee prodigall , so is it an argument of indiscretion for it to be too penuriously frugall . for to see one who cannot have the least hope of living long , to bee in his earthly desires so strong ; to be so few in the hopes of his succeeding yeares , and so full of fruitlesse desires and cares , what sight more vnseemely ? what spectacle more uncomely ? that man , deluded man , when strength failes him ; all those certaine fore-runners of an approaching dissolution summon him : and the thirsty hope of his dry-ey'd executors makes them weary of him ; that then i say , his eager pursuit of possessing more ( when as he already possesseth more then he can well enioy ) should so surprize him , discovers an infinite measure of madnesse : for , as it divides his affections from the object of heaven , so it makes him unwilling to return to earth , when his gellied blood , his enfeebled faculties , and that poor mouldred remainder of his declining cottage , as they have made earth weary of him , so should they make him desirous to returne to earth . now , as you cannot expresse a more christian neighbourly office , then in your private arbours , to converse with these groundlings ; and acquaint them with the hopes of another life ; and the feares of a second death : so even with all such as neighbour neere you , when at any time you shall perceive any predominant irregular affection over-swaying reason in them : to afford your best advice to reclaime them ; by which means as you may winne them , so may you winne favour with the highest by your so discreet , pious and seasonable endevour to waine them . for as comfortable cordials are usefull to such as be disconsolate : so are more sharpe medicinable corrasives helpefull to such whom a long custome of delinquency has made indurate . and so i briefly descend to the pleasant'st , neither altogether the unprofitablest neighbourly office , which we formerly , according to the distribution , of our ethicks , proposed ; which particular office , discreetly moderated , cannot but redound with much mutuall content to the parties so lovingly and neighbourly interessed . it is a received tenet ; apollo's bow must not hold ever bent , and once a yeare his laughter gives content . there is none so intentively serious , unlesse hee be wholly drenched in mundane cares : or fastned to the privacy of a studious life : but hee will reserve an houre to recreate his over-tyred spirits with his friend . yet sayes that flower of roman oratory , wee are in these to use a restriction , lest of our recreation we make a profession . wee are to make use of it , as of our sleepe or rest : to cheere us , not to dull us . if wee lye too long groveling in it , we become stupid and insensate by it . this makes me recall to mind that pleasant dialogue betwixt a tutor and his pupill ; whom when his tutor found lying a bed at nine of the clock ; he chid him , telling him that five houres were sufficient to lye in bed for necessity : and seven for recreation : and truly , said his pupill , i thought good to make use of both ; for i have laine twelve : so as , tutor , you cannot justly blame me , having observed both mine houres of recreation and necessity . now in subjects of this nature , wee shall find such variety ; as they cannot chuse but afford us delight , and that in a pleasing satiety . for these extend equally to the exercises both of body and mind . to the mind , to reason or contemplate : to the body , to practise or operate . the one being no lesse apt , ( to use the words of that witty centurist ) to handle his booke , then the other his ball : the one his pen , the other his pike . for the former of these , that neighbourly farmer writing to his honest friend and farrier , upon his herauld labour , exercised his wit in a recreative way after this manner . parthen . in miscell . marg . a black-smith , and a writer ! 't is a straine , well hammer'd forth by th' anvill of the braine . each period is a naile , that well bestowes this prayse on th' author : " he has won his shoes . he needs no belloes to disperse his fame , each stroke returnes an accent of his name . with common cates he do's not cloy your gorge ; nay , what is rare , he workes without a forge . admit you 've broke , or lost your armes , reteine this man , hee 'l bring them to their use againe . nay , reade till you be gravell'd , i le assure you , repaire but to this farrier , hee will cure you . one smelt shall serve for all ; the more i read , the more , me thinkes , he hits the naile o' th head . so as i vow by th' crowne of polihymnie , more learned smoak ne're steam'd from lemnian chimny : whose wel-composed bulke for state and style , needs not the helpe of any vice or file : for th' more one lookes , the more it would amaze one , to see a mulciber a coat deblazon : succeeding yeares shall say , when these times passe , that never horse-leach such an herald was : and stationer too will wish , if 't roundly sell ; " many such smiths were in his israel . such harmelesse pleasing passages as these , doe not onely delight the fancy ; but remaine as pledges of neighbourly love and amity : whereas such light straines or jeering wits , as run descant on the same of their neighbour : they may perhaps please themselves , but they cannot chuse but dis-relish any well-disposed hearer . for true ingenuity can never hold equi-page or relation with love of infamy or detraction . that wit reteines the best state , which frees it selfe from others staine . whereas , the too fat and fertile soiles of exuberant wits , for want of due culture , grow wild with weeds , and returne to their master a fruitlesse crop for all his labour . to divert from these ; there is an other recreation more commonly used , then worthily approved : because the too free scope given to the use , has brought it into an abuse . i meane their too assiduate familiar-neighbourly meetings ; which , though they imply love , yet they cloze too oft in violent extreames , and apparent issues of hate . frequent meetings and long sittings cannot chuse but produce unexpected effects ; especially seeing , that even the best tempered spirits , and sweet composed natures daily lose themselves by tasting too freely of circes cups : and of disceet antenors , become intemperate elpenors : entring those inchanted cels like lambs , but going forth like lyons . neither ( as i have often observed ) did these distempers arise from any love they bore to the cup , but their companion : or some other attractive motive , which lengthneth the shots , and makes the merry-madding houre seeme short . this that pleasant pasquill daintily shadowed : an handsome hostesse needs not keepe true score , a smile will cause her guests stay one night more ; she shewes no curt'sies , but they must requite them , while ev'ry kisse she lends , makes up an item . many mis-spent houres have these occasions produced ; which upon a more serious , and indeed temperate consideration could not but be repented : for upon discussing expence of time and coine ; how frivolous , if not noxious delights , begot a neglect in the former , then which nothing more precious : and a needlesse dis-respect of the latter , then which nothing more profusely foolish : these could not chuse but taxe themselves of ignorance in the one , and improvidence in the other : such consorts as these , can neither make good husbands for wives ; good companions for neighbours ; good masters of a meney ; nor trusty friends to any . for the first , that lydian maid discovered her resolution fully , and imparted her mind freely , in her distaste to a mate of this society : i 'd rather dye maid , and lead apes in hell , then wed an inmate of silenus cell . for the second , how can they performe the office of a neighbour , whose distemper'd braine cannot distinguish a neighbour from a stranger ? for the third , how were it possible that they should be discreet masters over others , who have not the discretion to bee masters of themselves ? for the last , how should they be trusty to any , when intemperance has betrayed the trust of every faculty , and unriveted that golden claspe of the memory , which should have reteined ( like a sure recluse or store-house ) the bowell of every secrecy ? in your deportments then of this nature ; as your reserved houres admit of moderate recreation , to allay the weight or grandeure of more serious businesse , make it only as a pastime , not as a continued taske of passing time . flies , when they play with the candle , never leave it , till their wings are singed by it . habit , as it is precious in the practise of vertue ; so it growes pernicious in the exercise of vice . observe then these circumstances in these inferiour actions of delight . . with whom you consort . . for what end you consort . . to observe a meane , whereby you may attaine the end , for which you consort . now , to give an usefull touch in each of these : that excellent morall can informe you : the way to safety is to retire your selves from company : but seeing humane society admits , nay injoynes it ; you are to make choyce of such as may improve your knowledge by it . all good fellowes are not good men . you are then to bee no lesse cautious in your choyce of company ; then you would be of those you consort with , in a contagious or pestilentiall city : the way to infect all , is to mixe the sick with the whole . the meanes to avoid this malady , is to make piety your directresse in the course and choyce of your society . secondly , you are to consider for what end you consort . not to ravell out time , as if no account were to bee given of it : but to bestow it upon some usefull discourse ; such as may improve the hearer , and returne this testimony of you to the discreetest eare , that you come not thither to be time-spenders , but improvers of your talents to your selves and others . thirdly , you are to observe a meane , whereby you may attaine the end . distemper is an ill manager of any busines . and in the course or passage of occasions to admit any unnecessary diversion , mainely troubles the current , or in-let of occasion . avoid both these : let neither your bloods bee inflamed through distemper : nor your occasions diverted by any irregular or indisposed humour . so shall these amicable intercourses of yours , not only redound to the benefit of the hearer : but returne into your owne bosomes with much profit and honour . now to take our worke out of the loome ; you may remember how in this our last observance , wee told you that these neighbourly offices , either pitched upon arguments of discourse and communication ; or upon action and negotiation ; or pastime and recreation : in the pursuit or agitation whereof , you were to be cautelous of the life , fame , or substance of such with whom you stood interessed . of all which , with no lesse brevity then perspicuity wee have so farre treated , as nothing now remaines to be further handled or discussed , save only substance ; which being in the estimate of opinion the least , wee have reserved for the last . we shall briefly descend to that too ; that nothing may be omitted wherein your knowledge may be improved , and these mutuall offices better performed ; which even in humane society are necessarily to bee preserved . touching this then , a better morall direction you cannot receive , then from that well contented and rightly tempered tarentine : who protested that hee never saw his neighbours field flourish , but hee rejoyced in the fecundity of it , as if it had beene his owne . his welfare made him smile . his successe caus'd him to give thankes to the gods , as if that successe had redounded to his owne goods . this well-disposed ethick had not an evill eye . he knew not how to repine or murmure when his neighbour did prosper . be you of the like mind . as it is an angelicall vertue , to rejoyce at anothers good : so is it a diabolicall vice , to repine at anothers gaine . let not your eye be evill , because another's good . be it your salutation , when you passe by them , in your devoutest prayers to blesse them : saying , " god speed you , we wish you good luck , may you prosper in your labour to his glory whom you honour . these if you duly observe ; when you see your neighbours field look fat , ( to use the saying of that wise cinick ) it wil not make your cheeks look leane . that marrow-eating envie cannot grind you , because your neighbours prosperous successe doth infinitly cheer you . you will not stumble on his meere-stone , nor remove his buttoll to inlarge your own , because you tender his welfare equally as your owne . his losse must not procure your curse : because your best wishes ever cloze with his successe . let us draw in our sailes , and contract all in one . would you , gentlemen , in your reflexion upon conjugall offices , performe the duty of good husbands ? love your wives , even as christ loved the church , and gave himselfe for it . and rejoyce with those whom you have loved . observe likewise that mutuall office and benevolence betwixt them and you : and let none partake in your love , but those who are affianced to you . the wife hath not the power of her owne body , but the husband : and likewise also the husband hath not the power of his owne body , but the wife . this mutuall interest thus confined , should make your hearts the more individually united . performe then the office of good elkanahs , loving husbands : so may you find in your wives , the like mutuall affections . and yee wives , who are thus happily espoused , render a faire requitall unto them , in whose esteeme you are so much endeared . be discreet , chaste , keeping at home , good , and subject unto your husbands ; usurpe no authority over them , but bee in silence . this conjugall office , by a sweet introduced habit , will become a solace . secondly , touching parentall offices ; as yee children are to obey your parents in the lord , for this is right : so are yee fathers not to provoke your children to wrath : but bring them up in instruction , and information of the lord. thirdly , for domestick offices ; as yee servants , are to be obedient unto them that are your masters ; pleasing them in all things , not answering againe : so yee masters , doe the same things unto them , putting away threatning . this in every private family will beget a sweet consorting harmony . lastly , in neighbourly offices ; as yee neighbours are to please one another in that that is good to edification ; let no man seeke his owne , but every man anothers wealth . these offices thus performed , what can be less expected then such a sweet union of minds and affections ; as these two consorts here combined , and to one volume reduced , cannot in their loves be more firmely cemented , then they harmoniously joyned ? be it then your care to preserve this faire contexture ; trust mee , it will conferre on your family , where vertue gives the best beauty , more true honour , then the easie-resolving varnish of fortunes , or whatsoever may outwardly accommodate you . for in the survey of these , you shall find such a faire provision , as it may prepare you to be loyall lovers , discreet fathers , just masters , friendly neighbours : and which is above all , such absolute commanders of your own affections , as should all those occurrents which encounter mortality , oppose you , they could not surprize you , because a pious resolution hath reer'd her counter-mure to secure you . this taske i shall account happy , so it may redound to your profit , gods glory . finis . a tablet reflecting upon this svpplement . a preamble , branching it selfe into a briefe analysis of the whole tract . pag. . of conjugall offices . pag. . observat. . the excellent saying of caia , wife to caius tarquinius . ibid. the noble florentines impreze , which hee caused to be engraven for a nuptiall embleme . pag. conjugall offices are not to be disorderly mixed . palaemon , si caulam negligat , galataeam faciet indigentem : galataea , si colum deserat , palaemonem faciet insipientem . p. . the offices of a wife to her husband . pag. wonderfull examples of piety and mortification . p. a discreet loving treaty betwixt a wife and her husband , recommended to the constant practise of all affectionate censorts . p. offences ingenuously acknowledged , are with conjugall piety and pity to be pardoned : and this locally instanced . p. of parentall offices . p. . observat. . a parentall care reflects properly upon two distinct objects : internall . externall . the one to educate them in principles of religion : the other to accommodate them for a vocation . p. . . &c. the highest point of discretion in a schoole-master , is to find out the disposition of his scholler . p. inconsiderate youth accounts the fruitlesse expence of time , a meere pastime . ib. parents are to dispose of their estates now , while they stand seazed of estates , lest their decease alter the intention of their estates . p. the offices of children to their parents . ibid. children are bound to render unto their parents expressions of their duty and zeale , in three respects : obedience . p. . &c. reverence . p. . &c. supportance . p. . &c. the fruits of obedience , as they have relation both to children and parents . p. the admonition of an incensed father to a disobedient sonne . p. a constant position observable in disobedient children . p. . the graduall respects of love and duty . p. of domestick offices . p. . observat. . the offices of masters to their servants . ibid. two extreames or perillous poles to be avoided , whereby this domestick obedience may be better observed : lenity . p. ibid. severity . p. ibid. no servant meaner then a parcimonious master . p. . the duty of servants to their masters . p. the duty of a servant to his master , will make a servant an happy master . ibid. emblematicall hieroglyphicks of sloath . p. adam no sooner became sinfull , then the earth unfruitfull . ibid. it is not sufficient for a servant to intend his owne peculiar charge , unlesse he admonish others of the neglect of their care . p. of neighbourly offices . p. ibid. observat. . all neighbourly offices pitch upon three particulars : arguments of discourse or communication . p. . &c. arguments of action and negotiation . p. . &c. arguments of pastime and recreation . p. . &c. foure cautions in matters of discourse to be avoided ; that all grounds of distaste may be better diverted . telling marvailes . p. pressing reasonings . p. lessening others merits . p. making comparisons . p. three particulars observable in arguments of discourse : verity . ibid. vtility . ibid. modesty . ibid. three peculiar subjects , wherein these neighbourly offices are to be exercised : life . p. fame . p. svbstance . p. five degrees of civile society : of one family . p. of one city . p. of neighbourhood or propinquity . p. of amity . p. of one countrey . p. the dangers arising from opinionate wits . p. . the unexpected events of frequent meetings . p. ▪ circumstances observable in all inferiour actions of delight : with whom wee consort . p. for what end we consort . p. the meane , p. whereby we may attaine the end for which we consort . hee winds up the series of his discourse , with a repetition , and usefull application of every particular branch . ibid. the usuall salutation by the ancient lations observed , and as it is to this day by us reteined . p. hee concludes this supplement , with a briefe relation of the benefit of every particular subject . ibid. a conclusive poem contracting all these subjects in one . by him , who steers the sterne of ev'ry state , inspires our muse , informes us how to write , that palme of peace , that day which knowes no date , that sole-all-seeing , and surveying sight , that wings our faith , and cheers us when we fight : " by his sweet influence was this begun " with whom it ends , and so my worke is done . to you then , english gentlemen ; to whom our first part is addrest : — bestow your care to act what may gentility become ; that as yee in your fathers fortunes share , your vertues may proclaime whose sonnes yee were . " 't is this will leave your names more eminent " then honour , fading favour , or descent . next , to you english ladies ; who expresse a native beauty in each act yee doe , let good resolves prepare your morning dresse , and thinke on heav'n when wanton suiters wooe , or on those mates yee stand affianc'd to . " fame is a precious odour , whose least graine " once shed , is hardly gather'd up againe . ladies love lectvre to you have i read , where yee such fresh-choice-fragrant flow'rs may cull as yee no other ornaments shall need ; fill then your iv'ry-azur'd bosomes full , ne're any such did atalanta pull . " prove usefull readers then , and , if yee erre , " condemne mee for a carelesse lecturer . lastly , i 've cloz'd all in a svpplement , where modest tearmes describe the art of love , which to the rest gives such embellishment , 't is styl'd the trivmph of the tvrtle-dove , whose reall-loyall emblemes if yee prove , " i shall not chuse but like where ere i looke , " and for your sakes make bold to kisse the booke . finis . for the most vertvovs , and nobly-accomplisht ladie , the right honovrable , elizabeth , ( dowager ) covntesse of strafford ; highly eminent in the skale of the serious't , and serenest judgements , for her pious conservation of the living memory of her most absolute consort . a character of honovr . to write of honour , and not amply , according to honours character , were a derogation to her : and to write exactly , would require a more expert and judicious artist , then every rude myson to take in hand a subject of such consequence ; but vertue , as she is best adorned when least garnished with externall colours : so honour is most lively when she seemes most naked of rhetoricall varnish . the best moralls have ever pourtray'd justice by a scale , poyzing every action duely , discussing every ambiguity throughly , without fixing of her eye on the object of majesty commanding , or of amity ( with more easie meanes ) perswading ; they have deciphered fortitude , not by thrasoe boast , or a precipitate opposing her selfe to all dangers without mature judgement to foresee , and resolution to prevent the iminency of all occurrents : which made homer dilate upon the essence of true fotitude , represented in hector , as an archytipe no lesse imitable , then for mannagement in all assaies admirable : he brings him in dehorting his brother paris , from his inconsiderate purpose : with this good caveat . it becommeth us not to take armes upon every sensuall respect , but to ground the motion of warre upon a cause honestly moving . to be brief , there should be no vertue which should not rather-character her selfe , by her owne purity , then be displaied by a curious or affective style ; which rather detracts then augments those perfect and unstained ornaments wherewith she is endued : and that which cicero speaks of the office of an orator , censuring that speech as most vicious , which seemes most curious ; may i speak of honour , whose dependence is of vertue : onely illustrated in her selfe , because her essence gives to her more eminence than the polish'd styles of the best rhetoricians could ever effect . but i will descend into the particular discourse of truly honourable : what they should be that arrogate that name , and what they are that merit it . honour relisheth best , when highliest descended : not boasting with lycas in the tragedy of noble ancestors , but of inward vertues ; making their mindes the purest mansions of nobility ; their vertues , the symbolls of their d●scent and progeny . for what is it to challenge precedencie by our ancestors , being made noble by them , whom our owne actions perchance , makes as ignoble ? i can approve that disposition of alexander the best ; who rather wished his fathers exploits ( though not in e●vy ) to be obscured , whereby his owne memorable atchievements might purchase him glory , not by relation had to the prowesse of his father , but his owne demerits ; yet not with a too listning eare of attention , hearing his warlike designes above truth praysed : but more willing to doe , then heare of his doings . for hearing aristobulus on a time commending his memorable acts farre above truth in his writings , he threw the booke into the river , as he was sailing over hydaspis , saying , he was almost moved to send aristobulus after . for this i have alwaies observed in an honourable minde : no popular conceipt can transport her above her shpaere ; she cannot endure a temporizing humorist , that feedes on the aire of his owne applause ; but like a wise ithacus commits the sailes of his prudent and provident affections to be disposed by vertue , stopping his eare at the incantations of the voice-alluring syren , or cup-attracting cyrce . an honourable man stereth his ship with no sterne of ambition , but with a temperate opinion of himself and his owne actions : referring the whole current and passage of his intentions , purposes and endeavours to his countries welfare : whose safety he preferres before his owne : wishing rather death with a good opinion of his country , then immerited honours with her detriment . the truly honourable will accept of no honours but such as her deserts challenge : nor those neither , if not obtruded . this moved many of the ancient heroes , whose acts deserve no lesse memory , then their lifes did glory , to expose themselves to all perils , whereby their names might be recorded in the annalls of fame : leaving not only statues or monuments of what they have been , but by the exact representation of their vertues , what they are ; for even the pagans reserved a place of honour and celebrity to such as had either exempted their country from the servitude of her enemy , or had augmented her glory by the voluntary resignation of their lives . such were the memorable annalls of the decii , curtii , bruti . many of the worthy mannagers of state in former times , desired to have no statues to be erected in their glory , rather making their owne vertues the liveliest records of their memory ; the reason whereof may be conceived or at least conjectured ) by those occurrents which even hapned in their times : being pursued by that publique foe to vertue and all vertuous intendments , envy : which ( marrow-eating locust ) attended the worthiest personages that then breathed . caesar had a pompey , pompey a septimius : african a marius , eschines a demosthenes , cicero a cethegus . this might move , and that not without just cause , that columne of justice , lacedemons glory , vertuous agesilaus , to erect no statue in his honour , lest his life 's ideome after death should be no lesse contemned , then he was in his life envied : in meum honorem simulachra erigi non cupio , ea enim magis gloriam detrahunt quàm augent : in hoc autem humili thoro fama mea ab aliorum invidia maximè aliena est : i desire to have no statue nor curious monument erected in mine honour : they rather diminish than propagate our glory ; my fame is least envied in this low and dejected bed of earth . poore prince , shall thy name , which hath spread it selfe by so many victories atchived so many conquests purchased , non sine sanguine & sudore , shall they feare to be vanquished or suppressed by times anatomy , cankred envy , that never knew what honour meant , but by corrupting honour ? o then how vaine be those trophies which are hung in honour of those heroes of former times ! what availeth it cyrus of the translated monarchy from the medes to the persians ? or for alexander to have reduced the whole world into one monarchy ? or caesar so farre to have dispersed his glory , making his motto — veni , vidi , veci ? the envenomed breath of one serpentine spirit can consume , so great and happy vertues , which once aspired to that height , that eminence , as they enstyled their possessors truly heroicall ; making flaccus axiome no lesse true to demonstrate our declining memory , then to describe our times mortality : quò pius encas , quo tullus dives & ancus ? pulvis & umbra sumus . — dust and ashes indeed ; yet such , as albeit the slimy substance of the externall man rest immured and incaged in the bowels of earth ; yet there is an aethereall , an heavenly aspiring beauty which cannot be depressed with the terrene and massie weight of earths interior centre — alta petit , nec cessat , quoad altissima perringit . it hovereth higher , as a bird farre removed from her native repose , till it arrive at those elysian fields of true immortality , where her expected habitation is possessed — even the mansion of heavenly syon . hence therefore may those carnall and epicureall men , who have wallowed in all mundane delights , drunke deep of the sensuall lethe of their security , be confounded with shame ; who relinquishing the offred time of grace , expose themselves to the brothells of sin and impiety , forgetting all respect of honour , as corvinus messala did his owne name — and when they behold the admired and most resplendent honours of our time , either to decline by some in auspicious accident , or cut by the common sithe of fate , compare their contaminate lives with their refined vertues . they are gone , and who will now remember them ? they were pillars of the state , while they lived , but now the state is altered ; where be all the fruits of their fruitlesse cares ? the harvest of so industrious labours ? where is that great attendance which gained them observation in the eye of the world ? our state is now more happy , we breath not on others breaths ▪ yet receive no lesse content by our riot ; we are not publikely observed , and yet observe no lesse repute by private attendance ; we live merrily ; and dye without the least perturbation , anguish or pensive distraction of a minde surcharged with care , over-ballanced with distresse : ●e thinke not of ample inheritances , nor make others riot in our funeralls : castè & cautè vivunt , qui aliorum quadrâ non vivunt , saith the comick ; and we may believe him . our privacy gaines us a retired liberty ; rest is not purchased by honour , nor the date of our time protracted by the ambicious wings of preferment . thus will the sileni of our time descant upon honours ruine , interpreting life , vertues best reward : when no lesse distast is conceived by the truly vertuous , of these distempered humors , which proceed from the cachexie or evill disposition of our mindes , then that renowned phylosopher heraclitus did by the vanity of ephesus , or diogenes by the vain and fruitlesse rarities of synope . for he is truly honourable , who employeth his oyle , the faculties of his soule , so to his countries availe , that he may attaine a more glorious seate , in his country supernall . neither are we to hold the ornaments of honour onely derivative from their princes favour . we have seene many eminent in their eye , whose actions have throwne a worthy odium upon their persons , by abusing the grace bestow'd on them : and bringing a fatall and fearefull combustion upon the state by their ambition , or appetite of revenge : or some other indirect aime ; as all ages can present instances , and these of our owne , to our griefe , even in these our late distractions . and though families of high extraction and innate honour might be held worthiest to fit at the sterne , and to mannage the highest affaires of state ; yet have princes suffered in their too much confidence : and falne under their umbrage , by whom in their greatest extreames , they ought to have beene supported . and to inlarge our observations in this particular ; whence is it to be thought , that this degeneration ariseth ? is it from corruption of blood , or of time ? we shall finde a decay or defection in both : effeminacy or delicacy being generally nursers of our gentry : which cannot chuse but make plants sprung from eminent descents looke unlike themselves . so as , where honour and valour with other decoring endowments , should close in competition with one another : education , which is a second nature , intervenes and tells them , that their breeding never school'd them in any such notions . former times might finde seminaries for such abilities : but a long continued peace and fulnesse of fortunes have made the excercise of those abilities uselesse . but shall we proceed a little further , and unrip the occasion or ground of this malady ? we shall render it briefly and truly . let us suppose a prince ( as in a platonick idaea ) seated in his chaire of state ; and in a full assembly as in his senat-house : where persons of quality and such as are elected for the benefit and indemnity of their country appeare assistants . and in this grand convene , proposalls of high concerne are debated : but clearely carried by the plebeian party ; as in our roman annalls , we may finde sundry presidents . whence is it , i say , that the candidates and those of nobler extraction should vaile to the lower : and to their princes prejudice and regall priviledge ▪ subscribe to their decretalls ? is it weaknesse or personall interest , that begets in them this remissnesse ? no ; not wholly from weaknesse ; though their judgements be not of the first sight , but their facility in subscribing to inferiour votes , is grounded upon three respects . popularity ; self-ends and pusillanimity . the reasons you shall hear thus discussed . it was well observed by a statesman in our time ; whose travells had sufficiently read unto him , how plebeian votes were ever for crying up libertie of subjects ; and subjection of soveraignes : that nothing was more dangerous to a state government , then this popular overswaying power : being ever over-clowded with discontents : and picking quarrells at the present government , were it never so prudently managed , nor peaceably administred . innovation is the posture of state , they aime at : which , though it introduce with it many fearefull consequences ; they will chuse rather to smile on their owne approaching ruine ; then admit that state or condition be it never so calme nor serene , so long as they hold it incapable of a change. now would you know the cause why these plebeian votes passe for current ; and receive no opposition ? we are to understand , how highest families are not ever indued with the pregnant'st wits , nor percivest judgements . they find subtil groundlings , who , though they came but th' other day from cart & never look't so high as into the glorious horizons of a court ; yet they have found the way how to over-wit those perfumed ingenuities : who ravell out time in their court-dialect : and by intending more the trimme then the dress ; spoile the pursuit of their arguments : and give easy way to their rurall opponents : who , though lesse neat , hold more to substance : and win ground upon those state-popinja●es , by taking advantage upon their impertinencies . but to omit these ; for all of them retaine not a savour of this cask ; there is another bait , which these lordly lobsters usually nibble at ; being a politike designe , as they conceit it ; the apprehension whereof ( though it expire like an airy fancy ) has great influence over them . and what is this illusion , but a popular opinion ? their desire is to feede on vulgar aire ; the steame whereof for most part choakes them . they have heard perchance , of some persons , who by suffrage of the people , and their applause , have swolne great in the opinion of the state : and sometimes by being borne upon their shoulders , have attained the highest pitch of command . they observe , how the fame of mens actions receives more life from popular opinion , than any other instrument of state. and in this they canonize their owne fancies , by applying that rapsody of the poet , to the imaginary extension of their spreading shadowes : quàm pulchrum est digito monstrari , & dicier hic est ? as the theater , whereon they act their mimick-tyming parts , are hung about with the arras of vanity : so their prime care is to woo and ingratiate their spectators , and by winning in upon their affections , to purchase their applause in the cloze of their actions . but as we commonly note , that by-standers see more then the gamesters ; so fares it with these deluding changelings . for by labouring to please those of inferiour judgements , these mechanicks below the stage ; they lose themselves in the opinion of these serious and mature censors ; those gallant gallery wits ( to passe by those feminine boxes , where pregnancie even in criticisme , oft-times transcends the quality of their sexe ) who can discover their defects ; for so enlivened are their judgements , and so farre distanced from a popular verge , where conceipt , like a restrained vassall , is ty'd to the demension of the object they looke on , and no further ; as they know well how to distinguish betwixt a roscius and a lysias . popularity is an affected kinde of action ; which the higher it mounts , it ever lesseneth it selfe the more in the eye of judgement . surely would honour equally ballance her owne worth , and enter into a serious consideration with its owne extraction ; she would blush at nothing more , then in suffering her selfe to be deluded with such a phanatick shadow of fruitlesse glory : which ( though it promise much ) is ever failing in her reality of performance : and not onely failing the expectance ; but drawing the too credulous believer into a dangerous precipice ; from which no thread , were it never so curiously spun by the artfull or subtill hand of an ariadne , may ever free him . it is prevention that is the life of policy ; but if opportunity be not taken by the foretoppe ; he failes in his pursuit of prevention , by neglecting the season . let honour beware of aspiring , or raising herself one story higher , either by indirect wayes , or weake hopes ; both which she shall finde , like so many egyptian reedes , rather piercing than strengthning her in her progresse , or ascent to greatnesse in her pursuit of popular fame ; which seldom or never accompanied the merit of any action : but observes the issue , & upon that successe grounds the basis of their opinion . honour should derogate much from her true native value , in entertaining such flitting and fly blown followers ; who act nothing with alacrity but innovation , faction & disloyalty . thus farre you have heard what strong influence this popular froath has upon adulterate honour ; which , as it retaines a glo-worme light , so it deceives others with its false splendor , and makes the pursuers of it most unfortunate . we shall litle need to strengthen this assertion with instances : our owne chronicles may afford us variety , without ranging further . now to the second motive ; wherein we shall lay open unto you , how powerfully self-ends operate upon this painted greatnesse . their revenues are such land-marks , as they direct their course by them . these make them conclude positively , though poorely for persons of descent and quality : si mihi res constet , satis est ; quo publica flerem ? non aliâ pendet compage nostra domus . publique safety is the lightest feather in their skale . so they may riot and play the sensuall libertines in the free and undisturbed injoyment of their own ; they hold the game well plaid to their advantage . no defection of subjects ; no alteration of government , no decrease of commerce , no hostile invasion by a surreptitious nation ; can work much upon their affections : or resolve their adamantine temper to a compassionate teare , the wheel of their fortune holds a constant course , amidst these inconstant and vertiginous wheelings of the state. and this is enough for them . now to preserve these , and stand at distance , like priviledg'd persons , secur'd from exception or opposition ; they ever have an intentive eye upon the stronger party . and these they follow with a servile reverence . how happy had it been for these moaths of honour to have been souldiers of fortune , or younger brothers , or persons of inferiour quality ; that the lownesse of their condition might have freed them from the pursuit of such dishonourable self-ends . the maxim is true : o quàm multi foeliciores fuissent , si minus possedissent ! whereas , a spirit cloathed with true habilliments of honour , will rather suffer all extreames ; then admit an injurious or disgracefull bargaine in the sale or prostitution of his honour . the historian returnes us the relation of a foolish emperour ; who , when newes came unto him , that rome was taken ; he imagining it to be his hen which he called roma , fell into a violent passion , and torrent of teares for the loss of his bird. i cannot more properly resemble them then to this brainsick prince ; who preferr'd so contemptible a creature before the surprize of his own person , and the ruine of his empire . teares have easy issues and avenues that break forth upon such inconsiderable trifles . and this , even in this last scean & catastrophee of our imbroyled state , ( as some of our traducing criticks blanch it ) might we find instanced in sundry persons of note ; whose actions , in parallel lines directly tended to this centre . for although they beheld spectacles of grief every where numerously presented , the face of their country changed ; those whom they held in time of peace deservingly honoured , & in relation to themselves most indeared ; stripped of what they justly injoyed : & for their honest principles , exposed to the weight of an injurious and malignant censure ; yet some of these , whose ripe and mellow yeares , besides the distractions of the time , might have taught them a more usefull lesson ; never , or very coldly applyed the sundry traverses of others misfortunes to their own condition . their connivence and concurrence with those eminent votaries , who bore the sway , and made their wills , their lawes ; would ( as they hoped ) secure their persons and states . but they found their ill-grounded confidence meere foolishnesse . the umbrage of that usurped greatnesse , whereon they relyed , could not supersede that guiltinesse , which their actions , though with much privacy carried , had casually incurred . it was the least of their care , and tooke the lowest place in their apprehension of grief , to see a late-flourishing state much envyed by forraigne nations ( being such a store-house of all necessary provision , and an inclosed garden of selected delicacies ) to see , i say , so choice and well-cultuated a soyle , soyled with perfidious feet , and made a wilde forrest for rationall brutes . this they lightly resented ; it begot no qualme in them to see the state quite turned off the hinges : so they remained secure by hugging the constitutions of a corrupted state ; and by vertue of that protection , were not in feare to be turn'd out of their own houses . thus have you heard how strait-lac'd these selfe-interested personages are , and have been ever to their owne ends ; being deterred from opposition , or speaking in defence of their country or ancient-regall priviledges in time of danger for feare of losse ; or through some other servile respects , by being over-aw'd with number , a great derogation to persons of honour . we are now to descend to the last , but lowest staire ; wherein we shall finde how these declining spirits retardate their flight in the pursuit of honourable actions , through pusillanimity . so as , none would hold them , by seriously reflecting on them , but for such a broad as had beene hatched from the eggs of those paphlagonian partridges ; which our naturallists report to have no hearts . neither be our neuters much better : who , like those salmacian sharks have two hearts ; for these can skrew their posture to the time , and become serviceable shadows to any commands ; presenting hope of advantage or assurance to their present condition . these cinnamon-curtaine lordings , who sacrifice more devotion to their glasse and complexion , then any noble designe , or virile action ; being school'd only in the discipline of complement , & frenchifide wholly in ducks , cringes and congies ; these , i say , having left their fathers houses , ( ancient monuments of hospitality ) have resolv'd , ( for so their effeminate course proclaimes ) neither to increase nor preserve the honour of them . the camp has ever held an antipathy to the curtaine . loyalty , or what addresse soever , looke it never so fixtly upon honour , cannot gentilize their humour . their growth professeth them meere state-sycamours ; all for shade , nought for fruit . or such as the witty emblematist portray'd under the notion of galeati lepoares , who would be in the van at a feast , but in the reere at a fray ; these mens resolutions are not to indanger their persons upon any rate . to obtain a victory without hazard , and partake a rich spoile without blood , is the height of their ambition : & the utmost pitch of their valour . to see a kingdome at stake , or a prince acting his last tragick sceane on a stage ; is not so much as resented by them . pusillanimity has begot in them such a strange kinde of charity ( if it may without offence assume that name ) as they can looke upon the innovated deformity of a state ; violation of lawes and liberties , prophanation of divine honour , or whatsoever is most odious to humanity , without a thought of revenge : or aime to redresse . were honour to be purchased in their dayes by the sword ; how slowly would it be conferred : how weakly merited ? such is the mettall of these partiall-guilt pieces of sophisticated honour : it cannot indure the touch . yet we shall observe in many of these , military promises : presentments of valour : but wherein consist they ? in surly and supercilious lookes to their over aw'd followers : or affronts to disgrac'd favourites : but these lyons within verge of the court , appeare ever lambes in the campe. they blesse them from the report of a cannon , as from a stroak of thunder . youth inured to a canopy , is not so easily disciplin'd in a course of souldiery . it was the saying of epaminondas ; that he could not fiddle , but he knew how to make a small village a glorious city . whereas these , whose character we return in this place , are just antipodes to his harmony . a chest of viols , or a set of lutes , is the onely brave military fyle wherin they desire to be inlisted . if this be the badge of honour , let feminine delicacy arrogate to it self , the style of valour . but these be dull-pallid colours in the annals of heraldry : and deserve no other deblazonry ( to beget a glowing blush in their successors ) then lines blanch'd with infamy . let us here then in the cloze of our character , present these advertisements to honour ; that she may know how and in what posture to preserve her state clear'd from the opinion of a deceiving lustre : by appearing more really-gracefull , then poorely-popular . to compleat this worke , it will conduce highly to her advantage , to be a constant professor of fidelity ; in the first place to soveraignty . and next in all offices of amity . an affable smile gives an excellent grace to the countenance of honour . amicitia nunquam minore acquirenda est dispendio quàm clementiâ . clemency gains most with least cost . in her expresse of bounty , or works of charity , let discretion be her almoner : by an indisposed liberallity , many have lost more then they have won . in actions of valour , honour should be rather resolute than daring : and in nothing more confident then in the maintenance of a good cause . for habit ; more comely then gaudy , is the nearest livery : being to be knowne better by what we are , then what we weare . for diet ; delicacy should be a stranger to her palat . these olia's of our time have brought an odium upon our state. lastly , a princely command or composure of her affections , will returne her absolute in all . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e n●e levier tibi culpa fuit crevisse per orbem ; grande satis genti crimen boxore frui . sta. altius surgentes , innocentes licet , comitatur suspicio . tacit. majori invidas foveam parat ; quam ne devitet , unâ corruet . minutius . mancipia 〈◊〉 lectionis cum fint . for my dedication , in stead of all unnecessary excuses of presumption ; i wil cloze briefly with this constant resolution : " though to your title there be honour due , " it is your self that makes me honour you . notes for div a -e observa● . . the dangers that attend on youths vnum est instar bell●ae humiliari , aliud est belluiros mores imitari . * vicina lapsibus adolescenti● . hieron . omniainb ac aetate juvenescunt vitia . euseb. lib. . modò inveniaem , non perditus est , &c. euseb. ibid ; siingratum dixeris , omnia dixeris . min. publianus . qui simus , quinam erimus , in ephebio constitutum est . diog. cyn. lectum non citius relinquens , quàm in deum delinquens : non citius surgens , quàm insurgens . the vanity of youth display'd in foure distinct subjects . gate . audacia pro muro bebetur . salust . in bell . caril . dan. . . . . seneca . looke . plutarch . in vit . syll. august . gregor . de tran● . an . quo ●ltior in diviti●s , eo copiofier in vitiis . ber. de inter . dom. metam . . speech . sine loquela non potest stare societas . arist. aug. de magist . psal. . . prov. . . in vit . phoc. in lib. desecr . secret . two reasons why young men were not admitted to deliver their opinions in publike assemblies . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pi●● mirand . in epist. ad hermol . neque iocas , neque amicus quisquam teget , quem arma non texerint . ● salust . in bell . iugurth . ferociam animi , quam babebat vivus , in vultu retinuit catilina . salust . in conjur . catil . salust . law , logicke , and the switzers may be hired to fight for any one . blos . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . basil. virtus maxima , in mole minima . singular directions in arguments of discourse , & discovery of secrets . eccl. . , . habit . in vit . solon . horat. epist. l. . ep. . * vt in exequi is epulis que celebrandis nimioque apparatu corporis , omnis inutilis sumptus prohibeatur . plut. in vit . alcibiad . socrates . mihi mirabile fit quòd non enecentur , cum tantum onas bajulent . clem. alex. , paedagig . hier. ad fur. de vid. serm. tom. . aug. de christ. fide . tertul. de bab , mul. cap. tim● . . . pet. . . prima est haec ultio , quod se judice , nemo nocens absolvitur . iuv. sat. ● aug. in ena● sup . . psal. bern. de inter . domo . cap. . aug. scliloq . cap. . sen. ad lucil. tuscul. quaest . lib. . august . sup . psal. . prov. ● . prov. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arch. tare●t . prov. . . aug. ser. . nazian . contra mulieres immodicè comptas . hier. de exitu lea. laert. lib. . laert. ibid. iames . . . . seneca act. . , . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aug. three violent passions incident to youth . lvst . two reasons why youth is naturally subjected to illimited passion . an espiciall motive tending to the increase of this passions venus in vinis . nunquam ego ●brium putabo castum hier. plato . plutarch . macrob. q. curt. lib. . * irene . what rare effects the precepts of morall philosophy wrought in heathen men . etiam feris ac barbaris detestabile est . ambr. lib. . de abraham . vid. aul. gell. in noct. atticis . seneca . — rara est concordia formae , atque pudicitiae . iuven. sat. . numb . . . ambition nullus enim magni sceleris labor — iuven. sa● . . tuscul. quaest lib. . tolluntur in altum , vt lapsu graviore ruant — hen. the fourth whose name deserves to be enrouled among the ancient worthies . aristot. chrysost. in . corinth . quantum-cunque te dejeceris , bumilior non eris christo. hier. plutarch . semper hiat , semper tenuem qua vescitur auram reciprocavit chamaeleon . et mutat fasiem varios sumit que colores , praeter rubrum & candidum . alciat . nil tam metuens , quàm ne dubitare aligua de re videretur . petrarch . de remed . utri●s . sort . revenge . appian . alex. hom in iliad . & polyb. apud curionem . lib. . facilè redimunt qui sanguine famam . martial epig. — impium est mortis statum praecipere tempus . galesti lepores . pet. mar. the proper postures of a compleat roarer . est venus in vinis , vinis venus illita venis . sint proculà men●is vina venus que meis . hom. in odyss . seneca ad gaelion . de remed . fortuit . quicquid ● vobis minor exti●escet , major hoc vobis dominas minatur , horat. king. . , . horat. lib. . epist. . basil. homide ira. greg. mor. l. . cap . ephes. . . rom. . . iam. . . isay : . nah. . , . numb . . . iam. . . prov. . . ● cor. . . prov. . . eccl. . . . prov. . . . ephes. . . . physicke precribed , and receits applied to cure these maladies in youth . omnis actio duas habet ansas . in lib. de leg . luke . . what imployments deserve entertainment from a gentleman . blos : christ. lib. de orand . deo. luke . . rom. . , . eph. . , . col. . , . psal. . . eccl. . . notes for div a -e observ. . the diversity of dispositions . exeunti intro , miranti exeo . vid. laert. a probable judgement of our dispositions , drawne from the delights we affect , or company we frequent . salust . passion the best discoverer of our disposition . discovery of dispositions in distempers . non habet ulterius quod nostris potibus addat posteritas — habebitur a●iquando ●br●etatt ho●or , & platimum meri cepisse , virtus erit . sen. non invenit ●rimen , etiam viri fortis accipit nomen , tantò nequior , quantò sub po●●ulo invi●●●er aug. de verb. apost . ser. . promotion held ever mans best anatomy lecture . thom. in . quaest . . c. . op●andaea est amissio honoris , quae facit nos humilicres . nihil difficilius est quam bene imperare . diocles. dict. l. flor. lib. cap. . the disposition is not to be forced . objection . sancti iuvenes , satanici senes . hieron . cont . lucif . resolution . * vt●a ●●●●nibus nascuntur ●●geni●a , ita ab exiguis 〈◊〉 ingenia . quibus●um evenit , ut cum primis floribus arboru●a ; hi enim citi●● acc●lerius , illi autem felicius ac●uberius gemmare so●ent & germinare suet. tran. in vit . ner. stupent in ●itulis & imaginibus . bene est cui deus obtulit , par●a , quod satis est manu . hor. od. lib. . cap. . eccles. . . nugae & delirtum : quanto magis capit , tanto magis cupit : quanto magis cupit , tanto minus sapit . * plutarch . in moral . horat. lib. . epist. . what disposition is most generous . mildnesse . blutrch . in vit . pomp. ioseph . in hist. iud. in vit . marcel . comin . matth. ▪ . dan. . . king . , . deut. . . bede . nec leges metuunt , sed cedit viribus aequum , maestaque victrici jura sub ense jacent . omnia adversa exercitationes putant seneca . cyprian . munificence . amici , perdidimus diem . sext. aurel. iustin. cujus domus quasi quaedam munificentiae officina crederetur . val. max. l. . paucos heavit aula , plures perdidit● sed & hos quoque ipsos , quos heavit , perdidit . faern . in emb. amos . . amos . , , . nihil liberale , quod non idem est justum cic. calvin . instit. lib. . cap. . fortitude . maldon . in . matt. cap. . arist lib. . de hist animal c. . & l . de part . anim . c. . fort is non est qui in arenam descendendo , dimicare audet , sed qui nocendi cansam secum discutis , priusquàm auder . . macchab. . the proper aime or end whereto the actions of true resolution are directed . cicero . boet. in lups . treatise of charitie . cic. . lib. tusc. quaest . the prudent observation of cortugal , one of the turkish princes , in his o●ation persuasive to his lord to besi●ge rhodes , was this christimus occasus discord●s intesti●●● correboratur . sitting * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a -e observ. . what education is . knowledge . vt cognoscam te ; ut erg●●scam me . bern. knowledge of god. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . luke . . . knowledge of mans selfe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . multum semper discens , senesco . socrat. panorm . de reb . gest . alphon . lib. . prodigi praed●a , parasiti praeda . socrat. quomodo proficis , sitam tibi sufficis ? bern. aug. in s●liloq . cap. . bern. medit. cap. . plutarch . in l. de virt . amor . motus animae ( saith s. aug. ) quos graeci 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellant . ex lati●is quidā ( ut cic. . tus. ) perturbationes dixerunt , alii affectiones , alii affectus , alii expr●ssas passiones vocav●runt . damascen defineth other affections of the minde . motio sensualis appetivae virtutis , ob boni vei mali imaginationem . l. . de fid . orthodox . c. . zeno ap . cic. in . tusc. ita definit : perturbatio seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aversa recta ratione contra naturam animi commotio . in vit . anselmi . * vt a christo accepimus beneficium , praesiemus christiani officium . praebendomemoris christi hospicium . erige oculum in humilitatis speculum , ejus enim exemplum , speciosii deo praeparabit templum . quantumcum . que te ●cejeceris , humilior non eris christo . hieron . tim. . . a right profitable exhortation to all such as are drawne away by strange doctrine . sacerdotes nominamur , non sumus . gr. humilium sumus doctores , superbiae duces . ibid. nemo ●am impius est , quem haereticus impietate non vincat . s hieron l. . in esaiam . si enim haeretici sunt , christiani ●sse non possunt . tertul. de praesor . cap. . cypr. de vnitate . et hier contra luciferianos . discourse . laert. lib. two especiall errors incident to subjects of discourse ; affectation , imitation : whereof gentlemen are seriously cautioned affectation . s●●● ser. . imitation . vin● . de vit . spirit . ibid● cicero . pic. mi●●nd . ad hermel . life of the speaker . i●m . . . truth of the subject . * equites asiam , iuven. sobriety of speech . gell in noct. atti● . immoderate passion , in arguments of discourse and reasoning , to be avoided . plutarch . in vit . phoc. two powerfull motives or perswasion vehemencie of passion : and instancie of demonstration . qualis sermo o●tenditur , talis & animus comprebatur . isid. est enim fidelitut● silentio merces . hor. carm . l. . ad . silentio culps crescit . isidor . neque imperiale est libertatem dicendi negare , neque sacerdotale quod sentiat , non dicere , ambr. epist. . gr●g ezek. . . cor. . . quic ●uid non licet , pastoris est prohibere ne fiat . aug. ludo v. viv. instruct . christ. mul. adeoque ut errorem cum lacte nutricis sugunt . cic. vberalactis & lucis , alent vos milites supremi ducis . action . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . cic. sen. de tranq . anim . appian . alex. the admirable effects of education . educatio & doctrina efficiunt mores . seneca . without learning hercules becomes a tyrant , darius insolent , achilles inordinate . par● divinain homine mersa . sen. lips. phavorinus . vid. tit. liv. luc. flor. plut. in vit . rom among wolves was his education , by vultures his inauguration . hi pastores pecorum , magis quàm reges gentium . xenophon in cyropaedia . quint. curt. plutarch . in vit . alex. hominis ●●im solus xullo beneficio persotur . seneca . tuse quaest . l●b . quart . stil●●o . al●●●iades . affrican marcellus . how a gentleman may he best enabled by education . * for aristotle , howsoever termed his master , is thought to have flourished when he came to riper yeares . vid. ep alex. ad arist. con . scriptam , de sit . & stat ind. three things moved tiberius to send drusus into illyricum : the first was senescere ●●lttiae : the second , studiae exercitus ●● . rare : the third , simul ●uvenem urbano luxu lascivientem melius in castris haberi re●batur tiberius . tacit. * for aristotle , howsoever termed his master , is thought to have flourished when he came to riper yeares . vid. ep alex. ad arist. con . scriptam , de sit . & stat ind. three things moved tiberius to send drusus into illyricum : the first was senescere ●●lttiae : the second , studiae exercitus ●● . rare : the third , simul ●uvenem urbano luxu lascivientem melius in castris haberi re●batur tiberius . tacit. milites ira non lyra , sed turba sonat . nec telis est not a chelys . cic. in bruto . isocrates . sext. philosophus . this may be confirmed by that elegant distich : virtus in●rtis habet , titulum sepeli●e the●aurum ; ●irtus amand● parit cu●ta , sepulta perit . eunius . plut. in vit● marcel . habet ornatū satis illo majorem ; habet aliud spactaculum , ad iliud spectaculum te compone . quod ergo tibi est specta●ulum ? coelum , angelorum innumera multitudo . chrysost. hom . . in epist. . ad hebraeos . notes for div a -e observ. . gen. . . gen. . . a qui luxuriant in vermiū operibas . chris. tom . hom . . in genes . fueruntur quidam ex india vermiculi , hujusmodi facere vestes . idem . tom . . hom . , in ●ad timoth. b imu●in viscera terrae , & in sede manium opes quaerimus ; eiusque penetrat luxuris , plin. hist. natural . l. . c quid memorem pretiosorū aromatum , quae ex india , ex arabia , & ex perside convebùntur . sunt si vis unguenta pretiosa , quae non e● arabia , vel ex perside , sed ex ipso convehuntur coelo , quae emuntur , non auro sed fide non ficta . chr. c. . tom . hom . in ad tim. aug. tom . . serm. de temp. d animaliumque vento feruntur , delitiae . cl. alex. paea . l. . c. ● . e et sua vestimenta & vestes stragulas su●●umigāt , & aspergunt : atque adeo ut ipsas propemodum matulas , clem. alex , ●●aed . l. . c. . f vermium texturae . chrys. tom . . hom . . in gen. g maximi autem pretii margarita mulierum conclave invasir : ea autem nascitur in quodii ostreo . clem. alex. paed. lib. . c. . h quae peccatorem sactum convincerent . aug. l. . de gen. ad lit . &c. . i di●o ergo hominem , non alia de causa opus habere ve●●imentis , qu●m ut regatur corpus , ad maxima frigora & ve●e●entes oestus propussandos : hic est vestis scopus . clem alex. paed l. c. . verbera ventorum vitare imbrosque coactos . ● ucr l. . li●el de imag hor. l . ep . . ornamentum est quod ornat : ornat autem quod honestiorem mulier●m facit . plutarch . in praecept . connubial . hoc ipsum , quod vos non ornatis ornatus est . ambros lib. . de virg. ambros. tom . . lib. . offic. cap. . phil. . , . the necessitie of a vocation . ezek. . . prov. . . . . ecclus. . ● ▪ . thess. . . . . tim. . . cor. . . health commeth not from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . vocation a peculiar labour or function , particularly allotted to any one person . * alijs micans , consumer . aul. gell. in noct. artic. adde quod ingenium long â rubigine loesum torpet , & est multo quam fuit ante , minus . vita quanto magis procedit , tanto propius ad mortem accedit . aug. soliloq . c. . sam. . . ester . . . king. . dan. . . sam. . . king. . . ibid. . . luke . . gen. . . act. , . cor. . . eccles. hist. deut. . . xista potius quàm zenodochia , regia potius palatia , quàm tectain pauperum solatia , erigent . horti delitiae , horrei divitiae , elegantiae aedificij , morientium oculis dolores inimicíssimí . ib. three necessary considerations touching the conveniencie of a vocation . a divine consideration . a civil consideration . amore dei amor vicinig ignitur , amore vicini amor dei nutritur . bern. oratio inter maxima charitatis opera numerandae est . the effect of prayer confirmed . exod. . . a peculiar consideration . vid. salust . in bell . iug. nec enim libertas ●utier ulla est , qu●m domino servire ruo . prima est libertas carere cri●inibus . aug. a damnum potius quam turpe lucrum eligendum est . laaert . b omnes complectuntur artes ex quibus lucrum consequi poterint . plat. de leg . lucri bo●●m odor ex re qualibet . iuvenal . lucrum sine damn● alteriue ●ieri nō potest . sen. epist. . d cum aliqua species utilitatis objecta est , nos commov●ri necesse est cic. de offic . . omnes appetimus utilitatem , & ad ed rapimur . ibid. e lucrum facit homines deter●●res . polit. . nisi lucrū esset , nemo ●uisset improbus . f nam tale turpe lucrum accusatio naturae est . apud stobaeum . g recuniae studium , fidem , probitatem , caeterasque bonas artes su●vertit . hor. h voluntas firgendi , & mentiendi est eorum qui opes appetunt , & luc●um desidera●t . lact. 〈…〉 . i clar●●-ubique fuit , fortis , sapiens , etiam rex , & quicquid vole● . horat. si for●una vole● , fies de rhetore consul ; si volet haec eadem , fus de consule rhetor. iuvenal . sat. . k virtus nihil quod extr●se est quaerit . pontan lib. de prud. l nulla potest esse virtus nisi gratuita cic in tus. m domat omnia virtus . salust . quicquid homines arant , navigant , aedifica●t , virtuti omnio ●a●ert . ibid. n virtuit fortuna ●●dit . plut. o nihil eripit fortuna , nisi quod ipsa dedit . sen. de tranq . an . p virtute qui praediti sunt , soli sunt divites . cicero . * deut. . . pauperes eligit deus ad haereditatem regni ●aelestis . . cor. . . luk. . . . o mors , quàm amara est memoria tuae , homini habenti pacem in substantiis suis● non s●lii virtus , sed etiam ●ama , decus ; divina humanaque pulchris divitiis p●rent . hor●t . lib . sat. . we are to resist vices , by practising & doing acts of the contrary vertues . no man exempted from a vocation . non vestrae magis irae , quom famae cōsulatis . caes. in orat . pro cat. de libertate vindicanda . vide salust . in maxima fortuna , minimalicentia est . salust . bere paupert●● humili tec●o contenta latet . qu●tiūt altas● aepepro●cila ; aut evertit fortuna demus . s●n. in agam. quiequid excelsum est . cadat . in octa●o . invident honori meo , ergo invideant labori , & innocentiae , periculis etiam meis , quoniam per haec illum cepi . salust . in bell . lug . cic. in l. de leg . agendo , audendeque res romana crevit . salust . l ▪ flor. lib. . cap. . gen. . . in iis linguis quas nō intelligimus , surdi sumus . tusc. lib. . hoc nempe ab homine exigitur , ut profit hominibus si fieri potest , multis ; si minùs , paucis ; si minùs , proximis ; si minùs , sibi . seneca de vitâ beat â. a resemblance betwixt the offices in the body of a state , & a body naturall . ocules ad caelum , manus ad clavum . experimenta per mortes agunt . hippocr . 〈…〉 ; & 〈…〉 ut hier. ad pat● . conquerum ) scripturarum interpretationem passim sibi vendica●t omn●s , benegat . ruia anus , hanc del●us sen●x , hanc sophista verbesus , hanc vniversi praesumant , lucerant decent antequam discant . see the first rising of all novellisme and innovated doctrine , how & upon what weak grounds planted , and how strangely by the bellows of singularity increased . exod. . ● . west . west . . . ●d . . . ed. . . h. . . h. . . h. , & . el. mala fama benè parta d●lectat . sen. nam vivos interdum fortuna , saepe invidia fatigat : ubi anima naturae cessit , demptis obtrectatoribus , ipsa se virtus magis magisque extollit salust . homines inertissimi quorum omnis vis virtusque in lingua sita est . salust . in . orat . virtus per se amara atque aspera est . ad virturem una atque ardua via est . ibid. vocation in generall . ezek. . sam. , . prov. . . j●rm . . . zeph. . . mich. . ion . . hinc alij aliis artib●s incumbunt ; hi in mari navigantes , hi in mentes p●scantes et pastinantes , &c. vis●e procedere in thessaliam ? artem disces hortulanam ; visne in barbariam ? arrem experieris equesirem . sam. . sam. . . gen. . . gen. . . gen. . . gen. . . grammar . logicke . sera cogitatis quae à clave artis reseratur arist. in poster . vid. meleb. can. in l. . de locis theologicis . rhetorick . eras. lib. . apotheg . quint. curt. — si vis me flere , delendumest primū ipst tibi , tunc tua me infortunia laedunt . hor. de art . poet . cic. lib. . de orat. * maro both a poet & an excellent orarator ; who with isocrates for lacke of a good voice ( otherwise called the father of eloquence ) never pleaded publikely : therefore was it said of his orations , that if maro penned them , and cicero pronounced them , nothing could bee more exquisite . mathematicks . libenter ignoro quod me scire . deus noluit . caetera quidem nescio , hoc autem scio , quòd dii oderint curies●s . euclid compescat igitur se humana temeritas , & id quod non est , nō quaerat , ne illud quod est , non inveniat . maxim. serm. . geometrie . vid plut. in vit . marcel . l. flor l. c. . physick . vid. app. al. hippocrates . l. flor. l. . c. . musicke . vt lyram vel citharam percu●iat , &c. sam. . . musicke hath a different working melody , mirth & melancholy . king. . . exod. . . iudith . . iudg. . . aug. conf. lib. . cap. . qui tam modic●flexu vocis faciebat sonare lectorem psalmi , ut prenu●tianti vicinior esset quàm canenti . ibid. the vocation of a gentleman in particular . quae retro sunt oblivisci , & ad ea quae antè sunt apostolum sequi . epist. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dial. . exod. . . gen. . . psal. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mark. . . cor. . . luke . . . the vocation of a gentleman hath relation to imploiment publike or private . objections framed against byron , set his treaty with forraine states . credulitie in two respects dangerous to persons imployed in af●sires of state. credulitie in beleeving the relations of oth●rs . credulity in imparting his thoughts to the secrecy of others . for cabinet-counsell this may be their motto ; plenu● sum rimarum . vt thesaurus repositus . leporis ventri quam vento vulgi , multò satius mandari sentiens . iust. resolution in suffering neither price to draw him , nor power to over-awe him . excitamur ad meliora magnitudine rerum , salust . herodotus l. . initio . vid. hotman de legat. legatus ipsam reipub. faciem suam attulisse videtur . ad virtutem laudesque habendas naturam si●e doctrina , quam doctrinam sino natura valuisse . cic. disobedience punished in attempts most successive . virgis coedi jussit quibus miserè periit . plut. in apoth●g . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in publike affaires . cypr●● . macc. . . magne , non bene . a●g a frier , who writte diverse works viz. de papae & corelij , autoritate . speculum clericorum . &c. zinglerus l. de 〈◊〉 viris germaniae , cap. . in turc . hist. probè def●●rur à stoicis fortitudo , cum eam virtutem duunt . ●sse propugnatem pro aequitate . ci● . salmacida spolia sine sanguine & judere . si. lib. . plut. in vit . iul. cas. ioseph in bell . iud. clementiam id 〈◊〉 imperatoris pro inertia ducebant . ib. dulce & decorum est pro p●tria mori . hor. l. . od . . poeni faedifragi . cic in offic. nulla sancta societas , nec fides regni . philip. . . a glorious enterprize recommended to the undertaking of all generous spirits . totum adimit , quo ingrata refulget . coping with the persian sapor in titular insolence , who caused himself to be stiled , rex regum , frater solis & lunae , particeps syderum . a glorious fight is ever accompanied by a noble fate . non debet timere hostem fortem , ●u● dominum habet fortiorem . esa. . . psal. . . how a gentleman is to demeane himself in private affaires . sic crimine nota crumena est . quid non speremus , si nummos possideamus ? omnia nummus habet quod vult , facit , addit & aufert . this may be observed in suits of law , as well as private affaires of justice . a deut. . . b deut. . . c sam. . . d ierem. . . e gen. . . f deut. . ● g esdr. . . rom. . . psalm . . . h act. . . i prov. . . k ecclus. . . . . act. . . . tim. . . , . l . . . to . m sam. . . n iob . . amos. . . purpuram magis quam deum coleutes . iudges . . two perillous shelfes which in danger iustice. sicut absynthiaper se pellunt morbos , melle tamen illiniuntur , ut puerorum aetas improvida ludificetur . pic. mirand . ad hermol . mark. . . a exod. . . b exod. . . c sam. . . d deut. . . e king. . . f exod. . g cor. . . . h deut. . . . heb. . . i exod. . , . num. . . melius est qu●d perist unus , quam unitas qui malis parcit , bonis nocet . luxuriantes amputantur surculi , ut genuini coalescant rami . in putatione sarmenta flerilia reciduntur : ut ca quae praevalent uberiùs fructum ferant greg. in mor. exposit . in iob. nimius amor & nimiū odiū omne pervertaut iudicium . chrysost. malle se inter inimicos , quam amicos iudicare dicebat . laert. in vit . eian . perit omne iudicium cum res transit in affectum . sen. habeo in me , quod testetur pro me . omnis piorum vita testimonium redilit deo. cypr. de duplo martyrio , initio . prob pudor ! secundum fortunam aestimatur persona , quum potius secundū personam aestimanda sit fortuna : tam bonus reputatur quàm dives ; tam malus , quàm pauper ; cum potius tam dives sit reputandus quàm bonus , tam pauper quàm malus . de contem . mund . l. . cap. . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in his owne family . tim. . . aug. ephes. . . ad ul● . eph . ad . demus , ( inquit aristoteles ) est quas● 〈◊〉 civitas , & civitas quasi magna domus . every family a private common-wealth . how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in temporall affaires within his family . gen. . . deut. . . prov. . . . prov. . , . luke . . gen. . . sam. . . exod. . . nec soràidè custodiat , nec prodige spargal . salust . eph. . . * circa domest●cos severiratem . med. cap. . deut. . . cor. . . tim. . . how highly to bee condemned was that act of vedius pollio , who tyrannzed so much over his servants , that he caused one to be cast into a fish-pond for breaking a glasse ? invenes amârunt , senes ●derunt . famulos impubescentes amasse voluptas , adolescentes utilitas , senescentes pietas . alauda cristā habet . proverb . tim. . . domum suam coercere , plerisque baud minus arduum est , quam prov●nciam regere . tacit. gen. . . gen , . gen. . . . . luke . . prov. . . . hydroptē habent conscientiam . aug. quanto magis bibunt , tanto magis sitiunt . quanto magis capiunt , tanto magis cupiunt . quorum sitis neque copia , neque inopia minuitur . salust . vera inopia , cupiditatum copia . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in spirituall affaires within his familie . gen. . . chron. . . deut. . , . . vers. . consisting upon a precept and a promise . ostendit exemplo , quod promisit in praemio . aug. ruth , , nimium est negoti● continere c●s quibus praesis , nisi te ipse contineus . anima mea quid secisit hodiè ? &c. quod malum hodiè sanas●i● senec. deira , lib. . veni ad judicium . hieron . paratum est cor meum . ibid. nulla di●s sine linea . esai . . . choen●cine insideas . thess . joh. . luke . . vlterius . luke . . nunquam ei praeesse familiae , quae parùm studiosa est divinae gloriae . philip. . . notes for div a -e observat. . the difference of recreations . vid. strab. vid. plut. aul. gell. in noct . att. laert. in vit . cbyl . l. flor. l. . c. . balsares narrat à qua gente balistas no●men duxisse , verisimile est , jasulandi arte omnium facile principes esse . * sicut nostri ab anno domini , prisci ab olympiad um stadio , sua comput ârunt ● secula . lucullian● horti . vid. plut. in vit . a cynosargus , locus in quo palestriae exercebaniur ; cerostrotum , in quo eorum corpora ungebantur . b circus , quia aculeatis spiculis circumclusus . vid. varro . de antiq . rom. c haec quae difficilis turget bagenica pluma , folleminus luxa est , & minus arcta pilà . martial . lib. . d fortissima adversus mētem , & dolorem disciplina . vid plut. in apotheg . & in vit . socr. flat . in repub . vid. plut. in vit . lycurg . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . such like exquisite peeces may we imagine our rare italian iec●ano limned : whose incon parable art bestowed on them so much beauty , as they wanted nothing but a promethean fire to enliven fancie . nazian . contra ●ulieres immodicè comptas . nescit equo rudis hae●ere irgenuus puer , venarique timet ludere doctior , s●● graeco jubeas troc●o , seu m●lis vetita legib●s alea. h●r . od. . . cor sule victorem , in vit . imperator . studiosus aleae lusor . ibid. suct . in aug. * vocatus numeravit calculos , & sodali suo ; vide ( inquit ) ne post mortem meam mentiaris te vicisse . tum annuens genturioni : test is ( inquit ) eris , uno we antecedere . sen. de tranq . anim . of the moderate and immoderate use of recreation . pic. mirand . in epist. ad . hermol . the benefits redounding from moderate recreation . sen. de tranq . anim . nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit . ibid. horat. ● . . ep . . cellae & coeli habitatio cognatae sunt . ber. de vit . solitar . non calathum iuno , non arcum semper apollo tendit : amant roquiem corpora fessa suam . sueton. tranq . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . avaritia bellua fera , immanis , intoleranda est . salust . domi-porta , limax ; quia limum serpendo relinquit . vid. alciat . in emblem . aelian . in nat . hist. * revel . . . the inconveniences arising from immoderate recreation . immoderatione relaxantur artus , immin●untur vires : moderatione religantur artus , reparantur vires . laert. in vit . chyl . num. . . eccles. . . amos . . amos . . . . in the yeare of iubile all captives were delivered , all slaves enfranchised , all debts discharged . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . solon . dediscere didisi , oblivisci qua memini . sen. de tranq : enim . plut. in apoth . aelian . in varia hist. lib. . cap. . dies festos nolite inhonorare ( inquit ignatius ) quid tamen agunt isti , qui licenti●s epulando crapulae indulgent , aut calites hauriendo ebrietatem fovent ? melius est quod omni die foderent , quàm omni die saltarent . aug. sup psal. . mark. . . ebrietate nil latius serpit , nil gravius s●vit . panorm . homer . in odyss . horat. in epist. laert. in vit . cleo● . vid. quint. curt. lib. . armatis , divum nullus pudor . sil. ital. plato . plutarch . macrob. tim. . . mo●ico vino utere . ecclesia mater est , noverca non est ; libertas datur ad necessitatem , modo cohibeatur ad vanitatem . a itae evenit , ●t cúm aliquid ubi non oportet adhibetur , illic ubi oportet negligatur . tertul. lib. de poeniten . initio . b in apolog. c. . democritus excaecando seipsum incontinentiam emendatione profitetur . at christianus salvis oculis faeminam videt , animo adversus ●ibidines caecus est . c ego mergam vos , neipse mergar ● vobis . d noctium attic. l. . c. . homo miser vites suas sibi omnes detruncat . quo major , eò melior ; idque exemplo perfice , ut aliis etiam bene vivendi exempla trilua● . prov. . , . observation of admirable continencie , instanced in beast , and birds . vt eruaentur à multere altena , &c. ●● . vers . . the publication of secula plays used by the heathen , was cryed in these words ; convenite ad ludos spectādos , quos neque spectavit quis quam , nec spectaturus est . suet. in claudio , cap. . pol. vug. de invent . lib. . cap . ovid. trist. lib. object . . primum quod urgent illi histriom ast . di sumptum est è deuter. . ●e cultu multebri , an pueris li uit cum assumere ; carumque mo res assimilare ? vni bezae omres acquiescunt theologi . object . . obj●ctio de sacra scriptura sumpta & perita . quàm plurima in pubitcis theatris sunt spectanda , ad regendos mores , dirigendos motus , corrigendos animi metus , admodum utilia . object . . vt metus humilitatem ▪ sic nimia laetitia gestit levitatem . cic. eccles. . . object . . tertul. lib. de patient . theophylact. chrysostome . gregory . object . . de deo loqui e●iam vera periculosissimum est . arnob. object . in comed . de thaide . * anticyrainsula est o●tae , monti thessalio opposita , ubi helleborus crevisse dicitur . object . . aut vinculum aut vehiculum . de civit dei. lib . cap. . theatra idolatricis deorum sacris esse turpiora &c. augustinus , latinorum patrum augustios de civit . dei lib. . cap. . * nunc sum delignatus aedilis , habeo rationem quòd à populo acceperim , mihi ludos sanctissimos , maxima et ceremonia cereri liberoque faciendos . cic. in ver. quintilianus hypocritam histrionem appellat : qui mores , motus gestus , incessus voces , vultus , deponere & dediscere ( quorum personas agunt ) nullo modo possunt . elizabetha orbis phoebe ; inter mulieres sibylla , inter reginas , saba . homerus , sophocles heroicus ; sophocles , homerus tragicus . had ovid supplied cherilus place he might by this meanes have inriched his fortunes above the condition of a poet. sedeo inter suspiria & lachrymas . — ego laudoruris amoeni rivos , & musco circumlita saxa , nemusque . hor. . epist. . carmina sec●ssum scribentis & otia quaerunt . frustra poet as feres compos sui p●pulit . sen. de tranq . anim . macrob in som. scipioni . ad reprehendenda aliena facta atque dicta ardet omnis animus . salust . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . eupolis atque cratinu● , aristophanes que poetae . horat. serm. lib. . sat. . saepius me eupolis in theatro demersisti , semel te in mari demergam . * ignotum tragicae genus invenisse camanae . dicitur , & plaus●ris vexisse poemata thespis , quae canerent agerētquè peruncti faecibus ora . horat. in art . poet . hence it may appeare how injuriously i was ●●aduced by mr. w. p. in his historiomas●ix . though the most able and s●nowy fancies , which of late times flourished amongst our italians for dramatick measures , were accounted these : lopis de vega . arisiofane . mauzano . mirinda . vivianus . assarino . alvisus . astolsus . cum fame craciantur christi pauperes , effusis largitatibus nutriunt histriones . greg. donare res suat histrionibus causa histrionatus , vitium est ●mmane & non virtus . aug. sup. iohan. daindigenti , & non da saltanti et hiero. this fearfull example disapproves not the use but abuse of stage-playes . ludus ale ae et omnis ludus qui innititurfortunae prohibitus est . in sum. pisan. barthol . merula . in ovid. de art . amand , l. . * canis , canalicula seu chius , apud romanos jactus erat omnium maximè inauspicatus ; hercules , venus seu basilicus , omnium benignissimus . vid. lips. antiq . lect lib. ● . c. . turn . adu . lib. . cap. . in tesserario lud● , mydas jactu● erat fortunatissimus . de●●pst . antiq . rom. l. . c. . * in a treatise entituled ; the hunismans raunge . vellet que videre , non etiam sentire . act aeon apud ovid. quos mortes ascendent , quas paludes transibunt , quas vepres sentesque sine sensu percurrent , modoò unum lepusculum tāto sudore capiant ? horat. optat aprum , aut fulvum descendere monte lecnem . virg. ●●t olim gargilius , qui manè plagas , venabula , servos differtum transire forum , populumque jubebat , vnus ut è multis ( populo spectante ) referret emptum mulus aprum . horat. epist , lib. . . vid. sueton. tranquill. greg. in moral . exposit . in iob. the romans , as may appeare by their laetoria lex , accounted all prodigals mad-men . cic. . de offic . horae non auri dispendium defleo . of recreations best sorting with the quality of a gentleman . tus●●l . lib. . quint. curt. lib. . heu quantum potuit terrae pelagique parari , hos quem civiles hauserunt sanguine dextrae . a ephes. . b rom. . . prov. . . . c prov. . . ● . d prov. . . lucan . spiritus magni magis quàm utiles . liv. dec . . lib. . is●i sunt maximè no●ij , quibus minimè noti . the saying of adherbal , bomilcars son ; vincerescis hannibal , sed uti victoria nescis . l. flor. l. . c. . resembling clement the fourth , who had a pregnant wit for projecting , unfortunate for atchieving . object . sol. vid homer in iliad . plin. in nat. hist. knowledges are as the pyramides , wherof history is the basis. de orat. l. . whence cicero moved luceius to record his acts in his writings . annot. in tacit . dequo verè dici po●est , ut inclytus ille lipsius de guicciardino testatus est ; " prudens peritusque scriptor , et qui taies lectores suos facit . * in the survey of histories lately revised and amply inlarged ; which might be rightly entitled , the muses wardrobe , or , the noble-mans lecture , dilating on the various delights of history , the best accomplisher of true gentility . historicum nobilem et verum aug. de civit. dei , l. . graecorum thucydidem et herodotum , latinorum salustium & t. livium facilè principes esse judicamus . laur. vall. in ●r●oem thucyd . * ●linius iunior wished he might be mentioned in the histories of cornel. tacitus , because he did foresee their succeeding memory . * non solùm animis , sed etiam oculis servire civium . cic. * homines fronte & oratione magis quàm ipso beneficio , reque capiuntur . ibid. tusc. . quint. curt. . a cicero said of galba's leaden and lumpish body : his wit had an ill lodging . b who would have majesty preserved , virtute non cultu . macrob. lib. . saturnalium , c. . dion . lib. . appianus alex. plut. in vit . bomp . iustin. quint. curt. vid. polydor. fab. stow. & al. appian ▪ alex , l. flor. l. . c. quint. curt. l. . the miserable ends of such as committed sacriledge in their time . virg. aeneid . . lib. . lactant. de orig . error . cap. . valer. max. vid. chron. what good morall men have flourished in evill times . plut. initio apotheg . regum . iustin. lib. . i● fine . non dolenda solùm sed periculosa etiam res est , cum ingratis habere negotium . sen. appian . alexand. o ingrata patria , ne ossa quidem● valer max. quint. curt. l. ● . plut. in apotheg . quarti d●x . tanti exercitus . l. flor. l. . c. . pecoritus fatigatis quoque velocior domum gradus est . sen. de tranquill . anim . lib cap. ● . as in the reign of king iohn ▪ a● . dom. . having crossed the seas to ierusalem . id credo non fuit hominum , sed conscientia sc●lerum . polydor ▪ virgil ▪ how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in recreation . defunctum asseruntimmodica laetitia & se●ii imbecillitate , &c. laert . in vit . chyl . suet. in nero●● . plut. in vit . s●xt . a●rel . herodian . virtus atque sapientia major in illis fuit , qui ox parvis opibus tantum imperium fecere , quàm in nobis , qui ea bene parta vix retinemus salust . majus dedecus est parta amittere , quam non omnino par avisse . peculatu● ararii factus est ibid. assuetis nulla sit passio . eresius . suet. in tiber. si videas murem dominari alii muri , nunquid risum teneas ? quantò magis ridiculum est quando tax illum , quod est minoris valoris quàm mus , homini dominetur ? sen. from this inordinate desire spring two maine branches : cupiditas acquirendi ; aviditas retinendi : eagernesse of gaining ; greedines of reteining . blos . omnium notarum peccatores ; et nulli rei nisi panitentiae nati . tertul. de paenit . in fine . quic quid repre●en dendum non damnandum est . sen. de benef. l. . cap. . davidem saltantem plus stupeo quàm pugnantem . moral . l. . c. . sam. . . chro. . . ludam ( inquit ) ut illudant . bonus ludus quo michol . irascitur , & deus delectatur . greg. mag. chrysost. in gen. hom. . tom. . cap. . notes for div a -e observat. of the use of acquaintance . one. dentatus apud senecam de tranq . anim . mar. . . acts . . prov. ▪ ▪ deut. . , . a bern. de vitâ solitariâ . b honores mundi , tumores mundi . eucher . epist. par●en-de contempt . mundi . c omnis seculi honor , diaboli est negotium . hil. can . . in matth. quaeremus unum bonum in quo sunt omnia , bona et sufficit . aug. med. * greg. diligenti deum sufficit ei placere quem diligit , quia nulla major expetenda est remuneratio quam ipsa dilectio . leo magnus serm. de jejuno . mat. . . . psal. . . tim. . . iob. . . bernard . in . . lib. de consid . ad eugen. in eodem lib. cap. . periclita●ur castitas in delitiis , humilitas in divitiis , pi●tas in nego ●io , verit as in multiloguio , charitas in hoc nequam saeculo . bern. asrariu● . of the benefit we reape by acquaint●nce in matters of discourse . amor à praesente gauder , absente dolet . bern. sup . cant. nihil interest habere estium apertum , vultum clausma . cicero . no rush without mire , no corrupt heart without sin . p●in . in na● . hi●● . iob . . of the choice of acquaintance in matters of advice . iob . . la●rt . in vit . periand . omnia pro tempore , nihil pro veritate . optatus . l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eccles. . . * whose wood is sweetest , shade coolest , and coale hottest . fabiolae m●us . . lat●at , ●aec una salus . sc● . in troad . in tiberius t●me . prov. . . . lacrt. in v●t . biant . suct . in aug. tusc. lib. . of the benefit properly derived from one friend to another in every peculiar action . plutarch . in pelopida , initio . plutarch . in paulo aemilio , sine . nihil tan aequè oblectaverit animum quàm amicitia fidelis . sen. in tranq . anim . vt flores qui odore delectant . ibid. nullus sine amicis locus amaenus : omnis sine sociis mūdus eremus . * the expressive character of a reall friend . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nam in ●●ro sunt lites & actiones moles●● . posidio . si qu●s in hos mundo cunctis vult gratus baberi ; det , capiat , quaerat , plurima , pauce , nihil . plato . the benefits which redound from the mutuall union or communion of friends in the exercise of pleasure . ioci non sint nimis salfi , multò minus in sulfi : illi enim multum ●fficiunt ; isti , nisi per cachinnum , parùm proficiunt . vanitati propriè festivitas cedit . cic. de orat . lib. . as many stars as in the heavens bee ; so many maids has rome to welcome thee . as many kids as on the downs wee see ; so many prostitutes in rome there be . scipio nasica . a tergo nemesis . laert. in vi● . biant . a rule of infallible direction , touching choice of acquaintance . quis quis pl●s justo non sapit ille sapit . martial . l. . those jests are best seasoned , that are least salted . of the choice or judicious approvement of acquaintance , in affaires of highest consequence . amicos sequere quos non pudeat elegisse . bias. neither timist nor timonist are within the lists of acquaintance to be entertained . the timist or time-observer displaied and displaced . nec tuta fiducia regum , quae levibus plerunque suis nituntur amicis . philip. comin . l. . sext. aurel. in constant. these timists have resemblance to those applauding parasites , by whom a●tiochus was at one time saluted both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a glorious prince , and a furious tyrant . . 〈◊〉 peccatum semper praegnans , aliudex alio gignit . vitia morbi sunt animi . sen. vitia ad vicinos serpunt et contactu nocent . ib. marcionist . * faciunt favos & vespae , faciunt ecclesias & marcionistae . tertul . l. . cont . quae malè afficitur , miserè inficitur . quot vitiae , tot daemonia : tot daemonia , quot crimina . emisenus . si innocentes existimari volumus , non solum nos abstinentes , verum etiam nostros comites praestare debemus . cic. fro incerta spe , certa praentia . salust . gratia quae cocat sicti malè sarta sodalis , est velut in siculo scylla cavenda mar● . pub faust. andr. prov. . . the timonist , or time-detracter discovered and discarded . arist. hist. anim . nosque ubi primus equis oriens afflavit anhelis , illie sera rubens accendit lumina vesper . tu voluptatem complecteris , nos compescimus : tu omnia voluptatis causâ facis , nos nihil . sen. de malis accidentibus bonis . lib. . neu tibi pulthra placent caeci vestigia mundi , fallere quae citiùs quàm renovare selent ? plutarch . what directions are to be observed in the choice of a wife . gen. . . the harsh and heremiticall conceit of the carthaginian arminius , touching marriage . se non prosperae tantùm , sed oranis fortunae inisse societatem . - vix ulla perēnior urna est , vel tibi grata magis proprio quam corpore busium condere . — una requiescit in urna . o vid. met. l. . heb. . . arist. lib. . polit. cap. . eum eligas magistrum , quem magis admireris cum videas , quam cum audias . seneca . egnatius quod condidos habet dentes renidet usque quaque , seu ad rei ventū est subsellium . vid. catul. in lib. eleg. a epictet , enchirid . b cypr. de disciplina & habitu virg . c petr. mart. reg. . . d cyprian . e ambr. hexam . lib. . cap. . f hieron . g iunius . h aug. de christ. fide . i ambros. l. . de offic . cap. . k hier. ad furiam de vid. ser. tom. . l tertul. de hab . mul. cap. . m scult . n cyprian . in lib. de hab . virg . o vict. ad salmonem . p tho. hudson . q clemens alexconst . apost . lib. . cap. . r hier. de exitu leae . s vict. ad salmonem . t caesar. in comment . u nazian . contra mulieres immodicè comptas : x laert. lib. . optimisunt odores qui odorant mores ; aliter non sunt flores sed faetores . y lessius de justitia & jure . lib . cap. . fol. . z pet. alagora in compendio manual . navar. c. . num. fol. . laert. in vita cleeb . portion and proportion . a vbi deu● est , ibi pudicitia , hieron . ad ●uriam de vid. serm tom. . b velamen istud antichristi . ibid. cael. rhod. lib. cap. . priviledges of marriage . plin. . ● . . laeert . in vit . chyl . optimī optīmis claruere gratiis : pessimi pessimis caluere vitiis . fortes creantur fortibus et bonis . est in juvencis , est in equis patrum virtus — horat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . infelicem dicebat bias qui ferre nequiret infelicit atem . laert. pomp. mela. lib. . quorsum alter dives , alter pauper ? theophrast . nil habet infelix paupertas durius in se , quàm quod ridiculos homines facit — iuven. sat. . quem fugiam scio , quem sequàr nescio . homer . iliad . this was never more exemplarily then in that place , and at this time presently confirmed ; where faction guilded over with pretences of religion , labours to bring an united state to division . nihil turpius dubio & incerto , pedem modo referente , modò producente . sen. ep. . sundry motives to love recounted : parentage . benovelence . fame . pardoning of injuries . num. . , . concurrency in hatred . compassion in afflictions . king. . , sam. . . eccles. . . vatus in infamitate persicitur . cor. : . delivery from danger . iudith . . . esther . . ● . exod. . . ioshua . iudg. . . maccab. . . vid. eccle. à cap. ad . expression of vertue . king. . . acknowledgement of injuries . a position of aristot. rh●t . . cap . vt tenuissima scintilla quae in oceanum demittitur . chrysost. in hom . ad pop. suffering of injuries . bounty , or munificence . cor. . . eccles. . . . eccles. . . . ibid c. . . . obad. . arist. eth. l. . of constancie in the choice of acquaintance . eccles. , . . amârunt solem ardentem , oderunt arguentem . vt abiis melicres f●ant , aut eos quibuscuns versantur , meliores faciant . inter vestales hoc celebr● juit , primò discunt quid agant , postea agunt quod discunt , tertiò alios do●ent guod discant , & agant . non est strepitus oris , sed jubilus cerdis ; non sonus labiorum sed morus gaudiorum ; concordia voluntatum , non consonantia vocum : parum enim prodest sola voce cantar● sine cordis intentione . bern. * etiam cadaver mortui officioso geslu precabatur . quaerite quod quaeritis , sed non ubi quaeritis . august . delicatus magister est , qui pleno ventre disputat de jejunio . hieron . qui satur est , pleno laudat jejunia ventre . eccles. . . quin. cur. l. ● amicitiae ut pares quaerunt ita et faciunt : ut cuique est aetas , it a quemque facetus adopta . hor. l. . epist. . suaves omnes fiunt soles inter socios et sodales . qua dementia est potius trabi quàm sequi . seneca . nec quia delectat , placet ; sed quia placet , delectat . ibid egregium apud vos virtutis officium voluptates persuanere : super mens●m recognoscentes omnia gentium animalia : & quò magis implentur , e ò magis inexplebiles , ibid. three faculties of the understanding . these observe that maxim ; he that knoweth how to speak well , knoweth also when he must hold his peace . these thinke an houre before they speake , and a day before they promise . in lib. disecrit . secretor . ecclus . , . talis substantia non est slabilis , aut ipsis inventoribus est peritura , aut à molis haeredibus est diss●panda . chris. in mat. ecclus. ● . . arist. l. . eth. of reservancy towards acquaintance . chap. . . to . iudg. . . chap. . . ecclus . . aditam nocendi perfido praestat sides . sen. in oedip. sam. . . king. . arcanum neque tuscrutaberis ullius unquam ; commissumque teges , & vino tortus & irâ . hor. front●m aperiat , mentem tegat . cic. sam. . . quid difficile ●arcana ( inquit ) retie●re , & ocium rectè disponere . laert . in vit . chyl . aristot. sext. autel in vit . commodi . sam. . . king. . . stow. annal. in vit . iohan. reservancie in respect of our substance , salust . predigas & siultus donat quae spernit , et edit . herat. l. . cp ●● ecclus . . nos proprii simus praedi coloni . nascitur è scopulis nutritus lacte ferino , et dicam silices pectus babere summ . ovid. ecclus. . . . of the absolute end of acquaintance . omnis labor aliquò referatur , aliquò respiciat . sen. de tranque anim . cornel. gall. seneca . aristot. laert. in vit . biant . ecclus . . . in itinerarie . pag. . scholasticus ? et mendicus ? ô secula ●oeca ! nonne alterius seculi ros est transire per terramauri sine auro ? bern. de consid . lib. . zeno noster cum omnia sua audiret submersa , jubet ( inquit ) me fortuna expeditùs philosophari . sen. de tranq . anim . mergam vos ne mergar à vobis . magnum est malum non posse ferre malum . sen. sen. de mal . accident . bonis . lib. . especiall offices wherein friendship and acquaintance should be exercised . arist. maxima foelicitas hujus mundi confiftis in anticis . boet . de consol . phil. nemome amicus beneficentiâ , remo inferendâ injuriâ inimicus superavit . plut. in vit . syl. posse et nolle , nobile . * vsque ad adventum christi brittannia fertilis provincia tyrannorum , & scoticae gextes , omnesque usque ad oceanum per cir●●itum barbarae ●ationes , moysen , propheta●que igno●abant . b stow annal in vita morgani . c camdeni britan. in essexia . d stow annal . in vita blad●d , & leyre regum , & severi imperatoris e iuellus in tractat. de sacris scripturis pag. . acts . . templum christi in templum iovis , mariae in veneris , diceres conversa . d. aegidius . f gildas . lib. de victoria aurelii . am. g nicephorus l. . cap. . h dorotheus in synopsi . cap. . rom. . . tim. . . the flourishing state of the church , amidst many hoarie winters of innovation . i adver . iudae . cap. . hispaniarum omnes termini , & galliarum diversae nationes , & britannorum inaccessa romanis loca christo vero subdita . k hom. . in ezek. quando terra britannia ante adventum christi in unius dei consensit religionem ? nunc verò universa terra cum latitio cl●mat ad dominum . l socrat. l. . c. . m hom. . in cor. n epist. ad evagrium . anno . columbanus in anglia , palladius in scotia , patritius in hi●ernia floruit . o advers . graes . lib. . p epist. lib. . cap. . . q hist. lib ▪ . c ▪ . vide praeter caeteror nec minus inclyti nominis , vitam bernardi . . cap. . et bernard . de con●iderat . l. . si miscere licet figmentis s●cra profanis : atque paludiferis pura fluentalocis ▪ in upupae nido lapis est diversi coloris , qui tam occultae est virtutis ut gerentem planè invisibilem reddet . albert. mag. basil. omnis injuria in sensu patientis . gravis est miseria iniquè ferenti suavis autem est divino amore ferventi . praecept . . vid. goguin . lib. . hist. franc. sur. tom. . notes for div a -e observ. . moderation defined . omnis quae à ratione suscipitur de aliquare institutio , debet à definitione proficisci , ut intelligatur quid sit id de quo disputetur . cio . offic . l. . nihil interest an habeas , an non concupiscas . sen. dil tibi divitias de derant artemquè fruendi . hor. epist. lib. . plutarch . in vit . camill. appian . alex. plutarch . in vit . vespas . habere vitam in patientia , mortem in desiderio . sen. cohaeres christi , quid gaudes ? quia socius es pecorum ? aug. mihi credite , mori mallem quàm imperare . otho . curia curis stringitur , diadema spinis cingitur . aphorism . sen. in thiest . no vertue can subsist without it . quint. c●tt . plutarch . in vit . ages . plutarch in alexandro . plut in apotheg . eras. in apotheg . ludens par impar , equitausque in arundinelonga . agis rex lacedemon . laert in chilo . what excellent fruits are derived from temperance . homer . lib. . odyss . oculi dolores . plut. in vit . alex. honores mundi , tumores mundi . euche . epist. paren . de contempt . mundi . velamen istud antichristi . hieron . ad furiam de vid. serm. tom. . amici fure● temporis . cic. arist. lib. . ethic. cap. ▪ accepit luxuriet sceptrum ; quid sperandum est praeter naufragium ? august . plut. in apoth . caro & mundus pleni sunt spinis : conversari in his & non laedi , divinae potentiae est & non virtutis humanae . bern. quint. c●●t . lib. . cum de virtutibus agitur , nulla excellentior cernitur quam illa quae in castis adolescentibus in venitur . salust . in i●g . bel. vid. plutarch . in apotheg . q. curt. lib. . cap. . mallem quae●i cur statua mihi nulla posita fit , quam cur sit . cato . seneca . prasulgeb●●t iunin● & blaesus eo ipso , quod effigies eorum non viseb●ntur . tacitus . plut. in vit . legitur in gestis romanorum , quod ille q●i primitiùs inter eos vestem purpuream induit , à fulgure percussus est , & sic interiit . faces faecesque superbiae . sueton . aul. gell. noct. atti. l. . c. . alex. gen. dic . lib. . c. . s●uckius de convi . lib. . cap. . haec d●od deo , modo cum conservetione naturae stare poterint , unicè postulaebat ; ut à loquendo & edendo perpetuò abstineat . vltimum refugium naturae , est potus . axioma . gell. in noct. attic. aug. de academ . laert. in vit . biant ▪ august . lib. . de bapt. cont . don. cap. . ebrietas inimica est cognitioni dei ; cupidit as amica necessitudini diaboli . ambros. lib. . de abraham . qui luxuriatur , vivus mortuus est . hier. bona est castitas conjugalis , melior continentiae vidualis , optima perfectio virginalis . beda . qui non nubent , ●xores non ducunt , sicut angeli in terra sunt . ambros. supergreditur virginitas conditionem humanae naturae , per quam homo angelis assimilatur . ibid. virginitas si labitur , nulla poenitentia reparatur ad integritatem . ifid . de sum. bon. audenter loquor , cum omnia possit deus suscitare , tamen non potest virginem post ruinam . valet quidem de poena liberare , sed non valet coronare corruptam . hier. vel●a , or velleia . alphons . in lib. de haeres . in verb. tyrannis . soto . lib. . de iust. & iure . quaest . . artic . . si tanta humilitate se deprimit divina majestas , superbire in quo audet & praesumit humana infirmitas ? aug. de conflictu vitiorum . mihi mirabile fit quod non enecentur , cum tantum o●us bajulent . clem. alexan. . paedag. o nobilem magis quam faelicem pan●um ! stob. sur. . si adam nunquam offendisset , ad dume●● non confugisset , nec ficul nec folia in perizomara consuisset . sen. epist. . visus jam est vestis non regumenti . clem. alex. paedag. lib. . cap. . chrysost . tom. . hom. vivere et mori naturae functio , ludibrio esse proprio ducitur . ambros. ep . . venter vitae charybdis . diog. apud laert. chrys. hom. . in gen. impossibile est hic implere ventrem , & ibi mentem . hier. in epist. si sermo meus caperetur , caperet : nam fic est sermo die , & sic esse debet fidelibus , sicut pisci hamus ; tum capit quando capitur , nec sit captis injuria ; ad salutem enim , non ad perniciem capiuntur . aug. tract . . in iohan. aug. in l. confes. blos . collyr . haeret. gregor . in mor. exposit . in iob. qui per annos plurimos tecum familiariter vixit , ad mensam tuam sedit , cibum de manu tua sumpsit , in ●inutu● dormivit : cum voluit , tecum colloquium habuit , hic jure haereditario servustum est . bernard . aristot. de historia animalium . lib. . c. . lucretius l. . oppianus l. . de venatione . non cervus fluvios sic avet algidos , cervus , turb● canum quem premit , buchan . in psal. . ebrio sus confundit naturam , emittit gratiam , perdit gloriam , incurrit damnationem aeternam . ambros. l. de poenit . dum absorbent vinum , absorbentur ● vino . vt cautes , evitemus calices , ni in ore nauseam , in mente naufr●gium sentiamus . pestis non saeviùs grassatur in urbe , quam ebrietas in corde . basil. * amongst which consorts of death , if at any time it be your fortune to encounter with these civill city foysts whose cheats are their chequer , timely discard them , lest untimely experience make you distaste them . run with the roe unto the rose ; the roe must winne , the rooke must loose : for northern rookes are little worth , compar'd with those the south brings forth . senec de tran . anim . bernard . august . emissenus . stultum est servire diabolo offenso , qui nullo placatur obsequio . greg. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . wherein moderation is to bee used . au●um horamque petunt , petendo perdunt perdende pereunt . expence of coine . tertul. instit . lib. . cap. . this is excellently seconded by a princely pen , in a pithy poem directed to all persons of ranke or quality to leave the court and returne into their owne countrey . the rich retinue of a rare rioter . relata ad se magnitudine aeris aticujus , quam quidam eques romanus dum vixit celaverat , culcitram emi cubicularem sib●●ussit : et praeceptum mitantibus hanc rationē reddidit ; habenda est ad somnum culcitra , in qu● ille cumtantum deberet , dormire potuit . macrob. saturn . l. . c. . frugall men being rightly stiled , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . tusc. l. . dona prius quàm tempora dedit . datur etiam vermibus nere è visceribus , accuratiorem cultum praebere hominibus . vid. pet. mart. * qui totum orbem possederit , ne in orbe sepulchrum in venire poterit . quò cumuli gazae , si desint ossibus urnae ? eosdem penates habuit & regiam , & rogum , & sepulchrum . valer. max. de tull. hostil . ambros. aug. epist. . bernard . de adventu serm . . august . in med ▪ cap. . expence of time . eucheriars ▪ nil preciosius tempore , & heu nil bodiè eo vili●s i●venitur : transeunt dies salutis & nemo cogitas . bern. majus dedecus est , parta amittere , quàm non omninò paravisse . salust . martial . l. . sext. aurel. in domit. ne quid usquam honesti oculis occurreret . vid. tacit. quàm quisque pessimè fecit , tam maximè ltutus est , sa●ust . cujus cupe diae , fercula in actu , cujus januae carceres mendici . dan. . . fet. dam. de borâ mortis sic mihi divitias , famuli patiendo labores , nec minorest domino servus in aere suo . eccles. . . vtinam invidi oculos baberent in omnibus locis , ut de omnibus foelicitatibus torquerentur : nam quanta sunt faelicium gaudia , tanti invidorum sunt gemitus . seneca . luke . . . . mac. . . . fieri non potest ut malè moriatur , qui benè vixerit . blos . enchirid . parvul . author . non potest malè mori qui bene vixerit , & vix bene moritur qui malè vixerit . aug. de discip . christiana . moderation of the passions of the mind reduced to two subjects . ioy. iob. . . hester . . . eccles. . . dan. . . , . &c , iob . . prov. . ● . esay . . iob. . ● . zeph. . . gen . . iob. . . psal. . . thes. . . sorrow . sam. . . kin. . . gen. . . ionah . . * or gederans . ioseph . li. . c. . matth. . . quò quisque sanctior , eò ejus in orando fletus uberio● . aug. via est incipientibus : veritas est proficientibus : & vita perfectis . tho. à campis in solileq . animae c. . cor. . . bernard . wherein moderation is to bee limited . aug. solileq . cap. . iohn . . concupiscence of the flesh . gen. . . king. . . sam. . . iudith . . gen. . . dan. . . esther . . dan. . . dan. . . acts. . . qui modo immortalis vocabar , &c. euseb. ephe. . . august . de civit . dei , l. . c. . tertul lib. de poeniten ▪ initio . quem de flumine galio qui per phrygiam labitur , propinesse arbitremur ; de quo quicungue bibit , tantoperè insanire solet , ut scipsune ililco castraturus est . pomp. laetus de sacred . bl●s . tertul. in apolig c. . psal. . . noctium atticarum li. . c. . concupiscence of the eye . gen. . . king. . . ● cor. . . coepore interias , sed corde exterius . bernard , med. cap. . col●wella lib . cap. . vnum musculū prae caeteris animalibus oculum elevantem babet ▪ quo ad coeleslia magit rapiatur , terrestribus minus capiatur . ib. foetorem , quem ab illis priùs emisisset , ab ore denud recipit . plin. in nat. ●ist . aeliah . gersen . ariosto . erga mundum habecmus oculum retortum . pride of life . august . soliloq . cap. . omnia metiri malim dignitate quam ambitione . plin in epist. * iudging of another consisteth in these ▪ three points ; first , when a man doth well , to say he doth evill . secondly , when a man doth evill , to say that man doth worse . thirdly , when a thing is doubtfull to take it in the worse part . vid annal . stow. laort-in vit . pittaci . solâ socordiâ innocentes . tacit. ●allium video , philosophum non video . comment . in ● reg. cap. . chrysost. lib. de orando deo. august . soliloq . cap. . of the accomplished end which attends moderation . lib. de philosophia apud . aug. de civitate dei. lib. . cap. . the difference betwixt the ethnicke and christian ethick in the opinion of felicity . prov. . . august . bernard . revel . . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nazi●n . b qui nil ●●bet in mundo quod app●t●t , nihil est quod de mundo p●●timescat . cyprian . c quis ei deseculo metus est , cui in se●ulo deus tutor est ? ibid. de hoc die lux proficit , sed ●ox deficit . aug. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellat clemens . august . de civit . dei. lib. . cap . tract . . in io. vnde mors in anima ? quid non est fides . vnde mors in corpore ; quid non est animae . ergo animae tu● anim● est fides . anger . this might be instanced in our late fleetstr●et tumult . plutarch in apotheg . rom. cic. tus. lib. . ira mortalium debet esse mortalis . lectant . wantonness . august . pride . august● wherein true content properly consisteth . the goods of the minde . plato in timaeo . primùm oritur , postremiun moritur . quis me stygias mittet ad umbras ? mori juvabit , poenae nam gravior● nece esi . sen-in octav. messala corvin . the goods of the body . plut. in vit . anl. gel. nect . attie . l. . c. . su●t●● . tranqull . homer in odys . certum est quòd morieris , inc●rtum est quando , quomodo , aut ubi ; quoniam ubique te mors expectat , tu quoque si sapiens fueris , ubique eam expectabis . ber. in med. . excusit redeuntem natura , ut intrantem . sen. vnus intro●tus , innumori exitus . men. nazian . in funeb . orat . pro caesario . the goods of fortune . aug. s●liloq , cap. ▪ notes for div a -e observat. . deus fecit hominem ratione sapi●●tem , vitainnocen tem , domino potentem . two considerations of maine consequence . bern. med. . august . manual . cap. . the christians compleat armour . augustin . sicut nullus locus vacat à peccando , it a nullus locus vacet à precando . a matt. , , . b luke . . c mark. . . d thes. . . e exo. . , . f dan. . . g paralip . . h sam. . . i ier. . . qui copiofiores sunt , ●t volunt pro arbitrio quisque s●o quod visum est contribuunt , et quodita colligitur apud praepositum deponitur , &c. iust. mart. apol. . non pecca●erem , sed ●uf●um paupere●●utrit , quia in illo non culpa●● , sed naturam diligit , &c. greg. m●g . the fruit of fasting . vid cyprian . serm . de jejunio , tom . . basil. de jejun homil . . tertul , lib. de jejun . origen . hom . . in levit. vid. bedam . quo viro verè venerabili ( testimonio p●●lyd●ti ) nihil fuit cas●ius , nihil melius , nihil verius , &c. polydor. lib. . greg. in mo● . expos. in iob. hieron . the power of prayer . in dei auribus desidertum vehemens clamor magnus est ; remissa intentio , vox submissa . bernard . greg. in dialog . nazian . in epitaph . gorgon . sororis ejus . euseb. in hist. hieron . in vit . paul. eremit . vid. doct. andr. in tortura tort. greg. nazian . in flumine palladis ignem . cicero , lib. de orat. plut. in vit . cicero . . lib. t●s●ul . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . solonis dict . * grata commercia , na●tae gratia : bona consortia , vitae solatia . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . physic. matth. . heb. . . cor. . . colloss . . . of the contemplative part . psal. . euclionum animae , struthionum ●lae . august . lanspurg . aug. s●liloq . cap. . tim. . . acts . . acts . . ignoravi quòd tam suavis , o bone iesu , ●sset tuus amplex●● , tam henestus attactus tuus , tam diliciosus convictus tuus . bonavent . aug. soliloq . cap. . nec inveni● guidlicentius appellandum extstimemus coelum caeli domino quàm contemplantem &c. aug. med. cap. . vanity ha's not art to forge that illusion , that may surprize a fixt divine contemplation . august . soliloq . cap. venire ad er●mum s●m●● perfectio est . caesar ar●latensis . hom . . p. . aug. in retract . de anton . eremita hoc refert , quem damescenus p●imum monasticae vitae professorem vocat . vid. histor. barlaam . vid. paul. diaconum . tim. . . , . philip. . . * magis resistit ignis ferro quam ligno , sed cum ignis vincat utrumque , inten●ior est calor in ferro quàm in ligno . stell ▪ de centemtr . m●nd . qued tentation● quo●●ndam sanctorum assimilari potest : acrius tentationi resis●unt , susceptam tamen al●i●● . retinent . a three-fold meditation of necessary consequence . aug. med. cap. . vita corporis anima , vita animae deus . august . manual . cap. ● . * viscus est amor possessionis , affectus cognationis , cupidit a● honoris , & carnis voluptas . bern. med. . nothing may satisfie the senses , but the divine essence . palea ad triticum , siliquae ad panem , c●pae et allia egypti ad coelestem mann●m . aug. in med. cap. . no● est 〈◊〉 tempore & die ●●mortam benefi●●● de●●ni●i cicero . of the active part . 〈…〉 , nihil ag●●e . gasper in hipposit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gell. noct attic . lib. . cap. . luke . ▪ multi miseri 〈◊〉 magis 〈…〉 quod amant , quam c●rendo amando enim res 〈◊〉 miser● , b●be●do sunt misertores . aug sic vivite , ut nemo de vobis m●lè l●qui abs . que mendacio possit . hieron . epist. ad coelum de inflit . matris . morbi animi sunt vi●●a . petrarch . two especiall memorials recommended to our devoutest meditation . . the author of our creation . . the end of our creation , aug. soliloq . c. . aug. soliloq . cap. . ecce pulchrum ac pretiosum lipidem putre ca●●ver tegentem ! gasp. in her●clit . plato . aug. ●●liloq . cap. . 〈…〉 . a●sel . aug. s●liloq . cap. . aug. soliloq . cap. . rom. , . the end of our creation . luke . . . . matth. . , , , . v●d . aegid . in hunc locum . feria quart. & quint. hebd . prim. nec proderunt hîc divitiae divitibus , nec parentes filiis , nec angeli ipsi proderunt . chrysost. ille iudex nec gratia praevenitur , misericordia jam flectitur , nec pecunia corrunspitur , nec satisfactione vel poena mitigabitur . august . singular precepts of mortification . hieron . ad demet. act . . ibid. prope finem . idlenesse begetteth security , properly termed the soules lethargy parum est le ger● , ●ur ●o●igere ; sed intell gere & in formam red● g●re , hoc artis , hoc laboris est . casman . vid. histor. barlaam . aug. in retract . bernard . a christians ephemerides basil. plutarch . in moral . revel . . . coloss. . . king. . . . luke . . luke . . sam. . . gen. . . & ● . . gen. . . prov. . . the active part preferred . agapetus . bern. de inter . domo . c. . nicet as . nazi●nzen , ambros. epist. . a●imae tuae gratum ●eceris si misericors fueris , bern , de modo bene vivandi . nil magis commendat christianum animum &c. ambros. ● . tim. pag. . tract . . in iohan. dives factus est prop●er pauperem , & pauper propter divitem ; pauperis est r●g●re , divitis erogore , august . he preacheth best , qui dieit non lingua sed vità . aug ser. . de verb. dom. charitas vis●●ra tua percu●iat . august . vta christo accepimus beneficium , praesiemus christi●●● officium , praebendo membris christ● hospirium provocaris chri●●iane , provocaris à vidua in certamen . august . kin. . . iohn . , . eo d●e in quo ratio reddetur , quid fecimus , non quid ●ovimus , quaeretur . object . sol. luke . . object . sol. the active preferred before the contemplative for two respects . gaspar . in heraclito . c. . mundum ex animo prius fugare , quàm mundum fugere . nec divinitùs accepium talentum in terram defodore . ibid. wherein the active part of perfection consisteth . aug. de civit . dei. l. . cap. . active perfection consisteth in mortification of action and affection . mortification extends it selfe in a three-fold respect , to these three distinct subjects . . life . . name . . goods . mortification in our dis-esteem of life . iren. advers . haeres lib. . cap. . euseb. i● eccl. hisp. ruff●nus l. . hist. cap. . * infoelix multis theta est , mihi litera f●elix . si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scribit , scribit & illa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . act. . . plin. l. . c. . aug. tract . . in iohan. hollins●ed . cyprian . con●rarii sunt illis factiosi haeretici , quorum conscientiae usque adeò sunt amplae , ut in illis civitatem decem millium civium aedificare possis , quemadmodum quid●m magnum alexandrum depinxit . aegid . in . thess. . tertul. lib. . cont . marcionist . in omnibus quae egimus , finem intenti onis , m●gis quam actum operationis intendit . aug. soliloq . c. . luke . . . luk. . . * par●m refert , vestis tua ●n sericea an cilicea , modo pudica ●it , non meretricia . lanspurg . in pharetra divini amoris . ibid. scire debes , quòd quamvis de morte meditari sit horribile , de statu finalis judicii cogitare ut aestimo , non minus est formidabile : quia nullus tunc poterit fallere sapientiam , flectere justitiam , inclinare clementiam , declinare ultionis & justae retributionis sententiam . bern. mortification in our dis-respect of fame or report . mortification in averting our eare from our owne praise . phavor . in l. . de rebus gest . alphons . regiis auribus , ni escianatae , adulantium laudes maximè ingratae . ea laus , d. augustini judicio , unicè approbanda est , quando nec laudantem adulatio movet , nec laudatum tentat elatio . aug. soliloq . cap. . mortification in suffering aspersions laid on our good name . matth ▪ . . . * qui jusius est & maledicitur , praemium ei pro maledictione redditur . aug. quod si ips● dei filius à diabolo in eremo tentatus fuit ; quis eremitarum idem non expectet ? gaspar . in heraclito . vid. aegidium in hunc locum . matth. ● , , . tota vita christi in terris quae per hominem gessit , disciplina morum fuit . omnia bona mundi christus contempsit , quae contemnenda docuit : & omnia mola sustinuit , quae sustinēda praecepit ; ut in illis non quae reretur foelicites , neque in istis timeretur infoeluitas . aug. de ver . rel . ambr. ep . . beneficium se putabat accepisse augustae memoriae theodosius , quoties rogabatur ignoscere . optabatur ineo , quod tilmebatur in atiis , ut irascereur . de obit . theo. charon nec lethis caeca charybdis faedarunt sacras sorde charites , socrat. in eccles . hist. l. . cap. . the arians scandalized the great athanasius , of practising magick with the dismembred hand of arsenius . non solum quorum ate incusafti , fateor reum , sed verè cogor tuam inculpare ignorantiam , quiaunius me fecisti reum , quando conscius fui millium . act. . , , . ▪ tim. . ▪ . luke . . . iohn y. . matth. . . matth. . acts . . scandalum pharisaeorum . scandalum pufillorum . scandalum activum . scandalum passivum . mortification in our contempt of all worldly substance . prov. . . two remarkable considerations : first , by whom these blessings are conferred on us : secondly , how they are to be disposed by us . non dabit ●uod non babet . aug. isa. . . isa. . . luke . . signa viis reparant , ut nomina nota relinquant m●rmore quae sculpto nomen inanis habent . luke . , . &c. poenitentia dolorum , non remissionis peccatorum . chrysost. hom . . in iohan. aug. lib. . de civit . dei . c. . greg. lib. . moral . c. . act. , . an accurate repetition and connexion of the precedent meditations . gal. . . a nullum deo gratius sacrificium quàm zelus animarum . greg. in bom . . sup . ezec. b nam qui non ardet , non accendit . bernard . c nec lucere potest , nisi prius ardeat . aquin . in . iohan : d lucernae quoad officium , extinctae quoad effectum . ibid. quod emittitur voluntarium est : quod amittitur necessarium . ambros. elemosyna in vita , est lucerna lucens ; elemosyna post mortem , lucerna caecutiens . qui à dle in diem deferunt , donec parcae cuncta auferunt . non memini me legisse mala morte mortuum , qui libentèr opera pietatis exercuit . hieron . in epist. ad nepotianum . quàm immensa est laetitia de recordatione transactae virtutis ; &c. bern. in fest . omnium sanctorum . serm . . iob. . . the absolute or supreme end whereto this actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it solely resteth . chrysost. aug. solioq . c. . terent. in heauton . plau. in rudeute . prov. . . ecclus. . . eccles. . . . . , . scire omniae volumus , nihil agere . gasper . in herac. c. . sub quorum velamine , frequenter magna avaritia comperitur . vincent . de vit . spirit . cap. . sive dormiam five vigilem , somniat : & cogitat qui●qui deii occurrit . bern. med. cap. . in petendo honorem timet ne praeveniatur , in possidendo valdè timet ne privetur . cui tam deest quod habet , quàm quod non habet : adeptae voluptatis coronidem si quaeres , poeniten●iam invenies . cum se cuncta novisse putat , plura se ignorosse quàm didicisse , indies sentit . sid deo non affligatur homo , seipsum affliget . in herac . cap. . ita de humano arbitratu penfitatur divinitas , nisi deus homini placuerit , deus non erit . tertul. in apol. cap. . ibid. cap. . vid. vit . honor . corporis vitamus venena non animi . ibid. in heraec . quis vicinus malus , quis latro , quis infidiator tibi tollit deum ? et potest tibi tollere totum good po●●ides corpore , non tibi tollit cum quem possides corde . aug. ecclus. . . beauti qui ex eorum numero esse merentur , quos mund●● prostultis , deus pro s●pientibus habet . blos . enchirid. parvul . auth . esther . , , . ecclus. . . ● . multi miseri sunt metu , ne miseri fiant : multi mori metuentes , moriuntur . gaspar . in herac. thē reason of his frequent repetition of sundry sentences , similitudes , and other memorable discoveries thorowout this book . hier. in vit . pontius in fine vitae ejus . in vit . bedae . extrema morientium eloquia , audientium oracula : ultimae voces , viventium vates . nicet . in funeb . orat . sepulchra enim non tam mortuorum quàm viventium memoriae condita sunt . ambitio his dux illis , amor dei gasp. in epist. ante heraclit . vitruvius l. . cap. . august . manual . cap. . ibid. cap. . luk. . . trinitas divinarum personarum est summum bonum . quod purgatissimis mentibus cernitur . aug. lib. . de trin. cap. . rom. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . isidorus etymol l. . c. . aug. manuel . cap. . ibid. ▪ aliud noli petere , uni suffice , quia una tibi sufficiet . aug. in psal. . where we are to seeke . august . med. cap. . eccles. . . aug. med. cap. . sipes in terris , spes sit in coelis . blos . enchirid parvul , auth . ibid. minore negetionobis calum comparem possum●s , quàm infernum . ibid. hilar. enar . in . ps. . hi , lice●●lta nimis cogitent ▪ humilitèr se gerent , quo aliorum gratiam sibi concilient , in litibus decernendis justa statuent , quo majoreus ●ibi reverentiam , f●catâ eâ iustitia larva , sibi adferant : in●●rim , alios dum capiunt , sese decipiunt ; aliena dum rapiunt , miserè ruunt . vid. annal , hiber . bernard . when we are to seeke . eccles. . . gen. . . luke . . . matth. . . . . . . deus cōversioni tuae indulgentiam promisit : sed dilationi tuae diem crastinum non promisit . aug. matt. . . august . ierem. . . eccles. . à vers . . ad . gen. . . august . poenitentia poenae ; non p●na p●nitentiae . king. ● . . da mihi sallere , da justum sanctumque videri , noctem peccatis & fraudibus ob●ice nubem . nullus est in rima , nullus qui me ex●●udiat . eras. dial. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . — cernit deus omnia vindex . kin. . . annon pudet id facere in conspectu dei , actes●ibus sanctis angelu , quod pudet facere in conspectu hominum . quid si tuta possint esse scelera , ●● secura e●se non possunt ? vel quid prode●t nocentibus habuisse latendi facultatem , cum liten●i fiduciam non habent ? sen. opist . . bernard . de vitâ solitariä sen. epist. . august . mau cap. . quicquid ages mundo , furtìmve palàmve , momento , inspectatorem semper adesse deum . prúdentius hymno●um . l. . cont . symmach . aug. soliloq . cap. . aures habet in pedibus aristippus . c●nt . . . tim. . . mat. . . mat. . . cor. . . cor. . . mat. . . esay . . matth. . num. . ● . rom . . sam. . . . luke . . qui amat desiderare , defideret amare . bern. de amore dei. c. . vid. greg. mor. lib. . cap. . a●pithy exhortation . via●i●tutis , s●ella salutis . pandect . happy misery , when cloathed with the white roabe of immortality , cheered with heavenly harmony , holy melody ! aug. man. cap. . a powerfull instruction . majorem s●bi gloriam conferri existimab●t , in seipsum exhibendo membrum ecclesiae , quám caput imperii . vid. euseb. exod. . . exod. . . gen. . . luke . aug. soliloq . cap. . a perswasive conclusion . matth. . . hebr. . . prov. . . greg. in moral . exposit. in iob. blos . enchirid . parvul . auth . notes for div a -e such , to your honour , is her zealous affection , as she makes it the sole apology of her presumption : which she weaves up in this dimension : to serve some great ones i 've been oft-times woo'd , but hers i 'm vow'd that is both great and good . notes for div a -e observat. the necessity of apparell . the use of apparell . the abuse of apparell . how the use of apparell may be inverted to abuse . zephan . . delicacy of apparell . superfluity of apparell . that apparell most comely , which confers on the wearer most native beauty , and most honour on her countrey . notes for div a -e observat. . behaviour● eflects on three particula●s . action . affection . passion . how to behave herselfe in company . how to behave herselfe in privacy . this branch might seeme included in our former discourse of company ; but that reflected on persons , this on affaires . de 〈◊〉 worie . that behaviour most approved which is clearest from affectation freed . notes for div a -e observat. complement defined . how complement may be corrupted . how complement may bee refined . wherein complement may bee admitted , as mainely consequent . plutarch . wherein complement may be omitted , as meerly impertinent . eccles. . . what complement gives best accomplishment . apoc. . notes for div a -e decency recommended as requisite in foure distinct subjects . gate . loo●e . speech . ambros. in lib. de offic . greg. in mor ▪ habit . cic. in lib. de leg . tim. . , . pet. . . decency the attractivest motive of affection . decency the smoothest path that leads to perfection . aug. soliloq . cap ▪ . sen. de vita beata . m●d● . . greg. in mor. notes for div a -e estimation , a gentlewomans highest prize . tit. liv. lib. . cap. . how estimation may be discerned to be reall . sen-in octov . how estimation may be discerned to bee superficiall . how estimation may be impregnably preserved . lactant. lib. . divin . ins●it . cap. . e●s●b . l. . de prap . evang. lucian . in alex. l. flor. lib. . cap. . how estimation may be irreparably lost . the absolute end , whereto estimation aspires , and wherein it cheerfully rests . an english amazon . plutarch . notes for div a -e observ. . fancy is to be with deliberation grounded . hieron . cont . ruffin . fancy is to be with constancy reteined . wanton fancy is a wandring phrenzie . eccles. . arist. de reg . princ. if cupid then be blind , how blind are yee , that will be caught by one that cannot see ? how fancy may be checked , if too wilde . sen. de tranq . an . how fancy may be chee●ed if too cold . an attemperament o● both . pemp . mela. an explanation of the embleme . another proper application of this embleme . notes for div a -e observ. . gentility is derived from our ancestors to us , but soone blanched , if not revived by us . vertue the best coat . nazian . a shamefaste red the best colour to deblazon vertues coat . gentility is not knowne by what wee weare , but what we are . o age ● no cover now fit for our mold , but plush , shag , velvet , tissue , cloth of gold. calcagninus apol. marg . aug. ioel. . nahum . . bern. these are native seeds of goodnesse sowne in generous bloods by lineall succession . how these native seeds of goodnesse may bee ripened by instruction . greg. in . eva●g . a briefe enumeration , serious dicussion , and judicious election of sundry ancient fathers with other morall authors . arist●t . pol. . notes for div a -e observ. . honour is painted , when it is not with vertue poudred . no cloth takes such deepe tincture , as the cloth of honour . horac● . honourable personages should bee presidents of goodnesse . epicter . iob. . . vertue or vice whether soever takes hold first , reteines a deeper impression in honour , than any lower subject . aristot. . de anima . that vertue may receive the first impression by meanes of an in-bred noble disposition , seconded by helps of education . * these are described to life in the person of an humurous fantasticke , in this pleasant epigram : she that must eat her breakfast in her bed , and is til neon in trimming of her head , and sits at table like a maiden ▪ bride , and talkes all day of nothing but of pride : god may doe much in mercy for to save her , but what a case is he in that sh●ll have her ? * this was formerly instanced in that memorable example of spirituals . tob. . . bern. aug. lib. . de civit. dei. vertue reduc'd to habit , aspires to perfection . candida virgine is miscuit ora rosis . aug. in epist. prov. . . ambros. notes for div a -e * a frisking fro , freighted hither in a florentine frigot . notes for div a -e flora nec veris speciosi fora viridariis punicis amaeniora . notes for div a -e bern. anselm . ambros. epist. . ambros. lib. . de abrahamo . sir t. o. cogitate quotidie moriturum , & nunquam de s●cundis nuptiis cogitabis . hier. tom. . ep . ad furn. p. . vt laqueariae pulsant inertia , feles aniles ineunt consortia , o vos lepiduli pereunt acredulae , alta nam coeli vela ruentia . eheu ! antipodes mutârunt oras , nos illis , nobis tribuere suas . a presidentall love-letter . * or himellaz a rivet of high esteeme with the sabines , called ismene . o noxlonga ! hor. me nova turba petit , licet una puella recessit , et mihi vota premunt , quae violanda negant . sijtite vos nimphae , vix tanta licentia zonae , vni nuptus ero , sufficit una viro. arist. . pol. amb. aug. in lib. de spiritu & anima . hugo de disciplina mona . isid. ib. sidonius in epistolari . oscula , verba , libri , vaga lumina mensa , sodales . mentibus intactis tela fuere necis . diotima 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . iovis gloria : such was her divine etymon . hier. de la●d . asella epist. . aelian . impendeat fat is nubes opaca mei● , discutiet mens nubes patiendo leves . sir fra : bacon . in nullo unguam arrego , in quo mihi non derogo . casta fides sponsam me fe●ent — . manus colo , thor●s sponso . vid. var. since to taxe womens errors 't is so common , what may my booke looke for in praise of women ? notes for div a -e sen. arist. anax. montan. prov. . . prov. . . the saying of caia , wife to caius tarquinius . vid. plu● . arist. eth. conjugalem fidem violare nefas , nuptialem thorum venerari a●cus . thales miles . ambros. lib. . de abraham . aeli●n . in nat . hist. alcia● . in emblem . this you may the better retaine , by engraving in the window of your bed-chamber with thas noble fl●rentine , this impreze , to make you more tender of your nuptiall honour : emblema est 〈…〉 theri . ier. . . heb. . . ier. . . optima semper ingenia , quaedam ge●●●●a comitatur modestia . gen. . . tali conjugio fruor , ut , sive foris egrediar , sive revertar , quicquidevenerit libentissimè patior , & patiendo vinco citiùs quàm vincor . vid. licost. apotheg . meleand . in bast. palemon . ad caulam , calatea ad colum . plutarch . licosth . macrob. the offices of a wife to her husband . obs●ruantur fenestrae , ut luceat dom●s . sen in herc. fur. macrob. habitus mentis in corporu statu cernitur . gestus corporis indicat qualitatem mentis . vid. gre. in mor. bern. in epist. aug. in confess . nazian . luke . . in urbe maxima confluunt vitia . bona consortia , vita solatia . petrarch . de remed . utriusquè fortunae . caro quò agilior , anima debilior : anima quò sortior ▪ caro infirmior . in pandect . hippol. de collib . obserantur aedes , quò interiores splendeant sedes . quae unius cellulae clausa angustiis , latitudine coeli fruebatur . her. de laud. asellae ; epist. . a discreet loving treaty , betwixt a wife and her husband : recōmended to the constant practice of affectionate consorts . primitias prolis teneas botolphia sedes ; ingenio pollens , palladis arte potens ; prae s●ciis docilis , puerilibus argus in annis : ast spurii stirpes obtinuere leves . vid. remaines of a greater work . aug. gen. . . victi victoresquè in lachrymas fusi . cadmaea victoria . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ambros. li. . de offic . ca. . vxorem vivam amare voluptas est , defunctam religio . observ. . a parentall care reflects properly upon two distinct objects . arist. in eth. prov. . . vid. plutarch . trog . pomp. macrob . in aturn stobae . appian . alex. patere . how a prodigals profu●enes●e abuseth his parents providence . with such transported spirits as these , divine ayres are accounted choyce canto's only for dull eares . our ignorant gentry estrangeth philosophy from their society . the reason why young gentlemen are not in learning delighted is because they are not in principles of learning sufficiently grounded vid. petrarch . the highest point of discretion in a school-master , is to find out the disposition of his scholler . inconsiderate youth accounts the fruitlesse expence of time a meere pastime . 〈◊〉 sen●x ten●io ●idem , in qu● 〈…〉 s●m hier. ad pammach . & ocean de e●ror . orig. . levius es● dispendium sert●●ae quàm famae , famae quàm anim● . chrysol . l●●●●t . tim . . talis substantia non est stabilis ; aut ipsis invenientibus est peritura , aut à malis haeredibus es● dissipanda . chrysost. in matth. vide plut. vid. var. macrob . in sa●●● . media vi● pe●ere ? via dirigitur , quâ ad●●ctam ●endi●ur . fodere nondum didicerunt , & mendicare crabuerunt ▪ fures igitur non cai●s vident qu●m cum iis currunt , & 〈◊〉 adulteris portione ponunt . ista ne generosa cers●amus vitia , quae antiquae 〈◊〉 detraxerunt auspicia ? pandect . parents are to dispose of their estates now while they stand seized of estates : lest their decease alter the intention of their estates . the offices of children to their parents . children are bound to render vnto their parents expressions of their duty and zeale in respects . obedience . ecclus. . . . magistris , di●s & parentibus non 〈◊〉 reddi equivalens . arist. eth . parentes nostros vt propria viscera d●ligamus . basil. m●retur caecitatis suae subire supplicium , qui parentum vultus torvo visu respexit , & elatis oculis laeserit pietar●● . greg. sicut membra capiti , liberi et servi patri familiae . elench . parentes pius diligunt fa●es quam è converso , eò quòd magis sciunt parentes quám filij , quòd ab iis sunt geniti . arist. eth. . rariùs ascendit , descendit gratius 〈◊〉 , quae patres paeris non retulere suis. salv. illud expectandum est à nobis , quod praestitimus nostris . panorm . quicquid parenti placuisse vivo senserit , eo etiam mortuo praestare non desi●it . pater● . o quam parva fuis tenero placuere parenti . parvula in nostris misuere noble . hom. in iliad . vita spectabilis , vultus amabilis , vita enormis , forma deformis . greg. the fruits of obedience ▪ as they have relation , both to children and parents . reverence . prov. . . ecclus . . a quare nihil turpiu● est , quàm grandis natu senex , qui nullum aliud argumentum , quo se probet diu vixisse quàm aetatem . sen. de tranq . an . b malle esse se quàm vivere mortuum . ib. c nihil sene elementario turpius . sen. nihil dialectico sene deformius . petrarch . ecclus . . ecclus . , . omne peccatum incurabilius est in sene , quam in juvene . holgot . sup . li. sap. quantò senes sunt morti viciniores : tantò debent esse puriores . in decret . dist . . tune aurorae filius , nepenthiacis salamancae fumis , primas aurorae horas offeres ? e tabernis vestri proruant rhetores . a constant position observable in disobedient children . prov. . . prov. . . svpportance . plin. in nat. hist. aelian . sambuc . in emblem . paradin . soli vultures parentes fame mori permittunt . ib. quam vis plurima 〈◊〉 reddidima , rursus tamen eos generare non possumus . ci●il . admoverunt labiis tigrides ubera , & lacte sugunt nutricis ilia . basil. homil. . & . valer. max. the gradual respects of love and duty . donec ab insulae finibus removeantur , languentem agentes vitam , emori non poterint . the offices of masters to their ●ervants bern. med. . two extreames to be avoyded , whereby this domestick obedience may be better observed . prov. . . prov. . . no servant meaner then a parcimonious master . vid. lucian . in sat. luke . . lacrymans amoris epicaedium ; vel heroinum elegium . farn. in epig. colos. . . eph. . . the duty of servants to their masters . vid. laert. eph. . . the duty of a servant to his master , will make a servant an happy master . tunc nostra magis clarescunt bona , cū fuerint praesentibus comparata malis . gothofred . de corp . iur. civil . casel . de jure civili iulius pacius in analysi . theoph. instit . fabrot . inter. vid. plut. in mor. ovid. in met. arist. in eth. emblematicall hieroglyphicks of sloath. adam no sooner became sinfull , then the earth unfruitfull . it is not sufficient for a servant to intend his own peculiar charge , vnlesse hee admonish others of the neglect of their care . vid. arist. in polit. zenophon in cyro . ped . observ. . oratio vinculum humanae societat iis societas solatium animae peregrinantis . vid cic. hippol. casiman . laert. in vit . diog. prov. . . arist. in eth. melanct. fonseca . pererius . discovrse . life . foure cautions in matters of discourse , to bee avoided ; that all grounds of distaste may be better directed . three particulars observable in arguments of discourse . vid. epict. enchirid. ambrose in offic. action . observ. . here he insists upon those three particular subjects , wherein these neighbourly offices are to be exercised . life . fame . svbstance . heri vidifra gilem frangi ; hodie video mortalem mori . epict. fame . non facilis est venia , prava dixisse de rectis . ecclus . . ambros. offic. . amor transanimat in rem amatam . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . five degrees of civile society . frieg . in prim . offic. cic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . vid. plut. in moral . arist. in eth. sen. in epist. boet. bern. hi necis artifices , ph●lari● , phereclusque perillu● , quae texunt aliis , poena fuere suis. dum vult esse praedo . fit praeda . aug. vid. plut. macrob. strom. nicet . nazian . homer . in in odys . petrarch . de remed . vtriusque fort . cui mens sana fuit quid in orbe requireret vltra . mens cujusque virum format , vt ille scyphum . prianus , quò diutius vixit , magis flevit . ille troilo ditior in annis : troilus priamo foelicior in lachrymis . reg. epicaed . quantò maior fuit amor in possidendo , tantò gravior erit dolor in amittendo . nullae sunt lachrymae indigniores iis tandem quae à discrimine jumenti sunt orientes . a domo domini perperàm jurantis , nunquam recedit ira tonantis . cum ferre quod cepit nequeat , in gargitem demergitur . pittacus apud laert. vt proles dispersit opes , spargamus & omnes . a s●nious juvenes efficiendo leves . seni invenescere ludibrium inveni senescere prodigium . inventus et aetas varias agans scaenas . quanto propinquior sepulchro , tanto porrectior in desiderio . quanto minus suppetit , tanto magis appetit . in viribus deficiens , et in cupiditatibus proficiens . sicut lux sive ignis non melius accenditur quam ignem igni applicande : fic servi dei non melius inflammantur quàm simul habitando . serm-in octav. pas. recreation . ludo et j●co vti licet ficut somno et quiete . cic. the dangers arising from opinionate wits . the unexpected effects of frequent meetings . virgineam citius vitam agam , simias apud inferos ●raham . sponsum quàm obrium in thal●mum admittam . circumstances observable in all inferiour actions of delight . seneca . ib. this ( as hath been shown in his introduction to the first observance ) will prevent all occasion of distaste , & divert all grounds of future distrust . he winds up the series of his discourse , with a repetition and usefull application of every particular branch . vid. plut. in moral . anselme . this salutation was by the ancient latians used , as it is even to this day by us reteined : sit deus vestris al● laboribus ; sit deus vestris aura laboribus ; sit deus costis s●ctus amoribus ; sit deus gratio portus ho●●ribus . eph. . . eccles. . . cor. . . sam. . . &c. tit. . . tim. . . eph. ▪ . . tit. . . rom. . . cor. . . he concludes this supplement with a briefe relation of the benefit of every particular subject . notes for div a -e philotas his perdiccas , perdiccas his pausanias , antigonus his pharnaees , tigranes his tiridates . ☞ ☞ plat. in repub . zenoph . in cyro . paed . these be they who rubricate their own fancy : preferring a singular opinion before a consistory . sext. aurel. no government but may present the face of a common-wealth ; so long as good lawes be regents , and subjects reall in their obedience . principes tyrannidem gravitis exercent quàm optimates ; ni optimi sint principes . bodin . de repub . a faire conquest cannot properly rceive the style of usu●pation . paraeus . this by inversion , was sometimes the complaint of the peeres , against the boores of france , occasioned upon their late distractions . which corruption ariseth not wholly from the indisposure of a state ; but distemper of mind . aelian . those were held in the roman account worthy of honour , who , without any relative extraction acquired it by their valour . var. de antiq. rom. velleius de mor gent. val. in c. de fort. viger . de milit. arist. in polit. polyb. a strappado for the diuell epigrams and satyres alluding to the time, with diuers measures of no lesse delight. by misosukos, to his friend philokrates. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a strappado for the diuell epigrams and satyres alluding to the time, with diuers measures of no lesse delight. by misosukos, to his friend philokrates. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , [ ], , [ ] p. printed by i. b[eale] for richard redmer and are to be sold at the west dore of pauls at the starre, at london : . misosukos = richard brathwait, who is named on the leaf following the title page. in verse. "misosukos" and "philokrates" are in greek characters. printer's name from stc. the first leaf is blank. "loues labyrinth: or the true-louers knot" has separate pagination, and dated title page naming richard brathwait as author; register is continuous. a note at the foot of leaf z (signed "[par.]") directs it and z to be bound after part ; the pagination above reflects this arrangement. reproduction of the original in the folger shakespeare library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a strappado for the diuell . epigrams and satyres alluding to the time , with diuers measures of no lesse delight . by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to his friend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nemo me impune lacessit . at london printed by i. b. for richard redmer and are to be sold at the west dore of pauls at the starre . . the authors anagram . richarde brathwaite . vertu hath bar credit . this i le auow , ( for it is i that said it ) if vertue haue no coine , she has no credit . to the worthilie esteemed the true character of a generous disposition , sir thomas gainsford knight , his vertues endeered admiror , wisheth fulnesse of content in the dedication of these his anagrams extracted from his name , and concording with his nature . thomas gainsforde . anagram so fame doth raign . so fame doth raigne with anagram's so fit as if that nature had inuented it : for he that knowes thy vertues and thy name , will say all raigne in thee , all ring thy fame . thomas gainsford . anagram shade t'honours game . a pale for shelter of her game is made , and thou to honours game art made a shade , thy huntsup's vertue , and thy beagle grace , which ( well in winde ) hath still the game in chace . to his much honoured and endeered mecoenas ( the expressiu'st character of a generous spirit ) iudicious approuer of best-meriting poesie , guerdoner of arts , cherisher of wittes , and serious protectour of all free-borne studies , mr. thomas posthvmvs diggs , the author humbly dedicates himselfe , his time-suting epigrams with the vse of his diuinely importing anagram anagramma . thomas posthumus digges . though time passe , god summs . in anagramma distichon . how well thy anagram with truth it runs , though time pas nere so fast , yet god still sums . or thus . hopes issu most dem ' gag't . another anagram . two verses including the anagram . pvblique and priuate men in young and ag't , on whom most hope is , thē we deem most gagt . annexed . at you ( faire mirrour ) aime i ; you 'r my scope , much are you gag't vnto your contries hope . to the gentle reader . if i giue thee a deseruing title ( gentle reader ) no question but thou wilt expresse thy selfe in thy censure : th' art no wri-neck critick , politick informer of states , deprauer of wel intended lines , nor maligner of others labours : bee thine owne president in the surueigh of these distempered epigrammes ; and therein thou may performe the part of an honest man : cancell the bill of errours , or chalke them on , & they shal serue to make vp a greater volume for next impression . if thou bee gentle ( as i tearme thee ) and hast sense , thou wilt supplie many defects , committed in the presse by the authors absence . be honest still and thou art out of the swing of this strappado : if thou play recreant ( by consorting with the swartie miscreants of lucifer ) the author hath vowed hee will play arch-pyrate with thee , tie thee like a gallie slaue to the mast of his malu-sperauza , and ferrie thee ouer into tartarie . farewell . to his booke . booke whither goes thou , i had rather haue thee to stay still with me , for my booke may saue me : saue me , its true , and that 's the cause i craue thou ' de to the world , that thou the world might saue ; but that 's a taske ( my booke ) too hard for thee , bid hang the world so that thou wilt saue me : yet pray thee be aduis'd whom thou dost checke , for speaking truth may chance to break thy necke . which to preuent , let this be vnderstood , great men though ill they must be stiled good , their blacke is white , their vice is vertue made : but 'mongst the base call still a spade a spade ; if thou canst thus dispense ( my booke ) with crimes , thou shalt be hugg'd and honour'd in these times . the epistle dedicatorie . to all vsurers , broakers , and promoters , sergeants , catch-poles , and regraters , vshers , panders , suburbes traders , cockneies that haue manie fathers . ladies , monkies , parachitoes , marmosites , and catomitoes , falls , hightires and rebatoes , false-haires , periwigges , monchatoes : graue gregorians , and shee-painters . send i greeting at aduentures , and to all such as be euill , my strappado for the diuell . vpon the errata . gentlemen ( humanum est errare ) to confirme which position , this my booke ( as many other are ) hath his share of errors ; so as i run ad praelum tanquam ad praelium , in typos quasi in scippos : but my comfort is if i be strappadoed by the multiplicitie of my errors , it is but answerable to my title : so as i may seem to diuine by my stile , what i was to indure by the presse . yet know iudicious disposed gentlemen , that the intricacie of the copie , and the absence of the author from many important proofes were occasion of these errors , which defects ( if they bee supplied by your generous cōniuence and curtuous disposition , i doe vowe to satisfie your affectionate care with a more serious surueigh in my next impression . errata . page line for pine read vine . p. . l. alone wanting p. l. . for senselesnesse read sensele●sse . p. . l. ●● for vainelike , r. vainly p. l. . for both fo●s●●th so 〈◊〉 , p. l. . for wherefore , read wheresoere . p. . l. . for shirts r. sheets for weaues , r. woes infra p. l. . p. . l r ●l●z● . ibid for backe r. barke . p. . l. for mist●ust , r. instruct . for curse read scarse . for other errors as the misplacing of commaes , colons , and periods ( which as they are in euerie page obuious , so many times they inuert the sence ) i referre to your discretion ( iudicious gentle-men ) whose lenity may sooner supply them , then all my iudustrie can portray them . to the trve discouerer of secrets mounsieur bacchus , sole soueraigne of the iuy-bush , master-gunner of the pottle-pot ordinance , prime founder of red lattices , cheerer of the hunger-staru'd muses , and their thred bare followers , singuler artist in pewter language , and an obseruant linguist for anon anon sir. his dere-canary-bird , wisheth , red-eyes , dropsie legges , and all other accoutrements befitting . bottle-nos'd bacchus with thy bladder face , to thee my muse comes reeling for a place : and craues thy patronage ; nor do i feare , but my poore fragments shall be made of there , for good reuersions by thy scrambling crew , that belch , and reade , and at each enteruiew of a sharpe temper'd line , commend the vaine , digest it , and then rift it vp againe ; but know thou cup shot god , what is exprest , within these pages doe deserue the best of thy light-headed shamroes , nor 's my tutch for such as loue to take a cup too-much . no , no my lines ( though i did seeme to stand , and begge a poore protection at thy hand , ) shall liue in spite of time , for time shall see the curtaine of her vices drawne by me ; and though portraide by a lesse art-full fist , yet he that limm'd them is a satyrist , for th'lines he writes ( if ought he write at all ) are drawne by inke that 's mixed most with gall . yea , he was borne , euen from his infancie , to tell the world her shame , and bitterly to taxe those crimes which harbour now and then within the bosomes of the greatest men . " yea , nought i doe but i againe will doe it , " nor ought will write , but i will answer to it : yet would i not , great bacchus , haue thee thinke my muse can into that obliuion sinke , as to become forgetfull so of thee , ( for so she might vnthankfull seeme to be ) as neuer to record thy worthy name since i confesse from thee that spirit came , which first inspir'd my muse ( by thee exprest ) for when she spoke the least , she wrot the best . yea , thou it was , ( and so i le euer hold , ) that quickned me and made me speake more bold ; by that rare quintessence drawne from the pine , or from those fluent hogges-head pipes of thine . and i doe thanke thee : yet thus much i le say , for any kindnesse showne me anie waie , by thee , or thy attendants , i may sweare not any one did euer yet appeare : nay , i could say ( and truly too ) far more i neuer ran ten shillings on thy skore , which may seem strange , that i which am so grown into acquaintance , and to thee well knowne : " should in thy booke haue such a diffidence , as not be chalkt for want of ready pence ; nay , there 's an other reason i could shew , which might infer that thou dost duty owe to men of our profession , and its this ; ( if my conceipt make me not thinke amisse . ) tell me , where hadst thou iuie-bush , say where ? which as thine ancient liv'rie thou dost weare ; that garland-sure me-thinks that i should know it , from th'temples sure of some pot-hardy poet ; who , cause he had not wherewithall to pay , vvas forc't to leaue his garland , or to stay till some of 's patrons pittied his estate : but he , poore man , cleere out of hope of that hauing discust it often in his minde , did think 't more fit to leaue his wreath behinde , then into such apparant danger fall , and so did vnto one of th'drawers call to tell thee , if thou would'st be so content , he would engage his iuie-ornament ; which thou being glad of , for thy priuate vse wore it thy selfe and cheat'd the poet thus . now doest thou thinke , that we can brooke to haue one of our sort thus iniur'd by a slaue , without all satisfaction : bacchus no , 〈…〉 thy ●ro●mes , we 'le not be baffelt so . 〈…〉 of thy bush againe , 〈…〉 thy wreath about the poets braine . or satisfie his damage in some sort , " or be thou sure that thou shalt answer for 't . but thou wilt lightly weigh such threats as these , and say thou canst bring vs vpon our knees by th'power of thy commaund : true thou canst so , yet ( bleere ey'de bacchus ) i would haue thee know that we do so esteeme thy power and all thy followers , we 'le vent thee ' gainst the wall : yea euen the kennell shall a witnesse be , of the small respect which we do beare to thee . resigne then what thou owest , or forbeare , to taxe our credits when our skore's not cleere . for well may'st thou forbeare both them and me , since thou dost owe vs more , then we owe thee . thou know'st it bacchus ( if so thou wilt knowe it ) that garland which thou weares , it was a poet that first empaund it , and thou like a iewe vvilt not restore to him what is his due . but thou wilt answer ( as i know thou may ) yea , i imagine what t is thou canst say : " bacchus cares not for outward signes a rush , " good wine needs not the hanging of a bush . dost not thou vizzard-fac't ingratefull elfe ? yes , for want of a bush thou'd hang thy selfe . and ●aper like a zuinglian ( ô my malice bursts out against thee ) titted vnder the gallowes . for tell me how should men distinguish thee ? thou 'lt say by thy fire-sparkling phisnomie , those wink-a pipes of thine , those ferret eies , those bag-pipe cheeks , those speciall qualities thou art endew'd with true by th' first th' art known , but for thy qualities thou hast not one to glory in : for speeches ornament anon , anon sit : — peut or complement is all thou canst , and this , thou knowest is such , as th'iay or parrat they can doe as much ; but i am loath to taxe each crime of thine , for i do know thou lou'st the muses nine , and they loue thee , yet it is fit their vs'd with more respect , then to be once abus'd by any apron-prentice that thou hast : yea , fit it is not they should be out-fac't by such vnletterd animals as these , but reuerence the muses on their knees , for what be these attend thee , such as lost their tongue to gaine two or three words at most , as for example neate and briske , and then anon , anon sir , welcome gentlemen . and is it fit that swads of such desert should stay the very quintessence of art for a non-payment ? or make sergeants stand in a crosse-lane to laie vnhallowed hand on albions mercuries ? no , it s not fit that hypocrenes pure riuelings of wit , should haue their streame with honour doubled ) by such base tenter-hooks once troubled . let this be then amended ( and with haste ) lest some of these professors should be plac't , before thy prohibition come to stay thy will-for in , they 'le hardlie get awaie . but if i heare thee bacchus after this that thou arrests but any one i wish thou should'st exempt i will reuenged be ere many daies , of some of thine or thee . and thanks vnto my genius ( as i craue it ) without inuention further now i haue it . and thus it is : i le to the peuterer to make thy quart pots greater then they were ; and so condition with him , as 't may be thou wilt confesse one day i begar'd thee : or if i cannot by my meanes intreate thy pottle-pots for to be made more great then th' order is , or th'citties stampe allowes , i hope i shall preuaile wih some of those who are appointed by their charge to know , whether thy pots be sealed yea or no , that such as are not seal'd they would reueale them , and not take bribes in priuate to conceale them : or if this will not serue , i will deuise how to bring th'potts vnto a larger size ; which if they do neglect but to performe , according to that nature and that forme they are prescrib'd , then on default they shall make presently a forfeiture of all , ( which goods confiscate for their great abuse , may afterward redound vnto the vse of all such noble skinkers ( by confession ) as were deceiv'd by men of this profession ; but this 's not all i le doe : bacchus shall knowe his naprie-drawers shall not end it so . surueighers shall be-gett ( and well may be ) ( for worser trades haue sought monopolye ; and rais'd their state by 't ) which shall strictly take examination , whether you do make your pottles to be bruis'd , bough'd , crusht , & bent vpon set purpose and for this intent , that you thereby ( which is a common crime ) might fill your crazie pots with lesser wine , for lesser will they hold , through your deceit , being drawne in and made by you more straite : yet haue i left the coopers all this while , which i do know haue some art to beguile . and therefore , if all will not serue ; i le seeke and bribe them too , to make your vessels leeke . yea , beside this ( know bacchus ) i 'ue a meane , which put in practice will vndoe thee cleane , and thus i lay my proiect : i le expresse what motiues there be of licentiousnesse . within thy brothel closures , and with-all complaine of thy partitions , how the fall of many a simple virgine ( though shee 's loath , to do 't poore-wench ) coms from a painted cloath ▪ a curtaine , or some hanging of like sort , which done god-wot , they 'ue cause to curse thee for 't . and that this might better preuented be , i will prefer petition instantly , that thou nor none of thine should suffer thence , ( for to auoide this inconuenience ) any of different sexes being but payres , to goe in priuate manner vp the staires : and this i know ( if that my aime be right , vvill goe well nie to ouerthrow thee quite . if none of these will doe , yet sure i am there is a creature call'd the puritan , who 'le ferret thee , and by a strict surueigh fine thee for bouzing on the sabboath day , vvhich if they finde , the righteous they will curse though their example it be ten times worse . but i would haue thee to represse all this , vvhich thou shalt do by doing what i wish , and that with reason , which ( as i haue sayd it ) is but to giue to our profession credit : they 'le pay the man , and if the world goe hard , vvith them at this time , yet they ' le afterward , regratulate thy loue ( paying th' old sko●e ) vvhich paide they will make bolde to run on more . for tell me bacchus , though the world appeare to learned men as if no learning were : and that the golden age ( not as it was ) smiles on the silken foole , or golden asse ; yet time will come ( yea now it doth begin to shew it selfe ( as former times haue been ) vvhen wise minerua shall no honour lacke . for all the foole , whose honour 's on his backe . but i shall stagger bacchus if i stay longer with thee , therefore i le packe awaie vnto thy sister ceres : — i haue sayd — onely looke to thy plate , for a●l is paide . to the queene of haruest , daughter and heire to saturne , and ops , goddesse of the cornethease , ladie soueraignenesse of the three vales , esam , beuar and white-horse , inuentres of the sith , sickle , and weeding-hooke : much honoured by the reede , corne pipe , and whistle ; and with all obseruance attended by hobnaile and his company . her deities admirer wisheth many a seasonable haruest . haile frui●full ladie , cheerer of our time , rare in thy bewtie , in thy state diuine , ripener of haruest , thou it is whose birth yields full encrease vnto the fertile earth : thou art that cheering mother that renues the plow-mans hope , and giues their toile those dewes , which makes them happie , may my poems please thy honourd selfe , that glads vs with encrease ▪ yet in my mirth i cannot but repine at that vnhappy ackward losse of thine , that thou which euer hast been debonaire , faire in thy selfe , making our fields as faire , with thy ender'd respect , should be exilde , of due content , by loosing of thy childe , thy heart , thy hope , thy loue , and thy delight , thy deare proserpiua , whose vowe is plight vnto , alasse i cannot speake it well , that black-blacht-blabber-lipt foule prince of hell . yet be contented , manie one there bee , yea i know som which may lament with thee for their straide daughters , who i much doe feare are lodged now , or will be lodged there . lasse it is nothing for maides now adaies for which of them ( though modest ) hath not straies , in youth , in age , which straying i doe call , dotage in maides , and that is worst of all . how manie haue wee in this error swerud , who in themselues haue iustly wel deserud . that punishment thy daughter first regainde , 'las i haue known them though they seem containd in modest bounds , yet thus much i will say , thy daughter was vnchast ▪ & so were they . and ( pray thee ceres ) credit me in this , though my proceeding was not to my wish , yet this to thy due comfort i must tell , thy daughter doth not liue in hell without acquaintance , yea i know there are , though they in sumptuous raiment and in fare seeme to excell the worthies of our land , yet being iustly poized vnder hand , they are as neere to pluto and his heire , as if those persons that lesse gorgeous were , may i speake more , for i am in a vaine , to cull strange things out of a stragling braine , that there 's no wench truly ingenious , wittie by nature , or ambitious in her conceipt , but that the time will come , that she will wander full as farre from home , as ere thy deare proserpina distraide , transform'd from beauty of a louely maide . to be a drudge ( 'lasse i am forc't to tell ) vnto the base-borne skinkird bred in hell. doe i not know thee ceres ? yes , i know far more of thee , then i intend to shew in publique eie : 'lasse i doe know thy worth , to be the fruitfull mother of the earth , albions faire-fostermother , yea that queen , that makes a hopefull haruest to be seene . within our flourie fields : if i might say , what i in due respect am bound alwaie for to expresse i might example thee , to be the glorie of our progenie ; honour of ages , and successe of time , errecting to thy selfe that noble shrine , which nere shall be defaced by time or age , the best of labour in our pilgrimage . then ceres let thy daughter work , for one thou art in due respect admir'd alone to be the soueraignesse of albions ile , who when retired braines doe sleep the while , shalt shew thy selfe worthy a sacred power , though thy vaine daughter play in hell the whore . yea fit it is , and suting to her birth , she should play baud in hell plaid whore on earth . to the amarous queene of delights , sole empresse of loue-sicke bedlams ▪ profes'd patronesse to all young letchers , foundresse of midnight-reuels , sentinell to many a crackt maidenhead , an a sole benefactor to all lasciuious nouices ; best habilimented by her coach drawne with foure turtles , bearing for her armes a pricke in the midst of a center , with this motto ; pungimur in medio . and on the other side a woman-captiue ( instanced in penthisilaea ) with this word , vincitur a victo , victor . her much endered and affectionate paliurus wisheth manie long delightful night , mars his presence . vulcans absence , much good sport without discouerie , and many yeeres yet to continue her husbands liuery . a bacchus and ceres if they be away , b small good doe i looke for , may venus say . cherry-lipt venus with thy dimpled chin , who by our letchers ▪ honourd still hast bin : for a braue trading damsell , though 't may seeme , by my neglect of thee , that i haue cleane descarded thee and thine , yet thou shalt know it ▪ venus hath some aliance with a poet , and that a neere one too : for pray thee say , who can expresse thy bewty anie way , so well as they ? and though they onely write , ha●ing nere hap to come to more delight ; yet art thou much endeared to their art , though they can say nought for the practick part : yet mongst our albion sibils that are more , in number far , then merit , wit , or power . some i doe know , euen of the pregnant'st men , that loue to trade with venus now and then . and this the cause why they obserue that vse , ( as i haue heard ) for to enflame their muse : and some i could produce , had their desire ; for they , their muse , and all were on a fire . more could i write to touch thee neerer'th quick , but as thou loues those stroakes are short & thick . so i desire the very same to be in writing out that is concerning thee . an heroycke embleme vpon the warriour called honora . tara , tantara , honours signall come , vvhose best of musicke is the warlike drumme , come braue tyndarian spirit , heare thy glorie , shrouded too long in pitchie darke , whose storie , shall shine and shew it selfe more faire , more bright , then chast la●ona on the sablest night . now art thou much admird by euery eie , though lately vass●ld to captiuitie . now art thou showne to be a monument , of former glorie , and an ornament , ●it for the eare of kings , now art thou one , highly esteemed , that was of late as none . now canst thou shew thy merit and desert , to be deriued from a royall heart . not chafd with perfumes , like a carpet knight , that cannot fight but in his ladies sight . not sick ofth fashions , ( like this amorous frie of nouice , who nere knew enemie ) saue their disdainefull mistres : not enthrald to loue , for loue thou knowst not how it s cald . vvhat stile it has , or what be louers charmes , saue that pure loue which thou dost beare to armes . not seruile to each apish complement , saue honours seruice , and vvares mannagement . not slaue to fortune , nor engagd to fate , but heire to resolution , an estate more eminent and glorious to thy selfe , then all the raisers-mammons mouldred-pelfe , no● vaine like proud of ●itles , but hast art , to make thy wa●● to honour by desert . not ga●e to prostitution , for the name of souldiour hate such an ignoble slaine . not lure to lucre , but dost make thy blood , an instrument vnto thy countri●s good : not in appearance , or in outward show , to seem to know what thou didst neuer know , not humorous , occasioning offence , but with pure valour mixing patience ; that two reduc't to one , one drawen from two , might make thee apt to speake , & prompt to doe . long hast thou slept , and some did thinke it ill to wake thee , but to let thee sleepe on still . but how can resolution lie inter'd alas how far haue vulgar iudgements er'd ? to thinke the senselesnes ? no , thou didst but winke , for to obserue what other men would thinke of thy retired silence , now thou h●st rub'd ore thy gummie eies , & runnes as fast to thy intendements forct from coast to coast , as willing to redeeme what thou hast lost . hallow amaine , downe by the flowrie vale of honour and renowne display thy saile , trample on bastard greatnesse , bruite their shame , that are esteemed onely great in name , without demerit , tell them worth should be drawn from our selues , not from our familie . bid them wipe of that painting from their cheeke , it s too effeminate and bid them seeke , actions that seeme them better , it s not amber , sleeking , or chasing in a ladies chamber , phantastick humors , amorous conceipts , fashion inuentors sinne seducing baits , what such a mounseyr wore , or what tyres be of eminent request in italie . no , no , our perfum'd gallants now must looke , like to the sonnes of valour , smer'd with smoke , steeled with spirit , arm'd with best of youth , directly planted 'fore a cannons mouth . shake not ( my dapper courtier ) though thou heare nought but the voice of thunder euery where : or if the noise of armes breed in thee feare , ( no lesse then death ) go on and stop thine eare ? bouge not a foot ( or if thou feare to kill ) winke , and then say , thou murders gainst thy will. how likest thou this ? this is no camp for loue , nor must thy wreath be heere a ladies gloue , anticke and apish fashions will not serue , in this enobled field , such as deserue , by a peculiar merit shall receiue the guerdon of their valour , and in graue shall finde a liuing monument , which men admiring much , shall euer honour them . and is not this a nobler monument , then spend our time in fruitlesse complements . spend a whole age in making of a legge , or seeking how some office we may begge . trading for vndeserued honour , got by seruile meanes , and by the simplest sot , that knowes not honours essence , o may i rather then be so honor'd wish to dye in the obseurest manner , that when time shall shroud my ashes in a homely shrine , some earthy vrne , yet may my memorie liue without reach of enuie after me . sacred bellona , valours choicest saint , for now by thee flie we vnto our tent . infuse true resolution in the m●nde of thy professors , that their spirits may finde what difference there is in honours sight , twixt a good souldier and a carpet-knight . his per●ume's powder , and his harmonie reports of cannons , for his brauerie , barded with steele and iron , for the voice , of amorous ganimedes , the horrid noise of clattering armour , for a downie bed the chill cold ground , for pillow to their head , tincke with muske roses , target and their shield , for gorgeous roomes , the purprise of the field , for nimble capring , marching , for the tune of mouing consorts , striking vp a drumme , for dainties , hunger ; thus is honour fed , vvith labour got , and care continued . can this content my courtier ? yes , it may . vvhen his laciuious night and fruitles day , his manie idle howers employed worse , ( though better deem'd ) then such whose vagrant course incurs a penal censure ; shall be past , and he with whip of conscience throughly lash't , shall bid a due to ladie vanitie to coures applause , to humors phantasie , to honours vndeseru'd , to parasites , to fashions-brocage , and to all delights . vvhich reape no fruit , no guerdon , nor reward , saue care on earth , repentance afterward : vvhere iustice oft is forc't from her intent . goodnesse being onely cause of punishment . where violence ( so strong be great men growne ) makes right supprest ' , and iustice ouerthrowne . vvhere sinnes in cloth of tissue faire descri'de , make that wise sages axiome verifi'de . " a great mans foe oft by experience proues , " of all that be , no thunder like to ioues . heere magistrates are clad in violet , because pure iustice they doe violate . here vice is mounted , vertue liues despis'd , the worst esteem'd , the better meanely priz'd . corruption rides on foote-cloth , ( some auerre ) and vpright dealing shee does lackie her ▪ honour 's afraide of sergeants , merits sad , and liues as one without obseruance had . vvisdom's out of request , for temperance , shee 's neuer knowne but in a moris daunce . and purple iustice seldom 's seene to passe , to any court , but riding one an asse . vvhat then but valour should support the state , and make a realme by vice growne desolate . see her owne shame , and in her shame conceiue , the blest memorial of an happie graue , " on then with honour , let the vsurer made stiffe with plenty , feele the shock of war , and tremble , fearing least ' should be his lot , to loose by warre what his oppression got . let the prophane contemner of gods power be mou'd by terrour , let the paramour , glaz'd with a shamelesse fore head leaue her sinne . they youthfull prodigall , those nets hee 's in . let the prodigious state-engrosser feele , what harme h' as done vnto the common-weale . let ●h'aspiring birth of dathan see , the end of them , and their conspiracie . let all lasciuious minions hence reclaime , their odious liues , and put on robes of shame . let publique haxsters ( now the most of all ) that in their hear , would quarrell for the wall , stand to their tacklings , let both youth and age , show distinct worths in distant equipage . lead on honora , that in time report , may make a campe knight gracious in the court. so noblest minds in best of actions showne , may challenge honour when it is their owne . vpon the generall sciolists or poettasters of britannie . a satyre . come are●huse come , for nere had we , at any time a greater need of thee . no lawrell now , but nettle's best to grace our laureat po●t ▪ see his vncouth face , vnapt fo● p●esie : his strange disguise , onely addrest ( in verse ) to temporize : now parasites proue poets , and expresse their oyly workes : for what is more or lesse dilated on , is consecrate to men , that are the greatest : o what need is then , to thee ( deere arthuse ) that didst frame , a poet to the nature of his name ? no time-obseruing smooth fac'd sycophant , no strange conceited asse whose element is to insinuate vnder the shade of a great mounseyrs elbow , thour' t prou'd iade to thy profession , not a saffron band , but like a roaring boye , can make thee stand and yeeld obseruance to him : silly foole , that artlesse idiots should bring to schoole , the best of muses , thou that once wast borne , not as our great acteons , to the horne of their dishonour , ( being of ioy bereft ) leauing to others what themselues haue left . ( worse by degrees then was that phoebus car , which phaeton by rash attempts did marre : and cleere dissolues ) lasse see thy trophies torne , thy statues razed : and that mount forlorne which first possest the muses : now no wreath can be hung vp to memorize the death of any great man , why for vertues due , bids euery poet ( in his verse ) speake true of such as are deceased : its true , who then speaking no more then truth , can praise such men , as rather were then liu'd ? being , but not in reall essence , las what fame is got by such as write of these ( whose onely good ) is to auerre they were of noble bloud . but so much disproportion'd to their name , as what they seem'd , they seldome were the same . the same ; o noe , their garish ornament , their wanton guise , their loue-sicke complement , their strange distractions , their deformed state , transform'd from english to italienate , expresse small comfort to a poets penne , which onely should delight in shewing them vnto the worlds eye , whose fame succeedes , and makes them noble by heroicke deedes , drawen from the line of honour : but how farre seeme poets in these latter times to erre ? who write not for respect , or due esteeme , had to their owne profession , but to gaine the fauour of a great one , this it is , giues priuiledge to men that doe amisse : such be our ranke of poets now adayes , as they adorne th'immerited with praise aboue desert . hence is it that we bring the art of poetry to ballading . hence is it , that the courtier may intend a strange pretended pro●ect for no end , saue to augment's expence , a suites begun , which makes a silly farmer quite vndone , without all hope of composition : passe that such transgressions should so freely passe , without controulement . many we haue heere , that can compose their verse , but in a sphere so different to the time , as they descry their want of braines to each iudicious eye . yea some i know are poets in this time who write of swains , might write as well of swine , for th'profit of their labours is so small , as t' were farre better not to write at all , then to consume such pretious time in vaine , about a fruitlesse , and desertlesse straine : better indeed : when in their makers sight , they must accomptants be of what they write , whose eyes be purer , and extension beare , aboue th'dimension of a common sphere . yet ●anke i not ( as some men doe suppose ) these worthlesse swaines amongst the laies of those time-honour'd shepheards ( for they still shall be ) as well they merit ) honoured of mee , who beare a part , like honest faithfull swaines , on witty wither neuer-withring plaines , for these ( though seeming shepheards ) haue deseru'd , to haue their names in lasting marble caru'd : yea this i know i may be bold to say , thames ner'e had swans that song more sweet than they . it 's true i may auow't , that nere was song , chanted in any age by swains so young , with more delight then was perform'd by them , pretily shadow'd in a borrowed name . and long may englands thespian springs be known " by louely wither and by bonny browne , whil●st solid seldon , and their cuddy too , sing what our ( swaines of old ) could neuer doe . yea i do hope , sith they so well can write , of shep-heards sport , and of the fields delight . that when they come to take a view of th' court , ( as some haue done ) and haue bin mew'd vp for 't , they 'l tell her freely , ( as full well they may ) that in their iudgements , after due suruay , of th' court & th'cottage , they may well maintain , vices in the court , but vertues in the swaine ; and happy be those authors which doe giue vertue and vice their titles , they shall liue in spite of enuie , when such men as teach that such be onely vertuous as be rich , shall lye inter'd where fame shall neuer finde them ▪ for such doe seldome leaue a name behind them ▪ lasse they must dye and perish , so must we , nor can we gaine ought of eternity : saue that we liue , oh then how blest are they that spend their life in weighing of their daies ▪ but of professants , which compose their song to a strange descant ! this i le say they wrong flowrie parnassus , where such vsed to be , as in themselues made one set company . these sung not what they knew not , but in verse , what time had taught them they vse to rehearse , and to reduce it to one perfect forme , striuing by proper figures to adorne ech worke , ech composition : but lasse now how farre 's that alteration ? where we know le●t that we write , adding to our estate ( begg'd meerely ) by a great mans dedicate . heere is no substance , but a simple peece of gaudy rhetoricke : which if it please , yeelds th' author dear-contentment : thus we straine the muses text for a peculiar gaine vnto our selues : hence is it vice abides , ( and lording-like in silken foot-cloath rides . ) hence is it land-lords make their tenants slaues : hence is it waste-goods ope their fathers graues : hence is it mammonists adore their golde : hence is 't the impious to perdition solde : hence sacriledge a priuiledge obtaines : hence th'sneking lawyer by his clyent gaines : hence th'politician , what so ere befall , will to his trade and shew a machiuell . hence imposts rise extortions violence ▪ graced by men that haue most eminence . hence sergeants walk vnfrōted ( though they know it ) no friend is worse then sergeant to a poet. hence painted faces ( like ill wine in caske ) shrow'd their deform'd complexions vnder maske ▪ hence curious courtiers , gorgeously arrayd , weare more vpon their backe then ere was paide : hence th'baudie pandor , seruile to his whore , and hence the baude that keeps the traders dore ; hence base informers take their borrowed light , liuing like owles that vse to flie by night : hence wanton prodigals that spend their state , and 'gin repentance when it is too late . hence young and old , hence each in their degree , challenge to them a due monopolie . o how miueruas temple's now disgrac't , by th'skum of poetry ! she that was plac't once like th' ephesian queene in a pure shrine of honour and delight , now 's forc't to pine . and languish in her bewty , being deprest , by such men most , whom she suspecteth lest . vnpiniond muses ( such as nere could flie ) further then vnplum'd birds now presse as high as eagles ; which by the colour you m●y know , as eminent and cleere as flaccus crow : these steale selected flowres from others wit , and yet protest their nature brookes not it , they are ( for both ) so inuented by their art . making their pen the displayer of their heart . they brooke no brocage , yet has workes in presse , vvhich they are guil●lesse of ▪ but this were lesse , vvorthy reproofe , if in their gleaned lines , like our age criticks they would curbe these times for pe●ulancie : but so vaine be they , as they runne still in that high beaten way of errour , by directing men amisse , penning whole volumes of licentiousnesse , descanting on my ladies rosie lip , her cinthian eie , her bending front , her trip , her bodies motion , ●otion of her time , all which they weaue vp in a baudy rime . for since there 's no obseruance , accent neither ( sith sence and accent seldome goe together . ) o what aspersions doe these lay on her , vvho beares the onely natiue character . of her deere issues merit ▪ shee i meane , vvithout whose nourishment we had not been , she without whose embrace , the solid earth , had quite interr'd the honour of our birth ▪ she without whom we haue no biding place , no mansion , no repose : she by whose grace we are inhabitants , planted in rest , sucking pure milke out of her tender brest . she whos 's our guardian gouerning our state shoring our weaknesse , arming vs 'gainst fate , guiding our path-lesse passage , brething life into our dulnesse : mid●ating strife , because ( a peacefull mother ) chering vs with folace , when deprest , tricking our muse , vvith seemly subiects ( that whil'st shepheards sing ) of rurall pastimes , midst their sonneting . the grauer ranke might compositions make , not for themselues but for their countries sake : alasse poore countrie ; where is all that store of diuine wits that thou hast bred before ? vvhere is that quint-essence of poesie , that in ( fore-times ) was wont to breath on thee : like a coole zephirus ? hybles pure mount , renowm'd in former ages and that fount , of sacred castalie lie desolate . for they with theirs haue lost their former state of greatnesse : no proportion nor no flower decks , with a dasie border , that sweet bower where cinthia vs'd to reuell : but as th'port of house-keeping is now transport'd to court , " leauing their country-houses , which men looke " and gase at long ere they can see them smoke : so fruitfull hesperie , which vs'd to be the ren-de uou for sacred poesie l●uing to be her selfe , shuts vp her dore ? hence is the bankrout poet becom'd poore : hence is 't hee 's forc't to write not for the ease of his owne minde ( but as his patrons please . ) hence i st that errors must be vertues deem'd , because , poore poet , it s by fate ordain'd , that if he will not humour , he must sterue : " for great-men loue not heare what they deserue . how iealous be our times of their deserts , when they suppresse the eminence of arts ? making them speechlesse whereas we do see , if persons were dispos'd as they should be ; their sincere conscience ( like a brazen wall ) might beare them vp what euer should befall . then might our satyre mixe his inke with gal , but with his mixture do no hurt at all . then might our scepticke giue his iudgement free , yet do small harme to mens integritie . then might the lawyer pleade without offence ; not feare his conscience with a faire pretence of doing good , when his corrupted will vnder pretence of good , acts what is ill . then might the diuels factors liue like men , that haue a god , nor for the hundred ten ; receiuing with aduantage need'd they pay , a greater summe at that same latter daie , vvhen due accompts are had● ô vsurie that art the cities scourge , how much ha●e we occasion to proseribe thee from our land , since by thy meanes haue we felt heauens hand more heauy and reuenging then before , vvhose wrath has vialls euer laid in store to punish impious men : it s thou ( fowle sin ) which hast hal'd downe the infection we haue seene rage in this famous i le : it s thou whose hight ha●h turn'd our day of comfort to a night of gr●at affliction : for who more can be afflicted in himselfe , then inwardly feeling the worme of conscience gnawing him torment consorting with that birth of sinne vvherein he 's nurtured : alas poore i le ! that thou shouldst foster such as do defile thy once renowmed borders with the hate of a supernall power , making thy state pray to oppression , vassalling thy fame ( vvhich once was glorious ) to thy odious name of miserie : great albion now is growne poore in her selfe , because what is her owne she cannot vse but in depraued wise , makes her selfe subiect to all forraine eyes as vices spectacle : ô that the blisse vvhich we enioy by minds synderysis th' refined part of man , should soyled be by th' worst of ils the staine of vsury ? and who 'le inueigh against it , few or none , for miser nature hardly leaues vs one , that can securely speake against this ill so generall is the poison of our will : for ( deere pernassus now is so opprest ) it dare not speake for feare that interest , should be demaunded by the vsurer to whom it stands engag'd : this is the fate that poets haue , to leaue more wit then state to their posteritie : ô impious time ! when worst of fortune followes wits diuine ; vvhen noble actions motiue in their spirit , can leaue nought to their issue to inherit : saue their poore fathers papers , monuments scarce worth respect : how weakes the element vvhich poets are compos'd of , when one frowne sent from a great mans visage can keepe downe their best inuention ? silly poesie , that ( though free borne , art forc't to slauery , and vndeseru'd subiection : pittie it is , that best of merit should shut vp her wish ; and dew expectance in no other book● , saue in a skrew'd face or a writhed looke ; vnfit to entertaine an art diuine vvhich is exprest in that poore muse of thine . come , come , great regent of that sacred quire , come in thy selfe and so our soules inspire vvith arts elixir and with spirit toe , that we may do with boldnes what we do : erect our aged fortunes make them shine ( not like the foole in 's foot-cloath ) but like time , adorn'd with true experiments which may conuert our odious night to glorious day . let not ambition mounted in her state passe vncontrol'd : care not for getting hate : " for honest minds are best approued still , " by gaining hate in curbing what is ill . * let n●t these painted blocks of iuuenal , vvhich for their cloaths are most admir'd of al stand vnreproou'd : let not their dangling plume so daunt thee , as thou dare not well presume to blazon their defects , speake what thou seest and care not who be pleas'd , or who displeas'd ▪ let not moth-eaten auarice appeare in this deere i le , without her character : lash me the symonist , who though precise in shew , can geld his parsons benifice . ●all me ( our graine-engrossers ) moulds of th' earth , that in their plentie laugh at others dearth . rouse me the atheist , let 's security heare th'iudgement of supernall maiestie thundring against him : let th'lasciuious know their bed-broking sin , how odious their sensuall meetings are to his pure eyes , vvho euen the secrets of our hearts espies , searching our reines , examining our hearts , discussing each intention ( and all parts ) that ha●e a working faculty : euen he that well approues of morall poesie , he that confirmes the motions of our minde ▪ and breath 's vpon them if to good inclinde . let not sin-tempting wanton meremaids rest without due censure , who with naked brest , attractiue eye , and garish complement ensnare our fond vn●ary innocent : these are those babell publique prostitutes , lures to damnation , romane catamites , inuentresses of pleasures , pensiue still to doe what 's good , but frolike to doe ill . o london how thy vanity abounds , glorying in that which thy renowne confounds . traduced fashions from the dutch to french , from french to spanish , and not longer since , then yesterday , blush at thy sinne for shame , that albion ( by thy meanes ) should ●ose her name , and habit too : see , see , how farre thou' rt gone , beyond thy selfe , that therer's no fashion knowne , in forraine courts , deform'd howsoere it be , but by transportance it doth come to thee . lasse how immodest art thou to expresse , thy selfe so much by others fashions lesse ? how strangely metamorphis'd to partake , for angells forme , the most deformed shape , that countries can bring out : ô pittie t is that albions much admir'd metropolis , should make those which admir'd her now to hate her vaine condition ( introduc'd by state too plentifull : here you hesperian wits may you haue subiect more then well befits a modest pen : for nere was any time more prone to ill : no region , countrey , clime , prouince , isle , regiment so truly blest with all earths bounties , yet hath lesse exprest , of gratitude : here satirists resort , and make an ample coment on the court , vvhere thou shalt write , som's wanton , others vaine , ambitious some , others doe couet gaine by seruile meanes : some beggars yet who dar● vvrite in these daies that any such there are . then ( my sharp tooth'd satire ) frame thy ditty in the same forme , vnrip the crimes of'th citty vvith a sterne brow : tell the purple magistrate , how he has rais'd himselfe to great estate by others ruine : such as mercers are , tell them darke shops haue got away ill ware . such as be gold-smiths , and are dangerous , call them the siluer-smith of ephesus . long liue diana , but no longer then by their diana they doe reape a gaine . such as be brokers , tell them their profession , is not to be a knaue o' th first edition . but as those garments which are brought to them , vse to be worne before by other men : euen so they broke their vices and receiue som crimes wrapt vp i' th garmēts which they haue . tell them of wapping , bid them thankfull be , that there is iustice had for piracie : for if that were not ( it may well be said ) many their shops would be vnfurnished , but in the country now my muse shall be , for brooke shee 'le not a brokers company . here shalt thou see th'picture of auarice , thin-cheek'd , r●w-bon'd , faint-breath , and hollow-eye● . nose-dropping , rh●wme-destilling , driueling mouth hand-shaking , haire down-falling , th●misers cough , legs goutie , knees vnweldy , hand on cruch , eies in his bosome , gasing on his pouch , his labour torment , rest he cannot take , vvhen all are sleeping , he is forc't to wake : his eies are euer ope , for riches keepe his eies vnclosed : the miser cannot sleepe . he 's his owne anguish , such an impious elfe , that 's ill to all , but worst vnto himselfe . he has not bookes whereon to meditate , onely a debt booke and an alminake . the one 's for forfeitures , where he will pore , and daie by day trauers them ore and ore : th'o●her's his enterlude that yeelds him mirth , seeing predictions of the next yeeres dearth . hope of a deerer sommer then last was vnseasoned haruest : o these hopes surpasse all others , heere the miser sets his eie , and when he does these strange prenotions spie , he kisses th'booke , sweares the profession's rare , and wishes all hee reades such subiects were . this cormorant engrosseth all his graine , makes his barnes greater by a secret traine brings ore his neighbours sonne to set his hand , vnto a sale , and so ioynes land to land . this wicked vlcer that corrupts the state , nere thinkes of death , till that it be too la●e . his gold 's his god , yet vse it cannot he , but in expression of his miserie ▪ which puts the poore miser to a double paine . by telling it and putting't vp againe . but now ( my nimble satyre ) for to thee tends this impolisht peece of poesie : how wilt thou taxe , or where wilt thou begin with thy tart phrase , to stinge and nettle him ? thou must be bitter ( for in greatest grieues ) and festered wounds we vse no lenitiues to mollefie , but corrasiues to gall : and of all griefes this is the great'st of all . by it we are degenerate and liue , as such as can receiue , but cannot giue to nature competence : come my deare mate i le tell thee how to cure their desperate state ; which in few words least that thy memory faile , i le speake my minde vnto thee in a tale . it chaunc't vpon a time ( and well might be for such like chances fall-on miserie , ) a pinch-gut miser fell extreamely sicke , so ▪ as at last his conscience gan to pricke , and tell him of 's oppression , wheresoere he turn'd his eyes , he saw damnation there . sleepe could he not , his sicknesse was too great , nor hope for ought , his conscience did so threate and terrifie his soule : thus lay this wretch poore in his spirit , though to the world rich ; faine would he oft desire himselfe confest . but cause he was falne out with parish priest about a tith-pigge , he deferr'd the time , and would in no case suffer this diuine to minister due comfort to his s●ate all woe● begone : so great was th' misers ha●e ▪ for though he were afflicted , yet would he vp-braide the parson full irreuerently , calling him hedge priest , belly-god ( nay ●or● ) that like a thiefe , he came not in at dore , but in at windowe to his bene●ice ; and that he knew the practice and deuice of him and 's patron : who that th' law might 〈◊〉 dispensed with in case of symonie , sold him a horse ( that whatsoere should fa●● , ) the price might pay for th' benefice and all ▪ this would he say , concluding merrily , sir priest you come more for my pigge then me ▪ silent the parson was , for well he knew , the miser spoke no more then what was true ▪ onely he wisht such neighbours as he had present to pray for him , for he was mad , and that by all appearance it was like that his disease had made him lunatickes thus euery day his sicknesse did encrease ▪ bere●t of comfort , conscienc● sweetest peace without all hope of health or here or there , ( for th'worm of conscience follows euery where . ) there 's no euasion left : where ere we goe she will attend vs in our weale and woe . you heard confest he would , by as t is true . a miser loues not him that craues his due : so to such men this censure stands for iust , they loue their conscience rest lesse then their ru●t . what should he doe ? the pardon now is gone , and he vnto himselfe is left alone t' expostulate with death : his sinnes did grieue hi● but now the most when all his friends do leaue him ▪ torment belowe , iudgement he sees aboue , witnesse within him , that will duly proue what he has done on earth ( thus all in one make vp a consort in his dying mone : yet as a ship ore-burdend with her freight sinking before , sayls brauely , being made light ; or as the ocean beats from shelfe to shelfe , ( sea-sicke god-wot ) till she hath purg'd herselfe . so this sur-charged soule rowl's here and there , and yet to comfort is no whit the neere , till that same la●tage of corruption be exempted quite : then sleepes she quietly . confesse he must , but to no priest , that 's vaine : but vnto one cleere of another straine ; shall i tell satire ? yes , thou needs must know it , and this he was ; a thrid-bare neighbouring poet : who after dew confession made to him of euery act , and each peculiar ●inne , extortion , violence and iniurie , pressing of orphanes , biting vsurie , forfeitures taken , forged bills , at last he makes confession how a poet past his pikes : who once was of a faire estate , but after had no prospect but a grate : o , quoth the poet , that was ill in you ; o ( quoth the miser ) i doe know its true : but with remorce i now lament his fall . which 'mongst the rest afflict● me most of all . wherefore good sir , poure out your prayers for me , that in distast of my impiety languishing sore , i may be cheerd in state , dying in hope , that now lies desperate . the faire conditio'nd poet , though he had heard how ill his owne profession got reward , by this hard-harted miser ; yet did he scorne his reuenge should in affliction be : streight he retires himselfe a pretty space , chusing for 's orisons a priuate place , vvhich being done , to cheere the drooping man , vvith hands heau'd vp , his praiers he thus began . powerfull iehouah , king of heauen and earth , that giu'st to all things liuing life and b●rth . thou that protects each thing which thou hast made , and so preseru's it ▪ as it cannot fade . before the time prefin'd : thou that wilt haue mercy on such as thou dost meane to saue . looke in this wretch ( that lies all woe begon ) if so thou thinke hee s worthy looking on : great is thy mercy , so it needs must be , if thou wilt saue such miser●ants as he . but what thou meanes to doe , he faine would know , w●ether he must ascend , or fall below : that he prouision may according make , and fit himselfe for th'voyage he must take . for if to heauen , he needs the lesse prepare , because he knowes all needfull things be there . but much he fear'd , and so feare other some , mongst which my selfe , that there be nere shall come , but if to hell ( the likelier place o' th two ) he does desire , that thou wouldst this allow . he may haue so much respite as prepare , the bonds of all such prodigalls be there : that what he could not cancell here so well on earth , may there be cancelled in hell . the cause is this ( as it to me appeares ) lest that those spend-thrif●s fall about his eares , when they shall see him , which that he may stay , he 'le cancell th' bonds , though 't be long after day or this 's the cause as he was impious here , he meanes to proue an honest deuill there . " that time to times-successors may bring forth , " hell made him better then he was on earth . much more he praide , but i doe rather chuse , ( satyre ) to make of all his praiers an vse , that when the vse shall well expressed be , thou maist apply the benefit to thee . sir [ quoth the poet ] i my praiers haue made , haue you , ( replyed he , ) as one dismayed , yes sir , and by them so my zeale enforc't , as i preuaild , though it was long time first , for know an apparision came to me vvith a shrill voice , which bad me say to thee . if thou wile first a restitution make , and render vp what thou by fraud didst take , from any man , but chiefly what thou tooke from th'poet : next , deliuer vp thy booke of all accounts , great'st cause of thy despaire , to thy confessour , and make him thy heyre . thou shalt haue health for this , it bad me tell , but if thou wilt not , thou art markt for hell . for hell , no marry i● take keyes and state , i will not buy wealth at so deere a rate . if thou my pretty satyre couldst reclayme , a miser thus , i 'de thanke thee for the same . but all too long i haue enforc't thee stay . vice calleth thee , and time drawes me away . an epigramme called the ciuill deuell . it chanc't one euening as i went abroad , to cheere my cares , and take away my loads , of disagreeing passions , which were bred by the distemper of a troubled head , midst of my walke , spying an allye doore , ( which i protest i neuer spied before ) i entred in , and being entred in , i found the entry was to th' house of sinne . yet much i wondred , how sin there could be . where th'sinnes protectresse show'd most modest● ▪ a ciuill matron , lisping with sorsooth , as one that had not heart to sweare an oath , in graue attire , french hood , all frencheside , for she had some-thing more of french beside , her outward rayment in a loose-gowne made . right after fashion , with a countnance staid , and which is stranger ( shamefast ) her iaboord ( like a young nouice letcher ) making each word a protestation ; she that knew'th deuice , t' ensnare a greene wit , seem'd wondrous ●i●e , reprouing of my errour ▪ sir , i am ( for thus she tooke me vp ) wife to a man of due respect , one that has office borne , twice in the citty , therefore pray forbeare , you doe mistake your selfe , there 's none such heere as you make sure for . i as one dismaid , that durst not iustifie what i had said , began to slinke away ; she seeing this , fearing least she should such a gudgeon misse . recants what she had said , swearing though she vvere such a mans wife of the marshalsie , one that had neuer yet incurd ill name , or knew ought more then modesty or shame ▪ though she nere was defam'd in all her life ▪ or loued more then as becom'd a wife , though her affection neuer yet was showne ( saue to her husband ) vnto any one , though she was graue in yeers , and therefore might tread rightly now , that had so long trod right , she would pawne name , fame , modestie , and all affection , husband , yea what ere befall her grauer yeeres should once dispence with time ▪ " she would , forsooth , remaine entirely mine , this alteration made me strangely doubt ▪ and though my feet were in , my mind was out . yet so was i embralld by tempting sinne , though vertue forc't me out , vice kept me in . that did my tempting genius , sweare , protest , that of all creatures she did loue me best , and with dissembling teares disguise her ill , fond is that man , and fonder is his will , that 's thus deprau'd : how seruile are men growne . when these same vertues we esteeme our owne are thus eclips'd by hyene faced whores , that protestation make they will be ours , when they proue nothing lesse , las i do know and by experience , whatsoere they show . their painted●vizards couer naked sinne , which seeming faire , are euer foule within . a whiten wall , a rotten odious tombe , that prostitutes her selfe to all that come . to all that come , hence then 's affection crost , for loue is pure , but lust for them bid most . but to my saint-like deuill : she thus precise at first held credit deere , but now her eyes like wandring stars prest to induce some sin makes me ( the silly fish ) catcht by her gin . reason did tell me , and suggest her name , whispring me in the eare , it was a shame to gage my reputation to a whore : but las who knows it not , sense hath more power then reason in these acts : i gaue consent to her inducements , thought her innocent , and a right modest matron : yet how farre , did sense from reason in her verdict erre ? for how could she be modest that so soone , was gain'd ere crau'd , so quickly wood and worme ? lasse that my simple straine should be so weake , as to continue for a wantons sake , so firme in my affection ? she was graue , it s true , she was so : but how many haue that forme of grauity , the more their sinne , being so graue without , so gay within , but she protested ; true , she swore an oath , as any other tempting wanton doth , vvhen shee 's in hope of gaine , vnhappy i , to leane so much to harlots forgery . well my braue curtizan , since i am won , to doe that act by which i am vndone . since i am snared , and like a bird that 's caught , fledged in bird-lime , am of wit distraught , and senses too : i will runne headlong to it , and doe it with force , since i perforce must doe it . downe goes the silken carpet all the while , showing those sheets , which louers doe be guile , those sheets of lust perfum'd deliciously , vvith rosie odours , where variety of obiects made recourse : see wantons see , how many motiues now enuiron me ? heere my lasciuions matron wooes with teares , there a repose for lusts retrait appeares . heere a protesting whore ( see whoredomes shelfe ) rather then loose me , she will damme her selfe . there adons picture , clipping venus round , here ioue europa lying on the ground . heere mars disarm'd in beauties chariot drawen , vvhere faire eryca couer'd ore with lawne , bids him her best of welcome , and is ledde , for want of roomes vnto her husbands bedde . heere dan●e stood ( admiring diuine power ) vvhich did descend like to a goulden shoure , into her virgin-lap , there straight i spide the tempting omphale , and on one side , her wanton sister , on the other , faire alcinous daughter , courted for her haire by great apollo : but below her foote , sat h●rcles spinning , she enioynd him too 't . here i beheld the nimble satyres dance the druids sung , the water-sea-nimphs praunce , ore the delicious mede : there was the queene of amorous meetings pictur'd as sh 'ad beene taking a greene-gowne ( many such there are ) of mars that martiall enginer of warre . heere vulcane lay , poore cuckold as he was , and saw them mating on the greeny grasse , yet durst say nought , how many such there be , that see enough , but dare not say they see ? sweet heart ( quoth she ) and smild , seeing me eye this picture more then any one was nie , leaue me the shadow , to the substance goe , vvhat thou now seest , let louers action know , i le be thy venus , pretty ducke i will , and though lesse faire , yet i haue farre more skill , in loues affaires : for if i adon had , as venus had : i could haue taught the lad . to haue beene farre more forward then he was ▪ and not haue dallied with so apt a lasse . come , come ( my youngling ) though i nere could be immodest yet , i le s●ow my selfe to thee , a lasse of mettall : come , in faith thou shalt , thou●'t mars , i venus , he that limping halt , my v●lean-husband , pox on 't he is gone , and i my selfe as desolate alone , vvill entertaine thee : i in manlike shape , being a man , a man should imitate . protested i would doe , yet had no power , for who can deale so ably with a whore , or with so free-bred actions , since i know , none can affection with election show , sincerely or entirely , but whose strife , s'transform'd from wanton action to a wife of modest action : this is she can doe , and euery night has new conceits to wooe , though she be won , las what is wooing then , since wooing , winning , be small change in men ? vvho knowes not whores affection purch●s'd soon . and that they are not sooner woo'd then wonne ? or as the world goes , for its more common , vvomen woe men more oft then men woe women . hence nature seemes to haue transform'd vs quite , co●uerting day vnto a drerie night , vertue to vice , a good-names eminence , expos'd to shame , and publique impudence . once women knew a blushing shame-fastnesse , but now a blush is least that they expresse ; vnlesse for shame of hauing done some ill they feare is known , which they would shadow stil , shine brightest heauen ( if thou wilt deigne to shine . and with thy beames dispell this hideous crime , which now ( protection has ) : curbe them , that call such sinnes as veniall , venereall . let not an i le of an angelicke name expose her glory to the house of shame : let not those many tropheies of her worth loose their renowne or honour in our birth . let not faire albion , stil'd from cliffes so white , change vertues day-star to a vicious night . let not those many conquests she hath got seeme now deprest , as if remembred not . let not our peace ( like halcion daies ) be tane from vs and ours and giuen to other men : let not this sacred vine which planted is in albion , shaken be by wantonnesse . let not our plenty and aboundant store occasion be that we should sinne the more : let not our realme vnite , diuide that loue which we should beare vnto the king aboue : let not our want of wars inuasion bring vs a lust-full war encountring within vs. let not those manie blessings we receiue , make vs interre our honour in our graue ▪ let not our seasons yeerly fruitfulnesse produce in vs a loathed barrannesse . let not those many strange conspiracies which heauen preuented , close our thanklesse eyes . let not our being make vs not to be , for god is god and will auenged be . he seemes some time to sleepe and suffer all ▪ but calls at last for vse and principall . many , i know , there be of crimes that 's ill , drawne from the source of our depraued will. but of all crimes that euer were or be , none in this i le claimes more impunity . a purple sin ( for who will not allow it ) since purple-fathers oft-times go ▪ vnto it ? the citties elders ( which though they reproue ) they doe but chastice what themselues do loue . statists haue lov'd it too : but marke ( my friend ) for all their state they had a loathsome end , like stinking herod , loth'd hertogenes , crook't damocles , lowsie pherecides ; all these experience had of this fowle euill . and could describe too-well a ciuell diuell . the authors morall to his ciuell diuell . come nouice , come , see here the fall of youth , begun in pleasure , but wouen vp in rueth : see what occurrents meete the heires of shame , where end is pouerty , and cloz'd ill-name ? see what the fruits be of licentious sin that end in woe as they in heate begin ? see painted sodom-apples faire to th' eye , but being tutcht they perish instantly . see , see a wanton mere-mayd , that does sing , to bring youths crazie backe to ruining . see vertue in pretence , but vice in deed . see harlots action in a matrons weede : see damned factors who their trafficke make , not for their soule but for the diuels sake . see my coach't lady hurried long the street , casting her lusts-eyes on whos'ere she mee● ▪ see , see her cerus cheeke , made to delight her apple-squire , or wanton marmosite . see , see her braided haire , her paps laide out , which witnesse how she 'le do when she 's put to 't , o see she likes vpon th'condition well , so she may coached be she 'le goe to hell , and willingly : see ▪ see adulterate golde , in valew worst , yet is the deerest solde . see albions curse , youths gulph , heires misery , our countries shame , soules staine earths vanity . o sunne reflect thy gould on my pale moone , and let this dathans braunch be rooted soone , out of this flourie isle : o let not this ( so hideous a crime ) eclipse the blisse vvhich britaine now possesseth , may my penne , be steeped now in wormewood , that such men as haue beene'erst delighted , now may be , wain'd from that land-oppressing miserie . and you ( damn'd prostitutes ) that pawn your name , making a triuiall may-game of your shame ; bed-broaking lechers , broakers of ill ware , for many such base factors now there are ) heare me spit out my malice : may you liue , till you haue nought to take , nor none to giue , for your ore-iaded pleasure : may you stand banisht for euer in this fruitfull land , which fares the worse ( and that by heauens high power ) for giuing harbour to an odious whoore . may you detested liue , intestate die , and as i doubt not make your tragedy by death more wofull : may your vlcerous skin , as it beares here the marks of your fowle sin : like to the iewes as they did earst appeare , who in their fore-parts circumcised were ) be circumcis'd : that after times may shew , there was small difference twixt the whore and iewe. and you poore haire brain'd youths that doe begin to nestle in these lothsome sinkes of sin ; you that spend substance , heritance and all , becomming subiect to a doubtfull fall : you that are sent to practise studious arts , but leauing them , betake to worser parts your vnfledg'd fancies : heare me , and you 'le say , it seemes he wisht vs well another day . flie the strange woman , let her wanton looke , be vnto you as some experientst booke ; prescribing cures for strange diseases be as if you did not note , or did not see her sin-alluring motiues : if she smile conster it thus : this wanton would beguile with her affected seeming , if she play with her light capring foote , or bid you stay ( so brazen fac't is sin ) away from thence . taxe , but affect not , her loth'd impudence . if she shew modestie ( as well she may ) for whoores haue change of faces euery daie vicing new fashions : you may conster thus , it is a painted but no natiue blush . if she protest ( beleeue not what she sayth ) ) for there 's no whore but can dispense with faith : if she inuite you to some dainty feast be not entreated , least like circes beast , you be transform'd from that same forme diuine vnto the bestiall nature of a swine , if she allure thee to some wanton sport in that she moues you to it , care not for't let st. foote be ( such follies lust affoord ) " for fairest play is euer aboue boord . redart not eyes with her : if she looke red say its her guilt , if pale distempored with some lasciuious passion : if conceipt be pregnant in her , sweare its but deceipt to draw thee on : if sullen , it may be thought her weight of sin has that distraction wrought . if she discourse , it s but some whorish tale that she perchance has purchas 't by retaile ; if silent , 't may be thought she 's plotting ill , and that 's the cause her oily tongue is still : if seeming modest , vertuous or precise , it s her dissembling , making her lusts eyes like basilisks ( who naturally haue desire to kill , where they do seeme to saue . ) if hope of meanes : fie , let no generous minde , stoope to so base a lure , as be inclin'de , to buy a stipend at so deare a rate , " as gage a soule , to get a little state . if discontent : this is no remedie vnto thy griefe , but ads to miserie : for who ( through discontent ) goes to a whoore , must needs be more deiected then before . if an enforced marriage ( as who can ) taste still the sweete of comforts , being man : this is no way to ease thy troubled head , to make thy selfe adulterize thy bed. if to spend time : how ill is that spent time , which adds vnto that great accompt of thine thousands of accusations ? where thy looke shall beare record ( if wanton ) in that booke , where all our actions duely written be from youth to man , to age from infancy : if for acquaintance ( as oftimes we heare ) the greatest men are most acquainted there ; thou seeks amisse , for what 's acquaintance worth , by birth borne great , to bastardise their birth . if to obserue new fashions , tricks not knowne before of thee : 'lasse those must needs be growne quite out of fashion , when there 's none that vse thē saue pandors , bawds , & whoors that stil abuse them . if to be deem'd a turne-ball roring lad ▪ of all the straines that be there 's none so bad : " these glorie in deformed shapes , and thirst after that guize which doth beseeme them worst : but wouldst thou know them ? then attend to me , ( and i in few words will describe them thee . their peak't mouchatoes bodkin wise oppose each other , and stand brauing of their nose : they 're blustering boyes , and whatsoe're befall , if they be three to one they 'le haue the wall . they haue a mint of oaths , yet when they sweare , of death and murder , there 's small danger there : buffe-yerkins say their souldiers , ( but 's not so , ) for they were prest indeed but durst not goe . they weare a cutlers-shop euer about them : yet for all that we need not greatly doubt them . for tak 't from me by this you soon'st may know thē , they weare the desperat'st blades , yet dare not draw them . they 're panders by profession , men that get a slauish meanes out of a seruile wit : they 're euer soaking of a pipe , whose smoake makes them contort & wreath their wainskot look to euery fashion , they are monstrous proud , and what-soere they speake they sweare its good : they neuer goe to church , vnlesse it be to man their whore , or for formalitie . they are and are not : seeming men by sight , but beasts , becomming slaues to appetite : their walke is not where vertue hath recourse , ( for to discourse of vertue is a curse ) to roring-boyes : their rende-voue's tibb calles her shrowd their shrine , their walk 's in garden-allies dost see these ( youngling ) ? pray thee see and mark , a whore enticing , and a god-lesse sharke attending her , haue a good eye to him , pray thee beware he 's instrument of sinne : goe not along , let my aduise enforce , least thou returne ( my boy ) by weeping crosse . let not , ô let not moment of delight , depriue thy soule of her internall light , shame not thy eye of reason with expence of ill spent time , expos'd to th' vse of sence . thy form 's diuine , no fading , vading flower : o let not then th' embraces of a whore captiue thy iudgement , but as thou dost take thy great creators forme , so for his sake , reserue thy temple ( if thou ' le liue with him , to be for syon , not for place of sinne. the occasion of this epigram proceeded from the restraint of the author , who in the iustnes of his cause ( like zenophons sparrow ) fled for refuge : to the worthily esteemed , the right worshipfull rich. hvtton , sergeant at lawe : to whose protection the retired author commends his epigramme entitled . his catch . singing my catch , if you be not my friend , for all my catch , i shall be catcht ith'end . not in a durance suite remaine i here , yet in a suite like durance hemm'd with feare retir'd i am : confinement makes me thrall vnto my selfe , which grieues me most of all : if i but see the shadow of a man , or th'tinkling of a braziers copper pan , i feare a sergeant , shadow saies its he , and th'brazier saies , such like his buttons be . where shall i flie to ? 'lasse i know not where : for milford-lane is growne too monstrous deere . no , there i must not goe ; for know you how that place is stil'd ? the gallants rand●-uou . well , some-where i must flie : o now i see 't : philosophers say ; heate is expel'd by heate . moisture by moisture ; colds extremity by cold , deriu'd from passions natiuely concurring in vs : if this then be trew , vvho should i flie to ( sir ? ) but vnto you that are a sergeant , and has power to place your god-sonne free from any sergiants mace ? to you i le flie pursu'de by impudence , ( a courtiers garbe ) crauing safe residence vnder your wings : and know ( kinde sir ) from me , to doe for orphanes its a charity . little i am possest of well you know , and of that little , little doe i owe to any man : yet for all this am i , made a fit obiect for a sergeants eie . i could not beg if that my cause were bad , but to disburse for that i neuer had . nor anie for me , 'lasse it seemes to me , the cause might pleade it selfe without a fee. pray sir ( at least ) if'th courtier needes will craue it . let him pursue such , where ' has hope to haue it : for me there 's none : but this his wit god wot to sue his bond , wheres nothing to be goe . yet for the reputation which i beare to my vnblemisht credit , i must feare not our iust cause , nor any such pretence , but brazen-face , and guilded conscience . " for dangers felt are worse then others feard , " which makes me now conceald which once appear'd . 'lasse sir , my studies cannot brooke restraint , " since times obseruance giues me argument . of writing what i write : so smal's the store of là'er i haue , that if i knew not more by obseruation , then by reading , men might iustly say , i knew not what i pen. but iustice whose pure eie lookes euer right , and can admit of none that cloudes her sight , will shield my cause : its trues i know she will , yet in meane time i am be-leagred still , with th●se iniurious burres , these tenterhookes , that euen afright me with their gastly looks . these engines of despaire , agents of euill , factors for mammon , viceroyes for the diuell these that lay hold like bird lime : these be they , that must be soundly brib'd , or we must pay ; i haue no hope then but your vertuous selfe to saue my crasie vessell from this shelfe , or ship-wrack rather , and so sure am i of your best helpe , that i see safety appearing midst of daunger : for my trust so well repos'd in one that is so iust , cannot be frustrate , but must needes receiue what you may graunt , and i may iustly haue . and well i know that actions of this kinde , keepe best concordance with your generous minde , whose natiue vertues haue been still exprest , in giuing breath to causes that are best . a great prerogatiue , as 't seemes to me , haue you ore such as onely take their fee , witthout obseruance or discussion had , of what the cause is : whether good or bad . these like to spiders , weaue ore iustice throne a web , to make their actions lie vnknowne , but all in vaine : their vices time descries : for time has many eares and many eies . ripe was his wit , and well he vnderstood , vvho rous't i westminster hal with irish wood . that iustice there profest ' , should like appeare , suffring no venemous creature to come neere her sacred throne : no k spider , worme , nor moth , but that like vertue should accrew to both . vvhich makes me muse : sith irish wood can show , such pure effects , why ireland does not see , o no it were too much to be the same , in title , temper nature , and in name . but whit her wanders my confined muse ? lament thine owne , care not for times ab●se , it yields thee matter ro expresse thy spleene , vvhich otherwise would be extinguish't cleane . thou mai'st retire , ther 's one will see thee pla'st in safe repose , till all these stormes be past : vvhich past , may i my conning quite forget , if better numbers doe not defcant it . from me and mine to you and yours , from time to time our praiers like showers diffused be incessantlie . your worths obserue● r.b. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to my approved friend t. p. in the conduct of my arrest-fearing epigram his best of wishes . if any sergeant should my lines forestale , before they see my patron enter bayle . ibid. — where say , — how night by night in seuerall roomes i lye , and that my lines haue farre more aer then i. an epigramme called the honest lawyer . sprightly my muse , speake like the son of thunder and with a full mouth , ring out albions wonder : no sussex dragon , no virginian , but of a lawer that's an honest man. whos 's definition if you wish to know , is a blacke swan , faire moore , or milke-white crow . he takes no fees , till he conceiue the cause , nor with an oyly bribe annoints his iawes . he wants the vse of feeling , feares heauens curse , strings not his conscience with his clients purse . hee'● not be tongue-tide , but for iustice sake , he seekes to earne the mony he does take . he hates aequiuocation and delay , nor will he make his threed-bare client stay for his dispatch : he will not haue his fee , till he discusse the causes equity . his iudgement will not vaile to wind nor wether , nor is his conscience made of retching lether . his eye 's on iustice , nor will euer he banke-rupt his soule , t' enrich posterity . his tongue 's no time-obseruer , made to please , his fist is shut from taking double fees . he will not forge a lye , nor wrest the sence , of law or right , for any faire pretence . he will not backe his clyent , or maintaine an vniust suit , to reape a priuate gaine . he speakes and stands too 't , nor is sorry for 't , though he by speaking truth , incense the court. he hates corruption , nor has euer sould , his peace of conscience , for a peece of gold he loues no perfumes , nor is one of those , whose peak't mouchatoes skirmish with their nose . his beard 's not starcht , he has no subtile sconce , nor ianus-like lookes he ten waies at once . his eare is neuer shut to poore mens mones , his coach-wheele is not made of clients bones , his conscience nere did ought that needs relenting or e ere made clients pay for his wiues painting . his soule was neuer soild by corrupt dealing , nor stands he on a veluet gowne at sealing . his face was nere at braziers , nor his skin sy-sambris-like was hung vp to be seene . his tongue speakes truth , makes peace where ere he can . this lawer must be needs an honest man. it 's true , he must : but where now shall we finde this man : i feare there 's none left of his kind . yes one i know , and more there be no doubt but that my dull pate cannot find them out , who 's truely honest : whom you may discerne , you clients you , that visit this throng terme , by no example in our albion more , then by my patron in my catch before . aske you me why ? experience tells it me , " none of 's profession honester then he . vpon a patron , who was at home , and yet abroad : in the city , and yet in the countrey : seene , and not to bee seene : in any place , but where he was , and as soone to be found where hee was not , as where he was . a good patrons anagram : is patren . anag . parent . an euill ones patrone . anag . ropean't . a satyre . there is a patron , to expresse his name , i thinke it needlesse , for you may coniecture , who t is by dumbe showes : yet i le reade a lecture , vpon 's anatomy : " he thinks no shame to be at home , yet to deny the same , by one of 's pander porters : he is proud of a new title giuen him , yet it 's stale , knight-hood i wish : for 's speech he speaks a tale , with a beere-brewers grace , as for his bloud , he saies he can deriu't from robin hood , and his may-marian , and i thinke he may , for 's mother plaid may-marian tother day . if a rich country-boore come to present him , with pigge or goose , he shall no sooner come , but the gate 's open , and the knight's at home , where the dog-fawning knight will question him , why he from 's house has so long absent beene ? yet tother day , a poet whom he lou'd , at least protested so ; knocking at 's gate , was full two houres enforced there to waite , and still he staid to find his loue approu'd , till th'brazen head spake , through a casement mou'd , ( the knight i meane ) but seeing who it was , i 'me not at home ( quoth he ) good poet passe . an epigram in curium lampetram : a cashierd courtier . cvrius lampetra , ( as he doth confesse ) for he was t'ane i' th nicke , o' th businesse , ha's done , soone done , god wot , a worthy deede , setting the courts wreath on the cities head : but for his wreath , before one terms demurre , he was degraded of his courtly spurre . ( true badge of honour ) and from that time swore , nere to approach the cities confines more . what should he doe ? the citie was his gaine , for poore lampetra nere had courtly straine ; but apish imitation , whose small force made him admired , like an hobby horse . and yet they say , he had a wit at will : running like the rundell of a blind horse-mill . could sweare an oath , could fome at mouth could set his words in fustain , and could runne in debt , could skrew his face , could moralize a fable , yet nere read aesop , sit at duke humfreys table , could walke a turne in paules , could talke of spaine , yet nere was there , and then come home againe . why this is courtly , and this he could doe , yea but lampetra knew not how to woe . not wooe ? why he could kisse , and as they sing i' th ballad too , he could doe tother thing . " a pox that 's true : but shall i tell thee why she told all out ? he did so scuruily : " as at the very instant when they re ●aine , shee said ( poore foole ) put vp thy pipe againe , for such a fidler is farre worse then none , that plaies on still , yet has no stroake but one . but prethee say , what shall lampetra doe ? ( as other courtiers ) make a foolish show of what they haue not : no , it is decreed , being boorish bred , he must with boores goe feede on huskes and hawes ; and that he may retaine some courtly garbe , his ruins to maintaine i th country must this rusticke swaine be plast , to purchase pardons , when the iudgement's past : or he may finde a giant at s t bees and with his sight get money if he please . an embleme writte vnto a gentleman , who entreated the author to distinguish twixt rome and roome . you mou'd me sir , next time i chanc't to come , for to distinguish betwixt rome and roome , which i haue done : and to the full i hope , rome being as far●e from roome , as peter pope . for wheresoere i am , wheresoere i com● , i must haue roome , yet that i hope 's not rome . so whensoere i see saint peters chaire , i doe inf●rre , a saint peter has beene there . but that saint peters heyre is now at rome , though he be there , i le say it 's not his roome . peter romes piller , cater piller he , whose roome i loue more then his company . en tres excellentissimo phantasto moriano del castello , equiti tres illustrissimo septentrionali . fades rare horned dicke . an anagram included in the satyre . fades my rare horned dicke ? ô , out a cry , his hornes bud out , and gall him greeuously , what remedy ? faith patience : which appeares in 's w●fe , whose patience , many burden beares . th●n he may learne of her : it 's true , you say , and therefore plyes his hornebooke day by day . anagramma . how riches freed'd adorne a gull ? epigram . wise is that foole , that hath his coffers full . and riches free'd adorne the v●riest gull. yet but vncase the asse , and you shall see , an asse is still an asse , and so is he . an epigram vpon the anagram , dedicated to the mirrour of true excellency , his much admired ( though vnacquainted ) friend , don moriano dell castello , to whom the author wishes many cheerful daies , delightfull nights with his late espoused mistresse , whose imparalelld vertues hee hath presumed to illustrate in these his impolisht ( yet affectionate ) poems . mori●s augustus thou great man of sense , that art enstil'd with best of excellence . to thee i write : yet doe i not know how , t' expresse thy worth , or with apparant show , of thy demerits blaze thee as thou should , yet know ( braue northerne spirit ) that i would , doe full as much as any , if my art were but of equall valew with my heart . for thou art he amongst all other men , that giues a subiect to the freest pen , and canst define true honour by degree , drawne from the best , yet instanced in thee . mount thee ( resolued heroe ) that thy fame , may be a wreath to morianos name . shine bright , like eos with his beamy face , whose pretious mantle , fring'd with some gold lace , made all the passengers admire his worth , descending from heauens court , to lighten earth . i know thou canst doe this , for i haue seene euen in a place , where many more haue beene , and haue obseru'd thee , galloping thy round , making low congees , till thou kisse the ground vvith lip of thy humility , and then putting thy foote in stirrop once againe , mounted thy barbed steed , then with thy hand , straking thy horses crest to make him stand . vvho proud on 's burden , frolick'd in his stay , and with a neighing stomacke trac'd the way . faire fall thee formall gallant that hast force , to tame the courage of a head-strong horse , displaying resolution in thy eye courtship in cloths , in speech propriety . in gesture admiration , in thy looke an orbe of fashions , or a table-booke . of new-inuented features ▪ in thy forme , such exquisite perfections as adorne natures best mir●or , o but that i doubt , by speaking of thy wor●h , i shall be out . i could ep●t●mize each speciall thing , thy birth , thy worth , thy wooing , sonnetting . yet for thy loue-sake ( wha●soere befall ) i will speake som●hing , though i speake not all . mongst which my muse records that amorous sonnet vvhich who will not admire , that looks vpon it , vvrit to that faire alicia now behight , the chast-vow'd wife vnto an honor'd knight : where with loues passions , thou so well did show it . that none could thinke thee lesser then a poet. apt in thy words , in thy dimensions rare , thy figures proper , and thy motions faire . a●t could not show , or euer yet bring forth , so farre fetcht straines inuented so farre north. now of her beauty wouldst thou comment make , and vow to take strange labours for her sake ▪ then to induce her loue ( by meanes most fit ) thou woul●st commend the promptnes of her wit , protesting by the ae●y powers aboue , ( as who ere lou'd would not protest they loue ? ) noe speech ere pallas spake merits more praise , then what thy mistresse dere alicia saies . then wouldst thou descant of her rubie lippe , ( though thou had neuer lucke to tast of it . ) then of her pure complexion which did praise it selfe , not as complexions now adaies . then of her louely quallities which might be styled the eccoes of heauens harmonie . then of her vertues so diuine , so rare , as they surpast the rest aboue compare . all this thou didst to shew her eminence , more grac't by thee being stil'd his excellence , and faire thy loue had ended as begun , if that a web had not thy loues web spun . great northerne atlas , what can i say more , then of thy merits hath been said tofore . at least obseru'd ? for many men doe see , and know it well i write but truth of thee . o that times records should be so portraide , in leaues of brasse , that what was done or said , in auncient ages , should so well display , their full euents , as done but t'other day . whilest thy renowme great mirrour of the north , showne in our time , wants one to set it foorth , " vvhereas its no lesse glory to a crowne , to haue authors then haue actors of renownes yet shall not vertue so obscured bee , nor those accomplisht parts appeare in thee . lie rak't in ashes : no great morios heire , thou shalt not liue as though there nothing were , vvorthy posterity ? its i will write , though far vnfitting for so great a light my be●t of thee , that art the best of man , " he does not ill that does the best he can . accept it needes thou must , how er 't be done , being thy fathers god-sonne , thou his sonne . but of all vertues tha● attend on thee , there 's none that equals thy humilitie . yet so as thou art generous with all , a stile that does adorne thee most of all . vnto thy humble spirit annex't there is , another soueraigne vertue , patience ; or the enduring of an iniurie : which of all others is obseru'd in thee . thou wilt not snuffe if one correct thee : no , not hardly aske him why he wrong'd thee so . thou wilt not answere to thine owne disgrace , nor taxe the man that turdefies thy face . thou wilt not grieue for euery light offence , feare is thy guide , thy shield is patience . thou like a christian walkes ( god wot ) in feare , and being boxt will turne the other eare . thou art gods man , and whatsoe're men say , he is the best man at the later day . thou art no blustring boy that walkes the streete , and bindes a quarrell with who s'ere he meete . thou art no haxtar that by nature's giuen , to rage on earth , but nere to raigne in heauen . in briefe , thou art the man that god will chuse , vvearing a blade for fashion more then vse . nor doe i flatter thee for ne're was i seruile to anie man : but if my eie impartiall in her knowledge seeme to show . vvhat by obseruance other men doe know , and haue admir'd , pardon i neede not craue , since i expresse but what thy merits haue deseru'd : enough . thy vertues are with best , and little need they to be more exprest , then as they are ? goe on ( my honourd friend ) and as thou hast begun , so fairely end . be fame thy herauld to blaze forth thy worth , making thee morios , none such vpon earth . be as thou art , and more thou canst not be . since best of being is included in thee . be thou as hee , to whom all may resort , muses i meane , and coming thank thee for 't . be thou as caesar in the capitall , so thou of morios castell centinell . be as thou art reported , great in wit , and so discreet , as thou mai'st mannage it . be as thou art , founder of iollitie , grauen in the gold-cup of our langanbie . be as thou would'st be , and i wish no more , so time shall second what i write before . but 'lasse poore muse hast thou no more to speake of such a subiect , ( pray thee deare awake ) and memorise his name in euery page , from this time forth vnto a following age . no ? what is my wit drawne drie ? or i am tane vvith some amazement at a great mans name ? vvhy thou hast writ of men as great before , and hast exprest their actions ore and ore . turn'th ore their best of glory , and i' th end , so won their hearts , as thou becamst their friend . and art thou now growne s●ient ? cannot he that merits best , receiue like praise of thee ? no , no : he cannot ; so obscur'de he liues , that though i write but truth , yet who belieues a true relation , when we seeme to show a man to men whom they doe hardly know ? o then ( redoubted sir ) let me now end t●is home bred sonnet ( as a louing friend that would perswade ) if you perswad ' would be to shew your selfe something more openlie vnto the world . o see how men repine , that you so long conceal'd , should gull the time , hauing such parts , as much adorne your birth , yet has no willing mind to set them forth . vvhat is a iewell worth if euer hid ? or what 's a cased instrument in stead ? the lustre of the former is not seene , nor can we know by 'th latter what't does meane . for gemmes and instruments are knowne by tutch , and such as show them men , we know them such . vvith like good will doe i present thee these , as mopsus ( that poor shepard ) sent a cheese vnto his phillis : and it came to me once in my minde , to send the like to thee : but for i fear'd ( and i haue cause to feare ) that you had better cheese then any here : in steed of bride-cakes , cheesecakes i was tide in loue , to send this present to your bride ▪ all haile to himen and this marriage day : strow rushes , and quickly come away . bring in your flowers , and giue of each of them to such as lov'd and are forsaken men . for well i know so louing is the bride , so curteous and so liberall beside of her discreete affection , i dare say none must depart vnsatisfied away . strew rushes maides , and euer as you strew , thinke one day maides , like will be done for you : strew you , i le sing , or if you like nor choise ; sing you , i le strew : you haue the better voice . crowned be thou queene of loue , by those glorious powers aboue : loue and bewrie ioyn'd together may they col and kisse each other , and in midst of their delight , shew thee pleasure in the night . for where acts of loue resort , long●st nights seeme too too short ; may thou sleeping dreame of ●hat , which then waking dest partake , that both sleepe and watching may make the da●kest night seeme day : as a fort besieged rest , yeelding most , when seeming lest : or in pleasures may thy smile burnish like the camomile , which in verdure is encrest most , when it is most deprest . vertues as they doe attend thee , so may soueraigne thoughts defend thee . acting in thy loue with him , wedlocks actions are no sinne : who in hym●ns bands is ioyned , and in sacred loue combined , to remaine euer thine . he thy picture thou his shrine , thou the mettall he the mint , thou the waxe he the print , he the lant-horne , thou the lampe , thou the bulloine , he the stampe . thou the figure he the feature ; he thy former , thou his creature . he the image , legge and limme , thou the mould to cast him in . he the plummet thou the center . thou to shelter he to enter ; thou the parke or shady vale , " he the dogge that freth's the pale . hammer he to strike alone , anuile thou to beate vpon ▪ more i could , but more i will not , since to speake more much it skils not ; onely i will here extend th'period of my speech as friend ; and expresse what i protest comes from th'center of my brest , that my protestations may beare record another day . iö hymen crowne the night of these nuptials with delight . no more , no more : much honour aie betide , the lofty bride-groome , and the louely bride : that their succeeding dayes and yeeres may say , each day appeares like to a mariage day . but now retire , darke shades haue lodg'd the sun , put vp thy pipes for now thy layes are done . finis epithalami . to the hopefull young gentleman , and his experienced friend , mr. cheater . anagramm . teacher . teacher you are , for you haue taught me more , then i was taught in all my life before . a gratvlatory epigram . to thee ( young youth ) these youngling lines i write stor'd with my best of wishes : may delight crowne that long-wisht for nuptial bed of thine , ( which should haue been ) if fate had granted mine with many happy nights : blest be my fate , since what one friend has is communicate vnto an other , that my loue should end , and ending , giue beginning to my friend . but why say i its ended ? sith by thee , a three-loues song beares descant merily . and thus it is : i lou'd her , where thou art , shee thee , thou mee ; thre● louers in one heart : shee thine , thou mine ( if mine thou stil'd may be ) makes her in being thine , espows'd to me . an embleme which the author composed in honour of his mistris , to whom he rests euer deuoted . allusiuely shadowing her name in the title of the embleme , which hee en●tiles : his frankes anatomie . franke thy name doth promise much , i● thy nature were but such : but alasse what difference growe 'twixt those two , i onely know ? i alas that to thy bewtie am deuoted in all dewtie ; i that once inuented layes , singing them in shepheards praise , i that once from loue was free till i fell in loue with thee : i that neuer yet began trade , to hold my mistris fan ; i that neuer yet could knowe , whether loue was high or lowe : i that neuer loued was , nor could court a looking-glasse : i that neuer knew loues lawe , nor lov'd longer then i sawe ; i that knew not what 's now common , to throw sheep-eyes at a woman : i that neuer yet could proue , or make shew of heartie loue : i that neuer broke my sleepe , nor did know what cha●ms did keepe louers eyes : now can tell what would please a louer well . shall i tell thee ? yes i will , and being tolde : or saue , or kill . it would please him , if he might euer liue in'● mistris sight : it would please him t' haue the hap , but to sleep in 's mistris lap : or to haue his mistris faire , vvith her hand to stroke his haire . or to play at foot-st. with him , or at barly-breake to breathe him : or to walke a turne or two , or to kisse , or coll , or woe ; or in some retired groue , but to parly with his loue. or when none that 's iealous spies , to looke babbies in his eyes : or when action ginnes to fayle , to supply it with a tale . venus vnto vulcane wedde , yet came mars to vulcanes bedde : he and she being both in one , whilest poore vulcan lies alone ; or if this will not affoord ioy enough : obserue each bird how she singles out her make and to him does onely take . see their billing each with other , ( loue and dallying younc't together ) mutuall loue inheres in either , being birds both of one feather ; or if this yeeld no content . to resort vnto the plant , which being grafted skilfully , brings forth fruit aboundantly : deeper that the plant's we see , sooner will it fruitfull be , which ( my franke ) in modesty , thus i will apply to thee . deeper that thy loue is set , more impression may it get : riper fruits then such as growe , and are planted scarce so lowe : if you aske me what i seeme , by impression for to meane , i will tell thee : such as these , impressions onely women please . " coine for stampe sake we allowe : so for stampe sake do we you , weake's that euidence you know that has neither scale to showe , stampe , impression : such ( i ken ) are you may de● , not stampt by m●n weake , god wot , for why you take your perfection from your make : then if thou desire to be perfect , haue recours to me : or some other that may giue , what old adam gaue to eue , 'lasse it s nothing : pray thee take it , many wish it that forsake it . but when shamefull dance is done , they could wish they had begun many yeeres before they learnt it , ( o how gladly would they earne it ? ) but too long , i seeme to stay , ere thy beauty i display : spare me sweetest for my muse , seldome makes so faire a chuse . chuse it lou● what ere it be , reade thy owne anatomie . purest of ophyr-gold , let me prepare first for the choice description of thy hayre , which like the finest thrids of purple seeme clere to out-strip those of the paprian queene ; whose tender tresses were so neatly wrought , as cholcos fleece seem'd to be thither brought , and sure it was ▪ what ere fond poets say , and this was th' fleece which iason tooke away . delicious amber is the breath which flowes from those perfumed conduits of thy nose , thy smile , a snare , which tempts the way-ward boy adon the faire , and bids him leaue to ioy i● forrest pleasures , there 's a fruitlesse marke , hauing more store of game within thy parke . thy lippes ( two gates ) where loue makes entrie in , and yet so modest as nere taxt of sinne : thy cheek , that rosie circlet of pure loue , resembling neerest that castalian groue ; where such variety of flowers appeare that nought seems good , which is not beter'd there ▪ thy b●ush ( pure blush ) em●leme of chastitie blushing , yet guildesse of ought done by thee portends a maidens honest-spotlesse heart , hauing thy blush by nature not by art. thy chin ( that dimpled mou●t ) which hath last plac● yet giues no lesser bew●y to thy face : then th'greatest ornament : for it doth show , like to a pleasant vale seated belowe some steepy mount : thy christall eyes the fount , thy chin the vale , thy louely face the mount. o is not then this feature , boue compare , where breath is perfume , and pure gold is hayre where smiles are snares , lippes gates of iuorie , cheekes roses , blushes types of chastitie : where chin a vale , the browe the mount , the face that soueraigne of the heart , that keeps loues place : vvhere shall i looke then , or how shall i moue these eyes of mine and teach them not to loue ? for if my eyes should but thy haire beholde , i must be forc't to loue for it is golde : if thy delicious breath i chaunce to sip , being the rosie verdure of thy lip ; i deeme my selfe in that sweet perfume blest much more , in that , worse breaths be in request : if thou do smile , i loue , and wish the while , that i might only liue to see thee smile . if thou do speake ( pure orator ) i 'me dumb , for why ? thy admiration curbs my tongue . if thou but blush ( as maydes are wont to doe ) my passions are perplex'd , i wot not how , 'twixt feare and loue● feare makes me wondrous pale , fearing thy blush came from some wanton tale . too too immodest spoken by my selfe , which to assoyle i le reprehend my selfe ; if i but ●utch , to tutch 's a veniall sin , the pretty circle of thy dimpled chin : i vowe and in my vowe giues bewtie thanks , that chin was venus , though it now be franks . yet haue i not spoke all that i dot see ; or at least iudge in thy anatomie : for true anatomists being men of art , know the exact description of each part , member and arterie : so should my sight be in my franke if i describe her right , which that i might reduce to some full end , though there 's no end in loue , i will descend to the distinct relation of the rest , and in my franks discouery thinke me blest . thy waste , ( with●u● waste ) like a curious frame ▪ aptly proportion'd still reserues the same : or like some well composed instrument exact in forme , in accent excellent ; so is thy waste , and happy may he be , that 's borne to make it strik● true harmony . thy belly ( if coniectures true may be ) for we must guesse at that we cannot see , is like an orient cordon pea●led faire , with diuerse feats of nature here and there . where glides a christall streameling to abate , the heate of nature oft insatiate . pardon me deere : nature ordained first that fount of yours , to quench the place of thirst ▪ thy thigh ( imagination now must doe ) for i must speake , though well i know not how , like the laborious and the loaden bee. that hastens to her hiue melodiously . nor is her freight more luscious ( deere ) then thine , for thine is full of pleasure , hers of thyme : thy knee like to an orbe that turnes about , giuing free passage to thy nimble foote , apt for each motion , actiue in loues sphere , moouing her ioints to trip it euery where . thy legge ( like delias ) neither bigge nor small , but so well fram'd and featured in all , that nature might seeme enuious to impart , so great a good , and hide so good a part . thy foote the curioust module of the rest , for art and nature there be both exprest : art in the motion , nature in the frame , where action works and motion moues the same . nor can i credite what our poets say , affirming venus chanc't vpon a day to pricke her foote , so as from th'blood she shed . the damaske-rose grew euer after red ; for if from blood such strange effects should be , stanger ( ere this ) had been deriu'd from thee : but poets though they write , painters portray , it 's in our choice to credit what they say . yet credit me ( for i would haue thee know it ) i neuer yet durst challenge name of poet : onely thine owne i am and still will be , for whom i writ this poore anatomie . vpon his mistris nuptiall , enstiled : his frankes farewell . why whither franke ? to th'church ? for what to pray ? o no : to say , what thou canst nere vnsay : alasse poore girle : i see thy quondam friend , hath cause to say his hopes are at an end : how vainely then be our affections plaste , on women-kinde , that are so seeming chaste , and priuately so forward-well-be gone , ( if ere i marry ) i 'le finde such an one , as ( in her modesty ) will thinke 't disgrace " others to loue when i am out of place . but i do thank thee franke , th' hast taught me more , then i could learne in twice seauen yeere before ; for i did thinke your simple sexe did hate by double dealing to equiuocate : where by experience now i finde it common , that fast and loose is vsuall with women . yet in these rites this line my loue shall tell , fare well or ill , i wish my franke farewell . an epigramme called the wooer . come yee braue wooers of penelope , doe not repine that you should crossed be : for pregnant wits , and ripest braines can show , as much or more then euer you did know . and that my storie better may appeare , attend to my discourse , and you shall heare . it chanc't vpon a time ( and then was'th time ) when the thigh-fraughted bee gathered her thyme , stored her platted cell , her fragrant bower , crop't from each branch , each blossom & each flower when'th pretty lam-kin scarce a fortnight old , skipped and froliked 'fore the neighbouring fold , when'the cheerfull robin , larke and lenaret , tun'de vp their voices , and together met , when'th fe●refull hare to cheere her quaint delight , did make her selfe her owne hermaphrodite , when'th louely turtle did her eies awake , and with swift flight follow'd her faithfull make , when euery beast prepar'd her wonted den , for her owne young , and shade to couer them , when flora with her mantle tucked vp , gathred the dewie flow'rs , and them did put in her embrodred skirts which were rancke set , with prime-rose , cow-slip , and the violet , the dill , the dasie , sweet breath'd eglantine , the crowfoote , pausie , and the columbine , the pinke , the plantaine , milfoile , euery one ▪ with mari●gold that opens with the sunne ; euen then it was , ( ill may i say it was ) vvhen young admetus woed a countrey lasse . a countrie lasse whom he did woe indeede , to be his bride , but yet he could not speede . vvhich forc't him grieue : heare but his cause of woe , and you 'le not wonder why he should doe so ? vertuous the maide was , and so grac't by fate , as she was wise , and did degenerate from her weake witted father : modesty lodg'd on her cheeke , and showd virginity in a faire rosie colour , which was spread by equall mixture both of white and red . so as no white it seem'd , but idas snow , no red , but such where roses vse to grow . and though of hero many one doe write , styling her soueraigne goddesse of delight , so faire as she was taken for no other , of all that saw her , then adonis mother . so pure her skin , so motiue to the eie ▪ as it did seeme compos'd of iuorie . so high and broad her front , so smoth , so eue● , as it did seeme the frontispice of heanen . so purely mixt her cheekes , as it might seeme , she was by nature made for natures queene . so pretty dinted was her dimpled chin , as 't seem'd a gate to let affection in . so sweete her breath , ( as i haue hard them tell ) that like to cassia she did euer smell . so louely were those mounts of pure delight , that gods themselues wer cheered with their sight ▪ so as great ioue ( for so our poets say ) fain'd himselfe sicke for her vpon a day . wise aesculapius he was sent forthwith , vvho fel● ioues pulse , yet found no signe of death , or any great distemper : ( yet to please ioue for he perceiu'd his malady was loue ) said ; sir , i 'aue found your grief : what i' st ( quoth he ? ) a meere consumption , yet be rul'd by me , and follow my directions ( though with paine ) and then no doubt you shall be well againe . fiue mornes must you to ' abidoes towne repaire , and suck pure milke from th' fair'st virgin there . ioue hearing what he wisht , obey'd bis hest ; and war soone well by sucking heroes brest . yet what was hero , though the fair'st that was in all her time vnto admetus lasse ? though heroes beuty did allure all men , the time is chang'd , now 's now , and then was then . each milk-maide in fore time was thought a queen . so rare was perfect bewty to be seene . but now , where is no venus to be had ? such store i wot there be , thet euery lad can haue his tricksie lasse , which wantonlie , scarce crept from shell , he dandles on his knee . but to my storie of such royall parts vvas she composed , that the very hearts of her attendants , as it did apeare , vvere spous'd to this pure virgin euery vvhere ▪ v●ith what resolued silence would her wit , op●ose ●er tongue , and seeme to bridle it ? vvith what discretion would she speak● her minde , and nere transgesse those limits she assign'd . but with that decencie of grace and speech , as she might seeme the elder sort to teach . " vvhat a blest sexe were woman if this song vvere onely lea●nt them , for to hold their tongue , and speake no more ( o t' were a lesson good ) then that were fit , and what they vnderstood ? but when will that be taught them ! o ( i feare ) neuer ; for womens tongues be euery where . so as at first if they had no tongue , i● may be thought they would not haue been dumb . such is th'ternall motion that its sayd , when women speechlesse lie they 're neerly dead . t●is virgin which admetus sought to haue , beside her vertues , then which who could craue , a better portion had an ample dowre , vvhich did enrich those gifts that were before expressed and dilated , and to tell the very trueth , she lou'd admetus well . and could haue brook't all others t' haue denide , so that she might haue been admetus bride . but he a shamefast lad , though oft he sought her loue , yet durst not vtter what he thought . nor to her parents could impart his minde , how he affected was , and how inc●inde . yet still was he respected , and in grace , nor any sought to put him out of place . nor to withdraw th' affection of the maid , from that foundation where it once was laid for three months space , hung it in this suspence , neither conceald nor sh●wne : till 's excellence , for so was th' title of a noble squire , whose liuing bordered in th'adioyning shire , by an intendment ( as he thought vpon 't ) pu● poore admetus nose quite out of ioynt , and thus it was : for i meane to repeat by what deceit , what cunning slight and cheat , he bobd this simple swaineling ; on a day , when young admetus had addrest his way to tr●inouant , where be occasion had , " his excellence in th' absence of the ladde , acquaints another with bellinaes loue , ( for so her name was : ) he more prompt to moue affection , then admetus ere could be , vvins me bellina's fort couragiously , by new assaults , incursions , and displaid his youngling colours : when the breach was made . o how methinks i see th'young souldier sweat , till he hath done , and perfected his fear . how he assailes , assaults , ascends , inclines , inuades , inuirons , ruines , vndermines , vvhil'st she like to a fort opprest doth lye , depriu'd all meanes of helpe , yet will not crye . he like a stout victorious hanniball , bidding her yeeld , or he will raze the wall . she though made subiect to his conquering hand , like carthage queene still at defiance stands . he ( with the spirit of a mirmido● , ) makes her the carpet which he lies vpon . she ( deianira-like ) will chuse death first , ere she craue mercy , bids him doe his worst ▪ he enters th'breach , and doth his fignall rere , and leaues some token that he has beene there : she glories in her conquest , and throwne downe , saies , i am low , yet am not ouercome . he doth renew his battery , and stands too 't , and she vyrago-like , yeelds not a foote . he takes more firmer grounding , yet is she still as she was , lower she cannot be . he plants his engines deeper , labours more , yet she protests , its worse then t was before . he enters parlye , and speakes ore the wall , but she ( as sencelesse ) answers not at all . he sounds retreat , and to his campe doth creepe , which makes her wake out of her pleasant sleepe ▪ then in a sweete entwining doe they clippe , and cull and kisse , and from the rosie lippe of hymens chast embraces doe they tast , the sweets aboue , when lower ioyes be past ▪ heere is the spell of sweet-charmd morphus dissolu'd to nothing , by charmes amorous . for though men ( after labour ) rest doe seeke , loues eyes be open still , and cannot sleepe . iudge what admetus thought when he did heare ▪ of this report , soone whispered in his eare , how he did looke ? how strange perplext he was , thus to bee cheated of his louely la●se ? pipe could he not , his cheeks were growne so thinne , his pipe-bagge torne , no wind it could keepe in , his cloue-ear'd curre lay hanging downe his head , and for foure dayes , would tast no kind of bread . his flockes did pine ( all went contrary way ) heere lay admetus , there his sheep-crooke lay , all wea-begane , thus liu'd the shepheard long , till on a day inspired with a song , ( for so it seem'd ) to others more then me , which thus he sung to maide inconstancy . foolish i , why should i grieue , to sustaine what others feele ? vvhat suppose , f●aile women leaue , those they lou'd , should i conceale comforts rest , from my brest . for a fickle , brittle woman , noe , noe , noe , let her goe , such as these be true to no man. long retired hast thou beene , sighing on these barren rocks , nor by sheepe nor shepheard seeene , now returne vnto thy flockes ▪ shame away , doe not stay , with these mouing-louing woman , they remoue from their loue : such as these doe oft vndoe men . tender-tinder of affection , if i harbour thee againe , i will doe it by direction , of some graue experienc't swaine . nere will i , loue by th' eye , but where iudgement first hath tride , if i liue , ere to loue , it is she , shall be my bride . when this retired swaine had end'd his song , he seem'd as one that had forgot his wrong , his teres were dried vp , his willow wreath , throwne quite away , and he began to breath , more cheerefull and more blith then ere he was , forgetting th' name and nature of his lasse , so as no swaine on all the plaine could be , for any may-game readier then he : now would he tune his pipe vnto his eare , and play so sweet , as ioved the flocks to heare , yea i haue heard , ( nor thinke i fame did lye ) so skilfull was this lad in m●nstrelsie , that when he plaid ( one st●oke ) which oft he would , no lasse that heard him could her water hold . and now because i doe remember 't well , i le tell a tale which i haue heard him tell , on winter-nights full oft vnto my sire , while i sat rosting of a crab by th' fire . a man there was wh'had liu'd a merry life , till in the end he tooke him to a wife , one ●hat no image was ( for she could speake ) and now and then her husbands costrell break . so fierce she was and furious ▪ as in some she was an arra●t deuill of her tongue . this droue the poore man to a discontent , and oft and many times did he repent that ere he chang'd his former quiet state , but las repentance , then did come too late . no cure he finds to heale this maladie , but makes a vertue of necessity . the common cure for care to euery man , a potte of nappy ale : where he began to fortifie his braine 'gainst all should come , 'mongst which the clamor of his wiues loud tongue . this habit graffed in him grew so strong , " that when hee was from ●le , an houre seem'd long , so well he lik'd th'profession : on a time , hauing staid long at pot , ( for rule nor line limits no drunkard ) euen from morne to night , he hasted home apace , by the moone-light : where as he went , what phantasies were bred , i doe not know , in his distempered head . but a strange ghost appear'd ( and forc'd him stay ) with which perplext , he thus began to say . good spirit , if thou be , i need no charme , for well i know , thou wilt not doe me harme , and if the deuill ; sure , me thou shouldst not hurt . i wed'd thy sister , and am plagued for 't . the spirit well-approuing what he said , dissolu'd to ayre , and quickly vanished . for guido saith , some spirits walke on earth , that cheered are , and much delight with mirth , such doe admire conceits and pregnant bray●es ; others there are , which melancholy chaines , and keepes in low subiection , these are they affect the balefull night , frequent that way that is obscure , silent and intricate , darke charnell-houses , where they keep their chat ▪ of tortures , tragicke ends and funeralls , which they solemnize for their festiualls . thus would admetus passe the winter-night , wherein he gaue such neighbours great delight , as came to heare him : and such store he had , of quaint conceits , as there was not a ladde , that of discourse had more variety , or could expresse his mind more gracefully . but lacke for sorrow , how hee 's fallen away , that was so trim a youth but tother day , a meere anatomy , but skin and bone , one that it pitties me to looke vpon . what should the cause be , sure i cannot say , but his pale face , some sicknesse doth bewray ? " for as our thoughts are legible in our eye , " so doth our face our bodies griefe descry . yet i perchance , by th' sonnet which hee made , may find the cause for which he is dismaide how ere it fall , it shall be sung by me , now when i want admetus company . admetus sonnet . neighbour swaines and swainelius heare me , " its admetus bids you heare , leaue your pastures , and come neere mee , " come away you need not feare , by my soule , as i affect you , i haue nought that can infect you . o then come , heare a tongue , that in discord keepes a part , with a woe-surcharged heart . nere was swaine on plaine more loued , or could doe more feats then i , yet one griefe hath now remoued , all my whilome iollity . all my laies be quite forgotten , sheepe-hooke broken , pipe-bagge rotten , o then come , heare a tongue . that with flattering speech doth call , to take long farewell of all . i am not as once i was , when eliza first did suite me , nor when that same red-hair'd lasse , faire bellina did inuite me , to a garden there to play , cull , kisse , clip , and toy all day , o then come , heare a tongue , that in wooing termes was flowing , but through wo has spoil'd his woing . all i can or will desire ye when my breath of life is spent , that in loue you would interre me , ( for it will my soule content , ) neare vnto my fathers hearse , and bestow some comely verse on my tombe , then my tongue shall throb out this last adeu , nere were truer swaines then you . a verse admetus ? i will be the swaine , though most vnfit , to vndertake that paine , which in faire letters shall engrauen be , ouer thy hearse t' expresse thy memory , and thus it is : heere is a shepheard layd , who lou'd , was lou'd , yet liu'd and died a maid . yet gainst his will : pray then good spirits tell , whether he must or no lead apes in hell. how fancie is a phrensie . an epigram . and thou * euenus whose renowm's disperst , about chose fertile coasts which border thee , whose well-tun'd current runs so pretily , that fame her selfe , nor shall it be reuerst , ha's thus enacted : that thy liquid brest should make my consort vp , for there appeares euen in thine eyes , continuing streames of teares . still may thy sliding-foord , and spacious course , wash those adioyning vales encircle thee , which by thy meanes yeeld crops so fruitfully , that thy pure sand may be of ganges force , golds pure elixir : for thou hast remorse , and pitties my hard hap to loue a swaine , that hates my loue , and makes my sute in vaine , oft by thy sliding channell haue i stood , bathing my selfe in teares , teares were the drinke , that quench't my thirst , & whē thou seem'd to sink , into some hollow cauerne , streight my blood , " ( that little bloud i had ) made thy course good . and sinke into the cesternes of mine eyes , filling thy streams with teares , thy banks with cries , streight fell i downe vpon thy floury shore , as if the shore had beene my mistris brest , where i a while conceau'd that sweetned rest , as it expell'd the care i felt before , seeming to make my comforts so much more , because so long delay'd ; but lasse the while , my thoughts chekt me , i chekt my thoghts of guile . for well i found , this was a goulden dreame , yet but a dreame , that seem'd to represent , vnto mine eyes , that sacred continent , which shadowes my content : but this has beene , euer most true , dreames are not as they seeme . and if they were , i 'me sure they mist in this , taking thy banke for where my mistres is . oft did i cull , and clip , and kisse , and doe , god wot , full madly , for reposing there , i call'd the grasse , the tresses of her haire : and bound it vp , yet well i knew not how , making a bracelet on 't , which i would show to euery sheepheard , so distract'd was i , and euery rurall syluane that past by . all this thou saw , and thou did pitty me , " for thy distreaming teares explan'd no lesse , surcharged brests must needs their greefes expresse , which once exprest ; suppressed seeme to be : " teares unto griefe , yeeld soueraignst remedy . for teares doe silence greefe , but where appeares extent of griefe , there griefs doe silence teares . and such were mine : sometimes i could not weep , but like one sence-lesse , laughed at my distresse , mixing a straine of mirth with heauinesse , or as one casten in a deadly sleepe , that neither sence nor faculty can keepe , euen such was i : but streight i chang'd my song , making my ioyes short , but my sorrowes long . her fancie was the phrensie that surprisd my idle brain with these distracted passions , ten thousand shapes i had , ten thousand fashions , despising , louing , loue where i despisd'e , prising her most , where i was lowest pris'de . thus my affections to distractions turn'd , made me mourne more then louer euer morn'd , and reason too : for some i had , my friends , ( at least they seem'd so ) which contemnd my griefe nor sought to yeeld my silly heart releefe , with one poore comfort , but as diuers ends , occasion strange effects ; so loue depends ( if i may call in constant friendship loue , ) on fortune heere below , not truth aboue . let mee vnrippe my sorrowes , that my brest may void such scarabees , that vse to sit vpon each vlcer : whose contagious witte , is worse then hellebore , for they infest the purest mansion , louing euer lest where they show most affection , for their straine , is not for loue but profit , and their gaine . record them ( sweet euenus ) for they hate , thy sacred streams : wash not their soyled sin with thy pure liquor : for the aethiops skin , will be blacke still : the doome of enuious fate , ( like mammons heires ) sits skouling ore their state : their summer-swallows flourish , they make one , but if thy state he blasted , they are gone . and thou ( blest hymen ) that confirmes the loue , of mortall soules , with thy diuinest rites , knows whom i mean by , for they quench thy lights by their abuse : but there 's a power aboue , will dash their gainefull tradings , and remoue , their bartring from the earth , to th'depth of hell . that teach in marriage how to buy and sell. yet deere euenus , i haue more to speake , for i would haue thee carry me commends , to such as be my true approoued friends , ( for some i haue will neither bow nor breake ) mid'st my afflictions : but by all meanes seeke to re-infuse life in mee pray the tell when by their house thou goest , that i am well , and if they aske thee how i brook this place where i 'me retired to : say , as louers vse , pent from their loues , they cannot will , nor chuse , but liue an hermits life , and in disgrace of beauty and her name , hath made his face like times annatomie ( poore sceleton ) an obiect fit for ruth to looke vpon . tell them the bookes i reade , be such as treate , of amadis de gaul , and pelmerin , furious orlando , and gerilion , where i obserue each fashion and each feate , of amorous humors , which in my conceipt , seeme to to rare , that they that were so strong , should be so mad , and i be tame so long , but presently i recollect my sense , and findes a reason : questionles i 'me mad but who cares for 't , or markes it ? if i had land ( like an elder brother ) eminence of some court-comet , would haue presidence , ouer my braine●pan : and would beg my wit , though neither he nor i could mannage it . so though i loose my wits i cannot loose my lands , they rest secure ; where ? can you tell ? vvhere ? yes , where not ? wil 't please thee buy , i 'le sel : vvhat ? wit ? i haue none ; counsell ? neither : house ? the arch of heauen 's my couer ; pray excuse my error , i am pore : i'haue naught to sell but teares and those i cannot part with well . but ( pray thee ) spare thy speech to such as be , and euer were professed foes to loue , and bayne to marriage , for by them i proue the depth of discontent : they loue not me , nor doe i care for'● : once i hope to see , enuie without a sting , which still extends her hatefull power vnto depraued ends . yet if thou chance to slide by enuies place , ( which by this true discription thou shalt know ) her structures ruin'd are , and there doth grow , a groue of fatall elmes , wherein amaze , or labyrinth is fram'd : heere enuies race , had their beginning , for there 's yet to see , the very throne where enuy vs'd to bee . tell that ( proud minion ) that ambitious dame , whose meagre look and broad dissheaueld lock , whose dangling nose , shap't like an apricock , makes her desert-lesse proud , that i doe blame her vniust dealing , though i scorne to name , th'uniustnesse of it : yet this vowe i 'le make , i 'le nere trust long-nos'd female for her sake . * could she ( hard hearted she ) for priuate gaine , ( such lucring mammonists the heauens displease , ) sell both the loue and liking of her niece , and where loue shewd her most , there to restraine , affection within bounds ? sweet streames complaine , to iuno on 't , i know shee 'l pitty me and grant my suite — that she may barrain be . vve haue too manie of that odious brood , vve neede no more : it is a fruitlesse fruit , that shames the parents : — iuno heare my suit , for it will doe both heauen and earth much good , and be a caueat vnto woman-hood ; " rather in marriage not to deale at all , then to set marriage sacred rites at sale . farewell ( euenus ) i haue writ my minde , vvhich i would haue thy streamelings to conuey to enuies house , by that frequented way , which as a port or hauen is assign'd to euery passenger : sweet breathing winde breath on thy sailes , that when thou doest complain , remembring me , thy teare-swolne eies may raine , and fructefie the earth : that time may showe , this did euenus for her poet doe . certaine select epigrams , made good by obseruance , experience , and instance : with an introduction to time , including sundry conceipted passages , no lesse pleasant then present . it 's a mad world my masters . o age what art thou made of ? sure thou art , compos'd of other mettall then thou wert , once was thy glory by thy vertues showen , but now alas thy vertues are vnknowen . for who should show worth but great men ? yet each day shews by experience , none more ill then they , vvhere honour on a foote-cloth's wont to passe , like appians land lord on his trapped asse . 'lasse i haue seen what i haue grieu'd to see , honour with vertue nere keepe companie . but if they doe ( as some obseruance make ) it 's not for conscience , but for fashion sake . o then how vaine is time , to showre down good , on such as are but great , only by blood ; not true demerits which makes me contemne , the idle passions of phantasticke men , vvhich think 't sufficient to be great in state , vvithout least vertue fit to imitate : this makes me hence conclude : vice puts on honour : " for vertue , there is none will looke vpon her . i in my time haue seene an vpstart lord , raised to sudden honour like a gourd , whom in as small time i may chance to see , as ionah's gourd , so withered he may be , and what 's the cause ? because it s not demerit or true descent , by which he doth inherit , such new stolne honors : for then might his name freely such estimation seeme to claime : but an insinuating humour drawen , " from that same sorce of vice , that lothsome spawne of all distempered passions , which can be mark't with no better name then flatterie● and is this way to purchase honour trewly ? can such a man be sayd to merit dewly ? vvhen hows'ere we admire him for his seate . " it was not worth , but basenesse made him great . o time , how strangely art thou varied , from what thou once appear'd ; how art thou led by euery fashion-monger that doth stand more on the egge fying of his band his peak't munchattoes , his venetian hose . his buskin-pace , how gorgon-like he goes , his crispled haire , his fixing of his eye , his ceruss-cheeke , and such effemnacie : " then on tru-man-like vertues : for its common , women are liker men , men liker women ; sith i no other difference can make , 'twixt man and woman saue the outward shape their mind 's all one : nor doth their shape appeare much different : since women th'breeches weare : which fashion now to th' countrey makes resort , in imitation of their weare at court ; where it is sayd to shun the meanes of sinnen , came that vse vp to weare their breekes of linnen ; and can we see this and not pittie it ▪ when men that haue more complement then wit , shine in the eye of popular respect , and others of more worth droope in neglect ? we cannot : yet must we admire them still , ( that worthlesse are ) though't be against our will , what remedy ? i le tell thee , though thou dare not , but congy when thou meets them : laugh & spare not so 't be in priuate , burst thy sides with laughter , and whilest th' art laughing , i le come lashing after : mean time ( with silence ) i would haue thee hear me , that haue compos'd these epigrams to cheere thee . take them how ere they be : if ●owre in taste , reforme thy errors which are former past : if sweet , let th'relish of my poems moue that loue in thee , to thanke me for my loue : to the precisian . for the precisian that dares hardly looke , ( because th' art pure forsooth ) on any booke saue homilies , and such as tend to th' good of thee , and of thy zealous brother-hood : know my time-noting lines ayme not at thee , for thou art too too curious for mee . i will not taxe that man that 's wont to slay " his cat for killing mise on th'sabboth day : no ; know my resolution it is thus , i 'de rather be thy foe then be thy pus : and more should i gaine by 't : for i see , the daily fruits of thy fraternity . yea , i perceiue why thou my booke should shun , " because there 's many faultes th' art guiltie on : therefore with-drawe by me thou art not call'd , yet do not winch ( good iade ) when thou art gall'd , i to the better sort my lines display , i pray thee then keep thou thy selfe away . the church-knight . a church-man was there on a time i reade , of great estate his father being dead , which got , his syrpe-cloth he discarded quite , resoluing fully now to be a knight : vp to the court he goes with speede he can , where he encountred a north-britaine man , with whom discoursing in his euening walke , he spoke of knights 'mongst other idle talke , how th' title it was worthie , and that he , could well endure entitled so to be ; for i do reade ( quoth he ) of such as these within the ecclesiasticke histories : what fame and honour they obtain'd by warre , which sir ( belieue me made me come thus farre , that i ( if meanes or mony could obtaine it ) might in respect to my prosession gaine it . the britta●ne his profession did require : a curate once , quoth he , of brecknocke-shire , helde , i may say to you , a learned man ; but since my fathers death turn'd gentleman . i ioy me in th' occasion th' brittan sayd , ( doubt not sir priest ) you shall a knight be made ; and you deserue 't : for though knights common are . " holy church-knights , such as you be , seeme rare , to long-lane goes the curate to prouide , an ancient suite , and other things beside ; as skarfe and roses all of different colour , which bought , at white-friers staires he takes a sculler . prepar'd with resolution all the sooner , to gaine this priuiledge and knightly honour ; vvhich hauing got by long petitioning suite , and pai'd vnto the brittain his first fruit , to 's neighbors streight he hies-where they much grieue him " for , swearing he 's a knight , they 'le not belieue him nor would they ( such incredulous men were these ) till he had showen discharge for all his fees . an epigramme alluding to the second satyre of ariosto , where he taxeth the clergies pride and ambition . the church-mens doctrine is humility , yet but obserue them , who more proude then they , vvhose damaske cassockes shew their vanitie . how should we then beleeue them what they say . " since what they taxe vs in , themselues bewray : it s too too true : so that oft-times the temple , ( though th' house of god , giues lay-men worst example . crucem & coniugem vno petimus fato , hanging and marrying goe by destinie . it is an axiome in philosophie , " hanging and marrying goe by destinie ; both reference haue vnto the doome of fate , both doe our birth and nature calculate : nor can we say these two be different far , sith both haue influence from one ominous star , which bodes our happinesse or our mischance according to the starres predominance ; this made arminus caerthage-ruler say " that with a wife he could not well away : for being askt why he with others share not , good fortune in good wiues ( quoth he ) i dare not , for if i chance to light on one that 's wise , " she will be wilfull , felfe-lov'd , or precise , " if wealthy , wanton , vowing to her friend , " i shall be cocold ere a fortnight end : " if poore then peeuish , of condition shrewde : " if bewtifull she will be monstrous proude ; " and if deformed , lothsome is she then , " and th'least of these would kill a thousand men . but now suppose , i could no longer tarrie , but that i might doe either worse or marrie , and that i sought a wife to fit my turne , ( for better t is to marrie then to burne ) though many ( they may thank their own good carriage ) are all afire the first day of their marriage : why then as my position was at first , this marriage-day is either best or worst i ere was maister of : for if my wife be loyall as she ought , then is my life made double blest in her , where i may say , " each day lookes cheerefull like a mariage-day , but if selfe-will'd vntamed , head-strong , froward , immodest ▪ indiscreete , peeuish , vntoward : why then through th'fury of her in-bred malice , in climing to her bed , i clime to th' gallowes . where euery word that doth proceed from her strangles me like an executioner ; her humour is my neck-verse , which to sort i cannot , if i should be hanged for 't , her tongue 's my torture , and her frisking taile , flies vp and downe like to a wind mills saile , her hands like fullers wheels , one vp , one downe , which still lie malling on my costrell crowne : vvhich ere i would endure to take her banging , i would goe round to worke and take a hanging : since therefore fate hath doomed this to thee , hanging or wiuing patient thou must be . an epigramme called the cambrian alchymist . the planet-stroken albumazar , shaues the muses like a razor ; fayry-like we therefore shun them , cause there is no haire vpon them , muses loose their ornament , cambria has their excrement . excrement ? it's true indeede , haire growes from th' excesse of seede , which by instance small doth varie from th'peere-lesse seminarie ; which to make her worth allow'd , shrowdes her proiect in a clowde . in a clowde ? its ra●her showne , like the man that 's in the moone , where our iles ardelio , descants of tom trinkillo ; form'd like one that 's all in mist , like a second alchymist . strange the proiect was i wish of this metamorphosis ; nought was ( if i vnderstood ) good , but that it was deem'd good by the great : ô worthy feate , to be worthlesse deemed great . vpon diuine roscius . two famous roscio's chanc't i to espie , acting a metamorphosis , while i sleepe vnder th'couert of a shady wood , vvhere great archyas for the vmpire stood , vvho did their seuerall actions thus define , " art-full the one , the other most diuiuine . vpon roscius hackney , in a dialogue betwixt expedition , & endimion . exped . why-ho , endimion ; how th'dormouse sleeps , awake for shame , open thy wink-a-peeps ! endim. what stur you make , i come with speed i can ( and too much speed ) for i haue tyr'd my man ; exped . who , dulman ? endim. yes . exped . i thought the iade would shame vs. and play vs one horse-tricke for ignoramus . vpon tarbon the countrey gentleman . tarbon they say is mellancholly growne , because his wife takes phisicke in the towne : vvhy , that 's no cause ; who would not hazard faire to leaue both land and name vnto his heire ? yea , but he doubts , ( so iealous is the man ) that th'physicke workes not but physitian . vvhich if he finde , he sweares he meanes to call . the child not tarbon but young vrinall . o monstrous , by this thou 'st truly showe , thy wife a punke , thou needs not call her so : vvhich with thy fowre eyes talbon if thou finde , i le neuer trust face , conscience , nor kinde . an epigram called the court-attourney . who 's you , young stephano ? why sure you iest . you gallants ride with . coach-horse at least ; besides there is euen in his very eye , a kinde of court-like formall maiestie : it s true ; yet it is he : for you must know , young stephano is turn'd a courtier now vvhich makes him complete , and whers'ere he goe , he has his ducke , or it s not worth a strawe : but i do doubt , nor be my doubts in vaine , the courtier must atturney turne againe . and then he must be stript of euery ragge , and fall againe vnto his buckram-bagge : if this befall , i shall be sorry for 't , sith iohn astyles gets but small grace at court. an epigramme called the winde-fall . sir sensuall ( a wanton priest ) there was who made appointment with a countrie lasse , that'gainst the time from market she ' st returne , he would keepe tutch and doe her a good turne . the place where these two louely mates should meet was a vast forrest vnfrequent'd with feete of any passenger , saue such as were keepers of th' wood , 'mongst which a forrester , vpon occasion chaunc't to come that way , and heard eue-dropper-like what they did say , their place of meeting , with the maides consent which he resolv'd as quickly to preuent . and being vnder shade securely sconst , which place he had elected for the nonst , he staies to see th'returne of this same lasse , ( which as she wish't ) did quickly come to passe ▪ for maids that know not what t is to consent to a lost maiden-head , nor what is meant by giuing of a greene gowne , sooner will assent to ill , because they know no ill , then such as haue of actiue pleasures store , for well were they experienst in 't before . yea such will neuer deale vnlesse they smell , some hope of gaine , or like the trader well . at last the maide hauing her market made , ( perhaps far sooner then her parents bade ) with clothes tuckt vp returnes with speedy pace , downe by the forrest to't● appointed place . where'th priest sir sensuall lay all this while , that he the maid might of her gem beguile . if you had seene what meeting there was then , betwixt these two , you would haue you 'd no men of any ranke or order were so good . as church-professors vnto woman-hood . so humble was the prelate , as to please . the shamefast maid , he oft fell on his knees . vvhile mumbling pater nosters on her lips , down fell his breeches from his naked hips . and all this while poore soule she stood stock still , not thinking ( on my conscience ) good or ill . at last the iolly priest ( when all was showne , that he could show ) wil'd th'maid to lay her down ▪ vpon a shadie banke , which with all sorts , of flowres was checkerd fit for venus sports . she ( though she were resolu'd no ill could be by lying downe , yet in her modesty ) vvould not vnto his motion so assent , yet let him blow her downe she was content . the short-breath'd priest ( for he was wondrous fat ) and stuff'd withall , makes me no bones of that , but aeolus-like puf's vp his cheeks well growne , and he no sooner blows then she was downe . the forrester who all this time had stood , vnder a shadie couert of the wood , steps in , when'th priest his shriuing should begin , saying all wind-falls they are due to him . manie such priests auncient records doe show , and present times may show as many now . another epigram called , a cuckold with a witnesse . a vvilie wench there was ( as i haue read ) vvho vs'd to capricorne her husbands head , vvhich he suspecting , lay in priuate wait , to catch the knaue , and keep his wife more strait . but all in vaine : they day by day did mate it , yet could his foure eies neuer take them at it . this subtile wench perceiuing how they should at last preuented be , doe all they could : for now italian-like her hus●and grew , horne-mad i wish , and kept her in a mew . inuent'd a trick , which to accomplish better , vnto her friend she closely sent a letter , and thus it was ; friend you shall know by me , my husband keepes me far more narrowlie , then he was wont , so as to tell you true , you cannot come to me : nor i to you . yet spite of his eies and as many more , vve le vse those pleasures which we vsd before : onely be wise , and second what i wish : vvhich to expresse ( my friend ) know this it is . my husband as he hates the horne to weare , of all the badges forth , so feares h●'th beare , mo●e then all other beasts which doe frequent the heathy forrests spacious continent . if thou wilt right me then , and pepper him , couer thy seruant in a false beares skin . and come to morrow , as thou vs'd before . tying thy seruant to my chamber dore . after this quaint direction he attirde his man in beare-skin as she had desir'de entring the chamber he receiued is vvith many a smile , back●fall ▪ and sweetned kisse ▪ for they 'r secure , of all that was before , hauing a beare that kept the buffe from dore . the wittall foole no sooner i●ckling had , then vp the staiers he ran as he were mad . but seeing none but th' beare to entertaine him , of hornes he neuer after did complaine him . in romanum mnestorem . it chanc't two romane conuerts on a day , for pater noster at the cards to play ; she mop'd , he pop'd ; his popping could not get her , " for she thought popping elsewher had been fitter . thus he went home no wiser then he came , sith popping was the puppies chiefest game . in poetam hippodramum . or post-riding poet. it tooke a poet once i' th head to poast , for what i know not , but i 'me sure it cost his purse far more ( as i haue heard soms say ) then ere his muse was able to repay . in numularium antiphylon . cash-coind ? its true ; but he intends to be the stamper of that coine is due to me . pray thee ( my friend ) forbeare to set it on , ( my stampe i meane ) till i haue throughly done : and i protest to thee , when i haue ended , i 'le yeeld to thee , if she say thou canst mend it . in romanum sacerdotem . a romane priest came to absolue a virgin by the way , as he in his procession went : where hee resolu'd to stay a night . for what ? not to absolue the tender virgin● sinne , but as a ghostly fathers wont , to let more errors in : the doore was shut , the candle out , for i would haue you mark , a carnall father best absolues a virgin in the darke : which absolution so increasd , in zeale and purity , as within sixe and forty we●kes it grew a tympany , a girle forsooth , baptized ioan , nor is it any shame , for th' wench in time may proue pope ioan the second of that name . in phylaetum . phylaetus writing loue-lines on a day , a ratte came in and stole his lines away . phyletus slept on still , and minded ●ot while th'hungry ratte eat vp the lines he wrote ; if i were to be iudge , as much may be , the rat should be in loue , phyletus free , that seeing th'saucy rat to loue enthrall'd , loue-bayne heereafter might be rats-baine call'd . an epigram called the couriter . now heauen preserue mine eyesight what is here ? a man made vp in wainscot ? now i sweare , i tooke him for some colosse ; sure i erre , this is not he : yes : this 's the courtier , brau● pun-tevallo , for those armes he beares , ( an asse head rampant ) and that chaine he weares , by blest saint martin , doe descry it 's he , well , i le obserue his carriage narrowly . vvhat makes him go so stiffe , has he the gout ? no , but a fire in 's hams that went not out these seuen yeares to my knowledge : then it has begun ( it seems bout time ) when th'glasse-work wa● it s true , it did so , i haue heard some say , he has a pleasant wit , he has one way a pretty thriuing wit , can make a legge , and harken out what office he may begge . can looke as big and burly on such men , ( poore gnats ) that come for to petition him , as giants in a pagent , can protest , for meere formality , laugh at a iest , ( without conceiuing on t ) has witte enough , to put good close on , beare his face in 's ruffe . like a braue sprightly spaniard , will not let , with some new minted oaths to pay his debt , and can dispense with them , nor does he more , in this , then what his elders did before . vvith truth ( in complement ) he seldome meetes , for naked truth with eue lies without sheetes , and he endures not that , nor can incline , to such a motion , but in progresse time . he cannot blush ( no more can women now ) till that their pretie painter tell them how . he ha's a kind of vaine in sonnetting , purchast by brocage or by pilse●ing , vvith which he wooes his mistresse , he will set , his face to any fashion , and will bett , vvagers on ladies honours : hauing forgotten vvha● he should speake , hee 's fingering his button , or some such trifling action , till he store himselfe with wit , which he had lost before : nor did that morall erre , who wisely would , compare a courtiers witte to th'marigold . it opens with the sunne , but beeing set the mari-gold shuts vp , so doth his witte . the marigold's most cheer'd by mid-day sunne , so 's he , whence ●'st , he lies in bed till noone . occasion is his cupid , lust his lure , pleasure his pander , dalliance his whoore , he h'as but one receipt of making loue , and being put out , he cannot speake , nor moue , but like a liue-les●e image , seemes to be , till by good hap his speech recouered be . he smells of complement , in presence faire , and vses oft to weare bracelets of haire , swearing they came from such , but t is not so , for t' was some tyre-woman he tooke them fro . the ornaments which he admires are these , to faune , to obserue times , to court , to please , to make strange faces , sleeke his prefum'd skin , starch his mouchatoes , and forget his sinne . to dance , to dice , to congie , to salute , to stamp , to stalke , to finger well a lute . to tremble at a cannon when it shootes , to like , dislike , and fill his head with doubts . to be in passion , wind his carelesse armes , to plie his mistresse with delightfull charmes . to be for all , yet ignorant in all , to be disguisd , and strange fantasticall : briefly to be , what all his kind haue beene , seeme what they be not , be what least they seeme . such is my puntauallo , and in time no question but hee 'l prooue true pantomime , to imitate all formes , shapes , habits , ty●es suting the court , and sorting his desires , and then what th' satyre said , shall well appeare : the deuill is the perfects courtier . hauing my complete courtier thus defin'd , i haue no more that i can call to minde , " saue what is common , and is knowne to all , " that courtiers as the tide doe rise and fall , so i will end with what i haue writ before , " till the'next tide come , and then i wil write more . vpon his much honoured friend master william ascam , and his selected temple . vvhose anagram is produced by the poet. william ascam . — sum via luci — alma . hoc anagramma tenes gulielmi ) — sum via luci alma , per aethereos qua iuuatire locos . quae via ? virtutis via lactea , quae tibi nota est : nec minor exemplis gloria parta tuis . epigram . in templo , venerem spectet qui amat venerem . aske him what temple most delighteth him , and hee 'l replye , that temple thou art in . nec venus est quae nomen habet veneris , sed amica casta deae arcadiae , deli● nomen habet , &c. aske him what praiers should in that temple be , and he 'le replie , what prayers best liketh thee ▪ aske him what temple yeelds him most content , and he 'le reply thy temple , ther 's his saynt . aske him what temple 's purer then aboue . he'l● say thy temple : there 's the queene of loue ; then let me aske your iudgement is 't not fit , that temple honour him , that honours it ? posies vpon bracelets . as loue giues life to euery part , so this giues life vnto my hart : this cha●tly lies , and liues with me , o that i might doe so with thee ? another . how might i triumph in my blisse ; if loue were where my bracelet is . for then should loue do no such harm to wring my heart , but wreath my arme . an eglogue betweene billie and iockie called the mushrome . iockie . whou billie whou , what faire has thou bin at ? thouse be so trim , i mickle torken at : for wele i wate , last time i met with thee , thou hardly had a lapp to swedle thee . pray thee ( good bille , ) tell me swith and soone , iockie may doe what billy late has done . billie . what iockie ( lither lurden ) lesse for wea , thou 'st be so tattert , but there 's many sea , that ill can wappe it : but be vis'd by mee , and thou or lang sall glish in brauery . swatt on thy tayle man , heere 's a blythy place , and i le ensure thee how i gat this grace . * iockie . mickle may bille thriue , as hee s begun , my lugges are lithing , bille now iogge on billy . then heare me iocky . bout mid-belten t was or ●se bethought awrang , when i mut passe , ore th'breamy bourne , and ( wele i traw ) i had , smaw gere ( at tat tide ) but a lether-bagge , a motley iacket , an a s●op of blew , it was my fadders , i mun tell thee true . a lang youd i , ( and langer then thoule say ) and we le , i knew not whether , ne what way , fute-sare i was , for bille shoon had neane , but an aud pare with him , and they were gane . nor hose-legs ( wele i wate ) but skoggers aud , that hardly hap't poore billes legs fra c●ud . hate was my weasi● , empty was my maw , and nane i met with , i could ken or knaw , so vncath was the gete ( as but for shame ) i had com'd backe toth place fra whein i came , for siler had i skant , nor lesse nor mare , then three bawbees , i le tell thee all my stare . but lith me iocky ( after many a mile ) at last i hapt to light vpon an i le , bu come and full a gere , and full a store , for bille neuer met with like before , sae greathy was the place where i was driuen that i me sicker thought i was in heauen . but wele i se sure they that this iland kept , were by our whilome fathers angels clept . and wele they might be so , for wele i wate , they were fi●e men , and men of mickle state . had lusty husses ( that were tricke and trim , ) cud wele don on their geere , with euery pin . heere stood i musing lang full heauily , till iockie wha dost thinke speard vp to me . iockie . wha bille mot that be ? bille . ane wha thou kens . cand ane , we raught on meanely , but now sene , he has the pricke and preze i le say to thee . iockie . was it not lobbie ? bille . iocky it was he . but now the mickle lurden is so great , theyr blest by god , that may with lobbie speake . by gods bread iockie , he so gaish was , i thought no boot to speake , but let him passe , and had done so , but lobby was so kinde . to come to me , and leaue his men behind . great chat we had , and many that were nye , musd he would chat with sike an ene as i. but blith was lobbie , and so meeke he was , that he vnhorst sate by me on the grasse , lang did we tauke of this thing and of that , a iugge , a peggy , and a nut-brown kate , a crowd the piper , and the fiddler twang , and many sike things , as wee layen alang . ablangst the leaue , this councell gaue he mee , that made me wele to leue , so may it thee . billie ( quoth lobby ) if thoule prosper heere , thou mun be bald , and learne to bandon feare , thou mun not blush , nor colour change for ought , though th'plea thou hast in hand be nere so nought . thou mun not take petition ( lithen me ) nor entertaine him , till thou take thy fee , and ( wele i warne thee ) better way thou thriue , if thy hand open be to aw that giue . get mee some prollers , they are best of all , to make thee weet , when some good office falls , or a barre-hoisted lawyer that can see , with his foure eyne where and concealments be , but of aw things i mun fore-warne thee hence , to haue small dealing with a conscience . that will vndoe thee ( billy ) looke to ane , poore men haue conscience , but rich men haue nane . 'mongst other things listen to what i say , for i in briefe will speake now what i may . in t●ucria here ( this citie where there be ) many a man will haue an eye of thee , gaine me acquaintance : it 's the spring of life , and know thou maist a tradesman by his wife . be sicker on her billye , she it is can ope her husbands casket with a kisse . diue me into a mercers booke , and say , thou l't pay on sike a time , but doe not pay . chauke me on vintners , and for aw thy skore , let great words pay for aw , still run on more . be stately billy ( and i doe thee rede ) thou mun now throw away thy countrey weed . for skoggers , hozen of the naples twine , for thy blew slop , sike a made breeke as mine : for thy and motley iacket , thou mun weare , a cloath a siluer , sike as i haue heere . then mun thou looke big ( what way ere thou passe ) as if that billy were not th' man he was . then learne me billy some and pedegree , noe matter though 't belong not vnto thee , and say thy grand-sire was a duke at least , and first inuentor of saint gallowayes feast . maintaine me leeing in a liuery , for that 's the first meanes that mun honour thee : let her be page-like , at thy elbow still , for when thou canst not doe it , leeing will , let suters dance attendance , lithen me , and quicke dispatch , be it thine enemye . take fees for expedition , for of aw , sutes hastly ended wreake our ouerthrow . get me an heralt ( wele i wat ) o th best , that may for bille find some pretty crest , a ●at , a ●ismire , or a butterflie , a cornish chucke , a parrat , or a pie , a nimble squirrell or a picke-a tree , a wesell , vrchin , or a bumble bee. or if of plants , my bille will haeue ane , he may full swithly mange these chuse him ane . the brier , the haw-thorne : or the priuet bush , the osire , cypresse , or where th'merry thrush , sings out her fa , la , la , but nane there be , " that like the mushrome bille fitteth thee , her grouth is sudden , bille so is thine , then take the mushrome , it s a crest of mine . mare need i not say , keepe but wele my reede , and siker i se , thou cannot chuse but speede . with that he twin'd frame , and left me there , where i with mickle carke , and mickle care , bustling now vp now downe , at last me yode , to ply my lesson wele i vnderstood , and in a pretty while i learnd to bee , that cunning clerke that he awarded me . deftly could i tricke vp me sell , and trim , me featly fine , in euery legge and limme , we le cud i marke my name in marchants books , fo we le i wate , wha ere he be , that lookes , i 'se there in black and white , and wele i may , for he is said to aw that menes to pay . not a petion would i listen ore , till billie had sam chinke in 's fist before . not a rich mickle lossell could there be , that had a plea but had his path by me . and sine i sau as lobbie teld beliue , that he that had a conscience could not thriue . i draue the haggard frame , sine whilke time , iockie thou sees how billie gins to shine . iockie , and lang may billie shine , but sayne to me fare aw our coustrils hause as weke as thee , billie . iockie they doe , nor neede thou t'arken out , for we will feede , wha euer famish for 't : o it s a place so full of louisance , play but thy round the ilanders will daunce . ladies & lordings , swaine lines with their swaines , will trimly trip it ore the leuie plaines . and wele i wat that iockie ance could play , for i haue heard him , — iockie and so billie may . billie . then tune thy chanter vp and goe with me , come blithly on , — iockie . iockie does follow thee . a panegirick embleame , intituled , saint george for england . the argument of the embleame . from whence the english anciently deriued this saints canonization , his orders , inauguration — of sigismund , emperour of almaine : and his present to henry the fift . the institution of this order where , the solemnizing where : the seuerall games , exercises , races , and martiall trials auspiciously begunne with that saint . — and the like of honour and aduauncement . — a comparison had betweene perseus sonne to iupiter and danae ; who preserued andromoda from the sea monster , and saint george , who slew the dragon . the discription of perseus , and of saint george : concluding with a victorious paean to saint george . the embleame haile to thy shrine thou saint of albion , who had thy auncient consecration from thy religious mannagements , as farre disperst , as turke or christian planted are , thou art the saint which we in war doe vse , hoping by thee to be auspicious . yet void of superstition we impart , sole laud to him , whose noble saint thou art . nor loose we th' name of th' almaine sigismund , by whom thy precious reliques first were found . and heere presented as a royall gift to englands mirrour , henry the fift . since when thy order is solemnized , at windsor , where a part of thee is sed to be inter'd : thrice happy monument , to couer part of one so eminent . so saintly vertuous as no honour can , " giue thee thy due , as onely due to man. o may thy institution honour'd be , by true deserts , and due solemnity . nor whom thy order doth inaugurate , may they by vice stand subiect vnto hate . but so euen weighd in all their actions here , " as georges knights may after saints appeare : which they shall be , by showing feruent zeale vnto the church , loue to the common-weale . in all our games and pastimes seuerall , eu●r on george as on our saint we call : for by that name the auncients vnderstood , their fortune could not chuse but to be good , as turnaments , iusts , ba●riers , and the rest , in which his name was euermore exprest . in races too these present times affoord instances store , saint george he giues the word . so as it was ( as common stories tell ) to say saint george , as say god speede you well . in martiall trials when our armies met , his name would spirit in our men beget , " heightning their courage , perills passing through , " standing desolu'd before a cannons mouth . " out-bearing danger , and with violent breath " stand at defiance gainst the threats of death . marching through horrour they would boldly passe , ( as for pale feare , they knew not what it was ) which may be instanc'd in that holy war , where those that lost their liues canoniz'd are in leaues of perpetuity : i meane , in the regayning of ierusalem , where those renouned champions enterprist , for the due honour of their sauiour christ. either to win that cittie ( maugre th'vaunts of all those hellish god lesse mis●reants , ) or if they could not th' cittie so surprize , resolv'd they were their liues to sacrifice ; euen then i say when those that marshall'd them , could not with-hold from flight their recreant men ; " saint george appear'd in a submissiue show , " wishing them not to wrong their countrie so : and though a ghost ( and therefore lesse belieu'd ; yet was his mouing presence so receiv'd as none to fight it out ●esolued more , then such as readiest were to flie before . vp went their s●aling-ladders to displant th' abhorred of-spring of the miscreant , and euer as some danger they espide , god and s t george for england still they cride . and how successiue that renowned warre was to those christians , which enrolled are in an eternall register , may well appeare " by godfrey bulloyne who was stiled there " king of ierusalem , yet as it s showne , " by auntient stories , would receiue no crowne , " thinking't vnfit that it should be rehearst , " tha● where his masters head with thornes was pierst , he that his seruant was should be so bold , as haue his head girt with a crowne of gold . what fame in forraine coasts this hero got , the lake m silene shewes , if we should not ; where in the reskew of a louely mayde , a fearefull dragon he discomfited , so as we haue portraide to euery viewe , on signes of innes-how george the dragon slew ; which story to expresse were too too long , being a subiect for each fidlers song : " yet cause there is ( i cannot will nor chuse ) comparison 'twixt him and perseus , vvho sonne to ioue and show restain'd dana● ▪ in reskew of the faire andromade , encountred that sea●monster ; i le explane each attribute of their peculiar fame : " and then conferring them one with the other , " collect whose best their actions laide together . and first for perseus ; great i must confesse , he was in name , his birth inferres no lesse being ioues sonne , yet can he no way shun the name of bastard , though he were his sonne : deflowr'd his mother was — and in a showre of gold , to shew how gold has soueraigne power , t' vnlocke the fort of fancy , and how soone " women are wonne , when golden bayts are showne . long ioue had woo'd and yet he could not win what he desir'd , till gold receiv'd him in , which seemes by easie consequence to proue , " gifts be the giues that bindes the hands of loue . thus sprung the noble perseus , who in time " to propagate the honour of that line from whence he came , and that it might be sed , that he from ioue was rightly fathered tooke on him strange aduentures ; as to right " iniur'd ladies by a single fight , " encounter giants , rescew men distrest , in each where of his glory was exprest : " for valiant & more worthy they doe shew them , " that wrongs redresse , then such as vse to doe them , but th' first and best attempt he did on earth , " was , to wipe off th'blemish of his birth , and th'staine of his corrupted mothers honour , which blushes blaz'd who euer look't vpon her . " on then along imagin'd it may be vvent he to th'reskew of andromade ; who now was markt for death , and brought to th' shore where many maids had bin deuour'd before , by a sea-monster : here the virgin stood , to free her countrey with her guiltlesse blood , whom perseus ( as he coasted by that way ) no sooner vew'd then he began to say . faire virgin ( then he wept ) impart to vs what rude vnhallowed hand hath vs'd thee thus and by the honour of my heauenly sire what ere he be he shall receiue his hire , giant or monster in the earth or sea , reueng'd he shall-sweete virgin tell it me . kind sir ( quoth she ) and then she staide her breath as one addrest to meditate of death , treate not with me of life , nor aske who 't is giant or monster that 's the cause of this , onely know this ( thou gentle knight ) that i " am doom'd to death , and i' me resolu'd to die . to die ( faire maide quoth he ) ? if 't be thy fate , i le sympathize with thee in equall state and die with thee : onely giue griefe a tongue , to tell me who 's the author of thy wrong : know then ( sayd he ) i am that haplesse she , the wretched , pittied , poore andromade , who here am left of friends , bereft of all to be a prey vnto a rauenous whale : many haue suffered ere it came to me , no● is my lot and welcome it shall be , to expiate with my vnstained blood the monsters wrath and doe my countrey good ; as she spake this vp from the ocean came that deuouring vaste leuiathan , sweeping along the shore , which being spide ; good sir retire the noble damsell cride , yonder he comes for loue of honour flie , it 's i am doom'd , then let me onely die . but perseus ( one better tempered , then to behold a virgine slaughtered , without assayd reuenge ) did streight begin with man-like valour to encounter him , doubtfull the skirmish was on either side , ( while th'maide a sad spectator did abide ) wooing with teares which from her cheeks did flow that ioue would giue this monster th' ouerthrow ; at last her prayers and teares preuail'd so well , as vnder perseus feete the monster fell ; whence came it ( as the story doth proceede ) the virgin and her countrey bo●h were freede : vvhich to requite ( in guerdon of her life ) she gaue her selfe to perseus as wife , " whom he receiu'd-ô he did ill in this , " sith by the auncient it recorded is , before that perseus to her reskew came , she was espoused to another man " by name vax●dor , ( ô it was a sinne to marrie her that was not dew to him : ) and better had 't been to sustaine her fate , " then by such breach of faith to violate her former spousals-which vniust offence " god 's may winke at but neuer will dispence : yea to a barraine rocke though she were tyde , yet better 't was then to be made a bride " to an vsurped bed , for that did laie , " that staine on her , time cannot wipe away . thus haue you heard what noble perseus was vvith greatest dangers that his worth did passe , the imminence whereof merits due praise , " and such a poet as deserues the baies : laurell and myrtle-though his nuptiall knot " lost him more fame then ere his valour got : " for so deprau'd's the nature of our will , " what 's good we laine , what 's ill we harpe on still . now to thy english saint , my muse repaire , and lim him so , that when thou shalt compare these two : he perseus may out-strip as farre , as sunne the moone , or th'moone a twinkling star . george now enstil'd the saint of albion , by linage was a capadocian ; whose n valour was exprest in all his time , that vertue might in euery action shine , vvhich to induce beliefe by mouing sence , i will produce his best description thence , both for th'resemblance which hath euer bin , twixt the renowned perseus and him : as also to make good , that not one staine " eclipst that glory which his acts did gaine all which by instance seconded shall be " perseus was great yet george more great then he . tutching that dragon on sylenes shore , i haue in part rela●ed it before : yet but as shadowes doe resemblance make , vnto the substance and materiall shape , digressiuely i onely seem'd to glance , at th' act it selfe , not at the circumstance : know then this noble champion hearing one , along his trauaile making piteous mone , in meere remorce drew neerer to the noice , " till he perceiu'd it was a ladies voice , vvho in a virgin-milky white araide , show'd by her habit that she was a maide ; carelesse her haire hung dowre , and in her looke , her woes were writ as in a table booke : warm-trickling teres came streaming from her eies ▪ sighs from her heart , and from her accent cries . tyed was she fast vnto a pitched stake , bounding on sylen's dragon-haunted lake , all which exprest without a character the wofull state which did enuiron her : saint george observ'd her teares , and from his eyes her teares by his finde their renew'd supplies , both vie as for a wager which to winne , " the more she wept , the more she forced him : at last with modest hauiour in reliefe , of her distresse , he thus a●●aide her griefe . " sorrowfull lady if griefes lesne dare , vvhen those that pittie griefes receige their share , impart your sorrowes to me , and in lew , " if right i cannot , i will pittie you . alasse ( sweet youth quoth she ) pit●le's too late , vvhen my d●sease is growen so desperate , yet doe i thanke thee for thy loue to me , that neuer yet deseru'd so much of thee : " pray thee begone , such friendship i le not trie , to see thy death one is ●nowe to die , and i am shee , - crosse not the will of fate , " better 's to loose one then a double state : be gone i say do not the time fore-slowe , " perish i must of force , so needs not thou . imminent horror would admit no more ; for now the dragon from sylenes shore came spitting lothsome venome all about , vvhich blasted trees and dried vp their roote , st george the dragon had no sooner vew'd , then fresh supplies of spirit was renew'd in his vnmatched brest : him he assailes , and though ore-matcht his spirit neuer failes till he subdew'd him : and as some auerre , he tyed him fast and made him follow her vnto her fathers pallace , where we reade in publike triumph he cut off his head . here may we see that act of perseus equal●'d by george and made more glorious in that he aym'd no further nor was fe'd " to put his feete into anothers bed , " his conquest it was temporate and iust , not stayn'd with blemish of defaming lust for no attempt vs'd he to vndertake , but for true honour and for vertues sake . a victorious paean to our albions st , alluding to all noble spirits , natiue assumers of his honor & order . iö pean then must wee giue st george the victorie : whose desert grac't each part ; where so ere he vs'd to be , none more grac't , or lou'd then he . perseus though his renowne , did to all the world come ; yet one staine , dimm'd his same : but the worlds spatious roome , shrines st george in honours tombe . a satyre called the coniborrowe . now in the name of fate what saint is she , that keepes a shop of publicke brothelrie ? harbours the sha●king lawyer for his pence , and martir-like consumes his euidence ? nusles my damned atheist , makes him curse nature and fortune , that his thin-lin'd purse should be depriv'd of crowns : do you ask what st ? this saint was sent from th'siery regiment . a sodome-apple , a lasciuious staine to vertues habite , or a whore in graine , a sucke-blood , hyene , feigning crocodile vvorse then the monster bred on th'banks of nyle , a purple strumpet , gangrene to the state , earths-curse , hels-blisse , soules-soile , & angels hate . smoothed damnation , smothered infamie , horror to age , and youths calamity , pritty-fac'd diuell of a ginger pace , grace-lesse in all saue that her name is grace , soules-running vlcer that infects the heart , vvith painting , pur●●ing and a face of art , star blasting honour , vertues foe , exprest by hating where she seemes to fancy best . vow-breaking pe●iure , that her selfe adornes , vvith thousand fashions , and as many formes . creature of her owne making , hollow trunke , a christian paganis'd with name of punke . a ●●ll , a hell , where she 'le no others haue , the common palliard-pandor , baud , or slaue , a cage of vncleane birds , which is possest , of none saue such as will de●le their nest . vvhere fries of hell hounds neuer come abroade , but in that earthly tophet make aboade . vvhere bankrupt factors to maintaine a state , forlorne ( heauen knows ) and wholy desperate , tur●e valiant boults , pimps , haxtars , roaring boyes , till flesht in bload , counting but murders ●oyes , are forc't in th' end a dolefull psalme to sing , going to heauen by derick in a string . it 's you damn'd prostitutes that soyle this land , vvith all pollutions , haling downe the hand of vengeance and subuersion on the state , making her flowrie borders desolate . it 's you that ruine ancient families , occasion bloodshed , pillage , periuries . it s you that make the wicked prodigall , strips him of fortune , heritance , and all , it s you that makes new troy with factions bleede , as much or more then euer old troy did . it s you ( sin-branded wantons ) brings decay , to publique states . it s you that hate the day , but honour night : where euery female sinner resembles th' moone , that has a man within her . lasciuious burrowes , where there nothing are , but ●oused , sullied , and ore iaded ware . no musick but despaire , no other note , saue some french language from a prophane throat ▪ noe other accent then the voyce of hell , where stygian circe mumbles ore her spell shakes her pox-eaten i●ynts , and sends for spies , to gaine her traders two sin tempting eies . where she in praise and ho●our of her trade saies , that the stewes were in th' beginning made , for the aduancement of a publick good , and well it may , if rightly vnderstood : for if in pleasures there such bitters be , as still repentance lackies vanitie ? if lust that 's cal'd by th' sensuall epicure , the best of mouing pleasures , and the lure , that for the instance makes our organs rise , thinking that plase we 'r in is paradice . if she ( i say ) bring forth no fruit at all , saue news from'th spittle , or the hospitall . drie rewmes , catarchs , diseases of despaire , puritane-sniueling , falling of the haire . akes in the ioynts , and ring-worme in the face ▪ cramps in the nerues , fire in the priuy place . racking the sinews , burning of the gall , searing the vaines , and bowels most of all : drying the head , which natur's wont to feede , sucking the blood , whence all distempers breede . if best of pleasures haue no other end , mong'st earths delights , thē haue we cause t' extend , our pure affections to an higher ayme , then to corrupt the honour of our name . for present appetite : i thanke thee whoor , thou hast instructed me to haue a power ouer my sence by reason rectified , and hast well neere my senses mortefied . i know thy habit ▪ ( and i once haue sworne , but now recant it ) that no earthy forme was of like composition , but conceiuing , that th' period of thy pleasure was in hauing , and that thy lust was but desire of gaine , i curb'd my selfe that i should be so vaine . to spend my state , my stock , my name , my nature , on such a brittle fickle , faithlesse creature . fond was my iudgement when my reason straid , to soile the honourd title of a maide , with brothell greeting , or a painted trunke , a rotten tombe , a basiliske , a punke . for tell me whore ? what bewty's in thee showne , or mouing part that thou canst say's thine owne ? the blush that 's on thy cheeke i know is made by 'th painters hand , and not by nature laid : and that same rosie-red , and lillie white , which seemes t' include a volume of delight . is no more thine , then as it may be said ; faire is the waine skote when it 's varnished . y●a i haue heard some of thy consorts say , thy night-face is not that thou wearst by day . but of a different forme , which vnderstood , rightly implies too faces in one hood . now my ( prodigious faery ) that canst take , vpon occasion a contrary shape . thou that canst va●ie habits and delight , to weare by day what thou putst of at night . thou that with tempting motiues of despaire , braiding the net-like tresses of thy haire , smoothing thy brazed front , oyling thy skin , taking a truce with satan , and with sinne . how canst thou thinke that i will loose the light , of my deare soule , to please mine appetite ? how canst thou thinke that for a moments sweete , wherein the height of pleasures , sorrows meete . i will engage that essence of delight for time eternall , , measure infinite ? how canst thou thinke i am so void of sense , or blinde , as not to know thy impudence ? true , i was blind , when thy sin - syren voice , made me despise my selfe , and make a choice of soules seducing error : i was blinde , when i did hope contented ioyes to sinde in so profane a couer : blinde was i , when i expected ought but vanitie . in such an odious harbour : blinde i was to looke for vertue in so vile a case . but now the glorious essence of my soule tels me , for all thy vertue thou art foule . spotted with ermins , and that vanitie , of which tha● t proud , is like a leprosie . vvich runnes to euery vaine , whose very breath , poisons the tutcher with infectious death . for what 's complexion if i should speake true , ( that which thou wea●s i meane ) but what the iew of lothsome compositions ' ●vsd to make , as th'fat of serpents , and the slough of snak●s , vvith cursed spittle or fleagme commixed is , and canst thou thinke this face deserues a kisse ? no , odious lecher that bes●obbered face , that entertaines no signe nor stampe of grace , that sin-reflecting eye , whose piercings are , vvounds to the soule , and to the mind a care , that artificiall blush , that painted checke , vvhich neuer seekes , what woman-hood shold seek , that whorish looke drain'd from a wanton mind , shall make me hate , where i was once inclin'd , shall make me hate ? o that i did not hate , before this time : but sorrow's nere too late , if feruent , and may i excluded be , if my resolues proceed not inwardly . fare●ell , but well i doubt thou canst not fare , so long as 〈◊〉 dost lodge in this dispaire : preuent me then the cause , and thou shalt see , the effect thereof will soone preuented be : till then adew : for till that time i sweare it , thy connie-burrow is not for my ferret . vpon a poets palfrey , lying in lauander , for the discharge of his prouender . an epigram . if i had lin'd but in king richards dayes , who in his heat of passion , midst the force of his assailants troubled many waies crying a horse , a kingdome for a horse . o then my horse which now at liuery stayes . " had beene set free , where now hee 's forc't to stand " and like to fall into the ostlers hand . if i had liu'd in agamemnons time , who was the leader of the mirmidons , mounting a loft as wantons in their prime , of frolike youth , planting the graecians in their due order , then this horse of mine , " had not bin thus confin'd , for there he might , " haue showne himselfe , and done his master right . if i had liu'd when pallas horse was made , aptly contriu'd for th'ruine of poore troye o then there had beene doings for my iade , for he had beene sole author of annoy , vnto the troians : well as i haue said , " he might be pallas horse in legge and limme , " being so neere proportion'd vnto him . if i had liu'd in pasiphaes raigne , that lusty lasse , in pleasure euer full , and perfect dalliance : o i blest had beene , " she sure would loue a horse , that lou'd a bull , and better might it with her honour seeme . " a bul 's too fierce , a horse more modest aye , " th' one routs and rores , the others answer's ney . if i had liu'd in alexanders age , crowning my youth 'mongst his triumphant heires , o then that prince , who in his heat of rage , bad th'm●cedons get sta●lions for their mares , more liuely and more likely would not gage , " his loue for nought , to such as mongst the rest , " would bring a stallion that could doe with best . if i had liu'd amongst th'amazonites , those warlike champions , monuments of fame , trophies of honour friends to choice de●ights , who much desired to propagate , their name , " and therefore wisht that they so many nights . " might haue free vse with men , in due remorce , for want of men would take them to my horse . if i had liu'd in phaeton his daies , when with vngiddy course he rul'd the sun , o then my palfr●y had beene of great prise , for hee 's not head strong , nor would haue out-run , his fellow-horses , but with gentler pace , as soft and easie as the nimble wind . he would with hakney pace lagg'd on behind . if i had liu'd when th' warre of agincourt , burnish't with shields as bright as diamond , to which our noblest heroes made resort , o then my stallion would haue kept his ground , and beene at razing of the stateliest fort , in all that prouince : and though small he may , yet am i sure he would not runne away . if i had liu'd but in don quixotes time , his rozinant had beene of little worth , for mine was bred within a coulder clime , and can endure the motion of the earth , with greater patience : nor will he repine at any prouender , so mild is he , how many men want his humility ? if i had liu'd when that proud fayry queene , boasted to run with swift wingd zephirus , tripping so nimbly ore the leuie greene , of oetas flourie forrest , where each bush , t●x● her presumption : then my horse had beene , a horse of price , o then he had beene tride , and to no manger in subiection tide . if i had liu'd when fame-spred tamberlaine displaid his purple signalls in the east , hallow ye pamphred iades , had beene in vaine , for mine 's not pamphred , nor was ere at feast , but once , which once's nere like to be againe , how methinks would hee haue scour'd the wheeles , hauing bra●e tamberlaine whipping at 's heeles . if i had liu'd but in our banks his time , i doe not doubt , so wittie is my lade , so f●ll of imitation , but in fine , he would haue prou'd a mirrour in his trade , and told duke humphreis knights the houre to dine yea by a secret instinct would had power , to know an honest woman from a whoore . well there 's no remedy , since i am poore , and cannot feede my horse as i desire , i must be forc't to set a bill o th dore , and with my bill pay for my horses hire , vvhich once discharg'd , i le neuer run o' th sko●e ; but for my bill , ( inuention play thy part , and for my horse-sake , tell men what thou art . heere stands a beast that eats and ha's no teeth , wiske out and winches and yet has no tayle , looks like deaths-head , and yet he is not death , neighs like an asse , and crawleth like a snayle , all bones aboue , no belly vnderneath , " legg'd like a cammell , with a sea-horse foote , " so bigg's his head he cannot be got out . now generous spirits that inhabit heere , and loue to see the wonders of this isle , compar'd with other nations , draw but neere and you shall see what was exprest ere-while , your pay's but pence , and that 's not halfe so deere , " if you remember , as was that same to● , " of banks his horse , or fenners englands ioy . what would you see , that may not heere be seene , a monster ? vvhy , it● he●re : o● would you see , that which has ●rst beene showne to other men , " a horses tay●e stand where his head should be . lasse you must know i am for ●one of them , that loue such nouelties : my two yeere sayle , has brought a winching thing that has no tayle . obserue the wonder , it 's not obuious , nor each day common : see now while it s heere , for it s a monster so prodigious , that if i can ▪ i le hau 't some other where , and show my trauell to the gener'ous . " for know my monster doth this stable hate , " hauing a head so great , a roome so straite . why crowd ye here no faster ? 'lasse i see , because i cannot garnish out my post vvith faire inscriptions grauen curiouslie . " like to your mountebanke or english foist . the trifling vulgar will not come to me . nor visit my strange one beast : let them passe . my monster 's not set vp for euery asse . it ' for these braue renowned ca●al●res , " that craue to see , and talke of what they see ; nay talke of more then either eies or eares vvere witnesse of . these welcome are to me , and to my monster , for to them't appeares , " and to no others , that they might beget , " more gaine by th' sight , then ere i gain'd by it . vvhat none ? no mandeuill ? is london growne to surfet of new accideats ? why hoe , — saint bartlemews , where all the pagents showne , and all those acts from adam vnto noe vs'd to be represent ? canst send me none , of any sort ? or thou'ld not any spare , but keepe them for the pagents of thy faire . how many vsd to swarme from booth to booth ▪ " like to scl●uoniaus , when with famine pinde , going like heards , as other cattell doth , itching for news , yet neuer more inclinde to heare the worst : where now is all that froth , of crab-fac't raskals ? o i know their straine , " the faire being done , they sleepe till faire againe . if mother red-cap , chance to haue an oxe rosted all whole , o how you 'le flye to it , like widgeons , or like wild geese in full flocks , that for his pennie each may haue his bitte : or if that limping pedant at the stocks , set out a pageant , whoo 'l not thither runne , as t were to whip the cat at abington . ill nurtur'd bowbies , know what i haue heere is such a monster , as to know what t is , would breed amazement in the strangest eare , but vulgar eyes are ayming still amisse , to whom what 's onely rare , is onely deere . for you my wonder sleepes , nor shall 't awake , till riper wits come for my monsters sake . farewell vnciuill stinkards , skum o th city . the suburbs pandors , boults to garden alleys , may you through grates sing out your doleful ditty , for now my dragon monster spits his malice , that as you pit●y none , so none may pitty , your forlorne state : o may 't be as i pray , so saddest night may cloud your cleerest day . and for the ostler , since i reape no gaine , out of my monster , take him for thy paine . yet for remembrance write vpon this shelfe , here stood a horse that eat away himselfe . hymens satyre . don bassiano married now of late : has got his witlesse pate a faire estate , i st possible , fortune should be so blind , as of a world of men not one to find , worthy her training in her thriuing school but an admired wittall or a foole ? it 's true : why then fortune 's a partiall whoore , to make the foolish rich , the wisest poore . vvhence we obserue ( experience teacheth it ) the younger brother hath the elder wit , yea by example instanc'd euery where , the cockney-cittie's rich , the suburbs bare , o then i see the goulden age begins , when fooles are mates for wisest citizens . a marriage song called by the author in and out : and now dedicated to the lately conuerted honest-man , w. g. and his long loue-crossed eliza. the marriage song , called in and out . hah , haue i catcht you prethee sweet-hart show , if so thou canst , who is in turne-ball now ? dost smile my pretious one ? nay i must know , there is no remedy , then tell me how ; what my ingenuous cheat , dost laugh to see , all former ●arres turne to an harmony , so generally applauded ? trew thou may , the night is past , and now appeares the day , full of true iouisance ; long was thy suit , ere t was effected , being in and out , vowing and breaking , making many an oath , which now i hope 's confirmed by you both . o how i clip thee for it ? since thy name , is there renued , which first defam'd the same , for ( heare me bride-groom ) thou by this shalt saue thy selfe a title : i will raze out knaue , dishonest louer : vow infringing swaine , and say thou ceast to loue , that thou againe ▪ might loue more feruent , being taught to wooe , and wooing doe what silke-wormes vse to doe ; vvho doe surcesse from labour now and then , that after rest the better they might spin . spin then ( my pretty cobweb ) let me see , how well thy bride likes thy actiuitie . that when she sees thy cunning , she may say ; " vvhy now i 'me pleas'd for all my long delay ; " play that stroake still , there 's none that here can let thee , " for non there is can better please thy bettie . " o there ( my deere ) i hope thou'le nere giue ore , " vvhy might not this been done as well before ? " nay faint not man , was bettie so soone won , " that her short pleasure should be so soone done . " nay then come vp , are marriage ioyes so short , " that maydenheads are lost with such small sport ? " this if she say ( as this she well may say ) like a good gamster hold her still out play . first night at least wise , and it will be hard , but she will loue the better afterward . vvhence is the prouerb ( as it hath been said ) maydens loue them that haue their maydenhead : come then my lad of mettall make resort , vnto the throne of loue thy betties fort . there plant thy cannon siedge her round about . be sure ( my boy ) she cannot long hold out . erect thy standerd , let her tender brest , be thy pauillion : where thou takes thy rest . let her sweet-rosie breth such ioyes bestow . that in that vale of paradise below , thou may collect thy ioyes to be farre more , then any mortall euer had before . yet heare me f●iend , if thou secure wilt be , obserue these rules which i prescribe to thee . be not horne iealous , it will make thee madde , vvomen will haue it if it may be had . nor can a iealous eye preuent their sport , for if they lou't farre will they venter for 't . suppose her straying beauty should be led , to the embraces of anothers bedde , vvilt thou acteon-like thy houre-glasse spend , in moning that thou neuer canst amend ? no , my kind friend , if thou l't be rul'd by me , i 'de haue thee w●nke at that which thou dost see , sha●ing thy wiues defects with patient mind , seeing , yet seeming to the world blind . for tell me friend , what harme is there in it ? if then being cloyd , another haue a bitte ? vvhich thou may spare , and she as freely giue , beleeue me friend , thou hast no cause to greeue . for though another in thy saddle ride , vvhen he is gone , there 's place for thee beside , which thou may vse at pleasure , and it 'h end , reserue a pretty mo●s●ll for thy friend . let not thy reason then be counter-bufft , nor thinke thy pillow with horne-shauings stuft , if 't be thy destiny to be a monster , thou must be one , if not , how ere men co●ster . thou may remaine secure , exempt from shame , though megre enuie aggrauate the same . for this has been my firme position still , the husbands hornes be in the womans will. vpon the marriage . this marriage went the nearest way about . playing now vp , now downe , now in , now out , but being done i wish loue may b●gin , now to be neuer out , but euer in . an epigramme , like to like . vpon a time ( as i informed am ) a sub-vrbs baud and countrey gentleman , comming at the dore where i doe lie , a gallant rufling wench chanc't to passe by ; which th' baud obreruing , — sir i pray you see , " how like you gallant and my daughter be . indeed they much resemble , both in face , painting , complexion , and in huffing pace , yea i should say nere any two were liker , if this be as thy daughter is ? a striker . vpon the commodious though compendious labor of mr. arthur standish ▪ in the inuention of planting of wood. a wood-mans emblealme . come syluanes , come each in his fresh array , and sing his name that makes you looke so g●y , euery braunch , e●ery spray , budds as in the month of maye . heere the mirtle venus tree , there the chessenut , wallnut be , heere the medlar set aboue , intimates what woemen loue . lofy pine , fruitfull vine , make a spring in winter time . the naked field has put a garment on , with lea●● shades for birds to peck vpon . now nemaea doth appeare , flower emb●rdered euery where . here the popular , a●dor there , witch-tree , holy-thorne and b●e●● here the shady elme , and firre , dew it , texe-distilling mirrh . euery cliffe , euerie ●lim● , makes a spring in winter time . wood-haunting satires now their minions seek● , and hauing found them pla● at barley-br●k● . where delight makes the night , short ( though long ) by louers sight . wher marisco fairies que●ene , with her ladies trace the greene ; dauncing measures , singing layes , in the worthy planters praise ; standish fame each voice implies , blisse to standish ecco cries . here stands the wilding on the steepie rocke , the quinee , the date , the dangling apricock , rough skind'd peeh , lip-died cherrie , m●lou citron , mulberie . sallow , willow , mellow birt , sweete-breathd sicamour and mirt , heere the plum , the damsen there the pu●ill , and the katherins peare flowers and flourish blowne so greene , as the spring doth euer seeme . the brittle ashe and shade-obscuring yewe , the aged oke claspt with the missletoe , hawthornes grow , one a row , and their sweetest smels bestow . royall palme , laurell wreath , with young o siers vnderneath , loue-resembling box tree there , flowrishing through all the yeere . seyons young , tender plants , where the quire of woodbirds chants , flora now takes her throne and for she knowes , of standish care , she decks his aged browes : with crowne of renowne , monument in time to come . that what he hath done of late , after times may imitate , so when al our gro●es grow greene , albion may a forrest seeme , where if she the forrest were , standish would be forrester . then should no gorse grounds furrie whin , or brir● , depriue the painefull plough man of his hire . euery field , then should yield , great reliefe to share & shield . to the plow share for his paine , to the shield for discipline , sith the first he sows and reapes , and the last defends and keepes . standish giues , to both a part , to the ga●●tlet , and the cart. trees ( standish saies ) in summer vpward growe , in winter downe-ward to the roote belowe : this i know not , but i know that with him it is not so . for in winter of his time , now when sap gins to decline , store of science blossome out from the top vnto the root : root of age , toppe of youth . winter bearing , summers growth . to the truely worthy , the alderman of kendall and his brethren . sir in regard of due respect to you , ( if i could write ought that might yeeld a due , to th' corporation of which i may call , ( and dewly to ) your selfe the principall : i should desire , if power were to desire , to take an eagles wing and so are farre higher . then hitherto my weake muse could attaine , but 'lasse i see my labour is in vaine ; for th'more i labour to expresse your worth , the lesse i able am to set it forth : yet let not my endeuours so be taken , as if with power my wil● had me forsaken ; for know ( though my ability be poore ) my good-will vie's with any emperour . yea i must write and though i cannot speake ▪ what i desire yet i will euer seeke , t' expresse that loue which hath been borne by me , ( and shall be still ) to your society . then cause i know your place and haue an ayme , to shewe your merits in a shadow'd name : i must be bold ( affection makes me bold , to tell you of some errors vncontrol'd , vvhich to your best discretion i le referre , hauing full power to punish such as erre . first therefore i intend to speake of is ; because , through it , there 's many do amisse , is idlenesse , which i haue partly knowne , to be a vice inherent to your towne : where errant pedlers , mercinarie slaues , tinkers , and tookers and such idle knaues are too too conuersant : let your commaund suppresse this sinne and refuse of the land , they much disparage both your towne and you : send them to th' whipping-stocke , for that 's their dew , you know the lord ( whose will should be obeid ) hath in his sacred word expresly sayd , that those which wil not labour they should sterue , ( for rightly so their merits do deserue . yea if we should in morall stories see , what punishments inflicted vse to be on such as could not giue accompt what they did make profession of from day to day ; yea such as could not ( vpon their demaund expresse how they did liue vpon their hand ; i make no question ( but by pagans eare , ) you that both magistrates and christians are , vvould see your towne ( by th'punishments exprest ) by selfe-same censures to be soone redrest , and this same error do i not espie , onely in them , but in the younger frie , vvho in their youth do lauish out their time . without correction or due discipline : respectlesse of themselues ( as 't may be sayd ) they seeme forgetfull wherto they were made : o looke to this let them not run at large , for ouer these you haue a speciall charge ; and if they fa i beleeu 't from me it 's true , their blood will be requir'd of some of you . we reade in rome how they did still retaine , some exercise that they their youth might trains , in warlike discipline or liberall arts , or education in some forraine parts ; so as in time as after it was showne , these actions gain'd their citty great renowne . but whence can i imagine that this sin , wherein too many haue been nosled in , had her originall but from that staine of reputation , and the worlds baine , ( which i in briefe am forced to expresse , ) to wit , that swinish vse of drunkennesse ? a vice in great request ( for all receiue it ) and being once train'd in 't there 's few can leaue it ; how happie should i in my wishes be , if i this vice out of request could see , vvithin that natiue place where i was borne , it lies in you , deere townes-men to reforme , vvhich to performe , if that i might presume , or so much vnder fauour to assume , as to expresse what my obseruance taught me , or bring to you what my experience brought me , i would make bold some outward grounds to lay , which might in some sort lye an open way , for rectify●ng such abuse as grow , by this foule vice , and i will tell you how . there is no meane that sooner moues to good , if that the same be rightly vnderstood , then is example , for it 's that doth moue , such firme impression as we onely loue , what greater wittes approue , and what they say , stands for an axiome mongst the younger aye , which by the prouerbe euery man discernes , since as the old cocke crowes , the young cock learns ; so weake is youth , as there is nought in them , which they deriue not from the eldermen , quickly peruerted ( so depraud's our will ) if they see ought in the elder sort that 's ill , and hardly ( when they 'r customed in sinne , ) can they be wain'd from that they 'r nus●ed in , but if they once perceiue the elder sort , hates vice in youth , and will reprooue her for't if they see vertue honourd by the graue and reuerend magistrate , care they will haue , to rectifie their errors , and reduce , their streying courses to a ciuill vse . if this by due obseruance doe appeare , methinks you that are elders , you should feare , to act ought ill , lest your example should , approue in others , what should be contrould . and ill may th' father chastise in his sonne , that vice , which he himselfe is guilty on . your patternes are most obuious to the eye , of each vnseason'd youngling passeth by , vvhich if he see defectiue but in part he presently applies it to his heart : for education which we may auerre with that diuinely-learn'd philosopher to be a second nature ) now and then doth alter quite the qualities of men , and make them so transform'd from what they were , ( as if there did some other men appeare : yea so far from their nature they 're estraung'd , as if they had been in the cradle chang'd : and of this second nature i am sure , example is the onely gouernour which plutarch termes th' idea of our life , tymon an emelation or a strife we haue to imitate , that what we see , may in our selues as well accomplisht bee . o then you presidents ( whose yeeres do giue to most of you a faire prerogatiue ) reforme your selues ( if you see ought ) and then you better may reform't in other men . as you are first by order and by time , so first inioine your selues a discipline ; vvhich being observ'd by you and dewly kept , you may wake such as haue securely slept in their excesse of vanities : 'mongst which let me ( with all respect to you ) beseech that you would seek exactly to redresse , ( that brutish vice of beastly drunkennesse . and first to propagate a publique good , banish't i pray you from your brother-hood , for diuerse haue obserued it and will ; ( for man obserues not good so oft as ill . what 's done by th' elders of a corporation , giues vnto other men a toleration : if any such there be ( as well may be ) for that vice raignes in each society : first caution them , bid them for shame r●fraine to lay on grauity so fowle a staine ; tell them much happens twixt the cup and lip , and those same teres of their good fellowship , if they in time reforme not what 's amisse , shall drowne their reeling soules in hels abisse : where they may yaule and yarme til that they burst , before they get one drop to quench their thirst , since th'punishment shall be proportion'd there , to that delight which we do liue in here . o then , for gods loue , bid ●hem now prepare , to be more st●ict then hitherto they were , or bid them haue recourse vnto their glasse , and there surueigh how swiftly time doth passe , how many aged emblemes time doth showe , in those same wrinkles of their furrow'd browe ; how many motiues of declining age , what arguments of a short pilgrimage , how many messengers of instant death , as dropsie , gout , and shortnes of the breath , catarrs descending howerly from the head , distaste of meates , wherein they surfeted : and thousand such proceeding from ill diet , nights-sitting vp , rere bankets , mid-dayes ryet , but if these doting gray-beards i haue nam'd , vvill not by your intreaties be reclaim'd , then i would wish ( because these vices lurke ) that you would fall another way to worke , and by dew castigation force them take another course for youths example sake : for those that will not now , at last repent after some twice or thrice admonishment , deserue a punishment , nay which is worse , the churches anathema or that curse , which shall lie heauy on them in that day , when what they owe th●y must be forc't to pay : but some of you such reuerend-men appeare , as you deserue that title which you beare , townes guardians , protectors of our peace , and sole renewers of our hopes encrease , so discreete and so temporate withall , as if rome did her men patritians cal , i without assentation might be bolde to name you so , nor could i be control'd . vvherefore i need not feare but you that are of such sincerity will haue a care , to roote out these ( which as they seeme to me ) be maine corrupters of your libertie , i wish it and i hope to see it too , that when i shall come to re-visit you i may much glory , and so much the more , to see them good that were deprau'd before : nor doe i onely shadow such should giue , example vnto others how to liue ; but ev'n such vice-supporters as begin , brauado-like to gallant it in sin : these are incorrigible saying their state transcends the power of any magistrate : for why they 're gentlemen , whence they alleadge they may be drunkards by a priuiledge : but i would haue you tell them this from me , there is no such thing in gentilitie , those that will worthily deserue that name , must by their vertues character the same : for vice and generous birth ( if vnderstood ) differ as much in them , as ill from good . besides , if they do snuffe when they 're reproou'd , or seeme as if , forsooth their blood were moov'd : tell them that weake and slender is that towne , vvhen snuffes haue power to menace iustice down : shew me true resolution , they may know that god hath placed magistrates below , who haue power to controle and chastice sin , ( bin : ) ( and blest's that town where such commaund hath for tell me , if when great men do offend iustice were speech-lesse , to what especiall end should lawes enacted be ? since they do take nothing but flies , like th'webs which spiders make where small ones they both ta'ne and punish'd be , while great ones breake away more easily : but rightly is it which that cynicke sayde , who seeing iustice o● a time ore-swaid , and ouer bearded by a great-mans will , why thus it is , quoth he , with iustice still : since th' golden age did leue her , for at first she was true-bred and scorn'd to be enforst to ought but right , yea such was time as then , " things lawfull were most royall amongst men : but now she that should be a sharpe edg'd axe , to cut downe all sin 's made a nose of waxe ; wherein it 's iustice ( if i not mistake it ) what ere it be , iust as the great-men make it . but saturne is not banisht from your towne , for well i know there 's perfect iustice showne , there themis may be sayd to haue her seate , vvhere poore-ones may be heard as well as great , there 's no corruption but euen weight to all , equally temper'd , firme , impartiall , sincere , iudicious , and so well approu'd , as they that iustice loue or ere haue lov'd , are bound to hold that corporation deere , since in her colours she 's presented there . nor do i only speake of such as be , iustices nam'd within your libertie , but of those men w●ere with your bench is grac't and by commission ore the county plac't . there may we see one take in hand the cause , ferreting out the secrecy of th'lawes anatomizing euery circumstance , where if he ought omit , it s a meere chance , so serious is he , and withall so speedy as sure his pater noster's not more ready : yea i haue wondred how he could containe so many law-quer●es in so small a braine , for as we see full of in summer time , when sun begins more south ward to incline , a showre of haile-stones railing in the aire : euen so ( for better can i not compare ) his lawe exhaling meteors ) w●uld he send out his showre of law-termes vsually : so as i thought and manie in those places , that it did thunder lawe , and raine downe cases . yea i haue knowne some strucke in such a blunder as they imagin'd that his words were thunder ; which to auoide ( poore snakes ) so scar'd were they . as they would leaue the bench and sn●ake away . there may we see another so well knowne to penall statutes , as there is not one , ( so well experienst in them he does make him ) which can by any kinde of meanes escape him . besides for execution which we call , the soueraigne end and period of all ; yea which may truly be esteem'd the head , from whence the life of iustice doth proceed he merits dew respect : witnesse ( i say ) those whipping-stocks erected in th' high way with stockes and pilleries , which he hath se● to haue the vagrant begger soundly bet , nor doth he want for any one of these , a statute in warme store if that he please ; which on occasion he can well produce , both for himselfe and for his countries vse , another may we see , though spare of speech , and temporate in discourse , yet he may teach by his effectuall words the rasher sort , who speake so much as they are taxed fo●'t . yea so discreetly sober as i wish , many were of that temper as he is . for then i know their motions would be good , nor would they speake before they vnderstood . another solid , and though blunt in words , yet ma●ke him and his countrey scarse affords one more ●●●cious , pithy in discourse , sound in his reasons , or of more remorce , to such as are distressed , for he 'l take , the pore mans cause ▪ though he be nere so weake . and much haue i admir'd him in surueigh of his deserts showne more from day to day , that he should so disualue worldly praise , when euery man seekes his esteeme to raise . and worthyly , for neuer nature brought foorth to the world a man so meanely wrought , of such rare workemanship as you shall finde , inth ' exquisite pe●fection of his minde ▪ yea , if too partiall though't i should not be , ( in that he hath been still a friend to me ) i could expresse such arguments of loue , as were of force th'obduratst hearts to moue , to admiration of those vertues rest , within the generous table of his brest , but i haue euer hated , so has hee , ●'to paint mens worths in words of flatterie . yea i'doe know it derogates from worth , to haue her selfe in colours shadow'd forth , sith vertue rather craues for to be knowen vnto her selfe , then vnto others showen . onely thus much i le say ; ordain'd he was , euen in his cradle others to surpasse . since for his education it may seeme , being in mountaines bred , that it was meane . but now of such an equall forme combin'de as he is strong in body and in minde . sin●erely honest , and so well approu'd , as where he is not known , h●●'s heard & lou'd , so as on mountaines born , his thoughts aspire , to sions mount , & ioues triumphant quire . another there 's , who howsoere he seeme , in th' eie of some distemper'd iudgements mene . in vnderstanding , i doe know his wit , out-strips the most of those that c●n●u●e it , besides there 's in him parts of more desert for nature is supplide in him by art. and wheras som to 's wit impute the wrong , i rather doe impute it to his tongue . since well i know by due experience , ( at such times as he deign'd me conference ) for reading profound reason ●ipe conceipts , discourse of stories , arguing of estates , such generall iudgement he in all did show , as i was wrapt with admiration , how mē could esteem so menely ( hairebraind-elues ) of such an one was wiser then themselues . it s true indeed , hee 's not intemperate . ( as this age fashions ) nor opinionate , but humble in his iudgement , which may be , some cause that he is censur'd as we see . alas of griefe , none should be deemed wise , but such as can like timists temporize . expose their reputation to the shame of an offensiue or iniurious name . whereas if we true wisdome vnderstood , we'd think non could be wise but such wer good . and though we question thus , asking what mā ? vnlesse he be a polititian , yet pollicie will be of small auaile , when that arch polititian machauell , shall flame and frie in his tormented soule , because toth ' world wise , to heauen a foole . yea i doe wish ( if ere i haue a sonne ) he may be so wise , as haue wit to shun a selfe conceipt of being soly wise , in his owne bleared and dim-sighted eies , for then i know there will in him apeare , a christian zealous and religious feare , which like an angell will attend him still , mouing to good , and waine him from what 's ill . and far more comfort should i haue of him , then if through vaine conceipt he should begin to pride him in his follies , for by them , we see how many roote out house and nam● , yea of all vertues which subsisting be , none makes more perfect then humilitie . since by it man deemes of himselfe and 's worth , as of the vilest worme the earth brings forth . which disesteeming i may boldly name , more noble then to glorie in oùr shame . for it doth leade vs in a glorious path , with safest conduct from the day of wrath . when standig 'fore that high tribunall there we 're found far better then wee did appeare . and such is hee-yet haue i heard it vowde , " hee has not witt enough for to bee proude . vvheras wee know , and by experience see , that fooles bee still the proudest men that be . nor is he onely humble , for i heare , of other proper vertues which appeare in his well tempred disposition , when i hear of no complaints mongst poorer men , who are his tenaunts for he has report , of shewing mercy , and is blessed for 't . and is not this a poynt of wisedome , say ? for to prouide thus for another day that for terrestriall things , hee may obtayne a farre more glorious and transcendent gayne . sure ( i doe thinke ) there is no foole to him , that does enrich his progeny by sinne , makes shipwrack of a conscience , bars himselfe , of after hopes to rake a little pelfe . ruines his soule , and ads vnto the store , of his accounts , by racking of the pore . vvhereas ofth ' other side hee s truely wise , ( though not to man , yet in thalmighties eies . who pitty and compassion doth professe , to th' forlorne widdow and the fatherlesse , does right to all men , nor will make his tongue , an aduoc●te for him who 's in the wrong ; accepts of no aduantage , which may seeme to staine his conscience , or to mak 't vncleane ▪ hates an oppressors name , and all his time , was neuer wont to take too great a fine . beares himselfe blamelesse before god and man. hee 's truely wise , or much deceau'd i am . indeed he is , and such an one is plast , in that same mirror which i spake of cast . vvho without assentation may be said , to haue a patterne vnto others laid , in actions of this kind , yea i may sweare , rather for these respects i hold him deare , then for his state , which may be well exprest , to equall , if not to surmount the best . but iu'e too farre digrest , in breefe it 's he , vvho hates the leuen of the pharisee , and ( which is rare ) 'mongst richer men to find , he counts no wealth like th'riches of the mind . how happy y●u ( graue elders ) to haue these , assistants in your p●ace , meanes for your ease , so as their serious care ioyn'd to their powers , may seeme in some ●egree to lessen yours , for powers vnited , make the army stronger , " and minds combin'd preserue that vnion longer . o may there be , one mind and one consent , ( cohering in one proper continent ) one firme opinion , generall decree , amongst you all concurring mutually : and may your throne , which such good men affords , nere fall at oddes by multiplying words , since the spirit of contention stirres our blood , and makes vs oft neglect a publique good . thus with my best of wishes , i will end , resting your euer true deuoted friend . to all true-bred northerne sparks , of the generous society of the cottoneers , who hold their high roade by the pinder of wakefield , the shoo-maker of brandford , and the white c●ate of kendall : light gaines , heauie purses , good tradings , with cleere conscience . to you my friends that trade in blacke and white , in blacke and white doe i intend to write . where i le insert such things are to be showne , which may in time adde glory and renowne , to your commodious tradings , which shall be gracefull to you , and such content to me , as i should wish , at least my lines shall tell , to after-times , that i did wish you well , and in my obseruations seeme to show , that due respect i to my country owe. first therefore ere i further goe , i le proue , wherein no lesse , i le manifest my loue , then in the greatest : that of all haue beene , shall be , or are , you seeme the worthiest men , and this 's my reason ; which may grounded be , on the firme arches of philosophy ; we say , and so we by experience find , in man there is a bodie and a mind , the body is the couer and in it the minds internall soueraignnesse doth sit , as a great princesse , much admired at , sphered and reared in her chaire of state , while th'body like a hand-maid prest t' obey , stands to performe , what ere her mistresse say . yea some compare this bodies outward grace , vnto a dainty fine contriued case , yet for all th'cost which is about her spent , she sounds but harsh , without her instrument , which is the soule : others resembled haue , the bodies feature to a sumptuous graue , which garnisht is without full tricke and trim , yet has nought else , but sculls and bones within . others compare the beauty of the mind , to pith in trees , the body to the rind . but of all others haue bene , be , or were , in my opinion none doth come so neere , in true ressmblanes ( nor indeed there can ) then twixt the mind and li●ing of a man , for it s the inward substance which to mee , seemes for to line the body inwardly , with ornaments of vertue , and from hence , as he excells , we draw his excellence . then , my deere countrimen , to giue your due , from whence comes mans perfection , but from you that doe maintaine with credit your estate , and sells the best of man at easie rate , to wit , the minds resemblance , which is gotten , by those same linings which you sell of cotten . for see those thin breech irish lackies runne , how small i' th wast , how sparing in the bombe , vvhat iacke a lents they are : yet view them when they haue beene lin'd by you , theyr proper men , yea i may say , man is so strange an elfe , vvithout your helpe , hee lookes not like himselfe . indeed if we were in some parts of those , sun-parched countries , where they vse no clothes , but through the piercing violence of heat , vvhich in some places is intemporate , th' inhabitants go naked , and appeare in grisly sort , as if they frenticke were , then you that make vs man-like , should not need , nor your profession stand in any fleed , for why ? the clymate which we then should haue , no bombast , cotten , or the like would craue : since scorching beames would smoulder so about them , as th'dwellers might be hot enuffe without them . but heer 's an island that so temprate is , as if it had plantation to your wish . neither so hote , but that we may abide , bo●h to be clad and bombasted beside . neither so cold , but we may well allow it , to weare such yarne , a blind man may looke through it . it s true indeed , well may it be confest , if all our parts were like some womens brest . bared and painted with pure azure veines , though of themselues they haue as many staines , and riueld wrinkles , with some parts as badde , then th' crooked greeke thersytes euer had , it might be thought your gaines would be so small , as i me perswad'd they would be none at all : but thanks be giuen to heauens supernall powers , which sways this masse of earth , that trade of yours , hath her dependance fixt in other places , then to be tide to womens brests or faces . let painters and complexion sellers looke , to their crackt ware , you haue another booke to view into , then they haue to looke in , for yours's an honest trade , but their's is sin . next i expresse your worth in , shall be these , first , your supportance of poore families , which are so weake in state , as i much doubt me , they would be forc't to begge or starue without ye . the second is , ( wherein you 'ue well deserued , the care you haue to see your country serued , not as such men who liue by forraine nations , impouerishing this land by transportations , for their depraued natures be well showne , by louing strangers better then their owne ; or as it seemes , to sucke their mothers bloud , their natiue countrie for a priuate good . the third and last , which heere exprest shall be , shall reference haue to your antiquity , all which i will dilate of , and though i cannot describe ech thing so mouingly , as i could wish , yet take it in good part , proceeding from the centre of a heart , that did this taske and labour vndertake , for your profession and your countries sake , whose ayre i breath'd , o i were worthy death , not to loue them , who suck't with me one breath . how many families supported be , within the compas●e of one barronry , by your profession i may boldly show , ( for what i speake , i by obseruance know . ) yea by eye-witnesse , where so many are , prouided for by your peculiar care , as many would the beggars be ( i wot ) if your religious care releeu'd them not . for there young brats , as we may well suppose , who hardly haue the wit to don their clothes , are set to worke , and w●ll can finish it , being such labours as doe them befit : winding of spooles , or such like easie paine , by which the least may pretty well maintaine themselues , in that same simple manner clad , as well agrees with place where they were bred . each plies his worke , one cards , another spins , one to the studdles goes , the next begins to rauell for new wefte , thus none delay , but make their webbe-vp , 'gainst each market-day , for to preserue their credit : but pray see , which of all these for all their industry , their early rising , or late sitting vp , could get one bit to eat , or drop suppe . if hauing wrought their webbes , their forc't to stand , and not haue you to take them off their hand . but now by th' way , that i my loue may shew , vnto the poorer sort as well as you , let me exhort you , in respect i am , vnto you all both friend and countriman , and one that wisheth , if hee could expresse , what 's wishes be vnto your trade successe , as to himselfe , these pooremen ( vnder fauour ) who earne their meanes so truly by their labour , should not ( obserue me ) bee enforc't to wait , " for what you owe , and what 's their due , so late , time vnto them is pretious , yea one houre , if idlye spent , is charges to the poore : whose labour 's their reuenue : doe but goe , to salomon , and he will tell you so , who willeth none , expresly to fore-slow , to pay to any man what they doe owe , but , if they haue it , not to let them stand , crauing their due , but pay it out a hand . say not vnto thy friend ( saith salomon ) i have not for thee now , but come anon : for why shouldst thou that hast wherewith to pay , put of till morrow , what thou maist to day beleeue me friends i could not choose but speake , and caution you of this , for euen the weake and impotent , whose soules are full as deere , as be the monarchs , whisper in mine eare , and bid mee tell you yet to haue a care , not to expresse their names what men they are , for then they doubt that you to spite them more , would make them stay , farre longer then before . that you would see their iniuries redrest , of which they thinke , you were not yet possest . but in transferring of the charge to such , as be your factors , which haue had small tutc● of others griefes : your selues haue had the bla●● though 't seems your factors wel deserud the sat nor would i haue you thinke i me feed for this , for they do plead in forma pauperis that bee my clyents , yea i me tied too , in countries loue to doe that which i doe : for e●en their teares , mon●s , and distressed state , haue made me for them so compassionate , that my soule yern'd within me , but to heare , their mones despisd , that were esteem'd so deere , to their creator , see their image then ; and make recourse to him that gaue it them , whose mansion is aboue the highest sphere , and bottles vp the smallest trickling teare , shed by the poorest soule , ( which in a word ) shall in that glorious synod beare record : where for the least non-payment which we owe , shall passe this doome - away ye cursed , goe . but i do know by my experience , the most of you haue such a conscience , as in that day , what euer shall befall , your sincere soules will as a brazen wall , shield you from such a censure ; for to me , some doe i know bore such integrity . as i dare well auow't , t is rare to find , in such a crazie time , so pure a mind . but now i must descend ( as seemes to me ) from the releefe of many familie , by you supported , to your speciall care , to see your country serued with good ware ; which of all others ( if well vnderstood ) seemes to haue ayme most at a publique good . vvell it appeares , euen by your proper worth , that you were borne for her that brought you forth , not for your selues , which instanced may be , in that you ayme at no monopoly , no priuate staples , but desire to sell , ( vvhich of all other seem's approu'd as well , ) your ware in publique places , which may stand no more for your auaile , then good of th' land . nor are you carelesse what it is you bring , vnto your country , for your customing , dependance has vpon that due esteeme , they haue of you , that are the same you seem , plaine home-bred chapmen ( yet of such due note ) their word is good , how plaine so ere 's their coat . yea doe i wish , i may haue such as they , ingag'd to me , for they 'l do what they say , when silken coats , and some of them i know , will say farre more then ere they meane to doe . therefore it much concernes you to produce , that which you know is for a common vse . not for the eye so much as for the proofe , for this doth tend most to your owne behoofe : vvhere reputation doth such custome gaine , as being got is seldome lost againe . yet sure methinks my friends , you put to th'venture , vvhen your commodities are stretcht on th' tenter , so that as i haue heard , when come to weting they shrinke a yard at least , more then is fitting , yet doe i heare you make excuse of this . that for your selues you know not what it is : and for your factors what they take , they pay , if shere-men stretch them so , the more knaues they . it 's true they are so , yet for all you vse these words , beleeu 't , they 'l ferue for no excuse , for if you will be common-weales men , know , vvhether your shere-men vse this feate or no , before you buy , ( which found ) reprooue them then , or else auoid such tenter-hooking men . there is a gallant in this towne i know , ( who damnd himselfe , but most of them doe soe ) if that he had not , to make cloake and suit , some thirty yards of rug or thereabout , yet hardly came to fifteene afterward , it had beene measur'd by the taylors yard . now was not this too monstrous and to badde , that it should leese full halfe of that it had ? i know not what to thinke ( but to be breefe ) either the taylor was an arrant theefe , and made no bones of theft , which is a crime , most taylors will dispence with at this time : or sure , if my weake wit can iudge of it , the rugge was tentred more then did befit : but you will say , the gallant sure did lie , faith if you be of that minde so am i , for it s scarce possible so much to put , in cloake and sute , vnlesse heed cloath his gut ? ( and that 's ofth'largest size ) and so 't may be , for i 'ue heard one skild in anatomie , ( auerr thus much that euery gut in man for at that time his lecture then began , ) vvas by due obseruation knowne to be seauen times his length : so that it seemes to me if this be true , which naturalists doe teach , the taylor plaid the man to make it reach , so far , for sure the yards could not be small , that were to make cloake , sute , cloath guts , and all . but i doe finde you guiltlesse , for i know , as to your countrey , you your liues doe owe , if priuare harmes might propagate her good , ( for countries loue extends vnto our blood ) so there 's no commerce which you entertaine ▪ aymes not in some part at a publique gaine ; and that 's the cause , gods blessings doe rene● making all things to cotton well with you . " now to the third branch , is my muse addrest , to make your trades antiquity exprest , if i had skill but rightly to define , th' originall foundation and the time , the cause of your encrease , and in what space , the people you commerst with , and the place of your first planting , then it might appeare , vpon what termes your priuiledges were : but so onfus'd be times antiquities , as it is hard directly to show these , in what especiall sort they were begun , ( yet i may doe what other men haue done ) and by coniectures make your trade displayd speaking in verse , what some in prose haue saide some are opiniond that your trade began from old carmentis , who in colours span such exquisit rare works , asth'webs she wrought were farre and nere by forrain nations sought . and as it may in ancient writ appeare . the phrigian works were said to com from her . but now the better to vnfolde the same , know that there were two women of that name , the one ( for stories manifest no lesse ) euanders mother was , a prophetesse , who wrot and spake in verse with such a grace , as she renoumd the countrey where she was . the other was a spinster , which did come , along with aquila ( when he from rome marching amaine , la●cht forth for britanie ) which coast carmentis did no sooner see , then she admir'd , for well she saw by vse , th' inhabitants would proue industrious . so as in th●se daies rude , they gr●w in time , specially nooth-ward ) by her discipline , to become ciuill , and where prompt to doe , any set taske this matron put them to . touching the place where she plantation had , diuers historians haue so differed , as hardly iumpe they by a hundred mile , and therefore difficult to reconcile their different opinions : for they striue , amongst themselues , & aske wher shes'd ariue ? since it appeares when aquila came ashore , saue or choice dames , there were no more . of woman kinde with him : for he was loath , to ship such old hags , were not for his tooth , and therefore such as bew●y did adorne , wer shipt with him : for they would serue his turne to reconcile these doubts , which seems a wōder , know that his fleet deuided was a sunder . and driuē to sundry creeks , som east , som west , som north , som south ; for so they wer distrest . by aduerse winds ( as forced from together ) they were disperst , they knew not where , nor whither . in which auspicious tempest , happy stray , for happy was that tempest may you say , this modest matron with an heauy heart , re●t of her friends ariued i th north part , with som young maids which aquila did minde to bring along to keepe his men in winde . the port when she ariud ( as 't seemes to me , for i doe ground on probability , drawne from the clime & ports description ) was the rich hauen of ancient vvorkington , whose stately prospect merits honours fame , in nought more noble then a curwens name . and long may it reserue that name whose worth , hath many knights from that descent brought forth , for if to blaze true fame ( i ere haue skill ) , in bouskill ioynd with curwen show 't i will. carmentis thus ariud did trauaile on to find finde some place fit for plantation : for then that coast as we in stories reade , lay wholy wast , and was vnpeopled . where in her progresse by the way she came , she gaue to sundry places disserent name . " mongst which her owne name , whence it is they say , cartmell or carment-hill holds to this day her appelation : and now neere an end of her set iourney , as she did descend downe f●om the neighbouring mountaines , she might spie , a woody vale , seat'd deliciously . through which a pleasant riuer seemd to glide , vvhich did this vale in equall parts deuide , this hauing spide , ( on stauelaies cliffes they say ) she laid her staffe , whence comes the name staffe-lay . corruptly staulay , where she staid a space , but seeing it a most notorious place , and that the trades men were so giuen toth ' pot , that they would drinke far more then ere they got . she turnd from thence , yet left some maids behinde . that might acquaint them in this wool worke kinde . vvhile she did plant , as ancient records be , neerer to kendall in th' barronrie . thus haue i drawne your linage as it was , for other accidents i let them passe , onely such things as most obseruant were , ( as the erection of your sturbidge faire . i thought to shadow briefely , which began , on this occasion by a kendall man , who comming vp or downe i know not well , brought his commodities that way to sell : where being benighted , tooke no other shield , to lodge him and his ware thenth ' open field : a mastiffe had he , or a mungrill cur , which he still cride and cald on , stur-bitch stur , least miching knaues now fore the spring of day , should come perchance , and filch his ware away . from hence they say tooke sturbidge first her name , vvhich if she did , she neede not think 't a shame , for noble princes , as may instanc'd be , from braches had their names as well as she : such romulus and remus were , whose name tane from a she - wolfes dug , raisd romes first fame , yea cyrus which 's as ill , ( if not far worse , ) had but a bitch ( cal'd spacon ) for his nurse . for in descents , it is our least of care , to aske what men once were , but what they are . sith great estates , yea lordships raisd we see , ( and so shall still ) fromth ' ranke of beggarie . yea peasants ( such hath been their happy fate ) vvithout desert haue come to great estate , for true it is was said so long agon , a paltry sire may haue a princely sonne . " but hast my muse in colours to display , some auncient customes in their high roade-way , by which thy louing countrey men doe passe , conferring that now is , with what once was , at least such places labour to make knowne , as former times haue honour'd with renowne . so by thy true relation 't may appeare they are no others now , then as they were , euer esteem'd by auntient times records , which shall be shadow'd briefly in few words . the first whereof that i intend to show , is merry wakefield and her pindar too ; which fame hath blaz'd with all that did belong , vnto that towne in many gladsome song : the pindars valour and how firme he stood , in th'townes defence ' gainst th'rebel robin-hood , how stoutly he behav'd himselfe , and would , in spite of robin bring his horse to th'fold , his many may games which were to be seene , yeerely presented vpon wakefield greene , where louely iugge and lustie tib would go , to see tom-liuely turne vpon the toe ; hob , lob , and crowde the fidler would be there , and many more i will not speake of here : good god how glad hath been this hart of mine to see that towne , which hath in former time , so florish'd and so gloried in her name , famous by th' pindar who first rais'd the same ? yea i haue paced ore that greene and ore , and th' more i saw 't , i tooke delight the more , " for where we take contentment in a place , " a whole daies walke , seemes as a cinquepace : yet as there is no solace vpon earth , which is attended euermore with mirth : but when we are transported most with gladnesse , then suddenly our ioyes reduc'd to sadnesse , so far'd with me to see the pindar gone , and of those iolly laddes that were , not one left to suruiue : i griev'd more then i le say , ( but now for brad-ford i must hast away ) . brad-ford if i should rightly set it forth , stile it i might banberry of the north , and well this title with the towne agrees , famous for twanging , ale , zeale , cakes and cheese : but why should i set zeale behinde their ale ? because zeale is for some , but ale for all ; zealous indeed some are ( for i do heare , of many zealous sempring sister there ) who loue their brother , from their heart iffaith . for it is charity , as scripture saith , but i am charm'd , god pardon what 's amisse , for what will th'wicked say that heare of this , how by some euill brethren't hath been sed , th'brother was found in 's zealous sisters bed ? vnto thy taske my muse , and now make knowne , the iolly shoo-maker of brad-ford towne , his gentle-craft so rais'd in former time by princely iourney-men his discipline , " vvhere he was wont with passengers to quaffe , " but suffer none to carry vp their staffe vpon their shoulders , whilst they past through town for if they did he soon would beat them downe . ( so valiant was the souter ) and from hence , twixt robin-hood and him grew th'difference ; vvhich cause it is by most stage-poets writ , for breuity , i thought good to omit , " descending thither where most bound i am , " to kendall-white-coates , where your trade began . kendall ( to which i all successe do wish ) may termed be that parts metropolis , for seate as pleasant , as the most that are , instanc't in th'ruin'd castle of lord par. ( for seate imparaled ) ; where we may see , " great men to fall as subiect are as we : yea there ( as in a mirror ) may be showen , the subiects fall rests in the soueraigne's frowne . many especiall blessings hath the lord , pour'd on this towne , for what doth't not afford ( if necessary for mans proper vse ) sufficient , if not superfluous ? yea i dare say ( for well it doth appeare ) that other places are more bound to her , then ●he to any , there 's no towne at all , ( being for compasse so exceeding small , for commerce halfe so great , nor is there any that doth , consort in trafficke , with so many . but to her priuate blessings , for pure aire , sweet holesome water , she may make compare with any clime , for aire nor piercing is , nor in her temprate brething , too remisse : for water , kent , whence kendall takes her name , vvhose spring ( from kent-mere ) as they say , is tane : swift is't in pace , light-poiz'd , to looke in cleere , and quicke in boiling ( which esteemed were ) such qualities , as rightly vnderstood without ' en these , no water could be good . for wood ( how well she was in fore-time growne ) may soone appeare by th'store that is cut downe , which may occasion griefe , when we shall see what want shall be to our posteritie : yet who seekes to preuent this surely none , th' old prouerbe's in request , each man for one , while each for one , one plots anothers fall , " and few or none respect the good of all . but of all blessings that were reckoned yet , in my opinion there is none so great , as that especiall one which they receiue , by th' graue and reuerend pastor which they haue ; whose life and doctrine are so ioint together , ( as both sincere , there 's no defect in either , ) for in him both vrim and thummim be , o that we had more pastors such as he : for then in sion should gods flocke encrease , " hauing such shepheards would not flea but fleece ; thus what wants kendal that she can desire , tyre's her pastor , and her selfe is tyre , he to mistrust her people , she to bring , wealth to her towne by forraine trafficking ? now must i haue the white-coates vnder-hand who were in fore-time a defence to th'land : yea such they were , as when they did appeare , they made their foes perfume their hose for feare , experienst archers , and so practis'd it , as they would seldome shoot but they would hit . so that though th'darters of rude scythia , the golden-archers of rich persia , the siluer-shields of greece haue borne the name , blaz'd by the partiall trumpe of lying fame . yet in behalfe of kendall ( i durst sweare it ) for true renovvne these countries came not nere it . as for this name of white-coate vs'd to fore it came from th' milk-white furniture they wore and in good-sooth they vvere but home-spun fellovvs " yet would these white-coats make their foes dy yellows , vvhich might by latter times be instanced , euen in those border-seruices they did : but this t' expresse ( since it is knowne ) were vaine , therefore , my friends , i le turne to you againe , and of some speciall matters caution you , which being done i le bid you all adew : since god hath blest you with such benefits , as the reliefe of nature well befits , hauing of euery thing sufficient store , there 's reason ( country-men ) you render more to your creator , who so kinde has been , to you and yours aboue all other men : ( though all ( i say ) should thankfull be ) then such vvho nere receiued of him halse so much . for well you know its in the scripture said , accompt for euerie talent must be made , and how much more our talents are , shall we after this life exact accomptants be : be good dispencers then of what you haue , and doe not shut your eares to such as craue your charities reliefe ( for in a word ) vvhat you giue th' poore , you lend vnto the lord , and be you sure , your loue is not in vaine , for with encrease he le pay it you againe : put not your labourer off with long delay , but satisfie him if you can this day . for pittie 't is , poore soule , that he should sit vvaiting your time when he hath earned it . and this belieue me many crimes produces , " teeming of tenters and such like abuses vvhich they are forc't to , cause they are delaide vvorking for more , then ere they can be paide : be not too rigorous vnto your debtor , ( if he be poore ) forbearance is far better , for'lasse what gaine accrewes to you thereby , if that his carkasse doe in prison lie : yea , if you kept his bodie till 't should rot , th' name of hard-hearted men were all you got . and sure , if my opinion faile not me , t' imprison debtors ther 's no policie , vnlesse they able be and obstinate , and like our bank-rupts break t' encrease their state , for th' poore they better may discharge their debt vvhen they 're at libertie and freedome get , for labour may they when they are inlarg'd , but when they die in prison all 's discharg'd , o then ( my friends ) if you haue such as these : remember to forgiue your trespasses , at least be not extreame to th' poor'st of all , " giue him but time and he will pay you all . so time shall crowne you with an happy end , and consummate the wishes of a friend . so each ( through peace of consciēce ) rapt with pleasure shall ioifully begin to dance his measure . " one footing actiuely vvilsons delight , descanting on this note , i haue done what 's right , another ioying to be nam'd 'mongst them , were made men-fishers of poore fisher-men . the third as blith as any tongue can tell , because he 's found a faithfull samuel . the fowrth is chanting of his notes as gladly , " keeping the tune for th' honour of arthura bradly . the . so pranke , he scarce can stand on ground asking who 'le sing with him mal dixons round ? but where haue been my sences all this while , that he ( on whom prosperity doth smile ) and many parts of eminent respect , should be forgotten by my strange neglect ? take heede my muse least thou ingratefull be , for well thou knowes he better thinkes of thee : on then ( i say ) expresse what thou dost wish , and tell the woreld ●ruely what he is : he 's one has shar'd in nature speciall part , and though beholding little vnto art , yet beare his words more emphasis or force , then most of th'schollers that i heare discourse , his word keeps tutch ( and of all men i know ) he has th' best inside for so meane a shewe , outwardly bearing , temperate , yet will be a bonus socius in good company . he vnderstands himselfe ( as i haue sayd ) and therefore aymes whereto he first was made , in briefe'mongst all men that deserue applauding , none ( hauing lesse ●f art merits more lauding : so that though true desert crowne all the rest , yet if ought want in them it s here exprest ; but th' euening shade drawes on , and damps the light " think friends on what i sayd , and so good night . to the worshipfull recorder of kendall . for townes-abuses ( worshipfull recorder ) i leaue them to your discreet selfe to order : my iourney 's at an end ; hic baculum fixi , my tale concluded , nought now rests but dixi ▪ nor would i haue you speak that , ( though you may ) " which i haue heard a countrie maior did say , vnto a scholler , who concluded had his latine speech with dixi i haue sayd : to whom th'vnletter'd maior to aproue the same replying thus , tooke dixi for his name . " if that thy name be dixi sure i am , dixi's a learned vnderstanding man. to the lands-lord wheresoeuer . lands●lord to thee , addrest to speake i am , and full as much to thee as any man : for many errors and fowle crimes i knowe that thou art more then others subiect toe , which i le in part , vnri● , and so make cleere , as in that day , when all men shall appeare before their heauenly lands-lord , where is had a dew accompt : this now which i haue sayd may be a witnesse , and beare record still , that thou didst know before thy maisters will , which not perform'd thou know'st what thou hast read " with manie stripes thou shalt be chastised , but first , ere i proceed , so great 's the cries of widdowes , and so many tere-swolne eyes of orphanes succourlesse that reach to heauen , as i 'me well-nigh into amazement driuen , and cannot perfect what i do entend ▪ vntill i see their sorrowes at an end , at least allayd ( for i am forc't to keepe , a consort with these silly soules that weep : ) so moouing is their passion ( as in briefe ) so strong 's compassion , i do feele their griefe . vvherefore i must ( so great is griefes extent ) perswade these blubbert wretches be content , and beare with patience , till the lord shall send , in his good time vnto their sorrowes end : vvhich to expresse the better i will moue them in mildest tearmes ; and thus will speak vnto them . cease , cease ( poore iniur'd soule ) your teres to shed , weeping for that cannot be remeded , 'lasse you are farre deceiu'd ; if you suppose teres can moue lands-lords : they are none of those , their dispositions are more harder far ▪ then any other of gods creatures are : for tell me ( starueling ) hath thy trickling eye , pale-c●lourd●●sage heauen-ascending crie , earth bending knees ▪ hart throbbing languishment , eccoing sighs , souls-fretting discontent , famine at hòme , surcharg'd with sorrowes loade , debt with a s●rgeant dogging thee abroad , haue any these whereof thou hast had part , been of that force to mollifie his heart ? haue all thy cries and orphanes teres together moou'd him ? ô no : they are as if a fether , were here and there tost with each gale of winde , thou shalt not finde that temper in his mind : for h● is cauteris'd and voide of sence , and thanks his god he has a conscience , can stand remorcelesse 'gainst both winde and weather , ●●hough he and 's conscience goe to hell together , yea he d●th feele no more thy piteous mone , then doth an anuile when it s strooke vpon . why then shouldst thou thus striue against the streame , t' importune him that seemes as in a dreame , secure of hell , carelesse of thy distresse ? fie take vpon thee some more manlinesse , rouse thy deiected spirits which now lie , as if surprised by a lethargie ; wipe , wipe those eyes with briny streamelings drownd , and plant thy selfe vpon a firmer ground , then thus to wast thy griefe enthralled heart , which done : pray tell me but , what better art ? well , if thou wilt but silence thy iust wrong for one halfe howre , or hardly for so long , i le shew the best i can of art and skill , with an vnbounded measure of good will , to tell thy cruell lord , that there 's a doome as well as here in after time to come : i le tell him boldly though i chance to moue him for all he 's lord , there is a lord aboue him , before whose throne he must come to account ; for syons-lord is that lord paramount , who swayes the massie orbe of heauen and earth , brething on euery creature that brings forth , it 's he that giues to each increase and store , girdling the swelling ocean with a shore : the proudest peeres he to subiection brings , and prostrate lies the diadems of kings : by him oppressors feele there is a god , that can reuenge and chastice with his rodde ; yea , thy iniurious lord , i meane to tell though he thinks of no hell , he 's finde a hell . and those distreaming teres which thou hast shed , are by thy louing father bottled , for there 's no teres , sighs , sorrowes , grieues or mones , which come from any of his little — ones but in his due compassion still exprest vnto their cause , he 'le see their wronges redrest . how thinks 't of this ? will not these things enforce in thy relentlesse lands-lord a remorse , sooner and deeper ( of that minde am i ) then puling with thy finger in thine eye . well i will make attempt ( which if it fall out to my wishes as i hope it shall ) the onely fee which i expect of thee , is that thou wouldst poure out thy prayers for me , meare time pray for thy selfe ( while i expresse thy grieues , and heauens grant to my hopes successe . ) now ( rent-inhauncer ) where away so fast ? pray stay a little sir for all your haste : perchance you may more profit by your stay , th●n if you should leaue me and goe your way : for i coniecture whither you are going , nay , ( doe not blush ) to so●●e poore snakes vndoing , to ●oot out some poore family or other ; speake freely man do not your conscience smother ; i st not ( you suck-blood ) to oppresse the poore , and put him and his children out a dore ; i st not to take aduantage on some thing or other for his vtter ruining : ist not because thou art not halfe content that he should sit vpon so easie rent . and therefore takes occasion vpon naught , forgiuing somthing he neither said , nor thought . if such effects make thee abroad to come , thou might with safer conscience stay at home . for whence be these exactions thus to stretch , and racke thy tenants ? thou wilt say , t' enrich thy priuate coffers , which in time may , be a faire estate to thy posteritie . or if not to encrease thy wealth , or store , for to maintaine thy ryot or thy whore . o thou forlorne and miserable man , come these conclusions from a christian ? be these the ends whereto thou wert created , to loue those things which make thy soule most hated ? i me sorry for thee , ( yet vnhappy elfe ) why should i grieue that grieues not for thy selfe ? how canst thou thinke thy children shall possesse , long that estate is got by wickednesse ? or how imaginst that it can succeede vvell wi●h thy short liu'd heires , or with their seede , vvhen all that welth ( was gathered to their hand . ) came from the cries and curses of the land ? no no , thou greedy spunge that sucks vp store , yet more thou suckes , thou needest still the more . euill got goods ( howbeit neare soe fayre ) seldome enioyed are by th' third heire for wauering is that state is raisd by wrong , built its on sand , and cannot hold out long . yea i haue seene ( euen in that little time which i haue liu'd ) som of you in their prime . and so erected to the height of state , as you might seeme to be admired at . for braue attendance , sumptuous attire , for fare & pleasure what you could desire . in building gorgeous so as you might be styled the heires of earths felicitie . yet 'lasse ( againe ) how quickly haue i seene , these men shrunke downe , as if they had not been : their pompe decreas'd , their great attendance gon , and for their many dishes one , or none ? true ; for how can it any other 's chuse , since god hath promisd not to blesse that house , which aimes at welth , and honour , for to rise by orphanes teares , and woefull widows cries . then for the first thou sees how it is vaine , to thinke that thy posterity can raigne or long abide in that estates possession , is got by fraud , collusion , or oppression . now i will see whereto thy labours tend , to squize the poore that thou may better spend on wanton consorts ( souls eternall curse ) the first was ill , but this is ten-times worse . it s well obseru'd , that when wee doe begin , one sinne 's attended by an other sinne . they come in paires , which seemes approud to be . in none oppr●ssor b●tter then in thee . it s not enough to prey vpon the poore , but thou must spend his state vpon thy whoore . so that me thinkes i almost might auer , it s rather he then thou maintaineth her . must his night cares and early rising to , his dayly labours , when and where to sow his painefull tillage , and his slender fare , his griefe when 's crops the lesse successiue are , his many howers of want , few of content , his special care to pay his lands-lords rent , must he that earnes his liuing best we know , ( being as god command'd ) in 's sweat ofs brow , must he the sleepes with many a troubled head , to finde his wife and hungry children bread , must he ( i say ) for all his lifes disquiet , maintaine thy whoredome and excessiue riot , must he support thee in thy vaine delights , thy midnight reuels , and thy pagent sights , thy new inuented fashions , and thy port , must he at th' cart , maintaine thy pride at cour● , if this he doe ? this doome to thee is giuen , court it on earth , thou's neuer court in heauen . no ahab no , there is no place for such , whom poore mens grieues and sorrowes will not tutch . such as will haue compassion , shall be there , receiud in mercy that had mercy heere . but such as thou , who in the pride of heart , had little feeling of an others smart , shall heare that ve , away thou cursed goe , " repent in time , or thou shalt finde it so : for tell me ? why should whorish complement force thee to soules eternall languishment . why should a minutes pleasure take from thee , all after-hope of thy felicitie , vvhy should a painted cheeke be so sought after , beleeu 't in common sense it merits laughter that her complexion should by thee be sought , that knows its not her owne , but that'twas bought , yea one would thinke more reason there 's to seeke , " complexion in the shop , then on the cheeke . and better wil't with generous humors stand , to buy 't at first then at the second hand : both's to be bought : no difference in the sale ; the one in grosse , the other in retaile . o then take heede , mix not two sinnes in one , sinnes linkt together make the soule to groane . their burdens heauy yea t is such as they , draws in in cart-ropes ( as the prophets say ) but if thou wilt needes to perdition run , and follow on that chase thou hast begun , if thou wilt make thy body ( in few words ) a filthy caske , or cage of vncleane birds , if that same soule , which should a temple be , and dedicated to gods maiesty , must now be made ( it grieues me to expres ) a stew for harlots and licentiousnesse . yet let not thy oppression be the meanes for to maintaine such prostituted queanes , that doe expose themselues to publique shame , " one sin 's enough : shun thou oppressions name . i know indeede what was of ahab tould is growne a story now exceeding old . his mouldred bones and ashes who can finde , yea his example 's quite worne out of minde , since for most part , mens corps 's no sooner rotten , then they and all their actions be forgotten . the stories old indeed , its true they say , yet is the vse experienst euerie day , " ech day we see a silly naboth slaine , " and euery day a wicked ahab raigne . who if he see one plat of ground that is delightfull in his eye , or bordering his ; whether 't be vineyard , garden , or that land , ( the front i mean ) where naboths house doth stand , he cannot be content till he has got , by fraud or violence , that same neighbouring plot . for like an eye-sore , it did euer grieue him , nor till ge gain'd it , would he euer leaue him . yet for all this , our moderne ahabs they , no sooner heare what sacred scriptures say , of that example , then they straight begin , to giue a curse to ahab and his sinne . who made no bones ( poore naboth to denye him ) to haue one little vineyard lying by him . cruell he was , say they , and well deseru'd his punishment ; for he was rightly seru'd . to be depriu'd of all , life , realme , and crowne , that would not suffer naboth haue his owne . yea the reward did fit his tyrant-hart , despoyl'd of all , that spoyld the poore of part . so their owne iudgements ( most vnhappy elues ) that thus pronounce the sentence on themselues . their owne mouthes do condemn them , for by this each proue their guilt by th'guilt they show of his . vvherefore as nathan did to dauid say , taking vriahs life and wife away , vvhere he proposd this question thereupon . of him had many sheepe , another one : wherein indeed the prophet shadowed , that fact which dauid to vriah did , which when that good king heard , as th'scripture saith he answered straight , he hath deserued death , thou art the man ( quoth he ) so sure i am , i may be bold to say thou art the man. thou ahab , thou that by extortion gaines , some skreads of land to better th● demains . thou that triumphes in wrongs , and brings the crye and curse of widdowes to thy family . thou that with dainties dost that carrian feede , that maw of thine , while such doe begge their bread , as thou opprest , ( to their extremest wrong , ) thou art the man , i le sing no other song . dost thou not yet relent ? no streams of grace , thrilling or trickling from thy blubber't face ▪ no signe of reformation ? las i see , custome in sinne cannot relinquisht be vpon the instant , wherefore i must set my resolution not to leaue thee yet , and howsoere thou take it , i will goe , yet further with thee i le not leaue thee so , two speciall motiues i might here pro●uce , to moue thee to a conscience , and to vse . a christian-l●ke respect to such as be , ordain'd by god for to liue vnder thee ▪ the first is : to haue eye vnto that forme o● image , which doth euery man adorne , euen his creators image , which might moue vs to loue him for his creators loue . the second is : a due especiall care , or a consideration what wee are , men ; and in that we should be humbler still , " since best of vs , are tennants but at will : on which two branches briefly i le dilate , or rather cursiuely so shadow at , as seeing his forme , thy little cause of pride , this good surueigh may make thee mortified . the comely feature which is giuen to man , implies the place from whence this creature came , euen from that fragrant garden of delight , that spicy eden , where in our makers sight , he did enioy farre more then tongue can tell , till from that height he to corrup●ion fell : yet still retain'd his forme which first was giuen him in paradise , whence now the lord had driuen him ? so precious was this forme ( as he who made it , for as we reade in scripture , where he said it , let vs make man after our image : he saw in this forme ( i say ) such maiestie as he who ( in his mercy fast did make it ) becomming man of god , vouchsaf'd to take it . so that what th' first man adam did before christ , th' second adam as man , did restore . thou sees this image then how it was giuen and represented by the god of heauen , who in his great compassions , thought 't no scorne , that the creator take the creatures forme . and how canst thou ( irreuerent wretch ) disdaine that forme which thy creator did retaine ? how canst despise that image , or presume to wrong that shape thy sauiour did assume ? how canst thou presse that soule with discontent , which thy redeemer daign'd to represent ? how canst abuse that type for hope of pelfe , which christ thy louer shadowed in himselfe ? how canst thou see that image rack't to be , vvhich in thy christ was ract and rent for thee ? how canst endure to haue that soule bereft , of all releefe , and to haue nothing left , driuen from his house , forc't from his tenant-right , vvhen he that is the way truth , life and light , taking his forme to satisfie for sinne , had not so much as house to hide him in . birds had their nests , and euery beast his denne , yet had not he what was permitt'd to them . o let me now perswade , be not extreame , ( its easie saies the prouerb ) to wade the streame , where th'foord's at lowest , recollect to minde . his noble image , and in it thou 'l finde , such singular impressions of reguard , as i doe thinke thou 'l honourt ' afterward . vvhen thou obseru's , ther 's nothing that 's in him , vvas not before in christ excepting sinne . o then refine the ayme of thy intents , in raising rents , thinke on thy sauiours rents . in taking of aduantage , thinke on this , if god aduantage take for each amisse , in what a case wert thou , how woe-begon , that of a thousand cannot answer one ? if thou to grieue gods little ones begin , thinke therewithall , that thou art grieuing him . vvho in his mercy hares the widdowes crie , and in his pitty wipes the orphanes eye , vvhich thou hast cause to thinke on , so much rather sith god's the widdows iudge , the orphans father : and though earths iustice , be of th'second sight , yet hee 's so iust , hee 'l doe the poorest right . but if mans image , which were strange , should faile , vvith thy remorselesse conscience to preuaile , from that transparent mirror , i le descend , though it may seeme in it to comprehend all humane glory , yea i may say more , the forme of god which he assum'd before , vnto that due obseruance , or that care , vvhereby we come to acknowledge what we are . man 's of a substance meane , hauing his birth , as his first natiue mother , from frayle earth , brittle's his composition , and so weake , be his resolues , as hee can vndertake nought with so firme a purpose as may stand , or will not change with th'turning of a hand . his health 's a stranger to him , for when most , it seemeth with him , it is soonest lost ; for his abiding , hee 's as in a tent , vvherein hee s militant , not permanent . the world 's his campe , his profest enemies , vvherewith he is to grapple , they be these . the turbulent affections of his mind , which euery houre is seuerally inclin'd . the goale which he doth ayme at , or th'reward , after the fight , hee lookes for after-ward : thus thou may see , in this same earthly cell , though dwell we seeme , indeed , we doe not dwell , but foiourne : it s no mansion but an inne , syons our home , this pilgrimage is sinne . as for our states , we are but leacers all , and shall be put off , when hee 's pleasd to call , yea i may rather say ( and not amisse ) vve are the lessees , he the lessour is . and howsoere our lands-lords make accompt , they 'r but inferiour lords , hee 's paramount . then if thou wilt but duely looke vpon 't , thy tenure stands vpon a tickle point , yea i doe find thy state not worth a straw , if i haue any iudgement in the law : and why shouldst thou bring poore men into suit , sith thou thy selfe hast no state absolute , but for thy terme of life : so as methinks , vvhen that french gibberish to my braine-pan sinks vvhere iohn a stiles and 's neighbour iohn an okes , vvith many other law-baptized folkes , are brought in seaz'd of land , as they doe finde , in burrow , english , soccage , gauell-kinde , fee-tayle , fee-simple ( it oft seemes to me ) these lawyers are the simplest men that be ; who are perswaded ( and would haue vs too ) but let 's discent from them : — there 's fools enough : that of al states and tenures are possest , or can bee had , fee-simple is the best . whereas i thinke , if well they vnderstood , what specially concern'd them , and their good . they would conclude , fee-simple will not doe , a double-fee is better of the two . if we could find indeed a difference , in th'liues of th' tenures , then there were some sence to say , that such a tenure were the strongest ; because by it the tennant liues the longest . but tell me , are not all estates that be subiect alike to mutability : to the possessour you will say they are ; if vnto him , why should we further care , since as the prouerbe is , when he is gone , the world 's gone with him , as all in one : o then thou earth-bred worme , why shouldest thou vant , as if thou wert a lord praedominant . why shouldst triumph ore th'meaner sort of men , since thour' t composd of one selfe mould with thē ? thou art but adams sonne , and so are they , both of you fram'd and fashion'd of one clay , both haue one image : then compassion take , if not for them , yet for their image sake . for though thou canst not one good looke affoord , to these poore snakes , they 'r deere vnto the lord , as is thy selfe , as pretious in gods eies , bought and redeemed with as great a price . and though there be twixt substitutes and kings , superiour states , and lower vnderlings , a difference in the world , yet there shall twixt them ( in heauen ) no difference be at all , onely what 's good shall approbation haue , with king and subiect , conquerer and slaue . o then receiue the bowells of compassion , and beare like mind , as thou dost beare like fashion : let thy vnrighteous mammon get thee friends , that when thy pilgrime daies of labour ends , thou may possesse a glorious heritage , after the period of this pilgrimage . my lessons are but short , pray then remember , as thou the welfare of thy soule dost tender . " the best of vs are tennants but at will , " and stand in hazard of disseisure still . and though our states seeme firmer then the rest , they are vncertaine tenures at the best . in briefe , thou earthly lands-lord striue to be , as thou wouldst haue heauens lands-lord towards thee not too extreame : thou knowst the doome is giuen , that not extortioner shall enter heauen . resolue what thou wilt doe : for though it grieue me to leaue thee yet , i am enforc't to leaue thee , and turne vnto thy tennant , who dismaide , stands heere at doore to heare what i haue said . to the tennant howsoeuer . what state soeuer thou art seazed on , or in what tenure thou dost hold vpon , i l'e now addresse my speech in briefe to thee , wherein i ayme in part to comfort thee , in part to rectifie what may seeme ill , in thy peruerse and vn-conformed will ; that in them both for th' loue which i doe owe , to him thou represents , i may so show , that deere affection which we 're bound to beare , to one another while we soiourne heere , as when an end of all our sorrowes are reduc'd to one set period , and our care shall haue a finall end , what i haue done , " in loue may be approu'd when i am gone . to moue thee vnto comfort , in a word , i 'le vse th'perswasion which i gaue thy lord , to humble his ambicious spirit , when i told him of the different state of men , how in the eyes of men indeed they were esteemed great , but when they should appeare , before that high tribunall , where all should , ( though if they might auoid it , many would , ) make their appearance , then the great should know , they were no more respected then the low : one aduocate , one iudge , one barre one triall , conscience the onely difference , when deniall , seald with abite , or th' accursed doome , or th'inuitation with venite come , shall in that generall iudgement there expresse , or weale , or woe , or hell , or happinesse : " so as when all are summon'd fore that seat , it 's better to be good , then to be great . for then , as well it may be vnderstood , they onely shall be great that are found good . but thou wilt aske , is there no comfort else ? yes that there is , thy daily labour tells , there 's a reward of glory that 's reseru'd , for such as haue their maister duely seru'd , in their vocation : there 's a penny too , which though it be not giuen vnto thee now , yet be assur'd , ( for he that spoke't is true ) " when th' euening comes , thou shalt receiue thy due . and though thou seeme a little while to stay , doe not repine , it 's th' euening crownes the day . wouldst know what i by th' euening doe intend ? i meane the sun-set of thy life or end of all thy pilgrime daies , which though they bee , a very death , or martyrdome to thee , ( so little ioy conceau's thou vpon earth , ) yet wil thy comicke end include thy mirth , vvhen from this vale of labour and of care , thou shalt vnto a mount of ioy repaire . vvhen from this floting sea , this fading cell , thou shalt depart , and with thy sauiour dwell . yea on thy death-bed thou art comforted , thinking how truly thou hast laboured . how many carefull nights thou hast orepast , vvithout the least of rest , how thy repast , vvas not delighfull feeding with excesse , but th' bread thou eate was mixt with carefulnesse ▪ noe houre without affliction or some griefe , and now to finde to all thy woes reliefe it may no little solace the , when th' end of discontents shall bring thee to a friend that will in armes of charitie receiue thee , where beeing lodg'd , no woe , no want can grieue thee . happy translation , and by so much more , in that those lordings which triumph'd before , and plaid vpon thy weakenesse , now shall stand , to th' doome which those oppressors of the land ▪ are subiect to : tell me ( poore wormeling ) then , what difference there will bee twixt thee and them ? great were they heere indeed , and did resemble , those bulls of basan , yet see how they tremble , how quicke their powerfull greatnesse is made small , for little is their pompe , or none at all : see , see these cedars now are strucke with thunder , and thogh they once sate high , their now broght vnder those glorious titles which gaue wings to pride , those gorgeous buildings made them deifide . those many state-attendants , more or lesse , like sommer-swallows following their successe . are vanish't , ruin'd , and dispersed quite , ther 's none of these can come into their sight , yea which is worse in-steed of eminence ; there is an enemy called conscience , that still disturbs their quiet and their rest : vvhich if at peace there were continuall feast . but that 's impossible , such meanes as these ; haue in themselues a thousand witnesses , and these poore snakes cause they did heere contemn them , shall with their conscience stand there to condemne thē , vvhere that same place , they are appointed to shall tophet be , their word , yee cursed goe . thou seest then no difference doth appeare , twixt thou and them saue onely when you 're heere a little garish vanity there is , which doth include that happinesse of his , who seemes so popular , yet thou shalt see , from thence is drawne his greatest miserie . for ( tell me ) doth no that externall state , make him forget whereto he was create doth 't not be ●ull his soule in sinnes delights , ( not knowing how the flesh gainst spirit fights , ) vvhereby he comes , which is the worst of all , to bring his reason to his senses thrall . yea i haue heard of many great mens end , so full of feare and horrour ▪ as god send me lesse delights on earth , so i may haue , a quiet easie passage to my graue . " for reason doth informe me , rare it is , that earths delight should bring a man to blisse ▪ more could i speake to comfort thy distresse , and more i was determinde , i confesse , to insist on thy affliction , but i found , by my experience this especiall ground , held euer firme when we doe comforts tutch , such is mans nature he will take too much , rather then too too little , yea it s sed ; more haue through store of comforts surfeted , the● such as from all outward solace p●nt , haue famisht been through inward discontent . with gedeons souldier therefore prest i am , rather to lap , and like a ionathan , to tutch the hony onely with my rod , then on this subiect make too long aboad . which that i may , from comfort i le descend , to faults in the which i would gladly mend . that god commands from whō proceeds all power , " let each be subiect to 's superiour . for it would breed confusion in the land , if people did admit of no commaund . but like a platoes common-wealth , should be , subiect to none , but in equalitie . therefore that lord , who of his grace doth loue vs , hath ranked some below vs , some aboue vs. aboue vs that we might be caution'd thence , to shew vnto them due obedience . below vs , that we might thereby expresse , to them our loue , to god our thankefulnesse , our loue , that we might our affection show , in loue to them that ranked are so low . our thankefulnesse , that we should more receiue , then other some , that more deserued haue . againe , aboue vs , to acknowledge here , without that power aboue , how weake we are . below vs , that if we vnhappy elues , should grudge to see som greater then our selues , by seeing these wee might suppose they 're sent , by their degree to bid vs be content , in this same decent comly order then of high and low , great and inferiour men , thou ranked art , nor richest , nor most pore , for thou seest many goe from dore to dore , whose scrips their store , whose wallet is their wealth , whose staffe's their stay , whose treasure is their health . now in thy ranke there 's many things i wish thou wouldst reforme , which i doe see amisse . " as first for all thy pouerty and want , thou hast a disposition arrogant : rash , heady-selfe-wild , prouder then thy state can well beare out , extreamely obstinate , foolishly peremptory , saucy with all , besides i see in thee ( i must tell all ) a factious wauering nature , apt to rise through discontent , in any enterprise . a very iack straw , or a custome as●e , alleadging such records as neuer was . a pest ' lent member to the kingdomes quiet , prone to diuision , enmity and riot , sower of discord , selfe-conceitedly wise , yet i cannot we●l imagine why . yea , i haue seene , some of thy crew to gather , like wild-geese for the wagging of a feather , making strange combinations , which did tend , still to their owne subuersion in the end . some terme agoe on one i chanct to light , was come to towne to trie his tenant-right , with whom discoursing , he impart'd to me , mongst other things how most iniuriously he and the rest which held one tenure there , about their state or title troubled were , and therewithall alleadgd that he could show , customes and discords ( so he said ) enough , and that from noahs indignation , when of all the world there were but left men ; no , this is true , quoth he , i will assure yee , without delayer pannelled a iurie : where those . men ( the number scarse holds right ) rising to , that were before but eight , found that our ancestry did hold in pottage , now i imagine he did meane in soccage , which to make sure , this custom speakes for vs , and he with that draws forth a mittimus . this i may sweare , more then a sennet after , i could not thinke on , but was forc't to laughter . but now to thee , for i haue done thee wrong , to keepe me from discourse with thee so long , whom i resolu'd to haue aduertised , of these precedent errors mentioned ; " conforme thy will vnto thy lords commaund in fitting things , thou liu'st vpon his land . and art his liedge-man , therfore thou shouldst sho thy selfe to him , as thou thy selfe doest owe. vnto the heyre to , a respect is due , for time may come when he shall pleasure you . yet meane i not that thou shouldst pay a fine , vnto the heire now in his fathers time , " for if i were an heire as i am not , " believe it i would thinke that fine ill got . what i doe wish to the is briefely this , successe in thy estate , as thou wouldst wish , conformed so vnto thy lands lordheire , that with heauens land●lord thou may liue elsewher● ▪ finis . loves labyrinth : or the true-louers knot : inclvding the disastrous fals of two star-crost louers pyramvs & thysbe . a subiect heeretofore handled , but now with much more proprietie of passion , and varietie of inuention , continued : by richard brathwayte . res est soliciti plena timoris amor . at london printed by i. b. for richard redmor and are to be sold at the west dore of pauls at the starre . . candido et cordato , amico faelici genio , perspicaci ingenio , richardo musgraue de harcley baronetto , coque titulo vere digno : richardus brathwaite hosce extremos amatorum amplexus , grati animi permitias , solennique officio , perfunctas humillime dedit , dicauit , dedicauit . richardus musgraueensis . anagramm . charus musis diurna reges . dystichon . sicut amas musas , musis redamaris ab ipsis , charus vt es musis , secla diurna reges . vpon the dedicatorie . i heare one aske me , if i could finde none , to dedicate this poeme to , but one that 's now transplanted to another sphere , and better measures sings then anie 's here . it s true indeede , the world 's large and wide , and many were there i confesse beside , my now deceased - patron , i could finde , but none so well agreeing with my minde ; he was one that i honour'd , and his worth deseru'd a pregnant muse to set it forth , which though i haue not i will shew my best , to crowne him sleeping in the bed of rest , where , while i write , my passion shall appere , by each lines accent mixed with a tere : but you will say this subiect cannot moue , such firme impression , cause it treats of loue , a sadder straine would better fitting be " drain'd from the streames of graue melpomene , where euery sentence might that passion breede , " as if himselfe were here portraide indeed ; this i could doe and so expresse him too ( but that his worth would be a shame to you . that are desertlesse to see him by fate lopt , that has left you much to imitate , of honour i dare say , ( which ere 't be long , " may be a subiect to a better song . ) but i would haue you know how ere this is , it was from th'cradle nat'ralized his : nor would i raze my patrons dedicate , " how ere he seem'd to be obscur'd by fate , but as i lou'd him liuing , my desire is to expresse my loue vnto him higher being now dead ; that though my friend be gone , yet life and death to friendship may be one : for th'print of loue if it be stampt aright , is most in heart when it is least in sight . finis . vpon the premature death of the most generous and ingenious ; the right worshipfull , sir richard mvsgrave knight-barronett of hartley : who died in italy , being preuented of his religious purpose , intending to visit the holy sepulchre of our sauiour in ierusalem , an epicedivm : the author dedicates these obit-teres , vnto his vertuous and modest lady , the much honoured francis mvsgrave , daughter to the truly honourable philip lord wharton . his ladies obit-teres . teres i do shedde , yet are they shedde in vaine , nor can they call him backe to life againe : a funerall elegy . yet sigh i will , to wake him from his sleep , thus whilst he sleepes in earth , on earth i le weepe . so my sad groanes sent forth vnfeignedly may moue the hardest heart to pitty me , to pittie me , that though i cannot haue the priuiledge to see my husbands graue yet may my teres ( as me it doth beh●ue ) transported be to testifie my loue : my loue which euer shall these obites keepe , she can doe verie little cannot weepe . richardus musgrauiensis . anagramm . vnis resurgam charus diis . dystichon . nascimur & morimur : sed tu moriendo resurges , gratior & sanctis , charior atque deis . de profectione eius ad sanctiss . christi sepulchrum . christus erat pretium , christi quia morte sepulchrū ▪ perlustrare cupis ▪ quem moriendo capis . richard musgraue . anagramm . graces reward him : or we admire his grace . two anagrammes included in one verse . dystich . graces reward him , we admire his grace , serue both as proper mottoes for this place : a funerall elegie . the first t' expresse the hope of his reward , whence is implie'd our comfort afterward . vpon his graue . in musgraues hearse i finde the muses graue , for by his losse a patron lost they haue : yet he 's not lost , but is ascended higher , and sings with muses of the heauenly quire . his character . faire england gaue me breeding , birth , and name , ierusalem was th'place where i did ayme , but loe my sauiours graue i could not see , for my owne graue was made in italy . vnto the italian . doe not contemne my corps italian , i am th'remainder of a gentleman , who knew what honour was : so after-time may shew like loue to thee , thou showes to mine . vnto report . to speake well of the dead is charitie , if thou be then a christian , taxe not me of what i did : ( if men , we 're prone to fall , ) speake what is well , or do not speake at all . more fidelium est transitus ( de morte ii vitam . ( de fide ii noritiam . ( de agone ii brauium . ( de peregrinatione ii patriam . ( de labore ii refrigerium . ( de expectatione ii praemium . ( de mundo ii deum . bernardvs . peregi officium morientis amici . to all vnhappy louers . come neere me louers , crost by louers fate , and see these star-crost louers , that their sight , may somthing cheere the drowping of your state , showing such beames of comfort in the night , of your discomforts : that both loue and hate , " may make you happy louers by renew , " had to these louers crost as well as you . you say you lou'd ; it 's true : and so did these ; " you say you lou'd a faire one ; so did he , who fancied thisbee ; you say louers peace , is seldome purchas'd but by enmity , deriu'd from parents : so did loue encrease , " in these vnhappy louers , who were crost , by parents meanes , of what they fancied most . tell me then haplesse louer , hast thou cause to grieue at that which others haue endur'd , as if thou wert quite priuiledg'd from lawes , firme in thy selfe , from louers hate secur'd , " o no , beleeue it , prickles hath the rose , " the sweet her sower ; the hony-bee her sting , " loue though a toy , yet shee 's a toile somthing . repose thee then vnhappy louer heere , and see loues fal in tragick measures fram'd , that when thou seest a louer loose his deere , thou of like chance may neuer be asham'd since thou art but as other louers were . " for shame it s none , to loose what 's scarce begun , " but shame is 't not to doe what should be done . your passion-pittier , richard brathwaite . the author vpon his infant poeme . if ought's amisse , imputed let it be , toth ' time wherein this poeme it was writ , which was ( i must confesse ) my infancy of age , art iudgement , knowledge , and of wit : nor doe i thinke it would this time befit , to meddle with my youths minority . vnpolisht and vnhewd , i therefore send it freely toth ' world , that she may friendly mend it . vpon the presse . tride would i bin by th' country , bench , & prince , yet but a month agoe , no longer since , was i for speaking ( as it may be thought ) and not for silence to the presse thus brought , iudge you my friends what conscience there is in 't : by th' weights i beare the errors of the print . the argument of pyramus and thysbe . childrens loue and parents hate , pure affection cros'd by fate . true their loue , so true to either , that they chusd to die together . curteous woodnimphs , tigres fierce , " wash with teares their doleful hearse , mirtle branches , roses sweete . " satyres strow about their feete . woodnimphs with their syrens voice , call their parents by their noise . who with pace ( slow pace god wot , ) " made hast they could , yet hasted not ; till they saw their children lie , " arme in arme full louingly . oft they sought , but all in vaine , to bring life to them againe . trickling teares came dropping downe , " groues with teares were ouerflowne , water mixt with crimson blood , " made a deluge where they stood . this bees obsequies they see , " grauen in an oliue tree , their bones to ashes they doe burne and place them in one sacred vrne . that as their loue was all in all , so they might haue one buriall . to this shrine , this statue faire , louers wont for to repayre . who to confirme their sincere loue , offered them a turtle doue . but when their reliques scattered were , maids nere after offered there their wonted incense , but forsooke , the altar which was wont to smoke , with mirrhe and thime , which they did burne , with solemne rites about their vrne . yet lest their fame should so decay , their tombe is to be seene this day , which first erected was to be , conseruer of their memory . pyramus and thysbe . nimrods faire city , beauteous babylon , which admirations eies once gaz'd vpon , though grac'd in all , in nought so gracious , as in her thysbe , and yong pyramus . thysbe a maid as faire , as faire could be , he for his sexe , was full as faire as she . these two resplendent starres , shone in one sphere , and by contiguate mansions bordering neere , renewd their loues vnhappy memory , press'd downe too much by parents iealousie . aye me too iealous , to preuent that good , of sincere loue which cannot be withstood . these two debar'rd of meeting , not of louing , for loue , though smothred , hath an inward moouing sought means to shew their mutual loue by woing , supplying that in words , they mist in doing . their walls abutting neree , so neere did meet , that these two saints might each another greete . a chinke there was , which thysbe soone espies , for maids in wanton feats , haue linceus eyes . vvhich beeing seene ( well seene ) she did repaire each morne betime to see if he were there : at last he spies it , ( men haue duller witte , then women haue , yet better manage it . ) this crany was the shrine to which they came , where either call'd on other , by their name . and with deuotion ech to other kneeled , protesting loue , hid loue , so long concealed . vvhy should our parents , pyramus would say , seeke to protract our loues by long delay ? or why should we , with such precisenesse shunne , that which our parents long before haue done ? suppose their loue was pure : our loue 's as pure , they full as fond as we , were drawen to th'lure . and why , my thysbe , should that comely face , for all her feature , haue a ciphers place ? thou art no shadow , but a substance ( deare ) in substances , impressions best appeare . then for my loue , thy ioy , and beauties sake , that seemes eclyps'd , let me th' impression make . le ts to the field , aye me , we cannot goe , we are immur'd within the grate of vvoe ; and why should i , fond man , my thysbe moue , to vvanton pleasure ? vvhere 's no vse of loue ; i knovv thou lou'st , in that thy griefe is more , pent from that st vvhich thou vvould fain adore . thysbe stood peeping through this narrovv chinke and though she spake nought , yet shee more did think , her blush , her smile , her bittng of her lip , did all the secrets of her hart vnrippe . thus whilst they stood both standing at a bay , wishing some priuate passage , or some way , to consummate their vowes : in comes her mother , which made them take their leaue one of another . she skoold her daughter : vvhat my tricksie girle , are you besotted with this worthlesse pearle , this beauties blossome ? faire enough , but poore , dote on the rich , affect his rags no more . mother ( quoth thisbe ) you are much decau'd , if i may speake with reuerence , he nere crau'd loue at my hands : what did he here , quoth she , that he so priuate should discourse with thee ? he is ( quoth thisbe ) come from salamine , and brought me grapes , pluckt from that tender vine aetolus planted , which she gaue in hast , vnto her mother , praying her to tast : shee tooke and tasted : fruits variety seru'd at that time for her apology . the pitchy shade of night approach't at hand , vvhen screech-owles , fauns , and satyres haue cōmād where skipping in their lawne and flowry groue , siluane to siluane consecrates his loue . yet when each chirping bird , goes to her nest , loues eyes be open , and can take no rest . beasts to their caues resort , surcease to prey , feeding on that they purchas'd by the day . each creature in his kind dispos'd to sleepe , but feruent loue continuall watch doth keepe ▪ he tosseth in his bed , wishing it day , hoping thereby his cares to throw away . yet when the night is past , the day yeelds more , then ere the night affoorded him before . thus pyramus enthrall'd twixt hope and feare , hopes , though smal fruit of hope in him appeare . he cannot sleepe nor wake , but twixt them both , sleeping and waking as a letharge doth . oft would he hugge his pillow in his arme , and cling it fast about , to keepe it warme . supposing it was thysbe , and would sweare , no creature ere could be more welcome there , streight would he call on hymen , then inuite , his friends and kinsfolke to his nuptiall rite . and faigning their replies , thanks he would giue , vowing requitall once , if he should liue . oh what distractions haunt a louers minde passing those bounds which nature hath assign'd , nought vpon earth , but limits hath we see , but boundlesse loue can nere contained be . hearbs yeeld a soueraigne cure to euery wound , but for loues cure , in hearbs no vertue 's found . then blest is he , and in an happie state , who for loues dart is made inuulnerate . yet was it hard to see and not to loue , thysbe's admired beauty , which could mooue , serpēts , birds , plāts brute beasts which grase & feed , more then ere orpheus with his musicke did . her goulden tresses , pure ambrosian , fairer then all the twists arachne span , shone far more bright then phoebus glistring raies , by all mens iudgements , meriting more praise ; her corall lip , ( no lip ) but ports of pleasure , which seem'd to open to whole mines of treasure , appeard so sweet , that all was sweet about it , for i am sure nought could be sweet without it . her brests two iuory mounts , mounts may i cal thē for many vales of pleasant veines empall'd them these like two borders , did such sweets display , that who lodg'd there , lodg'd in the milkie way . below a shady vale , aye mee that shade , which nature in her owne despite had made , had made for glory of that sacred mount , with the sweet nectar of a liuely fount . a still distilling fount , an heauenly riuer , for there 's no earthly spring can spring for euer . her wanton gate , her glance , her smile , her toying , all ioy'd in one , shewed pleasure in enioying . so as b euphrates , vvhere this city bounded , vents vp his passions , for he oft resounded beating his bancks , and eccoing in the aire , and then retiring backe , seem'd to despaire . that thysbe could not loue a sencelesse one , at which repining , he vvould make his mone . hath not my current ere renovvned beene , for th' easie passage of my quiet streame ? hath not my torrent yeelded much content , to gild his meanes , vvhose meanes vvhere vvholly spent ? haue i not suffered much ? sustain'd great paines , fraughting your trauaile with a double gaines . and for supporting of so many shippes , may not euphrates graze vpon her lippes , whom thus he loues ? vnthankfull coast ( quoth he ) respecting least , who did the most for thee . this being said , hee could expresse no more , but in a loue-sicke passion , bett the shore . and to c confirme , what i haue heard men say , he left his course and tooke another way . if sencelesse riuers that were neuer seene to loue , or care for louing , held no meane , in their affecting thisbe : what should hee that had both sence and reasons purity ? pure in his mind , and faire in beauties shew , narcissus second for his comely hew : lipp'd like ador is , frycina loued , shaped like alexis pollyos approoued . grac'd with a smiling countenance , which did breed , a louely white , mix'd with a comely red . two sparkling eyes pierciue as diamond , which , whersoere they gas'd , they seem'd to woūd , that though the sun were set , yet his bright eies shone as the beames which from the sun doe rise : the night being gone , too long god wot in going , her wandring lights to tethis banks bestowing , titan came peeping in at thyisbes chamber , whom she reflected with her locks of amber . each other greeting , as if had beene there , two suns at once , both in one hemysphere . hard was the combat , but more hard it were , to tell whose beams diffus'd their light most clear , yet in the end titan in an angry mood , seeming surpast , did hide him in a cloud . thysbe puts on her cloths , blest were those cloths , thrice happy shade , that shadow'd such a rose , where being dressed , not dress'd as shee would bee , she tooke her to her praiers religiously . high heauens ( quoth she ) from whence al pleasures flow , deigne some of them on thysbe to bestow . for by your power , which i doe much adore . i loue but that which you haue lou'd before . thou thundring ioue , did dote as well as i , when thou desired with danae to lye ; which to effect , thou turn'd her to a showre . a goulden showre her beauty to defloure , for cloth'd in lightning , danae denaied , to ioyne with thunder : afterward arr●id in dewie moisture , ( moisture we do loue , ) she cast off shame , and did thy shape approue . and iuno lou's ixion for his kisse , venus , adonis for his comelinesse . , daphne ( poore laurell ) chased by apollo , running as fast before as he did follow ▪ thus did your loue , your lust , your thoughts renew , if i thinke ill , i thinke no worse then you . and well may gods with womens sexe dispence , since they were first authoris'd their offence . my loue 's not spotted with lasciuious tutch , vnlesse it be by louing ouermuch . nor branded with the note of infamie , but pure as delia queene of chastitie . thoughts are the worst , my actions they be cleare , & he'se no man whose thoughts nere soyled were . then pardon if i loue , suppose it zeale , whose passions be too hote for to conceale : leauing her orisons , composed of loue , loue dallying praiers : her eyes aside she moues , and sees the chinke ▪ which she first saw before , which did augment her dolors much the more . for shee recall'd to minde , to memory , her mothers chiding , fathers ielousie ; both which a streame of teares extract from her , as if pale death her comforts should interre . oft would she call on louely pyramus , with smothered speech , as one suspitious : lest the pure ayre , and walls adioyning neere , should prattle loue vnto her parents eare . oft would she nibble out a stone or two , to make the crift seeme bigger to the show of her deepe loue : for they suspected were , therefore debard , lest they should come too neer . pyramus pent vp all this while , at last , gets out and hies him to the chinke as fast . where what discourse their mutuall loue affoorded , seem'd by the gods in heauen to be recorded . either with greedy eye gasing on other , thysbe look'd backe somtimes , doubting her mother : for she suspected much her iealous eye , in her loues presence to be euer by . enuious vvall oft would these louers say , diuide thy selfe and let vs haue a way , to meete , to kisse , to parley and relate , the solemne festiues of our nuptiall state . why should thy marble stuctures hold vs out , vvhose loue encircles babilon about ? or why should terrene composition moue a breach or separaration of our loue ? loue is celestiall : thou a marble shrine , why shouldst thou hinder loue that is diuine ? and yet we cannot so ingratefull be , but we must offer vp our thanks to thee ; our vowes , our giftes , our best pris'd sacrifice , in that thou yeelds a passage to our eyes , yeelding some comfort in this gloomie night , supplying kisses with the vse of sight . loue hath some harmonie , some small agreeing , for what it wants in tutch it hath in seeing . hesperias garden was by serpents kept , whose euer watching eye-liddes neuer slept . and colchis fleece was kept as warily , till iasons meanes obtain'd the victorie so be our loues immur'd , interred rather , by two suspicious dames , one subtile father . then would they kisse the wall and oft entreat , that in compassion it would let them meet . we willl not tell our parents , nor expresse , who t was , gaue way vnto our happinesse . louers be faithfull , of our faiths beleeue vs , since this straight durance cannot chuse but grieue vs. the wall replyde not : yet their words had force , piersing her hardnesse , foftned with remorse . for euer since , as well it may appeare , the marble sheds each morne a trickling teare , thus did these louers passe the weary morne , depriu'd of that which louers best adorne , and that is priuate meeting , which being missing , we beat the aire but with conceit of kissing , a vaine conceit , to dally with delight , expecting sun-shine in a clowdy night . imparadis'd in ioyes he cannot be , that 's clad in sable roabs of misery . oh then conceiue what sorrow he sustaines , that in perpetuall languishment remaines . o what distractions do his ioyes disseuer , feeding like vultures on his hart for euer . if c zeuxes pictured grapes , so liuely were ; that many birds in flocks repaired there , pecking vpon his statues , and did brow se vpon his liuely grapes , meere liueles showes . well may we thinke , that ioue himselfe can make , a farre more liuely , and proportion'd shape , then a poore painter ; though his grapes seeme ripe , yet they were drawne from ioues first archetype . then ioues best picture , natures admiration , thysbe , euen thysbe made for recreation , may well be thought to draw each bird each beast , from pastures greene , vpon her lippes to feast . it were a festiue banquet there to be , whose breath is nectar , breathing deity . here pyramus would be , if heauens would grant it , for he esteemes no treasure , whilest he wants it , since such a iewell , such a pretious gem , in that it 's rare , is more admired by men . thus tantalised , the gods doe seeme to loue him , setting him fruite , but fruite too farre aboue him : for when his lips ( pure lips ) should but com ny them they mocke his lips and in dirision flie them . dost flie my lips ( quoth he ) ô doe not flie me , for what i doe , i doe it but to trie thee , to trie thy loues which though our parents thwarted our conioin'd loue disioin'd shall nere be parted , well may our bodies be disioin'd a sunder , but loue 's to head-strong , none can keepe it vnder : loue is free-borne , it cannot seruile be , to begge for curtesie with a bended knee . thysbe kept concord , for each word he spake , seem'd her retired passions to awake , stird vp her spirit , as inspir'd by fate , making her stout that was effeminate . continue thy intendments sweete , quoth she , and as thy shadow i will follow thee , passing a sea of dangers launching deepe , ●ill ● the shadow to the substance creepe , passe or 't as forrest , snow-cliued caucasus , thysbe will follow steps of pyramus ; the c riphea● mountaines , or the hetririan plaines , each morne resounding with the notes of swains , if thou loue vin●lus , with her fragrant spices , or eric●hea famous for deuices : thysbe will follow thee with speed she may , only , her trauaile with thy loue repaie . but these are but discourses of our ill , which if not cured , be augmented still . for that you know renues the maladie , which rubs the sore , and yields no remedie : for why should any labour me remoue , from that admired mirror whom i loue . and i am of that nature : more they hold me , from fancying thee , more passions do enfould me ; then plot ( my pyramus , ) contriue , inuent , that we may harbour loue in loues content , till wearied with ioy , wearyed too soone , thou leaue adoring of the watrie moone . where being cloyed with the sweetes of loue mayst leaue the vale , and taste the fruits aboue . thou art my sheepheard , i will be thy plaine , i the poore cottage , thou the homely swaine , thou shalt refresh thy selfe vpon my banckes , which hauing don , i know thou'le giue me thanks , for my diffused streames , streams meerely sent , not much enforc'd from thysbes continent , come then , for why should any marble wall being materiall substance , so appall our ardent wishes , wishes which proceede from loue-sick passions , which more passions feed . let our distilling teares congeal'd in one , dissolue the hardnes of this flinty stone . remorse may moue this stone by diuine wonder , to let vs meet , diuide herselfe a sunder . this said , maine riuers of distreaming teares , in their woes-torrents purblinde eies appeares , seeking , but seeking all in vaine god wot , to moue that shrine which weeping moued not . it wept to see true loue so straite confinde , disioyn'd by fates , which fauours had combinde . it wept to see their parents so vnkinde , to curbe their bodies presence , whose pure minde , rapt with content of seeing , not enioying , acts discontent , debard of further toying . it wept to see their minds so well agreeing in one selfe place , not to haue one selfe-being ▪ it wept and much repin'd that dismall fate , should crosse pure loue by loue-disioyned hate : and pittying their case shed many a teare , shedding so many , she her selfe did were . oh what hard harted parents had these two , since what the stones allow'd , they 'l not allow , reproouing that in theirs , themselues affected , soiling their youth with what their youth respected are these the fruits and honours of our time , the fruitlesse blossomes of a sterile clyme ? are these our louing sires ? oh no , they are hard , to presse downe loue , that cannot be debar'd . you high resplendent heauens , whose cherishing heat with seasoned warmth , our spacious borders greet , temper such parents hearts , as are not won , till both their line and linnage be vndone . soften their stifned minds , oppress'd with rage , playing sharpe tyrants in declining age . for why should they find fault their children play , since in their prime they playd as much as they . decrepit age , stilted for want of strength , with brinish teares deplores their sins at length ; but thus i conster't : they their age deplore , theyr youth is spent , and they can doe no more . and like an enuious viper , would haue none , to vse their strength , because their strength is gone . but old age ers in this ▪ experienc'd wit swaies their proceedings , youth abandons it . nor doe they know what hurt poore maides receiue , to pen them vp from that they wish to haue . for though they be immur'd in walles of brasse , loue hath her loope-holes by which she will passe ▪ inspite of iealous dotage , and espies some priuy chinke , though wacht by g linceus eies , for loue enclos'd like raging elements of fire and water , though imprisoned , vents , and must eruption haue , it cannot be an heauenly motion should want libertie . h eurydice though shes enforc't to dwell , in stygian plutoes court infernall hell , yet her transmounting passions doe remoue themselues from hell vnto the earth aboue . poore swaine dorinda though by satires kept , in a vast caue , whose watchfull eies nere slept , but with reflexion both by night and day , had speciall care lest she should get awaie , comforts her selfe in louing , fearing not , but chast desires ore long would get her out , loue is enfranchisd not in bonds retained , spotlesse as christall , for no soile can staine it . the boistrous windes shut vp in iron grates , on each occasion and intendment waites , when they come forth their tempests hurrie more grieu'd at their durance , then they did before . that morn which sēds her glittering raies too soone , sables her sunne in cloudes ere it be noone . but when its long ere that her beames appeare , we doe presage ere night they 'le shine more cleere . i thetis exiled from her marine seate , a willing exile with the sea●nimphs meetes , to celebrate achilles funeralls , in sable robes , in dismall festiuals . each wept whole flou●s of teares to wash his hearse , whereon engrauen was a doleful verse ; that no hard hearted passenger came by , but seeing it , would sheede teares instantly : some made relation of his valiant spirit , some of the glory which his acts did merit : and wofull brusis one amongst the rest , being his captiue , whom she loued best , emburied him with liquid streames of sorrow , renewing griefe with each renewing morrow . so did these louers , louers too sincere , rise ere the morning daystar could appeare , bewayling much their parents frowardnesse , that kept them from the support of happinesse ▪ happie , if happy in enioying loue , to see the turtle billing with the doue , the skipping kid , the goate , the pensiue hinde , consorting each with other in their kinde : yet these two louers are debard from this ; what brute beasts haue , they haue not but in wish : and wishes yield small comfort , poore releefe to such as are prest downe with heapes of griefe . o that heauens splendor , her translucent eie should see , and seeing , pietie miserie , yet suffer man to be oppres'd therewith , making him die a neuer dying death . or why should man endu'd with reasons light , in his owne bowels harbour such a fight , as may subuert the pallace of the soule , ecclipsing it , making her bewty foule ; conuerting that by her depraued will , as first seem'd good to some apparant ill ; not gathering hony from each bitter flower of discontent , nor reaping sweet of sower , but in distractions passionate we run , in headlong course till that we be vndone : and then despairing , we reside in woe shut vp in shelfes : we know not where to goe . the sillie bee that labours in her hiue , in her hyblaean works addres'd to striue , with nature in proportion : seemes to make , more for her selfe then nature for her sake , in her digesting and disposing fit , what she had gathered by her natiue wit , ●he rests secure of loue , worse hap haue we , opprest with loue-sick passions then hath she but heauens haue so decreed ; this is our lotte creatures that haue most reason , most should dote . thus each ore-shadowing eu'ning shadowed hope , ayming at loue , loue was their onely scope : at which they leuelled : but ( 'las ) disdaine soaring aloft , the frute of loue retaines : lockt from all comfort , shut from sweete repose , she to their parents doth their loue disclose . telling them how their children made repaire , vnto a chinke which breath'd a cooling aire . yeelding content enough : and they should see that ere long time thysbe would frutefull bee . their parents stamp'd , but tymon most of all , for hee was rich and feard his daughters fall . yet well he could haue brook'd her nuptiall bed , if he were rich that should his daughter wed . fie on such gould-adoring parentage , that rests respectlesse both of youth and age , who measure loue by wealth are sure to haue , midas his eares , depriu'd of what they craue , they wrest their childrens minds to make them taste , the sweet of gold , which works their baine at last . m thus parents are as vipers to their seed , since they their venome in their bosomes feede . which like to naptha that being once inflamed , burnes of it selfe , and cannot be restrained . but loue the more repressd the more confin'd , encreaseth so much more in louers minde . n for though their watchfull eies did still looke ore them , gods pittying their distres did more deplore them . and ioue himselfe yields soueraigne remedy , to these two louers fraught with misery . and well might ioue yield comfort to their wounds , since he his passions on like passions grounds . for he ( though god ) did doate as well as man , transforming leda to a milke white swan . ioue in his aiery throne with piercing eies , these louers griefes from high olimpus spies , and spying them oppres'd , pres'd downe with louing their humane passions force a diuine mouing . you fruitfull sprigs sprung of a fruitfull tree , i heare your plaints , and i doe pittie yee , that the ioynt tablet of two louing hearts should be deuided into seuerall parts . hard-hearted parents , made of marble sure , or else they could not such distresse endure , that their owne budding blossoms which did grow , from their vnseasoned bosome should bestow their oile , their labour in affections straines , yet kept in thraldome by their parents reynes . but i that haue the regiment aboue , rules cupids arrows , knows the vse of loue , i that haue poasted down from heauens high sphere , to danae , io , and the milke-maides here , and to latona bewties sacred queene , yet to this hower , as ioue i nere was seene , nor euer knowen , such was our diuine power , transuming shapes of plants and roarie showers , will pittie your affections and apply , vnto your wounds are present remedy . for we ( as men ) do naught of woemen craue , but what they well may giue , and we may haue . if the oreshadowing cloudes whose duskie face , obscures heauens splendor , sols refulgent grace ▪ if misty vapours , foggy excrements , thickned by mixture of grose elements , if heauen , earth , sea , plants , stones , or serpents may yield you content , or can your woes allay , rely on me ; for ioues high diademe , was first ordained to succour wretched men , and by the flagrant cresset of the sunne , we le either see your minds vnited one , or else my power shall contradict her selfe , making affection vassaile vnto pelfe , vvhich were discordant musique , harsher straines , then ere pan sung among his countrie swains for its not fit that hand-maids should command vs or subiect powers should in their acts withstand vs. pelfe ( worlds trash ) in lowest ranke should sit , loue as a mistris framd to manage it : for who will contemne the daie , the night adore , set best behinde , and worst part before . ioue hauing in compassion seene their woes , to o hesperus the euening st●r he goes , and bids her shew her light , for by her aide , she might yeeld succour to a helplesse maide , hesperus roused , rous'd before her time in heauens horizon streight began to shine : ore cannoping heauens beawtie with a clowde , all which by ioue himselfe was well allowde , then wandring starrs in different dignity , sent out their lights disparkled orderly . arctophilax begotten of the beare , and cassiopeia likewise did appeare , the pleiades , orion , with the rest , castor and pollux , whom ioue loued best ; all these consort and make one constellation , at ioues command for louers recreation . the heauens be-sprinkled thus with sundry lights , limit the day by bringing on the night , to comfort wearied spirits spent with toyle , whose troubled brains the night-time shuld assoil . for ioue at first conceiuing mortall seede , amidst his labors some repast to need , created night those cares to take away , which had beene fostred on the toilesome day . night wished night , to louers that desire to be partakers of that heauenly fire , cupid ( blind boy ) infuseth in their brest , which once infus'd engendreth their vnrest . but it s no matter , leaue vve cannot louing , though bitter fruits redound to our approuing : this gloomy night yeelds comfort to their wo , for ioue had showen the place , where they should go . to ninus toomb , a toomb to bury griefe shaded with couert , fit for loues reliefe : these two blest louers , blest in loues appearing , addresse their eye for sight , their eare for hearing . l●st their suspicious parents should sift out , their fond intendments which they went about : the night was very darke , darke nights be best , for such as on the day-time take no rest . since each disparkling beame which doth appeare , yeelds to a iealous louer cause of feare . but duskie nights which louers best approue , giue free accesse of parly vnto loue . thisbe loue-sicke , for loue had made her sicke , time thus occasioned , findes a pretie tricke to gull her keepers and her parents too , which who can blame her , all that loue will doe : deere be our parents loues , their wils , their blessing● by which we prosper : deerer be the kissings of those we loue sincerely from our heart , for where they be there is our chiefest part . no vnfrequented desert can remoue our hearts from them whom we entirely loue . no distance can disioine vnited mindes , no labyrinth fram'd with meanders winds : we rest the same or else it cannot be , that our affections ground on constancie . thisbe with creeping pace pac'd ore the floore , oyling the hinges of the creeking dore , lest it should shew her meaning to her mother , whose eies she q feared more then anie other . for they were too too iealous and would spie , more in her dealing then her fathers eye : for he was bed-rid and could hardly moue his sencelesse ioints and knew not what was loue : yet this bed full of bones , this sap-lesse wretch had sap within his chest , for he was rich ; and more , for which all wisemen-may deride him , he euer lov'd to haue his golde beside him : for on his trash he was so deeply rooted , that he ( fond-man could neuer sleepe without it : thus had he much , yet he desir'd much more his gold , his idole which he did adore . and though he had no vse for that he got , yet he f●om raking more surceased not . which punishment was first inflict'd by ioue , rich men should haue no vse of what they loue ; but in an●n-bred appetite to golde , delight to haue it euery minute tolde : vvhich being done making an endlesse paine , they tell their trash and put it vp againe . thus did this aged tymon : and respected , wealth more then youth of girles most affected , for richlesse was the scope he leuel'd at , hee le call none sonnes but men of good estate . worth worthlesse seemes , if worth haue no retire , nor means by which their honour might aspire . for beggar irus whose estate was poore , made ithacus to driue him out of dore . and seeing him arraide in beggars list , in furious passion slew him with his fist . thus men are made respectlesse for their want , and pouerty , though faire , yet whole not taunt ? deeming them most vnfit of honours throne , that haue more wit then fortune of their owne , but he that poiseth worth as worth should be , will not obscure true worth for pouertie ; being the substance and maine difference , twixt sauage beasts and humane excellence . and more is trash inferior to the minde , then pith of trees superior to the rinde : thysbe escaping , hies her to the place which was appointed : her admired face cast such a lustre on the plaines belowe , as sleepy mountaines couered with snow . in maiden white appareld : maides should be arraied so to shew their modestie ; such piercing eyes she had , which shon so bright , that they gaue day vnto a gloomy night : so that each wood-nimph , faune and satyre there , rose from their caues perceiuing light appeare . siluanus god of woods and desert groues , his shaggy head from off his pillow moues ; and halfe asleepe seeing his arbour shine and all about him , long before his time he girds his quiuer to him , and drew neere to ninus toombe , where sun-beames shon most cleere : where he no sooner came ; ay me ! too soone to that vnluckie shrine that ominous toombe : but seeing her he cast all sleepe aside , sewing , and suting thysbe for his bride . mirror of women , best of natures art , heare a poore wood-god that hath pledg'd his heart to thee and to thy feature : heauenly queene that would these flowry thickets well beseeme , sit thee downe here : this is an arbour sweet , where al the wood nymphs vse each euen to meet making a concord ; whose mellifluous sound , would glad the birds and all the desert round : the nimphs shall make their praiers and renew , each morne their hymnes , that they may pleasure you the muses nine from pyerus shall descend , and to our musique their attention lend , where if there anie discord chance to be , muses themselues will yeeld a remedie . there clio , erato , and melpomene , euterpe , thalia , and calliope , terpsychore , vrania , and that sweet tong'd poly-himnia singing at thy feet all these shall grace thee in this rurall plaine , if thou canst brooke to loue a countrie swaine : yet am i borne more high then mortall men . deriu'd from gods euen of immortall stem , t sprung my beginning , therfore scorne not me , since if thou match thou match's with deitie . the flowery shrubbs thou seest doe i command , nay euen the cedar which so high doth stand , rests at my power : there is no branch doth grow , whose moisture doth not from syluanus flow . the sweetest spices of arabia , the preciou'st perfumes breth in lidia , smell by my meanes : for my celestiall power , can make each stinking weede a fragrant flower . then deare affect me , for no perfume's good ▪ if i want thee that perfumes euery wood. thysbees replie . if you ( quoth thysbee ) as you doe professe , deriue your birth from gods then shew no lesse● maid , for it s not fit that gods with starres araid , and heauens immortall sphaeres , should loue a u a countrie lasse best fits a countrie swaine , his oaten pipe best suites with her harsh straine . those gods that in olympus regiment , sit and beare rule skorne baser elements . then if you be diuine , as sure you be , surcease your suite which yeelds indignity ▪ to that high of-spring whence you did proceed , staine not your loue with any mortall seed . doth mine high linage ( quoth syluanus ) shew , that i am too diuine to match with you ; thou art sure born of that ambrosian aire , which is infus'd in me : thou art too faire to be of mortall race , oh do not then debase that faire so much to mach with men : yet if thou wilt not match but with a swaine , he be no god that i thy loue may gaine . a shepheards habite i wil take vpon me , if in that habite i may liue with thee . for credit me ( heauens saint ) if thou partake of man , all men i le honour for thy sake : then loue siluanus , doe not blush be free , loue god or swaine , syluanus both will be . thisbees reply . it ill becomes , quoth ●he , your peerelesse state , with silly maides to be importunate : you should protect our weaknesse and defend our brittle sexe , and euer be a friend to womans weake proceedings , ceasing still to drawe deuoted virgins to your will : we that are consecrate to vestas shrine , must in no lasciuious meetings spend no time . if thou ( quoth he ) to vesta dedicate thy vowes , thy hests : what mak'st the here so late ? for well i know dame vesta cannot bide her maides should walke alone in euening tide . and those that meane to satisfie her will. , must both be chast and feare suspicions ill . thysbe stood mute , she knew not what to say , without reply she went a prety way and could not answer , for her tripping tongue and modest silence told she spoke a wrong . for she nere vesta lou'd nor vestas order , but this was best excuse the time afford'd her . churlish syluanus ( for he was a churle ) so to importune a poore countrie girle , halfe mad with anger that she would not yeeld vnto his suite : takes in his hand his shield , and raging sternely , sweares he meanes to goe , where he will plunge her in a depth of woe . are you so coy ( quoth he ) that you le denie , to ioine with gods immortall deitie ? we le learn young girles manners if we liue , and make them ●ew , that they our power should grieue with this he went fast crot●ing vp the hill , pursuing hot the proiect of his will. intending to command some sauage beast , vpon her , whom he lou'd , he lik'd to feast . and reaching neere vnto the hill aboue , he wagg'd his hand , and ask'd if she would loue ? but she denied him loue : doe you denie me ? fond ? quoth syluanus , sauages shall trie thee , and thy affection : which no sooner said , then he sent out a lion to this maide . a lion new returnde from rauening pray , came to the fount , his blood to wash away . where with a shaking pace he seem'd to come towards the place appointed ninus tombe . but luna pitting poore thysbes case , sends out her light , to tell her who it was that now approach'd her , whom no sooner spide , then in a caue , poore thysbe did her hide . but out alasse for feare , she ran so fast , that she forgot her tire through too much hast : for she all breathl●sse , and quite out of winde , running so fast did leaue her tire behind . and as one carelesse of her weale or woe , distressed thus , she knew not were to goe , carelesse of what she left or what she had , not knowing what was good , from what was bad . yet nature grafts in all a natiue feare , by which th' euent of all things doe appeare , as we conceaue yeeld daunger to our state , and feare by time , lest we should feare too late . thus she pent vp within a desart caue , with sobs & sighes , expresse what she would haue , for in that caue she wish'd her loue were there , for loues embraces would exempt her feare . oft did she thinke the lion staid without , and therefore trembling thysbe made a doubt , to take the open ayre , but pent within , wish'd in her heart , she had caractred him , whom she admires and loues , whose sweet respect , makes her to haue her parents in neglect . but he too slow , aye me , too slow in doing , being so forward in his formall woing : staies too too long , being more warely kept , by such sharpe keepers , that all night nere slept : but as one grasing hart the rest doth keepe , by watchfull eyes warning the rest that sleepe ; so euer one was waking , that might call vpon the rest if any thing befall : the lion hauing quencht his scorching thirst , with springing water which he long'd for first : found thysbes tyre , and with his bloody pray , besmeard the same , which done , he went away . now in the end pyramus tooke a time , a time too late to answere loue diuine : yet in this silent course of nighterne race , with quick recourse he runs vnto the place . z so that to see him frolick ore the plaine , were worth more prise then z hipodamias gaine ▪ for golden apples drew her tempting eie , but this young youth affects no vanity but the true touch of loue : vaine , if abused ▪ but precious as pure gold , if rightly vsed . then who wil blame vs , labours to endure , if we hy labours can our loue make sure ? for constant loue no trauaile will eschew , that constant loue by trauaile may renew . alcides he can serue the lidian queene , in spinning , carding , which doe ill beseeme so stout a mirrors magnanimity , but he must doe it , there 's no remedy . for when his manly nature did withstand it , one glance of her could wel enough command it . no spacious co●fines nor indurate labour , if these ore-past , could purchase ere her fauour , would he refuse : one smile reward enough , for all the labours he had passed through . thysbe the troph●e of his breathing course , thysbe the garland which doth him enforce . her he respects , and whiles he runs apace , he meditates of thysbes beuteous face ; her comely feature made for adons shrine , whose iuory orbs like pelops shoulders shine , had made that deep impression in his heart , that nature seem'd to striue with natures art. nature had giuen her much , art much the more , art decking that which nature dres'd before . for that same creature cannot perfect be , where art and nature ioyne not mutuallie . if you would haue the module of true wit , nature creates , but art must polish it . thysbe was perfect both in natures ●ew , and artificiall colours , which did shew , as if both art and nature should contend ▪ to make her such an one no skill could mend ; for she was witty ▪ pregnant , full of fauour , dictinna like , sent out a fragrant sauour , that when she walkt ' in babilons faire streete , she made the kennel with her perfumes sweet . pyramus comming , comming all too late , to ninus tombe expects his bewteous mate . whom when he could not finde , he fear'd her end . feare is an adiunct to a faithfull friend . roundly he goes vnto the siluer spring , where all the water-nimphs were wont to sing , in honour of their goddesse and her bewty , to whom they offred hymnes as was their duty . he ask'd the nimphes if they his thysbe knew , describing her , and eke her matchlesse hew : and if they did , he praid them seeke about their nectar springs with him to finde her out , for if you be immortall , as you seeme , and dedicate your seruice to your queen , a beter seruice sure you cannot doe her , then to redr●sse them owe their seruice to her . this if you will in your compassion doe , i sweare each morne i le offer thime to you . better then any hyble , can affoord , with musick sweete to which the heauens accord , and euer rest deuoted to your shrine , in that you dayn'd to glad this heart of mine . the water-nimphs replide with curtuous cheere , they knew none such , nor any did apeare , but if it pleasd him , they their springs would seeke , exquire each bushie shade , each priuate creeke , to see if she were in their mansions hid , which he assented to ; all which they did : but when with watrie tripping they had sought both brake and brier ; yet could not finde her out , wearied with their diurnall labour , left pyramus sighing , of all ioy bere●t ; yet did these nimphes bemone his hard mishap , for sitting downe vnder nereus lap , they turnd their warbling strings to that sad straine , that all the woods re-eccoed them againe . each in their order sung their dolefull verse , as if it had been ouer thysbes hearse , and tun'd their odes with that vnseasoned time , as that brute beasts to pittie did incline , for they in sable colours did portend , that their two loues were neere a tragick end . thus shadie night , sea-nimphs , stars , plan'ts & all presage to them and to their loues a fall . yet pyramus though sad , for he was sad to haue those hopes extinguisht , which he had , seeks still about the tombe : sad tombe ( quoth hee ) that hides my loue , so much admir'd of me : yet if thou wilt but tell me where she is , i vow by heauens i le pardon what 's amisse , yea i 'le remit thine error and thy wrong , for keeping her within thy chest so long , say , wilt thou● tell me what became of her ? didst thou her bewty in thy shrine inter ? didst thou immure her in thy marble toombe ? what makes thee silent ? bewty makes thee dumb : wilt thou so wrong a louer to conceale , from him the mirrour of his ioy his , weale , his heart , his liking euen the flower of youth ? and yet conceiues within thy heart no ruth . fie , fie for shame : i st fit that monuments should so ecclipse natures best ornaments ? as to obscure the glory of her face , that where she is giues honor to the place . thou much abstracts from trophies ninus won , in doing that which he would nere haue done . thou lessens much the honour he obtained , loosing that fame which ninus conquests gained . for what great gaine or conquest i' st t' haue said , i haue possession of a countrey maide . a young vnnurtur'd girle fit for men , vnfit for liuelesse tombes which couer them ? this said this doting young man , blind with louing , thinking ould mouldy shrines had liuely mouing . mou'd with her loue , whom he did more esteeme , then any gem that ere on earth was seene . but when he saw into his error well , he seem'd those loue-sick passions to dispell , and to repaire vnto his search againe , seeking each couert , each vnhaunted plaine , each thick-set hill , each groue that he might finde , the diapason of his troubled minde . at last too soone , by seeking long he found , ( thysbe ) not thysbe , but her tire on ground . vnhallowed ground , vnseasoned her attire , ● to crosse the passions of an hot desire . oh now conceiue what sorrows gall his brest , to see the tire of her he loued best , be smeard with bloud , for it all bloudy shews , her sanguine colour tinct● with lyons iawes ; oft would hee looke vpon it , and would kisse , the tire besmear'd with blood , wishing it his , his fate , his fortune , to remaine with her , since his long absence thus had iniur'd her . how to remaine ( quoth he ) since she is dead , oppress'd by death , inclos'd in mourneful weede ▪ how should i liue with her whose life is gone , and hath left me ( vnhappy me ) alone . die , die , with her , with whom thou canst not liue , for thou by dying shalt thy life repriue . and haue her presence that enthroned is , in perfect ioies of heauens elisian blisse . yet stay awhile , this is not thysbes tire , stay there ( fond wretch ) against thy tongue a lyer . this was her roabe , this was her comely weede , which hauing lost her owner gins to bleede . oh ioue what cause hadst thou thus to remoue two , that had their intentions voud to loue , or why should thou this faire occasion show vs , which being showne , dost seeke for to vndoe vs ? be gods so iron-hearted , to require constant affection with a dismall spite ? a sharpe reuenge it is , to set vs on , and then to leaue vs when we are begun . did not high ioue yeeld vs more hopes then these , when he commanded phoebus to sure ease , for to diffuse his beames , bidding him go , retire in hast vnto the shades below . calling for luna to supply his place , shrowding heauens lustre with her clowdy face . that our escape suspected lesse might be , by the darke vaile of nights obscurity . but heauens i see , repine at our successe , since gods themselues by fates haue shew'd no lesse , to plunge my weale in woe , my loue in teares , producing nought , but sighes , and fruitlesse feares . thou harsh tun'd nemesis , thou tragicke ghost , against whose acts my loue declaimeth most : what cause hadst thou to sing this dolefull song , vpon her herse that neuer did thee wrong ? she neuer raild against thy soueraigne power , but like an harmelesse doue , a fragrant flower ; flourish'd secure at home , yeelding content , by gracefull smiles , a maids best ornament : she neuer curb'd thy rage , nor did she mell with ought but loue , which made worst for her sell. but fates haue made the instrument of sinne , respectlesse of our losse , so they may win . the pretious spoyle of thysbes bleeding soule , whose sad mishap the plants themselues condole . yet thou remorselesse art , ill may betide thee , that wold haue none to loue that liue beside thee . yet for all this thou canst not me depriue , of louing her , whose life did mee reuiue , for being dead , i le rather chuse to die , then liuing , lose her loving company . this said : he takes her tyre , and kissing it , vpon the fountaine banks did water it , with dewie moisture of still-flowing teares , which being shed , renuing drops appeares . teares liquefied the arbour where he sate , which water nimphs perceiuing , wondred at . oft would he beat his brest , and teare his haire , shutting his hopes in clouds of deepe despaire . oft would he curse the day , the houre , the night , that banisht him from thisbes gladsome sight . wishing that night had neuer beene descride , for nere did night more harsh euents betide . oh pyramus , and then he sigh'd to speake , for gusts of sorrow made his hart-strings breake . what meant thou to allure a simple maid , to these vvild woods ? her loue is well repaid , that she should come vnto the place assignd , and thou ( base coward ) come so farre behind . thou with a tardy pace came at thy leasure , such slow-pac'd coursers ill deserue such pleasure , thou too precise , made bones of what thou did , such fond precisenes seldome hath good speed . shee to enioy her ioy , cut off delay , that she her minds perfection might display , and with a course as quicke as pegasus , run ore these plaines to meet with pyramus , which thou requited ill , basest of men , which time shall character with scandalls pen. a scandall to thy sexe , and to thy state , to leaue thy loue in deserts desolate . oh what mishap had she to loue a swaine , that could not yeeld her loue for loue againe ? hard was her fortune to affect that creature , who for a childish feare delaid to meet her . the gods i know more forward would haue beene , to meet loues parragon , so faire a queene . as for her beauty , aye me , beauties faire , with ericina she might well compare ; and farre more modest : venus had her mole , but nere was thysbe stain'd with bewties soile . but thou hast stain'd her beauty by thy fault , ruin'd that fort , which neuer had assault , but by thy selfe , and by thy selfe too soone , since by thy meanes her shrine is razed downe . turne thee to heauen , and loe the heauens dismaid , to see the tragicke downefall of a maide : frowning at thee that was the cause of this , causing her end that was thy soueraigne blisse . turne thee to earth , and see her turn'd to earth , which makes the caues below resound with mirth that they enioy which thou didst once enioy , reaping their comfort from thy deepe annoy . turne thee vnto the sea , and thou shalt see , the nymphes and syrens crying out 'gainst thee . that should make promise , yet not promise hold , calling thee coward , but thy thysbe bold . bold ▪ to aduenture on the gloomy night , bold to encounter with latonas light . bold in her course , swift in her cursiue mouing , bold to escape , and constant in her louing : thus heauen , earth , sea , concording all in one , do simpathize with thy discording mone . and wilt thou liue for this ? o doe not liue , but to requite her loue , let earth receiue this little all of thine : which when they haue , they may interre two louers in one graue . adioyning to this fount , a rocke there was , so steepe and craggy , that no man could passe . to which wild beasts repair'd , making their den in th'●ollow cau●rnes which did couer them . which seene by him ● : what doe not louers see ? with face deiected , thus discoursed he . if any lion or fierce sauage beare , lodge in this ragged rocke , or coucheth neere , let him come out , for heere is amorous food , and cooling streames to wash away our blood , that this may beare record by euery wight , two faithfull louers perisht on one night . but these are but delaies which cowards vse , their trembling passions seeking to excuse , cast off vaine feare , feare is a vassalls weede , and place true resolution in her steed . she wil prescribe the rules , with fruits of woing , for fruitlesse be those fruits that haue no doing . we that doe hazard our good names for men , if they 'l not pleasure vs : what profit then , of all our toylsome labour we sustaine , that reape no haruest from such gusts of pain ▪ we patient are to beare , and what we bore , we doe accept , and wish it ten times more , that we might pleasure you : how fond are we ? the weaker sort beares your infirmity . but it s our nature nature hath ordain'd , mans str●ngth by womans weaknesse is sustain'd . in this same cloudy night , with what desire . did all my thoughts , and my intents aspire ? to that same treasure thou hast promis'd me , promise is debt , it must be kept by thee , with what affection haue i cross'd these plaines , cheered by wood-nimphs , singing plesant strain● , and dans'd laualto till i came to thee , longing for that which thou didst promise mee . sad philomela skared from her rest , sung with a pricking slothorne at her brest , and sung of tereus something , what i know not , which if i knew , yet would i neuer show it . for tereus impious in his prophane life , to wrong a sister , and so chast a wife . sustains the torture of his wickednesse , transform'd into a bird : whose filthinesse , loues marish places , flies the solid ground , good reason why : his conscience was not sound . for tireus was a king and for his lust , by ioue himselfe , was from his scepter thrust . a sensuall prince to wanton motions stirr'd , chang'd from a prince , vnto a loathsome bird , thus did i passe the silence of the night , till i arriu'd within my louers sight , which yet i cannot doe : oh why should we , to get a little sport , paune modesty ? these shady thickets , and that secret caue . those pratling sea-nimphes , & this marble graue , beare all record what trauell i haue taken , yet like a turtle of her make forsaken , cannot enioy my loue , aye me , vnkind , that seemes inconstant , to a constant mind . vvhy should our fauors so deuoted rest , to them , whose hardned harts bred our vnrest ? and make vs subiect to more inward griefe , then ere their comforts can affoord releefe . but thou art too too rash : ( beleeue me sweet , ) in more remisse appearance doe i greete , thy diuine beauty ; pardon what is said , conceyue no harme spoke by a harmelesse maide ; for if thou should ( as sur● i thinke thou dost , ) lie hid vnder some bush , and hearst this nois'd , this shrowd inue●●io● , gainst thy loue and thee , thou might as well condemne my speech and me . vvhy should i speake against so hallowed shrine , to whom i haue bequeath'd both me and mine ? or why should i detract from that faire sunne , vvhich ( if ecclips'd ) my glistring raies bee done ? for this same tree , beares record of our wracke , decolored quite from white , to dismall black , and this same ground , all in a gore of bloud : no chi●ping bird within this fatall wood , and this for loue of him , that now is gone , leauing his forlorne thysbe all alone . hard was mine hap , to see his dolefull end , at whose sad hearse the fates themselues attend : hard was mine hap , more ha●sh the course of time , to crop my loue , my dazie in his prime . hard was his hap to extinguish his desire , with apparition of a bloody tire : hard was his hap to forrage heere so late , to misse his loue , and meete so soone with fate . turne to thy loue , see if thy vitall breath , can call him from the slumber of pale death . see if thou canst reuiue his gasping soule , for loe his eies within his head doe rowle . embrace his iuory necke with foulded armes , destill life in him by thy louing charmes . buzze in his eares of loue , it will not bee , his dying sences haue no mind of thee . thus round empalld with greefe , was thysbes mind , no hope of life in him can thysbe find , for he grew stiffe engor'd with bloudy wound , and by h●s bloud fast gl●ed to the ground . ●hysbe espied her tire which hee did hould , 〈◊〉 in his hand , and did the same enfould , as 〈…〉 antidote to cure his gaping wo 〈…〉 make him ere endure : vnhappy tire ( quoth she ) vnhappy were , that gaue occasion to my loue of feare . thou that hast prest my soule in anguish more , then all the robes which ere i wore before . thou wandring stragler , sliding from mine head , gaue the first onset to this vgly deede . for if thou hadst not been , my loue had liu'd , that now of sence & mouing is depriu'd . what hap had i at first to put thee on , when darke latonas lights were drawing on , or what misfortune had i for to leaue thee , since thy departure doth so greatly grieue mee . it needes must grieue me : for it cuts my heart , as if my soule from body should depart . he was my soule , my body cannot breath , when as my soule is seised on by death . why should i haue such curious regard to nightern robes , whē meaner would haue serud ? for well i know it was my loues desire , to meete my selfe and not my curious tire . fie on this nice precisenesse weomen vse in garish dressings : men should weomen chuse , not by their bodies habit , but their minde , in lists of vertue , and respect confinde . we that doe loue as we protest we doe , must not get husbands with a painted show , like puppets in a play , addres'd to play strange acts by night , to purchase loue by day . best honour that beseems a countrey maide , is to be modest , in her actions staid . he might command , and haue what he commanded , but death , pale death now swaies , & she 'l withstand it . then honourd hearse , if hearses honour haue , yeeld to my sute , and perfect what i craue . doe not denie me : to deny me this , were to depriue thee honour me of blisse . nay doe not smile , ( for i doe see thee smile ) if that our bones thou in thy brest compile , and recollect them after thysbes death , the nimphes themselues shall set a laurell wreath vpon thy back : e'r honourd shalt thou be , for this good turne thou did my loue and me . but if thou scorne my vows , and cal them vaine , yeelding no eare to louers that complaine , rest well assured the nimphs reueng'd will be . and for our sakes will quite demolish thee . when trusty aiax & achilles came , to patrocles tombe , with teares they bath'd the same for euery word they spake of patrocles , drew teares from them , as streames from caucasus . whose ragged top sends riuers out amaine , and being sent , renews her springs againe . so they deplor'd his death , his sacred hearse , ranck set with embleames and with dolefull verse . the swanes of caister and eke of poe , came to ensable him in songs of woe● since which sad time the poets haue reported , that each daie twice the swannes haue there resorted . passing by flockes along the greequish plaine , seeking by songs to make him liue againe . but when it would not be , the swans there swore , that from that time they nere would warble more : but at their death which they performe : for why they neuer sing but hower before they die . why should a grecian haue such honour done , that neuer any trophies ere had wonne , but slaine by hector : for no fame he had of doing greatly good , or greatly bad . and yet forsooth he must characters haue ▪ in golden letters ore his worthlesse graue ▪ in polisht marble must his shrine be set in saphires , tophies and in british ieate . thus must he haue respect , when we , god wot , must lie obscure as if men knew vs not . and yet our fame deserues more praise then he , more grace , more glorie , and more memorie : time shall race out that marble hearse of his , time shall amend what time hath done amisse . for we shall liue in spite of fates decree , when lowe interr'd this famous greeke shall be . loue cannot die , we loued and therefore death shall crowne our hearse with times immortal wreath , and though we die we loue and liue in dying , loue to pale death perpetuall life applying . why should prince ilus acts haue such respect whose toomb with precious emeralds bedeckt ? for well i know such acts did neuer he , in amorous passions of true loue as we , yet batias toomb must haue inscriptions faire , to shew what man of birth was buried there . and yet in death we languish not in louing , though death depriue vs of all vitall 〈◊〉 for we conceiue more ioy in toomb'd together , then if we li●'d depriu'd the one of other ▪ more must i say to seale these obsequies ; for death is fearefull and inuents delaies , and most of all in vs : a weaker brood , the talke of death yeeldes feare to woman-hood , and yet , me thinkes i stay from him too long , and in my stay i doe him double wrong . first to depriue him life , and then begin with tardie p●●e aloofe to follow him . well i le prepare my selfe , the ●ates decres two louers 〈◊〉 sustaine their crueltie . and yee not cr●●● , cruelty is showne when either is 〈◊〉 of his owne . but we by cupid● m●anes , that pur blind boy , obtaine by 〈…〉 could not earst enioy , death yeelds 〈◊〉 , comfort then our life time did , shewing our 〈◊〉 which long before was hid● no 〈…〉 secret ●hinks need we finde 〈◊〉 , nor fearefull need we shrinke . for parents 〈◊〉 persuite we rest secure , since 〈…〉 hearts , as earth our corp● 〈◊〉 wee need not haue our parents in suspect , they 〈◊〉 rest ●●relesse now whe●● we affect ▪ for well i know we can be hardly seene , twixt 〈◊〉 and earth , so great a space between . thus 〈…〉 enly motion doth ascend , from earth to heauen to gra●ulate her friend , thysbees epicaedivm . yet thysbe stay thine hand : thine obsequies , desire more celebrating exequies ; die not intestate , in this desert groue , but consecrate in token of thy loue thine hests to vesta . yet let vesta know , thys be vnwilling is enforced so . then let thy parents , parents though vnkinde by natures lawe , some short memorials finde , of thy affection : swannes before they die , leue pensiue odes and warble merrily . yet must i needs declaime against your feare , iealous of hurt where no hurt could appeare : for i am sure nere was your thriuing blissing , more deere to me then was my louers kissing . oh then vnkind v●kindn●sse did not fit , our chaste desires that cou●d not bridle it . loue was the hott'st when it did seeme conceal'd , and hid in ashes , yet in time reueal'd . then blame your selues , not vs : you caus'd our end , barring a louer from her long sought friend , which we doe pardon if you le let vs haue , our toomb in one , our ashes in one graue . which it you shall performe our hope extends , out dis●o●n'd corps conioin'd you make amends . well do i know our funerals renew , currents of teres and streames of griefe in you . and many pagent mixd with liquid teares , will make attendance on our desolate beres , many distreaming drops will dim your eie , to see two louers end so suddenly . yet all in vaine , being dead , your teares restraine : for teeres cannot recall vs back againe . the nimphes themselues with poplar twigs will make an osier basket for idalias sake , wherein collect you may such fragrant flowers , as shall adorne our monumentall bowers : yet when you spreade your flowers ech in degree , strow more on his side then you strow on me . he was more constant , he did first begin , i like his shadow did but follow him . he came vnto the place , and spite of death seeing my tire engor'd did lose his breath . i like an ape , to imitate my loue , follows his worth , his presence to approue . a glorious presence where the gods accord all wealth , all ioy , elizium can affoord . fruitfull elysis where ech constant mate , raignes in fruition of his happie state , vvhere hero smiles to grapple with her deere , iealous of nothing , for no cause of feare can crosse loues action ? there 's no helespont , but the sweet relish of a nectar fount hight the castalian fount which gods adore , where hauing drunke thei 're neuer thirsty more . by this renowmed brooke , shall he and i , prattle of loue , and parents cruelty . hang not the willow token of disdaine vpon our toome : for that each country swaine can set vpon his shrine : let venus tree , the louely mirtle shew our constancie . if you want any rites or solemne hestes , which may be seem our graues : the birds protests each in their order to solemnise them , and gods themselues for to eternize them : each mourning turtle hauing lost her make , will mourning make resort for venus sake . and sweet leucothoe will represent of vmolus odours a delicious sent . the nighterne owle , that night wil cease from prey howling by night , as she did howle by day . the little batt ( though fearefull heretofore ) will flocke amongst the rest and feare no more . thus euery bird , for it is gods desire , will with their presence decke our funerall fire . to purge our guilt dame venus promis'd me , she le goe to heauen with lowe and bended knee . and well i know ioue , venus loues so well , he will belieue what tale so ere she tell . then for her loue let venus altars smoke , and in each corner of her temple looke ; no ornament which best may her be-fit , be there a wanting but to perfect it . you know our cittie much relies on her : for by her succour no distresse can sturre the prosperous sailes of our prosperitie , but like a sterne she 's euer fixed nie , to rid her from those rocks vnto the shore , in liew whereof we do her shrine adore . yet ere i die i must take leaue of you , you sacred mansions which my woes renew : thou oliue-tree that planted was so nie vnto my fathers house where i came by this last vnhappie night : thou render vine , whose supple slips these fingers oft did twine . thou rosie border set with roses fayre . to which each morne i vsed to repaire , and rob thee of thy store to bewtifie my haplesse tire with crimson puritie , farewell at once farewell , long may the dew of siluer hair'd aurora water you , long may you flourish , this i onely craue , that with your flowres each morne you deck my graue . such sweetes , such fragrant roses represent , that your repose may make it redolent . send out your spicy odours and attend , with hyble fruites vpon my bleeding friend ; for manie time and oft hath he and i , chas'd one another full lasciuiously : and if he chaunc't to be too slow in running , i would hold back and linger for his comming . but of all monuments i bid a dew , broad shadowing beech-trees to the sight of you : you many times haue yeelded sweet repose vnto our loue and seasoned haue our woes , by your contented shades blest be you euer , and like elisian-shades fade may you neuer . o many times haue we two sported there , ( for we alone were priuiledged there ) and twisting nose-gaies we our flowers would hide , them , lest by some satyre we should be espide ; oft would we crop sweete flowers and hauing cut within our wicker baskets we would put them : and when we more had gathered then we needed , we gathred still for so our loue exceeded , that euery flower we cropt we did apply vnto the flower of our virginitie . " for if such flowers such sweetnesse did bestowe , flowers are much sweeter that do spring belowe . fare-well thou spacious plaine amongst the rest , i haue no cause but to respect thee best : for manie time and oft haue we two plaide at barli-breake , but now that sports decai'd , full many secret corners dost thou yeelde , for louers sports within thy louely field . and thou vnhappy pine that mounts so hie , as if thou meant by height to tutch the skie ; thou mai'st repine at fates that murdred me , since thysbees hand each morne did cherish thee , oft haue i planted grafts within thy stemme , which now are growne so high they shadowe men and with a water pot which i did bring each morne by time ; i made thine arms to spring : but now , poore pine , pine maist thou now and die , for none that i know cherish thee but i : now shall thy shadowing branches fall away , their falling leues to winters fury paie . and none remaines there now to pittie thee , when i am dead that liuing nourisht thee ; but be content ; shed teres in loue of me , and when thou hear'st my death deiected be : cast down some withered leues & send them hither , portending thus much , we must die together ; this if thou dost i will thee thankfull call , and wil with laurel thy sad head empall : that though thou die , yet that thou diest with me , in after-times still honoured thou maist be . and thou straite chinke to which full many time we made repaire : through thee our loue did shine , and spearst her beames ; farewell , for neuer more , shall we resort to thee as heretofore ; thou wast the author of our first vndoing , for by thy meanes thou gauest vs means of woing , giuing eyes liberty , which eyes so wounded that by their passions passions new rebounded , yet we do thank thee for thy fore-past loue , for by our deaths the gods themselues approue our constant minds , recorded which must be in heauens conuentions to our memorie . o happy thou whilst our two fragrant breaths made thee so rich , impouerisht by our deaths : for this i thinke , this is my prophesie , nere shall such lips bestowe their breath on thee , when thou shalt heare of our discording end , some softned teares vpon our funeralls spend : let thine hard marble be dissolv ' to streames of liquid water , since those radiant beames which our reflecting eyes the marble gaue might pierce him more , then euer lyricks haue the sauage beasts , whose natures were made tame , at the rehearsall of sweet amphions name : what then should bewtie ? whose attractiue power commands stones , serpen●s & sweet budding flowr : what should the splendor of faire beawties eie act , since such acts were done by harmonie ? open your flinty bosome , let remorse shed riuolets of teres vpon my coarse : or if you will not so , at least restraine your ayrie chinke , and shut it vp againe : let not such monuments liue when we die , for they'●e augment our parents iealousie : that as we lov'd , kiss'd toy'd when we 're liuing , so we may loue , kisse , toy at lifes depriuing . then shut that crany vp left after time , impute the fault vnto that chinke of thine . this last record by thysbe thus recorded bred floods of teres : for teres their sighs afforded , the balme-trees wept , their teres concrete in one distilled into th'substance of a stone : which stone it seemes , did after couer them , for after times found it laid ouer them . with many faire inscription which did shew of loue recorded neuer none more true , then this of thysbe and her louing mate , s●pposing mutuall death a blessed state , a state more blest in that they had their wish , thysbe had hers and pyramus had his ; they were depriv'd of louing in their liuing , but by their deaths the gods themselues were giuing tokens of loue ▪ for they enioied their loue , which no transparent iealous eye could moue . empass'd by diuine power , heauens maiesty , to honour them , that honour'd constancie ; and which was more : dame venus ( as we read ) yoking her doues , came to high ioue with speed , her milke-white doues with ayrie coloured wings , vnto ioues throne their beawteous lady brings ; where she with smiling countenance , for her smile , all foggie mists olympus did exile , thus spake to ioue , who seeing her did grace her , and with enfolded arms'gan to embrace her . heauen-habiting ioue , that in compassion sees , louer , inflamed passions : on my knees , doe i entreate as i am queene of loue for shipwrackt louers : that thou wilt remoue their earthly members to participate the glorious sunshine of one heauenly s●ate , for they were constant , constancy thou loues and in thy selfe their passions thou approues : deigne to eternize them with sacred baise , it 's fit such mirrors should haue endlesse daies . that consecrate their v●wes to gods diuine , then so propitious to these praiers of mine , they were enobled with a constant minde , such sacred lights it 's hard on earth to finde : they were adorn'd with vestas puritie : vestas pure shape deserues eternitie . they liu'd in louing , and in louing did'e , nor did two vrns their ioyned loue diuide : but both inter'd together , they haue wonne a fame recorded in all times to come . she was as faire as fairenes could be laid on mortall colours , though a country maide , yet for her thoughts as pure , as was her face , she well deserues to haue an heauenly place . doe not frown ( deare sire ) me thinks that frowne , doe ill beseeme , to such as be your owne . i am your daughter , and i know you loue me ▪ and i presume my praiers needs must moue you , or else i should despaire e're to resort from idas mount vnto your heauenly court . then yeeld assent vnto your daughters suite , if you denie it me , i will be mute , and neuer make recourse vnto your shrine , which cannot choose but gall this heart of mine . this earthly goddesse will full well beseeme , in iunoes absence to supply as queene . ioue smilde at this , for he desired change , and therfore oft from heauē to earth would range for pleasure and delight : variety willing vnwilling , wrested this reply . you speake of wonders ( daughter ) quoth high ioue , of mortall wights so constant in their loue . these two in constant louing you surpasse , for they 'r more constant then ere venus was . death cannot part asunder their desires , which like bright flames vnto our throne aspires , they 're worthy ( daughter ) of a glorious crowne , and they shall haue it : for we le vse our owne . but to enioy that ioy , that amorous die of bewties sweete complexion : how should i disioyne these two , both would i gladly grace , if i could distance them in seuerall place . that faire form'd creature thou dost so much praise , i doe remember in her former daies : for she entirely wisht she might haue time to vse her loue , and offred to my shrine great store of incense ; incense it was sweete , that i would giue them time and place to meete . which i did promise : but i did not pay : for seeing her more bewtious then the day , faire as orgon , purer then that white louely alcmena wore vpon the night when she suppos'd amphitrio her deare loue possest the place which was supplide by ioue . being thus faire , ( for thysbe was more faire ) i much amazed stood , oppres'd with care , seeming asleepe ▪ yet sleeping i did moane ▪ my too large promise which was past and gon ▪ oft did i wish i had been pyramus , oft i resolu'd ( the night so tedious ) for to transhape my selfe , and to descend , and meete with thysbe as her pointed friend . but iuno iealous queene , with open eie slept not all night , but f●aught with iealousie . askt me full oft what aild me : turne ( quoth she ) and with my ●ectar lips i le comfort thee . are you in loue ? i blush'd ; that blush displaies , you are inclind ( quoth she ) some otherwaies : you haue some tricksie girle , that doth keepe your heart enchain'd , your powrefull eies from sleepe . fie fie ( quoth she ) as you are ioue , affect her that affoords to you the most respect : i am celestiall wife and sister both vnto your selfe : and iuno would be loth to violate the glory of her spouse with euery swaine , in eu'ry brothell house : and can you then without regard of me , or of your selfe , disgrace your deitie with euery leda , euery milke-maide , toie , while iuno is depriued of her ioye ? now by my god head mortall men adore , i 'aue borne so much that i can beare no more . either content you with your choice , your queene , or i le tell that which would ful ill beseeme the glory of your state : the gods shall heare , what heretofore to tell i did forbeare . then as you tender th' honour of your name , be charie henceforth how you soile the same . this said dame iuno , but i curbd her speech with brows contracted , till shee did beseech with trickling teares , that i would pardon giue , protesting she would neuer after grieue my royall person ; wishing my delight , if it pleas'd me euen in my iunos sight wherewith i seemd appeasd , and fayning sleepe , with eie-lids shut , my heart a watch did keep ; euer conceiuing somthing what i know not , which if i knew ▪ it's shame for gods to show it , being lasciuious passions ▪ which were bred of the distempred humors of my head . but to be briefe , i did by meanes contriue their long sought loues fruition to depriue , which thus accomplish'd , i am glad of this , venus intreates what ioue himselfe did wish . this i will doe , ( which done ) may seeme a wonder , equall their ioies , yet distance them asunder . he from his thysbe , thysbe from her loue , ioue for his thysbe , thysbe for her ioue . this said : bright venus happy to receiue the full accomplisht sute which she did craue , takes leaue of ioue , and taking leaue he ● kist her , amidst his kisses with his prayres he blist her . venus to ida hies idas she sends embassadour to thysbe , who attends , the gods decree ; where hauing come at last , tels to thysbe all discourse was past twixt ioue & venus , yet ●ot all she told , for venus bade him ioues intendments hold , lest his narration should more sorrow breede , then any comfort drawne from humane seede : for well i know no ioue so pr●cious to her , as was her louely pyramus . when idas had exprest what ioue decreed , he tooke his leaue of thysbe , and with speede return'd to venus , venus queene of loue , whom he with mars found lying in a groue of leauy poplars , sporting midst their pleasure . vulcan was absent , they had time and leisure . where we will leaue them , and swift idas traine , and to our loue-sick thysbe turne againe . thysbe address'd to die , yet long in dying , draws courage to her , & that blade espying . vvhich was be crimsond with the bloudy gore , of that same murder it had done before ; takes it into her hand , ●her hand god wot as soft as downe , such weapons handled not before this time , ( and this time was too soon to vanquish bewty , and to cut it downe . poore wench she knew not how to vse the blade , for other armour nature had her made . but like an vntraind souldier wanting skill , knows not to fight , yet vseth his good will , trauerse his ground as other souldiers doe , yet hath no method , for he knows not how : euen so this heauenly creature handled it , long time vncertaine how to mannage it . at last by reason , reason did acquaint , which was the pummell , which the satall point , grasping the blade which she before did take , to th'shade which shadowed pyramus shee spake . thou shadowing tree , that shadowes this dark tombe , shelter vs two , that passengers which come , vnto this forrest , may thy pitty praise , and memorise thy loue in after daies . thou seest we are depriu'd of friend or make , which may deplore with teres our forlorne state . supply our want with thy remorsefull shade , since ( as it seemes ) for pitty thou was made , couer vs two ( two louers ) that would be gladly ore-cannoped with th'leaues of thee . thou couerst him already : happy time , that twists about him with those spraies of thine . if nature had accorded to our vowes , these armes had clept that necke , those flowry bowes , doe now enfold : but heauens haue so decreed , to haue two louers clad in sable weed . which i accord vnto , heauens purge my sinne , hee 's gone before , and i must follow him . which said , she fix'd the sword vnto her brest , with more then womans spirit which exprest , her loue vnto her saint , who lay along , congeal'd in bloud , whose trunke shee fell vpon . the tree sent out her branches , which did couer , their corps with vernant blossomes , shadowed ouer . aurora breath'd vpon them , whose sweet breath , perfum'd their bodies , seazd vpon by death . siluan . epicaedium . this done in silent passage of the night , when stars shone fair & bright in thetis sight , the rural wood-nimphes did their odes display , sabled with woes : which woes to take away , they sung these verses , verses ominous , ore thisbes hearse , and louely pyramus . long may your fame and glory heer remain , honour'd by vs , and by each country swaine . long may you liue renowned , for your loue hath made perpetuall eccoes in this groue . a thrice blest groue , blest graue ▪ for such blest saints , that in this flowry pale heere pitch their tents , wherein loues warre eternized for aye , lost that by night , which was restor'd by day , smell sweet for euer , sweetest of all sweets : you springing blossoms which the spring-time greets . send out your fragrant sauor and releeue , our troubled springs which be adddress'd to grieue . let not your vernant bosome so retaine , all comfort from the oat-pipe of a swaine , that no release of sorrow or distresse , makes diminution of his wretchednesse . what should we sing ? no hymne of melody : shall ere possesse our desert empery . no tune of ioy , no pleasant straine of mirth , shall yeeld contentment to nereus birth . for farre more faire , more beautious , thysbe was then any wood-nimph , my country lasse . campaspe shee was faire , and was belou'd , of potent monarchs : her proportion mou'd , doting apelles , loues effects to shew , to that same picture which his pencile drew . yet if campas●e were enshrined heere , no cause of loue would in her frame appeare . more diuine feature was in thysbes face , a more delightfull smile more comely grace , then ere apelles , though in skill most rare , could make his picture any way compare . bring mirtle branches let vs couer them , shrowding their corps with wreaths laid ouer them ; and euery time and tide , let 's shed a teare , ouer the sad memoriall of their bere . well doe these odes of sorrow vs beseeme , and better would they please arcadias queene , then if with feasts and triumphs we should spend , our dismall houres , about a louers end . wee are not for dianas cheerefull game , though we ( foretime ) haue well approou'd the same . no quiuer , nor no bow , will we receiue , till wee haue spent our dirges on their graue , whose glorious loues , so well conioyn'd in one , makes their two teares distill into one stone . for euery drop of bloud which doth descend , from thisbes wound , flies to her louing friend : and those same streames which issued out amaine , from pyramus make their recourse againe . and ioyne with thysbe , whose respectiue wound , licks vp the blood was shed vpon the ground . eternall trophies hung vpon your hearse , made euerlasting , by our pensiue verse ; and let this marble which doth couer you , her teares ( each morne ) with moistned drops renew , which in remorse , compassionate may spend , some dewie drops to witnesse yo●r sad end . you pretty gliding streames which run apace , leaue off your course , and flow vnto this place , that you may moisten this sad monument , this desert herse with watry element . and gratifie our loue , that loue you deare , and wish entirely your sweet presence heere . leaue off to wash those cliues and ruggy caues , and now repaire to monumentall graues , to rinse all foule infection which did staine , the corps deceas'd by your still streaming vaine . why doe you stay ? why seeme you so hard harted , to shed no teares , at constant loue departed ? if that our queene should heare , as shee shall heare , this your remors●lesse hart ▪ would cost you deare . doe you not see how we in sable weeede , to weepe amaine , haue heere repair'd with speed ? and in distresse enclos'd , full fraught with woe , may aske of you what 's cause you doe not soe ? see how ech sprig sends out a pearled drop , and when the pr●ner seemes their height to crop , they seeme to thanke him for it ▪ wishing death , to decke these louers with a flowry wreath . see how each bird resorts vnto their shrine , as if it were vnto some power diuine : and dedicates vnto their mournfull tombe laies , which shal serue in after times to come . they warble out their dolefull funeralls , hauing forgot their forepast festiualls . their sad aspects such sorrow doth affoord , that we our selues their sorrows may record time yeelds no tune , nor tune obseru's no time , time , tune , nor measure keep we ore this shrine , we cannot descant , descant there is none , to such as know no descant but to mone . like spouse-lost turtles , do we flocke together , and on each morn by time , consort we hither to celebrate their deaths with memorie , whose constant loues make them charactred be . nor will we cease , or make an ●nd of griefe , till that their parents yeeld them some reliefe , to consummate their wishes , and supply their former hardnes by their clemency : for in no time did euer children find , parents more wilfull , to their loues vnkind . yet for that fate hath done her worst of ill , in that she did the bloud of louers spill . and tyrannis'd in shewing of her force . raging gainst loue , depriued of remorse : let parents cease to hate , and make amends , by solemne hests for their vntimely ends . it is not fit that death and enmity should wage their battaile euer mutually . for none i know , but when their foe is dead they scorne base enuy in their brests to feede . but let vs to our worke , and build vs bowres , compos'd of fragrant blossomes , and of flowers , hard by this tombe , this herse , this desert graue , where we may giue what constant loue doth craue , an ode displaying passion : and relate , the sad euent of loues vnhappy state . each nimph addresse her to her dolefull voice , that we may charme the furies with our noise ; and draw their haplesse parents from their cell , to heare the sadd narration we shal tell ▪ so shall our first mornes mone performed bee , in honour of these louers constancy . siluanor : threnodia . if any rurall god , or poore swaine , consecrate leucothoes rod , to this plaine : this herse , deckt with sable verse , shall commend him as our friend , our springs , or groues , our straine . let your temples sweet , mixed be , with perfumes , let their feete embalmed be , then will we , mutually still expresse , and confesse , you deserue eternitie . venus with mirtlewand , cupid bow , pelops with his iuory hand will bestow ; all in one to this stone to declare loue is rare , loue that hath no painted show . ioue admires thysbes face full of fauor , mirrha likes the striplings grace and behauiour , venus lippe , ios skippe , were both rare , yet both are , in one thysbe , ioue would haue her . from olympus ioue espies thysbes beauty , which no sooner he descries , then in duety , cupids dart wounds his heart , he by force , sues diuorse , iuno cannot please his fancy . thus did thysbe liue and dye , liue by dying death confirmes her deity , in applying to her shrine , power diuine , which doth shew , and renew : life anew , renewed by dying . this ode thus tuned in more dolefull sort , then any mus● of mine can make report : such errours made resound both farre and neere , that these sad straines came to their parents eare . they much p●rplex'd to heare such wofull newes . vvhich floods of teares in their moist eies renues ; with speed they could , ( which speed but easie was , ) they made recourse vnto that forlorne place . teares trickled downe , as drops from aetas hil . which with their streams ech hollow caue did fill for woes exceeded more in that their tombe , had bard them hope of future ioys to come , for they were old , old folkes desire to see , a good successe vnto their progeny . but now no hope , mishap had cross'd their hope , e're to attaine at their desired scope . oh what salt seas for seas they seem'd to be , no drops but floods , vvhich run incessantly from their dim eies for teares had made them dim , which , nere the lesse , they took much pleasure in . oft would the mother clip her thysbe round , vvhich lay all sencelesse on the bloudy ground . and vvith a kisse ( as old vviues vse to doe , ) her entire loue , her withered lips did show . turne to thy mother ( quoth he ) or receiue , thy dolefull mother in thy haplesse graue ; acknowledge her that first , aye me too soone , brought thee to light , vvhich is eclyps'd & done ; i nourished thee , and with a kind embrace , made me an idoll of that beauteous face ; for i conceiu'd , deceiu'd i could not be , no birth more perfect , then the birth of thee . thus did the doting trot deplore her fall , with dropping nose , faint breth , more then them all that did attend her passion : for the rest did more represse those passions she exprest , nor is it proper , well i know , that man should shed his teares with ease as women can ; for they more prompt to comfort , yeeld releefe , to such as are opprest with heapes of greefe , and can conceale their sorrow , as is fit , knowing the meanes and way to bridle it . they thus remaining ore their childrens graue , the hatefull ground , which did their corps receiue , they did consult how they might expiate that wrong of theirs , which they had done so late . which whilst they did aduise , they straight did see , their childrens vowes , grauen in an oliue tree . which were to this effect . " surcease to mourne , " and place our seuerall ashes in one vrne . for whilst we liu'd , we lou'd , then since we dye , let one poore vrne preserue our memory . and let this day recorded bee by you , and festiue kept : eternise louers true . giue vpper hand to him , for he was first : respect with care , our bones be not disperst amongst vnhallowed reliques which will staine the glorious trophies which our loue did gaine , bee not vnkind vnto your childrens loue , but what they like , let your consent approue , for if your minds disposed so had beene , this 〈…〉 glasse of woe you nere had seene . but we forgiue , forget , so you performe , what we haue wish'd : we feast , cease you to mourn . these hestes , these rites thus read ; without delay , they sought their forepast guilt to take awaie , and rinse their former ill by present good , yeelding to loue which they before with-stood : for admiration ● apt them , and they saw , no curbe could hold the reins of venus lawe : for she enioyn'd them loue , which they obey'd , which by no parents wishes could be stai'd . each in their order did their obsequies , with solemne rites as their last exequies , making a sire of iuniper compos'd , in which their louely corps seem'd well dispos'd , which were consum'd to ashes and conseru'd , in one small pot , as wel their fame deseru'd . this vrne , poore vrne , which kept their ashes sure , was made of brasse , that it might ere endure , and as a relique , reliques then were vsed , in nimrods temple in a chest enclosed . there was it put , to which as some report , all constant louers vs'd to make resort . no marriage rite was to be consummate , before they did this relique inuocate , that it would be propitious to their loue , in signe whereof each gaue a turtle-doue , to explicate their truth , their constancie , which they obseru'd for euer solemnly . thus were these two with honour w●ll rewarded , their ashes , as times monuments regarded , kept and reseru'd for fame , fame grac'd the earth , in suffering nature bring so faire a birth into the world , which world vnworthy was , to haue two mirrors and to let them passe . but time , vnthankfull time , too soone forgot the gem she had , as if she had it not . soild in the lustre , lustre it had none , depriu'd of fame , when her renowne was gone , for parents breathlesse were , and with their birth , by times succession were interr'd in earth . in selfe-same earth for they desir'd to haue , their childrens hearse their vrne , their comely graue which hauing got , men neuer did adore , their sacred hearse as they had done before . for lesse were they esteem'd , so from that time , nere any louer came vnto their shrine . yet to this day , their pictures doe remaine , in marble wrought , describing euery vaine . ech ruby blush , mix'd with a crimson die , with thysbes smile decolour'd wantonly . with face defac'd by times iniurious frowne , hath shown more beauty thē my muse hath shown , the answere of hipolitus vnto phaedra . the argument . hyppolitus son to theseus , by the amazō hippolite , solicited by his step mother phedra to sensuality , seckes by all meanes to represse her inordinate lust by exemplifying the worth , resolution , and magnanimity of his father & her husband theseus : as also aggrauating the foulenes of the fact she intended producing reasons to disswade her from prosecuting her purpose any further : as more particularly the scandall of the world , which of necessity would ensue vpon committing of a fact so detestable to the supreame de●tie so exorbitant to the law of nature . next he propoūdeth the ineuitable reuenge of the gods aboue , who could not suffer such impieties to passe which impunity : but would chastise incestuous actions with the exquisitest punishments they reserue for any delinquent : concluding his epistle more emphatically ; assuring her if she would not desist from her lasciuious intendments , theseus should be acquainted with her entirest thoughts , who in no wise could brooke her insatiable desires , but ere long would expiate the guilt of her sin with the sacrifice of her blood . the epistle of hyppolitus vnto phaedra . if modest lines send out a modest smile , and those immodest vows you dedicate vnto my youth ; youths frail●y to beguile , my vertuous blossoms to extenuate , what should i write ? or in what tempred stile should i describe the ruine of my star● ? since vertue is my centre , truth the scope , at which i aime the leuell of my hope ? i will not call you wanton , but you seeme too too respectles of your glorious fame , that once in creet for bewty deem'd a queene , should now grow carelesse to eclipse the same . o better fruits should in that groue be seene , then to neglect the glory of your name . minos esteemed was more pure , more iust , then to expose his house to shamefull lust . turne to your spouse my father , and obs●rue his worth , his me●its , and disclaime your vow , see what respect your theseus doth deser●e , who consecrates his loue & life to you : then i am sure you will be ioth to swerue from your allegeance , which is theseus dew . he thinkes him blest in you , o doe not then impaire the blessing of such blessed men . but if you will distaine my fathers bed , make it a brothel prostitute to sinne , rest well assur'd i le neuer heare it said , that i his sonne that leudnesse did begin , to poyn● the prime rose , or to see it fade within his bed where i haue nourish'd been , for ill it would be seeme both him and me , that his gray head should weare my liuerie . let not the glory of your ancient house attainted be , or dazed by your staine : for after ages would speake worse of vs , and this our shame would euermore remaine : which could not chuse but grow pernicious to the renowme your theseus did attaine . that he who many monsters vanquished , should let a monster liue within his bed . employ those thoughts so wantonly inclin'd to th' comfort of your spouse , let him receaue th' elixir of your loue anew resin'd your loues the haruest which your lord doth craue : then keepe not from him that which is assigned , by powers supernall for his worth to haue : adore no shrine but his , let mine alone , i am his image , he and i are one , how ill would it be seeme distastfull youth , to wrong the winter of his reuerend age : whom ( if not gracelesse ) would it not moue to'ruth● to s●●le his bed , whose nie-spent pilgrimage craues pitty by prescription , grac'd bs truth , and vertues colours , making fam ▪ his page , to follow euery action with her breath , to giue him life when seaz'd vppon by death . looke at the trophies cressa doth possesse , times monumentall characters of worth , and you shall see his spoiles deserue no lesse , then adoration deifi'd on earth . since euery act proclaimes his mightinesse , as if descended from ioues diuine breath . his wars , his conquest , each expresse his merit , indude with more then adamantine spirit . leaue of inuiting your hyppolitus to festiue banquets , of incestuous meeting , well loues he phaedra , better theseus , then to wrong age with such licentious greeting ▪ to make his owne to be most trecherous , the sowrest tast from him that seemd his sweeting , in working shame 'gainst him who first sustained far more for me then in me is contained . much do i wonder how you should conceiue , such a suspicious thought of my neglect , vnto my fathers age ? or how you haue , grounded ●he reasons of your fowle suspect ? that i his childe , my childehood should depraue , affecting that which loue cannot effect , which loathed pleasures , loath'd they are ( god wot , to vse those sports which nature fancieth not . these pastimes which i follow yeelde content without repentance : heere 's no parents shame , no worlds rumor : dangers imminent , haue no repose mongst those : admired fame followes the court , and places eminent , each seeking how they might dilate their name . but i respectlesse of fames admiration , reape the content of harmelesse recreation . heere steepy clifts , and heauen-aspiring hilles , yeeld a sweet aier to relish my delight , there pleasant springs , from whence sweet streames destills to quench my thirst : and when the glomie night . shuts vp the raies of phoebus , rest we still till rosie cheek'd aurora shew her light . then we addresse vs to our sports againe , for where we take delight there is no paine , then pardon me , ( if p●rdon i may aske ) that knowes no other pleasure then is heere , that neuer tooke vpon me any taske , but the pursuing of the harmelesse deere , i need not shame , my blush requires no maske , i haue no obiects of affection neere , but the true splendor of a natiue face , not mix'd with colours to augment her grace . if ariadne desolate , forlorne , should heare of your intendments : what would she reply , but ieast , that he who had forsworne those solemne vowes which should obserued be , hath well deseru'd to weare his wantons horne , that dedicates her selfe to luxurie . o sie for shame , let shame represse that sinne , which not repress'd will shame both you and him . how glad would ariadne heare of this , who rests deiected , rob'd of that same gem , which you respect not : she conceiu'd a blisse in his sweet smile , whose sweetnesse did regaine her much prisd loue , her spels explan'd no lesse ; in the subduing him , who more had slaine , then any monster , that in cr●te was bred ; yet by her art was soone discomfited . but she ! vnhappy she , as bacchus would , depriu'd of him , for whom such pane●s she tooke , in chios left , neere after to behold her darling theseus , who ( you know ) forsooke her much distress'd distresses did enfold the very mansion pitch'd on high to looke , at that vnhappy place where theseus left her , whose absent steps all comfort had bereft her . then you that are preferr'd before her loue , set not at sale the treasure you possesse , let ariadnes exile something moue that fickle minde of yours , whose wantonnesse , seemes more transparant in that you approue more of my loue , then of his excellence ▪ whose beautious outside 's faire , but you may finde , a farre more beauteous inside of his minde . constant he is , witnesse peritheus , whose two combined hearts so well vnited , haue eterniz'd the loue of theseus : mirrour of men , that men should be exiled , to passe such shelfes of perrils dangerous , with sight of poore proserpina delighted : whom to exempt with pluto , they remaine , the one imprison'd close , the other slaine . yet could not pluto barr his eies from teares , which he pourd out each morne vpon the hearse , of his deare friend , loue after death appeares , which like an ecco earths abysse did pierce , oppress'd with woe , surmises of vaine feares . maugre the furie , of those furies fierce , and fiends below , which could not him surprise with dastard feare : braue spirits feare despise . o doe not then expose his vertuous age , to such dishonour , adde no discontent vnto his outworne strength , lest you enrage his patient spirit aboue his element . doe not corrupt your honour nor engage , the glory of your birth so eminent . scandalls are so●ne engendred sooner bred , then after-times can make extinguished . doe not degrade your theseus from his throne , which he enioies , conceiuing more delight , in that he hath this little of his owne , reaping contented harbour on the night , then th'husband man to reape what he hath sowne , or the poore turtle , in her turtles sight . beleeue me qu●eue , more doth your presence please your theseus heart , then any one of these . if you would haue hippolitus to loue . loue aged theseus for hippolitus sake ; for by those heauenly powers that raigne aboue . more comfort shall hyppolitus partake by that affection , then idalias groue , ere reap'd in venus when he did awake , and rous'd from silent flumber to returne , vnto her birds which for their queen did mourn . alas , faire queene , why should you thus assault , the vnprouided fortresse of mine hart ; or why should you your colours thus exalt , displaying ruine to my chiefest part , and vnder ground as in some secret vault laying your shot , intending to subuert , the bulwarke which supports my slender being , to raze my fort and put my friends to fleeing . the fort which i possesse is my pure heart , my friends the vertues which do keepe my fort , the first in all my dolours beares a part , the second in distresse do make resort , to arme my soule against inuasions dart vpon their foe , their furie to retort . were 't not a pittie then to see that fall , which doth sustaine my selfe my meanes and all ? but sure you see in me some shew of pleasure , and gladly would haue me expresse my thought , obiecting to my senses time and leasure , seldome are such delights so lightly bought , high is the price of such a precious treasure . and well deserues it to be throughly sought : but i reply that pleasure lasts not long that t is vsurp't by force , and tane by wrong : i loue no bitter sweets immixd with gall , whose sharp repentance drowns the pleasure past , a pure vnspotted soule , whose brasenwall can hold out battrie and wil euer last that feare no ruine , no declining fall , soilde with no blemish of her mindes distaste , but fraught with wealth , thrice happy in her wealth feeding on free delights , not got by stelth . what is that pleasure , where attendeth feare , as faith-infringers doe : who violate the faith they owe : whereby it doth appeare they rest respect lesse of their future state , preferring lust before their spousals deare , their shame with shamelesse acts to aggrauate : o none god wot : no pleasure can be there , where there is nought but actions of despaire . o let those hests inuiolable stand , which heauens aboue confirme , and let them be as charactres , writ by dame natures hand to eleuate our senses purity : proceeding from the immortall powers command , to consummate our liues integrity . that loue 's well squared by an equall line . whose ground-worke is grounded on the lawes diuine but if these motiues cannot caution you , not to adulterise your nuptiall bed , be you assur'd to theseus i will shew those indigested humors which are bred , by your vnsetled thoughts which doe renew an heape of passions in your troubled head . all which concording make that discord true . no faith more faithlesse then the faith of you . your brittle sexe , so brittle is your mould , you cannot long be free from alteration : grounds her foundation on no certaine hold , but tost with sundrie gusts of times mutation , expos'd to shame and to confusion sold , infringing loue to purchase recreation , which we by nature do accompt a shame , to set them light that haue esteemed them . vertues surpriser , chastities depriuer , sower of discord , refuge to the worst , forge of ambition enmities contriuer : an hatefull monster , vipers birth accurst , friendships dissoluer , simple soules deceiuer , which from perdition had her birth-right first . the soile and sale of honour soonest showen , where men affect all pleasure saue their owne . and what be those but vaine , vnsauourie ioyes . whose fruits vnseas'ned yeeld but small delight , when comforts are conuerted to annoies , the beauty of our day obscur'd by night , and that we iudg'd for serious seeme as toies , which haue eclips'd the glory of their light : and then reuoluing what we did admire let fall our hopes , to greater things aspire . o be asham'd to blemish that faire roote , which had deriuall from the powers aboue , staine not your bed with your polluted foot , loue him alone whom you are bound to loue , giue no occasion to your spouse to doubt of your licentious passion , but remoue , both guilt and guilts , suspicion , whose bright eyes , iealouse of nought your secret'st councels spies . will you for any pleasure lose respect , of all your kindred that attend your fame , which once surpriz'd by infamies suspect , will call your acts augmenters of their shame ? o doe not so : let not your lust effect , the ruine of that house from whence you came : but as your glorie doth surpasse the rest , so in your heart let vertue build her nest . vaine is the flower , soone fading , soone forgot , which you do pamper to your ouerthrow , time will be , when those beautious corps shall rot , their poore remainder to the earth bestowe ; then you shall be as if you flourish'd not plac'd in earths centre , stigian lake belowe . where minos iudgement giues of euery sin , that those are guiltie may remaine with him . he was your father , yet his equitie , will not permit his phaedra to transgresse : his lawes haue no exception , puritie onely exempted is , whose eminence was first ordain'd to raigne eternally , in the elisian fields ioues residence ; then chuse which two you please , whether you 'le dwel , in heauen with ioue , or with your sire in b●ll . erect your thoughts depressed downe belowe , and let them soare vnto an higher pitch then terrene pleasures , let that beauteous show of outward colours your affection teach to taste the spring of sweetes , from whence doth flowe such mines of treasure , as will more enrich the ars'nall of your minde then vaine delight , which lopped is before it come to height . recall to minde ixions punishment , see in a mirror what his folly got , who whil'st he soar'd aboue his element , kindly receiv'd of ioue , himselfe forgot : and as a streame which runs too violent , passing his bounds and limits , knoweth not how soone that flowe shall haue a sudden fall , whose boundlesse current kept no mene at all . so did ixion who in selfe-conceit of his proportion did aspire too high , affecting iuno which did ruinate , the mansion of his pristine dignitie , dasling that sun which shone so bright of late , for with a clowde deceiv'd engendred he the centaurs varied formes , which being bred , to pelion came , where they inhabited . o then confine affection with the bound , of vertues honour , giuing her the place in euery action , making reasons ground the strong foundation , time cannot deface , with beautious faire contexture closed round , a correspondence twixt ●he minde and face : the one renown'd by th' others puritie . as if both made to make one vnity . shall hymens temple be defac'd by you , her sacred hests by your inconstancy ; o be assur'd the gods will punish you , imbranding shame in your posteritie , to breake your faith and wrong a friend so true , vnder pretence of mere simplicitie : leue vertus shadowe , and your selfe betake● , to loue the shadow for the substance sake . vvhat vertues did your maiden yeeres attend ? white was your roabe but whiter was your mind , vvhen all your actions did to vertue tend ; each sence her proper function had assign'd , vertues foundation had perfections end , youth mix'd with grace : rare was 't your like to finde , but now your lustre soil'd by shamelesse sinning , argues your end farre worse then your begining . crete made renown'd by fathers memory , shal't be extinguish'd by the daughters shame ? times auntient browe records his equitie . for time-impartialisters merit fame , proude was the earth to haue such men as he : earth seem'd by him to change her earthly name . for nere did fame with truth so neerely meete , as when your aged father gouern'd crete . o then be daughter to so good a father , be his lifes pattern , shew from whence you sprang , seeke to reuiue his glorie tropheis rather , then by your shame to see them ouerthrowne , some fruitfull blossomes from his vertues gather : so may you make your fathers fame your owne : crete was sustained oft by others fall . but she 's sustain'd by phaedra most of all . how will this trumpe of glorie make your mind too low deiected , seeke an other port then that you aime at now : where you shall finde , more perfect solace when you make resort vnto the shrine of vertue , that 's refined with purest colours , where the strongest fort that could be built by nature or by art , conserues the sacred treasure of the heart . o time deceing youth abusing time , making her stale to obiects of delight , seeing the best will to the worst decline : night-owle , whose works dare not approach the light , prophaning that which was before diuine , truth 's great'st opponent , vertues second sight , whose minde bewitching vanities ensnare , our captiv'd reason with a seeming faire . more should i write , but that i loath to write of such a subiect whose lasciuious soyle , makes my poore lines asham'd of such delights , that parents birth , should parents bed defile , or to play false when he is out of sight : distrusting nought should i his trust beguile ? o cease to loue liue to aduance your fame , freeing your bed and me from parents shame . yours if your owne : but being not your owne , i will not reope what other men haue sowne . finis . riddle me this . an embleame including the authors name . two waies there be , one broade , the other straite , which two beat paths leade to a distinct state of weale , of woe : this if you right explaine , the first , though worst , includes the authors name . or thus , a brea , a banke , a border , or a shore , smiles on his name that brought these satires ore . his crest , his crest a cuckolds crosse : his motto , heere i giue a badge which citizens d●e weare . blow my plump-fac't poulterer of saffron hill. place this and the leafe following after the end of the first booke . ¶ to the equall reader . if that thy nature answere to thy name , thou in thy iudgement wilt expresse the same which i entitle thee , and hate to be a squintei'd critick to misconster me . hows'ere : be what thou wilt , if equall , finde lines correspondent to thy equall minde : if rough ( for all my smoothnesse thou hast heard ) thou'se heare far rougher satires afterward . for ●f these ierks so lightly laid on smart , thoule finde rare whipping cheere i' th second part . where furies run diuision on my song : patience a while , and thou shalt haue 't ere long . to the captious reader . my answer 's this to him that saies i wrong our art to make my epigrams so long ; i dare not bite , therefore to change my nature , i call 't an epigram which is a satire . to the vnderstanding reader . for your better direction i haue reduced these ensuing notes alphabettically , with an apt relation to each particular included in the poeme , which may minister no lesse grace to the inuention , then delight to your reading . a salamina insula est atheniēsis , quam telamon gubernasse dicitur vitibus et myrtetis , eiusque generis arboribus vestita . vid. plutarch . b flumen maxime omnium inclytum , &c. flumen è niphatimonte originem ducens , et babilonians celerrimo cursu secans , in rubrum mare prolabitur . c alueum mutassa fertur ibid. &c. d in personam amatorum . e zeuxis vuae viuis coloribus depictae . &c. vid. plutarch , in apoth . f riphaei montes arcadiae , qui asperrimis verticibus subnixi sunt . vid. caes. commen . g lynceus & argot incredibiliperspicatia luminum praediti . h coniux orphui , qua per deserta loca currens , vt arasteum , cam immodeste nimis sequentem , euitaret , a serpente venenato infectae extremam diem obijt , cam verolegimus , a plutone raptam esse , et subimperio suo miserrimam vitam transegisse , vid. ouid . et senec. trag. her. fu. i homer . in iliad . vid : super hunc lacum . calabr● in quar . lib. de supple . k turture sie turtur iungit amanda suo . po●t . l timon pater thisbis qui ingētem thesauri molem in arca recondidisse arbitratur eiusque aspectu , mirum in modum delectabatur . vid sab . in ouid. metam . m naphtha bituminis genus quod aspersione aquae vehementius exaestuat . testan . plinio . n loue is more vehement depriued of her obiect . o stellam veneris appellat homerus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p vid lucan et pallin . de sid : nominibus . q res est imperiosa timor . r sordities , ira nummorum copia mira , his natura sen●● ▪ tribus est infectavenenis . s vnde vestales virgines candidis stolis indutas ess●●egimus in aulo . gell. in noct . att. t sublimi stemmate ductus . u nam si vis aptenubere , nube pari , ouid. x succinctis humeris scuto . y vid. plinium in natur. hist. & arist. de natur. animal . quos si argut seruet ? qui occulatus totus sait . plane● in aulular . z hippodamia filia oenomai quam peleps celeritate carsus obtinebat . pelopid : bumeri : prouerb . ● diana . lustra ferarum . virg. noctis opaco cardine fulgebant stellae . campi elysij . ● nemesis vltionis dea . pegasus alatus equus , a quo hypocrene originem duxit . o quicunque sub hae habitatis rupe leones , &c , ouid in metam . vna duos ( inquit ) nox perdit amantes , ouid. ● sed timidi est optare necem : ibid. myrtus vener , &c. progne phylomela , & it is . ter , in vpubam . rex su●ram sic crista probat : sed sordida vita immunda● è tanto culmine fecit aucm , campan in ter. exegi monumentum are perennius : marmore durius ebore serenius , vid. eleg. flac. et propert . aegis aretusa , & hesperitusa atlant : filiae , quae hortum hesperiae aureis pomis refertissimum ( ope serpentis perpetuam vigiliam seruantis ) tenebant , quam poste● hercules interemit , vid. ope : her : in sen : trag. arbor niueis pulcherrima pomis — ardua morus erat : ibid. corticis exiguae , nigrique colo . ris ebenns , &c , de natura gagatis : vid. plin. ● postquam vestem coguouit , et eiusdem . ouid. in tumulum nini , allocutio . viscera plus quam marmorea . purpurea vela , leuiorem auram trahe●tia , &c. homer in iliad . vid. calab . in deliquijs super hunc locum . fluminis vt cecinit littore , cicnus , obit . gagates quae monumēta excolere solebat non tam ob eximiae naturae proprietates , quam politae et exaratae formae elegantias vsurpata . vid. plin. in natur. histo . batia , sepulchrum ili , quod in ilio erigebatur et in troiano bello solenni honore afficilegimus . vid. hom. ib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , honos . et mihi sortis in vnum haec manus est : et amor , &c. ouid. ibid. quoque magis tegitur tanto magis aestuatiguis . in parentes naenia . vt sup . vid. eleg . mart. volat irreuocabile verbum . pyra solennis vid. funer . antiq . in gell. et al. rosa quae redolet , crescit cum spina quae pungit . et fugit ad salices , & se cupit ante videri virg. vid virg . in o. lib. georg. de irrigatione . &c. a poetical fiction . ioues reply . vid. hesiod . de generat . deor . de natal . hercul . et plau. in amphytrio — pol me haud penitet ; scilicet ●oni dimidium mihi diuidere cum loue . et soror et coniux ▪ &c. virg. in aenead o. lib. nocte somniat , quae vigilans volui● . terent. oscula libauit natae . virg . idas filius apharei qui celeritate equorum incredibili , marpessam egregia forma puellā corripuit . vid. ouid. horac . in . lib. ratione verum a falso discernimus , quam a nat●ra , nobis insitam habemus vid. cic. , lib. offi . quae lae●o culmine bustum occulit , arbustis teneris intexit opaci● vide proper . tu quae ramis arbor miserabile corpus , ●unc tegis vnius mox & tectura duorum . ouid metam . qui viret in folijs venit eradicibus humor , et patrum in natos abeunt cum stem●sate mores . viuit post f●●e ; ra virtus , &c. vid. apoth . rom . apud . plutarch . — et germina gemmis effulsere suis , fragrantia pascua veris , praemia diffundunt , nona fert nona semina , terra . o quam difficile est crimen nō prodere vultu ? cessit post funera liuor . vid. apoth . plut. de aeschin . et demosth. inimicit . et de obitu demost. ingentia terrae antra replere solent currentia font● perenni , &c. mare mittit amara , &c. vetus vietus veternosus mustellino colore . terentius . de oliua refert plinius , quod post initi sedoris societatem , ramos eius arboris fecialis gestare solebat , cuins indicio pacis specimina proferebantur , vid. in philip. comm . de bell. ne apol . oliuaeramos pacis indicia circumfere solebant ij , cum quibus cōditiones pacis confirmatae sunt . &c. recipit populos vrna citatos . senec● . babilon nunc vero bagadeth appellata , a nimrod● extruebatur . & a semiramide extēdebatur . in euphratem flu : amaemis : sita : vid : geo-graph . comen . quia essa parentum corum rogis imiscebantur . minotaure . ● ascendo : vires animus dabat aequo ita late aequora prospectu metior alta meo , ouid. in ep . ariad. thes. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a a carp●t e●im vires paulatim vritque videndo . femina . virg. b b res vulgaris amor , semel insanimius omnes . notes for div a -e * * truncoque simillimus heros . i●uenal . notes for div a -e i i rufus finishing the stately building of westminster hall , found fault for being built too little , saying it was sitter for a chamber , then a hall for a king of england ; taking a plot for one more spacious to be added vnto it . k k this peculiar vertue the superstitious irish haue ascribed to the power of saint patrick . notes for div a -e e e for my pretty tooth-picker , the criticke lawyer , who stands on the puntylio of his honour , i am by martialls meanes prouided of armour . . epig. carpere causi dicus fertur mea càrmina qui sit nescio , sisciero ve tibi causidice . notes for div a -e vt in antiquissimis monumentis in m●nasteri● sainct . bees , ab inclyto eo generosiss viro , qui in hunc diem jis operibus precipue alabastreis versatur , nuperrime compertus fuit : et prope epistomium i● fleetstreet , publice ostensum , &c. notes for div a -e a a for we read that in the second yeare of claudius reigne , peter the apostle came to rome , and there remained ▪ yeares after , yet some dissent from this opinion , &c. notes for div a -e * * in euenum flu●●n lubrico pr●grediens cursu , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * * et ●u quae minio nardoque fulges , extende●s occulos alti●i prouectos , desi●●e ceptis . — nasutam dicam , et sane dicerens , saiuxta nasum polle at ingenium . notes for div a -e * * ecloge apud luciaenum extat quae hoc titulo plane inscribitur , mirica nimrium , quam fung●m esse existimo , intempestiue orientem ●rentemque , &c. eo nomine romanos sabini appellauert , gallos romani , tuscos icali , in fimo nempe genere , & ig●ota gen●●●r●os , subitoque prouectos , &c. notes for div a -e m m sylene the pond or lake where the dragon w●s . n n the etimologie of george from gera and gion , war-like , or valiant . essaies vpon the fiue senses with a pithie one vpon detraction. continued vvith sundry christian resolues, full of passion and deuotion, purposely composed for the zealously-disposed. by rich: brathwayt esquire. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) essaies vpon the fiue senses with a pithie one vpon detraction. continued vvith sundry christian resolues, full of passion and deuotion, purposely composed for the zealously-disposed. by rich: brathwayt esquire. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by e: g[riffin]: for richard whittaker, and are to be sold at his shop at the kings head in paules church-yard, london : . printer's name from stc. with a final leaf of verse and errata. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng senses and sensation -- religious aspects -- early works to . conduct of life -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion essaies vpon the five senses , with a pithie one vpon detraction . continued vvith sundry christian resolues , full of passion and deuotion , purposely composed for the zealously-disposed . by rich : brathwayt esquire . mallem me esse quàm viuere mortuum . london , printed by e : g : for richard whittaker , and are to be sold at his shop at the kings head in paules church-yard . . to the right eminent favovrer and furtherer of all noble and free-borne studies , sr henry yeluerton atturney generall , accomplished happinesse . sir , i haue long sought the expressiō of my thoughts , which haue euer with all sinceritie tendred them yours : but how infirme is conceit without further demonstration ? loue is a deepe effect of the soule , which vndiscouer'd , struggles , yea strangles herselfe till shee be deliuer'd . i haue many times purposed to offer some vowes next to him , whose diurnall prouidence ( if nought else should induce ) and his maiestie , whose halcyon-raigne makes vs happy , vnto your selfe , to giue argument of my loue , the exquisite idea of humane life ; and now haue i seconded what i intended , though not in that perfection as my intirest wishes aymed . it is a great defect ( and i haue noted it ) not in will but worke , nor in purpose but power , to see so many extended desires limit their issue to leane effects : which fareth vsually to best-affected dispositions , where affectionatest thoughts are buried in silence for want of a tongue to discouer them . i will say nothing , for much speech rather argues affectation , than intimacie of affection : here be certaine essaies or obseruations , or what you will , dilating vpon the fiue senses , whereto , as to their proper obiects and subiects they are limited : where you shall finde ( as questionlesse you haue found in your selfe ) the eares choicest harmonie to be gods glory , the eyes cleerest vision his contemplation , the noses sweetest posie , the odours of his mercy ; the tastes delightfull'st fullnes , meditation of his goodnesse ; the touches mouingst action , the feeling of his passion . many subiects i confesse excellently composed , whose title deriues their essence from essaies ; but few restrained to these obiects , which the devout father termes those windowes which open to all vnbounded libertie ; organs of weale or woe , happy if rightly tempered , sinister , if without limit . for in what erre wee and take not the occasion ( as primitiue source ) from one of these ? the fable of the syrens had allusion to the eare , of ixion to the eye , of atalanta to the taste , of mirrha to the smell , of semele to the touch : where the eare not temperately restrained was soone inchanted , the eye lightly affected was to misery exposed , the taste for want of due relishing foyled her that was vanquishing , the smell too rankly breathing brought it selfe to perishing , the touch too highly aspiring , through her ambition fell to ruine . these were excellent types , and not vnbeseeming the purest and piercingst eye : now it rests , that i draw in my sailes , least my gate be too great for my worke , onely thus much i may confidently say , if my presumption err , my thoughts replie , it is my loue that errs , it is not i. may i euer so direct my subiect as to render you content , whose deseruing parts make me honour you , more then that title of honour which is conferred on you , vowing to rest yours in duest obseruance , rich : brathwaite . an aduertisement to the devout reader , vpon the vse of the fiue senses . lend here thine eare of zealous atten●ion , fixe here thine eye of inward contemplation , that following the sauour of thy sauiours oyntments , and tasting how sweet he is in goodnes , thou may vnfainedly be touched with remorse of conscience . farewell . theses , or generall rules drawne by art , from the line of nature , tried by the touchstone of infallible experience , and applied as obseruances to these present times ; hauing reference to the fiue sences ( proper subiects ) to which they are restrained . of seeing . . essay . though the eye of my bodie allude to the eye of my soule , yet is the eye of my soule darkned by the eye of my bodie ; where sence inclines to concupiscence , affection to affectation : and that part ( the curious modell of the eye ) which ought of it selfe to be a directrice to all other sences , becomes the principall organ of error to the affections : there is a motiue of thankfulnes in the eye of man , more than in the eye of any other creature ; a muscle which lifteth the eye vpward , whereas others be more depressed , bending downeward . why should man then fix the eye of his delight on the creature , hauing his eye made to looke vp to his creator ? the eye of our bodie , is like the orbe of the world ; it moueth in the head , as the sunne in the firmament ; take away the sunne , and there is darknes ; by the depriuation of the eye , there ensueth blindnes . conceits by nature ripest , are euer wandringst : and the eye of all parts most eminent , is to obiects of all kindes most extended : though i gaze , till mine eye be dazled , yet is the desire of mine eye neuer satisfied : as the eye of all other sences is most needfull , so of all others it is most hurtfull : it findes an obiect of affection pretending loue , when her ayme is cleane contrary , peruerted by lust ; there is no passage more easie for the entry of vice than by the cranie of the eye : there shee hath first acceptance , facilest entrance , and assuredst continuance . she hath first acceptance , because by the eye first entertained : facilest entrance , because of all others easiest to be induced : and assuredst continuance , because once perswaded , not to be by any motiue afterwards restrained . there is nothing so litle , that hath such diuersitie of operations attending it ; being moued by the obiect that it lookes vpon , to loue or hate . passions of the minde receiue their greatest impression by the eye of the bodie ; and soonest are they allayed , when the eye is most temperate . if the eye chance to be restrained , and want an obiect outwardly , it makes it self a mirror represented inwardly , and sometimes narcissus-like doates for want of a substance , on an imaginarie shadow : it is iealous , and that is the cause , it is euer prying into others secrets . he is a wise man , that carries his eyes in his head , making them his sentinels : but he is foolish , that sends them out like spies , to betray his soule to the obiects of vanitie . i haue heard some wish , that some space before their death , they might be depriued of their sight , inferring that the motions of the soule were aptest for inward contemplation , when the eye of the bodie was least conuersant in outward delectations . it is true ; but why should the principallst motiue and organ of thanks-giuing be an occasion to the minde of erring ? i haue eyes to direct me by obiects outwardly mouing , to the affections of the soule inwardly working . it is against reason , that the greater light should be extinguished by the lesser ; the eye of the soule , by the eye of the bodie . a candle burnes the darkest , when the sun beames shut out the brightest : so should the eye of the bodie subiect her light to the soules beauty ; that as the sunne cheeres and renewes by his milde aspect , cleeres and purifies by his more piercing reflex ; so the eye of the soule might cheere the bodie ( if deiected ) renew her ( if decayed ) and purifie her maleuolent affections ( if corrupted . ) lastly , as the eye is the bodies guide , it should not be made a blinde guide ; it should lead vs , and not in our straitings , leaue vs : as it chalkes vs out our way here vpon earth , so it should cheere vs in our convoy vnto heauen . of hearing . . essay . hearing is the organ of vnderstanding ; by it we conceiue , by the memorie we conserue , and by our iudgement wee revolue ; as maine riuers haue their confluence , by small streames , so knowledg her essence by the accent of the eare . as our eare can best iudge of sounds , so hath it a distinct power to sound into the centre of the heart . it is open to receiue , ministring matter sufficient for the minde to digest ; some things it relisheth pleasantly , apprehending them with a kinde of enforced delight : some things it distastes , and those it either egesteth , as friuolous , or as a subiect of merriment meerly ridiculous . in affaires conferring delight , the voluptuous man hath an excellent eare ; in matters of profit , the worldly-minded man is attentiue ; and in state-deportments the politician is retentiue . the eare is best delighted , when any thing is treated on , which the minde fancieth : and it is as soone cloyed , when the minde is not satisfied with the subiect whereof it treateth . as a salue faithfully applied , oportunately ministred , and successiuely continued , affords comfort to the patient ; so good instructions deliuered by the mouth , receiued by the eare , and applyed to the heart , will in time proue motiues to the most impoenitent . they say , the obiect of the eare , to wit , melodie , is the soueraing'st preseruatiue against melancholy ; which opinion is true , if grounded on the melodie of the heart : for externally sounding accents , though they allay the passion for an instant , the note leaues such an impression , as the succeeding discontent takes away the mirth that was conceiued for the present . the eare is an edifying sence , conveying the fruit of either morall or diuine discourse to the imagination , and conferring with iudgment , whether that which it hath heard , seeme to deserue approbation . a judicious and impartiall eare obserues not so much who speakes , as what is spoken ; it admires not the externall habit with the garish vulgar , but the force of reasons , with what likelyhood produced . if herod speake , hauing a garment glittering like the sunne , the light-headed multitude will reuerence herod , and make him a deitie , not so much for his speech , for that is common , as for his apparell , to them an especiall motiue of admiration . such as these ( the common sort i meane ) haue their eares in their eyes : whatsoeuer they heare spoken , if they approue not of the person , it skils not ; such a neere affinitie haue the eare and the eye in the vulgar . a discreet eare seasons the vnderstanding , marshals the rest of the sences wandring , renewes the minde , preparing her to all difficulties , cheeres the affections , fortifying them against all oppositions ▪ those be the best forts , and impregnablest , whose seats , most opposed to danger , stand in resistance against all hostile incursions , brauely bearing themselues with honour , in the imminencie of danger . such be the eares , they are planted in the high-rode-street , and exposed to a world of incursions ; scandall , than which nothing more swift , nothing more frequent shoots her arrowes , detracting by aspersion from the excellentest modell of perfection : yet a resolued eare ( like an other antomedon ) tempers the heat of her passion , by recourse had to herselfe and the sinceritie of her owne reputation . there is no discord so harsh to a good eare , as the discord of the affections ; when they mutine one against another ; for shee heares how a kingdome diuided cannot stand . i heare many things i would not heare , yet being enforced to heare them , i meane to make this vse of them ; that hearing what moueth detestation to me in an other , i may be cautioned not to represent that to an other in my selfe . as the martin will not build but in faire houses : so a good eare will not entertaine any thing with an approued iudgment , but what is faire in it selfe , and confers an equall benefit vnto others . as of all vertues none more eminent than iustice ; so no sence of all others more accommodate than hearing vnto iustice. it is an excellent commendation , which the historian giueth to that princely monarch and father to the worlds sole monarch , philip of macedon ; that after hearing of the plaintffe , he would euer keepe one eare open for the defendant ; a prerogatiue princely and worthy the management of her affaires , that is princesse of all vertues . but as best things peruerted , proue the worst ; so fares it in attention ; many haue eares , who mydas-like are depressed to earths obiects : erect them how can they , hauing their attention fixed on the basest of subiects ? with how prepared an eare come these to the prediction of a scarce summer ? how apt these be to heare report of a young scape-thrift , ready to vnstrip himselfe of a faire inheritance vpon any termes ? how vnworthy tidings these be for so diuine an herald ? the eare is one of the actiuest & laborioust faculties of the soule : pitty then it is that the soule should be by her intangled , or by her meanes to such base subiects enthralled , being for the succour of the soule principally ordained . i haue thought long time with my selfe , how i should imploy this sence best for my soules aduantage : wherein i tooke a suruey of all those subiects , to which this peculiar sence of hearing was especiallest extended ; and i found the eare much delighted with musicke ; but finding it but an aërie accent , breathed and expired in one instant , i thought there was no abiding for my attentiue sence ; fitter to be employed in a delight more permanent . presently i made recourse to the acts of princes , and gaue my eare to the discourse of fore-past exploits : subiects i found well deseruing my attention , mouing me to imitation , and eying my own weaknesse with their puissance , forcing me to admiration . but retyring to my selfe with this expostulatorie discourse ; where be those eminent and memorable heroës , whose acts i haue heard recounted ? where those victorious princes , whose names yet remaine to posteritie recorded ? and hearing no other answer , saue that they once were , and now are not , i wayned my eare from such a subiect , as onely had power to giue vnto the memorable a name , but no essentiall being . from hence trauersing my ground , i descended ( a descent i may terme it , being a studie of lesse height , though of more profit ) to the discourse of the lawes : where i found many things in their owne nature worthily approued , by the prescription of time , and proscription of conscience to be strangely depraued : here me thought , i saw the poets arachne , spinning webs of so different a warpe , that great flies might easily breake out , while litle ones suffered , strange vnctions able to cast iustice on an euphuus slumber ; motions made to moue commotions twixt party and party . here was no employment for my sence , desiring rather a direction in her way to eternitie , than to haue partiall-guilt corruption her best solicitor in this vale of misery . whilest i was thus roving , seeking for a pylot to giue free and safe waftage to my vnharbored sence , at last after many tempestuous occurrences , my afflicted mindes perturbations , i fixt anchor , and by the direction of reason , got what i sought for , a quiet harbour . and where may i limit or how confine the straying circle , of many perplexed and confused thoughts wherewith i am surprized , within so blest a period ? not by the appetite , for that slaues the best of man to vnworthiest ends : nor by the obedience of my owne proper will , for that i found perverted by ayming at indirect obiects : nor by ambition , which alwaies ( as pindarus defined her , was accompanied with danger in assaying , impatience in prosecuting , and an opposition of expectance in atchieuing : nor by the vsurers calender , for there is auarice , that decrepit infirmitie of old age haling , many a poore-prodigall wittall cursing , and an inward corasiue , worse than any outward affliction , tormenting : nor by the courtiers fawning , where times be obserued , fashions imitated , good-cloths admired , and the onely-generous qualitie is to be phantasticall-idle : nor by the country-farmers engrossing , where many a poore orphans teare accusing , many a desolate widowes complaint contesting , and the hunger staru'd soule witnessing , make him of all others most wretched , in that his nabal-securitie makes him obdurate . these are not guides to lead my directing sence to her harbour ; she is not for earth ; her musicke is mixt with too many discords . the worlds harmonie to a good christian eare , may be compared to that of archabius the trumpeter , who had more giuen him to cease than to sound : so harsh is the sound of this world in the eare of a diuinely-affected soule . a good eare will not say , as the powerfull auditor , or incorrigible sinner , saith to his preacher ; speake to vs pleasing things , speake to vs pleasing things : for these must haue orphuus melodie , whom the cyconian women tore in peeces , because with his musicke he corrupted and effeminated their men . these are not like those deuils , whereof guydo reporteth , that cannot abide musicke : these are contrary deuils , for they delight in nothing but the musicke of flatterie . these obiects are not made to harbour me ; my pitch is higher , my thoughts more vnbounded , my eare more arrected , and the consideration of mine owne imbecillitie more apparent : it is heauen she aymes at ; the angels , with which shee would consort , and that melodie of the superior powers , which yeeldeth to her eare the absolutest concord ; shee shall sound forth therefore ( tuning her voyce by her eare ) the vnworthinesse of earths affections , compared to that excellencie of reall delights planted aboue . first , shall be that delight , which depriued the first angell of his eternall delight , to wit , pride ; whereby we become like cinnamon-tree , whose rinde is better than all the bodie . hence is it we desire to reforme the workmanship of god , becomming polishers of nature , garnishers of corruption , and proud of our shame . and how should we thinke , that god will respect vs , who haue disfigured his owne similitude , and so disguised our selues as he can hardly know vs ? there is no workman , that regardeth or esteemeth his owne workmanship after it is translated and transposed by others ; and wee becomming creatures of our owne making , shadowing natiue modestie with a dissembling blush , seeme to translate that amiable forme and proportion , which was giuen vs by our creator , to an vgly and promiscuous habit , extracted like flaccus crow , from the phantasticke invention of all countries . the ancient law obserued , that such as had a yellow locke vpon their leprous parts , were not to consort with other people ; though we want that yellow locke , the apparent token of leprosie , yet we haue a yellow band , and other running sores of vanitie . far be this vice from the mansion of my soule , lest her speedy surprisall , depriue me of all : and euer may the consideration of my owne weaknesse , restraine me from the least conceit of aspiring arrogance . next of pleasure , shall be sensuall delights , the vaine obeying of our owne affections , the soules bane , the bodies vlcer , and the deuils watch bell . we are rocked asleepe , and sit dandled on the knee of an impudent strumpet ; as babels subversion proceeded from the height of her sinne ; so this linke of impietie , by which death and ruine is haled along to vs , promiseth subuersion to the possessor , the best reward her serpentine embraces , adulterate affections , and obsequious delights can propose to her attendants . shall my eare be intangled with her soules staine ? or prostitute her attention to so odious a subiect ? shall my sence of direction tend to my subversion ? or the bodies instructresse ( like a blinde guide ) throw her headlong to confusion ? no , i will not engage so excellent an hostage as my soule , for the bitter-sweet of a repenting pleasure . reason tells me , that pleasure merits onely that title , when it is relished with vertue ; nor can sensualitie satiate the delight of the intellectuall part , when it is confined to immerited respects . this i will make my position , in the bent of my resolution ; i meane onely so far to obey my delights , as the after-hope of my soule may not be abridged , the future ioy in the expectance of soueraigne happinesse , impayred : but that my sence to reason subiected , may in the sweet concord of an inward contemplation drawne from her creator , apprehend an exceeding pleasure , to haue done any thing pleasing to her maker . can i finde in rich coffers ( the misers idols ) any true obiect to plant this excellent organ ? ô no , the corruption of coine is the generation of an vsurer , or a lowsie begger . for the first , i loue my soule too wel , for so meane & base a traffick to hazard a gem so incomparable : heau'n is the tabernacle i desire to dwell in , but so far is that mansion from the conceit of our english iew , or oppressing vsurer , as he chuseth rather to liue in the tents of kedar with the depraued issue of dathan , than by hauing lazarus scrip , to be carried after to abrahams bosome . rightly was his experience grounded , who said ; that the multitude of physicians and lawyers are the signes of a distempered state ; but the number of vsurers and their factors , is the argument of a fatall disease raigning : for the second , to wit , beggery ; i know not what to thinke on 't : it is a beneficiall trade , where impudence marshals it : but a shamefast beggar ( saith homer ) neuer yet could liue on his profession . i could wish a more temperate harbour ; neither too rich , lest the fulnes of my estate make me insolent ; nor too poore , lest the consideration of my want , force me to some course exorbitant . pauperis est ( saith the poet ) numerare pecus : but boni est ( saith dauid ) numerare dies : it shall be my arithmeticke , my golden number . but stay , let me reduce my thoghts , and in the consideration of my distempred and indisposed affections , propound to my selfe a forme which i may obserue , a line by which i may direct my course , and a centre , where i may end my distance ; than a caueat which may restraine me , an obseruance to conduct me , and a reason drawne from an inconvenience to divert me . and thus i expostulate ; why would i not be rich ? why no extortioner ? why no oppressor ? why no biting vsurer ? rich i would not be , lest i should admire my owne fortunes , and after admiration fall to idolatrize , and then where should i plant my future expectance ? it is hard for a cammell to goe through the eye of a needle , and more difficult for a gold-adoring mammonist to enter heauen . extort i would not , for i know there be vialls of wrath ready to be powred downe on the extortioner : and though the wicked for a while flourish like the greene bay-tree , time will come , when his place is not to be found . oppresse i cannot , when i heare the orphans teare , the widdowes curse , the poore mans prayer , the hunger-strau'd soule : for i know the orphans teares will be botled , the widdowes curse effected , the poore mans praier receiued , & the hunger-staru'd soule reuenged . vse my money , but vsure it i will not : ten at hundred shall not depriue mee of ten hundred times more glory , to purchase here a litle treasure subiect to corruption , and transitorie . quòd foenorari , est hominē occidere , to play vsurer , is to play the murtherer , saith the orator cicero : which may appeare ( if euer ) euen in the ruines of this time ; where hospitalitie , which was the glory of england is vanished , and seruing-men , who by reason of their education and number , were the strength of the i le , to suppresse the barbarous tumults of all turbulent heads , are turned to a few garded pages , coloured like so many butter-flies . our ancestors established by their lawes , that the theefe should be censured to make restitution two-fold , but the vsurer foure-fold ; so odious was this trade to ancient times , when onely the light of nature shone vpon them . yea an vsurer by an old canon , was denied christian buriall ; and more prophane , than allowed was his opinion , who concluded in his owne behalfe , that no profession merited more exemption than vsurie : his reason was ; it was impartiall , and respected no degrees : his conclusion was true , but his inference erroneous : for it taketh fast hold of cities , villages , ports , and obscure hamlets , and laies vnhallowed fist on persons of all qualitie , euen from the pere to the poore oyster-crying-wife . hence must i draw my caution , not to touch pitch , lest i be defiled ; their conversation is infectious , their conscience a very gulph or charuell-house , to swallow and consume , devoure and exhaust all at once . the indian anthrophagoi are not halfe so rauenous : i will walke in a more modest path , both to cheere my affections , with a satisfying desire of competence , and to blesse my selfe from such canker-wormes , as prune the vertuous blossoms of others , to feede a posteritie of prodigall rake-hels ; my eare must be tuned to another note , that my edifying sence may discharge her peculiar office , not to affect nouelties , or chuse varieties , but to dedicate her inward operation to the mindes comfort ( to wit ) the melodie of heauen . of touching . . essay . this facultie of all others is most indiuiduate ; it inheres in the subsistence of man , and cannot be separated or taken away without the detriment or vtter decay rather , of the subiect wherein it is : it may therefore be called the liuing sence , though in diuers diseases & occurrences also oft-times befalling , the subiect wherin it is , may be depriued of it ; as we read of athenagoras of argus , who neuer felt any paine , when stung by a scorpion . this sence hath a certaine affinitie with the essence of man , and therefore should be employed in such things , as confer to the glory of that essence : many abuse it , who belulled with the lethargie of sin and securitie , neuer turne their eye to a serious contemplation of the supreme glory , or a consideration of their owne frailtie ; they know not how gods deferring is the more to infer ; how hells torments were no torments , if invention might conceit them . these are they that are depriued of the spirituall vse of this sence ; crying with the sluggard , yet a litle , and yet a litle ; turning in their bed like a dore on her hinges ; their delay like a pulley draweth on them vengance , like a mighty engine , razeth downe the fortresse of their soule , and like a consuming winde , or violent tempest , breaketh downe that faire cedar which was planted for the heauenly libanon . when neither the white flagg , nor the red , which tamberlaine aduanced at the siege of any citie , would be accepted of , the blacke flagg was set vp , which signified there was no mercy to be looked for . it is strange that man endewed with reason , the ornament of the minde , should become so blinded with a terrestriall rest ( which indeed is no rest , but a torment ) as to forget his owne composition ; being made of no better temper than clay , and as a vessell in the hand of the potter . far more wisely did agathocles that prince of sicilie , who commanded his image to be made with the head , armes , and bodie of brasse , but the leggs of earth , to intimate of how weake and infirme a ground , his imperiall person subsisted . weake indeed , and of as weake accomplishment : for what can man doe , wherein he may glory ? or attribute the least of so exquisite a worke to his cunning ? if we glory in any thing , it is our shame , which is no glory , but a reproch ; for who , but such as haue a fore-head glazed with impudencie , will triumph in their owne defects , or boast of their owne imperfections ? doth the peacocke glory in his foule feete ? doth he not hang downe the taile when he lookes vpon them ? doth the bucke , hauing befiltht himselfe with the female , lift vp his horns , & walke proudly to the lawnes ? ô no ; he so hateth himselfe , by reason of the stench of his commixture , that all drooping and languishing into some solitary ditch , he with drawes himselfe and takes soile , and batheth till such time , as there fall a great shower of raine , when , being throughly washed and cleansed , he posteth backe to his foode . if such apprehension of shame appeare in brute beasts , what should his be , that is made lord and gouernour of all beasts ? is this liuinge sence , this vitall faculty , this indiuiduate propertie made a rubb in our way to immortality ? doth that by which we liue , cut from vs all means of liuing hereafter ? miserable then is our sence , when without all sence of sinne , we become depriued of the sence of glory . this sence of touch may be reduced to those three obiects , wherein our vnderstanding is summarily emploied : the intelligible , the irascible , and the concupiscible . the intelligible , whereby we apprehend the end of our creation , whereby we iudge of causes and events , touching with the apprehensiue hand of iudgement , what may concerne vs , and the state wherein we are interested . the irascible , when stirred vp with ire or indignation , we prosecute reuenge , not suffering the least disgrace without an intended requitall . the concupiscible , when in an ambitious desire of honour or estate , or lustfull satisfaction of our owne illimited affections , we couet this or that , ardent in pursuing , and least contented , when obteining that we haue pursued the vnderstanding if rightly seated , like a wise pylot steres the ship , saues her from splitting , mannaging all things with a prouident respect had , of what may come after . no syren can tempt this wise and subtile vlisses : though the sea looke neuer so faire , this wise and temperate mariner is suspicious of it , knowing , where the sea lookes the whitest , oftimes the periloust rocks , and ineuitablest shelfs are seated . she sinks , plumms , and tryes the shaldes , whether apt for nauigation or noe : in briefe she doth nought without serious premeditation , & fore-thinks of the meane , ere she attaine the end . she affects not curiosity either in words , habit , or manners ; yet vertuously curious how to expresse herselfe truely honourable in all deportments , without aspersion of scandall . she will not disguise herselfe in an vnhonest couer , but affecting plainenesse , teacheth the same rule and precept to her followers , which iesu the sonne of syrach taught : ne accipias faciem aduersus faciem tuam : not to be dooble faced , but with sincere plainenesse , such as thou art , such do thou seeme . a rule far more accomodate to the course of vertue , and more directly leading to the seate of glory , then all the pollicies which euer machauell yet inuented , or the dissembling appearances of all obseruing timists . though numa pompilius in rome kept the people in awe , and subiected them to what tirannous lawes he pleased , vnder pretence of conference with aegeria ; minos in athens , vnder colour he was inspired in a certaine hollow caue by iupiter ; and pallas in a counterfeite habit , deceaued claudius , in the adoption of nero. this deuine essence of the soule , ( the vnderstanding part ) will assume no other forme then as she is : knowing her perfection cannot be made more accomplished by anie borrowed colours . she vnderstands her selfe to be composed of a more deuine element , then to subiect her will to vnworthy ends ; for she knowes , that as the sence is conuersant in outward things , she is seated in inward things , not directed by the eye of the body , which is many times deceued , but by the eie of the soule , which alwaies aimeth at one certaine scope , to wit , immortality , she considereth the ends , which mortality aimes at ; honour , ample territories , great possessions , popular respect , and long life , to enioy these without disturbance , and she makes vse of these with a penetrating iudgment , apprehending wherto the ends of these externallie-seeming goods confer . honour ( saith she ) is quickly fading , and an aspiring spirit , like the loftie cedar , is euer subiect to most danger ; when like iacks in a virginall , or nailes in a wheele , the fall of one is the rising of another . ample teritories and great possessions ( saith she ) are more then nature requireth ; she is content with a competent ; and that competency reduced to a very narrow scantling , when of all our drosse , estate , tresure and possessions , going downe into the earth , nothing shall you take with you : you shall carrie no more hence , nisi parua quod vrna capit , but a coffin , and a winding sheete . when saladine that puissant emperor of persia , with many victorious and successiue battails , had extended the limits of his empire , and through the happinesse of his warrs being neuer in any one pitcht field vanquished , become the sole terror of the easterne part , at last fell mortally sicke , and perceiuing how there was no way but one with him , called his chiefetaine , and commanded him ( hauing bin chiefe leader in all those prosperous warres , which the emperor had atchieued ) to take his shrowding-sheet , and to hang it vpon a staffe in manner of a banneret , and with it , to proclaime in the streets of damascus , this is all that saladine , the emperor of persia , hath left of his many conquests , this is all he hath left of all his victories . long life ( saith shee ) is not worth desiring , since it giues but increase to a multitude of sorrowes ; she prefers a good life , before a long life , and esteemes that life best beyond all comparison , which is exercised in the vse of her creation . shee concludes with the philosopher , optimum est aut non omnino nasci , aut quàm cito mori ; making life the theatre of shame if abused , but the eminent passage from a pilgrimage to a permanent citie , if rightly employed . to be briefe , she meditates of nought , affecteth nought , entertaineth nought with a free will , and a pure consecrated desire , but what tastes of the spirit , hauing her eare barracadoed against the insinuating desires of euery seducing appetite ; shee is not of the world , though in the world ; nor can shee loue any thing within the worlds circumference , in regard , the world hath her limits , but shee not to be confined . the irascible is attended alwaies vpon by reuenge : for the obiect of the wrathfull facultie is honour and aduantage , and if this cease , straight-waies courage and stomach decay , so as the least argument of distast , like another silla stirrs her blood , and makes vp a centaures banquet . this facultie is alwaies as ready to apprehend an occasion of punishing ( yea before it is offered ) as to obserue the meanes of executing , when the occasion is ministred . she will not say with that noble venetian duke ; it is sufiicient for a discreet prince , to haue power to reuenge , that his enemies may haue cause to feare him . no , meditation vpon reuenge is the onely prayer-booke , that this vnbounded passion vseth . yet may this part rightly tempered include in it an excellent good : for anger is not alwaies vnto sinne : whence it is said , be angry , but sinne not . wee may be angry through zeale , and the feruencie we beare to the gospell : christ was angry , when he whipped the buyers and sellers out of the temple : he was angry , when his disciples contended for prioritie ; he was angry at the incredulitie of the gentiles , the obduracie of the iewes ; yea he was angry at the barren fig-tree , when it brought out no fruit , and therefore cursed it , shadowing thereby the fruitlesse synagogue . o may my soule , if euer shee be angry , feele this passion in the feruent loue shee beares to her creator : may her anger be against her selfe , in the wofull remembrance of her sins ; that her anger may breed a detestation , detestation a reconciliation to her sauiour . but for such as with the beare cannot drinke , but they must bite the water , far may my soule be diuided from their dwelling : i will be angry , but commit no sin , for the god of sion hath prescribed mee a forme , to be angry for the zeale of gods house , wherin is no sin . the concupiscible is as the rest , of it selfe indifferent ; and as a line in a circle , equally tending to either part of good or euill : yet so depraued is man become , that medea-like , he is euer more prompt to take the worse rather than the better : here the couetous miser couets to engrosse an huge estate to himselfe , making his purse the diuels mouth , and with his hydroptick conscience , though euer purchasing , yet euer coueting . here the ambitious man displaies his own humor to the eye of the world , of whom i may say , as was once said of one puffed vp with the like spirit : quod habere non vult est valde bonum , quod esse non vult , hoc est bonū : that is good which he desires not to haue , that is good which he would not haue come to passe ; so exorbitant is the desire of the ambitious , as what he desires is nothing lesse then vertuous : here the merchant aymes at an exceeding gaine in trafficke ; he sliceth the seas , opposeth himselfe to all dangers , all distempratures of winde and weather , euer vsing this concupiscible part , desiring a happy fraught for his aduenture . here the warriours desire is confined , to gaine by the spoile of an other . euen the basest mechanicke offices be conuersant in this facultie , ayming at some especiall end , whereto their labors be directed . to couet things temporarie , planting our affections on them , is discrepant from the right vse of this excellent facultie : there is a good couetousnes , and it is heauenly ; there is a good theft , and it is heauenly ; there is a good ambition , and it is heauenly : the good and godly couetous couet not with demas , nor magus , nor demetrius ; they couet righteousnes , sobrietie , temperance , yea all vertues which confer to humane perfection ; there is but one pearle of esteeme , and to purchase it , they sell all that they haue ; this is a happy couetousnesse , a glorious merchandise : the good and godly thiefe cares not for embezling earthly treasure ; for he knowes mothes will corrupt it , rust will consume it , and continuance of time will deface it ; it is that immortall treasure which he would steale , for he obserues how it is subiect to no alteration , but continues in the same state euer . againe , he reads , the kingdom of heauen suffers violence , and rather then he will loose it , with all violence he meanes to pursue it . the good and godly ambitious ayme not at worldly honour , but as a subiect incomparably aboue all externall seeming happinesse : for they consider how it is better to be a doore-keeper in the lords house , than to be conversant with princes . happy theefe , whose theft is heauen ; blessed couetousnesse , to couet heauen ; glorious ambition to aspire to heauen ; may this theft be my soules discipline ; this couetousnesse her exercise ; this ambition her prize : so like the good theefe , may shee be crowned , with the godly-couetous zacheus rewarded , and with the heauenly-aspiring soule exalted . how happy shall i be in this sence ( the life of humane essence ) if by vsing these three faculties of my soule sincerely , i shall at last attaine to the state of glory ? yet how much is this sence , especially conuersant in these three subiects , perverted , and violently wrested from her own nature ? where such as desire to touch the arke , make this sence the instrument of their fall : others gehezai-like , whose beating pulse will not forgo the touch of gold , though they purchase it by a leprosie . o how many fall by this sence of life , making it their sence of death ? sodoms apples were but touched , and to dust and ashes they were reduced : the fairest of all our vanities be but sodoms apples , they cannot endure the touch , for they are painted and adulterate . far be my sence estranged from so prophane a subiect : vertue , as it needs no colour to garnish it , so can it endure the touch , and neere be changed . it is shee that shall attend my sence , so as touching her intellectually , my soule by so sweet an apprehension , may be incorporate in her indiuidually . here is my liuing sence well satisfied , and in this harbour planted , she will neuer desire to be remoued : for affliction is ended , discontent cheered , and a perfect rest , without interruption , by her that is the true essence of delight , proposed . of tasting . . essay . this sence makes mee weeppe ere i speake of her ; sith hence came our greefe , hence our miserie : when i represent her before my eyes , my eyes become blinded with weeping , remembring my grandame eue , how soone she was induced to taste that shee ought not . hence doe i imagine ( imagination is the end of man ) how pure i had bin , if this one sence had not corrupted my pristine innocencie : apples are suspicious to me , being the first that depraued me . i will rather distaste mine owne palate to giue true rellish to my soules appetite , than by satisfying the first , corrupt the puritie of the latter . by the ministerie of this sence , i apprehend the vniuersal delights of this world , and as in the palate , so finde i in them a distinct operation . many things hot in the mouth , are cold in the stomacke : such are wordly pleasures : hot they are in the first pursuite or assault , and eagerly are they followed : but in the stomacke , that is , when digested and rightly pondered , how cold are those pleasures , being attended on by remorse , and obserued by repentance . againe , hence doe i gather the frailty and breuity of all earthly pleasures ? whatsoeuer ministers singular'st content vnto our appetite , is no longer satisfieing then in the palate ; for after going into the stomach , that content is done . so delights momentany , and limitarie to an instant , may for the present yeild a satisfaction , but how soone be these ioyes extinguished , how soone forgotten ? this sence cautions me of two sects , the epicure and pithagorist , the first by too much exceeding , the latter by too much restraining ; the epicure puts his mony in his belly , as the miser doth his belly in his purse : but the pithagorist neither cares for belly nor purse , scrupulously abstayning from that which was ordained for his vse . the fiue sences ( saith one ) be our greatest sleepers ; yet i may affirme that this sence neuer sleepeth ; for there is nothing seemingly-sencelesse , which she apprehends not either with free taste or distaste . of all others , this sence produceth the diuerst qualities : whence it is we say , like lips , like lettice : where this facultie , either by an indisposition of the bodie , or a distinct operation in the subiect , showes this pleasing and acceptable to one , which is noysome and different to an other . this sence must haue the bodie and minde prepared , before shee can rightly show her owne power ; she admits of no distemper , suffers no restraint : whence it is , that we finde by experience , where the bodie is not equally disposed , this facultie hath much of her operation impaired . the best taste is to distaste sin , and the worst taste is to affect that , which confers to the soulea distaste of all tastes inherent in all subiects , none lesse distinguishing than the hungry-mans taste : which may appeare in those miserable famines of samaria and ierusalem ; ratts , mice , weasels , and scorpions were no common mens iunkets ; where motherly loue renounced her name , and became the ruine of that shee should cherish ; as the matron myriam , who constrained for her liues supportance ( though shee had but one sonne ) killed and rosted him . hence comes it , that necessitie hath no law , nor hunger needs no sawce . let my taste be directed by reason , and not by sence . reason may enlighten her , and make her distinguish of desires ; but sence perplexeth her , and subiects the better part to a slauish appetite . many haue exceeded in the vse of this sence , but few restrained their desires with moderation . more cleopatra's than cornelia's , more vitellij than vticae , more sileni than salustij : ancient and moderne replenish vs with stories of this nature ; where violent ends euer attended the immoderation of princes , but healthfull liues , and ioyfull periods summ'd vp the dayes of the temperate . the venetians giue vs instance of these in themselues ; amongst which there appeares one more memorable : domenico syluio his duchesse , was so delicate a woman , as she would haue dew gathered to make her baine withall , with many other curious perfumes and tricks ; yet before her death her flesh did rot , so as no creature could come neere her . may my taste be seasoned with no such delicacie : let my affection rather disclaime herselfe , than vndo my soule by intemperate subiects . i will not care so much to taste what i loue , as what i hate ; for i know my selfe more subiect to surfet in the one , than in the other . i haue tasted most of inferior delights , yet in a generall suruey of all my pleasures , i cannot chuse but weepe , to remember how those delights which i affected , produce no other fruit but repentance . the taste of vice to a mortified affection , is like sweet meats to him that is in an ague : shee is distastfull , and becomes more odious , in that shee cloaths delight with an habit of wantonnesse . i will chuse with holy hierome , to build me a cell in the desart , to liue out of the heat of concupiscence , rather than by liuing in the eye of the world , enthral my reasonable part to the appetite of sence . taste ingenders delight : i will not taste euery thing i like , lest late repentance force me to distaste that which i liked . i will fore-see the end , ere i approue of the means , that grounding on a golden meane , i may attaine a glorious end . no tempting delight shall feede my appetite : for as preuention is the life of policie ; so temptation , if consented to , is the passage to miserie . fowles of the ayre , though neuer so empty-stomackt , flie not for foode into open pit-falls : quae nimis apparent retia , vitat avis . my soule shall imitate the bird , that she may escape ( like the bird ) out of the hand of the fowler . how happy were i , if i would taste nothing but what ministers content to the minde , sustayning nature , but not oppressing her , feeding , but not pampering her , cheering , but not cramming her . i haue tasted many liquors , yet none like the brinie current of mine eyes : teares are best extinguishers of sin , preparatiues to remorce , motiues to true contrition : precious elixir may thou euer be my drinke in the time of my pilgrimage , and quench my thirst of sin with a desire of an heauenly inheritance . as the nurse layeth wormwood or aloes on her pap , to waine her childe from sucking , so will i sprinkle some bitter thing vpon such things as i affect , that my delight may be restrained . how full of comfort am i , when my taste is directed to a right end ? and how directed , when it is besotted with vanities ? how far better were it , to liue temperate , taste all things as indifferent , and conclude our dayes in quiet , than to haue diues doom , nabals doale , or balthazar 's fall ? how far better were it to liue like the hermit in the desert , then like the sensuall libertine in the world so dissolute ? what is it to feed lusciously , fare daintely , tast all things with full satiety , when our fare shal be reduced to famine , our luscious feeding to soule-staruing , and our satiety here on earth , to our penury for euer in hell ? it is better to distribute to those that craue , vse temperance in what we haue , & make our posteritie true heyres of what we leaue , than to cry in midst of an eternall flame , for one small drop to quench our thirst , and not be heard ; for one crum , and not be satisfied ; for one minutes ease , and not released . taste may my soule no such dainties as may starue her ; delighted be my soule , but with no such vanities as may corrupt her ; reioyce may my soule , but in no other subiect , no other obiect , yea her only maker . soe in the tast of this life , shall i remember my yeres with bitternesse of heart : that my life which is reckned not by yeres , but howres , not how many , but how good , may be as the tast of sweete smelling odors , in the nose-thrills of her sauiour ; there is no odour like it , no perfume to be compared to it ; it is a saving sauour ; a pretious odour ; and the saints honour . happy sence that is thus saincted ; comfortable taste that is thus renewed ; and blessed soule that is thus invited ; taste and see how sweet the lord is ; sweet in his mercies , sweet in his promises , and sweet in his performance . and such is the spirituall sweetnes , which euery devout soule conceiueth in the contemplation of eternitie , whose ioy is not in the tents of kedar , but in the bowels of her sauiour ; not with the inhabitants of moloc , but the glorious seed of isaac : these haue their taste in the greene and flourishing pastures of gods word ; distasting the slesh-pots of aegypt , and relishing onely the manna of heauenly canaan . pleasures which are earthly , they neither long for in expecting , nor loue when enioying . they haue found obstruction in the sences corporall , but free passage in the sences spirituall . they compare worldly-tasting men to those wilde asses , which snift the winde ; their desires extend onely to be thought good , dis-esteeming the excellencie of reall goodnesse , which maketh man truly happy . they obserue foure sorts of men in the world discouered by the eye of wisdome : some are wise , but seeme not so ; some seeme so , but are not so ; some neither are nor seeme ; some both are and seeme : the last , these onely partake ; for as their essence concurrs with their appearance , so scorne they to expresse more in semblance , than they are in essence ; if there were no god , yet these men would be good : and for sin , though they wist ( to vse seneca's words ) that neither god nor man knew it , yet would they hate it . o my taste be thus seasoned , my palate thus relished , my affections thus marshalled , my whole pilgrim-course thus managed , that my taste may distaste earth , rellish heauen , & after her dissolution from earth , enioy her mansion in heauen . of smelling . . essay . so prouident hath that great workeman bin of all his creatures , as no delight euen in this tabernacle of earth , is wanting to make him more accomplished : and though the fiue sences ( as that deuout barnard obserueth ) be those fiue gates , by which the world doth besiege vs , the deuill doth tempt vs , and the flesh ensnare vs ; yet in euery one of these , if rightly employed , is there a peculiar good and benefit redounding to the comfort of the soule , no lesse than to the auaile and vtilitie of the bodie . for euen by the smell , as by the conduit , by which is conveyed vnto vs the dilated fountaine of gods mercie , doe we apprehend all varieties of flowers , sootes , sweetes : which moued the philosopher to terme this sence , the harbinger of the spring . some are of opinion , that this peculiar sence , is an occasion of more danger to the body than benefit , in that it receiues crude and vnholesome vapours , foggie and corrupt exhalations , being subiect to any infection ; it is true : but what especiall delights confers it for one of these inconveniences ; cheering the whole bodie with the sweetest odours , giuing libertie to the vitall powers , which otherwise would be imprisoned , delight to her fellow-sences , which else would be dulled , and the sweet breathing ayre , which by her is reciued : all these ( as so many arguments of consequence ) bring vs to a more exact acknowledgment of this sences excellencie . the smelling is termed the vnnecessariest of all other sences , yet may it be employed in cases of necessitie ; witnesse democritus , who against the celebration of the feast buthysia , fasted nine dayes , sustayning nature onely with the smell of hot bread . this sence of mine shall not be subiected to outward delicacies : let the courtier smell of perfumes , the sleeke-fac'd lady of her paintings , i will follow the smell of my sauiours oyntments : how should i be induced , following the direction of reason , by such soule-bewitching vanities , which rather peruert the refined lustre of the minde , than adde the least of perfection to so excellent an essence ? no , let pigmalion dote on his owne picture , narcissus on his shape , niobe on her numerous progenie ; my taste , shall be to taste how sweet the lord is ; my touch , the apprehension of his loue ; my sight , the contemplation of his glory ; my eare , to accent his praise ; my smell , to repose in the faire and pleasant pastures of his word . o comfort truly styled one ; in that my soule transported aboue herselfe , vnites her selfe to be ioyned to her redeemer . the gardens of the hesperides warded and guarded by those three daughters of atlas , were pleasant ; the gardens of lucullus fragrant ; the groue of ida eminent ; yet not comparable to those exquisite pleasures , which the diuine pastures comprehend ; there is that hedged garden , that sealed well , that bethesda , that eden , that syloe ; here may the delight of euery sence be renewed ; the thirstie satisfied , the hungry filled , the sicke cured , the labourer cheered , and the exquisite mirrour of all perfection ; torrent of euer-flowing bounties , iessaes branch , aarons rod , and that flowrie garden of engaddi represented . there is mel in ore , melos in aure , iubilus in corde ; honie to the taste , melodie to the eare , and harmonie to the heart ; honie which breedes no loathing , melodie which is neuer discording , harmonie euer agreeing . this it is to be ioyned to an heau'nly spouse , sending from paradice pomgranats , with the fruits of apples ; cypresse , nard , nard and saffron , fistula , and cinnamon , with all the woods of libanon , mirrh and aloës , with the best oyntments . what excellent delights be here proposed ? what exquisite comforts ministred ? it is sufficient for me to admire them in this pilgrimage , enioying them by contemplation , which after many pilgrim dayes i shall possesse in fruition . there is no pomander to smell at , like the oyntment of my sauiour : he is all sweet , all comfort , all delight ; sweet in his mercy , comfortable in his promise , and delightfull in his presence ; in his mercy a father , in his comfort a redeemer , and in his delight a replenisher ; from his mercy and compassion is deriued abundantly fulnes of consolation , from his comfort or promise , an assured expectation , and from his delight , of himselfe a plenarie possession . o would to god with happy ioseph , i had taken downe my sauiour from the crosse , embalmed him in the spices or graces of my soule , had layen him in the new sepulchre of my heart , that at least attending or following my iesvs , my obedience might haue ministred something to so heauenly obsequies . for how should i think but by the smell of his oyntments , my sin-sicke and soule soiled conscience should be cured , who had power to raise dead lazarus stinking in his graue , hauing bene foure dayes buried ? o that i might goe to the mountaine of myrrh , to the hill of frankincense , to be ioyned to him , whose oyntments are aboue all spices : how should i want any thing being so enriched ? how should i feare any thing being so armed ? or how wish any thing , hauing whatsoeuer i desired ? sweet-smelling perfume of selected vertues , pure streame of diuine graces , and amiable beauty neuer blemished ; no delight shall withhold me , no affection seduce me , no inordinate pleasure entice me , no sweet smell draw me ; i haue tyed my selfe to my spouse in all my sences ; being he , that ministers refreshment to all my sences . if i eye any thing , it shall be my sauiours crosse ; if i heare any thing , it shall be my sauiours praise ; if i touch any thing , it shall be my sauiours wounds ; if i taste any thing , it shall be my sauiours comforts ; if i smell any thing , it shall be my sauiours oyntments : blessed eye , that hath such an obiect ; blessed eare , that heares such a concord ; blessed touch , that hath such a subiect ; blessed taste , to haue such a rellish ; blessed smell , to haue such a sweetnesse . as the nose is the conduit , by which wee receiue breath , so should it be the conduit , by which we receiue grace : by it we breath ; may wee rather not breath , then employ it not in breathing praise to our maker ? as the taste and smell haue two distinct offices , yet by an affinitie vnited , for the obstruction of the one is the annoyance of the other ; so may they be linked in one consort , in the contemplation of their creator ; that as the one is to be employed to taste and see how sweet the lord is ; so the other by following the smell of her sauiours oyntments , may at last attaine to the mountaine of eternal spices . finis . ornatissimo et lectissimo viro , i. b. de l : eqviti avrato , pvblicae pacis ivrisqve stvdiosissimo . pariterque h. b. filio inter svperstites ortv maximo , tali patre nato dignissimo , indolis optimae , spei amplissimae , mentis tenacissimae . richard brathwayt hanc detractionis narrativn cvlam , in gratam animi memoriam ( invita quorundam invidia : ) candide , condite , intime , integre d. d. d. detraction . detraction is a sin , deriued from him , who first seduced woman to sin : shee is conuersant in extenuating of vertues , detracting from the good , and spying occasion how to derogate from his worth , which is most deseruingly eminent : shee is called by the sententious lipsius , a priuy guilefull wounding of the name , by these two instruments , pen and tongue : she is termed by that diuine philosopher , a secret vndermining thiefe , that breaketh into the precious cabbinet of all morall vertues , not to possesse them , but corrupt them , not to enioy them , but detract from them : shee is harbored in male-contents , respectiuely entertained by nouelists , an inquisitiue obseruer of state-affaires , and a serious agent in ciuill diuisions : she is a great enemie to peace , yet expects small benefit by warre , neuer contented so long as she sees deseruing men honoured : shee is amongst men as pernicious , as to god odious , being a profest foe to none more than such as be zealous of god. saturne is said to haue predominancie ouer her , idlenesse is the foster-mother of her , and enuie claimeth an especiall prerogatiue in her . it is strange to see how her censures be euer grounded on ignorance in matters of knowledge , where publike or priuate imputation vseth to be the maine scope of her invention . rightly was shee compared to the venemous tarantula bred in the region of apulia , whose stinging was not to be cured by ought but musicke , to wit , the melodie of a sincere and patient minde , prepared to endure whatsoeuer she shall inflict , yet able to wipe of , whatsoeuer she can asperse . as it is the propertie of a friend to conceiue well , to defend , and speake well of those labours we compose , or actions we performe ( saith lucilius ) : so is it the vse of a discontented and malignant nature , to depraue the best by misconstruction , euer ayming at the worst : much like the toade , that may not endure to smell the sweet sauour of the vine , when it flourisheth . whence i may iustly assume a particular complaint , hauing got the name of a detractor , which i neuer merited . but well doe i perceiue whence i gained that title , traduced not deserued , being by malice suggested , or on misconstruction ( the indirectest path to probable opinion ) grounded . for construction is the moulder of detraction : and impossible is it , that so many different mindes should iumpe in one censure ; for particular vices enforce an application to our selues , what was meant in generalitie . so as nothing can be writ in how temperate a style soeuer , but some personall distast may be occasioned contrary to the minde of the author , yet sorting with their owne vicious humour : whereas it would rellish more of true wisdome , to reforme that in our selues , which giues occasion of reproofe vnto others , then publikely to discouer our owne defects , by applying that to our selues , which perchance , had as neere , if not neerer affinitie to others . and herein was vespasian commendable , who apprehensiue enough of offence , and powerfull enough to reuenge , could wisely forbeare to be captious in the one , or violent in the other . as for popular opinions , which haue their foundation on no other ground than erring repentance , i appeale from them to a firmer and faithfuller testimonie , that is , my owne conscience , which can say thus much for me in lieu of so many obiections : non habeo in me , quod testetur contra me : so sincere were my purposes from the beginning , as they euer aymed at a more generous and glorious marke , than to stoupe to such basenes , as personall calumniation , the infallible note of an ignoble and vnworthy disposition . albeit more apparant it is than light : vt belluae sunt humanae , ita homines belluini ; whose depraued actions should be glanced at , whereby shame might reclaime them , seeing themselues brought forth naked to the world , or the examples of others deterre them , whose fearefull ends were occasioned vpon like meanes . and such as these be as necessarie fautors and supporters of vertue , and her declining soueraigntie , as those cherishers and professors of vice be principall causes of vertues decrease : yea those be they , which that regall patron and patterne of iustice , aristides , termed the centinels of his kingdome , because they rowsed and raised his people from the secure sleepe of ryot and excesse , perswading them to imployments more generous and manly , than to expose so precious a treasure as time to sensuall effeminacie . amongst these ( i confesse it ) i may be ranked , nor is this ranke vnworthy the approbation of the best : for my ayme hath euer bin ( so farre as the small portion of my abilitie extended ) to propose a way as accommodate , to the course of vertue in a generall obseruance , as particular practise : endeauouring to instance in my selfe by example , what my workes proposed by instruction . wherein , if at any time i failed , ( as what man liuing may not at sometimes faile , if not fall ) so vnsained and vrgent was my desire of redeeming the time i lost , as i surceased not to labour till i regain'd what i lost . yea , so farre haue my thoughts euer beene from excusing or extenuating my imperfections ( which haue beene euer before mine eyes ) as i made that diuinely-morall instruction of epictetus , my entirest councellour : who wils mee to denie the sinnes mine enemy taxes me with , but to reproue his ignorance , in that , being vnacquainted with the infinitie of my crimes ( which minister no lesse occasion of feares then teares ) he layes onely two or three to my charge , whereas , indeed i am guilty of a million . but for that other ranke , whose oyly tongues can smooth the errours of the vicious , aswell as smother the deseruing parts of the vertuous , i asmuch loath the gaine of their trafficke , as i hate their trade . for the world shall not hire me to vtter one word to their praise , which depraue the world , nor the eminentst rewards force mee to detract , where vertue bids me commend . for so small is the content i reape on earth , as i see nothing in it of that worth , which might moue mee to flattery : or of that daring command , to force mee to dispraise what is good , hauing a prepared soule within me . briefly , as i detest these base creepers , so will i seeke to auoide the daungerous company of detractours , since the former , as they imply spirits ignoble and depressed , so the latter inferre troubled minds , and such as are discontented . long time therefore haue i resolued to sconce my selfe betwixt these two , for who so obserueth not a meane is in danger of being split by one of these two . but to returne to the nature of these detractors , which pindarus calls men of vncurbed mouths , they are euer itching after newes , which by an vncharitable glosse , they labour so to peruert , as they may redound to the imputation of some personall agent interrested in those affaires . they are subtill interpreters to the worst sence : for ( spider-like ) they sucke poyson out of the holesomest flowers . as euery age is infected with their poison , so no age from them , can plead exemption . where nature her selfe shall be reuiled by them , being shee that first produced them . one findes fault with nature , and taxeth her of indiscretion , for setting the bulls hornes rather on his head then his backe , being the stronger part . an other , that she should place both the eyes before , whereas prouidence would haue set one behinde , and an other before , to arme man against danger aswell behinde , as before . yea , euen those orators , and pleaders for the prerogatiue of nature , haue beene oftimes seene to detract from her soueraignty : as the sensuall epicure , whose absurd opinion was , that there was indeed a superiour power , which had commaund ouer the inferiour creatures : yet was that power but an idle god , louing his rest and quiet , and retyring himselfe from the care of man or his affaires ; giuing him free scope and liberty to doe what he list , and reposing the supreame happinesse of a deity in rest . to confirme which palpable opinion , some irreligious epicures of our time , for the better establishing their doctrine of security , haue produced , or rather most impiously traduced that portion of sacred scripture , requieuit dominus in septimo die super omnia quae patrarat . so generally pernicious is this poison of the world , as it aymes not onely at inferiour subiects , but euen at the transcendent power of the almighty , piercing ( that i may vse homers words ) the spheare of heauen , & wounding iupiter himselfe . these be those aspes tongs , which poyson our good names ; those spiders , which with an art full of secret admiration , bring webs out of their bodies to intangle vs poore flies in their snares ; those spreading tetters which eate into our reputation ; those suck-blouds which exhaust the pith and marrow of our soules ; they are those canker-wormes , which euer browze on the tenderest and sweetest blossomes of our vertues . in briefe , whatsoeuer is opposed to good , that are they , aspersing the foulest blemishes , on men of approuedst deseruings . true it is , that nothing is more swift than calumnie , for shee is euer flying ; more eager , for she is euer assailing ; more cautelous , being euer prying ; more tyrannous , being euer raging , or more remorcelesse , being euer deuouring . in a well-gouerned state , this axiom holds euer impregnable ; eadem est foelicitas vnius hominis & totius ciuitatis : but how far shee is estranged from that felicitie , may appeare by the hate shee beares to euery good man within the citie ; professing for faith , fraud ; mixing deceit with fairest pretences of affection ; conversing with purpose to traduce , importunate in the pursuit of acquaintance , which she makes as notorious by her report , as if they were prodigies in nature , by their life . shee cannot endure to entertaine such into the lists of her discourse , as affect a reserued silence : for those cannot yeeld her argument of talke , because they are not talkers . those which catiline-like , will promise much and doe litle , rellish better in her palate , than such , as iugurth-like , will speake litle but doe much . thus far in expression of her nature , i will now touch the place of her abode . for the place of her abode , it is harder to finde where she is not , than where she is ; in diuers villages , as obscure , as time could make them , haue i liued , and i haue euer noted one mother trattles , newes-carrier to all her neighbor-gossips within the parish : one that had art to tell a tale with winks and nods : yea so excellent were these old-trots in invention , as they could make one and the selfe-same tale , told in disgrace of one neighbour to another , with a litle alteration , as pleasing to the latter , as the former . it pleased therefore the spartan orator , to call them brands , because raisers of ciuill differences and heart-burnes one with another . brands indeed , as well to publike states as priuate families ; whose many ruines will witnesse , that though the wound be healed , the scar remaines still , harboring that viper within them , that preyed on them ; so miserable was their fate to cherish her which occasioned their fall . rightly did he say , that termed them antipodes to all good men , because they walke alwaies in a path opposite to the trace of vertue , being as indirect in their courses , as vncharitable in their censures . for iudgment , they as much disclaime it , as those that are profest enemies vnto it ; so much for conceit they thinke onely requisite , as may detract from merit , and adde to disgrace . the athenian tearmed them owles , haters of light , bats , recreants to their owne , scarabees , euer feeding on vlcerous flesh ; aptly displaying their natures , by these borrowed names . but for their place of being , as they euer loue to insinuate into the acquaintance of the eminentst persons , so they make them the vsualst subiects of their discourse : wherein they vse to compare their actions and parts with their progenitors , whose vertues they make as transcendent , as they disvalue the commendable qualities of those now present : and which is more remarkeable , though they be altogether ignorant of what their ancestours did , yet expresse they their actions , in dispraise of their successours , as by ocular experience they knew what they did . farre bee my thoughts estraunged from conuersing or commercing with these men ; yea , may i rather not speake , then detract from the vertues of the least eminent by speaking . i haue euer wished , that my speeches might tend rather to edification of some , then imputation to any . for so free haue my intentions beene from publike or priuate calumnie , as my inuention ( euer grounded on a probable truth ) hath euer seated and setled it selfe , on the serious commending of goodnesse , with a modest improuing of what was vicious . yea , i may safely auow ( out of a sincere confidence within me ) that i neare saw the man , who could worthily taxe me in this kinde : indeede poesie , which one of the fathers is pleased to terme vinum daemonum , not because it cheeres but charmes sinne , may seeme sometimes to satyrize , when it is personall application , not the authours intention which makes his poeme a satyre : rightly therefore was that resolue of the greeke poet grounded : at him my satyre aimes , whose application claimes , that it to him was sent howseuer it was ment . and that againe of the golden moralist : satyres are like to images in wax , taxing such men whose guilt themselues doth tax . for my part , i haue bin euer so religious an obseruant of my friend , as i wish rather not to liue , than by my lines to loose any mans loue : especially when i esteeme ( with that diuine sage ) my friends life , my best of humane glory , and his good name the essentiallst part of his life ; but wonder i cannot chuse ( for else should i wonder at my owne stupiditie ) how any should harbour the least conceit of an intended detraction by me or by my labours , vnlesse my title of deuill imply so much , which may seeme to haue affinitie with that which the greekes terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , detraction : but i hope , the iudicious , whose censures haue not their dependence on titles but essences , types but truths , are resolued of the remotenesse of my thoughts from such an vngenerous condition ; meane time , as the intentions of my soule are grounded on a more setled foundation , than the opinion of that monster-multitude , so shall my studies euer be directed for the satisfactorie delight and profit of the generous . i am now drawing from the world , heauens forbid , that i should proue such a seruile obseruer of the world , as to prize her fauours before my fortunes in an other world . in briefe , as i am now learning how to number my dayes , so will i take a strict account of the expence of my howres , that my dayes well numbred , may bring me to the length of dayes neuer to be summed ; that my howres well expended , may bring me to ioyes in that last howre , neuer to be ended : so shall those vertues which i haue in others admired moue me to imitation , those vices which i haue obserued in others , enforce in me a detestation . male de me loquuntur sed mali , mouerer si de me m. cato , si lelius sapiens , si duo scipiones ista loquerentur , nunc malis displicere laudari est . seneca ad galion : de remed : fortuit : finis . resolves . i offered before the sacrifice of my teares ; now remaines the prosecution of my resolues : that as the first were symbols and signalls of my conuersion and contrition , so the latter might be persuasiue motiues of my firmer resolution . dry be those teares of repentance , which are not seconded by a zealous continuance ; sith the perfection of vertue is perseuerance ; and fruitlesse is that zeale , which like the seede in the parable , is either by the thornie cares of the world choaked , by the heat of persecution parched , or by stonie impenitencie and obduracie withered : i will therefore by the power of him that made me , so forme my resolution , that i may finde a comfortable friend in the day of my dissolution ; so shall the howre of my death be my convoy to life , my exit a conduct to a more glorious intrat , my farewell on earth to my welfare in heauen ; reaping for what i sowed in teares , in a plenteous haruest of ioyes . thus therefore i addresse my resolues , which i wish may be with like feruor receiued , as they were composed , ministring no lesse matter of consolation to the devout reader , then they did of mortification to the penitent author . i resolue to fix mine eye ( more intentiuely ) vpon my image , that my forme may put me in minde of my former . i haue conversed too long with the world : i will fall from discourse to contemplation ; from talking with the world , to contemplate him that made the world . i will no longer put my candle vnder a bushell , shrowding my soules lustre with my bodies couer , but will display the eminence of the one , by the basenes of the other . since it is not granted to man to loue and to be wise , willingly will i incurre the opinion of vnwise , to gaine the loue of him , that is solely wise . the most precious things haue euer the most pernicious keepers ; which i found too true , when i made my bodie my soules guardian : i will henceforth esteeme more highly of such a treasure , than to commit it to the trust of a traytor . i haue obserued two solstices in the sunnes motion , but none in times revolution ; i will redeeme therefore my time while opportunitie is offred , for being past shee is not to be recalled . i haue seene young mens loue end in lust , old mens in dotage ; if ere i plant my affection , i will so waine my selfe from the first , that my chast youth may exempt me from the latter . elegantly expressed was that conceit of the emperor : fortune hath somewhat of the nature of a woman , that if she be too much wooed , shee is the farther of : i will thinke it therefore the best of fortune , neither to be allured by her fawne , nor deiected by her frowne : for our indifferencie towards fortune makes vs most fortunate . excellent was that soueraigntie or regencie of fortune , attributed by liuie to cato maior : in whom ( saith he ) there appeared such abilitie both for constancie of minde , and maturitie of wit , as in what place soeuer he bore himselfe , he seemed to be the moulder and maker of his owne fortune : but i desire no such transcendencie ; more haue fallen through the height of successe , than for the want of meanes : this is my wish , to enioy no other meanes , than my sauiour , who makes meanes for me to his father . i haue wondred at the strict accounts betwixt man and man , while man the image of his creator , forgets his accounts due to god by man : i resolue therefore to make the euening the summer vp of the day and morning ; that my daily memorandums may direct me in my reckning , when i shall come to be accomptant for my dispensing . in my childhood i wished time after time to please my waggish fancie ; now is my wish extended to the length of time , resoluing to liue to my fathers glory . it grieues mee when i call to minde , how those many howres of vanitie , which did once delight me , shall be produced as so many witnesses , to condemne me ; yet am i cheered with this resolue , that he , who moued me to this remorce for my sin , will not suffer me to make relapse into sin , nor will pronounce the iudgment of death on me for my former sin . grieuous sinnes require grieuous sighes ; i will passe therefore the remainder of my time , in lamenting , as i spent the prime of my time in transgressing ; so shall my teares witnesse my contrition , my retire from the world my conuersion , that in both , i may adde to my soules glory , by wayning my bodie from the conceit of her beauty . ech thing we see in her kinde and nature ; yet man by sin a priuitiue , degenerates from his nature primitiue ; opposing himselfe , by transgressing his law that made him for himselfe . i haue heard many call this life a pilgrimage ; yet did they liue in it , as if it had bin the sole hope of their inheritance : i resolue therefore to take in hand the actiue part , and leaue the discursiue ; doe before i speake , practise mortification before i prattle of it : so shall my discourse be powerfull , subsisting in the worke not word , not externall or for fashion , but in essence and operation . i haue oftentimes entred into discourse with my selfe , making the scope thereof venite & abite : i contemplated withall , the happinesse of those fiue virgins receiued , the miserie of those fiue reiected : reasoning with my selfe what this should meane ; and i found that no entry was admitted , where the oyle of grace was not infused , and that the heauenly bridegroome will be by vs watchfully attended , ere we be by him gloriously receiued . i resolued therefore , to prepare a wedding garment to adorne me , a lampe full of oyle to lighten me , and a trustie friend to direct me ; the garment of humilitie , the oyle of charitie , and my friendly conscience within me . i haue wondred at some mens humors , whose chiefest discourse was euer bent on their owne commendations ; for my part , the knowledge of mine owne imperfections inioynes me silence , considering how far i am short of that i should be , how exceeding in that which is not required of me ; i haue resolued therefore by the scale of humilitie , to ascend to the throne of glory , making the acknowledgment of my defects , my directest path for the attayning of perfection . as the completest follie appeares in too much complement , so the best of wisdome is to be least popularly wise ; where opinion makes vs proud , whil'st priuacie in knowledge makes vs onely knowne to our selues , and no otherwise . i haue found oft-times the excellentest parts shrowded in the meanest and vnhansomest couers ; which i can instance in nothing better , than in the diuine essence of the soule , couered with the garment of flesh . honour is a faire baite , but a sincere disposition will not assume it before shee deserue it . the best of honour is to acknowledge our selues vnworthy of him , to whom is ascribed all honour ; nor can we better expresse our worth , than by confessing our own shame . purposes and resolues may be compared to pauls planting and apollo's watering , but their disposes to the blessing of god. i haue resolued in reflexion to my houre-glasse , considering times preciousnes with his swiftnes , to vie teares with her graines of sand ; that my teares might ( in some measure ) wash away the heap of those sins , which are multiplyed like the sands . earth as a globe in the ayre , the soule as a diamond in lead , reason as a queene in her throne ; in the first we moue and are moued ; in the second we shine , yet is our splendor by our bodies couer , obscured , by the last we are distinguished from beasts , yet by her abuse we become worse than beasts . if caesar ( saith machauell ) had beene ouerthrowne , he would haue beene more odious then euer was catiline ; so strangely doth th' euent make indirectest actions glorious : but successe doth not euer argue a direct cause ; for the morning-flourish of the wicked shuts vp their euening in a sullen discontent ; i will therefore so direct the meane that i may attaine the end : that an equall relation of one to the other , may produce a necessary successe in both . i haue wondred why the thracian being a pagan should lament his birth like a christian ; when we that are christians laugh at our birth , but pule at our death , like pagans . as wee enter the world with a shrike , so we leaue it with a sigh ; the first implyes what place of miserie wee are entring ; the other shewes with what griefe we leaue the world in our departing . i haue considered with what tranquillity and peace of conscience , a soule sequestred from the world taketh her farewell of earth ; she finds no obiects to distract her , shee sees no friends that can with-drawe her from her approaching dissolution ; all seeme as in a calme sea ; whilest a soule plunged in worldly cares , grieues to leaue what shee did so exceedingly loue . o may my soule so contemne the world , as she may addresse her selfe for a future world : so extend her hopes aboue earth , as she may raigne with her sauiour after earth . as the vale best discouereth the hil ; so a humble outside best displaieth a glorious soule ; vanity becommeth not a wise-man , much-lesse him that should be only wise to saluation . i had neuer the fate to admire titles , nor hope to rise by fauning on greatnesse ; heauen grant i may so follow him that is onely great , that the choyce of his attendance may purchase mee a place of perpetuall residence . age cannot alter habite , nor aër condition ; i doe wish my age may be so well tempered , that i may get that habite of vertue , which cannot be depraued , those internally-beautifying qualities of the minde , which may not be corrupted . that is the choycest pleasure , which hath onely relation to vertue ; others may haue appearance but no essence : for bitter is the fruite of that pleasure , which is attended on by repentance . there is no bulwarke so impregnable as a spotlesse soule ; for shee can oppose all hostilitie inward , where the other is onely for outward : as there is a continuall feast to him that enioyeth her , so there is securitie to him that is attended by her . length of daies is not in this vale of teares , for few be they and full of misery ; but in the tabernacle of syon there is length of time without transition , and accomplished yeares without conclusion . i haue collected that there is a reward for the good , as reuenge for the wicked , after this life ; because the sunne shineth aswell on the wicked as the good in this life . i haue resolued therefore , that as the temporary sunne cheeres mee with his heate , so to dispose of my actions , that by his operation which workes in mee , i may bee exalted by the sunne of righteousnesse , being made pertaker of his glory . when i behold the dew fall on the grasse , by which it is nourished ; i presently recollect how happy that soule is , which is watered by the dew of gods grace , by which it is onely renewed , and in her affliction comforted . it is strange that man in his trauaile , should so often measure his graue , yet be forgetfull of his end ; seuen foote is his dimension , yet man liueth in that securitie , as if that small scantling had a perpetuall extension . making ech day an abstract of my life , i finde by bitter experience ( yet hopefull repentance ) that i haue spent my morning in wantonnesse ; now my resolue is , to redeme my morning idling with my mid-dayes labouring , that i may receiue my penny in the euening . as the sun shines the brightest at his setting , so should man at his departing ; it is the euening crownes the day ; happy soule that shall be crowned , when her euening is approached . flatterie is not alwaies to praise in presence , for incurre we may that name by praising in absence ; that is , when either the vertue is absent , or the occasion ; as for vertue , shee can neither be ouer-prizd , nor ouerpraisd : i will hate therefore to insinuate , where vertue is not resident ; nor can he be a parasite , that is her attendant . i finde seuerall perturbations , to which i am exposed , diuers infirmities , to which naturally i am subiected ; i would not follow the indiscretion of empyricks , which minister the same medicines to all patients : as my griefes be sundry , proceeding from diuers meanes , so must my receits be sundry , if i meane to cure the effects . i will vse therefore corrasiues to eat away the hard and dead skin of impenitence , lenitiues to renew and cherish my tender skin , lest i fall to despaire , through too much weaknes . i am almost of copernicus opinion , who in his theorie supposed , that the earth did moue ; it moues man indeed to moue vnlike himselfe , becomming in his motion forgetfull of his first mouer : i resolue therefore , as many lines tend to one centre , so to ayme all my soules motions to the glory of my maker ; that earths motion may by no meanes draw me from him , who first gaue me motion to serue him . i haue sometimes wished an end of my miserie , lest miserie should cause my end ; but i found how foolish i was to wish for an end of that , which can no way possible , haue an end before my end ; for miserie is an inseparable companion to man , so long as he is man , for ceasing to be miserable he becommeth an angell and no man. he that falls from diuine contemplation , to take content in the world , is as he , that after he hath bin fed with meat of angels , falls afterward to delight in swines meat : sensuall desires shall not captiuate my reason to the soueraigntie of sence : i resolue so to liue , that dying i may liue ; for this life as it is a death , so death to the good is an aduantage of life . true it is , which democritus saith : truth lyeth hid in certaine deepe mines or caues ; yet being daughter to time , she will be at last discouered , after she hath bin so long depressed : neuer , neuer ; truth loues to be retired from the world , because shee sees that her fauourites be few in the world ; and rather will she liue a stale virgin , than bestow herselfe of such as will but make a stale of her . mans life is a globe of examples , a shadow of imitation , where the latter day is euer scholer to the former : i wish no further knowledge than to be a perfect scholer in christ-crosse row ; for there ( as in a mirrour ) shall i behold gods mercie , mans miserie ; his miserie in falling , gods mercy in raising ; matter of thanksgiuing in man to god , argument of affection in god to man. long is it since i purposed my conversion ; but yet a litle and then a litle , makes to morrow as far from conversion as was yesterday : i collect hence , how powerfullst resolues produce oft-times the poorest effects : henceforth therefore i intend not to put off till to morrow by idling to day , lest i neuer liue to repent on to morrow , being call'd on to day . i haue run a great part of my race , & am out-stripped by all in the course of vertue ; what remaines , but that i should now strip my selfe of this heauy garment with which i am ouer-loaded , that i may put on the heauenly garment , with which those happy runners ( the saints ) are adorned . he that failes in his course , cannot obtaine the goale ; and soone brethlesse am i , vnlesse the lord infuse his diuine breath in me : i will therefore run and pray ; run that i may obteine , pray that i cease not to run till i obteyne . i haue found how soone affliction alters the countenance of adulterate friendship ; i haue a litle taste of it , and experience bids me make this vse of it : though one swallow make no summer , yet one mans summer makes many swallowes : i will seeke therfore to gaine friends after time , since most of these worldly friends are but obseruers of time . pittie it is , i heare some say , such a braue spirit should want ; but what a wittall was he , that through his owne follie should enforce his own want with others pittie ? enuie is better than pitty , in estate not in honour : for the decrease of honor as she is enuied before her fall , yeelds argument of pitty , so is shee oft-times restored by being generally pittied , where estate , as she was an obiect of enuie , so piteously complayning shee remaines the same poore , without altering . i will not , like another herodicus , doe nothing all my life long , but intend my health ; for why should i bestow more care on the case than on the instrument within the case , on the bodie , than the soule ? no , i will reserue that moderate care for the health of my bodie , that like a good instrument , it may euer yeeld cheerfull musick to the eare of my soule ; so shall my soule , by the ministerie of my bodie , conforme her-selfe in obedience to him , that made the soule to enlighten the bodie . it is strange to know what an impression of loue , absence breeds in the louer ; i wish the like effect in the absence of my soule from her creator : she is here diuided by the vaile of her flesh , may shee be more firmely vnited to him in spirit ; she is here a prisoner , may her desires pierce through these walls of earth , and expresse their feruencie to the god of heauen : shee is here a pilgrim , may her skrip be humilitie , her weede sanctitie , her staffe charitie , and her foode the nourishing milke of the word : shee is an exile , may shee hasten to her natiue country , cherefully leauing this vale of misery : shee is an orphan , may she addresse her-selfe thither , where raignes the widdowes iudge , and orphans father . abide here ( ô my soule ) let this be thy retreit ; cheere thy spirit ( ô my soule ) with this eternall receit ; he it is that from perills past hath preserued thee , in perills present hath armed thee , against perills to come hath fore-warned thee . he it is invites thee fore-slowing , expects thee opposing , recalls thee straying , and embraces thee returning . he it is that protects thee resting , assists thee labouring , exhorts thee fighting , and crownes thee vanquishing : fore-slow not therfore since he invites thee , oppose him not since he expects thee , stray no farther since he recalls thee , but returne with speed , that he may embrace thee . rest thou mayst with ioy being so protected , labour in hope being so assisted , fight with courage being so excited , and vanquish with comfort being to be crowned . we must passe through a wildernesse to canaan ; this wildernesse is the wide world : ô may my soule neuer murmur , though hunger should annoy her , thirst afflict her , all perturbations enclose her : yea , let her rather say with iob ; i beleeue that my redeemer liueth , and that with these eyes i shall see him : happie eyes that are made contemplators of such exceeding glory ; ô may my eyes grow dim with weeping , to be afterwards partakers of so glorious a vision ! i resolue now to bid farewell to the world , before i leaue it , that being in it , i may not be of it : there is no affinitie betweene the citizens of mammon and syon , i will fall by a loathing of the one , to an vnfained louing of the other , that in contempt of this world , i may make my account more free in the world to come . i will make the worlds follie my chiefest policie ; soule-wise without desire of sole-wise or self-wise : may humilitie henceforth conduct me ; for conceit of knowledge through an opinionate arrogance , hath made me ( many times ) glory in my owne ignorance . i had rather be imprisoned in the flesh , then by the flesh ; for so i bee freed in minde i little care though i be imprisoned in body : since restraint of the one , enlargeth the libertie of the other ; whether therefore at freedome or restrained , i resolue so to liue , that my conscience may be a testimonie how i haue liued ; making in prison better vse of my grace , then the curtezan of her glasse : for there will i note the blemishes of my soule , while she the spots and moles in her face ; there shall i learne how to liue , how to die for my creator ; while she how to loue , how to dye her colour different , from what was giuen her by her maker . hee that seeks to preuent that which cannot be auoyded , flies into adams groue to sconce himselfe from gods iudgment : i finde this approued , when i labour to be exempted from the stroke of death , which can by no meanes be preuented , whose doome as it is certaine , so is his date vncertaine ; knocke he will , but at what time i know not : i will therefore so set all things in order before he come , that he may finde me prouided when he comes . i would be loth to be taken napping , i will therefore so addresse my selfe euery houre , that i may cheerfully embrace death in my last houre ; receiuing him not with feare , as a guest that will be of necessitie harboured , but with a friendly wellcome , as one , by whom i shall be to a secure harbour conducted . death , as he is importunate , so is he iminent ; fearefull to the rich , but cheerefull to the poore : for affliction breeds a loathing in liuing , an accomplished content in dying ; knowing that there is an end of miserie apportioned by death , which was not granted to man during life . i wish so to liue , that my life may be an argument that i did liue ; sith life without employment ( the essence of mans life ) hath more affinitie with death than life . as my god is alpha and omega , being my alpha begun in the kingdome of grace , so he will be my omega , accomplished in the kingdom of glory : the last day of my liuing , the first day of my raigning , the houre of my bodies discention into earth , the houre of my soules ascention into heauen . finis . the heauenly exercise of the fiue sences couched in a diuine poem . let eye , eare , touch , tast , smell , let euery sence , employ it selfe to praise his prouidence , who gaue an eye to see ; but why was 't giuen ? to guide our feet on earth , our soules to heauen . an eare to heare ; but what ? not iests o' th' time , vaine or prophane , but melodie diuine . a touch to feele ; but what ? griefes of our brother , and t' haue a fellow feeling one of other . a tast to relish ; what ? mans soueraigne blisse , " come taste and see the lord how sweet he is ! a smell to breath ; and what ? flowers that afford all choice content , the odours of his word . " if our * fiue sences thus employed be , " we may our sauiour smell , tast , touch , heare , see . vpon his resolues . may i resolue , so my resolues expresse , that th' world may see i am what i profess . may earth be my least care , my heart on him , whose crosse's my crowne , whose sonne did salue my sin . the avthors opinion of marriage : deliuered in a satisfying character to his friend . sir , as i am no timon , so am i no marriage-affecting libertine : i will labour therefore to satisfie your demands exactly , making experience my directresse , whose late familiaritie hath instructed me in this positiue doctrine . as it repenteth me not to know it now , so it litle repenteth me not to haue knowne it before now : for as the present estate adds to my content , so my former want perhaps kept me from discontent : i perceiue no such thing as bondage in marriage , onely a restraint from batchler-sensualitie , which merits not the name of seruitude but libertie . vpon consideration had of two estates , i account mariage concurring neerer with perfection , and i ground my opinion vpon no worse probabilitie , than the arithmeticians maxime , numbers haue their beginning but not perfection from vnities ; yet exclude i not these two indiuidually vnited , from that incomparable effect of marriage , vnitie . content i finde more accomplished where mindes are consorting ; for singlenesse includes rather the condition of an anchorite , than of one affecting societie : this better for procreation , that for contemplation . there is no felicitie ( if earth may be said to enioy it ) like a fellow-helper , & no fellow-helper equall to a faithfull bosom-friend : i am neither for committing secrets nor concealing them , till i finde an aptnesse to conceale , or faith to reserue . i finde mysogenes opinion grosse and erroneous , touching the secrecie of a woman , a faithfull wife cannot chuse but be a good secretarie . shee makes her husbands reputation her principall subiect , and chuseth rather to dye , than it should dye . her acquaintance is not popular , nor craues shee rather to be seene what she weares , than to be knowne what shee is . vertue is her best habit , and her garnish is beholden more to nature than art : shee affects no colours , doing well without pretence of glory , affecting what is good without desire of applause . i haue bin in a strange error , and it much repents me of it , where imagination suggested to me , wedlocke could not be without some aspersion of lust ; for i perceiue the sanctitie and puritie of the rite , adds more to content than the outward delight ; it relisheth more of the spirit than the flesh ; he that feeles an other effect in marriage , he is more brutish than reasonable . the best purchase is a good wife , and the worst is her contrary : i haue commended arminius opinion , and haue long embraced it , whose conceit was so much remoued from the affection of marriage , as he censured him dead to earths-comforts , that tooke himselfe to any other bed-fellow , than his owne minde to converse with ; but i exclaime now vpon that heresie : i finde my minde strengthned by conference , and that proceeds with best grace and consonance from a faithfull mate : i will not trust her with my bodie , whom i dare not make partner of my minde ? and though the excellencie of the one , surpasse the frailtie of the other , yet will i not commend the one where i dare not commit the other . for frailtie of sexes , i conceiue how apt man is to iudge sinisterly of the weaker vessell , and i impute it either to a want of braines , in that they cannot diue into the excellencie of so pure and exquisite a composition , or some hard hap they haue had in making choice of such infirme creatures . i haue found one , though weake by condition , yet firme in her affection ; making her resolues so vndoubtedly approued by him she loues , as she hath vowed to engrosse her loue to none saue him she onely loues : her content is so setled , as she scornes to haue it diuided , for she knowes that a heart diuided cānot liue . she professeth her selfe to be , not where shee liues but where she loues , and the adamant which drawes her to affection , is the perswaded ground she intertaines of her husbands disposition , which is too choice to be popular , and too relenting not to be wonne ; as meere protestations were not of force to winne her , so flatterie was too palpable a suter to woe her . content is worth a kingdome , and my kingdome is my owne familie , where i make euery day my account , casting vp in the euening what i did in the day : i thinke my day well bestowed , if employed in the seruice of my creator , and my conclusion is this : i will be none of that familie , which is not carefull of promoting gods glory . marriage-melodie should haue no concurrence with diuisions ; though musique be graced by it , marriage distasts it : i haue wondred how two distinct bodies can be so inseparably vnited , and i perceiue the strange and indeed vnsearchable effects of marriage , which consists not so much in the ioyning hands , as hearts . there is a sympathie equally working , equally mouing in the parties louing ; nor is it beauty , or any externall motiue so much enchaineth , as a sacred-secret infusion , conceiued by an holy and heauenly influence induceth . i haue heard how that , when the hawthorne springs , and the cuckow sings , actaeons head with hornets rings : it is true indeed , ielousie is such a self-consuming vermin , as it neuer rests day nor night , from feeding her suspitious head with fruitlesse and friuolous doubts ; but i would not haue one subiect to this miserable phrensie , betake himselfe to such fuell of ielousie as a woman : for my part as i was neuer capable of such vaine suspect , so conclude i euer , i had rather be one and thinke me none , than be none and thinke me one , contenting my selfe with a generall fate , rather than incurre disquiet by my owne default : which , that glory of graece , the euer-liuing homer seemes wittily to glance at in the person of telemachus : babe saith my dade , but he may say amisse , for ought that i know , i am none of his ; yet i reply with dade , but that 's all one , i may mistake my syre , and he his sonne . there is no order so ancient nor more maligned : honour hath many times correspondence with her , and forraine marchants may be confident , their pinnace is entitled to many factors ; stratta iulia had neuer more brothels in her , then shee hath clamorous suters attending on her : yet what cannot resolued patience beare ? my aduice is to him , whose suspition hath already pronounced him horne-mad , to make vse of ithacus counsell to andromache , in behalfe of her tender infant astyanax . conceale him , that 's the best meanes to saue him . oft-times iealousie publisheth mans shame , more then the occasion of his shame . a wise-man will rather conceaue and conceale , then disclose his conceit to others report : the best of reputation is grounded on opinion free from suspition , and he is an egregious wittall , that loues to watch oportunity to adde to his discontent : my eyes are no such sentinalls : charity bids me iudge the best , and i wil rather expound my wiues secret parly some instructiōs of huswifery , then motiues of peruerted liberty ; i haue somtimes wondred at the folly of hans caruiles dreame , applying to my selfe the vse , that i might better auoyde the end , where euery fained and imagainarie conceit argues an apparancie of act , but i doubt not such bugbeares , they are terrors to suspicious heads , scarcrowes to addle braines : beautie shall neuer be such an idoll as to enforce my adoration , or so bewitching a hagge as to enthrall me to suspicion ; as a safe conscience is a perpetuall friend to sticke neere vs , a continuall feast to cheare vs , and a brasen wall to shield vs : so is a faithfull bosome-friend the louingst companion , the dearest minion , and the indiuidualst vnion ; a companion to refresh vs , a minion to delight vs , and such an vnion as will inseparably ioyne vs. i little weigh the woman-haters of our age , whose subiect is euer in dispraise of woman , they shew the vnworthinesse of their nature in satyrizing vpon the weaker . as chastity is rare and incomparable , marriage-state hath beene euer deemed honourable . he that will not marrie & will not withdraw his eyes from vanity , let him burne ; such obiects are either subiects of loue or lust ; if of loue , then happy is the louer , if of lust , miserable is the beholder . i remember that noble matrons motto , where thou art caius , i am caia : and i make no question of the like choyce . i haue read of diuers women , who as they were delightfull to their husbands in bed & boord , so added they delight to the labouring inuentions of their braine . such a one enioyed cato in his portia , seneca in his paulina , mar. antonie in his octauia : yea , the best labours haue beene illustrated , if not originally composed by married women , witnesse those diuine poems reduced to centons by theodosia daughter to the emperour theodosius , the royall compositions of lucane , the sententious measures of ennius , the tragicke odes of aristobulus , which labours ( though they retaine the names of these authors ) were reuised and refined by women . i perceiue the wisest may erre , and salomon himselfe may faile in his iudgement , making this interrogation , but as for a good women where is she to be found ? but his question imported rather a difficulty then an impossibility : which hee had some cause to speake , seeing women were the cause of his idolatry ; a goodman must of necessity make his wife of like quality : she is casten in his mould , let him blame himselfe then if she be not good . beautie is one of the least motiues to fancy , who more admires a smooth skin than a sound minde , may gaine content in his wiues prime , but shall loose it in her age : i care not how poore her outside be , so her inside be pure . i neuer set my affection on marriage to strengthen me with friendship , my ayme was the woman , and the grounds of my loue were her minds indowments : i sought not in her what the gallant seeks in his , a minc'd speech , a ginger pace , or a drawing eye ; i found her speech able to deliuer her meaning , her pace quicke enough in her employing , and her eye too modest to loue gadding . a good wife is the best portion ; nor consists this her goodnesse onely in proportion : she that is onely outward faire , deserues more to be loathed than loued , despised than preased : a case beautifies the instrument , but adds nothing to her accent ; and goodnesse is more continuate than beauty . i could neuer approue of that shape which deriues her beauty from the shop ; there is an innate decencie that better becomes vs , and aboue all comparison doth better grace vs : it is not toyes , tyres , dressings , but a personall comelinesse adds honor to our clothing . i haue much admired at mans follie , whose commendations onely extend to what they weare , not what they are . i will neuer tye my selfe to such impertinences , nor can with iudgement esteeme the rinde for comely , where the pith relisheth corruptly : it is not worth our praise , to say , such an one is faire , that is no qualitie but an adiunct ; giue me one good , i much weigh not any other attribute , for good is a better attribute than faire . as i haue chosen , so i repent me not of my choice : i haue planted my resolution thus , nor hope i to alter it : the strange woman shall not allure me , nor the courts-idol , a painted face inveagle me ; i am now for one , and that one is all : me thinks marriage , as it is a type betwixt christ & his church , the state politike & her head ; so it is a neerer combining of the bodie to the soule : the soule hath promised for the bodie , that shee shall not make her selfe a cage of vncleane birds , nor prostitute her-self to many ; and the bodie hath so tyed her by plighting her faith by her hand , that shee will inviolably performe what her soule hath promised , sr , god send you ioy . a shrow is a continuall dropping , whose actiuitie consists principally in the volubilitie of an infatigable tongue ; her father was a common barretter , and her mothers sole note ( being the voice of her vocation ) eccoed , new wainflete oysters ; in her sleepe when shee is barr'd from scolding , shee falls to a terrible vaine of snoring , and fomes at mouth , as if she were possessed , or shrudely rid by the night-mare : shee is most out of her element , when most at quiet , and concludes ioyntly with the arithmetician , that vnities are to be excluded from numbers : her progenie is but smal , yet all hopefull to be interested in some clamorous offices ; for her eldest itcheth after bellman , her next after cryer , and her daughters scorn to degenerate , vowing to bring the aunciently-erected cuckstoole into request : shee frets like gum'd grogram , but for weare she is sempiternum . shee goes weekly a catterwauling , where shee spoiles their spice-cup'd gossiping with her tarttongued calletting : she is a bee in a box , for she is euer buzzing : her eyes , though they be no matches , for she squints hatefully , are more firing than any matches : she is a hot shot , for she goes euer charg'd : she hath an excellent gift for memorie , and can run diuision vpon relation of iniuries . in some thing she is praise-worthy , for shee hates complement , and grins when she heares any one commended , much more flattered : all the phrensies in bedlam cannot put her downe for humors . if shee be married , she makes her husbands patience a fit subiect to work vpon , where his miserable eares are deafed with her incessant clamour . she is neuer pleasd , for being pleasd she were not her selfe , whose choysest musique is euer to be out a tune : a nest of wasps and hornets are not comparable to her for spite , nor may equall her in splene ; and in this they principally differ , she hath her sting in her tongue , they in their tayle . she is monstrously vnsociable , and grounds the reason of her distast vpon others approbation . when shee hath none to exercise her furie on , she mumbles ouer some dogg'd pater-noster to her self , as if she were conjuring : her signe is euer in cancer , and hates patience left it should bastardize her blood . shee is euer suspicious of others thoughts , and therefore answers for her selfe before she needs . were she as strong in power as will , she would commit more insolencies with her tongue , than euer nero did tyrannies with his sword . silence shee hates as her sexes scandall , and reprou'd for her distemper , her answer is , the worme will turne againe . happy were her husband if shee were wormes-meat , but her hope is to out-weare her winding-sheete : when shee comes in companie , all cry god blesse them , as if they heard thunder ; she omits no time , spares no person , obserues no state , but wounds with her tongue , terming it her sole defensiue instrument . great ones she as much disvalues , as shee contemnes inferiors , yet neither shall slip her , for she neuer saw that creature , which might not giue her argument to vent her impatience ; her reading is but small , yet when she heares of stentors tongue , shee would giue her dowrie for such a cimball . she somtimes counterfeits grauitie , but her ferret eyes and hooke nose display her for an hypocrite . her tongue neuer findes vacation but in church , which time giues her occasion to commence some new brawle . her tongue is as glibberie as an eele , all the posts in the kings high roade cannot equall her for speed ; marie truth is , she enterfears dangerously . shee weares her clothes negligently , of set purpose to moue her husband to taxe her for her sluttishnes , whose reproofe she retorts with haile-shot , and pellets him with words as disgracefull as she is fulsom . by this time she hath formald a paire of high corke shoes to heighten her dwarfish proportion , purposely intended to beard her husband . in her infancie she was tongue-tyed , but by an expert artist , the string being cut , she euer after vowed neuer to loose the facultie of her vtterance by discontinuance . she hath seriously protested to make her husband run mad , but he is a foole then . she claimes some priuiledge in his bretches , and that is th' efficient cause of a breach betwixt them . it may be she is honest , but if her dogd humor would giue her leaue , i am perswaded shee would enter parlie with a knaue in a corner : being ( as she is ) a very crab , if shee affect any pleasures , they must be backward . she resembles the raile , and her name concurrs with her nature . shee condemnes no act so much , as that of hypemnestra , who procured her husbands safetie , while all the rest practised their deaths . shee approues of no ancient soueraigntie , but that of amazon , where the gouernment was feminine : and for the salique law , she hath already repeald it , as expresly preiudiciall to their sex . her tongue-feuer is quotidian , for it is euer shaking : her nature is so far out of temper , as shee hath vowed to be phrenticke euer . she maintaines this , that fancie is a phrensie , and loue such a painted idoll , as she will rather burne , than tye her selfe to such a fopperie . i would see that saint , which shee would not incense , a man of that temper , whom she will not nettle . there is no bird which she lesse resembles than the doue , for she is all gall . saturne hath sole predominance ouer her , dis-affecting nothing more than affabilitie . she can be merry by times , but then especially , when her husband is malecontent . she liues of litle sleepe , and seldome sleeps but dreames , and awakes laughing , relating how in her sleepe she beat her husband . the crocodyles teares are not by halfe so mortally dangerous , making euer her hatefull teares assured harbingers of reuenge . she weeps because she may not effect what she would , tuning all the day a hellish discord , best sorting with her serpentine subtiltie . she willingly entertaines her owne dislike , to infer her husbands distast ; which she apprehends with ioy , and obserues with a continuate delight . she rewards the sexton liberally in her husbands presence , onely adding , a day will come . she presseth him to make his will , perswading him he cannot liue long , albeit he finde no such fault with himselfe . she would make an excellent hawke , for she is euer sharpe . shee vowes temperance is none of the cardinall vertues ; and that too much sufferance may make the bleare-eyed world esteeme such an on a saint , whose recreant patience deserues rather the title of sot. she may seeme to haue some allusion to the pismire , wheresoeuer she is , she brings smarting , and in prouidence too , for the shrow is euer scraping . her tongue would make a singular scarcrow , for it is euer ratling : in her discontent ( as when is she out of that humor ? ) her only dolefull song is lachrimae , which she vsually sings in any consort . her complexion is sallow , of constitution strong , yet is her bodie incomparably weake to her will , which can finde no period , till death be her herald , to whose comfortable arrest i bequeath her . finis . to my loving friends , my country-cottoneeres . droupe not , though dead , you may reviue againe by th' cheerefull beams of such a soueraigne ; who can discerne what painfull men deserue , and would be loath , your families should starue , or want the staffe of bread , but by command will see your case redressed out a hand ; meane time read my resolues , where you shall finde in state-distresse , some solace to your minde : which found , build on this ground , and be as i , who am resolu'd , hows'ere i liue , or die . yours , or not his owne . r. b. for the booke i 'le say , if there be errors in 't , the world had not known them , but for th' print , errata . pag. . lin : vlt : for strailings , read strayings . pag. . lin : vlt : for passions , read ( in some copies ) fashions . pag : . lin : . for charuell-house , read charnell-house . pag : . lin : . for yea , read then . pag. . lin : . for reciued , read receaued . pag : . lin : . for repentance , read ( in some copies ) report . pag. . lin : . for , to denie , read , not to denie . pag. . lin : . for grace , read ( in some copies ) grate . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e sence . of seeing . sence . of hearing . esay . ● . ossic. ibid : proper finem . sense . of touching sence . of tasting . sence . of smelling . cantic . . cant. . notes for div a -e * alluding to that sacred-secret mysterie of his fiue wounds , curing and crowning our fiue sences . notes for div a -e character lycosthen : in apotheg : homer in telemach : in odiss . notes for div a -e character . astraea's tears an elegie vpon the death of that reverend, learned and honest judge, sir richard hutton, knight. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) astraea's tears an elegie vpon the death of that reverend, learned and honest judge, sir richard hutton, knight. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. printed by t.h. for philip nevil, london : . "panaretees trivmph, or, hymens heavenly hymne" has special t.p. reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng hutton, richard, -- sir, ?- . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion astraea's teares . an elegie vpon the death of that reverend , learned and honest judge , sir richard hutton knight ; lately one of his maiesties iustices in his highnesse court of common plees at westminster . london , printed by t. h. for philip nevil , and are to be sold at his shop in ivie lane , at the signe of the gun. . to my worthily-accomplished and most endeared cosin , sir richard hutton knight . sir , here receive these obit-teares of ours , while native love and duty nourish yours : let us then joyne our funerall odes in one , " his dearest god-sonne with his eldest sonne . though heires in such like teares doe seldom share , i 'm sure true tears streame from your fathers heire . excuse me , sir , that these come forth so late , " they come too soone by ' voice and vote o th' state. to my truly-esteemed and highlyrespected cosin , thomas hutton esquire ; a member of the honourable society of grais-inne . to you , though younger , yet the same in blood , send i this p●…tterne of parentall good : wh●…se imitation shall you more advance then fortunes portion , or inheritance . for those to meales of worthlesse mindes are given , where these li●…es ●…halke you out your way to heaven : whose lineall-lustre if you doe not smother , makes you corrivall with your elder brother ; whom as i live i love ; and in him you : " this shall my muse in richest raptures shew . while memory o're your dead father reares a shrine bedewed with astraeas teares . to the pious memory of sir richard hutton knight ; and lately , one of his majesties justices of his highnesse court of common plees at westminster . an elegie . great aescul●…pius , hadst thou none to kill but britaines grave hortensius with a pill ? hippocrates his maxim never ment on goodmens lives to make experiment but on indulgent patients , who did breath lesse spirit in their life then in their death : for their inglorious ev'nings could forbid others to doe ought lesse then what they did . tell me , o tell me ! who could with his eye survey a gracefull-usefull nurcerie , s●…ored with various plants that might besit their masters turne for shade or bene●…it , and in this seminarie to cut downe an humble mounting tamrick , though 〈◊〉 whose very site might prove him to be made a grace for some , to other plants a shade ? injurious fate ! if i may justly call that fate unjust , which is impartiall ; why wouldst thou not in this vast wildernesse ( where every worldling seemes to interesse his sole imployments , as no place but here were th na●…ive soile whereto he must adhere ) cull out such rotten and worme-eaten trees who keep a place , but promise no increase ? some might thy subtile eye have quickly found c●…ock'd , or with swelling bunches to abound ; others so sweangely 〈◊〉 ' d , 't were hard to know by their loose-dangling tops what way they grow . others so freely spreading , as their root takes so much ground , it holds all others out . others time-statis●…s , scorning to incline to any compleat humour but of time. others like sprigges from th' phoenix ashes bred , fix on that sun by whom they 'r nourished ; from which should thousand motes like atomes rise , they'd vow them beames darted from phoebus eyes . and coulds't chuse none of these to make a dish for hungry wormes , and close a subjects wish ? these doe no good , they trouble but the earth by making goodnesse labour of a dearth . but say , grand-artizan of pick and spade , if thou in purple hast desire to trade , traverse thy ground , thou canst not safely erre , but finde intelligencers ev'ry where . here maist thou finde a coelius , one of might , who pleads worse with his le●…t hand then his right : a critick con●…ull , who records can tax , and make the law a very nose of wax . neat-glorious glosses can his art finde out either to raise or reconcile a doubt : and with such confidence , as if this man were held the ages sole iustinian : yet of his reasons he no ground can gather , unlesse he lye them on an unknown father . hows'ere , his weake assertions are held good , and long-approv'd e're they be understood . but th' reason why he beares such high command is this , " hee 's great for whom he seemes to stand . there a loose-liv'd-licentious appius who woo's his mistresse with a rev'rend busse : a purple-prostitute , that hides this mo●…e with gravity and colour of his coat . yet who should see this uselesse trunk , would sweare his age had made him fitter for a beare then amorous embraces ; and this grave grave-sinking patriot must his doxie have , who in her active postures is so pliant , she feeds on him , as he did on his chent . there a sweet-sented flavius , who could spe●… more tully in steletting of his peak●… or twirling his mouchato's , then those low declining dr●…ssie groundlings ●…'re could doe , flowers of selected phrases spring by nature , while matter must serve words , not words the matter : no aire sounds unasfected , which imparts more musick to our eares then to our ●…earts . yet though his tongue be smooth , his body small , within he stores huge magazins of gall , which raise in him such indigested pas●…ion , as if styles of disgrace were all in fashion . were not this bird , in earnest tell me fa●…e , f●…rre sitter for thy cage then for our state ? surely , i think , it would availe thee much ( his moving tongue and eloquence is such ) to have him for thine orator , to draw poore morta●… to submit them to thy law : and though he hold himselfe for death unfit , he might move others to encounter it . there a word scattering p●…theas , who asfords a drop of reason ●…or a sea of words . of numerous discourse , and so well fraught as he speakes more then ever he was taught : and in those conscript magisteriall seats a chaos too of cases he repeats , how properly i meane not to debate , hows●…ere it argues a retentive pate . thus aristippus findes stones set on stones senselesse of widowes teares , or orphanes moanes . these eye the clock , and measure out the day in numbring houres , not hearing what men say . what rich ▪ enamel'd shadowes ( fate ) are these , who fat themselves to foster a disease ? these suck full fortunes from a gooses quill , by setting of their names unto a bill which ( as they seldome doe ) if they read o're , they are no wiser then they were before . but a gramm'd purse can never knowledge want , 't is want of meanes displaies the ignorant . there a corrupt sysambris , who would win a pretious bribe with losing of his skin . there a turinus , who in ev'ry nook deludes poore people with the sale of smook . these chymicall impostors from grosse mold extract th' elixir of refined gold and never surfet , till their mouthes be fill'd with that rich gravell their injustice pill'd . for as the horseleach crieth still , more , more , so they desire new measure to their store , which like 〈◊〉 bowels , swell so fast , as they consume their owners lungs at last . now tell me fate , wer 't thou enjoyn'd to steale this pretious treasure from our common-weale , and spare impurer mettals soild with ru●… , who ●…y a shame upon their coun●…ey's trust ? there was a time , but no such place as ●…ere , when to anticyrae such shipped were as honour'd goodn●…sse : no inhabitants admitted were but timing sycophants , lascivious palliards , who made publick sal●… of vestall-virgin-honours by re●…aile . da●…k shops were in request to vend base ware , each in an act of knav●…ry claim'd his share . whole sholes of bankrupt m●…rchants week by week broke , and those held the wisest that did breake for most , and when it lay within their power could subtilely delude their creditour ▪ petitiona●…ie pa●…es grew strong , pretending by prescription to doe wrong : state ▪ prolling sh●…s , who to supply their turne laugh'd in their s●…eeves to s●…e their country mourn●… ▪ nought smel'd of profit , though it took beginning from that contagious ▪ leprous source of sinning , bu●…●…relished : y●…t how did these bestow this large dis●…aming fortunes over-flow but on vi●…ellian bankets , luscious f●…re , ph●…ntastick habits ? whil●…●…ir ladi●…s care extended to a play hill , a caroach , a compleat usher , or postillion coach ; a bevy of out-landish tirewomen , for nought could s●…it their humors that was cōmon . no artist , were he never held so rare , tasting no other but his countrey aire could gaine request : those onely bore renowne who were least ●…nowne to fashions of their owne ▪ those then were honest men , who in good troth could mi●…ce an oath , and cheat , and wipe their mouth , guild vertue with pretences , and deceave deluded eyes with onely seeming grave . no reall goodnesse purchas'd them esteeme , those were held good , that did but goodly seeme ; yea , seeming-good lost her account in time , and by degrees fell into that decline as those who gave a countenance ro good were held degenerating from their blood : so as to lye a blemish on his fame whose actions were a glory to his name ; or to detract f●…om good men , or disgrace a magistrate or iustice in his place was held an act of honour ; — th'counterfea●… taxing a iustice on his iustice seat was an high-mu●…y made ; none durst reprove his frontlesse impudence , but highly love his ●…esolution , though his 〈◊〉 spirit meerly consisted in debasing merit : nor needed this indulg●…nce , though he err'd , in good mens thoughts , he ever was preferr'd . those onely martiall ch●…valieres were held could veile a plume o●…●…eathers in the field ▪ speake bigge to their inferiou●…s , and define ( what they had got off booke ) their 〈◊〉 . then ranke their squadrons in each regiment , though they knew little what their captai●… mean●… ▪ nor he himselfe , while he by mimick charmes could gull the state , and guild his harmlesse a●…mes . but our's a golden age , a gloriou●… state , where no such scarabees surround our gate ▪ our purp●…e-co●…script-fathers are divine and scorne ●…o clo●…e with th' humour of the time . they shun pres●…rment as our clergic doe , and would decline it , were it offer'd too . their iudgements and 〈◊〉 do proceed from a dis●…rcet , sage and judicious head : for what imports the publicke interest that they deliver with a constant breast . our courti●…rs too , they have no trickes to please , to purchase suits , dese●…tlesse offices . free are they from all avaritious thirst , what they pr●…serre it must be honest first , for else to gaine an empire they'●… not do●… it , nor shew least gracefull countenance unto it , these s●…riously examine ev'ry point in su●… a suit , before they 'l stirre a joint , as thus : " is 't honest ? may it not offend " the state ? inserrs't not some peculiar end ▪ " may 't introduce no president of ill ? " nor with suspicious feares the people fill ? " doe'st undermine no trade ? no commerce stay ? " nor turne our traffick cleare another way ? " doth it not trench upon some company ? " nor wrong the sta●… by some 〈◊〉 ? " may i present'●… with 〈◊〉 , and come off " like a wise courtier without a scoffe ? " may i ingratiate him do'es imploy me , " that no calumnious agent may annoy me ? " may i with reputation so proceed " as no just rub t'ancipate my speed . " is the foundatio●… firme whereon i stand ? " does 't promise good successe if rightly man'd ? " should it be granted , as 't importeth one " would it doe good to many , hurt to none ? this our good courtiers weigh , as may appeare by ma●…y s●…its presented lately here : wherein sole love to goodnesse was th●…ir aime , which they pref●…rr'd before ●…heir patt●…nts gaine . o●…r ladies too are modest in attire , th●…y see no forraigne dr●…ssings they desire ; no cerussed complexion they endure , to feed vain fancie with as l●…ght a lure ; they keep their windowes shut ; no bosome bare , it must be private if they take ●…he aire . they sacrifice not th' morning of the day unto their glasse , nor th' ev'ning to a pla●… ; our court ▪ rere banke●…s seldome they frequent , but make their feasts a poenitentiall l●…nt . they care not for priority of place ; nor wooe affection with a borrowed face . they love not to consort , nor to be knowne to any favori●…es but to their owne . 〈◊〉 may be well their embleames , for they live still within doores , lest ●…hey should patt●…rns give of wandring unto others ; they are chary whom to admit , but whom they meane to marry . their usher , though he be a proper man , ha's but accesse unto them now and than , and then he stands at distance , lest he tempt , or his familiarity breed contempt . they aske not what this dressing cost , nor flower ▪ fruitlesse expences they reserve for th' poore , and with as free extensive hand they give it while ev●…ry farthing sweetned is with civit. if a light-amorous line approch ●…heir hand , like a poor-wounded deare at bay they stand ▪ astonisht at the folly of such men , who ravell time out with so light a pen. yet they 'l peruse the letter ore and o●…e and finde , perchance , more then they found before ▪ not to admire him nor aff●…ct his straine but to disgrace him when they meet againe ; yet with such sweetnesse , he shall hardly know whether in earnest they be mov'd or no. such modest-matron-mirrors , ladies be ; they coynesse love , though love 's their liverye . our camp-commanders too , they merit praise , who had they liv'd in agamemnons dayes , those fierce atrides , or in armes had come when carthage was beleagred by rome , brave hannibal , hamilchar , asdrubal had rais'd their citie to a capitall . so active is the gentry of our time , so docile too in feats of discipline , which such impressions in their service take , as one weekes training may an ancient make . tara tantara , what a martiall sight of brav●… commanders disciplin'd for ●…ight approch th' insulting foe ! no stra●…agem practis'd abroad but introduc'd to them ; no feat , defeat , advantage , point of war●…e , but to our colonels familiar . no tearmes of armes but these exactly know , their marches , postures , and gradations too , their sconces , palisado's , parapets , their military-ovall coronets ▪ sallies , alarme●… , excursions , rendevous , issues , retraits , their pay unto a souse ▪ their martiall ord'nance too they can dispose and to the disadvantage of their foes plant them with such discretion , none would deeme but that they knew the frier invented ●…hem . their musket , saker , minion , culverin , dragonet , basiliske , and carabin : these wi●…h their sev'rall charges they 'l explaine by their dexterity unto a graine . these passe that captain , who desir'd to heare what discipline was us'd in ev'ry shere , or what ●…ew o●…dinance they had in store this ile was not acquainted with before : by a briske merry gre●…ke , whose jeering nature could tell a tale , and never laugh at th'matter noting his ignorance , was answer'd thus : " sir , there be 〈◊〉 lately come to us " of strange proportion and as strange a style , " the like whereof ne're landed in this i le . " and if my mem'ry faile not , they are ●…hese , " state-frighting formidons , quo 〈◊〉 , " neat cerciorares , stockes that ne're will burst , " by fabius max●…mus invented first , " wh●…n by delay and spinning out of time " he finished his glorious designe . " and these , beleev'●… , sir , are of such esteeme , " as harqu●…busses are but squi●…ts to ●…hem " for usefull mannagement : for i have scene " in zealand , brabant , where i of●… have beene " and kept my fixt p●…rdue , ●…hese armes doe more " one houre , then others would in twenty foure . the credulou●… captaine , he b●…leeves the man , 〈◊〉 mu●…h to k●…ow from whenc 〈◊〉 came , and by wh●… eng●…es drawne on horse or foot , b●…t 〈◊〉 a●…ney f●…aring to be out by 〈◊〉 m●…re discourse , bri●…fly decl●…r'd how th●…y were moulded , plan●…d and pr●…par'd , but at su●…h dista●…ce , as 〈◊〉 he s●…ed was ●…y the 〈◊〉 firmly cred●…ed for reall 〈◊〉 , ●…s't might appe●…re the mere he heard , the more he sough●… to heare : so a●… in th' end this expert bl●…eman vo ●…'d he had spoke nought ●…hat could be di●…-allow'd : for h●…ving 〈◊〉 h●…ard l●…w-terme befo●…e a 〈◊〉 might be a muket-bore for ought he knew ; nor did he hold it fit that th' enemy should notice have of it , but that such engin●…s as he had related should by command be on ourselves estated without discovery to s●…ch forraine powe●…s as wished no succ●…sse to us nor ours . but their occasions so divide their journey as th' captaine must take leave of his attu●…ney , ret●…rning him great ●…hankes for his relation and wishing many su●…h within our nation , whose knowne experience might secure the state , an●… make the age ingaged to his pate . though th' law man knew not what these engin●… ment nor ever any other instrument save what his * law-port mantua did containe , the late reversions of a factious braine , whose native vigour being broke asunder would startle weake d●…fendents worse then t●…under . yet one occurrent i must here relate which in their progresse happened of late ; this chivaliere had a desire to play a game at bowles his journey to allay , or else directed by another aime ( more probable of two ) in hope to gaine . a cumrade takes him up ; but th' captai●…e would have none but this atturney keep the gold , that strange rel●…ter , for he held him just , and therefore none he might more safely trust : what he enjoynes , he as demurely takes , but in conclusion runs away with stakes . but ●…iding on no swift 〈◊〉 steed he renders stakes because he wanted speed . bu●… let no tr●…fling tales take up that place which on my po●…m sh●…ld bestow most grace . our clergie too ; men of a ●…hoice repast , ( for i r●…serve my best wine for the last ) how they s●…orne av●…rice ; ioath venerie , and sing an anth●…me with conformiti●… ? survey their dainty du●…ks from top to toe , their active 〈◊〉 w●…sts above , below , you shall see beauty in her proper place , without embrode●…y , fringe , or tinsell lace : and to restraine wild fancie , their intent crownes pure resolves with a religious * lent. their fixt desires are cloz'd ; they doe not crave from their parochialls more then they have . their late p●…ition was not ment a pressure t' inrich themselves , but to improve th'successour ; for what they did was out of conscience while their desires cloz'd in a competence . they hate non-residence with all such vermin as feed their audience with a pocket-sermon . their study makes them leane : they scorne to rise to honour or a deoble b●…efice . zeale is that sacred lampe they study by , which th●…y display in turning white o th' eye . our zealous zimri's too , their trophies raise adorned with rose-mary and gilt baies , wherewith they meet their late-●…xiled pastor , servant and master who may run the faster . their precious fervour can present their grieves , thousands combining to pull downe lawne sleeve●… . so strong 's th'infusion of our bandites zeale , they 'd form the church to plato's common-weale : presbytrian parity sole undertaker to raze a doct●…r , and to raise a b●…ker . y●…t in this pure platonick common-w●…le we have some darnell mixed in our me●…le . all are not solons that do purple weare , nor all true courtiers that do so appeare ; nor all our ladies really devout , nor all our braving cavaliero's stout ; nor all our seeming levite●… well content , nor all their zealous f●…males continent . the sunne h'as motes , what may we think of these who ta'ne with fancie , honour or with fees expose their fames to an injurious staine which blemish'd once , are ne're made white againe ? what of these ●…ormall agents who pretend good to the state , but worke their private end ? these moder●… mac●…vels who can devise a vertuous vizard for an odious vic●… ? these who can lye their hand upon their heart , and gull their loyallst friends with words of art ? such fruitlesse shrubbs in my opinion were fitter to cope with f●…te then such as are mirrors of justice , who bestow their o●…le to fructifie a leane and barren soile with honest culture , or such scien●…s croppe who shadow f●…eer spurges with their toppe . and such an one was that grave p●…triot whose pious zeale such reputation got amongst g●…od-men , who onely hold such great as make iust action●… steps unto th●…ir seat. these close not with times garbe , nor can they vaile to that soild-foot-cloth sets his soule to sale . and yet there are some such make justice go on crutch●…s , while poore vertue rank'd b●… low must hold his stirr●…p ; of which vicious sort yeering democritus could make a sport ; accoast them with derision , and discover the loose embraces of a wanton lover , to make them more contemptuous to themselves , and caution simple clients of such shelves as most endanger justice : " if you 'l live , " and prosper in your suits , be sure you give " meat to the mouth o th' court ; you 'r rightly serv'd " in suff'ring a good cause for to be starv'd " for want of exhibition : let him ply " the iron while 't is hot , and in a pye " incoffin such a bounty , as 't may force " the iudge to crowne his cause though it be worse " then his penurious adversary , who " was foil'd because hee 'd nothing to bestow . " suits are like pills , they must be guilded over , " for should they any bitternesse discover , " the squeamish appetite would not receive them , " but either loath them or directly leave them . " some have i seene advanced to a place " for their smooth polite tongue , or amorous ●…ace . " others by making betts , as i 've beene told , " while others lost their place , for being old. " this rais'd for making courts an ostridge nest , " that raz'd for br●…nging courts into request : " playing his cards so to his publick shame , " for all his huge ruffe , he must lose the game . " one in a funerall pompe goes to his grave , " one in triumphant port jetts to receive " his consul-charge ; yet e're the next moonth come " a writ of ease may kick him from his roome . " for as 't is fit , whens'ere th'dictator please , " he must surrender by a writ of ease . " laugh , laugh democritus , for thou art free " from these state fears who is he mind●…th th●…e ? this merry frumping stoick meets soone after with other objects to revive his laughter , pie-colour'd ●…umorists who make their nation an apish introducer of each fashion ; and these he laughs and wonders at , how reason should suffer sens●… her organs to imprison . " briske sooles , quoth he , how you debase your mind " in your pref●…rring of this outward rind " before 〈◊〉 inward pith ! — ye stat●… divines " who s●…rve apollo , but adore the times " mo●…e then that god you serve ; you ea●…ly rise " to 〈◊〉 him an heartl●…sse sacr●…fice " whose p●…iests you are : but you s●…ll never find it " leave a pe●…fuming pre●…ous smell b●…hind it ▪ " for you doe hold it a r●…ligious theft " to keepe ba k from h m th'l etter part oth'g●…st , " and so d●…lude your 〈◊〉 with wit , " but trust me , augurs , you must smart for it . " for when p●…ndora's box sh●…ll opened be , " some will prove knav●…s , weare v●…rtues liverie . " o age ; refined age ! where nought seemes good " but what sucks poyson from corrupted blood ! " hee 's no philosopher , but he must bor●…ow " tea●…es from a madding joy , or puling sorrow . but how art thou transported ! ●…ye this piece whose living actions render'd an increase with high improvement : freely i appeale to ev'ry corner of this common-weale where he administer'd iustice : first of ●…hese to his long-practis'd seate i th' common ple●…s , where his confirmed judgement on that ben●…h begot an awfull gracefull reverence in his observers : scorning to devoure rich time in acting of the oratour , but in strong-sinnowy arguments , which were more for the understanding then the ●…are , though pleasing both : students of innes a court t' augment their knowledge making there resort beare record of this t●…uth ; no supplican●… , so his d●…pending cause bore weight , could want his count'nance and supportance : where he went his circuit too , such generous content did's 〈◊〉 to all men win , as many ey●…s and hearts were sixt on him . wh●…ns'ere he mounted those pr●…torian stayres they shr●…lly eccoed with * poor-me●…s prayers : " god 〈◊〉 thee , and 〈◊〉 thee for us long , were pl●…asing ayres distilling from each to●… gu●… . no man as y●…t against him e're could pick a quarrell , but a crack ▪ b●…ain'd lunatick or state-distracted 〈◊〉 , who 'd averre ast●…aea false , to make him singular . whose blast●…d reputation ever shall be valued l●…ke himself●… , apocr●…phall : e●…h where disg●…as't where he and good●…efse meet , that c●…lumny may in oblivion fle●… . nor is th●…s all ; when p●…rtia besough : th●…t th se spoke ill of cato should be brought b●…fore th' p●…aetorian , to confesse their crime and 〈◊〉 h●…s fame by 〈◊〉 of a sine ; romes conscr●…pt fathers held her motion f●…t , wi●…h gen'rall voyce and v●…te confirming it . to tullianum were they straight convaid , there to remaine till they their fines had paid . this act knew no demurre ; downe went their gold , which ●…o supply , their houshold-stuffe was sould , their farmes ingag'd , their persons at command , till they discharg'd these 〈◊〉 out a-hand , to th' publique treasory what first belong'd , to th' widdow next whose husband th●… had wrong'd . the fl●…men , though their augur , being tride , pai'd twice so much as all the rest beside . their doome was just ; i wish like censure may be , to cloze the morall with his wronged ladie . thus this sage patriot by heav'ns command , who liv'd to be the 〈◊〉 ●…dge oth'land ▪ translated hence from this inferiour v●…ile mounts up to glory with a prosperous sa●…le ripe both in yeares and g●…aces : and to prove that he did never ost●…tation love , he gives direction that no se●… be to cloze the sceane of his mortali●…ie , lest he forth of exuberance of wit should speake more to his praise then he held fit . nor might his corpse be coach'd , as others use , from th' ci●…y to his countrey-mannor house , but at sainct dunstons neare to s●…rieants in he takes his grave , where death surprized him . so small a plo●…e containes so great a pi●…e whose lise gave light and ho●…our to our i le : what 's left of that faire structure is a gage of man●… decline and win●…er of hi●… age . which time shall hold in reverend regard so long as bookes are to be sold i th' yard : nor shall our y●…ung justinian●… need to looke on any other titl●… but his booke , wh●…re leafes are volumes , volumes columns be wi●…h palmes of peace to crowne his m●…morie . while these 〈◊〉 of thy divin●…r part in lines of dust shall t●…ll men what thou art : till re-united to thine heav'n-lodg'd spirit , they joy●…tly live , and love , and joy inherit . epitaph . a rarer sage ne're age brought forth , richer in fame , love , reall worth , freer in heart , milder in speech , apter to learne , fitter to teach , gladder to dye , nor in his death lesse taken with affected breath : " nor did he any sermon need , " who left his life a bo●…k to read . to the living memorie of that reverend , learned and honest judge , sir richard hutton knight : and late one of his majesties justices for the court of common plees at westminster . an elegie . ar'●… gone just judg●… ? yet e're thou go'st from hence receive thy godse●…nes tear●…s in recompence o●… m●…ny 〈◊〉 thou b●…stow'd of him ; " to silence goodnesse were an envious sin . to t●…ll men what thou wer't ; what tho●… h●…st done , were but to give a light unto the su●… . while'st thou liv'd here , who did not love to heare with what an equall hand , impartiall eare thou measur'd justice ; regulating lawes , " sk●…les not to weigh the person but the cause ? this caused poor-mens prayers perfume the way , " there goes the hon●…st judg●… ! thus would they say . yet did not th' style of goodnesse make thee proud , nor feed vaine beates in thy well temper'd blood : for thou , while'st thou didst flourish in this i le , wer't ta'ne with * love of goodnesse , not of style . nor did thy vertuous parts take here their stand , thy pious hea●…t reach'd forth a bount●…ous ●…and , both whi●…h express'd thy charitable nature , in sowing of thy bread upon the water ; sowing i well may say , for seene i have thy hand more prompt to give , then th' poor to crave , so free thy almes was , that as i live thy * left hand knew not what thy right did give . and now a * glorious even h●…as crown'd thy day , in paying nature what we all must pay , and at this time , when thou a palme of peace didst heare these warlike rumours to increase : when all by th' first of march were marching home , thou to thy mannor-house of clay art gone . but hence to thy interment ! where i see the very day fits this solemnitie ashwednesday ! ashes to ashes turne , like precious treasures closed in an urne : though in ●…heir ceremony different from that knowne preparation unto len●… , so antiently solemniz'd : for in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the head , thy precious soule so richly beautifide , expects thy ashes to be glorifide . but lo ! ●…he p●…ace where thou interred art , presents new-pensive objects to my h rt : for neare this holy ground of thine possest , a gr●…mmer hagge then d●…ath did me arrest till ●…hy j●…st-judging eye did rightly scan my caus●… , and free'd me from th' 〈◊〉 : for ne're was man surpriz'd with more deceite , no●… with more grace retreved from a grate . no more ; no more ; true tear●…s have drencht my sight , the evening crownes the day : — just judge , good night . — — terris astraea reclusit 〈◊〉 conspicuam lucem m●…gis , o●…be priorem . astraea's anthem . come ast●…aea , and descend to p●…rtake 〈◊〉 iu●…ges end who was styl'●… the poore mans friend . here a shrin●… you need not reare , we have one of amb●…r here cimented with pitties teare . come then deare astraea , come , shippe him to elysium , and record what he ha's don : that his living fa●…e may win other lights to follow him . upon the death of another reverend , learned , and judicious patriot of our nation ; one no lesse nobly descended , then richly endowed : and one , whom in the dispensation of justice , neither price , prayer , nor power could surprize ; passion transport , nor affection ingage . epitaph . here lyes a j●…dge , of whom it may be s'ed , h 'as got more ground ●…hen ●…'re he purchased by this seven foot : for he was well content to keepe that state was left him by descent . a simple worlding , easily beguil'd in trusting of his substance with a child ; a subtile child , who from his stygian shore had tricks to cosen him and hundreds more . a numerous b●…ok man , who from severall places c●…uld store his pleadings with a thousand cases , which prov'd his studies were estrang'd from sloath , his leafes not spider-wov'n , nor known to moath ; as i 've seene some , who shelv'd large volumes by thē , but knew not what was in them , should you try them . these take up law and learning upon trust , and with a foxes taile brush off the dust f●…om th●…ir rare-v●…sited authors . — su●…h as these account it their prime theo●…y to get fees . whereas this patriot had an higher aime , holding a precious name his chiefest g●…ine . he knew his heart triangular to be , a faire resemblance of the trinitie , and th●…t it could no more be fill'd with mould , then a tri-ang●… by a circle could . this , th●…s inlarg'd his intellectuall ayme to th'place from wh●…nce his purest ●…ssence came ; which 〈◊〉 did so much improve him , while h●… was judge , he ey'd a judge above him . — s●…●…●…ex judi●…is ast●…r su●…ditus arbitrio . — mot. ve●… . an●… a●…eo , arens vireo . to the unperioded memory of the honourable , richard mollineux viscount mollineux of mariburg . a funerall teare . fate , couldst thou find a more perplexing word then to pronounce death on mine honour'd lord ? but since th' ast past thy censure he should dye , finde one that may his temp'●…ature supplye . so sweetly milde , religiously wise , so gracefull to all knowing hearts and eyes , so nobly rich in faculties of mind , so firme unto his owne , to all so kind ; shew me one instance and i will not tax fate to deprive the state of mollinax . but thou reply'st , it is the fault of time to merit few good men , it is not mine . 't is true ; yet we for tar●…s shed oft more tear●…s then for the sca●…tering of our whea●…en-eares . let 's learne our passions then to moderate , as they r●…flect upon the publique state : " for great 's the losse , must needs be understood , " when we lose such as are both great and good . to the pious memory of that judicious patriot of his countrey , sir christopher dalston knight . a friends farewell . the fabrick of this building now 's pull'd downe , the higher parted from the lower roome ; the ●…ver of this structure turn'd to dust , the center m●…de a p●…lour for the just . dull stones are rubbish uselesse for ex●…mple , this fit for th' polish'd corners of the temple : the price th●…n of this gem who value can , but he who now enjoyes it , god and man ? upon his death . to some on earth a quicker death is given , no course can be too sp●…edy unto heav'n ; in him lies here , this may be ver●…fide , who dide to earth , before on earth he dide . he heard his saviours invitation , come ; and he no sooner heard him then he run . this made him sle●…ght his life , to show his love , " h●…ving his feet below , his faith above . panaretees trivmph : or , hymens heavenly hymne . paeana cantat hymen ; tac●…at lachrymobile carmen . london , printed by t. h. for philip nevil , and are to be sold at his shop in ivie lane , at the signe of the gun. . panaretees trivmph : or , hymens heavenly hymne . remove that funerall-pile ; now six whole yeares have beene the nursing mothers of my t●…ares . these rivell'd furrowes of mine aged cheeke have writ griefes characters exceeding deepe . but what 's perpetuall cannot mix with earth , " joyes must partake with teares , and teares with m●…rth . those carelesse foldings of mine armes must cease while ayres resounded cares , and car●…s ay-mees ; while 〈◊〉 were threnes , ech motion of my tongu●… the dying accent of a swan-like song . these must be closed in her s●…cred shrine whose living beautie , while enstyled mine , m●…de me too earthly-blest ; — another rite must banish these presen●…ments from my sight ; y●…t in their exile shall i still retaine that anniversall mem'ry of her name , as those declining-e●…rth-resolving flowers where wee 'r to celebrate these rites of ou●…s sh●…ll to my though●…s a fnnerall lecture read , and in a fresh brides beauty eye her dead with such an active sorrow , as her tombe were th'marriage-bed whereto i sought to come ▪ yet must this time with funerall teares dispence , and with a feagned solace ravish sense , as if it went to entertaine a guest which h'as bene long estranged from my brest ▪ so have i seene the sunne his beauty shroud , and suddenly breake from a sable cloud with an imperiall splendor , but that beame became the true ●…orerunner of a streame . so have i seene plants in a forward spring with bloomes and blossomes lively flourishing , y●…t long before th'imbroder'd spring were done those pl●…ts were seer'd , and all their blossoms gone . so have i seene a glorious starre appeare , as if sole empresse of that hemisphea●…e , d●…rting her twinkling lights , and marching round contract her orbe , and fall upon the ground . so have i seene a manly spirit fight with death so long as oyle afforded light , nay smile upon his vi●…itants , and say , " i hope e're long , my friends , to have the day ; yet see vaine hopes ! before next enter-breath he proves these were but lightnings 'fore his death . so i ; so my moist eye ! which though it seeme to take the world with a pleasi●…g beame , and her dis-sorting passions to exile with the reflexion of a forced smile , i 'm same i was , and must be ever so , " woe may put off he●… weed , no weed her woe . and yet me thinks 't were ominous to shed a funerall teare before a nuptiall bed ; thi●… might perplex a bride , and make her wish shee 'd never tasted of that painted blisse so much by maids affected , but had still bene mistre●…se of her selfe and her owne will. those vi●…lls then my teare-swolne conduits fill'd shall to a pure elix●…r be distill'd , which well prese●…v'd may treasur'd fountaines keepe for those who make a face but cannot weepe . first those brave spritely blades , who puff●…d with pride would in th●…ir fathers sadles gladly ride ; hope of concealed treasures , rich demaines have soakt the thirsty channels of their braines they cannot weepe to die for 't : yet they 'r knowne by ribband , cyper●… , mourning-hood and gowne : which ornaments of griefe , hows●…ere these beare them , seem better mourners farre then those that wear them . nor is there hope that these will e're have sense to grieve , till what their fathers providence which many restlesse nights had scrap't together their riot h 'as sent packing god knowes whither . then , ne're till then , they finde what 't was to have a pleasing eye upon a fathers grave . to these my late-distreaming eyes shall lend a legacy of teares , and so befriend these state-presenting mourners , none sh●…ll gather but that they sorrow truly for their father without enforced passion ; though short time shall prove those teares were none of theirs but min●… . there be some widdowes too , who stand in need of our 〈◊〉 of teares to suit their weed , that seeming weed of sorrow : th●…se belye their sable habits with a teare-forc'd eye : and like 〈◊〉 brave aegyptian modest d●…mes whose 〈◊〉 - bequeath●…d brests such love infl●…mes , as when their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bu●…ied be they strive which may have ●…he precede●…cie to be interred with them : so doe these with unamated coura●…e strongly prease towards their husbands graves : where they appeare all niob●…es ; clasping the fatall beare with an affected zeale ; and to ingrave more sceanes of sorrow leape into his grave as if th●…y'd be enshrin'd ( though nought lesse ment ) in the cold bosome of that monument . yet h 'as not one poor worme undone a s●…itch of his fresh-funerall 〈◊〉 ; no , ●…or th●…t pitch which seer'd his coffin fl●…w'd ; no , nor one flower which beautifide hi●… hearse decay'd in power ; no , nor that late provision which should refresh h●…s formall mourners , scarcely cold till her decreasing grie●…es ●…uggest unto her an other hopefull , youthfull , active wooer to raise her a new progeny ; which done she holds joyes past compar'd with joyes to come fall short in estimate : she wonders much how any womans passion should be such as to imbrace an husband that i●… dead , when th'world's so well supplide , it can bestead her choice of such a choice selected one 't were madnesse to lament for him that 's gone . to ●…hese my 〈◊〉 i zealously bequeath , to sh●…d some seeming streamlings at the death of their expired husbands ; that their sorrow may sh●…w it selfe ●…ssentiall , though it borrow juice from my ●…yes , wh●…h when time shall restraine i looke my teares shall be restor'd againe . the profuse gall●…nt too , who lately sped of ●… full fortunes wi●…h a loathed bed must share in my teare-trib●…te to weepe o●…re her , and wish ( vaine wish ) th●…t he h●…d dyde before her . meane time , on ●…hoicer stuff●… his love he se●…s , steppi●…g ●…nto a bed of 〈◊〉 in stead of●… icy consort , who is gone to t●…ke poss●…ssion of her long●…st home . yet must h●… fe●…gne a tear●… , and force a sigh , and wish his dissolution to be nigh to gull his weake sp●…ctators wi●…h a s●…eming of being what was least of all h●…s meaning . to fit his sorrow then with fr●…sh supply , he may deri●…e from my distilling ●…ye a numorous store ; yet would i have him come when he h'as done ( as hee 'l have quickly done ) to render me , and that without delay , what i have lent , and he is bound to pay . nor would i have him make the world believ●… while he so passionately seemes to grieve , that these distreaming rivolets arise from any other fountaine then mine eyes . now some will aske why my decaying time should to such solemne nuptiall rites incline ? whereto i answer , no licentious fire ins●…am'd my sprinkling organs with desire , no glowing heat of fancy did i feele , unto my — i freely may appeale . these were unfitting motives to weake sense , though age must render age benevolence wh●…n time , place , spirit may such acts adm●…t with equall willing minds to second it . no , my affection never tooke delight i●…h ' light embrances of a marriage night , nor to make sacred rites such tempting lures to sate th' desire without more inward cures . for had these bene mine ends , my constant ayme had long si●…ce fixt upon more youthfull g●…me . nor did i want in number to supply the curious choice of loves-at●…ractive ●…ye , which may appeare by those select●…r lines my widdow muse compos'd in former times . * " four wenches be there who my love would win , " and stick as close as ticks un●…o my skin ; " the fi●…st a widdow worth * six thousand pound , " but my hopes say , more thousands may be sound ; " the n●…xt as ●…mble as ●…he mountaine ree , " but all her fortun●…s are not worth a str●…e ; " the third a w●…nton witty worldly circket , " but too too many cubbs have sprung h●…r wicket ; " the ●…urth of lov●…ly hue and liv●…ly qui●…knesse , " for th'tri●…kle-bed h●…s cu●…ed her green-sicknesse , " a d●…msell fresh a●… is the slower in may , " b●…t her pure zeale impurer acts display : " adv●…se me wh ●…h to chuse , and i 'le have at her , " one must i have , mor●… is an hanging matter . and these were true , as i may h●…pe for life , yet could no beauty stamp the style of wife in my affection : for i found no spouse could cheer●… my fancy l●…ke mine inner house : which to adorne with v●…ssels of ●…hoice grace , i made my grove my sole-re●…iring place . where in a s●…cred melancholy i red in each creature such variety as i perceiv'd the ve●…y lowest plant might read lecture to the ignorant to make him rightly learn'd : no bird i th' aire but sung her morning thankfull ch●…elere . which made me blush to hear such hymns from th●…se , and i , ungratefull i , to hold my peace . this 't was that made me seriously to marke the various warblings of the early larke , with wh●…t a winged speed she made resort to joyne in consort with the heav'nly court. the silke-worme i observ'd too , how she sought forth of those threeds she from her bowels wrought to deck delicious man ; how wondrously her silk-web spun , she turn'd a butterfly . againe , i turn'd me to a desert cave matted with moss●… like to an antient grave , wherein i found a subject of that sense as it exceeded humane providence ; a brisled hedge-hogge , who retaines a forme of storing in a calme against a storme . these were the books i red : for teare●… had so surpriz'd my dim eyes with an overflow , as to bestow my sight , i held it better upon a living then a dying letter ▪ now you will wonder how i should depart from this condition whi●…h had seaz'd my hart , and take me to the world which i 'd forgone since the deprivall of my dearest one. 't is true , you well may wonder , yet i finde some maine inducements to divert the minde from su●…h amazement ▪ heare me , ●…'l be briefe , and amongst many reasons call the chiefe . i had some little children for whose care a native love injoyn'd me to prepare ; tender they were in yares as in my love , but , 'las , hows'ere their non-age might approve my constant zeale , so weak was my intent , i could not perfect what my purpose ment . a father though he lov's posterity cannot play mother in a family , nor dandle a young infant , nor bestow such easie kisses as a nurse can doe . no ; nor ith'needle , nor in any art expresse himselfe so formally expert as a remisser temper can apply , besides some offices necessity injoyne them to performe : nor is this all , no solemnizer of a fun●…rall but having cloz'd the period of his sorrow , his late-expired teares may solace borrow of some calme interbreaths , and learne to smile , though it be farre from 〈◊〉 , and so beguile a pensive houre : — oh but a widdows state preserv'd from blemish do'es p●…rticipate a gracious freedom ! and you know we read " honour a widdow that is so indeed . y●…t eve when she was made of adams bone , god held't not me●…t that man should be alone , and ●…herefore rais'd him helpe , that joyn'd tog ther one heart might ●…ender mutuall joy to ei●…her . in this my griefe-surprized heart was needing , to cheere my selfe and for my childrens breeding : whose choice improvement was my highest ayme next th' honour of his name from whom i came . breeding , will some object , who can expect from a step dame whose fancie 's disrespect , best favours frownes , content meere discontent , and when most mov'd , most in her element ? 't is true there are some such , whose onely song is canting fury with a glibbry tongue , bearding their e●…sie hu●…bands , and appeare rampa●…s till they the good mans bretches weare : which purchase got , wi●…h an imperious brow they glory in the title of a shrow , and lest their husbands should their lectures misse , " now messe serv'd up without a ch●…indish . and these indeed we step-dam●…s well may call , but shee 's none such that i have matcht withall . for those who ●…re her husbands children knowne , she values them more then they were her owne . nor is 't a curious dresse or luscious fare that work effects upon her matron care ; what we account to be the precioust gem that can adorne a civile citizen makes her complete ; it is a modest eye , that wooes wi●…h no straid lookes the passer by ; her senses are all i●…ward , which divine she h'as no thought , save ●…eaven , she styles not mine . she dis-esteemes hand-basket citizins who make their wicker baskets shroud their sin●… . pure-elevated eyes who make a show of doing that they never ment to doe are bug-b●…ares to h●…r zeale ; which loves to feed th' oyle of devotion as it is in d●…ed . the church gives h●…r a l●…sson ; and her scorne is to be taught in any other forme . for though , where those g●…and 〈◊〉 be , she took ●…he place of her nativitie , their odious projects she does so despise as with her n●…dle she●…'d pick out their ●…yes for want of stronger arm●…ur , to expresse that loyall love which she did still professe to prince and countr●…y : this 't was made me bring that scot●…ish posie to our nuptiall ring : thus tw●…de and tyne our loyall loves combine , " which twedish factions never shall untwine . o what a virile spirit have i seene my panth●…a show ! what noble dis●…esteeme to her zeale-madded natives , when she heard how they were palisado'd , how prepar'd , how desperately gag'd to such a vow as split their faith , and wrought their ruine too ! " what will these ne're have done , thus would she say , " must subjects soveraignize , and ki●…gs obey ? " must a blind zeale meerly compos'd of smoake " delude a kingdome with an holy clo●…ke ? " must th●…se fall short of their allegeance " whom princes grace and favour did advance ? " must we with civile armes uncivilely " shed blood , and styl't an act of piety ! " are all turn'd high-landers ? must this debate " extend un●…o an universall state ? " h 'as my deare countrey flourished till now " with her light ze●…le to work her overthrow ? " for love sake leave , leave these intestine warres , " succeeding ti●…es will sorrow for their scarres ▪ " they cannot chuse but such impr●…ssions make , " as th'motion of them may the fabrick sh●…ke . " if good plants grow among you , cheere them still , " but thrive they cannot till you prune the ill . " those ge●…erous graffs then labour so to nourish , " that in despite of wild ones they may flourish . " letnot th' ambition of a phrenticks head " suff●…r one drop of loyall blood be shed ; " it is too precious , if you rightly knew " with what a sacred cement , holy glue " you ▪ r mu●…ually combin'd : oh should you see " those first prints of your ●…inces infancie , " you cannot chuse but tax your insolence " to b●… his foe who tooke his birth srom thence ! " admire ▪ h s princely ●…lemency , whose will " had a d●…sire to spare where he might spill . " long h 'as his white flagge freely bene displaid , " o let not your ▪ submissi●…n be delaid , " lest you to ill convert apparent good , " and make a white flagge turne a flagge of blood ! " what though the thanklesse ioy should entwine " the spreading spurges of the weeping vine , " and stick so close unto h●…r seered stem " till she h'as suckt the juice that nourish'd them , " must she your embleme be ? oh doe not so , " these acts worke mainly for your overthrow . " you 'r nativ●…s and his subjects , which should draw " from you a zealou●… love and loyall aw . " let it be neuer said that th' commonweale " of sco●…land perish'd by pretensive zeale ; " it will be such a blemish , s●…ch a scorne , " it may impe●…ch the babe that 's yet unborne " when he shall heare ( though guiltlesse he of that ) " himselfe unhappy call'd a traitors brat . " if for your selves then you will not prove true , " yet for those branches may descend from you , " retaine your vow'd alleg●…ance , and returne " before you see one peering beacon burne . " which to the sad sp●…ctator being once showne " i feare me much will not b●… quench'd so soone : " lay downe your armes in time then ; 't is too late " wh●…n you heare fury knocking at your gate ; " while fo●…s and famine close you so about " a●… feare gets in , but nothing can get out . " trust m●… , your case presageth nought but losse , " and that which you most hate , your fate , a 〈◊〉 ; " 〈◊〉 aymes must have disgracefull ends , " nor can the hope of favorites or friends " divert that fate : for what heavens hand h 'as writ " is not in power of man to cancell it . " much have i seene , yet seldom seene i have " ambition goe gray-headed to her grave : " that your gray haires may then with honour goe " unto that earth we all are borne unto , " renounce that brain-sick oath you there have made ; " that oath 's unjust by which your faith 's betraid . " this your owne n●…tive wisheth ; crown her wish , " her vowes shall pay their tribute for your blisse . nor doth it lesse her disposition please t' enjoy a private then a publick peace ; her house-hold sounds conformity : no jarres breath civile factions or intestine warres in her calme family : where some obey , others command without imperious sway . none glory in prec●…dency , nor stand in opposition of a just command . againe , if ought appeare irregular , she shewes herselfe no rigid censurer : her courteous curtaine lectur●…s they are such they leave impressions with so sweet a tutch in apprehensive fancies , clozing so they make men good whether they will or no. she yeelds preeminence unto her mate , and in this sort seemes to expostulate . " let 't not offend you , sir , if i impart " the weake expressions of a loy●…ll heart . " the world shall see that i 'le prrforme my vow , " where you are caius i am caia too . " as we are then united , heare me speake , " whose aymes nought more then your improvement seeke : " fix on your ripe experience which came " not onely from th ' survey of bookes but man. " unseason'd houres should challenge no such share " in one who weares times embleme in his haire . " that 〈◊〉 proverb in disgrace was made , " that a 〈◊〉 ●…ead should have the green●…st blade . " your actions should be postures to the rest " who are but man-like monsters at the best , " while they d●…cline from what is reall good , " and staine the tincture of a vertuous blood " with ayry v●…pours , which no sooner see " the glorious sunne then they dispersed be . " reflect on these ; let not an houre of time " want the dimension of a pre●…ious line . " our warfare's p●…ssing short , our conquest great , " ' t●…s shame for reverend age to make retreat " or yeeld one foot of ground , or weakly crave " a parly when one foot is in the grave . " it sounds not well that a light-youthfull rage " should claime acquaintance on decrepit age . " an old-mans houres should princely patterns give " to younger yeares , and teach them how to live . " yet , sir , misconster not my words i pray , " your parts doe please us , though your haires be gray ; " no aged wrinkle see i in your brow " which with my soule i beare not reverence to ; " no houre so tedicus as when you 'r from home , " no newes so che●…rfull as to heare you 'r come . " begot of s●…ncy my ●…mbraces be , " which scorne to cloze wi●…h any one but thee . " o let me t●…en enjoy what we●…ke by weeke " my six yeares widdowhood did solely s●…ke ! " let not a nights distemper e're divide " my deare musaeus from his pan●…hea's side . " but if he doe , all passion i 'le exile , " and tax his ●…rrour with a pleasing smile . " such shall my lecture be , which if it move " i live , if not , i cannot leave my love : " for such effects h 'as true affection wrought , " t' enjoy thy selfe is all , all else is nought . now tell me , are not these such sw●…et reg●…eetes they'd weane a profest lecher from the sheets of an enchanting s●…ren ? could one teare droppe from a disposition that 's so cleare from all dissembled passion , and depart without a deepe impression in the heart ? could vowels lose their life , and turne to ayre that were pronounc'd by one so good and saire ? no , no ; i hold no eloquence so strong as when it falls from a calme womans tongue . a traveller may by ●…xperience finde that sunn●… ▪ 〈◊〉 are more violent then the winde . these pierce the pores , and by their powerfull heat resolve his native moisture to a sweat . meane time , ●…hough windes with boundlesse fury blow , they doe not show their active motion so as those reflecting beamlings : whence collect " calme ayres produce the soveraign'st effect . nor doe i speake this , any one should tell her , nor doe i praise her with a minde to sell her . for there 's no earthly treasure that i see can counterveile so rich a pri●…e as she : but to praise goodnesse in a vertuous mate may others move in time to imitate whats'ere they gracefull in another read , and in those steps religiously to tread . this have i in a faire theatre seene by a rare curt●…an of rich esteeme fully confirm'd : who hearing one commend the chast-devoted life and vertuous end of an heroick lady , who o're●…hrowne could not by him who conquer'd her , be won to his imbraces , but as 't did become her , contemned life , for to preserve her honour . " o , quoth this female hearer , that i might " be made so happy as enjoy the sight " of such a none-such : i should scorne these tyres " ( times toyes ) and cloath me with her chast desires , " and th'patterne of her goodness : so apply , " as in her service i would live and dye . this gravell'd all the actors ; but her hart what e're they did , could not forget her part which she so well perform'd , as that same night this curt●…zan became a conv●…rtite . some other graces i could feature too , which to a judgement give a beauteous show because they have no varnish to adorne their sweet condition with a borrow'd forme . and trust me , in such colours i 'de portray them as they should need no h●…rald to display them , were it not that so many antient dames whose very yeares should tender their good names , seeing her gracefull vertues so approv'd and by herselfe improv'd , and therefore lov'd , might hold their actions blemish'd , when they heare so pure a light fixt in a lower spheare . first , youthfull widdowes , i appeale to you , who , loth to lose th' benevolence that 's due , upon your 〈◊〉 marriag●… , cry alas — ! " o what a brave blade my first husband was ! " how pliable to me at bed and boord , " how active in his worke , true to his word ! " what prettie toyes ( such was his loving care ) " he would have brought me home from every faire ! " the first ripe cherry that was to be sold , " could it have purchas'd bene with weight of gold " had bene presented me : were pease-cods deare ? " they had bene mine i th' non-age of the yeare . " no gossip feast , but i might be invited , " where though i revell'd till i was benighted , " good man , he would sit up , till i came in , " and with sweet langu●…ge my affection win . " if i but frown ▪ d , hee 'd weepe like any child , " and fast from meat till he was reconcil'd . " no forra●…gne fashion , cost it ne're so much , " but i must have 't , his fancy it was such ; " i had mine owne will too in every thing , " which to that height of spirit did me bring , " as what i knew for best i would not doe , " because my husband had a mind thereto : " so as i oft●…n alter'd my intent " because he wish'd me doe that which i ment . " an agile husband too , to crowne my wish , " but i find no such activenesse in this . " his spirit resteth onely in command , " his soveraignty to have the upper hand ; " but since to be my head it is his happe , " i vow , that to that head i 'le be the cappe . " to temper then a nature that 's so curst , " wee 'l strive who shall enjoy the buckler first . but cheerfull is my panthea , and desir●… to feed her fancy with diviner fires . it cannot her sweet disposition please to twit her last choice with abilities of her fi●…st husband : such discou●…se , sayes she , tasts more of lightn●…sse then of modestie . her actions are all noble , and her speech so full of gravity , as it may teach the antient'st morall dame , how to behave herselfe both for the ●…orld and the grave . admit she be no helena of greece , whose beauty wrought that tragicall increase of princely funeralls : it was my care to set my f●…ncy on an i●…ward-faire , whose never-fading lilli's might survive the richest piece of beauty that 's alive ; and in her pass●…ge hence more sweetnesse breath , then thousand hero's when surpriz'd by death . for tell me what 's this skin-deepe beautie worth when her diviner spirit is let forth t' enjoy her freedome ! where are then those starres whose love-attractive lights commenc'd such warres with all the senses ! sunke to such dark formes as th●…y are cranies made to harbour wormes . where those enazur'd brests which did supply with lusciou●… objects loves-enamour'd eye ! teats for those slimy wormlings now to pull which wanton fancie used once to cull . where that aspi●…ing front , that mount of grace , that dimpled chin , that modell of a face more pure then cy●…thia's ? nay , ev'ry lim where fanc●…e bath'd her liqu'rish senses in ? all husht in earth : no motion to be found unlesse by worme-sprouts shaken in the ground . this outward faire then it is little worth , since it receives her tincture from the earth , whereto it must by native course returne , and so enshrine her beautie in an urne . 'las poore v●…rmillion earth ! how is that state which shew'd such braving postures in her gate resolv'd to mouldred dust ? where every graine proves to the world , that the world is vaine . give me that wench ( and i have such an one ) no daintie leda , nor no homely jone , where any one m●…y re●…d each d●…y oth'weeke " some morall-mortall lecture in her cheeke . where wrinkles write deepe furrowes in her face , while ev'ry rivell d●…es a●…ford a grace to her beseeming age : that , should we lack climact'rick ye●…es within an almanack , her rev'rend brow migh●… pencile out ●…hat want and find an errand for deaths pursevant . pray then resolve me , may she not become a silyl-sister of our * hellicon , who can contract her browes without a loure , weare ages liv'rie , and ne're looke soure ? enjoy her husband wi●…h a just delight , and with discretion coole her appetite ? feed her affection with the least of s●…nse , and make her wrinkles g●…ine a reverence ? live chast to him she loves , and to that line confine ●…hose rich dimensions of her time ? yes ; she or none ●… and she it is or none whom i 'm resolv'd to set my love upon . that since my panarete lives in bl●…sse , my hymens heavenly h●…mne may cloze with this . finis . upon this poem . some will collect from hence ( they cannot chuse ) that i 'm espous'd ; so am i to my muse. whose presence yeelds such s●…lace to my life , i would not change with overberie's wife . toyes , tyres and dressings take not her desires , she feeds her fancie with diviner fires ; which so enliven me when i turne to her , " though i enjoy her , night by night i woo her . my hymenaeall-heav'nly hymne is this , " christ jesus ●…s my spouse , and i am his . that muse which i●… not dedicate to him " breakes her first fai●…h , and soiles her bed with sin . astraea's shrine . to those who cherish vertue , or retaine the style of reall good , or scorne to stain●… astraea's liv'ry ; or fancy that wh●…ch the high court of honour levells at , or to their countreys and their owne behoofe prove in the scale parl'amentary proofe ; who guild not p●…etie with meere pretence , nor ●…ender judgement 'gainst their conscience ; we are their praetorian scarlet till 't wax old , and value justice more then ophir-gold ; who feare no writs of ease , but take delight to doe the widdow and the orph●… right , or store the almes-ba●… , or provide for such as have no earthly he●…pet beside , or purchase poormens pr●…ers , or leave their heires seaz'd lesse of acres then religious cares , or with a pure and undefiled zeale disturbe not peace of church nor commonweale ; or when they sit on seats of justice tremble , re●…embring on those thrones whom they resemble ▪ to th●…se this aged shrine we reared have , will be a lampe to light them to their grave , from whence such precious odours shall take breath , as may perfume their ashes after death . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e obiit . feb. . anno domini . ☞ these cou●… migh●… have 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 he kn * a vaste magazin of bilis , with other law-engines . clozing with tho stanz●…'s of f●…mo 〈◊〉 " what though ●… jade his masters fury fee " hee yeelds t spoile be cause he wanted heeles . ☞ * being ●…st austere observers of that ●…ncient decretall touching absti●…nce and conti●… in lent. ●…port for 〈◊〉 . * so as justly might he be distinguished ●… personall●… dignifide with thes●… titles : the poor mans pa●…ron , the justima●… patterne , the o●…phā p●…rent , h●…s countrey 's patriot . ●…ut ●…h ' silv●…r ●…d is roke , the ●…inders ●…ile , ●…nd he ●…anslated ●…om this ●…ble vaile ●…ounts ●… that ●…gh prae●…rian , ●…here true lisse ●…ecomes is baile , is judge is 〈◊〉 is . notes for div a -e this w compos the ver●… s●…me m ning h●… dyed . were a prompt legist lawlesse to his foe , hee 'd say , ▪ aquinas never taught him so . — disc●…ssit ●…b orbe s●…telles pauperi●… ; beu clamā●… i●…opes ! — * those men all goodnesse in their brests compile , love goodnesse for berseife not for her style . mus●… . * non tu●… tuba sonat , nee inanior aura coranat , dextera quod tribuit , 〈◊〉 referre nequit . * vespera bona , phoebi eorona . ib. sainct dunstons . vid. 〈◊〉 annivers . . notes for div a -e obiit decemb . . an. dom . notes for div a -e ●…he sixt ●…ares 〈◊〉 . true , ●…yes her 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 in ●…e th●…d 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 expostulation with the calidonian nation . * meani his espc●… sall wit●… the heli●… nian mu●… to whos●… 〈◊〉 ●…onour 〈◊〉 addresse this ●…eavenly ●…ym the history of moderation, or, the life, death and resurrection of moderation together with her nativity, country, pedigree, kinred [sic], character, friends and also her enemies / written by hesychius pamphilus ; and now faithfully translated out of the original. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the history of moderation, or, the life, death and resurrection of moderation together with her nativity, country, pedigree, kinred [sic], character, friends and also her enemies / written by hesychius pamphilus ; and now faithfully translated out of the original. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , p. printed for tho. parkhurst ..., london : . an allegory by richard brathwait supposedly written in the fictitious language felician by hesychius. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng moderation. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the history of moderation ; or , the life , death and resurrection of moderation : together with her nativity , country , pedigree , kinred , character , friends , and also her enemies . tam prodesse velit , quam delectare . — nec prodesse sibi , sed pluribus . — immoderata ruunt , sed moderata struunt . let your moderation be known to all men , the lord is at hand , phil. . . written by hes●…chius pamphilus : and now faithfully translated out of the original . london , printed for tho. parkhurst , at the golden bible on london bridge , next the gate . . to his honoured friends t. e. j. b. and h. s. esquires , the translatour wisheth all health . gentlemen , i find this following discourse was written many a day ago by hesychius pamphilus , in the native language of feliciana ( a language peculiar to that island . ) and because there are not many copies of it , and the language it self not much understood , but by such as have been bred and born in that island , or have travelled thither , i thought good to translate it for the common benefit or delight of our country-men . the story is not long , and in some things parallel to our present times , therefore did i judge the translation more seasonable . if any reap either benefit or delight by reading of it , i reckon my pains more then requited . and for your selves , gentlemen , if you shall please to own it as a testimony of singular respect to you ( after that to the publick ) i shall superadd that to the other engagements upon him , who is , gentlemen , yours to serve you , n. s. the epistle to the reader . to the courteous or curious reader , all moderation . the like to all by-standers , hearers , examiners , and censurers of this discourse ; and but one thing more , viz. to make this your moderation known to all men , ( 't is apostolical ) that with whomsoever you converse , you commend , promote , propagate and countenance it ; then have i as many licensers ( as i need ; ) so many readers , so many licensers , who though they subscribe not to the letter , yet do concur with the spirit of this treatise . then what happy times ! no more swords , but plough-shares ; nor spears , but pruning-hooks ; then no more jars , divisions , dissentions , schisins , or heart-burnings , but the voice of the turtle shall be heard in our land , and the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace in the church . then shall you not need to enquire where feliciana is , we shall have it here : est hic , est ulubris , animus si te non deficit aequus . nor yet to enquire what this hesychius pamphilus was , for i can promise for him , being in my younger dayes as well acquainted with his spirit and temper as any one . that he was one who would not willingly offend any one , no not the worst sons of disobedience here spoken of , but to desire they might all be reduced to the wisdom of the just : and that by disobedience here described , he meant not any who in controverted points do soberly and peaceably dissent , omnes hic veniam petimusque damusque vicissim . but only such as are disturbers of the civil peace ; and for such , moderation her self hath not a word to say , but hath in readiness the weapons of her warfare , to revenge all such disobedience . nor did he in speaking of extremity , politicus , or any other , intend any reflexion upon any particular person or persons whatsoever , but had the same design with the wise tekoitess , who fetcht about a form of words , in a parabolical strain , only to reduce the lords banished , and to prevent the putting out the coal of israel , the sacred coal of religion and peace . now reader , if thou carest neither for hesychius , nor pamphilus , nor the translator neither , if thou art but for moderation , i have enough , and shall love thee , and thank thee , yea , give thee the publick thanks of the nation . and then have a commission to invite thee to a meeting with some of moderations friends , to congratulate her up-rising , and the hopes of her churching in due time , where we shall be merry , and more then that , thankful ; and the dishes we shall provide are but two great standing dishes ; the one , the largest that can be , of the greatest thankfulness to almighty god for his mercy ; and the other , as near that as may be , of heartiest thanks to his majesty , for his gracious indulgence , and royal clemency ; and after both , one sober draught in a friendly cup , called poculum charitatis , which we desire may go round the whole nation . now , reader , go on , or farewel . thine n. s. the history of moderation . chap. i. the country , pedigree , parentage , kinred and acquaintance of moderation . moderation , howsoever she hath of later dayes lived obscurely , as a stranger to most nations of the earth , and altogether unknown to not a few , is descended of a very ancient and honourable family , famous for their piety and loyalty ; she came out of the holy land , was born at arimathea , of the most honourable family in that city , and of the senatorian dignity . a family which brought forth more saints then all the world besides ; all the holy prophets of old , and the blessed apostles , sprang out of it ; and very near in bloud she was , and intimately acquainted with those many worthies famed in ancient story , whose race is almost wholly worn out since , to wit , famous urban , pudens , clemens , justus , aristobulus ( an excellent statesman and a privy councellour ) aristarchus ( a great and gracious prince ) and fortunatus ( a happy and experienced general ) saints all in the primitive calender : as also with those of her own sex , the lady dorcas , the lady elect , and her sister elect ( whose names i do not now rememb●…r ) so well known , and so much honour●…d by the beloved disciple , and saint lydia , saint priscilla , saint damaris , saint tryphaena , and her sister saint tryphosa , and saint cl●…udia ( supposed to be our country-woman : ) but all of them unquestioned saints in the first primitive calender , before any of those were canonized , whose names fill up our present calenders . many great personages besides desired acquaintance with her , and some claimed kinred of her ; as first the lady pilate , but it was afar off , who privately sent word to the lord deputy her husband , sitting president in the high court of justice ( as then called ) that he should in no hand proceed to the condemnation of the prisoner then at the bar , whatsoever should come of it , though he lost his place upon it . and king agrippa , who was much further off , who though he fouly disliked the bandying against moderation , yet he spake but one word , and that but faintly , in favour of the cause , and was but almost perswaded to countenance ●…t . doctor gamaliel was the nearest of the three , and spake more in her behalf , to stop the further prosecution against her for a time , and so did help her out . but tertullus the sollicitor , was a a pestilent adversary ( whether , as one said , avaritiae magis quam malitiae causa , i will not determine ) and he spent all his oratory and rhetorick to make her as black and odious as he could . the place of h●…r birth was arimathea ( as i said before ) and is the same with that which was called rama●… of old , where was the first academy of divine students , and the ancientest colledge that was for the sons of the prophets , whereof samuel was president ; and the self same city , where before him deborah , that renowned princess , and first queen regent , kept her court. there was she born . her fathers name was seignior gravity : her mothers , matron sagacity ( a woman of few words , but great understanding . ) and a happy couple they were , and of ancient and honourable extractions . gravity's father was a grandee of state , an honourable privy counsellor , lived and dyed at arimathea , his name joseph , whose genealogy may be fetcht from the second adam , it was so high , so holy , and so ancient ; his father ben hagios , sirnamed bar-jonah , he the son of david , he the son of abraham , he the son of noah , he the son of enoch , he the son of seth , he the son of adam the second , he the undoubted son of god , and the first-born of every creature . he it was that in open court , when that first high court of injustice was set to arraign and condemn the most innocent person that ever was , and their sacred soveraign besides , the lords annointed , perswaded and pressed , with all his might , to stay that bloudy sentence from being pronounced and executed , which , as he then told them , might sooner be repented then recalled , and would set all the nation a bleeding ; and when he saw he could not be heard , he entred his protestation , arose from the bench , and withdrew with much detestation from their assembly , with whom he would not have his honour united , nor his loyalty and conscience stained . sagacity's ancestors were church-men ; some of them had been present at the first and best synod that ever was called together , met purposely for accommodation , where all unanimously voted no imposition of things burdensom to conscience , and agreed to pass a very few canons , enjoyning only some things necessary , whereby the peace of the church was then happily settled . the children did not at all degenerate from their parents , but as they had been vertuously brought up , so they lived together as sweetly , not being married till of full age , and good understanding ; and as their fathers had been , each of them , the glory of their resp●…ctive professions , so were the children the glory and joy of their parents . but it happening after a certain time , that persecution wasting on the one hand , and desolating armies on the other over-running all , their native country grew too hot for them to abide in : therefore were they forced to seek out some more safe and quiet habitation ; and having travelled many countries , but finding no such , where they might quietly settle , they came at last to a certain island , called feliciana , by others corruptly , elysiana ; an island nearest the aequator of any other , yet not under the equinoct●…al line ; that being an errour which our times have corr●…cted , the just aequator not being where dayes and nights are of equal length , but where the inhabitants minds and spirits are ●…qually affected each to other , therefore by some called the aequianimal , or aequi-amicitial line , by others the aequi-scriptu●…al line , more easie to be found in the new coelestial globe , then in the old terrestrial ; th●…re did they plant themselves and their family . a very fertile isle it is , and seated in a most temperate clime , there being no extremity of heat or cold ; blessed with a happy government and laws , squared many of them to a conformity to divine precepts , others suited to the condition of the people , in order to publick good : no where is a deity more honoured , a prince more beloved , a people more happy , and peaceably disposed . there they usually live to a great age , and in much health and plenty , and dye not till they are full of dayes . the temperateness of the clime may be easily conjectured , if you consider the scituation of it , it being seated just in the very middle degree of latitude , and in the very utmost and most remote degree of longitude from the meridian of rome . thither , i say , came this family , and there seated themselves , and there had they the children which they had , of whom we shall speak ; whose history being many a day ago written in the native language of that island , is here transcribed and translated out of the original , for the benefit or d●…light of our own country . chap. ii. of the two brethren of moderation . the parents had but a few children , though they lived long together , to a great age ; never had but two sons ( and they twins ) and one only daughter , of whom this discourse chiefly relates . the name of the elder was philodike , or love-justice , a rare patriot , and excellent statesman : of the other philotheos , a true friend to religion , and as eminent a clergy-man . they were twins , as i said , and so alike , that you could ●…ot know the one from the other ▪ both were nurs●…d by their own mother sagacity , of like feature , stature and disposition ; alwayes bred up together , equally beloved of their parents , and ( which is rare to be found among brethren in these dayes ) no emulation or unkindness in the earth , but alwayes i●…tire love and firm agreement to their dying day ; whatsoever pleased or displeased the one , did the same to the other ; they both joyed and grieved together , liked and disliked alike , by a strange and rare simpathy of nature and affection : they lived both to be good old men , and dyed both together , immediately after their sist●…r moderation ( even the self-same d●…y ) and all three buryed in one and ●…he same grave . the mother , if she might have had the name , would have had the elder called philotheos , and bred a divine , because her father was so ; but her husband perswad●…d her , and she presently yielded to have the younger so called , adding withall , that it could be no 〈◊〉 to him , to have the elder called philodike , for otherwise , said he again , it were but small honour or comfort to me , to give the name of religion and love to god , if there were not first had a respect to justice and righteousness . but it made no matter which was which , for not only their age , habit and complexion were alike , but their disposition too , so that you had not been much mistaken , or at all called them out of their names , if you ●…ad called either of them philodike , or philotheos ▪ for philodike , the lover of justice , was as true a friend to religion as philothe●…s hims●…lf was ; and philotheos , the lover of god and religion , was as much for justice and righteousness as his brother was . chap. iii. the birth and breeding of moderation . they had but one sister b●…tween them , her name was moderation ( born to her parents when they were well in years : ) and she bred up at home , and nursed by her mother sag●…city , who , with seignior gravity the father , had instilled into her the chief principles of religion , morality and prudence , and she so apt and apprehensive withall , to conceive and retain ( whatsoever she heard or read was all her own pres●…ntly : ) and besides it was observed in her , she would o●…t ask such q●…estions , and make such q●…eries , to understand the reason ●… thi●…gs that se●…med high , or doubt●…l and obscure ( but ●…ill things pertinent and serious ) as was to be wondered at in a woman , and of her age especially : neither did she ever trouble her head about niceties and impertinencies , that it was verily conceived she could give as good satisfact●…on in most points of religion and practice as most divines ; and in matters of pruden●…e , and right state-policy , few statesmen could go beyond her : so that it was said , of all hands , of her when she was young , that she must be married , either to some eminent statesman , or churchman , for she would make an excelle●…t wife for either , and accordingly it fell out , for she was married to two such , one after the other , as you will hear anon . chap. iv. of experience , aunt to moderation , her husband , children , character and employment , and how moderation was bred in her school . i might have informed you also , that sagacity had an elder sister , called experience , a very wise , knowing and vertuous woman , and she lived to a very great age , in so much as she was commonly call'd old experience : bu●… she had gone through a world of troubles as ever any did ( inward and outward ) for many year●… , much sickness , m●…ny cross●…s in the world , yet would she still say , all were for her good . and the least was not in her husband , to whom she was married very young ; his name philantos ( he loved himself , and cared for no body else ) a great gallant he was , and newly come of age , and of a fair estate ; but a wilfull and heady young man he was , and must not be contradicted nor counselled neither : he would never hearken to the advice of his wife experience till all was gone ; he was many times hasty and unkind to his wife besides , when any thing had crossed him , and this was a great cut to her . but at last she , by her wisdom and fair carriage , wrought a great change in him ; so that people would often say , see by experience , what may not a wise woman bring a bad husband to in time ? the good gill may mend the bad jack . she had by him many children , three sons , and as many more daughters : the three sons first , whose names were , philedonos , misoponos , and asotos , all three too like the father . philedonos was all for play and his pleasure ; a dainty and delicate youth he was , and his father had spoiled him , by making a very wanton of him , and he must be a gentleman because the eldest . misoponos was put to a trade , but a deadly lazy boy he was , very dull at learning , and hardly brought to settle to any thing , or stay with any master . asotos was worst of all , a prodigal vain he had in spending whatever he could wrap and rend , and good at nothing in the earth but stroying . when many saw these young lads , and beheld their carriage , they said , it was not for nothing that that proverb was raised , experientia mater stultorum , that is , experience is the mother of fools . but all three at last having well smarted for their folly , and being well taught by their mother , dear experience ( she took a world of pains with them first ) they were much reclaimed . but her daughters proved all singularly good . the first was probation ; she had endured much , and had been exercised with many temptations . the second patience , a very meek , quiet and submissive a creature as lived , never murmuring , fretting , or discontented . and the third diligence , a mighty active and handy body , and so willing and desirous to please , as you never saw the like . these three she had pretty thick one after the other in her younger dayes , and stay'd a fair while ere she had any more ; in so much that many thought she would have had no more children : an●… all these three went through much hardship ; you might , if you had looked wishly on them , have disc●…rned somewhat of care in their very co●…ntenances , for the mother had been under several troubles all the while she went with them : and they had all of them a spice of melanch●…ly , and were troubled with the hypocondriack wind , which they after rubbed out , and then grew very healthful , and lived all of them comfortably . after these three , probation , patience and diligence , were a little grown up , she had thr●…e other goodly children : hope the first , after her confidence , and last of all assurance : these she had not so thick as the other three , but she stay'd a fair while between hope and confidence , and somewhat longer ere she had assurance . thes●… three l●…st made experience a joyful mother , and crowned her later dayes with much happine●…s , and they were as happy for their part in their mother : tender children all three when young , and had never grown up , if their own mother had not carefully nursed them : but when grown , they were of an excellent complexion , and rare constitution , ever healthful , and so chearful , that they were never known to have an ill day , or look with a sad countenance : nay , the mother never had an ill fit all the while she went with hope , confidence and assurance , as she had formerly had with all her other children : yea , it is thought she lived ●…he longer for them ; and they were such good children , and so tender o●… their mother , that they eased her of all troubles , so that she was never troubled with any earthly business after , but lived as i●… she had been in heaven already , no creature in all the world so happy as she . her wild husband phila●…tos , having now made away all his estate , and his wives portion too , was at last fain to live upon his wives care and pains ; and she maintained him and all her children very comfortably . she taught a school , and was excellently qualified for that employment ; a mighty judicious and solid person she was ; a great and diligent observer she had been of whatever memorable matters she had read , or had occurred in her time : she was universally read , i suppose , in all histories whatsoever , ecclesiastical or civil , ancient or modern ; she had all the chronicles of the kings of the land , and all the remarkable accidents and occurrents that had happened in their several reigns , ad unguem , besides what she had furnisht her self with of her own collections and observations for many years ; and she had a most rare memory . she could tell you by variety of examples , and plenty of instances , what had made princes happy or unfortunate , what would make a common wealth flourish or decay ; what would raise or ruine a family , what would settle or disturb the churches peace : in a word , you could hardly put that to her , which she could not ●…tisfie you in ; she could tell you who , or what , was like to thrive or miscarry ; what match was like to prove well or ill : and her judgment seldom failed . she had an aphorisme , which was frequently and familiarly in her mouth , and call'd it an infallible maxime , by which you might ghess at what was future by what was past , which , she said , she had from the pen of a matchless prince , a man of the deepest insight , and greatest wisdom and observation in the world , and was this , that which hath been will be , and there is nothing new under the sun. with her moderation had much of her breeding , besides what she had had put to her by her father gravity , and her mother sagacity ; and careful she was to treasure up her aunt experiences aphorismes and dictates as so many jewels of gold ; yea , in every matter of moment she would still come and advise with her aunt experience , to her dying day , for she long out-lived moderation . moreover , philodik●… and philothe●…s , the two brothers , were wont , at every breaking up at school , to come and spend their time with her ; yea , after they had been at the university , they would often come and visit her , and they thought their time well spent while they were with her : they would often confess , they had learnt that from her mouth , which they might have looked for long enough in their books , and not have met withall : yea , when they were advanced to that greatness , whereof i shall tell you more anon , they would familiarly come to her for advice and counsel , and this made the one so happy and accomplisht a statesman , and the other a divine . she had not , as was thought by some , much of learning or languages , knew none but her mother-tongue : but she had read most of the writings of the divines , and of the histories of her own country ove●… and over , and had them perfect : and ●…he did constantly back her precept●… with such choice and pregnant examples that made such impression in her schollers , as that her dictates w●…re look'd upon as authentick ●…strations , or probatums at least ; and ipse dixit was never more current in the old philosophers school , then ipsa dixit , or experientia doeuit , was in hers ; yea , experientia docuit went for currant authority all the land over . very famous she was for the great good she did in teaching , and indeed she excelled all other school-masters and mistrisses whatsoever , so that she was by some , for a singular gift she had in teaching above all others , by way of honour and eminency , styled , experientia magistra stultorum , experienc●… the mistress of fools , because where none else could do good of them she could ; but by most she was styled , magistra sapientum , the mistress of the wisest . but to be sure all were the better that came under her education and instruction ; and this was an observation that was generally taken of her schollers , that they alwayes were better livers , then those who had been taught only by book . moderation was bred up in her school , as i said , and profited much , was the most plyable scholer she had in all the school , and therefore she took the more delight to discourse with her , read her many a long lecture : she would sometimes take her in private with her into her closet , and say to her , moderation , thou art my near kinswoman , i love thy very name , i would there were more of it ; and next to my three youngest daughters , hope , confidence and assurance , so necessary to my salvation , i love thee as well as any child i have , and above any other mortal creature whatsoever ; thy name and nature being so full of benignity and beneficialness to all mankind , because so full of charity , which brings us mortals on earth to the nearest affinity with those immo●…tals in heaven ; and should i ever have another daughter , i would call her by thy name . moderation , i will tell thee what i have observed , and know to be most certain ; thy ancestors have been blessings to mankind in all ages , and in whatsoever countries they have lived , have honoured god , preserved peace , secured states , prevented commotions , suppressed insurrections , united hearts , strengthened hands , confirmed love , rooted out discord , countenanced piety , cherished loyalty , protected innocency , settled the church , secured religion , prevented schismes , extirpated heresies , enacted wholsom laws , establisht commonwealths , enriched the lower world with the highest blessings of heaven , peace , joy , unity and concord , and with the best of earthly blessings , love , friendship , plenty and prosperity . oh! how good and joyful it is , to see brethren dwell together in unity , cemented together with the spirit of true christian moderation ! let me advise thee , my child , said she , to hearken to old experience ; if thou lovest thy life , and desirest to see good dayes , refrain thy tongue from evil , and thy lips from speaking guile ; eschew evil and do good , seek peace and ensue it : follow peace with all men and holiness : be sure thou follow him , who said , learn of me that i am meek and lowly : get that meek and quiet spirit , which is said to be of so great price with god : honour the king , obey principallities and powers ; speak evil of no man , much less of dignities ; clothe thy self with humility , meekness and inoffensiveness ; and be sure to remember thy own old short lesson , let thy moderation be known to all men : be not high-minded , envy no mans greatness ; study to be quiet ▪ and to do thy ow●… business ; fly , as the most dangerous disease , and most infectious pest to a state , that itching and bewitching evil , called polypragmosyne , in our language , pragmaticalness , the fatal break-neck of many and many : avoid contentions , detest schismes ; conjure down by faithful prayer , self-denial , and all other honest means , that evil spirit of divisi●…n , censoriousness and superciliousness : mark them that cause divisions and avoid them : have no commerce with wickedness , and the rebellious sons of belial , those of a fiery and turbulent spirit ; in no hand meddle with them who are given to innovations and ●…hange ; pray for all , and do good to all , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty ; learn to bear and forbear : whosoever saith a confederacy , say not thou a confederacy , but let integrity and uprightness preserve thee ; remember him , who watched over himself , when he saw others watched over him , that they might not take him tardy in any matter of the kingdom : and who then will harm thee , if thou followest that which is good ? but if thou meetest with trouble when thou doest well , remember who said , it is better , if the will of god be so , to suffer for well doing then for evil , and whose legacy that was , in the world you shall have trouble , but in me peace : but be sure you never suffer as an evil doer , or busie-body in other mens matters : then trust in god , and take his promise , and experiences t●…stimony to it , he will never fail thee , nor forsake thee , but make thy righteousness shine as the light , and thy innocency as the noon-day : then moderation thou shalt be a happy woman , blessed in thy life , and more bless●…d in thy death ; blessed in thy coming into the world , and more bless●…d in thy going out of this world into a better . this , and ●…uch more to this purpose , did experience say to moderation , and the like precepts she gave to all her schollers . and when philodike and philotheos came to visit her at any time , she would be lessoning them the best she could , and she would say to them ▪ you are young , and i am old , i have seen many changes , i hope you will see an happy settlement ; i have lived to see an end of wars , i hope you shall never see an end of peace ; i have lived privately , being a woman , and of many sad tryals , you are hopeful and likely young men , and it may please god so to bless you , as that you may be called forth to publick employment , and if ever it shall please god to raise you , remember you are not born for your selves : labour to be as good as great , more to please god then men ; more to mind the publick good then your private interest : first seek the kingdom of god , and the righteousness thereof ; next , the happiness of this kingdom , and the welfare thereof ; next to the peace of god , and a good conscience , prefer the peace of church and state , without which you can neither have nor keep the former ; nor make nor cherish panties . drive on no interest or design but the publick good ; contend for nothing but piety , sanctity , unity and charity ; oppose and detest nothing so much as irreligiousness , prophaness , pride , division and revenge ; fear god , honour your soveraign , love your country , pray for the church , then shall you be blessed of god , protected , and , it may be preferred by your prince , and beloved of your country : remember that old never failing oracle , that experience hath ever seen made good , them that honour me i will honour , and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed . and last of all , let me charge you , in whatsoever place you may be set , that you never forget your sister moderation ; whom she held all that time in her hand , and there we now leave her at present , with her aunt experience . chap. v. of philodike and philotheos bred together . philodike's profession , character , advancement , death , burial and epitaph . now leaving moderation and her aunt experience together , we will return to philodike and philotheos , the elder childr●…n ; while they were young they were bred together under the same tutors and teachers : towardly and hopeful children both ( the forwardest schollers in all the school ) learning the same authors , and performing the same school-exercises , and profited so much , that in a short time ( being well fitted first ) they were sent to the university , where bothwe●… taken much notice of for their extraordinary diligence , early rising , and sometimes late sitting up at their study , and their great pro●…iciency . there when they had taken their several degrees ( which had been conferred on them , not out of favour , but merit ) philodike removed thence first , to the inns of court , where he was none of your young gallants , that brave it in rich apparel , as if they came thither meerly to see and learn fashions ; but a close and hard student he was , diligently examining and enquiring into the reasons and grounds of the law , and diving deeply , and piercing thorowly into the more knotty intricacies and profound mysteries of his profession ; to which having so well attained , he was called to the bar , and in short time became famous for his practice ; a most courteous and affable gentleman he was , of a quick apprehension , clear head , firm memory , free expression , and excellent good language , and above all , very conscientious as to his clyents and their fees ( great or small ) he looked not so much at clyent or fee , as at the cause , and that not whose it was , but what it was . he was afterwards , by many steps , advanced to be lord chief justice in the island feliciana ; which dignity he did more honour with his worthy carriage , then the place did honour him ; there was he commonly styled , the incorrupt judge , and the poor mans advocate . and after that , his prince taking further notice of him , he was taken in to be one of the privy councel , and had the great seal committed to his custody , and so he continued to his dying day ; living in the high favour of his prince , and dying in the love and honour of his country . never was great patriot more generally lamented , and his funeral hearse more loaden with e●…comiastick elegies , then when he was buried . one paper i snatcht , which had at the foot of every tetrastick this for the burden ; translated out of the original , thus it may be rendered ; mourn , mourn for philodike : pray , pray god send 's more likc . and upon his monument this epit aph engraven . here lyes great philodike , of gravity descended , and matron sagacity , so much commended ; the glory , peace , welfare , pillar of the nation , he serv'd god , prince , country in his generation , brother to great ●… philotheos and moderation . chap. vi. of philotheos , his profession , preferments , character , life , death , burial , epitaph . philotheos , as the mother desired , was bred a divine , and stayed much longer at the university , till he was accomplisht with all endowments requisite for a church-man ; and being of great note there for his good life , solid preaching , and depth of learning , he was presented by a worthy patron to a competent living , whereto he went , and was there constantly resident , never had plural●…y , preached painfully , did very much good , kept hospitality , made peace among his neighbours ( if any were at variance ) brought his parish to a great measure of knowledge in religion , and to a general good conformity . there had he dyed incumbent , had not his prince , hearing of his singular worth , promoted him to a bishoprick ( that government being then in use in that island , and so had been time out of mind ) which though he accepted , he was not yet at all changed from what he was before , nor lifted up above his brethren , but continued his former constancy in preaching , became a pattern to his flock in doctrine and conversation ; a great encourager of learned , orthodox , painful , pious and peaceable ministers ; nor did he more ●…trictly enquire after their conformity to the church , then to the scripture-canons . in a word , he so gave himself to reading , e●…hortation and d●…ctrine , and the other duties of a worthy past●…r , so fulfilled his ministery which he had receiv●…d , as a good stew●…rd of the house of god ; and one he was besides , that so well ruled his own house , that had he lived in the primitive times , he might have been accounted a second timothy , or in later times , he might have been called another jewell : he also dyed full of dayes , and was much lamented : and upon his hearse many a sad elegy was fastened , and one much longer then all the rest , had at the end of every verse this burden , supposed to be made by the same author , and translated into english , thus it runs . all weep for the death of worthy philotheos ; most pray , that the world become no●… now atheos . and upon his monumen●… this epit●…ph inscribed . h●…re lyes philotheos , of church-men best , him the good will follow ; god mend the rest : moderation loved him , he moderation : his death fills all with sad lamentation . chap. vii . of moderation her virtues and character , her two enemies . and now to return again to moderation : her two brothers , while living , being of such eminent quality ( as you have heard ) you would not think that their only sister moderation could want pr●…t . or sit long without many fair offe●…s ●…or a great match , and many such she had : but though she was a lady of a most amiable aspect , and compleatly accomplished , yet did she never a●…ect curiosity in her dress , nor costliness in her apparel ( though very de●…ent and comely ; ) and upon that account partly , some of the 〈◊〉 ▪ who had heard much of her fame , wisdom and vertues , and had begun to court her ▪ fell off again , and could give no other reason for it but this , that they f●…ared she had so much of her father gravity in her , as was not sutable to their youthful and frollick humours . and indeed she had a great resemblance both of father and mother ; her father gravi●…y she resembled to the life in her compos●…d countenance and gesture , and her mother sagacity for all the world for her speech , prudence and t●…mper of spirit ; so full of serious consideration ▪ and so judiciously circumspect , as not to take up ●…very thing upon vulgar estimation , and common report , but duly examining a●…d deliberately weighing ●…very thing still , as was to admiration : and the truth is , her two brethren , philodike and philotheos , even in their highest dignities , held it not below them to advise with moderation , but in difficult cases especially , they would be sure to consult with her , because she had had more of her breeding with their aunt experience then themselves : neither did they ever repent their hearkening to her , for they still found , by expe●…ience , that her counsel was 〈◊〉 safest ; she was a woman of a deep insight into matters of concernment for ●…urch or state , and was never known to be byassed by interest or private passion ( as most an end others are ) but alwayes warily foresaw what was like 〈◊〉 be the issue of things , and accordingly she advised what was most for p●…blick good . she was universally beloved of all , above any mortal creature , and had no enemy in all the world , save only two , extremi●…y and disobedience . extremity hated her with all her heart , though she had never given her any cause : and moderation hated dis●…bedience with a perf●…ct hatred ( and blame her not ) she had just cause . chap. viii . of extremity , her ●…ed g●…ee , character , and enmity to moderation . extremity was descended of an ancient and noble family in cilicia , sometimes a famous province of the old roman empire ; her father saul the second , sirnamed hyperzelotes , a man known far and near , whose education had been choice , proficiency incredible , parts great , abilities rare , travels m●…ny , in his life alwayes irreprovable , and in his way very devout : in his younger dayes he had been of a hot and eager spirit , a proto-persecutor of the proto-martyr steven , but as he grew eld●…r he grew more mild and moderat●… ; and as he changed his harsher name of saul , into a softer , paul , so was he quite changed in his disposition from hyper-zelotes to hyper-philadelphote●… , and was turned into another man , as saul the first was for a while , but he for ever . he had been once of that opinion , that no sort of men ought more severely to be animadverted into , and dealt with , then such , who in the least dissented from the religion and rites of their for●…fathers ; and would but authority pass acts severe enough ●…or suppr●…ssion of such by banishment , bonds , ●…mprisonment , or death , he would be the man that would see them put in execution , which he also did , judging it the best service could be done to god , or his church ; thereupon he haled many into prisons , and compelled them to abjure , recant and blaspheme , or suffer and dye . but after he was ( i say ) quite of another mind , and became the most complacent and complying person in the world , and held with mod●…ration as much as any ▪ now ( he said ) what was his gain before was now his loss , and what he formerly esteemed his glory , he looked o●… as his shame : circumcision was no more with him now then uncircumcision ; both nothing to the new creature , to faith in christ , to the keeping of the commandements of god. he could condescend and comply so far now , as to be made all things to all men , so it were to further the salvation of any . his daughter extremity was begotten by him in his younger years , as he was travelling to damascus , before he had been better catechised and instructed by ananias . the younger dayes of the daughter , were an imitation of the fathers younger dayes , who observing , in those unsettled times that had been in feliciana , about that time when there was no king in israel , and every man did what was right in his own eyes , that many distempered humours , ●…ven to a plain delirium , if not 〈◊〉 , had pestered both church and state , thought it high time to awaken authority , to revive former severity , wit●… some further addition too , to curb moderation ; and being passionately z●…alous to prevent any rupture in the church , b●…fore many other disorders in the state , would have all brought into an exact uniformity . it fell out also unhappily , and much to the prejudice of moderation , that some of tho●… sons of disobedience , and grand-●…hildren of belial , had much about that time , or not long before , b●…oke out into an open rebellion , and made s●…ditious commotions , when all were in exp●…ctation of settlement in the island ; and not long after a bloudy war was commenced , between that island and some other potent neighbours in the adjacent islands : and extremity , zealously watchful , and prudently sollicitous , to pr●…serve common peace at home , held a suspitious eye over moderation and all her actions , as mistrusting she had underhand countenanced the former , or corresponded with the latter ; both which ( god knows ) she was far enough from , constantly praying for publick peace , and the prosperity of the church and state ; yet could not innocency ( as yet unknown ) secure poor moderation from many a harsh censure and bitter taunt . then would extremity twit moderation , and charge her with disaffection , and often hit her in the t●…th with the miscarriages of others , that she had nothing to do withall ; and would be saying , you must go a way by your s●…lves , and be wiser then all the world ▪ and had i power in my hands , said some ( which was well they had not ) i would make moderation pack , or change her note . but a●…terwards , to the great sati●…faction of all , upon a through observation , ( i will not say a better information ) extremities prejudice against moderation was abated , and afterwards became perfect friends , as we shall say anon . chap. ix . of disobedience , moderation's only enemy , whom she hated , her pedigree , character and vile poflerity . disobedience was the other enemy moderation had , and her indeed did she as much hate as extremity did her , and much more justly , for her many wicked pranks and practises against both church and state , yea , against all humane society . she was a woman of an ill feature , and more untoward nature ; descended of an infamous and stained family , yet very ancient ; she was the daughter of old belial , and that by a strange woman ; she was of a shrewd and subtle wit , mis-shapen countenance , monstrous in her birth ( being born with teeth in her head , came laughing into the world , with a coal of fire in one hand , and a sword in the other ) of hollow eyes , and looking asquint very ill-favouredly ; besides , by a fall in the cradle , she had her back broken , and wry-neckt ever after : nature had branded her ●…or a prodigious carryon : she was twice married , first to sheba , the son of bichri , an old incendiary , and head of a seditious crew ; and after he had lost his head , she ma●…ried with elymas the sorcerer , who dealt with the black art , an utter enemy to all righteousness , and as full of all subtilty , malice and wickedness , as his brethren the jesuites could wish , or his father beelzebub could make him ; and he was fittest for her , for it was shrewdly susp●…cted , they had been naught together before . she was a woman too too fruitful , and had by both her husbands a many lewd , vicious , and graceless children . her first husband openly taught the art , and invented the instruments of rebellion , was the first that blew a trumpet of sedition against his soveraign ; and it is thought she set him on : she had instructed her children in all the wayes of impiety and disobedience ; a roman catholick she was , and therefore sent some of her children beyond-sea ; some were students at doway , some at lovayn , and one she sent to john of leyden's colledge at munster : they were great proficients all in the arts , and very forward to propagate those principles taught by the hebrew doctor abaddon , the greek professor apollyon , and the latine dictator filius perditionis ; for some of them understood all languages ; men of working brains and restless spirits ; a viperous generation , tea●…ing out the bowels of whatsoever nation bred them ; skilful to divide , destroy and supplant ; the only enemies to monarchy and publick peace ; they have set their heads and their agents awork to destroy kings , blow up parliaments , burn cities , lay waste churches , to divide between prince and people , to make or increase parties , and their last end is to bring in the abomination of desolation . the children by the later husband were the more by far , and of several complexions and dispositions , as if they had not been by the same father and mother ; yet were they their natural children , and had somewhat of both in them , for both were notorious for all or any manner of ▪ wickedness imaginable , neither barrel better herring ; and the children like them , nothing came amiss to them , so it were 〈◊〉 ●…ough ; such a generation for swearing ▪ st●…ring , drinking , whoring , ranting , roaring , quarrelling , fighting , ●…ilching , stcaling , cutting of purses , a●…d cutting of throats , as was not i●… the world ag●…in , f●…aring nor god nor man , slighting laws , statutes , penalties , stocks , pillory , prison , g●…llows , death , and hell too , as if they had been the spawn of the old leviathan , of whom it is said , he is made without fear ; the mother , for the childrens sake , was call●…d mystical babylon , the mother of whoredoms and all abominations in the earth . some of her children are professed atheists , and deriders of all religion , of the sadducean heard , believing nor angel , nor spirit , nor heaven , nor hell , regarding nor law nor gospel : some again she hath taught and trained up to be the inventers of new coined oaths , prodigious blasphemies , and worse then hellish execrations , and preterplu-satanical imprecations , out-daring gods justice and patience , and dastarding satan himself , yea a whole legion of devils , not one of them once saying dammee , but all let us alone , i beseech thee torment us not . sure enough their damnation li●…greth not , who draw sin thus with cords , aud damnation with cart-ropes , and say , l●…t the most high make speed , that we may see him , and make hast , that we may know what hell is : this i know , that when these wretched souls are excoriated , and shall but begin to feel those torments , they will presently relent , and change their note , either seemingly to say their lords prayer , let us alone now , and torment us not , or to say their own backward , lord un-dammee . others again are the masters and professors of the liberal science of carowsing , and prescribe the rules and method of drinking round by number and measure , till it be without either number or measure . others are devising new games at cards and dice , and new wayes of cheating by them . out of t●…is family , as once out of that monstrous palladian beast , came out ●…ose that set troynovant afire ; or out of this pit came those swarms of locusts , drunkards , gamesters , whorers , epicures , luxurious and riotous persons , who darken the glory of feliciana , and besides the devouring their own patrimonies , devour the fat and the best fruits and wealth of our land. all these called disobedience mother , and were looked upon as hers by all that knew them , having the lively image of the beast in their foreheads ; others had it in their right hand , set on by the right hand of justice ; others had it in their noses , by drinking too freely of madam porne's cup ; and others had a brand all their face over , by tasting too oft of their sister crapula's bowl ; but all spake one language , which was the language of the beast ( used by no nation , civil or barbarous , but themselves ) every word an oath , or a curse , or prophane scoffe and jest at scripture and piety , or a belch of baudery , which some called a corrupt or bastard hellenish , but others , who had more understanding , said , it was pure and perfect hellish language . i should have told you also , that disobedience , after her second marriage , kept a common inn ( otherwise a common stews . ) and as experience , moderation's aunt and best friend , kept her school , so did disobedience , her worst enemy , set up a school to increase her comings in ; but with this difference , that all were made the better ( even the worst ) that came under her hands ; so all were the worse ( even the best ) that came under the hands of disobedience . many a fair estate was soon made away there , and many a hopeful person utterly undone and quite marred , that came to be acquainted with her , or any of hers . she had six daughters , to whom she committed the carrying on of her trade . the eldest was madam porne , a woman of person proper and handsom enough , but otherwise more common then proper , mighty gallant in her dress and apparel . the second donna spatalosa , a very lascivious wanton and inticing creature . the third mistriss crapula , a fowl beast , all belly and guts . the fourth bold anaideia , a confident and brazen-fac'd slut , a shameless and impudent carryon . the fift donna olympia , lately come from the holy mother-see , where she had practised the same art , with much success , for many years . the youngest damosilla blandula , a mighty fair tongued , smiling , and bewitching creature . they lived all under the same roof , and had their several offices ; their lodgings are within , or over one another . blandula , the youngest , was to sit at the door , and watch and ●…spy who went by , and what passengers were fit to be called in ; them would she invite to come and make choice of a room , and tell them what entertainment was to be had in the house : being entered , she conveys them presently into donna olympia's lodging , who , for her self , was richly adorned with jewels taken out of the triple crown , and her room was hung with the rich hangings she had brought out of the vatican . after a short stay there , and a collation given , and the curiosities viewed and looked over ( that came from beyond sea ) among which w●…re certain beads , and medals , and some images of our lady and other saints , and a fair crucifix , she desires them to go up stairs to mistriss anaideia's lodgings ; her they found at her glass , curiously curling her locks , and spotting her face , with her naked breasts , and her chamber all round hung with many a lascivious picture . if then any one startled , and thought they had seen enough , and craved leave to return , they would all three tell them , there was more to be seen above , and they must not refuse to go up one short pair of stairs and taste of their sister crapula's cup ; it was a gilt bole of old and clear circe , a liquor , whosoever once tasted was turned into a swine at the second draught ; then they would of themselves desire to go on and see all , and to behold donna spatalosa ; she was preparing bracelets made of her hair , and mixing potions for guests , that she had expected , and she came boldly and saluted them , offering them the courtesie of the house ; and tells them , they must not refuse to visit their eldest sister , madam porne , whose room would give them more contem , then all they had yet seen : there sat she on a stately couch , in rich array of silk and crimson satin , all daubed with broad gold-lace ; her face new painted ; she wa●… old and wrinkled , but h●…r paint made her look as fair as a rose and a mixture of lilly ; a fair room it was indeed , hung with the richest arras ; and you would wonder to see what a cupboard was there of plate , and what a fair prospect into all the fields and gardens round about : she presented them by the hands of her waiting gentlewoman eutrapeleia , a smiling , merry and witty young woman ( all jests and mirth ) with a venus glass of wine , and some costly sweet-meats : but under the balcony was a close trap-door ( discerned by few ) over a deep ditch and narrow pit , called avernus , into which , after a few short amorous embraces , she was wont to throw her guests headlong , with the help of her sisters , after they had first stript them of all they had about them , and they were never heard of more : few , or none , that ever i heard of , that came once into madam porne's clutches , ever came back again , or were seen alive , but sometimes a naked corps was seen floating on the top of the ditch : only one escaped once , as lot out of sodom , to make the relation of their entertainment ; and he said , it was almost as great a miracle as his was ; for he was fain to steal out at a back-door , which he found locked , but putting forth all his strength , he burst it open , and then came down a narrow pair of stairs , very steep and dark , which few were able to find , and so got away , resolving never to come more there ; for said he , had i stayed longer , or attempted to go back the same way i came , i had certainly been snapt : he would ever after call them , the six fatal sisters , and would warn all his acquaintance not to come near them . but enough , and too much of disobedience , and i fear i have troubled the reader , with this long discourse of her and her children , and their wicked pranks ; and no wonder , for it is this disobedience that hath troubled all the world , troubled both god and man. to return therefore to moderation ; the wayes both of the one and other litter she could not chuse but detest ; and for the latter breed , she never had so much as her name called in question to favour any of them ; but when any of the former race broke out into rebellion , she could not help it ; but watchful and jealous extremity would have some hard thoughts of her , as if she had been an abettor , whereas she was never so much as privy to any of their designs , and whensoever she came to hear of them , was as forward as any to declare against them , and to give her best assistance to suppress them ; and whensoever any of the sons of rebellion and disobedience were taken , and did receive condign punishment , she did heartily rejoyce , as having no such enemies of her own in that defiance , as those that were enemies to god , to the king , to religion , and to her country . chap. x. of the pedigree and progeny of politicus , no great friend to moderation . i could give you a relation of a third person also , that lived in the midway between extremity and moderation , who was no sure friend to moderation , yet can i not call him an enemy neither . his na●…e politicus ; and a meer politician he was ; no body could tell of what religion he was , neither fish nor flesh ; as he loved not moderation , so he cared not for extremity ; he hated disobedience indeed to the very death , and was for that much to be commended . he came of the ancient roman race , gallio his grand-father , and portius festus his near alliance : politicus was no bad member in the commonwealth , though none of the greatest friends to the church nor church-men , at whose revenues he would sometime have a fling ; no recusant , much less phanatick ; scarce good protestant , but of the epicene gender . he was a conformable , quiet and peaceable subject , and many wayes useful and serviceable , being an extreme good natured man , ever loyal to his prince , and true to his country . in times of peace he had a commission for the peace , and was in authority , and singular good service he did , and kept his country in quiet and good order , executing justice between man & man , & now & then he would put down some notorious ill ale-house . in time of war he had a command , and kept his souldiers in good discipline , from robbing and plundering , as severe as tamerlane : but he never troubled his head about religion . if god almighty had created man for no higher end , then to live in civil society , and to mind the things of this inferiour world , and this present life , there had been no better man then po●…iticus . but in as much as man , ●…reated in the image of god , hath ( as a more excellent natu●…e and b●…ing then other creatures , and more nobl●… endowments , so ) a more excellent and higher end , viz. to seek , know , s●…rve and worship god , and at last come to enjoy him , and have communion with him ; and th●…t religion and true ●…iety is the only way and means to attain that end , and that there is another country to be looked for after this , h●… was much to blame for his coldness and indifferency in matters of religion ; many thought him little better then an atheist in his heart , though his life not much faulty ▪ he never exprest much zeal or regard to piety , nor was he ever known to go to prayers by himself , nor much to look into his bible : a piece of tacitus , or livy , or machiavel , he would sometimes discourse of , and their observations he did seem to rellish , as well as any in the books of moses and the prophets : and for seneca , and his epistles of morality , he did , in his judgment , prefer them above , and did take more delight to ●…ead them , then all saint paul's epi●…tles of divinity . several children he had , both ●…ons and daughters : his sons , he ●…ave them all a taste of good lite●…ature , and gave them the breeding ●…nd education which was fit for 〈◊〉 . his eldest son was bred a courtier , his name honorius . the second a souldier , called captain eupo●…emus . the third a physitian , who travelled france and italy , and took his degree at padua , his name temerarius . a fourth he bred a merchant , his name d●…sus . and the youngest he made a scholler , and a va●…n in po●…try he had , hi●… name gelas us , a ●…rvellous witty an●… 〈◊〉 gentlem●…n he was , full of h●… joques and merry conceits , that h●… made all the comp●…ny mirth where-ever he came . civil gentleme●… all , but of the fathers religion . his eldest daughter he named h●…nora , her great grand-mother 〈◊〉 a lady of honour to queen bernice . and her sister phantasia was waiting l●…dy to her highness drusilla , much abou●… the s●…me time , in re●… of whom he called his second 〈◊〉 by her name . and the third was madam eulalia ; she could sing and dance rarely well , and had her french and italian very perf●…ct , and was well read in forreign histories , yet had never read the new testament over twice in all her life , nor the old testament so much as once . eudoxia , the youngest , was the tallest and hansomest woman of them all ; an absolute beauty , and of so rare a temper you could never anger her , and of so graceful a deport , that she took all persons : had you seen her at church , which was but seldome , you would think you saw a saint ; would you be 〈◊〉 at other times , she would be serious ; would you be pleasant , she would be as facetious . goodly ladies they were indeed all four , and as great gallants as were either in court or city : but to tell you how they spent their time , and what was their employment , would be a strange story to tell our grandmothers , wer●… they alive again , ●…nd much more strange to the old christian ladies that lived longer before them : their morning was all taken up wi●…h dr●…ssing , painting , powdering : the afternoon usually spent in visits , or a play-house ; and at night a pack of cards : these were the books they were most read in , and had them more in their hands , then either bible , sermon , or prayer-book ; and indeed all of them did mor●… frequent the play-house then th●…ir parish-church , the prayer-ho●…se , and were more attentive ther●… then here : twice or thrice a moneth was fair to come to church ; but at a play three or four times a week was ordinary : to church th●…y came to see and to be seen , and that usually when sermon or p●…ayers were hal●…●…nded ; but to the play-●…ouse they went to learn , and came in with the first , and staid it out without tediousness , as never thinking a grace or sermon too short , or a play too long . rabbi ben - johnson was highly in their books , and they more versed in his writings , then either rabbi ben-syrach , or rabbi solomon . but in as much as p●…liticus was no profest enemy to moderation , but wisht her as well as he did extremity ( he cared for them much alike ) we will let him go , wishing that the state may never have cause to fear any enemy more , nor the church and religion need a friend less . chap. xi . of the marriage of moderation , her two husbands , and children by them . now to return to t●…e marriage of moderation . her brother philodike would fain have brought her to court , and have her married to one of his own rank , a privy counsellor of state , as knowing full well , how much more good he might do , being assisted by such another privy counsellor in his own bosom . but her brother philotheos was earnest for a church-man , his old acquaintance , bred with him in the same colledge , and his chamber-fellow ( somewhat his junior ) doctor eusebius , and now also settled near him in a competent living ; a grave and reverend minister he was as any in all the country , an orthodox and able divine ; to him the motion was no sooner made by the brother , but he presently embraced it , both in respect of her singular vertues , and of the allyance to her brethren . soon after they were married , and most happily they lived , beloved of all the parish , and honoured of all that knew them ( gentry , clergy , and others ; ) but long she enjoyed not that happiness , for her husband , being a sickly man , and worn out with his studies and painfulness in preaching , was taken away , to her great loss , and gri●…f of the country , and she left a sad widdow , big with child , of which she was after delivered , whom she called settlement ; as sweet and hopeful child as ever woman bare , had he lived , but he dyed in his cradle . after some good space of time , her brother philodike desired she might be married to a statesman ; and he was intimate with an honourable privy counsellor , whose na●…e was philodemus ; to him he re●…ommended his sister , and to him she was married , to his great contentment , and of all the court b●…sides : he lived not long with her neither , being aged when he married h●…r , and left her with child again of twins , who only lived to be christened : they were two sisters , as lovely babes as was ever lookt on , their names , peace and plenty , who dyed soon after their father . chap. xii . of the trouble ●…nd grief of moderation : her last will : her heir : epitaph . and being now a widow again , as seldom one cross or grief comes alone , both her husbands , eusebius and philodemus ( and the children by them ) being dead , who would suffer no injury to be done her while they lived , they so dearly loved her . it fell out afterwards , that some of her envious neighbours , who bare her no good will before , though she never did them the least wrong , would be offering her many an affront , and ready to pick any quarrrel with her . a poor widdow is ever like the gap 〈◊〉 in the hedge , soon trod●…en ●…own , and old fri●…nds now w●…re grown 〈◊〉 and , which went 〈◊〉 to her heart , her two 〈◊〉 , who w●…re wont form●…rly ●…o support and countenance h●…r in every thing , t●…at was just and reasonable , were now under a cloud : philodike for appearing in a c●…use , wherein innocency had b●…n opprest had he been sil●…nt ( as his gr●…nd-father joseph and his uncle nicodemus had done before him ) incurred the displ●…asure of some gr●…at on●…s , who procured his troubles ; and philothe●…s for being now and then ●…ome hat plain , and a little s●…art in an use of reproof ▪ at both which she was inwardly grieved in her mind ( and they b●…ing under restraint , or else keeping their chamber by reason of their ag●… and infirmities ) though she had le●…ned to endure any thing , and was nev●…r forward to stir or move in h●…r own private cause ; yet when she saw her two brethren concerned in point of their honour and reputation , and th●… publick mor●… in point of 〈◊〉 , she could not for her life sit still ▪ bu●… presents a●… humble and mod●… petition in their behal●… , whic●… wa●… but this , that they might come ●…o ●… fair hearing ▪ and when matters should be rightly understood , if th●…y were found offenders , she d●…sired no favour for th●…m ; she desired no more , and 〈◊〉 , at l●…ast , ●…he might have b●…en 〈◊〉 in , and spoken to , or ●…r petition re●…d 〈◊〉 : but when no admit●…ance could be obtained for moderation , and instead thereof t●…unts and r●…proaches sent after , a●…d told withall , that if she moved any further sh●… should be secured ( her old friend extremity was then door-keeper , and to be sure would do her no good office , and ●…he it was gave th●… answer , and it is thought of her ow●… head : ) moderation took it so t●… heart , that she never joyed her sel●… after , nor had any delight to go abroad , but lived retired in her privat●… lodgings , and gave her se●…f to her devotions , and not long after departed this life . the news whereof no sooner came●… to the brothers hearing , but it struck them to the very h●…art , that they both of them departed the self-same day , not willing to out-live their sister moderation . never was the like heard of by all relation , that two brothers and sister should all three dye in one day ( but they had loved most entirely , as if they all had but one soul ) and they were all three buried together in the same grave ; the same grave it was , wherein eusebius and philodemus , the two husbands , and settlement the son , and peace and plenty the daughters of moderation , had been laid before . now was both court , city and country full of lamentations for the death of three such eminent persons ; neither were the two brethren more iamented , then was sweet and allcontenting all-pleasing moderation ; only extremi●…y rejoyced extreamly at the death of moderation ; and d●…sobedience rejoyced as much at the death of philodike and philotheos . philodike was most lamented at court by the grandees , sag●… statesmen and patriots , for his grave advice and equal administration of justice , whereby the general peace of feliciana was preserv●…d . philotheos was most lamented by the cl●…rgy , and such as were learned , and abl●… to judge of his elaborate tracts , his solid and learned sermons , ●…nd his great prudence in ecclesiastical affairs , whereby the cause of religion , and the peace and honour of the church , had been maintained and pres●…rved but as their names were above the understanding , so w●…s their worth above the cognizance of the vulgar . but as for moderation , all knew what she was w●…ll enough ; all feliciana had heard and talked much of her all the island over , as good a subject as could live under a prince , a true daughter of the church , and a mother in israel ; and bewailed she was both in court , city and country , by man , woman and child , young and old , simple and gentle , because all understood she had no interest but the publick good , and desired favour and protection only for such , as should be judged worthy to live in any well-governed state in the world : and the more lamented she was , because she dyed without ●…ssue , and left none of her name behind ; yet being sick , and knowing she was now near her end , she made her will , and sent for a kinswoman of hers , named repentance ( a kinswoman once removed ) younger sister to consideration , dead before , and her she made her adopted child , and sole heir and executrix ; who so sadly took her death , that she was not only close mourner at the funeral , but went in mourning to her dying day , and could never get moderation ( dear moderation ) out of her mind . never was the lady dorcas more lamented , and her recov●…ry more desired then was this ladies : and very remarkable it is , though it be against the religion professed in feliciana , to put up any prayers for their b●…st friends when dead , yet did all pray for moderation when she was dead and gone , and the most religious , the most heartily of all others , and so do to this day ; yet not for the resting of h●…r soul , but for her return or resurrection , of which they have a stedfast belief and full expectation , grounded on an old prophecy , whereof i sh●…ll tell you more anon . and seldom did any come near her tomb , but they bedewed it with their tears , over which , as i remember , was engraven in a latine character , heu placidè obdormit veneranda matrona moderatio novam expectans resuscitationem ante novissimam resurrectionem . and under it was this epitaph , written in that country language , here lyes intombed matron moderation , true friend of the church , joy of the nation ; her worth to few was known until that she was gone : no issue great or small , this the saddest of all . all ye friends that look on , pray for moderation . long may she not stay , let the next generation see out of these stones rise a new mode●…ation . and to see what good prayers can do ! not long after , when you would have thought she had been quite consumed , moderation did revive , and her spirit did return , yet not into the former corps ( that had been too great a miracle for this latter age to believe ) but as moses spirit was once transfused into seventy others , so did her spirit return , and was transfused , and did enter into many more , and made a happy change in them ; they were now so many new creatures , which made the author , and many others , sing in the words of that famous verser , jam nova progenies coelo dilabitur alt●… . there dropped down from heaven high , of mankind a new progeny . yea , and which was the wonder of all , and you will hardly believe it , even extremity her self was changed , and endued with another spirit , as the next chapter will inform you . chap. xiii . of the wonderful change wrought in extremity , and the occasion and means of it . before i make an end , i shall tell you what became of extremity and disobedience : extremity made a happy end , repented , reformed , and dyed comfortably ; disobedience lived obstinately and dyed miserably , and who could look for other ? extremi●…y , as i told you before , was the only enemy that moderation had in all the world , and had hated her extremely while she lived ; and she the only person that rejoyced , and i●…deed she insulted at her death . but this e●…mity lasted not alwayes ; for , as god would have it , within a few years after moderation's death , extremity fell into a fit of sickness , and a happy sickness it was to her , ( her extremity was graces opportunity ) she was sore handled : an ordinary disease it was not , but she was in great extremity and pain . the physitians , who were sent for , were at their wits end , when they saw her : they perceived her trouble lay deeper , and concluded , by all conjectures they could make , it was some inward trouble or grief oppressed her : and being much pressed by them , to declare whether it were so or no , she confessed at last it was so indeed , and that she was much troubled in her mind , and could get no rest . it was about her former course of life , and her many sins ; especially she ●…aid , one thing lay heaviest upon h●…r above all others , which they were long ere they could get out of her ; yet she was observed by them that watched with her , sometimes , between sleeping and waking , to mutter to her self , and they could over-hear her now and then , and her talk was of moderation ; and many times she would start of a sudden , and look agast , and bid the by-stand●…rs look about , and tell her if they saw any thing ; and sometimes would ask them , if they saw not moderation there . once she lay , as in a trance , and seemed to them to pray and call upon god for mercy : at another time she would cry out of her self , and her former miscarriages , saying , ah! vile extremity ! ah! sin●…ul wretch extremity ! ah! cruel extremity ! and once she told one of her maids , that moderation had appeared to her in her sleep , all clothed in white , and with a smiling countenance asked her , what reason she had to be so bitter an enemy to her , who had never done her wrong in all her life ? and now she was dead continued her enmity to her friends : told her , she was sent to admonish her to repent , and amend her waȳes , then should she be a happy woman . this did much run in her mind , and she would often say , o! that moderation were alive again ! all the world should see , i did not so much hate h●…r before , as i should now prize and love her . she would often wish also , that eusebiu●… or philotheos , the husband and brother of moderation , were now alive , that she might manifest what respect she bare them , and that in h●…r distress she might ease her mind to th●…m , and receive some comfort f●…om them , which she thought was not possible for her to have , but from the hands of some of mode●…ation's friends . then she began to make enquiry , what able and discreet divine there was , to whom she might unbosom her self : and was told , there lived not far from her , a choice and prudent minister , named agathophilus , one well experienced in cases and perplexities of conscience , and one mighty tender in dealing with a troubled spirit ( a chearful and comfortable old man he was , and a great ch●…risher of every spark of good , were it never so little ) and for that he had his name given him . extremity had never been acquainted with him before , although they lived not far the one from the other ( nor indeed with many other strict divines , whom she had looked upon , ●…or the most of them , formerly , as a company of soure and discontented persons ) for him she presently sends , and he came immediately , and she at first sight of him was ready , somewhat like cornelius to saint pe●…er , to rise off her couch and fall down upon her knees to him . he asked her how she did ? what was her grief ? she confessed she had been a grievous sinner , and had much offended ; but one thing there was , which she had hitherto concealed , but now she would hide nothing from him ; one thing there was , that troubled her more then all the rest ; she had been a bitter enemy to moderation ; and now she saw plainly ( the evening of sickness is the morning of light ) that she had been much mistaken in her , and feared she had much to answer for her uncharitableness ; she had alway●…s looked upon moderation with an evil eye , as if she had been the 〈◊〉 creature alive , and thereupon had hat●…d her to the death ; but now she was quite and clean of another mind , and did think she was as good a soul as liv●…d , and the most innocent , and saw that she was a better christian then her self ; wishing , with all her heart , that when she dyed , she might change places with modera●… and were she now alive again , he would shew her all the love was ●…ossible : this and much more she ●…onfest , and the tears gushed out ●…hen she mentioned these things ; ●…nd oft-times would lift up her eyes ●…o heaven and pray , god forgive ●…e my bitterness against moderati●…n . and another thing she charged her self withall , which she thought made her more inexcusable , and she said , she had never thought of it till in this her sickness ; and that was this ; she had been formerly under the hands of cruel oppressours , and could not help her self ; and indeed she had had hard measure , but it was not from the hands of moderation , nor any of her friends , who could only pity her , and were troubled to see it ; but by other hands as extreme as extremity her self : schollers have a saying , one extr●…am is most opp●…site to 〈◊〉 : but then s●…e had promised , and made a solemn vow , that if ●…ver sh●… should come out of her sufferings , she ha●… learnt to pity sufferers while she liv●… ed , and should never countenance violence again ; yet since she had bee●… in that good condition she now enjoyed ; and moderation she acknowledged had not been backward to contribute her best assistance for hers an●… the common benefit ; she had bot●… forgotten moderation , and her own former vows and promises : and here she burst out into tears a●…resh . agath●…philus seeing her in such an agony , 〈◊〉 to comfort her , yet told her , she had been much to blame for her former violence ; but seeing she was now so true a pen●…tent , and so changed in her mind , as she declared , he bad h●…r not fear , her case was no wayes desperate ; and to confirm her , he told her further , that in his experience he had m●…t with the like before ▪ and could give her many scripture instances . he would not tell her of manas●…es ( he said ) and what he had done , yet found mercy , for his case was quite beyond the line , and eccentrical to her relation she had made . but he could tell her of divers of no mean quality , whose names and stories are no wayes blemished by it , that had been drawn aside sometimes as she had been : as darius , a median king ; and ahasuerus , the persian emperour ( some part of whose story is recorded by a sacred pen ) whose good natures had been wrought upon , by the sollicitation of some mis-informers , to pass some acts , severe enough , against some of moderation's ancestors ; yet upon further enquiry and satisfaction , gave a check and stop to further proceedings , repealing those acts , and receiving into highest favour such as , by mis-representation , they had been whetted against ; nor was it ever imputed to them as a note of inco●… stancy , that they had rescinded suc●… acts , but is the brightest st●… of glory that shines in their st●…ry . and for your father , saul th●… second ( said he ) of ever blesse●… memory , that famous saint an●… martyr , i need not tell you wha●… the former part of his story was somewhat like yours , by your ow●… relation : but he had been outra●… gious when time was , not onl●… hunting moderation out of hou●… and home in h●…r own corporat●… ons , but persecuting her and he●… followers into strange cities ; ye●… did he not only find mercy , bu●… for his memorable change and pi●… ty , afterwards hath his name s●… down among the first three . he was content to take the tau●… 〈◊〉 heretick at the hands of tertullu●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a mad. phanatick at the hands ●… festus afterwards , he was so much alt●…red . the like , i trust , said he , will befall you , whose former dayes , by your own confession , have been like his , that your last end will be as his also ; and if you continue in this good mind , you will hereafter come into the same estate he is possessed of ; for which purpose i shall ever pray for you , and , if you please , am now ready to pray with you — which accordingly he did before they parted . she was not a little comforted and settled in her mind , after her discourse with agathophilus ; and soon after she mended apace and recovered , lived many a day after , and made an happy end . and to testifie the reallity of her change ( not long after this ill fit she proved with child , and when she had gone her time she was delivered of a daughter , and would have her called mitigation , her elder daughter being dead a little before , whose name was violence , and upon her death-bed she made it her last r●…quest , to some of moderation's acquaintance , that her daughter might be brought up with their children , and if she lived to be bestowed in marriage , it might-be to one of that family , which she desired above any thing in this world , as being verily perswaded , god had a bl●…ssing in store for that family , then should she dye in peace . and so it came to pass as she desired , for mitigation was married to a near 〈◊〉 of moderation's , called philallelos , the loveliest person in the world : he was all love , and nothing but love , and so much his name signified when it was given him , and he made it good . and now ca●… it not be exp●…ssed , what joy this marriage caused all the country over ; ●…or by this means , those two great families , of extremity and moderatiou , were united , which , while at enmity , had divided and dis●…racted all the neighbourhood . of the which memorable sickness , repentance and recovery of extremity , and her change , and the marriage of her daughter , one made this following verse , which though a plain and homely one , i thought fit to have inserted . extremity was sick , and hard it is to say , in what extremity extremity then lay , troubled much in mind about moderation , whom she had pursued with much indignation . extremity recovers , and a while after into moderation's stock marries her daughter . they being made friends , the world was well amended : mitigation survives , extremity is ended . chap. xiv . containing a digression of the author . i am not ignorant , that many will look upon all this that hath been said of extremities sickness , trouble in mind , and repentance , to be but a story , no more then moderation's rising again . i shall ●…ot go about to impose upon any man a belief of what he dislikes , but leave every one to think what he pleaseth . only it is certain , that philallelos and mitigation made a happy match , and many there were that gave them joy , and wisht they might live many a good day together , and have many good children between them , and hoped there would be much more love among all the neighbours , then there had been for a while before : and , whencesoever it came , it was observed there was a fresh breathing of a spirit of love all over the land , as if serene zephirus had blown away all the former storms and clouds , and presented men with a milder air to breath in ; and the content that most had in their hearts and their hopes , were legible in the chearfulness of their countenances . but what the secret causes of this alteration and reconciliation between extremity and moderation w●…re , is too deep a mystery for hesychius pamphilus to penetrate . only i sh●…ll relate to you , what were the several conjectures of several persons , who would , as they pleased , assign their several apprehensions , which might produce this happy effect . first , this is not to be concealed , that the inhabitants of felici●…na are a people above any in all the world beside , next to the word of god , given much to the observation of divine providences ; and they h●…d taken notice , that after some hard dealing with moderation , many disasters had besallen that island ( which though it were too high presumpti●… to give the reason of , yet is it but piety to take notice of ) as the apparition of some prodigious comets , which amazed the spectators , and were seen in that island ( whether one and the same , or two , or thr●…e ) for about six moneths together , followed with a sweeping 〈◊〉 , which took away an hundr●…d thousand out of the capital city ; and the ●…ame city , the y●…ar following , co●…sumed with fire , for the greatest part of it ; and during all this time , a chargeable and doubtful war with potent neighbours , consuming what lives the pestilence had spared , and what treasure had escaped the fire . dreadful and amazing judgments all . with the pious sense whereof , many of the islanders being duly affected , began to reflect upon themselves , as sometimes the patriarks did , in a day of their distress , and said , are 〈◊〉 not guilty concerning our brother , because we saw the anguish of his soul , when he besought us , and we would not hear ? others there are , that , next to the goodness of god , ascribe it principally to the native and large-hearted clemency and prudence of the prince ; who having observed how patient and silent moderation had been under her tryals ; and moreover , when some unqui●…t spirits had been formerly stirring at home ; and during the time of that war , that was then afoot with the neighbours abroad , extremity it self could not find the least defection in moderation from her wonted constant fidelity . thereupon the prudent prince said to his people , as formerly another prince had said to his , concerning the family of jacob , behold , these men are quiet and peaceable , let them dwell in the land , and trade t●…erein ; behold , the land is large enough , let us make marriages with them , and take their daughters in marriage with our sons . others again said , it was no more but this ; the good hour was come , wherein god would bring moderation out of her troubles , as he had done joseph , who had lyen in disgrace under some foul accusations , till the time that his word came , the word of the lord had tryed him ; then the king sent and loosed ●…im , the ruler of the people , and let him go free : and the rather , because he had been ●…formed by some about him , that he had skill in opening divine revelations , and might be of great use in preventing a ( spiritual ) famine . others again , that it had been with the daughter now , as it was with her father hyperzelotes , both in his first and last : time and immediate inspiration from god , had wrought this 〈◊〉 change in him ; who , after his intemperate zeal spent against mode●…ation , became now her great friend , patron and advocate , and then the most glorious champion for truth , piety and charity that ●…ver was , and a most emin●…nt instrument of good to the universal church ; after which , it is observed by a sacred pen , then had the churches rest in all judea , 〈◊〉 and galil●…e , ●…nd ●…re edified ▪ and , walking in the fear of the lord , and in the comforts of the holy ghost , were multiplyed . and in all the churches , where tidings came of this blessed change , they glorified god in him . the like was now done in all feliciana . howsoever it was , and whatsoever may be thought the cause , it becomes not pamphilus to determine ; but all remembred , what a blessed , peace-making , and greatuniting-monarch of a famous island , had given for his motto upon his coin , a domino factum est illud , & est mirabile in oculis nostris : this was the lords doing , and it is marvelous in our eyes : who h●…d united kingdoms , formerly divided , and at enmity ; and said , the like had befallen them ; and therefore desired god might 〈◊〉 the whole glory and praise ascribed to him . only this is certain , nothing could have b●…n done more to the general satisfaction of the sober sort of men in the island , to r●…ise up their hearts in the highest praise o●… god , and to the greatest measu●… of thankfulness to so graci●…us a●…d prudent a prince , and to the cementing of christian love and mutual good affection all the island over only disobedience was much dis●…ontented ; and looking seorn●…ully ou●… at a window ( as m●…chal o●…e , when all is●…ael were in their highest joy at a great festival ) and shook her head : ) so that isr●…el of old did not more rejoyce , when the king had brought the ark out of a private house into publick again , and appointed it a fixed station ; or when the son of the same king had newly dedicated the holy temple ; it being set down in their sacred stories , that both these princes blessed their people , and th●…y were again blessed by their people : and the conclusion of the story of the lat●…er was this ; after his devotions ended , he sent away the people , and they blessed the king , and went into their tents , joyful and glad in heart , for all the goodness the lord had done for david his servant , and for israel his people . chap. xv. what became of disobedience and her children , they being quelled and reduced , what a happy world followed , according to an old prophecy . now , when we shall have dispatch●…d disobedie●…ce out of th●… way , our work is at an end ; we shall ther●…fore tell you what b●…came of her , now th●…re was no other enemy to be 〈◊〉 ; and would we could say , she came to the like good end extremi●…y made : but it was 〈◊〉 likely . — she was not of like temper and spirit as extremity was , ever to be touched with any sense of honour or conscience . extremity was of a generous spirit , and noble education , and ever bare a true love to her country ; only too too passionate . disobedienc●… , on the other side , was of a dogged , surly and unquiet spirit ; nothing could pl●…ase her , neither could she well tell what she would have , only fretted at the times , and her own private condition . but now those great famili●…s of extremity and moderation being united and allyed , there was no fear of any considerable disturbance disobedience could make . and to make sure , and timely to pr●…vent any mischief that any of the children of disobedi●…nce could hatch or devise , extremity and moderation's friends agreed , with their united forces to fall upon them : and they being within a short time after up in rebellion , it was the lot of a party of extremities forces to give the first charge , who scattered the body , and took some of the chief heads , and made them examples ; and moderation's , with their party , took some others : and both agreed , to the terror of the rest , to send them bound to their father absalom's oak , drawn backward in his chariot by his mule , whom when she carried thither , and had left them safe hanging by the head , between heaven and earth , upon a three-forked branch ( the wood devoured more that day then the sword ) the lightened beast went away from under them , leaving them hanging . some of the rest that were taken stragling , were made to go on pilgrimage a foot to the oak of reformation , a tree which had formerly done good service o●… like occasion in the dayes of their fore-fathers : and because this tree was somewhat higher then the former , they were fain to climb or else to be lifted up to it , an●… 〈◊〉 after , the kind earth , ●…o 〈◊〉 the world of them , opened , and they were swallowed up wi●…h the congregation of abiram . the heads being taken off thus , the rest submitted , and f●…ll to hard labour ; all save a f●…w desperate ones , who seeing they could do no more good on it ( others call it mischief and wickedness ) fled the island : only some ( too many of them too ) of the latter brood of disobedience , the hectors and t●…ries , the drunkards , whoremongers , and other vicious persons , remained sculking in corners , and har●…oured in wicked houses , who●… it is hoped , the good and wholesome laws of the island ( for there are no better any where ) and due execution of them , may , in time , reduce from the evil wayes of their mother disobedience ; then no nation in the world more happy , and may well be called feliciana , or elisiana for ever . but already all s●…orms were scattered , and an happy calm followed , and there seemed to be a new world : the island was settled , armies disbanded , every man sate under his own vine and fig-tree , eating , drink●…ng and making merry , as in the older world , or in the halcyon and golden dayes of solomon's reign , rejoycing , that mercy and truth , righteousness and peace , extremi●…y and moderation , had kissed each other : and the primitive times did seem to be returned , wherein they did eat their meat with gladn●…ss and sing●…eness of heart , praising god , and having favour with all the people , and the lord added to his church dayly such as should be saved . and all good men prayed , long may extremity and moderation be friends , or rather , no more extremity , but alwayes moderation . and then many could remember , there ha●… been an old prophecy , which their fathers had told them ( foretold many a day agone by a holy man ) which was now fulfilled , and was to this effect . moderation shall revive , extremity shall cease , disob●…dience stoop to reason , all end in peace . the envy of ephraim shall cease ; ephraim shall not envy judah , no●… judah vex ephraim . te duce , siqua manent sceleris vestigia nostri , irrita perpetua solvent formidine ●…erras . virgil. glory to god in the highest , on earth peace , and good will amongst men. moderations rec●…ipt , ( taught her b●… her aunt experience ; ) soveraign to cure any distempers i●…●…he church , especially in●…ard in the bowels ▪ as ●…lso of excelle●…t vert●…e against a rupture . blest soul ! she taught how to secure the church . 't will do , if put in ure . a pound of piety she singles , as much of charity then mingles : zeal bruis'd with knowledge next she takes , ( two pugils a rare compound makes ) then tops of prudence , and the pith of elder faith ; stale truth , therewith a good handful of humility , some mild forbearance , unity in matters mayn ; opinions new , leaves , roots and stalks away she threw ; and to make sure it shall digest , loyalty sweetens all the rest . the outlandish names in this discourse englished . abaddon , and apollyon , names given in scripture to satan , signifie a destroyer . agathophilus , a lover of goodness or good men. anaideia , impudence . asotos , a prodigal or riotous person . avernus , a lake put for hell. blandula , a fair spoken woman , or a flatterer . ben-hagios , an holy son. bar-jonah , the son of the dove . crapula , drunkenness , or excess . circe , a witch , whose cups turned men into swine . donna olympia , a roman lady , who lately managed all affairs for the pope , at the court at rome . donna spatulosa , a lascivious lady . dolosus , subtle , or crafty . eulaleia , a well-spoken woman . eudorla , comeliness , or making a fair shew . eupolemus , a good warriour . eusebius , a godly person . eutrapeleia , jesting , or merriment . feliciana , an happy island . gelasius , one given to laughter . hyperphiladelphotus , one exceeding loving to the brethren . hyperzelotes , excessively zealous . misoponos , one that hates labour and pains . phantasia , pomp , or gallantry . philautos , one that loves himself . philallelos , one that loveth others . philedonos , a lover of pleasure . philodemus , a lover of the people . philodike , a lover of justice . philotheos , a lover of god. porne , a harlot . probation , tryal . temerarius , rash , or venturous . finis . the psalmes of david the king and prophet and of other holy prophets, paraphas'd [sic] in english: conferred with the hebrew veritie, set forth by b. arias montanus, together with the latine, greek septuagint, and chaldee paraphrase. by r.b. bible. o.t. psalms. english. brathwait. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the psalmes of david the king and prophet and of other holy prophets, paraphas'd [sic] in english: conferred with the hebrew veritie, set forth by b. arias montanus, together with the latine, greek septuagint, and chaldee paraphrase. by r.b. bible. o.t. psalms. english. brathwait. brathwaite, richard, ?- . marshall, william, fl. - , engraver. [ ], , [ ] p. printed by robert young, for francis constable, and are to be sold at his shop under s. martins church neere ludgate, london : . r.b. = richard brathwait. in verse. with an additional title page, engraved, signed by w[illiam]. m[arshall].: the psalmes of dauid the kinge and of other holy prophets, paraphras'd by r.b. esq[uire]. london printed for francis constable. . the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the psalmes of david the king and prophet , and of other holy prophets , paraphas'd in english : conferred with the hebrew veritie , set forth by b. arias montanus , together with the latine , greek septuagint , and chaldee paraphrase . by r.b. london , printed by robert young , for francis constable , and are to be sold at his shop under s. martins church neere ludgate . . the authors observed in this paraphrase . apollinarius . b. arias montanus . genebrard . lorinus . buchanan . berseman . ainsworth . snegedin . m. anton flammin . with the titles of the psalmes , as they are in the originall . the first booke containeth inclusive , psalmes — second booke containeth inclusive , psalmes — third booke containeth inclusive , psalmes — fourth booke containeth inclusive , psalmes — fifth booke containeth inclusive , psalmes — added in the end out of apol●inarius one psalme , the combat of david with goliah . / selah in the five bookes repeated . times . higgajon twice , psal. . . & . . observance of the acrostich psalmes . psalme . beatus vir. blest is the man , whose walks are cleer from wicked counsells aire ; to sinners way who stands not neer , nor sits in scorners chaire . but on the law of god doth ground the life of his delight ; and in those holy precepts bound his practice day and night . and like the planted tree , that lives the rills of water neere , his fruit as duely forth he gives in season of the yeere . his leafe , shall neither times decayes , nor tempests blast suppresse ; so whatsoever he essaies , shall sort to good successe . not so , not so , the wicked race , they , like the chaffe shall thrive , which from the earths offended face the winds before them drive . therefore shall not the wicked stocke in judgement stand upright ; nor with the just the sinfull flocke their guilty heads unite . for how the just their journie lay , the lord their leader knowes : but wicked doers , with their way , destruction overthrowes . psal. . quare fremuerunt ? why doe the heathen-pow'rs , and people entertaine ; the heathens , such tumultuous rage , the people , plots so vaine ? kings of the earth conspire , and princes counsell take against the lord , against his christ , a powerfull head to make . in sunder let us breake their servile bands ( say they ) their yoke from off our neckes discharge , and cast their cords away . but hee , in heaven above that sits , and sees their pride , shall laugh their vanities to scorne , the lord shall them deride . to them then shall he speake , in his resistlesse ire ; and their affrighted soules shall feele his furie burne like fire . yet , mine annointed king upon mine holy hill , upon mount zion have i set . i shall declare the will , of which decree the lord hath given the charge to mee : and said , thou art my sonne , this day have i begotten thee . aske , i to thee will give the heathens world of ground for thine inheritance , possesse as farre as earth hath bound . thou with an iron rod shalt stripe their stubborne hides ; or , like a potters brittle shards , in pieces dash their sides . now then , o kings , be wise , and ye that judge the land , be well instructed what ye judge , judge what ye understand . serve ye the lord in feare , in feare and joy betwixt ; a joyfull feare , a trembling joy , delight and dutie mixt . embrace and kisse the sonne , lest through your cold delay , his wroth contemning your contempt , ye perish in the way . if but a little while his anger'd patience burne ; for safety they that hope in him , have all a happy turne . psal. . domine , quid . psalmus david . cùm fugeret à facie absalom , filii sui . how many my distressers , lord , what mighty enemies : against one harmlesse head of mine how many heads arise ? a multitude say of my soule , so helplesse left alone , himselfe he cannot help , in god for him there health is none . selah but thou my shield about me , lord , dost for my glory stand ; the sole up-lifter of my head is thy almighty hand . up to the lord i strain'd my voice , and cri'd , that he might heare ; and he out of his holy mount to my complaint gave eare . selah i laid me downe and slept ; from sleep refresht i rose againe : my sleep was sound , my guard was safe , the lord did me sustaine . beleaguer'd with ten thousand strong in armes , about me laid ; and malice equall to their might , i would not be affraid . rise up , lord , save me , o my god , for thy revengefull stroke of all my wicked foes the jawes and ranck'rous teeth hath broke . salvation is of thee , o lord , from thee the blessing flowes , which on thy chosen peoples heads thy bounteous hand bestowes . selah psal. . cùm invocarem . ad praestantem in neghinoth : psalmus david . to thee , o god , my righteousnesse , let my complaint repaire : thou hast enlarg'd mee from distresse , in mercie heare my praier . my glorie ( sonnes of man ) to shame how long will ye apply ? your love shall vanitie enflame , your labour seeke a lye . selah but know , that of his gracious saint the lord makes wondrous choice ; and when to him i make my plaint , the lord will heare my voice . be angry : but from sinne refraine , soule , with a silent zeale : selah thy selfe upon thy bed arraigne , and to thy selfe reveale . the sacrifices ye present , let justice sacrifice ; and let your hope be confident , that on the lord relies . of good ( say many ) is there none will shew us any sight ? on us , lord ( all our good in one ) lift up thy faces light . pure joy into this heart of mine so shalt thou give me , more than theirs , that of their corne and wine in harvest heap up store . my head then downe will i both lay , and sleep in peaces cell : for thou alone , o lord , my stay , in safetie mak'st me dwell . psal. . verba mea . ad praestantem , super nehiloth . psalmus david . unto my words , o lord , give eare , weigh well my wordlesse thought : o let my crie , where thou maist heare , my king , my god , be brought . thou , lord , shalt ( early ) heare my voice , to thee my praier shall flie : and of the rising morne make choice to heaven to raise mine eie . for thou art god , in wickednesse that takest no delight : the evill shall have no accesse , nor sojourne in thy sight . vain-glorious fooles before thine eyes take sooting never shall : thou hatest of iniquities the painfull workers all . the lying tongue shalt thou defeat with utter overthrow : the man of bloud● , and pale deceit , the lord abhorres to know . but in thy mercies much regard , thy house will i draw neere ; and to thy holy temple-ward , doe worship in thy feare . lord , lead me in thy justice right : and , lest i step astray , because of my maligners , straight before me make thy way . for in h●s mouth , no truth sincere , their inwards , deeps of woe : their throat , an open sepulchre ; tongues smoothly taught to goe . judge them , o god , and let their fall , their guilty counsells tell : rout them with their transgressions all , against thee that rebell . so shall they ( aye ) that trust in thee , shout all with joyfull voice ; and thy names-lovers , they that be , for covering them , rejoyce ▪ for thou , o lord , thy blessing downe upon the just shalt yeeld ; and with thy gracious favour crowne his head , as with a shield . psal. . domine , ne in furore . ad praestantem , in neghinoth , super octavam . psalmus david . my faults , let no reproofe of thine , lord , in thy wrath repeat ; nor chastise any crime of mine in thy displeasures heat . have mercy , lord ; for i am weake , lord , heale me : else in vaine my bone● , with horrour shook , shall speake the language of my paine . my soule is also troubled sore ; and though my pangs be strong , my soule-sicke sorrow paines me more , but thou , o lord , how long ! returne , o lord , and at thy cost my soules deliverance cleere : o save my life , that am but lost , but for thy mercie meere . for none in death remembrance have upon thy name to dwell : and who so thankfull in the grave , as of thy praise to tell ? the languor that my groanes have bred , my melting spirits out-weares : to swimme all night i make my bed , and drowne my couch in teares . mine eye gnawne out with anguish dies , my beautie to behold , ( because of all mine enemies ) growne wanne , and waxen old . from mee , ye wicked doers all , with all your deeds forbeare : the lord hath heard my voices call , my teares have touch't his eare . the lord hath heard how i complain'd , and with my praier is pleas'd ; my suit the lord hath entertain'd , my painfull suffrings eas'd . shame and confusion out of hand on all my haters light : and on their backes entrench the brand of their reproachfull flight . psal. . domine dem. shiggajon david , qui cecinit domino , super verba chus , filii iemini . my confidence doe i repose o lord my god in thee : from all my persecuting foes save and deliver mee . lest like a lion he devoure , and ( no redeemer neere to rescue me that hath the power ) my soule in pieces teare . o lord my god , if i have done this crime that they object ; or wickednesse if any one my guilty palmes infect . if evill i to him have paid , that was with mee at peace : ( yea , him that causlesse me betrai'd i freely did release : ) let then my foe pursue , and take my soule to sate his lust ; tread downe my life on earth ; and make my glorie dwell in dust . selah rise up lord in thy wrath , up rise , for my distressors rage ; command thy judgement to surprize , or their proud heat asswage . so shall the peoples many a one in flockes about thee flie : for their sakes to thy powerfull throne returne thy selfe on hie . the lord shall judge the peoples right , judge lord of my desert , how just my hands are in thy sight , and how sincere my heart . of wicked men the malice bound , the just establisht keep : for thou of hearts and reines dost sound ( just god ) the deepest deep . my shield on god their saviour , that are in heart upright : just judge is god ; gods angry power threats every day to light . for him that turnes not ; to repent whom no remorse will bring , his sword he whets , his bow stands bent , his arrowes on the string . and them for him he hath prepar'd , ( dire instruments of death : ) among the persecutors shar'd , to stop their fierie breath . behold his wombe with mischiefe swells , with sorrow breeds he sin : now brought to bed , of nothing else but of a lie , lies-in . he digg'd a pit with painfull care , to delve it deep withall : where ( others earning to ensnare ) himselfe into did fall . his mischiefe on his head shall light , that mischiefe first did frame : on his owne pate shall spend his spight , the forge from whence it came . confesse unto the lord will i , so just in all his waies ; and of the lord , that is most-hie , the name my song shall praise . psal. . domine , dominus . ad praestantem , super gittith , psalmus david . o lord , our lord , the earth about how glorious is thy name ; which hast thy majestie given out above the heavens high frame ? strength from the mouth of babes to goe , from sucklings tender age , thou foundedst , to confound the foe , and still th' avengers rage . as oft as on thy heav'ns i looke , worke of thy fingers rote ; the moon , the starres , ( heav'ns musick-book ) by thee in volumes wrote ; what is fraile man , o say i now , remembred thus by thee ? or what is adams sonne , that thou his visitor shouldst be ? a little hast thou rank't beneath the angels crest his crowne : his head empal'd within a wreathe of glorie and renowne . a soveraigne hast thou set him , meet thy handy-workes to sway ; and all things underneath his feet made usefull to obey . sheep , oxen , all the beasts that field or desert-soile containe : fowle , fish , that aire or salt-sea yeeld , whose pathes are in the maine . o lord , our lord , how excellent throughout this earthly frame ! how boundlesse is the beames extent of thy resplendent name ! psal. . confit●bor tibi . ●d praestantem , super muth-labben . psal. david . to render thankes to thee , o lord , my heart is wholly bent ; of all thy marvells to record , my tongue the instrument . i will be glad , i will rejoyce in thee with melodie : and to thy name sing numbers choice , o thou that art most-hie . when backward fled , mine enemies were hard pursu'd in chace ; they stumbled , never more to rise , but perish from thy face . for thou my judgements doome hast done , or else my right had fail'd : thou satest judge upon the throne , where justice hath prevail'd . the heathen routs hast thou reprov'd , the wicked one destroi'd ; from men among , their name remov'd , for evermore maid void . my foe , see desolations done , the cities raz'd to ground : with them is their memoriall gone , and in their dust lies drown'd . but soveraigne on his throne declar'd the lord shall ever sit ; which for himselfe he hath prepar'd , and made for judgement fit . and he with justice will proceed to judge the world so wide ; and of his peoples every deed with righteous doome decide . the lord to him that is opprest will be a refuge high : a refuge high , the poore distrest when times of trouble trie . and they that know thy name , alone their trust on thee will ground : for thou art , lord , forsaking none of them that seeke thee , found . sing to the lord on sion mount , whose pleasure is to dwell : with praise his deeds of high account among the peoples tell . for when the quest of his assise for blouds inquirie makes : ●nmindfull he the meeke that cries forgets not , nor forsakes . my suffrings , lord , in mercie see , through mine oppressors hates ; ●f death , o thou the onely he , that lifts me from the gates . that all thy praises i may spread in sions daughters ports ; ●nd in thy saving health be glad , in all my songs reports . the heath'n are sunke downe in the pit , which they themselves prepar'd : ●●t secret net which they did fit , their foot hath fast ensnar'd . his judgement done , the lord is knowne to execute aright : caught in the handy-workes his owne , mark well the wicked wight . higgajon . sel. the wicked shall returne to hell , where their abode is set : ●re heath'ns , & heav'ns-contemners dwell , and all that god forget . for alwaies shall not be forgot the grievance of the poore ; of needy soules the hopes shall not be lost for evermore . rise , lord , let none of mortall race prevaile against thy hand ; but let the heath'ns before thy face , to heare their judgement stand . dismaying-feare upon them throw , that lord , confounded then , the haughty-hearted heath'ns may know , they be but wretched men . sela● . psal. . ut quid domine . why standst thou , lord , so farre aside , when dangers draw so neere ? thy helpfull face why dost thou hide , when troublous times appeare ? the wicked in his heat of pride pursues the heart-lesse poore : in those selfe-toiles let them be ti'd , by them contriv'd before . the wicked boasts his soules desires beyond his wisht successe : the covetous , what he admires , blasphemes the lord to blesse . on god ( so proud the wicked is ) he takes no care to call : nor god in any plot of his hath any place at all . his travell all times well succeeds , thy judgements , where he goes , above his sight he never heeds , but puffes at all his foes . for in his hearts consent , he said , ' mov'd shall i never be . ●n me shall evill none be laid , my fall no age shall see . his mouth is full with curses arm'd , deceit and guile among : ●niquitie and mischiefe swarm'd , hive underneath his tongue . in villages to stands he gets , there close in ambush lies : the innocent and poore besets , and murthers when he spies . in secret , he from sight of men lies waiting , neere the way ; ●nd lion-like lurkes in his den , to snatch the poore for prey . the poore into his net he drawes , till he hath caught him thrall ; ●toops low , into his powerfull pawes that poore by flockes may fall . in heart he saies ( tongue durst not say ) " all this hath god forgot ; or heedlesse hides his face away for ever , sees it not . arise , lord god , lift up thy hand for them , that help implore , without thy strength too weake to stand , be mindfull of the poore . why hath the wicked heart a tongue , though words for feare retire ; ●o speake in spitefull thoughts ? " this wrong thou god wilt not enquire . thou seest , for wrong and wickednesse , thine eye and hand perceive : ●●dresse , the poore and fatherlesse to thee their helper leave . of wicked and malicious men br●ake thou the harmfull arme : seeke out his wickednesse , and then find neither arme nor harme . the lord is king and governour , for ever and beyond : the heath'n opposers of his power are perisht from the land . the meek-afflicted soules desire thou lord art pleas'd to heare ; their heart confirm'd dost thou inspire , attentive mak'st thine eare . to judge the pupill and the poore , that sorry man may find his daunting threats to be no more but earth , and empty wind . psal. . in domino . ad praestantem , davidis . my trust doth on the lord relie , how say ye to my soule , soule , to thy mountaines safetie flie , as swift as feathred fowle ? for loe , the wicked bend their bow , on string their arrow fit , a shoot in darknesse to bestow , the upright heart to hit . when wicked plots are over-past , that stedfast ground have none : when their foundations downe are cast , the just , what hath he done ? the lord from holy place above , the lord from heav'n his throne , his eyes will view , his eye-lids prove how adams sonnes have gone . the just and wicked ones estate the lord will prove and trie : but selfe hate soules his soule doth hate , that love malignitie . upon the wicked will he showre snares , fire , and brimstone downe : and breath of burning tempest powre , their cup this lot shall crowne . for just the lord , and just designes are lovely in his sight ; his face discerns , and right defines of men and meanes upright . psal. . salvum me fac . ad praestantem , super octavam . psalmus david . save , lord , for godly men are gone , and goodnesse none that mind : of adams sonne a faithfull one example rare to find . with faign'd discourse , and fawning style , each one his neighbour holds : but of his flatt'ring lips , the guile in heart and heart he molds . all flatt'ring lips , of fraud the traine the lord cut off betimes ; and tongue that strikes no lower straine , but lofty language chimes . our tongue ( say they ) shall sure prevaile , these lips of ours must walke ; our lips their masters must not faile : what lord shall taxe our talke ? now for the needy soules reprize , and poore mans groaning cares , up will i , saith the lord , arise , and save him from these snares . thy words , o lord , are words as pure as silver seven times tri'd in test of ashes , by the cure of fire repuirifi'd . thou shalt , o lord , preserve the flocke of thy selected sheep ; and ever from this wicked stocke the soule that serves thee keep . the wicked compasse every coast , their quarter keeps no bounds : while adams 〈◊〉 are valew'd most , where vilenesse most abounds . psal. . usque quò domine ? ad praestantem . psalmus david . how long , lord , wilt thou me forget ? for ever shall it be ? how long , no eye upon mee set , but hide thy face from me ? how long shall i in soule advise , and daily vexe my heart ? how long , my foes above me rise , against me that take part ? behold , o lord my god , and heare from clouds of darknesse deep : with thy pure light mine eye-sight cleare , lest in the death i sleep . against me , lest to have prevail'd , my foe give out the voice : for when my feeble foot hath fail'd , my troublers will rejoyce . my trust yet on thy mercie staies , thy saving health shall be my joy of heart , my song shall praise thy bounty , lord , to mee . psal. . dixit insipiens . ad praestantem , davidis . there is no god , the fooles heart sayes in his ungodly mood . corrupt and odious are their wayes : none , no not one does good . the lord look't downe from heaven , to see what adams sonnes desir'd : of understanding , who was hee , that after god enquir'd . together all departed are , all loathsome-sented grow'n ▪ of doing good that hath the care , or conscience none , not one . are wicked workers all mis-led ? so ignorant are all ? that eate my people up like bread , on god they never call . there did their feare confesse distrust , whose guilt they could not hide ; ●he generation of the just hath god to be their guide . the counsells of the poore , to blame your blame-full counsells rend : ●nd ( shamelesse ) of his hopes , speake shame , that on the lord depend . salvation who to israel shall out of sion give , when they that now in bondage dwell , no longer captives live . when home-return'd the lord shall bring the people of his choice , o then for joy shall jacob sing , and israel rejoyce . isti tres versus non sunt in textu hebraeo , graeco , chaldaeo , vel in carmine apollinarii . in bibl●● emendatis relicti sunt , ob antiquetatis venerationem : sed absque arithmetica notae , qua ut proprii distinctique hajus psalmi versus habeantur . a paulo recitantur hoc ordine . their throat an open sepulchre , the forge of fraud their tongue : their lips more deadly poyson beare , than where the aspe hath stung . their mouth of cursing is a spring , of bitternesse a floud : their feet as fowle of prey on wing are swift in shedding bloud ▪ their waies are for vexation made , and to destruction load : the way of peace is not their trade , nor know they how to tread . which knowing not , needs must they fall , where endlesse horrour lies , of god that have no sense at all , no feare before their eies . psal. . domine , quis ? psalmus davidis . who , lord , shall sojourne in thy tent ? inhabit who thy holy hill ? who perfect walkes , is working still the workes of justice to fulfill ; in heart means truth ; truth speakes as ment . whose tongue to slander cannot frame , doth to his friend no evill thing , nor gives nor takes reproaches sting , from mischiefes venom'd mouth to fling , against his neighbours honest name . whose eye ( all kind respect forgot ) holds in contempt a person vile ; but rankes them high in honours file , to feare the lord , that set their while : sweares to his hurt , and changeth not . gives not to biting usurie , for sordid gaine , his silver lent , sells not for bribe the innocent ; to do these things whose mind stands bent , shall stand unmov'd eternally . psal. . conserva me . michtam davidis . on thee my safeties hope is staid o god , preserve thou me : thou lord , my lord ( my soule hath said ) my good is not to thee . upon the saints on earth that dwell , soules gracious in thy sight : soules , that in serving god excell , set is my sole delight . their sorrowes shall be multipli'd , that after off-gods runne ; that other god have deifi'd , and left thy dues undone . of bloud the offerings they propine , i will not once partake , nor of their names these lips of mine shall ever mention make . the lord is of mine heritage the portion , of my cup the over-flowing beverage ; my lot thou holdest up . within a faire and pleasant land , the lines for mee are laid : a goodly heritage in hand , i hold to mee convai'd . thankes to the lord will i returne for his advertisement , whose fire within my reines doth burne , with mighty chastisement . the lord before mee alwaies set my object un-reprov'd ; on my right hand so him i get , i shall not be remov'd . my heart therefore thus heartned , sung for joy within my brest : glad was the glory of my tongue , " my flesh in hope shall rest . nor wilt thou leave my soule in hell , nor give thy holy one , where death , and shades of darknesse dwell , to see corruption . the path of life thou mak'st mee know , full joyes before thy face : from whence perpetuall pleasures flow , thy right hand is the place . psal. . ex●udi , domine . oratio davidis . heare justice , lord , exactly heed what my loud cries entreat ; attend my praier , that doth proceed from lips without deceit . my judgement from before thy face let come in open sight : let thy pure eies discerne my case , and give the rights their right . my heart by night thy search did sound , yet nothing didst thou find that with my mouth i did propound , to sinne against my mind . by workes , that earthly man concerne , i find what course they runne : by thy lips word , the pathes i learne of breakers-through to shunne . beat thou my waies , and make them plaine , my feeble steps fore-guide ; my feet within thy pathes containe , my footing shall not slide . on thee i call , thou god wilt heare , and answer mee againe : ●o my request incline thine eare , attend how i complaine . thy wondrous mercies set apart , from thy insulting foes , saviour of them , whose hope thou art , that thy right hand oppose . o keep me as those chrystall globes , the eyes black darling keep , and spread thy wings wide covering robes , where shadow'd i may sleep . my head from wicked faces hide , the heads of my decay , that compasse me on every side , to make my soule their prey . enclos'd in their owne sat , they smoake with surfeits doubtfull sweat ; and with their mouth have proudly spoke their haughty hearts conceit . to snare our footsteps , in our walkes they now beset us round , with eyes ( as treason closely stalkes ) to undermine our ground . his likenesse is a lion bold , that greedy is to teare ; so keeps the lions whelp his hold , that lurkes in secret where . rise , lord , prevent his sharp fore-sights , to stop my foe begin ; and with thy sword , wherewith he fights , my soules deliverance win . from men , the scourge lord of thy hand , from mortall-worldlings will ; upon this life , whose portions stand , whose gorge thy treasures fill ! sonnes have they store ; and of their store , when death shall them bereave : then ( all too much ) what they have more , they to their children leave . now of thy face a view to take , shall justice be my guide : in mee when shall thine image wake , i shall be satisfi'd . psal. . diligam te , domine . ad praestantem . servi domini davidis , qui loquutus est domino verba cantici huju● , in die quo eripuit cum dominus de volâ omnium inimicorum suorum , & de manu saul : et di●i● , o lord , whose strength in mee doth move , and all my strength beget , the strong impression of my love on thee is wholly set . the lord my rocke , whereon to build , my fort , my saviour : my god , my hopes strong hold , my shield , horne of my health , my towre . upon the praised lord i call'd , to him for help i prai'd ; mee from my foes he dis-enthrall'd , and gave mee saving aide . of death the sorrowes succourlesse were round about mee laid ; of over-bearing wickednesse the flouds made me affraid . the cords of hell about mee bent , on every side tooke hold ; the snares of death did mee prevent , that i could not unfold . opprest , the lord my god i prest , he from his palace heares ; before him came my loud request , and entred at his eares . then shook the trembling earth for feare , the hills foundations mov'd : and at his presence troubled were , because his wroth reprov'd . a storme of smoake before him came , which from his nostrils fum'd ; and fire out of his mouth did flame , that where it came , consum'd . he bow'd the heav'ns , and made his throne with earth his foot-stoole meet : beneath the dreadfull light that shone , lay darknesse at his feet . a cherub-chariot did him beare , whose plumes he made his saile ; the winds his winged-coursers were , and darknesse was his vaile . darke his pavillion , darke the skie , darke waters , duskie clouds , compose an aërie canopie , wherein himselfe he shrowds . the brightnesse of his presence tooke the melting clouds in chace ; with haile and coales hot-burning strooke , they fled before his face . the lord from heav'n in thunder spoke ; his voice that is most-hie , with stormes of haile made earth to smoake , and coales of fire to flie . his sheafs of arrowes forth he sent , which at the scatt'red , flew : of lightning-shot his vollies spent , downe his resisters threw . the channels of the maine appeare , the worlds foundations vast , at thy rebuke discovered were , lord , at thy nostrils blast . he sent his hand from heav'n above , to bay the waves that flew ; he tooke mee , and from out the drove of many waters drew . he freed mee from my strongest foe , to whom my strength was small : and from my mighty haters , moe than i could match withall . when i with woe was over-gone , they mee fore-laid that day ; but mee , then helper having none , the lord my staffe did stay . where i was bound he brought mee forth enlarg'd , and set mee free : for ( of mine owne ) none other worth , but his delight in mee . according as my justice stands , the lord did mee reward ; and to the purenesse of my hands , my recompence he shar'd . because what waies the lord did goe , therein my feet have trod ; and have not , as the wicked doe , departed from my god. for all his judgements in my sight , my guides before mee lay ; and from mee his decrees upright , i did not turne away . so thus with him was i sincere , and held integritie ; restrain'd my selfe with hand severe , from mine iniquitie . just therefore , as my justice stands , the lord to mee supplies : rewards the purenesse of my hands in his pure-sighted eies . thou to the mercifull wilt shew how mercifull thou art : thy strong perfections make him know that is of perfect heare . so with the pure to be as pure , thy selfe thou wilt reveale ; and with the froward wilt be sure as frowardly to deale . thus wilt thou save from overthrow poore peoples miserie ; and strike the eyes of pride as low , as they have look't too hie . my candle thou shalt surely light ; this darksome night of mine , the lord my god shall make as bright as lightsome day to shine . by thee have i dismai'd an host , and broken through them all ; and by my god , where danger most might skare mee , scal'd the wall . the way of god is perfect ground , the word of jah is tri'd ; to all a shield of safetie found , whose hopes on him reside . for who is god , the lord except ! who is a rocke of might ! say ( ye that have to idols crept ) and give our god his right . the god that girdeth mee with strength , is he that is my stay ; and he through all my journles length , that perfect gives my way . he makes my feet as swift as hinds , to follow , or to flie : he makes me stand , as ●it he finds , upon my places hie . my hands to warre he doth frequent , and weapons learnes to feele : these armes of mine to bend , and bent , to breake a bow of steele . on me the shield of saving health thou hast vouchsaf'd to ●eat : thy right hand hath upheld my wealth , thy meeknesse made mee great . beneath my feet thou didst enlarge my pathes on every side : and of my footsteps took'st such charge , my ankles should not slide . mine enemies have i pursu'd , and overtooke in flight , and not return'd , till i subdu'd , and ruin'd them outright . with wounds i stunn'd them in such wise , that now to stand unmeet : nor ever able more to rise , they fell beneath my feet . for thou with strength hast girt my ●●de , in battell to oppose , and under foot to tread their pride , against mee that uprose . thou , of my foes to mee hast brought the neckes , that under yoke i might cut off , and bring to nought my haters at a stroke . in their distresse for help they cri'd , but none there was to save : even to the lord , but none repli'd , and he no answer gave . small as the dust before the wind them did i peace-meale beate ; and them like out-cast rubbish grinde , that strewes the myrie street . from people with contentions fed thou hast delivered me ; and of the heath'ns hast made me head , by strangers serv'd to be . to mee , at hearing of the eare , obedient shall they sit : and to my power , dissembling feare , the forraigne shall submit . the strangers sonnes shall shrinke away , their falsers hearts shall faile ; and in their holds affraid to stay , their closets make their jaile . let live the lord , my rocke be blest , he that my head did raise , the god in whom my health doth rest , exalted be with praise . my praise of god the powerfull sings , avenger of my wrongs ; that under my subjection brings the headlesse peoples throngs . he from my foes in safetie led , and left mee free to stand ; above my rivals rais'd my head , rid from the tyrants hand . to thee therefore will i give thanks , o lord , and praises frame , among the heathens thickest rankes , to sing unto thy name . his kings salvations great , he makes for ever to succeed ; on his annointed mercie takes , on david and his seed . psal. . coeli enarrant . victori , psalmus david . the glorie of the god of heaven , the heav'ns of god declare : the firmament firme proofe hath given , his handy-worke they are . day unto day delivereth speech in times alternate lines ; and night to night doth knowledge teach , whose light in darknesse shines . no speech , no language like their owne , to make their meaning found : their voicelesse voice all eares have knowne , all heard their soundlesse sound . through all the earth their line is runne , their words the world about : a tabernacle for the sunne in them hath he set out . which , like a bride groome , brightly clad , leaves his retiring place ; and giant-like , with gesture glad , sets forth to runne his race . his beames from heavens , each signe & syde their oblique round repeat ; and none there is himselfe can hide from his life-breathing heat . much more the law of jah is pure , the soule re-purifies of jah the testimonie sure , and makes the simple wise . the statutes of the lord upright , the heart with joy suffice : the lords commandment pure , gives light to soule-dark-sighted eies . the reverend feare of jah from staine stands chaste , and cleane for ever : of jah the judgements truth containe , just are they altogether . to be desired more than gold , than much fine gold they are : no honey-drops the combe can hold , for sweetnesse may compare . moreoever , is thy servant taught by their admonishing , observing them , but as they ought , how much reward they bring . his errours who so wisely heeds , to understand them all ? o cleanse mee from my close misdeeds , my secret faults let fall . and let thy servants pride-swolne sinnes get no predominance : thus innocence perfection wins , made cleane from much offence . what i by word of mouth record , or meditate in mind : my rocke and my redeemer , lord , with thee let favour find . psal. . exaudiat te dominus . ad praestantem , psalmus davidis . the day that troubles thee assaile , the lord to thee replie : the name of jacobs god prevaile , to set thee up on hie . help from the sanctuary send , thy strong up-holder stand : and out of sion thee defend from thy distressors hand . remember all thine offerings past , thy sacrifices burne : his fire upon thy fatlings cast , and them to ashes turne . selah . he give to thee thy hearts desire , accomplish't at thy will : thy counsell with his spirit inspire , thy purpose all fulfill . in thy salvation will we shout , triumphant banner spread ; and of our god the name set out , " thy suits the lord bestead . now will the lord himselfe , i know , for his annointed stand : heare from his holy heavens , let flow health from his strong right hand . some men their trust in chariots frame , on horses some , to set : but of the lord our god the name we never shall forget . they fall'n are , with the earth laid even , we rais'd , stand upright all : save , lord , and heare us king of heaven , what day on thee we call . psal. . domine , in virtute . ad praestantem . psalmus davidis . lord , of thy strength with cheerfull voice , the king shall gladly tell ; and in thy saving health rejoyce , with joy that shall excell . the fulnesse of his hearts desire , to him thou hast suppli'd ; and what his lips could but require , thy love hath not deni'd . selah . with blessings dost thou him prevent , thy goodnesse to unfold : and to empale his head , hast sent a crowne of purest gold . he ask't thee lifes , and thou didst give above , before his vow ; beyond the length of daies , to live for ever , didst allow . in thy salvations sure supply great is his glorie growne : high honour , soveraigne majestie , hast thou upon him throw'n . of blessings ever-flowing streames to him thou didst impart ; and with thy countenances beames rejoyce his royall heart . for to the lord the king is nighest , by settled trust approv'd ; and through the mercie of the highest , he shall not be remov'd . for all thy foes , soever where , thy hand shall search about ; and them that hate against thee beare , thy right hand shall find out . make like a fierie oven their pow'r , what time thy face shall fume : them shall the lord in wrath devoure , the fire shall them consume . the fruit of their untimely breed , from earth thou shalt destroy , that with the sonnes of men , their seed no memorie enjoy . for mischiefe they against thee meant , with purpose to prevaile ; and evill was their slie intent , but they shall not but faile . for thou shalt set them as a butt , and backe with shame them send ; and on thy string thine arrowes put , against their faces bend . lord , in thy strength thy selfe up-raise , whose strength is all thine owne ; so shall our songs extoll thy praise , and make thy power be knowne . psal. . deus meus . victori , super cervam aurorae . psal. david . my god , my god , my strength alone , " why dost thou mee forsake ; and from my health so farre art gone , from these loud moanes i make ? my god , by day to thee i call , by day thou answerest not ▪ by night no ceasing , silence all my groanings have forgot . but thou continu'st holy still , thy holinesse doth dwell , where praises on thy holy hill are sung by israel ▪ on thee their hopes our fathers cast , and thou hast made them good : in thee they trusted , and thou hast their safe-deliverer stood . to thee they cri'd , and at their cry by thee delivered were : in thee they trusted stedfastly , and no reproach did beare . but i , a wretched worme , forlorne , a name from men exempt : of earthly men becom'n the scorne , the peoples base contempt . all they that see mee thus bestead , in mock'rie on mee play : shoot out the lip , and shake the head , and in derision say , " he to the lord did recommend his trust , to be redeem'd : let him to him deliverance send , whom his delight esteem'd . forth from the wombe thou didst me draw , where cloistred i did rest ; thou to my hopes becam'st a law upon my mothers brest . i was commended to thy hands , cut from the navils hold : thou art my god , since me in bands my mothers womb did sold. o goe not therefore farre from hence , for troubles neere mee presse : and none there is in my defence to stand for my redresse . whole heards of bullockes , hoofe and head , are round about me set : strong bulls in bashan , highly fed , to compasse mee are met . their throates tooth-weapon'd , two-leav'd doores , upon mee straine their jawes : right so the lion ramps and roares , on prey to seaze his pawes . like waters am i shed and sunk , my bones disparted all : my heart amidst my bowels shrunk , like molten waxe doth fall . dri'd like a pot-sheard is my strength , my tongue and jawes fast glew'd : and thou hast brought mee downe at length , where dust and death conclude . a wicked crew of dogges compos'd , did round about mee meet : and lion-like they me enclos'd , " they p●ere't my hands and feet . my bones i tell how many are , sharp lookes at mee they shot . my garments they among them share , and for my coat cast lot . but doe not thou farre off at need thy selfe , o lord , absent : to help me from their hands , with speed them , o my strength , prevent . my soule , whom deadly foes withstand , let not the sword devoure : redeem my dearling from the hand , whereof the dogge hath power . o from the lions mouth , now , then , my humbled head set free : from hornes of unicornes , as when thou heardst and answeredst mee . so then my brethren all among thy name will i declare ; amidst the congregations throng , to sing , thy praise prepare . o praise him , ye that feare the lord , ye seed of jacob tell his glorie ●all his feare record , ye seed of israel . for he hath not despis'd , nor loath'd the needy unsuppli'd : nor with a veile his visage cloth'd , but heard him when he cri'd . the great assemblies solemne day , my praise shall sing of thee : my vowes to him that i will pay , shall they that feare him see . the meeke shall eate , and be suffic'd , praise they to him shall give that seeke the lord ; thus exercis'd , your heart shall ever live . all coasts on earth their hearts call home , and to the lord restore ; ●nd all the nations kindreds come his presence to adore . for in the lord , the soveraigne power of royaltie remaines : ●nd he the lord and governour among the nations raignes . the fat on earth shall eate and bend , before the food of grace : ●nd all that downe to dust descend , shall bowe before his face . the potentate , the poore that eate , shall life by eating have ; with him , whose soules unquickned heat is yeelding to the grave . a seed of theirs there shall succeed , his service to embrace : which to the lord shall be decreed , and reckoned for a race . when they shall come , his righteousnesse then shall their tongues declare , to people after-borne expresse , that these his doings are . psal. . dominus regit . psalmus d●vidis . my shepheard is the lord , whose care provides mee fold and food : whose goodnesse plenteous , and to spare , supplies my want of good . in pastures green he makes mee lye , and softly lodge my side : he leads mee forth , where pleasantly the streames of stillnesse glide . he doth returne my soule againe , and for his owne names sake , conducts mee through the beaten plaine , that justice treads to make . walk't i the shady vale of death , none evill would i feare : thy rod , thy staffe , relieve my breath , for thou art with mee there . my table spread dost thou appoint in presence of my foes : my head with oile thou dost annoint , my chalice over-flowes . with goodnesse sure shall mercie give an eye to all my waies ; and in the lords house shall i live , beyond the length of daies . psal. . domini est terra . psalmus davidis . the earth , with all those mynes unfound , within her wombe that swell , is all the lords ! the worlds great round , and they that therein dwell . he founded it upon the seas , and shor'd them under ground : establish't fast the solid leas , the liquid flouds to bound . the hill of jah who shall ascend , so high to set his feet ? who in his holy place attend , for such a service meet ? he that cleane palmes , pure heart hath borne , his soule to vanitie ●th not up-lifted , hath not sworne an oath deceitfully . he from the lord on him bestow'd a blessing shall receive ; ●nd justice shall the mighty god of his salvation give . of them that seeke him , this the race , this jacobs israel : ●f them that strive to seeke thy face , this jacobs peniel . selah . lift up your heads , ye doores be rais'd , eternall gates gives way , that enter , highly to be prais'd , the king of glorie may . who is the king of glorie ? this , whose praises spread so farre ? the strong and mighty lord it is , the mighty lord of warre . lift up your heads , ye doores be rais'd , eternall gates give way , that enter , highly to be prais'd , the king of glorie may . who is the king of glorie ? this , of whom our praises sing ? the mighty lord of hosts it is , of glorie he is king. selah . psal. . ad te , domin● . davidis acrostichon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as , lord , to thee i lift my soule , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because i trust in thee , my god : let not confusion foule , nor foes insult on mee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 give not their hopes , that thee attend , to take a shamefull staine : let shame confound them that offend , and have no cause to faigne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 direct mee , lord , thy waies to know , thy pathes to mee make plaine : within thy bounds my steps bestow , and teach mee to containe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how in thy truth to tread impart , and make mee learne the way : for of my health the god thou art , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom i attend all day . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zeale of thy kind compassions mind , remember , lord , that care : thy tender mercies ma●e mee find , for they for ever are . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold , on my youthfull faults forepast , remember not to take ; of mercie mind how much thou hast , lord , for thy goodnesse sake . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lord is good and righteous ey'd , transgressors to instruct : the sinners therefore will he guide , and in their way conduct . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in judgement just to tread upright , the humble he will stay : and where they wander , wanting light , will learne the meeke his way . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continuall are the lords pathes cast in truths and mercies mold ; to such as keep his covenant fast , his testimonies hold . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lord , to thy names great power herein , let mee my pardon owe : and on the greatnesse of my sin thy greater mercie shew . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make known the man with mind entire , that feares the lord : the way that he shall choose he will inspire , and learne him how to lay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now ( goodnesse gotten to his hand ) his soule in good shall dwell : his seed inherit shall the land , that to his fathers fell . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secret that from the lord descends , doe they that feare him find : to such his covenant he commends , and makes them know his mind . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on jah-the-lord mine eies are set continually to looke : to bring my feet out of the net , whose hand hath undertooke . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prevent mee , and with gracious looke thy face on mee reflect : whom solitary , poore , forsooke , ( discomforts all ) deject . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sorrowes of my heart enlarg'd , my less'ned heart oppresse : o set mee from these toiles discharg'd , and free mee from distresse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 remorse on mine afflictions cast , regard how much i grieve : make even for all my faults fore-past , and all my sinnes forgive . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 regard my foes insatiate , what multitudes they lead , that beare a heart-infected hate against my harmlesse head . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sustaine my helplesse soule alive , and safe deliver mee ; but let not shame my fall contrive , because i trust in thee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true perfectnesse and right let dwell with mee , that wait on thee : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preserve , o god , thine israel from all his troubles free . psal. . iudica me , domine . davidis . judge mee , o lord , i walke the way that perfectnesse doth guide : my trust upon the lord i lay , and therefore shall not slide . examine , lord , what i have been , sound what i ever did : search out my reines , what there uncleane ; my heart , what there lies hid . thy mercie is before mine eyes , thy truth my walkes repeat : i sit not downe with men of lyes , nor enter with deceit . the evill doers i eschew , their synagogue i hate : nor have i with the wicked crew in their assembly sate . my hands , lord , wash't in innocence , thine altar compast round : with thankfull voice will i commence , thy wonders all to sound . the habitation of thy house have i , o lord , lov'd well : the place where thou art glorious , the house where i would dwell . o gather not my soule , to rest where sinners soules abide : and on my life lay no inquest , where men of blouds are tri'd . whose hands accomplish wicked drifts , which mischiefes head contrives ; and their right hand is full of gifts , whose bargaine brib'rie drives . of this perfection i have got , however thou esteem ; yet my perfection urge i not , in mercie mee redeeme . my foot upon so firme a ground stands stedfast and upright ; that i , o lord , thy praise will sound in great assemblies sight . psal. . dominus , illuminario . davidis . the lord my saviour is my light , of whom am i affraid ? the lord is of my life the might , by whom to be dismaid ? when wicked men with malice arm'd , my foes in furie fell , to eate my flesh , against mee swarm'd , they stumbled , and they fell . encamp't against mee , not an host should make my heart affraid ; should warlike troupes fill every coast , in this my trust is stai'd . for one suit to the lord i sue , his house for life to hold : those beauties of the lord to view ▪ his palace to behold . for his pavillion will he spread , in troublous time to hide ; and on a rocke advance my head , in secret by his side . above my foes now round about , my head shall be up-rais'd : and jah , with joy his tents throughout , in hosts and hymnes be prais'd . unto my voice , o lord , give eare , upon thee when i call : and my request in mercy heare , but answer mee withall . when , " seeke my face thou saidst to mee , with ecchoing touch of grace , my heart advertis'd , answer'd thee , " lord , i will seeke thy face . thy face from mee then doe not hide , thy seeker to defeat ; nor from thy servant turne aside , in thy displeasures heat . my succour ( not to be forgot ) thou hast been heretofore : god of my health , now leave mee not , forsake mee now no more . should mee my fathers wiser care , my mothers love forsake : though she that bare mee , mee forbare , the lord would mee up take . teach mee , o lord , thy way to tread , where thy safe conduct lies ; and in the path of rightnesse lead , from my observers eies . give mee not to my foes desire , for falshoods evidence ; with him against mee doth conspire , that breath 's out violence . as i beleev'd , so faith to mee did firme assurance give , the goodnesse of the lord to see , within their land that live . attend the lord with courage bold , be strong , and stay the end : confirme thy heart to hold thy hold , upon the lord attend . psal. . ad te domine . davidis . on thee , o lord my rocke , i call , deafe-ceasing cease to be ; lest downe the pit , like them that fall , thy silence silence me . the voice of my petitions heare , when for thy grace i cry : when to thy holy adyte neere , i lift my hands on hie . draw mee not with the wicked sort , that worke with sinfull art , that to their neighbours peace report , but malice presse in heart . pay them what they to passe have brought , the evill they devis'd : and by the workes their hands have wrought , be their reward assiz'd . because what deeds the lord hath done , his hand they will not heed : downe shall he breake them every one , and build up no such breed . blest be the lord , to whom i strain'd the voice of mine un-rest : whose gracious eare hath entertain'd , and heard my whole request . the lord my strength is , and my shield , my hearts , my hopes successe : joy to my heart , whose help doth yeeld , him shall my song confesse . the lord with strength doth still support the flocke that he enfolds ; and of salvations is the fort , that his annointed holds . o save the people of thy flocke , blesse thine inheritance ; feed them , and on thy favours rocke for ever them advance . psal. . afferte domino . psalmus davidis . give to the lord , ye men of might , ye sonnes of mighty race , give glorie to the lord , his right ; all strength to his give place . give to the lord his names renowne before his holy seat : your selves unto the lord bowe downe , his beauteous honour greet . the voice that forth on waters breakes , it is the lord that-bounds : the glorious god in thunder speakes , the lord on seas re-sounds . the lord sends forth a mighty noise , when power his power withstands : the lord gives out a soveraigne voice , when majestie commands . when lofty cedars broken lie , his voice the lord extends : of lebanon the cedars high the lord in sunder rends . he makes them like a heifer trip , proud of his velvet hornes ; so lebanon , so shirion skip , so skip young unicornes . the lords voice shoots out flames of fire , jah's voice the desert shakes : to tremble , if the lord transpire , the desert cadesh makes . jah's voice makes hinds bring forth their young , the forrest-brood makes bare : and in his temple every tongue his glorie can declare . the lord sate soveraigne , at the floud the lord for ever raignes ; for sinners judgement , for the good his mercy-seat ordaines . strength to his people , their strong rocke , the mighty lord will give : the blessing he will give his flocke , shall be in peace to live . psal. . exaltabo te , domine . psalmus cantici : dedicationis domus david . i will extoll thee , lord most-hie , so high-extoll'd by thee : that hast not left an enemie to triumph over mee . thee , lord my god , my cry besought , thou heald'st mee instantly : my soule from hell thou lord hast brought , reviv'd mee from-to-die . o ye his saints , the praises sing , that to the lord belong : before his holy presence bring a thanks-remembring song . for but the twinkling of an eie his angers moment lasts : but life on fraile mortalitie his gracious favour casts . an evening weeping may out-weare , and teares with midnight mourne : but mirth at morning will appeare , and joy with light returne . in my prosperitie i said , mov'd shall i never be . my mountaine , lord , so strongly laid , thy favour rais'd to me . thy face from me yet didst thou hide , and i was troubled soone : then lord to thee for grace i cri'd , to thee , lord , made my moane . what profit in my bloud can be , when i descend the pit ? shall dust to tender thankes to thee , or tell thy truth be fit ? heare , lord , of thee what i request , and mercy on mee take : o doe not mee that am distrest , my helper , lord , forsake . to joyfull dancing hast thou turn'd my sorrowes dolefull sound : my sack-cloth loos'd , wherein i mourn'd , with gladnesse girt mee round . that so may my uncessant tongue , ( my glory ) tune thy praise : thankes , lord , to thee my god be sung , to endlesse length of daies . psal. . in te domine speravi . ad praestantem . psalmus david . my confidence on thee i ground , sham'd let mee never be : as justice doth in thee abound , o lord , deliver me . bowe downe thine eare , i may be heard , with speed on mee reflect : my rocke of strength , my house of guard , in safety mee protect . for thou my rocke and fortresse tri'd , whatever path i tread , wilt for thy name sake be my guide , and all my footing lead . to bring mee forth out of the net , for mee in secret laid , thy force against their falshood set ; thy strength is all my aide . from death and deaths eternall bands , by thee redeem'd , my spirit , doe i againe into thy hands , lord god of truth , commit . i hate them that observers are of lying vanities : my confidences settled care upon the lord relies . i will with glad and joyfull spleen thy mercies praise expresse : for my affliction hast thou seen , and knowne my soules distresse . nor hast thou shut me in the hand of my malignant foe ; but for my feet made place to stand , and roome at large to goe . on mee since yet distresse is drawne , let lord thy mercie shine : mine eye , my soule , my belly gnaw'n , with ind●gnation pine . my life with woe is worne to nought , my yeeres in sighing spent : my strength , my sinnes have over-wrought , my bones are gnaw'n and rent . reproach of all my foes i beare , my neighbours vehemently , and my familiars , strook with feare , my sight that meet mee flie . my selfe a dead man out of mind , and in mens hearts forgot , as vile and use-lesse held i find , as is a broken pot . for i have heard the multitude with slanders mee dismay ; against mee counsell , and conclude to take my soule away . but , lord , thou art my god , i said my trust relies on thee : my times that in thy hand are laid , from hostile hand set free . and on thy light-lesse servant make thy faces light to shine : o save mee for thy mercie sake , from this distresse of mine . lord , let not shame have share in mee , for on thee doe i call : confounded let the wicked be , to hell , strook-silent fall . of lying lips the lavish foords let forth no further breake , which hard disdainfull spitefull words against the just man speake . how plentifull thy bounties be , which thou hast laid in store , for them that feare and trust in thee , the sonnes of men before ! them in thy faces secret hide , from proud insulters wrongs ; in thy pavillion laid aside secure from strife of tongues . blest be the lord , that wondrously his mercie hath dispenc't ; and mee in safetie set to lye within a citie fenc't . amaz'd , i said , before thine eies , cut off , and cast away ; the voice yet heardst thou of my cries , when i to thee did pray . o love the lord , all ye his saints , for faithfull doers waies the lord preserves from all attaints , the haughty home repaies . be strong , endure , and doe your parts , the lord will in the end establish your encourag'd hearts , whose hopes on him depend . psal. . beati quorum . davidis maschil . blest is he , whose transgression hath free forgivenesse gain'd : and he , whose sinne that he hath done , a covering hath obtain'd . blest is the man , unto whose charge the lord imputes no sin ; whose spirit no hollow holds so large , to lodge deceit therein . when now my tongue all speech forborne , in painfull silence lay : through my loud roaring daily worne , my bones with age decay . for day and night with weight so great , thine hand upon mee lies , that like the drought in summers heat , my kindly moisture dries . selah . i did acknowledge unto thee the sinne that i had done : of mine iniquitie in mee i have concealed none . my sinne , i said , i will repeat , and to the lord confesse : and of my crime thy mercy great , forgave the wickednesse . selah . now therefore every saint shall pray , while time to find is found : sure , reach him none there is that may , when many waters sound . from troubles heat my head to shade , thou art a secret place : with songs for my deliverance made , thou shalt about mee trace . selah . i will instruct , and teach thee so , thou shalt not walke awry : and in the way that thou shalt goe , give counsell with mine eye . o doe not ye like horse , like mule , no understanding beare ; whose mouth must bit and bridle rule , to thee for comming neere . much sorrow swells on every side , to plague the wicked race : but in the lord whose hopes abide , him mercy shall embrace . joy in the lord , ye just rejoyce , shout out your glad delight , as well in gesture , as in voice , all ye of heart upright . psal. . exultate iusti. ye just , be joyfull in the lord ; becomes the righteous praise : harp , violl , voice , and decachord , to praise the lord up raise . a new set-song to him endite , loud notes to musickes height : for of the lord the word is right , and all his worke in faith . his love on justice he bestowes , desire with judgement dwells : of mercie from the lord that flowes the earth with fulnesse swells . the heav'ns by word the lord did frame , and as his mouth did breathe , his spirit made all the host of them above sunne , and beneath . the sea he bounds within the shore , on heaps the waters keeps : as into treasuries of store he giveth up the deeps . to feare the lord , all regions call , on earth , through every land : and in the world the dwellers all , in awe of him to stand ▪ for as he spake , the word once past , the worke forthwith was done : as he commanded , it stood fast , his word and deed were one . that heathen counsell is destroi'd , the peoples plots cast out ; and all their purposes made void , the lord can bring about . the counsell by the lord decreed shall stand for ever sure : the thoughts that from his heart proceed , to age and age endure . o blessed nation , whom the lord to be their god doth blesse : blest people , whom his owne accord hath chosen to possesse . the lord , all adams sons to see , in heaven his station plants : all from his mansion vieweth hee , the earths inhabitants . their heart he fashion'd all alone , the cloisters of their thought ; considers all what they have done , the workes that they have wrought . say , he command a copious host , no king so saves his right : no mighty man , whose might is most , delivered is by might . a rest unsafe to save a man a horse falls out to bee ; nor he by strength , strive all he can , can set his rider free . behold , the lord his heedfull eye on them that feare him bends : upon his mercies safe supply , whose settled hope attends . when earth exacts her due of earth , to free their soule from death ; to keep alive in time of death , when famine faints for breath . our soule her hopes assured hold upon the lord doth build : of whose defence we may be bold , he is our help and shield . our heart in him shall gladnesse pure , and perfect joy conceive ; that in his holy name secure our hopes assurance leave . thy mercies gifts , o lord , downe send , on us so free to fall ; as we to thee our trust commend , to measure them withall . psal. . benedicam domino . davidis , cùm mutavit sensum suum ante abimelech , & relegavit eum , & abiit . acroflichon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all times to blesse the lord , will i occasions all prevent ; and make my mouth continually his praises instrument . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be thou , o lord , my soules sole choice , my glories soveraigne head : the meeke shall heare it and rejoyce , by my example led . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 greatly extoll the lord with mee . such praise together frame , as with his greatnesse may agree , to magnifie his name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desirous that the lord should heare , i sought him , and he heard , and sent mee out of all my feare deliverance un-deferr'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him to behold , to him they flow'd , his light did them inflame : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon their faces fell no cloud , no blush , the brand of shame . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous , this poore man cri'd and crav'd so loud , for some redresse , that soon the lord him heard and sav'd , from all his deep distresse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hovering about them , in pitch't field ▪ jah's angel spreads his wings : to them that feare him , for a shield to them releasement brings . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taste but how good the lord , and see what blessings downe he sends : o blessed , blessed man is he , whose trust on him attends ! 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in feare , ye saints , that serve the lord , to serve him set your mind : all plenty doth his feare afford , no want his fearers find . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 courageous lions hunger-pin'd , how poorly seeke they food ! but they that seeke the lord shall find no want , shall want no good . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learne , sons , come listen unto mee , my doctrine with you beare : your faithfull teacher will i be , how ye the lord shall feare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man , who art thou , that wouldst live long , and see good dayes the while ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no evill-teller , keep thy tongue , thy lips from speaking guile . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shun evills out-side-falsers face , the in-side-foule eschew : occasion to doe good embrace , seeke peace , her steps pursue . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his eares as to the just to heed , so bends the lord his eies : his eyes observers of their need , his eares to heare their cries . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put against them that evill doe , firme sets the lord his face , that out may their memoriall goe , cut off from earth their race . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true sorrowes guests , the poore they cry , the lord their crying heares : his aide to them doth he apply , and all their troubles cleeres . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 care-broken hearts to them that have , the lord is ever neere ; and he the contrite spirit will save , his care with comfort cheere . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 redundant evills many fall , and on the just encrease : yet soon delivered from them all , the lord will him release . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 summ'd up , he safeguards every bone , their number and their state , that broken of them goes not one to deaths returnlesse gate . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the passage home shall mischiefe thrust , the wicked man to slay : just hand on them that hate the just , a guilty death shall lay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his servants soule the lord redeemes , so deare to him esteem'd ▪ and none , whose trust of him esteemes , as guilty shall be deem'd . psal. . iudica , domine . davidis . my right , o lord , against them plead , that plead against my right : my powers to fight against them lead , whose powers against mee fight . upon thy dart-despising shield and buckler lay thy hand : in my defence to fight the field , and up to help mee stand . charge lance and sword , and stop the way where any mee pursu'th : soule , i am thy salvation , say , say to my soule for truth . confusion let them never lacke , that seeke my soules surprize : their branded faces shame send backe , my evill that devise . driven as the chaffe before the wind , let breath their burthen beare : the angel of the lord behind , them scatt'ring here and there . let darke and slipp'ry be their way , and let ( that they may fall ) the angel of the lord dismay , and persecute them all . for closely they their net have rigg'd , corruptly to entoile ; and causlesly a pit have digg'd , to make my soule their spoile . let desolation unawares , and head-long him forestall ; and caught in his owne secret snares , selfe-mischiefe make him fall . and let my soule her solace sing , that in the lord i find : what joy doth his salvation bring , what musicke to my mind ? which were my tongue enforc't to stay , and silent-strooke in mee : my bones would all breake forth , and say , lord , who is like to thee , that bringst deliverance to the poore , from hand for him too strong : the poore-afflicted from the doore , where rapine dwells and wrong ? false-witnesse did against mee rise , avouching termes untrue ; and they to charge mee did devise , with what i never knew . my good with evill they repaid , and for my recompence , my barren soule by them fore-laid , berest of all defence . but as for mee , when sicke they were , in sack-cloth weed i mourn'd : my humbled soule did food forbeare , my bosom'd-praier return'd . i walk't , as if i had been one had lost a friend or brother ; i bow'd downe sadly , as a sonne , that sorroweth for his mother . but in my halting , glad together , the abject-scourges got : in spite or scorne , i knew not whether , to rend mee , resting not . with flatterers , flouting parasites at riotous revells met , to feast their feasters with delight , their teeth against mee whet . this , lord , how long wilt thou behold ? my soule from tumult free : my dearling from the lions hold , let safely rescu'd be . so in the great assembly thankes to thee will i present : and through a mighty peoples rankes , will make thy praise be sent . o make not my false-hearted foes triumphers over mee : with causlesse hate , their eyes which close , and sleering will not see . for why ? they speake not peace as friends , but beare us faire in hand , to crosse with their deceitfull ends the quiet of the land . their mouth on mee they opened wide , and full of scorne and ire : aha , aha , our eye hath spi'd , ( said they ) our hearts desire . thou , lord , hast seen all this excesse , then hold not thou thy tongue : from mee , o lord , in this distresse depart not farre , nor long . arise , and make no longer pause , to judge my right awake : my god , my lord , to plead my cause , of mine thine owne it make . as justice is thy touch , to trie , judge , lord my god , of mee : and let not their unrighteous eie , my fall , their triumph see . let them not say within their heart , ha , this our soule would have : let them not say , we for our part have made our throat his grave . abash't confusion cloud their face , that at my hurt rejoyce : shame be their shrowd , to my disgrace that magnifie their voice . but joyfull shouting raise their spirit , and give their gladnesse way : that in my justice take delight , this alway let them say , " thy servant prospers more , the more " his proud oppressors cease : " the lord be magnifi'd therefore , " that loves his servants peace . and so thy justice shall fulfill the musicke of my tongue : upon thy praise shall be my skill to descant all day long . psal. . dixit insipiens . ad praestantem , servi domini david . transgression of the wicked cries ( within my heart i heare ) assuredly before his eies of god there is no feare . for flatt'rie is the glozing dresse , wherewith his eyes he blinds , untill his hatefull wickednesse an end as hatefull finds . of wicked words , and slie deceit , his mouth powr's out a flood : his heart for wisedome is no sear , his deeds dis-us'd to good . in bed his mischiefe he begets , and throw's in thought-full brest : himselfe in no good way he sets , nor evill doth detest . thy mercy , lord , to heaven extends , the heav'ns are not so hie : thy faithfulnesse the clouds transcends , transcends the highest skie . thy justice , as gods mountaines steep , list up a losty crest : thy judgements are a mighty deep , thou , lord , sav'st man and beast . how good , o god , how precious things thy mercie doth enclose : when under shadow of thy wings mens sonnes their trust repose ! the fatnesse of thy house , their fill on them thou shalt bestow ; and of the streames to drinke at will , from whence thy pleasures flow . for why ? of life from thee that streames , the fountaine is with thee : we in thy lights resplendent beames , enlightned light shall see . to them that know thee , through this light thy tender love extend ; to them that are in heart upright , thy justice recommend . let not the lofty foot of pride invade mee from on hie : let not the wicked arme provide a hand to make mee flie . there are they fall'n , that wickednesse with travell exercise : downe are they cast without redresse , or able meanes to rise . psal. . noli aemulari . davidis , acrostichon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at evill doers evill deeds repine not , though they thrive : envie them not , when well succeeds what wicked heads contrive . for as the grasse to ripenesse grow'n , downe shall they soon be cut ; and withered like the green herb mow'n , whereto the sithe is put . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 build on the lord thy trust ; doe good , and dwelling in this mind , dwell in the land , where store of food thy faith shall surely find . upon the lord set thy delight , thy vowes let him inspire ; and he thy service shall requite above thy hearts desire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 goe to the lord to lead thy way , thy trust to him commit : and he thy steps shall ( walking ) stay , and make thy hopes to hit . thy justice cleere as is the light , his furnace shall refine : the day at noon shines not so bright , as shall thy justice shine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dumb-silent on the lord attend , undaunted at his way , that prospers , when malignant end his slie devices lay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold off from anger , wrath asswage , fret not thy selfe a whit ; lest like transgressors , in thy rage like evill thou commit . for evill doers best successe themselves cut off shall end : the earth shall they and theirs possesse , that on the lord attend . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well , yet a little while expect , the wicked shall not be : thine eye upon his place reflect , they are not his , nor he. they shall possesse the earths encrease , that are of humble sp'rit : and in the multitude of peace , shall set their whole delight . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealously bent against the just , the wicked grinds his teeth : the lord shall laugh to scorne his trust , whose day at hand he seeth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand on the sword un-sheath'd , and bow fore-bent , the wicked lay : the poore afflicted downe to throw , the upright-wai'd to slay . their sword on them his point shall trie , and through their heart shall pierce : the bowes they bent shall broken lie , wherewith they were so fierce . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the little that the just possesse availes to better steed , than wicked riches , never lesse , than when they most exceed . for broken shall be found the armes , where to the wicked trust : but with his powerfull arme , from harmes , the lord upholds the just. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 instructed in the perfect's waies , the lord hath his fore-cast : an heritage before them laies , that shall for ever last . in them shall shame inure no staine , when evill times grow rough : and in the daies that dearth doth raigne , then shall they have enough . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consum'd yet wicked men in haste , jah's foes shall soon decay ; as fat of lambes , as smoake doth waste , shall they consume away . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 large sums the wicked borrowing , shifts , and nothing payes againe : the just is bountifull in gifts , of mercy makes his gaine . in him shall they that blessed are possesse the earths increase : but they that in his curse have share , cut off ( and soon ) shall cease . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mans steps , where-ever-so he treads , the lord upholder staies : his way to him delightfull leads , and to his liking layes . he through his frailty though he fall , away shall not be cast : for to uphold his hand withall , a hand , o lord , thou hast . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now i that have been young , am old , the just man and his seed , yet never did mine eye behold forsooke , nor seeking bread . all day , he mercy shewes and lends , not less'ning so his heap : his seed that from his loines descends , the more in blessing reap . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shun evills evill neighbourhood , no dwelling neere that doore : depart from evill , and doe good , and dwell for evermore . the lord loves judgement , and will not forsake his saints at need : preserv'd for ever is their lot , cut off the wicked seed . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the soile the just inherit shall for their possession : the termlesse terme perpetuall , that they shall dwell thereon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plenty that in the just abounds , from forth his floud-gates breakes : his mouth the deeps of wisedome sounds , his tongue of judgement speakes . goe where he will , stay or depart , he hath a perfect guide : his great gods law is in his heart , his footing shall not slide . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to stall the just man in his way , the wicked sets his watch : and takes occasion him to slay , advantage if he catch . and though he fall into his hand , the lord there leaves him not : accus'd in judgement though he stand , the sentence is forgot . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cleave to the lord , and keep his way , and he shall hold up thee , to hold the land : whence cut away the wicked thou shalt see . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ruffling the wicked have i seen , in highest pride of all : wide-spreading , like a laurell green , and like a cedar , tall . he past away , and loe was gone this lord of so much ground ; i sought him , but of such a one , no footstep could be found . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see and observe the perfects close , the righteous man attend , what ever pressure him oppose , peace is his after-end . together , where transgressors all shall be destroi'd in haste : of wicked men , their endlesse fall shall cut them off at last . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all the righteous , from the lord doth their salvation flow : whose strength to them doth strength afford , when trouble strikes them low . by them the lord their helper stands , deliverer of the just ; deliverer-safe from wicked hands , because in him they trust . psal. . domine , ne in furore . psalmus davidis ad commemorandum . my faults , let no reproofe of thine , lord , in thy wrath repeat : nor chastise any crime of mine in thy displeasures heat . a show'r of arrowes shot from thee , come storming on my crowne : and some of them sticke fast in mee , thy hand doth presse mee downe . my flesh is all un-sound within , in thy displeasure lest : my bones , by reason of my sin , are of their peace berest . my wickednesses heaped store , above my head is gone : the burthen of them is too sore , for mee to beare alone . my festred stripes a loathsome sent , my foolishnesse bewray : so crooked i , so bow'd , so bent , goe mourning all the day . my flankes inflam'd with scorching smarts , that in my boiles abound : my flesh , that hath so many parts , not any part hath sound . i feeble am , and broken sore , in mine unquiet fits : for griefe of heart i groan and roare , my paine so neere mee sits . before thee , lord , my whole desire , my sighes not hid from thee : my heart doth pant , my strength expire , mine eye-sight not with mee . alooffe my loving neighbours stood , before my stroake at hand : my friends , the neerest of my bloud , strove who should furthest stand . and they that seeke my soule , set snares , that evill search and say : to circumvent mee unawares , went musing all the day . i like a deafe man am become , that heares no sound at all : as from whose mouth ( a man strook dumbe ) not any word doth fall . as one not hearing , held i fast mine eares , mine answers hold ; as one un-meeke , reproofes to cast , whose mouth was not the mold . because , o lord , i wait for thee , for thee my hopes awake : thou , lord my god , shalt answer mee , and answer for mee make . heare mee in this distresse ( said i ) lest they rejoyce at mee : and when my foot but steps awry , they magnifie to see . and ready sure i am to halt , so hard thy hand doth straine : continually with fresh assault , before mee is my paine . my crimes i freely will confesse , and openly declare : be sorry for my sinnes excesse , with un dissembled care . yet live my mighty foe● the while , their power with mine compare : and they that doubled hate with guile , how multipli'd they are ! and they that evill pay for good , for gaine returne mee losse : against mee that for goodnesse stood , ungraciously stand crosse . me doe not thou , o lord , forsake , nor farre from mee be gone : my god , more haste to help mee make , lord , my salvation . psal. . dixi custodiam . ad praestantem , ad ieduthun , psalmus david . what waies my wary foot shall presse , i will ( said i ) take heed : and with my tongue lest i transgresse , advisedly proceed . my mouth from speaking word amisse , as with a bridle curbe , before mee while the wicked is , lest some distaste disturbe . with stilnesse dumb i nothing spake , from termes i did refraine , even good , untill my heart did ake , and troubled , was my paine . my heart was hot in my desire , which silence smoth'red long : while thus i mus'd , out burst the fire , then spake i with my tongue . lord , make mee know my journies end , the measure of my daies : that i may learne what is to spend , how ceasing soon my waies . loe , t●ou hast given my daies a span , my world as nothing plaine : before thee every settled man is ( doubtlesse ) wholly vaine . selah . sure , shadow-like , man makes a shew , in vaine they vexe their mind : he heaps up goods , and doth not know what gatherer them shall find . and now , lord , what doe i expect ? on whom doe i attend ? on thee doe all my hopes reflect , in thee begin and end . from all my foes deliver mee , that on my shame encroach ; and make mee not for faults to thee , to be the fooles reproach . as one strook dumbe , depriv'd of sense , complaint my mouth made none ; nor opened once that two-leav'd fence , for thou didst what was done . thy plague away from mee revoke , more than i can withstand : that am consumed by the stroke of thy resistlesse hand . when man for sinne thy chastning wroth , with stripes calls home againe : thou melt'st his beauty like a moth ; sure , earthly man is vaine . selah . heare , lord , my praier , and with thine eares , consider of my cries : hold not thy peace , my speaking teares , hot-showring from mine eies . for i a stranger am with thee , nor seat have certaine here : a sojourner thou harbour'st mee , as all my fathers were . o spare mee with a little breath , my strength to mee restore : before i goe from hence to death , and then i be no more . psal. . expectans expectavi . ad praestantem , davidis psalmus . as waiting for the lord i stai'd , i waited patiently ; and he to mee with present aide inclining , heard my cry . he brought mee from the groaning pit , out of the my'rie clay : upon a rocke my feet did fit , and ord'red all my way . he gave into my mouth a song , that newly was compil'd : a psalme to praise that did belong , and to our god was stil'd . this sight shall many eies behold , and feare what he hath done : their hopes shall on the lord lay hold , by my example wonne . blest is the man , whose hopes reflect upon the lord his eies : that to the proud gives no respect , nor such as turne to lies . o lord my god , thy wonders wrought , thy thoughts , no thought of man : as thou to us , to thee hath brought , nor bring in order , can . when i to speake of them addresse , and would their summe declare ; names greater than i can expresse , past number summes they are . no sacrifice didst thou desire , yet opened hast mine eares : nor offring-burnt for sinne require , which bloud-stain'd altar beares . my selfe i come , then ( said i ) loe , the booke-roll to attest : thy will , my god , i joy to doe , thy law is in my brest . i to the great assembly told , the justice that thou shew'st : nor shall my lips refraine , behold , and that , o lord , thou know'st . thy justice did i not obscure , hid in my heart to dwell : thy faithfulnesse did i assure , and thy salvation tell . thy loving kindnesse have i not , nor yet thy truth conceal'd : nor in the great concourse forgot , to make them both reveal'd . with-hold not , thou , o lord , from me thy tender bowells store : thy mercy , and thy truth let be my safeguards evermore . for evills moe than may be told have round-environ'd mee : my sinnes on mee have caught such hold , i have no power to see . the haires upon my head that grow , in number they exceed : my heart with trouble stricken low , forsakes mee at my need . lord , let it be thy pleasure now , to safe deliver me : o lord , to help me hasten thou , as able , ready be . shames loading let them never lacke , that would my soule destroy : abash't confusion drive them backe , that at my evill joy . let desolation be their pay , the pension of their shame , aha , aha , to mee that say , and make my griefe their game . let those that seeke thee all , alway with joy in thee abide : let thy salvations lovers say , " the lord be magnifi'd . on mee that poore and needy stand , yet thinkes the lord my stay : my help with thy redeeming hand , my god , make no delay . psal. . beat us vir , qui intelligit . ad praestantem , psalmus david . blest is the man , that wisely weigh the poore-afflicted can : deliverance in the evill day , the lord will send that man. him shall the lord preserve alive , and keep on earth to blesse : him to his foes thou shalt not give , their soule shall not possesse . the lord upholds his feeble head upon his couch of paine : turnes in his sicknesse all his bed , returnes his health againe . i said in depth of my distresse , be gracious , lord , to mee : o heale my soule , whose sinfulnesse hath sore offended thee . on mee mine enemies exclaime , and evill of mee say : when shall he die ? when shall his nam● with him be cast away ? and if to visit mee he come , his heart vaine falshood speakes : iniquitie , his errands summe , at his returne forth breakes . all they that hate mee , on a knot , against mee whisp'ring swarme : against mee they this evill plot , devis'd to doe mee harme . " an evill doome on him is past , " which he deserv'd before : and now ( say they ) that he lies fast , let him rise up no more . yea , in my peace the man so great , to speciall trust receiv'd : which of my bread did also eate , his heele against mee heav'd . be gracious , lord , to mee therefore , and raise mee up againe ; and i to them shall then restore , like payment for their paine . by this i know thou favour'st mee , that though my foes assaile : triumphers yet they shall not be , against mee , nor prevaile . but mee , in mine integritie thy hand doth still uphold : and set mee , where eternally thy face i may behold . the lord , the god of israel , be blest for ever then : let age to age eternall tell his praise : amen , amen . finis libri primi . lib . ii. psal. . quemadmodum desiderat . ad praestantem , erudiens , filiis coreh . like as the braying hind embost , desires the water brookes ; so after thee , my soule neere lost , o god , sends longing lookes . to god , the living god , for whom my soule so thirsteth sore : o when shall my appearance come , the face of god before ? my teares to mee have been the food , that day and night i eat : while daily they in scornfull mood , where is thy god ? repeat . remembrance of the time fore-spent , my soule upon mee poures ; when to the house of god i went , at our accustom'd houres . we in the voice of joy and thankes , together held our way : a multitude of order'd rankes , that holy kept the day . why does my daunted soule give place , and droop in my distresse ? wait thou on god , healths of my face , whom ye● i will confesse . my soule ( my god ) within mee sinkes , and here in deserts still , on jordan land , on chermon thinks , on little mitsghar hill . deep calls on deep , with thundring voice thy water-canons sound : thy billowes all with horrid noise , thy waves above mee bound . his mercy will the lord by day command , his song by night , with mee a praier to god to pray , my lives eternall light . i unto god my rocke will say , why dost thou mee forget ? why walke i mourning on my way , opprest , and foe-beset ? a murth'ring through my bones doth gride , to my reproach all day : where is thy god ? in scornfull pride , when my distressors say . why does my daunted soule give place , and droop in my distresse ? trust god , my god , healths of my face , whom yet i will confesse . psal. . iudica me , deus . judge mee , o god , my pleading plead , against a perverse land : assert mee from the wily head , and from the wrongers hand . for of my strength the god thou art , why trun'st thou mee to goe , opprest in habit as in heart , to mourne before the foe ? send forth thy light and truth to fill my darke distrustfull brest , to guide mee to thy holy hill , thy tabernacles rest . then to gods altar will i goe , to god , my joyes excesse : and thee with harp and hymnes thereto , o god , my god , confesse . why does my daunted soule give place , and droop in my distresse ? trust god , my god , healths of my face , whom yet i will confesse . psal. . deus auribus . ad praestantem , filiis coreh animadversio . o god , we heard it with our eares , our fathers have us told , what deeds thou didst in former yeeres , what in their daies of old . the heathens how thy hand out-cast , our fathers seed to sowe : the people how thou didst lay waste , and made our parents grow . for not by their owne swords keen edge , did they possesse the soile ; nor their owne arme can they alledge , did for their safety toile . but thy right hand , thine armes defence , thy countenances light ; thy favour gave them eminence , in them thou took'st delight . my king , o god , on jacobs head , thy saving healths command : to hundge our foes , them downe to tread , thy name for us shall stand . for neither bow nor sword i have , whereon my trust to ground : but thou art he from foes didst save , our haters didst confound . of god all day the praise we spread , and ever sing thy name . selah . of ours no host yet dost thou lead , but shunn'st , and leav'st us shame . thou mak'st us turne our backes in fight , and to our foes give way : that they that hate us hold but right , to make our goods their prey . thou sortest us on termes un-even , like sheep to serve for meat : hast scatt'red us among the heathen , as chaffe of winnow'd wheat . thy people hast thou sold for nought : sold ! rather hast forsooke : for they that sold , of them that bought , no prices for them tooke . thou hast expos'd us to reproach of neighbours round about ; too neere upon us that encroach , at us to scorne and flout . among the heath'ns of our estate , a by-word didst thou make ; the people that our heads did hate , their heads at us did shake . and every day before mine eies is my confusion set : beneath the vaile that on mee lies , my face and shame are met . the loud reproachers voice i heare , the proud blasphemer brooke : to see thy face ( my foe ) i feare , and for th' avenger looke . all this upon us have we felt , yet have not thee forgot ; nor falsly with thy covenant dealt , therein we fail'd thee not . our heart is backward turn'd to none , revolt is not our fault : our steps out of thy pathes not gone , nor in thy pathes did halt . in dens , where dragons draw their breath , though thou hast crush't us neere ; and covered with the shade of death , our heads thou heldst so deare ; if of our god at any time the name we have forgot ; or of a stranger god , the crime , our hands up-lifted , blot . where-ever selfe this sinne bestowes , shall god not search it out ? for he the very secrets knowes , in heart un-brought about . for thy sake all day are we kill'd , whom else no crime could staine : on this account our bloud is spill'd , like sheep in shambles slaine . awake , why sleep'st thou all this space ? for ever leave us not : rise , lord , why hidest thou thy face , our wants , our woes forgot ? our soule is humbled to the dust , our belly glew'd to ground : rise , help , redeem us , of whose trust thy mercy is the bound . psal. . eructavit cor meum . ad praestantem , super shoshannim , filiis cor●h . canticum amorum . mine heart is working out a piece of peerlesse skill : mine argument the king , my tongue a speedy writers quill . than adams sonnes more faire , grace from thy lips doth flow ; his blessings therefore god on thee for ever did bestow . gird on thy thigh thy sword , great champion as thou art : with glory arm'd , and high renowne , faire prosper thy desert . ride on , the word of truth and meeknesse reigne thy steeds ; with justice manag'd , thy right hand shall teach thee dreadfull deeds . whole nations under thee , thine arrowes sharp shall bring : shall of thy foes subdue the heads , and pierce the hearts , o king. thy throne , o god , out-lasts the longest ages light : thy kingdomes scepter , as the hand that holds the scepter , right . just ( as thy hate ) thy love , with justice loves to goe : thy hate against injustice , just , holds wickednesse thy foe . thee therefore god , thy god , so to himselfe endeers , as to annoint thee with the oile of joy above thy peers . in robes perfum'd with teares of myrrhe and aloë clad , with cassia from the ivory roofes , more than thy makers glad . kings daughters in thy traine , of thee their honour hold : upon thy right hand sits the queen . attir'd in ophir gold . o daughter , heare and see , hereto encline thine eare : thy people , and thy fathers house forget that thine they were . so covet shall the king thy beauty , his desire ; he is thy lord , him serve , observe , adore with heart entire . tyres daughter with a gift shall there beseech thy face : the wealthy sydons peopled shores with presents sue for grace . the daughter of the king all-glorious is within ; her robes of gold , her fairer face her fairest soules faire inne . so comes she to the king , in vesture needle-wrought . with virgin-ladies of her traine , to thee shall she be brought . this royall troup along shall joy and gladnesse bring : and enter shall they in this pomp the palace of the king. sonnes in thy fathers stead , of thee shall he beget : sonnes whom thou maist in all the earth , for soveraigne princes set . thy name to age and age shall my remembrance sing : the people therefore on thy praise shall ever dwell , o king. psal. . deus noster , refugium . ad praestantem , siliis choreh , super gnalamoth . canti●um . on god our stay and strength we ground , that refuge else have none : aboundantly in trouble found , when other helps are gone . though earth should change , we would not feare , although the mountaines steep ; were rent , and hurri'd here and there , dis-bowell'd in the deep . should waves of waters roare and swell , or should the mountaines shake ; when seas against the rockes rebell , and billowes batt'rie make : selah . there is a river streaming by , makes glad gods citie walls : the holy torrent , o most-hie , that from thy mansion falls . amidst her god this care hath tooke , remov'd she shall not be : which , forth before the morning looke , will god her keeper see . the heath'ns enrag'd these tumults felt , mov'd kingdomes made a noise : he thundred , and the earth did melt , when god gave forth his voice . the lord of hosts is on our side , our hosts to fortifie : the god of jacob shall abide for us a refuge hie . selah . o come but hither , and behold what workes the lord hath wrought : what desolations late , and old , his hand on earth hath brought . unto the earths extremest ends , he maketh warre expire : the bow he breakes , the speare he rends , the chariots burnes with fire . that i am god , surcease , and know , among the heath'ns will i exalted be , by high and low , and in the earth made hie . the lord of hosts is on our side , our hosts to fortifie : the god of jacob shall abide for us a refuge hie . psal. . omnes gentes plaudite . ad praestantem , filiis choreh , psalmus . ye people all , the quire to fill , come clap your hands on hie : with joyfull voice to god shout shrill triumphant melodie . for dreadfull is the lord most-high , through earth a mighty king : that tribes and nations farre and nigh , beneath our feet did bring . an heritage for us he chose , ( right ) not to be remov'd : the excellency to dispose of jacob his belov'd . in triumph , with applauding noise , is god himselfe gone by : the lord is with the trumpets voice ascended up on hie . sing , make the praise of god your mirth , sing praises to our king : for god is king of all the earth , a psalme instructive sing . above the heath'ns god raignes alone , co-equall none admits ; above the heav'ns upon his throne of holinesse he sits . the nations princes feed among the god of abrahams flocke : for earths great shields to god belong , their high-exalted rocke . psal. . magnus dominus . canticum psalmi , filiorum coreh . great is the lord , prais'd all abroad , but chiefly to be prais'd ; where in the citie of our god , his holy mount is rais'd . mount sion beauteous is in site , besides the northern lands : of all the earth the glad delight , the great kings citie stands . god in her palaces is knowne for her a refuge hie : for kings ( behold ) oppugnants grow'n , are gone together by . this wondrous sight strook suddenly such terrour in their mind : no heart to stay , scarce feet to flie , could feare confounded find . upon them feare strong hold did build , and paine , the racke of feare ; as , when a woman bigge with childe , her burthen throwes to beare . so ( tempest-beaten ) at their leake , the ships salt water drinke : the ships of tarshish dost thou breake , and with an east wind , sinke . as we have heard what deeds have been done in our fathers coasts ; like have we in the citie seen , thy citie , lord of hosts . the citie which our god hath chose , and cleer'd from hostile hand , will god establish and dispose eternally to stand . in silence we ( o god ) attend , thy faithfulnesse to find : and when thy mercy thou wilt send , amidst thy temple , mind . thy praise , o god , as farre extends , as doth thy names command : thy praise of earth fills all the ends , and justice thy right hand . rejoyce , mount sion , most of all , be judahs daughters glad : because thy judgements made them fall , that made her faces sad . goe compasse stately sion mount , her walls walke round about : the number of her towers account , observe her strength throughout . set ye your heart upon her fort , view her high places well ; and to your nephewes make report , that they to theirs may tell ; that this is god , our god , whose power for ever and beyond , will be our guide and governour , and us till death defend . psal. . audite haec . ad praestantem , filiis coreh , psalmus . heare , o ye people all , this lore , all in the world that dwell ; earth-borne and noble , rich and poore , together hearken well . of my discourse in every part , my mouth shall wisedomes teach , the meditation of my heart to understanding reach . to heare a parable propos'd , mine eare will i encline : darke mysteries , and undisclos'd , upon my harp divine . i see no cause why i should dread , or day of evill doubt : when on my heeles the sins that tread , shall compasse me about . of them , whose hopes their heaps esteem , and of their riches boast : his brother no man may redeem , nor cleare to god that coast . for precious is their soule of price , and dearer to release , than whereunto may ransome rise , so that must ever cease . that he may yet for ever live , and not to death submit : nor to the earth his ashes give , nor see corruptions pit . the wise , the foole , the brutish sot , he sees together die ; and leave the wealth that they have got , on others wings to flie . and yet they hold their houses sure , their shields unsoil'd with shames , shall so from sire to sonne endure , and give their lands their names . but man in honour bearing place , the night of death arrests : his brutish life by sinne made base . is silenc't like the beasts . this is the foolish way they love , unconstant constant end : which their posterity approve , and from their mouth commend . selah . they in the grave lie pent , like sheep , where death on them shall feed , who , when the morning calls from sleep , obey the righteous seed . their image shall the grave bereave , and waste from where they dwell : but god shall ransome and receive my soule from hand of hell. selah . though one thou seest of riches seaz'd , yet be thou not affraid : with glory of his house encreas'd , though he thy wants upbraid . for nothing with him when he dies conveigh from hence he must : his windy-glory from him flies , when he descends the dust . for while on earth his daies did dwell , his soule he seem'd to blesse : and to thy selfe when thou dost well , of thee will men confesse . his dwelling with his fathers all , shall be the house of night : this brood of darknesse never shall behold eternall light. man in this honour bearing place , of understanding void : like brutish in his life , and base , is like the beasts destroi'd . psal. . deus deorum . psalmus asaph . the god of gods , the lord hath spoke , and earth to heare did call : from where the eastern sun-beames smoake , to where the westerne fall . from sion ( beauties perfect prize ) a beauty more divine , that sions beauties beautifies , did god in brightnesse shine . our god shall come , and silence cease , a fire before him eate : a vehement tempest shall encrease , and round about him beat . heaven from above , earth from below , his dreadfull voice will call : what judgements weight , that they may know , shall on his people fall . my saints to mee assemble now , whose pledges i have tooke : my covenant , that by solemne vow with sacrifice have strooke . his righteousnesse heavens shall declare , where his decrees are writ , where kept his courts of justice are , where god the judge doth sit . heare , o my people , what i say , and i will testifie against thee ( israel ) this day , god , even thy god am i. for not thy sacrifices want in thee will i reprove : before mee thy burnt-offrings scant , mine anger never move . i take no bullocke from thy stall , nor buck-goat from thy fold : mine are the beasts that forrests all , or thousand mountaines hold . i know all fowles on every hill , the fields wild beasts with mee : if hungry , mine the worlds whole fill , i take and tell not thee . eate i bulls flesh , or drinke the bloud of rancid goates will i ? sacrifice praise , thy vowes make good , to god , to god most-hie . and in thy trouble call on me , that day upon me crie ; and thy delivere● will i be , whom thou shalt glorifie . but god to man ungodly saith , my law why dost thou preach ? my covenant , failing in thy faith , affirming in thy speech . where thou to be reform'd dost hate , of all thy faults fore-past ; and of my words the weight abate , and backe behind thee cast . saw'st thou a thie●e , it was thy care , with him to hold consent ; and with adulterers , for thy share , thy feet fore-runners went. thy mouth thou turn'st to evill talke , thy evill thoughts to joyne : thy tongue , the hammer , that doth walke , deceitfull slips to coine . thou sitt'st , and what was never done , against thy brother speak'st ; and slandring so thy mothers sonne , thine in-bred malice wreak'st . i held my peace , when thou hadst done , thy wicked thought suppos'd , me like thy selfe , another one , as wickedly dispos'd . but i shall thee reprove eftsoone , and set before thine e●es , the evill deeds that thou hast done , the thoughts thou didst devise . forgetfull ye , and ●low of sense , of god unmindfull minds , consider , lest i rend you hence , where guilt no rescue finds . he honours me , that praises paies , for sacrifices due ; and i to him that rights his waies , will gods salvation shew . psal. . miserere mei deus . ad praestantem , psalmus david , cùm venit ad eum nathan propheta , postquam ingressus est ad bathsabagh . thy mercy great , o god , to me as graciously expresse : as thy compassions many be , blot out my trespasses . much deeper my defections lie , my soulnesse farther in : wash throughly mine iniquitie , and cleanse me from my sin . for of my crimes i know the cries , acknowledge every one : continually before me lies the sinne that i have done . to thee , thee only , sinn'd have i , done evill in thine eies : thy word of truth to justifie , how cleere thy judgement tries . behold , my shape when i receiv'd , did wickednesse begin : my mother when she me conceiv'd , conceiv'd in heat of sin . loe , truth within mine inmost part doth thy delight affect : and thou the secret of my heart , by wisedome shalt direct . with hyssop purifie this deed , so purg'd i cleane shall grow : wash mee , my whitenesse shall exceed the whitenesse of the snow . of joy and gladnesse , make me heare thy reconciling voice : the bones by thee that broken were , shall then afresh rejoyce . hide from my sins thy face , forget what follies i have done : all my misdeeds blot out , and let thy wrath remember none . cleane heart to me , o god , create , this spirit of mine subdue ; right spirit in me regenerate , and re-inspire anew . and cast me not , but of thy face , where sight i may possesse : nor from my sinfull flesh displace thy spirit of holinesse . the joy that thy salvation gives , restore to me againe ; and with thy spirit , where freedome lives , my sin-bound soule sustaine . then shall i teach transgressors all , within thy waies to tread ; and sinners my example shall to thee converted lead . deliver me , o god , from bloud , pale deaths polluted spring : god of my health , my tongue aloud shall of thy justice sing . my sin-shut lips , lord , open thou with thy kind mercies keyes : so then my mouth will i bestow , in setting forth thy praise . for sacrifice none thou requir'st , else would i give it thee : burnt-offrings neither thou desir'st , nor thy delights they be . a wounded spirits heart-breaking smart , to god burnes sacrifice : a broken and a contrite heart , thou , god , wilt not despise . on sion , as thy goodnesse falls , with wonted favour fill'd : of thy jerusalem the walls , on thy good pleasure build . then sacrifice of righteousnesse to please thee shall ascend : burnt-offrings whole thine altar presse , and frequent calves contend . psal. . quid gloriaris ? ad praestantem , m●schil davidis . cùm veniret doeg idumaeus , & nunciaret sauli , ac diceret illi , venit david in domum achimelec . why dost thou , tyrant , mischiefe boast , how much thou canst procure ? gods mercy ( doe thy worst and most ) doth daily yet endure . thy tongue of evill doth entreat , which forth thy falshood puts : as thou with doing of deceit , so sharp no razor cuts . at evill more than good to reach , thy earnest love is bent ; and then on justice is thy speech , on falshood rather spent . to speake all words that may devoure , thy lewd desire doth long , to swallow up , where thou hast power , o thou deceitfull tongue . for ever thee shall god destroy , and from thy dwelling place , from where the living land enjoy , rend and root out thy race . and this the just shall also see , and seeing this shall feare ; and laugh to scorne the brave , whom he thus brought to nought shall heare . behold the strong , that of his state , not god the strength did seat : whose trust was in his riches rate , in evill only great . i , alwaies like an olive green , my growth of daies to spend : shall in the house of god be seen , whose mercy i attend . thy deeds my praises shall proclaime in publike evermore : and patiently expect thy name so good , thy saints before . psal. . dixit insipiens . ad praestantem , super mahalath . psalmus davidis . there is no god , in heart to say , so farre the foole is gone : corrupt and odious is their way , good-doer there is none . downe from the heavens god look't to see , what adams sons desir'd : of understanding who was he , that after god enquir'd . out of the way they are all gone , gone altogether backe : good deed , good-doer none , not one , of all their loathsome packe . is all their understanding fled , to wicked workes that fall ? that eate my people up like bread , on god they never call . there did they feare , where was no feare , to fright those guilty ones : for god hath scattered here and there the proud besiegers bones . them to confusion hast thou sent , thine enemies surpriz'd with shame ( of sin the best event ) for god hath them despis'd . salvations who to israel shall out of sion give ? when they that now in bondage dwell , no longer captives live . his people home when god hath had , of whom he made his choice : then jacobs nation shall be glad , and israel rejoyce . psal. . deus , in nomine . ad praestantem , in neghinoth , m●schil davidis , cùm venissent ziphaei , & dixissent sauli , nonne david abscondit se nobiscum ? thy name in this distresse of mine , o god , to save mee send : to judge me , as revenge is thine , thy powerfull strength extend . unto my praier , o god , draw neere , that i to thee commend ; and of my mouth the words to heare , thine eare attentive bend . for strangers up against me rise , and tyrants take the way , not taking god before their eies , to marke my soule their prey . selah . but god my helper is , behold , in my defence to stand : to help them that my soule uphold , the lord is neere at hand . by evill that my foes contrive , of their desir'd successe , his like reward shall them deprive , them in thy truth suppresse . an offring of a free-will'd heart to thee will i present ; and praise thy name , o lord , that art to goodnesse wholly bent . for by the helps he did apply , my troubles all expire : and on mine enemies , mine eye hath seen my full desire . psal. . exaudi deus . ad praestantem , in neghinoth , maschil davidis . unto my praier , o god , give eare , that where thou art in place , my supplication may come there , and thou not hide thy face . intend , and answer my complaint , with straining up my voice : in these extremes of woe that faint , and make a troubled noise . the enemies reproaches ring , the wicked raise debate : iniquitie on me they bring , and wroth the hand of hate . my heart within me troubled sore , is rack't to sorrowes height : than death it selfe , deaths terrours more oppresse me with their weight . upon me feare and trembling fell , and over me at last , ( my sorrowes best befitting cell ) a covering , horrour cast . o , had i of a dove ( said i ) the wing , to waft my brest , i then from these assaults would flie , and find some seat of rest . hence would i get me farre ( behold ) and in the deserts bide , where i could seaze some safer hold , my harmlesse head to hide . hence would i hasten mine escape , and ( horrour left behind ) exchange my shelter and my shape , to shun the stormy wind . their discord-tongues , o lord , divide , by swallowing up their life : for in the citie have i spi'd , that rapine reignes and strife . upon the walls thereof they goe , in compasse day and night , and in the midst thereof by woe , stands mischiefe arm'd with might . within her , who there walkes awhile , but wickednesse he meets : dissembling mates , deceit and guile , depart not from her streets . for , not my foe was my disgrace , his blow i could have borne : from open hate have hid my face , had he heav'd up his horne . but it was thou , that went'st aside , didst ( faithlesse ) faith pretend : o man , my other halfe , my guide , mine owne familiar friend . our counsell sweetly did consent , conceiv'd on either part : as brethren to gods house we went , as in two breasts one heart . let hasty death upon them throng , and send them quicke to hell : for evills are their roofes among , within them where they dwell . but i will call on god , and soon the lord will safety send . at even will pray , at morne , at noone , while he my cry intend . he hath redeem'd my soule in peace , from battels doubtfull feare : against me , as they did increase , so with me many were . yea , god shall heare , and hold them low , he that of old abode : selah . for changelesse , but to worse they grow , and why ? they feare not god. against the heads , with him at peace he hath sent forth his hand ; and ( faithlesse ) having no release , profan'd his covenants band . his mouth more smooth than butter , words , but in his heart made warre ; more soft than oile , than speares , darts , swords , words wounding deeper farre . upon the lord thy burthen cast , and he shall nourish thee ; and give the just to stand so fast , that mov'd they never be . the wicked , thou , o god , shalt fling into corruptions pit : where they untimely perishing , beyond all time shall sit . men stain'd with blouds , and fraudulent , ripe age shall never see : nor live out halfe their daies well-spent ; but i will trust in thee . psal. . miserere mei deus . ad praestantem , super columbam mutam remotorum , michtam davidis , cùm deprehenderenteum pelishtim in gath. be mercifull , o god , to mee , whom man would make his prey : whose hands from fighting never free , oppresse me all the day . my foes to swallow me out-right , their daily powers apply : for many hands against me fight , o thou that art most-hie . the day that cloudy doubts appeare , to make my heart affraid ; my hopes yet shining through my feare , expect thy promis'd aide . in god by me his word sincere , sincerely prais'd shall be : in god i trust , and will not feare what flesh can doe to me . to wrest my words is all their care , their daily counsells end , against me , all for evill are the thoughts that they entend . together all lay out their line , as close as hooke in bait : observing every step of mine , when for my soule they wait . shall wickednesse such wages have ? so safe shall they escape ? digge in thy wrath , o god , the grave that for their fall shall gape . thou numbrest all my wandring yeeres , what toiles i undertooke : told in thy bottle put my teares , are they not in thy booke ? that day that i upon thee call , my foes shall turne their backe : of god , i know , i never shall the gracious favour lacke . in god the word will i commend , the word praise-worthy most : lord , of thy word , where is no end of praise , my praise shall boast . on god my hopes their anchor throw , affraid i will not be , what earthly man to me can doe , or challenge done by me . thy vowes , o god , upon me are , which i to thee will pay : and sacrifice of praise prepare before thy face to lay . for thou my soule from death didst free , my feet from sliding quite : to walke , o god , in sight of thee , with them that live in light . psal. . miserere mei deus . ad praestantem . ne corrumpas , michtam davidis , cùm fugeret â facie s●ulis in speluncam . be mercifull to me , o god , be mercifull to mee : for as my safeties sole abode my soule doth trust in thee . and in the shadow of thy wings , my hopes assurance seat : till time an end of evills brings , and calme this tempests heat . i unto god most-high will call , my plaint before him lay : whose promise firme performance shall in full perfection pay . he from the heavens shall send his hand , and save me by his power : hath mark't him with reproaches brand , whose mouth would me devoure . selah . his mercy , and his truth , before shall god send forth in aide : for , where fierce lions ramp and roare , my soule is subject laid . among the sons of man i lie , that fire and fury breathe : speares from whose teeth , and arrowes flie , whose tongues sharp swords unsheath . o god , where brightnesse most abounds , above the heavens ascend : thy glories beames beyond the bounds of all the earth extend . a net they for my steps have laid , and downe my soule is bow'd : but in the trench are they betrai'd , which they for me had plow'd . my heart , o god , is fixt on thee , on thee my heart is fixt : the song that i shall sing , shall be of thankes and praises mixt . awake , my glory , slow delay my lute and harp off shake : before the starre that ushers day , i early will awake . to thee , o lord , my thankes will i among the people bring ; and where the nations scatt'red lie , aloud thy praises sing . the greatnesse of thy mercies store above the heavens doth streach : thy truth up to the skies doth soare , a higher pitch to reach . o god , where brightnesse most abounds , above the heavens ascend : thy glories beames , beyond the bounds of all the earth extend . psal. . si verè u●ique . ad praestantem . ne corrumpas . davidis . and call ye this ( o men of might ) pronouncing sentence just ? and call ye this to judge upright , o eldest sons of dust ? yea , wickednesse ye worke in heart , and under faire pretence : where through the earth ye hold your mart , your hands weigh violence . the wicked , from their mothers wombe estrang'd , from goodnesse flie ; and erring , from the belly come , no sooner speake , but lie . the poysoning serpent poyson beares , lesse deadly than their sting : with like deafe eare the python heares the wise enchanter sing . their teeth , o god , breake in their mouth , the lions tuskes out-root : like waters , lord , shrinke up their growth , cut off the shafts they shoot . as snaile consum'd within the shell , all out in slime is runne : abortive as the birth that sell , so see they not the sunne . before your pots perceive the thorne , or feele the brambles heat , let whirling-fury tempest-borne , their counsells crude defeat . so shall the just rejoyce a good , to see the vengeance raigne ; and wash his feet in reeking bloud of wicked doers slaine . so say shall men of mortall kind , fruit for the just there is : there is a god , the earth shall find , and judgement ( doubtlesse ) his . psal. . eripe me . ad praestantem . ne corrumpas , d●vidis michtam , cùm mittente s●ule , observaretur domus , ut interfice●ent eum . from them that are mine enemies , my god , deliver mee : from them that up against me rise , my head up-rais'd set free . assert thou mee from their pursuit , that evill worke with paine ; and from their hands , whom blouds pollute , in safety me sustaine . loe , for my soule in wait they lie , the strong together draw : when fault of mine they none could spie , nor sinne , o lord , they saw . without iniquitie in mee , they runne and ready make to meet me , raise thy selfe and see ; my helper , lord , awake . awake therefore , lord god of hosts , thou god of israel , to visit all the heathen coasts , against thee that rebell . and where for grace to thee alone , fraile sinners find accesse : o let thy mercy favour none , that faithlesly transgresse . selah . they , when the evening sun shuts in , run jetting to and fro ; and like a dogge they howle and grin , and round the citie goe . vollies loe from their mouth they shoot , swords in their lips they beare : weapons that warre with silent foot , for who ( say they ) shall heare ? but thou , o lord , shalt them deride , make all the heath'ns a mocke : that strength to thee will i ascribe , to thee , o god , my rocke . god of my mercy shall prevent , and in such plight to mee ; mine enemies shall god present , as my desire would see . whom let not slaughters hand devoure , lest that my flocke forget : disperse them by thy mighty power , them , lord our shield , defeat . their sinfull mouth , their lip-wise words , let their swolne pride descry : and take them in their selfe-twin'd cords , that curse , forsweare , and lye . consume , consume them in thy wrath , that they no more may grow : what empire god in jacob hath , through earth that they may know . as soon as day his light drawes in , returne they to and fro ; and like the dogge , they howle and grin , and round the citie goe . goe wandring here and there for meat , and snart , if un-suffic'd : they find short fare for them to eate , by want and hunger siz'd . but i will sing thy mighty power , thy mercy early praise : for thou hast been my fortresse-tower , my rocke in restlesse daies . i , o my strength , to thee will sing , to god , my refuge hie : the god that makes his mercies spring , my mercies treasurie . psal. . deus repulisti . ad praestantem , super sushan-eduth , michtam davidis , ad docendum , cùm contenderet erga aram naharaim , & erga aram-zobah , & conversus ioab , et percussit edom in valle salis duodecim millia . thou hast , o god , cast us aside , routed our poore remaine : thine angry brow hast bent to chide , o turne to us againe . the trembling earth thou didst invade , and rifts therein hast cleft : o heale the breaches thou hast made , for it is shaking left . thou shewdst thy people harder things , than they had borne before : of wine , that stupid horrour brings , to drinke , thou gav'st them store . to them that feare thee hast thou given a signe , to shun the bow : a banner , by the hand of heaven set up , for truth to shew . that free deliverance they may have , that are belov'd of thee : with thy resistlesse right hand save , o heare and answer mee . god in his holinesse hath spoke , which i with joy repeat : in shechem will i strike the stroke , and succoths valley mete . mine galghad is , manasseh mine , strength of my head doth live : in quiver-bearing ephraims line , my law shall judah give . my wash-pot moab will i make , my shooe on edom fling : thy pride , pelesheth overtake , and to my triumphs bring . the citie of such strength within , what guide shall make me get ? the warlike edoms towers to win , what leader shall i set ? when thou , o god , as nought of worth , hast cast us off so long ; and with our armies wentst not forth , to make our battels strong . o give us help from our distresse , mans health is vaine deceit : through god we shall doe valiantnesse , our foes he shall defeat . psal. . exaudi deus . ad praestantem , super neghinoth . davidis . my crie , o god , my praier attend , when i to thee complaine : when from this earths extremest end my smoth'red heart i straine . conduct me to the rocke of power , that higher is than i : for thou hast been my hopes strong tower against the enemie . thy tabernacle will i take , for ever there to dwell ; and to my hopes a shelter make , thy wings my secret cell . selah . for thou to heare my vowes from heaven , thine eare , o god , didst frame ; an heritage to me hast given , of them that feare thy name . daies upon daies encreast by thee , thou to the king shalt give : the compasse of his yeeres shall be , from age to age to live . him god before his face to sit , for ever shall accept : with mercy , truth prepare thou fit , by whom he may be kept . praise to thy name so will i sing , for ever day by day : to thee my vowes upon me bring , that i may duly pay . psal. . nonne deo ? ad praestantem , apud ieduthun . psalmus davidis . on god my silent soule attends , his seasons ( surely ) heeds : to him my safeties care commends , from whom my health proceeds . he surely is my rocke of power , and my salvation prov'd : my hold , my high-defensive tower , i shall not much be mov'd . how long on mischiefe will ye thinke ? man-slayers , slaughtred all , ye like a ruin'd sense shall sinke , and like a shaken wall . his dignity how to suppresse , their counsells they convert : delight in lies , with mouth they blesse , but curse within their heart . selah . on god , yet never thou the lesse , my silent soule , attend : from whom my hopefull patientnesse expects a happy end . he surely is my rocke of power , and my salvation prov'd : my hold , my high-defensive tower , i shall not be remov'd . in god is my salvations port , my glories lofty crest , rocke of my strength , in god my fort , my confidences rest . o people , trust in him alway , your heart before him powre : for of our hopes god is the stay , our safeties trusty towre . sure , adams sonnes are vanitie , and lighter in account : the best together weigh'd , a lie , and make the ballance mount . trust not in wrong , to reap your part , in rapine be not vaine : if wealth encrease , set not your heart on baited lures of gaine . god spake at once , which twice i heard , " to god the power pertaines ; of punishment , and of reward , of pardons , and of paines . and mercy , lord , in thee alone exceeds , from thee proceeds : for thou wilt render every one according to his deeds . psal. . deus , deus meus . psalmus david , cùm is esset insolitudine iehudah . thou art , o god , my god alone , mine eies shall watch to see the nights obscurer watchmen gone , and early seeke for thee . for thee my thirsty soule doth toile , for thee my flesh doth long : within a waste and weary soile , and waters none among . within thy sanctuaries seat , which now i see no more ; to see thy power and glory great , as i have seen before . for , good thy mercy is above the gladsome length of daies , more lovely is than life thy love , " my lips shall sing thy praise . thus will i blesse thee , while i live , while breath this breast commands ; and in thy name , the off'ring give of my up-lifted hands . with marrow , and with fatnesse fed , my soule shall be full fill'd ; and from my mouth thy praises spread , through joyfull lips distill'd . of thee my bed remembrance brings , by night i watch for thee : and shout , when shadowed with thy wings , thy saving help i see . to thee my hermit-soule adheres , here , from thy house expell'd ; where never thy right hand forbeares , nor leaves me un-upheld . but they , that make my life their prey , and for my soule contend : where lowest earth hath made their way , to death let them descend . a hand on them the sword shall heave , and shed their guilty blood : the loath'd remainder they shall leave , shall be the foxes food . in god , be glad , yet shall the king , and all that sweare him by , shall glory , but be stopt the spring , the lips that speake a lie . psal. . exaudi deus . ad praestantem . psalmus david . unto my voice , o god , give eare , to whom my praier doth goe : preserve my life from pallid feare , of my pursuing foe . my head from secret counsells hide , that wicked heads contrive ; from rage against me open wide , that evill doers drive . with venom'd edge and fell intent which whet their tongues like swords ; and shoot in bowes by malice bent , ( sharp arrowes ) bitter words . a secret shot at him to fit , that is in heart upright : with sure and sudden hand they hit , and feare not where it light . themselves in mischiefe make they bold , and commune how to lay their secret snares , to take sure hold , and , who shall see them ? say . iniquities new shapes have sought , and masked faces found ; discovering of their wicked thought , the heart-corrupted ground . but god , a sudden shaft sharp ground , and swifter than the wind , shall shoot at them , and in the wound , shall leave the head behind . yea , their owne tongues shall they incite , upon themselves to fall : which all that see , with fearfull flight , shunne their example shall . all earthly men shall in their feare , the worke of god declare ; and wisely weigh what these men were , and whose these doings are . the just and upright , for his part , shall in the lord rejoyce ; and trust in him : all true of heart , shall glory in their choice . psal. . te decet hymnus . ad praestantem . psalmus david canticum . on thee waits sions silent praise , o god , that hear'st the praier : to thee , the vow thy people paies , to thee all flesh repaire . iniquities , with words at will , against me have prevail'd ; but our transgressions covering still , thy mercy never fail'd . o blessed he , whom thou dost chuse , so neere thy courts to dwell : thy houses goods where we may use , thy temples plenty , tell . thou god , our health , by fearfull signes shalt answer us againe : just hope of all that earth confines , or farthest seas containe . which by his strength lifts up the hills , above the plaines to towre ; and firmnesse to their height fulfills , which girded is with pow'r . which stills the raging of the seas , be-calmes the billowes sounds ; and ( more outragious , to appease ) the peoples tumult bounds . on earth , the utmost dwellers feare thy signes : the goings out of east and west ( thy light that beare ) for joy thou mak'st to shout . thou visitest the soile with showres , of life-inspiring raine ; rich mynes of pearle , thy deaw downe powres , the greedy plowmans gaine . gods river reacheth far and wide , thy care prepares the corne ; and seed , to mother earth dost hide , in teeming-furrow borne . the waters melt her drunken plaine , the verdant blossomes swell ; on whose encrease , as drops of raine , so many blessings dwell . the yeere , with goodnesse dost thou crowne , beginning where thou end'st ; and every step stills fatnesse downe , which from the clouds thou send'st . they drop upon the pastures wide , that robe the wildernesse ; the little hills , begirt with pride , no little joy expresse . the pastures cloth'd with flockes un-shorne , their double fleeces bring : the vallies covered are with corne , for joy they shout and sing . psal. . iubilate deo. ad praestantem , canticum psalmi . in god be joyfull all the earth , his names renowne to raise : sing psalmes , make loud triumphant mirth , put glory to his praise . say unto god , thy dreadfull deeds , who can enough expresse ? whose foes , thy power , that so exceeds , ( faign'd tongues , false hearts ) confesse . the earth throughout , to worship thee , their humbled hearts shall frame ; and of thy praise , in psalmes agree , to sing unto thy name . selah . the workes of god , o come and see , what he to passe hath brought , what terrible atchievements he for adams sons hath wrought . the sea , away on heaps he sent , the deep he made dry ground : where , through the floud on foot we went , in him , there joy we found . he rules for ever by his power , on nations sets his eies : that ( never rais'd , but , to devoure ) rebellion , never rise . selah . and ye , our god , o people blesse , with tongues , and hearts prepar'd , through every land , let more or lesse , his praises voice be heard . which putting deaths blacke darts aside , our soule in life doth stay : and suffering not our foot to slide , upholds us in our way . for thou , o god , didst triall make , what heat we could endure : if fire could force us thee forsake , that fines the silver pure . thou broughtst us where we were betrai'd , and tangled in the net : where straitnesse on our loines was laid , and pinching pannels set . thou causedst men , as heads of nought , above our heads to ride : through fire and waters hast us brought , where peace and plenty bide . with offrings burnt my vowes to pay , i to thine house will presse , performing what my lips did say , the mouth of my distresse . burnt sacrifices , fatlings throats , to thee will i returne : rams incense , bullockes , and buck-goats , upon thine altar burne . selah . o come , and hearken every one , of god that stand in feare ; and for my soule what he hath done , ye from my mouth shall heare . i with my mouth to him complain'd , his praise my tongue preferr'd : if wicked sight my heart had stain'd , the lord would not have heard . god surely heard my voice complaine , my praier to him repaire : blest god , that turn'd not backe againe his mercy from my prai'r . psal. . deus misereatur . ad praestantem , in neghinoth . psalmus cantici . in mercy god to us encline , and blesse us with his grace : upon our darknesse make to shine , his light out-shining face . selah . that knowne may be thy heavenly way , within this earthly round : that thy salvations message may among all nations sound . thy praise , o god , let peoples sing , as far as nights and daies , the sun transcends his signes to bring ; all people sing thy praise . for joy let all the nations shout , for thou with righteous doome , shalt judge the people earth throughout , the nations guide become . selah . thy praise , o god , let peoples sing , as far as nights and daies , the sun transcends his signes to bring ; all peoples sing thy praise . in field and furrow then the land shall yeeld her fruits increase ; and god , our god , with gracious hand , to blesse us shall not cease . his blessing god on us shall send , all nations far and neere : the earth throughout , from end to end , of him shall stand in feare . psal. . exurgat deus . ad praestantem , davidis , psalmus cantici . let god arise , and ( disarai'd ) his scattred foes give place : and let his haters all dismai'd , flie from before his face . driven , as the smoake before the wind , as waxe , at fire , doth melt ; so perish let the wicked kind , gods awefull presence felt . but let the just in him rejoyce , before gods face expresse their joy of heart , with gladsome voice shout out their joyes excesse . sing , sing to god , his name on hye , that rides through deserts , raise : make jah's name way , and joyfully before his face sing praise . the father of the fatherlesse , judge of the widowes crie is god , whose throne of holinesse , whose mansion is on hie . god into housholds doth dispose the solitarie cell : the prisoners lock't in chaines sets loose , in drought lets rebells dwell . o god , when through the desert-sands , thou went'st before thy flockes ; and taught'st their clay-worne feet and hands , to climbe arabian rockes . selah . earth shooke , heav'ns swet , mount sinai fell , and shrunke , to give god place : when god , the god of israel , shew'd forth his face : his face ! thou shedd'st , o god , a gracious raine , and thine inheritance , long languishing in thirsty paine , thy deawes did re-advance . therein the congregation dwelt , this coast thy creatures shar'd : thus hath ( o god ) thy goodnesse dealt , thus for the poore prepar'd . the lord gave word , by women spread , through that great army they sung , " kings , with armies fled ; they fled , the ho●●e-dove shar'd the prey . your beauty , though the pots have spilt , where ( sooty ) ye have line : with silver wings , neckes parcell-gilt , your dove-like plumes shall shine . when god almighty gave the blow , where kings confounded fell : our sion , shady-tsalmons snow , for whitenesse did excell . gods mountaine , as mount basan stands , mount basan , fertile , hie : whose crest , so many crests commands , to sion comes not nie . insulting hills , so high , so great , this mountaine god loves well : the lord desires to make his seat , for ever here to dwell . myriads of angels ; mighty names , gods chariots , millions fill ; in them the lord , as sinai's flames , on sions holy hill. thou art ascended up on hie , above the fiery heaven ; hast captive led captivitie , and gifts in man hast given . with them ( the more ingratefull they , that faithlesse did rebell ; and but compell'd , would not obey ) that thou lord god mightst dwell . the lord be blest , throughout our land , whose boundlesse mynes of wealth , with bounty daily load our hand , the god , our saving health . selah . god our salvations is become , our god , that gives us breath , eternall is , the lord , to whom the issues are of death . sure , god will smite his haters heads , and wound the hairie skull of him , that life ungodly leads , and sinne on sinne doth pull . the lord said , i will bring againe , from basans slaughtred king ; thee , from the gulfes amid the maine , againe , my people , bring . deep in the bloud of tyrants shed , thy trampling foot to staine ; and of thy dogs the tongue die red , where all thy foes lie slaine . what triumphs thee , o god , did bring , they saw it face to face ; thy goings , o my god , my king , within thy holy place . before went singers , afte they on instruments that plai'd ; among them damsels held their way , that hand on timbrell laid . in thine assembly let not thankes from god the lord depart : o fountaine , clos'd in israels bankes , from fountaine of thy heart . there , little benjamin set hie , with judahs royall race ; of zebulun , and nephthali , the princes crown'd the place . strength from his strength forth-issuing , thy gods command hath brought ; establish thou , o god , the thing , that thou for us hast wrought . and for jerusalems deare sake , and for thy temple there ; to thee shall kings their homage make , and humbly presents beare . rebuke the wild beasts of the reed , the bulls incursions barre : whose calves on silver fragments feed , disperse the friends of warre . sultans shall from canôpus come , cush , from cassumo's sunne , to god , on glad ambassage home , with hands out-stretch't shall runne . to god , on earth ye kingdomes nie , to god like praises bring ; in psalmes sing to the lord most-hie , your highest praises sing . selah . to him that on the heavens doth ride , the heav'ns that were of old ; loe , what he is , his voice hath tri'd , a voice of strength hath told . to god give strength , that doth excell , from whom all strengths arise : whose glory over israel , whose strength is in the skies . how dreadfull is , o god , thy sight , thy sanctuaries tell : blesse god , that gives his people might , the god of israel . psal. . salvum me fac . ad praestantem super sosannim , davidis . save me , o god , the waters rise , so fast the flouds come on , that even unto my soules surprize , the swallowing gulfe is gone . downe in the mud i sinke so low , to stand i find no ground ; so high the waves above me slow , so deep the surge to sound . my weary spirit is spent with cries , my throat with scorching strait : my sight attentive , failes mine eies , while for my god i wait . my head hath haters moe than haires , whom wrong upon me throwes ; and power , that in my right impaires , in mine oppressors growes . i paid them that i never tooke , what follies are in mee : what faults , when thou art pleas'd to looke , are knowne , o god , to thee . let not ( lord god of hosts ) my blame , abash thy servants care : o god of israel , in my shame , let none that seeke thee , share . for thy sake have i borne reproach , in me this blot thou hast : no covering else could shame encroach , upon my face to cast . my brethren , no such brother know , no fremme , befriended lesse : my mothers children , none such owe , none more unwelcome guest . out-eaten with thy houses zeale , mine earning heart is rent ; and their reproaches on me steale , that at thy face were bent . mine eyes to weep , my soule to fast , was my reproach and shame ; and sackcloth on my shoulders cast , their jesting-stocke became . within the gate , did they that sit , against me set their tongue : their tipling-talke , my troubles fit , i was the drunkards song . but , lord , a gracious time assigne , to answer me with ruth : thy mercies beames , o god , let shine , and thy salvations truth . deliver me out of the mire , my feet from sinking keep : redeem me from my haters ire , and from these waters deep . let not the gulfie-mountaines tombe , her crest above me put : let not the pits insatiate wombe , her mouth upon me shut . lord , answer me , for thou art kind , and gracious evermore : o turne thy face , that i may find thy tender mercy store . and from thy servant cease to hide thy face in time of need : in my distresses springing tide , to answer me make speed . draw neere , my soule , and cleare the debt , for my redemption due : deliver me , whom sore beset , mine enemies pursue . reproach and shame ( thou know'st ) have brought mine honour in disgrace : all this have my distressors wrought , and all before thy face . rebuke hath broken through my heart , some balme for sorrowes wound i sought ; but none to salve my smart , no comforter i found . for food to eate they gave me gall , my hungry taste to dine : for drinke , when , thirsty , i did call , they gave me eagre wine . let be their table made their snare , to trap themselves withall ; and well what might have made them fare , be warp to make them fall . darke eies , let darker judgement bleare , nor sight , nor fore-sight take ; and make their loines for guilty feare , continually to shake . thine indignation on them powre , with dread to strike them cold ; or let thy hot displeasures showre , upon their heads take hold . waste let their ruin'd castle lie , no hand their soile manure : nor lord , nor tenant hold thereby , no head their tents endure . for whom thou smit'st , they persecute ; thou chastenest , they confound : and how to mischiefe they dispute , where thou hast made a wound . from wickednesse to wickednesse , let their offences fall ; and to thy justice have accesse , of them let none at all . out of the booke let them be crost , where thine elected live ; and with the just no name engrost , of them no notion give . as poore and pensive as i stand , thy saving healths supply , let find , o god , a powerfull hand , to raise me up on hie . to blesse thy name , o god , will i a psalme of praises bring ; and with confession magnifie his mercy , whom i sing . and this shall doe the lord more good , and better please in proofe , than tendrest bullockes reeking blood , in pride of horne and hoofe . to see this sight , with joy of heart , it shall transport the meeke : your soule from life shall not depart , if after god ye seeke . for to the poore the lord gives eare , his prisoners cares to keep : heavens , earth , and seas , his praises beare , and all that in them creep . for his mount sion god will save , and judah's cities build : that there their dwellings men may have , with heires of promise fill'd . and of his servants shall the seed possesse the heritage : and they that love his name , succeed therein , from age to age . psal. . deus in adjutorium . ad praestantem , psal. davidis , ad recordandum . now , now , in my extremes of need , o lose no time in waste ; deliver me , o god , with speed , to help me , lord , make haste . shame and confusion on them lie , that seeke my soules annoy : turn'd backe , and blushing let them flie , that in my evill joy . let this reward their wages pay , to send them backe with shame : aha , in scorne to me that say , and make my griefe their game . let them that seeke thee , all alway , in thee with joy abide : let thy salvations lovers say still , god be magnifi'd . to me , poore soule , so low downe cast , o god , make speed away : my help , and my deliverer haste , o lord , make no delay . psal. . in te domine . for ever , me , that in thee trust , lord , let not shame deprave : my plaintiffe-soule , as thou art just , deliver , heare , and save . be thou , where i may enter , still my rocke of residence ; to save me , is thy precepts will , the fort of my defence . the raging hand , my god , becalme , assert my libertie , safe , from the evill-doers palme , sow'r-leav'nd in crueltie . for thou , lord god , art of my rest the long-expected scope ; thou art my weaner from the breast , mine infant-ages hope . my navill , since the wombe forsooke , thy hand did me uphold : me , from my mothers bowels tooke , of thee , my praise still told . as from a monster , many eies , from me astonisht start : when strong distresse yet on me lies , my stronger hope thou art . my mouth , no other musicke fill , no story stile my song ; to descant of thy praise , my skill , thy glory , all day long . o , cast me not in age away , when weaknesse strong assailes : now leave me not to my decay , when strength enfeebled failes . for they that bare me causelesse hate , ( my foes ) against me spake ; and they that for my soule lay wait , together counsell take . since god ( say they ) doth him forsake , now left he is alone : on , on , him persecute , him take , to rescue him is none . but goe not farre , o god , from me , nor fit occasion waste ; at present need as present be , my god , to help me haste . confusion let confound them all , that to my soule are foes : reproach , dishonour on them fall , that seeke my evill woes . yet shall my hope wait patiently upon thy help in store ; and to thy praise , continually adde praises more and more . thy justice shall my mouth expresse , thy saving health all day : whose numbers summe so numberlesse , my cyphers cannot say . to sing thy power , this power of mine , how be it ( lord god ) too weake ; yet of thy justice , only thine , somewhat , suffice , i speake . my heart , o god , hast thou prepar'd , and from my childhood taught : and hitherto have i declar'd , what wonders thou hast wrought . and now , that i ( o god ) am old , mine almond-tree growne gray : mine age , from thee , let none behold , forsaken , sent away . till i have shew'd thine armes extent unto this ages view ; and of thy power , a president , to all that shall ensue . thy justice is in thee alone , o god , unto on hie : to those great acts which thou hast done , who like ( o god ) comes nie ? thou shew'dst me many evill daies , much sorrow mad'st me see ; from under ground yet didst thou raise , returne , and quicken mee . to make me greater , far and wide thou gav'st me great encrease ; to better me on every side , thy goodnesse did not cease . thee , and thy truth , my god , to praise , not psalterie alone ; but song and harp will i up-raise , o israels holy-one . with joy , above all joyes esteem'd , my lips shall shout to thee ; so shall my soule , by thee redeem'd , in psalmes as joyfull be . my tongue , the trumpet , shall proclaime thy justice all the day : for they are blank't , and brought to shame , that seeke my soules decay . psal. . deus , iudicium . solomoni . o god , give judgement to the king , thy judgements depths to sound ; and to the kings son , knowledge bring , where justice may be found . so , he that gives the life to lawes , an upright hand shall beare : with justice judge the peoples cause , the poore , with judgement , heare . the mountaines , that in height excell , shall bring the people peace ; the lesser hills , that lower dwell , by justice shall encrease . him , for their judge the poore shall have , to crush the fraudulent : the sons of needy-soules to save , suppresse the violent . and they with feare shall thee adore , when daies and nights are none ; when sun and moon shall shine no more , when ages all are gone . he shall come downe , like soaking showers , in fleece-shorne medow mowne ; embroid'ring earth with fruits and flowers , on summers mantle growne . the just shall flourish in his daies , and multitude of peace ; untill the moones extinguisht raies , shall change , to change , and cease . the utmost shoare , from sea to sea , shall be his empires bound ; and from euphrates watrie-lea , as farre as earth hath ground . the ethiopian sun-burnt crust , shall ( bow'd before him ) kneele : his enemies shall licke the dust , that scatt'reth from his heele . with presents , and with precious things , from tharshish , and the isles ; from sheba , and from seba , kings , shall measure worlds of miles . all kings ( before whom subjects kneele ) kneele downe , and serve him shall : all nations , his dread scepter feele , and downe before him fall . for he that heares him , shall redeeme the needy , when he cries : the poore un-heeded soule esteem , and him that helplesse lies . the simple he ( with want , that strive ) shall mercifully spare : preserve the needy-soules alive , and for their safetie care . their soule from rapine he shall free , whom fraud or force betray : and precious in his eies shall be the bloud that they shall pay . and he shall live , and sheba's gold , to him shall men commend ; and praiers for him continuall hold , to praise him all day spend . a shocke of corne the hills shall make , the citie shall abound ; whose fruit , like lebanon shall shake , and spring , as grasse on ground . his name ( the son ) when sun shall rest , shine fresh for ever shall : yea , in his name ( and call him blest ) be blest shall nations all . to god the lord , the god in whom the sonnes of israel live : from whom alone all wonders come , to him all blessings give . be ever blest his glorious name , and by the sons of men , let with his glory , earths whole frame be fill'd , amen , amen . for solomon his sonne to sing , this psalme his father penn'd ; so davids praiers here did the king , the sonne of jishai , end . finis libri secundi . lib . iii. psal. . quàm bonus deus . psalmus asaphi . yet god to israel is good , affects the pure in heart ! and i ; my feet , but faltring stood , my steps were like to start . i envi'd follies proud commands , the wickeds peace i saw : for in their death there are no bands , but lording-strength their law. tell them of troubles , where , or when , for care they keep no roome ; nor are they plagu'd , like other men , neere them no crosse may come . of pride therefore a chaine hung downe , about their neckes they beare : and violences guarded gowne , the garment is they weare . their fat-swolne eyes beare out so bold , in plenty share such part : their heaps no house enough to hold , their happinesse no heart . corrupt , in their licentious vaine , with their malicious tongue : oppression proudly they maintaine , and highly boast of wrong . their mouth against the heavens they vent , to brave , blaspheme , and fling , throughout the earth , till they have spent their tongues envenom'd sting . his people therefore hither turne , and seeking like successe , of waters wrung from their full urne , sucke up the bitternesse . tush , how should god , that comes not nie , ( say they ) such trifles know : or how shall he , that is most-hie , esteem of things so low ? loe , these the worlds ungodly guests , and there , these prosper best : loe , these are they , that wealth possesse ; nay , are by wealth possest . now surely i , on poore pretence , have cleans'd my heart in vaine ; and washt my hands in innocence , with labour for my paine . and dieted i am all day with plagues , for my repast ; and in the mornings , is my pay , rebuke , to breake my fast . thus , if i say , when i have said , how ( faithlesse ) i offend ; and of thy sons , the race up-brai'd , and rashly reade their end ? then thought i how to cleere this doubt , to sound this depth againe ; but found it hard to find it out , and in mine eyes a paine . till to gods holy house i went , and wisely did attend : of these men , there , and their extent , i understood the end . them , surely , hast thou set aloft , on high , but slipp'ry seats : whence , when they fall , they fall not oft , but soon thy hand defeats . how suddenly left desolate , to ruine are they brought ; how soon consum'd is their estate , with terrours over-wrought ? as , on the wing of fancy flies , a dreame from one awake ; so , lord , when up thou shalt arise , despis'd their image make . my sowre-leav'nd heart did surely pant , my reines corrected mee : so brutish i , so ignorant , was , as the beasts , with thee . with thee , yet still did i abide , to thee , my right hand , cleave : me , with thy counsell shalt thou guide , to glorie then receive . in heaven , what one have i , but thee , to whom my hopes suspire : in earth , delights are none for mee , but thou , my lifes desire . my flesh and heart , consum'd at length , as now , assist me not : but of my heart , the rocke of strength , for ever , god my lot . for loe , by thee be overthrowne , and perish shall each one , that are to idols of their owne , from thee awhoring gone . as for my good , i hold it best , neere god to draw my care : on god the lord , my hopes to rest , and all thy workes declare . psal. . ut quid deus ? admonitio asaphi . forever ! what doth thee provoke , from us cast off to keep ? still shall , o god , thy nostrils smoake , against thy pasture-sheep ? thy congregation call to mind , thy now forsaken fold , whom thou , from bondage didst unbind , and purchast hast of old . thine heritages rod redeem'd , among our fathers dealt : this sion-mount , so much esteem'd , the seat , where thou hast dwelt . lift up thy feet : thy foe defeat for ever , every one : that to thy sanctuaries seat have all this evill done . amidst thy holy places met , thine adversaries roare : their ensignes up for signes they set of conquest got before . he that high groves of cedars growne , with axe up-lifted fell'd , by much lesse loud report was knowne , like ours , no spoiler held . and now they rend , and raze as fast , the roofes , the beames , lie broke , the carved columnes downe are cast , with maule and hammers stroke . thy sanctuaries , set on fire , laid levell with the ground : the place profan'd , where thy desire to plant thy name was found . let us ( in heart , said they ) make spoile , together them destroy : unburnt , let god , in all the soile , no synagogue enjoy . our signes , we see not ! prophet none , our seers all among : before our evill day be done , none left , that knowes how long . how long , o god , of this our shame , shall our distressor dreame ? how long , for ever , shall thy name the enemie blaspheme ? why , turne thy hand ? why , thy right hand held in thy bosome void ? why , this ( while thou , withdrawne dost stand ) destroier undestroi'd ? for why ? god is my king of old , by whom , salvations wrought , doe we , amidst the earth behold , as from their fountaine brought . through standing seas divided walls , thy power , thy peoples leads ; and with thy batt'ring water-falls , thou break'st the dragons heads . leviathans great heads ( more great ) thy surges swept away : thou gav'st him to be peoples meat , the desert-dwellers prey . thou mad'st out of the stony rocke whole flouds and fountaines flie ; and through their laps , to lead thy flockes , drew'st mighty rivers drie . thine is the day , the night is thine , thou hast prepar'd the light : by day , the golden sunne to shine , the silver moone by night . ( the seas , shut up within their shores ) thou quarter'st out the coasts : the summers , and the winters flow'rs , thou lay'st with fires and frosts . remember , lord , how this reproach , the enemie did frame : how foolish people did encroach , that durst blaspheme thy name . thy turtles soule commit thou not to be the wild beasts prey ; nor thine afflicted flocke , forgot , for ever cast away . unto thy covenant have respect , for all the earth is darke ; and here , her roofes hath rapine deck't , oppression set her marke . o , let not thine opprest depart , repuls't with brand of shame : but let the poore afflicted heart , and n●edy , praise thy name . arise , o god , thy plea proceed , to plead without delay , remember how the foole-mad breed , reproach thee all the day . forget not , of thine enemies ▪ the voice that thee offends : their tumult , that against thee ●ise , continually ascends . plal . . confitebimur tibi . ad praestantem . ne corrumpas . psalmus asaphi , canticum . to thee , o god , our thankes confesse , thy praise we celebrate ; and neere to us thy names accesse , thy wondrous workes relate . when time shall bring about the day , that i the rule receive : with justice will i guide the way , and righteous judgement give . the earth , and earths in-dwellers all , dissolv'd , and downe are cast : her shaken fabricke , from to fall , her pillars i set fast . selah . to mad-proud fooles i said , beware , let folly be forborne ; and to the wicked , have a care , ye lift not up the horne . fooles , heave not up your horne on hie , lest heaven your antliers checke : your words on lowly wing let flie , not with a stiffe-borne necke . for , neither from the east nor west , nor hills , high-callings come : but god the judge , " some humbleth best , " exalteth other some . for , in his hand the lord doth beare a cup , whose wine is red ; and full of mixture is the mere by him distributed . of indignation in this cup , on earth , the wicked all , wring-out the dregs , and drinke them up , depriv'd of mercy shall . but i , for ever will declare , and hymnes of gladnesse bring : which i , for praises shall prepare , to jacobs god to sing . and of the wicked , every horne , i from their heads will rend : when high shall every beame be borne , that forth the just shall send . psal. . notus in iudea . ad praestantem , in neghinoth . psalmus asaphi , canticum . in judah god is knowne , his name is great in israel : his tent in salem : he the same , that doth in sion dwell . the burning arrowes , there he brake , shot from the bow-mans hand : the sword and shield , made field forsake , and warlike bands dis-band . selah . much brighter shines thy glories crowne , than brightnesse shines by day : thine excellence of more renowne , than are the mounts of prey . there , mighty-hearted men lay foil'● , and falling , slept their sleep : the men of power , of power , found spoil'd , which none found hands to keep . o god of jacob , thy reproofe , sent many a daring head : chariot and horse , with thundring hoofe , to sleep among the dead . thou , thou art to be fear'd alone , for thy resistlesse might : and in thy wrath , from then , what one shall stand before thy sight ? from heaven , to have thy judgement heard , it was thy dreadfull will ; and at thy thundring voice afeard , earth trembled , and was still . when god in judgement rose , to save the meeke on earth , un-slaine : selah . praise of mans rage , th●● sure shalt have , the rest thou shalt , ●●straine . vow to the lord your god , and pay , all round about him neere ; your present in the presence lay , of jacobs fathers feare . the spirit of princes rank-growne pride , his gathering spirit shall prune : that is , on earth an awfull guide , to keep their kings in tune . psal. . voce mea ad dominum . ad praestantem , super ieduthun , asaphi psalmus . i with my voice to god did crie , so loud , that he might heare : my voice to god i rais'd on hie , and he to me gave eare . while day to my distresse gave light ▪ unto the lord i mourn'd : my restlesse sore ran out by night , my soule from comfort turn'd . i thought on god : my troubled thought betooke me no reliefe : my spirit complain'd , but over-wrought was my complaint with griefe . selah . thou heldst my heavie eyes awake , while i , with watching , weake , would rest ; but rest i could not take , astonish't , could not speake . i thought upon the daies of old , their compleat summe to cast ; and of our fathers ages told , what yeeres in number past . i call'd to mind my song by night , i commun'd with my heart ; and throughly out to search my spirit , bare every part a part . for ever , will the lord , displeas'd , cast off , and not restore : and will his anger , unappeas'd , adde no acceptance more ? for ever , is his mercy done , his word , to ceasing put ; his grace , hath god forgot so soon , in wrath his bowells shut ? selah . or , is my sicknesse this , ( said i ) that i so late began : of his right hand , that is most-hie , the changing turnes to skan ? to my remembrance will i call , what workes the lord hath wrought , what wonders did of late befall , will ponder in my thought . of all thy workes will i advise , and as i meditate , make my discourses exercise , thy doings to relate . most holy is ( o god ) thy way , thy sanctuaries seat ; thy second , whom can any say , as god , as god so great ? thou art the god ; that strength , thou art , that strange designes hast showne ; and of thy power , hast made thy part , among the people knowne . thy peoples generations , thine arme redeem'd of old : thy jacobs , and thy josephs sons , whom josephs brethren sold. thy face , o god , the waters saw , the waters saw thy face ; the trembling waters stood in awe , the groaning deeps gave place . the clouds on earth , their tempests powr'd , the skies gave out a sound : thine arrowes from the quiver showr'd , made seas on seas rebound . thy thunder-shot roar'd round about , the world with lightnings shone ; the earth was stirr'd , and shooke , in doubt , her day-light lamp was gone . yea , even this dreadfull glimm'ring light , glad comfort gave their eie ; that in this darknesse-double-night , yet let them see to die . thy way , is in the sea aside , on heaps divided throwne : thy pathes through many waters guide , thy footsteps are not knowne . thou leadst thy people through the land , as shepheard leads his sheep : by moses , and by aarons hand , thy flocke ordain'd to keep . psal. . attendite , popule . admonitio asaphi . my law , that i shall give in charge , o ye my people , heare : to what my lips shall speake at large , incline your heedfull eare . a parable my mouth shall shew , darke mysteries of old , what we have heard , and knowne , renew , as have our fathers told . which of the ages sons un-borne , we will conceale from none , what crownes of praise the lord hath worne , what powerfull wonders done ? a covenant he with jacob strooke , gave israel a law : wherein , strait charge our fathers tooke , to hold their sons in awe . that their posteritie might know , and learne by them alive : from seed to seed rise up and sowe , from sonne to sonne derive . on god , their hopes that they might set , gods acts charactred deep within their breast , might not forget , and his commandments keep . not , as their fathers disobey'd , a race that did rebell : a race , from god , whose heart un-stai'd , whose spirit unfaithfull , fell . such as the sons of ephraim were , that arm'd , and bearing bow , flung downe their armes , and fled for feare before the signall-blow . of god , the covenant kept they not , his precepts pathes eschew'd : what deeds he did for them , forgot what wondrous workes he shew'd . what wonders in their fathers sight , sad proofe can egypt yeeld , whereto , though misraim all , had right , most right had zoan field . the sea for them did he divide , and made them passage all : he heap't the waters side by side , to stand , as wall by wall . a cloud all day , their course to keep , all night , a light of fire : from desert-rockes , as from the deep , gave drinke at their desire . swift streames out of the rocke he brought , that forth like rivers flie : their sinne , on sinne , in desert wrought , provok't , yet , god most-hie . and , tempting god , with grudging hearts , their soule requiring meat : shall god ( said they ) in desert parts , on tables set to eate ? behold , he smote the stony rocke , whence flow'd those streames afresh : but can he for his peopled flocke find bread , or furnish flesh ? this heard the lord ; but heard with wrath , the fire that jacob blew : for this ingratefull breach of troth , on faithlesse israel slew . for they to god no faith had given , nor his salvation trust : though clouds enjoyn'd , & doors of heaven , lay open to their lust . he , manna downe on them did raine , their hunger to suffice ; and gave them of that heavenly graine , from garners of the skies . that man , the mighties bread might eate , it was his makers will : who sent them this celestiall meate , of angels food , their fill . he , from heavens nabathean mouth , his east wind made to blow : his power brought from sabean south , a softer gale to glow . he rain'd downe flesh , the desert dust , to number , is not more ; and feathred-fowle , to fill their lust , as sand , on sea-driv'n shore . he made it fall , his camp throughout , so bigge the cloud did swell ; his habitations round about , the feathred-tempest fell . so they did eate , and had their fill , their lust , so highly priz'd , had what they would , yet , not their will ; were cloi'd , but not suffic'd . while yet the meat was in their mouth , gods wrath upon them came ; and slew the fat of all their youth , the hopes of israels name . this done , yet sinn'd they more and more , the more their god to grieve : his wonders slighting , as before , nor would they yet beleeve . he therefore did consume their daies in vanitie , their yeeres , not close , with ages kind decaies , but crosse , with hasty feares . on them , when slaughters hand he brought , then home to him retir'd : then sought him , early then him sought , then after god enquir'd . that god was then their rocke of strength , they could remember well ; and that the highest god , at length , was their redeemer , tell . yet did their mouth but faigne the while , this was but flat●'ries gloze , their tongue fram'd this alluring stile , these lies with him to close . their heart with him was wrong within , his covenants faith forgot : his mercy covered yet their sin , and them corrupted not . how often his compassions wing , could wind his wrath aside ; and on their heads forbeare to bring his whole displeasures tide . remembring that they were but flesh , a vapour , whift away : whose flower may never spring , refresh , but once , and soon decay . how often did they him provoke , the wildernesse can speake : how often his displeasures stroke , the deserts saw him breake . yet turning backe , to sinne they fell , and tempting god againe : the holy-one of israel , their limits would containe . nor minded they his mighty hand , nor their redemption-day : when he them freed from pharaoh's land , from bondage sent away . what strange designes in egypt done , what wonders zoan-plaines : all ages wonder , equall none , and memphis yet complaines . he turn'd their rivers into bloud , that thirst it selfe did shrinke , in plenty , poore ; of nilus floud when egypt could not drinke . devouring flies , promiscuous swarmes , to eate them up , he sent ; and fenny frogs importune charmes , corrupting , where they went. he let the caterpiller eate the fruit of all their soile ; and gave their labours hopefull sweat , to be the locusts spoile . their vines , with haile-stones he destroi'd , their sycamores with frost : with haile , their heards , their flocks annoi'd , in flames of lightning lost . his indignations fi'rie stripes , his fury on them spent ; and guilty-soules tormenting gripes , by evill angels sent . he spared not their soule from death , to weigh his angers way , made man and beast give up their breath , the pestilences prey . the first of all in egypt borne , unequall death prevents ; the principall of strength , the horne , where cham had pitch't his tents . but sorth , like sheep , from tempest fled , he made his people passe ; and , like a flocke in deserts led , as in deep pasture grasse . he led them safe , and free from feare , their walkes were through the waves ; but drown'd their foes , that here and there had made the sea their graves . and them , he to his rocke of rest , his holy border , brought , this mountaine lov'd above the best , and with his right hand bought . before them , out the heath'ns he cast , and shar'd their lot by line ; where anak raign'd in ages past , the shields of jacob shine . ingratefull they , their god most-hie , yet tempt , afresh provoke : his testimonies naught set by , with them can beare no stroke . they turne their backes , disloyall grow , and flie their fathers flight : " so starts aside the warping bow , the archer aiming right . and now , to grate his angry gall , hill-altars , idoll-groves , grav'n-imagery , whereto they fall , his jealous fury moves . this , hearing god , his wrath grew hot , so foule revolt to heare ; so israel his hatred got , his people held so deare . his tabernacle he forsooke , that shilo lov'd so well ; his tabernacle , where he tooke delight with men , to dwell . his arke , his monument of power , he left in captive bands ; and gave his glories beauteous flowre into distressors hands . he chain'd his people to the chance of tyrants raging blade ; and wroth with his inheritance , their heads the hostage made . their young men were untimely driven , of fire to be the food : their virgins not in marriage given , nor by their praisers woo'd . their priests annointed , slaine with glaves , and laid on bloudy beers : no widowes , on their wedlockes graves , to melt some mourning teares . so wak't the lord , as after sleep , the rowzed sp'rits refine : or , as a giant , sowsed deep in lavish cups of wine . with hemorroids , on their parts behind , his enemies he smote ; and branded them , and all their kind , with shames eternall note . for josephs tent he did refuse , or ephraims tribe to move : but judah's royall tribe did chuse , and sion-mount his love . there , built his temples hornes on hie , his holy-place so sure , that founded to eternitie , might firme , as earth , endure . his servant david ( hooke and sling ) he drew from folds of sheep ; and of a shepherd , made a king , a flocke of soules to keep . from following ewes , with young ones great , of jacobs chosen seed : possest him of a regall-seat , his israel to feed . and them within this holy land , with perfect heart he fed : them , with a prudent pastors hand , ( his flocke ) discreetly led . psal. . deus , venerunt . psalmus asaphi . thine heritage , o god , expil'd , invading heath'ns laid waste : thine holy place have they defil'd , on heapes have salem cast . the caskasse of thy servants , meat given to the fowle of heaven ; and of thy saints , the flesh to eate , to earths wild beast is given . their bloud , about thy salem , round , like waters have they shed , profanely left above the ground , their bones un-buried . our neighbours neere , on every side , reproach us face to face ; and round about us scorne , deride , and load us with disgrace . how long ? for ever , lord , how long , before thine anger turne ? o , shall thy jealousie so strong , like fire for ever burne ? upon the heath'n powre out thy wrath , and make their kingdomes flame , whose heart of thee no knowledge hath , that call not on thy name . for , they have eat up jacobs race , his seed , by sword devour'd ; and on his wasted dwelling place , their fire and fury powr'd . call not our former sins to mind , with speed some mercy shew ; prevent us with thy bowells kind , whose losse hath brought us low . help us , god of our health , and make thy name the glory share : deliver us , for thy names sake , our sins in mercy spare . for why live we , to see this day , to beare this by-word home ; to heare the heath'n-blasphemer say , where is their god become ? to heath'ns let this be understood , before our eyes be read ; how deare thy vengeance sells the blood of us thy servants shed . let prisoners sighes , yet re●king warme , before thee bring their breath : according to thy powerfull arme , reserve the sons of death . and their reproach , which to our paine , our neighbours on thee lay ; into their bosome , lord , againe , with seven-fold paine repay . so we , thy peoples pasture sheep , shall ever of thy praise , with thankfull hymnes , memorials keep , to age , and age of daies . psal. . quiregis israel . ad praestantem , super sosannim g●eduth . asaphi psalmus . shepheard of israel , give eare , that joseph , like a sheep , dost lead , that sitt'st upon the winged-chaire , the cherubims , cleare up thy head . before ephraim , and benjamin , before manasseh , to us come ; stirre up thy mighty strength herein , and for salvation bring us home . to shew , that saving health is thine , turne us , o turne to us againe : cause thou thy face on us to shine , salvation so shall we attaine . lord god of hosts , how long wilt thou , in these extremes of our affaires , hot-smoaking bend thine angry brow , against thy peoples humble praiers ? thou mak'st them eate the bread of teares , of teares , to drinke in measure great , our neighbours strife to fill our eares , with scorne , our foes us soule entreat . to shew , that saving health is thine , o god of hosts , turne us againe , cause thou thy face on us to shine , salvation so shall we attaine . a vine from egypt hast thou brought , the heath'ns dis-planted by thy hand , before thy plant the way hast wrought ▪ which , taking root , hath fill'd the land. the hills were covered with the shade , that from her fanne of leaves did fall ; for cold , for heat , kind shelter made , her stature , like gods cedars , tall . her branches bound the sea , a crowne , her boughes be-deck't euphrâtes shore ▪ her hedge , why hast thou broken downe , that passers-by , her clusters tore ? to root it up , the woods wild boare , to rend it downe , the fields wild beasts , all glutted with her purple gore , were this faire vines unfitting guests . returne , o god of hosts , and now , with eyes , than light , that brighter shine , looke downe from heaven upon this bough , behold , and visit thou this vine . this vine , the strength of thy right hand , stock , burnt with fire , the boughes cut downe ; sonne , for thy selfe made strong to stand , they perish at thy faces frowne . upon the man of thy right hand , o let thy hand continue long ; upon the son of man let stand , whom for thy selfe thou mad'st so strong . so no revolt of ours shall give , our backes to thee , to brand with shame , o , quicken us , and we shall live ; and living , call upon thy name . to shew , that saving health is thine , lord god of hosts , turne us againe ; and cause on us thy face to shine , salvation so shall we attaine . psal. . exultate deo. ad praestantem , super gitti●h , asaphi . to god , our strength , with joyfull voice , in triumph let us sing : to jacobs god , with echoing noise , make we the aire to ring . take up the psalmes sweet melodie , the sounding timbrell bring : the pleasant harp , the psalterie , straine voice , and wind , and string . blow up the trumpet , when the moone , her silver hornes renewes : at solemne feast , as to have done , on our high day we use . for this a statute was ordain'd , to israel fore-told : a rite to jacobs god retain'd , for jacobs sons to hold . in joseph was this witnesse cleer'd , when he from pharaoh's land went forth , a language there i heard , i did not understand . " i eas'd him of the burthen there , that on his shoulders lay ; his palmes by me delivered were , from carrying hods of clay . thou call'dst me in distresse , thy yoke of bondage i remov'd ; to thee in cloud of thunder spoke , at meribah thee prov'd . selah . heare , o my people , my record , and i will witnesse beare ; o israel , to this my word , give thou but heedfull eare . strange god in thee there shall none be , nor worship shalt thou spend , to any other god but me , thine humbled knee to bend . i , that from egypt up thee brought , the lord thy god am still ; whom land nor sea can fill , thy throat wide open , i shall fill . but this my people would not heare , my voice could not attone ; of me , for favour nor for feare , my israel would none . on this revolt , and breach of trust , did i from him depart ; and sent them , to pursue their lust , the counsels of their heart . o , had their eare my people bent , in their declining daies , had israel his wandrings spent in walking in my waies . their foes i should have soon put downe , that now against them stand ; on their distressors heads have throwne my wraths directed hand . the haters of the lord , with lies , confounded had been found ; but of their favour , in his eies , had boundlesse been the bound . with fat of wheat would i have fed his hunger , highly priz'd ; and from the rocke , with honey shed , would i have thee suffic'd . psal. . deus stetit in synagoga . psalmus asaphi . with princes ( peoples heads ) the head of princes , god doth stand , great judge amidst the gods to plead , with judges of the land . how long will ye judge evill good , in wrongs no measure kept : of wicked heads , preferre the hood , the faces , well accept ? the weake , and fatherlesse befriend , that justice judge them right ; the needy and distrest defend , from over-bearing might . the weakling , and the poore discharge , that they may live un-harm'd , them , from the powerfull hand enlarge , which wickednesse hath arm'd . they know not , neither understand , their walkes in darknesse end : move all foundations of the land , it moves them not to mend . that ye are gods , so said have i , sons of the highest , all : yet sure , ye gods , like men shall die , and , one with princes , fall . great judge on earth , of kingdomes king , thy selfe , o god , advance : for , all the nations shalt thou bring to thine inheritance . psal. . deus , quis ? canticum psalmi asaph . cease nor , as deafe , o god , so long , so long hold not thy peace : in silence still keep not thy tongue , o god , thy ceasing cease . for loe , thy foes a tumult make , rheir troupes against us lead ; and they that hate thee , for our sake , have lifted up their head . against thy people they discourse , in consultations : contriving fraud with open force , against thy secret ones . come , let us cut them off ( they said ) that nation never more , nor name of israel decal'd , remembring age restore . for they have cast with one consent , and strooke a league in heart , their powerfull armes against thee bent , against us to convert . the tents of edom , ismaelites , with moabs mis-borne breed : the hagarens , the gebalites , and peopled ammons seed . with them doth amalek conspire , with them pelesheth runs : ashur , with them that dwell at tyre , arme lots rebellious sons . selah . such end doe thou upon them bring , as madian princes tooke : like sisara , like jabin king , that fell at kishon brooke . which perished on endor plaine , where ( monuments of shame ) in dust and bloud , their bodies slaine , as dung on earth became . let oreb , and let zeeb fore-tell theirs , and their princes fall : as zebach , and zalmunnah fell , so fall their princes all . which said , " our houses to advance , gods houses let us take ; and heires of his inheritance , our heires succeeding , make . make like a wheele , my god , the race of their outragious lives ; or , as the winds distemp'red face , the withered stubble drives . as fire , that burneth up the wood , and bares the thickest hold ; or , as the flame devoures for food the mountaines sulphur-mold . so with thy tempests wrath dismai'd , pursue them to the death ; and make them with thy storme afraid , to draw their guilty breath . their brazen faces , brands of shame , their soules , of sorrow , beare , that they , o lord , may seeke thy name , if not for love , for feare . confusion sudden evermore , and trouble them torment ; and give their sinfull lives before , a shamefull deaths event . that they may know , that thou alone , whose name is eternall , on earth thy foot-stoole , heaven thy throne , most-hie art over all . psal. . quàm dilecta ? ad praestantem , super gittith . filiorum choreh psalmus . how amiable ( lord of hosts ) thy dwelling places are ? how farre above all other coasts , thy tents exceed compare ? lord , of thy courts , to joy the sight , my longing soule suspires , my flesh , my heart , above delight , the living god desires . the sparrow finds a roome to rest , from reach of common wrong : the swallow builds a curious nest , where she may couch her young . they , lord of hosts , within thy roofe , even to thine altars home , my king , my god , without reproofe , ( o me excluded ) come . with them , what blessings dwellers are , that in thy dwellings dwell : a house for thee , their hearts prepare , thy praises shall they tell . selah . they through the vale of baca goe , where teares find comforts spring ; and showers , to quench the sighes of woe , in cisterns , blessings bring . so marching on , from strength to strength , them shall their vigour beare ; till to the god of gods , at length , in sion they appeare . lord god of hosts , from heaven thy seat , my supplication heare : to what my praiers of thee entreat , o jacobs god , give ●are . see who it is that sues for grace , see whom thou hast forsooke : o god , our shield , upon the face of thine annointed looke . for , in thy courts the sweet content , that one day spent , commends ; is better than a thousand spent , that elsewhere any spends . more in thine house love i their roome , that at thy threshold sit ; than in their tents , my god , to come , that wickednesse commit . for god the lord our sun and shield , will grace and glory give ; and no good thing withhold to yeeld , to them that perfect live . o lord of hosts , thy arme of power , that armies powers doth bend ; shall on the man thy blessings powre , whose hopes on thee depend . psal. . benedixisli domine . ad praestantem , filiis choreb , psalmus . now art thou gracious lord become , unto thy chosen land : thou hast return'd thy jacob home , redeem'd from captive hand . thy peoples faults hast thou forgiven , and covered all their sin : thy furious wrath away hast driven , and call'd thine anger in . o god of our salvation , see , our former cares encrease : turne thou to us , turne us to thee , thine indignation cease . for ever wilt thou be displeas'd with us , and never end ? wilt thou , thine anger un-appeas'd , to age and age extend ? wilt thou not once returne againe , and us to life restore ; that we , thy peoples poore remaine , may joy in thee therefore ? severely , lord , as thou hast dealt , to us thy mercy shew : thy heavie hand , as we have felt , thy saving health bestow . to heare what god the lord will speake , with heed will i attend : whose promise he will never breake , but with performance end . for he will cause our pressures cease , and comfort such as mourne ; and to his gracious saints speake peace , lest they to folly turne . his saving health , sure neere at hand , shall they that feare him win : that glory may in-dwell our land , in glorious made by sin . with mercy , truth in one did meet , and hands together strike ; where justice , peace with kisse did greet , and peace return'd the like . truth , heaven her place of birth forsooke , out of the earth shall spring ; and justice downe from heaven shall looke , a heav'n on earth to bring . the lord his goodnesse shall expresse , so shall our land not cease ; the lord with blessings us to blesse , our land with fruits encrease . before his face shall justice goe , and in the way respect , to put her order'd footsteps so , as he shall them direct . psal. . inclina domine . oratio davidis . incline thine eare , o lord , to mee , and heare my humble praier : for poore and needy , i to thee , for answer make repaire . thee , let my soule her keeper have , for mercifull am i : thou , o my god , thy servant save , whose hopes on thee relye . upon thee all day calls my voice , lord , for thy graces gift : o , make thy servants soule rejoyce , which , lord , to thee i list . for thou , o lord , art good to all , and ready to forgive ; and much in mercy , all that call upon thee , to relieve . give eare , lord , what my praier requires , in these extremes of mine ; and of my humble-ey'd desires , unto the voice encline . i , in the day of my distresse , will call aloud to thee ; nor doubt accesse , nor good successe , for thou wilt answer mee . among the gods , o lord , is none with thee that can compare : nor like the workes that thou hast done , workes done by any are . all people , lord , whom thou hast fram'd , shall come and worship thee , and glorious shall thy name be nam'd , by nations all that be . for , great thou art , as we have found , by those great marvels done : that neither equall hast , nor bound , thou god , thy selfe alone . my walkes , lord , in thy way so fit , and in thy truth so frame ; my heart to thee so firmly knit , that i may feare thy name . to sing , o lord my god , thy praise , my heart shall wholly tend ; and to thy name such glory raise , as never shall have end . for towards me thy mercy great , no measure may esteem ; and from in hell the lowest seat , my soule didst thou redeem . the proud , o god , against me rise , and force with falshood met , have sought to make my soule their prize , nor thee before them set . thy pity , streames , lord god , so strong , as no compassion such : thy grace abundant , suffrance long , thy truth and mercy much . o turne thy face to me at length , as grace hath well begun ; to me thy servant give thy strength , and save thy hand-maids son . some signe , for good , upon me shew , which let my haters see ; and blush , when thou , o lord , they know , didst help and comfort mee . psal. . fundamenta ejus . filiis choreb . psalm●● c●n●●ct . low , where the hallowed mountaines fall , lie his foundation-plates ▪ much more than jacobs dwellings all , the lord loves sion gates . like glorious things have not been heard , nor moderne , nor of old , to god , thou city most endear'd , as have of thee been told . selah . in my remembrance rahab runnes , and babel , knowing mee : loe palestine , and tyre , thy sonnes , with cush , there borne was hee . and of thee , sion , shall be said , the mother of us all , whom the most-hie so firme hath laid , shall man and man thee call . with him , when he the peoples writes , the lord shall first begin ; and say , when he their names recites , this man was borne therein . selah . singers , and instruments that sound , rejoycers all with mee : voice , string , wind , water-falls abound , " my springs are all in thee . psal. . domine , deus salutis . canticum psalmi , filiis choreh , ad praestantem , super mahalath lignanoth , maschil , heman israïtae . my crying supplication , before thee day and night , lord god of my salvation , let enter in thy sight . encline thine eare , and heare mee , my soules full troubles tell , whose evills trench so neere me , my life drawes neere to hell. like them to death betaken , that downe the pit are gone , i seem a man forsaken ; a strength , that strength hath none . among the dead , free-sleeping , that in the grave lie slaine , which ( cast out of thy keeping ) cut from the hand remaine . my head thou hast captived within the lowest pit , where i of light deprived , in deeps of darknesse sit . thy furies heat inflicted , lies heavie on my crowne , with all thy flouds afflicted , thy billowes beare me downe . selah . set farre from mine acquaintance , to them thou hast me set , abhorr'd , shut up in durance , whence out i cannot get . faint-ey'd , to tuning fall i , afflictions sobs my psalmes , on thee , lord , all day call i , to thee i spread my palmes . wilt thou from deaths vast regions , prodigious shadowes raise ; of all those idoll-legions , what one shall sing thy praise ? and shall thy loving kindnesse , within the garve be told ? or shall abaddon's blindnesse , thy faithfulnesse unfold ? thy deeds of admiration shall darknesse bring to light ? who in oblivions nation , thy justice shall recite ? but , lord , to thee sincerely my plaint doe i present ; and in the morning early , my prai'r shall thee prevent . why , lord , dost thou reject mee ? why lay my soule aside ? why let thine eare neglect mee ? thy face why dost thou hide ? afflicted soule , deceasing , thy ceaslesse stripes i beare , from since my youths increasing , distraction , doubtfull feare . thine anger 's over grow mee , thy frightings mee dismay : all round they overflow mee , like waters , all the day . from mee thou hast removed my friends , my knowne delight , my lovers , my beloved , are darknesse in my sight . psal. . misericordias domini . maschil , etan israïtae . the tender mercies of the lord shall ever be my song ; so shall my mouth thy truths record , to age and age prolong . for mercy shall be built ( i said ) eternall to endure : the heav'ns establisht hast thou laid , then heav'n , thy truth more sure . the covenant with thy chosen strooke , shall in my mind be borne : the oath , which i to david tooke , to him my servant sworne . for ever , of thy seed to reigne , will i establish one ; to age and age that shall remaine , will i build up thy throne . selah . in speechlesse speech the heav'ns , o lord , thy wondrous workes confesse ; the saints assemblies , of thy word declare the faithfulnesse . for who in heav'ns high mansions may with the lord compare ? or who among the mighties sons , can equall lordship share ? god is exceeding dreadfull , where his saints their secret hold ; and round about him full of feare , all-over to behold . lord god of hosts , all-powerfull lord , what power is like to thine ? the splendour of whose faithfull word , doth round about thee shine . thou rul'st the swelling of the seas , proud billowes of the maine ; their waves high-rising to appease , and still their stormes againe . the pharian rahab didst thou smite , as one that wounded lies : thou scatt'redst with thine arme of might thy mighty enemies . thine are the heav'ns , the earth is thine , the world thy word did found ; and all within the vast machine , the plenty of this round . thee , north and south , creatour call , to sing thy name they run : from westerne tabors shady fall , from chermons rising sun. thou hast a mighty armes command , extended farre and nie : of strength resistlesse is thy hand , and thy right hand is hie . with justice judgement , bases stand , supporters of thy throne ; and truth with mercy , hand in hand , before thy face are gone . o people blest , that know aright the trumpets joyfull sound ; still walking in thy faces light , shall they , o lord , be found . for in thy name shall they delight , all day remembring thee ; and in thy justice made upright , shall they exalted be . the glory of their strength thou art , to us thy favour borne , shall be the strengthner of our heart , up-lifter of our horne . suffice it , that the lord alone in our defence we bring : our shield is of the holy one of israel , our king. in vision , to thy holy one , then spake thy spirit , and said , my help have i , to hold the throne , on one , made mighty , laid . one of the people , rais'd to lead my flocke , did i appoint , my servant david , and his head , my holy oile annoint . with whom my hand shall be so strong , that strengthned with my arme , him , nor exacting foe shall wrong , nor sonne of evill harme . and his distressors , from his face , with strokes will i beat downe ; and give my plague a lighting place upon his haters crowne . my faithfulnesse shall be the same , with him my mercy rest ; his horne shall flourish in my name , with high-exalted crest . from shore to shore , from land to land , enrich't with unbought goods , i in the sea will set his hand , his right hand in the floods . himselfe the issue of my stocke , my sonne , and me lie shall , my father thou , my god , the rocke of my salvation call . and him the first-borne will i give , the kings of earth above ; with him my love shall ever live , my covenant faithfull prove . and in their changes to succeed , when times and times are done ; for ever will i set his seed , as daies of heav'n his throne . but if my law his sons forsake , my judgements walke beside ; profane my statutes , faile to take my precepts for their guide . to visit their misdeeds will i then with the rod begin ; lay stripes on their iniquitie , and scourge them for their sin . my mercy yet shall no repeale , to part from him prevaile ; nor i with him will falsly deale , against my faith , nor faile . my covenant shall no change profane , what league my lips did tye : my holinesse once swore in vaine , if i to david lye . his seed shall ever be : his throne before me shall appeare , like heav'ns bright paire , the sun , the moone , that faithfull witnesse beare . but thine annointed left forsooke , thy wrath hath beaten downe ; the covenant of thy servant broke , profan'd on earth his crowne . his hedges all hath overthrowne , wide open flung his folds , where any fort of his was knowne , to ruine brought his holds . all passengers of him make prey , to neighbours neerer home an object , he of scorne and play a loud reproach become . his foes right hand hast thou up-set , his hands successe to crosse : their joy , his joyes from him to get , their laughter made his losse . his swords keen edge didst thou abate , his hand in battell bound ; hast made to cease his glories date , and throwne his throne to ground . his daies of youth hast thou made short , cut off before they came : un-ripened reapt , but to abort , and wrapt him up with shame . selah . for ever , lord , and no returne , how long selfe absent ? how long wilt thou thy wrath shall burne , like fire , and not relent ? remember , o how swift my time , how short my ages span ? in vaine , why all the sons of slime , hast thou created man ? what strong man lives , and sees not death or who his soule shall save ; and stop the hand that stops his breath , the hand of hell , the grave ? selah . where , lord , where are those loves of old , thy former favours borne , so long forborne , so quencht , so cold , thy faith to david sworne ? remember , lord , thy servants shames , what foule reproach they heare ; how many ( all great peoples ) blames , i in my bosome beare . wherewith thy foes , lord , have reproach't , wherewith reproach't they have : of thine annointed scandals broach't , the footsteps to deprave . to age and age , as heretofore , among the sons of men : blest be the lord for evermore , amen ( say we ) amen . finis libri tortii . lib . iiii. psal. . domine , refugium . oratio mosis viri dei. thou , lord , hast bin our dwelling place , nor other refuge wee ; nor other found our fathers race , from age to age but thee . before the mountaines borne were nam'd , of mother earth a part : before the earth or world were fram'd , eternall god thou art . man to his mold dissolv'd thou laist in dust of death , and then , to fraile and contrite earth thou saist , returne ye sons of men . for yeeres a thousand in thine eies , are but as yesterday ; when past it is , by night ; so flies the wing'd-foot watch away . thou bearst them as a floud of sleep , that slides along the sand ; as morning deaws on meddowes weep , that wait the mowers hand . whose grasse the rising sun sees green , and flowring fresh as day ; which downe at evening mowne is seen , a withered locke of hay . for as thine anger waxeth great , so we consume withall ; and troubled at thy furies heat , how sudden is our fall ? our faults , that feare or shame would hide , before thee hast thou set ; and at thy faces light descri'd , our secret sins are met . for when thy wrath on us is brought , then all our daies decline : our yeeres consume we as a thought , our blast of breath resigne . our daies are threescore yeeres and ten , fourscore , if strength supply , pride reapt with paine , and ( wretched men ) how soon away we flie ? who knowes what power thine anger hath , who hath the power to beare ? sure , best the fury of thy wrath , is measur'd by thy feare . o teach us then to know our daies , their number so to try , that taught by thee to wisedomes waies , our hearts we may apply . returne , o lord , how long ? at last , o let it thee repent : of thy displeasures bitter blast , against thy servants bent . and let thy mercies morning deaw , upon us downe distill ; so all our daies of life ( a few ) shall joy and gladnesse fill . like joyfull daies , as while by thee afflicted we have been ; good yeeres , like many , let us see , as evill we have seen . and what thy hand for us hath wrought , to us thy servants shew ; and what thy glory forth hath brought , make thou our sons to know . and , lord our god , on us let stand , thy pleasing graciousnesse : to prosper what we take in hand , our handy worke to blesse . psal. . qui habitat . he that with him , that is most-hie , in secret shall abide , shall to th' almighties shadow flie , his safe-lodg'd head to hide . with him : " my refuge , thou , my fort , ( say to the lord will i ; ) my god , with whom in safeties port , my hopes at anchor lie . he , where the fowler sets his snare , shall set thee free from thence ; and to preserve thee have a care , from woefull pestilence . his wing , to over-shade thee spread , his plumes thy confidence : his truth a shield to save thy head , a buckler for defence . nor shall thee , terrour of the night , nor arrow shot by day : nor plague , that walkes in darkness , smite , nor noon-tide-keteb slay . a thousand fall beside thee shall , yet thou not fall thereby : ten thousand at thy right hand fall , yet thee no plague come nie . this onely shall thine eye behold , what payment for their paine : for what reward their service sold , what hire the wicked gaine . because thou , lord ( my hope hath said ) my hope dost fortifie ; the mansion of my hope is laid in him , that is most-hie . there shall no evill thee befall , thy tent no plague annoy : thy keepers , he his angels shall in all thy waies employ . and they , to beare thee up from ground , shall joyne their palmes in one : thy foot , lest lightly thou shouldst wound , or dash against a stone . upon the lion shalt thou tread , upon the aspikes crowne : the lions whelp , the dragons head , thy foot shall trample downe . because on me he set his love , whence his deliverance came ; him will i set his harmes above , for he hath knowne my name . his calling on me will i heare , and answer his entreat : be with him in distresse , set cleare , and make his honour great . long life on him will i bestow , and fill him full of daies ; and unto him the splendour shew of my salvations rayes . psal. . bonum est confiteri . ad diem sabbathi . to praise the lord , is to present a good and gracious thing ; and , o most-hie , a day well spent , psalmes to thy name to sing . when for my morning songs delight , i strike thy mercies string : still-musicke , when to silent night , thy faithfulnesse i sing . to touch the ten-string'd lute with art , on psalterie to sound ; the meditation of my heart , to make my harp expound . for thou , o lord , hast made me glad , such worke thou bringst about ; and such successe thy hands have had , that i for joy will shout . thine actions are , o lord , how great ? thy thoughts exceeding deep , whereof the brute hath no conceit , the foolish takes no keep . when , like the grasse , the wicked growes , to evill doers nie : their endlesse fall , their flowre fore-shewes ; thou lord , for ever hie . for , loe thy foes , lord , loe thy foes , their ruines time attends ; and wicked workers worke the woes , that worke them wofull ends . but like the unicorne's , my horne , exalted shall appeare : and with fresh oyle , mine age , unworne , annointed , shall i beare ; with envious eyes , who me behold , their fall shall feed mine eyes , mine eyes shall heare their ruine told , that up against me rise . the just shall like a palm tree spread , what blast soever blowes , and cedar-like , lift up his head , in lebanon that growes . the planted , where the lord doth dwell , the plants there rooted deep ; within the courts shall prosper well , where house our god doth keep . their graynesse fruit yet forth shall bring , no ages grievance , seene : their almond-tree , their autumne-spring , shall sprout out fat and greene . that they may shew , and men may see , the lord to be upright ; that no unrighteousnesse can be in him , my rocke of might . psal. . dominus regnaoit . the lord raignes soveraigne governour , is cloth'd with glory bright : the lord is cloth'd in robes of power , hath girt himselfe with might . the world is also made so sure , to be remov'd by none : from then , establisht to endure , eternall is thy throne . the flouds up-rais'd , lord , make a noise , with mouthes , like gaping graves , the flouds have lifted up their voice , the flouds lift up their waves . when many waters voices crie , and winds raise mighty seas , more mighty he that sits on hie , the lord can them appease . thy testimonies are the summes of very faithfull sayes : thine house , lord , holinesse becomes , to endlesse length of daies . psal. . deus ultionum . lord god , to whom revenge belongs , set forth thy selfe thereto : o god , avenger of all wrongs , shew what thy power can doe . judge of the earth , lift up thy head , the proud hit up their hearts ; upon the haughty-hearted tread , reward them their deserts . how long insult , o lord , how long shall wicked , wicked scorne , contriving , executing wrong , with such delight be borne ? how long shall wicked workers speake the language of disdaine ; and forth in such proud boastings breake their mischiefes , bred with paine ? thy people , lord , they bruise , they bray , thine heritage oppresse : the widow and the stranger slay , strike dead the fatherlesse . god shall not looke ( say they ) so nie , and who shall make him know ? the god of jacob is too hie , to understand so low . unwise among the people heed , in time your selves advise , before too farre your pride proceed : fooles , when will ye be wise ? shall he , whose hand did plant the eare , of hearing have no sense ? nor sight , the eyes great enginer , that form'd their sevenfold fense ? he that whole nations doth chastise , his censure who shall beare ? he that in knowledge schooles the wise , his compasse who shall steere ? the lord , he knowes mans thoughts ( vaine foole ) to vaine conclusions draw : blest ( lord ) the man thou sett'st to schoole , and lesson'st in thy law. to give him , from the evill daies , in quiet rest to sit : from them that follow wicked waies , untill be digg'd the pit . his people want the lord may make , yet will not leave them there ; nor his inheritance forsake , howbeit , sometime forbeare . but judgement shall to justice fall , to righteousnesse revert ; and after it shall follow all that are upright in heart . against the evill doers head , with me who lifts a hand ? against iniquitie to plead , on my part who will stand ? if from the lord , that never failes , some help i had not felt , my soule had then ( that now prevailes ) almost in silence dwelt . when , lord , i said my foot did move , thy mercy was my stay ; my soules delights ( thy comforts ) drove my clouds of thoughts away . of tyran-evills shall the throne have fellowship with thee ; whose shadow'd lusts , for law have gone , of mischiefe make decree ? the just mans soule they hunt by troupes , condemne the guiltlesse blood : my refuge yet , the lord , my hopes , my god their rocke , makes good . on them the lord shall cause to fall their painfull wickednesse : suppresse them in their malice shall , our god shall them suppresse . psal. . venite , exultemus . come to the lord , sing joyfully , let us together flocke ; and shout aloud triumphantly , in our salvations rocke . his face with praise let us prevent , in him with psalmes rejoyce : triumphant shouts to him present , and make a cheerfull noise . for why ? the lord our god is great , a mighty king he is : above all gods , the soveraigne seat , the power imperiall his . the deeps of earth are in his hand , his , is the strength of hills : the shore-bound sea , the dry-laid land , his hand that form'd , fulfills . o come , and let us then adore , due worship yeeld him all ; and prostrate on our knees , before the lord our maker fall . for in his folds and fields is he our god , that doth us keep : the pasture his , his people we , we of his hand the sheep . to day his voice if ye will heare , then harden not your hearts : in meribah , like them that were , in massah's desert parts . that day your fathers faulty were , shooke off their former awe : to tempt me fell , to prove me there , and yet my workes they saw . to whom ( said i ) with griefe de ferr'd , full forty yeeres of da●es , this people in their heart have err'd , and have not knowne my waies . to whom i swore it in my wrath , hot boiling in my brest : if ever — : witnesse this mine oath , they enter not my rest . psal. . canta●e domino . sing to the lord a new set song , that all the earth may sing ; that all , that to the lord belong , his praise aloud may ring . sing to the lord , and blesse his name , where-ever day doth dwell ; good tidings day by day proclaime , of his salvation tell . among the heath'ns his glory shew , to nations farre and neere ; his wonders let the people know , with wondrous gladnesse heare . for great the lord , his greatnesse more , than can by praise be prais'd : all other gods above , before , his feare is to be rais'd . for all the gods among the heath'ns , are off-gods , idols vaine : the lord is he that made the heav'ns , of heav'ns , that holds the reine . before him beames of glory bright , and majestie bowe downe : his sanctuary , marchlesse might , and beauteous glory crowne . ascribe unto the lord , ascribe of every line that live ; of all the people , every tribe , all power and glory give . give to the lord the honour'd name , that with his glory sorts : take up an offring to the same , and come into his courts . in honour of his holy place , before the lord appeare : bowe downe your selves , and at his face stand all the earth in feare . the lord ( so tell the nations ) raignes , establisht by his might : that he , the world unmov'd containes , shall judge the people right . let heav'ns ( the havens of joy ) rejoyce , and let the earth be glad ; the sea set forth his roaring voice , in all his plenty clad . field , and what ever clothes the field , shout out in speechlesse noise ; all trees , that frith or forrest yeeld , before the lord rejoyce . because he comes , because he comes , with judgement in his mouth , to judge the world with righteous doomes , earths people with his truth . psal. . dominus regnavit . rejoyce let earths whole continent , it is the lord that raignes : be glad , ye many islands , pent within the maines demaines . about him clouds and darknesse round , obscur'd the light that shone : with justice , judgement laid the ground , the bases of his throne . consuming fire before him goes , that flaming from on hie , on every side pursues his foes , them following where they slie . his lightnings at the world shoot light , which bright , but dreadfull shines ; the earth lies trembling at the sight , and from her hinge declines . in presence when the lord appear'd , like waxe , the mountaines melt : the lord of all the earth they fear'd , his presence ( trembling ) felt . his justice , as the heavens declare , whose ministers they be ; on earth how great his glories are , so all the people see . graven images all they that serve , confusion stands before ; that boast of idols , whom they carve , him , all ye gods , adore . this sion heard , and joy'd to heare , that such successe they had ; thy ●udgements , lord , with reverend feare , made judah's daughters glad . for thou , o lord , ●ar higher art , than all the earth is hie ; no height , to thy heights lowest part , of all the gods comes nie . hate evill , ye that love the lord , who for his saints doth stand ; his servants favour'd-soules restor'd , to free from wicked hand . a light is for the just one sowne , whose crop shall come to light : from whence shall sheaves of joy be mow'n , by men in heart upright . ye ●ust then in the lord rejoyce , your musicke make his praise : his holinesse , with thankfull voice , remembring to up-raise . psal. . cantate domino . sing to the lord a new-set song , for wonders hath he done : with holy arme , whose right hand strong , hath his salvation wonne . his saving health the lord made knowne , the nations eyes beheld : his justice to the people shewne , hath he himselfe reveal'd . his truth and mercy , mindfull friends to israels house have been ; and of the earth , have all the ends , our gods salvation seen . shout to the lord a cheerfull cry , let all the earth up-raise : shout out , rejoyce triumphantly , in joyfull psalmes sing praise . sing psalmes with harp , with harp & voice , psalmes to th' eternall sing ; with trumpets sound , with cornets noise , before the lord the king. roare sea , and all that sea full fills , world , and world-dwellers all : high-rising rivers , high-borne hills , clap hands , to shouting fall before the lord : for he in ●ight , to judge the earth is come : to give the world his judgements right , the peoples equall doome . psal. . dominus regnavit . the lord is king , though peoples sits , his raigne ( in rage ) reprove : between the cherubims he sits , let earths foundations move . the lord is great in zions fame , above all people hie : great , fearfull , holy is his name , let their confession crie . strength-strengthning judgement loves the king , of righteousnesse his throne : with justice judgement stablishing , in jacob hast thou done . the lord our god , as it is meet , exalt , and prostrate all ; before the footstoole of his feet , ( for he is holy ) fall . with moses , aarons priests enstall'd , and samuel , on his name , with them that call , on jah they call'd , the lord then answer'd them . he from the cloudy pillar spoke , they in obedience have his testimonies kept unbroke , the law to them he gave . thou lord our god didst answer make , their pardoning god thou we●t ; yet did thy vengeance overtake , and their inventions thwart . exalt the lord our god , before his holy mountaine all ; ( for holy is our god ) therefore bowe downe your selves , and fall . psal. . iubilate de● . psalmus , ad confessionem . sing loud unto the lord a song , that all the earth may ring : with gladnesse serve the lord among , before him come and sing . know that the lord is god , that he , not we our selves did make : his pasture-sheep , his people , we from him our being take . goe in his gates , your thankes proclaime , his praise within his cour●s : to praise him , and to blesse his name , make thither your resorts . for good and gracious is the lord , his mercy never ends : the truth of his eternall word , to age and age extends . psal. . misericordiam & iudicium . davidis psalmus . what mercy , and what judgement say , lord , i will sing to thee : and wisely take the perfect way , when thou shalt come to mee . my selfe will good example give , to walke with upright heart ; and others , as i live , to live , amidst my house convert . i will not in mine eyes , abide a word of belial : i hate their worke , that turne aside , nor cleave to me it shall : a froward heart , an evill man , from me unknowne depart : detractors tongue , nor beare i can , proud looke , nor large of heart . the faithfull of the land mine eyes so●t out with me to sit ; in perfect way , whose walking lies , for me is servant fit . within mine house deceitfull wight there shall not any dwell ; nor be establisht in my sight , whose lips doth leasings tell . the wicked all out of the land , my morning search shall shut , that from gods city may my hand all evill doers cut . psal. . domine , exaudi . oratio afflicti , cùm obruitur , & ef●undit coram domino meditationem suam . in my distresse to comfort me , yet heare , o lord , my praier ; and let the crying unto thee of my complaint repaire . hide not thy face from me this day , when trouble tells my need : incline thine eare , and heare me pray , to answer me make speed . for here my daies consum'd on earth , away like smoake are gone : my bones are burnt up , lie an hearth of fire-out-eaten stone . my heart is smitten downe for dead , and withred as the grasse ; that i , to eate my daily bread , forgetfull , overpasse . my breast , my sorrowes uncouth inne , breathes forth such broken groanes , my flesh but knits up with my skinne , a sacke of saplesse bones . so mournes the wildernesses foule , the hermit-pellican : in dese●t shades so shri●kes the owle , portending spells of bane . i watch the widow'd sparrowes watch , on houses ridge alone , that of ( her better halfe ) her match , bewailes the comfort gone . reproaches bitter gall , my foes cast daily in my dish ; and in their madnesse make my woes , the measure of their wish . for i , when faintnesse would be fed , and thirst no longer beares , have eaten ashes as my bread , and blent my drinkes with teares . thine angry threat so sore doth lie , so fierce thy wrath doth grow ; thy hand but heav'd me up so hie to hurle me downe as low . the shadow of my daies declin'd , my light in darknesse spends ; like withred grasse my breath resign'd , the house of death attends . but thou , o lord , one and the same , for ever dost reside ; and this memoriall of thy name , shall age and age abide . thou to thy mercies seat shalt climbe , and bring thy sion home : for now of mercy is the time , ( the time appointed ) come . now , though thy servants nought relieve , delight her stones yet move : to see her in the dust they grieve , and yet her dust they love . thy name , o lord , the heath'ns shall feare , to find what thou hast done ; and all the kings on earth , to heare what glory thou hast wonne . when sion up the lord to build , in glory shall appeare : he to the lowlies praier shall yeeld , nor them despise to heare . this writing shall remaine un-worne , when after-age shall live ; and praise , the people yet un-borne , unto the lord shall give . for from his sanctuaries height , he downe did cast his looke : the lord from heaven did vaile his sight , when earths survey he tooke . to heare the heavie groanes of those , that draw imprison'd breath ; from chimes of iron chaines to loose the eldest sonnes of death . that of the lord their tongues the name in sion may declare ; and in jerusalem proclaime his praises what they are . when nations , from their farthest home , together gathred meet : to serve the lord , when soveraignes come , and kingdomes kisse his feet . my strength , when able strength began , he weakned in my waies : cut off my pilgrimages span , and shorter made my daies . i said , my god , post not my sunne at noone to mid-nights stage ; my race of daies is halfe to runne , thy yeeres are age and age. the earths foundations , on their weight , thou lord hast laid of old : those lamps of heaven , their orbes , their height , thy fingers did enfold . when they shall perish , thou shalt hold the centre of thy yeeres : they , as a garment , all waxe old , as chang'd , a vesture weares . but thee , for evermore the same , no compasse comprehends ; and of thy yeeres eternall frame , the circle never ends . thy servants children shall succeed , to stand before thee fast ; and last-succeeding times , their seed succeeding , shall out-last . psal. . benedic anima . d●vidis . my soule , and every secret part , within my bodies frame , to praise the lord assist my heart , to blesse his holy name . to blesse the lord , let nothing let my soule thy ready way : no benefit of his forget , with praises to repay . which pardoning all thy sins fore-past , w●●h thee in mercy deales ; to cure thy frailties doth fore-cast , and all thy sicknesse heales . which frees thy life from going downe into corruptions pit ; his mercies and compassions crowne upon thine head doth fit . with good things , to thy hearts desire , which satiates thy mouth ; and , eagle-like , renewes the fire , in embers of thy youth . to justices the lord gives light , he guides the ballance best ; and judgements executes aright , to all that are opprest . his waies he made to moses knowne , the limits of his law : his wondrous actions , all his owne , the sons of israel saw . compassion from the lord doth flow , for clemencie none such ; of suffrance long , to anger flow , his tender mercy much . his censure checkes not each offence , he will not alwaies chide ; nor keep his anger in suspense , for ever to abide . he hath not , as our sins require , with us severely dealt ; nor our iniquities like hire , to our deserts have felt . but , as the heavens unmeasur'd height , above the earth is hie ; such is his mercies matchlesse might , to them that feare him , nie . as far as whore the sunne begins , to where he sets the day ; so farre hath he remov'd our sins , and rid his wrath away . as with compassion on his sons , a fathers bowells melt ; so in the lord compassion runs , by them that feare him , felt . for to the mold he knowes we must , whereof our masse was made : remembers that we be but dust , our harbinger , the spade . the daies of man , as of the grasse , attend the sithe of death : as flower in field , his flower doth passe , and withreth with a breath . a blast of wind upon it blew , and then it ceast to grow ; then ceast to be , and where it grew , the place no more did know , to them the lord is ever kind , that to his feare doe cleave ▪ them shall the childrens children find , his justice shall not leave . on them , that to his covenant bind their hearts observance strait ; and his commandments beare in mind to practise , mercies wait . the lord hath firmly for his stall in heav'ns prepar'd his throne : his kingdomes scepter over all hath soveraigntie alone . o ye his angels , blesse the lord , y● that in strength excell ; that doe his word , and of his word attend the voices spell . blesse ye the lord , all ye his hosts , his armies at his will ; his cursitors in all his coasts , his pleasure to fulfill . all ye his workes , that where he reignes , all places may afford : to blesse the lord employ your paines , may soule , blesse thou the lord. psal. . benedic anima . sing to the lord , my soule , sing praise ; thou lord my god art wondrous great , whose vestures golden-circled raies , with beauteous glory crowne thy seat . which deck'st thy selfe , as with a robe , with light , that never eye attain'd ; which for thy vaile about earths globe , the canopie of heaven hast strain'd . his roofes with starre-set seas he seeles , their beames in plates of waters binds , ascends the clouds , his chariot wheeles , and walkes upon the long-wing'd winds . he makes his angels messengers , and with his spirit their spirits inspires ; sends forth his judgements ministers , the lightning-foo●ed flames of fires . the earth upon her bases laid , to one so equall point he drove , to one so stedfast center weigh'd , as never weight her weight might move . as with a garment , with the deep , thou coveredst earth : the maine 〈◊〉 maine sea above the mountaines steep , above the mount of ararat . at thy rebuke the waters fled , thy thunders voice them rid away . the hills un-heald , held up their head , the vallies , where thou laidst them , lay . the waters bound didst thou ordaine , bound , which they should not dare to passe , nor ever more returne againe , to drowne the earth , as once it was . he into vallies sends his springs , to dye their dusty mantles green ; from rock-rent heads their current brings , to walke the mountaine veines between . whose channels having cheer'd the field , and to the earth given moisture first , to all the wild beasts beaverage yeeld , there breake the onagers their thirst . the foules of heaven their housholds bring , and there in notes of natures choice , their makers halelu-jahs sing ; between the branches give the voice . upon the mountaines garden-land , his deawes are from his limbecks still'd : with store , without mans helping hand , ( fruit of thy workes ) the earth is fill'd . for cattell makes he grasse to grow , and herbe for use of earthly man , whose simples , who so wise , that know as well for meat , as medicine can . the earth to bring forth bread and wine , the wine , with joy that swells the veines , with oile , that makes mans face to shine , and bread , that strength of heart sustaines . the trees of god are fill'd with sap , the cedar trees of lebanon , which he hath planted on the lap of earth , for them to feed upon . that there their nests the birds may build , the kind-love storke , in pine-tree grove , high mountaine cliffes the roe-deere wild , safe-sheltring rockes the conies love , the moon ne made for certain tides , constant in her inconstant face : the sun , that daily progresse rides , of his dismounting knowes the place . thou puttest darknesse , darknesse , night ; then all the woods wild beasts forth creep , by prey that live , and love not light , ( then harmfull wake , when harmlesse sleep . ) fierce lions roaring for their prey , their food of life from god request : the sun gets up , they get away , and in their dens couch downe to rest : then out goes man , to take in hand his worke , till night his travell end , with toiling beast from labour'd land , till evening home him weary send . thy workes , o lord , how many are , in wisedome hast thou made them all , the earths abundance is thy care , whose riches thee creatour call . this sea , so great wide-handed deep , thou foundedst , fathom'st , fillst the seat , where kinds innumerable creep , lords of the sinne , both small and great . there ships their course by compasse can , and cut the maine , to make their way : there walkes the vast leviathan , whom thou therein hast form'd for play . these all on thee attentive looke , that thou in season give them food ; thou giv'st , they take , and having tooke , from thy free hand are fill'd with good . thou hid'st from them thy faces day , they at so sudden trouble mourne ; their spirit thou tak'st ( their breath ) away , they to their dust againe returne . againe , thou sendest forth thy spirit , whence they created , take their birth , which ( by traduction ) they inherit . as thou renew'st the face of earth . the glory of the lord shall shine for ever in eternall light : which length of time shall not confine , the lord shall in his workes delight . the earth stands trembling at his looke , unable to endure his sight : let him but touch , the mountaines smoake , and clothe the earth in clouds of night . sing to the lord will i so long , as life in mee leaves any breath : sung to the lord shall be my song , untill my being be in death . my muse on him shall sweetly call , and in the lord rejoyce with me : consum'd from earth let sinners fall , and wicked men no more let be . psal. . confitemini domino . confessing to the lord , give thankes , and call upon his name : make knowne among the peoples rankes , his powerfull acts proclaime . sing ye to him , to him sing praise , a psalme that shall excell : his praise-excelling workes up-raise , of all his wonders tell . his holy name your glory make . and let their heart rejoyce , that for the lord all joy forsake , to seeke him set their choice . o seeke the lord with zealous mind , his oracle of grace ; his arke of strength enquire to find , seeke evermore his face . his marvels done , his wonders heed , his mouths expressions : o ye his servant abrams seed , his chosen jacobs sons . he is the lord our god , whose care in us hath speciall right : in all the earth his judgements are , in every nations sight . his covenant he doth ever mind , his words command fore-past ; that childrens childrens seed should find a thousand ages last . this covenant he with abram strooke , to isaac swore to pay : to jacob for a law betooke , to israel for aye . thine off-spring ( saying ) to advance . i cana'n land will give , the line of thine inheritance , wherein thy seed shall live . when few of number , meanes bereft , they strangers in the land : one nation for another left , as kingdomes came to band . to doe them wrong , he suffred none ▪ even kings for them he charm'd : " of mine annointed touch not one , nor see my prophets harm'd . he call'd a famine on the land , so long with plenty fed : to weaken their ingratefull hand , brake all the staffe of bread . before them , for the dearth fore-told , he sent a man at last ; young joseph , for a servant sold , and into prison cast . his se et in setters fast they pent , where wrung , and wrested long , his soule , into the iron went , into his soule , the wrong . untill his cause for sentence cri'd , his innocence to scan : untill by word the lord had tri'd , what worth was in the man. the king would his discharger be , for his deliverance sent : the peoples ruler set him free from fault , from punishment . lord of his house he him assign'd , his substance to assise : his princes to his soule to bind , and make his elders wise . so israel into egypt came , from cana'ns better clime ; and jacob in the land of cham , did sojourne for a time . his people mightily encrease , then their oppressors made a nation more secure for peace , and stronger to invade . yet egypts heart averse was felt , his people they did hate ; and doubly with his servants dealt , unjustly held debate . his servant moses then he sent , and aarons chosen head : words of his signes among them spent , in cham his wonders spread . his word in darknesse cloth'd the light , three daies continued they in darknesse , darker than the night , and did not disobey . he turn'd their waters into bloud , their fi●h flung dead on shore ; chang'd nilus to a noisome flood , her silver streames to gore . their land in legions brought forth frogs , in field , in house , in hall : in kings bed-chambers , as in bogs , the loathsome paddockes crawle . he spake the word , and in a trice , a cloud of vermine arm'd , wing'd-flies , and infantries of lice , in all their quarters swarm'd . for showers of raine from gentler hand , he flung them stones of haile ; and flames of fire , that made their land of flocke and fruit to faile . with storme their vine , their fig-tree strook , most fruitfull , most of all ; of trees throughout their border broke the highest , soonest fall . of grashoppers a mighty presse , his word inspir'd with pow'r ; and caterpiller numberlesse , all herbes and fruit devoure . in egypt all their eldest borne , with hand of death he smote ; the prime of all their fleece was shorne , their strongest men of no●e . he brought them forth ( these wonders done ) with silver and with gold : among their tribes there was not one , a feeble person told . at their departure egypt glad , was of their stay affraid ; so lately to forsake them , sad , now loth to see them stai'd . a covering of a cloud he spread , to shade the heat of day : of fire by night , a lamp to lead , and light them on their way . of quaile , he brought at their request a showre , that downe did raine ; and with the bread of heaven them blest , suffic'd with angels graine . the rocke of stone made open flie , with waters stor'd the land , that rivers ran in places drie , ●●here late lay desert sand . his holy promise held so fast , from time it first began to abraham his servant past , in his remembrance ran . with joy his people forth he brought , his chosen with a shout : and gave them lands , and labours wrought of heath'ns , for them cast out : observe his statutes , that they might , and of his holy word the lawes obey , and learne aright to practise : praise the lord. halelu-jah . psal. . confitemint . halelu-jah . the lord is good , with thankes confesse , his mercy hath no end : the lords great powers who can expresse ? who all his praise commend ? what blessings kept for them remaine , that judgements keepers are ! for him , that justice to maintaine , at all times sets his care ! remember , lord , i numbred be with them thou tak'st to grace : with thy salvation visit me , with thy choice people place . to see what blessings by thy choice , thy chosen flocke have got : and with thy nations joy rejoyce , and glory in their lot . we , with our fathers sinfully transgrest have every one ; committed like iniquitie , as wickedly have done . thy wonder-passing wonders past , which egypts plagues could find , our fathers did not wisely cast , nor compasse in their mind . thy many mercies held no plea , from their remembrance fell ; but they ( revolters ) at the sea , ( the red sea ) did rebell . yet for his names sake , not the lesse , was he their saviour : his mercy , as they must confesse , to make them know his power . the red seas course he backe did keep , and with rebuke represse : he led them dry-foot through the deep , as through the wildernesse . and so he set them all on land , in safety from the foe ; and from their haters harmfull hand redeem'd , and let them goe . their troublers , by the waters fall , were all of life bereft ; the waters overwhelm'd them all , not one of them was left . with them his words then credit got , they sung his praise to height : but all in haste his workes forgot , his counsells would not wait . so in the wildernesse , at last , upon them came their lust ; and in ●he desert , gods fore-cast they tempted with distrust . and food he gave them at their call , above their lusts content : but loathing leannesse therewithall into their soule he sent . they weari'd moses with complaint , in their envious mood ; and aaron , of the lord , the saint , within the camp withstood . the mother-earth that rebells hates , an open grave did rive ; where dathan and abirams mates were swallowed up alive . and fire from heaven that kindled came on their rebellious crew ; burnt up the wicked in the flame , their furious treasons due . they made a calfe in choreb mount , ador'd a molten masse : their glories type , to base account , turn'd oxe , that eateth grasse . and god their saviour they forgate , his armes remembrance gone , that had so mighty things of late for them in egypt done . workes wondrous , for a world of graves , in chams un-peopled coast ; and fearfull , for the red sea waves , that sav'd , that drown'd , an host . and to destroy them in his mood , flew out his wrathfull speech , had not his chosen moses stood before him in the breach . his milder temper , mixt with zeale , gods wrath , so hot that burn'd ; with hard entreaty did congeale , and from corrupting turn'd . they of desire despis'd the land , beleeving not his word ; but in their tents in tumult stand , and will not heare the lord. against them therefore urg'd , aloft he lifted up his hand , to overthrow them threatned oft , in that forsaken land . among the nations , not their owne , to fell their rootlesse seed ; and in the lands , to them unknowne , to fanne their exil'd breed . and to baal phegors idoll-head , they joyn'd themselves amaine , the offrings eating of the dead , to powers infernall slaine . thus they to anger him provoke , with rites that they invent ; and in the plague upon them broke , their follies punishment . then stood up phineas in pursuit of cosbies carnall sin ; his hand did judgement execute , so was the plague call'd in . the author of so just a deed , his justice did commend : from age to age that shall succeed , whose praise shall never end . they vext him at the flouds of strife , with moses ill it went : for them he had a weary life , and for their sakes was shent . because his spirit they did provoke , and him to murmure prest ; that unadvisedly he spoke , and with his lips transgrest . the nations did they not destroy , of whom the lord had said , nor land , nor life let them enjoy , his charge they disobey'd . but mingled with the heath'ns they were , to learne their workes tooke care : to serve their idolls well could beare , which were to them a snare . the bloud of sons and daughters slaine , on divels altars stood : of innocents the bloudy staine of sons and daughters bloud . whose limbes their divellish-led desire with murthrous hand had pil'd ; to cana'n-idolls burnt with fire , the land with bloud defil'd . with works their own thus were they stain'd , on them their zeale they spent : as their inventions entertain'd , a whoring thus they went. the fury therefore of the lord against his people burn'd : his owne inheritance abhorr'd , his love to loathing turn'd . he gave them up to tyran's law , into the heathens hand ; that whom they hated held in awe , and lord-like might command . by enemies , with humbling strokes , opprest and bow'd they were : whose hand on them laid heavie yokes , above their strength to beare . them many a time did he redeem , but they eftsoon begin ; and of their counsells more esteem , though humbled for their sin . yet when he saw their hard restraint , how their afflictions grew ; then hearkning he to their complaint , his chastisement withdrew . his covenant did he beare in mind , that he with them had strooke ; on them his many mercies kind , repentant pity tooke . he gave them to the tender eare of their commanders will : made them , to whom they captives were , their eyes with favours fill . proceed , o lord our god , to save , from heath'ns our heads to raise , that praise thy holy name may have , we glory in thy praise . the lord the god , of israel king , be blest eternally : amen , let all the people sing , all halelu-jah cry . finis libri quarti . lib . v. psal. . consitemini domino . the lord is god , with thanks expresse , his mercy is for ever : and so let the lords redeem'd confesse , redeem'd from their distressors hand . which gathred were out of the lands , from shining east , from shady west , from where the frozen pole-starre stands , from desert south-seas sun-burnt brest . they wandred in the wildernesse , and tooke a solitary way , where soot of man did seldome presse , nor found they city where to stay . with hunger pin'd with thirsting faint , their anguish't soule was overcharg'd . then to the lord they made complaint , who them from their distresse enlarg'd . he led them on , and brought them home , the readiest way , for them the best ; 〈◊〉 to a city they might come , 〈…〉 tation where to rest . let them before the lord confesse his tender mercies many a one , to men his wondrous workes expresse , that he for adams sons hath done . the thirsty soule he satiates , the hungry soule with good sustaines , that sits in darknesse , at the gates , and shade of death in iron chaines , because , against the words of god , they bent themselves rebelliously , despis'd his counsell , and withstood the hand of him that is most-hie . thus humbled , for they did not well , in griefe of heart he let them lie , where downe they fell , but helplesse fell , for refuge none , nor help was nie . distrest , unto the lord they cri'd , who set them free from their distresse : from darknesse , from deaths shade unti'd , and brake their bands of heavinesse . let them before the lord confesse his tender mercies many a one , to men his wondrous workes expresse , that he for adams sons hath done . for he the gates of brasse hath broke , the gates of brasse against him bent ; and by his hands resistlesse stroke , the iron barres in sunder rent . fooles for their faults afflicted are , whose way hath made their will their law : their soule abhorres all kind of fare , neere to the gates of death they draw . distrest , unto the lord they cry , who them from dying anguish saves : he heales them by his words supply , and frees them from corrupting graves . let them before the lord confesse his tender mercies many a one , to men his wondrous workes expresse , which he for adams sons hath done . before him offrings let them lay , confessions of their thankfulnesse , and sacrifice of praises pay , his workes with shouts of joy expresse . they that in ships goe downe to sea , and marts in many waters keep : what deeds the lord hath showne them , see his workes of wonder in the deep . the stormy wind his word bespake , that all the maine with mountaines fills : the sea-wet starres their mantles shake , the brinie downes are turn'd to hills . as high as heaven the billowes mount , dis-mounted , deep as hell descend : their melting soule makes small account , but feare of death , in death to end . thus bandi'd to and fro they reele , and stagger like a drunken man : ill may the pilot rule the keele , where wisedomes care so little can . distrest , unto the lord they crie , who sets them free from their distresse : the storme he calmes with cleerer skie , and sets their waves at quietnesse . the combat ceast , the sea-men glad , that winds and waves were parted friends , he that of them the conduct had , to their desired haven them sends . let them before the lord confesse his tender mercies many a one , to men his wondrous workes expresse , that he for adams sons hath done . assembled in the peoples throngs , his worthy acts when they repeat , with hymnes of praise , and thankfull songs , exalt him in the elders seat . which turnes the flouds to desert sands . to drinesse drawes the springing we●● : with salt he sowes the fruitfull lands , for their misdeeds that therein dwell . againe , he turnes the desert dry , to standing pooles with water fill'd : and seats the hungry downe thereby , where they to dwell a city build . their fields they sow , their vines they plant , which yeeld them fruits of faire encrease . their mynes of wealth no blessings want , nor suffreth he their heards decrease . on them made lesse , and low brought downe , he makes restraint , and anguish prey : on princes leaves contempt to frowne , in deserts lets them lose their way . yet raiseth he the poore mans head , and makes him peopled housholds keep , from selfe-waste want , with plenty fed , for number like a flocke of sheep . right-sighted eyes shall see this day , the joy of all the righteous name , and all iniquitie shall lay her hand upon her mouth for shame . who so is wise , will take in hand these observations to record : and they shall truly understand the tender mercies of the lord. psal. . paratum cor . canticum psalmi david . my heart , o god , is ready prest , the glory of my tongue : — my voice , the organ of my brest , 〈◊〉 praise shall be my song . my lute and harpe already strung , my readier hand up take ; before the dawning day have sprung , i early will awake . my thankes to thee , o lord , will i among the people bring ; and of thy praise in harmonie , with q●ires of nations sing . for why ? the heavens are not so hie , as is thy mercy great : thy truth a higher pitch doth flie , than in the clouds to seat . thy selfe , o god , in highest place , above the heav'ns enshrine ; and let the glory of thy face , on earth , thy foot-stoole , shine . that free deliverance they may have , that are belov'd of thee : with thy right hands assistance save , o heare , and answer mee . god in his holinesse hath spoke , which i with joy repeat , " in shechem will i strike a stroke , and succoths valley mete . mine gilead is , manasseh mine , strength of my head doth live , in quiver-bearing ephrams line ; my law shall judah give . my wash-pot moab will i make , my shooe on edom cast : in triumph , thee pelesheth , take , triumph't on mine that hast . the city for defence so strong , what guide will guide me to ? to edoms warlike towers along , what leader with mee goe ? not thou , o god , as naught of worth , that hast us cast away : nor with our hosts , o god , wentst forth , upon the battells day . o give us help from our distresse , mans health is vaine deceit : through god we shall doe valiantnesse , our foes he shall defeat . psal. . deus laudem . ad praestantem , psalmus davidis . cease not as deafe , god of my praise , for wicked mouths consent : deceitfull mouthes their engines raise , against me open bent . with falshoods tongue to me they speake , and compasse me with hate : in bitter language forth they breake , and ( causlesse ) wage debate . they for my friendship were my foes , with whom by praier i strove : for good against me evill goes , and hatred for my love . his ruler , some ungodly wretch , set thou at his right hand : let satan all advantage catch , his adversary stand . in judgement let him not evade , but goe condemn'd therein ; and let his praier for favour made , be ●●rn'd to further sin . his daies a few and evill make , determin'd in disgrace : his office let another take , a worthier hold his place . his sons let fatherlesse be left , his wife a widow poore : his children of abode beref● , begge bread from doore to doore . extortion tangle all his toile , the creditor ensnare : his labour let the stranger spoile , for lone , the lender share . to pity him let there be none● none mercy on him shew : his children father lesse , not one with kind compassion know . of his posterity destroi'd , let naught remaine but shame ; and let the following age make void , and cleane put out his name . remembrance of his fathers crime , the lord before him lay : his mothers sin at any time , let not be wip't away . before the lord continually , in presence let them stand ; on earth let their memoriall dye , cut off by gods owne hand . for mercy was not in his mind , the poore he made his prey ; the needy soule he sought to grind , the wounded heart to slay . he loved cursing , let it light , and him from blessing barre ; as blessing was not his delight , be blessing from him farre . of cursing , as his clothes were made , so cursing be his spoile ; his bowels and his bones invade , like water , and like oile . about him folded let it fall , him as a cloake enclose ; or as the girdle , wherewithall he alwaies girded goes . this be mine adversaries pay , this from the lord the stroke , on them that evill any way against my soule have spoke . as thou , lord god , for me hast stood , so for thy names sake stand ; and for thy mercy , ever good , release me out of hand . for poore afflicted i complaine , where no reliefe is found ; and stripes of sorrowes silent paine , my soule within me wound . as shade , at setting sun declin'd , so i from life am gone ; and as the locust , with the wind ▪ change place , but paine change none . through fasting feeble are my knees , as leane as living ghost : for cold my cramp-shrunk sinewes freeze , my flesh hath fatnesse lost . reproaches foot upon me treads , and blots my brow with shame ; while they that see me , shake their heads , and make my griefe their game . help , lord my god , of thee i crave , that helper else have none : according to thy mercy save thy poore-forsaken one . and let them know , that this thy arme , that this thy hand alone , could help me more than they could harme , that this , thou lord , hast done . and let them curse , but doe thou blesse ; them rise , but rise to fall ; and that their fall their shame expresse , rejoyce thy servant shall . shame let mine adversaries beare , such clothing as they spin ; and as a cloake , confusion weare , the winding-sheet of sin . but to the lord my mouth shall sing , and greatly render thankes : shall make his highest praises ring , in midst of many rankes . who at the poores right hand will stand , and there his name enroule ; with his redeem'd , out of the hand of them that judge his soule . psal. . dixit dominus . psalmus davidis . thus to my lord the lord did say , thy seat upon my right hand take , untill thine eyes behold the day , that i thy foes thy foot-stoole make . the lord shall out of sion send the rod , that shall thy strength maintaine , the scepter to thy hand commend , where thou amidst thy foes shalt raigne . thy voluntary people glad , that to thy power all power shall stoop , that day in holy beauties clad , shall march in thy triumphant troop . thee from the mornings womb i rear'd , thy youth with pearles of deaw beset , before the starre of light appear'd , i of my substance did beget . the lord hath sworne , and having sworne , his oath shall no repentance checke : " thou art a priest for ever borne , and order'd as melchizedeck . the lord at thy right hand in armes , through tyrans troups shall make thee way ; and stand between thee and thy harmes , to wound even kings that wrathfull day . he shall be judge among the heath'n , and strew the street with bodies dead : with earth lay mighty armies even , of many nations smite the head . the brooke that meets him by the way , ( his hot pursuit shall be so swift ) his thirst shall serve him to allay : his head he therefore shall up-lift . psal. iii. confitebor tibi , domine . acroflichon . halelu-jah . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all hearty praise , and hearts-complaints , to thee , lord , will i bring : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 in secret with the saints , of in the q●ire i sing . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great are the actions of the lord , and greatly after sought : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desir'd of all , in whom his word a true delight hath wrought . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his glory , and his honours praise , his worke all workes obscures : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto beyond the length of daies , his justice firme endures . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 summes of his marvels left to be memorials on record : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how full of clemencie is he ! how mercifull the lord ! 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to them that feare him hath his hand an un-bought portion given : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is mindfull with his covenants band , for ever to make even . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conquests of power , proud nations spoiles , he let his people see : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 left them and theirs , of heathen soiles inheritors to be . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made all of truth and judgement are the actions of his hands : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no lesse as faithfull , past compare , are all his precepts bands . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set stedfast are they every one , beyond the length of daies : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how truly , how sincerely done , how upright in their waies . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precovenanted redemption came , his people to restore : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent in his holy dreadfull name , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commanded evermore . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right entrance , wisedomes ports into , to feare the lord first lay : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so wisely doe they all that doe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their praise shall stand for aye . psal. . beatus vir. acroflichon . halelu-jah . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all blessings blesse the man , that stands of god the lord in feare : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of delight in his commands , of no delight can heare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grow mighty shall on earth his seed , about his dwelling place . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daily shall blessings blessings breed , to blesse the righteous race . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his house of wealth and treasures heap't , shall be a house of store : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what with his justice he hath reap't , shall stand for evermore . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such light in darknesse shall arise , as lightens hearts upright : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him grace and mercy magnifies , his lamp shall justice light . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the good man graciously proceeds , and bountifully lends : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sound advisement weighs his deeds , his words with judgement spends . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 certainly his foundations frame , no adverse storme shall straine , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lasting for ever shall his name in memorie remaine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make him to feare the fowle event , none evill heare-say shall : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not so , his heart is fixt and bent , ●o trust the lord withall . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set stedfast holds his heart his hold , from feare of perill free ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his enemies to ruine sold , till he in safetie see . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poore soules among his almes are thrown , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such justice daies and daies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continue shall , by bounty growne , his horne shall honour raise . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 repining shall the wicked see , this sight , and pallid ire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall gnash the teeth , shall melted be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to nought with his desire . psal. . laudate puer● . halelu-jah . praise , ye that serve the lord , proclaime , sing to the lords name praise : blest be the lords eternall name , beyond the length of daies : the lords eternall name be prais'd , throughout this sun-race round ; from where the easterne beames are rais'd , to where the westerne bound . the lord is high above the heathens , commander in all lands : his glory is above the heavens , and all their host commands . who with the lord our god compares , whose dwelling is on hie ? and yet on heaven and earth he cares , and daignes to cast his eie . from dust the down-cast rais'd he takes , from dung the needy cleeres : the poore , with princes peeres , he makes his peoples princes peeres . he makes the barren dweller breed , and house-build-issue bring : a joyfull mother of her seed , her halelu-jah sing . halelu-jah . psal. . in exitu israel . when israel out from egypt went , from pharaohs heavie hand ; and jacobs house from bondage sent , had left that strange-tongu'd land . his sanctuary judah led , his scepters israel : the sea that saw , gave way and fled , and jordan backward fell . the mountaines leap't , like high-fed rams among the flockes of sheep : the little hills , like wanton lambs , like-wanton revells keep . what ail'd thee , o thou sea , to flie , and leave thy corall bed ? that jordan backe thou turn'dst , and why revolted to thy head ? ye mountaines , that like rams ye leap't among the flockes of sheep ? like lambs , ye ravish't hillocks heap't , like-raptur'd revells keep ? the presence of the lord compell'd , the earth beyond her law : of jacobs god the presence held the trembling earth in awe . which from the veines of rockes let bloud , his water-lakes doth bring : and makes into a mighty floud , from flint the fountaine spring . psal. . non nobis . not unto us , lord , not to us , give glory to thy name : proclaime it for thy mercy thus , thus for thy truth proclaime . and wherefore should the heathens crie , where is their god forsooth ? our god is in the heavens most hie , and what him pleaseth , doth . their idols silver are and gold , whose melted masse they serve ; worke , which the hand of man doth mold , and curious is to carve . a mouth they have , but speech none there , and eyes , but casements blind : and eares , but eares that cannot heare , nor scent their noses wind . hands , where no sense of feeling found , feet , that foot never went ; their senslesse trunkes at all no sound , nor lungs , or throat to vent . like stuffe to them their makers are , like drosse of divers dust : like saints , like servitors compare , are all that in them trust . trust in the lord , o israel , on him their hopes who build , their hopes are sure to speed them well , he is their help and shield . upon the lord , o aarons house , your hopes foundation build , such hopes find him auspicious , he is their help and shield . o ye , in holy reverence , to feare the lord that yeeld , in whom ye feare , put confidence , he is their help and shield . the lord to us , remembring well his blessing to expresse , will blesse the house of israel , the house of aaron blesse . be ●t your state small meanes afford , sit ye in honours seat ; young , old , that feare the lord , the lord will blesse you , small and great . to adde to you , and to your race , the lord will yet proceed , to multiply on you his grace , on you , and on your seed . the blessed of the lord ye are , his blessings ye partake : your maker , he makes you his care , that heaven and earth did make . the heavens , & heavens supremest heaven , the lord alone commands : the earth to adams sons hath given , to serve him in all lands . and though the dead , lord , of thy praise , no song in silence sing : to praise thee lord , shall endlesse daies our halelu-jahs ring . halelu-jah . psal. . dilexi quoniam . i love the lord , that so lov'd mee , my voice , my praiers to heare : and in my daies will call , for hee to mee inclin'd his care . the pangs of death did wind about , and had beset mee round : the straights of hell had found me out , distresse and griefe , i found . upon the lords name then i call'd , and ecchoing did repeat : deliver thou my soule enthrall'd , o lord , i thee entreat . how gracious is the lord , and just , our god is mercifull : the lord the simple keeps , from dust my ransom'd head did pull . soule , to thy rest returne : for why ? the lord hath rendred thee , my soule from death , from teares mine eye , my feet from falling , free . my walkes before the lord i make the lands of them that live : i did beleeve , and therefore spake , for greatly did i grieve . i did , as feare and haste conceiv'd , " all men are lyars , say : for bounties from the lord receiv'd , what gift shall i repay ? salvations cup will i up take , and on the lords name call : and of my vowes now payment make , before his people all . his gracious saints the lord beholds , his eyes high-prize their daies : their death in deare account he holds , and with revenge repaies . sure , lord , i am thy servant , one redeem'd from hostile hands : thy servant i , thy hand-maids sonne , thou hast unloos'd my bands . a sacrifice of praise to thee my thankfull heart shall frame : my sacrifice , o lord , shall be to call upon thy name . my vowes i to the lord will pay , and put them off no more : but on my hearts pure altar lay his people all before . lord , in thy houses courts let me , these vowes upon me bring ; o salem , in the midst of thee mine halelu-jah sing . halelu-jah . psal. . laudate dominum . o praise the lord , ye gentiles all , throughout the earth that dwell : upon his name all nations call , his praise all people tell . for towards us his graciousnesse , his mercies mighty store ; and of the lord the faithfulnesse , endures for evermore . halelu-jah . psal. . confitemini domino . the lord is good , with thankes confesse , his mercy is for ever : let israel now say no lesse , his mercy faileth never . now aarons house acknowledge may his mercy is for ever : let them that feare the lord , now say , his mercy faileth never . from where in straight distresse i lay , unto the lord i cri'd : the lord made answer , with my way about me made more wide . the lord for me , i feare not all what man can doe to mee : the lord my helpers helps , i shall upon my haters see . the hopes that on the lord are laid , lye safer than on man : our hopes the lord can better aide , than powerfull princes can . all nations round about me came , conspirers for my fall : but in the lords more-powerfull name , i shall cut off them all . they prest in swarmes on every side , on every side they swarm'd : but , lord , thy name my weapon tri'd , to cut them off me arm'd . like swarmes of bees their forces link't , they round about me bent : whom , lord , like fire , in thornes extinct , thy name shall soon prevent . that i might fall by some offence , thou hast thrust at me sore : but yet , a hand in my defence , the lord my helper , bore . the lord is of my strength the summe , the subject of my songs ; and my salvation is become , to whom my life belongs . the voice of joy and health is heard in tents where justice dwells : the right hand of the lord up-rear'd , in fortitude excells . the right hand of the lord preferr'd , preheminence hath wonne ; the right hand of the lord up-rear'd , right valiant deeds hath done . thy deeds in death , lord , they that dwell , to light have never brought , i shall not die , but live to tell what workes the lord hath wrought . thy stripes , o lord , i feele ; some bloud thy chastisement did draw : yet hath not given me up for food to deaths devouring jaw . the gates of justice open mee , that i may enter there ; and there , o lord , confesse to thee , that saints thy praise may heare . of god the lord this is the gate , the just shall enter there : where thee , my saviour , celebrate will i , whom thou didst heare . the stone the builders did despise , is made head corner-stone . and marvellous is in our eyes this that the lord hath done . this day , the lord that gave it light , did unto us commend : this festivall , from morne to night , let joy and gladnesse spend . save now , o lord , send happinesse , hosanna now we sing : salvation , lord , and good successe ; hosanna to our king. who in the lords name comes , good-speed , faire blessings him befall : we , from the lords house , whence proceed all blessings , blesse you all . god is the lord , that light affords , hath given us gladsome mornes : the host , for sacrifice , with cords bind to the altars hornes . thou art my god , i will confesse , that hast exalted me : what then , my god , can i doe lesse , but thy exalter be ? o praise the lord , beyond all bounds , whose goodnesse doth extend : whose tender mercy farther sounds , than time shall ever end . psal. . beati immaculati . octostichon acrostichon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all blessed they , in perfect way that undefil'd are found : that of their walkes , the steps to stay , make ( lord ) thy law their bound . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all blessed they , that all their daies , and daily care convert , to keep his testimonies waies , him seeke with all their heart . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as no iniquitie they doe , his waies their walking guide : as stedfast in his pathes they goe , then footing cannot slide . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all thy commandments give command , to doe , as to discerne : to stand to , as to understand , to live in , as to learne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 assisted , o that by thy grace directed were my waies ; so should my foot-steps hold their place , thy statutes be my staies . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abasht confusion should not fall , nor shame on me reflect : while unto thy commandments all , i had a due respect . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an upright heart will i prepare , to make thy praise discern'd , what judgements of thy justice are , when i have truly learn'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all my observance will i make , thy statutes how to keep : o doe not utterly forsake thy wandring pasture-sheep . beth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by what meanes may a young best , be sure to cleanse his way : but on thy sayes to set his rest , thy word his warrant lay ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before all search , with all my heart , as i have sought for thee ; so from thy precepts pathes depart , and wander let not mee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bound and laid up my heart within , thy sayings have i hid : against thee that i might not sin , nor doe , as they forbid . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beyond our blessings highest reach , o lord thou blessed art : o teach me what thy statutes teach , their pathes to me impart . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by utt'rance have my lips not spar'd , their loudest notes to straine : the judgements of thy mouth declar'd , made all their sentence plaine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bent on thy testimonies way , much more did i rejoyce , than they in store that riches lay , the pride of all their choice . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before all studies , early , late , by setting all essayes : thy precepts will i meditate , and well respect thy waies . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in thy statutes , no delight where , else , my heart to set : because thy sayes are so upright , them shall i not forget . gimel . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 give to thy servant this reward , this favour me afford , that living , though beset so hard , i may observe thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 growne darke of sight , my vaile withdraw , the mysteries unfold , that these mine eies may of thy law , the wondrous things behold . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great stranger i , and wanting light , on earth in darknesse stray : hide not thy precepts from my sight , the lyre to lead my way . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ground is my soule , and broken small , enflam'd is my desire : at all times , mine affections all , thy judgements set on fire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 given up , the proud dost thou forsake , whom though thy checke deferre ; the curse at length shall overtake , that from thy precepts erre . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 growne in reproach , upon me crept , ●eld in contempt to be ; thy testimonies having kept , o keep these shames from me . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great princes sate , and fram'd their stile , some fault with me to find : but on thy statutes all the while , thy servant sets his mind . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good cause , no other joy invites my better-settled care : thy testimonies my delights , my men of counsell are . daleth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 downe cast , and cleaving to the dust , my soule drawes neere the death ; according as thy word is just , revive my dying breath . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 declar'd my waies to thee i have , and answer had of thee : instruction only this , i crave , thy statutes teach thou mee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 direct me how to understand , what way thy precepts hold : my meditations , of thy hand the wonders shall unfold . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dejected soule , so much i grieve , mine eies drop showres of raine : according to thy word relieve , and raise me up againe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deceits false way from me withdraw , put lying waies away ; and graciously give me thy law , to be my faithfull stay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 disposer of my feet , the way of faithfulnesse i chose : thy judgements i before me lay , and for my guides propose . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drawne from thy testimonies now , whereto i cleave so fast : i cannot shrinke ; upon my brow , lord , let not shame be cast . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 directly in the way will i of thy commandments runne : mine heart when thou shalt amplifie , till grace the goale have wonne . he. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how ! teach me , lord , thy statutes way , the way to apprehend , that make it all my care i may , to keep it to the end . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hide not my understandings light , that i may keep thy law : from all delights shall this delight mine hearts observance draw . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how i may tread thy precepts path , instruct me in the way : for pleasure else mine heart none hath , no joy , but there to stay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold in my heart , enclin'd to heed thy testimonies will ; and not on avarice to feed , still fed , yet famish't still . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence , hence mine eies frō pleasures hook , un-tempted , turne away : lest after vanitie they looke , revive me in thy way . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here let thy word performance beare , to me thy servant past : on whom , devoted to thy feare , thy promis'd favour cast . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold off reproach , which in my way , i am afraid hath stood : for say , what sinfull tongues can say , yet are thy judgements good . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how to observe thy precepts bounds , loe , my delights aspire : as justice now in thee abounds , o quicken my desire . vav . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with thy kind mercy come to mee , and be propitious , lord , o make me thy salvation see , according to thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what else to answer shall i have , to mouthes that me upbraid ; but that my trust , which they deprave , upon thy word is laid ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 withdraw not from my mouth this scope , the word of truth to urge : because thy judgements are my hope , thy truths contemners scourge . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto for ever in thy law , my life then will i spend ; and till this breath i cease to draw , my service never end . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 within a spacious roome forth brought , shall i be walking found : because thy precepts i have sought , whereon my steps to ground . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were kings in presence , i would speake thy testimonies praise : nor shame to say , yeeld kingdomes weake , stoop scepters to his sayes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with thy commandments , my delight shall ( all delights above ) stand best delighted , in my sight sole objects of my love . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 up-lifted palmes will i out-stretch , thy precepts to embrace ; and on thy statutes , what they ●each , my meditation place . zain . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sure promise to thy servant past , as stedfast beare in mind : that where my hopes thou settled hast , performance i may ●ind . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sound comfort yet in this i take , afflicted when i see , all other succours me forsake , thy saying quickens mee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scorne did the proud , and much deride this serious course of mine : yet from thy precepts , for their pride , my feet did not decline . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such judgements hast thou done of old , as when i call to mind , my courage ( lord ) growes then more bold , and comfort thence i find . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 straight hold on me did horrour take , when wicked men i saw ; and seeing , soon i did forsake forsakers of thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 songs have thy statutes been to mee , whose ditties i repeat ; and in this dorter sing to thee , my pilgrimages seat . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sitting in darknesse of the night , thy name , when others slept , have i remembred : my delight , thy law ( lord ) have i kept . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 successe , what ever me befall , these benefits i reap't : this was to me , thy precepts all , because i duely kept . heth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have who that will such heaps up-laid , as worldly wealth affords : my portion , lord ( as i have said ) is to observe thy words . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heartily i besought thy face , with earnest zeale i prai'd : and but performance of thy grace , thy promis'd mercy stai'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heedfully thought i on my waies , what way i held most meet : and to thy testimonies staies , i turn'd my staylesse feet . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haste made i to avoid neglect , to cut off all delay : as thy commandments shall direct , to walke no other way . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hindred by wicked robbers bands , that make my goods their prey , yet have i not in safer hands , thy law forgot to lay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how oft at midnight doe i rise , to praise thee on my knees : because thy judgements are the eyes , wherewith thy justice sees ! 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold all with me in friendships bands , in feare of thee that stand : observers all of thy commands , my service may command . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how farre , o lord , thy mercies reach , when earth is fill'd thereby ! o teach me what thy statutes teach , to follow , what to flye . teth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy promise stands for good , o lord , which thou thy selfe hast bound : the like performance of thy word , have i thy servant found . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to me let thy instruction give good judgement , to discerne : as in thy precepts i beleeve , thence knowledge let me learne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 till wise affliction crost my way , i held mine owne accord : my heart un-humbled , went astray , but now i keep thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that thou art good , i find it still , and to doe good , enclin'd ▪ thy statutes learne me to fulfill ; this good , o let me find . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the proud against me forg'd a lie , a falshood for my fall : but with mine heart entire doe i observe thy precepts all . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their peace and plenty them invite , their heart is fat as grease : but in thy law is my delight , my plenty , and my peace . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these faults are fruits of fairer daies , affliction did me good : for thence i learne thy statutes waies are truly'st understood . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the law that from thy mouth proceeds , more good to me assignes ; and treasures moe , than millions breeds of gold and silver mynes . jod . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inspir'd , and fashion'd by thy hand , this spirit ere death withdrawes , o make me made to understand , that i may learne thy lawes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in them that feare thee , when they see what fruit my hopes afford : shall joy of heart joyne hopes with me , that wait upon thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i know , o lord ( although severe ) thy judgements are upright : thy faithfulnesses stripes i beare , thy hand doth justly smite . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in thy kind mercies free accord , such comfort on me cast , as to thy servant , on thy word , by promise is fore-past . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in tender mercies come to mee , and quicken up my spirits , that i may live : reviv'd by thee , thy law is my delights . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 infamous shame on them be laid , that proudly me abuse : that perversly my truth upbraid , that on thy precepts muse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in holy feare such as are growne , thy followers fit to be , thy testimonies have they knowne , let them returne to me . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in thy decrees , confirm'd by thee , o let my heart be sound , and so my face , that all may see , shall never shame confound . caph . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concerning thy salvations stay , my soule lies at receit : and fainting after long delay , upon thy word i wait . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consum'd , to see thy promise faile , now , faile mine eyes to see : o say , when shall thy sayes prevaile , when come , to comfort me ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clung , like a bottle in the smoake , dri'd up , and waxen old : thy statutes bounds i have not broke , nor them forgot to hold . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cast up thy servants summe of daies , how many are they all : on them that persecute my waies , when will thy judgements fall ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 close have the proud for me digg'd pits , my life from me to draw : where fraud with force in ambush sits , which suits not with thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commandments all thou giv'st are true , in faithfulnesse agree : with falshood doe they me pursue , pursu'd , o rescue mee . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consum'd on earth , but little lesse than life from me they tooke : thy precepts in this deep distresse , yet have i not forsooke . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 call backe my lives low-ebbing tide , as mercy flowes from thee : and , what thy mouth hath testifi'd , shall be observ'd by mee . lamed . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 long since before the heavens were laid , thy word for ever sure ; in heaven , than heaven , more stedfast stai'd , ( eternall ) shall endure . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lasting thy truth to age and age , thy word a faithfull band : the earths foundations didst thou gage , and stedfast shall it stand . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lawes for their revolutions bounds , are compast by thy care : this day they stand thy judgements grounds , for all thy servants are . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 led not thy law my whole delights , with cares so many crost , in mine afflictions cloudy nights , my comforts had been lost . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let be , what ever be my let , were strife it selfe that striv'd , thy lawes i never shall forget , by them , by thee , reviv'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loose , leave me not , for i am thine , save , but whom thou hast bought : for with this ransom'd soule of mine , thy precepts have i sought . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 laid have for me the wicked wait , to see my soule destroi'd : but on thy testimonies weight , my studies were emploi'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lost in themselves perfections all , mine eyes have seen to end : but thy commandments ( sums though small ) exceeding broad extend . mem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my soules sole object , motive strong , lord , how i love thy law ! my meditation all day long , the load-stone to withdraw . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much wiser than mine enemies , thy precepts i fulfill ; and thou by them hast made me wise , for they are with me still . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more than my teachers am i taught , a higher skill to reach : thy testimonies are my thought , my teachers thus i teach . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much deeper wisedome have i found , than ages shallow deep : the elders are not so profound , while i thy precepts keep . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my feet from every evill way , for this have i refrain'd : that from the rules i might not stray , within thy word contain'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my judgement thine hath not declin'd , to ponder in my thought : to practise what i beare in mind , to doe , as thou hast taught . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much sweetnesse in thy words thou hast , to slake my pallat's drougth ; more pleasant in my throat they taste , than honey in my mouth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 minding thy precepts for my stay , i understanding get : and therefore hate i every way that falshood hath fore-set . nvn. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now , dangers where on earth i meet , and darksome shades of night : thy word a lanthorne to my feet , and to my path gives light . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now i have sworne , performe i will , at no time to neglect , thy righteous judgements to fulfill , as justice shall direct . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no meane in mine affliction , lord , now over-worne with woe : o quicken me , as by thy word thou hast assur'd to doe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 none but free-offrings in good part , lord , from my mouth accept ; and teach me how within my heart , thy judgements may be kept . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no day my soule but in my hand , with deadly snares beset , to doe , as doth thy law command , yet doe i not forget . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neere to my way , at unawares , the wicked laid their snare : yet carelesse i of other cares , thy precepts made my care . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 none but thy testimonies tooke for mine inheritance : for ever , as on them i looke , mine heart for joy doth dance . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no daies but in thy lawes to spend , till life from me depart ; and to performe them to the end , have i enclin'd my heart . samech . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seducers vaine my hatred move , my heart from them to draw : but as i love thy law , i love observance of thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secret thou art to me , and shield , to keep thy promise , just : to thee my hopes their service yeeld , and to thy word i trust . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as in evill waies have trod , my pathes approach not me : to keep the precepts of my god , while i mine heart apply . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sustaine thou me , that i may live , to make thy promise good : let not my hopes made frustrate , give my head a shamefull hood . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secure my health , i shall be bold of safety in thy sight ; and in chiefe price continuall hold thy statutes my delight . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such fugitives thou tread'st downe all , as from thy statutes stray : deceitfully from thee they fall , for falshood is their way . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so from the earth the wicked are as drosse by thee remov'd : i therefore have with purer care thy testimonies lov'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such horrour in my flesh for thee , to feele i am afraid : and so severe thy judgements be , that i am sore dismi●'d . gnaiin . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have judgement i , and justice done , unjustly judg'd to stand ! o let me not be over-gone by mine oppressors hand . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold surety for thy servants good , become sufficient baile ; and let not mine oppressors proud , to my reproach prevaile . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have not mine eyes bid many a storme , for thy salvation worne ; and when thy justice would performe thy promise long forborne ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold on , in mercy to proceed , so with thy servant deale : that what thy statutes have decree'd , to me thou maist reveale . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here i thy servant , make me sound in understanding grow ; and on thy testimonies ground , my graine of knowledge sowe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 high time is , lord , they be destroi'd , thy vengefull sword to draw , to make their lawlesse labours void , that have made void thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how precious i thy precepts hold , and therefore love them more than gold , above the finest gold , tri'd from the richest ore. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how i esteem thy precepts right , that alwaies truth relate ! and i , that in the truth delight , alwaies of falshood hate . pe. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profound , and marvellously deep thy testimonies are : them , as they well deserve to keep , my soule hath therefore care . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 port-open'd of thy words gives light , gives light that ever lives ; and understandings piercing sight , to simpl● people gives . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 panting with open mouth , a draught i thirsted sore to prove ; and made the precepts thou hadst taught , the wine-presse of my love . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proceed , but so , as mercies eye in judgement me behold , with those , that on thy names supply , by love have taken hold . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put in thy word , my steps direct , and place them every where , that never wickednesse deject , nor rule above me beare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 protect me from oppressing man , for my redemption pay , that doe what earthly pressure can , thy precepts keep i may . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 procure thy countenances light , on me thy servant shine ; and in thy statutes lesson right these tutor'd steps of mine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 powr'd out in griefe that drowns mine eies , my teares like rivers flow ▪ thy law when men i see despise , and in contempt to grow . tsade . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so just thou lord art in thy deeds , thy promise to acquite : to sentence when thy mouth proceeds , then are thy judgements right . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such charge thy testimonies charge , that justice should attend ; thy promises perform'd at large , thy faithfulnesse commend . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surpriz'd i was with burning zeale , that on my bosome preys : that my distressors so should deale , as to forget thy sayes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so pure thy word , as much resin'd the metall tri'd by fire : and thereupon thy servants mind , hath set his hearts desire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small am i much , and much despis'd , as much affect i not : with me thy precepts highly priz'd , so have i not forgot . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such justice is thy justice tri'd , as evermore remaines , a righteous and a faithfull guide , thy law the truth containes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 straitnesse and anguish found my spirits , fast hold on me to get : yet are thy precepts those delights , whereon my heart is set . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such justice , such eternall right thy testimonies give : o give me understandings light , that i may learne to live . coph. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crying , with heart entire i cri'd , heare , lord , and answer make : to keep thy statutes for my guide , then will i undertake . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calling upon thee , did i call , from dangers deepest deep ; be thou my saviour , and i shall thy testimonies keep . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crying , the twilight i prevent , my call call'd up the day : to wait on thee was mine intent , upon thy word to stay . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 could any eies by watching late , like watch to mine have kept , upon thy word to meditate , that wak't , when others slept ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can thy great mercies eare lesse doe , than heare my voice complaine ? thy judgement , lord , according to , o quicken me againe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 close-follow'd by a wicked crew , how neere to me they draw ! in mischiefe they that me pursue , are farre off from thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can duty , can default be done , but thou , o lord , art neere ? truth are thy precepts every one , all thy commandments cleare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continu'd are ( i know ) of old thy testimonies sayes : that thou hast founded them to hold beyond the length of daies . resh . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 regard what pressures i sustaine , weigh , and their weight withdraw ; release me , that for all my paine , have not forgot thy law. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right thou my cause that comes to thee , opprest and hard withstood : redeem thou me , and quicken me , to make thy saying good . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 remov'd is from the wicked farre salvation , them she flies , that with thy statutes , tongues to jarre , to seeke them , have no eies . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 repeat thy many mercies great , how canst thou them refraine ? thy wonted judgements , lord , repeat , to quicken me againe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ready my persecutors are , oppressors many mine ; drawne from thy testimonies care , yet did i not decline . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 revolting sinners how i saw , i sorrow to record ; how perversly they breake thy law , and have not kept thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 respect thy precepts how i love , to quicken zeales desire : let , lord , thy loving kindnesse prove , thy mercy blow the fire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right entrance to thy word , truth gives , and endlesse as it growes , for ever every judgement lives , that from thy justice flowes . schin . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suppressors of my harmlesse head , together princes draw : but of thy word than of their deed , my heart stands more in awe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so much thy word is my delight , as after care and toile , when from the vanquish't foe in flight , the victor beares the spoile . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sworne foe i am profest to fraud , and falshood i detest ; yet doth my love thy law applaud , and there sets up my rest . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seven times , ere one daies sun descend , to praise thee forth i breake , thy righteous judgements to commend , and of their justice speake . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such peace is given in recompence , to them that love thy law : no stumbling-blocke shall give offence , no danger them withdraw . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 salvation , lord , my hope attends , for thine attends alone ; and dreadlesse of distrustfull ends , thy precepts have i done . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 safe in my soule , my soules delight , thy testimonies lye ; and them have i observ'd aright , and lov'd exceedingly . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strictly thy lawes are kept by me , and testimonies thine : to thee no waies can ever be ( i know ) unknowne of mine . thav . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thee let my complaint come neere , and lie before thee , lord : o give me understanding cleere , according to thy word . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the supplication in thy sight , that i preferre , accept ; and let thy promise be upright , in my deliverance kept . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then as a fountaines fluent spring , my lips shall utter praise , my tutor'd steps when thou shalt bring , to walke thy statutes waies . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then of thy word my tongue shall sound a psalme , that shall intreat : for just are all thy precepts found , as justice is their seat . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to help me let thy hand prevaile , when perills me oppose : for ( leaving other helps that faile ) thy precepts have i chose . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have of thy salvation sight , lord , i have long'd full sore ; and in thy law so i delight , i shall desire no more . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then let my soule but live so long , this ground till i have laid , to make thy praise fill up my song , to get thy judgements aide . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy wandring servant gone astray , as shepheard , his lost sheep , o seeke , so mindfull in thy way , thy precepts prest to keep . psal. . ad dominum , cum tribul . canticum graduum . in my distresses anguish , when i did lye and languish , upon the lord i call'd : no longer he deferr'd mee , but at mine instance heard mee , from where i lay enthrall'd . my soule , o lord , deliver from lips of lies the quiver , and from a double tongue : false tongue , what gives it to thee ? what profit shall it doe thee , when thy fell sting hath stung ? sharp arrowes are lesse cruell , no juniper , like fewell : so deadly are they not , as are those forked quarrells , as are those wild-fire barrells , the tongues malignant shot . now , woe is me , these dangers , mor● strange to me then strangers , that exil'd life re-sents : against my will constraine me , with meshech to containe me , and dwell in kedars tents . my soule hath too long resting , with him , that peace detesting , is ever male-content : i am for peace , that love it , and when my speeches move it , for warre then are they bent . psal. . levavi oculos . canticum graduum . up to the hills i lift mine eies , from whence will come mine aide : from , with the lord come my supplies , which heavens and earth hath laid . he will not suffer thee to slide , thy foot to tread awry : he will not give , that slumber hide thy keepers wakefull eye . loe , him that keepeth israel , shall israels keeper keep , that on his eye no slumber dwell , his eye-lid lodge no sleep . the lord , the lord thy keeper is , his helpe's at thy right hand , to shade thee , spread those wings of his , to lead thee , ready stand . so thee , with scorching heat by day , the sun-beames shall not smite ; nor shall the moon thy vigour slay , with vapours of the night . the lord shall thy preserver be , that thou no evill have ; and keep thy soule , that over thee no sting be in the grave . yea , goe thou out , or come thou in , the lord shall keep the doore ; be with thee from thou dost begin , protect thee evermore . psal. . laetatus sum . canticum graduum davidis . it was my joy , amidst our woe , to heare the people say : when to the lords house we shall goe , o times too long delay ! our feet , in our opprest estates , which presse a stranger land , as heretofore within thy gates , to see ( o salem ) stand . jerusalem is so exact , a citie of such site : her stately structures so compact , her to her selfe unite . and thither doe the tribes frequent , tribes of the lord ascend , to israels testimonie sent , the lords name to commend . there are the thrones for judgement set , thrones , where that royall seed , the sons that david shall beget , for ever shall succeed . o pray we for jerusalem , her quiet may encrease : and may faire peace as well love them , that love faire salems peace . within thy walls let peace be still , and trusty warder stand ▪ thy palaces let plenty fill , with prosper-making hand . my brethren and companion● loves , compassion move in mee : compassion like condition moves , now speake i peace to thee . and seeing salems temple here , where sion-mount i see ; this house the lord our god holds deare , i will seeke good to thee . psal. . ad te levavi . canticum graduum . to thee , that sitt'st above the skies , that heavens in-dweller art , i lift up my submissive eies , from vallies of my heart . loe , as upon their masters hand , the servants eies depend : as on her mistresses command , a maidens eies attend ; upon the lord our god our eies , so waiting are intent , untill his graces free supplies , in mercy us prevent . in mercy , us ( o lord ) exempt , thy mercy make appeare : for we are fill'd with much contempt , more than our hearts can beare . our soule is cloi'd above the crowne , we beare beyond our might : with scorne the wealthy weigh us downe ; the proud , with high despight . psal. . nisi quia dominus . canticum graduum davidis . except the lord for us had been , may israel now say : had not the lord their pride fore-seen , whose powers against us lay : then had they swallow'd us alive , when kindled was their rage , in vaine had been for us to strive , their fury to asswage . the flouds had drown'd us every one , so fiercely did they flow : above our soule the surge had gone , so mighty did it grow . we had been covered in this cloud , the waters proud-controule , the swelling waters of the proud had over-gone our soule . blest be the lord , that them withstood , and frustrate sent away ; that hath not given our guiltlesse blood unto their teeth a prey . our soule is as a bird escap't out of the fowlers snare : the snare is broke that us entrap't , and we delivered are . the help , whereon our hopes depend , is in th' eternals name : he that our help to us doth send , the heavens and earth did frame . psal. . qui confidunt . canticum graduum . whoso commend their trust approv'd , unto the lords command , shall , as mount sion , not be mov'd , but fast for ever stand . jerusalem is wall'd with hills , so bounds the lord his ground ; and evermore the compasse fills , about his people round . for wickednesses rod shall not upon the just abutt ; lest thence to draw a wicked lot , the just their hands forth put . as all good gifts thou dost conferre , lord , to the good doe good ; and , righteous as thou art , preferre the upright-hearted brood . but such , as to their crooked vaine revolt , the lord shall lead , with them that evill worke with paine : " peace be on israels head . psal. . in convertendo . canticum graduum . when sion ( babels captive ) thence the lord did home redeeme : our ravisht hopes , scarce trusting sense , we were like them that dreame . our mouth was fill'd with laughter , then for joy no tongue but sings : the heath'ns could say , for these good men the lord hath done great things . great things indeed , and many too , for us , as well appeares ; the lord hath magnifi'd , to doe , to joy hath turn'd our teares . turne , lord , as welcome showres of raine , refresh the deserts drouth ; our captive remnant turne againe , like torrents from the south . they that in furrowes fill'd with teares , the seed of sorrow sowe , when harvest comes of laden eares , a joyfull crop shall mowe . he going goes , and weeps to see , what deere-bought seed he leaves : home-comming comes , as joyfull he , and ( shouting ) beares his sheaves . psal. . nisi dominus . canticum graduum solomonis . except the lord the house doe build , vaine toile the builder takes : except the lord the citie shield , in vaine the warder wakes . as vaine it is , ye early rise , late houres of rest ye keep , to eate the bread that sorrow buyes , while his beloved sleep . loe , children are an heritage , a gift the lord bestowes : fruit that revives the fathers age , rewards the mothers throwes . the arrowes from the mighties hand , with no such terrour goe , as goe the sons of youth , to stand against the fathers foe . blest is the man , that of such shot hath stor'd his quiver full ; within the gate , their foes shall not reproach upon them pull . psal. . beati omnes qui. canticum graduum . all happinesse , who ever thou art , attend upon thy daies , to feare the lord that fram'st thy heart , thy feet , to walke his waies . the labour of thy hands , thy messe of savoury meat shall be : thee , and thy dwelling place to blesse , shall goodnesse dwell with thee . thy wise , as spreads the fruitfull vine , thy houses sides shall bound : thy sons , like olive-plants , shall twine about thy table round . these blessings loe , and many more , this life shall here afford ; and better farre there are in store , for them that feare the lord. such happinesse the lord to thee shall out of sion give : the god of salem shalt thou see , while thou hast day to live . and ended ere thy daies shall be , thy seed to prosper well : thy childrens children shalt thou see , and peace on israel . psal. . saepe expugnaverunt . canticum graduum . against me my distressors power hath done the worst they may : from since my youth began to flow'r , may israel now say : afflictions on my head to sling , full oft have they assail'd , against me , from my youthfull spring , yet have they not prevail'd . the plowers plow'd upon my backe , and made their furrowes long : the lord the just , yet cut the rocke the wicked made so strong . let sowle confusion on them light , and send them backe with shame , that looke at sion in despight , as haters of her name . let them be as the grasse that growes , upon the houses top : which withreth ere the sithe it mowes , and leaves an empty crop . whose seed un-rooted in the land , is fed with fruitlesse sap ; which neither fills the mowers hand , nor lades the binders lap . so as no passer by shall say , the lord give good successe : the name of god the lord ( we pray ) you and your labour blesse . psal. . de profundis . cantic●m graduum . out of the deeps that thou maist heare , lord , my complaints repaire : lord , heare my voice , and let thine eare attend my voices praier . our sins if thou , o lord , shouldst summe , and marke , where we have miss't : when thy revengefull stroke shall come , who , lord , shall then subsist ? but by forgivenesse of our sinne , thy mercy hath appear'd : and , as our love thy judgements winne , thy mercy makes thee fear'd . i earnestly expect the lord , expect his promise just : my soule hath waited for his word , wherein my hopes put trust . my soule upon the lord depends , attends for her dispatch ; more than for morne the watch attends , more than for morne the watch . with confidence let israel , attend the lord therefore : for with the lord doth mercy dwell , with him redemption store . and israel redeem he shall , and make him freedome winne , from all his sorrowes bonds , from all his sorrow-breeding sinne . psal. . domine non est . canticum graduum davidis . a haughty heart , high-looking eies , o lord , i never brooke : i wade not in deep mysteries , nor after marvells looke . i still'd my soule , and made it milde , as from the mothers brests , a weanling , as a weanling childe , my soule in silence rests . trust in the lord , his time attend , o jacobs family : attend his time , that hath no end , from now , eternally . psal. . memento , domine . canticum graduum . of david , and his troublous daies , be mindfull , lord , and how to jacobs mighty lord he payes his oathes solemniz'd vow . nor tent , nor house , my harbour be , repose my bed forbids : to sleep , mine eyes shall pardon me , to slumber , mine eye-lids . untill a dwelling place i find , where may the lord remaine , the mighty one of jacobs kind , a house to entertaine . lo● , ephrata we understood , thereof good tidings yeelds : at length , we found it in the wood , in kirjath-jears fields . within his house we will goe meet , and there assembled all ; before his ●oot-stoole , at his feet bow downe our selves , and fall . arise , o lord , into thy rest returne , to dwell at length ; in salem , sometime silo's guest , thou , and thy arke of strength . let be ( that thine they may be knowne ) thy priests with justice cloth'd : and ( seeking thee more than their owne ) thy saints to joy betroth'd . and for thy servant davids sake , turne not the face away of thine annointed : soveraignes make his seed , his scepter sway . the lord in truth to david sware , and will not turne from it : fruit of thy wombe will i prepare upon thy throne to sit . my covenant if thy sons retaine , my testimonies heed ; thy sons perpetually shall raigne , and on thy throne succeed . for as the lord loves sion best , his liking is so great , that her , he hath above the rest , selected for his seat . this is my rest , a longer space , than sun shall lend his light , perpetuall here my dwelling place , here my desir'd delight . her victuals blessing will i blesse , her poore with bread suffice : her priests in pure salvation dresse , her saints shall joy surprize . there will i make the horne upright , to bud on davids head : a lamp for mine annointed light , throughout all lands to spread . his enemies shall shame befall , and weave the web they weare : up on his head while flourish shall the crowne that he shall beare . psal. . ecce quam bonum . canticum graduum davidis . behold how good it is , how pleasing well , that there dwell unity , where brethren dwell : the precious odour did not sweeter smell , when on the head , the holy oile that fell , as downe the beard , downe aarons beard it went , perfum'd the border of his vestiment ▪ so fall the pearly gems from hermon h●ll , on sion mountaines so the deaws distill ; and eithers fields with rich embroidry fill , powdring the 'r un-shorne lockes with various skill : for there , the lords command the blessing bound , and brethrens love with life eternall crown'd . psal. . ecce nunc benedicite . canticum graduum . behold , praise ye the lord all ye , observers of his rites , that servants in the lords house be , before him stand by nights . there , where his sanctuary stands , to sanctifie his name : to blesse the lord , up-lifted hands , let hearts low-humbled frame . and he , whose blessings over-shade the hill of holinesse : the lord , that heav'ns and earth hath made , thee out of sion blesse . psal. . laudate nomen domini . halelu-jah . sing halelu-jah , praise th' eternals name , ye servants of the lord , set forth his praise : that to the lords house stand , his praise proclaime , in our gods houses courts that spend your dayes . praise jah : the lord is good , as then is meet , sing psalmes unto his name , so pleasing sweet , for to himselfe the lord hath jacob chose , and his chiefe treasure israel accounts . great is the lord , my knowledge can disclose : and that our lord all other gods surmounts . what will the lord have done : his will alone in heav'ns , earth , seas , and all the deeps is done . from earths extremes he makes the clouds ascend , his fires and waters on the aire he flings ; in lightning-shot , and show'rs of raine to spend , the wind out of his treasuries he brings : and branded egypt bare his furies note , whose first-borne all , from man to beast he smote . his signes and wonders here and there he sent , hard hearted egypt , in the midst of thee , on pharaoh's head , and all his servants spent : yet who so blind , as they that would not see : his signes and wonders , sent and spent in vaine , nor pharaoh's nor his servants pride restraine . he smote great nations , mighty kings he slew . as heshbons sehon , king of amorites ; and ghog the king of bashan overthrew , with all the kingdomes of the cananites ! and dispossest them of their land , to blesse , and give his people israel to possesse . thy name , o lord , is ever permanent , thy memory , lord , is to age and age : the lord will judge his people , and repent to execute the rigour of his rage : his servants faults as ready to forbeare , as to their foes in his revenge severe . the heathens idols silver are and gold , worke of mans hand , their makers worth beneath ; mouthes , eyes , eares , noses , can their makers mold ; but cannot make them speake , see , heare , nor breathe : vaine idoll-mongers , like your idols just , that idols make , or in made idols trust . o blesse the lord ye house of israel , o blesse the lord , ye house of aarons line : o house of levi ▪ blesse the lord : as well who feare the lord , to blesse the lord encline : from out of sion his high praise record , whose dwelling is in salem : praise the lord. halelu-jah . psal. . confitemini domino . o praise the lord , for he is good , his mercy is for ever : praise him , that is of gods the god , whose mercy faileth never . praise him , that is of lords the lord , whose mercy is for ever : his sole done wonders great , record , whose mercy faileth never . the heavens , that by his wisedome made , whose mercy is for ever : the earth above the waters spread , his mercy ceaseth never . which made great lights for severall place , his mercy is for ever : the sun by day to runne his race , his mercy failing never . the moon and starres to governe night , his mercy lasting ever : in their first-borne did egypt smite , his mercy failing never . and israel from amidst them brought , his mercy is for ever : with mighty hand , and arme out-rought , his mercy failing never . the red sea into parts did lay , his mercy is for ever : and through the midst made israel way , his mercy failing never . there shook off pharaoh and his host , his mercy lasting ever : his people led through desert-coast , his mercy failing never . great kings he smote , and overthrew , his mercy is for ever : and mighty kings in battell slew , his mercy failing never . as sehon king of amorites , his mercy lasting ever : and ghog the king of basanites , his mercy ceasing never . their land in heritage to have , his mercy is for ever : to israel his servant gave , his mercy failing never . which of our humbled state esteem'd , his mercy is for ever : from our distressors us redeem'd , his mercy failing never . bread to all flesh by whom is given , his mercy lasting ever : confesse ye to the god of heaven , whose mercy ceaseth never . psal. . super flumina babyl . downe sate we by the rivers side , that waters babels wall : to raise whose streames , a springing tide of teares our eyes let fall . remembring sion in our vowes , our uselesse harps we hung upon amidst the willow boughes , as slightly tun'd as strung . for they that led us captives there , requir'd of us a song ; a sion-song ( said ) let us heare , these moanes , some mirth among . o no! nor harp we have , nor hand , nor voice to straine , nor string : our sion-song , in shinar-land , song of the lord to sing . if , o jerusalem , i set no more by thee than so ; let my right hand her skill forget , my voice her song forgoe . my tongue fast to my palate cling , a●d never tune employ , if ought i doe but salem sing , the soveraigne of my joy . be mindfull , lord , of edoms sons , who said on salems day , raze , raze , to her foundations , with earth her levell lay . thou daughter , babel , laidst us waste , thy selfe shalt wasted be : o happy ! that as done thou hast to us , shall doe to thee . o happy ! that thy little ones , from mothers breasts shall rash ▪ and ( pitilesse ) against the stones , their braines in pieces dash . psal. . consitebor tibi . davidis . i will confesse thee to their face , with all the heart in mee , were princes , angels , gods in place , psalmes will i sing to thee . prostrate before thy holy seat , thy name will i confesse ; thy tender mercies there repeat , and sing thy faithfulnesse . for all thy powerfull deeds proclaime , and ample proofe afford , that thou hast magnifi'd thy name , above all name thy word ! the day i cri'd , to thee i cri'd , thou heardst , and answerdst mee : my soule with vigour was suppli'd , and strengthned much by thee . kings of the earth shall all confesse , and make thy praise appeare ; when of thy mouth , the faithfulnesse , the words ( o lord ) they heare . their songs shall of the waies entreat , that to the lord belong : for of the lord the glory great , is subject of their song . for though the lord be thron'd on hie , yet are his eies below : the lowly-hearted ever nie , the proud afar to know . amidst distresse although i went , reviv'd by thee i stand : thy hand against my haters sent , to save me , thy right hand . this worke , the hand that wrought me this , the lord accomplish will : thy mercy , lord , for ever is , thy handy-worke fulfill . psal. . domine , probisti . ad praestantem , davidis psalmus . thou hast , o lord , me searched out and knowne , my sitting downe , and my up-rising are within thy knowledge , cleerer than mine owne : my thoughts un-thought , thou understandst afarre , my path , my pallet , winnow'd with thy fan , and all my waies thy custome is to scan . for in my tongue there teem's not any word , the breathlesse infant of my pregnant thought ▪ bucloe , un-borne , thou know'st it wholly , lord , though with the organs of my speech un-wrought : behind , before , thou hast beset me straight , and of thy hand upon me put the waight . it is too wonderfull for me to know , to it● cannot it is set so hie : o , from thy spirit whither shall i goe ? and whither shall i from thy presence flie ? if i ascend the heavens , the heavens thee beare ; make i my bed the hell , loe thou art there . take i the early-rising mornings wings , and utmost seas my uncouth dwelling make , even thither me thy hand my leader brings , and thy right hand fast hold on me shall take : yet sure shall darknesse shrowd me , if i say , the night about me shall be light as day . for light-lesse darknesse , darkneth not from thee , but as the day , before thee shines the night : where seeing sees not , thou hast eyes to see , as darknesse is to thee , so is the light . my reines are but the texture of thy loome . thou coveredst me within my mothers wombe . for casting me in such a covert mold , my praise shall of thy fearfull wonders tell ; how marvellous thy workes are to behold , my soule cannot expresse , yet knowes right well . no bone of mine from thee is hid to know , though close embroidred in the earth below . thine eyes did on my shapelesse substance looke , and fram'd my members from a formlesse masse ; each one of them is written in thy booke , what day they formed were , when none there was . how precious are , o god , thy thoughts to mee , of their increase what mighty summes i see ! to number them , to number were the sand , as oft as i awake , i am with thee : that thou , o god , wouldst slay the wicked band , and men of blouds : depart ye all from mee : which speake of thee what mischiefe can devise , and , but lift up in vaine , thine enemies . and doe not i , lord , them that hate thee , hate , and grieve at those that up against thee rise , as if with me thy haters held debate , as if they me despis'd , that thee despise ? in hatreds full perfection them i hate , and in the number of my foes relate . search me , o god , my secret angles sound , and of my heart exactest knowledge take , examine mine intentions from their ground , of all my thoughts a perfect audit make . see whether i in sorrowes by-path stray , and lead me in the everlasting way . psal. . eripe me domine . ad praestantem , psalmus davidis . the evill man , the violent , from me , o lord , keep farre : whos 's heart on mischiefe wholly bent , they daily gather warre . they , like a serpent , whet their tongue , beneath their lips beare stings ; with aspes fell poyson to be stung , lesse deadly danger brings . selah . lord , keep me from the wicked hand , and from the violent ; to thrust away my feet , which stand , and study to prevent . for me the proud have hid a snare , with cords wide spread a net : way-laid my path at un-aware , their grins for me have set . selah . thou to the lord my god , i said , to heare this voice of mine , a suitor to thy grace for aide , thine eare , o lord , encline . lord god my strength , my strength to lead , my saving health from harmes : thou sett'st the helmet on my head , upon the day of armes . lord , wicked men encourage not , nor grant them their desire , o further not his crafty plot , lest further they aspire . selah . upon my chiefest haters head , that compasse me about , a covering of their lips to spread , let mischiefe ma●ke them out . let burning coales on them descend ; hot fire on them let fall : and into dungeons deep them send . whence rise they never shall . a man of tongue shall never grow establish't in the land : but evill , to his overthrow , shall hunt the griping hand . i know , the lord will justice frame , the poore opprest to quit : the just shall sure confesse thy name , the right , before thee sit . psal. . ad te , domine . psalmus davidis . to this complaint , o lord , of mine , thy speedy help apply : thine eare unto my voice encline , when unto thee i cry . as incense , let my praier be sent , and right before thee rise ; let mine up-lifted palmes present an evening sacrifice . set , lord , a watch my mouth before , my wandring tongue to tie ; and of my lips keep fast the doore , whence words have wings to flie . to evill further not my heart , pretences to pretend : their dainties let me eate no part , whom wicked deeds commend . but smite me , let the just in love , his hand up-lifted lights ; compassions his reprovings prove , his mawle in mercy smites . such balme ( none such the wicked powre ) shall never breake mine head : for in their evills evill houre , my praier for them shall plead . their ●udges , though by hands of rockes , lie fell'd beneath our feet , to heare my sayings , swarme by flockes , for they are pleasing sweet . our scattred bones together put , the mouth of hell receives , as stone on earth from quarry cut , as chips the cleaver cleaves . but unto thee , o god the lord , mine eyes attendant looke , when help thou wilt my hopes afford , leave not my soule forsooke . preserve me from the handed-snare , which they for me have laid , and grins , for which their wicked care , with cost and paine hath paid . but let the wicked downe be cast , his toile his taker be : while i , together over-past , his fall , my safety see . psal. . voce mea ad dominum . maschil davidis , cùm esset in spelunca , oratio . my voyce , up to the lord , i strain'd , and shew'd my wofull case ; my voyce , unto the lord complain'd , and humbly su'd for grace . my meditation i prepar'd , before him to expresse ; before his face , have i declar'd , and powr'd out my distresse . when , sunk my spirit within me lay , my path then didst thou know ; a snare to walk on , in my way , they closely did bestow . on my right hand i lookt , and saw , to know me there was none : all refuge did from me withdraw ; to seeke my soule , not one . to thee , ô lord , i cry'd , and said , to thee my hopes arrive ; my lot before me thou hast lay'd , the land of them that live . consider my complaint , to thee , attend my low-brought cry : from my pursuers rescue me , they stronger are than i. my soule out of close prison bring , i shall confesse thy name ; the just about me in a ring , thy bountie shall proclaime . psal. . deus exaudi . psalmus davidis . heare , lord , my prayer , my fuits entend , which i for grace to thee , and to thy faithfulnesse commend , in justice answer me ! and enter not by judgements right , thy servants sins to sound ; for justifi'd shall in thy sight , not one that lives be found . my soule , is by my foe pursu'd , my life , to earth , lies smit : among the dead , for ever mew'd , in darknesse set , to sit . my spirit , within me spent , hath left my understanding craz'd : my troubled heart , of rest bereft , amidst me lyes amaz'd . i call to mind the daies of old , on all thy worke i muse ; thy deeds my serious thoughts behold , what passe thy hands peruse . to thee i stretch forth either hand , thy help to entertaine : my soule ●or thee , as weary land , thirsts after welcome raine . selah . haste lord and heare , my spirit is done , hide not thy face from me : like them that downe the pit are gone , lest else made soon i be . thy morning mercy make me heare , in thee i trust , to mee the way i am to walke make cleere , i list my soule to thee . from my pursuing enemies , o lord , deliver me : that where my safeties shelter lies , for covert flie to thee . thou art my god , to doe thy will , o make me understand , to guide me , thy good spirit instill , where right commands the land . and for that names sake of thine owne , thou , lord , shalt quicken mee : as for thy justice thou art knowne , my soule from pressure free . against my foes thy power employ , make strong thy mercies arme : my soules distressors all destroy , that me thy servant harme . psal. . benedictus dominus . davidis . blest be the lord , my rocke of might , my fortresse , never farre : by whom my hands are taught to fight , my fingers fram'd for warre . my mercy , my strong hold , my towre , my saviour , and my shield : in whom i trust , and by whose power , to me my people yeeld . lord , what is man , that thy respect , to know him , takes such care ? why on the sons of man reflect , and reckon what they are ? man is of vanity a masse , made up , on earth to creep ; whose daies , as slides the shadow , passe to death , the house of sleep . thy heav'ns , o lord , bow and come downe , with tempests warning stroke ; and with thy clouds , the mountaines crowne , but touch , and they shall smoake . lighten thy lightnings fi'ry darts , to scatter them withall : send home thine arrowes to their hearts , and , troubled , make them fall . thy saving hand send from on hi● , for my deliverance stand : rid from the many waters nie , freed from strange childrens hand . whose mouth of vanitie the mold , dissembles in their stile ▪ on falshood , whose right hand takes hold , a right hand full of guile . to thee , o god , prepare will i , a new-set song to sing , on ten-string'd lute and psalterie , with sound of voice and string . his gift it is whereby kings stand , salvation that they have ; doth from the sword in mischiefes hand , his servant david save . release me from strange childrens hand , whose mouth the mint of lies ; whose right hand , right hand is to band , and vent vaine forgeries . which say , " our sons young plants shall grow ; the daughters we beget , like polish't angles on a row , in royall palace set . that yeelding sorts of meats and meats . our garners never cease : our flockes bring thousands in our streets , ten thousands of encrease . our oxen fed , to labour stout , the burthen , strong to beare : no breaking in , none going out , our streets no clamour heare . ☜ o blessed people ! ( people say ) with goods , not goodnesse stor'd : o , rather blessed people they , whose good is god the lord. psal. . exaltabo te deus . tehillah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 davidis . acrostichon , deest nun hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 advance thy praise , my king , o god , will i , and i will blesse thy name perpetually : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blessing thee every day will i dispend , to praise thy name my song shall never end . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great is the lord , and greatly to be prais'd , and to his greatnesse can no search ●e rais'd . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deeds done by thee shall age to age commend , to shew thy powers , posterities contend . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how beauteous is thy glorious majestie , words of thy marvells meditate will i. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose dreadfull power to speak they shall not spare , as for thy greatnesse , that will i declare . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 summes of thy goodnesse shall mens minds employ , to sing thy justice , they shall shout for joy . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how full of grace ! with pity how repleat the lord ! long-suffring , and in mercy great . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all , the lord his goodnesse sendeth downe , and all his workes his tender mercies crowne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in praising thee , lord , all thy workes confesse , and ( blest in being thine ) thy saints thee blesse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cleere glory of thy kingdome they shall tell , and with thy glory speake what power doth dwell . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let adams children know his mighty hand , his kingdomes comely honour understand . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 measure of time thy kingdomes raigne transcends , and thy dominion age and age extends . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sustainer is the lord of all that fall , and them that crooked are , erecteth all ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intent on thee their eyes all creatures bend , and thou , in time to them their meat dost send . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plentifully , with open hand , at will , each living things desire thou dost fulfill . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so just the lord in all the waies he goes , so mercifull in all the workes he does . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 callers on him to all the lord is nie , to all that call upon him faithfully . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 requests all granted , shall his fearers have , to heare their cry , and them distrest to save . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so all that love him , will the lord sustaine ; and of the wicked , let not one remaine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to praise the lord , my mouth a song shall frame , all flesh for ever blesse his holy name . psal. . lauda anima med dominum . halelu-jah . o praise the lord , my soule , as long as life ( lord ) lends me daies : thy praise ( while i ! ) shall be my song , my god , to sing thy praise . in princes , and in adams son , whose substance is but dust , with whom is no salvation , repose no settled trust . who , when his prisoned spirit goes forth , turnes to his earth againe : that day his thoughts are nothing worth he travell'd with in paine . o happy he , that hath fore-laid , to be his strong abode , the god of jacob for his aide , his hope , the lord his god. which made the heav'ns , the earth , the deeps , and what they all containe : his promise faithfully who keeps , for ever to remaine . which judgeth those that suffer wrong , gives to the hungry bread : the lord from chaines and fetters strong , sets loose the captive head . the lord gives light to lightlesse eies , restores the blind to sight : the lord erects that crooked lies , the lord the just loves right . the lord keeps strangers from distresse , of orphans is the stay : relieves the widow comfortlesse , subverts the wicked way . the lord , upon his royall throne eternally shall raigne ; thy god , o sion , king alone , shall age and age remaine . psal. . laudate dominum . praise god , for it is good to sing , a song of praise is sweet : to praise our god a pleasant thing , his praise , a practice meet . of his jerusalem the walls , the lord builds up againe ; the scattred out-casts home recalls , his israels remaine . his hand the broken-hearted heales , their depth of sorrow sounds : safe medicine for their sicknesse deales , binds up their bleeding wounds . the number of the starres he tells , and gives them names expresse : great is the lord , his power excells , his prudence numberlesse . the lord lifts-up the meeke on wings , to base oppression thrust ; but head-long downe the wicked flings , and drownes their pomp in dust . o sing unto the lord with praise , with praise of voice and string ; high to the harp our voices raise , psalmes to our god to sing . which covereth heav'ns with clouds , below for earth prepares the raine ; on mountaines cliffes makes grasse to grow , as on the meadowie-plaine . which to the nation of the beast , their feeding doth supply ; and gives the sons of ravens a feast , when they for hunger cry . he takes no pleasure in the might , and mannage of the horse ; nor in the legges of man delight , supporters of his force . the lords delight is on them set , that on his feare depend : that to his mercy seeke to get , whereon their hopes attend . o salem , laud the lord most-hie , sion , thy god confesse : for he thy gates doth fortifie , ●hy sons within thee , blesse . he in thy border settleth peace , from feare of hostile hand : with kidnies fat of wheats increase , he loads thy labour'd land . the earth his blessings doth afford , at his commanding will ; and very swiftly runs his word , his precept to fulfill . he from his clouds , with scattring gale , like lockes of wooll gives snow ; doth on the hill , the downe , the dale , hoare-frosts , like ashes , strow . his ice , like morsels , forth he casts , to bind the streames in bands : before his cold-congealing blasts , who stands , that them withstands ? he sends his word , that wills them melt , his south-wind bids to blow ; whose thawing breath no sooner felt , the frozen waters flow . his word of truth , whereon to trust , to jacob hath he told : his statutes and his judgements just , taught israel to hold . he hath not so in any case , with any nation dealt ; nor with like knowledge of his grace , his judgements have they felt . halelu-jah . psal. . laudate dominum . halelu-jah . ye quiristers of heavenly quire , to praise the lord most-hie , from heaven , whereto our hymnes aspire , confesse him from on hie . ye angels all , that in a ring , about his throne attend : his praise in heavenly consort sing , him all his hosts commend . o sun , the soveraigne of the day , and moone , the queen of night ; his praises sun and moon display , with all the starres of light . ye heavens of heavens , confesse him all , about your spheres that move : from aire 's mid-region , ye that fall , cold waters from above . to praise the name of god the lord , their part each creature beare : for his commandment gave the word , and they created were . their order , and eternall round , by him establish't was ; his law , their limits certaine bound , they have no power to passe . dragons and whales , your deepest note , to praise the lord compose ; that range in so●les or seas remote , his praise all deeps disclose . fire , haile , snow , vapour , stormy wind , his ministers at hand ; to burne , to bruise , to lose , to bind , to doe his words command . mountaines , hills , desert , or in field , trees , free-growne , planted ; all , as well that fruit by culture yeeld , as laric-cedars tall . wild beast , that cave or covert keeps , all cattell , every thing , on mother-earth as well that creeps , as aire-cut fowle of wing . kings great on earth , to soveraigne's-great , all subjects that belong : princes , and all on judgements seat , that judge earths right and wrong . young men and maidens , whose fresh flow'rs of youth begin to bloome : old men and children , whose best powers are past , or yet to come . the lords name let them praise , for hie his name is rais'd alone ; above the earth his majestie , above the heavens his throne . and he hath rais'd his peoples horne , a praise his saints hold deare ; of israel the children borne , a nation to him neere . psal. . cantate domino . halelu-jah . sing to the lord a new-set song , un-heard in former daies : his saints assemblies sing among , and celebrate his praise . with joy his makers praise to sing , let israel make choice ; as loyall subjects to their king ; let sions sons rejoyce . to praise his name with flute and dance , his praise in consort sing , with timbrels touch his praise advance , with hymnes and harps sweet string . the lord is with his people pleas'd , the meeke in heart cast downe , with his salvations beauty eas'd , with glorious wreath to crowne . in glory let the saints rejoyce , in holy company ; and shout at home with joyfull noise , as on their beds they lye . of gods high praises , let the word within their throat resound ; and in their hand a two-mouth'd sword , on each side sharp , be found . the heath'ns with vengeance to pursue , with pride , that so did swell : the nations , with reprovings due , to checke , when they rebell . to bind their kings in captive chaines , and leave their hosts no head : their nobles , with their lordly traines , in iron bolts to lead . to execute the judgement writ , upon them every one : such honour as doth best befit , to all his saints be done . halelu-jah . psal. . laudate dominum . halelu-jah . o praise god in his holinesse , his firmament of might : his powers , his greatnesse numberlesse , with boundlesse praise recite . his praise let sound of trumpet ring , praise him with lute and lyre : praise him with tymbrel , flute , and string , with organ fill the quire. praise him with cymbals sounding shrill , his praises great record : let loudest-sounding cymbals fill : " let all breath praise the lord. psal. . ex additione apollinarii . sam . cap. . of all my brethren , i ( the least ) my harp and song assai'd ; and while my flocke was at their feast , to feast their master plai'd . such happinesse have shepheards crew , that know no further care : how happy were they , if they knew , how happy men they are ! that common not , where clamours dwell , nor covet but their owne ; nor to their betters knowne too well , dye to themselves unknowne . but ah , my shepherds fare , farewell , farewell my flocke of sheep ; my little flocke , who kept you well , must you no longer keep . yet harp and song , that shepherd sings , to whom the muse is given , may change a straine , and sing of kings , may sing the king of heaven . say then , what angel came to call heavens champion forth to fight , against heavens foe , and in his fall put all his host to flight ? ¶ a man of gath , an infidell , with him , at handy-strokes , of all the host of israel , a combatant provokes . his limbes were vast , and ample nerv'd , his weapons not a few : his sword and shield , the saint he serv'd , his idols serv'd for shew . my brethren valiant were and strong , but god had not decreed , to them the glory should belong , of this heaven-sorted deed . god gave me courage to confound this crest-swolne pythons power ; to batter downe , and bring to ground this cloud-threat babel tower. full forty dayes this behemoth came , to our hearts griefe to heare , blaspheming gods almighty name . ¶ like weavers beame , his speare . no speare brought i , nor bow , nor bill , of armour use had none : to charge a sling i had some skill , and thence discharge a stone . wherewith , if right his murrion sit , may i but see his face , my thunder-handed bolt shall hit the destin'd speeding-place . enrag'd , mine eldest brother cri'd , this fight com●st thou to see ? avant , proud boy : i soon repli'd , is here no cause for mee ? more calm king saul : my heart ( holds ) good , yeeres ( doubts ) too few , in truth : gath flesh't in battels , broil●s , and blood , a kill-man from his youth . but i , what is he more than man ? let no mans heart ( said ) faile : against six cubits and a span , shall not heavens arme prevaile ? a lion and a beare surpriz'd , and slaine my right hand hath : this philistine uncircumcis'd , what is this man of gath ? comes gath to shed our bloud for spoile , as wine-presse sheds the grape ? or doth his ekrons hungry soile , for judah's cities gape ? with him to deale doe i desire , these rephaims force to feele : although his hands were hands of fire , or gads of burning steele . the lion and the beare for might , were much the better part : but man to man is equall fight , the odds is in the heart . admit with sithe he mowe his beard , with harrow rake his head : his lance be like a maine-mast rear'd , an iron racke his bed ! i bring to field ( and god before ) as many hands as he : a better cause , and courage more , and these are armes for me . the iron he is wont to weare , who blames me to refuse ? as much perhaps as i can beare , much more than he can use . he comes to me with sword and shield , with steel'd bead speare in hand ; arm'd with his name , come i to field , that armies can command . ¶ then he , thy dreame-beleeving boasts , old jesse's beardlesse sonne : thine host , thine hosts , lord god of hosts , accurs'd be all , as one : what honour shall my combate gaine , with shepherd rivall shar'd : of thee , when men shall say ( though slaine ) yet this was he that dar'd . the only man of all his host , so often urg'd thereto : what none durst doe , who durst doe most , that undertooke to doe . that dar'd with one , that did excell , encounter hand to hand : in which encounter though he fell , he fell , where none durst stand . thy glory will be easie bought , a deathlesse victorie , with me sit match , but to be thought , though purchas 't with to die . give me a man , my equall match , where like proportion lies : with flies men may not eagles catch , and eagles catch no flies . ye reeds of judah , raise high wind , and trumpet loud of warre : but we by proofe , asunder find , your sound and substance farre . why , race of leaves ? why , shades on wall , why should your female feare , since ●all ye must , refuse to fall by great pelesheths speare ? by us to have been overcome , what losse shall ye sustaine ? sometime to have been lost , to some hath prov'd the loosers gaine . yeeld us your lords , and home returne , possesse your daies in peace : with sword , incense not fire to burne , thy braves , ben-jesse , cease . five thousand shekels weight of brasse , my coat of maile out-weighes : six hundred iron shekels masse , upon my speare-pile playes . beneath this weight thou scarce canst stand , scarce this bare burthen beare : but much more heavie my right hand , dye , ere thou feele , for feare . adde then my helm , sword , shield , & lance , a second load alone , too bigge for thee but to advance , brat , with thy feeble bone ! thou hast three brethren arm'd in field , were all your strength in one ; all foure could not one anak yeeld , to combat me alone . more blest hadst thou abode at home , and serv'd thy fathers slaves , than , wretch , with me to cope have come , as to a dogge with staves . in scorne , my sword is stain'd with none , before my wroth be whet : now scorne and anger joyne in one , what rage shall both beget ? thy bowels , and white-marrow'd bones , shall therefore wild beasts eate : thy braines beat out with bats and stones , shall be the vultures meat . ¶ what help ! i had no reaching dart , no tackling , but a thong : a sling my weapon ; but a heart above all weapon , strong . thy railing challenge speakes thee base , in termes blasphemous flung : nor suits it with a souldiers grace , to be so ranke of tongue . a lions head ( foole ) can out-beard an host of heartlesse hinds : the greatest men ( is often heard ) beare not the greatest minds . thy helme and target trust thou not , with those unwieldy thighes : the compleat-arm'd rhinocerot , looke where he falls , he lies . thine armours load , but laggs faint heart , for flight the more unfit : the bigger man thou art , thou art the bigger marke to hit . thou hast not soule enough to cramme , that carricks every chinke : the hugest hulke that ever swamme , a small sprung leake may sinke . when aire and water fall to myre , the purest from to fall , the soule of elements , the fire , is spher'd above them all . no sparke of that ethereall flame , inspir'd thine earth-borne birth : as from the earth thy chaos came , thou hast a soule of earth . as earth , thy mother groan'd in paine , when she thy burthen gave : thy breath , between thy teeth constraine , and groaning gnaw thy grave . but most , to make thy quarrell good , must grounded cause be given : thy vantage is but flesh and bloud , mine is the hand of heaven . what fury forc't thee on these pikes , forlorne attempt to give ? " at heaven who strikes , himselfe he strikes , and hath not long to live . of five , i chose one pibble round , that levell flew as li●e ; and in his fore-head sunke a wound ; thou hast it , philistine ! now , for mine owne i can thee claime ! " to ida's faire-ey'd swaine , " the delian gave not so good aime , " when thetis son was slaine . god , even our god , of mighties most , whom thou revild'st this day , by me , the meanest of his host , hath sent thee death for pay . his sword then drew i from his side , and groveling on the land , as he the living god defi'd , at once , with either hand , his head i from his shoulders strooke , there our colossus fell ; so this reproach ben-jesse tooke from honour'd israel . thou , vale of elah , saw'st this fight , that cost goliaths head : thou , vale of elah , saw'st this flight , when lost pelesheth fled . ye neighbour groves , and ecchoing trees , heard gath on dagon call : proud ashteroth , beneath our knees , saw ekrons idols fall . for joy let judah shout to god , while gath and ekron howle ; my soule a valiant march hath trod , a valiant march my soule . finis libri quinti. praise to the god of heaven , be given by mee a worme , that davids numbers in this forme , to mee a worme hath given . r.b. finis . ben. ar. montan. poëtica sine dubio est psalmorum in fonte compositio . d. j. rainold . oxon. poëtica sine dubio , sic omnibus virtutibus tam modulatè consonantibus ; omnibus partibus tam egregiè consentientibus ; luminibus omnibus tam excellenter refulgentibus , enitescens ; ut nihil veritati , lenitate ; nihil gravitati , amoenitate ; nihil majestati , festivitate ; nihil dignitati , jucunditate ; nihil magnitudini , concinnitate ; nihil denique divinitati , humanitate , detrahitur memoriae reverendssi. p. honoratissi. d. l. andrewes , nuper d. episc. winton . dom. & tutoris mei colendissi. cujus auspiciis inchoatum hoc opus , ego r.b. observantiss . dd. c . coelum animam ; marmor tua condidit ossa ; supersunt ingenii gemmae , viva sepulchra tui . errata . psal . . . for mighty , reade nightly . psal. . . for selfe absent , reade thy selfe absent . other errours favourably excuse , and amend at pleasure . the captive-captain, or, the restrain'd cavalier drawn to his full bodie in these characters ... presented and acted to life in a suit of durance, an habit suiting best with his place of residence. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the captive-captain, or, the restrain'd cavalier drawn to his full bodie in these characters ... presented and acted to life in a suit of durance, an habit suiting best with his place of residence. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], p. printed by j. grismond, london : . attributed to brathwait by wing and nuc pre- imprints. "choice cabinet counsel" has half-title page. imperfect: faded and tightly bound with loss of print. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the captive-captain : or , the restrain'd cavalier ; drawn to his full bodie in these characters ; i. of a prison . ii. the anatomy of a iayler . iii. a iaylers wife . iv. the porter . v. the century . vi. the fat prisoner . vii . the lean prisoner . viii . the restrain'd cavalier , with his melancholy fancy . presented , and acted to life in a suit of durance ; an habit suiting best with the place of his residence . nullus extra te carcer . london printed by i. grismond , . for the worthily honoured , richly accomplished ; and absolutely compleated , sir tho. preston , baronet ; his most affectionately obliged servant r. b. presents these characters : ( being native & genuine displayers of the humours of these times ; ) in lieu of those gracefull respects , so amicably and amply rendered ; and by the author humbly acknowledged . the number and order of these characters , interlac'd with sundry other emergent subjects , properly and ingenuously dilating on the humours of these times . i. the character of a prison . page ii. the anatomy of a iaylor . iii. a iaylors wife . iv. the porter . v. the century . vi. the fat prisoner . vii . the lean prisoner . viii . the restrained cavalier , with his melancholy fancy . i. advice to a peer . ii. advice to a pesant . iii. advice to a landlord . iv. advice to a farmer . v. advice to a simple countrey curat . vi. advice to a countrey iustice. vii . advice to an heir . viii . advice to a younger brother . ix . advice to a gallant . x. advice to his mistris . xi . advice to him that will take it . i. a countrey-commissioner . ii. a state-competitor . a phanatick . the black rod. state-dimensions . a smart reply . letters of advice ; or , the friendly monitor . a defensive letter . to a malignant . vpon the late plot. vpon the face of rebellion . a farewel carol. the sequestrees sonnet . no mean , no man. the interest of westmerland . the interest of cumberland . the captive captain : or , the restrained cavaliere . in viii . characters . i. the character of a prison . a prison is a cage of unclean birds ; not that they are unclean of themselves , but that their nasty attendants desire to have them appear unclean beasts like themselves . augeus stables had dainty grooms , if compar'd to their chamberlains . the whole prospect of this forlorn room is a grate ; where through every transenn , every stancher , those incaged birds may take a view of the iron age. they say , spirits walk there ; but very few spirits to entertain the least portion of compassion . this cacus cave is compar'd to the lions den ; turn once the ward , — et vestigia nulla retrorsum . her walls , instead of darnicks , arras , and tapistry , are commonly interwoven with ariadnes cawls , spider-webs , and such like over-worn trophies of antiquity . the cimmerians in their dwellings , resemble these in their lodgings ; onely their lights are different : those receive some scattered beamlings by their mountain-crannies ; these by their forlorn loop-holes . her constant inhabitants , to their dis-comfort , retain such back-biters , that though they give them sustenance , yet they startle them sleeping and waking with their too obsequious adherence . the musique of this house , holds in consort with the trapezites , all iron . if her meniey were as constant in their affection , as in their mansion ; as firmly link'd in the bonds of fidelity , as in their links of a necessitated society , they were a brave amicable family . either her own parcimony , or her in-mates penury is such , as she keeps no open-house . so short is she in her wages , and so spare in her solace , as her servants are weary of her before an end of their first quarters service . she 's careless from whence they come , but infinitely cautious how they goe away . and if they goe away without her favour , they are in great danger to break their necks for their labour . ii. the anatomy of a iaylor . he is a brave boisterous blade ; one who has made a contract with his tongue and look : with the latter to look ugly ; with the other to speak harshly . he is a cunning falconer ; and with his imperious whistle keeps his mu'd fowl in such command , as they hold themselves blessed when they are without the sound of his call . he is active in the exercise of his mannacles , boults , and fetters . he binds his apprentices to such hard conditions , as some are enforced with the loss of their lives to purchase their freedom . he is so richly disciplined in the aray of oaths and curses , as he has learn'd to damn his unhappy family with no less facility than felicity . this makes the devil hugg him morning and evening , charging him to go on in his work , and he shall be sure of his wages . his onely fees derive their gratuities from the sins of the people . if you tell him of the iaylor in the acts ; he either believes not the story : or he calls him a white-liver'd officer to make conscience his commander . he is of such a base quality , as to feed himself , he starves his meniey . shreeks , groans and lachrymae are his delicious harmony . he has so dis-used himself to civility , as he cannot utter one word of comfort , to gain him a kingdom . if his poor famished family receive a reward ; it returns to his ward . while they , poor souls , pray for their benefactors : he becomes whole sharer . the poor prisoners box is his exchequer ; his prisoners , his spongies ; their ruine , his raising ; their famine , the improvement of his fortune . all his keyes are made for spring-locks ; they will shut of themselves , but never open . this surly mastive glories in nothing more than in displeasing ; and where he dare not bite , to be snarling . he makes more disheartned spirits tremble one day , than he did for his sins all his life . his onely triumph is over misery : and his resolution to exclude mercy . he hath no time to pray , lest he should neglect his charge . yet for a fat bribe in a corner , he will not stick to truck with his well-lin'd prisoner : though by his voluntary escape he hazard an halter . generally , he never looks up to heaven , but when he is posting to hell : and now the unaccustomed thought of his sins makes his journey seem long and heavy : but let him comfort himself ; it is all down-bank , and that will make it seem more easie . iii. a iaylors wife . we have done with pluto ; we are now to pluck one feather from the wing of his dainty duckling proserpina . would you have her picture drawn to life ? that curious holland artist hans carvile , though he had the absolutest fancy in pourtraying the devil , could not do it if he were living : yet we will shadow , though we cannot to her full body so exquisitely limn her . for her constitution and composition , they suit as neerly with her iaylors disposition , as charon and acheron . since the very hour that she put her wedding-ring on her knotty finger , it has been her highest ambition to mould her self to her surly husbands humor : and to observe his deportment in every posture . the wheel of her tongue is of a perpetual motion ; yet generally she spits as much as she speaks ; wherein i must caution you to keep your distance ; and not to come within the compass of her sent ; for the very steam which drills from her fluets , retains more venome than the foam of a mad dogg . she 's an intollerable slut ; yet he that should venture to call her so , might be sure to have a dark lobby for his lodging . any one may smell her , before he see her ; so strongly is she chafed with kitching pomander . she has usually more fat on her skirts , than many of her starv'd meniey have on their ribs . her a pricock nose is a common sewer , ever runing ; so as her tongue cannot be more active , than that is fluent . to save a faggot , every winter morn , she makes fuell of her maids ; bestowing more basting of them , than she doth on her meat . her complexion ( lest you should neglect her when you see her ) holds near resemblance to a parcel of scorched lard : yet she has a conceit there is not a morsel about her , but infinitely deserves love . if she take notice of an handsom well-timbered prisoner , that promiseth ability in his feature ; she will not stick to reserve some of her best reversions for him , and cram him , not by way of alms , but for her own benevolence . she changeth not her clothes half so often as she doth her maids . for her heavy houshold , though their appetite be strong , their repast is weak . thus in a double restraint these poor wretches suffer ; air and fare ; thraldom and hunger ; and in these , he has vow'd to keep them as short in the one , as she means to abridge them in the other . yet it is strange ; amidst all these dis-gusts , she 's infinitely dear to her guests . now to bring her to bed , if her iaylor lose her , you may be confident who will have her . but i perceive her diving , like the spirit in the vault ; we will leave her to her long sleep ; and thrice happy had many of her in-mates been if she had never wakt . iv. the porter . all hail to cerberus ! how desperately the tartarian cur looks ? his uncertain revenues consist wholly of rewards : and these his unhallow'd keys keep in the circumference of their wards . he has no other vails to support him ; so as he becomes no less unnecessarily lasie , than necessarily lousie . the onely way to act malevolo , is to fall into poverty . and he is already fallen upon that rock . he cannot speak affably , if you should hang him ; unless he observe an hopeful visitant approaching his gate : and then he labors to strain courtesie with his ingenerous inbred quality ; and to open to him with an unmannerly congy . he is infinitely weary in doing nothing ; and yet should you take him from his unprofitable vocations , he would adventure to do somthing worse than nothing . he sleeps as much as he either eats or drinks : but that 's not his fault , but his slow benefactors : for he has ericthous bowels to receive , if he had any open-hearted vitellius to give . he counterfeits a pleasant shrug , upon the admittance of a well-crammed prisoner ; and his first morning visit must be reserv'd for his chamber . now , you must not conceive this to be out of any love to his guest ; but meerly for his morning draught and a canonical toast : which many times ( bar basket reversions ) serves him for his whole days repast . this dogg in a doublet , should he be called to an account of his life , you should hear such a reckning as would partake more of cannibal than christian. he had retyred hours enough to say his prayers in : but he held devotion such an antipos to his profession , as he mightily feared he should lose his place , by inuring his idle hours to any such pious pratice . and now after his long useless service , wherein neither he himself reaped much profit , nor his prisoners solace ; looking with the swan upon his feet , he perceives he has purchased something that will stick near him , when all his acquaintance leave him : gout and dropsie , which hale him along from his porters-lodge to a lower century . v. the century . are men of the livery . red-coats , blew-coats , green-coats , white-coats ; nay , turn-coats in hope of better pay . they are as vigilant and as prudent ( for ought i know ) as those watchful birds of the capitol . they are sufficiently indoctrinated in their words of command ; which they use upon all occasions : stand , who goes there ? — corporall ! they are principally versed in parades and reliefs . they hold themselves privileged men by the law of arms : and scorn the repulse of a stranger , so long as they cling together . night rovers are their best benefactors . these , what occasion soever they pretend , must untruss , or let them be sure to suffer disgrace . now should you single them out , and put them to any interogatories , you were not to expect from them any resolutions in affairs of discipline ( wherein they are generally better fed than taught : ) for they hold it sufficient knowledge to return an account under what captain they serve . for any other questions , it were needless for you to demand : seeing they are bound to answer no more than they know . those golden and silver shields in the athenian guards , were to their glory none of this century . these are onely known to their country arms : which they mean more ordinarily than orderly to manage upon any state-service . some of these , to save their hamlet an unnecessary charge ; by their provident husbanding of their powder ; have not discharged their muskets , since their first admittance to that military order . they hold shedding of blood , be the quarrel never so fair nor cause just , to be a crying sin ; therefore to clear their innocent souls from that soil , they have religiously vow'd never to draw ( unless it be upon great advantage ) in their own defence . yet like garden-doggs , they are very fierce on the night ; especially if they be backt , and find a remisseness of spirit in their assailant . yet i would have their spectators retain this opinion of them ; that they are brave metall'd blades , sparks of honor ; and such as will make their centuries smoak again to display their vallour . there is nothing but it may be usefully imployed to some end or other : this makes these terrible myrmidons use their match instead of tinder , while others ( more active in tossing a pipe than a pike ) receive light from their labor . but nights are cold and long ; and if moon-light , fuller of danger ; for then trees send forth their shadows , which at first fight resemble enemies : but perceiving those shady bushes to be no foes , but meer apparitions to delude them , they are content before their reliefs to take a nap ; where we do leave them . vi. the fat prisoner . is one that is given to the flesh , as the flesh is given to him ; for if otherwise , he might be as thin as other of his fellow-rats , who feed on the same commons , but batten not so well , for want of concoction ; or in that they have not such merry hearts to allay their affliction . this may-bird can sing as sweetly in a cage , as if he were in a forrest . he accounts his imprisonment the embleme of his life : and his life neither unhappier nor shorter by being a prisoner . he findes freedom in his greatest restraint ; and that inward liberty which many libertines who have the wide world to walk in , could never purchase . but these are contemplative men , who make heaven their object ; and consequently , whatsoever is here below , their subject . now , there be other fatlings who cram themselves in security . their pot , pipe and merry company so besots them , as they make no difference at all betwixt bondage and liberty . these have put off all cares ; and like porkets in a sty , feed without thought of provision ; and like loose epicures , turn from their troughs without thansgiving . wherein , though they ow to god for their ordinary ; yet such debts retain least hold in their memory . you may see the world here drawn up in a small epitome . this prison holds as much as the world : all her inhabitants are either good or bad . here is a good prisoner ; and he makes contemplation his reflection : divine service is his souls solace . nothing can confine him , because he finds nothing fit to entertain him , that earth may afford him . this apprehension moves him to esteem of a prison as a place of more freedom than the world ; because he finds fewer inducements to decline him from pursuit of his future liberty , than he found in the world . whereas that bad fatling or sensual prisoner is content with any place , that may be-lull his cloudy understanding in a careless sleep . freedom and bondage are indifferently equal to his fruitless pilgrimage ; being neither beneficial to himself nor his neighbour in the one nor the other . now he who fats himself with true hearts-ease , feeds his appetite with diviner hopes , than to satisfie it with the prodigals husks . vii . the lean prisoner . he is a living sceleton ; a breathing ghost ; the remainder of a greater work ; or the wasted portion of his purveyors provision ; or a shadow that has lost his substance . this iack-a-lent , an old in-mate in that ancient fabrick of iohn a gant , promiseth at the first sight as if he had put on the habit of some hermit or anachorite ; having procured such a divorce from his flesh , as he had onely entred into covenant with his spirit . but all is not gold that glisters . sanctity is not wholly confined to an hermitage , nor mortification to lean chops and a pale visage . spare bodies may have strong appetites . cambletes was lean , though gluttonous ; and camillus fat , though abstemious . wood of kent had sere ribs , but a sore stomack . the lean , with pharaohs kine , are apt to devour the fat . but let us judge the best ; for if his weak exhausted feature proceed from the defective reversions of a trencher , he merits pity , bearing the characters of his penury in such dying colours in his physnomy ; but if marrow-eating envy bring him to this infirmity , he may thank himself for his own malady . now you shall take this for a constant rule , by how much more this scare-crow is estranged from the flesh ; by so much neerer is he allyed to the spirit : you shall scarcely find one in an age to parallel galba's constitution , to have a quick enlivened brain , and a gross corpulent bulk . the leanest body , the activest spirit . nay generally partaking most of that ingenious humor of melancholy , he becomes a singular proficient in machavels policy . brutus was fatter than cassius ; but less dangerous . but our poor mammet , as he depends upon the basket , so he studies no maxims of state. he proves that axiom good , it is more miserable to have a stomach without meat , than to have meat without a stomach . now his dogged jaylor , according to his wonted humor , will tell you , that he fares as well as the rest , but he has a caninum appetitum , which makes him eat more than he can digest . but believe no such cheats ; he could digest far more than he eats . but having long ago left his flesh ; he is now bethinking himself to leave the world . that was a burden he did so little love , as he desired to leave ; and now loath any longer to live : next to his sins , he repents himself of nothing more , but that he , who has held all his time for an upright dealer , should now for want of flesh , become a worm-cheater . viii . the restrained cavaliere , with his melancholy fancy . is iohn for the king in all parts of the kingdom . he had a brave spirit before he was impounded ; and now in his restraint he has a desire to fight ; but fetters instead of indentures have so bound him to good behaviour , as his appetite is cooled ; his approved valour must thaw and resolve to vapor , and content himself with the recollected honour of being once a souldier ; yet like gumm'd grogram , he will fret , though he cannot fight ; and if his genius be so happy , conjure up all the muses to assist him in his satyrical humor , and twist him some whip-cords to lash his unconscionable flint-hearted jaylor ; and this he does metally , like a daring retainer : didst thou but know , dogg'd iaylor , whom thou hast in those vast jaws of thy damp prison plac't ; with cheerful rays thou'dst look upon thy guest , and hold thy mansion by his seizure blest . pure nectar rivolets drain'd from our brains like aqua fortis shall eat through thy chains . grumble not , island curr ! here is a man would hook thy nose , were 't thou leviathan . wits sleight restraint ! our spirits never felt cares of those keys hang dangling at thy belt . thus this impaled minotaur domineers within his own grate ; while looking about him , and observing his mean accommodation , he begins to take a more curious survey of his incurious lodging ; which he calls the captains cage ; and with a jaylors curse , in this sort he anatomizeth his despicable case . a captive-captain lay in such a room , he held his bed the embleme of his tombe . dark as a charnel-house : no spirit did move but rats and mice below , and rain above : so as he need't not wash his couch with tears , such streaming showrs drill'd down about his ears . besides , an herd of grunting hoggs so nigh , none could discern his lodging from their stye . a kennel too of bawling curs lay there , which all night long were yelping in his ear . near this a chimney that would keep no fire ; " thus did his passive pensive hours expire . " if this a thraldom might not stiled be , " prisons are paradoxes unto me . it is great pity that his friends and fortunes should so neglect him ; or his own meriting parts become such strangers to him , as he can neither finde the one to comfort , nor the other to support him . he concludes therefore , that it is a mad world ; and those that fawn on it , the maddest fools in it . he hears of sallies , skirmishes , and battels ; but what are these to his bolts ? the report of the change of a prisoner would enliven him far better . but valour must not be redeemed with copper . though his field-actions deserved praise , yet must they not purchase his person freedome without a price . and poor restrained cavalier , he 's as far from giving as lending . he remains dis-roab'd , and dis-arm'd : his onely shift then must be best-be-trust , or he must stay there without bayl. others may be enlarged by publique faith , which he cannot . well , this is his comfort , though he be restrain'd in body , he has deriv'd from his mind that liberty , as he can fight without arms , and conquer his passions in their highest extremity . let him then dying , be honour'd with an hearse , whose living valour was never rewarded worse . nay , should his body want the honour of a shrine , yet let his memory live in the kalendar of fame , while we indorse this inscription upon his neglected grave . choice cabinet counsel . aperiatur scrinium , ut reperiatur consilium . proclus . sperate miseri , cavete foelices . what precious treasures best inrich the mind , vnlock this cabinet , and you shall find . gemms may be stoln , or lustre lose with rust ; but these more pure than to resolve to dust . choice cabinet counsel . salvian . o calame adjuro te , ne literam trahas nec lineam ; in qua pro viribus non delineas dei gloriam . i. advice to a peer . you are a person of descent ; ennoble it with actions of desert . there is nothing that detracts more from the splendour of an eminent family , than to be ignorant in that which may most and in the liveliest colours pourtray it self noble . the antient roman peerage became not onely distinguishable by their house or coat , but by one peculiar virtue or other lineally descendent and inherent to that race : as the publicolae for curtesy ; the scaevolae for sobriety ; the lentuli for liberality ; the gracci for gravity ; the appii for equity ; the coriolani for majesty ; the aureliani for piety ; and the marii for magnanimity . which ornaments dignify'd them much more than all that blood which ran through their veins . i have been known to some persons equal to you in rank , and equipage of state , though different in their extraction . for some of these were born , others made great . and in these may be found as great a difference in their humour , as was in the lineal derivation or accidental constitution of their honour . the one had receiv'd a native freedome , such a genuine and unaffected comportment , as his very carriage might play the herauld , and deblazon his linage . the other equally great , but his demean so levell'd that greatness , as it laid it flat , and mis-shap'd the person for acception of any such state . so as , it had been much better for that surreptitious mushrom to have held still to his slow , but safe private growth ; than by his undeserved rise to expose his pittifull grandeur to a scornfull censure . some of these we have known , even in the flowrishingst states , who during their times of privacy , liv'd in fair repute ; more lov'd than envy'd , though after swoln high , more envy'd than lov'd : and never less pitied , than when they stood in most need on 't . these , likewise , in their first entrance to state-affairs , were accounted grave and prudential men ; and , in the opinion of those who perused the draught of their actions , passages and debates , held most fitting to become great , before they came to be great . this was the opinion which most men had of galba , whose unexpected ascent to honour , had so estrang'd him from his native humour , as he appeared not the same man in command , which he shewed himself to be when commanded : and no doubt , but this change of disposition took it's origen from some sociable infection , by consorting with such , whose applauses deluded him ; and by their palpable parasitism so madded him , as it made him forgetful of his rise , and unmindful of his fall. whence i collect , that there is nothing that may improve , or disadvantage greatness more , ( whether it be derived from eminence of life , or dignity of place ) than the company which he frequents . it is an excellent advice therefore of that divine moral , in wishing us to make choice of such companions , in whose society we have hope , either to better them , or be better'd by them . stains are ever most discernible in purest cloaths . neither can greatness in a civil state become any subterfuge to guiltiness : whence it was , that the spartans held ever the crime of a peer most worthy of imparallel'd punishment . and hence it was , that their great men were call'd optimates : great , because good. peers , sayes that antient sage , as they over-peer others in greatness , so should they surmount others in goodness ; otherwise they build a low story upon an high foundation . now , as ambition can find you no wings to mount up higher ; so be it your care to prepare you arches to make your high-rais'd structures appear stronger ; let amity be your best monopoly , which is procur'd with least cost , and at best hand by debonair carriage and affability . add to these , acts of piety ; being seasonably perform'd , they will incomparably become you . go to the forest ; it will inform you : the highest trees give the fairest umbrage ; they stand for shrouding , not crushing their inferiours . ii. advice to a pesant . let not the lowness of thy present condition inslave thee to a pesantly resolution . if thou really partake of man , thou wilt lose nothing of thy dimension . thou canst not be outwardly so despicably low ; as thy rightly-aspiring thoughts shall not make thee intellectually high . though * codrus had ragg'd cloaths , he could imbroder them with royal thoughts . it is only in thee , that has power to ennoble thee , and imbellish thy poverty with a rich and graceful livery . but , methinks i see thee , like a poor male-content , throwing thine eyes abroad ; as if thou sentst them forth as spyes , or scouts , to make a discovery of all the estates of such persons as confine , or neighbour near thee . and , what return do these envious centinels render thee ? in their relations , i must no less freely than friendly tell thee , how infinitely they abuse thee : these suggest unto thee ( and such counsellors be the worst consorts ) that nature has played the part of a niggardly and unjust step-dame with thee , in drawing in the breasts of her bounty towards thee and thy relations ; and so freely laying them open unto others . and is this all those corrupt agents can whisper to thee ? let me advise thee , lest thou become depraved before thou converse with reason . a perswasive enemy , under pretence of a palliated amity , may make his surprize of thee , and that with small difficulty , when he finds no considerable force to resist his fury . admit thou wer't the poorest and contemptiblest wretch that ever breathed ; born naked , and born to a naked fortune : yet , for all this , thou canst not live so naked as thou wer 't born . thou wantedst then the strength of those active faculties which thou now enjoyest , appearing then so helpless , as thou wantedst native supplies to help thy self . tell me ; what wantest thou in thy self , unless thou want the injoyment of thy self ? and , what is it that deprives thee of this essential liberty ? i shall briefly inform thee in that , which may infinitly improve thee . there is a webb in thine eye ; which attracts unto it the steam of envy . this brings thee to expostulate too arrogantly with thine own thoughts , and to over-value thy self in the ballance of native worth ; above others whose descent or providence has rais'd them to more wealth . let not this grieve thee : these may harbour more needy and beggarly thoughts than thy self ; unless discontent have thrown thee below thy self . it is the property of humane felicity , to involve those who hugg it , in mazy and inextricable precipices of misery . forerunning times do not only afford us plenty of tragical examples : but if we look homeward , we shall find variety of such deplorable objects and surviving presidents of our own . such , who have tasted bitterly of this wormwood-lecture , and sensibly felt how the grandeur of surreptitious honour , purchased more by the hand of fate , than any visible act of merit , has become destructive to the safety of the pursuer , and an inevitable snare to the enjoyer . for , having their wings once dipt in the birdlime of ambition ; the more they struggled with it , the more they were enwreathed by it . a serious consideration of our own condition would perfect the work ; and fortifie his resolves , who in the eye of the world is most despicable , against all the insults and braves of fortune : nay , make him such a compleat man , as his outward contempt may beget in him an inward content . the way is short and easie ; and not only so , but of a dayly presidential occurrency : there is no corner in any street , nor walk in any field , that will not afford thee a receipt ; the fault is thine , if thou make not application for thy cure. thou art sick to see others whole : and in opinion most poor , when thou seest an other rich . this is a dangerous eye-sore , and requires a soveraign eye-salve . to have ones eye evil , because an other 's good , is an emblem of extremest envy . to bring thee then to partake more of man than sathan , for no fury more satanical ; wheresoever thou sojournest , look not upon the state nor style of the mighty ; but on the shroud , and skrip of the needy . not on the highest , but on the lowest : and then ballance thy condition with his . peruse this lecture seriously , and it will highly improve thee . thou hast received more than thou deservedst : and in an ampler manner , and greater measure , than those who were much better . and know thus much , for no knowledge more advantagious , that by getting mastery over thy self , thou becom'st master of the whole world : and though thou be but a little one , yet by reducing those passions in thee , and making them loyal subjects to thy soveraignty , the commander of the vniverse , as he styl'd himself , might not compare with thee . he is no pesant but a prince , who can subdue himself , and make him affections his vassals . iii. advice to a landlord . you are a man in command : and a petty prince within your own mannor . you say to one , go , and he goeth : and to another , come , and he cometh . do not abuse your power . confine it , lest you be confined by it . it was an excellent lesson ; and if you follow it , the practice will redound much to your benefit . live after that manner with your inferiours , as you would have your superiours live with you . it would disgust you to be insulted over by another : observe the same rule , it will guard you in your height , and secure you from hate . there is no danger more incident to greatness , than to be blown up by the bladder of their opinionate grandeur ; which with a lethaean draught , brings them to forget their friends , but themselves most . it is honours that changeth manners ; and in short time thaws those mannors which chang'd their manners , into nothing . promotion is a perilous bait to an insolent and inconsiderate spirit : who can better lord it , than define it . he no sooner begins to nible , than the hook fastneth on his gills , exposing him for a prey , to what he meant to make his prey on . there be two menacing shelves , which it were fitting persons of quality and command in their sea-fare , should be cautious of : . light counsel . . loose company . of these i shall advise our young masters , who , lapwing-like , be newly crept out of the thin shell of their guardianship , to carry their eyes about them , and by timely prevention divert a surprize . it shall be your fortune sometimes to incounter such counsel , as under shady and plausible pretences , seconded with ceremonial protests , will go along with you in the quest of your own fancy . these cunning coy-ducks are so well train'd in the discipline of youth , as they have got the art of diving , and in the next place of complying with any humour : and to mould themselves in all formality , to their temper . if sensual , sense is the only string they strike on . they will chalk out a way to this prodigal sensualist to compleat al his illimited desires , by satisfying all his sense in the epicureal injoyment of one nights dalliance : whereof a debaucht rioting ranter , within the walls of this city not many years ago left to posterity a fearful example : bestowing on his five senses on one night , by the perswasive suggestion of his vicious consorts , five hundred pounds : which profuse spending brought him to leap at a crust before his dying . thus did this lavish landslord by his over-eager hunting and hugging of his own humour , not only detract from his native honour , but by his careless course become the last of his house : flying out of his estate , before his wings had rais'd his flight to half his age . but though examples be held so moving , a they ever leave the deepest impression : yet moral advice operates strongly upon the affections , being rendred by a modest pen , and without colour of self interest ; being the only coloquintida that disrelisheth this service ; making it most suspected , where it should be most imployed . the safest and securest way then , that you can possibly walk in , is with a circumspect eye to reflect upon your own condition ; and in no wise to suffer either the pravity of counsel , nor corruption of society to have that influence over you , as to mis-guide you , or make you swell above your self ; which many have done , and willingly perished under their own weight : and fatal is that burden which crusheth down the bearer . let me then advise you ( for your attention to it may be infinitly useful to you ) not to magnifie your self in the priority of your place , nor precedency of command . your tenants be your oeconomick servants ; play you the part of a discreet and temperate master . make them yours by the cement of love , not the extremity of law ; for that were the way to crush them , rather than cherish them . they hold on you ; uphold them who rely on you . it were very rare to see indigent farmers to have a thriving landlord . oppression is such a ring-worm , as it spreads all over the face of his estate , and blemisheth the beauty of it . if your desire be to live well and happily , let them live well and peaceably that are ranked under you . that master either imprudently or parcimoniously manageth his family , who suffers his meniey to starve through penury . what is it , or whereto avails it to command men without hearts ? the way to gain their affections , is to acquit them of exactions . affability is the adamant to attract them ; and bounty the balm to preserve them . dead flies spoil the sweetest ointments : breathless and feeble offices in their chief , beget disesteem in his relations . iv. advice to a farmer . you are call'd to a vocation ; and it is such a commendable station , as no commonwealth , whereto monarchies are oftimes reduced , can possibly subsist without it . the royal pale , sayes the italian proverb , must receive it's nourishment from the milk payl . it is not so low ; but that the high may derive , not only an usual supportance , but an essential subsistence from it . gordian , probus , timoleon , and codrus might promise themselves much more composedness of mind , and happy retirement from the various bickerings of this surging main , the world , i mean , in their injoyment of privacy , wherein they were educated ; than the attainment of an higher estate , whereto they were afterwards advanced . i would not , said that tarentine farmer , change my cultre for a sceptre . content is worth a crown : for many crowns fall short of content . now in this homely condition , wherein you are stated , it behoves you to walk warily , lest you make your too sollicitous care your greatest enemy . be it your principal design then ( seeing every vocation , be it publick or private , is measur'd forth by its own proper line , or dimension ) to consider the aim and end of your calling . your sole management consists in manuring , maturing and cultivating your ground : and accommodating your grainge , the seat of your family , with all accommodations suitable to a person of your quality ; concluding handsomely with the poet : † " neat be my house , my pastures richly grown , " my corn-fields till'd by no hand but mine own . but in this care of their culture , you have an inner field that must not be forgotten . your security or neglect in this , would argue your remissness of husbandry in all . you have your weedhooks , with other necessary instruments , for ridding your ground of all noxious or unprofitable weeds . not a brake , thorn , nor bramble , must stand in your way , to hinder the increase of better fruits . now , weeds are but the emblems of vices ; just as the purest grains , or choicest flowers are the representatives of vertues . let no misselto spread near your vine ; no ivy intwist your elm ; no darnel infect your field . * if thou wilt sow in the soil of mine heart ( said that glory of the eastern church ) the seeds of vertues ; needfull it will be , that thou first weed out of mine heart the thorns of vices . whence you may gather , that it is your inward culture that conduceth most to your honour : and that good manners lay the best foundation to any mannor . but , as all rubbish is to be remov'd , before the ground-work be lay'd ; so in your cultivage , there be three infectious seeds , wherewith you are never to be acquainted , if ever you expect success , or a fair account from your harvest . it has been the constant custom of some farmers , in imitation of that miserable bithinian ; to carry ever about them an erra pater , to inform their sollicitous knowledg what years are , by that erring divination , probably conjectur'd to prove dear , or cheap . if dear , the farmer , to increase his profit , makes it his design to raise the market , by digressing from the course of a farmer , and playing the part of a forestaller , or ingrosser . but this advantageous contractor of mammon , many times dis-inherits him of his future hopes in sion : when his mouth shall be filled with gravel , how empty shall those barns appear to his infinite thoughts , which were lately so much inlarged ? let it be then your happiness to confine your desires , by making them suitable to your calling . covetousness is such a spreading tetter , as it blemisheth the favour of the owner . the postil of content is an excellent lesson ; not only to improve , but compleat the work of your vocation . there is another locust which feeds oft on the fruits of your providence ; and seazeth on you when least suspected . you see your neighbours pastures look more cheerfully ; his corn-fields promise more plentuously ; his vineyards , hop-yards , with whatsoever else may appear most commodious , increasing more fruitfully : and these beget in you envy . estrange this from you ; let your eye rejoyce in the welfare of your neighbour : it will redound richly in success to your labour . lastly , should passion transport you , may architas temper lessen your anger , who told his lazy hind , he would have beaten him , if he had not been angry with him . be it your care to continue and end the lease of your farm for life , with this constant rule , to keep a good conscience in all things , both towards god and man. acts . . v. advice to a simple countrey curat . i am doubtful now whether i speak to a mechanick , or a scholar . if to the former , a good homely homily is the highest pitch of his divinity : which , having read understandingly , distinctly , and audibly ; he rests confident that he has sufficiently perform'd a curats duty . small tithes exact small pains . these places be for most part bestow'd on such , who remain destitute of all places : and like some poor maimed hospitallers , become ravished with devotion ; not so much with it , as to it : being forc'd thereto rather through need than zeal . these , as they know not what metall latin is made on : so their greatest study is ( unless it be the art of catching of flyes with domitian , or some other trifling pursute ) to keep their shallow sconces warm . numerous night-caps must secure them : for those night mounteroes reach to the highest purchase , unless it be a neighbourly-morning noggin , which wheels about with much cheerfulness : drilling along with no less freedom in frivolous impertinences . for the curat , as it is his least care to teach ; so is it in the lowest of his fellows desires to be taught . doctrine and vse they never heard of : and for application , they know not what it means . though this countrey-coridon curat , never heard of a peripatetick all his time , he resembles him much in his gradual-motion . for , he walks circularly , sits rarely ; fearing , belike , it might bring him into an acquaintance with a study ; wherewith he has ever held distance , as an enemy to his health , and an unseasonable guest to his house . night-watchings , intending studies , are held dangerous ; but these are such strangers to him , as he has profest to all his penurious family , that they shall never trouble his sleep : nor procure disquiet to his ignorant meneiy . now , to acquaint the world , that he partakes of a scribe ( for his creeping thoughts fall many paces below a pharise ) his illiterate girdle is constantly furnish'd with pen and inkhorn : which he usually imploys upon occasion ( and with a glad welcom entertains he such occasions ) of making last wills and testaments ; whereof , though he retain some antiquated presidents , he acts so illegally , and errs so egregiously , as his pen occasioneth much expence : as many lines ; so many grounds of sutes . much like the spanish curat ; who could set down large legacies , but find no means , from whence those legacies should arise . the annual , revenue of these contingences , though they be but small : his hopes are , they will prove more permanent than tithes . these have been oft-times questioned , and whether legal or no , stoutly and strongly canvased : but his instruments never , unless by the testators , and that concern'd not him . this unscholiastick curat , as he never took breath from an academy ; so it is vehemently to be suspected , that he was some mechanick bungler , before he was raised to the degree of a reader : which you shall easily discover by the impression , or colourable character of his finger ; which usually leaves the mark , or badge of his profession , upon his homily , or accustomed place of his reading . the privilege of his ignorance , being no companion to late studies , secures his person from three notable inconveniences . for , in the first place , it is the least of his fears to lose his sight with too much reading ; or lose his wits with too long plodding ; or be tax'd of maintaining either scism or heresie , by his subtilty in disputing . besides these three assurances , he has one advantage more above the rank of his higher qualified brethren : for , as his patron needs not fear any lapse , so his poor clark stands in no fear at all of a competitor : so bare is the pasture as he 's an hungry pastor that would seek it : yet were it sitting to help him , by way of advice ; though he need small assistance for gathering his tithe . the advice i shall give you , my shallow teacher , shall be this : you pretend to no learning in the pulpit ; do not senselesly vapour it in the alehouse : for a puppy to act the part of a rabby , were a daring fancy , or madding frenzy , which would admit no office in the sanctuary . if you mean either to save your self or others by your book ; deliver nothing by the book . sow no pillows under your patrons elbows . as you are taken for an ungifted and unordinated man ; be it your gift ; while others preach , but will not say the lords prayer ; to say the lords prayer , though you cannot preach . neither must you in this trace the steps of that timing preacher , who to please the lord of the mannor , was perswaded to continue his pater noster , so long as his patron continued his ten pound pension : which was an action of price , but no devotion . be it your care to be of the number of those ignorant ones , who catch heaven by their honest simplicity ; rather than those learned ones , who purchase hell by their too subtile curiosity . vi. advice to a countrey iustice. we are now to give advice to one , who , by vertue of his place , if that vertue be not vitiated , nor the eminency of his condition debased , might pretend justly to the power of a iudicial monitor , in giving advice unto others . but seeing how no progress incountereth with more dangerous by-ways , than the circuit of iustice ; our design shall be this : first , to propose a directory in the course of his proceeding ; and in the second place , to caution him of some perillous occurrences , which not declined , might ingage his repute to an irreparable contempt , and his judgment to an apparent dis-esteem . neither is it our meaning in this draught to inlarge our discourse , by defining , or dilating on the office of iustice : seeing there be more subjects under that notion published , and by that title distinguished , than usefully observed , or practically administred . his division was well approv'd , who , in his itineray held , that the duty of a iustice wholly depended on these two particulars ; . execution of justice ; . exhibition of mercy . in the former , consideration is to be had of the quality of the offender . hope of conversion in a young bashful transgressor , not only begs , but exacts remission : at least a mitigation of punishment , in comparison of an antient offender , whose habitual misdemeanure has made him a stranger to hope , and a decoy to the follies of our time. this distinction requires great discretion in a countrey iustice : let me then advise him , for his better avoiding of a more dangerous precipice , to cloath his countenance sometimes with a cheerful aspect , and shew a mild spirit to a penitent peccant . let him act the indulgent barnabas , rather than a severe bonarges . no son of thunder ; but of a calm and compassionate temper : especially , where dispositions appear farr apter to be won by mildness , than reform'd by roughness : for , these menacing and violent reclaimings , do generally harden , rather than soften an indulgent and ingenuous nature . i have sometimes heard of a fiery-furious iustice , who usually breathed nothing but whipping and commitment ; and from the authority of his place , publickly protested before the face of the countrey , that if he might be designed any long time to sit on that bench , he would so secure the countrey from felony , as a bush should keep a sheep ; yet , that very night , was an ambush lay'd for this severe iustices horse , and stoln out o' th' pasture . whence we conclude with that excellent moral , that justice mixt with mercy wins most hearts , and reclaims vice best . draco's laws being writ in blood , dispatcht more than they reform'd . yet shall i ever firmly adhere to that position : that too much indulgence shown to the evil , redounds ever to the prejudice of the good. there be three fearful eye-sores which darken the light , and blemish the sight of iustice. amity , enmity , base lucre , by prostituting justice as a mercenary commodity . this caus'd the athenians to emblematize iustice with blind eyes , and lame hands . blind , that she might not distinguish persons : lame , that she might not receive bribes . whence our countrey iustice may collect , how derogatory those noble assertors held it to be to their profession , to corrupt justice for reward ; much more to divide stakes , or admit of sharing with their puny clarks . now to compleat him ; that he may appear not only a reader of statutes at large , but an approv'd practiser of what he professeth , we shall present to him such a president , whose example , if he imitate to life , he shall need no other advice to direct him , no other line to regulate him . his resolution in the course of his profession was this : i have offred my sacrifice on the altar of themis : and i mean to perform what i have already profest . mine ear shall be open to the orphans cause ; mine hand ready to wipe off the widdows tear. active shall every faculty be to promote justice , remove injuries , and to render every one his due . observe this exactly , and you shall acquit your self , not only a iustice , but a patriot of your countrey . vii . advice to an heir . here am i to bestow my advice on an heir ; or a thing that partakes more of ayr than any other substance : yet furnish'd with substance more than enough to pursue feathers in the ayr. give me leave now , after the long-wish'd departure of your father , to offer to you some directions , which the heat and height of your vast hopes would never till now afford you time to consider . now , in your entrance into the world , this gorgeous theatre of humane glory ; where , if you please , you may act the part of the prodigal son , without hope of returning to your father : i should advise you to take special care of your inward cure . you think all is well with you : and from thence ariseth your greatest danger . a disease insensible , is ever most incurable . youth is a malady of it self , till it be purged of those malignant humours which deprave it : and strengthned with such soveraign receipts as may preserve it . but , to no condition is youth more troublesome than to his , who is advanced to fortunes . every place to him is a snare . no object of beauty , but an attractive lure to fancy : and an ingredience to a frenzy . various faces beget in him distracted affections . privacy and retirement breeds in his troubled thoughts sundry discontents . he understands his pupillage to be past , and that hee 's become his own guardian : which makes his cinque ports so weakly guarded . for acquaintance he needs not hunt after them ; the report of his over-swoln fortunes playes the coy , and brings them in sholes to his store-house : and these angle cunningly after his humour . they will oppose him in nothing that may delight him . he must be their prince so long as his conduit flowes : the decrease whereof he either mindes not , or disvalues . thus is this paphlagonian partridge no sooner sprung , than catch't in every springe . yet though he has lost himself , we intend not to lose him ; so long as there appears the least hope of retriving him , or any probable means of recovering him . let us then apply a timely cure to this violent distemper . i shall not wonder much at his boundless expence ; it hath been ever observed , that a great scatterer is the usual successour of a great gaherer . we may imagin that this young heir had such a providor , as he left him a nest well feathred , before he adventur'd to flicker in the world. all was got to his hand ; which made him more ready to spend , what never troubled his sleep to get , nor wrought upon his providence to keep . he has heard , perchance , his father say , that he had taken more delight in sparing , than ever his heir could do in spending . and to make an experiment of his fathers observation , he meant to take a tryal in this seed-fur of his fortunes . now , what is all this but a career of youth ; an excursion so familiar , as it growes quite expung'd out of the catalogue of serious errors ? yet some receipts must be us'd , lest too much indulgence abuse his youth . go to then , wilde-oats , we must of necessity deal a little roughly with you : we are to injoyn you a restraint . and confinement being so common a censure , cannot abridge much the pursute of your pleasure . retain that maxim , for it holds infallible : one months liberty depraves youth more , than a whole years discipline will reform . the benefit of retirement , and recess from society , we shall not need to press much , variety of instances may illustrate it . grave and reverend patriots have we had here within our pale , whose native dispositions moulded them libertines ; but by a prudent coercion of their straying affections , they became high improvers of their knowledg ; and in the end , such expert state-pilots , as they were held fitting to sit at the stern of the state. this it is , at retired hours to read men ; not such as the freedom of folly has acquainted you withall ; for those were attractive lures to train you to lightness : and expose your malleable nature to all loosness . the perusal of those whom i recommend to your choice , will season your youth so maturely , as folly shall become a stranger to your fancy : all extravagancy a reformade in your family . this will make you an heir of fame , as well as fortune . hold such an even poize in the management of your estate , as you may constantly observe this rule : never to spend , where honest frugality bids you spare : nor spare , where reputation bids you spend . this shall render you discreetly generous in both . viii . advice to a younger brother . nature hath brought you the later into the world , not to your disadvantage , but improvement . he only appears seated above the world , who intermedleth least with the world. he only has the earth at his command , who sphears his divine thoughts above the command of earth . your fortunes have exempted you from too much incumbrance with these inferiours : and consequently inlarged your affections to those superiour . from a survey of your extraction , you find your self behind your brother in nothing but time . and this redounds highly too , to your advantage . for it is observed in births , as well as plants , that the later growths render the maturest and fullest fruits . you know your self to be a cyen of the same stock and mould , and generally of a more purely-refin'd and rarifi'd minde : ( without vanity or arrogance in relation to your quality be it spoken ) if the liberty of your own disposition , or some other malignant effects , impede not the proficience of those innate seeds originally sown in you . those privileges and indowments given you by nature , to parallel the revenues of your elder brother , are rich and exquisite . pregnancy of wit ; promptness in conceipt ; quickness of apprehension ; and happiness of memory in reteining . these abilities be generally intailed on you , to supply other temporary defects , which the poet handsomly glanced at , saying : nature by secret influence held it fit , that th' younger brood should have the elder wit. what dishonour then were it unto you to debase , or debauch those native parts , so richly imbellished , either by the foyl of worthless society , or by an ungenerous education , which is a second nature , and usually corrupts the spring-head with some impure mixture ? our calidonian neighbour is to be commended in this ( and really in little else ; ) where , if he be a qualified person , he will not suffer his younger sons to nestle long under their mothers wings ; but sends them abroad to be educated : and consequently by language , discourse and carriage so inabled , as their demean appears graceful , their society grateful in all their addresses . which improvement , by help of education ( if we may believe ingenuous barclay ) raiseth it self to a story higher in his countrey , than any other nation in europe : which he attributes to the apprehensive capacity , observation and confidence of his own natives , in these words : for education of their youngre sons , the nobility and gentry of our countrey are praise-worthy ; for , in stead of mannors at home , it is their care to furnish them with manners abroad . no convenient cost is debarred them , nor divertisement admitted them , that may any way obstruct their proficiency . wherein their native ingenuity , furthered by an industrious docility , acts so happily ; as , what studies soever they encline to , they prosper in them with wonderfull success . none are more patient of military duties , nor more valiant in fight , being led on by confident leaders . nor do the muses ever appear more beautifull , than when they inspire the breasts of * scots . they are capable also of city-business , and can fit their industry to any kind , either of life or fortune . but those that travel , or rather wander in a poor fashion , and rely upon no other meanes , than going to the houses of their countreymen , which are grown rich in other lands ; and demand , as it were , the tribute of their countrey , as they partake not of that generous rank , so are they most intollerable in their proud beggery . but there is nothing wherein they deserve more praise , than in their providing so for the younger , as they shall never need to be pinn'd on the sleeve of the elder . a great fault in our english gentry , who usually make their younger sons their elder brothers falconers : or expose them to such desperate fortunes , and withall so incapable of any serviceable imployment , as for want of a better way , they oftimes make the high-way their calling . be it your principal care then , hopeful sir , ( for so must i hold you , till vanity lose my hopes in you ) that as by course of nature through your minority , there is left to you less , so by your pious industry you would improve it more . this will inlarge the fame of your discretion , as well as fortune ; and raise a fair fabrick to a younger house . ix . advice to a gallant . your profession is gallantry : and standing on that punto , you look to be handled more softly and tenderly . otherwise , you mean to act the rantor , though no hector ( for your thoughts have dispenc'd long ago with that complement of valour ) in a phantastick shrug , or an impertinent vapour . yet will not all this avert a considerate pen from coping with your dangling plume . neither shall we lay our disgust , so much upon the vanity of your habit ; for that may suit with the levity of our time : as that epidemical habit of vice sufficiently discovered in your fruitless expence of time . shall we trace your steps from morn to night ? we shall find in your wals and by-wayes a continued night . the first idol you adore is your glass ; wherein you court your self in such an accurate mean , as if narcissus were reviv'd , and presented there , purposely to admire his own shadow . what a tricking and trimming , purfling and poudring , painting and perfuming bestow you on the case , while you neglect the instrument ! which adulterate daubing makes nature appear a stranger to her self . and whereto tends all this ? truth is , i may safely conclude with that serious * cynick : if it be done for your self , it is madness : and if for another , it is sin . by this time we are to imagin you compleatly accoutred for the visit of your ladies chamber ; which to your honour , flies quickly open , to give the freer admittance to your amorous encounter . present access promiseth no less prosperous success : which , though it be sometimes in your thoughts to expedite to your advantage ; yet falling doubtful in your resolves , whether to suit her for a wife , or a mistriss , you grow cooler in your pursuit , than you were in the beginning . this troubles you more , than the recollection of your mis-spent hours . let me draw near you ; what do you pitch upon in this contest ? have you weigh'd her ? is she too light for a wife : and too cunning for a mistriss ? leave her , before your thoughts be too impressively fixed on her : lest she , indeed , play the mistriss , and become your commandress . alcides was as strong as you ; and omphale made him her slave . so imperious is licentious love. but , having taken leave of your love-sick lady ( who at least pretends so ) with promise of an evening visit ; your next address must be to the ordinary ; where you incounter with more variety of dishes to give relish to your luscious appetite ; than any useful discourse to improve your knowledg . nay , should occasion be offer'd , ( as there will be some ever who take care to satisfie their brains as well as their bellies ) of helps that way ; your conceipt , by running a wool-gathering after lighter fancies , sends you away as empty as you came . gaming , tennis , baloun , bilyard , with other light dalliance , have so forestall'd your unsetled judgment , as they will give no free admittance to the intervene of any serious discourse . neither could any thing more be expected from you ; seeing the principles of those who had the greatest influence on you , and nearest interest in you , could make you no dangerous person for designs : nor accurate for matter of discourse , your mercer , milliner , taylor , and perfumer , though they made you a neat outward man , they could not with all their art so compleat you , as to present you inwardly suitable to an intelligible company . it is your ambition too , frequently to visit the court ; whereto usually you no sooner come , than you are pitifully caught . court-baits are cunningly laid : and your youthful eyes cannot discover them , till you are taken in them . masks , presentments , revels , and reer-bankets , have been in our calmer times , attractive lures to gallant fancies : which once set on fire , were not quickly quench't . there is one thing likewise , that you have been much noted for , in your very gate : none who past by you , could do you a greater injury than not to observe you . such was your conceipt , that a gallant posture could attract nothing less than the eye of an admirer . but this is such an easie error , as humane frailty weav's it's apology . your thoughts in this aim at no more than a debonair regreet : and , that man is well bought , who costs but a salutation . as the cinamon-tree may be your emblem , whose bark is better than the body ; so may you expect justly for most honour to be done to that part , which your esteem holds most worthy . thus sir , have you heard your distemper : and the way to cure you , is to wound you . no sin-salve without sense of sin. corrosives must be used , before cordials be applyed . you are to be launced , before the cicatrice be closed . your wilde affections spread so broad , they must be pruned . your ancestors have left you a vast estate : this should not make you a libertine ; but liberal to those that be indigent . would you be call'd a gallant ? let your gallant actions proclaim you worthy of that style . he who goes forth to see a man aray'd in soft raiment , disparageth his judgment , in preferring the cabinet before the iewel inclosed in it . x. advice to his mistriss . mistriss ; you have got a gallant platonick ; but in relation to that title , question may be made whether you or your spruce servant understand it . the style is lately minted : and strangely rendred . plato , though he lov'd to go neat , he was too wise , to appear phantastickly garish : neither was he so effeminate , as to give free reigns to his affections : though his desires sometimes cloz'd in this period . so he might have his eyes to read with , his conceipt to apprehend what he read , his memory to retein what he had read and conceiv'd , and a woman with her necessary attendance to serve him ; whatsoever might befall him , should not perplex him . which sociable assistance holds concurrence with that best and most infallible directory : and may serve for a rule to every distinct family or society . he who saw all things , saw with his providential eye , that it was not good for man to be alone . and therefore gave him a fellow-helper . this divine † ethnick having attained the happiness ( as is generally thought ) of perusing the book of the old law ; and of conference too with the profoundest rabbies , might be sufficiently informed touching the authority of this precept : and so captivate his understanding to the letter of the law , in honour to the law-giver . but , make search through every coast , creek and corner of his platonick commonweal ; and find me one passage in it , that authorizeth you , my lovely mistriss , being married , to entertain any platonick , or affectionate confident . or any such allowance as alimony by a discontented lady petitioned : or any such suit by the court of the areopagites , ephorists , or roman conclave admitted . defects in an husband were in those times held so excusable to a wife ; that if the man chanc'd to have a * stinking breath , the woman , out of an honest simplicity , thought every man had the like . no deformity could estrange their fancy , after hymen had ty'd the knot . now madam , how differently play you your game with these amorous coyes ! neither is one favourite sufficient for your various appetite . recollect yourself ; and value that most , which becomes a woman best . modesty is the choicest ornament that beauty can put on . it takes in more lovers and admirers in an hour , than wanding eyes can purchase in a year . i would woo thee , if thou didst not prevent me , said that witty suter . how many lose themselves by sending forth loose eyes ? had dinah never stragled , she had kept her fame unblemished . it was an antient custom among the romans , for the married women , upon their first return home , and entrance into their houses , to put off their shooes ; implying , that they were no more to roam abroad , but keep within doors . whence it was , that the † snayl became the huswifes emblem , carrying her house alwayes about with her . but it may be , mistriss , you to whom i direct my discourse , and intend my advices , have not yet entred into that honourable state. i will speak to you therefore as to a maiden-mistriss , in which rank , howsoever it be with you , you desire to be numbred : and acquaint you with some caveats , which may highly improve you , being duely observed . supposing you to be such a person , as hath a disposing power of your self and fortunes ; beware that you make not your own breast a treacherous guardianess in betraying your trust . and herein your sex oftimes suffers through too much credulity . pretenders to love are dangerous orators to taking eares . if vows , protests , or if need require , decoys dam's may work the feat , they will not fall a grain short of perdition , to purchase your indanger'd affection : whereof , should they once become masters , they would render you of all others , the unhappiest mistrisses . no sooner lov'd than loath'd , and in that notion lost for ever . but admit , mistriss , you were of another humour : and could stand strongly upon your guard , in defiance to all assailants . yet suffering death to enter in by the windows , you may unawares make your self a prey to a pleasing pretender , and become his slave , who , with all his heart would have been your servant . an handsome feature , i confess , is the object of fancy : and this it is , you say , has brought you to thraldom : and a tyrant to your self . nay , so farr estrang'd you from what you were , as it has brought you to be a suter , where you were before a commander . by falling into this precipice , you should irreparably lose your self . for women to woo men detracts from the honour of women . this task lies properly on the mans side , as it is wittily made good by that antient arabian aphorism : where this question being ask't , why man should rather seek the woman , than woman the man ? it is answered ; because man has lost more by woman , than woman by man : having lost his rib , he goes to seek it . in one word , he contracted the excellency of a woman in a short , but exact epitome , who set forth his mistriss in these words : she is modest , and knows her self . which president might make you a compleat mistriss ; and your servant fortunate in his choice . xi . advice to him that will take it . we are now to open our mindian gate a little wider , by reason of the confluence of all sorts that are now to enter . as for those who appear so opinionately wise , as they hold themselves sphear'd above the tropical point of advice ; we shall leave them , without exception , to themselves , to negotiate like active brain-worms in their vtopian state ; where their conclusions may pass for current , and exempt from censure ; being wrapt up in such cloudy dictats , as like those aegyptian hieroglophicks , drained from polyarchus cave , they surpass the understanding both of the speaker and hearer . * may apuleius in his golden ass become their tutor : for our genius has dis-claim'd the charge of any such unprofitable teacher . we intend therefore our advice to such only , who , according to the title of this essay , will take it . neither shall we presume to give our advice to the counsellor , whose profession consists in advice , ( though much might be spoken in it ) how fat fees open his lungs ; and discover his receipts by the eagre pursuit of his clients cause ; which aeschines censur'd highly in demosthenes pleadings : arguing an oxe to be in his mouth when he pleaded for an indigent client , saying , lean fees begot low friends . this might allude to a pleasant passage obviously occurring betwixt two eminent counsellors in our time ; no less facetiously answered than tartly objected : the one having receiv'd for his fee a rich chariot and four gallant barbs bravely equipag'd , was twitted by his adversary , saying , stay brother , drive not so fast ; which the other no less pregnantly than presently retorted in this sort : give me leave brother , i ride not poast . covertly jerking at his office , who by his poast-masters place had vastly inhanc'd his revenues . but so truly meriting be sundry persons of quality in this profession , as their alacrity in the prosecution of a poor mans cause , being grounded on justness , vindicates their uprightness from any such imputation . let us then divert our course from him , and make our application to his client ; who with a potent purse labours to support an impotent cause . our advice to this litigious agent then shall be this : that he be cautious in the fulness of his fortunes , of such pursutes . admit , he proceed , and by the assistance of a cramm'd purse , prosperously succeed ; that success will prove a canker : for , by injoying of what which is not his own , he shall ruine that which is his own ; and make his posterity suffer , through his scandalous usage of so injurious a possessor . many rich fathers have by this means made their heirs die beggers . a predecessors care avails nothing , unless it be seconded by a superiour blessing . our advice to persons of quality , whose descents and estates have enstyl'd them eminent in their countrey , shall cloze in this . let their breeding be a signal evidence of the family from whence they came . education is the best cognizance of an antient extraction . none can gather from what we wear , what we are , or what we were . it is our language and demean that deblazon us best . metall upon metall is false heraldry : and so be all garish imbellishments to the real constitution of gentry . we might observe even in these later times , wherein persons of rank and quality are to be compleatly accoutred to the refinement of this age wherein they live ; how much they prejudice those native abilities wherewith they were at first indowed ; as likewise that splendor of an antient family , from whence they descended ; by being left to themselves , and bestowing the first-fruits of their time , those prime flowers of their youth ( wherein the choisest and generoust seeds are not only sown , but spring to their best proficience ; ) upon debaucht societies and unbred consorts much below themselves . their acquaintance with a countrey can , quickned with the pleasing title of a brave lord , or a gallant young-master , madds them above measure . whereas , if they frequented company suitable to their quality , they might find with less expence , and more useful experience , what would best become them both in places of pleasure and judicature . now to propose them to whom we direct our polemical discourse , places of improvement ; as vniversities are fittest for laying the foundation ; so inns of courts be the properest for civil mean and deportment . the one for grounding , the other for maturing . scholastical breeding , if it rise no higher , may be accounted pedantical ; but being compleated by conference , and choice conversation , it becomes graceful . there was nothing that could move democritus to more vehement laughter , than to hear the amorous discourse of a stoical scholar . his passion was presented with such unbecoming expressions , as if pallas had been his venus , or minerva his mistriss . for travel , it is such an ornament to gentry , as it affords in table-treats a voluble tongue ; whereas a want of it begets silence : unless ignorance assume to it self so much confidence as to discourse of what it knows not ; and consequently discover want of sense , without apprehension of shame . an intelligent traveller is the expeditest mathematician ; for he carries his globe alwayes about him . but some we have , who no sooner lose the sight of their countrey , than they lose themselves . these learn forein fashions , but never how to fashion themselves . they retein the garb , but not the essential grace of travel . but set these shools of learning , law and travel aside ; if our gentry have a thought of improving their knowledg at home ( for all dispositions are not for lanching the depths ) our own metropolis , ( having now recovered her long-sequestred wits ) is such an academy , as it may furnish you with a various society , stor'd with wits of all sizes , humours and composures : not only apt to return pleasing accents to the ear , but rich notions to the intellect . in which allay , if your discretion make you so happy , as to entertain into your intimacy the best : such i mean , as may rather improve you , than delude you , and by their subtile impostures , usually practised by our late trap'nners , surprize you . from which prudent election , in relation to society , you shall reap this benefit : it will so clearly distinguish your quality , and in your better parts so exquisitly accommodate you , that not one hour shall pass by you , which may not highly redound to your advantage . such acquaintance will beget in you no repentance . it will appear by your demean , that you have read men ; the usefull'st knowledg for a gentleman . books are excellent means to steal away hours ; but serious consorts render you the best illustrations on them : these return spectacles for all sights . representing more true lights than all our new lights can render . * for these effuse no deceiving , but an intellective splendor , operating strongly upon the faculties of the soul ; and dilating their effects , not onely to the direction of themselves , but instruction of others . there is an observable error in this nation , ( which we could wish were a stranger to it ; ) many of our pen-feathred youngsters be no sooner mounted to their fathers saddles , than they become eagre hunters after good-fellows : and to ingratiate them the more , will make them rather their pensioners , than lose the benefit of their unnecessary acquaintance . their only care is , with the cumin of their inconsiderate bounty to lure those wild pigeons to their coat . too fruitless a charge to bestow on such a covy . it were easie to make a dish of meat worth a groat , at a crowns expence ; or to use that strict laconian adage : it is an hard purchase to gain a friend with the sale of a farm. we shall conclude him then to have forfeited his judgment , who in his pursute of friends or companions , entertains such a choice as may admit a change. a bushell of salt antiently was held a measure little enough to season acquaintance : it were too rash confidence then to make a companion at first sight his secretary , or bosome friend . this hath been the ruine of many . persons of all conditions may experimentally instance it . now for those who are cry'd up for the wits of the time ; we would advise them to be well known to those with whom they converse facetiously , or vent their conceipts . of all creatures , none more dangerous than satyrs : who , while they brush great mens cloaths , they fearfully trench upon their own safety , by exposing their freedom to the various construction of the company . some there be , who would rather lose their friend than their iest. but such conceipts cost too dear . these had need of many friends , or their wits will protest against them , and return them bankrupts . it is the infelicity of some petulant wits to bring their owners heads under the hearers girdle , by their indiscreet flashes . to be merry and wise is a good rule ; but many through intemperance , or too much confidence , usually transgress that bound . that sage precept deserves your remembrance : be stoical to none ; affable to all ; but open thy breast to few . by which means , he may sleep without fear , and awake without affront . of such we may justly conclude , that they have attained to an happy period in their progress ; who can look upon the world with contempt , and entertain their condition with content . these can fix the eye of their contemplation with a cheerful aspect upon heaven , as their only land-mark . whatsoever is below them , they hold them such contemptible objects , as they deserve not their enterview . these know how to put in practice that excellent advice , in shutting up the windows , that their house may shine . their eyes , those windows of the body must not be imployed in any office that may unbecome them . nor any other sense in that which may detract from her honour that commands them . such a regiment cannot chuse but atchieve brave acts , wheresoever ingaged . it is an infallible maxim , that he who lives so as every day were his last , must necessarily take his leave of the world without a sigh : and entertain the summons of death with a smile . the consequence holds , that he who sets his rest upon the place of true rest , neglects not his work , but makes spiritual labour his convoy to eternal rest : such a work-man is no idler in the market-place ; but at the first hour of the day goes down into the vineyard : and having cheerfully performed the course of his imployment , he makes the evening his dayes accomptant : closing his nightly return with this useful question : o my soul , what hast thou done this day ? a mind so devotionally exercised , makes the natural sun his spiritual emblem : the sun , as it shines brighter at its setting , than its rising ; so the splendor of his exemplary life appears clearest at his ending . there is nothing more inglorious to age , than for an old man to have no other argument to prove his years , than his gray hairs . like an almanack out of date ; a neglected address , or a defac'd record , he appears in every conference , or passage of consequence . though his many mis-spent years have made him an elder in the ward where he lives : and the revestry admit him a voice in the election of a lecturer ; others , less old , but more ripe , supply the number ; while he is left to himself with leasure enough to wipe his reverend beard , and content his weak sense with the place of a cipher . these would make rare elders for deciding doctrinal controversies : or stating cases of conscience . what numerous emergent errors have we known to have been broached from the principles of such pretending rabbies ; whose reverend esteem lay only in the colour of their hair ? such advantage had time given them , as their years authorized them with an ignorant confidence to set up , what the succession of many years could not pull down . hence it was , that one of our modern states-men , from his long experience in sitting at the stern of the state , wisely concluded , that he never knew any constitutions all his time more inconsistent with a politick state , than those which came from a gray head , and a green brain . a face of gravity made them appear what they were not ; but a clear judgment would present them in their own shape , and discover to the world what they were . in arguments of discourse , the recollection of our own thoughts , assisted by the observation of others , is the only way to gain wisdom . he that loves to hear himself talk , seldom improves his knowledg . many by too much talk have lost themselves ; few or none by silence . harpocrates with his finger on his mouth was held the wisest sign in athens . that spartan sage seriously observing how one sufficiently ripe in years , spake like a young man : i should have adjudged you ( said he ) worthy to sit in the highest place , till i heard you speak ; but your tongue has dishonoured your age : come then down , and give that young man room , whose downy chin pretends more to age in his express , than you to sense , with all your aged experience . it is the tongue that either betrays , or improves the iudgment . a member better ordinated for service than command . our advice should now descend from the laity to the clergy ; which admits sundry divisions . but those many scisms and divisions among themselves , may save me that labour . be it their task to preach both by word and work : that , what their tongue speaks to others , their exemplary life may preach to themselves and others . a lamp stored with such oyl , will burn with pure zeal . one accent breathing on the heart , is worth a thousand sounding in the ear. two choice characters suitable to these times . . a countrey commissioner . . a state-competitor . . a countrey commissioner is an instrument pretending to peace ; and by his long imployment might effectually advance it , if his twilight judgment could either contrive the way of composing it , or some self-interest , or partial respect ( dangerous eye-sores in all commissional courses , ) did not obstruct his proceedings in this path-way to peace . now there be two instrumentals of this profession , who run descant on different keys . the one would seem to know more than they do : the other to know more than they seem . it would make a stoick laugh , were his thoughts never so clowdy , nor confin'd to an unsociable privacy , to observe the posture of that seeming-wise commissioner ; how demurely he stroaks his reverend beard : and with a grave politick nod , shaking his shallow nodle , ( having heard an intergotory , which he understands not ) most authentically concludes : — there lies the knot of the business . but it partakes too much gordian for his numm'd fingers to unty . nor skills it much how the commission runs ; who bolder than blind baiard ? his confidence will boulster out his non-sense , and make him appear to the judgment of those , whose brains were pounded in the same morter with his own ; and whose conceipts might be found by a measuring cast of equal size , a sage sophy . his return home informs the whole family with his commissionary carriage ; how he canvas'd the cause ; puzled the witnesses , and made black appear white to the amazement of his hearers . so highly transported is this countrey dottrell with his wants , as he holds them for unparallel'd parts . it was my fortune , in my younger years , to be known to one of these shallops ; a person of a strong-pretending design , but weak dispatch . there was nothing that contented him more , than to have an oar in every ones boat : his sickle in anothers harvest . as for commissionary employments , though poorly vers'd in such addresses , this officious pragmatist would ever make one , if either his personal application to the parties interessed , or the free offer of himself would procure his admittance . it hapned one day , that this obsequious agent , who usually bestowed many dayes to small purpose , was nominated a commissioner in a business of consequence , and distance to the place of his dwelling : which quickned his morning awake for his more seasonable attendance . yet , in his way , resolving to call on his neighbour , a down-right boor , and never acquainted with such imployments ; are you asleep , said this wise arbitrator , that all things are so husht and quiet about you ? yes truly , answered his neighbour , i am taking my morning nap , for i have little else to do . o well are you , reply'd this sir politick pol , that god has lent you so small a talent of understanding ; you may take your rest , while my abilities will not suffer me to sleep : one or other is ever relying on my head-piece ! now tell me , was not this a brave arbitrary squib to compose differences ? and should many of these wise pretenders pass the inquisition , we might find them falling into the same rank or file : onely deluded with self-opinion , and consequently in the ballance of iudgment , wherein all human actions are equally poized , deservingly sleighted and disvalued . but such simple arrogance is ever most noxious to it self . he who would be thought wiser than he is , and to have those parts which he has not , lesseneth himself in the weak discovery of those he has . iugurth had a great advantage of hyemsal . he had the happiness to speak little , and do much : whereas the other had the property to speak much , and do little . that client gave good advice to his advocate , in telling him roundly , if he stood for him , let him speak materially , or not at all . those who over-doe the work , generally in affairs of this nature , pull down more than they set up : and by their superstructure give their adversary ground for erecting a story higher than he intended : or upon the weakness of such a foundation he could have probably expected . but , such as these are fearless bugbears in commissionary causes ; they love to hear themselves talk ; which gives occasion to their solid opponent , to use those words with an acute , but composed passion , which aeschines return'd to pithias : good god , when will this long-lung'd wittall leave his babling ! the only office of these self-wits consists in a fruitless appearance to their behalf , for whom they are nam'd ; but much to the parties prejudice for whom he appears : being no less ignorant than arrogant in returning what he should , or discussing what he ought to his benefit ; for whom , to his honour , he sat like a cypher , without advancing his cause for whom he stood . good causes stand in need of wiser commissioners , or they will in a terme or two dwindle to nothing ; and shape the plaintiffs suit to the neglected habit of a forma pauperis : and so leave him like plato's naked man , with two feet , but without feathers . a pitifull pittiless spectacle in a court of justice ! we are now to return you the character of a spirit more genuine , and of a stronger temper . the last we presented on the stage , spake much , but knew little ; but you shall hear one now , who , though he speak little , knows much . empty vessels send forth ever the shrillest sound : whereas deepest foords stream a-long with the calmest course . and experimentally shall that man find this close politician , who takes occasion to imploy him , no less full of danger , than he is of depth . he has a self-interest in every commission : and can angle cunningly in troubled waters : and to display him in his native colour , reward holds such influence over him , as it has power to over-byas him ; by tracing the steps of coelius , who pleaded best with his left hand . such state-cheats , though covertly carryed , be frequently practised . hope of profit , said that divine cynick , beats strongly upon the pulse of honesty . his previous intentions may be clear and integrious ; his resolves for whom he deals , rightly byassed , and equally ballanced ; but some friendly advertisements , inclosed in gilt paper , quite turn the hinges , and drive those honest resolves upon nibling at a dangerous attractive bait , soon out of doors . it was sometimes disputable , whether it were better for one , in a case of judicature , to make choice of an agent , who would betray his cause through simplicity ; or of such an one , who would make a prey of him by his subtilty . neither of them is good ; but the determination of this intricate question closeth in this : whether it were easier to digest ( though they be both meats of hard concoction ) suffering under an apparent foe , or a pretending friend ? thus have we found you two commissioners , both appearing , but neither worthy approving . for , as the one might by his ingenuous simplicity betray your cause , wherein he is interessed : so might the other , by his partial-gilt subtilty , expose your credulity to prejudice , where you least suspected . to decline these precipices , no course clearer nor safer , than to make choice of such , whom your own assiduate experience , or repute of the countrey wherein they live , inform you sufficiently , both of their honesty and knowledg . and distinct notions you may easily find in these , whether they in that qualification , merit your approvement or no. for , if honest , they will return you that answer which that antient sage gave to his son-in-law , in a case of like nature : i am yours in just causes onely . neither will these commissioners ( presupposing them honest ) make it their onely work to sit upon examination of witnesses ( though of principal concern to their office ) but to address proposals of peace ; and pursue those motions with that discreet moderation , as it may produce effect , unless the spirit of contention , usually reigning in litigious plaintiffs , obstruct it : it is a grounded maxim , that the best commissioners be the effectuall'st peace-makers . they erect a chancery within themselves , and conscientiously compose the quarrel . as for knowledg , being the second requisite ; practical experience is the best directory ; chalking him forth the way wherein he is to walk ; which accompanied with integrity , compleats the work. . a state-competitor is an high-flyer ; hatcht in an airly ayry ; apt to mount before he find wings ; bred to the disquiet of all , but most to himself . for the triumphs of miltiades will not suffer themistocles to sleep . he is all quick-silver , and in his career , of such a perpetual motion ; as phaeton-like , he gallops over the twelve signs in a moment : but resolves his ayry grandure like a squib , with the presentment of a flash , to nothing . * having left the countrey , breathing too foggy vapours for his queazy stomack , his resolves hold for traversing the court : where he takes notice of an early state-favourite , who by his timely rising had out-run him : but he means , if his designs fail him not , to win ground on him , and out-strip him too ; by fishing so artfully with his golden hook , and strength of assisting relations . he has so much wit as to humour the times : and to attempt with a conscientious indifferency whatsoever may advance his own interest . but for as much as one must creep before he go ; he treads the pallace-yard at first gingerly ; talks demurely : and in every posture composeth his counterfeat garb to that gravity , as if ambition were his alien , and stoicall civility his darling . but , finding the way of being great is to become popular ; he makes it his onely work to ingratiate himself first with the pedantry : and by their applause , easily acquir'd by a gracefull aspect , and arguments of bounty , to mount one story higher . hot embers cannot lye long raked up in ashes , some sparks will break forth , and discover their confined heat . suppose him then entring the lobby ; where he acquaints himself with some necessary appendices to the court ; laying his project , how by their means he may raise his infant hopes to their intended height . and it falls out seasonably ; for by their conduct he makes way for his future preferment . in the mean time he moves slowly . weak wings impt with such slender helps cannot promise any speedy nor successive flight : he must not then rest here . neither can he expect by his early rise to find any firm footing . he has read of mazarella's fate ; and by his example , loth would he be , that his fore-noon honour should be crush'd down by an after-noon fall : or suffer his infant-glory to set in a cloud . but his attentive ears open to all reports that may any way conduce to his advantage ; no less opportunately than fortunately hear of a late-mounted lord , highly advanced , but meanly gifted . one , who by his immerited growth , having over-swoln himself , makes an idol of his titular honour . yet this self-conceipted pharisee stands in needs of a scribe , to supply his defects ; having nothing to subscribe him great , saving an illegible mould of dis-joynted letters ; which presents a name above the apprehension of a reader . this place , though far below his aims , this fresh-water courtier accepts : and within few months , by his dextrous pen , and the grace his insinuation has got , he becomes too big for his place : and what might be wondred at , competitor to his master : whom he oft-times out-strips , leaving him as bare in esteem as he was of merit . but , no great competition can be observed in this : we are to climb higher ; and in our ascent make choice of such subjects , who appear equally seated in a sphear of greatness ; but jealous of one anothers rising ; contrive wayes of undermining them ; though the issue tend to their own ruine . and this we derive from the main wheels , and principal movers in state-affairs : wherein every one sitting near the stern , transported with the height of ambition , and immoderate heat of preeminent desires , has made a private contract by way of covenant , with his endeered thoughts , that he will either appear absolute in his commands , or fall under his own burden . and to accomplish his ends ( which many times bring him to an untimely end ) he neglects no opportunity , nor declines any difficulty . relations in these ambitious contests are wholly dis-valued . the neerer they be in blood , these competitions generally procure them more hate ; which seldom ends without blood . of so high an estimate is the purchase of honour , as it challengeth a prerogative above affinity , amity , or what may seem dearest to humane society ▪ caesar will admit of no competitor . two suns cannot shine in one sphear : nor two eagles sharers in one prey . it is above belief to observe how rivolets of blood , streaming from one vein , should divide their course into severall chanels : and by their impetuous motion , make their influences appear so brackish and distastfull one to another . cast your eye aside , and you shall see what a coil this state-negotiator makes , to make himself envy'd ! sleep is a stranger to his eyes , and rest an alien to those fruitless projects of his active brain . he suspects a foe , though he see none ; but truth is , he has reason to be jealous of none more than himself . for , ambition hath been held the onely self-betrayer of her master . any one might justly wonder , how man , indu'd with reason , and highly inabled by conference , should suffer himself to be so deluded with the shadow of greatness : which his experience sufficiently informs him , to be the most incentive fuell for kindling enmity , and the greatest disturber of bosomquiet and security . for , how should those sacred palms of peace flourish , where this endive is planted ? neither is it the fortune of these rising gourds , by their premature growth , to beget foes ; but to make foes of their best friends , and that deservingly : for the acquisition of those immerited honours usually so deprave their manners , and disorder their affections , as their grandure makes them forgetful of themselves ; and with a slight aspect to pass by their antient acquaintance . philotas , when his friend , who might have formerly challenged an interest in him , preferred his sute unto him , hoping by his powerful mediation to prevail in his address , he neglectfully rejected him ; telling him , " he knew him not : but after that this petitioner had return'd him sundry signal evidences of their former familiarity ; o , said that high-swoln favourite , i must confess , i did sometimes know you ; but i am not the same i was then . too much familiarity with persons of your quality might make me lose my self : and consequently eclipse that splendor which the princes favour has bestow'd on me . this it was , which made that divine moralist to define honour an imposture , because apt to delude the owner ; by moulding numerous fancies in his brain : and by too eagre a pursute , and acquiesce to his humour ; which in short time exposeth his distemper'd fancy to that incurable frenzy , as he becomes his own idolater : he holds himself secure , when most at distance with security : holding that most dear unto him , which proves his assiduate enemy . thus in this state-contest , it is their onely labour to shoulder out one another ; where the stronger wins the prize ; whiles his disheartned competitor sinks down with dishonour : so as he may properly use those words , which eumenes did to demetrius : i had been equal to thee in honour , if thy shoulders had not weighed heavier . but what advantage gains the conqueror by this master-prize ? a disguise onely , and an undermining danger . his disguise puts on a vizard of state gallantry , shrouded with converse , and acquaintance from strangers ; wherein he grows an infinite proficient , both for dress and language : having got the spanish shrug , and the french cringe , with all those courtly garbs and postures that may most estrange him from the knowledg of his familiars . his quaint complement too has so well school'd him , as he can cross proverbs , and tell the world that interest can lie : for , his aims , in advantage to his own interest , have altered his shape , by moulding him much like tiberius , walking in the clouds , and dissembling a guize unknown to his best friends ; seeming in appearance least , what he is is really most . but it fares with him in his unexpected fall , as it doth usually with all state-favourites in their decline . for , as they slighted their friends in their rising ; they find none to commiserate their condition at their setting . by shewing to their inferiours a scornful contempt in their height ; they became contemptible to their deserted acquaintance in their ebb. his allusion was not improper , who resembled state-competitors to court combatants . whence it was , that that heavenly dog ( for so laertius calls him ) being askt what was done at court ? told them , that they were tripping up one anothers heels . now for that undermining danger , whereto ( as we formerly toucht ) they are most incident ; they appear commonly nearest to it , when they hold themselves most distanc'd from it . though damocles sword hang over his head by an hair ; the sweetness of soveraignty deludes him with the britle promise of security . this rising sprig sprung up to a surreptitious growth , though numerous competitors , like cunning pioners , labour to undermine him ; and his timing followers dayly fall from him ( for such rats will not stay long , when they see their house fall to decay ) but in quest of better masters swim with the stream , pursuing the current of that time , which may afford to their hungry hopes most advantage . yet this secure favourite , i say , is so belulled with the lethargy of his expiring honour , as he takes no notice of these previous signals , nor divining notions of his ensuing ruine : but conceipts that he has clipt the wings of fortune , and that she has no power to fly from him . mean while , his feathers fall from him ; finding by degrees that his seam-rent estate falls neither under any predicament of quantity ; nor his declining honour under any predicament of quality : but both shrunk down into a desperate precipice , without remedy , or hope of recovery . and so good night competitor . the court-gate is shut , and no hope of admittance . a phanatick is a state-empyrick , who pretends , and prescribes too , sundry preposterous , or adventitious ( and to himself most advantagious cures ) to all diseases , but effects no cure. yet the unbounded impudence of this mercenary mountebank is such , as he must of necessity paste his poysonous bills on every post : and like a cunning impostor , disperse them in every blinde corner . he pretends to architecture , but acts more for superstructure than foundation . he would play the navigator too , but without direction of card , use of stern , or rudder : which must no less necessarily , than fatally , expose his misguided vessell to an inevitable danger . he has such aery crotchets in his whymsicall brain , as he dare not safely discover , lest common sense should convince him of error : notwithstanding all this , he holds fast to his phanatick principles , and maugre all opposition , scorns to bough a foot of ground from his groundless positions . he partakes of no humour less than loyalty : having profest himself a mortal enemy to all rules and rights of soveraignty . yet should it be left to his choice to give laws to a nation , or mould principles for the settlement of a new government ; what an vtopian state would he shape us ? our late cry'ddown rvmp would appear a rare common-wealth unto it ! he 's a bird of so changable an ayry , as he cannot hold to one nest : neither can he for a world make his latter hour an approver of what he resolv'd on in the former . he attests his life to be a constant duel ; wherein for want of a combatant , he will not stick to present a challenge to himself : and ingage his own person to be his own assailant , aspersing a dishonour on himself , should he chance to fail in answering this self-quarrell : being incomparably at more distance with himfelf than any other creature . were he a master of musick he would fix much upon ayrs , wherewith his unsetled brain is more than sufficiently stored . his only musical lecture would run wholly on division ; the highest rapsody of his fancy . he holds it an impossibility for any common-wealth to derive its essence of government from order : he findes no such rule in his syntaxis . for recreation-sake he loves fishing , but it must be in troubled waters . wherein if it be his fortune to catch any nibbling too greedily at his bait ; he handles them , and hales them to that precipice , whereto his distractions have irreparably thrown him . by this time , his irregular impudence has dragg'd him to that desperate madness , as he starts at the name of a king , as if it were some prodigious title ; and so it has ever appear'd to his anarchial conceptions . would you have him discovered in his own posture ? trust me , he were a rare limner that could do it . protean shapes cannot vye with his for variety . sometimes like a melancholy don , with his armes a kembo , he walkes as if he went to quarrel with his own shaddow . the ayr breaths unkindly on him . the sun too untimely cloaths his beauty in a cloud , purposely to dis-relish him : nothing suits well with his humour , because he personates to life a man quite out of his humour . but truth is , he has lost himself , by losing the issue of his designs . either was his plot too high for his pate , or his pate too open for his plot , as both fail'd him in his hopefullest addresses . again , should you see him in the career of his successfull projects strut along like a man of a new mold , or rather like one made up of wainscot , you would take him for a nice representative , formally modish all o're ; for as his look appears so supercilious , as it redarts every eye with a scorn ; so be his joynts so inflexible , as they will submit to no civil-salute . but thanks to his sinister stars , seldom , or never be his hateful assays accompanied with such success , as it may afford him occasion long to rejoyce : or for good men who abhor his designs greatly to repine . states appear ever in their fullest orb , and highest splendor , when this state-shark by a vertical swinge , is at his lowest ebb , and quite driven out of his humour . neither yet could any sage , or apprehensive head-piece hold such a shallop as this , a person of considerable danger to any well-managed state. for , observe him generally , and you shall find him without much scrutiny , that though he make villany his minion , and treachery his bosom-companion : yet he becomes so unfaithfull a secretary to his own counsells , as they either betray him , or he circumvents himself by discovering them . it was my fortune sometimes to be known to a stirring spirit of this leven ; who , beside his transcendent dexterity in designing ( the prime faculty of this latter age ) pretended to be a person singularly gifted in the smooth art of a pen-man ; and to compleat the work which his address shap't him to , he had a reserved character of such intricacy as none ever attained the use , or clavis of it beside himself . but see how farr he went beside himself ! for that artful secrecy whereof he was foolishly confident , that by the agency of his rebellious sectaries , might procure him a badge of honour ( as the tide turn'd ) twicht up his blasted hopes in an halter . this was a phanaticks fate of high prize . may all such who nere leave a civil state without a flame , perish in the like nouze . now to distinguish him , and display his native quality in his own posture and colour ; i shall give you the trouble to render you this troublesome creature in a clearer character . that as the leper in the old law was to proclaim his dangerous infection , by crying out , i am unclean , i am unclean ; or , as upon the door of any person , whose house was visited with the plague , this has been , and is usually writ in fair rubrick-letters , lord have mercy upon us : so this contagious member , whose factious nature out-strips the malignity of the worst infectious distemper , may be publickly discovered , and his hatefull society timely avoided : which , unless severely censured , might bring to that state which he labours to imbroil , an epidemical infection . it is neither the least , nor lowest of his mischiefs , wherewith his seditious forge is plentuously stored ; of having the faculty of playing the state-libeller : and he holds correspondence with his instrumental ingles to disperse those tart papers . wherein it is the endeavour of these phanatick malecontents to vilifie the quality of those persons , whom in loyalty they are obliged to serve . and , from whence originally springs this anarchial spleen ? either from a private disgust , of being crost in the pursute of their preferment ; which their daring confidence brought them into an easie belief , that their parts , and qualities well deserved : or from an imbred hate to such who were preferred before them . this begot amongst the antient ethnicks that ingenuity of fancy , in their height and heat of ambition , and violent torrent of competition , as they in short time practis'd the art of teaching their incaged birds articulately to prate , and in their taught diallect scornfully to jeer their contestees , whether they were in quest of fancy or honour . this it was that made that egregious buffoon of mantua to prefer a bill of inditement against a scandalous bird , as he call'd her , for impeaching his fame ; for which dammage , said he , the roguish bird could never make him amends . but we have here other phanatick fools to supply the office of those canting fowls , who play the night-walkers ( for their works hate the light ) making it their only design to asperse dishonour upon persons of honour : nay , to blast soveraignty with an ignominious touch ; purposely to weaken loyalty , by alienating the fluctuant affections of such timists from their allegiance ; whose malleable temper might have prov'd sound enough , if those poysonous ingrediences had not corrupted their principles . and to effect their essay , it is the usual custom of these phanaticks , to lay plausive , and attractive baits to catch those unwary novices . privileges of right ; liberty of subject ; and a levelling line , chalking forth a way to the freedom of a platonick common-weal , are specious inducements to state-libertines . they are weary of the yoak of subjection ; and hold it an aegyptian bondage ; till a legal censure , or some other contingency ( which must be of a corroding quality ) reclaim them from their folly . truth is , this phanatick , whose ranting humour convicts him a phrentick , having already forfeited his wits , and expos'd his interest to all hazards , has so desperately suffered that small pittance of iudgment whereto he pretended ( if any were extant ) to be over-sway'd , and over-swoln with passion , as his distemper admits small hopes of recovery . neither is this turbulent spirit onely predominant over him ; for it has begot in him such a self-opinionate madness , as he would hold it a madder parliament than that antient session at oxford , if he were not made sole - chairman in it : yet were he design'd for that place , he would vary so much in his distracted judgment , from what he had formerly stated , as if he had gon to bedlam for some new advice . he would play his part bravely with the antipodes : for it has been ever his course to walk in a tract contrary to other men : resembling none so nearly as damocles , whose use it was to sweat in the shade , and shake in the sun. he is naturally affected to no humour more than an unsociable kind of stoicism : and would gladly play the down-right cynick , if he had so much wit as to present the moral dog in his right posture . but , having neither read books to inform him , nor men to improve him , he falls off pitifully , discovering his defects in all . for all this , that un-steady anvile of his brain must be alwayes set a-working ; which , though it prove no less useless to himself , than obnoxious to the state ; that day passeth not over his head , which affords not new matter for some occasional project or other : but so imprudently carried , as in stead of the states , it falls out happily the projectors traitor . shall we now suppose this grand-gull catcht in his own gin ? but let him expect no reprieve , nor least hope of indemnity . that politick tiberius who could walk so covertly in the clouds ; and disguise his designs beyond the reach of discovery ; after his detection , and detention of some notorious persons of this quality , though he were much sollicited by his nearest favourites for their inlargement , he return'd them this unsatisfactory answer : lions and leopards may be kept in their grates without fear ; but so cannot these state-whifflers : for those wilde-beasts are satisfied with their prey without further designing ; whereas these tame-beasts prey upon the fat of the estate , and act our ruine by their undermining . designs come from reason ; which no grate can confine : whereas creatures govern'd by sense are by restraint secure . whence we may gather , that no art , nor experiment , be it never so exquisite , may apply any cure to this sore ; nor cordial to allay this malady ( acting so strongly for disloyalty ) saving that licinian cord which prepared a nouze for a phanatick neck , to secure that indanger'd state from the attempts of a bosom foe , and fatal issue of a grounded fear . in his perusal of those divine counsells , which should ( if his brains were rightly setled ) have especial influence over him , there is no one precept he relisheth worse , than that of fearing god , honouring the king , and from medling with seditious men. it was never his happiness to be vers'd in these principles , and consequently of hard digestion to his crude stomack . he is highly discontented , both with our government of church and state ; yet can his ravell'd judgment find no just exception to quarrell with either . he has his constant emissories , whom , if his fortunes mount so high , he makes his pensioners : but , in very short time they either grow weary of their master , or he of them : the honesty of the one , or jealousie of the other procures a divorse betwixt them . yet this foreslows not his work : he can swim , and hold up his head in those waters of division , without help ; unless the bladder of vain-glory hoise him up ; which by a fatal overture unexpectedly , makes him sink under his burden , by intangling himself in the weeds of inextricable ruine . the onely news which take him in the reading of any diurnall , is the variance , and dissention of states . no countrey-cormorant can delight more in the prediction of a dearth , than he of a princes death : or some dangerous imbroilment in the mis-management of publick affairs . he makes himself most known by three discoveries ; habit , company , and discourse . in the first as phantastick , as his brain is phanatick . some quaint humerous device or other must help to distinguish him by a special badge , or cognizance , from persons of other subsistence . we have had here domineering among us our titere tuu's , and bugle blew's . hectors , and blades of metall these pretended to be , and , without doubt , had prov'd so , if their courage had kept correspondence with their countenance . but these two stood at such distance , as camp valour , and carpet honour could not in their scutcheons shew more difference . none more generally daring in tongue , nor more provoking in affronts , nor less performing in actions of challenge . that word of reputation appears at first sight a notion of high consequence ; life is but a vapour in competition with it : yet will they vapour out , rather than ingage their persons for preserving it . opinion is as close to them as their garment : both which they usually put off at night : but the change of the one is at more charge than the other : the one may keep its place , while the other is at pawn . where the disposure of his raiment , in all mens esteem , redounds more to his honour , and renders him the sweeter savour : for his opinion is distastfull to common sense , while the credit of his habit lies in lavender . for his company , he makes choice of such , as none would make choice of but himself . whether antient separists , or fresh proselites , they are boulted from the same bran , and unleaven'd lump , whereof himself was moulded . birds of a feather flock together . a dangerous communion ( trust me ) for a civil society to mix with . these , for want of better imployment ( for baser stuff cannot be vended , nor to the brokers disadvantage more exposed ) pull out their wilde , and illiterate notes ; which upon their unhappy perusal retein the like concurrence , and concordance , as their harsh , and disharmonious spirits which pen'd them . these , in the production of their dis-joynted annotations ( if their extemporal spirits will spare them so much time , as to deliver their giddy conceptions in writing ) pretend to infinite humility ; yet in their conventual assemblies , they cannot so cunningly palliate their hypocrisie , but a supercilious immeriting conceipt of their own parts ( holding themselves incomparably gifted-men ) makes their ambition burst out ; and after some frivolous , fruitless disputes , without the least tincture of wit , or vigour of judgment , many times fall from breaking priscians head ( a most dispensable error ) to break peace with their own . each of them would play the rabbi ; yet , though they be of a iewish nature , they cannot possibly acquire that honour ; seeing neither civil carriage , nor language will afford any of them the repute of a scholar . thus ends their convention generally with contention ; their society with civil warr , for want of civility . their pharisaical pride will admit no shroud ; an eagre pursute after preeminence leaves them incapable of shame : undeservingly high , being of more estimate with them , than deservingly low . to descend to their discourse , it is egregiously course : circularly prodigious , having neither head nor foot . ridiculously impertinent , yet ever hinting at faction , to discover the malignity of their disposition . " they have heard how kings are bound by their piety , and by no other obligation . but they hold this for no authentick assertion : they would have the wayes of princes chalked forth by their line ; and by their judgment to rise or fall . they hold their clandestine counsells in extent farr above all arbitrary power . this scrues them up to that confidence , as it brings them to knock , with that saucy rocheller , at his princes gate , and like one of our new-illuminated saintlings , rapt with a phanatick fury , cry out : keep not back counsel when it may do good . well , said the prince , if it be good i will take advice of mine own heart , and so try the goodness of it ; for i have heard , sir , to answer to your scripture ; take counsel of thine own heart , for there is none more faithful unto thee than it . this still'd the phanatical separist , leaving him to his cabinet counsel , without any farther unmannerly addresses . again , some of these impostur'd furies have such worms in their brains , that though they have frequently heard , how , he that provoketh a king to anger sinneth against his own soul ; yet will not these tumultuary incendiaries stick to exasperate his indignation , not onely by their seditious doctrine , but by their statizing libels ; which sufficiently manifests their qualification , and from what spirits such phrensies arise . but these may be thought to pass under the notion of ranters ; we will return to our profest , or rather possest phanatick , that mock-sun , or new-light ; who , by his incredible illuminations , inspirations , revelations , and enthusiastick rapsodies , intranceth his deluded followers . this gloworme , with his deceiving splendor , and adulterate fervor , holds nearer resemblance to none , than the pharisaical gnostick , who pretends to be as perfect as any apostle . or like the frontless mounte qank , who takes the confidence , with a mimick gesture to delude simple people with his sophisticated druggs . so this doctrinal quack cheats his weak auditory by the decoy of specious spiritual titles . copper all over , though they bear an orient colour . these whited walls are all for faith ; grounding their subsistence on other mens works . active zelots in pursute of gain , wherein they prove such useful saduces , as they get no proselite without a gainful contract . conscience is their only impost , which they scrue up to their highest interest : wherein they trace the thriving steps of a cunning prostitute , who will make sure work to have something in hand before he deal . thus makes our phanatick such use of his angling , without much useful doctrine , as his temporal purchase farr surmounts the value of his spiritual practice . for this over-fed porket has been so fatned in his sty , so highly improv'd in the grandeur of his state ; as he is now resolv'd to bid his soul take her rest . but , sleep she may in her scism , and slumber without sense of her sin ; but rest she cannot . to limn this phanatick to his full body : and display him in his native hypocritical quality , would require much art , and more expence of time , than a discreet pen would willingly bestow on such an ayry subject ; whose principles disown the interest of a subject . the black rod , a dialogue . calanus . atreus . calanus . how now atreus ! what 's become of your black rod ? is it grown out of request ? or is it your consuls iubile year , that we must have no more whipping ? atreus . you are i th' right on 't calanus ; it fares with me as it does with schoolmasters at solemn times ; who are bound by orders to lay up their rods for a season . but my hope is , the house of correction will not be alwayes shut . we have great peccants , if they durst be discovered : and such , as by a chymical application would turn every sprig of my sable rod into pure ophir gold. o the dayes that i have seen ! calanus . golden dayes , no doubt , atreus , those were for your office , and fit for a comitial service ; when the doves went down , and our kites mounted up . your only fishing was in troubled waters . no matter for the spaun , so the lobsters throve . atreus . what mean you by those lobsters , calanus ? we had none such in our pool . calanus . then had your pool falln down : and the good old cause utterly ruin'd without redemption . tush sir , your long personal imployment cannot suffer you to be ignorant of those many ebbs and flows which our brave capitol , since it lost his head , has grapled withall : and in their civil domestick wars , made their consul house ( to their honour be it spoken , being what no record can sufficiently commemorate ) for want of forein foes , to quarrel with it self . atreus . this is all true ; but what did these brawls advantage my place ? what fees came by all their bustling to the authority of my rod ? these corrections which one gave another did not benefit me an hair . as one member was ejected , another came presently elected . like hydra's heads , no sooner was one cut off , than another started up . or like iacks in a virginal , that string which lately sounded slowest and stillest , rose next turn to that height , as it vapour'd sharpest and quickest . but , what was all this to my rod ? not one word of commitment all this while . all these being state-delinquents , and in the highest qualification : ( for two parliamentary apprentice ships at least had most of those lobsops sat at their gamaliel pims feet , to inable them in principles of dis-allegiance , maintaining arguments of treason to the advantage of the dis-affected party ) were feathers of one wing ; and would not adventure to accuse one another : being all brethren in iniquity , and equally guilty . besides , their parity pleaded their impunity ; for equals are not permitted legally to inflict punishment upon their fellows . which made their legion compleat . uncleaner spirits could not be caften out than what they had taken in . calanus . howsoever the world went , atreus , that righteous synagogue having hell so nearly neighbouring it ; and their associating forces upon free quarter so closely billetted , it could not want fresh supplies to recrute and furnish their state-store-house with complices active enough for their purpose : and highly useful for settlement of their vtopian government , or anarchial purchase . atreus . if you mean of our hell under westminster , though that victualling fire be hot , it were happy for some of those ravenous kite's if they had not an hotter fire within them . but to fill up those vacancies , which mortality , or their mutinous spirits have occasioned , there may be moulded supplies enow to furnish their augean stables with fresh furies ; and in stead of their secluded members ; whereof , there be some , i dare positively avouch , have as conscientious hearts , though not organical ears , as any of that pharisaical leven can really pretend to ; unkennel such a triennial tribe , as may make up their late breaches , and repair the defects of their dwindling rump , to their infinite advantage . for , though one make no number ; nay , though vnity has been a long stranger to their consumptive assembly ; yet there is a mercury vein that bubleth up ; and with a surreptitious heat , like another promethean fire , enliveneth those decayed members ; which otherwise would have resembled that frost-bitten snake in the fable ; that had utterly perished , had not a timely warmth unexpectedly ( and by the snake unthankfully ) revived it . calanus . no more sir , i can without the help of any mineralist , dive into your vein . a subtile seditious volpone as ever wrought under ground . catiline and cethegus were but novices to that politick pioner . atreus . it seems you know him by his character . calanus . know him ! why , all albion knows him for a persidious , perjur'd , pernicious mushroom peer . one who has resolv'd his conscience to such a wax-like-temper , as it can mold it self to any feature . no shape but it can assume , to serve his masters turn . sinon was a saint to this gipsy . this was he , ( and he shall be marked with a theta to all posterity ) who swore away the life of the wisest statist that ever breath'd in britany . i have many times wondred upon recollection of his numerous rogueries , what privilege that prodigy of men could challenge to himself from evading the censure of your rod ! his unexemplary exorbitance , being exposed to all mischief , deserved the extremest punishment that any national law could inflict upon him . atreus . it is confest ; and that might be conceiv'd the onely cause why he escaped my lash . for his imparallel'd impiety might have justly holden my black-rod an instrument of impunity . higher and heavier judgments are reserved for him ; which his anabaptisticall zeal , were it thrice dipt in his phanatical iordan , might not decline , nor with all his hypocritical elevation of eyes , possibly divert . some of which wormwood iudgments have lately befaln his execrable family . the top-branch whereof was fearfully lopt off with an hatchet of despair ; and his chaplain near the very same time took a resolution to confine his doctrinal honour to the strait circumference of a self-twisted halter . thus decayed the spaun ; but the head of these cantarides survives , which either exile , or a fatal end will no doubt speedily abridge ; by staying his course from poysoning any more this distracted state with his hateful principles . calanus . what might the cause be of his inveterate splene towards the person of strafford ; being one so eminent both for courage and counsel , as no state could render it self more happy , than in the injoyment of so prudent and resolute a consul ? surely his absolute demean might rather deserve a pious emulation , or judicious admiration , than any malignant endevour of detracting from such a complement of honour . this was such animosity in an enemy , as it admits no president . atreus . you must know , calanus , that the bee and spider are of different nature . from flowers of the same influence or operation , the one sucks honey , the other poyson . what in others merited approbation and imitation , begot in him envy and detraction ; the poysonous fruits of his serpentine ambition . it was his grief , to see goodness grow great . neither was this all . he understood ( which was an ementitious conceipt , not worth harbouring in an honest breast ) that some of those titles bestowed on him for his incomparable service to his prince , and high improvement to the state , had relation by way of denomination to one of his usurped mannors : from which groundless occasion , this rankling heat of that raging rabby broke forth into that unmanly fury , as he found a way ( a way leading to death ) of dispensing with the ruine of his perjur'd soul , upon condition he might bereave his supposed enemy of life . and all this was acted in the capitol : and yet unreveng'd . calanus . he was a person , doubtless , of high accomplishment : nay , such an one as nature and art might seem to have contended whether of them should have more obliged him to their endeerments : so amply had they contributed in their several offices to the compleating of that states-man . so , as it was my fortune one day to hear this positively asserted in a company of unquestion'd judgments : that if he had surviv'd the various distempers of those times , and the subtile practices of his profest enemies , by whom he became treacherously surprized ; and when he least suspected , unawares attach'd ; he had not onely secured his unfortunate master from all ensuing danger ; and preserv'd the safety and union of the state to his succeeding honour ▪ but likewise in the management of state-affairs , as far over-topt oliver , for all his jugling compliance with mazarene ; as ever mazarene did the short-mushroom honour of hair-brain'd mazarella . never was head-piece more richly stor'd , nor more undeservedly lopped . which was strongly attested by that politick cardinal ; who , upon the report of his execution , used these words : had that mad seditious isle but one wise man in it , and could it render him no better reward , nor find other imployment for his head , than to put it up in a bagg , and confine his wisdom to so early a shroud ! this states-mans jeer might have brought those who were principal actors in contriving his death , to a deep resentment of that irreparable wound they had given to their countrey , in their relentless pursuance of his tragedy : but , hope of reward , or desire of revenge had so preoccupated their thoughts , as it had steel'd them with that wilde irish antient resolution , never to hold themselves secure from their foe , till they might play at foot-ball with his head . atreus . that was the onely way indeed to catch the old one : but some of those diving didappers have since that time no less unfortunatly catch't themselves . it had been much better for them to have falln gently under the lash of my rod , than desperately to have twisted nouzes for their own necks , as some of those achitophels have lately done . calanus . and it was done to their honour , for it sav'd the hangman a labour . but , in earnest tell me atreus , how will this fagging rump be made up ; how will it be piec'd and supply'd ? atreus . i must confess , calanus , our gelded synodal , or parliament . epitome , maintains rules contrary to the principles of all philosophy ; for they have hitherto most resolutely held a vacuum ; whereof , though pryn , with other more auricular members , labour'd strongly to continue them ; their opinions , ( because legal and loyal ) would not be admitted ; the doors of that self-mad-house were commanded to be shut against them , and those excepted members wholly secluded ; and in part so confin'd , as they became debarred from challenging their just and lawful privilege in the house ; which by antient prescription , and successive concession , they might duely pretend to . but those few scattered gleanings that remain shaking and shuddring within , have good cause to be more feverish than those who are shut out . for they cannot chuse but hear a muttring of a change : and then woe be to them if the tide turn . for , then take heed that the capitol be not metamorphosed into a scaffold . where those peremptory pragmatical coxcombs , so much inraged with spleen , or transported with disloyalty of spirit , must be brought forth of those tyring-houses , wherein they have been so long disguising themselves , to act their last parts in the closing scene of a pittiless tragedy , to their own surviving shame , and dishonour of their countrey . calanus . o brave times , when treason shall hang like a ball in the ayr ! atreus . mean time , it is thought we must call up a francepane fry of green wits , as a merry greek term'd them , to fill up that shatter'd vacancy with a fresh supply of pitiful ratlebrains . calanus . howsoever , till that breach be made up ; it remains a broken company . a consort which runs wholly upon divisions , without the least ear-pleasing accent of harmony . atreus . a bankrupt factory , trust me ; protested against in every countrey but our own : and in our own too , if we had as much spirit , as we have private splene to discover it . calanus . this would prove a brave gainful time for you , atreus , if the power of your authority were not eclypsed . atreus . not at all sir ; the multiplicity of offenders would soon wear out my rod. when the members of a whole house are to be call'd to the barr , who will be left to censure them ? they might be accounted fools in the highest measure , if they should fall flat under their own censure ; or pronounce sentence upon themselves without recognizance of their speaker . calanus . it is true ; but have you not had sometimes persons ( and those eminent ones ) of that leven under your lash ? atreus . never sir ; my black rod observed ever that regular discipline , as it became a state-academy for all degrees , sciences and professions . we had learned laud ; nay , the little wren could not evade my gyn ; and these were my chaplains in ordinary for divinity . bacon for courtship and oratory . eliot and seymour for state-policy . bridgman and palmer for legal authority . thus was my oeconomy held an vniversity , while the capitol held up his head , and exalted his horns to the distressed members of this nation . these knew how to suffer ; and how to gain honour by their suffering . these knew how to kiss the rod meekly , receive their censure mildly , and pay my fees freely . calanus . that was an age indeed , atreus , for midas to turn all into gold. but how came you to be so unhappily iack out of office ? you became either too high for your place ; or your place too hot for you . atreus . o sir , have you not heard a story ; which though it be a fiction , yet it retains a singular moral ; how proserpine had her misset , as well as pluto his cerberus ; but it was ever observ'd that the poor misset was husht , and gave not a yelp , when that hellish mastiff begun to roar ! so fared it with me and my officials . no sooner was the high court of iustice erected , and with poor cavaliers blood imbrued , than my black rod became untwisted . it was not for us inferiour groundlings to mutter , much less to murmur , when that terrible minotaur begun to thunder . the gibbet grew farr above the height of my rod. the tower-hill axe soon cut in pieces those blasted sprigs of my dis-authorized lash . calanus . but now the state , like a late-recover'd bedlam , is rid of both . atreus . 't is true ; there is no lunacy so violent , but it has its lucida intervalla ; but one forein drop of coloquintida strengthned with a spanish , french , or imperial ingredience may utterly spoil the concoction of our english broath . 't were good to be merry and wise . but wise we cannot be , so long as we have foes within and without us , to exercise their fury , or practise their designs upon us . calanus . but is there any such fear ? atreus . such fear , as it is falln into a quotidian ague . i am sure there appear many banks in holland , as if they had been gilded over by the yellow streams of tagus , or pactolus ; and all these built up and deposited for fear of an inland breach , in the hands of their confident trustees , by our rich coffemen , those well-lin'd consuls of our capitol . calanus . they suspect a change then . atreus . assure your self , sir , they sweat for 't : and if it prov'd otherwise , all our nation would find cause to sweat ; the danger appearing so epidemical . for , though we subsist like monstrous members without an * head ; yet the revolution of some few years has so habituated us to misery , as many of us are become wholly so stupid and senseless , as if we had never injoyed an head , nor we subject to that head. calanus . the fable of the frogs and their king will be e're long verifi'd in us : we have been so jealous of our own ; or made our own so contemptible to us ; as we have given way to those who had no property in us , to pretend a title to that which most concern'd us . the sad consequence whereof has brought us to that desperate condition , as no man may safely challenge a propriety in his own . the onely way to live peaceably , is to suffer patiently : and with a pleasing smile ( though there be no cause for 't ) to entertain the affronts of an imperious incroacher with such indifference ; as neither the agent may take occasion of picking a quarrel at his murmuring ; nor the patient prejudice his cause by his remediless contesting . atreus . we have a gallant cow'd state in the mean time ; when just men must suffer , because they want power to preserve their right . surely , those viceroys which we have lately had , were mock-protectors ; for , whereas they should have protected the subject from injury , they became so taken up with self-interest , as they minded onely their own soveraignty . calanus . and to whom might the blame hereof be more properly imputed , than to our degenerate peerage ? whose descent seem'd to partake more of coach-man , page , or usher , than the linage of a noble progenitor , — these deserv'd your rod more than any delinquent . atreus . it is true ; but they so innocently courted their peace , as my indulgence granted them ease : and deservingly brought me to the loss of my place . a quest of inquiry , without hope of recovery . where 's now your burleygh , cicil , walsingham , brave furbisher , drake , hawkins , nottingham ? their hush't in clay . these that your isle affords are silken-civet-comfet-curtain-lords , brisk-cringing senatours as apius was , who spent the morn in courting of his glass . these dimensions following were writ in vindication of the honour of our island , and those eminent and thrice-noble commanders now in imployment : in answer to a forein critical pasquil. mean while , our royal marine martialists fear little , but that their albyon embarg shall transform their spungy satyrs into sea-souc't naiades : and in short time make them serviceable negro's , to dive and fish for pearls . a reply . hold critick , hold ; — we have as gallant men for valour and brave discipline as then . take a survey of our victorious fleet , with which should neptune with his convoy meet , they 'd veil their top-sails , shouting , let 's give room , " st. george with his stout myrmidons are come " to scour the seas ; 't were fitting we gave way " when regents of the ocean bear sway . how pale does tethis look , fearing to be made captive to our glorious soveraignty ? a navy more magnanimous never came to slice the surface of the ocean . steered by expert mariners ; th' event must needs prove prosperous when high descent co-centre with brave spirits : — this will take , and make a greater state than holland shake . eye those renowned dukes , winged with youth , with what deep scorn they look on carpet slouth ! they 'r all elyxir'd in their vernal age , hugging no news like to a quick ingage . these be mars sons , and must to honour rise , while others are for catching butterflyes ▪ nor do i fear but i shall one day hear their fames as large as guy's or godfrey's were ; and mount their spreading wings from gath to dan , and cause the turk renounce his alcoran . cease critick then ; of heroes boast no more , we have as royal sparks as e're before . to his knowing friend r. p. a commissioner for the svbsidy . friend ( for a more really amicable title i cannot give you ) we hear you are named a commissioner for the subsidies : wherein you may appear by your even and unbianc'd carriage , instrumentally serviceable both to prince and subject . for your better accommodation wherein , take along with you these necessary cautions : which conscientiously observ'd , will bring you off fairly in the discharge of that office whereto you are deputed : and return you honest ; which in all commands , publick or private , reteins in it that high concernment , as it is principally to be valued . now in the execution of offices of this nature , as they are justly and legally grounded , because from satisfactory principles derived ; there arise many times sundry grand inconveniences from the inconsiderate election of our deputies . while some ambitiously affected , pursue nothing more eagerly than to have a name in the roul ; though they know not what to do in it , either in relation to their prince or countrey . to be thought great , or wise , is their summary end ; though their indiscreet carriage merit neither of those attributes . it was my fortune lately to be present at one of these sessionary commissions ; where one of that knowing brotherhood desiring nothing more than to be held by the commonty an eminent awful man , suddenly starting up , took a great oath , ( even by his rich plume of feathers ) that if the subsidy men then and there assembled did not forthwith pay in their moneys , he would smook them . whereto , one no less metally than wittily answered him : sir , by smooking us , you may chance to singe your own feather , and so darnish the colour of your oath ; which were a great pity , being the handsomst thing about you . which smart answer begot such a general laughter in the court , as silence could not be procur'd , though often commanded , a long time after . was not this fair-plum'd commissioner of a quick dispatch ? yes sure , but of a weak brood ; rightly numbred amongst those hymerian flyes , or picene emmets , hatcht before they got shape . these rhadamantades , who scatter their brains in the ayr , should be used like that florentine fool ; who , holding himself the best man in florence , was sentenc'd to be whipt out of his humour by two dwarfs , till wearied with their lashings , he no less senselesly than pitifully avouched , that dwarfs were taller than gyants ; and that high men were the lowest men in florence : which absurdity sav'd him from further correction . howsoever , to perfect the cure in these ayry ranters , whom this age looks upon as the infinitest pretenders , confident'st undertakers , and profusest scatterers in all our island ; it were not amiss if they were put to school ( if capable of such useful knowledg ) before they be admitted to publick interests . assistants in these should not be of a low level . it was antiently decreed by the ephori , in that flourishing state of athens ; that no beardless person , were he of what quality or descent soever , should be call'd as assistant in any publick service of state ; though that was by maturer deliberation , mainly opposed , alleging , how many might be young in years , who were old in houres . how incapable then are they who appear neither old in years nor houres , for management of any publick affair conducing to the welfare of the state ? were it not a great madness , said our soveraign king iames , ( a prince whose constant addresses were beautified with palms of peace ) for the master of a team of horses , being furnish'd with some of a clearer sight , to set a blind horse before ? we have store of quick-sighted men ; let such be deputed , leaving these ayry-spirited lapwings , who leave their nests before they 'r taught to fly . such flickering birds , by reason of their untimely flight , have been ever held incapable of publick imployments : persons of prudent and composed tempers are the properest engines for such affairs , and the discreetest moderators betwixt prince and subject ; by rendring to the one what he by his prerogative may justly demand ; and informing the other what he ought duely to perform . in your personal execution of which office , you are to imitate the course of an expert and experient'st pilot , by avoiding such perilous shelves as may probably indanger your commissionary passage . these are briefly toucht in the act it self , by which you are to be directed ; and expresly taught , to do nought either for fear , favour , or hatred . being the very same which our best ethnicks exactly observed in their course of justice ; commanding , that nothing should be acted to the dishonour of their proceedings , either for amity , enmity , or commodity : such an even and equal scale poized the conduct of their actions . and this they did , without any future hope of a fruition of further glory , than their poetical fancy of those elysian fields , and their imaginary fame to posterity ; the sole aims of their eternity . that small glimpse , or beamling , which they had received from the light of nature , without any farther influence , produc'd these rare effects ; which might justly beget a shame in those , who more divinely illumined , though they believe an eternity , and the end of their creation , supreme felicity ; fall incomparably short of those naturalists in the course of judicature , nay , even of civil morality . store of instances might be return'd you in this , deserving no less your admiration than imitation . rake up the records of former times , wherein true native honesty flourished , and political designs ( of the teeming birth whereof every nation sadly laboureth ) appeared strangers ; and you shall find sundry imitable mirrors of this kind ; whose uprightness in the management of state-affairs needed no other annal , nor monument to memorize them , than the continued fame of their unquestion'd deportment ; which begot to them a reverence , and an unsought for advancement in the common-weal where they were seated . as in the first place , to insist upon every particular that may obstruct your course in the execution of your office , whereto you are designed ; you shall find one of those ethnicks , though a firm professor , and preserver of amity , neglect the sollicitancy of his friend in an action of favour , saying , dear is my friend , but dearer is my reputation : i may have many friends , though i lose thee ; but in losing god , i can have no more : there is but one god. he is a treacherous friend , who makes his friend a foe to himself . neither were these less armed against the fury of revenge . enmity , though never so mortal , could not decline them , no more than amity could over-byas them in the direct line and path of their proceedings . one of them could say , like a brave commander of his own affections , i shall accompt it the lowest of my scene , to take revenge of mine enemy to my own disadvantage . neither do i intend to play so much the fools part , to ingage a publick reproach for a private revenge . he does himself the greatest wrong , who labours to right himself , by doing his enemy wrong . in publick places , where offices of justice are to be administred , and what is due to every one justly distributed , not so much as the least thought of a bosom-injury is to be fomented , much less discovered . he deserves not the place where he sits , who sits only to take revenge of him whom he hates . that discreet * sage well deserved to be called to the dignity of one of the ephori , who knew ( by the attest of the whole senat ) how to bear and digest injuries : and in what manner to demean himself on the seat of iustice ; neither by eying his friend with a countenance of favour , nor his foe with an intentional displeasure . whence it was , that in athens were set up in their high court of judicature , astraeas scale , and tidaeus shield : the one to ballance the justness of the cause ; the other to support it . for experience , our best mistriss , in the process of humane affairs , may sufficiently inform us ; that though justice bestow her strength and utmost endeavour , the best cause may suffer , wanting a powerful fortress to support her . there is another shelf too , no less dangerous than either of the former ; and this is commodity ; being such an universal leprosie , as we may worthily accompt him a rare man , that is advanc'd to a place of profit , or receipt of custom , and has got the faculty of holding his mercenary hand from taking . this self-interest is a perillous copes-mate ; apt to infect where it consorts . nay , such an absolute commandress over this little world , man , as it is held the wheel ; that with its career turns the course of all his actions . o how many have inconsiderately perished by the poysonous pills of this familiar and bosom-nurs'd impostor ! we shall little need to travel far for instances of this kind : our own coast can furnish us with plentious store , and in high place , and of eminent quality : persons excellently gifted , who , miserably depraved by that infectious malady of corrupt gehezi , suffer'd themselves to ingage their honour for shameful lucre : nay , to aggravate their folly , how many have we known , who , continent enough in their own desires , through an ambitious humour of maintaining their riotous followers in a deportment above their rank or quality , have patiently endur'd to see themselves with open eyes palpably cousen'd , and abused , by those officious lerchers , and licentious lechers , to their irreparable dishonour , without gain to themselves ! now for this office whereto you are deputed , much cannot be expected , because little will be offered ; yet as petilarceny by our law is punishable , as well as higher felony , though in a lower quality : so there be sundry petty abuses which may usually occurr , in the execution of these offices , which by a superiour power , deserve due censure . and , from what source may these obliquities arise , but from your easie connivence towards those puny clarks imployed under you ? these , though they know little , they can find out the way of exacting fees , where none are due . no discharge nor acquittance must pass upon receipt without advantage : wherein , though it redound to the clarks gain , it may be properly call'd the masters crime . neither can i be less than jealous of the officers themselves , but that some of them , through their indigence of spirit , will not stick to become master-sharers in these imposed exactions . but , this is contriv'd so covertly , that they know how to wipe their mouths when they have eaten the sacrifice : resting secure from the confidence they have , that none sees them . thus the subject not onely prayes , but pays for the tender of his own ; returning dis-satisfied in all , in that he cannot receive from the penurious clark an acquittance for what he has pay'd , unless he inlarge the accompt above what the act injoyns the subject to pay , or the officer to receive . such as these deserve well to have that punishment inflicted on them , which that sicilian rogue had pronounced on him for abusing the state with his forgeries , and counterfeat declarations : being sentenc'd to have his skin flaid ▪ and made parchment on ; whereon was to be writ in fair capitals all such abusive cheats as he had used : and to have it hung up in the publick court for an annual record , or caveat to posterity ▪ to deterr others from practising the like . neither is it to be doubted , but if due examination were taken at this time of the mis-carriage of our officials , there might be found more than a good number guilty in this kind . nor is there any thing more seriously considerable in these publick accompts , than an exact inquisition after these self-interested men ; whose corrupt demeanure too usually foments a disgust betwixt prince and subject . this the historian well observed , saying , that vespatians collectors of his vrine money discontented the romans more , than the imposition . wherein one no less smartly than wittily reply'd to a tax-master , upon his exaction of fees : it seems , friend , by your high demands , that we must pay more than our water comes to : we are well contented with paying caesar for distilling our water , but not with you for casting it . these casters are such castawayes , as they oft-times cast down the governor under whom they live , and by whose command they are deputed to such tempting offices . tempting i may justly term them ; for , methinks , i hear them ingenuously confess with that corrupt factor , they could be as honest as any mortals breathing , if profit did not tempt them . which aery excuse the notorioust way-man may make , in defence of his taking trade , as well as these ; for were there no hope of gain , the thief would take no pleasure in his peremtory way-dialect of stand and deliver . neither can i see why a severer sentence should be pronounced on an high-way taker , than a state-iugler . their desires are grounded on equal principles ; the onely difference in their course of practice is this : the one playes his tricks more covertly than the other . the one wears his visard on his face , the other on his breast . but much less art is requir'd in that work of the way , than designs of the pate . this relyes much on an active spirit ; that on a subtile brain . now i must tell you , sir , how i have sometimes in my imployment in these services , usually observed how the indigence of agents , bestow'd on these affairs , works strange effects in the current of all publick proceedings . honesty is dangerously incountred , when accosted by poverty . ships sail safely , and hold their road calmly , when they meet with no surging waves to combat with , nor contrary winds to play , and apply their fury on their top-sails . in these times , where corruption has crept so subtilely into every official corner , and with a strange kind of confidence rides on its foot-cloath , as if it had got a privilege to abuse iustice with impunity ; it were a rare sight to see a person of that even temper , whom fortune cannot conquer , nor hope of preferment alter . the thoughts of a better world become such strangers to man , as they un-man him , and make him forgetful of his primitive honour , or of rising hopes hereafter . it were easie to present to your view , with out any artificial scean at all , to display them , sundry persons desertlesly made great , how they have laid a rust on their gilded honour ; as if they intended by a just fate , through their abusive cheats , and dangerous designs , to throw themselves down to the dust from whence they were raised . these might be compared to that unadvis'd numidian , who being advanc'd from a flax-man to a place of quality ; but resting dis-satisfi'd with that preferment , by playing the cunning jugler , he was adjudged to have his new-purchas'd honour twich't up in a flaxen halter , from whence he had his first rise and vocation . that wise politician gave us a singular caution in the election of persons fit to bear offices . never to make choice of such as are found either weak in estate , judgment , or suspected fidelity . and he confirms his assertion with impregnable reasons . cursorily and methodically then to dilate on all these , with the inconveniences that usually befall in the election of such as are lyable to any of those foresaid prejudices : in the first place , i cannot chuse but call to mind the ingenuous confession of that faulty pretorian , who being not onely accused , but impeached of sundry corrupt proceedings in the execution of his office , appear'd so unwilling to clear himself of those crimes , whereof he was accused , as he freely acknowleged ; that the corruption , for which he became censur'd , sprung not from any depraved affection , but from the weakness of his condition , concluding ; that he would have been honest enough , if his want had given him leave . those times , no doubt , resembled these we live in : poverty was too low a step to raise any one to preferment . the court-gate was shut to them who knock'd with an empty hand : which our * modern poet wittily shadowed at , saying : curia pauperibus clausa est : hic solus honores aulicus emeruit qui satur aere fuit . he that is poor must stand at door though loyal to the king ; while one more base , swoln great by 's place , may boldly enter in . it is the property of these to make use of those old english proverbs , by making hay while the sun shines : and striking while the iron is hot . now , would you know from whence this intentiveness usually proceeds ? this ariseth from a jealousie they apprehend from their own carriage : they fear the discovery of their actions : and consequently deprival of their places ; for depravation can expect no less than deprivation . this quickneth their endeavours in hope to be rich : and store their ravenous nests with others feathers . these be those kings-fishers who prey both by land and water . they take all for fish that comes to net : without sticking at small game before they stand out . and , whereas they are advertis'd by some of their confidents ( for these must have their coys , or they shall play bankrupts in their office ) that their reign is not likely to be long , in regard , the eyes of those counties , where they officiate , have taken notice of their shuffling : their onely way then to thrive , is , to play at catch-doult , and to gather up his crums before the table be drawn : and so be call'd to accompt , before he has had sufficient time , either to receive his full share , or discharge the audit. but in these , as in places of higher command , and richer imployment , those , who cordially wish their security , apply this seasonable counsel to their distemper'd brains and occasional fears : presently after the full receipts of their rackt fees , or commissionary bribes , to make recourse to their countrey house , and play least in sight ; till the storm be past , and the state-inquisition run out of breath . but if they be found egregiously criminal , they have presidents in their pockets , instrumental enough for rebating the edge of justice . it is not so long since but they can well remember ( and may those sanguinary times be ever ached in rubrick letters ) how those plump assassinats , who had inlarged their babel buildings many stories high upon our ruines , had mounted their banks in forein nations ; hoping by that means , if it should chance that times should change , and rebellion fall from it self , to support their decays by those transported , but extorted treasures , which they had there imbursed : so wise was treason in providing for its own supportance and security against a time of extremity . but their crocodile eggs prov'd adle ; and their hatchers miserable : may the like issue befall these indigent corrupt commissioners , who officiate onely for self-interest , to the dishonour of their soveraign , and prejudice of his people . neither can we less than doubt but that these close pioneres of our state , by plowing deep with our own heyfers , have been the occasion of sowing the seed of sedition in our late-imbroiled nation . so dangerous it is to exasperate a multitude in raising and levying assesses ( be they never so legal ; ) by prolling avaricious officers , who make it their vocation to abuse the subject , to inrich themselves : and lay a ground-work , by their seldom-thriving providence , for their succeeding , but successless posterity . so quickly was the flame of their rising fortunes quenched , and to ashes pittilesly reduced . what fearful consequences these needful agents have produc'd , records in all times will manifest . high taxes are sufficient foments to division , without such offensive instruments , who too often estrange stirring spirits from their allegeance . neither be those to be made choice on for commissioners , in raising , ordering , and collecting of these subsidies , or any dispensatory act , who are of a weak or shallow iudgment . these may be men of a good meaning , but wanting discretion to manage their meaning , they suffer themselves to be involved in many inextricable windings , and gross errors ; which their easie apprehensions and indulgent humours expose them to : being so unable to proportion a charge , as they usually lay the heaviest load on the weakest back : all which they doe without the least intention of injury , but meerly forth of ignorance , or simplicity : which might have been covertly , and without discovery shrouded , if their ambitious weakness could have been contented with privacy , and wisely retired from the pursuance of publick imployment . * for , as preferment is the best herald in displaying the temper of the enjoyer ; so publick ingagements discover best the abilities of the undertaker . galba was held worthy of an empire , till he became an emperour : and caelius to be consul , till he was made a consul . we know not what men be , nor how they may prove , untill the places , or offices , whereto they are deputed , take off their visards , and present them naked . that divine cynick , one no less wise than surly , being one day at a feast ( un-invited , i suppose , for his inbred incivility rendred him unsuitable for such meetings ) observing a guest amongst the rest to sit silent , whil'st others appear'd more free in their discourse ; with a rough brow addressed his speech unto him in this manner : if wise , thou art a fool in holding thy peace ; if a fool , thou art wise in holding it . such weaklings as these , who are of a pen-feather'd iudgment , might make good use of this observation : ever looking on harpocrates signe , with his finger on his mouth : for more wisdom is shown in not speaking at all , than in speaking to no purpose . of which impertinency we shall hear many of our commissionary rank highly conscious . this might be instanc'd in that ignorant want-brain ; who , assuming to himself the authority of examining a clark of the market ( an office , doubtlessly , more abused than any other throughout the kingdom ) made this simple demand in a publick assembly , whether by the vertue of his office he was to weigh the bakers bread by troys weight , or haver de poy ? whereto the clark no less ingeniously answered : your worship might as well ask me , why broad cloath should not be measur'd as well by the bushel , as by the yard . the chusing of such empty casks , which sound lowdest when emptiest , redounds ever to the dishonour of the undertaker , the scandal of the preferrer , and prejudice of all such as stand lyable to the ignorance of their censure . but to insist no longer on these , i am briefly to give a touch of a more dangerous and untunable instrument , for the managery of state-affairs , than either of the other . for , neither he whose estate is indigent : nor he who is of a weak and defective iudgment , can possibly appear so fatally noxious in the blameless discharge of their duties , as he who retains such a coar in his heart , as it can afford no room to lodge fidelity in to his prince . for the other two , as the one had more policy than honesty ; the other more simple honesty than prudent policy : so he , whom we are now to speak of , and whom we are , like an impartial herald , to deblazon in his own native colours , is an engine of treachery . under a fair and loyal habit , he ever lodgeth a seianus spirit . he is never found fishing in calm waters : being the onely incendiary to blow the coals of division in every peaceable state. neither is he onely treacherously ambitious , but malitiously envious . as one of these seditious innovating spirits lately used one of his fellow-commissioners , far honester than himself , accusing him to be a red-letter'd man , ( meaning a roman catholick ) and consequently incapable of any such commission . but being brought to their book by one discreeter than them both , they were so equally learn'd , as neither of them could distinguish a red letter from a black. howsoever , though some of these be no book-men , they have designing pates , apt to mint and mould mischief to their future advantage , be the ground-work never so sandy whereon they build . i shall not need to strengthen your opinion in this point with variety of instances ; we have had sufficient store hovering at our own gates ; the sad shares whereof , even to this day , appear in the ruines of many loyal subjects . if we should sound these state-whiflers to the bottom , ( and no inquisition more necessary ) we might find them under the counterfeit pretence of loyal service , from which their disjoynted affections have been long estranged , seemingly to bemoan the heavy condition of a subject , and how compassionately they suffer'd in that behalf , seeing him crusht with the insupportable burden of his pressures . and whereto tends all this , but to exasperate the subject against his soveraign : and under the colour of a gracious commissioner , act the part of a graceless traitor ? all which , to trace the observation of a judicious and well-studied states-man , occasionally ariseth from the security of a remiss , or libertine prince , who indulgeth his affections so much , as they beget in him a lethargy to the affairs of state : which might be instanc'd in domitian , vitellius , and decian . whereas divine providence has return'd us such a prince , who by his vigilant inspection over his military and civil concerns , and timely remove of all such pernicious instruments , as never ingaged for their soveraign , yet had so much impudence , as to expect honours , with other advantagious helps , the least whereof they neither merited , nor by derserving favourites pursued : has hereby revived our late depressed spirits , by shutting his royal gates of these abusive court-ingles : and by consequence , his highness , i say , has his loyal subjects in their primitive security , and his sacred person in a calm and peaceful safety . such is the assured confidence of all loyal spirits , whose known fidelity can abide the touch , and whose integrity never incurred taint . nor can it be imagined , much less feared , but that the royal gratitude of so gracious a master will amply gratifie their gallant service , who have ingaged their lifes , freedoms , and fortunes in defence of his cause , and preservation of his person . so as those treacherous assassins could not be more mischievous in plotting his ruine , than sacred providence appear'd each where propitious , in preparing an hollow oak for his shelter , in a time of necessity : but loyal hearts to succour in his height of extremity . which gracious and unexemplary deliverance , may it be writ with the point of a diamond in the memories both of prince and people ; that our thankfullness may never incurr an act of oblivion to posterity , for such a signal evidence of mercy . but leaving these dangerous tetters which we formerly touched , and wherewith publick commissions have been usually tainted ; holding them the refuse of a corrupt state , and as we ought , in an incapacity to any magisterial service ; my conclusive cloze shall be an address to your self , for whose use , in this your commissionary charge , i prepared these advertisements . sir , it is well known to your countrey , wherein you have shown your self an eminent and faithful member , that you are liable to none of those exceptions above-mention'd . for , in the first place , your fulness of estate has free'd you from being indigent ; and consequently no way necessitated to take rewards . nor by those excellent helps of your education and natural parts , so weak in iudgment , as to appear ignorant of what you ought to do . nor in the principles of loyalty so deficient , as to swerve the least iota from your allegiance . being thus furnish'd , what less can be expected , but that you will go on with honour : and to your reputation hold that dimension , as may suit with a person of your quality , a deserving branch of your family , by clearing your self from jealousie , and rendring content with all indearment to your countrey ? neither is it sufficient to approve your self onely blameless in your own deportment , which ought to be exemplary : but to rectifie others of your society , if in any point blame-worthy . for that position will ever hold water : he , who holds in competition , or stands joyntly impowr'd by commission ; and in that parity , or equality of command , understands his fellow to be in the irregular course of his proceedings an offender ; makes himself guilty of the offence , if he act not by his best endevour to reform that error . in a word , look on your subsidy men with an equal eye ; the serious survey whereof will present an act of justice and piety . post-script . we heard of late that you were grown eminent in the eye of the court. play the rare phoenix , an honest man. abuse not the princes favour , to inhance your own honour . the court is no place of permanence . this day one story higher ; next day so low , as none can fall lower . the onely way to remain long great , is by a deserving mean to attain and retein grace . to beg a pardon from heaven , for preferring , or begging any unjust sute in the court of earth . neither can any clawing courtier gain so much by his compliance on earth , as he loseth by his thoughts non-residence in heaven . remember this , and you shall thrive as well , though you clime not so high , as the best . your constant philocles . a defensive letter , in vindication of his friends honovr : occasioned upon our late assesses . fame has been ever held of a more lavish tongue and swift wing , than just in her relations : this i hope the world will find verified in you . your countrey has made choice of you for her patriot ; do not betray her trust . accompt it your highest preferment , and without boasting , your prime glory , to advance the conveniencies of your countrey . and , to the end your knowing endeavours may appear more instrumental herein , take an exact survey of the accomodations and advantages properly conducing to that county , burrough , or mannor , whereof you stand elected , and deputed an assistant member . neither is it onely to fall into your consideration , how , by your discreet addresses , you may advance the interests of that place for which you stand ingaged , nay conscientiously obliged ; but , how you may by a prudent and provident inspection avoid all obstructive wayes that shall occasion any dis-advantage in the improvement of it . this should be the constant task of all your fellow consuls , whose study ought not to be imployed about fishing in troubled waters , as our factious-fiery spirits are usully affected : whose frisking humours hunt onely after a change : making it the least of their care , or fear , if the state became a bedlam , so it were an house of their foundation ; or a political dis-joynted body of their own constitution . nor like court-fauns , complying with the current of the time : and making self-ends their primary designs . these have their hooks trimm'd with the pleasantest , but the perilousest baits . honours and places be the attractive adamants of these eminent favourites . countrey relations , with whatsoever is held most dear to conscientious men , must fall under the grand inquisition ; or what is worse , incurr that epidemical prejudice to all royalists , a perpetual act of oblivion . preferments are personal concerns , and must take place before countrey debates , or publick interests , else must these cabinet agents , who officiate for themselves , lose by the bargain . dear friend , our long acquaintance , seconded with such mutual regreets , have deeply ingag'd me to the precious tender of your repute . some will not stick to say , that your name is in the class of those court-shadows : and the pursute after honour has made you forget the place from whence you came , or the errand for which you were sent . trust me , i should rather wish you dead to earth , than live to such fame . but , i hope , the world does bely you , otherwise shall the world make me a stranger to you . dead flyes corrupt the precioust ointments : and vicious agents are fatally noxious to the best imployments . therefore was it antiently observed in the athenian state , that none were to be elected one of the ephori , a place of consular dignity , unless he were a person of unquestion'd fame , and whose eyes were shut from rewards , or admiring greatness . it is not long since ( for we retein yet the scarrs of those civil wounds and warrs amongst us ) your self was inrowled a martial commander in his defence , to whom we owe our allegeance . in which service , what clear evidences of your prowess and valour were manifested to the world , i shall , as one known to your native modesty , be sparing to relate ; leaving it to the attest of your countrey , where your actions purchas'd that surviving glory . onely let me put you in mind of that morning canto , which , amidst all your dangers and disasters , you so cheerfully breathed . the rising sun shines gracefully on me , because a subject sworn to loyalty . now , upon what grounds could it be imagined , how the gallantry of such an active spirit should so eagerly nibble at the light bait of fading honour , or the deceiving hope of preferment ; which generally begets more foes than friends , and in the end leaving the projector weary of his purchase , renders him a spectacle of scorn to his sleighted family ? let us search the records of all such men as have taken their rise by indirect wayes in these state-assemblies ! we may , perchance , find them , like isis ass , loaden with honour ; so richly has their complyance with persons of place gilded their new foundations , for moulding , or advancing pernicious designs . but mark the issue of these timing wits , with the usual catastrophe that attends them ! they fall into such contempt by the purchase of their mercenary and immerited honour , as they are usually entertained by their abused countrey , in stead of applause and approbation , with scorn and derision . hence it was , that the stoick accompted the lackquey more happy than his master that road on his foot-cloath . though the one be fuller of state , the other rests more secure . for the higher stands ever most exposed to danger . in publick imployments ( if his abilities ingage his attendance in them ) his actions become liable to censure : wherein , if any proposal , or definite conclusion appear out of square , the instrument must be question'd . admit it be never so lightly devious , it must undergo the test . and though formal in most , if defective in one , a severe interpretation will accompany it . one drop of coloquintida will spoil a whole pot of pottage . especially in publick concerns ; where the voice of the people sounds loud . every tax , or assess , becomes their phlebotomist ; extracting blood from their veins : and native heat from the vital parts . one small chick snatcht by the kite , begets more passion in a pesant , than the loss of an herd of cattel suffer'd by a community . this individual man , as he is his own sharer , so in his suffrings he finds no equal partner . of others wounds nor wrongs he has no resentment , so he injoy his own welfare and freedom . but when not onely one limb , but the whole body politick groans under a burden of suitable nature , it acts in the sufferers a communicable distemper . then , like our quaking separatists ▪ they find out retiring places to vent their discontents in . then they discover their conditions , ballanc'd with their insupportable pressures : but principally their joynt practises , how they might inflict due revenge ( so implacable is popular fury ) upon the designers of their sufferings : who , no doubt , if they should fall into their clutches , would expect no better usage than absyrtus receiv'd from the remorceless hands of medea , to be rent piece-meal . nor than , that cunning , but cruel artist , in that tyrannick reign of phalaris , who commanded , that the inventor should be first tortur'd in his own engine . just it is , that those whose onely study is complacency : and whose supreme ends are self-ends , should close their dayes in misery , weaving up their comical court-jubile in an epilogue ; breathing nothing but disconsolate ayrs of an ensuing tragedy . such was the fate of philotas : and may the like issue personat the constant office of an vsher to every court-sycophant : who , under a seeming pretence of feeding the exchequer , starves the state. it is observ'd how that insinuating favourite of vespasian , having closely whisper'd into the emperours eares , what vast advantage that unbecoming tax of vrin-money would bring into his coffers ; as one whose minde was naturally addicted to a pursute of profit : he hugged his design , promising him an ample reward for his ingenious contrivance of so useful a way ( atrack never trod before ) for inhancing the revenues of his treasury . but , afterwards advertis'd , how this claw-back pursu'd his own interest , making it his endeavour to become contractor for that grand imposition , and consequently not onely abuse the subject , but cheat the emperour ; his hateful projections brought him into such general contempt , as he was not onely discarded the court , where he had such eminent reception : but in his countrey too , where he had forfeited his reputation : being not onely scorn'd , but houted at , and stigmatiz'd with this mark of distinction : * behold how proudly and hatefully that piss-pot of vespasian struts along ! sundry instances of this ungracious kind might be found , both in our own time , and climes , who appear'd eminent ornaments in the seats of justice , in their countrey ; but , no sooner call'd up by publick votes , to do their prince and countrey service , than a surreptitious hope of preferment made them forgetful of their just imployment ; by playing the crickets , and hatching their crocodile eggs in chimney corners ; and moulding strange assesses to dis-gust the people , for their own interest . but , a general contempt abridg'd most of these mens days with a languishing discontent . where i leave them . be it your care , as i have justifi'd your carriage in publick places , to come off fair in your deportment and demeanure , that in this recourse , you may return into your countrey with honour . to a malignant , disswading him from his resolution . dear sir ; if any considerate reflection upon your estate , repute , the affectionatest wishes of your intimatest friends , or a fair compliance with those , who are nearest to you in blood , or dearest in your esteem , may prevail with you : timely consider your own hazardous condition . in your ahderence and loyalty to your prince , it can never repent you : you walk in a smooth conscientious path : wherein , howsoever some occurrents may , through a distemper'd surfet of peace , interpose themselves ; they cannot perplex a spirit loyally affected . pure and integrious minds are compared to sweet odours : the more pounded , the more redolent . now , if this pretended cause of publick safety , or state-security , counterpoize your friends perswasions : discuss every motive , and your discreeter judgment shall find every argument that may be objected by the malignant party , infinitly defective . their propositions , like draco's maxims , writ all in blood . aspersions thrown upon our politick and ecclesiastick government , without ground : nothing desired by them , that may conduce to the publick good ; but by his majesty with much alacrity seconded . so as , unless a well-planted , and long-flourishing monarchy should be reduc'd to an aristocracy , or which is more to be fear'd , an absolute anarchy ; what could be with more facility inclin'd to , to satisfie the votes and voices of a small remainder : who seem rather to stand upon singularity of opinion , than advancement of their countreys honour ? what miserie 's these wofull distractions have brought to our state , there is no eye , unless prejudicate , but apparently sees , and seeing suffers . this , even many of those who nearliest sided with them , have lately observed , and so sensibly apprehended ; as they have interceded an accommodation : wherein , perceiving an averseness in some few parliamentaries , ( and those who have run so deep an hazard upon his majesties displeasure , as they find themselves hopeless , by their disloyal and malapert passages , to recover their impeach'd honour ) they have since wholly declin'd from adhering to them : and , with a zealous loyalty , applyed themselves to his majesties commands : with a resolute desertion of all such , whose propositions trenched upon such desperate ends . besides , the very city , which has been the parliaments exchequer , has of late , upon maturer consideration , withdrawn their contribution ; perceiving clearly , how it neither suited with their profit nor honour ; but the utter ruine and extinction of both together . now , if you reserve your eye for events ; excepting these late * lancashire defeats , you shall see their york-shire forces defeated and dispersed ; or , if you will look nearer the sun , you shall collect , by a more just and credible discovery , than any diurnal relation , ( which , for the stationers profit , and parliamentaries credit , becomes generally a mint of untruths , and unjustificable fictions ) how his majesties forces daily increase , and the parliaments decrease : so , as now , success begins to smile upon the justness of his cause . dear sir , with an unequal and uninteressed eye fix upon these : suffer your self to be undeceived ; and compose the residue of your resolves to such fair and noble presidents , whose timely aversion from pertinacy , and conversion to loyalty , have begot them esteem ; to their states and persons safety : those individual fruits of allegiance and fidelity . the least acquiescence whereto , seconded by your own pen , shall incomparably cloze with the desires of your most affectionate well-wisher , vpon retractation of your convinc'd error , and reliction of your phanatick humour . upon the late plot . how is it zimries , that you thus do plot ; and ne're content you with the preys you 've got ? look to your ravenous claws expos'd to pillage , on every loyal state , grange , mansion , village ! could not your harpyes-fury be content with good mens rapine , ruine , banishment , nor all the miseries that sea or land by th' tyranny of your licentious hand could lay upon us , satisfie your thirst , nor move remorse for what you did at first ; but breath fresh veins , and make the festring wound larger and deeper than your agents found in their persidious practise ; when no doubt their aime was to destroy both branch and root ? yet , what was done against you for all this ? a fair act of oblivion signed is for your indemnity : and by it rest safe , having richly feather'd your nest with spoile of royallists , who , well-affected ; came short in reaping th' harvest they expected . " some honours they might get , but , all the while " revenues wanted to support their style : and , as th' weakest ever goes to th' wall , these had been fitter for an hospital ; and there remain immur'd , secure , at ease , than receive honours when they want their fees thrice-happy knights of windsor who have go both states and styles for which you ventur'd not nor felt hard duties , such as we have done , yet most of us blink-ey'd are look upon . maugre these storms , our thoughts be calm and still as if we were rewarded to our will. so loyal and so faithfull try'd were we , wee 'd fight for th' king in spite of poverty . our resolution could not be compar'd with theirs , who fought to purchase a reward , and that unjustly gain'd : for your delights were to make us poor naked adamites . prowess and prudence chalked forth our way , scorning those craving spirits fought for pay , so long as they 'd revenues of their own , or self-supportance to rely upon : they bearded danger , and for honour fought , accompting life a tribute that they ought . this was right gallantry ; for it did bring , midst all extremes , some comfort to our king : for in his service having spent their store , they spent their blood , what could a sov'raign more ? how much have you abus'd his clemency , who , having granted you impunity for your mischievous pillage , must be forc't to have your new conspiracies indor'st in sanguine characters , so deep imbru'd as they display your high ingratitude ; and , make you prodigies in after times , blushing at you who blush'd not at your crimes ? how often have i in my pastures known a rogue prance on a horse that was mine own , and , in a brave insulting frontless sort , yet , durst i not call him in question for 't ? how often have i seen my fatlings kill'd ? my grounds and medows by your heifers till'd ? how often have i by mine own door gone , and seen my pales and houses trampled down : the owner quite estranged from his nest , as if he had therein no interest ? rebells , what would you have ? - i 'd have you teacht , as to us cavaliers hugh peters preacht . would you enjoy our lands , our stock , our store , or what 's most deare to us : what would you more ? take it ; nay , in your seazure you 'r so speedy , as like bould men yee'ave taken it already . let our estates your beggary advance , onely reserve us our allegeance which you ne'r car'd for : our sole task was toyl , restraint , hard duties , you receiv'd the spoyl . and , after all this , when we were made bare and lean , as ever pharaohs cattel were ; such large indulgence your brave acts receive , you 'r free'd from stigma's , none dare call you knave , roundhead , or crop-ear , but be entertain'd for friends , when you have our possessions gain'd . yet , while we must not call you this nor that , we needs must hold you th' assassins o th' state. but , this we utter not , for wee 'r become to speak more with our thoughts than with our tongue . now , would not such desertless tyes as these , keep you from acting new conspiracies ? " by this , you knew to justice what belong'd , " to leave your states to them whom you had wrong'd . howsoe're heav'ns iudgments shown , your own hand delves , what grace remitted , ruine to your selves . those whom heav'n means to shatter , those it mads , as may appear by these rebellious lads . upon the face of rebellion : by the hand of a royallist , artfully deblazon'd . rebellion headed faction in this sort , but prais'd be heav'n , some heads were set up for 't ; may treason thrive so . - seldom seen we have sedition go gray-headed to the grave . a beast of many heads ; we well may call that monsterous , which grows anarchical : who kick at princely power , & spurn a crown , yet could brook wel to wear one of their own . these were those nimrod-nemeses of wrath , who beggar'd their friends by publick faith ; grinding them to th' bare bones ; much time mis-spent , to make their parliament a iackalent , or a shrove-cock , a whirle-gig of state , for ev'ry wag to throw his cudgel at . these could not chuse , but they might clearly see , no station manag'd without soveraignty . rivers owe their allegeance to their spring , and , these , who had their influence from the king became his tyrants . — but , that scean is done , " may ne're such acts stain th' face of albion . " and may our scutchions still distinction bear , " betwixt a rebell and a cavaliere . a farevvell - carol , to all committee carles . farewell committee men , if ye be men , for , i 'd be loath to dedicate my pen to savages ; though i must tell you too , th' uncivil arabs would forbear to do , as you have done , to any neighbours state , to pill him , and confine him to a grate . but , of your goodness , i retein a sense , by whom i 've purchased such patience , as i shall wish , that you may have the grace to have the like , when you are in like case : and , in like case you must , or else our state must grow anarchial and desperate . but , i must startle you , how e're it please , and cure you of your lethargies disease . " it spoils the operation of a pill , " for to apply it to the patients will. lend then your eares , ye zealous tribe of gad , since you have squeaz'd the substance that i had ; i 'm late-resolv'd , by th' benefit of art , to act with dennis , the school-masters part. of rod and custos i've provision made , for fit materials , to set up my trade . and , with you first i purpose to proceed , for , some of you can neither write nor read ; to ope the door of your intelligence , at least , to teach you how to conster sense . i will not school you in rules of division , christs cross was late enacted superstition . my discipline more novell points affords , as , first , for the due joyning of your words : wherein , your censures have so conscious been , as , those who heard you , knew not what they mean : belching forth words of such stupendious wonder , who heard you blest them from you , as from thunder . for numbers too , though they be onely two , yet , in your summing , you displace them so ; the private ne're throve better , publick worse ; for , th' publick creeps into the private purse . for gerunds , they 'r diurnals , and pretends all must be supines that are charles his friends . for cases , they 'r so strangely ordered here , the vocative sounds onely cavaliere . for articles , their credit 's so decay'd , that they are broke so soon as they are made . for genders , i must tell you , yee 'r such men , i 'de have you hold that rule of origen ; your genitals meer ablatives , dear brother , that none hereafter may beget another . for pronouns , nouns , verbs , adverbs , participles , they 'r all become apocrypha's disciples ; the loyal ranked amongst adjectives , who stand for parliament noun-substantives . for your declining , in this madding time , you teach the well-affected to decline ; other declensions ye never seek , but hold them in your conclave heathen greek . for interjections , blades of pure affections in their advance meet still with interjections : so , as if two suns shine within one sphere , then in one realm round-head and cavaliere . for persons , there is no respect , save those who are the senats friends , and scepters foes : and by these you may guess how the world goes , for scepter friends are ever out at toes . for praepositions , those are set before as lucky birds , who th' capitol adore : for weekly packets these relations bring , that prae rides for the state , post for the king. for concords , to produce them were a ridle , the squeaking bagpipe suits not with the fidle : yet there 's some hope this harmony may take , seeing divisions our best musick make . for conjugations , after times may sing , " the conjugal estate has lost her ring : with our late presbyterian translation , changing our font into a peuter bason . for your conjunctions , never hope to see any use of them while these factions be : but , for disjunctions , they are freely sown 'twixt sire and son in every countrey town . i shall not trouble you with moods and tences , england has banish'd them with her five sences . time was , time is ; but so it comes to pass , the present tence is not the same it was . these principles , and elements of art i shall inform you in with all my heart ; but , being scholars , you must be corrected , which you would hardly brook o th' well-affected . for , it will scarcely be believ'd of any , you should be whipt , when you have lasht so many . but , if to learn , your roundheads have no will , in gods name be meer ignoramus still . but , if these rudiments to you seem dimmer , let th' parliament inform you by their primer . from my private school near new - bridewell . the sequesteres sonnet . come , come and tell me thou quaint thing , late sequestred for the king , what needst thou care , since thou mayest share in freedom of the cheerfull'st ayr ? such liberty may give content to subjects , when their princes are injoyned to restraint . thou hast a cell , an impal'd croft , shady arbour , downy toft , and , where is he , sequesters thee , or dare tax thy libertie ? loves liberty , which gives content to subjects , while princes stand debarr'd from fancy by restraint . can i be poor , or feel annoy , when i am rich in earthly joy ? shall i pule , cry , moan , pine or dye , or put finger in mine eye , because state-sharks collect the rent of subjects , vnto their loss , and soveraigns discontent ? shall i , fond i , throb lachrymae , or act part of malevole with folded armes , surpriz'd with charms , or bemoan my forfet farms ? an estrang'd alien to content of subjects , who suffer in their soveraigns late restraint ? yes , that i swear may drain a tear , else all the world should not hear me moan my self , though run on shelf , for a patch of worldly pelf : a little portion gives content to subjects , who wish no more of all their store , than kings infranchisement . no mean , no man. what is this pomp , this port , this flowr of glory , but a meer pageant , or a naked story , presenting man what his extraction is , and , what an unblest state is humane bliss ? if rich , hee 's proud ; if poor , he envies them who swell with more estate , or more esteem . if fool , should he all ophirs oar possess , the more he has , he does injoy the less . if wise , his own house cannot him contain , some forein projects must surprize his brain ; where , while he feeds on hopes , and seekes to prey on others fall , his own falls to decay : for , how should he retein least hope , to come to wealth abroad , that cannot thrive at home ? but , if ambition wing our ayry flight , look not how high we fly , but where we light . who to his own state can his thoughts confine , he in his croft enjoyes an indian mine . to the highly honoured and generously accomplish'd , sr philip mvsgrave ; governour of carlisle : a person , whose loyalty to his soveraign ; constancy to his covntrey ; intimacy to his own ; integrity to all ; have rendered him eminent in the acception of his prince ; dear in the estimate of the state ; r. b. his most affectionate kinsman , and servant , presents the address of these two covntrey-interests . the interest of west merland . this county stands highly ingaged to her own interest : a people frugal and tenacious : naturally inclined to industry ; which may be an argument of her frugality ; made good by that italian maxim , that which we get with our own hands , we ever forego with heavy hearts . hence it is , that there is no way readier to ingratiate their commonty , than to claw them with an opinion of moderating their charge : or declining the face of hostility without cost . they are infinitely sensible of the emptying of their own pail , be they never so lightly milkt . for the publick , it is a star of such a magnitude above them , or distance from them , that albeit they derive all their light from that orbe ; yet so individually cemented are these to their own , as they hold the publick proficience , or deficience , smally concerns them . a little tax foments such distaste , as it operates more violently upon the pulse of their spirit , than a precipice of the whole state. ( the pesants and plebeians we onely hint at ) for the gentry are generally of that clear and candid nature , and grounded on such loyal principles , as might be instanced in those sad-wasting times of our late distractions , where it was observed , that never any of quality , within the whole barony , was ever known to take up arms against his sacred majesty ; or , for their own security , contract with an associate county . this county consists of two sorts ; and in these two , dissorted into different opinions . the gentry and commonty . for nobility , some antient structures she reteins , as monuments , or trophies of their owners quality ; but either by the irrevocable decree of fate , or deplorable violation of their faith , they are divided from their countrey ; leaving onely those main and massy piles for land-marks , or aged reliques of their pristine magnificence and glory . the gent. here , are generally well-bred ; though in times of distraction , more apt to command than to be obey'd . there is nothing that begets more breaches in their society , nor discords in their harmony , than that deluding bait of popularity : which puts me in mind of that state-axiom , he cannot be justly regular , that desires to be popular . self-opinion , drawn from the propriety of their own worth , or a reflexion to their family or birth , become inducements many times to ambitious and elated spirits , to quarrel with authority : for a supposed parity , cannot brook priority . this makes propositions concluded in the evening , to lose their vigour and validity in the morning . while the distasted precedency of the person , not the inequality of the proposition , occasions this opposition . this county holding such gradual distance from the sun ; i mean , the face of the court ; has been in publick assemblies , where the protection of counties was debated , and with great deliberation carefully secured ; as an inconsiderable place , dis-regardfully sleighted ; nothing in it worthy to be valued : it was left to support it self , or suffer : the sun shining then in a clear zodiack , would not dart one small beamling on her . yet , it is admirable to observe , how this obscure and deserted angle , in times of greatest distemper ; even then , when men , and all things so miserably jarring , had seem'd to change their nature ; stood ever firm , and immutable in her fidelity ; and resolute in contemning those assassinate braves and threats of a confining enemy . besides , never did county , to her succeeding glory , in testimony of her piety , open her bosom more freely to return hospitality to such , as were pursued by the enemy . being a nook , in comparison of other shires ; yet one of the very last counties that veil'd to their over-powerful enemy : and upon such signal conditions , as , that foe to fidelity could not glory much in the purchase of his mercenary and ignominious victory . and , to give a further addition to their unquestion'd valour and renown , it has been reported , how at that time , when that handfull of men ( being held a narrow and inconsiderate county ) spit defiance in the face of their enemy ; making this their constant impreze : intacta est westria virgo ; which , ( being without derogation to their honour afterwards subdu'd , or rather compounded with to lay down their arms ) they changed into this : vitiata est westria virgo . which unexpected , but necessitated overture , wrought such distempers upon some of their commanders ; as they could not endure to remain any longer in those polluted nests , wherein such ravenous fowls pretended an interest . mean time , those loyal-hearted souldiers left behind , though discomfited , they were not discouraged ; for , though the insulting enemy was more in number , they never durst incounter them without great advantage , such was their valour . it has been reported , that even at such time as those late malignants , who bounded near her , and by a daily recruit of their numerous forces , might probably perplex her ; when their powers increased , and their victories vain-gloriously dispersed ; yet , the very colonels , and chief commanders of their enemies faction seriously interceded their association ; so formidable was the prowess of this small county to a populous army , a victorious enemy . yet could neither promises nor menaces make a breach upon that impregnable fortress of their loyalty . they disclaimed all concurrence with state-competitors : when crowns and scepters lay at stake ; they neither held it safe , nor honourable , to admit least acquiescence , much less adherence to such fomenters of debate . this enforced the enemy to stand continually upon his guard , to his great disadvantage : which , though it injoyned this county to a constant charge , yet it conduced highly to their safety , and preservation of their honour . howbeit , some scattered aspersions have lately spread themselves ; which , at the first blush , may seem to some prejudicate opinions , detractive from the reputation of this county : but upon more mature and serious discussion of every particular ( though my person be a stranger to those parts , which may imply an impartial pen ) i have heard it amply debated , and unanimously concluded , that no action was committed , nor design omitted , that might any way derogate from their honour : for , by labouring to surprize an enemy , as was apparently proved , they might , at that time , have made way for the enemy to seize upon the rendevouz for that county ; which would not have been so easily repriz'd , being once possessed ; by reason of the inhabitants within it , and places adjacent to it ; whose affections were dangerously corrupted . it was held by an excellent refined judgment , for a gallant action , if they could decline the fury of a powerful neighbouring enemy , without forein protection : which , by their commanders care , hath been bravely performed : crowning the issue of their actions with undaunted resolution . the souldiers , who are designed to keep garrison in these parts , are men of proper personage , and strong constitutions : and , no doubt , of stout and resolute courage , if they were put to it . but , their near adjoyning service to their own doors , makes them more remiss in their attendance . this opinion has been generally retein'd of them : better souldiers , if they were well disciplin'd , and farther distanc'd from home , never march'd into any field : but their thought of home , and a neglected family , makes them less intentive to affairs military . this shire is divided into two parts ; but the baronry is the beauty and glory of the county , for her more civiliz'd commonty . for the other part of the county , their commons are more servile , but less civil : and , to the happiness of their commanders , not so ready to argue , as to obey . whereto , they have been so inured from their infancy ; as obedience is more acceptable to them than soveraignty . the shire-town is apleby , which merits preeminence onely for antiquity : for kendall , being the garrison-town for the county , has been ever renowned for her affluence of commerce , and confluence of people : being a burgess highly fam'd for her manufactory in woolwork : which , by their experienc'd industry , became infinitely commodious to the corporation and parts adjacent : though of late much decreasing . which , it were to be wish'd , that it might be timely supply'd , and cheerfully reviv'd , by the assistance and application of those members in the high court of parliament , who stand obliged , upon their election , to promote the interests of their countrey ; by removing all probable occurrencies that may obstruct the improvement of it . an imployment , no doubt , more corresponsive to their place , whereto they are , by the votes and voices of their countrey , deputed ; than any self-seeking-interest , wherewith , i hope , that sharp northern ayr will not suffer them to be infected . neither has it been the least of her happiness , to have enjoyed such loyal and circumspect magistrates ; as by their vigilancy and fidelity , made it their prime terrestrial task , to intercept these enemies of the state. such centinels deserve cherishing , and high approvement ; especially in these times so anxiously shaking and shuddring . neither can too much circumspection be used , in regard of the dis-affectionates in that place ; their private desertion of the publick cause ; and their aversion from all accommodation or intention to peace . the beauty of sodoms aples was onely in their colour : and , the purity of these , onely in their tinsell-zeal lustre . their seeming compliance in the cause , cannot palliat the core of their heart . sin ever retains the sting of shame : neither can it be such a faithful secretary to it self , but it must , when least expected , and less importuned , discover its guilt . many private passages present admittance to this town of garrison : but , no in-lets more dangerous than * ill-hearts , where the poyson of dis-affection has instill'd that infusion , as , no spirit holds more influence over some pretended zelots of them , than that viperous fury of rebellion . well may the malignants promise to themselves a grateful harvest to their labours , when they plough their accursed ground with their enemies heifers . but , these brambles are not so many , but they might be quickly weeded , did not impunity thaw authority ; and leave delinquents more presumingly indurate . sundry forts , rampires , and barricadoes have been in the most convenient and incursive places lately erected , by the care of those governours successively imployed in garrison : amongst which , one of principal concernment , being an antient artificial mount , and in form resembling one of those pyrenaean mountains , dividing france from spain ; and distinguished by a device or model , like a cap of maintenance , upon the top : a work , certainly , of incomparable art , ingenuity and consequence . this stands as a counter-mure , by an equal level , and opposal to the castle ; which castle , though ruinous and demolished , is shortly to be fortified , if all designs proceed , as are intended . but , now those hopes of reparation have run themselves quite out of breath : peace and unity being the safest ports , and securest forts that human policy can erect . in a word , if this county be at unity within it self , it will prove a grievous eye-sore to the strongest assailant : neither can this sacred chain of union be dissolved but by two means : first , by a surreptitious envy , fomented in some of the gentry , towards the persons that are in command : or , this particular respect in the commonty ( a too epidemical malady ) wherein private gain must over-ballance the publick good . to cure these , no receipt more soverain , than , in the first place , for the gentry , without reluctancy , or private agency , to submit their wills to the fair commands of those , who derive from their superiours a legal precedency : and , in the next place , for the commonty to decline their own opinion , and , to adhere wholly to their commanders ; by whose advice , they may not onely be regulated , wherein their own discretion cannot supply them ; but so compleatly furnished , as timely prevention , the life of policy , may hereafter secure them . the interest of cvmberland . a cunning cautelous people ; patient of labour ; and plyable to commands : which observance in them , is rather to be imputed to the discreet carriage of their gentry , than the innate affection , or disposition of the commonty . who , if a prudent awe did not subdue them , could be easily induced to play the masters . neither was it possible for them to confine so long upon a subtile neighbouring nation , but they must necessarily receive some tincture from them , and retein it in them . they are pithy in their discourse , and nimble in their bargaining . antiently , this county , as our former was , has been much ingaged to * border service : in the pursute whereof , by freedom of booties , it returned generally more gainer than loser . the gentry of this county has been ever much addicted to recreation ; as hunting , hawking , horse-races , and the like gentile pleasures . now , by the late breaking in of these distractions and uncivil quarrels , to their honour , they address'd their imployments wholly to the discipline of armes . many of these have received several commands ; some of centuries , others of colonies , and others of select quality , of brigades . certain differences ( upon the prevalency of some dis-affected spirits , who itched after nothing more than innovation ) sprung up dangerously in the beginning : but , the serpent was nipt in the head : and the gockatrice broken in the egg , before it was hatched . some dangerous instruments we have obviously heard of in our travel to those parts ; who were , by their peculiar places and offices , highly interessed in the counties affairs ; and these , to the great dishonour of their place and person , made marchandize of their offices : preferring the receipt of a sordid servile profit , before the estimation of their family , conscience or credit . alexander severus would have smoak'd such mercenary venders of smoke . xerxes would have pulled their skin over their eares . but , this official corruption is such a contagion , as it cannot conceal its poyson . the partridge is said to make her nest of stoln egges , which she hath not layed ; but , as soon as the birds are hatched , the true mother calls them all away from their theevish step-dame ; the story needs no oedipus . the prime seat , or garrison for this county , is carlisle ; a dainty , free and fertile soyl . yet , either through sloath of the inhabitants , or some other occult cause ( notwithstanding the delicacy and fruitfulness of the seat ) the people are generally poor and necessitous : preferring a sleepy supine life , before any industrious gain . their near adjacency to that disloyal and ungrateful people , the scots , with their constant traffick and commerce with them , has begot in some of them , too near a congruence , and concurrence in their affections . hence it is , that diverse factious separatists , who desire nothing more than division , or rather a privation in all government ; have familiarly repaired to those parts , and freely , no doubt , communicated to them their counsels . so dangerous is the stream of dis-allegeance , when it interveines it self in any descending line of blood , or to use their own word for it , of clan . and , as the snow-ball gathers by rowling : so these , by pretending plausive ends , many times find assistants and ready agents to further their designs . religion is a specious pretence ; but , for illiterate and undisciplinary persons to be reducers and reformers of a long-establish'd church-government ; and , to find false wards in that key , which has so freely and fruitfully opened the door , for so many ages , to people of all conditions : it is such an anathematiz'd doctrine , as he that inclines to it , cannot but acknowledg himself miserably deluded . to labour a seasonable prevention of these , it was the especial care of the gentry of both counties , to levy their forces timely , and by applying a present remedy , to decline an approaching malady . in this , they all concurred , and happily succeeded . for , upon the very first appearance of force , these groundless malignants had the manners to lay down their arms , and to embrace loyalty . so easily were they to be reclaimed , whom lightness of opinion had so weakly ensnared : and a precipitate assent to indiscreet counsel , so unadvisedly perswaded . yet , for all this , no vintage so carefully intended , but some clusters will be left ungathered ; no harvest so painfully earned , but some eares left ungleaned : though the main fabrick were demolished , there appeared some refuse , or rubbish , arising from those ruines , which might supply fresh materials to erect a new pile of mischief , if it were not prevented . the opinion which is held of the agent , whether his designs aym at loyalty , or dis-allegiance , works wonderful impressions : this might be collected by the passages of one gentleman , too deeply interested in these civil divisions : whose moral honesty had so possest him of a good opinion generally , as his precipicious actions received the better construction , by means of this opinion . it is true ; that our best men , being deluded , and imployed upon ill business , do ever the worst offices . a debaucht slave , who has sold himself to all impiety , can never find many favourites , nor followers ; unless they be such as are casten in the same mould : civil reserved men , who carry their eyes about them , will be jealous of the design , by reason of the agent . catiline may find a cethegus ; but , to see him associated , either by a cato , or a brutus , were a miracle . let evil men then be put upon ill actions : for , when good men are seen in them , or consort with those that appear for them ; they attract many shadows ; and make those practises , which in their own native simples , are poysonous , seem to deluded judgments , who are mis-led , by their opinion of the agents , cordial and commodious . we shall not need here to distinguish him by any nearer or clearer character : the knowledg of his * person has aspired to that growth with most men in those parts ; as these may present him in his full body , without any farther discovery . it were to be wished , that , as mis-understanding has seduced him , so some clear , solid , and dis-ingaged judgment may reduce him ; which by these calmer times has been effected : rendring him both morally and conscientiously loyal . but , we have retraited too farr from the interess of this county . their shire-town is strongly fortified ; with useful ordnance furnished : and by an experienced governour * commanded : so , as though the continual attendance of troops of horse , and maintenance of a constant garrison , may appear a burden to the county : yet , in regard of the vicinity of the enemy , who is apt to entertain all opportunate advantages of hostility , this charge becomes their sanctuary . nor is it to be omitted , what zeal their magistrate , with other countrey officers , have expressed to the publick cause ; and in it , how they have manifested their affections to such , who had deserted their countrey , by bogling at authority : labouring to reduce them by gratulatory letters , and messages of amity ; but , see the ingratitude of malignants ! so far were they from being perswaded , as these honest officers were , by them , uncivilly answered ; twiting them with the vices wherewith they had known them formerly to be acquainted : wishing one of them to look to his wench ; another to his bribe : and to leave them to their fortunes . to conclude this , let us reflect upon their quality , and harmony in commands . although they have a commander in chief , designed over both the counties : who , out of his candor and affability , is pleased , in all freedom and familiarity to communicate his counsels to them ; yet some resulting spirits there have been , who varied much from the antient israelites disgust : for , their desire pitched upon this , to have a stranger ruler over them ; rather than one who was born and bred among them . but , so equally were his thoughts composed , as by none of these affronts could he suffer himself to be distempered ; seeing , it fares generally with the most military agent , or any other active instrument of state , as it does with a prophet , not to be esteemed in his own countrey . it was an excellent observation of a compassionate roman , touching scipio african : o what a gallant general were african , if he were in any countrey but his own ! but , brave actions , grounded upon pure intentions , cannot lose their guerdon . the sun , after it has wrastled with a cloud , shews his beauty in more fullness . for , the affections of the gentry become more clear than they were , being wonn by their commanders affability , his infatigable care for the publick , his dis-regard to his own profit . vertitur aquilonis auspicium mutando proverbium : " ab aquilone omne bonum , " nobile nobis dedit donum , " regi vitam & coronam ; " aulam nitidam , & stabilem thronum , " pacis palmam , aureum pomum . " mittat per orbem vaga fama sonum ; " matura pensans messe colonum : " miretur auster nunc aquilonem . an advertisement to the peruser . be pleased , candid reader , to bestow your eye upon the order of the characters methodically digested , and analogically couched ; principally intended and artfully disposed for the benefit and pleasure of any competent and unbyassed reader . the strength of whose appetite commonly becomes allay'd by tedious tables , indexes , and intricate preambles . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * the like we read of abdolominus in curtius . lib. . † sit mihi compta domus ; sit frugibus aptus agellus ; sint meà culturae praedia nota meae . alem. * aug. med. c. . * barcley * diog. cyn. † plato . * plutarch . in vit . macrel . in saturn . † dom. po●● . * nunc loqu●●●●bus , & pronunciantibus plenus est orbis : docent quae non didicerunt . magist : sunt , cum discipuli ante non suerunt . hier. * communicable knowledg the fittingst chair-man in publick societies and private families . notes for div a -e * ambition , saith wise montpellier , though it have a strong constitution , it has a squeamish stomack . notes for div a -e * relating to the raging reign of our late protector . notes for div a -e * cleob. * camp. in sylv. * ambition cloathed with ignorance , falls ever short of its expectance . notes for div a -e * ecce quàm fastuosè & fastidiosè vespasiani lasanum prodit ! notes for div a -e * relating to those late parliamentary imbroilments . notes for div a -e * pretending zealots , the mainest fomenters of rebellion : relating ever to our late distracted times . notes for div a -e * the 〈◊〉 foundation of a tenant-right . * a gentleman highly valued for his discreet government in those times . * if a precipicious passion , or an impropriation to opinion transport him not ; whereto maturity of time , advice , and long experience , have seasonably made him a stranger . the english gentleman containing sundry excellent rules or exquisite observations, tending to direction of every gentleman, of selecter ranke and qualitie; how to demeane or accommodate himselfe in the manage of publike or private affaires. by richard brathwait esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the english gentleman containing sundry excellent rules or exquisite observations, tending to direction of every gentleman, of selecter ranke and qualitie; how to demeane or accommodate himselfe in the manage of publike or private affaires. by richard brathwait esq. brathwaite, richard, ?- . vaughan, robert, engraver. [ ], , [ ], - , [ ] p. printed by iohn haviland, and are to be sold by robert bostock at his shop at the signe of the kings head in pauls church-yard, london : . with an additional title page, engraved, signed "ro: vaughan fecit". the first leaf is a folding letterpress explanation of this. "three choice characters of marriage" (p. [ ], - , [ ] at end) has separate divisional title; register recommences at ² n . variant: lacking this section. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng conduct of life -- early works to . courtesy -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread - jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the english gentleman : containing sundry excellent rules or exquisite observations , tending to direction of every gentleman , of selecter ranke and qualitie ; how to demeane or accommodate himselfe in the manage of publike or private affaires . by richard brathwait esq. seneca in herc. furen . — qui genus jactat suum aliena laudat . london , printed by iohn haviland , and are to be sold by robert bostock at his shop at the signe of the kings head in pauls church-yard . . to the nobly accomplished , honoured , and loved ; thomas viscount wentvvorth , lord president of yorke ; all correspondence to his prudent'st and prepared'st resolves . worthyly honoured , vertue the greatest signall and symbol of gentry : is rather expressed by goodnesse of person , than greatnesse of place . for , howsoever the bleere-ey'd vulgar honour , the purple more than the person , descent more than desert , title than merit : that adulterate gentility , which degenerats from the worth of her ancestors , derogates likewise from the birth of her ancestors . and these be such , whose infant effeminacie , youthfull delicacie , or native libertie hath estranged them from the knowledge of morall or divine mysteries : so as , they may be well compared to the ostrich , who ( as the naturall historian reports ) hath the wings of an eagle , but never mounts : so these have the eagle-wings of contemplation , being indued with ●he intellectuall faculties of a reasonable soule ; yet either intangled with the light chesses of vanity , or trashed with the heavie poizes of selfe-conceit and singularitie , they never mount above the verge of sensuall pleasure . but i am here to tender unto your honours judicious view , a gentleman , quite of another garbe : one , whose education hath made formall enough , without apish formalitie , and conceiving enough , without selfe-admiring arrogancie . a good christian in devout practising , no lesse than zealous professing ; yet none of the forward'st in discoursing on religion . for hee observes ( as long experience hath brought him to be a judicious observer ) that discourse of religion hath so occupied the world , as it hath well-neere driven the practice thereof out of the world . he esteemes such only happy , who are of that number , whom the world accounts fooles , but god wise men . hee understands , that whatsoever is sought besides god , may so imploy the minde , as it may be occupied , but never satisfied . he observes the whole fabricke of humane power , and hee concludes with the preacher ; ecquid tam vanum ? he notes how the flesh becomming obedient , behaveth herselfe as a faithfull servant to the soule : this governeth , the other is governed ; this commandeth , the other obeyeth . finally , he summes up all his observations with this : hee that sigheth not while hee is a pilgrim , shall never rejoyce when hee is a citizen . this is the gentleman , whom i have presumed to recommend to your protection : and to you hee makes recourse , not so much for shelter , as honour : for his title , it exempts him from servile bashfulnes , being an english gentleman . now , if any of those corkie censurers , qui mercurium in lingua non in pectore gerunt , shall chance to accoast my gentleman : i resolve me , his education hath made him so accomplish'd at all assayes , and his conversing with the most piercing'st judgements , hath brought him to that perfection , as hee can discerne of what mould or temper these criticks are ; concluding , voces sunt , praeterea nihil ; as is said of the nightingall . this only resteth ; if i limme him to the life , in spite of censure , he will merit the patronage of honour : if i faile in my art , ( as i dare not presume of my strength ) it is in your honour to impute the fault rather to the pen than the man , whose intimate affection to your lordship , made him erre , if he erre . your honours in all devotion , richard brathvvait . to the knowing reader . he that provides not for his family is worse than an infidell : yet he who prefers the care of his family , before the advācement of gods glory , may seeme to be of cardinall bourbons minde , who would not lose his part in paris , for his part in paradise , each mans private oeconomie ought to be a certaine academie , wherein all sacred and morall knowledge is to be taught . for that master of a family , who only extends his care in providing how to get , making the object of his providence gaine , will experimentally crie out , when his mouth shall be filled with gravell : o death , how bitter is the remembrance of thee to that man , whose peace is in his substance ! to prevent which immoderate care , and that every one may cloze with cicero : virtute qui praediti sunt , soli sunt divites , i have proposed some especiall rules of direction , right worthy ( if my judgement doe not deceive mee ) the observation of every publike or private family : though principally tending to the making up of an accomplish'd gentleman . for who knowes not , ( if he know any thing ) how the gentry of this age , through a depraved effeminacie , must be in custome with the fashion , to purchase him the title of gentleman ? where he is to enter cōmerce with taylor , haberdasher , millener , sempster , and sundry other appertinences of a gentleman : which in time , worke gentility out of love with hospitality , engaging him so deeply to vanity , as by a strange catastrophe , he ever ends with misery . to rectifie these obliquities , i have brought a gentleman , who professeth the true and new art of gentilizing : yet not like your begging pedanticall artist , who by a mercenary bill pasted on some frequented gate , gives notice to the itching passenger , that if any one be minded to learne the rare and mysterious art of brachygraphie , stenographie , logarisme , or any art ( indeed ) whatsoever , ( though he be a meere stranger to any ) upon resort to such a signe in such a lane , he shall find a most illiterate anacharsis , ready to bray his braines in a morter to give him content . but this gentleman , as the science which he professeth is free , so doth he teach it freely : craving no other reward for his fruitfull observance , than thy friendly acceptance . vpon the volume and title . i had purposed that this worke should have beene digested into a portible volume , to the end it might be more familiar with a gentlemans pocket , not to picke it , but that he might picksome good f●om it : but since the volume would not beare it , you must with patience beare with it , and with more trouble beare it : by enlarging your pocket to containe it . now for the title , i am not wholly ignorant , how a subject intitled the complete gentleman , was heretofore published ; which ( i can assure you gentlemen ) consorts with this rather in title than tenour , name than nature ; the proofe whereof i referre to the generous and judicious reader . the subjects whereof this booke principally treateth and insisteth . youth . disposition . education . vocation . recreation . acquaintance . moderation . perfection . an exact table or directory , leading to the principall points contained in this booke . yovth . observat. . ovr youthfull yeares , our climactericall yeares ; with the dangers that attend on youthfull yeares ; seconded by an authenticke story out of eusebius . pag. . the vanity of youth displayed in foure distinct subjects . two reasons why young-men were not admitted to deliver their opinions in publike assemblies . three violent passions incident to youth . two reasons why youth is naturally subject to those illimited passions of ambition , lust , revenge . especiall motives or incendiaries , tending to the increase of those passions . the proper postures of a complete roarer . physicke prescribed , and receits applied , to cure these maladies in youth . what choice imployments deserve entertainment from a gentleman . disposition . observat. . the diversitie of dispositions . pag. a probable judgement of our dispositions , drawne from the delights we affect , or company we frequent . passion the best discoverer of our disposition . ibid. discovery of dispositions in distempers . promotion held ever , mans best anatomy lecture . the disposition is not to be forced . what disposition ( being distinguished by three infallible markes ) is most generous . the proper ayme or end whereto the actions of true resolution are directed : with the prudent observation of cortugal , one of the turkish princes , in his perswasive oration for the besiege of rhodes . . edvcation . observat. . what education is . pag. education dilates it selfe to three subjects . ibid. our knowledge reflects upon two particulars . a profitable exhortation to all such as are drawne away by strange doctrine . two especiall errours incident to subjects of discourse ; affectation , imitation : whereof gentlemen are seriously cautioned . perswasion , being the life and efficacie of speech , consisteth on three parts . immoderate passion , in arguments of discourse and reasoning , to be avoided . education either improveth or depraveth . education , the best seasoner of action , aswell as of speech , or knowledge : no lesse prevalent in arts manuall , than actions martiall . . education , the best seasoner of youth . vocation . observat. . the definition , necessitie , and conveniencie of a vocation without personall exception or exemption . pag. , . . vertue consists in action , time in revolution , the maze of mans life in perpetuall motion . pag. . lin . three necessary considerations touching the conveniencie of a vocation ; divided and applied . the efficacy of prayer in every vocation ; and the exercise thereof seriously recommended . we are to resist vices , by practising and doing acts of the contrary vertues . men of place , in respect of three distinct objects , are three wayes servants . . lin . men of place , of all others least exempted from a vocation . . lin . the ground of all novellisme . vocation in generall . the first invention of trades , arts , or sciences . the antient borough of kendall ( upon serious discourse of manufacture ) worthily commended for their industry in wooll-worke : the judicious dutch-men of keswick , for their copper-worke . , a serious survey and judicious display of all the liberall sciences . the vocation of a gentleman in particular . the vocation of a gentleman hath imployment publike or private . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in publike affaires of state. the life of man either active or cōtemplative . ib. lin . directions of reservancie , usefull to all gentlemen in their keeping of company . ib. lin . . credulity , in two respects , dangerous to persons imployed in affaires of state. credulity in beleeving the relations of others . in imparting his thoughts to the secrecie of others : shewed in a conceited storie . , , resolution in suffering neither price to draw him , nor power to over-awe him . disobedience punished in acts most successive . the holy war , as a consequent action of honour , recōmended to the undertaking of all young gentlemen . . lin . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in publike affaires . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in private affaires . two perillous shelfes which endanger iustice. how iustice is to be poized equally . impunity the foster-mother of all impiety . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in his owne family . every family a private common-wealth . . marg . a gentleman is so to demeane himself in his family , as he neither hord up niggardly , nor lash out lavishly . . lin . he is to keepe a hanke of his bounty , lest too much profusenesse bring him to misery . ibid. lin . he is neither to be too remisse , nor too severe in his family . ibid. how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in spirituall affaires within his family . the exercise of devotion commended , a blessing thereon pronounced , if duly performed ; which blessing is on a precept and a promise grounded . . recreation . observat. . the difference of recreations . pag. of the moderate and immoderate use of recreat . the benefits redounding from moderate recreat . the incōveniences arising frō immoderate recreat . the yeare of iubile defined and described . objections against stage-playes , proposed and resolved . what honours antient and moderne times have conferred on poets , and what bounties for their poems . . what especiall subjects are privileg'd from iests . who the first comedian , who the first tragedian . a wofull example of a gentlewoman , who was a continuall frequenter of stage-playes . excesse of gaming reproved . cheaters displayed ; their humours experimentally decoloured ; their habit , garbe , and formall insinuation discovered . young gamesters most subject to passion . a dolefull example of one that at gamoused imprecation . ibid. another moderne example covertly shadowed , of one who desperately surprized with distemper of losse , poisoned himselfe . ibid. an excellent morall discourse of hunting . the story of the foole of millan , and his discourse with a falconer . in exercises of recreation , those only are most approved , by whom they are with least affectation performed , and with most freedome of minde embraced . . lin . an accurate discourse of valour , and how in arguments of contest or challenge , a gentleman may come off with honour . the misery of duello's . a collection and election of histories . the knowledge of our owne moderne chronicles , most beneficiall to gentlemen . history , the sweetest recreation of the minde . the judgement of god inflicted upon the actors and authors of treason , sacrilege , &c. , , what good morall men have flourished in evil times . how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in recreation . prodigality condemned , moderation in expence , aswell as in the exercise it selfe , commended . distinction of times for recreations , necessarily injoyned . no expence more precious , than the expence of time . ib. election of games for recreation : which conduce most to memory or retention ; which to pregnancie of conceit or apprehension . ibid. acqvaintance . observat. . of the use of acquaintance . pag. mans security , the devils opportunity . . lin . a display of some monasticke professors . ibid. privacie no lesse perillous than societie . . the particular benefits derived from acquaintance , extend to discourse . advice . action . ibid. of the benefit we reape by acquaintance in matters of discourse . ibid. of the choice of acquaintance in matters of advice . friendship resembled to the iuniper tree , whose wood is sweetest , shade coolest , and coale hottest . . marg . of the benefit properly derived from one friend to another in every peculiar action . the expressive character of a reall friend . the benefits which redound from the mutuall union or communion of friends in the exercise of pleasure . all iests either festive or civill . those jests are best seasoned , that are least salted . a rule of infallible direction touching choice of acquaintance . ibid. of the choice or judicious approvement of acquaintance , in affaires of highest consequence . neither timist nor timonist are within the lists of acquaintance to be entertained . ibid. the timist , or time-observer , displayed and displaced . ibid. the timonist , or time-detracter , discovered and discarded . evill societie the source of all sensuality . what directions are to be observed in the choice of a wife . . * which branch hath proper relation to three choice characters annexed to the end of this worke ; which characters are in some copies only annexed , and for some other observations hereafter reserved . the harsh and heremiticall conceit of the carthaginian arminius , touching marriage . the character of a shamelesse wanton . , the character of a shamefast woman . , advice in respect both of portion and proportion . privileges granted to such as are married . nobilitie and affabilitie hold equall'st concurrencie . ibid. lin . sundry inducing motives to love recounted . , &c. of constancie in the choice of acquaintance . who are best consorts to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . . lin . three faculties of the understanding , with their objects . of reservancie towards acquaintance . a two-fold reservancie ; . in concealing our secrets . . in retaining our substance . an admirable story , clozing with an unexpected catastrophe , of a prodigall gentleman and an unconscionable creditor . of the absolute end of acquaintance . all things by course of nature have their proper end , save only suits of law , which admit no end . ibid. lin . a briefe survey of acquaintance in city , court , and countrey . , learning , the moving'st inducement and exquisitest ornament of acquaintance . titles formerly conferred on such as were learned . ibid. the absolute ayme or end of acquaintance , is either to better them , or be bettered by them . especiall offices wherein friendship and acquaintance should be exercised . what gracious effects were produced by the friendly compassion of those faithfull instruments of gods glory , in the first conversion of this kingdome . , , &c. the flourishing state of the church , amidst many hoary winters of innovation , turbulent times of persecution . an excellent conclusive precept recommended to all young gentleman . moderation . observat. . moderation defined . pag. our life a medley of desires and feares . moderation of princes in their contempt of soveraigntie , illustrated by an example of one of our owne . otho's resolution , who by dying had rather prove himselfe a mortall creature , than by living , load himselfe with cares of an emperour . no vertue can subsist without moderation . a review of those maine assailants of temperance , lust , ambition , gorgeousnesse in apparell , luscious fare , company-keeping , &c. illustrated by divers instances . , what excellent fruits are derived from temperance . conquest of a mans affections the greatest victory . chastity the choicest ornament of youth . a distinction of degrees , conjugall , viduall , virginall . a more particular display of cheaters , with their obsequious natures , &c. wherein moderation is to be used . expence of coine . expence of time . motives to hospitality , with a reclaime of our gentry from the court to their country . three sorts of persons encountred and reproved for their abuse or carelesse expence of time , the ambitious . voluptuous . miserably-covetous . the ambitious mans designes aptly compared to domitians catching flies , or the misty conclusions of the deluded alchymist . the voluptuous libertine mis-imployeth time in two respects ; in respect of himselfe . in respect of those good creatures , ordained for the use and service of himselfe . ibid. the covetous wretches treasury , the store-house of his misery . nothing so terrible as the approach of death to a worldling . moderation of the passions of the minde , reduced to two subjects , ioy. sorrow . the christians ioy is no carnall but a spirituall joy . ib. his sorrow is not a sorrow unto sinne , but a sorrow for sinne . eie is made the sense of sorow , because the sense of sin . where in moderation is to be limitted . the occasion of all immoderation derived from those three troubled springs : concupiscence of the flesh ; concupiscence of the eye ; pride of life . excellent rules prescribed for moderating cares of the flesh . the eye , as it is the tenderest and subtillest organ of all others , so should the object whereon it is fixed , be the purest and clearest of all others . the eagle an embleme of divine contemplation . ib. the worldlings earthly honour resembled to the bird ibis , her filthy nature . ibid. the desperate fate of an inamored italian . . lin . . the proud luciferians of this world similized to the chameleon , who hath nothing in his body but lungs . ibid. lin . . promotion declares what men be ; instanced in cardinall woolsey . the power of prayer expressed by these three distinct characters : it is gods honour ; mans armour ; the devils terrour . or thus . gods oblation ; mans munition ; the devils expulsion . which pious practice , as it is gods sacrifice , so should it be mans exercise . an absolute clozing direction tending to true moderation . of the accōplished end which attends moderation . the difference betwixt the ethnicke and christian ethicke , in the opinion of felicitie . ibid. the exercise of moderation reduced to a three-fold practice ; overcōming of anger , by the spirit of patiēce . wantonnesse , by the spirit of continence . pride , by the spirit of lowlinesse . he who useth his tongue to filthy cōmunication , incurs a three-fold offence . in dishonouring his maker . in blemishing his soules image or feature . in ministring matter of scandall to his brother . wherein true content properly consisteth . those two passions or affections of desire and feare ; desire of having more than we have ; feare of losing what we already have , may be properly said to have a three-fold respect : to the goods or endowments of minde . body . fortune . no attendant more tenderly constant to a gentlemans reputation , than moderation . moderation the best monitor in advising and advancing him to the true title of honour . ibid. perfection . observat. . no perfection in this life absolute , but graduall . pag. two considerations of maine consequence : the foe that assaults us . the friend that assists us . the christians complete armour . ibid. the first institution of fasts , with the fruit thereof . the power of prayer : with examples of such as were most conversant in that holy exercise . ibid. & circumstances observable in workes of charitie and devotion . ibid. objections and resolutions upon the ground of perfection . . lin . of the contemplative part of perfection . a corollary betwixt the heathen and christian contemplation . examples of a contemplative and retired life . a three-fold meditation of necessarie importance : worthinesse of the soule ; vnworthinesse of earth ; thankefulnesse unto god , who made man the worthiest creature upon earth . of the active part of perfection . no contagion so mortally dangerous to the body , as corrupt company is to the soule . two especiall memorials recommended to our devoutest meditation . the author of our creation . the end of our creation . ib. a foure-fold creation . . lin . the fabulous and frivolous opinions of foure heathen philosophers , ascribing the creation of all things to the foure elements . . lin . their arguments evinced by pregnant testimonies , both of scriptures and fathers . ibid. the end of our creation . singular precepts of mortification . idlenesse begetteth security , properly termed the soules lethargy . a christians ephemerides ; or his euening account . the active part of perfection , prefer'd before the cōtemplative . no armory can more truly deblazon a gentleman , than acts of charity and compassion . the active preferred before the contemplative , for two respects ; the first whereof hath relation to our selves ; the second to others . , ignorance is to be preferred before knowledge loosely perverted : with a comparison by way of objection and resolution , betwixt the conveniences of action and knowledge . , action is the life of man ▪ and example the direction of his life . . l. wherein the active part of perfection consisteth . active perfection consisteth in mortification of action and affection . mortification extends it selfe in a three-fold respect , to these three distinct subjects : life . name . goods . illustrated with eminent examples of christian resolution , during the ten persecutions . , not the act of death , but the cause of death makes the martyr . no action , how glorious soever , can be crowned , unlesse it be on a pure intention grounded . mortificat . in respect of name or report , is two-fold : in turning our eares from such as praise us . in hearing with patiēce such as revile us . scandals distinguished : and which with more patience than others may be tollerated . , , &c. mortification in our contempt of all worldly substance : pitching upon two remarkable considerations : by whom these blessings are conferred on us . how they are to be disposed by us . vain-glory shuts man from the gate of glory . an exquisite connexion of the precedent meditations . the absolute or supreme end wherto this actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it solely resteth . singular patternes of mortification , in their contempt of life , and embrace of death . , the reason of his frequent repetition of sundry notable occurrences throughout this whole booke . the heart can no more by circumference of the world be confined , than a triangle by a circle filled . . lin . . though our feet be on earth , our faith must be in heaven . a pithy exhortation ; a powerfull instruction ; clozing with a perswasive conclusion . , , a character intitled a gentleman . the english gentleman . yovth . argument . the dangers that attend on youth ; the vanitie of youth , display'd in foure distinct subjects ; three violent passions incident to youth ; physicke prescribed , and receits applied to cure these maladies in youth . yovth . howsoever some more curiously than needfully may seeme to reason , that there be divers climactericall or dangerous yeeres in mans time ; sure i am , that in mans age there is a dangerous time , in respect of those sinne-spreading sores which soile and blemish the glorious image of the soule . and this time is youth , an affecter of all licentious liberty , a comicke introducer of all vanitie , and the only heire apparent to carnall securitie . this it was which moved that princely prophet to pray , lord forgiue mee the sinnes of my youth . sins indeed ; because the youthfull sinner is ever committing , but never repenting , usually provoking god , but rarely invoking god. this is hee who snuffeth the wind , with the wilde asse in the desart , being like the horse or mule which hath no understanding , by giving sense preeminence aboue reason : and walking in the fatnesse of his heart , as one wholly forgetfull of god. he may say with the psalmist , though in another sense , vt jumentum factus sum apud te : upon exposition of which sentence , it is laudable ( saith euthymius ) that in the sight of god we take our selues as beasts to shew our humility , but not to resemble beasts in ignorance or brutish sensualitie . many are the dangerous shelfes which menace ruine and shipwracke to the inconsiderate and improvident soule , during her sojourning here in this tabernacle of clay : but no time more perillous than the heat of * youth , or more apt to give fuell to the fire of all inordinate desires ; being as ready to consent , as the devil is to tempt , and most willing to enter parley with her spirituall enemie upon the least assault . it is reported by eusebius , that saint iohn meeting a strong young-man , of good stature , amiable feature , sweet countenance , and great spiri● , straightway looking upon the bishop of that place , he said thus unto him : christ being witnesse and before the church , i commend unto thee and thy care this young man , to be especially regarded and educated in all spirituall discipline . whom when the bishop had received into his tuition , and promised that he would performe whatsoever he ought , s. iohn againe and againe gives his charge , and contesteth his fidelity : and afterwards he returnes to ephesus . the bishop takes the young man home : brings him up as his owne sonne , keeps him within the limits of his dutie , intreats him gently , and at last baptiseth him , and confirmes him . afterwards , upon remitting something of his care , and giving freer reines to his libertie , the young man takes occasion to shake off the yoake of tuition , and falls into bad company , who corrupt him : diverting his course from the path of vertue by these meanes . first , they invite him to banquets , then they carry him abroad in the night , afterward to maintaine their profuser expence , they draw him to theevery , and so by degrees to greater wickednesse , being now made captaine in this theevish company . at last saint iohn returnes and saith ; goe to bishop , give me my depositum , which i and christ committed unto thee in the church which thou governest . the bishop was astonied , thinking that he had deceitfully demanded some money which he never received , and yet durst scarce distrust the apostle . but as soone as saint iohn said , i demand the young man and soule of my brother : the old man hanging downe his head , sighing and weeping , said ; ille mortuus est , he is dead . how and with what kinde of death , said iohn ? deo mortuus est , hee is dead unto god , answered the bishop : nam nequam & perditus , & uno verbo latro evasit : for he is wicked and lost , and in a word a theefe . much matter might be collected from this story , to enlarge the ground of our proposition , to wit , what imminent dangers are ever attending on youth , and how easie it is by the painted flag of vanity , and sensuall pleasure , to draw him to ruine . for doubtlesse , many excellent rules of instruction had this grave bishop delivered and imparted to his young pupill : many devout taskes and holy exercises had hee commended to his practice : many prayers full of fervent zeale had hee offered for his conversion : many sighes had he sent , many teares had he shed to reclaime him from his former conversation . yet see , how soone this youthfull libertine forgets those instructions which hee had taught him , those holy taskes which were injoyned him , those zealous prayers which were offered for him , those unfained sighes and teares which were shed for him i hee leaves this aged father , to become a robber , he flies from the temple to the mountaine ; he puts off the roabe of truth , and disguiseth himselfe with the vizard of theft . and no small theefe , but a leader . rachel was a theefe , for shee stole idolls from her father ; iosuah was a theefe , seeing hee stole grapes from canaan ; david was a theefe , seeing he stole the bottle of water from saul ; ionathas was a theefe , since he stole hony from the hive ; iosaba was a theefe , since he stole the infant ioash . but here was a theefe of another nature ; one , whose vocation was injury , profession theevery , and practice crueltie : one , whose ingratitude towards his reverend foster-father , merited sharpest censure : for bysias the grecian , osige● the lacedemonian , bracaras the theban , and scipio the roman , esteemed it lesse punishment to be exiled , than to remaine at home with those that were ungratefull for their service . so as , it is not only a griefe , but also a perillous thing , to have to doe with ungratefull men . and wherein might ingratitude be more fully exemplified than in this young-man , whose disobedience to his tutor , sleighting his advice that had fostered him , deserved severest chastisement ? but to observe● the cause of his fall ; wee shall finde how soone those good impressions , which he had formerly received , were quite razed and defaced in him , by reason of depraved company : whence we may gather , that youth , being indeed the philosophers rasa tabula , is apt to receive any good impressure , but spotted with the pitch of vice , it hardly ever regaines her former puritie . whence wee are taught , not to touch pitch , lest we be defiled : for as that divine father saith , occasiones faciunt latrones . truth is , the sweetest apples are the soonest corrupted , and the best natures quickliest depraved . how necessary therefore , the care and respect youth ought to have in the choyce and election of his company , may appeare by this one example , which sheweth that society is of such power , as by it saints are turned into serpents , doves into devils : for , with the wise wee shall learne wisdome , and with the foole we shall learne foolishnesse . dangerous therefore it is , to leave illimited youth to it selfe : yea , to suffer youth so much as to converse with it selfe . so as , that greeke sage , seeing a young man privately retired all alone , demanded of him what hee was doing ? who answered , he was talking to himselfe . take heed , quoth he , thou talke not with thine enemie . for the naturall pronenesse of youth to irregular liberty is such , as it is ever suggesting matter of innovation to the soveraigntie of reason . now to reduce these enormities incident to youth , to certaine principall heads , we will display the vanitie of youth in these foure distinct subjects ▪ gate , looke , speech , habit : that by insisting and discoursing on each particular , we may receive the feature of ladie vanitie portrayed to the life . it is strange to observe how the very body expresseth the secret fantasies of the minde : and how well the one sympathizeth with the other . i have seene even in this one motion , the gate , such especiall arguments of a proud heart ; as if the body had beene transparent , it could not have represented him more fully . and i have wondered , how man endued with reason , could be so far estranged from that where with he was endued ; as to strut so proudly with feet of earth , as if hee were never to returne to earth . but especially , when youth is employed in ushering his mistresse hee walkes in the street as if hee were dancing a measure . he verily imagins the eyes of the whole citie are fixed on him , as the very patterne which they esteeme worthy imitation : how neerely then concernes it him to stand upon his equipage . he walkes , as if he were an upright man , but his sincerity consists onely in dimension . he feares nothing so much as some rude encounter for the wall , and so be discredited in the sight of his idoll . now i would be glad to weane this phantasticke from a veine of lightnesse , and habituate him to a more generous forme . first , he is to know , how that which is most native and least affect●ve , deserves choisest acceptance . we were not borne to glory in our feet , the bases of mortalitie : but to walke as children of light , in holinesse and integritie . safer it were for us , to observe and make use of that , which the swan is reported to use , when at any time shee glories in the whitenesse of her colour , to wit , shee reflects her eye upon her blacke feet , which qualifies her proud spirit : making her so much the more dejected , as joying before in her owne beautie , shee was erected . excellently was that embleme of humane frailtie shadowed in the image of agathocles the syracusan tyrant , who commanded his statue to be composed after this sort : the head to be of gold , signifying purenesse , the armes of ivory , intimating smoothnesse , the body of brasse , implying strongnesse , but the feet of earth , importing weaknesse . be the head-peece never so pure ; be it a diadem of gold wee weare , it cannot promise to us perpetuitie ; wee stand on earthen feet , how may we then stand long , relying on such weak supporters ? though nebuchadnezzer strut never so proudly upon the turrets of his princely palace , saying , is not this great babel which i have builded ? hee knowes not how soone he shall be deprived of his glory , and be enforced to feed with the beasts of the field , being as one estranged from his former magnificence . quid ergo ad nos consolatio mundi ? let us not glory in mundane vanitie , nor repose too much confidence in these feet of frailtie . sipes interris , mens sit in coelis ; though our foot be on earth , let our minde be in heaven : knowing , that ( as saint augustine saith ) three cubits of earth doe expect us ; and how little or much so ere wee possesse , this is all that shall be left us . the next subject we are to treat of in this display of youthfull vanity , is his looke : wherein hee is ever noted to shew a kinde of contempt , expressing by his eye , what he conceives in his heart . here is oculatus testis , an eye-witnesse to tax him of his pride ; disdaining to fix his eye upon the lower shrubs , as if a reflex on them should derogate from his glory . they that looked upon sylla's ring , could not choose but take notice both of sylla's seale and the treason of iugurth ; so he that should but eye a proud look , could not choose but collect from what heart so disdainfull a looke proceeded . i have ever observed , the most generous to be least affective in this kinde : for it is , and hath beene ever an inherent propriety in them , to expresse a generous affability as well in looke as speech . the eyes ( saith a good father ) are members of the flesh , but windowes of the minde ; which , eagle-like , should be ever erected to the beames of righteousnesse , and not depressed by any unworthy object of externall basenesse . the only sight of god is the true food and refection of our minds : we look to be satisfied , but satisfaction we cannot finde in any outward object ; much lesse in contempt of our poore brother , who many times exceeds us more in worth , than we him in birth . but tell me , young gallant , what it is that moveth thee to this contempt of others ? is it thy descent ? alas , that is none of thine ; thou derivest that glory from thine ancestors , whose honour by thy vertues as it liveth , so obscured by thy ignoble life , dieth . yea , recall to minde how many glorious houses now lye buried in the grave of oblivion , by the vicious course of irregular successours : and again , how many houses , whose names formerly were not so much as knowne , either raised from others ruine , or advanced by industrious merit , usurpe their glory . is it thy riches ? indeed , if the philosophers axiom bee true ; riches is a signe of eternall glory , there were some reason to glory in them : but we shall finde this glory meerely imaginary , yea a great darkner and blemisher of the internall glorie and beautie of the minde . for as the moone doth never eclypse , but when she is at the full : so the minde is never so much obscured , as it is with the superfluitie of riches . and againe , as the moone is farthest off from the sunne which giveth it light , when it is at the full ; so a man , when he is the fullest of riches , is farthest off from that equitie and justice , which ought to give him light in all his proceedings . and therefore , he might doe well herein to imitate the fly , which putteth not her feet in the great masse of honey , but only taketh and tasteth with her tongue so much thereof as serveth her turne , and no more , lest by doing otherwise , she might remaine taken and drowned therein . yea , if we should but reflect and take a view of certaine ethnicks , whose ●dmirable contempt of riches eternized them , wee should observe what inimitable continencie was in them , and what an hydropticke thirst of avarice remaineth as yet unquenched in us . and though we must live according to lawes , and not to examples , yet cicero held that nought could be taught without example ; wherefore , to enforce this argument further , wee will here produce certaine heathens , who contemned riches so much , as being offered , yea obtruded , they would not accept them . anacharses refused the treasure sent him by croesus : anacreontes refused the treasure sent him by polycrates : and albionus refused the treasure sent him by antigonus . the like moderation we reade in fabius maxim. crates , mimus , and most of the greeke philosophers . this indifferencie towards fortune , is excellently described by the sententious seneca , concluding , nihil eripit fortuna , nisi quod ipsa dedit . to insist on more examples , were to enlarge this branch too much ; we will therefore shut them all up with that divine observation of the wise simonides ; who being asked once , whether vertue or riches were of more reputation , made answer , that the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the rich , than the rich the vertuous : thence inferring , that wealth was a great nourisher of vice , and povertie of vertue ; or rather implying , how those who are richest are oft-times the retchlest , being ev●r with vices more infected , who are to highest fortunes advanced . wherefore i assure me , thou wilt not glory in riches , for they deprave the soule , which should be in the body , like a queene in her palace . whence then proceedeth this haughty looke ? perchance thou wilt object , that thou art a man of place ; admit thou beest : is there nothing thou canst finde to expresse the eminence or greatnesse of thy place , to which thou art called , save a disdainfull or surly looke , ● neglectfull or scornefull countenance , contemptuously throwne upon thy inferiour ? surely , if such an one thou be , how great so ere thou be , i will admire rather thy seat than thy selfe : and conclude with aristippus , a stone sits upon a stone . these are they , at whom our moderne poet glanced pleasantly , when he saith : " they dare not smile beyond a point , for feare t' unstarch their looke . so punctuall and formall they are , as besides a kinde of formall and phantasticke humour they are nothing : or to expresse them better ; they thinke it a derogation to honour , to converse with basenesse ; they shew a great deale of peremptory command in an awfull looke , imagining it a sufficient argument of greatnesse , for midas asse to have minos countenance : for thus hath time drawne out their formes to me , they be and seeme not , seeme what least they be . since then neither descent , for that is derived from others ; nor riches , aptest to deprave us of all others ; nor place , being worst expressed in glorifying our selues and contemning others ; should move us to put on the countenance of disdaine to our inferiours : we are to conclude , that humilitie , as it opens the gate unto glory , so affabilitie , a vertue right worthy of every generous minde , cannot be better planted than in the eyes , those centinels which guard us , those two lights which direct us , those adamantine orbes which att●act affection to us . a face erected , first to man was given , t' erect his eyes unto the king of heaven . let not then any other object entertaine it , at least , not retaine it : if they be to be employed in any worldly object , let them be employed in contemplating his workes who made the world ; for all other objects are but meere vanitie and affliction of spirit . the third subject we are to discourse of , is speech ; a proprietie wherein man is distinguished from other creatures : yea , the only meanes to preserve societie among humane creatures . quant●meliu● est docere quàm loqui , tanto melior est quàm verba locutio , saith s. augustine : by how much better it is to teach than to speake , by so much better is speech than words . here this learned father maketh a maine difference betwixt speech and words : which distinction may be properly applied to the argument whereof we now treat . the rash young man , who useth no guard to his mouth , nor no gate of circumstance unto his lips , inureth himselfe to many words , but little speech . now to define speech , it is nothing else than an apt composing , and an opportunate uttering of words ; whence it is said , words spoken in season or opportunitie , are like apples of gold with pictures of silver . and herein is youth many times blame-worthy , who will professe himselfe a speaker , before he know what to speake ; yea , putting his oare in every mans boat , admits no conference , no treatie , no discourse , how transcendent soever , but he will be a speaker : though it oft-times move some wise phocion to say to this jangling pithias , good god , will this foole never leave his babbling ? aristotle debating of the convenience and proprietie of discourse before alexander , maintained that none were to be admitted to speake , but either those that managed his warres , or his philosophers which governed his house . observe here what strictnesse was imposed even upon heathens , to restraine them from too much libertie of speech , onely such being admitted to speake , whose approved judgement in militarie or philosophicall discourse might worthily be said to deserve attention . divers reasons of no small consequence might be here produced , why young men were not to give their opinions in any matter of state in publike places ; but we will reduce them to two . the first whereof may be imputed to their rashnesse in resolving ; the second to a passionate hotnesse in proceeding . for the first , to wit , rashnesse in resolving : it is the propertie of youth without premeditation to resolve , and without counsell to execute . now as it possible any good effect should succeed from such unsteadie grounds ? yes , you will say ; some are of that present and pregnant conceit , as a matter is no sooner imparted , than they apprehend it : and for speech , divers haue had such excellent gifts , as they would shew more native eloquence in a speech presently composed , than upon longer preparation addressed . did not tiberius better in any oration extempore , than premeditate ? have not many in like sort , as if secretly * inspired , expressed and delivered abundance of profound learning upon the present ? it is true , yet are wee not hence to collect that premeditation is fruitlesse , that rash and inconsiderate resolves are to be admitted , or young mens advice , which is for most part grounded on opinionate arrogancie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , secundum opinionem , non secundum veritatem , should be authenticke . for admit young men were eloquent , yet foolish eloquence ( which must needs be in unseasoned youth ) is as a sword in a mad-mans hand , it cannot but hurt much ; being first , apt to perswade , and likewise by delivering dangerous matter , no lesse prompt to depra●e the eare that is perswaded . the second reason which we observed , why youth was not to give his opinion ●n any publike place , was his hotnesse in proceeding . it is intolerable for these young-heads to be opposed : they are deafe to reason , as if opinion had possest them of purpose to oppose reason . this appeared in those violent attempts of catiline , cethegus , lentulus , and their factious adherents ; who , though privately cautioned and friendly advised by such , whose long experienced loue and fidelitie assured them of their unfained amity yet rather than they would lose the opportunitie of their aimes , all counsell must be rejected , and their own private opinions ( without ground of reason ) embraced . but to come nearer them in our discourse : these young-blouds use rather , catiline-like , to speake much and doe little , than iugurth-like , to speake little , and doe much . of all innes , they loue not that of harparates , with the signe of the finger on his mouth . they are unmeasurably passionate in any argument , and so nailed to their owne opinion , as conceit transports them aboue reason , and leaves no place for contradiction . it is commonly said , that law , logicke , and the switzers , may be hired to fight for any one ; and wee have found out one that will match them . now you have received the character of his speech , i would labour to reclaime him from his errour ; which to effect the better , he must know , that being a gentleman , ( for to such an one chiefly doe i direct my discourse ) he can asperse no greater imputation on gentry , than in exercising his tongue in fruitlesse and frivolous discourse , or spending his breath in uselesse or needlesse contention . the tongue ( as one observes ) is a small member : but very glibbery and proane to ruine : apt it is to rebell , if not restrained , prompt to innovate , if not confined . but of all the sallies or excursions which are made by the tongue , none in my conceit lesse beseeming a gentleman , than in giving reines to passion , to slave himselfe to illimited fury : much more profit should he finde in expostulating with passion , recalling to minde that saying of archytas so much commended ; who being angrie with one of his hindes , said ; o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angrie with thee ! where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith bern●rd ) is sweet and profitable ; where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . may your speech , ( gentlemen ) be so seasoned , as it may relish of discretion : rather learne the art of silence , than to incurre the opinion of rashnesse : for the one seldome gives argument of offence , but the other ever . speak , but not with affectation , for that gives a better rellish to the eare , than to the conceit : speake , but not in assentation , for that is mercenarie , and seemes better in the mouth of a slavish sycophant , than a generous professant : speake freely , yet with reservation , lest the comedians phrase have some allusion to your opennesse ; being so full of chinkes , as secrecie can haue no hope to finde harbour in your bosome . as to speak all that we know , sheweth weaknesse ; so to impart nothing of that we know , inferres too much closenesse : to observe a meane in these extremes , choice respect is to be had with whom we converse . if we finde him apt to conceale , we may more safely and freely deliver our minde ; but where suspicion of secrecie ministers argument of distrust , we are to be more cautelous : for it is great folly to engage our thoughts to the secrecie of him whom wee know not . worthy commendation was augustus in this respect , who was so choice in the election of a friend , to whom he might communicate his privatest thoughts , as he would employ much time in searching and sifting him , ere he would retaine him . and hence i might take occasion to tax divers , who are too readie to open their bosoms unto all encounter● ; and yet i must freely confesse , that this credulitie ●f theirs , meerely proceeds from the goodnesse of then nature : for they imagine ( such is their easie simplicitie ) that others are as secret , as they open . such is the affabilitie of unexperienced youth , as they cannot reserve the secret'st of their thoughts , but must discover them upon the first view to their first acquaintance : whence plautus , benignitas ejus ut adolescentuli est ; wherein he seemes to instance youth , as a patterne of ingenuous affabilitie , no lesse readie to utter his thoughts , then his subtill applauder is to heare them . much more fruit should hee reape by observing that divine precept of ecclesiasticus : thou that art young speake , if need be , and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked . comprehend much in few words ; in many be as one that is ignorant : be as one that understandeth , and yet hold thy tongue . wherein he proposeth an exact rule to be observed by youth , even in circumstance , as well as substance of speech . now it may be expected , that i should propose a forme for words , as i have proposed a rule for discourse ; but my reply to him , who expects this , shall be the same which demosthenes made to aeschynes the orator ; who having found fault with demosthenes , questioning him of certaine words which he had pronounced , something rare and strange , was in this sort answered by him ; that the fortunes of greece depended not upon them . only thus much i will adde , to reclaime him , who more curiously then pertinently , insisteth rather on words than substance : that as there is no man but would esteeme him for an indiscreet builder , who preferreth the care of his frontispice before the maine foundation , or such an one for a foolish painter , who bestoweth more art upon the varnish than the picture : so whosoever intendeth his care rather to finde out words than matter , may be holden for a verball rhetorician , but no serious orator . to be short , if you will have my opinion touching the use of words : i esteeme such to be most elegant , which are least affected ; for there 〈◊〉 proprietie of speech which best becomes us ; being adorned with such ornaments , as grace our discourse better than adulterate art , which many times bestowes so much time upon beautifying her selfe , as shee forgets whom shee should serve . wee are now to descend briefly to the last , though not least vanitie incident to youth ; and it is habit or attire . wherein i have not a little wondered , falling now and then into more serious meditation with my selfe , how any man , having reflex , by the eye of his soule , to his first fall , should glory in these roabs or rags of shame , being purposely invented to cover his sinne . sinne indeed ; for had not man sinned , his shame had never beene discovered . poore fig-leaves were then the onely shelter , to shroud from shame this miserable sinner . then was adam his owne taylour , and stood not much on fashion , so his nakednesse might finde a cover . come then and heare mee , thou perfumed gallant , whose sense chiefly consists in sent ; and observe how much thou derogat'st from thy owne worth , in covering a shell of corruption with such bravery . all gorgeous attire is the attire of sinne ; it declines from the use for which it was ordained , to wit , necessitie , and dilates it selfe purposely to accomplish the desire of vanitie . forraine nations , on whose flowrie borders the glorious sun-shine of the gospell hath not as yet shined , though for their silkes and sables , none more plenteous or precious , yet with what indifferencie doe they use these riches ? it may be you will object , that art hath not as yet showne her cunning amongst them ; so as their neglect of fashion meerely proceedeth from want of skilfull artists , to introduce the forme or fashion of other countries ( by meanes of civill government , more curious and exquisite ) to their people . but i shall ●●ov● and that by impregnable arguments , how this contempt of pride is naturally planted in them ; yea , with what scorne and derision they looke upon other countries , usually affected to this delicacie and effeminacie in apparell . such as have travelled , and upon exact survey of the natures of forraine countries , have brought the rich fraught of knowledge stored with choicest observations to their native home , have confirmed this : for they have found such contempt in other nations , touching these fruitlesse vanities , wherein we idolatrize our owne formes , as it strucke admiration in them , as their records , to this day extant , doe apparantly witnesse . to instance some whereof , as the russian , muscovian , ionian , yea even the barbarous indian , it may appeare with what reservancie they continue their ancient habit ; loth , it seemes , to introduce any new custome , or to lose their antiquitie for any vain-glorious or affected noveltie : with a joynt uniformitie ( as it seemes ) resolved , tam in cultu numinis , quàm apparatu corporis , moribus legibusque uti praesentibus , etiamsi deteriores sint . but leaving them , because we will a while insist upon prophane authorities ; let us reflect our dim eyes , bleered with the thicke scales of vanitie , to those divine sages , whose excellent instructions no lesse imitable than admirable , merit our approbation and observation . it is reported by laertius , that on a time croesus , having adorned and beautified himselfe with the most exquisite ornaments of all kindes , that either art , or cost could devise ; and sitting on a high throne , to give more grace or lustre to his person , demanded of solon if he ever saw a sight more beautifull ? yes ( quoth he ) house-cockes , phesants , and peacocks ; for they are clothed with a naturall splendour or beautie bestowed on them by nature , without any borrowed elegancie . the like contempt appeared in eut●apelus , who valued the internall beautie of his mind , more than the adulterate varnish of art. besides , hee was of this opinion , that hee could not doe his foe a greater injury , than bestow on him the preciousest garments he had , to make him forgetfull of himselfe and his owne frailtie ; whose nature the poet excellently describeth thus : the sage eutrapelus right wisely bade his foes should have the richest roabes he had , thinking he did them harme , himselfe much good , " for given , they made him humble , them more proud . amongst many profitable laws enacted by numa , the law * sumptuaria conferred no small benefit upon the state publique . for by that law was prohibited , not only all profuse charge in funerall expences , but likewise the excessiue use of apparell , whereby the roman state grew in short time to great wealth , labouring to suppresse those vices , which usually effeminate men the most , to wit , delicacie in fare , and sumptuousnesse in attire . now there be many , i know , who invent fashions meerely to cover their deformities , as iulius caesar wore a garland of laurell to cover his baldnesse withall ; and these seeme excusable , but they are not : for did not he who made thee , bestow this forme on thee ? could not he have stamped thee to the most exquisite or absolute feature , if it had so pleased thy creator ? and wilt thou now controule thy maker , and by art supply the defects of nature ? beware of this evill : i can prescribe thee a better and safer course , how to rectifie these deformities . hast thou a crooked bodie ? repaire it with an upright soule . art thou outwardly deformed ? with spirituall gra●●● be thou inwardly beautified . art thou blinde , or lame , or otherwise maimed ? be not there with dejected , for the bl●nd and lame were invited . it is not the outward proportion , but the inward disposition ; not the feature of the face , but the power of grace which worketh to salva●●●on . alcibiades , socrates scholer , was the best favoured boy in athens ; yet , ( to use the philosophers words ) looke but inwardly into his bodie , you will finde nothing more odious . so as , one compared them aptly ( these faire ones i meane ) to faire and beautifull sepulchres ; exterius nitida , interius faetida ; outwardly hansome , inwardly noysome . notable was that observation of a learned philosopher , who professing himselfe a schoole-master , to instruct youth in the principles and grounds of philosophie , used to hang a looking-glasse in the schoole where he taught ; wherein he shewed to every scholer he had , his distinct feature or physnomy : which he thus applied . if any one were of a beautifull or amiable countenance , hee exhorted him to answer the beautie and comlinesse of his face , with the beautie of a well-disposed or tempered minde ; if otherwise he were deformed , or ill featured ; he wished him so to adorne and beautifie his minde , that the excellencie of the one , might supply the defects or deformities of the other . but thou objectest ; how should i expresse my descent , my place ; or how seeme worthy the company of eminent persons , with whom i consort , if i should sleight or disvalue this general-affected vanity fashion ? i will tell thee : thou canst not more generously , i will not say generally , expresse thy greatnes of descent , place , or qualitie , nor seeme better worthy the company with whom thou consortest or frequentest , than by erecting the glorious beames of thy minde , aboue these inferiour things . for who are these with whom thou consortest ? meere triflers away of time , bastard slips , degenerate impes , consumers of their patrimonie , and in the end , ( for what other end save misery may attend them ) haires to shame and infamie . these ( i say ) who offer their morning-prayers to the glasse , eying themselves 〈◊〉 till narcissus-like they fall in love with their owne shadowes . o england , what a height of pride art thou growne to ? yea , how much art thou growne unlike thy selfe ? when , disvaluing thy owne forme , thou deformest thy selfe by borrowing a plume of everie countrey , to display thy pie-coloured flag of vanitie . what painting , purfling , powdring and pargeting doe you use , ( yee idolls of vanitie ) to lure and allure men to breake their first faith , forsake their first love , and yeeld to your immodestie ? how can you weepe for your sinnes , ( saith saint hierome ) when your teares will make furrowes in your face ? with what confidence do you lift up that countenance to heaven , which your maker acknowledges not ? doe not say that you have modest mindes , when you have immodest eyes . death hath entred in at your windowes ; your eyes are those cranies , those hatefull portells , those fatall entrances , which ( tarpeia-like ) by betraying the glorious fortresse or cittadell of your soules , have given easie way to your mortall enemie . vtinam miserrimus ego &c. i would i poore wretch ( saith tertullian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , an cum cerussa , & purpurisso & croco , & cum illo ambitu capitis resurgatis : no , you stanes to modestie , such a picture shall not rise in glory before her maker . there is no place for you ; but for such women as array themselves in comely apparell , with shamefastnesse and modestie , not with broided haire , or gold , or pearles , or costly apparell . but , as becommeth women that professe the feare of god. for even after this manner in time past did the holy women , which trusted in god , tire themselves . reade , i say , reade yee proud ones , yee which are so haughtie , and walke with stretched-out neckes , the prophet isaiah , and you shall find your selves described , and the judgement of desolation pronounced upon you . beca●se the daughters of zion are haughtie , and walk with stre●ched-out neckes , and with wandring eyes , walking 〈◊〉 minsing as they goe , and making a tinckling with the●● feet ; therfore shall the lord make the heads of the daughters of zion bald , and the lord shall discover their secret parts . and he proceeds : in that day shall the lord take away the ornament of the slippers , and the calles , and the round tyres . the sweet balles , and the bracelets , and the bonnets . the tyres of the head , and the sloppes , and the head-bands , and the tablets , and the eare-rings . the rings and the mufflers . the costly apparell and the g●ailes , and the wimples , and the crisping-pins . and the glasses , and the fine linnen , and the hoods and the launes . now heare your reward : and in stead of sweet savour , there shall be stinke , and in stead of a girdle , a rent , and in stead of dressing of the haire , baldnesse , and in stead of a stomacher , a girding of sack-cloth , and burning in stead of beautie . now attend your finall destruction : thy men shall fall by the sword , and thy strength in the battell . then shall her gates mourne and lament , and shee being desolate shall sit upon the ground . see how you are described , and how you shall be rewarded . enjoy then sin for a season , and delight your selves in the vanities of youth : be your eyes the lures of lust , your eares the open receits of shame , your hands the polluted instruments of sinne : to be short , be your soules , which should be the temples of the holy ghost , cages of uncleane birds ; after all these things , what the prophet hath threatned shal come upon you , and what shall then deliver you ? not your beautie ▪ for to use that divine distich of innocentius , tell me thou earthen vessell made of clay , what 's beautie worth , when thou must die to day ? nor honour ; for that shall lye in the dust , and sleepe in the bed of earth . nor riches ; for they shall not deliver in the day of wrath . perchance they may bring you , when you are dead , in a comely funerall sort to your graves , or bestow on you a few mourning garments or erect in your memory some gorgeous monument , to shew your vain-glory in death , as well as life ; but this is all : those riches which you got with such care , kept with such feare , lost with such griefe , shall not afford you one comfortable hope in the houre of your passage hence ; afflict they may , releeve they cannot . nor friends ; for all they can doe , is to attend you , and shed some friendly teares for you ; but ere the rosemary lose her colour , which stickt the coarse , or one worme enter the shroud , which covered the corpse , you are many times forgotten , your former glory extinguished , your eminent esteeme obscured , your repute darkened , and with infamous aspersions often impeached . if a man ( saith seneca ) finde his friend sad , and so leave him , sicke without ministring any comfort to him , and poore without releeving him ; we may thinke such an one goeth to jest , rather than visit or comfort : and such miserable comforters are these friends of yours . what then may deliver you in such gusts of affliction which assaile you ? conscience ; shee it is that must either comfort you , or how miserable is your condition ? shee is that continuall feast which must refresh you ; those thousand witnesses that must answer for you ; that light which must direct you ; that familiar friend that must ever attend you ; that faithfull counsellour that must advise you ; that balme of gilead , that must renew you ; that palme of peace , which must crowne you . take heed therefore you wrong not this friend , for as you use her , you shall finde her . she is not to be corrupted , her sinceritie scornes it ; shee is not to be perswaded , for her resolution is grounded ; she is not to be threatned , for her spirit sleights it . she is aptly compared in one respect to the sea ; shee can endure no corruption to remaine in her , but foames , and frets , and chafes , till all filth be removed from her . by ebbing and flowing●s ●s shee purged , nor is she at rest till shee be rinsed . 〈◊〉 ab agro ad civitatem , à publico ad domum , à domo in cubiculum , &c. discontentedly shee flies from the field to the citie , from publike resort to her private house , from her house to her chamber ; she can rest in no place ; furie dogs her behinde , and despaire goes before . for conscience being the inseparable glory or confusion of every one , according to the qualitie , disposition or dispensation of that talent which is given him , for to whom much is given , much shall be required : we are to make such fruitfull use of our talent that the conscience wee professe may remaine undefiled , the faith wee have plighted may be inviolably preserved , the measure or omer of grace we have received , may be increased , and god in all glorified . which , the better to effect , wee are to thinke how god is ever present in all our actions ; and that ( to use the words of augustine ) whatsoever we doe , or addresse our selves to doe , it is before him that we doe , yea whatsoever it be that wee doe , hee better knowes it than we are selves doe . it was seneca's counsell to his friend lucilius , that whensoever he went about to doe any thing , he should imagine cato , or scipio , or some other worthy roman to be in presence . in imitation of so divine a morall , let us in every action fix our eye upon our maker , whose eyes are upon the children of men ; so shall we in respect of his sacred presence , to which we owe all devout reverence , abstaine from evill , doe good , seeke peace and ensue it . such as defil'd themselves with sinne , by giving themselves over unto pleasure , staining the nobilitie and splendour of their soules through wallowing in vice ; or otherwise fraudulently , by usurpation or base insinuation , creeping into soveraigntie , or unjustly governing the common-weale ; such thought socrates , that they went a by-path separated from the counsell of the ●●ds : but such , as while they lived in their bodies , ●nitated the life of the gods , such hee thought had an ●sie returne to the place from whence they first came . if the pagan had such a divine conceit of those , whose approved life represented a certaine similitude or resemblance of god , as he imagined , no glory could be wanting to them , in regard of their integritie : let us embrace the like opinion , and expresse such apparent demonstrations of sanctitie , that as we exceed the pagan in regard of that precious light wee enjoy , so wee may exceed him in the conversation of the life we lead . but how should these painted sepulchres , whose adulterate shape tastes of the shop , glorying in a borrowed beautie , ever meditate of these things ? how should their care extend to heaven , whose basiliske eyes are only fixed on the vanities of earth ? how should that painted blush ( that iewish confection ) blush for her sin , whose impudent face hath out-faced shame ? two loves ( saith that learned bishop of hippo ) make two cities . hierusalem is made by the love of god , but babylon by the love of the world . and these are they , who engaged to worldly love , have forsaken their true love ; they have divided their hearts , and estranged their affections from that supreme or soveraigne good . o then ( young men ) come not neere the gates of this strange woman , whose feet goe downe to death , and whose steps take hold on hell . this is the woman with an harlots behaviour , and subtill in heart . this is shee , who hath deckt her bed with ornaments , carpets and laces of aegypt : and perfuming her bed with myrrhe , aloes and cynamon . take heed thou sing not lysimachus song ; the pleasure of fornication is short , but the punishment of the fornicator eternall . but of this subject wee are more amply to treat hereafter ; onely my exhortation is to youth , whose illimited desires tend ever to his ruine , that if at any time it be your fortune to encounter with these infectious ulcers , these sin-soothing , and soule-soiling lepers ; and they like that whorish woman in the proverbs , invite you to their lothed daliance , saying . come , let us take our fill of love untill the morning : come , let us take our pleasure in daliance : that you shake off these vipers at the first assault , and prevent the occasion when it first offers it selfe . for know , that which a devout and learned father saith concerning the dangerous habit of sinne , is most true : prima est quasi titillatio delectationis incorde , secunda consensio , tertium factum , quarta consuetudo . sinne begins with an itch , but ends with a skar . the first degree begins with delight , the second with consent , the third with act , and the fourth with custome . thus sinne by degrees in men of all degrees , like a broad-spreading tetter , runnes over the whole beautie of a precious soule , exposing the fruits of the spirit to be corrupted by the suggestion of the flesh . but too farre ( i feare mee ) have i digressed from this last branch , whereof i was to discourse , to wit , of habit , or attire : albeit i haue enlarged my selfe in nothing which may seeme altogether impertinent to our present purpose . for discoursing of the vanitie of women ( whose phantasticke habits are daily theames in publike theatres ) i imagined it a necessary point to insist upon : partly to disswade those shee-painters of this flourishing iland from so base and prostitute practice . base , for festus pompeius saith , that common and base whores , called schaenicolae , used dawbing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . partly to bring a loathing of them in the conceit of all young gentlemen , whose best promising parts use often to be corrupted by their inchantments . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. there is one flower to be loved of women , a good red , which is shamefastnesse . saint hierom to marcella saith , that those women are matter of scandall to christian eyes , quae purpurisso & quibusdam fucis ora oculos● depingunt . i might here likewise justly tax such effeminate youths , whose womanish disposition hath begot in them a love to this hatefull profession ; but i will onely use diogenes speech , which hee made to one that had anointed his haires : cave ne capitis suaveolentia vitae maleolentiam adducat . or that saying he used to a youth too curiously and effeminatly drest : if thou goest to men , all this is but in vaine ; if unto women , it is wicked . so as , being asked a question of a young man , very neatly and finely apparelled , he said , hee would not answer him till he put off his apparell to see whether he were a man or woman . there is another objection , which i imagine youth will alledge , to prove how expedient it is for him to be choice or curious in respect of apparell . it gaines him more acceptance and esteeme with men of eminent place . but harken how the apostle opposeth himselfe to this ; reproving such whose judgement consists in the eye rather than in the braine , proceeding thus : if there come into your company a man with a gold-ring , and in goodly apparell , and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment , and yee have a respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing , and say unto him , sit thou here in a goodly place ; and say unto the poore , stand thou there , or sit here under my foot-stoole : are yee not partiall in your selves , and are become judges of evill thoughts ? so as , howsoever these diffident worldlings , annulo magis credunt quam animo ; it is not the habit , but the heart which god accepts : yet most acceptable is that habit which is not so sumptuous as seemely , not so costly as comely . true indeed it is , that the popular eye , which cannot distinguish of the inward beautie , but observeth rather what wee weare , than what wee are , admires nothing more than the outward habit ; as we may reade how much herod , being arrayed in royall apparell , was applauded by the people , who gave a shout , saying , the voice of god , and not of man. but that all-seeing and all-searching eare of the divine majestie seeth not as man seeth . he prefers l●zarus rags before dives roabes . though the one be clothed in purple and fine linnen , and the other seeme despicable in the eye of the world , in respect of his nakednesse ; yet , mortua necessitate , peribunt opera necessitatis : the one is translated to glory boundlesse , the other to misery endlesse : for this sorrow which he here felt , ended when he did end ; but the joy which he obtained , exceeded all end . thus farre have i laboured to answer all such objections as might be proposed in defence of this generall-approved vanitie , concluding ; quod peccata sericea teterrima sunt vitia ; no sinnes like to silken sinnes , for they ever crave impunitie , the foster-mother of all impietie . i intend yet to proceed in decyphering the lightnesse of youth , by expressing three grand maladies incident to youth ; whereof i purpose to dilate particularly , to move the young man to be more cautelous of his wayes , in the mazie labyrinth of this life . these three ( for all the rest may be reduced to them ) are comprehended under lust , ambition , revenge : of which briefly , according to our former method , we purpose here to intreat . so exposed is youth to sense , and so much estranged from the government of reason ; as it prosecutes with eagernesse whatsoever is once entertained with affection . this might appeare in the ruines of troy , occasioned by the unlawfull love of paris ; where the violent intrusion and usurpation of anothers bed , brought an irreparable fall to the trojans . some have given two reasons , why youth is more subject to this illimited passion , than any other age . the first is , that naturall heat or vigour , which is most predominant in youth , provoking him to attempt the greatest of difficulties , rather than suffer the repulse where hee affects . the second is , want of employment : which begets this distemperature ; whence the poet : take away idlenesse , and without doubt , cupids bow breakes , and all his lampes goe out . this want of employment was it , which moved aegistus to shew himselfe more familiar with clytemnestra , than stood well with his honour ; for had he ranked himselfe with those valiant greekes , whose resolute adventures gain'd them generall esteeme , he had prevented occasion , and purchased himselfe equall renowne by his valour , as by vaiue expence of time he incurred dishonour . wittie and proper was that elegant invention of lucian , who faining cupid to invite the gods to an amorous feast , prevailed with all of them to give way to love , till he came to pallas ; but she was found conversing with the muses , and would admit of no time to enter parly with cupid . true it is , that exercise draweth the mind from effeminacie , as remisnes●e feeds the desire , and addes fuell to unlawfull heat . and no lesse occasion gives wanton discourse , or lascivious bookes to the enraged affections of distempered youth : so as , much more blessed were the state , if restraint were made of composing or publishing such subjects , where every leafe instructs youth in a new lesson of folly . alcaeus , a man of good reputation and generall observance in the common-wealth ; what toyes wrote he of the love of young men ? all the writings of anacreon , are only of love . but most of all other , rheginus even burned with love , as appeareth by his writings . yea even philosophers ( and that by the counsell and authoritie of plato , whom therefore dicearchus did worthily reprehend ) became the commenders and honourers of love . such discourses should be throwne to the darkest corner of our studies , as that of ovids was by augustus , which tend to corrupt youth , and divert his minde from the exercise of vertue . but alas ; to what height of licentious libertie are these corrupter times growne ? when that sex , where modesty should claime a native prerogative , gives way to foments of exposed loosenesse ; by not only attending to the wanton discourse of immodest lovers , but carrying about them ( even in their naked bosomes , where chastest desires should only lodge ) the amorous toyes of venus and adonis : which poem , with others of like nature , they heare with such attention , peruse with such devotion , and retaine with such delectation , as no subject can equally relish their unseasoned palate , like those lighter discourses . yea ( which hath struck me to more admiration ) i have knowne divers , whose unriper yeers halfe assured me , that their greene youth had never instructed them in the knowledge , nor brought them to conceit of such vanities , excellently well read in those immodest measures ; yea , and prompt enough to shew proofes of their reading in publike places . i will not insist upon them , but leave them , to have their names registred amongst those infamous ladies ; semphronia , scribonia , clitemnestra , cleopatra , faustina , messalina , whose memories purchased by odious lust , shall survive the course of time ; as the memory of those famous matrons , octavia , porcia , caecilia , cornelia , shall transcend the period of time . to expresse what especiall motives tend most to increase of this passion , i thinke it not amisse : because i hold it necessarie to propose the cause , before we come to cure the effect . for i thinke , according to the opinion of socrates , that then my instructions have brought forth good fruit , when by them any one shall be provoked to apply his disposition to the knowledge and practice of vertue . which , the better to effect , you shall know , that there is no one motive more generally moving , or enforcing to an eager pursuit of our immoderate affections , than curious or luscious fare , delicious liquors , which might appeare ( if we should have recourse to history ) in those prodigall feastings of anton. and cleopatra : where no cost was spared to give more free course to lascivious desires . to prevent this , ( as may be probably gathered ) greece in her flourishing estate , restrained women both publique and private accesse to banquets : and kinsmen kissed their kinswomen , to know whether they drunke wine , or no , and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some iland . plutarch saith , that if the matrons had any necessitie to drinke wine , either because they were sick or weake , the senate was to give them licence ; and not then in rome neither , but out of the citie . macrobius saith , that there were two senators in rome chiding , and the one called the others wife an adulieresse ; and the other his wife a drunkard ; and it was judged that to be a drunkard was more infamie . here we may collect what strictnesse , even the heathen used , to observe a morall course , and to represse such inordinate motions , as most commonly invade the eminent'st states , when long peace hath rockt her people asleepe , snorting in the downe-bed of securitie . sure i am , as there is nothing which brings either publike or private state to a remisnesse of government sooner than peace or plentie ; so nothing effatuates the understanding of man more , than excesse in meat or drinke , subjecting the intellective part to the bondage of sence . for what may be the discourse of epicurists , but lascivious , begot on excesse of fare curious and luscious ? these are dilating ever on the rape of ganimedes , lais in euripides . beautie is their object , and vanitie their subject . white teeth , rolling eyes , a beautifull complexion ( an exteriour good ) being that which euryala praised , when shee washed the feet of vlysses , namely , gentle speech , and tender flesh . thus are their tongues tipt with vanitie , their desires ayming at sensualitie , and their delights engaged to fleshly libertie . amongst the romans , venus or cous was the best chance at dice : and no chance , ( till some heavie mischance over-take them ) more happie in their opinion , than to receive a loving smile or cheerefull aspect from their terrestriall venus . some countries i haue read of , whose naturall basenesse , being given to all avarice , induced them to dis-esteeme all respects in this kinde , and to make merchandize of their womens honour . such are the women of sio reported to be , who are reputed for the most beautifull dames of all the greekes in the world , and greatly given to venery . their husbands are their pandors , and when they see any stranger arrive , they will presently demand if hee would have a mistresse : and so they make whores of their owne wives , and are contented for a little gaine to weare hornes : such are the base minds of ignominious cuckolds . here is a dangerous i le for our amorous gallant , who makes his travell ( with griefe i speake it ) too oft the ruine of himselfe and his estate . happie are those ( but too few are those ) who with wise ithacus stop their eares to these soule-tainting and sin-tempting syrens . yet some there are , and some there have beene ever ( i perswade mee ) whose noble conquests over themselves and their owne desires , have seconded , if not surpassed those many conquests which they atchieved in foraine nations . as the admirable continencie of alexander the great , in sparing darius wife and his three daughters . the continencie of scipio during the space of foure and twentie yeeres , wherein his prosperous exploits could purchase him no more glory , than in the besieging and taking of a citie in spaine , he gained him renowne , by repressing his flame of lust , when a beautifull maid was brought him : restoring her with a great reward to allancius , a celtiberian lord , to whom she was espoused . no lesse worthy was that part of marius , who having sylla's wife and sisters in his power , sent them nobly , unattempted . an example of like continencie might be instanced in solyman the magnificent , towards the faire * greeke ; whom , albeit he entirely loved , yet to shew unto his peeres , a princely command of himselfe and his affections ; as he had incensed them before by loving her , so he regained their love by sleighting her ; whence the poet : with that he drew his turkish symeter , which he did brandishore the damsells head ; demanding of such ianizers were there , if 't were not pitie shee'sd be slaughtered ? pitie indeed ; but i perforce must doe that which displeaseth me , to pleasure you . many such instances , ancient and moderne histories afford , but i must not insist on each particular , lest i should enlarge my selfe too much in this branch . my exhortation shall be to such , whose unmellow yeeres crave instruction , that they would betake themselves to employment : for idlenesse maketh of men , women , of women , beasts , of beasts , monsters . and amongst employments , ever mix such readings as may minister matter , either divine , or morall , to allay the heat of this distempered passion . we reade of the roman stilpho , that albeit he was naturally addicted to all incontinencie , yet by reading certaine precepts of morall philosophie , he became an absolute commander of his owne affections . hate to consent to that , which so transformes man , as hee wholly loseth the true title of man , and becommeth meerely bestiall . nos qui accepimus rationis lucem communem cum angelis , non transiamus vitam in silentio cum pecoribus . thou art beautified with an angelicall feature ; let it not participate of any inferiour creature . to be short , art thou a gentleman ? beare that posture still : staine not a native glory with an infamous blemish . this vice of all others , derogates most from honour : for we commonly say , such whose lightnesse incurres scandall , to have lost their honour . o let not the honour of a generous minde suffer eclypse , for a minutes pleasure ! lais asking of demosthenes so much for one nights-lodging , he presently replyed : i will not buy repentance at so deare a rate . dearer is the rate of shame , than of come . prize honour at that estimate , as the height of pleasure may never have power to surprise it . canna , wife to synattus , whom one synoris , of greater authoritie than synattus , loved : making no small meanes to obtaine her love , yet all in vaine ; supposed the readiest way for effecting his desire to be the death of her husband , which hee performed . this done , he renewed his suit , to which shee seemingly consented . but being solemnly come into the temple of diana for celebrating the nuptials , shee had a sweet potion ready , which shee drunke to synoris , wherewith they both were poisoned , to revenge her husbands death . here is a pagan patterne of inimitable continencie ; who rather than shee would consent to contract mariage with her husbands foe , disvalued all future hope of preferment , yea embraced death , as a happie agent of her intended revenge . the wise ( saith that sententious philosopher ) may gather gold out of dung ; which may be thus applyed . the wise christian , may cull excellent flowers from an ethnicke garden : for the envious man he is the spider , which sucks poison from the fragrant'st and freshest flowers . i will conclude this point , and intreat the generous affected , whose glory should be vertues bootie , and whose best beauty to be enriched by her bounty ; to make vertue their prize , being so praise-worthy of her selfe , as shee needs no outward praise . to purchase which incomparable blessing , i could wish , gentlemen , that your resort to eminent places be more spare , till you finde in your selves an aptnesse to resist , if any vnchaste motion make assault . yet good it were not to presume , upon one single triall : for the disposition may be more temperate at one time than another ; and the assault also more perillous . to court beautie is an enterprize of danger : for some i have knowne , who upon their accesse to beautie , have beene free-men , who upon their returne , became slaves . but you will object ; to vanquish where there is no assault made , is a weake conquest ; true , but to play with the candle till we suffer our wings to be cing'd , is a greater folly . i would not hazard my honour upon those termes , as by affronting temptation , to be caught . to conclude this branch , as the substance of the soule is pure , so this masse of flesh is corrupt : staine not the puritie of the former , by conversing with the latter : for to parley with so subtill an enemy , is to give way to his policy . observing these , you shall goe to your graves with honour ; not to the graves of lust , the sepulchres of shame , and receptacles of corrupted love . we will now descend to the second maladie incident to youth ; that eagle-soaring passion , ambition . those who are affected to this , vse to say with tiridates in tacitus : sua retinere , privatae domus , de alienis cer●are regia laus est . these can never confine themselves to their owne , raising their hopes above possibilitie : but are building airie castles , of purpose to confront greatnesse . we shall never heare them talke of any subject save soveraigntie or dominion . one termed an empire , a monstrous and untamed beast ; and so may this passion be well defined : whose aime is onely to purchase glory , albeit her aymes be planted on indirectest termes . we reade how pa●sanias killed philip of macedon only for fame or vain-glory : so did herostratus burne the temple of diana at ephesus , with this resolution : because he could not by any act of renowne eternize his memory , he would gaine him fame , though by an act of infamie . how violent these ambitious heads are , and have beene ever , there is scarce any state which hath not felt : where civill wars have menaced no lesse danger to the state , than forraine powers ; private factions , than open hostilitie . in some likewise , so deepe impression hath ambition wrought , as the envie which they conceive at others greatnesse , deprives them of all rest : this appeared in themistocl●es , who walked in the night-time in the open street , because he could not sleepe : the cause whereof , when some men did enquire , he answered , that the triumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest . the like height of ambition shewed alexander , weeping bitterly to see his father win so fast before him , fearing nothing should remaine for him to conquer . now , how naturally youth is affected to this illimited motion , may be observed even in usuall games ; where youth , rather than hee will endure the foile , exposeth himselfe to all encounters . it is glory which he aimes at , and before he lose it , he will hazard himselfe for it . his prize is his praise : he values nothing more than to get him a name , which may brute his renowne , and gaine him respect with his dearest . his disquiet , ( for what is ambition , but a distraction of the mind ? ) as to affect that best , which doth afflict him most . augustus had broken sleepes , and used to send for some to passe the night away , in telling tales , or holding him with talke . see the misery of ambitious spirits , whose ends are without end , limiting their desires to no other period then sole soveraigntie . their ayrie thoughts ( like icarus wings ) are ever mounting , till the sunne , which they threatned , dissolve them . inferiour taskes they as much sleight , as eagles doe flies : they love not to stoope to basenesse , when many times lowest fortunes entertaine them with no lesse discontent , than despaire can force them to . and in their lowest ebbe , when hope forsakes them , and their neerest ( like tiberius friends ) shrinke from them , and no comfort remaines , save expectance and sufferance of all extremities ; you shall heare them upbraid prince or state ; relating ( with much vain-glory ) what dangers they have undergone for them . instance whereof , even in these latter times , might be produced ; as in that ambitious french-man , the brave byron , who seeing no way but one , burst out into these violent extremes : i have received three and thirtie wounds of my body , to preserve it for him , and for my reward , he takes my head from my shoulders : he now quencheth the torch in my bloud after hee hath used it . this is the condition of high spirits , whose aimes were transcendent , to close up their tragicall scene with a vain-glorious boast of what they have done : little considering , how their countrie might lawfully exact and expect as much as was in them to performe , a●● they still debtours to her , because they had their being from her . yet see ( though sometimes they stand upon termes of resolution , desiring to die standing ; ) when the sentence of death is pronounced , and all future hope extinguished , they will be ( as that great french-man was ) supple as a glove : presenting their heads ●s willingly to the sword , as agis did his unto the halter . it is strange to note , how these men walke in clouds , imagining themselves most secure , when imminencie of perill assures them nothing lesse . the reason whereof may seeme to be this ; they flatter themselves in their vanitie , as pigmalion with his image , or narcissus with his shadow ; reposing more confidence in their owne valour ; and the aide , which ( themistocles or pausanias-like ) they contract abroad , linking and uniting themselves with forraine powers , than on all the information of friends , or the perswasions of a loyall and uncorrupted heart . but these ( as that heroick prince noted ) must bow or breake : be their persons never so hopefull , or directions behovefull to the state , they must be curbed , or the state endangered . their proprietie is ever to swim in troubled waters : nor can they endure to be mated . though their aimes bee to perpetuate their greatnesse , yet those beasts , which are bred about the river hypani● , and live but one day , may oft-times compare with them for continuance : whence the poet saith excellently , out of his owne observation : much have i seene , yet seldome seene i have , ambition goe gray-headed to his grave . there is nothing which the ambitiou● man hates so much as a corrivall ; he hopes to possesse all , and without a sharer . but so indirect are his plots , and so insuccessive their end , as hee findes to his great griefe , that the promise of securitie had no firme foundation to ground on : nor his attempts that issue they expected . now gentlemen , you , whose better parts aime at more glorious ends , so confine your desires to an equall meane , that mounting too high bring you not to an irreparable fall . wee are borne indeed ( as that divine father saith ) to be eagles , and not iayes , to fly aloft , and not to seek our food on the ground : but our eagle eyes are to be fixed on the sunne of righteousnesse , not on temporall preferments . we are to soare to the tower from whence commeth our helpe . for it is not lifting up a mans selfe god likes , but lifting up of the spirit in prayer . here are wings for flying , without feare of falling : for other aymes , they are but as feathers in the aire ; they delude us , howsoever they seeme to secure us . but i heare some young gentleman object , that it is a brave thing to be observed in the eye of the world ; to have our persons admired , our selves in publike resorts noted , yea our names dispersed ! indeed i grant ; he who consists on nothing more than showes ; thinkes it is brave to heare , loe there he goes ! but such , whose solid vnderstandings haue instructed them in higher studies , as much disvalue popular opinion , or the corkie conceits of the vulgar , as the nobilitie scornes to converse with any thing unworthy it selfe . their greatnesse hath correspondence with goodnesse : for esteeme of the world , as in respect of their owne worth they deserue it , so in contempt of all outward glory they disvalue it . come then ( yee nobly affected gentlemen ; ) would yee be heires of honour , and highly reputed by the highest ? resemble the nature of the highest : who humbled himselfe in the forme of man , to restore miserable man ; vilifying himselfe , to make man like himselfe . it is not , beleeve it , to shine in grace or esteeme of the court , which can ennoble you : this glory is like glasse , bright but brittle : and courtiers ( saith one ) are like counters ; which sometime in account goe for a thousand pound , and presently before the count bee past , but 〈◊〉 single pennie . it is more glory to be in the courts of the lord , to purchase esteeme with him , whose judgement never erres , and whose countenance never alters . it is reported by commine , in his french annals , that charles , whom he then served , was of this disposition , that he would make assay of the greatest matters , revolving in his mind how he might compasse them : yea perchance ( saith he ) assayes farre above the strength of man. see the picture of an ambitious spirit , loving ever to be interessed in affaires of greatest difficultie . camelion-like on subtill ayre he feeds , and vies in colours with the checkerd meeds . let no such conceits transport you , lest repentance finde you . it is safer chusing the middle-path , than by walking or tracing vncouth wayes , to stray in your iourney . more have fallen by presumption , than distrust of their owne strength . and reason good ; for such who dare not relie on themselves , give way to others direction ; whereas too much confidence , or selfe-opinionate boldnesse will rather chuse to erre , and consequently to fall , than submit themselves to others judgement . of this opinion seemed velleius the epicurean to bee , of whom it is said ; that in confidence of himselfe hee was so farre from feare , as hee seemed not to doubt of any thing . a modest or shamefast feare becomes youth better : which indeed ever attends the best or affablest natures . such will attempt nothing without advice , nor assay ought without direction : so as their wayes are secured from many perills , which attend on inconsiderate youth . my conclusion of this point shall be in a word ; that neither the rich man is to glory in his riches , the wise man in his wisdome , nor the strong man in his strength : for should man consider the weaknesse and many infirmities whereto he is hourely sub●ect hee would finde innumerable things to move him to sorrowing , but few or none to glory in . againe , if he should reflect to the consideration of his dissolution , which , that it shall bee , is most certaine , but when it shall be , most vncertaine : he would be forced to stand upon his guard with that continuall feare , as there would be no emptie place left in him for pride . this day one proud , as prouder none , may lye in earth ere day be gone . what confidence is there to be reposed in so weake a foundation ; where to remaine ever is impossible , but quickly to remove , most probable ? then ( to use petrarchs words ) be not afraid though the house , the bodie be shaken , so the soule , the guest of the body , fare well : for weakning of the one addeth for most part strength to the other . and so i come to the last passion or perturbation incident to youth . revenge , is an intended resolve arising from a conceived distaste either justly or unjustly grounded . this revenge is ever violent'st in hot blouds , who stand so much upon termes of reputation , as rather than they will pocket up the least indignitie , they willingly oppose themselves to extremest hazard . now this unbounded fury may seeme to have a two-fold relation : either as it is proper and personall ; or popular and impersonall . revenge proper or personall , ariseth from a peculiar distaste or offence done or offered to our own person ; which indeed hath ever the deepest impression . which may be instanced in menelaus and paris ; where the honour of a nuptiall bed , the law of hospitalitie , the professed league of amitie , were joyntly infringed . or in antonie and octavius ; whose intestine hate grew to that height , as antonies angell was afraid of octavius angell . which hatred , as it was fed and increased by fulvia , so was it allayed and temp●red by octavia : though in the end it grew irreconciliable ; ending in bloud , as it begun with lust . revenge popular or impersonall , proceedeth extrinsecally , as from factions in families , or some ancient grudge hereditarily descending , betwixt house and house , or nation and nation . when annibal was a childe , and at his fathers commandement , he was brought into the place where he made sacrifice ; and laying his hand upon the altar , swore , that so soone as he had any rule in the common-wealth , he would be a professed enemie to the romans . whence may be observed , how the conceit of an injury or offence received , worketh such impression in that state or kingdome where the injury is offered , as hate lives , and survives the life of many ages , crying out with those incensed greekes ; the time will come when mightie troy must fall , where priams race must be extinguish'd all . but wee are principally to discourse of the former branch , to wit , of proper or personall revenge : wherein wee shall observe sundry occurrents right worthy our serious consideration . that terme ( as i said before ) usually called reputation , hath brought much generous bloud to effusion : especially amongst such , qui magis sunt soliciti vani nominis , quàm propriae salutis : prizing vain-glory above safetie , esteeme of valour above securitie of person . and amongst these , may i truly ranke our martiall duellists , who many times upon a taverne quarrell are brought to shed their dearest bloud , which might have beene employed better in defence of their countrey , or resistance of proud infidels . and what is it which moves them to these extremes ; but ( as they seeme to pretend ) their reputation is engaged , their opinion in the eye of the world called in question , if they should sit downe with such apparant disgrace ? but shall i answer them ? the opinion of their valour indeed is brought in question , but by whom ? not by men of equall temper , or maturer judgement , who measure their censures , not by the last of rash opinion , but just consideration . for these cannot imagine how reputation should be brought in question , by any indiscreet terme uttered over a pot , whereof perchance the speaker is ignorant , at least what it meant : but of these distempered roisters , whose only judgement consists in taking offence , and valour in making a flourish ; of these , i have seene one in the folly of my youth , but could not rightly observe till my riper age : whose braving condition ( having some young gooselin to worke on ) would have made you confident of his valour : instancing what dangerous exploits hee had attempted and atchieved , what single fields hee had pitched , and how bravely he came off : yet on my conscience , the battell of the pygmeies might have equall'd his , both for truth and resolution . yet i have noted such as these , to be the bellowes which blow the fire of all uncivill quarrells ; suggesting to young gentlemen ( whose want of experience makes them too credulous ) matter of revenge : by aggravating each circumstance to enrage ●heir hot bloud the more . some others there are of this band , which i have likewise observed : and they are taken for grave censors or moderators , if any difference occur amongst young gentlemen . and these have beene men in their time , ( at least accounted so ) but now their fortunes falling to an ebbe , having drawne out their time in expence above their meanes , they are enforced ( and well it were if misery forced them not to worse ) to erect a sconce , whereto the roarers make recourse , as to their rendevou : and hereto also resorts the raw and unseasoned youth , whose late-fallen patrimonie makes him purchase acquaintance at what rate soever : glorying much to be esteemed one of the fraternity . and he must now keep his quarter , maintaine his prodigall rout with what his parcimonious ●a●her long carked for ; prepare his rere-suppers , and all this , to get him a little knowledge in the art of roaring . and by this time , you may suppose him to have attained to some degree , so as he can looke bigge , erect his mouc●atoes , stampe and stare , and call the drawer rogue , drinke to his venus in a venice-glasse , and to moralize her sex , throwes it over his head and breakes it . but for all this , he hath not fully learned his postures : for upon discourse of valour , he hath discovered his cowardize ; and this gives occasion to one of his cumrades to triumph ore his weaknesse . who entring upon termes of reputation , and finding himselfe wrong'd , he would gladly wipe off all aspersions , and gaine him opinion in the eye of the world : but recalling to mind , the dangers incident to quarrells , he thinkes it best to repaire to that grand moderator ( whose long experience hath made his opinion authenticke ) to receive satisfaction , whether hee may put up the injury offered him , without touch of disgrace . now he must be feed for his opinion , ( as if he were some grave legall professour : ) which done , his reply must tend to the defini●tion of a wrong , and what the law of valour holds fo● satisfaction in actions of that nature . againe , ( for still he workes on this young-gallants weaknesse ) how the world esteemes his opponent to be a brave sparke ; one , whose spirit cannot be daunted , nor fury appeased with lesse than bloud : drawing him in the end by some rhetoricall perswasion ( as nothing more smooth than the oyly tongue of an insinuating foist ) to some base composition , whereof he and his complices are made equall sharers . now gentlemen , i could likewise produce certaine wofull occurrents , which have befallen some of your ranke and qualitie , and that within these few yeares , by consorting with such grand cutters : who pressing them to offence , could not endure such affronts , but with ●●solution ( which ever attends a generous spirit ) encountring them , have been utterly overthrowne , either in doing or suffering . but you will aske me , how should this be prevented ? can any gentleman suffer with patience his reputation to be brought in question ? can he endure to be challenged in a publike place , and by that meanes incurre the opinion of coward ? can he put up disgrace without observance , or observing it , not revenge it , when his very honour ( the vitall bloud of a gentleman ) is impeached ? heare me , whosoever he be that frameth these objections ! i am not ignorant how many unjust and immerited aspersions shal be throwne upon men of eminent'st desert , by such , whose tongues are ever steeped in calumnie : but who are these , save such as the glory of greece ( the everliving homer ) displayeth in the contemptuous person of thersites ; whose character was , more deformed in minde than bodie ? their infamous and serpentine tongues inured to detraction , deserve no other revenge , ( next legall punishment ) save avoiding their company , and bruting their basenesse in all societies , where their names are knowne , to caution others of them . i am spoken evill of ( saith seneca ) but the evill speake it : i should be moved , if m. cato , if wise lelius , or the two scipio's should speak this of me ; but it is praise for mee , to have the evill displeased with mee . it is true ; for as no imputation can truly be said to staine a pure or undefiled soule , whose inward sinceritie ( like a brazen wall ) beats backe all darts of envie or calumnie ; so it is not in the power of the evill to detract from the glory of the good : for what then should remaine secure from aspersion of the vicious ? but i imagine , you will reply ; it is not only the report or scandall of these men of uncurbed tongues , ( for so pindarus termes them ) but of such , whose eminent esteeme in the world , gives approbation to what they speake , which awakes my revenge . if they be as you terme them , men of eminent esteeme , and that esteeme by merit purchased , ( for all other estimation i exclude it : ) i need little doubt , but the distaste which you conceive against them , hath proceeded in some part from your selfe ; and that upon maturer consideration you should find your owne bosome guiltie to the cause of these aspersions . if otherwise it happen , ( as i grant it may ) that upon private surmises , or suggestions derived from some factious heads , these men of more eminent note and esteeme have brought your name in question , because ( as they were informed ) you formerly aspersed a blemish upon their honour : i would not have you to erre so farre from your owne judgment , as without further discussing the cause , to fall into desperat extremes : for were it not much better for you to sift the cause , how you both are abused , whereby that base suggestour might be duely censured , and your wrongs mutually redressed , than to vow revenge ere an injury be offered ? yes sir , beleeve it , much better and safer , and in the opinion of discreet men , wiser : howsoever our hare-brain'd gallant , whose property is to act before he resolve , esteeme it a derogation to ex●postulate on termes of disgrace , but to publish war ere the league be broken . we account him who can beare the most , to be the strongest ; yet esteeme we him who can beare injuries most , to be the weakest ; so ill disposed is mans temper , as for an opinion of reputation , hee will incurre apparant errour . now there is another revenge , which proceedeth from a nature farre more inglorious than the former . and that is , when for some little distaste conceived against our inferiour , ( even in worldly respects ) wee labour his undoing : yea many times , because hee stands too resolutely for right , wee threaten his ruine : but true shall we finde it : as the high doe use the low , god will use the highest so . and this might appeare in poore naboth , who because he would not give the inheritance of his fathers , his vine-yard , he must be stoned . but of this revenge i am not to insist ; for this is an evill more properly inherent to our rich oppressours , who grind the face of the poore , and raise them an house to their seldom thriving heires out of others ruine . only my wish shall be , that their dwelling may be with owles and ostridges in the wildernesse , and not in the flowry borders of this iland , lest shee be forced to vie sighes for their sinnes . i might now in this subject of revenge , inlarge my discourse by speaking of anger , from whence revenge may seeme to receive her originall being : which anger the poet termes a short fury : anger is madnesse , and as strong in force , but not in course so long . for what differs an angrie man from a mad-man , save onely in this ; his violence of passion continues not so long : for the time it is as vehement and as violent . excellent therefore was that precept of moderation given and observed by that renowned emperour theodosius , drawne ( as may appeare in the like example of augustus ) from a former patterne : of whom it is written , that he would never in his anger proceed to revenge , or so much as shew any argument of distaste , till hee had repeated over the foure and twentie greeke letters . but to conclude this last branch , my exhortation to all young gentlemen shall be , whose high spirits cannot endure affronts , that they would labour to expostulate with passion ; which if once protracted , will be sooner tempered , meditating also of these divine places of scripture : which receits are indeed most powerfull and effectuall to allay this passion . we that are by nature children of wrath , ought to give place unto wrath . for the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of god. yea , we ought to imitate god , which if we will doe , we must not continue in wrath , knowing , god will not contend , nor be wroth for ever . hee is slow to anger . yea , every man ought to be slow to wrath : for it is wisdome . if we will joyne in the true lovers knot , we must not be angry , for , true love is not provoked to anger . and if we will prevent the effect , we are to avoid the occasion ; therefore are we taught to have no familiaritie , neither strive with an angrie man. would wee appease anger ? we must doe it by meeknesse . lastly , may we be angrie ? yes , but how ? be angrie , but sinne not . let not the sunne goe downe upon your wrath . neither give place to the devill . thus have we runne over all those predominant humours , which beare most sway in distempered youth . let us now , according to our former purpose , proceed in applying certaine receits to cure these dangerous maladies . which briefly ( to avoid all curious divisions ) may be reduced to these two : active and contemplative . the one in exercising and performing the offices of our calling : the other in practising workes of pietie , exercises of devotion , meditation , contemplation . for the former , to wit , active , everie action hath two handles ( to use the philosophers words ; ) the one whereof consists in plotting or contriving ; the other in effecting . without the former , the latter is precipitate ; and without the latter , the former is frustrate : but both concurring , the action becomes absolute . but to speake generally of action , as it is the represser , so idlenesse is the producer of all vice . whence came that ancient edict amongst the romans , mentioned by cicero ; that no roman should goe thorow the streets of the citie , unlesse he carried with him the badge of that trade whereby he lived . in so much that marcus aurelius speaking of the diligence of the romans , writeth ; that all of them followed their labour . now gentlemen , i perswade my selfe , you will most of you object and say with the displaced steward in the gospell , we cannot digge : ( and i could wish that many of our eminent ones , would adde unto it , and to begge we are ashamed . ) it is true indeed ; i know your breeding hath beene otherwise ; but admit you cannot dig , doe yee inferre hence that yee are exempted from all labour ? in no case are you so to argue . there are other taskes , other employments besides manuall and mechanicke labours , which require your furtherance . and these are forraine or domesticall : forraine , as to benefit your countrey by rare discoveries , reconveying the rich freight of knowledge ( by conference with forraine nations ) to your native soile : or by personall adventure , to stand resolutely in defence of the faith , against those profest enemies of christendom , the turks ; whose furie and hostile crueltie , the easterne parts ( to our great griefe be it spoken ) have alreadie wofully sustained . domesticall ; as in studying the practice of lawes , or other humane studies , in labouring to determine differences betwixt partie and partie , in chastising and due censuring , ( as farre as their callings give leave ) of such factious or litigious sectists , as either in church or common-weale disturbe the quiet of the realme , and distract the state with frivolous or fruitlesse ambiguities . here are labours fit to entertaine gentlemen , and nought derogating from men of eminentest descent or qualitie . for in actions of this nature haue the best and most renowned states and princes in christendome beene trained and exercised : glorying no lesse in the happie and successive management thereof , than in subduing the potent'st and flourishing'st kingdomes . secondly , for the contemplative , which participates more of the minde : i could wish all gentlemen ( as they claime a prerogative in height of bloud ) so to erect their contemplations above the sphere of these lower and inferiour mortalls , whose cogitations pressed downe with the rubbish and refuse of earthly preferments , cannot distinguish light from darknesse : that they may imagine ( as in truth they ought ) that whatsoever is sought besides god , may possesse the minde , but cannot satisfie it . now , of all exercises of devotion , i must principally commend prayer ; being ( as one excellently noteth ) to be numbred amongst the chiefest and choisest workes of charitie . for by prayer are digged forth those treasures , which faith beholdeth in the gospell : being gods sacrifice , mans solace , and the devills scourge . for the time and place of prayer , i will not insist much of it ; howsoever , divers more curiously than profitably , precisely than wisely , have quarrelled about the place : excluding withall , some places as unfit for prayer . but in a word , for the place of prayer or devotion , this shall be my conclusion ; as there is no place exempted from tempting , so there is no place excepted from praying : and for the time , as we are continually assaulted , so are wee exhorted to pray continually , that we may be the better provided to resist those temptations which are usually suggested . amongst those many devout and divine prayers commended to youth , none more needfull or effectuall than that of the psalmist : remember not the sinnes of my youth . nor any memoriall more powerfull , than that of the preacher : remember thy creator in the dayes of thy youth . for by the latter are we put in mind of him , whose grace is to preserve us from sinne ; and by the former to call on him , whose mercie it is to forgive sinne . now gentlemen , have i composed and perfected what i purposed touching my first observance , entituled youth . wherein i have inlarged my selfe so much the more for two principall respects : the one , lest by being unprovided you should flie away naked ( as the young-man in the gospel ) wanting sufficient instruction to informe your weaker understandings : which moved me to amplifie each particular subject with varietie of morall reading ; because i knew how such discourse would relish more pleasantly to a young-mans palate , than graver or more serious matter . the other , lest wanting a convenient foundation to worke on , the maine building might shrinke . now , this i purposely framed for the basis or ground-work , the rest as stories , which are made to beautifie the foundation : for in these observances ensuing i intend brevitie , yet with such perspicuitie , as the gentleman to whom i write , may the better understand himselfe , and direct his courses to that bent of honour , whereto all generous actions are directed . the english gentleman . argument . of the diversitie of dispositions ; the disposition is not to be forced ; what disposition is most generous . disposition . how different the dispositions of men be , our usuall converse and commerce with men may sufficiently instruct us . yea even in youth , where the first seeds of inclination are sowne , we shall observe such diversitie , as the grasse-piles of the earth may scarce vie with them for varietie , the starres or sands for multiplicitie . where you shall note some youths of such wel-affected or tempered dispositions , as they shew undoubted arguments of future good : and these are such , whose natures are rather to be cherished than chastised , cockered than curbed : for the least distaste which their guardian or tutour can shew , workes such impression in them , as they could willingly choose rather to suffer his correction than his distaste . others there be , whose perverse and refractory natures are not to bee dealt withall upon equall termes : and these are the very antipodes to those well-tempered dispositions which wee spake of before : for they ever walke in a contrary path , directly opposite to such , whose native affability gains them love by an inbred courtesie . these ( diogenes-like ) are ever entring the temple , when others goe forth ; or repairing to the market , when others come from it . and these must taste of sharper censure ; for lenitie will not prevaile , therefore rigour must . the like may be observed even in their dispositions to learning : where wee shall finde some apt enough to get , and as apt to forget : others more solide ; though for the present slow , yet more retentive . and these , as with hardnesse they get it , so hardly will they lose it ; for their difficultie in gaining , is supplied by a facilitie in retaining . likewise , as the principall workes or faculties of our understanding be three ; first to discourse , secondly to distinguish , thirdly to choose : we shall also observe an admirable difference in these , in respect of their distinct qualities . where we shall finde one as apt to discourse , as unable to distinguish or choose ; and such an one hath all his judgement in his tongue . another of greater depth and maturer judgment than the former , more able to distinguish or choose , than apt to discourse : for though he want facilitie of utterance ( which want is generally supplyed by more excellent gifts ) yet so quick and subtill is the piercing eye of his judgement , as he is no lesse prompt in conceiving , than slow in uttering . now to treat of the dispositions of mens mindes ; it is strange to see what difference appeares in them , ( even by naturall and infusive motion . rome brought forth the pisoes for frugalitie , the metelli for pietie , the appii for austeritie , the manlii for affabilitie , the lelii for wisdome , and the publicolae for courtesie . which conditions appeared so lineally in their successours , as they seemed representers of their ancestours natures , as well as features . yet what reason can be given touching these distinct affections , save those prime seeds sowne in them by nature , which produce not onely these dispositions in themselves , but dilate or propagate their effects in others , to wit , those in whom they have stamped a likenesse both of image and condition . now to collect or gather , how men are affected , there is no course more direct , or in it selfe lesse erring , than to observe what delights they affect , or what company they frequent . augustus being at a combat , discerned the inclinations of his two daughters , iulia and livia , by the company which frequented them ▪ for grave senators talked with livia , but riotous persons with iulia. truth is , we shall ever se● persons of like condition love to consort together , for their qualitie or equalitie rather of disposition moves a desire of familiaritie one with another . likewise for delights , wee shall ever observe such , whose lighter dispositions affect libertie , to be frequenters of publike meetings , agents in may-games , profest lovers of all sensuall pleasures . that roman curtezan semphronia , was noted for her singing , sporting and dancing , wherein shee laboured to shew more art than became a modest woman , with other motives of licentiousnesse . but in my opinion , there is no one meanes to sift out the disposition of man better , than by noting how he beares himselfe in passion , which is of that violence , as many times it discovers him , though his purpose was to walke never so covertly from the eye of popular observance . should we have recourse to the lives of sundry tyrants , whose outward appearance or semblance promised much goodnesse : we might finde sufficient matter to confirme this argument . some whereof ( as tiberius ) so commonly carried and covered their plots , as none could dive into their thoughts , pretending ever most smoothnesse , when they intended a tempest . yet if at any time ( as it befell many times ) their spirits became netled or incensed ; so farre did passion transport them , as they apparantly expressed their natures , without further character . other discoveries may be made , and those are the manifestest of all , how men are affected or disposed when they are least themselves : and this is ( with griefe i speake it , for too highly doth albion labour of it ) when man , losing indeed that name , at least his nature , becomes estranged from the use of reason , by drowning his understanding with drunkennesse . in high germanie , the parents of such children as should be married , will see those which should be their sonnes in law to be drunke before them , to see what disposition they are of , before they marrie their children unto them . for they imagine , if they be subject to any especiall vice , they will then discover it , having no locke to keepe it secret . yet in this there are different humours which reigne and rage according to the disposition of the person subject unto it : as we shall see one lumpish without all conceit ; another jocund and merry , apt for any conceit : one weeping , as if some disastrous fortune had befallen him : another laughing , 〈◊〉 if some merry scene were presented him . we reade of two distinct conditions in philip and alexander , when they were in drinke ; for the one shewed his rage and furie towards his foes , the other to his friends : the one whereof participates of more true generous spirit than the other . for as nothing can be imagined more ignoble , than to triumph over our friend , so nothing relisheth of more resolution , than to shew our spirit ( so it be upon equall termes , and without braving ) upon our enemie . but would you indeed see the disposition of man truly discovered , and the veile which kept him from sight , cleare taken away ? then come to him when he is advanced to place of honour or esteeme ; ( for promotions declare what men be : ) and there you shall finde him pourtrayed to life . galba was esteemed in the opinion of all , fit to governe till he did governe . many have an excellent gift of concealing and shadowing ( which giveth grace to any picture ) so long as they are obscure and private : but bring them to a place of more eminent note , and give a lustre to their obscuritie , you shall view them as perfectly , as if their bodies were transparant , or windowes were in their bosomes . here you shall see one unmeasurably haughtie , scorning to converse with these groundlins ( for so it pleases him to tearme his inferiours ) and bearing such a state , as if he were altered no lesse in person than place . another , not so proud as he is covetous : for no passion ( as a learned schooleman affirmeth ) is better knowne unto us than the coveting or desiring passion , which he calls concupiscible : and such an one makes all his inferiours his sponges ; and ostridge-like can digest all metalls . another sort there are , whose well-tempered natures have brought them to that perfection , as the state which they presently enioy makes them no more proud than the losse of that they possesse would cast them downe . these ( camillus-like ) are neither with the opinion of honour too highly erected , nor with the conceit of affliction too much deiected . as their conceits are not heightned by possessing it , so they lose nothing of their owne proper height by forgoing it . these are so evenly poized , so nobly tempered , as their opinion is not grounded on title , nor their glory on popular esteeme : they are knowne to themselves , and that knowledge hath instructed them so well in the vanitie of earth , as their thoughts have taken flight , vowing not to rest till they approach heaven . pompey being combred with his honour , exclaimed to see sylla's crueltie , being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignitie he had ; and cried out , o perill and danger never like to have end ! such is the nature of noble spirits , as they admire not so much the dignitie of the place to which they are advanced , as they consider the burden which is on them imposed ; labouring rather how to behave themselve in their place , than arrogate glory to themselves , by reason of their place . neither are these sundrie dispositions naturally ingraffed in men , meerely produced from themselves , as the affections or dispositions of our mindes doe follow the temperature of our bodies ; where the melancholy produceth such , the cholericke , phlegmaticke , and sanguine such and such , according to humours predominant in that body , whence these affections are derived : but i say , these participate also of the clime wherein we are . for otherwise , how should our observations appeare good , which we usually collect in the survey of other countries ; noting certaine vices to be most entertained in some especiall provinces ? as pride among the babylonians , envie among the iewes , anger among the thebans , covetousnesse among the tyrians , gluttonie among the sidonians , pyracie among the cilicians , and sorcerie among the aegyptians , to whom caesar gave great attention , as alexander was delighted in ●he brachmans . so as i say , our dispositions how different or consonant soever , doe not only partake of us , but even of the aire or temperature of soile which bred us . thus we see what diversitie of dispositions there is , and how diversly they are affected : let us now take a view of the disposition it selfe , whether it may be forced or no , from what it naturally affecteth . the philosopher saith , that the disposition may be removed , but hardly the habit. but i say those first seeds of disposition , as they are primitives , can hardly be made privatives : being so inherent in the subject , as they may be moved , but not removed . not removed ( objectest thou ! ) why ; disposition can be of no stronger reluctance than nature ; and wee see how much shee may be altered , yea cleare removed from what she formerly appeared . for doe we not ( in the view of humane frailtie ) observe how many excellent wits drained from the very quintessence of nature , as apt in apprehending as expressing a conceit , strangely darkned or dulled , as if they had beene steeped in some lethaean slumber ? nay doe we not ( in this round circumference of man ) note divers honest and sincere dispositions , whose gaine seemed to be godlinesse , and whose glory the profession of a good conscience , wonderfully altered , becomming so corrupted by the vaine pompe or trifling trash of the world , as they preferre the puddle before the pearle , forsaking christ for the world ? doe we not see how uprightly some men have borne themselves all their time without staine or blemish : being all their youth vertuously affected , all their middle-age charitably disposed , yet in their old-age miserably depraved ? againe , doe we not behold , how many women whose virgin-modestie and nuptiall-continencie promised much glory to their age ; even then , when the flower of beautie seemed bloomelesse , so as their very age might make them blamelesse , when their skin was seere , and their flesh saplesse , their breath earthie , and their mouth toothlesse ; then , even then fell these unweldie beldames to embrace folly , promising longer continuance to pleasure , than they could by all likelihood unto nature ? now tell me how happened this ? were not these at the first vertuously affected ; if disposition then could not be forced , how came they altered ? all these rivers of objections i can drie up with one beame , darting from the reflex of nature . thou producest divers instances to confirme this assertion , that dispositions are to be forced from what they were naturally affected unto . whereto i answer , that dispositions in some are resembled ( and not improperly ) unto a beame cloathed or shadowed with a cloud ; which ( as we see ) sheweth his light sometimes sooner , sometimes later : or ( as by a more proper allusion may seeme illustrated ) may be resembled to the first * flourish in trees , which according to the nature or qualitie of the internall pith , from whence life is diffused to the branches , send forth their bloomes and blossomes sooner or later . true it is you object , that to the outward appearance , such men shewed arguments of good dispositions , for they were esteemed men of approved sanctitie , making conscience of what they did , and walking blamelesse and unreproveable before all men : but what collect you hence ? that their dispositions were sincerely good or pure , if societie had not depraved them ! no , this induction will not hold : it is the evening crownes the day . what could be imagined better , or more royally promising , than nero's quinquennium ? what excellent tokens of future goodnesse ? what apparant testimonies of a vertuous government ? what infallible grounds of princely policie , mixed with notable precepts of pietie ? yet who knowes not , how all the vices of his ancestours put together , seemed by a lineall descent to be transferred on him : being the patterne and patron of all crueltie , the author and actor of all villany , the plotter and practiser of all impietie : so as , if all the titles of crueltie were lost , they might be found in this tyrant . how then doe you say , that his disposition was naturally good , but became afterwards depraved and corrupted ? no , rather joyne with me and say , that howsoever his disposition seemed good during those five yeares , wherein he dissembled with vertue , and concealed those many vices which he professed and possessed afterwards : yet indeed he was the same , though not in shew , yet in heart . only now the cloud being dispersed , his tyrannous and inhumane nature became more discovered , acting that in publike , which he had long before plotted in private . for howsoever our dispositions may seeme forced , from what they naturally or originally were ; it is but a deception , they remain still the same , though advice and assistance may sometimes prevaile so much with them , as for the time they seeme to surcease and discontinue from their former bent ; but returning afresh , they will antaeus-like , redouble their strength and become more furious . for resolve me , and shew what may be the effectuallest or powerfullest meanes to remove disposition , or alter man most from what he may seeme naturally inclined unto . can honour ? no ; for that man , whose inclination is subject to change for any exteriour title , is not to be ranked amongst these generous spirits , with whom i am onely here to converse . for these admire titles , and assume a kinde of affected majestie , to make their persons more observed . but tell mee , what are these whom honour hath thus transported , expressing state with winkes and nods , as if the whole posture of state●●●sisted ●●●sisted in gesture , but meere popin-jayes , who glory more in the painting or varnish of honour , than the true substance of it ? and to speake truth ( as i had never fortune to doat much on an immerited title , nor gloze with counterfeit greatnesse ) their dispositions howsoever they seeme to the vulgar eye changed , they are nothing so : for their inclinations were ever arrogantly affected , so as they no sooner became great , than they deblazoned their owne thoughts . can riches ? neither ; for such , whose imaginations are erected above earth , scorne to entertaine discourse with ought that may make them worse : all in the world being either fumus or funus , a vanitie or vexation , as the preacher saith . these conclude , that no object lesse than heaven can satisfie their eye ; no treasure lesse than eternitie can answer their desire ; no pleasure save what hath concurrence with felicity , can gaine them true delight . now for these earthly moles , who are ever digging , till their graves be digged ; their dispositions are of baser temper : for they can taste nothing but earthly things . they measure not estate by competence , desiring only so much as may suffice nature , but by abundance ; which fares with them as liquor with an hydropticke man , who , the more he drinkes , the more he thirsts : so the more they have , the more they crave ; making their desires as endlesse , as their aimes effectlesse ; their hopes as boundlesse , as their helpes fruitlesse . when their mouths shall be filled with gravell , and corruption shall enter those houses of clay , for which so much provision was stored , and so small a share in the end contented . can acquaintance ? no ; for if company better me ( by an internall grace working secretly , yet effectually in mee ) my disposition consented , before such good fruit was produced : if it make me worse , my disposition , by consenting to suggestion , induced me that i should be therto moved . yea generally , whosoever is wel-disposed , wil keepe no man company , but either in hope to 〈◊〉 him , or to be bettered by him : as he , whose inclination is vicious and corrupt , leaveth the company hee frequents ever worse than when he found them . for as a * troubled fountain yeelds impure water , so an infected soule vicious actions . can travell ? no ; for , give me a man that hath seene iudasses lanterne at s. denisses ; the ephesian diana in the louvre ; the great vessell at heydelberge ; the amphitheatre at vl●smos ; the stables of the great mogol ; or the solemnities of mecha : yea all the memorable monuments which the world can afford ; or places of delight to content his view ; or learned academics , to instruct and enrich his knowledge ; yet are not all these of power to alter the state or qualitie of his disposition : whence the sententious flaccus ; to passe the sea some are inclinde , to change their aire , but not their minde . no ; shouldst thou change aire , and soile , and all , it were not in thy power to change thy selfe : yet as soone thy selfe as thy disposition , which ever accompanies and attends thee , moving in thee a like or dislike , just as shee is affected . having thus proved , that the disposition is not to be forced ; wee are now to descend to discourse of the noblest and most generous disposition : which wee intend to make knowne by certaine infallible markes , which seldome erre in their attendance , being vowed servants to such as are vertuously affected . the first is mildnesse ; the second munisicence ; the third fortitude or stoutnesse . mildnesse is a qualitie so inherent , or more properly individuate to a gentleman , as his affabilitie will expresse him , were there no other meanes to know him . hee is so farre from contemning the mea●●● , as his countenance is not so cheerefull , as his heart compassionate : though the one be no lesse gracious in promising , than the other generous in his performing . he poizeth the wrongs of the weakest , as if they were his owne ; and vowes their redresse as his owne . he is none of these furly sirs , whose aime is to be capp'd and congied ; for such gentilitie tastes too much of the mushrom . you shall never see one new stept into honour , but he expects more observance than an ancient : for though he be but new come from mint , he knowes how to looke bigge , and shew a storme in his brow. this meeknesse admits of humilitie to keepe her company ; in whose sweet familiaritie she so much glories , as she cannot enioy her selfe without her . and in very deed , there is no ornament which may adde more beauty or true lustre to a gentleman , than to be humbly minded ; being as low in conceit , as he is high in place . with which vertue ( like two kinde turtles in one yoake ) is compassion ( as i noted before ) linked and coupled : which compassion hath many times appeared in the renowmedst and most glorious princes . when pompeyes head was offered to caesar , as a most gratefull and acceptable present , it is reported that hee washed the head with teares of princely compassion , and inflicted due punishment vpon his murderers . the like is written of titus , that love and darling of mankinde , in his taking and destroying of ierusalem , using these words ; i take god to witnesse , i am not the cause of the destruction of this people , but their sinnes : mixing his words with teares , and tempering his victorious successe with royall moderation . the like is related of marcus marcellus , who having won the most flourishing city of syracusa , stood upon the walls , shedding plenty of teares before he shed any bloud . and this compassion attracts ever unto it a kinde of princely maiestie , gaining more love than any other affection . for as proud spirits , whose boundlesse ambition k●eps them ever afloat , till they sinke downe for altogether , use to triumph in others miseries , till miserie in the end finde them out : so these , in a discreet moderation or noble temper , will never assume more glory to themselves for any exploit , how successively or prosperously soever managed . such is the native modestie , wherewith they are endued , as their victories are never so numerous or glorious , as to transport them above themselves . which modestie surely becommeth men of all degrees , but especially men of eminent and noble ranke , to the end they may understand and acknowledge in every action , that there is a god , from whom all things proceed and are derived . now as there is no glory equall to the command or soveraigntie over our owne passions ; the conquest whereof makes man an absolute commander : so there is no ornament which conferres more true or native grace to one ennobled by place or birth , than to put on the spirit of meekenesse , being expresly commanded , and so highly commended of god , as the goodnesse thereof is confirmed by a promise ; the meeke shall inherit the earth . so humilitie is said to purchase gods favour ; for by that one vertue wee become to have a resemblance of him , whose glory it was to disesteeme all glory to fashion us like unto himselfe . now how precious may that exquisite treasure appeare unto us , which conferres so much light on us , as by it wee are brought to know our selves : being strangers , as it were , and aliens unto our selves , till humilitie tooke off the veile , and shewed man his anatomie . so rare was this divine vertue , and so few her professors in former time , especially amongst such whose titles had advanced them above inferiour ranke , as the place which they held made them forget the mould whereof they were made . an excellent historicall demonstration wee have hereof , as wee receive it from venerable bede , who reports 〈◊〉 thus : aidan a religious bishop , weeping for king osuinus , and demanded by the kings chaplaine why he wept ; i know ( said he ) that the king shall not liue long : for never before this time have i seene an humble king. which hapned accordingly , for he was cruelly murdered by oswin . but ( thanks to him who became humble for us ) wee have in these declining dayes , among so many proud symeons , many humble iosephs , whose chiefest honour they make it to abase themselves on earth , to adde to their complement of glory in heaven ; so much sleighting the popular applause of men , as their only aime is to have a sincere and blamelesse conscience in them , to witnesse in that judiciall day for them . these have not ( like those furies of revenge ) hearts full of wrath , but with all meeknesse and long-suffering will rather endure an injurie , than inflict too violent revenge , though they have readie power to effect or performe it . it is reported of thomas linacres , a learned english-man , much commended for his sanctitie of life , that when hee heard it read in the fifth chapter of s. matthew , diligite inimicos ; blesse them that curse you , &c. he brake forth into these words : o amici , aut haec vera non sunt , aut nos christiani non 〈◊〉 o my friends , either these things are not true , or we are no christians ! true it is indeed , that so strangely are some men affected , as they tender revenge equally deare as their owne life : their plots are how to circumvent , their traines how to surprize , their whole consultations how to inflict due revenge , where they have alreadie conceived distaste . and these are those bulls of basan , who rome and roare , and when the prey falleth , they stare on it , and teare it with their teeth . on these men may that of the poet be truly verified ; they feare no lawes , their wrath gives way to might , and what they plot they act , be 't wrong or right . but how farre the disposition of these men may seeme removed from the meeke and humble affected , whose only glory is to redresse wrong , and render right judgement unto all , there is none but may at the first sight apparantly discerne . for these humble and mildly-affected spirits , stand so firme and irremoveable , as no adversitie can depresse them , no prosperitie raise them above themselves . for adversities , they account them with that excellent morall , nothing else than exercises to trie them , not to tire them . and for prosperities , they ●eceive them as they come ; not for much admiring them , as making a profitable use of them ; and with a thankfull remembrance of divine bountie , blessing god for them . these are those impregnable rockes ( as one aptly compared them ) subject to no piercing ; those greene bayes in midst of hoarie winter , never fading ; those fresh springs in the sandie desart , never drying . whos 's many eminent vertues , as they deserve your imitation , ( gentlemen ) so especially their meeknesse , being the first marke i tooke to distinguish true gentilitie . the second was munificence ; that is , to be of a bountifull disposition , open-handed , yet with some necessary cautions , as to know what we give ; and the worth of that person to whom we give . for without these considerations , bountie may incline to profusenesse , and liberalitie to indiscretion . this moved that mirror of roman princes , the emperour titus , to keep a booke of the names of such , whose deserts had purchased them esteeme , but had not as yet tasted of his bountie . so as , it is observed of him , that no day came over his head , wherein he exprest not his princely munificence to such , whose names he had recorded : which , if at any time through more urgent occasions he neglected , he would use these words to such as were about him : o my friends , i have lost this day ! no lesse was the bountie which cyrus expressed , first in words , but afterward in deeds , to such souldiers as tooke his part against his grand-father astiages ; that such as were foot-men , he would make them horse-men , and such as were horse-men , hee would make them ride in their chariots . it is said of the house of the agrigentine gillia , that it seemed as if it had beene a certaine store-house or repository of all bountie . such indeed was the hospitalitie ( esteemed in this iland formerly , one of the apparantest signalls of gentrie ) which was showne to all such as made recourse to that mansion . and because i have accidentally fallen into this discourse , let me speake a word or two touching this neglect of hospitalitie , which may be observed in most places throughout this kingdome . what the reason may seeme to be i know not , unlesse riot and prodigalitie , the very gulfes which swallow up much gentrie : why so many sumptuous and goodly buildings , whose faire frontispice promise much comfort to the wearied traveller , should want their masters . but surely i thinke , as diogenes jested upon the mindians , for making their gates larger than their citie ; bidding them take heed , lest the citie run out at the gates : so their store-house being made so strait , and their gates so broad , i much feare me , that provision ( the life of hospitalitie ) hath run out at their gates , leaving vast penurious houses apt enough to receive , but unprovided to releeve . but indeed , the reason why this defect of noble hospitalitie hath so generally possessed this realme , is their love to the court. their ancient predecessours , whose chiefest glory it was to releeve the hungrie , refresh the thirstie , and give quiet repose to the weary , are but accounted by these sweet-sented humorists , for men of rusticke condition , meere home-spun fellowes , whose rurall life might seeme to derogate from the true worth of a gentleman , whose onely humour is to be phantastically humorous . o the misery of errour ! ●ow farre hath vanity carried you astray ( ye generous spirits ) that you should esteeme noble bountie , which consists not so much in bravery as hospitality , boorish rusticitie ? how much are you deluded by apish formalitie , as if the only qualitie of a gentleman were novell complement ? or as if there were no good in man besides some outlandish congie or salute ? alas gentlemen , is this all that can be expected at your hands ? must your countrey which bred you , your friends who love you , the poore , whose prayers or curses will attend you , be all deprived of their hopes in you ? no ; rather returne to your houses , where you may best expresse your bountie , by entertaining into your bosome , that which perchance hath beene long time estranged from you , charitie . for beleeve it ( as assuredly yee shall finde it ) that your sumptuous banquetting , your midnight revelling , your unseasonable rioting ▪ your phantasticke attiring , your formall courting shall witnesse against you in the day of revenge . for behold the lord commandeth , and he will smite the great house with breaches , and the little house with clefts . returne therefore before the evill day 〈◊〉 distribute to the necessitie of the saints , become good dispensers of what you have received , that yee may gaine your selves grace in the high court of heaven . but as for yee that put farre away the evill day , and approach to the seat of iniquitie ; ye that sing to the sound if the violl , and invent your selves instruments of musicke , yee shall goe captive with the first that goe captive . o misery ! that man with so beauteous an image adorned , with such exquisite ornaments of art and nature accomplished , to so high a ranke above others advanced , should delude himselfe so with the shade of vanitie , as to become forgetfull of his chiefest glory ▪ but experience ( i doubt not ) will unseale those eyes which lightnesse and folly have blinded ; till which happie discovery of youthfull errour , i leave them , and returne to my former discourse . you may perceive now , how requisite bountie is for a gentleman , being an especiall marke ( as i observed before ) whereby we may discerne him . amongst sundrie other blessings conferred by god on salomon , this was not one of the least , in that he gave him a large heart : not onely abundance of substance and treasure to possesse , but a large heart to dispose . indeed this is a rare vertue : worldlings there are , who possesse much , but they enjoy little , becomming subject to that which they should command . the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and rich not using , is by these two expressed ; the one carendo , the other non fruendo . of which two , the greater misery is the latter ; for he slaves himselfe to the unworthiest servitude , being a servant to obey , where he should be a master to command . to conclude this point in a word ; if wee ought to shew such contempt to all earthly substance as hardly to entertaine it , much lesse affect it ; let us make it a benefit , let us shew humanitie in it , by making choice of the poore , on whom we may bestow it . this which we waste in rioting , might save many from famishing : let us bestow therefore lesse of our own backs , that we may cloath them ; lesse of our owne bellies , that we may feed them ; lesse of our owne palats , that we may refresh them . for that 's the best and noblest bountie , when our liberalitie is on such bestowed , by whom there is no hope that it should be required . the third and last marke whereby a true generous disposition is distinguished , is fortitude or stoutnesse : being indeed the argument of a prepared or composed minde , which is not to be dismayed or disturbed by any sharpe or adverse thing , how crosse or contrary soever it come . excellently is this fortitude defined by the stoicks , terming it a vertue which standeth ever in defence of equitie : not doing , but repelling an injurie . those heires of true honour , who are possest of this vertue , dare oppose themselves to all occurrents in defence of reputation ; preferring death before servitude and dishonour . if at any time ( as many times such immerited censures occurre ) they die for vertues cause , they meet death with a cheerefull countenance ; they put not on a childish feare , like that baendite in genoa , who , condemned to die , and carried to the place of execution , trembled so exceedingly , that he had two men to support him all the way , and yet he shivered extremely . or ( as maldonatus relates ) how he heard of those which saw a strong man at paris condemned to death , to sweat bloud for very feare : proving out of aristotle , that this effect may bee naturall . but these , whose generous spirits scorne such basenesse , never saw that enterprise which they durst not attempt , nor that death which could amate them ; where honour grounded on vertue , without which there is no true honour , moved them either to attempt or suffer . but now to wipe off certaine aspersions laid on valour or fortitude : wee are not to admit of all daring spirits to be men of this ranke : for such , whose ambition excites them to attempt unlawfull things ; as to depose those whom they ought to serve , or lay violent hand on those whom loyall fidelitie bids them obey ; opposing themselves to all dangers to obtaine their purpose , are not to be termed valiant or resolute , but seditious and dissolute . for unlesse the enterprise be honest which they take in hand , be their spirits never so resolute , or their minds prepared , it is rashnesse , but no valour , having their actions ever suted by dishonour . sometimes likewise the enterprize may be good and honest ; the cause for which they encounter with danger , vertuous ; the agents in their enterprize couragious ; yet the issue taste more of despaire than valour . example hereof wee have in the machabees , in the death of razis one of the elders of ierusalem , a lover of the city , and a man of very good report ; which for his love was called a father of the iewes . one , who did offer to spend his body and life with all constancie for the religion of the iewes ; yet being ready to be taken on every side , through the fury of nicanor ; who so eagerly assaulted and hotly pursued him , he fell on his sword : yea , when his bloud was utterly gone , he tooke out his owne bowels with both his hands , and threw them upon the people , calling upon the lord of life and spirit , that he would restore them againe unto him ; and thus he died . whence augustine , that devout father , and most excellent light of the church , concludeth , that this was done magnè , non benè , more resolutely than rightly : for hee was not to lay violent hand upon himselfe , though there were no hope of safetie , but imminent danger in respect of the furious and bloudy enemie . now this fortitude , whereof we here discourse , as it is grounded upon a just foundation , so it never ends in basenesse or rashnesse : in basenesse , as in not daring ; in rashnesse , as in too inconsiderately attempting . it is so farre from any act of despaire , as it hopes so long as it breathes ; for to despaire , is to entertaine the extremest act of feare , which is farre from her condition . now to discourse of the aime or end whereto all her actions are directed : it is not any peculiar interest which moves true resolution so much as publike good . for such , whose aimes are glorious , are ever conversant in redressing wrongs , ministring comfort both by advice and assistance to such , whose weaknesse hath felt the power of greatnesse . for as in every good man there is naturally implanted a desire of goodnesse ; so in every valiant man there is a native desire to gaine honour by redressing injuries : yea , admit no honour were to accrue unto him by endevouring to right or releeve such as are distressed , yet for vertues sake ( which is a sufficient reward to her selfe ) he undertakes the taske . for charitie , being a good and a gracious effect of the soule , whereby mans heart hath no fancie to esteeme , value or prize any thing in this wide world beside or before the care and studie of god ; so inflameth a well-disposed man , as his desire is only to doe good , whereby he might in so doing glorifie god , the beginner and accomplisher of all good . now there are many motives to excite men to valour , as may be collected from histories properly and profitably tending to this purpose . but the usuallest motive is anger , being indeed the whetstone of fortitude : or the princes presence ; as wee reade of the macedonians , who being once overcome in battell by their enemies , thought the only remedie to animate their souldiers , was to carry philip being then a childe in a cradle to the field ; thereby stirring up the zeale of loyall and faithfull subjects to defend their innocent prince : and this whetstone so sharpned their swords , that indeed they won the battell . or the renowme of ancestors ; as the people of tangia in america alwayes in their warres carried the bones and reliques of their memorable predecessors , to encourage their souldiers with the memory of them , to avoid and eschew all timiditie . so tacitus reports how the germans inflame their spirits to resolution and valour , by singing the memorable acts of hercules . or the sound of warlike alarmes ; as the nairians in india stirre up their people to battell , by hanging at the pu●mels of their swords certaine plates to make a noise , to animate and incense them to warre . so ale●ander the great hearing antigenida that excellent ●rumpetter sound his trumpet to battell , was stirred up in such sort to fight , that his very friends were not secure from blowes which stood about him . or the passionate effects of musicke ; as s. basil recounteth one timothie to be so excellent in musicke , that if he used a sharpe and severe harmony , he stirred up men to anger , and presently by changing his note to a more remisse and effeminate straine , he moved them to peace : both which effects he once produced in alexander the great at a banquet . or opinion of the enemies crueltie ; as in the yeere appeared in agria a city in hungaria , engirt with long siege by mahomet bassa with an army of turkes amounting to threescore thousand , and battered with sixtie cannons ; in the citie were only two thousand hungarians , who with incredible valour repelled thirteene most terrible assaults : resolved to endure famine , or any extremitie soever , rather than yeeld to their truculent and insatiable desires . wherefore they never came to parley of truce , but to answer their enemies fury with cannons and calivers . at last , when the bassa had offered them many favours , they hung over the wall a coffin , covered with blacke , betwixt two speares , signifying thereby , that in that citie they would be buried . so the turkes despaired of successe , and the hungarians , to their eternall glory and renowne , prevailed : preserving themselves and their citie , whose libertie they defended from the turkes 〈◊〉 . and hence i might take occasion to advance with due deserved praise the glorious memory of such , whose resolution hath had no other ayme , than defence of the truth against those profest foes of christendome ; who have alreadie taken possession of the holy land making the keepers of that sacred sepulchre ( the most blessed monument that ere was erected on earth ) to pay them tribute , whose high-swelling pride is growne to that height , as their empire seemes to labour with her owne greatnesse . o what tender christian eye can behold these wofull distractions in christendome , and abstaine from teares ? to see christian armed against christian , while the common foe of christians laughs at these divisions , taking advantage of the time to enlarge his dominions . o who can endure to see pagans and infidels plant , where the blessed feet of our saviour once trod ? to heare mahomet called upon , where christ once taught ? to have them usurpe and prophane those temples , where he once preached ? to reare them altars for their false prophets , where those true prophets of god once prophesied ? to see mahomets oratorie erected , where the iewish temple was once seated ? to behold his palace in the cathedrall church of san sophia , now become his seraglia ; where stood once the high-altar or communion-table , and patriarchall throne , now made , and so used as a turkish moschie , with uncleane hands polluted , by unbeleeving hearts possessed ? alas for sorrow ! that soveraigntie should so much blind , or desire of command beare so much sway , that christs * enemie should get advantage by our discord . o thrice happie ( and may it be soone so happie ) were the state of christendom , if all civill and unnaturall broiles ( for unnaturall it is for christian to shed christians bloud ) were appeased and ended ! that they with one consent might assaile this common enemie , marching even to constantinople ( once the glorious seat of a victorious emperour ) crying with one voice , downe with it , downe with it even to the ground . and easily might this be atchieved , if christendom would joyne minde with might , that this vncircumcised philistine might bee discomfited , till which time christendom can never be secured . but to conclude this discourse , ( for i feare i have enlarged my selfe too much in my digression ; ) as fortitude is that 〈◊〉 marke which giveth a gentleman his true character , shewing resolution as well in suffering , as acting : my exhortation to our english gentrie shall be , that they so demeane themselves , that their countrey may be honoured by them , true worth expressed in them , and their predecessours vertues seconded , if not surpassed by them . the english gentleman . argument . what education is ; the effects of it . how a gentleman may be best enabled by it . edvcation . education is the seasoner or instructresse of youth , in principles of knowledge , discourse , and action . of all inferiour knowledges , none more behoovefull than the knowledge of mans-selfe ; of all superiour , none more usefull nor divinely fruitfull than the knowledge of god , who for man gave himselfe . by view had of the one , man shall have a sight of his misery ; by view had to the other , man shall finde cause to admire gods mercie . hence that hony-tongued father desired that his knowledge might extend it selfe only to these two : to know god ; to know himselfe . now as the beautie and splendor of the sun is best discerned by his beames ; so is the greatnesse of god best apprehended by his workes . whereof i may say , as simonides did of god , that when he had required but one day to resolve what god was : when the day was expired , he was more unable to answer , than at the first . so as hermes termes the sun-beames of god to be his works and miracles ; the sun-beams of the world to be the varietie of formes and features ; and the sun-beames of man , diversitie of arts and sciences . touching knowledge , it is in god to know all things ; in man to know some things : in beast to know nothing . as we cannot extend to the distinct knowledge of the creator , so let us extend our knowledge above the reach of the inferiour'st of gods creatures . it is written of alcibiades , that hee was skilfull in all things , in all exercises : so that he seemed in every nation to obtaine the conquest , in what prize or masterie soever he tooke in hand . it is not for us to labour the attaining of such exactnesse : vnum est necessarium : one only knowledge transcends all others , the attaini●● whereof makes the knower happie ; as the want if makes man , how knowing soever in all other sciences , most unhappie . for what skills it to have knowledge in reasoning of high and deepe points concerning the blessed trinitie , and want charitie , whereby we offend the trinitie ? let us therefore esteem i● the crowne of our hope , to attaine to the excellent and incomparable knowledge of him who made us , whose bloud did save us , and whose holy spirit daily and hourely shields and shadowes us . next is to know himselfe ; an excellent knowledge grounded on true humilitie : where man shall finde how many things he is ignorant of ; and of these things which he knowes , how farre short he comes of that perfection which is required of him . it was a saying of a grave philosopher , by learning alwayes something , i grow old . now how fruitfully were our time from infancie to youth , from youth to man-hood , from man-hood to old-age employed , if our aymes were so to direct our knowledge , that we might attaine the understanding and knowledge of our selves . then would not selfe-conceit transport us , nor opinion of our owne knowledge entrance us , but we would divinely conclude ▪ we have reaped more spirituall profit by dis-esteeme , than selfe-esteeme . alphonsus of arragon answered an orator , who had recited a long panegyricall oration in his praise : if that thou hast said consent with truth , i thanke god for it ; if not , i pray god grant me grace that i may doe it . the like temper i could wish in each gentleman , who in respect of meanes more than merit , shall many times heare himselfe approved and applauded by such tame-beasts or glozing sycophants , who feed on the prodigalls trencher . let not applause so much transport , or praise so farre remove man from himselfe , as to become ( by the vaine blast of others breath ) forgetfull of himselfe . humbly esteemed hee of his knowledge , who concluded : this i onely know , that i know nothing . nothing in respect of that i should know ▪ nothing in respect of that which is injoyned me to know ; nothing in respect of others who knew farre more than ere i may know . for ( saith bernard ) how canst thou possibly be a proficient , if thou thinkest thy selfe alreadie sufficient ? but alas , how farre hath selfe-opinion estranged man from knowledge of himselfe ; who rather than he will be found ignorant in any thing , will assume upon him a supposed knowledge in every thing ? he will rather lye upon his knowledge , then seeme defective in any knowledge . whence one speaking of the knowledge of mans selfe , most divinely concludeth ; nosce teipsum first descending from heaven to earth , is now ascended from earth to heaven , leaving miserable man admiring his owne feature , as if hee were his owne maker . and whence proceedeth this , but because he hath ascended unto that mountaine , to which the first angell ascended , and as a devill descended ? whereas , if he duely considered those many imperfections whereto he is engaged ; those many debts and bills of errours , which , as yet , are undischarged ; that naturall or originall sinne wherein hee was conceived ; and that actuall sinne wherewith hee is daily polluted ; hee would questionlesse conclude ; what 's man whose first conception's miserie , birth baine , life paine , and death necessitie ? which divine meditation is of power to subdue the whole man of sinne , and bring him under the yea●●●● of obedience , by an incessant consideration had of gods mercie , and mans misery ; which may produce in him a more blessed effect , by extenuating and humbling himselfe , both in respect of the substance or matter of his creation , and in respect of the irregenerate course of his conversation : as also in contemplating the ineffable mercie of the almightie ; whose grace it is , that directs miserable man , and reduceth him from erring ; whose compassion it is , that raiseth him from falling ; and whos● tender mercy it is , that supporteth him in his rising . bu● in my conceit , there is no one motive more effectuall , or divinely powerfull , to bring us to a true and perfect knowledge of our selves , than to observe with what passions or perturbations wee are encountred ; especially when through immoderate excesse , we are in the cup of forgetfulnesse drowned . which saint basil confirmeth , saying : that passions rise up in a drunken man , like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . which passions are not such as are prevented by reason , and directed by vertue : for these are not altogether to be extinguished , as the stoicks supposed , but to be provoked as movers of vertue , as plutarch teacheth . but rather such distemp●red o● indisposed affections as are suggested to man by his implacable enemies : labouring to undermine and ruine the glorious palace of his deare bought soule . vpon which affections seriously to meditate , were to expell all selfe-conceited or opinion● t● arrogance ; to become humble in our owne thoughts : concluding , that our knowledge is ignorance , our strength w●●knesse ▪ and our wisdome foolishnesse . being ( as one well observeth ) like a spring-locke , readie of our selves to shut , but not to open ; apter to shut grace from us , than to receive grace into us : or like stones upon the top of a hill , by reason of our heavie and earthie nature , readie enough to tumble downe , but without the helpe or motion of another , slow enough to mount up . saint anselme walking abroad in the field , and beholding a shepheards boy , who had caught a bird , and tied a stone to her leg with a threed ; and ever as the bird mounted , the stone haled her backe againe . the venerable old man moved with this sight , fell a weeping pitifully , lamenting the miserable condition of man , who endevouring to ascend up to heaven by contemplation , are detained by the passions of the flesh ; which enforce the soule to lye there like a beast , and not soare to heaven by that pro●er motion , which was first given her by her creator . ●ow to conclude this first point , ( by making a fruitfull use or application of what hath beene already spoken ) i could wish young gentlemen , whose aymes , perchance , are addressed to purchase rather the light freight of forraine fashions , than the precious gemme of selfe-knowledge , to be otherwise minded , by conforming themselves to his * patterne and example , who though he knew all things , boasted not of his knowledge , but abased himselfe to make us rich in all spiritual knowledge . as for such as are puft up and know nothing , but dote about questions and strife of words , whereof commeth envie , strife , railings , evill surmisings , perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes , and destitute of the truth ; we are taught to withdraw our selves from them , because their fellowship is not of light , but darknesse ; their knowledge no perfect nor sincere knowledge , but palpable ignorance ; their wisdome no sound nor substantiall wisdome , but meere foolishnesse . their wayes are not by the stockes of the shepherds , but ragged and uneven wayes , leading their deluded followers head-long to all perdition . deare christians , though i know this point to have beene gravely and exactly handled by many solid and learned divines ▪ whose holy oyle hath beene fruitfully employed in unmasking and discovering these dangerous separatists , who have sowne the seed of pernicious doctrine in the eares of their weake auditory : yet i thinke it not amisse to presse this exhortation further , lest your speedie ruine prevent you of all hope hereafter . beware of these pharisaicall doctors , whose puritie only consists in semblance and outward appearance ; whose doctrine hath ever a taste of pride ; whose counsells ever tend to faction ; and whose wayes are ever antipodes to the truth . these are called prophets , but they are none : being humbl● teachers , but proud doctors . outwardly specious , but inwardly vicious : having faire rindes , but false hearts : having a shew of godlinesse , but denying the power thereof . come from among them and leave them , for their wayes lead to death , and their paths to destruction . saint iohn would not come in the bath● where the hereticke cerinthus was . another holy man ( though most innocent ) could endure to be accounted a whoremaster , an uncleane person , and the like ; but when one called him hereticke , he could beare no longer . wee have here ( thankes to our maker ) more pleasant and delightfull springs to retire to , than these troubled and corrupted puddles , which taste of nothing but pollution . leave these , and love those . where can there be vnitie , where there is no conformitie ? where a holy zeale or compassionate fervour , when nothing is spoke but by the sonnes of thunder ? be yee wise unto salvation ; may godlinesse be your best knowledge ; that , dissolved from this tabernacle of earth , yee may keepe consort with the angells in a blessed harmony , because ye resembled them on earth in mutuall love and unitie . and let this suffice for the first branch , to wit , knowledge : now wee will descend to the second , to wit , discourse , with some necessary cautions very profitable , if put in use , to direct ( or rather limit ) such , whose 〈◊〉 liberall and profuse speech oft times brings them within the censure of indiscretion . democritus calls speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the image of life , because it represents to man the occurrents and passages of his life . now forasmuch as through the subtiltie of time , men use to shroud and conceale their thoughts , by expressing least what they intend most ; speech becomes a darke image , representing man 〈◊〉 as he is , but as he seemes . diogenes wondred that men would not buy earthen pots before they proved by the sound whether they were whole or broken : yet they would be contented to buy men by their speech . the old proverbe used by socrates , and approved by ancient philosophers , was this : loquere ut te videam . subtill purposes were not then shadowed or gilded with faire pretences ; but so simple were their meanings , as they needed no words of art ( meerely invented to delude ) nor the gawdie ornaments of perswasive oratorie to colour them . but to propose some necessary cautions worthy observation of the generous in their discourse ; i would have young gentlemen to beware especially of two errours , usually occurring in subjects of this nature ; affectation , and imitation : the one for the most part arising from our selves , the other from too ardent a desire of imitating others . the first sort generally , are so miserably enamoured of words , as they little care for substance . these are ever drawing a leaden sword out of a gilded sheath ; and will not lose a dram of rhetoricke for a pound of reason : having , as theocrit●● said of anaximenes , a floud of words , but a drop of reason . these are ever talking , till their mint of words faile them , and then of necessitie they turne silent . these will lay themselves open to their professedst enemie , so they may gaine applause , and get the opinion of good speakers , being the onely marke they shoot at . and indeed , these seldome hurt others , but many times themselves : for these are those fooles ▪ which carry their hearts in their mouthes ; and farre from those wise men , which carry their mouthes in their hearts . though discretion of speech be more than eloquence , these preferre a little unseasoned eloquence before the best temper of discretion . and thus much of affectation . imitation tastes no lesse of barrennesse , than the other of phantasticknesse : though i must confesse , this draweth neerer true humilitie , in that it dis-values it selfe , to become a serious observer and imitator of others . but great men especially cannot want imitators , be the occasion never so unworthy imitation . if caesar have an use to hold his necke aside in his discourse or pleading , he shall have one to affect and imitate that deformitie . if vespasian draw in his face in a purse , ( as if it went hard with him ) hee shall have one to represent it , as it were naturally . and , which is of all others most intolerable , so habitually are these grounded on imitation , as they are conceited that nothing can so well beseeme them , as this uncomely fashion which they have observed , and now imitate in others . whereas if they would consider how nothing forced may appeare with that decencie , as when it is naturally descended , they would ingenuously confesse , that this apish or servile imitation detracts much from the worth of man , who should subsist on himselfe , and not relie on others postures . in briefe , that discourse is most generous , which is most genuine : nature may beseeme that , which imitation cannot : but to addresse our selves to imitation of others , in that which even appeares ridiculous in the persons themselves , this inferreth grosse stupiditie . it is an excellent lesson which a holy father giveth to all discoursers , that they should rather be given to heare than ●●ake● and in matters of argument , to assoile a needlesse question with silence . so as cicero preferreth wisdome attired with ignorance , before speech attended by folly . now because the best of discourse tendeth to perswasion , which is the life and efficacie of speech ; and this perswasion consisteth on three parts ; life of the speaker ; truth of the subject ; and sobrietie of speech ; of necessitie these three must be observed , ere we can have our audience sufficiently perswaded . first for the life of the speaker : if speech ( as wee have said ) be the image of life , why should not wee conforme our life to our speech ? wee would be loth to be taxed of indiscretion in our speech ; let us labour likewise to appeare blamelesse and unreproveable in our life . for he that forgetteth to conforme or fashion his life to his speech , his speech to his life , is like unto a man beholding his naturall face in a glasse : for he beholdeth himselfe , and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . wherefore gentlemen , of all others , ought to be most respective of their conversation : for a little soile is a great blemish in them , whose education promiseth more than inferiour men . such m●● , for most part , gaine best authoritie or approbation in discourse , who have beene ever observed to speake probably , and not of subjects above the reach or pitch of humane conceit . neither can any thing disparage or lay a deeper aspersion upon the face of gentrie , than to be taxed for fabulous relations . especially therefore should they inure themselves to probable discourses , being such as may gaine them an opinion of reputation , and be a meanes to conferre more authority on their discourse . the second is the truth of the subject , which must needs import much authoritie : for how should wee perswade , where the subject admits no probabilitie of truth ? therefore were it meet , that wee make choice of what wee relate , not maintaining whatsoever we heare by report , for undoubted trut●● for so should wee be made * knights of post to all newes-mongers , being no lesse ready to sweare , than they to report . i have casually fallen into the company of some , whose only relation was noveltie : these would entertaine no discourse but forraine , speaking as familiarly of the states of princes , and their aimes , as if they had new crept from their bosomes . but alas , how ridiculous are these in the sight of judicious men , whose eyes are not so sealed , but they may easily discerne the arrogancie of these , who affect rather to be admired than beleeved ? excellent and proper for our present purpose , is that fable of the fowler and the bird : a fowler having taken a bird in his snare , was humbly intreated by the bird , that he would free her and give her libertie , and shee would requite this courtesie with three good lessons ; which ( if duly observed ) would profit him more than her small body . vpon these conditions , the fowler was contented to release the poore bird , provided , that the lessons were so profitable and usefull unto him , as she pretended . which , in briefe , were these : not to lose a certaintie for an incertaintie : not to give credit to things beyond probabilitie● . nor to grieve for that which is past remedie . these lessons received , the bird was forthwith released : who being now at libertie , and mounting aloft in the aire , and triumphing in so blest a freedome , chanted out this merrie madrigall ; had'st thou knowne the wealth i had , thou would'st nere have let me gone , for it would have made thee glad to enjoy so rich a one . in my bladder there 's a stone , then which , never earth brought forth one of more unvalued worth . this the discontented fowler had no sooner heard , than presently he repented himselfe of so rare and inestimable a losse ; which the nimble bird perceiving , thus replied : how apt's man for to forget what might give him most content ? thou at libertie me set , when i taught thee , to repent nothing how the world went ; nor what crosse ere fell on thee , if past hope of remedie . but thou griev'st thou canst not have what thou canst not get againe : thus thou mak'st thy selfe a slave to thy selfe , and mourn'st in vaine : and long may'st thou so complaine . for my lessons i was free , yet thou keep'st not one of three . the perplexed fowler inquisitive of knowing further , pressed the bird againe ; asking her in what particular he had broken any of her lessons ? to whom the bird , flickring a little with her wings , as one that gloried in her unexpected libertie , answered ; the lessons which i gave thou sleight'st , and weigh'st them but a rash , or else thou would'st not lose one bird in hand , for two in bush. the next was , things incredible nere credited should be , yet thou beleev'st a precious stone worth worlds is hid in me . the last , for things remedilesse thou never shouldst complaine , and now when i am flowne from thee , thou wishest me againe . many excellent moralls are shadowed in these fables , which may deserve observation of the pregnant'st and maturest conceit ; not onely in the subject or substance of the admonition , but in the person which giveth this admonition . where the poets smoothly , but tartly , used to introduce beasts , birds , and such like creatures ; admonishing man , the noblest of all creatures , of his dutie . yea of beasts , they made choice sometimes of the grossest and contemptiblest , as the asse , to expresse the want of consideration in man ; whose diviner parts drowned in the lees of sensuall corruption , or carnall securitie , become forgetfull of that , for which they were principally created . it were easie to enlarge this subject with much varietie of examples ; but my purpose is , in digressions , rather to touch than treat . wee have handled two particulars , effectually moving to perswasion ; the life of the speaker , that it be unreprovable ; the nature of the subject whereof hee speakes , that it be probable . now wee are to descend to the third , which is , sobrietie of speech : an especiall motive to attention , being that which cicero much commendeth , and for which hortensius was much commended . albeit , arguing in sylla's cause , he was taxed by l. torquatus , and called for his too much effeminacie in apparell , as also for his too much action of bodie , not only a common actor , but even a dionysia , who was famous for her moving and wanton gesture . to whom hortensius answered , callest thou me dionysia ? sure i had rather be a dionysia than as thou art , torquatus : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : one without learning , barbarous and uncivill . now this sobrietie consists not onely in the pronunciation of speech , but sober carriage or deportment of the body , which indeed addeth no little lustre to discourse . i haue observed in some , a kinde of carelesnesse in their forme of speaking ; which , though it gaine approbation in men of eminent ranke , it would seeme harsh and contemptible in men of inferiour condition . others there are , who can never enter into any set or serious discourse , but they must play with a button , as if they drained their subject from such trifling action : and these , me thinkes , resemble our common-fidlers , who cannot play a stroake , to gaine a world , without motion or wagging of their head , as if they had rare crochets in their braine : but this mimicke and apish action keepes small concurrence with the postures of a gentleman , whose speech as it should be free , native and generous ; so should the action of his bodie admit of no phantasticke imitation or servile affectation , which expresseth little , save a degenerate qualitie or disposition . others i have likewise noted , to conclude their set speeches with winkes and nods , as if the understanding of the whole world were confined to the circumference of their braine : and these usually expresse more soliditie of conceit in the action of their bodies , than the motion of their tongues . for oft-times , through want of matter ( being gravell'd with an affected gravitie ) they are forced to trifle time in impertinences , and leave that matter untouched for which they came . i could wish that young gentlemen would principally observe this lesson , to be sober in arguments of discourse , but especially in reasoning : for there is nothing that darkeneth or obscureth the light of reason , more than the boundlesse effects of passion , which makes a man forgetfull of that he should say , no lesse than indiscreet in that hee doth say . but especially in publike assemblies , where difference of judgements oft-times racke our speeches to a higher pin , ought deliberation to be had : for there we cannot recall so soone what we have spoke amisse , as in private , where lesse premeditation may afford matter of satisfaction . i approve likewise of his opinion , who would have such , whose pleasant conceits minister content to the hearer , if they meane to jest publikely , and force their wits to stem the streame of worlds judgements , ( which , i say , are different , and therefore more observant ) that they use pericles custome , who determining to speake any thing publikely , desired the immortall gods , that no improvident word should passe his mouth . certainly , whosoever he be that speakes and never meditates , may be compared to the uncleane beast , who digests and never ruminates . neither is it hard to gather this , even by their discourse , which consists meerely on ventositie , digressive and impertinent , spending much wind to small purpose : resembling pytheas that foolish orator , who would never leave his babbling . he that meditates before hee be prepared ( saith one ) builds his house before stones be gathered . but sure i am , he that discourseth before he be provided , serves up his dishes before they be seasoned . albeit tiberius be said to doe better in any oration extempore , than premeditate . now i could reduce these discursive motives of perswasion , to two generall heads : to wit , vehemencie of passion ; or instancie of demonstration : and first for vehemencie of passion , here may we produce an apt and proper example . there came a man to demosthenes , desiring his help to defend his cause , and told him how one had beaten him : demosthenes answered him againe , saying : i doe not beleeve this to be true : the plaintiffe then thrusting out his voice aloud , said : what , hath he not beaten me ? yes indeed ( quoth demosthenes ) i beleeve it now , for i heare the voice of a man that was beaten indeed . whence appeareth , what effects vehemencie of passion produceth , expressing her wrongs so well in words , as they enforce beleefe to the hearer . likewise , because examples illustrate , though they doe not prove ; touching instancie of demonstration , we have an excellent one in that of cato : who determined to strike the senate and romans in feare , discoursed at large of the carthaginian warres , aggravating the danger by proper circumstances , which threatned the publike state ; and instancing the ruine of many eminent and flourishing states occasioned by the securitie of their people . but they objecting againe , that carthage was farre from them ; he shewed them greene figs , implying thereby that carthage was not farre distant , for otherwise the figges would have beene dried and withered . these kindes of discourses , seconded by instance , are very moving and perswasive ; for as speech is called the object of the eare , so is such kinde of instance an object to the eye , which must needs be more perswading , because visibly appearing . but we have inlarged this subject too much ; wherefore to draw in our sailes , and apply particularly , what in generall hath beene discoursed : i could wish young gentlemen considerate in what they speak , because speech is termed the index of the minde , and can best expresse him , whether he taste of rinde or pith . now because moderation of the tongue is such an absolute vertue , as it displayeth the wisdome of him that hath it ; whence the wisest of all princes , he that bridleth his tongue is most wise : i must needs preferre discreet silence before loquacitie , for , in much speech there shall want no sinne ( saith solomon : ) whereas silence is exempted from all censure , so it bee mixed with discretion . it is said that pythagoras would desire two things of god ( if the poss●bility thereof could stand with the conservation of humane society : ) that hee might not speake , that he might not eat : for by the one , hee should prevent offence in discourse , by the other , avoid surfet through excesse . whence the poet ; silence is such a soule-entrancing charme , it may doe good , but can doe little harme . albeit that pythagorian silence i cannot approve of , being many times prejudiciall to the publike state : for by silence ( saith the orator ) is errour approved , the lustre of vertue darkned , good and wholesome precepts suppressed ; whereby youth might be instructed , private families directed , all inordinate motions corrected , and the whole structure of this little world , man , rectified and repaired . but especially in divine professors and dispencers of the sacred word , is silence most hurtfull : for these should be shrill trumpets in sounding and delivering the sweet tidings of salvation , the tidings of peace and spirituall consolation . the pastor ( saith a blessed father ) by holding his peace , doubtlesly killeth sinners : that is , when he will not tell the house of iacob his sinnes , nor israel her transgressions ; but cries , peace , peace , when there can be no true peace : for what peace unto the wicked , saith the lord ? so as the word of the lord which came unto the prophet , rouzed him up with this fearfull caveat : if thou givest not the ungodly warning , he shall perish , but his bloud will i require at thy hand . with whom the apostle harmoniously joyneth ; woe unto mee if i preach not the gospell . for in that cause wherein the faithfull and painfull pastor is to please god , he is to sleight the pleasure or displeasure of men . now gentlemen , yee whose education hath engaged you farre in the expectance and opinion of others ; yee whose more generous breeding promiseth more than others ; ye whose nobler parts should distinguish you from others ; let not those innate seeds of gentilitie first sowne in you , as in a hopefull seed-plot , be nipped in their rising : which , that yee may the better prevent , exercise your selves in noble discourses , not wanton or petulant , for these breed a dangerous corruption even in the life and conversation of man. quintilian would not have nurses to be of an immodest or uncomely speech , adding this cause ; lest ( saith hee ) such manners , precepts , and discourses as young children learne in their unriper yeers , remaine so deeply rooted , as they shall scarce ever be relinquished . sure i am , that the first impressions , whether good or evill , are most continuate , and with least difficultie preserved . how necessary then is it , that an especiall care or respect be had herein , that choice be made of such , whose modest and blamelesse conversation may tender you their brests in your infancie , and furnish you with grave and serious precepts in your minoritie ? that your knowledge may be fruitfull ; your discourses usefull ; and your actions in the eyes of the almighty gratefull . of which action , we are now to speake ; being the third branch which we observed in our definition of education . that education is the seasoner of our actions , wee shall easily prove , if we observe the rare and incredible effects derived from it : which , that we may the better doe , you are to know , that every action hath two handles ; the one whereof consists in contriving ; the other in performing . in the former , we are to observe deliberation : whence the orator ; before wee take any thing in hand , we are to use a diligent or serious preparation ; that we may effect what we intend , and more prosperously succeed in that we take in hand . in the latter , is diligence required ; for what is premeditation or preparation worth , if it be not by diligence seconded ? when annibal was a childe and at his fathers commandement , he was brought into the place where he made sacrifice , and laying his hand upon the altar , swore , that so soone as he had any rule in the common-wealth , he would be a professed enemie to the romans : nor did hee infringe the vow which his infancie had professed , but expressed when he came to be a man , what he had protested to performe being a childe . no device unassayed , no stratagem uncontrived , no labour neglected , no taske unattempted , which might conferre honour on carthage , or expresse his mortall and implacable hate to rome . in this one example , we shall see the strength of education : for though annibal had no cause personally given him , to vow all hostilitie rather on rome than any other place ; yet in respect he received his breeding from such as were professed foes to the romans , he seconds their hate , resolving to live and die romes enemy . the like may be observed in the demeanour and conversation of men : in which respect also , education discovereth her absolute power . for shall wee not see some , whose faire outsides promise assured arguments of singular worth , for want of breeding meere painted trunks , glorious features , yet shallow creatures ? and whence commeth this , but through want of that which makes man accomplished , seconding nature with such exquisite ornaments , as they enable him for all managements publike or private ? licurg●● brought two dogges , the one savage , wilde and cruell ; the other trained ; to let the people see the difference betwixt men brought up well , and badly : and withall to let them understand the great good of keeping lawes . now what are these savage and wilde doggs , bu● resemblances of such , whose untrained youth never received the first impressions of a generous education ? these , as they were bred in the mountaines , so their conversation is mountainous , their behaviour harsh and furious , their condition distempered and odious . yet see the miserie of custome ! what delight these will take in actions of incivilitie ! nothing relisheth with them , save what they themselves affect ; nor can they affect ought worthy approbation : for education ( which one calls an early custome ) hath so farre wrought with them , as they approve of nought freely , affect nought truly , nor intend ought purposely , save what the rudenesse of education hath inured them to . these mens aimes are so farre from attaining honour , as they partake of nothing which may so much as have the least share in the purchase of honour . their minds are depressed , and as it were earth-turned : for they aspire to nothing which may have being above them ; neither can they stoope any lower , for nothing can be under them . nor can their actions be noble , when their dispositions by a malevolent custome are growne so despicable . hence it is , that the philosopher saith ; the divine part in such men is drowned , because not accommodated to what it was first ordained . for how is it possible that their affections should mount above the verge of earth , whose breeding and being hath beene ever in earth ? they ( saith phavorinus ) who sucke sowes milke , will love wallowing in the mire : inferring , that as our education hath formed us , so will wee addresse our selves in the passage and current of our life . for as nature is too strong to be forced , so education ( being a second nature ) hath kept too long possession to be removed . she it is , that in some sort moldeth our actions and affections , framing us to her owne bent ; as if wee received all our discipline from her , by whom we were first nourished , and since tutored . but you may object , if education expresse such power , as her first native impressions cannot be suppressed ; how did those men appeare educated , whose first breeding was in mountains , and afterwards advanced to no lesse glory than a diadem ? such were romulus and remus ; that translater of the median empire to the persians , victorious cyrus ; and he who from the plow-stilts was elected emperour , to wit , gordius . surely their education came farre short of that which is expected in the majestie of a prince ; yet what inimitable presidents of renowme were these , shewing much resolution in conquering , and no lesse policie in retaining what they had conquered ? to begin with the first , to wit , romulus ; truth is , he laid the first foundation of a glorious and flourishing state ; yet as his nurse was a wolfe , he plaid the wolfe to his brother . he planted his kingdome in bloud , as his infancie received food from her , whose native disposition affecteth bloud . neither can i be perswaded , that his carriage could be so civill , as that his first breeding left no relique nor relish of barbarisme : especially , when i reade what injuries or indignities were offered the sabines by him , what cruelties were acted upon his owne uncle , what impieties were committed upon the neighbouring heards-men : the multitude whereof expressed how cruelly he was naturally addicted , and that the first seeds which his savage education had sowne in him , could hardly be suppressed . touching cyrus , no question his breeding was not altogether in the mountaines , for he had recourse or resort ( though unknowne ) to asti●ges court , where he received no small bettering in the progresse of his reigne . neither ( as it may probably be collected ) would harpagus permit so great hopes , as were treasured in him , and by all auguries and predictions likely to be confirmed of him , to be destitute of instructions fit and accommodate for so high a person . forels● , how should such excellent lawes have beene devised ; such exquisite cautions for state government provided ; the empire of the medes , with whom it had so long continued , to the persians peaceably translated , and without faction established ? these ( i say ) might probably confirme , how well this victorious shepherd was furnished with all precepts apt to informe him ; stored with all princely habiliments fit to accomplish him ; and exercised in all regall discipline , the better to prepare him against all occurrents that should assaile him . for the last , as he was from obscurity raised , so did he little in all his time that could be worthily praised , being more skilfull in setting of a turnep , than setling of a state ; more experienced in correcting the luxurious growth of his vine , than rectifying those abuses raging and reigning in his time : so as , his small acquaintance in state-affaires , during his minority , made him lesse affected to those employments in his riper years . whereas , if we reflect upon the noble and inimitable exploits of alexander the great , whose fame hath given life to many volumes , we shall see that his princely education gave him such rare impressions of glorious emulation in his father philip , as it raised him to those hopes hee afterwards attained . for where was that enemie he encountred with , that he overcame not ? that citie he besieged and wonne not ? that nation he assailed and subdude not ? yet who more mildly affected , though a souldier ; or more humble-minded , though a conquerour ? which may appeare by that answer of this invincible chieftaine to his mother ; who desirous to execute an innocent harmlesse man , the better to prevaile with him , remembred him , that her selfe for the space of nine moneths had carried him in her wombe , and for that reason he must not say her nay . but what replied he ? aske ( saith he ) good mother some other gift of me : for the life of a man can be recompenced by no benefit . behold a princely disposition lively charactred , having an eye no lesse to saving than subduing ; to receive mercie than to gaine a victorie ; to preserve the conquered than become a conquerour ; to get a friend than to win a field ! which , as it requires a noble and free disposition , not engaged to crueltie , boundlesse ambition , desire of triumph without compassion ; so questionlesse it shewes a composed , civill , and generous education : for these exclaime not with the poet ; omnis in ferro est salus : but esteeme it the most glorious conquest to be subduers of their owne wills , preferring the saving of a life before the gaining of an empire . yet doe i not conclude these men to be exquisite , as if they were freed from all such insulting affections as usually invade the brests of these high aspirers : for so should i renounce the credit and authoritie of all histories . themistocles ( as i have elsewhere noted ) walked in the open street because he could not sleepe : the cause whereof when some men did enquire , he answered , that the triumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest : see the strength of ambition , how powerfully it subdued a man of approved resolution & exquisite temper ! pausanias killed philip of macedon only for fame and vaine-glory : see the weaknesse of a high spirit , whom the least blast of flickring fame could so transport , as to embrue his hands in bloud to gaine him an infamous glory . no , my aime is rather to expresse the noble acts and atchievements of such whose breeding had sh●wne them as well by precept as example , what might best become such eminent personages . hippocrates recounteth of a certaine sort of men , who to be different from the vulgar ( being men more nobly descended ) chose for a token of their nobilitie , to have their head like a sugar-loafe : and to shape this figure by art , when the childe was borne , the midwives tooke care to binde their heads with swathes and bands , untill they were fashioned to the forme . and this artificialnesse grew to such force , as it was converted into nature : for in processe of time , all the children that were borne of nobilitie , had their heads sharpe from their mothers wombe . for the truth of this relation i will not argue much , but sure i am , if art have such power on the outward forme , education , which is termed a second nature , can produce no lesse effect from the inward man. for have wee not read , how divers naturally addicted to all licentious motions , by reading morall precepts , and conversing with philosophers , became absolute commanders of their owne affections ? have they not ( some i meane , and those of place & esteeme ) even in the height of their desires , when opportunitie was offered , an occasion ministred , and all motives to a sensuall banquet mustered , restrained their desires , subjected sense to the obedience of reason , and became kings by not consenting , whereas they had become despicable slaves by yeelding ? yes , and in that more remarkable , that they were heathens , who had no knowledge of god , but directed by the light of nature only . what then may wee imagine might be done by long education and continuall practice , during the time of infancie , which ( as the philosopher saith ) is that smooth and unwritten table , apt to receive any impression either of good or evill ? for which cause , as all times require instruction , so this time especially , because subject to correction ; which moved sundry peeres to send for certaine wise and discreet men to instruct their children during their greener yeeres . achilles had his phoenix , alexander his * calisthenes , alcibiades his socrates , cyrus his xenophon , epaminondas his lycias , themistocles his symmachus : to whom they ought more ( as they themselves confessed ) than to their owne naturall parents : for , from them ( their parents i say ) they received only living , but from these they received meanes of living well . but me thinkes we decline rather to knowledge than action ; let us therefore presse this point a little further , and returne to where wee left . during that prosperous and successive time of victorious sylla , pompey the great , then a young man and serving under him , received such seasoning from his military discipline , as made him afterwards chosen amongst so many brave spirits , to trie the hazard of fortune with the victorious caesar. nor was his judgement inferiour ( if wee may build on the credit of historie ) to his potent adversarie , though fortune made him her slave , triumphing no lesse in the quest of his death , than view of his conquest . themistocles ( whose name as wee have oft repeated , so in all records worthily renowmed ) having beene trained from his infancie in the discipline of warre , became so affected , and withall so opinionate in himselfe of martiall affaires , as being moved on a time at a publike feast to play upon the lute , answered ; i cannot fiddle , but i can make a small towne a great citie . see what long use in experiments of warre had brought a noble souldier to ! his actions were for the publike state ; his aimes not to delight himselfe or others with the effeminate sound of the lute , but to strike terrour in his foe with his sharpe-pointed launce . now what should wee thinke of these , whose more erected minds are removed from the refuse and rubbish of earth , ( which our base groundlins so much toyle for ) b●t that their thoughts are sphered above the orbe of feare ? death cannot amate them , imminent perill deterre them , disadvantage of place or inequalitie of power discourage them ; this is their canto , and they sing it cheerefully : the only health ( what 's ever doe befall ) that we expect , is for no health at all . this might be confirmed by sundry histories of serious consequence , especially in those memorable sieges of rhodes , belgrade , vienna , and many other ; where the resolution of their governours sleighted the affronts of that grand enemie of christendome , the turke , and by their valour purchased to themselves both safetie and honour . thus farre have we proceeded in our discourse of education , which we have sufficiently proved to be a seasoner of action , as well as of speech or knowledge . neither in actions militarie only , but in all manuall arts practised in rome during her glorious and flourishing state : from which even many ancient families received their name , beginning and being . as the figuli from the potters ; the vitrei from the glaziers , the ligulae from the pointers ; the pictores from the painters ; the pistores from the bakers . all which ( as we may reade in most of the roman authors ) had applied themselves , even in the first grounds of their education to these arts , wherein they grew so excellent , as they inriched their posteritie by their carefull industrie . but to speake truly of action , as it is generally taken , neither speech , nor knowledge , of which we have heretofore spoken , can well want it . wherefore demosthenes defining the principall part of an oration , said , it was action : the second the same : the third no other than action . isocrates for lacke of a good voice , ( ●therwise called the father of eloquence ) never pleaded publikely . and cicero saith , some men are diserti viri , but for lacke of action , or rather untowardnesse , habiti sunt infantes . whence it is , that sextus philosophus saith , our bodie is , imago animi . for the minde is ever in action ; it resteth not , but is ever labouring , plotting or contriving , addressing it selfe ever to employment . the like affinitie hath action with knowledge : for barren , fruitlesse and livelesse is that knowledge which is not reduced to action . whence it is , that many ( too many , heaven knows ) burie their knowledge in the grave of obscuritie , reaping content in being known to themselves without communicating their talent to others . but this is hiding of their talent in a napkin , putting their candle under a bushell ; resembling the envious spitefull man , who will not open his mouth to direct the poore passenger in his way , or suffer his neighbour to light his candle at his : for both imply one thing , as the poet excellently singeth ; who sets the trav'ller in his journey right , doth with his candle give his neighbour light . yet shines his candle still , and doth bestow light on himselfe , and on his neighbour too . for this burying or suppressing of knowledge , it may be aptly compared to the rich miser , whose best of having is only possessing ; for that communicative good he knowes not , but admires so much the golden number , as he prefers it before the numbring of his dayes . yea , as it is much better not to have possessed , than to mis-imploy that whereof we were possessed ; so is he in a happier case who never knew any thing , than such a man who knew much , yet never made a communicative or edifying use of his knowledge . as may appeare by the parable of the talents . the contemplative part indeed affords infinite content to the spirituall man , whose more erected thoughts are not engaged to the meditations of earth , but are spheared in a ●ighe orbe . this mans minde , like archimedes ayme , should enemies invade him , death and danger threaten him , inevitable ruine surprize him , his desire is only to performe his taske , and that taske the highest pitch of a soule-solacing contemplation . and this kinde of rapsodie , or intrancing of the soule ( as i may terme it ) ministers unspeakable delight to the minde of that man , who is usually affected to these divine aspirations , as a godly father termes them . yet these contemplative persons , whose retirednesse of estate , immunitie , or vacation from publike government have drawne their affections wholly from the thought of earth or conversing with men ; as they relish more of the cloister , than societie of nature ; more of the cell or frocke , than communitie which affords the most fruit ; so they never extend further than satisfying their owne disconsorting humour . i confesse indeed , their contemplations farre exceed the worldly mans , for his are to earth confined ; or the voluptuous mans , for his are to pleasures chained ; or the ambitious , for his are to honours gaged ; or the deluded alchimist ( whose knowledge is a palpable mist ) for his are to impossible hopes restrained ; yet as profit and pleasure make the sweetest musicke : so contemplation joyned with practice , make the fruitfullest knowledge . to conclude our discourse touching education , on which as the principall'st seasoner of youth , we have long insisted ; may the first seeds of your more hopefull harvest , ( worthy gentlemen ) be so sowne , as they may neither by extremitie of winter , that is , by too awfull rigour , be nipped ; nor by the scorching heat of summer , that is , too much connivencie of your tutor , parched . so may your countrey reape what she hath with long hope expected , and receive a plentifull crop of that which she her selfe , by hopefull education , hath long manured . the english gentleman . argument . of the necessitie of a vocation ; no man is exempted from it ; of vocation in generall ; of the vocation of a gentleman in particular ; and how he is to employ himselfe therein . vocation . vocation is a peculiar calling allotted to every one according to his degree . wherein we are to consider ; first , a necessitie of vocation ; secondly , no exemption from that vocation : and first of the first . in that originall or primitive puritie of mans nature , i say before his fall , there was no such command exhibited , as was afterwards injoyned . for then he was created pure , and deputed soveraigne over a pleasant and flourishing empire , a delightfull eden , receiving no inhibition after so large and ample a commission , save this , that of the tree of good and evill , hee should not eat of it . but when adam had transgressed , this command was forth with directed to him and his sin-stained posterity : in the sweat of his face should he eat bread . then , then , and not till then began adam to delve , eve to spin ; inferring that the sweat of their brows should earne them a living . there were none that did gallant it in the workes of a wormes . there were none that pierced the bowells of the b earth for precious stones to adorne them ; none that had minde of precious c odours and aromaticall sweets to perfume them . in briefe , none held it then a grace to have the out-cast d feathers of birds to plume them ; the very excrements of e beasts to sent them ; the bowels and entralls of f wormes , to cloath them ; the white excretions of g shell-fish to decke them . those leatherne coats were provided to cover mans shame , and doe evince him of h sinne. they were provided likewise to repel the extremitie of i heat and cold , to shelter him against the violence of all seasons . there were other vocations then intended and attended , other labours proposed and sustained , other fashions used and observed than the vanities of this age , where the devill , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that imitating and apish thing , as k damascen calls him , peccati fomenta succendit , kindles those foments of sin to traine wretched man to the lake of perdition . hence it is , that he sets up that vexillum superbiae , to which all the sonnes and daughters of vanitie repaire ; affecting incivilitie before modestie , inquiring after the fashion , not how neat it is , but how new it is . these imagine it a labour sufficient , a vocation for their state and degree equivalent , to spend the whole morne till the mid-day in tricking , trimming , painting and purfling , studying rather to die well , than live well . these are they who beautifie themselves for the stage , to become deluding spectacles to the unbounded affections of youth . they make time only a stale for their vanities , and so prostitute their houres ( those swift coursers of mans pilgrimage ) to all enormous libertie . these are penelopes wooers , gilded gallants , whose best of discourse is complement , or apish formalitie , whose best thoughts reach but to where they shall dine , or the choice of an ordinary ; and whose best actions are but ravishing of favours from the idolls of their fancie . but how farre short come these of that necessitie of vocation injoyned them ? they thinke it sufficient so to attire themselves , as they may become gracious in the eye of their mistresse : whereas that , wherein they seeme to themselves most gracious , to the eye of a grave and considerate man may seeme most odious : as in apparell , we say that onely to be commendable which is comely , that laudable which is seemely : for it is an ornament which adorneth . now how deformed are many of our rayments drawne from forren nations , and as ill-seeming our ilanders , as cockle-chaines agricola's souldiers ? certainly , this attire becommeth not a christian , but such as are prostitutes to the whore of babylon . the garment of a true follower of christ , is innocencie , which , because it cannot be simple or absolute , wee should endevour to lessen our imperfections daily , becomming conformable to his image , who being free from sinne , tooke upon him our sinne , to free us from the guile of sinne , and punishment due unto sinne . let us therefore endeuour our selves , i say , to attaine the reward of our high calling in christ : which that wee may the better obtaine and purchase at his hands , by whom wee expect reward , wee are in the meane time to serve him in our vocation here on earth , that we may reigne with him in heaven . now that there is a necessitie of vocation injoyned all , of what ranke or degree soever , wee may prove by many pregnant places of scripture , inveighing against idlenesse , and commending imployment unto us . amongst which , that of the prophet ezechiel may be properly applied to our purpose . behold ( saith he , speaking of the sinnes of ierusalem ) this was the iniquitie of thy sister sodome ; pride , fulnesse of bread , and abundance of idlenesse was in her , and in her daughters : neither did she strengthen the hand of the poore and needie . againe , in that of the proverbs : he that tilleth his land , shall be satisfied with bread : but he that followeth the idle , is destitute of understanding . againe : he that is slothfull in his worke is even the brother of him that is a great waster . againe , that of the sonne of sirach : if thou set thy servant to labour , thou shalt finde rest : but if thou let him goe idle , he shall secke libertie . againe : send him to labour that he goe not idle : for idlenesse bringeth much evill . this likewise the blessed apostle admonisheth the thessalonians of , saying : for even when wee were with you , this wee warned you of , that if there were any which would rot worke , that he should not eat . for wee heare , that there are some which walke among you inordinately , and worke not at all , but are busie bodies . therefore them that are such , we warne and exhort by our lord iesus christ , that they worke with quietnesse , and eat their owne bread . againe , that serious exhortation of the apostle to timothie , describing the natures of such factious and busie bodies as intend themselves to no setled imployment : but being idle , they learne to goe about from house to house : yea , they are not only idle , but also pratlers and busie bodies , speaking things which are not comely . againe , that expresse charge given by the apostle touching every ones distinct profession or vocation : let every man abide in the same vocation wherein he was called . see here how much idlenesse is condemned , and labour commended ; the former being the mother of all vices ; the latter a cheerer , cherisher , and supporter of all vertues . for wherein may man better expresse himselfe than in the display and dispatch of such offices to the management and execution whereof he was first created ? vertue , as it consists in action , time in revolution , so the maze of mans life in perpetuall motion : wherein non progredi est regredi , non procedere recedere est . it is given to man to labour , for life it selfe is a continuate labour . see then the necessitie of a vocation , being a peculiar labour allotted or deputed to any one person in particular . whence sprung up first the diversitie of trades and occupations , which now by processe of time have aspired to the name of companies , gaining daily new prerogatives , the better to encourage them in their severall offices . it is a saying of cn. bentatus ; that he had rather be dead , than live dead : meaning , that vacancie from affaires , and retiring from such actions as tend to the conservation of humane societie , was rather to die than to live . for life , that is compared to a * lampe or burning taper , so long as it is fed with oyle , giveth light ; being an embleme of mans life , which should not be obscured or darkned , but ever sending forth her rayes or beames both to light it selfe , and others . whence the poet ; life is a lampe whose oyle yeelds light enough : but spent , it ends , and leaves a stinking snuffe . gellius compares mans life to iron : iron ( saith he ) if exercised , is in time consumed , if not exercised , is with rust wasted . so as this rust ▪ which indeed is rest from imployment , doth no lesse consume the light or lampe of our life , than labour or exercise : for our life decayes no lesse when wee are eating , drinking , or sleeping , than toyling or travelling about our worldly affaires . so much of our life is shortned , as wee are even in these things , which preserve and sustaine nature , imployed : thus death creepes on us when wee least thinke of it , surprizing us when wee least expect it . some with ammon carousing , others with haman persecuting , or with sanherib blaspheming , or with belshazzar sacrilegiously profaning , ahitophel plotting , the children mocking , that incredulous prince of israel distrusting , or that rich man in the gospell presuming . few or none with iacob exhorting , with martyr-crowned steven blessing , with the apostles rejoycing , or with all those glorious martyrs , whose garments were deepe died in the bloud of zeale , singing and triumphing . and a good reason may be here produced , why many die so wofully dejected : for how should they cloze their dayes cheerefully , who have spent all their dayes idly ? if they that disobey god , shall plant the vineyard ▪ and others shall eat the fruit ; how may those expect to be partakers of the fruit of the vineyard , who neither obey god nor plant vineyard ? how long have many , whose exquisite endowments were at first addressed for better imployments , stood idling in the market-place , never making recourse to gods vineyard , either to dung or water it , refresh or cherish it ; labouring rather to breake downe her branches , than sustaine it ? how many be there , who will rather imploy whole yeeres in contriving some curious banquetting-house , than one moneth in erecting one poore almes-house ? how choice and singular will the most be in their tabernacles of clay , while the inward temple goes to ruine ? as charles the emperour said of the duke of venice his building , when hee had seene his princely palace like a paradice on earth : haec sunt , quae nos invi●●s faciunt mori . they draw us backe indeed , and hale us from meditation of a more glorious building , which needs not from the inhabitant any repairing . how necessary is it for us then , to addresse our selves to such imployments , as may conferre on the state publike a benefit ? for as wee have insisted on the necessitie of a vocation , so are wee to observe the conveniencies of a vocation . which that wee may the better doe , wee are to consider three especiall things , which as scales or greeses may bring us to the right use and exercise of our vocation . the first consideration is divine , or to god-ward ; the second civill , or to man-ward ; the third peculiar , and to our selves-ward . for the first , because indeed the rest have dependance on it , and could have no subsistence but from it ; wee are to consider by whom we are deputed to such a place or office , 〈◊〉 for what end . the person by whom wee are so deputed , is god , who in his goodnesse as hee hath bestowed an image more noble and glorious on us than on any other creature , so hath he enabled us to execute our place under him with due feare and reverence to his name , ever observing the end for which wee were to such places deputed ; which is , to honour him , and be helpfull unto others who resemble him : which is the second consideration wee before observed , and termed civill , because in civill societie requisite to be performed . by the love of god ( saith a good father ) is love to our neighbour ingendred , by the love of our neighbour is our love towards god increased . now if wee should communicate all that wee possesse unto our neighbours , and want this love , which onely maketh the worke fruitfull and effectuall , wee were but as tinkling cymbals ; we are therefore incessantly to crave of god by prayer ▪ which ( as that godly divine saith ) is to bee numbred amongst the greatest workes of charity ; that he would infuse into us the fervour of his love , by which onely is granted us to ●●●taine true neighbourly love , performing such workes of charitie in our vocation , as we may preserve that union and communion , which members of one mysticall body have one with another . and this love thus planted , cannot bee so silenced or smothered , but it will be discovered , and that by such effects as are usually derived from charitie : for these will not grinde the face of the poore by extortion , or draw teares from ●he orphans eyes by oppression , or sow the seed of dis●ord betwixt neighbour and neighbour by the spirit of contention . no , as they are placed in a vocation , they will shew themselves to all helpfull , to none hurtfull . they will be an eye to the blinde to direct them , a staffe to the lame to support them , a visitant to the sicke to comfort them , a samaritan to the w●unded to heale them , a garment to the naked to cover them , meat to the hungry to releeve them , drinke to the thirstie to refresh them : being all unto all , that by all meanes they might gaine some . these are the effects of this love , which with adamantine tyes becomes linked to the love of god , and to man for god. the third consideration is peculiar ; wherein we are principally to take heed of selfe-love , a vice no lesse fatall than universall . which selfe-love as it hath many branches , or sciens , according to the disposition of the owner , so it produceth no lesse variety of effects . the ambitious man being ever aiming , ever aspiring , thirsteth after honour , and never leaves hunting after it , till hee fall with his owne grandure . his pre-coloured flagge of vanity is displayed , and his thoughts ( so open hearted is he ) as if hee had windowes in his breast , discovered . his agents are weake and unsteady ; his aimes indirect and maligned by envie , concluding his comicke beginning with a tragicke catastrophe . yet see how selfe-conceit transports him , sycophancy deludes him , and an assured expectance of an impossibility detaines him . now see him uncased ; he useth rather with catiline to speake much and do little , than with iugurth to speake little and doe much . he entertaines all with broad-spread armes , and proclaimes liberty , but none will beleeve him . for how should he proclaime , or proclaiming conferre that on others , which he enjoyes not in himselfe ? or how should he enjoy that inestimable libertie , which the earthly-sainted or contented only enjoy ; when he is become a slave to his owne unbounded desires , and through selfe-conceit , is made a prey to his foes deceit , falling in that lowest , where his expectance raised him highest ? yet see whence these effects proceed ! surely from no other spring than that troubled well-spring of selfe-love , which leaves her distressed master engaged to sundry extremes . the like may be observed in the avaritious man ; ( for to these two instances is my present discourse restrained : ) whose misery it is to admire rather than employ what he enjoyes . the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and the rich not using , is by these two expressed ; the one carendo , the other non fruendo . of these it may bee truly said , that their gaine is not godlinesse , but their godl●●●ss● is to reape gaine . and though apparent a losse be to be preferred before filthy gaine : yet they wholly and onely embrace such b arts , trades , or sciences , from which a certaine gaine may bee procured . they know ( and that knowledge makes them more culpable ) that c gaine cannot accrue to one , without losse to another : yet they will rather prejudice another in the greatest , than be an inconvenience to themselves in the least . they have felt by experience , that wealth is a great nourisher of vice , and poverty of vertue ; yet will they erect an idoll to honour her by whom vice is nourished , but disesteeme her from whom many vertuous motions and affections are derived . true it is indeed , that when any d object of profit is tendred us , necessarily are we induced to condescend to the meanes of acquiring that profit . againe , we all seeke profit , and are ( as it were ) haled unto it : yet this is to be intended such profit , as holds concurrence with honesty . they know , ( and wofull it is that they make no better use of their knowledge ) how e gaine maketh men worse : and but for gaine no man had beene evill . for this filthy f gaine accuseth nature , and reproveth us , that our life being so short , should have desires so long , labouring to joyne land to land , when so small a scantling will serve our turne at our departing . they know how truly that sententious poet sung ; g wealth disesteemes all learning , and all arts , faith , honesty , and all our better parts . there is a h native will or inclination to feining and lying in all such as seeke after wealth , and desire gaine . see how servile and ignoble their condition is , whose affections , slaved to private profit , embrace any course how indirect soever , for selfe-love , or selfe-gaine ! that are ever harping upon that of the poet ; i he shall be noble , valiant , wise , a prince , or what he will , that ha's but wealth , no matter how he got it , well or ill . but how farre short comes vulgar opinion of truth , whose judgement is in their eyes or eares , no● measuring man , nor his worth , by those nobler parts within him , but by his wealth or habit , whose best of glory is without him ? little know these earth-worms how they shall be uncased , and with what misery then enclosed . for if they did , they would preferre ( right sure i am ) the inestimable purchase of vertue , before this rust or rubbish , which leaveth the possessor as full charged with care , as his chest stored with coine . vertue is of that noble and unconfined nature , as she k seeketh nothing that is without her ; there is her glory . againe , there can be no vertue which is not l free and voluntary ; there is her libertie . againe , she m subdueth all things ; there is her soveraignty . againe , n fortune gives place to her ; there is her precedency . for o fortune can take nothing away but what she herselfe giveth . againe , they only are p rich which are enriched with vertue ; there is her felicity . so as , howsoever the philosophers axiome be , that riches is a signe of eternall glory ; sure i am , that vertue directeth man in this maze of misery , to the true sight and light of glory . this is that morning-starre sent from that sunne of the morning to direct us ; that brazen wall reared by that brazen serpent to shield and protect us ; that faire lilly of the valley cropt by that fairest often thousand to beautifie and adorne us ; that sweet odoriferous plant budding out of the root of iesse to sweeten and perfume us . what skills it then , if we be deprived of all , possessing vertue●hat ●hat includeth all ? the levites who were chosen for the altar and for gods owne service , were to have no possessions : for the lord was their inheritance . againe , god chuseth the poore for an inheritance of his heavenly kingdome . againe , blessed are you that bee poore , for yours is the kingdome of heaven . and againe , miserable are you rich men , who in your riches have all your consolation . againe , o death , how bitter is the remembrance of thee to that man , whose peace is in his substance ! hence we see the difference betwixt the state and condition of the worldling , whose affections are wholly planted and placed upon earth , and his , whose desires transcend the pitch of earth , having his feet below , but his faith above . the poet very covertly and wittily in derision of such , whose delights were wholly fixed on mould , satyrically concludeth ; not only vertue , winged fame , and honour too , i say , but things divine & humane too , must riches all obey . but to returne where we left ; whence commeth this so avaricious and illimited desire , but only from a selfe-love which these men have to their owne private and peculiar profit ? which that wee may the better p●●vent , being such a shelfe as it endangers the ship that commeth neere it ; we are daily to examine our selves , and observe what especiall affection we are most prone unto : which found out , we are to apply such remedies , or receits , as may best cure such enormities , as arise from the vicious and corrupted source of our affections . now to come to the cure ; because medicines provided and not applied , are fruitlesly employed . are yee naturally subject to vain-glory ? labour to suppresse those motions even in their rising , by becomming vile and contemptible in your owne sight . are yee affected to wantonnesse and effeminacie ? impose your selves a taske , inure your bodies to labour , reserve some houres for reading , as well those exquisite morall precepts of heathen writers , as those blessed patternes of continencie recorded in sacred writ . are ye slaved to the misery of a worldling ? wrastle with your affections , entertaine bountie , affect hospitalitie , so in time yee shall become weaned from base and servile parcimony . to be briefe , as vices are best cured by their contraries , ever oppose your selves to that which your natures affect most ; for this is the way to make you , that were slaves before , commanders of your owne affections : which soveraigntie surpasseth all inferiour command , for by this meanes you command those , who have had the greatest monarchs in subjection . thus have we proposed the necessitie of a vocation , and what especiall rules were to be observed in the undertaking of that vocation : which observed , yee shall conferre no lesse good on your countrey , who expects much good from you ; then yee shall minister content unto your selves , finding all depraved or distempered affections buried in you . and so we descend from the necessitie of a vocation , to inquire whether any from the highest to the lowest be exempted from it . no lesse authenticke than ancient is that position , the higher place , the heavier charge . so as , howsoever that erring opinion which vulgar weaknesse hath introduced , seem approved , that men whom fortune hath made great , may hold themselves exempted from all vocations , because either noblenesse of bloud may seeme too worthy to partake of them , or greatnesse of successe ( little subject to the feare of want ) hath made them too high to stoope unto them : i may safely averre , that of all other degrees , none are lesse exempted from a calling than great men , who set like high peeres or mounts , should so over-view others , as their lives may be lines of direction unto others . hee sinnes doubly , that sinnes exemplarily : whence is meant , that such , whose very persons should be examples or patternes of vigilancie , providence and industrie , must not sleepe out their time under the fruitlesse shadow of securitie . men in great place ( saith one ) are thrice servants ; servants of the soveraigne , or state ; servants of fame ; and servants of businesse . so as they have no freedome , neither in their persons , nor in their actions , nor in their times . first , they are servants to their soveraigne or state , for as they are by place set neere his person , so are they with due and tender respect ever to observe him , in affaires tending to the safetie of his person , and generall good of the state. they are servants ( likewise ) of fame : for howsoever the actions of inferiour men may seeme sleighted with neglect , or clouded with contempt , they are sure to have their deeds bruted by fame , either to their glory or disgrace . yea , these are also eager hunters after fame , preferring opinion before all other inferiour respects , and wishing rather themselves to die , than it should die . whence it was , that anaxagoras telling alexander that there were many worlds ; alexander wept , replying , that he had not wonne one : implying , that his fame , being that which he principally tendred , having scarce yet dispersed it selfe to the circumference of one world ; it would be long , ere it could diffuse or dilate it selfe to many worlds . lastly , they are servants of businesse ; being placed neere the helme of the state : and therefore , like wise and vigilant pilots , must be carefull lest the rudder of the state be not shaken by their securitie . neither is their state so sure , that it should move them to be secure : for men in high places are for most part pursued by many enemies , whose eyes are ever prying into their actions , which they invert , by labouring to bring the state in distaste with their proceedings . now what meanes better to frustrate their practices , than by a serious and cautelous eye to looke into their owne actions ? diogenes being as●●d how one should be revenged of his enemie , answered ; by being a vertuous and honest man. which badge ( i meane honesty ) as it should be the cognizance of every christian ; so should it shew her full lustre or splendour in these persons , whom descent or place hath so ennobled . now these enemies of greatnesse , if right use be made of them , may conferre no small profit to such as they hate . nasica , when the roman common-weale was supposed to be in most secure estate , because freed of their enemies , affirmed , that though the achaians and carthaginians were both brought under the yoake of bondage , yet they were in most danger , because none were left , whom they might either feare for danger , or who should keepe them in awe . this we shall finde verified even in our selves : for tell me , are wee not most circumspect in all our actions , wherein we have to deale with our enemie ? are we not fearefull lest by some inconsiderate or prejudicate act , he take advantage of us , and consequently circumvent us ? so as our enemies may be used as tutors or monitors to instruct us , warning us to be advised what wee undertake , lest they take hold of us in our mistake . there is also another benefit redounding to us , of which it were likely we should be deprived , if we wanted enemies , by whom this benefit is on us conferred . and it is this ; wanting enemies , we many times make of our best friends , enemies . whence oenomademus in a faction in the i le of chios , counselled his fellowes that they should not expell all their enemies , but still leave some in the citie , lest ( quoth he ) being void of all our enemies , we should begin to quarrell with our friends . thus you see , how men of place are of all others least exempted from a vocation ; for as idlenesse would give them occasion to sinne , so by their enemies should they be soone detected of shame : being more subject to detraction in those actions which are their best , than likely to plead a protection for such as are their worst . we may well then conclude this point , with that of a true and noble historian ; in the greatest fortune , there is the least libertie ; for by how much any man is higher placed , by so much is he more generally noted . we say , that there is required the greatest care , where there is the great●st danger : now what danger more presently imminent , or more powerfully violent , than highnesse of place , threatning ruine daily to the possessour ? where honour feeds the fuell of envie , and enmitie ever pursues in chace such as are advanced by fortune : whence our moderne poet excellently concludeth ; studie thou vertue , honour's envies bait , so entring heav'n thou shalt be graduate . how necessary then even in private respects to themselves is circumspection ; not only in labouring to prevent occasions of feare , but the finall and fatall effects thereof ? so may those , whom either fortune hath raised , or noblenesse of birth advanced , say with majestick marius : they envie my honour : let them also envie my labour , innocencie , yea , those admirable dangers which i have passed , for by these was my honour purchased . now then , how should such whose height of place hath raised them above the lower ranke of men , imagine that their place may exempt them from their taske ? offices are peculiarly assigned to all men , and vocations to all rankes of men . whence came that ancient edict amongst the romans , mentioned by cicero in lib. de leg. ( as wee have else-where noted ) that no roman should goe thorow the streets of the citie , unlesse he caried with him the badge of that trade wherby he lived : in so much that mar. aurelius , speaking of the diligence of the romans , writeth , that all of them followed their labour . so as , there was no difference betwixt the patricians and plebeians ; inter f●cem & florem civitatis ( as one well observeth ; ) but an expresse taske was imposed and exacted on every subject . whence it grew that the roman empire became absolute soveraignesse of many other ample dominions : whose flourishing estate ( as it was described to king pyrrhus ) appeared such ; that the citie seemed a temple , the senate a parliament of kings . neither is it to be doubted , but even as god is no accepter of persons so his command was generall , without exception of persons ; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread . albeit i doe not hence conclude , that all are to intend the plough , or betake themselves to manuall trades : for so i might seeme to presse that exposition which a frier once urged against latimer , touching reading of scripture in a vulgar tongue : if the rude people ( objected he ) should heare the scripture read in english , the plow-man when hee heareth , hee that holdeth the plough and looketh backe , is not apt for the kingdome of god ; would thereupon cease to plow any more : and the baker , when he heareth it read , a little leaven corrupteth the whole lumpe ; might be moved not to use leaven at all : and when the scripture saith , if thine eye offend thee , plucke it out ; the ignorant might be perswaded to pull out their eyes ; and therefore it was not good to have the scripture in english. to which objection latimer vouchsafed no other answer than this : he would wish the scriptures to be no longer in english , till therby either the plow-man were perswaded not to plow ; or the baker not to bake . no , i am not so stupid , as not to apprehend how severall places or offices are deputed to sundrie men : how some are appointed for guiding and guarding the state ; others for ranking and ranging powers in the field ; others for teaching and training of youth in the schoole ; others for propounding and expounding the lawes of our realme at the barre ; others for caring and curing of maladies in the bodie ; others for breaking the bread of life , and breathing the spirit of comfort to the afflicted . whence we gather , that of all degrees none are exempted or excepted : a vocation is proposed and imposed , which of necessitie must be by one or other observed and intended . for as in the mutuall offices of our bodie , every member intends that peculiar function or office to which it is assigned or limited ; so in the bodie of the state ( being all members depending and subsisting of that state ) wee are all in our mutuall places or offices to discharge that taske which is injoyned us . wherein i should thinke it convenient , if we observed the selfe-same rule , which the members of our bodie use in the due performance of their offices . for wee see not one of them incroach or intrude into anothers place or employment : the eye it sees , and handles not ; the hand it handles , and sees not ; the palat it tastes , and smells not ; the nose it smells , and tastes not ; the eare it heares , and walkes not ; the foot it walkes , and heares not . and so of the rest : but contrariwise , how itching are men after such employments as least concerne them ? how officious in businesse which least touch them ? the dray-man he will play the divine ; a dayrie woman the physician ; the collier the informer ; the farmer the lawyer . wherein surely , i have observed in the small progresse of this my pilgrimage , no small inconvenience redounding to the publike state. for say , whence sprung all these schismes in the church , these many rents in christs seamelesse-coat , but from those , who of mechanickes became divines , professing to teach , before they were taught ? whence are so many mens dayes abridged , their easie maladies without hope of being cured , but by meanes of these horse-leaches , who gaine experience by the death of their patients , professing themselves artists , before they know the definition of an art ? whence are so many unjustly vexed , so injuriously troubled , but by these base informers , who become disturbers rather than reformers ? whence arise these differences , betwixt partie and partie , but by meanes of some factious and seditious instruments , who like the serpent dipsas , sucke the moisture and verdure of every hopefull plant , building their foundation on the ruine of others ? surely , as we have statutes enacted , of purpose to have such turbulent members duely curbed and censured ; so were it to be wished that such lawes as are to this end provided , were likewise executed : for by this meanes the flourie borders of our realme should bee stored with grave divines , and learned professors , leading their flocks to the greene pastures of ghostly instruction , not to the by-paths of errour and confusion ; with judicious and expert physitians , who are not to learne experience by the death of their patients ; with sincere and uncorrupted officers , whose ayme is not to gaine , but to redresse abuses ; with upright and conscionable lawyers , whose desire is to purchase their clients peace , and not by frivolous delayes to cram their purses . o what a golden age were this ! when each performing a mutuall office vnto other , might so support one another , as what one wanted , might be supplied by another . then should we have no sectists or separatists divided from the unity of faith to disturbe us ; no artlesse quack-salvers or cheating mountebanks to delude us ; no factious brands to set a fire of debate amongst us ; no corrupt or unconscionable lawyers , by practising upon our states , to make a prey of us . then should we heare no ignorant laicks familiarly disputing of the too high points of predestination , rejecting the ordinary meanes of attaining salvation : as may be seene in the synodals or conventicles of many seduced soules , even in these dayes , where some barber is made a cathedrall doctor , to improve , rebuke , and exhort : but how is it possible that ought should be hatched but errour , where singularity grounded on ignorance is made a teacher ? s. basil talking with the emperour valens of matters of religion , and the cooke comming in saucily and telling the holy man his opinion , that it was but a small matter to yeeld to his master the emperor in a word or two ; and that he needed not to stand so precisely in divine masters . which seemed indifferent , or of no moment . yea , sir cook ( quoth saint basil ) it is your part to tend to your pottage , and not to boyle and chop up divine matters : and then with great gravity ( turning to the emperour , ) said , that those that were conversant in divine matters with conscience , would rather suffer death , than suffer one jot of holy scripture , much lesse an article of faith to be altered or corrupted . so carefull have former times beene of the reverence which ought to be had in dispensing the heavenly mysteries of gods word : admitting none to so holy and high a vocation , but such who had vrim and thummim , knowledge and holinesse : beautifying their knowledge , i say , with holinesse of conversation : being not onely speakers but doer● , for no word-men but work-men are fit for the lords vineyard . the like complaint might bee made touching these physitians of our bodies : where artlesse and ignorant handicrafts-men , who perchance upon reading of some old herball , wherein were prescribed certaine doubtfull cures for certaine maladies , will not sticke to professe themselves galenists the first houre : setting out a painted table of unknowne cures to raise them credit . to whom in my opinion , that tale may be properly applyed , which is related of one alphonso an italian ; who professing physicke , wherein his fortune was to kill oftner than he did cure ; one day as he and his man nicolao rode on the way , he might see a great multitude of people assembled upon a hill ; whereof being desirous to know the cause , he sent his man nicolao to inquire further : who , understanding that there was one to be executed for committing a murder , put spurrs to his horse , and running with all speed to his master , wished him to flie : wherewith alphonso not a little astonished ; demanded the cause : why master ( quoth nicolao ) yonder is a poore wretch adjudged to die for killing one man , and you in your time have killed an hundred . neither are wee lesse to grieve for the pressures which burden our state by such , who sow the seed of discord betwixt neighbour and neighbour , supporting champertie and emoracerie in buying of titles , maintaining suits out of a contentious or turbulent disposition . which enormities , as they are by apt and necessary lawes thereto provided , duly censured ; so were it to be wished , that for example sake some one , whom the impunitie and indulgencie of this time hath made too presuming , were punished according to the extremitie of the law thereto provided : for then should wee enjoy those happy halcyon dayes , wherein basil the emperour of constantinople lived : who , whensoever he came to his iudgement seat , found neither partie to accuse , not defendant to answer . to this end then and purpose tendeth our present discourse , that as a peculiar vocation is deputed to every one in this pilgrimage of humane frailtie ; so he should not intermix himselfe in affaires or offices of different nature . a man may be excellent in one , who cannot be exquisite in many . let us then so addresse our selves , as wee may be rather fruitfull in one , than fruitlesse in many . doe wee feare by being excellent in one to purchase hate of many ? let us sleight that hate which is procured by good meanes ; for so long as we live here , sometimes adverse fortune will crosse us , oft times envie curbe us : but where the minde hath given way to the infirmities of nature , and beares with a prepared mind whatsoever may be inflicted on her , shee makes no account of detraction ; for that vertuous resolution which is in her , doth daily more and more raise and advance her . neither are wee to be strong in tongue and weake in act ; as those , whose only valour is vaunting , and honour verball glorying : for of all others , such men are the slothfull'st , whose force and power is wholly seated in the tongue . no , rather let us know that vertue consists in action , which by long habit becomes more pleasant than the habit of vice , whose vaine delights tender no lesse bitternesse in the end , than they did promise sweetnesse in the beginning . agendo a●dendoque res romana crevit . let our eare , as it is a sense of instruction , become a light of direction : for then wee heare with profit , when wee reduce what wee heare to practice . thus you have heard both of the necessitie of a vocation , and how none is to be exempted from a vocation : wherein , gentlemen , i could wish , that as birth and breeding have advanced you above others , so you would shew such arguments of your birth and education , as may make you seeme worthy of a glorious vocation ; expressing such exemplary vertues in your life , as might gaine you love even in death . and so i descend to speake of vocation in generall ; wherein i will be more briefe , because i have partly glanced at it in our former discourse . vocation may be taken equivocally or univocally : when wee speake of vocation in generall , it is equivocall ; when of any speciall vocation in particular , it is univocall . without vocations no civill state can subsist ; because idlenesse maketh of men women , of women beasts , of beasts monsters . it was one of the sinnes of sodome , as wee may reade in the prophet ezekiel . it was that which brought david the anointed of the lord , nay the man after gods owne heart , to commit adulterie . it was this which moved salomon to bid the sluggard goe to the pismire to learne good husbandry . to be short , it was this which moved the prophets to denounce judgement upon the flourishing'st cities , for their securitie . how necessary then is it for all estates to be carefull , lest they incurre a heavy and fearfull censure , to addresse themselves to especiall vocations , beneficiall to the state , and pleasing to god , whose glory should be our aime , without any by-respect unto our selves ? wee shall see in most places both at home and abroad , how such trades or vocations are most used , as may best suit with the nature and condition of the place . as in our port-townes trafficke and commerce , conferring no lesse benefit to the state by importance , than profit to other countries by exportance . againe , in our townes lying further within land , the inhabitants use some especiall trade to keepe their youth in labour ; whereby they become not only beneficiall to themselves , but usefull and helpfull unto others . amongst which , i cannot be unmindfull of the diligence of the towne of kendall , and worthy care which they have to see their very young children put to work , being a labour which requires no great strength , to wit , wooll-worke . wherein , so approved hath their care and industrie beene , as they have gained themselves no small esteeme in forraine places , who are made partakers of the fruit of their labours . for i have known a familie , consisting of seven or eight persons , maintained by the work of two or three stones of wooll , which amounted not above thirty shillings : and with this they maintained credit , living in an honest and decent manner . whose labours as they were laudable , so have they beene no lesse furthered , favoured , and encouraged by our late gracious soveraigne of renowmed memory ; who , of his princely clemencie , hath dammed all such impositions or heavy taxations as might any way impaire or impeach the free use of that trade . albeit now of late , the towne of kendall , so famous for wooll-worke , by reason of a late decrease or decay of trade in those parts , is growne no lesse penurious than populous : so as ( with griefe i speake it ) such inhabitants as formerly by their paine and industrie were able to give an almes at their doore , are now forced to begge their almes from doore to doore . the redresse whereof , as it hath beene by the prince and those prudent guides and guardians of our state , the lords of his privie counsell , duely intended ; so no doubt , but by their wise care it shall be accordingly effected , & those poore people after so many miseries sustained , wholly releeved ; to the advancement of gods glory , the supportance of many a needfull family , and the succeeding renowne of his majesty , to whom every subject oweth his life , love and loyalty . the like commendation i could give to the copperworkes used in the north ; more especially about keswicke , where divers dutch-men being planted , have for many yeares expressed no lesse judgement than industry in sundry excellent and choice experiments , which to their succeeding fame may perpetuate their memorie . for these , like cunning and experienced artizans , have to doe in the bowels of the earth , whence they digge copper , which with incredible paines they bring to the hammer . for so steepe , ragged and cliffie are those mountaines , whence their copper is digged , as it might seeme a matter of impossibility to effect so intricate a worke ; but so infatigable are the labourers which they employ , as their patience in suffering is no lesse to be commended , than their skill in contriving to be admired . but to speake in generall of all vocations , sciences , or mysteries : wee are ever to observe the place and conveniencie thereof , that we may the better appropriate some especiall vocation according to the necessity and conveniencie of the place . as ship-masters in places of trafficke and navigation ; sheep-herds , graziers and farmers , in places of plantation : according to that ancient proverbe ; gardiners in thessalie , horsecoursers in barbary . now if you should object touching the difference of vocations , that some are more necessary than others : yea such as now seeme most necessary , have formerly ( as may appeare ) beene held trades of indifferency : my answer is , i grant it ; yet not so altogether as some might object against the necessity of a smiths trade , by alleaging that of the prophet samuel ; there was no smith found thorowout all the land of israel . for this did not inferre that smiths were of least use or imployment in israel , but rather the necessity of them made so few amongst them , as may appeare in the latter part of the verse : for the philistines said , lest the hebrewes make them swords or speares . here see the cause why there were so few in israel , because they would have beene most usefull and behooffull to the people of israel . for this cause were they banished , slaughtered and deprived of all meanes to assist their distressed country , whose people hid themselves in caves , and in holds , and in rocks , and in towers , and in pits . for the first invention of trades , arts or sciences , as they were in time and by degrees brought to perfection , so had they proper and peculiar persons , from whom they received their beginning and foundation . for example , tillage from cain , pasturage from abel , vintage from noah , navigation from zabulon , brazery or smith-worke from tubal-kain , musicke from iubal ; which by succession of time came to such perfection as they are now in . the satyre at the first sight of fire , would needs have kissed and embraced it , but prom●theus checked him . so highly admired were things unknowne , and so familiarly imployed being once knowne . the like we may imagine at the first rising of trades , what difficulties attended them , and what imperfections were incident to them ; being like the beares whelpe , ever in licking , before they came to perfecting , ever in renuing and furbushing , ere they came to such furnishing as they now expresse . yea , if we should make recourse to al such scholasticke sciences or vocations ( if i may so terme them ) as have the name of liberall sciences : wee shall finde that in their infancy or minority , there were many defects and blemishes in them , having not as then attained that heighth or growth , which they have acquired at this day . for then wee had not a quintilian to play the grammarian ; a subtill scotus to play the logician , an eloquent cicero for a rhetorician ; a learned euclid for a mathematician ; a studious archimedes for a geometrician ; a famous hippocrates to renowme a physitian ; a sense-ravishing orpheus to eternize the musitian . many conclusions were then to be sought and explored , ere such perfection as wee now enjoy could bee attained . for to instance grammar ; how long may we imagine , and tedious might the taske bee , ere so many rules could bee so aptly digested and disposed ? how long before such rules could be by authority of so innumerable authors approved ? how long being approved , before they could so generally and without opposition be received ? the like may be spoke of logicke , which is rightly termed the locke of knowledge , opened by the key of art : what subtill and intricate sophismes ? what formall and effectuall conclusions ? what rules of art to direct them in the maine current of their proceedings ? those foure questions produced by arist. in his posteriors , how fit are they to be observed in the managing of every subject : quid nominis , quid rei , qualis sit , propter quid sit ? likewise his distinction or division of places ; topicall or rhetoricall , called insita , being intrinsecally ingraffed or inserted in the nature of the thing : also places derived ab antecedentibus & consequentibus ; as , the sunne hath shone , whence it followeth , that day hath appeared ; the sunne is set , whence it followeth that night is approached . also places derived a comparatione majorum , minorum & aequalium . as if christ washed his disciples feet , much more ought we to doe the same one to another . likewise in those locall circumstances , very necessary for searching and discussing the truth of any matter ; who , what , what time , and where , how , why , what helps were there . why ; as the offence was more blame-worthy in iudas ▪ than if it had beene done by any other , being his disciple ; and so of the rest . all which , as they tend properly to the office of an orator ; so minister they no little elegancie even to our familiar discourse : wherein wee most commonly ( though wee observe not so much ) use some one of these places , to aggravate or extenuate the subject whereof wee speake . the like also of rhetoricke ; what perswasive inductions , what powerfull arguments are there to be found ? the definition whereof , if wee should expresse in one word , it is , to make great things little , and little things great . after aeschines being banished athens , was come to rhodes , he declared in an oration the cause of his exile ; the rhodians no lesse satisfied with the pregnancie of his reasons , than ravished with the elegancie of his phrase , wondred at the athenians who had banished him so undeservedly . o ( quoth he ) you heard not what demosthenes answered to my reasons ! this moved philip of macedon in a treatie of league betwixt him and the olynthians , to demand of them their orators ; little doubting , but having once deprived them of the stayes and supporters of their state , by receiving them as hostages , he might quickly receive the province into his subjection . it is above imagination to consider of the rare effects derived from moving or perswasive rhetoricians , resembling in some sort passionate actors ; who to move passion , such an order keepe , as they feigne teares to make their hearers weepe . now the difference betwixt actors and orators ( saith cicero ) is , that the one intermixeth levitie in their action , to make their hearers laugh ; the other use all gravitie , authoritie , & serious arguments ( with a gracefull insinuation ) to perswade . wherefore those are accounted ridiculous , these esteemed prudent . neither is this excellencie of theirs only in passion or efficacie of perswasion , but in a subject of more admiration : which is , they can make blacke seeme white , and cloath that which in the eye of the world seemes most deformed , in a beautifull habit . which art polycrates that athenian rhetorician had , who praised the tyrant busyris ; the like had seneca , who praised the dissembling claudius ; favorinus , who commended the deformed thersites ; no lesse elegant was * maro in commending his gnat ; lucian a flie ; apuleius his asse ; also favorinu● a quartan ague ; glauco , injustice ; synesius , baldnesse ; lucian , flatterie ; erasmus , follie. which elegant paradoxes they have so wittily and perswasively handled , as they gained more approbation , than if they had beene themes commonly received : for there is no discourse , of what nature soever , that can comparably delight the reader or hearer , like these which seeme opposite to opinion generally received , yet by strong and effectuall reasons use to be proved and maintained . neither was this rhetoricall art lesse required in the campe than in the court : for if wee should peruse histories both of ancient and succeeding times , we should finde what rare effects were brought to passe by this smooth inducing art of rhetoricke . how souldiers became animated by hearing their leader play the orator , in extenuating the enemies power , in proposing assured hopes of victory , and putting them in minde of their ancestors glory : againe , in shewing them the benefit of a rich booty , promising them much honour if they live , and no lesse memory of their valour if they should die . the like ( to descend to all those arts whereof wee have formerly spoken ) may be said of the rare and admirable effects of the mathematicks : what singular conclusions have beene drawne from thence by the line of art ? what secrecies above humane conceit have beene drained and derived from that mysterious knowledge ? wherein many have offended rather by being too curious , than by being too little solicitous . whence it was , that euclid being demanded by one too inquisitive in the secrecies of heaven , touching a question , which ( as he thought ) was more profound than profitable , he answered : surely i know not this , but thus much i know , that god hateth such as are curious searchers after his secrets . i might here produce the basis on which the studie of the mathematicks is grounded , as also the exquisite and admirable effects or conclusions from thence derived , but i hasten to the rest . the power of geometrie was shewne sufficiently in that studious artist archimedes , who by his owne proper power repelled the whole force of marcellus and all his army , laying siege to syracusa : so as it was imagined that this one man did more good in defence of the citie by his art , than all the rest of the inhabitants did by the force of armes . neither had marcellus ( as it was generally thought ) in long time prevailed , although the city was in most places razed and ruined , if it had not beene by false and trecherous meanes privately yeelded and betrayed . where this mirror of his time , the famous archimedes , was suddenly in his studie surprized , and by a common souldier much against marcellus will ) cruelly murdered . touching physicke , what rare cures have beene wrought by such excellent and expert artists as have professed this knowledge ? it is wonderfull to read , what perfection mithridates attained in this profession , being the first that found and gave name to that knowne receit against all poison , mithridate : with which he so inured his body , to repell the force of poison ; as in his ebbe and decrease of fortune , when he had lost in one houre what he had in so many yeeres gained , being deprived of all meanes to cure his miserie , he laboured to finde a way to end his miserie , and that was to deprive himselfe of life ; which the better to effect , hee drunke poison ; but so strongly had his former receits fortified his body against such banefull effects , as it would not worke , nor as he expected , produce that tragicall issue with him . the rare cures of dioscorides ; the admirable experiments of hippocrates , to them that shall but peruse their workes , will confirme the excellencie of this art : where the one concludeth , that art is long , life short , experience deceiving : implying , that so rare an art could not be attained , but by much industrie ; life being so short , and a very embleme of frailtie , was to be used tenderly ; and experience being so deceiving , was to be put in practice carefully . they give us this precept ; in sicknesse to respect health principally , and in health action . health , that we might be made for action ; action , that wee might the better preserve our health . lastly musicke , the first beginning or invention whereof , as it merits admiration ; so the perfection of it , at this day deserves applause : finding an open torteise on the ground , from it the art of musicke first was found . so observeth du bartas ; which indeed may rather be limited to one kind of instrument , whereto the torteise may seeme to have resemblance , that is , the lute . pythagoras chanced once into a company of drunkards , where a musitian ruled their lascivious banket : hee presently commanded him to change his harmony with a dorion , ( or an heavier tone ) and so with this tragicke melodie moved them to cast off their garlands , ashamed of whatsoever they had done , being brought by the accent of grave and solemne musick to sobrietie . whence it was , that aristotle forbiddeth in his common-wealth certaine lascivious musicke , and alloweth the doricall , which is of another kinde . the arcadians by musicke were transformed from savage and barbarous people to civilitie , and transported ( as it were ) from the violent current of naturall crueltie , to affabilitie and courtesie . shall we descend to some diviner effects of musicke , confirmed by holy writ ? saul being vexed with an evill spirit , when david played upon his harpe , he was comforted , and the evill spirit departed . musick causeth mirth and moane ; divine mirth , as appeareth in salomons songs ; a holy turtle-like moane , as appeareth in ieremies lamentable threnes , davids penitentiall psalmes . elizeus prepared his spirit to receive the influence of prophecie by musicke . when israel had passed the red-sea , moses with the men , and miriam the prophetesse , sister of aaron , with the women , sung panegyries of praise to god , with hymnes and musicall instruments . the like did iudith , when shee had vanquished holofernes . so did deborah , when sisera was discomfited . augustine reports of himselfe , what comfort he cōceived at the beginning of his conversion ; what teares he shed , and how he was inwardly moved with the harmonie and melodie which was used in churches : yet thought that holy father ( as he rightly thought ) that hee offended when hee was delighted more with the note and melody of the song , than sense of the psalme : and therefore highly commendeth saint athanasius , who caused the reader of the psalme to sound out the words with so small a forcing of his voice , as it seemed rather like one that did pronounce it , than one that did sing it . but i feare me , i have strucke too long on this string ; wherefore , lest i should wrong your generous patience too much , for whom i addressed my selfe at first to this task : i purpose now to descend from speaking of vocation in generall , to speake of the vocation of a gentleman in particular ; hoping to make amends by refreshing you in this , whose patience i have so much tired in the other . now are wee to addresse our selves in a more restrained and particular discourse , to propose a gentleman his vocation ; which , perchance , by our nicer and more curious gallants , whose sense consists in sent , will be distasted and dispalated : but to such , whose understanding consists not in perfumes , nor tye themselves to the vaine garbe of complement , as the onely posture whereon gentry relyes , these ensuing observations will not ( i assure mee ) seeme altogether unwelcome . s. bernard writing to one haimericus , chancellor of rome , in his very first salutation , without further insinuation , wisheth him to forget those things which are behind , and to follow the apostle to those things which are before . which no man can doe , that either stands still , or is idle . wherefore hermes saith generally , nothing in the whole world is altogether idle . the wiseman hath allowed a time for every thing else , but for idlenesse he hath allowed no time . moses arke had rings , and barres within the rings , to signifie that it was not made to stand still , but to be removed from place to place . iacobs ladder had staves , upon which hee saw none standing still ; but all either ascending or else descending by it . ascend you likewise to the top of the ladder , to heaven , and there you shall heare one say , my father doth now worke , and i worke also . whereupon basil noteth , that king david having first said , lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle ; addes then , not he that hath wrought righteousnesse heretofore , but he that doth now worke righteousnesse ; even as christ saith , my father doth now worke , and i worke also . descend you likewise to the foot of the ladder , to the earth , and there you shall heare that fig-tree accursed , which did beare leaves and no fruit . whereupon theophylact noteth , that iohn baptist having first said , the axe is laid to the root of the tree ; addes then , not every tree that hath not brought forth good fruit heretofore : but , every tree that doth not now bring forth good fruit shall be cut downe , even as that fruitlesse fig-tree was cut downe , and cast into the fire . therefore wee must so walke , as god seeing our continuall fruitfulnesse , may say of us , i see men walking like trees . men walke like trees , when men are never idle , but alwayes abounding in the worke of the lord : as the tree of life every month bringeth forth twelve manner of fruits . but that i may the better proceed in that which i have taken in hand ; you are to know , that the life of man is either active or contemplative , so as all our imployments have relation to the one , or to the other . which two were represented in mary and martha . the one whereof was very attentive , sitting at iesus feet , and heard his preaching : but martha was cumbred about much serving . the former sitting at iesus feet , hearing him preaching , may signifie likewise the spirituall man , whose actions , affections , motions and intentions , are wholly bent to the service of god , leaving all things to gaine him , who left his life upon the crosse to save him . the latter being cumbred about many things , signifies the naturall man , who betakes himselfe to the imployments of this life , ministring to the necessitie of his family , labouring with his owne hands to get him a competent living . neither are these to be divided one from the other , partaking indeed so neerely one of another . for as we are not altogether to imitate the hermite or anchorite in being wholly retired from the world ; so like the libertine or loose worldling are we not too much to be cumbred or intangled with the world . for the first , as it implyes a kinde of hate to humane societie ; so the latter inferres our too much care to the things of the bodie . now to observe that golden meane , which may free us ●●om being taxed by the one , or tainted with the other : ● doe thinke it fitting , that gentlemen should be sociably affected , ever with a reservancie , with whom they keepe company ; likewise from worldly affections weaned , that being on earth they may have their minds seated above : being ( i meane ) so free in the inward man , as rather than they will slave the noblest motions of the soule to the unworthy bondage of the body , they will endure want , contempt , or whatsoever the blinde world can lay upon them . the vocation of a gentleman , without more curiositie of division , is either publike or private . publike , when imployed in affaires of state , either at home or abroad : at home , either in advising or acting ; abroad , as by way of embassage , or personall exploits in the field . private , when in domesticke businesse he is detained , as in ordering his household ; or if not as yet attained to the name of housholder , in labouring to know such things as may ripen his understanding when he comes unto it . touching the first , to wit , publike affaires of state ; as all are not fit for such a charge or burden ; so there is a necessitie injoyned such , who are able to undertake so great and weightie a taske , to submit themselves willingly to the command of their soveraigne , whensoever his pleasure shall be to make triall of their sufficiencie in affaires of state. in the carriage whereof , divers necessarie cautions have beene formerly observed by statesmen . as first , to avoid all occasions of distrust , never to shew too much inwardnesse with forraine states : for this may beget a suspect in your prince , that your aymes are neither faire nor loyall . it was this which broke byrons necke : being accused to have had conference with one picote , borne at orleans , and fled into flanders to have intelligence with the arch-duke , to which picote he had given an hundred and fifty crowns for two voyages to that effect . likewise it was objected against him , that he had treated with the duke of savoy three dayes after his comming to paris . likewise the intelligence he had from the duke of savoy in the taking of bourges , giving him advice to attempt against the kings armie . likewise that hee should bring the king before saint katherines to be slaine there : and to that end had written to the governour , giving him some tokens to know his majestie . likewise , that he had sent la fin to treat with the duke of savoy , and the count of fuentes . to which , although he replyed , and in some sort purged himselfe , yet those treaties or parlyes which were proved against him , shewed him guiltie of divers indirect proceedings against him . it is dangerous therfore to entertain conference with strangers in matters of state : for howsoever your aymes may be faithfull and honest , such treaties may be so racked and misconstrued by such as maligne your greatnesse , as they will bring you in danger , if not to finall distresse . it is no lesse dangerous to one imployed in affaires of state , to be too credulous ; and that in two respects : either by being too credulous in giving trust to the relations of others , or by being too credulous in imparting his thoughts to the secrecie of others . for the former , it detracts much from the worth and estimate of man , yea ( and if i may so say ) argues great indiscretion to have an care open to all reports , seconding whatsoever is related , with an opinion of credulitie . for such as these , whom either greatnesse of place by descent , or some more noble and native characters of personall worth have advanced , need not want for relaters in this kinde , especially if they finde them apt to beleeve whatsoever they shall be readie to report . neither are any sort of men more subject to the garbe of strange and novell relations than travellers : who may arrogate to themselves a libertie of invention in this kinde , by authoritie . whence it is said , that travellers , poets and lyers , are three words all of one signification . now there is no meanes better to avoid the company of these fabulous relaters , than by interrupting them , or by requiting their tales ( to argue their incredibilitie ) telling stories farre more strange , and indeed beyond the compasse of common sense . : whereof i have heard a merry conceited tale to this effect : a certaine traveller , or at least one who desired though he never deserved that title , reporting wonderfull and incredible things which hee had seene in his travell , amongst the rest related this : vpon a time it befell ( said he ) that i travelled along a certaine desart in arabia felix , where i with others who then accompanied me , were assailed by a violent showre , so as labouring to flie for shelter to some covert , wee might perceive a little coppice , wherein grew great store of cabbages of such huge proportion , as the very leaves thereof ( so largely extended were the spurges ) might by their greatnesse give shadow to five hundred men . this tale being told , one amongst the rest , to answer his tale , makes this reply by way of discourse upon such occurrents as had hapned him in his travell , proceeding thus ; it fortuned that i with some other gentlemen of eminent ranke and quality , travelled neare the riphean mountaines , in the clifts of which mountaines abundance of all metalls , but especially of copper , is daily found : now as we coasted along , we might perceive some three leagues westward from those mountains , a great number of people beating and knocking with incessant labour , but for what end wee knew not : wherefore with one consent we resolved to approach neerer them , and see about what they so eagerly laboured . where we found five hundred braziers making of one caldron , which was of so huge proportion , as not any one of all those braziers , though they were all employed in one worke , could heare one another strike . good god ( quoth the former traveller ) for what use was so huge a caldron made ? surely ( replyed the second ) i cannot imagine for what use it should bee , unlesse it were to boyle your cabbage in . this present and pregnant answer so daunted that fabulous traveller , as he was ever after more sparing in discourse of his travells . a states-man ought likewise to beware of giving credit to all forra in relations : for divers there be who presuming of the distance of place , will invent and vent their inventions to curry favour : having so couched and digested their new-minted newes , as they passe for currant , at least they seeme probable for the present . and herein certainly have many beene abused , giving approbation to what was spoken onely by way of insinuation . the second respect , wherein a states-man ought not to bee too credulous , is this ; hee must not bee too open brested in imparting his thoughts to the secrecy of others . for if we say , that even a private man committing his secrecy to another , becomes his slave to whom he committed it : much more a states-man , whose affaires have no other limit than the publike state , by imparting his thoughts , or rather laying himselfe open to the trust or secrecy of others , makes himselfe bound , where he was before free ; yea , he endangers the body of the state , wherof he is an especiall member , by commending or committing her private intendments to the hazard of rumour , which should not be so much as possessed of the least intelligence given in matters of such maine importance . to be full of chinks in affaires of ordinary consequence , implies a great weaknesse : but especially , where the state is interested , there is injoyned that comicke impreza : if wise , seeme not to know that which thou knowest : at least , divulge not thy secret'st thoughts to the danger of discovery , whereby thou put'st thy head under anothers girdle . he is my deare friend ( saith one ) to whom i will impart my inferiour aimes ; but he shall be incorporated with mee , to whom i will make knowne what may endanger me . the like is requisite to bee observed in affaires of state : where all counsells and consultations tending to the safety and security of the publike state , should be laid up as a secret treasure , and not discovered to every mans trust . this that prudent and politicke statesman , harpagus rightly understood , when in disclosing a secret of state unto cyrus that persian monarch , hee commanded such letters as included the summe of his directions , to be inclosed and sowed in the belly of a hare , and so dispatched the messenger towards that victorious commander . there is likewise required a noble and prepared resolution in euery states-man : being so affected , as neither price can taint him , nor power over-awe him : addressing his aymes wholly for the benefit of the state , preferring death before his countries prejudice . of this resolution or constancie of minde we have a notable example in lewis duke of bavaria commended for his constancie ; in so much as being threatned by albert the marquesse of brandenburgh , that if he would not condescend to some reasonable ransome for his libertie , hee would deliver him over into the hands of his enemie , answered , aske that thing of me being prisoner , that thou would'st aske of mee as liberty . the like wee reade of pantaleon , who restrained in most strait bondage , was never a whit dismaied , nor so much as sighed , when he beheld his son paraxaspis thrust to the heart . this resolution or stoutnesse of minde , might be illustrated by divers examples of the like kinde , but my purpose hath ever beene ( because these doe rather illustrate than prove or confirme ) to take them , as it were by the way , but in no case to dwell on them : wee will therefore descend to forraine imployments of state , as affaires of embassage or treaty with any prince or state . now it is expedient that such as bee imployed in affaires of this nature , be choice and select men both in gifts of nature , and state-experience . for in nature is the foundation laid , which by experience and continuall imployment in state-businesse , useth to bee stored , furnished , and accomplished . so as i doe not altogether assent to his opinion , who thought that in choice of instruments to treat or negociate by way of embassie betwixt prince and prince ; it is better to chuse men of a plainer sort , who are like to doe that , that is committed to them , and to report backe againe faithfully the successe , than those that are cunning to contrive out of other mens businesse , somewhat to grace themselves , and will helpe the matter in report for satisfaction sake . for his conclusion agrees not with his premises ; for ( saith he ) if you would worke any man , you must either know his nature , and fashions , and so lead him ; or his ends , and so perswade him ; or his weaknesse and disadvantages , and so awe him ; or those that have interest in him , and so governe him . now how should a man , whom a simple plainnesse onely possesseth , one whom no diving or penetrating reach enableth , one whom the outward semblance onely instructeth , how should he ( i say ) by working any man , either know his nature or fashion , and so lead him ; since his eye can reach no farther than the outward seeming , which as oft deceives , as it receives diversitie of habits which it weares ? or how should he ( i say ) know his ends with whom hee treats and so perswade him , since politicke men doe usually pretend that which they least intend : shewing a faire glosse , and putting on a false face to delude , and deluding to colour their designes more cunningly ? or how should he discover the weaknesse or disadvantages of the person with whom hee deales , when his owne weaknesse so disables him , as hee oft-times lets opportunity slip , when the best advantage is for him ? or how discerne those which have interest in him , when his aymes are onely to conclude with him , with whom hee deales , without relation to any intercedent meanes to effect his businesse ? neither is it to bee doubted , but such whose understanding hath attained a higher pitch , will be as ready to doe that which is committed to them , as those on whom a more plainnesse hath naturally seized : for these will duly consider the great danger they are like to incurre , if they should exceed their commission either in doing too much , or detract from their commission in doing too little . for in affaires of this nature especially , parum agendum est de proprio , yea , though in the opinion of the party imployed , it seeme that hee could goe more effectually to worke , than just as his commission directs him . manlius torquatus commanded his sonne to be put to death , for fighting ( albeit prosperously ) against his commandement . pub. crass. mutianus sending to his inginer to send him the bigger of his two ship-masts that he had seene in athens , to make a ramme to batter downe the walls ; the inginer sent him the lesse , imagining it to be fitter : wherefore mutianus sent for the inginer , and caused him to be so cruelly whipped with rods , that he died therewith . if disobedience in such affaires as these , being of lesser consequence , seemed among the heathen cause sufficient to pronounce sentence of death upon the offender ; what may they deserve , who in conceit of their owne wisdome , dare take upon them directions of their owne , without tying themselves expresly to their commission ? and of these there be two sorts : the one , even in greatest and most important matters , will presume to take upon them without direction of autho●itie : wherein as they commonly erre , so they give advantage to him with whom they have to deale , of making his owne bargaine upon such termes as shall best please him : for how should one mans judgement equall a whole judicious counsell ? so as in dealing with cunning persons , wee must ever consider their ends , to interpret their speeches ; and it is good to say little to them , and that which they least looke for . the other sort tie themselves something more strictly or precisely to their commission ; for these will be loth to disgresse from it in matters of weight and substance , but rather in some impertinent ceremony or circumstance : as wee read in the generall historie of spaine , that there came two embassadours out of france unto king alfonfe the ninth , to demand one of his daughters in mariage for their soveraigne king philip ; one of which ladies was very faire , and named vrraca ; the other nothing so gracious , and called blanch. they both comming into the presence of the embassadours , all men held it a matter resolved , that their choice would light upon vrraca , as the elder and fairer , and better adorned : but the embassadours enquiring each of their names , tooke offence at the name of vrraca , and made choice of the lady blanch ; saying , that her name would be better received in france than the other . for matters of such indifferencie as these , it is not to be doubted but they are left to the discretion of the instrument : but for affaires of state , as they require due deliberation in discussing ; so require they the joynt assent and approbation of the state ere they come to concluding . there are likewise publike imployments , wherein gentlemen upon occasion may be interessed , which extend themselves to military affaires : in which , as it is not the death , but the cause of the death which makes a martyr , so it is not the action , but the ground of the action which merits the name of valour . that act of razis , in taking out his owne bowels , and throwing them upon the people , it was an act ( saith s. austin ) that tasted more of stoutnesse than goodnesse . for what could that act of his benefit his countrey ? wherein could it adde spirit to the distressed maccabees ? wherein allay the heavy burden of their affliction , or minister the least releefe in the time of their persecution ? that act of resolution by that noble bohemian , as it tasted more of true valour ; so it reared a columne of perpetuitie to his ever-living honour ; which exploit is thus recorded : when mahomet the second of that name besieged belgrade in servia , one of his captains at length got up upon the wall of the city , with banner displayed . another bohemian espying this , ran to the captaine , and clasping him fast about the middle , asked one capistranus standing beneath , whether it would be any danger of damnation to his soule , if hee should cast himselfe downe headlong with that dogge , ( so he termed the turke ) to be slaine with him ? capistranus answering , that it was no danger at all to his soule , the bohemian forthwith tumbled himselfe down with the turke in his armes , and so ( by his owne death only ) saved the life of all the city . the like worthy exploits might be instanced in those heires of fame , the rhodians , in the siege of their city : the knights of malta in their sundry defeats and discomfitures of the turks : the inhabitants of vienna , who being but a handfull in comparison of their enemies , gave them not only the repulse , but wholly defeated their designes . this valour or fortitude , which indeed appeareth ever in the freest and noblest minds , is excellently defined by the stoicks , to be , a vertue ever fighting in defence of equitie . these who are professors of so peerelesse a vertue , are more ready to spare than to spill : their aimes are faire and honest , free from the least aspersion either of crueltie or vaine-glory : for as they scorne to triumph over an afflicted foe , so they dislike that conquest ( unlesse necessitie enforce it ) which is purchased by too much bloud . the salmacian spoiles rellish better to their palate : for they are so full of noble compassion , as the death of their enemy enforceth in them teares of pity . this appeared in those princely teares shed by caesar at the sight of pompeys head ; and in titus that darling of mankind , in those teares hee shed at the sight of those innumerable slaughters committed upon the iewes . now as my purpose is not to insist on the postures of warre ; so i intend not to dwell upon every circumstance remarkable in martiall affaires , but upon the maine scope of military discipline , whereto every generous and true bred souldier is to direct his course . let your aime be therefore , gentlemen , to fight for the safetie and peace of your countrey , in the defence of a good conscience , which is to be preferred before all the booties of warre : for as you have received your birth and breeding from your countrey ; so are you to stand for her , even to the sacrifice of your dearest lives ; provided that the cause which you entertaine in her defence be honest , without purpose of intrusion into anothers right , or labouring to enlarge her boundiers by an unlawfull force . for howsoever the ancient heathens were in this respect faultie , being some of them truce-breakers , others violent intruders or usurpers of what was little due unto them : wee for our parts have learned better things , being commanded no● to take any thing from any man , but in all things learne to be contented . but of all enterprizes worthy the acceptance of a gentleman in this kinde , if i should instance any one in particular , none more noble or better deserving ( as i have elsewhere formerly touched ) than to warre against the turke that profest enemy of christendome ; the increase of whose empire may be compared to the milt in mans body ; for the grandure of it threatens ruine and destruction to all christian states , drawing light to his halfe moone by darkening of others , and shewing even by the multitude of his insolent titles what his aimes be , if the lord put no● a hooke in the nose of that leviathan . praise-worthy therefore are those glorious , and ( no doubt ) prosperous expeditions of such english and other christian voluntaries as have stood , and even at this day doe stand engaged in personall service against the great turke : for these , though they perish in the battell , shall survive time , and raise them a name out of the dust , which shall never be extinguished . these are they who fight the lords battell , and will rather die than it should quaile : these are those glorious champions , whose aime is to plant the blessed tidings of the gospell once againe in that holy land , which now remaines deprived of those heavenly prophets which shee once enjoyed , of those godly apostles which she once possessed , of that sweet singer of israel with which her fruitfull coasts once resounded . o gentlemen , if you desire imployment in this kinde , what enterprize more glorious ? if you aime at profit , what assay to your soules more commodious ? if you seeke after fame , ( the aime of most souldiers ) what expedition more famous ? since by this meanes the practices of christs enemies shall be defeated , the borders of christendome enlarged , peace in sion established , and the tidings of peace every where preached . besides , in assayes of this nature , being taken in hand for the peace and safeti● of christendome , assureth more securitie to the person engaged : for little need he to feare a strong foe , that hath a stronger friend . admit therefore that you returne , as one that commeth with red garments from bozra , so as the devill and his angels like wilde bulls of basan run at you , you shall breake their hornes in his crosse for whom you fight . as wee have discoursed of imployments publike , which wee divided into two ranks , civill and military ; and of the manner how gentlemen are to demeane themselves in court or campe ; so are we now to descend to imployments private , wherein wee purpose to set downe such necessary cautions or observances , as may seeme not altogether unprofitable or unusefull for the consideration of a gentleman . and first , i will speake of the imployment of a private iustice of peace , wherein he is appointed and made choice of , not only to redresse such annoyances as may seeme to prejudice the state of that countie wherein he lives , and is deputed iustice ; but likewise to mediate , attone and determine all such differences as arise betwixt partie and partie ; for to these also extends the office of iustice of peace . yea , wee are to wish him to be , as well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a compounder , as a commissioner of the peace . godlinesse should be their chiefest gaine , and right and peace their greatest joy : for such are both pacidici , and pacifici , pleaders for peace , and leaders to peace : peace-lovers , and peaceable livers . as for the rest , they are deservedly blamed , that confine all their practice not within those ancient bounds , usque ad aras , but with those usuall bonds , usque ad crumenas . the old position was , iustice is to be preferred before profit ; but now the termes are transposed in the proposition , and the avaritious desire of having never disputeth of the equity of the cause , but of the utilitie . kinde men such are but where they doe take , hardening their hearts against the crie of the poore . if a man come to demand justice , he shall speed ill , having no money to give , no coine to present , no friends to speake , his cause is like to fall . suppose out of two mites hee give one : the rich adversaries horse eats up the poore clients oats ; there needs no oedipus to vnfold this riddle : in the end the poore sheepe , that lost but a locke of his wooll in the country , loseth his whole fleece in the citie ; consumeth what he hath , spendeth his time , loseth his hope , and falleth his suit , be it never so good and honest . whereas such ( and of such we only speake ) as doe a right judgement to the fatherlesse and widow , beare a resemblance of god , who is a loving father to the orphane , and a gracious iudge to the widow . these will not for conscience sake pervert the right of strangers , fatherlesse , &c. for such as doe so , shall be b cursed upon mount ebal : but these like pure lampes , diffuse those divine beames of unblemished justice , to all places where they reside , resembling david , who c executed judgement and justice to all his people : or like that propheticall dove , ieremiah , ever d exhorting to execute righteousnesse and judgement . or like that good patriarke abraham , ever e commanding his houshold to doe righteousnesse and judgement . for these know , how f all the wayes of god are judgements . and that , g just and like a great deepe are gods judgements . and the wicked h tremble at gods judgements . and the wicked i understand not judgements . and therfore strive against k perverse judgements . because they know what l equitie is to be required in judgements . having ever before their m eyes gods judgements . o how pretious are the lips of these who preserve judgement , being an honour to their country , a pillar to the state , leaving a memorable name to themselves , which as that princely prophet saith , shall never rot ! these are they , who have their faces n covered , lest they should have respect unto the person ; as godlinesse is their gaine and the preservation of a good conscience their principall ayme ; so if there were neither reward here , nor elsewhere , for such as executed justice and judgement ; yet for conscience sake , and a sincere love they bore to truth , would they continue in their zealous care to the profession and protection thereof . these are not of that leaven who turne iudgement to worme-wood , and leave off righteousnesse in the earth . for such in stead of judgement and equitie , execute crueltie and oppression . these are not of that sort , who preferre the purple before the person , the person before the cause ; never examining the cause how good it is , but observing the man how great he is . no , their counsells and consultations tend to the publike peace , and the redresse of such enormities as arise from vicious humours , breeding and spreading in the state. now what imployment more fitting or accommodate for a gentleman of what degree soever , than this , which inables him in affaires tending as well to himselfe in particular , as the sterne of the state publike in generall ? would you see errours and abuses in the state redressed ? you are seated where by your owne authoritie you may have them reformed . would you have officers execute their places under you honestly , being from corruption freed ? your prince , by especiall notice taken of you , hath so advanced you , that you may see all offices under you duely executed , and where default shall be , have them punished . would you further the poore mans cause , and see his wrongs releeved ? it is in your hand to effect that which you have desired . would you purge your countrey of such superfluous humours , as from long peace and too much prosperitie have oft-times issued ? you are those physitians who may lance and cure those broad-spreading sores , with which the state hath beene so distempered . would you curbe factions and contentious members , who like samsons fire-brands tyed to foxes tailes , kindle the fire of all division , and labour to have them extinguished ? you have authoritie to see such censured , that publike peace ( as becommeth a civill state ) might bee maintained . now there are two extremes which ( like two dangerous rocks ) are carefully to bee avoided , lest the precious freight of iustice might thereby hee enndagered . the one is rigour , the other indulgence . i approve therefore of his opinion , who would have intus mel , foris oleum ; as well cordialls as corrasives : for as some men ( and those of the basest and servilest condition ) are onely to be deterred from doing evill by the censure or penalty of the law ; so there are others of a more generous and noble disposition , who are only to be reclaimed by faire and affable meanes ; and these are to be brought in rather by love than awe . for as wormewood of it selfe , expels diseases , yet is to be anoynted with honey , that the improvident age of childhood might bee deluded , and they from their nurses teats the sooner weaned : so though this wormewood of rigour and severity bee of force to cure and expell most diseases raging or reigning ; yet being allayed with the honey of mercy and indulgence , it will sooner weane children , that is to say , such whose soft and easie temper is best perswaded by courtesie , than wormewood untempered , that is , than the law to her highest pinne wrested . indeed these boanerges , the sonnes of thunder , are powerfull in deterring such , whose braving and domineering natures use to oppose themselves to right : for perswasions are as little available to these , as to sow sand in the ayre ; wherefore as the law hath provided fit meanes to curbe and chastice such , whose obstinate and refractory natures will not by easie meanes be induced , so hath it qualified or attempered the rigour or bitternesse of such provisions , where there is assured hope , that the partie by easier perswasions will bee reclaimed . for if we will resemble that absolutest patterne or abstract of all iustice , god himselfe ; we shall reade that he came as well in a still voyce , as in thunder . so as , albeit a god when he delivered the law , came downe in the fire ; and the b glory of god appeared on mount sinai , as a consuming fire ; and out of gods mouth went a c consuming fire ; and in gods wrath against d israel was kindled fire ; and e eliah was taken up into heaven by a chariot and horses of fire ; and the f angell appeared to moses in a flame of fire ; and g every mans worke shall be tryed by fire ; yet god , as he is to the wicked a h consuming fire : so to the godly he is a i comfortable fire . be not then ever cloathed with fire , reprove the enormities of the state with the spirit of mildnesse , which if it will not prevaile , unsheath the sword of iustice , that such may bee severely , curbed , who by gentlenesse would not bee cured . it is not to be doubted , but you shall encounter with delinquents of severall natures : the chastizing of both which sorts is left wholly to your discretion : for many things , though expresly enacted , are in respect of the manner , referred to your discretion to see them executed . many there are , who will rather die for the act , than discover the act : like epicharia a libertine of rome , who made privie to a conspiracie against nero , would not disclose the plotters thereof , though tormented with cruell punishments : or leena , who conspiratour against the tyrant hyppeas , was not agast at the death of her friends , though torne with extreme torments , but resolute to the end , would not reveale her partners , but bit in sunder her owne tongue , and spit it in the tyrants face . there are others likewise , who will expose themselves to all extremities that law can inflict , onely to gaine themselves a name ; such was herostratus , who burned the temple of diana of ephesus , onely for vaine-glory : but to these you are not to use indulgence ; for they that brave it in sinne , esteeming mischievous practices to bee their chiefest glory , are fallen into that gall of bitternesse , as in them there is small hope of remedy . better it is that one perish , than that unitie perish , and in these ( sure i am ) that maxime is true ; he that spareth the evill , hurteth the good . for it is impossible that any state should flourish with increase of good men , where there is no difference made betwixt the good and evill . wherefore you are to deale in the state , as skilfull gardners or vine-dressers doe with their vines ; they cause the wild branches to be pruned , that their naturall sciens may bee better nourished . vnfruitfull members , and such as are more burdensome than behouefull to a state , are to bee purged and pruned , that such whose honest care and providence deserves due praise among you may be the more encouraged , seeing these , who used to live on others labours , duly punished . yet in all your censures beware of this , that no personall distaste aggravate in you the quality of the crime : i meane , let no private hate or dislike to any person , cause you to punish him , for this is a partiall and indirect proceeding , relying rather vpon the authority of your place , than equity of the cause . farre more generous is it to bury all hate towards your foes , especially when by meanes of your place , it rests in your power to spare or punish . when caesar commanded the demolished monuments of pompey to bee set up againe ; cicero told him that in erecting pompeyes trophies hee established his owne . and no lesse generous was scaurus , domitius his enemy , who when a certaine servant of domitius came before the judgement seat to accuse his master , he sent him home to his master . the like of cato and murena . be your censures likewise free from passion ; for there is nothing that so troubles the pure current of iustice , or so much transformes man from himselfe , 〈◊〉 giving way to wrath . the saying of archytas is much commended , who being angry with one of his hindes , said ; o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ! heare the poore mans cause with an equall and impartiall care ; let not the greatnesse of his adversary be any barre to his plea , or any hinderance to his cause ; beare your selves sincerely with all singlenesse , uprightly without partiall connivence ; standing for your foe equally as your friend , if your foes cause be as honest as your friends . it was bias saying , that he had rather be a iudge amongst his enemies , than amongst his friends : and this might probably bee his reason ; because his enemies would pry more narrowly into his actions than his friends ; and therefore his desire was to bee by them onely approved , by whom hee was chiefly observed . yea , herein might you partake of a right noble revenge upon your enemies ; in shewing apparent testimonies of your care and zeale to the truth ; in preventing all occasions of scandall ; in preferring justice even in cases which neerely concerne your friend , before all termes of friendship ; having the testimony of a good conscience within you , as a wall of brasse against all opponents : for hence it was that diogenes being asked how one should be revenged of his enemy , answered , by being a vertuous and honest man. for the whole life of every good man giveth testimony unto god of the integrity or uprightnesse of his conversation . but beware above all things ( as i formerly noted ) of accepting or respecting persons ; for this is the very bane of iustice. let not the rich man with all his presents tempt you , nor those many friends which he hath laid up in store to speake for him , taint you . fie for shame ( saith innocentius ) now adayes man is esteemed according to his money , whereas rather the money should bee esteemed according to the man. every one is reputed worthy , if he be wealthy , and naught if he be needy ; whereas rather every one should be reputed wealthy , if he be worthy , and needy if he be naught . marcus caelius was said to have a good right hand , but an ill left hand ; because he could plead against a man better than for him . be you so equally handed , as poyzing the weight of the cause sincerely , you may minister right judgment to all parties , being as ready to defend the cause of the needy , as of the wealthy , giving him the best countenance , who hath the best cause . it was romes fault , which presages romes fall , to be facunda inimicuiis , faecunda praemiis ; farre be it from our iland , who as she hath enjoyed a long peace , so ought shee to become more thankfull to that god of peace , who in his mercy hath strengthned her bulwarkes , enclosed her as a hedged garden , fed her with the flower of wheat , making her feet like hindes feet to runne the wayes which hee hath appointed . and so i come to speake of such private affaires as require the care and charge of a gentleman , even within the compasse of his owne family . if there bee any that provideth not for his owne , and namely for them of his houshold , he denieth the faith , and is worse than an infidell , saith the apostle . now how carefull should we be to remove from us , so hatefull a title as the name of infidell ? have we not our appellation from christ ? but in vaine are we named after christ , if wee doe not follow christ. wee were not borne to passe our time in an improvident or carelesse sensuality ; wee were not created onely to cramme our selves , and spend our dayes in securitie ; man ( saith iob ) was borne to labour , as the sparkes to flie upward ; at least to provide for his owne family , over which hee is made a master : by releeving them outwardly with all necessaries , and inwardly with all good and wholsome instructions . now to propose you a forme , in what manner you are to demeane your selves towards all degrees within your family : i shall little need , since the apostle himselfe hath so notably laid downe every ones office or duty : where hee sheweth in what manner wives are to submit themselves unto their husbands ; and againe , how husbands should love their wives , even as christ loved the church , and gave himselfe for it . in the next ensuing chapter hee declareth the duty of children in these words ; children obey your parents in the lord , for this is right . then he descendeth to the duty of parents ; and ye , fathers , provoke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in instruction and information of the lord. then touching servants ; servants bee obedient unto them that are your masters , according to the flesh , with feare and trembling , in singlenesse of your hearts as unto christ. concluding the last duty with masters ; and yee masters doe the same thing unto them , putting away threatning : and know that even your master also is in heaven , neither is there respect of person with him . thus have wee briefly and cursorily runne over those particular duties , deputed to every one from the highest to the lowest in their peculiar places and offices ; where we can finde no exemption from the servant to the master , but that certaine particular duties are injoyned either . as every mans house is his castle , so is his family a private common-wealth , wherein if due government be not observed , nothing but confusion is to be expected . for the better prevention whereof , i have thought good to set downe sundry cautions , as well for direction in affaires temporall , as spirituall ; which observed , it is not to bee doubted but that god will give you all good successe to your endevours . first therefore , in affaires temporall i could wish you to observe this course ; so to provide for the releefe and supportance of your family , as you may not onely have sufficient for yourselves , but also bee helpfull unto others ; sufficient for your selves in providing food and apparell , being all which iaakob desired of god : and helpfull unto others , in giving food and raiment to the fatherlesse , in providing releefe for the desolate and comfortlesse , in harbouring the poore , needy and succourlesse , and briefly in ministring to the necessity of the saints , and all such as are of the family of faith . and because providence is the way , by which releefe both to your selves and others may bee sufficiently ministred , beware of prodigality , and excesse ; lest you give your honour unto others , and your yeares to the cruell . lest the stranger should be filled with your strength , and your labours be in the house of a stranger . go rather to the pismire , who though she have no guide , governour , nor ruler , provideth in summer her granary for winter . neither is it sufficient to gather , but frugally to dispose of that which is gathered . this providence admits of no vitellius break-fasts , nor cleopatra's bankets . the prodigalls daintie tooth brought him to feed on husks . esau's to sell his birth-right for a messe of pottage . ionathans for a honey-combe to endanger his life . the israelites to murmure against moses . babylons golden cup , to fill her full of abominations . i have observed , and no lesse admired than observed , how some have consumed their estates in satisfying their appetites , and that only in the choice of meats and drinkes ; and was not this a great vanitie ? that those , whom meats , though lesse delightfull , yet more healthfull might haue sustained , and fewer diseases occasioned ▪ could not content themselves with that which might have better satisfied nature , but to shew themselves epicures rather than christians , will bestow the revenues of a manour upon the superfluous charge of a supper . for these are they , who like ery●thous bowels , will disgorge as much upon the boundlesse expence of their owne family , as might serve well for releeving a whole countrey . these are they who like the endive or misselto , sucke up all the native verdure and vigour of such plants as they inwreath : for by their excesse , though their owne luscious palats taste no want , the commonaltie feeles it , when they goe to the markets , and finde the rate of all provision inhanced by such , whose prodigalitie scarce extends a provident eye to themselves , much lesse to the behoose of others . it is said of cambletes the gluttonous king of lydia , that he dreamed he devoured his wife , while they lay sleeping together in the same bed ; and finding her hand betweene his teeth when he awaked , hee slow himselfe fearing dishonour . howsoever the history be authenticke ; sure i am the morall taxeth such , whose epicureall mindes are only set upon prodigall expence , without respect either of present fortunes , or care to posteritie , whose want is oft-times procured by their riot . to be short , as parcimonie is too late when it comes to the bottome ; so it may be with discretion used , when it is at the top : for i approve of his opinion , who would have a gentleman neither to hoord up niggardly , nor lash out lavishly . for as the former argueth a miserable and ignoble minde , so the latter sheweth a minde improvident and indiscreet ; both which are to be so avoided ; that a meane betwixt both may be duely observed . for as i would have a gentleman , even in arguments of outward bountie , shew whence he was descended ; so would i have him keepe a hawke , left his too free disposition be ●hrough necessitie restrained . so as in matters of expence , i hold his resolve authenticke , who said ; i will never spare where reputation bids mee s●end , nor spend where honest frugalitie bids me spare . it is a good rule , and worthy observation : for whosoever spares , when with credit and reputation hee should spend , is indiscreetly sparing : and whosoever spends , when with honest frugalitie hee may spare , is prodigally spending ▪ now in government of a family , as i would not have you too remisse ; so i would not have you too severe , towards your servants ( i meane ) and those who have received their several charge from you : this it was which moved the apostle to exhort masters to put away threatning ; adding this reason : for know that even your master also is in heaven , neither is there respect of person with him . therefore it was saint augustines prayer unto god , that he would root out of him , all rashnesse , frowardnesse , roughnesse , unquietnesse , slownesse , slothfulnesse , sluggishnesse ; dulnesse of minde , blindnesse of heart , obstinacie of sense , truculencie of manners , disobedience to goodnesse , repugnance of counsell , want of bridling the tongue , making a prey of the poore , shewing violence to the impotent , calumniating the innocent , negligence of subjects , * severitie towards servants , harshnesse towards familiars , hardnesse towards neighbours . hence note , how in this holy fathers repetition and enumeration of many grievous and odious sinnes , he toucheth severitie towards servants , as a hainous and egregious offence : and not without great cause ; for if we be taught not to muzzle the oxe that treadeth out the corne : and that , we are to spare the life of our beast : much more ought we to have mercie over such as partake with us in the same image , which wee have equally from him received , by whom we live , move , and have our being . i approve therefore of them , who put on the spirit of mildnesse towards such as are deputed or substituted under them , bearing with one anothers weaknesse , as those who have a compassionate feeling of humane infirmities , not laying such heavie burdens upon them , as they themselves will not touch with their finger , but will in some measure partake with them in all their labours . but of all other vices incident to masters , there is none more hatefull in the sight of god and man , than the unthankfulnesse or disrespect of masters towards their servants , when they have spent their strength , and wasted themselves in their service . these like the grey-hound in the fable , may well say , that they see nothing can please , but that which doth profit : when they were young , able and fit to endure labour , they were respected ; whereas now being old , infirme , and helplesse , either to themselves or others , they are sleightly regarded . whereas , if they were thankfull masters , these whom they once loved for profit sake in youth , they would now love in age , in respect of the profit they reaped by their youth . but , alas , doe we not see how nothing is more contemptible than an old serving-man ? he may say he was a man in his time , but that is all . there is no man that will know him , since his blew-coat knew no cognizance ; the losse of his crest , makes him hang downe his crest , as one crest-fallen : so as the poore larke may boast of more than he may : for every larke hath his crest , saith simonides , but he hath none . to redresse this , as in humanitie you ought , so i know such as are generously disposed , will : that those who have deserved well under you , being now growne aged , yet unpreferred , may by your care be so maintained , that their service of labour may be made a service of prayer , offering their sacrifice of devotion unto god , that great master of a houshold , that he in his mercy would give a happie successe unto all your endevours . now as the labourer is worthy of his wages ; for , cursed is he that defraudeth ●he labourer of his hire : so there is an especiall care required in every servant to looke unto that which is given him in charge . for the better discharge whereof , it is injoyned you that be masters ; not to be too remisse in your care and overseeing thereof ; for much oversight is usually committed for want of a good overseer . admonish your servants that they intend their charge ; suffer them not to idle , but in their peculiar places to doe that which they in dutie are to performe , and you in reason are to expect . wherein , as they proceed in diligence , so are you to require their care with a cheerefull thankfulnesse . if it be your lot to have such an one as iaakob was , ( as rare it is to finde such an one as he was ) reward him not with a bleare-eyed loah , for a beautifull and faire rahel : i meane , abridge not , nor scant not their wages ; for this is a discredit to your selfe , and a discouragement to your servant . if he say , these twenty yeeres i have beene with thee : thine ewes and thy goats have not cast their young , and the rams of thy flocke have i not eaten . whatsoever was torne of beasts , i brought it not unto thee , but made it good my selfe : of mine hand diddest thou require it , were it stollen by day , or stollen by night . i was in the day consumed with heat , and with frost in the night , and my sleepe departed from mine eyes . thus have i beene twenty yeeres in thine house , and served thee fourteene yeeres for thy two daughters , and six yeeres for thy sheepe , and thou hast changed my wages ten times . if ( i say ) hee hath thus served you , and shewne faithfulnesse in that charge over which hee was appointed , reward him with a bountifull hand , and encourage his care with your best countenance . whereas , contrariwise , if you meet with such a servant , that saith in his heart , my master doth deferre his comming ; and shall begin to smite the servants , and maidens , and to eat , and drinke , and to be drunken ; you are not to use remisnesse to such a servant , but to cut him off , lest you give example unto others , by your indulgence , to be of the like condition . in briefe as a good servant is a precious jewell , tendring the profit and credit of him he serveth ; so an evill servant , whose service is only to the eye , and not for conscience sake , is a scatterer of his substance whom he serveth ; aiming only at his owne private profit , without least respect had to his masters benefit . difference therefore you are to make of their care , in cherishing the one , and chastising the other ; which can hardly be effected , unlesse you , who are to make this difference of your servants , have an eye to their imployments . neither would i have your care so extended , as to afflict and macerate your selves by your excessive care : a meane is the best both in the preservation of health and wealth . be diligent ( saith salomon ) to know the state of thy flocke , and take heed to thy herds . yet withall note his conclusion : let the milke of thy goats be sufficient for thy food , for the food of thy familie , and for the sustenance of thy maids . whence you may observe , that to gather is admitted , so the use or end for which wee gather be not neglected . for such , whose hydroptick minds are ever raking and reaping , yet know not how to imploy the blessings of god , by a communicative exhibition unto others , are become vassals unto their owne ; making their gold-adoring affection an infection , their reason treason , and the wealth which they have got them , a witnesse to condemne them . but i have insisted too long on this point , especially in framing my speech to you , whose more free-borne dispositions will ever scorne to be tainted with such unworthy aspersions : wherefore i will descend briefly to such instructions , as you are to use touching spirituall affaires , being masters of housholds in your private families . we reade that abraham commanded his sons , and his houshold , that they should keepe the way of the lord , to doe righteousnesse and judgement : and wee are taught what wee must doe , returning from gods house to our owne : and what wee are to doe sitting in our houses , even to lay up gods word in our heart and in our soule , and binde it for a signe upon our hand , that it may be as a frontlet betweene our eyes . and not only to be thus instructed our selves , but to teach them our children , speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house , and when thou walkest by the way , and when thou liest downe , and when thou risest up . and not so onely , but thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house , and upon thy gates . whence you see , how no place , time , or occasion is to be exempted from meditating of god : but especially in housholds and families ought this exercise of devotion to be frequently and fervently practised ; for a blessing is pronounced upon the performance hereof , as appeareth in the foresaid place , and the next ensuing verse , where he saith , you shall doe all that i have commanded you , that your dayes may be multiplied , and the dayes of your children , in the land which the lord sware unto your fathers to give them , as long as the heavens are above the earth . marke the extent of this blessing , for it promiseth not only length of dayes to them that performe it , but even to the children of them that performe it ; and that in no unfruitfull or barren land , but in the land which the lord sware unto your fathers to give them ; and that for no short time , but so long as the heavens are above the earth . so as , this blessed promise , or promised blessing , is ( as one well observeth ) not restrained , but with an absolute grant extended : so that , even as the people that were in the gate , and the elders wished in the solemnizing of that mariage betwixt boaz and ruth , that their house might be like the house of pharez ; so doubtlesse , whosoever meditates of the law of the lord , making it in his familie , as a familiar friend to direct him a faithfull counseller to instruct him , a sweet companion to delight him , a precious treasure to enrich him , shall finde successe in his labours , and prosperitie in the worke of his hands . but amongst all , as it is the use or masters of housholds to call their servants to account for the day past ; so be sure , gentlemen , and you who are masters of houses , to enter into your owne hearts , by a serious examination had every night , what you have done , or how you have imployed your selves , and those talents which god hath bestowed on you , the day past ; in imitation of that blessed father , who every night examined himselfe , calling his soule to a strict account , after this manner ; o my soule , what hast thou done this day ? what good hast thou omitted ? what evill hast thou committed ? what good , which thou shouldst have done ? what evill , which thou shouldst not have done ? where are the poore thou hast releeved ? the sicke or captive thou hast visited ? the orphan or widow thou hast comforted ? where are the naked , whom thou hast cloathed ? the hungry , whom thou hast refreshed ? the afflicted and desolate , whom thou hast harboured ? o my soule , when it shall be demanded of thee , quid comedit pauper ? how poorely wilt thou looke , when there is not one poore man that will witnesse thy almes ? againe , when it shall be demanded of thee , vbi nudus quem amicivisti ? how naked wilt thou appeare , when there is not one naked soule that will speake for thee ? againe , when it shall be demanded of thee , vbi sitiens quem potasti ? vbi esuriens quem pavisti ? vbi captivus quem visitasti ? vbi moestus quem relevasti ? o my soule , how forlorne , wretched , and uncomfortable will thy condition be , when there shall not appeare so much as one witnesse for thee to expresse thy charitie ? not one poore soule whom thou hast releeved ! one naked whom thou hast cloathed ! nor one thirstie whom thou hast refreshed ! nor one hungry whom thou hast harboured ! nor a captive whom thou hast visited ! nor one afflicted whom thou hast comforted ! thus to call your selves to account , by meditating ever with s. hierome of the judgement day , will be a meanes to rectifie your affections , mortifie all inordinate motions , purifie you throughout , that you may be examples of pietie unto others in your life , and heires of glory after death : concluding most comfortably with the foresaid father ; if my mother should hang about mee , my father lie in my way to stop me , my wife and children weepe about mee , i would throw off my mother , neglect my father , contemne the lamentation of my wife and children , to meet my saviour christ iesus . for the furtherance of which holy resolution , let no day passe over your heads , wherein you addresse not your selves to some good action or imployment . wherefore apelles posie was this , let no day passe without a line . be sure every day you doe some good , then draw one line at the least : according to that , line upon line , line upon line . and pythagoras posie was this , sit not still upon the measure of corne . doe not looke to eat , except you sweat for it : according to that , he which will not worke , let him not eat . in my fathers house ( saith christ ) are many mansions . so that no man may sing his soule a sweet requiem , saying with that cormorant in the gospell , soule take thy rest : for in heaven onely , which is our fathers house , there are many mansions to rest in . in this world , which is not of our fathers house , , there are not many mansions to rest in , but onely vine-yards to worke in . wherein , because not to goe forward , is to goe backward , we are to labour even to the day of our change . hereupon charles the fifth gave this embleme , stand not still , but goe on farther ; vlterius : as god saith to his guest , superius : sit not still , but sit up higher . doing thus , and resolving to be no masters over that family , whose chiefest care is not the advancement of gods glory , you shall demeane your selves , being here worthy that vocation or calling , over which you are placed , and afterwards , by following hard toward the marke , obtaine the prize of the high calling of god in christ iesus . the english gentleman . argument . of the difference of recreations ; of the moderate and immoderate use of recreation ; of the benefits re●ounding from the one , and inconveniences arising from the other ; of recreations best sorting with the qualitie of a gentleman ; and how he is to bestow himselfe in them . recreation . recreation , being a refresher of the minde , and an enabler of the bodie to any office wherein it shall be imployed ; brancheth it selfe into many kinds ; as hawking , which pleasure , one termed the object of a great minde , whose aymes were so farre above earth , as he resolves to retire a while from earth , and make an evening flight in the aire . hunting , where the hounds at a losse shew themselves subtill sophisters , arguing by their silence , the game came not here ; againe , by being mute , it came not there ; ergo , by spending their mouthes it came here . fishing , which may be well called the embleme of this world , where miserable man , like the deluded fish , is ever nibbling at the bait of vanitie . swimming , an exercise more usuall than naturall , and may have resemblance to these diving heads , who are ever sounding the depths of others secrets ; or smimming against the streame , may glance at such whose only delight is opposition . running , a recreation famously ancient , solemnized by the continued succession or revolution of many ages , upon the olympiads in greece , so as the account or yeerly computation came from races and other solemne games used on olympus . wrastling , leaping , dancing , and many other recreations of like sort , as they were by the continuance of many yeeres upon olympus kept , and with publike feasts duly celebrated : so in many places of this kingdome , both southward in their wakes , and northward in their summerings , the very same recreations are to this day continued . shooting amongst the scythians and parthians , was an exercise of especiall request , as afterward amongst the amazonites , being women expert above all people of the world in shooting and practising the dart. bowling amongst the romans was much used , especially in lucullus time , whose garden-alleyes were ever stored with young gentlemen , who resorted thither to recreate themselves with this exercise . the greekes had a a cynosargus , to traine and exercise their youth in wrastling ; and a cerostrotum to annoint their bodies in before they wrastled . the ancient romans had a b circus , to inure and practise their youth against military service , wherein they wrastled and contended . they used likewise , as the french doe to this day , the exercise of the c ball , which play is never sufficiently praised by galen : being an exercise wherein all the organs or faculties of mans bodie are to be imployed ; as the eye to be quicke and sharpe in seeing , the hand readie in receiving , the body nimble in moving , the legges speedie in recovering . that fencing also was of much use and practice among the romans , even in their height of glory , and during the flourishing time of their empire , may appeare by that high commendation which cicero giveth it , terming it , d the strongest and soveraignest exercise against death and griefe . that iusts , turnaments and barriers ( likewise ) were amongst our ancient knights usually practised and observed , both for gaining the favour of such ladies as they loved , as also for the honour of their country , vanquishing such strangers with whom they contended ; may appeare in histories of all ages . or to descend to more soft and effeminate recreations : we shall finde , of what great esteeme musicke was , even with some , who were in yeeres as ripe , as they were for wisdome rare . socrates , when he was well strucke in yeeres , learned to play upon the harpe . minerva and alcibiades disliked the lowd musicke of dulcimers and shalmes , but admired the warbling straines of the harpe . plato and aristotle would have a man well brought up in musicke . lycurgus in his sharpe lawes allowes of musicke . chyron taught achilles in his tender yeeres , musicke . achasia , with diotima and hermione , taught pericles prince of troy ( or rather duke of athens ) musicke . epaminondas of leuctra , was experienced in musicke . themistocles was lesse esteemed , because not seene in musicke . alexander was so ravished with musicke , that when he heard a trumpet , he used to cry ad arma , ad arma ; not able to containe himselfe : so highly were his spirits erected by the force of musicke . painting likewise among the ancient pagans , was for a recreation used , though at this day , through the dishonour our painted sepulchers doe to their maker , much abused . fabius surnamed pictor , from whence the fabii tooke their names , was a painter , for he painted the walls of the temple of peace . metrodorus a philosopher and painter of athens , sent to by l. paulus to bring up his children , and to decke the romane triumphs . protogenes his table wherein bacchus was painted , moved king demetrius lying at the city rhodes , so much to admire his rare art and workmanship , that whereas he might have consumed the city with fire , he would not for the preciousnesse of that table : and therefore staying to bid them battell , wonne not the city at all . so campaspe pictured out in her colours by apelles ; and crotons five daughters , lively pourtrayed by zeuxes , gained those famous artists no lesse honour . howsoever his art was in painting , i cannot chuse but commend his quicke wit in answering , being by them reproved whom he most distasted ; and thus it was . two cardinalls reproving one raphael a painter , in that he had made the pictures of peter and paul too red , answered , that saint peter and saint paul were even as red in heaven , as they saw them there , to see the church governed by such as they were . this device or invention of painting , was by the pagans generally , but especially those of the better sort , taken only for a recreation , and no trade or profession ; labouring to shew their cunning in beautifying , garnishing and adorning the triumphs of their conquerours , or in decoring their temples dedicated to the gods. as the scythes used to erect obeliskes or square stones upon the hearse of the deceased , in number so many as he had slaine of his enemies : where he that had not slaine an enemy could not drinke of the goblet , spiced with the ashes of some memorable ancestor , at solemne feasts and banquets . for other painting ( too much affected at this day ) it was not so much as used by any matron , wife , or virgin , whose best red was shamefastnesse , and choicest beauty maiden bashfulnesse : onely , as festus pompeius saith , common and base whores , called schaenicolae , used daubing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . but this may seeme an art rather than a recreation ; wee will therefore descend to some others , whose use refresheth and recreateth the minde , if imployed as they were first intended , being rather to beguile time , than to reape gaine . and first for the antiquity of dice-play , we have plenty of authorities every where occurring : being much used by all the roman emperours at banquets and solemne meetings , where they bestowed themselves and the time , at no game so much as dice. so as , augustus was said to be a serious gamester at dice : affecting them much , when at any time hee retired from court or campe. whence it is , that suetonius bringeth in augustus caesar speaking thus ; si quas manus remisi cuique exegissem : aut retinuissem quod cuique donavi , vicissem , &c. if i had exacted those chances which i remitted every one , and kept that which i bestowed , i had gotten by play ; whereas now i am a loser by my bounty . though no game more ancient , or which indeed requireth a conceit more pregnant than the chesse ; which we read to have beene in great request amongst the ancient romans , whereof we have a history in the time of caius caligula , tending to this purpose . this emperour being naturally addicted to all cruelty , chanced one day amongst others to send for one canius iulus a philosopher of eminent esteeme at that time : with whom , after some conference , the emperour fell into such a rage , as he bade him depart thence , but expect within short time to receive due censure for his boldnesse : for ( quoth he ) flatter not thy selfe with a foolish hope of longer life , for i have doo●ed thee to bee drawne by the officer unto death : but see with what resolution this noble canius bore himselfe ! i thanke you ( quoth he ) most gracious emperour , and so departed . within some few dayes after , the officer ( according to the emperours commandement ) repaired to the houses of such as were adjudged , not by any legall processe , but onely by the emperours pleasure , to suffer death ; amongst which , he made repaire to canius house , whom hee found playing at chesse with one of his companions . the officer without delay gave him summons to prepare himselfe , for it was the emperours pleasure he should die : whereat , as one nothing amated or discouraged , he called the officer unto him , and * numbring the chesse-men before him and his companion with whom hee played : see ( quoth hee ) that after my death thou report not that thou hadst the better of the game : then calling upon the centurion or officer : be you witnesse ( quoth he ) that i was before him one . thus laughed this noble philosopher at death , insulting as much over death , as hee insulted over him , who adjudged him to death . this kinde of game , now flater yeares is growne so familiar with most of our neighbouring countries , as no one play more affected or more generally used . so as wee have heard of an ape who plaid at chesse in portugall : which implyed , the daily use and practice of that game , brought the ape to that imitation . and certainly , there is no one game which may seeme to represent the state of mans life to the full , so well as the chesse . for there you shall find princes and beggers , and persons of all conditions ranked in their proper and peculiar places ; yet when the game is done , they are all thrust up in a bagge together : and where then appeares any difference betwixt the poorest begger , and the potentest peere ? the like may be observed in this stage of humane frailty : while we are here set to shew during the chesse-game of this life , we are according to our severall ranks esteemed ; and fit it should be so , for else should all degrees be promiscuously confounded : but no sooner is the game done , the thred of our short life spunne , than wee are throwne into a bagge , a poore shrouding sheet , for that is all that wee must carrie with us : where there shall bee no difference betwixt the greatest and least , highest and lowest : for then it shall not bee asked us how much wee had , but how we disposed of that we had . thus farre have we discoursed of the first part , to wit , of the difference of recreations : thinking it sufficient to have touched only such as are most usuall and knowne unto us . for some others , which wee have purposely omitted , lest our mindian gate should grow greater than our city , we shall have occasion to speake of some of them , when we are to discourse of such recreations , as are to be made choice of by gentlemen of best ranke and quality . in the meane time we will descend to the second part , to wit , the moderate and immoderate use of recreation . if wee eat too much honey , it will grow distastfull ; so in recreations , if we exceed , they must needs grow hurtfull . i approve therefore of his opinion , who adviseth us to doe with recreations , and such pleasures wherein wee take delight , as nurses doe with their brests to weane young children from them : annoint them a little with allöes ; sprinkling our sweetest delights with some bitternesse , to weane us from them with more easinesse . neither is it my meaning that gentlemen should be so from the pleasure of recre●tion weaned , as if from society wholly estranged : for this were like him , who became hermit because he might not have her he loved . but rather so to attemper or allay the sweetnesse of such pleasures or delights as they betake themselves to , that they bee never too much besotted with them . this course that gentleman tooke , who perceiving himselfe too much affected on hawking , resolved one day to weane his minde a little from it , by trying his patience with some inconveniences incident to it . wherefore he set a lazie haggard on his fist , and goes to his sport : where he finds store of game but few flights ; for wheresoever the partridge flew , his hawke never made farther flight than from tree to tree , which drove the gentleman faulconer to such impatience , as he lesse affected the pleasure for long time after . the like i have heard of a gentleman who used much bowling : which recreation he so continually practised , for the love he bore it , as his occasions were much neglected by it , which to prevent , as he rode farre for his pleasure , so he stayed late ere hee returned home , of purpose , so to become wearied , that his minde by that meanes might from his pleasure be the sooner weaned . but these experiments as they are oft failing , where the minde is not come to setling : so in my opinion there is no meanes better or surer to weane man , endued with reason , from being too much captived or enchained with these pleasures , than to consider what benefits redound from moderate rec●e●t●on , and againe what inconveniences arise from immoderate delight therein . first then , let us consider the end for which recreations were ordained , and wee shall finde that they were rather intended to beguile time , than to bestow our selves on them all our time . though many , too many there be , who will not sticke to say with him who sported himselfe in the warme sunne , vtinam hoc esset vivere , would to god this were to live ; would to god this recreation were a vocation , this pleasure my trade forever . no , as recreation was at first intended for refreshing the minde , and enabling the body to performe such offices as are requisite to bee performed : so is it not to bee made a trade or profession , as if we should there set up our rest , and intend nothing else . consider therefore the benefits which redound by a moderate or temperate use of recreation . first it refresheth or cherisheth the minde , accommodating it to all studies : clearing the understanding which would be easily depressed , if either with worldly cares , or more noble and generous studies wholly restrained . it is said of asinius pollio , that after the tenth houre he would be retained in no businesse , neither after that houre would he reade so much as any letter . of cato likewise , that he used to refresh his minde with wine ; the like of solon and archesilaus , that they would usually cheere their spirits with wine : yet whosoever should object drunkennesse to cato , might sooner prove that crime honest , than cato dishonest . so as , whether we beleeve the greeke poet , it is sometimes pleasing to be a little madding ; or plato , who in vaine expulsed poets the bounds of his common-weale ; or aristotle , that there can never be any great wit without some mixture of folly : we shall finde , that even the gravest and most experienced statists have sometimes retired themselves from more serious affaires , to refresh and solace their tired spirits with moderate recreations . the poet excellently describes a man buried in the deepe slumber of contemplation , after this manner ; he dies , pent up with studie and with care . so were the anchorites and hermites in former time , being wholly divided from societie : yea so immured , as they seemed to be buried living . whose conversation , as ( questionlesse ) it argued a great mortification of all mundane desires ; so it ministred matter of admiration to such , who given to carnall libertie , wondred how men made of earth , could be so estranged from conversing with inhabitants of earth . but to leave these , and imagine their conversation to be in heaven , though their habitation was on earth : we perceive hence , how beneficiall recreation is to the minde , in cheering , solacing , and refreshing her , if used with moderation . how it lessens those burdens of cares , wherewith shee is oppressed , revives the spirits , as if from death restored , cleares the understanding , as if her eyes long time shut , were now unsealed , and quickens the invention , by this sweet respiration , as if newly moulded . neither is this benefit so restrained , as if it extended onely to the minde ; for it conferres a benefit likewise to the bodie , by enabling it to performe such labours , taskes or offices , as it is to be imployed or exercised withall . there are two proverbs which may be properly applied to this purpose : once in the yeare apollo laughes ; this approves the use of moderate recreation . apollo's bow 's not alwayes bent ; this shewes , that humane imployments are to be seasoned by recreation : wee are sometimes to unbend the bow , or it will lose his strength . continuall or incessant imployment cannot be endured : there must be some intermission , or the bodie becomes enfeebled . as for example ; observe these men who either encombred with worldly affairs , so tye and tether themselves to their businesse , as they intermit no time for effecting that which they goe about : or such as wholly nayled to their deske , admit no time for recreation , lest they should thereby hinder the progresse of their studies . see how pale and meager they looke , how sickly and infirme in the state of their bodies , how weake and defective in their constitution ? so as to compare one of these weaklings with such an one as intermits occasions of businesse , rather than he will prejudice his health 〈◊〉 serving times as well for recreation and pleasure , as for imployment and labour , were to present a spectacle of iuius dwarfe , not two foot high , and weighing but seventeene pound , with a rhinoceros , tiger or serpent of fiftie cubits long : such difference in proportion , such ods in strength of constitution . for observe one of these starved worldlings , whose aimes are onely to gather and number , without doing either themselves or others good with that they gather ; with what a sallow and earthy complexion they looke , being turned all earth before they returne to earth . and what may be the cause hereof , but their incessant care of getting , their continuall desire of gaining , being ever gaping till their mouthes be filled with gravell . so these , who are wholly given and solely devoted to a private or retired life , how unlike are they to such as use and frequent societie ? for their bodies , as they are much weakned and enfeebled , so is the heat and vigour of their spirits lessened and resolved , yea their dayes for most part shortned and abridged : the cause of all which proceedeth from a continuall secludi●g and dividing themselves from company , and use of such recreations , as all creatures in their kinde require and observe . for if we should have recourse to creatures of all sorts , wee shall finde every one in his kinde observe a recreation or refreshment in their nature . as the beast in his chace , the bird in her choice , the snaile in her speckled case , the polypus in her change , yea the dolphin is said to sport and play in the water . for as * all things were created for gods pleasure , so hath he created all things to recreate and refresh themselves in their owne nature . thus farre have wee discoursed of moderate recreation , and of the benefits which redound from it ; being equally commodious to the minde as well as the body , the body as well as the minde : to the minde , in refreshing , cherishing and accommodating it to all studies ; to the understanding , in clearing it from the mists of sadnesse : so the body , in enabling it for the performance of such labours , tasks , or offices , as it is to be imployed or interessed in . it now rests that wee speake something of her opposite , to wit , of immoderate recreation , and the inconveniences which arise from thence ; whereof wee shall but need to speake a word or two , and so descend to more usefull points touching this observation . as the wind caecias drawes unto it clouds , so doth immoderate recreation draw unto it divers and sundry maine inconveniences : for this immoderation is a loosener of the sinewes , and a lessener of the strength , as moderation is a combiner of the sinewes , and a refiner of the strength . so dangerous is the surfet which wee take of pleasure or recreation , as in this wee resemble chylo , who being taken with the apprehension of too much joy , instantly died . now who seeth not how the sweetest pleasures doe the soonest procure a surfet ? being such as most delight , and therefore aptest to cloy . how soone were the israelites cloyed with quailes , even while the flesh was yet betweene their teeth , and before it was chewed ? so apt are wee rather to dive than dip our hand in honey . most true shall every one by his owne experience finde that saying of salomon to be ; it is better to goe to the house of mourning , than to goe to the house of feasting : for there may wee see the hand of god , and learne to examine our lives , making use of their mortalitie , by taking consideration of our owne frailtie . whereas in the house of feasting , wee are apt to forget the day of our changing , saying with the epicure , eat , drinke , and play ; but never concluding with him , to morrow wee shall die . so apt are wee with messala corvinus to forget our owne name , man , who is said to be corruption ; and the sonne of man , wormes meat . for in this summer parlour 〈◊〉 flourie arbour of our prosperitie , wee can finde time to solace and recreate our selves ; lie upon beds of ivorie , and stretch our selves upon our beds , and eat of the lambs of the flocke , and the calves out of the stall . singing to the sound of the viole , and inventing to our selves instruments of musicke like david . drinking wine in bowles , and anointing our selves with the chiefe ointments , but no man is sorry for the affliction of ioseph . so universall are wee in our iubile , having once shaken off our former captivitie . to prevent which forgetfulnesse , it were not amisse to imitate the roman princes , who ( as i have elsewhere noted ) when they were at any time in their conquests or victorious triumphs with acclamations received , and by the generall applause of the people extolled , there stood one alwayes behind them in their throne , to pull them by the sleeve , with memento te esse hominem : for the consideration of humane frailtie is the soveraignest meanes to weane man from vaine-glory . whence it was that themistocles , when symmachus told him , that he would teach him the art of memory , answered , he had rather learne the art of forgetfulnesse ; saying , he could remember enough ; but many things he could not forget , which were necessary to be forgotten ; as the over-weening conceit of himselfe , the glory of his exploits , and merit of his actions , the memory whereof tended more to his prejudice than profit . but to descend to the particular inconveniences occasioned by immoderate recreation ; we shall find both the minde and body , as by moderation cheered and refreshed , so by immoderation annoyed and distempered . it was a good rule which those great men of rome observed in their feastings and cup-meetings ; wee will drinke not to drowne us , but to drowne care in us . not to reave sense , but revive sense . not as those who are ever carousing in the cup of nepenthe , steeping their senses in the lethe of forgetfulnesse . for these , like those b●se elyots slaved to ebrietie , have buried that glory of man , the reasonable part , in the lees of sensualitie . these are so farre from standing upon their guard , as the devill may safely enter either upon the fore-ward or rereward without resistance : for mans securitie is the devils opportunitie , which he will not slip though man sleepe . i read of one leonides a captaine , who perceiving his souldiers left their watch , upon the city walls , and did nothing all the day long but quaffe and tipple in ale-houses neere adjoyning , commanded that the ale-houses should be removed , being the cittadels wherin they resided , from that place where they stood , and set up close by the walls ; that seeing the souldiers would never keepe out of them , at the least wise that they might watch as well as drinke in them . these were souldiers fit for such a captaine , and a captaine worthy the training of such souldiers ; being one who could sort himselfe to the necessitie of the time , and frame himselfe to their humour ; when hee could not bring them of with more honour , yet he brought them to stand upon their guard , though they could hardly stand to their tackling : so as i conclude , their march could not chuse but be lazie , when their heads were so heavy . generally , but irregularly , is this broad-spreading vice of drunkennesse holden now adayes for a recreation ; so deeply rooted is the custome of impietie , being once strengthned by impunitie . for what is our sabbath recreation in city and country , but drinking and carousing , imagining ( belike ) that the sabbath cannot be prophaned , if wee use not such works or labours wherein our vocation is usually imployed ? if the iewes made the temple of god a den of theeves ; wee come neere them in making that our temple , which gives harbour unto theeves . for what are our city or country ale-houses , for most part , but the devils boothes , where all enormities are acted , all impieties hatched , all mischievous practices plotted and contrived ? these are those sinkes of sinne , where all pollution and uncleannesse reigneth , where fearfull oathes and prophanation rageth , whence all sensuall libertie ariseth . o gentlemen , let not this professed friend to securitie attend you ! it will make you unlike your selves , transforming that glorious image which you have received , like cyrces guests , who became swine , by being too sensually affected . it was sage cleobulus saying , that ones servant made merry with wine , was not to be punished ; for ( saith he ) in seeing him , thou shalt see thy folly of drunkennesse all the better . whence it was that some countries have formerly used ( though the custome seeme scarcely approved ) to make their slaves or vassals drunke , to shew unto their children the brutish condition of that vice ; whereby they might be the better weaned and deterred from that , which through the libertie of youth is usually affected . for if we should but observe the braine-sicke humours of these professed drunkards , we would rather admire how reason should be so strangely drenched and drowned in the lees of senselesse stupiditie , than ever be drawne to become affecters of so loathsome a vice . yet see the miserie of deluded man ; how many , and those of excellentest parts , have beene and are besotted with this sinne ? for who ever lived , and shewed more absolute perfection in action and person , than that great conquerour and commander of the whole world , alexander the great ? yet what uncomely parts plaid he in his drunkennesse ? how full of noble affabilitie and princely courtesie being sober ? how passionately violent , once fallen to distemper ? witnesse the burning of persepolis , to which cruell attempt hee was perswaded by a common and profest strumpet , even thais , whom all greece had 〈◊〉 for a publike prostitute . likewise his killing of callisthenes , being one whom he so dearly affected , as hee was never well , but when hee enjoyed his company . of both which facts hee so repented , as it was long ere hee would bee comforted . neither onely such as hee , who was a souldier , and therefore might seeme rather to claime in some sort a liberty in this kinde : ( for of all others , wee observe such as these to bee more addicted to these distempers , than others whose more civill and peaceable conversation have inured them to a better temper : ) but even those ( i say ) whose sincerity of life , and severity of discipline had gained them all esteme in their countrey , have beene likewise branded with this aspersion . as censorius cato , than whom none more strict or regular ; asinius pollio , than whom none more gracious or popular ; solon , than whom none more legall ; archesilaus , than whom none more formall . yet if wee did but note how much this vice was by the pagans themselves abhorred , and how they laboured to prevent the very meanes whereby this vice might be either cherished or introduced , wee would wonder that moderation in a heathen , should be so weakly seconded by a christian . amongst them , kinsmen kissed their kinswomen , to know whether they drunke wine or no ; and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some iland . plutarch saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sicke or weake , the senate was to give them licence , and not then in rome neither , but out of the city . and how much it was hated , may appeare by the testimonie of macrobius , who saith , that there were two senatours in rome chiding ; and the one called the others wife an adulteresse , and the other his wife a drunkard , and it was judged that to bee a drunkard was more infamy . thus you see even in pagans , who had but onely the light of nature to direct them , how loth they were to drowne the light of reason through drunkennesse , being indeed ( as a good father well observeth ) an enemy to the knowledge of god. to conclude then this first point ; may it bee farre from you gentlemen , to deprive your selves of that which distinguisheth you from beasts : make not that an exercise or recreation , which refresheth not , but darkeneth the understanding . drinke you may , and drinke wine you may , for wee cannot allow the device of thracius , but we must disallow saint pauls advice to timothy , vse a little wine for thy stomacks sake , and thine often infirmities . so as you are not injoyned such a strict or laconian abstinence , as if you were not to drinke wine at all : for being commanded not to drinke , it is to be implyed , not to use drunkennesse , wherein is excesse ; for in many places are wee allegorically and not literally to cleave to the text. as for origen , strange it is , that perverting so many other places by allegories , onely he should pervert one place , by not admitting an allegory . for our lord commanding to cut off the foot , or any part of the body which offendeth us , doth not meane we should cut off our members with a knife , but our carnall affections with a holy and mortified life : whence it is , that a origen was iustly punished by using too little diligence , where there was great need , because he used too great diligence where there was little need . no lesse worthy was b democritus errour of reproving , who was blinded before hee was blinde : for a christian need not p●t out his eyes , for feare of seeing a woman , since howsoever his bodily eye see , yet still his heart is blinde against all unlawfull desires . neither was crates thebanus well advised , who did cast his money into the sea , saying , c nay sure i will drowne you first in the sea , rather than you should drowne me in covetousnesse and care . lastly , d thracius , of whom aulus gellius writeth , was for any thing that i can see , even at that time most of all drunken , when hee cut downe all his vines , lest hee should bee drunken . no , i admit of no such strict stoicisme ; but rather ( as i formerly noted ) to use wine or any such strong drinke to strengthen and comfort nature , but not to impaire her strength or enfeeble her . for as by a little we are usually refreshed , so by too much are wee dulled and oppressed . there are some likewise , and these for most part of the higher sort ( i could wish they were likewise of the better sort ) who repaire to the house of the strange woman , sleeping in the bed of sinne , thinking so to put from them the evill day : and these are such as make whoredome a recreation , sticking not to commit sinne even with greedinesse , so they may cover their shame with the curtaine of darknesse . but that is a wofull recreation , which brings both soule and body to confusion , singing lysimachus song , short is the pleasure of fornication , but eternall is the punishment due to the fornicator : so as , though hee enjoy pleasure for a time , hee shall bee tormented for ever . but consider this , gentlemen ; you ( i say ) whose better breeding hath instructed you in the knowledge of better things ; that if no future respect might move you ( as god forbid it should not move and remove you from these licentious delights ) yet respect to the place whence you descended , the tender of your credit which should be principally valued , the example which you give , and by which inferiours are directed , should bee of force to weane you from all inordinate affections , the end whereof is bitternesse , though the beginning promise sweetnesse . it was demosthenes answer unto lais , upon setting a price of her body , non emam tanti paenitere : sure i am , howsoever this heathen orator prized his money above the pleasure of her body , and that it was too deare to buy repentance at so high a rate ; that it is an ill bargaine for a moments pleasure , to make shipwracke of the soules treasure ; exposing reputation and all ( being indeed the preciousest of all ) to the object of lightnesse , and subject of basenesse , paying the fraught of so short a daliance with a long repentance . wherefore my advice is unto such as have resorted to the house of the strange woman , esteeming it only a tricke of youth , to keepe their feet more warily from her wayes : for her house draweth neere unto death , and her paths unto hell. so as none that goe in unto her , shall returne , neither shall they understand the wayes of life . let such as have herein sinned , repent ; and such as have not herein sinned , rejoyce , giving thankes to god , who hath not given them up for a prey to the lusts of the flesh ; craving his assistance to prevent them hereafter , that the flesh might be ever brought in subjection to the spirit . for as the lionesse having beene false to the lion , by going to a libard ; and the storke consorting with any other besides her owne mate , wash themselves before they dare returne home ; and the hart , after he hath satisfied his desire , retires to some private or desolate lawne hanging downe his head , as one discontent , till he hath washed and rinsed himselfe , and then he returnes cheerfully to his herd againe : so we cannot be unto god truly reconciled , till we be in the floud of repentance thorowly washed . thus shall you from the wayes of the strange woman be delivered ; thus shall your good name , which is aptly compared to a precious ointment , remaine unstained ; and a good report shall follow you , when you are hence departed . there is another recreation used by gentlemen , but especially in this citie ; which used with moderation , is not altogether to be disallowed : and it is repairing to stage-playes , where , as they shal see much lightnesse , so they may heare something worthy more serious attention . whence it is , that thomas aquinas giveth instance in stage-playes , as ●ittest for refreshing and recreating the minde , which likewise philo iudaeus approveth . but for as much as divers objections have beene , and worthily may be made against them , we will here lay them downe , being such as are grounded on the sacred word of god ; and with as much perspicuitie and brevitie as we may , cleare and resolve them . playes were set out on a time by the citizens for the more solemnity of a league concluded betwixt the cantons of berna and tiguris ; touching which playes , sundrie differences arose amongst the ministers of geneva , which could not easily be determined , about a young boy , who represented a woman in apparell , habit and person : in the end it was agreed of all parts , that they should submit the determination of this difference , with generall suffrage and consent , to the authenticke and approved judgement of their beza , holden for the very oracle both of vniversitie and citie . this controversie being unto him referred , he constantly affirmed , that it was not onely lawfull for them to set forth and act those playes , but for boyes to put on womens apparell for the time . neither did he onely affirme this , but brought such divines as opposed themselves against it ▪ to be of his opinion , with the whole assent and consent of all the ecclesiasticall synod of geneva . now in this first objection , we may observe the occasion , which moved these zealous and learned divines to make a doubt of the lawfulnesse of stage-playes , because ( said they ) it is not lawfull for men to put on womens apparell , or women to put on mens . as we reade how stephanio , an actor of roman playes , was whipped , for having a mans wife waiting on him , shorne in manner of a boy . which doubt being so soundly and sincerely cleared by so glorious a light of the church , we will no longer insist upon it , but descend to the next objection . we are therefore to come to another place of scripture , pressed likewise by such as oppose themselves to the lawfulnesse of stage-playes , as we finde it written in the . psalme , turne away my eyes that i see no vanitie . which requireth of us a two-fold consideration ; generally , for the whole nature of things , as in that place of salomon , vanitie of vanities , &c. in which sense i freely confesse that stage-playes may passe under the name of vanitie . specially , for subjects vaine , light , foolish , frivolous , fruitlesse , being such as are to be applied or accommodated to no good use or profitable end ; in which sense or signification our stage-playes may in no sort bee termed vanitie . for wee shall gather , by a right use and application of such things as we shall heare and see , many excellent precepts for instruction , sundrie fearefull examples for caution , divers notable occurrents or passages , which well applied ( as what may not be perverted ) may confer no small profit to the judicious hearer . the third objection may probably ground it selfe upon the testimony of saint luke . . woe unto those that laugh now , &c. whence it may be gathered , that if the scripture condemne laughter , then consequently stage-playes also , whose speciall ayme and intendment is to make men laugh . but it is to be understood , that christ directeth his speech to those perverse and malicious men , whose mourning is but a dissembled sorrowing , outwardly grieving , and inwardly laughing ; who speake one thing with their mouth , but professe another thing in their life : for this is not to be understood of the common societie or conversation of men , as if christ should forbid any one to laugh at all ; but rather of immoderate laughter , whence is that of the poet ; woe unto thee whose spleene affecteth laughter , for thy short joy shall turne to sorrow after . for as feare begetteth humility , so too much mirth procureth levitie . much laughter corrupteth manners , and looseth the sinews of their former strength , but a grave countenance is the preserver of knowledge ; yet addeth ecclesiastes unto this : there is nothing better than for man to rejoyce in his workes ; which david confirmeth psalme penult . so as , there is nothing by this objection proved , but what with all reason may be approved : for immoderate mirth is that which is here condemned , being that which we have in this observation especially touched and taxed : whence we may inferre , that moderate delight tasting more of sobrietie than levitie , is not only allowed , but commended . the fourth objection is taken from saint matthew , chap. . . but i say unto you , that for every idle word , &c. of which word , that wee may use no other exposition , than what the ancient fathers themselves have used ; we will shew in this place their severall expositions upon this parcell of holy scripture . tertullian in his booke of patience , understandeth by every idle word , whatsoever is vaine and superfluous . but theophylact by idle words understandeth lyes , calumnies , all inordinate and ridiculous speeches . chrysostome , almost after the same manner interpreteth it , saying , that by idle words are understood such as move uncomely and immodest laughter . gregorie understandeth by these which want the profit ever redounding from modestie , and are seldome uttered upon any precedent necessitie , things frivolous , fables , old-wives tales . all which severall expositions , as they agree in substance , so doe we cloze with them in every circumstance . for such as these which corrupt youth by light and scurrillous jests , so little are they to be affected , as the very stages where these are used , are to be hated . for the fifth , it is written to the corinth . . . and exod. . . the people ●ate downe to eat and drinke , and rose up to play : which argument is drawne from chrysostome , where he sheweth that by these words the apostle meant two maine inconveniences , being the effects of false worship , and endangering the soules shipwracke , to wit , the idolatry , or idolomany of the israelites done to the golden calfe in dan and bethel . but farre be this from the conceit of any to imagine , that stage-playes intended for modest delight and recreation , should ever move the spectatour to such abomination . for so much ought stage-playes to be from introducing any such impietie , as they should not so much as once present in their shewes or pagents , ought that might tend to the depraving of the hearer in matters of conversation , much lesse in drawing their minds to any prophane or pagan opinion : which should not be so much as once named , much lesse entertained amongst christians . for the sixth , it is grounded on the foundation of the same apostle , where in divers places he writeth expresly against fables ; as tim. . . give no heed to fables , &c. againe , the tim. . . but cast away prophane , and old-wives fables , &c. againe , the timoth. . . taxing such as shall turne their eares from the truth , and shall be given unto fables . againe , pet. . . the apostles in their doctrine were not directed by deceivable fables . but for these comedians , let them speake for themselves , being such as follow the steps of terence , menander , &c. or may be properly referred to the lesbian rule of menander , and the lydian stone of paul. for such as breed corruption in our manners ( that i may jumpe in opinion with plato ) let them faile to * anticyra , and undergoe due censure for their errour . but how worthy the workes of some of the ancient comedians have beene , may appeare by the apostles alleaging divers of their sentences in his epistles , and vouchsafing to use the name of their poets , by a generall title , to approve some things in them worthy reading . as that of luke . . a proverbe used by euripid. in his tragedies ; that also of menander , made sacred by the mouth of the apostle paul , cor. . . as it is likewise manifest , that the same apostle paul used the authoritie of aratus and epimenides , act. . . all which adde a reverend approbation to the authoritie of poets . the seventh objection which these stage-antagonists frame , is taken from ephes. . . where the apostle willeth and warneth that these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. that is , such things as become no man , and which our very eares should abhorre to heare , ought not to be so much as once named amongst christians . whereto i answer , that as these things tending to lightnesse were inveighed against by the apostle , that hee might leave unto us a more excellent patterne or example of modestie , which is an ornament that suteth best with the children of god : so there is none , having the light of grace in him , or fearing the judgement that is to come , who will applaud these scurrilous jests , which are wont to deprave , but seldome to edifie the understanding : whereof the poet speaketh ; iests that unseason'd are , i cannot beare , for they distaste a modest bashfull eare . but it may be here againe objected , that every thing , being ( as augustine testifieth , ) either a hinderance or a furtherance ; these stage-playes , which are properly called the bellowes of vice , may rather seeme a hinderance in the course and progresse of vertue , than any furtherance to him in his practice therein . besides , playes ( saith ambrose ) ought not to be knowne of christians , because there is no mention at all made of them in holy scripture . whereto wee briefly answer thus with peter martyr that sound and profound divine , that in holy scripture we have ( as it were ) a general rule set downe unto us , touching all things mediate or indifferent , in the number whereof are playes necessarily included . yea , but augustine the prince of the latine fathers , seemes to affirme , that even those stages or theaters where their interludes were acted , were more abhominable than those idolatrous sacrifices , which in honour of the pagan gods were offered . but hence is to bee understood , that this holy father meant of such solemne playes or enterludes as were acted and usually celebrated by the heathen in the honour of their father * liber , and other ethnicke gods , for the yearely increase of their fruits : wherein many uncomely and immodest parts were played . yea , but where shall we finde these stage-actors in former times so much as countenanced , being such as quintilian termeth expresly , hypocrites , from counterfeiting the manner , measure , motion , gesture , gate , grace , and feature of such persons as they represent ; whose fashion they often retaine when they have resumed their owne habit ? yes , and by the eminent'st and noblest personages . edward the sixth so much approved them , as he appointed one who was a witty courtier to bee ( as it were ) the chiefe master or disposer of the playes , who by his office should take care to have them set forth in a princely and sumptuous sort ; which office to this day retaines the name of the master of the revels . likewise our late queene elizabeth of blessed memory , rightly stiled the worlds phaebe , among women a sybilla , among queenes a saba : how well she approved of these recreations , being ( as shee termed them , ) harmlesse spenders of time ; the large exhibitions which she conferred on such as were esteemed notable in that kinde , may sufficiently witnesse . neither did shee hold it any derogation to that royall and princely majestie , which shee then in her regall person presented , to give some countenance to their endevours , whereby they might be the better encouraged in their action . yea , if wee would but peruse some bookes treating of this subject , we should finde poets in generall to have received such countenance and approbation from the most eminent'st princes , as their poems never wanted patrons , nor the authors themselves benefactors : which by instances i intend here to confirme , though the prosecution hereof may seeme digressive to our present discourse . wee read how much amyntas king of macedonia , made of the tragicall poet euripides , the athenians of sophocles ; in what price the noble and heroicke poems of homer were holden by alexander , placing them in that curious cabinet which hee got in the spoile of darius ; and not onely homer the father of the poets , was so honoured by him , but for his sake all other meaner poets : in so much as cherilus no very good poet , had for every verse well made , a philips noble of gold , amounting in value to an angell english , and so for every hundred verses ( which a cleanly hand could presently dispatch ) hee had an hundred angels . and since alexander the great , how theocritus the greeke poet was favoured by ptolomie king of aegypt , and berenice his wife . ennius likewise by scipio , virgil and horace by augustus ; betwixt which two poets the emperour sitting one day , and one that might bee bold asking what hee did ; marrie ( said hee ) i sit here betweene groanings and teares ; for the one was ever sighing , and the other seemed as if he were ever weeping . but to descend to our later times ; how much were i●han de mehune , and guillamne de loris made of by the french kings ? and ieffery chaucer , father of our english poets , by richard the second ; who , as it was supposed , gave him the mannor of newholme in oxfordshire ? and gower by henry the fourth ? harding by edward the fourth ? also how francis the french king made sangelais , salmonius , macrinus , and clemens marot of his privie chamber , for their excellent skill in latine and vulgar poesie . and henry the eighth , for a few psalmes of david translated and turned into english meetre by sternhold , made him groome of his privie chamber . also one gray , in what favour grew he with henry the eighth , and after with the duke of somerset , protectour , for his hunt is up , hunt is up ? and queene marie , for one epithalamie made by vargus a spanish poet , at her marriage with king philip , solemnized in winchester , gave him during his life two hundred crownes pension . nor were poets only eminent in this kinde , but esteemed for their universalitie of knowledge , apt for any office publike ; as in the administration of common-weales affaires , conduct of armies , &c. for wee finde that iulius caesar was not only the most eloquent orator of his time , but also a very good poet , though none of his doings therein be now extant . quintus catulus a good poet , and cornel. gallus treasurer of aegypt ; and horace the most delicate of all the roman lyricks , was importuned by many letters of great instance , to be secretary of state to augustus the emperour ; which hee neverthelesse refused for his unhealthfulnesse sake ; and being a quiet man , and nothing ambitious of glory , retired himselfe from publike deportments . and ennius the latine poet , was with all respect entertained as a fellow and counsellor by african , for his amiable conversation . so antimenides , of whom aristotle reports in his politicks ; and tyrtaeus the poet , though a lame man , was chosen by the oracle of the gods from the athenians , to be generall of the lacedemonians army . nor may that noble and honourable memoriall of that worthy woman twice french queene , lady anne of britaine , wife first to charles the eighth , and after to lewis the twelfth , adde lesse glory to this exquisite art ; who passing one day from her lodging toward the kings side , saw in a gallerie m. allane chartier the kings secretary , an excellent poet , leaning on a tables end asleepe , and stooped downe to kisse him , saying thus in all their hearings : wee may not of princely courtesie passe by and not honour with our kisse , the mouth from whence so many sweet ditties and golden poems have issued . yea plato himselfe , howsoever he may be said to exclude divers poets the bounds of his common-weale , for their obscene and immodest labours , which effeminated youth , training them rather to the carpet than the campe ; yet wrote he many epigrams and excellent poems in his younger yeeres , before he intended himselfe to philosophy . for even in fables appeare seeds of vertues , as macrobius testifieth . yea but our stage-stingers , or poet-scourgers , will againe object , that these theaters , which were at first erected for honest delight and harmlesse merriment , grow many times busie with states , laying aspersions on men of eminent ranke and qualitie ; and in briefe , will spare none , so they may gaine themselves by disparaging others . but i must answer thus much for them , albeit , - non me tenet aura theatri ; that such as imploy their pens in taxing or tainting any noble or meriting person in this kinde , deserve no better censure , than as they whipt , so to be whipt themselves for their labour : for they must know ( to use the words of one who was once an eminent statist ) that some things are privileged from jest , namely , religion , matters of state , great persons , any mans present businesse of importance , and any case that deserveth pitty ; and generally , men ought to finde the difference betweene saltnesse and bitternesse . certainly , he that hath a satyricall veine , as he maketh others afraid of his wit , so he had need be afraid of others memory . this was very straitly looked into by the ancient heathens , who ordained many strict lawes to punish such bitter satyrists as touched the good name of any citizen , either in publike stage o● any private worke . the ancient romans had a law enacted in their twelve tables , that whosoever should impeach any ones good name , o● detract from the credit of his person either in verse or action , should suffer death . so as tiberius slew scaurus , and not altogether undeservedly , for writing a spightfull tragedie against him . in like manner did augustus banish ovid , for writing too wantonly towards some that were neere him . so nero injoyned lucan silence , for his * smooth invection framed against him . so as , stesichorus writing bitterly against helen , aristophanes against cleon , eupolis against alcibiades , callisthenes against alexander , suffered equall punishments according to their demerits . this eupolis is said to be o●● of the first comedians , and was drowned in hellespont , about the time of that famous sea-fight betweene the lacedemonians and athenians : but i can scarcely assent to his opinion ; for wee finde it recorded , that hee was throwne into the sea by alcibiades , for presenting him on the publike stage , embracing timandra in a lascivious sort ; and that he used these words : oft times , eupolis , hast thou drowned mee upon the stage , i will once drowne thee in the sea. thespis likewise is said to be the first inventer of a tragicke scene , as * horace witnesseth : thespis some say inventing first the straine of tragicke scenes , grew famous in his vaine ; whose actors , that yee might the better note , with painted faces sung the lines he wrote , mounted in chariots ; which with greedie eares the people heard , and hearing sent forth teares . and in these did satyrus ( no doubt ) among the greekes shew an admirable art , being so highly extolled by demosthenes , ( for unto him did this satyrus propose the first forme of speaking plainly and articulately ) as he was no lesse praised by him , than the roman roscius was by cicero , or aesopus to whom cicero useth many titles of love and familiaritie in his epistles . for roscius and aesopus were held the choicest and chiefest orators , even at that time when the common-weale excelled not onely in eloquence , but also in wisdome . the like of pilades and hyla , master and scholer , who were such passionate actors , as they enforced admiration in the hearer . but to what end should i prosecute either comick or tragick subjects any further ? my opinion briefly is this ; as comedies should breath nothing but terences art , cecilius gravitie , menanders sweetnesse , aristophanes conceit , and plautus wit : so tragedies should relish of nothing but of the royall and majestick measures of sophocles , the sententious fulnesse of euripides , and the sincere integritie of seneca . for these which tend to corrupt youth , making their stages stewes , or their scenes meere satyres , to detract from the credit or estimation of any person either publike or private ; as their authors deserve due punishment , so should they be avoided : the former sort , because they are in danger to deprave us ; the latter , because perhaps wee shall heare them touch the credit of such as are neere us . for such enterludes ( gentlemen ) as participate with neither of these , but in a temperate and equall course mix profit with honest delight ; you shall account the time you bestow in hearing them , not altogether fruitlesly spent . for albeit the italians are held worthy before all others to carry away the garland for poesie , being for number and measure fuller , and for weight and merit better , as may appeare in the happy labours of petrarch and boccace ; yet if wee looke homeward , and observe the grace of our presentments , the curiositie of our properties , and proprietie of our action , wee may justly conclude , that no nation is or hath beene so exquisite in that kinde . but to draw in our sailes touching this recreation ; as i approve of the moderate use and recourse which our gentlemen make to playes ; so i wholly condemne the daily frequenting of them : as some there be ( especially in this citie ) who , for want of better imployment , make it their vocation . and these i now speake of , be our ordinary gentlemen , whose day-taske is this in a word : they leave their beds , to put on their cloathes formally , repaire to an ordinary , and see a play daily . these can finde time enough for recreation , but not a minutes space for devotion . so as i much feare mee , when they shall be struck with sicknesse , and lie on their death-bed , it will fare with them as it fared with a young gentlewoman within these few yeeres ; who being accustomed in her health every day to see one play or other , was at last strucke with a grievous sicknesse even unto death : during which time of her sicknesse , being exhorted by such divines as were there present , to call upon god , that hee would in mercy looke upon her , as one deafe to their exhortation , continued ever crying , oh hieronimo , hieronimo , me thinks i see thee brave hieronimo ! neither could shee be drawne from this with all their perswasions ; but fixing her eyes intentively , as if shee had seene hieronimo acted , sending out a deepe sigh , shee suddenly died . and let this suffice to have beene spoken of the moderate use of this recreation : upon which i have the longer insisted , because i am not ignorant how divers and different opinions have beene holden touching the lawfulnesse of stage-playes , which i resolved to reconcile in as briefe and plaine a manner as i could , before i descended to the rest . for as much as wee have begunne to treat of such recreations as require small use or exercise of the body , we will first proceed with such as follow , being ranked in the same siedge , because recreations of the same nature : descending from them to exercises requiring more alacrity of spirit , and more ability of bodie . of these , which may bee rather termed exercises of the minde , than exercisers of the faculties of the body , are cards and dice , a speciall recreation : meerely invented and intended to passe tedious winter nights away , and not to hazard ones fortunes at them , as many inconsiderate gamesters now adayes will not sticke to doe : which done , what ensueth hence , but entertaining of some desperate course , which bringeth the undertaker many times to an end as unfortunate , as his life was dissolute ? which makes me thinke i never see one of these gamesters , who in a bravado will set their patrimonies at a throw , but i remember the answer of one minacius , who having on a time lost at dice not only his money , but his apparell too ( for hee was very poore ) sate weeping at the portall doore of a taverne . it chanced that a friend of his seeing him thus to weepe and lament , demanded of him , how it was with him ? nothing , ( quoth minacius ; ) why weepest thou then , ( said his friend , ) if there be nothing ? for this cause doe i weepe ( replied minacius ) because there is nothing . his friend still wondring ; why then ( quoth hee ) doest thou weepe thus , when there is nothing ? for the very same cause ( quoth hee ) because i have nothing . the one understood , that there was no cause why hee should weepe ; the other wept because he had nothing left to play . how many be there who may sing lachrymae with menacius , going by weeping-crosse : being either by crosse fortune , as they ascribe it , or rather by flat cheating , as they may more properly terme it , stript of their substance ? amongst the romans , * venus or cous was the best chance at dice : but indeed the best chance that any one can have , is not to throw at all . howsoever , i could wish young gentlemen to beware of frequenting these common gaming houses , where they must either have fortune with advantage , or else bee sure to play like young gamesters to their owne disadvantage . truth is , i would have none to play much , but those which have little to play . for these , as they have little to lose , so they cannot be much poorer , if they lose all . whereas such , whose ancestors have left them faire revenues , by investing them as heires to their providence ; need little to raise or advance their fortunes by these indirect meanes . for tell mee gentlemen , doe yee game for gaine , or passing time ? if for gaine , it is needlesse , yee have sufficient . if for passing time , your stake sh●uld be lesse , and your care for winning , more indifferent . besides , doe yee not observe what foists yee have daily resorting and frequenting these houses ; whose purses are lined with cheats , and whose profession is only to sharke ? shun their companies then , lest they prey upon you : whereby you shall make your selves subjects both of want and weaknesse . of want , by filling their purses with your coine ; of weaknesse , by suffering your selves to be made a prey of by their cheats . if you will game , make choice of such as you know to be square gamesters , scorning to bring their names in question with the least report of advantage . as for tricks frequently used in these dayes , learne rather to prevent them , than professe them : for i never knew gamester play upon advantage , but bring him to the square , and his fortune was ever seconded with disadvantage . but above all , use moderation in play , make not your recreation a distemper : and set up this as your rest , never to mount your stake so high , as the losse of it may move you to choler . and so i descend to recreations more virile , wherein i will be briefe , because i would hasten to the next branch . in this ranke may be numbred hunting and hawking ; pleasures very free and generous , and such as the noblest dispositions have naturally affected . for what more admirable than the pleasure of the hare , if wee observe the uses which may bee made of it , as i have * elsewhere more amplie discoursed ; purposing here rather to touch them , than treat of them ? in her doubles , note her cunning ; in the dogges , eagernesse of pursuing . where all the senses remaine for the time pleased , but when at default , how much are they grieved ? what an excellent melody , or naturall consort to delight the eare ? what choice objects to content the eye ? what odoriferous smells in the flourie meads , to refresh the nose ? onely the touch and taste must have their pleasures suspended , till the sport be ended . non sine lepôre , tanto labore , pro uno lepore homines torqueri video ; saith one very wittily and elegantly . i can never chuse but laugh , to see what labour men will take for a poore hare . what mountaines they will climbe , what marishes they will passe , what brakes and bryers they will runne through , and all for a hare ? which may be an embleme of humane vanity ; where men ( miserable deluded men ) will refuse no toyle or labour to gaine a trifling pleasure . what indirect courses they will take for a moments delight , which is no sooner showne them , than vanished from them ? these pleasures are most commonly affected by youth , because they have agility and ability of body to maintaine the pursuit of them : whence the poet ; the beardlesse youth , when 's guardians raines do yeeld , sports him in horse and dogges , and open field , the reason may be this ; he cannot endure restraint : for the heat of youth must needs take aire , or it choaks it selfe with too much holding . it must be carried aloft on the wings of the wind , taking an icarian flight , but never fearing his fall . such dogges as were presented by the king of albanie unto alexander the great , who would not stirre at small beasts , but at lions and elephants , are the fittest for his kennell ; for youth is no sooner moving than mounting . whence ascanius in a youthfull bravery ; wisheth some boare or savage lion should descend the mount , and cope with him he would . so subject is youth to expose it selfe to all dangers , swimming ever with bladders of vain-glory , till they receive water , and it sinke . there are some also of these youthfull hunts-men , who when they cannot speed in their sport , will rather buy it , than want it ; that having their game on their backe , they may proclaime to the world , how they are masters of their profession . and these are excellently displaid by the poet , in the person of gargilius ; as once gargilius , who one morne betime sent out his servants forward to the chace , with hunting poles , and twisted nets of line , to buy a boare , which through the market place laid on a mule , as if his men had slaine him , would , as he thought , eternall glory gaine him . so apt are many in inventing , and eager in pursuing ought which may raise them a name , though in things meerely indifferent . for as reputation is a common conceit of extraordinary vertue , so every one laboureth to acquire the end , albeit they misse the meanes of acquiring it . for how should any one imagine ( unlesse his conceit were wholly darkned ) that these things could be any meanes to perpetuate his name ? but so soone transported is youth with any phantasie suggested , ( albeit upon no sufficient ground builded ) as whatsoever his conceit whispers to him , that may tend to his praise , he entertaines it with a greedy and eager desire , labouring to effect what may gaine him popular esteeme . so as the lover is never more blinded with affection towards his beloved , than youth is in affecting that which may cause him to be praised . to speake much touching this recreation i will not addresse my discourse : only this is my opinion , that as it is generous , so generally is it most harmelesse , so it be moderately used ; for otherwise it may weaken or enfeeble the body , impaire the health , and be occasion of many inconveniences : for in my discourse upon the particular branch of this observation , i am onely to approve of such recreations as are used with moderation . as hawking , which ( as i before observed ) is a pleasure for high and mounting spirits : such as will not stoope to inferiour lures , having their mindes so far above , as they scorne to partake with them . it is rare to consider , how a wild bird should be so brought to hand , and so well managed as to make us such pleasure in the aire : but most of all to forgoe her native liberty and feeding , and returne to her former servitude and diet . but in this , as in the rest , wee are taught to admire the great goodnesse and bountie of god , who hath not only given us the birds of the aire , with their flesh to feed us , with their voice to cheere us , but with their flight to delight us . the eagle , which is indeed the prince of birds , and the prime hawke , was observed much among the ancient romans in all their auguries : so as an eagle hovering in the aire , in the reigne of augustus , and at last setling upon the name of agrippa , and just upon the first letter of that name , a. a lightning descending downe from heaven , strucke the first letter of his owne name out , c. whence south-sayers , by conjecturall arguments gathered , that he should but live an hundred dayes after , and be afterwards canonized for a god : because aesar , the residue of that name , in the tuscane language signified god . for the romans , of all nations under the cope of heaven , relyed most upon the prophesying of birds : so as we reade , that they ever kept their oscines or birds of augury , by which they collected what their successe should be , both in peace and war. albeit , some there were among the heathen , who made small account of them : so as claudius pulcher , when in taking his auspicia , or the predictions of his successe before sicily , the pullets would not feed , he commanded they should be plunged in the sea , that they might drinke , seeing they would not eat . it is the saying of an ancient father , that the piercing eye of the eagle exceeds the sight of all other birds : being of such sharpe sight , as reflecting the beames of the sunne fixed upon her she can looke upon the sunne without shutting her eyes , which are not to be dazled , shine the sunne never so brightly . so as it is said , shee makes a triall of her brood when they are but young , by mounting up , and fixing their eyes against the sunne : of which , if any be so tender-eyed , as they cannot looke upon it , she disclaimes them ; but such whose sharpe sight can looke stedfastly upon it , shee tenders them as her selfe . whence many secret and sacred uses might be gathered , ( for this is but the type of a divine morall ) if i should insist upon the exposition of that blessed father ; but i must briefly descend , to speake of the moderate use of this recreation . this pleasure , as it is a princely delight , so it moveth many to be so dearely enamoured of it , as they will undergoe any charge , rather than forgoe it : which makes me recall to minde a merry tale which i have read , to this effect . divers men having entred into discourse , touching the superfluous care ( i will not say folly ) of such as kept dogs and hawkes for hawking ; one paulùs a florentine stood up and spake . not without cause ( quoth he ) did that foole of millan laugh at these ! and being entreated to tell the tale , he thus proceeded . vpon a time ( quoth he ) there was a citizen of millan , a physitian for such as were distracted or lunaticke ; who tooke upon him within a certaine time to cure such as were brought unto him . and he cured them after this sort ; hee had a plat of ground neere his house , and in it a pit of corrupt and stinking water , wherein he bound naked such as were mad to a stake , some of them knee-deepe , others to the groine , and some others deeper , according to the degree of their madnesse , where hee so long pined them with water and hunger , till they seemed sound . now amongst others , there was one brought , whom he had put thigh-deepe in water : who after fifteene dayes began to recover , beseeching the physitian that he might be taken out of the water . the physitian taking compassion of him , tooke him out , but with this condition , that he should not goe out of the roome . having obeyed him certaine dayes , he gave him liberty to walk up and downe the house , but not to passe the out-gate : while the rest of his companions , which were many , remaining in the water , diligently observed their physitians command . now it chanced , as on a time he stood at the gate , ( for out he durst not goe , for feare he should returne to the pit ) he beckned to a young gentleman to come unto him , who had a hawke and two spaniells , being moved with the novelty thereof ; for to his remembrance , before hee fell mad , hee had never seene the like . the young gentleman being come unto him ; sir ( quoth he ) i pray you heare me a word or two , and answer me at your pleasure . what is this you ride on ( quoth he ) and how doe you imploy him ? this is a horse ( replied he ) and i keepe him for hawking . but what call you that , you carry on your fist , and how doe you use it ? this is a hawke ( said he ) and i use to fly with it at pluver and partridge . but what ( quoth he ) are these which follow you , what doe they , or wherein doe they profit you ? these are dogges ( said he ) and necessary for hawking , to finde and retrive my game . and what were these birds worth , for which you provide so many things , if you should reckon all you take for a whole yeere ? who answering , he knew not well , but they were worth a very little , not above six crownes . the man replied ; what then may be the charge you are at with your horse , dogges and hawke ? some fiftie crownes , said he . whereat , as one wondring at the folly of the young gentleman : away , away sir , i pray you quickly , and fly hence before our physitian returne home : for if hee finde you here , as one that is maddest man alive , hee will throw you into his pit , there to be cured with others that have lost their wits ; and more than all others , for he will set you chin-deepe in the water . inferring hence , that the use or exercise of hawking , is the greatest folly , unlesse sometimes used by such as are of good estate , and for recreation sake . neither is this pleasure or recreation herein taxed , but the excessive and immoderate expence which many are at in maintaining this pleasure . who , as they should be wary in the expence of their coine , so much more circumspect in their expence of time . so as in a word , i could wish young gentlemen never to be so taken with this pleasure , as to lay aside the dispatch of more serious occasions , for a flight of feathers in the ayre . the physitian saith , that it is the best exercise which is , ad ruborem , non adsudorem ; refreshing the spirits , and stirring up the bloud a little , but not putting a man into any great sweat : for he that makes his recreation a toyle , makes himselfe likewise pleasures thral . rrefresh your spirits , stir up your bloud , and enable your bodies by moderate exercise : but avoid mixing of distemper with your pleasure , for that were not to refresh , but depresse the spirits ; not to stirre up , but stoppe the course of bloud ; not to enable , but enfeeble the bodie . and so i descend to the next branch , treating of recreations best sorting with the qualitie of a gentleman . to propose what recreations may please best , i cannot , ( because i know not how you stand affected ) but i shall , as neere as i may , recount what especiall recreations best sort and sute with your qualitie . of all those which i have formerly touched and treated , there is none but may be approved and entertained with an equall indifferencie , being ( as i have said ) tempered and moderated with discretion . but some there are i have not touched , which may be so much the more admired , for as much as they are by our young gentlemen usually affected ; yea , and as especial ornaments to grace and accomplish them , generally esteemed : as fencing and dancing ; the one to accommodate him for the court , the other for the campe. of which two recreations , to give my opinion freely , there is required a knowledge ; but respectively , to such ( i meane ) as only intend to court or gallant it : for these shall have occasion to make use of their knowledge , in the one to grace and beautifie them ; in the other to shield and defend them . yet in neither of these would i have them to imitate their masters : for ●o may they turne cowards , and so shew themselves true fencers . or in their dancing use those mimicke trickes which our apish professanes use : but with a reserved grace to come off bravely and sprightly , rather than with an affected curiositie . you shall see some of these come forth so punctually , as if they were made up in a sute of wainscot , treading the ground as if they were foundred . others you shall see , so supple and pliable in their joynts , as you would take them to bee some tumblers ; but what are these but iacke-an-apes in gay cloathes ? but others there are , and these onely praise-worthy , who with a gracefull presence gaine them respect . for in exercises of this kinde ( sure i am ) those only deserve most commendation , which are performed with least affectation . now i have heard of some who could doe all this ; shew an excellent grace in their carriage ; expresse themselves rare proficients in all schoole-tricks ; being so much admired as who but they : yet observe the cloze , and they spoile all with an english tricke , they cannot leave it when it is well . it is said of apelles , that hee found fault with protogenes , in that hee could not hold his hands from his table : and right so fares it with these young cavalieroes , when they have shewne all that may bee shewne to give content , striving to shew one tricke above ela , they halt in the conclusion . for fence-play , i have knowne some puffed up with a presumption of skill , to have beene too apt in giving offence : so as , of professors of worth , they became practicers of wrong . but see their unhappinesse ! this conceit or over-weening opinion of their surpassing skill , brings them many times to an unexpected end , by exposing themselves to inevitable dangers . and this they doe either for vaine glory , being ambitious after fame ; or else out of a quarrelling disposition , being no lesse apt to conceive or apprehend the smallest occasion of offence , than to prosecute revenge upon occasion offered . for the first , the bravest and noblest spirits have beene affected to it , i meane ambition , but their ends were more glorious . as themistocles , who walked in the night time in the open street , because he could not sleepe : the cause whereof when some men did enquire , hee answered , that the triumph of miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest . the like might be observed in alexander , who sighed that his father should winne so much , and leave him so little to winne . so as , it is said that he wept , hearing that there was another world , saying , he had not yet wonne one world . but with these it fareth many times , as it did with marius , who not contented with the glory hee got in the cimbrian warres , by seeking to augment it , did extenuate it . yet are these more noble in their aymes , than such whose ambition it is to commit all impieties , onely to gaine them a perpetuall infamy . as pausanias , who killed philip of macedon , onely for fame or vaine-glory ; so did herostratus burne the temple of diana , to get him a name by an infamous act . for the latter sort , being such as are given to quarrells , i have ever noted their gaines to bee small in all their adventures . for what are these , but such as value bloud at a low rate ? they pretend how their reputation stands engaged ; they cannot put up such disgraces but with touch of cowardize ; and what a blemish were it , for ones reputation to bee brought in question , upon termes so neere concerning them , and not seeke revenge ? where the wide world would take notice of their disgrace , pointing at them in the streets , and saying , there goe such and such who were most grosly baffled ; preferring their bloud before their honour , their safety before their reputation ! o gentlemen , how many of your ranke and quality have perished by standing upon these termes ! how many , and those of the choicest and selected'st ranke , have exposed themselves to extremest danger , whereby they might gaine themselves the stile of valiant ! how many , even upon trifling occasions have gone into the field , and in their heat of bloud have fallen ? sure i am , their deare countrey hath felt their losse , to whom in all due respect they should have tendred both love and life and not have made prodigall expence of that , which might have beene a meanes to strengthen and support her state . yet doe i not speake this , as one insensible of wrong , or incapable of disgrace : for i know that in passages of this nature , publike imputations require publike satisfaction , so that howsoere the divine law , to which all humane actions ought to be squared , may seeme to conclude , that wee are to leave revenge to whom revenge belongeth ; yet so passionate is the nature of man , and through passion so much weakned , as hee forgets many times what the divine law bids him doe , and hastens to that which his owne violent and distempered passion pricks him to . now to propose my opinion , by way of direction , in a word it is this . as one may be a angry and sinne not , so one may revenge and offend not , and this is by b heaping coales of fire upon our enemies head : for by this c meeknesse is anger appeased , and wee of our owne fury revenged . but the best meanes to prevent occasion of distaste in this kinde , is to avoid the acquaintance or society of such as are given to offence : whence it is that the wisest of kings exhorteth us in these words : d to have no familiarity with an angry man , neither go● with the furious man. and why ? lest thou learne his wayes , and receive destruction to thy soule . for indeed these , whose turbulent dispositions are ready to entertaine any occasion of offence , albeit the occasion perchance was never intended , are unfit for any company , or to passe time withall in any recreation . so as , of one of these it may be said , as was said of scaeva , who shewed apparant arguments of resolution , to slave himselfe to the servile yoake of tyrannous subjection ; infelix dominum quant â virtute parasti ! how many courses , miserable man , hast thou tryed ; how many wayes hast thou traced ; how many adventures entertained ; to get thee a master , fury , archtrai●our to that glorious fortresse of patience ? these are those bloud-hounds who are ever in quest , and are never satisfied in pursuit , till their eyes become the sad spectators of a fall : yea , rather than these men will be out of action , they will engage themselves in maintaining other quarrels ; so prompt they are to take offence , as a strangers engagements must be made their owne , rather than they will discontinue their former profession . another sort there are , who albeit they finde abilitie in themselves to subdue and moderate this passion of furie by the soveraigntie of reason , yet it fares with them as it did with hannibal , who knew better how to conquer , than how to make use of his conquest : or as it is said of glendor , that he was more able to get a victorie , than skilfull to use it . so these , though reason like a discreet monitor advise them to moderate their passions , yet so ambitious are they of popular praise , as rather than they will lose the name of being esteemed resolute , they will oppose themselves to all perils , and entertaine a course in the eye of true valour most dissolute . yet respect to our good name , being indeed the choicest and sweetest perfume , must not be so sleighted , as to incurre apparent termes of disgrace , and not labour to wipe off that staine , by shewing some arguments , that wee have so much conceit as to apprehend what an injurie is , and so much spirit as to take revenge on him , by whom the injurie is offered . it is true , neither am i so stupid , as not to conceive how insupportable the burden of those wrongs is , which touch our name . so as indeed , ( to speake as a man unto men , ) these wrongs are above the nature of mortalitie to beare : for the naturall man tasting more of earth than heaven , whilest he ponders the qualitie of his disgrace , and how farre he stands engaged , in respect of the opinion of men , to beare himselfe like himselfe , and not to burie such wrongs in silence , as if senselesse of the nature of an injurie ; he never considers what the divine law injoynes , but casteth his eye upon the wrong he sustaines . wherein , if passion will needs over-master reason , ( albeit i doe not hold it consonant to the divine law , morall , or nationall , but to all generous spirits experimentally usefull ) i could wish him to come off faire at the first , for this either wins him the buckler , or loseth it : so shall hee ever gaine to himselfe an esteeme of conceit , in knowing the nature of a wrong ; and an opinion of spirit , in daring to wipe off the disgrace that shall be laid upon him . for this is my position , faile at the first , and faile ever : for as the first onset terrifies the enemie , so in actions of this nature , the only meanes to gaine opinion is to come off bravely in the beginning . now perchance it may happen , that he from whom you have received wrong , will take no notice of your distaste , but will doe as hee did , who receiving a challenge upon some personall touch , whereby he apprehended the occasion for his best advantage , of making choice ( as the challenged may ) of time , place , weapon , and second , returned this answer to the messenger ; for the time , i know not when ; for the place , when that time comes , it shall be the alpes ; for the weapon , it shall be guyes sword that slew the cow on dunmooth heath ; and for my second , it shall be your selfe , that i may bring you within the compasse of duelloes . if with such your fortune be to deale , ( as many there are more valiant in tongue than hand , more apt to offer wrong than tender satisfaction ; ) know thus much , that these alpes which hee hath named , and whereto he never meanes to come , is what place soever you shall meet him ; the time , whensoever you shall have fit opportunitie to encounter him ; the weapon , though he chuse it , you may refuse it , ( because it is too closely kept to come to ) and make choice of your owne weapon lest by going to warwicke castle to procure a sword , you forget your wrong before you come there ; and the second , your only selfe ; that as you are particularly wronged , you may be particularly righted : for as the wrong toucheth you and no second , so you are to right your selfe without a second . but the safest and surest course ( as i said before ) not to partake with men of this condition , is to refraine their company and conversation : for these firie spirits , who have thersites tongue and antaeus hand , are dangerous to consort with ; for they seldome resort to any meeting , but either they doe hurt , or receive it . so as , even in these tolerable recreations of horse-races , cockings , bowlings , &c. you shall ever see these throw one bone or other to make differences amongst men of qualitie and ranke , wherein they will be sure to be interested as seconds , if not as principall agents . my advice therefore is , that you avoid their company , as disturbers of the publike peace , interrupters of all honest recreations , and profest enemies to all civill societie . for , as wee read of the bird curuca , that she will rather hatch the egges of another , than hatch none at all ; so these will rather engage themselves in others differences , and like subtill spiders spin the web of dissention , than be without imployment : but they hatch the cockatrice egges , reaping the fruit of their labours to their shame . but wee have insisted too long upon them ; wherefore wee will returne to our former discourse . as wee have briefly touched some recreations well sorting with the qualitie of a gentleman , being such as tend especially to his accomplishment outwardly ; so are wee now to treat of such as may conferre no lesse benefit to the inward man , by enabling him for matters of discourse . of which ranke , reading of history is to be accounted as one especially tending thereto ; and that not only in respect of discourse , but in respect of discipline and civill societie ; being there taught how to demeane ●r behave our selves in all our actions , how to moderate 〈◊〉 ●ffections , how to gaine worthy esteeme both in our ma●nagements publike and private . cicero entring into the commendation of histories , honours them with this rhetoricall definition : histories ( saith he ) are the witnesses of times , the light of truth , the life of memory , the mistresse of life , the messenger of antiquitie : in which notable exemplification , he shewes what excellent fruits may be gathered from the select flowers of histories . first , how the passages and events of former times are there recorded ; secondly , how the truth of things by the light of historie is discovered ; thirdly , our memory is revived ; fourthly , our life is directed ; fiftly , antiquities successively transscribed . in tacitus are three notes which are required in a perfect history ; first , truth , in sincere relating , without having any thing haustum ex vano ; secondly , explanation not only of the sequels of things , but also the causes and reasons ; thirdly , judgement in distinguishing things , by approving the best , and disallowing the contrary . touching which three notes , wee are to observe first , that there is necessarily required in every historie a sincere relation of truth , foisting nothing in which may seeme either fabulous or impertinent . likewise , it is not enough to lay downe or explaine the sequels or issues of things , but the causes and reasons from whence those sequels issued . thirdly , there is required judgement in distinguishing probabilities from improbabilities ; never setting ought downe for a grounded truth without approved authoritie . having thus proposed unto you the fruits redounding from historie , as also what is required therein , to make it more generally affected ; it rests now that i shew my opinion to●ching your choice of histories : of which subject , because i have * heretofore copiously treated , i will only speake a word , and so descend to the last branch of this observation . augustine in his fourth booke de civit. dei , calls salust , a noble and true historian ; noble in respect of his descent ; true in respect of his discourse . neither doth he indeed deserve any lesser title ; for his phrase is elegant without affectation , his discourse continuate without impertinent digression , and the series of his historie stored with much sententious instruction . from the depth of a princely judgement , caesars commentaries have received most noble approbation . but if you would take view of a flourishing state , whose greatnesse never any attained to , being raised from such beginnings ; be acquainted with * tacitus or livie , where you shall observe the courses and passages of many eminent princes , how they bare themselves in their height , how in their hate . here you shall see , those men , who ( as cosmo saith ) carry their heart in their mouth , are more to be pittied than feared : for these judge men only by the outward appearance . whereas tiberius gloried in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking his purposes with faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding his subjects resolutions with a seeming good . here you shall likewise observe others so obsequiously seeming , as they strove not onely to satisfie the * mindes , but eyes of the citizens , understanding well enough , that the common sort of people were catcht sooner by a * cheerfull countenance , and a pleasing outward semblance , than any other respect whatsoever . some you shall see note much , yet will bee seene to note little : therefore agrippina in tacitus , knowing her life to bee attempted by nero , knew well , that her onely remedy was to take no notice of the treason : so is scipio described by cicero , to be the most cunning searcher of m●ns minds ; and sylla by salust . others you shall observe so much dejected presently upon any losse sustained , 〈◊〉 they entertaine affliction with a desperate sorrow , crying out with afranius sonne , alas mee wretched ! or philotas-like , receive such deepe impression or apprehension of their disgrace , as through it they are forced to lose the faculty of speech . whereas others , like furius camillus are neither puffed up with honour , nor cast downe with disgrace : as his dictator-ship could not make him too haughtily affected ; no more could exile from his countrey cause him to bee dejected . such was the resolution of the ancient romans , who at the disaster of cannae , when their utter ruine and overthrow was rung in every place , did nothing unworthy themselves . here you shall encounter with a iugurth , speaking little , but doing much ; there with a catiline , speaking much , but doing little . here one , in all mens opinions worthy of an empire before he had it , but most unworthy when he hath it , exemplified in a galba ; there one much doubted before he have it , but generally loved when he had it , exemplified in b severus . againe , observe you may in the course of histories , how justly god hath shewne himselfe towards such as practised treason against their princes , though they were heathens : finde out one of all those who conspired caesars death in the capitoll , who died in their bed . for no sooner had antonie shewed in his funerall oration the thirty three wounds wherewith caesar was deprived of life by his conspirators , and erected a temple to caesar , and sung a mournfull hymne in memory of caesar ; then trebonius and decimu● were the first that were dispatched , being of the conspiracie . cassius likewise was killed on his birth-day : who , some say , killed himselfe with the same dagger wherewith caesar was killed ; yea , observe the misery of these assacinates , being so unhappy , as they could hardly finde one so friendly , as to lend a hand to end their ●●sery . for cassius offered his throat to pindarus his page : brutus to strato , who denying to doe it , was answered by a servant ; votis tuis nec deërit amicus nec servus . the like revenge was inflicted on septimius , for betraying his master pompey . the like on the magi , for their treacherous attempts , after the death of cambises . the like on bessus for his disloyalty towards darius . and to descend to later times , even within the bounds of our owne nation , what just revenge seconded those perfidious complices ; alectus for conspiring against his deare soveraigne carausius ; and that arch-traitour edrike , for his treacherous practices with canutus the dane , and breach of allegeance towards king edmond ? for seldome hath any state in any age beene so happy , as it hath not bred a catiline with a catulus , a cethegus with a curtius , a sertorius with a soranus , a quadratus and quintianus with an aemilius and coriolanus . besides , you shall observe what justice and integrity appeared in the heathen , chastising such as would be bribed or corrupted , though they were their enemies . so as , mithridates tooke manius acilius , one of the chiefest embassadours of the romans , and set him contemptuously upon an asse , till he was come to pergamo , where hee put molten gold in his mouth ; reproving the romans for taking gifts . the like reward had tarpeia , being corrupted by t. tatius to deliver the capitoll : for having betrayed the gates of the capitoll to the enemie , onely upon promise , that they should throw her the bracelets , which they wore on their left armes , this they accordingly performed , throwing also their targets upon her , with which she was pressed to death . you shall likewise finde there , what reverence the pagans shewed to their idolatrous temples ; and how carefull they were to observe their countrie rites , which they esteemed sacred , and what successe ever followed the enterprises of such as committed , sacrilege . the very heathen observed , that after such time as the grecians once offered violence to the temple of pallas , that they lost all their hope , and never thrived after . lactantius reporteth of divers who were grievously punished for their impiety and prophanenesse towards the gods ; as namely fulvius the censor , who for taking away certaine marmoreas tegulas out of the temple of iuno lacinia , was distraught of his wits . appius claudius for translating and conveying those sacred reliques which were before consecrate to hercules , within a while after lost the use of his eyes . dionysius , who made a jest of sacrilege , taking a golden cloake from iupiter olympius his image , a woollen cloake being put in stead thereof , saying , that a golden cloake was too heavie in summer , and too cold in winter , but a linsie-woolsie cloake was fit for both ; cutting off also aesculapius golden beard , saying , it was no reason that the son should have a beard , and apollo his father have none ; and taking away certaine cups of gold which they held in their hands , saying , it was a great madnesse , to refuse them offered ; was for these driven into banishment . pyrrhus , for robbing proserpina's treasury , suffered ship wrack not farre from the shore . zerxes , who sent foure hundred of his souldiers to delphos , to spoile the temple of apollo , had them all destroyed , and burnt with thunder and lightning . marcus cr●ssus , for taking a great masse of money out of the temple , which pompey would not meddle withall , perished there with his whole armie . and here in albion , we reade of brennus , who in his expedition to delphos , was by a sudden hurly-burly , or immoderate feare , through a noise heard in the bowels of the earth , ( raised indeed by the lamentable shrikings and howlings of the distracted druids and ministers of apollo ) despairing of further successe , perished with all his army . whence may be observed , how justly such 〈◊〉 punished , who contemned the religion of their countrey , robbing their temples , and enriching themselves with the spoile of their gods : who , albeit they were idols and no gods , or rather devills and no idols , yet so ill was their successe in all their affaires afterwards , as they attributed the cause of their miserable ends to the contempt of their gods . but howsoever this may seeme erroneously ascribed , sure i am , that thus it may be rightly applied : that where god is dishonoured , his temple prophaned , and religion contemned , nothing can be succesfully or prosperously concluded . it is wonderfull to note in such evill times , so good men , as we shall every where meet with in the course of histories . an aristides for iustice , a pelopidas for temperance , a numa for prudence , a trajan for patience , an african for continence ; all which in this cleanthes table , history , shew admirable vertues in a corrupt government . againe , reflect your eye on those whose love to their countrey deserves eternall memory ; and you will no lesse wonder at the greatnesse of their mindes , than the happinesse of those realmes that enjoyed them . king darius upon a time , by chance opening a great pomegranat , and being demanded of what hee would wish to have as many as there were graines in that pomegranat ? answered in one word , of zopyrusses . now this zopyrus was a right noble and valiant knight , who to reduce babylon to the subjection of his lord and master , and defeat the traiterous assyrians , suffered his body to be rent and mangled , and being thus disfigured , fled straight-wayes to babylon , where the assyrians were intrenched : whom he made beleeve that darius had mis-used him in this sort , because hee had spoken in their behalfe , counselling him to breake up his siege , and to remove his armie from assaulting their citie . they hearing this tale , and the rather induced to thinke it true , because they saw him so shamefully disfigured in his bodie , were perswaded to make him their chiefe captaine : by which meanes he● betrayed them all , and surrendred both them and their citie into his masters hands . the like we reade of codrus prince of athens , who according to the counsell of the oracle , sacrificed his life willingly , to preserve the libertie of his countrey . the like did gobrias , who offered his bodie to slaughter , to free his countrey of a tyrannous traitour . yet observe withall , the ingratitude of former ages to men of best deservings ; which caused aeschines say , that though the citie of thebes and athens were full of naughtie men , yet not so full of any sort as of ungratefull men . this felt annibal , this felt asdrubal , this felt african ; while asdrubal within , must be accused by asdrubal without : and noble african , than whom none ever deserved better of his countrey , may begge a resting place for his bones , but must not have it . againe , it will not be amisse to note the sundry occasions of warres , proceeding from the sundry dispositions of men . some strove for soveraigntie ; others for preservation of their libertie : where , so eager was the one of gaining glory , the other of defending their libertie , they were many times brought to such straights , as there was more roome for beholders , than fighters , many bearing armes , but could not use them . no lesse remarkable is it , to note what incredible exploits have beene atchieved by a handfull of men under a valiant leader : where by a more particular survey had of their actions , we shall finde that observation of plutarch to be most true : better is an armie of harts , with a lion to their leader , than an armie of lions with a hart to their leader : an armie being said to derive her strength from her selfe , but her spirit from her captaine . in ● word , gentlemen , to observe the revolution of times ●he mutation of states , the natures and dispositions of persons , the issues and events of things , would 〈◊〉 an imployment of no lesse delight than profit ; conferring the ebbings and flowings of forraine estates with our owne . but to draw homeward , lest like messala carvinus by remembring the name of a stranger , we forget our owne : there is no history more usefull , or relation more needfull for any gentleman , than our owne moderne chronicles , where he shall observe many notable passages worthy his reading . as first , how his countrey was first planted ; how by degrees it became peopled ; how to civilitie reduced ; how by wholesome lawes restrained ; and how by the providence of the almightie , in so calme and peaceable manner established . here he shall see a good king , but a bad man ; there a good man , but a bad king. againe , here hee shall see the state more weakned by civill broiles , than forraine warres : securitie being no lesse hurtfull at home , than hostilitie abroad . scipio used to have this sentence in his mouth : that easie , favourable and affable captains , were profitable to the enemie , which though they were beloved of their souldiers , yet they set little by them . this shall you see verified in the too much indulgencie of many of our captaines , through which lenitie they made many hopefull souldiers , absolute cowards . againe , to note the raising of many obscure persons to great honour ; as likewise the pulling down of many eminent houses and families , would enforce no lesse admiration in us of gods divine providence , than of his secret iustice , who pulleth downe , and setteth up , as seemeth best to his wisdome . to observe likewise , in the corruption of bloud , what noble families have beene tainted , which by the princes clemencie were againe restored . what dangerous attempts and practices have beene undertaken , not only to shake but supplant the glorious frame of this ila●d : labouring to divide and remove all succession to this crowne , from the royall line of our princes , and to in●est forraine princes therewith : where an english king was summoned to the french kings court , while normandie was yeelded by us , the welsh invaded us , lewis with a speedie arrivall accosted us , and iohn himselfe was forced to leave us . nay which was more , one of the nurseries of our iland was displanted : for at that time was oxford of her students forsaken and abandoned , ( which before for the space of three hundred and nine yeares had successfully flourished ) so as not onely the state , but learning , the sterne of state , became much weakned . yet observe , how happily this storme was calmed , when it was least expected ; for by the vicount of mellin his confession , lying then upon his death-bed , was the whole practice of the french , by a frenchman discovered , which was no lesse happily afterwards prevented . for king iohn , being to repentance moved , tooke an oath before his barons that all things should be reformed , which the barons likewise seconded with an oath to confirme his proceedings . so iohn was absolved , and that crowne which he had before resigned , he forth with resumed , being in this made more happie , in that being once so unhappie , hee came to defeat his foes , make sufficient triall of his friends , and recover that by submission , which he had lost by his pride . againe , if we should but reade , and reading consider , how peacefull the government , how quiet the sleepes , how cheerefull the delights were of such as came by lawfull and lineall succession to the crowne ; and the heavie nights , troubled thoughts , broken sleepes , and many tedious houres which those were owners of , who came by usurpation to enjoy ( with little joy ) a princely diadem ; we should of necessitie conclude with pompey ; who being combred with his honour , exclaimed to see sylla's crueltie , being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignitie he had , and cried out : o perill and d●●ger never like to have an end ! for to use one example for all ; who should but consider the practices which richard the third used to get a crowne , planting his kingdome on an indirect foundation , blond , and those many strange passages and overtures which happened in his reigne , with those fearefull visions which appeared to him before his death , would certainly set downe this for his rest : that it is not what we have without us , but what we have within us that procures us peace or disquiet . whence polydore virgil upon that terrible dreame of richard the third , the night before bosworth field , in which hee was slaine , useth these words : i doe not beleeve that these were the ghosts of men that did affright him , but the guilt of a troubled conscience that did torment him . certainly , discourses of this nature cannot chuse but minister much profit with delight , and enable you that are gentlemen to entertaine the time with much content to them that heare you . for in this treasury or store-house of history , you shall finde better meanes , than all the helpes to discourse which our weake pamphletters can publish , to enable you for discourse in all companies . for to restraine or tye your selves to a set forme of discourse , as if you were to doe nothing without rules , were too pedanticall : besides , you should be sometimes so scantled , for want of subjects , that unlesse the subject whereof you are to discourse fall happily within your owne element , your ship for want of sea-roome would runne a ground . whereas history ( the sweetest recreation of the minde ) will afford variety , ( being not curtaild by epitomees , which are the moths of history ) both for table-talke to delight , and discourse of more serious consequence . which in my opinion would better seeme a gentleman , than to entertaine time in nothing but the cry of dogges , or flight of hawkes ; which , as they are gentlemanly pleasures , and worthily approved ( as i formerly noted ) so are they to bee used but onely as pleasures and recreations : of which to speake sparingly were much better , than onely to discourse of them , as if our whole reading were in them . neither doe i speake this without iust cause ; for i have noted this fault in many of our younger brood of gentry , who either for want of education in learning , or their owne neglect of learning , have no sooner attained to the strength of making their fist a pearch for a hawke , but by the helpe of some bookes of faulconry , whereby they are instructed in the words of art , they will run division upon discourse of this pleasure : whereas , if at any time they be interrupted by occasion of some other conference , these high-flyers are presently to bee mewed up , for they are taken from their element . wherfore gentlemen , let me advise you in a word , so to entertaine time in recreation , as the pleasure you take therein , draw not your minds from more serious and usefull imployments . i have proposed to you , and made choice for you , of some recreations which may no lesse delight and benefit your mindes , than these other active delights doe your bodies ; use them , and you shall finde such pleasure in them , as you may perceive profit and pleasure so equally mixed , as if at first intended to make your delight perfect . and so i come to the last branch , shewing how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in them . as one said of love , that it should be a toy and no toyle ; so say i of recreation ; the spirits should be cheered by it , not drowned in it ; refreshed , not depressed . i doe not like of this eagernesse after pleasure ; for i● argues too much sensuality ; the minde should ●e so tempered , as it may shew an indifferencie to the use of pleasure . which i have surely found , as a maine errour in most part of young gentlemen ; whose eager appetite so unmeasurably pursuing the quest of pleasure , cannot containe it selfe from expressing outwardly , the love it conceives to such a pleasure inwardly . so as i have observed some intraunced ( as it were ) with joy in the chace of hare , or the flight of hawke ; which in my opinion argued much lightnesse : for no sooner was their pleasure at a stay or default , than all their former delight was turned to a contrary passion . i commend therefore his resolution who said ; he was never so over-joyed with pleasure , but he thought it good to allay that surpassing joy , with the remembrance of the end of that pleasure . it is an excellent thing to moderate our joyes , by considering the shortnesse of them ; and to allay the height of them , by observing what breaches or intermissions are incident to them . wherefore above all , it becommeth a gentleman to be circumspect in this kinde , for even by his outward carriage may his weaknesse bee discovered . sure i am , there is nothing that tasteth more of true wisdome , than to temper our desires in effects of joy : so as i cannot sufficiently wonder , how chylo being accounted one of the seven sages of greece , should bee so overtaken with joy , as to die with excesse thereof . the like we reade of argia the prophetesse , who being carried in a chariot of gold to the temple by her two sonnes , whereat shee conceived no lesse joy than if her two sonnes had beene invested with the title of emperours , through excessive joy immediately died . but these passions rather become women than men , who should be themselves still , but especially when they feele any such conceit undermining them . it is written of polycrates , that meditating one day with himselfe , how he had never any thing which crossed him all his life , but enjoyed all successe both at home and abroad , so as he became fearefull to his foes , and powerfull to his friends : resolved to try how hee might crosse his good fortune , by a voluntary incurring of losing that he did exceedingly love . wherefore one day he went unto the sea-side , where taking off a ring which he did especially tender , hee threw it into the sea , intending thereby to crosse himselfe , whom fortune would not : but see how polycrates was crossed in his crosses : for not long after , a fisher-man came and presented him the ring hee had lost , having found it in the belly of a fish ; which did not a little trouble the prince , saying ; i perceive the gods owe mee a displeasure , which they will doe when i least expect it , and make mee so much the more unfortunate , in that i never knew what misfortune meant . which he afterwards found true , being deprived both of crowne and dignitie . certainly , there is no meanes better to attemper and allay ones joy conceived in the pursuit of any pleasure , than to crosse himselfe in the quest thereof : for this tasteth of true manhood , when one can master his affections , and stay himselfe in that he loves . neither is this hard to doe being once assayed ; for wee shall finde more true content in the moderation of our pleasure , than in the pleasure it selfe . i have heard of some young gentlemen , who purposely crossing themselves in some one pleasure or recreation which they loved , and betaking themselves to their chamber , apprehended such a deepe impression of the fruition of their pleasure , as they visibly ( as it were ) enjoyed that pleasure in their chamber , which others enjoyed in the field . that conceit is strong i will not deny ; but that it should worke so strange and strong an effect , i am doubtfull : yet whosoere they be ( if any such there be ) sure i am they may well crosse themselves in pleasures abroad , having such pleasant conceits within themselves . now , as i would have young ●entlemen to use moderation in the exercise it selfe ; so would i have them to observe like moderation in their expence or charge requisite for that exercise or pleasure . it is deare bought pleasure that makes the posteritie beggers . nero was taxed for his prodigalitie , because hee would have his fishing-rods of gold , and his nets of purest silke ; vitellius for his embroderie , as well as his epicurisme ; lucullus for his gardens ; antoninus for his bathes ; caracalla for his roabes ; commodus for prodigall expence in all recreations . now what madnesse is it to bestow that to delight mee , which i may wish one day i had to sustaine mee ? to bestow that on my pleasure , which i may chance need to releeve nature ? wee have heard of one within this citie , who like a prodigall heire to his fathers thriving providence , bestowed an incredible masse of money to satisfie his five senses : but sure i thinke hee was distraught of his senses , and therefore quickly satisfied . it is no pleasure but a brutish affection , which gives it selfe so over to delight it selfe , as rather than it will be restrained or moderated , will engage credit , state and all to have her desires fulfilled . likewise in games at cards , dice , chesse , or such houre-beguiling recreations , i would not have our gentlemen to play for that which may occasion in them the least base or unworthy feare . you shall see some of these peasantly gamesters , who partly for desire of winning , or else for feare of losing , shew a perpetuall palsey in their joynts , so full of troubled thoughts they are , or passionate feares , which apparently discover a basenesse of disposition in them , whom either hope of gaine or feare of losse can drive to such extremes . i would have you therefore so to bestow your selves in these , as they may never force a change of colour in you : for there is nothing that may derogate more from the native character of a gentleman , than to expresse the least sembla●ce of feare , for the losse of ought that he shall play . neither is it any lesse touch to a gentleman , whose affections should be so composed as they may expresse his nature without any other character , to fall into passion for ought that he shall lose . albeit i have heard of one , who ( much subject to this imperfection ) chanced to be reproved by his friend , who in friendly and familiar sort wished him either to learne more patience in gaming , or else to surcease from game . what ( quoth he to his friend ) doest thou thinke i am a stock or stone , that i should have no sense of my losse ? surely i thinke there is no man that knowes how he comes by his money , but will be moved for the losse of it . but i approve not of his maxime : you shall see an old gamester beare all crosse chances with an equall and undejected spirit , whereas our young gamesters ( for passion is most incident to novices ) upon a crosse throw , pull their haire , teare the cards , stamp and fret like gumm'd grogram : so farre they are from patience for want of experience . their younger and unmellowed yeeres never felt the crosses of a gamester , and therefore can hardly digest them when they come . this the philosopher seemes to confirme , saying ; nothing can be violent , being once habituate . for use or custome as it makes perfectnesse , so it begets a composednesse of minde , to endure with patience whatsoever the extremitie of fortune may inflict . but now in my discourse of passion , which makes men so much forget themselves , as they will , rather than want a fit subject to revenge their ill fortunes on , minister occasion of offence to their dearest friends ; there is one thing which i would have our young gentlemen to take heed of , and that is , in their heat and height of passion to forsweare gaming at all , or with such an one , because they had never fortune to be savers at his hands ; yet , as men carelesse of what they sweare , without respect to what they formerly protested , presently fall , ●o game againe with the selfe-same company which they had so lately abjured . a dolefull and wofull example wee had of this within these few yeeres of one , whose more eminent parts interested him greatly in his countries hope ; yet having dipt his hand in bloud , was according to justice and equitie adjudged to die , which was afterwards accordingly executed . this gentleman , whose education had beene ever with the best , and in the most frequented places , used much gaming , at which he had generally ill fortune ; so as , feeling the smart of it , he resolved , binding his resolution with a solemne protestation , that if ever he gamed againe , he might be hange● : which protestation was so usuall with him , as nothing more frequent . but see this gentlemans miserable end ! within few yeeres after he suffered in himselfe what he had so often wished for himselfe . take example hence , you i say , who are so prodigall in oathes , vowing , protesting , and swearing in your heat of passion , what you are no lesse apt to forget having coold your passion . for though you little feare the effecting of that which you wish to your selves , yet time may come when you would wish you had not used those imprecations upon your selves . there is another thing likewise which i could wish young gentlemen to be mindfull of , and it is to make distinction of times for their recreations : for as all times are not for all pleasures , no more are pleasures for all times . wee are therefore to reserve so much time for our more serious affaires , as not to give way to pleasure or delight , and so neglect what wee should principally intend . no expence is more precious than the expence of time ; which is rather imployed than wasted , when bestowed to the good and benefit of the imployer . so as , even in matters of pleasure or recreation , i could wish you to betake you to those games which may best benefit your understanding ; as in games at cards , the maw requires a quick conceit or present pregnancie ; the gle●ke ( because of varietie ) requires a retentive memory . these are good exercisers of the minds , and such , as being made recreations only , and no tricks to circumvent , may afford some help or benefit to the gamesters understanding . now therefore , doe not ( theotimus-like ) preferre lust before your eyes ; preferre not any profit you are to reape by gaming , before the inward benefit which you may reape by conceiving . it is a mercenary trade , to frequent gaming-houses for gaine , to alter the propertie of a recreation , and make that an anguish which should be a solace , a torture which should be a pleasure . for what pleasure can that gamester enjoy by play , whose heart is surprized with hope , feare , passion , despaire , and a thousand perturbations , which like tiberius vision are ever startling him ? surely , if there be any pleasure in these recreations , those only enjoy it , whose minds are neither cast downe with the feare of losse , nor over-joyed with the hope of gaine ; making this use of all adverse or crosse fortune : how miserable is that man , whose highest hopes relie on so light a mistresse ? how simple he , whose conceit is grounded on the constancie of fortune , who is only constant in inconstancie ? how pittifully pittilesse is his case , who puts finger in the eye , because he hath felt her frowne ? how forlorne is his hope , who having had experience of the extremest affronts of fortune , is ever giving himselfe occasion of new sorrowing ? but contrariwise , how truly happy is he , who makes use of fortunes braves , and receives what chance soever comes , with a cheerefull brow ? how truly blessed he , who cares as little for the insults of misfortune , as he prizeth all momentany successe which so blinde a goddesse can afford him ? there is no griefe more base or unworthy , than that which taketh beginning from losse in game : for why will wee make a voluntary hazard to procure us sorrow ? why should any one imagine himselfe to be more dearly tendred by fortune than another ? if you play square , without intendment of advantage , then expect no more than another may looke for , being equally interested in the share of fortune . for in these recreations , as it is mercenary gaine , which is got by game ; so it is an indiscreet griefe to sorrow in losse , or rejoyce in gaine . recreations are not to be used as men use trades ; these are to maintaine us ; the other to refresh us . so as they greatly pervert the use of pleasure , which make it a daily taske , as many of our english gentlemen doe ; who made heires of their fathers providence , esteeme it the onely generous qualitie , to make use of their fathers coine , without respect to his care . these are they who blemish their descent , and detract from the glory of their house , consuming the sun-shine of their dayes in workes of darknesse . i have read a conceited treatise composed by an italian , entitled a supplication to candle-light : discovering the abuses committed and curtained by the silent and secret shade of night . where it might be demanded , as god in esay did aske the devill our subtill watch-man , custos quid de nocte ? and there hee shewes how a great office is not so gainfull as the principall-ship of a college of curtizans . for no merchant in riches may compare with these merchants of maiden-heads , if their female inmates were not so fleeting and uncertaine . too many , i feare me , there be of these licentious gamesters , who make sinne a recreation , wantonning in the lap of impudence , exposing their estate and name to a miserable hazard : whose youth , as it addes fuell to desire ; so age , the truest register of the follies of youth , will besprinkle those desires with the bitter teares of repentance : grieving to have committed , what may hardly bee redeemed . for hee that surceaseth but then from sinne , when hee can sinne no more , forsaketh not his sinnes , but his sinnes forsake him . it is one thing to fall into light sinnes , through occasion onely , or humane frailtie : and another thing to fall through affected negligence and securitie . farre be the latter from you , gentlemen , whose aymes ought to be so much the more glorious , as your descents are noble and generous . though humane frailty move you to offend , labour to redeeme that time wherein you did offend , by vying sinnes with sighes , those ungodly tares with incessant teares ; for if you will live when you be dead , you must die to sinne while you be alive . and for as much as pardon cannot be procured , but where repentance is renued ; as we are omnium notarum peccatores , so should we be omnium horarum poenitentes ; as every houre sinning , so every houre sighing ; as every houre committing , so every houre bringing forth fruits of remission . thus like hismenias the thebane , who would shew musicians of all sorts , to imitate the best , and reject the worst ; have i proposed and set downe recreations of all sorts , making choice withall of such especiall and select ones , as best sort with the qualitie of a gentleman , concluding how and after what manner he is to bestow himselfe in them . neither have i taxed any particular recreation , provided that it transgresse not the bounds of modestie , but admitted it as indifferent for the use of a gentleman . yea , such recreations as may seeme to undergoe the censure of lightnesse , have i not only not reproved , but worthily approved , being with decencie used . whereupon gregorie saith , i admire king david a great deale more , when i see him in the quire , than when i see him in the campe : when i see him singing as the sweet singer of israel , than when i see him fighting as the worthy warriour of israel : when i see him leaping , than when i see him weeping : when i see him dancing before the arke , than when i see him drawing forth his armie to the field . when david fought with others , he overcame others ; he wounded others ; he made others sicke . but when hee danced before the arke , and delighted himselfe , he was overcome himselfe , he was wounded himselfe , he was sicke himselfe . but this sicknesse did rather affect him , than afflict him ; joy him , than annoy him . i will play still ( sayes he ) that others may still play upon me . for it is a good sport when god is delighted , though michol be displeased . whence you see , that it is not the recreation , but the circumstance tending to that recreation , which for most part giveth occasion of offence ; as the time when , gods sabbath is not to be dishonoured , nor our serious occasions intermitted ; the place where , the holy ground is not by the feet of lightnesse to be profaned , nor places where iustice is administred , to the exercise of such delights inured ; the persons who , we must take heed lest the weakest of our brethren be scandaled , or offence to any by our sports occasioned . doing thus , we shall glorifie god , not only in this life , but in that best and blest life which is to come ; if wee fall not backe into the same sinnes , but bid a long fare-well to the illusions of the devill ; if with diligent attention to the word of god , earnest desire of conversion , and continuall confession of our sinnes , we procure the carefull eye of the almightie to watch over us . for it sufficeth him in his great mercy that we surcease from sinne , whereby wee shall be more easily moved to the practice of all good workes . wherefore to conclude this observance with that exhortation of golden-mouthed chrysostome , to the end wee may render more honour to his sabbat● ▪ let not any one hence-forth be seene trying masteries on horse-backe , nor spending any part of the day in unlawfull meetings ; let not any one hence-forth consort himselfe in games at cards or dice , or the tumultuous noise which ariseth from thence . for i pray you answer mee ( saith hee ) what profit is there in fas●ing , if all the day eating nothing , you game , sport , sweare and forsweare , and so spend the day in worse than nothing ? let us not , i beseech you , be so negligent in that weightie affaire of our salvation , but rather let our communication be of spirituall things . and let every one take in his hand a godly booke , and calling his neighbours together , water both his owne understanding and theirs who are assembled , with heavenly instructions , that so we may avoid the deceits of the devill . performing this , gentlemen , your recreations shall be healthfull to your selves , helpfull to your country , delightfull to the vertuous , and beseeming men of your ranke , nobly generous . the english gentleman . argument . of acquaintance ; of the choice of acquaintance ; of constancie in the choice of acquaintance ; of reservancie towards acquaintance ; of the absolute end of acquaintance . acqvaintance . the comfort of an active life consists in societie , as the content of a contemplative consists in privacie . intermission of action in the former , is a kinde of death ; intention to devotion in the latter , is a pleasant life . for solitarie places are the best for prayer ; but publike for practice . we reade that christ went out into a solitary place , and there prayed : but hee entered into the synagogue , and there preached ; that such libertines as were there trained might bee reclaimed . and wisdome cryeth without , and uttereth her voice in the streets , that her words might bee practised . as there is no publike state which can subsist without commerce , trafficke , and mutuall society ; so there is no creature living , whose life would not bee tedious , being debarred from all use of company . there are two birds which are noted both in divine and humane writ to be lovers of solitarinesse ; the owle in the desart , and the pelicane in the wildernesse . which two , among divers other birds , were accounted uncleane , and therefore were not to bee eaten by the iewes . as retirednesse from occasions abroad , makes us more serious in occasions at home : so this privacie or solitarinesse makes the memory more retentive in affaires usefull to our selves , but withdrawes our hand from affording helpe or assistance to others . but life should bee communicative ; not only intending it selfe ; but labouring wherein it may doe good to any . for whereas saint bernard saith , that the a affinity is neere betweene the dwellers in a cell and in heaven : it is to bee understood , that such whose mortified affections , and regenerate will have concluded all b worldly honours to bee worldly tumours ; and all c secular honour to be the devills trafficke , have stepped neere unto heaven . neither are we to conclude thence , that such who have to deale in the world , by commerce at home and abroad , are excluded from this affinity . for there are many ( as we are to be charitably perswaded ) who live in the world , & have to do with the world , yet are not of the world ; that is , are not so affected to the world , as they could not finde in their hearts to forgoe all things they have in the world , for the love of him that created the world . yea , who will not say , and with much comfort affirme , we will seeke one good wherein consisteth all good , and that sufficeth ; we will seeke one joy wherein consisteth all joy , and this onely joyes us . it is * grace and not the place , which saveth the soule . for as there may bee a wolfe in sheeps cloathing , so there may bee a worldly minde in a hermits dwelling . mans security is the deuills opportunity , which may be found in the wildernesse as well as in the world ; neither is the one place lesse subject to temptation than the other . the wildernesse is secret , yet christ was tempted in it . the night is silent , yet doth that princely prophet warne us , to lift up our hands in the night watches of temptation . for the life of man , as it is a continuall temptation , so is there neither time , place , sexe nor condition exempted from temptation . the monks cell and the monarchs court are equally subject to it . this , devout bernard seemes to confirme in his description of such as professed a monasticke life , saying ; they were large promisers , but slow performers , faire-tongued flatterers , but snarling back-biters , simple-seeming dissemblers , but malicious betrayers . againe , we ( saith hee ) receive all into our monasteries , in hope to better them ; whereas in the court it is more usuall , to receive such as are good , than to make them good : for we have found by experience , that more good men have decreased than profited in it . hence we may conclude this point , that no place is privileged from temptation , neither cell nor court : but those places are , and have beene ever most subject to danger , where men were left to themselves to enter lists with temptation . which proceedeth either from the naturall frailty of man , in that he falleth from best to worst ; or his want of judgement to discerne best from worst : whence the poet most divinely concludeth ; when want of judgement reignes in humane brest , the best is ta'ne for worst , the worst for best . god in his sacred wisdome having created man , thought it not good that hee should bee alone ; and therefore made him an helpe meet for him . it was an excellent saying of that sage cynicke , who seeing a young man all alone by himselfe , and demanding of him what he was doing , i am talking ( quoth the young man ) with my selfe ; take heed ( said hee ) thou talke not with thine enemie . for howsoever cato might say in respect of the inward delight hee tooke in contemplation , i am never lesse alone , than when alone ; we shall finde this true , that man is never more ready to give way to temptation , than when hee is alone . how needfull then is acquaintance , being indeed the life of the living ; the particular benefits whereof extend to discourse , advice and action ? it is experience hath begot wisdome , and memory as a mother hath brought it forth . now , what experience could we gaine , if wee should only be left to our selves , and have none to helpe us in treaties or matters of conference ? it is said of demosthenes , that he recovered his speech only by direction ; long would it be ere we attained to any perfection of speech , either in manner or matter , if we wanted these usuall helps of conference , which enable us when , where and how we should speake . for as the satyre was afraid at the first sight of fire ; or that captaine , who looking himselfe in a glasse when hee was angry , was affrighted with his owne countenance , so should we , having never consorted or conversed with men , stand amazed when we approached their companie . for what is it that ministers boldnesse and audacity to men , save their usuall frequent of assemblies ? or what is it , that so much benefits their knowledge , but their acquaintance with such who are professants of knowledge ? plutarch reporteth , that plato came forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause but onely to see his deare friend phocion the philosopher . see here the love of good men one to another ; for amongst evill men can be no true friendship . for it is the ayme of acquaintance that makes it good or evill ; as to insinuate ones selfe into acquaintance for their owne ends , to wit , to profit by it , or worke on others weaknesse , this is acquaintance for macchiavells schollers , whose principall ayme is to undermine ; and under pretence of amity , shroud their villany . these hold concurrencie with frier clement , ravillac , iaurequy , baltazar gerard. they have an open gate , but a shut countenance ; or if an open countenance , a close shut heart . aristotle saith , that friendship is one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies . whereas these men , whose acquaintance hath relation to their owne peculiar ends , have a heart and a heart ; a heart outwardly professing , and a heart secretly practising ; a heart outward , and a heart inward ; outwardly pretending , and inwardly plotting . these are no acquaintance for you gentlemen ▪ their hearts are too farre from their mouths ; learning to prosper by others errours . yea , by often conversing and practising with others , no lesse cunning than themselves , they have so farre prevailed , as they are not onely able to match them , but out-strip them : serpens nisi serpentem comederit , non fit draco : these are they who hatch the cockatrice egges ; come not therefore neere them , for the poyson of aspes is under their lips. yea , they sucke the gall of aspes , and the vipers tongue shall slay them . yet , to leave you alone without company , would make your life as much loathed , as choice of acquaintance makes you love it . he is a weake prince that enjoyes an empire without people ; and no lesse desolate or disconsolate is his state , who wants not for meanes , yet wants a friend to whom hee may impart his minde . lend me your hands therefore ( gentlemen ) and i will direct you in a way how to make choice of acquaintance in matters of advice , which is the second benefit redounding from the use of acquaintance . if a man ( saith seneca ) finde his friend sad and so leave him ; sicke without ministring any comfort to him ; and poore without releeving him : wee may thinke such an one goeth to jest rather than visit or comfort . whence we may observe the office or condition of a friend , who , if his friend be sicke , he will visit him ; i● sad , hee will cheare him ; if poore , hee will releeve him ; if afflicted in minde , he will comfort him ; otherwise his friendship is but dissembling , his visiting him , a meere mocking of him . iob called his friends miserable comforters , because their discourses were rather afflictions than comforts , their counsels rather corasives than cordialls , their exhortations rather scourgings and scoffings , than soule-solacing refreshings . these doe not advise friends ; but despise them ; miserable are such comforters . wherefore i may well distinguish acquaintance into two sorts ; the one halcion-like , come to us in a storme ; the other swallow-like , draw neere us in a calme . the former sort observe periandors precept , shew thy selfe still the same , whether thy friend bee in prosperity or adversity : but the latter observe that sentence of optatus , all for the time , but nothing for the truth . all acquaintance may be either compared to pitch staining , o●to balme curing . hee that toucheth pitch shall bee defiled therewith , saith the sonne of sirach ; such is the nature of much acquaintance , especially in these latter dayes , where vanity is more affected , than the practice of vertue , which should be onely loved . where many returne worse than when they went forth , confirming that sentence , sanabimur , si separemur à coetu . but balme , it refresheth , cheereth , and cureth ; such is that acquaintance , whose conceits are delightfull , discourse chearefull , and instructions fruitfull . these , if wee be at any time doubtfull , will advise us ; if in necessitie , will releeve us ; if in any affliction either outward or inward , will beare a part with us , to allay griefe in us . a little stybium is too much , such are the first ; a great quantitie of styrax is too little , such are the last . a * iuniper-tree maketh the hottest coale , and the coolest shadow of any tree : the coale is so hot , that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole yeere : so doth true friendship or faithfull acquaintance ; it affordeth the coolest shadow to refresh us , and the hottest coales , implying fervour of affection , being once kindled , to warme us . when poore andromache craved vlysses advice , what he thought best to be done in behalfe of her young sonne astyanax ; conceale him ( said he ) this is the only meanes to save him . this shewed his faithfulnesse in advising , albeit her countries foe ; for otherwise hee would have perswaded her to submit her selfe and him to the hand of the mercilesse souldier , or reape a benefit by their bondage , making them his owne captives : as it is in the fable of the crow , who comming to the eagle that had got a cockle , the fish whereof he could not get out neither by force nor art , hee counselled him to mount up on high and throw the cockle downe upon the stones , and so breake the shell : now all the while did the craftie crow stay below expecting the fall : the eagle throwes it downe , the shell is broken , the fish by the crow is taken , and the eagle deluded . many such counsellors there be , who advise not others for their good , but their owne good . others there be , who make use of their friends or acquaintance meerely for their owne ends ; and rather than they will be prevented of their aimes , they will expose the life and safetie of their friend to imminent perill . and these resemble the fox , who seeing a chestnut in the fire , made use of the cats foot to take it out . but these are not those friends , whose advice is faithfull , as their friendship is firme and gratefull . their aimes are indirect , their advice tends to their owne benefit , their counsell tastes of profit , and their directions become as pitfalls to their friends . those to whom i would have gentlemen knowne , are men of an other ranke and qualitie , appearing like the canii , senecae , aruntii , and sorani ; whose admirable vertues were inimitable in so corrupt a government . neither would i have them to shake off these friendly monitors , if at any time their advice relish not halfe well to their palate ; but rather honour them for their vertuous sinceritie , as epaminonda● honoured lysias , agesilaus xenophon , scipio penetius , alcibiades socrates , achilles phoenix , sent him by his father peleus . for such as will not endure a friendly reproofe , i would have their acquaintance doe with them as plato did with dionysius , who perceiving him to be incorrigible , left him . the rebukes of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemie ; for the one , though at first displeasing , tend ( if rightly used ) to his conversion ; but the other , though pleasing , tend ( if not prevented ) to his confusion . had alexander understood this aright , he would have preferred the faithfull advice of his affectionate clitus before all his conquests ; for by his instruction might hee have learned humilitie , which lesson had beene worth his worlds monarchie . had nero that president of tyrants , or monster of men , given care to the wise advice of his loyall and learned seneca , hee might have found a subject to love him , a scholer to live with him , a souldier to fight for him , and a mother to blesse him . for surely , as of all possessions friendship is most precious , being suted with vertue , without which there is no true friendship ; so are we to value the life of our friend as the crowne of our glory . for tell mee , are you fad ? your friends conceit , as a soveraigne receit , will cheere you . are you disposed to be merry ? mirth alone , is a single consort , your friend will partake with you . would you have one to passe the tedious night away , in telling tales , or holding you with talke ? your friend will invent a thousand pastimes to cheere you , and make the night seeme lesse tedious unto you . is the burden of your griefes too heavy to beare ? you have a friend to share with you in your burden . in briefe , want you comfort ? he will supply it ; want you meanes to releeve your wants ? hee will afford it ; want you counsell ? he will impart it ; want you all that man can want ? you want not a friend who will supply your wants with his want . and so i descend from the benefit redounding from advice , to the third and last , which is the profit or benefit which redounds from one friend to another in every peculiar action , exercise or recreation . cicero , the glory of rome , and flower of orators , exemplifying the prowesse of themistocles and epaminondas , useth these words ; the sea shall sooner overwhelme the isle it selfe of salamine , than it shall drench the remembrance of the salamine triumph : and the towne of leuctra in boeotia shall sooner be razed , than the remembrance of the field there fought , forgotten . but howsoever these monuments may be razed or defaced by continuance of time , sure i am that the love which they shewed to their friends , even to the apparent danger of their owne lives , shall eternize their memory . pelopidas a noble grecian , skirmishing with the lacedemonians against the arcadians , untill such time as being hurt in seven places , hee fell downe at last for dead . then presently epaminondas , out of a princely resolution and noble affection to his distressed friend , stepping forth bestrid him , and fought to defend his body , he alone against many ; till being sore cut on his arme with a sword , and thrust into the brest with a pike , he was even ready to give over . but at that very instant , agesipolis king of the lacedemonians came with the other point of the battell in a happy houre , and saved both their lives when they were past all hope . here see apparent arguments of true love , mixed with a noble and heroick temper : for friends are to be tried in extremities , either in matters of state or life : in state , by releeving their wants ; in life , by engaging themselves to all extremes , rather than they will suffer their friend to perish . these are they who will latch the blow of affliction laid upon their friends , with the buckler of affection ; preferring death before their friends disgrace . marcus servilius a valiant roman , who had fought three and twenty combats of life and death in his owne person , and had alwayes slaine as many of his enemies as challenged him man to man ; when as the people of rome resisted paulus aemilius triumph , stood up and made an oration in his behalfe : in the midst whereof hee cast up his gowne , and shewed before them the infinite skars and cuts he had received upon his brest ; the sight of which so prevailed with the people , that they all agreed in one , and granted aemilius triumph . here observe the tender respect of one friend towards anothers honour : there is nothing unassayed , nothing unattempted , which may procure or further it . for this friendship or combination of minds , as there is nothing more precious , so there is nothing which doth comparably delight or solace the minde like unto it , being faithfully grounded . their discourse like some choice musicke delights our hearing ; their sight like some rare object contents our seeing ; their presence fully satisfies us in their touching ; their well-seasoned jests ( like some delicious banquet ) relish our tasting ; and their precepts ( like sweet flowers ) refresh our smelling . thus is every sense satisfied , by enjoying that which it loveth : for as senses wanting their proper objects , become uselesse ; so men , whether in prosperitie or adversitie , wanting friends to relie on , are wretched and helplesse : so as there is no greater wildernesse than to be without true friends . for without friendship , societie is but meeting , acquaintance a formall or ceremoniall greeting . wheras it is friendship , when a man can say to himselfe , * i love this man without respect of utilitie : for ( as i formerly noted ) those are no friends but hirelings , who professe friendship only to gaine by it . certainly , whosoever hath had the happinesse to enjoy a true & faithfull friend , to whom he might freely impart the secrets of his brest , or open the cabbinet of his counsels , he ( i say ) and only he hath had the experience of so rare a benefit daily redounding from the use of friendship : where two hearts are so individually united , as neither from other can well be severed . and as it is certaine , that in bodies inanimate , union strengthneth any naturall motion , and weakneth any violent motion ; so amongst men , friendship multiplieth joyes , and divideth griefs . it multiplies joyes ; for it makes that joy communicative , which before was single ; it divideth griefes ; for it shares in them , and so makes them lesse . now perfection of friendship , is but a speculation , if wee consider the many defects which are for most part subject to all worldly friendship : yea , and as the world increaseth in age , so it decreaseth most commonly in goodnesse : for in courts , are suits and actions of law ; in cities , tricks and devices to circumvent ; in the country , ingrossing and regrating , of purpose to oppresse . it is rare to see a faithfull damon or a pythias ; a pylades or orestes ; a bitias or a pandarus ; a nisus or euryalus . and what may be the cause of this , but that the love of every one is so great to himselfe , as he can finde no corner in his heart to lodge his friend in ? in briefe , none can gaine friends , and make a saving bargaine of it , for now it is a rule commonly received ; he that to all will here be gratefull thought , must give , accept , demand , much , little , nought . so as it may seeme , it is not given to man to love and to be wise ; because the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved ; so as , he dis-esteemes honour , profit , yea life it selfe , so hee may gratifie his beloved . but my opinion is quite contrary ; for i hold this as a firme and undoubted maxime ; that he who is not given to love , cannot be wise . for is he wise , that reposeth such trust in his owne strength , as if he stood in no need of friends ? is he wise , who dependeth so much on his owne advice , as if all wit and wisdome were treasured in his braine ? is he wise , who being sicke , would not be visited ; poore , and would not be succoured ; afflicted , and would not be comforted ; throwne downe , and would not be raised ? surely in the same case is he , who sleights the purchace of a friend , preferring his owne profit before so inestimable a prize . there is none , whether he be valiant , or a profest coward , but may stand in need of a friend in a corner . for be hee valiant , hee stands in need of a friend to second him ; if a coward , he needs one to support him : therefore , whosoever wanteth fortitude , whether it be in minde or bodie , let him embrace friendship ; for if his weaknesse proceed from the minde , hee shall finde a choice receit in the breast of his friend , to strengthen and corroborate him , so as griefe may assaile or assault him , but it cannot dismay or amate him . againe , if his weaknesse proceed from the bodie , that weaknesse is supplied by the strength of his friend , who will be an eye to direct him , and a foot to sustaine him . telephus , when he could finde none amongst his friends to cure his wound , permitted his enemie to doe it : and he who purposed to kill prometheus the thessalian , opened his impostume with his sword . if such effects have proceeded from enmitie , what rare and incredible effects may be imagined to take their beginning from amitie ? than which , as nothing is stricter in respect of the bond , so nothing is more continuate in respect of the time : being so firme , as not to be dissolved ; so strict , as not to be anulled ; so lasting , as never to be ended . neither is this benefit , derived from friend to friend , onely restrained to matters of action or imployment , but extendeth it selfe to exercises of pleasure and recreation . for tell me , what delight can any one reape in his pleasure , wanting a friend to partake with him in his pleasure ? takes he delight in hunting ? let him choose acquaintance that may suit him in it : not onely a hunter , but one whose conceit ( if occasion serve ) can reach further ; such an one i would have him as could make an embleme of the forest where hee raungeth , compose a sonnet on the objects which he seeth , and fit himselfe for ought hee undertaketh . of which ranke , was that merry epigrammatist , ( as it may be imagined ) who being taxed for wearing a horne , and could not wind it , made this replie ; my friend did tax me seriously one morne , that i should weare , yet could not wind , the horne ; and i repli'd , that he for truth should finde it , many did weare the horne that nere could wind it : hows'ere of all , that man may weare it best , who makes claime to it , as his ancient crest . to interveine conceits or some pleasant jests in our recreations , whether discursive or active , is no lesse delightfull than usefull : but these jests should be so seasoned , as they may neither taste of lightnesse , nor too much saltnesse . iests festive are oft-times offensive , they incline too much to levitie ; jests civill ( for into these two are all divided ) are better relishing , because mixed with more sobrietie and discretion . catullus answer to philippus the atturney , was no lesse wittie than bitter : for catullus and he being one day at high words together ; why barkest thou , quoth philippus ? because i see a theefe , answered catullus . he shewed himselfe a quick anatomist , who branched man into three parts , saying , that man had nothing but substance , soule , and bodie ; lawyers dispose of the substance , physitians of the bodie , and divines of the soule . present and pregnant was donato's answer to a young gentleman , who beholding a brave company of amorous ladies and gentlewomen , meeting donato comming towards rome , as one admiring their number and feature , said ; quot coelum stellas , tot habet tua roma puellas . by and by answered donato ; pascua quot haedos , tot habet tua roma-cinaedos . phaedro being asked , why in the collects , where christian bishops and pagans be prayed for , the cardinalls were not remembred ? answered , they were included in that prayer , oremus pro haereticis & schismaticis . well requited was that young scholler , who giving his master this evening salute : domine magister , deus det tibi bonum sero ; was answered by his master : et tibi malumcito . wittie , but shrewd was that answer of a disputant in my time to his moderator in posterior : who demanding of him what the cause should be , that he with whom he disputed , should have so great a head and so little wit , replied ; omne majus continet in se minus . a base minde was well displayed in that covetous man , who unwilling to sell his corne while it was at an high price , expecting ever when the market would rise higher ; when he saw it afterward fall , in despaire hanged himselfe upon a beame of his chamber ; which his man hearing , and making haste , cut the rope and preserved his life : afterwards , when he came to himselfe , hee would needs have his man to pay for the cord hee had cut . but i approve rather of such jests as are mixed with lesse extremes : pleasant was that answer of scipio nasica , who going to ennius house in rome , and asking for ennius ; ennius bade his maid tell him he was not within . so ennius on a time comming to scipio's house , and asking whether he was at home ? i am not at home , answered scipio : ennius wondering thereat ; doe i not know that voice ( quoth hee ) to be scipio's voice ? thou hast small civilitie in thee ( answered scipio ) that when i beleeved thy maid thou wert not at home , yet thou wilt not beleeve me . likewise to retort a jest , is an argument of a quicke wit ; as leo emperour of bizantium answered one , who being crook-backt , jested at his bleared eyes ; saying , thou reprochest mee with the defect of nature , and thou carriest nemesis upon thy shoulders . domitius reproaching crassus , that he wept for a lamprey ; crassus answered , but thou hast buried three wives without one teare . alexander asking a pyrate , that was taken and brought before him ; how he durst be so bold to infest the seas with his pyracie ? was answered with no lesse spirit , that hee played the pyrate but with one ship , but his majestie with a huge navie . which saying so pleased alexander , that hee pardoned him : reaping especiall delight in that similitude of action , by which was transported the current of the kings affection . other conceits there are more closely couched , covertly carried , and in silence uttered ; as that of bias , who , when an evill man asked him what goodnesse was ; answered nothing : and being demanded the cause of his silence ; i am silent ( quoth he ) because thou enquirest of that , which nothing concernes thee . the same bias sailing on a time with some naughtie men , by violence of a tempest , the ship wherein they were , became so shaken and tossed with waves , as these naughty men began to call upon the gods ; hold your peace ( said bias ) lest these gods you call upon understand that you be here . but lest by dwelling too long upon jests , i forget the series of my discourse , i will succinctly conclude this branch , with my judgement touching acquaintance in this kinde . as i would have gentlemen to make choice of their acquaintance by their sound , so i would not have them all sound : musicke doth well with ayres , but there is no musicke in that discourse which is all ayre . my meaning is , i would not have these acquaintance which they make choice of , all words or flashes of wit : for i seldome see any of these who are so verball , much materiall ; or these who are all wit , but through height of a selfe-conceit they fall to much weaknesse . for these many times preferre their conceit before the hearers appetite , and will not sticke to lose their friend rather than their jest , which in my opinion is meere madness : for he that values his jest above his friend , over-values his conceit , and had need of few jests , or great store of friends . i have knowne some wits turne wittalls ; by making themselves buffouns and stale jesters for all assemblies . which sort are fitter for gentlemen to make use of as occasion serves , than to entertaine them as bosome-acquaintance : for as the benefit which redounds to one from another in action , exercise , and recreation , is mutually imparted ; so is the danger no lesse incident one to another , where the ends or uses are perverted . thus farre have we proceeded in the discovery of those particular benefits which redound from discourse , advice , and action , by meanes of acquaintance : being the cement which so firmely joyneth minds together , as they may be encountred by extremes , but divided never . now for as much as the essentiall triall of acquaintance consists in matters of highest consequence , we are now to addresse our selves to such a choice , as our choice may admit no change . the precept of that ancient sage is worth remembring ; follow such friends as it may not shame thee to have chosen . certainly , there is no one argument to evince man of indiscretion , more holding than this ; that he makes no difference or distinction in the choice of his friends . in which respect , no man can bee too warie or circumspect , because herein for most part , consisteth his well-fare or undoing . it were meet therefore that a gentleman made choice of such for his friends or acquaintance , as are neither timists nor timonists , fawners nor frowners . for the first sort , they are for all seasons , and all weathers ; so as they may be fitly compared to the hedge-hogge , who hath two holes in his siedge , one toward the south , another toward the north. now when the southerne wind blowes , he stops up that hole , and turnes him northward ; when the northerne wind blowes , he stops up that hole likewise , and turnes him againe southward . such vrchins are all temporizers : they turne as the wind blowes , and sute themselves for euery occasion . these friends or acquaintance who follow not us but ours , will be seene in all liveries : princes have felt the inconveniencie of them , and inferiour states have not beene free from them : but the highest states generally are most subject to these retainers ; for princes by experience we have seene , abused most where most their trust hath beene . now there are two kinds of princes ( saith comines ) the one are so cautelous and suspitious , as they are scarce to bee endured : for they are almost come to that passe , as they thinke themselves ever deluded and circumvented . such was dionysius the tyrant of syracusa , who grew so suspicious , as he would not trust any barber to shave him , causing his owne daughters to learne to shave . others there bee , who are so farre from harbouring suspicion , as being of a dull and lumpish wit , they scarce understand what is commodious for them , and what not . such was domitian , who cared more for catching of flies , than retaining of friends : being so farre from preventing danger , as he never foresaw it , till he felt it . in these there is small constancy of mind ; for as they easily discontinue friendship , they as easily decline from hatred and embrace friendship . constantine the great , being a profest foe to all these timists , or temporizing sycophants , was wont to call them gnats and moths that pester a princes palace . so aspiring be their aymes , so base their meanes ; who like base beetles as they have begun , in every cowsheard nestle neere the sun. whence , as it may bee probably gathered , was that sentence derived , amici curiae , parasiti curiae ; fawning rather than friending , tendring onely love where they hope to receive gaine . these , as they have ianus front , for they carrie two faces under one hood , so have they simons heart , professing love , but practising hate : of which sort the ever-living homer thus concludeth ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . there 's nought on earth i more detest , than sugred breath in serpents brest . whence it was that the great spirited byron , who shewed more passion than resolution at his death , howsoever during all his time none was ever held for a more brave or noble souldier ; perceiving his trust ( as he collected ) betrayed by la fin , with whom he had conspired , and by whom his practice was disclosed , he confessed that la fin had bewitched him , exhorting his hoast to be warie of him , lest he should delude and circumvent him with his impostures . for certainly , as more expresly appeared , not onely at the time of his execution , but in all the passages of his practice , as he had reposed great trust in la fin , in the whole management of that businesse ; so having seene his trust weakned , and those many protestations of amity infringed , ( though in practices of that nature there can bee no true league of friendship ) it moved him no lesse to impatience , than the discovery of his treason . but these fawning friends or timists which wee have now in quest , as they are onely for the present time , so will they undertake many times the most enormous and indirect course to raise their hopes , that can bee devised . when the rash-aspiring catiline had promised to divulge those new tables , wherein were contained the proscription of the rich , magistracies , priest-hoods , rapines , and all other insolencies , which either the shocke of warre , or will of the conquerour gives way to ; hee had followers enow upon the instant to second him in his hatefull courses : being such as either his youth had made him acquainted with , or his dissolute course had consorted with : which unhappy followers made him doubtlesse , more violent in his attempts , and lesse considerate in his directions . how needfull then is it , to prevent the occasion of so maine an inconvenience ? how expedient is it to avoid the frequent or society of such , as will not sticke to bee assistants in mischiefe ? how consequent a thing is it , to weane ones selfe not onely from their familiarity and inward acquaintance , but even from so much as conversing with them or writing to them . themistocles was suspected to be knowne to pausanias treason , although most cleare of himselfe , because he wrote unto him . for as the nature of man is originally depraved , so by consorting with vicious men the arme of sinne becomes strengthened . the fuller ( as it is in the fable ) would by no meanes suffer the collier to dwell with him under one roofe , lest hee should soile what he had rinsed . which fable hath a morall relation to the course of our life , and the nature of such as wee usually consort with : for there is a traffique or commerce as well of manners as persons , of vertues and vices , as other commodities . the babylonian hath beene naturally said to be arrogant , the theban passionate , the iew envious , the tyrian covetous , the sidonian a rioter , the egyptian a sorcerer : neither did these nations keepe these vices to themselves , for they induced others likewise , to whom they had recourse and commerce , to be affected to the like : for the very egyptians had so bewitched caesar himselfe with their illusions , as hee gave great attention to them ; as alexander was delighted with the brachmanes . for vice is such an over-growing or wildespreading weed , as there is no soyle wherein it likes not , no kinde of nature ( of what temper soever ) it invades not , and invading surprizeth not . to the body , diseases are infectious , to the minde are vices no lesse obnoxious : for vices are the diseases of the minde , as infirmities breed distempers and diseases to the body . so as , whether wee observe the state of church or common-weale , we shall finde vices to bee of a nature no lesse spreading than diseases ; neither the state or symptome of the minde lesse endangered by the infusion of the one , than the body by the infection of the other . for as the state politicke is much weakned by the haunt of these vices , so is that mourning dove the church , many times afflicted to see herselfe torne with schismes and divisions : where as * waspes make honey-combes , so marcionists make churches . how needfull then is it to divide our selves from the consorts of vice , without entertaining the least occasion that might induce us to give consent to her followers ? augustus wore ever about him , for preservative against thunder , a seales skinne , which plinie writes checketh lightning ; as tiberius wore alwayes about his necke a wreath of laurell . but let us carrie about us that moli or herbe of grace , whose precious juyce may repell the spells of so inchanting a syren . for as the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleares and purifies it , so shall this soveraigne receit cure all those maladies , which originally proceed from the poyson of vice . the mind so long as it is evill affected , is miserably infected . for so many evills , so many devills , first tempting and tainting the soule with sinne , then tearing and tormenting her with the bitter sense of her guilt . saint basil saith , that passions rise up in a drunken man , like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side ; whatsoever that holy father saith of one vice , may be generally spoken of all : so as wee may truly conclude with that princely prophet ; they come about us like bees : though they have honey in their thighs , they have stings in their tailes , wounding our poore soules even unto death . requisite therefore is it to avoid the society of such whose lives are either touched or tainted with any especiall crime ; these are dangerous patternes to imitate , yea , dangerous to consort with ; for as the storke being taken in the company of the cranes , was to undergoe like punishment with them , although she had scarce ever consented to feed with them ; so be sure , if we accompany them , we shall have a share in their shame , though not in their sinne . auoid the acquaintance of these heires of shame , whose affected liberty hath brought them to become slaves to all sensuality , and sure ere long to inherit misery . give no care to the sycophant , whose sugred tongue and subtill traine are ever plotting your ruine ; hate the embraces of all insinuating sharkes , whose smoothnesse will worke on your weaknesse ; and follow the poets advice : avoid such friends as feigne and fawne on thee , like scylla's rocke within sicilian sea. so dangerous are these syrenian friends , that like the sicilian shelves , they menace shipwracke to the inconsiderate sailer . for these , as they professe love , and labour to purchase friends ; so their practices are but how to deceive and entrap those to whom they professe love . whence it is that salomon saith , a man that flattereth his neighbour , spreadeth a net for his steps . that is , he that giveth eare to the flatterer , is in danger , as the bird is before the fowler . hee whistleth merrily , spreadeth his nets cunningly , and hunteth after his prey greedily . and let this suffice to bee spoken for the timist , who professeth observance to his friend onely for his owne end . now gentlemen , as i would not have you to entertaine time with fawnes , so neither with frownes . the former , as they were too light , so the latter are too heavy . the one too supple , the other too surlie . for these timonists ( for we have done with our timists ) as cicero said of galba's leaden and lumpish body , his wit had an ill lodging , are of too sullen and earthy a constitution . it is never faire weather with them , for they are ever louring , bearing a calender of ill weather in their brow . these for the most part are male-contents , and affect nothing lesse than what is generally pleasing : appearing in the world naturalized demophons whose humour was to sweat still in the shadow , and snake in the sunne . so as , howsoever they seeme seated in another clime , for disposition they are like the antipodes unto us , opposing themselves directly against us in all our courses . they are of democritus mind , who said , that the truth of things lay hid in certaine deepe mines or caves ; and what are these but their owne braines ? for they imagine , there can be no truth , but what they professe . they proclaime defiance to the world , saying ; thou miserably deluded world , thou embracest pleasure , wee restraine it . thou for pleasure doest all things , wee nothing . now who would not imagine these stoickes to be absolute men ? such as are rare to see on earth , in respect of their austeritie of life , and singular command over their affections ? such as are divided ( as it were ) from the thought of any earthly businesse , having their mindes sphered in a higher orbe ? such as are so farre from intermedling in the world , as they dis-value him that intends himselfe to negotiate in the world ? such , as when they see a man given to pleasure , or some moderate recreation , whereby he may be the better enabled for other imployments , sleight him as a spender of time , and one unfit for the societie of men . such , as say unto laughter , thou art mad ; and unto joy , what meanest thou ? such as take up the words of that grave censor in the poet ; tak'st thou delight to trace those pathes , where worldlings walked have , which seldome doe refresh the minde , but often doe deceive ? yet behold , how many times these mens severity comes short of sinceritie ! they will lay heavie burdens on others shoulders , which they will be loth to touch with the tip of their finger . the taskes which they impose on others are insupportable , the pressures they lay on themselves very easie and tolerable . of this ranke was aglataidas , of whom that noble and faithfull historian comines writeth , saying ; while he served in the campe he was of a most harsh and austere condition , doing many things perversly , and desiring rather to be feared than loved . such was this timon , from whose name wee entitle these frowning friends , who can hardly be true friends to any , being so opposite or repugnant to all , as they can scarcely hold concurrence with any . neither was this timon ( as plutarch reporteth of him ) only harsh and uncivill towards men , but towards women also : so as going forth one day into his orchard , and finding a woman hanging upon a wilde fig-tree : o god ( quoth he ) that all trees brought forth such fruit ! vnfit therefore was this timon for the acquaintance of man , who profest himselfe so mortall and irreconciliable an enemie to the sociablest and entirest acquaintance of man. so as , these timonists are to be cashiered for two reasons ; first , for their owne harsh and rough condition ; secondly , for the unjust grounds of their opinion , which dissents so far from societie , as it disallowes of marriage , the ordinary meanes appointed to preserve societie . so as , leaving them and their opinion , as alreadie evinced , wee will descend to make choice of your neerest acquaintance , ( i meane ) the choice of your wife ; the first day of which solemnitie promiseth either a succeeding iubile , or a continued scene of sorrow , where nought is sung but dolefull lachrymae . it was pleasantly spoken of him who said ; wives are young mens mistresses ; companions for middle age ; and old-mens nurses . the first sort take as much content in wearing their mistresse favour , as winning it ; the second sort in winning rather than wearing it ; the third neither in wearing nor winning it , but like children , to be cherished and cockered by it . the second sort are we only to speake of , where wives are to be made companions , and such entire ones , as they are bone of your bone , and flesh of your flesh . in the choice whereof , we will propose such necessary cautions , as shall be no lesse usefull to your selves , if rightly observed , than motives of comfort , if duly and exactly considered . he was reputed one of the wise men , that made answer to the question ; when a man should marry ? a young man not yet , an elder man not at all . of which opinion was arminius that ruler of carthage , whose harsh conceit of mariage proceeding either from personall disabilitie , or some experience of womans levitie , deserves small approbation . for had it beene arminius fortune to have matched with arminia , hee would doubtlesse , rather have fallen into admiration of so sacred a rite , than into distaste of it . for this noble lady , being bidden to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband : at night when they were returned home , her husband asked of her , how shee liked the bridegroome , whether shee thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth ( sayes she ) i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . or had calanus prevented hiero of his choice , he would have fallen from his stoicall dreame to a nuptiall song ; for one of hiero's enemies reproching him with a stinking breath , hee went home and questioned his wife why shee told him not thereof ; but what answer gave this continent ladie ? surely ( said she ) i thought all men had the same savour . or had timon attained the happinesse to joyne hands with theogena , wife to agathocles , he had not inveighed so much against the state of marriage ; for this renowned lady shewed admirable constancie in her husbands greatest misery , shewing her selfe most his owne , when hee was relinquis●t and forsaken of his owne , saying , that shee was not given him to be a sharer only in his prosperitie , but in what fortune soever should befall him . or had zenocrates enjoyed zenobia , hee would no lesse have admired his fortune , than beshrewed himselfe for depriving himselfe so long of so sweet a companion . for this princely ladie , after the death of odonatus ( though a barbarian queene ) yet by her reading of both roman and greeke histories , so managed the state after the decease of her husband , as shee retained those fierce and intractable people in her obedience : being a woman no lesse absolute for learning , than discreet governing : for she abridged the alexandrian , and all the orientall histories , ( a taske of no lesse difficultie than utilitie ) whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisdome and authoritie . or had aristippus beene so happie as linked himselfe with artemisia , he would have preferred so kinde and constant a yoke-fellow before all exteriour contemplations : for this chaste and choice lady , after the death of her beloved mausolus , thought it not sufficient to erect a glorious monument in his memory , but to enshrine him in her owne bodie , by drinking his ashes , and interring him in herselfe . many such eminent women may wee reade of in histories both divine and humane , whose vertues have equalled , if not surpassed most men . so as , howsoever it was the milesian thales his saying , that he had cause to give fortune thankes for three things especially ; first , for that he was a man , and not a beast ; secondly , that he was a man , and not a woman ; thirdly , that he was a greeke borne , and not a barbarian : women there be whos 's more noble endowments merit due admiration , because as in their sex weaker and inferiour , so in the gifts of the minde richer and superiour . but now to our choice : for it is to be received as alreadie granted , being by the authoritie of an apostle confirmed , that mariage is honourable among all : and every honourable thing is more eligible than that which is not honourable . so as he that shunneth mariage , and avoideth societie , is to be esteemed a foe to humanitie , or more than a man ; as he whom homer reprehendeth , saying : that he was tribe-lesse , law-lesse , and houselesse . i could wish every young gentleman to make that choice of his mistresse , which seneca would have one observe in the choice of a master ; choose him for thy master ( saith he ) whom thou mayest more admire , seeing him , than hearing him . neither altogether , as egnatius in catullus , is brought out shewing the whitenesse of his teeth : for all outward perfections , are but as fuell to feed desire , without that inward faire , which onely maketh woman worthy loving . for what is a beautifull complexion , being an exteriour good ; or that which euryclea his nurse praised , when she washed the feet of vlysses , namely , gentle speech , and tender flesh , wanting those inward graces , which truly adorne and beautifie women ? so as it is much better to follow his direction in the choice of a wife , who said , that they were to be chosen a modestiá non formâ ; which modestie cannot admit of this ages vanitie , where there nothing is lesse affected than what is comely . for , b these garish fashions agree well with none but prostitutes and shamelesse women . c neither can that face be a good one , which stands in need of these helpes . for d what madnesse is it to change the forme of nature , and seeke beautie from a picture ? e which picture is vices posture , and the ages imposture . f neither doe these affected trumperies , nor exquisite vanities become a christian. g for what is more vaine , than dying of the haire , painting of the face , laying out of breasts ? h doe not say that these can have shamefast mindes , who have such wandring and immodest eyes . i for the habit of the minde is to be discerned by the carriage : so as even in motion , gesture , and pace , is modestie to be observed . how miserable then is the state of these phantasticke idols ▪ who can endure no fashion that is comely , because it would not be observed ? how base is her shape , which must borrow complexion from the shop ? k how can shee weepe for her sinnes ( saith s. hierome ) when her teares will make furrowes in her face ? with what confidence doth she lift up her countenance to heaven , which her maker acknowledges not ? l i would , i poore wretch ( saith tertullian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , whether with cerusse , and vermillion , and saffron , and those tyres and toyes upon your head , you are to rise againe ! which if they doe , they shall certainly witnesse against them , m to receive the reward of their painting in a lake of tormenting . n for these are they who lay hands upon god , correcting with a hand of contempt the workmanship of god. these never carry a box of ointment to bestow on the members of christ , but a o box of complexion they have in readinesse to bestow on a cheeke . which sort of wantons ( for how should i otherwise terme them ) are well displayed by one in their colours after this manner ; p shee surely keepes her fault of sex and nation , and best alloweth still the last translation : much good time lost , shee rests her faces debter , sh 'as made it worse , striving to make it better . this introduced ulcer , which is now esteemed no sore , because custome hath taken away the sense of a sore , how much it was abhorred formerly , may appeare by that command or constitution purposely exhibited to restrain it . q doe not paint thy face which god hath made . but if our women would but consider how hatefull these abuses are in the sight of the almightie , yea , how much they were loathed even of all honest women in former ages , they would distaste them , sure i am , farre more than they affect them . for if we will credit saint r hierome , writing to marcella , who saith ; that those women were matter of scandall to christian eyes , which painted their faces and eyes with vermillion , and such like adulterate complexions . yea he writes , that maximilla montanus his prophetesse , a woman-devill , by command from him whom shee served , did use to paint . so festus pompeius saith , that common and base whores , called schoenicolae , used dawbing of themselves , though with the vilest stuffe . so did the druids amongst the romans , expresly shadowed by the poet ; s preserve what nature gave you , nought's more base than belgian colour on a roman face . t so did our ancient britaines , but not to make their faces more amiable , but to appeare more terrible to the enemie . thus much , gentlemen , i thought good to write , before you make your choice , that you may see who are worth loving before you make your choice . u there is one flower to be loved of women , a good red , which is shamefastnesse ; here make your choice , and you shall finde farre more content in a native than artificiall blush . for as diogenes said to one that had anointed his haire ; x take heed that thy smelling head bring thee not an ill-smelling life ; so beware lest these perfumed ones become not polluted ones . for whosoever shall use them , i cannot choose but suspect them ▪ howsoever i have read of some that maintained the use of painting , grounded upon these ensuing respects ; y such a cause there may be ( saith one ) that women may use painting , and without sinne : as for example , if it be done of purpose to cover any blemish or deformitie . likewise , if the husband command that his wife should doe it , to the end that among other women shee might appeare more amiable . which opinion seemes likewise confirmed by another , who affirmes , z that to receive more beautie by attire or painting , though it be a counterfeit worke , yet it is no mortall sin . so as platina writeth , that paulus secundus , bishop of rome , used to paint himselfe . whom if diogenes had seene , he would doubtlesse have said to him , as hee once said to a youth too curiously and effeminately drest : if thou goest to men , all this is but in vaine ; if unto women , it is wicked . wicked surely , it cannot choose , being ( as it were ) a reproving or reforming of the almightie , whose workmanship is so absolute , as it admits of no correction . take heed therfore that you be not taken with one of these idols , as pigmalion was with his image ; but so direct your affections , as she may be worthy your embrace , whom you shall choose . which that you may the better effect , follow the sages advice in your choice : match with your equall . if not in fortunes , for so both may prove beggers , at least in descent : so will she the better content her selfe with your estate , and conforme her the better to your meanes . for i have seldome seene any difference greater , arising from marriage , than imparitie of birth or descent , where the wife will not sticke to twit her husband with her parentage , and brave him with repetition of her descent . likewise , as i would not have you to entertaine so maine a businesse without mature advice , so i would not have you wholly rely upon a friends counsell ; but as you are to have the greatest oare in the boat , so to make your selfe your owne carver : for he that is enforced to his choice , makes a dangerous bargaine . wherefore ground your choice on love , so shall you not choose but like ; making this your conclusion ; to her in hymens bands i 'le nere be tide , whom love hath not espous'd and made my bride . for what miseries have ensued on enforced mariages , there is no age but may record : where rites enforced , made the hands no sooner joyned , than their minds divorced , bidding adue to content , even at that instant when those unhappie rites were solemnized . the next observance in making your choice , is matter of portion ; a businesse not altogether to be neglected ; for if she be a good wife , a good portion makes her no worse : and if an ill one , she had need of a portion to make her better . for he hath a hard bargaine that hath neither portion in a wife , nor out of a wife . we would account him a weake and simple man , that would enter bond without either consideration or securitie to keepe him harmelesse . you are sure to be bound , be not so farre from consideration , as have nothing to shew for your selfe for your own security . i can commend his wit , who having made choice of a proportion , moving enough to gaine affection , was not content so , but he must know further touching her portion ; that as her proportion procured love , so her portion might enable him how to live : like a quicke epigrammatist he proceedeth thus ; i got a portion and proportion too , one got , the other i desir'd to know , which knowne , though at that season i was free , a thousand pound cost me my libertie . o foole ( quoth my alexis ) to be bound to thraldomes yoke , to gaine a thousand pound ! content thee friend ( said i ) for wor'st thou what , i have beene bound for a lesse summe than that , yet nere was bankrupt , but if so i doubt to lose by th'bargaine , i will banke her out . it is a true saying , something hath some favour ; whereas he that neither gets good wife nor good portion , will make but a hard saver . for he that wants a wife to cherish him , had need of some money to cheere him . having now made choice of your wife , being so well disposed ( as it is to be intended , ) she should not be much restrained : for shee hath alreadie resolved to be no gadder , but in resemblance of the snaile , a good house-keeper . the grecians accustomed to burne , before the doore of the new married , the axletree of that coach , wherein shee was brought to her husbands house , letting her to understand , that she was ever after to dwell there . which custome shee approveth , having made her family her common-weale , where she addresseth her selfe to governe without intermedling in others affaires . neither is she only to be freed from restraint of liberty in going abroad , ( for her occasions call her , or else she could be contented to be housed for ever : ) but in her desire of apparell , or any thing else that shee affecteth . for wheresoever christ is , there is a shamefastnesse ; like as wheresoever antichrist is , there is b shamelesnesse . and this chosen vessell well understands that all garish and gorgeous attire , is the attire of sinne , which shee will not so much as partake with , having learned how that modestie is the only ornament which beseemes a matron . wherefore , you should much wrong your choice to restraine her from the use of any pleasure which she affecteth : for so well disposed is she , as shee affecteth no other pleasure than to converse with vertue , which she holdeth at a higher rate than to be purchased with a masse of treasure . but admit it were your fortune to bestow your selfe on one , whose licentious affection might second faustina's , whose pride sempronia's , and whose shrewd tongue zantippe's : you must make a vertue of a necessitie , and so learne to inure you to patience , as you may be able by continuall exercise to encounter and subdue the violentest passions . how wisely did aurelius cover his faustina's shame , labouring to reclaime by mildnesse , when he could not prevaile by bitternesse ? how discreetly was sempronia's proud humour curbed , and with as little impatience as might be reproved ? how resolutely did socrates forbeare his wife zantippe , though a froward woman , because he thought he might better and with more patience converse with others ? for marriage is no such merchandize , as to promise returne with advantage to all factors . there is a ceremoniall custome used by the duke of venice upon the ascension day , to goe in a vessell called the bucentor , made galley-wise , with other nobles a mile or two into the sea : casting a ring into it , ( by which ceremonie they wed the sea ) that it may never leave the citie upon drie land . certainly , whosoever he be that marrieth a wife , empledging his faith unto her by a ring , must not thinke that he hath brought his ship to a perpetuall harbour , but rather that he is now putting off from land , and entring the maine ocean , where he is to encounter with many violent blasts , contrary winds , surging waves , ebs and flowes , which will not end till his journey end . it were wisdome therefore to beare what we may not avoid : considering , that as the marriage state is subject to many occurrences , so it is endowed with sundry excellent privileges , as the gravitie of the state requireth : as in rome , the lex iulia gave precedencie to him who had most children ; and in florence at this day , hee that is father of five children , straight-way upon the birth of the fifth , is exempted from all imposts , subsidies , and lones . also here in england , a married man ( out of a tender respect to his posterity ) is not so soone prest into the wars as single-men or batchelors . wherefore , as the state is more honoured , so is more sobrietie and government in it required ; bearing your selves patiently without bitternesse , and forbearing your wives for their sexes weaknesse . having thus farre discoursed of acquaintance both at bed and boord ; it were not amisse , if we set downe some especiall directions , which might better instruct you in the choice of them ; which , as protogenes seeing but a little line drawne in a table , knew straight-waies it was apelles doing , whom hee had never seene ; shall upon first sight resolve you , that those friends , or acquaintance , to which these instructions shall direct you , are worthy loving and knowing . there is no one note more infallible of true friendship , than to expresse a faithfulnesse in misery : which faithfulnesse is ever found in these noble and generous dispositions , who can say with chylo , that in all their life-time they were never guiltie of ingratitude . so as nobilitie and affabilitie hold for most part concurrencie : whence the poet ; a disposition towardly and good , implyes a generous and a noble blood . these keepe continuall records of courtesies received ; with a catalogue of such friends as have at their hands worthily deserved . it is reported of henry the fifth , that he never promised any thing , but he registred and set it downe with his owne hand . such noble sparkes are these , who , as they receive acceptably , so they render backe bountifully , making no other benefit of amitie , than as of a mutuall or reciprocall courtesie . neither is it to be wondered at , that i should here make choice of descent or birth , as an especiall or infallible note of true and faithfull amitie : for there is a naturall straine in all creatures , which they take from the parents that bred them ; strong men from strong their native strength doe gather , both bull and horse take spirit from their father . it is a common saying amongst us , that a gentleman will doe like a gentleman ; he scornes to doe unlike himselfe , for his word is his gage , and his promise such a tye as his reputation will not suffer him to dispence with . men of this ranke , as they are readie to beare an equall share in their friends misery , so are they resolved with a spirit undanted , ( if such be their chance ) in their own persons to sustaine misery ; for they esteeme no man so unhappie , as he that cannot beare unhappinesse . in sicilia there is a fountaine called fons solis , out of which at mid-day , when the sunne is neerest , floweth cold water ; at mid-night when the sunne is farthest off , floweth hot water . such fountaines are these firme friends , who , when the sunne shineth hottest upon you , with the raies of prosperitie , will yeeld you cold water , no great comfort or succour , because you need it not : but when the sunne is farthest off , and the darkest clouds which fortune can contract , sit heaviest on you , then they send forth hot water ; they weepe with you , there is hot water ; they suffer with you , there is hot water ; they cheere you drooping , comfort you sorrowing , support you languishing , and in your extremest fortunes are ever sharing . these crie with theophrastus , what care we if this friend be rich , that friend poore , we are the same to either ? make choice therefore of these well bred ones , for though some degenerate , most of them hold . whereas , contrariwise , these who are of a base dunghill descent , it is seldome seene but they have some base and unworthy condition ; being generally all for the time , but little for trust , or as tops which alwayes run round , and never goe forward , unlesse they be whipt . such a neuter among the romans was tully , who could not resolve , whether he should take caesars part or pompeyes part . among the grecians was tydides , who could not determine whether he should joyne himselfe with achilles or hector ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . among the persians was nabarzanes , who seeing his masters fortunes decline , laboured to joyne himselfe to him whose fortunes were in rising . such were tiberius friends , who shrunke from him , hearing with patience , tiberium in tiberim . and such were our northerne borderers , who have beene alwayes uncertaine friends in extremities , and assured enemies upon advantage . of which it may be said , as was spoken of the philosophers cloake , pallium video , philosophum non video : i see the cover of a friend , but no friend . for as nothing is more hatefull than a doubtfull and uncertaine man , who now draweth his foot backe , and now putteth it forward ; so there is nothing more distastefull to any man , than these faire protesting friends , whose hollow and undermining hearts make a shew of faire weather abroad , when there is a tempest at home , comming towards you with their feet , but going from you with their hearts . in briefe , they are danaus tubs , or running sieves that can hold no water ; leave them therefore to themselves , if you desire in safety to enjoy your selves . now , to the end i may acquaint you likewise with the rest of such motives to love , as are powerfully working in the affection of the minde ; as we have touched the first motive or inducement to love , to wit , parentage or descent , which cannot so farre degenerate from it selfe , but it must of necessity shew it selfe : so it attracts other motives of love unto it , as benevolence in rewarding ; excellencie or admiration proceeding from the fame of such redoubted hero's , as have their names charactred and ingraven in leaves of brasse , to preserve their memorie : as salomon for his wisdome , whom , no doubt , nicaula queen of saba had a desire to see & be known to , through report of his wisdome ; so as her long journey seemed short , having understood that to be true with her owne eare , which shee had only heard of before by report . how much likewise was david affected for his valour , in discomfiting the uncircumcised philistin ? so was alexander , whose report brought the amazon thalestris from her owne countrey , of purpose to be knowne to so invincible a spirit . so hercules , achilles , dardanus , diomedes , scipio , hannibal , constantine , &c. whose exploits purchased them love to such as were never acquainted with their persons . pardoning likewise of injuries , is an excellent motive of love. when chylo's brother was angry that himselfe was not made ephorus as well as he : o ( quoth he ) i know how to suffer injuries , so doest not thou ! though diogenes the cynick answered uncivilly to alexander , when he came to his poore mansion in synope , his philosophers barrell , yet hee replied unto his satyricall speech with no indignation ; but said to such of his attendants , as derided the boarish and exoticke speech of diogenes , if i were not alexander , i would wish to be diogenes . the like instance may be confirmed by holy writ : where miriam , for murmuring against moses , was stricken with a lothsome leprosie : he could not suffer this condigne punishment to be inflicted on her , but demanded of god that hee would cure her . another motive to love , is hatred , where an ill occasion procureth among enemies a reconciliation . herod and pilat enemies before , were reconciled in combining their powers together against christ. mastives , if set together , will fight till death , but in the presence of a bull will joyne together . sometimes mutuall affliction procureth mutuall affection . such resorted to david , as were persecuted by saul , being such as were amaro animo . where sauls enmitie brought david to a triall of hushai's faithfull amitie ; where hee found the words of ecclesiasticus to be true , a faithfull friend is a strong defence ; and hee that findeth such a one , findeth a treasure . for when wee are in the greatest straights , such an one sheweth the most strength : so as the apostles words may be here verified , strength is made perfect in weaknesse . where one afflicted friend supporteth another , by joyning their strengths together . another motive there is , proceeding from some especiall delivery from danger : for who will not esteeme him for a friend , who will expose himselfe to danger , to deliver his friend ? iudith entred bethulia with holofernes head , and by that meanes preserved her countrey from ruine and desolation . esther procured the death of haman , repealed those severe and cruell lawes enacted , proclaimed , and even ready to be executed by hamans suggestion , in the kingdome of the medes and persians ; whereby she purchased eternall honour , love and memory in her countrey . the same love gained moses for delivering the israelites from the thraldome of aegypt . the like may be said of ioshua , samson , maccabeus , and many others frequent in holy writ . the romans so highly honoured and affected such as protected their countrey , and defended her libertie , as they bestowed no lesse style on them than patres patriae . another motive there is , drawing one enemie to love another , induced thereto in respect of compassion , or some other princely vertue which he seeth in him . when saul understood that david might have taken away his life , and would not , levavit vocem & flevit : his threats were changed into teares , and his passion into a teare-swolne admiration , to see his foe so full of compassion . we are induced likewise to love them that tell and confesse sincerely their offences ; for an ingenuous acknowledgment of what is done , moves us to commiserate his case by whom it is done , yea quencheth all hate , as if a small sparke were drenched in the sea. likewise in the toleration of wrongs , wee are enforced to love him who suffereth them , and having power to revenge , will not out of the noblenesse of his spirit , doe what he may . to conclude , bountie is a motive to love ; for giving gifts gathereth friends : which bountie is most worthy acceptance , when done with cheerefulnesse . hilarem datorem diligit deus . thus have we traced over such motives as generally induce or procure love , friendship , or acquaintance ; wherein observe the lesson of the sonne of sirach : depart from thine enemies , and beware of thy friends : for some man is a friend for his owne occasion , and will not abide in the day of thy trouble . now if you would understand , how a man may know a friend , you shall find him described , and by certaine infallible markes discovered in the twelfth chapter of the same booke . but alwayes , beware ( saith he ) of deceitfull friends , lest feeling the bitternesse of them , you finde the saying of the prophet true : all the men of thy confederacie , have driven thee to the borders : the men that were at peace with thee , have deceived thee , and prevailed against thee : they that eat thy bread , have laid a wound under thee : there is none understanding in him . make choice then of him for your acquaintance , whom you may worthily esteeme of as a second-selfe : so may you communicate your counsells freely , acquaint him with your griefes friendly , and share in comforts and afflictions fully . thus much for the choice of acquaintance ; wherein i have the rather enlarged my discourse , because i know that as there is nothing more usefull to direction or instruction , than where good ones are elected ; so there is nothing more hurtfull in the maine matter of discipline or conversation , than where ill ones are affected and frequented . many and singular were the commendations attributed to augustus , amongst which none more absolute than this : as none was more slow in entertaining , so none more firme of constant in retaining ; which agrees well with that of the sonne of sirach : if thou gettest a friend , prove him first , and be not hastie to credit him . but having found him , we are to value him above great treasures : the reason is annexed : a faithfull friend is a strong defence , and hee that findeth such a one , findeth a treasure . this adviseth every one to be no lesse wary in his choice , than constant in the approvement of his choice ; so as it rests now , that wee presse this point by reasons and authorities , illustrating by the one , and confirming by the other , how consequent a thing it is to shew our selves constant in the choice of our acquaintance . there is no one thing more dangerous to the state of man , or more infallibly proving fatall , than lightnesse in entertaining many friends , and no lesse lightly cashiering those who are entertained . which errour i have observed to have borne principall sway in our new-advanced heires , whose onely ambition it is to be seene numerously attended , phantastically attired , and in the height of their absurdities humoured . these are they , who make choice of acquaintance , only by outward habit , or which is worse , by roisting or russian behaviour : with whom that false armory of yellow bands , nittie lockes , and braving mouchato's have ever had choice acceptance . and herein , observe the misery of these depraved ones ; who having made choice of these mis-spenders of time , and abusers of good gifts , they will more constantly adhere to them , than with better affected consorts . oh that young gentlemen would but take heed from falling unwarily upon these shelves , who make shipwracke of their fortunes ( the remaines of their fathers providence ; ) yea not only of their outward state , which were well to be prevented , lest misery or basenesse over-take them ; but even of their good names , those precious odours which sweeten and relish the pilgrimage of man ! for what more hatefull than to consort with these companions of death , whose honour consists meerely in protests of reputation , and whose onely military garbe is to tosse a pipe is stead of a pike , and to flie to their tinderbox to give charge to their smoakie ordnance , to blow up the shallow-laid foundation of that shaken fortresse of their decayed braine ? these hot-liverd salamanders are not for your company ( gentlemen ) nor worthy your acquaintance ; for of all companions , those are the worthiest acceptance , who are so humble-minded and well affected , as they consort with others purposely to be bettered by them ; or being knowing men , by their instructions to better them . that course which the ancient vestalls observed , such usefull companions as these have ever seconded . they first learned what to doe ; secondly , they did what they had learned ; thirdly , they instructed others to doe as they had learned . such as these were good companions to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . first , they are good to pray with ; for such as these only were they who assembled together in one place , imploying their time religiously in prayers , supplications , and giving of thankes : and honouring him , whom all powers and principalities doe honour with divine melodie : which was expressed not so much with the noise of the mouth , as with the joyfull note of the heart , nor with the sound of the lips , as with the soule-solacing motion of the spirit , nor with the consonance of the voice , as with the concordance of the will : for , as the precious stone diacletes , though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it loseth them all , if it be put in a dead mans mouth : so prayer , which is the onely pearle and jewell of a christian , though it have many rare and exquisite vertues in it , yet it loseth them every one , if it be put into a dead-mans mouth , or into a mans heart either , that is dead in sinne , and doth not knocke with a pure hand . so many rare presidents have former times afforded , all most inimitable in this kinde , as to make repetition of them , would crave an ample volume ; we will therefore only touch some speciall ones , whose devotion hath deserved a reverence in us towards them , and an imitation in us after them . nazianzen in his epitaph for his sister gorgonia , writeth , that shee was so given to prayer , that her knees seemed to cleave to the earth , and to grow to the very ground , by reason of incessancie or continuance in prayer ; so wholly was this saint of god dedicated to devotion . gregory in his dialogues writeth , that his aunt trasilla being dead , was found to have her elbowes as hard as horne ; which hardnesse shee got by leaning to a deske , at which shee used to pray ; so continued was the devotion of a zealous professour . eusebius in his history writeth , that iames the brother of our lord , had knees as hard as camels knees , benummed and bereaved of all sense and feeling , by reason of continuall kneeling in prayer ; so sweet was this taske , undertaken for gods honor , where practice made that an exercise or solace , which the sensual man maketh a toile or anguish . hierom in the life of paul the eremite writeth , that he was found dead , kneeling upon his knees , holding up his hands , lifting up his eyes : * so that the very dead corps seemed yet to live , and by a kinde of zealous and religious gesture to pray still unto god. so transported or rather intraunced was the spirit of this lovely dove , as even in death he expressed the practice of his life . these followed augustines rule in their forme of prayer : seeke ( saith he ) what you seeke , but seeke not where you seeke . seeke christ , that 's a good what . seeke what you seeke ; but seeke him not in bed , that is an ill where . but seeke not where you seeke : moses found christ not in a soft bed , but in a bramble bush . for as we cannot goe to heaven on beds of downe , no more can those devotions pierce heaven which are made on beds of downe . albeit , every place is good , for as no place is freed from occasion of sin , so no place should be free from prayer , which breaketh downe the partition-wall of our sinne . but certainly those downie prayers taste too much of the flesh , to relish well of the spirit ; for as he is a delicate master , who , when his belly is full , disputeth of fasting ; so he is a sensuall prayer , who in his bed only , addresseth himselfe to devotion . neither are these only good companions to pray with , but also to play with ; i meane to recreate and refresh our mindes with , when at any time pressed or surcharged either with cares of this world , or in our discontinuance from more worthy and glorious meditations of the world to come : for as in the former we are usually plunged , so by the latter wee are commonly enfeebled , at least wearied , if by some recreations , to entertaine and allay the tediousnesse of more wearie houres , we be not refreshed and solaced . now in our choice of acquaintance , as like requireth like , so are we to sort our selves to an equality both in degree and condition . when some of alexanders companions demanded of him , if he would runne a race with them ; willingly , ( said he ) if there were kings to runne withall . for this parity breeds affection , and an equalitie of minds in any recreation : while neither respect to an inferiour ranke begets contempt , nor an eye to superiority begetteth feare . besides , as there is an equality of degree , so is there an equalitie of mind concurring with that degree . there is no pleasure affected by one , which is not entertained with free approbation by another : for in all their jestings , sportings , and delightfull meetings , they are provided of a disposition , equally tempered to give a jest , and take a jest : having ever in mind that common english proverbe , play with me , but hurt me not ; jest with me , but shame me not . for their sports , as they are harmelesse without guile , so their conceits are pleasant without gall . there is neither saltnesse in the one , nor harshnesse in the other . neither doe these make sport or pastime a vocation , as if they were borne to nothing else than play : for these delights of theirs , which are ever moderate , and therefore truly seasoned , they make use of , as physitians of sugar-plates , which they minister to their patients , to take away the taste of a more bitter potion . it is worth observing , to note the excellent use which these men make of recreation . they can use it with such temperance , as they can command the pleasure which they use , and not be commanded by it . their only pleasure is to contemne pleasure , yea even to dis-esteeme it in their height of pleasure : neither , because pleasure delighteth , doth it please them , but because it pleaseth , it doth delight them . it is the excellent'st office of some mens vertue to perswade the use of pleasure , recounting at their table creatures of all sorts , with which by how much more they are filled , by so much more their appetites remaine unsatisfied . briefly , whereas their discretion hath subjected appetite to reason , in gaming they play without desire of g●ining ; in recreations of the body , their aime is to refresh and renue nature , without any desire of mastery ; in their solemne feasts , they feed without sursetting ; in their may-games , they are merry without exceeding ; in their flashes or encounters of wit , they are pregnant , present , and pleasant without offending . those are most fruitfull and fertile in rendering fruit ( saith the philosopher ) which partake most of cold and moist : which position intendeth the conceptive part ; but my assertion reacheth further ; for i conclude , such as these being equally tempered , to be most copious in the principall workes or faculties of the understanding , being three ; first to discourse ▪ second to distinguish , third to choose . for the first whereof , it resteth that we now proceed in proofe , concluding ; these not to be only the best companions to pray or play with ( as wee have formerly proved ) but to converse , or commerce with , as we shall hereafter make manifest . megabizes esteemed alexander as a prince , whiles he stood in his schoole and said nothing ; but when he began to talke of things which he knew not , he said unto him , that even his little children would laugh him to scorne . this speech of megabizes proceeded ( as may be imagined ) from some words uttered , or reasons alleaged by alexander , which relished little of philosophie , being a studie to which a souldier is for most part a stranger . but these men , whom we now have in hand , and whom we have made choice of , as fit companions to converse and commerce with , are men of such singular discretion , as they wil preferre silence before discovery of their ignorance . these know for what end or purpose the bars and gates of the lips and teeth ( like a double ward ) were ordained to limit or restraine the tongue . these observe , how man hath two eyes to see with , two nosthrills to breathe with , two hands to labour with , two feet to walke with , but one tongue to talk with ; implying , that one tongue requires as much government as any two members of all the body . neither only is their speech wisely silenced , but when delivered , discreetly seasoned . seasoned with mildnesse and affabilitie , without the least expression of roughnesse or austeritie . where two meeke men meet together , their conference ( saith bernard ) is sweet and profitable ; where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . neither in mildnesse and affabilitie onely , but in the highest pitch of wisdome , is their discourse seated . whence it was ( as i have heretofore noted ) that aristotle debating of the convenience and proprietie of discourse before alexander ; maintained , that none were to bee admitted to speake , but either those that managed his warres , or his philosophers which governed his house . which wisdome of discourse hath beene formerly so much affected , as plutarch reporteth that plato came forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause but onely to see his deare friend phocion the philosopher , and to converse with him . this caused nica●la ▪ the queene of saba , to travell from her owne country to iudea , to heare the wisdome of salomon : yea , peruse those athenian nights in gellius , how and in what excellent manner , with what varietie of discourse , propriety of conference , strength of arguments those winter-nights were bestowed , and you shall finde there fit companions for schollers , souldiers , and all generous professours . neither are they consorts only fit to converse with , but to commerce with also ; for these are no bankrupt merchants , or desperate factors , who use to dispence with conscience and credit , rather than in a conscionable sort discharge their credit . so as , how soever the sonne of sirach may seeme to conclude , there be two things , which me thinke to be hard and perillous ; a merchant cannot lightly keepe him from wrong , and a victualler is not without sinne . so well and equally are the ships of these good merchants ballased , as rather than they will make shipwracke of a good conscience , or runne their reputation upon the shelfe of disgrace , they will suffer the worst of extremes . these are none of those , who make sale of deceitfull commodities , to enrich their seldom thriving progenie with impostures . these are none of those trifling mountebankes , who draw on customers with faire protests , and shew strange experiments upon their sophisticated oyles , to delude the ignorant . these are none of our inconsiderate factors , who make exchange of english money with indian trifles , enriching forraine countries with our treasures , and fooling our own with their feathers . these are none of our sea-sharkes , who under pretence of merchandize , exercise piracie ; bearing the world in hand that they befriend us , when they practise all hostilitie against us . these are none of our dangerous spies , who pretending they come to trade or commerce with us , arrive purposely to note what strength is amongst us . no , these are factors of better temper and more honestie , hating deceit , though that might enrich them ; scorning the mountebankes trade , though that might draw customers to them ; discarding all inconsiderate factors , who give money for feathers , though in fooling others , they might gaine by them ; cashiering all sea-sharkes , who by piraticall practices , use to support them ; excluding all dangerous spies , who to discover others weaknes , purposely embark them . in briefe , would you have their character ? they can discourse of novelties without affectation , impart their minds freely without dissimulation , valuing no losse so great , as the hazard of their reputation . these are those friends which deserve your choice and acceptance ; these are they , who , as upon good grounds you have made choice of , so should you bee constant in your choice . for you are not to be so light in the choice of your acquaintance , as in the choice of your fashion ; where every giddie head sorts himselfe to what is newest , not what is neatest ; for so should you be ever choosing , and farre from constancie in choosing . rather having got a friend and proved him , first in matters of small weight , and afterwards in affaires of greater consequence ; labour by all meanes to retaine him , for you have found a treasure : forsake not this old friend , for the new is not comparable unto him . you have got a friend , proved and tried him to be no ambitious man , for ambition is fearfull , and for the least crosse of fortune will forsake true friendship . you have got a friend , proved and tried him to be no covetous man , for covetousnesse selleth fellowship , faith and honesty ; to conclude , you have got a friend , who will not by glozing deceive you ; by ayming at his owne private ends , entrap you ; by hunting after popular praise , disvalue you ; or by consorting wich politicke heads , endanger you . keepe him then , and be constant in your choice , holding him so firmely knit unto you , as if hee were individually united to your selfe ; for a friend , ( provided that he be such an one as we have charactred him ) is a second-selfe , and therefore as impossible to be divided from you , as you from your selfe . and may this suffice to be spoken touching constancie in the choice of acquaintance , wherein as we ought to be circumspect in our choice , so ought we to be constant , having had proofe of the faithfulnesse of our choice . there is nothing which argues more indiscretion , than an aptnesse of discovering our selves ; so as , we are advised in getting a friend , to prove him first , and not to be hasty to credit him . for albeit , the precept may seem generall , the secrets of our friend we may not discover ; which is confirmed by the sonne of s●rach , who so discovereth secrets , loseth his credit , and findeth no friend after his will. yet , how many are there , who either through unfaithfulnesse , as they will not , have brought their friends to extremest hazard ? yea , not onely our common friends , but even those who sleep in our owne bosome ; as dalilah plaid with samson , either simply or subtilly will discover our secret'st counsells to our enemie : so as , we may take up the complaint of samson , which he made in the discovery of his riddle : if he had not plowed with our heifer , he had not found out our riddle . had not that woman by the river of sorek , that subtill dalilah , betrayed his trust , how invincible had samson remained , no lesse powerfull to his friends , than fearfull to his enemies ? whence we may gather , how dangerous it is to discover the secrets of our heart , even to those to whom we have engaged our heart : for wee ought not to give our friend power over us . this is seconded by a divine precept : give not thy son and wife , thy brother and friend , power over thee while thou livest ; and give not away thy substance to another , les● it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe . whence wee are advised to a two-fold reservancie ; first in concealing our secrets ; secondly , in retaining our substance . for the first , he explaines himselfe more fully in the ensuing verse ; as long as thou livest , and hast breath , give not thy selfe over to any person . for the second , he gives a reason in the end of the former verse ; give not away thy substance to another , lest it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe . of which two parts , and the reservancie which we are to observe in either , my purpose is briefly and plainly to intreat ; and first of the first , to wit , reservancie of secrets , wherein i will be as briefe as the qualitie of the subject will suffer me . it is said of geese , that , when at the change of seasons , they passe from cilicia , over the mountaine taurus , which abounds with eagles ; they carry stones in their bills , for feare their crie should discover them to their enemies . reason should teach us that , which nature hath instructed them , lest by diverting from the rule of reason , we become inferiour to them , who never had the use of reason . for there is nothing which detracts more from the glory of man , than by too prodigall a discovery of himselfe , to lay himselfe open to the trust of another : so as it may be positively averred , there is nothing that betrayeth a man so much to ruine , as his owne credulitie . dionysius gave straight commandement , the head of brias , one of the gentlemen of his chamber , should be cut off , for telling plato , who had demanded of him what the tyrant did , that he had stripped himselfe by reason of the heat , and was painting in a table . so tender were princes of the discovery of their actions , even in affaires of indifferencie . let us imitate therefore that grecian of former times , who being told that his breath did smell , answered , it was by reason of the many secrets , which had a long while laine rotting , and put●ifying within him . let our bosome ( the recluse of secrets ) be like the lions den in the apologue ; towards the mouth whereof , the prints and prickings of sundry sorts of beasts , might easily be discerned , sed nulla retrorsum , but from thence none at all . let us alwayes talke with harpocrates , at the signe of the finger on the mouth ; and learne of anacharsis , that the tongue hath need of more strong restraint than nature . let us not be too curious , with them of bethshemesh , in the search of other mens secrets , nor yet too carelesse with hezekiah , in the discovery of our own . morality giveth us a prohibition for the one , and a precept for the other ; seeke not to know that secrecie thy friend reserved hath , but keepe what 's tender'd to thy trust , though drunke with wine and wrath . and indeed it is a prophanation of dutie to publish any thing we should not ; and too much insinuation to winde our selves in the privacie of others secrets , which make knowne we ought not . those things therefore , which are to be concealed , let us conceale them , vt curia martis athenis , as close as either silence or darknesse will afford us meanes to keepe them , both from eye and eare : for the better effecting whereof , there is necessarily required in every one a wise distrust , and slownesse of beleefe , wherewith the brest must so equally be ballanced , that he may steddily run on , without suffering shipwracke in such a doubtfull and dangerous course . it hath beene ever held a singular argument of policie , to have an open face , but a shut heart ; to give entertainment with a free and affable countenance , but with a wise and discreet reservancie of our counsells , to prevent the occasion of giving our friend power over us . yea , but it may be objected , it may sometimes fall out , that a friend cannot performe the office of a friend , but by discovering the secret purpose or practice of another : for how could faithfull ionathan advertise david of sauls wicked purpose against him , but by discovering what saul in secret had imparted to him ? how could he ( i say ) have advertised david of his fathers fury , by shooting three arrowes , but by discovering what his father had secretly intended against him ? to which objection it may be thus answered ; that , as amongst evill men there can be no true friendship continued , so neither are the secrets of such men , tending ever to mischiefe and effusion of innocent bloud , to be concealed , but by all meanes should be discovered , that such tragicall issues might be prevented . yea , but it may be againe objected , that admit this were so , may wee not impart our griefes to a friend , or communicate our counsells to one , whom we have made triall of to be trustie and faithfull ? to which i answer , that wee may , but with this provision , that we never unrip our bosome so farre , as to give our friend power over us , in matters which may either concerne life , state , or name . for though your experience of the trust of such a friend hath beene long , and those affaires wherein you have imployed him , of serious consequence : we have knowne many comicall beginnings , have a tragicall catastrophe ; many promising mornings turne to duskie afternoones ; many faire glozing friends recoile ( like the bat in the fable ) and become either neuters , or profest enemies . so as , it was wisely answered by that learned sage to one who demanded of him , what hee thought to be the hardest thing in the world ; to keepe counsell , quoth he . we say , it is good sleeping in a whole skin ; but how can our sleepes be quiet , our rest from terrours freed , when wee have lost our libertie by committing our secrets to others trust ? yea , but friendship , being one soule ruling two hearts , or one heart dwelling in two bodies , loseth her prerogative , if excluded from partaking in her friends griefes or comforts : for would you thinke it well , that your friend should finde you sad , and so leave you ; sick , without ministring any comfort to you ; or poore , without releeving you ? surely , you could not chuse but thinke such an one commeth to jest , rather than to visit or comfort you . now , how should he comfort you , who is wholly ignorant of the cause of your discomfort ; or how minister any receits to you , when he knowes not what distempers you ; or how releeve you , when he knowes not of any povertie that hath befallen you ? whereto i answer , that these are not to be numbred among those secrets which wee hold unfitting to bee imparted or discovered , by one friend to another ; for the discovery of these may profit , but cannot prejudice us . whereas , the disclosing of such secrets as concerne our name , may afterwards brand us with infamie ; or such as concerne our state , may bring us to povertie ; or such as concerne our life , may weave our unhappie webbe in a fearfull tragedy . therefore it is good counsell , not to give our friend power over us , but with a circumspect eye to take heed whom we entertaine as a friend ; and of what nature those secrets are , which we impart to that friend . when that unhappie emperour commodus had communicated his secret'st thoughts to martia , his best affected concubine ; and withall , how his purpose was , before many dayes were ended , to dispatch laetus and electus , two of his senators : shee perceiving how the world went , and that the emperour was no lesse inconstant in his love , than illimited in his lust , discovered to the senators what the prince had intended against them ; which to prevent , with one consent they resolved to dispatch the emperour , and so rid them of all occasion of feare . farre more hatefull was that act of bessus and nabarzanes , in discovering the counsels of their unfortunate prince darius ; which discovery , though it deposed their prince of crowne , and deprived him of life , rewarded those disloyall traytors with a deserved end . should we but take a view of the doublenesse and deceitfulnesse of friends , whose only aymes are , for most part , to take advantage of our opennesse , wee should find , though there be some hushaies , or faithfull friends , so there be some false brethren , who secretly ( under pretence of amitie ) will labour to undermine us . for if we be great , we shall have some to ply our veine , soothing us with the height of our place , the eminence of our state , our easie accesse to a higher step , if we will take hold of occasion ; and with these are young-men , whose unripened judgements never attained to the discovery of persons , chiefly pleased , and to these are their secret'st thoughts ever imparted ; on these are they wholly planted , and in these is their principall trust reposed : yet loe , they trust in broken staves of reed , on which if they leane , they will goe thorow their hand and pierce it . againe , are we rising to greatnesse , and in the first spring of promotion ? we shall find these chattering swallowes ever flying about us , pretending friendship and secrecie in our counsels ; but misery attends us , if we entertaine them . to be briefe , are we rich ? if we have discovered any secret to them , which may prejudice us being revealed , wee shall be sure to have that secret vented , if our hollow coun●ellour be not rewarded . are we poore ? though our state need not feare undoing , our secrets must be discovered , if the meanest may be gratified by the discovery . thus no ranke may be exempted , no degree freed from prejudice , where counsels are disclosed . indeed sometimes it happeneth , that a friend discovers the secrets of a friend ; because , out of the justnesse of himselfe , and the integritie of his owne conscience , which no respect will suffer him to violate , hee cannot endure the sinister or indirect practice of his friend , and therefore discovers it to give meanes of prevention to the innocent . which may be instanced in the ●●ount of melin his confession , who lying upon his death-bed here in england , disclosed the purpose of king lewis his master , to the chiefe peeres and barons of the realme ; who considering the inevitable danger into which they were falling , by giving free entrie to the french king , wisely in time ( and but in time ) expulsed him , receiving their unhappie deposed king , to avoid an ensuing mischiefe . now the occasion of this discovery , though it be divers wayes conjectured , yet the probablest in my opinion is , to refer it to the compassion which count melin had of the english nation , whose state had beene , to the judgement of all men , grievously shaken , had lewis , as he was already arrived , beene peaceably possessed of the same . now to conclude this point , i hold that english proverbe worthie our remembrance , in affaires of secrecie : one may keepe counsell , but two cannot : implying , that it is the safest and surest course to be a mans owne secretary , so shall ●e not give his friend power over him , but sleepe quietly without feare of discovery , having none but his owne brest to betray him to his enemie . the second thing , which , as we formerly noted , requireth a reservancie in us towards our acquaintance , is a respect to our substance ; which should neither be lashed out lavishly , nor hoorded up niggardly . and herein i have observed a great vanitie in young gentlemen , who are no sooner mounted in their fathers saddle , or made heires of his providence , than upon purchase of acquaintance , ( which a young master cannot want ) he begins to squander his revenues upon gifts , to feed his thirstie followers : but see the issue of these bountifull novices , they change their acres into peeces , and so peece-meale divide them , till they fall all into peeces , and have not one peece to cover them . so as , it is true which the poet hath observed ; the prodigall and foole gives what he scornes and hates , and with his state makes other men to glory in their states . wherefore the lesson is good , and well deserveth our observation , which is given to us by the son of sirach : that not only to our friends , acquaintance , or the like , but even to our children , whose naturall respect to their parents , should binde them to be gratefull , we should not be too forward in distributing our substance , concluding thus : for better it is that thy children should pray unto thee , than that thou shouldest looke up to the hands of thy children . if we be advised to use this reservancie to our owne , even those whose naturall affection will enforce bountie at the parents hand , much more to our acquaintance , whose pretended semblances , or outward protestations many times tend rather by fawning to feed on us , than by true profession of friendship to bestead us . oh gentlemen , how many through too easie a hold have exposed themselves , as a prey to the avaritious desires of their followers ; where many times it falleth out , that the servant is able to purchase his master , having enriched himselfe by feeding his humour ! yet see the unthankfulnesse of many of these ; having made them a garment of their masters shreads , and raised themselves to a great estate by his prodigalitie , they can learne to put on a scornefull countenance towards their landlesse master , entertaine him with contempt , forget his bountie , and ascribe all to their owne thriving providence , which proceeded meerely from his profusenesse . so well can these thriving timists , who raise their fortunes from their masters ruines , shape themselves to all times , that they may profit by all meanes . there are acquaintance likewise , whose aimes as they extend only to themselves , so they will use any indirect course , how irregular soever , to bring their purpose about . and of these , we had a late example , even in our owne countrey , and within the walls of this flourishing citie : which example , that it might remaine to the memory of succeeding times , for the benefit whereof , as well as of these present , our labours should be addressed , i thought good here to set downe . there was a young gentleman , whose profuser course having consumed much of his meanes , was enforced , upon some present extremities urging him , to make a morgage of a peece of land , which peece was the very last which he had left him : the money being lent and spent , and now the un-foreseene day of payment approaching , the young gentleman driven to an exigent , made recourse by chance , to an ancient acquaintance of his , by trade a chandler , who was a monied man , and could finde a friend in a corner , who upon a commodious bargaine would at any time bestead him of a good summe . hee , the chandler i meane , noting what benefit the morgage of the young gentlemans land might be unto him , if he redeemed his estate , which now lay a bleeding , and tooke the morgage into his owne hand , concluded with the gentleman , and releeved his present wants , proposing a certaine day for redemption of the said morgage : which was kindly accepted of by the gentleman , little thinking how he fell from the fire into the flame , and by avoiding charybdis , had fallen into scylla . the time now drew neere , which was limitted the gentleman to redeeme the premises : whence a double care or feare ensued ; a feare and provident care in the gentleman of procuring money to redeeme it ; a feare in the chandler , lest it should be redeemed , and so the hopes he had of so beneficiall a bargaine frustrated . which to prevent , ( marke the impiety of the age even in this one example ) the chandler against the day limitted and prefixed , repaires to a consort of opportunate agents for his purpose ; assacinates fleshed in all mischiefe , and ready to embrace any motion , or engage themselves in any action , which might minister fuell to their riot . and these he acquaints ( as it seemes their acquaintance was ancient ) how he knew of a rich bootie for them , if they had hearts to attempt , and resolutions to effect , what their present wants enforced them to attempt . they desirous to heare of that booty , promising him reward if their purpose came to effect , pressed him ( as little pressing needed to such a base instrument ) that he would discover , where this bootie might be purchased . he imparted his minde freely , and told them that such a gentleman ( being the same who had made a morgage of his land unto him ) was to come provided of a great summe of money , upon such a day , and by such a place , as gave opportunitie for the attempt , which they might easily obtaine , having none but himselfe and his man to resist them . they , at the first seemed jealous of him , imagining it was some fetch meerely to intrap and circumvent them ; but being more confident upon his protestations , that his purpose was to benefit them , not to betray them ; they generally consented to this plot , provided that they might have his company , not onely to direct them , but share and partake with them : whereto the chandler condescended , choosing rather to be an assistant in the practice , than prevented of his purpose . to be short , vizards and disguises were provided , and all things fitted , that such an attempt might be furthered : where , by direction of their leader , they tooke their stand , where the unfortunate gentleman was to passe ; who , within some few houres after , came according to their expectance , provided of a summe purposely to redeeme his estate ( the last remainder of his fortunes ) out of the hands of the chandler . but he is intercepted and bid stand , whose present occasions admit no stay : and in briefe , stripped of all his money , and bound , he and his man , and throwne into a gravell-pit , where wee leave them : and returne to this perfidious chandler , who expecting to be a sharer as well in the stake , as in the forfeiture of his estate , is by his wittie copesmates used after another sort than hee looked for ; being bound hand and foot , and throwne into a ditch adjoyning ; where he remained , till a shepherds boy having occasion to come that way , hearing one pitiously mourning , drew neere to the place where hee heard the voice ; but seeing onelye there bound in an ugly vizard , and disguised after an uncoth manner , as one afraid , he run from him , albeit the chandler humbly intreated him , to lend his helping hand to loose him . the noise which the chandler made , desiring aid from the shepherd , and the shepherd denying aid to the chandler , was now come to the care of the afflicted gentleman , and his man : wherefore they sent out their complaint , as men pitifully distressed ; which the shepherd hearing , came forth with to the place where they lay bound , and seeing the gentleman , and his man , lent them his helping hand , and delivered them from their bonds : directing them withall , to the pit where the chandler his treacherous acquaintance lay , whom hee knew by his disguise to be one of those , who had taken his money from him : but having pulled off his vizard , and perceived him to be none but the chandler , his professed friend ▪ you may imagine what diversitie of perplexed thoughts encountred him ; but suspecting the worst , which after proved the truest , hee caused him to be brought before a iustice , where he was examined touching the premises , which , to his shame hee confessed , discovering himselfe to be both actour and authour of that perfidious complot . for which , being committed , and legally tried , he was adjudged according to his desert , to receive the condigne punishment of death . whose goods being confiscate , our late prince of renowned memory , out of his royall compassion to the gentlemans estate , allotted so much in his princely bounty , as redeemed his engaged lands , repossessing him thereof to his great joy , and an example to succeeding ages , not to repose too much confidence in the profession of acquaintance . many examples of like sort ( though this may seeme imparallel ) might be here produced , but i cannot insist upon this point . what hath beene herein discoursed , principally tendeth to this end and purpose , to deterre young gentlemen from discovering themselves too openly to these glozing and temporizing acquaintance , whose onely ayme is to benefit themselves by their weaknesse , and make their prodigality the only foundation of their providence . whence it is , that many times they become enrichers of their retinue , but beggerers of their posterity . and which is of all others most miserable , those , whose sponges they were , and had squeased them of all their fortunes , will contemptuously demeane themselves towards them , and unthankfully sleight them , who by impoverishing their owne meanes , have enriched them ; whose natures in the person of one especiall ungratefull man , are to life expressed by the poet ; ragg'd rockes him bred , brute beasts him fed , no thankefulnesse can enter his seared brest , or sealed chest , which is of flintie temper . and let this suffice to be spoken of reservancie towards acquaintance , both in respect of our secrecie of counsell ; lest by discovering our selves either upon confidence of anothers trust , or transported with passion , ( the end whereof is the beginning of repentance ) wee give out friend power over us , and so by too credulous trust bewray our owne weaknesse : or in respect of our substance ; by a prodigall bountie to our friends and followers , without respect had of our meanes , and so make our followers our masters . so as , it is right wholesome counsell , which that wise sonne of sirach gave , and which wee formerly alleaged , but cannot be too often renewed ; give not away thy substance to another , lest it repent thee , and thou intreat for the same againe : concluding with this excellent precept ; be not excessive toward any , and without discretion doe nothing . now excuse me , gentlemen , if i have insisted longer on these two points , than the qualitie of the subject we have in hand , might seeme to require : for i am not ignorant how many of your ranke have unfortunately fallen on these two dangerous shelves , either , i meane , by too open a discovery of themselves , or by too prodigall a hand in giving , what they may afterwards stand in need of to releeve themselves . but of these we shall have occasion to speake more amply in our discourse of moderation ; meane time , let this lesson be ever imprinted in the tablet of your memory : impart your minde , but not your secrets ; give where you see desert , but with such reservance , as it may neither repent you to have given , having extended your bountie to such as are thankfull ; nor grieve you to have discovered your selves , having imparted your minde to such as are faithfull . it is a maxime in philosophie : whatsoever is , it is for some end : so as all our counsels , and consultations , businesses and negotiations , have ever an eye or ayme to some speciall end , to which they are properly directed . for as we see in elementary bodies , every one by naturall motion tendeth to their owne proper center , as light bodies upward , heavie ones downward , being places wherein they are properly said to rest or repose : even so in arts and sciences , or the proper objects to which they are directed , and wherein they are peculiarly said to be conversant , there is ever a certaine end proposed , to which , and in which their aymes are limited or confined . whence it is , that excellent morall saith , that every task , labour or imployment must have reference and respect to some end : which the poet confirmeth , saying ; all things which are , must have a proper end , to which by course of nature , they doe tend . so as in my opinion , there is nothing which proceeds in a course more contrary to nature , than suits of law , whose object is end without end ; consuming time and substance in frivolous delayes , and multiplicitie of orders , which like hydra's heads , by lopping off or annulling one , gives way to decreeing of another . now to enter into discourse of the absolute end of acquaintance , we are as well to reprove the indirect ends , which some make of it , as approve of those good and absolute ends for which it was ordained . wherefore to come unto the point , we are to understand that acquaintance is nothing else but a familiar friendship , or friendly familiaritie , which we have one with another . now there is nothing which doth comparably delight the minde , like a faithfull friendship ; being , as the stagyrian philosopher well defineth it ; one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies . so as , of all possessions friendship is most precious , where we are to make no other estimate of our friends life , than of our owne glory : a friend being nothing else than a second selfe , and therefore as individuate as man from himselfe . how much then is this sweet union or communion of mindes abused , when friendship is only made a stale of , professing love and familiaritie only for our owne ends ? and where shall we come , where this abuse of friendship and sociable acquaintance is not practised ? in the court we shall finde smooth and sweet-sented friends , who make friendship a complement , and vow themselves ours in protests , congies , and salutes : but whereto tend they , but to winde us in , and so become engaged for them ? for it stands with reason , thinke they , as wee are familiar with them in complements of courtesie , so they should be familiar with vs in the mercers booke . too precious are these mens acquaintance , and too heavie their engagements ; let us therefore turne from them , and travell towards the citie . and what shall we finde there , but many dangerous and subtill friends , who like politique tradesmen , having heard of our estates , and how we are come to yeares to dispose of them , will professe themselves to be our countrey-men , in which respect wee cannot chuse , but make bold with them and their commodities rather than any stranger ? yet it is strange to see how strangely and unconscionably they will use us , making ever their commodities vendible with protestations , and binding them upon us with termes of courtesie . we must then needs conclude , that these men tender friendship but onely for their owne ends . we are therefore to seeke further , and descend to the countrey , where wee are likest to finde them . yet see , the generall infection of this age ! we shall finde there , even where simplicitie and plaine dealing used ever to keepe home , great monied men , who to enrich their seldome-prospering heirs , will offer us any courtesie , and to shew they love us , they will lend us , to support our state , and maintaine our riot : but observe their aymes ; in feeding us , they feed on us ; in succouring us , they soake us ; for having made a prey of us , they leave us . likewise , wee shall finde there , many summer-swallowes , and finde that sentence in them verified ; though one swallow make no summer , yet one mans summer makes many swallowes . where then shall we finde them ? surely in all these places which we have traced : for in the court , we shall finde friends no lesse compleat than complementall ; in the citie , friends no lesse trustie than substantiall ; and in the countrey , friends no lesse faithfull than reall . notwithstanding , we are taught to beware of our friends ; and the reason is this , for that some man 〈◊〉 a friend for his owne occasion , and will not abide in the day of trouble . having now made choice of such friends and acquaintance , as may seeme to deserve both our knowledge and acceptance , wee are to respect the ayme or end to which all friendship and acquaintance may truly and properly be referred . which ( as we formerly observed ) is not onely matter of gaine or worldly profit , as these brokers and sellers of amitie esteeme it : for , as much friendship may be found in cheape amongst the huxters , or in smith-field with the horse-coupers , as these professe . but rather , how we may benefit the inward man by a friendly conversation one with another . for which cause ( as we have else-where noted ) came plato forth of asia into cilicia to see and converse with his deare friend phocion , nicaula the rich saban queene , to visit salomon ; brutus the sincere roman , to converse with vtican . these , though pagans , so highly valued knowledge , as their ayme was to entertaine friendship with knowing-men , purposely to increase , at least preserve their knowledge . for learning , which is the producer of knowledge , hath ever had such exquisite and admirable effects , as it hath gained due and deserved esteeme , not only in respect of opinion , but title and honourable approbation . so as , nathan citraeus writeth , that in prage , an vniversity of bohemia , where iohn hus , and hierom of prag● professed , that , they that have continued professours for the space of twentie yeers together , are created earles and dukes both together . and therefore their style is to be called illustres , whereas they which are singly and simply but only either earles or dukes , are called spectabiles . neither maketh it any matter that they have no revenewes , to maintaine earledomes or dukedomes : for they have the title notwithstanding , even as suffragans have of bishops . this esteeme of learning was no lesse effectually expressed by one , who encountring with a scholler , who through necessity was enforced to turne begger , cryed out ; a scholler and a begger too ! the age is blinde doth plainly show . yet how contemptible riches ( that worldlings idoll ) hath ever beene to these , whose conceits were not engaged to pelfe , nor their affections to desire of having , may appeare by the admirable contempt of divers pagans towards riches , preferring a voluntarie povertie before all worldly possessions . this might be instanced in anacharsis , who refused the treasure sent him by croesus ; in anacreontes , who refused the treasure sent him by polycrates ; and albionus , who refused the treasure sent him by antigonus . the like indifferencie towards riches , appeared in the admirable and inimitable patience of zeno , who hearing all his substance to be drowned by shipwracke upon the sea ; fortune ( quoth he ) bids me to addresse my selfe to philosophie more speedily . the like in mimus , who threw his goods into the sea , saying ; packe hence yee evills , for yee were hinderances to me in my pursuit after better goods ; it is better for me to drowne you , than be drowned by you . whence it was that demetrius was wont to say , that nothing could be more vnhappie than that man , to whom no adversitie ever happened : for that opinion , even amongst the ethnicks hath been generally held for most authentick , that nothing can be truly said to be good or evill , but a good or evill minde . now whereas we have sufficiently proved , that no true friendship can be but only amongst good men , ( i meane morally or civilly good ) and that ayme in the profession of friendship or acquaintance , is either to better them , or be bettered by them : wee are in like sort to make this our ayme or supreme end , that having made choice of such whose eminent parts deserve our respect and acceptance , wee are to imploy our time in conversing and conferring with them , the better to enable us in imployments publike or private . neither is this only the absolute ayme or end of friendship , for so we should inferre that our acception or intertainment of friends had reference only to our owne private ends , without relation to him with whom wee have entred the lists of acquaintance . we are therefore to have an eye to these especiall offices of friendship , being such as deserve our observation and imitation , if so be wee deserve the name or title of friends . first is , if wee see our friend doubtfull or unresolved , to advise him ; if afflicted , to comfort him ; if sicke or restrained , to visit him ; if weake in estate or impoverished , to releeve him ; if injured , to labour by all meanes to right him ; and in all things to be helpfull to him , supplying his necessitie by apparent testimonies of our approved amitie . it is reported , that on a time , duke godwin bringing up a service to edward the confessors table , he chanced to slip with one of his feet , but to recover himselfe with the other ; whereupon presently he used these words in the kings hearing ; one brother supports another . o ( quoth the king ) so might i have said too , if godwin had not beene ! meaning , that he was the cause of his brothers death , whose life was a staffe to his state , but his fall a weakning to his feet . certainly , every faithfull friend should be as a brother , or as in a naturall body one member ministers aid and succour to another ; where the head cannot say to the foot , i have no need of thee , nor the foot to the hand , but every one in their distinct and mutuall offices are ready to execute their severall duties : so , i say , should friends and acquaintance be one to another ; not in preying or feeding one upon another , as if all were fish that came to net , for this were to make no difference or distinction betwixt friend or foe , but for some intendment of private benefit to dissolve the strict bond of friendship . whereas a friend , being indeed a mans second selfe , or rather an individuate companion to himselfe , ( for there is one soule which ruleth two hearts , and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies ) should be valued above the rate of any outward good , being such a happinesse , as he giveth a relish to the dayes of our pilgrimage , which otherwise would seeme like a wildernesse : for the world , as it is both to be loved and hated ; loved , as it is the worke of the creator ; hated , as the instrument of temptation unto sinne ; ministers some few houres of delight to the weary pilgrim , by the company and socie●ie of friends , recou●se and concourse of acquaintance , without which comfort , how tedious and grievous would these few yeeres of our desolate pilgrimage appeare ? how highly then are wee to value the possession of a good friend , who partakes with us in our comforts and discomforts , in the frownes and fawnes of fortune , shewing himselfe the same both in our weale and woe ? it is written of sylla , that never any did more good to his friends , or more harme to his enemies . which princely courtesie to his friends could not chuse but increase them , howsoever his extreme courses towards his enemies might seeme rather to inrage than appease them . for as remembrance of benefits argues a noble nature , so forgetting of injuries ( having in the meane time power to revenge ) implies a bravely resolved temper . whence it was , that themistocles , when symmachus told him , hee would teach him the art of memory , answered , hee had rather learne the art of forgetfulnesse ; saying , hee could remember enough , but many things he could not forget , which were necessary to be forgotten . as the over-weening conceit of himselfe , indignities done him by his foes , opposition in the quest of honour , and the like ; all which a great minde could hardly brooke , being so illimited as he can admit of no corrivall in his pursuit of honour . but to descend to the greatest benefit which proceeds from friendship , commerce and acquaintance : we shall finde how miserable the state and condition of this flourishing iland had beene , whose halcyon dayes have attained that prerogative of peace , which most parts of christendome are at this day deprived of ; had not the friendly compassion , and devout zeale of sundry learned and faithfull instruments of christ , delivered her from that palpable blindnesse and heathenish idolatrie under which she was long detained captive . * s. ierome in the end of his dialogue against the pelagians writeth thus : vntill the very comming of christ , ( sayes he ) the province of britaine , which hath beene oftentimes governed by tyrants , and the scottish people , and all the nations round about the ocean sea , were utterly ignorant of moses and the prophets . so that then , by the testimonie of s. ierome , all our religion was superstition , all our church-service was idolatrie , all our priests were painims , all our gods were idols . and to appropriate to every nation their peculiar god , there was then in scotland the temple of mars ; in cornwall the temple of mercurie ; in bangor in wales , the temple of minerva ; in b malden in essex , the temple of c victoria ; in bath , the temple of apollo ; in leycester , the temple of ianus ; in yorke , where peters is now , the temple of d bellona ; in london , where pauls is now , the temple of e diana . therefore it is very likely , that they esteemed as highly then of the goddesse diana in london , as they did in ephesus ; and that as they cried there , great is diana of the ephesians , so they cried here , being deluded with the same spirit , great is diana of the londoners . even no more than . yeeres before the incarnation of christ , when iulius caesar came out of france into england , so absurd , senselesse and stupid were the people of this land , that instead of the true and ever-living lord , they served these heathenish and abominable idols , mars , mercurie , minerva , victoria , apollo , ianus , bellona , diana , and such like . and not long after , to wit , anno christi . king lucius being first christened himselfe , forthwith established religion in this whole kingdome . but thankes , thankes be to god , in the time of the new testament , three and fifty yeeres after the incarnation of christ , when ioseph of arimathea came out of france into england , many in this realme of blinde and ignorant pagans , became very zealous and sincere christians . for saint philip the apostle , after he had preached the gospell throughout all france , at length sent ioseph of arimathea hither into england : who , when he had converted very many to the faith , died in this land , and he that buried the body of christ , was buried in f glastenbury himselfe . also simon zelotes , another apostle , after he had preached the gospel thorowout all mauritania , at length came over into england : who , when he had declared likewise to us the doctrine of christ crucified , was in the end crucified himselfe , and buried here in g britaine . about this time h aristobulus , one of the seventie disciples , whom saint paul mentioneth in his epistle to the romans , was a reverend and renowned bishop in this land. also claudia a noble english ladie , whom saint paul mentioneth in his second epistle to timothy , was here amongst us a famous professour of the faith . since which time , though the civill state hath beene often turned up-side downe by the romans , by the saxons , by the danes , by the normans , yet the gospell of christ hath never utterly failed or beene taken from us . this the holy fathers of the church , which have lived in the ages next ensuing , doe declare . tertullian , who lived anno . writeth thus ; i all the coasts of spaine , and divers parts of france , and many places of britaine , which the romans could never subdue with their sword , christ hath subdued with his word . origen , who lived anno . writeth thus ; k did the i le of britaine before the comming of christ , ever acknowledge the faith of one god ? no ; but yet now , all that countrey singeth joyfully unto the lord. constantine the great , the glory of all the emperours , borne here in england , and of english bloud , who lived anno . writeth in an epistle thus ; l whatsoever custome is of force in all the churches of aegypt , spaine , france , and britaine , looke that the same be like wise ratified among you . saint chrysostome , who lived an. . writeth thus ; m in all places wheresoever you goe into any church , whether it be of the moores , or of the persians , or even of the very iles of britaine , you may heare iohn baptist preaching . saint ierome , who lived anno . writeth thus ; n the french-men , the english-men , they of africa , they of persia , and all barbarous nations worship one christ , and observe one rule of religion . theodoret , who lived anno . writeth thus ; o the blessed apostles have induced english-men , the danes , the saxons , in one word , all people and countries , to embrace the doctrine of christ. gregory the great , who lived an. . writeth thus ; p who can sufficiently expresse , how glad all the faithfull are , for that the english-men have forsaken the darknesse of their errours , and have againe received the light of the gospell ? beda , who lived anno . writeth thus ; q england at this present is inhabited by english-men , britaines , scots , picts , and romans , all which though they speake severall tongues , yet they professe but one faith . thus you see , how the gospell of christ , having beene first planted in this land , by ioseph of arimathea , and simon zelotes ( in whose time aristobulus and claudia , and not long after king lucius also lived ) hath ever since continued amongst us ; as testifieth tertullian , origen , constantine the great , athanasius , chrysostome , ierome , theodoret , gregory , beda , and many more , which might here have beene alleaged . now , how singular and exquisite a benefit have our progenitours received , by meanes of these faithfu●l professours of the gospell , and first planters of the christian faith here in this iland ? what a miserable famine of the word had the people of this land sustained , if these faithfull friends and sincere witnesses of the truth , had not loosed from the shore , and embarked themselves in danger , to deliver them from the danger of soules shipwracke ? in which danger , we likewise had beene sharers , had not this so rich a fraught , so inestimable a prize rescued us from danger , and directed our feet in the way of peace . the story of theseus includes an excellent morall ; whose love to his deare friend perithous , the poet labouring to expresse , shewes how he went downe to hell , of purpose to deliver his friend from the thraldom of pluto , under whom he remained captive . which without offence or derogation , may properly seeme to allude , ( next to that inimitable mirrour of divine amitie ) to these noble and heavenly warriours , who descended ( as it were ) even to the jawes of hell , encountring with the insolent affronts of many barbarous assassinates , readie to practise all hostilitie upon them . yet see their undanted spirits ! their godly care inflamed with the zeale of devotion , and their love to the members of christ , kindled with the coale of brotherly compassion , made them as readie to endure , as those hellish fiends and furies , the enemies of the truth , were ready to inflict ; choosing rather to perish in the bodie , than to suffer the poorest soule , bought with so high a price , to be deprived of the hope of glory . these were good and kinde friends , being such as would not sticke to lay downe their lives for their friends ; suffering all things with patience and puissance of minde , to free their distressed brethren from the servile yoke of hellish slavery , and bring them by meanes of gods spirit , by which they were directed , to the knowledge of the all-seeing veritie . such as these professe not friendship under pretences or glozing semblances , making their heart a stranger to their tongue , or walking invisible , as if they had found the stone in the lapwings nest ; but as they are , so they appeare , affecting nothing but what is sincerely good , and by the best approved . their absolute ayme or end of friendship is to improve , reprove , correct , reforme , and conforme the whole image of that man with whom they converse , to his similitude whom all men represent . if at any time they enter into discourse , it ever tends to fruitfull instruction ; if at any time they enter into serious meditation of the world , their meditation is not how to purchase estate , or fish after honour , or build a foundation on oppression , to enrich their posteritie with the fruits of their injurious dealing . no , they have the testimony of a good conscience within them , which testifies for them , should the world and all her complices bandie against them . wherefore , admit they should be put to all extremities , and suffer all the indignities which envie or malice could dart upon them , the weight of every injury is to be measured by the sense or feeling of the sufferer ; for the apprehension of the sufferer makes the injury offered , great or little ; if he conceit it small or no injury , howsoever others esteeme it , the burden of the wrong is light , and therefore more easily sleights it . now gentlemen , we have traced over the whole progresse of acquaintance , wherein if haply it be thought , that we have sojourned too long , my answer is ; that in passages of greatest danger , there is required more circumspection , than rashly to goe on without due deliberation . and what occurrent in all the passage or pilgrimage of man , is beset with more danger than the choice of acquaintance ; especially to you gentlemen , whose meanes is the adamant of acquaintance ? wee have therefore insisted the longer upon this subject , that you may be the lesse subject to such , who will winde them in with you , of purpose to feed and prey on you . to cure which maladie , no receit more soveraigne , than to imprint in your memory that golden rule or princely precept , recommended by that pious and puissant saint lewis to his sonne philip , in these words : have especiall care that those men , whose acquaintance and familiaritie you shall use , be honest and sincere , whether they be religious or secular ; with whom you may converse friendly , and communicate your counsells freely ; but by all means avoid the company of naughtie and wicked men : whose societie ever tends to inordinate respects . take these cautions therefore as the last , but not least worthy your observation . be not too rash in the choice of your acquaintance , for that shewes weaknesse ; nor inconstant to those you have chosen , for that argues lightnesse ; nor too forward in the discovery of your counsells , for so you might be taxed of too much opennesse ; ever ayming at that absolute end of acquaintance , to profit more and more in the practice of goodnesse . so shall god bee your guide , good men your friends , and your country where you had education , receive much glory from your life and conversation . the english gentleman . argument . moderation defined ; no vertue can subsist without it ; wherein it is to be used ; wherein to be limited ; of the accomplished end which attends it . moderation . in the whole progresse of mans life , which is nothing else , but a medley of desires and fears ; we shall finde , that there is no one vertue which doth better adorne or beautifie man , than temperance or moderation ; which indeed is given as an especiall attribute to man , purposely to distinguish him from brute beasts , whose onely delight is injoying the benefit of sense , without any further ayme . this moderation therefore , being a note of distinction betwixt man and beast , let us draw neere to the knowledge of this so exquisite a vertue ; which , that we may the better attain , let us first see how she is defined : because every instruction grounded upon reason touching any subject , ought to proceed from a definition , that wee may the better understand what that is , whereof we dispute . moderation is a subduer of our desires to the obedience of reason , and a temperate conformer of all our affections , freeing them from the too much subjection either of desires or feares . first , it causeth our desires to be subject to the obedience of reason , pulling us alwayes by the sleeve , and remembring us how we are men and partakers of reason , and therefore ought not to subject our desires to the captivitie of sense , as brute beasts which have no reason . secondly , it is a conformer of all our affections , freeing them from all unworthy subjection , either in respect of our desires or feares : of our desires , as having learned in all things to be contented , whether that portion wherewith god hath blessed us , be little or great : of our feares , as suffering no worldly thing to be so neerely endeered to us , as to feare the losing of it , which we so dearely tender . for the first , it is an excellent saying of a sage morall , there is no difference betweene having , and not desiring ; for he that desires nothing , enjoyes more than hee that possesseth the whole world ; for his desires are satisfied , which the worldling can never bee , so long as his thoughts and desires are to the objects of earth engaged : so as , the difference betwixt the poore wanting , and rich not using , is by these two expressed , the one carendo , the other , non fruendo : whereas , if the poore having little , desire no more than that little which they have , they become rich in desire , and enjoy by desiring little , more above estimate than the dunghill wretch ( whose eyes cannot enjoy themselves for coveting ) will ever be master off . for as men sicke of an atrophy , eat much , but thrive not ; so these , though they devoure widowes houses , feed upon the fat of the land , lay land unto land , and hoord up treasure to enrich a progenie of rioters , yet these seldome thrive with the fat of their oppressions , but make oft-times as fearfull ends , as their beginnings were calme and prosperous . it is a singular blessing , which the poet attributes to one , who was not only rich , but could enjoy that he had freely ; god gave thee wealth , and power to use it too , which these earth-wormes of ours can never doe . neither only in matters of desire , are we to entertaine the choice companie of moderation , but in our feares , where we many times feare to forgoe , what we already with much content enjoy . so as , the former direct their ayme to what they have not ; but the latter stand surprized with feare , left they should leese what they alreadie have : the former argues an avaritious minde , who can never confine his desires to what it hath ; the latter a worldly besotted affection , that can never finde heart to forgoe what it already enjoyes . a philosopher perceiving dionysius to sit merrily in the theater , after hee was expulsed his realme , condemned the people who banished him : certainly , this prince shewed an admirable moderation , both in respect of his desires and feares ; first , in his desires , extending not his thoughts above that low verge whereto his tyranny had forced him ; nor fearing any succeeding losse , being above the reach of greater misery . this moderation appeared in furius camillus , whom neither honour could too much transport , nor disgrace cast downe ; bearing the former with no lesse temperance , than he did the latter with patience ; & esteeming it his only conquest , to conquer passion in the height of affliction . it is likewise a great argument of moderation , when in extremity , we stand prepared to encounter with the worst of danger , passing al inducements to feare , with a minde no lesse resolute than cheerefull , saluting affliction with a smile , and entertaining surmises of danger with a jest . this did cr●ssu● , who being willed by the arabian guides to make haste before the moone was past scorpio ; but i ( said he ) feare more sagittarie , meaning the archers of persia. there is nothing which expresseth more true worth in any man , than his constancie and courage in the encounters of this life ; imitating , in this respect , vespasian , who upon the instant of his dissolution , when death had summoned him to make present surrender , by paying his debt to nature , of that short lease of life , which with many an unquiet houre hee had traced , standing up upon his feet , used these words ; it became an emperour to take his leave of earth standing : implying , that the extremities which either nature or fortune could inflict upon him , could not so much deject him , or by their assaults enforce him to doe ought unworthy himselfe . whence we are taught ( and well may this lesson deserve our observation ) to entertaine this life with patience , expecting death with a desired assurances for there is no better meanes to moderate the passions of desire and feare , than to enter into meditation of the world ; and withall to consider , how there is nothing of that esteeme in the world , that may seeme worthy our desire , coveting to have it , or worthy our feare , inwardly doubting to lose it . this serious consideration will be of force to move the greatest worldling to a moderation of his desires , subjecting them to the obedience of reason . whereas , if he should give reines to his owne avarice , ericthous bowels could not containe more in proportion , than his in an illimited desire and affection : for the world , being like a city without a wall , a house without a doore , a ship without helme , a pot without a cover , and a horse without a bridle ; hath brought out people equally consorting with her in nature and temper ; of unbridled and uncorrigible dispositions , naturally affected to all sensuall libertie , preferring one minutes pleasure or profit , before an eternitie of succeeding pleasures and profits , reserved for those onely whose lives are imployed in promoting their makers glory , being wholly addressed to please him ; and whose deaths , like the choicest odours , send out a sweet smell , the perfume of a good and vertuous life , sending out a voice , even in their last period to praise him . what admirable moderation divers ancient princes have shewne , especially in their contempt to the glory and pompe of this life , histories can afford sufficient examples ; but to omit forraigne instances , my purpose is to insert here one of our owne , which , by how much more neere us , by so much deeper impression should it inforce in us . canutus , that was absolute king almost of five kingdomes , somewhat before the conquest , upon a time in his progresse riding neere the thames , light and sate downe before the shore : then , as it were to trie a conclusion , he commanded the water being now-ready to arise againe and to ●low , not to come any neerer him . but the water keeping his naturall course , came up still higher and higher , till it began to wet him . whereupon to his nobles , which were about him , yee call mee ( sayes he ) your king and master , and so indeed i am ; and yet loe yee , i cannot command so much as this little streame ; but doe what i can , that will doe still as it lift . whereupon presently hee posted to westminster , and resigned his crowne to the crucifix there ; neither could he ever after this be perswaded to weare it any more . the like indifferencie to all princely honours , shewed those memorable saxons , kingulfus , iva , ceodulphus , eadbertus , ethelredus , keredus , offa , s●bbi , sigeberius . charles the fifth emperour of germanie , gave up his empire into the hands of the princes electors , and withdrew himselfe in the yeere . into a monasterie . the like of late yeeres did his sonne king philip of spaine . neither need wee to exemplifie this subject , touching contempt of the world , only in such as the glorious light of the gospell had shone upon , but such whose times of darknesse had never attained to so blessed a sun-shine : as may be instanced in dioclesian , who voluntarily relinquished the flourishingest empire in the world . yea , to adde one example more , even amongst those , whose best religion is policie , and whose onely aimes are to inlarge their owne soveraigntie . amurah the second , emperour of the turks , after he had gotten infinite victories , became a monke of the straightest order amongst them , in the yeere of our lord . all which may seeme to confirme what seleuchus being king was wont to say , that if a man knew with what cares a diadem was clogged , he would not take it up , though it lay in the street . so as , when the romans had despoiled antiochus of all asia , he gave them great thanks , saying , they had rid him of many insupportable cares . now , as wee have defined this vertue to be a subduer of our desires to the obedience of reason , and a temperate conformer of all our affections ; so are wee to direct our eye to the conclusion , to wit , a freer of the affections from the too much subjection either of desires or feares . so as , wee are here to observe , that he is the man whom our definition only aimes at , whose well-tempered brest is neither transported with a desire of enjoying what it hath not , nor surprized with a feare of losing what it now enjoyes . having so much as may content him , the losse whereof should he sustaine , could nere deject him . such an one the tragick poet entitleth a prince , as one too worthy to be numbred among the inferiour ranke : who feares , desires , and stifling cares suppresse , are kings at least , they can be nothing lesse . for these are they who have absolute soveraigntie over their passions , and in prosperitie scorne as much to be proud , as in adversitie to shew themselves base . yea , they will rather entertaine the extremest encounters that miserie can lay upon them , than lose the least of that libertie of minde , with which their noble temper hath endued them . in briefe , those only who dis-value sublunary things , esteeming them as they are , onely to minister to our necessitie , and not to reare them , as blinde worldlings use , in the tabernacle of their heart to commit idolatrie , keepe consort with this definition ; for the golden meane , as it is only approved by them , so in a princely moderation of their affections , they are ever readiest to enter lists with their owne passions , that if any either exceed or come short of this meane , they may so square and hammer it till it be reduced to a proposed meane . and let this suffice , for the definition : wee will now descend to the second branch , wherein wee intend to shew , that no vertue can subsist without moderation , being indeed the temper which allayeth and aptly disposeth all our actions , making them equally seasoned , which otherwise would become violent and immoderate . as moderation is a subduer of every inordinate or indisposed affection , so is it a seasoner or temperer of all our actions , making them seeme worthy the title of vertuous , which without this temper would appeare vicious . for without this moderation , he that is liberall should incurre the name of prodigall , the frugall the name of miserable , the resolute be termed dissolute , the morall civill man a coward , the wise stoicall , the regular meerely formall , the just rigorous , the mercifull remisse . so defective is the structure of all vertues , wanting the sweet temper of moderation to season them . neither proceedeth this from the malevolent or uncharitable censures of men , as former times have beene too apt to traduce or mis-interpret their best deservings , by aspersing some unworthy blemish upon their demerits . as in rome , if the pisoes be frugall , they are censured parcimonious ; if the metelli religious , they are taxed superstitious ; if the appii popular , they are termed ambitious ; if the manlii austere , they are stiled tyrannous ; if the lelii wise , they are curious ; the publicolae aspiring , if courteous : but meerely upon the want or deficiencie of such actions , which are not tempered with moderation . for to give instance in each kinde ; how nobly and invincibly did alexander the great beare himselfe in all exploits ? how much feared abroad , and how much loved at home ? how af●able to his friends , and how terrible to his foes ? yet how much were all his actions of valour and matchlesse resolution darkned through want of moderation , being so excessively given to passion in his drinke , as his nearest and dearest friends could not be secure from his fury ? for howsoever those acts and exploits of his against darius , yea against all opponents , expressed the noblenesse of his person , with the continued attendance of succeeding fortune ; yet the death of cly●us and depopulation of persepolis , detracted as much from his glorie , as ever his conquests gained him glory . likewise , how just and sincere was agesilaus held in all matters of justice ? how free from this ages staine , corruption ? how farre from personall respect , or to be over-awed by the offenders greatnesse ? so as , like the worlds generall ( of whom wee even now made mention , and ) of whom plutarch reports , that hee used to shut the one eare with his hand , when he heard any accuser in criminall causes , thereby ( as he said ) reserving aud●ence for the defendant ; semblably did this renowmed patron and patterne of unblemished iustice : yet how greatly did he eclipse those more glorious lights which shone in him , for want of moderating his affection towards his children ? so as his riding upon a cockhorse did no lesse argue his weaknesse , than his sinceritie in matters of iustice witnessed his uprightnesse . lastly , how profoundly wise was the lacedemonian chilo held to be , being numbred among the seven sages of greece , and elected ephorus , a place of especiall honour and esteeme ? how exquisite his sentences ? how quick and pregnant his answers ? how solid his reasons ? how absolute in all his proceedings ? yet behold , for want of moderation of his passions , how childishly hee gave way to excesse of joy , whereby he was inforced to pay his debt to nature . whence we may easily collect , that no vertue , how cardinall soever , can subsist without the assistance of moderation , being that lesbian rule which directs the modell , and makes it truly accomplishd . all vertues ( saith one ) doe make a common-wealth happy and peaceable : but temperance alone is the sustainer of civill quietnesse ; for it taketh care that the realme be not corrupted with riot and wanton delights , whereby divers states have beene cast away . or to descend more particularly to those divine effects which this vertue produceth , it hindreth dishonest actions , restraineth pleasures within certaine bounds , and which maketh men to differ from bruit beasts . moreover , this is that herbe , which mercury gave to vlysses , lest he should taste of the inchanters cup , and so with his fellowes be transformed into a hog , wallowing in the mire of all sensuall delights . so as , whosoever is endued with this vertue , stands fortified against all assailants ; those eye-sores ( for so plutarch calls them ) i meane those attractive objects of lust cannot surprize him : nor those worldly tumours ( for so eucherius stiles them ) i meane worldly honours , intrap him . nor those roabes or rags of shame , the gorgeous attire of sinne , ( which hierome calls antichrists veile ) delude him . nor those theeves of time , ( for so the orator is pleased to call them ) i meane friends and acquaintance , over-joy him . in briefe , as the vnicornes horne being dipt in water , cleeres and purifies it ; so there is no poison either arising from the tempting object of beautie , from the ambitious aspiring to honour , from the attire of sinne or cover of shame , or from those sweet time-beguilers our acquaintance , which is not frustrated by this choice and soveraigne receit of temperance . so as this is that vertue , which ( though in generall it deserve to be affected of all ) great men ought specially to embrace , that by their example the common sort might become temperate : for this is the reason why so many now adayes live riotously like beasts , namely , because they see noblemen and magistrates that governe the common-wealth , to leade their lives wantonly , as sardanapalus did . whence it was , that the poet so seriously concluded ; great is the crime , it cannot chuse , if he be great that doth it use . for as wee see in colours , there is none which discovers any soile or blemish so much as white ; or as wee have observed in the eclipse of the sunne , that it drawes more eyes to view it , than the darkning of any inferiour light ; so amongst the children of men , though sinne be sinne in every one , yet more noted , and in that more exemplar , in these high peering cedars , i meane our peeres and nobles , than in these lower shrubs , whose humble condition frees them from like publike observance . how necessary is it then for you , gentlemen , whose birth hath ennobled you , whose breeding hath enabled you , and whose more generous spirits have emboldned you , to undertake assayes for the glory and benefit of your countrey , the better to expresse your love & allegeance to your prince : to become affecters and practicers of so singular a vertue , that your lives might be patternes of moderation unto others , seeing more eyes are fixt upon you than on inferiours ? you are the molds wherein meaner men are casten ; labour then by your example to stampe impressions of vertue in others , but principally temperance , seeing no vertue can subsist without it . it is dangerous ( saith austine ) when prodigalitie and riot sway a scepter ; neither only is it dangerous for the person , whose illimited affections , of a prince make him a vassall ; but for the whole body of the state , training it to all impietie by his evill example . the laconians , by meanes of wise and temperate princes , became admired for their moderation and continence : insomuch as their spare diet , their home-spun raiment , and their generall hate to all excesse , made them no lesse honoured at home , than feared abroad . whereas contrariwise , the s●donians by following the riotous examples of some of their licentious princes , fell into all excessive gluttony . so powerfull and perswasive were the lives of princes , to inforce impressions of goodnesse or badnesse in the imitation of their subjects . but to take a review of those maine assailants of temperance , lust , ambition , gorgeousnesse in apparell , luscious fare , company-keeping , and the like , wee shall finde , that where this temperance is , albeit these objects even in their height should encounter him , the bait will be long laid ere it can take him . for to run over all these , and illustrate them with proper instances , wee shall plainly shew , that where a divine power is ready to assist , and man no lesse ready , upon temptations approaching , to resist , all these motives can take no place . what admirable continencie shewed alexander in the conquest of his affections , sparing darius wife and his three daughters ? how greatly did this worlds monarch enlarge his glory by this onely conquest ? yet to reflect upon those objects of beauty , wee shall finde , if records be true which write of them , that for beauty they were incomparably gracious , and for state the choicest dames of persia. the like wee reade of scipio , who being a young man of foure and twenty yeeres of age , of strong constitution , and promising personage , in the taking of a city in spaine , repressed his flames of lust , albeit a beautifull maid was brought him ; restoring her to a young man called allutius , to whom she was espoused , with a great reward . but incredible is the report of zenocrates continencie , who lying all night with lais , though she used all the provocations and enticements she could devise , yet he remained immoveable to her voluptuous inducements . and to close this illustration with an heroicke instance ; cleopatra in the last tragicke scene of her disasters , kneeling at the feet of caesar , laid baits for his eyes ; but in vaine ; her beauties were beneath that princes chastitie . neither are histories ( those precious treasuries of time ) lesse plentifull in instances of moderation touching motives of ambition . when all the worthy romans ( i meane such whose demerits had gained them an eminent esteeme with their country ) had a desire to preserve their memories by erection of their statues , cato would not ; and being demanded the cause , answered ; if i might chuse . i would rather have it asked why cato hath no statues erected for him , than why they are erected for him . implying , that vertue , which is the most continued shrine , and as that sage morall saith ▪ maketh man a god , had more power to eternize him , than all materiall monuments , which , as they are subject to corruption , so shall their names be ; which are engraven on them . from their contempt shewne to these sumptuous covers of corruption , iunius and blaesus , by the testimonie of tacitus , received no lesse glorie ; whose statues , because they were not engraven in stone , appeared more conspicuous to the eye of the state. no lesse moderation of his desires shewed agesilaus , that princely patterne of iustice , who , when the aegyptians came forth of purpose to adore him , for those numerous and glorious victories which he had atchieved , couched himselfe close upon the grasse , without least shew or semblance of majesty , expressing the humility of his thoughts , by the lownesse of his seat . but of all others , there is no one example , to instance a true moderatour of ambition , like that noble and victorious champion , godfrey du boloigne , whose valour so bravely employed in expulsing the turkes and freeing ierusalem , that citie of the great king , from miserable slavery , had gained him so deserved a name , as it was thought fit his honourable service should be rewarded with a golden diadem ; but how answered this glorious champion ? farre be it from me ( quoth he ) to suffer the servants head to be with a crowne of gold paled , where the masters head was with a crowne of thornes pierced . to produce likewise instances in such whose moderation in attire , manifested their contempt to these covers of shame , we shall finde licurgus , phocion , pelopidas , with many others , such profest foes to gorgeous apparell , as they alwayes retained their ancient country weare with such plainenesse , as they expressed what they were , by the garments they wore . for a mans garment ( saith the son of sirach ) and his excessive laughter , and his going , declare what person he is . insomuch as augustus caesar bore alwayes hatred to gorgeous and sumptuous apparell , terming it the blazer and bruiter of our pride , the nests to hatch the lascivious brood of lechery . in like manner , to descend to all those assailants of temperance , we shall finde many excellent subduers of their owne affections , using an admirable kinde of restraint or moderation in their fare . the number of guests amongst the romans in any solemne feast privately observed , was not great ; seldome times exceeding nine : whence aulus gellius saith , that the number of guests should beginne with the graces , and end with the muses ; that is , they must not be fewer than three , nor more than nine . which use was occasion of that adage , septem convivium , novem convitium faciunt ; seven make a banquet , nine a riot . albeit that luxurious emperour heliogabalus seemeth to have been delighted with the number of eight , whence he invited to supper , to make his feast more singular , eight bald ones , eight blinde ones , eight gouty ones , eight deafe ones , eight hoarse ones , eight very blacke ones , eight very long ones , eight very fat ones , and eight hooke-nosed ones , being delighted with that greeke proverbe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : whose ape , it seemes , that late conceited academicke was , who invited the blinde , lame , and deformed to a supper , for whom he had provided fowles , as different to their pallat by nature , as they were to others in feature ; furnishing his feast with owles , cuckowes , staniels , and popinjayes , to make himselfe infamously famous for his invention . but to proceed with these ethnicke instances of moderation ; democritus preserved his life without any other sustenance , save only the smell of hot bread , for the space of nine dayes : which abstinence or restraint was not injoyned him , for neither his owne estate , nor any superiour commanding power , had enforced him to that misery ; but purposely to prepare himselfe for celebrating with more solemnitie the feasts which were kept in honour of ceres , called commonly ( as i take it ) buthysia ; resembling in greatnesse of celebrity , and magnificence of state , that huge sacrifice called hecatombe . pythagoras likewise was of that wonderful moderation in his fare , and that through no infirmity of nature , in that he could not , but through an incessant desire to his studies ; with a vehement affection to the preservation or propagation rather of all living creatures ; as he would desire two things of god , if the possibility thereof could stand with the conservation of humane societie ; that he might not speake , that he might not eat : by the one to prevent offence in discourse , by the other avoid surfet by excesse . so as , hee commanded his schollers even in unreasonable things , as birds , beasts , fishes , &c. to abstaine from crueltie ; entreating both fowlers and fishers to let goe the fowle and fish they had caught , or at least redeeme them with money , and let them goe . but too immoderate was this care , and too foolish this pitie ; for creatures were ordained for the use and service of man ; he then that neglecteth the use , neglecteth likewise the ordinance . but in subjects of moderation , none more absolute , than where nature is urged by necessitie to crave releefe , and occasion is ministred , yet the desire restrained : as in extremitie of thirst , when nature requiteth drinke , which according to the philosophers axiom , is the very last refuge of nature , either through compassion or manly moderation her desire is restrained . this did alexander , who out of a princely moderation or noble compassion , when he was almost consumed with drought , having a head-peece full of water presented unto him , would not drink himselfe , but offered it to his souldiers . much to be admired was this act of moderation , and a motive of generall affection ; that a prince urged by the extremest effects of thirst , and having occasion and meanes to satisfie the request of nature , yet moved with compassion towards his fellow-souldiers ( for so used he to terme them ) hee chused rather to want himselfe , than to be a wanting in any compassionate office to their necessitie . certainly this act deserveth so much the more to be commended , by how much the extremitie was greater which he suffered . darius , when in his flight he dranke muddy and stinking water , said , that he never dranke a sweeter draught . which implyes , what torment he indures who feeles the extremitie of thirst . the last assailant of temperance ( as we formerly observed ) was company-keeping ; which indeed is such a stealer of time , or béguiler of tedious houres , as it makes passing of time a meere pastime . yet observe , what diligent care hath beene had , by making choice of such ( as i have else-where noted ) whose society might better them . peruse those athenian nights in gellius , and you shall finde how fruitfully those nights were employed , how delightfully passed : making discourse of philosophie , that well-consorting melodie , which gave generall content to all the company . besides , it is worth our observation , to take a view of the speciall care divers ancients have had of the company they consorted with : having such in as great distaste that were evill , as they bore all due reverence to such as were good . we reade how the prienean bias , having occasion to saile on a time with some ill-disposed men , by reason of a violent tempest , the ship wherein they sailed was so shaken , as these wicked men , moved rather by feare than devotion , begun to call upon their gods ; which bias hearing , hold your peace ( quoth he ) lest the gods you call upon understand that you be here ; covertly taxing their impiety , and shewing that their prayers would be little acceptable to the gods . but an example much more divine , and so much more deserving our imitation , may be here commended to us in the person of the blessed evangelist s. iohn , who would not come within the bath where the hereticke corinthus was , so much did he hate the fellowship of him , who , to use augustines words , was no fan for the lords floore . thus have we runne over those mainest and mightiest assailants of temperance ; now let us , as wee have illustrated each of them with proper instances of moderation , annex some reasons why these assailants of temperance ought to be restrained : and first for the first . lust , the sensuall mans sin , is said to be a friend , which brings man in acquaintance with the devill , as ebrietie is an enemie to the knowledge of god. besides , it is a vice detestable both to the brute beast and barbarian ; it withdrawes the minde of the creature from meditation of his creator ; makes man commit sinne even with greedinesse ; makes the image of god companion for a harlot ; makes him who should be the temple of the holy ghost , a cage of uncleane birds ; prostitutes the glory of the soule to the pleasure of sinne ; and prefers a sensuall delight before the obedience of reason . hee sells his birth-right for lesse than a messe of pottage , exposing his soule to the trafficke of shame . hee va●ues a minutes joy above all future delight ; yea , rather than lose his present content , he will suffer an eternitie of torment . this bleere-eyed lover is so blinded with affection towards his beloved , that he will rather lose his owne soule , than lose that which he affecteth . thus you see the lustfull man uncased , his blindnesse discovered , his sundry weaknesses displayed , and the heavie effects which from hence are derived : good reason then have you to restraine an affection so over-spreading , a motion so mortally wounded , a contagion so generally killing . take into your consideration the shortnesse of the pleasure , being but a moment ; the vengeance or punishment due to that pleasure , being eternall . what wise man , having neerely served his apprentiship , will for a minutes pleasure forfeit his indenture , and lose his freedome for ever ? we should hold him destitute of common sense , who having a princesse offered him , will foolishly lose her for embraces of an harlot . if you will keep your selves unspotted till the day of his comming , you shall be espoused to a princely bridegroome , and receive palmes in your hands at his comming . goe not in by the wayes of the strange woman , but keepe your beds undefiled , knowing the state which you have undertaken to be honourable before god and man. for i in no case will limit you to a monasticke or regular restraint , but approve of both estates , i meane both the single and married life , being undertaken in the feare of god , worthy the acceptance of every faithfull christian . for the virgins estate , as it drawes neerer to angelicall perfection , so the married to the preservation of humane society or propagation . so as saint augustinemight seeme rather to be traduced , than truely alleged for this place , virgins doe more than lawfull , as adulterers lesse : for my conceit shall ever be freed , from imagining so divine a father to approve of such an errour : for both estates are commended ; the one good , the other better ; both which titles , as they are by the apostle on these two estates conferred , so are they by us to be reverently esteemed . briefly , restraine all immoderate desires of the flesh , which fight against the spirit , so shall you finde that inward tranquillitie which obedience to your lusts shall never bring you . ambition , the second assailant of temperance , is such an high-mounting bird , as shee useth to build her nest ever in the tallest cedars , hatching her aëries in the highest spires , to expresse her unbounded aymes . this passion or distraction rather , of all others , brings man soonest to a forgetfulnesse of himselfe : ever aspiring , but never obtaining ; ever sailing in a tempestuous sea , attended by many hostile and piraticall adherents , whose aymes are to intercept all peaceable passengers , filling the whole state full of mutinies and combustions . pindarus describes him to be such an one , who strives to touch the clouds , and cope with iove himselfe , but his aymes draw him on to speedie ruine . what reason then is there , to foster or cocker such a profest foe to publike and private peace ? who is he , having understanding , will receive into his barge , where he is , a quarrellous turbulent fellow , who in desperate fury will not sticke to over-whelme the vessell , both of himselfe , and the rest that consort him ? who is he , that will engage him in perill , when he may in safety enjoy himselfe , and be free from danger ? who is he , that will desire to climbe , when hee knowes there is no meanes to save him from falling , being got up ? surely the ambitious man is ever environed with perill , yet such is his folly , he will rather chuse to incurre danger , than lose the present opportunitie of acquiring honour . besides , they whom this unbounded passion hath once surprized , are so much distempered , as of sleepe they are quite deprived ; which disquiet proceeds either from emulation towards others , or an ambitious desire of advancement in themselves . for the first , themistocles was wont to say , that miltiades victory in marathon , bereaved him of his sleepe . for the latter , sylla could never take rest , till by the terrour of his legions , hee had obtained the law valeria to be made , whereby hee was created dictator for eightie yeares ; as caesar the law servia , by which he was made perpetuall dictator . albeit , having obtained what they desired , and arrived at the port whereto their course was directed , they found an empire to be a monstrous and untamed beast , wounding them with many thornie cares , which deprived them of all seasonable rest . doe you then love to be at peace , to enjoy perfect liberty , to be divided from all occasions of disquiet ? restraine those icarian thoughts , whose soaring wings are ever laved in the depth of ruine . confine your thoughts within an equall limit ; and let not your projectments be above hope of effecting . those braving builders of babel , aymed at too high a story to bring their worke to perfection . let the foundation be built on firme ground , and the building will prosper better . for howsoever , faire pretences may for a time appeare in the habit of truth ; daubing up a rotten inside with a specious out-side : he that sitteth in the heavens and searcheth the hearts and reines , shal have them in derision , breaking them in peeces like a potters vessell . restraine then this fury or frenzie of the minde , and with timely moderation so bound in and confine your affections , as no aspiring thought may enter that place , which is reserved for a higher place : so shall you enjoy more absolute content in restraining , than enlarging your thoughts to the motives of ambition . gorgeous attire , being the third assailant , moving man to glory in his shame , and gallant it in his sinne , is to be especially restrained , because it makes us dote upon a vessell of corruption , strutting upon earth , as if we had our eternall mansion on earth . what great folly is it to preferre the case before the instrument , or to bestow more cost upon the signe than on the inne ? me thinkes the bitter remembrance of the first necessity of cloaths , should make men more indifferent for them : if man had never sinned , his shame had never needed to have beene covered . for sinne was the cause of adams shame , and his shame the cause he fled unto the shade , which affoorded him fig-leaves to cover his nakednesse . what vanity then , yea , what impudence to glory in these covers of shame ? would any one , having committed some capitall offence against his prince , for which he is after pardoned , but on condition hee shall weare a halter about his neck , become proud of his halter , and esteeme it an especiall badge of honour ? we are all in the selfe-same case ; we have committed high treason against the king of heaven , yet are we received to mercy , bearing about us those memorialls of our shamefull fall or defection from our king ; which should in all reason rather move us to be ashamed of our selves , than to prize our selves higher for these ornaments of shame . sure i am , as hee is a fond man that values the worth of hi● horse , by his sumptuous saddle or studded bridle ; so h● is most foolish , who estimate a man by his garment ▪ yet see the misery of this age ! the cover of shame is become the only luster to beautifie him : but be not yee so deluded ; prize the ornaments of the minde for the choicest and chiefest beauty : farre be it from you to glorie in this attire of sinne , these rags of shame , these worme-workes , which withdraw your eyes from contemplating that supreme bountie and beauty , purposely to fix them upon the base objects of earth , which detract much from the glory of a reasonable soule . the swan prides not her selfe in her blacke-feet ; no more should you in these covers of your transgression , which , whensoever ye looke on , may put you in minde of your first pollution . no reason then to affect these , which had man never sinned , he had never needed , being before clothed with innocencie as with a garment , and with primitive puritie , as with a rayment . whence it appeares , that many glory in the rags of shame , while they glory in these roabes of sinne : now who , endued with reason , would pride him in that which augments his shame , or esteeme that a grace which asperseth reproach on him ? nicetas saith plainly ; no punishment so grievous as shame . and nazianzen yet more expresly ; better were a man die right out , than still live in reproach and shame . ajax being readie to dispatch himselfe , used these as his last words ; no griefe doth so cut the heart of a generous and magnanimous man , as shame and reproach . for a man to live or die , is naturall ; but for a man to live in shame and contempt , and to be made a laughing ●●ocke of his enemies , is such a matter , as no well bred and noble minded man that hath any courage or stomacke in him , can ever digest it . delight not then in your shame , but in a decent and seemely manner affect that habit most , which becommeth most ; restraining that profusenesse , which the vanity of this age so much exceeds in ; and assuming to your selves that attire which gives best grace to modesty , and hath neerest correspondence with gentilitie . neither is luscious fare to be lesse avoided , or with lesse strictnesse restrained . many reasons whereof might be here produced , but wee will cull out the chiefest , to weane our generous vitellians from their excessive surfets . first , daintie dishes are foments to wanton affections , begetting in the soule an unaptnesse to all spirituall exercises : for this is a generall rule , that the body being strengthned , the soule becomes weakned : for fasting is a preparative to devotion , but riot the grand-master of distraction . looke how it is in the health of the body , and so it is in the state of the soule : if a man have a good appetite , and a stomacke to his meat , it is a signe he is well in health ; in like sort , if a man be content to follow christ for the loaves to fill his belly , and care not for the food of his soule , questionlesse all is not well betweene god and him ; but if he have a longing and an hungring desire of the word , then indeed his heart is upright in the sight of god. for as saint augustine noteth well ; if the word of god be taken by us , it will take us . but what meanes may be used to procure this longing and hungring desire in us ? not luscious or curious fare ; for that will move us rather to all inordinate motions , than the exercise of devotion : no , it is fasting that makes the soule to be feasting ; it is macerating of the flesh , that fattens the spirit . for it is sumptuous fare , that is the soules snare : sagina corporis , sagena cordis : it is the net which intangles the heart of man , drawing her from the love of her best beloved spouse , to dote on the adulterate embraces of sensuall beautie . neither is it fare , but delight in fare ; not simply the meat , but the desire or liquorish appetite , which produceth those odious effects : as for example , when the loose affected man maketh choice or election of such meats , purposely to beget in him an abilitie , as well as desire , to his sensuall pleasures . whence a learned father most divinely concludeth : i feare not ( saith hee ) the uncleannesse of meats in respect of their difference , but uncleannesse of desire in respect of concupiscence . neither doth the kinde or difference of the meat ( saith another ) pollute so much , as the act of disobedience , eating that which is inhibited . now to propose a rule of direction , not any one surer or safer can be set downe , than what an ancient father hath alreadie proposed . we nourish our bodies ( saith he ) lest by being too much weakned , they faile us ; and we weaken them by abstinence , lest by too much feeding them , they presse us . so then , temper your desires , that neither too much restraint may enfeeble them , nor excesse surcharge them . for as the body being weakned , the soule becomes strengthned ; so where the body becomes too much enfeebled , the performance of spirituall exercises is disabled . but in all things , take heed of pampering a disobedient servant ; hee sleeps in your bosome , that imagines mischiefe against you . who , the more he is fostered , the more is your danger furthered ; the more he is cockered , the more is your heat of devotion cooled ; chastise then this domesticke enemie in time , for he participates of the nature of a serpent , who spreads most his poison , where he receives harbouring . now as the philosophers observe of the hart , that being pursued by dogs in hunting , by reason of heat , and losse of breath , being tired with the chase , he hasteneth to the rivers ; or wearied in fight with a serpent , or stung , or wounded by him , while the serpent resteth on the ground , he seeketh to some cold fountaine , whereby the infection of the venome received , may be abated , and his former vigour restored . even so , such as are wounded , and strucken of the old serpent , must have recourse to christ , that fountaine of living waters , that all sensuall desires arising from excessive delight in delicious fare , may be the better allayed . neither only is restraint to be used in the choice , and change of meats , but in the excessive use of drinkes . the reasons are two ; the one is , it is an enemie to the knowledge of god ; the other is this , it is held to be an enfeebler or impairer of the memorative parts ; for you shall ever note that deepe drinkers have but shallow memories . their common saying is , let us drowne care in healths : which drowning of care makes them so forgetfull of themselves , as carried away with a brutish appetite , they only intend their present delight , without reflexion to what is past , or due preparation to what may succeed . o restraine then this mighty assailant of temperance ! be ever your selves , but principally stand upon your guard , when occasion of company shall induce you ; being the last we are to speake of . this company-keeping , how much it hath depraved the hopefullest and towardliest wits , daily experience can witnesse . for many wee see civilly affected , and temperately disposed of themselves , not subject to those violent or brain-sick passions , which the fumes of drink beget , till out of a too pliable disposition they enter the lists of good-fellowship ( as they commonly terme it ) and so become estranged from their owne nature , to partake with zanies in their distempered humour . so as in time , by consorting with evill men , they become exposed to all immoderate affections , such is the strength of custome . whence it is , that saint basil saith , passions rise up in a drunken man ( note the violence of this distemper ) like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . now you shall see him compassionately passionate , resolving his humour into teares ; anon like a phrenticke man , exercising himselfe in blowes ; presently , as if a calmer or more peaceable humour had seazed on him , he expresseth his loving nature in congies and kisses . so different are the affections which this valiant mault-worme is subject to ; yet howsoever , out of a desperate bravado he binde it with oathes , that he will stand to his tackling , he is scarce to be credited , for hee can stand on no ground . but to annex some reasons which may effectually disswade every generous-affected spirit from consorting with such * sociats as are a blemish to a gentleman ; imagine with your selves , how mortally dangerous it is to enter an infected house ; how fearfull would any one be of the state of his body , if hee should have one in his company who had the carbuncle or plague-sore running vpon him ? how much would he condemne his owne rashnesse to entertaine any such in his companie ; and with what respect or cautelous advice would he prepare to expell the poison of that infection , at least to prevent the occasion ? no cost might be spared , no care intermitted , that some soveraigne receit might bee procured , whereby the apparent danger , into which his inconsiderate rashnesse had brought him , might be removed . now if our bodies , being but the covers of more curious and exquisite instruments , be so especially tendred , with what respect ought wee to provide for the safetie or securitie of our soules ? the ground of a disease is to mix the sound with the sicke : now the soules disease is sinne , wherewith she laboureth more painfully than the body can doe , being annoyed with any infirmitie . those that are sicke , are vicious men , whose disease though it bee insensible , and in that lesse curable , it breakes out into loathsome ulcers , which staine the pristine beautie of the soule . now as wee serve so many vices , wee serve so many masters ; and so many masters , so many devils : each one having so many devils , as evils . which miserable servitude to prevent ( for no slaverie is baser than the service of sinne ) the best and soveraignest receit that may be applied or ministred to the soule-sicke patient , is the receit of aversion ; to turne aside from the wayes of the wicked , and to keepe no company with the transgressour : for this aversion from the companions of sinne , is a conversion to the god of sion . would you then have god turne to you ? turne you from your sinnes . would you be at one with your maker ? be ever divided from these sensuall mates , so shall you be made happie by the company of your maker . would you bee found at heart ? leave to confort with these of an uncircumcised heart , whose paths lead to perdition , and they that walke therein shall be the heires of shame . for howsoever these instruments of sinne ( as i have sometimes observed ) may make a shew of godlinesse , or pretend , meerely under colour to give a varnish to their vicious lives , a semblance of goodnesse , yet it is but meere painting they deale with ; they deny the power thereof in their life and conversation . a ridiculous actor in the citie of smyrna , pronouncing , o coelum ! o heaven ! pointed with his finger toward the ground : which , when polemo the chiefest man in the place saw , hee could abide to stay no longer , but went from the company in a chafe , saying ; this foole hath made a solecisme with his hand : he hath spoken false latine with his hand . such ridiculous actors are these time-spenders ; they pronounce heaven with their mouth , but point at earth with their lives ; like wise polemoes therefore stay no longer with them , if at any time you have consorted with them : for their practice is only to gull the world , and with smooth pretences delude their unhappy consorts . their profession is how to play the hypocrite-christian , but being unmasked , their odious phisnomies are quickly discovered . make use therefore of your experience , and with all temperance so counterpoize the weight of your passions , as none of these assailants ( though their incursions be never so violent ) may ever surprize the glorious fortresse of your minde . which the better to effect , let lust be counterpoized by continence ; ambition by humblenesse ; gorgeous apparell by comelinesse ; luscious fare by abstinence ; and company-keeping by that sweet seasoner of all vertues , temperance . thus you have heard , how , as without salt there can be no seasoning , no warre without discipline , no tillage without manuring , no estate without mannaging , no building without a foundation ; so no vertue can subsist without moderation . as wee have hitherto expressed the dignitie or sufficiencie of this vertue , in that it giveth subsistence to all other vertues : so are wee now to intreat of the amplenesse of it , proposing such subjects wherein it is principally said to be conversant . now , though there be no humane action which is not subject to many defects , being not throughly seasoned by this exquisite vertue , yet the use thereof may be reduced to these two , as proper subjects wherein it is to be exercised ; expence of coine , and expence of time : for without moderation in the one , wee should be prodigall of our substance ; without moderation in the other , wee should grow too profuse in the expence of that , which is more precious than any earthly substance . now touching worldly substance , as wee are to be indifferent for the losse or possession of it , so ought wee to be carefull in the use or dispensation of it . as it is not to be admired when wee possesse it , no more is it to be altogether disesteemed , because wee stand in need of the use of it . if money be so much to be contemned , ( saith an ancient father ) expresse thy bountie , shew thy humanitie , bestow it upon the poore : so may this , which of necessitie thou must lose , releeve many , which otherwise might perish by hunger , thirst , or nakednesse . thus to bestow it , were not prodigally to spend it , but to lay it up in a safer treasurie , even in christs almes-box , to the disbursers great advantage . yea , but you will object , you have other meanes to imploy it in ; you have a familie to support , a posteritie to provide for , a state to maintaine , and pleasures suiting with your ranke and qualitie to uphold ; i grant it ; and you doe well in having a care to your familie , for he is worse than an infidell that wants this care . it is commendable likewise in you to have an eye to your posteritie , for nature requires this at your hand . to maintaine likewise your state , and to continue your pleasures suiting with men of your ranke ; i allow it . but where , or in what sort must this be done ? for the place where , surely none fitter than your owne countrey where you were bred ; setting up there your rest , where you received your birth . let your countrey ( i say ) enjoy you , who bred you , shewing there your hospitalitie , where god hath placed you , and with sufficient meanes blessed you . i doe not approve of these , who flie from their countrey , as if they were ashamed of her , or had committed something unworthy of her . how blame-worthy then are these court-comets , whose only delight is to admire themselves ? these , no sooner have their bed-rid fathers betaken themselves to their last home , and removed from their crazie couch , but they are ready to sell a mannor for a coach. they will not take it as their fathers tooke it : their countrey houses must be barred up , lest the poore passenger should expect what is impossible to finde , releefe to his want , or a supply to his necessitie . no , the cage is opened , and all the birds are fled ; not one crum of comfort remaining to succour a distressed poore one . hospitalitie , which was once a relique of gentrie , and a knowne cognizance to all ancient houses , hath lost her title , meerely through discontinuance : and great houses , which were at first founded to releeve the poore , and such needfull passengers as travelled by them , are now of no use but only as way-marks to direct them . but whither are these great ones gone ? to the court ; there to spend in boundlesse and immoderate riot , what their provident ancestors had so long preserved , and at whose doores so many needy soules have beene comfortably releeved . yet see the miserie of many of these rioters ! though they consume their meanes , yet is the port they live at meane : for they have abridged their familie , reduced their attendants to a small number , and ( unnecessary expences set aside ) drawne themselves to within as narrow a compasse as possibly they may . for to take a view of those which are in ordinary roule , you shall finde none but a page , a coachman , a lackey , and perchance a cooke , if the vailes of the house will maintaine one , or they be not in fee with some city cooke , whom they usually repaire to , at best betrust , and so run on score quarterly . now if you aske mee , how their meanes should be consumed , when they live at so low commons ; my answer is , the lesse they bestow on their caterer , the more they bestow on their taylor . they cut it out of the whole cloth , and divide their acres peece-meale into shreds . where their phantasticke light-ones resort oftner to the house of the body-maker than the soule-maker : affecting nothing more than what may make them most noted . but observe the issue of these courses , gentlemen ; when they have maintained their riot with much expence , and engaged their meanes to these great monied men , whose iubile it is to entertaine acquaintance with one of these greene wits , they run upon the shelfe of ruine , and make their posteritie the heires of want . which having incurred , what distracted and divided sleepes , what distempered thoughts , what hourely afflictions may wee imagine them to be subject to ? for what engagement worse than debt , when every shadow resembles a sergeant , every familiar touch or stroke of a friend , an arrest of an officer ? augustus caesar , hearing of them talke in his court , what a huge summe of money a certaine knight in rome owed at his death , and that all his goods were to be sold , to make payment of his debts , commanded the master of his wardrobe to buy for him that bed , wherein this knight used to lie : for , sayes hee , if i cannot sleepe soundly in that bed wherein hee could sleepe , that owed so much , then surely i shall sleepe in none . surely , there is no affliction greater to a noble spirit , whose thoughts cannot endure engagement , than to be subject to the extremitie of an unconscionable creditor , who usually makes advantages his revenues , and forfeitures the inhauncers of his fortunes . neither is this respect to bee had only in the disposing of your selves in court or citie , but likewise in the countrey : for though it be best spent , which is bestowed in hospitalitie , and in releeving those hungry soules , whose expresse images require your charitie ; yet are you to consider how charitie begins with it selfe : so as , howsoever you are bound to releeve and support those , whose present wants exact so much at your hands , yet ever with reservancie of a competent or convenient providence , so to sustaine the want of others , as not to procure want to your selves by sustaining others . but this needs little pressing : for experience shewes , that very small instruction will suffice any one to be provident enough in their bounty or exhibition to the poore . let us therefore divert the current of our subject , and addresse our exhortation to you ; purposely moving you to a moderation of your expence in your pleasures , or those more easie vanities of this life . as profit and pleasure make the sweetest musicke , so there is no pleasure , how incomparably delightfull soever for the present , but it affords much bitternesse , having no respect to providence . now , as all vertues may be comprized under the name of frugalitie , provided that wee understand it to be of that absolute power and command , that neither excesse nor diminution beare any sway in it , it appeareth that without this frugall moderation no state can be well mannaged , no estate rightly husbanded ; so as , whether you have an eye to pleasure or profit , this frugalitie or equally tempered providence must be soveraignesse in both . for first , there is no pleasure which hath not respect to vertue : how then may that properly be termed a pleasure , which hath no relation to frugalitie , under which name all vertues may seeme to be comprized ? likewise , there is no profit which is not joyned with honestie ; how then may that properly be termed a profit , which hath no respect to honest providence , upon which all profits are truly grounded ? the best course then that you can follow , either in your choice of pleasures , or pursuit of profit , is ever to examine whether that pleasure which you affect , have respect to vertue , or that profit which you have in pursuit , be firmly grounded on honest providence : so shall neither pleasure so much inthrall you , as to engage your fortunes to her , nor profit so entangle you , as to neglect conscience for the love you beare her . surely , there is nought more dangerous to young gentlemen , whose unriper yeeres have not sufficiently instructed them in the follies of vanitie , than to give reines to their desires , and so become bondslaves to pleasure . for those that will deny their eyes nothing that they can desire , nor resist their owne wills in ought that they affect , be they endued with never so much wisdome , it becomes foolishnesse , being blinded with their owne delights . they then onely , whose native temperance hath prepared them , or continuall wrastling with the infirmities of nature hath inured them , have attained this degree of perfection ; not only ( i say ) to use moderation in their expence , but in their restraint of every pleasure ; labouring to become commanders of themselves in the desires and affections of this life : which of all others make men the absolutest conquerours . for man , whose naturall pravitie , drawne from the corruption of his first parents , is ever working in him new motions of disobedience , layeth continuall siege and batterie to the fortresse of the soule , suggesting to her motives of pleasure and delight , which the carnall man will easily condescend to , because he favoureth not the things of the spirit . yea , how many doe wee see , who begin in the spirit , but end in the flesh , making their end farre worse than their beginning ? how necessary then is this moderation , to curbe or checke such inordinate motion as arise in us , by reason of our naturall infirmitie and weaknesse ? neither doe i so much insist upon the moderation of your expences , as if coine were of that esteeme , as it only deserved respect . for if riches increase , wee are not to set our hearts upon them ; but rather to shew our indifferencie towards them in our free and liberall use of them . for he who gave gifts before he gave time , creating all things for our use in the world , before he brought us into the world , without the use or ministerie of these could preserve and support us , whom he hath appointed as governours or rulers over all these : for hee who created all things without meanes , can likewise preserve those things which hee hath created without meanes . yea , though hee hath given us the fruits of the earth to feed us , the fells of beasts to cloath us , yea , workes out of the bowels of wormes to beautifie us ; yet is he tied no more to these exteriour meanes , than hee was before , creating all things without meanes . no king is necessarily tied , that onely pure bullion should be current among his subjects , for if occasion serve , hee may stampe lether , brasse , or any other metall , which being authorized by his image or superscription , is not to be denied within his dominions . much more he , who contains the world in his fist , restraines not his power to any outward meanes ; working sometimes with meanes , sometimes without meanes , sometimes against meanes , sometimes above meanes . with meanes , as when he fed those which followed him into the wildernesse with bread ; above meanes , when he fed so much people with so little bread ; without meanes , when he himselfe fasted so long without bread ; against meanes , when he caused the very ravens to bring his prophet bread . no , this exhortation rather tendeth to move you to rely on gods providence , yet withall not to abuse those creatures which he hath bestowed on you , but to use them with temperance , sobrietie , and moderation : for what is it to abound in all riches , surfet in pleasures , enjoy the treasures of the whole earth , yea to want nothing that either the eye can desire , or the heart affect ? surely nothing ; alexander , the monarch of the world , had all other things save onely a sepulcher to bury him in , when he was dead ; he never thought of that : for alas , when corruption shall receive what mortality renders , and man after so many dayes passed over in delights , shall make his bed in the darke , those perfunctory pleasures which he so much affected , those temporary blessings which he enjoyed , shall be as if they had not beene . so moderate therefore your expences in the use or dispensation of your earthly mammon , that it may appeare , your hearts are where your treasure is , and your treasure where your heavenly master is : for what is this world , but a list environed with fearfull combats ? so as the world is more to be feared when it smileth , than when it frowneth , and more to be taken heed of , when it allures us to love it , than when it moves or induceth us to contemne it . howsoever , they who embrace the world , are like unto them , who are drowned in waters ; for their minds are so drenched in the depth of worldly affections , and so entangled by the reeds and oaze of earthly vanities , as they are divided from the sailers starre , and the haven of the ship-wrackt soule , being miserably forced to grope in darknesse , without a light to direct them ; and to remaine wofully shelfed , being farre from sight of haven to receive them . and let this suffice to have beene spoken touching moderation in your expence of coine ; i meane , your frugall dispensation of such estates , as god hath blessed you withall ; ever remembring that you must give account of your talent ; not only ( i say ) of your talent of knowledge , but of that talent of substance , whereof in this life you were possessed . and so i descend to your expence of time , that precious treasure which is incomparably to be valued above all that wee enjoy , because it affords a respit of using or employing , whatsoever we enjoy . time is so absolute and soveraigne a regent , as he is all-commanding , but not to be countermanded ; whence we commonly say , that time and tide stayeth for no man. there is nothing undertaken by man , which can be effected without the attendance and gracefull assistance of time. neither can experience be gained , nor truth , the daughter of time discovered , nor the issue of any mans expectance attained , nor any thing worthy observance produced , unlesse time further it . there is nothing of consequence , that can be done at an instant : great taskes require long time ; neither can wee limit time , but time will limit us : whence it appeares , that nothing can be intended , much lesse effected , unlesse time assist and second it . time being thus precious , we must of necessity value it above any inferiour substance , seeing without the company of time , wee are wholly deprived of the use of our substance . whence it was that a friend of mine caused these two verses to be set directly before his table of accounts ; if coines expence be such , pray then divine how rare and precious is th' expence of time. now there be three sorts of persons , with whom i am to encounter by way of admonishment , for their abuse or carelesse expence of time ; the ambitious , voluptuous , and miserable covetous person . for the first , he trifles away time , in the pursuit of impossibilities , spending his meanes , and misspending time , in hope of a day ; which day he seldome or never sees , for his time is a bridged before it come : so as the date of his death anticipates the day of his hopes . now to point out the place of his abode , hee is ever to be found in the eminentest places , for obscuritie fits not his humour , whose only aymes are to acquire honour . hee is so farre from moderating his humour , as he is humorously conceited of his worth , and thinkes whatsoever the parasite saies in his commendations , to be no lesse than what he in his owne proper person deserves , for his contemplations , they are ever mounting , yet seldom so high mounting as heaven , for his thoughts are directed to another sphere . he is prodigall in his feasts , solicitous in the pursuit of friends , impatient in the quest of rivalls , and importunate in the dispatch of his affaires : and though it be a greater reproach to lose what is got , than not at all to get ; yet his ayme is to get , though he fore-see his losse before he get : and though the least libertie be apportioned to the greatest fortune , yet in his highest fortunes will he use the greatest libertie : the reason is , hee conceits himselfe to walke in a cloud , where no popular eye can reach him . he is unmeasurably opinionate , and admires his owne knowledge , wherein he discovers his owne folly : for as he that seekes to be more wise than he can be , shall be found to be lesse wise than hee should be ; so he who conceits himselfe more wise than he is , displayes himselfe to the world what he is . so as it seemes , hee differs in opinion from the poet , who holds this as a maxime : he 's solely wise , who is not selfely wise , but humble in the judgement of his eyes . now his daily tasks may be aptly compared to domitians sports , who spent the whole day in catching flies . for those many projects which he hath devised , those impossible aymes he hath contrived , those ayrie turrets he hath reared , fall in the end to nothing ; and like those misty conclusions of the deluded alchymist , bewray the folly of him that formed them . and as domitian grew ashamed of his owne impieties , exiling all arts , lest the knowledge of them should bring him to a discovery of himselfe : so the ambitious man whose aymes are as boundlesse , as his purposes fruitlesse , when his eyes begin to be unsealed , and those scales of ambition , which hindred his sight , removed , he will then ( if then be not too late ) acknowledge his shame , and ingenuously confesse that his unbounded aimes deserved no better guerdon ; for had his actions beene sincere , they had made him more secure . likewise for the voluptuous man , whose belly is his god , and sensualitie his delight , let me speak thus much : as his care extends but only to the day , slaving himselfe to the pleasures of sinne , and preferring the huskes of vanity , before the soule-solacing cates of eternitie : so shall his misery appeare greater , when deprived of those delights , wherein his sole felicity consisted . this fleshly libertine mis-imployeth time in two respects ; first , in respect of himselfe ; secondly , in respect of those good creatures which were ordained for the use or service of himselfe . in himselfe , by exposing so glorious an image to the subjection of sense , and mis-applying those gifts which he hath received , being diverted from those good offices , for which they were bestowed . in gods good creatures , by converting them to abuse , which were only ordained for use , and turning them to wantonnesse , which were created for health and releefe of weaknesse . this is he , who makes life a merriment , his pilgrimage a pastime , each yeare his iubile . this is he , who turnes fasting into feasting , praying into playing , almes-deeds into all mis-deeds . this is he , whose sole delight is in dainty feeding , to cause inordinate motions to be stirring , without least respect at all of his soules starving . this is he , whose dishes are the poore mans curses , and whose gate is the beggers iaile , where they are barred from least crumme of comfort . this is he , who stalkes and struts in the street ; sends forth his eye to bring him in a booty of lust , or acquaint him with some new fashion , or delight him with some vaine shew . this is he , who sends forth his eare , to convey unto him some choice melody to intraunce him ; his taste , with some luscious viands to provoke him ; his smell , with some rare perfumes to cheere him ; his touch , with soft cloathing , or whatsoever may more effeminately move him . but where to shall these outward delights availe him , when the cold earth shall e●tertaine him ; when he shall be divided from them , and they from him ? when belshazzar beheld the hand upon the wall , he was put quite out of his humour of jollity ; his cheerefulnesse was turned into pensivenesse , his mirth into mourning , his solace into sorrowing . even so shall it fare with the voluptuous man , whose delight was only on earth ; when that fearfull and ungratefull summons shall peremptorily injoine him to bid a due ( a long a due ) to those sensuall consorts which accompanied him , those inordinate meetings which so much delighted him , yea , all those licentious pleasures which so inchained him ; hee will exclaime ( but in vaine shall be those exclamations ) and curse the occasions of his mis-spent time. o what a hard taske would he endure , to redeeme what his security hath lost ? what extremities would he suffer , what difficulties undergoe ? how great and exceeding things would he promise ? in what bonds of firme devotion would he stand engaged ? surely there is nothing that either flesh could sustaine , or mortality suffer , which he would not most willingly indure , to deliver his endangered soule from eternall torments . lastly , for the miserable covetous wretch , who makes great use of his coine , but small use of his time , treasuring up vengeance against the day of wrath ; how carefull is he in making his barnes larger , in filling his chests fuller , in inhauncing his rents higher ; but how respectlesse of that supreme good , wherein all happinesse consisteth ? see , how menedemus-like , he is ever digging and delving to raise a fortune for his seldome thriving posterity . thus lives he , to become an eternall affliction to himselfe ; in whose person the poet very properly expressed a misers nature after this manner ; thus doe i digge , thus doe i delve ●'enrich my state thereby , yet th'poorest slave of all i have , enjoyes as much as i. this was one of those vanities which the wisest of princes observed , as incident to the children of men , that many gathered , yet knew not for whom they gathered , having likewise no power to use what god had in his mercy bestowed . now to give this miserable caitiffe his due character : he is his owne executioner , being good to none , but worst to himselfe . his eye is so fixed on earth , as he finds no time to erect it to heaven . hee employes so much time in getting and gathering goods , as he reserves no time for doing good . he little observes how all earthly things are sweeter in the ambition , than in the fruition , in the affection , than possession . nor how the circular world cannot fill the triangular heart , no more than a circle can fill a triangle ; where still there will be some empty corners . he runs on still in desire , labouring of a disease incurable , till death cure him . he encreaseth his cares with his substance , and the more hee addes to his estate , the more hee detracts from his content . the poore hee hath alwayes with him , for hee makes all poore that deale with him . in briefe , hee is of all others most miserable , because in his riches hee hath all his consolation : which , like the aegyptian reed , will faile him in his confidence , leaving him bare and naked to the testimony of a guilty conscience . for how secure was the rich-man ( as he thought ) when he invited his wretched soule to take her rest , having much goods laid up for many yeares ; but this selfe-securitie was the occasion of his succeeding misery , for that night was his soule to be taken from him . it is a true saying , that the devill requires nothing of man but securitie , for that gives him opportunity of practising his undoing . now , how bitter is the remembrance of death , much more the unwelcome approach of death to this miserable covetous man , who hath all his peace in his substance ? for if nothing be so terrible as death , ( as aristotle writeth : ) which antiochus feeling sensibly in himselfe , crieth out thus ; oh into what adversitie am i come , and into what flo●ds of misery am i now fallen ? he addeth the reason anon after ; for i must die with great sorrow in a strange land. surely then , to the miserable worldling , who hath made a covenant with sin , and a league with transgression , must the approach of death seeme terrible , being to be divided from the staffe of his confidence , from thence to descend without least hope of comfort to the land of forgetfulnesse : for , as it cannot possibly be , that he should die ill , who hath lived well ; so it cannot be , that he who hath lived ill , should die well : for as the scorpion hath in her the remedie of her owne poison , a receit for her owne infection ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him the punishment of his owne wickednesse , the which doth never leave ( so incessant is the torment of a guiltie conscience ) to wound and afflict his minde , both sleeping and waking ; so as , to what place soever he betake him , he cannot so privately retire , but feare and horror will awake him ; nor sly so fast , though hee should take the wings of the morning , but fury and vengeance will over-take him . having thus far proceeded in the treating of such subjects , wherin temperance is required , and of such assailants , by whom shee is usually encountred and impugned : it rests now , that i impart my advice briefly touching temperance or moderation of the passions of the minde , whereof ( omitting the rest , as having else-where discoursed of them ) i will only , and that briefly , insist of these two , the passions of ioy and sorrow . this passion ( to insist on ioy first ) requires direction , to order our desires aright in the matter of ioy. every man loves a glad heart ; and wisheth ioy , as the fruit of his labours ; but therein many mistake . first , one rejoyceth in his substance , he hath gotten much . secondly , another rejoyceth in his promotion . thirdly , another doateth upon that mad mirth which salomon speaks of . fourthly , another rejoyceth in a table richly deckt , an over-flowing cup , a faring deliciously every day . fifthly , another rejoyceth at the destruction of him , whom he hates . sixthly , another rejoyceth in sinne , and wickednesse . it is a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly . it is the drunkards joy to be at the cup early , and to sit till the wine hath enflamed them . the twi-light glads the heart of the adulterer . the oppressour danceth upon the threshold of him that is oppressed . ismael geereth at isaac . holy iob was as a tabret to the godlesse ones ; and the drunkards made songs on david . but this is not that ioy which is required , because the foundation of this ioy is grounded on sinne : wherefore we are to finde a ioy more pure , more permanent : for the ioy of the wicked is short , but the ioy of the righteous shall endure for ever . this ioy which we are to seeke , and whereon we are to ground our sole content , is no carnall but a spirituall ioy : the ioy of our hearts , the divine melody of our soules , concluding with the blessed apostle ; god forbid that we should rejoyce in any thing , but in the crosse of christ , and him crucified : for in this did all the saints and servants of god joy , disvaluing all other joy , as unworthy the entertainment of the soule . wee are to rejoyce likewise , forasmuch as god hath called us not to uncleannesse , but unto holinesse . wee are to rejoyce in the testimonie of a good conscience , being that continuall feast which refresheth every faithfull guest . wee are to rejoyce in our brothers aversion from sinne , and conversion to god ; in his prosperitie and successe in his affaires of state . but above all things wee are so to moderate our joy in the whole progresse of our life , that our joy may the more abound in him , who is the crowne of our hope after this life . the like directions are required in our moderation of sorrow : for there is a sorrow unto death ; which to prevent , understand this by the way , that not so much the passion , as the occasion enforcing the passion , is to be taken heed of . sorrow wee may , but not as ammon did , till he had defloured thamar , for that was the sorrow of licentiousnesse : sorrow wee may , but not as ahab did , till he had got naboths vineyard , for that was the sorrow of covetousnesse : sorrow wee may , but not as iosephs brethren did , grieving that their father should love him more than them , for that was the sorrow of maliciousnesse : sorrow wee may , but not as ionah did , grieving that the ninivites were not destroyed , for that was the sorrow of unmercifulnesse . lastly , sorrow wee may , but not as the * gergesenes did , grieving for the losse of their swine , for that was the sorrow of worldlinesse . these sorrowes are not so much to be moderated as wholly abolished , because they are grounded on sin : but there is a religious and godly sorrow , which , though it afflict the body , it refresheth the spirit ; though it fill the heart with heavinesse , it crowneth the soule with happinesse . and this is not a sorrow unto sinne , but a sorrow for sinne ; not a sorrow unto death , but a sorrow to cure the wound of death . by how much any one ( saith a good father ) is holier , by so much in praier are his teates plentifuller . here sounds the surdon of religious sorrow , the awaker of devotion , the begetter of spirituall compunction , and the sealer of heavenly consolation ; being the way to those that begin ; truth to those that profit , and life to them that are perfect . but alas , the naturall man ( saith the apostle ) perceiveth not the things of the spirit of god ; for they are foolishnesse unto him , neither can he know them , because they are spiritually discerned . it is true ; and this should move us to more fervour of devotion , beseeching the divine assistance to minister strength to our weaknesse , that what is wanting in the flesh , may be supplied by the spirit : yea daily to set our houre-glasse beside us , and observe those precious graines ( the minute treasures of time ) how swiftly they run thorow the cruet , whereof not one must fall un-numbred : for as a haire of the head shall not perish , no more shall the least moment of time . now how healthfull were it ( though the carnall man distaste it ) to vie teares with graines of sand , that our sinnes , being as the sands of the sea-shore , that is , numberlesse , might be bound up and throwne into the deepe sea of eternall forgetfulnesse : so as they may neither rise up in this life to shame us , nor in the world to come to condemne us . surely , if you would know those blessed fruits which true penitent sorrow produceth , you shall finde , that he who sowes in teares , shall reape in joy : neither can any one goe to heaven with drie eyes . may your teares be so shed on earth , that they may be bottled in heaven ; so shall you bring your sheaves with you , and like fine flower , being boulted from the bran of corruption , receive your portion in the land of the living . and may this sacrifice of teares which you offer up unto him , whose eyes are upon all the wayes of the children of men , minister like comfort to your soules , as they have done to many faithfull members of christs church . and let this suffice to have beene spoken of such subjects , wherein moderation is to be used : for to speake of moderation of sorrow for sinne , i hold it little necessary , seeing most men ( so insensible are they of their inward wounds ) come rather short of that sorrow which is required , than exceed in any sort the measure that is prescribed . as moderation in all the precedent subjects is to be used , so in all and every of them is it to be limited ; for to be so stoically affected ( as we have formerly noted ) as not to entertaine so much as modest mirth , or approve of the temperate and moderate use of those things , which were at first ordained for the use and service of man , digresseth as farre from the rule of moderation in restraint , as the profusely minded libertine doth in excesse . how hard a thing is it then to observe with indifferencie an equall or direct course herein , when either by leaping short or over , wee are subject to error ? so saith blessed cranmer ; some lose their game by short shooting , some by over shooting : some walke too much on the left hand , some too much on the right hand . now to propose what forme of direction is best to be observed herein ; wee will take a view of those subjects , whereof wee formerly treated , and set downe in each of them what moderation is to be used . all waters are derived from three wayes or currents : springing either by fountaines and spring-heads , from the bowels of the earth inwardly drained ; by rivers and conduits from those fountaines derived ; or haile and snow from the earth extracted , where some ascend , some descend : so passions are three wayes moved in our bodies ; by humours arising out of our bodies ; by externall senses , and the secret passage of sensuall objects ; or by the descent or commandement of reason . now to insist on the motion or effect of each passion wee shall not greatly need , having sufficiently touched them in our former discourse ; wee will therefore upon a review of those severall subjects , lust , ambition , gorgeous apparell , luscious fare , company-keeping , &c. reduce them and the occasion of them to those three troubled springs , from whence miserable man , by meanes of the immoderate appetite of sense , sucks the banefull poison of sinne ; the concupiscence of the flesh , the concupiscence of the eyes , and the pride of life : for whatsoever is in the world ( as a good father noteth , and as the blessed apostle himselfe affirmeth ) is one of these . as first , whatsoever suiteth or sorteth with the desire or delicacie of the flesh , ministers fuell or matter to feed the concupiscence thereof . now this fleshly libertine takes no delight in the spirit , but in the flesh ; he loves to be cloathed in purple and fare deliciously every day ; he loves to keepe company with those consorts of ruine and miserie , who drinke till they be inflamed , and delight themselves in the pleasures of sinne . secondly , whatsoever relisheth of vanitie , ministers him objects of content , to feed the unsatiate concupiscence of his eyes : which eyes , like dinah , stray from him , fixing themselves upon some vaine object , which suits ever best with his choice , who owes them , and so conveyes some present but perfunctorie delight unto him . as if he be covetous , they shew him naboths vineyard ; if wanton , a beauteous bersheba , or the sandals of iudith , which ravished the eyes of holophernes ; if dainty-toothd , iacobs red pottage ; if proud , the silkes of tyre ; in briefe , they fit every one with an object according to his condition . lastly , whatsoever may minister content to the proud and high-minded man , who walkes upon his turrets , saying , is not this great babel which i have builded ? is suggested to him ; putting him in minde of hamans honour , but never of hamans ladder ; telling him of balthazar 's birth-day , whereon he feasted royally , but never of his last day , whereon he died fearfully ; shewing him herods garment which shone as the sunne , and of his applause , the voice of god and not of man ; but never of the eclipse of that sunne , when he became so loathsome , as his smell could be endured by no man. now to propose our rules of limitation in the moderation of these : as wee are commanded to subdue the flesh with those inordinate affections , which arise from the infirmitie thereof ; so are wee not injoyned to kill the flesh , for so should wee disgresse from the rule of humanitie : for no man hateth his owne flesh , but loveth and cherisheth it . no ; our righteousnesse in this life , which may be rather said to consist in the remission of sinnes , than perfection of vertues , as it is to be furthered by all ordinary and direct meanes , so are wee not to transgresse that law , line , or limit , which is prescribed . wee must not cut off our members with a knife , but our carnall affections with a holy and a mortified life . whence it is , that origen was justly punished by using too little diligence where there was great need , because he used too great diligence where there was little need . for , gelding himselfe , he prevented himselfe of a greater conquest : for there is no mastery to get the mastery of sinne through disabilitie . for as he that surceaseth but then from sinne , when he can sinne no more , forsaketh not his sinnes , but his sinnes forsake him ; so hee who disableth himselfe for committing sinne , lest his abilitie should draw him to sinne , disableth not his sinnes , but his sinnes disable him : for howsoever he hath disabled the act of sinne , he hath not supprest the occasion , which resteth not so much in the act , as in the desire to sinne . no lesse worthy was democritus errour of reproving , who was blinded before he was blinde : for a christian need not put out his eyes for feare of seeing a woman ; since howsoever his bodily eye see , yet still his heart is blinde against all unlawful desires . the princely prophet saith indeed , lord turne away my eyes from vanitie ; but this turning doth not so much imply the looke of the eye , as the lust or assent of the heart . neither is it so requisite to make a covenant with our eyes that they shall not looke upon a woman , as to make a covenant with our hearts that they may never lust after a woman . in like sort , if any intemperate or immoderate desire to luscious fare or delicious drink should surprize us , whose subtill fumes unrivet each joynt of the memory , and loosen the cement which held it fast ; ( for you shall ever note , as i said before , that deepe drinkers have but shallow memories : ) wee are so to prevent the abuse , that wee contemne not the moderate and healthfull use of them . for as to use them in excesse is to abuse them , so not to use them at all is to contemne or neglect gods providence in them . wee must not say with the epicure , let us eat and drinke , for to morrow wee shall die ; but rather let us eat and drinke , as if to morrow we should die ; remembring that strict account which every one must give of the use or abuse of gods creatures : for it is not the use , but abuse which produceth sinne . so as thracius , whom i formerly touched , and of whom aulus gellius writeth , covertly glancing at his folly , was for any thing that i can see , even at that time most of all drunken , when he cut downe all his vines , lest he should be drunken . likewise in the quest or pursuit of honour , as it is ambition to hunt after it , undeserved ; so it is the most apparent testimonie of true and approved vertue , to obtaine it undesired . for this reluctancie to receiving of honour , can never be without some mixture of pride : for they would have the world to observe , how well they deserve it ; and againe , their humilitie ( which is seldome in these without some tincture of vaine-glory ) in that they so little desire it . so as , these popular and firie spirits , whose only aimes are to dignifie themselves , deserve no sharper curbe for over-valuing themselves , than these , who pride themselves in their humilitie , deserve for counterfeiting a kinde of debasing or dis-valuing of themselves to the eye of the world . whence i might take occasion to speake of those precise schismaticks , who cannot endure any precedencie or prioritie of place to be in the church , but an equalitie of presbyterie ; but i will leave them to a sharper censure , till they be throughly cured of their distemper . now for the second motive to sinne , which is the concupiscence of the eye ; as it is so to be moderated that it stray not , so should it be so directed that it sleepe not ; sleepe not , i say , in the survey of that , for which it was created . the eye strayeth , when it coveteth what it should not ; it sleepeth , when it retireth from what it should : it strayeth , when it lusteth after a strange woman ▪ it sleepeth , when it readeth not the law of god , to reclaime it from lusting after a strange woman : it strayeth , when it lusts after naboths vineyard ; it sleepeth , when it lookes not after gods vineyard . neither is the eye so to be limited , as if contemplation were only intended ; for as it is not sufficient to pray , unlesse wee practise as well as pray ; so is it not sufficient to looke upon the law , unlesse wee live after the law on which wee looke . wee reade that abraham buried sarah in the cave of ma●pelah , that is , in a double sepulchre . he that burieth his minde in knowledge only , without any care of practice , he buries sarah in a single sepulchre : but he that buries his minde , as well in the practice and feeling of religion , ( which is all in all ) as in the knowledge and understanding of it , he buries sarah in a double sepulchre : and so must all wee doe which are the true children of abraham : for then with abraham burying our spirit in a double sepulchre , wee shall with elizeus have a double spirit ; a spirit that as well doth , as teacheth . otherwise , wee are but tinkling cymbals , making only a sound of religion , without any sound or sincere profession : being ( as that honey-tongu'd father saith ) in body inward , but in heart outward . now the eye , as it is the tenderest and subtilest organ of all others , so should the object on which it is fixed , be the purest and clearest of all others . the eagle accounts those of her young ones bastards , which cannot fix their eyes upon the sunne , and with equall reflexion ( as it were ) reverberate the beaming vigour or splendour thereof : which should be the embleme of divine contemplation ; teaching us , that howsoever wee have our feet on earth , wee are to have our eyes in heaven : not by prying too saucily into the sealed arke of gods inscrutable will , but by meditating ever of him , so to rest in him , that after earth wee may for ever rest with him . it is observed by profest oculists , that whereas all creatures have but foure muscles to turne their eyes round about , man hath a fift to pull his eyes up to heaven . how farre divert they then their eyes from the contemplation of that object , for which they were created , who cannot see their neighbours ground but they must cover it , nor his beast but they desire it , nor any thing which likes them , but with a greedy eye they heart-eat it ? so large is the extent or circuit of their heart to earthly things , as they can see nothing but they instantly desire ; so strait is the circumference of their heart to heavenly things , they set no minde on them , as if altogether unworthy their desire . so as i cannot more aptly compare these idolizing worldlings to any thing , than to the bird ibis , which is of that filthy nature , as she receives those excrements in at her mouth , which she had purged before from her guts . neither doe they resemble this bird only in respect of their bestiall or insatiate receit , but also in the unbounded extent of their heart . oris apollo writeth , that the egyptians when they would describe the heart , paint that bird which they call ibis ; because they thinke that no creature , for proportion of the body , hath so great a heart as the ibis hath . neither hath our worldly ibis a lesse heart to the filthy desires of the world , being of necessity forced to leave the world , before he can leave desiring the things of this world : for their satan-like , come from compassing the whole earth , esteeming no joy to the worldling , like much enjoying : yet am i not so rigorously affected , or from feeling of humanity so farre estranged , as with democritus , to move you to pull out your eyes , that the occasion of temptation might be removed , by being of your eyes , those motives to temptation , wholly deprived . nor with that inamored italian , to wish you to fix your eyes upon the beames of the sunne , till they were ●eared , that the sight of your mistresse might not move your disquiet . no ; enjoy your eyes , and make them directers to guide you , not as blinde or deceitfull guides to entrap you ; use the object of this sense , but weane it from assenting to concupiscence ; concluding ever with that good remembrance , may that object be from our eyes removed , which makes us from our deare lord divided . now for the last motive , which is the pride of life ; it was lucifers sinne , and therefore should be each true christians scorne . for this sinne ( saith an ancient and learned father ) are the children of the kingdome throwne into utter darknesse : and whence commeth this , but because they ascend up unto that mountaine , unto which the first angell ascended , and as a devill descended ? hee who entertaineth this motive , is an ambitious man , who ( as one rightly observeth ) may be well and fitly similized with the chameleon , who hath nothing in his body but lungs ; so the badge of the ambitious is to be windy and boisterous : whereas , if hee would measure all his undertakings , rather by the dignity of the thing , than the ambition of his minde , he should finde as much content as now he finds disquiet . it was the rule of a wise statesman , and well deserves it the observance of every private person , but especially of such who sit neere the sterne of state ; not to suffer any ambitious heat transport him , but to measure a●l things according to their dignity and worth : and withall , rather to refer the opinion of themselves and their actions to the censure of others , and freely put themselves to be weighed in the judicious scale or ballance of others , than to be approvers of themselves without the suffrage of others : for certainely , as there is no humour more predominant than ambition , nor apter to make man forgetfull of himselfe ; so he who is of a haughty and proud disposition * dis-values all others , purposely to prize his owne deserts at an higher estimate . i remember with what character that proud english cardinall was decoloured , who bare so great stroake in this kingdome , as it was in his power to shake the foundation of monasteries , and from their ruines to raise his owne structures ; that hee was so puffed up with ambition , as hee preferred the humour of his person , before the discharge of his profession . surely that sentence was verified in him , promotion declares what men bee ; for never was his nature throughly discovered , nor his inside displayed , till his out-side was with the cardinalls pall graced . how necessary is it then for man , being more subject to pride himselfe in his height , than with patience to receive a fall , to learne how to moderate his acception of honour , before he come to honour ? for i doe not so limit him , as if he should not at all receive it , but rather how hee should demeane himselfe having received it . neither in ambition only , but in that attire of ●in , gorgeous apparell , is the like limitation to be used : for herein are we to observe such decencie , as neither the contempt thereof may tax us of irregular carelesnesse , nor affectation therof evince us of too singular nicenesse : for the former , as it implies a carelesse indifferencie , so the latter argues an effeminate delicacy : for god hateth no lesse in man this sloth and sluttishnesse , than he hateth too much neatnesse and nicenesse . yea , i have oft-times observed no lesse pride shrouded under a thred-bare cloake , than under a more sumptuous coat . so as , antisthenes went not farre a wrong , who seeing socrates shew his torne cloake , shewing an hole thereof unto the people ; loe , quoth he , thorow this i see socrates vanitie . it is not the hood which makes the monke , nor the cloake which makes the philosopher ; but the disposition of the minde , which makes him a true or false professour . it is good therefore , in the use of these things to observe the end for which they were ordained ; now apparell was not ordained to pride us in it , but to be kept warme by it . peter martyr sheweth , that clothing doth keepe the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the naturall heat of the body ; and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre . this then being ordained for necessity , is not be used for vain-glory : for howsoever ( to such excesse of vanity is this age growne ) that fashion is esteemed neatest , which is newest ; discretion will informe you better , and tell you that fashion is of all other the choicest , which is the comliest . but that these three maine motives to temptation , and profest assailants of moderation , i meane , concupiscence of the flesh , concupiscence of the eyes , and pride of life may be the better resisted , incessant prayer is to be used . for prayer is gods honour , mans armour , and the devils terror ; it is gods oblation , mans munition , and the devils expulsion . by prayer are those treasures digged , which faith in the gospell beholdeth . as it is then gods sacrifice , let it be mans exercise , that it may defeat the devils malice : saying with blessed augustine ; behold , o lord my god , the whole world is full of the snares of concupiscence , which they have prepared for my feet , and who shal escape them ? truly he , from whom thou shalt take away the pride of his eyes , that the concupiscence of his eyes may not seaze on him ; and from whom thou shalt take away the concupiscence of the flesh , that the concupiscence of the flesh may not surprize him ; and from whom thou shalt take away an irreverent and unbridled minde , that the pride of life may not craftily deceive him . o happie hee , to whom thou shalt doe this , surely hee shall passe his dayes in safety ! thus farre have i proceeded in discourse touching both manner and matter , how and wherein moderation is to be limited . where , in the pursuit of honour , as i would have you no canius , too stoically to contemne it ; so no cassius , too tenderly to affect it : likewise in the pursuit of wealth , as i would have you no mimus , too scornefully to hate it ; so no midas , too slavishly to hugge it : likewise in the pursuit of fancie , as i would have you no arminius , too severely to loath it ; so no arsenius , too dearely to love it : likewise in fare , as i would have you no pythagoras , too rigorously to abstaine it ; so no diagoras , too riotously to epicure it : likewise in apparell , as i would have you no diogenes , too carelesly to use it ; so no demosthenes , too curiously to chuse it : lastly , in pleasure , as i would have you no philopomenes , too strictly to despise it ; so no philoxenus , too highly to prize it . for origen himselfe eunuching , democritus his eyes blinding , crates his money drowning , and thracius his vines destroying , no lesse offended ( as wee have before observed ) in exceeding the limit by nature proposed , than the libertines of their time , came short of that rule which moderation had prescribed . but drawing neere shore , i am now to descend to the last branch of this observation , treating of the accomplished end which attends moderation . as there is no art or science which hath not some especiall end , to which it is properly directed ; so is there no vertue which workes or actuates not for some end ; in the acquisition whereof it is fully satisfied . now touching this end , whereto all vertues were and are properly directed ; both heathen and divine philosophers with one consent have concluded it to be that summary or s●preme good , than which nothing could be better in respect of the fulnesse , higher in respect of the worthinesse , or safer in respect of the securenesse . but how different in opinion the ancient philosophers have beene touching this summary or supreme good , what it should be , or wherein it might be properly said to consist ; there is none having beene conversant in their ethicks , but he sufficiently knowes it . so as varro reporteth , that these ancient philosophers have held and maintained two hundred threescore and eight severall opinions concerning felicitie . where some placed their summary good in honours or preferments , others in pleasures or delights , but few in that true or accomplished felicitie ▪ the testimony of a good conscience , which only makes man happie ; and without which , enjoying all , he enjoyes nothing : for were this felicity or accomplished end , to which all vertues are properly directed , to be found on earth , then were the hopes of many good and vertuous men frustrated , whose thoughts are so farre above the foundation of earth , or all those perfunctory delights , which this low theater can afford ; as they have esteemed such men of all others most miserable upon earth , whose thoughts were not erected above earth , but sla●ed to the desires of this life ; as if their hopes extended no further . no ; in vaine were those many sighings and groanings in the spirit , those incessant labours and watchings , which the faithfull so willingly undergo , if there were no happinesse save onely in enjoying the delights of this life ; the fruition whereof , as they tender no true sweetnesse , so are they ever attended by sharpe repentance . for howbeit , every one be reputed worthy , if he be wealthy , and nought if he be needy ; yet when sinne , having three punishments , feare , shame , and guilt ; feare of judgement , shame of men , and guilt of conscience : shall convent and convict him , he shall finde that riches cannot deliver in the day of wrath . so as howsoever the sin seeme sweet , the sting of sin shall wound his heart : for the bread of deceit is sweet to a man , but his mouth shall be filled with gravell . likewise the high-minded man , whose heart hath beene only set on titles of honour , howsoever he seem'd raised or reared above the pitch of common earth , disdaining these poore wormelings , who had the selfe-same maker , though inferiour to this high cedar in honour ; when he shall be forced to call corruption his mother , and wormes his brethren and sisters ; when hee must leave that high babel , which his pride erected ; those worldly swelling tumours , his slippery honours , which hee once enjoyed ; those sycophants , the followers of greatnesse , which he so much affected ; yea , the world it selfe , where all his imaginary glory was stored ; he shall then finde goodnesse to be farre better than greatnesse , and worldly dignitie to adde fuell to those violls , which he hath worthily incured . likewise the voluptuous man , as hee hath enjoyed the pleasures of sinne for a season , sported him in his beds of ivory , feasted royally , fated deliciously , and fed all his miserable senses with a loathed satiety , he shall feele that the pleasure of sinne was finall , but the punishment due to sinne eternall ; he shall feele a worme ever gnawing , never ending ; fiery teares ever streaming , never stinting ; griefe ever griping , never ceasing ; death ever living , never dying : yea , that worme which gnaweth and dieth not , that fire which burneth and quencheth not , that death which rageth and endeth not . but if punishments will not deterre us , at least le● rewards allure us . the faithfull cry ever for the approach of gods judgement ; the reward of immortality , which , with assurance in gods mercies , and his sonnes passion , they undoubtedly hope to obtaine ; with vehemencie of spirit inviting their mediatour ; come lord iesus , come quickly . such is the confidence or spirituall assurance which every faithfull soule hath in him , to whose expresse image as they were formed , so in all obedience are they conformed ; that the promises of the gospell might be on them conferred and confirmed . such as these care not so much ●or possessing ought in the world , as they take care to lay a good foundation against the day of triall , which may stand firme against the fury of all temptation . these see nothing in the world worthy their feare . a this only ( say they ) is a fearfull thing , to feare any thing more than god. these see nought in the world worthy either their b desire or feare ; and their reason is this , c there is nothing able to move that man to fear in all the world , who hath god for his guardian in the world . neither is it possible that he should feare the losse of anything in the world , who cannot see any thing worthy having in the world . so equally affected are these towards the world , as there is nothing in all the world , that may any way divide their affection from him , who made the world . therefore may we well conclude touching these , that their light shall never goe out : for these walke not in darknesse , nor in the shadow of death , as those to whom the light hath not as yet appeared : for the light hath appeared in darknesse , giving light all the night long to all these faithfull beleevers , during their abode in these houses of clay . now to expresse the nature of that light , though it farre exceed all humane apprehension , much more all expression : clemens understandeth by that light , which the wise-woman , to wit , christs spouse , kept by meanes of her candle which gave light all the night long , the heart , and he calleth the meditations of holy men , candles that never goe out . saint augustine writeth , among the pagans in the temple of venus , there was a candle which was called inextinguishable : whether this be or no of venus temple , wee leave it to the credit of antiquity , only augustines report we have for it ; but without doubt in every faithfull hearer and keeper of the word , who is the temple of the holy ghost , there is a candle or light that never goes out . whence it appeares , that the heart of every faithfull soule is that light which ever shineth , and his faith that virgin oile which ever feedeth , and his conscience that comfortable witnesse which assureth , and his devoted zeale to gods house , that seale which confirmeth him to be one of gods chosen , because a living faith worketh in him , which assures him of life , howsoever his outward man , the temple of his body , become subject to death . excellently saith saint augustine : whence comes it that the soule dieth ? because faith is not in it . whence that the bodie dieth ? because a soule is not in it . therefore the soule of thy soule is faith . but forasmuch as nothing is so carefully to bee sought for , nor so earnestly to bee wrought for , as purity or uprightnesse of the heart : for seeing there is no action , no studie , which hath not his certaine scope , end , or period ; yea , no art , but laboureth by some certaine meanes or exercises to attaine some certaine proposed end ; ( which end surely is to the soule at first proposed , but the last which is obtained : ) how much more ought there to be some end proposed to our studies , as well in the exercises of our bodies ; as in the readings , meditations , and mortifications of our mindes ( passing over corporall and externall labours ) for which end those studies or exercises were at first undertaken ? for let us thinke with our selves , if we knew not , or in mind before conceived not , whither or to what especiall place we were to run , were it not a vaine taske for us , undertake to run ? even so to every action are wee to propose his certaine end : which being once attained , wee shall need no further striving towards it , being at rest in our selves by attaining it . and like end are wee to propose to our selves in the exercise of moderation , making it a subduer of all things which fight against the spirit , which may be properly reduced to the practising of these foure ; overcomming of anger by the spirit of patience ; wantonnesse by the spirit of continence ; pride by the spirit of humilitie ; and in all things unto him whose image wee partake , so neerely conformed , that like good proficients wee may truly say with the blessed apostle , wee have in all things learned to be contented . for the first , to wit , anger , as there is no passion which makes man more forgetfull of himselfe ; so to subdue it , makes man an absolute enjoyer of himselfe . athenodorus a wise philosopher , departing from augustus caesar , and bidding him farewell , left this lesson with him , most worthy to be imprinted in an emperours brest ; that when he was angry , he should repeat the foure and twenty greeke letters . which lesson received caesar as a most precious jewell , making such use thereof , as he shewed himselfe no lesse a prince in the conquest of this passion , than in his magnificence of state , and majestie of person . no lesse praise-worthy was that excellent soveraigntie which architas had over this violent and commanding passion , ( as we have formerly observed ) who finding his servants loytering in the field , or committing some other fault worthy reproofe , like a worthy master , thought it fit first to over-master himselfe , before he would shew the authoritie of a master to his servants : wherefore perceiving himselfe to be greatly moved at their neglect , as a wise moderator of his passion , hee would not beat them in his ire , but said ; happy are yea , that i am angry with you . in briefe , because my purpose is only to touch these rather than treat of them , having so amply discoursed of some of them formerly ; as the sunne is not to goe downe upon our wrath ; so in remembrance of that sunne of righteousnesse , let us bury all wrath : so shall wee be freed from the viols of wrath , and appeare blamelesse in the day of wrath . for in peace shall wee descend to our graves without sighing , if in peace wee be angry without sinning . secondly , wantonnesse , being so familiar a darling with the flesh , is ever waging warre with the spirit ; she comes with powdred haire , painted cheeke , straying eyes , mincing and measuring her pace , tinkling with her feet , and using all immodestie to lure the unwarie youth to all sensualitie . these light professors ( as s. ierome to marcella saith ) are matter of scandall to christian eyes ; those eye-sores which wound the inward man with the sting of anguish . now what receit better or more soveraigne to cure this maladie , than to take away the cause which begets this infirmitie ? and what may wee suppose the cause to be , but the complace●cie of the flesh ? when wee labour to satisfie our desires , and give easie reines to our affections . for the flesh while she is obedient , becomes a servant to the soule : shee governeth , the other is governed : this commandeth , that is commanded : but having once begun to usurpe , she will scarcely ever become a faithfull and loyall subject . what necessitie then is there injoyned us to stand upon our guard , when wee have a tarpeia within our gates , ready to betray us to our professed enemy ? with what continuall and incessant labour ought wee to imploy our selves , that this untamed iebusite might be so tired and wearied , that all inordinate motions might be extinguished , which by sloth and want of imployment are ever cherished ? let us then embrace continence , and by power of so good a spirit dispossesse the bad . let us not entertaine those dangerous motives to sinne , which like a snake in the bosome , will wound us to death . and what be those motives ? wanton thoughts , and wanton words , which corrupt mens manners with wicked works . it is a sure note , and worthy observance ; whensoever any thought is suggested to you , which tasteth of evill , make the doore of your heart fast , lest you give actuall possession to the devill . wanton words likewise are dangerous motives to incontinence ; the habit whereof being once attained , will hardly be relinquished . so as speech , which democritus calls the image of life , being exercised in scurrilitie , seemes to deface that image , by laying on it the darke and sable colour of death . for as muddy water is an argument that the fountaine is troubled ; so filthy words are witnesses that the heart is corrupted . a good tree brings forth good fruit , a pure spring cleare water , and an uncorrupt heart words tending to the edification of the hearer . now he , who useth his tongue to filthy communication , incurres a threefold offence : first , in dishonouring god ; secondly , in sinning against his owne soule ; thirdly , in ministring matter of scandall or offence to his brother . how necessary is it then , to keepe a watch upon our mouth , and a gate of circumstance unto our lips , that wee offend not with our tongue ; which like the poisonous adder , stings even unto death , wounding the soule with an incurable dart ? neither doe i , speaking of wantonnesse , onely restraine my discourse to incontinence , but to whatsoever else may properly tend to the complacencie or indulgence of the flesh ; as to tender obedience to her in the desire of luscious and lascivious meats , or the like ; including all such as turne the grace of god to wantonnesse , making a profession of faith , but denying the power thereof in their life and conversation . thirdly , pride , that luciferian sinne , whose airie thoughts are ever mounting , must be subdued by the spirit of humilitie . wee would hold it to be no faithfull part of a subject , to make choice of no liverie but his , who is a profest foe to his soveraigne . and what i pray you , doe wee , when wee attire our selves in the habiliments of pride ; not only outwardly in gorgeous apparell , choicest perfumes , and powdred locks , but likewise inwardly , in putting on the spirit of pride , attended by scornfull respects , disdainfull eyes , and haughtie lookes ? can wee be truly termed subjects ? may wee , wearing the devils crest , partake of the seamlesse coat of christ ? may wee expect a crowne after death , that oppose him who wore a thorny crowne , to crowne us after death ? no ; as the souldier is known by his colours , the servant by his cognizance , the sheepe by his marke , and coine by the stampe ; so shall wee be knowne by our colours if wee be christs souldiers , by our crest or cognizance if his followers , by our marke if his sheepe and lambkins , by our stampe or superscription if his coine or starling . o know , by how much wee are the humbler , by so much to our beloved are wee the liker ! let us resemble him then in all humilitie , that afterwards wee may reigne with him in glory . lastly , that wee may become conformable unto him , whose image wee have received , wee are to learne of the blessed apostle , in all things to be contented . content ( saith the proverbe ) is worth a crowne , but many crownes come farre short of this content . now to propose a rule how this content may be acquired , were a lesson well worthy our learning : which i could wish might be as soone learned as proposed : for content , briefly , consists in these two ; to be free from desiring what wee have not , to be free from fearing to lose what wee already have . now hee , who seeth nothing in the world worthy desiring , cannot chuse but be free from feare of losing , being so indifferent touching the world , or whatsoever else he hath in enjoying . for he that neither hath , nor so●th ought in the world which hee esteemes worthy his love , enjoyeth nought but hee can willingly be content to leave ; for no man feareth the losse of that which he doth not love . but to draw neerer a point : these two passions or affections of desire and feare ; desire of having more than wee have , feare of losing what wee already have , may be properly said to have a threefold respect ; to the goods or endowments of the minde , of the body , and of fortune . for the first , plato in his tymaeo saith ; if a man lose his eyes , or feet , or hands , or wealth , wee may say of such an one , he loseth something ; but he who loseth his heart and reason , loseth all . for in the wombe of our mother , the first thing which is ingendred or participates forme , is the heart , and the last which dieth is the same heart . so as properly it may be called reasons treasurie or store-house , where those divine graces are seated , which conferre the best beauty to man , giving him a note of distinction from other creatures , the more to dignifie man. for howsoever all creatures have hearts , yet only to man is given an understanding heart . other creatures have hearts indeed sensible of present paine , but they cannot recall to minde what is past , or probably collect by what is past , the seasons of times , or issues of affaires likely to ensue . in the heart of man , there is the reasonable power , with which he governeth himselfe ; the irascible power , with which he defendeth himselfe ; and concupiscible , by which he provideth for things necessary to releeve himselfe . now admit wee were deprived of that principall blessing , the intellectuall part , so as like raving and raging orestes , wee were forced to take many blinde by-paths , wanting the means of direction by reason of our woful distraction , and crying out with octavia in seneca ; o , to the spirits below that i were sent , for death were easie to this punishment ! admit , i say , all this ; yet is the afflicted soule to be content , abiding gods good leisure , who as hee doth wound , so he can cure ; and as he opened old tobiths eyes , so can he , when hee pleaseth , where hee pleaseth , and as he pleaseth , open the bleered eyes of understanding ; so with a patient expectance of gods mercy , and christian resolution to endure all assaults with constancie , as he recommendeth himselfe to god , so shall he finde comfort in him , in whom he hath trusted , and receive understanding more cleare and perfect than before he enjoyed . or admit one should have his memorative part so much enfeebled , as with corvinus messala hee should forget his owne name ; yet the lord , who numbreth the starres , and knoweth them all by their names , will not forget him , though he hath forgot himselfe , having him as a signet upon his finger , ever in his remembrance . for what shall it availe , if thou have memory beyond cyrus , who could call every souldier in his army by his name , when it shall appeare thou hast forgot thy selfe , and exercised that facultie rather in remembring injuries , than recalling to minde those insupportable injuries which thou hast done unto god ? nay more ; of all faculties in man , memory is the weakest , first waxeth old , and decayes sooner than strength or beauty . and what shall it profit thee , once to have excelled in that facultie , when the privation thereof addes to thy misery ? nothing , nothing : wherefore , as every good and perfect gift commeth from above , where there is neither change nor shadow of change , so as god taketh away nothing but what he hath given , let every one in the losse of this or that facultie , referre himselfe with patience to his sacred majestie , who in his change from earth will crowne him with mercy . secondly , for the goods or blessings of the body , as strength , beautie , agilitie , &c. admit thou wert blinde with appius , lame with agesilaus , tongue-tied with samius , dwarfish with ivius , deformed with thersites ; though blinde , thou hast eyes to looke with , and that upward ; though lame , thou hast legges to walke with , and that homeward ; though tongue-tied , thou hast a tongue to speake , and that to godward ; though dwarfish , thou hast a proportion given thee , ayming heavenward ; and though deformed , thou hast a glorious feature , and not bruitish to looke downward . for not so much by the motion of the body , and her outwardly working faculties , as by the devotion of the heart , and those inwardly moving graces , are wee to come to god. againe , admit thou wert so mortally sicke , as even now drawing neere shore , there were no remedy but thou must of necessitie bid a long a due to thy friends , thy honours , riches , and whatsoever else are deare or neere unto thee : yet for all this , why shouldst not thou remaine contented ? art thou here as a countryman , or a pilgrim ? no countryman sure , for then shouldst thou make earth thy country , and inhabit here as an abiding city . and if a pilgrim , who would grieve to be going homeward ? there is no life but by death , no habitation but by dissolution . he then that feareth death , feareth him that bringeth glad tidings of life . therefore to esteeme life above the price , or feare death beyond the rate , are alike evill : for he that values life to be of more esteeme than a pilgrimage , is in danger of making shipwracke of the hope of a better inheritance ; and he that feareth death as his protest enemy , may thanke none for his feare but his securitie . certainly , there is no greater argument of folly , than to shew immoderate sorrow either for thy own death , or death of another : for it is no wisdome to grieve for that which thou canst not possibly prevent , but to labour in time rather to prevent what may give thee occasion to grieve . for say , is thy friend dead ? i confesse it were a great losse , if he were lost ; but lost he is not , though thou be left ; gone he is before thee , not gone from thee ; divided only , not exiled from thee . a princesse wee had of sacred memory , who looking one day from her palace , might see one shew immoderate signes or appearances of sorrow , so as she , moved with princely compassion , sent downe presently one of her pensioners to inquire who it was that so much sorrowed , and withall to minister him all meanes of comfort ; who finding this sorrowfull mourner to be a counsellor of state , who sorrowed for the death of his daughter ; returned directly to his soveraigne , and acquainted her therewith . o ( quoth she ) who would thinke that a wise man and a counsellor of our state could so forget himselfe , as to shew himselfe a childe for the death of his childe ! and surely , whosoever shall but duly consider mans frailtie with deaths necessitie , cannot chuse but wonder why any one should be so wholly destitute of understanding , to lament the death of any one , since to die is as necessary and common as to be borne to every one . but perchance it may be by some objected , that the departure of their friend is not so much lamented , for that is of necessitie , and therefore exacts no teares of sorrow , being , if spent , as fruitlesse as the doome reverselesse ; but their sudden or inopinate departure . whereto i answer , that no death is sudden to him that dies well : for sudden death hath properly a respect rather to the life , how it was passed or disposed , than to death , how short his summons were , or how quickly clozed . io. mathes . preaching upon the raising up of the womans sonne of naim by christ , within three houres afterward died himselfe : the like is written of luther , and many others . as one was choaked with a flie , another with a haire , a third pushing his foot against the tressall , another against the threshold falls downe dead : so many kinde of wayes are chalked out for man , to draw towards his last home , and weane him from the love of earth . those whom god loves , saith menander , die young : yea , those whom hee esteemeth highest , hee takes from hence the soonest : and that for two causes ; the one is to free them the sooner from the wretchednesse of earth ; the other to crowne them the sooner with happinesse in heaven : for what gaine wee by a long life , or what profit reape wee by a tedious pilgrimage , but that wee partly see , partly suffer , partly commit more evils ? priamus say more dayes and shed more teares than troilus . let us hence then learne so to measure our sorrow for ought that may or shall befall us , in respect of the bodie , that after her returne to earth , it may be gloriously re-united to the soule , to make an absolute consort in heaven . thirdly , and lastly , for the goods or blessings of fortune ; they are not to command us , but to be commanded by us ; not to be served by us , but to serve us . and because hee onely in the affaires of this life is the wealthiest , who in the desires of this life is the neediest ; and he the richest on earth , who sees little worth desiring on earth : we are so to moderate our desires ( as i have formerly touched ) in respect of those things we have not , that wee may labour to over-master our desires , in thirsting after more than we already have ; likewise so to temper and qualifie our affections in respect of those things we have , as to shew no immoderate sorrow for the losse of those we have , but to be equally minded , as well in the fruition of those wee have , as privation of those we have not . for of all others , there is no sorrow baser nor unworthier , than that which is grounded on the losse of oxe , or cow , or such inferiour subjects . neither incurre they any lesse opinion of folly , who carried away with the love of their horse , hound , or some such creature , use for some prize or conquest got , to reare in their memory some obeliske , or monument graced with a beauteous inscription , to preserve their fame , because ( poore beasts ) they have nothing to preserve themselves : for howsoever this act seeme to have some correspondence with gratitude , labouring only to grace them who have graced us , rearing a stone to perpetuate their fame , who memoriz'd our name by speed of foot ; yet is it grosse and so palpable to those , whose discretion is a moulder of all their actions , as they account it an act , worthier the observation of an heathen than a christian. cimon buried his mares , bestowing upon them specious tombs , when they had purchased credit in the swift races of the olympiads . xan●ippus bewailed his dogs death , which had followed his master from calamina . alexander erected a citie in the honour of bucephalus , having beene long defended by him in many dangerous battels . and the asse may well among the heathen be adorned with lillies , violets and garlands , when their goddesse vesta by an asses bray , avoided the rape of priapus . but howsoever these actions among pagans might carry some colour of thankfulnesse , rewarding them , by whose speed , fury , agilitie , or some other meanes , they have beene as well preserved as honoured : yet with christians , whose eyes are so clearely opened , and by the light divine so purely illumined , would these seeme acts of prophanenesse , ascribing honour to the creature , to whom none is due , and not to the creator , to whom all honour is solely and properly due . in briefe , let us so esteeme of all ●he goods and gifts of fortune , as of vtensils , fit for our use and service , but of the supreme good , as our chiefest so●ace : for he who subjected all things to the feet of man , that man might be wholly subject unto him , and that man might be wholly his , he gave man dominion over all those workes of his : so he created all outward things for the bodie , the bodie for the soule , but the soule for him ; that shee might only intend him , and only love him , possessing him for solace , but inferiour things for service . thus farre , gentlemen , hath this present discourse inlarged it selfe , to expresse the rare and incomparable effects , which naturally arise from the due practice of moderation , being indeed a vertue so necessary , and well deserving the acquaintance of a gentleman , ( who is to be imagined as one new come to his lands , and therefore stands in great need of so discreet an attendant ) as there is no one vertue better sorting his ranke , not only in matters of preferment , profit , or the like ; but in matters of reputation or personall ingagement , where his very name or credit is brought to the tesh . looke not then with the eye of scorne on such a follower : but take these instructions with you for a fare-well . doth ambition buzze in your eare motions of honour ? this faithfull attendant , moderation , will disswade you from giving way to these suggestions , and tell you , ambition is the high road which leads to ruine , but humilitie is the gate which opens unto glory . doth covetousnesse whisper to you matters of profit ? here is one will tell you , the greatest wealth in the world , is to want the desires of the world . doth wantonnesse suggest to you motives of delight ? here is that herbe of grace , which will save you from being wounded , and salve you already wounded . in briefe , both your expence of time and coine , shall bee so equally disposed , as you shall never need to redeeme time , because you never prodigally lost it ; nor repent your fruitlesse expence of coine , because you never profusely spent it . thus if you live , you cannot chuse but live for ever : for ever , in respect of those choice vertues which attend you : for ever , in respect of your good example , moving others to imitate you . and for ever , in respect of that succeeding glory which shall crowne you . the english gentleman . argument . of perfection ; contemplative and active ; the active preferred ; wherein it consisteth ; of the absolute or supreme end whereto it aspireth , and wherein it resteth . perfection . we are now to treat of a subject , which , while we are here on earth , is farre easier to discourse of , than to finde ; for perfection is not absolute in this life , but graduall . so as , howsoever we may terme one perfect or complete in respect of some especial qualities , wherewith he is endued ; yet , if we come to the true ground of perfection , we shall finde it farre above the sphere of mortality to ascend to : for man , miserable man , what is he , or of himselfe what can he , to make him absolutely perfect ? exceed can he in nothing but sinne , which is such a naturall imperfection , as it wholly detracts from his primitive perfection . time was indeed , when man knew no sinne , and in that ignorance from sin consisted his perfection . but no sooner was that banefull apple tasted , than in the knowledge of sinne he became a professant . wee are therefore to discourse of such perfection , as wee commonly in opinion hold for absolute , though in very deed it appeare only respective and definite ; for to treat of that perfection which is transcendent or indefinite , were to sound the sea , or weigh the mountaines , so far it exceedeth the conceit of man : yea , i say , to taske humane apprehension to the discussion of that soveraigne or supreme perfection , were as unequally matched , as ever were earth and heaven , strength and weaknesse , or the great behemoth , and the silliest worme that creepeth in the chinkes of the earth . let us addresse our selves then to this taske , and make this our ground , that as no man is simply good but god ; so no man is absolutely perfect till hee be individually united to god ; which on earth is not granted , but promised ; not effected , but expected ; not obtained , but with confidence desired , when these few , but evill dayes of our pilgrimage shall be expired : yet is there a graduall perfection , which in some degree or measure wee may attaine , becomming conformable unto him , whose image we have received , and by whom we have so many singular graces and prerogatives on us conferred . and this perfection is to be procured by assistance of gods spirit , and a desire in man to second that assistance by an assiduall endevour . which devout and godly endevour , that it might be the better furthered , and his glory , by whose grace we are assisted , the more advanced ; needfull it were to reduce to our memory , daily and hourely these two maine considerations . first , those three profest enemies that infatigably assaile us , which should make us more watchfull . secondly , that faithfull friend , who so couragiously fights for us , which should make us more thankfull : for our enemies , as they are some of them domestick , so are they more dangerous ; for no foe more perillous than a bosome foe . besides , they are such pleasing enemies , as they cheere us , when they kill us ; sting us , when they smile on us . and what is the instrument they worke on , but the soule ? and what the time limited them to work in , but our life ? which humours do swel up , sorrows bring downe , heats dry , aire infect , meat puffe up , fasting macerate , jests dissolve , sadnesse consume , care straitneth , security deludeth , youth extolleth , wealth transporteth , poverty dejecteth , old-age crooketh , infirmity breaketh , griefe depresseth , the devill deceiveth , the world flattereth , the flesh is delighted , the soule blinded , and the whole man perplexed . how should wee now oppose our selves to such furious and perfidious enemies ? or what armour are we to provide for the better resisting of such powerfull and watchfull assailants ? certainly , no other provision need we , than what already is laid up in store for us , to arme and defend us , and what those blessed saints and servants of christ have formerly used , leaving their owne vertuous lives as patternes unto us . their armour was fasting , prayer , and workes of devotion ; by the first , they made themselves fit to pray ; in the second , they addressed themselves to pray as they ought ; in the third , they performed those holy duties , which every christian of necessity ought to performe . and first , for fasting , it is a great worke , and a christ●●●worke ; producing such excellent effects , as it subjects the flesh to the obedience of the spirit ; making her , of a commander , a subject , of one who tooke upon her an usurped authority , to humble herselfe to the soules soveraignty . likewise prayer , how powerfull it hath beene in all places , might be instanced in sundry places of holy scripture . in the a desart , where temptation is the readiest ; in the b temple , where the devill is oft-times busiest ; on the c sea , where the flouds of perils are the neerest ; in d peace , where security makes men forgetfull'st ; and in e warre , where imminent danger makes men fearfull'st : yea , whether it be with daniel in the f denne ; or manasses in the g dungeon ; whether it be with holy david in the h palace ; or heavenly ieremie in the i prison : the power and efficacie of prayer , sacrificed by a devout and zealous beleever , cannot chuse but be as the first and second raine , fructifying the happy soile of every faithfull soule , to her present comfort here , and hope of future glory else-where . thirdly , workes of devotion , being the fruits or effects of a spirituall conversation ; as ministring to the necessitie of the saints , wherein we have such plenty of examples , both in divine and humane writ , as their godly charitie , or zealous bounty might worthily move us to imitate such blessed patternes in actions of like devotion . for such were they , as they were both liberall , and joyed in their liberality , every one contributing so much as he thought fit , or pleased him to bestow . and whatsoever was so collected , to the charge or trust of the governour , or disposer of the stocke of the poore , was forth with committed . here was that poore-mans box , or indeed christs box , wherein the charity of the faithfull was treasured . neither did these holy saints or servants of god , in their almes eye so much the quality of the person , as his image whom he did represent . and herein they nourished not a sinner , but a righteous begger , because they loved not his sinne , but his natur● . 〈◊〉 now , because wee are to treat of perfection , in each of these we are to observe such cautions , as may make the worke perfect without blemish , and pure from the mixture of flesh . as first , in that godly practice of fasting , to observe such mediocritie , as neither desire to be knowne by blubbered eyes , hanging downe the head , nor any such externall passion may tax us to be of those pharisees , whose devotion had relation rather to the observance of man , than the service of god ; neither so to macerate the body , as to disable it for performing any office which may tend to the propagation of the glory of the highest . for the first institution of fasts , as it was purposely to subdue the inordinate motions of the flesh , and subject it to the obedience and observance of the spirit ; so divers times were by the ancient fathers and councels thought fitting to be kept in holy abstinence , of purpose to remove from them the wrath of god , inflicted on them by the sword , pestilence , famine , or some other such like plague . s. gregory instituted certaine publike fasts , resembling the rogation weeke , with such like solemne processions against the plague and pestilence , as this rogation weeke was first ordained by another holy bishop to that end . as for the ember dayes , they were so called of our ancient forefathers in this countrey , because on those fasting dayes men ate bread baked under embers or ashes . but to propose a certaine rule or forme of direction , there is none surer or safer , than that which we formerly proposed ; so to nourish our bodies , that they be not too much weakned , by which means more divine offices might be hindred ; and againe , so to weaken our bodies , that they be not too much pampered ; by which meanes our spirituall fervour might be cooled . for too delicate is that master , who , when his belly is crammed , would have his mind with devotion crowned . secondly , for prayer , as it is to be numbred among the greatest works of charitie , so of all others it should be freest from hypocrisie : for it is not the sound of the mouth , but the soundnesse of the heart , which makes this oblation so effectually powerfull , and to him that prayeth , so powerfully fruitfull . it is not beating of the brest with the fist , but inward compunction of the heart , flying with the wing of faith , that pierceth heaven . for neither could trasilla's devotion , whereof gregory relates , have beene so powerfull , nor gorgonias supplication , whereof nazianzen reports , so fruitfull ; nor iames the brother of our lord his invocation , whereof eusebius records , so faithfull ; nor paul the eremites daily oblation , whereof ierome recounts , so effectuall ; if pronunciation of the mouth , without affection of the heart ; beating of the brest , without devotion of minde ; dejection of face , without erection of faith , had accompanied their prayer . for it is not hanging downe the head like a bulrush , which argues contrition , but a passionate affection of the heart which mounts up to the throne of grace , till it purchase remission . thirdly , for almes-deeds and other works of devotion , being the fruits or effects of faith , as they are sweet odours , and shall not lose their reward , being duly practised ; so wee must take these three cautions by the way , lest such sweet fruits be corrupted . the first is , to give our owne , and not anothers , for that were robbery : the second is , to give to the poore , and not to the rich in hope of commoditie : the third is , to give in mercy or fellow-feeling of others wants , and not for vaine-glory . for howsoever the poore need not care for any of these respects , because he is rewarded ; yet the giver is to care , because his reward should hereby become frustrated . certainly , there is nothing which relisheth better to the palate of our maker , than ministring releefe to the needy begger , who is gods begger , as a holy father calls him , and therefore should be releeved for his cause that sent him . those goats set on the left hand doe affright mee , not because they were robbers , but because they were no feeders ; saith nazianzen : therefore are wee willed to feed the hunger-starved soule , lest want should famish him ; for if wee suffer him to die for food , wee , and none but wee did famish him . thus if we observe aright the zealous and religious practice of those blessed patternes , who have gone before us , and have left their memorable lives as examples to be imitated by us , wee shall in some measure attaine to that perfection , whereof we now discourse ; labouring so to moderate our affections herein , as neither vaine-glory , nor any other fleshly respect may interpose it selfe in actions of such maine and serious consequence . for albeit , as i formerly noted , no man may come to that absolute perfection , either in matters of knowledge , or practice of life , as if nothing could be further attained , but that the very highest pitch of perfection were acquired ; yet are there degrees which in some measure may be attained , if those vertues which conduce to this perfection be duly practised . for , it is not professing of vertue , but practising ; neither practising of one , but all , which gives life to this perfection . for he whom wee sincerely perfect call , excells not in one vertue , but in all . which perfection farre exceeds all others , derived from some exquisite knowledge in arts or sciences ; for these , how absolute soever they be , come farre short of that perfection which longer time and experience might bring them to . alcibiades is reported to have beene so skilfull in all arts and exercises , that he won the prize in what enterprize soever he tooke in hand ; which was no small glory , when in the olympian or istmian games he no sooner appeared , than those who were to contend with him , were forth with dismayed : yet came this perfection short of that whereof wee now discourse . for it may be probably gathered , that , albeit hee was the activest in his time on istmus , yet all the activest youths , of greece were not on istmus , or if they were , yet the whole world had youths more active , and in all parts more absolute than there were in greece . for to seeke perfection on earth , either in respect of minde or body , either in abilitie of the one , or excellencie of the other , were - in aethere quaererenidum ; he only being most perfect , who acknowledgeth himselfe to be most imperfect . cicero brings in m. antony , saying , that there be many follow , and yet come not to the perfection . which hee might have instanced the best in himselfe : for who , for discipline more exquisite , for attempts in his owne person more valiant , for ripenesse of wit more pregnant , or for tongue more powerfully perswasive than m. antony ? yet to observe how much those more excellent parts were disabled , that light of understanding darkned , that pregnancie of wit rebated , that perswasive orator by a wanton oratresse seduced ; yea , even that mirror of men blemished , might move us freely and ingenuously to acknowledge , as there is nothing more variable than man in respect of his condition , so nothing more prone to evill in respect of his naturall corruption . so as , howsoever hee may seeme in some sort perfect , either in moderating his affections with patience , or subduing his desires with reason , yet there is ever some one defect or other that darkens those perfections . wherefore as marius bombasted his stockins to give a better proportion to his small legs ; if any one would have his good parts set out , hee had need to weare some counterfet disguise to cover his wants , and so gall the world , as iuno deceived ixion with a cloud . truth is , that the worthiest men have beene stained with some notable crime . caesar , though he 〈◊〉 mo●derate , yet was he incontinent : alexander , though continent , yet was he immoderate : sylla , though valiant , yet was he violent : galba , though eminent , yet was he insolent : lucullus generous , yet delicious ; marcellus glorious , yet ambitious ; architas patient , yet avaritious ; archias pregnant , yet lascivious . so as homers understanding , platoes wit , diogenes phrase , aeschines art of oratorie , and ciceroes tongue , could not assume to themselves such perfection , as to free them from other blemishes , which detracted as much from their worth , as these perfections added to their glory . for howsoever that saying of solon may seeme authenticke ; all things among men are sound and perfect ; it is to be understood , that he meant of dealings or commerce among good men , whose word is their bond , and whose profession is to deale uprightly with all men . all things among such men are sound and perfect , for no commoditie can move them to infringe their faith , or falsifie their word for any advantage . but it may be objected , if none can be perfect , whence is it that wee reade , wee ought to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect ? or how is it that paul exhorteth us to perfection ? or how may wee be presented every man perfect in christ iesus ? surely not of us , nor of our selves , but through him who became righteousnesse , and all perfection for us , that he might perfect that in us , which was farre from us , without his especiall grace working or operating in us . yet are we to labour and strive hard towards the marke that is set before us , not ceasing till wee become conformable unto him , and be made perfect in him . but become conformable unto him wee cannot , unlesse wee take delight in contemplating him , to whom our desire is to be conformed . wee will therefore descend to the second branch proposed , to wit , the contemplative part of perfection , wherein wee shall easily finde what divi●e comfort is ministred to the minde , in contemplating him , who distinguished man from the rest of his creatures , by a reasonable minde . it was the saying of a heathen , if god tooke delight in any felicitie , it was in contemplation . to the free use whereof , even those which are ( as hortensius called l. torquatus ) unlearned , rude and ignorant , may be admitted . for howsoever some have beene pleased to terme the images of saints , lay-mens bookes ; sure i am , whosoever he be , be he never so simple or ignorant , that contemplateth god in his creatures , shall finde sufficient matter , in that voluminous booke of his creation , to move him to admire the workmanship of his maker . for the heavens are his , the earth also is his ; and he hath laid the foundation of the world , and all that therein is . so as , even from the cedar of lebanon to the grasse upon the wall , hath he shewne his power and his might to the ends of the world . now to the end this contemplation might not be hindred by any worldly objects , wee are to with-draw our eye from the creature , and fix it wholly upon our creator . for how can any one behold the glory of heaven , when his eyes are poring upon earth ; or how should hee , whose affections are planted upon his gold , erect his thoughts to the contemplation of god ? so as we must not only leave whatsoever wee love on earth , but even leave our selves till wee become wholly weaned from earth ; so shall our affections be in heaven , though our temporary plantation be on earth . for what are these ostrich-winged worldlings , who never flie up , stooping to every lure that either honour , profit , or preferment cast out , but base haggards , who lie downe and dare not give wing for feare of weathering ? whereas these high fliers , whose aimes are above earth , are ever meditating of earths frailtie and heavens felicitie . these consider how the solace of the captive is one , and the joy of the freeman another . these consider , how that hee who fighs not while he is a pilgrim , shall not rejoyce when he is a citizen . these consider , that it is an evident signe that such an one hates his countrey , who holds himselfe to be in good state while hee lives a pilgrim . these will not preferre the husks of vanitie before those inestimable treasures of glory . these , and only these , value earth as it should be valued , desiring rather to leave earth , than set their love on ought upon earth . neither can death take any thing from him going out of the world , who sets his love on nothing in the world . whereas it is much otherwise with them , whose eyes are accustomed to darknesse ; for they cannot behold the beames of that supreme veritie : neither can they judge any thing of the light , whose habitation is in darknesse : they see darknesse , they love darknesse , they approve of darknesse , and going from darknesse to darknesse , they know not whither they fall . such was demas , who forsooke his faith , and embraced this present world . such was simon magus , who bewitched the people with sorceries , to gaine himselfe esteeme in the world . such was demetrius the silver-smith , who brought great gaines unto the crafts-men , and mightily enriched himselfe in the world . and in a word , such are all those whose eyes are sealed to heavenly contemplations , but opened to the objects of earth , prizing nothing else worthy either viewing or loving . it is rare and wonderfull to observe what admirable contemplations the heathen philosophers enjoyed , though not so much as partakers of the least glimpse of that glorious light which is to us revealed ! how deeply searching in the influence of planets , how studious after the knowledge of herbs , plants , vertue of stones , which inforced in them no lesse admiration , than delight in so sweet a contemplation ? now if the heathens , who had no knowledge of god , but only a glimmering light of nature , being not so much ( i say ) as the least beamling in comparison of that glorious light which we enjoy , conceived such sweetnesse in the search of causes and events , preferring their contemplation before the possession of earth , or all that fraile earth c●uld promise ; what surpassing comfort or ineffable sweetnesse are wee to conceive in the contemplation of god , the one and only practice whereof maketh man blessed , although in outward things he were the poorest and needfullest in the world ? the blessed saints and faithfull servants of god have beene so ravished with this sweetnesse , as they were drunke with joy in contemplation of the highest . for either honour or preferment , they were so indifferent , as they rejected it ; and for riches so equally contented , as they dis-valued it , selling their possessions , and laying the money at the apostles feet . yea peter , to instance one for all , no sooner tasted this sweetnesse , than forgetfull of all inferiour things , he cried out as one spiritually drunke , saying ; lord , it is good for us to be here ; let us make us here three tabernacles , let us stay here , let us contemplate thee , because wee need nothing else but thee : it sufficeth us , lord , to see thee , it sufficeth us , i say , to be filled with such sweetnesse as commeth from thee . one onely drop of sweetnesse he tasted , and he loathed all other sweetnesse . what may wee imagine would he have said , if he had tasted the multitude of the sweetnesse of his divinitie , which he hath laid up in store for those that feare him ? surely , the contemplative man , whose affections are estranged from earth , and seated in heaven , makes use of whatsoever he seeth on earth , as directions to guide him in his progresse to heaven . his eyes are not like the ambitious mans , whose eye-sore is only to see others great , and himselfe unadvanced : nor like the covetous mans , whose eyes ( tarpeia-like ) betray his soule , seeing nothing precious or prosperous which he wisheth not : nor like the voluptuous mans , whose sealed eyes are blinde to the objects of vertue , but unsealed to the objects of vanitie , seeing nothing sensually moving which he affects not : nor like the vain-glorious ma●s , who practiseth seldome what is good or honest for the love of goodnesse , but to bee praised and observed . whereas , the true contemplative man loves vertue for vertues sake , concluding divinely with the poet ; this amongst good men hath beene ever knowne , vertue rewards herselfe , herselfe's her crowne . and for these light objects of vanity , he as much loaths them , as the voluptuous man loves them ; and for coveting , he is so farre from desiring more than he hath , as he is indifferent either for injoying or forgoing what he already hath ; and for aspiring , he holds it the best ambition of any creature , to promote the glory of his maker . he is ever descanting on this divine ditty ; o how glorious things are spoken of thee , o thou city of god! for his thoughts are sphered above earth , and lodged in the contemplation of heaven . and if so be , that he chance to fix his eye upon earth , it is , as i said before , to direct his feet , and erect his faith to the contemplation of heaven . for by consideration had to these temporall goods ( to use the words of a devout father ) hee gathereth the greatnesse of the heavenly councell : comprehending by these little ones , those great ones ; by these visible , those invisible ones : for if the lord shew or rather showre so great and innumerable benefits from heaven , and from the aire , from the land and sea , light and darknesse , heat and shadow , dew and raine , winds and showres , birds and fishes , and multiplicity of herbs and plants of the earth , and the ministry of all creatures successively in their seasons ministring to us , to allay our loathing , and beget in us towards our maker , an incessant longing , and all this for an ignoble and corruptible body ; what , how great , and innumerable shall those good things be , which he hath prepared for them that love him , in that heavenly countrey , where we shall see him face to face ? if he doe such things for us in this prison , what will ●ee doe for us in that palace ? great and innumerable are thy workes o lord , king of heaven ! for seeing , all these are very good and delectable , which hee hath equally bestowed upon both good and evill : how great shall those be which he hath laid up only for the good ? if so divers and innumerable be the gifts , which he bestoweth both upon friends and foes ; how sweet and delectable shall those be , which he will only bestow upon his friends ? if such comforts in this day of teares and anguish , what will he conferre on us in that day of nuptiall solace ? if a prison containe such delights , what , i pray you , shall our countrey containe ? no eye ( o lord ) without thee , hath seene those things which thou hast prepared for them that love thee : for according to the great multitude of thy magnificence , there is also a multitude of thy sweetnesse , which thou hast hid for them that feare thee : for great thou art , o lord our god , and unmeasurable neither is there end of thy greatnesse , nor number of thy wisdome , nor measure of thy mercy , neither is there end , nor number , nor measure of thy bountie : but as thou art great , so be thy gifts great : because thou thy selfe art the reward and gift of thy faithfull warriours . thus is the spiritually contemplative man ever employed , thus are his affections planted , thus his desires seated , caring so little for earth , as he is dead to earth long before hee returne to earth ; drawing daily neerer heaven , having his desire only there , long before he come there . now to instance some , whose profession was meerely contemplative , having retired or sequestred themselves from the society of this world , we might illustrate this subject with many excellent patternes in this kinde , as those especially who strictly professed a monasticke life , becomming severe enemies to their owne flesh , and estranging themselves from conversing witt●man . which kinde of discipline , as it was in respect of humanity too unsociable , so in respect of themselves , doubtlesse , sweet and delightfull ; being so intraunced with divine contemplation , as they forgot earth and all earthly affections . of this sort , you shall reade sundry examples ; whereof one more memorable than the rest might be instanced in him , who reading that sentence of holy scripture , goe and sell all that thou hast , presently imagining it to be meant by him , did so . the like contempt towards the world , might be instanced in holy ierome , paulinus that good bishop of nola , and many others , upon which i would be loth to insist , for brevity sake . neither certainly can they , whose thoughts are erected above the centre of earth , having their hearts planted where their treasure is placed , deigne to fix their eye upon ought in the world , because they see nothing worthy affecting in the world : for they thinke godlinesse is a great gaine , if a man be content with that he hath . they doe good , being rich in good workes , and ready to distribute , and communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come , that they may obtaine eternall life . yea , they have not only learned in whatsoever state they are , therewith to be content , but wholly to relinquish both selfe and state to advance the glory of god. but it may be now well objected , that these men whereof we now treat , are fitter for a cell than a court , and therefore too regular masters , to have young gentlemen for their schollers : for how should these , whose education hath beene liberty , conversation publike society , and who hold good fellowship an appendice to gentry , betake themselves to such strictnesse , as to be deprived of common aire , live remote from all company , passing the remainder of their dayes in a wildernesse , as if they had committed some egregious fact that deserved such severe penance ? mistake me not , my meaning is much otherwise : for as i would not have gentlemen libertines , so i would not have them hermits ; for the first , as they are too prodigally secular , so the latter are too severely regular . neither am i ignorant how a * cloister may be no lesse shelter unto error , than a more publike place of delight or pleasure . but my discourse touching this contemplative perfection , was purposely to draw the curtaine from before the picture , and to shew to their eye that faire idaea , or feature which hath beene so long shadowed ; i meane the faire and beautifull structure of the inward man , which so long as it is darkened with these bleere-eyed leahs , these objects of vanity , cannot enjoy it selfe , but peece-meale , as it were , divided from it selfe , seemes wholly deprived of life , for a heart divided cannot live . and what are these objects of vanity , whereon the eye of your contemplation is usually fixed , but those soule-soiling sores of this land , pride and voluptuousnesse ? with what greedinesse will a young gallants eye gaze upon some new or phantasticke fashion , wishing ( o vaine wish ! ) that he had but the braines to have invented such a fashion , whereby he might have given occasion to others of imitation and admiration ? with what insatiablenesse , will he fix his eye upon some light affected curtezan , whose raiment is her onely ornament , and whose chiefest glory is to set at sale her adulterate beauty ? no street , no corner but gives him objects which drawes his eye from that choicest object , whereon his whole delight should be seated : no place so obscure , wherein his contemplative part is not on the view of forbidden objects greedily fixed . how requisite then were it for you , young gentlemen , whose aymes are more noble than to subject them to these unworthy ends , to take a view sometimes of such absolute patternes of contemplative perfection , as have excelled in this kinde ? but because a three-fold cord is hardly broken , i will recommend unto your consideration a three-fold meditation , the daily use and exercise whereof may bring you to a more serious view of your owne particular estate . first is , the worthinesse of the soule ; secondly , the unworthines of earth ; thirdly , thankefulnes unto god , who made man the worthiest creature upon earth . for the first : what is she , and in glory how surpassing is she ( to use the selfe-same words which an holy father useth ) being so strong , so weake , so small , so great , searching the secrets of god , and contemplating those things which are of god , and with her piercing wit is knowne to have attained the skill of many arts for humane profit and advantage ? what is shee , i say , who knoweth so much in other things , and to what end they were made , yet is wholly ignorant how herselfe was made ? a princesse surely ; for as a queene in her throne , so is the soule in the body ; being the life of the body , as god is the life of the soule ; being of such dignity , as no good , but the supreme good , may suffice it ; of such liberty , as no inferiour thing may restraine it . how then is the soule of such worthinesse , as no exteriour good may suffice it , nor no inferiour thing restraine it ? how comes it then , that it stoopes to the lure of vanity , as one forgetfull of her owne glory ? how comes it then to be so fledged in the * bird-lime of inferiour delights , as nothing tasteth so well to her palate , as the delights of earth ? surely , either she derogates much from what she is , or there is more worthinesse on earth , than wee hold there is . having then taken a short view of the dignity or worthinesse of the soule ; let us reflect a little upon the unworthinesse of earth , and see if we can finde her worthy the entertainment of so glorious a princesse . earth , as it is an heavie element , and inclineth naturally downward , so it keeps the earthly minded moule from looking upward . there is nothing in it which may satisfie the desire of the outward senses , much lesse of the inward . for neither is the eye satisfied with seeing , be the object never so pleasing , nor the eare with hearing , be the accent never so moving , nor the pallat with tasting , be the cates never so relishing , nor the nose with smelling , be the confection never so perfuming , nor the hand with touching , be the subject never so affecting . and for those sugred pills of pleasure , though sweet , how short are they in continuance , and how bitter , being ever attended on by repentance ? and for honours , those snow-balls of greatnesse , how intricate the wayes by which they are attained , and how sandie the foundation wheron they are grounded ? how unworthy then is earth to give entertainment to so princely a guest , having nothing to bid her welcome withall , but the refuse and rubbish of uncleannesse , the garnish or varnish of lightnesse ? for admit this guest were hungrie , what provision had earth to feed her with , but the huskes of vanity ? if thirstie , what to refresh her with , but with worme-wood of folly ? if naked , what to cloath her with , but the cover of mortality ? if imprisoned , how to visit her , but with fetters of captivity ? or if sicke , how to comfort her , but with additions of misery ? since then , the worthinesse of the soule is such , as earth is too unworthy to entertaine her , expedient it were that she had recourse to him that made her , and with all thankefulnesse tender herselfe unto him , who so highly graced her . let man therefore in the uprightnesse of a pure and sincere soule weaned from earth , and by contemplation already sainted in heaven , say ; what shall i render unto thee , o my god , for so great benefits of thy mercy ? what praises , or what thanksgiving ? for if the knowledge and power of the blessed angels were presen● with me to assist mee , yet were i not able to render ought worthy of so great piety and goodnesse , as i have received from thee : yea surely , if all my members were turned into tongues to render due praise unto thee , in no case would my smalnesse suffice to praise thee , for thy inestimable charitie which thou hast shewne to me unworthy one , for thy onely love and goodnesse sake , exceedeth all knowledge . neither is it meet that the remembrance of a benefit should be limitted by day or date ; but as the benefits we receive are daily , so should our thankfulnes be expressed daily , lest by being unthankfull , god take his benefits from us , and bestow them on such as will be thankfull . and let this suffice for the contemplative part of perfection ; descending briefly to that part , which makes the contemplative truly perfect by action . we are now to treat of that , which is easier to discourse of than to finde : for men naturally have a desire to know all things , but to doe nothing ; so easie is the contemplative in respect of the active , so hard the practicke in respect of the speculative . how many shall we observe daily , propounding sundry excellent observations , divine instructions , and christian-like conclusions touching contempt of the world , wherein this active perfection principally consisteth , yet how farre short come they in their owne example : so easie it is to propound matter of instruction to others , so hard to exemplifie that instruction in themselves ? this may be instanced in that ruler in the gospell , who avouched his integritie and perfection , concluding , that hee had kept all those commandements which christ recounted to him , from his youth up : yet when christ said unto him , sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poore , and thou shalt have treasure in heaven , and come follow me : we reade , he was very sorrowfull ; for he was very rich . so miserable and inextricable is the worldlings thraldome , when neither the incertainty of this life , nor those certaine promises made unto him , in hope of a better life , can weane him from the blinde affection of earth . necessary therefore it is , that he , who desires to attaine this active perfection , unto which all good men labour , moderate his desires towards such things as hee hath not , and addresse himselfe to an indifferencie of losing those things which hee already hath : for he , whose desires are extended to more than hee enjoyes , or who too exceedingly admires what hee now enjoyes , can never attaine that high degree of active perfection . the reason is , no man whose content is seated on these externall flourishes of vanity , can direct his contemplation , or erect the eye of his affection to that eternall sunne of verity , whom to enjoy , is to enjoy all true perfection ; and of whom to be deprived , is to taste the bitternesse of deepest affliction . now , how are we to enjoy him ? not by knowledge only , or contemplation ; but by seconding or making good our knowledge by action : for we know , that there is a woe denounced on him , who knoweth the will of his father and doth it not ; when neither his knowledge can plead ignorance , nor want of understanding in the law of god , simplicity or blindnesse . wee are therefore not only to know , but doe ; know , lest ignorance should misguide us ; doe , lest our knowledge should accuse us . behovefull therefore were it for us to observe that excellent precept of holy ierome : so live ( saith hee ) that none may have just cause to speake ill of you . now , there is nothing which may procure this good report sooner , than labouring to avoid all meanes of scandall ; as consorting with vitious men , whose noted lives bring such in question as accompany them . this was the cause ( as i formerly noted ) why saint iohn would not stay in the bath wih the hereticke corinthus . o how many , and with much griefe i speake it , have we knowne in this little iland , well descended , with choicest gifts of nature accomplished , of their owne disposition well affected , who by consorting with inordinate men have given reines to libertie , and blasted those faire hopes , which their friends and country had planted on them ! how requisite then is it , for every one whose thoughts ayme at perfection , to consort with such as may better him , and not deprave him ; informe him , and not corrupt him ? for if there be a kinde of resemblance betwixt the diseases of the body , and the vices or enormities of the minde ; what especiall care are we to take , lest by keeping company with those who are already depraved , wee become likewise infected ? men would be loth to enter any house that is suspected only to be infected ; which if at unawares they have at any time entred , they presently make recourse to the apothecary to receive some soveraigne receit to expell it . and if men be so afraid lest this house , the bodie , which like a shaken building menaceth ruine daily , should perish , what great respect ought to be had to the soule , which is the guest of the body ? shall corruption be so attended and tendred , and the precious image of incorruption lessened and neglected ? god forbid ; specious or gorgeous sepulchres are not so to be trimmed , that the cost bestowed on them should cause the divine part to be wholly contemned . to remove which contempt ( if any 〈◊〉 there be ) i will recommend to your devoutest meditation these two particulars . first , who it was that made us : secondly , for what end he made us : to which two briefly , we intend to referre the series of this present discourse . for the first , we are to know that no man is his owne maker : it is he that made us , who made all things for us , that they might minister unto us and to our necessity , ordaining these for our service , and himselfe for our solace . he it is who hath subjected all things to the feet of man , that man might wholly become subject unto him : yea , and that man might become wholly his , he gave man absolute dominion over all those workes of his ; creating all outward things for the body , the body for the soule , and the soule for himselfe . and to what end ? even to this end , that man might only intend him , onely love him , possessing him to his solace , but inferiour things to his service . now , to dilate a little upon this great worke of our creation , we may collect from sacred scripture a foure-fold creation or generation . the first in adam , who came neither of man nor woman ; the second in eue , who came of man without woman ; the third in christ , who came not of man but woman : the fourth in us , who came both of man and woman . for the first , as he had from earth his creation , so it shewed the weaknesse of his composition , the vilenesse of his condition , with the certainty of his dissolution . for the second , as she had from man her forming , so it figured their firmenesse of union , inseparable communion , and inviolable affection . for the third , as he came only of woman , so he promised by the seed of the woman , to bruise the serpents head , who had deceived woman , and restore man to the state of grace , from which he had fallen by meanes of a woman . for the fourth , as we came both from man and woman , so we bring with us into the world that originall sinne , which we derive both from man and woman , the sting whereof cannot be rebated , but only through 〈◊〉 , who became man borne of a woman . but in this great worke of our creation , we are not to observe so much the matter , as quality and nature of our creation . for the matter of our creation , or that whereof we be composed , what is it but vile earth , slime and corruption ? so as , howsoever we appeare beautifull , specious and amiable in the sight of man , whose eye is fixed on the externall part , yet when the oile of our lampe is consumed , and wee to dust and ashes reduced , we shall deserve no better inscription than this ; behold a specious and pretious shrine covering a stinking corps ! wherefore ought wee to observe the internall part , and the especiall glory wee receive by it : for hereby are we distinguished in the quality of our creation , from all other creatures , who governe their actions by sense onely , and not by reason . hence it was that , that divine philosopher gave god thankes for three especiall bounties conferred on him : first was , for that god had created him a reasonable creature , and no brute beast ; secondly , for creating him a man , and no woman ; thirdly , for that he was a grecian , and no barbarian . this it was which moved that blessed and learned father saint augustine to breake out into this passionate rapsodie of spirit . thy hand could ( o lord ) have created me a stone , or a bird , or a serpent , or some brute beast : and this it knew , but it would not for thy goodnesse sake . this it was which forced from that devout and zealous father this emphaticall discourse or intercourse rather with god ; who upon a time walking in his garden , and beholding a little worme creeping and crawling upon the ground , presently used these words ; deare lord , thou might'st have made me like this worme , a crawling despicable creature , but thou would'st not , and it was thy mercy that thou would'st not ; o , as thou has● ennobled me with the image of thy selfe , make me conformable to thy self , that of a worm i may become an angel ; of a vassall of sin ▪ a vessell of sion , of a shell of corruption , a star of glory in thy heavenly mansion . and in truth , there is nothing which may move us to a more serious consideration of gods gracious affection towards us , than the very image which we carry about us : preferring us not only before all the rest of his creatures in soveraignty and dominion , but also in an amiable similitude , feature , and proportion ; whereby we become not only equall , but even superiour unto angells , because man was god , and god man , and no angell . to whom are wee then to make recourse to , as the author of our creation , save god , whose hand hath made and fashioned us , whose grace hath ever since directed and prevented us , and whose continued love ( for whom he loveth , he loveth unto the end ) hath ever extended it selfe in ample manner towards us ? how frivolous then and ridiculous were their opinions , who ascribed the creation of all things to the elements , as anaximenes to the piercing aire ; hippeas to the fleeting water ; zeno to the purifying fire ; zenophanes to the lumpish earth ? how miserably were these blinded , and how notably evinced by that learned father , who speaking in the persons of all these elements , and of all other his good creatures , proceedeth in this sort ? i tooke my compasse , ( saith he , speaking to god ) in the survey of all things , seeking thee , and for all things relinquishing my selfe . i asked the earth if it were my god , and it said unto me that it was not , and all things in it confessed the same . i asked the sea , and the depths , and the creeping things in them , and they answered , we are not thy god , seeke him above us . i asked the breathing aire , and the whole aire , with all the inhabitants thereof made answer : anaximenes is deceived , i am not thy god. i asked the heaven , sun , moone and stars : neither are wee thy god , answered they . and i spake to all these who stand about the gates of my flesh , tell me what you know concerning my god , tell mee something of him : and they cryed out with a great voice , he made us . then i asked the whole frame and fabricke of this world , tell me if thou be my god ? and it answered with a strong voyce , i am not , said it , but by him i am , whom thou seekest in mee , hee it was that made mee , seeke him above me , who governeth me , who made me . the interrogation of the creatures is the profound consideration of them , and their answer the witnesse they beare of god , because all things cry , god hath made us : for as the apostle saith , the invisible things of god are visibly to be understood by those things which are made , by the creatures of the world . thus wee understand the author of our creation , of whom seriously to meditate , and with due reverence to contemplate , is to die to all earthly cogitations , which delude the sinne-belulled soule with extravagancies . and let this suffice for the first memoriall or consideration , to wit , who it was that made us ; we are now to descend to the second particular , which is , for what end he made us . he who rested not till he had composed and disposed in an absolute order of this vniverse , proposed us an example that we should imitate : so long as we are pilgrims here on earth ; so long as we are sojourners in this world , wee may not enjoy our spirituall sabbath ; wee may stay a little and breath under the crosse , after the example of our best master , but rest wee may not . for what end then did he make us ? that we might live such lives as may please him , and die such deaths as may praise him ; lives blamelesse and unreproveable ; lives sanctified throughout , pure without blemish , fruitfull in example , plentifull in all holy duties , and exercised in the workes of charitie , that he who begetteth in us both the will and the worke , may present us blamelesse at his comming . now , that our lives may become acceptable unto him , to whose glory they ought to be directed , we are in this taberna●le of clay to addresse our selves to those studies , exercises and labours , which may benefit the church or common-weale , ministring matter unto others of imitation , to our soules of consolation , and in both to gods name of glorification : wherein appeareth a maine difference betwixt the contemplative and active part : for sufficient it is not to know , acknowledge and confesse the divine majesty ; to dispute or reason upon high points touching the blessed trinitie ; to be rapt up to the third heaven ( as it were ) by the wings of contemplation ; but to addresse our selves to an actuall performance of such offices and peculiar duties , as we are expresly injoyned by the divine law of god. our lord in the gospell , when the woman said , blessed is the wombe that bare thee , and the brests that gave thee sucke : answered , yea , rather blessed are they that heare the word of god , and keepe it . and when one of the iewes told him that his mother and brethren stood without , desiring to speake with him ; he answered , and said unto him , that told him , who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? and stretching forth his hand toward his disciples , he said , behold my mother and my brethren : for whosoever shall doe the will of my father which is in heaven , the same is my brother , and sister , and mother . it is not knowledge then , but practice which presents us blamelesse before god. therefore are we exhorted to worke out our salvation with feare and trembling . not to idle out our time in the market-place , as such who make their life a repose or cessation from all labours , studies , or vertuous intendments . of which sort those are , ( and too many of those there are ) who advanced to great fortunes by their provident ancestors , imagine it a taske worthy men of their places , to passe their time in pastime , and imploy their dayes in an infinite consumption of mis-spent houres , for which they must be accomptants in that great assize , where neither greatnesse shall be a subt●●●●g to guiltinesse , nor their descent plead privilege for those many houres they have mis-spent . o how can they answer for so many vaine and fruitlesse pleasures , which they have enjoyed , and with all greedinesse embraced in this life ? many they shall have to witnesse against them , none to answer for them : for their stoves , summer arbours , refectories , and all other places wherein they enjoyed the height of delight , shall be produced against them , to tax them of sensuall living , and witnesse against them their small care of observing the end for which they were made . o gentlemen , you whose hopes are promising , your more excellent endowments assuring , and your selves as patternes unto others appearing , know , that this perfection whereof we now intreat , is not acquired by idling or sensuall delighting of your selves in carnall pleasures , which darken and eclypse the glory or lustre of the soule , but in labouring to mortifie the desires of the flesh , which is ever levying and levelling her forces against the spirit ! now this mortification can never be attained by obeying , but resisting and impugning the desires of the flesh . wherefore , the onely meanes to bring the flesh to perfect subjection , is to crosse her in those delights which shee most affecteth . doth she delight in sleepe and rest ? keepe her waking ; takes she content in meats and drinkes ? keepe her craving ; takes she solace in company ? use her to privacie and retiring ; takes shee liking to ease ? inure her to labouring : briefly , in whatsoever shee is delighted , let her be alwayes thwarted ; so shall you enjoy the most rest , when she enjoyes the least . hence it was that saint ierome , that excellent patterne of holy discipline , counselleth the holy virgin demetrias , to eschew idlenesse : exhorting her withall , that having done her prayers , shee should take in hand wooll and weaving , after the commendable example of dorcas , that by such change or variety of workes , the day might seeme lesse tedious , and the assaults of satan lesse grievous . neither did this divine father advise her to worke , because she was in poverty , or by this meanes to sustaine her family ; for she was one of the most noble and eminent women in rome , and richest ; wherefore her want was not the cause which pressed him to this exhortation , but this rather , that by this occasion of exercising herselfe in these laudable and decent labour , she should thinke of nothing , but such as properly pertained unto the service of god : which place he concludeth in this manner . i speake generally , no rayment , ornament , or habit whatsoever shall seeme precious in christs sight ; but that which thou makest thy selfe , either for thine owne peculiar use , or example of other virgins , or to give unto thy grand-mother , or thy mother , no , though thou distribute all thy goods unto the poore . see how expresly this noble woman was injoyned to her taske , that by intending herselfe to labour , shee might give lesse way unto errour . certainly , as mans extremity is gods opportunity , so the devils opportunity is mans security : we are then principally to take heed lest we give way to the incursion of satan , by our security of life and conversation . and what is it that begetteth this security , but idlenesse , which may be termed , and not improperly , the soules lethargie ? for nothing can be more opposite to this actuall perfection , than restor vacancy ; we say , vertue consisteth in action ; how then may we be said to be favourers , followers , or furtherers of vertue , when wee surcease from action , which is the life , light , and subsistence of vertue ? wherfore , as it is little to reade or gather , but to understand and to reduce to forme what we reade , gather or understand ; for this is the ornament of art , the argument of labour : so it is little or to no purpose , that wee know , conceive or apprehend , unlesse we make a fruitfull use of that knowledge by serious practice , to the benefit of our selves and others . i have knowne divers physitians , some whereof were of great practice , but small reading ; others of great reading , but small practice ; and i have heard sundry men of sufficient judgement confidently averre , that in cases of necessity they had rather hazard their lives in the hand of the practicke than theoricke : and their reason was this ; though the practick had not exercised himselfe in the perusall of bookes , he had gained him experience in the practice of cures ; and that the body of his patient was the onely booke within his element . to which assertion i will neither assent , nor wholly dissent ; for as he that practiseth before he know , may sooner kill than cure ; so he who knoweth , and seldome or never practiseth , must of necessity , to get him experience , kill before he cure . but sure i am , that many ignorant lay-men , whose knowledge was little more than what nature bestowed on them , by means of regular discipline , and powerfull subduing of their owne affections , have become absolute men ; being such as reached to as high a pitch of actuall perfection , as ever the learned'st or profoundest man in the world attained : for it is neither knowledge nor place , but the free gift of gods grace , which enableth the spirituall man to this perfection . now , forasmuch as not to goe forward , is to goe backward ; and that there be two solstices in the suns motion , but none in times revolution , or in a christians progression : the only meanes to attaine this actuall perfection , at least some small measure or degree therein , is every night to haue our ephemerides about with us , examining our selves what we have done that day ; how far we have profited , wherein benefited our spirituall knowledge . againe , wherein have we reformed our life , or expressed our love to christ by communicating to the necessitie of his saints . by which means , we shall in short time observe what remaines unreformed ; esteeming it the sweetest life , every day to better our life . but principally , are we to looke to our affections which rise and rage in us ; and like the snake in the fable , pester and disturbe the inner house of man : for these are they , which ( as saint basil saith ) rise up in a drunken man ( drunke i meane with all spirituall fornication ) like a swarme of bees buzzing on every side . when the affections of men are troubled , they change them like circes cups , from men to beasts . neither is it so ill to be a beast , as for man to live like a beast . o then , let us have an eye to our affections ; let them be planted , where they may be duly seasoned ! earth makes them distastefull ; let them be fixed then in heaven , the only thought whereof will cause them to be delightfull . and to conclude this branch ; it will not be amisse for us , to counterpoize our affections ( if wee finde them at any time irregular ) with weights of contrary nature ; as if we finde our selves naturally affected to pride ( that luciferian sinne ) to counterpoise it with motives of humilitie ; as the vilenesse of our condition , basenesse of our composition , and weaknesse of our constitution : or naturally inclined to covetousnesse ( that mammons sin ) to give , though the gift afflict vs , liberally , that our forced bounty may in time weane us from our in-bred misery : if of grating oppression , or grinding extortion ( that ahabs sin ) let us make restitution with good zacheus , and though we cannot doe it so frankly as he did , yet let us doe it as freely as we may ; that our restitution may in some sort answer for our former oppression : if of excesse in fare and gluttony ( that dives sinne ) let us so moderate our delight in feeding , that our delight may be to sustaine nature , and not oppresse her with exceeding : if of lust or sensuality ( that ammons sinne ) where that sin may abound , the sense is obey'd , let us subject all our delights to the government of reason , and reason to the soveraignty of grace , that the flesh may be resisted in what it most affecteth , and in that seconded , wherein it least delighteth : if of envie , ( that serpentin● sinne ) let us entertaine brotherly love , for envie can beare no sway where love raigneth : if of wrath ( that cains sin ) embrace patience ; so shall fury be suppressed , where patience is lodged : if of sloth , ( the sluggards sinne ) let us inure our selves to some exercise that may most delight us , so in time wee may become exercised in taskes of greater difficultie : being first from sloth weaned , afterwards to greater labours inured . thus to fight were to vanquish ; thus to enter lists , were to reape spirituall solace ; for through him should we triumph , who sees us fighting , cheeres us failing , and crownes us conquering . and this shall suffice to have been spoken of the active part of perfection , purposing according to our former method , to compare the contemplative and active together ; the parts or properties of both which being duly examined , it shall more plainly appeare how the active is to be preferred . it is a barren faith , we say , that is not attended on by good workes ; and no lesse fruitlesse is that knowledge which is exercised only in contemplation , and never in action . we are therefore with elizeus to have a double spirit ; a spirit that as well doeth , as teacheth ; not only a profering of words , but also an offering of works . so as , it is not breathing or moving , or talking , which argue a spirituall life ; but abounding plentifully in all holy duties , expressing those effectuall and powerfull fruits of a living faith by workes of charity and obedience , which may any way tend to the glorifying of god , edifying our neighbour , or conforming our selves to him , whose image we beare . now , as there is no confort comparable to the testimony of a good conscience , being that inseparable companion which shall attend us to glory or confusion 〈◊〉 there is no punishment , torment or affliction so grievous as shame ; which deriveth the cause , ground , and beginning , either from doing that which we ought not , or from not doing that which we ought : as the comfort we reape from the testimony of a good conscience , deriveth properly the primary cause and effect from doing that which we ought , and abstaining from doing that which wee ought not . and what be those works which are principally commended unto us , but works of charitie and devotion ? for to our owne soules ( saith a devout father ) shall we be right acceptable and gratefull , if we compassionate the estate of our poore brother , by being mercifull : yea , there is nothing that commendeth more a christian man , or argueth a christian-like affected minde , than to shew compassion to those that are afflicted . for in this there is a resemblance betwixt the creature and creator , loving , as he himselfe loved ; shewing compassion , as hee shewed . o let me commend this so commendable and generous a quality , to your admittance , gentlemen ! for beleeve mee , there is no one property that shall better accomplish you , no armory that may more truly deblazon you : for it is a badge of gentry to shew compassion towards misery . what profit shall you reape , if having only superficially read some treatise tending to the comfort of such as are either in body afflicted , or in minde perplexed , or in both distressed ; if you apply not these directions of comfort to them thus miserably dejected ? what reward , i say , shall you receive , upon the account by you given , of the sicke which you have visited ; when having knowne how to comfort men in their affliction , you have not ministred the least comfort to them in their visitation ? or when you shall be demanded , where are the hungrie which you have refreshed , the thirstie whose thirst you have quenched , the naked whom you have cloathed , the miserable oppressed soule whose case you have not 〈◊〉 pitied but redressed ? and you shall answer , how you did indeed visit them , but minister small comfort unto them ; you knew them to be oppressed , and the way to redresse them , but other occasions detained you , as you could not releeve them : nay rather , have you not added worme-wood to their affliction ? have you not surfetted in their suffering , fatned your selves in their famishing , and raised your states by their ruine ? were not your tables stored , when they were starved ; did not you feast , when they fasted ; did it not affect you to see them afflicted ? if at any time you felt this in your selves , let the dolefull remembrance thereof produce torrents of teares from your distreaming eyes ; supply your manifold misdeeds with many almes-deeds ; your transgressions with compassions ; your oppression with foure-fold restitution ; that your sin may no more be had in remembrance : yea , let me use that exhortation to you , which a learned father used upon like occasion ; let charitie smite your bowels ; see not the image of your redeemer disgraced , but forth with labour to right him ; see him not oppressed , but to your power redresse him ; see him not starve , if you have bread to releeve him ; or thirsty , if you have drinke to refresh him ; or naked , if you have a garment to cloath him ; or in any sort distressed , if you have meanes to succour him . oh consume not that on prodigality , which might procure the prayers of many poore soules for you ! their prayers are your praises ; their morning and evening sacrifice , way-marks to direct you unto paradise : take heed then you offend none of these little ones , but cheere them ; be not as thornes in their eyes , or prickes in their sides , but minister all necessary comfort unto them . now , if this appeare a matter of difficultie , pretending that the supportance of your state exacts so much of you , as you can reserve nothing to exhibite upon these workes of charity ; heare me whosoever thou 〈◊〉 makest this objection : be provoked , o christian , be provoked by the widow of sarepta to this encounter ! encounter i call it , because the flesh suggests sundry occasions to avert thee from it . that charitable widow , though shee had but a little meale , shee imparted of that little to a prophet ; though shee had but a little oile , yet shee freely bestowed it to refresh a prophet . the woman of samaria , when iesus said unto her , give me to drinke , answered ; how is it that thou being a iew , askest drinke of me , which am a woman of samaria ? sundrie such like answers will flesh and bloud make , to dispence with workes of charitie : or like the answer of churlish nabal ; who is david , and who is the sonne of iesse ? there be many servants now adayes , that breake away every man from his master : shall i then take my bread and my water , and my flesh which i have killed for my shearers , and give it unto men , whom i know not whence they be ? o let not these objections divert the current of thy compassion ! eye not so much his countrey , whether neighbour-borne , or a stranger , as his countenance , the expresse image of thy saviour . but to descend to some reasons , why the active part of perfection is to be preferred before the contemplative ; this amongst others is the most effectuall and impregnable . in that great day of account , when the sealed booke of our secretest sinnes shall be unsealed , our privatest actions discovered , our closest and subtillest practices displayed , and the whole inside of man uncased ; it shall not be demanded of us , what knew we , but what did we . fitting therefore it were to prefer action before knowledge in this life , being so infallibly to be preferred after this life . howbeit , greater is their shame , and sharper ( doubtlesse ) shall be their censure , whose education in all arts divine and humane hath enabled them for discourse , fitted or accommodated them for managements publike or private ; yet they , giving reines to liberty , invert their knowledge to depraved ends , either making no use of such noble and exquisite indowments , or which is worse , imploying them to the satisfaction of their owne illimited desires . o happy had these beene , if they had never knowne the excellence of learning , for ignorance is to be preferred before knowledge loosely perverted ! yea but , will some object , i cannot see how any one should observe a law before they know it ; wherefore , as i thinke , knowledge is to be preferred , because by knowledge is action directed . it is true indeed , knowledge directs and instructs , for otherwise we should grope in darknesse ; neither doe i exclude all knowledge , but admit so much as may instruct man sufficiently in matters of faith ; put him in remembrance of heaven , whose joyes are ineffable ; of hell , whose pains are intollerable ; of the last judgement , whose sentence is irrevocable . so as i exclude only this grosse ignorance , or blinde paganisme , for to these is the way to heaven closed , because they are divided from that light , without which the celestial way cannot be discerned . wheras then i have so much insisted heretofore upon the contemplative part of perfection ; my ayme was to shew how those , who continued in a contemplative and solitary life , sequestring themselves from the cares and company of this world , doubtlesly conceived ineffable comfort in that sweet retirement : yet in regard they lived not in the world , the world was not bettered by their example . but in this active perfection , where the active part no lesse than contemplative is required , we intend those who doe not only know , but doe ▪ and in the actions of this life , use to make their lights so shine before men , that they may see their good workes . yea but , it may be againe objected , all sinnes be properly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and beare the name of ignorance ; how then may wee exclude any knowledge ? every sinne indeed implyes an ignorance of the creature towards the creator ; which ignoran●● imports rather a forgetfulnesse . for admit a man should steale , commit perjury , or any such act contrary to the expresse will and commandement of god ; it were to be imagined , that this breach or transgression of the divine law , proceeded not of ignorance : for he could not chuse but know , that consent to any of these incurred the breach of his law : but rather it may be said , he had not god before his eyes , but out of a wilfull forgetfulnesse , violated the ordinances of god. but to conclude this branch in a word , the active is to be preferred before the contemplative , for two respects ; the first whereof hath relation to our selves ; the second to others . to our selves ; having account to make for the actions of our life ; how we have imployed or bestowed those talents which he hath lent us ; what use , profit , or benefit we have made of them ; in what spirituall affaires have we beene exercised , in what holy duties trained ! have we not preferred private profit before the testimony of a good conscience ? have we not laboured to inhaunce our means by sinister and indirect courses ? have wee not withdrawne our hand from releeving our needfull brother , or defrauded the labourer of his wages ? have wee not consorted with the evill doer , and encouraged him in his sinne ? have we not hindred some pious worke tending to the honour of god , and imitable for example of others ? have we propagated the gospel , comforted sion when shee mourned , repaired those breaches which were in her , and received those in peace which blessed her ? have we only sought the kingdome of god , and the righteousnesse thereof ; esteemed godlinesse to be great riches ; left our selves and all , to be followers of him who gave us dominion over all ? if we have done this , as we are here in the alpha of grace , we shall be there in the omega of glory : here initiate , there consummate ; but having knowne the will of our father , and done it not ; read principles or instructions of a good life , and observ'd them not ; conversant in deepe mysteries , and applied them not ; studied in all arts and sciences , and practised them not ; how miserable is our knowledge , pronouncing on us a heavier judgement ! wherefore in respect of our selves , whether our knowledge be great or little , if our conversation be not in heaven , though our habitation , during our pilgrimage , be on earth ; our knowledge is but as a tinckling cymball , and shall smally availe us before the high tribunall . for knew we the power and vertue of all creatures , of all plants and vegetive bodies , from the cedar of lebanon , to the hyssop upon the wall , yet were this knowledge fruitlesse , being not seconded by a life conformable to that knowledge . § . secondly , in respect of others ; action is the life of man , and example the direction of his life . how much then doe such men prejudice those who live in the world , that betake themselves to a private or retired life , estranged from humane societie , and ending their dayes in some solitary cave , as men divided from the world ! for howsoever their manner of life be religious , their discipline strict and rigorous , and in their devotion fervent and zealous ; yet they deprive others of the benefit , which they might reape by their example . wherefore most safe and sure it is ( to use the words of a judicious author ) for those who have a desire to take upon them a solitary life , to retire and withdraw their affections before they withdraw their bodies from the world , and to force the world to flie from their minde , before they flie the world ; lest going out of the world , they carry about with them the world . for as he may live ill , who liveth apart from the societie of men ; even so , though they flie not into the wildernesse , yet may they flie the world , and amidst the crowd of people live solitary by an inward contemplation of the supernall glory ; and in midst of a clamorous court conferre with themselves , and converse with god : in the meane time , whatsoever they know or can doe , that may any way tend to the common good , benefit or utilitie of humane societie , to effect it accordingly , and not bury that talent in the ground , which they have received from above ; which rule they are to observe after the example of the most holy and excellent men of both orders , ecclesiasticall ( i say ) and secular . thus farre have wee proceeded in the examination or discussion of these two especiall parts of perfection , contemplative and active ; wherein by manifest and infallible arguments wee have proved , how the active part is to be preferred , both in respect of our selves and others ; because a life well acted shall minister most comfort to our selves , besides that light of example which it yeelds unto others . now as the active is preferred , it resteth that wee shew you wherein this active part of perfection consisteth ; which discovered , that whereof wee treat , and would gladly finde , may be the sooner attained . there is no building , which , as it relies on a foundation , consists not of some materiall composition ; no body but it consists of nerves , arteries or sinewes , which cement the lineaments together ; no confection which consists not of some simples , for otherwise it were not mixed , but simple and uncompounded . the like may be said of this choice and exquisite confection , this active part ( i meane ) of perfection . for as all rivers tend to the sea , to make one ocean ; all creatures to make one vniverse ; so all vertues aime at perfection , which once attained , they surcease from action . now in this discourse of active perfection , the period of man , wee doe not meane of that absolute perfection or accomplishment , which admitteth no blemish or imperfection : for wee are to seeke that above us , not below us ; for our righteousnesse , justice , and perfection is such in this life , as it rather consisteth in the remission of sinnes , than perfection of vertues . yea we sinne daily ; so as properly wee can attribute nothing to our owne strength but weaknesse , to our owne abilitie but infirmnesse , to our resolves but uncertainnesse , to our wills but untowardnesse , to our affections but depravednesse , nor to the whole progresse of our lives but actuall disobedience . but rather ( i say ) wee meane of that christian perfection , which every one in this tabernacle of clay is to labour for ; that wee may become perfect through him , who became weake that wee might be strengthned , hungry that wee might be nourished , thirsty that wee might be refreshed , disgraced that wee might be honoured ; yea , who became all unto all , that by all meanes he might gaine some . but wherein may this actuall perfection be properly said to consist ? in mortification ; which like the swift gliding torrent of hydaspes , divides or dilates it selfe to two channels ; action , and affection : action in expressing it ; affection in desiring to expresse it action in suffering ; affection in desire of suffering . the one actuating no lesse in will , than the other in worke . where the action being more exemplar , and in that more fruitfull , gives precedencie to affection , which concurres with the act to make the worke more graciously powerfull . for , where a worke of mortification is performed , and a heartie desire or affection to that worke is not adjoyned , that action may be properly said to be enforced , rather than out of a free or willing disposition accepted . now this two-fold mortification extends it selfe properly to these three subjects ; life , name , goods . life , which even humanitie tendreth ; name , which a good man before the sweetest odours preferreth ; goods , on which the worldling , as on the supreme good , relieth . for the first , many excellent and memorable examples of sundry devout and constant servants of christ iesus , are in every place frequent and obvious ; who for the confirmation of their faith , and the testimonie of a good conscience , joyfully and cheerefully laid downe their lives , esteeming it an especiall glory to be thought worthy to suffer for him , who with all constancie suffered , to become an example of patience to them : which were easie to illustrate by the sufferings of many eminent and glorious martyrs . prudentius writeth , that when asclepiades commanded the tormentors to strike romanus on the mouth , the meeke martyr answered ; i thanke thee , o captaine , that thou hast opened unto me many mouthes , whereby i may preach my lord and saviour : tot ●ece laudant ora , quot sunt vulnera : looke how many wounds i have , so many mo●thes i have to praise and laud the lord. ignatius words were these , to witnesse his constancie at the time of his suffering : frumentum sum christi , & per dentes bes●earum molor , ut mundus panis dei inveniar . i am christs corne , and must be grownd by the teeth of wilde beasts , that i may become pure manchet for the lord. it is reported that blessed laurence , being laid upon the grediron , used these words to his tormentors : turne and cut , it is enough . saint andrew , when he went to be crucified , was so rapt with joy , as hee rejoyced unmeasurably in that blessed resemblance of his masters death . blessed bartholomew willingly lost his skin for his sake , who had his skinne scourged , that hee might be solaced . iohn dranke a cup of po●son , to pledge his master in a cup of affliction . thus laurences gridiron , andrewes crosse , bartholomews skin , iohns cup , expressed their mortification , by a willing surrender of their life , for his sake , who was the lord of life : yea , should we survey those strange invented torments , during the bloudy issue of the ten persecutions , which were contrived by those inhumane assacinates , whose hands were deepe-died in the bloud of the saints , wee should no lesse admire the constancie of the persecuted suffering , than the cruelty of the persecutors inflicting : what rackes , hookes , harrowes , tongs , forkes , stakes were purposely provided to torment the constant and resolute professours of the truth , wearying the tormentors rather with tormenting , than abating any part of their constancie in the height and heat of their tormenting : yea , they were solaced in the time when they suffered ; esteeming * death to be such a passage , as might give them convoy to a more glorious heritage . neither did these blessed professors of the faith , receive comfort by the eye of their meditation firmely fixed on heaven , but by the compassion and princely commiseration of divers eminent and victorious emperours bearing soveraignty then on earth . constantine the great used to kisse the eye of paphnutius , which was bored out in m●●ciminus time . the like noble and princely compassion we reade to have beene shewed by titus , trajan , theodosius , and many other princes graciously affected towards the poore afflicted and persecuted christians : yea , god moved the hearts of those , who naturally are most remorselesse or obdurate , in commiserating the estate of his afflicted . which may appeare by the iaylor in the acts , who washed saint pauls stripes and wounds . o how comfortable were these passions or passages of affliction ; these tortures or torments , the trophies of their persecution ▪ the blessed memoriall whereof shall extend the date of time , receiving a crowne of him , who is the length of dayes . so , as king alexanders stagges were knowne an hundred yeares together by those golden collars , which by the kings commandement were put about their neckes ; or as king arthurs bodie being taken up somewhat more than six hundred yeares after his death , was knowne to be his by nothing so much , as by the prints of ten severall wounds which appeared in his skull ; so these glorious stampes of their passion , shall appeare as trophies to them in the day of exaltation ; because , as they lost their lives for the testimony of the gospell , they shall finde them recorded in the booke of life , receiving the crowne of consolation , for the deep draught which they tooke of the cup of affliction . and reason there is , we should disvalue our l●ves for the profession of our faith , since forlorne and miserable is his life , that is without faith . for if the heathen , whose future hopes were fixed on posterity , and not so much as the least knowledge of eternity , dis-esteemed their lives to gaine them renowne , or propagate their countries glory ; much more cause have we to subject our lives to the censure of death , having hope after death to live in glory . it is reported ; that the body of cadwallo , an antient king of the britains , being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections , was put into a brazen image , and set upon a brazen horse over ludgate , for a terror to the saxons : and zisca , the valiant captaine of the bohemians , commanded that after his decease his skin should be flayed from his bodie , to make a drum , which they should use in their battels , affirming that as soone as the hurgarians ▪ or any other enemies , should heare the sound of that drum , they would not abide but take their flight . this moved scipio to appoint his sepulcher to be so placed , as his image standing upon it , might looke directly towards africa , that being dead , he might still be a terrour to the carthaginians . if respect of pagans to their country , or an eye to popular glory did so inflame them , as their countries love exceeded their love of life , surviving in their death , and leaving monuments of their affection after death : how lightly are we to value the glory of this life , if the losse thereof may advance our fathers glory ; or ought tending to the conservation of this life , being assured by him , whose promises faile not , by such a small losse , to gaine eternity ? now , as it is not the death , but the cause of the death , which makes the martyr ; we are to know , that to die in the maintenance of any heretical opinion is pseudo-martyrdom : for howsoever those arrians , manichees and pelagians ; those macedonians , eutichees and nestorians ; yea , generally all hereticks were constant and resolute enough in seconding and maintaining their erroneous opinions : yet forasmuch as the cause , for which they contended , was heresie , tend it might to their confusion , but never to their glory : for as honey-combes ( saith learned tertullian ) are by waspes composed , so are churches by the marcionists ( and consequently by all heretickes ) disposed : in whose synodals or conventicles , many thousands are perverted , none converted , or to the church of christ faithfully espoused . whereas truth , which may be pressed , but not oppressed , assailed , but never soiled , like the greene bay-tree in the midst of hoarie winter , or a fresh spring in the sandy desart , appeares most glorious , when her adversaries are most malicious ; bearing ever a countenance most cheerefull , when her assailants are most dreadfull . neither only in this glorious act of martyrdome , but in all inferiour workes , the affection of the minde , as well as the action of the man , is to be considered : for god himselfe , who hath an eye rather to the intention than action , will not approve of a good worke done , unlesse it be well done . as for example ; when the pharisie fasted , prayed , gave almes , and payed tithe of all that he possessed , he did good works , but he did not those good workes well : the reason was , he exalted himselfe in his workes , without attributing praise unto him , who is the beginner and perfecter of every good worke : for his fas●s were hypocriticall and not of devotion , his prayers ineffectuall , because they sounded of ostentation , his almes unacceptable , because exhibited only for obseruation , and his 〈◊〉 abominable , being given to celour his secret oppression : for which cause did our 〈◊〉 pronounce a woe upon them , saying , woe unto you pharisies ; for 〈◊〉 tithe mint and rue , and all manner of herbes , and passe 〈◊〉 ●●dgement and the love of god : these ought yee to have done , and not to leave the other vndone . whence it appears , that the worke it selfe was approved , but the manner of doing it reproved ; for that they preferred the tithing of 〈◊〉 and rue before the judgement and love of god ; yea , so they preferred it , as the one was performed , while the other of more serious and consequent importance was omitted . whence we are cautioned , that in our workes of mortification , we doe nothing for any sinister or by-respect ; but only for the glory of god , to whom , as all our actions are properly directed , so are they to have relation onely unto him , if we desire to have them accepted . is it so , that this actuall perfection is to be acquired by mortification , wherein is required not only the action but affection ? and that we are even to lay downe our lives , if the cause so require , to promote the glory of our maker ? tell me then , gentlemen , how farre have yee proceeded in this spirituall progresse ? have yee unfainedly desired to further the honour of god , repaire the ruines of sion , and engage your owne lives for the testimony of a good conscience ? have ye fought the lords battell , and opposed your selves against the enemies of the truth ? have yee shut the doore of your chamber , the doore of your inner parlour , i meane your heart , from the entrance of all earthly affections , sensuall cogitations , and expressed true arguments of mortification , the sooner to attaine this high degree of christian perfection ? have yee made a covenant with your eyes not to looke after the strange woman , a covenant ( i meane ) with your hearts never to lust after her ? have ye weaned your itching and bewitching humours , from affecting forraine and out-landish fashions , which howsoever they be to fashion conformed , they make man of all others most deformed ? have ye done with your reere-suppers , midnight revels , curtaine pleasures , and courting of pictures ? have yee left frequenting court-maskes , tilt-triumphs and enterludes ; boasting of young ladies favours , glorying more in the purchase of a glove , than a captaine in the surprizall of a fort ? have yee cashiered all those companions of death , those seducing consorts of misery , and betaken your selves to the acquaintance of good men , conceiving a setled joy in their society ? o then thrice happy you ! for having honoured god , he will honour you ; having repaired the ruines of sion , he will place you in his heavenly sion ; or engaged your lives for the testimony of a good conscience , hee will invite you to that continuall feast of a peaceable conscience ; or fought the lords battell , hee will say you have fought a good fight , crowning you after your victory on earth , with glory in heaven ; or shut the doore of your chamber , and kept the roome cleane and sweet for your maker , he will come in and sup with you , that you may rejoyce together ; or made a covenant with your eyes not to look after the strange woman , with those eyes yee shall hehold him , who put enmitie between the serpent and the woman ; or weaned your itching and bewitching humours from affecting out-landish fashions , madding after phantasticke habits ( for * stuffe it skils not , whether silken or woollen , so the fashion be civill and not wanton ) you shal be cloathed in long white roabes , and follow the lambe wheresoever he goeth ; or done with your mid-night revels , and court pleasures , you shall be filled with the pleasures of the lords house , and abide in his courts for ever ; or left frequenting maskes , tilt-triumphs and enterludes , the glorious spectacles of vanity , you shall be admitted to those angelicall triumphs , singing heavenly hymnes to the god of glory ; or cashier'd those companions of death ▪ whose end is misery , you shall have the saints for your companions , and share with them in the covenant of mercy . doe yee not hence observe what inestimable comforts are reserved for those who are truly mortified ? mortified , i say , in respect of your contempt to the world , which is expressed by ceasing to love it , before you leave it . who would not then disvalue this life , and all those bitter sweets , which this fraile life affordeth , to possesse those incomparable sweets which every faithfull soule enjoyeth ? yea , but our silken worldling , or delicate wormeling will object ; this discipline is too strict for flesh and bloud to follow . who can endure to yeeld his head to the blocke , or his body to the faggot , when the very sight of death in another , ministers to the beholder motives of terror ? surely , this is nothing , to him that duely considereth , how hee that loseth his life shall save it , but he that saveth his life shall lose it . what is a minutes anguish to an eternity of solace ? wee can endure the launcing or searing of a putrified member , and this endures as long as our time of wrastling with our dissolution , which brings us to our saviour : nor skils it much , what kinde of death wee die , seeing no kinde of death can hurt the righteous , be the terrors and torments of death never so numerous . the way then to contemne death , is to expect it , and so to prepare our selves for it , as if we were this very houre to encounter it ; resolving never to goe with that conscience to our bed , with which we durst not goe to our grave ; being so uncertaine whether before the next morne wee shall be taken out of our bed , and shrouded for our grave . and this shall suffice touching our mortification or contempt of life , if with such a sacrifice wee may be thought worthy to honour him , who gave us life . we are now to speake of mortification in respect of name or report ; wherein , you are to understand , that this is two-fold : first , in turning our eares from such as praise us ; secondly , in hearing with patience such as revile us . for the first , it is and hath beene ever the condition of sober and discreet men to avert their eare from their owne praises ; at least with a modest passing over such vertues as were commendable in them : which modesty appeared in alphonsus prince of aragons answer to an orator , who having repeated a long panegyricall oration in his praise , replied , if that thou hast said consent with truth , i thanke god for it ; if not , i pray god grant me grace that i may doe it . others likewise we reade of , who could not with patience endure their persons or actions to be praised above truth : this princely passion appeared in alexander , who hearing aristobulus , a famous greek historian , read his writings purposely penned upon the memorable acts he had atchieved , wherein he commended him farre above truth : being mightily incensed therewith , threw the booke into the river , as he was sailing over hydaspes , saying withall , he was almost moved to send aristobulus after . neither indeed will any wise man endure to heare himselfe praised above truth , seeing , no lesse aspersion may be laid on his person by being too highly praised , than if he were discommended : for should we praise one for his bountie , who is publikely knowne to the world to be par●●monious ; or for his humility , who is naturally ambitious ; or for his continencie , who is licentious ; our praises would not tend so much to his honour , as to the display of his nature : yea , even he himselfe , guilty in himselfe , would tax us , knowing that he the least of all others deserved these praises from us . it is flattery ( saith one ) to praise in absence ; that is , when either the vertue is absent , or the occasion is absent . but in the report of our owne praise , admit wee should deserve it ; the safest course is to withdraw our eare from hearing it , lest vain-glory transport us upon hearing of those praises which are spoken of us : for if our aymes be only to purchase popular esteeme , preferring the praise of men , before the praise of god , or the testimony of a good conscience ; as our aymes were perverted , so shall we be rewarded . now there is no better means to abate or extenuate this desire of praise in us , than duly to consider whose gifts they be , that deserve this praise in us : for were they our owne , we might more properly be praised for them ; but they are gods , and not ours , therefore is the praise to be ascribed unto god , and not unto us . for hee that would be praised for gods gift , and seeketh not gods glory , but his owne in that gift , though he be praised by men for gods gift , yet is he dispraised by god , for not seeking gods glory , but his owne for this gift : and he who is praised by men , god dispraising , shall not be defended by men , god judging , nor be delivered , god condemning . whereas , hee that loveth god , will chuse rather to be deprived of all future glory , than detract by any meanes from god the author of all glory . let us then so avert our eare from selfe-praise , or ought else that may beget in us vain-glory or ostentation , that we may become like unto him , who dis-esteemed all worldly praise from the houre of his birth to the houre of his passion . secondly , wee are to heare with patience such as revile us : and reason good ; for observing this , a blessing is pronounced on us : blessed are ye● ( saith the lord of all blessing ) when men shall revile you , and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake : rejoyce , and be exceeding glad ; for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you . yea , not only the prophets , but even him , of whom all the prophets bare witnesse ; yet became he as one that did not heare , having no rebukes in his mouth . when hee was tempted in the wildernesse , the scripture was his armour of resistance ; when he was reviled on the crosse , hee prayed for his enemies , to expresse his heavenly patience . now , if the sonne of god was in the desart tempted , what hermit can expect to be from temptation freed ? if the master be reviled , how may the servant looke to be intreated ? for howsoever some , or indeed most of the antient fathers , doubt whether the devill did know that christ was god or no ; touching that parcell of scripture , wherein christ was tempted in the defart ; yet may it appeare probable by inference from the text it selfe , that after iesus had said unto him , it is written thou shalt not tempt the lord thy god ; the devill tooke him up into an exceeding high mountaine , and shewed him all the kingdomes of the world , and the glory of them ; saying , all these things will i give thee , if thou wilt fall downe and worship me . whence i collect , that after christ had told him that hee was god , he continued his temptation ; which was an argument to evince him of palpable ignorance ; or of distrust to christs speech , which argued his diffidence : but our purpose is not too curiously to insist upon these subtill digressions ; it sufficiently appeareth , that christ who ought to be every faithfull christians patterne , was reviled , yet opened not hee his mouth ; but with sweet silence and amiable patience offered his prayers unto his father for them , who maliciously offered him upon the crosse ; leaving us an example of admiration and imitation , that following him and suffering with him , we might likewise reigne and remaine with him : yea , but will our spritely-stately gallant object ; can any man , who knowes the value of reputation , with patience suffer publike disgrace ? is there any punishment so grievous as shame ? yea , were it not better for a man who is eminent in the eye of the world , to die right out , than still live in reproach and shame ? for a man to live or die , is naturall ; he performeth but that taske to which all mortality is injoyned ; but for a man to live in shame and contempt , and be made a spectacle of disgrace to the world , an apparent touch or taint to his friends , a laughing stock of his enemies , is such a matter , as no well-bred and noble minded man , that hath any courage or stomack in him , or tenders his esteeme , can ever digest it . true it is , that flesh and bloud will suggest many such objections ; and if there were nothing to be valued so much as worldly esteeme , or popular grace , which relyeth on opinion , as soone lost as got , there were some reason to stand so punctually upon termes of reputation ; but the eye of a christian ought to extend it selfe to an higher object . we are exhorted to heape coales on our enemies heads ▪ to render good for evill ; and to be revenged on them by well doing . diogenes being asked how one should be revenged of his enemie , answered , by being a vertuous and honest man. what matter then though all the world revile us , having a sincere and unblemished conscience within us , to witnesse for us ? socrates in his ecclesiasticall history writeth , that athanasius being accused by one iannes , to have killed arsenius , and after to have cut off his hand , that hee might use it to magicke and forcerie , cleared himselfe notably of this slender : having by good hap found out arsenius , who lay hid for the nonce , he brought him before the councell of tyrus , whereto he was convented , and there he asked his accuser , whether he ever knew arsenius or no ? he answered , yes : then athanasius called him forth , with his hands covered under his cloake , and turning up the one side of his cloake , shewed him the one of his hands ; and when most men surmised , that the other hand at leastwise was cut off ▪ athanasius without any more adoe , casteth up the other side of his cloake , and sheweth the second hand , saying , you see arsenius hath two hands , now let mine accuser shew you the place where the third hand was cut off . whence two remarkable considerations are recommended unto us : malicious subornation in the accuser ; gracious moderation in the accused . for the former , let the speech of a heathen man for ever be printed in your hearts ; who when his friend came unto him , and desired him to take a false oath in a cau●e of his , made answer : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . you must ( saith he ) beare with mee , there are many friends to be gotten if i lose you ; but if by forswearing my selfe i lose the favour of god , i cannot get another , there is but one god. for the latter as soft words pacific wrath , so by a pleasant conceit he cooled all wrath ; fleighting so much the aspersion of his accuser , as even of his enemies hee gain'd him honour . to instance which moderation or patience , even in sundry heathen men , towards such as aspersed disgrace upon them , were it not that i feare enlarging of this branch too much , i might produce many heroicke and princely examples , as vespasian , his sonne titus , marcellus , demetrius ; yea , the stiffe and rough-hew'd hercules , who cared not a flie for back-biting termes . but i am to use a word or two unto you , gentlemen , by quest of inquiry how you are found affected herein , and so descend to the third and last branch arising from this subject . have yee not delighted in hearing your owne praise , but reproved such as praised you , or turned your care from their applause , le●t it should transport you ? have yee distributed to the poore , without looking who saw you ? have yee fasted without hanging downe your head , to cause men observe you ? have ye prayed with zeale , fixing your eye only on god , that he would look on you ? have ye performed the workes of charity , and that for conscience sake , and not for vain-glory ? have ye not too pharisaically prided your selves in your own integrity ? have ye ascribed to your selves shame , and to god the glory ? have yee heartily wished rather to be deprived of all hope of glory , than by your meanes to detract in any wife from gods glory ? o then happy and blessed are you ! for having turned your eares from the applause of men , you shal receive applause from angels ; or having distributed to the poore without looking who saw you , you shall be plenteously rewarded by him , whose eyes are ever upon you ; or fasted without hanging downe your heads , to cause men observe you , you shall feast with him , who will erect your heads , and with glory crowne you ; or performed works of charity for conscience sake , and not for vain-glory , your workes shall goe before you , and be accounted for righteous through him who shall cloath you with glory ; or not too pharisaically prided your selves in your owne integrity , you shall become justified with the publican , and admitted to honour by humility ; or ascribed to your selves shame , and to god the glory , god shall wipe off your shame , and bring you to the full fruition of his glory ; or heartily wished to bee deprived of all hope of glory , rather than by your meanes to detract in any wise from gods glory ; your desire of advancing gods glory , shall after your passage from this vale of misery , estate you in the inheritance of glory . againe ; have ye heard with patience such as revile you ? have ye answered them as he did , who being accused by his enemie of one sinne , accused him likewise of ignorance , saying , thou accusest mee of one , when i am guiltie of a thousand ? have ye not stood upon termes of reputation , but with patience suffered all disgraces ? have ye overcome your enemie with mildnesse ? taken revenge on him by your vertue and goodnesse ? fortified your selves against all calumnie , with the spirit of patience ? o then right blessed are you ! for having heard with patience such as revile you , an eternall blessing is pronounced on you ; or having beene as ready to condemne your selves , as others to accuse you , your purged conscience shall freely acquit you ; or not stood on termes of reputation when men disgrac'd you , you shall be graced in heaven , where no disgrace shall touch you ; or overcome your enemy with mildnesse , the milde lambe shall crowne you with happinesse ; or taken revenge on him by your vertue and goodnesse , you shall be refreshed with the fountaine of sweetnesse ; or fortified your selves against all calumnie with the spirit of patience , with palmes in your hands shall yee sing with joyfulnesse . gather , o gather hence with ineffable solace is conferred on the patient ! whatsoever hee suffer here , shall in superabundant measure be recompenced else-where . but it may be objected , that some aspersions are not to be borne with : for those scandals which are laid upō our persons , where our faith is not taxed or touched , may be more easily endured ; but where these are struck at , they are not to be suffered . to confirme which , we reade how peter and iohn having by prayer and imposition of hands , given the holy ghost , and simon the sorcerer saw that through laying on of the apostles hands , the holy ghost was given , he offered them money , saying , give mee also this power , that on whomsoever i lay hands , he may receive the holy ghost . but peter incensed herewith , said unto him , thy money perish with thee , because thou hast thought that the gift of god may be purchased with money . whence it appeareth , that out of a holy zeale , one may shew passion towards such as detract from the honour of god , or asperse a blemish upon his servants in the worke of their ministerie . the like wee reade of paul , that glorious vessell of election , conceiving much indignation against one , who had withstood the word ; saying , alexander the copper-smith did mee much evill , the lord reward him according to his workes . the reason is inclusively annexed ; of whom be thou ware also , for he hath greatly withstood our words . the like spirit of zeale might iames and iohn be said to be of , who when they saw that the samaritanes would not receive christ , said ; lord wilt thou that wee command fire to come downe from heaven , and consume them , even as elias did ? but how this passion of theirs was approved , may appeare by the ensuing verse ; but he turned and rebuked them , and said , yee know not what manner of spirit yee are of . now to cleare this objection , there is no patterne which wee ought sooner to imitate than christ himselfe , who is the master of truth and directeth us in all truth ; who as hee was most blamelesse of all others , for in his mouth was never guile found , yet was he in his owne person more blamed , in his doctrine more reproved , in his miracles more injured than all others : for one while he is accused to have a devill ; anon , that he casteth out devils through the prince of the devils ; anon , that he is a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber , a friend of publicans and sinners . yet what answer vouchsafed he unto all these save only this , wisdome is justified of her children ? now i know there are differences of scandals or aspersions , where some leave deeper impression than others doe : for as the name is more precious than any earthly substance , so it receiveth the deepest staine , when the estimation of our faith is questioned , being the very maine foundation whereon all religion is grounded , and the perfection of that building which makes a christian rightly accomplishd . saint basil could shew himselfe calme enough in his conference with the emperour , till a cooke came in , and saucily told him , he did not well to stand so precisely upon such small matters , but rather to yeeld to his master the emperour in a word or two : for what were those divine affaires whereon hee so much insisted , but such as with indifferencie might be dispensed ? but what answered this reverend father ? yea sir cooke ( quoth he ) it is your part to tend your pottage , and not to boile and chop up divine matters , which , as they little trouble you , so in weight and consequence are farre above you . and then with great gravitie turning to the emperour , said , that those that were conversant in divine matters , which were principally to be intended , would with conscience rather suffer death , than suffer one jot of holy ▪ scripture , much lesse an article of faith to be altere● or corrupted . another holy man , though most innocent , could endure to be accounted a whoremaster , an uncleane person , and the like ; but when one called him an heretike , he could beare no longer : so neere be wee touched , when our faith is questioned . but as we have a noble and glorious patterne , who shewed himselfe a conquerour in his suffering , let us wrastle with flesh and bloud , that suffering all things for him and with him , wee may after our conquest joy in him and with him . and let this be sufficient to have beene spoken of mortification in respect of our name or esteeme in the world , labouring daily to dis-value and huminate our selves while wee are in the world . if it be no great thing to leave our substance , but our selves ; let us at least leave our substance , that wee may the better enjoy our selves . it was the wise exhortation of the wisest of princes ; honour the lord with thy substance , and with the first fruits of all thy increase : annexing a promise to this precept ; so shall thy barnes be filled with plenty , and thy presse shall burst out with new wine . but forasmuch as many things are required to the mortification of this earthly mammon , wee will reduce them to two especiall heads , the better to retaine in memory this meanes of mortification : . to consider from whom we have received these worldly blessings : . how to dispose of them , lest they become cursings of blessings . for the first , wee are positively to set downe , that every good gift and every perfect gift commeth from above ; the beasts that graze on a thousand hills are his ; the treasures of the earth are his : for from whom should wee thinke are they derived to us , but from him by whom they were created for us ? he who never had it , how can he give it ? but he who hath all , guides all , governes all , and is all in all , is sole-sufficient for all . he it i● then that maketh rich and maketh poore , exalteth and humbleth , sendeth forth his waters out of their treasuries , and all things are drowned , shutteth them in their treasuries , and all things are dried . hee it is that maketh the fruitfull barren , and the barren fruitfull . in stead of the thorne shall come up the firre tree , and in stead of the brier shall come up the mirtle tree , and it shall be to the lord for a name , for an everlasting signe that shall not be cut off . he it is that made heaven and earth and all things , replenished heaven and earth with all things , giving man dominion over all things , that man might be subject unto him who made all things . now as he gave them to man , so are they to be disposed of by man , to his glory who made man. and how is that ? not in laying land unto land with the oppressour ; nor in repairing to the house of the strange woman with the adulterer ; nor consuming your substance in excesse with the rioter ; nor hoording up vengeance against the day of wrath with the miser ; nor grinding the face of the poore with the extortioner : but rather distributing freely of that which you have , and communicating to the necessitie of the saints : so shall you make to your selves friends of your unrighteous mammon , and shall be fed with manna in the courts of sion . gainfull is the use of that money , which is put out to the workes of charitie : which be it more or lesse , cannot but be exceeding great , being given with devotion , and the worke attended by singlenesse of heart and sinceritie of affection ; for where a sincere will is not joyned with the worke , the worke cannot be effectuall to the doer , howsoever it may seeme fruitfull to the beholder . ac which sort of men , who erect sumptuous works rather for popularitie and affectation , than pietie or sincere affection , the poet pleasantly glanceth ; these statues reare in publike wayes , as trophies of their love , which , as they heare , in passengers will admiration move , and gaine a fame unto their name , which may survive in them : but trust mee , sirs , these works of theirs shew them vaine-glorious men . which works , howsoever usefull unto others , were better undone than done in respect of themselves : for to glory in our works , doth not only derogate from our works , but denounce upon us greater damnation , ascribing to our selves what duly , properly , and solely ought to be attributed to the glory of god. but to draw neerer the point wee have in hand ; there is nothing that weaneth our minds more from the meditation of god and mortification to the world , than our earthly affections , which beare such sway over us , as they will not suffer those divine motions or meditations to take root in us . this is excellently shadowed in that parable of the great supper , where many guests were invited , but all with one consent began to make their excuse : the first he had bought a peece of ground , and he must needs goe see it : the second had bought five yoke of oxen , and he must goe prove them : and another had maried a wife , and therefore he could not come . these , though the fatlings be provided , the choicest dainties prepared , wherewith their hunger-starved soules might be refreshed , cannot come ; the world must detaine them , their earthly respects inchaine them , their sensuall delights restraine them : they cannot come , though often invited , nor re●ort to this great supper , though all things be provided . these seldome or never take into their more serious consideration the state of the blessed in heaven , or the state of the damned in hell. neither can the joyes of the one allure them , or the paines of the other deterre them . these will dispense with the word for the profit of the world , and enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season , deferring repentance till it be past season . saint chrysostome relateth how paulus samosetanus that arch-heretike , for the love of a woman forsooke his faith . saint augustine relateth divers , who denied the torments of hell to have eternitie , thereby to flatter their affections with a pretended assurance of impunitie . saint gregory imputeth it to avarice and covetousnesse , that many forsake their faith . these follow not the example of sundry devout men , the memory whereof is recommended unto us in holy writ ; who being possessors of lands , or houses , sold them , and brought the prices of the things that were sold , and laid them downe at the apostles feet : and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need . the like contempt , in respect of earthly substance , wee reade to have been in many noble and equally affected pagans , as crates , bisias , zeno , bias , anacreon , anacharses ; who , though they had scarce the least glimpse of an eternitie , yet they dis-valued the substance of earth as the subject of vanitie . but i must now draw in my sailes , and take a view of your dispositions ( gentlemen ) how you stand herein affected ; that seeking what i expect to finde , i may no lesse glory in your aversion from earth , than if you were ascending iacobs ladder , to have your names enrolled in the kingdome of heaven . have yee honoured the lord with your substance , and tendered him the first fruits of his bounty ? have yee acknowledged every good thing to come from him , as from the fountaine of mercy ? have yee subjected your selves unto him , as he hath subjected all things to your soveraigntie ? have yee disposed of them soberly and solely to his glory ? have yee beene oppressors , and with good zacheus made fourefold restitution ? have yee not exposed your inheritance to riot and pollution ? have yee not hoorded up vengeance against the day of affliction ? have yee not grinded and grated the face of the poore with extortion ? have yee distributed freely , and communicated to the saints necessitie ? have yee made you friends of your unrighteous mammon , and so made your selves way to the heavenly sion ? have yee done these works of compassion with singlenesse of heart , and without affectation ? have yee beene by no earthly respect detained from comming to that great lords supper , to which you were invited ? o then in a happy state are you ! for having honoured the lord , he will fill your barnes with plenty ; or having acknowledged all good things to be derived from his mercy , he will give you a fuller taste of his bounty ; or subjected your selves to his obedience , hee will cause every creature to doe you service ; or disposed of them soberly and solely to his glory , he will exhibit his good gifts unto you more fully ; or beene oppressors , and made restitution , you shall with zacheus become vessels of election ; or not exposed your inheritance to riot and pollution , you shall be safe from the doome of confusion ; or not grinded the face of the poore with extortion , the poore shall beare record of your compassion ; or distributed freely to the saints necessitie , he that seeth in secret shall reward you openly ; or made you friends of your unrighteous mammon , manna shall be your food in the heavenly sion ; or done these works singly , and without vaine-glory , you shall be cloathed with the garment of mercy ; or not detained by the world from going to that great lords supper , yee shall be graciously admitted and exalted to honour . thus to dispose of the substance of the world , is to despise the world : preferring one meditation of the pleasures and treasures of heaven , before the possession of the whole earth ; and esteeming it farre better to be one day in the house of the lord , than to be conversant in the palaces of princes . o then , yee whose generous descents and mighty estates promise comfort to the afflicted , releefe to the distressed , and an hospitable receit to all such as repaire to you for succour or comfort ; minister to the necessitie of the saints , be liberall and open handed to the poore , having opportunitie , doe good unto all men , especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith , be exercised in the works of the spirit and not of the flesh , so shall yee build upon a sure foundation , and in the inheritance of gods saints receive a mansion . turne not ( i say ) you eare from the cry of any poore man , lest his cry be heard , and procure vengeance to be powred on your head . pitty the moanes of the afflicted , wipe off the teares of the distressed , comfort those that mourn in sion . the ordinary forme of begging in italy is , doe good for your owne sakes . doe good for your owne sakes , for your owne selves , for your owne soules . no a sacrifice to god more gratefull , to your selves more usefull , or to your owne soules more fruitfull , than to be zealous in all holy duties , and compassionate to the needfull : b for he that in himselfe burnes not in devotion , can never inflame another with the zeale of devotion : c neither can any one shine , unlesse before hee burne ; shine in the works of compassion , unlesse he burne before with the zeale of a devout affection . so as many though they be d lights in respect of their ministerie or office , yet are they snuffs in respect of their use , effect or service . exhibit therefore freely of those good gifts and bounties which god hath bestowed on you , and shew your liberalitie now in the opportunate time ; for as there is a time when none can worke , so there is a time when none can give : give it then in your life time , that you may expresse your charitie with your owne hand , and not by way of legacie : for many make good wills , which i much feare mee proceed not of good will , being rather by the sentence of mortalitie inforced , than of their owne charitable disposition affected , to leave to the poore afflicted of the world , which they so exceedingly loved , while they sojourned here in the world . and what shall these bountifull legacies availe them , these charitable wills profit them , when they shal make their beds in the darke , and enter parlie with their owne consciences , whether this coacted charitie of theirs proceeded from compassion or compulsion , leaving what they could no longer enjoy , and giving that which was not in their power to give ? surely , no more benefit shall this inforced charitie conferre on them , than if they had sowne the sand : for fruitlesse is that worke which deriveth not her ground from a pure intention or sanctified will. in the easterne countries , they put coine in the dead mans hand , to provide for him after his departure hence . the like provision carry these along with them to their graves , who deferre giving , till they cannot give , making their executors their almoners , who many times defeat the poore , or number themselves in beadroll of the poore ; whereby they gull the deceased , enriching their owne coffers with the poore mans box . o gentlemen , you whose corps are followed with many mourners , and oft-times inward rejoycers ; send out those sweet odours of a good and devout life before you ; dispense and dispose faithfully , in whatsoever the lord above others hath enriched you ; deferre not your charity to your death , lest you be prevented of your charity by death ; bethinke your selves how you would be provided if that great master of accounts were this houre to call you before him , and make your reckoning with him ; would you not be glad , if your conscience told you , how you had beene faithfull disposers or imployers of those talents which were delivered to you ? would not your hearts rejoyce within you to have such a testimony , as the witnesse of an undefiled or spotlesse conscience within you ? would it not intraunce you with an exceeding joy , to heare that happy and heavenly approbation , well done , good and faithfull servants , you have beene faithfull over a few things , i will make you rulers over many things : enter yee into the joy of your lord ? if this could not choose but joy you , so dispose of your earthly mammon , that you may be partakers of this surpassing joy in the courts of sion . and so i descend to the last branch of this last observation , expressing that object of ineffable consolation , whereto this active perfection aspireth , and that spirituall repose of heavenly solace and refection , wherein it solely and properly resteth . man is borne unto trouble , as the sparkes fly upward , being here a sojourner in the inne of this world ; and drawing every day neerer and neerer the end of his pilgrimage ; where mans life is the travellers embleme ; his forme of living , the very mirrour of his sojourning ; his home returning , the type or figure of his dissolving . in which progresse or journall of man , by how much more the sun-diall of his life proceedeth , by so much neerer the night-shade of death approacheth . yet , behold the misery of man ! his desires are daily to disquiet and disturbe himselfe : for shew me that man howsoever affected , or in what degree soever placed , whose desires are so firmely fixed , as his minde is not troubled in the pursuit of that whereto his aymes are directed . for to begin with the highest , because his thoughts are ever aspiring'st ; doth the ambitious man ayme at honour or preferment ? behold , hee purposeth with himselfe to gaine or attain such a place under his prince , not so much for his owne ends ( as he pretendeth ) but to be usefull to his friends , and behovefull to his countrey ; but since that houre , hee entertained the first infant thoughts of ambition , he hath felt sufficiently the danger of that infection : reaping no other fruits but distractions , in respect of competitours , or want of enjoying himselfe , being pestred by multitudes of sutors . or is he covetous ? there is nothing which hee eyes or beholds upon this , vniverse , tending to profit , or promising hope of profit , which he presently conveyes not to his heart , coveting whatsoever he sees , and seeing nothing that he doth not covet : he tumbles and tosses , and will not suffer his eyes to slumber , but like miserable menedemus in terence , or greedy gripus in plautus , hee afflicts and torments himselfe , making his owne desires his owne disquiets . or is he voluptuous ? his fond affection procures in him this phrensie or distraction : he goes to the house of the strange woman , gives eare to her incantation , sports with ismael , lusts after her beauty in his heart : and is taken with her eye-lids ; yet see how sensuality brings him to misery ! by meanes of this whorish woman , he is brought to a peece of bread : and the adulteresse will hunt after his precious life : but to passe over these , and take a view of such whose course of life seemes better disposed , than to converse with the world , either by ambitiously aspiring to honour , the great mans darling ; or by too eager a pursuit after riches , the worldlings mammon ; or by too hot a quest after pleasure , the wantons minion . for to reflect a little upon the aymes of such who affect contemplation , and every day better their knowledge in the serious or exquisite search of the natures , vertues , or operations of all creatures ; we shall finde , to use the words of salomon , that even in these there is vanity and affliction of spirit : for howsoever , wisdome raines downe skill and knowledge of understanding , exalting them to honour that hold her fast ; yet salomons conclusion after the search of wisdom and folly , is definitively this ; in much wisdome is much griefe : and he that increaseth knowledge , increaseth sorrow . for should man labour to engrosse all learning , knowledge and wisdome , his labour were but vaine , and his search fruitlesse ; seeing he , whose understanding was deepest , conceit quickest , and wisdome greatest of all them that were before him in ierusalem , hath thus concluded : all this i have proved by wisdome ; i said , i would be wise , but it was farre from me . adding the reason hereof ; that which is farre off , and exceeding deepe , who can finde it out ? for be our search never so curious , or desire covetous in the pursuit of knowledge , we shall finde by daily experience our owne weaknesse : where though our wills be strengthned , our abilities are weakned , being ever more hopefull in our undertakings , than powerfull in our performance ; yea , it is a propertie inherent to us , and naturally ingraffed in us , to have an itching desire of knowing all things , but of doing nothing : yet neither in knowledge nor action may we satisfie our desire or affection : vaine and endlesse therefore is our search in the former , as weake and fruitlesse is our pursuit of the latter . there is no end of writing many bookes , no end of reading many books , no end of storing our libraries with many bookes : for under the cover of these , much covetousnesse oft-times lurketh . these are not of that inestimable price , ( though they containe much spirituall comfort ) as may fully store or enrich the heart ; fully replenish or satisfie the heart ; fully settle or establish the heart : for where the desires of the heart are not fulfilled ; how can she hold her selfe su●ficiently enriched ? or where her desires are not accomplished ; how may she rest satisfied ? or being not there seated , where her desires are setled ; how can she be quieted ? hence it is , that a devout father compares his heart unto a mill ; for as a mill ( saith he ) swiftly wheeleth and turneth about , and refuseth nothing , but whatsoever is put upon it , it grindeth : but if nothing be put upon it , it consumes it selfe : so is my unstable heart alwayes in motion , and never resteth : but whether i sleepe or wake , it dreameth and thinketh of whatsoever it encountreth . can then neither honour , nor wealth , nor pleasure satisfie this unconfined heart ? can neither honours surprize her , wealth enjoy her , nor pleasure intraunce her ? no ; these are vanity , and lighter than vanity , receiving their true colour from the poet , who bestoweth on them this portraiture ; wealth is a wave , honour a bait of death , catching at which wee 'r catcht and choak't therewith . for tell me , is not the ambitious man as fearfull to incurre disgrace , after he is received to his princes favour , as he was jealous of a competitor before he got into favour ? againe , is not the miserable rich man , who reposeth all comfort in his substance , all his consolation in his riches , as fearefull to lose what hee already enjoyes , as hee was doubtfull of prevention in what hee now enjoyes ? or is not the voluptuous carnal man , whose only delight is daliance with his perfidious dalilah , stinged with as much griefe after his desires are satisfied , as he was stirred with delight before his pleasures were effected ? or is not the contemplative man , whose aimes being higher , should tender him content in fuller measure , afflicted in minde , when hee findes himselfe come short in knowledge of what he expected , and reads every day something which hee never before observed ? what content then in these flourishing may-buds of vanity , which in repentance and affliction of spirit , doe only shew their constancie ? so as one well observeth , if man should not be afflicted by god , yet should he be afflicted by himselfe ; consuming himselfe with his owne envie , rancour , and other distempered affections , which have more fury and torment attending on them , than the evill it selfe which procureth them . yet behold the wretched condition of unhappie man ▪ though neither honour be permanent , nor from perill freed , nor riches prevalent to make him after death the better friended ; nor pleasures so excellent , as to free him from affliction when they are ended : yet are they for most part preferred before those heavenly honours which are ever permanent , and never altering ; before those incorruptible riches , which inrich the soule after death without decreasing ; and before those ineffable pleasures , where neither desire breeds longing , nor satiety lothing . so as , i cannot more fitly compare the actions of these sensuall affected men , than with that childish act o● the emperour honorius , who taking especiall delight in a hen called roma : upon a time understanding , by report of such as told him , that roma was lost , he exceedingly lamented : whereupon some of his familiar friends , and such as were neere him , noting his errour ; it is not your hen that is lost , but your citie roma , that is taken by alaricus king of the gothes . wherewith comming a little to himselfe , he seemed to beare with much more pa●ience the surprize of the one , than the losse of the other . o childish simplicity ! you say well ; yet the like is in us . we cannot endure that any one should steale from us our silver ; yet either honour , riches , or pleasure may have free leave to steale away our heart . we would by no meanes be defrauded of our treasure ; yet it troubles us little to be depraved with errour . we avoid the poisons of the body , but not of the minde ; intending more the diet of the body , than the discipline of the minde . since then , in these externall desires , this actuall perfection , whereof we have formerly treated , may receive no true rest or repose ; for to those it only aspireth , wherin it resteth : wee must search higher for this place of peace , this repose of rest , this heavenly harbour of divine comfort : we are to seeke it then while we are here upon earth , yet not on earth : would you know , what this soveraigne or absolute end is , wherein this actuall perfection solely resteth , wherein the heart only glorieth , and to the receiver , long life , with comfort in abundance amply promiseth ? hearken to the words of iesus the sonne of sirach : it is a great glory to follow the lord , and to be received of him is long life : nor skils it much , how worldlings esteeme of us ; for , perhaps , they will judge it folly to see us become weaned from delights or pleasures of the world ; to see us embrace a rigorous or austere course of life ; to dis-esteem the pompe and port of this present world . this ( i say ) they will account foolishnesse ; but blessed are they who deserve to be of that number , which the world accounts for fooles , god for wise men . but miserable is the state of these forlorne worldlings , whose chiefest aime is to circumvent or intrap their brethren , making their highest aymes their owne ends , and accounting bread eaten in secret to be the savourest , and stolne waters the sweetest : for these never drinke of their own cisterne , or feed of the flesh of their owne fold ; but partake in the spoile of others , yet wipe their mouths as if they were innocent : but behold this haman-policy shall make them spectacles of finall misery ; wishing many times they had been lesse wise in the opinion of the world , so they had relished of that divine wisdome , which makes-man truly happy in another world ; even that wisdome ( i say ) who hath built an everlasting foundation with men , and shall continue with their seed : neither can this divine wisdome chuse but be fruitfull , standing on so firme a root ; or the branches dry , receiving life and heat from so faire a root . now to describe the beauty of her branches springing from so firme a root ; with the solidity of her root diffusing pith to her branches : the root of wisdome ( saith the wise son of sirach ) is to feare the lord , and the branches thereof are long life . this feare , where it takes root , suffers no worldly feare to take place . many worldlings become wretched , only through feare lest they should be wretched ; and many die , only through feare lest they should die : but with these , who are grounded in the feare of the lord , they neither feare death , being assured that it imposeth an end to their misery ; nor the miseries of this present life , being ever affied on the trust of gods mercie . how constantly , zealously , and gloriously many devout men have died , and upon the very instant of their dissolution expostulated with their owne soules , reproving in themselves their unwillingnesse to die , may appeare by the examples of such , whose lives as they were to god right pleasing , so were their soules no lesse precious in their departing : upon some whereof , though i have formerly insisted , yet in respect that such memorable patte●nes of sanctity cannot be too often represented , i thought good purposely ( as usually i have done in all the series of this present discourse , where any remarkable thing was related , to have it in divers places repeated ) to exemplifie this noble resolution or contempt of death , in the proofe and practice of some one or two blessed saints and servants of god. ierome writeth of hilarion , that being ready to give up the ghost , he said thus to his soule ; goe forth my soule , why fearest thou ? goe forth , why tremblest thou ? thou hast served christ almost those threescore and ten yeares , and doest thou now feare death ? saint ambrose when he was readie to die , speaking to stillico and others about his bed ; i have not lived so among you ( saith he ) that i am ashamed to live longer to please god : and yet againe i am not afraid to die , because we have a good lord. the reverend bede , whom wee may more easily admire , than sufficiently praise for his profound learning , in a most barbarous age , when all good literature was in contempt , being in the pangs of death , said to the standers by ; i have so lived among you , that i am not ashamed of my life , neither feare i to die , because i have a most gracious redeemer . he yeelded up his life with this prayer for the church ; o king of glory , lord of hostes , which hast triumphantly ascended into heaven , leave us not fatherlesse , but send the promised spirit of thy truth amongst us . these last funerall teares , or dying mens hymnes , i have the rather renued to your memory , that they might have the longer impression , being uttered by dying men , at the point of their dissolution . and i know right well ( for experience hath informed me sufficiently therein ) that the words of dying men are precious even to strangers ; but when the voice of one we love , and with whom we did familiarly live , calls to us from the death-bed , o what a conflict doe his words raise ! how strongly doe griefe and affection strive to inclose them ! knowing that in a short space , that tongue , the organs whereof yet speak , and move attention by their friendly accents , was to be eternally tied up in silence ; nor should the sound of his words salute our eares any more : and certainly , the resolution of a devout dying man , being upon the point of his dissolution , cannot but be an especiall motive to the hearer , of mortification . which was one cause , even among the heathens , of erecting statues , obelisks , or monuments upon the dead ; that eying the sepulchres of such noble and heroick men , as had their honour laid in the dust , they might likewise understand , that neither resolution of spirit , nor puissance of body could free them from the common verdict of mortalitie : which begot in many of them a wonderfull contempt of the world . albeit , it is to be understood , that christians doe contemne this world much otherwise than pagans : for ambition is a guide to these , but the love of god unto them . diogenes trod upon platoes pride with much greater selfe-pride : but the christian with patience and humilitie surmounteth and subdueth all worldly pride ; being of nothing so carefull , as lest he should taste the lotium of earthly delights , and so become forgetfull with vlysses companions of his native countrey . meane time he sojournes in the world , not as a citizen , but as a guest , yea as an exile . but to returne to our present discourse now in hand ; in this quest after that soveraigne or supreme end , whereto all actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it resteth , wee are to consider three things : . what is to be sought ; . where it is to be sought ; . when it is to be sought . for the first , wee are to understand that wee are to seeke only for that , the acquisition whereof is no sooner attained , than the minde , whose flight is above the pitch of frailtie , is fully satisfied . now that is a blessed life , when what is best , is affected and enjoyed : for there can be no true rest to the minde in desiring , but partaking what she desireth . what is it then that wee seeke ? to drinke of the water of life ; where our thirst may be so satisfied , as it never be renued ; our desires so fulfilled , as never higher or further extended . he that hath once tasted of the fountaine named clitorius fons , ( and choice is the taste of such a fountaine ) will never drinke any wine ; no wine mixed with the dr●gs of vanitie , no wine drawne from the lees of vaine-glory : the reason is , hee reserves his taste for that new wine , which hee is to drinke in his fathers kingdome . and what kingdome ? the kingdome of heaven ; a kingdome most happy , a kingdome wanting death , and without end ; enjoying a life that admits no end . and what life ? a life vitall , a life ●empiternall , and sempiternally joyfull . and what joy ? a joy without sorrowing , rest without labouring , dignitie without trembling , wealth without losing , health without languishing , abundance without failing , life without dying , perpetuitie without corrupting , blessednesse without afflicting , where the sight and vision of god is seene face to face . and what god ? god the sole-sufficient , summary , supreme good : that good which wee require alone ; that god who is good alone . and what good ? the trinitie of the divine persons is this summary good , which is seene with purest mindes . the heart triangle-wise resembleth the image of the blessed trinitie ; which can no more by the circumference of the world be confined , than a triangle by a circle is to be filled . so as the circular world cannot fill the triangular heart , no more than a circle can fill a triangle ; still there will be some empty corners : it sayes , so long as it is fixed on the world , sheol , it is never enough : but fixed on her maker , her only mover , on her sweet redeemer , her dearest lover , she chants out cheerefully this hymne of comfort ; there is no condemnation to them which are in christ iesus . she then may rest in peace . and what peace ? a peace which passeth all understanding . shee then may embrace her love. and what love ? a love constantly loving . she then may enjoy life . and what life ? a life eternally living . she then may receive a crowne . and what crowne ? a crowne gloriously shining . this crowne ( saith s. peter ) is undefiled ▪ which never fadeth away . the greeke words which s. peter useth , are latine words also ; and they are not only appellatives , being the epithetes of this crowne , but also propers ; the one proper name of a stone , the other of a flower : for isidore writeth , there is a precious stone called amiantus , which , though it be never so much soiled , yet it can never at all be blemished ; and being cast into the fire , it is taken out still more bright and cleane . also clemens writeth , that there is a flower called amarantus , which being a long time hung up in the house , yet still is fresh and greene . to both which , the stone and the flower , the apostle , as may be probably gathered , alludeth in this place . here then you see , what you are to seeke . for are your desires unsatisfied ? here is that which may fulfill them . are your soules thirstie ? here is the well of life to refresh them . would you be kings ? here is a kingdome provided for you . would you enjoy a long life ? a long life shall crowne you , and length of dayes attend you . would you have all goodnesse to enrich you ? enjoying god , all good things shall be given you . would you have salvation to come unto your house and secure you ? rest you in christ iesus , and no condemnation shall draw neere you . would you have your consciences speake peace unto you ? the god of peace will throughout establish you . would you have your constant'st love ever attend you ? he who gave himselfe for you , will never leave you . would you have him live ever with you ? leave loving of the world , so shall he live ever with you and in you . would you have a crowne conferred on you ? a crowne of glory shall empale you . seeke then this one good wherein consisteth all goodnesse , and it sufficeth . seeke this soveraigne or summary good , from whence commeth every good , and it sufficeth . for he is the life by which wee live , the hope to which wee cleave , and the glory which wee desire to obtaine . for if dead , he can revive us ; if hopelesse and helplesse , he can succour us ; if in disgrace , he can exalt us . him then only are we to seeke , who , when we were lost , did seeke us ; and being found , did bring us to his sheepe-fold . and so i descend from what wee are to seeke , to where wee are to seeke , that seeking him where he may be found , wee may at last finde him whom wee so long have sought . for the second , wee are to seeke it while wee are on earth , but not upon earth , for earth cannot containe it . it is the philosophers axiom , that which is finite may not comprehend that which is infinite . now that supreme or soveraigne end ▪ to which this actuall perfection is directed , whereto it aspireth , and wherein it resteth , is by nature infinite : ena without end , beginning and end , imposing to every creature a certaine , definite or determinate end . the sole solace of the soule , being onely able to fill or satisfie the soule , without which all things in heaven or under heaven , joyned and conferred together , cannot suffice the soule . so boundlesse her extent , so infinite the object of her content . how should earth then containe it , or to what end should wee on earth seeke it ? seeing , whatsoever containeth , must of necessitie be greater than that which is contained . but earth being a masse of corruption , how should it confine or circumscribe incorruption ? seeing nothing but immortalitie can cloath the soule with glory , it is not the rubbish or refuse of earth that may adde to her beautie . besides , the soule while it sojournes here in this earthly mansion , she remaines as a captive inclosed in prison . what delights then can be pleasing , what delicates relishing to the palat of this prisoner ? she is an exile here on earth : what societie then can be cheerefull to one so carefull of returning to her countrey ? if captives restrained of their libertie , exiles estranged from their countrey , can take no true content either in their bondage , be it never so attempred ; nor in their exile , be they never so attended ; how should the soule apprehend the least joy , during her abode on earth ? where the treasure is , there is the heart : her treasure is above , how can her heart be here below ? mortalitie cannot suit with immortalitie , no more can earth with the soule . whereto then be the motions of our soule directed ? to him that gave it ; no inferiour creature may suffice her , no earthly object satisfie her , nothing subject to sense fulfill her . in heaven are those heavenly objects , wherewith her eye rests satisfied ; in heaven are those melodious accents , wherewith her eare rests solaced ; in heaven those choicest odours , wherewith her smell is cherished ; in heaven those tastfull'st dainties , wherewith her soule is nourished ; in heaven those glorious creatures , wherewith herselfe is numbred . what difference then betwixt the satietie and saturitie of heaven , and the penurie and povertie of earth ? here all things are full of labour , man cannot utter it : the eye is not satisfied with seeing , nor the eare filled with hearing : whereas in heaven there is length of dayes , and fulnesse of joy without ending . and wherein consists this fulnesse ? even in the sweet and comfortable sight of god. but who hath seene god at any time ? to this , blessed austine answers excellently . albeit ( saith he ) that summary and incommutable essence , that true light , that indeficient light , that light of angels , can be seene by none in this life , being reserved for a reward to the saints only in the heavenly glory ; yet to beleeve , and understand , and feele , and ardently desire it , is in some sort to see and possesse it . now , if wee will beleeve it , though our feet be on earth , our faith must be in heaven : or understand it , wee must so live on earth , as if our conversation were in heaven : or feele it , wee must have so little feeling of the delights of this life , as our delight may be wholly in heaven : or desire it , wee must hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , to direct us in the way which leadeth to heaven . it cannot be ( saith a devout holy man ) that any one should die ill , who hath lived well . wee are then to labour by a zealous , religious , and sincere life , to present our selves blamelesse before the lord at his comming . o if wee knew ( and grosse is our ignorance if we know it not ) that whatsoever is sought besides god , possesseth the minde , but satisfies it not ! wee would have recourse to him , by whom our minds might be as well satisfied as possessed . but great is our miserie , and miserable our stupiditie , who , when wee may gaine heaven with lesse paines than hell , will not draw our foot backe from hell , nor step one foot forward towards the kingdome of heaven . yea , when wee know , that it pleaseth the devill no lesse when wee sinne , than it pleaseth god to heare us sigh for sinne ; yet will wee rather please the devill by committing sinne , than please god by sending out one penitent sigh for our sinne . for behold what dangers will men expose themselves unto , by sea and land , to increase their substance ! againe , for satisfaction of their pleasures , what tasks will they undertake , no lesse painfull than full of perill ! a little expectance of penitentiall pleasure can make the voluptuous man watch all the night long , when one houre of the night to pray in would seeme too too long . early and late to inrich his carelesse heire , will the miserable wretch addresse himselfe to all slavish labour , without once remembring either early or late to give thanks to his maker . without repose or repast will the restlesse ambitious sparke , whose aimes are only to be worldly great , taske himselfe to all difficulties to gaine honour , when even that which so eagerly he seekes for , oft times brings ruine to the owner . here then you see where you are to seeke ; not on earth , for there is nought but corruption ; but in heaven , where you may be cloathed with incorruption : not on earth , for there you are exiles ; but in heaven , where you may be enrolled and infranchised citizens : not on earth the grate of miserie ; but in heaven the goale of glory . in briefe , would you have your hearts lodged , where your treasures are locked ; all your senses seated , where they may be fully sated ? your eye with delightfull'st objects satisfied , your eare with melodious accents solaced , your smell with choicest odours cherished , your taste with chiefest dainties relished , your selves , your soules amongst those glorious creatures registred ? fix the desires of your heart on him , who can only satisfie your heart ; set your eye on him , whose eye is ever upon you , and in due time will direct you to him ; intend your eare to his law , which can best informe you , and with divinest melodie cheere you ; follow him in the smell of his sweet oyntments , and hee will comfort you in your afflictions ; taste how sweet hee is in mercy , and you shall taste sweetnesse in the depth of your miserie ; become heavenly men , so of terrestriall angels you shall be made angels in heaven ; where by the spirituall union of your soules , you shall be united unto him who first gave you soules . and so i come to the third and last ; when wee are to seeke , lest seeking out of time , wee be excluded from finding what wee seeke , for want of seeking in due time . if words spoken in season be like apples of gold with pictures of silver ; sure i am , that our actions being seasonably formed or disposed , cannot but adde to our soules much beautie and lustre . to every thing there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven : which season neglected , the benefit accruing to the worke is likewise abridged . there is a time to sow , and a time to reape ; and sow wee must before wee reape : sow in tears , before wee reape in joy . seeke wee must before wee finde ; for unlesse wee seeke him while he may be found , seeke may wee long ere wee have him found . after the time of our dissolution from earth , there is no time admitted for repentance to bring us to heaven . hoc momentum est de quo pendet aeternitas . either now or never ; and if now , thrice happy ever . which is illustrated to us by divers similitudes , examples , and parables in the holy scripture : as in esaus birth-right , which ( once sold ) could not be regained by many teares ; and in the parable of dives and lazarus , where abraham answered dives , after he had beseeched him to send lazarus , that he might dip the tip of his finger in water , and coole his tongue ; sonne , remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things , and likewise lazarus evill things : but now he is comforted , and thou art tormented . and in the parable of the ten virgins , where the five foolish virgins tooke their lamps , and tooke no oyle with them ; but the wise tooke oyle in their vessels with their lamps ; and when the bridegroome came , those that were ready , went in with him , and were received : but those foolish ones , who were unprovided , though they came afterwards crying , lord , lord , open unto us , could not be admitted . for know , deare christian , and apply it to thy heart , ( for knowledge without use , application , or practice , is a fruitlesse and soule-beguiling knowledge ; ) that hee who promiseth forgivenesse to thee repenting , hath not promised thee to morrow to repent in . why therefore deferrest thou till to morrow , when thou little knowest but thou maist die before to morrow ? this day , this houre is the opportunate season ; take hold of it then , lest thou repent thee , when it is past season . man hath no inte est in time , save this very instant , which hee may properly terme his : let him then so imploy this instant of time , as hee may be heire of eternitie , which exceeds the limit of time . let us worke now while it is day , for the night commeth when no man can worke . why therefore stand wee idling ? why delay wee our conversion ? why cry wee with the sluggard , yet a little , and then a little , and no end of that little ? why to morrow , and to morrow , and no end of to morrow , being as neere our conversion to day as to morrow ? why not to day as well as to morrow , seeing every day bringeth with it her affliction , both to day and to morrow ? meet it is then for us , to make recourse to the throne of mercy in the day of mercie , and before the evill day come , lest wee be taken , as he who beat his fellow servants , when the great master of the houshold shall come . o earth , earth , earth , heare the word of the lord ! earth by creation , earth by condition , earth by corruption . remember now thy creator in the dayes of thy youth , while the evill dayes come not , nor the yeares draw nigh , when thou shalt say , i have no pleasure in them . while the sun , or the light , or the moone , or the stars that be not darkened , nor the clouds returne after the raine . in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble , and the strong men shall bow themselves , and the grinders cease , because they are few , and those that looke out of the windowes be darkened : and the doores shall be shut in the streets , when the sound of the grinding is low , and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird , and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low . also when they shall be afraid of that which is high , and fears shall be in the way , and the almond tree shall flourish , and the grashopper shall be a burden , and desire shall faile : because man goeth to his long home , and the mourners goe about the streets . or ever the silver coard be loosed , or the golden bowle be broken , or the pitcher be broken at the fountaine , or the wheele broken at the cisterne . then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was , and the spirit shall returne unto god who gave it . hence then are we warned not to deferre time , lest wee neglect the opportunate time , the time of grace ; which neglected , miserable shall we be , when from hence dissolved . yea , but will some object ; true repentance is never too late : which is most true ; but againe i answer , that late repentance is seldome true . repent then while yee have time ; for as in hell there is no redemption , so after death there is no time admitted for repentance . o remember that a wounded conscience none can heale ; so that , like as the scorpion hath in her the remedy of her owne poison ; so the evill man carrieth alwayes with him , the punishment of his owne wickednesse , the which doth never leave to torment and afflict his minde both sleeping and waking . so as , the wicked man is oft-times forced to speake unto his conscience , as ahab said to eliah , hast thou found me , o mine enemie ? now there is no better meanes to make peace with our consciences , than to set god continually before our eyes , that his spirit may witnesse to our spirits , that we are the children of grace . wherein many offend daily , who promise to themselves security , either by sinning subtilly or secretly . subtilly , as in dazling or deluding the eyes of the world with pretended sanctity , and concluding with the poet ; that i may just and holy seeme , and so the world deceive , and with a cloud my cunning shroud , is all that i doe crave . but such hypocrites will god judge , and redouble the viols of his wrath upon their double sinne . secretly , when man in the foolishnesse of his heart committeth some secret sin , and saith , who seeth him ? there is none looking thorow the chinke to see mee , none that can heare me , but simple fooles : how much are these deceived ? is there any darknesse so thicke and pal●able , that this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the piercing eye of heaven cannot spie thee thorow it ? o if thou hope by sinning secretly , to sin securely , thou shalt be forced to say unto thy god , as ahab said unto elijah , hast thou found mee , o mine enemie ? nay , o god , terrible and dreadfull thou hast found me . and then let me aske thee in the same termes that the young gallant in erasmus asked his wanton mistresse ; art thou not ashamed to doe that in the sight of god and witnesse of holy angels , which thou art ashamed to doe in the sight of men ? art thou so afraid of disgrace with men , and little carest whether thou be or no in the state of grace with god ? art thou more jealous of the eyes of men , who have but power only to asperse a blemish on thy name , or inflict a temporall punishment on thy person , than of his , who hath power to throw both thy soule and body into the burning lake of perdition ? it was a pretty saying of epicurus in seneca ; whereto are offences safe , if they cannot be secure ? or what availes it guiltie men to finde a place to lye hid in , when they have no confidence in the place where they lye hid in ? excellent therefore was the counsell of zealous bernard , and sententious seneca , that wee should alwayes , as in a mirrour , represent unto our eyes the example of some good man , and so to live as if he did alwayes see us , alwayes behold us : for wee , who know that the eyes of god are upon all the wayes of men , and that no place so remote , no place so desart or desolat● , as may divide us from his all-seeing presence , ought to be in all our workes so provident and circumspect , as if god were present before our eyes , as in truth he is . and therefore prudentius in one of his hymnes give this memorandum ; thinke with thy selfe , if thou from sin would free thee , be 't day or night , that god doth ever see thee . o then let us fix our thoughts upon god here on earth , that we may gloriously fix our eyes upon him in heaven ! let us so meditate of him here on earth , that wee may contemplate him there in heaven ! so repent us to have dishonoured him here on earth , that wee may be honoured by him in heaven ! let us become humble petitioners unto him , and prostrate our selves before his foot-stoole : of whom if we begge life , his hand is not so short●ed , as it will not save ; his eare so closely stopped , as it will not heare : it is reported , that when a poore man came to dionysius the tyrant , and preferred his petition unto him standing ; the imperious tyrant would not give eare unto him ; whereupon this poore petitioner to move him to more compassion , fell downe prostrate at his feet , and with much importunity obtained his suit : after all this , being demanded by one why he did so ; i perceived ( quoth he ) dionysius to have his eares in his feet , wherefore i was out of hope to be heard till i fell before his feet . but god , who intendeth rather the devotion of the heart , than the motion of the hand , or prostration of the bodie , will heare us , if wee aske faithfully , and open unto us , if wee knocke constantly , and having fought a good fight , crowne us victoriously . thus you have heard what we are to seeke , where we are to seeke , and when we are to seeke . what ; a kingdome , not of earth , but of heaven . where ; not on earth , nor in earth , but in heaven . when ; while we are here on earth , that after earth we may reigne in heaven . what ; a garden inclosed , a spring shut up , a fountaine sealed . what ; a crowne of righteousnesse , a precious pearle , a hid treasure . what ; wisdome , health , wealth , beautie , libertie , and all through him who is all in all . aristippus was wont to say , that he would goe to socrates for wit , but to dionysius for money : whereas this we seeke , and seeking , hope to enjoy , confers upon us the rich treasures of wisdome , and abundance of riches for evermore . for , first seeke we the kingdome of heaven , and the righteousnesse thereof , and all things else shall be ministred unto us . secondly , where wee are to seeke . where ; in heaven , the house of god , the citie of the great king , the inheritance of the just , the portion of the faithfull , the glory of sion . where ; not without us , but within us ; for the kingdome of god is within us . so as i may say to every faithfull soule , intus habes quod quaeris ; that is within thee , which is sought of thee . it is god thou seekest , and him thou possessest ; thy heart longeth after him , and right sure thou art of him , for his delight is to be with those that love him . lastly , when ; on earth : when ; in this life : when ; while we are in health ; while we are in those tabernacles of clay ; while we carry about us these earthen vessels ; while we are cloathed with flesh ; before the evill day come ; or the night approach ; or the shadow of death encompasse us ; now in the opportunate time ; the time of grace ; the time of redemption ; the appointed time while our peace may be made : not to deferre from youth to age , lest wee be prevented by death before we come to age ; but so to live every day , as if we were to die every day , that at last we may live with him who is the length of dayes . what remaineth then , but that wee conclude the whole series or progresse of this discourse with an exhortation to counsell you , an instruction to caution you , closing both in one conclusion to perswade you to put in daily practice , what already hath beene tendred to you . now , gentlemen , that i may take a friendly farewell of you ; i am to exhort you to a course vertuous , which among good men is ever held most generous . let not , o let not the pleasures of sinne for a season , withdraw your mindes from that exceeding great weight of glory kept in store for the faithfull , after their passage from this vale of misery ! often call to minde the riches of that kingdome after which you seeke : those fresh pasture● , fragrant medows , and redolent fields diapred and embrodered with sweetest and choicest flowers : those blessed citizens , heavenly saints and servants of god , who served him here on earth faithfully , and now raigne with him triumphantly . let your hearts be enditers of a good matter , and your voices viols to this heavenly measure . o how glorious things are spoken of thee , thou citie of god ▪ as the habitation of all that rejoyce is in thee ! thou art founded on the exaltation of the whole earth . there is in thee neither old-age , nor the miserie of old-age . there is in thee neither maime , nor lame , nor crooked , nor deformed , seeing all attaine to the perfect man , to that measure of age , or fulnesse of christ. who would not become humble petitioner before the throne of grace , to be made partaker of such an exceeding weight of glory ? secondly , to instruct you where this crowne of righteousnesse is to be sought ; it is to be sought in the house of god , in the temple of the lord , in the sanctuary of the most high. o doe not hold it any derogation to you , to be servants , yea , servants of the lowest ranke , even doore-keepers in the house of the lord ! constantine the great gloried more in being a member of the church , than the head of an empire . o then , let it be your greatest glory to advance his glory , who wil make you vessels of glory ! but know , that to obey the delights of the flesh , to divide your portion among harlots , to drinke till the wine grow red , to make your life a continued revell , is not the way to obtaine this crowne . tribulation must goe before consolation ; you must clime up to the crosse , before you receive this crowne . the israelites were to passe thorow a desart , before they came to canaan . this desart is the world , canaan heaven . o who would not be here afflicted , that he may be there comforted ! who would not be here crossed , that he may be there crowned ! who would not with patience passe thorow this desart , onely in hope to come to canaan ! canaan the inheritance of the just ; canaan the lot of the righteous ; canaan , a fat land flowing with milke and honey , canaan , an habitation of the most holy ; canaan , a place promised to abraham ; canaan , the bosome of father abraham , even heaven ; but not the heaven of heaven , to which even the earth itselfe is the very empyraean heaven , for this is heaven of heaven to the lord : because knowne to none but to the lord. thirdly , and lastly , that i may conclude , and concluding perswade you ; neglect not this opportunate time of grace that is now offered you . i know well , that gentlemen of your ●anke cannot want such wittie consorts , as will labour by their pleasant conceits to remove from you the remembrance of the evill day : but esteeme not those conceits for good , which strive to estrange from your conceit the chiefest good . let it be your task every day , to provide your selves against the evill day ; so shall not the evill day , when it commeth , affright you , nor the terrours of death prevaile against you , nor the last summ●ns perplex you , nor the burning lake consume you . o what sharpe , extreme , and insuperable taskes would those wofull tormented soules take upon them , if they might be freed but one houre from those horrours which they ●ee , those tortures which they feele ! o then , while time is granted you , omit no time , neglect no opportunitie ! be instant in season and out of season , holding on in the race which is set before you , and persevering in every good worke even unto the end ; because they that continue unto the end , shall be saved . what is this life but a minute , and lesse than a minute , in respect of eternity ? yet if this minute be well imployed , it will bring you to the fruition of eternitie . short and momentanie are the afflictions of this life ; yet supported with patience , and subdued with long sufferance , they crowne the ●ufferer with glory endlesse . short likewise are the pleasures of this life , which as they are of short continuance , so bring they forth no other fruit than the bitter pils of repentance : whereas in heaven there are pleasures for evermore ; comforts for evermore ; joyes for evermore : no carnall , but cordiall joy ; no laughter of the body , but of the heart ; for though the righteous sorrow , their sorrow ends when they end , but joy shall come upon them without end . o meditate of these in your beds , and in your fields ; when you are journeying on the way , and when you are sojourning in your houses : where compare your court-dalliance with these pleasures , and you shall find all your rioting , triumphs and revelling , to be rather occasions of sorrowing than solacing , mourning than rejoycing ! bathe you in your stoues , or repose you in your arbours ; these cannot allay the least pang of an afflicted conscience . o then so live every day , as you may die to sinne every day : that as you are ennobled by your descent on earth , you may be ennobled in heaven , after your descent to earth . laus deo. totum hoc ut à te venit , totum ad te redeat . a gentleman is a man of himselfe , without the addition of either taylor , millener , seamster or haberdasher . actions of goodnesse he holds his supreme happinesse : the fate of a younger brother cannot depresse his thoughts below his elder . he scornes basenesse more than want ; and holds noblenesse his sole worth . a crest displayes his house , but his owne actions expresse himselfe . hee scornes pride , as a derogation to gentry ; and walkes with so pure a soule , as he makes uprightnesse the honour of his familie . he wonders at a profuse foole , that he should spend when honest frugalitie bids him spare ; and no lesse at a miserable crone , who spares when reputation bids him spend . though heire of no great fortunes , yet his extensive hand will not shew it . hee shapes his coat to his cloth ; and scornes as much to be beholden , as to be a gally-slave . he hath beene youthfull , but his maturer experience hath so ripened him , as he hates to become either gull or cheat. his disposition is so generous , as others happinesse cannot make him repine , nor any occurrent save sinne make him repent . he admires nothing more than a constant spirit , derides nothing more than a recreant condition , embraceth nothing with more intimacie , than a prepared resolution . amongst men he hates no lesse to be uncivill , than in his feare to god-ward to be servile . education hee holds a second nature ; which ( such innate seeds of goodnesse are sowne in him ) ever improves him , seldome or never depraves him . learning hee holds not only an additament , but ornament to gentry . no complement gives more accomplishment . he intends more the tillage of his minde , than his ground ; yet suffers not that to grow wilde neither . he walkes not in the clouds to his friend , but to a stranger . he eyes the court with a vertuous and noble contemplation ; and dis-values him most , whose sense consists in sent . hee viewes the city , with a princely command of his affections . no object can with-draw him from himselfe ; or so distract his desires , as to covet ought unworthily ; or so intraunce his thoughts , as to admire ought servilely . he lives in the countrey without thought of oppression ; makes every evening his dayes ephemeris . if his neighbours field flourish , he doth not envy it ; if it lie fit for him , he scornes to covet it . there is not that place he sees , nor that pleasure he enjoyes , whereof he makes not some singular use to his owne good and gods glory . vocation hee admits of , walking in it with so generous and religious a care , as hee makes pietie his practice , acts of charitie his exercise , and the benefit of others his sole solace . hee understands that neither health commeth from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . he recommends himselfe therefore in the morning to gods protection and favour , that all the day long hee may more prosperously succeed in his labour . he holds idlenesse to be the very moth of mans time ; day by day therefore hath he his taske imposed , that the poison of idlenesse may be better avoided . he holds , as gods opportunitie is mans extremitie ; so mans securitie is the devils opportunitie . hoping therefore he feares , fearing he takes heed , and taking heed he becomes safe . hospitalitie he holds a relique of gentry : he harbours no passion but compassion . he grieves no lesse at anothers losse than his owne ; nor joyes lesse in anothers successe than his owne peculiar . recreation he useth to refresh him , but not surprize him . delights cannot divert him from a more serious occasion ; neither can any houre-beguiling pastime divide him from an higher contemplation . for honest pleasures , he is neither so stoicall as wholly to contemne them , nor so epicureall as too sensually to affect them . there is no delight on mountaine , vale , coppice , or river , whereof he makes not an usefull and contemplative pleasure . recreation he admits , not to satisfie his sense , but solace himselfe . hee fixeth his minde on some other subject , when any pleasure begins too strongly to worke upon him : he would take it , but not be taken by it . hee attempers his attractivest pastimes with a little alloes , to weane him all the sooner from their sweetnesse . he scornes that a moment of content should deprive him of an eternitie of comfort . he corrects therefore his humour , in the desire of pleasure , that he may come off with more honour . acquaintance he entertaines with feare , but retaines with fervour . he consorts with none , but where he presumes he may either better them , or be bettered by them . vertue is the sole motive of his choice : hee conceives how no true amitie , nor constant societie can ever be amongst evill men . he holds it a blemish to the repute of a gentleman ; and an aspersion to his discretion , to make choice of those for his associates , who make no more account of time , than how to passe it over . conference he affects ; and those hee admits only into the list of his discourse , whom he findes more reall than verball , more solid than complementall . he will try him before he rely on him : but having found him touch , they touch his honour , that impeach him . moderation in his desires , cares , feares , or in what this theatre of earth may afford , he expresseth so nobly , as neither love of whatsoever he enjoyes can so enthrall him , nor the losse of what he loves can any way appall him . a true and generous moderation of his affections , hath begot in him an absolute command and conquest of himselfe . he smiles , yet compassionately grieves , at the immoderation of poore worldlings in their cares and griefes ; at the indiscretion of ambitious and voluptuous flies in their desires and feares . perfection hee aspires to ; for no lower mound can confine him , no inferiour bound impale him . vertue is the staire that raiseth to height of this story . his ascent is by degrees ; making humilitie his directresse , lest he should faile or fall in his progresse . his wings are holy desires ; his feet heavenly motions . he holds it the sweetest life to be every day better , till length of dayes re-unite him to his redeemer . hee hath plaid his part on this stage of earth with honour ; and now in his exit makes heaven his harbour . finis . embleme . with a climacterick yeere this worke began , which is exprest when sev'ns & nines doe meet , held fatall to this short-spun threed of man ; and with same number ends the finall sheet of these observances , whereof i treat : threescore and three is held the dangerous yeere , and just so many sheets shall you finde here ; but not a leafe to give a life to feare . vpon the errata . howsoever some no lesse justly than confidently might ●vouch , quod plura non dantur vulnera mi●●ti●n praelio , ●uam authori in prelo ; yet must i ingeniously wipe off this aspersion from my judicious friend and artist , an ornament to his profession . whose s●dulous care towards me and others , hath already gain'd him a deserved esteeme and approvement of all authors . truth is , gentlemen , when you encounter with any erro●s ( as they are individuates to all labours ) you are to impute the e●●or to the absence of the author . whose affaires in the countrey tooke him from cares of the city : or to explaine himselfe more fully , that he may come off fairely ; and possesse him of your opinion more freely ; he was call'd away from laurence iury , by the impannel of a northerne iury , and pressed to attendance by an old bayliffe of the country , when his occasion lay for the presse in the old bayly neere the city . in a word , had not a nisi prius interposed , these errors by a quest of in juiry had beene prevented . it is your generous candor to recti●ie him with your pennes , who solely for your sakes undertooke this paines . errata . vtilitas erroris , humilitas authoris . pag . lin . . for harparates read harpocrates . p. . l. . for stanes r. staines . p. . this marginall distich omitted ; " est venus in vinis , vinis venus illita venis ; " sint procul à mensis vina venusque meis . p. . l. . for as r. is . p. . l. . for comine r. commes p. . l . for stare r. seaze . p . marg . for utilitas r. utilitatis . p. . l. . a branch of vocation undistinguished . p. . l. . for enndagred r. endangered . p. . l. . for hawke r. hanke , * which inverts sense . p. . l. . for enevors r. endevours . p. . l. . for smimming r. swimming . p. . l. . for thrust r. t●ussd . p. . l . * a branch of acquaintance undistinguished . p. . l. . * another undistinguished . p. . l. . for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. ib. num . for . r. . p. . l. . for wounded r. wounding . p. . l. . for . r. . p. . l. . for estimate r. estimates . p. . marg for charibdis r. charybdis . p. . marg . for felicie r. felicitie . p . l. . for say r. saw . p. . l. . for lesse r. ishai . p. . marg . for percepit r. praecepit . ¶ sundry marginall notes you shall finde obscured , which by your candor may be cleared . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e mancipia paueae lectionis cum sint . ☞ for my dedication , instead of all unnecessary excuses of presumption , i wil cloze briefly with this constant resolution : though to your title there be honovr due , it is your selfe that makes mee honovr you . notes for div a -e observat. . the dangers that attend on youth . vnum est inslar belluae humiliari , aliud est belluinos inores imitari . * vicina l●psibus adolesc . ●●a . hieron . omnia in hat aetole juvenescunt vitia . euseb. lib . . si ingratum dix●ris , omnia dixeri● . min. publianus . quisimus , quinam ●●●mus , in ephebio constitu●um est . diog. cyn. lectum non citius relinquens , quàm in deum delinquens : n●n citius surgens , quàm insurgens . the vanitie of youth displ●yed in foure distinct subjects . gate . audacia pro 〈◊〉 habetur . salust . in bell. cati● . dan. . . . . seneca . looke . plutarch . in vit . syll. august . gregor . de tranq . an . quo altior in divitiis , eo cop●ostor in vitiis . ber. de inter . dom. m●●am . . speech . sine loq ●●la non potest sla●e societas . ar●st . aug. de magist. psal. . . prou. . . in vit . phoc. in lib. desecr . secret . two reasons why young men were not admitted to deliver their opinions in publike assemblies . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pic. m●rand in epist. ad h●r●ol . neque locus , neque amious quisquā teget , quem arma non texerint . salust . in bell. iugurth . ferociam animi , quam habebat vivus , in vultu retinust catilina salust . in conjur . ca●il . salust . law , logicke , and the sw●tzers may be hired to fight for any one . blos . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . basil. virtus maxima , in mole minima . eccles. . , . habit . in vit . solon . hor●t . epist. l. . ep. . * vt in exequiis epu●sque celebrandis n●mioque apparatu corporis , omnis inutilis sumptus prohibeatur . plutarch . in vit . alcibiad . socrates . mihi mirabile fit quòd non enecentur , cum tantum onus bajulent . clem. alex. . paedag. hieron . ad fur. de vid. serm. tom. . aug. de christ. fide . tertull. de hab . mul. cap. . tim. . , . pet. . . — prima est haec ul●io , quod se iudice , ne●o nocens absolvitur . iuv. sat. . august . in enar . sup . . psal. bernard . de interdomo . cap. . an● sol●loq . cap. sen. 〈◊〉 lucil. tuscul. quaest . lib. . aug. sup ps●● . prov. . . prov. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . archi● . ta●ent . prov. . . aug. ser. . nazian . contra ●uli res immudice comptas . hieron . de exitu lea. lacrt. lib. . lacrt. ibid. iames ● ▪ . . seneca . act. . , . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aug. three violent passions incident to youth . lvst . two reasons why youth is ●aturally subject to this ill●mited passion . an especiall motive tending to the increase of this passion . venus in vinis . nunquam e●o ebr●um pu●●bo cas●um . hi●ron . plato . plutarch . macrob. q. curt. lib. . * irene . what rare effect the precepts of morall ph●losophie wrought in heathen men . ●tiam seris ac b●b●●● 〈…〉 . ambr●s lib. . d●●●rah●m . vid. a●l. gell. i● n●ct . att●●s . seneca . — rara est concordia forma , a●que pudicitiae . iuven. sat. . numb . . . ambition nullus enim magnisc●●eris labor — i●● en . sal. . tusc. l. quaest. lib. q●art . — tolluntur in altum , vt lapsu gr●vi●reruam — hen. the fourth whose name deserves to be enrouled among the ancient worthies . aristot. chrysost. in corinth . quantumcunque le dejeceris , humilior non eris christo. hieron . plutarch . semper hia● , semper tenuem qua v●s●●tur auram reciprecavit chamaeleon . et ● utat faciem vari●s sumitque colores , praeter rubrum & candidum . alciat . nil tam metuens , quàm ne dubi●a●e aliqu● de re videretur . petrarch . de remed . utrius fort . revenge . appian . alexan. homer . in iliad . & polybius apud cu●i nem , lib. . facili redimunt qui sanguine famam . martial . epigr. — impium est mortis statum praeripere tempus . galeatilepores . pet. mart. the proper 〈…〉 . homer . in odyss . seneca ad galion . de remed . fortuit . quicquid à vobis minor extimiscet major hoc vobis dominus minatur . horat. king. . , . horat. l. . epist. . basil. homil. de ira. greg. moral . l. . cap. . ephes. . . rom. . . iam. . . is●ay . . 〈◊〉 . . . . n●mb . . . iam ● . prov . co● . . . p●o● . . ec●l●s . , . prov. . . . ephes. . . physicke prescribed , and ●e●ceits applied to cure these maladies in youth . . in lib. de leg . luke . . what employments deserve entertainment from a gentleman . blos . chrysost. lib. de ●rand . deo. luke . . rom. . , . ephes. . , . col. . , . psal. . . eccles. . . notes for div a -e observat. . the diversitie of d●spositions . exeunti intro , ●n . ranti exeo . vid. laert. a probable judgement of ou● dispositions , drawne from the delights we affect , or company we frequent . salist . passion the best discoverer of our disposition . discovery of disp●sitions in distempers . non habet ulterius quod nostris potibus addat posteritas — habebitur aliquando ebrietati honor , & plurimum meri cep●sse , virtus erit . sen. non invenit crimen , etiam viri ●ortis accipit nomen , tantò nequior , quantò sub p●culo invict●or . aug. de verb. apost . ser. . promotion held ever mans best anatomy lecture . thom. in . quaest . . a. . optanda ea est amissio honoris , quae facit nos humiliores . nihil 〈◊〉 e●●quam bene ●●se●are . diodes . dict . l. phi. l. . ● . . the disposition is not to be forced . objection . sancti iuvenes , satanici senes . hieron . cont . lucif . resolution . * vt 〈…〉 ingentia , 〈◊〉 exigu● 〈◊〉 na●●ūtar ingenia . qu 〈…〉 , ut cum primis floribus arborum ; hie●●● citius ac celerius , illi autem faeli cius ac uberius gemmare solent & germinaere . suet. tran . in vit . ner. stupent in titulis & imaginibus . be●e e● cui deus obtul●t pa●●a quod satis est , manu hor. od l. . c. . eccles . . nuga & acl●rium . quanto magis capi● , tanto magis cupit . quanto magis cupit , tanto minus sapit . * plutarch . in moral . horat. l. . epist. . what disposition is most generous . mildnesse . ☞ plutarch . in vit . pomp. ioseph . in hist. iud. in vit . marcell . com●n . matth. . . dan. . . king. . , . deut. . . bede . nec leges metuunt , sed cedit viribus aequum , maestaque victrici jura sub ense jacent . omnia adversa exercitationes p●tat . seneca . cyprian . munificence . amici , perdidimus diem . sext. aurel. iustin. cujus domus quosi quaedam munificentiae , officina creder●tur . val. max. lib. . pa●cos ●eavit aul● , plures perdidit : sed & hos quoque ipsos , quos ●eavit , perdidit . farn. in emblem . amos . . amos . . . . nihil liberale , quod non idem est justum . cic. calvin . instit. lib. . cap. . fortitude . maldon . in . matt. cap . arist. lib. . de hist. animal . c. & lib. . de part . anim . cap. . fortis non est qui in arenam descendendo , dimicar● audet , sed qui nocendi causam secum discu●t , priusquam audet . machab. . the proper aime or end whereto the actions of true resolution are directed . cicero . in lups . treatise of charitie . cic. . lib. tus. quaest . the prudent observation of cortugal , one of the turkish princes , in his oration perswasive to his lord to besiege rhod●s , was this . christianus occasus discordus intestinis corroboratur . sitting * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a -e observat. . what education is . knowledge . vt cogn●s●am te ; ut cognoscam me● bern. knowledge of god. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . luke . . knowledge of mans selfe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . multum semper discens , senesco . socrat. panorm . de reb . ●est . a●phon . lib . socrat. quomodo pros●cis , sij●m tibi sufficis ? bern. aug. in soliloq . cap. . bernard . medit. cap. . plutarch . in lib. de virtut . am●r . m●tus anima ( saith s. aug. ) quo● grae● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellant . ex latinis quidam ( ut cic. . tuscul. ) perturbation●s dixerunt , alii affectiones , alii affectuo , alii expressas p●ssiones vocaverunt . d●mascen define●h other affections of the minde . motio ●e●sualis appe●i●ivae virtutis , ob boni vel ma●i imaginationem . lib. . de fi● . or●●●dox . cap. . zeno ap cic. in . tuscul. ita definit : perturbatiose● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 avers● recta ratione contra natura●a 〈◊〉 commotio . l● vit . ans●lmi . * vt à christo accepi●u●s benefici●l●● , praes●●mus christiani offium , 〈…〉 christi 〈…〉 in humilitatis specul●●m , 〈…〉 enim exemplam , 〈…〉 te dejeceris , 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 . ● . a right profi●able exhortation to all such as are drawne away by strange doctrine . sacerdot●s nominamu● , nonsumus . greg. humilium sumus doctores , supe●b●ae du●cs . ibid. ne●o ta● impius est , quem haere●●cus impietate non vincat . s. hieron . lib . in esa●m . si enim haeretici sunt , christia●●ti esse non possunt . tertul. de praescript . c●p . . cyprian de vnitate . et hi●●on . c●●tra luciferianos . discourse . laert. lib. . two especiall errors in●●dent to subjects of discourse ; affe●tation . imitation : whereof gentlemen are seriously caut●●ned . affectation s●b●s●r● . imitation . vincent : de vit . spirit . ibid. c●cero . pic mirand . ad her● ▪ ol . life of the speaker . iam. . . truth of the subject . * equites asians . iuvem . sobrietie of speech . gell. in noct. attic. immoderate passion , in arguments of discourse and reasoning , to be avoided . ☞ plutarch . in vit . phoc. ☞ two powerfull motives of perswasion ; vibemencie of passion ; and instancie of ●●monstration . est ●n●m fi●eli ●●ta fil u●o merces . ho● . car●d od . silentio culpa crescit . i●dor . neque imperiale est libertatem dicendi negare , neque sacerdotale quod senti●t , non ●cere . ambros. epist. . greg. ezech. . . cor. . . ludev . viv. instruct . christ . mul. ad●oque ut errorem cum lacte nutrici● sugunt . ci● . vb●ra la●●● & luc●● , alent vo● milit●● supremi ducis . action . ☜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . cic. s●n. de tranq . anim . ☞ appian . alexan the admirable effects of education . educatio & doctrina efficiunt mores . seneca . without learning hercules becomes a tyrant , darius insolent , achilles inordinate . pars divina in homine mersa . sen. lips. phavorinus . vid. tit. liv. luc. flor. plut. in vit . rom. among wolves was his education , by vultures his inauguration . hipastores pecorum , magis quam reges g●n●ium . xenophon . in cyropaedia . quint. curt. plutarch . in vit . alex. hominis enim sal●● nullo beneficio pensa●ur . seneca . ☞ tusc. quest . lib. quart . ☞ stilpho . alcib●ades . affrican . marc●llus . how a gentleman may be best enabled by education . * for aristotle , howsoever termed his master , is thought to have flourished when hee came to riper yeeres . vid ep. alexan ad arist. conscriptam , de sit . & stat . ind. three things moved tiberius to send drusus into illyricum : ●he first was , senescere militiae : the second , s●u diae exercitus parare : the third , simul juvenem urb●no luxu lascivient●m melin●in castris haberi reabatur tiberius . tacit. militis ira non lyra , sed t●ba so nat . ●ne● telis est nota chelys . cic. in bruto . isocrates . sext. philosophus . eunius . plutarch . in vit . marcell . habet ornatum satu illo majorē ; habet aliud spectaculum , ad illud specta●ulum te compone . quod e●go ●ibi est spectaculum ? coelum , angelorum inuum●ra multitudo . chrysost. hom . . in epist. . ad hebraeos . notes for div a -e observat. . gen. . . gen . . a qui luxuriant in verinium operibus . chrysost. tom . hom . . in g●xes . fe●untur quidam ex india vermiculi , hujusmodi facere vestes . idem tom . . hom . . in ad timoth. b imus in viscera terr● , & in sede maniaem op●s quaerimus ; c●usque pen. tr●t luxuria pl●n hi●t natural . lib . c quid me●●-rem pre●ios●rum aeromatum , quae ex india , ex arabi● , & ex perside convehuntur . sunt siuv , unguen●a pre tio●a , quae no● ex arabia , vel ex perside , sed ex ipso convihunt●r coelo , quae emuntur , non aura , sed fide non ficta . ch●ysost c. . tom . . hom . . in ad tim. august . tom . , serm. 〈◊〉 temp. d animaltum que v●nto feruntur , delitiae . clem. alex. pad l●b . . cap. . e et sua v●s●●menta & veste●st● agulas sassumigant , & aspergunt : atque adeo ut ipsas propemodum matulas . clemens alex. paed. lib. . cap. . f vermium texturae . chrysost. tor . . hom . . in genes . g maximi antem pret●i margarita mulierum conclave invasit : ca aut●m nascitur in quodom ostre● . cle. alex. paed●g . lib. . cap. . h quae pecca●oremfactum convincerent . aug. l. . de g●ne● . edli er . & cap. . i dico ergoho●inem , non al a de caisa opus habere vestimentis . qu●m ut teg it ●● corpus , ad maxima frigora & vehementes aestus propul andos : h●c est vestus s●●pus . clem. d. ex . paedag. lib. . cap. . verbera ventorum vitare imbrisque●o●ct●s . lueret . lib. . k libel de imag. horat. l. . epist. . ornamentum est qu●d ornat : ernat autem quod honestiorem mulierem facit . plutari . in praecept . connubial . hoc ipsum , quod vos non ornatis ornatus est . ambros . lib. . de virg. ambros. tom . . lib. . offic. c. . phil. . , the necessitie of a vocation . ezech. . prov. . . . ecclus. . . . thes. . , . . tim. . cor. . health commeth not from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . vocation a peculiar labour or function , particularly allotted to say one person . * aliis micens , consumor . a●l. gell. in noct a●t c. adde quod ingenium lon●a ●a●igine lasum t●rpet , & est multo , quàm fuit ante , minus . vi●a quanto magis proced●● , tanto propues ad mortem accedit . aug. solil●● . c. . sam . . ester . . king. . . dan. . . sam. . . king. . ibid. . luke ●● . gen . act. . . cor. . . ec●les . hi●t . deut. . . xista potius quàm zenodech●a , regia potius palatia , qu●m tecta in panperum solatia , erigent . three necessary considerations touching the conveniencie of a vocation . a divine consideration . a civill consideration . amore dei amor vicini giga●tur ; amore vicini amor dei nutritur . o●atio inter maxima charitatis opera nume●and● est . the effect of prayer confirmed . exod. . . a peculiar consideration . ☜ vid. salust . in bell . iug. nec enim libertas tutior ulla est , quam domino servire tuo . prima est . libertas carere criminibus . aug. ☜ a damnum potius quam turpe lucrum eligendum est . la●rtius . b omnes complectuntur ar●es ex quibus lucrum consiqui poterin● . plat. de leg . lucri b●nus odor ex re qualibet . invenal c lucrum sine dan no alterius fieri . non potest . sen. lip st . d cum aliqua species ●tilitas objecta est , nos comoveri necesse est . cic. de offic . . omnes appetinius utilitatem , & ad e●m rapunur . ibid. e lucrum facit homines deteriores . polit. . nisil●crum esset , nemo ficisset improbus . f nam tale turpe lucrum accusatio nature est . apud stobaeum . g pecuniae st●dium , fidem , probitatem , ceteras . que bonas artes subvertit . horat. h voluntas fingendi , & mentiendi est eorum qui opes appetunt , & lu●rum desiderant . lact. desalsa relig . i cl●rus ubique fuit , fortis , sapiens , etiam rex , & quicquid volet . herat. si fortuna volet , fies de●betore consul ; sivo ' et haec eadem , fies de consule●betor . iuvenal . sat. . k virtus nihil quod extra se est quaerit . pontan . lib. . de prud. l nulla potest esse virtus nisi gratuita . cic. in tusc. m domat omnia virtus . salust . quicquid homines arant , navigant , aedificant , virtuti omnia parent . ibid. n virtuti fortuna cedit . plaut o nihileripit fortuna , nisi quod ipsa dedit . sen. de tranq . an . p virtute qui praediti sunt , sol . sunt divites . cicero . deut. . . pauperes eligit deus ad haeredi tatem regni caelest●s . cor. . luk. . . . o mors , quam amara est memorta tuae , hom●ni habenti pacem in substantus suis ! non sol 〈◊〉 virtus , s●detian s●ma , d●cus , divina humanaque ●ul●bris diviti●s parent . horat. l. . sat. . we are to resist vices , by practising and doing acts of ●he contrarie vertues . no man exempted frō a vocation . non vestrae magis irae , quàm famae consulatis . caes. inorat . pro cat. de liber●ate vindicanda . vide salust . in maxima fortuna , minima licentia est . salust . - bene paupertas humilt tecto contenta late● , quatiunt al●as saepe procellae , aut evertu fortuna ●om●s . senec. in agam. quicquid excelsum est , cadat . in octav. invident honori meo● ergoinvid●ant labori , & innocintiae , periculis etiam miris , quoniam per haec illum cepi . salust . in b●ll . lug . ☞ cic. in lib. de leg . agendo , audendoque res romana crevit . salust . l. flor. l. . c. . gen. . . in iis linguis quas non in●●lligimus , surdi sumu● . tusc. lib. . hoc nempe ●b homine exigitur , ut prosit huminibus si sieri potest , muli● ; siminùs , paucis ; siminùs , proximis ; siminùs , sibi . seneca de vitá b●atá . a resemblance betwixt the offices in the bodie of a state , and a body naturall . oculus ad coeium , manus ad clavam . experimenta per mories agunt . hippocrat . faces , fauces , & faeces insulae . nunc ( vt hieron . ad paul. conqueritur ) scripturarum interpretationem passim sibi vendicant omnes , hanc garrula ann● , hanc d●lirus senex , hanc sophista verbosus , hanc universi praesumunt , lacecerant , docent antequam discant . see the first rising of all novellisme and innovated doctrine , how and upon what weak grounds planted , and how strangely by the bellows of singularity increased . exod. . . west . . west . . . ed. . . ed. . . h. . . h. . . h. . & . el. mala fama bene parta d●iectat . sen. nam vivos interdum fortuna , saepe invidia fatigat : ubi anima naturae cessis , demptis obirectatoribus , ipsa se virtus magi● magisque extollit . salust . hominas inertissimi quorum omnis vis virtusque in lingua sita est . salust . in . orat . virtus per s● amora atque aspera est . ad virtutem una atque ardua via est . ibid. vocation in generall . ☞ ezek. . . sam. . . prov. . . ierem. . . zeph. . . mic. . . ion. . . hin● alii aliis artibus incumbunt ; hi●n mari navigantes , bi in monte pas●en●es & pastinantes , &c. visne procedere in thessaham ? artem disces bortulanam ; visne in barbariam ? artem experieris eq●●strem . sam. . . sam. . . gen. . . gen. . . gen. . . gen. . . grammar . logicke . sera cognitionis , quae à cla●e artu re●eratur . arist. in poster . 〈◊〉 melch. can. 〈…〉 rhetorick . eras. l. . apotheg . quint. curt. - sivis me flere , dolend●● est primū ipsi tibi , tunc tua 〈◊〉 infortaenia laedunt . horat . de art . p●●t . cic. l. . de orat. * maro both a port and 〈…〉 ; ●ho with i●orat●s for l●cke 〈◊〉 good voice oth●●wise called the father of eloquence never pleaded ●ublikely : he●●ore was it laid of his orations , that if maro penned thē , and cicero pro●ounced them , nothing could be more exquisite . mathematicks . libenter ign ro quod m●●●ne deus nol●●t . caelera quidem nescio , hoc autem scio , quòd dii oderi●● curiosos . euclid . compescat igitur se humana temeritas , & id q●od n●n est , non quaerat , ne illud quod est non in 〈◊〉 . maxim. serm. . geometrie . vid plut. in vit . marc●ll . l. flor. l. . c. . physick . vid app. alex. l. flor l. . c. . hippocrates . musicke . vt lyram vel citharam percutiat , &c. sam. . . musicke hath a different working , melodie , mirth and melancholy . king. . . exod. . . iudith . . iudg. . . aug. confess . lib. . cap. . qui tam medico fle●u voci● faci●bat sona●e lectorem psalm● , ut pronuntianti vicinior esset quam can●nti . ibid. the vocation of a gentleman in particular . quae ret●osunt oblivisci , & ad ea quae ante sunt apostolum sequi . epist. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . dial. . exod. . . gen. . . psal. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mark . . cor. . . luke . . . the vocation of a gentleman hath relation to emploiment publike or private . objections framed against byron , for his treatie with forraine states . credulitie in two respects dangerous to persons imployed in affaires of state. credulitie in beleeving the relations of others . credulity in imparting his thoughts to the secrecie of others . for cabinet counsell this may be their motto ; plenu● sum rimarum . vt t●●●au●us ●e●ositu● . le●oris ventri 〈◊〉 vento vulgi , 〈…〉 . resolution in suffering neither price to draw him , nor power to over-awe him . excitamur ad meliora magnitudine rerum . sal●●● . herodotus lib. . 〈◊〉 . vid. hotmaen de legat. legatus ipsa● re●pub . 〈◊〉 suam attulsse ●idetur . advi●tutem laudis ●ue haben●as naturam , ine doctri●a , quam doctr●n●m ●ine n●tura valu●sse . 〈◊〉 . disobedience punished in attempts most successive . virgi●●aedi●●ssit quibus 〈…〉 plut. in a●o●●e● . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in publike affaires . cyprian . mach. . ☜ magne , non be ne . aug. zieglerus l. de illustribus viris germaniae . c. . in turc . histor. probe definitur à stoicu fortitud● , cum ●am virtutem dicunt esse propugnante pro aequit●● . cic. salmacida spoli● sine sanguine & sudore . si. lib. . ☜ plut. in vit . iul. cas. ioseph in bell . iud. ●lementiam tamen imperatoris pro●ne●tia duceban● . lb. dulce & decorū est pro patria 〈◊〉 hor. li. . od . . poeni foed fragi . cic. in offic . nulla sancta societas , nec fides regni . philip ● . a glorious enterprize recommended to the undertaking of all generous spirits . totum adimit , quo ingrata refulget . coping with the persian sap●r in titular insolence , who caused himself to bee stiled , re. r●gum , frater solu & 〈◊〉 , particep● syderum . non debet timere hostem fortē , qui dominum habet fortiorem . esa. . . psal. ● . . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in private affaires . — sic crimine nota crumentaest . quid non speremus , si numm●s possideam● ? omnia nummus habet , quod vult , facit , addit , & aufert . this may be observed in suits of law , as well as private affaires of iustice. a deut. . . b deut. . . c sam. . . d ierem . . e gen. . f deut. . . g e●d● . . ● . rom . ● psal. . . h act ● . i pro● . . . k e●clus . . , , . act. . . tim● . , . l . . to . m sam. . n iob . . amos . . purpuram negis quam deum ●o kn●es . iudges . . two perillous shelfes which ind●nger iustice . sicut absynthia per sep●llunt morbo● , melle tamen ill●●iuntur , ut puerorum a●as improvida ludificetur . pic. mi●and . ad hermol . mark. . . a exod. . . b exod. . . c sam. . . d deut. . . e kings . . f exod. . ● . g cor. . . . h deut. . . . . heb. . . i exod. . , . num. . . ☜ melius est quod periat unus , quam unitas . qui malis parcit , bonis nocet . luxuriantes amputantur surculi , ut genuini coalescant ●ami . in putatiore sarmen●a sterilia recid●ntur : ut ea quae praevalent uberius fructum serant . greg. in mor. exposit. in iob. ☞ malle se in●er i●imicos , quam amicos ●udicare dicebat . laert. in vit . bia● . habeo in me , quod testetur p●o●●e . ☜ omni●●iorum vita testimonium ●edd●t deo. cypr. de duplo martyrio , initio . proh pudor , secundum fortunam as●imatur persona , quum potius secundum personam aestimada sit fortuna : ●am bonus reputatur quam dives , tam malus quam pau●er ; cum potius tam div●s sit reputandus quam bonus , tam pauper quam malus . de contem . mund . l. . c. . how a gentleman is to demeane himselfe in his owne family . tim. . . aug. ephes. . . adul● . ephes. . ad . domus , ( inquit aristoteles ) est quasi parva civitas , & civitas quasi magna domus . every family a private common-wealth . gen. . . deut. . . prov. . , . prov. . ● , . luke . . gen. . ● . sam. . . exod. . . nec sord●●è custod at , nec prodige spargat . salust . ephes. . . * circa domesticos ●●veritatem . med. cap. . deut. . . cor. . . tim. . . how highly to be condemned was that act of vedius pollio , who tyrannized so much over his servants , that he caused one to be cast into a fish-pond for breaking a glasse . iuvenes amárunt , ●●nes oderunt . alauda crist●m h●bet . proverb tim. . . domun● suam coer●er● plerisqu● haud minus arduum est , quam provinciam regere . tacit. gen. . . gen. . . gen. . . . . luke . . prov. . . . ☜ hydroptem habent conscientiā . aug. quanto magis bibunt , tanto magis ●uiunt . quanto magis capiunt , tanto magis cupiunt . quorum sitis neque copia , neque inopia minuitur . salust . vera inopia cupiditatum copia . how a gentleman is to imploy himselfe in spirituall affaires within his familie . gen. . . chron. . deut. . . . . verse . consisting upon a precept and a promise . ostendit exemplo quod promisit in praemio . aug. ruth . , . nimium est negotii continere eos quibus praesit , nisi te ●ps● contineas . anima mea quid fec●sti hodie ? &c. quod mal●● h●die 〈…〉 , lib. . veni ad judicium . hieron . paratum est cor●m●um . ibid. nulla dies sine linea . esay . . choeneci ne insideas . thess. ● . . iohn . . luke . . vlterius . luke . . nunquam ei prae●sse fami●iae , quae parum studi●sa est divina gloriae . philip. . . notes for div a -e observat. . the difference of recreations . v●d . strab. vid. plut. aul. g●ll. in noct . att. laert. in vit . chyl . l flor. lib. . c. . baleares narrat , à qua gente balistas nomen dux●sse , verisi . mil● est , jaculandi arte omnium facile principes esse . luculliani horti . vid. plut. in vit . a cynosargu● , locus in quo palestritae exercebantur ; cerostr●tum , in quo eorum corpora ungebantur . b circus , quia aculeatis spiculis circunclusus . vid. varro de antiq . rom. c haec quae difficilis turget paganica pl●ma , folle minus luxa est , & ●inus arcta p●lá . mar●ial lib. . . d fortissima adversus mortem & dolorem disciplina . vid. plut. in apotheg . & in vit . socr. plat. in repub. vid. plut. in vit . lycurg . ☜ nazian . contra ●ulieres immod●ce comptas . nescit equo rudis haere●e ingenuus puer , v●narique imet ludere do●lior , seu graeco jubeas trocho , seu malis vetita legibus alea. hor. od. . . consule victori . in vit . imperator . stud●sus al●a lusor . ibid. sue● . in aug. * vocatu● numeravit cal●ul●s , & sodal● suo ; vide●●nquit ) ●e post mortem meam mentiaris te vicisse . tum aun●●ns cen●urion● : te●u ( inquit ) eris , uno me antecedere . sen. de tranq . anim . of the moderate and immoderate use of recreation . pic. mirand . in epist. ad hermol . the benefits redounding from moderate recreation . s●n de tranq . anim . nullum magnum i●ge●●um s●ne m●●tura dementia su●● . ibid. horat. l. . ep . . cellae & habitatio cognatae sunt . ●er . de vit . solitar . non calatham iuno , non arcum sen per apollo tendit , amant re●●iem corpora ●essa suam . sueton. tranq . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . avari●i● bellua ●e●a , 〈◊〉 , m●ol●anda est . salust . domi-porta , lamax ; qu●a ●●limum serpendo rel●nq●it . vid al●iat . in embl●m . aelian in nat . hist. * rev. . ● . the inconveniences arising from immoderate recreation . immoderatione rela●antur artus , imminuuntur ●i●s : moderatione religantur ar●us , reparantur vires . laert. in vit . chyl . num. . . eccles. . . amos . . . . in the yeere of iubile all captives were delivered , all slaves enfranchised , al debts discharged . sen. de tranq . a●●m . pl●t . in apotheg . elian in vari● hist. l. ca. . dies ●●●tos nolite inhonorare ( inquit ignatius ) ●u●d tamen agū : isti , qui licentt●s ●●ulando crapule ●ndulge●● , 〈◊〉 calices ●●nriendo ebrictatem fove●t ? mel●●s est quod 〈◊〉 de f●●erent . quam 〈◊〉 de salt● e●● . aug sup . ps. ● . mark. . homer . in odyss . horat in epist. l●ert . in vit . cleob. vid. quint curt. lib. . armatis , divum nullus pudor . sil. ital. ☞ plato . plutarch . macrob. ☜ tim. . . modico vi●o utere . ecclesia mater est , noverca non est ; libertas datur ad necessitatem , modo ●●●ibeatur ad vanitatem . a ita evenit , ut cum aliqu●d ubi non oport●t adhib●tur , illic ubi oportet negligatur . te●tul . l●b . de paeniten . in●tio . b in apolog. c. . dem●critus e●caca●do s●ips●●●n●ontinentiam emendatione profitetur . at christianus solvis oc●lis faeminam videt , a●imo adve●su ▪ libidines cacus est . c ego mergam vos , ne ipse merga● à v●bis . d noctium attic. l. . c. . homo miser vites suas sibi omnes de●runcat . quo major , eò ●●●●ior ; id●ue e●e●p●o perfice , 〈…〉 etiam ●e●●●●●endi exc●pla trib●as . prov. . , . observations of admirab●e continencie , instanced in beasts and birds . vt er●ontur à muliere 〈◊〉 , &c. ibid. ve●s . . the publication of secular 〈◊〉 used by the heathen , was cried in these words : conv●nite ●d ludos spectandos , quo , neque spectavit quisquam , nec spectaturus est . suet. in claudio , cap. . po● . virg. de invent . lib. ● . cap. . o●id . trist. l●b . . object . . primum quod urgent illi histri●mast : desumptum este deutr. . de cultu mul●●br● , an pueris licu●● e●m assum●r● ; earumque mores assimila●● ? v●i bez● omnes acquiescunt theologi . object . . obiectio de sacra scriptura sumpta & petita . quam-plurima in publicis theatris sunt sp●ctanda , ad regendos mores , dirigendos motus , corrigendos animi metus , admodum ●●i●●a . object . . vt metus humilitatem , sic nimia laeticia gestit levitatem . cic. eccles. . . object . . tertul. lib. de patient . theophylact. chrysostom . gregorie . object . . de deo loqui etiam vera periculosissimum est . a●nob . object . . in com●d . de th●ide . * anticyra insula est o●tae monii thessalio opposita , ubi helleborus crevisse dicitur . cor. . . object . . aut vi● . ul●m aut vehiculum . de civit . dei. l. . c. . theatra idolatri●is is de●um sacris esse turp●ora , &c. august●nus latinorum patr●●● augustus . de ciuit . dei. l. . c. . * nun● sum designatus aedilis , babeo rationem quòd a populo accep●ri● , mihi ludos sanctissimos maxima●um ceremonia cereri liberoque 〈◊〉 cic. in ver. quintilianus hypocritam hist●ionem appellat . qui mores , motus , gestus , incessus , voces , vultus , depo●ure & dediscere ( quorum personas agunt ) nulla modo possunt . elizabetha orbis phaebe , inter mulieres syb●lla , inter reginas saba . homerus sophocles heroicus , sophocles homerus trogicus . had ovid supplied cherilus place , he might by this meanes have inriched his fortunes above the condition of a poet. sedeo inter suspiria & lachrymas . ●ego la●do ruris amoeni rivo● , & mus●o circumlita sa●a , nemusque . hor. . epist. . carmin● se●essum scribentis & otta quaerunt . frustra po●tas sores campos sui p●pulit . sen. de tranq . anim . macrob. in so●n . scipionis . ad reprebendenda abena ●acta atque dicta ardes omnia animus . solust . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . eupolis atque cratinus , aristophanesque poetae . horat. serm. li. . sat. . saepius me eupolis in theatro demersisti , semel te in mari demergam . * ignotum tragicae genus invenisse camenae dicitur , et plaustris vexisse poemata thespis , quae cancre●t agerentque peruncti ●aecibus ora . horat. in art . poet . cum fame cruciantur christi pauperes , effusis largitatibus nutriunt histriones . greg. barthol . merula . in ovid. ●e a●● . amand . l. . * can●● , canalicula seu ch●us , a●ua romanos ●actus erat omn●●um maxime inauspicatus , hercules , venus seu basilicus , omnium benignissimus . vid. laps . antiq . lect . lib. . c. . turn . adu . lib. . cap. . in tessera●io lada , mydas ●actus erat f●● t●●at●ssimus . demp●t . antiq . rom. lib. . cap. . * in a treatise entituled ; the hunts-mans raunge . velletque videre , non etiam sentire . actaeon apud ovid. quos montes ascendent , quas palades transibunt , quas vepres sentesque sine sensu percur●ent , modo unum lepusculum tanto sudore capiant ? horat. optat aprum , aut fulvum descendere monte leonem . virg. — ut o●●m gargil●us , qui mone plagas , venabula , servos dis●ertum transi●e●orum , populumque jub●bat : vnu● ut è multis ( populo spectante ) referret emp●um mulus ●p●um . horat. epist . lib . . plato . vid. sueton. tranquill. greg. in moral . exposit . in iob. the romans , as 〈…〉 accounted all prodigalls mad-men . cic. de offic. horae non auri dispendium defleo . of recreations best sorting with the qualitie of a gentleman . ☜ t●scul . lib. . ☜ qui●t . curt. ● . . ☞ he● quantum potuit terrae pelagiq●e parari , ho● qu●m civiles hauserunt sanguine dextra ! a ephes. . . b rom. . . prov. . , ● . c pro. . . . d prov. . . . lucan . the saying of adherbal , bomilcars sonne ; vincere scis hannibal , sed uti victoria nescis . l. flor. l. . c. . resembling clement the fourth , who had a pregnant wit for projecting , unfortunate for atchieving . object . sol. vid. homer . in iliad . plin. in nat. ●ist . knowledges are as the pyramides , whereof historie is the basis. de orat. . lib. whence cicero moved luccius to record his acts in his writings . annot. in tacit. de quo verè dici potest , ut inclytus ille l●psius de gui●cia●dino testatus est ; " prudens peritusque s●rip or , & qui tales lectores suos facit . * in the survey of histories ; which might be rightly entitled , the muses wardrobe , or the noble-mans lecture ; dilating on the various delights of historie , the best accomplisher of true gentilitie . historic●m nobilem & verum . aug. de civit. dei , . l. graecorum thucyd●dem & herodotum , latinorum salustium & t. livium facilè principes esse judicamus . l●●r . v●ll . in pr●oem . thucyd. * plinius iunior wished hee might be mentioned in the histories of cornel. tacitus , because he did foresee then succeeding memory . * non solum onim● , sed etiam 〈…〉 cic. * ☜ a cicero said of galba's leaden and lumpish body : his wit had an ill lodging . b who would have majestie preserved , virtute non cultu . ma●r●b . lib. . saturnalium c. dion . l. . a●pianus alex. plut. in vit . pomp. iustin. quint. curt. v●d . polydor. fab. stow. & al. appian . alex. i. flor. l. . c. . quint. curt. l . the miserable ends of such as committed sacrilege in their time . virg. aeneid . l. . lactant. de o●●g . error . cap. . valer. max. vid. chron. what good morall men have flourished in evill times . plut. initio apotheg . regum . iustin. lib. . in fine . non dolenda solum sed periculosa etiam res est , cum ingratis babere negatium . senec. appian . alexand. o ingrata patria , ne ossa quidem ! valer. max. quint. curt. l. . plut. in apotheg . q●anti dux , tant●●x●rcitus . l. flor. l. . c. . pecoribus fa●igatis quoque ve●o●●or domun gradus est . sen. de ●●anquill . anim . lib. . cap as in the reign of king iohn . an. dom. . having crossed the seas to ierusalem . ideredo non s●it hominum , sed cons●ien●●a scelerum . polydor. virgil. how a gentleman is to bestow himselfe in recreation . ☞ desunctum asserunt immod●●a laetitia & senii imbecillitate , &c. laert. in vit . chyl . suet. in nerone . plut. in vi● . sext. a●●d . herodian . virtu● atqu● sapientia maj r●n illis fuit , qui ex parvis opious tantum emperiū secere , quam in nobis , qu● ea b●ne parta vi● retinemus . salust . maius d●decus est pa●ta a●●ttere , qua ● non omninò pa●avisse . peculatus ●rarii fastus est . ibid. assuetis nulla fit passio . 〈◊〉 . suet. in tiber. from this inordinate desire , spring two maine branches ; cupi●itas acquire●di ; avid●●as retine●di : eagernesse of gaining ; greedinesse of retaining . blos . omnium notarum peccatores ; et nulli ●ein●si poenitentiae ●a●i . tertul. ac poe●t● . in fine . quicquid repre●endendum non 〈◊〉 d●m est . sen. de bene● . l. cap. . davide● s●lta● ▪ ●em . 〈◊〉 stupeo quàm p●gnantem . mora. l. . c. . sam. ● . . chro. . . l●dam ( inquit ) ut illud . xi . bonus ●udus quo m●ho● iras●itur , & deus del●ctatur . greg. mag. chrysost. in gen. tom. . tom. . cap. . notes for div a -e observat. . of the use of acquaintance . cu● . dentatus apud senecam de tranq . anim . mark. . . act. . . prov. . . deut. . , . ☞ a bern. de vita solitaria . b honores mundi , tumores mundi . eucher . epist. par●ne de contempt . mundi . c omnis seculi honor , di●boli est negotium . hil. can . . in matth. quaeremus unum bonum in quo sunt omnia bona & sufficit . aug. med. * greg. diligenti deum sufficit ei placere q●em diligit , quia nulla major expetenda est remuneratio quàm ipsa d●ectio . ●eo magnus . serm. . dejejunio . mat. . . . psal. . . tim. , iob . . bernard . in lib. de consid . ad eugen . in codem l●b c. peri●lita●ur castitas in delaiis , humi●●tas in divit●●s , pietas in negotio , veritas in ●●ultiloquio , charitas in hoc nequam saeculo . 〈◊〉 . gen. . . ☞ afranius . of the benefit we reape by acquaintance in matters of discourse . ☞ amor ● praesente g●nd●t , absente dolet . bern. sup . cant. nil interest habere ostium apertum , vultum clausum . cicero . no rush without mire , no corrupt heart without sinne . plin. in nat. hist. iob. . . ☞ of the choice of acquaintance in matters of advice . iob . . laert. in vit . per●and . omnia proten pore , ni●il pro veritate . optatus l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ecclus. . . * whose wood is sweetest , shade coolest , and coale hottest . fabiolae maus . . lat●at , hac uno s●●w . s●n. in troad . in tiberius time . pro. . , . laert. in vit . biant . suet. in august . tusc. lib. . of the benefit properly derived from one friend to another in every peculiar action plutarch . in pelopida , initio . plutarch in paulo aemilio , fine . nihil lam aeque ●●l●cta●●ri● an●num quam am●●itia side is . sen. in tranq . anim . vt flores qui odore delict●nt . ibid. * the expressive character of a reall friend . nam in soro sunt lites & ●c●●ones mol●●stae posidip . dict . si quis in hoe mundo cunctis vult gratus haberi , det , cap●al , quaerat , plur●ma , pauca , nihil . plato . the benefits which redound from the mutuall union or communion of friends in the exercise of pleasure . ioci non s●nt nimusalsi , multo minus insulsi ; illi enim multum officiuni ; isti , nisi per cachinnum , parum p●oficiunt . vanitati prosrie festivitas cedit . cic. de orat . lib. . as many stars 〈◊〉 in the heavens bee , so many maids ha's rome to welcome thee . as many kids as on the downes we see , so many prostitutes in rome there bee . scipio nasica . a tergo nemesis . lacrt. in vil . biant . a rule of infallible direction , touching ●h●●ce of acquaintance . quisquis plus justo non sapit , ille sapit . martial . l. . those jests are best seasoned , that are least saked . of the choice or judicious approvement of acquaintance , in affaires of highest consequence . a●icos sequere , quos non ●ud●at ●legisse . bias. neither timist nor timonist are within the lists of acquaintance to be entertained . the timist or time-observer displayed and displaced . nec 〈…〉 sext. aurel. in constant. these timists have resemblance to those applauding parasi●es , by whom antiochus was at one time saluted both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a glorious prince , and a furious tyrant . tam gravis ille mihi nigri quàm limina ditis , ore aliud qui fert , aliud suo pect●re condit . homer . lib. . ☞ cum catilina polliceri novas tabulas , proscriptiones divitum , magistratus , sacerdotia , rapinas , ali● omnia quae bellum atque libido victorum fert . salust . plures homines pudore magis quam bona voluntate prohibitis abstinent . esse inter nocentes 〈…〉 est . cyprian . epist. . ca●panus . ☞ ☞ peccatum semper pregnans , 〈◊〉 ex alio gig●●t . vitia m●bi sant an . mi. sen. v●tia ad vi●inos serpunt & con●acta no●ent . ib. * quae male ●●ssi●●tur , mis●r● insicitur . q●●t vit●a , tot d●moni● . tot daemo●ia , quo● 〈…〉 . si inrecentes 〈…〉 praemia . salust . gratia quae coeat fict●●ale-s●rta sodalis est velut in siculo scylla cavenda mari . pub faust. andrel . pro. . . the timonist . or time detracter discovered and discarded . ☞ ar●st . hist. ani●n . nosque ubi 〈…〉 oriens 〈…〉 rubens 〈◊〉 ●umina 〈◊〉 . tu voluptatem complecteris , nos compescirrus . tu omnia voluptatis causa facis , nos nihil . sen. de malis accidentibus bonis . lib. . neu tihi pulchra patent caeci vestigia mundi , ●allere quae citi● quam renovare solent ? plutarch . what directions are to be observed in the choice of a wife . gen. . . the harsh and heremiticall conceit of the carthaginian arminius , touching mariage . se non prosperae tantum , sed ●mn● fortunae inssesocietatem . — vix ulla perennior u●na est vel tibi grata magis , proprio quam corp●re bustum condere . — und requiescit in urna . ovid. met. lib. . hebr. . . arist. lib. . polit . cap. . eam ●ligas mag●●●●● , quem magis admire is 〈◊〉 ●ideas , qu●m cum anci●● . s●neca . egnatius quod candidos habet dentes re●id●t usquequaque , seu aed rei ventum est subsellium . vid. catull. in lib. e●eg . a epictet . enchirid . b cypr. de discip●ina & habitu virg . ☜ c petr. mart. in reg. . . d cyprian . e a●b● . hexam . lib. . cap. . f hieron . g iunius . h aug. de christ. fide . i ambros. lib. . de offic . cap. . k hier. ad furiam de vid. ser. tom. . l tertul. de hab . mal. cap. . m scult . n cyprian . in lib. de hab . virg . o vict. ad salmonem . p tho. hudson . q clemens alex. const . apost . l. . cap. . r hier. de exitu leae . s vict. ad salmonem . t caesar. in comment . u nazian . contra multeres immodice c●mptas . x laert. lib. . optimisunt odores qui adorant m●●s , al●te● no● sunt flores sed faetores . y lessius dej●sti . 〈◊〉 & jure . lib. . cap. fol. . z pet. al●gora in compend o manu●l . navar. c ▪ numb . . f●l . . laert. in vit . c●e●b . portion and proportion . a vbi deus est , ibi p●dicitia . h●●●en . ad furiam de vid. serm. tom. . b velamen istud an●i●hristi . ibid. cal. rhod. lib. . cap. . privileges of marriage . plin. l. . c. . laert. in vit . chyl . fortes creantur fortibus & bonis : est in juvencis , est in equis patrum virtus — horat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . insel cem dicebat bias qui ferre nequiret inselicita●em . ●aert . pomp. 〈◊〉 l. . quorsum alter dives , alter pauper ? theophrast . nil habet infelix paupertas darius in se , quam quod ridiculos homines facit — iuven. sat. . quem sugiam scio , quem sequar nescio . homer . iliad . . nihil turpius dubio & incerto , pedem monò reserente , modò produc●nte . sen. epist. . sundry inducing motives to love recounted . parentage . benevolence . fame . pardoning of injuries . numb . . . . concurrencie in hatred . compassion in affliction . king. . . sam. . . ecclus. . . virtus in infirmitate perficitur . cor. . . delivery from danger . judith . . esther . . exod. . . joshua . . judg. . . maccab. . v●d . eccl. à cap . ad . expression of vertue . k●ng . . . acknowledgement of injuries . a position of aristot. rhet. . cap. . vt tenuissima scintilla quae in oceanum demittitur . chrysost. in hom . ad pop. suffering of injuries . bountie , or munificense . cor. . . ecclus. . . . ecclus. . , . ibid. cap. . . . obad. . arist. eth. lib. . of constancie in the choice of acquaintance . ecclus. . . . . a●ârunt solem ardentem , oderunt arguentem . vt ab iis meliores fiant , aut eos quibuscum versantur , meliores faciant . inter vestales hoc celebre fu●t , primò discunt quid agant , pof●ea agunt quod discunt , tertio alios d●cent quod discant & agant . non est strepitus oris , sed jubilus cordis , non sonus labiorum , sed mo●us gaudior●● , con . ordia voluntatum non cons● nantia vocum ; parum enim pro. lest sola voce cantare sine cordis intentione . bern. * etiam cadaver mortui officioso gestu precabatur . quaerite quod quaritis , sed non ubi quaritis . august . delicatus magister est , qui pleno ventre dispatat de ●●junio . hieron . qui saturest pleno lauda● jejuni● ventre . ecclus. . . quint. curt. l. . amicitiae ut pares quaerunt itae & faciunt . vt cuique est atas , ita quemque facetus adopta . hor. l. . epist. . suaves omnes siunt sales inter socios & sodalci . quae demen●ia est potius trabis quàm sequi ? seneca . nec quia delectat , placet ; sed quia placet , delectat . ibid. engregium apud vos virtutis officium ●●●●ptates persuadere : super mensam recognoscentes omnia gentium animalia : & quò magis implentur , eò magis inexplebiles . ibid. three faculties of the understanding . these observe that maxime ; he that knoweth how to speake well , knoweth also when he must hold his peace . these thinke an houre before they speake , and a day before they promise . ☜ in lib. de se●re● . s●cret●r . ☜ eccl. . , talis substantia non est stabilis , aut ipsis inventibus est peritura , aut à ma●is haeredibus est dissipanda . chrysost. in mat. ecclus. . . aristot. l. . eth. of reservancie towards acquaintance . eccles. . . chap . . to . iudg. . . chap. . . eccles. . . verse . secrecie . aditum nocendi perfido praestat sides . sen. in ocdip . ☜ sam . . king. . . arcanum neque t● s●rulaberis ullius 〈◊〉 ; comm●ss●m● nelegis , & 〈◊〉 tortus & ●ra . h●r . frontem a●eriat , mentem legat . ci● . sam. . . . quid difficile ? arcana ( inquit ) retice●e , & ocium recte disponere . laert. in vit . chyl . ☜ aristot. ☜ seneca . sext. aurel. in vit . commodi . sam. . . king. . . ☜ stow annal. in vit . iohan. reservancie in respect of our substance . sal●st . prodigus & stu●tus donat quae spernit , & odit . horat. l. . ep . . ecclus. . nascitur escopulu , nutritus lacte serino , et dicam silices pectus habere suum . ovid. ecclus. . . . of the absolute end of acquaintance . omni● labor alisquò reseratur , aliquò respiciat , sen. de tranq . anim . cornel. gall. seneca . ☜ aristot. laert. in vit . biant . ecclus. . . . ☜ in it●nera●io . pag. . scolasti●us & mendi●u● ; ● s●●ulacea●a ! nonne alterius seculi 〈◊〉 est transire per terram auri sine auro ? bern. de consid. lib . zeno noster cum omnis su● audiret submersa , jubet ( inqui● ) ●e fortuna expeditiùs philosophari . sen. de tranq . anim . morgam vos ne mergar à vobis . magnum est malum non posse ferre malum . sen. sen. de mal . accident . bonis . lib. . especiall offices wherein friendship and acquaintance should be exercised . ☜ arist. maxima f●lici●as hujus mundi consistit in amicis . boe● . de consol . phil. nemo me amicus ben●sicen●ia , nemo inferend● injuria ●imicus superavit . plut. in vit . syll. posse & nolle , nobile . ☞ * vsque ad adventum christi , brita●nia fertilis provincia tyrannorum , & scoticae gentes , omnesque usque ad ocean●m per circuitum barbarae nationes , moysen prophetasque ignorabant . b stow annal. in vita morgani . c camdeni britan . in essexia . d stow annal. in vita bladud & leyre regum , & severi imperatoris . e iuellus in tractat . de sacris scripturis . pag. . act . . templum christi ●n te● plum iov●s , mariae in veneris diceres ●onversa . d aeg●●●ius . f gildas ▪ l●b de victoria a●tchi a● . g nicephorus l. . cap . h d●rotheus in synopsi . cap. . rom . . tim. . . the flourishing state of the church , amidst many hoarie winters of innovation . i advers . iudae . cap. . h●spaniarum omnes termini , & galliarum diversae nationes , & britanna um i●accessa romanis l●ca christo vero subdita . k hom. . in ezek . qu●ndoterra britanniae ant● adventum christi●n univ● dei cons ●sit relig●onem ? nunc vero uni●●●sa terra cum leticia clamat ad dominum . l socrat. l. . c. . m hom. . in cor. n epist. ad ev●grium . anno . columbanus in anglio , palladius in scoli● , patritius in hibernia s●o●uit . o advers . grae. lib. . p epist. lib. . cap. . q hist. lib. . c. . vide praeter caeteros n●cn inu● melyti nominis , vitam b●rnard● . lil . cap. . & . bernard . de considerat . lib . si mi●cere licet figmentis sacra pr●fa●is . in upupae nido lapis est diversi coloris , qui tam occultae est virtutis ut gerentem p●ane invisibilem ●od let . albert. mag. basil. omnis injuria in sensu patientis . gravis est miseria iniquè fere●ti , suavis au●em est divino amore serv●●t● . praecept . vid. gaguin . lib. . hist. franc. sur. tom. . notes for div a -e observat. . moderation defined . omnis quae à ratione suscipitur de al qua re institutio , debet a definitione p●oficisci , ut intellig●tur quid sit id , de quo disputetur . cic. offic . lib. . nihil interest an habeas , an non concupiscas . sen. ☞ dii tibi divitias dederant , artemque fruendi . hor. epist. lib. . ☜ plutarch . in vit . camill. 〈◊〉 . alex. plutarch . in vit . v●spas . habere vitam in patientia , ● ortem in des●d●rio . sen. ☞ caberes christi , quid gaudes ? quia sucius es pecorum ? aug. mihi credite , mori mallem quàm imperare . oth● . curia curis stringitur , diadema spinis cingitur . aphorism . sen. in thiost . no vertue can subsist without it . ☞ quint. ●urt . plutarch . in vit . ages . plutarch . in alexandio . plut. in apo●heg . eras. in apotheg . ludens par impar , equita●sque in arundine longa . agis rex lacedemon . ☜ la●rt . in chilo . what excellent fruits are derived from temperance . homer . lib. . odyss . oculidolores . plut. in vit . alex. ☜ honores mundi , tumores mundi . eucher . ●pist . paraen . de contempt . mundi . velamen istud antich●●sti . hieron . ad furi●m de vid. serm. tom. . amici sures temporu . cic. arist. lib. . ethic. cap. . accepit luxuries sceptrum ; quid sperandum est praeter nauf●agium ? august . plut. in apoth . car● & mundus plenisunt sp●nis : conversari in his & non laedi , divinae potentiae est , & non virtutis humanae . bern. ☜ quint. curt. li. . cùm de virtutibus agitur , nulla excellent●or ●ernitur quam illa , quae in cast●s ad●lescentibus invenitur . salust . in iug. vid. plutarch . in apotheg . q. curt. lib . cap. . mallem quaeri cur statua m●hi nulla posita ●it , quàm cur sit . cato . seneca . praefulgebant iunius & blaes●●● , eo ipso , quòd effigies ●orum non visebantur . tacitus . plut. in vit . legitur in gestis romanorum , quod ille qui primi●ùs inter eos vestem purpuream induit , a fulgure percussus est , & sic interut . faces faecesque superbiae , s●●ton aul. gell. noct . atti. l. . c. . alex. gen. dier . lib. . cap. . stuckius de convi . lib. . cap. . ☜ haec duo à deo , mudò cum conservatione naturae stare ●oterint , unici postulabat ; ut a loquendo & edendo perpetuò abstineat . vltimum r ▪ ●ugium natur● , est potus . axioma . ☞ gellan nect . attic . aug. de academ . ☞ laert. in vit . b●ant . ☞ august . lib. . de bapt. cont . don. cap. . ebrietas in●mica est cogni●oni dei ; cupiditas 〈◊〉 necessitudim diabolt . ambrey . lib. . de abraham . quil●xuriatur vivero mortuus est . hier. bona est cas●itas conj●g●l● ▪ mel●or continentit vidualis , optima perfectio vi●ginalis . beda . qui non nuhent & ●xor●s non ducunt , sicut adgeli in terra sunt . ambros. supergreditur virginitas conditionem humanae naturae , per quam homo angel●s assimilatur . ibid. virginitas si lab●tur , nulla poenilentia reparatur adintegritatem . isid. de sum. bon. a●denter loquor , cum omnia possit deus suscitare , tamen non potest virginem post rian●m . valet quidem de poena ●●●●rare , sed non valet ●o ronare corruptam . hier. ☜ velea , or velleia . alphons . in lib. de haeres . in verb. tyrannis . s●to lib. . de lust . & lure . quaest . . artic . . si tanta humilitate se deprimit divina majestas , superbire in quo andet & praesumit humana infirmitos ? aug. de const●ctu viciorum . ☞ mihi m●●abile sit quod non enecentur , cum tancum onus bajalent . clem. alexand. . paedag. o nobilem magis quam foelicem pannum ! stob. ser. . sen. epist. . visus jam est vestis non tegumenti . clem. alex. paedag . lib. . cap. . chrysost. tom. . hom. vivere & mori naturae functio : indi●●io esse proprio duc●●ur . ambros. ep . . venter vitae charibdis . diog. apud laert. chrysost. hom. . in gen. impossibile est hic implere ventrem & ibi mentem . hier. in epist. si sermo meus caperetur , caperet : nam si● est sermo dei , & sic esse debet fidelibus , sicut pisci hamus ; tum capit qu●ndo capitur , nec sit captis injuris ; ad salutem enim , non ad perniciem capiuntur . aug tract . . in iohan. aug. in l. confess . blos . collyr . haret . gregor . in mor. exposit . in iob. qui per annos plurimos tecum familiariter vixit , ad m●nsam tuam sedit , cibum de manu tua sumpsit , in sinu tuo dormivit : cum v●luit , tecum colloquium habuit , lic j●re haer●ditario servus tuus est . bernard . aristot. de historia animalium . lib. . cap . lucretius lib . oppianus lib. . de venatione . ☞ ebriosus consundit naturam , amittit gratiam , perdit gloria●● , incurrit damna●●onem aeternam . ambros. lib. de paenut . dum absorbent ●inum absorbentar à vino . vt cautes , evitemus cali●es , ni in ore na●seam , in mente nausragium sentiamus . pestis non saevius grassatur in urb● , quam ebrieta● in corde . ☞ bosil . * amongst which consorts of death , if at any time it bee your fortune to encounter with these civill city-foists , whose cheats are their chequer , timely discard them , lest untimely experience make you distate them . run with the ro● unto the rose ; the roe must win , the rooke must lose : for northern rookes are little worth compar'd with those the south brings forth . senec. de tranq . anim . bernard . august . emissinus . stultum est servire diabolo offenso , quinullo placatur obsequio . greg. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ☞ wherein moderation is to be used . aurum horamque petunt , petendo perdunt , perdendo periunt . expence of coine . tertull. instit . lib. . cap. . this is excellently secōded by a princely pen , in a pithy poem directed to all persons of ranke or qualitie to leave the court , and returne into their own country . relata ad se magnitudine aeris alicujus , quam quidam eques romanus dum vixit cclav ▪ rat , culcieram emi cubicularem sibi jussit : & praeceptum mirantibus hanc ratione redd●dit ; habenda est ad somnum culcitra , in qua ille cum tanium d●beret , dormire pot●●it . macrob. saturn . l. . c. . frugall men being rightly stiled , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tusc. l. . dona prius quàm tempora dedit . datur etiam vermibus nere●e viscer●bus , acuratiorem cultum praebere hominibus . vid. pet. mart. quò cumuli gazae , si desin● ossibus urrae ? ensdem penates habu●t & regi●m , & rogum , & sepulchrum . valer. max. de tull. hostil . ambros. aug. epist. . bernard . de adventu s●rm . . aug●st . in m●d. ca● . . expence of time . eucherius . nil preciosius tempore , & heu nil hodie eo vilius invenitur : transeunt di●ssalutis & nemo cogital . bern. majus dedecus est , par●a amittere , quàm non omninò paravisse . salust . martial . lib. . sext a●●el . in domit. ne quid us●uam honesti occu●●●●l 〈◊〉 . vid. tacit. quàm quisque pess●me fici● , ●am maxime t●t●s est . salust . cujus cupediae ●er ula mediae , cujus januae ca●cera mendici . dan. . . pet. dam. de hora mortis . sic mihi divitias , samuli patie●dolahores , nec minor est domino servus in aresu● . eccles. . v●inam invidi oculos haberent in ●mnibus locis , ut de omnibus soelicitatibus torquerentur : nam quanta sunt foelicium gaudia , tanti invidorum sunt gemitus . seneca . luke . . . mac. . . . fiori non potest ut male muriatur , qui bene vix●rit . bl●s . encli●id . pirvul . auth●r . moderation of the passions of the minde reduced to two subjects . ioy. iob . . he●●er . eccles. . . dan. . , , , &c. iob . . prov . . esay . . iob . . zeph . gen. . . iob . . psal. . . g●l . . . thess. . . sorrow . sam. . . king. . . gen. . . ionah . . * or , gederans . ioseph . li. . . matth. . . quo quisque sanctior , co ejus in orando fletus uberior . aug. via est incipientibus : veritas est proficientibus : & vita perfectis . tho. à campis in soliloq . animae . cap. . cor. . . bernard . ☜ wh●rin moderation is to be limited . aug. soliloq . cap. . iohn . . cōcupiscence of the flesh . gen. . . king. . . sam. . . iudith . . gen. . . dan. . . esther . . dan. . . dan. ● . . acts . . qui modò immortalu vocabar , &c. euseb. ephes . . august ▪ de civil . dei , l. . c. . ☜ tertul lib. de poenilen , initio . quem de stumine gallo , qu● per phrygiam labitur , propinasse ar●itremur ; de q●o quicunque bibit , tautepere insanire solet , ut seipsum illicò castraturus est . pump . laetus de sacerd . blos . tertul. in apolog . c. . psal. . . ☞ ☞ noctium atticarum li. . c. . cōcupiscence of the eye . gen. . . king . . cor. . . corpore interius , sed corde exterius . bernard . med. cap. . ☞ columella lib. . cap. . foetorem quem ab ibis p●i●s emisissel , ob ore denuo recipit . pl●n . in na● ▪ bist . aelian . gerson . ariost● . erga mundum hab●amus oculum re●ortum . pride of life . august . soliloq . cap. ● . omnia metiri malim dignitate quam ambitione . pl●n . in epist. * judging of anothe● consisteth in these three points : first , when a man doth well , to say he doth evill . secondly , whē a man doth evill , to say that man doth worse . thirdly , when a thing is doubtfull , to take it in the worser part . vid. annal. stow. laert. in vit . pittaci . ☜ pallium video , philosophum non video . ☜ comment in regum cap. . chrysost. lib. de orand● des. august . soliloq . cap. ● . of the accomplished end which attends moderation . lib. de philosophi● apud aug. de civitate dei. lib. . cap. . the difference betwixt the ethnick and christian ethick , in the opinion of felici●ie . prov. . . august . bernard . revel . . . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nazian . b qui nil habe● in m●ndo quod appetat , nihil est quod de mundo per timescal . cyprian . c quis ei deseculo metus est , cui in seculo deus tutor est ? ibid. de hac die lux pr●ficit , sed nox deficit . aug. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellat clemens . august . de civil . det. lib. . cap. . tract . . in iob. vnde mors in anima ? quia non est fides . vnde● ors in co●po●e ? quia non est anima . ergo animae tuae anima est fides . vid. lansparg . in pharetra divini amoris . anger . this might be instanced in our late fleet●street tumult . ☜ plutarc . in apotheg . roman . ☜ cic. tusc. lib. . ir● mort●lium debet esse mortalis . lactant. wantonnesse . ☞ august . ☜ pride . august . wherein true content properly consisteth . the goods of the minde . plato in tymaeo . pri●ùm eritur , pos●remum moritur . quis me s●ygias mittet ad umb●as ? morijuvabit , poena nam gravior nece est . sen. in octav. messala corvin . the goods of the body . plut. in vit . aut. gel. noct. attie● . c. . sutton . tra●● . homer . in odys. certum est quod morieris , incertū est quando , quomod● , aut ubi ; quoniam ●bique te mors expectat , tu quoque si sapiens sueris , ubique eam expect . bis . bern. in med. . excutit redeuntem natura , ut intrantem . sen. v●●● introitus , innumeri exitus . menander . nazian . in suneb. orat . pro casario . the goods of fortune . aug. soliloq . cap. . ☜ notes for div a -e observat. . two considerations of maine consequence . bern. mod. . august . manual . cap. . the christians complete armour . augustin . sicut nullus locus vacat à peccando , ita nullus locus vacet à precando . a matth. . . . b luke . . c marke . d thess. . . e exo. . . f dan. . . g paralip . . h sam. . i ierem. . . qui copiosiores sunt , & volunt pro arbitrio quisq●e suo quod visum est contribuuill , & quod ita colligitur apud praepositum deponitur , &c. iust. mart. apol. . non peccatorem , sea j●stum panperem nu●rit , quia in illo non culpam , sed naturam diligit , &c. greg. mag. the fruit of fasting . vid. cyprian . serm . de jejuni● tom . . basil. de jeju● . homil . . tertul. lib. de jijun . origen . hom . . in levit. vid. bedem ; qu● viro verè venerabil● ( tes●im●nio polydori ) nihil fuit castiu● , nihil melius , nihil verius , &c. polydor . lib. . greg. in mor. expos. in iob. ☜ hieron . the power of prayer . in dei auribus d●siderium vehemens clamor magnus est ; remissa inten●io , vox submissa . bernard . greg. in dialog . nazian . in epitaph . gorgon . sororis ejus . euseb. in hist. hieron . in vit . paul. er●mit . vid dict. andr. in tortura tort. greg. nazian . ☜ cicero . lib. de orat. plut. in vit . cicer. . lib. tuscul. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 solonis dict . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 physic. matth. . . heb. . . cor. . . coloss. . . of the contemplative part . psal. . . august . lanspurg . aug. soliloq . cap. . tim. . . acts . . acts . . ignoravi , quod ●an s●●vis , o bone iesu , esse● tuus emp●e●us , tam b●nestus at●actus tuus , tam debciosus convictus tuus . bonave●● . august . soliloq . cap. . n●● invenio quid licentius appellandum ex●●limenus coelum ●●eli domino , quam contemplantem &c. aug. m●● c. . august . soliloq . cap. . veni●● ad 〈…〉 perfectio est . caesar arelat●nsis . hom . . p. . aug. in ●●tract . de anton. e●cmita hoc ●ef●rt , q●em . damas●●n : pri●um monasticae vitae professorem vocat . vid. histor. barla●m . vid. paul● diaconum . tim. . . , . philip. . . ☞ * magis resistit ignis fe●ro quàm ligro , sed cum ignis vincat utrunque , intensior est calor in ferro quam in ligno . stoll . de contempt . m●nd . quod tentationi quorundam sanctorum assimilari potest : acriùs tentationi resistunt , susceptam tamen aliiùs retinent . a three-fold meditation of necessary consequence . aug. med. c. . vita corporis anima , vita animae deus . august . manual . cap. . * viscus est amor possessionis , affectus cognatio●● , cupidi●a h●noris , & 〈◊〉 voluptas . bern. med. . aug. med. c. . non est aequum tempore & die memoriam benefi●it definir● . cicero . of the active part. omnia volumus scire , nihil agere . gasper . in hippolit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gell. noct. att●● lib. . cap. . luke . . . . multi miscrisunt magis habendo quod amant quàm carendo . amando enim res noxias , niseri habendo sunt miseriores . aug. sic vivite , ut nemo de vobis male loqui absque mendacio possit . hieron . epist. ad coelum de instit . matris . ☞ ☜ morbianimi sunt vitia . ☜ petrarch . two especiall memorialls recommended to our devoutest meditation . . the author of our creation . . the end of our creation . august . soliloq . cap. . ecce pulchrū ac p●●tiosis lapide patre ●ad●ver tegentem ! gasp. in he●aclit . ☜ plato . aug. soliloq . c. . ☜ in vit. anselm . aug. soliloq . c . aug. soliloq . c. rom. . . the end of our creation . luke . . . math. . . . . . vid. aegid in hunc locum . ●●ria quart. & quint. hebd . prim. nec prederunt hic divitiae divitibus , nec parentes filiis , nec angeli ipsi proderunt . chrysost. ille ind●x nec gratia p●evenitur , nec misericordia iam fectitur , nec pecunis corrumpitur , nec satisfactione v●l poena mitigabitur . august . singular precepts of mortification . hieron . ad demet . act. . . ibid. prope finem . ☞ idlenesse begetteth securitie , properly termed the soules lethargie . parum est legere , aut colligere ; sed intelligere , & in formam redigere , hoc artis , hoc laboris est . casman . vid. histor. barlaam . aug. in retract . bernard . a christians ephemerides . ☜ basil. plutarch . in moral . revel . . . coloss. . . king. . luke . luke . . ● sam. . . gen . . & . gen. . prov. . . the active part preferred . agapetus . ☜ bern. de interdomo . c. . n●cetas . u. nazianzen . ambros. epist. . anime tuae gratum feceris si misericors fu●ris . bern. de m●do bene vivendi . nil magis commendat christianum animū &c. ambros. . tim. pag. . tract . . in ioh. dives factus est propter pauperem , & pauper propter divitem ; pauperit est rogare , divitis erogare . august . he preacheth best , qui dicit non lingud sed vitâ . aug. s●r . . de verb dom. charitas viscera tua percutiat . august . vt à christo accepimus beneficium , praestemus christiani officium , praebendo membris christi hospitium . provocaris christiane , provocaris a vidua in certa●en august . king. . iohn . . sam . . eo d●e in qu● ratio reddetur , quid fecimus , non quid novimus , quaeretur . object . sol. luke . . . object . sol. the active preferred before the contemplative for two respects . g●spar . in heraclit . cap. . mundum ex animo priùs fugare , quàm mundum sugere . nec divinitùs acceptum talentum●n terram defodere . ibid. wherein the active part of perfection consisteth . ☞ aug. de civit. dei l. . c. . active perfection consisteth in mortification of action and affection . mortification extends it selfe in a three-fold respect , to these three distinct subjects . . life . . name . . goods . mortification in our disesteeme of life . iren. advers . haeres . lib. . . . ☞ euseb. in eccles. hist. ruffinus lib. hist. cap . * 〈◊〉 multis the●a est , mihi litera foelix . si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soi bit , scribit & ill . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . act. . plin. lib. . c. . aug. tract . . i● iohan. hollinshed . ☞ cyprian . contrariisunt illis sactiosi ●aeretici , quorum conscientia usque adiò sunt amplae , ut in illis civitatem decem millium civium aedificare possis , quemadm●dum quidam magnum alexandrū depinxit . aegid . in thess. . tertul. . l. cont . marcionist . ☜ in omnibus quae agimus , finem intentionis , magis quàm actum operationis intendit . august . soliloq . cap. . luke . . luke . . * parùm res●rt , vesti● tua an s●ricea an cilicea , modò pudica sit , non meretricia . lanspurg . in pha●etra divini amoris . ibid. scire debes , quòd quamvis de mor●e meditari sit horribile , de statu finalis judicii cogitare , ut aestimo , non minus est sormidabile : quia nullus tunc polerit fall●re sapientiam , flectere just tiam , inclinare clementia● , declinare ultionis & justae retributionis sententiam . bern. mortification in our dis-respect of fame or report . mortification in averting our eare from our ●wne praise . ☞ pha●●orin . lib. . de rebu● gest . a●b●ns . ealaus , d. augustini judicio , unicè approbanda est , quando nec laudantem adulatio movet , nec laudatum tentat elatio . aug. soliloq . c. mortification in suffering aspersions laid on our good name . matth. . , . quod si ipse dei filius à diabolo in eremo tentatus fuit ; qu● eremita●um idem non expectet ? g●sper . in h●ra●lit● . vid. aegidium in hunc locum . matth , . . tota vita christi in terris quae per hominem gessit , disciplina morum fuit omnia bona mundi christus contempsit , quae contemnenda docuit : & omnia mala sustinnit , quae sustinenda percepit ; ut in illis non quaereretur faelicitas , neque in istis timeretur infaelicitas . aug. dever . rel . ☜ ambros. epist. . the commendation shall ever live which a●b●ose giveth to theodosius the emperour ; beneficium se p●tabat accepisse august 〈◊〉 o●iae theodosius , quoti●s rogabatur ignoscere . optabatur in co , quod timebatur in aliis , ut irasceretur . de ob●t . theo. ☞ cha●o● nec lethis caeca charybdis saedoru● sacras sorde charites . s●crat . in eccles. hist. lib. . cap. . the arrians scandalized the great athanasius . plutarch . in vit . act. . , , . . tim. . . . luke . . . iohn . . matt. . . matt. . . act. . . scandalum pharisaeorum . scandalum pasillorum . scandalum activum . scandalum passivum . ☞ mortification in our cōtempt of all worldly substance . prov. . . . two remarkable considerations : first , by whom these blessings are conferred on us ; secondly , how they are to be disposed by us . non dabit quod non habet . aug. isa. . . isa. . . luke . . signa viis reparant , ut nomina nota relinquant , ma●more quae sculpto romen manis bab●nt . luke . , , &c. poenitentia dol●rum , non rem●ssionis ●e●catorum . chrysos● ho● . . in iohan. aug lib. . de ci 〈◊〉 . dei , c●p . greg. l●b . me●a● . cap. . act. . , . an accurate repetition and connexion of the precedent meditations . gal. . . a nullum deo grati 〈◊〉 sacrificium , quàm zelus 〈◊〉 . greg. in hom . . sup . ezech. b nam qui non ardet , non accendit . bernard . c nec lucere potest , nisi prius ardeat . aquin. in . iohan. d lucerna quoad officium , extinctae quoad effectum . ibid. quod emittitur voluntarium est : quod amittitur necessarium . ambros. qui à die in d●em deserunt , donec parcae cuncta auserunt . non memini me legisse mala morte mortuum , qui liben●èr opera 〈◊〉 exercuit . hieron . in epist. ad nepotianum . quàm immensa est laetitia de recordatione transacta virtutu ! &c. bern. in fest . omnium sanctorum . serm . . iob . . the absolute or supreme end whereto this actuall perfection aspireth , and wherein it solely resteth . chrysost. aug. soliloq . c. . t●rent . in heauron . plan. in rudente . prov. . . ecclus. . . eccles. . . . . . . ☜ scire omnia volumus , nihil agere . gasper . in herac. cap. . sub quorum velamine , frequenter magna avaritia comperitur . vincent . de vit . spirit . cap. . sive dormiam sive vigil●m , somniat : & cogitat quicquid ei occurrit . bern. med. cap. . in 〈◊〉 honorem 〈◊〉 ne praeveniatur , in possidendo valdè si●et ne privetur . cui tam d●●st quod habet , quàm quod non hab●t . adeptae voluptatis coronidem si quares , poenitentiam invenies . cum se cuncta novisse putat , plura se ignorasse quàm didicisse , indies sentit . si à deo non affligotur homo , seipsum effliget . in herac. cap. . i●a de humano arbitratu pensitatur divinita● , nisi deus homini placuerit , deus non erit . tertul in apol. cap. . ibid. cap. . vid. vit . honor. c●rporis vitamus venena non animi . ibid. in herac. quis vicinus malus , quis latro , quis insidiator tibi tollit deum ? et potest tibi sollere totum quod possides corpore , non libi tollit eum quem possides corde . aug. ecclus. . . beati qui ex eorum numero esse merentur , quos mundus pro stultis , deus pro sapientibus habet . bl●s . euchirid . parvul . 〈◊〉 . esther . , . ecclus. . . . multi miseri sunt metu , ne miseri fiant : multi meri metuentes , moriuntur . gasp. in herac. ☜ the reason of his frequent repetition of sundry sentences , similitudes , and other memorable discoveries thorowout this book . hier. in vit . ●jus . pontius in sine vitae ejus . in vit . bedae . sepulchra enim non tam mortuo rum quàm viv●ntium memoriae condita sunt . ambitio his dux ; ●llis , amor dei. gasp. in epist. ante hera●lit . what wee are to seeke . vitruvius , l. . c. . august . manual . cap. . ibid. cap. . luke . . trinita● divinarum pers●narum est summum bonum , quod purga●issimis mentibus cernitur . aug. . de trin. cap. . ☞ rom. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . isidorus e●ymol . l. . c. . august . manual . cap. . ibid. . aliud noli petere , uni sus●●ce , quia una tibi sufficiet . aug. in psal. . where we are to seeke . aug. med. c. . eccles. . . aug. med. c. . sipes i● terris , sp●● s●t in coelis . ☞ blos . enchirid. pa●vul . autb . ibid. minore negotio nobu coelum comparare possumus , qu●agrave ; m infernum . ibid. hilar. ●nar . in p. . bernard . when wee are to seeke . eccles. . . gen. . . luke . . . matt. . . . . . . d●us 〈…〉 promisin●●● 〈…〉 prom●sit . aug. matth. . . august . ierem. . . eccles. . à vers . . ad . gen. . . a●g●st . poenitent●● poe●ae ; non paena poe●ntenti● . ☞ king . da mibi 〈◊〉 , da ●●stum , sanctan● videri , noctem p●ccatis & fraudi●us obji●e nubem . n●llus est ●n ri●●a , nullaes qu● me e●aud●at . eras. dial. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 deus omnia vina●x . king. . . annon pudet id fac●re in conspectu dei , ac te●●ibus sanctus angelis , quod p●des facere in consp●ctu hom●●um ? quid si tuta possint essescelera , si secura esse non possunt ? vel quid prod●st nocentibus habuisse latendi facultatem , cum latendi fiduciam non habent ? sen. epist. . bernard . de vita solitaria . sen. epist. . august . man. cap. . quicquidages mundo fur●ì●ve pa●amve memento , inspectatorem semper adesse deum . prudentius hymnorum . l . cont . symmach . august . solil●q . cap. . ☞ aures babet in pedibus . ari●lippus . cant. . . tim. . . matth. . . matth. . . cor. . . cor. . . matth. . . isay . matth. . . numb . . . rom. . . sam. . . . luke . . qui amat destderare , desideret amare . bern. de amore dei. cap. . vid. greg. mor. lib. . cap. . a pithy exhortation . aug. man. c. . a powerfull instruction . majorem si●i gloriam con●erri existimabal , in seipsum e●●ibendo membrum ecclesiae , quàm caput imperii . vid. euseb. exod. . . exod. . . gen. . . luke . . august . soliloq . cap. . a perswasive conclusion . ☜ matth. . . hebr. . ● . prov. . greg. in moral . exposit. in iob. blos . euchirid . parvul . auth . barnabees journall under the names of mirtilus & faustulus shadowed: for the travellers solace lately published, to most apt numbers reduced, and to the old tune of barnabe commonly chanted. by corymbœus. barnabae itinerarium. english and latin brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) barnabees journall under the names of mirtilus & faustulus shadowed: for the travellers solace lately published, to most apt numbers reduced, and to the old tune of barnabe commonly chanted. by corymbœus. barnabae itinerarium. english and latin brathwaite, richard, ?- . marshall, william, fl. - , ill. [ ] p. printed by john haviland, [london : ] corymbœus = richard brathwait. translation of: barnabae itinerarium. in verse. parallel latin and english texts. imprint from stc. signatures: pi¹ a- e. with an additional title page in latin, "barnabæ itinerarium ..", and an additional title page, engraved, "barnabæ itinerarium, or barnabees iournall", signed by william marshall. in four parts; parts - , and "bessie bell", have two title pages each, in latin and english; register is continuous. reproduction of the original in harvard university. library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng england -- social life and customs -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion barnabae itinerarium , or barnabees iournall . barnabae itinerarium , mirtili & faustuli nominibus insignitum : viatoris solatio nuperrimè editum , aptissimis numeris redactum , veterique tono barnabae publicè decantatum . authore corymboeo . efficit egregios nobilis alla viros . barnabees ●ournall , under the names of mirtilus & faustulus shadowed : for the travellers solace lately published , to most apt numbers reduced , and to the old tune of barnabe commonly chanted . by corymboeus . the oyle of malt and juyce of spritely nectar have made my muse more valiant than hector . ●oyall pheander to his royall alexander . the title , noble friend , of alexander . were it nought else , implyes a great commander . and so you shall be still of me & mine , with barnabe couch'd in a reeling ryme : nor wonder , friend , if his dimensions reele , whose head makes such jambicks with his heele . vpon this worke. this three dayes taske was once imposed me , in the first spring of my minoritie ; no edge of razer then had toucht my chin , nor downy shade approach'd my supple skin ; i knew not th' postures of this indian vapor , nor made my sacrifice unto my taper ; i 'd ne're seene any curtaine nor partition , which beget worke for surgeon and physician ; i was a novice in the schoole of sin , nor yet did taste , what others dived in . excuse this subject then , if 't doe not fit the nicenesse of this age for weight and wit. birds flicker first before they learne to fly , and trust me on my credit so did i. " great tasks when they 'r to shorter times confin'd , " will force a worke mount lower than the mind . ad viatorem . oppida dum peragras , peragran● do poemata spectes , spectando titubes , barnabe , nome● habes . to the traveller . townes while thou walk'st , and seest this poetrie , and seeing stumblest , thou art barnabe . ad translatorem . pessimus est cerdo , qui transtulit ordine calvo , non res sed voces percutiendo leves . ast hic translator corii peramabilis actor , quirythmo pollens fit ratione satur . to the translator . that paltry patcher is a bald translater whose aule bores at the words but not the matter : but this translator makes good use of lether by stitching ryme and reason both together . index operis . mulciber , uva , venus , redolens ampulla , silenus , effigiem titulis explicuere suis. the index of this work. vulcane , grape , venus , bottle , silen's hooke , have all explain'd the title of this booke . sic me parnassi deserta perardua dulcis raptat amor — thus through vast desarts , promontories wilde , parnassus love drawes bacchus onely childe . barnabae itinerarium , anglo-latinum . itineris borealis : pars prima . mirtilus & faustulus interlocutores . mirtil. o faustule , tende palmam , accipe calicem vitibus almam ; tu ne vinctus es dol●re ? vve tinctus sis colore . sperne opes , sperne dapes , merge cur●s , rectè sapis . o faustule , dic amico quo in loco , quo in vico , sive campo , sive tecto , sine linteo , sine lecto , propinasti , queis tabernis , an in terris , an avernis ? faustul . o mirtile , baculum fixi mille locis ubi vixi , in pistrinis , in popinis , in coquinis , in culinis , huc , & illuc , istic , ibi , hausi potus , plus quam cibi . in progressu boreali , vt process● ab australi , veni banbery , o prophanum ! vbi vidi puritanum , felem facient●m furem , quis sabbatho stravit murem . veni oxford , cui comes est minerva , sons platonis ; vnde scatent peramoenè aganippe , hippocrene ; totum fit atheniense , imò cornu reginense . inde godstow cum ●micis , vidi tumbam meretricis ; rosamundam tegit humus , pulvis & umbra corpore sumus : sic qui t●get , quae togetur , ordine certo sep●lietur . inde woodstock , quò spectandum labyrinthum memorandum ferunt , sed spectare nollem , reperi vivam hospitem mollem ; gratior soeiis est jocundis , mille mortuis rosamundis . veni brackley , ubinatus stirpe vili magistratus , quem conspexi residentem , stramine tectum contegentem , et me vocans , " male agis , " bibe minus , ede magis . veni daintre cum puel●a , procerum celebre duello , ibi bibi in caupona , nota muliere bona , cum qua vixi semper idem , donec creta fregit fidem . veni leister ad campanam , vbi mentem laesi sanam ; prima nocte mille modis flagellarunt me custodes ▪ pelle spar●i sunt liv●res meo● castigaere mores . veni gottam , ubi multos si non omnes vidi stultos , nam scrutando reperi unam salientem contra lunam , alteram ni●idam puellam offerentem porco sellam . veni a nottingam , tyrones sherwoodenses sunt latrones , instar robin hood & servi scarlet , & johannis parvi ; passim , sparsim peculantur , cellis , sylvis depraedantur . veni mansfield , ubi nôraem mulierculam decoram , cum qua ●udum feci pactum , dediictum , egi actum , sed pregnantem tim●nsillam , sprevi villam & ●ncillam . veni b overbowles , ubi * dani habitarunt tempore jani ; patet oppidan●s callis circum circa clausus vallis , castris , claustris , & speluncis tectus coecis , textus juncis . sacra die eò veni , aedes sanctae erant plenae , quorum percitus exemplo , quis hospes erat templo , intrans vidi sacerdotem , igne fatuo poculis notum . glires erant incolae villae , iste clamat , dormiunt illi ; ipse tamen vixit itae , si non corde , veste trita ; fortem praese ferens gestum , fregit pedib●s ‘ suggestum . qua occasione nacta , tot● grex * expergefacta , sacerdote derelicto , tabulis fractis gravitèr icto , pransum redeunt , unus horum , pl●bem sequor non pastorem . veni clowne , ubi vellem pro liquore dare pellem , ibi cerebro inani vidi conjugem vulcani , quae me hospitem tractat b●ne donec restat nil crumenae . veni rothram usque taurum , et reliqui ibi aurum , diu steti , sed in pontem titubando fregi frontem , quo pudore pulsus , doctè clam putabam ire nocte . veni doncaster , ubi sitam vidi levem & levitam , quae vieta & vetusta , porum pulebra aut venusta , cupit tamen penetrari , pingi , pungi , osculari . veni * aberford , ubi notum quod aciculis emunt potum , pauperes sunt & indigentes , multum tamen sitientes ; parum habent , nec habentur vlla , quae non tenet venter . veni wetherbe , ubi visam clari ducis meretricem . amplexurus , porta strepit , et strependo dux me cepit ; vt me cepit , aurem v●llit , et praecipitem foris pellit . d hinc diverso cursu , serò quod audissem de pindero wakefeeldensi , gloria mundi , vbi socii sunt jucundi , mecum statui per●grare georgii fustem visitare . veni wakefeeld peramoenum , vbi quaerens georgium grenum , non inveni , sed in lignum fixum reperi georgii signum , vbi allam bibi feram , donec georgio fortior eram , veni bradford , cessi foris , in familiam amoris , amant istae & amantur , crescunt & multiplicantur , spiritus instructi armis , nocte colunt opera carnis . veni kighley , ubi monte minitantes , vivi fontes , ardui colles , aridae valles , laetitamen sunt sodales , festivantes & jucundi , ac si dominiessent mundi . veni giggleswick , parum frugis profert tellus clausa jugis ; ibi vena prope viae fluit , refluit , nocte , die , neque norunt vnde vena , an a sale vel arena . veni clapham , unus horum qui accivit voce forum , primae hora ut me visit , mihi halicem promisit ; halicem mihi , calicem ei , pignus i● amoris mei . veni ingleton , ubi degi donec fabri caput fregi , quo peracto , in me ruunt mulieres , saxa plunnt , queis perculsus , timens laedi , hi● posteriorae dedi . veni lonesdale , ubi cernam aulam factam in tabernam ; nitidae portae , nivei muri , cyathi pleni , paucae curae ; edunt , bibunt , ludunt , rident , cura dignum nihil vident . veni cowbrow , vaccae collem , vbi hospitem tetigi mollem , pingui ventre , lae●o vultu , tremulo cursu , trepido cultu , vti bibula titubat vates , donec ●●cidit supra nates . veni natland , eò ventus , eboraci qui contemptus colligit , hospi●ium dedit , mecum bibit , mecum edit , semipotus , sicut usi , circa maypole , plebe lusi . veni kirkland , veni kendall , omnia hausi , vulgo spendall , nocte , die , peramice bibi potum mistum pic● . " tege caput , tonde ●●●sum , " mann caput fit insanum . his relictis , staveley vidi , vbi tota nocte bibi , semper lepidus , semper laetus , inter bilares vixi coetus , queis jurando sum mansurus , donec barnabe rediturus . finis . in bacci thyrsum & barnabae nasum , epigramma , aliàs , nasutum dilemma . haedera laeta bono non est suspensa falerno , thy● sus enim bacci , barnabae nasus erit . non opus est thyrso , non fröde virente cupressi , si non thyrsus e●●it , barnabe nasus olet . corollarium . non thyrsus , thyasus ; cyathus tibi thyrsus & ursus , thyrsus quo redoles , ursus ut intus oles . barnabee's iournall , english and latine : his northerne journey : first part. mirtilus & faustulus inter-speakers . ●irtil . o faustulus , stretch thy hand out , take thy liquor , doe not stand out ; art thou prest with griping dolour ? let the grape give thee her colour . ●read's a binder , wealth 's a miser , ●rinke down care , and thou art wiser . ● faustulus , tell thy true hart , ●n what region , coast , or new part , ●ield or fold thou hast beene bousing , ●ithout linnen , bedding , housing , ●n what taverne , pray thee show us , ●ere on earth , or else below us ? ●austul . o mirtilus , i will show thee , thousand places since i saw thee , in the kidcoat i had switching , in the tap-house , cook-shop , kitching , ●his way , that way , each way shrunk i , ●●ttle eat i , deeply drunk i. 〈◊〉 my progresse travelling northward , ●●king my farewell o th' southward , 〈◊〉 banbery came i , o prophane one ! ●here i saw a puritane-one , ●●nging of his cat on monday , ●●r killing of a mouse on sonday . 〈◊〉 oxford came i , whose copesmato 〈◊〉 minerva , well of plato ; ●●om which seat doe streame most seemlie ●anippe , hipp●crene ; ●●ch thing ther 's the muses minion , ●ueenes college-horn speakes pure athenian . thence to godsto , with my lovers , where a tombe a strumpet covers ; rosamund lies there interred , flesh to dust and shade's compared , lye he'bove , or lye she under , to be buried is no wonder . ●ence to woodstock i resorted , ●here a labyrinth's reported , 〈◊〉 of that no'count i tender , ●und an hostesse quicke and slender : ●●d her guests more sweetly ●ying , ●●an a thousand rosamunds dying ▪ ●rom thence to brackley , as did beseeme one , ●he may'r i saw , a wondrous meane one , ●●tting , thatching and bestowing ●n a wind-blowne house a strowing , ●n me , cald he , and did charme mee , drinke lesse , eat more , i doe warne thee . ●ence to daintree with my iewell , ●mous for a noble duell , ●here i drunk and took my common ●a t●phouse with my woman ; ●hile i had it , there i paid it , ●ll long chalking broke my credit . ●hence i came to th' bel● at leister , ●here my braines did need a plaister ; ●irst night that i was admitted , 〈◊〉 the watchmen i was whipped , ●●ack and blew like any tetter ●eat i was to make me better . ●hence to gottam , where sure am i , ●hough not all fooles i saw many ; ●ere a she-gull found i prancing , ●nd in moon-shine nimbly dancing , ●here another wanton madling ●ho her hog was set a sadling . ●hence to a nottingam , where rovers , ●igh-way riders , sherwood drovers , ●●ke old robin-hood , and scarlet , ●r like little iohn his varlet ; ●ere and there they shew them doughty , ●ells and woods to get their booty . thence to mansfield , where i knew one , that was comely and a trew one , with her a nak'd compact made i , ●er long lov'd i , with her laid i , towne and her i left , being doubtfull lest my love had made her fruitfull . thence to b overbowles , where * danus dwelt with 's danes in time of ianus ; way to th'towne is well disposed , all about with trenches closed , pallisado's hid with bushes , rampires overgrowne with rushes . 〈◊〉 a feast day came i thether , ●hen good people flockt together , ●here induc'd by their exemple , ●●pair'd unto the temple ; ●here i heard the preacher gravely ●ith his nose pot-tipt most bravely . ●ormise-like the people seemed , ●hough he cride , they sleeping dreamed ; ●●r his life , tho there was harme in 't , ●eart was lesse rent than his garment ; ●ith his feet he did so thunder ●s the ‘ pulpit fell asunder . ●●ch occasi●n having gotten , ● awake , the pulpit broken ; ●●e the preacher ●ay sore wounded , 〈◊〉 more boords than beards surrounded , ●o dinner , who might fas●er , among them i left pastor . ●ence to clowne came i the quicker , ●ere i 'de given my skin for liquer , ●e was there to entertaine us 〈◊〉 nogging of vulcanus , 〈◊〉 afford't me welcome plenty , 〈◊〉 my seame-rent purse grew empty . ●●ence to th' bull at rothram came i , ●here my gold , if i had any , ●ft i , long i stoutly rored ●ll o th' bridge i broke my forehead , ●hence ashamed while brows smarted , ●y night-time thence departed . ●●ence to doncaster , who 'l beleeve it ! ●●th a light-one and a levite ●●ere i viewed ; too too aged , 〈◊〉 to love so farre engaged , 〈◊〉 on earth she only wished 〈◊〉 be painted , pricked , kissed . thence to * aberford , whose beginning came from buying drink with pinning ; poor they are and very needy , yet of liquor too too greedy ; have they never so much plenty , belly makes their purses empty . thence to wetherbe , where an apt one to be tweake unto a captaine i embraced , as i gat it , door creek'd , captain tooke me at it , took me and by th' eares he drew me , and headlong down staires he threw me ▪ d turning thence , none could me hinder to salute the wakefield pinder ; who indeed 's the worlds glory , with his cumrades never sory , this the cause was , lest you misse it , georgies club i meant to visit . streight at wakefeeld was i seene a , where i sought for george a greene a , but i could find no such creature , on a signe i saw his feature : where the strength of ale so stirr'd me , i grew stouter farre than geordie . ●hence to bradford , my tongue blisters ●t the family of sisters , they love , are lov'd to no eye-show , they increase and multiply too , ●urnis●'d with their spritely weapons 〈◊〉 flesh feeles clarks are no capons . thence to kighley , where are mountaines steepy-threatning , lively fountaines , rising hils , and barraine valleis , yet bon-socio's and good fellowes , joviall-jocund-jolly bowlers , as they were the world controulers . thence to giggleswick most sterill , hemm'd with rocks and shelves of perill ; neare to th' way as traveller goeth , a fresh e spring both ebbes and floweth , neither know the learnd'st that travell what procures it , salt or gravell . thence to clapham , drawing nyer he that was the common cryer , ☞ to a breakefast of one herring did invite me first appearing . herring he , i drinke bestowed , pledges of the love we owed . thence to ingleton , where i dwelled till i brake a blacksmiths palled , which done , women rush'd in on me , stones like haile showr'd down upon me , whence amated , fearing harming , leave i tooke , but gave no warning . thence to lonesdale , where i viewed an hall which like a taverne shewed ; neate gates , white walls , nought was sparing ▪ pots brim-full , no thought of caring : they eat , drink , laugh , are still mirth-making , nought they see that 's worth care taking . ●hence to cowbrow , truth i 'le tell ye , ●ine hostesse had a supple bellie , ●odie plumpe , and count'nance cheerfull , ●eeling pace ( a welcome fearfull ) ●ike a drunken hag she stumbled , ●ill she on her buttocks tumbled . ●hence to natland , being come thither , ●e who yorks contempts did gather gave me harbour , light as fether we both drunke and eat together , till halfe-typsy , as it chanced , we about the maypole danced . thence to kirkland , thence to kendall , i did that which men call spendall , night and day with sociats many drunk i ale both thick and clammy . " shroud thy head , boy , stretch thy hand too , " hand h'as done , head cannot stand to . leaving these , to staveley came i , where now all night drinking am i , alwayes frolick , free from yellows , with a consort of good fellows , where i 'le stay and end my journay , till brave barnabe returne-a . finis . upon bacchus bush and barnabees nose , an epigram , or nose twitching dilemme . good wine no bush it needs , as i suppose , let bacchus bush bee barnabees rich nose . no bush , no garland needs of cipresse greene , barnabees nose may for a bush be seene . corollarie . no bush , no garland ; pot 's thy bush & beare , of beare & bush thou smellest all the yeere . barnabae itinerarium . pars secunda . authore corymboeo . foecundi calices quem non fecere disertum ? barnabae itinerarium , pars secunda . mirtil. faustè ( faustule ) rediisti , narra ( precor ) quò venisti , villas , vicos visitasti , coetus , si●us peragrasti , certè scis ab aquilone● multum mali , parum boni . faustul . i lle ego sum qui quondam , crines , mores , vestes nondum sunt mutatae , nam recessi , calceamentis queis discessi , neque pectine usus fui , sic me meis j●vat frui . sed arrectis auribus audi , quid dilexi , quicquid odi , g pontes , fontes , montes , valles , caulas , cellas , colles , calles , via● , villas , vicos , vices , castas cautas , meretrices . dicam ( quod mirandum ) verum , non pauperior sum quàm eram , vno nec quadrante ditior , lautior , ●aetior , nec foelicior , mollior , melior , potior , p●jor , minùs sanus , magis aeger . ego enim mundum totum tanti esse quanti potum semper duxi ; mori mallem nobilem quàm vitare allam : " sobrius similis apparet agno , " ebrius alexandro magno . leviore nam maeandro capite capto , sum lysandro multò fortior , & illaesum puto me capturum rhesum ; sed ne tibi gravior essem , nunc descendam ad progressum . primò occurrit peragranti h oppidum johannis ganti , sedes nota & vetusta , mendicantibus onusta , janitorem habens qualem mundus vix ostendet talem . veni ashton , ubi vinum , militem , & heroinam , clarum , charum , & formosam , damam , domum speciosam vidi , mersi mero musam , done● pes amisit usum . veni garestang , ubi malè intrans forum bestiale , fortè vacillando vico huc & illuc cum amico , in iuvencae dorsum rui , cujus cornu laesus fui . veni preston , ductus eram ad bacchantem banisterum , ac si una stirpe nati , fratres fuimus jurati ; septem dies ibi mansi , multum bibi , nunquam pransi . veni euxston , ubi hospes succi plena , corpore sospes , crine sparso , vultu blando , at halit● ( proh ) nefando , qua relicta cum ancillis , me ad lectum duxit phyllis . veni wiggin prope coenam , ad hospitulam obscoenam ; votis meis fit secunda , ebria fuit & jocunda ; sparsit anus intellectum , me relicto , mi●xit lectum . veni newton in salictis , vbi ludens chartis pictis cum puella speciosa , cujus nomen erat * rosa , centi-pede provocavi ad amandum quam amavi . veni warrington , profluentes rivos ripas transeuntes specto●s , multo satius ratus mergi terris quàm in aquis , vixi lautè , bibi letè , don●e aqua● signant metae . veni budworth usque gallum , vbi bibi fortem allam , sed ebrietate captus , ire lectum sum coactus ; mihi mirus affuit status , ad●obus sum portatus . sed amore captus grandi visitandi thomam gandi , holmi petii sacellum , vbi conjugem & puellam vidi pulchr●s , lieet serò h●● neglexi , mersus mero . hinc ad tauka-hill perventum , collem valde lutu●entum , faber mihi bene notus mecum bibit donec potus , quo relicto , cythera sponte cornua fixit lemnia fronte . novo-castro subter linum , mulsum propinavi vinum ; nullus ibi fit scelestus , vox cl●mantis in suggestis ; portas castitatis frangunt , qu●● extincta luce tangunt . veni stone ad campanam , vidi i deliam non dianam ; hic suspectam habens vitam pastor gregis , iesuitam me censebat , sed in certas nil invenit praeter chartas . haywood properans malignam , nocte praeparat aprugnam mihi hospes ; sed quid restat ? calices ●aurire praestat : nullum baccho gratius libum , quàm mutare potu cibum . veni ridgelay , ubi faber , cui liquor summus labor , mecum bibit ; nocte data mihi m●tula perforata , vasis crimine detecto , fit oceanus in l●cto . veni bruarton , claudi domum , vbi querulum audiens sonum , conjugem virum verberantem , et vicinum equitantem ; quo peracto , frontem lini spuma byne instar vini . inde k lichfield properab●m , vbi quendam invitab●m perobscaenum opibus plenum , ad sumendum mecum coen●m ; hausto vino , acta coena , solvit divitis crumena . veni colesill , ad macellum , vbi in cervisiam cell●m fortè ruens , cella sorde● , vxor mul●et , ursa mordet ; sed ut lanius fecit focum lectum , dereliquilocum . veni meredin , meri-die , vbi longae fessus viae , hospitem in genu cepi , etulteriùs furtìm repi ; cum qua propinand● mansi , donec sponsam sponsum sensi . veni coventre , ubi dicunt quod filum●exunt ●exunt , ego autem hoe ignoro , nullum enim empsiforo , nec discerni juxta morem , lignum , lucem , nec colorem . veni dunchurch per la●rones ad lurcones & lenones , nullum tamen timuihorum , nec la●ronem , nec liqu●rem ; etsi dives metu satur , cantet vacuus viator . manè daintre ut venissem , corculum quod reliquissem , avidè quaerens per musaeum , desponsatamesse eam intellexi , qua audita , " vale ( dixi ) proselyta . veni wedon , ubi varii omnis gentis tabellarii convenissent , donec mundus currit cerebro rotundus : " solvite sodales laeti , " plus l reliqui quàm accepi . veni tosseter die martis , vbi baccalaureum artie bacchanalia celebrantem vt inveni tam constantem , fecime consortem festi tota nocte perbonesti . veni stratford , ubi grenum procis procam , veneris venam , nulla tamen forma jugis , m verdor oris perit rugis ; flos ut viret semel aret , forma spreta procis caret . tenens cursum & decorum , brickhill , ubi juniorem veni , vidi , propter mentem vnum octo sapientum ; sonat vox ut philomela , ardet nasus ut candela . hocklayhole ut accessassem , cellam scyllam incidissem , antro similem inferni , aut latibulo lavernae ; ibi diu propinando , saevior eram quàm orlando . veni dunstable , ubi mures intus reptant , extus fures , sed vacandum omni m●tu furum temulento coetu , pars ingenii mansit nulla quam non tenuit ampulla . veni redburne , ubi mimi neque medii , neque primi : prologus hedera redimitus simiano gestu situs , n convivalem cecinit odem , heus tu corrige diploidem ! illinc stomacho inani petii oppidum o albani , vbi tantum fecit vinum , dirigentem ad londinum manum manu cepi mea , ac si socia esset ea . veni barnet signo bursae , vbi convenissent vrsi , propinquanti duo horrum parùm studio si morum , subligacula dente petunt , quo posteriora foetent , veni highgate , quo prospexi p vrbem perditè quam dilexi , hic tyronibus exosum hausi cornu tortuo sum , ejus memorans salutem cujus caput fit cornutum . veni hollowell , pileum rubrum , in cobortem muliebrem , me adonidem vocan● omnes meretricis babylonis ; tangunt , tingunt , molliunt , mulcent , at egentem , foris pulsant . veni islington ad leonem , vbi spectans histrionem sociatum cum choraulis , dolis immiscentem sales , cytharae repsi in vaginam , quod praestigiis dedit finem . aegrè jam relicto rure , securem aldermanni-bury primò petii , qua exosa sentina , holburni rosa me excepit , ordine tali appuli griphem veteris bayly . vbi experrectus lecto , tres ciconias indiès specto , quò victurus , donec aestas rure curas tollet moestas ; festus faustulus & festivus , calice vividus , corpore vivus . ego etiam & sodales nunc galerum cardinalis visitantes , vi minervae bihimus ad cornua cervi , sed actaeon anxius ●orum , luce sep●rat uxorem . sub sigillo tubi fumantis & thyrsi flammantis , motu mulciberi naso-flagrantis . officina juncta baccho juvenilem fert tobacco , uti libet , tunc signata , quae impressio nunc mutata , uti fiet , nota certa qua delineatur charta . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sine telis non typis . finis . in errata . inter accipitrem & buteonem , juxta phrasem percommunem , spectans ista typis data , haec comperui errata ; quae si corrigas ( candide lecto ) plena coronet pocula nectar . a vertice ad calcem erratis admove falcem . errando , disco . i am venus vinis reditura venis , jam venus venis peritura plenis , nam venus venis patitur serenis , nectare plenis . * barnabees journall . the second part . by gorymboeus . ore-flowing cups whom have they not made learn'd ? barnabees iournall , the second part. mirtil. faustulus ! happily returned ; tell me , pray thee , where th'st joarned ; what townes , villages th' ast viewed , what seats , sites or states were shewed ; sure thou know'st the north's uncivill , small good comes thence , but much evill . faustul . what i was once , same i am now , haire , conditions , garments same too , yea there 's no man justly doubteth , these the same shooes i went out with ; and for combe i ne're us'd any , lest i lost some of my meney . but attend me , and partake it , what i loved , what i hated , g bridges , fountaines , mountaines , valleis , cauls , cells , hillocks , high-wayes , shallows , paths , towns , villages and trenches , chast-choice-chary-merry wenches . truth i 'le tell thee , nothing surer , richer am i not , nor poorer , gladder , madder nor more pleasing , blither , brisker , more in season , better , worser , thinner , thicker , neither healthfuller nor sicker . for the world i so farre prize it , but for liquor i 'd despise it , thousand deaths i 'd rather dye too than hold ale mine enemy too : " sober , lamb-like doe i wander , " drunk , i 'm stout as alexander . when my head feeles his maeander , i am stronger than lysander ; th'ile of ree i little feare it without wound to winne and weare it ; but lest tedious i expresse me , to my progresse i 'le addresse me . first place where i first was knowne-a , was brave iohn a gants h old towne-a , a seat ▪ antiently renowned , but with store of beggars drowned : for a iaylor ripe and mellow , the world h' as not such a fellow . thence to ashton , good as may be was the wine , brave knight , bright ladie , all i saw was comely specious , seemly gratious , nea●ly precious ; my muse with bacchus so long traded , when i walk't , my legs denaid it . thence to garestang , pray you harke it , ent'ring there a great beast-market , as i jogged on the street-a 't was my fortune for to meet-a a young heyfer , who before her tooke me up and threw me o're her . thence to preston , i was led-a , to brave banisters to bed-a , as two borne and bred together we were presently sworne brether ; seven dayes were me there assigned , oft i supt , but never dined . thence to euxston , where mine hostesse feeles as soft as any tost is , jucy , lusty , count'nance toothsome , braided haire , but breath most loathsome ; her i left with locks of amber , phyllis light me to my chamber . thence to wiggin about supper , to an hostesse , none more slutter , buxome was she yet to see to , she 'd be drunk for companie too ; wit this beldam soon did scater , and in bed distill'd her water . thence to newton in the willows , where being boulstred up with pillows , i at cards plaid with a girle * rose by name , a dainty pearle , at cent-foot i often moved her to love me whom i loved . thence to warrington , banks or'eflowed , travellers to th'towne were rowed , where supposing it much better to be drown'd on land than water , sweetly , neatly i sojourned till that deluge thence returned . thence to cock at budworth , where i drunk strong ale as browne as berry , till at last with deep-healths felled , to my bed i was compelled ; i for state was bravely sorted , by two poulterers supported . where no sooner understand i of mine horest hoast tom ▪ gandi , to holme chappell forthwith set i , maid and hostesse both were prety , but to drinke tooke i affection , i forgot soone their complexion . thence to tauke-a-hill resort i , an hill steepy , slippery , durty ; smith with me being well acquainted drunk with me till 's wits were tainted , having left me , venus swore it , she 'd shooe-horn her vulcans forehead . at new-castle under line-a , there i trounc'd it in burn't wine-a ; none o th' wicked there remained , weekly lectures were proclaimed : chastity they roughly handle , while blind zeale snuffs out the candle . thence to th' bell at stone streight draw i , i delia no diana saw i ; by the parson i was cited who held me for jesuited ; in his search , the door fast locked , nought but cards were in my pocket . thence to haywood taking flight-a , the hostesse gave me brawne at night-a ; but what 's that unto the matter ? whiskins sorted with my nature : to brave bacchus no gift quicker than oblations of strong liquor . thence to ridgelay , where a black-smith , liquor being all hee 'd take with , boused with me ; mid-night waking and a looking-glasse there taking , chamber-pot was hol'd quite thorow , which made me lye wet till morrow . thence to bruarton , old claudus did approve us and applaud us , where i heard a wofull bleating , a curst wife her husband beating ; neighbour rode for this default-a , while i dyde my front with malt-a . thence to k lichfield went i right on , where i chanced to invite one , a curmudgeon rich but nasty to a supper of a pasty . having sipt , and supt , and ended , what i spent , the miser lended . thence to colesill , to a shamble like an old fox did i amble , to a cellar , troth i 'le tell ye , fusty , musty , headlong fell i ; but the butcher having made-a th' fire his bed , no more i staid-a . thence at meredin appeare i , where growne surfoot and sore weary , i repos'd , where i chuckt jone-a , felt her pulse , would further gone-a ; there we drunk , and no guest crost us , till i tooke the hoast for th'hostesse . thence to coventre , where 't is said-a coventre blew is only made-a ; this i know not , for sure am i in no market bought i any ; bacchus made me such a scholer , black nor blew , i knew no colour . thence to dunchurch , where report is of pimps , punks a great resort is , but to me none such appeared , bung nor bung-hole i ne're feared ; though the rich chrone have feares plenty , safe he sings whose purse is empty . at daintre earely might you find me , but not th' wench i left behind me , neare the schoole-house where i ●oused , her i sought but she was spoused , which i having heard that night-a , " farewell ( quoth i ) proselyta . thence to wedon , there i tarried in a waggon to be carried ; carriers there are to be found-a , who will drink till th' world run round-a : " pay , good fellows , i 'le pay nought heere , " i have l left more than i brought heere . thence to tosseter on a tuesday , where an artfull batchler chus'd i to consort with ; we ne're budged , but to bacchus revels trudged ; all the night-long sat we at it till we both grew heavy pated . thence to stratford where frank m green-a , daintiest doe that e're was seene-a , venus varnish me saluted , but no beauty long can sute it ; beauty feedeth , beauty fadeth , beauty lost , her wooer vadeth . holding on my journey longer , streight at brickhill with tom . younger . i arriv'd ; one by this cheese-a styl'd the eighth wiseman of greece-a , voyce more sweet than prognes sister , like a torch his nose doth glister . to hocklayhole as i approached , scylla's barmy cell i broached , darke as th' cave of pluto's station , or laverna's habitation ; quaffing there while i could stand-o , madder grew i than orlando . thence to dunstable , all about me ; mice within , and thieves without me ; but no feare affrights deep drinkers , there i tost it with my skinkers ; not a drop of wit remained which the bottle had not drained . thence to redburne , where were players , none of roscius actiue heyres ; prologue crown'd with a wreath of iuy , jetted like an ape most lively : i told them sitting at the n banket they should be canvas'd in a blanket . from thence with a stomack empty to the towne of o albane went i , where with wine i was so undon , as the hand which guides to london in my blind hand i receaved , and her more acquaintance craved . thence to th' purse at barnet known-a , there the beares were come to town-a ; two rude hunks , 't is troth i tell ye , drawing neare them , they did smell me , and like two mis-shapen wretches made me , ay me , wrong my bretches . thence to highgate , where i viewed p city i so dearely loved , and th' horne of matriculation drunk to th'freshmen of our nation , to his memory saluted whose branch'd head was last cornuted . thence to hollowell , mother red cap , in a troupe of trulls i did hap ; whoors of babylon me impalled , and me their adonis called ; with me toy'd they , buss'd me , cull'd me , but being needy , out they pull'd me . thence to islington at lion , where a juggling i did spy one , nimble with his mates consorting , mixing cheating with his sporting ; creeping into th'case of 's viall spoil'd his juggling , made them fly all . country left ; i in a fury to the axe in alder-bury first arrived , that place slighted i at rose in holborne lighted , from the rose in flaggons sayle i to the griphin i th' old-bayly . where no sooner doe i waken , than to three cranes am i taken , where i lodge and am no starter till i see the summer quarter ; pert is faustulus and pleasing , cup brimfull , and corpse in season . yea , my merry mates and i too oft to th' cardinals hat fly to , where to harts horns we carouse it , as minerva doth infuse it , but actaon sick o th' yellows mewes his wife up from good fellows . under th' signe of pipe still fuming , and the bush for ever flaming , mulciber the motion moving , with nose-burning master shaming : a shop neighbouring neare iacco , where young vends his old tobacco , as you like it , sometimes sealed , which impression since repealed , as you make it , he will have it , and in chart and front engrave it : harmelesse but no artlesse end cloze i here unto my friend . finis . upon the errata's . be●wixt hawke and buzzard , ô man , after th'phraze of speech so cōmon , having seene this journall at print , i found these erata's in it ; which if thou correct ( kind reader ) nectar by thy muses feeder . from the head unto the foot nought but error , looke unto 't . ●his observation have i found most true , ●rring , i learne mine errors to subdue . now venus pure veines are with wines inflamed , now venus full veines are by wines restrained , for venus swolne veines are by morphuus chained , from folly wained . barnabae itinerarium . pars tertia . authore corymboeo . inflatum hesterno venas , ut semper , iaccho . barnabae itinerarivm . itineris borealis : pars tertia . mirtil. io ( faustule ) gratulaniur qui te amant & amantur , te incolumem rediturum ! spreta curia , pone curam , narra vias , quas calcasti , queis spirasti , quas spectasti . ne ephesios diana fit celebriore fama ; omnes omnia de te fingunt , siatuam pictores pingunt ; tolle metum , mitte moram , fact● clarum viatorem . faustul . mitte moram , tolle metum ! quis me unquam minùs laetum cum adversis agitatum , aut secundis tam inflatum vidit , ut mutando morem reddant me superbiorem ? aspernarer ego mundum , nisi mundus me jucundum bonis sociis , radiis vitae sociali tinctis siti celebraret ; adi , audi , et progressumeo gaude . primo die satur vino , veni islington à londino , iter arduum & grave , serò tamen superavi , acta vespertina scena , siccior eram quàm arena . veni kingsland , terram regis , speciosam coetu gregis , equum ubi fatigantem , vix ulterius spatiantem , nec verberibus nec verbis motum , gelidis dedi herbis . veni totnam altam crucem , quò discessi ante lucem ; hospes sociis parùm caret , nemo faustulum , spectaret ; pratum stratum , & cubile o piaculum ▪ fit foenile . vt reliqui crucem altam , lento cursu petii waltham , in hospitium oswaldi , qui mi regiam q theobaldi , monstrat domum , quo conspecto , haus● noctem sine lecto . de augustissima domo theobaldi . veni hodsdon , stabant foris chartis pictis impostores , queis deceptis , notis causis , ante eirenarcham pacis eos duxi , ut me videt , laudat eos , me deridet . veni ware , ubi belli saltus , situs , & amwelli amnes lenem dantes sonum , qui ditarunt middletonum : sunt spectati more miti , " o si essent aqua vitae ! veni wademill , ubi ritè pleno cyatho dempta siti , quidam clamitant jo●o●è , me spectantes ●tios● , cö-ementem haec flagella , " vbi equus , ubi sella ? veni puckridge , eò ventum mendicantes ferè centum me praecingunt ; dixi verum , " quod pauperior illis eram ; quo responso , mente una me relinquunt cum fortun● . veni buntingford , ad senilem hospitem , & juvenilem conjugem , quae scit affari placidè , lepidè osculari ; area fl●rida , frutice suavi● , vbi minurizat avis . veni roiston , ibi seges , prata , sata , niveae greges , vbi pedes pii regis ; hinc evolvens r fati leges , mihi dixi : quid te pejus , ista legens , malè deges ? veni caxston , paupere tecto , sed pauperiore lecto ; quidam habent me suspectum , esse maculis infectum pestis , unde exui vestem , vocans hospitem in testem . veni cambridge , prope vitem , vbi musae satiant sitim ; sicut muscae circa fimum , aut scintillae in caminum , me clauserunt juxta murum , denegantes rediturum . media nocte siccior essem ac sununquam ebibissem , sed pudore parùm motus , hinc discessi semi-potus : luci , loci paludosi , sed scholares speciosi . veni s godmanchester , ubi vt ixion captus nube , sic elusus à puella , cujus labr● erant mella , lectum se adire vellet , spondet , sponsum sed fefellit . veni huntington , ubi cella facto pacto cum puella , hospes me suspectum habens , et in cellam tacitè labens ; quo audito , vertens rotam , ●inxi memet peraegrotum . veni harrington , bonum omen ! verè amans illud nomen , harringtoni dedi nummum , et fortunae penè summum , indigenti postulanti , benedictionem danti . veni stonegatehole nefandum vbi contigit memorandum . quidam servus attu●nati vultu pellicis delicatae cap●us , intrat nemus merè vt coiret muliere . mox è dumo latro repit , improvisum eum cepit , manticam vertit , moechum vicit , et post herum undum misit : manibus vinctis sellae locat , hinnit equus , servus vocat . cogitemus atturnatum suspicantem hunc armatum , properantem depr●dari , vti strem●è calcari : currit herus , metu teste , currit servus sine vest● . psallens t sautry , tumulum veni , sacerdotis locum poenae , vbi rainsford jus fecisset , et pastorem condidisset : vidi , ridi , & avari rogo rogos sic tractari . veni ad collegium purum , cujus habent multi curam ; perhumanos narrant mores patres , fratres & sorores : vnum tenent , unà tendunt , omnes omnia sacris vendunt . a● sint isti corde puro , parumscie , minus curo ; si sint , non sunt hypocritae orbe melioris vitae : cellam , scholam & sacellum pulchra vidi supra stellam . veni stilton , lento more , sine fronde , sine flore , sine prunis , sine pomis , vti senex sine comis , calva tellus , sed benignum monstrat viatori signum . veni wansforth-brigs , immanem vidi amnem , alnum , mum ; amnem latum , anum la●tam , comptam , cultam , castam , cautam ; portas , horto● speciosos , portus , saltus spatiosos . sed scribentem digitum dei spectans miserere mei , a●riis , angulis , confestìm evitandi cura pestem , fugi , mori licet natus , nondum mori sum paratus . inde prato per-amoeno dormiens temulentè foeno , rivus surgit & me capit , et in flumen altè rapit ; quorsum ? clamant ; nuper erro a wansforth-brigs in anglo-terra . veni u burleigh , licet bruma , sunt fornaces sine fumo , promptuaria sine promo , clara porta , clausa domo ; w o camini sine foco , et culinae sine coquo ! clamans , domum ô inanem ! resonabat * ecco , famem ; quinam habitant intramuros ? respirabat ecco , mures ; ditis omen , nomen habe ; ecco respondebat , abi. veni y stamford , ubi bene omnis generis erumenae sunt venales , sed in summo sunt crumenae sine nummo : plures non in me reptantes , quàm sunt ibi mendicantes . licet curae premant charae , veni in z foramen sarae ; proca semel succi plena , lauta , laeta & serena , at v●nusta fit vetusta , mundo gravis & onusta . sarae antrum ut intrassem , et ampullas * gurgitassem , in amore sara certo , ore basia dat aperto ; saepe sedet , quando surgit cyathum propinare urget . veni witham , audiens illam propter lubricam anguillam verè claram , nixus ramo coepi expiscari hamo ; et ingentem eapiens unam , praeceps trabor in a lacunam . veni b grantham mihi gratam , inclytè pyramidatam , ibi pastor cum uxore coeundi utens more , de cubiculo descendit , quia papa ibi pendet . oppidani timent clari paulo spiram asportari , scissitantes ( valde mirum ) vbi praeparent papyrum , quâ * maturiùs implicetur , ne portando * laederetur . veni c new-worke , ubi vivos sperans mersos esse rivis , irrui cellam subamoenam , generosis vinis plenam , donec lictor intrans cellam , me conduxit ad flagellum . veni tuxworth sitam luto , vbi viatores ( puto ) viam viscum esse credunt , sedes syrtes ubi sedent ; thyrsus pendet , diu pendit , bonum vinum rarò vendit . veni retford , pisces edi , et adagio locum dedi , coepi statim propinare , vt pisciculi natare discant , meo corpore vivo , sicuti natarunt rivo . veni scrubie , deus bone ! cum pastore & latrone egi diem , fregi noctem , latro me fecisset doctum : ei nollem assidere , ne propinquior esset perae . veni bautree , angiportam , in dumetis vidi scortam , gestu levem , lumine vivam , vultu laetam & lascivam ; sed inflixi carni poenam , timens miserè crumenam . veni d doncaster , sed levitam audiens finiisse vitam , sprevi venerem , sprevi vinum , perditè quae dilexi primum : nam cum venus insenescit , in me carnis vim compescit . nescit sitis artem modi , puteum roberti hoodi veni , & liquente vena vincto e catino catena , tollens sitim , parcum odi , solvens obolum custodi . veni f wentbrig , ubi plagae terrae , maris , vivunt sagae , vultu torto & anili , et conditione vili : his infernae manent sedes , quae cum inferis ineunt foedus . veni ferribrig , vietus , pede lassus , mente laetus , vt gustassem uvam vini , fructum salubrem acini : saevior factu● sum quàm aper , licet vini lenis sapor . veni g pomfrait , ubi miram arcem , * anglis regibus diram ; h laseris ortu celebrandam , variis gestis memorandam : nec in pomfrait repens certior , quàm pauperculus inertior . veni sherburne , adamandum , et aciculis spectandum ; pastor decimas cerasorum quaerit plus quam animorum : certè nescio utrum mores , an fortunae meliores . veni bramham , eò ventus , vidi pedites currentes ; quidam auribus susurrat , " crede faustule , hic praecurret , " nam probantur : qui narratur pejor , melior auspicatur . veni tadcaster , ubi pontem sine flumine , praelucentem , plateas fractas , & astantes omni loco mendicantes spectans , illinc divagarer , ne cum illis numerarer . veni eboracum , flore iuventutis cum textore fruens , conjux statim venit , " lupum verò auribus tenet ; ille clamat aperire , illa negat exaudire . sic ingressus mihi datur , cum textori denegatur ; qui dum voce , importunè strepit , matulam urinae sentit ; sapientèr tacet , dum betricia mecum jacet ▪ ibi tibicen apprehensus , iudicatus & suspensus , plaustro cöaptato furi , ubi tibia , clamant pueri ? nunquam ludes amplius billie ; at nescitis , inquit ille . quod contigerit memet teste , nam abscissa jug●lo reste , vt in fossam furcifer vexit , semi-mortuus resurrexit : arce reducem occludit , vbi valet , vivit , ludit . veni towlerton , stadiodromi retinentes spem coronae , ducunt equos ea die iuxta tramitem notae viae ; sequens autem solitam venam , sprevi primum & postremum . veni helperby desolatum , igne nuper concrematum , ne taberna fit intacta , non in cineres redacta ; quo discessi ocyor euro , restinguendi sitim cura . veni h topcliffe , musicam vocans , et decore ordine locans , vt expectant hi mercedem , tacitè subtraexi pedem ; parum babui quod expendam , linquens eos ad solvendum . veni i thyrske , thyrsis hortum , vbi phyllis floribus sportam instruit , at nihil horum nec pastorem , neque florem ego curo , bacchum specto horto , campo , foro , tecto . veni alerton , ubi oves , tauri , vaccae , vituli , ●oves , aliaque campi pecora oppidana erant decora : forum fuit jumentorum , mihi autem cella forum . veni smeton , perexosum collem quem pediculosum vulgò vocant , tamen mirè moechae solent lascivire , ad alendum dehilem statum , aut tegendam nuditatem . veni k nesham , dei donum , in coenobiarchae domum ; vberem vallem , salulirem venam , cursu fluminis amoenam , laetam sylvis & fr●ndosam , herae vultu speciosam . veni darlington , prope vicum conjugem dux● peramicam ; nuptiis celebrantur festa , nulla admittuntur moesta ; pocula noctis dant progressum , ac si nondum nuptus essem . veni l richmund , sed amicos generosos & antiquos , nobiles socios , sortis mira , cùm nequissem invenire , sepelire cur as ibi , tota nocte mecum bibi . poena sequi solet culpam , veni redmeere ad subulcum , ilia mensae fert porcina , priscanimis intestina , quae ni calices abluissent , adhuc gurgite inhaesissent . veni carperbie peravarum , coetu frequens , victu carum ; septem solidorum coena redit levior crumena : nummo citiùs haurieris , quàm liquore ebrieris . veni wenchly , valle situm , prisca vetustate tritum , amat tamen propinare pastor cum agnellis charè , quo effascinati more , dormiunt agnicum pastore . veni middlam , ubi arcem vidi , & bibentes sparsim bonos socios , quibus junxi , et liquorem libere sumpsi ; aeneis licet tincti nasis , fuimus custodes pacis . veni m ayscarth , vertice montis , valles , & amoenos fontes , niveas greges , scopulos rudes , campos , scirpos , & paludes vidi , locum vocant templum , speculantibus exemplum . veni worton , sericis cincta sponsa ducis , ore tincta , me ad coenam blandè movet , licet me non unquam novit ; veni , vidi , vici , lusi , " cornu-copiam optans duci . veni bainbrig , ubi palam flumen deserit canalem , spectans , utì properarem ad johannem ancillarem , hospitem habui ( verè mirum ) neque foeminam , neque virum . veni n askrig , notum forum , valdè tamen indecorum , nullum habet magistratum , oppidanum ferre statum : hîc pauperrimi textores peragrestes tenent mores . veni o hardraw , ubi fames , cautes frugis perinanes ; nunquam vixit hic adonis , ni sub thalamo carbonis : diversorta sunt obscoena , fimo foeda , fumo plena . veni gastile , ubi cellam , cellam sitam ad sacellum intrans , bibi stingo fortem , habens lanium in consortem , et p pastorem parvae gregis , rudem moris , artis , legis . veni * sedbergh , sedem quondam lautam , loetam , & jocundam , sed mutatur mundus totus , " vix in anno unus potus : ibi propriae prope lari non audebam vulpinari . veni q killington , editum collem , fronde laetiore mollem , ibi tamen parùm haerens , semper altiora sperans , hisce dixi longum vale , solum repetens natale . veni kendall , ubi status praestans , prudens r magistratus , publicis festis purpuratu● , ab elizabetha datus ; hic me juvat habitare , propinare & amare . finis . barnabees journall . the third part . by corymboeus . full-blowne my veines are , & so well they may , with brimming healths of wine drunk yesterday . barnabees jovrnall . his northerne journey : third part . mirtil. whup ( faustulus ) all draw ny thee that doe love thee , or lov'd by thee , joying in thy safe returning ! leave court , care , & fruitlesse mourning ; way th' ast walked , pray thee shew it , where th' ast lived , what th' ast viewed . not th' ephesian diana is of more renoumed fam-a ; acting wonders all invent thee , painters in their statues paint thee ; banish feare , remove delay-man , shew thy selfe a famous way-man . faustul . leave delay , and be not fearfull ! why ; who e're saw me lesse cheerfull when i was by fortune cuffed , or by fortunes smiles so puffed , as i shewd my selfe farre prouder than when she more scornfull shewd her ? for the world , i would not prize her , yea , in time i should despise her , had she in her no good fellow that would drinke till he grew mellow ; draw neare and heare , thou shalt have all , hearing , joy in this my travall . first day having drunk with many , to islington from london came i , journey long and grievous wether , yet the ev'ning brought me thether , having t'ane my pots by th' fier , summer sand was never dryer . thence to kingsland ; where were feeding cattell , sheepe , and mares for breeding ; as i found it , there i feared that my rozinant was wear'ed : when he would jog on no faster loose i turn'd him to the pasture . thence to totnam-high-crosse turning i departed 'fore next morning ; hostesse on her guests so doted faustulus was little noted ; to an hay-loft i was led in , boords my bed , and straw my bedding . having thus left high-crosse early , i to waltham travelled fairly , to the hospitall of oswald , and that princely seat of q th'bald ; there all night i drunk old sack-a with my bed upon my back-a . of the kings house at tibbals . thence to hodsdon , where stood watching cheats who liv'd by conicatching , false cards brought me , with them plaid i , deare for their acquaintance paid i ; 'fore a iustice they appeared ; them he praised , me he jeered . thence to ware , where mazie amwell mildly cuts the southerne chanell ; rivers streaming , banks resounding , middleton with wealth abounding : mightily did these delight me ; " o i wish'd them aqua vitae ! thence to wademill , where i rest me for a pot , for i was thirstie ; on me cryde they and did hout me , and like beetles flockt about me : " buy a whip sr ! no , a laddle ; " where 's your horse sr ? where your saddle ? thence at puckridge i reposed , hundred beggars me inclosed ; " beggars , quoth i , you are many , " but the poorest of you am i ; they no more did me importune leaving me unto my fortune . thence to buntingford right trusty , bedrid host , but hostesse lusty , that can chat and chirp it neatly , and in secret kisse you sweetly ; here are arbours decked gaily , where the buntin warbles daily . thence to roiston , there grasse groweth , medes , flocks , fields the plowman soweth , where a pious prince frequented , which observing , this i vented : " since all flesh to r fate 's a debter , " retchlesse wretch , why liv'st no better ? thence to caxston , i was led in to a poor house , poorer bedding , some there were had me suspected that with plague i was infected , so as i starke-naked drew me , calling th'hostesse streight to view me . thence to cambridge , where the muses haunt the vine-bush , as their use is ; like sparks up a chimney warming , or flyes neare a dung-hill swarming , in a ring they did inclose me , vowing they would never lose me . 'bout mid-night for drinke i call sr , as i had drunk nought at all sr , but all this did little shame me , tipsy went i , tipsy came i : grounds , greenes , groves are wet and homely , but the schollers wondrous comely . thence to s godmanchester , by one , with a clowd as was ixion , was i gull'd ; she had no fellow , her soft lips were moist & mellow , all night vow'd she to lye by me , but the giglet came not ny me . thence to huntington , in a cellar with a wench was there a dweller i did bargaine , but suspected by the hoast who her affected , down the staires he hurr'ed quickly , while i made me too too sickly , thence to harrington , be it spoken ! for name-sake i gave a token to a beggar that did crave it and as cheerfully receive it : more he need't not me importune for 't was th' utmost of my fortune . thence to stonegatehole , i 'l tell here of a story that befell there , one who served an atturney t'ane with beauty in his journey , seeing a coppice hastens thither purposely to wanton with her . as these privatly conferred , a rover tooke him unprepared , search't his port-mantua , bound him faster , and sent him naked to his master : set on 's saddle with hands tyed , th' horse he neyed , man he cryed . th'atturney when he had discerned one , he thought , behind him armed in white armour , stoutly sturr'd him , for his jade hee keenly spurr'd him : both run one course to catch a gudgeon , this nak't , that frighted to their lodging . singing along down t sautry laning , i saw a tombe one had beene laine in , and inquiring , one did tell it , 't was where rainsford buried ●h ' prelat : i saw , i smil'd , and could permit it , greedy priests might so be fitted . to th' newfounded college came i , commended to the care of many ; bounteous are they , kind and loving , doing whatsoe're's behoving : these hold and walke together wholly , and state their lands on uses holy . whether pure these are or are not , as i know not , so i care not ; but if they be dissembling brothers , their life surpasseth many others : see but their cell , schoole and their temple , you 'l say the stars were their exemple . thence to stilton , slowly paced , with no bloome nor blossome graced , with no plums nor apples stored , but bald like an old mans forehead ; yet with innes so well provided , guests are pleas'd when they have tride it . thence to wansforth-brigs , a river , and a wife will live for ever ; river broad , an old wife jolly , comely , seemely , free from folly ; gates and gardens neatly gracious , ports and parks and pastures spatious . ●eeing there , as did become me , written , lord have mercy on me , on the portels , i departed , ●est i should have sorer smarted ; though from death none may be spared , 〈◊〉 to dye was scarce prepared . on a hay-cock sleeping soundly , th' river rose and tooke me roundly downe the current ; people cryed , sleeping , down the streame i hyed ; where away , quoth they , from greenland ? no ; from wansforth-brigs in england . thence to u burleigh , though 't was winter , no fire did the chimney enter , buttries without butlers guarded , stately gates were dooble-warded ; hoary w chimneyes without smooke too , hungry kitchins without cooke too . hallowing loud , ô empty wonder ! * ecco streight resounded , hunger . who inhabits this vast brick-house ? ecco made reply , the titmouse ; ominous cell , no drudge at home sir ! ecco answer made , be gone sir. thence to ancient y stamford came i , where are pencelesse purses many , neatly wrought as doth become them , lesse gold in them than is on them : clawbacks more doe not assaile me , than are beggars swarming dayly . though my cares were maine and many , to the hole of sara came i , once a bona-roba , trust me , though now buttock-shrunke and rustie ; but though nervy-oyle and fat-a , her i caught by you know what-a . ●aving boldly thus adventur'd , ●nd my sara's socket enter'd , ●er i sued , suted , sorted , ●ussed , bouzed , sneesed , snorted : ●ften sat she , when she got up ●ll her phraze was , " drink thy pot up . thence to witham , having red there that the fattest eele was bred there , purposing some to intangle , forth i went and tooke mine angle , where an huge one having hooked , by her headlong was i dooked . a thence to b grantham i retiring , ●amous for a spire aspiring , there a pastor with his sweeting 〈◊〉 a chamber closely meeting ; 〈◊〉 great fury out he flung there cause a popish picture hung there . here the townsmen are amated that their spire should be translated unto pauis ; and great 's their labour how to purchase so much paper to enwrap it , as is fitting , to secure their spire from splitting . thence to c new-worke , flood-surrounded , where i hoping most were drowned , hand to hand i straightwayes shored to a cellar richly stored , till suspected for a picklock , th' beedle led me to the whip-stock . thence to tuxworth in the clay there , where poor travellers find such way there ; wayes like bird-lime seeme to show them , seats are syrts to such as know them ; th' ivy hangs there , long has't hong there , wine it never vended strong there . thence to retford , fish i fed on , and to th' adage i had red on , with carouses i did trimme me , that my fish might swim within me , as they had done being living , and i th' river nimbly diving . thence to scrubie , ô my maker ! with a pastor and a taker day i spent , i night divided , thiefe did make me well provided : my poor scrip did cause me feare him , all night long i came not neare him . thence to bautree , as i came there from the bushes neare the lane there rush'd a tweake in gesture flanting , with a leering eye and wanton ; but my flesh i did subdue it , fearing lest my purse should rue it . thence to d doncaster , where reported ●ively levit was departed , ●ove i loath'd and spritely wine too , which i dearely lov'd sometime too : ●or when youthfull venus ageth , 〈◊〉 my fleshly force asswageth . thirst knowes neither meane nor measure , robin hoods well was my treasure , ●n a common e dish enchained , ● my furious thirst restrained : ●nd because i drunk the deeper , ● paid two farthings to the keeper . ●hence to f wentbrig , where vile wretches , ●ideous hags and odious witches , ●rithen count'nance and mis-shapen ●re by some foule bugbeare taken : ●hese infernall seats inherit , who contract with such a spirit . thence to ferrybrig , sore wearied , ●urfoot , but in spirit cheered ; ● the grape no sooner tasted than my melancholy wasted : never was wild boare more fellish , though the wine did smally relish . thence to g pomfrait , as long since is , fatall to our * english princes ; for the choicest h licorice crowned , and for sundry acts renowned : a louse in pomfrait is not surer , then the poor through sloth securer . thence to sherburne , dearely loved , and for pinners well approved ; cherry tenths the pastor aymeth more than th' soules which he reclaimeth : in an equi-page consorting are their manners and their fortune . thence to bramham , thither comming , i saw two footmen stript for running ; one told me , " th' match was made to cheat thē , " trust me faustulus , this will beat 'em , " for we 've tride them : but that courser he priz'd better , prov'd the worser . thence to tadcaster , where stood reared a faire bridge , where no stood appeared , broken pavements , beggars waiting , nothing more than labour hating , but with speed i hastned from them , lest i should be held one of them . thence to yorke , fresh youth enjoying with a wanton weaver toying , husband suddenly appeares too " catching of the wolfe by th' eares too ; he cryes open , something feares him , but th'deafe adder never heares him . thus my entrance was descried , while the weaver was denied , who as he fumed , fret , and frowned with a chamber-pot was crowned ; wisely silent he ne're grudged while his betty with me lodged . piper being here committed , ●uilty found , condemn'd and titted , she was to knavesmyre going , ●his day , quoth boyes , will spoile thy blowing ; ●rom thy pipe th' art now departing ; ●ags , quoth th' piper , you 'r not certaine . ●ll which happen'd to our wonder , ●or the halter cut asunder , ●s one of all life deprived ●eing buried , he revived : ●nd there lives , and plays his measure , ●olding hanging but a pleasure . thence to towlerton , where those stagers or horse-coursers run for wagers ; ●eare to the high way the course is , where they ride and run their horses ; ●ut still on our journey went we , ●irst , or last , did like content me . thence to helperby i turned desolate and lately burned , not a taphouse there but mourned , being all to ashes turned , whence i swiftly did remove me for thirst-sake , as did behove me . thence to h topcliffe , musick call'd i , in no comely posture fail'd i , but when these expected wages , to themselves i left my pages ; small being th' curt'sy i could shew them th'reckning i commended to them . thence to i thyrske , rich thyrsis casket , where faire phyllis fils her basket with choice flowers , but these be vaine things , i esteeme no flowers nor swainlings ; in bacchus yard , field , booth or cottage i love nought like his cold pottage . thence to alerton , rankt in battell , sheepe , kine , oxen , other cattell , as i fortun'd to passe by there were the towns best beautifier : faire for beasts at that time fell there , but i made my fayre the celler . ●hence to smeton , i assailed ●●wsy hill , for so they call it , ●here were dainty ducks , and gant ones , ●enches that could play the wantons , ●hich they practise , truth i 'le tell ye , ●or reliefe of back and bellie . thence to nesham , now translated , once a nunnery dedicated ; ●allies smiling , bottoms pleasing , ●treaming rivers never ceasing , ●eckt with tufty woods and shady , graced by a lovely lady . thence to darlington , there i boused till at last i was espoused ; marriage feast and all prepared , not a fig for th' world i cared ; all night long by th' pot i tarried as if i had ne're beene married . thence to l richmund , heavy sentence ! there were none of my acquaintance , all my noble cumrads gone were , of them all i found not one there , but lest care should make me sicker , i did bury care in liquor . penance chac'd that crime of mine hard , thence to redmeere to a swine-heard came i , where they nothing plast me but a swines-gut that was nastie , had i not then wash'd my liver , in my guts't had stuck for ever . thence to carperbie very greedy , consorts frequent , victuals needy ; after supper they so tost me as seven shillings there it cost me : soone may one of coyne be soaked , yet for want of liquor choaked . thence to wenchly , valley-seated , ●or antiquity repeated ; ●heep and sheepheard as one brother kindly drink to one another ; till pot-hardy light as feather sheep and shepheard sleep together . thence to middlam , where i viewed th'castle which so stately shewed ; down the staires , 't is truth i tell ye , to a knot of brave boyes fell i ; all red-noses , no dye deeper , yet not one but a peace-keeper . thence to m ayscarth , from a mountaine ●ruitfull vallies , pleasant fountaine , woolly flocks , cliffs steep and snowy , ●ields , f●nns , sedgy rushes saw i ; which high mount is call'd the temple , ●or all prospects an exemple . thence to worton , being lighted i was solemnly invited by a captains wife most vewlie , though , i thinke , she never knew me ; i came , call'd , coll'd , toy'd , trifl'd , kissed , " captaine cornu-cap'd i wished . thence to bainbrig , where the river from his channell seemes to sever , to maidenly iohn i forthwith hasted , and his best provision tasted ; th' hoast i had ( a thing not common ) seemed neither man nor woman . thence to n askrig , market noted , but no handsomnesse about it , neither magistrate nor mayor ever were elected there : here poor people live by knitting , to their trading , breeding fitting . thence to o hardraw , where 's hard hunger , barraine cliffs and clints of wonder ; never here adonis lived , unlesse in coles harbour hived : ins are nasty , dusty , fustie , both with smoake and rubbish mustie . thence to gastile , i was drawne in to an alehouse neare adjoining to a chappell , i drunk stingo with a butcher and domingo th' p curat , who to my discerning was not guilty of much learning . thence to * sedbergh , sometimes joy-all , gamesome , gladsome , richly royall , but those jolly boyes are sunken , " now scarce once a yeare one drunken : there i durst not well be merry , farre from home old foxes werry . thence to q killington i passed , where an hill is freely grassed , there i staid not though halfe-tyred , higher still my thoughts aspired : taking leave of mountains many , to my native country came i. ●hence to kendall , pure her state is , ●rudent too her magistrate is , ●n whose charter to them granted ●othing but a r mayor wanted ; ●ere it likes me to bee dwelling , ●ousing , loving , stories telling . finis . barnabae itinerarium . pars quarta . authore corymboeo . si vitulum spectes , nihil est quod pocul● laudes . barnabae itinerarivm . itineris borealis : pars quarta . mirtil. o faustule , dic quo jure spreta urbe , vivis rure ? quo tot lepidos consortes , genio faustos , gurgite fortes , reliquisti , socios vitae , gravi laborantes siti ? vale dices tot amicis , tot lyei vini vicis , tot falerni roscidi cellis , tot pelliculis , tot puellis ? quid te movet , dic sodali , vrbilongum dicere vale ? faustul . quid me movet ? nonne cernis me tamdiu in tabernis propinasse , donec mille clamant , ecce faustulus ille , qui per orbem ducens iter , titulo ebrii insignitur ! qui natali bibit more ortu roseae ab aurorae usque vespram , & pudorem vultus , quaestus & odorem sprevit ! audi culpae poenam , scenam faustuli extremam . vale banbery , vale brackley , vale hollow-well , vale hockley , vale daintre , vale leister , vale chichester , vale chester , vale nottingam , vale mansfield , vale wetherbe , vale tanfield . vale aberford , vale bradford , vale tosseter , vale stratford , vale preston , vale euxston , vale wiggin , vale newton , vale warrington , vale budworth , vale kighley , vale cudworth . vale hogsdon , vale totnam , vale giggleswick , vale gottam , vale harrington , vale stilton , vale huntington , vale milton , vale roiston , vale puckridge , vale caxston , vale cambridge . vale ware , vale wademill , vale highgate , vale gadshill , vale stamford , vale santree , vale scrubie , vale bautree , vale castrum subter linum , vbi vates , venus , vinum . vale tauk-hill , quem conspexi , lemnia lydia , quam dilexi , arduae via quos transivi , et amiculae queis cōivi , faber , taber , sociae latae , et convivae vos valete . nunc longinquos locos odi , vale fons roberti hoodi , vale rosington , vale retford , et antiqua sedes bedford , vale dunchurch , dunstable , brickhill , alban , barnet , pimlico , tickhill . vale waltham , & oswaldi sedes , sidus theobaldi , vale godmanchester , ubi mens elusa fuit nube , vale kingsland , islington , s london , quam amavi perditè quondam . vale buntingford , ubi suaves vepres , vites , flores , aves , huspes grata & benigna , et amoris preb●ns signa ; aliò juvat spatiari , pasci , pati , recreari . vale stone , & sacellum quod splendentem kabet stellam , vale haywood , bruarton , ridglay , lichfield , coventre , colesyl , edglay , meredin , wakefield , & amoeni campi , chori georgii greeni . vale clowne , doncaster , rothram , clapham , ingleton , waldon , clothram , witham , grantham , new-work , tuxworth , uxbridge , beckensfield , & oxford , geniis & ingeniis bonis satur , opibus platonis . sprevi nunc textoris acum , vale , vale eboracum , alio nunc victurus more , mutans mores cum t colore ; horre● , proprium colens nidum , sacram violare fidem . vale wentbrig , towlerton , sherburne , ferry-brig , tadcaster , helperbe , merburne , vale bainbrig , askrig , worton , hardraw , wenchely , smeton , burton , vale ayscarth , carperbe , redmeere , gastyle , killington , & sedbergh . armentarius jam sum factus , rure manens incoactus , suavis odor lucri tenet , parùm curo unde venis , campo , choro , tecto , tho●o , caula , cella , sylva , fore . equestria fora . veni malton , artem laudo , vendens equum sine cauda , morbidum , mancum , claudum , coecum , fortè si maneret mecum , probo , vendo , pretium datur , quid si statim moriatur ? ad forensem rippon tendo , equi si sint cari , vendo , si minore pretio dempti , equi a me erunt empti ; " vt alacrior fiat ille , " ilia mordicant anguillae . septentrionalia fora . veni pomfrait , uberem venam , * virgis laserpitiis plenam ; veni topcliffe cum sodali , non ad vinum sed venale ; veni thyrske , ubi boves sunt venales pinguiores . veni allerton laetam , latam , mercatori perquàm gratam , in utiliorem actum , eligo locum pecori aptum ; veni darlington , servans leges in custodiendo greges . i●de middlam cursum flecto , spe lucrandi tramite recto , nullum renuo laborem , quastus sipiens odorem ; " nulla vi● modò vera , " est ad bunos mores sera . tra-montana fo●ra . hisce foris nullum bonum capiens , septentrionem ocyore peto pede , dictiore frui sede : asperae cautes , ardui colles , lueri gratia mihi molles . veni applebie , ubinatus , primam sedem comitatus ; illine penrith speciosam , omni merce ●opiosam ; illinc roslay , ubi tota grex à gente venit scota . hinc per limitem obliquam veni ravinglasse antiquam ; illinc dalton peramoenum ; hinc oustonum fruge plenum ; donec hauxide specto s●nsim ; illinc sedem lancastrensem . 〈◊〉 garestang , ubi nata 〈◊〉 armenta fronte latâ ; hinc ad ingleforth ut descendi , pulchri vituli sunt emendi ; illinc burton limina peto , grege lautâ , fronde laetâ . veni hornebie , sedem claram , " spes lucrandifert avarum ; coeca-sacr● fames auri me consortem secit tauri ; sprevi veneris amorem " lu●rum summum dat odorem . veni lonesdale , venientem laticem socii praepotentem haurientes , hae sitantes , fluctuantes , titubantes , allicerent , ( narro verum ) sed non sum qui semel eram . me ad limen trabunt orci , vti lutum petunt porci , aut ad vomitum fertur canis , sed intentio fit inanis ; oculis clausis hos consortes praeterire didici mortis . mirtil. miror ( faustule ) miror vere , bacchi te clientem beri , spreto genio ▪ jucundo , mentem immersisse mundo ; dic quid agis , ubi vivis , semper eris mundo civis ? faustul . err●● ( mirtile ) si me cred●s nunquam bacchi petere s●des ; thyrsus vinctus erit collo , " semel in anno ridet apollo ; pellens animi dolores , mutem crines , nunquam mores . socios habeo verè gratos , oppidanos propè natos , intra , extra , circ●muros , qui mordaces tollunt curas : hisce juvat sociari , et u apricis spatiari . nunc ad richmund , primo flore , nunc ad nesham eum uxore , laeto cursu properamus , et amamur & amamus ; pollent floribus ambulachra , vera veris simulachra . nunc ad ashton invitato ab amico & cognato , dant hospitium abditae cellae , radiantes orbis stell● , menso , mera , omnia plena , grata fronte & serena . nunc ad cowbrow , ubi laetus , vnâ mente confluit coetus , nescit locus lachrymare , noscit hosp●s osculari , facit in amoris testem anser vel gallina sestum . nunc ad natland , ubi florem convivalem & pastorem specto , spiro ora rosea , a queis nectar & ambrosea ; castitatis autem curae me intactum servant rure ▪ nunc ad kirkland , & de eo " prope templo , procul deo dici potest , spectent templum , sacerdotis & exem●lum , audient tamen citiùs sonum tibia quàm concionen . nunc ad kendall , propter * pannum , coetum , situm , w aldermannum , virgines pulchras , pias matres , et viginti quatuor fratres , verè clarum & beatum , mihi nactum , notum , natum . vbi dicam ( pace vestra ) tectum mittitur è fenestra , cura lucri , cura fori , saltant cum johanne dori : sancti fratres cum poeta , lae●a canunt & faceta . nunc ad staveley , ubi aves melos , modos cantant suaves , sub arbustis & virgultis molliore musco fultis : cellis , sylvis , & tabernis , an foeliciorem cernis ? mirtil. esto faustule ! recumbe , rure tuo carmina funde ; vive , vale , profice , cresce , arethusae alma messe ; tibi zephyrus sub sago dulcitèr afflet . faust . gratias ago . finis . aurea rure mihi sunt secula , pocula tmoli . fruges adde ceres , & frugibus adde racemos , vitibus & vates , vatibus adde dies . in errata . lector , ne mireris illa , villam si mutavi villa , si regressum feci metro , retro ante , anteretro inserendo , " ut praepono godmanchester haringtono . quid si breves fiant longi ? si vocales sint dipthongi ? quid si graves sint acuti ? si accentus fiant muti ? quid si placidè , plenè , planè , fregi frontem prisciani ? quid si sedem muto sede ? quid si carmen claudo pede ? quid si noctem sensi diem ? quid si veprem esse viam ? sat est , verbum declinavi , " titubo-titubas-titubavi . finis . ad philoxenum . te viatores lepidi patronum , te tuae dicunt patriae coronam , vatis & vitis roseae corymbum , artis alumum . te tuus vates lyricis salutat , qui fidem nulla novitate mutat , nec nova venti levitate nutat , fidus ad aras . barnabees journall . the fourth part . by corymboeus . if thou doest love thy flock , leave off to pot . barnabees jovrnall . his northerne journey : the fourth part . mirtil. o faustulus , takes't no pitty for the field to leave the city ? nor thy consorts , lively skinkers , witty wags , and lusty drinkers , lads of life , who wash their liver and are dry and thirsty ever ? wilt thou here no longer tarrie with these boyes that love canarie ? wilt thou leave these nectar trenches , dainty doxes , merry wenches ? say , what makes thee change thy ditty , thus to take farewell oth'city ? faustul . what is 't makes me ? doest not note it how i have i th' taverne floted , till a thousand seeke to shame me , there goes faustulus , so they name me , who through all the world traced , and with stile of maltworme graced ! who carouseth to his breeding from aurora's beamelins spreding to the ev'ning , and despiseth favour , thrift which each man prizeth ! now heare faustulus melancholly , th' clozing scene of all his folly . farewell banbery , farewell brackley , farewell hollow-well , farewell hockley , farewell daintre , farewell l●ister , farewell chichester , farewell chester , farewell nottingam , farewell mansfield , farewell wetherbe , farewell tanfield . farewell aberford , farewell bradford , farewell tosseter , farewell stratford , farewell preston , farewell euxston , farewell wiggin , farewell newton , farewell warrington , farewell budworth , farewell kighley , farewell cudworth . farewell hogsdon , farewell totnam , farewell giggleswick , farewell gottam , farewell harrington , farewell stilton , farewell huntington , farewell milton , farewell roiston , farewell puckridge , farewell caxston , farewell cambridge . farewell ware , farewell wademill , farewell highgate , farewell gadshill , farewell stamford , farewell sautree , farewell scrubie , farewell bautree , farewell castle under line too , where are poets , wenches , wine too . farewell tauk-hill , which i viewed , lemnian lydia , whom i sewed , steepy wayes by which i waded , and those trugs with which i traded , faber , taber , pensive never , farewell merry mates for ever . now i hate all forraine places , robin hoods well and his chaces , farewell rosington , farewell retford , and thou ancient seat of bedford , farewell dunchurch , dunstable , brickhill , albàn , barnet , pimlico , tickhill . farewell waltham , seat of oswald , that bright princely starre of the'bald , farewell godmanchester , where i was deluded by a fairy , farewell kingsland , islington , s london , which i lov'd , and by it undon . farewell buntingford , where are thrushes , sweet briers , shred vines , privet bushes , hostesse cheerefull , mildly moving , giving tokens of her loving ; i must in another nation take my fill of recreation . farewell pretious stone , and chappell where stella shines more fresh than th'apple , farewell haywood , bruarton , ridglay , lichfield , coventre , colesyl , edglay , meredin , wakefield , farewell cleene-a meedes and mates of greene-a . farewell clowne , doncaster , rothram , clapham , ingleton , waldon , clothram , witham , grantham , new-worke , tuxworth , uxbridge , bekensfield , & oxford , richly stor'd ( i am no gnatho ) with wit , wealth , worth , well of plato . farewell yorke , i must forsake thee , ●ervers shuttle shall not take mee , hoary hayres are come upon me , youthfull pranks will not become me ; ●h'bed to which i 'm reconciled ●hall be by me ne're defiled . farewell wentbrig , towlerton , sherbuern , ferry-brig , tadcaster , helperbe , merburne , farewell bainebrig , askrig , worton , hardraw , wenchley , smeton , burton , farewell asycarth , carperbe , redmeere , gastyle , killington , and sedbergh . ● am now become a drover , countrey-liver , countrey-lover , ●mell of gaine my sense benummeth , ●ittle care i whence it commeth , ●e't from campe , chore , cottage , carpet , ●ield , fold , cellar , forrest , market . horse-faires . to malton come i , praising th'saile sir , of an horse without a taile sir , be he maim'd , lam'd , blind , diseased , if i sell him , i 'm well pleased ; should this javell dye next morrow , i partake not in his sorrow . then to rippon i appeare there to sell horse if they be deare there , if good cheape , i use to buy them , and ith'country profit by them ; " where to quicken them , i 'le tell ye , " i put quick eeles in their bellie . northerne faires . thence to pomfrait , freshly flowred , and with * rods of licorice stored ; thence to topcliffe with my fellow , not to bouze wine but to sell-lo ; thence to thyrske , where bullocks grazed , are for sale ith'market placed . thence to allerton cheerefull , fruitfull , to the seller very gratefull , there to chuse a place i 'm chariest , where my beasts may shew the fairest ; thence to darlington , never swarving from our drove-lawes , worth observing . thence to middlam am i aiming in a direct course of gaining , i refuse no kind of labour , where i smell some gainfull savour ; " no way , be it ne're the homeliest " is rejected being honest . tra-montane faires . in these faires if i finde nothing worthy staying , i 'm no slow thing , to the north frame i my passage wing'd with hope of more advantage : ragged rocks , and steepy hillows are by gaine more soft than pillows . thence to native applebie mount i , th' antient seat of all that county ; thence to pearelesse penrith went i , which of merchandize hath plenty ; thence to roslay , where our lot is to commerce with people scottish . by a passage crooktly tending , thence to ravinglasse i 'm bending ; thence to dalton most delightfull ; thence to oaten ouston fruitfull ; thence to hauxides marish pasture ; thence to th'seat of old lancaster . thence to garestang , where are feeding heards with large fronts freely breeding ; thence to ingleforth i descended , where choice bull-calfs will be vended ; thence to burtons boundiers passe i , faire in flocks , in pastures grassie . thence to hornebie , seat renouned , " thus with gaine are worldlings drowned ; secret-sacred thirst of treasure makes my bullocks my best pleasure ; should love wooe me , i 'd not have her , " it is gaine yelds sweetest savour . thence to lonesdale , where were at it ●oyes that scorn'd quart-ale by statute , till they stagger'd , stammer'd , stumbled , railed , reeled , rowled , tumbled , musing i should be so stranged , i resolv'd them , i was changed . 〈◊〉 the sinke of sin they drew me , ●here like hogs in mire they tow me , 〈◊〉 like dogs unto their vomit , ●●t their purpose i o'recommed ; ●●ith shut eyes i flung in anger ●●om thoses mates of death and danger . mirtil. surely ( faustulus ) i doe wonder how thou who so long liv'd under bacchus , where choice wits resoūded , should'st be thus i th' world drowned . what do'st , where liv'st , in briefe deliver , wilt thou be a worldling ever ? ●austul thou err'st ( mirtilus ) so doe mo too , if thou think'st i never goe to bacchus temple , which i follow , " once a yeare laughs wise apollo ; ●here i drench griefes , sleight physitians , ●●yre i change , but no conditions . ●heerefull cumrades have i by me , ●ownsmen that doe neighbour ny me , ●ithin , without , where e're i rest me , ●arking cares doe ne'r● molest me : ●ith these i please to consort me , ●nd in u open fields to sport me . now to richmund , when spring 's comming , now to nesham with my woman , with free course we both approve it , where we live and are beloved ; here fields flower with freshest creatures representing flora's features . now to ashton i 'm invited by my friend and kinsman cited , secret cellars entertaine me , beauteous-beaming stars inflame me , meat , mirth , musick , wines are there full , with a count'nance blith and cherefull . now to cowbrow , quickly thither joviall boyes doe flock together , in which place all sorrow lost is , guests know how to kisse their hostesse , nought but love doth border neare it , goose or hen will witnesse beare it . now to natland , where choice beauty and a shepheard doe salute me , lips i relish richly roseack , purely nectar and ambroseack ; but i 'm chaste , as doth become me , for the countreys eyes are on me . now to kirkland , truly by it may that say be verified , " far from god , but neare the temple , though their pastor give exemple , they are such a kind of vermin , pipe they 'd rather heare than sermon . now to kendall , for * cloth-making , sight , site , w alderman awaking , beauteous damsels , modest mothers , and her foure and twenty brothers , ever in her honour spreading , where i had my native breeding . ●here i 'le tell you ( while none mind us ) ●e throw th' house quit out at windows , ●ought makes them or me ought sory , ●hey dance lively with iohn dori : ●oly brethren with their poet ●●ng , nor care they much who know it . now to staveley streight repaire i , where sweet birds doe hatch their airy , arbours , osyers freshly showing with soft mossie rinde or'e-growing : for woods , ayre , ale , all excelling , would'st thou have a neater dwelling ? mirtil. bee 't so faustulus ! there repose thee , cheere thy country with thy posie ; live , fare-well , as thou deservest , rich in arethusa's harvest ; under th' beach while shepheards ranke thee zephyrus blesse thee . faust . i doe thanke thee . finis . here in the countrey live i with my page , where tmolus cups i make my golden age . ceres send corne , with corne adde grapes unto it , poet to wine , and long life to the poet. upon the errata's . reader , thinke no wonder by it , if with towne i 've towne supplied , if my meeters backward nature set before what should be later , " as for instance is exprest there , harrington after godmanchester . what though brieves too be made longo's ? what tho vowels be dipthongo's ? what tho graves become acute too ? what tho accents become mute too ? what tho freely , fully , plainly i've broke priscians forehead mainly ? what tho seat with seat i 've strained ? what tho my limpe-verse be maimed ? what tho night i 've t'ane for day too ? what tho i 've made bryers my way too ? know ye , i 've declin'd most bravely " titubo-titubas-titubavi . finis . to philoxenus . thee , pleasing way-mates titled have their patron , their countreys glory , which they build their state on , the poets wine-bush , which they use to prate on , arts mery minion . in lyrick measures doth thy bard salute thee , who with a constant resolution suits thee , nor can ought move me to remove me frō thee , but my religion . bessie bell : cantio latine versa ; alterni , vicibus , modernis vocibus decantanda . authore corymboeo . bessie bell. damaetas . eliza-bella . dam . . bellula bella , mi puella , tu me corde tenes , o si claus â simus cellâ mars & lemnia venus ! tanti mî es , quanti tuares , ne spectes bellula mundum , non locus est cui crimen obest in amoribus ad cöeundum . bel. . crede damaetas , non sinit aetas ferre cupidinis ignem , vir verè laetus intende pecus curâ & carmine diguum . non amo te , ne tu ames me , nam jugo premitur gravi , quaecunque nubit & unocubat , nec amo , nec amor , nec amavi . dam . . virginis vita fit inimica principi , patriae , proli , in orbe sita ne sis invita sponsa nitidula coli . aspice vultum numine cultum , flore , colore jucundum , hîc locus est , nam lucus adest in amoribus ad cōeundum . bel. . ah pudet fari , cogor amari , volo , sed nolo fateri , expedit mari lenocinari , a● libet ista tacere . non amo te , quid tu amos me ? nam jugo premitur gravi , quaecunque nubit & uno cubat , nec amo , nec amor , nec amavi . dam . . candida bella , splendida stella , languida lumin● cerne , emitte mella eliza-bella , lentula taedia sperne . mors mihi mora , hac ipsâ horâ iungamus ora per undam , nam locus est cui crimen abest in amoribus ad côeundum . bel. . perge damaetas , nunc prurit aetas , me nudam accipe solam , demitte pecus si bellam petas , exue virginis stolam . sic amo te , si tu ames me , nam jugo premittur suavi , quaecunque nubit & u●o cubat , et amo , & amor , & amavi . bessie bell : englished ; to be sung in alterne courses , & moderne voyces . by corymboeus . bessie bell. damaetas . eliza-bella . dam . . my bonny bell , i love thee so well , i would thou wad scud a lang hether , that we might here in a cellar dwell , and blend our bows together ! deere a'rt to me as thy geere's to thee , the warld will never suspect us , this place it is private , 't is folly to drive it , loves spies have no eyes to detect us . bel. . trust me damaetas , youth will not let us , yet to be cing'd with loves taper , bonny blith swainlin intend thy lamkin , to requite both thy layes and thy labour . i love not thee , why should'st thou love me , the yoake i cannot approve it , then lye still with one , i 'de rather have none , nor i love , nor am lov'd , nor have loved . dam . . to lead apes in hell , it will not do well , 't is an enemy to procreation , in the world to tarry and never to marry would bring it soone to desolation . see my countnance is merry , cheeks red as chery , this cover will never suspect us , this place it is private , 't is folly to drive it , loves spyes have no eyes to detect us . bel. . 'las , maidens must faine it , i love though i laine it , i would , but i will not confesse it , my yeares are consorting and faine would bee sporting , but bashfulnesse shames to expresse it . i love not thee , why should'st thou love me , that yoake i cannot approve it , then lye still with one , i 'de rather have none , nor i love , nor am lov'd , nor have loved . dam . . my beauteous bell , who stars doest excel , see mine eyes never dries but do weat me , some cōfort unbuckle my sweet honey-suckle , come away , doe not stay , i intreat thee . delay would undoe me , hye quickly un●o me , this river will never suspect us , this place it is private , 't is folly to drive it , loves spyes have no eies to detect us . bel. . come on damatas , ripe age doth fit us , take aside thy nak't bride and enjoy her , so thou coll thy sweeting , let flocks fall a bleeting , my maids weed on thy meed i 'le bestow there . thus love i thee , so be thou love me , the yoake is so sweet i approve it , to lye still with one is better than none , i doe love , i am lov'd , and have lov'd it . good reader , if this impression have errors in it , excuse it : the copy was obscure ; neither was the author , by reason of his distance , and imployments of higher consequence , made acquainted with the publishing of it . his patavinus erravit pr●lis , authorem suis lacerando telis . philander . errata . inter barnabae errores , hi mutârunt preli mores . " delirans iste sapiens gottam " reddit coetum propter cotem . tertia parte , vide grantham . amongst other faults in print , you shall find this error in 't . " did not that sage of gottam strangely faile , " who for a whetstone●ender'd ●ender'd him a whale ? in the third part , see grantham . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a mortimeriados morti dos , gloria pulvis , atria sunt frondes , nobilis aula seges . nunc gradus anfractus , cisterna fluenta spadonis , amplexus vermes , oscula mista rogis . clamat tempus edo , vocemque repercutit ecco , sed nunquam redeo , voce resurgit ego . o vos horoës attendite fata sepulchris , heroum , patriis qui rediere thoris ! non estis luti m●lioris in orbe superbis ; hi didicere mori , discite morte sequi . b temporibus jani sedes fuit ultima conspicuis vallis obsitae , fixa palis . * dani , ‘ fragmina suggesti sacrarunt fercula festi . lucret. * o cives , cives , sacris attendite rivis , praeceptor legerit , vos verò negligitis . * eo tempore , quo in hoc pauperiore vico hospitium suscepimus , quidam acicularius , è grege praecaeteris , fam● egregius , aciculari pulvere suffecatus interiit : in cujus memoriam hoc inseriptum comperimus epitaphi● . — ô mors crud●lis quae tuís telis artificem stravisti , qui meliorem erasit pulverem quàm tu de eo fecesti . d in corneolo angiportu , subamoeniore horto speciosa manet scorta , meretriciâ procans sportâ . egremio collis saliens scatet unda parennts , quae fluit & refluit , nil tamen aestus habet . pirgus inest fano , fanum sub atumine collis , collis ab elatis actus & auctus aquis . a brave mortimer's now dead , his glory dust , his courts are clad with grasse , his hall with rust . his staires steepe steps , his horse-t●oughs cisterns are , wormes his embraces , kisses ashes share . ●ime cryes , i eat , and ecco answers it : ●ut gone , e're to returne , is held unfit . o heroes of these heroes take a view , they 'r to their fathers gone , and so must you ! of better clay you are not than these men , and they are dead , and you must follow them . b in ianus time was danus seated here , as by their pales and trenches may appeare . ‘ the fragments of which pulpit they were pleas't to sacrifice to th' ashes of their feast . lucret. ●●y you , good townsmen , sacred springs affect , ●●t not your preacher read , and you negl●ct . * at such time as we sojourn'd in this poor village , it chanced that a certaine pinner , and one of the choicest of all his flocke , being choaked with pin-dust , dyed : to whose memory wee find this epitaph indorsed . — ò cruell death to rob this man of breath , who whil'st he liv'd in scraping of a pin . made better dust , than thou hast made of him . d neare horne-alley in a garden a wench more wanton than kate arden sojourns , one that scorns a wast-coat , wooing clients with her basket . e neare th' bottom of this hill , close by the way a fresh spring ebs and flowes all houres oth'day . the poore mans box is in the temple set , temple on hill , th'hill is by waters bet . notes for div a -e g anglia , mons , fons , pons , ecclesia , f●mina , lanae . h scinditur ● clivo turris , bitumine murus ; moenia sic propriis sunt reditura rogis . * quàm rosa spiravit ! sed ●doribus aquilo flavit , et rugas retu●it quas meminisse dolet . i ● mell●a , mea delia ▪ k cautibus , arboribus , cinaris , frondentibus herbis , crevit in ecclesiam vallis opima tuam . l nauseanti stomacho effluunt omnia . m vere fruor titulo , non sanguine , fronte , capillo ; nomine si vireo , vere tamen pereo . n actor . dapes convivi● , sapore vario . auctor . diplois spatio lataque medio . corrige diploidem aegregie nebulo . o hic albanus erat , tumulum , titulumque reliquit ; albion albanum vix parit alma parem . p tot colles romae , quot sunt spectacula trojae , quae septem numero , digna labore tuo . ista manent trojae spectacula : busta , gigantes , histrio , dementes , struthiones , ursa , leones . * s●por nam vinis provocatur venis , cui nulla magis inimica venus . g england amongst all nations , is most-full of hills , wells , bridges , churches , women , wooll . h an ancient arch doth threaten a decline , and so must strongest piles give way to time . * fresh was my rose , till by a northwind tost , she sap , sent , verdure , and her vigour lost . i ô my honey-suckle delia ▪ k inclos'd with cliffs , trees , sciences , artichokes , the fruitfull vale up to thy temple lookes . l my queasy stomach making bold , to give them that it could not hold . m green is my name from him whom i obey , but tho my name be green , my head is gray . n actor . even as in a ban a-quet are dish●es of sun-dry ta-ast . author . even so is thy doo-blet too long i th wa-ast ; goe mend it thou knave , goe mend it . o here alban was ; his tombe , his title too ; " all albion shew me such an alban now . p seven hils there were in rome , and so there be seven sights in new-troy crave our memorie : tombes , guild-hall giants , stage-plaies , bedlam poore , ostr●ch , beare-garden , lyons in the towre . notes for div a -e q o domus augustae radiantia limina nostrae ! an vestrum est mundi lumine clausa mori ? regia quo sponsi pietas dedit oscula sponsae : et spirare sabae vota suprema suae ! r pascua , prata , canes , viridaria , flumina , saltus , ocia regis erant , rege sed ista ruent . s quercus anilis erat , tamen eminùs oppida spectat ; stirpe viam monstrat , plumea fronde tegit . t vrna sacellani viventis imago sepulti , quique aliis renuit busta , sepultus crat . egregium illud santry sacrarium sacerdotis avari retinuit memoriam . u ista domus sit dasypodis dumus . statius . w — hederaeque trophaea camini . * — custos domus ecco relictae . y quo schola ? quo praeses ? comites ? academica sedes ? in loculos literas transposuere suas . z sileni antrum , eo enim nomine egregiè notum . * exiccass● a littora maeand●i sunt anxia limina lethi ; fluctus ubi curae , ripa-memento mori . b h●nc canimus mirum ! non protulit insula spiram , talem nec notam vidimus orbe coetem . * structura ▪ * penetretur ▪ c vlmus arenosis pulcherrima nascitur oris , arcis & effusis vestit amoena comis . hic campi vlrides , quo● trentia flumina rivis foecundare solent , ubera veris habent . hic porr●ctiore tractu distenditur bevaria vallis . valles trinae & opimae dapes insulae divinae . d major causidico quo gratior esset amico , in comitem lento tramite jungit equo : causidicus renuit , renuente , patibula , dixit , commonstrabo tibi ; caus . tuque moreris ibi . e viventes venae , spinae , catinusque catenae , sunt robin hoodi nota trophaea sui . f rupe cavedia struxit inedia , queis oscitantèr latuit accedia . g hic repetunt ortum tristissima funera regum , quae lachrymas oculis excutiere meis . * regibus anglorum dedit arx tua dirae ruinam , hoc titulo fatum cerne s : : : : : tuum . h latiùs in rupem laser est sita dulcis arentem , veste nova veris floribus aucta novis . h labentes rivi resonant sub vertice clivi , quae titulum villae primò dedere tuae . alias . infra situm rivi saliunt sub acumine clivi , quo sedes civi splendida , nulla nivi . i thyrsis oves pascens perapricae pascuae vallis , prima dedit thyrsco nomina nota suo . sycomori gelidis tityrus umbris discumbens , phyllidi serta paravit , et niveas greges gramine pavit . k littora lentiscis , gemmârunt germina gemmis , murenulis conchae , muricibusque comae . l nomen habes mundi , nec erit sine jure , secundi , namque situs titulum comprobat ipse tuum . m gurgite praecipiti sub vertice montis acuti specus erat spinis obsitus , intus aquis . n clauditur amniculus saliens fornicibus arotis , alluit & villae moenia juncta suae . o labitur alveolis resonantibus anmis amoenus , qui tremulâ mulcet voce , sopore fovet . p quota est hora , refert ? solem speculando respondet . ecce sacerdotes quos tua terra parit ! * prospicies thyrsum sinuosiùs arte rotundum , organa quò cerebri mersa fuere mei . q arboribus gelidam texens coriatius umbram , aestatem atque hyemem fronde repelle gravem . r nunc saturnius appulit annus , major fiet aldermannus . q this seat , this royall object of the sight , shall it for ever bid the world , good night ? where our preceding kings enjoy'd such blisse , and seal'd their amorous fancies with a kisse ! r fields , floods , wasts , woods , deare , dogs , with well-tun'd crye , are sports for kings , yet kings with these must dye . s an aged oake takes of this towne survey ; findes birds their nests , tels passengers their way . t here of the whip a covetous priest did lick ; who would not bury th' dead , was buried quick . nothing more memor●ble than that chappell of sautry , rete●ning still with her that covetous priests memory . u this house the levarets bush . w ivy the chimneis trophy . * ecco's the keeper of a forlorne house . y where be thy masters ? fellows ? scholers ? bursers ? o stamford to thy shame , they 'r all turn'd purs●rs . the drunkards cave , for so it may be call'd , where many malt-worms have beene soundly mall'd . a maeanders shores to lethe's shadows tend ; where waves sound cares , and banks imply our end . b ● may compare this towne , and be no lyer , with any shire for whetstones and a spire . c a sandy plat a shady elme receaves , which cloths those turrets with her shaken leaves . here all along lyes bevars spatious vale , neare which the streames of fruitfull trent doe fall . vallies three so fruitfull be , they 'r the wealth of britannie . d that cur●'fie might a curtesie enforce , the mayre would bring the lawyer to his horse : you shall not , quoth the lawyer ; m. now i sweare , i 'le to the gallows goe . l. i 'le leave you there , might not this mayre for wit a second pale-as have nam'd the town-end full as well as gallows ? e a well , thorne , dish hung in an iron chainè , for monuments of robin hood remaine . f ●n a rock want built her booth , where no creature dwels but sloth . g the tragick stage of english kings stood here , which to their urns payes tribute with a teare . * here stood that fatall theatre of kings , which for revenge mounts up with aery wings . h here licorice grows upon their mellowed banks , decking the spring with her delicious plants . h topcliffe from tops of cliffs first tooke her name , and her cliffe-mounted seat confirms the same : where streames with curled windings overflowne bestow a native beauty on the towne . i here thyrsis fed his lambkins on the plaine , so thyrske from thyrsis tooke her ancient name . here tityrus and phyllis made them bowers of tender osyers , sweet-breath'd sycomours . where shores yeeld lenticks , brāches pearled gems , their lamprels shells , their rocks soft moffy stems . l from a rich mound thy appellation came , and thy rich seat proves it a proper name . m here breaths an arched cave of antique stature , closed above with thorns , below with water . n a channell strait confines a chrystall spring , washing the wals o th' village neighbouring . o a shallow rill , whose streames their current keep , with murm'ring voyce & pace procure sweet sleep . p i askt him what 's a clock ? he look'd at th' sun : but want of latin made him answer — mum. * here grows a bush in artfull mazes round , where th' active organs of my braine were drownd . q here the retyred tanner builds him bowrs , shrowds him from summers heat and winters showrs . r now saturns yeare h 'as drench'd down care , and made an alderman a mayre . notes for div a -e s — ista novae mea noenia trojae . nunc novae longum valedico trojae , laeta quae stori , gravis est senectae , vina , picturae , veneris facetae , cuncta vale●e . sin verò conjux , famuli , sorores , liberi , suaves laribuslepores confluant , mulcent varios labores : cuneta venite . t insessit hyems niveis capillis , insessit hyems g●lidis lacertis , nec meaturat carmina phyllis , vrbe relictà rustica vsrtes . conspicui vates repetendo cupidinis aestus , spreta canunt lepidis , ut senuere , procis . * virgulta laseris florent amwnula , in hac angelicâ latiùs insulâ . vide lib. . stanz . . u sic per apricos spatiari locos gaudeat , mentem relevare meam anxiam curis , studiisque gravem . * lanificii gloria , & industria ita praecellens , ut eo nomine sit celeberrimum . camb. in brit. pannus mihi panis . mot. w nomine major eas , nec sis minor omine sedis , competat ut titulo civica vita novo . s — these be my new troyes dying elegies . now to that new troy bid adue for ever , wine , venus , pictures , can allure me never , these are youths darlings , ages hoary griever , fare ye well ever . farewell for ever , see you will i never , yet if wife , children , meney hurry thether , where we may plant and solace us together , welcome for ever . winter h 'as now behoar'd my haires , ●enumm'd my ioynts and sinewes too , ●●byllis for verses little cares , ●eave city then , to th' country go . ●oets , when they have writ of love their fill , ●rowne old , are scorn'd , though fancy crowne their quill . * rods of licorice sweetly smile in that rich angelick i 'le . see book . stanz . . u thus through the faire fields , when i have best leasure , diapred richly , doe i take my pleasure , to cheere my studies with a pleasing measure . * a towne so highly renouned for her commodious cloathing , and industrious trading , as her name is become famous in that kind . camb. in brit. cloth is my bread . mot. w now hast thou chang'd thy title unto may're , let life , state , style improve thy charter there . grand plvtoes remonstrance, or, the devill horn-mad at roundheads and brownists wherein his hellish maiestie, by advice of his great counsell, eacus, minos & radamanthus, with his beloved brethren, agdistis, beliall, incubus & succubus : is pleased to declare . how far he differs from round-head, rattle-head or prickeare : . his copulation with a holy sister : . his decre affection to romish catholikes and hate to protestants : . his oration to the rebells. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing t ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing t estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) grand plvtoes remonstrance, or, the devill horn-mad at roundheads and brownists wherein his hellish maiestie, by advice of his great counsell, eacus, minos & radamanthus, with his beloved brethren, agdistis, beliall, incubus & succubus : is pleased to declare . how far he differs from round-head, rattle-head or prickeare : . his copulation with a holy sister : . his decre affection to romish catholikes and hate to protestants : . his oration to the rebells. taylor, john, - . brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. printed for the callacuchlania, [london] : . signed at end: don antonio demanibus, secretary to his infernall majesty. attributed to richard braithwaite in the wrenn catalogue. attributed to john taylor by wing. illustrated t.p. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng roundheads. brownists. a r (wing t ). civilwar no grand plutoes remonstrance, or, the devill horn-mad at roundheads and brownists. wherein his hellish maiestie (by advice of his great counse [no entry] c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion grand plvtoes remonstrance , or , the devill horn-mad at roundheads and brownists . wherein his hellish maiestie ( by advice of his great counsell , eacus , minos & radamanthus , with his beloved brethren , agdistis , beliall , incubus & succubus ) is pleased to declare , . how far he differs from round-head , rattle-head , or prick-eare . . his copulation with a holy sister . . his deere affection to romish catholikes , and hate to protestants . . his oration to the rebells . printed for the 〈◊〉 , in the yeere . plutos remonstrance , or , the devill horn-mad at round-heads and brownists . i grand plvto , chiefe metropolitan in my demoniack kingdome , have by the advice of my infernall counsell , thought fit to publish this my devilish declaration , to all my welbeleved children , as well brownists as papists . his professed hate to the round-heads . . that whereas his hellish maiestie hath by some of his ill-affected and factious children , been termed round-head or brownist , as being converted by the moving spirit of a regenerate sister , and begetting of her a numerous issue of round-heads , prick-eares , brownists , &c. we therefore fearing that the said scandall might prove very dangerous to our infernall government , by the great disheartning of our obedient and well-affected chilldren the romish catholikes , in their plots and practises against their lawfull soveraigne , hath thought fit to declare , that hee never sided with , or tempted any the said brownists in any designe against his dearest children the catholikes , their church or ceremonies , but that it hath ever been our greatest care to animate both brownist as well as papist against our own and your common enemy the protestants , their church , king , and parliament , which is likely to prove the overthrow of me and my infernall kingdome . his copulation with a holy sister . . that whereas our infernall maiestie hath been thought to have had carnall copulation with one ruth incontinence , a sister in the family , be it knowne to our deere children the romanists , that though we have wished well to the said sister incontinence , and have bestowed on her some gifts of our diabolicall spirit , yet had no intention to violate our vow made to our deer spouse superstition dwelling in blind-devotion , in the parish of ignorance , in the kingdome of popery , of whom we have begotten many obedient children to effect our great designe for ireland , and are in further hope , by her yet unperfect issue , to worke some way or plot for the confusion of this present parliament , to which end wee have presented her with many tokens of our great love and favour , viz. one of the blessed virgins slippers , and many images of her son , likewise an agnus dei , made of virgins wax , that by vertue of our diabolicall coniurations , hath power to preserve from fire water , sicknesse , and the deliverance from numberlesse perills , likewise many bookes of ave-maries , imprecations and prayers to saints , also one book fairely gilt , with crucifixes on the lids , wherein is contained the price that his holinesse hath set on all sinne whatsoever , murder of kings , father or mother , rapes committed on sister , &c. wherunto is annexed a most excellent epitaph wiritten by a most reverend cardinall , and great champion for the romish church , on his most deerly beloved bitch , for whose sake , he built a new monument in his garden , on which he writ as followeth , this tombe for thee deere bitch i builded have , that worthier wert of heaven then of a grave . and for the further good of our deere sister superstition , wee have spared no paines to inspire with our diabolicall spirit of obstinacie and error , all manner of brownists , anabaptists , and many other sects , which shall the more illustrate your religion , deere romanists , and that you all drawing several wayes , may ▪ like sampsons foxes , fire the corn-fields , or church of our common enemie the protestants . his affection and care for his best-beloved sonnes the romish catholikes . . wherereas wee have expressed our deere affection to our catholike children , in tempting the said round-heads and rattle-heads to reproach and vilifie the sacred person of their lawfull king , and his ministers of iustice , and to speak all manner of opprobious language against the prophets of the highest , nay even to glory in their falls , and pu●t them up with sulphurous timpanies of preposterous zeale and mallice ; so that one of my dear daughters dwelling in sobeit , at hearing of the bishops commitment to the tower , presently caused a bonfire to be made , wherein she express'd her great ioy at their fall , and fired the same by her owne hot zeal , and afterward affirmed that her kitchin was more holy then the church , because she had a sinke in 't . and is not this deere romanists worth my labour , in tempting them to what my naturall-born-son the turk doth scorn ; to iustifie your own rebellious plots or treasons whatsoever , have not i made them make orthodox scripture apocrypha , to make your apocrypha orthodox ; say my deere popelings , do's not all this make for you , and to the furtherance of you and your actions , have not i made their common - service almost as odious as your masse-book , and for their church , ready to be flung out at the windowes . his oration to the rebells in ireland . . lastly , my deere sonnes of tumult , have i been unmindfull to bear the crosse in your victorious army , under which you have atchieved victory , to the amazemement of your enemies the protestants , in recompense of which favor , have you not drank healths to my infernall maiestie in the blood of your enemies , making their sculls your quaffing-bowls , to the glory of your religion , and the freeing of many souls out of purgatory ; hath not his holinesse given you authority so to doe . then take courage , and think not on those that have miscarried in such glorious actions , let no reward of treason trouble you , so long as his holinesse bids you on , and i your chiefe captain bid you on ; on then , regard no teares of infants , nor rapes of virgins , your reward shall be in my infernall kingdom for your iust merits in unheard of cruelties , which shall eternize you and your religion , and give full content to our infernall maiestie , who to your aide will send legions of his infernall crew to accomplish your desires on your & my enemies the protestants . vale , signed by don antonio demonibus , secretary to his infernall majestie finis . the penitent pilgrim brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the penitent pilgrim brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], p. ; cm. printed by iohn dawson, london : . attributed by wing to richard brathwait. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the penitent pilgrim . few and evill have the dayes of my life been . gen : cap : . v. . london printed by john dawson . . the penitent pilgrim . psal. . . come and hearken , all yee that feare god , and i will tell you what he hath done to my soule . london , printed by iohn dawson , and are to be sold by iohn williams at the signe of the crane in pauls church yard . . to that immacvlate lambe christ iesvs ; the sole saviour and receiver of every penitent sinner ; hath this poore pilgrim , humbly here presented these his penitentiall teares . the summe , or graduall symptome of the penitent pilgrim . chap. . the poore penitent pilgrim bemones his present sinfull condition . his comming into idumaea ; the companions hee consorted with there . how his owne meni●y , became his deadliest enemy . his encounters with the world . his combat with the flesh . what assaults hee suffered by the divell , both in company a●●●rivacy . . three engines by his spirituall enemy reared , that his fort might be razed . . the concupiscence of the flesh . . the concupiscence of the eyes . . the pride of life . . how neither the law of nature nor grace , could call him home from his wandring course . . hee takes a view of the whole decalogue , and hee scarce finds in it one commandement , wherein either in part of in all , hee has not beene a most grievous delinquent . hee examines himselfe touching the first commandement . his breach of the law touching the second commandement . his transgressing of the third in prophaning gods name . his dishonour to gods sabbath . hee confesseth how this bloody issue of sin , streamed forth likewise into a breach of the second table ; and first of disobedience to his parents . his contempt of the second , in his practising mischiefe against his neighbour . his contempt of the third , in playing the wanton . his breach of the fourth , in his cunning defeating of his neighbour . his breach of the fifth , in suppressing testimonies to witnesse a truth ; or suborning witnesses to maintaine an untruth . his dis-esteeme of the sixt and last , in coveting what was anothers ; and desiring to increase his owne with the losse of others . hee takes a view of those seven spirituall works of mercy : and acknowledgeth his failings in each of them . teaching the ignorant . correcting the delinquent . counselling the indigent . comforting the afflicted . suffering injuries patiently . forgiving offences heartily . praying for his persecutors fervently . hee takes the like view of those seven corpor all works of mercy , and acknowledgeth likewise his failings in each of them . feeding the hungry . giving drinke to the thirsty . harbouring the harbour l●sse . cloathing the naked . v●siting the sick . visiting & redeeming the captive . burying the dead . with sorrow of heart he remembers those eight beatitudes , whereof hee hath deprived himselfe , by giving entertainment to sin . blessed are the poore in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . blessed are the meeke , for they shall possesse the earth . blessed are they that mourne , for they shall be comforted . blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , for they shall be satisfied . blessed are the mercifull , for they shall obtaine mercy . blessed are the cleane in heart , for they shall see god. blessed are the peace-makers , for they shall be called the children of god. blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake , for theirs is the kingdome of heaven . how seven guests , under a colour of lodging with him , sought his undoing . pride . covetousnesse . lechery : envy . gluttony . wrath. sloath. how by their treacherous assault , his cinque ports become endangered . sight . hearing . smell . taste . touch. being thus encompassed with danger , ●ee 〈◊〉 himsel●e for 〈◊〉 〈…〉 prayer , and in every particular he finds himselfe a great offender . hee renders a private accompt of his faith : and in every article of the creed , he finds a fainting , failing , weaknesse and want . having thus examined himselfe , and found in the whole course of his life , a fainting in faith , and failing in works : he recals to mind those quatuor novissima , o● foure las● remembrances ; memorials hourely necessary for all christans . death . * iudgement . hell. heaven . with the remembrance of these ; he becomes afflicted in spirit . faith appeares vnto him with a cheerefull presence , affording him comfort in his affliction . hope seconds that comfort . * charity promiseth him in this vaile of misery , to cover all his scarlet sinnes with the white robe of mercy : and by keeping her company , conduct him safely to the kingdome of glory . he takes comfort ; and now wearied with sojourning longer in idumaea , he turnes to canaan . the poore peniteut pilgrims last will and testament . his funerall obsequies . the pilgrims prayer . looke upon me , ( deare father thy poore penitent pilgrim . i confesse , lord , i confesse , that if thou shouldst deale with mee according to my iniquity , there were no hope at all left to me of mercy . for what houre in all my life , since my first entrance into this life , wherein i have not in some manner or measure , nay above all measure , become a grievous transgressour ? but there is mercy with thee , and therefore art thou feared● mean time i of all others , have greatest cause to feare for abusing thy mercy . i have plentuously tasted of thy love ; and considering it , i have many times resolved to become a faithfull convert and zealous observer of thy law. but these faire promises cl●sed in a weake performance ; no sooner was ther● the least opportunity off●red me of sinning , then it found in me an easie impression . pregnant was i in conceiving , prompt in consenting , and prone in committing . yet lord when i was going down evento the gates of hell , left i should enter in , thou held me . and when i drew neere the gates of death , lest they should receive me , thy grace prevented me . whence i perceived , by the influence of thy sweet spirit , whereby i became enlightned , that whensoever i fell , it was through my owne frailty ; but whēsoever i rose , it was through thy great mercy . yea , i foundthee ready in every opportunity , to afford me thy helping hand in my greatest necessity . when i wandred , thou recalled me : when i was ignorant , thou instructed me : when i sinned , thou corrected mee : when i sorrowed , thou comforted me : when i fell , thou raised me : when i stood , thou supported mee : when i went , thou directed me : when i slept , thou kept me : when i cried , thou heard me . nay , shall i more fully declare thy : good nesse towards me ? if , after these few but evill dayes of my pilgrimage ; even now , when the keepers of the house tremble , and the strongmen bow themselves , and the grinders cease because they are few , and they waxe darke that looke out by the windowes ; if i say , after these many , too many mis-spent dayes , i abuse thy gracious patience no more with fruitlesse delaies , but with my whole heart repent me for offending thee , thou forthwith sparest me : if i returne , thou receivest me ● nay , if i deferre my returne : so my delay make me not presume , thou waitest for me . thus doth thy mercy reclaime me straying , invite me withstanding , expect me foreslowing , embrace me returning . thus hast thou taught me when i was ignorant , comforted me when i was desolate , raised mee from ruine , restored me after my falling , bestowed on mee begging , found by me seeking , and opened to me knocking . and shall i bee forgetfull of these ? nay , lord , let my right hand sooner forget her cunning , nay , may i rather become razed out of the booke of the living , then i become forgetfull of thy gracious dealing . i will returne then unto thee with a sorrowfull heart , but with wings of hope , because ●rom thee commeth my helpe . i know , lord , because of unrighteous dealing , and wrongs , and riches gotten by deceit , the kingdom is translated from one people to another . deare lord , great sins require deepe sighes , as i have beene infinite in sinning , may i be incessant in sorrowing ; that sowing in teares , i may reape with joy in the day of my translation . the penitent pilgrim . chap. . the poore penitent pilgrim bemones his present sinfull condition . o draw neer me ! doe not turne your eyes from mee , but looke upon mee ; the poorest penitent pilgrim , that ever sojourned in idumaea . o woe is mee , that my habitation is prolonged ! o woe is me , that i have dwelt so long with the inhabitants of kedar ! hence it is , that mine house is become full of blacknesse ; no guest but sorrow lodgeth in it : because the woful'st , sinfull'st wretch that ever breathed , is the owner of it . o woe is mee , where shall i turne me ? if to heaven ; my sinnes become as bars , to shut me from it . nay , i have highly provoked his wrath , who is commander of it . if to earth ; i find my selfe wholly unworthy that it should beare me , having already so long born with me , by bearing with that iniquity , which it hath so long time received from me . if to hell ; o there i find the just portion of my inheritance ; a place sitting to punish my wickednesse . i find tophet prepared of old , and for old transgressors . such as have made an old league with the old-man . such as have no acquain tance with the new-man . and such an one am i , of all others the most miserable man ; who have made my selfe an alien to sion , because so wholly naturalized to sinne . worthily then may all the elements fight against mee : nay , all gods creatures professe themselves enemies to mee , because i have imagined mischiefe in my heart , against him who made both them and me . retire then sinfull soule , poor comfortlesse soule , and recollect thy selfe a little . leave the company of men , and hye thee to the waters of marah . leave the world , and fly into the wildernesse . let thy dwelling bee with the pellican and the o strich ; with the mournefull turtle , or the sparrow on the house-top . let thy musicke bee as the chattring of the crane . as thine eye was the sense of sinne , so let it bee the sense of sorrowing . never had poore pilgrim more cause . o my redeemer , make me sensible of my present state . chap. . his comming into idumaea ; the companions hee consorted with there . young , and so very young i was when i first came into idumaea ; as my tender age required a guardian to manage my youth . and divers good and gracious consorts there were , whom at the first i received into my acquaintance : and with these i lived for a little time familiarly : and bettered my selfe much by their company : but alas for griefe , i continued not long with them ; other companions drew me from them . those good and vertuous ones betooke themselves , as i thought , to a course of life too strict for my loose affection to follow . i felt the spirit of youth ryoting within mee . those devout tasks , which before i observed ; begun now to bee intermitted . i held a sober regular life too eremiticall : private retired walkes too stoicall . i thought with my selfe , how i had staied too long in the tyring-house , i must now shew my selfe upon the stage ; where i played the prodigals part to life : for i bestowed my whole life upon the action of that part : when i saw a thiefe , i followed him : and with the adulterer i divided my portion . i bestowed the day in variety of follies : and a great part of the night in a delightfull remembrance of those follies . let us prepare our selves ( said one ) for the spoile : and i had an hand as ready to further it , as hee to demand it . let us drinke wine in bowles , and carouse till our eyes be red ; let the day care for it selfe , while the day of our life admits no care . let us take our full of pleasure , ( said the wanton ) let our delight be in dalliance : and i followed the steps● of the whorish woman ; though her wayes led to death . and i delighted my selfe in the company of the drunkard : yet had i read ( and the more my sinne not to re●eine ) to whom was woe ; to whom sorrow ; to whom strife ; to whom murmuring ; to whom wounds without cause ; and to whom rednesse of the eyes . even to them that tarry long at the wine , to them that goe and seeke mixt wine . and i had heard too ; nay my experience of others miseries , had inform'd me too , how , because of the whorish woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread , and ( how ) a woman will hunt for the precious life of a man. and yet i considered not these things , nor applied them to my heart : but , like the foole to the stocks , i laughed while i perished ; i sported in my misery , and knew nothing how ismael played with me . o my redeemer , looke upon me in mercy , and give me a sensible apprehension of my misery . chap. . how his owne meniey became his deadlie●t enemy . too true have i found that proverbe ; who can have a worser friend then he brings with him ? foes i had without , feares within : but my bosome friends i found ever to bee my busie●t foes . and what lesse could i expect , then that my bosome friends should prove my deadliest foes , being receivers and abetters of my bosome sins ? o what disorderly passions raged , nay raigned in me ? what divided thoughts of hope and feare were ever encountring me ? in my prosperity , feare of adversity wrought upon me : in my adversity , hope of prosperity seazed on mee . neither did either of these conditions well content me : for , as thoughts of the one made mee proud ; so a conceit of the other made me impatient . now , what hourely affronts did i suffer by my owne , while i stood thus pursued by them ? i found nothing on earth worthy my desire : yet were my crawling desires so fast glued to earth , as if they had no other heaven to aspire to . naturall philosophy had sufficiently taught mee in my minority , that betwixt finite and infinite there was no proportion : that my soule was of too large a circumference , to be confin ●d to any earthly dimension . againe , that the tri-angular heart , resembling the image of the blessed trinity ; could no more by the circumference of the world bee confined , then a tri-angle by a circle was to be filled . in this , my speculation had inform'd me , but the use and application of it was farre from me . neither was it possible , that a sconse should be secur'd from foes without , that harbour'd so many dangerous traytors within . for my mis-guided affections ( like scattred troops ●alne off from their captaine ) committed all insolencies . nothing found they in me , which was not exposed to their fury . thus did my familiars , and knowne acquaintance worke upon my weaknesse ; take mee with their subtilties ; and lead me captive to all miseries . yet for all this was i silent , pleasing my selfe with the impunity of a delinquent . so i might sinne safely , and flatter my selfe with a seeming security : and promise to my selfe a long life foolishly , because in it the most uncertainty ; i could hugge my betrayer : and herein so farre was i from vindicating my wrong ; as i accounted him my best friend , who had shewn himselfe privately my maliciou'st foe . so farre was i ( i say ) from revenging my selfe of him , as i sought to ingratiate my selfe with him . for the injuries i suffer'd , i was either insensible of them , or i dissembled them . i neither reproved him , nor shewed a displeasing count'nance towards him ; though for many yeares together , hee and his complices had lived familiarly with me , sit at my table , received meat from my hand , slept in my bosome , conversed with me when hee pleased , and disposed of me as he liked . thus became my meniey my deadliest enemy . o my redeemer , i suffer violence , answer for me . chap. . his encounters with the world. i am now to tell you how i enter'd lists ; and how weak a combatant i proved amidst those encounters wherewith i grappled . the field where i pitched was the world. a place full of snares , and such as suited all estates . i could not see that place , wherein i could enjoy true peace . that which in reason should have beene my contempt , became my content . those may-buds of prosperity , honour and humane glory were scattered here and there to take mee ; and no sooner were they seene by me , then they tooke me . that retired cell , wherein i both enjoyed my selfe , and the contemplation of him that made me , had now for a season beene estranged from mee . i found such objects in the world , as i condemned my selfe for staying so long out of it . if i desired to bee rich , i found meanes how to purchase my ends : which , were they never so sinister , the custome was so generall , as it authoriz'd the errour . were it honour that i sought after , i found a way quickly to enjoy her , though the purchase made mee an unhappy gainer . friends i could not want , so long as i wanted no meanes : for meanes procur'd mee powerfull friends : but all these , by an unexpected overture , clozed with unfortunate ends . for all these , because i did not employ them to that end whereto they were ordained ; but put more trust in them , then in him from whom they were derived ; turn'd to my undoing , which well bestowed , had beene my raising . no fight , no victory ; no conquest , no crowne . indeed , in the very first assault , i remember'd my creator ; and to promote his honour , i made a faire shew , as if i would have entertained the encounter : but my resolution became weakned , and discovered my temper . o eternity , eternity ; how i forgot thee , and now forgoe thee for one poore glympse of vanity ! had i remembred what those glorious martyrs suffered ; how they combated ; how they conquered . had i but presented to my thoughts , what encounters those noble virgins endured ; how they sleighted price , prayer and threats : and with their winning modesty , and resolved piety , quenched all unlawful heats . had i recalled to mind , with what constancy , those famous confessors professed the faith , even in the face of tyrannie : and in despite of torments confirm'd their fidelity : o then , poore pilgrim , thou wouldst have holden all these encounters with the world light : and , in the discomfiture of them , shewne thy selfe a christian : whereas now in thy defeat thou hast acquitted thy selfe like a weake champion . o thou lion of the tribe of iuda fight for me ; weake am i , unlesse thou defend me : strong am i , if thou shield me . chap. . his combate with the flesh. proud philistine , how thou insultest over me ! is there no end of thy malice ? no bound to thy fury ? wilt thou still domineere over thy mistresse : and be a commander of thy soveraignesse ? remember how thou wert made to be a servant and no mistresse : a subject and no princesse . imperious agar , doe me not this dishonour . i have a noble guest which thou hast long time wronged : one who was full of beauty , before thou blemished it : of a gracefull presence , before thou disfigur'd it . o tell me , thou unthankfull one , how comes it , that thou shouldst thus dishonour her by whom thou livest ; disparage her by whom thou breathest ? pray thee , vile and stinking carrion , hast thou life from thy selfe , or from an other ? if ▪ from an other , why doest thou not tender her that honour that may become her , and make thee worthy of her ? o whither wouldst thou hale mee , thou hatefull intruder ! what have i received from thee but misery : and shall i now incline unto thee , who have bin so oft-times deceived by thy folly ? withhold those sinfull embraces from me : they have already undone mee , let them not intangle me in more misery . o that i were stript of thee ; or that i had loathed those delights which thou suggested to me ! o why did i so tenderly cocker thee , thou balefull cockatrice ! and why did i not crush the serpent in the egge ! why did i not shun the occasion of sinning , and so prevent the meanes of my undoing ! o what had i from thee but sin ! and what other fruit brought sin forth but death ! whence camest thou o my flesh , o my darling foe : & from whence was thy beginning ? from clay , vile clay was thy creation : from whence i received every clammy and earthy affection . thou drew my thoughts from heaven to earth ; that i might be more like thy selfe , who tookest thy materiall creation from earth . o my soule , pretious soule , ( if thy knewest the estimate of thy price ) thou , i say , who art with gods image adorned , with his similitude beautified , by faith to him espoused , with his spirit endowed , with his bloud redeemed , with his angells numbred , made capable of happinesse , inheritour of goodnesse , partaker of reason , commaunder of passion , what hast thou to doe with this flesh , from whom thou sufferest so many evills ? by meanes of the flesh , are strange sinnes imputed to thee ; sins of her own hatching ; sinnes which thy purer condition should have so highly hated , as nothing could relish thee lesse then to be so accoutred . by her , that loose libertine , thy fleshly idumaean , are thy works of righteousnesse accompted as a a menstruous cloath ; by her , art thou brought to nothing ; esteemed as a vaine thing , and in manner nothing : for , tell me , o tell me , poore deluded soule , what other thing is this flesh , whose society thou seemest so highly to tender , but meere foame made flesh and cloathed with fraile honour ? but shouldest thou consider , o my soule , what will become of her ; how , after death , her honour shall lye in the dust : how shee shall be stinking carrion full of misery and corruption , meate for wormes . againe , how neatly so ever shee seeme now tricked , trimmed and tyred , shee is no more but flesh : and that flesh , and the beauty thereof as the flower of the field . againe , wouldest thou but consider her present condition , as thou hast already heard of her originall corruption : and read an atomy lecture on her beauty , to allay the heat of thy fancy . wouldst thou , i say , but consider with a cleare and dis-intereslsed eye , what goeth out by the mouth , nosthrills , and other passages of the body , thou wouldest soone confesse that thou never lookst upon a more stinking dunghill . againe , shouldest thou but reckon up all her miseries ; how shee is loaden with sinnes , surprized with passions , polluted with illusions , prone alwayes to all manner of evill , and addicted to al vice , thou wouldest find thereby meanes of this staine of sinne , full of all confusion and shame . for , by company of this flesh , became man like unto vanity , because from it , and none but it drew man that staine of concupiscence , by which he became attached , attainted , so wholly crooked and corrupted , as he set his love on nothing but vanity , practised nothing but workes of iniquity . o leave to love her then , whose love is thy losse ; estrange thee from her wayes : for her pathes lead unto death . and now give mee leave to talke a little with thee , o my flesh ! and first resolve mee , if ever i came into any place , wherein i could promise to my selfe peace . in this populous citie , i cannot take my walke in any street , wherein i am not subject to bee taken by thy deceit . thou sendest forth those two light spies , to purvey and bring in objects of lust ; by these am i wounded , by these doe i suffer a continual combat . neither are these wounds cured , now when my youth has left mee ; when these daily messengers of death summon me . for , though i bee neere my grave , i am nothing richer in grace . though those follies of my youth have now left me , ( and woe is mee that i did not leave them before they left me ) yet other aged maladies grow strong in me ; against which i must prepare my selfe for the encounter , or i am undone for ever . would you heare what my distempers are ? they are these : though few bee my houres ; hoary my haires : yet am i as numerous in my worldly cares , as if i were but even now entring into the world . i cannot without an envious eye see my neighbours field flourish ; others prosperity gives me occasion of repining : others adversity grounds of rejoycing ▪ honour i would have , yet can i hardly support my selfe , much lesse that honor which is conferred on me alas , poore mouldred earth ! now , when i carry about me , such constant companions of my mortality ! when aches , cramps , and coughes are my ages livery ! now , when death waits at the wicket , and bids me come away , and leave the world , seeing it is weary of me : and fit me for my shrowding sheet , being all that is left me ; yet have i a moneths mind to be greater , or richer , or more eminent in the eye of the world , as if i could dispense with age , or make a truce with death . thus am i encountred with new temptations : night and day am i beleagred : nor can i find any rest ; so fierce and furious is this combatant my flesh. o how justly then may i complaine of this my houshold enemy ! and how may i escape her subtilty ! it is her delicacy that has undone me : for by pamphering her , have i famished my selfe : i tooke pitty of her weaknesse , and i cherish'd her : and behold now i am abused by her ! shee has wounded mee with her eye ; no , with both her eyes has shee surpriz'd mee . for with her right eye she shew'd me prosperity , and by inclining to her , caused me to commit idolatry . and with her left eye shee darted adversity at mee , and so made me murmure against him that made me . o how i feele my selfe now failing and falling to earth ; yet how are my thoughts so glued to earth , as if they had no other place to thinke on ! o my god from the depth of thy mercy , looke upon the depth of my misery ! thou knowest my necessity , let me not become a prey to mine enemy . sweet iesu , thou hast taught my fingers to fight , give mee the mastery in this combat with my flesh . chap. . what assaults he suffer'd by thy divell , both in company , and privacy . o thou envious one , was it not sufficient for thee to lose thy selfe by the pride : but like a cruell cunning nimrod , haunt day and night after innocent blood . thou art for ever lost , and thou wouldst have my poore soule in the same state . and to bring thy purpose about , thou hast practised with people of my owne family , to betray my fort unto the enemy . thou hast winnowed me : and as thou found mee affected , thou wrought upon me . thou had baites in store for every soule , to take him napping in his darling sinne . if thou fou●dst him labor of that birth wherein thou perished , thou couldst suggest to him thoughts of his owne abilities ; bring him to a disdaine of others . tell him , the state did not take sufficient notice of his worth . advise him to hold an higher opinion of himselfe : and by con●emning others , to raise his owne estimate . but whereto a●me all these trains ? to undoe him ; for , being fed with these conceits , he begins to aspire to places of honour : wherein being crossed of his hopes , he fals into discontent , which clozeth the unhappy scene of his life in misery and contempt . or deprived of what hee once enjoyed , and to an unexpected thraldome consined , with the heavy memory of his former felicity , and present misery , hee either lives desperately encountred with those affrighting thoughts of danger , or takes his leave at once both of life and honour . againe , if thou foundst him covetous , thou hadst achans wedge , and gehaza's treasure in readinesse for him : hee shall have his desires and a leprosie to boot . if riotous , the rich-mans table could not bee better furnished , his delicious and liquorish appetite must bee satisfied : nothing wanting that may tend to surfetting , but with those rioters before the flood , hee little knowes how neare hee is perishing . if lascivious , his flesh must want no provocation , to bring this deluded minion to destruction . fancies by night , and more visible objects by day , are sent forth to seaze on his heart , and make him forgetfull of god. if passionate , hee shall find motives enough to inrage him ; nothing hee sees can content him . fury is in his eyes , and revenge in his heart . many waters cannot quench this heat : for hee aymes at nothing but death . if envious , others successe finds him matter enough to worke on . it is hard to say , whether his own gaine or others losse please him better . those walkes in faire flourishing fields which are made to recreate others , are justly made to macerate himselfe . for to see his neighbours ground prosper , begets in him a distemper . if sloathfull , the summer-beames , though they shine never so gloriously upon him , must not rouze him : there is an adder in the way : yet a little , and then a little , makes him forget his poverty . if heaven may be got by security , he may be secure of eternity . but the purchase of heaven is no such easie taske . thus thou profest enemy of man-kind , assaultst ●im : and , according to every occasion , preparest thy temptation . and of all others , i poore pilgrim , became in these most miserable . for well knew thy subtilty my weaknesse and infirmity . whence it was , that finding me no lesse ready to asent , then thou to assault , thou madest my owne family thy garrison to keepe that precious fort which thou hadst wonne from me . thus by my not resisting temptation but yeelding to it , i rather vanquish'd my selfe , then was vanquish'd by it . o my deare iesu , be thou neare me , that i may redeeme the time which is left me . bruise thou the head of this serpent , that he may have the foile , i the victory , thou the glory . chap. . three engines by his spirituall enemy reared , that his fort might be razed . this enemy , as his owne nature has made him cruell : so the long exercise of his malice has made him subtile . engines therefore he prepares to skale the wals : and batter downe those strong holds , which stand against him . where he finds the least breach , hee applies his instruments . delay hee cannot endure : nor will hee admit of any parley , where he finds the least weaknesse in the besieged party . it is not his use to hang out any white banner , or to give a yeelding foe any quarter . now call thy selfe to mind poore pilgrim , and examine thy selfe , what thou hast done in this fearefull encounter ! how didst thou furnish thy selfe within , to repell the enemies fury without ? didst thou fly to that sanctuary of a troubled soule , by offering up the sweet incense of humble devotion to the tower of thy strength , the horne of thy salvation ? didst thou imitate that devout bethulian , in sending forth the voyee of thy prayer , that christian sacrifice of supplication ? didst thou prepare thy selfe against the assault ? were 't thou carefull of thy spirituall provision ? didst thou fast and pray , that thou mightst not enter into temptation ? were those allyes thou hadst within thee , true unto thee ? did not those on whom thou relyed , betray thee ? yes ; deare lord , i must confesse it : i was betrayed by my owne , to my shame . but alas , had these stood for me , all this had little availed me ; for i was such an enemy to my selfe , as i would have betrayed my selfe , had i neither suffered the assaults of heavy friends within me , nor open foes without me . o how soundly slept i , while my ghostly enemy stood at the gate ready to enter in upon me ? watchfull was he in seeking to surprize me ; but carelesse was i in labouring to prevent his subtilty . o how well knew hee how to get ground upon me ! how subtilly lay hee his snares to catch mee ? hee became came familiar , by his too long acquaintance with me , and presented to mee whatsoever hee thought would soonest take me . if at any time by the motion of gods spirit , i entertained any good resolution ; if i purposed to amend my life ; and to strengthen these holy motions , prepared my selfe f●r devotion ; to the end that he , who had begun this good worke in me , might likewise perfect it in me . when , i say , i had shut the doore of my heart from worldly cares : and had now begun to off●r the sacrifice of my weake devotions to the throne of grace , that i might redeeme the lives i had lost , and returne with honour to my grave . wo● is me ! even amidst these holy resolves , came that subtile serpent , and reared three strong engines against the fort of my soule . strong were they , and cunningly contrived : so as , though they were raised for my undoing ; they seemed to me wondrous pleasing : so foolishly gave i way to my destruction . o my sweet redeemer , looke downe upon me with the eye of thy mercy ! let not my enemy prevaile against me , though he pitch his tents , and cast his banks about me ; god will be good unto israel ; even to me , the poorest wandring sheepe that ever was received into the fold of israel . chap. . the concupiscence of the flesh . this was the very first engine which my spirituall enemy reared against me . and this , i must confesse , made a breach quickly through the windowes of my fort. o how willingly did i desire to perish ? though i saw mine enemies joyning their powers together utterly to lay me waste ; their presence was delightfull to me . i invited them to sojourne with me . neither did this concupiscence want wooing termes to winne me , who was wonne already ; nor to plead to me what interest shee had in mee : seeing shee was conceived and borne with me ; and from the very first time i came into the world , consorted with me . i am , saith shee , thy play-fellow . the houres of thy pilgrimage would seem long without me . therefore am i given thee , to allay those miseries which attend thee . doe not then so estrange thy selfe from mee , nor refuse her familiarity who can so fully delight thee ▪ looke upon mee , and see if there bee nothing in me , that may please thee ! nay , looke every where about thee , and see if ought could content thee , if i were absent from thee ! as thou art the fleshes guest , so am i the fleshes darling . shee , with whom thou dwellest , under whose roofe thou sojournest ; would hold this w●rld a wildernesse : and every creature in it , as a pelican of the desart , were not i to cheere her while she lives in it . doe not then leave mee , seeing thou canst not live without me . i have variety of pleasures to refresh thee , lest the enjoyment of one should cloy thee . i have fresh fragrant gardens for thee to walke in ; faire goodly buildings for thee to plant in ; pleasant sights to delight thine eye ; sweet ayres to please thine eare ; odoriferous soots to cheer thy smell ; dainty cates to feed thy taste ; choice embraces to content thy touch . wouldst thou have honour ? i have favourites will seaze thee of her . wouldst thou have wealth ? i can bestow on thee abundance of treasure . wouldst thou bestow the remainder of thy time in delights ? enjoy me , and with mee all worldly pleasure . come then , and set thy selfe wholly on me , while thou art in the world : seeing without me thy life were misery ; the world a cell reft of all company . thus with prophane prayers , and treacherous teares did this concupiscence of the flesh work upon me : and i inclined mine ●are to her folly : so as this engine made the first entry . o in mercy looke downe upon me , o my sweet saviour ! for that precious flesh of thine , which was nayled on the crosse , give mee grace to crucifie my flesh . o let not sinne raigne in my mortall body : but give me power to subdue it for my soules health and thy glory . chap. . the concupiscence of the eyes . o whither doe you haile me , yee false spies ! what wrong have i done you , that you should thus abuse me ? yee lay your trains for me in every place ; wheresoever i walke , i can find no peace . for can there be any peace to the wicked ? so long as i give eare to your inchantments ; so long as i suffer my eyes to bee led by you , what comfort may i reap , or what peace may i expect ? dinah followed you , and she was ravished : and behold while i suffer my selfe to be led by such blind guides , what else can i looke for , but to bee deprived of mine honour ? o yee straying eyes , how soone were you casting forth your fiery darts to surprize those who inclin'd to you ? paradise could not be secured from you : nor those two sole inhabitants free themselves from being wounded by you . eve saw the fruit , and it was pleasant . bitter pleasure to bereave them & their posterity of such an inheritance for ever ! and what doe i , poor pilgrim , but deprive my selfe of all happinesse , by giving way to your concupiscence ? i have lived in many places , and conversed with men of all conditions : and i found in persons of every quality , a naturall pronenesse unto vanity : but examining whence the grounds of those vanities came , i found them proceeding from you ; from you , those in-lets to all dis-obedience . for were not you the cause ; those who are now proud , contemning others , and magnifying themselves above the condition of earth , from whence they came , would learne humility . those , who are now covetous , thinking that the earth has not enough to fill their mouthes , would be contented ▪ those who now give way to wrath , would put on the spirit of meekenesse , and learne to bee patient . those , who are now eaten up with envy , by wishing to others as to themselves , would be charitably disposed . those , who now riot out their time in the dainties and delicacies of earth , would bee more temperate . those , who now impaune their honour to the harlot , would be more contine●t . those , who now spin out their time in security , would bee better employed . oh sigh and groane poore unhappy pilgrim , take thy selfe now into the ballance ; weigh and examine thy selfe : let not one houre passe over thee without a sigh ; not a minute without a sob . take away the force of this engine , this fearefull basiliske , with incessant rivers of teares : thou hast yet a little time left thee ; bestow not one moment of it , but to gods glory . see how every minute thou art nearer unto death ; how those messengers of the grave tell thee thou canst not live long . there is not the least graine of sand which passeth through this crevit of thine houre-glasse , but may assure thee that thou art hasting on to the sepulcher of thy fathers . canst thou then find any time to game , play and sport thy selfe in idumaea : seeing , there is no way secure from snares ; no place that may promise peace ? where , if there bee any pleasures , they are full of vanity : or , exceeding to an higher measure of ill , they are nursed by iniquity . take them at the best , they are mutable , because subject to frailty ; but take them at the worst , they are miserable , because they deprive us of glory . o benigne iesu , my sweet redeemer , quench these desires of my flesh , and refresh me with the delights of thy spirit . let not the lust of the eyes have any power over me : but exercise thou me in thy law. o my deare one , bee not farre from me , for if thou leave mee , what shall become of me ? chap. . the pride of life . poore pride ! what hast thou in thee that may please thee ? what good thing that may praise thee ? can the leopard pride himselfe in his spots : or the swan in her black feet ? what hast thou , which thou hast not received : and if received , to whom is the glory to bee rendred ? thou hast nothing of thy selfe but sinne , and sinne begets shame . what shame is it then to magnifie thy selfe in sinne ? shall thine horse or thy speare save thee ? or shall the strength of an hoast deliver thee ? looke upon that vile matter , whereof thou wert made ! poore dust and ashes was thy moulding ; and to dust and ashes must be thy returning . is this cover of flesh , such a dainty thing to glory in ? must not the beauty thereof turne to rottennesse and corruption : and the glory thereof sleepe in the dust ? must not that faire front be pilled , and her beauty pillaged ? must not those sparkling lights , which , sometimes made others prisoners : or which made thy selfe a prisoner by their wantonnesse , become lodges , forlorne lodges for wormes ? must not that face , now so phantastically in-laid with love-spots , become an horror to the beholder ? must not every part or parcell of that goodly piece , that faire building , fall into ruine , irreparable ruine ? nothing then , poore pilgrim , canst thou find without thee , wherein thou maist justly pride thee . looke inward then ; and see if thou canst find any thing there that may procure thee favour in the presence of the almighty , by approving thee a sitting instrument of his glory . ah me poore sinfull wretch ! what mountaines of heavy-pressing sinnes doe i feele , ever ready to sinke down this surcharged vessell of my soule ! i begun no sooner to live , then to love sinne . no sooner to breath , then breath forth the infection of sinne . the world receiv'd me no sooner for a dweller , then she admitted me for a sinner . sometimes , indeed , when so much grace was given mee , i communed with mine own heart : and begun to examine my selfe what i had done , what works of mercy hast thou performed ? what actions of perfect obedience hast thou expressed ? bring forth that poor man , whom for christs sake thou hast cloathed . that hungry-starv'd soule , whom for his precious sake thou hast relieved . were 't thou so poore as thou couldst not doe it ? hadst thou not so much as one single mite , nor one cuppe of cold water to bestow on christs members ! blush ; o blush thou wretched pilgrim ! thou hadst change and choice of cloathes , and these in thy wardroabe must lye rotting ; or to moaths become feeding . thou hadst oyle and meale in thy pitcher ; yea , thy store-houses surfeted of plenty : and thy wine-presses groaned in their fulnesse : yet must the hungry soule perish , rather then be relieved ; the thirsty die , ere h●e bee refreshed ; the naked be utterly starved , ere hee be cloathed . look then and take a full view of thine inward man ; and see if there be any thing in him , that may justifie thee by him ! sift and search him ; the more thou shalt discover him : the more thou shalt be ashamed of him . whence then thy pride ? whence thy vaine-glory ? resolve thy selfe to teares ; fall prostrate before the throne of grace . if thou have a desire to be like thy saviour ; love humility , it is the best badge of christian honour . in whomsoever dwelleth the pride of life ; that soule cannot dwell in christs love . these are severall lodgings , and are reserved for severall persons . o my redeemer , give me a perfect knowledge of my present condition ; that by it i may learne true humiliation . let not the hand of the sinner move me , nor the foot of pride draw neare mee . hee knowes not himselfe , that can bee proud : oh keepe me from being proud , that i may know my selfe . chap. . how neither the law of nature nor of grace could call him home from his wandring course . the wild asse which runneth here and there , and snuffeth the wind in the wildernesse ; was a tame and serviceable creature , in comparison of me , a runnagate to my fathers house , and a most rebellious sinner . wee account that subject , who owes allegeance to his prince , not fitting to live , if hee at any time practise against him : and worthily doe wee so account him . woe is me ! what have i then deserved ? many yeares are now gone and past , since i left my fathers house ; since i divided my portion with harlots ; since i rebelled against my prince ; that prince of princes . meanes had hee made ; and sundry messengers had hee sent to recall me . hee opened unto me the law of nature ; and there hee shewed before my face , and unto my shame : what iustice and temperance , what moderation and continence ; what excellent morall vertues appeared even in those who were heathens , and knew no god. these onely pertak't some weake glimpses of a naturall light : they knew not what eternity meant : nor where that heavenly city was to bee found : yet hated these to wrong one another : or to doe to another what they would not have done by an other to themselves . these loved goodnesse without hope of reward . their ambition was only to be rtemembred after death : or by their commendable lives leave to others examples how to live . yet were all their vertues but splendid vices ; nay , meerly sin ; because whatsoever is not of faith , is sin . from these then , taking me by the hand , he brought me to the law of grace : where he shewed me what wondrous things he had done for mee . how , though i was bound , infinitely bound unto his majesty . even by the law of nature , for my creation : in distinguishing me from all others ; nay , in setting me above all others : & in giving me a command over all others : yet had it bin nothing to have created me , had he not likewise redeemed me : lost i was , and eternally lost : & he spared not his own to make me one of his own . nor had al this sufficed me : ( for ever was i failing and falling : ) had he not likewise sent his holy spirit to preserve me from a finall falling . and now what heart so hard , whom these many benefits would not soften ? and yet i ( the more miserable i ) carelesse of my owne state , or what may hereafter befall my poore sinfull soule , have not beene as yet either allured with his m●rcies , or awaked with his judgements . i had a law in my members that foolishly sent forth her prohibition to stay proceedings in all other courts . i applied my eare to the cimball and to the timbrell : i tooke my fulnesse of pleasure in sinne . no sense could take delight in any object , wherein i strove not to satisfie her appetite . thus did i transgresse the law of nature , and by that meanes made my selfe worse then an heathen . thus did i reject the metions of grace , and so dishonour'd the style of a christian . o my good shepherd , call this thy lost sheep now back from wandring . bring him to thy sheepfold , where hee may find plenteous refreshing . write thy law in his heart . let it be as a frontlet unto his eyes ; as a chaine to his neck ; as a bracelet to his arme : let him looke into it , and as in a glasse , correct himselfe by it . o teach me thy law , that my soule may take delight in it , and live . chap. . he takes a view of the whole decalogue , and hee scarce finds in it one commandement , wherein either in part or in all , he has not beene a most grievous sinner . vvho would not think it strange , that any one should forget what the very sight of himselfe might make him remember ? i can neither looke upon mine hands nor feet , but their number and account might cause me to call to mind that sacred number which was delivered to moses in the mount. but admit i should lay this holy decalogue aside in mine owne house , my private family : yet when at any time i come into gods house , my very care cannot chuse but bring it to my memory . the view whereof is heavy to mee . for what one commandement in all that decalogue , which in part or in all proves mee not an high delinquent ? a grievous sinner , and what is worse , a slow repenter ! o when that booke shall be opened ; and my sinfull life compared to what is in it ! when this marke of distinction shall be set over my head : behold the man and his workes ! o how full of shame and confusion shall i stand before that just iudge of the ten tribes ! when that lord of lords , that great god of hosts , who is powerfull in revenge , when he sees the malice of men to abound ; when hee shall shout in the clouds ; when hee shall come openly ; when his fury shall break silence ; when round about him a fire shall burne , and in his presence a strong tempest shall assaile us ; when hee shall call the heaven from above , and the earth to judge his people ; when ( lo ) before so many thousands of people , all my iniquities shall bee laid naked ; when before so many legions of angels all my offences shall be opened , not only of my workes , but even of my thoughts and words : when before so many iudges , i , poore delinquent , shall stand , as have gone before mee in good workes ; when i shall bee put to shame by such as rebuke me , and by so many , as have given me examples of living godly ; when before many witnesses shall my conscience be convinced , as with their profitable instructions have admonished me , or by their just actions have left themselves for examples to be imitated by me . o in what case shall i then stand ? what shall i be able to answer in my owne defence ? to whom shall i fly ? to what court may i appeale ? it shall bee then in vaine for mee , to call for the moúntaines to cover me ; no place of priviledge from the almighty . o what will become of mee , w●en all my offences shall be laid before me : nay , even those which i doe not now remember , shall bee presented to me ! for by a certaine divine power it shall come to passe , that every ones workes good or evill shall bee brought backe to our remembrance , and by the sight of the mind shall be seen with a wonde●full quicknesse : to the end , that knowledge may accuse or excuse conscience : that so all and every one may at once be judged . o my soule shake and tremble i consider thy condition : with that heavy inditement that shall bring thee to confusion ! for whatsoever thou art now ashamed to confesse , shall be then made manifest unto all . yea , whatsoever in a dissembling manner thou seekest here to cover , shall then by that avenging flame of gods justice be brought to a fearefull censure . and by how much the longer god expecteth thy amendment , if thou neglect time , so much stricter shall bee his judgement , severer thy punishment . o , but wilt thou say , who can keepe the command●ments ? this is an hard taske for flesh and blood . but i must tell thee , if thou have charity , it will make thy burden light , and thy yoake easie . if thou doe thy endeavour , and with a pure affection begge assistance of thy sweet saviour ▪ when all outward helps faile thee , hee will be neare thee . hee who bore his crosse for thy sinnes , will nayle all thy sinnes upon his crosse. hee who bad thee , doe this and live , will doe this for thee that thou maist live . hee who commanded thee that these things should bee done , will doe for thee whatsoever hee hath commanded to be done . but this , poore pilgrim , thou knewst long since . his goodnesse could bee no strange thing unto thee : seeing his natural propriety unto goodnesse ; his universall power and omnipotence ; and his specioll experience have not onely made him knowne to thy infirmities : but mov'd him to compassionate thy infirmities . both willing and able is he to heare thee ; in the bitternesse of thy soule to cheere thee ; in the bed of thy sicknesse to cure thee . and wilt thou yet complaine , and say , this yoake is hard ; this burden is heavy ; when he , who trode the vine-presse alone , will make thy burden light , thy yoake easie . o my sweet saviour make mee to take delight in thy commandements . ps. . . that thy statutes may be my songs in the house of my pilgrimage . give m●e the ●eet of a roe , that i may run after thee . o draw me after thee , and i will follow thee . set before mee , what thou hast done for me : to shal the memory of thy crosse , make my burden light , and my yoake easie . chap. . hee examines himselfe touching the first commandement . though thou hast not heard the voyce of the lord with moses : yet hast thou heard the will of the lord from the hand of moses . thou hast heard how he was a jealous god ; he would have none to pertake in his honour : nor share with him in what was onely due to him . he has told thee how he was thy lord , thy god : and that thou shouldest have no other gods but him. now lye thine hand on thine heart , and tell mee , hast thou performed this ? yes , wilt thou say , i was never so hea thenish as to worship any gods of the gentiles . it was his house i went unto : his name i did honour to . i joyned in the supplication of saints ; i went after no strange gods : it was the lord of hoasts whom i served : the lord of the whole earth whom i honoured : yet , tell me , were there no other lords on earth whom thou served ? yea , didst thou not make the very earth , thy lord , in preferring it before heaven , and the hopes of a better life ? whatsoever is by us , most loved ; that for a god is by us worshipped . now , resolve mee , unhappy pilgrim , wherein can more love bee showne then in weakning and enfeebling our spirits with pursuit of what we love ? now , compare thy houres which thou hast bestowed on the service of mammon ; with those thou hast more happily employed in the courts of sion ! hast thou not bestowed ten houres on earth , for one on heaven ? nay , hast thou not depended more upon those egyptian reedes , these helps on earth , then those hopes of heaven ? though thou wentst to the lords house : and with a seeming humility cast thy selfe down before him . though thy prayers were mingled with teares : and thy weake devotions with lifting up of eyes , and beating of thy brest , with other seeming signes of humilation : yet was not thine heart there wholly offered , where it seemed to be present . for long before hadst thou built a little bethel in thine heart : where thou offered thy daily sacrifice . and here didst thou erect a shrine of gold for thy god. earth was thy deity : thus in the chamber of thine heart didst thou commit idolatry . for hadst thou taken him whom thou professedst to serve for thy god , thou wouldst not have distrusted his providence , but with an holy and heavenly affiance relied on his promises . nay , hadst thou taken him for thy god , thou wouldest have served him as he commanded thee : and with all thine heart loved him , as he well deserved from thee . thou wouldest not have suffer'd his members to have starv'd while thou surfeted : nor his family of faith to have mourned while thou rioted . thou wouldest have had the staffe of bread in readinesse to support them , counsell in store to advise them : all sitting supplies in the time of their necessity , to relieve them . meane time , thine heart was more hard then the neather milstone ; with a dease eare couldst thou heare their grones : with a pittilesse eye behold their teares . nay , so farre were 't thou from taking him for thy god , as thou sled to other gods : chusing rather to lose god by abusing his goodnesse , then to lose any of thy su●stance . the wizard and the southsayer must be visited by thee : the witch of endor must not lose her honour . tell me , is this to put thy trust in god ? is this to have no other gods before him ? is this the way to espouse thy selfe unto him ? is this in a true and religious way of obedience to serve him ? no ; no ; thou canst not serve two masters : god and belial . thou must put off the old man , before thou put on the new. thou must leave those groves and high places , and in the lowest valley of an humble and contrite heart , come before god , and with the penitent prodigall , throw thy selfe downe before him . — with — i am not worthy to be called thy sonne : closing thy supplication with this humble petition : — lord , be mercifull to me a sinner . a sinner ! aye mee , a most grievous and hainous sinner ! one , who in the fatnesse of his heart has turned himselfe from god. one , who in the foolishnesse of his heart has said , there is no god. for hadst thou reteined in thee one thought of god , thou wouldest have trembled to have done that which thou hast done against the majesty of god. nay , whereas he has told thee , that there is but one god , and him shalt th●u serve ; thou hast made to thy selfe many gods : one to fullfill thy pleasure ; another to advance thee to honour ; another for filthy ●ucre . oh how can i remember this without heavinesse o● heart ! to leave him , who gave me beeing : to leave him , who is my portion ; without whom i have no beeing . o my good god do not leave mee ! for what am i without thee : or what can i do unlesse thou helpe mee ? all the god of the gentiles are divels . i● is thou lord onely that hast made heaven & earth . thou onely , o lord , art my god those gods who have not made heaven and earth , let them perish from heaven and earth : let heaven & earth praise that god who hath made heaven and earth . chap. . his breach of the law touching the second commandement . bring forth thy golden calfe , thy treasures of horeb ; thy dagon , thy moloc . tell me , hast thou not reared these idols in thine heart ? these were but made of gold and silver : & these are the metalls which thou doest honour ? where the treasure is , there is the heart . oh , upon how unworthy a subject hast thou bestowed it ? oh , that thou hadst razed those moulten images , those graven idols ( too long ingraven in thine heart ) which thou so unhappily adored ! oh that thou had seene into the vanity of this painted earth ! what a folly it was for an unthankfull thankfull people to set them up a god in the image of a calfe that eateth hay ? and art thou any wiser in thy generation ? of corruptible things , hast thou made thy gods ; and on those who could not helpe themselves , hast thou relyed . what daily sacrifices hast thou offsred to those moulten images ? these kept thee a waking , when thou shouldst sleepe . these made thee fearefull to dye : these made thy thoughts strangers to thy true god. oh how bitter is death unto him that putteth his trust in his riches ! o hstefull idolat●ry , to be so unhappily wealthy , as to make a reasonable soule to do worship unto vanity ! gehazi became a soule leper , by making himselfe such an idolater . o my loose thoughts whither do yee hale mee ? nay , to what fearefull conclusions have yee already brought mee ! reason told mee , besides that weake beamling of grace that darted upon mee , that there was nothing in these but vexation of spirit . how , the love of the creature took mee off from loving my creator . how , bowing to these so hardned my heart , as it could sinde no knees to bow to heaven . o depart from mee , yee workers of iniquity ! yee drawers of mee to idolat●ry ! in you have i found nothing but vanity . vaine in your promises : but lighter in your performances . yee and none but yee brought mee to forget god , from whom commeth all good : and to ●ight under his banner , who was a profest enemy to the crosse of my saviour . but alas ! where shall i turne mee ? where may i sly for succour in this time of danger ? i have fled from him who had comfort in store for mee : and polluted my soule with spirituall idolatry . it is best for mee to leave my selfe , and to leane on him who gave himselfe for mee . my soule is of too precious a price to be left to such a keeper ; as will betray her to her enemy for a moments pleasure . o my sweet saviour receive thou mee into thy bosom . decline my affection wholly from adoring these moulten images of worldly vanity . let me imprint thee my cruc●fied 〈◊〉 in my heart : so shall i ascribe all honour to him whom i love best , ●y blessed redeemer . chap. his transgressing of the third , in prophaning gods name . vile worme ! filthy dung ! sinfull dust ! darest thou prophane his name , at whose voice the mo●ntaines shall quake & tremble ; at the breath of whose nostrills the high hills shall be melted ; the mountaines shall be laid levell with the valleyes ; the whole foundation of the earth shall shake and be removed ? and yet , unhappy pilgrim , thou feared'st none of these things . thou went'st●n in dishonouring his name : nay in miuting new oaths , as if the reprobate had not already found out enow to dishonour his maker ! and these thou held'st a great grace to thy discourse : for the imaginations of thy deceitfull heart were so set on mischiefe ; as thou heldst deepe oaths the breaths or accents of a brave spirit : the strength or sinnews of any discourse . this made thee consort and keepe company with the dames of the time ( for with this t●tle are they highly pleased ) to suck from them this profane venom : this spawne of the most odious senselesse sinne that ever the divell suggested . senselesse indeed ! for there is no one sin which either one way or another affords not some vaine delight unto the sense : whereas this sinne is so senselesse of any such object , as it onely affrights the conscience . affright ! yea , and worthily may it affright . seeing gods judgements shall never depart from the swearers house . stand amazed , poor miserable pilgrim , while thou hearest this ! put thy selfe in the ballance : and tell mee , whether during all these dayes of thine unhappy pilgrimage , thou hast not practised this sin ? sometimes in deceiving thy brother with subtile contracts : binding the value of thy commodities with an oath , to enforce him to beleeve what thy conscience told thee was not true . sometimes in thy good resolves ; calling god to witnesse that thou hast fixed thy resolves on this , and if god pl●ase , thou meanest to effect it ; and thou wer 't perswaded that it would please ●od that it should be effected : meane time thou either weakly failed in what thou intended , or else never meant to performe what thou so ceremoniously vowed . againe , how earnestly hast thou sworne , and herein taken his blessed name highly in vaine , that thou wouldst not sleepe till thou hadst revenged thy selfe of thine enemy ? and far more constant wer't thou in pursuit of this ill , then in performing ought that was good . how deepely hast thou vowed , to procure thy pleasure : which enjoyed , how carelesly were thy vowes regarded ? with what coldnesse rendred ? thou hast read how such prophane transgressors as these , should be taken away from the presence of god , never to see his face . and yet for all this , wouldst not thou lose the glory ( inglorious glory ) of one oath for the forfeit of such a prize . not one part or member of thy glorious maker , thy sweet saviour , but must bee piece meale rent , torn & divided to have thine hatefull humour satisfied . that precious head that was with thornes crown'd must bee affresh pierced ; that precious side which was with a speare pierced , must be againe wounded ; those broad-spreading armes so cruelly racked ; those pure hands so pittifully nailed , must be anew opened ; those humble feet which were so unmercifully bored , must be againe pounced . every wound must be revived ; all his sorrowes renewed . o unworthy wretch , what hope canst thou have , that he will look on thee in mercy , who hast so cruelly renued his wounds , and increased his torments with thy prophane oaths and hatefull blasphemy ? how maist thou thinke to hide thy selfe in those wounds which thou hast thus aggravated with thine impiety ? was it not sufficient for thee once to have pier●ed his head , his side , his hands and his feet , & with thy crimson sinns to have ingaged his precious soule to death , but thou must be every houre crucifying him with new oaths , hatefull curses , sinfull imprecations ? o what maist thou thinke will become of thee ? what hope , what helpe in the depths ? he cannot choose but turne that head from thee which thou hast so dishonoured ; that sweet and lovely face from thee which thou hast so buffeted ; that precious side from thee which thou hast so wounded ; those immaculate hands from thee which thou hast so nailed ; those beautifull feet from thee which thou hast so bored . and now , whither wilt thou fly ; seeing there is no refuge for thee , neither in the mountaines nor in the valleyes ? nay the depths shall not cover thee from the sight of his majesty . thou mightst , indeed , have found a resting place in the holes of the rock : but they are shut from thee by reason of thine impenitency . o wilt thou in this case , this fearfull case and condition , suffer thine head to take any rest ? o wilt thou abuse those sweet motions of grace , and become worse and worse the nearer thou art to thy grave ? wo is mee for thee , for i must suffer with thee : and receive the wages of sin for inuring my mouth to oaths , and inthralling thee my poor soule , to the reward of shame ! o my mouth , how apt hast thou beene to learne an oath ; before thou hadst well learn'd to speake ! often hadst thou in thy mouth to dishonour him : seldom in thine heart to meditate of him . o how unseemly will his praise sound in thy polluted lipps ? how dry and unacceptable thy devotions from so corrupt an heart ? o my good god look not upon mee as i have beene ; but as i resolve hereafter by thy grace to bee . clense thou mine heart and my mouth : that with the one i may beleeve unto righteousnesse : with the other i may confesse my sinns , with the good things which thou hast done for mee , unto salvation . let onely yea , yea , and nay , nay , be in my communication : whatsoever else is ofsin , unlesse it bee before a magistrate to witnesse a truth . o my maker keepe thou my tongue , for it is a slippery member : so direct it , that it may utter nothing but to thine honour . chap. . his dishonour to the lords day . may not god bee serv'd with his owne ? may not he who appointed sixe dayes for the use and service of man , reserve one for the more p●culiar service and worship of himselfe ? it is not much that he hath required of thee , and what service ha's hee received from thee ? in the very beginning , after god had created man , bestow'd upon him his owne image ; and put him in possession of a world of delights in one garden ; one ●den ; he gave adam a command , a strict command , and upon a great forfeiture . yet became man soone disobedient : no long time in the garden , till a convicted delinquent . now behold ! as of all those trees adam was but of one restrained : so of all the dayes in the weeke , there is but one which god hath for himselfe reserved : yet neither that , nor this must be observed . thou needest no arguments to perswade thee that the sabbath is morall ; being so far from making it evangelicall , as thou didst make it thy day to satisfie thy lusts . at best , thou thoughtst thy self well imployed that day , if thou bestow'd it upon sight of a wake , a morrice dance , or the sociable frequent of an ale-house . yet had it beene better for thee to have digg'd , then have danced ; to have plow'd , then so to have unhallow'd this holy day the sabbath . how carefull wouldst thou be of observing a profane meeting : where god was never remembred but in oaths ! such merry meetings might not be forgotten : the end whereof was to forget god and his iudgments : and if it were possible , to put farre from them the ●vill day . but as the fumes of drinke begot ●orgetfulnesse in the evening : so the sense of sinne begot bitternesse in the morning . o my god! one day , and but one day ; and must thy commands be neglected that one day ? was there no day for thee , thou profane pilgrim , to commit sin with greedinesse ; to follow thy loose lusts with eagernesse ; nor to slave thy selfe to all filthinesse , but that very day , that peculiar day which god had ordained for his owne honour : and wherein his sanctuarie should be made the house of prayer ? was this the way to make thy handyworke to prosper , or give a blessing to thy labour ? if at any time , thy occasions , not of necessity but pleasure sollicited thee ; thou held'st it no s●ruple of conscience to dispence with the sabbath ; thou wouldst crave leave of god , nay thou wouldst take leave against the expresse will and warrant of god. neither must occasion of profit nor pleasure suffer least neglect for gods honour . but admit , either through want of employment or feare of presentment thou repaire to the temple . how didst thou behave thy selfe there ? did not thy irreverence and neglect of his worship bring thee to that passe , that thou went'st forth with an heart more unsanctified then thou cam'st in ? was not thine heart wandring in the world , while thy body was at church ? did not the houre seeme long unto thee , whilest thou wer 't thus undevoutly busied in this thy enforced practise of piety ? yes , yes , unthankfull pilgrim ; thou knowest this too well . no houre could be more tedious then so imployed ; how then could that stony soile of thine heart be●e fructified ? how could thy seered conscience be edified ? better had it been for thee , not at all to come to it ; then by this thy repairing to it , thus to prophane it . o god of sabbath ! o god of rest ! who hast ordained thy sabbath the type of our rest : make mee to know that it is thy day , which i am to observe ; and thy house whereto i repaire . thou hast sanctified thy sabbath ; sanctify me likewise for thy sabbath . thy house is an house of prayer ; in my lipps let there be praise : in mine heart , prayers : and make thou pure the viol , that it may more acceptably poure forth those odours of her prayers . chap. . hee confesseth how this bloody-issue of sinne streamed forth likewise into a breach of the second table ; and first of disobedience to his parents . promises of long life , prosperity , and successe in the world , are and have been ever perswasive orators to the eare of a worldling . long life is a comfortable thing to a worlding ; because hee , who setts his rest upon the world , expects small comfort after this present world. had there been no further hope of future happinesse , this very promise of long dayes might have brought thee to obedience . but alas , this was the lowest of my thoughts , the least of my cares . i desired in mine heart to be the master of an estate before nature would allow me it . i took my portion , and went away into a farre countrey . and there i plaid the riotter , till i became a miserable begger . then , and never till then did i consider what i had done . for by this time had i forgot my fathers house : so long and so sweetly had i been lulled in the lappe of sin. but having now reap'd the fruites of my disobedience , i begun to have a remorse of conscience : and to have some small sensible feeling of repentance . but never till such time as i had fed freely of those empty huskes of vanity : and found my selfe so miserably poor as if i return'd not back to my fathers house , i might of necessity perish , there were no remedy . nay , i must to my shame confesse it , that such was my disobedience , and so crooked my will amidst my greatest necessities , that this my aversion from evill and conversion to good , rather proceeded from want of meanes then sincerity of will. for had my portion continued , the arme of sin had been nothing shortned . and yet had my want brought mee to this naturall consideration ; as to thinke with my selfe what p●rents were ; what benefits i had received from them : how they had done for mee what i could never possibly do for them . how creatures endued onely with sense by a naturall instinct , bore that tender love and obedience to their parents ; as in their age they foster'd them : on their wings they carried them : desiring rather that they themselves should perish , then their parents suffer , which gave a being unto them . but these considerations onely floated upon the waters of mine heart , they never sunck . a natural pronenesse to obey the lusts of my flesh , hung such heavy poizes on the wings of my obedience , as they kept me from mounting : desiring rather to dye then wholly to leave my rebellion . thus was i never weary of transgressing , till my transgressions became weary of mee . neither was i sensible of what disobedience meant : till i was brought to a consideration of it through want . wo is mee ! how could i promise to my selfe length of dayes , when i had disseised my selfe of that promise by my disobedient wayes ? how could i be lesse then rejected of my father in heaven ; who had borne my selfe so disobediently to my father on earth ? how could i look for an inheritance , falling so desperately into all disobedience ? o my deare lord , to whom obedience is better then sacrifice ; call mee now home unto thee ! let me no longer run on in my rebellious course . like a childe that feareth to be beate , let mee tremble at thy judgments . like a child that flyeth into his fathers lappe , let mee kisse thee for thy mercies . correct mee , o lord , but not in thine anger , for how shall i stand in thy displeasure ? o i know , as there is no sonne , whom a father will not correct with the rod of his love : so is there no father who has not a desire to deliver his sonne . correct me , o lord , as thou art my saviour : oh let it never be in thine heavy displeasure . chap. . his contempt of the second , in his practising mischiefe against his neighbour . one may commit murder , and shed no blood . the very thoughts of our hearts may become conspirators against our neighbour , and so wee murder him in our desires . caine s●ew his brother abel , which made him turne runnagate , by flying from gods presence . o how often have i slaine my brother in conceiving cruell thoughts , which reflected upon his life , fame and substance ? o how often have i in mine heart wished a sudden end unto mine enemy ! and yet i was perswaded , hee was not well prepared for death when i wished this unto him ; so as my desires were bent to murder him both in soule and body , by wishing him so sudden and unprepared a death in his departure from the body . yea , i will confesse against my selfe , and with much bitternesse of heart , will i acknowledge it ; that neither rich nor poore have beene freed from those murd●ring imaginations , which my corrupt heart had secretly nursed . for if he were rich , i murdered him with envy . and in this act , not only him , but my selfe . wasting and eating up my owne marrow : consuming my owne strength , and falling away with a languishing desire of others ruine . againe , were he poore ; i to my power murdered him : by holding from him the staffe of bread , when i might have relieved him : by grating and grinding the face of the needy : by oppressing him injuriously : by laying heavier burdens on him then hee could beare . o how can i remember these , and sinke not downe with the horror of them ? can i think , that just god who heares the orphans cry , and bottles up the widowes teares , will not avenge himselfe of these things ? can hee tender his little ones , & not revenge himselfe of those who make a prey and spoile of his little ones ? o no , my lord , i know my guiltinesse is not hid from thee : nay , i know well thou hast thy bow ready bent , and thine arrowes in thy quiver to shoot at the malicious and evill doer , even at him that is of a subtile and deceitfull heart . how then may i make my peace with thee ? how may i find favour in thy sight ? what shall i bee able to answer for my selfe against those my many accusers ? while here one proves how i sought his life : and with many bitter imprecations discovered my malice unto him . another accuseth me with impeaching his good name , that precious perfume of every good man. the third of his substance , saying that my wishes were often that he might be rest of it , or it of him : or that i my selfe might enjoy it with the losse of him . thus like a cruell and bloody nimrod , have i hunted for blood : and though i did not actually shed it , yet in desiring it , and not seeking where i might to prevent it , i cannot plead lesse then that i am guilty of it . now my fact is so foule , that should i with the poore condemned prisoner , demand my booke , i could not hope to have the benefit of it ; yet there is a booke , wherein i have read what may afford mee much comfort by it : at what tim● soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin●e from the bottom● of his heart , i will put away all his wickednesse out of my remembrance , saith the lord. it is the lord that hath said it , even he , who as hee is gracious in his promise , so is hee faithfull in his performance . hence is my trust ; that though my sinnes be as red as scarlet ; the blood of the lambe will make them white . though my garments bee all red as those who came from bosro : my saviour has in store a white roabe for me . as white as the snow of salmon shall my soule be made , though she be now soil'd with the leprosie of sin . yea , but dangerous wounds require longer cures . my afflicted conscience tels mee that i have grievously sinned against his sacred majesty , both in quantity and quality . i have not had god before mine eyes : the pathes of righteousnesse were estranged from me . those sinnes which with such greedinesse i had committed , had sent forth their cry to the clouds : they were of no inferior nature , but suchas derogated highly from the honour of my maker . what may i then expect , but that those viols of his wrath should be poured forth even to the bottome : if hee did not looke upon me with his eye of fatherly compassion ? it is true , my deare lord , it is true ; no sinner ever exceeded me in number and nature : yet comming to thee with an humble contrite heart , receive me , loving father , for one of thine . though my sinnes might justly make a partition wall betwixt my soule and thee my sweet spouse , for ever ; yet hast thou promised to be a saviour to every penitent sinner . o lord looke upon me in thy mercy , for my soule is sore vexed within me ! chap. . his contempt of the third , in playing the wanton . is it time to feast , and play the wanton , when the flood is comming ? every houre ushers me to my grave , yet am i still farre off from receiving the motions of grace . woe is me , that my dalilah has rob'd mee of my strength ! what a long time of youth did i lead ; as if that spring would ne're have done ? how strongly , nay how strangely have i beene taken with a whorish behaviour ; as if there had beene no well-beseeming beauty but what was accompanied by impudence ? how often have i taken delight in the count'nance of a strange woman ? how desirous have i beene to take ; how ready to bee taken ? that belc●ne could not open , nor in her opening discover the feature of a woman , which my wanton eye did not fixe on . forbidden fruit and stolne waters were ever sweetest . lightnesse had got such possession of mee , as were it in action or discourse , there was nothing which took mine eare more , or made the houre lesse tedious . i had read how that the adulterer and whore-monger god would judge . how , that the pleasure of fornication was short , but the punishment of the fornicator eternall . and sometimes i had the grace to consider with my selfe what thing this eternity was ? and the more i begun to consider it , the further i was from it : yet i found it to bee such a thing as admitted no end : and yet i unfortunately made a forfeiture of it for a moments pleasure . pleasure shall i call it ? no ; that cannot be properly called a pleasure but a torture , which dams the soule for ever . i found the deceitfulnesse of this sinne : with what resolves i made hourely , to become a true and unfeined penitent , never to returne to my vomit . i consider'd how a continent soule was the precioust treasure ; how god would not dwell in that heart that was infected with this sinne . all this i applyed to my heart ; but alas , how long did it remaine uncorrupt ? no sooner was there an occasion of temptation offered , then my vaine heart quite forgot what shee had resolved . the thought of eternity was presently choaked with an haplesse desire of enjoying what was lighter then vanity . woe is me that any reasonable soule should bee so deluded ! that neither the promises of a better life , nor the shame of this present life could decline mee from working such iniquity ! i found how all bread was sweet unto the adulterer . how none was more estranged from his love , then whom hee was bound most to love . thus i perished with open eyes : for i knew well how the harlot would bring a man even to a morsell of bread . how her paths were full of deceipt ; and how her foot-stepps led unto death . and i understood how there was nothing to be compared to a vertuous woman , and what felicity i enjoyed in such a choice . with what pious obsequies i solemniz'd her funeralls ; whom i once enjoyed : with what purposes i entertained to remaine a constant widdower , after such time as i was deprived of her . yet , though ripenesse of yeares had nipped in mee the blossoms of of youth : nay , though age had writ deepe furrows in my brow , yet found i youth enough in my doating fancy . for i am ashamed to thinke with what an unbeseeming lightnesse i encountred a strange face . how soone i could gather by the wandring motion of her eye , the disposition of her heart . thus in my declining age begun i to renue my acquaintance with light love : and to practise that which did least become me . so dangerous is the custome of sinne , when it has taken full seazure , or possession of the soule . o my sweet iesu , clense me from my secret sinnes ; and give mee grace to remember these things with heavinesse of heart : let me goe all the day mourning : and with teares of hearty contrition , move thy tender heart to compassion . o cu●e this bloody issue of my sinne ! apply unto my bleeding wounds a present cure : as thou lookt upon magdalen , and made her an holy saint of an hainous sinner : so looke upon mee with the eye of pitty , that i may find thee in the day of my visitation ▪ a gracious saviour . chap. . his breach of the fourth , in his cunning defeating of his neighbour . my conscience hath oft-times told me , and woe is mee that i remembred it not , how there were many other kinds of theft , besides purloyning , or imbezling of my neighbours goods . in defeating him of what was due unto him : nay , in finding what i knew to bee his , and not restoring it unto him ; this , even this convinc'd my conscience of guilt , and that i was a robber of him . these seeme but light sinnes ; and of such easie digestion , as they seeme no sinnes at all . but these must not be forgotten , for they are writ in his booke with a pen of steele , and are not to be wiped away but with the soft spunge of his mercy . i have often thought , out of the foolishnesse of mine heart , that privily to take away , or defeat any one of small toyes or trifles , as i accounted them , was no sinne , because they were of small or no weight : whereas if i had knowne the quality of sinne aright , i would have confest that it was not the value of the thing , but the intention of the heart that made the sinne . it skils not much , whether the substance be vile or precious , which is unjustly procuted , or injuriously required , so as the affection bee to either of these equally corrupted . though they be of different dammage in respect of him from whom they are taken , yet bring they equall detriment to him , by whom they were taken . o with what sighes , with what teares did that devout father bewayle his breaking into an orchard , though hee was then a boy , and therefore pardonable ? these are now so easily dispenc'd with , as they are held but tricks of youth . but hee could cry forth , in the anguish of his spirit , i have had a desire to perish , o lord , i have had a desire to perish . o how the sense of sinne makes the least seeming sinne appeare heavy ? o what may i thinke of my selfe , who have gloried in these things ! a graine of sand though it bee light , yet much sand laid together will presse us . and a drop of water though it be light , yet many waters gathered together may drowne us . o what heapes of sinnes ( and those no small sands ) have i raised , with those giants , as if they had beene mounts to menace heaven ? so i might cunningly make a prey of the poore ; and colour my sinne with faire pretences . i had mine end , farther i sought not . it was the eyes of men that i feared , i tooke no compassion of others misery ; neither were mine eyes on him , who is the avenger of the poore and needy . i perceived likewise in these tents of kedan , where i was too long a sojourner ; how there were other thefts and of an higher nature , being such as stept up boldly to the altar ? and these were symoniacall contracts : and i understood how no thefts were like these holy thefts for gaine , nor yet detected of lesse guilt . conscience was made a thing of equivocation . rich donations , according to their name , seem'd to be given , but they were sold ; and that so cunningly , as if the conscience had beene as senselesse of sin , as man was of himselfe , it might have past with impunity . and in the perusall of these , mee thought i could have brookt well to have beene sharer : but in these i was no actuall offender , though much against my will , for i was no impropriator . in impairing likewise , the fruits and offerings of the church , i had a desire to have an hand , albeit i knew this to be taxed for a great offence by the prophet , and such as god did highly hate . will any man ( saith he ) rob god ? yet ye have robbed me : but yee say , wherein have wee robbed thee ? in tithes and offerings . whence hee straitly chargeth them to bring all manner of tithes unto his store-house , that there may bee meat in his house . by this i understood , that there was a snare to the man , who devoured that which was holy . yet while the snare was in readinesse , i went on in my wickednesse . when i saw a thiefe , i run with him ; nay , before hee practised that trade , i could tell him ; that , as to digge would bee a toile , and to beg a shame ; so to take where opportunity gave way , would shew a brave spirit . thus was it not sufficient for mee to perish alone , without drawing others into the same ginne . my life became their line , which being crooked , brought them to as untimely an end . thus did i see , and seeing fall , and falling bring others to bee sharers in my fall . o my gracious redeemer , as thou lookt with the eye of pitty upon the good thiefe ; as thou rewarded his late conversion , and short confession with the promise of a paradise , a place of endlesse consolation ; vouchsafe to cast thine eye upon mee and save mee . the kingdome of heaven suffereth violence ; let it be my holy theft to lay hand upon it : to suffer all things for it ; that as thou sufferedst all torments to procure me it , so i by suffering with thee , and for thee , may enjoy thee in it . chap. . his breach of the fifth , in supp●essing testimonies to witnesse a truth , or suborning witnesses to maintaine an untruth . never was there sinne of higher quality , that admitted more impunity . wheras i might have performed an of office christian charity , in giving testimony before a magistrate to settle my neighbors estate ; or in clearing his good name ; or in vindicating his cause from a powerfull injurious adversary : were it in my selfe or any other , i have laboured to suppresse the testimony ; closed with the worser party ; and so for mine own ends strengthned an injury . or if this failed , being so well practised in evill , i would not stick to suborne witnesses to maintaine an untruth : and by false oathes to suppresse a truth . and yet i thought with my selfe , who could bee safe , if such hatefull agents could be safe ? if it were sufficient to accuse , who would be found innocent ? yet whether it were for gaine or spleen , or to purchase a powerfull friend ; truth must bee out-countenanc'd , because private ends were made to beare it . the excellent speech of that heathen might have wrought much on mee , for it well deserved to be ever printed in my memory ; who , when his friend came unto him , desiring him to take a false oath in a cause of his which highly concern'd him , made answer : you must , said hee , beare with me , i cannot shake hands with truth so easily . there are many friends to be gotten if i lose you : but if by forswearing my selfe i lose the favour of god , i cannot get another , there is but one god. i had heard of the fearefull judgements likewise of many false accusers , suborned witnesses , and hatefull suborners , what miserable ends befell them ; how they were discarded from the company of all good men ; how they were to weare some badge or marke of distinction , that every one might know them , and knowing abhorre them . yet was this path so much bette , as i could not but thinke , that there was some gainefull thing in it , or else it would not be so much frequented and the common road was ever held the nearest and securest . and so indeed , i found it ; the nearest to destruction : and so little safe by being secure , as my security brought me to the brinke of perdition . indeed i tooke occasion sometimes to talke with my selfe ( whom i ever found my greatest foe ) and by communing with mine owne heart , to sift & search my selfe throughly how i stood affected . and even in the breach of this commandement i thus reasoned . tell me , pilgrim , dost thou know what in this case thou oughtst to doe and shall the sollicitancy of a powerfull friend prevaile so farre with thee , as to bring thee to doe what thou oughtst not to doe ? hast thou not to doe ? hast thou not a friend within thee , whose favour thou art to preferre before all friends without thee ? and will not this deare bosome friend of thine , thinke much , that either for love , hatred , dread or reward , thou shouldst despise her , nay sell her ; and by this meanes make thy nearest friend thy accuser ? and i begin to inquire what friend this might bee ! and i found right soone how it was no other then my conscience ; who , howsoever i bore my selfe to her , would deale faithfully with mee ; and justly as i had deserved at her hands , either accuse or excuse mee . this was likely enough to have wrought some good effect upon me ; but alas , worldly respects made me forget my best friend . so as shee , who should have stood in the gate , and spoken for me , is now become mine enemy . sweet iesu , thou , against whom so many false witnesses stood up , to condemne thee ; vouchsafe to be a witnesse for me , that i now hate what sometimes i so unhappily loved ; and intend to love what i sometimes undeservedly hated . to witnesse a truth , were it for my deadliest foe : and to suppresse an untruth , were it to the prejudice of my dearest friend . deare lord , be thou my defender against the devil , my great accuser ! chap. . his dis-esteeme of the sixt and last , in coveting what was an others ; and desiring to increase his owne with the losse of others . foolish wordling , thine own experience had not long since told thee , and thou mightst have remembred it , had not thy folly so deluded thee ; how touching the world , he had the least part in it , who had the most of it . againe , he had the most command over it , who with most indifferency used it . to love it , was to be drowned in it : to leave it , was bravely to neglect it , and in that neglect amply to be supplyed by it . where as such as be worldly , are ever labouring of a dropsy . the richer they are in estate ; the hotter they are in pursuit . these see , and yet they will not credit their own sight , what a very small portion of earth must suffice them ! how their thirsty and unbounded desires must be then brought to a strait , a very straite compasse ! and these things i oft times considered ; wondring much at the vanity of men ; that knowing how their mouths were to be filled with gravell , how any thing could in reason be so deare unto them , which should choake them . and yet casting mine eye upon my selfe ; i found very well how i was one of this list. one that could scatter his owne like a prodigall rioter : and catch at an others like a covetous miser . one that could bee content that his neighbours providence should maintaine his riot . one that had a dangerous leering eye after his neighbours wife ; or more then a moneths mind to his maid ; or to such a parcell of ground which lay fitting for him ; or to some of his cattell ; and these , even any of these , could he find in his heart to enjoy without returning satisfaction for them . it is true , very true , that the story of ahab is old in respect of time , but new in respect of daily practise . every day shall wee find an ahab borne ; every day a naboth dye . his vine yard must occasion a breach betwixt him and his land-lord . he must forego it , or loose his life that owes it . the anger of a great man is violent . his will is his law : his inferiour must bend or breake . if the plot lye neare him , it becomes an eye-sore to him . hee will either buy it , or come any way by it that he may enjoy it . o how can i utter this without remorse ? how may i endure my selfe when i heare these things ? these are they which wound mee , for like poysonous arrows they stick in my flesh ; neither can i answer one for a thousand . how strong have beene my desires in shedding my owne bloud ? what dayes have i spent in carefull carking , painefull toyling ? what nights in cunning compassing , watchfull contriving how i might come by my purpose ? these cares made sleepe many nights a stranger to mine eyes . and yet this my affliction seemed sweet unto me ; such was the strength of an inured misery . o my soule , how tedious would one of these houres have seem'd , had it beene employed in casting about for that inheritance which shal never perish ! alas ! what could i imagine , that this earthly tabernacle of mine should never be dissolved ? that my indirect wayes should never bee brought to judgment ? that god had forgotten the poor ; and that he would not revenge their wrongs to my shame ? yes , lord i consider'd this , and the more my sinne : for i sought to put away thy judgements farre from my memory ; not to think of them lest they should startle me . thus was their doctrine deare unto me , who sought to sow pillows under my elbow . to fatten me in my transgressions , with a tush god seeth not . but , o lord , holy and just , thine eye is ever over mee : and thine c●are is not shut from mee ; nor from those who cry for vengeance against mee . this it is which causeth mee to walke heavily all the day long ; to chatter like a craine : and with much affliction of spirit to poure forth my complaint to thee my lord and my god. o when i remember , how cunningly i sought to winde mee into the acquaintance of my neighbour ; how smoothly i glozed with him ; what court'sies i offer'd him , meerly to surprize him , & make my selfe a gainer by him ! how i seemed to esteeme least , what i prized most , that so my practises might be suspected lesse ! how i could easily dispence with any indirect way , so i might by it be brought to mine owne end ! how i neglected no time to fit mine owne turne ! o while i remember these things , i am utterly cast downe ; there is no breath in mee ; my flesh faileth mee ; and my strength decayeth within mee . for i know , lord , how thou hast these things in thy remembrance ; and if thou deale with mee according to thy justice , there is no hope for such an incorrigible sinner ; he is lost , he is lost for ever . and yet , lord , there was a little zacheus , whom thou calledst from the receipt of custom ; and , no doubt , who knew the world , and how to make gaine in the world ; who left his calling for thee ; climb'd up into a figtree to see thee : and came downe speedily from thence to receive thee : and that he might more fully confirme his love unto thee , divided his goods , that hee might wholly reserve himself for thee . o deale so with mee , my sweet saviour , that of a covetou● sinner i may become a true penitent convert , in bestowing the small remainder of my dayes to thine honour . chap. . hee takes a view of those seven spirituall workes of mercy : and acknowledgetle his failings in each of them . thou hast taken now a full view of those two tables , delivered by god unto moses ; by him to us . and thou canst not , to thy great griefe , finde one , the breach whereof may not justly accuse , nay convict thee . goe on yet a little further , and thou wilt find thy selfe ever worser and worser . tell mee , doest thou hope to receive mercy ? thou doest well to hope ; for without hope , the heart would break : but what hast thou done that might become so acceptable in his sight , as may bring thee in a full hope or assurance of receiving this mercy at his hands ? thou knowst well , that wee are to worke out our salvation with feare and trembling : that , not unto him that cryeth , lord , lord , but for him that doth the will of his father which is in heaven , is the place of blisse prepared . for if workes be the fruits of faith ; to make a fruitfull faith thou should'st apply thy selfe to bee plentuous in good works . thou knowest , how the barren fig tree became accursed ; how the barren wombe in the old law was held accursed . the pharisees prayer , because it bore more leafes then fruit , was rejected . the publicans prayer because it bore more fruit then leafes was accepted . love is the fulfilling of the law. now , what argument is there of the love wee beare him : if wee have not a longing desire to doe that which may please him ? the proofe of our love unto god is to doe such works as are acceptable unto god. now , he has already told thee , what works may best suit thee : and such as may move him to take most delight in thee . and these are those seven workes of mercy . now , take a little time , before time leave thee , to examine thy self impartially ; what a kind of proficient thou hast beene in these . whether thou hast not so carelesly borne thy selfe towards god in performing them , as thou maist worthily acknowledge thy failings in each of them . o lord open thou mine heart : and give mee understanding in all things : let mee open mine heart unto thee , and poure my selfe forth before thee : and suffer mee not to flatter my selfe in my transgressions , lest i perish eternally . thou hast prepared mee the wayes wherein i am to walke : o lord make my wayes streight before thee : and so water me with the dew of thy grace , that i may bring forth fruites of repentance plenteously . chap. . teaching the ignorant . bring forth that schollar whom thou hast brought up in christs schoole . whom hast thou fed with the milke of his word ? whom hast thou seene carried away with the blast of every vaine doctrine , and hast sought to reclaime him ? whom hast thou at any time perceived to bee ignorant in the principles of faith , and hast taken paines to informe him ? whom scismatically affected , and thou laboured to convert him ? whom seditiously minded , and thou sought to compose him ? hast thou taken pitty of thy brothers ignorance , and brought him to a knowledge of god and himselfe with the spirit of meekenesse ? nay , hast thou taught thine owne family : and by thine owne example wained them from folly ? o no , poor pilgrim , these things have been farre from thee . it is for thee rather to confesse , how many from the light of the gospel , thou hast brought into ignorance . how many thou hast deceived with a pretended zeale . how many thou hast brought from the knowledge of the truth , by intangling them in errors ; false opinions ; strange doctrines . o how many have come unto thee to receive instruction from thee ; or to bee satisfied in some scruple , wherin thou mightst have done an office of charity , if it had pleased thee : whilst thou , regardlesse of those wounds of a troubled conscience ; either applyedst no cure at all unto them : or else uncharitably left them intangled in more doubts then thou found'st them . and was this the way to teach the ignorant : in corrupting rather then correcting the delinquent ? in perplexing rather then resolving the truly penitent ? o my best master , looke downe upon mee with the eye of thy favour ? i know well i might have brought many unto thee , which by my loose life , and false doctrine i have drawne from thee . o teach me thy law , that i may not onely learne it my selfe , but teach others by the patterne of my selfe , to love , live and delight in it . chap. . correcting the delinquent . as it is humility first to examine ones selfe : so is it charity to correct in an other , whatsoever he holds corrigible in himselfe . gods law is the glasse , which will present to us every blemish that is upon the face of our soule . wherin , we are ever charitably to consider , and acknowledge too , that whatsoever troubles our brothers eye , is but a mote , compared to that beame which is in our owne . but say , unprofitable pilgrim , wherein hast thou done this second spirituall worke of meroy , to correct the delinquent ? nay , rather hast thou not cherished him in his sinnes : and told him they were none , when as they pierced the clouds , and came up with a strong voyce even into the presence of god ? hast thou not blessed the wicked in his evill wayes : and mov'd him to make a league with his transgressions ? yes , lord , yes ; yet not unto all , have i done this . for some there be whom i have corrected , nay censured rather then corrected . for my desire was to have their sinnes published to their shame ; to have their good names taken away ; to have them houted at in the street , which tasted more of detraction , then correction . for this i did not with the spirit of meeknesse , as i was commanded : but with the spirit of fury or indignation , which brought them to bee rather hardned in sinne then reformed . but i must confesse , i offended farre oftner in the former then in the latter . i meane in humoring sinne ; either to make me more endeared to them : or else for feare lest the very like sinnes should bee found out and reproved in mee by them . so as my owne guilt made mee to palliate their sin . deare lord , i know well i have often sinned herein : i have stood in feare to reprove the transgressions of others , and therefore became i author of their death : because that poyson which by crying against , i might have expelled , i have not expelled : in humoring those which i should have corrected . nay , what was more : i conceived indignation , against all such as reproved me for my vices : so as , those have i hated , whom i ought to have loved ▪ and whatsoever distasted or displeased me , i desired earnestly that they should not be . o forgive me these . and make me henceforth such an enemy to all vices , as i may correct my selfe with as impartiall sharpenesse : others with the spirit of compassion and meekenesse . chap. . counselling the indigent . counsell to the poore and needy , is as a receipt unto the sicke , in the time of his extremity ; what availes a medicine unapplyed ; physicke unministred ; or counsell un-imparted ? i have known such as were destitute in this kind ; how with teares in their eyes they importuned my advice : and i had it in readinesse , but would not minister it : because hee was poore and despicable in the eye of the world , that besought it . and alas , was this the cause ? hadst thou beene well advised , thou wouldst rather have given it , because hee was poore and succourlesse that did request it . for consider thy owne poore condition ( hard-hearted pilgrim ) and in what case thou standest . how thy good and gracious god , should hee not looke downe upon thee with the eyes of his mercy , and take pitty on thy poverty , what might become of thee ? into what straits has thy soule beene brought ? how dry , & desolate ? how weake and dis-consolate have bin thy staggring resolves ? how fainting and heartlesse have beene thy hopes ? foes thou hadst without thee , feares within thee ; not the least beamling of comfort shone upon thee . yet for all this , thou foundst a faithfull counsellor to advise thee ; a gracious comforter to refresh thee . and yet thou quite forgotst all this , when thou sawest thy brother in necessity . he complained to thee how hee was wronged , and it lay in thine hand to redresse it , but thou wouldst not be seene in it . thy counsell at least thou mightst afford it , but thou denied him it : or which was worse , so advised him in it , as might rather hinder then further him in the pursuit of it . gracious lord , in whose brest are layd up all the treasures of knowledge and wisdome : and from whom are all the counsels of the wise ; direct mee in the wayes of life ; remove from mee the wayes of death . give mee a soft and meek spirit , that i may use all good meanes to bring home those that are wandring ; to strengthen those that are standing . to helpe the succourlesse : comfort the comfortlesse : and to afford my best counsell unto all , according to their severall necessities . o my deare lord , pardon mee for the neglect of this duty , and make me to redeeme the time with a cheerfull constancy . chap. . comforting the afflicted . as affliction is the meanes to bring man to the knowledge of himselfe ; so gives it occasion of trying the charity of an other . who is hee , that was afflicted , and i comforted him not ? now answer , poore pilgrim , if thou canst , to this intergatorie . hast thou at any time applyed comfort to the afflicted ? nay , rather hast thou not rejoyced in his affliction : or with one of iobs miserable comforters , increased his affliction ? hast thou plaid the part of the levite or samaritan , when thou foundst him wounded ? didst thou poure the balme of thy best comfort into him ? didst thou support him in his weaknesse ? solace him in his heavinesse ? o no! though before the time of his affliction i profest my selfe his friend : and upon all occasions would be neare him : yet when hee fell from what hee was , i shrunke from what i profest ; my countenance begun to bee changed towards him : and was this to comfort the afflicted ? was this to bind up his wounds ? was this performing the office of a friend ? did i to this afflicted soule , as i desired to bee done unto ? had i not sometimes felt the bitternesse of an afflicted spirit ; even in mine owne bowels ? and then i roared out — o — a troubled spirit who can heale ? and yet god in his due time comforted mee , expecting that the like should be done by me . but no sooner was i set on my feet , then my corporall cure stript me of all spirituall care , i drunke wine in bowles , and applyed mine care to the sound of the harpe ; i stretched my selfe on beds of ivory , fatning my selfe with the delights of vanity , but never sorry for the affliction of my brother ioseph . o my deare lord , deale not thus with mee . for i perish ▪ if thou turne away thy face from me . i have been in heavinesse , and thou didst comfort me ; bring me to a fellow-feeling of an others misery : that i may mourne with those that mourne , and partake with them in their affliction : for so shall i receive comfort in the day of my visitation . chap. . suffering injuries patiently . i have often thought with my selfe , how i never more nearly resembled my saviour , then that very day wherein i became a sufferer . and yet so strongly had flesh and blood wrought upon me , as i found nothing more hard to digest then an injury . i left my patterne , and runne into the world● where i found revenge playing her part , crying , no peace , no peace . and i became one of her followers . offences receiv'd i weigh'd above their quality ; but done , i could lessen them smoothly . so partiall a friend was i to my selfe ; so violent a foe unto others . wee usually account that beast the strongest , that can beare the greatest burdens : meane time , wee hold him the weakest that has a back to beare the greatest injuries . but alas , what matter makes it what foolish flesh account him ! hee is not for gods presence , who will not possesse his soule in patience . and canst thou speake this , proud pilgrim , and not tremble ? dost thou call to mind what unsufferable dishonour the lord of lords suffered for thy sake ? what mockings , what spittings , what buffetings , what whippings , what reproachfull torments hee suffered that thou mightst bee free ? yet what did his innocence answer for it selfe but in silence ? and yet for all this , thy blood must bee in●lamed , if the least occasion of distaste be offered ; thy reputation cannot beare it ; thy spirit must not so be baffalt . poore passionate worme , what a stirre is this thou makest with thy selfe ? pray thee tell mee , who made thee thine owne revenger ? o doe not rob him who made thee , of what is due unto him , and what is estranged from thee ! oh , but this revenge has beene no stranger to me . that day nor night past not over me , wherein shee kept mee not company : and with her pressing urg'd mee to requite an injury . shee dictated to mee what a disgrace it was for a man of quality to beare an affront from any : how these would live , when i were dead , and leave an aspersion on my grave . these , and such as these made me forget god : and to take out of his hand what was due unto him . o thou avenger of the needy , raiser of the humble , and puller downe of the mighty ; let it bee never said of mee ▪ that . i have sought to rob thee of thy glory . revenge is thine , and thou wilt repay it . be it so , lord ; and may hee be taken in his own s●are who seekes to preuent thee in it . o may the presence of my crucified saviour , make mee become a patient sufferer . chap. . forgiving offences heartily . vvhat a dangerous thing the memory is , when made a reteiner of injuries ! this caused that noble heathen to desire rather how to learne the art of forgetfulnesse then the art of memory ; because hee remembred more things ( meaning of offences done him ) which hee desired to forget , then ever hee forgot what hee desired to remember . this very case is mine : i have suffer'd , but not comparably to what i have made others suffer . i held the offences done me so unsupportable , as they were above the power of flesh and blood to beare . reconcil'd i would not be unto death ; for death i pretended easie to such an injury . so as , though by continuance of time , and interceed of friends , i might seeme in some sort to coole ; all that their perswasions could bring mee to was this : i would forgive him , but never forget him . i would ever have an eye on him : nay , rather if i at any time met him , i would ever have mine eye from him . my heart was not with him . neither could i with patience ( such was my malice ) speake unto him . and was this to forgive offences heartily ? o how could i looke upon the image of god in him , and forget my selfe so much towards him , as not to vouchsafe to cast a good countenance upon him ? vile wretch , what might become of thee , if god in his justice should so deale with thee ! was there ever offence done by the most profest enemy , that may be compar'd to those which wee daily doe to his divine majesty ? o no! how is it then ? must hee both forget and forgive ; and thy ra●cour such , as thou wilt only forgive but not forget ? o poure thy selfe forth into a sea of teares ; be so farre from not forgiving ●ffences when thine enemie does begge it ; as thou dost heartily forgive him before hee begge it . deare lord , this i resolve to doe ; but weake are my resolves if they be not assisted by thee ; o give mee then in these holy motions such constancy , as in the remembrance of thy love unto mee , i may forget offences heartily : and so receive remission of my sinnes at thine hands in the day of mercy . chap. . praying for his persecutors fervently . this lesson was taught me by my saviour , when amongst others hee suffered for mee the worst of all others ▪ when the feares of death encompassed him ; when nothing but sorrow and heavinesse accompanied him ; even then , when his persecutors deserved least , shewed he his charity most . father forgive them , for they know not what they doe . thus did hee excuse them from malice , imputing all they did unto ignorance : so full of compassion was hee , even in his greatest anguish . now , resolve mee , poore pilgrim , wherein hast thou showne thy selfe an obedient scholler to such a master ? wherein hast thou observed this lesson ? hast thou prayed for them , who sought to make a prey on thee ? hast thou wished from thine heart , that he might ride on with honour , who sought thy dishonour ? nay rather , hast thou not cursed , where thou shouldst have blessed ? hast thou not reviled him who wronged thee : nor sought to impeach his fame who wrought mischiefe against thee ? yes , yes unhappy pilgrim ; none could bee more ready to inflict , then thou to requite . to pray for them , or to performe any office of charity in behalfe of them ; was so farre from thine intention ; as thou accounted it rather an act of weaknesse , then devotion . deare father , this i consider : and with griefe of heart confesse my selfe herein a foule transgressor . sweet iesu , thou who prayed for thine enemies , teaching us to doe the like for such as should persecute us , give mee grace to doe good to those who doe evill unto me ; to love those that hate me ; to forgive those who trespasse against me ; to spare such as offend me : and to pray for all such as persecute me ; and that with such fervency , as my prayer may bee ascepted in the time of their necessity . chap. . he takes the like view of those seven corporall workes of mercy ; and acknowledgeth likewise his failings in each of them . from the view of those spirituall works of mercy ; in every one whereof thou hast found thine infinite failings , descend now , poore pilgrim , to those corporall workes of mercy , necessarily required of every christian , to make him of a bond-man to sinne , a free-man and a citizen . but alas i much feare mee , that my desires have been so long allied to earth , nay laid in earth , as these workes of mercy are estranged from my knowledge . truth is , poore pilgrim that i am , i have observed these workes neglected , with the reasons from whence such neglect proceeded . for , taking my survey of all conditions : i found here one , who , priding himselfe in his youth , bestow'd so much time in company , as he reserved no time to thinke of workes of mercy . another i found taken with his owne beauty ; who tooke such content in looking upon himselfe , as hee had not one looke to bestow upon his needy brother . another was so rich , and so devoted to that worldly idol , as it was death to him to afford one crumme of comfort to relieve him that was distressed . another , as one distrustfull of gods providence , refused to performe all offices of charity , fearing his too much bounty might bring him to poverty . another i might heare presuming of gods mercy ; and flattering himselfe with — tush god will be mercifull . though wee should forget what hee hath commanded us , hee will not forget to performe what hee hath promised us . another seeing the whole world set on mischiefe ; and how the simple and innocent were most scorned , to avoid the scorne of the foole , hee scornes not to become such a foole as to follow the haunt of the wicked ▪ lastly , i might find an other of so soft and delicate a condition , as these workes of charity were too sharpe and ●ull of austerity ; this man would take no acquaintance of them , lest hee might become enfeebled by them . and such as these in thy survey on earth hast thou seene and observed ; but pray thee , poore pilgrim , all this while that thou observedst others , was there nothing thou couldst find in thy selfe ? sure i am , thou oughtst to have endeavored with all thy power , and all thy knowledge to know thy selfe ; for farre better and more l●udable had it beene for thee to know thy selfe , then by neglecting and forgetting of thy selfe , to have knowne the course of the starres , the strength of herbes , the complection of men , the natures of all inferiour creatures , with the experience and knowledge of all heavenly and earthly things . for better is a simple swaine then a proud philosopher . i gather by thy owne words , thou hast been a notable observer : but wherein hast thou shewne thy selfe an able professor ? o my lord , i know not what to answer . i stand at thy barre , and have nothing to plead for my selfe . onely deare lord , i must confesse to my shame , i have sinned , i have sinned . not one work of mercy , but i have either wholly neglected , or not performed as thou hast commanded . o lord , impute not my sinnes unto me , lest i perish everlastingly . chap. . feeding the hungry . thou hast heard read the parable of dives and lazarus ; and thou condemned the hard-heartednesse of dives , that rich glutton ; who , amidst those various dishes of his , would not afford some few crums , some poore fragments from his well-furnish'd table , to feed a poore hunger-starv'd begger : and upon re-view of that story , concluded him justly damned , for suffering his needy brother to perish , while he surfeited : so as his very dogges might partake , what poore lazarus could not get . nay , this hungry begger received more court'sie from his dogs then from their master : for they licked his sores , wheras from . dives hee received no comfort , no succour . but now tell me , unhappy pilgrim , may not i say to thee , as that prophet said to david ? thou art the man. didst thou never see thy poore necessitous brother hungry , but thou hadst compassion of his poverty ? didst thou goe to thy cruse to refresh him with oyle : or to thy barrell , to make him a cake , that hee might walke in the strength thereof , and not die ? nay rather , hast thou not suffered him to cry at thy gates , till his very bowels earned within him ; and thou wouldst not heare him ? hast thou not bestow'd more liberally upon the proud actor , then on thy poore brother ? nay , hast thou not sowne so lavishly thine ill-bestowed fortunes upon the brothell or stage , as thou hast left nothing to give to the poor mans boxe ? hast thou not saffered some of christs owne members to perish for want of food ? and didst thou not understand , how so many as thou suffered thus to bee starved , when thou mightst relieve them , so many hast thou murdered , and thy blood shall answer for them . o my lord speake for me ; for shal i say i have not done this ? my conscience will then accuse mee , and say i am a lyar. i confesse , lord , i confesse , i have not fed the hungry : but rioted want only , fatning my selfe in mine owne security . o give mee henceforth a soft and compassionate heart : that i may truly suffer with my poore brother in his necessity : and out of that store wherewith thou hast blessed me , ever reserve a portion for the hungry . i know lord , that thou art the avenger of the poore . for if lazarus begge a crum , and may not have it : dives shall crave a drop , but not receive it . o cloath my soule with compassion , that shee may avoid that fearfull condition ! nay , i never see any hungry begger , but take pitty of him for his sake , whereof he is a member . chap. . giving drinke to the thirsty . it is wonderful thou shouldst not remember thy poore thirsty brother with one cup of cold water , when thy cup flowes over so plentuously , partaking of gods bounty in so ample a measure . thy custome has beene to rise early in the morning , and to gather thy companions together , and to drinke till your eyes grew red , and to put away farre from you the evill day in jollity and pleasure . meane time , those very snuffes which your excesse procured , would have beene sweet drops to many poore thirsty soules , who for want of drinke have fainted . o but i can ghesse why thou , who thus riotest in thy delights , decaying thine health with healths ; art so forgetfull of thy thirsty brother . deep drinkers are ever of the shallowest memories . but i must tell thee , that a day will come ( and fearefull will be that day ) when , howsoever thou now with full cups and loose company removest these things far from thy memory : all these neglects , uncharitable neglects , shall be presented before thee . then thou wilt find none with a light song to spend a serious houre . sulphur and brimstone will be then an unsavory potion : and yet this must be thy portion : because thou abused the good creatures of god ; in bestowing them on wantonnesse , that might have ministred reliefe to others necessities . gracious saviour , thou who in thine extreme thirst , hadst no better drinke given thee then gall and vinegar , which when thou hadst tasted , thou w●uldst not drinke , perceiving the malice of the iewes to be such , as it raged even to thine end . give me grace to remember the state of my thirsty brother . to abhorre all surfetting and drunkenesse : and to be helpfull to the saints , as well out of my scarcity as aboundance . chap. . harbouring the harbourlesse . the pilgrims harbour , is a christians honour . mild moses , loving lot , faithfull abraham were excellent patternes of this duty . some of these received angels in the habit of strangers . that charitable widdow would have a bed-stead for a prophet . this i know well thou approvest , for even thy selfe art here a pilgrim upon earth : sojourning up and downe in this vale of misery ; wholly harbourlesse , unlesse some take pitty of thee . for the very best that lives here upon earth , has only a place of sojourning , no place of abiding . wee come unto our inne , and the next morning we are gone . but let mee returne to thee ; and now in good sadnesse tell mee , hast thou to thy power performed this office of charity ? hast thou received such poore harbourlesse guests as came unto thee ? hadst thou a lodging for them , in the time of necessity ? took'st thou delight to conferre with them ; to minister what was needfull unto them ? was their sight deare unto thee , and that for his sake who made both them and thee ? o no! me thinkes thou hangs downe thine head , as one who acknowledg'd himselfe guilty . thou canst not find one of this sort , to whom thou hast shewne this worke of mercy . others indeed , there are , to whom thou hast given free hospitality ; entertaining them cheerfully : and inlarging thy bosome unto them in all offices of court'sie . but these we●e none of christs poore ones ; these were none of his little ones . these were none that stood in need of any such favour . these , if their hearts would have serv●d them , might as well as thy selfe have performed these good offices : and with a liberall hand supplyed others necessities . and was this to harbour the harbourlesse ? christ himselfe was an example unto thee of great poverty : for whereas the birds of the ayre had their nests , and the foxes their holes , yet had not ▪ hee a place whereon to rest his head . now thinke with thy selfe how memorable that worke of magdalen was , in pouring her boxe of precious oyntment upon his head ; how commendable that devout office of ioseph of arimathea was , in begging the body of our blessed saviour ; in embalming it , and bestowing it in a new sepulchre ; what an happy occasion little zacheus had , in receiving him and giving him harbour . and if these were such good and acceptable offices to the head , they cannot chuse but have their reward , being with a single and sincere heart done to his members . deare saviour , may it be mine honour to be hospitable to my poore harbourlesse brother . for i know whatsoever i doe to one of these little ones , i doe it unto thee . and what can i doe l●sse then serve thee with thine owne ? for what have i that i have not received from thee ? bee it then my crowne , to give harbour to those needfull ones of thine which thou shalt vouchsafe to send unto me : may i lodge them in my bosome for the love i beare thee : but this i cannot doe unlesse thou give mee a liberall heart , that i may more plenteously abound in these good workes of charity . chap. . cloathing the naked . go into thy wardroabe ( proud pilgrim ) and see if thou findest not there two coats . both these are not thine ; thy naked brother has a property in one of them . bring it forth then unto him , and cloath him : for if thou keepe it from him , and he perish , thou , and none but thou didst starve him . but this little moveth thee ; so thou maist observe the fashion : follow the vanity of the time , and pride thy selfe in these borrowed beauties , thou little carest how thy naked brother fares . change and choice of raiments hast thou in store for thee : and these must bee cut , slashed and indented : as if thy very garment had committed some foule crime , and were for an anatomy begged . neither is there any hope that such light minio●s as thou consortest with should take any pitty of their naked sister : having so little pitty on their owne naked brests , laid open to winde and weather , to catch a deluded lover . good god ; how much are the use of cloaths inverted , from what they were first intended ! for at first cloaths were made to keepe out accidentall cold , and to hold in naturall heat . whereas now they are made to let in cold , and to keepe out heat . o i must tell thee , delicate pilgrim , that from top to toe if thou meet thy poor brother destitute or unprovided , and thou hast in store to supply him , and yet doest deny him , thou art a false brother in defeating him of what is due unto him . for that very garment which thou sufferest to moath-eate in thy chest ; those very shooes which thou sufferest to rot ; are none of thine , but the shooes and garment of thy poor brother : yet rather then thou wilt render him what is due unto him , thou canst bee well contented that they both rot together . and now tell me , base slime , what art thou , being in such pretious apparell trimmed , but a sepulchre outwardly dawbed , and inwardly with all corruption filled ? but what shalt thou bee in thy grave , when thou art stript of all that outward varnish and worthlesse grace , which made thee so seemingly compleat on earth ? nay , what will become of thy poor soule , that must then suffer for giving so much way to the pride of her maid ? what will shee bee able to answer , when her poor starved brother shall come forth , and in the presence of an all-knowing iudge , there witnesse against thee , how thou hadst meat , & wouldst not feed him ; drinke , and wouldst not refresh him ; lodging , and wouldst not harbour him ; store of raiments , and wouldst not cloath him ? o my sweet iesu , answer for mee ; for i am dumbe . thou hadst but one coat , and it was without seame , to signify thine unity : and for this did the souldiers cast lotts , to discover their avarice or envy ; put upon mee the robe of charity , that i may rather strip my selfe and become naked , then suffer any naked member of of thine to goe from my door uncloathed . chap. . visiting the sick. there can bee no greater mercy showne in all those outward workes of mercy , then in this one which is exercised in the service or ministry about the sick. for in this is both the hungry sed , and the thirsty refreshed . this receiveth christ as if it had beene done unto himselfe , when hee hung upon the crosse , and said ; i thirst . whatsoever yee have done unto one of my little ones , yee have done it unto mee . likewise , yee cloath the naked , when yee cover the sick. and yee harbour the harbourlesse , when ye make the sick mans couch ready for him to lye in . and yee visit the prisoner , when yee comfort the sick imprisoned by meanes of the bonds of his infirmity . lastly , yee performe the pious office of burying the dead , inclozing those dayes of his infirmity , with the discharge of so holy and solemne a duty . thus by ministring to the sick , wee performe all these workes of mercy . yea , that this ministry unto the sick , excelleth all other workes of mercy and devotion , may bee thus proved . for in workes of austerity or religious discipline , wee are said to serve god in the suffering of one sense , or one member . as in abstinence , wee serve him , and suffer for him in our taste ; in watching , in our sight ; in course raiment ; in our couch ; in silence , in our tongue , in loathsom stenches , in our smell , in dolefull noise , in our eares , and so of the rest . whereas , in workes of charity in ministring to the sick : first , our eye serves him , in watching over him ; and sometimes in seeing fearefull visions ; in recompence whereof the glorious vision and divine sight of god shall bee showne unto man in heaven , for the charity hee bore to his saints on earth . secondly , our smell in feeling noisome stenches . thirdly , our eare , in hearing passionate words , grones , sighes & extremities . fourthly , our touch , in handling and raising the sick. fiftly , our taste , in abstaining from our usuall repasts for their attendance . sixtly , our tongue , in comforting them . seventhly , our feet , in running up and downe for them . eightly , our whole body , in labouring diverse wayes for them . now , tell mee , delicious pilgrim ( for i know a worke of such ▪ rigour has closed , harshly with thine humour ) hast thou beene ever in all thy time serious , in performing this holy duty ? nay ; i see thee blush , and freely confesse , when at any time thou camest into a spittle or lazarello ; thine eye could not endure the sight of an old vlcer , nor thy smell that savour ; nor thine eare their clamour ; nor thy touch any poor diseased member . nay , thou turned'st away thine eye , thine eare , nay , every sense , lest they should offend the delicacy of thy sense : who , though thou wer 't made of the same mould , and subject to the like infirmities : yet wer't thou so lightly touched with them , as thou either fleighted them , or with a cold indevou● prayer , said god helpe them , without affording one small crumme of comfort unto them . o my deare lord , i know all this to be true : and how can i expect that the head should either love mee or look upon mee , when his members were so loathed by mee ? o my good samaritan , binde up this wound : and powre the balme of thy saving grace into it , that it rankle not . give mee a ready hand to minister to the sick ; a tender heart to compassionate his griefe : in words to comfort him : in works to succour him , in all necessities to be helpefull unto him . chap. . visiting and redeeming the captive . doest thou desire to see such sights as may rightly improve thee ? such as may bring thee to a more perfect view or discovery of thy selfe , lend mee thine hand ; and i will lead thee to such a place as shall do this ; by presenting before thine eyes , an image of of the world : and a picture of thy selfe . an image of the world shadowed in the embleme of a prison : and a picture of thy selfe in the embleme of a prisoner . looke about thee , and thou canst not chuse but finde variety of objects to put thee in mind of thy imprisonment . boults , shackles , fetters and mannacles . sins of all sorts , spreading in every part or member of the body ; to make thy bondage more miserably heavy . the wayes of iniquity are those boults and shackles , which needes must load thee : for what greater weight then the burden of iniquity ? thy lusts and concupiscences are those fetters and manna●l●s , which needes must restraine th●●● for the too much freedome of thy body , has abridged thy soule of her liberty , and confin'd her to live in lasting slavery . but look upon the prisoner● hast thou at any time with comfort in thy mouth , and reliefe in thy purse , come to visit him ? hast thou laboured with a part or portion of thine owne substance to redeeme him ? o no! with what a carelesse eye , stony heart , empty hand hast thou past the very door of that prison , where thy poor captive brother lay on the cold ground , comfortlesse , succourlesse , and more miserable in his lodging then if hee were harbourlesse ? thou hast heard in thy fathers dayes , how devoutly many men and women were disposed in distributing a great part of their estates , and freely bestowing it upon the redemption of one captive : so dcare unto them was the liberty of a christian. but these are either hid from thine eyes : or what is worse , thou fallest with open eyes : for long may thy brother ioseph live imprisoned , before thou visit him ; long time afflicted , before thou comfort him : long time inthralled , before thou redeeme him . deare lord , though i bee a prisoner and have quite forgot my condition ; never so much as opening to my poor captiv'd brother the bowells of my compassion ; yet shut not thine eare from the voyce of my complaint . o my lord , though i heard not them , heare thou mee : and make mee hence forth more ready to communicate to their necessity , for the love i beare thee . my whole life is a captivity ; o my joy , as thou hast redeemedmee , so conduct mee to my native countrey . o how can i sing my songs in a strange land ! yet my desire is to sing of thee : for in thy due time wilt thou give mee a delivery out of all my troubles . out of the depths will i cry unte th●ee , for thou hast had ever an eare unto my misery . chap. . burying the dead . bvt sure thou would'st not neglect this clozing duty , though thou camest short in performimg all other offices of charity . thou hast taken so much paines as to bury thy dead brother : for even the very heathen have performed this with due solemnity one to another . nay , even those , who all their life long were at deadly enmity , were it but only for n●ighbourhood , would not be failing in this christian duty . and yet thou canst speake little or nothing to it . for resolve mee but in this one short question : hadst thou never any poor neighbour dying neare thee : and that so poorly as his whole substance would not discharge his mortuarie ? nay , hast thou not seene the very corpes of thy departed brother arrested , and uncharitably stayed : who , though he had pay'd his debt to nature , yet must receive no buriall , till his poor corpes ha's discharg'd his debt unto his creditor ? and hast thou sought to satisfy his hard hearted creditor , that those due funerall rites might be performed to thy brother ? nay , hast thou not even in the city , when a black cloud of pestilence hung heavily over it : when they fell on thy right hand and on thy lest : when thou mightst behold the late-populous and freely-frequented streetes covered with grasse : the very walls cloathed with mourning : hast thou not even then , i say , neglected this duty : seeking with powders and persumes to put from thee the evill day : and in deepe healths to drench downe the remembrance of debt , death and danger : and with a forgetfull evening to close thy dayes distemper ? nay , hast thou not beene sometimes imployed in campe service ; where the murdering ord'nance made no difference of persons : where nothing but fire and fury raged ; nothing but slaughter & horror ranged ; nothing but dolefull voyces of dying soules resounded : while breathlesse carcasses lay here & there discatered , but un interred : & didst thou play the good centurion ? did'st afford thy charitable hand , after their warrs , to bring them with peace to their graves ? didst thou performe these pious offices in any place , to purchase to thy soule the glad promises of peace ? o no! thy care was for one ; and so thou mightst secure that one , small care was taken for the rest . o how this selfe-love dryes up the fountaine of charity ! o hadst thou but never so little laine aside this love to thy selfe ; thou wouldst have shown more love unto thy neighbour , and therein more true love to thyselfe ! it is true , lord , it is true ; this love to my selfe made me forgetfull of all others but my selfe . o lessen this love in mee , that i may more plentuously increase in all offices of charity ! o give mee a charitable hand , a cheerfull heart ; that i may henceforth have a care to see those holy duties performed , which i have so long time neglected . be they spirituall or corporall , let their due discharge , be my memoriall . but , holy father , first prepare mee , that i may become better fitted for every distinct duty . as first in spirituall duties , give mee facility in teaching the ignorant ; affability in correcting the delinquent ; ability in counselling the indigent ; charity in comforting the afflicted ; resolution in suffering injuries patiently ; compassion in forgiving offences heartily ; devotion in praying for my persecutors fervently . likewise , in corporall duties ; make me ready to feed the hungry ; with that happy samaritan , to give drinke to the thirsty ; with those good patriarchs , to● harbour the harbourlesse and conduct them safely ; with devout dorcas , to cloath the naked and needy ; with thee my best master , to visit the sick , and if it lye in my power , to ease their malady ; with couragious iosiah , to visit & redeem those that are in captivity ; and with holy ioseph of arimathea , to bury the dead , with the performance of every other holy duty . o my god , may my weary pilgrim stepps be so directed that they may dayly draw nearer and nearer to heaven , whereto they are addressed . chap. . with sorrow of heart he remembers those eight beatitudes , whereof he hath deprived himselfe , by giving entertainment to sinne . vvoe is me ! what good thing may i expect from his hand that made mee , when i have done none of those things for which hee made mee ? if i looke not into my selfe , i am wholly unknowne to my selfe : and if i looke into my selfe , i am not able to endure my selfe . i understand , and the more unhappy i , not to make use of his goodnesse towards mee , how i could not partake with him in his kingdome of glory , if i labour'd not by a good and gracious life to imitate those blessed stepps of his during my reside here in this vale of misery . and now with sorrow of heart , i remember , how and in what manner i have contemned all those holy duties formerly repeated : and consequently deprived my selfe ; my poor neglected soule , bought at so high price , of all those beatitudes , pronounced on such godly ones , as have walked before the lord in uprightnesse of heart . woe is mee , what will become of mee ? when i shall take up my bed amongst scorpions ? when my deare saviour , that victorious lion of the tribe of iuda , shall demand of mee what hast thou done ? under whose banner hast thou fought ? if under mine , where be thy colours ? mine were red ones ; died in my pretious bloud ; my crimson wounds . but those thou wear'st are none of mine . they are more like the enemies then mine . hee can be no reteiner to mee , who scorns to weare my livery . he cannot be my disciple that will not follow mee . and wherein hast thou followed mee , unlesse it were to betray mee ? or to rob mee of my glory ? and such ever hath bin the pursuit of all the enemies of my crosse. deare iesu , i appeale from thy throne of justice to thy seat of mercy . i must confesse i have not followed thee as a faithfull ret●iner , but a back-sliding follower . nay , i deserve martiall law , for i have fled from thy colours : and become a confederate with thy enemies : yet , deare lord , behold my teares , for thou accountest them pretious when they are offer'd by a contrite heart . o d●● not leave mee , for my soule longeth after thee : even as in a dry ground where no water is , so has shee thirsted after thee . and now , lord , that i may present my selfe before thee with more humility , i will ever set my imperfections before mee : remembring what good i have omitted when i had opportunity to doe it ; againe , what evill i have committed , when the remembrance of thy mercy might have declin'd me fr● it . amongst which let me now call to mind those blessings thy gratious goodnesse ha's pronounced to every faithfull follower ; and then examin my selfe , whether i deserve or no to be listed in that number . chap. . blessed are the poor in spirit , for for theirs is the kingdome of heaven . hvmility is the path that leadeth to glory . there is no vertue that can subsist without it : this may be one reason why the very first beatitude is grounded on it . but what are we to learne from hence ? not to be high-minded ; but of an humble and meeke spirit . in suffering dishonour , for the honour of our saviour . in possessing our soules with patience . in mitigating wrath with mildnesse . in relinquishing himselfe ; in preferring others before himselfe . in judging well of others ; but worst of himselfe . in wishing unto others , as to himselfe . in rejoycing in nothing but in the crosse of christ : yet unfainedly suffering with those who suffer for christ. now return and accompt , proud pilgrim , whether there appeare any tokens of this poor spirit in thee ? hast thou not ever reteined a good opinion of thine owne worthlesse worth ? hast thou not beene of a contentious spirit ? hast thou not answered reproach with reproach ? hast thou not beene more ready in defending thine owne honour ; then advancing the honour of thy saviour ? hast thou not beene so farre from possessing thy soule in patience , as thou couldst not endure the least affront without much violence ? hast thou with soft words mitigated wrath : nay , hast thou never suffered the sunne to set upon thy wrath ? hast thou in an humble contempt of thy selfe , preferred others before thy selfe ? nay , rather hast thou not with the spirit of contradiction opposed thy judgment against others ; and out of a foolish presumption made an idol of thy selfe ? hast thou in the scale of charity , preferred others before thy selfe ? or rather , hast thou not rashly judged others in thine heart : and in thy too strict examination of him concluded with that proud pharisee , i am not as this man is ? in a word , hast thou judged well of others , but worst of thy selfe : or wished unto others as to thy selfe : or rejoyced like a faithfull champion in the crosse of christ : or like a compassionate member , suffered with those who suffer for christ ? o no ; nothing lesse can i finde in my selfe , unhappy pilgrim , i have ever held a poor spirit in contempt , and an unsit companion to take acquaintance of in this world. how then deare saviour , may i expect an inheritance in the kingdome of heaven ; who am so farre estranged from a mild spirit on earth ? o my lord incline thine eare to my petition ! renue a right spirit within mee ; so shall i be endowed with what delighteth thee ; by accounting a meek spirit a spirituall beauty ; and after this life , through thy mercy become inheritour of that kingdome which thou hast prepared for those that love thee . chap. . blessed are the meeke , for they shall possesse the earth . here is a promise that the meeke shall possesse the earth : and yet is it hard to find a spirit truly meeke upon the earth . by which thou maist gather ( poor pilgrim ) that there is another earth besides this earth wee here tread on , which shall bee given for a possession to the meeke . that desired earth , prepared onely for such who have wained their desires from earth . this is a land which floweth with better things then milke and honey . an heavenly havilah , where the purest gold is to be found : nay , where the very streetes are paved with gold ; the walls are of pretious stones ; the gates are made of the best margarites ; those many mansions founded of square stones , built of saphires , arched over with golden bricks : which none must enter but he that is cleane , none must inhabit that is defiled . where then must thy possession be in this land of promise ? what mansion maist thou expect in this holy city ? woe is mee ! i am uncleane ; i am uncleane ; from head to foot there is nothing in me but boyles , sores and runnings . how may i then looke there to receive any mansion , seeing to a cleane lord is required a cleane habitation ? how may i thinke that my master will looke on mee , who all my life time have observed least what hee commanded most : practised nothing more then what he prohibited ; neglected nothing more then what hee commanded ? how may i expect from his hands a blessing ; or this promised possession of that earth ; who never shewed so much as the least meeknesse upon earth ? yet did that meeke lambe , who became an offering for me , leave such a patterne unto mee ; that if i were not wholly unmindfull of my soules honour : nor wholly forgetfull of the love of such a master , i could not chuse but after his example become his meeke and obedient follower . for his whole life was a mirror of meeknesse : seeing from the cratch to the crosse he suffered all things patiently , beare all reproaches meekely , to reach unto thee from the tree of his crosse a crowne of glory . o my redeemer imprint this meeknesse of thine in my memory ; let it never depart from me ; put a meeke and mild answer into my mouth , when any one shall revile me . let me referre my cause unto thee , and that with such christian charity , as i may sincerely pray for mine enemy : and in meekenesse of spirit to imitate the example of that meeke lambe , who with so resigned a will became a sacrifice for mee . chap. . blessed are they that mourne , for they shall be comforted . that wise preacher could say , it was better going to the house of mourning , then to the house of rejoycing . and yet how little did this admonition worke upon thy thoughts ? how pleasant have those consorts of death ; those brethren in evill seem'd unto thee ? how merrily the houre went away ? nothing was wanting to make your delights more complete : but that you wanted time to make your follies more complete . full cups , merry songs , prophane oathes were the onely actors that presented themselves in this expence of time . a long night soone past over , but not so easily accounted for . but tell me , thou misguided pilgrim , were 't thou as quick in thy visits to the house of mourning ? didst thou labour to comfort the comfortlesse ? didst thou mourne with those that mourn'd ; or with a tender christian heart suffer with those that suffer'd ? o no! shall i rather tell thee what thou hast done ? thou hast rejoyced when others mourned ; taken content when others suffered . nay , if at any time thou mourned'st , it was such , as god himselfe was provoked with it . for thou either immoderately mourned'st for the losse of thy friend , and so offended'st him with thy excessive mourning ; or what was worse , for the losse of some temporall substance , and so provoked him with thy indiscreet sorrowing ; or which was worse , for that thou mightst not enjoy thy full of pleasure ; and so plunge thy soule downe into the balefull pit of predition for ever . thy desire was to passe time over with a merry heart : and to satisfie her in the lusts thereof . and yet thou hadst so much divinity in thee as sometimes to consider , how none could partake in comfort here and elsewhere . how none could be there comforted , who was not here afflicted . how none could be there solaced , unlesse hee here sorrowed . how the almighty had a sonne without sinne , but none without a scourge . one , who wept often , but was never seene to laugh . one who from his birth to his death made his life a continued scene of sorrow . one , who in the bitternesse of his soule called and cryed to all such as past by him , to come unto him , to behold him , and witnesse with him , if ever there were sorrow like unto his sorrow . o no my deare saviour , there was never sorrow like unto thy so●rrow , yet i who occasion'd thy sorrow , partake little in thy sorrow ! o bring mee now to a true sense of my sinne ; to a true sorrow for my endanger'd soule . let my eyes be so well acquainted with teares ; as my affection may be estranged from all joyes . let mee become so happy a mourner , as with devout magdalen , i may become an hearty convert of an hainous sinner , and so by ceasing from sinne , become a welcome guest to my saviour . chap. . blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , for they shall bee satisfied . many times hast thou hungred ; oft hast thou thirsted ; but tell mee was this for righteousnesse ? no ; this hunger of thine was rather like the prodigals in hungring after the huskes of vanity ; or like esau's in hungring after delicacie ; or like ahabs in hungring after anothers vineyard greedily ; or like hamons in hungring after honour gracelesly . and the like was thy thirst ; thou thirsted , but it was with gehezay , after gold ; or with those before the flood , after full cups ; or like nimrod , after blood : or like amnon after lust . all this while , resolve mee where thine heart is ? it cannot be lodged in the sanctuary , being so betroathed to vanity . thy delight cannot bee in the law of the lord. thine heart can never endite a good matter , so long as thou suffers it to wander from thee like light thamar after this manner . o how farre is this after hungring how to promote gods glory ? how farre is this from thirsting after workes of mercy ? for how soever some of these , who dedicate themselves to the devotion of the world : upon a more serious remembrance of gods heavie judgements , prepared for every rebellious and impenitent sinner , may sometimes seeme struck with remorse of conscience ; and heartily wish with balaam the death of the righteous : yet so long as they care not for walking in the wayes of the righteous : nor with an humble holy zeale thirst after righteousnesse , nor mortifie their desires by the law of obedience : they may bee long time wishers before they bee enjoyers . such desires can never produce good effect , which are not seconded with the fruits of a good life . where piety has lost her practise ; there is small comfort in the court of conscience . as the faithfull man liveth by faith ; so must hee live in the life of faith : and walke according to the profession of his faith ; or hee shall never receive the promises of faith . hee who believes whatsoever is necessarily to bee believed : and observeth whatsoever is by the divine law of god commanded , that man shall be accepted . but what is to bee expected in this wide world , this wilde wildernesse ; where there appeares such want of obedience in youth ; such want of devotion in age ; such want of conscience in both ? and what art thou , unhappy pilgrim , who speakest these things ; but as leaven to make soure the lumpe ? thy life hath corrupted many , reclaimed none . none more ready to sinne ; none more slow to sigh for those sinnes which hee hath committed . none hungring nor thirsting more after those troubled brooks of vanity and lightnesse ; none hungring nor thirsting lesse after those precious treasures of righteousnesse . deare lord , be mercifull unto mee a sinner . i thirst , lord , i thirst ; give mee to drinke of those waters of life : for unlesse thou helpe mee , and reach them to mee , i remaine desolate and hopelesse of reliefe in this time of my necessity . sweet iesu , the well is deepe , and i have not wherewith to draw ; unlesse thou draw mee to thee , and bestow on mee what with all humility i begge of thee . o increase in mee an holy hunger and constant thirst after righteousnesse ; that my wayes and workes may bee sanctified throughout in the practise of obedience . chap. . blessed are the mercifull , for they shall obtaine mercy . canst thou , unmercisull pilgrim , looke for mercy at the hand of thy maker ; and never so much as open the bowels of thy compassion to thy poore brother ? art thou not in farre deeper are●res to him that made thee ; then hee is unto thee , whom thou usest so unmercifully ? what would become of thee , if hee should deale with thee according to his justice ? and throw thee into that lake of fire and brimstone ; where the worme is ever gnawing and never dying ; fire ever burning and never cooling ; and death ever living and never ending ? where woe and sorrow , howling and gnashing of teeth is the best melody that raging tophet can afford . now , to avoide a place of such endlesse torment , who would not suffer the losse of any temporall estate , nay even of life it selfe ? yet thou , unhappy one , wilt not make thee friends of thy worldly mammon ; nor in workes of mercy expresse thy selfe a christian . every where maist thou find subjects fit to exercise thy charity ; in every lane , in every street thy poore languishing brother begging reliefe for his sake , who suffer'd death for thy sake : and yet thou turnest away thy face from him : his many ragges and running sores make thee abhorre him . again , thou canst not encounter thy debter but with much distemper ; though the times be hard ; his family poore ; and his necessities great , yet conceivest thou no pitty of his distressed estate . thou layes thine executions upon him , throwes him into prison : where it is the least of thy care what become of him . let him starve for food , thou art well contented ; his poor en●eebled corps no sooner lose their breath , then thou losest thy debt , and art here with well satisfied . againe , should any poore way-faring soule repaire to thy house , this cell of thy pilgrimage ; and after that ordin●ry forme of begging in italy , should beseech thee to doe good for thine owne sake ; thine answer , as it has been ever , would be like that churlish nabals : shall i give my bread and my flesh unto strangers ? tell mee then how canst thou looke for the least drop of mercy , who in all thy time hast been a stranger to the workes of mercy ? oh when hee shall demand of thee , who gave himselfe for thee ; where bee those hungry soules which thou hast relieved ; those thirsty ones whom thou hast refreshed ; those naked ones whom thou hast cloathed ; those harbourlesse pilgrims whom thou hast harboured ; those sickly members whom thou hast visited ; those comfortlesse captives whom thou hast redeemed ; those last obits or offices which thou to thy dead brother should'st have performed ? what advocate then canst thou find to plead for thee ? who is hee that will speake a good word for thee to the king , that his wrath may be appeased towards thee ? oh none , none ; thou art wholly left to thy selfe , and utterly lost in thy selfe : and even in thine owne bosome shalt find that witnesse to accuse thy selfe : as nothing may remaine but the expectance of a terrible and irrevocable sentence . o god of mercy , deale not with mee according to the measure of my sinnes , for they are exceedingly multiplied : but according to thy great mercy put away my iniquities , that thy name may bee magnified . o lord , thou who delightest in mercy , and wilt have mercy on those on whom thou wilt have mercy , make mee to delight in that wherein thou delightest , that in the day of wrath i may find mercy . chap. . blessed are the cleane in heart , for they shall see god. can the leopard lay away his spots , or the ethiopian his blacknesse ? as the leper in the old law was commanded to cry out , i am uncleane , i am uncleane : so i , a foule sinfull leper , may cry out in the same manner , that men may shun me lest they become infected by my behaviour . for as the soule is farre more precious then the body : so is the leprosie of sinne farre more dangerous then that of the skinne . the swan , if at any time shee pride her selfe in her beauty , no sooner lookes upon her bla●k feet , then she wailes her plumes , miserable pilgrim ! looke at thy blacke feet , how they are ever walking in the wayes of sinne ; looke at thy blacke hands , how they are ever with greedinesse committing sinne ; looke at thy black prophane mouth , how it is ever belching forth motives to sinne ; looke at thy blacke projecting braine , how it is ever plotting new wayes or passages for sinne . look at thy blacke deceitfull heart , how it is ever imagining how to strengthen the arme of sinne , looke at thy black corrupted lever , which proves thee a corrupt liver , how it is infected with sinne . nay , looke at every part , and every where shalt thou find this spirituall leprosie raging and raigning ; spreading and streaming into every veine , every joynt or artery ? and yet what an idoll thou makest of thy selfe ? how ready thou art to justifie thy selfe ? how farre from craving thy good physicians helpe , as thou wilt rather dye then confesse thy want of health ? truth is , there is no sinne of a more dangerous quality , then this spirituall idolatry ; for by it whatsoever is in value least is honoured most : and againe , whatsoever in honour most , is valued least . oh hadst thou ( unmindfull pilgrim ) looked so carefully to the clensing of thine inward house , as thou hast done to the needlesse trimming of thine outward house : hadst thou beene as mindfull of clensing thine heart , as thou hast beene of brushing thine habit : oh then these leprous spots which now appeare so foulely on thee , had never infected thee ! then had thy life beene a lampe unto others ; then had the affections of thine heart beene pure : yea , god himselfe had prepared in thee a tabernacle for himselfe to dwell in ; a bed of flowers for him to repose in ; a temple for him to be praysed in . see then what thou hast lost , by losing that beauty which should have delighted him most ! the sight of god. woe is mee , what a losse is this ? to be deprived , and of that eternally , in the fruition whereof consists all glory ? the sight of god! woe is me ! that ever i was borne , to lose that for which i was borne ; for which i was re-borne ! the sight of god! the nourishment of every angelicall soule ; this have i lost by not clensing my heart : for the cleane in heart shall only see god. o clense mee from my secret sinnes ! o forgive me my strange sinnes ! o let mee now returne to thee with my whole heart : and clense thou mine heart ; that i may make godlinesse my gaine , and with these eyes see thee , my god of sion . chap. . blessed are the peace-makers , for they shall be called the children of god. i beseech you , that neighbour near me , and whose testimony may much availe me ; speake for me ; have i since i sojourned amongst you , laboured to compose peace , or to prevent occasion of suites ? have i performed any office that might tend to peace ? oh speake for me ; be it your charity to speak for me : for unlesse your charity doe it , sure i am my endeavours have little deserved it . o no ; i see you cannot justly speake one good word to the king for mee ! for my conversation hath beene otherwise amongst you . the spirit of contention and contradiction raigned in me : and so farre divided was i from the bond of charity , as i delighted in nothing more then nursing enmity . injuries i would beare none : nay , rather then embrace peace , i would make injuries of none . neighbourly arbitrations i neither affected nor admitted : it was my counsell ever that suits should bee commenced : let the law try it , though the cause were not worth a see for which we contended . nay , to feed this fire of debate with new fuell ; i told such who repaired to mee for advise ( damnable advice to lead a deluded client into the height of all vice ) that to beare an injury , were to make every one their enemy . how hee who forgives him that wrongs him , encourageth him to picke a new quarrell at him : while the remitting of one becomes the admitting of another : yea , where a wrong is threatned and not revenged , it emboldneth the actor to see it executed . thus lay i a snare privily to catch the simple and innocent doer ; and by my mischievous counsell to make him of a lover of peace a common barreter . but evill counsell is worst for the counsellor ; this i find too true to my discomfort . for now me thinks all those differences which i raised ; all those quarrels which i started ; present themselves before thee , threatning nothing less then perdition to me : for by the malicious instigation of sathan , they buzze like bees about me , and with strong hand bring mee forth , before the face of heaven and earth publikely to accuse me . this is hee , say they , who would be called the child of god ; but how can hee have any interest in that title ; how dares he presume to derive any such promise from god , who all his life time has beene a profest enemy to the peace of god ? hee has laboured to encourage neighbour against neighbour ; to bring all things into confusion by his distemper ; and may such an one have any hope to aspire to a title of such honour ? the world has beene long since weary of him ; because nothing but contention relished well with him : and shall his spirit which disquieted every place , and became an instrument of faction in every place , enjoy the comfort of peace ? or the reward of such as embrace peace ; or that superlative title of those peace-makers , to be called one of the children of god ? thus may i , poore pilgrim , be justly accused , and by what meanes may i be freed ? how may i cleare these accusations , whereof i am not onely endited , but convicted . even by thy meditation , my deare saviour ; who brought peace unto us , by suffering so many things for us . o be thou my peace-maker , my sweet redeemer ! let mee now at last , after my breach of peace with thee , and with those whom i ought to have showne my selfe peaceable to , for thee ; let mee , i say , love peace and ensue it , that i may enjoy that crowne of peace , after my dismission from this campe of earth , which thou before all times hast prepared for those who embraced peace upon earth . and since none can bee called the child of god , unlesse hee bee a peace maker ; give me grace to love and live in peace , that i may receive that blessed title from thee , my only saviour . chap. . blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the kingdome of heaven . straite is the gate , and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life , and few there be that enter in at it : the reason is , because by many tribulations wee are to come unto it . the high way unto the crowne , is by the crosse. christian devotion and spirituall discipline must bee workes of paine , not of the pillow . but this is an hard taske for flesh and blood ! it is true ; but it will be an harder taske for flesh and blood to suffer those paines of hell. christs disciples could not watch with him one houre , till they grew heavy . heavy , indeed , was that lethargy , that would not suffer them to wake one houre in christs company . yet after all this , when they were divided from his bodily presence , they became so strengthned by his gracious assistance : as neither watchings nor wearinesse ; scourgings , nor imprisonments ; tyrants threatnings , nor inexquisite torments could divide them from the love of their sweet master , for whose honour they were ready to suffer any torture . this , and only this , it was , which moved so many glorious martyrs to seale their christian constancy with their dearest blood ; this it was , which enduced so many religious virgins to overcome the weaknesse of their sexe : and with a vowed constancy , and constant chastity to sleight those assaults of savage cruelty ; those threats of brutish hostility , which the enemies of christ and of his crosse belched forth against them . this caused those faithfull confessors to stand in defence of the truth , and in the face of their persecutors to maintaine whatsoever they had professed , and to confirme it with the losse of their lifes ; rather then the light of the gospel should by their inconstancy become darkened : or the least derogation to his glory who was the author of it , should bee by their fainting or back-sliding occasioned . these found them refuges in caves and holes of rocks ; and in these recluses were they comforted : for in these they devoutly meditated of those holes of the spirituall rocke , christ iesus , in whom amidst all their persecutions they found incomparable solace . and now poore pilgrim , with penitent peter look upon thy relinquish'd master ! what hast thou suffered for him , that thou maist lawfully challenge any part in him : or any priviledge by him ? the kingdome of heaven thou hast heard must be for those that suffer : thou shouldst then either in act or heart be a martyr . wayes of softnesse and delicacy leade slowly to the gate of glory . it is true , too true ; thou hast not sticked to suffer hunger , and thirst , and nakednesse ; nay , all all those extremes which any worldling could suffer ; but to what end were all these ? were they not to enrich thy co●●ers : or advance thee to immerited honours ? did these soure and heavy taskes bear in their forehead any semblance of goodnesse ? were they suffered for righteousnesse sake ? no ; no ; but for selfe-love sake . for pray thee , didst thou ever heare gods name reviled ; the gospel slandered ; the professors of it disgraced ; and in the presence of an imperious but an impious wretch , stood in defence of it ? hast thou at any time out of the zeale thou bear'st to gods honour , opposed the malicious fury of a powerfull persecutor ? hast thou fled from citie to citie in defence of gods quarrell : or with a pious resolution fought his battell ? many presidents , and those of great personages were recommended to thee ; who bore themselves such noble chie●etaines in this kind , as to promote his glory whom they loved , they hasted to death , as it had beene to a banqu●t : honours , friends , fortunes these relinquished , for their best friends sake , to whose sweet spousall love , they were solely affianced . o my heavenly spouse , lesse i cannot be the● ashamed , to heare such constant . champions fighting ; such faithfull worke men labouring ; and then consider with my selfe , how i have beene ever sporting and loitering . o thou who hast taught me how to ●ight , teach mee likewise to overcome : that suffering for righteousnesse sake , or retaining in mee a desire of suffering , of a champion on earth , i may become a citizen in the kingdome of heaven . chap. . how seven guests , under colour of lodging with him , sought his undoing . many instead of turtles , have received snakes into their bosomes . and such was my unfortunate condition . for upon a time sitting in my summer arbour , safe as i thought , from the encounter of any open enemy , or secret danger : even there , where my private repose promised mee no lesse then a secure and untroubled rest ; suddenly there appeared before mee seven strangers ; who complayning how they had lost their way , humbly besought mee to bestow upon them one nights lodging : and that with a gratefull acknowledgement of so free a courtesie , they would depart early from mee the next morning . i must confesse this their sudden approach , did at first not a little amaze me , wondring much how these could find accesse unto me , seeing as i remembred , i had shut the doores of my garden , that none might disturbe mee . but even civility exacting an answer from mee ; having first fully taken notice and survey of them ; i in this manner addressed my selfe unto them . gentlemen , ( for you seeme no lesse by your habits nor demeanures ) though my privacy has seldome knowne the condition of hospitality ; yet being strangers , as you professe your selves to be , i should hold it an act of great incivility not to entertaine you . one night shall not breake square amongst us : i shall accommodate you with lodgings , though it may be not according to your ranks or qualities , for i am a stranger to you , yet in such manner as i have good hope one nights stay will not tyre you . with which answer being well pleased , i left mine arbour , and tooke them in with mee ; preparing such things for them as might refresh them , for they seemed weary . desiring then much to heare what newes those countries afforded , wherein these strangers seemed very lately to have resided : and withall longing much to be acquainted with their severall dialects , as likewise to dive into their dispositions , which i must ingenuously confesse , appeared to mee so different ; that though they pretended to be of one nation , yet both their language , quality , and habit seemed much to evince them , i tooke occasion to call them aside , purposely to converse with them severally ; little doubting how thes● strangers came , rather to undermine mee , then lodge with mee , as you shall hereafter understand more fully . chap. . pride ▪ the very first with whom i took occasion to discourse , appeared to me at the first sight a very compleate gallant ; and of a proper winning personage : neat was his dresse ; perfumed and curiously dishevelled his haire ; with a long amorous lock hanging downe his shoulder ; the twirling whereof mee thought gave an infinite grace to his discourse . i made bold to aske of him , where hee was borne , and in what parts hee had most remained . for his birth hee told me the very angels would informe me : for howsoever some might imagine that in regard of his familiar discourse and converse with men , hee had received his birth and parentage from them : yet hee came from an higher stock : and that it was impossible for him to remember his descent without reserving of an angelicke state . this i must confesse made me hold him in more reverence then all the rest of my guests : for his curiosity in diet , lodgi●g , and whatsoever might accommodate him did so properly become him , as his fellow travellers seemed but home-spunne countrey swaines unto him . and to answer mee in whatsoever i demanded of him , touching the place of his aboad ; hee told mee that upon his first comming into this lower world , hee planted first neare that glorious city babylon ; where by his instructions hee made the common people there such proficients , as leaving their former rudenesse , they betooke themselves to such nicenesse and neatnesse , as they would rather neglect their trade , then not observe the fashion of the time . but to have seene what a princely port the better sort retained , would have mov'd the passengers greedy eye sooner to admire it , then unseene to believe it , but to remaine in one place still , were it never of so beauteous a site , or pretious in magnificence of state , was the least of his thought : for he told me , that his commission was more generall : being enjoyned by his superiour to put in practise such directions in every city , burrow , corporation , or village , as might win the hearts of all such inhabitants unto his prince : and by that meanes inlarge his kingdome . wherewith drawing forth a long scroule , he shewed unto mee a briefe of all such directions as were prescribed him : with a relation of such places and persons by whom hee was best entertained . what countries he had brought in and gained : how farre his master seignory was enlarged , with divers other particular remonstrances ; the discovery wherof so much delighted me , as i desired nothing more then with more freedome to enjoy his company : resolving to importune his stay some longer time with me : and to my request hee inclined readily . albeit hee told mee , that during his sojourne with mee , hee might sometimes of necessity crave my pardon to resort to divers of his masters especiall customers , as painters , persumers , periwig-makers , with other commodious ingles for the tyre-house of sinne ; to the end they might keepe their hands in ure , and their braines aworke , to shape a coat for the moone , and bring the world into a new fashion . and to the end hee might doe mee a courtesie for my late hospitality ; he so strangely madded mee with the thought of bravery , as i became wholly his , cheerfully embracing whatsoever hee commanded mee : for within short time i became such a vassall to him , as i thought any service well bestow'd that i could doe unto him ▪ o my redeemer , was this to serve under thy banner ? what is there that thou delightest more in then humility ; and was it my duty to entertaine pride with such hospitality ? no , lord , no. thou became humbled , that i might bee exalted ; and shall i exalt my selfe , to leave thee dishonoured ? o my redeemer , expell from mee the spirit of pride , and propitiously grant unto mee the treasure of true humility . o give mee a full sight of my infirmities , that in the sight and shame of them i may conclude , why art thou proud , o dust and ashes ? o , as in this so in all other vertues , as i am thine by creation , and condition , so may i be thine in affection and imitation . chap. . covetousnesse . having now growne into such familiarity with this neat guest , whom in regard of his choice discourse and spruce dresse i preferred before all the rest ; nothing delighted mee more freely then the enjoyment of his company : yet desiring to enter into conference with those that consorted with him : the very next day , i tooke occasion to talke with another of my guests : one , who as i formerly observed , was so unlike the former in his condition , as hee seemed not to bee one of the same countrey or nation . for asking of him the place of his birth and countrey , hee answer'd mee bluntly , that for his birth , hee grew forth of achans wedge : and for his countrey , as he was a tyrian : but ●aving now left that depopulated citie , every place was now his countrey . for his appa●ell , it was so carelesly put on , as if either hee were weary of it , or it of him ▪ i imagin'd him at the first sight to be male-contens : for with foulded armes and dejected ●yes , poring still upon the ground ; hee appeared as one who had rather be buried in it , then live above it . so as comming to him , and desiring to know the ground of his discontent : in an heavy and s●llen manner hee answer'd me , because hee could not bee content . not content , said i ▪ why what would you have ? whatsoever , said hee , others have . then replyed i , you would others to have nothing . that were nothing to me , said hee , so i might have all things . this at first seemed to mee a strange humour : yet within short time by his advice i begunne to labour of the same distemper . i held it a brave thing to bee rich , for i understood how wealth had so taken up the opinion of the world , that a rich man , lived he ne're so wretchlesly , yet after his death , it would be said of him : hee dyed a good man ! i considered too , how by this meanes one might be provided of rend●ing a curtesie to his friend , and taking revenge upon his foe . yet for the former of these , my sage guest told me , that the way to thrive was not to be giving , but receiving : and to ●●count him the best friend , who was aptest to forget what hee had given , or in expecting what hee should receive . and now by meanes of those worldly lectures , which hee had by my direction so gravely , and effectually read unto mee , i became such a proficient in mammons schoole , as those who long time had beene nursed and nusled in it , could not come neare mee in the practick part of a worldling . though i knew nothing more pretious then time , yet made i small account of the sale of time for the gaine of gold , i begun to dispence with my nights rest : and to weaken nature , by abridging her reliefe ; chusing rather to starve then impoverish my state . what others of my meni●y enjoyed , i , though the master of the family , wanted . nothing might eate while i slept : meane time , while i slept , i gave way to strangers to eate up my strength . thus came my cares to be increased , while my fortunes multiplied . yet what comfort found i in these ? the richer i grew in state , the poorer i grew in content . though i outwardly surfeted , i became inwardly starved . thirsty were my desires ; ever labouring of most emptiness , when in reason they might have bin fullest . and yet how i hugged mine owne affliction ! every day i understood how i was neerer and neerer to my dissolution : and yet still farther and farther from content : i had heard likewise , how riches would not deliver mee in the day of wrath : yet did i treasure up vengeance against the day of wrath. i considered how bitter death would be unto that man that put his trust in his substance : and yet noo sooner came mine old guest unto mee , then his worldly rhetoricke prevailed with me , driving all other divine considerations quite out of my memory . deare lord , give mee grace to leave the love of the world , before i leave the world ; to leave my fancying of it , before i depart from it : that in a pious contempt of it , i may learne this lesson of that elect vessell ; i have learned in all things to be contented . so shall my hope bee in thee planted ; my herrt on thee ●ixed ; and my horne by thee filled . chap. . lechery . by this time i had received sufficient instructions from two of my guests ; how to thrive in the world : as likewise how to reserve a port or proud posture in the world . and howsoever pride and covetousnesse seemed to bee of different conditions : and of such dis-consorting humours , as these two never tooke liking to any musicke , but what was full of discord : yet me thought they agreed well enough together under my roofe : yea , i i bestow'd them in the very next lodging to mee , that i might enjoy the benefit of their company more freely . but having now broke off my discourse with that guest of mine ; a man wholly made of earth ; and looking aside , i might perceive a fresh youthfull consort entring the room , where wee conversed . by his habit , gate and fashion , i could scarcely distinguish him , whether hee were man or woman . so strangely effeminate , and to light discourses so affected , as hee breathed nothing but amorous songs and sonnets ; loose love was the line by which hee directed the whole course of his life . his bosome was farced full of amorous knights adventures : his morning lectures were boccace and alcaeus : his evening anthems were ariosto and reginus . for his person , he was of a promising constitution , but of pale complexion : a quick piercing eye ; a nimble perswasive tongue : and of such a wooing winning action , as no expression came from him which would not enforce affection . i must confesse , i no sooner saw him , then i found a glowing heat within mee towards him : yea , i begunne mee thought , to conceive better of him , then either of the two with whom i had before conversed ; so full of delightfull variety was his discourse ; so melodious his voyce ; so affectionately moving and compleate in every part . i desired much to know his descent and countrey : and hee resolved mee readily ; that his first plantation was neere to the banks of that famous river sybaris ▪ where he erected a schoole for love : afterwards richly endowed by such eminent proficients as had beene schollers in it : but desiring much to see forraine countries , not onely to improve his own knowledge , but observe her commands to whose service he stood obliged ; hee coasted along by paphos , where his mother , the soveraignesse of every loyall lover , then kept court : and from thence with merry gale hee came to cypr●s : and some few moneths after to renowned latium . where hee found such entertainment , as neither care nor cost were awanting to procure his liking . i importun'd him much to heare some of those lessons which he had formerly taught : and wherein i desired much to become his scholler : but small importunity needed , seeing his owne desires were thereto directed : so as , taking me apart from the rest of the company , hee imparted to mee such directions , as nothing became more pleasing to me then the embraces of folly . wanton pictu●es , light amorous poems ; loose licentious meetings ; luscious feastings seazed so strongly on my deluded fancy ; as love became both my ditty and deity . for hee advised me to walke by the twi-light ; and and to engage mine honour to an harlot . thus was i drawn by the cords of vanity ; made ● slave to sinne ; an enemy to my owne soule ; and in the end a by-word to the people . o my beloved what may i answer in defence of my lost honour , woe is mee miserable wretch to lose that without all hope of recovery , which i should have preserved perpetual●y ! o incomparable and inconsolable losse , to loose that which is not onely the losse of all goodnesse , but the purchase of all torments ! o thou pretious treasure of a continent soule , how unhappily am i robbed of thee ? o my soule , my beloved , how art thou now to bee loathed ! o my soule , no more my solace , but my anguish ! o my deare , how art thou now becoms my despaire ! whether art thou falne ? how hast thou left me ; nay how hast thou reft mee of those comforts which i expected from thee ? to what a sinke of all filth , and pollution , hast thou , o lust of my flesh drawne mee ? how may i hope for pardon , in playing so impudently the wanton ? even by thy mediation , my sweet saviour ; o offer up my poore petition unto thy father , that i may become thy devout saint and servant , who was sometimes a servant to sinne in every member . chap. . envy . having thus freely enjoyed the conference of these three guests ; in whose familiarity i took much content . for as the first and third had recommended to mee rules of state , and motives to pleasure ; so had the second taught mee a thriving way how to cram my coffers , that i might more fully maintaine the port both ofth ' one and th' other ; holdding my selfe satisfied in these ; i resolved to enter into treaty with the rest : so as walking one day very early , i chanced to meet with one , but the unbeseeming'st one of all my guests , for his complexion seem'd so withered and decayed : his body so meagre and macilent ; as he appeared rather like some anatomy then any living creature . this poor marrow-eaten wretch i found sighing and making a pittifull mone , as if some heavy mis-chance had befal●e him : but inquiring the reason of his sorrowing , he told mee that the occasion of his griefe proceeded not from any mishappe falling to himselfe ; but for the happinesse he perceived many others lived in . for to see anothers field flourish ; or his goods to increase and prosper ; was such an eye-sore unto him , as nothing could more distemper him . this i conceived to be a base condition , and such as to humanity had very small relation . so as , i resolved to quit my house of him ; and give him his pasport : finding nothing in him but an harsh unsociable humour ; rejoycing in nothing more then the ruine of another , yet desiring to sift him a little further , and to the bottom , to make tryall of his nature ; i took first , occasion to demand of him of what parents hee descended ; and in what coast he first planted ? and he told mee , that iewry was his native countrey ; and his parents iewes ; with whom he long time remained neare to the lake asphaltos . i asked of him what content he could take in the world , when nothing but the evill successe of others presented him any object of joy in the world ? and he answer'd mee , if i knew what strange content the envious man apprehended from others misfortunes , i would preferre that humour before any personall honour : for , said hee , whosoever stands so affected , hee cannot want variety of subjects to minister to him that content which he desired . i must , indeed , confesse , quoth he , that i am of necessity now & then to encounter with some arguments of discontent ; as i did this very morning in seeing your neighbours pastures so fruitfull ; their harvest so hopefull : but for one of these objects , i shall find an hundred occasions of content . no place is exempted from mee : no person excepted from playing one part or other in this enterlude of folly . o how it joyes mee to see a proud ambitious spirit entring lists with his competitor : where the one must necessarily fall to advance the other ? honour was their bait , and it proves their baine . againe , to see a love-sick amorous foole put his whole patrimony on his back , to enamour his light mistresse with a phantastick dresse : and in the end come home with a repulse : and so like a child put singer i th' eye : or laying it to heart , make the losse of her fancy , the cloze of his misery . againe , to see a miserable covetous father scraping up an injurious estate for a prodigall child ; who before his fathers funerall bee solemnized , takes as much paines how to scatter it , as ever his raking father did to gather it . or to see a base worlding spend himselfe in sighs and teares for the losse of his beast ; making himselfe no better by his foolish mourning then that poor senselesse creature for which he mourned . to see wisemen lament for the death of their children ; as if death were some new thing : or that there were no hope after death . to see a confident client faile in his su●te ; or an earth-worme stript of his estate . and is not this brave sport for an envious spirit . this i considered , and methought i begun to bee taken with the pleasure of it . the report of others well-fare became distastfull to mee ; their mis-fortunes cheerefull newes unto me . others weale became my wo , others wo my weale . o my redeemer , thou who art perfect charity , remove from mee the rust of envy . too long ha's this ●anker eat●n mee . o let mee neither do nor wish that unto anther , which i would not have done nor wished to my selfe . o make mee such an enemy to this sinne , as i may live in love ; yea rather cease to live , then surcease to love thee for thy selfe , my neighbour for thy sake . chap. . gluttony . no sooner had i dismist this starveling ; then i encountred another cleare of another temper : plumpe he was and well-liking ; one who cared not much what arrow of gods judgment were shot , so famine were left out . he told mee , he had beene a professor of philosophy in the epicures academy . how he was by nation a sidonian , and descended from the vitellian family . albeit , in the manner of his discourse , he discovered no great arguments of a scholler ; being of a dull and clodded fancy : and of apprehension slow and heavy . his providence meerly consisted in purveyance for the belly . wherein hee observed such delicacie ; as hee scorned much to sit at that table which was not stored with all variety . i told him strangers were not to be so curious ; but rather contented with whasoever was for the present provided . wherewith seeming a little moved ; sir , said he , i am neither so wanting in friends nor fortunes , as i need rely upon reversions . i have thus long lived and fed deliciously , making my bellie my deitie . and if you knew what delight there were in a luscious tooth , and what pleasure in full dishes ; what strength they afford to nature : and how they infuse into the bloud a fresh reviving vigour , i am perswaded you would preferre this delight before any other pleasure . sir , answer'd i , take me not up so shortly ; i was never yet knowne such a niggard ; as for sparing a little trash to starve my belly . others through their misery may stand indebted to it , but for my part i will rather choose to abridge mine inventorie , then be so taxed by it . but by your favour i must tell you what i have heard ; that surfets kill more then the sword. how he who makes a god of his bellie , surfets in the delight of such a daintie deitie . and i have sometimes read lessius his practise in physick . how , when nature grew so weake in him , as there was no hope of recovering him : and that his physicians had left him : yet by prescribing himselfe a strict diet , and by duely observing what he had prescribed ; he even in his declining age became youthfull ; in his recreations fresh and cheerfull : and even to his death strong and healthfull . and yet he for all this died ( said my delicious guest ) and tell me then what did his rules of physick , availe him ? go to , sir , he that lives physically , lives miserably ; let us cramme and feed our selves fat while wee live ; satisfy our desires in what wee love . so long as wee live in the world , let us enjoy with all freedom , the pleasures of the world. ab●linence suites better with an hermitage then a pallace . take so much paines one day as goe into a monasterie ; and what will you find there , but , as climacus observeth , breathing coarses ? their spirits wasted ; their radicall mo●st●re with their lampe-oyle consumed ; nothing left to present the resemblance of men , save only bare sceletons , or fleshlesse images of men ; and these so uselesse for earth , as their sole devotions and desig●es are for heaven . but leaving these , if you please but to take a turne or two in our epicureall cloisters : you shall find creatures of a fresh and flourishing vigour ; of a strong and sinnowy temper : and such as pro●ise a numerous supply to people the world ; defend the state : and restore nature . this discourse came with such confidence from him , as i had no mind to interrupt him . yea , his advice wrought such impression on mee , as i begun to loath nothing more then temperance , and to love nothing better then delicacy . thus begun i to loose the hopes of a better life , for enjoying the delights of this present life . o where was my reason to suster my selfe to be deprived of joy eternally , for the pleasures of sinne so fraile , deceitfull and transitory . o my deare lord , let mee now at last looke towards canaan , and leave these slesh pots of egypt . o suffer not my heart to be loaden with surfeting and drunkennesse : but arme mee with moderation and temperance . i know well lord , how thou for my sake were 't afflicted with poverty ; and shall i in contempt of thee be affected to delicacy ? nay , lord ; i will chuse rather to perish with hunger , then by my excesse occasion thy dishonour . o be it my desire d●voutly to serve thee by subduing of the flesh ; that i may raigne with thee by suffering no sinne to raigne in my flesh . chap. . wrath. the very next i took occasion to talke withall , was the most braving and imperious guest that ever any one gave harbour to . for during those few dayes wherein hee had sojourned with mee , he begunne to keepe such a quarter , as if the whole house had beene at his command . not a servant but shak't and shudder'd whensoever hee came in presence . so teechie and froward was his humour , that all things seemed in his judgement out of order . thus did my whole family suffer through his fury . so as indeed , i had a great desire to quit my house of him : for daily did mine eares glow with complaints against him . no servant would stay with mee so long as hee remained with mee . all things grew out of joynt ; all things out of square . and now having resolved to put in speedy execution what i had intended ; i tooke the opportunity to acquaint him with my mind . but when i had told him , how my whole family grew weary of him : and that i might of necessity keepe my house alone , if i rid not my doores of him : hee fell into such a furious passion , as i feared much he would have offered some violence to mee : but as good fortune was , his fury resolv'd it selfe into words : which were delivered in that braving and domineering manner ; as mee thought i begunne to take affection to that humour . for he told me , and that in such a scornefull way , as not a word came from him but it breathed contempt , or threatned a mischiefe , that if i thought hee was beholden to me for my entertainment , i was much deceived : for he held my entertainment so unworthy of him , as i might hold my selfe sufficiently contented that hee would accept of it . but sir , said hee i must tell you , i cannot chuse but smile at your folly ; to see you thus over-aw'd and baffall'd by your own family . your indiscreet patience , if you quicken not your temper , will ere it bee long , make you a servant of a master : and by their malepertnesse bring your command into a bondage . your neighbours too , they observe the quietnesse of your disposition ; and they play upon your easinesse . for shame , be of sharper mettall . make your servants tremble when they heare you : and enforce that commanding awe to your inferiours , that as if they heard thunder , they may blesse themselves , when they come neare you . impunity opens a passage to all impiety ; if any commended or committed to your charge shall but lightly offend ; yet you must not be too indulgent in rendring a pardon . i hold it farre better , and for your state or condition fitter , never to debate the cause with mildnesse , for that tasteth of too much softnesse , but to strike before you speake ; to season your reproofe with correction , which will beget in you a reverence , and in them more subjection . this that roman vedius could doe bravely ; and in such an imperious sort exercise his soveraignty : as his very becke was a word of command to all his family . and this while i was in thebes ( for i am a theban borne ) did i constantly practise ; and that not onely over such as i might command : but over such too , whose spirits i found so ready to vaile to one of my quality ; as i made them no lesse subject to my uncontrouled will , then if they had beene of my owne family . for during my reside in that famous city , none but i raised that fearefull fraternall emnity betwixt eteocles and polynices : which unnaturall contest ( so strongly had my fury wrought upon their spirits ) could receive no end , but in one anothers blood . neither was it my humour to be confined : for i had dreamed a little before my departure thence , how with unfortunate hecuba , i was conceived with a fire-brand , and that it could not bee quenched but in the blood of many nations . neither did that ominous dreame of mine prove false : for though with cassandra's prophesie , it would not be believed , the fatall disasters of many flourishing estates have before this time confirm'd it . for to omit the subversion of many ancient empires ; whose memory now sleepes in dust , i appeale even to your selfe , by whose meanes those ruines were occasioned , and that lately amongst our free states ? by whose agency those fearefull and fatall divisions sprung up in calidore : where religion made the pretence , but innovation of government plotted the ground . and who became the manager of those disloyall attempts but my selfe ? if then your desire bee , to be one of note or fame in the world ; observe my directions , admit of no reconciled foe into the list of your discourse . and if at any time you have received an injury , be it publike or private : if hee be your inferiour , or subject to your power , squeaze him : nippe him i say , so ith'head , as you may prevent him of all future hope of rising : but if he be your superiour , and you not able to vye with him in power , over-vye him in policy ; faune on him ; yet still carry a stone in your bosome ; watch some opportunity wherein you may surprize him : but bee sure when you once have him in your clawes , to crush him . what matter makes it , though the jeering lyricke call anger a short madnesse ; hee is in my opinion most mad , that is least angry : for a mild master corrupts a family . now , i would have you to skrue your passion to an higher pin . anger is of too short continuance , it is not for your honour : give harbour then to wrath , for that is an inveterate anger . this will make you so terrible to your foes ; as you shall easily worke your owne ends , by thriving there best , where you are feared most . this discourse , though at first it distas●ed mee ; for how could it sound well in the eare of reason , to heare one breake forth into the immerited praise of an immoderate passion ? yet the conceit of revenge wrought so strongly on my affection , that howsoever i opposed the premisses , i approved well of his conclusion . o lord terrible and just , what would become of me , if thou shouldst have my sinnes in thy remembrance , or shouldst punish mee in thy wrathfull displeasure ? and yet beare i a malicious heart to my brother . hee many times with many teares has besought my pardon : yet would not all these worke in mee any remorse or compassion . o looke downe upon mee with the eye of thy mercy ; remove from mee the spirit of fury ; and arme mee with the shield of patience and lenity . i know , lord , thou hast commanded vs not to suffer the sunne to goe downe upon our wrath ; and yet many sunnes , nay many seasons have gone downe on my wrath . i slept securely , while wrath encompassed my bed : and revenge lay a pillow for my head . o thou mild lambe , imprint the memory of thy example in the tablet of mine heart ; make mee to love mine enemy ; and with a wise virgin lampe fed with the oyle of charity , follow thee my sweet spouse● unto the heavenly citie . chap. . sloath. bvt amongst all others , who had liberally partak't of my bounty ; there was one , who so little deserv'd it , that in a carelesse security , as one respectlesse of any courtesie , hee would all the day long take his rest ; and scarcely rise without much adoe to take his necessary repast . and one day i chanc'd to find him , when all his companions were addressing themselves to one exercise or another , turning or rather rowling himselfe in his bed , like a doore upon the hinges . so as , i begun to take him under hand , and to reprove him ; bidding to shake off sloath for shame , and prepare himselfe for some taske : lest in time he might incurre margites censure , who , because hee neither digged , plowed , nor did any good thing all his time , was not onely barred all civile society living ; but was not admitted to have his ashes deposited in the vrne of his ancestors , dying . i desired to know further of him what content hee could take in groveling after that manner in his bed of security , while every creature according to his ranke or quality , discovered some token of their industry . and in a sluggish manner hee told mee ; how there was none , but at one time or other hee might thrive , provided that hee kept his shop ; now , what did any one know but that it was his calling to make his shop his bed : neither was hee ( as h●e impudently pretented ) unimployed , when hee seemed for rest most addicted . for that very morning , and no longer since , hee told mee that hee kept his bed , not so much for his owne ease , as for composing a maine difference which two noble ladies had referred to him . for there had lately appeared to him two brave women attired in princely habit , who contended much for superiority : and the names of these two ladies were euphuia and argia . now these , after such time as they had appeared before him , discovered both their descents and callings . for euphuia ▪ as she proved her selfe descended from an industrious family ; so shee shewed her selfe a true daughter , for shee was wonderfully given to industry . whereas argia was clear of another humor : for nothing suited better with her disposition , then to doe nothing . these two , accordingly as they stood severally affected , brake forth into commendations of what their natures stood most inclined to . euph●ia affirmed that nothing improved any ones private estate or countrey more then industry . the other , with no lesse confidence spake all she could in praise of privacy , and a sleepy kind of security ; saying , how that was well got , that was got in a warme bed : and that timandra purchas'd as much pleasure in the embrace of her friend , as ever thalestris did in the discomfiture of her foe . the other , to advance the honour of armes with all other honest manuall employments , with much moderation reproved her frowardnesse ; telling her , that shee did but all this to shew her wit : for else shee would spend no breath in commending sloath , which was the death of a living soule . but said he , so strangely did the●e two cloze in the knitting up of their arguments , as with mutuall consent , the difference was referred to me ▪ now , i am here consulting with my pillow , to whether of these two i should give the preheminence . nor , doe i intend to rise , till i have composed the difference . thus did my lazie guest play the eas●e arbitrator , desiring rather a nappe in a corner , then discharge the part of a moderator : so as , i might easily conjecture , to what side hee inclined most , by his aversenesse from labour . and , indeed , i must freely confesse , i begunne not altogether to dislike his humour . for when hee had more fully acquainted mee with the quality of his condition : how and in what manner hee had ever lived ; how hee had shunned all publike employments : desiring rather a writ of ease , then to dis-ease his owne quiet for anothers good . againe , what a madnesse it was , to toyle or turmoile ones selfe in the world ; to have a sickle in anothers corne ; or to have an oare in every ones boat ? to be accounted a wise and subtile commissioner ; and so spend his spirits about a fruitlesse or thankelesse labour ? to play the carking husband , in gathering for a progeny of hopelesse rake-hels ? to afflict himselfe in the hoording up of that ; which is got with paine and toyle , kept with care , and feare , and lost with pangs and griefe ? no , no ; said hee , let the world wagge , so i may enjoy my rest ; draw my curtaines close ; take my morning nappe ; let the husbandman meet with a snake in the way ; let the thirsty worldling play the mole , digge and delve ; i shall rather pitty his folly , then envy his happinesse . this humour , the more i observed it , the more i affected it . so as i begunne to imitate my guest , and to sing the sluggards lullabe , with yet a little , and then a little . and though poverty came so upon mee , yet the enjoyment of a little summer made me forgetfull of an ensuing winter . an hundred excuses would i mould , purposely to sleepe securely : and free my selfe of all busines , though it did never so nearely concerne mee . either there was an adder in the way ; or the weather was unseasonable ; or some indisposition to health , injoyned me to keepe my bed . thus did my delicacy bring mee to security ; which howsoever i flatter'd my selfe , was so farre divided from me : as in the end i found my perplexed estate ever to danger most ingaged , where weaknesse of opinion dreamed to mee , that i was most secured . o my lord , thou who art that heavenly husbandman , that desirest nothing more then labourers in thine harvest ; and art ready to pay every workeman his penny , though hee have but laboured one houre in thy vineyard . thou , who canst not abide that any one should looke backe from the plough , or doe thy worke negligently ; convert my sleepy and sluggish humour into a spirituall fervour . my too long security into a carefull practise of piety . that though my outward man , be but slime , my inward man may be a profest enemy to sloath . o grant mee so to bestow the remainder of my time in faithfull labouring ; that though i have not felt the heat of the day ; nay , though i have scarcely laboured one houre in thy vineyard , i may now receive my penny in the evening . chap. . how by their treacherous assault , his cinque ports , became endangered . thus , thus became i poore pilgrim assaulted ; thus became i foiled . but why doe i inveigh against their treachery , i became to my selfe the most treacherous enemy ? for by yeelding my ●ort● to the spirit of pride , my luciferian glory grew darkned . by entertaining covetousnesse my former content vanished . by cherishing luxury , both mine in ward and outward faculties were disabled . by feeding envy , it became a feeder of mee , and so my spirits became wasted . by cockering gluttony , my spirituall infirmities were strengthned . by harbouring wrath , charity the choicest comfort of christian society was banished . by fostering sloath , out of my great masters check-roule , became my name to be razed . neither were these unthankfull guests so contented ; for by their treacherous attempts , became my cinque ports endangered . so as , those darlings of mine which had they been loyally affected , should have beene my assistants , proved to be my private a●●acinates . not one of them but they failed in performing those due offices to which they were deputed . my eye , indeed , knew how to look , but by wandring it corrupted my understanding with the thought of lust . my eare knew how to heare , but by hearing amisse it distracted the intention of mine heart . my nostrils knew how to smell , but by rejecting those flowers of divine sweetnesse , i begunne to snuffe up the wind with the wild asse in the wildernesse . my touch knew how to performe her office , but by touching uncleane things , or by using cleane things uncleanely , that sense became slaved to all sensuality . my mouth became an open sepulcher ; mine heart sinnes harbour . thus fares it with the state spirituall , as it doth with the politicall ; if the cinque ports bee opened , the state becomes endangered ; lesse●secured , because to invasion more exposed . what then could this poore razed fort of my surprized soule expect but utter ruine , misery and desolation ? foes wrought on mee without : and feares seazed on mee within . i had none left to comfort mee : for my best comfort i had deservingly estranged from mee ; for had i not with demas left god for the world , i might have had god for my friend , and consequently all the creatures of the world . for to leave god , is to make every creature his foe , which ever god made . o , was it not enough for thee to have others to betray thee , but thou must adde new strength to their force , by betraying thy selfe unto thine enemy ? hadst thou tasted so freely of that ever streaming fountaine of gods mercy ; and was it thy duty to recompence his bounty with thy disloyaltie ? this had beene great inhumaniry even to have shewne to the most low and despicable creature : and couldst thou find in thine heart , to offer this abuse unto thy maker ? o woe is mee , that i should receive all good things from the lord , and requite him with nothing but evill ! o that i had ponder'd these things well in mine heart : so might i in the day of my trouble have found h●lpe : and received comfort in the day of wra●h . o my deare lord , justly may i complaine , and in the bitternesse of my soule , cry out : sinners have built upon me : nay , they have made deepe furrowes upon my backe . and there is no health in mee because of thine heavy displeasure . o , though i bee a sinner , bee not unmindfull of thy poore creature . receive mee , o receive mee into the armes of thy mercy ; while i confesse unto thee , who knowest the secrets of all thoughts , my iniquity ? there is not one sense that thou hast given mee , but i will declare unto thee how it has dishonour'd thee . o thou balme of gilead , heale my wounds , for they are many ! chap. . sight . looke on mee , and pitty mee , when you shall heare how this sense has deluded me ! and take warning by my example , that yee suffer not your dinahs to wander , lest they lose their honour . this sense which should direct mee , did first intra● mee : for i no sooner beheld , then i was held captive by that which i beheld . neither was i altogether senselesse of these things : for i understood how death enter'd in by the windowes . and yet i would not shut them , but suffer'd my mortall enemies to enter in by them . nor a concupiscence but by those unguarded portels received admittance . our grandham eve to our shame and losse , saw that the fruit was pleasant , and shee tooke of the fruit and tasted of it . this apple remaines still in the eye , and must continue an eye-sore to all her posterity . thus have our fathers eaten sowre grapes , and their childrens teeth are set on edge . o how often have i resolved with my selfe ( but as in all things else , how weak are mens resolves ? ) to shut these gates against all temptations : and on that object never to fixe my sight , that might give any inlet to sinne : or to looke on that intentively , which i might not desire safely . and to strengthen this resolve , i thought upon some wholesome meditation , the memory whereof i had good hope would keepe those lights within mee : and not suffer them to bee taken up by any worldly vanity . but no sooner gave time and place opportunity , then those weake resolves were quite razed : the thoughts of goodnesse discarded ; piety became a stranger to me : for corruption had seazed on mine heart , and render'd up her hold unto the enemy . o how happy had i beene ; had i in my youth repelled those distemper'd heates which my wanton eye first infused ! but so farre was i from repenting of what my youth had committed : as now my riper yeares are not ashamed to ●●eine a delight in the remembrance of what my youth affected . and what more hard to cure , then an old vlcer , an aged sore ? o yee treacherous spies , why have yee thus wandred about to seeke my undoing ? what gaine may yee reape by my perdition ? is there no end of your fury ; nay , of your madding folly ? o remember , how for these beautifull sights which you have presented to mee : and wherewith you have deceived mee ; ougly and gastly spectacles shall torment both you and mee . for you , and none but you , moved mee so unjustly to covet my neighbours field , because it was fruitfull . and to hunt after the strange woman , because shee was beautifull . your presentments made mee in all things sensuall . thus by bitter experience have i found how by the co●ntenance piety became hindered ; by the eyes , chastity became harmed . o my deare saviour , looke upon mee , who have lost my selfe by looking and longing after what was unlawfull for me . o though i be not worthy by lifting up mine eyes to heaven , to pray unto thee : yet am i not unworthy by blinding mine eyes with teares , to weepe before thee . o doe not turne away thine eyes from mee ! i am wholly lost if thou despise mee ; but i shall renue as the feathers of an eagle , if thou vouchsafe but to looke upon mee . o may my delight be in thy law ; my object thy crosse ; my conscience my feast ; righteousnesse my crown . chap. . hearing . vvould any one thinke , that man the noblest of gods creatures ; nay , to whom hee has given dominion over all his creatures ; man , i say , endued with a reasonable soule , should make that sense which was given him for edification , the instrument of his perdition ? and yet behold the man , with a sense accompanying and corrupting man ! faith commeth by hearing ; and yet how have i broken my faith by hearing ? i had sometimes vowed , though not my selfe , yet by such as undertooke for mee , that i would forsake the devill and his workes , with the pomps and vanities of the flesh ; but where was my performance ? have i not defamed my neighbour ; or heard him defamed ? and what have i answered for him ? nay , have i not delighted in hearing him defamed , or inlarged his disgrace with some new reproach ? have i enter'd gods temple , the house of the most high , with a sanctified eare ? nay , have i not come thither rather to traduce , then usefully heare ? have i not laboured to catch at this doctrine ? or admit i came there with an heart prepared for devotion : and with an eare ready to receive instruction : did not the eye practise with the heart to surprize the eare : and by that meanes decline it from doing what it intended ; by giving eare to that which might distract it ? nay , let mee come a little nearer thee , thou loose , dissolute and unprepared eare. hast thou heard so much as a psalme in the church without distraction ? did not those sweet ayres of spirituall devotion so farre transport thee ; that thou gavest better eare to the note how sweetly it was sung , then to the end for which it was sung ? didst not take more delight in the voyce then the matter ; and by that meanes in the eare of thy maker , become an unfitting quirister ? didst thou not by breaking a note to please thy fancy , conceive more content in the melody of the voyce , then purity of the heart ? nay , didst not preferre the very measure or composure of it , before his honour for which it was penned ? nay , has ▪ not god spake unto thee in a psalme , and thou unto him ; yet didst thou consider whose psalme it was , or for whom it was , when thou didst sing it to him ? againe , shall wee leave the church , and goe into the world ? tell mee , o tell mee , how didst thou there employ thine hearing ? didst not take infinite delight in a filthy song ? did not a wanton light tune bring thee to thinke of thy light mistresse ? or did it not suggest to thee some loose thoughts provoking fancy : or some other heavy melancholly thoughts egging thee on to some desperate act of revenge or fury ? o yes ! thus didst thou employ it ; and thus didst thou perish by it . how then should'st thou come to bee instructed , having beene by thy best instructing sense , thus wofully distracted ? by thee , my blessed master , d●e i hope to be instructed : that the follies of my youth may bee at last reformed . o sanctifie the eare of mine heart , that i may turne it away from vanity ; turne it wholly unto piety . o let mee bee no such hearer as is the deafe adder , which stoppeth her eares , charme the charmer never so wisely . o let me be none of those , who will not heare , because they would not understand ; nor of those who heare , but will not understand ; nor of those who heare , but will not observe what they both heare and understand : but give mee an humble eare to heare , and a conceiving heart to understand what i heare , that hearing humbly , understanding fully , and practising faithfully , i may sing alleluia to thee in the kingdome of glory . chap. . smell . mvst that fresh and fragrant garden of all divine graces ; with all those precious odours of christian vertues and holy duties be abandoned : those saintly examples of devout and religious men bee neglected ; and instead of these must those hatefull weeds of vices be cherished ; which , were they disposed of as they deserve , are for no other use then to be throwne over the wall of gods seed-plot , or to be burned ? must that inclosed garden , i say , embrodered and beautified with all spirituall flowers be plowed up by wild beasts of the forest ? must those red roses of charity , those white lillies of chastity , those sweet violets of humility lose their beauty ? have those constant martyrs , chaste virgins , and humble confessors deserved no reverence , nor imitation from thee ? must their memory sleepe in the dust , and have no followers after death ? o consider , how all these deceiving pleasures of this world , are but like beane-flowers ; when you are farre from them ; they smell sweet unto you ; but when you draw neare them , they distaste you . the pleasures of sinne ever cloze with an heavie surfet . but returne unto thy selfe , and see how thou hast employed this sense ! it is but a little one , and yet it has an office to attend ; which neglected , it must bee accountable and receive due punishment . come then , and tell mee what thou hast done ! hast thou followed thy sweet saviour in the smell of his sweet oyntments ? hast thou followed him , though a farre off , to his crosse ? hast thou sought to bee embalmed with his odours ? hast thou lived as hee prescribed : or loved that which he professed ? o no ; thou in the garden slept , while hee prayed ; thou in the hall stood warming thy selfe , while hee was condemned ; thou scarcely durst approach the mount where hee suffered : and was this to follow him in the smell of his sweet oyntments , and in his sufferings to be comforted ? his blessed life was as a bundle of myrrhe ; the whole course of his conversation , a spirituall confection . every action , our instruction . and how were thy feet prepared to follow him ? o slowly , too too slowly : thou hadst either a father to bury ; or a wife to marry ; or a yoake of oxen to try ; or a farme to buy . some excuse or other must be pretended ; long may his feast bee prepared , and often maist thou bee invited , before thou be ready to come unto it ; and when thou commest , twenty to one , thou art excluded , because thou hast not on thy wedding garment , without which never looke to bee entertained . o but tell mee , what was it that first hindered thee to follow the savour of his sweet oyntments , who so truly lov'd thee , as hee gave himselfe up unto death , to save thee ? o it was the smel of worldly gaine that divided thee from him ; or the love of honour or pleasure that made thee a stranger to him . o who then will bring thee to him , seeing what hee hated most , divorc'd thee from him ! o none but thy selfe , deare saviour ; o draw me after thee , and i will follow thee . o too much hold has the present world had in mee : the cares whereof tooke mee quite from thee . let it henceforth have no interest in mee , that i may bee wholly possessed of thee : o inflame mine heart with a love of thee , that i may live with thee : for live i cannot , unlesse i enjoy thee . and since i cannot live here , and see thee ; let mee dye , that i may see thee . chap. . taste . a dams posterity had beene blessed , had hee only seene the fruit , and never tasted . o how sweet is the taste of sinne to the palat ; but how cold in the stomacke ? though it shew a cheerfull welcome , it ever leaves us with a sad farewell . thou hast had a free and full taste of this , unhappy pilgrim , in preferring a messe of pottage before an inheritance . in feeding so greedily on the huskes of vanity ; and preferring them before those wholesome viands in thy fathers family . yet what were all these compared to those spirituall dainties , that incorruptible food , but as chaffe to wheat , branne to bread , onions and garlicke of egypt to the heavenly manna ? yet behold my misery ! though daily observed how the world was full of troubles , perplexities , tumults and confusions : how such onely had the be● part in it , who had the lea● to doe in it : how the great one had ever some corrivall to oppose him : the little one had fome great one to crush him . how honour , like hamans halter , brought the unhappy enjoyer of it unto ruine . how greatnesse pretending priviledge for guiltinesse , brought the land to mourning . how there was nothing in the world but shouldring one another ; labouring to advance themselves even by their nearest friends dishonour . how the world was an empty sponge ; outwardly flourishing : fruitlesly promising ; rarely prospering . how it was wholly set on mischiefe : and how there was none that did good , no not one . how there was a world of men : but a wildernesse of good men . how many times vertue bare vices livery : while vice became so innocently cloathed , as it past current for downe right honesty . yet though i say , i considered these things ; i never treasured them in mine heart . i went along with the multitude : for my taste , it was so inured to sinne , as i tooke most delight in that which impoysoned my soule . my liquorish taste , my luscious tooth brought mee to fare deliciously with the rich glutton : and to carouse deeply in balthasars cups . i feared no more the deluge of sinne , then those before the flood did that deluge of waters before it came . o consider then , thou ungracious sense , seeing every one must bee punished , wherein hee has been delighted , what shal thy portion be in the lake , where every impenitent sinner is to receive the wages of his mis-spent life ? woe is me , who will deliver me , or take thee off from accusing me ? even thou , my gracious redeemer ; who , as thou hast discovered to mee how bitter the world is ; wilt bring mee to taste and see how sweet the lord is . o lead mee forth to thy greene pastures , neare those rivers of sweet waters , where i may taste of the fulnesse of thy pleasures , and drinke of those heavenly waters for evermore . chap. . touch. some things were not to be touched for their exceeding sanctity and holinesse : other things were not to be touched for their impurity and uncleannesse . the arke was not to bee be touched , because of its holinesse : and pitch is not to bee touched because of its uncleannesse . evill conversation is a spirituall infection . there be sundry evil● concupiscences , which though they touch not the outward faculties of the body , yet they touch the very life and well-being of the soule . which though they wound , yet are the wounds to a worldling so infinitely pleasing , as nothing delights him more then to bee wounded : nothing displeaseth him more then to be cured . the fish torpedo is the very embleme of the world . shee is ever sure to take him , by whom she is taken . some things wee shall every where meet withall , which for their pollution beare in their fore-head this prohibition : looke not , taste not , touch not , handle not . least the eye of the soule become blemished ; the whole inward man infected ; the powers or faculties of the intellectuall part wholly disordered . but how hast thou , poore miserable pilgrim , observed this lesson ? how hast thou employed this peculiar sense , but to satisfie thy concupiscence ? easie it was for any one , if they touched thee never so gently , to move thee to passion . but not so easie it was for any object of charity to touch thy bowels of compassion . long might poore sicke lazarus lye at thy gate , before thou wer 't touched with remorse , or moved with pitty to relieve him . long might that way-faring man lye wounded by the way side , before thou were 't touched , as that tender hearted samaritan was , to minister least comfort to him . o how insensible were 't thou of poore iosephs misery ! but how quickly touched at the least smart which fame or fortune might dart on thee ! nor was it any wonder , thou insensate sense , that thou shouldst grow thus obdurate ; seeing thy chambering and wantonnesse , spirituall fornication and drunkennesse ; thy trampling of gods word under feet ; thy murmuring and discontent in every estate ; thy partiall and corrupt love to thy selfe , made thee wholly forgetfull of all others but thy selfe . meane time , thou little knew how thou were 't thine owne enemy ; in not seeking to cure that mortall infirmity : which by processe of time became so much more incurable , as thou of thine owne malady were 't grown insensible . for , howfoever they seemed to cherish thee , and so delude thee , these were ismalites , thy mortall enemies , who sported with thee . thus have i loosely rioted , and fearefully transgressed in the abuse of every sense : and by obeying the lusts of the flesh , hatefully sinned against mine owne own soule . deare lord , thou who breathest the spirit of life into every living soule ; and from whom if thou take away thy breath , they dye . breath into my soule new affections ; rectifie my disordered and mis-employed senses . o give unto mee , thou invisible light , such a sight as may see thee . create in me a new smell , o thou breath of life , that i may runne after thee in the smell of thy sweet oyntments cheerfully . heale thou my taste that i may taste , know and discerne how great is the multitude of thy sweetnesse , o lord , which thou hast laid up in thy heavenly treasury , for those who are full of thy charity . sanctifie thou mine eare , that it may bee edified by thee : and so direct it , that my heart may be inflamed by it , to the practise of piety . quicken my touch , with compassion to thy little ones : and so order every sense that they may perform their proper offices to the good both of my soule and body : making it ever their absolutest ayme to promote thy glory . chap. . being thus encompassed with danger , hee prepares himselfe for prayer . vvhat sanctuary have i now to retire to : or what refuge may i fly to , when i have nothing within mee , but practiseth rather to betray mee then free me : nothing without mee , that may any way availe mee , now when dangers of all sorts , and on all sides thus encompasse me ? omy good god , i have one in readinesse , for thou hast prepared it for mee ; and by it shall i in due time receive comfort from thee . the direction is short and soveraigne if any bee afflicted , let him pray ; and if hee be merry , let him sing psalmes . i am afflicted , lord ; i am inwardly afflicted . i will therefore take the wings of the morning , and fly with the dove , till i may find some resting place for the soale of my foot : till i may bring an olive-branch in my bill , and so bring glad tydings to my poore soule , that the floods of waters are returned backe : which have not onely for many dayes , but many years encompassed me . those bitter waters of marah ; those swelling floods of affiction which have gone over my soule . in the old world , when noahs arke was builded , and all the inhabitants of the earth to the number of eight reduced : fifteene cubits onely did the waters prevaile upward , and covered the mountaines . but the waters of my affliction have mounted higher : they have bound in my soule ; and brought her downe to the depths . high time then is it to fly for succour : lest the water-floods swallow mee up● and the remembrance of mee bee no more : i will direct therefore my prayer unto god ; for hee is a god of mercy and all consolation : he will take pitty of my affliction ; and in his appointed time rid me of all my feares . but alas , though i know the way where comfort is to bee received , and the doore of the sanctuary be open to receive mee in it : yet so long have i estranged my selfe from it : and so unacquainted am i with the exercise of prayer , as i know not in what forme or manner to make it . for when i looke upon my selfe , and consider how luke-warme has beene my conversation , how earthly my affection , how short and rare my compunction , how my obedience has been without devotion , my prayer without intention , my reading without edification , my speech without circumspection ; i grow ashamed of my condition : acknowledging nothing to bee due unto mee , but reproach and confusion . for when at any time i pray , i mind not what i pray , nor to whom i pray ; how may i then hope for any helpe from him to whom i pray , or that my prayer shall bee heard by him , seeing i my selfe doe not heare my selfe in the prayer , which i make unto him ? the pretious stone diacletes , though it have many rare and excellent properties in it , yet it loseth them all if it be put in a dead mans mouth : so prayer , which is the only soveraigne pearle and iewell of a christian , though it have many rare and exquisite vertues in it , many promises conferred on it ; yet it loseth them every one , if it be put into a mans mouth , or into a mans heart either , that is dead in sinne , and doth not knock with a pure heart . for prayer without devotion is like the bellowing of oxen. o where am i then , whose imaginations have beene evill from my youth ; whose life has beene a sinke of sinne ; and whose heart has beene a stranger to devotion ? how and in what manner may i pray in hope to be heard ? how shall i render up my supplication , that it may be received ? how shall i offer my sacrifice of thanksgiving , that it may be accepted ? o my deare lord , as thou hast taught me to pray , so teach mee how to pray . put sweet incense into the censor , and that it may burne the better , inflame my heart with spirituall fervor . behold , lord , i fly unto thee , open the doore of thy sanctuary unto mee , that i may enter and offer up my prayer to thee , after that absolute forme of prayer which thou thy selfe hast taught me . chap. . he repeats the lords prayer ; and in every particular he finds himselfe a great offender . ovr father which art in heaven . — oh make a stoppe here ( poore pilgrim ) before thou goest any farther ! hast thou a father in heaven ? where is the duty thou shouldst tender ? dost thou use him like a father ; much lesse like an heavenly father , when thou preferrest the pleasures of sin before his honour ? hallowed bee thy name . — oh with what tongue canst thou utter hallowed , seeing his name hath been by thee so much dishonoured ? thy kingdome come . — o shake and tremble ! fearefull to thee will bee the comming of his kingdome , seeing thou by ascribing to thy selfe what was due unto him , shalt bee accused of seeking to rob him of his kingdome . when the foundation of the earth shall be shaken ; the whole world dissolved : and thou brought forth naked , to be publikely judged . thy will be done — oh dissembling wretch , dost thou pray that his will may be done , when thou never yet with thy will didst that which thou shouldst have done : nor what thou knewest well was his will to be done ? in earth as it is in heaven . and yet has it beene the least of thy care on earth , to doe his will , as it is done in heaven . give us this day our daily bread . — oh has he not granted thy suite ? has he not strengthned thee with the staffe of bread . but hast thou walked in the strength thereof to his honour : or requited him with an offering of his owne , by sowing thy bread upon the waters ? and forgive us our trespasses . — oh they are many ! many in quantity ; heavy in quallitie : yet as a sparke in the sea , so has hee drowned them in the ocean of his mercy . as wee forgive them that trespasse against us . — o consider well the particle of this petition ! examine thine heart , whether thou hast or no performed the condition . thou desirest but to be forgiven as thou dost forgive : oh forgive then , that thou maiest bee forgiven ! ●ew be the areeres which thou canst demand of thy brother , in comparison of those which are owing by thee to thy maker . and lead us not into temptation . and yet thou wilt not stick to lead thy selfe into temptation . he is ready to bestow his grace upon thee ; to send his holy spirit to guide thee ; to spread his banner over thee : yet while thou prayest not to bee led into temptation , thou willingly leadest thy selfe into that , which thou in thy prayer desirest to prevent . but deliver us from evill . — oh how many deliverances has he shewn unto thee ? how often has hee snapped in pieces the speare which might have dispatched thee . broken those arrowes which might have wounded thee ? taken thy foot out of the snare which had intrapped thee ? nay , how often hast thou gone downe even unto the gates of hell , and least thou shouldst enter in , he with-held thee ? how often hast thou drawne neare even to the gates of death , and lest they should take thee in , hee preserv'd thee ? thus hath hee delivered thee from all evill : and yet for all this good which hee has done thee , thou hast requited him with evill . and now thou concludest : for thine is the kingdome , power and glory ; for ever and ever , amen . oh how ready thou art here to acknowledge his power , and yet to deny it in thy life ? but confesse thou must his power not onely with mouth , but heart , and practise of a good life , if ever thou meanest to partake with him in the kingdome of glory . o my sweet saviour , as thou ●ast taught mee by this absolute forme of prayer ; how i am to make my prayer : and hast promised 〈◊〉 grant me my request , if i 〈…〉 , that no place may be left for distraction : here thou hast taught how and in what manner i am to pray , o let me not lose the benefit of it , by losing my selfe whe●● i pray . chap. . he renders a private account of his faith : and in every article of the creede , hee finds a fainting , failing , weaknesse and want . i beleeve in god ; the father almighty , maker of heaven and earth . this first article of our beliefe was made by christs first apostle saint peter . and herein thou professest that thou believest : but that is not enough ; the devils doe beleeve and tremble . thou must not onely believe god , but believe in god : and that he is thy god. againe , thou art not only to believe god ; and believe in god , but solely love god : and wholly live to god. for as wee are to believe with heart unto righteousnesse ; and confesse with mouth unto salvation : so are we to bring forth fruits hereof in an holy and blamelesse conversation . o how much hast thou failed in the first , what then may wee looke for at the last ? and in iesus christ his onely sonne our lord. of this second article was saint iohn the evangelist author : one , who was right deare in the eyes of his master , our blessed saviour : and one , who leaned on his bosome , at his last supper . and here thou confessest iesus christ , the second person in the blessed trinity , to be the sonne of god ; & to be our lord. but hast thou by a contrite heart & regenerate life made him thy lord ? thou saist , thou dost beleeve in him , but dost thou love him in whom thou believest ? and how shouldst thou be lesse then his lover ; so long as thou beleev'st him to be thy saviour ? but wher be any signes of this love ? o if thou didst truly love him in who thou believ'st , thou wouldst rather leave to live , then leave to love him in whom thou believest ! which was conceived by the holy ghost , borne of the virgin mary . this third article s. iames the greater , composed ; whereby thou art taught to beleeve , all sanctification to be included in his conception ; all humility in his nativity . but dost thou , as every christian should do , seriously consider , for whose sake this virgin was conceived ; for whose sake thy sweet saviour became so humbled ? that the son of god should become the son of man , that the son of man might become the son of god ? that the immortall should become mortall ? that the mortall might become immortall ? that the living lord should dye , that the dying man might live ? that the free should become bound , that the bound might become free ? that god should descend from heaven to earth , that he might draw us from earth to heaven ? that god should become humbled ; that man might be exalted ? that he should become poore , that we might be enriched ? and reckoned amongst the transgressors , that we amōgst his saints might be numbred ? hast thou , i say , meditated of this ; how he was borne for thee , that thou mightst be re-borne in him ? o i feare thou hast beene more ready to partake of this benefit , then by acknowledgeing it , to bee thankefull for it ! suffered under pontius pilat , was crueified , dead and buried . this fourth article saint andrew framed : wherein thou seest , and perhaps , admirest the unjust proceedings of a wicked iudge : for thou hearest one , and that an odious and malicious one , pronouncing the sentence of death upon the lord of life : and inclining to the voice and vote of the people , delivering a murdring delinquent , to murder the innocent . nay , pronouncing a sentence against his owne conscience : for hee washed his hands but not in innocence . againe , thou hearest and beleevest that hee was crucified ; and yet it grieves thee not to crucifie him afresh with new sinnes . thou beleevest that hee died and was buried : and yet thou daily diest not to sin , but in sin ; and hast now , not three dayes , but many yeares laine buried in them . he descended into hell . this fifth article saint philip added ; and thou beleevest in it . hee d●cended that thou mightst ascend to the place whereto hee is ascended . yet where be there any tokens of thy desire to ascend unto him ? ascend unto him thou canst not , unlesse thou descend into thy selfe , for whom he so humbly descended . the third day he rose againe from the dead . this sixt article saint thomas annexed : an article proper for thomas , who touching christs resurrectio● , was so incredulous . and here thou seest that late crucified man , now acquit himselfe of death , like a victorious lord. and hence thou rejoycest : but unlesse thou ●ise from sinne , and live to righteousnesse , christ● resurrection shall afford thee small comfort in the bed of thy sicknesse . hee ascended into heaven , and sitteth on the right hand of god , the father almighty . this seventh article saint barthol omew penned . and by this thou beleevest that hee is now ascended , who for thy sake descended . and as from his rising came the hope of thy resurrection : so from his ascending the hope of thy glorification . but thou must rise with him , before thou canst reigne with him : rise with him who was free from all sin , from the grave of sin , that thou maist reigne with him who dyed for thy sin , in his heavenly sion . and as hee sitteth on the right hand of god the father almighty , where he offers up his prayers for thee , sheweth those glorious scars of his precious wounds to his father for thee , & per forms the faithfull office of a loving mediator for thee ; so art thou in thy prayers to remember the necessity of his saints upon earth . but cold is thy charity in performing such a duty . from whence he shall come to judge both the quick and the dead . this eight article was by s. matthew published : and by this thou believest , how he who was judged unjustly shall judge the whole world in equity . for the father judgeth none , but hath given up this judgement unto his son , in whose brest are laid up all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge : and this thou beleevest and tremblest : and reason thou hast to tremble : for how shalt thou be able to stand in his presence , before whom even the heavens are uncleane ? o when the righteous shall scarcely be saved , what wil become of the wicked ? when the axe of his judgement shall not spare the greene tree , what will become of the dry ? o nothing but woe , woe may befall thee miserable delinquent , if hee deale not with thee in mercy but in judgement ! i believe in the holy ghost . this ninth article saint iames the lesse delivered . and thou art taught to believe thus much by it : that the holy ghost the third person in the blessed trinity , is the spirit of comfort , truth and unity : without which it is impossible to please god. for as hee promised unto his apostles a comforter , so in the shape of a dove , and in the forme of cloven tongues there appeared unto them this promised comforter . but how is it that thou beleevest in the holy ghost : and yet with thine hardnesse of heart , and loosenesse of life grievest the holy spirit of god ? thus to beleeve , if thou be not penitent ; will rather bee a meanes to draw on thee , then remove from thee gods heavy judgement . the holy catholike church . this tenth article of faith saint simon founded . but how dost thou beleeve the holy cathelike church , or how is thy faith grounded , if thou observe not what the church has commanded ? how canst thou bee a member of her , so long as thou livest divided from her ? or how canst thou truly call her mother , so long as thou hearknest not to her commands , but becommest disobedient to her ? o then , by a right faith knit thy selfe unto her : or else disclaime thy being a member of her . but looke unto it : for god thou canst not have for thy father , unlesse thou have his church for thy mother . neither canst thou ever hope to bee a citizen in his church triumphant , unlesse thou bee first a member of his church militant . the communion of saints , the forgivenesse of sinnes . to this eleventh article is saint iudas thadaeus intitled . and this communion of saints thou beleevest ; and for the forgivenesse of sinnes thou lookest . and yet thou livest not , as if thou desired to bee of this communion . neither rendrest thou any such fruits of repentance , as may cherish in thee , the least hope of remission . the resurrection of the body , and the life everlasting . amen . with this last article saint mathias closeth our creed . and by it thou beleevest that thy body shall rise againe from the dust : and that thy soule shall live with the just . but hast thou not fed thy body too delicately , to rise againe to glory ? hast thou not taken too much pleasure in sinning , ever to enjoy life everlasting . o thou blessed trinity in unity , and vnity in trinity ; thus have i made a confession of my faith unto thee , but my many faintings , failings , wants , weaknesses and imperfections greatly discourage mee , unlesse thou in thy mercy strengthen me . i beleeve , lord , o helpe my unbeleefe . give mee the shield of faith ; that here on earth i may acquit my selfe like a valiant champion : and in heaven be made by thee a triumphant citizen . chap. . having thus examined himselfe , and found in the whole course of his life , a fainting in faith , and failing in works ; he recalleth to mind those quatuor novissima , or foure last remembrances ; memorials hourely necessary for all christians . thus hast thou laid thy selfe open to all discovery : and there is no good thing to bee found in thee . for in thy faith , thou hast found a fainting and weaknesse : and in all thy workes a failing and barrennesse . most freely went that blessed father to worke ( and no lesse dangerous has beene thy walke ) when hee confessed himselfe in this fort , iinherit sin from my father , an excuse from my mother , lying from the devill , folly from the world , selfe-conceit from the pride and arrogant opinion of my selfe . deceitfull have beene the imaginations of thine heart , crooked have beene thy wayes : malicious thy workes . and yet hast thou taken the judgements of god in thy mouth . desiring nothing more then to blind the eye of the world with a counterfeit zeale . but all such hypocrites god will judge . hee will not be mocked with . for as the divell has his sive , with which hee lets goe the good ; but keepeth the bad : so the lord has his fanne , by which he lets goe the bad , and keepeth the good . o when hee shall separate his goats from his sheepe ; his wheat from his tares ; when the iust and the wicked shall appeare before him : and every man shall be put into the ballance ; o ● feare mee then , thou wilt bee found many graines too light● it were well for thee then , to prepare thy selfe against that great and fearefull day . and to furnish thee all the better , by making thee a true convert , of an impenitent sinner , recall to mind those quatuor novissima ; or foure last remembrances : memorials hourely to bee thought ; and so necessary to be reteined in thy memory , as the christian use of them may prepare thee before death summon thee ; and in this vale of misery fit thee for thine heavenly voyage to eternity . and yet while i speake thus unto thee , i find thy condition to be wofull : for if thou consider them , the very thought of them cannot chuse but startle thee : and if thou neglect them , thou wilt stand in amaze , when they encounter thee . o my deare lord remember me in thy mercy ; and so prepare my memory ; that these foure necessary remembrances may never depart from me . let mee be prepared for death , before it come , that it may never take mee unprepared whensoever it shall come . let mee thinke of that fearefull day of iudgement ; and judge my selfe before i be judged , that ● may not be found light in thy scale , when i shall be weighed . let me , o let me thinke , how there is an hell for the damned ; for better is it by timely fearing it , to avoid it : then by never dreaming of it , head-long to fall into it . lastly , let mee thinke of heaven , how it is the place of the blessed : and that none but those that are of a cleane heart shall dwell in it . o cleanse thou mine heart , that i may bee prepared for it , and with much spirituall joy be received in it . chap. . death . it is strange that death should bee such a stranger to thee , when hee so daily visits those that neighbour neere thee . thou hast beene familiarly acquainted with many , whose habitation is not now to bee found ; who have enjoyed the pleasures of sinne freely ; others , who have inlarged their barnes and store-houses carefully ; others , who have ru●●led in their honours highly : and could deliver a word of command bravely : and now behold how all these being arrested at deaths suit , were enforced to veile to his surly command ! they have made their beds in the darke . they have left their houses unto others ; they are gone unto their graves , and must not returne againe . their substance they have left unto others : and strangers are become their heires . they are rooted out from the face of the earth : and now they consider the vanity of their desires : how they who lay land to land while they were here , find now what a small scantling has suffic'd them in this their returne to their lasthome . poore shell of corruption , what dost thou thinke of these things ? i know well , that great revenues , swelling honours , smiling pleasures are dangerous , and fearefull eye-sores to a dying man. he lookes back upon his honours , and askes of them , if they cannot relieve him : but like false hearted reteiners , they fly from him , and present their service to another : so quickly have they forgot their dying master . hee looks backe then upon his revenues , those household gods of his , his inchisted treasures , and askes of them , if they cannot redeeme them : but alas , they have no such power : these reserve themselves for his prodigall successour , or succeeding , rioter : they were so poorly used and employed by him , as they have quickly forgot their dying master . at last h● looks back upon his pleasures , unhappy pleasures , which now torment him more then ever they did delight him ; and he askes them , if they can allay his paine , or any way succour him : but alas , they soone leave him , for they find nothing in him nor about him that may entertaine them . an easie farewell then have these taken of their dying master . but thou , poore pilgrim , hast no honours to transport thee ; no fortunes to detaine thee ; no pleasures to ens●are thee ? for the first , the count'nance of greatnesse never shone upon thee ; for the second , worldly wealth could never yet so burden thee : and for the last , though thy youth might affect them , the infirmities of age have now estrang'd them from thee . and yet the voyce of death is more terrible to thee then the noise of a canon . no note more dolefull ; 〈◊〉 summons more fearefull . and in this thou art not much to bee blamed : for death is fearefull to all flesh . but so to plaint thine hopes on earth ; as if thou mightst never goe from earth ; nor returne to earth ; albeit , thou canst find nothing on earth worthy to entertaine thee , is the unhappiest condition that may befall thee . o thinke then of that time , even now while thou hast time , when thy soule , poor languishin soule , finding thy eyes shut , thy mouth closed , and all those senses of thy body perished , by which shee used to goe forth , and be delighted in these outward things whereto shee was affected , shall returne unto her selfe : and seeing her selfe all alone and naked , as one afflicted and aff●ighted with exceeding horror , shall through despaire faile in her selfe , and fall under her selfe : o whither wilt thou fly in hope of succour , to comfort thy poore soule in a time of such danger ? even to thee will i fly o god of my salvation , for thou wilt not suffer my soule to descend to corruption . nay , such is thy loving kindnesse , as thou wilt make my bed in my sicknesse . and because nothing is more certaine then death ; nothing more uncertaine then the houre of death ; prepare mee continually against the houre of death and that death may appeare lesse fearefull unto mee , send thy holy spirit to comfort me ; that being inwardly armed by thee against the assaults of death , and sury of my ghostly enemy , i may fight a good fight , and cry , o death where is thy sting ! o hell where is thy victory ! chap. . iudgement . vvoe is mee , i tremble to thinke of it , and yet i cannot thinke how to avoid it ! iudged i must bee , and who will speake for me ? a fearfull witnesse i have with●n me , to accuse me : sinnes of omission , sinnes of commission to impeach me , sinnes of ignorance sinnes of knowledge , sinnes o● malice to convict mee , though , one were sufficient to condemne mee . but thou wilt aske mee , of what art thou to bee brought to account ? for what art thou to be brought to iudgement ? even for all thy thoughts words and workes . for god will bring every worke into iudgement , with every secret thing whether it be good , or whether 〈◊〉 be evill . and that it may appeare that thou shalt be accountable for all these ; first , touching thy thoughts : of these thou shalt be judged ; for froward thoughts separate from god. and hee shall judge the secrets of men . with their conscience also bearing witnesse , and their thoughts ! the meane while accusing , or else excusing one another . secondly , thou shalt give account of all thy words . of every idle word that men shall speake , they shall give account in the day of iudgement . thirdly , thou shalt be accountable for all thy workes . for we must all appeare before the iudgement seat of christ , that every one may receive the things done in his body , according to that he hath done , whether it be good or bad . o my poore afflicted soule , canst thou heare these things , and not melt thy selfe into teares ? seeing , that not onely in the bed of thy sicknesse , by a secret divine power all those workes which thou hast done ; be they good or evill , shall appeare before thee , and be presented to thee ; but in that fearefull day of account , when all flesh shall come to iudgement : all these in capitall letters shall appeare written before thee . not one privie bosome sinne , were it never so closely committed , or subtilly covered , or cunningly carried , but must bee there discovered . adam shall bee brought from his bushes , and sarah from behind the doore , and man , miserably perplexed man , shall say to his conscience , as ahab said to elias , hast thou found me , o mine enemy ! o what numberlesse numbers of bils of inditement shall bee then and there preferred against thee ? and of all these to be found guilty ; o how art thou falne into the gall of bitternesse , and all misery ! for what can the thoughts and imaginations of thine heart say for themselves , but that they have beene evill continually ? what can the words of thy mouth say for themselves , but that they have beene full of all filthinesse and scurrility ? lastly , what can the workes of thine hands say for themselves , but that they have beene loaden with transgressions and iniquity ? but perchance , thou hast some hope of a pardon , and so like some of our deluded delinquents here on earth , by flattering thy selfe with a vaine hope of life , estrangest thy thoughts from thinking of a better life . but doe not so deceive thy selfe ; for if it be not by faithfull repentance sought for here , there is no hope for any pardon there to bee procured ; nor for any appeale to be there admitted ; nor for one minutes repreve to bee there granted ; nor for that heavy sentence of death to be one moment adjourned . that sentence of eternall death . depart from me ; this shall bee the sentence : to lose whose countenance , and to depart from his presence is to bring thy soule into endlesse torments , eternall anguish . o my god , thou who hast appointed a time for every man to dye , and after that to come to judgement ; make me to remember mine end ; that fitting my selfe for it , i may cheerefully encounter it , and so prepare my selfe for that judgement which shall come after it . o make me walke in thy light , now while i have light to walke in ; and to worke out my salvation now while i have time to worke in . for time will come , unlesse wee walke here as children of light ) when we shall have neither light to walke in , nor time to worke in . o inflame mine heart with thy love : and teach me thy judgements , and my soule shall live . chap. . hell. heare how the damned say ; while they were here on earth they lived better then thou , and yet they are damned ! and so they taxe gods mercy and indulgence towards thee of injustice and partiality . such is those damned soules charity . meane time , thou livest securely , feedest deliciously , and puttest the thought of the evill day from thee by walking foolishly in the ways of vanity . little desire then maist thou have , o thou sinfull pilgrim , to see death ; having so little hope of life after death . o , had some of those damned ones , who are now lost for ever , received those many sweet visits , motions and free offers of his grace ; those opportunities of doing good ; those many meanes of eschuing evill ; no doubt but they would have beene as ready to entertaine them , as thou hast been to reject them . o thinke with thy selfe , how happy had that rich glutton beene , if hee had rewarded poore lazarus with some few crummes from his table ! o had it not beene farre better for him , to have given to the poore all that even hee had ; to have stripped himselfe to his shirt : and to have made exchange of his purple raiments with rags of poverty , then to fry in hel-fire eternally ? o how happy had that rich man in the gospel bin , if in stead of inlarging his barns , he had inlarged his bowels to the poore ! little knew hee how soone his soul should be taken from him ; when hee addressed his care for so needlesse a provision . his thoughts were so taken up with inlarging his barnes ; as hee never thought , how tophet was ordnined of old ; how it was made deepe and large ; the pile thereof fire and much wood ; and how the breath of the lord like a streame of brimstone , doth kindle it . tophet was large enough , though his barnes were not . but turne unto thy selfe ; for whom canst thou find in more danger of falling into that place of horror , then thy selfe ? how hast thou bestowed thy time ? how hast thou employed thy talent ? o hast thou not put it up in a napkin ; or done worse by employing it to some worser end ? have not many bindamned for lesse then thou hast committed : and did it repent thee of what thou hadst done , that so thou mightst not bee condemned ? o no ; many a wretched soule lyes there tormented for lesse offences then ever thou acted ; and hast thou yet turned to the lord , that thou maist bee pardoned ? it is written , in what houre soever the righteous committeth iniquity , his righteousnesse shall not bee had in remembrance . now , if the righteousnesse of him shall bee forgotten by committing iniquity , who leaveth what he once loved , relinquisheth what hee once professed ; what may we thinke of the repentance of that sinner , who returnes againe to that whereof hee repented ? o how many have ascended even up to heaven , and amongst the starres have built their nests : and yet have suddenly falne from that glory , by glorying in their own strength , and so drench'd themselves in endlesse misery ? and whence came all this , but because they ascended unto that mountaine , to which the first angel ascended , and as a divell descended ? and canst thou excuse thy selfe of being one of these ? hast thou not sometimes shewn to the world great arguments of piety ? hast thou not beene sometimes like the kings daughters , all glorious without ▪ but how soone becamest thou stript of this glory ? thou fell from that seeming sanctity , or holy hypocrisie into open prophanenesse and impiety . woe is mee , what shall become of me ! the wages of sinne is death ; a death that never dieth , but liveth eternally . where nothing shall bee heard but weeping and wayling , groaning and howling , sorrowing and gnashing of teeth . o how grievous then shall bee mine anguish ! how endlesse my sorrow and sadnesse ! when i shall bee set apart from the society of the just ; deprived of the sight of god ; deliver'd up unto the power of the devils , and to goe along with them into eternall fire : where i am to remaine without end in grieving and groaning ! when i shall be banished from that blessed countrey of paradise , to bee tormented in hell perpetually : where i must never see so much as one small beameling of light , nor the least drop of refreshment : but be tormented in hell for thousand-thousand years : and so tormented , as never to be thence delivered : wher neither the tormentors become wearied ; nor they dye who are tormented . o my deare lord , looke upon the price of thine owne blood . thou hast bought mee for a great price : o deliver thy darling from the dags : remember her in mercy whom thou hast bought . o let her not goe downe into the pit : neither let the depth swallow her up . for who shall praise thee in the depth ? o my good god , hough the terrors of death , and torments of hell encompasse me , yet art thou my succour , and wilt deliver me : and my soule shall live to prayse thee . chap. . heaven . o how should i looke up unto thee , that have so provoked thee ? o thou mansion of the saints ; thou portion of the just ; thou citie of the great king ; thou heavenly and most happy kingdome ; where thy blessed inhabitants are ever living & never dying ; wher thy glorious state is ever flourishing and never declining . i must confesse to my great griefe and shame , that i have no interest in thee . i have lost thee , unhappily lost thee , in losing my selfe , in losing my soule by selling it to vanity . i sometimes resolved to play the part of a ●ise merchant , and to sell all i had for the purchase of one pearle . but i held the purchase too deare , and therefore have i deservingly lost it . foolish pilgrim , couldst thou find any thing more fitting to entertaine thy best thoughts , or bestow thy care , then the salvation of thy soule ? didst thou thinke it so easie a taske to get heaven , as to purchase it by making thine heaven on earth ; yet hadst thou but taken halfe so much pains to get heaven , as thou hast done to get hell : thou mightst have challeng'd more interest to heaven , then now thou canst . many summer days & long winter nights have thy follies taken thee up : and these seem'd short unto thee , because thou tookst delight in those pleasures of vanity : but to bestow one short houre upon devotion ; o how many distractions did that suffer ; and how long and tedious seem'd that houre , because that task was wearisome to thee , and thy mind was elsewhere wandring , and would not stay with thee : and canst thou now thinke that so rich a kingdom would keep it selfe for thee ; when thou wouldst neither knock that it might be opened to thee ; nor seeke that it might be found of thee ? health , thou know'st well , commeth not from the clouds without seeking , nor wealth from the clods without digging . and yet heaven must be got without knocking or seeking . but great prizes are not to bee so purchased . for as heavens gate is straite , and few there be that enter ; so are our tribulations to be many ; that we may be of that few that shall enter . but i heare thee now cry out , as one that had some sense of his sinne , and of the losse hee has incurred by sinne . woe is mee ! i cannot looke upon this earth , i tread on without blushing ; nor can i thinke upon death without sorrowing ; nor the day iudgement without trembling ; nor of hell without shaking ; nor of the joyes of heaven without astonishing . for earth , i loved it so well , ( and well might i blush at my selfe for for bestowing my love so ill ) as the remembrance of death became sorrowfull . for by it i understood how i was to be brought to iudgement , of all others most fearefull ; and from thence as having nothing to answer in mine owne defence , i was to bee haled to hell a place disinall and dolefull . and consequently to forfeit all my title and interest in heaven , which could not chuse but astonish mee , being a place so joyfull . this i like well in thee : for this knowledge of thine infirmity , may bring thee to look for remedy : and by degrees to find recovery . loyne then with mee ; and offer up thy prayer to the throne of grace , that he in his mercy would looke upon thee . gracious god , though i bee altogether unworthy to lift up mine eyes unto heaven , or to offer up my prayers unto thee , much lesse to be heard by thee : yet for his merits and mercies sake , who sitteth at thy right hand , and maketh intercession for me , reserve a place in thine heavenly kingdome for mee . deare lord , in thine house are many mansions ; o bring me thither , that i may joyne my voyce with those voyces of the angels , and sing prayses to thee , who sittest in the highest heavens for ever . chap. . with the remembrance of these , hee becomes afflicted in spirit . o but yet i find my soule like dry ground , where no water is ! wheresoever i turne mee , i find affliction and misery , on all sides encompassing mee . o what shall i doe ; where shall i fly to ? for behold , while i take my selfe aside from the world , into some with-drawing roome , purposely to forget the world , and prepare my selfe for the joyes of a better life : while , i say , i beginne to commune with my owne thoughts in the secret chamber of mine heart ; i become so affrighted with the representment of those foure last remembrances , as i wholly forget what i intended to speake : my tongue beginnes to cleave to the roofe of my mouth ; my spatle is dryed within mee ; those active faculties of my soule leave mee : and mine understanding departeth from mee . o death , death ! how bitter is the remembrance of thee ? o how mee thinkes , thou summons mee ; and like a surly guest , breakest in upon mee ; nay , uninvited , resolvest to lodge with mee ! and presently i feele my selfe wounded ; and so mortally as not to be cured . o how my divine eye-sight now darkneth ; my painting breast beateth ; my hoarse throat rutleth ; how my teeth by little and little grow black , and draw to them a kind of rust ; how my countenance growes pale , and all my members stiffe ; how every sense and faculty failes : how my wasted body threatneth a speedy dissolution ! yet desires my poore soule to bee a guest , still though there be cold comfort to bee found in such a for lorne inne ! but what are all these terrors of death to that fearefull day of iudgement , when at the sound of the trumpe all flesh shall rise ! where none may be exempted , but all judged ! o me ! death is nothing unto this . for what comparison betwixt a death temporall and eternall ? and such shall be the sentence of every reprobate , amongst which i the chiefe . o how terrible will that great iudge appeare to such as in this life would neither be allured by his promises , nor awakened with his judgements ? o how dolefully will that voyce sound in their care . depart from me , i know you not ! and how ready will that officious iaylor bee upon the delivery of this heavie sentence , to hale them to ulter darkenesse ; a place of endlesse torments : where the cursings and howlings of fiends and furies shall entertaine their melodious ●are ; ougly and hideous sights shall entertaine their lascivious eye ; loathsome stenches their delicio●● smell ; sulphur and brimstone their luscious taste ; graspings and embracings of snakes , their amorous touch ; anguish and horror every sense ! where those miserable damned soules shall be tormented , both in their flesh and spirit . in their flesh by fire ever burning and never decaying : and in their spirit by the worme of conscience ever gnawing and never dying ! where there shall bee griefe intolerable , feare horrible , filth incomparable ; death both of soule and body , without hope of pardon or mercy . and now to cloze with the last ; the losse whereof exceeds our sufferings in all the rest . o to consider how i , unhappy i , have not onely got hell , the lake of horror and misery : but lost heaven , the place of endlesse joy and felicity : o what heart can consider it , and not resolve it selfe into a sea of teares , in contemplation of it ? for what may the wretched soule thinke , when she lifteth up the beames of her mind , and beholdeth the glory of those immortall riches ; and withall considereth , how shee has lost all those for the poverty of this life ; o how can shee bee lesse then consounded with anguish ; how can shee doe lesse then rore forth in the affliction of her spirit ? againe , when shee shall cast her eyes below her , and take a full view of the vale of this world , and perceive how it was but as a mist , and presently looking above her , admires the beauty of that eternall light , shee presently concludeth , that it was nothing else but night and darkenesse which shee here loved . o how shee fainteth , faltereth and fruitlesly desireth , that shee might but have some small remainder of time allotted her ; what a sharpe course ; what a severe manner of conversation would shee take upon her ? what and how great promises would be made by her ? with what strict bonds of devotion would shee seemingly tye her ? but this must not bee granted her ; as shee had her full of pleasures here , so must shee now bee tormented for ever . o how my spirit with the remembrance of these becomes afflicted ! o who will heale mee , for i am wounded . o my gracious and deare lord out of thy boundlesse compassion , looke upon my grievous affliction . k●epe ●ot silence at my teares , for i am a tranger with thee and a so journer 〈◊〉 al my fathers . i have none to fly unto but thee ; and so highly have i ●rovoked thee ; that unlesse thou ●ake pitty on mee , and receive mee ●or his blood , which was shed for mee , i am lost eternally . o my good shepherd , call mee , thy lost sheepe , home ; for lost i am , unlesse thou call me : lost for ever , unlesse thou save mee . chap. . faith appeares unto him with a cheerefull presence ; affording him comfort in his affliction . being thus afflicted inwardly and outwardly , faith appeared to mee ; but alas , so much was i dejected , that although i might have been● moved to admiration with he● goodly presence : and encouraged with her affable countenance : i stood still perplexed , being so farre from comfort as i scarcely expected it . which faith well perceiving , shee drew neare mee , and pulling mee to her , with a presence no lesse gracefull then cheerfull ; thus encounter'd mee . how now pilgrim , have you seene so many dayes , and those so full of misery ; and and can you find ought here where you have liv'd so long , and found so small comfort , that may deserve your teares ? is the world , this empty sponge , growne so neare to your heart ; as it has power to draw teares from your eyes ? tell mee the ground of your griefe ! doe you sorrow because old-age comes upon you , and you can live no longer : or if you should live , you cannot enjoy that fulnesse of youthfull pleasure which you formerly tasted ? or are you unwilling to forgoe your possessions ; to take a long leave of your friends ; or to be stript of those goodly honours , which you here enjoyed ? no , i hope you are wiser then to become so foolish a mourner . what is it then that has thus violently wrought upon your reason : and brought your disordered thoughts unto this distraction ? surely , it must bee of some importance that has brought you into this disconsolate anguish . but this i perceive to be a distemper of your mind : and it shall bee our principall care ; upon discovery of your wound , to apply a speedy cure . goe to then , disclose your griefe freely ; and believe her , who hates nothing more then breach of faith , that upon your imparting of it , you shall receive this friendly office from mee ; either to cure it or allay it . herewith i became so encouraged , as i made a free discovery of the grounds of my affliction ; which shee tooke so well at mine hands , as presently causing me to sit by her , shee begunne to comfort me in this manner . you have done wel in this discovery of your grief . wounds cannot be cured , before they be opened . neither doe wee feare but by ministring some fitting prescriptions , our endevours wil bring forth that good effect , as you shall find great case in your afflictions . you tell me , how the remembrance of your end is very terrible to you : not so much in regard of your fear of death : as of that fearfull day of iudgement after death . for you find in your selfe such an infinite and unsupportable weight of grievous sinnes pressing down-your soule even to the gates of hell , as lesse then grieve you cannot ; else were you insensible of the losse of a soule . trust mee , pilgrime so farre am i from sorrowing with you , as i rejoyce in your sorrowing : for this sense of your sinnes brings you to seeke for cure : which had they not afflicted you , and and brought you even to the pit-brinke , had beene the least of your care . it is well then for you that you are afflicted : for else you might have gloried and fatned your selfe in your sinnes , and so eternally perished . bee then of good comfort : and suffer not cains desperate conclusion to have any possession in you : for i must tell you , hee sinned more in saying , greater is my sinne then can be pardoned ; then in murdering his brother : for as in the one , hee lay violent hand on the image of god ; so in the other hee detracted from the highest and dearest prerogative belonging to god : for there is no attribute wherewith hee is more delighted , then to be styled a god of mercy . we may safely then conclude : that despaire is of a more high and hainous nature then any sin . for tell me , has not god himselfe with his owne mouth promised , and is he not both able and willing to performe what hee hath promised ? that , at what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin from the botome of his heart , hee will put awdy all his wickednesse out of his remembrance though late repentance then bee seldom true , yet true repentance never commeth too late . the good thiefe had no sooner repented him of his sin , and confessed christ , then he was even at the last hour received to mercy : which example , as it admits no such liberty as to encourage any to presume , seeing there was but one : nor to throw downe any into despaire , seeing there was one . indeed there is nothing that endangers mans salvation more then by giving way to delay : yet when the sorrowfull soule heartily repents him of what is past , and with a constant religious resolve intends to redeeme the time to come ; his pious teares , devout prayers , holy resolves will find ready admittance to the throne of grace . for as his mercy is above all his workes , so will hee shew it most on that worke which stands in most need of his mercy . this i am sure your long experience not onely observed but plenteously tasted , for else have those yeares of your pilgrimage beene ill bestowed ; that hee is gracious , merciful , and long suffering . nay , that it has been evermore the property of this good and carefull shepherd , to call home those that were wandring , invite those that were withstanding , expect those that were fore-slowing , & to embrace those that were returning . nay , that it has bin ever the condition of this valiant iosuah , to exhort you to fight , and so to helpe you that you might become conqueror in that fight . in one word , it has beene ever his care to behold you when you were in the battaile sighting , to encourage you when you were failing , and crowne you when you were vanquishing . come then tell mee , are you wearied and so heavy laden , that you must faint by the way , if you bee not refreshed ? behold , how hee has invited you to come unto him , where you may receive refreshment and comfort from him ! bee not then wavering in the faith , but take fast hold of his promises who will not faile you : and relye on his mercies , which in your greatest straits will deliver you . bee faithful then unto the end , and he wil give your hearts desire . this ladies exhortation afforded mee much comfort in this my affliction ; but much more when i knew who shee was : for i had heard much of her , though i was never till then well acquainted with her . for so soone as i heard her name , i began to be very confident , that whatsoever shee spake came from good ground . nay , i understood how no action , were it never so good in its owne nature , could subsist or become really good without her . how she was the ground-worke of all vertues ; the pure fountaine and firme foundation of all divine graces . how no fruits were they never so pleasant to the eye , nor savoury to the taste , but they were sodoms apples , unlesse they received grouth and ripenesse from her . how every faithfull soule lived by her : how every one became justified by her : good reason then had i to rely on her , and to derive comfort from her . having in this manner with her sweet instructions refreshed mee , promising mee with all , that even in mine agonies of death she would be near me , if now in these few but evill dayes of my pilgrimage , shee were not discarded by mee : which i vowed never to doe so long as there was breath in my body ; shee suddenly vanished from me ; which did not a little perplexe me : for never tooke poore afflicted soul more joy in any ones company . o my deare and benigne iesu , how justly mightst thou have reproved mee , with — o thou of little faith ! o it is but a little one ; the least seed in the garden ; o increase this my faith ! o pray to thy father that my faith faile not ! so shall my heart bee purified by faith . so shall i become justified by faith . so shall i have accesse to thee by faith : and hereafter live with thee and thy faithfull ones in the inheritance of the just . chap. . hope seconds that comfort . vvho is hee that knoweth not how soone faith begins to decline and grow out of request in the heart of a worldling ? this i found true by mine own experience : for albeit , that comfortable assurance of faith might seeme to have removed from me all occasions of feare : and had so well strengthned mee , as those infirmities wherof i formerly laboured , were to the outward eye wholly cured in mee : yet remained there still some core at mine heart . i found it was not so well with mee as it should be . me thought day and night that terrible voyce of behold the man and his workes ! ever sounded in mine care . for i considered , how as god was mercifull , so hee was just . neither did it stand with gods iustice , to pronounce any other sentence upon mee then as my sinnes deserv'd . what then could i expect , but to be throwne downe into that bottomlesse pit , where nothing but woe , woe in every place refounded : horror and confusion dwelled ? thus fared it with mee , as with one newly recovered out of some dangerous sicknesse , and after his recovery , by reason of some distemper makes relapse into his former malady . but i found , how when mans helpe faileth , gods beginneth : and that mans extremity was gods opportunity . so gracious is the lord to those that feare him : yea , to all such as with an humble and contrite heart returne unto him . for behold how light appeared out of darknesse ! one day as i stood thus perplexed , weary of life , yet fearefull to dye , there appeared , mee thought , before me a woman of a beautifull and cheerfull countenance ; bearing an anchor upon her shoulder : who drawing towards me , presently demanded of mee how it was with me ? but as one desirous to have none to share with mee in the burden of my affliction : nor to partake of any comfort , so strangely had my folly given way to temptation : as i turned uncivilly my face from her : but of so sweet and well-composed a spirit seemed this lady , as all this nothing amated her : and the better to bring mee to a feeling of mine owne infirmity , addressed her discourse in this manner unto me . goe to sir ! you must not have your owne will in this sort : a froward patient requires a rough hand , and a resolute heart . but i will shew my selfe more courteous to you . i am not ignorant of of your disease ; and much relyes your malady on my cure . doubt nothing of your recovery , so you will but ingenuously discover your infirmity . neither am i altogether unacquainted with my sister faiths late visit of you : whose sound cordiall comforts might have wrought such effect in you , as you should have lesse needed any other receipts , had you discreetly applyed what was so seasonably , and soveraignly ministred . but before i beginne with you ; let mee so farre prevaile with you , as to remove from your too much dejected and depressed spirit , all those unbeseeming thoughts which perplexe your quiet : bee not such an enemy to your selfe , as to reject that , which may rectifie your state : and of sick ; may make you whole : and of a faint-hearted souldier , a couragious warrier . and now to prepare you the better for this spirituall encounter : my first assay must be , to remove those skales from your eyes , which by long continuance , are growne so thick , as they keepe you from knowing us . this said , shee infused a smal quantity of a precious kind of liquor into my dusky and drery eyes : which infused , those very skales , which formerly troubled my sight , became removed : so as , i perceived who it was that ministred unto mee : and by little and little became so strengthned , as i was confident of ●evovery . having found mee in this sort● little cheered ; as one desirous to perfect what she had begun to make mee more hopefull of her cure , shee acquainted mee with the quality of her power . how now , said shee , i cannot be perswaded but you must now of necessity know mee ? though i have beene long time a stranger to you ; let us now renue our acquaintance ; believe it , it shall not repent you : for i never yet lodged in that inne , which held mee not a welcome guest . many before this time had untimely perished , had they not by mee beene seasonably supported . by land and water have i offered my selfe a friendly companion : and firmly stuck i to them who relyed on me , in time of greatest danger or opposition . and when no semblance of delivery appeared : no hope of liberty approached : we with this anchor brought them to the haven safely : planting them so securely , as no perill could interpose their security . and now tell me , is our strength so weakned , as wee cannot performe what wee formerly so happily effected : no , we are the same ; so wee find the same spirit in those to whom we apply our cure ; which to accomplish shall be our principall care . take then for an helmet , the hope of salvation : looke for the blessed hope . let thy flesh rest in hope . be yee of good courage — all yee that hope . for i must tell you , hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but the righteous hath hope in his death . for so well and surely is her foundation grounded , as hope maketh not ashamed . rejoyce then in hope : be patient in tribulation . so shall the god of hope fill you with all joy . to which fulnesse i recommend you . this said , she retired , but my hope became much strengthned . for having sometimes heard , how hope that is seene , is not hope : though i did not see her , yet was i comforted by her : for her sweet and comfortable advice had so cheered me ; as with that patterne of patience , ( and that with great vehemence ) i cryed forth in this manner ; through the hope and assurance which i had in my deare saviour : i know that my redeemer liveth , and that with these eyes i shall see him . and now i begun to wonder at mine owne weaknesse ; how i could so much as have the least distrust or diffidence in gods goodnesse : how i could suffer my spirit to be so uncomfortably drenched and drowned in the depth of misery : having so free accesse to the throne of mercy . againe , how in this surging sea of affliction ; where every worldy wave threatneth ruine : i durst presume to play the mariner , and faile without mine anchor . finding then so soveraigne a cure for my care : such sweet solace to mine anguish : so present a repreve against death : so fit a receipt to my griefe , i thought good to returne to the lord with my whole heart ; returning thanks unto him from whom commeth my helpe , and on whose gracious compassion have i grounded mine hope . my morning and evening incense have i therefore resolved to offer : that in an acceptable time hee would be pleased to receive my prayer : teaching me how to suffer , and by suffering to conquer : and conquering , to render to the lord of hoasts all honour . o my mercifull lord god , who bindest up the wounds of every contrite and truly penitent sinner : suffering him not to bee tempted more then hee can beare : but of the abundance of thy compassion , givest him anissue out of his temptation : make mee ever with a religious feare so to put my trust in thy mercy : as i may never be swallowed up of my misery . and seeing , wee are saved by hope : give unto mee such a saving hope ; as neither too much confidence may make me presume : nor the too perplexing consideration of my many sinnes bring mee to a despaire of pardon . bee neare mee , deare lord , in the 〈◊〉 of my visitation : let the enemy have no power over mee : but so shadow mee under the wings of thy mercy ; that the remembrance of thy judgements may rouse mee sleeping ; the memory of thy mercies raise mee waking ; to render praise unto th●e , as my hope is in thee , my helpe from thee , o lord everlasting . chap. . charity promiseth him in this valle of misery , to cover all his scarlet sinnes with the white roab of mercy ; and by keeping her company , conduct him safely to the kingdome of glory . bvt our daily experience confirms this to be so true , as nothing can bee truer : a worldlings mind is apter to be transported with the light gailes of presumption : then to be over-poized with any weights of a contrary nature . man becomes so apprehensive of the sweet promises of comfort , as hee not onely forgets his former unhappy condition , but even himselfe . so subject is hee to surfet of that , which was only given him to allay his discontent : and to retaine in him a thankfulnesse to him from whose beauty he received that benefit . this i● seemes , charity feared much would befall mee : so as one day with a comely , affable and gracefull ●resence , me thought , shee appeared unto me : not so much to increase my comfort , as to prepare my mind rightly to ●se it . for she found me subject to no such dis-consolate humour , but refreshed with joy above measure ; which to attemper , shee begun to impart her mind unto mee after this manner . it joyes mee much , good pilgrim , to see you thus brought from death to life . but it were well for you so to moderate these comforts which you have received : as not to lose your selfe , lest you might deprive your selfe of the benefit of this comfort . you may doe well then herein to imitate the fly , which putteth not her feet into the great masse of honey , but only taketh with her tongue so much thereof as serveth her turne and no more , lest by doing otherwise , she might remaine taken and drowned therein . too much honey cloyeth : and too much of comfort drowneth . moderate then these , as you tender your invvard peace . time has beene vvhen the very least beameling of these comforts which now so plentuously reflect on you , would have infinitly refreshed you : for your spirit was wounded within you : present delights and future hopes had wholly estranged themselves from you . stand then in feare , lest by abuse of these , some worser thing befall you . many , by being unhappy have become happy : but very few have attained true happinesse , by being in this world ever happy . now then , as my sister faith has in these spirituall comforts grounded you : and my younger sister hope has in these confirmed you : so shall it be my care , who am their poore contemptible sister , to prepare you for them , as they have prepared them for you : that such choyce receipts may be applyed to that end for which they were ministred : and your comforts such , as the issue of them may not be repented . after this discourse of hers , i desired much to know her name : for being , as shee professed , sister to those two ladies , from whose advice i had received so great comfort : i wondred much at her habit : for though her presence were comely , her countenance lovely , her behaviour sweetned with a well-beseeming modesty ; yet her apparell was but meane . which she observing , with a quick delivery and composed gravity , shee thus answered mee . you must not gather by my habit what i am . for i weare the worlds livery ; such as shee is pleased to bestow upon mee ; with no lesse content , then shee throwes it on me with contempt . for many yeares together have i beene the rich-mans almoner : yet never to this houre did i increase my store : for all the service i did him , i required no other wages of him , but to take his poore hand-maids counsell , which was : to make himselfe happy with his owne . but alas , i found simonides saying too true ! the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the rich , then then the rich of the vertuous . the poore were vertuous , and repaired to the doores of the rich : but the rich were vicious , and would not open their doores to the poore . i observed how vertue was accounted such a treasure , as 't was held more fitting to be out of the world then in it : whereas riches held that reputation amongst men : as men were held of no reputation without it . but yeu desire to know my name ; and you shall have it : but i pray you doe not imitate the fashion of this present world , by loving one worse when you hear it . neither am i a fitting consort for you , unlesse my two sisters have wrought some good effect on you . for charity is cold ; and such companions are not easily entertained : nor such guests kindly received ; where the one bids us give that we may receive : the other bids us give all that we have : and when all that wee have is given , to expect our reward in heauen . but this sowing of bread upon the water , is of too hard digestion to a foolish worldling : and yet it must be sowne upon the water , or your harvest is lost for ever . let mee then second , what my deare sisters have proposed : as your discomforts were by them not onely allayed ; but with assurance in gods promises confirmed : so heare what charity , the worldlings out-cast , will doe unto you ; to make you perfect throughout for him who will receive you . i have never yet beene known to bee more ready to promise then performe . yet shall the promise which i make unto you , bee of infinite consequence : for it shall make you eternally happy in the performance . you are here planted in a vaile of misery , where i promise to cover all your scarlet sinnes with the white roabe of mercy . nay , i will yet goe a little farther to conferre on your peacefull progresse the higher honour : if you will deaine to leave the world , and receive mee who am despised of the world : if you will , i say , leave her society , and bid adue to her blooms of vanity : by keeping mee company , i shall conduct you safely to the kingdome of glory . now let it be the least of your feare , that i promise above my power . for as my sisters imparted their love unto you , in cheering , comforting , and confirming you : so shall you find no lesse alacrity in mee , in perfecting what they have so happily begunne in you . for i must tell you , ( neither would i have you thinke that this proceedeth from any vaine glory , being that which could never challenge the least affinity with true charity ) that though my sisters may seeme to have priority in list and number , yet am i to challenge precedency in respect of dignity and order . this that vessell of election confirmed when he said : now abideth faith , hope , charity , these three , but the greatest of these is charity . neither shall you need to receive any other description for the portraiture of my feature , or quality of my nature , then what that glorious champion hath already returned to you . for tell mee , have you desire to bee informed in what most concerns you ; to bee edified in what most imports you ? it is not knowledge but charity that must worke this good effect in you . for , knowledge puffes up , but charity edifieth . or would you bee perswasive in oratory ; or powerfull in prophesy ; or an usefull almner for your soules safety ? you must necessarily bee accompanied by charity ; or you are but as sounding brasse , or a tinkling cymbal . your power to remove mountaines shall not remove in you the least mole-hill of your sinne . your bestowing all your goods to feed the poore , shall not make your soule rich : these cannot profit you , if charity doe not accompany you . seeing then the tongues of men and angels are but tinklings and very sounds without charity ; knowledge becomes fruitlesse without the edifying helpe of charity ; prophesies , bee they never so mysterious ; sciences , bee they in their owne nature never so commodious , are altogether unprofitable without charity : a let all your things be done with charity . b follow after charity , c above all things put on charity . d above all things have fervent charity : for charity shall cover the multitude of sinnes . e adde to godlinesse , brotherly kindnesse ; and to brotherly kindnesse , charity . for , the end of the commandement is charity : and now , seeing i have here given you a full draught of charity : by a due examination of your selfe , you shal easily find whether she be in your heart or no : for by these divine effects you shall find her to be yours , and she possessed of yours f : charity suffreth long & is kind , envies not : charity vaunteth not it selfe , is not puffed up . you shal likewise know even by your outward behaviour , whether or no you have received charity , or given her harbour : for charity g doth not behave it selfe unseemly , seeketh not her owne , is not easily provoked , thinketh no evill . you shall perceive likewise by the very joy of your heart , whether charity have taken up there her lodging . for shee h rejoyceth not in iniquity , but rejoyceth in the truth . lastly , you shall gather by your constancy , whether or no you hold correspóndency with perfect charity : for charity i never faileth . well may i then conclude with that glorious light of the eastern church , where charity is present , no good thing can be absent : wher charity is absent , no good thing can be present . againe ; there is not any thing , be it never so little , but being done in charity , it is esteemed for great : and there is nothing bee it never so great , but being done without charity , it is accounted little : to cloze then all in one , seeing charity is one in all : wee see how all signe themselves with the signe of the crosse , how all answer amen , all sing alleluia , all are baptised , all obey the commands of their mother , the church : yet a●e not the children of god discerned from the children of the devill but by charity . if then you desire to live , learne to love : you are now in your iourney towards your countrey , keepe me but company , and i shall safely conduct you to a city , where there raigneth perfect charity . it is not to be exprest what infinite content i tooke in the sweet discourse of this divine consort . for me thought i felt a fervorous heat or glowing within me . so as i desired nothing more then to reteine her still in my company . but having told me that shee had many places to goe to : and that in her absence i might find occasions in every place to remember her : for i could not possibly give the least entertainment to my afflicted brother , but i might become her remembrancer : which i should not feare to see plenteously rewarded hereafter : with a longing eye after her , i tooke my leave of her . desiring no greater solace , then to bestow the small remainder of my time in her service : and resolving in all humble manner , ever from that time to become her faithfull almner . deare father , thou who art perfect charity ; purifie my heart throughout , that i may prepare a roome therein fitting to entertaine thee . though charity grow cold in the world , let my desires become so wained from this present world , that my charity may witnesse for mee , that i am preparing for an other world . give mee a liberall heart ; that freely communicating to thenecessity of thy saints , and constantly relying on thy promises , through a firme faith and hope reposed in thee , i may at last come unto thee ; and of a poore pilgrim become an happy citizen in thy kingdome ; there to sing alleluia amongst those glorious saints for ever more . chap. . he takes comfort ; and now wearied with sojourning longer in idumaea , he turns to canaan . so ines●ably sweet were these comforts which i tasted ; and so plenteously flowing were those fountaines from whence they were derived ; as i gathered thence , if there were such comforts in the day of mourning ? what would there bee in the day of rejoycing ? if such spirituall delights presented themselves in a prison ; what incomparable pleasures might be expected in a pallace ? if such joyes in the dayes of our captivity , what may be looked for in that day of iubilee ? in the consideration whereof ; never did chased hart long more thirstily after the water-brookes , then my poore wearied spirit did after her heavenly bethesda . o how shrilly mee thought ; did the cryes of the saints under the altar sound in mine ●are ? o how long lord : how long ! o how long shall i sojourne in this pilgrimage of cares ; this valley of teares ; and become estranged from that inheritance of lasting joyes ; the only sight whereof shall make me happy ; and from this wildernesse of sinne bring me to the sinah of glory ? woe is me , my light , my love , my dove , my onely one , for that i have dwelled with the inhabitants of cedar ! woe is mee , my king and my god , that my habitation is prolonged ! for if holy david , david , a man according to gods owne heart , sometimes said , how much more may i unhappy one say , my soule hath beene too long an inhabitant ? long , and all too long have i sung , because i was unsensible of my sinne , my own countrey songs by those waters of babylon . well therefore may i say , it was good for mee that i have beene afflicted ; that i might learne thy statutes . o my lord , hadst thou never afflicted mee ; i had never sought to know thee . hence is it that i know thee , because thou ●ast afflicted mee . and now my soule melteth for heavinesse , not for that thou hast afflicted mee : but for that shee has beene so long divided from thee . i know lord , i know , how hee who never mourned while hee was a pilgrim , shall never rejoyce when hee comes to bee a citizen . and as to abide for ever , if wee would we might not : so rejoyce here and hereafter , though we would , wee may not . it is a great argument that hee loves not his countrey ; who without occasion foreslowes his returne into his countrey ; or takes any delight in any place before he returne unto his countrey . alas , i must confesse , i have longed too much after the onions and garlicke , and flesh-pots of egypt : but now with gushing eyes doe i returne unto thee , o receive mee ! i have protested ( and o strengthen so religious a protest with thy spirit ) never to take any more delight in idumaea . i have suffered too much in it and by it , to be now any more taken or delighted with it . and now after my loathing of these puddles of vanity , i have longed after those ever-running streames of eternity . o how hath my soule thirsted after thee ; how greatly hath my flesh longed for thee ? my soule hath thirsted after thee , the living fountaine ; o when shall i come and appeare before the face of the lord ? when wilt thou come , o my comforter ? for whom else shall i expect ? o that i might see thee o my ioy , which i desire ! o then shall my soule be satisfied , when my glory shall appeare , for which i so long hungred ! o then shall i bee made drunke with the fulnesse of thine house , after which i have sighed ! o then wilt thou refresh me with the brooke of thy pleasure , after which i have thirsted ! in the meane time , let my teares become my bread day and night , untill such time , as it be said unto me ; behold thy god! untill my soule heare , behold thy spouse ! meane while , thou heavenly shepherd , feed me with my sighes , refresh me with my sorrowes . my redeemer will doubtlesly come , for hee is good : neither will hee fore-slow his comming , for hee is gracious : to him be glory for evermore . o hasten thy comming for thine elect sake ! come lord iesu , come quickly ! chap. . the poore penitent pilgrims last will and testament . in the name of the father , the sonne , and holy ghost . i s. m. a poore penitent pilgrim , found in body , and of perfect memory : yet being daily read in the lecture of mans mortality : how all flesh is grasse , and the beauty thereof as the flower of the field ; which this day flourisheth , to morrow withereth : and that it is every christians duty to prepare himselfe before death come , lest it find him unprovided at such time as it shall come . moved , i say , with these considerations , i have here made this my last will and testament as followeth . first i bequeath my soule into the hands of my gracious redeemer , by whose most precious blood i was redeemed : and by whose merits and mercies ( for my merits are his mercies ) i hope to bee glorified . and forasmuch as there was no safety out of the arke ; nor no salvation now without the pale of the church , figured by the arke : and that the tares from the wheat must be severed : the sheepe and the goats must not into one fold be gathered : here in the presence of god and his blessed angels ; for the discharge of mine owne conscience , and the satisfaction of others , who , perchance , have in their opinions been divided , doubting much how i in points of religion stood affected ; doe i make a free and publike confession of my faith : being that cement by which we are knit unto her , and made members of her . i beleeve the holy catholike church , to be the communion of the faithfull , whereof i desire to live and dye a member : for which to suffer i should account it an honour : holding this for a principle ever ; that none can have god for his father , that will not take his holy spouse the church for his mother . there is no article in the apostles creed which i do not beleeve for catholike and orthodoxall , with the exposition thereof , and every cl●use or particle thereof in such manner , as it hath beene universally received by the holy catholike church , from the first four hundred years after christ : and as it holds in consent or harmony with the holy scripture , the christians armour ; by which and the constant practise of piety , every faithfull souldier of christ iesus may be enabled to pull downe those strong holds of his spirituall enemy : and by possessing his soule in patience , obtaine a glorious victory . and as there have been at all times tares in gods field ; so is it more to be pittied then doubted , that there are many surreptitious errours crept into the bosome of the church through the corruption of time , and our enemies malice : which though they ayme not at the corner-stone , nor at the maine foundation , yet being but stubble , & no wayes conducing to so glorious a building , they are to bee accounted of that quality , as they blemish much her primitive beauty . these then being the fancies of humane braines , and introduced into the church for private ends ; and so continued rather by an imperious then just command , i hold them so farre from being effectuall to salvation , as they become scandalous to many tender consciences , and consequently deserve rather to be rejected then imbraced . but for the ornaments of the church , as shee is the kings daughter , so she should be comely : and for her musicke or melody ; being his spouse , it admits harmony : for so drowsie is mans zeale and affection , as hee stands in great need of something to stirre up his devotion . likewise of those ancient and decent ceremonies of the church , being discreetly and not superstitiously used , i have ever reverently esteemed . neither am i ignorant how disputation in arguments of controversall learning hath beene of late yeares in more request then care of blamelesse conversation and living ; how indiscreet and impertinent reasoning has in many places brought that wofull effect , as it hath begot many irreparable rents in christs seamelesse coat : thus wounds left to the handling of unexpert hands became so farre from curing , as they grew more dangerously spreading ; and desperately increasing then they were in the beginning , and before they came to handling . these deficiences are with pious teares and devout prayers to be repaired , that men of learning may bee likewise men of living ; being endowed with that zeale , as in all their arguments by way of private discourse or more publike opposition , their sole ayme and desire may bee to propagate the gospel , and in it the glory of god , with all singlenesse of mind , and that without singularity of judgement ; being so free from all manner of ostentation , or the spirit of contradiction , as they may shun nothing more then popular applause , nor hold any thing more deare then the churches peace , so as , to compose this breach , i never hold those in points of religion to be sitting disputants , who made it their onely ayme in a scholasticall manner to weave up their arguments : but such moderate spirits , whose desires were rather to cleare mens consciences from inbred scruples , then broach new differences . with all due reverence i esteeme of those two sacraments ; baptisme and the supper of the lord , as those two nursing brests of the church : the one to clense and purifie us at our entring : the other to strengthen and sanctifie us living : and to glorifie our soules at their departing . as with mine heart i beleeve unto righteousnesse , so with my mouth doe i confesse unto salvation . neither , doe i professe my selfe such a soli-fidian , as to hold faith sufficient to salvation without workes . neither such a champion for good workes , as to hold works effectuall without faith. as faith is the root , so are works the fruit . nay , i hold these to have such necessary dependence one of th' other , as they are ever to go hand in hand together : otherwise that fearefull curse which our blessed saviour sometimes pronounced upon the barraine fig-tree , must be their censure . and now in this day of my change , as in this confidence i have ever lived , so my trust is that in the same i shall dye : that in the resurrection of my saviour christ ies●s is my hope : and in his ascension is my glory . for , i beleeve that my redeemer liveth , and that with these eyes i shall see him . thus have i rendred an account of my faith ; the substance whereof as i have ever professed in my life : so i hope with all christian constancy to continue the profession thereof even unto death . so as , though the assaults or temptations of the devill , my spirituall enemy , whose practise hath beene ever by cruelty or subtilty to deprive man of his hope of glory , should with all fury assaile me , yet shall they never have power to prevaile against mee ; for the lord , who is my defence , will in mercy draw neare mee , and in that dying conflict give mee the victory . this then shall be my clozing resolve , i meane to continue in the profession of that faith , now when i am old ; wherin being a child i was borne . and having thus returned a due account of my belie●e ; i hold it very sitting not to neglect that laudable use of disposing that estate whereof god in his goodnesse and providence towards me , made mee here his steward . it were good then for mee , that i remembred that message returned by isaiah the sonne of amos to hezekiah : set thin● house in order , for thou shalt die , and not live . true it is , when the outward house is orderly disposed , the inward house cannot chuse but bee better prepared . to remove then from mee the cares of this present world , that i may take a more willing adeiu of the world before i leave it , and so addresse my cares for a better world by waining my desires from it : for live hee cannot in the land of the living , who prepares not himselfe for it before his arriving : my mind and will is , that my worldly substance bee disposed of in manner and forme following . first , then after this vessell of earth , this poore shell of corruption shall bee to earth committed , and as neare to the bones of mine ancestors as the conveniencie of the place may permiti , nterred : and that my funerall expences shall be discharged ; in the performance of which christian duty i approve of decency , but in no case too much solemnity ; ( which has too often drowned the remembrance of mortality in the lees of sensuality ) after this , i say , my will is , that this small estate wherewith god hath blessed mee , shall be divided in equall parts or portions amongst my children : that , as they are all equally mine , so they may bee equall sharers in mine : of whom i will not prophesie that they will dissipate or seatter all i leave them : i have better hopes treasured in them . for the portions i leave them , though small yet competent , if they be contented : and more then i could wish them , if otherwise affected . a very little will suffice nature ; enough i leave them , if well employed : too much if abused . may gods blessing and mine be ever with them in their improvement of it . and that i may crowne their hopes , and my houres with one blessing more : blessed spirit , by which every passenger is safely conducted from this vale of misery , to the kingdome of glory , as these little ones are mine by generation , so may they be thine by regeneration , to whose gracious protection both now and ever i commit them . now i nominate and appoint for surpervisors of this my last will and testament , my deare friends , agapetus & eilicrines , if they shall bee then living at my death : whom i heartily desire , for the loue they beare to goodnesse ; nay , for the love they bear to him , who is the fountaine of all goodnesse , and as i repose much trust in them ; to performe this my will. and now mee thinkes , all my worldly cares are drawne neare unto their period . seeing then i am sailing towards mine harbour ; let mee strike anchor : that taking the wings of the morning , i may fly to the bosome of my dear redeemer . co forth then my soule , what fearest thou ? goe forth , why tremblest thou ? thou hast had enough of idumaea ; for what foundst thou there but anguish ? now then turne thy face to the wall , and thinke of the land of promise . thou hast but now a little time left thee : the remainder whereof is justly exacted by him that made thee . sighes , sobs , prayers , and teares are all the treasures that are left thee : and precious treasures shall these be to thee , if presented by faith to the throne of mercy . the enemy can never prevaile , where christian feare and constant hope possesse the soule . let thy desire then be planted , where thy treasure is placed ; and as one ravished with a spirituall fervour , cry out and spare not with that devout father : should my mother pull her haire , teare her clothes , lay forth those brests which nursed mee , and in this sort hang about me ; should my father lye in the way to stoppe me , my wife and children weepe about mee ; i would throw off my mother , neglect my father , contemne the lamentation of my wife and children , to meet my saviour , christ iesus . and lesse then this , o my soule , thou canst not doe ; if thou callest to mind what thou leavest ; to whom thou goest ; and what thou hast in exchange for that thou loosest . for what leavest thou here , but a world of misery ? to whom goest thou , but to a god of mercy . and what hast thou in exchange but immortal glory , for a vile , fraile , and corruptible body ? whatsoever thou hadst here , was got with paine , kept with feare , and lost with griefe : whereas now thou art to possesse eternall riches without labouring ; and to enjoy them without feare of losing . my heart then is ready , my heart is ready ; too long have i sojourned here , in making me a stranger to my heavenly country it is high time for mee then to discamp : and to leave these tents of kedar : that i may rest without labouring ; rejoyce without sorrowing ; and live without dying in the celestiall thabor . say then with that vessell of election , and thinke as thou sayest : i desire to bee dissolved , and to be with christ. even so lord in sus , come quickly . finis . his obsequies . now , as yee have seen this poor penitent pilgrim in idum●a wandring , and with the prodigall child , happily returning , so christian charity assures you that hee is now in canaan arriving . being , after so many tedious dayes and nights of misery , translated hence , by the irrevocable sentence of mortality . let pious teares and prayers prevaile so farre with you , that as yee have taken a full view of the whole progresse of his life , so yee would performe a christian office in accompanying the solemn accomplishment of his obsequies after death . draw neare then unto his sepulcher ; and in it consider how yee are made of the very selfe same mould and matter : and must , as he has done , pay your debt to nature . doe not like that unfruitfull spectator or formall mourner , who comming amongst others to see his friend buried , and beholding dead mens skuls and bones peece-meale scattered , with an easie sigh thence departed . but when hee should have gone home , to thinke of his last home , by meditating of that memoriall of death ; he betooke himselfe to the taverne , to drench and drinke downe those melancholly thoughts in a deepe health . oh thinke from whence yee came , and be ashamed ; where yee are , and be prepared , whereto yee goe ( if unprepar'd ) and stand amazed ! from earth was your beginning ; on earth is your pilgrim being ; but in hell ( without repentance ) your perpetuall dwelling . dye then to earth before yee leave earth , that leaving earth , yee may live in heaven , the inheritance of the iust upon earth . his grave-stone . he , whom here this stone do's cover , whilest hee lived was no other then a pilgrim and your brother , but too long the worlds lover . would yee know that course of his ? in an abstract , it was this . long in idum●a living , rich in favour , fortune , fame , strong in power to shield the same , never losing , ever thriving ; he esteem'd himselfe sole-blest in those treasures he possest . mines and magazins of gaine , various objects of delight sported with his appetite , till those guests hee 'd entertaine , made him to consider well earth was but the sinners cell . pride first rais'd him to a cedar , avarice made him hug his treasure , envy pin'd him beyond measure , wrath became his passion leader , riotcramm'd him ; lust belull'd him , sloath by seazing on him , dull'd him . thus environ'd , rest of rest , solace , soule , society , till faith , hope , and charity re-possest him of a guest , which those guests he pamper'd so , had before estranged him to . seas thus calm'd , & stormes appeas'd , to discover his content , he makes his will , and testament , which if ( christians ) yee be pleas'd to partake her , come with full eyes to solemaize his obsequies . errata . no place but is of errors rife , in labours , lectures , leafes , lines , life . p ag. . line . . for there , read her . p. . l. . f. lives , r. houres p. . l. . for dames , r. damns . p. . l. ult . r. one to dictate to thee what thou hast , &c. p. . l. . f. nay , r. may. p. . l. . f. couch , r. touch. ibid. in marg . f. humb. r. lumb . p l. . f. wailes , r. vailes . p. . l . f. meditation . r. mediation . p. . l. . for calidore , r. calidon . p. . for them , r him . p. . ●● . f. when , r. where pag. ibl . . f. dags , r. dogs . p. . l. . for everting in some copies , r. everlasting p. . : f. painting , r. ●painting . p. mis-folio'd . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * cuncta qu● suntaddu●et● done. in judicium . ec●les . . reddi●uri sumus ra●ionem de cogitati●nibus nostris sap . de omnibus v●r●is . m●t. . de o●eribus ●os●ris . cor. . * signant se omnes signo crucis , respondent omnes amen , c●ntant omnes alleluia , baptizantur o●nes , ecclesiarum pietates implent ; nen discernuntursil●i dei ● fli●s diabolinisi in cha●itate . vid. aug. notes for div a -e eccles. . . ecclus . . notes for div a -e psal. . . isa. . . exod. . . prov. . . . bern. med. cap. . ib. cap. . bern. med. c●p . ● we are before all others , to bestow holy dayes in pious works and religious wayes . aug. sup. psal. . c●ril . basal . honail . . & . aug. m●d. . ●ern . med. . aug. in confess . malac , . . prov. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . bern med. . bern. med. . mat. . humb. sup. reg . b. aug. aug. med. . bern. med. . bern. med. . athan. bern : med. . iam. . gen. . bern. med. . ib. c. . iohn . . aug. in serm. de ascens . act. ● . aug. aug. bern. med. . eccles. . sap. ● . rom. . ib. . . mat. . cor. . esay . . ezek. , augs soliloq . c. . bern. med dam. de hora ●ort . bern. med , . psal. . . ezek. . iam. . hab. . . rom. . mat. . . luke . . v. . luke . . act. . . thes. . tit : . . psal. . . . . prov , ▪ . . . rom. . . rom. . . . . . . rom. . . cor. . . cor. . . v. i. a cor. . b . . c col. . d pet. . . e pet. . f cor. . . g v. . h v. . i v. . aug. ib ▪ vide aug. psal. . . v. . with shreeks i entired , and in ●oyle i lived . with griefs gripes . groanes , am i of life deprived . hier. ad pam●●●● et ocean de error . orig. reg. . hieron . hieron . notes for div a -e sitiens sepulchrum repetit , ossa sepultorum respicit , suspirans sepultum deserit ; quando autem in domum , fragilitat is humanae speculum meditando , tenderet , in tabernam descenderet ubi totam noctem , calicibus indulgendo , expenderet . chysol . the golden fleece vvhereto bee annexed two elegies, entitled narcissus change. and Æsons dotage. by richard brathvvayte gentleman. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the golden fleece vvhereto bee annexed two elegies, entitled narcissus change. and Æsons dotage. by richard brathvvayte gentleman. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. printed by w[illiam] s[tansby] for christopher pursett dwelling in holborne, neere staple inn, london : . in verse. printer's name from stc. 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xml conversion the golden fleece . whereto bee annexed two elegies , entitled narcissvs change ▪ and aesons dotage . by richard brathvvayte gentleman . london printed by w. s. for christopher pursett dwelling in holborne , neere staple inne . . to the right worshipfvll m. robert bindlosse esquire , his approued kind vnkle : the continuance of gods temporall blessings in this life , with the crown● of immortalitie in the world to come . right worshipfull , i haue penncd heere a short treatise , entituled the golden fleece , which i no sooner had reuie●ed and corrected , making it fit for the presse : as not doubting but it should passe the presse of detraction , which delighteth more in carping , then discreet● censuring of others labours : but i bethought me of some patron , not so much for the pr●s●ruing this my first issue from abort●ent , as from the detraction of male●●lent carpers , whovse to finde fault with nature herselfe that she set not the oxes ●ornes vpon his backe rather then vpon his head , being the stronger and more puissant part . at the first i resolued to dedicate these fruits of my labours vnto him , from whom ● receiued the grouth , and quiet encrease of my studies : but it pleased god to alter my purpose , ●y preuenting him by death , who was the nourisher of my slender endeuours , and the protectour of mine orphane labours , which had no sooner hapned then in a distast of my studies , wanting him , whose relish sweetened my vnseasoned poemes , i was fully resolued to haue wrapped this tract vp in obliuion , and to haue depriued it of publike view . but the troubled course of our estates , and the fauourable regard you had of our attonement , which is now so happily confirmed , enforced me to consecrate this pamphlet as one of bassas fragments , to your best affectioned selfe : to shew a willingnesse in me to gratifie that sollicitous and carefull regard you euer had , since the time of our desolation , euen his death , whose life was a mirrour in his time , and whose well concording death ensued , as a reward of eternitie for his well spent daies : for his fruits shall follow him . the argument of this treatise is morall : the vse spirituall , morally deriued from iason sonne to aeson by polymela , who , after the death of his father was committed to the tuition of his vncle pelias : he to vsurpe the possessions , limited to his nephew iason deuised a dangerous enterprise for him , to get the golden fleece of cholcos , which he h●uing atchieued with great honour , and the safe returne of such argonautes as went with him : receiued his inheritance , and propagated his glory to the vtmost bounds of asia . the vse , or morall implies : what felicity they shall obtaine that with resolution and long animitie sustaine the pe●illous gusts of afflictions , with a respect had to vertue , without which regard no happy or successiue euent can attend any intendment : this tract though compendious , may afford no small fruit to your conce●uing vnderstanding , shadowing vnder this title of golden fleece , the reward of a sincere and prouident pilgrim , who with iason endureth patiently the surging sea of persecution , the r●ging tempests of ●ffliction , not to be allured with the inchanting voice of the syrens melodie , abstaining from cyrces cup , say●ing by the perillous rockes of scylla and charybdis , and now at last arriuing at the port of a prosperous repose , crieth out ; hic ●edes fata quietas o●tendunt . alexander had his homer in reuerence , alcybiades his socrates , caesar the perusall of his owne deuine writings , scipio affrican●s the workes of xenophon , epaminondas will receiue instruction of his lysias , agesilaus of xenophon , scipio by genesius : yea bassus was sometime acceptable to his caesar. i feare not but there be euer some mae●enas to giue a fauourable respect to the meane●t labours . socrates thinketh his works very fruitfull , and to haue produced good effectes , when by them he hath prouoked any to the knowledge and learning of vertue . stylpho the romane had neu●r attained the chast name of a continent citizen , if he had not applied his corrupt disposition to morall discourse , and made morall poems a soueraigne for his lasciuious intentions . those famous matrons of rome , octauia , gorcia , caecilia , and cornelia , bestowed no lesse time in moralitie then tullia , lucilla , and claudia did in musicke and harmonie : more renowne attained they , by morall obseruations , then those wanton dames did by their discourse of hymenaeus . semyramis and cleopatra neuer grew more memorable for their affecting dainties , then hermyone and dyotmia for their morall precepts . many which professed moralitie , haue beene the preseruation of whole cities , as aristotle , by whose meanes , and for whose sake alexander commaunded the cittie stagyra to bee builded ag●ine , being demolished in the raigne of his father philip . the like of socrates we reade , and reason good , since apollo termed him the wisest man in all greece . but wherefore should i prosecute this argument , alwaies putting my hand with protogenes to that table which i am sure can be bettered by no colours ? receiue this vnripe fruite into the warme harbour of your loue , let it be kindly entertained , least it blush and be ashamed , to receiue so ill an entertainment , where it expected an vndoubted welcome . this mindian building haue i erected before her , to vsher her , and encourage her modest face , with the assurance of your acceptance . the lord of heauen continue his blessings towardes you , lengthen your daies , multiply your comfortes heere vpon earth , that enioying heauen vpon earth in this life , you may be inuested with the crowne of immortalitie in the world to come . your affectioned nephew , richard brathwaite . pieridvm invocatio , qvarvm ope aegon in t●iviis , aedon in nemoribus cecinit . quarum auspic●●s riuos saltim apertos degustare licuit , tenuisque stipulae libertate frui . you sacred muses by whose diuine skill , each poet in his rank obserues his measure , direct the progresse of menalchas quill , enrich his labour with your heauenly treasure . and so vouchsafe to fauour his poore verse , that some may daigne his poems to rehearse . well doe i know so many rurall swaines , seeke to ●euote their labours to your shrine , that they offend you with their fruitlesse paines , since in harsh straines their labours they confine . yet pittie them and me , whose barraine wit , will moue you in remorce to pittie it . and yet when i consider worthlesse men , such as afranius , bardus , and the rest , then with a cheerefull countenance doe i pen , since many illes doe counterpoise the best . for sure i am with bardus i can sing , though not a matter worthie of a king . affranius , he will wearie traians eare● , with rude impolisht , tunelesse harmonie , he is impudent , affranius , nothing feares , his oaten pipe delights his maiestie . but i esteeme of such as little worth , their works be correspondent to their birth . for as affranius was of meane estate , raisde from declining fortunes low descent , so his immodest vaine engendreth hate , since his sharpe poems with his ayle be spent . his works confusde , his harsh vnseasoned stile , doe ill beseeme the sybils of our i le . such works i scorne to pen , as may detract from the respect of any meane estate , i hate that aspes that is of splene compact , the furi●s brands which vaun● of ●ought but hate . aemulate vertuous men , for vertues sake , is a good ha●red , so i le alwaies hate . but to contemne the meane degrees of men , or to enuie sailes of prosperitie , nere shall my muse ensource her odious pen , furnisht with nought but ●ags of enmi●ie . i smile when others smile , when others weepe , i plunge my selfe into like sorrowes deepe . the argvment . this little treatise is a golden fleece , not that which ●ason got from colchos i le , for this comaines a more celestiall ●rize , since mundane states doe earth●y men beguile . this is that prize which will procure soules peace , vnto thy minds content , heau'ns golden fleece . no argonautes can get you this s●me prize , nor no maedea can procure this gaine , no fruitfull colchis can this fleece comprize , no braine sicke zethes can this spoile obtaine . if thou wilt haue this golden fleece , this prize , with due attention here reflect thine eyes . first doe not giue thy selfe to fond delights , which like the morning dewe fade and decay , restraine thy flesh which gainst thy spirit fights , reforme thy peruerse life from day to day . let abstinence be empresse and commaund , lest hatefull lust deuotion should withstand . for many times by abstinence desire of hatefull lust is quite extinguished , which otherwise like an incessant fire , by curious fare would soone be nourished . and that desire which is restrainde by thee , shall worke content in minds tranquillitie . spare not to trauaile nor to passe the sea of surging waues this treasure to obtaine , the way to rest , is through calamitie , the port to harbour , is through shelfes of paine . for valiant iason neuer could haue wonne , the golden fleece , if he had sorrowes shunne . now by charybdis , now by scylla tossed , shipwrackt poore man , distressed by winters rage , those gusts of griefe wherwith his course was crossed will rest memorials to ensuing age . so then if thou , with iason will attaine such glorious trophies , thou must suffer paine . sylenus he can tumble in his caue , a lazie lubber made to cherish sloth , nought besides ease , his blockish trunke doth craue , from secure sleepe to rise he 's very loth . yet this i le tell him his securitie , shall bring his sloth to extreme penurie . sylenus is no souldier for thy tent , stout iason , which combines thy force with death , he harmelesse soule , to liue at ease content , not in a forraine warre to spend his breath . but thou contemnes base seruitude , base feare , that thy renowne may to the world appeare . it doth appeare , for pelias repines , that thou shouldst get faire colchis monument , yet thy aspiring thoughts some good diuines , aymes at some conquest , in thy sacred tent. liue then for euer , thou shalt euer liue , for enuious hate shall not thy fame depriue . i would we had such argonautes as these , that could and would embarke them on the sea , so to obtaine that prize , that golden fleece , purchasing heauen by suffring miserie . then might we glory full as much or more ; then euer greece of iason did before . i would such argonauts liude in this i le , this hyble faire , famous by memorie , that hydra-headed monster to beguile , and purchase to them immortalitie . then should we sing more trophies in their praise then euer colchis did in former daie● . but such is times iniquitie , whose frame , is out of frame , confusde , disordered , so that she seemes to change her timelesse name , whose name was golden , now 's relinquished , that golden age , an iron age appeares , producing nought but sad euents of feares . once did those golden ages flourishing giue a good morrow to the easterne parts , vvhere vertues springing , were in nourishing , vvhich ministred great comfort to our hearts . but now the moon 's eclipsde , that age decaide , depressing downe her head , as one affraide . affraid : no maruaile since such enmitie , ariseth twixt our manners , and her state , that they opposed stand at mutinie , which makes the golden age , so out of date . since sa●urnes ki●gdomes be dispeopled here , or else like snailes shut in their heads for feare . hesi●d relates of one prometheus who was astute and sub●ile in his drifts , and he reports of epymetheus . a simple soule deuoide of cunning shifts . sure epymetheus liueth in this age , ●rometheus , he is fled for want of wage . iupit●r god of the celestiall powers , sent on a time argicid as from heauen , to bring a gift , w●●h limit of his howers , vnto prometheus● whereon was engrauen . who takes this gift , shall presently enioy rest in his minde ▪ deliuered of annoy . prometheus conceiuing what was ment , by ●oues attracting gifts , refusde the same , for through his wisedome , he knew ●oues intent , wherefore this prudent answer d●d he frame . argicidas , quoth he , i thanke high ●oue , that he hath shewde to me his diuine loue . but forasmuch as i deserue the least , much lesse the great●● and choisest gifts he hath , i wish he should some other man inuest , with this celestiall token of his breath . hie thee to ioue , and tell him this from me , prometheus binds him to his deitie . ioue hauing heard , what sage prometheus said , commended much his humane pollicie , prometheus ( quoth ioue ) is sore affraide , lest golden gifts smell of hypocrisie . well epymetheus wants prometheus shifts , for well i know he will accept my gifts , note this volume has a very tight binding and while every effort has been made to reproduce the centres , force would result in damage ▪ and so he did for iudging no deceipt , for to proceede from ioues high maiestie , of this dissembled gift ●e made receipt , hoping to purchase endlesse memorie but this sweete hony was d●s●olude to gall , and this his precious gift procurde his fall . this was the great desire he had to know what did concerne the mysteries of ioue , from this same roote aspiring branches grow , which doe extirpe the seeds of christian loue . presumption of our knowledge , and desire , of knowing more doth in our thoughts aspire . fond epy●etheus not content to know , that which allotted was vnto his share , de●ires a further scope then earth below , that his high knowledge might surp●sse compare . wherefore de●ided he the state of such , as did not care for knowing ouermuch . and since that time we haue desirde to know things too transcendent , higher then our reach , mysticall types which god did neuer show to vs , or euer deignde the same to teach , thinking that fittest for mans shallow sence , which paralleld his straite circumference . this fond presumption is a step to sinne , no it 's the roote , and ground of our distresse , by which we see the gulph we wallow in , the mansion of our woe and wretchednesse . this is the sea of our distresse and woe , which doth oppresse vs , wheresoere we goe . and sure as long as these presumptuous sinnes doe burgen in vs , with their full encrease , like o●dipus his two accursed twins erected for the ●uine of our peace . farewell content in men of each degree , if thou be proud , foule hate will follow thee . thou canst not haue the fleece of colchis i le , no● that resplendent fleece of sanctitie , for why ? presumption doth thy thoughts beguile , pride cannot dwell with poore humilitie . thou mayst remaine , and flourish for a time , but ill successe will ●ntercept thy prime . so on thy course , and with the giants ●ierce , wage battaile with the gods of heauen and earth , seeme as thou would the starres with iulian pierce , outdare the authour of thy cursed birth . care not for god or man , but in despite , damnation in thine vgly forehead write . arachne , she can weaue her purp●e threede , and well conceited of her curious skill , challengeth stately ●allas with all speede , whose art this art did into her distill , pallas ( quoth she ) i hope i may compare , with you in spinning , if you better were . but what succeeded ? pallas did replie , minion , ere long , i le teach you to confesse , your fond presumption : who , i pray , am i , your mistresse sure , i will approue no lesse . this doth proceede from thy inuectiue tong , vvhich by this heauenly feature , i le make dumb● . no sooner had she spoken , but her forme vvas quite transformde into another shape , two twigs by pallas will , did her adorne , this feature got she for presumption sake . and that which had a comely forme before , in spiders likenesse doth her state deplore . these be the fruits of a presumptuous minde , bitter in taste , working thee authors baine , and like a viper deadly to her kinde , vvhich by engendring , breedeth endlesse paine . this will dispoile thee of thy golden fleece , nere to returne from colchis into greece . be humble , meeke , obedient to thine head , least with a sudden ouerthrow thy friend , condole thy fortune by misfortune lead , yet cannot by his salue , thy griefes amend . so succourlesse and eke distrest with griefe , in thy distresse canst purchase no reliefe . the lowest tamricke is the saf'st from haile , the lof●iest cedar's soonest throwen down , an humble minde ther 's nought that can appal , high spirits be most subiect to a frown . each thing by nature must one time decay , but meane estates be saf'st from harme alway . if thou wilt haue this golden fleece , this prize , thou must embarke thy selfe in troups of griefe , those who obtaine thy conq●est , sloth dispise , oftimes dismaid without the least reliefe . and then if thou wilt conquer , thou must fight , by meditation gainst sin , day and night . the valiant argonautes did not refuse , haile , raine or snow for to obtaine that gaine , vnder a faignde pretence they not refuse ; their serious labour or industrious paine . wherefore they got the hauen of their rest , and did enioy that which they loued best . a worthy prize , if prizes temporall , can haue such worth , or yet deserue such labour : who will not seeke a price coelestiall purchasde by earnest suite and gods high fauour ▪ then let it be our will , our onely pleasure , sell all we haue , and buy this heauenly treasure . no rust can ere consume this precious gemme , no mothes can eate into this sacred shrine , a roabe most fit for well disposed men , who at an others state doe not repine . of this be sure , who enuies each mans state , shall neuer enter in the narrow gate . if that the argonautes with mutuall splene , should haue enuide at each an others worth , with this same prize , they neere enricht had been , but with vnluckie labours curst their birth . a threesold cord is hardly broke men say , but being dissolude , like vapours glides away . then let this mutuall loue dispell each hate , and each reuenge pretended in your hearts , nothing is more pernicious then debate , which flourishing empires many time subuerts . this is the state of men that each will crie , caesar aut nullus to their enemie . caesar if he had raignde in common loue , or gouerned his realme in amitie , brutus his owne adopted would approue , of his proceedings : without enmitie . but these aspiring heads be oft brought low , with tu mi brute , thoule kill caesar too . but of all discords in an humane sence , none more detested then a brothers hate , remus against romulus prepares defence , amulius with numitor debate . and rich sichae●s must of force be slaine , alcydes priest , by his pigmalion . these sharpe contentions cannot get the price , but ruine their owne forces by their hand , these are not vndertaken by aduice , but guided by the eumenides commaund . all things haue end , to these vnhappie end , by short prescription , lord of lords will send . caine is offended with his louing brother , and what 's the cause , perchance his sacrifice is better farre respected then the other , which he doth offer : wherefore thence he flies , and doth prouide , by his accurled breath , to be the agent of his brothers death . yet abels bloud , like to the morning dew , as●endeth vp vnto gods heauenly throne , shewing how caine , his hands did ●rst embrew , in brothers bloud , his bloud to heauen doth grone wheerefore the lord , who ta●es reuenge of sinne , damn'd cains despaire , which he did welter in . caine wher 's thy brother ? caine doth answer him , am i my brothers keeper ? insolence dar'st thou that art compact of nought but sinne , answer him so ? who●e heauenly excellence . ruleth each thing , and hath created thee to laud his name , not grieue his maiestie . go thou thy way , for thou canst ne're obtaine this golden fleece , interred in dispaire , go wag thine head , with thy distracted braine● . thou of perdition art the lineall heire . the golden fleece is kept for such as liue , to please their god , and not their god to grieue . but such as like the sabines do disdaine , that ere the romans should in mariage ioyne , with their renowned stocke , and thinke it shame , that their vpstart descent , should them detaine . shall soone be vanquisht , and deuoid of aide , to darke obliuions tombe , retire , dismaid . the argonautes , who got the golden fleece , neuer disdaind to ioyne with any power , combinde with euery nation in a peace , which did distill like danaes golden shower . this golden peace did get them that renowne , which all the i le of colchis puld not downe . nought there can be more strong then vnitie , if so that vnion doe no discord breede , for it effects things worthy memory , which no commotion in the state doth feede . for wealth and peace blest aegias kinde twins , with mutuall passions , mutuall honour wins . both weepe at once , both smile with like desire , both walke , both stand , both make a like repose , and to conclude they burne with equall fire , both win at once , both equally doe lose . nought there can be , being borne of selfesame mother , belonging to the one , not to the other . and then what is it which obtaines this prize ? not wealth , nor treasure in aboundance had , to get this prize , is not to temporize , for flattery in princes seemes too bad . and time obseruers be of small regard , vvhen diuine honour is the due reward . doe not with glosing , nor with sugred speech thinke to allure thy god , vnto thy will : of thy fraile temple he can make a breach , and in one moment soule and bodie kill . the difference twixt god and man assignde , one kils the bodie , the other kils the minde . care not for him , that hath power corporall , able to kill the bodie is the worst , but care for him whose power coelestiall , for he can make both soule and bodie curst . wherefore take heede , thou do not grieue that god , who can auenge thy folly with his rod. be so determinde in thy daily labour , that thou offend not gods high maiestie , for he that is out of gods heauenly fauour , shall be destroyed by his deitie . the lord hath pi●tie , when he seeth vs take compassion on the poore for christ his sake . but when with impudent and carelesse eye , we doe neglect the cries of silly soules , and wallowing in deepe securitie , cherish our pleasures ; and drinke wine in bowles . whilest we annoint our selues with ointments sweet , who will with teares ofsorrow wash christ feete ? no man is sory for poore iosephs woe , iosephs affliction doth not touch our hearts , pleasures induce vs where so ere we goe , sinnes lamentation instantly departs . ioseph in prison , we sweete pleasures taste , relieude by none , til all his griefes be paste . those who contemne the miseries of men , shall nere attaine vnto this golden prize , these like to sauage lions in their den , vvith proud cal●gula , do ti●annize . nere shall they come to rest , but endlesse warre shall scatter them , without a shepheards starre . ca●●●la would many times reproue , the gods on high , in that they did withstand , his saints ordainde to purchase peoples loue , and brandishing a weapon in his hand . come aeolus ( quoth he ) and all yee gods , i le whip you like to scholeboies with my rods . yet when he heard the messenger of raine , thūder , with crackling noise , come hurrying down , then he , proud man , to hide himselfe was faine , and who was high before , is humble growne . for wandring what did hurrie ore his head fond witlesse man , he crept vnder his bed . caligula could neuer get this prize , for he abashed was at euery storme , nor with affiance could lift vp his eyes , to that same god whose grace doth man adorne for grace doth beautifie each creature well , and is a meanes foule vice for to expell . now whosoeuer will obtaine that prize , that golden fleece , euen that celestiall treasure , let him feare gods high power in any wise , and dedicate his life to gods good pleasure . then he cannot but get this precious gemme , reserude for such as be religious men . there was a world though that waxe hoary now , vvhen vertue was the scope each leueld at , but few will vertue in their actions show , all be respectiue of their priuate gaine . this priuate state is mundane happinesse , vvhich is the groundworke of our wretchednesse . leaue all thy wealth and thy preferment quite , flie to the anchor of thy hope and stay , here 's iacobs ladder , which may thee incite , vpon thy soueraigne lord thine head to lay ▪ christ is no place whereon to laie his head , but christ his hand will vs to glory leade . buie once this gemme againe , and tell me then , if euer iewell were of such a price , a iewell requisite for christian men , for her 's no christian that will it despise . sell all and buie it , for it will procure thy endlesse safetie which will ere endure . what is it drawes thee from thy louing lord ? is it promotion ? hope of present gaine ? or is it all that fraile earth can afford ? nought but vaine shadowes doth fraile earth containe . leaue then the shadow , and the substance get immortall things immortall minds beset . what was the reason alexander thought , nought could containe mans mind that worldly was ? euen forasmuch as he for honour sought which hauing gotten like a shade did passe . and hauing conquerde all the world beside , yet he perceiude nought constant could abide . one arrow piercing alexanders thigh , from whence there gushed streames of crimson bloud , now doe i grant ( quoth he ) mortalitie is incident to me , as here is shewed . nor prince nor begger can debarre his state , to be eclipsed by a mortall date . thou that wi● win●e this golden ●leece , this prize , conf●sse thy se●fe a man and not a god , with pure denotion ●leuate thine eyes least thou be da●ht in peeces by his rod. and being dasht reuerreceiue aga●ne gods d●uine spirit , a cordiall for thy paine . get thee to noa●s arke , and like a doue , come flying with an oliue in thy bill , the ol●ue is the token of true loue , which will ●he hatred of the serpent kill . for thou as long as thou abidest there , no ouerflowing deluge needs to feare . when z●th●s aged boreas sonne and heire , came downe from colchis into arcadie , when vnto phin●us court he did repaire , and was receiude by phineus sumptously . he ayded phineus the harpies to expell , vvhose filthie ordure gaue a no●some smell . for wheresoeuer phineus did goe , they did pursue him , both by sea and land , and made king phineus full of dismall woe , fo● they were plagues inflicted by ioues hand . in that he did put out his childrens eyes , vvhich did ascend to ioue with wofull cries . zethes by force expelde these cruellbirds , expulsing them the bounds of arcadie , and for his welcome , this kinde loue affords , and loue for loue is showne as mutually . it was an a●mes for to renew his life , since what was done , was plotted by his wife . then this example shall induce thy loue , not with vnthankful and fo●getfull minde , for to requit● his kindnesse wh● did proue a fai●hful● friend , and in distresse most kinde . for zethes was in great dis●●esse before , till he arriude vpon th' arcadian shore . and sure vnthankfull minds be most accurst , since they like vip●rs be vnkind to those who fos●red them , and make their wombes to burst , vipers to vipers be the hatefull foes . many foule vice , saith seneca , i ken , in rome , yet none worse then vnthankfull men . it is inhumane to forget good will , the king of persia did accept a gift , euen a small handfull which a wife di● fill o● liquid water , void of subtile drift . this he accepted , and with like desert , repaid the kindnesse of her louing heart . and sure who is vngratefull to his friend , shall nere obtaine this sacred prize of heauen . and since gods bountie store of gifts doth send , striue in an equall poize , to be found euen , and whensoere thou doest perceiue gods grace , stirre thee to good , cease not his name to praise , thou an vnfruitfull seruant , doe thy best , yet all thou doest , not so much as thou ought , christ with his sacred robe doth thee inuest , and in his mercy hath thee homeward brought , and yet thou wandrest in the fields astray , vnlesse gods mercy be thy hold and stay . he is thine hold , yet like a drunken man , thou reelest from his shoulders to depart , vnto thy vaine delights , doe what hee can , with second death thou penetrat'st his heart , thou mak'st it bleede afresh , and in thy sin , like sow in mire delight'st to wallow in . lament thy stragling footsteps , thy offences , lament the horrour of thy mis spent time , lament thy sinne , thine hypocrite pretences , lament : so shall soules-splendour brightly shine . the spirit and the flesh bandie their force , with flesh the diuell ioynes without remorce . be thou remorcefull , and the lord will take pitie vpon all thine infirmities , euen for his death , and for his passions sake , will he exempt thee thine enormities , and bring thee to the place of heauenly ioy , void of distresse , exempted from annoy . buy this celestial treasure , this reward , this heauenly manna , made for angels foode , this precious iewell all wise men regard , purchasde to vs , by christs effused bloud . this is no tolosanum aurum , which was brought to rome by q. cepio , deerely bought . that was the ruine of him that did find it , this is the blessing of him , doth possesse it , who is he then that will not greatly minde it ? to be the worthiest gem , who 'le not confesse it ? since who obtaines it , lasting life obtaines , albeit precious , got with little paines . that is obrizum aurum ; gold refined , purer then cristall , cleerer then the glasse , this heauenly treasure is to such assignde , as in deuotion doe their life time passe . then get this gold , and like a bracelet tie it , about thine arme , sell all thy goods and buy it . then shalt thou get this golden fleece of ioy , solace vnto thy soule , and endlesse blisse , esteeme not of it , as a triuiall toy , since it 's the hauen of thy happinesse . so runne & so con●inue in thy running , that thou maist be eternizd at christs comming . none must obtaine , vnlesse they holde their course , for he that liueth must proceed therewith , and this same lewesse will each man enforce , to runne all breathlesse to recouer breath . god grant we may so runne this mortal race , that we with ioy , may see gods heau'nly face . alwaies prouided for the day to come , least vnawares our soule sustaine the spoyle , and then euen speechlesse we appeare as dumbe , and vndergoe an euerduring foyle . then shall we weepe , and eke deplore our state , but lamentation then will come too late . those fiue wise virgins had their lamps prouided , therefore they were accepted in the roome of nuptiall rites , the other were de●ided , that vnprouided would presume to come . oh then let vs prouide our lampes with oyle , so shall the lord vs of our sinne assoyle . for those who haue no oyle within their lights , shall bee debarred heau'ns f●licitie , and rest enthroned in perpetuall night , where howling is their sweetest harmonie . nothing is better th●n prouision sure , to get that life , which euer shall endure . many intend to spend t●eir worthless● life , in ●aking riches● through desire of gaine , but such things be t●e nourishers of st●ife , and th●s thy substance will thy conscience staine . it shall distaine thy conscience and oppresse , thy deere bought soule with gall of bitternesse . galde be he euer , that bestowes his time , in things offensiue to gods maiestie , employing n●t himselfe in things diuine , but in prophanenesse and impietie . soone die they in despaire and discontent , who grieue their god , and g●i●uing not repent . there can be nothing happier then t●at man , who doth direct his industrie therein , which is concordant to gods high commaund , the safest antidote against all sin . for he shall sure obtaine that pr●ze , that pay , which power of darknesse● nere shall take away . labour for this , and then thou shalt doe well , thou shalt attaine vnto the port of rest , there to remaine euen in that sacred cell , which aboue all is to be loued best . that sacred mansion of tranquilitie , eternall rest of heau'ns felicity . who would remaine in this salt sea of woe ? in this vnfruitfull vale of miserie ? who would in sinners pathes delight to goe ? since nought there is but sharpe calamitie . be not besotted with this earthly pleasure , lest thou do leese the hope of heauenly treasure . and then farewell fond man , for thy distresse , cannot be vttred by the tongue of any , such is the platforme of thy wretchednesse , that thy distresses be in number many . and then an aetna with a scorching flame , shall vexe thy soule with euerlasting paine . now giue a sob , in token of thy griefe , now weepe amaine , least thou remorcelesse die , a sigh perchance will yeeld thee some reliefe , and make thee with a dolefull heart to crie pittie deare lord , pittie good god , i craue , i doe confesse , that i offended haue . this short petition will appease his ire , such is his mercy towards penitents , and though it burnd before more hote then fire , yet at thy teares he presently relents . and answers thee , if thou wil● cease from sin , thou shalt in ioy for euer raigne with him . if thoule not weepe , iesus will weepe for thee , for ore ierusalem did he lament , he will cond●le thy woe , thy miserie , and tell thee plaine , thy fall is imminent . he hath more feeling of our wretchednesse , then we our selues haue of our owne distresse . how often hath he calde vs euen with teares , stretching his racked armes vpon the crosse , yet we runne headlong , void of filiall feare , secure and carelesse of our owne soules losse . oh weepe for shame , and let thy teares bewaile , thy carelesse life , which did thy sauiour naile . shall thy distresse more moue another man , then thine owne heart ? which should sustaine the griefe , sure whosoeuer shall thy folly scan , will deeme thee most vnworthie of reliefe . for this thy soule is cauterizde with sin , which thou for euer meanes to dally in . lasciuious minion that consumes thy daies , in tricking vp thy selfe in fine attire , in decking those proud parts thy name decayes , thy honour fa●les , dishonourd by desire . thou with the argonautes shalt ne●e obtaine , without gods speciall grace , this heauenly gaine . yet if with marie magdalen thou weepe , and shed salt teares in token of r●morce , if thou repose not in a sinfull sleepe , thy teares , thy sigh●s shall be of equall force . cleere to exempt thee f●om ●he sting of death , which otherwise with mist would choak thy breath . oh that i could lament as peter did , oh then should i to mercy haue recourse , but through dist●ust of mercy i am hid , with adam in the gro●e , made worse and worse . o● mollifie ( deare lord ) this heart of mine , that in contrition i may be found thine . what if i haue aboundance of all treasure ? wallow in curious cates , and sumptuou● fare ? yet all my deeds opponents to gods pleasure , oh th●n ( god knowes ) how poore i am and bare ? naked , forlo●ne , opprest with misery , and so distrest , who i st will p●ttie me ? grant vs deare lord , so to employ our time , and so our ●alent thou to vs hast lent that like the starres in glory we may shine , and reape the fruits of pilgrims steps well spent . so shall that o●ient sun our eyes del●ght , and beautifie vs , both by day and night . so shall that heauenly light enlighten vs , that we shall neuer stray from gods desire , not turning things conuenient to abuse , nor through presumptuous folly to aspire . for true humility shall ere protect vs , and in this night of darknesse shall direct vs. stay thee a little while , ere thou proceede , doe not go hurrying on thine headlong course , with bitter satyres make mens hearts to bleede , least they by reading be made worse and worse . so reade , and so conce●ue amidst thy reading , thy stony heart for sinne may fall a bleeding . yet will i know thou canst not this performe , ●n the first progresse of thine haplesse race , without gods spirit ( poore soule ) thou art forlorne , where●ore with teares call vnto god for grace . grace will illuminate thy purblinde eies , before whose beames , whole heaps of vapors lies . solace thy selfe in that which is diuine doe not bestow thy time in wantonnesse , direct thy pathes vnto the equall line of gods directions , where thine happinesse onely consisteth : and dependance hauing , is soone obtained by incessant crauing . is not this mercy , and a kindnesse great , to be delighted onely in bestowing . for when for mercy we doe him entreate , mercy we haue , as from a fountaine flowing . and this same fountaine dried vp is neuer , but floweth with continuall graces euer . then beate thine heart , and be ashamde of sinne , put thee on sackcloth , and in heart relent , the goale is gotten , and the triumph winne , heau'ns paradise attainde , if thou repent . pierce thine obdurate heart with moisturde teares , and then soules comfort shall dispell all feares . tremble and be astonisht for thy life , in that thou hast offended thy good god , put from thee all contention , and all strife , lest thou be punisht by his fearefull rod. and that his rod shall be eternall fire , prepar'd for hardned sinners as their hire . but if thou cease from sinning , then receiue , veni●e , blessed of my father come , like sheepe vpon my right hand you shall haue , rewards prouided for you by his sonne . the other branded with ●bite goe , into the lake of brimstone full of woe . oh that we might attaine vnto that heauen , whose gates are purer then the finest gold , admirde in vision by the martyr stephen , promisde to dauids seede , in time of old . grant gracious lord , that we may so endeuour , that we with thee may raigne in ioyes for euer . so let thy countenance shine vpon that mist of ignorance , which hath obscurde our minds , that we may be by chores of angels blist , as those , to whom be seuerall ioyes assignde . as those who haue obtainde the hauen of blisse , enthroned in the thrones of happinesse . oh let thy gracious fauour flourish still with a continuance of thine heauenly loue , directed by the leuell of thy will , without a blemish , spotles●e , as the doue . so shall we laud and magnifie thy name , that deigned hast to make vs free from blame . let vs with speede ●ake vp our bed and walke , let vs not wallow in lasciuious beds , let vs with speede heare what our christ doth talke , sounding alarums in our d●afest ear●s . come vnto me that labour and are distrest , retire to me , for you shal be refresht . is not this solace to thy wearied spirit ? is ●ot this comfort to thine heauie load ? since christ rewardeth thee , who nought doth merit , a greater kindnesse , neu●r could be showd . lament thy sin with teares , thy christ doth craue , he 'le in his mercy , soule and bodie saue . now is the golden fleece attainde vnto , then which no gem more precious or more ●aire , since christ 〈◊〉 of ou● wor●hl●sse works allow , and hath adopted vs to be his heire this g●●den fl●ece is got , none can w●thstand the confi●●ation of gods sacred hand . canc●ll'd he hath the writin● which he had , to shew aga●nst vs , & h●● p●ec●ous bloud , wh●ch he effusde fo● vs that e●st were bad , h●●h wash away ou● sinnes : o blessed foode . mo●e 〈◊〉 & more swe●te then hesh●ons pooles , whole p●●asant st●eames refreshed thirstie soules . flow thou for euer sweetest of all sweets , whose nectar fountains relisheth our gall , and with a kinde salute our anguish greets , protecting vs , least our fraile steps should fall . defend vs lord , and as thou hether hast , protected vs , continue thy repast . for thy repast will nourish vs for aye , and feed our hunger-bitten soules with cates , and sundry dishes , euen from day to day , hauing promoted vs to high estates . vvhat cause ha●st thou , since we deserued least , to fashion vs like man , and not like beast ? it was thy mercy lord not our deserts , that thou shoulds● this impart vnto thy foes , blessings full manie flowing ●n our hear●s , as in redemption from soule-bleeding woes . lord these thy blessings what tongue can vnfolde this which our fathers haue declarde of old ? thou mightst haue made me like a worme or beast , ●r sencelesse creature , like to plants or stones , but with thine owne forme thou didst me inuest , like to thy selfe , and thy elected ones . f●r which i cannot giue thee worthy praise , yet i will praise thee , and thy name alwaies . o that the nature of our stony hearts would be dissolude to teares , whil'st they receiue those inward passions suffred for our parts , for whose extreamest sorrowes we do craue . that god would pittie take , and vs redresse , which destitute of helpe , are comfortless● . thou art our comfort , and our solacer , that solacest our miserie and woe , thou art our piller and our nourisher , vvho doest sustaine vs wheresoere we goe , then happie wee , since happinesse consists , to be by thee in heau'n for euer blist . blest be he euer that resides in christ , and doth repose h●s comfort in his loue , for in his loue all happinesse comprisde he le fixe the anchor which will nere remoue , let vs exceede , if so we can exceede in louing him , who for our loue did bleede . neuer did man sustaine , that he sustained , to expiate that sinne , we h●d committed , for by his death , eternall life we gained , and we vnto his fauour were admitted . pittie vs lord , as we haue heere transgressed , endew vs with that grace , we haue professed . if i could merit , then there were no neede of any merits christ hath wrought for me , but christs deere heart did for my ●ollies bleede , and he was wounded for my misery . then for thy wounds , and for thy passion sake , saue me o lord , whom thou didst re-create . i haue gone wandring in this surging sea of many troubles , shipt in waues of woe , i was depriued of the puritie of mine owne soule , from whence these griefes did flow . for mine owne soule defiled is with mudde , which erst was raised by thy precious bloud . weepe now , hard heart , and call to minde the death of thy sweete sauiour , who appeasde theire of gods displeasure , and whose heauenly breath , attempred that which burnd more hote then fire . there is no marble-heart so hardened , but by christs death , it will be mollified . oh stonie conscience fraught with wretchednesse , oh vile disfigurde creature made of sinne , thou that compacted art of wickednesse , how by thy merits canst thou fauour winne ? nay , nay to flie to them , thou wouldst be loth , for they be filthier then a menstruous clo●h . here let me fixe my staffe with scipio , and set my foote vnto alc●des frame , beyond which pillers neuer one could goe , non vltra fixte , to memorize his name . here 's romulus high wal , who leapes ore this , with remus vnder it interred is . scipios firme staffe i haue defixed here , in token that my prouince is obtainde , vnto whose sacred shrine let all draw nere , now is the prize , the golden fleece regainde , that golden fleece the subiect of my verse , the rarest motto on a dead mans herse . for none that dieth , pleasure can enioy , vnlesse he haue a garment made of this , not like that poisoned shirt which did annoy , oetea● hercules depriude of blisse . this is the garment of our chastitie , the milke-white albe of our sinceritie . who doth not make his garment of this woole , purer then purple of the finest dye , doth his owne soule with wickednes defoule , depriude of christs death , means to cure his pai● this garment is the ornament of loue , that oliue branch brought by a turtle doue . the tyrians were rich , with orient gemme , yet not so rich , as this most precious iewell , the arabians sweete perfumed odors sends , but those for daintie dames remaine as fewell ; pontus brings forth rich beuers of all kind , but not comparde vnto the peace of mind . india is rich , furnisht with golden mines , but sauage minds possesse them without vse , more expert coasts , at the indians rapines , in that such precious mettals they abuse . but we repine not at their indians gaine , so we this heauenly treasure may obtaine . craesus was rich , yet he obtainde not this , irus was poore , codrus as poore as he , and these two beggars had their share of blisse , as much as craesus for his maiestie . then what doe i regard such wealth , such store , since after death , i am not blest therefore . poore thestylis did labour to maintaine , her poore estate , by daily toyle and care , rich menedemus carkte for rustie gaine , yet at her death she had as much to spare . both these did toyle , yet toild they not for this , to be partakers of e●ernall blisse . this richesse is a canker which consumes the rare fram'd substance of the soule diuine , for rich men through their rich estates presume to purchase heau'n , as they did earth for● time . but gold adoring creatures they must know that their confusion from their richesse grow . thus that conuerted is to bitter paine , which they reserude for antidotes of health , they lose in traffique , where they thought to gaine , not much vnlike vnto prometheus stealth , who by his theft resoluing to reuiue , his liuelesse shrines , himselfe of life depriude . who being on mount caucasus stands bound , enchaind in fetters of captiuitie , whose heart consuming eagles grapple round , yet right reuiues his endlesse miserie . hartlesse consumde by day , his griefes renewde , for with a new framde heart he is endewde . night doth create in him that which the day had quite consumde , wounded by eagles billes . thus he tormented is , as poets say , the night reuiuing what the day time killes . thus discontented , rests in discontent , a iust reward for theft , or thefts entent . reade but these leaden poems , finde of gold , for gold is subiect to their shapelesse forme , though they degenerate from a golden mould , yet pious wits will not such fragments scorne . and as a maske oft veles deformitie , so may my errors by your clemency , a kinde embrace encourageth a swaine , to tell his rusticketale , and doth excite● his silly muse to frolicke , or the plaine , so kindest censures them that rudely write , if these naked poems please , i doe protest in bounden loue , deuoted i will rest . to be commanded in the highest straine that poore menalchas euer shall attaine . sat vobis est hac tenui & serpente vena . finis . an elegie entitvled narcissus change. narcissus pestred with the summer heate , came to a fountain whose stil-flowing spring , refreshed him where siluer fountaines meete , vpon whose banks did ripened berries hing . vvhose pleasant colour did such beauty show , that they their forme did to the banks bestow . such was the beauty of that ripened fruite , whose faire adorning shadow did oreshade the banks adioynde , where clio with her lute , vsed to play , with flourie roabes araide . where clio plaid , the naiades replide , with tripping grace , in tempe deifide . here did narcissus bath himselfe a while , and with a nectar sweetnesse quench his thirst , ling him downe , with quicke conceit did smile , glutted with water , which he longde for first . where he perceiuing how thee berries cast a beauteous colour , thus he spake agast . faire were that creature that surpassed these , in beautie , or in colour , but no shape , can be comparde to these delicious trees , whose fruitfull sprigs send out this louely grape . o why should gods ( quoth he ) such berries make of such rare colour for narcissus sake ? narcissus is not in his shape so faire nor in his colour , so admirde as these , bright-eide alexis is beyond compare , yet not comparde to these broad shadowing trees . phyllis was fayre , yet not so faire to me , as these faire berries speckled pretily . thus whil'st he spake , he did reflect his eyes vnto the fountaine , where he did perceiue , his owne affected beauty , which descries conceit of beauty doth young youthes depraue . for he conceited of his beauteous forme with high ambition did his shape adorne . doest thou aduāce ( quoth he ) wi●h high prizde praise the beauty of these berries grow hard by ? and will not thine owne beauty eternize , decked with pleasures in variety ? thy blush exceeds the feature of all plants , thou art endewde with that the cupresse wants . the cypresse tree doth not her verdure lose , but still reserues her vernant shape and springs , with cheerefull die , so doth the blushing rose , vvhich to her pruner , fragrant sauour bring● . neither the rose , nor yet the cypresse tree , in any wise may be comparde to thee . damon hath told me oft , i was most faire , yet i beleeude him not : but now i see , my beautie is mongst other shepheards rare no marueile if orytha fauour me . since nature by apelles hand hath sought , to passe that nature which foretime was wrought . crotons fine daughters , framde by zeuxes art , vvere much admirde for beauty yet must yeeld to thee narcissus , for in euery part , thy well proportiond members them exceld . they faire by art , thou by dame nature faire , nature with art , we vse not to compare . thersites that mishapen grecian swaine , was of my stocke and louely progenie , but he foule man , should be reformd againe , for his ill featurde formes deformitie . but thou n●rcissus dost enioy that name , vvhich nature doth enuie , whil'st she doth name . namde be thou euer , for thou doest enioy the honour and the credit of thy maker , thou art narcissus that same louely boy , that of celestiall forme art made partaker , partaker be thou euer of that forme , since nature as her gemme did thee adorne . narcissus gemme , for who can ere compare with the surpassing beautie of his face ? which intermixed i● with red most faire , resembling io , whose admired grace . strucke such a loue in ●upiters high brest , that he protested , he lou'd io best . one day amongst the rest , high ioue would kisse , the parragon of beauty ios face , iuno stood at his backe , and seeing this you might forbeare , quoth she whilest we are in place , it were enough to vele your crimes by night , and not to act them in your iunoes sight . ioue he replied litle , but expressed , his loue to iuno still with feigned lookes , io stood still , her silence lust confessed , such is the attracting power of diuine hookes . their diuine power is such , that being showne , the chastest maids that breathe be not their owne . ioue loued still , yet could not hide his loue , from iealous iuno , wherefore he inuented , by metamorphozde shape , his ioyes to proue , io poore wench , without delay consented . and left faire shapes , should ioues conceit reueale , an heifers forme , did io's shape conceale . fondest of fonds will thou compare thy feature , with a lasciuious heifer ioues delight ? thou art the curious frame of diuine nature , nature sure made thee in her owne despight . for she despiteth thee , thou art so faire , that nature with her worke may not compare . leda faire wife to royall tindarus , drew ioue from heauen , proportion of a swan , for gods at that time were voluptuous : from whence the twins of leda first began . ledas two egges , pollux and hellen hight , castor and clytemnestra brought to light . these faire surpassing faire , endewed were with vitall breath by ioues faire swanlike forme , castor and pollux staid not long time there , for they bright lamps , the heauēs with light adorn : hellen though faire , yet hellen did amisse , and clytemnestra grew adulteresse . auant degenerate thoughts , ill may betide thee , ob●ruding lustfull hellen to my shrine , or clytemnestras knowne adulterie , or with celestiall bodies which doe shine in heauens supernall throne , and what are they , that thou the brightest starre , should stars obey . looke at thy face , and in this christall fount , gaze at thy golden locks : oh doe not blush , fairest of men , fit for idalias mount , there to inhabite : crownd with myrtle bush . what shall i say narcissus , to thy beauty , to which apollo tied is in dutie . apollo followed daphne in a chace , an vnchast chace , when gods do follow maids , and in this shamelesse course , this haplesse race , daphne makes refuge to the lawrel shades . where she transformed was into that tree , vnder whose shade poore wench , she wisht to be . but what high ioue , or what apollo can , transforme narcissus , since his shape exceeds , faire hippodamia for whom pelops ran , iphicus heart for me with sorrow bleeds . and let it bleede i am of purer frame then each lasciuious mate to entertaine . but if faire deiopeia would descend daughter to iuno , and entreate my loue , then would i to her suite attention lend , and in a mutuall sort her teares approue . i am too faire for galataeas vaine , whom i loude once , yet nere will loue againe . though she allure me with her pretty fauours , sending me bracelets , made of diuers sorts , and fragrant nosegaies , mixed with sweetest sauours , yet maids of greater place to me resorts . if any earthly creature me obtaine , it shall be themis , she 's a louely swaine . but it 's no humane creature can content me , it must be some diuiner power shall haue me , therfore some faire shapde god thou shalt inu●t thee to be thy mistresse , who ere long will craue thee . and crauing thee , will dote vpon thy face , wishing thou wert borne of celestiall race ▪ thus whil'st narcissus spake , his twisted armes began to flourish with a greene clad least vvith grim nemesis by her posherfull charmes ▪ composde to be the blossomes of his grest . his head was cloathed with a colour greene , none knew narcissus where he erst had beene . this was the high prizde loue he did conceiue of his owne beautie fitter for gods then men , ambitious thoughts doe worthie parts depraue , more sauage farre then lyons in their den . for hauing got their prey , they rest content , but ●oaring thoughts are still to lewdnesse bent . another elegie called aesons affecting youth . there was one aeson who long time had liude , and waxing old , was clad with hoarie haire , so that each day he lookt to be depriude of his scarce liuing life consumde with care . and euery day he rose , farewell quoth he , for ere to morrow death will summon me . a lookt for summons , yet not much desirde , for what man liuing will desire his fall ? if that my fortunes haue to wealth aspirde , and that the gods haue blest me therewithall , why should i die ? yet these gray haires portend , yet ere long time my state must haue an end . with that he wept , and sighing did despaire , watring his pale-facde cheeks with aged drops , and weeping , wipte his eyes with snow-white haire . his beard was long , bedeckt with aged locks . so that to see this oldman homwards creepe , would moue aegaeon if aliue , to weepe . now whil'st he wept , and did lament his woe , iason came to him , iason was his sonne , and with a quicke pace mixt with te●res did goe , hearing his father say , he was vndone . vndone quoth iason , why deere sir ( quoth he ) is it in that i haue offended thee ? no quoth old aeson , it s because mine age , growes out of frame , decrepit and decaid , once was i nimble be'ng cretheus page , but now i flie vnto my staffe for aide . this ( my kinde sonne ) is cause of my distresse , of all my sorrow and my heauinesse . iason did smile , yet he concealde his smile , least he should seeme to scorne his fathers yeares or pure compassion of his griefes exile , but wash'd his tearelesse face with fained teares , and aeson hauing all his woes descride , vvith framed speech young iason thus replide . deare father , if distresse consist in this , that is in sorrowing for your aged yeares , i thinke it were not very farre amisse , to shew medaea these your wofull teares . vvhe●ewith ( quoth aeson ) can she comfort me , that will be dead , ere she can visit me ? iason to comfort him , poore doting man , said , she had vsde the like experiment of diuers others : and that helicon yeelds powerfull hearbs , by aesculapius sent . adding , he would make hast , and bid her trie , what she could doe in this extremitie . aeson did thanke him , with a fathers blissing , praying the gods to prosper him for euer , and like a dotard cloyed him with kissing , hoping to liue for aye : die should he neuer . iason made hast to his inchanting wife , bidding her trie her skill for aeson● life . medaea wept to heare her iason aske , in such lamenting manner for her father . protesting oft , this was an extreme tast , nothing on earth , but she could doe it rather . iason commaunds which she will not withstand , but gins to trie hearbs vertues with her hand . and going farre and neere , she gatherd flowers , which she distild into a vessell pure , from whence proceeded such all working powers , that she by them could make men ere endure . and more to die , which did content her sire . for to be euer young was his desire . when she had this confession made and tride , the same by skill , made on a fruitlesse tree , whereof the withred branches downe did slide , to which applying art : sprung fruitfully faire oliue branches , by whose vernant show the vertu● of her herbs she soone did know . wherefore she came to aeson spedily , taking him by th' hand : young man ( quoth shee ) whereat she laught , i haue found remedie , for your old age , if youl 'e be rulde by me . and drawing out 〈◊〉 boxe of pleasant oyle , this will ( quoth she ) asswage your forepast toyle . hauing annoynted him good gods ( quoth he ) how agile , and how nimble be my bones ? by lasting fame eternized be she , that healde mine akes , yet saying this he grones . for he beheld the excrements of time , gray haires dispoile him of his flowry prime . and sighing thus , you haue done good to me , daughter medaea , in that you haue curde my chill-cold ioynts spent with debilitie for which approued kindnesse , rest assurde . that iason shall enioy old pelias ground . since thee more kinde then pelias i haue found . one thing is yet awan●ing , which if thou by thy diuinest skill shalt ere performe , or if by thy endeuours thou canst doe , with a perpetu●ll wreath i le thee adorne . and character the honour of thy name , with the dispersing of thy sacred fame . she without further question made , applied vnto his aged haires such fragrant smell , and by her concoct hearbs so liquefied , that in all hast , his hoary haires downe fell , and being fallen , there sprung vp in that place , a coale-blacke bush of haire vpon his face . seeke not with aeson to be young againe , but haue desire to end thy pilgrimage , since it is fraughted with a sea of paine , who would with youth change his declining age ? youth is licentious , age experienced , tels vs , that lust is to be banished . finis . ●t vos pompilius sa●guis carmen reprehendite , quod non multa dies-litura coercuit atque , perfectum decies non castigauit ad v●guem . sonnets or madrigals . with the art of poesie annexed thereunto by the same author . horatius in lib. de arte poetica . non satis est pulchra esse poemata , dulcia sunto , et quocunque volunt animum aud●toris agunto . ouid. nec modus aut requies , nisi mors reperitur amantis , verus amor nullum nou●t habere modum . idem . hei mihi , quòd nullis amor est medicabilis herbis . printed at london for christopher purset . . to the worshipfvll his approued brother thomas brathvvaite esquire , the prosperity of times successe in this life , with the reward of eternitie in the world to come . ianus ha●h now shut vp his temple , our● iuil warres be now ended , vnion in the sweete harmony of minde and coniunction , hath preuented the current of ensuing faction , we may now sit downe vnder our beech tree : and make a vertuous vse of an experienced necessitie . trauellers hauing passed many perils , inexplicable dangers , vse to be delighted with the recounting of their forepast miseries , sea beat mariners hauing sustained the tempestuous gustes of the surging sea , and at last arriued at their hauen , which so long time with importunacie they desired , seeme not a little delighted with the description of their manifolde daungers . wee haue purchased by a mutuall experience of our owne power , a mutual peace : and reposing vnder the comfortable shade of minds attonement , may make discourse of our forepast griefes . themystocles exiled his natiue countrie , and kindly entertained by the king of persia , vsed to say to h●s traine : periissē , nisi periissem . o sirs , i had bene vndone , if i had not beene vndone ; so we , for in our losse consists our welfare , hauing tried the rough chasticement of discord , and exiled as it were , the borders of peace and amitie , and now enioying the content of mindes vnion , may say , we had neuer beene thus happy , if we had not bene vnhappie , for the fruition of happinesse hath the best taste in his palate , who hath once tasted the bitter relish of vnhappinesse . we may now make a good consort , since the iarring strings of discord be reduced to so pleasant harmony , that the verie straines of our well concording strings may delight our friendes with a soule conceiuing melodie , but distract the minds of such as in the billowes of our vnnaturall troubles , conceiued no small felicitie . but these were like tyrtaeus that enuious poet , who hearing how the workes of others grew acceptable and delightfull , hanged himselfe in despaire of their good fortunes . but let them alone , they labour of their owne phrensie : and codrus bowels will burst with his owne enuie ; i haue composed some few sonets , and dedicated them vnto your selfe , the fragments of pernassus mount , thogh of the meanest : yet some fruite may bee gathered out of ennius dunghill , they be amorous , penned in a foolish passion , they are more fit for venus shrine , then vranias shape : for i would not derogate from the praise of beautie , least i should haue stesychorus fortune , who for dispraising hellen of greece , lost his sight . let these harsh poems now and then take place amongst more serious studies , damon euer carried about with him some works of pythias as memorials of his affections , pylades the impression of his orestes , & pyrithous the statue of his thesaeus : a poeme of loue will relish the bitter tast of grauer stories . pyndarus fountaines lie open as well to ouid , to write lasciuiously , as to sophocles to write tragically : the minde affects variety , as the stomach vseth to be glutted , if she find no change , one instrument of musicke would make a slender consort . it was no small praise for alcibiades , to be esteemed skilfull in exercises , and to haue generall applause in what exploit soeuer he tooke in hand . terpnus , who was neroes musitian , was out of his element when he had not a lute in his hand , and a wanton song before him : aeschines had little to speake , when he was not pleading , but these resemble actors vpon a stage , who can speake nothing , but in their owne parts : interrupt them but a little , they stand like praxiteles pictures . i receiue that gentleman more acceptably , who hath a superficiall knowledge in all discourses , then such an one as is exact in one distinct knowledge alone . thus recommending these few scattered poems to your reading , and wishing you as much comfort as earth can afford you in this life , with the fruition of heauens glory in the life to come , i take my leaue euer resting , your affectioned brother , richard brathwaite . vpon the dedication of the last epistle . after this proeme , proeme , i may call it , came pensiue tidings to my muses cell , at which my muse , in boundlesse wars empalled resolude to bid lasciuious rithms farewell . yet they in spite of me and my muse burst out against my will ( as others vse . ) then pardon me that could not vse mine owne , in singing layes , when odes should best befit , this was my first birth , which being riper growne , shall yeeld the blossomes of maturer wit. meane time receiue this poeme which i shew portraid in sable colours vnto you . the authour to his disconsolate brother . l●t not mishap depriue you of that hope , which yeelds some rel●sh to your discontent , ayme your aff●ctions at heauens glorious scope , whic showres downe comfort , when all comfort 's spent . then rest secure , that power which you adore , will make your ioyes more full then ere before . let not the sunne now shadowed with a cloud , make you suspect the sunne will neuer shine , that ill , which now seemes ill , may once proue good , time betters that , which was depraude by time . thus let my prayers , your teares concord in one , to reape heau'ns comforts , when earths comfort 's gone . the first sonet or madrigall . no sooner doe i gaze vpon that face , but rauisht with the beautie of thy cheeke , would thinke it were a paradise to place , those vernant comforts , which each day i th weeke , are now renewd by singing al●mons happe , vnder the sunshine of thy vestall lappe . whole weeks seeme minutes when i am with thee , and yeares as howers doe vanish from my sight , there is no pleasant note , no melodie , that makes a lustre equall to that light , thy sparkling eies reflect more faire by farre , then radiant ph●bus in his iuory carre . those burnisht lockes , like damons flocks appeare before the temple of refined loue , and as the heards which shepheards vse to sheare , or like the smoth plumes of the turtle doue . neer'st to a doue thou art , and i will call thine heart , a turtles heart that hath no gall . that albone skinne more pure , more polished , then the faire tombe , wherein prince ninus lay , whose structure ( faire ) was neere demolished , deare , thou my mansion art , my life , my stay . therefore like ziscoes skinnne , i will prepare to sound alarum in antenors chaire . if those same nimble fingers , which thou hast , that tune the warbling lute so pretily , be but engript about thy tender waste , o what a beautie shewes there presently ? wilt thou beleeue me ? there 's no creature borne , whose beauteous out●ide , better gifts adorne . i am no merchant that will sell my breath , good wine needs not a bush to set it forth , yet i will praise thee euer , till pale death cut off the poet of thy flowry youth , i will enshrine thee in an hearse of time , which being made shall glad this heart of mine . i cannot sing , for i haue lost my voice , with telling tales of loue , and venus groue , but yet drone-like i le buzze and make a noise of cupids arrowes , hyppodamias loue . for i can keepe a measure with my teares , and sighing still make sad the grauest eares . atlas three daughters , were beyond compare , for aegle was as faire , as faire could be , and arethusa was for beautie rare hesperitusa full as faire as she . yet these three daughters , if mine eye be true , seeme but as shadowes in respect of you . these three faire daughters kept a garden sweete , wher●in a serpent slept continually , which with a trembling fell before their feete , as rauisht with their beauties maiesty . thou keptst a garden ( loue ) more faire then they which for alcydes were a worthy pray . there be sweete fruits so mellow and so rare , that dropping downe vpon their tender twigs , oft times amongst the vallies they repaire to decke wit● spangled dew their budding sprigs . beleeue me deare , that fruit which growes of thee , is interlaid with full varietie . vvell were that gardiner that enhedgde were , vvithin the beds of that same rosarie , no raggie bugbeares he should need to feare . but were enthronde with pompe and maiestie . and in a precious carknet of pure gold like to a chaine , might all his ioyes enfold . those pretie daysies that spring on those bankes , with little stalkes relisht with fragrant smels , giue to the gods aboue continuall thanks , that such a gardnesse in their borders dwels . for they are well assurde and oft haue said , whil'st thou lookst ore them , they can neuer fade . i could not talke of late , when thou appearde , yet glad i would haue beene to speake my minde , and standing still , enclosde twixt hope and feare , within those lookes of thine i was confinde . yet willingly confinde , i must confesse for all my throbbing senses shewd no lesse . well you may take it rudenesse in me then , in that i could not couer , as others did , but you must make a difference twixt such me● , as neuer were in loue , but wholy rid of all distempered passions , and of such as cannot court by louing ouermuch . neere could i see a perfect loue endure to cogge , to flatter in his masters sight , loue is refinde , and is so passing pure , that with a monster it will dare to fight . it hates vaine complements , nor can agree to glosing congies , or a bended knee . i would not be a pandor to my loue , least i should leese the fruits i oft haue sought , i will not praise too much , lest i approue , mine owne vndoer , and to ruine brought , lament too late , that i should her commend , who by her praise , brought me to timelesse end . therefore will i heere fixe my staffe and stay , least like candaules while i praise my wife , i shew a gygas her , and he betray my best lou'd loue , depriuing me of life . i cannot laine , and yet i will not praise that sacred shrine which consecrates my daie● . finis . the second sonet . pvh , fie , away i cannot brooke to kisse , for modest lips detest such wantonnesse , hold off those impure hands , whose onely blisse is fraughted with the poize of wickednesse . shake off these ca●kred thoughts ▪ these apparitions , these shittring dr●ames , & these lasci●●o●● visions . thou dreamde the other night , thy masters maske , was hid vnder the pillow of thy bed , and when thou wakt thou presently did aske , whose vnchast hands did take it from thine head . fond gull beware of these conceits of thine , like characters of louser acts doe shine . endimion like with groueling in thy caue , thou sleptst of satyres , fauns , & mountaine gods loue is the part thy slumbring eielids craue , thou dream'st thou kist diana in the woods , of steepe cliffie pindust , out vpon the asse , thou kist diana where she neuer was . thou dream'd of bugbeares , and opprest with feare , ranne to the pillow for to kill a fiend , when ( in good sooth ) there nothing did appeare , yet from a shadow did thy soule defend . leaue off fond gull , no spirit thou canst finde , worse then the spirit of thy iealous minde . acteon was a coward to suppose each bush a pandor to his beauteous wife , and whilst vnto the shadie groues he goes , he feares the ruine of his worthlesse life . no care to iealous 〈◊〉 there can be , for iealous thoughts despaire of remedie . nature hath plagude some with a iealous spirit , and yet no cause giuen by his honored wife , for iealous thoughts proceede not still from merit , surmisde coniectures breede intestine strife . reaping such things , as such minds do befit , they lose the substance , and the shadow get . whenas desire of vaine and wanton loue , shewes as a tyger , and triumphes in woe her tyrant hands she in her course doth proue ▪ and draweth on despaire where ere she goe , for desperate loue appeareth oft in such , as are besotted with louing ouermuch . but well i know the portraie of thy mind , thou lou'st , and art bewitcht with iealousie , and if a sillie mouse thou chance to finde , within thy chamber , thy impatiencie . sweares it hath ●uckold thee , and in despaire , protests the child she hath is not thine heire . wherefore should bushes so affright braue men , that are endewd with wit and dignitie , how should a momus portraie with his pen , their iealous thoughts , and their impietie ? beleeue me friend , no viper worse i finde , then the ranke poyson of a iealous minde . the macedons were more discreete then they , who suffred all haue publike liberty . and to repaire vnto their house each day , for to supply their imbecility . i cannot chuse but count that man a gull , that thinks his pasyphae nee●s euery b●ll . i cannot chuse , but sore condemne that man , that soothes his pleasure in a vaile of teares , and blots the current of his glorious name , by suppositions , and pretended pheres . honour thy wife , for she is chaste and pure , conceiue but chastly of her , rest secure . i am thy friend in counsell and must tell , thy follies erre , and wander farre amis●e , for iealous thoughts runne posting hast to hell , ne're are partakers of an heauenly blisse . remember well , let iealous thoughts depart , least queene of chast desires frame thee an hart . and then still grazing in the shadie groue , repent thy foolish and mishapt suspicion , which did coniecture false of such a loue , grounding a truth out of an apparition . can tell this vaine forgde deed , and then prepare , more honourd thoughts t'extenuate thy care . i le leaue thee thus , and if thou doe remaine , in thine ill formd suggestions then be sure , there 's punishing gods , that will in lieu of gaine , enthrall thy soule in dep●h , ere to endure . emprisned fast with chaines of slauerie , condigne reward for vntunde iealousie . haplesse is he who so regards his name , that he redoubles it with infamie , vnfortunate that doth impaire the same , and shewes his thoughts by harsh tunde iealousie . iuno can looke vpon her husband loue , to know , why he faire io so should loue ? i haue knowne many in regard of time , shew discontent , to see their wiues partake , of popular aspect , and to repine to loue a friend , not for her husband sake , but none i euer knew , or ere shall know , that for true loue will seeme besotted so . when collatine did giue his signet ring , vnto young sextus void of any ill , he safe content , within his tent did sing deuoted to his chast lucretiaes will , worthie was he of such a beauteous mate , that could so well discerne of his estate . he had a pearle , and he did esteeme it , not like vaine trash floting with euery winde , for like a phoenix vpon earth did deeme it , contented well with iewell of his mind . thou hast as faire a gemme as ere had he , vvhy should thou then affect such iealousie ? finis . the third sonet . pvh , well i know thee , thou loues publike gaine , and therefore i desire thy wan●on face , i will not reape an haruest of such paine , since thou descended art of lais race . i cannot loue thee , for thy taste seemes sower , vvho reapes vnhonest gaine , approues an hower . i will not talke of what thy life hath beene , for well it may be thou was once conuerted , but now it seemes thou art transformed cleane thy thoughts and all thy purposes peruerted . thou lou'd the church once , and didst god adore , but now forsakest him ▪ thou lou'd before . fie on the visard , lamia of sinne , thou horrid ghost compast of wickednesse , faire though thou be without , thou art foule within , concoct of nought , but dregs of ●luttishnesse . that ribband which thou wearst hung at thine eare , shew what confusion in thy thoughts appeare . hoy-day , what may-game haue we heere in hand ? women with men , and men as wantonly ? vnto their tackling constantly doe stand , rebounding vice with vice successiuely . i will not say , what here is to be done , but maids seeme not praecise in being won . i cannot chuse but blush at such vaine words , as curious passions birle to their loues , but knowing what discourse vaine loue affords , amongst the shades of ericinas groues . i doe not wonder , eares attention len . for maids must needs make strange in kissing men . if forrest oeta where alcydes dide , and all the trees within that forrest wilde , and all the starres , on moone light nights descride , and all the grasse piles within earth compilde , were metamorphosde to maid● beauteous shape , i should suspect them ( minion ) for thy sake . the gods themselues haue had enough of beauty , venus is spotlesse , yet she hath a mole , in tendring not to vulcan natiue dutie , breathing with mars , whilst vulcan with his cole . fie on that face that hauing beauteous lookes , enchaines desires in two lasciuious hookes . runne to the romane brothell , not to mee , for i detest thy common infamy , the vestall nunnes wil not to lust agree , for they inuested are with puritie . couer that wanton face ore with a maske , since dregs for wine , be mixed in that caske . thou art created to another end , then to make prostitute those parts of thine , those ea●es of thine which doe attention lend , vnto each gallant mate opprest with wine . for wine makes men beso●ted so with thee , or without doubt , bewitcht they could not bee . when nature gaue to thee two eyes , two armes , two eares , two legs , two breathing nosethrils wide , she did ordaine by two , to cure all harmes , vvhich might occurre vnto the rest beside , yet she did but create one heart , one minde , to which at first , chaste thoughts she did assigne . one soule is fit , and that desires to dwell in heau'ns eternall rest , whose purity might best be●●t it : to denounce and tell , the wondrous works of gods diuinity . then fie for shame , one gemme mus● needs remaine , vvhich is so precious without mole or staine . this gemme though darkned by a wilfull eue , yet it s renewed by christs gracious loue , by her originall , our lord we grieue , by him we seeme vnspotted as a doue . for by his wounds are we to safegard brought , and much esteemd , that erst appeared nought . rest thee vpon this anchor suredly , and here repose thee on thy sauiours crosse , flie lustfull thoughts which lackie miserie . thy pleasure cannot counteruaile thy losse . god hath ordaind thou shouldst suruiue with him , not to defile thy precious soule with sinne . that soule composde of sacred harmony , rarer then that act●on first inuented , not of that horrid , iltunde paritie to which old orphe●s in hell first consented . vvhen he his wife attaind by musicks straine , that did long time before in hell remaine . concord befitteth best the rarest wits , and what tune rather then a quiet minde ? immortall things immo●tall minds befit , affecting that which first was her assignde . solace thy chastest minde deckt gloriously , vvith present health , and future dignity . arcadian shepheards , borne of meane degree , vvill not so passe their time , but in regard , of times content , and minds tranquilitie obtaine that prize which may not be comparde vvith terrene drosse , more vile then brittle clay , vvhich one howers sicknesse soone can take away . doest thou tricke vp that vessell made of earth , for to allure fond men vnto thy will ? i tell thee beauty , it is little worth . vvhen death shall tinckle out her passing bell . oh then how good thou art , and not how faire , vvith dreadfull sights , thou art demanded there . oh fie vpon the vizard , baite of sinne , pawne not thy credite in a brothell house , for how canst thou reward of sion win , that doest thy soule by misdemeanour lose . repaire vnto the temple of that king , vvhose powerfull might conserueth euery thing . if i haue any thing preuailde with thee , to change the horrour of thy mispent time , thanke not the poet , but that deitie , vvho is the author both of me and mine . for whatsoere i haue , i must confesse , proceedeth from his gracious prouidence . the fovrth sonet . doest thou so fondly loue , and art not lou'de , in louing those , who little care for thee ? if that thy fancie haue such fruites approu'de ▪ i scorne to match with such imparity . for wel i know a prince may loue for lust , those eyes of thine , and then returne to dust . if rosamond had euer bene an hower , ner● bene interred in her bed of earth , if she had euer kept such vitall power . a● to smell sweet with her mellistuous breath . she had bene well excusde to chuse that state , which should be neere ecclipsde by mortall date . but she poore wench did flourish for a while , cropt in the primrose of her wantonnesse , and she that did the noblest thoughts beguile , ●s now conuerted into rottennesse . thus doe we finde the truth of euery thing , s●nne is a sinne euen in the noblest king . for there is nought can be esteemed so , depraude , deformde , as to apologize , a sinne actde by a prince , but hence this woe , appeares in poets which doe temporize . i will not sooth a monarch for his crowne , but i must tell him , sinne will throw him downe . plutarch saith well , that he that bridle can his fond affections , is halfe vertuous , but he that 's wholy firme's an honest man , his minde remaines certaine not impious , not tost with tempests of each breathing winde but as a mirrour of a constant minde . hard things are pleasant , and those things appeare , to be the best , which be the hardliest won , then if repressing of fond lust thou feare , to be too hard , yet being once begun . a better relish it will yeeld to thee , then treasure had in great varietie . one that should passe the alpes , and hauing done , reposing him vpon some harbour low , considers with what perill he begun , and numbring them discursiuely in row , cannot but ioyfully be glad of this , that he hath ended what his heart did wish . how o●t would he lie groueling on the ground , and in a descant o● his sweete repose , with ioyfull mirth and pleasure would abound , to haue trans●reted such a sea of woes . and by recounting how he earst did creepe aboue those cliffes , he would fall fast asleepe . so thou obtaining this so hard to taske , must needs be ioyfull in the victory , to haue pure liquor in a purer caske , which might redound to minds felicitie . and that same caske , that vessell thou doest beare , should haue a crowne of glory , doe not feare . loue not too high estates , for they le despise thy poore estate broug●t downe to beggery , ayme at the lower rank ( if thou be wise ) for they le acknowledge thy supremacie . yet in my min●e there 's nought can equall that , to condescend vnto an equall state . neither can boast of birth or parentage , neither can brag of their too high estate , but passe their daies of wofull pilgrimage , with like to like , the begger with his mate ▪ irus though he be poore , yet ●ich in this , irus a begger , may a begger kisse . the fifth sonet . thou lou'st for beautie , not for ve●tue sake , fie on thee therefore , that hast reasons lore , and yet canst not discern of such a make , as being vertuous , thou nede haue no more . this i haue knowne , and ere approu'd i finde , none equals her , that hath a vertuous minde . thou mak'st description of each seuerall part , her iuory browes , and eke her ros●e cheeks , but how canst thou describe frame of her heart , if all the minutes were turnd into weeks . and well i know there is no ioynt , no part , can be compar'd vnto a sincere heart . if v●nus had her mole , thou mayst be sure , thine hath her blemish , full as foule as she , if venus be●utie could not ere endure , presume not thine to haue ete●nity . thine ( though as fa●re ) yet if she draw a breath , stopt , she will tell me , there ensueth death . was not chast lucrece much respected euer , as faire , as vertuous , second was to none ? yet rauished by sextus , she had leuer die in despaire , then liuing make her mone of that abuse young sextus had atchieude . which aboue all compare her heart had grieude . happie was collatine of such a wife , so faire , and yet so vertuously inclinde , with such to liue it were an happie life , enioying aye the state of quiet minde , yet collatine vnhappie was in this , he was depriude of such celestiall blisse . hero i must confesse lou'de constantly , and young leander was as firme as she , though he be drownd , yet he gets memory of constant loue , loues perpetuity . and hero she seeing leander swim , loue sicke ( poore wench ) she thought to follow him ▪ but these were borne in saturnes golden time , the like we finde not now , for they be rare , black swans , white moores they liue not in this clime our sexes breath a more inconstant ayre , and so despairing , i haue knowne of late , by louing much their loue grew desperate . i will not make particular discourse , fo● that seemes odious in each curious eye , i hope a generall vse will be of force , to moue iudicious men to pietie . this i must tell them , beauteous locks of couer a mishapte soule , a little vernisht ouer . will any man seeme such an idle swaine , as to bestow more money on the case , then on the instrument it doth containe , more on the maske then odors for the face ? beleeue me friend that man cannot be wise , that is besotted with a paire of eyes . i haue knowne some more humerous then wise , who in fantastick foolish apparitions , seeing a woman maskt all but her eyes , fell into such distresse and such distractions . that he could stay in no place ( foolish asse ) till he perceiu'd how faire that mistresse was . i haue knowne some besotted with a voyce , could not containe themselues , till they did see , the worthlesse author of that warbling noise or what sweete syren that should seeme to be . and hauing seene her , whom he wisht to know , shee seemde a saint aboue a friend below . fie on that larua , or that bugbeares face , that ce●usleth her skin ●o ga●dily , and puppet-like trippeth in euery place , with nimble pace shewes her actiuitie . and so add●est to ●ond a●d●lios action , by casting gloues and fauors moueth faction . finis . the sixth sonet . where mine heart is , there doth my life abide mine hart remains with thee , & wherfore then should i suruiue in any place beside , but where thou dwelst ? best harbour to such men , as dote on thy affection , f●iend to such as are distre●● by louing ou●rmuch . can i describe with characters of worth , those worthy parts of thine so amorous ? faire in thy habit , borne of royall birth , blest ere be they that are thought graci●us in the faire aspect of that shining eye , on whose bright lustre all things doe relie . when statues are erected to adore those persons , which the statues represented , why should not i doe this for thee and more , with whom my mind in one ha●h still con●ented , honour of women faire beyond compare the earth were blest , if many suc● there were . statues i will erect to honour thee , and euery day will resort vnto them , and passe the morne with ioyfull harmonie , whilst i doe consecrate my vowes vnto them . and hauing talkt enough i will betake , my selfe to kisse thy picture for thy sake . for if pigmalion doted so on shrines ? why should not 〈◊〉 that haue a fairer loue then ere pigmalion had ? whose loue combines mine heart in thrall , that it can nere remoue , for the straite durance which she hath possest in her , by whom my mind is euer blest . if fond protago●as did so conceiue of senselesse stones , that could not moue nor feele for to enioy an happinesse , i haue more happinesse then stones , their haps conceale . i clad in blisse which euer will endure , a strong foundation , and munition sure . they cannot shew the fruits of their repose , but i most happy , for i know mine hap , they scarce discerne from whenc their fortune flowes but i perceiue me happie in her lap . my erycma doth relieue my sheepe , whilst quietly i lie me downe and sleepe . vnder a myrtle shade or iuie bush , whilst i make couert to my wearied head , i am delighted with the sweete tun'de thrash , whilst she vpon the iuie berries feeds . and being thus annointed with full pleasure , i hoord me heaps of gold , and indian treasure . this gold is not such treasure as we reade , that q. cepio consul tooke away from the tolosan temple , which did breede destruction to all them receiude that pray . nor its no seian horse by which we finde , be signifide calamities of minde . this is as pleasant and as full of mirth , as the corbona of the iewish temple , but farre more gracious : it s not got by stelth , for that were proeme to a worse example . these gifts , this gem prince aquiloes excels , for these be pearles , his were cockle shels . i cannot speake enough , there for to blame , to praise in part , and not commend in all , but it s a praise enough , to tell thy name . faire erycina gyrt with hymens pall . and all the nimphes with chaplets cropt for thee shall decke the nuptiall triumphes gorgiously . faine would i ●ee the day ▪ each houre a yeare , each minute is an houre , till i enioy , that beauteous face of 〈◊〉 , when wilt appeare to relish ●orepast sorrow and annoy ? where couching low in beds of iuorie . we le bandie kisses with loues harmonie . i chec●e my selfe that 〈◊〉 should so delaie , t●e vernant spring time of our happinesse , fearing least whil'st our times do● passe away , pale death engripe my bones with wretchednesse . let vs not put off time , but vse our time , and let thy sacred vow confirme the mine . sweete vpon better and more ripe aduice , let me appoint a time of greater hast , our loue will grow chil-cold , if we be nice and will nor loue , till fruite of loue be past , what comfort canst thou haue , or what delight , to hate the day , and yet to loue the night . the day and sunshine of my life is spent , and now the night-shade of my life drawes on , what comfort canst thou haue , or what content in winter nights ( poore soule ) to lie alone ? and yet it better is to lie alone , then lie with him , whose vitall heate is gone . if ere the spring time of my younger grouth , could moue thy nimble armes to compasse me , if ere the prelude of my flowrie youth , could be a meanes for to sollicit thee ? take time while time is let not ioyes berest thee , some wanton bloomes at lest of youth are left me . and though i haue not such per●ection in me , for many furrowes in mine aged brow , yet these same furrowes may experience show thee what wanton youth in time could neuer shew . those many winters that haue made me old ▪ shall learne thee more then parents euer told . do not contemne me for my hoary lockes , for they are beauteous , full of comelinesse , and as the goats that feede vpon the rockes , whose beard doe much adorne their raggednesse . this beard , thou seest or●clad with hoary haire , is com●ly ( loue ) though not so passing faire . how well seemes hoary frost vpon greene grasse ? flowers interlaid with winters gabard me , nought can endure for aye that euer was , clouds ouercast those beames which erst did shine . greene graffe with hoary frost doe well agree , so would these hoary locks of mine with thee . but thou doest feare i haue an old mans minde , i will be iealous of thy beauty deare , doe not thinke so , thou shalt more honour finde , in these same armes of mine , thou needst not feare i will be constant , for no iealous thought shall ere perswade my minde that thou art nought . i le leaue thee ( deere ) i hope thou wilt conceiue , a better satisfaction of my loue , or else be sure thy frowne shall dig my graue , which will beare record in the court aboue . how being lou'd , yet would not loue againe , hast causde my ghost reuiued to complaine . finis . the seventh sonet . thou lou'st me but for want of other loues , and shew'st affection , not for any worth , thou see'st in me , but in that thou approues a wanton smile in me , a straine of mirth . i should receiue thy loue more willingly . if thou approude me for my constancie . thou shalt not finde me wauering or vnkinde , but though distressde with want and penurie , more constant thoughts in me thou ere shalt finde , then in ech wauering bubbles vanitie , i will remaine as firme , my deere to thee , as to vlysses was penelope . thou shalt not doubt of my distrust in loue , for i approue no man so much as thee , and as the turtle with her turtle doue , so thou shalt finde the like equalitie . beleeue me deere , if euer loue was true , confirmd it shall be in my louing you . i cannot praise possessions , i haue none , yet in possessing me , yo ● may enioy , as great reuenewes , deere , as any one , then be not curious in your choyse , nor coye , i am demure full fraught of modestie , and its a iewell worth a monarchie . be not the inward gifts the richest treasure ? why shouldst thou then dote so on excrement , a modest wife affords continuall p●ea●ure . ado●nd with grace of angels ornaments . ther 's nought so pretious as a modest heart , for if thou be distrest , she 'le beare a part . doest thou esteeme gold more then vertuous minds , and art besotted more with worldly trash , then honest education ? which combines in awfull band men vnaduisde and rash . i am but poore indeed ▪ and yet what then shall poore estates be destitu●e of men ? i can vse honest l●bours and obtaine a daily fruit out of mine homely labour , reaping of honest trauaile , honest gaine , purchas'd by loues respect and generall fauour ▪ i will not winne rewards for lu●re sake my soule a brothell house of sinne to make . homely yet safely , i regard my state , i loue to l●ue remote , not aymed at , i le be no ●nare vnto the po●entate , i loue to l●ue demure not pointed at . w●th who come heere ● a brothellhouse of sinne , who by dishonest meanes do●h profit winne . i am not prostitute to slauish thoughts , i worke my night works ●ull industriously . and hauin● done that which my purpose sought , i lie me downe to sleepe contentedly . i ayme not at the pallace , but remaine ▪ no deerer to the prince , then to the swaine . fie on that woman who with painted face , lies open to the su●e of euery man , that painted visard couers little grace , though it be faire wi●hout , its pale and wan . voide of all f●uour , grace and exce●lence , pitching her tent for wantons residence . i am no couer for a puppet play , i haue no cerusse in mine iuory boxe , in dr●ssing me i spend not all the day , i n●uer learnd to phrizle spangled locks . what i can doe my parents first did tell me , ( proud hower ) i little care if thou excell me . thus haue i made description of my beautie , not passing faire , well fauorde though i be , protesting to thy loue entirest dutie , if thou by hymens rites shalt marrie me . thus hoping well , i in the meane time rest , vowing by heau●ns , that i haue lou'd thee best . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e vid ouid , in metamor . ponet deus his quoque●ine● . virgil. in cyropedia . vid. cicer. in lib de orator . vid. apotheg plutarch . &c. vid. trog . pom. vid. quint curt. in octau . lib. in descrip . dyon . & dyonisij . vid. vit . socrat. vid. apotheg . de apell ▪ & prolog . notes for div a -e necre●e poemata digna , ●ec regu● so●iis . as is re●orded in his life . notes for div a -e calais and zethes were brethren and sons to boreas , ●ccōpanying lason in his iourney , &c. ratibusque inimica charybdis nunc sorbore fretum nunc reddere . ouid. in s●p●im . lib. ●et . silenus foster-father to bacchus . vncle to ●ason . qui participant pass●onibus , participant consol ationibus . s. aug●st . aure● secla . saturnia reg●a . de ●perib . et dieb vid. he●s●od . pomon● . scientia b●ni & mal● mala . gen. chap. ● . vers . ● . 〈◊〉 ab i●a voragine quocoetus omnium viciorum exces●it cicer , in ora , cont . salust . poly●ices & etecoles . vid. hesyod . psalm . . virg. in 〈◊〉 geor. tum●partu terra nesando , &c. scires a ●al●lade doctam . quod tamen ipsa negat . ouid meta. lib. sexto . tan●aq●e offensa magistra , certet ait , mecum ? ●bid . 〈◊〉 comae , cum queis et naris ●t aures . atque ita viue quidem , pende , tamen imp●oba dixit . ibid. vid. plin , in nat. hist. obedience . arbores ●ltius plantatae citius ventor●s pr●pter vehementi●a foliis priu●atur . stel. de cont . m●nd . eccl. . chap. vers●● . luke chap. . vers. . via a●gu●ta &c. arctissimap●r●a . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 tit. liu. patauin , ● decad●et lib. ● . virg. in ● . lib. aene ille sycha●u impius ante a●as , 〈◊〉 ●uri caecus amore , clam ferroincautum super at securus am●rum german . eumenid●uque sat● , vtrg. gen. chap. . vers . . 〈◊〉 tit● . li● pag. . vibes quoque vt catera , ex in●r●o nasci , &c. v●pax gabior● , c●●u●ixdigniss● mam quide● speciem te●errima bell● sequ●ta sun● vid. ouid. in sast . cleobis et byto● . m●t. . . vbi non est p●r gratiam , adest per vin●dictam . almes . eccl. chap. vers . . amos. chap. . ver● . . gen. chap. . ●ers . . m●t. . chap. vers . . qui deos tant●pere cotemneret , ad minima t●nitrua et falgura , conniuere , caput obuoluere , ad ve●o maiora proreperet e strato , sub lectumque condere solebat . vid. suet. in vit . cal●g . time et t●●●or . quis est amicus det ? qui nimtrum nu●dum contemn●t propt●r deam● stell . de cont , mūd . lib. . info● aminibus et caucr●ulis petra &c. cantic . chap. . vers . . and therefore slew calisthenes . vid. quin. curt. quia eum pro deo venerari nolui● . &c. homines dicunt me esse immortalem , sed haec sagitta probat me esse mortal●● ibid. psalm . . gen. ch● . ● . ●er● . . maliominis aues , &c. idea . miserum est ingratum esse hominem . pia●●●grato ●omine p●ius terranil ●rea● ausonius● officiosa al●●s exuiosa suis. alcia . 〈◊〉 emblem . in epi●t . ad l●cid . dariu● ▪ vid. apoth . plutar. ●t e. rasm . roterod . inimica animam , exinanitio m●ritorum dispersio virtutum , &c. s. barnard . ami●a luto sus . horat. sus ●utulenta cic. in dec . cont . salust . vid. aulum gell. in a●t . noclib . cor. chap. . vers . . perfectio vir . tutisest perseu●rantia , mat●h . . chap. vers . . paenitentia vera nunqu● es● sera . paenitentia s●ra raro est vera . aug. sidus naui● ganti●u , naufragii portus . s. august . aetna a moūtaine in sicilie , now called gibello monte , from whēce issue forth wholesi●kes of fire , proceeding out of the adusted matter of the earth . vi● . iust. quando spir●tu● hominis suspirat , spiritus dei aspirat . dicit se vetulam cum sit 〈◊〉 p●●pa pup●●m 〈◊〉 g●llta cū sit a●us . ferre nec ban●poss●s , p●ssis coliue , necillam , alterari●icula est altera ●utidula . valer. martial . in qua● . lib. epigram luke . chap. ● . ver● . . gen. ch●p . . vers . . a petition ? iux orien● ab al●o sol iustiti● . humilitie . allocutio a● seipsum . institutio . f●ns perennis integer manans . s. august . ionah . chap. . cum timore et tremore . deus quia vere bou●s . vid. s. aug. in meditat. apoc. chap. . vers . . act. chap. vers . . . petition . quamuis dis● pa●sit singu . lorūg loria , tamen communis est ●mnium laeti● tia . aust. plus affctu●● quam affat● , plusg●mui● bus quam s●rmonibus efficitu● , &c. he hath cancelled the handwriting he had against v●v . . &c. 〈…〉 . brosiaet nectare . &c. in p●rsons 〈◊〉 . a petition . gaudiū per quod gaudeo ▪ quando sane gaudeo , &c. omirabilis censur● conditio , e● ineffabilis mysterii dispos●tio , &c. august . . med . cap. ● . petition . inpers● . auth●r . da mihiirriguū superi●● & inferius . p●al . dauid . i● ludibrio ●ratris nouos transilire muros . ● . ●iuius patau . seneca in tragaed , oet●● , her●ul . tyrr●en● vestes prouerb . tmolus amemum mittit● virosaque pontus castorea , elyadum palmas phyro● equarū , virg. super extremos penetratit indos . long● qualiter resonante eoa tundeturvnda . catul. . lib. eleg . trog . pom●● . & lenoph in cyrop . ouid. in epist. vid. quint. curtium in vit . alexan● . de obit . & sepul● craesi . in ●upple●●●nto . virgil. in ec●log . terent. com●● in 〈◊〉 . hesiod . et aeschyl . in tragaed . ●r●metheus punishment ▪ a poeticall ●●ction . conclusion with an exhortation . &c. et tandem tener ausus e●● catullus ▪ magno mittere passerem ma● roni . catul. ●is eleg. notes for div a -e cupr●ssus in hyeme viriditat●m no● amittit suam . plin. in nat. histor. orytha or ▪ orychia daughter to king erycthetus , whom bo●cas stole away . io daughter to the riuer inachus , &c. the description of ioues loue . inque intentem inachydos vu●tus mutau●●at ille iuuēcam . ouid. in meo tamor . idalio o● idalus a moūt dedicated to venus . c●i deus , et quoniam ●oniux mea non potes esse , arbor ●riscerte dixit . ouid. in me●am . iphicus son to praxonides , who first ordained the games of olympus . quar●● pul● cherrima d●●opeia . v●rgil . in a●ne●d . themis a shepherdesse ille caput vi● ridi fe●sum submisit in herba . ouid. metam . notes for div a -e aesons dotage . sonne to cretheus ▪ vt infra . quid m●●iar . aeg●on or briareus a man of remorcelesse spirit . &c. oreth●us 〈◊〉 f●ther to aeson , alcide mon and ae●●ythaon . iasons spe●ch helicon and hamonia two delightfull places . vid. ouid. med●● . nec t●nuit lachrimas 〈◊〉 est pietate r●gātis . ouid. quod petis , experiar , maius dare munus . ias●n . ibid. illic 〈◊〉 valleresect as & 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . seminaeque 〈◊〉 flores et succos incoquit atros . ouid. ibid. parainesis se● institutio &c. in senectut . aesons . ad zoilum . notes for div a -e supplementum . notes for div a -e 〈…〉 ●●pollo and calliope , &c. vid. mart. in i. lib. epigram . notes for div a -e in m●ralib . ● . lib. quo difficilius , ●o pr●cla●ius . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gr●c . prou . 〈◊〉 notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 . ouil . i● epist. vid. hor. in sor . i. pagin . nil bene cum facias , fac attamen omnia b●lle , vis dicam quid sis ? magnus es ardelio . martial . notes for div a -e arist. in phys. vid. aul. gell. in noct . atticis . vid. c●ron . aug . cana prima . &c. the chimneys scuffle approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the chimneys scuffle brathwaite, richard, ?- . butler, samuel, - . [ ], p. [s.n.], london : . marginal notes. attributed to richard brathwaite and to samuel butler. cf. nuc pre- v. p. . in verse. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread - jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the chimneys scuffle . publica fumantes tetigere tributa caminos , naribus audacis fastidiosa plebis . london , printed in the year . the chimneys scuffle . this is no libel , such as rogues disperse , but a poor chimney-plea in honest verse . dear mistress of the muses , polihym●y , breath spirit into th' funnel of my chimney , that old mull'd-sack , who to such fortunes crept ; and from a chimney to a mannor lept , may with our steemy consort joyn in one throbbing our suff rings in a sooty room . but whence comes this complaint ? be pleas'd to hear ; more 's laid upon out hearths , than they can bear. our chimney-sweepers may their hovels keep , for now the owners must their chimneys sweep to lessen their scrude tax . — turn o're thy book , search thy records , * cropt prin , and shew why smoak should thus be hoisted : where so many shar'd , while other smoakers in our state be spar'd ! th' like smoaking age did never yet appear , 't is thought we shall turn aetna the next year : we 're all in smoak and powder : not a stove but must our synods grand designe improve . alas poor chimney-pipes ! say , why should you be used thus , who stand but for a show in great mens kitchins ; while your lords at court act for high places , of some other sport : presenting there their pagentry so clear as if they meant to make 't a theater . their tyre-rooms are alike : and it is common , women act there with men , and men with women . their tents remov'd : the meniey must resort by their lords conduct to the modish court , where his disbanded ancient family a squirrel lacky , or py-colour'd page , becomes reduc'd to one bare livery ; which may secure his honour from much wage ; his vails will do it , or a cashier'd suit with some appendices of fancy to 't . batts now and scrich-owls may keep open house , while their lords sated with a court-carouse , display their loose debauch'ry : yet must they for their starv'd smoakless chimneys duely pay this late enacted tax : o precious jewel that pays the state for fire-work without fuel ! and this is just : for these get any day more by one suit than thousand chimneys pay . whereas poor tradesmen who live by their booth , earning no more than serves from hand to mouth , with all their stock can scarce pay scot and lot , eating at night more than the day had got : these must be smoak'd too , though their chimneys speak they knew not what fire meant throughout the week . is this a parallel , line , or solon's law ? that those whose fortunes are not worth a straw should be thus pounc'd to muminie , and receive no more exemption than our grandees have . — caesar i beg a boon , and it is this that i may plead in forma pauperis for these wcak starvelings , who make 't their desire that their estates may purchase first a fire ere they pay for their chimneys ; and that those whose grandeur by our suff'rings daily grows to such a boundless bottome , as in time their daring height will threaten a decline , may feel your princely lash ; and these be many who ought well to be smoak'd as much as any . for they 're such state-impostons , as their task is to disguise their actions with a mask of partial-guilt conformity ; and such as like base bulloign will not bide the touch , being all coat-cards , but of that vicious crue , their hearts are false for all their modish shew . and i must tell you from the zeal i bear unto that sacred diadem you wear , that those court-burs who onely set their rast on best-betrust or on self-interest , ( for that 's prime game at cards they daily use for their advantage and your high abuse , ) can with a spanish-shrug complete their ends , and make the world beleive they 're caesar's friends ; ingratitude concludes them to be those whom you reward the most be most your foes , be not these courtly cay-ducks , whose repute swoln with ambition of a gaudy suit , or some outlaudish , gimp-thigh'd pantalour , a garb since adam's . time was rarely known ; strut all a-long to win the eyes of men , who , if discreet , with scorn dis-value them ; all sycamours for shadow ; nought for fruit , vers'd only in a frivolous dispute or loose discourse of hawk , or hound , or horse , or in pursuit of h , what 's ten times worse . these be those lazy fruitlesse droans who thrive by sucking honey from your princely hive , what they ne're wrought nor duly labour'd for , and these may rest securely on the shore ; while your endeered zelots who have lost their fortunes for your sake are hourly crost by adverse winds : long have these starvelings bin waiting at th' pool in hope to be tane in , but some desertlesse amorists of fashion , though really the refuse of our nation , must be admitted to the highest place not by internal but external grace . 't is only gold-foil that performs the work , heav'ns blesse our court from such a cursed turk , for though his partial presence honour win , he had no hand in bringing's sov'raign in . awake great prince , intend your own affairs , let no light dalilah rob you of your hairs ; those royal nerves should now imployed be in steering th' rudder of your monarchie ; and smoaking those ratouns who make 't their aime to raise their fortunes though they split their fame ; nay , th' honour of our nation ; which is tride sufficiently at th' game of peep and hide . our state 's a constant mask : — nor can we know their faces by their vizors ; but they show best when they 'r least discover'd : for what good can be deriv'd from those corrupt their blood , and mould base heraldry , sprinkling a shame upon th' degenerate house , from whence they came ? all 's out of order ; marriage beds begin to take a surfet and to rellish sin. stoln waters rast the sweetest ; those fruits too which in their proper soil did never grow , but by a strange-inoculating hand seizing on that which th' owner should command , solace their palates most : — actors o th' stage spouse it the best with th' peerage of this age. yet th' spousal holds not : a dispensive power has made his wife his constant paramour : and yet he loves her as he loves his life , and dearer too then if she were his wife . but that we may the sooner make an end , let us unto your offices descend , both great and num'rous in your peaceful state , and such as make our officers too fat : so swoln as they forget what they have bin , with those brave places they are seated in . my pen ne'r brook'd the style of parasite , the world shall see i 'll do each office right . and first to those whom we account the prime , those lawn-fleeves of our late reformed time , whose boundlesse height such priviledges give as if they trench'd on your prerogative . for these are smoakers too , give them their due , when we our dormant leases should renew ; which might have been prevented in our land if you had kept those leases in your hand . which would have given those mounting lords content , and rais'd fit pentions for your indigent deserving friends ; who bravely stood their ground when these mandilions were not to be found . yet those insatiate herds for all their store are in their thoughts as empty as before : though diocesses be of large extent to thirsty lungs they 're insufficient . balaam's priests could cunningly devise how to convey their idol sacrifice . this thirst deserves rebuke in him that preaches , cathedral rabbies should be no horse-leaches . and some we have no leprous gold will touch , they 're yet thin ●own , may we have many such . there 's smoak in law too , having to much skill as to drain water from the clients mill. the one as simple as the other wife , the lawyer g●inds and takes the millers grife . he 'l finger your pretence be ' t right or wrong , though th' cause be weak , fat fees will make it strong . had these in xerxes or severus dayes sought to enlarge their fame , or fortunes raise , they by imperial sentence had been smoak'd , and with gold molted down their throat been chok'd : for nought in reason could be held more sit , than those who sold base smoak to fall by it : shall i draw near your court ? it will aver the ranting courtier smoaks the cavalier ; who though he never fought not ever will , he can prefer a suit , and there 's his skilp . yet this brisk gig for all his garish show , proves smoaked by his damasella too ; who near the lobby or the back-stairs waits to squeeze her pention from her brothel mates : this brings revenues to the surgeons hall , but cheats and courtly cringes pay for all . those in our state he only held for wisemen who are design'd commissioners and excisemen . these be those grand impostors of our state , and need not for preferment long to wait , for they 've already feather'd well their nest , and on your subjects ruine set their rest . these to improve your rents , as they pretend , become your farmers , but observe the end of their imployments ! 't is their only aim to make a booty of their soveraign . with modest boldnesse let me tell your grace , that these have cheated you before your face , in prizing th' rates of customs to be such , when th' annual profit render'd thrice as much . now was not this design persued well , to take the kernell and leave you the shell ? yet these be farmers still : persons of case sharing in your revennes as they please : made to cajole the state , but do no good unlesse it be to suck the vital blood of your endeered subjects , who have serv'd both you and yours ; and better far deserv'd than these cantarides who cleave to th' skin for the rivulets of blood that flow within : but when their yawning chaps have drunk up all , high-swoln with loyal blood , they 're forc'd to fall . these too like impudent suiters lately wooe to be the farmers of our chimneys too : which by their active undermining wit they first contriv'd , by votes committing it to a self-own'd committee , whose compact brought this proposol to an expresse act : and though by act prohibited it be no member share in that proprience , a trick is found out by their quick-silver'd brain , a dispensation for a future gain . these raking rocks when they 're on profit set ; take all for fish that comes into their net. and these grandalions of your own retenue who would be thought to heighten your revenue : and with more fullnesse of content instore you than any prince that ever raign'd before you : just as that rebel parliament profess'd to your late father in his suff'rings bless'd . brave plots ; rich profers ! which like flow'rs were strew'd not to refresh the sense but to delude . but was this done , my gracious liege , for you ? no , though at first sight it might make a shew , as painted projects use , t' inhance your ren●s , their subtile sconces moulded worse intents than pur-blin'd eyes discover'd ; for they sought either by farming what their brokage wrought , or by their agents to ingratiate ▪ your smile for whom they did negotiate . but such base baits you cannot rellish , sure , those be your friends who make you most secure : whereas court-fawns , those buffouns of our age practise a-long your honour to ingage ; which princes ever held the precioust gem that could enrich a royal diadem . for what 's this guilded state but painted clay if spotlesse reputation fall away ? may that live still unblemish'd , and remain an individual to my sov'raign , i 'm bold , but 't is my zeal that makes me so , who spares to speak he is your fawning foe . satyrs who lay true tincture on a crime , deserve more praise then humorists o th' time . 't is charity in him that shews the way , or lends his light to one who goes a stray a subject to his prince is such a debter , the plainer that he writes , he loves him better . into your court such favourites have rush'd , whose coats being full of moats had need be brush'd ; 't is true indeed we have comp●rolors plenty , but of that rank there is not one of twenty dare execute that office as , he should , nor would he , i 'm perswaded , if he could . the weeds of others cannot well be mown by those who have so many of their own : their studies are lampounds ; wherein their aime states court-abuses to the penner's shame ; for there 's not any witty back-stair wench but reading jeers them for their want of sense . we talk of a strange thing call'd reformation , but where 's that creature to be sound i th' nation ! that language is utopian , none of ours , and has been long time since shut out a doors as a regardlesse alien : — let us can and take our circuit from man to man. phanatick , libertine and leveller , our rigid presbyterian , who to err were held a prodigy : let 's see what peace or reformation any one of these can hold forth to us ! — but the other day iohn presbyter was to be pack'd away with his sedicious spawn : but are they gone as 't was injoyn'd them , forty miles from town ? no , no , believe it this was a brute thunder , their swelling spirits are not so kept under ; for they 're repriv'd , their censure now blown o're and re-estated where they were before : and now restor'd , they vapour it afresh as none might touch their sanctified hesh . those who supply their places few draw near them , and though they preach pure doctrine none wil hear them . is this the way to reformations , say , when shepherds who have taught their flocks to stray must be indulg'd ; and though they bring forth leaves but no soul-saving fruit , yet must lawn-●eeves though ne'r so orthodoxal ; be content with a fraterual shrug to give consent to these church-cattines , whose active pate works to reduce us to that forlorn state which our anarchiall government retain'd while th' syracusan tyrant o're us raign'd ? nor can i blame those magpies if they give such freedome to these zimreys to live ; high forts support the lower : those who ne'r were friends to church discipline nor the lords prayer be their good lords : and these in such high grace as they 'l cast dirt in any bishops face ; so bravely rais'd they are , to courtly strong as they will do no right nor suffer wrong : nor is it strange that they their faith dis-own who made their breach of faith before with crown . grave presbyterian patrons , who display their zeal by throwing common pray'r away doom'd to a dif●rent martyrdome , as of late was done in flat defiance to the state and th' high prerogative sole due to you , as if we had no native caesar now : if this succeed , as 't his a fearful shew , a tragick epilogue must needs ensue . we hear of coiners too , but they 're so greai as they may safely play the counterfeit : men of meb high descent and brave desert scorn to receive their convoy from a cart. the sun has many moats , yet who 'l assay to take those radiant blemishes away ? they 're glorious soils : and those are daring fools who call in question either art or tools . i much commend those coiners pollicy who stand secur'd by their society : for they on such dependent statists hing , they 're priviledg'd from cap'ring in a string . but to our chimney-work ! — this enterview must catechise us — sir , what chimneys you ; what hearths , stoves , ovens ? render us account , for we 're contractors . and must stand upon 't : do not deceive your self , return your number , for you 're to suffer if you render under . the lash o th' act shall swinge you with such strokes as never shall be cur'd by iohn an oakes nor those grave coif-men , who for either side in our late bickerings have their judgements tried : and as they well delerv'd , now high advanc'd , so well it has unto those neuters chanc'd ; who with such solemn ceremonial state in funeral robes on bradshaw's corps did wait : and as they drol'd in mournful habits thither , it had been well they had been earth'd together . small coal , small coal . — still , still that croaking cry ; i 've stopp'd up all my hearths ; no coals will i. i will not salamander-like desire to make mine habitation in the fire : these age-benummed joynts i 'll never warm e're i pay more for chimneys then my farm. though hoary winter now draw near at hand i 'll shew such due obedience to command ; with damocles i 'd rather chuse to starve than lessen his revenues whom i serve ; yet let the state excuse me , for blind hugh my mason clos'd my hearth before i knew . maduesse hath made me senselesse of all shame , within this fortnight i from ped'am came ; where i my crack-brain'd amours did express as woers should ; tom to his lucky bese . and this contents me , though mad boyes we be , i 've found a court grown madder far than we . my brain is madling ; i am now for court for no suit-quest , i am not monied for 't ; but to observe their posture ; for we hear what strange-divining meteors rusle there . state-criticks now our sprucer sprigs be grown , ready to brush all garments but their own ; those must be lightly touch'd , for they alledge their acts pretend a native priviledge : sphear'd above censure is their regiment , apish or modish it is sufficient so it be forraign , be it ne're so gay nor garish-gaudy , 〈…〉 will find a way to gain admirers : and with speed prepare new fashion-mongers for a stranger aire : our countrey artists be such homely creatures as they mis-shape the beauty of their features . so it bear th' title of outlandish work , 't will give content though moulded by a turk . there 's nought exact done by an english hand , no dresse complete but from an other land. so is the world might think we stare a quarrel both with our plunder'd language and apparrel . thus begger we our own ; not care we much so we content our selves ▪ our humour's such . here may you see a light py● colour'd jack . wear a whole lordship on his crazy back ; which his extorting ancestor convey'd to him , who for his death entirely pray'd that he might pawn his aores ; and ingage . his state to dawb his lackey and his page : resembsing those to life who nostle here learning first to get clothes , then how to wear , ( to th' mercers ruine ) though a venial sin to cheat a book who meant to cozen him. turn over leaf by loaf i th' drapers book , you 'l find his long own scores as light as smoak . yet is he out of debt i dare well say , for he is said to own who means to pay . but being at last stake what shall he do ? he has no brains i th' world to five unto : the only way then to evade this shelf is to serve one no wiser than himself , some laptand lord , who having got no heirs , makes his thoughts strangers to all thriving cares . now what supplies accommodate the youth of these profusive sparks , whose fruitlesse growth has spent it self to atoms ? they must look to be collectors of our chimney smoak , and by their mis-accounting profit bring gain to themselves in cheating of the king. a bold adventure , yet an usual guize as may appear by farmers o th' excize ; which in one instance i shall clearly shew , though not recorded yet approved true : th' event so just it highly pleased me not in the act but the catastrophe . a stirring member of the parliament stor'd richly with all blessings save content , became excifeman ; but before he found the profit on 't , his patent fell to ground . i wish all patentees may have sike hap , who draine revenues from the ale-wifes tap. o brave design ! struck on a fatal shelf , by his own vote th' exciseman splits himself but how has this exciseman born himself ! how has this timing bird beray'd his nest ! how has he run his pinnace on a shelf ! how has he ruin'd those deserved best ! split th' cavalry of their just interest ! was not this act a crime beyond compare i will not judge , but leave it to the chaire ! but these ambitious thoughts we have at court make hopes of honour ramble in this sort . these from their countrey have such glory gain'd by ringing backward they are entertain'd . this is my maxim : they 're not caesar's friends who mould their votes and acts for private ends. all such as lov'd their prince have under 〈…〉 ood that they did neither king nor subject good . those to their soveraign ever prove unjust who 'twixt him and his people breed distrust . and such , my liege , or else we hear a fable , receive admittance daily to your table , who to inlarge the bounds of their estate will hackney honour out at any rate . these be court-butterflies , who make a show just as our lordships chimneys use to do in cheating beggars , making their repaire but find no warmth nor crum of comfort there . discretion will not measure true desert by apish postures or outlandish art. he only merits the esteem of greaetnesse who suits his dresse without affected neatnesse . your highness sways three scepters independing from elders numberless by line descending ; let no act derogate from that descent through hostile force or subjects discontent . clear that augean stable ; let no stain darken the splendor of our charlemain , nor his court-gate : may th' ladies of this time be aemulators of our katharine late come , long wish'd : whose princely same shall be a living annal to posteritie . to whose pure judgement , then which none more strong being stranger to the world and so young nought can detract more from a knowing nation then making a meer idol of a fashion ; or in resemblance unto * isis asse to sacrifice the morning to their glasse : such atoms of lost honour she esteems for wandring fancies or phanatick dreams : this royal pattern may , no doubt , re-gain our albyon halcyon days and saturns - raign . the world's new-moulded : — she who t'other day could chant and chirp like any bird in may stor'd with caresses of the choicest lort that art could purchase from a forreign court , limn'd so by natures pencil , as no part but gave a wound , where e'r it found an heart . a fortresse and main-castle of defence secur'd from all assailants saving sence . — but she 's a convert and a mirrour now both in her carriage and profession too ; divorc'd from strange embraces : as my pen may justly style her englands magdalen . wherein she 's to be held of more esteem in being fam'd a convert of the queen . and from relapse that she secur'd might be , she wisely daigns to keep her companie ▪ but forasmuch as noisome weeds are found in no soil more than in our holy ground ; and darknesse sometimes takes the robe of light , so as all is not clear that seemeth white ; admonish those lawn sleeves they grow not proud but seasonably communicate pure food to their deputed flock : your grace has carv'd large parts for them , let not their sheep be starv'd for want of nour shment : i 'd have them too not only stand like beacons for a show ; their church-revenues as they be not small , 't were fit for th' poor they built an hospitall ; which almes-work so long as they delay , let their revenues for our chimneys pay . at least , for tenths as they precisely stand for each tenth chimney let them pay through th' land their leases to that vast advantage rise they may increase their pride and avarice . the poor should be their children during life , a diocesan care their married wife . this would imbellish miters and inlarge their past●ral pains to edifie their charge . for th' presbyter , because there cannot be an unity 'twixt him and monarchie , for if th' oue rise , the other needs must fall , left of those sectists be there none at all , silence is not sufficient : such division requires strict exile for the best physician . their plots are all phlebotomy , but yours by mild indulgence tender easier cures . no more ; vouchsafe upon our suit to look , our hearths want fires ; and where 's no fire , no smoak . the court-currier . our country was of late with blood imbrew'd , and in this age as viciously indew'd , impoison'd with base ingratitude , where th' hydra-headed slavish multitude admires those only who have so much sence , as beg a place with srontlesse impudence : and by their activ'st pavourite , ready pence , and without merit seels for recompence . these be the th●iving boyes , who at this day are tane into the p 〈…〉 while others stay . the honest cavalier . many have here high hopes , but they expire before they mount to th' height of their desire . they 're only wise that have the least to do fixing on flim from whom all graces slow . nothing so sirm that may affiance give . let us only love where we may ever live . so shall our hopes be crown'd , and saints receive us into those courtly joyes shall * never leaves us . some find the way who after learn to stray . the end tries all , the evening crowns the day . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e who chang'd his name for a sum of money conditionally paid him by his fellow chimney-sweepers . * late'y createa keeper of the fower-records ; but his fanatick brain and fantastick pea have run such division , as they will unstrip him of that imployment . a fashion to our nation unknown though now disp●●s'd through city , country , town . sampsonis capilli sunt principis nervi ; qui pascivis amplexibus , impudicis amoribus debilitari solent , si non dirimi . proc. neither fruits of their owne planting , nor waters of their own draining , nor soil of their own improving . fortis amatorls fit palma , corone labotis , quo sponsus thalamum servat honore suum . mancin . pastoral office in the first place , because the highest prize : and purchas'd by renewal of leases at the lowest price . in they court of b 〈…〉 s ( as the apologua observes the elephaunt would not be admitted , because his knees were so unweldy , they would not bend , ☜ whose arguments , though strongly seconded , in a late debate were evinced , and those fiery s●par 〈…〉 t s deservingly silenced . mean while their conventicles and clandestine assemblies by their own ●riviledge frequently continued . ☞ witnesse those hubbuls raised in several parochial churches . ☜ an apish-modish vosture the only sweet courtly garb . ☞ a gallant retinue , to travel out the fagend of a prodigals fortune . a cool coal-cordial for a consumptive prodigal . hear this countrey peal , ye kni●h●s o th' shire and burgesses . ☞ a princesse in habit & diet unexemplarily temperate . * — speculum sibi fingit asellus flumine , quo speciem complicet ille suam . farn. ☞ ☜ we leave the injurious usage of one of these ( a formal fox , and advanc'd to oue of our highest places ) to the ingeuuous relation of mr. cressey , a modest deserving gentleman . such phlebotomists as practise wholly upon the basi●ica ven● for a state-cure are dangerous artists : and fitter far for jamaica than us . distinguish these by their cignizances . * 〈◊〉 deceive 〈◊〉 the honest ghost, or, a voice from the vault brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the honest ghost, or, a voice from the vault brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], p. printed by ric. hodgkinsonne, london : . attributed by wing, nuc pre- imprints to brathwait. first leaf is a description of the frontispiece. numerous errors in paging. includes: two poems penned by the author before his restraint, entituled loves lottery and the cuckow : whereunto are annexed [ others]. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng censorship -- england -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the face of the frontispice unvailed : the titles of either subject , whereof these poems treat , with their proper imprezza's accurately illustrated and succinctly couched . the book consists of two subjects , and distinguished by these two titles : . the honest ghost . . an age for apes . the mind of the frontispice relating to the honest ghost ; or , a voyce from the vault , is thus exprest : a prisoner looking out of a grate ; his hand pointing to the prisoners box — — with these words : adesdum . mi●…te manum in marsupium . above the gate — o ferrea aetas ! within the prison , an insulting gaoler , and a dej●…cted prisoner ; these words from the prisoners mouth : — exlium virtus patitur . — dum moror hic , morior . and pointin●… at the gaoler , — quid tu si pereo ? o●…e looking out , and in contempt of the world ; wi●… an indifferency to his present condition , using these w●…ds : dum video , rideo . . intituled an age for apes . they are severally di●…nguished after their several notions . democritus on the one side laughing , displayed by is impreze : insanire gregem ridens volo . heraclitus on the other verge weeping & sympathizing 〈◊〉 this : in flumina lumina verto . the portraicture you shall finde more clearly explaned , and more lively personated in the conclusion of the work . the honest ghost , or a voice from the vault . — in noxam sectatur & umbra . london , printed by ric. hodgkinsonne , . to my stationer health , wealth , and liberty . it is a frequent fashion in this nation to publish books in term time , not vacation : but i would have my reader thus much learne , that westminsters vacation is my terme . now some will say , the terme doth wondrous well to vend such fly-blown works as will not sell ; but mine 's none such , with confidence i tell it , 't will vend if self , it needs no terme to sell it : health then and wealth unto my stationer , and heavens preserve him from a censurer . for health and wealth doe well , yet we doe see these relish harshly without libertie : where if he suffer for me there 's small reason but stationer and author have one prison . yea , but will some say there were danger in 't , for so my pate might plot and he might print : but take my word , we 'l doe the state no wrong , but be as merry as the day is long . for if the world a prison be , then we who lodge i th' fleet , are but as worldings be : the onely diff'rence , as i take 't , is this , their prison's something larger then ours is . which though it be more spacious , yet our care forth ' world is lesse then wretched wormelins are ; whose highest aime is shame , and deepest drift is how to starve their bodies by their thrift . come then my stationer , and make thy station in this same pettie corner of our nation ; where though we live by worldings unregarded , we shall be kept like princes , double-warded . come then my boy , it 's many good mans ●…ate to make restraint their tent , their glasse their grate . to the ingenuous state-censor . my younger years compos'd these rurall rymes to taxe the errors of corrupter times : when we a state-monarchicall possest , which government our politicks held best . pandora's box pour'd forth such plenteous store upon our isle , she could enjoy no more . we knew not then what drum nor trumpet meant , no garrison lodg'd in our continent . arms and alarms were strangers to our coast , no civil-warre , nor state-imbroiling hoast disturb'd our calme repose : phebean rayes of glorious peace shone on our halcyon dayes . our islander might sit and passe his time under his fig-tree , or broad-spreading vine , and feare no foe to reap what he had sown , or seize on that which conquest made his own . kings reign'd secure : scaffolds were reared then for sceanes of pleasure , not for heading men . our peacefull olives then their fatnesse show'd , our wine and oyle increas'd , our cups o're-flow'd . each state knew then its proper residence , the lower gave their lords preeminence . platonick parity was then as farre from us , as now the rules of princes are . high powers on ours had such an influence , as ev'ry object satisfide the sence . so as no forrain state observ'd our blesse but envide and admir'd our happinesse : and in that glowing envy might conclude " we wanted nought but civil gratitude . for what did fullnesse of our bread bring in but carnall liberty and height of sin ? vice rid on 's foot-cloth ; churches grew to be nurses to sacriledge and symonie . more tares then wheat were sown in ev'ry field ; our unprun'd vines did only wilde grapes yeeld . the countrey-cormorants begot rich heirs , and made sonnes prodigalls by fathers cares . the city-chea●…s made fools of countrey men , and with their tweaks they gratified them . the court a mint of congies and quaint words , of silken-civet-comfit-curtain-lords : who in their quest of favours took delight , and gag't their honour to decline a fight . imposts fed state-imposters , patten●…ees hackney'd the publick with monopolies . these made musaeus bustle in this sort with church-abuses , city , countrey , court. these poems then you may suppose of his reflect on former times , and not on this : for had he meant that task , heed drawn all shapes , like protean pictures , save assembly apes : whose forms are such , should he be catechis'd , he knows not how those monkeys are disguis'd . twenty four harvests now are spent and gone since this receiv'd its first conception ; so as you may suspect there 's something in 't that kept this work so many yeers from print . which had it been continu'd to these times , had made an english iliad for high crimes : high-swelling crimes , which rightly understood , might stage a rubrick story ach't in blood : where presbyterian-independent-levell make work t' inlarge the kingdom of the devill . but who stalks too neer truths heels ( under favour ) may have his teeth quite struck out for his labour . to all , or none . living on earth , i silenced my wrong ; now shut srom earth , my griefs have found their tongue ▪ which to make good , behold my wronged ghost having both friends and hope of freedom lost , re-visits earth , of purpose to reclaim such as doe live unto their countries shame . i aime at all , high and inferiour men , appearing now to these , and then to them ; whose fight if it affright , know that it is their guilt , and not my ghost procureth this . but see , some great men swell ! why , let them burst , i sleight their sury , let them doe their worst : on earth they did all that they could unto me , now i 'me secure , they can no more undo me . the honest ghost , or a voice from the vault . thrice to the sin-sick world my muse hath come , and has been thought too bitter unto some , who , for to shew how much they 're discontent , have meant to keep mee tongue-ty'd by restraint . but can this doe it ? no , i 'm same i was , and though my earthen vessel cannot pass nor pierce these wals of stone where i 'm restrain'd , and for twelve mon'ths with patience remain'd , i have a ghost , as now it shall appeare , sojourns abroad , while i am caged here . for what can these spruce silk-worms do at me ? shut mee from ayre of high-priz'd libertie : and in this vast and irksom residence , remove mee from the object of each sense ? for first my eye no object views of state , but such as to and fro pass by my grate : and for my eare , no object doth assail her , but noyse of keys , and clamor of a jayler : and for my smel , because nought likes me well , i catch a cold , whereby i may not smell : and for my taste , my palat doth decline from relishing ought pleasant at this time : and for my touch , i feel nought but distress , and more i smile , the more it doth oppress : yet for all this , i doe enjoy as much in th' faculties of eye , eare , smell , taste , touch as he who glories most ; and you shall heare how i enjoy them too , if you 'll forbeare . i have a grate , where i do see men pass , and this same grate i make my looking-glass , and there i see , and i do laugh to see ( for only laughter now is granted mee ) an aged gray-beard , whose dimensions have trac'd half their pilgrim journey to his grave , ambiciously aspiring , as if hee should never grapple with mortalitie . he plots and projects , poor decrepit foole , lest his insatiat messaline should scoule , to gain such honor as his lady choseth , which got , he dies , and by the bargain loseth . or else perchance , som high-priz'd favorite presents his suit and works him this despite , and must forgoe his place by his esteeme , although he know not what the office meane : neither concerns this him , for know you what ? it is not place but profit he aims at ; what matters it how he discharge it then ? he is above the priviledg of men ; for his firm grounds are rear'd on stone , not sand , and shrink he must , that dare him countermand : yet is it strange to see how he , whose place resigned is to one new-crept in grace , would gull himself , and bear the world in hand he is advanc'd to place of more command , although i 'm sure he could be well content to keep his place and be no * president . o how this tickles mee , to see a swad , who ne'r so much as education had to make him generous , advan●…'d to state : and like a parachito 'gins to prate more then he ever knew or ever read , yet must this grand-sot be authorized , and held so grave a statist , as if he were th' only man on earth for policie ! nor am i so restrain'd , but if i please i may behold variety of these ; for , wearied with this counterfeit of state , unto another corner of my grate i streight betake mee ; where i may behold a bulke of honor , like that asse of gold which bore the name of isis , rear'd on high , yet when i view him with an inward eye , i find nought in him but an outward shew , nor care i much if he so much did know ; for all the honour which this man possesseth , as somtimes , in his cups , himself confesseth , deriv'd their late begining ( as 't is said ) from meer extortion in zacheus trade : but , till he change his habit , i forbid that he ere do as good zacheus did . of whom , i think , it may be truly said , that hee 'll prove banquerout in ev'ry trade ; for he hath shewn himself a malefactor both while he was a statesman and contractor . but , besides him , some other foists there be deserve a censure full as well as he : but th' state is wise , and with an expert hand can squeeze these sponges who do soke our land. another personage i see approach , and what he is , i guess by arms on th' coach ; a great-man sure , and yet for ought i see he cannot be of great antiquitie , for th' coate he beares , implies it is not long since he bore arms , or th' herald did him wrong : who may he bee then ? i durst pawn my life , one that is honor'd meerly for his wife ; so as the only stay of his affiance supported is , by means of his alliance : great must hee needs bee then , he cannot chuse , if mushroms by his means be honour'd thus . but see , good malecontent , who 's he goes there ? i 'le call him to mee , pray good sir draw neere ; hee will not come , hee doth not like a grate , though hee had self ▪ same prospect but of late , yet i 'll display him to , and in a word uncase yon pomander sweet-sented lord. hee 's such a sage as hee 'd be thought by man , a grave , judicious , learn'd justinian , a column of the state , and such an one as all our isle were worse if he were gone ; yet heare me and i 'le tell you what he is , one who hath wrong'd the state by rearing his ; a subtle censor , who his passion smothers till it burst out to th' ruining of others , wherein he shews his spirit most of all , by base insulting o're a wretches fall ; a neuter lord , who walks as in a mist and shews himself a cunning formalist , a meer state-rhetorician , whose desire , having now gorg'd himself , is to retire from business of state , because he feares that some ere long will have him by the eares for courses indirect , which he would shun , by living privatly un-look'd upon . but lest this should not hit , he hath convey'd , and , by his art , a cleere conveyance made of all his lands , for hee observes the time apt to take notice of a rich-man's crime ; which to prevent , he thought to take this course , that he who beg'd his state might fare the worse ; yet i 'm resolv'd , as widows teares and cryes , sent from their voice and from their dolefull eyes seldome returne without revenge from high , like feathers in the ayre his state will fly from his deputed heir , and so decline from him and his unto another line . yet this i wish not , but would rather see his seed succeed in their posteritie , that grand-oppression , that same crying sin , may ne'●… survive in his , but die in him ; so shall that name which he deserved here appear like ashes scatt'red here and there . now eyes what see you ? is the grate so straite as yee can see no object ? yes , deceite in every corner doth encounter mee , men bee and seem not , seem what least they bee ; for be it courtier that i eye , whose sense consists in sent and sycophants pretence , i find no part in him of that esteeme to prove him same he outwardly doth seeme ; for where he lives it is the only fashion to gull the simple with a protestation : his life is formal wholy , and he owes far less to substance then he doth to showes . or be it citizen , though he protest the wares he shews you first are still the best , because he knows you 're of so brave a mind , the choice you make is best , that you can find ; yet some evasion still he hath in store to gull you now as he hath done before : wherfore believe him not although you grieve him , for you deceive your self if you beleeve him . or be it country-man , whose simple seeming would in opinion cleer him of misdeeming , yet in his cottage hath he learn'd this art , to make his tongue a stranger to his heart ; so as all states this maxim learned have , hee cannot live that knows not to deceive . thus may you see , though i bee lodged here , where scarce one glimpse of sun-light may appear , that i have sundry objects to employ mee , which somtimes , i confess , so over-joy me , as they in mee leave such impressions after , that to my self i 'm oft enforc'd to laughter . nor can your eyes dart half so far as mine in the survey of this corrupted time , for were the curtains ne're so closely spread where livia with her drusus wantoned , the coach close shut , the eyes of men to dim , yet know thus much , she is so light within , as shee no more her wantonness can cover , then if she only had heav'ns arch above her . now to my second-sense , if you 'll draw neere , i will make known unto you what i heare , i heare , and by no mean intelligence , that barbicon is troubled with the french , and are made famulists , as some suppose , because they speak so strangely through the nose : but i do heare more serious news than these , and you shall hear them briefly , if you please . i heare of one who hath been long pent up , and , with his ladie drunke of sorrows cup , for som egregious crime at first committed , with punishment in joyn'd them , as befitted , are to be freed now and quite released , as if both blood and whoordom were appeased by som few yeers restraint ! but i do know superior pow'rs will grieve it should be so ; for tell me , can that liberty be given on earth , which never was allow'd by heav'n ? shall naboths blood cry for revenge and h●…ve it ? shall abels cry for vengeance and receive it ? shall snarling curs , as sacred stories tell , lick up the blood of wicked jezebel , to shew how ev'ry creature seems to smother their just revenge , whofe hand 's deep dipt in murther ? and shall these purchase f●…eedom , or obtain such favor to review the light again ? shall barbarous nations , where did nere appeare that glorious light which shews her beauty here ▪ enact such laws , injoyn such punishment on persons that are held incontinent ? shall savage beasts , who measure their delight by satisfying of their appetite , hate to partake in love with more than one , and either live with that or live with none ? shall ayrie birds so sort them to their make , that they will sooner die then they will take themselves to others ? yea , shall every creatur●… perform the proper office of their nature ? and shal man , fraight w th knowledg & with reason , act against god and nature such high treason ? no , heav'ns forbid ; what once was said , say i , wee have a law , they by the law should dy . yet if compassion move you to assent to give them all their life time to repent , ( as ten lives were too little for such crimes ) send them not forth to these depraved times , but guard them close , as lepers kept have been causing them cry aloud , wee are unclean . but this report i scarcely can beleeve it , i will addresse mee elsewhere then , and leave it . i heare a noble-spirit that 's compos'd of all he●…oick actions lies inclos'd in straitest durance ; thus much sure i am , howsoe're his cause be , hee 's a noble-man , and one who may redeeme the time is past , and by his prince as well as others grac't , for nere did any one more hopes inherit , or by descent express more native spirit . but i doe heare●… ●… marriage like to bee , which hath procur'd this lord his libertie ; what doe i heare ? marriage his freedom get no , rather he by marriage loseth it ; for how can married-men their freedom get , when never any was his own man yet ? but if his ayms be such , all hap betide this lively martialist and lovely bride ▪ shee , to retain his love at any rate , hee , to regain his love with prince and state. nor do i feare , but when deserts are known , some shall mount high , who have been long kept down for carpet-honour still the bayes must yeeld to that which valour gains him in the field . for tell me , tell me , you perfumed squires , nere scorch'd with powder but licentious fires ; you , whose perfection doth consist in this , to complement a wanton for a kiss , an●… glo●…ie more in such a bootie gain'd then if you had a richer prize obtain'd ; what could you doe , if you were to resort , leaving loves charmes , to raze some stately fort ? or grapple with som daring enemy to fight or fall , no other remedy ? sure , i perswade mee , you would little care for bracelets twisted with your mistresse-haire ; you would forget your congies , your salutes , fingring and quav'ring on your sweet tun'd lutes ; and learn to tosse a pike , and speak in thunder , to make your unknown ▪ valour seem a wonder : but , i much feare me , this were hard to do , when you should fight , you would begin to woo ▪ and sue for peace on any terms you could , th●…n gain renown , as noble ▪ spirits should . how happy were i , if i might but heare all you sweet-sented-gallants lodged there ●…n albion's peacefull court , to bee prest over and see each made a souldier of a lover ! what sad ●…dieus would young don phoebo take , and kiss the ground for his amicla's sake ? what heavy news were this to cinna's eare , to lose the presence of her spritely clere ? what griefe would this bee to that new-wed-lord , who on my conscience ne're unsheath'd his sword ? when hee must leave his nuptial-sheets scarce warm with his delicious dinah , and goe arm those tender civet-corps , who never bore arms , but what nature stor'd him with , before ? zlid , i do think , should they receive command to hoyse up saile for brabant out of 〈◊〉 , the rumor of these news would be so bad , as many of our younkers would run mad , at least ( like ithacu●… ) would feign them so if so they might excused be to go . for ' las ! so long hath this same golden dream of peace surviv'd , they know not what wars mean ; restie their arms , their armour rustie too , and if they durst fight , yet they know not how . but be there no rare corants thou hear'st more related neere thy grate ? yes , there be store , yet none so much perplex mee , as to heare the fall of on●… who once the state did steere , and was thought worthy to enjoy his place , till profuse followers brought him to disgrace . of whom , some say , he so corrupt hath bin , it were a sin to shed one teare for him ; yet , in respect of merit , i lament that hee who was of such accomplishment , yea a combiner ( as hee seem'd to me ) of humane-learning and nobilitie , should shew himself so weake as to delight more in preferring of his favorite , than in discharge of th' office where he sate , or to support the ruines of his state ; for worser name nev'r any one did git to reape so little benefit by it . but there is somthing more than his disgrace that moves mee to compassionate his case , and it is this ; to note how others bee tax'd for as high and heavy crimes as hee : for his to such a number nev'r did mount , yet who dare call these state-moaths to account ; hee must be censur'd , these may live secure , pill church and sta●…e to keep their hands in ure , suck orphans blood , drain tears from widows-eyes , and fill both heav'n and earth with shriks & cries , joyn land to land , like priviledged men , they wipe their mouths and say , who seeeth them ▪ ` las none ! who dare do 't ? they may be allow'd to do what ere they list , and in a cloud walk as unseen , for very few there bee that see their hatefull crimes , dare say they see ▪ now , for my life , i cannot see the cause why this should be , unlesse they have the laws under their girdle , meaning to draw blood not from themselves , but where they hold it good , which cannot be ; so might i justly tax the law it self to bee a nose of wax : wherefore i cannot think this is the matter , for god forbid that laws should learn to flatter , but i doe rather judge the case so stands , they make their peace with great-ones under hand ▪ whose awfull count'nance is the only cause to stay the execution of our lawes . if this be so ! o yee who injure most this peacefull state , heare my incensed ghost , who like a fury haunts you ; cease for shame , to lay npon your honours such a staine ! you should be like to beacons on a hill to give your country notice of what ill so ev'r assail's her , and by your wise care divert all dangers that might happen there . you should be like to pilots to direct our ship of state , lest some should intercept our hopefull commerce , which ( i heard last day ev'n through my grate ) was faln to great decay , so troubled were the seas as none would venter their goods , because the ports were hard to enter . yea , upon serious conf'rence i did heare a rich french-merchant on his conscience sweare that by one loss which hee of late sustain'd , he lost more wealth then he three yeers had gain'd . you should be like the sun , to cleer the mist of each slie state-exacting alchimist , state-politician , base monopolist , church peace-disturbing-factious novelist : to these , like ●…esoms , it is your behoof to shew your selves , to sweep them from the roo●… of albions speciall palace ; for this crue are not ●…o have least countenance from you : you should be like bright lamps , light to bestow both on your selves , and upon others too ; upon your selves , that you may patterns seeme , adding unto your ho●…or an esteeme ; on others too , that they may take a view of what is good by taking note of you . you should be starrs in this same darkesome night where many walk in blindness , few in light ; that by the light which your examples give , you may procure you love , teach them to live ; for many batts we have and night owles too doe more by night , than they by day dare doe ; these are of bel●…all , the sons of night , for wicked men doe ever hate the light , as those who are sworn vassals to the devill , " hating the light because their works are evil . and what are these , but of that forlorne tribe who will dispence with conscience for a bribe , so 't be in secret , sell the orphans right , oppresse the succourless by th' arm of m●…ght , divide the stake , and s●…are in others state , as an occasion i did hear of late . " three youths , all brethren , when death had 〈◊〉 them " of their deer fath●…r , who good portions left them " amounting to nine hundred pound in all , " some legacies discharg'd , which were but small , " were by some friends , who wish'd their welfare , mov'd " to take their fathers will , & get it prov'd . " along they went , and unto one they came , " who had authority to prove the same ; " one , who with long connivencie had made " his place a stale and mercenary trade : " the will he reads , and somtimes questions them , " to try if they were understanding men ; " which had he found , without'en more ado●… " i am resolv'd he had not us'd them so : " but he observing that they were but weake " thought not to slip th' occasion he might take " to benefit himself , no matter how , " and thus he gull'd , and satisfied them too . " young men ( quoth he ) i have survey'd your state , " but i must t●…ll you , 't is so intricate , " as i protest , i either have no skill , " o●… i ne're saw a more defective will ; " but leave your names recorded by my man ▪ " som sev'n-night hence i 'll do you th' good i can . " thus as he wish'd , for that time he dispatcht them " by means of which delay , hark how he catcht them . " the matter , as he thought , might first be driven " by them to whom the legacies were given , " with whom he dealt so cunningly , as they " either for feare or profit gave him way ; " on which foundation he his project reares , " extracting treasures from the o●…phans teare●… . " for when the time came , they repair'd unto him , " expecting th' good he promised to do them , " but th' copy of his countenance was chang'd , " his meer-pretended promises estrang'd , " as one remors●…ess of the state of men , " for in this manner he accosted them : " since you were with mee , i perceive in law " this will you brought is sarcely worth a straw , " for it relation hath unto some other " which you out of your cunning seek to smother " but for as much as i doe hereby gather , " there was affection born you by your father , " both in respect of nature and of blood , " whereby i think he meant to doe you good ; " i will perswade effectualy with these " to whom your fathers will grants legacies , " and who , for ought that yet to mee appears , " may claime as much as you that are his heirs , " first , that all suits and differences might cease , " and you to have a hundred pound a peece . " which , simple soules ( for little did they know " their own estate ) they condescended to , " whereby he gain'd , as i have heard it said , " five hundred pounds , all legacies defraid . now was not this a brave probationer to keep a register for lucifer ? could one devise an apter instrument those sullied wares of machivell to vent than this impostor , this egyptian rat , whom i have seen both whoop'd & houted at . and must he live uncensur'd , and remain , as if his spotless life were free from stain ? must hee enjoy his place as he hath done , and hug oppression as he hath begun ? must he be cap'd and congi'd where you meet him , when , on my conscience , i had rather beat him ? must hee retain opinion and esteem . yes ; what 's the reason ? he has to redeem the name he lost ; with what ? with lads of gold ; why th●…n is reputation bought and sold. alas for griefe , that gold should find a cover to case vice in , and so to gild it over ! o so to gild is , but to gull the eyes , and force poore virtue lend her robe to vice ▪ had hee by order been a benedict , and of such crying crimes as these convict , he should have heard of nothing but confusion , till he had made a threefold restitution . had hee , who thus from justice did decline , us'd such corruption in severus time , were he the greatest man within his court , selling his people smoke , had smoked for 't ; or borne the highest sway in xerxes dayes , and fed his client-subjects with delayes ; hee had been sure , as in his life appeares , to have his hatefull skin pul'd ore his eares : yet has this got a pardon , and much more , by an imposed fine beg'd long before ; for this same worldly wise oppressing hammon ▪ hath made him friends by his unrighteous māmen , fore-seeing well he stood on such salse ground his naughty cause would force him to compound . whence there appears great wrong , for it is sed such have his fine as nere were injured . the poore-ones suffer , and their wrongs express , but all their cries can get them no redress : which if our prince ( so gracious is he ) knew hee 'd cause him make what restitution's due , and feed none such in their unbounded riot , who with their surfeits doe the state disquiet . but see , by talking of these corrupt benches i 'de like to have forgot three of my senses ; nor were 't a wonder , some by being crost in course of justice all their senses lost : well might i then forget my senses too , having with unjust men so much to doe ; but i have heard more than i meane to tell , my eare is clos'd , now must i to my smell . this sense in mee doth such delight begit , as mines of treasures shall not purchase it ; in every secret corner of my grate , i can smell some abuses in the state. here one both great , and of as strong a savor , by going brisk and neate creepes into favor ; another holds concurrence with the time , and hee will fall before he will not clime . here a brave spritely youth , who , as they say , wa●… but a ladies pag●… the other day , and ( such was femal bounty ) liv'd upon her , refines my smell with his perfumed honor . there one who hath more worship farr then wit , and more estate than pate to mannage it . here one , a lovely lady in her time , paints to repaire those lillies that decline , who old in yeeres , but youthfull in desire , cold in the pulse , but hot in fancies fire : and her i smell , for though her face be dyed with purest colours , she is mortified : no saint , yet earthly sented , for her breath proves she is mortall , and must cope with death . but who coms here ? ismel one neer approaching ; what madam would doe , all the day long coaching ▪ i know her well , shee doth a husband want , and 's held the only choice court-visitant for feminine discourse , though now and then she talks so broad , she 'd shame a thousand men . how far this dame is out of knowledge growne ▪ some ten yeeres since shee came but to the town with a french fidler and sung northern jigs , and after sold false tyres and periwigs : the very first inventresse of goats haire , ceruse from venice and adultrate ware ; besides shee purchas'd of a jew of late a fucus for the face at such a rate , as had some ladies nere desir'd to try it and paid well for 't , shee had been loser by it ▪ yet howsoere this maquerella trade she 's tane in court and city for a maid , though i suspect , for i have heard it said , shee stood in neede once of lucina's ayd : bu●… shee is now grown great , what matter then , if lais-like shee cope with twenty men ? for there is none held now in all our nation so fi●… to give young ladies education , so gracefull in her carriage and discourse , though vertue say , shee never heard a worse ; for shee whom vertue guides , will never seeke with shop-bought beauty to adorn the cheeke . but ' zlid who 's this smels in my nose so rank ? pandora that same lady mountebank ; who keeps a catalogue of all diseases , and choice receits , to cure them as shee pleases ; besides provocatives shee has such plenty , her well-frequented shop is never empty . if an affection to a wench should move you , shee has a powder too will cause her love you : are you by night time troubled with the mare ? about your great toe shee will ty a haire : or subject unto dreaming ? shee 'll assure you she has a soveraign oyle will throughly cure you : or pain'd with aches ? shee has , in her pack , a balm that cur'd one tortu●…'d on the rack : or hyde-bound ? she has by her such a stone as it hath pow'r to raise the skin from bone : shee has a water , that in little space , will take away all wrinkles from the face , renue the blood , refresh a wasted brain , and , like medaeas charme , bring youth again . and if you would beleeve what she 'll relate , shee 'll tell you of a cure shee wrought of late , upon a great●…nd ●…nd noble person too , who stru●…k in age , yet had a mind to woo a fresh young girle ; but he thought the sight of his white-haires would dash his motion quite : which to preve●…t , hee to this artist came , who by receits as quickly cur'd the same ; within four daies all his white-haires were reft him , whi●…h i beleeve , for not a hayre was left him . briefly , for all cures shee so far surpasses , galen and parac●…lsus were but asses compa●…'d to her , sith there be greater store of maladies then h●…ve been heretofore ; when nationall diseases that di●… show their dire effects to some one place or two , a●…e ●…ow grown universal●… ; for 〈◊〉 than , french , dutch , italian , neopolitan , have sought unto o●… coast their sores to carry ; where they a●…e grown i●… time 〈◊〉 . but who is thi●… i s●…nt ? a 〈◊〉 of dust and mouldred ashes , ye●… as full of lu●…t , as i●… her str●…ing blood b●…gun to melt with 〈◊〉 ●…f youth , 〈◊〉 ●…ere ●…d winter felt . has she no 〈◊〉 ? m●… 〈◊〉 sh●… should stir him ; sh●…e h●…s a husband , but she cares not for him . those ●…hat are chaste affect no choice , but shee would surfei●… , had shee not varietie : so strong 's her appetite , that in her plenty , she glories more then if shee were but twenty ; " such sweetness brings sins custom , as once in , " delight in sin , removes all sense of sin. more do i smell , for i am not invited , but with my smelling only am delighted ; a solemn bride-pie , which upon my life is for that fox-furd burgomasters wife now gone to marry , and has hope to breed , yet has not one sound tooth in all her head ▪ so as this youth struts by his old trots side ; for all the world like battus with his bride . but stand ; for see his crest displaid in paste , one who nere lov'd the church , to church doth hast●… to spouse his youthfull bride , whom , as 't is said , hee in he●… husbands life time formalled ; whose corpse scarce cold , no nor the poorest worm entred his coffin , nor his shroud-sheet torn , his obits done or funeral-torch burn't out , but shee 's so hot , shee needs must go unto 't : where arm in arm and cheeke to cheeke they meet●… leaving her dead lord to his winding-sheete . whence i conclude , as sexton once did cry with a loud voice to such as p●…ssed by , " how short's a womans grief , within three daies ▪ " rosemary sprigs are turn'd to gilded bayes ! thus may you see when i no flow'rs may take , of weeds for need i can a posie make and smell them too , although they give no sent to cheer●… my sense or tender her content . but men that are restrain'd of liberty must make a virtue of necessity , for unto choicer gardens those may goe , and i 'll not say but they my gather too f●…r choicer flowr's , who never were restrain'd then wee who are from common ayr●… detain'd . yet in this grate , although i be no cat ▪ i can as quickly see and smell a rat , as hee who may have liberty to range from court to th' burse , from cheapside to th' exchange : for it 's not liberty that gives man sight , unlesse hee use that liberty aright . for some will s●…e more in the darkest cave than other some who greatest freedom have ; yea i may sweare , since i was here confin'd , how ere my eyes bee , i 've a cleerer mind . but hast thou nothing to delight thy smell ? but such rank weeds as these that sent not well ? hast thou no flowers , thy cloyed sense to please , but such unsavery mugweed slips as these ? yes , i have flowr's and odors too which give soul-solacing refreshment where i live : but these are such as shall not be made known , lest by these weeds they should be overgrown , who from their loathed lives cast such a steem , as with their venom they might poyson them , which to prevent , prevention must be us'd , another proper subject i have chus'd now to discourse on , yet i will not wast●… much time iu satisfying of my taste ; for that were sensuall , and would discover i were no pris'ner but some brain-sick lover , who by his wanton mistresse task'd to more then he could do , his spirit to restore , feeds on all dainties , that he strong might grow both in himself and for his mistresse too . how should i taste ought well , since i am plac ▪ ●… where i can relish nothing but distaste ? for here in this vast c●…ve where i doe liv●… , my very consorts no contentment give : not the least be●…me of comfort sh●…nes ●…pon ●…e , but like the sore●…ll ●…ll my friends do shun mee ▪ the langu●…ge of ru●…e officers beside , whose base condition sticks not to deride my hard mish●…p , and twit mee to my face , saying , my wit brought mee to this disgrace . when feeble nature craves some small repast , though i be hungrie , i had rather fast ; for my weake stomach c●…nnot well digest the meate i have so sluttishly addrest . which makes me muse and wonder much at these , who waste their state in superfluities , sto●…ing their luscious epicureall boord with forain ca●…es to seast some forain lord ; who will accept their love , as well hee may , and , with a french shrug , laugh and go his way . now by my hopes , there'●… nought distasts me wor●… ▪ then see a grand gull thus abuse his purse , to gratifie a mounseur and his trayne , whom hee perchance shall never see againe . for this vitellian lord , that he may please that great-mans palat with varieties of all delicious meats , by land and sea sends his purveiors out , who sto●…'d must be what e're provision cost them , 't is no matter , their lord will sell his land to fish the water . yet it is brave to sport and spend the time in luscious fare , choice consorts , and rich wine ▪ to take delight in meats that best do please , fill poland salmons full of ambergreece ; and like that prince of prodigall expence , to please his humor rather then his sense , when far from sea , would only feed on fish , but neer the sea , made flesh his only dish . to revell unto midnight , and come home a sleepie sibarite , a heavie drone : next day addresse himselfe to some new taske , as make a set speech to his mistresse maske ; go see a play , and when each act doth end , rise from his stoole to commune with his friend ▪ of purpose to induce those that sit neer to think it's state that they discourse of there ; when 'las , poor stage-gulls , they 'r so far from that , as they ne're knew what such thing●… aymed at : then to make choice where they will sup that night and make their life a progresse of delight . next day invite some honorable guest , a favorite , or follower at least , to make the world take notice of him then , that hee 'll grow great by means of such great men . or at his own charge some court-shew to frame , and make the l●…dies think it was his braine that did contrive it , when , some neer him know it , his purse and not his pate did play the poet. or in his entertainment of some state , make conduit●… run with rhenish at his gate . true ; this is brave indeed and princely too , which some may better far then others doe , who racket it abroad and keep a table free for all commers , when they are unable to feed th●…mselves ; the cock on hoop is set hoping to drink their lordships out a debt . i heard of late a millener complaine of a great lord that 's prodigally vaine , who run upon his score within three quarters , five hundred pounds , for sho-ties , points & garters ; yet runs he on and feeds him with delay , and eyther cannot pay or will not pay . yet is his mind good , for he doth afford a ●…racefull presence and a gratefull word where ere he stands engag ▪ d , & it doth grieve him to be so long in debt , if they 'll believe him . but th' suite , thus he pretends , he last obtain'd ( and this 's his grief ) comes short of that he aim'd , or else hee 's out of cash , or who collects his r●…nts , detains them more then hee expects . but howso●…re hee shroud it with his wit , nor this nor that is any cause of it ; " his lusciou●… palat and delicious cook withhold him from discharging of the book . his many items daily so much spend him , as eyther must some patentees defend him , or all his ancient manors are forgone , which may be soone , for he had never none , only some few he got since he came hither , which with himselfe are shrinking both together . but stay ; me thinks there 's nought distasts me mor●… than to behol●… a rude uncivil bore whom nurture , nor good nature ever had , whose father liv'd by nought but selling woad , by means of better fortune to obtaine more grace then men of more deserts may gaine ; his honor is his purchase , and his fate to raise himself to greatnesse by his state : for merit who esteems it ? when men crave to know not what we are , but what we have ? now by those hopes i have of future blisse , there 's nothing mads me h●…lf so much as this ; for who can brook to see a groundling rise to titles of such honor and high prize , doing no worthy act in all his time , unlesse it were the gelding of a swine , as i heard once a mad-conceited jig , of one made knight for rosting of a pig : and dietloph brand obtain'd ( some say ) as muc●… with rostock beare who overthrew the dutch ▪ which story made me laugh , for on a time a boon-companion and a friend of mine telling this tale , one of a light conceit ( which made the jest more full ) replied streight by thus retorting it ; now by this light , i wonder much why you 'r not made a knight ; for if to healths such knightly vailes befall , you's drinke a health with any of them all . but to the purpose ; though i force a smile , i 'd rather mone th' abuses of our i le . again , to see those who have well deserv'd , how they can shew their warlike bodies carv'd , their arms disjoynted , or their legs cut off , yet for all this rewarded with a scoff ; their service wants least solace , for out peace makes us conceive small pitty toward these : yet their designes were glorious , and the cause for which they fought deserv'd no lesse applause , but see their end , for all the time they serv'd , the most of these are eyther hang'd or starv'd . now to propose some due reward to these , nought were more fit , if it the state would please , than to injoyne the miserable chrone ( i meane the usurous oppressing one ) whose only sport it is , and recreation , to see a dearth of grain in all our nation ; who grates , regrates , grinds and engrosseth all , laughs when our markets rise , grives when they fall , who will not sell his corn if men should die ; but stops his eare against their ruthfull crye : then to injoyn ( i say ) his stonie heart , some portion of his substance to impart to a deserving souldier , and know my reason 's this why i would have it so . this earth-adoring and admiring wretch , who craves no more then that he may be rich , lives safe at home , his family attend him , but all this while the souldier doth defend him ▪ snayle-like at home hee ever makes aboad , and little feels the dangers are abroad ; while the encamped souldier doth endure the worst extremes the miser to secure : from sleep hee wakes , with noyse of least alarm . surveys the campe , prevents ensuing harm ; rampiers he reares , fortes , bulwarks , palisadoes , mures , countermures , stores his wel-rig'd armadoes : the key-cold ground , the field-bed , wher he rests him where not one minute but some fear molests him : all which he beares with patience for this elfe , who cares not who fall so he save himselfe . now ought not he to share in his encrease , who by his danger doth secure his peace ? do wee not see each one relieve his cur , who on the night-time barks and makes a stur to shield his masters house from those would venter ▪ but for fear of discovery , to enter ? and shall a cur so kindly be entreated , and a poor souldier of his right defeated ? can one delight so much a cur to cherish . and suffer one , endow'd with reason , perish ? nor for my self do i this comfort seek , for ( as i think , i 'm in for all the week ) although perchance i have as great delight , in a good cause , as any one to fight , and would be loth to spare my dearest blood , if shedding it might do my countrey good : but diverse means are form'd for diverse men , some are to fight with pike and some with pen ; eyther of which requires aspirit stout , to vanquish fiends within , or foes without . but say , can neither eye , eare , taste , nor smell afford thee ought that may content thee well ? can no choice object to thy eye appeare , nor no melodious accent to thy eare , no fragrant perfume to refresh thy scent while thou art here in lists of thraldom pent ; no sense-affecting-solacing repast that may delight or relish thy distast ? can none of these thy drooping spirit cheere , or ease thy griefe while thou art lodged here ? yes , yes , in every faculty i find . somthing to give contentment to my mind ; for thus i argue ; if these breed such loathing , i must infer , on earth there can be nothing , bee 't nere so pleasant-seeming or so moving , that may in any measure merit loving . which to confirme , as i conceiv'd distast in all those former senses that are past , now , for my love i bear the commonweale , heare but the griefs i for her sake do feele . much do i feele , for even my heart doth ake , not for my self , but for my country sake , wherein ther 's nought doth me so neerly touch as to see great-men wrong the state so much . for ther 's no place , we heare not some of these tax'd and reprov'd for their monopolies , which they will beg that they their turns may serve , no matter though the common-people starve . o age me thinks thou art distracted growne to squeeze a whole state for advancing one ! and what 's that one ? a profuse rioter , who spends upon a painted sepulcher what ere he gains by begging ; thus the poor are forced to maintain a great mans whoor . they want , he surfeits ; they may pine and die , hee hears , but takes small pitty on their crie . they crave one crum of comfort , he denies them , and when he meets them , stops his nose & flies them , he all enjoys whatso'ere may like him well , and on his foot-cloth rides in state to hell. o yee high peering mounts incline your ear unto the counsel of a prisoner ! for do not think , although i be in thrall , that i will humor any of you all ; i have not learn'd to flatter hitherto , and i do scorn to take the trade up now . but what 's my counsell ? labour to deserve well of your prince whom you are bound to serve , hate to inhance your state , or fill your purses with wofull widows tears and poor-mens curses ; that gaine must needs be ill , be 't more or lesse , that 's suck'd and strained from the fatherlesse . scorne to enrich your selves by others hate , or rayse your selves by razing of the state. and for as much i heare that some of you , which i protest doth much my grief renue , support your followers in an u●…just cause , against the course and tenure of the laws ; so as they care not what they undertake , because they shall be favor'd for your sake : surcease for shame to countenance a wrong , either by letter or perswasive tongue ; for there is nought on earth , right sure i am ▪ detracteth more from any noble-man , then with the brand of injury to stain him , for love of any on●… that doth retain him . for this such deep impression leavs behind it , as on your graves succeeding times sh●…ll find it , where it will live long after you be dead , and sprinkle hatefull poyson on your seed . and you the reverend judges of the land , stand in defence of right whosoe're withstand your just proceedings , let no favor draw you , nor fear of any great-one over-aw you . doe you not think it were a shame to heare such men as you , who on your shoulders beare the burden of the state , and should take care to guard the prince and those his subjects are , e're to decline from doing what is right , for love , or lucre , enmity or might ? patrons and patterns you should be of truth , to curbe the misdemeanors of our youth , whose unconfined wills are rather bent to ill then good , unless they feel restraint : but for as much as i have heard some say , that great-mens power hath ever born much sway in seates of justice , which should be so pure , as neither power could awe , nor love allure ; that you from course of justice less may swerve observe the rule which cato did observe : who on ●… time , when he in judgement sat professing truth , the scope he aymed at , receiv'd a letter , which in post-haste came from one who was esteem'd a special man then in the state ; addressed to this end , to spare pronouncing judgement on his friend . but he , suspecting what th' contents might ●…e , meant to prevent him by this policie , and that he might procede in judgment better , fi●…st sentenc'd him , and after read the letter . o then to all alike just judgement render as you the safety of the state doe tender ! grant great ones no exemption , who alledge they may offend by writ of priviledge ; but make them know , that you have pow'r to strik●… ( if they impugn the law ) all men alike . this if you do , which ●…onscience bids you doe , good men will love , and ill men feare you too . yea god himself , who 's present in your court , sees your uprightness and sh●…ll bless you for'●… . and you strife-stirring ▪ lawyers , who have sold too oft your souls , more oft your tongues for gold ▪ like some foule leprosy my muse would shun you but that the state complaines so much upou you . eye your profession , and examine then if you your selves be such condition'd men , as both the state requireth at your hands and with the form of your profession stands . and what is this , but that you should take heed what cause you take in hand , for whom you plead , whom you pe●…swade , and with perswasion mad , saying their cause is good , when it is bad , how you doe earne your fees ? for some mens aym are by delayes to multiply their gaines : for know , that you , who should judicious bee , are first to weigh the cause , then take your fee ; and if 't be such a cause 't will bear no water , perswade your client to compound the matter : but if the cause be good , fall soundly to it , and slight it not , for so you might undo it . what shame were 't then to see men of your co●… distemperd with a swelling in the throat : a dangerous infectious disease , sp●…ung from the practice of demosthenes ; whom the mil●…sians feeing on a time , that to their cause he might the more incline , hee , when he should the matter fully break , had got the * squinancie , and could not speak . o take you heed of this , lest god withhold speech from your tongues thus tipt and tide wit●… gold and you the gentry , who retaine the name , but not th●… worth , of those from whence you came ▪ you , who should be life , hope , and all that 's deere both to your selves , and such as neighbour neere , observe yo●…r ranke , and in your ranke so live , as to your house you may no scandall give . alasse , for griefe , that ere it should be sed , so many hopefull plants are withered ; such ancient houses , where reliefe was found by way-beat passengers , now raz't to ground ! and whence comes this , but from improvidenc●… , neglect of state , profusenese of expence ? so as me thinks , i heare poore earth complaine and chide her brats for being so profane ; that th' antient badge of hospitality , should be defac'd by prodigality ; cloaths , made to cover shame , and colour sin ▪ are now habilliments to glory in : meates , given to suffice nature , not delight . must satisfy our liqu'rish appetite : drinks , to refresh , times so distemper'd are ▪ must drink down debt , apply a cure to care ▪ of which disorderd rank , i knew of late a youth of faire and eminent estate ; who in few yeares had hi●… estate ●…o seeke from pissing conduit that doth stand in cheap ▪ but in my judgement , there is none of these brings ruine to our ancient families , so much as profane swearing , which doth call like that hand-writing showne upon the wall for vengeance on them that the same do use , " gods curse must nere depart from swearers house . and yet i see , and sigh to say i see , how in this land , where god should honour'd be with duest praises , for her great increase of earthly blessings , and continued peace , the gentry of our ile , should think no shame , with new coin'd oaths to profane his name : which is their parents fault , who so much love them , that when they hear them swear they 'l scarce reprove them : yea though they curse ere they be wean'd from teat ▪ and learne to sweare , before they learn to speak , they must not be rebuk'd , but mark their ends , and you 'l conclude their parents , their worst frends . and you , deceitful tradesmen , whose great'st care it to contrive dark shops , to vent false ware , scorne with injurious practise to deceive such as in you , their trust reposed have ; and day by day the chandlers case remember , as you the welfare of your necks do tender . lastly to you my brethren , who by nature , are woodmen borne and gotten by a satyre : examine ere you publish any line , for i must tell you 't is a dang'rous time ; the state is jealous , and will have an eye on such wild-headed waggs as you and i. be warie then good boyes , and have a care , least in my censure yee do likewise share , which could not chuse but turne to your disgrace ▪ besides your lothsom lodging in this place : where , trust me , though i doe not lye with any , spight of my teeth i goe to bed with many ; and which is strange , backbiters have i more since i lay here then e're i had before . but heark , while i am taxing others sin , my fellows they are roaring now within ; i must withdraw ; my keeper he doth call , and now my grate is shut ; good-night to all . exit spectrum a postscript . no sooner was my grate closed , than i from my prospect barred ; retiring my self to my rest , which was as restlesse as my fortunes haplesse , my friends hopelesse and helplesse . neither did this lessen , but heighten my misery , to have mine eye barred from liberty , by being shut from my prospect of vanity : but beggars must be no choosers , nor prisoners disposers ; with patience i retired , resolving to enjoy my selfe , though of all outward joyes deprived and joy in the liberty of my minde , though of bodily freedom restrained . neither indeed ( to doe as surlie cerberus right ) was my argus-eyed porter so relentlesse , as wholly to restrain mee ; for his promise was unto mee , next morning betime to tender mee a courtesie , by giving mee free recourse to my grate ; where i resolved to spend the next day in a serious survey of such passengers and passages as happily might encounter mee , and make themselves objects to an embleme of misery . but see how humane purposes are diverted ! implying , that nothing can bee by man , so long as hee is man , firmly resolved : for , next day , addressing my selfe to my old taske , i understood by one of the knights-ward , that divers broken and decayed merchants , whose estate , howsoever it seeme to the eye of the world , razed , yet ( so wise is humane policy ) their supposed heirs are to great fortunes raised ; were inquisitive how they might procure a trustie and faithfull retainer , who had knowledg in keeping of a booke , casting an account , and such necessary parte at properly concerned men of their ranke . upon which enquiry , she whole house , to doe mee a courtesy , and add some small comfort to my present misery ▪ preferred mee ; knowing mee to have a little smattering in arithmetick , and in that respect fittest to bee imployed for such an instrument ; since which time i have used all diligence to tender them all possible content ; wherein i have so far prevailed , as with the generall suffrage of these decayed magnificoes , it is lately concluded , that if it come to passe ( as much may bee ) that they may eyther by meanes of protection , or some other enfranchisement to them granted , attaine to the honour of a company , i shall forthwith bee made their remembrancer ; which place i shall right willingly accept , intending to remember them upon all occasions . hence then appeareth the cause why i am from further survey restrained , being in affaires of higher consequence imployed ; having no time to betake mee to writing or from wasting my spleene with laughing ; to see so many deluded creditors bemoaning the fall of my politick masters , whose well-cram'd coffers are so well stored , as they will feed the breaker , though the creditor bee starved . to discover their treasure , were to betray their trust ; i were a knave then i●… bee lesse then trustie , although they bee knaves in grain that doe trust mee ; only know thus much , there are many here in this city , to my knowledge , that beare their heads high , keepe their shops ope , walke the exchange , and retaine an opinion of mighty merchants , who come many thousands short of these in substance . so as my comfort is ( for gold to the eye-sight is very soveraign ) i have enjoyed the sight of more treasure since i was restrained , then ere i enjoyed being freed . but silence becomes a man of m●… place ; let this suffice , i enjoy more by sight then ever their thirstie creditors are like to possesse ; s●… high am i in trust with those who have advanced their fortunes by best be trust . now to these , wh●… would have mee proceed further in my survey or display of vanity ; having found poveety an individuate to poetry , my answere it ; when i have hope to gain●… so much by my reader as by my breaker , hee shall heare further from meee . now to my charge . — — — — — — " thus my wise-masters burnish though they burst ; " foxes fare ever best , when they are curst . the copy of a letter sent from a burgess of the lower-house , to the brittle society , or broken company of bankrupt-merchants , . masters and magistrates ▪ whose timely policy hath got you the deserved name of a provident company ; know that both-houses , wherein i was employed as an especiall member , have taken into their consideration the qualitie of a breaker : wherefore i thought good , in respect of that ancient familiarity , and inviolable league of former amity which did somtimes cement us so neere together , to propose certain cautious observations , not so much for your behoofe , who are excluded from this number ; and consequently exempted from their censure ; as for our dispersed bankrupts who have broke since the sixt of october , whose persons and estates are only made lyable to the extent of a legall censure . first therefore to discover to you and your brittle corporation some apparent remonstrances of my affection ( yet not so as my love should forget forme , or my letter method ; ) my purpose is to reduce this schedule to you directed , to four main heads or principall points ; where , in the first branch , i meane to make known what was objected against you ; secondly , what was answered for you ; thirdly , what was enacted ; and lastly , certain directions , by way of prevention proponnded , that the force or virtue of that act might bee frustrated or diverted . for the first , divers bills of complaint were preferred against you , and with much heate prosecuted ; sundry main objections pressed , the substance or effect whereof i have no lesse freely couched , then friendly touched , that in your memories they may bee the deeper imprinted . it was objected , and that with much vehemency , by a rawbone knight , who , is it seemd , had been formerly conversant with men of your quality , which occasioned him to exasperate the businesse against you more feelingly . that if such as you were suffered to get mens estates into your hands under pretence of commerce , and then fraudulently shut up shop , as if the light of you fortunes had received a dampe , there would it time bee no commerce in this i●…and , but an utter decay or decrease of all trades ; the reason hee alledged was this , because , said hee , every profession by way of commerce , useth to have dependence upon mens reputation or credit ; now if this reputation ( the buttresse of every profession ) faile ▪ needs must all commerce , relying upon mens reputation fall . this objection was illustrated by divers apt similitudes , to add more lustre to his proposition , and detract the more from your profession . the state , quoth hee , is a body politick , and may bee aptly compared to a body naturall and organicall ; the belly or maw of this body is the commonaltie , whereto other parts stand engaged to relieve her necessity ; with these she consorteth and commerceth , and on their engaged reputation shee relyeth : the eye promiseth to direct her ; the hand to relieve her , and the foote to support her : if these infringe their promise shee of necessity must perish , because their mutuall supportance requires a mutuall assistance ; which neglected , the whole fabrick must be dissolved : so fares it with the body politick , where one veine drawes blood from another ; if one veine grow too full the whole body suffers for it , which distemper admits no prevention but by phlebotomy and incision ; full bodies must bee purged ; spungie and ranke vines pruned ; grounds overflowing drained , and impostum'd sores launced ; much more this gangrene of our state , which menaceth ruine to the whole body , if it be not prevented by a speedy remedy : for tell mee , shall these ulcerous scarabees , who feede on others fortunes , and fat themselves with others ruines , receive countenance from us , respect by us , or expect lesse then an exemplary censure of us ? shall these horsleaches , who suck till they swell , swell till they burst , be suffered any more to nestle amongst us ? shall these lazie ▪ labourers reape what they have not sowne , eate o●… the fruit they have not planted , or receive profit for what they never ventured ? and more tollerable were it , if they parted but stakes , or only shared in the benefit of others adventures ; althoug●… for this they never laboured , but like egregiou●… land-sharks , to strip their honest creditors ( an●… ruine others to enrich themselves ) of all , and appropriate all to themselves ; what civill or well-gogovern'd state can endure ? i ( quoth hee ) no●… without just cause , am induced to prosecute this argument , being a matter of such generall consequence , as many families must suffer while they su●…feit , and want the staffe of bread , while they gro●… fat with the bread of deceit : neither am i ignorant how many impious imps of that societie , mak●… the royall-exchange their plotting-gallerie , o●… state-consistory , where they project ruine to thei●… creditor , and advancement to their seldom-thriving-successor : nay , which is worse , i have see●… in my time one of these bankrupt-merchants , aft●… recovery of their pretended breach , brave it with such insolency , as i have wondred how a christia●… face could bee so brazed , or with such impudenc●… glazed , as so soone to forget his sinne or sleight hi●… shame ; but what will not an habituate custom●… produce , especially where greatnesse becomes ●… subterfuge to guiltinesse ? it was an ancieat law among the persians , that whosoever was more 〈◊〉 ▪ to receive then requite , should suffer death . what censure then should be pronounced on these , who receive more then is given them , retain more then is due unto them , and infringe their faith to such as repose trust in them ? violation , or breach of faith , was so odious and contemptible a thing to heathen men , as they preferred a noble end , before so ignoble a brand ; their reputation was their glory , their honour was their prize , and their good name that precious odor which perfumed them living , and embalm'd them dying . when a poore woman complained to tamberlaine , that one of his souldiers had drunke some of her milke , for which hee had not paid , he caused the souldier whom the woman accused to bee brought forth , and for this pettie injury to bee ript up , that it might appeare whether her accusation were true or false ; which if it had proved otherwise then shee affirmed , had been on her selfe inverted , by inflicting on this woman the selfe same punishment which was practised on this delinquent . if a souldier , whose profession is commonly injurie and rapine , deserved so heavy a censure , for so light and veniall an error , what may hee seeme to deserve who professeth all urbanitie , liveth in a state famous for civilitie , and whose very garbe is a complement of honestie ? sure ( with all reservancy of respect to you before whom i speake ) i cannot imagine how any censure can be too rigorous to men of a condition so odious and injurious . how much this speech was approved and silently applauded might appeare by the seriou●… attention of the whole house ; so as , doubtlesse the bill had past presently upon the delivery of thi●… speech , had not one , whose copyhold this cas●… concerned , boulted upright ; who pulling a littl●… downe his gregorian , which was displac't a little by hastie taking off his bever , sharpning his peake and erecting his distended mouchato's , proceede●… in this answere ; not only to avert the force of those objections already pressed , but to divert their intentions towards this act , to the furthering whereof hee saw the house generally inclined . it is admirable to note with what prepared facilitie and singular proprietie the tongue can make expression of the minde , in any subject which it intends either to dignifie or disgrace ; so as ( to use anacharsi●… words , ) it had need of a more strong restraint th●… nature . how violent this gentleman who spake last hath been in disgracing , yea suppressing the ancient company of breakers you have partly heard ●… and the reasons hee alledged to confirme his discourse , which i must ingeniously confesse , were both many and weighty ; so as i perceive by outward appearances , that they have left such deep●… impression in this honorable assembly , as the print●… thereof cannot bee easiliy razed , unlesse reasons of equall or more high consequence bee produced , to answere those which have beene already objected . first therefore , i will lay open unto you what an excellent ground of state-policie relies on the continuance of these broken merchants ; whose suppression would bee an occasion of sundry maine inconveniences in the publick state ; for , if prevention bee the life of policie , how so one would this life be extinguished ; if it had no subjects of prevention whereby it might bee exercised ? if there were no breakers to circumvent , the merchants needed no policie to prevent ; which would in time inure them to securitie , and make them ignorant in the cautions of preventing policie . yea , but it is objected , that these bankrupt merchants are profest enemies to all civill commerce ; admit this were so , yet in some cases it is as necessarie to have enemies as friends . nasica , when the roman common-weal was supposed to bee in most secure estate , because free of their enemies , affirmed ; that though the achaians and carthaginians were both brought under the yoke of bondage , yet they were in most danger , because none were left whom they might eyther feare for danger , or who should keepe them in awe . the like course observed oenomademus , in the i le of chios , when hee counselled his fellowes , that they should not expell all their enemies , but still leave some in the city ; lest ( quoth hee ) being void of all our enemies , we should begin to quarrel with our friends : besides , if our wealthy traders should not somtimes encounter with these rubs , their much prosperity would make them insolent , so as labouring with their owne burden , they would become profuse rioters in the smooth progress●… of their fortunes , so as i may properly retort th●… last speakers words upon himselfe , and confidently affirme , that these decayed merchants are excellen●… phlebotomists to purge the ful bodies of such tradesmen , who by continuance of commerce are grow●… too rich . telephus , when hee could finde none amongst his friends to cure his wound , permitte●… his enemy to doe it ; so hee who purposed to kill prometheus the thessalian , oepend his imposthum●… with his sword ; this imposthum'd member is the rich tradesman , who must be lanced before he can be cured ; a continued successe in commerce hath corrupted him ; prosperitie , which best declare●… what men bee , hath transported him ; so as by all likelyhood hee would hazard the losse of himselfe , if hee encountred with no losses to make him feele himselfe ; the wisedome therefore of the time hath found out an expert chyrurgeon to lance him , and lancing cure him ; an experienc'd physician to purge him , and purging recover him ; an exquisite gardiner●…o ●…o p●…une him , and pruning refine him : and would you have such a singular artist censured ? besides all this , reflect on the benefit which redounds to the publick state , in their death as well as life ; for these broken merchants having raised and inhanced their fortunes , no sooner die then they invest their wives in whatsoever their thriving providence hath scrap'd together ; who after some extorted teares , forc'd with much pumping from the lymbe●…k of their eyes , plant their affection on some younger brother , to whom they make an entayl'd estate of whatsoever was left them by this breaker . thus , like honest men ( though much against their will ) they make decayed gallants their inheritors , who sing a requiem for their soules while they set their patrimonies at sale ; and good women , when these young rioters have left them nothing but rags of misery , they never exclaim , but patiently conclude , it was their destinie . againe , i can see no reason why these tradesmen should preferre any such bill of complaynt against these bankrupts ; seeing they confesse how much in their course of trading they have gained by them , which will not only countervaile their losse , but might bee an inducement to qualifie their demands : yea , suppose all were true as these tradesmen affirme , and that these broken merchants were the utter ruine of their fortunes , who by getting commodities into their hand and so breaking , have diverted the current of all trading . yet let these tradesmen lay their hand on their heart , aud tell mee if they have not by times cheated these merchants sonnes as often as they themselves were ever cheated by their fathers . all then that they can justly complain of , is but a little delay or drift of time , for when oportunity shal be offer'd i make little doubt , but these who were once del●…ded , and by the subtlety of these ancient merchants circumvented , will requite the fathers policie by working on his sons simplicitie . an age then at most will make all streight amongst them , so as whatsoever was injuriously hooked by the predecessors provi●…ence , will bee as speedily retendred by the successors weaknesse . neither have i produced all those reasons which might bee here alledged by courtiers and state-favorites , who should 〈◊〉 great prejudice by occasion of this act. for , whereas formerly protections were usually procured to secure these decayed merchants from arests ; and consequently enable them to work their owne peace ; employments of which nature raised no small profit to the busie courtier ; there will bee now no occasion for any such employment , which would drive the courtier to a pitifull exigent . lastly , for i hope i shall not neede any further to presse this argument , being with such pregnant reasons confirmed ; how many grave , judicious and disc●…et states men have wee in this our iland ( and some in this honourable house ) who , if they had beene ●…ip't in the head upon their first fall , ha●… never a●…tayned the honour to show their sufficienc●… in so brave an assembly ? whose aymes as they were generous , so were their ends glorious , resembling antaeus , who so often as hee was thrown●… downe to the earth , received fresh strength , but being lifted up was soone ●…amed : so they , whe●… their fortunes seeme most depressed , meanes o●… advancement diverted , and so many rubs to thei●… future hopes objected , remaine so firmly resolve●… as they vanquished misfortune with patience : and crowned their fortunes with a glorious conquest . this speech , as it relished well in the palats of some , so it distasted others ; for some there were who muttered underneath , that they smelled a rat ●… others stick't not to say , that this last speaker had surely some affinity with a breaker : * so as in conclusion , to the great griefe of many true-hearted fractors , as well principall merchants , as puny factors , who wished your crazie profession well ; the last mans speech was utterly exploded , and the first approved and applauded ; upon which dolorous conclusion , with consent of the whole house , it was in expresse termes thus enacted against you . for as much as daily experience sheweth , that the number and multitude of bankrupts doe encrease more and more : and also the fraudes and deceits invented and practised for the avoyding , frustrating and defrauding the penalties of the good lawes in that behalfe already made , and the said remedy by them provided , &c. bee it enacted , that all and singular the aforesaid statutes and l●…wes heretofore made against bankrupts , and for reliefe of the creditors , shall bee in all things largely and beneficially construed and ●…xpounded for the ayde , helpe and relief of the creditors , or suc●… person or persons as already bee or hereafter sh●…ll become bank●…upt . and that all and every person and per●…ons using the trade of merchandize by way of bargayning , exchange , bartering , 〈◊〉 , &c ▪ or shall use the trade or profession of a * scrivener ▪ receiving other mens monies or ●…states into his trust or custody , who at ●…ny time after the end of this presen●… session of parliament , shall either by himselfe , o●… others by his proc●…ement , obtaine any protectio●… or protections , other then such person or person●… as sh●…ll bee l●…wfully protected by the priviledge o●… parliament , &c. thereby desiring or endeavorin●… to compell or enforce them , or any of them , to ac cept lesse then ●…heir just and principall debts , or 〈◊〉 procure time or lo●…ger dayes of payment then w●… given at the time of their original contract : or bei●… indebted to any person or persons in the sum of o●… hundred pounds or more , shall not pay , or othe●… wise compound for the same , within six monet●… next after the same shall grow due , and the debt●… be arested for the same , &c. or being arested fo●… debt , shall af●…er his or her arest lie in prison t●… moneths or more , upon that or any other arest 〈◊〉 detention in prison for debt , &c. or procure 〈◊〉 enlargement by putting in common or hired bay●… shall bee accounted and adjudged a bankrupt , to all intents and purposes . bee 〈◊〉 further enacted , that the like commissions , o●…ders , benefits , provisions and remedies which are and bee provided and limited by the said former acts of parliaments made eliz. & jac. concerning his , her , or their lands , tenements , hereditaments , &c. shall and may bee had , pursued , taken and expounded against such person and pe●…sons as are herein and hereby declared , described or expressed to bee bankrupts , and against his , her and their lands , tenements , hereditaments , &c. and bee it further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that the same orders , benefits and remedies , which are and be provided and limited by this present act , ag●…inst any bankrupts , or for , or concerning his , her or their lands , tenements , hereditaments , &c. or the discovery of them , or any of them , shall from henceforth bee had , pursued , taken and expounded against such person and persons , as are declared or expressed to bee bankrupts , by the said former acts of parliaments , or either ●…f them , and against his , her and their lands , tenements , hereditaments , &c , in such manner and forme , as the same ought and might have beene , if the persons in the said former statutes , or eyther of them , described to be bankrupts , had beene mentioned and described to be bankrupts in and by this present act. and whereas by the former laws and provisions orda●…ned , the commissioners appointed have limited power to examine the bankrupt himselfe , &c. b●… some doubt hath beene made , whether their powe●… did extend to examine the wives of the 〈◊〉 touching the same , by reason whereof the bankrupt●… wives doe daily conceale and convey away , and cause to bee conveyed much part of their hu●…bands monies , wares , &c. by meanes whereof much of the b●…ukrupts estate is concealed and deteined from the creditors . for cleering the said doubt , bee it declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid , that after such time as any person shall by the said commissioners , executing the said commission , or the greater part of them , bee lawfully adjudged or declared to be a bankrupt , the said commissioners executing such commission , shall have power and authority to examine upon o●…th , the wife and wives of all and every such bankrupt , for the finding out * and discovery of the estate , and estates , good●… and chattels of such bankrupt or bankrupts , concealed , secretly kept , or disposed of by such wife or wives , in their own persons , or by their owne act or meanes , or by any other person or persons . and that shee and they the said wife and wives shall incur such danger and penalty , for not coming before the said commissioners , or for refusing to bee sworne and examined , or for not disclosing the truth upon her or their examination or 〈◊〉 , as in and by the said former lawes , or ●…yther of them , is already made and provided against any other person or pe●…sons , in like cas●…s . and if any b●…nkrupt sh●…ll upon his or her ex●…ination , taken before the said comm●…ssioners , be found fraudu●…ently or deceitf●…lly to have convey●…d aw●…y his or her goods , chattels , &c. to the v●…lue of twenty pounds or above , purposely to hind●…r the execution of this statute , & shall not upon his or her examination discover unto the said commissio●…ers , and ( if it lie in their power ) deliver to the said commissioners all that estate , goods and chat●…els , so f●…audulently and deceitfully conveyed away , sh●…ll or may bee indicted for such f●…aud or abu●…e , at the assize●… or generall sessions , &c. and if upon such indictment or indictments , the b●…nkrupt bee thereof convicted , hee or shee so convicted , shall bee se●… upon the pillory , * in some publick place , for the space of two houres , & have one of his or her ears nailed to the pillory , and cut off . and for that some doubt is conceived whether the cō n●…ssioners , in case of resistance , have power by the former l●…wes to breake op●…n , or cause to bee broken open the house or houses of su●…h bankrupts , &c. bee it therefore enacted , that in execution of the s●…id commission , it sh●…ll bee lawfull to and for the said commissioners , or any other person or persons , by them , or the greater part of them , deputed by their warrant or warrants , under their hands and seales , to breake open the house or houses , chambers , shops , warehouses , &c. where th●… said bankrupt , or any of his or her goods or estate shall be , or reputed to be , and to seize them , and order the body , goods and chattels , ready money , and other estate of such bankrupt , as by the said former●… lawes are limited and appointed . and for the better division and distribution of the lands , tenements , hereditaments , &c. amongst his or her creditors , bee it enacted that the commissioners , or the greatest part of them , shall and may examin upon oath , or by any other waies or meanes , as to them shall seeme meete , any person or persons , for the finding out and discovery of the truth and certaintie of the severall debts due and owing to all such creditor and creditors as shall seeke reliefe by such course of commission to bee used forth , as aforesaid : and that all and every creditor and creditors , having security for his or their severall debts by judgement , statute , recognizance , &c. or having made attachment in london or any other place , by virtue of any custome there used , of the goods and chattels of any such bankrupt , whereof there is no execution or extent served and executed upon any the lands , tenements , hereditaments , goods , chattels , and other estate of such bankrupt , before such time as hee or shee shall or doe become bankrupt , shall not bee relieved upon any such judgement , statute , recognizance , specialty , attachment or other security , for more then a reteable part of their just and due debts . and bee it further enacted , that if any the lands , tenements , goods , chattels , debts , or other estate of any bankrupt bee extended after such time as hee or shee is become a bankrupt , by any person or persons , under colour or pretence of his or their being an accountant , or any way indebted unto our soveraigne , his heirs or successors , that then it shall bee lawfull to and for the said commissioners , to examine upon oath whether the said debt were due to such debtor or accomptant : and if such contract was originally made , it shall and may bee lawfull to and for the said commissioners to order , determine and dispose of all such lands , tenements , hereditaments , goods , chattels and debts , so extended as aforesaid , to and for the use of the creditors , which shall seeke reliefe by the said commission , and for that it often falls out , that many persons before they become bankrupt , doe convey their goods to other men upon good consideration , yet still doe keepe the same and are reputed the owners thereof , and dispose the same as their owne : bee it enacted , that if at any time hereafter , any person or persons shall become bankrupt , and at such time as they shall become bankrupt , shall by the consent and permission of the true owner and proprietarie , have in their possession , order and disposition , any goods or chattels , whereof they shall bee reputed owners , and take upon them the sale , alteration or disposition as owners ; that in every such case , the said commissioners , or the greater part of them shall have power to sell and dispose the same , t●… and for the benefit of the creditors , which shall seeke reliefe by the said commission , as fully as any other part of the estate of the bankrupt . and for the better payment of debts , and discouraging me●… to become bankrupts . bee it further enacted that the said commissioners ( on whom this authority is expresly conferred ) or the greate●… number of them , shall have power , by virtue of this act , by deede indented , and inrolled within six moneth●… after the making thereof , in some of his majestie●… courts of record at westminster , to grant , bargain , sell and convey any manors , lands , tenements or hereditaments , whereof any bankrupt i●… o●… shall be in any waies seized of any estate in tayle , in possession , reversion or remainder , and whereo●… no reversion or remainder is , &c. to any person o●… persons , for the reliefe and benefit of the credito●… of all such bankrupts , &c. and bee it further enacted , that if any perso●… 〈◊〉 now is , or hereafter shall become bankrupt have here●…fore granted , conveyed or assured , o●… shall at any time hereafter grant , convey or assur●… an●… lands ▪ tenements , hereditaments , goods ch●…ttels , or other estate , unto any person or persons upon condition or power of redemption , at●… day to come , by payment of money or otherwise that it shall and may bee lawfull , to and for th●… said commissioners , or the greater part of them before the time of the performance of such conditions , to assigne and appoint , under their hands and seales , such person or persons as they shall think fit , to make tender or payment of money or other performance according to the nature of such condition , as fully as the bankrupt might have done , &c. at the end of which act these two provisions were thought fit to bee annexed : provided further , that no purchasor , for good and valuable consideration shall bee impeached by virtue of this act , or any act heretofore made against bankrupts , unlesse the commission to prove him or her a bankrupt , be sued forth against such bankrupt within five yeers after hee or they shall become bankrupt . provided further , and bee it enacted by the authority aforesaid , that this act , and all other acts of parliament heretofore made against bankrupts , shall extend to strangers borne , as well a iens as denizens , as effectually , as to the natural born subjects , both to make them subject to the lawes as bankrupts , as also to make them capable of the benefit of contribution , as creditors by those lawes . excuse me now ( my ancient and familiar friends ) in that i have longer insisted upon the verball repetition of all materiall points and branches of this statute ; for i am not ignorant how much the review and perusall thereof concerns you ; but fearing lest the length hereof might beget in you a kind of wearinesse ( having your heads at this time working about affayres of high consequence ) i have here reduced all those particulars to one abstract , punctually comprehending the substance of every branch contained in this act. first , all such laws and statutes as were heretofore made against bankrupts , and for reliefe of creditors , are for the better reliefe and redresse of the said creditors , largely and beneficially construed and expounded . secondly , the qualitie , nature and condition of a bankrupt is in his colours lively described , displayed and discovered . thirdly , the like commissions , orders , benefits and remedies which are , and bee provided & limited by the said former acts of parliament made eliz. and jac. against any bankrupts , shall bee prosecuted and expounded against such bankrupts , as by their especiall , personall marks are herein declared or expressed . fourthly , the same orders , benefits and remedies which are by this present act provided and limited against any bankrupt , shall henceforth be pursued & expounded against such person and persons as by the said former acts of parliaments are declared or expressed to bee bankrupts . fiftly , the commissioners power is illustrated ; a doubt , touching examination of bankrupts wives cleered , and the penalties whereto refractory women are incident , in cases of denying or refusing to be examined , fully expressed . sixtly , what publick punishment shall be on such men or women inflicted , as upon examination shall be either found to have concealed the truth , or conveyed such estates as were theirs , or to them upon trust recommended . seventhly , the commissioners authority is inlarged , and to the breaking open of the bankrupts house , warehouse , chamber , shop , chest or trunck authorized . eighthly , there is a course proposed , how division and distribution of the bankrupts lands and goods , to the reliefe of the creditor shall be disposed , and how to every one a ratable part is to be apportioned . ninthly , if any lands , tenements , goods , chattels , debts , or other estate of any bankrupt chance to be extended under colour or pretence of being accomptant or any way indebted to our soveraigne lord , his heirs or successors ; the said commissioners are to examine upon oath , whether the said debt were due to the said debtor or accomptant : and if such bargaine or contract was originally made , the said commissioners are to order and dispose of all such lands , &c. so extended , to the sole use of the creditors , who seeke reliefe by the said commission , and to whose behoofe they are to bee converted . tenthly , if any bankrupt shall with the consent and permission of the true owner and proprietarie , have in their possession any goods or chattels , whereof they shall bee reputed owners , they shall be by the commissioners power lawfully disposed , and to the creditors reliefe converted , that debts may be better discharged , and bankrupts hereafter discouraged . eleventhly , the time when this authority or power should be to these commissioners granted , in what manner exhibited , and in what particulars extended . lastly , if any ban●… rupt shall convey his estate to any person ▪ upo●… condition or power of redemption , the commissioners , or the greater part of them , before the tim●… of performance of such condition , may make tender or payment of money , or other performance , according to the nature of such condition , as fully as the bankrupt in his owne proper person mig●… have done : which condition so performed , the said lands may by the commissioners bee sold , aliened and disposed to the benefit and reliefe of the creditor , for whose redresse this statute was enacted . for these two provisions annexed , they a●… to you no lesse prejudiciall , then to the creditor usefull . now , my broken-brethren , these twelve branches which arise from this one and only statut●… must bee the twelve men which you are to bee try●… by . guilty prit . god send you good deliveranc●… ▪ i assure mee , there is not one branch of all these which you could not finde in your conscience to breake , but the feare of the pillory makes your conscience more queasie . it resteth then that wee propose certaine cautions or directions , whereby the force or virtue of this act may be frustrated and diverted , your credulous creditors del●…ded , and yo●… from future danger secured : these remedies , receits ( or deceits rather ) for prevention , are three ▪ antidating , insinuating , and adopting . antidating of yonr couveyance or state-charter . insinuating with some eminent commissioner ; adopting some gracefull courtier to bee your heire or successor . for the first , it is dangerous to your person if you be discovered ; you must walke therefore in the clouds , and hardly trust your owne brest with this secret , yet you may recommend it safely to the fidelity of your scrivener : for both his eares he dare not be your discoverer , you must therefore discourse your thoughts in silen●… * , & be close brested to your wives , lest they give iutelligence . for i would have you , my shaken brethren , of all others to bee wondrous wary , that none of you make your wife your secretary ; for if she know it , your foreman is sure to be partaker of it : so as , while you make a shift to convey a part , they take course to contract together for the whole . those men who ( as cosmo saith ) carry their heart in their mouth , are more to bee pitied then feared : bee you none of these pitifull things ; cast your selves rather in tiberius mold , who gloried in nothing so much , as in cunningly cloaking his purposes with faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding his subjects opinions with a seeming good . none can bee open and wise ; avoid then the former , that you may thrive by the latter . hee that will make gaine his sole object , must not stick to make dishonesty his path , nor a large conscience his inmate . he must * domitian-like , divert his eye from every object of honesty , and every day take a new lesson fro●… the thriving rules of machiavels policy . but for you ( my crazie consorts ) there is nothing so needfull in this secrecie of antidating , 〈◊〉 your intimacy with an expert counterfeiting scrivener , whose habituate profession in the exquisite grounds of forgerie , never brought their master within suspicion of knavery ; whom that you may better know by his character , and by my experienc'●… display , bee cautioned to make choice of no gu●… for your scrivener ; take along with you these personall markes , or accoutrements rather , of his profession . let him by all meanes partake much of the jew , and learne to forget the bashfull art of blushing ; let him counterfeit , and that so naturally , as if it were ingraffed in him ; an innocent simplicity ; to the end hee may shroude his actions more covertly . let the brazen age shine in his forehead , and 〈◊〉 voluble tongue to answere any thing that may bee objected . let him be no pillorie-man , for i make some doubt whether the commissioners , by virtue of their commission , may not make search whether he hath beene ever at auricular confession . to caution him in his trade of swearing when hee shall bee put to 't , i neede not ; for that is one of their first rudiments when they are punies . make this choice and bee confident of successe , for a crafty knave needes no broker , nor a cunning scrivener the braines of a breaker ; and this shall suffice to premonish you touching the mysterious - secrecy of antidating . secondly , you must insinuate , and as it were , skrue your selfe into the respect or affection of some eminent commissioner , and by gratefull arguments of love , make him your bosome friend and familiar . and if you cannot compasse this your selfe , recommend the carriage thereof to your wife . syrens were not men but women , which makes mee thinke , that men are lesse perswasive then women ; let this burden therefore bee laid on them . meane * time , for as much as men of generous quality , whose affections are not subjected to the observance of any , are rather taken with a countenance amiable , discourse affable , and disposition sociable , then with any benefit or bounty whatsoever ; you must understand this art or garbe of gaining love , consisteth much in your fashion or conversation ; your disposition must bee , though inwardly surley , outwardly lovely ; you must bee passing officious , and force them to a familiarity , though it be by palpable parasiticall-sycophancy . but it is much to bee feared , that these who bee hereto authorized , as they are too wise to bee thus deluded , so they are too honest to bee depraved ; as they are too understanding to bee flattered , so they are too upright to bee corrupted : for the actions of great ones have more eyes looking over them then inferiours have , which makes them more circumspect in their behaviour , lest , for want of good take heede , they should incur an heavy * censure . you must then addresse your course some other way ( my endeered breakers ) whereby your provident intendments may bee effected , your secret practises , to divert the furious current of this statute , facilitated , and the port or land-marke to which you direct your road , prosperously attained . for the acquisition whereof , it were requisite you make choice of such , for protection , as resemble you neerest in your course of commerce , qualitie and condition . now who be these ( my brittle-urinals ) but our anfractuous courtiers ? whose glory is like glasse , bright but brittle : for courtiers are most aptly compared to * counters , which somtime in account , goe for a thousand pounds , and presently before the count be cast , but for a single penny . cast the account of your owne crazie-fortunes , and the allusion will hold . but you will say , by what meanes may wee make these eminent and conspicuous comets our friends ? whereto i answere , by makeing them your heires . bestow but on them adoption , and they will freely bestowe on you their protection ; insinuate into their corkie acquaintance , and promise them adoption upon your acceptance . feare not but they will bite , for such kinde of fishes will nibble at any bayte . you know vulpones plot , personate him in golden promises , and leaden performance . make them all your heires by adoption , but none by grace . if it be any of your fortunes to grow humerously great with any eminent favorite , your projects to retain him must bee more select and exquisite . admire and honour him at first , like isis statue ; afterward , upon more familiarity , tender him rules of parentall providence , protesting withall that your hopes are soly treasured in him , and a day will come when you may expresse it . this will catch my golden-gull , and cause him trudge to secure your estate , which hee hopes you will preserve and reserve only for his good . if there be any braines left in the sconce of a courtier , hee will labour to free you from the penaltie of a beaker , only to enrich his spruce selfe , who , he hopes , shall live to be your survivor and successor . this will doe admirably well , for not only this court-popingey shall be palpably gulled and galled , * but your hereditaments secured , your true intended heire invested ; and what your providence got , shall by your prudence bee preserved . these courses hold better with thriving policy , and your states security , then fruitlesse inventions against the severitie of our times , for enacting such wormwood-lawes against you , as no age heretofore could exemplifie the like . wherein , under favor ( my splitted-brethren ) you hold an erronious assertion ; for against bankrupts , former times may instance the like constitutions . adrian ordained , that merchants , or such as dealt with exchange , by bartering , chievesance , or otherwise ingrosse , or by retaile , that brake their credit or were bankrupts , without just cause , but only of covetousness , by fraud to enrich themselves and raise a fortune to their posteritie ; to bee set upon the pillory in the market-place , and afterwards to be banished rome for evermore . from whence you may collect how much your censure is qualified in respect of precedent times , where , though paganisme reigned , this bankrupt-judaisme lesse raged . thus my ( teare-swoln termagons ) have i briefly touched and couched all such especiall receits , as duely applied , may allay your passion , secure both your state and person , and deliver you from the cimmerian jawes of a tartarian prison . if this will not afford any cure to your care , no salve to your sore , there is no other remedy in cases of such extr●…mity , but as you have ever within you a testem to condemn you , so have ever in readinesse a restem to end you : whereto i commend you , and so leave you . may . . a prisoners picture , posture and pressure ; all receiving forme , feature , life and lineature from this contracted letter . my truly noble and best honoured ; since i last wayed anchor , and parted from your fleete , where you safely rode within portsmouth ; i bare up with a prosprous gale in my tall vessell , called the little discretion of cilly : bent upon a discovery . and for my better assistance in the voyage , you know the strength of my lord cromwells letter of mart , and so forth . long i had not tempted the maine , but a mercilesse storme most uncivilly drave us upon the extremes of a more cruell element . for , no sooner came wee neere the gulph , but wee were grappled by four turkish-renegadoes , formerly christians , and violently brought into the straights , unto banco , where i now remaine captive . when first i entred this paragan sconce , more pregnable then lillo , but far more strong and unsavory : the grim sarazin , with a starch't cales beard , which kept the port , finding mee a man of action , declared to mee the value of my ransome : and so sorted mee with rogues , that boasted more of prioritie , as being slaves , then the welch - cadwalladers doe their pedegree . the language of many old soldiers , had many severall tones and accents , but all directed to one sence ; that they were very unfortunate , having beene laid out perdues vpon so many dangerous executions , yet not to come off with credit . this aegyptian house of bondage had all the canels taken up but one ; unto which , when night drew on , a fellow , ( whose left hand grasp't many candles , i mistooke for the dutch-lyon on a double stiver ) by the feeble glowing of a farthing light did convey mee . seaven ( according to the number of the wise-masters ) were the inhabitants of this pestred mansion ; all save one was coucht between bisket-bags , or courser napery , which once were whitish themselves , though covered with night , tobaccho and darke linnen , durst not discover there no shirts ; but as i dranke to them , each contracted his sheet unto a mandilion : and received his drinke . the captive soule that was up , and as yet uncased , had a monumentall beaver on , which i presume was free of his company , for it was throughly crak't ; a quondam haughtie and lofty crowne it had , but now depressed into halfe the value , flat as a couchant , and shone like one ; fat and tydie it was , and in far better case then his master ; whose meager body did shew through the grate of his garment , like a pypers timbrell . whether hee had breeches or coats on , i still remaine doubtfull , for they were so tattered , that his lower parts seemed a satyre , and his upper part no lesse fearfull . the more i surveyed him , the more my wonder increased , how creditors could sit on 's skirts , for he had none ; flie out he could not , for he had no wings , for his doublet went out but that morning to borrow three pence , and returned with a sleevelesse errand : and no wonder , for it was but one only rag of gentile sarsenet , torne slashes , which geometrically hung like needles on a load-stone ; and when the bleching sluce of his neighbours lungs chanc't to open ; the fellow ( had his shirt beene cleane ) seemed like a march-pane hang'd with streamers . to conclude ; this poore penitent doublet , drench't with teares that had wept out the eye-balls of his buttons , seemed to be a sufficient punish't thing , both for his masters sinnes and debts . this fellow i lay withall , and lost nothing by him ; but in the morning , my mahometan keeper renaldo placed me in a more pallated roome ; where i lay at as brave a hanging ward , as the germaines fencer , in the memorable bed of the late suspended footeman , each houre suspecting my suspected delivery . altanus ponticus . two poems penned by the author , before his restraint , entituled loves lottery and the cuckow . whereunto are annexed , the trapanner . the tarpolin . messalina . an elegie on phil. porters death . with his farewell to poetry . or motto upon misery . shewing how the muses are patronesses of poverty . ipse deus , summus maeonidum musaeus sunt aliis alii studiis ab origine nati ; artibus ingenui , deliciisque proci . maeonii musis sapiunt , opibusque coloni ; sole comes scrinii nunc arethusa mei . ardua magis est provincia palladis quàm plaustri ; studii quàm stivae ; calami quàm coli ; cerebri quàm coloni ; mercurii quàm mallei ; minervae quàm manubrii . " who truly loves , and cannot loved be , " may she lead apes in hell ; shee 's not for me . loves lottery . i pull , god send me fortune in my thank , either a prize worth having , or a blank ; what is it crier ? see the blousing fool , how he stands cocking on a buffet stool , and speakes his mind in silence ! sirra , you , that stands like to some beacon , to the view of each beholder , tell me what do'est know , have i a prize , resolve me yea , or no ? none ; all the better , i am glad thy eyes are not a witnesse of a worser prize then nothing ; it is love for which i d●…w , and since i 've nothing for my selfe to shew , i am made free , that was in feare of thrall , which to avoid , i 'le have no prize at all . no prize , no booty ! wellcome-heartily , i am prepar'd , t' embrace my poverty with an extended arme , for there is want which makes man happy , as cleanthes scant living a single life , got knowledg store , in which ( if married ) he had still been poor . yet once i 'le pull againe , hap what hap can , and may my lot make me a happy man. " happy or haplesse d●…le , what ere shall come , " i will with cheerfull brow receive my doom●… : for this i know , if fortune meane me well , i shall receive a lot that doth excell so farre the lower ranke , as flowres grasse , " gold lead , my●…he hemlock , diamond the glasse . now sir , what has fate sent us , some crackt peece , not worth receiving ? thinkst thou this will please a man , whose fortunes stand upon his prize ? no sir , i 'le ferret out your rogueries . this is given out for some virginian travell , some sea-gull voyage , and you meane to gravell a country codshead , and to cheat him too , telling him what the merchants meane to do with this grand contribution , but they meane no such thing : such voyages must stay till better opportunity admit , and then perchance they will accomplish it . and yet what strange pretences do they make , " all that they doe is for their country sake ; and that this expedition will confer , store of estate upon our ilander ? then , what rich oare in every cliffe abounds , the fishie rivers , and faire spacious-grounds , that without tillage yeeld them fruit enough without the help of either share or plough . besides , what commerce will accrue thereby to albions people , and her seignory , thus our lot-novices , are drawne to th' bait , and brought to bite , not knowing what deceit lies shrouded under covert and pretence or country profit , dove-like innocence . but heare ! a prize , and that the greatst of all befall'n a taylor , who upon his stall scarce could sustaine his wife and family with stealing shreads , and other michery ; and now 's advanc'd by fortune and his lot to many hundreds : and yet knoweth not his better fate , till that some friend of his come to bring tidings of his sodain blisse . where finding him heeling a paire of ●…ose , or such like botcherie , he skrues his nose after an upstart - gallant , leaves his boord , which many a peece of stolen stuffe can afford : then streight hee claps a peece or two in th' hand of his good nuncio , and thinks what land where best to purchase for his sunne and heire , ( whose heritage was lists ; ) then do repaire his bakers with their scroules , and call him cosin , with — item for so many dozen dozen all undefraid , yet much they 'l not importune , because they heare the islue of his fortune ; which they admire with knee and vailed head , and now this loopehole must be worshipped , whose stile by letters is engraveu thus , the shrine of sutor vestiarius . and this the country gull , no sooner heares , then he is rapt with hope , and therefore beares some stakes of hazard in this lottery ; and hopes in time to hit as prosprously as ere the yard-man did , and had no doubt if that he could with lots have holden out till he had gain'd his purchase ; but how short he came of that , his own eares can report , where all he got ( so little was his thank ) for his disbursements was a paper-blank . and yet , o hope , how strong an oratour art thou in thy perswasion ! where , thy power extracts content from shadows , telling vs that such events may fall out thus or thus ; which though they have no possibility , yet hope assures them for a certainty . this moves us oft , to lose the substances and reall use of things , for semblances ; meerely phantastick fictions , which proceed from the distemper of an addle head . and such ixion-like make their receit , too overweening of their own conceit : admiring merrha-like , what ere they make , that nought is good , but what they undertake . where if event prove sometime sinister to their intent ; they presently aver the ground whereon they built the plot was good , hows'ere the sequell may be understood . o strang condition of depraved men , where fancy is distracted , how or when their own affections know not , but proceed in their intendments without better heed then purblind appius in his cassian lot who for two romane talents got a groat ! and was not this an excellent receit for such a summe disbursed ? o deceit as ancient as authentick ! for wee see acts of this kind gaine an impunitie ; because those grand . cayrs that doe profit by them , are all too great for poor ones to discry them . " laws are like spider-webs , small flies are tane , " whiles greater flies break in and out againe . but th' lot i draw's cleere of another kind ; where many are , of th' carthaginian mind , that brave arminius , and we follow him , who thought it better farre ●…olose then win in hymens lottery : yet in affection where single numbers be , there 's no perfection because too naked , if that one partake " not of an other , and assume his make to make this number complete : but we find , saith timon , that made perfect in the mind , where contemplation reigneth , which can be hardly united with effeminacie . true yet the state , if with discretion us'd , and not through wanton dalliance abus'd , which staines the light of wedlock , may be said , and rightly too , of merit honoured ; where two divided bodies become one by an interiour union , bone of bone ; having recourse to the creation , when women had their beginning from us men ▪ so as that mould which gave to us creation , " being rib-formd gave woman generation . and much i wonder whence these womens pride had propagation ! if from adam's side , why should they glory in their beauties fl●…wrs " since their perfection is not theirs but ours ? but if ( as other sages do aver ) eve took this from her lawyer lucifer ; why should they such esteeme of beauty make , but rather hate it for the serpents sake ? who under colour of commending faire , tells them by art they 'r fairer then they were ; whence * they becom ( so pure hath art displaind them ) made by themselves , & not as god hath made them . yet some there be whose * vertues make them faire , and such seeme never fairer then they are , whose native beauty doth her light retaine , whilest what art danbs , is soon dissolv'd agāin . but stay , a prize ! most welcom , what may 't be ? " a maid of dian's train , whose modesti●… is without reach of scandal ; shee it is that 's fallne to thee to consummate thy blisse ; " farwell then contemplation , i have got " a rarer prize , and i will take my lot. the cuckow . lalus once laugh'd to heare the cuckow sing , thinking it boded some mans cuckolding ; where now in spring , prime season of the yeare , the cuckows note sounds har shest in his eare : for he , suspicious sot , doth make his life a scout to schoole th' abuses of his wife . how now you stutting raskal , are you made to tax our wives abuses , and upbraid these manlie-horned monsters which appaere not rare , for they 're dispers'd in every sheere ; and now have got prescription to maintaine that they their predecessors style retaine ? and must a scab , one that 's scarse taught to speak , with his harsh tongue , our ignominie seeke , filling his hatefull bill , with * hawthorne leaves , and pestring poore act aeon , with new grieves ? unnurtur'd lossell , canst thou find out none to make thy libel on , but such an one that has no time to answer such as thou , having a wife finds him enough to doe ? and must thou sit neere to his garden walke , and like a stammering gossip 'gin to talk what ere thou sees or heares , nay somtime more then thou didst ever see or heare before ? is there no law against thy impudence , no punnishment , our wrongs to recompence ? me thinks if men of lower ranke forbore to chastise thee , that hast incenst them sore ; yet such as be of higher quality , should with impatience beare such injury . and yet these branched great ones when they spy thee " will laugh one at another , and go by thee ; and misapply thy note , and say , this shame thou lyes on honour , toucheth none of them ; but some silke grogran-jacket citizen , whose mincing minx can limit where and when her court-eringo trader will repaire , whom she is for , while he is for the faire . and yet thou means of them , as well as these , and stuts out that which all the world sees , reproving ( harsh reproofe ) the bed of honour , which thus is stain'd with lust insulting on her . thou jarring quirister , that wont to sing , and caroll out thy tunelesse note each spring , forcing suspicion in the jealous eare of some long-travail'd merchant venturer , whose fishing farre for pearles hath procur'd an angler for his wife , who hath endur'd as many firie tryalls in that quarrell as aetna's quarries or selucus barrell in tenedos assault : and yet might she enjoy her pleasure with securitie ; if thy reporting tenure did not beare the newes of strange suspicion to his eare . ill-nurtur'd nuncio , that comes ever first saluting us with tidings that are worst ; breathing a jealous spirit to the mind of him that sees his wife but onely kind , ( and in a modest sort ) making him sweare , that for examples sake , hee 'l mangle her , inflicting such strange punnishment , as time shall brute the act , when ages do decline . and is not this brave dealing , when ●… ●…wad that hath no tune but one , nor ever had , must descant on our secret practises , which are so closely done , as lynceus with his transpiercive eyes can scarce look thorow the night it is so dark , the place so narrow ? must man endu'd with reasons excellence not reape the joy , and benefit of sense with an embraced arme , but he must be checkt by the harsh note of thy jealousie ? is there no honour dew to th' worth of man that gaines a priviledge ? no artizan was ever equall to him , yet in vaine hath he exprest his art , when one poore staine can soile his beauty , and eclypse that light which man makes claime of , as his proper right . yet what bird is there in the spatious wood , or desart forest , that so vainly proud assumes unto her self such daring state , as to curb man , or privately to prate what shee observ's or sees , save onely thou that hast done this , and doest continue too ? wood-building a robin doth the woods refuse , and for mans love , to dwell with man doth chuse ; the b summer-swallow , though she chattering calls upon her mate , yet will she tell no tales . the nat'rall c stork , when as her parents age makes them keepe home , as pent up in a cage , shee feeds them with her travaile and re-brings store of reliefe upon her tender wings , whence to remove , if any time they seeme , shee is the hackney that doth carry them . the billing bussi●…g d turtle thought doth teka for nought but for the losing of her mate , whom lost shee sighs , as if at his depart shee lost the better portion of her heart . the warbling e thrush chants out her cheerful layes , glad at the hea●…t , that flora now displayes her various beauties , and shee seemes to sing a caroll for the spring times wellcomming . the lively f lennet , that is wont to feed upon no other meat then thistle seed , cheeres up her selfe , and with her merry note , shews that content hath ever been her lot . night-mourning g philomel forsakes her nest , and sings with pricking thorne set to her brest ; prognes distresse occasion'd ruthfully , her selfe disgrac'd by tereus villany . the jealous , chast , and pure h porphyrio will have his love , not lov'd by others too ; for if a stranger in his bed he spie , death-struck he leaves to live , and loves to die . the sprightly i sparrow , he his yong-ones feedes , and as he treads he chirps , and chirps and treades ; yet building in our eaves , it likes him well to heare us talke and doe what he 'le not tell . the wanton k wagtaile chats not what he hears , but as our bosom-counsellor forbears to publish ought , though see full well he may a thousand play the wagtailes on a day . yea , th' very l scrichowle that may not repaire to th' place where others priviledged are , haunts desart sh●…des , and cat like , sometime hies to barns and graners , where she preyes on mice , but never , critick-like , will she defame the mean'st that lives by staining their good name . thou only of all others that remaine , displaies the fate of lording and of swaine : and justifies the fact , though ne're so foule , and who is 't dares thy impudence controule ? thou may sit brousing on the hawthorne bough , and flout , and fleere , and libell on us too ; yet who , though thy harsh voice do ne're so rate him , dare bring thee in for scandalum magnatum ? thou may be priviledg'd and rest secure , whereas if vertue play the monitor , to tax such vices as raigne now and then amongst the best and highest-ranked men , as shee in conscience must ; what 's her reward but present censure , torture afterward ? heere minos , radamanth , and aeacus will be in judgement as censorious , as if poor vertue should be forc'd to dwell where they have their tribunall reer'd in hell. they 'l terme her proud , and will avouch it too , for what is it these great ▪ ones may not do ? shee must ( unhappy shee ) learne to be wise , observe mens humors , learne to temporise ; desire to faune on great-ones , and reserve an attribute for vice , and ever serve a rising spirit , whose expectance gives life to his follower , by which hee lives . shee must reserve a grace to such an one whose honours make him worthy , and bemone the death of such a lord , or such a peere , onley to currie favour with his heire . and this must vertue do , or shee must sterve ; for idiot-like ( poore foole ) shee 's bound to serve in garded coat , or such like liverie , or die in want , expos'd to miserie . but let her passe , i hope shee will not show respect to them , where shee doth nothing owe : such vicious painted-coates , who have no worth to glory in , save eminence of birth , or large-extended manors , all which can adde small perfection to the worth of man ; who draws his light , if he looke well about him , from worth within him , & not wealth without him . no , vertue , no ; thou knowest what merit is , and canst discerne twixt true and seeming blisse ; thy praises which thou usest to recite , taste not of gaine as doth the parasite , whose oylie tongue is so inur'd to flatter , as he will praise the man without the matter . nettle vice sharply , for 't is now high time , when shee on footcloth rides , while such decline as beare respect to thee ; but let them feele what 's to put honours spurr on vices heele . and if thou want a cryer to proclaime the purport of thy edict , i can name one that will do it , and exactly too , without respect to either high or low . whom if thou aske , to descant on this theame , it is the loud-voic'd cuckow that i meane : whom i 'le importune , if thou think it fit to play the cryer and to publish it . to the cuckow . now sir to you i must my speech intend , that it would please you to be vertues friend , and vices perfect foe ; it 's her desire that you would be , as well you may , her crier : no matter though you stut and stammer too , so many criers , when they 're brib'd , will doe . but forasmuch she knows that none at all will in their charge be more impartiall , shee has made choice of you , not for your wit , but for your voice , which will this charge befit . one spring will do 't , i pray , good sir , begin , and leave your harsh distastfull cuckowing . but you will aske , what may this charge import ? i 'le tell you sir , for i did call you for 't . first to display court vices , which partake to much of poison , for example sake ; for that place , like the sunne , communicates her cheerfull beams to men of all estates : whose glory ▪ if obscur'd by any mist of church ▪ invading pilsring simonist ; or luke-warme neuter , roming heretique , sect-inovatour , itching scismatique , oppressing ahab , painted jezabel , sin-plotting haman , or achitophel ; treacherous agent that doth undermine his countrie like another catiline ; profane puntilio , buffon , apple-squire , blood-shedding cain , that will do ought for hire , bribe-handed favorite or sycophant , that shoulders honour like an elephant ; cinnamon ▪ courtier , whose very hide is better worth , then all his parts beside ; riotous spend thrift ▪ wanton marmosite , dutch-swilling hans , saint-seeming hypocrite ; whose glory if obscur'd , i say , by these , or any one of such like crudities , i●… presently sends out these vapors to such places , where it did her light bestow : for the court exemplar is , and seemes to give to other parts the like prerogative . next to unmask , for it will be a ditie worthie the shrillect voice , crimes of the citie ; where oft is shadowed much impiety under pretence of meere simplicity . there if you find a tradesman whose chiefe care is to get richesse by deceitfull ware ; a smooth chin'd prentice or a jorney-man , that trades with 's mistresse linnen now and then ; an english jew , that conscience-lesse inures his godlesse soule to taking forfeitures ; a roaring haxter , pandor , palliard , bolt , pimp , snap , shark , cheat , or any such like colt ; brothelling punk , her champion , or that ape of man , though woman putting on mans shape ; if any these , as some of these you may , you shall by your quick-sighted eye display ; sing out amaine , and to their eares report what they have done , though they beshrew you for 't . then to the conntry , for you there shall hear many a biting-grating - usurer , rent-racking lanlord , hoording cormorant , that 's ever dreaming of a seven yeere want selfe-pining miser , whose thick-leaved chest conteines his gold , the god which he loves best ; a prodigall , whose fathers care is brought , by his unheady providence , to nought ; catchpoule from catch and pull taking his name , whose conscience's seer'd , & face admits no shame ; counterfeite pursevant , that dares appeare with forg'd commission though he lose his eare : false-tithing varlet , that will take his booke he has tith'd right , when hee has stolne a stooke ; brazen-fac'd tinker , that with pike in hand , budget on back , bids way-beat trav'ller stand ; shread-miching patch , hearing what taylers do above i' th' city , he must pilfer too ; if these , or any these you chance to finde , pay me them home for all that is behinde : so you shall purchase every mans good word , and afterwards be styled vertues bird . what cuckow , will you turne your haggard taile , shall neither vertue , nor her suit prevaile ? will not you leave your harsh-offensive note , to follow vertue , and to weare her coate ? well sir , i 'le paint you out a knave in graine , and what i speake , think not but i 'le maintaine ; but to particulize your rogueries , an endlesse volumne hardly would suffice ; some of the , chiefest therefore i 'le impart , that th' world may know how dangerous thou art : which in a tale , i purpose to relate , to make short work , and thus it chanc'd of late . " a zealous brother of the family , " by trade a malster , so religiously " imploy'd himself in mysteries divine , " as hee was ta'ne a mirror in his time ; " for there was scarce a sermon preached neer him " within seven miles , but he would go to hear him ; " from morn to night , all sunday would he fast , " starving his body for his souls repast ; " and night by night , he would to church repaire , " where he did shout , and bellow out his prayer . " in briefe , now great in estimation growne " with chiefest famulists in all the towne ; " hee was esteem'd the onely rabbi there , " so great was th' reputation hee did beare . " and some , as i have heard , did give him power , " or thought him fit to be expositour , " of any point when any one did move it , " and ipse dixit was enough to prove it . " this holy brother now growne famous there , " and deem'd a profess'd doctor of the chaire , " mov'd as the spirit would , for th' spirit mov'd him , " a sister lov'd , and she as deerly lov'd him . " these famulists now growne familiar , " about spring-time , when birds begin to paire , " upon mature advice resolved either , " to marry there , or leave the towne together . " but forasmuch it was for certaine knowne , " this malster was engag'd unto the towne , " owing farre more then ere hee ment to pay , " hee thought it fit no longer there to stay ; " but with his holy sister , to prepare " to leave the towne , and taste the country ayre . " this simple sister doubting no deceite , " address'd her selfe one ev'ning very late " to his direction , closly to depart " and follow him who now possess'd her heart . " three dayes they had not travell'd on their way , " till resting them about midtime of day , " under a blooming haw-thorne , they did heare " the cuckow sing nere th'place wherein they were : " and over them he hover'd , as if they " had beene the persons which he would display ; " a hawthorne leafe , he in his beake would put , " and then would stut , and sing , and sing , and stut . " which th'zealous brother noting once or twice , " now jealous grown , strait from his place did rise , " using these words : nay , if the birds of th' ayre , " whose gift i know in prophecy is rare , " fortell what shall befall my lot and mee , " and in the sky thus blab my destinie ; " sister farwell , returne from whence you came . " i will not wive to weave the web of shame . " how ill his sister tooke this foule retrait " of that saint-seeming faithlesse counterfeit , " may hence appeare : for i have often heard " shee fell into distraction afterward , " though i suppose shee greater reason had " to be surpriz'd with ioy , then to go mad " for love of such a hairebraind sot as he , " famous for nought save for his perjurie . now sir , to whom may i impute this wrong done to this maid but to your lucklesse song , which so perplext th' vow-breaking miscreant , as shee , poor shee , must now her darling want , and live depriv'd of love and life together , running distractedly , shee knowes not whither ? but ( good thalia ) whose blest influence gives sweetnesse of discourse and utterance ; thou y● hast power o're tongues , restraine his tongue , and make this bawling cuckow henceforth dumbe ; so yeerely maides shall to thy shrine resort , and free from jealous tel-tales thank thee for 't . a * trapanner . look to your brain-pans , boyes ; — here comes a traine of roysting - rufflers that are knaves in graine . no corner can secure you ; they 'l rush in and strippe the downy gosling to his skin . yet they 'l accost you with a civile greet , and with shark-cringing congies brush your feet . nay , they 'l incounter you with curt'sies too , before they practise what they meane to doe . — a pray sir excuse us that by chance are come in this intrusive manner to your roome . but we 'll redeeme our error : — drawer bring bottells of sack drain'd from th' hesperian spring , where th' watchfull b sisters kept their sentinall ; — quick , rogue , wee cannot brook a second call . meane while this wilke , who neere saw any clyme , but his dads pale , or pantry all his time : nor ever view'd luds-tarases before , begins to tremble when they ▪ gin to rore . a feverish qualme surprizeth ev'ry part , his vitall heat playes rebell to his heart ; his chilled senses , cold as any stone , partakes no other itch but to be gone : but he findes remora's ; he scapes not so , whole troups of healths come pealing on a row . this to this princes hero ; this to that enamel'd fancy dangling on his hat ; this to his bracelet ; this to that choyce string impales his hayre ; this to his diamond ring ; — this to his gippo ; to his agget watch ; this to his tuck charg'd with a double hatch ; this to the microcosme of this spruce youth , with his auspicious welcome to the south . round run these healths , farre rounder runs his braine , though surfeit sick , 't is folly to complaine . and now this birth growne full and perfect too , which yet aspi●…'d but to an embrio : a c gaudy-giddy-giglet is convei'd , a virgin pure , as any hackney maid , thick dawb'd with cerusse , stibium , & vermillion , like ericina's amorous pavilion ; a rare sense-seazing tweake , whose speaking eyes and spintrian art , compleat this enterprise . for when they cannot presse him to offence , they must commence a quarrell by pretence . but these no more his edg●…esse fancy please then lais lures did cold zenocrates . yet left he must be to this d circes charms like to a lambkin in a tigres arms . for his seer pulse though nought be wrought upon , these blades e rush in , as if the feat wer●… don , and in this sort accoast him : — " 'slid my wife ! " canst thou redeeme her honour , with thy life ? " my sister , says another ! leave 't to me , " it is a staine laid on my familie . " my cozen , sayes a third ! — i 'le flea his skin , " and pound him into mummey for his sin. " . actaeon me ! " . distaine my antient house ! " . corrupt my cozin ! — heark boys , a carouse " shall quart it in his blood , " . i 'le second it ! " and expiate what folly did commit . " who could have thought this downy lapwing would " to such extreams his reputation sold ? " but we shall prune his wings , and seere his crest , " and leave him n●…'re a feather to his nest. the dwindling shallop in this grand dispute sits silent all the while as any f mute , reft both of sense and accent : and must dy were no compass'onat complice standing by to soften their resolve : compose this strife by begging pardon for this wigeons life . the motion 's made ; and they incline unto 't , so they may plunder him from head to foot : his substance hee 's contented to forgoe , to save his life , and hold't a curt'sy too . " . this beaver , says the first , falls to my due ; " . this diamond shall to my lot accrue ; " . this scarlet gippo and his agget-watch " fall to my share , they may advance my match ; " . his belt and tuck are mine ; " . his suit i claime to hang up for an ensigne in long-lane . the act 's perform'd ; the weakest goes to wall , the naked man is left , to pay for all . no g bugle blew , nor frisking titire tu could be compared to this frontlesse cru . no land-sharke of such metall , in our ile as this tra-panner : — eye his state and style . others can play the cheats , but short of these who shroud their shame , by shamelesse dabrides ▪ and make their doxies agents , to secure their subtill projects with a sugred lure . a tar-paulin . tar-paulin is a sea-rat or a sharke , a barnicle bred of the aegean foame , a passenger shut from noah's antient arke , and since a bandite-galley-slave become , i' th' liquid region destin'd to a tombe . this quality by nature's to him given , to prey on men , but seldome pray to heav'n : unlesse there be a storme ; which past , his breath braves fate , though distanc'd but three * inch from death . upon our ages messalina , insatiat madona , the matchless english - corombona . here lies lust , revenge , defame . woe to man , to woman sh●…me ; faire and false , as great as ill , weake in grace , but strong in will. honours blemish , hymens stayne , virtues poyson , beauties baine , albions-siren , tyrant-woman , faith-infringer , true to no man ; femall-divell , plots contriver , worths-tormenter , lifes depriver ; tragick actor , blood effuser , times corrupter , states-abuser ; brothel-turner , virgin-trader , husband-hater , lusts-perswader ; ages-monster , youths-deflourer , worlds-rumor , wealths-devourer ; painted-idol , arts-new-creature , ladie in a pages feature ; soyle to the soile where shee was bred , poys'ning most where shee was fed ; vices-harbor , times quotation , double troth'd by dispensation ; nights deere-minion , lights abjurer , souls-eclipser , sinnes-securer ; vault of darkness , horrors-heire ; childe to mischiefe and despaire ; saint-appearing , maid-protesting , yet both saint and maid molesting ; saint with sorrow , maid with furie , tried by a woman-jurie ; seeming-try'd , yet was afraid to be censu●…'d for a maid ; therefore chus'd a maid indeede to be searched in her steede ; mask'd , for so did shame require , suited in her owne attyre ; thus shee passed undescryde , found a maid , yet never tryde . one th●… knew the way to marrie not by priest but pothecarie ; who●…e receits , which art allow'd her to appli●… , were spiders pouder , cop●…rice , vitriol , which in part shew'd her skill in chymick art . thus sh●… liv'd , and thus she di'd , serpents brood , and sathans bride , pitied least when most distrest , hated most when envied lest : so as question may be made , whether that her corps now laid and inter'd in natures brest will endure in earth to rest , or her ashes after death will not with infectious breath staine that holy plot of ground , where her lustfull - corps are found . but howere her body be , sure i am that infamie will ne'r leave her , but will have still her foote upon her grave . graving this upon her tombe as a theame in time to come : here lies young messalina , whose foul lust , pios'd with revenge , proves thus much ; god is just ! for heate of lust , immixt with height of blood had never deeper dye in womanhood . phil. porters elegie : in answer to a libelling ballader , seeking by his mercenary pen , to traduce his honour . cease ballader ; in censuring phil porter thou dost but bray thy brain-pan in a morter . hee was a man of men , and women too , and could doe more then others hectors doe . for th' style of honour hee stood stiffe upon 't , and would far sooner give then take affront . besides , he shew'd compassion all his life in taking a doom'd * pris'ner to his wife , saying , " she should bee cheer'd before shee dy ; " wedding and hanging goe by destiny . in one word , none to fortune lesle beholden , who was in fare more choice , nor pocket golden . his death divin'd a rare prophetick fate by his prevention of an act of state ; where hectors are a strict account to give how , and by what wayes , their ranting humors live : for arm'd with resolution , hee thought fit to passe from hence before hee answer'd it . should death thus seize on all our ruffling fry , that act might cease , because the actors dy . his farewell to poetry . carmina secessum , scribentis & otia quaerunt . bookes fare yee well ! your author now is hurl'd like a transformed thing into the world. now am i grown as like as like may be to earth-turn'd chremes in the comedie ; now must i take more care then doth become me , for many items which have quite undone me . item for sope and candles are but small , compar'd with those that i 've to deale withall . my cares be many , though my coyne be more , which add affliction to my carefull store . those tales which i on winter nights have told when i was casten in a merry mold , and those same songs where of i had such choice , not only i 've forgot , but lost my voice . i who of late so cheerfully did looke , and with a wench could drinke a sillibooke , am of that ashie hue , scarce one 'mong ten can know me now , that knew my visage then . yea , i 'm so muddy growne , as now of late i can scarce laugh at any good conceite ; yea , one may talke to mee a summer day , and i nere heare one word that he doth say ; so clotted am i growne with worldly pelfe , as i much feare i shall forget my selfe . if i but misse the key of such a chest , till i have found it i can take no rest , for i am jealous still and full of care lest some base knave should in my fortunes share . besides , when rest should my lul'd senses keepe , strange visions startle mee , and break my sleepe . sometime i see a sharke , which makes mee shake , the keyes of all my treasure sliely take under my pillow ; and awak't with feare , me thinks i catch the rogue fast by the eare ; but comming to my selfe , i finde right soone , my hand upon no rogues eare but mine owne . straight in a broken slumber doe i heare fire , fire ( me thinks ) resounding ev'ry where , which feare of fire begets in mee desire to pisse my bed , that i may quench the fire . much better was my state , and far more free , when i remaind i' th universitie ; where as i had nought , so i car'd for nought , but for the pitch of knowledg , which i sought : having both cheerfull sleep , and healthfull ayre , and stomach too , hows'ere my commons were . what choice delights were then afforded us in reading plutarch , livie , tacitus , or the stagyrians rare philosophie , whereto the inds may not compared be with all their precious oare ; for i did finde no mine on earth could so enrich the minde ? but see how i am chang'd from what i was ! for now i prize more isis goldan asse , who has more means then brains , then such an one , whose parts are many , though his meanes be none . besides , no authors can i brooke to read , but such as in mee hope of profit breed . i have no time to think of conscience for timely thrift , and ant-like providence . i weigh no protestant nor catholick , give mee a georgick or a bucolick , to teach mee what a grazer doth befit ; and for my tillage how to husband it : yea , lest i err in rules of husbandrie , an erra-pater keeps mee companie , to tell mee which are good-dayes , which are ill , and this i keepe closse in my bosom still . with pallingenius too i oft converse , whose sense i relish better then his verse ; where i collect by th' influence of each star , what yeere is mark`d for famine , what for war ; and if i finde a deere yeere like to be , my store shall make that yeere my jubile . nor have i only bid my books a dieis , but yee that are good-fellows , unto you ; for what should i doe sitting of a shot , who set more by my penny then my pot ? 't is strange to see , how with a little state , i 'm wholy metamorphosed of late . before i could not brooke to have a moate . ( so briske and spruce i was ) upon my coate : now earths affections are to mee so moving , as i am grown a very arrant sloving . besides , i feele a misery in store , for i am far more sparing then before . my care of thriving makes mee one of those . who ride their gelding barefoote to save shoes . nor can i be disswaded from the same , till under mee i feele my palfrey lame . the smallest trifle makes mee discontent , and with my houshold so impatient , as all the day i chafe , i fume , i fret , and for no cause at all my servants beat . if any neighbours doe lesle then become them , i presently commence a suite upon them ; and for a goose-gate ( that i more may spite them ) of trespass at next sessions i 'le indite them ; so as of late , by trifling suits i 'm growne the commonst-barretter in all our towne . and for as much as i doe know the fashion is now a dayes bartring impropriation and presentations too , it is my thrift to seeme to give , yet profit by my gift : free from which crime , of beneficed men , it 's very rare to finde one among ten . for symonie is such a common sin , more prelats by the window doe get in then by the door , so as my manner 's now to wipe my mouth , and doe as others doe ; for i doe hold that rich drones doctrine best , who though he cannot preach , can cram my chest , for my donation then who will come by it , be he nere so sufficient , hee must buy it . more then all this although i know no sorrow may of more basenesse his beginning borrow , then to lament , as many worldlings doe , the sudden losse of eyther oxe or cow ; i 'm grown so tender hearted as i 'le crye , and like a childe put finger in the eye for ev'ry nislle , and distracted run , as if my state were utterly undun . so as i 'm grosly pointed at by some , and call'd old mammon wheresoere i come ; though neyther i , my marmosite nor page , can make amongst us fifty yeers of age . besides , if any debtor now of mine should chance to bankerout before his time , and leave mee in the lapse ; i 'm so opprest with griefe , as night nor day i take no rest , but roving here and there , as one forlorne , i wish the morn were night , the night were morne . early before 't be light i fetch the statute , where all the day long i am poring at it , to see if it will tender mee reliefe to ease my state , cure care , alay my griefe ; which if i cannot finde , i pule and crye , and like a bull-rush hang the head and dye . and yet i dye not ( this my fates forbid ) though happy were my neighbours if i did : for next time i come out to take the ayre ) though for my wealth then health i take more care ) i presently some pretty toft espy , which to my owne conveniently doth ly ; and hee 's a very naboth that doth owe it , which makes mee hope in time to creepe into it ; for i doe wish a famine but to see , and sure i am his toft will fall to mee ; for either want of bread will disestate him , or to the naked bones i meane to grate him . i am to th' eares in law , nor doe i care though i lose by 't ; my purpose is to spare so much at least in dole-dayes to the poore as will maintain my suits of law and more . the other day , my friend made mee an offer , but i set light by th' curt'sy he did proffer , that i might knighted be , if i would buy it , whereto i answere made , i 'de rather fly it , then purchase such a state by which i lost , for th' proverb is , much worship and much cost . all my discourse , when any visit mee , is to inveigh 'gainst prodigalitie , and what distempers our excesse doth breede , in hope my guests more sparingly will feede ; lest they should surfeit , which were hard to doe , for all my dishes are but one or two . this my discourse store of examples hath , as adam , lot , moses , methuselath , who lived many healthfull dayes no doubt , yet best of their provision was a roote : why should not same provision at this day content our liqu'rish tastes as well as they ? yet thanks unto my starres , i am as able to feede as freely at anothers table , and with as luscious fare delight my taste , as those that had their breeding in puffe-paste . yea , marke th' extent of misery in this , my hyde-bound ▪ nature so restrained is , as for this twelve month i was never found to ease my selfe within anothers ground ; because i would be very loth to see any mans land made fruitfuller by mee ; for all the good i may or ever can , i wish't my selfe , and to no other man. besides , i 'm so surpriz'd with my estate , as i 've no stomach to my meate of late ; like to a picture made of dough , mop i , while others gormandize it that sit by : i all a dinner time scarce eate a bit , but muse how i may such a purchase git , yea , midas-like , if i might what i would , i could wish all my meate were turn'd to gold ; so should i quickly without more adoe , famish my selfe and all my meynie too . before , my care was how to prize my health , and next my health , my wench , above all wealth ; wherein i shew'd compassion to the poore , in clothing now and then my naked whore ; where now i' m more perplext then can be told , if my tweake squeeze from mee a peece of gold ; for , to my lure she is so kindely brought , i looke that she for nought should play the nought . besides all this , since i came to such wealth , if i enjoy my wench , it is by stealth ; for store of eyes are on mee , and report may bring a rich man to the chapter-court : where , in bare fees , i might much money spend , although the commissiarie bee my friend . i care not much if ev'ry month were lent , not that i meane the sooner to repent , for i no sac-cloth weare , nor ashes neyther , but that i and my house might starve together : yea , fasting i commend so much the more , because spare-dyet doth preserve my store . i 've tane a course nought in my house to keepe save rats and mice , shall eat when i 'm a sleepe . for reputation , i so lightly prize it , i hold him only wise that doth despise it : yea , this shall be the marke whereat i pitch , rather to be dishonest then not rich . well , if these be the fairest fruits of wealth , i hold him blest has liberty and health ; for who 'll desire that treasurie to keepe , that reaves him of his meate and of his sleepe ; yea mads him too , for thus much sure i am , no worldling ever yet was , his owne man ? i will not play the asse thus , nor contemn ; the only sweet society of men : the dev'll shall have it first , hows'e●…e i seeme , ( the divell at st. dunstans i doe meane ) rather then like a stoick-worldling strive to hoord up that would famish me alive . at ducks and drakes we on the thames will play and pave the streete with gold to halloway , next day , my boyes , at ratcliffe we 'll make merry , and bring our suburbs tweaks , down in a wherry . from thence to rumford , where i meane to rore ; thus shall my sharks share in a rich mans store : for minus rule shall my direction bee , i 'll rather drown my wealth , then i●… dro●…n mee . an age for apes ultimus hares domus es licet prodigenil maeres in flumina , lumina verta imsauire gregem , ridens volo his vision . close by a rill , where springs sweet murm'ring kept , i took a book to read , and reading slept ; and whilest i slept , presented were such shapes of wanton monkies , marmosites , and apes ; as more i gaz'd , i mused still the more to note their shapes and habits which they wore . for one took on him state , and at a feast sat as he had beene some great lord at least : those that with all obeysance did salute him , were parasite and sycophants about him ; who with earth-scraping congies dev●…y show to this state-marmosite magnifico the next , a pleasant ape , came to my sight , and he was all for pastime and delight . he plaid such tricks , i thought som faune begat him , and i had like awak't with laughing at him . now would he skip upon a ladies bed , then downe againe , as one had surfeited ; streight for some other pleasure took hee care , as how to get choyce harriers for the hare , or with what hawke to make his ev'ning fl●…ght , or with what consorts passe the weary night : so as me thought each houre he did complaine him , wanting some new device to entertaine him . the third held in his claw a verbal story larded with ayrie titles of vaine-glory ; wherein his carpet honour was displaid , for th' painted flagg confirm'd what ere hee said : and this same ape did for his sea-men call as if he had been some great admirall , who had command ; or else beene thither sent to keepe in awe the liquid regiment . his styles were many , and of such esteeme , i mused much at first what they did meane ; so as i ask'd one ape that stood hard by , what had hee done to gaine such dignity ? why , nought at all ( quoth hee ) ; for all his store of titles now , hee was sometimes as poore as meanest of us all : but this same ape hath gain'd him estimation by his shape ; which makes him so vaine glorious as h●…e is , prizing ●…o ▪ mans deserts so great as his . having tane full and perfect view of him , as hee went out an other ape came in tyde round with ribband favours which hee ware about his wrest , or in his eare and hare ; the ape of fancy term'd he well might be , for ape had never more varietie of tyes , toyes , rings and bracelets , which he said were each one booties from a severall maid , whose hearts hee held , so lovely were his parts , and might be rightly styl'd the king of hearts . an amorous ape he was , fixing his eye on his spectators as hee passed by ; for selfe conceite of his deserts did move him to thinke none look't upon him , did not love him . no sooner was hee vanish'd , then an ape of complete fashion , and unequall'd sh pe approch'd methought , who as hee drew more nie , hee struck more admiration in mine eye ; for cloaths hee wore were all of distinct fashion , and had a taste each one of several nation . his quilted doublet french , his hat polonian , his breech italionate , his boots ionian ; y●…a view his formal suite from head to foot , seven countries were at least requir'd unto 't . yet though his lims were neat , his face was hard , and set with rubies like an aenobarbe ; so as when ere hee came in publique place , hee had a maske to sconce his firie face . yet i p●…rceiv'd of all the apes that were , none more esteem'd then was this traveller ; for hee was most accomplish'd , and did seeme by helpe of forraine courts where hee had beene of choicest entertainmeut , though his fashion appear'd to me an apish affectation : " for that is best which with our selves is bred , " and not from other nations borrowed . next this , an other made himselfe exprest , by seeming wiser farre then all the rest ; an ape of observation , who pretended hee was from matchlesse machavel descended , and unto such mysterious knowledge come , hee knew what ere was done in christendome . nor was his knowledge grounded on pretence , but speculation and intelligence : so as more treasures were hid in his braine then all the seventy provinces containe . yet did i smile to see how th' rest did grin , and mop , and mow , and flout and fleere at him ; for though hee seem'd all others to surpasse , hee was esteem'd a selfe-conceited asse , whose observations were not worth a stroe , nor knew hee more then all the world did know . but yet some still would praise him to the skie , stile him the master-peece of policie , and with their oylie tongues extoll him so , as on these fauns he would whole farms bestow . this made me laugh , that such a simple ape should of himselfe grow so opinionate , as hee would have the world to beleeve the wisdome of the wise hung on his sleeve . but while these apes & all their pranks were shown , a silken ape came in and put them downe ; his breath was nought but perfume , and his skin as sleeke and smoth as any ladies chin ; ranke-set with gold and pearle was his coat , as if hee had beene one of speciall note . yet when hee had shewne all that hee could show , one whispring in mine eare ; said hee , i know this gilded trunck , this rotten painted tombe , and how of late hee 's to this glory come . " this cinnamon tree , quoth he ( for his proud hide " is better worth then all the bulke beside ) " tooke first plantation in the i le of wight " from whence he , forc'd w th famin , took his flight ; " but ere this wagg did to a beard aspire , " hee was by fortune made an applesquire " to a right active lady , who 't is sed , " advanc'd him from the basket to her bed. " since which auspicious fate , hee did resort " like one of cynthia's followers , to the court , " where he remains as spruce , you see , as may be , " fed onely by reversions from his ladie . " yet note this court-ape , and you shall observe " more state in him , then those who best deserve ! " rich is his robe , his presence scornefull too , " for hee on better men will scarce bestow " least semblance of respect , so proud is hee " to those where hee should most respective bee . " yet what are his deserts , that they should seeme " worthie such congies or so great esteeme ? " perchance this ape can court ; admit hee can , " this makes him not a compleat gentleman . " dare hee with resolution enter list " with his opponent or antagonist ? " dare hee contend for honour in the field , " and yeeld up life before one foot hee yeeld ? " no , dainty milk-sop , these would soon out dare him " hee must not fight , his lady cannot spare him . this said , this court-ape thought he was displayd by that long private whispering we had made ; so , as one conscious of some special crime which this neat youth had acted in his time , he streight retir'd ; to stay , none could intreat him , till that the citie-ape by chance did meet him . who after due salutes in seemly sort , " as , brother ape , when will you come to court " to see a maske ; or , if you think not fit " to come your self , your wife may visit it . with equall thanks , his curt'sie to requite , the citie-ape did tender him the like ; " if he unto the exchange would but repair , " and make his choice of such rare knacks were there . the court-ape took his leave , his leave was light , while th' citie-ape displaid him in my sight : in comely habit , and of grave aspect ; yet was there one thing i did disaffect , which to my view , was represented there , and long ere this had cost the citie deere . for still me thought this ape could ne're finde any to consort with , though there were consorts many , but that same ape of honour , who did look as if he meant to get into his book ; which was his aime , and therefore did embrace him as his dee●…bosome friend ; for so to grace him would , as he thought , be th' way to tye him to him ; to tye him ! no , but rather to undo him . yet see this credulous conceited ape , he credits the protestations he doth make , and to the utmost of his state he proffers to give him trust , and he accepts his offers . nor skils it much what gain he means to reap , " he that will never pay , gets ware good cheap . these had not long confer'd , but i might see a country-ape attyred flovenlie , and he was ever poring on the ground , " counting how many pence came to a pound : an almanack he had within his brest , on whose judicious rules he set his rest ; for they did calculate ( for so he thought ) whether his heire would thrive or come to nought . he held no happie dayes were worthy naming , but such as spake of some ensuing famine ; which having found , with ceremonious show he kist the book , and blest the author too . for this same ape ( as he appear'd to me ) was for engrossing , biting usurie , and all oppression , so surpassing conning , as all his country had their hand●…ulls on him . which other apes observing , had displaid him in worser terms before he had conve●…'d him ; but , by a private path or passage , he retyr'd himself , and gaind him libertie . thus did this worme-sprout sheild him from their hate , or he had paid for wronging of the state. next him a rotchet-rooke , the slough of sloth , look'd as he had ten steeples in his mouth : for silence had so charm'd this moath of men , as since he preach'd he could not tell day when , yet had this witlesse bird-bolt so much reason , that he could make himselfe a diocesan , by symoniack-contract , and dispence ( for an usurped pale ) with conscience . with great ones too he could insinuate , sow pillowes to their sleeves to'enhance his state. close to the poore was his penurious fist , but for church-livings a monopolist . for his religion , howsoere he use it , hee 's not so well resolv'd but he could chuse it ; whether a rhemist , calvinist or luther , or what sits his profession best , a neuter . care of a wife and num'rous progeny excludes all rites or rules of sanctity . who for his family provides not well , is worse , you know , than any infidell . yet this levitick progeny , i wis , might be his chaplains brood as well as his . but still , me thought , this porpoise could not keepe his leaden eyes from falling fast asleepe . for fumes of wine had so surpriz'd his braine , after mid-day he could not wake for spaine : so as , me thought , i left him to his rest , leaning his drivling chin upon his brest . close as the shadow doth the body follow came in an ape far wiser then apollo , or all the sages which renowned greece , if one could judge by outward semblances : but still , me thought , as he assaid to breake his mind , an asthma would not let him speake . corruption did oppresse him out a cry , with a black ▪ jaundise which had seiz'd his eye . nor arguments with him were worth a straw , unlesse they had relation to the law. authors were heathen greeke and disallow'd , because they were not by him understood . a rout of rag'd law ▪ drivers did attend him , which from a bastinado did defend him , but hee perswaded these to let them passe , tearming his gowne his supersedeas . so heavy were his eyes , hee seem'd to mee surprized with some fearfull lethargie , or by the night-mare rid , or at some show an epicureall feast had made him so ; so as to bed his followers did take him , enjoyning silence lest they should awake him . asleepe no sooner was the synod - ape , but a grave reverend sire his place did take ; his words were maxims , aphorisms profound , sententious morals , and positions sound , his answers solid ; if hee chanc't to jeast , it was a pregnant apothegne at least ; in briefe , so rarely wise hee did appeere , some solon or lycurgus seemed there . and yet me thought his aymes did ever tend more to a private then a publick end : for hee had beene a politician ever , and could such rules of policie deliver , as i may sweare wheres'ever i have bin , the sages were but novices to him . yet were his axioms dang'rous to maintaine , for hee did hold , no man could ever gaine and hold concurrence with religion too , and therefore thought it best to make a show of what wee least professe , and to dispence in state affaires , with faith and conscience . " for if ye will be truly wise ( quoth hee ) " be what yee seem not ; seem what least yee bee . now this politicall time-studied ape could soone transform himself to any shape ; for if with holy-men hee had to deale , he could pretend a counterfeited zeale ; if with the worldling , hee could worldly seeme , and nothing lesse then of devotion dreame ; with the voluptuous hee could likewise share , as if delight and pleasure were his care ; and , in ●… word , no humor doe i know , hee could not frame his pliant mind unto . but ripe in age , discourse lul'd him asleepe , while a scorch'd ape did from a limbeck creepe ; for hee in chymick arts had spent his wit , and yet had little got but smooke for it . hee of no subject talk'd but still of one , and hop'd at last to get th ▪ unvalued stone , and kellie-like , whose art did art surpasse , of lattin silver make , and gold of brasse ; yea in his house hee would not leave a kettle but should bee chang'd into the purest mettle . for wit and wealth , poore ape , were so bereft him , as in his house a kettle scarce was left him . this all-a-mist , or apish alchumist dream'd hee had both the indies in his fist ; golden-oa●…'d tagus , ganges , pactolus , were held by him as meerly fabulous ; out of one caldron hee more gold could gather , then these rich shores were worth , or indies either . it was rare sport mee thoughr , to see him nod , strut like a stalking-horse , and point , and plod , and laugh at his device as if h 'ad found it , when hee and all his shallow wits were grounded . one day ( quoth hee ) boyes , wee 'll be passing merry , when all the candle sticks in lothberrie by my mysterious art which i uphold , shall be transfused into angel ▪ gold , yea not a spit , jack , or landiron there , but like to ophirs mettal shall appeare . thus hee discours'd , but prated little after he saw the apes were like to burst with laughter . but specially 'mongst all the rest was one , an unthriv'n meager ape , but skin and bone , who with a critick visage did deride this chymick monkey more than all beside . nor was it rare ; for he could ne're afford any amongst them all the least good word : so tart he was and eager of his tongue , as he would seldom speak , but he would wrong some in their name , fame , honour , or esteem ; and this his use and custom still had been . besides , on palmestrie he was affected , and by an erra-pater had collected some erring rules of art , which he profest , and in each village made himself exprest . where he pretended rules political , auspicious dayes , and seasons critical ; and would sometimes three hours or longer stand , like an egyptian , poring on a hand ; where on the lines he would large cōments make , saying , this year you shall a husband take , a courtier saies this line ; but i divine you will play fast and loose in progresse time . but as this critick did his tricks begin , the master of these apes , me thought , came in ; at whose approach , submissively they bow them , while i observ'd what he would doe unto them . for , unto me , as one incens'd hee seem'd , as if these apes his pleasure had contemn'd , or plai'd some tricks which he did much dislike , and therefore shewd as if he meant to strike . at last , me thought , his countenance grew smooth , as surging ocean after tempests doth , causing them to be singled one by one , while he , erected on a marble stone , used these words , as he their weale did tender , which i , 'twixt sleep and wake doe well remember . the ape of honour . i must , and will ; and as my rank is best , in formost rank i 'le make my self exprest . since i plai'd tricks it's now the th sūmer , in which my aime was still to purchase honour . where e're i saw one held in more esteem then i my self , i vented streight my spleen upon his person , and would labour too ( as much as lay in me ) his overthrow . i could not brook corrivals ; yea my heart did swell with grief to see men of desert respected where i sojourn'd , for i fear'd my fortunes should be raz'd , if theirs were rear'd . this caus'd me plot and practise some device to move the state , their service to despise ; suggesting how these men were popular , and though their course of life seem'd regular , their studie was but how to broach division , and gain them titles suiting their ambition . or else , i made a shew of love unto them ; and told them , this retirement would undo them ; it were more fit for them to be imploy'd in state-affairs , in which all good men joy'd , then burie those choice parts which nature gave them in airie hopes , which quickly would deceive them . now if they chanc't to follow my advice , my taske was still to crosse their enterprize by undervaluing what they had effected , that by the state they might be lesse respected . thus did my honour take more true delight in thwarting of some rising favorite , whose blooming hopes were now to ripenesse growing , then if my own estate were overflowing ; " for , like to jacks mov'd in a virginall , " i thought ones rising was anothers fall . but now , secure of these , my coach i took , where i perus'd a little table-book , wherein such citizens recorded be as were to lend me coine , or credit me for such commodities as i did want , and these my honour hugg'd , these did i hant . having now got my purpose , straight i 'de flee them , and though they knockt , my lordship would not see them . my honour was my sanctuary made , and by protection all my debts were paid . for if i grant protection to another to conicatch , or to defeat his brother , my shallow sconce is run on no such shelfe as to neglect protection for my selfe . and yet some apes i had were my delights , and these were sycophants and parasites , who would so humor me , as i protest no meat without them could i well digest . from these i had directions for my pace , look , habit , speech , to adde a greater grace or lustre to my honour ; so as i would set my count ' nance to look scornfully on these inferiour vulgars , whose estate my honour scorn'd once to commiserate : for i have ever held it derogation to men of place , to harbour this compassion . in forain courts i ever leaguers had who did inform me , were they nere so bad , what projects states-men use to gain esteeme , and eagerly i still observed them . for this same idol honour was the saint which i ador'd , and for whose shrine i meant , rather then by my weaknesse it should fall , to hazard body , state , renown , and all . for my she-ape , i mean my plumed ladie , our loves were both indifferent as may be ; for either heat of summer , or for hate to nuptial servitude , or for more state , though we did plead distemper of the wether , seldome or never lay we both together . for this my leaguers told me forain states observ'd , and this my honour imitates . yet did my lady play me once a trick , pretending on a day , that she was sick , so as a doctor might be sent for streight , ( lucina rather , for to make her light ) for first news that i heard , god send me joy , my fates had blest me with a goodly boy ; yet might i eaten all my part of him , without committing any mortal sin . but yet i seem'd to joy much in the lad , as if he hed been mine , and i his dad ; whereas in truth , i probably could gather , my page , and not my honour , was his father . all these could i dispence with as light crimes , being scarce held for errors in these times , provided that my lady look unto it , and thenceforth sought more secretly to do it . for well i knew , if i divorce did wish , i could procure't for lesser faults then this ; but much i doubted , she would turn flat rorer , and doe as other some had done before her , taxe my debility since she was wedded , which foul aspertion would have split my credit . but now the wagg is grown a boy of prize , inur'd to ev'ry lordly exercise ; though in the height of all his hopes i doubt such bastard ▪ slips will never take deep root . now must i shew , to make my self displaid in university , what tricks i plai'd . if any dunse had but desire to skip to the preferment of a fellowship , were he ne're so uncapable of it , i was a means that he the place might git ; provided that his parents made him way , and for his insufficiency would pay . then thick as haile-shot did my letters go to such a doctor and she-doctor too , that as he tendred the respect i bore him , he should prefer none to this place before him whom in my letters i had so commended , thus was my suit effectually ended . and reason good they had to yeeld consent , and in my suits to give me all content , for now and then some notice would i send them of such a late fallen living , or commendam , which i resolv'd , such was my zealous care , to give to them whose lives most blamelesse were ▪ though all my aimes were rather to procure gaine to my self , were th' means nere so impure , then place such men , whose life and conversation deserv'd my love with choicest approbation . in country too , had i my tarriers laid , by whose intelligence such tricks were plaid , as i may swear , when i doe think upon them i needs must laugh , so nimbly have i don them . when i did heare one had desire to get unto the title of a baronet , or that his itching humor did aspire to leap to knight before he was esquire ; by these my tarriers i made known unto him , i 'de doe him all the kindenesse i could do him , but for the price of honour , it was more by means of some occurrents then before ; besides , he should have some additions granted , which all his former honour'd neighbours wanted . and thus i soakt my spungie knight , that he might honour gain to cope with beggerie . again , if any one within our nation had a desire to get a toleration in matters of religion , i 'de procure he might enjoy his conscience so secure as none should trouble him ; provided , he did but observe and keep true touch with me . and yet would i , enforc't sometimes by want , practise right closely with a pursivant to ferret him , and get a composition , and yet this act ne're mov'd me to contrition ▪ but much abridg'd our profit now of late is since papists may have tolerations gratis . have tolerations ! no , that time is past , since hope to match with spain is wholy dasht : anselme and wright are now return'd again , and left the english pale to visit spain . yea , our state-agents carefully have sought that ●…h ' spanish legat to account be brought , whether he hath ( for this they seek to know ) exceeded his commission , or no. if this report be true , shavelins adieu , the state intends but little good for you . but i doe heare a motion like to be , which , i confesse , doth much distemper me ; but rather then the state consent unto it , i will by all means labour to undo it . and it is this , some protestants complain , but their complaints , i hope , will be in vain , that they are almost weary of their lives , they pay so much for th' conscience of their wives . the light of protestancie darts upon us , and drives two hundred fiftie five * priests from us . which to redress , they crave ( as doth become them ) the state would take commiseration on them : which , in good sadnesse , i must needs confesse , deserves , in each mans judgement , due redresse : for it doth little stand with conscience , that th' husband he should pay for th' wifes offence , seeing among them there 's scarce one of seven , that by their husbands will be lead or driven . but what 's all this to me , though they fare worse , i aime not at their conscience , but their purse . in brief , were he monopolist , or any who to enrich himself undoeth many ; were he engrosser , who , if he may serve his own base turn , cares not how many sterve ; were he forestaller and regrater too , whose use is all our merkets to undo , made he recourse to me , he might alledge , by vertue of my powerfull priviledge , his liberty , whats'ever sh●…uld befall , in spite of any justice of them all . thus like a nimble honour-prizing ape , i have transform'd my self to ev'ry shape ; that by this means i might insinuate by secret paths , into anothers state , and so support mine own , which would decline if others were not props to bear up mine . now when i 'me dead , some by my tombe will pass , and say perchance , here lyes pherecidas , venting aspersions on me as they please , as that i di'de some lousie vile disease , or of some state-impostume swoln so big it had no cure but dy a spanish fig , or scorcht with some outlandish tinder-box , di'de eaten by the bubo , piles , or pox. thus must my styles and titles be forgotten , and rot on earth , as i on earth was rotten . thus all lifes pleasure 's but a bussing game , which leaves us liqu'risher then when we came : some glim'ring raies of honour we may get , which once obscur'd , streight is our summer set . but this i seldom think on , i 've no time , mine aime is to advance these imps of mine , whose shade shall spread so broad , as none may doubt but they 're derived from a spatious root . now i referre it to your self to show whether your ape deserve not praise or no. the ape of pleasure . is it not strange to heare this cock-horse lord , who has a branched forehead on my word , thus magnifie himself , when i his page , and at that time scarce sixteen years of age , was more respected by his youthfull madam for two yeaes space , then all the time she had him ! what masks , what shews , what enterludes could be contenting to her self withouten me ? what late reere-bankets could delight afford without her page , farre deerer then her lord ? and yet this burnish'd idol , whose esteeme consists in this , that he doth precious seeme in eye of vulgars , whose conceits appeare in prizing men by th' garments which they weare , preferres that fame which fondlings have of him before that place of honour he is in . but what concerns this me ? 't is my delight , and in this doe i glory , that the night hath spread her curtains close , as one at leasure to tender all content to th' ape of pleasure . see , see , young messalina how her eye assures me shee affects varietie ! her once admired lord grows out a date , so as her love is turned into hate . " for choicest cates may minister delight " at first , but after , cloy the appetite . but lest those tricks which i have plaid , should seem weake in respect of what this lords have been , though i be young and want experience , as one directed by : youthfull sense ; i can as apish bee as others are , yea and for honesty as little care as any suburbs trader , whose sole aime is by pollution to inhance their gaine . for three whole yeeres i have imploy'd my time in reading baudie boccace , aretine , with those ripe sibaritick merriments , which our court-ladies hold for ornaments of an unvalued price , they are so wittie , and these i read in country , court and cittie . but in the court when i a comment made , more they conceiv'd then i discours'd or said ; for a grave lady standing by the pew where i my lecture red , did forthwith shew more grounded rules for th' subject that i chused then all my wanton consorts ere had vsed . so as desiring much to know her name , shee haughtily replyed , " of publique fame , " whos 's love-attractive beauty had obtain'd " more high - priz'd booties then ere woman gain'd . " nor be my hopes extinguish'd by my age , " for i have one ( quoth shee ) my prety page , " who would be loath for to degenerate " eyther in heat of love or height of state. " and though her honour , lustre , and esteeme " be not so great as sometimes it hath beene , " yet her experience with my discipline " hath train'd her so in postures of this time ; " as scarce that lady is in europe bred " who by her lecture is not bettered . " this i admir'd , which shee observing told me , " while shee about my middle did enfold me , " that if i sought employment in that kind , " shee could a place of entertainment find , " so i would secret be and not discover " the slie effects of some intrusive lover . " for wee ( quoth shee ) who feed imagination " with hope , till meanes bring hope to recreation , " may in our sleepes our waking thoughts disclose ; " now boy ( said shee ) if you were one of those " who publish to the world what they doe heare , " you might destroy our reputation cleare , " and make our names such emblems of disgrace , " as wee might seeme unworthy of our place . " for what if i should send to such a lord , " that in the ev'ning hee would keepe his word , " and in th' appointed place or arbour seat him , " where i re solv'd assuredly to meete him ; " while you , corrupted by some friend of mine , " acquaints him with this meeting , place , and time ? " would this shew well in you , seem fair to him , " to see one weare the prize which he did win ? " again , we ladies many secrets have , " which in our pages secrecy doe crave ; " for we have chamber-motives of delight , " powders to cause men love us at first sight , " amorous broths , and cordial receits , " love-drawing lures , and fancy-forcing baits , " that our unbounded pleasures may be fed " with same desire as they were nourished . " again perhaps , such may our humors be , " ( sith want of change begets satietie , ) " wee 'l daigne sometime our pages to be ●…asters " of such choice cates are due unto their masters . " now would not this your secrecy deserve " when you may them enjoy , whom you doe serve ? this proffer tendred ; " madam , replyed i , " you need not doubt your pages secrecy , " ( if you so please to terme me ; ) i have bin " for ladies secrets ever train'd therein " since my first infancy , and was thought fit " ( so present and so pregnant was my wit ) " to carrie divers messages among them , " yet was i never taxed once to wrong them . " oft by a private entrie have i brought " one to my lady , yet suspected nought ; " for , in a night-gown , womanly arraid , " i took him for some ladies chamber-maid , " so as i took in hand at all aventer " to ope the dore , that he might freely enter . " among the rest one was i sometime toward , " who was so peevish , testie , and so froward , " as shee in nothing took more free delight " then to become her husbands opposite . " if he at any time should make resort " unto the countrey , she was for the court ; " were he for court , she to the countrey went , " for contradiction was her element . " yet , which is rare , this peevish willfull thing " was much addicted still to wantoning , " so as , amidst the heat of all her rage , " nought could allay her furie but her page . thus i the progresse of my life did tell , which this grave lady liked passing well ; wherefore , concluding with one joynt consent to leave the court , i with my lady went , where i presented was some sennight after , as a rich bootie , to her lovely daughter ; who did so much affect me , she thought meet to lodge me nightly at her own bed feet . none would she suffer scarcely to approach , or take her hand to bring her to her coach , but only i ; none would she else admit to hold her chat , or in her coach to sit : i was her ingle , gue , her sparrow bill , and in a word , my ladies what you will ▪ how many ev'nings coached she and i with curtains drawn , that none might us espie ? but now grown weak , when i should be rewarded , for want of strength i was by her discarded . meane time , had i occasion to remain here in the citie , hoping to regain that estimation which i late had lost , but by a litle monkey was i crost , who in short time into such credit crept , as ever since he with my lady slept . but see my fate ! through my too sumptuous port , while i remain'd in presence of the court , hoping my love-sick lady would supply what ere i spent by prodigality , i was attach'd , and in the counter throwne , yet lesse disgrac'd , because i was not knowne . where i sojourn'd some fortnight space and more , till a rich drapers wife did me restore , whose former knowledge me enfranchised , with whom i shortly after married : for having solemniz'd her widow rites by space of fifteen tedious winter nights , it pleas'd her to make choice of such an one that might supply the place of him that 's gone . and now i live as free from thought or care as those who have in fortune highest share : my pleasure is my treasure , whose delight extends it self from morning unto night . sometime i hunt the hare , sometimes i spare the earth , to take my pleasure in the aire , where my skie-soaring falcon makes his way , lessning himselfe till he has got his pray . sometimes my house and garden use to yeeld as much content as doth the spatious feeld , for there at bowles , at tables , or at chesse my wearied spirits use i to refresh : yea in an arbor have i made a caul , wherein 's an ape i brought from portingal , a nimble thing , so tutord and so tame as it can play at any kinde of game . at chesse it knows where th' bishops place should be , with all the grooms that keep him companie . and it will laugh , so wittie is the wagg , to see them put together in a bagg , wondring that he who held a bishops roome should play check-mate with his inferiour groome ▪ thus doe i sport , thus doe i passe the time , for pleasures are those purchases of mine , which i the most affect and most admire , to feede with oyle the flame of my desire . onely my wife , since her rich draper dide to me espous'd , seeks to be ladifide ; which honour i have got her , with a crest to make mine honour anciently exprest : wherein i hold the herald did me right in finding for my coat a marmosite , whose nature is , ( so farre doth lust prevail , ) for want of better food , to eate his taile . thus have you heard my whole discourse at large , how i have wasted been in pleasures barge , where i have fed and feasted on such store , as surfeits make me i ▪ can feed no more . for as variety begets delight , delight begets a moving appetite : so pleasures tride , like snow-balles melt to nothing , and end their longing with an endlesse lothing . the ape of vaine-glory display , display those annals and records of time renouned heroes , peeres and lords , their actions , their designes ; and you shall see these apes are imitators but of mee . for what have they by resolution won , what conquest have they got , what have they don ? hath fame erected trophies in their praise , or girt their temples with triumphant b●…yes ? are statues rear'd to memorize their worth , with all those acts antiquity brought forth ? trophies , bayes , statues adde no longer time to their exploits then fame hath done to mine . in court while i reside , i shew such state even in my nod , my countenance and gate , as there is none that casts their eye upon me but sayes that garbe doth properly become me . if at the justs i chance to breake a speare , methinks the ladies eyes are fixed there ; whose approbations gaine me more renowne , then leaves can make exprest , or colours showne . among my consorts , letters doe i show from state of venice and from others too , to me directed , as one whom they deeme of choyce , select , and principal esteeme . though i to venic●… never travell'd yet but caus'd these letters to be counterfe●… . the great mogol that title cannot crave , which on my selfe conferr'd i would not have ; for as my aymes are onely popular , so is my substance meerely ●…itular . with ladies of accomplish'd qualitie , ranke , and descent , i hold concurrencie : from whom if i a favour chance to git , i glory in the purchasing of it , vowing and vanting , not the wealth of th'land should ransome such a bootie at my hand . if i doe any worke , as few i doe , i 'de have the world take notice of it too . in publique entertainments i would be observ'd sole heire of liberalitie ; which to expresse , this onely taske is mine , to make our city-conduits●…un ●…un with wine , scramble cakes , wafers , suckets in the streete , and tread whole carts of bisket under feete . farre more affection have i to bestow my bounty on some publique antick show , so i may have my name endors'd at large , that it was reared at my proper charge , then building of a church , or any use which simple people terme religious : these works i hate , and all that doe begin them , for their hot zeale show too much conscience in them . like jove in danaes lap my gold i shoure , when i invite some great embassadour , where at one supper i doe more bestow then to defray , my lordship knoweth how . and by this meanes i seeke to gaine esteeme where this great legate and his lords have been ; though they perchance deride mee and my aymes , and with a french-frump gratifie my paines . of all , there is no act delighteth us so much as that of brave herostratus , who to gaine glory made himselfe exemple , in setting fire upon dianas temple . neither shall nero's glory e're expire , who playd on 's lute while rome was all a fire , sending wild beasts into the publick streete , such to devoure as they withall should meete . so as , 'twixt fire and feare , amaz'd they run , feeling the one , while they the other shun . in all my time , i never have desir'd ( such my ambition was ) to live retir'd , for that i thought would gaine mee no respect , the only object which i did affect ; so as my choice was ever to resort neere to the sunne , the mansion of the court ; where others correspondence kept with mee , as self-conceited too as i could bee . yet for exchange , because i had desire that vulgar eyes my presence should admire , unto the city daign'd i to approach , never without six jennets in my coach : where , if encountring any , i use ever to presse salutes with motion of my bever . to breath the common ayre , or walke the streete , or entertaine discourse with those i meete i hold it derogation ; yet to show i prize my friend , i 'll give a nod or so ; for hee that will not on his postures stand , and prove his education from the strand by carriage of his bodie , i doe hold ( howos'ere he be in honors-booke enrol'd ) hee 's but a goard that doth his leaves display by one nights growth , and withers on the day ▪ yet in the entertainment of a friend , though i seeme nice , if he have pow'r to lend , or yeeld supply to my necessity , i will admit him my society . though from familiarity exempt , for that begets in us too much contempt . now th' practise i have ever used , when i would perswade some wealthy citizen to lend mee money to supply my want , with ayrie hopes i feed my cormorant ; telling him how by reason of my place , i ev'ry day have offices in chace ; which if he free the bonds that i am in , i will not stand much to bestow on him . againe , 'mongst all my retinue , no knave but knowes the styles and titles that i have ; for such my pleasure is , that ev'ry rogue within my sculrie have a catalogue of all my titles ; which , they doe pretend were given to mee for some especiall end ; whence these obsequious shadows that attend mee , perswade my creditors great sums to lend mee ; alledging how by reason of my power , it is a credit to my creditor to gain esteeme with such an one as mee , whose many styles proclaim his dignitie . besides , if any injur'd by my men by taking up commodities of them , shall sue their bonds for payment such a day , which , i 'm resolv'd , they never meane to pay , with number of my styles they so apall their creditors , they let their action fall ; for so upon my greatnesse they doe stand , they feare no right is gotten at their hand . nay more , their creditors may seeme so fond , that they will plead an error in the bond : for , as it may be specialty appeare , they unto such a lord retayners were ; which style , as now it seemes , is wholly drownd , and higher titles for his lordship found ; whose style being chang'd , avoids their former state , " their master is not same as bond beares date . so as his title eyther must bee same , or else there is an error in their claime . thus doe i flourish , and my followers too , as free from debt as those that nothing owe ; nor owe wee ought , wee may bee bold to say , for they are said to owe that meane to pay . but that i may i th' city keepe a quarter , i le promise them for to enlarge their charter with this addition ; any citizen , having so many yeers a free-man been , though he be able for estate , may breake , and have protection granted if hee seeke ; provided that he pay yeerly revenue to me , to mine , or one of my retinue . thus doe i lure my city-birds unto 't , with hope of that i nere can bring about . somtime , for change , the country ayre i chuse , where my well-seated ancient mannor-house joyes in my presence ; i 've no sooner shown mee then all the country-gentry come upon mee ; whose presence choice of presents straight begets of phesants , pigeons , pluvers , caponets , all which come to my cooke humbly beseeching they may supply provision of his kitchin. next day a stall-fed oxe sent by a knight , and hee resolves to suppe with mee at night , which , though it were discourt'sie to deny him , yet when he comes , seen am i scarcely by him : for strangeness sutes with greatnes , which may seeme to gain to us more popular esteeme . now for my house , delightfull is the site , the base-court pav'd with colour'd porphyrite , where two faire statues curious as may be , one for my selfe , another for my ladie erected are , with columns reered high , which force an admiration to the eye of the beholder , and their state is such , the golden-calfe was nere ador'd so much . as for my house , it 's open unto all , and they for beere or any thing may call ; yet have i so provided , though they crave it , my buttry hatch is shut , they cannot have it . in country-musters , it 's some taske of mine to take survey of all their discipline , and teach them what those martial-postures be , traines , stratagems , and feats of policie ; though , for my knowledge , i doe freely grant , that i in these am wholly ignorant ; for i may sweare i never yet conferd with any one of all th' artil'ry-yard . yet joy i much to heare the vulgar say , a braver leader never did display his colours in the field , for i 'm the man would seeme more to the world then i am . in my discov'ry further to proceede , excuse mee fellow apes , i shall not neede , for few or none in albions . court there are but they doe know my fashions to a hare : nor am i such a snake to cast my slough , my titles make mee great , and that 's enough . the ape of fancy . doe but admire me , it is all i crave , for as i love my selfe , so would i have all ravish'd with my presence , which obtain'd i have attain'd the port at which i aym'd . for if narcissus , selfe-conceited elfe , did love himselfe by looking on himselfe , i cannot see , my beauty beeing such , but i may like and love my selfe as much . but that yee may the better understand my education , race , descent , and land , where i was borne , where bred , and how i came , i will acquaint you briefly with the same . some will not stick to call mee forraine brat , but i were mad if i 'de be mov'd at that , for i doe know i am no forrainer but a right nat'ral english ilander ; for even my disposition tells me so through selfe-conceite which i am subject to . yeh i 'le tell truth , how ere ye wonder at me , a co●…rtier of a succubus begat me , from whom such secret night-works have i learn'd , as what i doe can never be discern'd . in a court-entry darke of purpose made fit for encounter am i oft-times laid , where i enjoy a prey as rich as may be , and for the maid encounter with her ladie ; which she , such rare humility suites honour , receives as freely as is put upon her . i must make one in every maske and show , or our co●…rt-ladies care not for 't a stro ; for i 'me their ape of fancy , whose delight doth please them more then any marmo●…ite . if i finde any lady discontent , i can prescribe a cure incontinent , and with an active application too use farre more art then other apes can doe . for bee 't green-sicknesse , which few madams have , or honours phrensie , which will make them rave , bee 't the scotoma , or the night-mare ride them , their cure 's soone wrought if i may lye beside them . pills have i store and choice confections too , which on my patients freely i bestow , not like our base impostur'd mountebanke whose ayme's to ●…ell for gaine and not for thanke . free is my bounty and so well approv'd , as in court , city , country i am lov'd , the trophies of whose favour i doe weare about my wrest , my hat-band and my eare . for be she lady conversant in court , to her as to my shrine i make resort , and with such apish complement accost 〈◊〉 , as she 's surprized with my courtly post●…re . to th' cent we goe , where we at cent-foot play , by which ou●… hidden meanings we bewray . her feather for a favour doe i carrie , while she protests if she were now to marrie , the ape of fancy should enjoy her heart , and this contenteth me , and so we part . againe , sometimes unto the burse i go , of purpose there to take a turne or two ; not to make choyce of any new thing there , but to survey what beauty might appeare most gratefull to mine eye ; and there i find a pliant nature sorting with my mind . a widow-wife , whose absent husband gives accesse to world of suiters , and she lives no lesse observ'd then fancied ; yet her wit so smoothly and demurely carries it , as she preserves her fame so u●…suspected , as more she acts the more she is respected . all which proceedes , as probably may seeme , in that she trades with men of choyce esteeme , who ferret-like still sport them in her burrow , with whom she revells it the ev'ning thorow . though i confess●… ingenuously my shame , that on a time i lay upon her name such deepe aspersion , as it did surpasse the compasse of redresse , and thus it was . " upon a day withouten companie , " i went to cheape a rich commoditie ; " heere and there sought i this , but in a word " not any shop in rurse could like aff●…rd " as this faire curtezans , who seemed nice , " as if shee would not sell 't at any price ; " for know ( quoth shee ) this stands not here for sale , " but only set to grace the shop withall . " this answer did not please me , for my fortune " did promise me , that if i would importune " or press my ●…uit , hows'ere her brest seem'd steel'd ▪ " by hot assault she could not chuse but yeeld . " on this foundation grounded , i did show her " how much respect i ever tendred to her , " so as no fancy could be more exprest " then th' faithfull service i to her profest . " and know ( deere love ) such is my present state " as i will buy this gem at any ra●…e , " rather then lose what i esteeme so much , " the boundlesse limits of my love is such . " besides , it will no derogation be " to cast the eye of your respect on me , " for i may grace you more then any other , " both by my own means and my high-priz'd brother , " whose rising-fortunes gaine him that esteeme " as blest are they that may but follow them . " so moving was this lovely rhetorick , " a●… it began to touch her to the quick ; " silent shee was , silence implies consent , " whence i perceiv'd my profer gave content : " for there was no●…ghr that wrought so much upō her " as when i gave her notice of mine honour , " and that my lordship would reward her more " then all her silken-guls had done before . " for these court-punies , what could they effect " that might deserve the height of her respect ? " these are but great-mens-shadowes at the best , " who sute themselves with shreds of interest , " learne to looke big , and keep their postures too , " but which of these has money to bestow " on his affected mistresse , whose repaire " must not rely on castles in the ayre ? " yea , which of these , how ere they seeme to prate , " dare whet their knife neer to the counter-gate ? " such gilded puppets are these courtly-apes " who gull faire idols with deceiving sh●…pes . " having obtain'd my suit , i made exprest " by bounteous gifts , the love which i profest , " so as 'mongst all paid tribute to her beauty , " i was the man to whom shee tenderd duty " with most observance ; but behold my fancy " grew in the end distempred with a phrensy , " so as i could not any thing conceale , " but 'mongst the rest told how i had to deale " with this fresh amorous bursan , and what rate " shee priz'd the traffick of her body at ; " so as in briefe ( so far had reason crost me ) " i told my wife how deere that pleasure co●…t me . " shee , though i was distemperd , did apply it " to her conceit , and thought in time to try it ; " which on a day , her lady-mother being " of her opinion , and in one agreeing , " with jealous thoughts , they to this sempster go , " to try if this report w●…ee tr●…e or no. " the shop descride , these subtle syrens take " their walk by her , shee asking what they lack , " little suspecting ( simple soule ) that they " should in those shapes her secret crimes display . " shew us some ruffs , quoth one , of choicest fashion , " spanish , italian , or some other nation , " as the venetian ; where no country can " compare in state unto their curtezan . " chiefest & choycest of her ruffs she shows them , " for she presumes ( so perfectly she knows them ) " that none would give content but such were best , " though worse would serv for such a thankles guest " choice doe they make of such as best doe like , " and at a price they now begin to strike ; " what shee demands they give , but pay , they said , " was more then needs , shee was already paid . " by whom ( said she ? ) by such a noble lord , " who hath engag'd his honor and his word , " that such a time and place , what would you more ? " just to this sum he paid you long before " shee ( modest matron ) guilty of the bill , " stood as a statue , silent , husht and still ; " yet with vermilion tinctures shee displaid " that such a sum had beene by mee defraid : " which they observing , left her sore perplexed " through my distemper , thus impeach'd & vexed . after , by meanes of physick and good diet , my phrentick humor grew to be more quiet ; so at when they did any time upbraid or tax mee now with that which i had said , i straight recanted that which i had spoken , but femal spleen is not so soon forgotten ; for those aspersions though i did disclaime , imputing them to th' weaknesse of my braine , my lady-mother will not let mee gad , but keeps mee still restrain'd , as i were mad ; so as the cause why i can scarcely know my friends , is this , my lady makes mee so . one have i heard speak in my forlorne roome , " a madder lord is not in christendome , but hee may thanke his genius for it and not his honour , if he have more wit. now all the tricks which i must henceforth play are few or none , for i poor ape must stay , like to a starved snake or drouzie drone , with house-baboons and marmosites at home ; unlesse i goe sometimes unto a wake , where i such stoicks for my consorts take , as rumford , ratcliffe , hallowell can show , for these are farthest wakes i goe unto , my tutors be so strict , unlesse by chance , about a may-pole i dare hardly dance , or give a wench a green-gown on the grasse , so much the time is chang'd from what it was . only ( kind-bearward ) rests it in your pow'r to make mee free as any emperour ; whereby you may redresse my present wrong , and make mee merry as the day is long . the ape of fashion . fashion thou art mine idol , pride my prize , my glass , my globe , my corpse , my sacrifice , which i one day must offer to the mace , for cloath a silver , scarlet and gold-lace . twelve yeers and more i have a trav'ler been in france and italy , where i have seen variety of fashions , whose rich fraught i now , at last , have to my countrey brought ; for i was he that did the first discover your saffron yolkie band , & brought it over ; your paned doublet , and penurious breech were undescride , till i began to teach the rudiments of art , nor have i lost all by my voyage , though it deerly cost . for now admires each gallant my invention , and gratifies mee with a standing pension ; four spanish-mares have i to carrie me , with all accoutrements so properlie , as in more state himselfe he cannot beare who may dispend ten thousand pound by yeare . now to acquaint you where i make resort , my residence is for most part at court ; where i such tricks as i bring over , show to such , whose dispositions i do know most itching after novelties , and these i le pawne my life , that i shall quickly please . for give these noble courtiers their due , if th' fashion i present them with be new , they care not how ill-favord it appeare , for they would be observed what they weare ; nor is it decency that they respect , for we shall see a kinde of strange neglect in our apparell gaine us more esteeme , then those who in their clothes more punctual seeme ▪ as for example , let our cloaks fall downe upon left shoulder , or go sweep the roome in a neglectfull fashion , with sleeves drawne up to the elbow , to descry the laune or cambrick shirts wee weare , unbutton'd too , that our lac'd linnen may more neatnesse show , with points untruss'd , as if wee did not care for pride so much as for the subtle ayre : and wee , by this , shall more observance git , then if , with ginger pace wee minsed it . of all those servants that i entertaine , a tayler and a broker bee the men i most esteeme , and where i most relide , though i have many hangers on beside ; for th' one with new-clothes still renues my state , the other broaks such clothes are out of date . and howsoere some people doe condemne these brokers for unconscionable men , i know them to be bounteous and kind , for if you leave in paune your suit behind , you shall be sure , so freely will he show him , to find more on it then you gave unto him . nor is my tayler such a man of sin as some young cheated-gulls would make of him ; for what 's the cause they beare such hate unto him ? 't is this forsooth , he hath his hell below him . if this procure their hate , it doth behove them to finde out some that have their hell above them . i must confesse hee will od-shreds conceale , but that 's a small fault in our common-weale , for , in our state , some greater-theeves there bee whom none dare tax , yet steale far more then hee . hee one command'ment breaks and so doth fall , but these state-sharks infringe not one , but all . now for the place where i do most frequent , court , city , country , are my continent ; where , to the garbe of every place i live , and such a forme of fashion use to give , as there is none who would not imitate the fashion i affect at any rate . which joyes mee much to see an humerous lord , whose formal habit only doth afford a personal esteeme , so mad to bee , as in an apish garb to second mee . but i in change can vie with none of them , which makes mee curry favor with their men , who set their lordships-wardrope at a sale , from whence i hooke some suit bee 't nere so stale , which i reduce to fashion by my wit , and this their lord admires and followes it . for little knowes he , when he notes my fashion , that from his wardrope it receiv'd translation ; where if hee-knew what to my selfe is knowne , hee would be loth to imitate his owne . i have likewise a venice dame brought over , whom our court-ladies eye , aud eying love her ; for choyce attyres shee labours to invent , mixing with english venice complement : so as no curtezan observeth there ought worthy note , but 's nat'ralized here . rounding of haire , short-wasted doublets too , steeletto-pockets are stale fashions now ; " inventions mint must goe both night and day , " no matter though our money-mint doe stay . long was i bringing of a work about a looking-glasse , to view from head to foot , before , behind , so as my very spur could scarcely move but i might see it stur . and this invention gain'd mee much esteeme , chiefly 'mongst such who most deformed seeme , whose crooked shapes , if they perfection lack , i could applie a levell to their back ; whose equall feature by th' reflecting-glasse , made them admire themselves as they did ' passe , and to some ladies much deform'd , of late i have prescrib'd another choyce receite , which now for modesty i will omit , because cornelius-tub produceth it . nor is my venice-urinal so brittle , though she felt once the furnace of the spittle , but shee demurely can observe all times , and with her saintly outside cover crimes . so as the city beares her such affection , shee 's only thought the first to give direction for matters of discourse , attyre , behaviour , striving among themselves who may receive her with most extended bounty ; yet will shee requite their boundlesse liberalitie with husbands ruine ( she has vow'd to do 't ) and with excesse of charge to bank her out . for goe they but to rumford to a feast , their clothes proclaim them ladies at the least , ' though all that while , their wronged-husbands spare it , and satisfie their hunger with a carret . nor only there , but on the country too , some fashions out a date doe i bestow ; where shee and i marching some fortnight after , are like to burst our selves ( i sweare ) with laughter . for in a country-church you there shall see the may-pole wenches weare my liverie ; but in their forme of fashion so displaid , none can discerne the mistrisse from the maid . yet they 'r perswaded what they weare is new , and that their fashion is but known to few save to themselves , which makes them to appeare scornfull to such who goe in country weare : yet if they knew as much as i , they 'd say themselves were out of fashion more then they . thus have i liv'd , and thus am i belov'd , for state appointed , and by states approv'd , where of no law i doe so much complaine as of one late-enacted now in spaine , touching restraint of all excessive ' parell , which i 'm resolv'd would make our gallants quarel ; and reason good ; for would one think it fit to reave them that they more esteeme then wit ? surely the task were hard , the law severe , yet this they doe who strip them of their weare . for these are they who descant on one straine , and with no care disturb their giddy braine , save only how they may in fashion git , and be the first that may encounter it . these are they whom i love , with whom i live , and unto whom this legacie i give ; they who prefer a coate before a pate , shall die without a coate , wit , or estate . the ape of observation . that i' sites , states & natures might descry , columbus hath not travel'd more then i ; in princes courts i have a lodger beene , and there observ'd whats'ever i have seen : which to compile it did mee highly please , entitling it my ephemerides . i have been present at late wars of rhine , though i to neither party did incline ; i heard th' electors sing a dolefull dirge , at winning of renowned heidelberge , redoubling thus the subject of their care , " our neighbours house a fire , bids us beware . i follow'd warlike tillie at the tayle , when with streight siege he closed frankindale ; to berg'apsome i did my progresse make , where i much muz'd how spynola could scape , when in his campe hee was so gyrt about , as feare got in , but nothing could get out . " though plots seeme deepe , one may their bottom sink , but i were mad if i ' de speake all i think . nor is my observation so restrain'd , as if it earthly objects only aim'd ; more high mysterious speculation's given , to view those signes and wonders are in heaven , prodigious formes and figures in the ayre , all which impressions lately frequent were neere sieged prague , and other cities too , who have sustain'd what foe or fate could doe . at turein , two miles from egeria within the kingdome of bohemia , next to a stew , where i with others stood , i saw a table and a form sweat blood ; which i observ'd and forthwith did divine there would succeed a blood ▪ effusing time . from whence dislodg'd no sooner did i come unto the famous city lintium , then there appeared a fear-increasing vision , which ore the city shewd this apparition ; two swords stood pointing one against another , with furious armies skirmishing together ; all which i made th' inhabitants beleeve would some impressions in their city leave ; assuring them , to make mine art more knowne , these ayrie armies would surprize the towne . this caus'd a strict watch to be duely kept , and i did laugh at this while others wept ; for it was far above my element to know what these strange apparitions meant ; though my conjectures were esteem'd more true then th' unknown palmistry of any jew . but lest the statute bring me into question , this is the least i use in my profession , unlesse in forrain countries where there be so few that practise this same mysterie , as they will lodg a wizard in their brest , but ever prize north-britain wizards best . thus i 've inrich'd my selfe with observation , and gaind me such renoune within this nation , that be my weekly corrants nere so strange , they passe for current-novells on th' exchange : so as upon my knowledge their esteeme hath staid the vent of better labors cleane . yea , there be divers stationers in the citie , who had been broke ( the more had beene the pitie ) had not my high ▪ priz'd travels been brought hether which kept them up from going down the wether . and now these are , which seems to mee most rare , held by our stage-gulls for oracular . not any story or occurrent passes , but is authentick truth with these sage-asses , who neighbourly confer upon a bench of such a rampire , palisado , trench ; of such a conquest , such a battaile lost , and what a world of christian lives it cost . this they peruse , which they perusing send into the country to some speciall friend , who may p●…take these news without delay , and these become as credulous fools as they . for though , to give my thriving-works their due , scarce among twenty one relation's true , yet on their truth not one of them will stand , but spread their fame abroad from hand to hand . nor bee my corants only ale house talke , nor for duke humfries knights , who pauls doe walke ; for i have seene the very pulpits smooke with some extractions rifled from my booke , which howsoere they could not well beare water , yet would they serve for want of better matter . but there 's no place so highly prizeth mee , as where out ordinary - gallants bee ; for there am i admir'd , and to my grace preferred ever to the highest place : where my loose glibbrie tongue is prating still travels more strange then those of mandevill . yea , you shall see some score of gallants stand , each with a table - booke within their hand , to take observance of such speciall heads as from the forge of my discourse proceeds : which they relating duely , now and then , makes them esteem'd for most accomplish'd men . now what may you imagine i deserve , when these extract but that which i observe ? and gaine such praise , as those land-gulls who hear them , account them highly blest who neighbour neer thē ? but now because i 'm to my country come , i le shew you what i have observ'd at home , and in each sev'rall place where i have beene , briefly unfold what i have heard or seene . in court i liv'd , and living felt no scant , but bravely surfeited on others want ; it was my ayme , and i did ayme aright , to winde me in with some great-favorite , whose gracefull count'nance might support me still in all my courses , were they good or ill . where i observ'd , more good might be effected by meanes of one who was in court respected , were his cause ne're so faultie nor so weake , then a good cause , if he no friends could make : the reason was , though justice bore ev'n hand , from some of these there came a countermand , which , cause he was a great - antagonist they durst not his authority resist ; or else his meanes advanc'd them to that place , which mov'd them veile to him in any case . for this i held a grounded observation , justice to greatnesse ever had relation ; for some of these oft get a place worth chusing , by being married to a great-mans cousin : so firm's the linke of mutuall allyance , against all opposits it pleads defiance . for other silken-apes who spend their time in making their seer-bodies brisk and fine , i hold it needlesse here to make report , because ther 's such an ape , just now , in court ; who will describe himselfe in every lim , which makes me leave that labor unto him . for our court-ladies , very few i know who racket it with their comradoes now ; our spritely lords doe either treasure lack , or else they want agility of back , so as amongst a number ther 's scarce one but shee is eyther mortifide or gone . " one did i heare of but the other day , " who now has throwne her lighter roabs away , " and by a firm-friend whom she well approv'd , " sent to the wife of that same lord she lov'd , " how she resolv'd her good esteeme to win " by wearing of a mourning-gowne for him . " but what 's the answer shee return'd to her ? " i wish , quoth she , your lady may not weare " but what becomes her best in publique sight , " her suite must sute her selfe , her selfe is light ; " but if with mee shee 'll keepe a mourning part , " shee must not mourn in habit , but in heart . and so no question doth shee ; for long since shee lost the eye of her concupiscence , which makes me hope the eye-light of her mind is cleerer far , since th' outward eye was blind . thus be our ladies matchlesse converts held , to whom no suiters make but are repeld ; though one i know , nor was old lais liker unto her selfe , then shee is to a striker . in city likewise i remain'd a while , where i observ'd how trades-men did beguile , and in some darke part of their shop tooke care how they might vent their most deceitfull ware . here did i stay farre longer then i need , that i with laughter might my humor feed ; for here i might observe a country-gull , whose fathers death had made his pockets full , mount ludgate-hill to buy a spanish felt , pull out his money , bid the knave go tel 't . notes from black-fryers i presently might gather , for now this cornish-chough mourns for his father in a carnation feather , wherewithall hee means to grace his fathers funerall . by this hee travells to saint martins lane , and to the shops hee goes to buy a chaine ; where ev'ry painted babie that hee sees , with their horse-gilded varnish doth so please , as such commodities must not bee lost , for he will have them whatsoe're they cost . to th' royal exchange fain would he take his course if he had any money in his purse , but the long-shop hath brought his pockets low with daggers , bells , and hobby-horses too . for city-wives i will not presse them much , if they be pleas'd that i may only touch their errors , not their persons ; which shall be shadow'd so covertly as none shall see . i have observ'd that nothing is more sweete in their conceit , then when these gossips meete ; nor would this halfe so much their husbands vex , if all these gossips were but of one sex : but this the grief on 't , forth they will not go but they must have their foremen with them too . which to redresse , and for a quiet life , let ev'ry one be foremen to his wife ; for this in short time will her humor tame , and purchase to her selfe a better name . for the gum'd grogran citty-usurer , he is observ'd so much by lucifer , i need small observation take of him , being known to be th' engrosser of all sin . not all his furrs nor vermin-skins shall save him , he has contracted with him meanes to have him ; and reason good , for you shall truely finde the master and his man both of one minde : for there is nought the usurer doth crave , but that he may security receive , with whom in this his master doth agree , for all he seeks is but securitie . yet for all this i cannot chuse but love him , because he cheats so many men above him , and by a forfeiture or such like sentence , in time he brings them unto true repentance ; whereas if they had never met with him , perchance they had still rioted in sin . besides , he 's charitable , for to his door you cannot come but you shall see the poor ; yet th' cause hereof he cannot well conceale , " he makes all poor with whom he has to deale , now for the country , though there many be who make pretences of simplicitie , because they little know that part of speech which southerne people to their children teach ; yet in a home - spun native rhetorick they shew themselves as pregnant and as quick , as those whose education may impart far more accomplishment by meanes of art. a subtle-piercing ayre has made these wittie , apt to deceive as any in the cittie ; for th' richer grubs , we properly may call broggers , forestallers , and regraters all : and these prey on his state that weakest is , as whales and sea - bulls feed on lesser fish . for th' younger sort small policie discerns , yet as the old cock crows the young cock learns ; though they be gulld oftimes by city ▪ ware , they are by it made circumspecter farre , and now and then the city recompences with a commodity of stale-stuffe wenches , who by their carriage gaine them such esteeme as many times they match with aldermen . for th' higher ranke , they live at such a rate , as some of them cannot support their state without sinister meanes , yet these by aw seeme to oppose and contradict the law ; so as the law grows tongue-tide , or else bent to give these bulls of basan all content . " law 's as a spiders web , and ever was , " it takes the little flies , lets great ones passe . but let us draine these rivolets that flow , those last are lost , they were so long ago . if we extract not poyson from each rill , injoyn us silence , we have lost our skill : but pan should thwart the fancy of his pipe , ceasing to play when vices are so ripe . then to our trillo ; you shall heare more set in this composure then you heard of yet . a nimble ningle we did lately heare has purchased a thousand pounds by yeere , contracting for delinquents , though some say ' he was delinquent once as well as they . and there 's small doubt , when all accounts are past , he of his house , shall be both first and last ; for though his fortunes to such grandeur swell , a ranker cheat breaths not ' ●…wixt heav'n and hell : so dearly hugging private interest as sordid lucre has intranc'd the beast . the proverbe is , " all evill comes from north , and worse then this the north-coast nere brought forth . here you shall see , which i did smile to see , reteyners to some man of qualitie cheat a sot of his coyne , or which is worse , in the kings high-street take away his purse , which they with winged speed wil forthwith carrie unto their old receit or sanctuarie ; where these reteyners due account must make , and with their state-split - master part the stake . yet who dare say that such a man as he would give least countenance to theeverie ? his port doth rather argue him a giver , then to support his state with stand , deliver ; but so long hee his bounty did display , " he cannot as he would , but as he may . thus i in observations of all sort , be they in country , city , or the court , have in my progresse such exactnesse showne as i suppose no traveller hath done . yea in the academie i observ'd those drones enjoy best roomes who least deserv'd ; and many more , which if i should expresse . would force the hearer to amazednesse , that any one should possibly containe such store of observations in one braine . for rules of art so far do they excell the diving plots of matchlesse machavell , that i of all the world could compose an abstract of her policies , and enclose each project and occurrent that befell within the compasse of a wallnut-shell : for i ne're view'd the forme of any state i 'de not observe , observing imitate . what resteth then , but that yee doe devise honors for him , whose knowledg makes ye wise ? the court ape . so briske i am , so sweet and so perfum'd , i have no tricks , it may be so presum'd ; but i doe muse how any one should think i could thus neatly goe and have no chink ; for howsoe'●…e some courtiers have said it , they were supported only by their credit . tradesmen grow now so wise ( the more'●… the pitie ) the court is out of credit with the citie . at this time have i nere the minories two coaches with distinguish'd liveries , eight barb'rie mares , two foot-cloth naggs beside , o●… which , for more variety ; i ride the publique streetes , to visit such a ladie , by whom i have a standing pension paid me . coach men and pages divers have i too , o●… whom my cast suits use i to bestow , with other vailes which accidental be , besides the grace they have in following me . nor is this all , crowns must i alwayes carrie , and hazard too when i 'me at ordinarie , where like true heire of bounty i must show farre more profuse then vulgar gallants doe . i have a tweake too , one of my retenue , who will expect a share in my revenue ; " if phebus had no light , could phebe shine ? " no more can she without some ayde of mine . now can one thinke , i on this charge should sit , and have no meanes at all to second it ? a fire must fuell have or it goes out , a lampe must needes have oyle applide unto 't ; springs rivers feed , seas are by rivers fed , bees sucke sweet flowers , and so are nourished . while these in distinct nourishment doe share , m●…st i chameleon-like be fed with ayre ? no ; i have meanes in court to shew my light , for i 'me esteem'd a speciall favorite to such a peere , whose greatnesse can support the lowest shrub that grows within his court ; much more such state - aspiring pines as i , who on his grace without desert rely . for if i should desert or merit weigh , i 'de make a conscience of those tricks i play ; but bare might i be as the slough - stript snake , if of my pranks i should a conscience make : for this my maxim is ; " he that will blush , " or value honesty more then a rush , " or so precize , hee 'l no advantage take , " may thrive in court , but he 's not very like . but not it rests , that i my tricks doe show , which showne , judge if i may not thrive or no. in court i live and flourish where i live , apt to receive , but seldom apt to give ; in ev'ry boat a private oare-i have , where th' bargain 's ill i neither win nor save : for i 've a braine has wit enough to plot , and for a conscience i know it not ; because this conscience such a scarcrow is , as it deterreth us from what 's amiss ; which if wee should observe , it would be like within short time to overthrow us quite . if any state-employment be in hand , i by some secret agent understand whereto it tends , compounding with a friend , to whom by meanes the state doth recommend this publick taske , that i may share with him in th' benefit that he 's employed in ; which if he grant , to raise his estimate i recommend his service to the state , extolling his deserts , saying ; " 't were fit " such men as he should reape a benefit " by their employments , otherwise 't would seeme " the state were weak & could not judge of them : yet i may sweare sincerely from my heart , i little prize or value his desert ; my chiefest ayme and principallest care is how i may in his preferment share . for to that end did i his worth improve , causing him thinke 't was only for his love , whereas peculiar profit drew me to it , nor care i much if all the world doe know it . for these are usuall projects now a dayes , and if contrived nimblie , merit praise in th' undertaker ; yea i know a man high in the courts esteeme , who now and than for all his outward lustre will not stick to gul the state with this familiar trick . if any one , whose service hath beene tride , sue by some meanes for to be gratifide , that he his hopes on stronger stayes may ground , he with this gracefull courtier doth compound ; that if he shall procure him such a summe for all the former service he hath done , he shall be sharer with him , and receave two parts and more of all that he shall have . this moves this spritely courtier to perswade , that such a summe of money may be paid for such state - service , which above compare deserv's due guerdon ; for his onely care ( as he pretends ) is to preferre the suite of them whose name hath purchas'd them repute . the state weighs his deserts , and doth bestow what 's fit and equall for his service too . but when it 's to be paid , this understand , seldome a fourth part comes to th' owners hand ; for his perswasive orator will share above the former composition farre , telling him how , if 't had not beene for him he had not got the value of a pin : then fit it were that he three parts allot to him by whom his entire suite was got . thus must we plot and reape the greatest gaine through their deserts , who in the camp remaine subject to all those miseries of warre , which on the souldier still inflicted are . our soft down beds be all the harms we feele , our silken - roabes , our harnesse and our steele ; our crystall springs of luscious hypocrice , our humors taste no warlike enterprize ; our congies , cringes , amorous salutes , our love-inducing - sonnets , warbling lutes , our masks , tilts , triumphs & obsequious greetings , our closs encounters in our entry-meetings , our deere eringo love-provocatives , our julips , apozems , preservatives , our secret plots to work our ends thereby , closing our drifts within an oyster - pye , our private aymes to purchase such a wife , by laying siege now in her husbands life ; our french - moriscoes , motives of delight , our parachito , monkey , marmosite , our arbour - daliance , when we make resort to those sweet groves and gardens of the court , move us to joy in such a happy birth , as those who doe enjoy their heav'n on earth . in brief , what 's choice we have it , and contemn those weake delights are us'd by vulgar - men . here you shall see a man of discipline , one who came off right bravely in his time , with all observance make recourse to us , that we would deigne to be propitious to his preferred suite ; which wee set light , hows'ere his cause seeme equall and upright . the reason is , this supplicant is poor , and with a bounteous hand can scarcely shoure into our boundlesse skrips , what wee expect , " this is the cause his suit takes no effect . thus in the court doe wee our lustre shew , and on inferior groundlings take a view with such contempt , as they who us behold , would hardly think us made both of one mold . for come wee within distance but of those , wee hold a pomander streight to our nose , lest their ranke breath should any way infect us , or that the popular might more respect us . yet i protest i can no reason see , that wee of them more cautulous should bee for any such infectious ayre , i say , then they of us , corrupter far then they . but far be it removed from my brest to hatch least thought of stayning my own nest : for ther 's enow that will this staine encrease in ev'ry coast , though i should hold my peace , now from the court to city must i goe , where i my tricks am purposed to show , which i 'm indifferent , please they or displease , but to display them briefly , they be these . i have choice spies and tarriers in the towne , who by their long experience now are growne ripe in observance ; now the use i make of these , is this ; they serious notice take of such commodities as bear most sway , and at what speciall rate they goe away . which known , i hold it thriving policy to make a suit for this monopoly , by which the trades-men shall be forc'd to stand till they seeke composition at my hand . or else i cause the impost to bee rais'd , which new enhancement i 've no sooner caus'd then i make meanes ( such is the course of us ) to get unto my selfe the overplus . or else i farme this impost of the king , but what is due to him i seldome bring ; for th' maxim is i hope , as it hath beene , " where there is much , much will be overseene . another feare i have , and it is this , if any trades-man in the towne shall wish to vent such ware as he hath now with him , before some new commodities come in , let him annoynt me well , i will make way that no new ware be sold till such a day . as for example , if a vintner wold before new wines come in , ven●… all his old ; by my procurement i can cause restraint of all new wines , till hee his old shall vent : yea , and inhance the rate too of his owne , because such want of wines are in the towne . if any likewise would protection have , be he ne'●…e such a state-abusing knave , he shall receive it by some means of ours , and wipe the nose of all his creditors : yea breake he in the morning , yet ere night the sonne of this same bankrupt shall be knight . more curious feats i have besides all these , which to my waining coffers yeeld encrease ; but in the city they so frequent are , as they grow now like to their sullied ware : so as of these i le briefly make an end , and to my country-cormorants descend . hath any man desire to have his nest or any of his brood grac'd with a crest ? though there were never title of his own to any of his predecessors known , he shall to him and his a style inherit , which after times may think he got by merit , or some field-service that he never did , or some strange act , which to the world is hid ▪ a catalogue of honors i have written , whereof he may make choice as he thinks fitting ; an heralds arch these titles are displaid on , barons , knights-baronets , or new-styl'd vaidon ; only i feare , some of these honors bee of too high ranke for such an one as hee : yet if he will but lose his strong-ty'd-purse , i le get him one , a better or a worse . for honours as they should , so humble seeme , many enjoy them know not what they meane ; which th' herald shadows oft times with a jest , devising for their coat as strange a crest ; as three red-herrings in a forrest-greene , with a souc'd-gurnet peering up betweene ▪ or for one combe , as i have heard it said , a curry-combe betwixt two sunnes displaid . but now admit the country grow so wise , it will by no meanes yeeld to such a price , alledging how there is no reason why that they at such high rate should honor buy , seeing decrease of money it is such , as there be few that have it , but will grutch , though they doe value honor as their life , to pay so much as then when coine was rife . or else perhaps honors so common seeme , as now they fall into such disesteeme , they 'll have no more knights made ▪ ' ●…is so agree'd on , lest they should want ancient esquires to breed on . admit , i say , all this , i have a feat to get me lands and livings by escheat ; for , by my tarriers , i doe understand of all improved and concealed land , which presently i beg , and in an houre turn husband , wife and children out a doore . compound with mee none can at any rate , for now all composition comes too late ; i 'm seiz'd and in possession , taking care to build a curious house to seate my heire ; planting delicious orchards to delight with luscious fruits , the choycest appetite ; contriving spacious fish-ponds closed round , with marble columns raised from the ground : in briefe , ther 's nothing that you can devise , appears not in this earthly paradise . now all these works are finished and done , to reare a sumptuous mansion for my sonne , who many times before i turne to mold , hath his reversion to another sold ; which so prevents my care , i de think no sin , but that i have confer'd my state on him , to strip this wag , who in a net doth dance , of all the hope of his inheritance . but 't is no matter , i 've a state for life , which i suppose will mediate this strife ; for now of late i 'm run so far on shelfe , all i have left will scarcely serve my selfe . yet must i gull the time and make a show as if i had more owne then i doe ow ; my foot-cloth beares mee out , nor is my debt so great as i need much to pawn it yet . in progresse time , i likewise goe to see 'mongst other apes , the universitie , where though * licinius-like all arts i hate , i must be made forthwith a graduate for which i promise , when they come to court , some chaplains place , but they must pay me for 't . thus have i shown my tricks in ev'ry place , and howsoere some twit mee to my face , affording mee ( poor snakes ) no better word then of a carpet-civet ▪ comfit lord , though aged court-apes fall into contempt , i 'm none of these , my person is exempt : who have no tricks to cheat may droop and die , but thanks unto the stars , this need not i ; my happy fate such apprehension lent me , as i would see that man could circumvent me . now he that has a wit and will not use it unto his best advantage , doth abuse it . it rests , as you have heard so to report , no tricks are like those tricks are plaid at court. the city ape . t is strange to heare this silken-gull preferre those plots by which his court-ship seems to erre , before those honest aymes which ever are both more secure and more successive far . 't is sure the corrupt age hee liveth in makes him thus vainly glory in his sin ; or else hee holds confession of his crimes agreeing well with these absolving times , where sundry rites they to the church restore which we nere heard this threescore yeeres before . but doth this painted ▪ truncke , whose best repute dependeth on the fashion of his sute , imagine all the projects of the state , to have no other forge but from his pate ? or that there is no engineer so quick , to vie with him in matters politick ? yes , know thou powdred and perfumed ape , for all thy cinnamon adulterate shape , though thou seeme to disvalue other men , i le match thee with a grogran ▪ citizen , who , as it will appeare before wee part , shall put thee down with tricks spight of thy heart . yet i ne're travel'd far to get them neither , being a byrth-right left me by my father ; so as in these i cannot well miscarrie , because they are to mee hereditarie . nor be my actions halfe so base as his , for all his policie meere servile is ; hee 's tyde to dance attendance early , late , and to petition men for his estate ; grounding his hopes on others overthrow , but i de be ●…oth to raise my fortunes so . my shop 's my ship , where i doe vent my ware , to which both court and country doe repaire ; where if the buyer chance to bid too much for his commoditie , i am none such to lessen what he offers ; my receite of custome , is the place where i must waite : where if i should make scruple of my gaine , how should i pay my rent or port maintaine ? i must and will for my best vantage stand , " let the gull take his losse in his own hand . yet some are thus opinion'd , of all men there 's none more simple then a citizen ; for hee can scarcely any reason show for ought he sees , but asks where malt doth grow : this makes them call us cockneies , nor doe wee thrive worse for that we so accounted bee . for wee darke-shops to vent ill ware may use , and with simplicity our guile excuse ; protest yes verily , and make a show of that which verily is nothing so . here you shall see a gallant-gull come neere us , when in our shops he shall no sooner heare us cry out to passengers what doe ye lack ? but he is forthwith tane with some new knack ; out cometh gold from this arabian ▪ rat , which our keene lick'rish teeth doe water at . more will we aske then we expect by halfe , of purpose to entrap this golden-calfe ; for there 's no purchase in the world can please a citizen so much as gulling these . the reason is , our weakness they contemn as sillie , simple and plain-dealing men , because ( forsooth ) we no discoursers be , but only of our owne commoditie . we know no tillage , nor no pasture grounds , the city-walls have ever been our bounds , unlesse along we with a neighbour go to croydon , acton , newington , or so . now there is nought on earth makes me so sorie , as that this court-ape should so vainly glorie that we repaire to him for his direction , in the procurement of our own protection , which is not so ; for as we laid first plot of bringing that to passe which we have got , so i le maintain it , none of these but wee are agents too in this immunitie : which to confirme , i purpose to relate a president which hapned but of late . " one of my bretherhood of good esteeme , " as any neere long-lane long time hath beene , " pretending by a mighty losse on sea , " ( though this was but a meere pretended plea ) " that he through poverty could not defray , " what he in conscience was bound to pay . " yet long ere this , that he might statutes shun , " had he confer'd his state upon his son. " with this pretence he to a courtier goes , " to whom sincerely he his purpose shows , " imparting to him briefly his intent " was to make men beleeve his means were spent ; " that so he might by this deluding cheat , " increase his state , his creditors defeat . " meane time his ayde he humbelly would crave , " that for his debts he may protection have ; " which court'sie should so ty him during breath , " his state should be the courtiers at his death . " this the spruce credulous silk-worm seems to trust , " and little dreams what state was made at first ; " but by assumpsit holding th' grant secure , " hee a protection labours to procure : " which got , my fox-fur'd brother was at ease , " frolick and merry as a mouse in cheese . " but now ensues the jest , when he should die , " ( as no protection 'gainst mortalitie ) " adoption did the courtier so intrance " in hope of his assur'd inheritance , " hee 'd suffer none ( so carefull was the elfe ) " to visit this rich sick-man but himselfe ; " about his bed still would he seeme to bee , " expecting that which he did long to see : " but lo ! his hopes were turned to despaire , " when he perceiv'd another made his heire ; " which caus'd him vow that he would never after , " make his protections instruments of laughter . but i doe wonder how court-apes should seeme so much our city-apes to disesteeme ; they ' r made , i 'm sure , of selfe-same element , hows'ere they seeme inferior in discent . no , nor inferior in discent at all , as might be prov'd of late from girdlers-hall , where one of obscure race as one could bee , without so much as a welsh-pedigree , when he deceas'd , so well his fortunes stood , was found descended of a noble blood . which makes me think , if so their race were known , that there be many trades-men in the town , whose high descent aymes at a noble pitch , provided alwaies , that these men die rich : for then , for heires they need take little care , some noble unknown kinsman will be heire : the law enableth him as heire apparant , for why ; a great mans claim includes a warrant . but while i make my brethrens actions knowne , i am forgetfull wholy of mine owne . for th' little time i did the court frequent , i found it wanton and incontinent ; which i observing , though a city-ape , i had a great desire to imitate : and that you may know how i profited , i le shew you briefly where i practised . " to a court-landresse first did i repaire , " encountring her at bottom of a staire ; " which by experience i may safely sweare , " within a fortnight after cost mee deare . " for shee demanding of mee where i dwelt , " weakly and unadvisedly i tell 't , " whereof she made this use : one day being come " unto my shop , when i was gone from home , " ( for by direction shee my shop had found ) " shee call'd for ware to th' value of ten pound ; " my man expecting money , shee delay'd him , " asking where was his master , she had paid him ? " long had not hee and shee contesting bin " till i , as fortune bad , came rushing in ; " whom shee no sooner ey'd , then by my name " saluting me , shee justifi'd the same . " where duck ( quoth i ? ) shee , rounding in mine eare " ( but never blush'd at matter ) told me where . " i , lest i should my credit overthrow , " told her , i did remember it was so , " entreating her excuse , i had forgot it ; " thus did i colour 't so , as none could note it . but now my reputation doth remaine free from all touch , as if it nere had staine ; all causes unto mee are now refer'd , as the sufficientst man within the ward . if any childe be in the parish got , i of the parents take especiall note to take them joyntly bound , be 't boy or daughter , that th' parish be not charged with it after . for i 'm held none of these who prate non sence , spending the day in nodding on a bench ; for these , as if their beard held all their wit , speake scarce two words but they are stroking it . i know right well , there 's not an officer , from treasurer unto the scavenger , but needs those choice directions of mine , for i have borne each office in my time , and in each place of note so well become me as there was none could take advantage on me . but i shall little neede to presse this theame , the city notice takes of my esteeme ; the vergers too , so highly do approve me , as scarce two seats be in the church above me . now having got such honor in the towne , i le take survey where i am lesser knowne ; if they dis-value me , impute ye it to want of my acquaintance , or their wit. to th' university i nere repaire but once a yeere , and that 's at sturbridg-faire ; yet am i knowne to many scholars there , who buy of me whats'ever they doe weare . silks , sattins , grograns , serges of each sort , of mee they cheap , and i doe cheat them for 't . if á penurious master have a mind to satten-face his doublet , though behind it be of buckram , hee 'll to mee resort , and tell mee hee 's injoyn'd to preach at court ; so as he meanes , if god will give him leave , to buy a satten-forepart , with half-sleeve ; for that 's as much he thinks as will be seene , to gaine unto his person more esteeme . forthwith i finde a remnant of the best , ( so much at least i verily protest ) wherewith i doe sufficiently store this choice divine , who nere bought silke before . yet i confesse this remnant that he bought , such a commoditie 't was good for nought , being gumm'd throughout to make it neatly shine , which gave content unto this spruce divine . when th' fair is done i to the colledg come , or else i drink with them at trompington ; craving their more acquaintance with my heart till our next sturbridg faire , and so wee part . now for the country ; where i make my stay in no place longer then at beverley ▪ to country maids , and gentlewomen too , my newest and alluringst stuffs i show ; which doe so mad them , they perforce must buy , and i perceive their humor by their eye : so as i ever hold that stuffe most deare , to which these goostings most affection beare ; swearing it cost mee more then all the rest , for p. and g. ▪ s the marke which proves it best . then with shop-usual formal rhetorick , i touch these itching tamefowles to the quick , for i doe tell them , if they hold 't too deere i de wish them to goe try some other where ; but i 'm perswaded , though they doe complaine my rates too high , they ' l come to me againe ; for sure i am , wheres'ever they doe try , there 's none can sell at lower rates then i. thus i adjure them , yet perhaps they 'l go to make a tryall , to a shop or two , but this the jest ; we have a practise made , the better to enhance our thriving trade , amongst our selves no secret must be hid , but we are to give notice what they bid , that we may altogether sing one song , and by our rates not one another wrong . yea , by our art to gaine our trades their due , we have a trick to sell old ware for new ; which country-people seldom doe perceive , for they 're too simple to smell out a knave . although sometimes they fit us in our kind , when they with easie gale and ready wind , in ev'ry coast doe take especiall care to change stale ▪ wenches with our slubberd-ware ; which wee accept , and if good luck bechance them , to great-mens wives their fortune may advance thē . thus have you heard the tricks that i can play , which smoothly carried profit more then they , whose glorious outsides paint their projects over with nothing else save with a gilded cover . if wags be gulld by running on our shelves , wee were not cause on 't , they may thank themselves wee in our shops doe stand , they come unto us , to profit what wee can they will allow us . but if 't dislike them that we should doe so , truth is wee 'll do 't whether they will or no ; ●…or it was never yet to any knowne but one might make best use he could of'●… owne . which whether i have done or no , review my courses o're , and i le bee judg'd by you . the country ape . hearke how this silken civet citizen esteems of us poor silly countrey-men ; as if wee were of no account or note , but had a braine as simple as our coate . why , pray you sir , if i may be so bold , are you of purer or of choicer mold ? or doe you breath on fresher ayre then wee ? or shines some starre on your nativitie , which keepes her light from us ? or is your wit so pure , as all draw influence from it ? are you so subtil , as you onely have the trick to cheat , to cozen and deceive ? no sir , though i live in a wilder place , for sleights and feats i ' le bate you ne're an ace . your darke-loom'd shops shall never have it so , false ballances , base compositions too , counterfeite stuffs our haire-brain'd fopps to gull , in ev'ry country shop wee have them full . for you must know the country 's no such ape but it can city-fashions imitate ; yea we have nimble monkeys of all sort can personate both city and the court ; which neere resemblance that it may appeare , give eare to my discourse and you shall heare . first we have lords and ladies very many , as proud and hautie as the court has any ; there 's not a fashion knowne but it comes downe , for such as these have taylors in the towne , by whose intelligence they are informed what 's new , which they observe hows'ere deformed . being thus attyr'd , they 're presently addrest to shewtheir bravery at some gossips feast ; where many country gentlewomen are , who by observance take especiall care what these great persons weare , for they intend to be in fashion ere the sennet end , which if their frugal husbands but deny , they hope by putting finger in the eye to get their purpose ; for they little stand whether new fashions make them sell their land. which our may-morish wenches likewise follow , who thinke they beare away the fashion hollow . nor doe these onely imitate the court in sumptuous habit , and are beggard for 't ; but forasmuch as they in court doe see no great respect of hospitalitie , they hold it providence to shut up door , no matter though they famish all the poor : or that they may their private waste maintaine , both lords and knights doe table with their men . here you shall see a farmers doore barrd up , where th' poor may cry but is from almes shut ; his cryes , his teares can no compassion force , for th' more he beggs , he ever fares the worse . what boots it , though his barnes and garnars be stor'd with all fruits , yet he pleads povertie ? his aymes are how to get , and if he can to make his mushram impe a gentleman . besides all this , i would be very loth that court or city either of them both , should shew more art in any contract making , then we can doe for all their undertaking . yea i my selfe can of my selfe aver , i know no griping-grinding usurer , whose practise is oppression , but i 'le vye with him or any one under the skye . for courtiers no such businesse intend , they onely borrow , usurers doe lend . but shew me that man at a full exchange , be he home-borne or to our country strange , whose long profession , give the man his dew , has a seer'd conscience worse then any jew , and i will cope with him in his profession , be it church-simonie or state-opression . for this my practise is the whole yeare thorow , when any come to me in hope to borrow ; first to examine his necessitie , as , wants he bread to feed his familie ; or is his living gag't , and day at hand , he either must redeeme or lose his land ; or is he in such bondage , as his griefe requires without delay present reliefe ; i 'le hold his nose to grindstone and so use him , he shall doe what i please , or let him chuse him , statutes on statutes forthwith so pursue him , as like actaeons hounds they still doe view him , so that unlesse he hye him all the faster they will in time devoure their breathlesse master . for conscience haggard-like i doe disclaime her , since he that has her , seldome proves a gainer . two bags i have , the one whereof i call just all the world , and it holds nought at all ; the other bag , with which i use to lend money to those that want , i call my friend ; whereof i make this use ; if any come requesting me to lend them such a summe , if th'offers they propound , content not me , as want of paune or good securitie , i presently reply to these who crave , in all the world i not one pennie have ; but if such come as i may profit by them be 't the same instant , i will not deny them : for though i have no coyne , as i pretend , to give them all content , i 'le use my friend . after this manner am i wont to deale in all my practise with the commonweale . now you shall heare how cunningly i lurch by simonie the pastor of the church . impropriations have i one or two with some advousons which i thus bestow , least any of my profits should be lost , " i hold them best deserving who give most . these i induct , for i doe value them well worthie th' place who are well-monied men , but least some censure should on me befall by being found thus simoniacall , whereby the princes priviledge might choose one to take the benefit of my advouson ; that i more smoothly may delude the state , i in my sale use to equivocate . as for example , i doe take a course to sell the parson whom i choose a horse , a librarie of bookes to furnish him , because he wants books when he enters in ; and these i rate to him at such a price , as serves for horse , books , and for benefice . now who can say that i doe sell this living , whose bounteous hand is so inclin'd to giving ? tell me what great one makes them fairer play , to give both bookes and benefice away ? no , no , the most of all our clerks will sweare , though th' benefice be cheape , th' addition's deare : but let them looke to this before they enter , i make no conscience of it , caveat emptor . yea i doe hold these kinds of sale as good , if they be well and duely understood , as to make tender of them for ones life ; provided that he take her for his wife whom they shall chuse ; which voluntary offer makes me suspect , her master has made proffer of some familiar curt'sie long before , " i count him mad will for a living bore . but if he must , let him be his owne carver , " who chuseth not his wife doth ill deserve her . she 's his impropriation , which through hate unto his person , might ingraffe his pate ; whence in his parish would abroad be knowne , " he had a common-place booke of his owne . but let these contracts passe , they 'r knowne enough both in the church and in the country through ; i 'le now descend to shew what fierie spirit our native country people doe inherit ; which i perswade me , will seeme strange to all , because wee seeme as if we had no gall : but we doe scorne that any place should bee more malapertly factious then wee . for when i was a tennant i doe know , ( though i'm nò tennant but a landlord now , ) i would commence a suite upon my lord ( because i knew the law ) for any word . in which commencement , many flockt together like birds all of one brood and of one fether , who with joynt combination made a purse , to put their seame-rent landlord to the worse . yea i have knowne so insolent a nation , as when they heard the princes proclamation tend to th' extinguishment of tennantright , they in a braving manner set it light , affronting their weake landlords at their gate , vowing they 'd force them to confirme their state nor be their haughtie lords lesse domineering , puff'd up with present hope of a next hearing ; for now am i a landlord and must sharke ( for priest forgets that ever he was clarke , ) as others doe , by raising fine on fine , and cram my selfe how ere my tennant pine . great are my debts , and my expences large , now whom should i thinke fitting to discharge this heavie taske which thus ore-burdens mee , but these rich gormaws who my tennants bee ? which that it may more covertly be donne , in all my state i doe invest my sonne ; on which estate doth presently ensue a gen'rall fine , which hath beene ever due . scarce is this fine paid , till i make a claime , by re-estating of my selfe againe , of a new fine , whereto they must consent or have a triall for their tenement . which if the court ad judge once to be mine ▪ to demaine land convert i it in time ; so as depopulation is as common as is inconstancy unto a woman : for in the country many farms appeere , as neither farme nor farmer had beene there . now forasmuch as we all learning lack , unlesse we have it from an almanack , for i doe know no nation under sun in a prognostication puts us down ; you shall perceive ( for so i hold it fit ) what speciall use we daily make of it . herein we note and take observance too whether our heire be like to thrive or no ; which we collect by this rare-erring forme , we seeke the planet when he first was borne , for we assure our selves this cannot erre , prov'd and confirm'd by shepheards calender . if any dayes foretell ensuing dearth , those be our dayes of jubile and mirth ; for my owne part i speake it , i doe feare nothing so greatly , as a plentuous yeare : for so much graine i 've in my barns engrost , as if it prove not deare , it will be lost ; for till the markets rise , as now they fall , i 'le bring none forth , let ratts consume it all . what doe i care , though justices doe seeke my barns and well-stor'd granars weeke by weeke , vaults and close-arched caves i have below within the earth , of which they little know nor ever shall ; so i my selfe may serve i take no thought if all the country sterve . " they who for others good their course contrive , " may live belov'd , but dye before they thrive . to court or city seldome i repaire , nor doe i know any employment there . to university i never come , unlesse along i carrie up my sonne to get a scholars place , and after rise by my fat purse unto some benefice . meane time that he a lesser charge might be , to my estate i still plead povertie ; which master of the colledge oft believes , whereby my sonne a scholership receives : though i 'me resolv'd for money i have more then many of their founders had before . thus have i liv'd , and thus i meane to live , apt to receive but most unapt to give ; thus hoord i treasure for my sonne and heire , and get my harvest while the season 's faire . oppression is my darling , which i take from none so much as from the city ape ; whose contracts are the stories that i read , so as i find my knowledge bettered by daily use and practise i observe , from whose choyce rules i would be loath to swerve ; meane time let me be rude and simple thought , so may my purpose to effect be brought . the church ape . i am a levite and a great one too , and can observe the time as others doe ; in my opinions i am wondrous warie , lest i offend the state and so miscarrie ; for th' only scar-crow that i boggle at , is not distaste of conscience but the state. and twice a yeere i commonly resort for observations sake unto the court ; where it 's the sum and substance of my care to note how men in grace affected are unto religion , for 't is only these who at their gyrdle hang saint peters keyes : to whom ( i wis ) sole soveraignty is giv'n , to ope on earth , but to be shut from heav'n . if they be pure , i shew my heate of zeale , as much as any in the commonweale ; but if i finde a coldnesse where i come , or an inclining to the sea of rome , mine arguments like pellets i bestow the english discipline to overthrow . most men are of opinion where i live that i am rich , for i no almes do give , i keepe no house nor hospitalitie , but for extortion , fraud , and usurie , i keepe receit of custome ; thus say they , but 'las poor fools , they know not what they say ; for if they knew how my corrivalls crost me , how much in bribes my consecration cost me ; how much procuring such a ladies letter to such a lord , though i was nere the better ; how , though i beare the title , yet i am no real bishop , but a serving-man to such a great man , for his farmer am i , who though i would , cheat him hardly can i ; if they knew this , they would right soone confesse i were the poorst in all my diocesse . and though a pastor should be none of these , who share both in the flesh and in the fleece , i must not only fleece but flea them quick till i have paid well for my bishoprick . nor is my charge the lesse , when this is donne , for i 've a wanton wife , a wastefull sonne , who must have fresh supplies to feed their riot , hows'ere by hook or crook they may come by it . i have a lord ; and daily i attend him , who made me once a grant of th' next cōmendam should fall into his lapse ; but i doe heare a simoniack ▪ slaves inducted there , which if i prove , hee 's forfeit his induction , and be suspended henceforth from his function . yet though these motes in others i make known , i never note these eye-beams of mine owne . i can dispence with private symonie , and make a vertue of necessitie ; yea and maintaine that common error too , framing apologies for what i doe . 't is ill you 'l say , which you observe in some , who by the window to the temple come ; but i must answere , they 'r mistaken quite , for to the church no way can bee more right , for though noahs-arke , the churches type , had doors and windows too as this same church of ours , yet that gall-wanting bird when noah had sent her to take survey , did by the window enter . an olive branch shee in her bill did beare , implying that the dry-land did appeare , and to the arke , the churches figure hies , and through no doore but by the window flies . 'to us this simile may have relation , who should resemble doves in conversation , our way is by the window not the doore , since to the arke doves led that way before . in great assemblies i doe seldome preach , lest i false doctrine to my flock should teach , for i confesse i am no great divine , nor in such studies doe i spend my time : at bethel once indeede i made assay , when most of th' learned doctors were away , where som report , my doctrine mov'd much laughter which made mee vow i de ne're come thither after . and i've observ'd my vow ; nor doe i care , when i doe heare that such a chaplain's rare , and that hee 's flockt to by the better sort , or gains himselfe a singular report . for this opinion , like a dang'rous shelfe , makes a poore preacher oft undoe himselfe with a continuate study , yea not one of these is ought but only skin and bone . but let me come more neer them ; what 's their ayme , but to receive preferment by their fame ? which i have got , and now may silent be , while more deserving men attend on me . unto the city seldome i repaire , unlesse it bee for some delicious fare , wherein i take more absolute delight then ere in fasting did the anchorite . sometimes perchance i to th' exchange may goe , to buy my wife what shee enjoyn'd mee to ; some new-invented dressing that's in grace , sweet powders for her skin , oyles for her face , or some provocatives which may move sense , and cause me give her due benevolence . all which i buy where they are to be sold , for i must tell you i am growing old , and gladly would my imperfections smother , by giving her content one way or other . for else she might , which would a scandall be , during my visitation cuckold me , as some have done , whom i 'de be loth to mention , who now maintains one with her bishops pension : and this is better farre as i suppose , then have her keep a knave close by my nose , who night by night with her would closly drab it , and change my rochet to actaeon's habit . tertullians opinion i despise , who held this tenent , none should marry twice ; with which strange error i was nere misled , for i have two , and neyther of them dead . of basils minde among us there be few , who would not change his old wife for a new . " much of one thing breeds loathing , therefore we " must cheere our palats with varietie . i hold that act of luther bravely done , who made besse bore a lemman of a nun , which spritely action wondrously rejoyc'd her , in hope to get a clister for a cloyster . with romish-catholicks i could agree in all their points of doctrine save these three , fasting , pray'r , alms-works , for these be those which we professe to be our greatest foes . first fasting , whereto they ascribe a merit . it takes both of the flesh and of the spirit , disheartens nature , weakens her delight , consumes the marrow , dulls the appetite ; seares up the radick humor , and doth quench the native ardour of concupiscence . indeed it makes devotion ferverous and full of zeale , but what is that to us ? let hermites for devotion give exemple , zeal hath been long since whipt out of our temple . secondly prayer , though soveraign and good , and rightly styl'd the soules eternall food , our businesse being many , i think meet , that our devotion should be short and sweet . for many worldly affairs have we in hand , which if we should upon promotion stand might of●… miscarrie , whence may gathred be , long pray●…s can no way stand with policie . for almes-deeds ; all mis-deedes i observe , for by good-works i meane not to deserve ; ' ti●… superstitious doctrine , babels staine , and such as none but rhemists will maintaine . time was indeed , but time 's not as it was , when no way fa●…ing traveller could passe without reliefe , for hospitals were then harbours and inns to all distressed men . which bounty was by abby-lubbers showne , who had no wives nor children of their owne ; which we account of as an old-wives fable , our olive-branches spread about our table , and though they seldome prosper , yet must we have speciall care of our posteritie : for worser far then infidels they are , that of their families will have no care . men of our ranke , there 's nothing so much raises as gaining great mens love with bribes and praises ; this is that cement joynes us unto them , whence wee contemn inferior clergy-men , whom th' hand of greatness to small honor lifts , because they ▪ r not , as we are , men of gifts . some muse why any one would mee enstall , having no learning nor no worth at all ; but i replie , these places where we be , require small learning but much policie . there was a time , which time 's estrang'd from ours , when we were rabbies and expositours of holy-writ , and taught the heav'nly way , and in our gen'rall-councels bore great sway . but we account him simple now , that cares more for divine then temporall affairs . learning 's an uselesse relique , or a prize got with a wasted body , and dim eyes which oft contemns preferment , with desire , like a sequestred ermit to retire from th' view of earth : while we take little care for this esteeme , which vanisheth like ayre . our contemplation is how we may skip to some more rich , commodious-bishoprick . where wee may hatch our eggs , and feed our brood , and labor to get good , but doe no good . and thanks unto my fates , i 've now in hand the richest-bishoprick in all the land , and priviledges too , so great and many , as more or higher there enjoyes not any . to instance some whereof , that i have here , i 've pow'r to chuse the sheriffe of the sheere ; if any justice shall my grace displease , i le thrust him from th' commission of the peace , and make him vaile to th' lowest of my traine , before he be restor'd to 's place againe . no suite may be commenc'd in any court ▪ gainst 〈◊〉 mine but i will fi●… him 〈◊〉 . if any one no present chance to send , he shall ere long find me his heavy friend ; so as of late , i 've brought them to that use , as country presents will maintain my house . some works of seeming zeale i doe professe , yet is my love to th' world nothing lesse ; for out of feare lest some men should complaine of my extreme hard dealing , i retaine some semblances of pitie to the poor , and for them make a dole-day at my door . where , that the world may know my ardent zeale , both to the church and to the common-weale , i manifest my charitable ends with sound of trumpet , and invite of friends ; which in my judgement well deserve expressing , to sound alarum to a bishops blessing : for bounties of this kind are held so rare , 't is good to publish those poor few that are . in visitation time , because there be many poor people that doe pester me , i give direction wheresoe're i come , mine almoner tender reliefe to none , before i goe from thence , which makes them stay ▪ while i out of the back-gate slip away . hows'ere this be , i zealously pretend my close departures for no other end . then to prevent vain-glory ; which would meet so great a bishop in a publique street : and therefore i a private passage take , that ostentation i might bètter scape . now in the country where i make retire , my senses have whats'ever they desire ; as first , for curious objects which delight the moving apprehension of the sight , eye-drawing-pictures in each chamber stand , which shew such lively motion and command in their attractive beauties , as they woo them that are spectators , to doe homage to them . wherein 't is one state-axiom of mine , to chuse a picture sorting with the time . for while spayne had the name , it was mine ayme , to have th' i●…fantaes picture sent from spayne , which in my dining chamber i set up , or in my private parlor where i sup , where any one , by drawing up the latch , might judge how much i did approve the match . but see what chanc't ! last day a busie knave this spanish picture hapned to perceive , which hee observing , told me he did muse why i would hang such pictures in my house , as gave distaste unto the publick state , and made their proffers projects of deceite ; where i reply'd , it little me behov'd to hate that picture which my prince once lov'd . yet lest it should give scandall or offence , i caus'd it streight to be removed thence . nor is my eye delighted only there , but with selectedst melody mine eare , with choycest cates my liqu'rish appetite , with od'rous perfumes i my smell delight , and with embraces amorous as may be touch i my lordships wife , but not a ladie . thus ev'ry sense enjoys his earthly blisse , as if my heav'n were where my palace is , for nought on earth doth in me griefe begit , but only one , and i will tell you it . it is intended , having cure of soules , that upon summons i should preach at paules , which though it come scarce once in twenty yeere , i 'm sick when i should make my sermon there ; so as enforc't by my infirmitie , ( or want of brains ) i hire a deputie : which done , i make returne from whence i came , and thank my wits for shielding me from shame . some other usefull projects i intend , now when i feele i 'm drawing neere my end , for doubtlesse some would think i foulely er'd , if i should leave my children unprefer'd . so as grown weak , my wife and children doubt me , and like jobs comforters they cling about me , advising me , as they poor orphans are , ( not for my soul , for that 's their least of care ) but that i would take course to settle on them some meanes , that they may live as doth becom thē , likewise my wife puts finger in the eye , and says her joynture dies , when i doe die , this makes me plot how these things may be don , when other matters should be thought upon . first , how my ofspring may preferment have , before the mete-wand measure out my grave . secondly , how their mother may be sped of some young ruffin when her bishop's dead . which to effect , there 's nought so fully pleases , as the renewall of concurrent leases ; admit they doe defeat him that succeeds me , this gainfull guilefull contract much besteeds me ; for by this meanes , revenues i bestow both on my wife and on my children too . this makes me send my briefes from day to day , if any one will leases take , they may . and at more easie rate then ere they had , which makes my leasers run as they were mad . thus live or die , seven yeers apprentiship has taught me how to geld a bishoprick ; which to good use converted , i see not but it may thrive though indirectly got , for , if no ill-got-goods thrive in this nation , some would seeme base who now are men of fashion the judiciall ape . brave apes ; briske bungs ; yet they must leave the field , and to an ancient bencher learne to yeeld ; fox-fur'd 's my gowne , and smooth my close-cut chin , but far more foxly-smooth am i within . gravely can i for lucre-sake protest , and clap mine unctuous fist upon my brest , ev'n when my heart 's as neer unto my mouth , as east is to the west , or north to south . musaeus came the other day to me , ( a curious wit for straines of poesie ) and he besought me in a cause as good as truth could make it , if well understood , to be his friend , and i did promise him , but breach of promise is with us no sin . he mee accoutred with his words of art , and i admit'd him too for his good part ; ripe was his judgement , and his wit as quick garnish'd with copious flowers of rhetorick . but these are tongue ty'd orators with me , who would have me his friend , must bring his fee. yet for all this , i will not stick to chide , if any come to tempt me with a bribe . for i would have these wittalls understand fees must passe by my servants to my hand , i take no fees my selfe , they may fee ned , " they need not feare their cause if he be sped . for we have tarriers , agents , instruments , to ope the cabinet of our intents and plot our purposes , give them their due , and these we use as men should use a scrue . these be our harping-irons that will draw like ferrets , these minc'd . maggots of the law : who when their cause must to a hearing come , next night before unto my chamber run , and currie favour all the waies they can , to get admittance to me by my man ; which got , they finde me in majestick sort , starching my beard , or reading a report . while each of these more scurvy court'sies makes then upon whitby-strand are shapes of snakes ; which country congies , were they ten times worse , shew state enough , because they cram my purse . suppose then how these rusetings appeare wholly divided betwixt hope and feare . at whose approach i lay aside my booke , teaching my face a radamanthean looke : sirrahs , what make you here ? who sent you hither ? your man , scarce mutter they , walk knaves together ; thus fret i like gumm'd-grogran , which once past , i deigne to take a superficiall taste of their ill-open'd cause , and give them hearing , which i intend next morning to appeare in ; yet so , as if it nought concerned me , but out of meere respect to equitie , though i doe prize the justice of his cause as much as old sysambris did his lawes . but being heard , i doe demeane me so , i get both coyne and good opinion too . thus doe my plots work for a thriving end , i poll the poor , yet i 'm the poor-mans friend . nor am i alwaies held the same i seeme , for in my time i have a nigler been : so as in privacy i sometimes must with my seer'd bones quench the desire of lust . a faire-poor client fall she in my dish , i le tickle her for forma-pauperis . downe goe my trunck-hose with their gravity , to cope for once with acts of levity ; her case i le put , like to a man of law , bee 't right or wrong i doe not care a straw : my bon-a-roba shee the day shall win , nor spend a graine , but what she spent in sin , i weigh not what the world doth judge of me , my saplesse-age pleads my apologie . " appius has silent tongue , but speaking eyes , " yet who saith appius loves virginia lyes . yet they can tell you that do better know me , how none sometimes can have admittance to me . fit were it then ye were advis'd when time is , for now and then i drinke a cup of nimis , so as to sleep so soundly i betake me , a thousand cannons scarcely could awake me . yet see my boldnesse ! while my thirst i drench in profuse cups , i sometimes mount the bench , and gives my cup-shot-judgement out of hand , ere i the case or pleadings understand , and who dare well control me ? sith these shelves which wrack my wits , my fellows feel themselves . besides , if any in my friends case do oppose me , i am their advocate , if they will chose me . they cannot stand for seconds , i 'm the man by all their pleadings bob me if they can , some i have had , and in this english nation , who have stood firmly on their generation ; that they were greater and more ancient borne then any descent was ; but i held in scorne their fruitlesse pleas , to th' judges i did write , and made expresse my byrth , descent and scite . whereto they condiscended out a hand , and doom'd my worthlesse brood take upper-hand . our titles are , as wee doe make them good ; and if they crosse us they 'r mis-understood , for what is for us we embrace and love , but what 's against us we doe dis-approve . zlid , doe you think that our rich scarlet may with such a pension our retinue pay unlesse wee lose by 't ? no , wee know our time , and with duke humfrey wee 'll be loth to dine . now for my circuit so imperious am i , that though i purchase the distaste of many , yet i 'm indifferent how they censure me , i justifie my legall soveraignty . my white-lock is ambitious of honour , yea , i must tell you , i doe dote upon her . but in no place am i predominant so much as when i 'm judge-itinerant : where flocks of country gentlemen do meet me , and in submissiv'st manner use to greet me ; like widgeons some behinde and some before me , as a terrestriall idoll they adore me . blest is the man , to whom i le daigne to speake ; and how admir'd when i a jeast doe breake . 't is wonderfull to see what preparation is daily made for me , and in what fashion each county entertains mee and my crue , who take upon them , give the knaves their due , as they were petie - judges in commanding weake officers , who have no understanding but only to admire them , and give way to their commands , whats'ere they doe or say . my tipstaffe is esteem'd a wittie man , and one ( so saith the witless commonty ) who can prevaile much with me , for he ever knowes what way the winde of my opinion blowes . nor err they in their judgement , for indeed hee that would in his businesse succeede must make this man his orator unto mee , for he so fitly , to my profit knowes mee , as be the cause you recommend to him never so foule , yee shall be sure to win . for , truth is , i dare hardly say him nay , he knowes my courses so , which to display would shame mee quite , so as whats'ere i show , i must keepe in with him whats'ere i do . now when i leave the county where i sit , ( i cannot chuse but jeere them for their wit ) the generous fry swim to my chequer bag , where one presents mee with a summer nag , one with a cast of hawks , and now and then , some shires scotch daggers to my serving-men ; others give hunting-leases , which remaine for customs now , and must not off againe . yet were these bounteous babies blest the while , if all their bounties could procure a smile from my composed count'nance , but they err that doe expect me to be popular . no , i must punctuall be , and set my face according to the tenour of my place . my posture is accoutered with braves , in calling of the shrieff and gentry knaves : none dare affront me while i am in place , and whom i please , i put to all disgrace . in counties where i am at my own finding , my richly-moultred mill is ever grinding . the gentry , shey have notice by the shrieves , and furnish me with muttons , veals and beeves ; others doe send me venison and wine , so as my circuit is a joviall time . for such aboundance of provision have i , as it would furnish neere a royall-navie . now lest yee doubt my numerous retinue should want their due or competent revenue , i give the meaner sort which doe attend me reversions of that store the gentry send me ; as broken-meat , and beere , all which they prize , and sell poor people at the end o' th size . there 's nought unvalued that may mony give , so well my meney is inform'd to live . but for the better sort you may suppose , ( specially such who help to trusse my hose ) i mint some other profits more then these , as my subscription unto refrences , which ignorant people bring , hoping thereby t' affright their strong and factious enemy : but they 'r deceiv'd , for they no more prevaile by our referments then an old-wives tale , nor shall this trouble us ; our men gaine by them , come they as thick as hayle wee 'll not deny them . thus far our country life hath been exprest , in court and city wee 'll display the rest . in court we seldome come , yet great men know us , and in a courtly-garbe petition to us by their ingenious agents , and we heare them , and though their crimes be odious we forbear them . or if to us they should a letter send in such an ones behalfe , to be his friend , then stoick - cato wee ' r instructed better , we passe no doome before we read the letter , for wee 've experience of a tickle-seat , how dangerous it is t' offend the great : wee 'll not distaste them then in any case , lest they be meanes to put us from our place . sometimes we are invited to a play , upon some joviall-ceremoniall-day , where we doe presse , as other sages use , with grave aspect unto the banket-house , and there in conscript manner doe wee sit , admiring of some passages of wit which we doe understand as well as he that tooke opigena for mercurie . but in reserved jests we have a care , to make men deeme us wiser then we are : if great-ones laugh , it is a pregnant jeast , and we approve it as we hug a feast . if we be widdowers , though saplesse , old , decrepit , crooked , rhumatick and cold ; yet see what wealth can do , we straight are chosen as fit to match with such a great-mans cosen , though shee , poor girle , rather would be led unto her grave then to a loathed bed : yet will an old-man serve them for a cloake , and be a chimney for a greater smoake . and that 's the cause , no question , when we dy and leave our wives so large a legacy , why they set their affection on soldadoes , that can discourse on nought but barracadoes : for such is their strong-temperd resolution , they love no judgement like to execution . but 't is no matter for the worlds sentence , we get us honour by our wives acquaintance ; which we so idolize , that we can show it even in our pace , as we were borne unto it . were it not fit then we should shew all grace to such as these who raise us to our place ? for tell me seriously , how many have deserved well , who never could receive any esteeme at all , for all their worth , because they had no friend to set them forth ? these liv'd obscurely , and as poorly dyde , nor cap'd nor congi'd , nor so much as ey'de , or popularly viewd ; what was the cause ? they had nought but the knowledge of our lawes to give them count'nance , whereas such as we by our alliance more authentick be . for there 's no place nor person in the court , whereto we may not readily resort and have accesse , by consequence , successe in whats'ere we petition , more or lesse . but now i must unto the city goe , where i am councellor and dweller too ; neighbours i have , but principally three , who now are wardens of a companie , men of sufficient wealth , i can assure ye , and now and then impannell'd in a jurye : of one whereof ( i cannot chuse but laugh ) for all he walks now with his civil-staffe , being made juror of a grand ▪ enquest , and in 's opinion wiser then the rest ; unto his fellowes that himselfe display'd , " thus long have we our verdicts ( friends ) delay'd , " and as ye see it draweth neere to night , " and we by law are barr'd from candle-light , " meat , drink , and necessaries , till we give " our verdict up , which die ; or which to live . " now hear me ( friends ) we 've twelve indictments here , " against twelve prisoners as may appeare ; " to what end should we thus precisely watch them " let 's hang six and save six , and so dispath them , yet this is held a man of choyce esteeme , and in his white fox-fur sits to be seene upon his well-couch'd-bench , whose pillars be as fit t' advise a company as he . yet deigne i with these sage-gulls to discourse , nor doe i hold my judgement any worse . the sun may shine on dung , none can deny it , and yet receive no stayne nor blemish by it . the object of their knowledge is my jeast , the ground of my acquaintance is to feast , and jeere them for their bounty when they doe it , though i must tell you i goe gladly to it . but for requitall they have none from me , it is sufficient they 've my companie . " once in his life the churle make's his feast , " and by that feast , his byrth-day is exprest : whose rule is my direction , and shall ever ; i ' d rather be a taker then a giver . if they invite us to them we will meet them , " though fools make feasts , wise men may go to eat them . nor are these all th' delights i cope with here , i have variety through all the yeere . here a fresh erithrea of choice price , came last day privately for my advice , " whether a citizen lawfully might " having , ( as she put case , laid with a knight ) " challenge precedence for her eldest son " fore such an one as had no such thing don ? whereto i answer'd ; might i put her case , i little doubt but she should have the place , and for her son get that prioritie which did belong unto my progenie . at which reply , smiling away she went silent , which silence did imply consent . thus both in city , country , and in court , with a reserved gravity and port i spread my beams of honour , and descry a select affectation in mine eye . i looke about me with a glorious vaine , while my fastidious wagg beares up my traine : groundlings i dis-esteeme that crosse the way , as if i were of better clay then they : and in a word , so sweetly doe i breath , i feare no enemy so much as death . the politicall ape . alas , fond apes ; how shallow doe these show , thus to discover whatso'ere they know ? they have no project be it nere so slight but must be publish'd to the open light : their hearts are in their mouths , which they disclose not onely to their friends , but to their foes . which lightnes i abhorre ; for nere shall hee be scholed in the grounds of policie , who by experience has not got the art to make his tongue a stranger to his heart . he onely to the hight of wisdome growes who seemes as if he knew not what he knows . his projects must be neatly shadowed , his drifts with secret curtains covered ; his plotts so smooth as the quick'st-sighted men cannot with all their sleights discover them . there 's nothing in the world i more detest then t' have transparent windows in my brest ; for by this meanes my inside should be laid ope to the world , and all my tricks displaid : which would not onely grieve me , but enforce the world to love me ever longer worse . in my opinion those cilician geese are wiser in their secrecy then these , who have expos'd themselves to publick view by making others knowne to what they knew . for they ( as t' is reported ) when they fly over mount taurus , least they should descry their flight by cackling to those eagles there which in aboundance to those hills repaire , with winged speed ( for there they dare not tarrie ) they hast , and in their bills small stones doe carrie . thus by instinct they use a policie to save them from their furious enemie : while these tame fools , whom sillie geese condemne will give their foes advantage over them . but these that dance so blindly in a net shall be excluded from my cabinet ; they are too full of chinks , so let them rest , " my secretarie shall be my owne brest . in all those coasts wherein i have remain'd , i 've some experience in my courses gain'd , which i made use of to my owne behoofe ; and where i ever seem'd to hold a loofe , i was most interessed still in that , yet few could reach the pearch i aymed at . i never saw that statseman in my dayes , ( nor would i have it spoken to my praise ) whom i in short time could not make my friend , and finde as soone whereto his aymes did tend . for thus i wrought him ; first i sought to wind into his nature , how he stood inclin'd , which found , i most affection us'd to show to that , which he stood most affected to : whereby , as jet attracts the yeelding straw , just as i would , could i his humour draw . or by his ends , if once i had displaid him , i by that meanes would labour to perswade him , which he could not resist , seeing me bend my speech to that whereto his course did tend . likewise if my observance found him weake , i of his weakenesse would advantage take , and if he were so stiffe i could not draw him , his weaknesse gave me strength to overaw him . but if he could by none of these be rested , by meanes of some where he was interested , his bosome open'd to receive me in , where seiz'd , i tooke in hand to governe him . in all my time , man was my onely book , on which with serious studie i did look : tracing all his demensions to and fro , for still i dogg'd him where he us'd to go . were he a statist i observ'd him streight , and poiz'd him too , to finde if he were weight ; and now and then i found him wondrous light , or else bleere-ey'd and blemish'd in his sight . for eyther his ambition did so mad him , as he would doe what ere his fancy bad him ; or else his bleered judgement so deprav'd him , as still in state-affaires he misbehav'd him . in which observances i wondred much ( not without just occasion ) any such should be advanc'd to place of that esteeme , who never knew what state-affaires did meane . so as more aptly could i not compare these spongie statesmen who are nought but ayre , then to that world-wasting phaeton , whose ayme's to guide the progresse of the sun , when they alasse ( so simple are these elves ) can hardly give direction to themselves . nor did i onely limit my survey to these who have the glory of the day , sitting like pilots at the sterne of state , but such as were of lower estimate . where i observ'd , there was not any vice derivative to man form paradise , that could her secret poyson so much smother as not infuse it selfe in one or other . for men of all degrees employed were how to their seed they might a fortune reere ; wherein they all contended how they might incroach the farr'st upon an others right . which practise i approv'd , yet much condemne the weake and open passages of them ; for their projectments scarcely were begun till they discover'd all that they had done ; which gave their foes occasion to prevent , by timely circumspection , their intent . i rather relish him can play the knave , yet seems as if he knew not to deceive : for in my books he is the only one who hath a wit , yet seems as he had none . there is no walke that me so much doth pase as tracing clouds with aristophanes ; to walke , i meane , obscure , as censure may tax neither what i act nor what i say . which to effect the better , i doe give such satisfaction wheresoere i live ; as there 's no rite nor custome that can show it , but i can soon conform my self unto it . yea of my faith a nose of wax i make , though all i doe seems done for conscience sake . for i addresse my selfe in any case unto the disposition of the place : at rome i live just as the romists doe , elswhere i live as they 'r affected to . at pure - geneva , protestant i am , at doway or at rhemes another man ; in germany a selfe-inspired luther , at amsterdam a laodicean neuter , 'mongst zealous men i seem a hot precisian , but when i come within the inquisition , lest , touching my profession , they should doubt me i carry store of reliques still about me ; which i suppose to be the only course , for without these i well might fare the worse . thus i conform my selfe to any rite , be he armenian or hugonite ; state-stirring brownist , or a broughtonist , licentious famulist , or barrowist , his ape i am , and will be so profest , to make me more familiar with his brest ; on which i worke my aymes , for by my wit what ere i act , my conscience shadows it . for prosper in the world few i know , and hold concurrence with religion too ; which makes me gull the world with a pretence of hypocritick zeale and conscience . for popular opinion 's my desire , so as in th' country i have built a quire where i and my religious family make our rep●…ire ( as seems us ) usually ; yet from the pulpit far remote's my seat , because i am not well resolved yet in ●…ase of conscience , therefore would i be far of , that 's doctrine may not trouble me . the cause is this ; as yet i have no time to treat of any thing that is divine ; my ayms are plots of profit , plants of pleasure , for points of faith , i le think of them at leisure . " who wish unto their aymes an happy end , " must in their aymes no other thing intend ; for he that deales much in the world , i trow , without the church , he has enough to doe . nor with these politick rules doe i resort only to city , country , and the court ; for i these grounded axioms can show unto the learned academie too : where with quick eye i may observe their tricks withouten aristotles-politicks . here a grand-senior-dunce will keep his place , although he have a parsonage in chace ; which having purchas'd , yet concealing it , some yeere or two hee l keep his fellowship . the selfe-same smooth politicall-abuse have i observ'd in masters of a house , by whom such fellowes only are appointed as had their oylie-fists before annoynted ; so as , though 't seem much different to their functiō , " nought they affect so much as extreme-unction . where no election can be freely granted , if he that would be chosen fellow , wanted ; for no admission can be ever made untill the master of the house be paid . besides , conveyance of their colledge-leases , is as the president or provost pleases ; which many times themselves they so befriend , as they convert them to their proper end : for it is daily seene what course they take , and what commoditie of these they make . to all which acts i approbation give , " for he that cannot sharke , he cannot live . all engins must be us'd that we may git unto our selves a certain benefit . nor can he thrive that cannot well dispence for profits sake , with faith and conscience . from forrain-states intelligence i have , which like our weekly corrants i receive by means of such as are employ'd for me in ev'ry place where their occasions be . these , like architas wooden-dove , can bring tidings from such a state , or such a king ; so as nought can be done in any nation , whereof my agents give me not relation : which betters my experience in each part , making my best friends strangers to my heart . for he that has the humor to display himselfe unto his friend , although he may , yet his too open brest shall at no time partake of any secrecy of mine : i may presume my councells must be showne by him , who has not brains to keep his owne . i hold it to be oyle and labor spent here to discourse what th' spanish-treaty meant , but nere had businesse so strange a carriage ; to make more shows and lesse intend a marriage ; but this was so well shadow'd , give it due , by th' spanish jipsy and her wandring . crue , as i will presse no more this subject now , " only the cinque-ports must be look'd unto . thus have i sto●…'d my well-experienc'd pate with politick-rules extracted from each state , where i have liv'd or conversant have bin , as there was none but i could humor him . for was he zealous ? i could make a shew of fervent zeale and of devotion too ; was he a worldling ? i was worldly given , discoursing more of mammon then of heaven ; was he voluptuous ? i de consort him right , as one devoted wholy to delight ; in briefe , there was no ranke , degree , nor state , which in my selfe i could not personate . nor care i much whats'ever the world deeme , this is my mott : i am not what i seeme . the chymicall ape . all rules of art , of small esteeme i hold to his , who can extract refined gold from copper , brasse , or such inferior mettle , for he can make pure ophir of a kettle . besides , so rare is art exprest in him , he may from lattin , alchimie or tin draine store of silver bulloyne , with the which he maks himselfe and his attendants rich . the stone , the stone , o that i had the stone , by meanes whereof i might be such an one ! which stone i have long studied to obtaine , wasting my oylè , weakning my chymick braine , and still me thought i had it , yet was crost , for longer that i sought , the more i lost . yet forasmuch as i did understand that many did professe it in the land , whose solid judgements could not chuse but see that such a thing might well effected bee , or else they nere would such estates have spent in trying of a meere experiment ; i reassumed spirit , and betooke my selfe more strictly to my golden-booke . besides all this , i heard how kellie came by practise of this art to speciall fame ; an other likewise so experienc'd grew in this mysterious art reveal'd to few , as he an artificiall-tree of gold had curiously contriv'd , which daily would bud , bloome and blossom , and in branches spring , which might be soone a beneficiall thing : for these hesperian-plants in time would prove by their encrease to be a golden-grove . all this encourag'd me , hoping one day the charges i had been at to defray with plentuous int'rest ; but the more i travel'd , the more i found my senses to be gravel'd . limbecks , with artfull forges builded i , and places too where i my gold might try ; sev'n yeers and more have i my wits thus bet , but not a penny-weight extracted yet . sometimes unto the braziers i de repaire , and laugh'd at my conceit while i staid there ; for i was halfe resolv'd within short space to change the brasse and copper of that place into pure gold , and make my copesmates merry with transmutation of all lothberry . thus fed i on opinion , laying out great summs , till i my purpose brought about , which once disburs'd , i never shall receive but count it lost whats'ere i ventur'd have . for having spent my fortunes and my wit in diving to the secrecies of it , my aymes i bended to another marke , resolving now to learne the art to sharke . for which , that i might more enabled be , i streight betooke me to a companie of wittie rake-hells , roaringly profest , and in all forlorne courses bravely flesh't . flankt were my troups with bolts , bauds , punks , and panders . pimps , nips and i ints , prinado's , highway-standers ; all which were my familiars , and would doe with quick dispatch whats'ere i put them to . so as some of my crue of choice account did ev'ry sessions - time up holborn mount ; yea i my selfe could miserere sing or i had gone to heaven in a string . for to relate those nimble tricks we plaid , though on the publick stage they be ●…splaid , as th' subtile-headed alchimist can show ; or th' alchimists own ape , tom. trinculo , one hold i fitting to be here exprest , by which you may judge better of the rest . " one of my foists resolving to resort " in th' habit of a courtier to the court , " where he demean'd himselfe as none could deem , " but he was just the man that he did seem ; " nor any courtier there of sweeter scent , " nor choycer in his forme of complement , " more punctual in his gate , or in his looke , " as one whose postures had been all by th' booke ; " after a turne or two , to th' table came " where two great personages were at game . " the one whereof , had laid his purse close by , " his losse upon occasion to supply ; " my bung observing this , takes hold of time , " just as this lord was drawing for a prime , " and smoothly nims his purse that lay beside him , " and all this while the other gamester ey'd him , " at whom he winks , to move him to conceale it , " as one that had no purpose for to steale it . " he that perceiv'd him , thinking him to be " one of the court or of his companie , " smiling , continued play , and so it rested " untill this lord seeks for his purse , but mist it : " whereat the other laugh'd ; quoth he , enquire " of such an one , and clad in such attire , " one of your own acquaintance , i suppose , " who nim'd you of your purse before your nose . " diligent search was made all there about , " but my ingenious gue had got him out " before this inquisition , which secur'd him " better then when the court-wals had immur'd him . thus were my limetwigs laid in every place , who like blood-hounds had still some game in chase , which they pursu'd with such an eager mind , as where they seiz'd they left small store behind . scarce could two country fopps together meete to heare a cheating ▪ ballad in the streete , but presently some complices of mine took hold of th' opportunity of time ; for while these to the ballad-monger flocked , my nimble - nipps div'd deep into their pocket . but for as much as i perceiv'd these shifts were meerly grounded on apparent thifts , and that some private foe through in-bred malice might be a meanes to bring me to the gallows , this sharking trade relinquish'd , i became a wondrous strange reformed honest man ; an emp'rick-doctor , who had art at will , which i derived from my chymick-still , where i such waters made , as in short time doctor stevens water was lesse priz'd then mine . balms , apozems , confections had i store , yet th' more i had my patients wish'd for more : such rare effects were daily wrought by these , as they were cures for any strange disease . but that i might seem learned in mine art , of late i've got an herbal all by heart , whereof i make this use ; when i can give no reason why this dies , or that should live , ( for no such depth as yet mine art affords ) i streight confound them with abstrusest words . as cataplasms , diarrhicks , cataclisms , concucurbetuls , emplasms , paroxisms , with which i so conjure them , as they cease to aske me any questions touching these . " who for his practise can no reason show , " he must have words or he 's not worth a stroe . besides all this , such authors can i number , as they that heare me are enforc'd to wonder : for thus holds galen , thus hippocrates , thus silvius holds , thus dioscorides , but paracelsus thus , who in my brest hath more esteeme then any of the rest . though i was never so on learning set as i read any of these authors yet ; nor care i much , 't is my desire to seeme more then i am , to gain me more esteeme . some twenty patients have i here hard by , who know not what they ayle , no more doe i , yet lest of negligence they me condemn , morning and night i duely visit them ; prescribing them receits to cheere their blood ; which many times doe far more harm then good . yet am i crouded to on ev'ry side , so as of late i on my foot-cloth ride by meanes of such a lord , who had occasion to try my profound art this last vacation ; whose hand of bounty did my state enrich for curing of an ulcer in his breech . how glad am i my chymick-works are done , amalga-like they had more moone then sonne ? more profit doe i reape by one direction to mine apothecarie , or inspection into my patients water , then i looke ere to receive from all my chymick-smook ; for alchymie with piercing autimonie , upon my knowledg cans'd a want of monie ▪ minerall metals , niter , orochalke , by th' use whereof i in a cloud did walke , hatching such quaint chymeraes in my braine , as reaping wind was all that i could gaine . hope train'd me on till all my wits were rest me ; i sought for gold , till i no brasse had left me . but why doe i my weaknesse thus descry ? when men have er'd were wiser held then i , in making search for this unvalued stone , but i must leave them and their wits alone ; they hope a day will come will pay for all , but i feare such a day will never fall . so as me thinks i cannot well compare these men who build strange castles in the ayre , more fitly then to those who once did labor to take a hare with playing on a taber . fly-brasse ; no chymick but a physick-ape since i left mercury for aesculape : my practise now 's cleere of another nature , trading before in smoake but now in water . now am i us'd with choycest entertaine , had in esteeme wheres'ever i remaine ; in city , court , and country harbored , with free accesse unto a ladies bed , whilest her weak husband thinks she physick wants , and for my potion gives me hearty thanks . streight she protests my pills doe only please her , thus much i 'm sure , they for that season ease her ; for application is the soveraignst thing that may conceiving to a woman bring . there is a lovely-lady in this land , whom i have had these two yeeres under hand , yet i for manners sake will laine her name , but trust me , shee 's a hen that loves the game , who has been long time barren ; yet have i by art and other things i did apply , made her a fruitfull mother ; yea some say that shee conceiv'd the very selfe same day that i did minister ; but i divine it came right neeere unto that very time . and i am glad on 't ; for i doe not see how he had heir'd his land withouten mee . the babe is full of hope , and will no question , for his syres sake , love men of our profession . but 't is no matter , now in grace i am , and shall be dead before he be a man ; thus much entirely shall i wish unto him , hee 'd be no alchymist , it will undo him ; for other arts , a gods name take his venter , this is so deepe i thinke it has no center . nor am i only practis'd in the court , but in the country too to make me sport . here granam gurton will be sick for love , and i must scent some love-procuring . glove , to cause her sweet-heart more affection show , and this i promise out a hand to doe . some foure houres after i make known to her , that i 've confer'd with my familiar , who has engag'd his word before one weeke , hee whom she seeks shall for her fancy seeke . shee payes me well , and hopes all shall be mended , but i am gone before halfe weeke be ended . young wenches too i have exceeding store , and i content them all , what would they more ? only some zealous-sisters doe refraine to come unto me , but i know their ayme ; they daily so increase and multiply among themselves , they need none such as i. thus have i traced many dangers ore , and now at last arived on the shore ; i like the horse-leach feed upon their blood to whom i seldome tender any good : my patients are my profits , nor care i leg of a dog whether they live or die . this is the highest pitch of all my skill , how to draw up a pothecaries bill of ounces , drams & doses , which long item ( wer 't not for gain ) would tyre me much to write'em . within few moneths i hope i shall not need on other mens infirmities to feed ; my ten yeers practise so much treasure gaine me , as ten at hundred now may well maintaine me . the criticall ape . now by my life , a blind man may discover a ship of fools or dottrells new come over . have you heard such a crue of brainless skulls , as if they had been bred i' ch' ile of gulls , boast of the vilanies that they have done , meaning to end just as they have begun ? heere a great lord like one of isis asses in my conceite all other fooles surpasses ; for he consumes his lungs when he doth see any man grac'd or in esteeme but hee . 't is worth observing too , to note how sin retaines a kinde of priviledge in him . be his vile courses nere so indirect , the greatnesse of his place will him protect , and give such lustre to his vices too as they like vertues shine in outward show . for where ambition or oppression either , yea all enormious vices put together are covered with state , inferiours love them , at least there 's few dare censure or reprove them : so as that maxim's true in my conceit , " it is a rare sight to be good and great . but i doe heare this high-aspiring fellow , is in a single combat or duello upon disgraces offer'd , prest to fight with an hispaniolized favorite ; but i 'm perswaded neither of them both ( so highly grac'd they are ) but will be loth to shed one others blood , hows'ere they prate it , unlesse they be dispenst with for the statute . but should one kill the other in this sort , i thinke the state had cause to thanke them for 't . now verulam , good man , is in his grave , i muse who shall his house and title have ; that spatious-specious-pretiouss refectorie , which cost a world of wealth , so saith the storie : those peble-paved brookes , empaled lakes , thick clad with countless sholes of ducks & drakes . for 's ladie , she has got one now , will busse her , and chang'd her uselesse vicouńt for her vsher ; whence th' crosse-inne may report , as sure it will , " a countesse dain'd to lye her vnder hill . for him whome some call his adopted heire , our waggs point at the tow'r , and say hee 's there , where he with his she cousins plays at gleeke , though some make bold to say he 's in by th'weeke . but what is that to me ! this would i know whether he be saint alban yea or no. saint alban ! no ; yet alban was a martyr , and one each gate , i' th towne bestow'd a quarter ; now th' syate might well afford it to bestow that style on him , would he be martyr too . for i ne're read that any age did call saint alban martyr lord high admirall . but god will have a stroake in every man , witnesse the dismall shot of eglesham , whose fate was this dukes fall , enforc'd to loose those honours by a stabbe whereto he rose ; " so weake's that arch of greatnesse which relyes " on complements and meere formalities : but god is mercifull , as he is just , to whom , with whom i leave him , so i trust . next him , an ape of pleasure or delight , a very sensual fleshly sibarite ; and he triumphs , fond ape , as much as may be , in favors shewn him by his wanton ladie . yet should he but unto the world be sent nak'd , he would die for want of nourishment ; for then his outward beauty would deceive him , his consorts loath him , and his pleasures leave him . for this mine axiom is , he that doth find " more comfort in his body then his mind , " may feed , and glut , and gormandize his time , " yet all this while he lives but like a swine ; " who spends his dayes in surfeits and in sinning , " making his end far worse then his beginning . next him , a shallow , weake , vaine-glorious-gull , of styles and titles who is stuck so full , as there is none , such honours doe befall him , that know to day , to morrow how to call him . yet lend your ear , i 'le tell you in a word what this colossus is , a spongy lord , whose merit 's meane , whose apprehension small , great onely in his titles , that is all . the way by which he seekes esteeme to gaine is this , he strives great states to entertaine ; conduits run rhenish , and the kings high street smells of his odours and his perfumes sweet . in publique wayes his bounty he displayes in sucket , bisket , wafers , carawayes ; at one reere-supper in expence more large then all his yeares revenues will discharge . the height of his ambition is to get by citizens acquaintance into debt ; but i suppose till he has paid old score , they will be loath to lend him any more : then let him paune his honour , but this age is farre too wise to credit such a gage . this ape hows'ere in state himselfe he beare , he can with patience take a box o'th'eare and n'ere repine , as if he did allow it more courtier-like to take a wrong then do it ; for he through meekenes of his spirit doth prize patience above the weight of injuries . next a licentious selfe-conceited ape , who in the court such sport doth daily make , the ladies , he protests , so value him they would not want the wag for any thing . his parentage he likewise doth disclose , least his descent should admiration lose , which he describes , and i believe him , thus ; a courtier gat him of a succubus ; of whom both bred and flesht , he nightly trades in darke court-entries with his ladies maides : which ladies well observing , doe attire themselves like maids , that they might have like hire . in ev'ry mask , court-show or enterlude , he must make one , or it is holden ●…ude ; for ( as he thinks ) he is by ladies eyde , more then all those that are employ'd beside . yet let me tell you , this conceited fancy whereof he labours , brought him to a phrensy ; nor is he yet recover'd , but inchain'd untill his madding humor be reclaim'd . next him a wastefull , formall fashion-monger , a finicall , superfluous state-wronger , who boasts of his invention in devising all those strange fashions in our state arising , which by his travaile were first brought a shore , for to this i le they were not knowne before . nor is his forraine travell unrequited , so much are we with his conceit delighted ; for to discharge the debt that we doe owe him , a yeerly-pension doe we pay unto him . wee pay unto him ! no ; i scorne it i , that any such pie-colour'd butter-flie should gaine by me or any one of mine , to geld the state , or gull the present time . yea rather then i de second such a cheat , i●…e see his carrion-gutts about his feet . but i commit him till he pay his tayler to brokers-lavender , or to the jayler , where let him lie in nastie , nittie-linnen , till he make satisfaction for his sinning . next an observing-ape , who travels nations to gaine him knowledge by his observations , glories in those strange coasts where he hath beene , and in the novels he hath heard and seene . nought he observes but he relateth it , and yet me thinks , he somthing doth omit : which if he had remembred , sure i thinke , could not so soone into oblivion sinke . but i must tell him of it ; " sir , do you heare ? " a strange conjunction hapned this last yeere " twixt mars and jupiter ; pray now divine " what this prognosticates to after time . " some , and the wisest , of opinion are " that it presageth famine , others warre , " others , some pestilent-disease occurring , " causing men die on heapes by such a murrin . " but what is your opinion ? — l'as poor sot , he eyther has forgot or knoweth not what constellations meane ! but sirra , you , who knows more coasts then ere columbus knew ; while forraine-country wonders are made known , you much forget this country of your owne . for in this iland where your selfe was borne , did you nere visit glastenbury-thorne ? saint thomas beckets path , his shrine , his cell ? the civit-senting mosse of win'freds well ? the stones of salsbury - plain , which none can number ? the stones of whitby-strand , that snakie wonder ? bruertons logg which on a mote doth lye , and sinking bodes , the ancestor must dye . or of saint quintins ( as ive heard it told ) whose ancient seat is harpham on the would , where at such times as chiefe of th' house shall dy , a drum to th' hearing of the neighbours by , for three daies space together sounds alarum , ( a gentle easie summons to prepare him . ) which dying march , ( as i have understood ) issues from th' covert of a shadie wood , but whence or how produc'd , that know not i , ( a sacred-secret seal'd from mortall eye . ) but it implies ( this charity will grant ) he dies a champion i th' church militant . or of those cornish-choughs i 'm sure you heare , which built at claughton once in lancashire , who , as i 've heard it there reported oft , when a late ancestor sirnamed croft deceas'd , fled streight from thence ( but god knows whither ) where they had built for many yeeres together . which ominous or no , i cannot tell , nor what it boded can i gather well , but people thereabout affirme , it wants her ancient priviledg'd inhabitants , who left their country-coast , their native nest , and took plantation where they liked best . or of those rare , intestine , civill-warres , or fatall skirmishings of irish-stares , where son with father fought , daughter with mother , shedding the reeking blood of one another : nor could their quenchlesse rage extinguish'd be , but by an universall tragedie ; for there was scarce one left ( as i've heard say ) to bring their fellowes word , who won the day . so hot is fury ( as appear'd by these ) as it respects no state , sex , nor degrees , but breathing forth revenge holds on the fight a tedious summers day from morn to night . but sure these * news are come unto your eare , the bruit whereof's dispers'd in every sheare : the fatall vesper ( man ) where th' romish pastor brought to himselfe and numbers more disaster . which tragick act should not so censur'd be as if those men had sinned more then we ; for those on whom the towre of siloam fell were not the worst , as is observed well : but rather let 's this application make , ( that of gods judgements we may warning take : ) " if th' best employment that a christian hath " be not secure from th' violls of gods wrath , " and that he spareth not , for our exemple , " to chastise those who doe frequent his temple ; " how can we look , when any of us come " to sinks of sinne , but he will pay us home ? " we make our brothells temples , & in stewes " our saintly-formalists erect their pewes ; " if places of devotion then receive " such fearfull ruines as of late some have ; " how can these sensuall synagogues but fall ? " well , boyes , a day will come will pay for all . but sure he hears these news , for none be newer , i meane that ratsbane-academick bruer , who rather then he would his bev'rage lose poyson'd rare hopefull plants , as th' rumor goes . yet he lives still and flourisheth , nay more , continues selfe-same trade he us'd before ; whereas if justice executed were upon th' offender , as his crimes appeare , " who caus'd these schollers such rats deaths to dy , " should die a dogs-death , more have thought then i. but sure you heare , ( for who is 't heareth not ) of th' monstrous fish in vistula late got , which wore a triple-miter on his head , and on whose back were lively figured saint peters-keyes , a partizan of warre , which wizards doe divine predictions are of some strange thing that 's likely to ensue , now what that is i de gladly know from you . fall upon rome , you answer somthing will , but i would heare whether 't be good or ill : for under cope of heav'n no state i know but some occurrent it is subject to : wherefore resolve me , sir , before you go , whether it bodes our state some good or no ; or whether this same monstrous fish divine some doubtfull alteration in our time ; for sure i am nought can escape your dish ( if fit to be observ'd ) be 't flesh or fish . but sure you 've heard or seen that fearfull vision , which th' wiser sort have held in great derision ; that white-mayl'd-army marshalling her power , all rankt in battail'ray on burnley moore ; where not a man but vented his conceite ; one said it was an enemy to th' state , some spinola that mortally doth hate us : some thought it was a posse comitatus rais'd in the county , purposely to seaze on some recusant for arrerages . but most men held it was great baccbus train , had shot those squibs & streamers in their brain : for most of these that for this vision stood could scarce discern a souldier from a cloud . but sure you heare ( for ' ●…was within this sennet ) how birds would be of th' order of saint bennet , how raven , crow , pie , sparrow ( pretie soule ) flockt about bennet , as sh 'ad been an owle : how raven taken in a golden dreame , would needs a naked benedictan been , till th' sweet tun'd finch with his melodious pleading , split raven quite and plum'd him for his treading . which sharpe encounter cost musaeus more then all these fowles could ever yet restore . but zlid , i de like forgot ! he cannot chuse but heare of bugle-blues and titre-tues , choice blades , brave youths ; yea i durst almost sweare that he has notice what their projects were , so as whats'ere he speak in 's own defence , he cannot chuse but have intelligence , and therefore should be censur'd ; — 'las not he , though he pretend some rules of policie whereon his erring observations stand , he 's held the veriest widgeon in the land ; " for like a bottle ( howsoere he show him ) " nought he retaines , unless 't be put into him . " so as me thinks i fitly may compare " this simple sot unto that muddie maire , " who of his wisdome self-opinionate , " like to some state-observing magistrate , " mongst other things which he was glancing at , " observ'd one weare a ribband in his hat " of dang'rous colour , for the field was blue , " whence he infer'd he was a titre-tu , " an enemy to th' state : streight to the place " he sends his ale-tipt - sergeant with his mace , " to summon this titerian to appeare " and show some cause why he such toyes did weare . " the youth accosts the maire ; the maire the youth ; " who having stroakt his beard & wipt his mouth , " charg'd him upon th' allegiance which he bore " his prince , to show why he such ribbands wore ? " sir , quoth the youth , most boyes in all our parish " such ribbands weare in honor of our morish . " in honor of your morish , quoth the maire , " you and your morish shall taste both one fare . " brethren this morice is a welshman borne , " who on saint davies day weares leeks in scorne " of us true english-brittains — i think meete " to set you and your morish both by th' feete ; " for we doe know hows'ere these ruffins prate , " ribbands and leeks are stratagems of state ; " which well effected , to the court i le come , " and show the prince what service i have done . but were this state-sot ignorant of these , has surely heard of th' massacre of reze , so many ensignes , colours , streamers , standers , ancients , lieutenants , colonells , commanders , so many heroes which we sometime had in coate of male , but now in durance clad ; so many maine land-pieces which did breath the seldom welcome embassie of death , seaz'd and surpriz'd , so as it may appeare , the french at no time sold their salt so deare . while some doe think th' english had won the day , but that their generall was slunke away ; but this is but some flying-false report , and they that spread it would be censur'd for 't ; for is it likely such a man as he , so stout ( so sayes the corrant historie ) should be on sea , and scarcely understand how his commanders far'd that were a land ? or he rest safe from shot of enemy , and his whole navy in such jeopardy ? or so well entertain'd at his approach , as to be sent for by the * kings owne coach ? bells to be rung in consort , which descry'de the sorrow they conceiv'd for those that dide ? bonefires erected in each publique streete , with perfumes mixt , fit for a man so sweete , and he deserve so ill ? i cannot see how a wife state should so deluded bee . for nere was england brought to such a lurch , their colours trail'd unto saint michaels church and reer'd in all contempt , as who should say , nere france ore england had a fairer day . but our adherence now helps one another as well becomes a reconciled brother : which gallant juncto may enrich our state ; becoming sharers in the silver plate . nor doe we feare , but wee next yeere shall catch it , should argus & th' hesperian-sisters watch it . yet i le be thus opinion'd till i die , and so are many persons more then i ; had but that martiall militarie place , seene but his sweet and amiable face , it would have beene with admiration charm'd to see adonis like bellona arm'd ; for had those amazons so bravely bred been there encamp'd , they would have yield or fled . but we are quite deceiv'd , the golden-fleece surprizeth souldiers more then ambergreece . where hath this great observer been the while , and never view'd these wonders of our ile ? in court hee 'll say to make himselfe some sport ; well go to sir , you must be jerked for 't , and that will learne you wit another time , to draw a curtaine o're a great-mans crime . but see you silke-worme ! who is one of those who scents the street with perfume where he goes ; a courtly ▪ carpet-ape who takes delight in giving raines unto his appetite . there 's many things which he doth glory in , as first , he makes a profit of the king , farming his imposts at such easie rate , as he both cheats the prince and wrongs the state. the next abuse , which addes no lesse disgrace to men made eminent by ranke or place , is that he hath pow'r wheresoere he please for to dispose of all court-offices . besides , there 's not a captaine in the land receives exchequer-pay but from his hand ; which must be guelt , as use hath beene before ; to make the courtier rich , the captaine poor . he bestows honors too , which to the cost of the receiver , fall on him bids most : so he who hath deserv'd no stile at all may have his penniworth when markets fall . to dignifie his undeserving pate , the academie makes him graduate , where if the master of a house deceases , he placeth and displaceth as he pleases . i wonder much the state will suffer him thus to triumph and riot in his sin ; but sure he plays not such vile pranks as these , boasting too highly of his rogueries ; for many court-pips be there that i know , who make a shew of more then they can doe : if this be so , he well deserves descrying , and to be cudgell'd roundly for his lying . but see yon city-mammon how he struts , as full of sinns as he is stuff'd with guts ! for nimble tricks i doe not know his match , so sliely can the urchin cony-catch , as none but he would think and see his feat , that he had serv'd a prentiship to cheat . if he owe more then he intends to pay , he seekes by all the conning meanes he may , to frustrate his weake creditors , whose wits goe a wool-gathring , he protection gits : so as the hopes they ground on are but small , for by this course he wipes their nose of all . yet tickles he my itching spleene with laughter , and makes me smile , i sweare , a sennet after , to thinke how he deludes that ape o' th court , who labours his protection in this sort . he tells him , he shall in his fortunes share , and at his death he shall be made his heire , upon which deed of gift the gull relyes , and 's like to hang himselfe when th' merchant dyes ; for now when he should seize upon his store , he finds an other seiz'd thereon before . in ev'ry faire too he his tricks can play , and sharke , and cheate , and profit day by day ; for country people they so simple are , they scarce discerne good from adulterate ware . besides all these , if th' academie looke not to themselves , and shun his dangerous hooke , he hath a tricke to gull them with the show of sattin foreparts , silken halfe-sleeves too . but let him looke to 't , though his profits be great to him selfe , yet his posteritie drawn from the loyns of this broad-spreading tetter , i 'm so resolv'd , will never thrive the better . next him the country boar comes leering in , so simple-seeming ●…s he knew no sin ; but he that holds him so 's a simple man , for he can cheat as well as others can : yea he that holds him so let him but try him , and he will finde himselfe no gainer by him . he makes a shew , that so his tricks may passe , that he can hardly tell to michaelmas , and so precise , some will not stick to say , he will not lend his bull on saboth day : yet for oppression , biting usurie , rapine , extortion , hatefull simonie , he scorns that any one should put him downe in court , in university , or towne . yet see this erwig , how he starves himselfe , for all his substance and injurious pelfe ; the more he has the more he seemes to lack , indebted both to bellie and to back : for his hid trash he labours so to smother , he 'l neither feed the one nor cloath the other . but leave him to himselfe ; for such as these may be compared to hermocrates , who when he saw sad deaths approaching houre , did make himself his own executour ; and being ask'd the reason , did reply , i got my wealth , who should dispose't but i ? but eye me yon church-chuffe , how broad he struts , with thighs and legs ore-pentis'd by his guts ! a furmall apish timist , who delights in fauning on our rising favorites ; who once profest compassion to the poor , bolts charity and pity out of door . a zeale-pretending halting laodicean , o●… mountebank adulterate physitian , who with 's infectious drugs corrupts his sheepe , and with his leaden-sermons makes them sleepe . if a sound lay-divine profoundly write , his worke ▪ gets scarce admittance to his sight : for this spruce-damask ▪ cassoked divine , will have no books divulged in his time , but such as relish of his oyle-spent lampe , though like base bulloigne they deserve no stampe . thus ignorance must censure what we doe , raze and deface our choicest labours too : so as this aenobarban bacchanist for th' presse is now made sole monopolist : fo there 's no author without achans wedge may ever hope to get his priviledge . if this be longer suffer'd , i professe to make my trunk my print , my * deske my presse . he has confest he counts it as no sin by th' window to a living to get in , for he has presidents of divers men that doe the like , and he will follow them . but if he see a vertnous exemple , it 's not so soon admitted to his temple . well , if oppression , rapine , injury , equivocation or church-simony , ambition , assentation , insolence , licentious life , and loose non-residence may under church-mens copes securely fight , i vow to god i 'le be made deacon streight ; for there is no profession in this nation save this , for such crimes may get dispensation . now shield me deare justinian ! who comes here ! o sir , i know you by the robes you weare : that conscript habit cannot shroud your sin , unrip your case , sir , shew me what 's within . shall i be your anatomist ? i will , and squeaze your ulcerous corrupted ill . this lime-hound hath disparaged the state by his injurious judgement , and with hate of god and all good-men , as well appears , grows rich by orphans cryes and widows tears . he may for forme-sake to the temple goe , because he hath no other thing to doe , but it is only done to take a nap and thank god for 't : he sleeps i' th churches lap. bribes have so stuff'd his cushion none can wake him till wrath and fury dog and overtake him . hee 'd hug astraea if she were a whoor , but being pure , he kicks her out a door . hee 's in such grace , he scorneth opposition , conscience hee 'l harbour upon no condition . his chap-fallen chin is shrunk below his navell , yet hugs he gold till 's mouth be fill'd with gravell . he limits his nice dame , what she shall pay for this or that , who hopes to see a day when his corrupted corpse reduc'd to dust shall give free scope to her restrained lust . but note yon politick state-underminer , of machiavels opinions late refiner ; how he condemns those apes which went before , yet to be censur'd he deserves far more then all the rest : for hath not he confest , and made himself as guilty as the rest ? he taxeth them of opennesse ( poor elfe ) when he incurres like weaknesse in himselfe . so as i think , whats'ere he seem to know , hee 's lesse in substance then he is in show . tracing the clouds with aristophanes , he comes farre short of aristomanes , who strait-immur'd , as stories doe report , within a ragged rock , an aged fort , when he with other noble captains were in lacedemon kept close prisoner ; to free them from these unrelenting rocks , for shame ( quoth he ) let 's imitate the fox , who were he here , hee 'd gain him libertie , let 's not come short of him in policie . no more they did , for digging those rag'd shelves , within short time they after freed themselves . but this state-polititian works his ends , by making all he treats with his firme friends ; and with pretence of conscience ties them to him , caufing thē think he 's same man he doth show him : but i make little doubt , when these have tride him , but they 'l decest him , having once descride him . " this i le avouch , and stand to 't when i 've done , " he that is friend to all , is friend to none . let him then gull his friends , engrosse his sin , till he have no friend left to burie him . but hold sides that ye burst not , luck befall thi●… paracelsi an chimick-urinal ! who would not laugh to heare him cry , the stone , the stone , the stone , as if he had just none ? or that his paine had caus'd him sh●…w the madder , by reason of some gravell in his bladder . but'las , poor seered thing , he cannot see his ▪ chymick-works will ever usefull be . for though he once presumed on his wits , to turne spits , jacks and brazen candlesticks into pure gold , his muddie braines grow wearie , " brazers may use their trade in lothberrie . this cricket now is turn'd a water-caster , since which blest time his wealth grows daily faster ; for as he vaunts , where ere he make resort , bee 't to the city , country or the court he 's only priz'd and had in all esteeme , yet knowes not what the rules of physick meane ▪ if this be so , it cannot be denide , under his hand but many men have dide , so as no other reason see can i , but that the lawe should censure him to die : an homicide is hang'd if he kill any , what sense is 't he should live has kild so many ? thus have these apes display'd them , so could i if i my tricks would labour to descry ; but this my feare is , if i should descry them , by their discovery some might profit by them ; which would much grieve me , such an one i am , as i nere wish'd for good to any man : yea i may sweare , i know not one alive that with my heart i could desire to thrive . but if i might impeach their name ; i de doe it , or doe them any harme , i de quickly show it : their i●…putation is my joy , their hurt the only pleasant game that makes me sport . when timon , my deere friend , once chanc'd to see a mans wife hanging on a wild-figtree , o ( quoth he ) it would timon highly please that ev'ry bough brought out such fruit as these ; for then our wives would sing a silent dittie , and we should need no ●…uck ▪ stools in the cittie ! the like wish i ; nor doe i only wish to w●…an kinde that heavie doome of his , for i 'm indifferent for sexes both , this could i never love , and that i loth ▪ aesope i hug , and i doe honour him , who in a tale brought * m●…mus chasing in ; and in reproofe of nature did proceed , for setting bulls-horns rather on his head then on his shoulders , being stronge-rpart ; in which respect preferd he curious art before the hand of nature : for , quoth hee , such over sights in art wee seldome see . his steps i follow , for i tartnesse show to th' choicest works of art and nature too : nothing can please me in this globe of earth but others woes , whose moans afford me mirth . if on a learned worke i chance to looke , though i 've no judgement i can taxe the booke , and call the author for his paines a foole , yet past two months i never went to schoole . by meancs whereof , and home-bred education , one taught me th' rules of a prognostication ; streight by direction from an erra pater , i knew ech distinct planet and his nature . which known , i could not brook my country well , but in acquaintance with some gipsies fell ; whose chiefest bung and captain now i am , and held in palmistrie the only man : where though i cannot sing the gipsies song , i am as merrie as the day is long . for if a milk-maid come to me and crave , i de tell her when she shall a husband have ; or an old chrone , that i to her would show , whether she must out-live her grub or no ; hows'ere their fortune be , better or worse , my dainty-doxie nim●… away their purse ; with which we merrie make and bravely rore , with some stolne pullen that we have in store . truth is , since i kept square with these , i find my selfe and my affections worse inclin'd then ere they were before ; nor do●… i care , " they that fare well may reputation spare . " he must be stain'd , consorts with such ●…s these , " he that lies downe with dogs must rise with flees . thus in each village i and my ragg'd nation with canting gibrish doe we make our station ; in corporations we doe seldome tarrie , because of statutes to the contrarie . for other coasts such officers we find , that though they see us , yet they will be blind ; for now and then , they 'r such kind ▪ natur'd men , they will not stick to eate with us a hen. but i repent me , i so much have said , lest some that heare me , come to learne my trade . to the state-critick . why , who are you ? whence came you ? what 's your name ? that you should taxe the state , or touch her fame ? is it your manners sir , to chide great men , and with your tarter lines to nettle them ? admit you meet with some that nere did good ; as deepe in sinne , as they are high in blood , what priviledge have you receiv'd from us to mixe your inke with gall and copprice thus ? are you a man of such account i pray , as th' state should notice take of what you say ? have we not in this famous ile one sage , nor one wise master in this latter age , that can reprove the errours of our time without the help of your caprichious line ? is now your rurall straine of melibaeus mixt with thersites humour or tirteus ? are great mens crimes your subject ? and must they tast of your whippe , when they doe goe astray ? but let us heare how you your spleene expresse , which sir implyes your male-contentednesse . some have so blushlesse and soshamelesse beene , to let their coach and foot-cloth horse be seene at common strumpets dores ; to rouze a whoor ; why , i have seene this critick , and much more : and vaild my bonnet , with godsave your honour . just as his lordship came dismounted from-her and i conniv'd at this , and would not see , though light was not more manifest to me then his licentious actions : now must you bring these concealements to a publique view ? i know a lord with choicest gifts enricht who , as report goes , is of late bewitcht , and to a doctor goes to cure those spels , but they that know him , think ' ●…is something elss . and will not stick vnder the rose to speak that this same docter is ( indeed ) his tweak . but what have they or i to doe with him ? if it be so , 't is but a lordly sin. many have beene , and so no doubt will be , bewitcht with objects meaner farre then she . yet i 'me resolv'd they judge not fa●…re amisse , who say that he 's bewitcht , for so he is : for who , unlesse drawne in by some impostor , would such a bl●…use to his dishonour , fost●…r ? now were it fit , like glow - wormes , to discover matings and meetings of so great a lover ? admit you know ex●…ortion in the land , in officers corruption under hand , symony , brocage , rapine , sacriledge , may you not see the age grant priviledge to such state - epidemicall diseases ? " what profit gets , it generally pleases . why sir , i see as much as you can see , for my whole life is albions scrutinie : in city , court and country i doe want for no intelligence , for i doe hant w●…th circumspection every nooke and angle , and how our state-impostors doe intangle our unexperienc'd new - comes ; i observe it , and how they 'r honour'd most that least deserve it . all which i could display , and draw the lines of all their actions to succeeding times to make men wonder at , but pray thee , say , would this reclaime these state. moat●…s any way ? or dart a blush in any of their faces ? or make them wearie of their purchas'd places ? or strike a terrour in their conscience ? or reinstall lost justice to her bench ? would it make one man good that now is evil ? or weane one soule from serving of the devill ? lasse no sir ; though from god you have your warrant , and faithfully perform his sacred arrant , when so small benefit is wrought by th' pulpit , doe you by satyrizing hope to help it ? is all the tribe of l●…vi so farre short or shallow to improve , reprove , exhort , as they must silenc'd be , while you begi●… to taxe their coat , because they taxe not sin ? you are too bold , sir , in your fluent straine , and tenders that which none will entertaine : for doe you thinke we live in such an age a cl●…rgie man will loose a parsonage before he scourge not sinne ? it cannot be ; for how should he relieve his familie , his hopefull olive branches with his spouse , with all the holy meynie of his house ; if he should not disp●…nce with his creatour , and smooth the sinne of his improp●…iatour ? or that an officer in any court , will rectifie himselfe by your report ; or purchase to his soul least hope of blesse by 〈◊〉 of a poore man one fee lesse ? for though extortion be , i grant , a sin , this cou●…se would goe well neere to begger him : a place that at ●…o deare a rate is bought , must be imploy'd for gaine , not sold for nought . or that a lawyer should his practise make lesse for himselfe , then for his clyents sake ? or use that glibberie member of his tongue , to further right , and not to bolster wrong ? for so he should grow out of practise quite , and wrong himselfe , by doing others right . for right and wrong though they contraries be , yet wrong does right , if it bring in a fee ? or a physitian , whose empyrick hand must kill downe right before he understand , should apprehend remorse , when , as by doses he weighs his physick out , but not the losses of his abused patients , who with grones must loose their lives and substance both at once : these haning novght to give must be forsaken , and if they die the care is quickly taken ? or a civilian , though conscience be th●… o●…ject of his law , will loose his fee , or not protract a cause and make a sturre by plodding some impertinent demurre : for he such store of presidents can show , that their examples tell him what to doe , and will secure him : onely let pretences guilded with sanctity disguise offences . or that a ror●…r will his oathes forbeare or shudder when he does gods judgements heare ; o●… leave his brothells , or his midnight revells , o●… leave consorting with his femal devels ? for so he should abandon all his joy , and loose the title of a ro●…ing boy ; no , sir , these taskes surpasse a critick straine , and make him wash the blackamoore in vaine . yet i pers●…ade me , you ●…xprest your zeale in your dimensions , to the commonweale ; and that your meaning was to waine the state from some of that which all good people hate . but where sinne 's grow to ripenesse , you must know good meanings and intentions will not doe : so delicate a●…e these corrupted times , as none must taxe or taint ●…heir sw●…lling crimes . but tell me in good sadnesse what 's the cause , to think your lives more powerful then our lawes ? if an oppressor hatefull contracts make , our laws can bring him like a beare to th' stake ; the cunningst church thief●… be he neere so great , when once detected for a counterfeate , must not uncensur'd passe , nor any one who in a civill state shall throw a bone. so as in my opinion from the state such stigmaticks doe highly derogate , who judge their muse mongst men t' have more command , then all the lawes and statutes of our land. but to remove this error , i thinke fit if any one have mind to shew his wit , that in obscurer manner he disclose it , least too much plainenesse make the satyr●… lose it . this moved some , as in their work●…s we find , in hieroglyphicks to expresse their mind , or like choyce heralds to finde out a crest fitting the forme and nature of the beast as some of our spruce-silken curtaine lords who shew their worth in their imperious words have beene displaid and shadow'd to their shame , yet know not who nor where they wounded them . " but most of these their dingity have lost , " and can of nought but painted 〈◊〉 boast , this course was held at first , and ever since the freest from distaste and from offence . for when we darkely write , thanks be to heav'n , so small a portion of conceit is given to our magnifico's , as when they read us , they understand us not , or never heed us ; which happy ignorance secures our pen , and makes them laugh at us , that nettle them . in these darke colours have i drawn●… the shapes of vicious silke - wormes in this age of ape●… . which shadow'd with a vision , may doe good to purge , if not to purifie the blood . nor would i have this to be held in me weaknesse of courage or timiditie ; for in a cause where i intend to do●… service to god i ne're did terror know . nor doe i see ought in this vale of tear●… , which should beget in me such fruitlesse feare●… . the substance i enjoy , i n●…re did gather , but as a birth-right left me by my father ; for had my fortunes hung upon my care , my part had com'd unto an easie share . but what i now possesse , be it more or lesse , i never w●…sh god may it longer blesse then i sh●…ll-willingly forgoe the same , to honour god and magnisie his name . nor is my health so good that i should feare , when s'ere 't please god , my dissolution here . besides , gray-hayres have caus'd me change my song , assuring me my dayes cannot be long : should i then in my glorious makers sight , play servile sycophant or parasite ? should i now when my one foot is in grave , learne the obsequious posture of a knave ? should i contemne my soule when death is nie , or complement when i should learne to die ? should i who ne're could fawne in all my dayes , an unjust man against my conscience praise ? no , heav'ns forbid ! that i should taxe that thing in subjects , which i would not in a king ? or praise that in a king , which i 'le not doe even in his groome or meanest subject too ? for howso●…'re our statists some times frowne seeing those darling vices of their owne touch't to the quicke , yet why should good men feare such impes who sattin in and out side weare ? no , in that cause where i desire to please my gratious god , i scorne the threates of these . but i returne unto my critick now , and will informe him too what he shall doe . i know the sate , sir , desperately sick , where some sores should be lanced to the quick , for they must not bee smooth'd or smeer'd with oyle , least they attract a more impressive soile : but how should this be done , or how applde , before the member grow quite mortifide ? an art-full and experienc'd hand were fit , and to that active hand a pregnant wit. a grave and serious outside too would prove that they were types of what their selves did move : for him unfit i hold to chastize sin , whose youth admits no downe upon his chin . he should be of authority and power if he would be a powerfull monitour , for such mens words like nayles enforce our passion , struck by the rulers of a congregation . yea this our owne experience doth teach , we eye as much the person as the speech : for if he be a man of worth or prize , speake what he will his person makes it wise . besides , that life of his should be approv'd , that his example may be better lov'd : for it redounds unto the teachers shame to taxe , when he is guilty of the same . who aymes to shoote his shaft at many men , m●…y chance to hit himselfe too , now and then , unlesse he blamelesse be , which is so rare , as to seeke such our labours we may spare . lest then this frumpe should in our dish be laid , phisitian cure thy selfe ( as hath been said , ) our lifes should forme our lines , that after times may say , our life 's did paralel our lines . but why should we pursue this fruitlesse taske by striving great-mens errors to unmaske ? their discontent may by some censure move us , but them we cannot hurt , so far above us . i hold it best then critick , we begin to let these peers take their careere in sin , while we restraine our liberty of pen , untill we see gods judgement waken them . have we not known of late some raised high , that they with more disgrace and shame might die ? who would have thought in such a civill state ( i rather touch't because it chanc'd so late ) that witch of endor , who ( i thinke ) had force in magick - art much like my crop - ear'd horse , of whom 't was propheci'd ( i can assure ye ) three yeers agoe , that he should die in furie , should be i th' street with stones & brick-bats slain . and not one known of all that bandlesse train , who murdred him ? sure 't was his profuse sin , which when he would not mend , god met withhim but let him rest , they do●… exceeding ill who rake him from his ashes with their quill : he troubled us enough ere he was slaine , it were not well to raise him up againe . should we peruse the actors and the crimes both of preceding and succeeding times ; to what command their soveraignty extended , and with what shame and misery it ended ; what glory they exprest , and how their state was blemish'd by their fault , not by their fate : what port they bore , yet in the end no gainers , but split themselves , and ruin'd their reteiners . we would admire gods lawful judgements shown no lesse on other states then on our own . see those sicilian tyrants , how their power still labours one another to devoure envie wrought with suspicion , both conspi●…'d with hot revenge : to have what they requir'd , yet what effect produc'd these plots to all those state-aspiring flyes but timelesse fall ? though caesar with victorious honor come to be sole monarch ore triumphant rome , and ride in 's ebor to be seene of all , a stab will serve him in the capitall . " much have i seene ▪ yet seldome seene i have " ambition go grayheaded to his grave . this then ( state - critick ) would i thee advise , " to leave to god the censuring of vice ; but if thou needs must shew thy wood - bred nature , let it be shrouded in a shadow'd satyre . the apes censure . excellent apes ; yee have your selves displaid , now heare what shal againe to you be said . and first for you grand - gull , whose ayrie vants consist of titles and of sycophants , i here degrade you , and injoyne you more , to live as private as you did before you came to greatnesse : they that cannot tell how to demeane themselves when they are well , must by severer meanes be brought unto it , i doe this to reclaime you , pray you show it . for you licentious fleshly libertine who in del●…ghts surfeit away your time , go from our presence ; wee have here e●…ow to traine our lords in lightnesse besides you . cynthia's pure rayes should not be dark't by those who live like venus friends , but vesta's foes ; retire , retire , your follies are descride , and live from us till you be mortifide . for you vaine - glorious ape , you doe appeare so proud , we cannot brooke your being here . god hath ordain'd before the heav'nes begin , a fall for pride , a punnishment for sin ; the proud are ever plagu'd by prouder ones ▪ " there must be had sharpe steele to smooth roug●… ston●… leave us , you are not for us , nor be wee for you , or yours , till you more humble bee . for you , my prettie guga , whose vaine fancie hath brought you to a carlesse , curelesse phrensie , i will not censure you , for as it seemes you understand not what a censure meanes ; yet that you be restrain'd , i hold it fit , till diet and restraint restore your wit. which done , yo●… may regain your former freedom , " for mad-braind boys our court doth litle need'e●… for you , new fangle jack , whose aymes aspir●… to gaudie and fantasticall attire , for your abuse both to the state and us , wee censure you and your distemper thus . till you a fashion finde , rome too and fro , that may content our hum'rous gallants so as they shall never change that fashion more , but keepe them still to that which you bring ore . for you rare ape , your observation 's such , i cannot well admire your worth too much ; yet i may partly guesse what is your ayme , and i will labour to effect the same . it 's your ambition to beget esteeme , in publique places to be heard and seene , and so you shall ; for trust me you shall b●… reer'd on a publique place , the pillorie . now my sweete ape , how brisk my courtier goes ▪ a if for want of feete he went on ' ●… toes ? ●…ou , or i much mistake me , make a sport ●…o buy and sell our offices in court ; ●…ur imposts too you fa●…me for such a sum , and glory in your tricks when you have don . for which , neat sir , you shall ●…y th' heele●… be laid , till restitution to the state be made . for you rich city - ape , who can devour poore widows houses , cheat your creditor , and by protections bearing such a date , wipe others of their owne , inhance your state ; these i suppresse ; and if it shall appeare your sonne was not estated a whole year●… ●…fore you broke , your creditors shall share : 〈◊〉 time of pious works you must take care . for you penurious drudge , who pores one earth , and joyes in nought but in your countrey dearth ; ●…entie poore soules you weekely shall maintain●… , during which time you shall not sell a graine ; ●…or th●…s 's the ayme which i doe levell at , the leane kine are to feed upon the fat : ●…or if the fat yeeld not the leane supplie , the fat may ryot , but the leane will die . for you law list , for law are in your fist , ●…uling our courts of justice as you list ; you shall be spar'd for climing up our stayres , ●…etake you now unto your private prayers : 〈◊〉 time this labell shall be writ and hung ●…pon your gowne , to manifest our wrong : " for love of bribes , and for contempt of right , my master is become anacorite . for you church-g●…at , who can observe the time ▪ and make your goat a cover for your crime ; who church revenues with your tricks inhance , and pride you in your blockish ignorance ; who to oppression and extortion fold , dishonour god , idolotrize your gold : since gold ( my prelate ) is to you so deere , to india go , you shall be bishop there . for you sir politick , you are so wise i know not well what project to divise to keepe your brains a worke ; but for a space my pleasure is that you doe leave this place , and not returne , untill you understand what causeth dearth of money in our land ; what way our best commodities doe go , and whether they bring back as good or no. for you my chimick ape , i muse you would pore in a glasse and lose your hope of gold ; but let this passe : i heare you have no skill , and that in curing one , you twentie kill ; which to redresse , i have by act decre'd , your urinal be broken on your head : and that you be indited of manslaughter if ere you practise rules of physick after . now for my critick ape , that demopho●… who sweats i' th shadow , shudders in the sun , who never saw that man in all his dayes he could finde in his heart to love or praise ; he with his gypsies is so fitly mated , he will be taken hold on by the statute . mean time let , him by foists and bungs be friended it is not long till he must ▪ be suspended . be gon , my censure shall not be disputed , this is decree'd and must be executed . affrighted with the censure of each ape , fearing my selfe were one i did awake ; but finding it a dreame i thought it fit , only for pastime-sake to publish it . similis mihi simia nulla est . upon the censure of his vision . some familist or punctuall precisian will sleight this worke , because it is a vision ; saying , " that visions are deceitfull things , " and to distraction our affection brings ; " that this luciferan spirit takes the shape " ( to gull th' imagination ) of an ape . whence he inferres , to prove these visions evil , that this same ape is an incarnate devil ; all which i grant , but likest of all other when he resembles such a zealous brother . truth is , for sinns survey , who would descry it must closly doe 't , or soone be censur'd by it ; whereas 't were 'gainst all reason , that to prison one should be sent for s●… of a vision . but whether i be censured or no , this will i say and you shall finde it so ; viewing these grosse abuses of your minde , this for a grounded maxim you shall finde : of all the tyrants which the world affords , your owne affections are the fiercest lords . the life of polymorphus simianus author of this poem . polymorphus simianus a florentine born , a younger brother , but well descended ; and during his minority , in all generous & free-born studies trained . he was naturally affected to poe●…ie ; from the delight whereof his father being of 〈◊〉 esteeme in florence , laboured to waine him ▪ by diverting his course that way , and importuning him to the study of the law. whereto having for some yeares applyed his minde , he grew in short time indifferently furnished . neither was his practise lesse ▪ usefull . then his knowledge fruitfull . albeit inwardly 〈◊〉 could never relish nor palat that profession ; being , as he termed it , a practise whose materiall were extracted from extortion : yet to give all possible content to his father , he ever extended his best endeavour , ●…ly to further what he could not favour . being now growne a pretty good proficient in a profession contrary to his element ; you shall heare upon wh●… occasion he became degraded , from the benefit of 〈◊〉 practise excluded , and by a judicial , though incomp●…tible censure , silenced . pleading one day with great vehemencie for his friend farnesio , a citizen of approved honesty , and whose cause deserved no lesse successe ; being in the judgement of the whole court , grounded vn equity and uprightnesse : he perceived the judge of the court to be more indulgent to the advers part ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the more he pressed it , the more did the judge sleight and disvalue it . wherefore being without expectancs of reliefe for his much injured friend , as one 〈◊〉 transported with passion , to see corruption seated 〈◊〉 the throne of judgement ; or transpierced with a●…ction , to see his honest friend so highly wronged , with a spirit no lesse resolved then enraged , he thus 〈◊〉 the judge ▪ my lord , quoth he , my comfort is , tho●…gh this gentleman my clyent , be by your lordship injuriously censured , the date of your commission for sitting on judgement is almost expired ; so as our hope is , by your successour we shall be redressed . expired ( said the judge ) how doe you means ●… i meane ( replied simianus ) you are at the point of death . your reason , ( quoth the judge ) for i feale no such matter in my selfe . the more dangerous is your malady ( answered simianus ; ) for diseases insensible are ever held most incurable : but to resolve your doubt with an infallible reason ; your lordship knowes it is an ancient sacred ceremony herein florence , as in all other catholique countrie●… , for 〈◊〉 sick immediatly before the approching in●… of their dissolution , to receive from a religious man thereto ordained and consecrated , extreme ●…ction . the judge perceiving whereto his meaning 〈◊〉 , covertly implying corruption by those words ●…f extreme unction , with present passion transported , 〈◊〉 him forthwith to depart the court , in these words . sir : for your small reverence to this place , heare your censure . so long as the state of florence shall authorize me to sit in this seat of iudgement , i injoyne you silence , to caution others by your example to shew more reverence . no 〈◊〉 was this heavie censure pronounced , then simianus left the court ; allthough he had many friendly oraters , who with their best perswasive rhetorick laboured to mitigate the judges censure ; whom they found steeled with relentlesse rigour . about this 〈◊〉 when simianus was silenced , his father died ; by ●…hose death he was more troubled , then with his former sentence disq●…eted : for of such generall esteeme 〈◊〉 i formerly noted ) was this old man , as he was no lesse for his wisedome and judgement approved , then for his discreete carriage and amiable conversation generally loved : so as his vertues gain'd his progeny ●…ch honour in florence . simianus being thus by publique censure from hope of future preferment excluded ; of his fathers advice , whose pietie was a mirror to his familie deprived ; and in some debts by reasons of his t●…a affable ▪ or easie disposition engaged ; being brought to these straits , as one doubtfull where to retire : it fortuned , even then when he had resolved privately to convey himselfe from florence , and expose himselfe to some forraine adventures ; to fall in acquaintance with a zealous brother of amsterdam ; with whom in short time he grew so familiar , a●… none but he was of his cabinet councell . away he must goe with him , so powerfully had his zeal wrought with him , unto amsterdam ; where , as he pretended , he was a merchant of especiall note , ranke , and quality . simianus , who had even from his infancy , an excellent art of insinuating into mens knowledge , professed ; that howsoever other occasions of maine consequence had reason to avert his resolution from that course , yet so farre had the opinion of his sanctity , the grounded conceit of his sincerity , and those tyes of familiar society and sociable amity prevailed with him , as he would leave his countrey with hope of all promotion , meerely for love of such a zealous and faithfull companion . at amsterdam within few months after they arrived ; where simianus found as many religions , as the world had regions ; or the gergason possessed with legions ; but in principall esteeme grew he with a devout fraternity , by meanes of this zealous merchant ; who made him acquainted with all those mysterious rites used and practised by that saintly society within short time , being a proper man and w●…ll approv'd of by the sisterhood , who had their free voices in the election of every officer ; he stood in election for a place , which they call the emunctorie ; the speciall charge whereof is this . at a certaine time , ( which upon signe given is duely observed ) when the conventickle is full , and all things in readinesse , he it to snuffe out the candles , for the zealous assemblie 〈◊〉 exercise their works of lightnesse in darknesse . this place by generall suffrage he obtained ; wherein he demeaned himselfe so closely to the sisters content , as no one officer stood so deepe in their bookes . nor was he l●…sse respected for his secrecy , then affected for his diligence and alacrity : so as one day , these zealous sisters with one consent resolved to prefer simianus to a place of more cre●…it and profit ; and this should be done without the approbation of any of the fraternitie . alledging that their prerogative was no lesse in the election or taking in of a brother , then theirs in admission or puting in of a sister : so as if their brethren incorporated the one , they would make bold to matriculate the other . upon this resolution grounded , they preferred him to be secretarie of the conventickle ; a place of highest honour , and only recommended to such whose untainted secrecie had purchased them a singular opinion of retentive fervor . this office had these sisters no sooner conferred on him , then the brethren generally opposed him : saying , the election was not to be approved , for as much as their voices were excluded : whereas formerly , no officer was to be admitted , unlesse he were expresly by their fraternal suffrages elected . whence there arose such opposition , as no conventickle was observed , no conclave frequented , no nocturnal-rites acted , nor 〈◊〉 due benevolence to the sisters tendred ; for the brother would not goe to the synagogue without his 〈◊〉 nor the sister , till reconciled to her brother : for 〈◊〉 a maxim in their divinity ; one sexe without 〈◊〉 ther can never edifie . while they were th●… 〈◊〉 sting and contending , simianus , eyther with heate 〈◊〉 passion incensed , or hate to their profession induced , disclaiming all secrecy : became an open discoverer of all their impurity , not sparing to say ▪ that there 〈◊〉 old tickling in their conventickles ▪ with which 〈◊〉 sion the whole fraternity being much enraged , w●…drew their pension from him , which formerly had 〈◊〉 duely paid him . so as now hee was left to himselfe , 〈◊〉 repaire his fortunes by encountring with some 〈◊〉 currents . long had he not sojourn'd ; after his expulsion from the fraternal - tribe , but hee was entertained by a provincial deane , who using rather to 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 fleece , tooke more care to have his due , then discharge his duety , to receive his tythe , then intend his 〈◊〉 ; to looke to his tenths and gather his rints , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…paire those many ruines and rents of his church . now simianus , for want of better employment , was appointed to be his tythe-gatherer ; whereto hee 〈◊〉 addressed himselfe with all diligent endeavour : but small profit redounded to his master so long 〈◊〉 hee was appointed to gather . for when any farmer set out his rucks of corne , whereas hee was to receive 〈◊〉 at ten , hee shewed himselfe farre more conscionable , receiving only one at fiftie : saying ; feede 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 master better then hee feeds you ; hee gives you but one sermon in fiftie weeks , render you him but one 〈◊〉 stookes . this the avaricio●…s prelat soon per●…ed ; so as this conscionable gatherer , who cut such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of others leather , was discarded , and hee gaine to seeke his fortunes , to the wide world ex●…ed . so miserable was that time wherein hee lived , with 〈◊〉 an universall famine distressed , and through po●…nesse of the place so pestered ; as hee , being a 〈◊〉 and having no present employment to relieve or 〈◊〉 himselfe , became much enfeebled , and likely 〈◊〉 have perished ; had not a venetian-merchant ( one 〈◊〉 excellent parte ) received him , even then when 〈◊〉 did most presse him , penury pinch him , and 〈◊〉 height of all disasters surprize him . for such was 〈◊〉 present estate , that albeit upon his returne to ●…lorence hee could not want , being by such powerfull and eminent friends supported , and to so many flourishing families allyed ; yet so high was his spirit , 〈◊〉 hee could not endure to stoope to such basenesse as to acknowledge his want . but now by meanes of this ve●…tian-merchant , who tooke especiall notice of his sufficiency , being by meanes of his education ( as we have formerly observed ) made accomplish'd in all liberal●…iences , he was in a better way of preferment then 〈◊〉 during his abode with that zealous family , or 〈◊〉 unprofitable service in that covetous deanry ; for 〈◊〉 all trades the merchant , and of all merchants the venetian , as he is highly prized for his generous rank 〈◊〉 quality , so is hee worthily praised in spreading the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayles of his bounty . nor is hee lesse nobly affected in his port and hospitality at home , then 〈◊〉 rally-minded in his carriage and expence abroad . 〈◊〉 this brave merchant , simianus long remained ; 〈◊〉 whom he was highly graced , in affayres of weighty consequence imployed , and in his bosom faithfully 〈◊〉 where doubtlesse , he had continued , as there was 〈◊〉 just cause to divert it , had not some unworthy instruments traduced and maligned him ; by suggesting to the merchant that hee read a weekly lecture to 〈◊〉 faire lady , out of boccace . which surmise added fuell to the merchants jealousie , an infirmity whereto ●…ee was naturally subject ; so as presently he imagined 〈◊〉 pillow to be stuft with horne-shavings , giving 〈◊〉 lesse credit to their report , then if it had beene an oracle , such were the interchanges of inconstant fortune which ever accompanied simianus ; so as now he must encounter with new billowes , before he can come to harbour . for howsoever his vertuous mistresse , the lady celia , laboured to cleare her selfe from all occasion of suspicion ; so deeply was this impression of jealou●… grounded , as no receit so soveraigne could bee applyed , no reasons so strong or irrefellible produced , to waine him from this conceit so causlesly harboured . simianus now perceiving , that nothing could remove his jealous master from this unjust surmise : he resolved from thenceforth no longer to accomodate himselfe to the servile dispositions of such humerous commanders , but rather to returne into his owne countrey ▪ to see what entertainment it would give him . whole resolution his distempered master no sooner perceived ▪ 〈◊〉 hee , for all his jealous conceit had of him , fur●…ed him in all points , shewing especiall arguments 〈◊〉 bounty at his departure . wherewith simianus 〈◊〉 somthing encouraged , recalling to mind , how his 〈◊〉 could not disvalue him , when they saw him so 〈◊〉 provided . for well understood hee , that popular ●…gements were seated in their eyes : and that out●… habits , with some other superficiall preparation , 〈◊〉 gaine one oft times more credit and estimation , 〈◊〉 more deserving ornaments . wherefore after so●…ne leave taken of all his comrades in venice , hee 〈◊〉 for florence ; whereupon his arrivall hee was , 〈◊〉 above his expectance , with all due solemnity re●…ived ; and by meanes of divers eminent and powerfull friends in the city , elected ( with a liberal pension for 〈◊〉 taske allotted ) to take survey of all countreys , 〈◊〉 in his survey to describe the sites and states of 〈◊〉 countries : the natures of their people , how affe●…d , how d●…sposed , & withall to compile such remarkable occurrents as might seeme worthy his observation . which taske , after a modest reluctancy , as one more jealous then was needefull of his owne insufficiency , he undertooke ; being within these few yeeres resident in 〈◊〉 iland , the description whereof , with the nature if her people then inhabiting , hee hath here in a poem industriously discovered ; where by way of vision hee r●…ns division , cleanly but closely carried , covertly shadowed , and smoothly closed . which wee likewise from his owne originall have faithfully transcribed . wherein of ought bee omitted , which might give better light to their discovery : wee are to imput●…-the error to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aboad and want of acquaintance to inform hi●… in thes●… parts . neither indeede is it possible , that hee should amplifie his discourse in every particular ; or 〈◊〉 out all private abuses secretly lurking in a state. for this taske would require his industry , who should apply himselfe to the survey of one countrey only . though i confesse ( so ripe are all states growne in the overspreading growth of all vices ) as where one country was observed more for one particular sin then another ; wee shall now finde one state possessed of all those enormities , which formerly were to be sought in many . for where as pride hath beene observed to bee most conversant among the babilonians , envie among the jewes , anger among the theban●… , 〈◊〉 among the tyrians , gluttony among the sydonians , sorcery among the egyptians , and all effeminacy among the cretans : this labour now may bee saved , for we shall finde some one flourishing-state , whose long peace hath fatted her in prosperitie , of all these maladies seazed ; but to returne to our author , wh●… it may be thought by some , that hee hath sh w●… too 〈◊〉 of spleene in the reproofe of sinne ; they are to understand , that no faithfull relater can be a time-observer ; and that nothing so much darkens or blemishes the light of historie , as that spreading tetter state-flatterie ; besides he was a stranger , and did little care for any ones censure : which in a poem of his owne , he no lesse ●…logantly expresseth . hee who thinks i can flatter is deceiv'd , for in my youth when i instruction sought , and some small glimpse of knowledg had receiv'd , my spirit wrestled in me as i thought , and so in time upon my weaknesse wrought , as i gave way ; which giv'n , she caus'd me write , to purge the state , and scourge the parasite . yet so , as thou shalt never personate or high , or low , or any one in place , lest thou incur the censure of the state ; not men but manners thou shalt have in chace ▪ causing shame paint their vices in their face : for then this rule , a safer there is none , " to t●…e the sinne , but let the man alone . be jealous what thou heares , spare in reports , for some there he who on this string doe strike , how they may vent disgrace on princes courts , yet these can closly play the parasite , and with their servile humors force delight : which ere i 'd doe . i wish with all my heart , i may hang for a signe at franck-fort . mart. this well tempred resolution hee expressed in an anagram composed on his friends name , included 〈◊〉 this distich : virtue hath but bare credit ; what 's the matter ▪ because to gain a kingdom shee 'd not flatter . his honest resolution sprung from an inbred ●…sity of mind he likewise manifested to the world in this free attestation : which with a constant modest spirit he delivered in a publique resort , at the time of his restraint . who can prohibit me abroad to tell the crimes of such high-peeres as doe not well ? why , this obsequious , odious , vicious time , that weaves a cobweb o're a great mans crime . but masters , would yee know how i am serv'd whose honest actions ne're from goodnes swerv'd ? " sense by petition hath procur'd that reason " for writing nought but truth , should go to prison . his well-composed temper and peaceable disposition he likewise expressed ; when as being sometimes intangled in suites of law about his patrimonie ; as one wasted with expence , wearied with expectance , and impatient of longer attendance , he thus concludeth . after this suite , as i am now resolved , shall be decree'd , determin'd , and dissolved , 〈◊〉 take a long farwell of my laws journey , ●…nlesse it be by proxie or atturney ; ●…ot who from hippocrene would rivers draw ●…ust not imploy his bucket in the law ; ●…rre from courts clamour then i 'le build my nest , ●… smooth-composed line requireth rest . privacy likewise he highly affected , though by sun●…ie persons of ranke and quality mainly diswaded . s●… as , on a time when as milan a diet was intended , wherein the peeres and commons of the real●…e were to be ass●…mbled , redresse of all state-aggrievances generally expected ▪ writs exhibited , bills preferred , and he for a burgesse in the lower house by generall suffrage elected ; yet he rejected this honour , & privatly retired to his country mann●…ur ; the reason whereof 〈◊〉 demanded , he 〈◊〉 returned this answer . one askt of me what might be my intent to leave the towne in time of parliament ? why , answered i ●… because i held it fit when th' city hath ingross'd the country wit , and that scarce seven wise masters now were left which were not to the parliament enf●…oft , that purposely i to the country cam , where i am held a nimble-pated man ; for though a sw●…n's a swan , yet when th' swan'●… gon , a white-plum'd chough is held a comely one . where this author now remaines , it is diversly conjectured ; some reporting him to be now at florence , where he is made remembrancer of the city ; others report , that coasting through the province of cecuba , upon some disgrace offer'd by him to a lyrick , who contended with him for the masterprize in poetrie , he was by the inhabitants of that place surprized ▪ and in a vinepresse squezed to death : for the truth whereof i will not stand much . let this suffice , that this poem now published , was writ by hîm in the xxxv . yeare of his age ; which being gratefully accepted , shall be by others of his works no lesse usefull ( if the manuscripts may be procured ) hereafter seconded . the draught or portraict of every ape with their distinct properties , chararacters , and differences , expressed in severall peeces . , the ape of honour , is to have a little flag , banner or streamer in his claw , wherein are to appeare severall coates , armes , crests , &c. the emmet , hedghog , cuckow , seagull , owle , &c. the principall crest , a rat-rampant : which is the only imprezza this ape of honour hath . . the ape of pleasure , is expressed by sporting with a marmosite , with this imprezza , dainty content . . the ape of vaine-glory , is characterized , or emblematized thus : hee is carried by four apes in a case resembling a cabinet , windowes of each side , and all open , to discover him sitting in state ; his imprezza , heaven upon earth . . the ape of fancy , is expressed by hastning towards a lure made of feathers , ribbands , garters , gloves , rings , &c. which cupid winged and hovering in the ayre is showne throwing out his imprezza : love is my lure . . the ape of fashion , is expressed in his doublet and hose , phantastically made up , a plume of feathers in his head , amorously eying himselfe in a glasse ; his imprezza , i like my humor well . . the ape of observation , is expressed looking through a trunck or prospective ; directly before the end of the trunck is a dung-hill ; his imperzza , i smell a rat. . the court ape is expressed sitting mopping in a tree full of flourishes , above him this imprezza ; the cinnamon tree . . the city ape is expressed as in a rialto or royall-exchange ; tapestrie-works , needle-works , chaines , girdles and hangers , belts , &c. to life shadowed . a walke as in the exchange , with signes of eyther side . on the one , an unicorn , a bull , an hart , a ram , a goate : on the other , directly opposite , a tigre , a panther , an elephant , a wolfe , a fox ; his imprezza , what doe ye lack ? . the countrey ape is expressed poring seriously upon an almanack ; his imprezza , an erra pater . . the church ape is expressed fat and corpulent , a mitre or corner-cap upon his head ; the basis or end ofa steeple sticking out of his mouth ; his imprezza , silence . . the judiciall ape is expressed of meagre or sallow complexion , wasted or decayed constitution , close shaven in a councellors cap and gowne , a rowle or scedule in his hand ; his imprezza , ambidexter . . the politicall ape is expressed with a paire of spectacles upon his nose , a paire of compasles in his hand , a globe before him with a jacob's-staffe , with which hee measures the globe ; his imprezza , a sound head piece . . the chymicall ape is expressed holding a payre of bellowes wherewith he stands blowing against a solid rock : there are kettles , landirons , candlesticks , &c. to bee shadowed , implying his chymick art ; his imprezza , fly brasse . . the criticall ape is expressed laughing and jeering extremely , holding his sides as one oppressed with an unmoderate passion of joy ; his imprezza , hold sides . the censuring ape is portrayed according to his humor , with a rugged ridged countenance , fiery and 〈◊〉 eyes ; corded whipps in his hand : looking with an eye of scorne upon the rest of the ap●… , his mott : a shots of shallops . and pointing at them with a jeering visage closeth in these words , have among you state-shufflers . parthenia's passions . to the right honorable thomas viscount wentworth , baron of woodhouse , oversley and newmarch , lord president of the councell established in the north , and one of his majesties most honourable privie councell : his thrice-honoured mecaenas . the western-knights pasquill . marshall ! an hall there ! pray you , sir , make roome for us poor knights , who in the fag-end come . mad is my muse , and now of late affrighted out of her wits for feare she should be knighted . knighted ▪ defend me , lord , from such an honour , i shall not git whole cloaths to put upon her . nay , since with knights there is so great a doo , i for my summons will make ready too . " come masons , come , erect an hospit●…ll , sith wee must all be knights whom statutes call : for england never had unto this houre more * chevaliers for number , nor more poor . whence many of our russetings deplore it , that they ' r not worth so much as they paid for it . yea , almanacks , i feare , will beare record in rubrick letters , next to th' yeare o th' lord , which by succeeding times will be recited , " how long 't is since y● commonty was knighted . yea , justice vows , should she pay twenty five , she cannot doe 't with honesty and thrive ; " for some of her bench-whistlers states be such , their meanes & vailes will scarce raise halfe so 〈◊〉 yea i could pick out one of these who might be made grand sophie full as well as knight : " for justice-sake this imposition wave , lest they be forc'd to pay more then they have . but since my pinke 'mongst others runns a shelfe , and ev'ry one is nearest to himselfe , i must debate my cause before i go , judge whether i speake reason , friends , or no. " may my state-lov'd mecaenas but give way " to what the meanest of his knights can say . now , my good lord , your humble suppliant comes to know the cause why he sho●…ld pay these sums . ` object . " our princes coronation by a statute , " inflicts these fines on those that were not at it : " provided they have fourty pounds by yeare " of free-hold land , the statute makes it cleare . answ. t is true ; but this reflecteth not on me , for i was at that high solemnitie , and i'●…h best note my rurall muse could sing , tendred my poemes to my gratious king , object . " yea but the proclamation did forbid it , " you were not well advis'd then , when you did it . answ. 'slid , should i neither then be here nor there but like a ball hang hovering in the ayre ? o bject . no ; though the coronation wil'd you come " the proclamation wish'd you stay at home , " you should not have c●…me up sir ; answ. no more did i , for i , as fortune fell , was there allready ; where my ambitious muse did knighthood crave , but what i had i hold , no more i have . discusse my lord , then each particular , i shall be found in nought irregular . " i came not up ; i broke not th' proclamation ; " the statute 's kept ; i was at coronation ; at which ( i 'le justify with heart and hand , ) i joy'd as much as any knight i th' land. these duely weigh'd , your honour umpire be , whether i pay the king , or king pay me . his regall 〈◊〉 receiv'd this muse of mine , and were this reason , think you , for my rime ? i sung , my sov'●…igne heard me , now wee say the hearer , not the singer , usd to pay . i judge then what soe're to me is done , is by that figure usteron , proteron . you for the king demand of me a fee , when it is meant that he should pay it mee . but lest this should by me too much be thought , so i goe free , my song shall go for nought . but husht ! no more ; with this approv'd position ; your constant servant closeth his petition ; " more knights , my lord , your state has little need on , " let me be a poore country squire to breed on . now if these reasons take no place , my lord , i must obey if you but speake the word : a knights fee for your honour i have heere ; " knight and no knight ; the purchase is too deere ▪ but i 'm resolv'd , my reasons are so plaine , your squire may with his coine go back againe . amplitudini tuae deditissimus musophilus ; eboracensis eques , equitum humillimus . * area quot spioas , quot profert silva myrica●… , curia quot curas , semina terr●…nes : quot scatebr●… venas , quot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ar●…nas , tot milites inope●… angli●… 〈◊〉 . upon his hon. election of deputation for ireland . for ireland , lord ! what will become of me ? for conscience-sake looke on my familie . would you receive more honour then you have ; and so 〈◊〉 those whom you may save ? is any one more earthly-blest then you ? firme friends , faire fates , brave bards , corrivals few . and who is hee that is so richly blest will hatch his airy in a forraine nest ? there the best hawk●…s , indeed , they say are bred , but there high-styers oft have perished . those that doe love my lord , doe hold it fit , as th' country honours him , so should he it . admit , my lord , that you entitled be yorks president , and irelands deputie ; where you are five y●…ers onely to remaine , which time expir'd you'r to return ▪ againe ! nay more then that , when ev'ry third month ends , you may revisit here your constant friends ; what 's this to me ? while you at distance stand , i 'm forc'd to write my sorrows in the sand . " it is a weeke agoe since i did dreame , how you and i were swimming in a streame ; rough were the billows , for the water swell'd while i for safety by a willow held ; which you catch'd at , but , 'las , it would not be , that failed you what had supported me , for when you strove to save your selfe from wrack , rude-chattring reeds ( me thought ) still held you back ▪ " now such as are expositors of dreames might thus interpret it ; " these troubled streames betoken danger ; willowes , friends ( indeede ) but such as faile us most , when most we need ; rude chattring reeds , such as doe make a sport to blemish honour with a base report . but dreams are dreams , & such as rightly know them will nere give trust nor confidence unto them . but why , my lord , should you transplanted be , and reave me of that hope supported me ? ' zlid , all the world knows you to be wise ▪ and play'd i th' parl'ament your master prize : but what 's all that ? god knows what some will say in heat of hate , when you are gone away . excuse me , lord , my zeal conceits the worst , if i should silent be , my gall would burst . no sycophant am i , upon my word ; i le speak as servants should unto their lord. then taxe not my discretion for the matter , but praise his honesty that cannot flatter . here then a tatterd knight comes sneaking in , and jeers the honour you bestow'd on him ; and swears that diotolph brand who look't so big , being made knight for rosting of a pig , was ne're to more desertlesse honour hurl'd , " for hee 's scarce worth a pig in all the world. here a rack-rent recusant cryes amaine o my deere conscience ! and repeats your name ; and vowes since abbies were dissolved heere , a romish conscience never cost so deere : so as you must not be , till they be freed , pre in their pater-noster or their creed . some say you 'r grown to that resistless might , he is not wise dare be your opposite ; for you will crush him be he nere so great , having such free accesse to caesars seat ; whose gracious rayes are such , as they impart verdure and vigour to your known desart . these and such like reports they ' l spread on you ; which , though i 'm confident , are far from true ; for in that equal scale your actions stand , as i le avouch you just with heart and hand . yet too maliciously will some men deem , when the wide sea hath sever'd you from them . nought 's left to answer for you but report , which good men know you by , and love you for 't . alas my lord , for ireland ! many one have gone forth laughing , that come weeping home . our modern stories have sufficient to shew , wee need no other president . " nor can you there doe service to your king , for , as i heare , there breaths no venemous thing : what then can justice finde it selfe to doe ? plant rather here where there be snakes enow , " such as deserve a censure : " hee that 's just must finde offenders , or his sword will rust . some from the height of their concealed hate doe much maligne the fulness of your state , and say , " one day a parliament will come , and then we hope some will be payed home , if these , while you live here , so envious be ; judge what they 'l doe when you 'r beyond the sea ? your presence then 's the. way to make you strong , " just men have oft through absence suffred wrong . " pardon my boldness , lord , the case is such did i not love you , i de not speak so much . oft to your honor have i made resort , yet nere petition'd ought unless in sport ; it was your selfe i sought , whose love i gain'd and that was th' only marke at which i aimd . your choice discourse and judgement i confess , made mee all yours , i could be nothing less . i should write more , but seas begin to rise , and with their brinie waves o'reflow mine eyes . thus then with firme resolve , my knee i bend , so you thereto be pleas'd to condescend : mount to the moon , you cannot mount from me my muse and i will keep you companie . " only vouchsafe a line , for if you go , england farewell , i 'le be for ireland too . upon his hon. returne from ireland . vpon his attendance . my lord , i thinke i have more hours attended then pearled rills from taurus ere descended . still have those rising waters troubled him , but when he strove a greater man stept in . scotch ▪ irish , english in such numbers came , as none would deigne to tell your servants name : " well , my good lord ▪ though you 'r the heir of time , " that i 'm the same , peruse this troth-plight ryme , vpon his admittance . blessed patrick , are you come to your long-expected home ? none i sweare ere came here to my leaping heart more deere saving my dread soveraigne in his wish'd returne from spaine . saile not from 〈◊〉 back againe ▪ unlesse it bee your princes aime , but amongst your owne remaine , " this is the prayer of your swaine . ' zlid you 've discharg'd that taske for which you went , live now unto your owne a president . for the right honorable charles hovvard , commander in chiefe over cumberland , westmerland , and northumberland , upon the decimation . deign sir , in your perusall of these lines , " to cleare their score , who'r cleare of all designes : " which crowns your honor ; when those shires that beare " your fair commands , are only now found cleare . though change of state , no doubt , some level'd at , twixt hopes & feares : but husht ! no more of that . assess'd afresh ! what have we done or said that this new taxe should on our states be laid ? deare goldsmiths hall six tedious yeares ago brought the revenues of our state so low` as with rent-charges , we may safe aver , some of our lands ly now in lavender . such is the burthen our condition feeles , as we can scarcely keepe our cart o th' wheeles . weigh our calme temper too , how all our time we made the muses ward-robe our designe : and those who were not qualifide that way , for grazing or for culture made assay . no project nor state-action plundg , our braine , " to know god and our selves was our sole aime . and merits this a censure , pray you say ! must our retirement this assesment pay ? to th' world we appeale ! — where we doe live , our precious minutes are contemplative . our thoughts act not for changes : our content is to dispose our soules to th' government of their affections : they that have arriv'd and seene as many yeeres as we have liv'd , should make 't their onely taske their souls to save : and in e'ch pace to measure out his grave . this , is our warfare : if 't be held unfit teach us some other trade , wee l practise it . but to finde out a safer way then this trace heaven and earth , we know not where it is . this all saints us'd , where were we joyn'd in one , wee ' d hold our passage happy to be gone . weake be our nerves and arteries to fight , " heav'ns ord'nance is the shot gives us delight : and in these aged-deafned eares sound louder then any shot that takes his charge from pouder . from the first * warre some have not struck astroke but from the campe betook them to their booke . or if their profit did not that way look , they plide the plough-share or the sheepheards crooke , for we collected by our conquering foes , what heav'n decreed 't was folly to oppose . for this , our composition has beene payd , wherein his grace afforded one such ayd , that even in gold-smiths hall he did apply his hand , and sought their fine to qualify : had not a ridge of hasles stood i th' way and with a rough obstruction rais'd his pay . " burn't child fire dreads : our pennance has beene such , we acted little , but wee suffer'd much . had no mans hand beene conscious of more guilt , much blood had beene preserv'd , that has been spilt . some of us may be hermits for our yeares , there 's no occasion then from us of feares . besides , some * justices were call'd of late , which would sound harshly to a ruin'd state. doe not assesse us then , vnlesse 't be showne ; that we enjoy more fortunes then our owne ; much lesse , i 'me sure , then we might justly claime : " heav'ns steere our bark in this tempestuous maine . ` your self 's the north-starre that directs our saile , geere our land-voyage with a prosperous gale. pensions , debts , portions have our states so reft , like banbery cheese , there 's nought save pairings left : and if we must both crum and crust forgo wee 'l welcome want , because heav'n order'd so ; in hope , when you these golden mines obtaine , these taxes shall be paide us back againe ▪ but grace appeares ! — th' instructions give consent that those who entertaine this government with a compòsed and submissive will should be exempt from this assessing bill : and , sure , experience taught us so much wit to know what soveraignty is , and to submit . wee 'r now become good boyes ( thanks be to god ) first take correction , after kisse the rod. " they who intend t' improve their means at court " must take a wrong and give a congie for 't . tender the favour these instructions shew , " so yours prey not on us , wee ' l pray for you : wishing with all our hearts , heav'n would decre our purse as full , as wee 'r of charitie . if all this will not doe , we hope our zeale unto the state will grant us an appeale ; wherein by plea if we appeare not free , may this same grand assesse re-doubled bee . but rather then offend , wee 'l meekly fall under your doome , without appeale at all . — this renders no disgust ; so you reprive us , wee 'l try what benefit the law may give us ; wherein if we unfortunately slip , wee 'l hold th' adventure worse then * hamdens ship. should none of all these arrows hit the marks , but like tiresias shafts be shot i th' darke ; our onely way to cement this division is to officiate and take th' commission . which , if it may with your affection sute , to th' tenure of that writ , wee 'l execute : and doe as justly too , or wee 'd be sory , as wee were dealt withall , — so ends the story ▪ after his assesse at penrith ; addressed to his honour . january . . how now ! mount i to twenty pounds assesse , when my rint-charges rise to such a rate as no inferiour judgement could hold lesse then free indulgence to my squiezed state ? you doom , i melt ; shall i the cause impart ? your honours civill usage won my heart . yet that those grounds were good i stood upon , peruse these reasons , sir , and i have don . what 's twenty pounds assesse to him that may improve the state more by his pen then pay ; when he to forraine nations shall make knowne the bounty and great pity you have showne to state-delinquents ! when with face to face they ' r look'd upon like children of grace . as th' late act of oblivion seem'd to approve , that we were all one familie of love . thrice sacred cement ! when revenge must cease ; and patience smile on forepast injuries . by which your fame might to successions ring ; " to have power and not to doe , 's a noble thing : a princely-lyon ire : when hostile force puts off the roabs of rage , and donns remorce . no marble , topaz , ivory , thracian stone could reare you shrines more to be look't upon ; nor more admir'd : statues are works of time , true worth admits no period nor decline . now to my selfe ; — should i in briefe relate the forme of th' spartan or the theban state in their necessitous times ; you might perceive what priviledges they to pen-men gave : for by their * annals i shall make 't appeare from all assessments they exempted were . first , that their writings might disperse their fame ; next , that their penns more gingerly might blame the errors of those times : and palliate in a smooth style th' abuses of the state : seeking by artfull secret mists to smother the soile of sinne , but to display the other . sometimes have i extoll'd you in this sort , and if too much , pray god forgive me for 't . nor did i onely in that land-skip show state-virtues , but emergent vices too . " good faces are with * moals much beautifide ; " venus seem'd fair'st , when nais sat beside . " vice setts off vertue best : — no 〈◊〉 spread " their lustre more , then when they ' r set in lead . there 's none that ever knew me one of those that for a * diadem could learn to gloze . for had i practised the art to flatter " th' increase of fortune had deprav'd my nature . yet had i prov'd proficient in that art , i 'le tell you , sir , the secrets of my heart , ( for i dare venture to unrivet it to one of honour , judgement , worth and wit , ) i 'm confident , i had not so long waited on your commission to be decimated . since seldan that authentick instrument and constant servant to the parlament , directly prov'd no tenths at all were due unto the clergy ; then much lesse to you . whom though our * rabbies labour'd to confute , they might have silence kept with more repute : for such antiquity and reason met as his assertions were not answer'd yet . besides all this ; the spartan state decree'd that all such parents as their children breed in arts and studies of philosophie from all assessments should exempted be : and by deductions from rint-charges granted supply those tacklings education wanted . which law one day when cleon did oppose , tyrtaeus in defence o th' edict rose , saying ; " if these so neare us might not share " in our provision and parentall care ; " may this strict opposition be obey'd " and al male-children henceforth eunuchs made . which smart reply drove th' court to such a laughter as the like motion ne're was heard of after . to those object , " 't is folly to delay " this grand assesse , our souldiers must have pay ; my answer is ; " i 'm natures deepest debter ; " i love a souldier well , but children better . but since i must their benefactor prove , their prayers , me thinks , should gratify my love . but though i pay them more then does become me . they pray not for me , but they prey upon me . when aged priam or'e sackt troy did reigne , never had he more children to maintaine ; must i dis-owne whom nature bids me owne , to furnish those , to whom i am unknowne ? the case is ours : let application draw from th' spartan act , life to an english law : for if such masters worse then ethnicks be provide not for a private familie ; those fathers , surely , should be held unfit to live , who take no care of those they git . " those wild oats youth has sowne , old age must reap thē . " and what we got , an other must not keepe them . deare sir give eare ; what native love alledges concerns us all ; the tender of our pledges . but you ' r so truly noble ; as no feare of your just care dares put in anchor heere . your most devotionall decimated servan●… r. b. with your hon. certificate , let me partake this noble favour from your approved goodnesse : to have my assesse ( after the merit of my cause ) respited , till my repair to london , which i purpose ( god willing ) early next month. where i hope by application and your hon. assistance , to mitigate , if not wholly mediate my assesse . upon his additionall assesse ; continued in addresse to his honour . february . . " what bill's here posted on our tything door ! " five pounds to the state-advance — and who bids more ? " not one scotch plak ; 't is fear'd the state at length , " will seize nine parts , and leave us but a tenth . sir i was lately bit , but knows not how , nor whether they be friends to th' state or no. for surely those who represent such zeale , and constant service to the commonweale ; should not be used so . — i 'm lately * cast by your grave synod , since th' assessement last in five pounds more : if this be not a shelfe ( i must appeal unto your honour'd selfe ) of dangerous consequence ; — when hearts and hands become addressed to your faire commands , must these be made state-martyrs ? where should we but in committees look for unitie in their harmonious votes ? how does this show , when one day acts , what next day does undoe ? this strange dis-union held a partiall sin , caus'd old sysambris sacrifice his skin in brave cambises time ; who wisely saw how it oppos'd the levell of the law ; and that it alien'd much the hearts of those who were his friends to be his private foes . affection is of such transcendent price , assesse should not eclipse it nor excise . redresse this , sir , for unto you i ow such cordiall service and devotion too , as you , i 'm sure , on whom i doe depend , in my just cause will prove a faithfull friend . which done , if there be springs in helicon , i 'le fame your honour in our albion : and make her face so terrible to spaine , as if our army were all - charlemaine . this pibrac freed from taxes in his time , why may it not to this low muse of mine ? whose wings so richly plum'd , as she can fly and meet occurrents with an eagles eye : and make those grant who ' r ill-opinion'd on us , that we doe nought , but what may well become us . which , though it seeme a paradox to some , they will acknowledge it when i have done : for that bards genius is not fit to write , that cannot make white black , & black of white . for since pharsalians fields were never in more mouths , than our late civile wars have bin ; if home bred triumphs purchase such renoune , much more when we have forraine nations won . " you must my patron be in this addresse , " your pension my exemption from assesse . your hon. most affectionately devoted re-decimated servant a parcell of partiall-guilt justice . how ! a commission ! pray thee from what ground ? " to salve th' assessement of three hundred pound . well , gib . though this device thy coffers ease , the cure may prove farre worse than the disease . i could , but dare not whisper in thine eare , lest some eve-droppers for the state draw neare ; one day there may a fowler come to set and catch a timing baron in his net. no scottish style will leave thee scot free than , fames pencile shall ingrave : — lo there 's the man ▪ who spar'd no time with conscience to dispute , but roundly undertook to execute ; " whom ? justice ; " how ? to hang her ? no , to save ; " what ? his assesse . — so dyed this worldling slave . " was e're wealth worse bestowed ? — stay , sun 's not set ; " more 's to be done : — last sceane 's not acted yet . for colonell robert waters , upon his yorkshire summons . " these late inquisitions have so my senses confouunded , " i am now in a strait , as if i had never compounded . the laity ought to pay their tenths ; 't is true ; but they of old were to the * altar due . if th' altar be supprest , the offering dies , for where no altar , there no sacrifice . yet though delinquents fatlings be exhaust , their poore remains must be the holocaust : and tho in them small fat be left to fry , some must be squiezed forth untill they dy . so as jobs maxim will admit no doubt , " nak't came they in , and nak't must they goe out : and stript of state , well were 't if they from sin , might go as naked forth as they came in : but caesar with his power can ne're impose more outward mulcts , then they have inward foes : which they by temp'rate dyet may represse , and this assesse will keepe them from excesse . thus sinnue-shrunk all rising statists shun us , " our * crosse o th' doore cryes — lord have mercy on us . but should all th' elements combine to faile me , there 's one at cundale , sure i am would baile me . excuse me , sir , i am not ev'ry where , my person 's one , and that one summond here ; nor doe i feare , though i with others share , so just's my judge , but i shall carry faire . for my increase is not in coine but cares , aches , reumes , tisicks , children , and gray-haires : wherein , if th' state take tithes in ev'ry part , i wish them th' tenths of these with all my hart . from him , who in storms , winds , and showres , subscribes him truly yours . december . . for mr. ralph rimer , a discreet state commissioner . rimer , me thinks thou should'st a poet love , though more then rhime's requir'd in poetry ; a word in season 's precious ; pray thee move that i from decimation may be free , so shall swales banks fame thy civilitie : for such a friendly-office done in season may store musaeus both with rhime and reason . rhime gives the close and accent to our verse , my deerest ralph approve thee one of those who may deserve inscriptions on their hearse , and gaine more friends then others gather foes ; by cloathing such as imposts doe unclose ; so to thy line such honor may be won time shall enshrine thy fame at brafferton . since this was writ , good news from th' parlament , our decimations are quite ta'ne away , god grant this ease raise not our discontent and rack us more then we before did pay , which would make up th' malignants holy-day , but if our shoulders must atlantick be , let thine owne , caesar , beare as well as we . wee have been asses made while they were freed , leane not too much upon a bruized-reed . for captain aitee and l. bolland . when young leontio was so straitly set as all his state would scarce discharge his debt ; decius the serjant was injoyn'd to come , and seize of all his moveables in rome : who dealt so fair and mildly in his place , from th' mace he vow'd he never found like grace . that i may render every one their due , this story might be instanced in you ; though some professe themselves your mortall haters , i 'le justifie you civil sequestraters . such atteus was in honest appius dayes ; hold on ; * mild spirits merit highest praise . " your temperance , no doubt , retein'd a sense of honest ned crofts cordiall innocence : who without boots or armes was prov'd to be , which were strange habits for hostilitie . if his resolvs had beene addrest that way , he would have marcht in a more martiall ' ray . but of his case if there be no remorse , " his sentence may conclude , — gramercy horse : for if he might have got his price at home , he had not felt the weight of such a doome . trust me , high-valued friends , had this beene so , horse-faires had beene sequestred long ago . malton and rippon might have sent us newes that both their markets were remov'd to th' mews . in smythfield no horse-couper to be seene , but vanish'd quite as if they had not beene . though fire and faggot , and a sterne commission denounce his ruine , if a late petition or a milde parl'ament beget not sence in steeled spirits by their influence : but i am confident , though durance tye him , it is not meant to crush him , but to try him . i th' recluce of a pure-heroick brest . candour and valour claime like interest . to have a power to doe , and not a will , has beene the signall of true honour still . really yours , peregrine strangevvais . to captaine sadler ; a rare scarlet dyer . noble sir , i am here , neare unto your proper sphere : visit him who holds you deare . dearest friend , who all thy time hast been blest in each designe ; and hast colour for thine ends , to improve and right thy friends : mayst thou live in honours eye , till thy scarlet lose her dye . " love 's a colour dyde in graine , whose reflexe admits no staine . neque dives , nec egenus , neque satur , neque plenus ; nec agrestis , nec amoenus , nec sylvestris , nec serenus : palmis nec mulcendus paenis , at in omni sorte lenis . upon the commissioners sitting at the wildman in york . at th' wildman for commissioners to sit some hold it strange , but i doe think it fit . we have been wildmen all ; and we 'r to git from a wild-man meanes to re-gaine our wit , but not our meanes : who can recover it ? this made alcides wise , was wild before ; o that i had his limms , i 'de aske no more ! for so might i re-gaine my means at length , though by no force of pleading , yet by strength . the quaker . witches were seers call'd in antient time , and speakers now are held to be divine . but why call'd quakers can i not deliver , unlesse their spirit turne an hectick fever . i rather think this name of tophet smells , where quaking , shaking shame and horror dwels . but if community their title prove , 't is all in all with family of love . where like our wandring gipsies in mixt seedes without distinction one with other breedes . no marvaile then if we have mungrells many when fox breeds cubbs , and unrestrain'd by any ●…lay priviledg'd in their impostur'd service like soules inspir'd : but what 's all this to jarvis ? thus folly with a cuppe of fornication deludes the saintlings of our english nation . but coal or walker with their zeale , no doubt , will either hunt or smoak these foxes out . or some choyce archer will their legions sever with pile-head arrows from a justice quiver : or clothe them in a suite of durance ever , till th' act of reformation them deliver . in answer to this paper of verses , intitled the quaker ; whereof he was reported to be the author . hold thy penutious pen , injurious elfe , in taxing quakers , i might touch my selfe . these last seven yeares i lived in this clime and shew'd my selfe a quaker all that time . for when i saw a sterne committee-man i from that sight a quaker streight became ; quercedulae sumus omnes , — alis volitantes vagis . planc . for fox i hold him a magnetick sead ; and nailer , one that hits the naile o th' head. or when i saw my name fixt on a post , i turn'd to quaker , and my senses lost . when an excise-man or an undertaker for state-assesse ; these sights made me a quaker . tracing those streets where i did mony ow , the smell of mace made me a quaker too : for they who on parnassus build their nest are slaves to fortune ; subject to arrest . now in my age too when i weigh my sin , i quake to think o th' state that i am in . cease critick then , thus to traduce my quill , i have a quaker beene and must be still . my body is the court-loft where i live , from whence no mortall can me freedome give , nor from my grate procure me a release till my arrivall at the port of peace ; where being once infranchis'd in that citie i 'm priviledg'd from debt , assesse , committee . for you , my quaking sisters , yee doe make me when i see your rivell'd beauties , quake ; that you should pine , and spend your spirits and dy like forlorne sceletons , and know not why . i wish , deare ducklings , you would understand that god requires no such thing at your hand . how is it that you cry repent , repent , and wast rich houres in fruitlesse discontent ? why doe you hout and houle and take no rest as if in hope you had no interest ? " shun such impostur'd fancies ; fly to him " whose light can cleare your cloud and clense your sin. " judge not ; that power to you was never given , " but judg your selves ; for that 's the way to heaven . " rend not your clothes but hearts : the saints desire " that you should try your selves , not cloaths by fire . " make use of what is requisite and fit , " you should not hate your flesh , but cherish it . be frolick then my girles , and freely feed and propagate your doctrin by your seed . " if quaking proper be in any sence 't is in the sweet injoyment of a wench . this was well knowne to adam and his eve ; and what they lov'd , let not their children leave : yet so , as each may reape what he has sowne , and ev'ry adam have an eve of 's owne : for though there were no statute to forbid it , god has pronounc'd a curse'gainst him that did it . a button-bung , or , a westminster snap. at westminster my cassock chanc't to find a button-cutter , who was much inclin'd to medle with our furniture behind ; from whence my native genius divin'd , " though westminster above no spiders show , " it has a brood of nimmers hatcht below , who can trapan poor clients where they go , " leave them not worth a button nor a stro. beware deare countrey men of moller stang , least rurall faction make you sing like sang ; contest not where your foe & cause prove strang , lest you confesse that all things go a wrang : for though your countesse pay , i can assure ye , when th' game is plaid , your purse must pay the jurie . desist then , friends ; no more commissions sit unlesse it be at fleece to quicken wit. this short advice comes from a friendly hand as any you can have in westmerland . upon the northern feast , observed at salters-hall , the sixth of october ; . addressed to his worthy countrymen , the northern society . observe the bounty of these northern ladds , and you will say , the north-part glory adds unto the south : and that their freedome is an honour to our great metropolis ; whose union and communion is such , they may be ey'd , but not ad 〈◊〉 too much : whose fair comport has raz ▪ d that proverb forth , " that no good thing came ever from the north , for what is good , or free , or friendly rare derive their essence from our northern ayre . your native knowledge is not rank'd with those who can bouze ale , yet wonder where malt grows your country cock crows , and he does not ney ; you know a daple from an iron-gray ; you know that sun which shews his splendor here , is the same sun shines in your hemisphere . you of your cloaths have no such simple care as to o're-pentise them from bence to ware. your language , though not curiously refin'd , it can expresse the dictates of your mind ; and with more brevity and aptnesse too then these with their minc'd dialect can doe . your northern warlike habitants of old , inur'd to snltry heat , and shuddring cold , against picts , scots , saxons , and lordly danes display'd their valour , memoriz'd their names . such was the martial prowesse of your nation , as it preserv'd your frontiers from invasion : and in one yeer did more joynt hearts combine , then other countryes did in all their time : and in composing of their interests , made savage foes become their servile beasts . brave gallant blades ! disperse your living fames from twede to trent , from trent to prince'y thames that times may revell in your annuall joyes , and vow , no linage like our northern boyes . may all the muses , when they dip their lippe in your rich bolls , joy in your fellowshippe . while precious nectar cheers your poets braine , and gives him hope to visit you again . and you may trust him ; when joynt votes succeed for your next feast , he shall no ticket need . these tickets are half-crown-men : our north zone stands eyther for a whole-one , or for none . annot. egregia fax illa germaniae , quae talem flammam toto orbe , facilitate calami , vel subtilitate ingenii latiùs intulit , ut peraegrè extingui poterit , in uxorem duxit catharinam bore , ( nomine elizabethae transeuntem in poëmate ; ) puellam elegantulam ; quam mollitie carnis , seu oris sui blanditiis , de claustris perperam illexerat . pag. . lin . . vid. isich . the bankrupts remembrancer ; and the bankrupts register ; being titles to distinguish the two first letters relating to the voice in-the vault , are omitted . pag. . & pag. . these papers bearing the title of parthenia's passions , were privately procured without the authors knowledge . excuse then these errors : being at the instancy of persons of quality , published without his direction . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * an easie inquest of inquiry may inform●… the ingenious reader touching this discovery . * when this poem was first composed , this noble personage whom the author intendeth , was not to libertie restored , nor his nuptialls as then solemnized . now since decased , and withall martiall renoun interred in the ●…ed ▪ of hono●… . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . vid. dem●…st . ●…ud gellium , lib. . cap. . . notes for div a -e * some said that this speech might not un●…itly 〈◊〉 compared to that improbable paradox writ against ●… ●…berty ; or to him who 〈◊〉 maintayned this bair-braind argument , that a hare was a more couragious creature them a lion : or rather to him , a merry greeke , who held this desperate assertion , that vice was more behoo●…efull then virtue in a state politick : or to him , who marius like , bombasted his stockins to hide the infirmity of his small legs . * look to your eares scrivener . * marke this my bri●…e brethren . * . * otium & somnū loqui . tacit. * who exiled all liberall arts , ne quid usquam honesti oculis occurreret . * homines fronte & oratione magis , quā ipso beneficio , reque capiuntur . cic. * non putam hoc futurum , nunquam hoc eventurum ●…rededissem ecquid in eptius ? seu. de tranq . anim . * plutarc . * dum vult esse praedo , fit praeda . aug notes for div a -e * these practise how to dye well more than to live well . * which ( as st. ambrose saith ) no age shall extinguish , no death can take away , no sicknesse corrupt . amb. de virg. lib. . notes for div a -e * fronde rep●…ens rostrum , repetitâ voce la●…essie acteonem , solitos balbutiendo modos . a vid. calimach . & tibull . b vid. plinium in natural . histo . c basilius in homil. . & . d martial . in epigram . e faern . in emblem . f corduelis , quia pas citur à car dui pilis . vid. varr. g o vid. metamorph. . h alciat . in emblem . i catull. ●…e mort. pass . eleg. . k sambuc . in emblem . avium . l ovid. metam . . notes for div a -e * vivitur ex rap●…o . a their first incounter . b the hesperian sisters , who kept their constant sentinall over those golden apples , which alcides after took away . c a pickhatch girle new-casten in a ranters mould . d daughter to sol and persis . e their pretence is to slice this brain-strap into sippets : or mince this land-gull into a galle-maufrey . no hope , unlesse his pocket purchase him a reprieve . f relating to the turkish mutes . g two select societies distinguished by severull coloured ribands : and sworne to a platonick community . notes for div a -e * nauta tribus digitis gaude●… divisus ab undis ; incip●…ens satis prospice nau●…a tuis . marian. notes for div a -e * a cap●…ive in n●…wgate , shortly after executed at ti●…urne . notes for div a -e come jack 〈◊〉 apes , come aloft , come aloft , for your m●…ers advantage : come , with your tricks get relief , or ye die , to my grief , in a skant age : show me what tricks ye have plaid while ye staid , be they weake , be they wittie , in shadie l●…wne , flourie plaine , country , court , vniversity , citti●… . notes for div a -e * vid. tract entituled , the foot out of the snare , in his catalogue of popish priests names . notes for div a -e * licinius valerianus ▪ notes for div a -e * these stale newes the critick purposely recounts , to taxe this observer of palpable weaknesse . * these novels relate to the time wherein they were first writ , being according to the original . an. . * oleum quod impendi circa vineam , immisi in scrinium . * arist. de part . 〈◊〉 . l. . c. . notes for div a -e ista po●…mata . non sine lepidula genii saceti●… primùm conscripta fuere ; an. dom. . notes for div a -e afterwards created earle of strafford . o quando renascitur alter . * nonne major nobis concedenda est gratia , amplior clementia primo a bello cessantibus & pacificè degentibus , quam iis , qui in castris assidue fuerunt versati usque ad ultimum worcestriae certaminis exitum ? * prickt , though not personally summon●…d . * should a case of necessity he urged ; the like was in that argument of ship-money pretended : and by some of our judicioust and sincerest judges evinced and held illegall . * panorm . de jure civili . c. x. conrad . de magistrali discip . c. . palud . de antiq. leg. l. . c. . carnead . de princip . regim . c. . paragraph . . pelarg. in quaest. aristocrat . fol. . camerar . de gest. orient . li. z. c. . * choicest perfections art best discovered by their opposites . * 〈◊〉 places of corresponsive esteeme and benefit prose●…d me if my ●…etired condition would have entertai●… any such remo●…a's to privacy and con●…emplation : or could have stoop'd to that servile lure of assentation . * b. mountagu●… . b. white . dr. helyn . mr. wotten . mr. burton , &c. * i heard your honour much opposed it , but votes passe often more by beards then wit. * vid. parae . in eccles. discip . just. de jure civili . casel . in med . theol crescent . ib. * in ostium , rubrae crucis si figamus characterem , perniciosa pestis spectantium oculis ominatur indicium . cordel . * nullo minore pretio assequenda est amicitia , viventium anima , quàm candore et clementiâ . * ut magnes ferrum , vulpes subtiliùs attrahit aurum . anniversaries upon his panarete continued: with her contemplations, penned in the languishing time of her sicknesse. the second yeeres annivers. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) anniversaries upon his panarete continued: with her contemplations, penned in the languishing time of her sicknesse. the second yeeres annivers. brathwaite, richard, ?- . brathwait, frances, d. . [ ] p. imprinted by felix kyngston, and are to be sold by robert bostock, at the kings head in pauls church-yard, london : . by richard brathwait. partly in verse. 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but such as wee who share in griefes , fall short in memorie . this to supply with teare-distilling eye , still to one taske i must my selfe apply ; for wee an anniversall meane to reare in honour of her vertues ev'ry yeare : where though our pencyle cannot well set forth the riches of her goodnesse and true worth , it shall appeare wee have desire to doe it , by th' ceremonious zeale wee beare unto it . first , in my weekely visit to her shrine , i bathe those corps with teares which once were mine ; once mine , now earths : nor doe i , trust me , stay in any superstitious sort to pray for her reposed soule , which being at rest , my prayer would seeme superfluous at best : ye● , i s●ould injure her , whose boundlesse blisse is such , none can be happier then shee is . yet give me leave to eye her scatt'red dust , which in the resurrection of the just shall bee united to her better part , and re-united never to depart one from another , but must joyntly share ●n those choise comforts which eternall are . o earth , earth , earth ! o triple style of man ! earth , for from earth his first beginning came ; earth by affection too , because , heav'ns know , what we should hate , wee 're most affected to ; ●arth by his dissolution , since hee must ●eturne from whence he came , his mother dust . deare dust ! whose small●st atoms shall not be train'd through the crevet of my memorie ●ithout religious reverence ! i will give ●hese pretious graines for reliques while i live to such as honour her , whose vertuous fame before all monuments , preserves her name . in my diurnall sorrowes , i doe muse discoursing , as i many times doe use , of this unequall'd subject , those that heare my scenes of griefe , should not afford a teare to ev'ry acc●nt : ev'ry trifling toy sprung from the ashes of consumed troy can force distreaming passion , though this woe , this feined woe , were many yeares agoe : yet in that great destruction shew me one , whose losse might really exact our mone by her exemplar vertues , as this did , or ever strove to have her worth more hid . some were held faire , but they were vicious ; others deform'd , though they were vertuous : scarce one of that pure temper should we finde , where beauty vy'de with graces of the minde : but mine was faire and good , chaste , choice and free in all , save what she had ingag'd to mee ; a sacred-secret gage , which i still keepe ▪ in lieu of her , who now is falne asleepe . a modell of her feature yet i have , which i will carry with me to my grave ▪ and this in private am i wont to eye , and view 't from top to toe , then set it by , then take it up againe to feed my sight , which cheeres , but cannot cloy mine appetite . sometimes opinion does delude conceite , and makes me thinke shee h'as dispenc'd with fate , while sweet stolne blushes from her cheekes appeares mixt with th' ●lixer of pure amber teares , which with a carefull hand i wipe the while , and she requires me with a winning smile . but what are these , but fancies that are bred from the distempers of a troubled head ? heav'ns blesse me ! now , how melancholly seeme those shady walkes , and that olympick greene where nimble youths their exercises did , and yeerely for her sake solemnized ? with what enwreathings would my love and i t' encourage young endevours there stand by , while with a modest smile shee 'd deigne to grace the blest spectators of that happy place ? blest by her presence ! for i freely vow , nought but was gracefull what shee deign'd to doe . oft have i seene her from her dayry come attended by her maids , and hasting home to entertaine some guests of quality , shee would assume a state so modestly sance affectation , as she struck the eye ▪ with admiration of the stander by : that hee who saw her from the dayry passe would scarce beleeve her for the same shee was . so well shee could upon the selfe-same day both ci●ile courtier and the house-wife play . but to survey the passage of her life , with offices belonging to a wife , a modest ma●ron , and a courtly bride , dispencer of a family beside , heare but a little wha●● i shall relate ; and you may finde one fit to imitate in th'posture of all goodnesse ! which may give example unto others how to live . draw hither then , ye formalists of th'age , who make your life a progresse to a stage , your chambers tyring-houses , where to pray were such a tedious taske , as you delay to take acquaintance of it ; or decline your thoughts from heav'n , because you have no time for such reserved vowes : no more you have , nor can you dainty-ducks a moment saye . for all your pretious morning-houres are given for you to paint and decke you till eleven ; and then an houre or two must be the least to jeere your foolish lover , or to feast , or court your amorous ●●inging favorite with a bare-bathed breast to feed delight , and purchase more spectators : — but time 's lost till a play-bill be sever'd from the post t' informe you what 's to play ; then comes your coach , where numerous light-ones , like your selfe approach . but where 's devotion all this while ? asleepe , and for her selfe sole-centinall may keepe . but now you 'r seated , and the musick sound for th' actors entry ; pleasures doe abound in ev'ry boxe ; sometimes your eye 's on th' stage , streight on a lighter object , your loose page , or some phantastike gallant , or your groome , but when this embleme of your life is done , this piece of witty art , what doe you then ? to your sinne-shrouding coaches streight againe you make repaire , where you relate●● bee of what your eare did heare , or eye could see ▪ then to a luscious supper , after this to a reere banket , or to some quaint dish to move a sensuall slumber , and delight but never sate your boundlesse appetite . thus you in painted joyes mis-spend your dayes more to your suiters than your makers praise . but thinke not , faire ones , that i am too bitter , for i doe hold no recreation fitter than morall enterludes ; but have a care you doe not make them too familiar ; for that were to invert a recreation , and by day-practice make it a vocation : though some have writ that i doe hate a scene , their judgements erre , nor know they what i meane ; i 'm no stage-stinger , nor will ever be , but doe preferre a pleasant comedie before a taverne , where so many sit to drench downe care without a drop of wit. but see th' effect of griefe ! how glad would i to any forc'd digression rather fly than to our teare-swolne subject , where reliefe hath made it selfe a stranger to our griefe ? but now i haste to thee , my dearest deare , to shew what precious treasures stored were in thy religious bosome : nor shall love cause me speake more than i can duely prove . first , for her nursing care ; shee held no stat● fitter for mothers than to educate those they brought forth , and make their life a line to teach their children how to spend their time ▪ and this shee did ; for ev'n her nurserie appear'd a private schoole of industrie , where th' elder taught and taskt the younger sort , as th'mother taught the elder ; none fell short in their endevours : but if so they did , they were by her so sweetly chastized , ( and rare is such discretion to be knowne ) both love and awe were foulded in her frowne , yea , such a lovely reverence did attend her , they 'd rather be corrected than offend her . but no delitious fare could she endure her children to be us'd to , but inure their youth to timely moderation now t' enable them when they should riper grow . for she was wont to say , " when god shall call " on us , heav'n knows in whose hands they may fall ▪ " let 's then so breed them as may best become them , " and to endure whats'ere may fall upon them . with wholesome temperate dyet shee 'd supply the luscious fruits of mothers vanity . observe this , mothers , for'tis unto you i speake , who so much delicacy shew to your too tender off-spring , and like th' ape , annoy them most of whom you most doe make . where be these native arguments of love which you expresse ? or , wherein doe you prove your selves true mothers ? none can gather this from pleasing of your younglings with a kisse , or indiscreetest dandling on your knee , or cockring them with your indulgencie , that you are naturall mothers , unlesse wee by naturall meane foolish ; so 't may bee you may be tender ones , i 'l not deny , who , when they put their finger in the eye for such a forraine fashion , or a feather , rather than grieve them you 'l deny them neithe● , but cloath them in their folly : but are these expressions of parentall offices ? oh no ; while you are thus indulgent to them , through too much love you utterly undoe them . for when they are attyred gorgeously , their formall habits crave more liberty ; their eyes must have new objects , which impart secrets of love unto a wanton heart . dinah must roame abroad , but ten to one she looseth honour ere she visit home . prevent this , modest matrons , let no staine impeach their youth ; vessels , you know , retaine a taste of their first liquor ; season them with that at first which may accomplish them . all this my deare one did , and so must yee that hope to live in your posteritie . next , fame reares to her name a monument for house-affaires and private government , while her well-guided family might seeme a patterne unto others to demeane their actions by ; since all desires were bent to close in one harmonious consent . no spleenefull waspe might lodge within her roofe , all discontented spirits stood aloofe . with willing care her pleasure all attend , fearing n●ught more than that they should offend ▪ for she with mildnesse did her servants win ▪ sweetning th' endevours they were busied in ▪ yea , so much had her candid nature wonne , they ev'ning joy'd ith'day-works they had done . ▪ how far swerve ye from th' patterne instanc'd here , who o're your servants use to domineere , as if they were your slaves ? which is no way to make your people cheerefully obey . ●his but begets eye-service at the best , ●nd makes an holy-day when you 'r at rest . others there be , who have occasion ●ought ●o beate their servants , though it were for nought , like vedio , who for breaking of a glasse would drowne his page : let such examples passe unworthy your observance : better farre , and to discretion farre more regular , to imitate architas , who in 's field finding his servant loyt'ring , would not yeeld forthwith to passion , but intreats him thus , which may be presidentall unto us : " sure i would beat thee , were i not in anger , " but that secures thee for this time from danger . but other vertues now i hasten to , which did my late endeared spouse endow . next , to the love she to her neighbours bar●● than which no creature ever had more share ; were they infirme , she would not nicely stand , but to their griefes apply her helping hand , and dresse their wounds her selfe , for she was rare both for her happy cure and holy care . herbals shee 'd read , but timorous to erre , with men of choice experience shee 'd conferre , which so enabled her , as she was still by doing good , improving of her skill . not like blind herbists , whereof there be store , who have but one bare cure for every sore : these , if they kill , they kill , and if they cure , th' effect is farre above their reason sure ▪ now , to the last not least , for it is this which gives us speedy convoy unto blisse ; and that was , strangers hospitality : where her provision ever would supply their necessary wants ; nor all her tim● ( wherein her thoughts did ever close with mine ) would she avert her eare from any one who sor●eliefe did to her portell come . her cruse was ever open to the poore , calling them schollers of our saviour : if they were old , or feebly impotent , an almes with more bounty might be sent . no stranger ere did to her gate repaire confin'd to anguish , or surpriz'd with care , shee would not comfort , and with dropping eye afford compassion to their miserie . none hungry but shee 'd feed ; no thirsty wretch but shee 'd refresh ; nor naked but shee 'd fetch garments to cover them . how farre be yee from these expressive acts of charitie , who fed with amber broaths , delitious fare , have of your starved sisters little care ? their rags are your contempt ; their shre●kes & crye● are boulted from your eares , fann'd from your eyes . but how should you take pitty of these elves , who have no greater pitty on your selves ? how should you couer them whom colds molest , who will not cover your loose-bared brest in sharpest ayres , but rather starve your skin , than shroud th' coccasion of alluring sin ? o doe not so ; let gracious thoughts appeare to mould you to that patterne you have heere . but i must leave ; but never leave to love my glorious saint , which now is sphear'd above ; who , if shee daigne t' accept this sacrifice dipt in a throbbing heart , and streaming eyes , i 've got my gole , and shee a treble rest , in heav'n , in earth , and in my naked brest . when just ones die , then they to live begin , " they live to si●n , when they die to sin. finis . the distint titles of these contemplations . . the soules sole-love . . the wounded heart . . the new dresse . with loves legacie , or , panaretes blessing to her children . contemplations of panarete , penned in the languishing time of her sicknesse . the soules sole-love . contemplation i. thou hast , my deare soule , engaged thy faith : thou hast betaken thy selfe to thine heavenly spouse . a devided heart cannot live ; how shouldst thou live without thy sole-love ? adulterine colours cannot hold ; nor adulterate affections reteine their colour . ●ezabels feature was more beholden to art than nature . such is the complexion of that love , which makes lust her lure : vaine is such a tincture , that makes a servi●e desire her applyer . maiden honour consists not in formality : there is ever something more reall in it . flourishes are but printed blossomes : they may worke upon the outward sense , they cannot captivate the reason . the inward beauty is of more extent than any outward varnish . thou hast reason , o my soule , to preserve that , which solely makes thee gracefull to thy spouse . conceipt nothing seemely , but what may beseeme him that made thee . thou art not made for a slavish fancy ; thou hast one sole-love , to cleave to another , were a frency . affection is no tennis-ball , for strucke into anothers hazard , it is lost . one sunne cannot shine in two spheares ; nor one spheare conteine two sunnes . the sunne of righteousnesse is the spheare of my soule : she is a planet , when shee shines elsewhere . graces are divine beamelins , the inward house is darke without them : and these shine most , when least interposed with any earthly clouds . what is it ( o my soule ) to sparkle like a glo-worme by night , or like rotten wood to send forth a deceiving splendor ? what is it , with a glosse of dissembled purity to take the eies or eares of erring judgements ? thou hast within thee to witnesse for thee , or condemne thee . then , even then , my soule , when the great booke shal be opened , the secret cabbinet of thy retiredst thoughts unlocked , and no subterfuge for guilt admitted : thou shalt finde , that good workes must passe for ill , being not done well . the intention then must crowne the action . almes with a trumpet , fasting with a dejected countenance , praying and tithing with a pharisaicall affiance , must have no acceptance . bee thy discipline never so severe , if it be not sincere , it receives no reward . honour must not be thine harbour , if devout intentions crowne not thy labor . reflect on thy sweet spouse , and meditate of his pilgrimage on earth . hee offered his childhood to a cratch , his youth to care , his manhood to the crosse. hee entred the world naked , he lived in it despised , & went from it with sorrowes burdned . there was nothing so grievous which was not with patience suffred by him , to make thee gracious in his sight who sent him . shall a little cloud then change thy count'nance ? shall a minutes distaste amate thee , or make t●ee forgetfull of his sufferings , who subjected himselfe to death for thee ? who ever enjoyed a sweeter spouse ? hee confirm'd his love with the losse of his life : and shall every small crosse in this life devide thee from his love ? behold and see ( saith thy dis-passionate spouse ) if there were ever sorrow like to my sorrow ! no , my sole-love , needs must thy sorrow be great , when with the offering up of thine owne precious life , thou could'st hardly gaine any love . the rocks were dissolved , the temple divided , the graves opened , the heavens darkned , all the elements suffered , yet man , for whom thou became man , and dyed , became most hardned . lost wert thou , o my soule , and eternally lost ; and to re-gaine thee , he lost his owne life : such were those adamantine tyes of his immutable love . many sheepe he had , and those he left , to seek thee lost : so plenteously did those roseat torrents of his sacred compassion flow , to wash away those crimson-dyed sinnes , which had left that dying tincture in thy wounded soule . how often hath he sought to gather thee , and thou wouldst not ? to espouse thee to himselfe , and thou assented not ? to bring thee to his marriage-feast , & thou attended not ? meane time , when thou sawest a thiefe , thou runne with him , and with the inordinate devided thy portion ; both which with the cords of iniquity drew thee headlong to perdition . conceivest thou yet no compassion of thine unhappy condition ? shall not one poore teare witnesse thy contrition ? wilt thou become of thy wounds so altogether unsensible , as by thy want of sense to make them uncurable ? runne to the rocke , and quenc● thy thirst with those living streame● which flow from it . apply thy mout● to the hole of the pipe , that thou mais● be refreshed . begge of him water , who shed for thee water and bloud . dry eyes will not bring thee to heaven sinne is of such a deepe staine , as true penitentiall teares are of onely forc● to take away that dye . thou seest th● turtle how she mourneth for the loss● of her mate . the desert becomes he● recluse , consorrshe will not with any fearing to forget the occasion of he● misery . brouze she will not , nor res● nor roust on any greene branch grieves are her inseparable companions ; other consorts she admits not because they suite not with her condition . contemplate these , o my soule ▪ and reflect upon thy selfe . let thine eies be estrang'd from sleepe . let sighs and groanes be thy food . water thy couch with incessant rivers of teares . great sinnes require great sighs ; perillous soares precious salves . consider poore soule , where thou art placed ; with what innumerable dangers inclosed ; againe , how those which were given thee for defence , are most ready to betray thee to thine enemy . againe , reflect upon the benignity of thy good god ; who , if he had beene as ready to punish thee for thy ●inne , as thou hast been to commit sinne , had long since drenched thee downe into that bottomlesse pit of eternall bitternesse . death had beene thy due ; and hell thy portion . and canst thou now look upon thy selfe without loathing ; or consider thy wofull estate without trembling ? was ever any one more bound to his maker ; and lesse thankfull ? more watered with the sweet influence of his grace ; and lesse fruitfull ? in no place couldst thou promise to thy selfe p●ace ; within feares , without fights . yet have the wings of the almighty been so graciously spred over thee ; as neither feare could oppresse thee at home , nor fury surprize thee abroad . and this was his worke , who hath so constantly lov'd thee , as hee would never leave thee . for whensoever thou wandred , he recalled thee : when ignorant , he taught thee : when thougsinned , hee corrected thee : when sad , hee comforted thee : when desperate , he supported thee : when falne , he raised thee : when standing , hee held thee : when walking , he guided thee : when returning , hee received thee : when sleeping , hee kept thee : when crying , hee heard thee . what wilt thou render then , o my soule , to him , who hath done such wonderfull things for thee ? wilt thou stay in the market-place idling ? wilt thou addresse thy selfe to no employment in thy calling ? is it enough for thee to reteine the style of a christian , & presuming upon that style , to corrupt the state of a christian ? wilt thou make thy whole life an holy-day ; and by thy prophane conversation cloze it up with a fearefull day ? wilt thou not yet after so many sweet invitations , to allure thee ? so many sharpe comminations , to deterre thee ? such gentle touches on thy right hand and on thy left , breake these bonds of thy transgressions , and returne to that overflowing fountaine of divine compassions ? it is fearefull , thou knowst , to fall into the hands of the lord. for who is hee in all the world , so just , that hee may with confidence presume to be saved , if gods mercy ( the sole salve of humane misery ) be from him removed ? yea , know , o my soule , that thy justice consists in gods indulgence , who hath an eare open for thee , if thou cry unto him ; an arme to embrace thee , if thou fly unto him ; an heart to receive thee , if thou returne unto him ; an hand to succour thee , if thou come to him ; a wing to cover thee , if thou cleave to him . and wilt thou still feed on the husks of vanity , and despise those delicious cates of eternity ? shall one poore moment of vading pleasure deprive thee of those joyes which last for ever ? by enjoying thy spouse , thou enjoyest all things : his presence will be meat to thee hungring ; drinke to thee thirsting ; health to thee languishing ; way to thee wandring ; light to thee erring ; life to thee dying . bee hee then to thee all things , seeing without him all things are nothing . all things are vanity , save onely to please god and serve him : and s●ch a service is a christian solace ; without which , as all things are vanity , so man of all others , the lightest vanity : how canst thou then bee at peace without him , since hee onely in the bond of peace unites all that are espous'd unto him ? if man love man with such affection , as the one scarce suffers the other to bee absent : if a spouse to her spouse be joyned with such ardour of minde , as through the excesse of her love she can take no rest , brooking the absence of her beloved not without great sorrow : then with what af●ection , with what desire , with what fervorous devotion oughtst thou , o my soule , whom thy best spouse hath espoused to himselfe in faith and mercy , to love him thy true god , and most beautifull spouse , who hath so loved and saved thee ; who hath done so many , so great & exceeding things for thee ? why stayest thou ( o my soule ? ) findest thou ought here worthy of thy love ? wilt thou ever to thy baine , bee ●ibbling at the baite of vanity ? hast thou not found much bitternesse in these deceiving shaddowes of humane happinesse ? have not thy delights beene most crossed , wherin they lookt to be most cheered ? yea , when thou enjoyed thy delights to the full , had they not ever bitternesse in their farewell . take a short survey of the d●ies of thy vanity , and see what day in all thy pilgrimage hath beene so propitious , as it was not encounter'd with some discontents ! hath not a merry evening made an heavy morning ? nor a glad going out , a sad returning ? didst heare no report of a private foe ; nor no death of a constant friend ? were thy affaires so well carried , as nothing miscarried ? and admit all this ; how long did this calme continue ? had this forward spring no nip ? if not , then so much more unhappy , in being ever so seeming happy . the saints and servants of god doe in this world more feare prosperity than adversity : for that , the height of prosperity is in danger more to presse them , than the weight of adversity to depresse them . these through many tribulations passed ; and passing profited ; and profiting prevailed ; and prevailing were victoriously crowned . if the divell be dead , then are persecutions dead : but so long as our adversary lives , canst thou thinke that he will not suggest to thee tentations ? the enemy ceaseth not , dyeth not , but in the resurrection of the dead . short is the fight , but great is the victory . learne then from that vessell of election , to rejoyce in hope of the glory of god. and not onely so , but to glory in tribulations also , knowing that tribulation worketh patience : and patience experience : and experience hope : and hope maketh not ashamed , because the love of god is shed abroad in our hearts , by the holy ghost , which is given unto us . o divine gradation ! o gracious consolation ! if thine heart then be right , o my soule , whatsoever shall befall thee , thou wilt rejoyce in it for his sake who sent it thee ; and conclude with that patterne of patience : the lord gave , and the lord hath taken away , blessed bee the name of the lord. pitch upon this resolve , o my soule , and thy sweet spouse will stay thee with flagons , comfort thee with apples . nothing shall separate thee from the love of christ. neither tribulation , nor distresse , nor persecution , nor famine , nor nakednesse , nor perill , nor sword . for , who is he that will harme thee , if thou be follower of that which is good ? betake thy selfe then to thy bel●ved spouse , and he will give thee thine hearts desire . none can take thee forth of his hand , nor devide thee from his heart . the delights and riches of an heaven-ravish'd spirit , are divine songs , where teares are not without joy , nor sighs without comfort . now , my good iesu , if it be so sweet to weepe for thee , how sweet will it bee to rejoyce with thee ? whatsoever then i shall feele , by the presence & assistance of thy grace , i will not faile to give thee thankes in my suffering , equally as in my rejoycing : for i reckon that the sufferings of this present time , are not worthy to ●e compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us . to confirme this resolve , and inflame thy desires , reteine the memory of his presence ever with thee , who gave himselfe for thee . let thy conversation bee in heaven , during this thy pilgrim-reside on earth . so delight thee in him , as no delight may take thee from him . then maist thou freely say , my beloved is mine , and i am his : he feedeth among the lillies : among the lillies of chastity , borders of sanct●ty : follow thy love with chaste thoughts , and thou shalt live with him in glory . the wounded heart . contemplation ii. shall the har● long after the water brookes , when hee is with thirst ann●yed ? or fly to the herbe to cure him , when hee is wounded ? and shall my thirsty heart ( the princely sea● of my minde ) never fly to those living streames of ever-flowing waters ? sick shee is , and heart-sicke , and will shee never repaire to her best physician : in whose heart is a fatherly care , and in whose hand a speedy cure ? will shee never taste of that herbe of grace , to eas● her griefes , cure her wounds , and restore her decayed spirits ? whence is it , o my benummed heart , that thou are become so insensible of thine owne misery , as thus to make thy wounds incurable through thy security ? why doest thou not cry out in the bitternesse of thy soule , with that afflicted patient , and m●morable mirror of patience : wherefore is light given to him that is in misery , and life to the bitter in soule ? for thus by meditating of thy gri●fes , thou wouldst sooner labour for reliefe , and seasonably partake of comfort after thy long affliction : for who can search into the source of thy sorrowes , or know the depth of thy griefes or joyes , unlesse thy self● discover them ? the heart knoweth his owne bitternesse : and a strang●r doth not intermeddle with his joy . the way to cure thy wounds , is to open them ; the way to ease thy heart , is to discover the sorrowes of it . shouldst thou with that sacred and elect vess●ll , be pressed ( and happy thou if so afflicted ) out of measure , above strength , insomuch as thou shouldst despaire of life , call but upon the lord , and hee will deliver thee . for hee , and onely hee , can heale the broken spirit ; comfort the contrite soule , and make the bones which hee hath broken to rejoyce . for hee it is , who is the hope of the desperate , the comfort of the desolate . weepe he cannot , who is so solaced ; faile hee shall not , who is so succoured . apply thy selfe then to him ( o my wounded heart ) and repose thee in his wounds , for they are full of compassion ; rely on his promises , for they sound nothing but consolation . shouldst thou ( ô my languishing heart ) be driven to that extremity , as thou couldst finde no comfort within thee ; no hope of reliefe without thee ; nothing but clouds of heavinesse to encompasse thee ; none but iobs messengers to encounter thee : shouldst thou rore forth in the bitternesse of thy soule : how long wilt thou not depart from me ? ( how long wilt thou thus afflict me ? nor let me alone till i swallow downe my spittle ? yea , should thy belly tremble : thy lips quiver at his voice : should rottennesse enter into thy bones , and thy strength faile : yet would the hand of the almighty , by disclaiming thine owne power , and flying to his mercy , so support thee as thou shouldst not fall . but thou art wounded , ô mine heart , and ô i wish that thou wert sensibly wounded ! meane time , let the desires of thy roring intrals beate at the gate of his compassions . let the cryes of the teares of thine eyes , poured forth with fervour of affection , pierce the clouds , and seale to thy numerous sinnes a gracious remission . o that thou wert so pure , that thy deare and loving spouse would say unto thee : thou hast ravished my heart , my sister , my spouse : thou hast ravished my heart , with one of thine eyes , with one chaine of thy necke . o fly unto him , and thou shalt finde this love in him ! let the world have no part nor portion in thee . hee is jealous of thy love ; thou must love him onely , if thou love him truly . a devided love , because distracted in her object , cannot live . fixt must thy resolves bee , and those for eternity , if thou meane ever to raigne with him in glory . shee deserves not a loving spouse , that is not faithfull in her love to her spouse . to keepe thy nuptiall bed undefiled , is an honour ; to violate that faith thou hast plighted , were piacular . two hearts cannot rest in one brest , but two soules may repose in one heart . thou hast often vowed to keepe thy selfe to one , and he thine only one : and how soone were those sweet vowes made bitter , when thine eyes , taken with outward objects , begunne to wander ? tell me ( my wounded heart ) who was ever sicke , and knew himselfe so , and desir'd not health ? who ever wounded , and sought not for a cure ? now , if outward discontents occasion such care , what should our inward griefes doe , which minister hourely occasions of greater feare ? thou hast long suffered , and desir'd to be solaced ; but thou sought not where comfort was to be found : and therefore thou found not that which thou sought . the place or repose of an humane or naturall heart consists in the delight of this present ●ife . but no sooner is thy heart touch●d with divine aspiration , than the seat of our heart becomes the love of eter●ity , and receipt of heavenly consola●ion . that heart is truly styled the friend of truth , which is a lover and approver of every right action ; and makes heaven the sole object of her contempla●ion . the truest proofe of love is the fruit of a good life . divine love consists not ●n voyce and ayre . should thy voyce ●ound like a trumpet , and thy life si●ent : all this airy musicke would give ●ut a dead accent . thy tongue praiseth ●or an houre , let thy life praise for ever . for as divine praise in the mouth of a ●rophane sinner , can send forth no sweet-smelling savour : and prayer ▪ the onely pretious pearle of a pure soule , returnes without fruit , when hypocri●ie seazeth on the heart : and al● humane wisedome becomes folly , being not directed to gods glory : so unlesse thou ( o my wounded heart ) only love god for himselfe , thy mixt an● devided love can returne no comfor● nor profit to thy selfe . it is this divin● and purely-refined love which onel● maketh a rich and wise soule . for , without this , what hath the wise more than th● fool ? what hath the poore , that knoweth 〈◊〉 walke before the living ? whatsoever 〈◊〉 by thee ( o my languishing heart ) abov● all others affected , is by thee adored preferre nothing , in the true value o● love , before him that made thee ; le●● thou make an idoll of the creature , an● so dishonour him , who made all inf●riour things to serve thee . doe tho● his will by serving him , and all hi● creatures will serve thee accordin● to his will. yea , even hee , who hath commanded the morning : and caused the day-spring to know his place ; shall shew the light of his countenance upon thee : and thy longing e●res shall heare that voyce of comfort uttered by thine heavenly spouse , the fountaine of all comfort : thou art all faire , my love , there is no spot in thee . and in the affiance of his love to whom thou art espoused , shall thy wounded heart , then cured , returne turne this answer to thy beloved ; my beloved is mine , and i am his . his left hand shall be under my head ▪ and his right hand shall embrace me . the new dresse : or , motives to a new life . contemplation . iii. o my soule , how long wilt thou ●ttire thy selfe in these ragges of sinne ? how long in these 〈◊〉 of shame ? when thine heavenly bride groome comes , h●e will not endure to looke on thee ; hee can by no meanes like thee , nor love thee , nor espouse himselfe unto thee , so long as these sullied garments of sinne cover thee . to a cleane lord must bee a cleane habitation . a pure heart must bee his mansion ; purged by faith , adorned with good workes , inflamed with heavenly thoughts . no edging of vanity , no purle of vaine-glory , no tinsell-lustre of hypocrisy must set forth thy nuptiall garment ; for these would detract from thy virgin-beauty . those egyptian laces and babylonian borders might attract a wandring eye : but purely fixt be the eyes of thy spouse . whatsoever is without thee cannot take him : it is thine inward beauty that doth delight him . let thy affections then bee renewed , thy virgin-beauty restored , thy de●aies repaired . come not in his sight , till thou hast put off those ragges of sinne , and having put them off , say with the spouse in the canticles : i have put off my co●te , how shall i put it on ? let thy new dresse be a new heart : so shall thy spouse take delight in thee , with his sweete armes embrace thee , and bee enamour'd of thee , when hee lookes on thee ; and in the knowledge of thy beauty say thus unto thee : thou art all faire , my love , there is no spot in the● . cast thine eye all about thee , o my soule , but let it not wander , least thou loose thine honour . take a full view of the renuall of all creatures ; and ref●ect upon thy selfe , who , though soveraignesse over all , becomes least renued of all . thou seest the heart , the eagle , the swallow , how hey are re●●ed ; nay , even the snake , how by casting his slough , hee is renued . againe , thou observest , how yeeres , dayes , houres and minutes are renued ; how the earth it selfe is renued : shee is with fresh flowers adorned , with a native tapistry embrodered , with a new beauty refreshed . meane time , how art thou renued ? where be those fresh fragrant flowers of divine graces and permanent beauties , wherwith thou shouldst be adorned ? must all things change for better , and thou become ever worse in the sight of thy maker ? none more inconstant than thou in humouring the fashions of our time ; none more constant than thou in reteining the fashion of sinne . what canst thou see in thee , that may please thee , or appeare pleasing to him that made thee ? sinne is a soile , which blemisheth the beauty of thy soule . in this then to glory , were the highest pitch of infelicity . thou art onely to approve that with a discreet choice , which may make thee most amiable in the sight of thy spouse . when thou eyest the vanity of earth , fix the eie of thine heart on the eternity of heaven . mixe not thy delights in such objects , where surfet or excesse begets a loathing ; but in those lasting pleasures , where fruition begets in thee an affectionate longing . fashion not thy selfe after this world ; where there is nothing that tempts but taints . desire rather to be numerous in houres than yeeres : so dispose of thy time , that time may bring thee to eternity . ever consider ( o my soule ) how thou art heere in a wildernesse , and farre removed from the 〈◊〉 of true happinesse . a captives proper melody is lachrymae : he cannot raise his voice to any other note , unlesse hee madde himselfe in his mis●ry , and forget his owne state. vye then in sighes with sinnes . take compassion of thy woefull condition : bee not commanded by thine handmaid . restraine her ▪ lest shee grow imperious ; shew thy selfe a mistresse ▪ that shee may become more obsequious . shee is worthy to obey , that knowes not how to command . doe not loose thy prerogative ; preserve thy style , reteine thy state , and make her know how dangerous it is to incurre thine hate . the more thou bringest her to contempt , the more shalt thou partake of content : shouldst thou delicately feed her , or in her desires supply her , or loose thy reines and give liberty unto her , shee would not sticke to deprive thee of thine honour , and by thy unworthy ●ubjection become an usurping co ●mmander . to free thee from this danger , let devotion bee thy succour , so shall the shadow of the almighty bee thy shelter . though the servant earnestly desire the shadow , and the hireling looke for the reward of his worke , or rather the end of the day , to conclude his work : tarry thou the lords leasure ; with patience endure the heat of the day , the weight of thy labour . though a pilgrim be wearied , he must not faile nor faint , till his journey be ended : wherin , hee accompts himselfe so much the happier ; as hee is to his owne native countrey neerer . if thou fit and furnish thy selfe in all points for this journey , thou shalt be joyfully received in thine arrivall to thy countrey . runne then to the goale , which is set up for thee ; strive to come to the marke , which is before thee . let no impediments foreslow thee ; no delights on e●rth divert thee . seale up thine eye , if it wander ; but open it , if it promise to fixe on thy saviour . hourely thy dissolution is expected ; the marriage-feast prepared , & thou invited ; let thy garment be holinesse , so shall thine end bee happinesse . loves legacie , or , panaretes blessing to her children . draw neare mee , and heare those last words which i must ever on earth speake to you . sure i am , that the dying words of a tender mother , cannot but fasten deeper , and reteine a memory longer ; than the speech of the movingst oratour . feare god above all things ; it is the beginning of wisedome : and will enrich you above your portion . you are now in your childehood , let that season you : so shall his blessing , who hath blessed mee , crowne you . bee honest in your wayes ; spare in your words ; plenteous in good works . proportions god hath given you ; portions by gods providence , i have left you ; enrich these with the best portion , the ornament of vertue . specious features are not to be valued to the precious embellishment of vertue . bee what you seeme to bee ; & seeme what you ought to bee : i never lov'd that countenance , which could promise much , and performe nothing . ever reflect on him that made you : and make devotion , your constant diarie to conduct you . bee tender of those you ranke with ; either to better them , or bee better'd by them . bee humble to all ; humility is the way to glory : this it is will make you amiable to the creature ; glorious in the sight of your creator . learne how to obey , that you may know better how to command . in the consideration of humane infelicity , there is nothing becomes more incurable , than what is habituate : when custome of sinne takes away all sense of sinne . in holy places is the devill ever busiest . no disease more dangerous than the lethargy of sinne. this sleepe brings ever an heavy awake : for though like a tender nurse , she sing a sweet lullabee to her deluded childe , it is ever in worser case the more it sleepes ; for it dyes in sinnes-slumber , and perisheth untimely by the inchantment of her mother . consider this , my dearest ones , resist the devill , and bee will fly from you : suffer not the first motions of sinne to seaze on you . pray continually , because you have an enemy assayling you incessantly . the combat is short , your crowne eternall . in the heat of the day , thinke of the evening : the earnest-penny will recompence your paines : continue to the end , and your reward shall be endlesse . bee not too curious in inquiring what you are to receive after this life ; but so labour , that you may receive your reward of glory after this life . many by too curious an itching after wh●t they were to receive , have deceived themselves , by loving their reward more than god. let nothing on earth take your hearts ; let the divine love only possesse them , so shall you finde quietnesse in them . that heart cannot want , that possesseth god. hee will be a light to direct it , that it stray not : a comfort to refresh it , that it faile not . for all earthly helpes , they must either leave us , or wee them . wherein it falleth oft-times forth , that wee are most afflicted even in those , wherein wee expected most comfort . it is one thing to live on earth , another thing to love earth . to bee in the world , and of the world , are different conditions . tabernacles are not to be accompted habitations . while wee are sojourning , wee must bee journeying towards canaan : nor may wee rest , till wee get home . o my tender ones ( for never were children more deare to a mother ) make every day of your life a promising passage to your native countrey . as every day brings you nearer to your grave ; may every day increase in you the riches of his grace . let the joyes of heaven and torments of hell be familiar with you ; by meditating of the felicity of the one , and infelicity of the other : these to de●erre , those to allure . bee not too much taken with fashion ; it is the disease of this age : comelinesse is the most taking dresse to a discreet eye ; whatsoever is else , borders on sinne , and becomes reputations staine . i am not now very old , when i leave you , yet did never that spreading vanity of the time much surprize me . for my part , i did ever rather affect not to be knowne at all , than to bee knowne for singular . it is a poore accomplishment that takes her essence from what we weare . the rinde makes not the tree precious , but the fruit . my desire is , that you would bee circumspect in your discourse . though no society can subsist without speech , yet were it very necessary to bee cautious of the society to whom wee direct our speech . few or none have ever beene hurt by silence ; but many , too many , by too prodigall speech , have engag'd their freedome to the power of their foes . let your whole life be a line of direction to your selves ; and of instruction to others . bee more ready to heare than to ●each : and above all things , let your fame be a living doctrine to your family . bee diligent in the vocation you are call'd unto : and bee ever doing some good worke : that the devill may never find you unemployed : for our security is his opportunity ; to prevent then his sleights , give no way to sloth . when you come into any holy place , call him to minde , to whom it is dedicated . hold your selves then , as retyred from the world : and lift up your hearts to him , who is your hope and helpe , both heere and in a better world . esteeme of all men well ; and of your selves the worst . suffer with others , when you shall heare them defam'd : and preserve their report as well as you may . for it is not sufficient to bee tender of our owne , and impeach others : but to tender others as our owne . stand alwayes in an humble and religious feare . bee not ashamed to confesse , what you were not ashamed to commit . if at any time , through frailey , you faile ; with teares of unfeigned contrition redeeme your fall . walke with an undefiled conscience , knowing that you are in his presence , whose eyes are so pure , as they cannot abide iniquity ; and whose judgement so cleare , as it will search out hypocrisy . keepe your bodies undefiled ; temples should bee pure and unpolluted . if your desire be to honour your maker ; you must make your heart his harbour . every countrey hath one chiefe city , and that situate in the heart of the land ; and becomes the kings seat. your heart shall bee the city of the king of kings , so you guard the gates of your litle city , that no sinfull intruder enter nor surprize them ; no corrupt affection winne in upon them . now the better to secure your state ; let your eyes , your city-centinals , be so directed , that they become not distracted : by wandring abroad , they beget disorder at home . all neighbourly offices i commend unto you ; they gaine love , which is the oile of our life . but too much familiarity i doe not admit ; charity is expedient to all , familiarity to few . let not the sunne shine upon you , before you have commended your selves to that sunne of righteousnesse , to direct you in all your wayes , and enrich you with all good workes . to conclude , ( for i feele my failing faculties drawing neere their conclusion ) let your youth bee so seasoned with all goodnesse , that in your riper age , you may reteine an habite of that which your youth practised . well-spent minutes are precious treasures ; whose reviving memory will refresh your fainting soules in their sharpest gusts of misery . to speake of marriage to you , i will not ; for your childhood cannot yet conceive it : may your choice be with discretion , and without change● so shall succeeding comfort second your choice . preferre your fame before all fortunes : it is that sweet odour which will perfume you living , and embalme you dying . i finde my selfe now breathing homeward : the eye of my body is fixt on you ; the eye of my soule on heaven : think on me as your naturall mother ; and of earth as your common mother . thither am i going , where you must follow . value earth as it is ; that when you shall passe from earth , you may enjoy what e●rth cannot afford you ; to which happinesse your dying mother commends you . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the second yeeres annivers . — lachrymisque revisimus umbras . et lach●ymasse juvat ▪ — et meminisse juvat . ☜ education of her children . governement of her family . 〈◊〉 to her love to her neighbors . hospitality to strangers . he clozeth this second anniversary , as a votive sacrifice to her memory . notes for div a -e rom. . job . cant. . rom. . pet. . rom. . cant. . job . prov. . ● co● . ● . jo● . habac. . cant. . eccles. . job . cant. . cant. ▪ cant. ● . cant. . . cant. . luk. . job . . notes for div a -e ☜ ☞ anniversaries upon his panarete brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) anniversaries upon his panarete brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ] p. imprinted by felix kyngston, and are to be sold by robert bostock, at the kings head in pauls church-yard, london : . by richard brathwait. in verse. with a dedication to the memory of mrs. frances brathwait. signatures: a-c. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng brathwait, frances, d. . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion anniversaries upon his panarete . — par nulla figura dolori . london , imprinted by felix kyngston and are to be sold by robert bostock , at the kings head in pauls church-yard . . looke not upon me , because i am blacke , cant. . . to the indeered memory of his ever loved , never too much lamented panarete , mris frances brathwait . a distilling viall of funerall teares obsequiously offered . melpomene . mvse , thou hast oft to others griefes beene knowne , " now shew a reall passion in thine owne . niobe . i 'le not invoke , as othersuse , " the influence of any muse ; " the muses nine shall be no other , " than o●…phans nine to mone their mother . anniversaries upon his panarete . wepe ! no ; i will not : that would ease mine heart ; ●…he burden of my griefes shal beare a part in sadder straines : still-running rivers are ever the deep●…st : not a tear●… shall share in my discomfort : they that can allay their griefes with teares , are mourners for a day . nor will i cast my sorrowes on my backe , nor cloath them , as our painters vse , in blacke ; such clothing's meere dissembling : many weare a sable habit , and distill a teare , who can dispense with griefe : which i detest ; though pictures be by shadowes best exprest to native symmetrie : wee cannot so paint our essentiall portraiture of woe . o nïobe ! that story writ of thee shall borrow life and lineament from mee . i 'm stupid growne , and by continuate mone a livelesse-senselesse metamorphos'd stone . where shall i then retire , dejected man ? but like the desart-hanting pellican , to ●…ome darke lawne , close cell , or remo●…e plac●… , where i may takefull view of 〈◊〉 ; and mak●… my selfe the embleme ? where delight in melancholy walkes , and birds of night shall feed my pensive passion , and in time make my retired bosome sorrowes shrine . the throbbing turtle having lost his spouse , will not on an●… bloome or blossome brouse , no●… roust on any twigge that 's fresh or green●… , but like a recluse live unknowne , unseene . the chaste-choice bird porphyrio , left alone , ( reft of his mate ) converts his mirth to mone ; famine's his food , darkesilence his repose , lost love the loome , his life the webbe of woes . retir'd hee liues , not seene converse with any , his comforts few , his discontentments many ; dew-trickling teares , like christall rills distill , which forme a funer●…ll habit to his will. to live he loaths , for while he lives he tries nought good in life , till it expires and dies . if birds o th' aire such heavie aires send forth , deepe-drain'd must mine be , or they 'r little worth . had she beene , like too many of our nation , expos'd to riot , or engag'd to fashion ; or enter'd parley with an amorous mate , or for a toy impaun'd her husbands state ; or like a private gossip , wip'd her moúth , and in a corner had a luscious tooth ; or showne a tempest in a furrow'd brow , or beene averse what she was mou'd unto ; or seaz'd by various humours ; or opprest with spleene and passion ; or reserv'd a brest to nourish jealous thoughts ; observ'd no lawes ; or ta'ne exception when there was no cause ; or heard aspersions with a longing eare , and made them ever worser than they were . had she beene such , by all mine hopes , i vow , i should haue mourn'd in clothes , as others doe , and with a sable habit cloth'd my skin , but worne a cheerefull nuptiall robe within ; and ioy'd like those , who , when the storme is done , refresh themselves in seeing of the sunne . yea , e're th'rosemary sprigs and fragrant flowers stucke on those ashy corpse , which once were ours , should lose their beauty or their odor sweet , or moth or worme should pierce her shrouding sheet . i 'd dride my teares , clozing her obits thus , " adew ! th' art fitter farre for earth than us . none such was mine ! her vertues were too pure to feed fond fancy with a forraine lure . fixt was her eye on heav'n , while ev'ry sense in doing good strove for preeminence . in distinct houres shee would divide the day , to walke , write , worke , to meditate and pray : her first fruits were for heav'n ; her second cares pitcht their resolves on temporall affaires : for mine held time of higher estimate than to expose it at so vile a rate , as to bestow 't on trifles : ev'ry houre was her improver ; not a budding flower ( such sacred contemplation did awake her ) but stampt in her the mem'ry of her maker . yea , of such sweet compassion shee was , as not one subtile graine of sand did passe through th' glassie crevet , but each single graine ( so loath she was that ought should fall in vaine ) wrought in her thoughts an embleme ; which shee 'd thus in her devoutest privacy discusse . " howres , minutes , moments , yee distilling sands " whereon our lives dimension meerely stands , " diviner use of you i cannot make , " than by your swifter current to awake " my long-depressed thoughts , and lodge them there " in that pure orbe , where you must not appeare . " hence then this benefit doe i receive , " as sands doe summon me unto my grave , " it shall be my sole comfort , supreme care , " each minute for my passage to prepare : " that when my vading breath shall cease in me , " i may plant there where i desire to be . " o soule ! wouldst thou but eie these sands that fall , " and how thou canst not one of these recall " with myriads of teares , thou wouldst esteeme " nothing more precious than to redeeme " th' expense of mis-spent time , and strive to show " a patterne unto others what to doe : " that every minute might a modell give " to thee and thine both how to love and live . thus would my panarete meditate , and thus with death would she expostulate , to make him more familiar ; which was wrought by sleighting death , t' enioy him whom she sought . but leaving these , deare mvse relater be of her descent and honour'd familie ; ennobled by her spotlesse vertuous name , to prove those ancestors from which she came . neere darlington was my deare darling borne , of noble house , which yet beares honors forme , teese-seated sockbourne , where by long descent cogniers were lords , their countries ornament ; which by that antient monument appeares , rear'd in the chancell there for many yeares ; where th'ancestor such an exploit perform'd , as hee by fame and victory adorn'd , made his successours glorious , which i wish ( and crowne my wishes heav'n ! ) may live in his : meane time i this relation will omit , because * elsewhere i have recorded it . but what 's a family but style or name , vnlesse preserved by a vertuous fame ? and this she had , which did perfume her life , ( like a most precious odor ) maid and wife . pure were her thoughts , her actions without staine , grace was her guide , and godlinesse her gaine . she breathes not that liv'd freer from suspect , nor courted vanity with more neglect ; pride was her scorne , humilitie her prize , and heav'n the object where she fixt her eyes . yea , there was nought on earth she more did love , than fame by reall goodnesse to improve : so as , ev'n those which knew her by report , admir'd that which they heard , and fam'd her for 't : teares trickling stream'd frō neighbors eyes ; exprest those silent sorrowes treasur'd in their brest : while with joynt voice , made hoarse through griefe , they cride , " none ever liv'd more lov'd , or moaned , dide . nor was shee vaine in habit or attire , a modest-matron weed was her desire ; that habit solely tender'd her delight , which made her comely in her makers sight . no painting , pu●…sting , poudring of the haire , no c●…russe cheeke , no azur'd brest laid bare , to take deluded eyes ; fantasticke toyes , wherein corrupted fancy onely joyes , ne're lur'd her love : her maxime us'd to bee , " shee weares best clothes , that weares to her degree , yet was she neate ; atti●…d in such a manner , as she wo●…e nought but properly became her : nor carelesse , neither curious would she seeme , but in her habit to retaine esteeme ; whose gracefull pres●…nce did so well besit , i●… gave a grace to her , and she to it . for to describe her person , which shall be , as was her selfe , compos'd of modestie , her beauty was her owne , a native red got by a modest blush , her tincture , fed by feare and fancy ; no complexion bought from shop e're toucht her shape , nor euer wrought on her affection ; rather high than low appear'd her stature , that the age might know nature did owe her nothing , taking care to make her proper , as her forme was faire . nor can i vye in my trueteares with these who faigne an idoll of hyperboles : as to compare the tresses of her haire to purest lydian threds , which subtile ayre dishevels ; or her smooth-ascending front vnto a beacon , or some rising mount for prospect glorious ; nor those lampes of light to burnish'd diamonds , which beday the night with their diffused lustre ; nor her teeth to orient pearles ; nor her roseat breath to nectar or ambrosian rivolets ; nor lips to rubies dipt in violets : nor with description upon ev'ry part to make my griefe a curious scene of ar●… , to give a relish to a liq'rish tast , and so forget what dishes should be plac'd at this sad funerall feast : no , dearest , no , my grounded griefes cannot be razed so . colours well laid , and such are dyde in graine are of that substance , they 'll admit no staine ; the more you wash , the more you lose your time , and so it fares with these extreames of mine . i cannot artfully show what she was , but sure she did all mortals farre surpasse in my conceipt , nor needs he any art to pensill her , whose feature 's in his hart : which a more living deepe impression beares than all our art-expressive characters . this , were my breast unript , would make more ●…how than all our limners with their art can do●… . so as , i cannot chuse but highly taxe these mimick mourners , who like shrines in waxe can mould their faces to what forme you please , and varnish o're their deare loves obsequies with high poeticke raptures : whereas sense of grounded griefe admits no eloquence : " he that is truely wounded and heart-sicke " will ne're converse with flowers of rhetoricke . let it suffice , nought could in woman be , if good , were not in her espous'd to me ▪ chast was my choice ; so choice , as ne're was br●…d a 〈◊〉 con●…ort both for boord and bed . besides , where e're i walke , i gather thence apparent tokens of her providence : although i seeke her , whom i cannot find , i finde inventions of her pregnant mind exprest in ev'ry arbour : quicke conceite s●…cer'd by 〈◊〉 to support a state ; without too much restraint or libertie , not domine●…ring in a familie , nor too remisse ; nor lavish , nor too spare ; carefull , yet wise to moderate her care ; rich in a frugall bounty , while content smil'd on her brow , whether she spar'd or spent ▪ so as , in all domesticall affaires so sweetly mixt were her well-temper'd cares , as if she had beene from her childhood bred , and th' oeconomicks solely studied . nor did her cautious providence extend wholly to thoughts of frailty , which take end from time and mutability ; o , no! she thought of th'place , whereto all mortals go ; and that she might with preparation store her , she had her shrouding-sheet still laid before her , as a memoriall ; which , during breath , might represent to her the face of death : with which , that she might make her selfe more fit , thus shee 'd familiarly converse with it . " shrovd , thou art all that 's left me to my grave , " to cloathe this poore remainder which i have ; " pray thee be my remembrancer , and now " put me in minde o th' place where i must goe . " vile vaile of frailty ! pray thee still be nie , " and be my lecture , " to prepare to die . and that she might leave pledges of her love on earth below , as she had done above , rings on her husbands sisters she bestowes , for a remembrance , which expressely showes the goodnesse of her nature , being knowne to tender them as dearely as her owne . shee sets her house in order , and applies her will to gods ; and dies before she dies . some countries i have red of , who did ●…se , when by election they their princes chuse , pieces of stone or mettall to present , which they would chuse to be their monument , tombe , or triumphant vrne ; for they renoune a royall death before a regall crowne . this use or custome may be well applide , to my now glorious heav'n-infranchis'd bride , who lodg'd deaths modell ever in her eyes , and in her thoughts that sole-sufficient prize , which of a mortall , an immortall makes , and loos●…h nought by those that share in stakes . glorious resolves ! when , while we mortals are , for heav'n on earth , wee'dresse our highest care ▪ and so enspheere our thoughts in him we love , that though our foot 's below , our faith 's above , such doe not prize rase , jeat , nor porphyry , to give a cover to mortality . the thracian marble naturally wrought to be their shrine is least of all their thought . a mansion more transcendent is their aime , while they reflect on th'placefrō whence they came . both which reflexive aimes did her attend , to crowne her gracious life with glorious end . dorcas full of good workes and almes too , the lively embleme of my lovely doe ; widdowes stood weeping , and with griefe disma●…d , shewing the coates and garments dorcas made ; all which commends may be applide , and more , to her , whose hand made garments for the poore . besides rich needle-work●…s , which antient use approves to store and beautifi●… an hous●… . which patternes when i see , needes must appeare still in mine eie a monumentall t●…are . shall i expresse her love ! it might be made equall to what the roman matron said , " where thou art caius , i am caia too , " nor will i act what caius would not doe ▪ what s●…cred-secret union was this , where nought was don●… by her , implide not his ? and such was mine ; and happy was the time , when i might truly living style her mine . no mount , no vale , no shady laune nor g●…ove , but in her presence were receipts of love ; locall idaeas , where all comforts were cloz'd in one abstract , while her selfe lodg'd there . for where wit , neatnesse , goodnesse joyntly meet , that subject needs must be perfections seat , and such was mine ; neat to delight the eye , good to improve her life , and pregnancy of sweet-chaste-choice conceipts to cheere the eare , and raise invention to an higher spheare . which puts me now in minde of various flowers and posies too , which at retired hou●…es her richer fancy used to devise for bracelets , rings , and other rarities ; in which , ingenious modesty would show emblemes of love , and teach an artist too his just dimension ; such would she compose , crowning invention with a vertuous close . one day , two rings with posies i receav'd , in which were these inscriptions ingrav'd : by this ( th'devise , a bleeding heart ) i live , yet this ( see her affection ! ) i give : on th' inner brimme these words inscribed were , this ( heart ingraven ) is neare , yet yov as deare . the nexta garter-ring , and on the knot was this in capitals distinctly wrot : this ( and may this be sacred ) when i dye fate ( and too soone came it ) may this vntye . within the wreaths , these words addrest unto me , sir , if yov loose me ( aye me ! ) yov vndoe me , such quaint conceipts allai'd more serious cares , but suffer'd no neglect in her affaires : for her stay'd thoughts surpast her yeares , and told the world , that 't is discretion which makes old the bloomingst youth ; which stood confirm'd in ours , who , though but young in yeares , was old in houres . and now , me-thinkes , in silent shade i heare the answer of that sage sound in mine eare ; who much perplext , and walking all-alone , was askt by one , what he was thinking on : " i 'm thinking , sir , quoth he , of my dead wife , " wherein she ere offend't me all hee life , " that thought thereof might bid me cease to mone , " and so allay my griefe , but i find none . " this makes my sorrowes infinitely prest , " and addes new store to re — possesse my brest . " besides , this draines fresh rivers from mine eyes , " for that sufficiently i could not prize " the height or weight of her unequall'd losse , " before i felt mine unsupported crosse . these thoughts of his deare spouse his ioyes exil'd , and caus'd this antient sage to play the child . reflect on thy sad scene ; peruse each clause ; and poize thy griefes , if they have not like cause . did sne ere give occasion of offence ? or if she did , would not her penitence resolve it into teares ? did she not share in thy discomforts , and allay thy care with her discreete advice ? and yeeld increase vnto thy comforts , by partaking these ? would she not joy , and in her joyes o'reflow when she saw smoothnesse smile upon thy brow , could ought affect thine humour , shee 'd not make the object of her pleasure for thy sake ? no , heav'n thou know'st , all these her life exprest ; which are with teares recorded in my brest . bvt pause a while ! canst thou be said to breath , and breathlesse shee sleepe in the armes of death ? husband and wife are two-united-one , how can i live then when my selfe is gone ? gone to her gaine , my losse ; unvalued losse ! yet should her christian crowne allay my crosse , could i appease my passion , which springs from brackish streames of humane sufferings : while reason with my passion dictates thus : " how is 't , that you incense both fate and us " with your incessant mourning ? you will say " shee 's dead whom you so lov'd ; 't is true , but pray , " what was she borne for ? or what made of ? earth " her composition , whence shee tooke her birth ; " her feet fraile ●…ases , though of purest mold ; " where th' groundworke's weak , the building cannot hold . " did not that consumption●…unne ●…unne " ( whereof she dide ) to mother , daughter , sonne , " before it seaz'd on her ? eldest was shee , " yet last surpriz'd , as one reserv'd for thee . " wouldst but consider what to thee is sent , " others have felt , thou wouldst be more content . " yea , but againe you 'l say , shee dyed young , " and might by course of nature have liv'd long . " goe to th' embrodred theatre of ours " deckt with variety of choicest flowers , " where you shall find some meldew'd in their prime , " some blasted , others pruned 'fore their time ; " not one 'mongst tenne but cul●…ed in their youth , " and those are left , doe perish in their grouth . " these spring , & sprung untimely blasts do take them , " those grow , and growne then winter comes to shake them . " nor is 't in these , but in all else that breath , " both youth and age are subject unto death . " nor should it be unto our humane forme " more strange to dye , than for us to be borne . " recount those heroës that were styl'd divine , " renoun'd for famous actions in their time , " what 's left of all their glory ? a straite urne " after such spatious conquests serv'd their turne . " where 's all those specious dames , whose very sight " darkned the lustre of the chrysolite ; " whose richer beauties seemed to bestow " mintage on all inferiour beauties too , " and seem'd exempt frō frailty ? those ev'n shun them " dead and deform'd , who , living , doated on them : " their beauteous bodies earth-reduced formes , " their eyes darke cranies to encloister wormes . " hee then or shee the happiest appeares " that dies the youngst , because he sheds least teares : " since life is such a vaine-deceiving sleepe , " wee dreame of joyes , but when we wake , wee weepe . " yea , but you 'l say , shee was with vertues blest , and might improve the place which shee possest " by her example ! doe you therefore grieve that for her countrey shee should exile leave ? o doe not so maligne her happinesse ! " this were t'adjorne fruition of her blisse " for humane ends ; her vertues are her crowne , " and those examples which her life hath showne " surviving annals which can never dye , " but still embalme her pretious memory " so long as time keepes minutes : " cease to mone ; " 't is sinne to mourne for such a saintly one : " whose death 's her wreath , her palme her periode , " her epithalamie her dying ode ▪ " cease then your fruitlesse wishes ; they 'r in vaine ; " nor prayers nor teares can call her backe againe . " but should heav'ns grant this suit perferr'd by thee , " her losse were greater than thy gaine could bee . " her joyes are infinite , thine finite are , " and 'twixt these two there can be no compare . " for what 's this world , but a painted blisse , " where few or want or have what they could wish ! " doe no●… give reines then to thy furious will , " shee lov'd thee well , why shouldst thou wish her ill ? these dictates on my senses wrought some force , though sense told reason , nature must have course ! " too well knows hee his moane with mirth to season , " who in his griefes applies his eare to reason ▪ but to impressive were these prints of griefe to tender me such expedite reliefe : too deepe those characters to be defac'd , or so by reason or perswasion raz'd ; as no remaines were left to gather head , no●… in my birth of sorrowes to succeed . for then , ev'n then , when reasons selfe affords some rayes of comfort , her last dying words renue my wounds , and adde unto the store of those old griefes i parlyed with before . and blame me not , that these effects were such , who so forgets them , hee affects not much . for if these halfe-breath'd words of dying men to strangers pretious be , who knew not them , what will the voyce of one doe whom wee love ? what strange impressions leave ? how strongly move ? when it cals to us from the death-bed too , and with eyes fixt on heav'n's addrest to goe from this vaine vale , these ●…ew but evill daies , o what a conflict doth-each accent raise ! griefe and affection struggle to inclose them , the heart becomes a casket to repose them : no syllable is lost , nought uttered by that weake-faltring tongue unregistred : knowing , that in short space , that very tongue , whose weake-breath'd organs tun'd their dying song , and as yet speake , and all attention move , by friendly accents , in their eares that lov●… , shall in eternall silence be ty'de up , and from the eare of mortals ever shut ; so as , those dying words you heard before with their sweet sound shall ne're salute you more . and such were mine ; o that the judge of time would have repriv'd her to be longer mine ! but let me not offend ; heav'ns pardon me , if passion make me speake too forwardlie ! now to her dying words let me descend , sweetly deliver'd , while her sweetest end was now approaching ; just the very same , though not so moving , as from whence they c●…me . " sir , ( with a dying-smile , these words she spake , " while her weake-beating pulse my hand did take ) " i 'm going from you , and must recommend " these little ones now to you at mine end , " to whom you must father and mother be , " and in their image , sir , remember me . " be it your care , next to your supreme care , " to tender these , in whom none h'as a share " but yo●…r deare selfe ; by all my hopes i vow , " not one strai'd thought estrang'd their birth from you : " no●… did you e're conceipt it ; for wee were " by nuptiall tye fix'd in one sacred spheere , " where twin-like love such graces did bestow , " as neither lik'd , what th' other lov'd not too . " deare your respect to me , to you was mine , " and so were you opinion'd all our time . " for since i h●…ld the title of a wife , " i n'ere ey'd pleasing object all my life " but in your pr●…sence , ( and heavens forgive ) " if that delight made me desire to live , " so constantly was my affection fixt , " as it was ne're with forraigne fancy mixt , " but pure as is the fire ; which to requi●…e , " let these be in your thought , when least in sight ; " these younglins , tender in their mothers ●…ye , " whom they must want , and you are to supply . " let them have breeding , sir , by your dispose , " it is a portion that they cannot iose. " correct them too , yet let them understand " that their correction's from a fathers hand . " — now with a mothers blessing , babes , adjeu , " your mother takes her lasting leave of you . " for you , sir , as god's pleased to bestow " much on you , so make use of what you know ; " o doe not hide your tal●…nt in the g●…ound , " but let your knowing life with fruits abound●… " feare god for love , more than for feare of hell ; " heav'n be our meeting — dearest love farewell . " — so , now my race is done , mine houre-glasse run , " come , my lord iesu , my sweet iesu come . what a choice-curious piece of clay was this which gave her forme ! which forme sh●…ll be in blisse , cloath'd with immortall beauty and divine , not subject to mortality or time , when it shall rise againe ; and rise it must from this poore shell of earth , or shrine of dust where it lies now inter●…'d ; to re-appeare fuller of lustre than it shined heere : rankt with triumphant quires , where length of daie●… is the sole-sov'raigne subject of their praise : while her heav'n-mounting soule with airy wings sings glorious paeans to the king of kings . cloze then thy funerall ode , sinc●… thou maist heare this sound from ev'ry mouth to ev'ry eare ; " her due deserts this sentence on her gives , " she dyes to life , yet in her death she lives , she live●… in fame above the reach of death , an●… from her ashes doe such odour●… breath of her surviving vertues , as they prove no death so sweet as th●…irs who goodnesse love . for though they seeme unto our senses dead , the branches of their living actions spread , from whence no bloomes nor blossomes onely shoot , but to succeeding ages store of frui●… . and such was mine ; once mine ; now from mine eyes ta'ne , to obtaine a more transcendent prize than earth could give her : and heav'ns will be done ! my night is comming , but her day 's begun . in silent passion then , or as griefes be , when they doe labour of an extasie , retire , and when thousee'st earth-minded men bemoane inferiour losses , smile at them . and if they aske thee why thou can'st not grieve , tell them , discretion will not give thee leave . vaine griefes can worke no such effect in thee , thy teares are treasur'd for panarete . if they aske what shee was , bid them heere read ; if they aske where shee is , in teares write , dead . finis . epitaph . for rites of holy church which christians have , quires of blest angels sing her to her grave ; for hallow'd candles , vertues give her light , and forme a day of a sad funerall night ; for ●…els . good workes , which ring so sweet a chime , as they doe sound he●… mortally-divine ; for an●…hems and memorials of the dead , with saintly orisons solemnized : for shrines of raze or monumentall brasse , a living fame ; her epitaph : i was. " cease then your friendly sorrow , 't were a sin " to weepe for her ; reserve your teares for him. epitaph . march dust more worth thā a kings ransome is ; which proverbe may be verifide by ●…his , ●…his pretious gage lest here to earth in trust ; who on the sev'nth of march resolv'd to 〈◊〉 . upon her onely sister . epitaph . in this vine interred lyes one , who clos'd from mortall eyes , ●…yes that day which knowes no night , spheared in her makers sight ; who to crowne her day with blisse , hath vouchsaf'd to style her his . " life so ended , is begun , " farre from death , when death h 'as done . upon he●… dearest fannie . epitaph . ilost a mother for a grave , and by it i two mothers have ; earth , and mine owne deare mother too , in whose bare brest i slumber now : " my corps sleep ( mother earth ) in thee ▪ " while angels sing my lullabee . panaretis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teisis me genuit , sponsatam w●…stria cepit , corpus candalivm , pectus olympvs habe●… . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e her family . * in his remaines after death . her fame . her habit. a modest descri●…tion of her person ; taxing the use of for●…'d hyperboles . her providence . 〈◊〉 of m●…tallor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 t●… princes , i●… s●…me 〈◊〉 , upon their election , which they wil make ch●…ice of ●…o be their tombe . us●… of that 〈◊〉 ●…o her appli●…d : in h●…r convo●… t●… her bea●…ficall estate . dorcas needle-works to her applied . he●… love ●…xpressed and made 〈◊〉 with that of caia , wif●… to caius tranquillus . her posies . the perplexed sages answere ; " hee was be - " thinking " himselfe " wherein his " spouse ever " offended " him , to allay " that 〈◊〉 " sorow which " had so possest " him , but " could finde " none : and " how hee " never suffici - " ently prized " the height or " weight of " her lesse , ●…ill " he fel●… i●… . reasons dictate with passion . her dying-words , at his late and l●…st 〈◊〉 from her , 〈◊〉 her childr●…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fath●…rs care . never did one strai'd ●…ought estrange her from him . her vowed affection s●… constantly fixed on him , as it never eyed object with delight , but in his presence . choicest vertues our ●…hiefest honours , our sweetest odours . hee clozeth her funeral ode , with an extasie or passionate silence . notes for div a -e obiit mar●…ii vijo ▪ anno dom. . a letter from a scholar in oxford to his friend in the country shewing what progresse the visitors have made in the reformation of that university, and what it is that obstructs it. brathwaite, richard, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing l ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a letter from a scholar in oxford to his friend in the country shewing what progresse the visitors have made in the reformation of that university, and what it is that obstructs it. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], p. s.n.], [s.l. : . attributed to richard braithwaite in the wrenn catalogue--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. eng university of oxford -- history. a r (wing l ). civilwar no a letter from a scholar in oxford, to his friend in the countrey: shewing what progresse the visitors have made in the reformation of that u brathwait, richard c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a letter from a scholar in oxford , to his friend in the countrey : shewing what progresse the visitors have made in the reformation of that vniversity , and what it is that obstructs it . academia · oxoniensis · sapientia et felicitate printed in the yeare , . a letter from a scholar in oxford , to his friend in the countrey . sir , i writ to you yesterday by your good friend master p. but in such haste , and so abruptly , that it cannot in any measure answer either your expectation or my desires of satisfying you . i know you must needs long to heare what progresse is made in our visitation : truly so little , that i cannot well tell whether it be begun . friday iune . was designed for the day ; and the visitors from london had peremptorily resolved to be here , and were as confidently expected . but they were diverted by the unexpected newes of the armies rebelling against the two houses , together with a high mutiny of the garrison here ( two dayes before the visitors should have come downe ) who not only refused to disband , but detained the . l. which was sent downe to pay them upon their disbanding . the parliament , while the money was upon the way hither , being informed that they meant not to disband , sent post after the money , to have it brought back : but their menssenger was too slow ; for it was got into oxford before he overtooke it : and the garrison notwithstanding the parliaments command , were resolved not to part with it . whereupon the convoy of dragoones , who had guarded it from london hither , attempting to have it back againe , the garrison-souldiers fell upon them in the high street ( the money standing loaden betwixt them ) wounded many of them , and quickly beat them out of the towne , leaving their money and their waggon & teeme of horses behind them . this , with the high demands of the army ( which fell out very opportunely at the same time ) made sir nathaniel brent , and those other gentlemen which should have accompanied him hither , begin to look about them , and to be think themselves whether it were not better to keep in london then to adventure themselves at oxford amongst a company of malignant scholars , and an independent garrison that had already put such an affront upon the parliament especially there being a great party of horse then lying quartered about ox. sent from the army to secure the traine of artillery here , upon an information that there was a designe to seize upon it , and remove it to london . the result was , that ( though on the thursday following , iune . merton colledge great gates were set wide open to receive them and great preparations made for their entertainment there ; and the poore scholars generally quaking at the approach of their doomesday , the rather in regard they had declared but three days before against the covenant , yet ) the gentlemen came not . onely a packet of letters was brought from them to the ministers here , to let them know that they should not expect them till the long vacation . hereupon we conceived ( and we thought we had some reason for it ) that the visitation would be adjourned till that time : never imagining that the ministers ( especially considering the present posture of affaires ) would have had the courage to undertake it themselves . though by the way let me tell you , that had the rest all of them come , yet the university had before-hand resolved not to appear or submit to their visitation , otherwise then with a [ salvis nobis & academiae omnibus juribus , privilegiis , immunitatibus , &c. ] to be delivered to them in writing by the proctors and heads of houses . nay it was put to the question ( but waved ) whether we should appeare at all : upon this supposed ground that they had no lawfull authority to visit us . but the next morning , contrary to every bodies expectation , we understood that the * ministers ( forsooth ) assisted by one master dunce of pizzy , master draper ( a new-made justice , and a committee-man for this county ) and another of the wilkinsons , which three were come to towne for that purpose , supposing the rest would have done the like ( and indeed some others there were in towne ; one , i am certaine ▪ but he thought it more prudence not to be seene among them ) intended to proceed in the businesse . to be short ( for i perceive i am already become tedious in my relation ) the bell rung out for the visitation-sermon ; m. harris preached it ; the greatest part of the university were present . sermon ended ( but it was very long first ; for which we doe freely forgive him ) we hasted away ( the visitors following after more gravely & leisurely ) to the schooles : where the vicechancellour , the doctors and proctors , with diverse other members of the university had attended ( according to the citation ) from nine of the clock . no sooner were we come thither but the clock struck eleven : and i can assure you there was no foul play in it ; for to prevent all cavill , the vicechancellour , when he perceived it to draw towards eleven sent a command to the sexton that he should be carefull to observe the sun , and see that his clock kept pace with it exactly . this faire advantage being thus unexpectedly offered us ( for which we have none to thank but the preacher , one of themselves ) we thought we had no reason but to embrace it : and therefore , upon the striking of the clock , we enter'd immediately into the convocation-house , and there declared ( by the mouth of the proctor ; whereunto we have the attestation of a publike notary ) that whereas by vertue of an ordinance of the two houses we had beene cited to appeare there this day between the houres of nine and eleven in the forenoone , we had obeyed : and because the time limited was now expired , we held our selves not obliged to any further attendance . whereupon the vicechancellour gave command that we should every man forthwith repaire home to our severall colledges . in our returne ( the vicechancellour and doctors marching in a full body , with the bedells before them ) we met the visitors just in the proscholium ; where the passage ( you know ) being somewhat narrow , one of the bedells called to them [ roome for m. vicechancellour ] whereupon they were pleased to deny selfe , and gave the way . the vicechancellour ( very civilly ) moved his cap to them , saying [ good morrow gentlemen ; t is past eleven a clock ] and so passed on without taking any further notice of them . upon this , there followed a great humme , and so we parted ; they ●●lding on to their visitation-house , and we home to dinner . they sate about an houre that day ( looking one upon another ) and have met severall times since ( m. principall roger● being chair-man : ) but what they doe when they are togther , or how they put off the time ▪ i am not able to informe you : for , to tell you the plaine truth , we never heed them . this carriage of ours they take very ill , and looke upon it as a high contempt . we , on the other side , thinke we are very well able to justifie what we have done ; and are of opinion that they are quite out , and must begin again , if they mean to doe any thing : conceiving that we are not bound to make any further appearance , unlesse we have a new citation ; the former being rendered null through their default . sir , let me crave your opinion of the case , and your favourable acceptance of this impertinent paper , that presumes thus to break in upon you , and disturb your thoughts , which ( doubtlesse ) are now fixed upon a businesse of much greater concernment , the present contestation between the two houses and the army . however , i doe not at all doubt but you will pardon this injury , when you shall finde that it is done you by your very affectionate friend . oxford . iune . . post-script . yesterday doctor shelden and doctor hammond ( two of his majesties chaplaines ) went from hence towards saint albans , upon a command sent them to come and attend their master : a favour which he had long begged of the two houses , and hath now ( it seemes ) obtained it of the army . whereat master cheynell here is very angry , and stormes extremely , if any body cared for it . the poore man , god helpe him , hath utterly lost his patience , and ( truly i am afraid ) something else . the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- * m. rogers . m. harris . m. reynolds . m. wilkinson . m. cheynell . capitall hereticks, or, the evill angels embattel'd against st. michael being a collection according to the order of time ... of the chief of the antient hereticks, with their tenets, such as were condemned by general councels / by r.b. brathwaite, richard, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing b ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) capitall hereticks, or, the evill angels embattel'd against st. michael being a collection according to the order of time ... of the chief of the antient hereticks, with their tenets, such as were condemned by general councels / by r.b. brathwaite, richard, ?- . p. printed for william shears ..., london : . reissue with new t.p. of author's a mustur roll of the evill angels, . added t.p. for ed. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. eng heresy. a r (wing b ). civilwar no capitall hereticks, or, the evill angels embattel'd against st. michael being a collection according to the order of time ... of the chief o brathwait, richard f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion capitall hereticks , or , the evill angels embattel'd against st. michael . being a collection , according to the order of time , ( through out all the centuries ) of the chief of the antient hereticks ; with their tenets , such as were condemned by general councels . faithfully collected out of the most authentike authors . by r. b. gent. heu prime scelerum causae mortalibus aegris , naturam rescire deum — london , printed for william shears , at the bible in bedford street , and in the new exchange , . a mustur roll of the evill angels embatteld against s , michael . being a collection , according to the order of time , ( throughout all the centuries ) of the chiefe of the ancient heretikes , , with their tenets , such as were condemned by generall councels . faithfully collected out of the most authentike authors . by r. b. gent. heu primae scelerum causa mortalibus aegris , naturam rescire deum london , printed for william sheers , and are to be sold at his shop in s. pauls churchyard at the sign of the bible . to sir i. p. baronet . sir , i send you heere an assize booke , or rather a treatise of poysons ; to peruse which , i had not given you the trouble , had not your own commands obliged mee to it : for what my memory faild me of in our last discourse upon this subject of heretikes , i have , to comply with your desires , turn'd over those few treasuries of common places wherewith my reading hath furnished mee . and now you may behold 〈…〉 creeping out of the 〈◊〉 pit in their o●ders , and heare all their severall tones ; for i have according to the o●der of time 〈…〉 the names of all the chiefe 〈◊〉 with their positions th●oughout all the centuries . here are none but ●uch as were condemned 〈◊〉 gene●all or oe●onomicall cou●cels : no● is there any au●hor quoted 〈◊〉 is not of a venerable name . i might have inserted more of 〈…〉 , but when one 〈◊〉 another allready condemned , and lick't but up his vomit , i have ●mitt●d him , for ●the●e is a 〈◊〉 of tra●●●●gration of her●sie , which needs no proofe to such as live in this age , wherein her womb is more fruitfull of monsters then affrick . this bedroll i submit to your judgement , which is abundantly able to supply any defect you may finde therin . capitall heretikes in the severall centuries . heretikes in the first century . i. simon m●ous an. dom. . or thereabouts . he was a samaritan borne . of him and his sorcery and the great opinion the samaritans had of him , we read act. cap. . verse . &c. he was the head 〈◊〉 beginner of heresie . euseb. lib. . cap. . h● affirmed , . that he himselfe was the father , son , and holy ghost , and that he was worshipped of all people by divers names . . that christ did suffer no hurt of the iewes , for hee was christ . s. ieronym . contrae lucifer . . that any man might lie with any woman ; for this was no sin . . that the world was made by angels , and that an angel ●edeemed mankind . . hee denied the r●s●rrection . . he thought that the gifts of the holy ghost might bee bought with money . act. ch ▪ . vers . . and therefore that sinne of him is called simony . ii. corinthus about the yeere . he is said to be a iew by birth : he lived at the same time with saint i●hn the ev●ngelist , irenaeus lib. . cap. . he taught , . that iesus our saviour had for his p●rents ioseph and mary , and that at his baptisme christ descended on him , who ( saith he ) is called the holy ghost , by who● hee did all his miracles ; when i●sus was to bee crucified of the ieues , then christ left him , and went up againe into h●av●n . ep●pha●tus heres● . . h●st. magdeburge●s . cent. lib. . cap. . that christs kingdom after the resurrection should be an earthly kingdome , and that men then should live in all fleshly lusts and pleasures together for a thousand yeares . euseb. hist. eccles. lib. , eccl. h●st. cap. . he denyed the divine nature of christ , and said , that he had onely a humane nature , and that he was not yet risen from the dead , but he should rise hereafter . irenaeus ut supra . he affirmed that the old law , and all the old comma●dements and precepts belonging unto it were to be kept together with the new law or gospell , and that therfore circumcision was necessary for every one that would be saved . p●ilastrius lib. de haeresibus . iii. ebion an. . or thereabouts . he taught with cerinthus , . that christ was but a me●re man . hilarius . lib. . de trinitate . and th●rfore the gospell of saint iohn was written to confute him . hieronymus . lib. de eccles. scriptoribus . . that when i●sus was thirtie yeares old , there d●scended on him and dwelt in him another person , who was called christ : and thus iesus and chris● dwelt and were 〈◊〉 together . 〈◊〉 lib. . cap. . and . epiph. heres. . & niceph. hist. eccl. lib. . cap. . he agreed with cerinthus in the rest of the heresies touching circumcision , and keeping all the law of moses . epiph. ireneus . & niceph. ut supra . iv. menander anno . or therabou●s . he was the schollar of simon magus , and lived about the same time with e●ion and cerin●hus . he held tha● the world was made o● angells , and that these angells , co●ld be overcom by no 〈◊〉 but by 〈◊〉 . . he denyed ch●ist to be a true man . and affirmed himselfe to be the saviour of the world , and that he came from heave● to save mankind , and that all who would be saved must be baptized in his name . euseb. lib. . cap . august . lib. de haeresibus . niceph. lib. . cap . v nicholas of antiochia . he was one of the seaven first deacons . act. cap. . ver. . he having a fa●r wi●e , and being accused of being jealous of her gave leave to any that would 〈◊〉 with h●r . ●lemens alex●●dr . lib. . 〈◊〉 others taking occasion of this fact of his , thought it lawfull for any man to have the company of any woman , w●●m they themselves w●u●d like . a●ainst these men saint iohn doth write in the apocalips cap. , ver. , 〈◊〉 saith that they taught venery to be so necessary that those men who used it not every we●k , o● fridaye could not bee saved . epiph. lib. , tom. . her●s . . of these n 〈◊〉 s. august . 〈◊〉 doe speake , lib. de h●e●esibus . s. from in epist. de fabion●●ipso . ni●●p● . lib. . eccles. hist. cap. . the e●glish notes upon the prementio●ed . cap. of the ap●c . in the remish testament , saith , that this n●chol●s was not onely thought to have taught community of wives , but also that it was lawfu●l to eat of meates offered to idols . id●lothita . heretikes in the second century . vi . s●turninu circ . an. dom. . he was borne at antioch . he held many opinions of menander and s●mon m●gus . . that the world was made of seven angells , without the knowledge of god the father . tert●l . de heresibus . . that christ was but the shaddow of a man ; for he had neither the true body n●r soule of a man , and thus he fulfilled the mystery of our redemption . philaster brixiensis . vii . basilides ann. . he taught , . that christ did not suff●r , or was crucified , but simon of cyrene . euseb. caesariensis lib. . hist. eccl. cap. . and aug. lib. de hae es●hus . . he turnd away men from suff●ring mar●yrdom , affirming that it was no sin to deny christ in the time of 〈◊〉 . . that the angells made h●avens , and ●hat these heavens made the world . aug. and philast. . de hae●esibu● . niceph. lib. . cap. . viii . gnostici . circ . ann. . these w●re the most vile hereticks in filthinesse of all others . epiph. l . tom. . hae●es . ● . their tenets were . . that the soule was made of the substance of god , and that bruit beasts had reason as man hath . . that there were two gods , a good god , and an evill god , and that this evill god was the creator of all things phila●● . lib. de haeresibus . n●ceph . lib. . cap. . & lib. . c●p . . ix . carpocrates . hee lived at the s●me time with the 〈◊〉 , and is sai● to bee the author of their heresies . irenaeus lib. . cap. . he taught . . that christ was a meere man , born of the seed of ioseph and not of the b. virgin mary . that hee was a good man , and that therfore ( after he was crucified ) his soule went up into heaven , but his body is still in the grave . euseb. lib. , cap. . . he taught that the world was made by angells . . that there was no resurrection . glossa . in cap. . leviti . . he rejected the old testament , as ●ot canoni●all scripture . aug. de heres. niceph. lib. . cap. . philastrius , and tertul. x. cedron . circ . an. , taught . . that there were two beginnings of al things : a good god from whom came all good , and an evill god , from whom came all evill . hilarius . li . , de trinitate . . that christ was neither born of a woman nor had flesh , neither did hee truely die and suffer , but hee did seeme to die and suffer . aug. lib. de heres. cap. . . that the law of moses was evill , and came from an evill beginning ; and this opinion was ●mbraced by his scholar marcion , as also by manichaeus . tertul. ut supra . ire●aeus . lib. . cap . xi valentinius circ . an. . affirmed , . that christ brought his flesh with him from heaven , and took no flesh of the b. virgin , but passed through her as water doth through a conduit pipe tertul. lib. contra v●lentinianos . . that ther are two beginnings of all things , p●o●undum . i. e. the deep : and silent●um i. e. silence : these being married together had issue unae●standing and truth , which brought forth three hundred ae●nas . viz. thi●ty ag●s 〈◊〉 a●gells ; and of the aeon were the devill and 〈◊〉 born , who made the world ph●l●st . lib. de haeresibus . xii . marcion . ann. dom. . or thereabouts . was first a stoick , then a christian , he ●●●lowed basilides , cedron , and 〈◊〉 in their err●rs . 〈◊〉 called him p●imo genitum satanae , i. e. the d●vills eld●st son . . hee b●p●ised them who died without bap●●sme , saying that s. paul did will him so to doe . , cor. cap. , v. ● . theophylact . 〈…〉 . super locum . . he tau●ht that marriage was unlawfull , and that it was a great sin to marry . hier. lib. . contra iovinianum . . that cain , the sodomites and all wicked men were saved , because they did meet christ when hee descended into hell , but the patriarches and prophers are still in hell for not meeting of christ , for they thought ( saith hee ) that christ came to tempt them . iren. lib. , cap. . ter. and alii . xiii . tatianus . circ . ann. . hee was of syria , and the schollars of iustin martyr , and continued a good christian as long as his master lived , but after his death hee ran into many heresies . his scholars were called encratitae because of their continency . . hee held that adam was damned . . that it was not lawfull to eat the flesh of any creature , for it came from the divell . . he forbad marriage , and drinking of wine , and said that the divell was the author of these also . irenaeus lib. , cap. . clemens . lib. . strom. epipha . lib. . at the end of the third tome . xiv . appelles about the yeare . . that christ tooke not his flesh of his mother , but of the elements , the which hee r●stored to them again 〈◊〉 his resurr●ct●●n , and so hee went into heaven 〈◊〉 any ●ody , or 〈…〉 lib. . cap. , aug. and philast. . . he taught with other heretikes that there were two gods , a good and a bad god . but he did not ●each that these two gods were two b●ginings , bu● one beginning ; for the good god made the bad god , and hee being bad made the world bad like himsel●e . a●g. de hae 〈◊〉 cap. ● . . he said that the prophets did contradict one another in their prophesies , because some of them had the spirit of the good god , and some of the bad , euseb. lib. . hist. eccl. cap . he put out these words . ie iohn . cap. . ver. and . quicunque spiritus ●r●fitetu● i●sum christum in carne venisse ex d●o est . &c. i. e. every spirit that confesseth iesus christ to have come in flesh is of god . &c. for these words doe prove the incarnation of christ , and con●u●● his first heresie , niceph , hist , eccl , lib , cap . xv montanus about the year . . affirmed , . that he had the holy ghost and that the apostles had not . . he did bap●●se the dead . . he did allow the first marriages , but not the second , and permitted them who were married to be seperated when they themselves would . . he did take away repentance , affirming that sinners could never have their sins pardoned by repentance . . that the apostles and prophets understood not any thing that they had written , but were areptitii . euseb. lib. . cap. . & . epipha . theodoretus . socrates . heretikes in the third century . xvi elchesitae , anno dom. or therabouts . they had their name from el●hesae an arabian , they defended the same heresies with the ebionites , and said that it was no sin to deny christ in the time of persecution , if then they did resolve in their hearts that they would be constant in the faith of christ , for god say they , doth regard more the heart then the tongue . euseb. hist. eccl. lib. . cap. . xvii melchisedechiani ann. . they thought that melchisedech was not a meer man , but a power of god greater then christ ; because that christ was of the order of melchisedech , psa , , ver , : aug , lib , de haeresi●us et epiph , haeres , . xviii novatus and novatiani , circ . ann , , they were also called {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} , i. e , puritanes . for they thought themselves purer then others . . they would not receive any into the church after they had denyed christ , albeit they did repent . cyprian . in epist. contra novatianum . . they taught that repentance will not profit them who sin after baptisme . philast. . lib. de haeresibus . , they did rebaptize them who had beene baptised of the catholikes . and . they would not receive them into their congregation who were married to a second wife after their baptisme . euseb. lib. , cap. , aug. de haeresibus . xix . sabelius an. . vel . circ . hee was the schollar of nce●us , these two and peraxeas , and hermogenes with them , did confound both the number and difference of the persons in the blessed trinity : for they defended that the father , son , and holy ghost , were but one person , who had three names , and who was sometimes called the father , sometimes the son , and sometimes the holy ghost . hee in the old testament as god the father did give the law . he in the new testament as god the son was made man , and died . he in the time of pen●ecost as god the holy ghost came downe on the apostles . nic●ph . lib. , cap. , these hereticks were also called patropassiani , because they say that god the father died for us . aug. serm. , dominicae post festam trinitatis . xx . samosatenus , ann. . hee was borne in syria and followed the hersies of cerinthus and ebion . . he taught that the son of god came not down from heaven , but had his beginning in the womb of the virgin . aug. in catalogo hereticorum . . that the son of god is not a person , neither is hee eternall as his father is , nor the substantiall word of his father . but is as a word that is uttered by the mouth , and so passeth away with the breath thereof , philast. . de haeresibus . yet this son of god ( saith he ) was a just man , and by reason of his good life might bee thought rather to have deserved the name of god then any other man . niceph. lib. , cap. . xxi . manes from whom came the manichies . he was borne in persia , hee lived at the same time with s●mosatenus . hee said that himselfe was borne of a virgin , and that hee was both christ and the holy ghost . the which that he might the better perswade others , he made choice of of his disciples and sent them to preach the opinion he maintained . euseb. seb . l. , c. . the doctrine of the manichies was compounded of many old haeresies . as . that the soule of man is either the substance of god , or of the substance of god . . that warre is altogether unlawfull , and this their opinion made them to blame moses for waging warre . aug. lib. . contra faustum . cap. . . that beasts have not only sence , but reason and understanding as well as men . . that there were two beginnings which are eternall , viz god and mat●er . the one ( ●ay they ) is good , the other bad , the one is light the other darknesse , and the prince of darknesse the devill they call materiae principem , i. e. the prince of matter . . that the body is evill by nature , for it came from the evill beginning , and so did flesh , and therefore flesh must not be eaten . . that the devill is evill by nature , and so are all other creatures , for they were made of the bad god , and so bread is the devills creature , wherefore it can bee no sacrament of the body of christ . . that christ was not a true man , nor came out of the virgins womb , but he had a phantasticall body ; for ( say they ) it is not fit that so great a majesty , should passe through the filth that is in a womans body . vincentius lirinensis . . that there is no day of judgement to come . . that the old law is evill . . that marriages are unlawfull . ● that sins come from an evill minde , and therefore cannot bee avoided , for there are two minds in every man , a good and a bad mind . the good mind they call a reasonable soule , and this they would have to come from the good god ; the bad minde they called the concupisence of the flesh , & this ( say they ) cam from the bad god , because when sins come from the bad mind wee have not free wil to hinder thē . . they did not admit of the old testament , nor receive the apostles writings in the new testament , but did call their owne opinions the gospell of christ . they did also boast of their owne particular illuminations from heaven , and that they could give the holy ghost . lastly they rejected all civill jurisdiction , affirming that marriage and the governments of kingdomes , and of common wealths were ordained by the evill god . eus●b . lib. . cap. . suidas . epiph. socrates . aug. niceph. eccles. hist. lib. . cap. . heretikes in the fourth century . xxii arius , and the arians , anno dom. . or there abouts . he was a priest of alexandria , he taught , . that the son of god was like unto god in name only , but not in substance . philast. . de h●●resibus . . that the father , son , and holy ghost , are not of the same nature , power , and majesty . for the father alone is the invisible god , and he alone is to be worshiped . the son may be called god , but he is a created god . he may be called the son of god , but he is the son of god by adoption , and not by nature , for ther was a time when he had no being at all . , that the son of god was the first creature that ever god made , and was made of those things which have no existence , and is the most excellent , of all creatures . , that the son of god is the instrument of god his father , by whom he made all other creatures , but yet he doth not know his fathers secrets , nor comprehend his nature and essence . , that the son is not infinite as his father is , for when he conversed in the world with men he was not then in heaven with his father , and that the kingdome of the son of god shall end with the world . , that the holy ghost is a creature created of the son of god , and doth know neither the nature or secrets either of the father or of the son , but is much inferior in nature and dignitie unto them both , and is their servant and subject . august . amb. athanasius ▪ basil , hilar. hierom . socrates . theod. niceph. lib. , c , , . cassiodorus , tripartit● hist. lib , c , , , , . xxiii aerivs , and the aerians , anno . or near it . . they would have no set dayes of fasting , but they thought it fit that every one should be left to his owne liberty to fast when he himselfe would , left they might bee said to be under the law and not under grace . . they affirmed that bishops and priests were not distinguished the one from the other , but were equall both in degree and authority . . that none were to be received unto the holy communion but they who were continent and had renounced the world . epiph. aug. and philast. . de haeresibus . xxiii donatus , and the donatists , about the year . . t●ey beleeved that the true church of christ was no where but in affrick , and that there and no where else baptism was rightly administred . . that the sacraments were holy and effectuall when they were received at the hands of holy men , and not otherwise . . that their sect was without sin . and. ● that they were not to have any societie with them who had fallen into any sin . aug & optatus mil●vitanu● . xxv macedonius , and the macedonians , anno. , or therabout . they said that the son of g●d was like the father in substance and in all things , but that the holy ghost was unlike unto the father and son , and a meer creature , yet they preferrd him before the angells . russinus lib. hist , eccl , cap , , aug , lib , de haeresibus . cap , , , xxvi . apollinarius and his followers anno. . or there abouts . . that christ in his incarnation did a●●ume a body without a soule , or if he had a soule , yet it was no reasonable soule , but that god the word was instead of it . . hee brought that body wit● him from heav●n , and made it of the same substance with his divine nature , and that this body when it came on the earth was passible , visible and mortall . . that sin is a part of mans essence , and that therefore if christ had beene a perfect man hee must needs have 〈◊〉 a sinner ▪ gregor. nazianz in epist. ad . nectarium . basil. epist. ● . hi●ron . in catalogo . socrates ▪ so●omenus . ruffinus . xxvii priscillianus and his followers , anno . or ther abouts . was a spaniard , he gathered many heresies out of the writings of those heretikes who were before his time . . he and they were of opinion ( with o●igen ) that the soules sin'd before their infusion into the bodies . . they thought ( with tatianus and the encratitae ) that the eating of flesh was an uncleane thing . . with the gnosticks and the manichies they made two gods , one good and another bad . ut supra . . they confounded the persons of the b. trinity , with sabellinus . . they were of opinion ( with bardesanes ) that every man had his fatall star , and that our bodies were compounded according to the operation of the twelve signes in the z●diack . . they thought it no sinne to swear and forswear rather then to reveale the things they taught . aug. de hae●esibus . & hieron ▪ in chronico . xxviii . jovinius & the iovinians , an. . or neere about . he was a monke at rome contemporary with s. ierom , hee and his tribe defended . . that it was lawfull for all men to eate all meates at all times , albeit they were forbidden by the ecclesiasticall lawes . aug. lib. de haeresibus ad quod vul● deum , cap. ▪ . that in this life there is no disparity of merit , nor any disparity of glory in the life to come , but that all should bee rewarded alike in heaven . . that they who have a full and perfect faith when they are regenerate by baptisme cannot sin any more after baptis●e . . that the b. virgin was carnally known of her husband ioseph , af●er the birth of christ , hieron. libris duobus contra iovinianum . aug ▪ ut supra ▪ aquinas in tractatu contra detrahent . religion ▪ cap. . sabellicus lib. . septim ▪ eneadis . xxix anthropomorphitae . they lived & set abroach their heresies at the same time with iovinian . . they thought that go● had the forme and members of a man , because that god is said to have made man after his own image & likeness , gen ▪ . . . they seperated themsel●es from the church because userers and wicked men were su●fered therein , ●●eodoretus . lib. . cap , aug. ad quod valt deum epiph. niceph. helvidius , and the helvidians , anno. . or near abouts . these were at the same time with the anthropomcrphites , and were called antid●comari●ae , because they opposed the perpetuall virginity of the b. virgin . mary the mother of god ; for they affirmed that shee had children by ioseph her husband after the birth of christ : and this they would prove mat , ● , ver , vslt wher ch●ist is called the first born son of the b. virgin . and iohn , ● , and cap , , , epiph , lib , , tom , , hieron cont , h●lv , aug , her , . heretikes in the fift century . pelagius , and the pelagians . anno. dom. . he was borne in great britany . he with his scholars hel● these assertions . . that the nature of man after the fall of our first parents was good , and not corrupted , especially the soule of man , and therfore infants were born without si● , and needed no baptisme , but yet it was fit that they should be baptized , that they might be honored with the sacrament of adoption . . that the lust of the flesh was no sin , but a natural good , and that sin was not propagated unto mankind by generation , but by innitiation only ; neither could infants sin , for all sin , is voluntary . . that sin , is not the death , but the condition of nature ; adam then should have died if he had never sinned . . that all men have free will by nature , not onely in all naturall and morall , but in all spirituall things . . that the beginning of our salvation is in our selves , and we may attaine grace of regeneration in christ by our naturall faculties , if we aske , seeke , and knock for the same . . that faith is a generall worke of nature , and no speciall work of grace , and perseverance in faith is in our selves . . that the love of god and of our neighbour , and all our christian virtues are of our selves , and not of god . . that the prayers of the church are not necessary , seeing whatsoever we pray for , we may obtain without prayer ; for god doth give his grace unto every one according to his own 〈◊〉 . lastly , that men neede ●ot commit any sin except they will themselves . aug. lib. de 〈…〉 prosp. de ingratis . hilarius arelatensis . maxentius cont. hormisdam . xxii . predestinati , ann. . or thereabouts . they had this name given them because in their disputations upon predestination this was their assertion , viz. good works will doe men no good at all , if by god they be predestinated unto death and damnation ; neither will bad workes hurt wicked men if by god they bee predestinated unto eternall life and salvation . by which this their assertion they did hinder many men from doing good works , and did stir up wicked men to heap sin upon sin . sigibertus in his chronicles . vincentius lib. , cap. , & luceburgensis . xxxiii . nestorius , and 〈◊〉 disciples , about the yeare . nestorius , archbishop of constantinople , and anastatius his priest , theodorus mopsuetanus and the rest of that most wicked sect did teach ( with cerinthus ) that the b. v●rgin bare in her womb a meere man , who had onely the nature of a man , and was a man in his person , and that therefore the said virgin was not the mother of god , but the mother of christ . neither was the nativity , passion , resurrection , or assension of christ , more then humane , yet ( say they ) the son of god was united unto the son of man , not substantially , by communicating unto him his hypostasis or substance , but accidentally , by habitation , vnion , operation and participation . by habitation , for the eternall word or son of god dwelt in the man christ as in his temple , we find himselfe saying , dissolve this temple , and in three dayes i will rayse it . ioh. , ● , we have it p●ophesied of him esa. , , they shall call his name emmanuel . i. e. god with us , or god dwelling in us . and his best beloved historiographer records of him . the word was made flesh and dwelt in us . ioh. . . by vnion not onely of his will but of his love also ; for the son of man was united both in his will and in his love unto the son of god , they did will and love alwayes the same things , even as man and wife doe , who do love one another . by operation , for the man christ was alwayes the instrument which the word or son of god did use in the doing of all his great miracles . by participation , because the son of god did give unto the son of man both his name and dignity , for he would have him to be called both god and the son of god , and to bee adored of all his creatures , not for his owne sake , as he was the son of man , but for his sake who was the son of god , and who did communicate unto him both his name and dignity . socrates . lib. , cap. . evagrius lib. , cap. , &c. theodoretus lib. , de haereticis fabul●● . xxiv . eutiches , and the eutychiani , an. . he was abbot of constantinopl●● he with his ass●ciates maintained these heresies . . that in christ after his incarnation , there was and is but one nature , and this one nature was made of his divinity and his flesh , by the turning of the divinity into the flesh , and this divinity of christ was borne , suffered , and was dead and buried . . that the flesh of christ is not of the same nature with our flesh , neither was the word or son of god turned into true flesh , but into flesh in shew and appearance only , so that the word did rather faigne himselfe a man , who was borne and died , then that he was borne and died indeed . for ( say they ) it stood not with the majesty and excellency of god to become true flesh , or to bee borne , to suffer , and to die ind●ed and truth . flavianus in epist. ad leo . leo papain epist. ad leo imper. theod. lib. , de haereticis fabulis . evagrius lib. , cap. . & lib. , cap. , & . & alibi . xxxv theopaschite , an. . petrus gnaphaeus bishop of antioch was the author of this heresy . hee and his sect taught that god was crucified , and by god they understood the whole trinity . evagrius lib. , cap. , and , & theodoret in collecta●eis . xx . monophisitae . there were another sect of the theopaschites , called monophisitae , because they affirmed that there was but one nature of the word and his flesh , after the ineffable v●ion therof , which made them also say ( with the first sort ) that god suffered and was crucified . niceph. lib. . cap. . and . heretikes in the sixt century . xxxvii apthordocitae , ann do. ● or thereabouts . they were of opinion that the flesh of christ tooke of the blessed virgin was incorruptible before his passion ; wee ( say they ) carry about us by necessity of nature the affections of nature , as hunger , thirst , wearinesse , anguish , and the like , but christ who suffered of his owne acord was not subject to the same lawes of nature with us . niceph. lib. . cap. . greg. lib. , epist. . heretikes in the seventh century . xxxviii . sergius , the author of the monothelites . anno . vel circ . the author of the monothelites , he was patriarch of constantinople , and taught that there were two wills in christ , a divine and an humane will before the vnion of his natures , but after the vnion hee had but one will and one nature , whence it came to passe that the divinity suffered those things which did belong unto the humanity , and the humanity did appropriate unto it those things which did belong unto the divinity . niceph. lib. , cap. . xxxix . sergius , the master of mahomet . an. . vel circ . some contend that hee was the same with the former , but whether hee were or not hee was author of two heresies , the minothelites and the mahumetans , wherefore let him ( a● least his name ) shall stand i● the front of them both . he was a monk , he embraced , the heresie of arius and nestorius , for which he was banished . hee comming into arabia fell acquainted with mahomet the false prophet , him hee taught to misinterpret many places both in the old and new testament , out of which false interpretations of theirs , they did coine a new religion , which was neither wholly christian , nor wholly jewish , but was compounded of them both , rejecting in both religions those things which they disliked : and this newest religion is called mahumetisme . pomponius laetus . iohan. baptista egnatius . hee in arabia among the hagarenes and saracens was both a king and a prophet . hee denied the trinity with sabellinus : he said it was ridiculous to thinke that christ was god , and therefore with arrius and eunomius hee taught him to be a creature , and with carpocrates to bee an holy prophet . hee maintained with cedron that it was impossible that god should have a son becaus he had no wife . hee denyed with the manichies that christ was crucified , but saith hee , one was cified in his place who was very like him . with the originists he wil have the divels to be saved at the end of the world , & with the anthropomorphites hee will have god to have the form and members of a man , with cerinthus hee places the chiefest felicity of man in bodily pleasures , and with ebion hee doth admit of circumcision , and with the encratitae hee forbids the use of wine . first hee saith that the alcoran was made of the holy ghost , and their sins shall never be forgiven who believe it not , as also that christians and jewes who contradict it , cannot be saved . , in his alcoran he maketh friday his sabboth day , permitteth a man to have . . or . wives , forbiddeth the eating of swines flesh ; teacheth that beasts shall rise againe at the last day as well as men , and that baptisme is not necessary . circumciseth none before they be seven or eight yeers old . . he denieth that the eucharist is to be kept in remembrance of the death of christ , for christ ( saith he ) was not put to death , but he affirmeth that this eucharist is of god , and that it hath great force to confirme those who receive it reverently in ●aith and good workes , as also that they are damned who commit any great sin after the receiving of it . hee hath his religious men , who preach , and expound the alcoran , who are called muphtii , cadii , and telemeani . mahomets heaven . the blessed mahumetanes he saith ) shal live under the shadow of the best trees : they shall bee cloathed in silke apparrell , and adorned with goodly rings , chaines , and bracelets of gold and precious stones . they shall eat the sweetest fruits , and the daintiest foules , and their drinke shall bee the best wine , the which shall neither cause drunkenn●sse nor headach , they shall lie on soft bedds and pillowes , and their bedds shall be covered with the fairest tapestry . they shall have to their wives most beautifull virgins , which shall cast their eyes on none but their husbands , whom they shal love alone . in these pleasures shall they live for ever . mahomets hell . they who believe not the alcoran shall be punished in hell , and be there tormented for ever with pitch , fire , and brimstone : they shall eat such meates as shall put them to great pain , and the drinke that they shall drink shall bee made of divers kindes of fire . ricoldus in his computation of the lawes of mahomet . bartholomeus hungarius . iohannes de turrecremata . and gulielmus postels in their bookes against the mahumetans , saracens , &c. and in the alcoran translated out of the arabick into the latine tongue by thoeaor . bibliander . heretikes in the eight centurie . xl . albanenses , an. . he taught , . that the old testament came from an evill god , and the new testament from a good god . . that god did not create new soules , nor infuse them into mens bodies , but they went from body to body , viz. so soon as a man dieth , his soule goeth into another body , and giveth life , sense , and motion unto it . . that there is no resurrection of the body , and that the generall judgement is already past . . that before the incarnation of christ , there was no good man , no not adam , moses , or any of the prophets . . that ther are no hell torments , but only those that wee suffer in this world . . that the world ever was and ever shall be in the same estate that now it is . . that god hath no prescience of any evill , but cometh to the knowledge of it by the devill . antonius , parte summae tit : . cap. . in the , , and , centuries , there is mention made of few or none heretikes but berengarius , and even him the reformed churches affirme to have taught the truth . heretikes in the twelfth centurie . xli p●trus de bruis & henricus , an. . or thereabouts . their schollers were called petrobusians and henricia●s . they taught , . that infants can have no good by baptisme because they want reason and faith to believe the word of god , which is preached unto them . . that those infants which are baptised must bee baptised againe , when they come to yeares of discretion . . thirdly that the supper of the lord is not to bee given to men in these dayes , for it was once given by christ himselfe unto the apostles only bernard . epist. . & petrus abbas cluniacensis . xlii . petrus abelardus , ann. . or thereabouts . hee was a french man , in a french synode convicted of these heresies . . that the whole nature and essence of god may be comprehended by the reas●n of man , and whatsoever god doth , he doth it by a naturall necessity . . god is not the author of all good , neither can the saints in heaven see his essence . . there is som●hing else besides the creator and the creature , and that is eternall . . the holy ghost is not of the same substance with the father , but he is the soule of the world . platina : bernardus ●larevallensis , frisingensis , & p●trus pergamenus , his table annexed to the workes of aquinas . heretikes in the thirteenth century albigensis , anno . their heresies began to spred first in the city of t●louse , in n●rbon , in france . . that ther are two beginnings , god and the devill : god cr●ated the soules of men , and the divell the bodies . . to go to church and to pray there , will doe us no good . . the soules of the dead doe g●e into the bodies of beasts and serpents , if men doe live ill ; but if they live well , then they goe to the ●odies of princes and great men . . that the church ought not to possesse any thing in proper but in common only : lucclburgius : antoninus : vincentius , & caesarius cis● . in dial . almaricus , xlvi . he was a french man , & commenced doctor at paris , he held . . that god spake as well in ovid , as in austen . . ther is no resurrection of the body , no heaven , no hell , but he who hath the knowledge of god within him , he hath heaven within him , & he who hath great sins within him , hath hell within him . . adam & eve should ne●er have been married , if they h●d continued in the state of 〈◊〉 , neither should there have been any difference of sex betweene them , but mankind should have increased as angells doe . . god cannot be seen in himselfe , but in his creaturs , as light is seen in the aire . caesarius cisteriensis lib. dial . distinct . . lucelburgius ganguinus , vincentius . heretikes in the fourteenth century . xlv . begardi and beguinae , anno. . begardi , were monks which kept in low germany , and beguinae were women that lived here in a nunnery , as long as they themselves would , for they made no expr●sse vow to forsake the world . . they held , that men may in this life bee as happy as they may bee in heaven , i. e. they may come to such perfection , that they may be in this world without sinne , and attaine that measure of grace , that they cannot increase in grace . . that the soule of man is blessed in its selfe by nature , without the grace of god ; and therefore it needeth no light of glory to enlighten it to see god , that in the sight and fruition of him it may be blessed . . ●o kisse a woman when nature doth not incline unto it , is a great sin ; but to lie with a woman when nature and the lust of the flesh provokes , is no sin . . a man having attained unto the state of perfection , is not subject to any law of man , neither is hee tied any more to fast , and pray to god . alphar●● lib. , de plancta eccl. bernar. b●rtho●omeus caranza in summa concili●● . heretikes in the fifteenth cen●●ry . xlvi . adamitae . there were two sorts of ad●mitae ; one had their name given them of one adam , who lived in the second century . whensoever ( saith epiphanius ) these met together at prayers , or on any other publike occasion , they were naked . their churches were hot houses , under the ground : before they went into their churches , every one of them did put off their cloathes in a roome by the church doore . if any had committed any sin , they would not admit him any more into their congregations ; ●or they said , that he was adam , who had eaten of the forbidden fruit ; and therefore deserved to bee thrust out of paradise , i. e. to be put out of their church ; for they thought their church to be paradise , and themselves to bee adam , and eve . epiph. haeres . . adamitae , an. . the second sort of adimites had their name of one picka●d , who going out of gallobelgia into bohemia , became an adamite , and renewed the form●r heresie of the adamites ; hee at his first comming into bohemia , did draw great multitudes of men and women after him , whom hee commanded to goe naked , and these hee called adamites , th●se hee perswaded that hee was the son of god , and willed to call him adam . this adam was content that his adamites should have the company of what men and women they would , so that first his consent was obtained . if a man were in love with any woman , he came with her hand in hand unto adam , and said i am in love with this woman ; then said adam , take her unto thee , goe together , increase , and multiply . and because adam and eve were naked before they sinned , therfore they goe naked ; and for that adam did not know eve untill he had sinned ; th●rfore they account it a sin to marry , and are perswaded that marriage had never been , if adam had never sinned . they celebrate their sacraments naked , and man and woman accompany together naked , and they think as the old adamites did , that their church is paradise . aeneas silvius in lib. . de ori●gine bohemorum . cap. . heretiks in the sixteenth century . xlvii anabaptists , an. . about this time ( saith sleiden speaking of these anabaptists ) there was a sect of certain men , who said that they had talked with god , and that hee had commanded them to kill all wicked men , that only good and godly men might live and governe the world . of these anabaptists there were many kinds , and all of th●m pr●f●sse such d●ctrine , as is neither to be endur●d in the church , or common-wealth , or in the government of the household . first anabaptisticall articles not to bee suffer●d in the church , are , ● . that christ did not assume the flesh of the virgin mary , but brought it with him from heaven . ● . that christ is not true god ; but that hee is the b●st of all saints , because hee received more gift of the holy ghost then they . . that 〈◊〉 unbaptis●d , are no sinners in the sight of god , but are just and innocent , and by this their innocency , th●y are saved without baptisme . . that infants are not to be ●aptis●d untill they have reason and di●creti●n , for the childr●n of chr●stians are holy wit●out b●ptisme , and the children of god . . that that is no true chr●stian c●urch , in which any sinners are to be found . lastly , that no s●rmons are to b●e heard in those churches , wherein pop●sh masse hath beene . secondly , anabaptisticall articles ●ot to bee 〈◊〉 in the commo● w●alth , are . . that the office of the magistrate pleaseth not god , neither can any christian with a safe conscience be a mag●strate , neither ought any subj●ct to implore the aid of the magistrate for his defence . . that a christian may not safely use any oath at all , neither ought any subject to ta●e any oath of all●ag●a●ce unto his prince , nor sweare or promise any ●ealty or obedience . . that the magistrates living in the time of the new testament , may not with a safe conscience put to death or punish any malefactors ▪ lastly , anabaptisticall articles not to bee suffered in the oeconomy o● houshold government . . that a god●y man may not with a saf● conscience have any goods of his owne but whatsoev●r goods he hath , he must make them common . . that a chr●stian man may not be a victualler , nor a m●rchant , n●r make any w●apons . . that it is lawfull to divorce the hus●and and the wi●e if they be not of the same religion , and to mary them unto any other persons that doe not discent from them in religion . lib : concordiae . sleidan . schluss●lburgius to● . . xlviii . gasper 〈◊〉 , & his disciples . anno. hee came of a noble family in 〈◊〉 , and was a man of good 〈◊〉 before hee fe●l i●t● these h●resies . . that the outward ministry of the word is not nec●ssary , neither doth outward baptisme further regeneration ; neither in the lords supp●r are the body and bloud of christ exhibited in the bread and wine . . that the human nature of chr●st is no cr●ature , but after his resurrection was every way 〈◊〉 unto his divine nature . that the ministry of a vicious pri●st or minist●r is not ●ff●ctuall unto the salvation of his auditory , all●●it h●e preacheth n●ver so w●ll , ●r administreth the sacraments according to the institution of christ . lib. concordiae , bucolcerus , a●d schluss●l●urgus , tom. . xlix . the new samosatenians . an. . the author of this sect was michael 〈◊〉 , his followers were georgius bla●drata , fransiscus david , and many others in transilvania ; their opinion is compounded of many ancient 〈…〉 . in god there is no distinction of persons . serve● . lib. , trin. p●g . , & ministri transilvani . lib. . cap. . and this was the 〈…〉 sabellius , samosatenus , a●d many others , ut supra . . christ before his incarnation , was nothing but an idea in the mind of god . serve● . lib. , 〈◊〉 . pag. , and this was likewise taught by cerinthus and e●ion , irenaeus . lib. , cap. ● . and , as also by samosa●enus . 〈◊〉 . heres. , and . . the divinity that christ hath , was communicated unto him by god , not by eternall generation , but by the u●ction of grace , and by inhabitation : and thus christ may bee called god , but he is a made god , and hee is a temporall , but no eternall god . blandrata disput. . alba . & ministri hungarici . lib. . cap. , and this was part of the heresie of nestorius as wee may see in theodoret. lib. , here . fabula●um , and in other heretikes , ut supra . l. the new arrians , ann. . or thereabouts . these came from valentius gentilis , who was one of the schollars of servetus , they taught . . that there are three eternall spirits , the father , son and holy ghost , which differ in number and essence , val g●ntilis p●othesi , , and , and this is also recorded by aretius in his history of the punishment of val. gentilis . this was the opinion of the hereticks called peratae , in theodoret. lib. , cap. . haereticarum fabularum , and of iohan●s philoponus the heretike niceph , lib. . cap. . . they taught that these three persons were not equall , but that the father was far above the other two , so that he might be called essentiator , and the other two essentiati . i. e. he that had his essence of hims●lfe alone , and the other their ●ssence from him . gen●ilis lib. antido●o . f●l . . wher he saith , that it is the property of the father to be called the one & only god ; and so the new triheites went from 〈…〉 a●rius , for arrius was the first that taught that the fath●r was l●sse then the sonne . epip● . haeres . . . they say that the son of god was not of nothing , neither that he was begotten in time , but from all eternitie of the substance of his father , gent. prothes . and this was the opinion of the new arians in austins time . the later arrians granted that the son was eternall with the father , albeit arius was of another mind . aug● lib. . trin. cap. . & lib. . t●init . maximus doth conf●sse as aug : there saith , that the son was not of nothing , but was begotten of the substance of his fath●r . and this was the judgement of the councell held at ariminum● &c. post-script . and now , sir , i could wish that these heretikes survived only in paper , but alas they are all lived over againe , though they seeme not at this res●ssitation to have so bright ●scendants as ●t their birth , for then many approved wits , and persons of r●verend name ●ere given over to believe these lies , now few besides narr●ow indigested souls ●un after them : a providence that promises they will the sooner find their graves , for the vulgar are still as covetous of novelty , as of your com●●ands is . sir , your most humble servant r. b. finis . itinerarium totius sacræ scripturæ, or, the travels of the holy patriarchs, prophets, judges, kings, our saviour christ and his apostles, as they are related in the old and new testaments with a description of the towns and places to which they travelled, and how many english miles they stood from jerusalem : also, a short treatise of the weights, monies, and measures mentioned in the scriptures, reduced to our english valuations, quantity, and weight / collected out of the works of henry bunting ; and done into english by r.b. itinerarium sacrae scripturae, das ist, ein reisebuch uber die gantze heilige schrifft. english. bünting, heinrich, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) itinerarium totius sacræ scripturæ, or, the travels of the holy patriarchs, prophets, judges, kings, our saviour christ and his apostles, as they are related in the old and new testaments with a description of the towns and places to which they travelled, and how many english miles they stood from jerusalem : also, a short treatise of the weights, monies, and measures mentioned in the scriptures, reduced to our english valuations, quantity, and weight / collected out of the works of henry bunting ; and done into english by r.b. itinerarium sacrae scripturae, das ist, ein reisebuch uber die gantze heilige schrifft. english. bünting, heinrich, - . brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], [i.e. ], [ ] p. printed by j. harefinch for t. basset ..., london : mdclxxxii [ ] translation of: itinerarium sacrae scripturae, das ist, ein reisebuch uber die gantze heilige schrifft. "the epistle dedicatory" and "preface to the reader" signed: r.b. 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be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng bible -- geography -- early works to . coins in the bible -- early works to . weights and measures, jewish -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion itinerarivm totius sacrae scripturae : or , the travels of the holy patriarchs , prophets , judges , kings , our saviour christ and his apostles , as they are related in the old and new testaments . with a description of the towns and places to which they travelled , and how many english miles they stood from ierusalem . also , a short treatise of the weights , monies , and measures mentioned in the scriptures , reduced to our english valuations , quantity , and weight . collected out of the works of henry bvnting , and done into english by r. b. london , printed by i. harefinch , for t. basset , at the george in fleet-street , near st. dunstan's church , mdclxxxii . to the right honourable sr. hen. mountague knight , lord chief justice of the kings majesties bench . it is a true saying of the philosopher ( right honourable , and my very good lord ) that there is nothing wherein there is life , but it hath either motion or action ; and such is the condition of man , that a greater measure of both is imposed upon him , to humble him , than upon many other creatures : the whole course of his life being compared unto a pilgrimage , in which state a man can presume upon no certain continuance . for , as a traveller that intendeth to finish his journey , stays not in his inn , but desires more to be upon his way than in his bed ; so it is with man , who cannot possess himself in rest , from the time of his birth until his death , and oftentimes is troubled with needless and unprofitable labours , to attain unto his ends ; which got , both they and he perish . let alexander , that great emperour , be a president of this ; who with much labour , having got a great estate , enjoyed it but a short time : and you may read in this treatise , with what intolerable pains antigonus epiphanes endeavoured to establish his kingdom to him ; and yet in the end purchased little but a lamentable death . there is none of the patriarchs , princes , judges , kings , prophets , apostles , or others mentioned in the scriptures , that could make evident in the whole course of their life , any better than a laborious and tedious pilgrimage . with what pains did abraham wander from chaldea into the land of canaan ? how was moses tormented in the wilderness , almost to the loss of his soul ? but absolutely never to come into the promised land. and for david , how miserably lived he , when he could not trust his own friends ? this is the state of man ; and to say truth , he differs in little ( beside reason ) from other creatures ; and that either lock'd up in silence , or not express'd in some memorable action , makes him so much the more capable of misery ; being only able to distinguish of joy and fear . now that these things may be the more apparent , i have endeavoured to collect , out of the works of others , this treatise ; wherein is briefly described the travels of all the patriarchs , iudges , kings , prophets , princes , &c. together with the condition of cities , countreys , islands , and other memorable places , as they are mentioned in the old and new testaments . all which , that i might express that duty which hath a long time lain concealed , i have wholly dedicated to your lordships service ; humbly intreating your favourable acceptance of my pains ; that so being shrouded under your honour's protection , they may the better withstand the adverse opinions of such as please to censure them . at your honour's service , r. b. the preface to the reader . it hath always been held a matter worth note ( gentle reader ) even to the best divines , to have the typographical description of the towns and places , as they are mentioned in the scriptures ; and so much the rather , because by comparing the actions of men with the beginnings and endings of cities , they might the better understand the prophets , and perceive the wonderful providence of god ; who by his omnipotency so disposeth of estates , that such cities and nations which have been mighty , and ruled upon the earth with great power , notwithstanding on a sudden , and by unexpected events , have been utterly subverted and overthrown . now , that these things might be more apparent , i have , in as good and brief a method as i can , gathered out of sundry authors , the particular description of the cities , towns , and places , as they are mentioned in the scriptures , where they stood , under whose command , at what time they grew mighty , and how lost and decayed . to this also i have added a particular narration of the travels of all the holy patriarchs , prophets , princes , iudges , kings , emperours , our blessed saviour and his apostles : to what towns they travelled , what memorable actions they did in those places ; with a short chronology of the times : that so by comparing this discourse with any text of scripture , you may perceive the time when those accidents happened . all which things ( i am perswaded ) will prove no less pleasant than profitable , and will give a great light to the understanding of the bible . but if you question with me , how it is possible that i should come to the knowledge of those things , considering that babylon , niniveh , jerusalem , and most of the cities of the holy-land , are long since wasted and decayed ? to this i answer ; therein consists the greatness of the travel , because i have been constrained to use the help of many authors , who , amongst other long and learned discourses , have here and there glanced at the actions that were done in the land of judaea : amongst which are strabo , jerom , de locis hebraicis , plinie , livie , plutarch , and many others , who have described in the actions of the persians , chaldeans , graecians and romans , the state of the jews as it stood in those times , with the description of the cities and towns. and saint jerom , who lived in that country , took a great deal of pains to rectifie these imperfect discourses , which more obscure authors have laboured in , and left to future ages ; that so those which would , might by their diligence and care , make them useful to inform their understanding , both concerning the state of the. jews , and of the obscure meaning of some of the prophecies . also the scituation and destruction of jerusalem , a thing pleasant and profitable to know , and no whit unworthy your consideration . how all or the most part of the towns , cities , countries , nations , islands , seas , desarts , mountaines , and most memorable places , are scituated from it ; how many miles english they stand distant , what memorable actions have been done in them , and for the most part where they stood , and how they are at this day . besides ( to make this a perfect work ) you will find after the end of the old testament , and before the beginning of the new ; the discourse concerning the weights , measures , and monies which are mentioned in the scriptures , reduced unto our valuation , how they were current among the jews , how with other people , nations , and countries : by which means that necessity of commutative iustice , for which monies were principally invented , will be apparent ; and by this meanes you shall perceive what equality there is and hath been used amongst nations , for the ordaining of measures and monies ; by which you may perceive , that this vniverse being compared together , seemeth but one large and spacious empire , howsoever under divers governments . again , the peregrination of our saviour , the manner of his wonderful nativity , his long and tedious iourneys , the condition of his estate whiles he was upon the earth , and ( as near as can be guest ) at what time he did most of his miracles ; how he behaved himself when he was betrayed , with a description of the manner of his death : and the travels of peter , paul , and many other of his apostles after his death . all which things i have with much labour compiled together for your profit , and expect nothing in recompence for my pains , but your love. and so i commit you to god. yours , r. b. a brief declaration of geometrical measvres . a degree of the heavens is fifteen german or dutch miles ; one minute is one quarter of a dutch mile : so that four minutes make a dutch mile . diversity of miles . a dutch mile is four thousand paces : the spanish miles be very near so long as the dutch. a french mile is two thousand paces : a walloon , or italian mile is a thousand paces ; so that four walloon miles make a dutch mile . the word mile is derived from the latine word mille ; for one thousand paces make a walloon mile , as gualtherus h. revius writeth . of stades or furlongs . the word stadium in latin , in english a furlong , is a measure of ground , whereof there be three sorts , italicum , olympicum , pyth●cum : that of italy contained feet , which is paces , half a quarter of an italian mile . the second sort was of the hill olympus in greece , where was a game or prize kept by the princes and cities of greece every fifth year , in the honour of hercules , who first began it . this measure of ground , stadium olympicum , contained feet , that is , paces . the third kind of stade or furlong contained feet , which is paces ; whereof haply arose the difference of pliny and diodorus siculus in describing sicily . what a furlong is . fifteen dutch miles make a degree , and a degree of the heavens answereth to furlongs upon earth ; whereby it is manifest , that furlongs is a german , or common dutch mile . one minute equalleth eight furlongs , which make an italian or walloon mile , the fourth part of a dutch mile . two minutes of the heavens , or sixteen furlongs , make a dutch mile . four , half of a dutch mile . three minutes equal stades or furlongs , which make three quarters of a dutch mile . four minutes equal furlongs , that is to say , a german or dutch mile . the holy evangelists , s. luke , cap. ver . . and s. iohn , c. . ver . . reckon the way by furlongs . s. luke saith , the town emaus was distant from ierusalem sixty furlongs : and st. iohn saith , bethania was fifteen furlongs distant from ierusalem . whence it appeareth , that emaus was distant from ierusalem almost two dutch miles , seven walloon miles and a half ; and bethania almost half a dutch mile , which is a mile , a half , and half a quarter . iosephus writeth , that mount olivet was distant from ierusalem five furlongs , that is a little more than half a quarter of a dutch mile , which is half an italian mile and half a quarter . the same iosephus saith , that the circuit of the city of ierusalem was thirty three furlongs , a dutch mile and half a quarter . others say it was four miles in compass , which being understood of italian or walloon miles , make little or no difference , ●eeing it is but the half of a half quarter of a dutch mile . strabo writeth , that the city of babylon was furlongs in circuit , that is twelve dutch miles . the circuit of samaria was twenty furlongs , that is half a dutch and half a quarter , which is two italian miles and a half . how the romans measured their miles . the romans measured their miles by paces , which they call passus , and that kind of measuring is done after this manner ; four barley-corns laid long-ways , one by the other , make the breadth of a finger , four fingers broad make the breadth of an hand , four hands broad make the length of a foot , which measure is now extant ; five feet make a geometrical or great pace ; one hundred twenty five such paces are a furlong ; eight furlongs are one thousand paces or walloon mile ; two thousand paces are a french mile . ex granis quatuor formabitur unus . est quater in palmo digitus , quater in pede palmus . quinque pedes passum faciunt , passus quoque centum viginti quinque stadium dant : sed milliare octo dabunt stadia ; duplicatum sit tibi leuca . four thousand paces are a dutch mile , i mean a common dutch mile , whereof fifteen are reckoned to a degree of the heavens ; for the switzer miles are commonly a quarter of a dutch mile longer than common dutch miles . but through this book , by miles we understand common dutch miles , whereof four thousand paces make a mile . whosoever will understand st. ierom. well , de locis hebraicis , must mark whether he reckons by miles or by stones : the miles specified by him are walloon miles , whereof four make a dutch mile as aforesaid : the stone whereof he writeth ( whereby also they did measure and divide the way ) are reckoned six to a dutch mile . to the end that all men that have any little understanding in geometry and cosmography may make the tables , and cast them , and at their pleasure inlarge or diminish them ; i have here for their direction set down the longitude and latitude of the most principal towns : the former numbers shew the degrees and minutes of the longitude , the later numbers declare the degrees and minutes of the latitude .   long. latit . sidon . . tyrus . . zarepta . . kedes . . chabul . . rechob . . abela betha macha . . senim vallis . . carmel . . cana major . . cana minor . . nazareth . . tabor . . capernaum . . bethsaida . . corazim . . tiberias . . magdalum . . dora . . caesarea stratonis . . lydda . . joppen . . messada castellum . . maerum lacus . . sunem . . naim . . napthalis . . bethoron superior . . bethoron inferior . . gazar . . beth●an . . endor . . megiddo . . thebe●z . . aphec . . gilim . . alexandrium . . thirzo . . zilo . . beseck . . m●chmas . . samaria . . nobe . . gazeron . . emmahus . . jericho . . aialon . . anathot . . gibea saulis . . kiriath-jearim . . jerusalem . . bahurim . . ephraim . . gilgal . . esthaol . . timnah . . zarea . . gedor . . modin . . bethan●a . . bethlehem . . debir . . jarmouth . . azecha . . lachis . . eglon . . makeda . . libna . . debir . . bethsur . . k●chila . . mare●a . . maon . . carmel . . ziph . . arah . . hebron . . gerer . . kades barnea . . adar . . carcaha . . hasmona . . bethsemes . . beersabah . . siclag . . ecron . . azotus . . astalon . . gath . . gaza . . the towns lying on this side of the river jordan . dan . . jor sons . . caesarea philippi . . seleucia . . eruptio fluvii ex samachoniride palude . . . capernaum . . eruptio fluvii è mare genezareth . . ephion . . ennon . . gamala . . salem . . chrit torrens . . ostia jordanis . . engedi . . zoar vel sagor . . eruptio zered . . towns standing beyond jordan . mirba . . astharoth . . astaroth . . gadara . . machanaim . . jaezar . . hesbon . . jabes . . ramah . . nobach . . jachsa . . aroer . . macherus . . minith . . midian . . didon . . punuel . . edrei . . abela vinearum . . philadelphia . . pella . . phiala fons . . betharan . . pisgamons . . abarim montes . . towns in aegypt . memphis . . heliopolis . . tanis . . taphnis . . ony . . alexandria . . mercurii civitas magna . . mercurii civitas parva . . delta magnum . . xois . . busitis . . hes●oe . . solis ●ons . . iourneys out of aegypt . raemses . . pihachiroth . . mara . . elim . . juxt● mare . . paran promontorium . . daphea . . alus . . raphiddim . . sinai mons . . hazeroth . . zephor mons . . mozeroth . . hasmona . . gidgad mons . . jothabatha . . habrona . . hesion gaber . . sin . . hor mons . . salmona . . phunon . . oboth . . jeabarim . . zered torrens & vallis . . didon gad . . almon diblathaim . . chedemoth solitudo . . beer puteus . . marthana solitudo . . nathaleel . . bamoth vallis . . towns in arabia petraea . petra . . paran . . midian . . hesion gebar . . ● elana villa harla vel elath . . ostia nili . canopicum . . bolbithinum . . sibenniticum . . pathmiticum . . mendesium . . pelusiacum . . thou . . sirbonis lacus eruptio . . sirbonis lacus . . idem . . civitas pelusium . . rhinocorura . . some other great towns. babilon . . antiochia . . damas●us . ● . palmira . . ur chaldeorum . . e●bathana . . rages in media . . sula in per●a . . persepolis . . heccatompilon in parthia . . zaba in arabia foelix . . meroe . . haram in mesopotania . . hircania . . ciraenae . . the description of the city of ierusalem , as it was before titus vespasian destroyed it . the most holy and beautiful city of ierusalem was twice destroyed ; first by nebuchadnezzar the most puissant king of babylon , who did utterly beat down and overthrow the city , burning the costly temple which king solo●on had built . after that , zorobabel and the high priest ioshua , when they returned from the captivity of babylon , re-edified and built again both the city and the temple , in the year before the birth of christ , . but the second temple , which was built after their return , was neither so fair nor so great as the first ; for it was twenty * cubits lowe● than the former . after that , king herod , seventeen years before the birth of christ caused the said t●●ple to be broken down again ( as iosephus saith ) and ●●ected another new temple in place thereof , which nev●rtheless , was not like the first temple that s●lomon built , as touching the greatness ; but it was exceeding fairly decked and ador●●● 〈◊〉 gold and silver ; so that in regard of the beautifulness ●●●reof , it was a wonder unto all that came to ierusalem . which temple ( forty years after christ's death and 〈◊〉 ) was also utterly destroyed by t●tus , the son of 〈…〉 the ●mperour . i will 〈…〉 form of the city ierusalem , as it was before it was defaced by 〈…〉 of vesp●●an ; and therewithall , i will shew how the costly 〈…〉 solomon placed therein , stood : for , seeing that the two 〈…〉 great molten sea were not therein , when our lord 〈…〉 earth , being broken down by nebuchadnezzar's 〈…〉 necessary and very requisite to be known how they 〈…〉 that the reader may be fully satisfied , i will also first 〈…〉 of ierusalem as it was in those days , with the chiefest places 〈…〉 towers , gates , houses , castles , fountains , hills , vallies , 〈…〉 things therein . how the city ierusalem is scituate , 〈…〉 from germany . th● 〈…〉 is scituate in the middle of 〈…〉 thereabouts , and ierusalem is 〈…〉 five hundred * miles : but if you will travel to 〈…〉 from thence to ierusalem , it is five hundred and ●ifty † miles . the scituation of jerusalem , and the mountains whereon it stood . jerusalem was four square , and scituated upon four mountains , viz. mount sion , mount moriah , mount acra , and mount bezetha . mount sion was the highest of all , and lay within the city of ierusalem towards the south , whereon stood king david's house , or the castle of sion , and the uppermost town . mount moriah , whereon the temple stood , with other excellent buildings and towers , was on the east side of the city , within the walls . mount acra , whereon the lower town was built , stood westward in the city , where annas , caiphas , pilate , herod , agrip●a , bernice , helena , and other kings and great princes dwelt . the holy city of jerusalem may in this manner be briefly described . the most holy and beautiful city of ierusalem ( if any would consider the three principal parts of the world , europe , asia , and africa ) stood in the midst of the world , upon most high mountains and rocks , like an earthly paradise , a lively figure of the everlasting city of god. this city being the metropolitan or principallest city of the jews , stood in the tribe of benjamin ; at the first it was called salem , that is , peaceable : when melchisedech , the priest of god , reigned therein , which he also built after the deluge ( as iosephus and egisippus write . ) but at that time it was not very great ; for it stood only upon mount sion . mount moriah , where abraham would have offered his son isaac , stood without the city , and after that they took it into the city , as when time serveth it shall be declared . after the death of melchisedech , unto whom abraham paid the tythes of all his goods , the iebusites dwelt in the city of ierusalem , and had the dominion of it , and all the land thereabouts in their subjection , called the city iebus after their name ; which name was held a long time , as we read in iosh. . iud. . and sam. . but at last ioab , king david's general of his army , won it , and drave the jebusites out of it , and called it ierusalem , that is , a sight or vision of peace . it hath also other names in the holy scripture ; for , in esay . it is called ariel , that is , god's ●yon , and mount libanus * . the prophet , ezechiel . calleth it ahaliba , my fixed pavillion or tent , that is , a city wherein god had placed his own habitation . the circuit and bigness of the city jerusalem . the city of ierusalem was four-square , and in circumference three and thirty † furlongs , as iosephus writeth , which three and thirty furlongs , make somewhat more than a dutch mile . some write , that it was four miles compass about , yet these were not dutch miles , but walloon or italian miles : for four such italian miles are a dutch mile . of mount sion , the higher city . mount sion stood northwards in the city ierusalem , and was much higher than all the other hills that were therein ; therefore it was called sion , that is , a watch tower ; because from thence one might see the holy land , and all the countries thereabout : upon this hill , the upper city was built , which in the scripture is called the city of david , because david won it from the iebusites , and beautified it with many goodly houses and fair and costly buildings : but especially with his house of cedar-wood , which he termed the castle of sion , which stood westwards at the corner of the hill , looking into bethlehem southwards . in that house david dwelt , and therein committed adultery with berseba the wife of vriah the hittite ; whose house also with the place of divers privy councellors and officers , stood upon the hill , not far from the king's palace , as iosephus writeth . beneath king david's house , upon mount sion , within a rock , there was to be seen the sepulchre or vault , wherein king david , solomon his son , and other succeeding kings of iuda , were entombed and buried . upon mount sion also ( towards the east ) king herod had a garden of pleasure , not far from the fountain called silo , nehemiah . and there also stood the tower of silo , whereof luke in the chapter maketh mention . iosephus ( in the wars of the jews , his first book , and sixteenth chapter ) saith , that king herod , under whom christ jesus was born , had two fair and strong houses or towers , which he set and made in the upper part of the city ierusalem , upon mount sion , which were in a manner comparable with the temple for beautifulness , which he called after the name of his friends ; the one caesarea , for caesar the emperor's sake , and the other agrippa , acording to the name of the noble roman marcus agrippa , that marryed the daughter of augustus caesar. this may suffice to declare the scituation of the upper city , which stood upon mount sion , and contained in circuit fifteen furlongs , which is about half a mile . this uppermost city , in the sacred scripture is called the city of david ; it was also called millo , that is , fullness or plenty , for in it there was no want , but abundance of all things . of the steps which descended down from the city of david ▪ unto the lower city . mount sion , whereon the upper city of ierusalem did stand , was such a high hard hill , and so steep , that no man could climb or ascend unto it by any way or means but only one , that is , by steps ; for in the middle thereof there was a great pair of stairs made , which descended from david's city unto the lower city , into the valley or dale of gates , called thyroreion , which stairs were foot * high , as iohannes heydonius writeth ; and beneath , in the valley of thyroreion , over against the valley of cedron , at the foot of the stairs stood a gate , which was called the gate of sion ; and they which went up to mount sion must pass through that gate , and so up those stairs : but it is thought , nevertheless , that in some other part of the hill there was some winding or other oblique way made , by which , horses and chariots , by little and little might ascend . allegorical or spiritual significations of mount sion . sion in hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly aspect ; for that from the top thereof a man might have seen all the land lying thereabouts ; and was a type of the highest heavens , or habitation of almighty god , from whence he beholdeth all things upon earth ; from which throne and heavenly habitation he descended into this lower ierusalem , and became our redeemer and saviour , that so we being purged by his blood , from all our sins and imperfections , he might bring us into that heavenly ierusalem which is eternall glory . of mount moriah on which the temple stood . mount moriah stood eastward within ierusalem , which was a most hard stoney hill , from whence , towards the rising of the sun , men by stairs might easily descend ; but round about on the other three sides it was steep and unapprochable , like a stone wall : yet it was not so high as mount sion , howbeit it was exceeding high , extending and reaching foot in height : and on the top thereof was a very fair plain , like unto that of mount sion , whereon in times past abraham built an altar and would have offered his son isaac for a sacrifice , gen. . at which time , when abraham obeyed the commandment of god , intending to have offered his son isaac upon the hill , and thereon had made an altar , then the said hill lay without the city : but long time after , about the space of years , when king david had conquered ierusalem , and driven thence the iebusites ; to enlarge the city , he compassed in mount moriah and mount acr● with a wall , upon which there stood many goodly buildings . and amongst other things worthy observation , upon this mount stood the barn or threshing floor of * araf●a the iebusite , wherein king david built an altar , offered burnt offerings , and besought the lord that the angel of god ( whose hand was stretched over ierusalem , holding a bloody sword , and had smitten the city with the pestilence ) might cease from punishing the same , and the plague ceased . on the same place where the barn of araf●a the jebusite stood , king solomon also did build the temple , paral. . . ioseph . antiq. jud. lib. . . an allegorical or spiritual interpretation of mount moriah . moriah is as much as to say , the lord's mirrh , and signifieth our lord jesus christ , which is the true mirrh and sweet smelling sacrifice unto god ; a stedfast rock , an immoveable foundation , whereon god's church , and the members thereof are built , esay . matth. . vpon this rock will i build my church , and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it . moriah is also expounded to be cultus & tim●r domini , the worship and fear of god ; and that in the same place the figurative service of god should begin , and continue until the coming of christ. the description of the temple of jerusalem . the temple stood upon mount moriah , was fairly built , and artificially contrived , of white marble stones , which were so well conjoyned or closed together , that a man could not see or perceive the junctures or crests of them : and the inner walls of it were made all of cedar wood , carved with the similitude of angels , cherubims , roots of palm-trees , and with flowers of divers kinds , gilt all over with pure gold , and set with precious stones ; insomuch , that all parts of the upper roof within the temple , did shine with the lustre of it . the pavement thereof also was plated all over with fine gold ; so that all the temple within , both above , under foot , and on every side and corner thereof , was gilt clean over : but without , it was of smooth polish'd white marble stone , excellently beautiful and fair to the eye , much resembling the colour of any pearl , unit , or margaret . it was in length an hundred ells , in breadth an hundred ells , and in height an hundred and twenty ells , as iosephus writeth , in the old acts and wars of the iews , in his fifteenth book and fourteenth chapter . the roof thereof was made of thin planks of olive-wood , all covered over with plates of gold : it was adorned with sharp and plain spikes of gold , left birds should defile it with their dung. when any man travelled to ierusalem , and saw the temple far off when the sun shined thereon , the white marble stones and the golden roof thereof , did cast such a light and reflexing brightness from them , that it did make the beholders eyes dark and blind with looking upon it . within the temple there was the most sacr●d quire , which stood at the west end thereof , the which quire , was formed four square , that is , twenty ells broad , long , and high . this quire was called the holy of holies , wherein it was lawful for no man to enter but the high priest , and he also but once in a year , which was on the feast day of the propitiatory sacrifice , to appease god's wrath . in the middle part of the quire there stood two cherubims , made of olive-wood , covered all over with fine gold , whose faces and forms were like unto young children ; the height of them was ten ells ; each of them had two wings , which were five ells broad ; they stood one right against the other , so that with the innermost wings they touched together , and the uttermost sides of the wings touched the sides of the quire : their faces looked towards the east : in the middle , under the wings of the cherubims , was placed the ark of the covenant ; but after the babylonian captivity , the ark of the covenant stood no more there ; for then the holy of holies was empty , and nothing seen in the second temple but the two cherubims , as is aforesaid . the wall of this quire was of pure gold , excellent fair and curiously graven : in this wall of the most holy quire there was a gate made all of gold , which had two leaves or little dores that opened and shut , very curiously embossed ; through which dores men went into the most holy quire , where the lord did answer by vrim and thummim ; there the cherubims stood , and before that gate there did hang a rich vail or curtain , which was made of fine silk , woven very artificially , wherein there was wrought the picture of the cherubims , with needle-work of diverse colours . this was the same vail which at the passion of christ did rent in sunder from the top to the bottom , to shew that then aaron's levitical sacrifices were abolished , and now every man may freely approach ( thorough the mercy of his dearly beloved son ) unto the presence of god's heavenly throne . before the most sacred quire there was builded towards the east , a place within the temple containing forty ells in length , twenty in breadth , and thirty in height , closed up on both sides with golden walls , which was called the holy place or sanctuary of the temple , wherein no man might enter but only the priest , when he offered incense , and prayed unto god. in the middle of that holy place there stood an altar , covered with plates of gold ; near unto which , the angel gabriel appeared unto zacharias , and brought him the glad tidings , that elizabeth his wife should bear him a son whose name should be iohn , who should prepare the way of christ. at the south end of this altar , upon the one side stood the holy candle-sticks , and at the other end on the other side , stood a golden table , whereupon the shew-bread was set . and in this holy place there stood ten tables more for the meat offerings , and ten golden candle-sticks more , which were beautified with lamps , lillies , and other fair flowers . the opening doors whereby men went into the holy place , were also very rich and costly , made of gold , with carved cherubims , palm-trees , and broad flowers thereupon . and before those doors also there were hanging vails or curtains , very curiously wrought . on both sides of the temple there were certain walks or galleries , which were three stories high one above another , and on the right side there stood a pair of turning stairs , by the which , men went up to the chamber of the temple , and there all the small vessels , and other things belonging to the temple , were kept . the roofs of these galleries were all plated over with gold , but that part was somewhat lower than the principal part of the temple . the windows of the temple were wide within and narrow without . the gates of the temple were made of pure gold , five and twenty ells high , and sixteen ells broad ; but especially the gate that stood eastward in the temple , was exceeding high , which in the second book of kings , chap. . is called the high gate : and as iosephus saith , the said gate was ninety ells high , the doors whereof , were forty ells long and twenty ells broad , gilt all over , and richly embossed , beautified with cherubims and precious stones . the wall before this gate , towards the east , was pure gold , embossed and curiously engraven in manner of vines , with great golden leaves as big as the stature of a man , whereon there did hang the picture and form of grapes , which were made of fine chrystal . within that high gate also there did hang a vail or curtain as long and broad as the gate within : this vail was made of a piece of babylonian tapistry , wonderfully wrought , and made of silk , beautified with divers colours , of scarlet , purple , and velvet ; and as iosephus writeth , the sphere of the heavens was wrought therein , but the twelve signs were not ; and when the wind blew , the vail did move like a vane . of the porches or open courts of the temple . before the high gate of the temple , towards the east , there were three porches or courts open , without roofs , which were made all of polish'd stone , with fair marble pillars , beautified with all kind of colours , in which porches , men praised and served god. the first was called the upper porch , where none but the priest might enter when he offered and served god ; which porch stood next unto the high quire. the second was called solomon's hall or porch ; there the people used to pray , and in that court our saviour christ preached , ioh. . the third porch king herod built , adding that thereto for the heathen people , which also came unto ierusalem to pray . these three porches went four square round about the temple , as the temple it self was , and between these porches there were also spaces left , supported with pillars of marble , and close above the head , for men to walk under when it rained , which were all made of cedar and cypress-wood , and of marble stone , beautified with gold. but towards the east , right over against the high quire of the temple , there the porches were broadest and greatest . here gentle reader you may note , that as often as in the description of the temple i speak of certain ells , you must not understand such ells as we use here in our country , but only of the geometrical ells or elbows , which are called cubits , being the length of one foot and a half , or six hands in breadth , and two such ells or cubits do contain three foot , which make a yard of our measure . the first temple , which king solomon built , had but two porches , as also the second temple which z●r●babel and ios●uah , or iesu the son of iozedeck made after the captivity in babylon ; but that was twenty cubits lower , and inclosed about with two porches also . but king herod ascalonita , the great king of the jews , son of 〈◊〉 idum●●● , sixteen years before the birth of christ , pulled down that temple , and built a new temple up from the ground , which was like to solom●n's temple , but that it had three porches : for herod built the third porch , to the intent that the heathen people might pray therein , as a sanctuary for pilgrims and strangers , as iosephus writeth , an●iq . 〈…〉 . ca. . & de bello iu●deo , lib. . ca. . item egisi●pus , lib. . cap. , . but some do think , which is more likely , that the said herod did but repair and add buildings to the second temple . and where iosephus , lib. contra appionem , writeth of four porches whereas principally there were but three ; it is to be understood , that solomo● ▪ porch was made with a wall in the middle thereof , wherein , on the northside , the jewish women that were unspotted and undefiled , used to pray ; and on the other side ( being south ) the jewish women , who also according to the law , were unspotted , prayed ; as iosephus saith , lib. . cap. . de bello iudaeo . a particular description of the three several porches or courts belonging to the temple . in the upper porch , which stood right over against the high quire in the temple , there was an altar of brass proportioned four square , consisting of cubits in length , and cubits in breadth , extending to ten cubits in height , beautified with golden horns , whereon they used to offer burnt sacrifices of oxen , sheep , turtle doves , calves , and other things . also , in times past , there stood the great molten sea , made by king solomon , and the two brazen pillars which were made with knobs , pomegranates , and lillies , very costly , and most artificially done ; and ten kettles upon tre●●● ; but those kettles and pillars with knobs and pomgranates , and the great molten sea made by king solomon , were carried away by nebuchadnezzar king of babylon , and broken in pieces : after which captivity , they were never seen more in the temple , for there were no more made . but the altar of ●rass with the great horns , whereon they offered oxen , sheep , and doves , was made again and stood there , as i said before , by which there stood divers tables , whereon they killed their offerings . in this court also there was a goodly fountain , with the water whereof , they used to wash the blood of the beasts out of the temple . for there were certain holes and gutters between the marble stones , whereby the water ran under the earth , and through the earth was conveyed in a pipe into the lake kidron . in this court , zacharias the son of barachias was killed , between the temple and the altar , mat. . and zacharias the high priest , the son of ioiadah , was stoned to death , chron. . it was compassed about with a great wall , made of marble stone of divers colours , wherein there were divers doors to go out and in , decked with lofty towers and pleasant walks made of cedar-wood , resembling our ancient cloisters . but principally toward the east it had a great gate of ells or cubits high , and broad , all covered over with gold , ( as iosephus writeth ) standing always open , without any dores to shut , that every man might look into it when the priest served god. if any man offered any thing , he brought it to the priest before the gate , but might not go in himself . iere●y , cha . . and . calleth it the new gate . here also was the chappel of gemaria the son of saphan , in which chappel , b●ru●h read the book of the prophet ieremy to the people , ier. . and when the sun was in capricorn , it shone right in at that gate , and through the high quire of the temple to the holy of holies ( as iosephus writeth . ) of the second or middle court , called solomon's porch . this court was something lower than the other ; for from it to the u●permost , they went by certain steps , and in iohn . is called s●lomon's porch ; which ( as iosephus writeth ) was parted in the middle with a wall , wherein on the north side , the jewish women that were clean and undefiled used to pray , and on the south the men , according to the law * : but no unclean person , or stranger , or heathen , might enter therein ; for , on the east side thereof , before the steps whereon men ascended into the said porch , there stood a portal curiously made of marble stone , and between it stood pillars of marble , whereon was ingraven in hebrew , greek , latine , and idumaean tongues , this sentence , o●nis aliemnigena accide●s ad habitaculum domini moriatur ; that is , if any stranger go into the house of god , he shall surely die . and herod also caused to be hanged over the eastern gate , by which they came into this court , a golden sword , with this inscription , peregrinus si fuerit ingressus moriatur ; that is , if a stranger be so bold to enter , let him die . so as no stranger or heathen might go into solomon's porch under danger of his life . here simeon took the child jesus in his arms , and said , lord , let now thy servant depart in peace according to thy word , for mine eyes have seen thy salvation , &c. at the same time also the prophetess ann● the daughter of phanuel , of the tribe of ashur , made a notable prophesie of the child jesus to all the people of israel , luk. . and after jesus was baptized , in this place he taught , wrought miracles , and did many worthy and memorable actions . the apostles also commonly met together in this court , and here the holy ghost descended upon them . here stood the treasury which heliodorus thought to have robbed , but was prevented by the angel of god , mac. . this was the same treasury wherein the poor widow cast the two mites , whom christ commended for the same , as appears , mark . upon which , st. ambrose saith , deny not to cast two mites into this treasury , that is , faith and grace , since by them thou shalt be made capable of a ce●estial kingdom ; neither flatter thy self with thy riches , because thou canst give more than the poor , for god respects not how much , but with what devotion thou givest thy reward , amb. li. de viduo , & epist. li. . ep. . and here christ absolved the adulteress that was accused to him , being sorry for her offence ; saying , i came not to condemn , but to save sinners that repent . upon which , st. chrysostom saith , although thou art a publican , yet thou mayst be made an evangelist ; though a persecuter of the church , yet an apostle ; though a thief , yet of the city of paradise ; though a magician , yet thou may'st worship god ; for there is no sin so dangerous , but repentance may obtain pardon . not far from this treasury there stood certain galleries , curiously adorned with marble pillars , the root whereof was plated with silver and gold , and was close above the head , that when it rained , men might walk under them dry , and indeed , did much resemble our ancient monasteries . the dores of these walks were covered over with gold and silver ; so also was that high gate whereby men went eastward into solomon's porch , and was fifty cubits high , and the dores forty , as iosephus writeth . of the third court or porch , wherein the heathens used to pray , commonly called the hall of the gentiles , or outward court. this court was not built by the kings of israel , but by herod , when the rest of the temple was re-edified , some sixteen years before the birth of christ , and about six and forty before he began to preach , iohn . it was so spatious , and sumptuously built , that it amazed the beholders , containing an hundred cubits in breath , and seven hundred and twenty cubits in length , lying eastward towards the brook kidron : the pavement was of marble of divers colours , like the other courts ; the walls , with the marble pillars , were five and twenty cubits high ; and the walks about it very curiously made , were thirty cubits broad . this was called vestabulum gentium , where the heathens as well as the jews , might enter and pray . out of this place christ drave the buyers and sellers , overthrew the tables of the money-changers , and the seats of those that sold doves , io. . mat. . and it stood something lower than solomon's porch . all these three courts were inclosed within high walls and walks resembling our cloisters , where round about the temple , at every corner of which , stood very high towers , whereon , when the sabbath day came , one of the priests over night went and sounded a trumpet , to signifie that the next day was the sabbath ( for then there were no bells . ) the wall of this uttermost court ( as iosephus writeth ) was in height ( reckoning from the bottom to the valley of kidron ) four hundred cubits , and adorned with goodly towers , upon the pinnacles of which , were built summer houses and fair walks , from whence we might see into the temple , and clean over the town . these were called the pinnacles of the temple , and were so high , that when one looked down from them into the valley , their eyes dazled in such manner , that they could not see ; as iosephus writeth li. antiq. . ca . upon one of these pinnacles the devil carried our saviour christ saying , if thou be the son of god cast thy self down , &c. mat. . and iames the son of alphaeus , by the commandment of annas the high priest , was from thence thrown into the valley of cedron , and falling upon a fullers instrument died , ios. ant. . ca. . &c. the gate towards the east was thirty cubits high , and had dores opening two wayes cubits broad ( as ios. writeth ) made of pure brass that shone like pure gold and silver , artificially made and cunningly embossed , insomuch as it was called the beautiful gate of the temple : as peter and iohn was going into the temple by this gate , they healed a man that had been born lame from his mothers womb , acts. . when a man went eastward , the gates were one higher than another . the first gate , or the gate of the heathens court , was thirty cubits high . the second that entred into solomon's porch , was fifty cubits : the third which went into the highest and last court was seventy cubits , and the great high gate of the temple was ninety cubits high , so that every gate of the temple was twenty cubits one higher than another : and in in these gates there were benches made for men to sit on . there were many other gates and dores on both sides , some some cubits broad , all almost made of pure gold , and of such weightiness , that ( as iosephus writeth in his second book to appius ) two hundred men could scarce open and shut them . egi●ppus writeth , that vespasian coming before the temple to assault it , commanded his souldiers to burn one of the golden gates ( which then was shut ) that so he might overcome the same , and with a strong hand carry away a most glorious victory : for it was wonderfully fortified both by nature and art ; it had deep ditches , lofty towers like unto castles of defence ; and moreover , compassed about with bulwarks and strong walls , insomuch that it was not possible to be won but with extream difficulty and great labour . when the gate was fired , the gold that ran from it was in great abundance : and by this means the conquest was made easie . this shall suffice to have spoken of the buildings of the temple . the allegorical or spiritual meaning of the tem●le . the terrestial temple built by solomon was pattly a figure of our saviour christ , and partly of his church . for when the son of god suffered the temple of his holy body to be destroyed , and was risen again from the dead , iohn . then he raised up to us the christian church , which is the true spiritual house and temple wherein god dwelleth , cor. . the mystery of the white marble . christ is the right white marble stone which is without spot , and there is no deceit found in his mouth , esay . iohn . . this stone the builders refused , but god chose it out as a most pretious , and made it the head of the corner , that we like living stones might be built upon it , esay . . pet. . the mystery of the gold. the gold and pretious stones in the temple signified the deity of christ ; for in him dwelt the fulness of the deity ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , wholly and absolutely ; and in him was contained the fountain and treasure of all wisdom and knowledge , col. . the mystery of the cedar-wood . as the cedar , cypress , and olive-wood was neither subject to putrefaction nor possible to be devoured with worms , so the humane nature of christ was subject to no corruption , no putrefaction , psal. . the mystery of the cherubims . the temple also is a figure of the heavenly glory , and of everlasting life to come , where the angels and cherubims being ingraven and pictured to the image of man , do represent the congregation of the blessed angels and saints , who in the presence of the lord sing a continual te demn laudamus , apoc. . the two cherubims placed upon the mercy seat in the holy quire , signifie the old and new testament , which contains the doctrine of christ ; and as their wings touched one another , so the old and new testament were joyned together , the end of the one and the beginning of the other , the one continued to the end of the first world , the other shall continue to the end of the second ; both had relation unto christ , to whom the ministry of god was committed . the mystery of the golden door of the temple . christ is the door of life , by which we must enter into eternal happiness , iohn . . the two doors signifie a two-fold knowledge before we can enter into this gate ? that is , of his person and office. what the vail of the temple s●gnified . the son of god , our lord jesus christ , hanging upon the altar of the cross , is the true vail that is put between god and us , shadowing with his wounds and precious blood , the multitude of our offences , that so we may be made acceptable to his father , heb. . the my●tery of the ark of the covenam . the ark of god made of sittim-wood , wherein was kept the pot of manna , aarons rod , and the tables of the commandments , exod. . heb. . represent as well our saviour christ as the hearts of the faithful ; for as in christ's breast was contained the doctrine both of the law and gospel , so likewise is it in the faithful , though not in that measure . he was the true manna that descended from heaven , to give light unto the world , iohn . . the tables of the law move us to mutual love and new obedience . aarons rod flourishing with blossoms signifies the sweetness of the gospel , and the glory of our high priest jesus christ , of whom aaron was a type . the mystery of the golden altar . the sacrificing altar in the sanctuary of the temple , whereon were four golden horns , being made partly of sittim-wood , and partly of gold , compassed about with a crown of gold , represent the unity of the humanity and deity in our saviour . for as the wood , naturally incorruptible , was beautified with refulgent gold ; so the humanity of christ , not capable of any putrefaction , psalm . . being adorned with celestial glory of the deity , personally united to the divine nature , ascended up into the heavens , and there sitteth at the right hand of his father , crowned with a crown of majesty in eternal happiness , psal. . the mystery of the golden candlesticks the golden candlestick with six branches and seven lights , signifies christ and the ministers of the church . christ the foundation is the chief priest and the light of the world , illuminating us to eternal life , iohn . . the doctors and teachers of the church are the branches , by whom christ inlighteneth his church , with the sound and uncorruptible doctrine of the gospel , apoc. . neither ought they to be separated from christ , but by the light of their doctrine and sincere conversation be a lanthorn unto our feet , psal. . that so their works may return to his glory and the good of his church . and as all the branches were united into the body of the candlestick , so every minister and faithful child of god ought to be united into the body of christ , without any schismatical dissention or seperation . the flowers and lillies denote the ornament and graces of the holy spirit , which christ hath bountifully bestowed upon his ministers . the lights and lamps do admonish all godly ministers to a diligent care , lest the light of gods divine word should either by mens traditions , or carnal and philosophical opinions , be either diminished , or by little and little abolished : but as often as such things happen , with the sincere doctrine of the gospel to be purged and preserved . the mystery of the golden table . the golden table whereon the shew-bread stood , being compassed about with a pretious crown , signifies the ministry of the gospel . for the bread that is set before us , is christ , that bread of life which descended out of heaven , iohn . . and he by the ministry of the twelve apostles is mystically offered unto us in the sacrament of the lords supper , that whosoever eateth thereof as they ought , might have eternal life . the frankincense that stood by the bread , admonishes us , that earnest prayers and godly actions are to be used in the time of the administring of the lords supper . for as macarius saith , if the devil was as strong as mountains , yet at the prayers of the saints , he melteth as wax before the fire . and st. cyril saith , that christ is the table upon which the bread of life is set , whereby all the faithful are nourished unto eternal life . and the crown about this table is the goodness and mercy of god , whereby we are crowned , and brought to eternal happiness . st. ierom saith , that this table was a figure of the table and the supper in the kingdom of god , luk. . the shew-bread upon the table is the son of god , which giveth life unto the world , iohn . the mystery of the golden vine and the chrystal grapes . the vine in the east part of the temple , made of shining gold , fitly resembles our saviour christ , who compared himself unto a vine , and the faithful unto the branches , saying , i am the true vine , and whosoever is ingraffed into me shall have eternal life , ioh. . the chrystall grapes ▪ do denote the doctrine of the gospel , and the works of the faithful , which are faith , love , hope , charity , patience , prayer , and works of grace , all which do inhere unto such as ●●lieve . the mystyery of the oblations and sacrifices . all the oblations and sacrifices of the old testament , were types and figures of our saviour , that as they were slain for the performance of the ceremonial law ; so christ , for the salvation of man was slain , and made a free-will offering , by whose blood and mediation the sin of man is pardoned , and he made capable of eternal life , esay . ioh. . heb. . &c. the mystery of the upper court. the upper court was a figure of the spiritual priesthood of jesus christ , who hath made us all priests and kings , and hath beautified us with his guiltless death , pet. . the mystery of the fountain , and molten sea standing upon twelve oxen , in the uppermost court. the molten sea and fountain was a figure of baptism , and that living water issuing from the wounds of christ , whereby we are washed from all our sins ; the la●er of regeneration , whereby we are made capable of eernal life ; that well of water whereof if we drink we shall never thirst . the twelve oxen represent the twelve apostles , whose voices have gone through the world ( according to that in the corinthians ) and have carried the sea of grace through all parts of the earth . of which water ( saith st. augustine ) if thou drinkest but one drop , it is more effectual to quench the thirst of worldly and insatiable desires , than an ocean of earthly waters . the mystery of the middle court. solomon's court , wherein christ taught , and in which the jews used commonly to pray , was a figure of that church which should be gathered from amongst the jewes . for from thence he indeavoured first to assemble and gather together a christian congregation , according to that which he spake to the canaanitish woman , mat . i am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of israel . of the outward court of the gentiles . this court signified , that the gentiles also should partake of the sheepfold and congregation of christ , and be members of his holy church ; according to that of iohn . i have yet other sheep which i must also bring hither , that sothere might be one sheepfold , one pastor , &c. of the rest of the memorable buildings standing upon mount moriah . having thus described the temple , together with the several courts and ornaments , all which did typically represent christ and his church , i will now proceed to the rest of the buildings standing upon mount moriah . the first and most memorable was the house of solomon , which stood just against the temple upon the south : it shined so with gold and silver , and was so stately and sumptuously built , that when queen saba came to ierusalem , she stood amazed to see it . there belonged to it divers courts and walks , in one of which the prophet ieremy was prisoner , ier. . over against this he made the judgment-hall , in which he placed the ivory chair , spoken of kin. . he built by that another house for his queeen , she that was daughter of pharaoh , kin. . but when nebuchadnezzar conquered ierusalem , all these , together with the temple , were burnt and utterly de●aced . of the peol of bethesda . upon the north lay that sheep-fold , or sequestred place , called bethesda , ioh. . which had five porches or xenodochius , as some would have it : here cattel came to drink , and the priests used to wash their sacrifices ; because no unclean beast might come within the temple , nor any thing that was foul or spotted be offered upon the altar . the water was of reddish colour , and ran into that place in great abundance , and therefore it was called the house of effusion or pouring out . this was the place into which the angel of god sometimes descended and troubled the water , after which , whosoever stepped in , was presently cured : and here our saviour christ healed the man that had been diseased years , ioh. . this place was made by king hezekiah , who caused the water of the uppermost pool , which was called g●●on not far from mount calvary , to be conveyed by pipes and passages through the earth into the lower city called acra , and so fell into this place , for which cause it was called the lower pool . the allegorie or mystery hereof is , that every one of christs sheep ought to be washed in the pool of his blood , before , they can be made fit sacrifices to enter into his temple or church , ioh. . of the tower or castle called antonia . this castle , as ioseph . hath it , lib. . de bell. cap. . stood between two courts of the temple , at the north-west corner ; at first built by the machabees , and called by the name of b●ris : but after , king herod , taking affection to that place , bestowed great cost upon it , walled it about , built up sumptuous towers , and made it very strong ; then gave it the name of antonia , in favour of antonius that noble roman ; which augustus a long time sustained after their decease . of the hall called coenaculum anguli . this house stood upon an angle or cantle of the hill , and was therefore called coenaculum anguli : it was very large and spatious , and within had a great hall , whereof nehem. cap. . maketh mention : and here , as some think , our saviour christ ate the paschal lamb with his disciples ; but i rather think it was in the suburbs . of the tower ophel , or the dark tower. near to the valley of cedron , towards the east , not far from the temple , and near the castle antonia , there was builded a lofty and strong tower or palace called ophel , that is , a place of darkness : it was a very sumptuous thing . of hamea , or the tower of the centurions . in the town wall , between the sheep-gate and the dung-gate , stood this castle hamea or centurion , taking the name ● centenario numero , i. the number of an hundred , and was upon the east side of the city near to the sheepfold or pool bethesda , neh. . . here the centurions commonly kept watch . of mount acra , and the buildings upon it . mount acra ( as is aforesaid ) stood upon the west side of ierusalem ; it was a very high mountain , and took that name from the greek word acra , a sharp or high hill. it was much higher than mount moriah in times past , till machabeus's brother , caused it to be cut lower , to make it equal in height with mount moriah , between these two hills lay the valley cedron , which was in profundity cubits . upon this mountain another part of the city was builded , being strongly fortified , and richly adorned with sumptuous houses , of which david and sol●mon were the principal founders ; and was called the lower city , or the daughter of sion . it was so beautiful , that some hold ( of which number are 〈◊〉 and eusebius ) that it it exceeded the rest of the city . here stood the house of helena queen of the adiabeno●s , near about the midst of it , as ioseph . observeth , li. bell. . cap. . which queen being converted to the jewish religion , built her an house in this city , that she might pray in the temple . here stood the houses of her sons , monebasius and grapta : here stood the houses of the high priests annas and caiphas , not far from the valley tyropae : king herod also , that wicked man who caused the innocent children to be put to death , built him an house here , near about the place where the machabees in times past had a castle ; ( for they built two , one in mount moriah , another in this mount. ) that in mount moriah was after called the castle of antonia , and stood right against the temple , as is aforesaid . and this being very sumptuously built , and a royal seat , was after the death of this herod a palace for his successors , archilaus and herod agrippa . not far off he caused two fair theatres to be also built ; the one in honour of the emperour augustus ; and this on the one side joyned to a tower called acropolis , ( which was built by antigonus epiphanes , on purpose to place a garrison in , to keep the jews in bondage ; which iudas machabeus afterwards made level with the ground ) and on the other side , towards his own palace . it resembled a semi-circle , made all of white marble , fairly polished , the building somewhat low ; within , full of high banks , one rising above another like scaffolds , so that the whole multitude might easily hear or see whatsoever was said or done . it was curiously beautified with gold , silver , and many goodly pictures ; but amongst the rest , the battels which the emperour augustus had won against his people , were lively pourtrayed . to this place , as well jews as gentiles resorted to see interludes and plays acted . the other was an amphitheatre , and stood upon the south side of the house : it was built round in a whole circle , compassed bout with high walls , large and spatious . here they used to fence and to fight both on horse-back and in waggons . and in the fifth year , in honour of augustus , the circensian games , according to the rites of the gentiles , were very sumptuously performed . on the south side of this amphitheatre , stood queen bernice's house , sister to agrippa junior : it was a very fair and sumptuous building , little inferior to king herods . this stood in the market place , and so all along were very sumptuous and stately pillars ▪ here agrippa himself had also an house , and over against that , upon the north , stood the judgment-hall , where the sanhedrim , or the councel of the seventy elders used to meet , to hear and determine of mens causes . to this place christ was brought when they asked him if he was christ , luke . here were the apostles whipt , acts . and close by this stood the house of pilate the pretor , fairly glistering with gold ; in which house all the roman pretors and presidents for the most part had their residence : and here our saviour christ was whipt , crowned with thorns , and spit upon . not far off from this pretor's house , stood the chancery , or rather , as we term it , the treasury , a stately and magnificent house , curiously built , and appointed onely to lay records and common chronologies in . here also the officers of the town gave in their accounts , and creditors entred their debts . this was utterly destroyed by vesp●tian . thus much for the buildings on this mount. next , the market place was a thing very memorable , and was so large and spatious , that in the time of the wars many great battels were fought there , as iosephus saith . in this market place , close by pilates house , stood a high seat or tribunal , made of fair stone curiously wrought , and for the eminence of it , called in the chaldaean tongue gabatha ; and because it was built of stone , the grecians called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the latins , lapidanium ; and with us it might be termed an heap of stones ; * ( for so the word signifieth . here pilate taking water , washed his hands before the people , and said , i am innocent of this mans blood : at which they cried , his blood be upon us and our children . and after , by gods appointment , according to their own wish , fell upon them ; for in the same place , and close by this same seat , it hapned , that herod wanting money , demanded of the jews so much out of their treasury ( which they called corban ) as would pay for the making of a water-course ( for he assayed to bring water into the city from a fountain some two hundred furlongs off it ) but the jews supposing it a needless work , not only denied him , but gave him many outragious and spiteful speeches , tumultuously flocked about him , and with great clamors prest upon him , even as he was in his seat : wherefore perceiving the danger , and to prevent mischief , he sent to his souldiers to apparel themselves like citizens , and under their gowns to bring with them a dagger or ponyard , and mingle themselves among the multitude , which they did , observing who they were that made the greatest uproar ; and when herod gave the sign , fell upon them with their ponyards , killing a great multitude . the rest , seeing this massacre , suspecting treason amongst themselves , fell one upon another ; and many for fear of loss , or to avoid future danger , killed themselves . in this very place also , florus , general of the common souldiers , within few years after , upon a small occasion , made another cruel massacre , and much more barbarous than the former ; for he spared none , the best of them he caused to be whip'd to death , or else crucified and put to the sword ; and for the vulgar , spared neither woman nor child . so that within the compass of one day there died of this obstinate and wicked nation , above seven hundred and thirty . this outrage was so cruel , that all strangers which inhabited within the town pitied their misery ; but especially queen bernice , who , being partly frighted with their shreeks , partly moved to commiseration through the extremity of their affliction , indangered her life to present her self before florus , and upon her knees besought him to take some mercy and pity of them , and withdraw his hand of vengeance from the blood of the guiltless . but the fury of the roman souldiers was so fierce , and the resolution of florus so unremoveable , that neither her tears , not the present calamities could perswade him . but , as in such uproars it commonly happeneth , she with the rest was in danger of her safety , and was constrained the next night , for the preservation of her estate , to keep a strong watch , lest the roman souldiers should have done her some violence . thus we may see a just revenge of a perjured and stiff-necked people , and that in the place where the offence was committed , though at least eight and thirty years after . in this market-place agrippa had built a gallery all of marble , from his own house to the judgment-hall ; it was covered above , and made with divers and sundry rooms for men to walk in , all burnished with gold , and called by the name of xiston , as iosephus hath it . here agrippa after this cruel massacre made an oration to the people ( queen bernice standing by him ) to this effect ; that they should forbear to raise any more commotions against the romans , and to banish the seditious out of the city , for that they saw their cruelty ; ioseph . lib. de bell. . egesip . lib ▪ . cap. . to this gallery there joyned a bridge , which pass'd over the valley of cedron to the temple . and amongst many other sair and sumptuous buildings that were upon this place , there were the colledges of the pharisees , sadduces , and the synagogues and schools for the instruction of youth , which were dispersed here and there among other stately buildings ; and this was called the lower town . of the valley of cedron . between this lower city and the temple , there was a deep valley , extending it self from the gate of benjamin through the middle of the city to the gate of sion . from this valley they ascended into e●ther mountain , ( that is , mount a●ra and mount moriah ) by certain steps or stairs . these two hills ( as is beforesaid ) were joyned together with a bridge ; and this valley passing between them , was called by zephaniah , cap. . machten . in which place , above all the rest of the cities , dwelt merchants , and such as used commerce and trade , as appeareth in the eleventh verse of his prophecie ; howl ye inhabitants of the low place , for the company of merchants is destroyed : all they that exchange for silver are cut off . upon which place of scripture , the chaldaean paraphrase reads it thus , howl ye inhabitants of the valley cedron . iosephus , in tit . bell. . c. . & . lib. . c. . calleth this valley by two names ; one machten , from the profundity ; the other cedron , from the obscurity : for so the name signifieth ; and whosoever looked down into it from the temple , fogs and mists seemed to lie in the bottom of it , like a cloud of darkne●s , such was the depth of it . there was another valley which lay between mount sion and these mountains , called by the name of tyrexdon . of the mountain bezetha . this place lay northward in ierusalem , and between it and the former hills were deep ditches cast ; it had two towns standing upon it , divided with two walls , and was commonly called the suburbs ; the name of the one , which lay nearest to mount moriah , was called the second city ; the other that lay upon the north , was called neapolis , or the new town . in the second dwelt hulda the prophetess , and zacharias the father of s. iohn baptist , kin. . chr. . nehem. . ioseph . li. . c. . it was adorned with many fair and sumptuous buildings , among which was that princely house of herod ascalonites , that great and mighty king of the iews , in whose time our saviour christ was born . this house was sumptuously built , supported and adorned with pillars of polisht marble , and so spatious , that in one room thereof there might stand an hundred tables : the hall also was very great , and richly gilded with refined gold intermixt with silver : about it were many pleasant and delectable walls , goodly gardens and fountains for pleasure : it was compass'd with a wall of polisht marble cubits high . and ( as valerius writeth ) in that house herod caused christ to be mocked , put a long white garment upon him in contempt , and so sent him to pilate . here also was a prison , in which peter was kept when the angel of the lord delivered him , acts . of the town neapolis , or the new city . this lay without the walls of the city , and became inhabited by reason of the great concourse of people that flocked thither , ( for in times past there were no inhabitants ) and stood upon the north side of the hill. here dwelt the christians , and other laborers and strangers : and by all likelihood , it seems that the house of mary the mother of iohn , sirnamed mark , stood here , which , because of the continual resort of the apostles thither , was called the house of the church . hither peter resorted when he was delivered from the hands of herod by the angel : for thus saith the text , acts . . that when peter had past the first and second watch , he came to the iron gate which led into the city , and loe it opened of it self . and from thence he went to the house of mary the mother of john , sirnamed mark. here also ( in my opinion ) christ celebrated the last paschal lamb , because after supper he went into the mount of olives , for this lying unwalled , lay open for them to go and come at their pleasure . but afterward in agrippa's time , it was begun to be compassed in with a wall , and before it could be fully finished , the angel of the lord struck him , and he died miserably : here also stood the monument of iohn hircanus the high priest , and of alexander king of the iewes , as it appeareth in iosephus , lib. de bello , . cap. . the tops of the houses in the city ierusalem were flat , and covered with fair and plain roofs , compassed about with battlements ; upon which they used to leap , dance , and banquet , and such recreations as they observed upon their festival days , were there celebrated . and thus much shall serve to have spoken of the mountains or hills whereon ierusalem stood . of the walls that compassed the city . this city of ierusalem was so strongly fortified by nature on every side , except the north , ( for it stood upon high rocks and cliffs ) that it seemed to be invincible . and , that that side might be the better strengthened , they compassed it in with three walls , and those so strong , that when vespasian the emperor and his army invaded the city , they had much ado to conquer them . the first of these walls was that which agrippa built , and it compassed in neapolis , otherwise called the new town . at the north-west end of which wall , was built an exceeding high tower of very fair marble stone ; so high , that standing on the top thereof , a man might see from thence to the sea , and into arabia , and the uttermost bounds of iudaea . this tower was called psephina . the second wall was that which divided the two suburbs ; wherein there stood towers and gates . this king hezekiah built , chr. . in a corner of which , between the west-gate and the valley-gate , there stood a high tower , wherein all the night great fire was made , which cast a light a great way off round about ; so that travellers passing towards ierusalem were guided by it in their way . of this light we read in nehem. cap. . the third wall compassed in the temple , and all the lower city ; in it was sixty towers , but the chief of them stood in the east angle , between the dung-gate and the gate of the valley , which was called hananiel , and signifieth , the grace and gift of god. this is much spoken of in the scripture : upon this wall king herod the ascalonite built three fair towers ; one between the garden-gate and the old-gate , which he called hippicum , in honour of his father hippicus ; the other phaselum , in honour of his brother phasilus ; and the third mariamne , after his wives name , who notwithstanding he caused innocently to be put to death . these three gates were built of polish't marble . pliny and strabo say , that this was the fairest and most spacious city of the east ; and for the munition and fortification almost invincible . the walls of it were all of white polish't marble , some or cubits high ▪ the stones were cubits long , broad , and thick , so closely joyned , that the junctures could scarcely be perceived . many of the towers also were made of such stones , but those of the temple exceeded the rest ; for they were cubits long , broad , and thick , as iosephus witnesseth , lib. ant. . ca. . & de bel. iud. li. . ca. . which things being rightly considered , we may easily perceive that these walls were very difficult to be destroyed : neither were the ditches of less strength that went about the town ; for they were cut out of hard stones , at least forty cubits deep , and two hundred and fifty cubits broad , which were impossible to have been won , if god had not help'd and assisted the romans , filling up those ditches with the bodies of those that died of the plague and famin within the town . of the gates of jerusalem . it had twelve gates to go out and in : upon the east side lay five , the first of which was the fountain gate , which was so called of the fountain siloah . and this stood close by the gate of mount sion , in which fountain the man that was born blind wash'd himself at the commandment of our saviour , and had his sight restored , ioh. . and at this gate christ came riding in upon an ass , when he came from bethania , on palm sunday . . the sheep-gate , which was so called of the multitude of sheep that were driven in by it , to be offered in the temple ( for it stood hard by the temple . ) right before this gate stood mount olivet , some half an english mile and a furlong from ierusalem , eastward ; by it stood the garden called gethsemane , where christ was taken ▪ and led into the city through this gate ; to be offered up like an innocent sheep , for the sins of the whole world. . the dung-gate : this took the name from a dung-hill , because the rain-water coming with great power th●ough the city , washed away the filth , and with great violence , carried it through this gate into the pool cedron . not far from this gate was the water-gate , and stood a little within it . . the valley gate , which took the name of the valley iehosaphat , and lay not far from the other gate . hereabouts also stood the dragon-gate . . the horse-gate , and stood just in the joyning of the east and north-part of the city : it took the name from the kings horses , as appeareth , ier. . neh. . the gates upon the north. . the corner gate , which stood north-west , . king. . ch. . ier. . zach. . . the benjamin-gate , so called , because men by this gate went to the borders of benjamin : in this gate the prophet ieremy was prisoner , ier. . . the ephraim-gate , by which they went to the borders of ephraim . the gates upon the west . . the rain-gate , so called , because the rain-water cleansing the streets , carried away all the filth , and so past through this gate toward the west , and there thrust it out of the city , neh. . . the garden-gate , before which the garden stood wherein christ was buried . . the old gate : before this mount calvary stood , whereon christ was crucified . . the fish-gate , so called , because of sea fish that came in by it : it was also called the brick-gate . here the prophet ieremy broke an earthen pitcher , ieremy . and out of this gate they went to bethlehem . but on the south side there were no gates , for there mount sion stood , which was so high and steep that no man could go up upon it . of the gates within the city . the gate of sion , the water-gate ; of which two i have already spoken . the middle gate ieremy speaketh of , cap. . and it is thought it stood in the middle of city , in the valley cedron , not far from the tower called mariamne . the iron gate , which opened of it self , when the angel led peter out of prison , acts . this stood in the city walls , passing from one suburb into another : all these gates stood within the city . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the pourtraiture of it . of the springs , valleys , fountains , and other memorable places , as they were scituated near to the city , and how to the four parts of the world. in the next place , it resteth to shew what things worthy memory were about , and stood near to the city : the first of which was , the brook cedron , which sprung out of a hill not far from it upon the south , and with great swiftness ran through the east part of the city , and so between ierusalem and the mount of olives , to the valley-gate of iehosaphat : thence passing through the cliffs of mount olivet , it ran directly east till it came to the dead sea ; which brook in the summer time was most commonly dry . the water of it was something black , which colour the valley jehosaphat ( which was very fertile ) gave it ; and from thence it was called nigrescens torrens , a blackish stream . this is mystically spoken of , in sam. and psa. . where it is said , he ( that is our saviour christ ) shall drink of the brook in the way : which he fulfilled , when he made satisfaction for our sins by his death and passion , as it appeareth in the psalm , save me o god , &c. into this brook ran the water of silo , and that which came out of the temple . of the mount of olives and bethania , which signifies a house of mourning . these two , the one lay upon the east , the other south-west , about half an english mile and a furlong from jerusalem . of bethania you may read in nehemia . of the hill gihon . gihon stood before jerusalem on the west side , right against the fish-gate , and the old gate , chr. . here king solomon was crowned , . kin. . not far from this stood the mount golgatha , where christ was crucified . from whence may be observed , that as solomon upon that hill was crowned king , so christ upon this was crucified ; our saviour and the true solomon , that made everlasting peace between god and us . from this mount gihon sprung the fountain gihon , and thereabouts also was the fullers field , king. . chron. . in which place senacharib and other the princes and embassadors of the king of assyria , spake blasphemous words against the lord , wherefore he slew thousand of them , as appeareth in the king. . of the valley of the son of hinnon . this valley lyeth behind the city of ierusalem southward , on the left hand as they went from jerusalem to bethlehem . in this valley the jews set up an idol of copper like a king , which they called moloch , that is , a king of idols . this copper idol●stood with the arms stretching out , and under it there was a great fire , whereby the image shewed fire-red : and besides that , the more to honour it , they made a great fire between two walls , which burnt for his sake : and through this fire the idolatrous priests cast living children into moloch's burning arms , which he with his arms red hot burnt to death . and in this manner the jews offered up their own children to the idol moloch : and when they did it , they made a great noise and cry , and beat upon a drum , that the fathers when their children were offered , should not hear them cry , by reason of the great noise of the drums . this valley was called the valley of tophet ; for tophet signifies a drum. this was a most gross and fearful idolatry , and therefore christ likened this valley of hinnon to hell-fire ; for he called it gehenna , mat. . that the iewes should keep themselves from this monstrous idolatry , god made a law , that if any man were taken committing this kind of idolatry , he should forthwith be stoned to death , and not suffered to live , levit. . and . the valley of gehennon is often times named in the holy scripture , iosh. . nehem. . . paral. . . ier. . jerom writeth , that here , by this idol moloch , in the valley of hinnon , there was a wood ; for the water ran out of the fountain siloah along by it , and made the valley moist . of the field of blood , called hakeldama . this field of blood , which was bought for thirty silver pence , for the which judas betrayed our saviour christ , lay not far from the valley of hinnon , southward , by the city of jerusalem , as jerom writeth . of the hill hameskita , or offence and slander . this hill lay south-east , not far from jerusalem , something wide of mount olivet , so that there was but one valley between them , and was not altogether so high as it . also upon this hill king solomon in his old age suffered his wives or concubines to make idolatrous temples , wherein he and his wives worshipped idols . of the destruction of this famous city of jerusalem by titus vespasian . thus have have i briefly set forth the dignity , scituation and curiosity of the buildings of ierusalem : together with the richness of the temple and sumptuousness of the houses ; now it rests to describe unto you , the manner and means how this famous city was destroyed ; surely a thing worthy wonder ( according to that in ieremy ) whosoever shall hear of it his ears shall tingle . and that it might be the more famous , and the christians within it might take notice of the near approaching desolation , there were divers strange accidents happened , and visions seen . as first , about some four years before , the river iordan was turn'd out of her course , and was brought into the city pella : a while after that , for a year together , there hung a comet like a flaming sword over the city ▪ and in the night there was seen a light in the temple : and in the day when they were at sacrifice , a calf brought forth a lamb. then about the middle of the night , the eastern gates of the temple opened of their own accord . in the skies were seen armies of men fighting , and horses and chariots running to and again . and at last there was heard a terrible voice in the temple , uttering these words , migremus hinc ; that is , let us go ●ence . and that there might be a general proclamation of this sad and cruel desolation through the whole city , one anani●s the son of jesus , a man poor and impotent , upon the feast of the tabernacles , ran through all the streets of the city , and crying , o , a voice from the east , and a voice from the west , a v●ice from the four wi●d● , a voice over jerusalem and the temple , a voice over the bridegroom and the bride , and a voice over the whole multitude of this city . and although he was whipt and imprisoned , and cruelly handled , yet so long as he lived he would not cease to utter these words , which by somewere judg'd to foretell the horrible desolation which after hapned . for ti●us caesar , son of fl●vius the emperour , about seventy years after the nativity of our lord , and about eight and thirty after his ascension , utterly overthrew it , even to the ground , about the first day of the month of april , and within a year after these signs . for he , taking advantage of the three factions which at this time swayed in ierusalem : one of eleazar the the priest , the son of simon ; the other of zilotus the chief prince which held the temple ; and the third of iohannes giscalenus , a cruel fellow , which had the command of the inferior . city ; besieged it , and made this a fit opportunity to further his enterprises , while the seditious and factious people little regarding their own safety , gave way by their evil and intestine wars , to what he intended , weakning themselves much more by their continued slaughters , than the enemy by his invasion . insomuch as the whole city , and temple was filled with dead bodies ; common insolencies and publick rapines were ordinarily amongst them : some set fire of the city , others despoiling the temple , a third for killing the priests , even as they were at sacrifice ; all places full of dead bodies ; and to this , to add a greater measure of misery ( without any regard at all to their future defence ) set fire of the store-house wherein the corn lay for the sustentation of the city , and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering : by this means it came to pass , that they were sorely afflicted with the pestilence through the corruption of the air , and with famin for want of corn. all these things notwithstanding ( such was the cruelty , obstinancy , and perverseness of this people ) could not restrain them from violating the most sacred and holy things of the temple : insomuch as iohannes giscalenus had a full determination to have destroyed it , but that he was prevented by the romans . about this time was the feast of the passeover , and it fell upon the fourteenth day of april , being the sabbath ; to the celebration whereof , there resorted to ierusalem about three hundred thousand iewes . these the enemy gave way to enter into the city ; but considering their present necessity for want of victuals , upon a suddain drew up their forces , and so straitly beleaguered them , that all this huge multitude was ( as it were ) 〈◊〉 within the walls , where partaking of the former misery , they either di●d by the plague or famin. whence may be perceived the marvellous providenc● of god , that even on the same day , and in the very same place , where but eight and thirty years before , our saviour christ suffered , the authors of such cruelty suffered a most just and severe revenge . now as the army of the romans lay upon the north of the city , titus drew out a band of six hundred horse to ride about , to behold and view the walls of the town : but as he was in this manner wondring at the sumptuous●e●s of the city , the jewes in great multitudes slipt out at a postern-gate , and set upon him so fiercely , that they endangered his person , being without armour ; and had he not with great difficulty broke through them , and recovered the tower of the romans , he had bin there slain . but presently upon this , se●●ng the danger , he besieged the city in three parts ; himself , a● the emperour of the army , built a castle about some two furlongs from the city ▪ 〈◊〉 against the tower pse●hina , the other part of the army was 〈…〉 the tower hi●●ieus , not far from the garden of the resurrection , and the third part had their castle in the mount of olives , some five furl●n●s or thereabouts from the city . then did he build bul●●rks , make engi●s , and wonderful devices , for the battering of the walls ; and combining himself with some of the iews , upon the seventh day of the second month , which answereth to the month of may , with great difficulty and much labour entred the first wall , which lay upon the north , and won mount b●zeth● and neapolis . upon the twelfth of the same month ( which was the sa●●ath day ) he entred the second wall , which divided the suburbs ▪ but this was again the same day recovered by the virtue of the jews , so that the jewes were constrained to fight upon the sabbath day , according to the prop●●●y of our saviour christ , matt. . but after , upon the sixteenth of this mo●th of may , the romans again recovered this wall , and kept it in their own custody . within a while after , in the month of june , ( about this time the famin growing intolerable within the town ) titus , in the space of three day● , compassed in the whole city of jerusalem with a wall , and 〈…〉 towers and castles , lest any of the jewes should fly to sav● t●emselves . thus was the prophecy of our saviour christ fulfilled , thy 〈◊〉 shall compass . thee about and hem thee in on every side . iosephus was now in the city , and walking upon the walls , earnestly intreated the jewes to desist , and no longer to oppose the romans , but this was so hateful a speech to many , that they began to fling darts at him . and although at this time the extremity of the famin was so sore , that many died for want of sustenance , yet all perswasions were in vain ; and such was the calamity , that as well those as went out , as those that continued in the city , were in like danger of their lives ; for they were either slain by the enemy , or else by the pestilence and famin ; common injuries , and unmerciful outrages still attending upon war. their misery did rather increase than at all lesson it self ; for the jealousie of treason , the hope of riches and the madness of the seditious , distracted the minds of the citizens with continual fears , and filled the streets full of murther and daily spectacles of lamentable tragedies : the markets were unfrequented with corn , the victuals with viol●nce consumed and taken from the true owners . and if it chanced that some one had more than would serve his turn , though he dwelt in a fair and stately building , yet the remotest room and most unfrequented he made his tabernacle , and that little which was left , with great parcimony he consumed , together with his life , till both were ended . those that were fathers and senators of the people ( though before served and attended with reverence and great state ) in this confusion were glad of a small morsel , though with much contention . the wife was not ashamed to take away the meat from her husband , nor the children from their parents , nor the mothers from their infants : and if it hapned that in any house the seditious seemed to smell food , with violence they took it , ransack'd the rooms round about , whilest the master thereof was made a laughing-stock and mournful spectator of those mischiefs . but according to the condition of souldiers , whose natural disposition is to be violent , without any regard either of sex or kindred , committed daily outrages . so that here you might have seen the mothers weeping over their dying infants , whilst their husbands were massacred in the streets by the seditious . the increase of days were the increase of torments , and the daily wants of such as were in power , being unaccustomed to such evils , caused them to invent new means to satisfie their desire , and practice unusual torments , for no other purpose but to find out sustenance : yea , such was their insatiable ●●irst of blood , that they spared not him whom but now gave them all he had , and lest he should live to cumber the city , either hang him up by the heels till he died , or else pulled out his entrails with a sharp iron . those that went out in the night-time when the romans were asleep , to gather herbs , the seditious would meet , and with violence take what they had got from them : and though with tears and lamentations , and prayers upon their knees , they intreated but for one part , a small moiety of that which a little before they had got with danger of their lives , yet they would not give it them , and scap't fairly if they went away with life . these insolencies were committed by the common souldiers , upon such as were the meaner sort of people . but for the rest that were either honourable or rich , they became a prey to the captains and commanders , some accused as traitors , and that they would have betrayed the city to the romans ; others as fugitives , that they would forsake the city ; most under pretence of one crime or other , despoiled of that they had . and they whom iohn had thus oppressed , were entertained of simon , and whom simon had injured , they were entertained , by iohn ; both drunk the blood of the miserable citizens like water , so that the desire of rule was the cause of their dissention , the concord of their evil and cruel actions . there was an infinite number that perished in this city by famin , insomuch as houses were filled with the bodies of infants and children . the angle-gate was thrust full of dead corps . the young men that remained walked up and down the city like images of death . the old men were destroyed by the pestilence , the contagion of which disease taking away their senses they became mad. and of such as died among the seditious , their wives or kindred had not room nor time to bury them , but as they were putting them into the grave , they also dyed . yet for all this , amongst this miserable society , there was no weeping , no complaining , no deploring of their necessities ; for the violence of the famin having dryed up their radical moisture , the fear of grief was taken from them : and such as had most cause to lament , and were most pricked with the sting of sorrow , before they could utter their grief died , the beholders not shedding a tear : so that through the whole city there was a still silence , and a thick mist of death and destruction didfully possess the same . but the seditious were much more cruel than these were oppressed with calamity and sorrow ; for some opened the graves of the dead , and taking out their bodies thrust them thorow with their swords ; others to try the sharpness of the edge of their weapons , would fall upon those that were yet alive , and when they had slain them , go away laughing at their pleasure . so that , as iosephus saith , there was scarce any mischief under the sun , but was both practised and tollerated in this city . to conclude , by sedition the romans conquered the city , and sedition conquered the romans , all love and modesty , through this extream and intolerable famin , became utterly extinct , and the dearest friends would kill one another for a crust of bread ; the fairest lady commit open adultery for a little sustenance . their food was extraordinary , and such as men did loath and hate ; some would feed upon snails and worms , others of old hay chop'd small ; many eat corn either unground or made into bread : some pluckt the meat from the spit raw , others with their teeth gnaw'd off the leather off their shields ; and that very mouth which cried , crucifie him , crucifie him , let his blood be upon us and our children , was constrained to feed upon three sorts of dung , that is to say , doves dung , oxe dung , and mans dung . moreover , many were constrained , for meer necessity , to feed upon the dead bodies of such , as a little before died , partly by famin , partly by the pestilence . and to conclude , for very madness eat up their gold : for some of them being taken as they were flying for their safety , by the romans , in their excrement was found gold , of which the souldiers hearing , and supposing that all the iews had been full of gold , thorow covetousness of that gain , in one night killed of them , and ript up their bellies ; and had not titus caesar , by a severe edict , forbidden these cruel and unheard of slaughters , there had been many more slain . to make an end of this unheard of famin , i will repeat one memorable example out of josephus , of an outrage which a mother committed even upon her own son. there was a woman of the inhabitants beyond jordan , whose name was mary , of the stock of eleazar , and of the town bethezor , which signifies , the house of hysop ; she was of a noble and rich family , and amongst others , went to jerusalem , in hopes of safety , where she was likewise oppressed with the misery of this siege ; for as soon as she had brought all her riches and substance into the city , which she had before beyond jordan , this famin growing greater and greater upon the inhabitants , the seditious perceiving that this woman was well furnished both with riches and sustenance , on a suddain set upon her house , despoiled her of her substance , took away her sustenance , and utterly deprived her of all means to live . she being pricked with the misery and calamity of the times , saw it little prevailed to strive , wherefore with tears , upon her knees , she intreated that she might have but some small part of that they had taken from her , to maintain her self and her son with life ; but the seditious gave little ear to her intreaties : wherefore , being moved to extream anger , she daily cursed , with contumelious words , those barbarous villains , that had thus rob'd her of all her means : but when she saw that neither anger nor intreaty could procure mercy , and through the town not one morsel of food was to be found , partly prest with an extream necessity , partly with a furious rage , beyond all nature and compassion , laid violent hands upon her own son , and accounted an untimely death more honorable , than that he should live to be a prey to the seditious , or a slave to the romans . the body of this infant she rosted and eat : the soldiers of the town being prest with hunger , smelling the meat , supposing , that as in former times , they should have found plenty , with violence broke in upon her , and look what she had provided , greedily consumed , and compelled her to fetch the rest ; which she did , and when they were well satisfied , she shewed them the head and feet of her son : which they perceiving , loathing the inhumanity of the fact , with dejected countenance departed . this famin was so extream , that one measure of grain was worth a talent , that is crowns . but the romans all this while did abound with plenty of all things , and to vex the iewes , they shewed them the great abundance of their store , for the neighbouring provinces sent them supplies . after this famin , there followed an extreme plague , procured partly through the stench of the bodies that lay unburied , partly by the multitude of massacres which daily happned , that ( as egis●●●us writeth ) within the compass of eleven weeks , there were carried out by one gate of the city , dead bodies ; yet could they not empty the city , but that they were constrained either to bury them at the publick charge , or else cast them over the walls into the ditches of the city : which when titus saw , and that the putrefaction of the bodies swam upon the brim of the ditch , ( for it was full with dead carcasses ) fetching a deep sigh , and lifting up his hands to heaven , he said , god is my witness , this is not my fault , but the punishment of god upon them . the city being thus pestered with sedition , famin , pestilence , and war , was made now a ready prey to the enemy : and that they might make a f●nal end of their miseries , titus caused the engins of battery to be brought against the walls ; and upon the first day of the fourth month ( which answers to our iune ) he took the third wall , which lay upon the north. upon the fourth of iune after , though with great labour , he took the tower of antonia , and in it placed a garison . upon the seventeenth day of the fourth month , which was a fast to the iewes , iosephus going up to the top of that tower , made an oration to giscalinus and the rest , to disswade them from their rebellion , and cease to oppose the romans , but this little prevailed . upon the twentieth day of iuly , the iewes burnt a part of the porch of the temple , towards the north , not far from the tower of antonia , lest that the romans , having got that hold , should with the greater facility have conquered the temple also . two days after , the romans destroyed the whole porch with fire , and the jewes helpt to pull it down with their hands : this was none of the three porches , but a bulwark of the temple . upon the of july , the jews filled the porch towards the west with pitch and bittume , and then made as though they meant to fly and leave the city , which some of the romans perceiving , without any command of their captains , put scaling ladders to the tower , and began to assault it , but when they were most busie , the jewes on a suddain put fire to the pitch , and burnt them most miserably ; insomuch as titus pittied them to see their extremity , although they were such as did contrary to his command . upon the last day of this month they took the north gate , which lay towards the rising of the sun , and close by the brook cedron ; this they burnt down with fire . upon the third of august , titus commanded to fire the gate of the temple , that was all covered over with gold and silver ; by this gate the romans made a breach into the temple , which e're this had been prophaned by the iews : while this gate was a burning ▪ the iews stood astonished , and not one of them resisted the romans . caesar and all his army laboured three days to quench this fire , after which he called a council to determine wha● he should do with the temple , it was so rich and sumptuous , that he would fain have left it as an ornament for the roman empire . but the iewes having got a little breathing , made new incursions upon the romans , by which means they could not determine thereof . the th of august , the souldiers of titus , without command of their captains , fired the temple , just upon that day which nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it , as iosephus witnesseth , li. de . bell. . c. . . caesar would fain have saved this temple for the sumptuousness of it , and beckoned to his souldiers to have quencht the fire , but they , partly prest on with desire of wealth , partly being prickt on with fury and madness , gave no ear to his speeches , but committed most cruel massacres , without either regard of age or sex : so that the cries of the slaughtered , the sound of the roman trumpets , the fierce resistance of the seditious , and the fire furiously burning , represented a most horrible spectacle : the ground below was covered with dead bodies , many in desperation threw themselves into the fire , were burnt in the same gate , whither they fled for refuge , and the priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the temple of ierusalem , the mirror of the world being consumed and spoiled with fire and sword. after these things , upon the bridge that passeth from the temple over the valley into the lower town , titus made a speech by an interpreter , to the two seditious captains , gently intreating them to leave off their rebellion , and he would spare the city , and commit no more outrages , and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them ; but if they would not embrace mercy , and cease their violent resistance , they must expect no manner of compassion , but the very law of arms , this they contemned , and made but a mock of caesar for all his offers ; whereupon , in a great rage , he gave the signal to his souldiers , and they went through all the city and set it one fire . the next day they won the lower city , and with fire and sword consumed the place where the records lay , the court and all the princely buildings until they came to that stately house of helena , which stood in the midst of acra , all the houses near being filled with the bodies of the dead , and the streets horribly defiled with the blood of those that were slain . within a short while after iohannes giscalinus was taken alive and committed to prison . the inferior city being thus taken and destroyed , about the day of august , caesar began to build his engines , and to batter the walls of the upper city , which within the space of days after , with extream labour and skill , he laid flat with the ground , ( as iosephus saith . ) and upon the th of september , with great facility he conquered the city , the iewes of their own accord descending from the towers : and the rom●ns set upon the walls their ensigns , with a great acclamation , and wasted all the city with fire and sword , sparing neither men , women , nor children . the eighth day of the month of september , the whole city was destroyed , and not a stone left upon a stone , but laid level with the ground , only the three towers that were built by herod , which were of shining marble ( viz. hippicus , phaselus , and mariamne ) that future ages , seeing the excellency of those buildings , they might judge of the stateliness of the rest . but these also were after destroyed by adrianus caesar. there died by the famin and pestilence an innumerable number , by fire and sword ten hundred thousand : were found that either killed themselves , or one killed another ; were taken captives ; of these , all the seditious thieves that accused one another , were slain by frontonius caesar . titus freed many , were sent into aegypt , with extreme labour to consume and dye ; the properest and most able were reserved for triumph ; many were distributed through the provinces , some were slain by the sword , and by beasts , for publick spectacles ; and those that were sixteen years of age and under , together with many other , caesar sold , under the crown , at thirty for a silver penny ; that as christ was sold for thirty pence , so thirty of them should be sold for a penny. with the riches of this town caesar triumphed , rode into rome with two golden chariots , built the temple of peace , and there put all the plate which he found in the temple of ierusalem . after all this , for a full determination of those evils , the two seditious captians , iohannes giscalinus and simon the son of giora , were put to most cruel deaths . thus may we see the grievous punishment of the obstinate and ambitious , which god permitted to fall upon them for their unthankfulness and cruel tyranny . how the city of jerusalem , after this destruction by titus vespasian , was utterly beaten down , and defaced by aelius adr. caesar , which he re-edifying , called it after his own name , aelia . the city of ierusalem being thus laid level with the ground , for the space of sixty years lay desolate , a receptacle for thieves and murtherers , a fit place for wolves and wild beasts , which resorted thither to feed upon the dead bodies . and now time consuming their flesh , left their bones and skulls to lye upon the earth , as in a charnel-house . thus it continued until one benchochab ( which signifies the son of the stars ) born in the town of bethcoron , not far from emaus , professed himself to be the messiah , or christ. the jewes supposing this to be true , because of that saying of numb . . there shall a star rise up out of jacob , assembled themselves , to the number of many thousands , and followed him , with great tyranny and cruelty spoiling the holy land , and through all the countrey of judaea , committing many outrages and massacres . thus they continued for the space of eighteen years , at the end of which time , adrianus aelianus the emperour , hearing of those insolencies , levied an army , and sent them into judaea , under the government of julius severus , who , in a pitch'd field near to bethcoron , and not far from emaus , conquered this benchochab or pseudo-messiah , and with him slew five hundred thousand jews , that were deceived by his persuasion . now when they went to seek for the body of this deceiver amongst the dead ( as saith talmudista ) he was found lying with an horrible serpent about his neck ; intimating how god rejected him that would seem to imitate his son ; for even as the serpent deceived our first parents , so this benchochab deceived the jews , and for this cause they called him be●cozba , that is , the son of lying . the number of the jews which in the time of this war were slain , amounted to men , besides many others that perished by pestilence and famin. this war happened years after the destruction of jerusalem . after this second desolation of the jews , at the command of the emperour , ( that there might be a final extirpation of the antient city of jerusalem , and that the words of our saviour might be fulfilled , loe , there shall not be a stone left upon a stone , mat. . ) the ruins and foundations thereof were digged up , the stones broken in pieces , the ground left desolate , and the mountains are now become barren , and overgrown with brambles : and , that the name thereof might utterly be forgotten , and as it were rooted out of the earth , he set up a new town , not far from the hill gihon , and golgotha , where christ was crucified ; which , after he had adorned with many goodly buildings , he called it by his own name , aelia . in the place of the temple , he set up a church , in the honour of jupiter and venus . just in the place where the holy altar stood , he erected his own image , upon a marble pillar , which continued until st. hierom's time . at bethlehem he erected the image of adonis , and to that he consecrated a church . upon the gates of the city he cut hogs in marble , in contempt of the jews . then did he abjure them , that they should not come within the walls of the city , not set foot upon the ground near jerusalem . this being done , ( as dion saith ) he dedicated it to the honour of jupiter capitolinus ; and only made it free for christians and such like to be in it . this town at this day we call jerusalem , although it be scituated in another place , and called by another name . future ages calling the actions of precedent times into question , pull'd a great contempt upon this town , and so much the rather , because infidelity and other heathenish profaneness was cherish'd within this city . so that that which a little before was set up in honour of the emperour . aelianus , is now grown into contempt . wherefore helena the mother of constantine the great , having command of that empire , to give some satisfaction to the universality , caused those prophane temples and idols to be abolished , and in their places erected others . upon mount golgotha , the church called golgothanus : upon the mount of olives one , in the place of the ascension of christ : and constantine her son richly adorned the sepulchre , and over it built a stately temple , all of polish't marble , richly gilt with gold , so that to this day it remains as the chief ornament of the town . in this mans time , the jews with great boldness endeavoured to rebuild the temple , just in the place where it stood before ; at the commandment of the emperour they were repelled , and in recompence of their presumption , had their eares cut off and their noses slit , because they had ears and would not hear , neither obey the commandment of our saviour . but as the emperour was religious , and endeavoured to support christianity , so his successor iulianus was as full of impiety and prophaneness ; who , that he might frustrate the prophecy of our saviour , that ierusalem should never be built again , in contempt caused the iews to assemble together , and with all expedition restore it to its former glory , giving the uttermost of his help to their endeavours . but as they were seriously labouring in this work , of a sudden there came a great earthquake , and look what they had built was by that quite overturned ; then fire came out of the earth and from heaven , which destroyed both the matter and the workmen . and that the iews nor any philosphers might impute it to a natural cause , there was seen in the heavens a bloody cross , and ●pon their clothes crosses shining like stars , which the iews could by no means wipe off , yet this little prevailed : a second time they attempted , and as before , a second earthquake hapned , with a storm of wind , which came with such extream violence , that all the stuff which they had heaped together for this purpose was utterly blown away and destroyed . so that of force they were constrained to leave off , and acknowledge ▪ that christ , whom their forefathers had crucified , was the true messiah . greg. nazianzen and hierom report , that nevertheless the iews , even to this day , although it cost them much money , come yearly to the place where ierusale● stood , and upon the day of the destruction thereof , weep over it . such was their affection unto this city . but these evils were purged with a sudden invasion ( for no crying injuries nor prophane insolencies against god pass unpunished , but that then or soon after , a just revenge falls upon them ) for cosro● ▪ emperour of the persians , whose impudency and impiety was so great , that he would be worshipped as a god , about the year of our lord , besieged this town , took it , and put to death christians , carried the patriarch thereof , together with many others , away captive . but heraclius the emperor , to punish him for his pride and cruelty , set upon persia , and with fire and sword destroyed the country not far from nineveh , and went away with an honourable victory . seroes also , the only begotten son of cosroes , but a little before invading the kingdom , kill'd his own father in prison , restored the patriarch , and the rest of the captives which his father had taken , to heraclius : and about the seventh year after he had warred upon persia , he returned to aelia ▪ with great pomp. not long after , in the year , haumar the chief prince of the saracens , which was the third from mahomet , with a great army afflicted syria and iudaea , conquered their countries , and in his victories used great tyranny and cruelty . within two years after he won aelia , which had maintained a long and sharp siege ; neither would zacharias the patriarch give it up , till he was compelled thereto by extream famin , and soon after died with grief . thus the town continued for the space of years in the hands of the saracens . then in the year , caliphas sultan of egypt , won it , beat down the walls , destroyed the temple which the emperor constantine had built , and made havock of all things . presently upon this , the turks , which came out of sythia by the caspian mountains , won the city , and drave thence the saracens . thus we may see that the saracens and turks , though they were both of one religion , yet for the country of the iews fought one against another , and compelled the christians to pay them tribute for the fourth part of the city , wherein the sepulchre of our lord stood , being again restored by the emperor constantine after the destruction of caliphas . the christians being weary of this tribute , and of the oppression of these infidels , became sutors to pope vrban , the second of that name , for their delivery ; who in the year assembled a councel at clearemont in france , and by the instigation of one peter the hermit , stirred up the hearts of divers christian princes and lords to make a croysado ; so that brave and well mounted souldiers went into the holy land , and for a token of their war , bore red crosses upon their arms. in the same year there was a great blazing star seen in the west , and after that followed a great plague for the space of two years through the world : this nevertheless hindred them not in their design , but that they went their intended journey , won the city of aelia from the saracens , delivered the christians from their bondage and tax , and chose godfrey of lorrain earl of bulloin , king thereof , whom they anointed in the temple of the holy sepulchre ; but he refused to be crowned with a crown of gold , saying , that it ill beseemed him to be called king of ierusalem ( the true king whereof was christ ) or to sit crowned with gold , in the place where he was crowned with thorns that was the son of the ever-living god : and then chose arnolphus of rhodes patriarch . in the month of october , the same year , a blazing star of a marvellous bigness appeared towards the south : it seemed to be like a waving sword , foreshewing , no doubt , the destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this earthly ierusalem . immediatly after the feast of the nativity of christ , all the christians of the east countries , upon candlemas-day , came out of syria , but especially out of antiochia , to ierusalem , and in the temple of the holy sepulchre consecrated their bishops and choristers , and with one consent sung illuminare ierusalem . they took also all the cities , castles , and villages , and over them set bishops ; created four principalities , one at ierusalem , another at antiochia , a third at edissa , a fourth at tripoly . also certain earldoms and baronies , as at bri●o , zidon , caesaria , , galilee , ioppa , and ascalon . all these were appointed to pay tribute to the king of jerusalem . all this was done in the year of our lord , . no sooner were these news published to the world , but there was an universal croysado through all christendom , for the conquering and winning of the rest of the holy land , but before they could get thither , they were either slain by the grecians , and other nations , or else died through famin and thirst : so that in them was fulfilled the prophecy of zacharias , cap. . ▪ where it is said , it shall happen that i will make jerusalem an heavy stone for all people : all they that lift it up shall be torn , though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it . and verse . and in that day will i seek to destroy all nations that come against jerusalem . this year died godfrey king of jerusalem , of a fever , upon the eighteenth day of july , when he had reigned scarce a year , and was buried in the temple of mount calvary . after him succeeded his brother baldwin , the first of that name , and the second king of jerusalem . this man reigned eighteen years in jerusalem , and being overcom by caliphas sultan of egypt , after the loss of thirteen thousand christians , he had much ado to escape with life . within a short time after he died without issue . baldwin the second succeded his uncle , and was the third king of jerusalem . he began his reign anno . this man overcame the turks : and the king of damascus had issue only one daughter named milesent , whom he married to the earl of angiers , and gave with her the kingdom of jerusalem , and died without heir male , in the year . fulco , in right of his wife , succeeded his father in law , and was the fourth king of jerusalem . this fulco was brother to the king of england , he reigned thirteen years , fought many worthy battels against the turks , put of their men to the sword , took many of them prisoners , and carried them to jerusalem . after that , as he was hunting the hare in acon , riding speedily , he fell from his horse , and was sorely bruised , whereof he died , and left two sons called baldwin and almerick . baldwin the third was the fifth king of jerusalem , and succeeded his father , he won the city of ascalon , he rebuilt the town of boza , ( which had been destroyed ) placed there certain knights templers ; he lost the city of edissa to the saracens , where many christians were cruely slain . and having reigned nineteen years , he died without issue . after him succeeded his brother almerick , who was the sixth king of jerusalem . in the time of this king , the sultan of egypt gave a great overthrow to the knights templers ; which he seeking to revenge , invaded egypt with a great army , besieged the great city of alcair , but to small purpose ; wherefore returning back to jerusalem , he shortly after died , when he had reigned twelve years : he left behind him three children , a son called baldwin , and two daughters , sibella and isabella . baldwin the fourth succeeded his father , and was the seventh king of jerusalem ; who abusing his government , was struck with a leprosie , with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the twenty fifth year of his age , having reigned thirteen years . baldwin , the fifth of that name , the only begotten son of his sister sibil , by his consent was chosen his successor , a youth of nine years old , his fathers name was william mountferrat , earl of march , who dying , his mother married one guy earl of lusignan , to whom baldwin committed the protection of the kingdom , and of his young kinsman till he came to mans estate . but this young man , within seven years after the death of his uncle , died sitting at his table , not without suspicion of poyson . guy his protector , by the perswasion of his wife , and at the instigation of the jerosolimits , took upon him the government ; but raimond earl of tripoly was his great adversary , for that baldwin the th for his exceeding pride , at the instigation of that guy , had displaced him of all his offices and titles in the commonwealth . these two striving for the kingdom , it hapned that guy was charged with his kinsmans death , under which pretence raymond made war against him . during these troubles , saladine sultan of egypt , taking advantage of this opportunity , made war upon them both , and with great facility conquered the kingdom , and destroyed jerusalem . in this year , there hapned so great an eclipse of the sun , that at noon day the stars were plainly to be seen . soon after this , raimond and guy were both taken prisoners , and thirty thousand christians cruelly put to the sword. after this , the saracens sacked the town , threw the bells out of the steeples , made stables of the churches ; only the temple on mount golgotha stood untouch'd : for the turks and saracens honour christ as a great prophet . and thus the new kingdom of the christians in jerusalem ended , which was upon the second day of october , in the year , after it had continued in their possession years . during the continuance of this kingdom , there were many horrible visions , and strange signs and wonders seen both in heaven , on earth , and in the air ; foreshewing ( no doubt ) that god was not well pleased with their actions , which sought to restore that kingdom of jerusalem . for , my kingdom ( saith christ ) is not of this world. and although after that , there were many kings that by all possible means endeavoured to recover and restore the same , and for that purpose have leavied many great armies , and undertaken many tedious journies ; yet all their councels and determinations came to nothing , so that god , so often as they undertook any such expedition , either stayed their armies , oppressed them with war , or else plagued them with famin , in such an extream measure , that with very hunger they have been constrained to eat their horses . frederick barbarossus may be an example of these calamities ; who with a great army making an expedition to jerusalem , as he was travelling through asia minor , his horse started , and flung him into the river , where he died miserably e're he could be saved . many other princes besides , in the like enterprise came to the like ends ; for they were either destroyed by the barbarians , with the loss of thousands of their men cruely slain , or utterly destroyed with unnatural diseases or untimely deaths . now when the emperor frederick , the second of that name , had besieged and brought to great misery the sultan of egypt , and the knights templers had done the like to damieta ; corderio the sultans son beat down the walls of jerusalem , and had it not been for the great lamentations and earnest entreaties of the christians , he would have destroyed the city ; but for their sakes he left standing solomon's temple , and the temple of the holy sepulchre ; for at this time christians inhabit in them . within a while after , about the year . frederick , the second of that name , emperour of rome , went to the holy land with a great army , and came to ptolomais , otherwise called acon , where staying a while , he made a league with the sultan of aegypt for ten years , regained ierusalem without drawing sword , and was there crowned in the year . keeping at that time in ierusalem a royal easter . this man fortified the christians with a garrison , rebuilt nazareth and ioppa , and so returned into italy . in the year , cassanus king of the tartars , being persuaded by the sultan , with a great army invaded iudaea , won ierusalem , caused the christians to be cruelly slain , beat down the holy sepulchre even to small pieces , and left but little standing . it was after this destroyed by tamerlain king of the tartars , and by mahomet , the second of that name , emperour of the turks . but the monks had leave to build up the holy sepulchre again , for the which , they payed to the sultan or his deputy a yearly tribute . in the year of our lord , selymus emperour of the turks , about the twenty fourth day of august , near to damascus , overcame campson gaurus sultan of aegypt , in a cruel war , and put to death many thousands of his men ; and the sultan himself seeking to save his life by flight , was miserably slain . this selymus conquered the holy land , syria , damascus , and all the countries thereabouts ; and as he went through iudaea , leaving his army at gaza , with a few of his souldiers he went to ierusalem , that he might see with his eyes that place which was made so famous by the ancient writers , and was so often mentioned in the old and new testament . but when he came , he found nothing but a ruinate and waste place , barren and rude to look upon , inhabited by a few poor christians , and they also held in great contempt and bondage , paying a great tribute to the sultan of aegypt , for their liberty and holy sepulchre , as p. iovius writeth . but after that selymus in that place had done his offerings and sacrifices to his god mahomet , seeing the priests and christians press'd with extream poverty , out of his singular mercy and compassion , gave them a large and sumptuous gift , when he had stayed but one day and one night in the town . the next morning before day he went with all expedition to his army at gaza , and from thence into aegypt , where he besieged the great and famous city alcaire , and in the year . took it , conquered all the country , utterly extirpated the sultan , and went away with an honourable victory and rich booty . from this year even till now , the town of aelia or ierusalem is under the jurisdiction of the turks . thus may we see how often , and with what miserable calamities this city hath been afflicted , even since the first destruction by vespasian ; which makes evident the great judgment of god not only upon the iews , but also upon the earth where they inhabited , for their infidelity and unmerciful cruelty . the description of jerusalem and the scituation thereof as it is now in these times . the former incursions and common desolations leaving this town ruined and spoiled for want of inhabitants , it became a desart and forsaken place ; only some few christians , either out of the zeal of religion , or for vulgar ostentation , to shew that there had been a town , dwelt there : and thus it continued until the year . at which time , solyman the great turk , either in respect of the strength of the place , or in hope of profit , or else to get himself a name , with great cost and labour re-edified it , set up many stately buildings and sumptuous houses , beautified it with two costly temples , the one the temple of solomon , and the other the holy sepulchre ; enlarged the extent thereof , and seated it upon high hills . after all this , compass'd it about with a spacious and thick wall , and upon that placed many strong and stately towers , wherein there stands eight gates , viz. the fish gate , the old gate , s. stephens gate , ( so called , because they say s. stephen went out by that gate when he was stoned ) the angle gate , the dung gate , the sheep gate , the golden and fountain gates . thus the ancient city , and that which the emperour adrian built , being both destroyed , in another place is set up again . so that between both , this new city standeth , and the first city begins to be again inhabited . of the temple of the holy sepulchre . this temple lieth upon the west within this new town , at first fairly built by the emperour constantine , but destroyed by caliphas sultan of egypt : then by the emperours of constantinople rebuilt , which continueth to this day . it is round in the proportion , adorned with seventy nine pillars thirty foot long ; the wideness , by the diameter ( besides the pillars ) is seventy three feet , leaded above , and upon the top of the roof standeth a lanthorn , by which the light cometh in : this lanthorn is very curiously glazed . in the middle standeth the holy sepulchre . to this joyneth the church in mount golgotha , and serveth instead of a quire. it standeth something lower , but all under one roof . the place where the holy sepulchre standeth is four square , eight foot long , and eight broad , hewn out of a rock , and covered with marble ; there is a little door in the east part of it very low , by which men go into it , and within that the sepulchre it self standeth upon the north side , made of gray marble , handfuls high , and foot long . there are no windows for light to come to it , but over there hangeth continually nine lamps burning , whereby it receiveth light. the vault of this sepulchre is divided with a wall ; the outward is both of the same proportion and length as the inward , but that which is without seemeth to be an entry to the inner cave where christ was buried : and there ( as some say ) even to this day is found a piece of the stone which the angel rolled from the grave before the resurrection ; the other part of the stone ( howsoever it came there ) lyes upon mount sion . but some think that the armenians carried it thither , because upon it they have built an altar . in this inner cave there hangs nine lamps to give light unto them that enter in by the east ; so that in the inner and outer vault there standeth eighteen lamps . the mount whereon christ was crucified seemeth to stand upon a rock of stone , whitish and something blushing . it is distant from the holy sepulchre a hundred and thirty foot . the place where the cross stood was an hard rock , eighteen steps in the ascent , and answereth to nine and twenty feet . the hole where the cross stood is about the roundness of a mans head in latitude ; and if a man might believe the monks thereabouts , they say also , that in that place is to be seen the colour of our saviours blood even to this day . upon the left hand of this there stands an altar made of marble , and over that a sumptuous chappel , paved , and covered with polish'd marble , gilt and adorned with refulgent gold , the walls whereof are very curiously wrought and gilded . in the church , upon mount golgotha , they also shew part of a pillar naturally black , speck'd with red spots , where they say christ was whip'd , and make the vulgar believe that these specks are the drops of blood that fell from him . the other part of this column was carried to constantinople , as it was thought . in this church , godfrey , first christian king of ierusalem , and the rest of his successors lie buried . of the temple of solomon , as it is at this day . this temple lieth towards the east , and was built by the christians just in the same place where the former temple stood , at the time when the city was rebuilt and enlarged . the body thereof is very high and spatious , and built of polish'd marble , adorned with most exquisite and curious workmanship , very artificial and glorious both within and without , insomuch that the polished stones cast a singular beautiful and resplendent lustre . above it is covered with lead , and was built up at the cost and labour of the grecians ; in the roof whereof , the turks place an half moon , as they usually do in all such churches wherein they come and have authority . the turks and saracens have this temple in great reverence and devotion , they adorn it ( according to their custom ) with divers artificial pictures and emblems . they will suffer no christians to enter into it , nor any jews , upon pain of death . and if it happens that at any time they go into it , they first wash themselves with water very clean , then put off their hose and shoos , and so go bare-foot . this temple they call the holy rock , and in the body thereof there hangeth seven hundred lamps , which burn night and day . in the midst hereof there standeth a certain little rock , every where indented with iron , near to which , not any of the saracens or infidels dare to approach or touch , although there come many very far to visit it : for they believe that there were many memorable and worthy things done in that rock : they think that melchisedeck the first priest of the great god , offered bread and wine upon it , genes . . and that here the patriarch iacob saw the ladder which reached from heaven to earth , gen. . which indeed hapned not in ierusalem , but in bethel , as the scriptures witness . further they believe , that upon this stone david saw the angel of the lord standing with a shaken sword when he struck the city with the pestilence , sam. . and that the priests of the old testament offered upon this stone their sacrifices to the lord , which were devoured with fire from heaven . all which things do utterly differ from holy scripture . the jews also are of opinion , that the prophet ieremy , about the time of the captivity of babylon , in this stone hid the ark of the covenant , until such time as the lord brought the people back again from the captivity : which is contrary also to the books of the holy scripture ; for , mach. . it is said , it was hid in the mount nebo , where moses stood when he saw the whole land of canaan . also the turks say , that christ sate upon this stone when simeon took him in his arms and blessed him . here also he sate in the midst of the doctors when he was but twelve years of age , luk. . which also differeth from the scripture ; for this was not the body of the temple , but in the middle court , or solomons porch , which sometimes was taken for the temple , because it joyned to it . and divers circumstances of the scripture do seem to make this evident , because here christ taught , and here the people usually met together , as appeareth , iosh. . and psal. . about the temple of ierusalem there is a fair plain , much resembling our church-yards , all paved with marble stone . to this there is adjoyning a fair church covered with lead , and was somtimes called solomons porch ; but after the christians had won ierusalem , they gave it the name of st. maries . the turk keeps burning in this daily eight hundred lamps , and it is much greater than that of solomons temple . the sultan of aegypt also about an hundred years before , built a little church or moscho close by solomons temple , wherein are continually burning eighty eight lamps . there is a vault under the temple of the blessed virgin mary , of such an extraordinary greatness , that six hundred horse may easily be placed in it . and thus we may see the temple of solomon and city of ierusalem not only to be in the power of the turks , but also prophaned with the blasphemous doctrine of mahomet . and also we may here behold the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place , where sometime was the ark of the covenant , dan. . mat. . and the prophecy of ieremy is fully finished , cap. . this place shall be unclean like unto the place of tophet , where they did sacrifice to the host of heaven , and unto other strange gods. of other buildings within the city of aelia , which is now called jerusalem . mount sion is placed toward the south of ierusalem , where even at this day the monks undertake to shew the ruines of david's tower , the sepulchres of the kings of israel , and many other holy places . but p. orosius , and other historians write , how in the time of adrian caesar there happened a great earthquake , in such a terrible manner , that the mountain of sion , with the sepulchre of david , fell down , and were utterly defaced . further , all true historians do write , that adrian the emperour did so much deface the city , that he left not a stone standing upon a stone ; nay , not a whole stone , but all were broken into small pieces ; and yet notwithstanding pilgrims are so mad and blind , that they go thither with great pains to seek those holy places , where , when they come , with the expence of a great deal of time , in recompence of their pains , are made a laughing-stock to the kings of ierusalem , and find nothing but feigned and supposed holy places and buildings : since the words of our saviour manifest , that there shall not be a stone left upon a stone , which shall not be broken to pieces . and borchardus the monk saith , that the romans caused the temple and other princely buildings , together with the mountains , to be thrown down , and cast into the vallies , with which being filled , there remaineth not so much as an emblem of the old city . from whence may evidently appear , that those places which are now shewn to pilgrims by the monks of ierusalem , are merely suborned and feigned , on purpose to deceive them , and get their money . they are very simple therefore that go to ierusalem , to seek their salvation in such places . and as for the sepulchre ( as is aforesaid ) the tartars beat it all in pieces ; so that this monument of our lord is not to be found upon the earth . wherefore our saviour christ is no more to be sought among the dead , but in the sacred monument of his holy word , for there he hath promised to make evident his divine presence , &c. of the sects that are in and about the temple of the holy sepulchre . in and about the church which is built over the holy sepulchre , upon mount calvary , there are at this day many of divers nations and countreys which inhabit , of divers opinions and religions . and although they differ in material points of their faith , yet would they be all christians : of which number , there are some latines , greeks , abissines , armenians , gregorians , nestorians , surians , and iacobins . the latines for the most part are such as we call franciscan monks , observants , or friars . these have the keeping of the holy sepulchre , and look to it very diligently ; where sometimes they make a certain number of knights of the noble order of st. iohns templers , with many ceremonies and great solemnities . these knights are girt with a sword all gilt , hanging in a red velvet girdle ; a chain of gold is put upon them worth about an hundred hungarian duckats , at the end whereof hangs a ierusalem cross of gold . this kind of cross also they are permitted to wear upon their arms and cloaths ; then have they a pair of gilt spurs with velvet tyings . but before they are admitted into this order , they must swear upon the holy sepulchre to maintain and defend the doctrine of the pope . the graecians that are there be also monks , and do inhabit within the temple of the holy sepulchre ; but they have the keeping of the place where our saviour christ was crucified , and differ from the romanists . for they believe first , that the holy ghost proceedeth from the father and not the son. secondly , they give the sacraments in both kinds . thirdly , they hold not the pope to be head of the church . fourthly , they deny purgatory and prayer for the dead . fifthly , they sing mass in their own language , that every man may understand it , but they observe seven sacraments as the romanists do . they teach men to pray to , and call upon saints ; they yearly observe two strict fasting days , and eat no flesh upon saturdays . the rest of the graecians that are through the east parts , leave marriage free , as well for the clergy as laity , and condemn the latin priests because they marry not . they allow no graven images in their churches , but in some places of the churches they have fair painted pictures hanging . they approve not the pope , but have a patriarch for their high bishop , which patriarch is greatly reverenced , and much honoured in constantinople . the abissins be such as are of iohn's government : their complexion is brown , their habitation is in the temple upon mount calvary , on the east side of the church door : they also approve not the pope , but allow priests to marry , and give the sacrament in both kinds ; yet there are many sects and opinions among them , forbearing those meats forbidden in the old testament ; they circumcise both male and female , which the jews do not ; they observe our saturday for their sabbath ; they baptise their children with fire , of which i will speak more hereafter , in the description of the town of saba . the armenians are christians , and come out of armenia ; their dwelling is in a chappel upon mount sion , near to st. iames his church ; they deny the pope to be head of the church ; they minister the sacraments in both kinds ; their priests marry ; they forbear the meats forbidden in the old testament . they have a kind of custom to whine and cry by the graves of the dead ; upon twelfth day they keep a great feast , and the next day begins their lent , which they keep strictly , and eat neither eggs nor fish , nor any living thing during that time : they observe wednesdays and fridays ; they preach , sing , and say their service in their own tongue ; they deny prayer for the dead , and purgatory ; they all wear hats with blew hat-bands . the gregorians are christians that dwell by the great city of trapezunta upon the euxinian sea. their priests marry , but if their wives dye they must not marry again . they dwell in ierusalem , in the church upon mount calvary , where christ , after his resurrection , shewed himself like a gardner unto mary magdalen . the nestorian hereticks , who now are found in great numbers in ninevie , which at this day is called mossell , and in other places thereabout , do yet hold the heresie of nestorias their master , and teach , that christ had two natures , and that he hath two persons , and that mary was not the mother of god , but that she bare christ who was man only : about their hats they wear flesh-coloured hat-bands . some of their priests are found to dwell in the temple of mount calvary . the surians follow the graecian christians , touching the most of their opinions ; they respect not much their religion ; for in regard of their poverty they are forced to work for day wages under the turks . some of them also dwell in ierusalem in a church called s. marks , which standeth in the place of the house where iohn mark dwelt , where the apostle peter knock'd when the angel led him out of prison . the sect of the iacobins are resident in a chappel which standeth behind the sepulchre . they take that name of iacob the heretick , who was a disciple of the patriarch of alexandria ; they are wavering and unconstant among themselves , and are here and there found in iudaea , aegypt , and barbary , divided into many sects ; for some of them hold with eutichus and macharus , who ascribe one nature to christ , which is the god-head , and deny the man-hood . some of them circumcise their children , some baptise them with fire , and make a cross upon their faces . of this fiery baptism you shall read more hereafter in the description of the city of saba . hereby you may note , how the temple of the holy sepulchre in ierusalem is filled with many sects , who altogether give and pay tribute to the emperour of the turks ; whereby you may see , that christ will be no more sought in the holy sepulchre , but rather in the holy evangelists , where he suffereth himself to be found by all those that seek him with a pure heart . of the sects of the jews . in these our times the jews do inhabit in ierusalem , and are divided into many sects , that is to say , pharisees , saducees , essaes , genisteis , morboneis , and meristeis . the pharisees took that name from the interpretation of the law , and is derived from the hebrew word parasch , which signifies to expound : so that pharasei is as much as to say doctor , or expounder of the law : they approve of moses and the prophets ; they hold the immortality of the soul : but of christ and the principal parts of his doctrine , of the law , of sin , and of ceremonies , they have many ungodly opinions and expositions . they feign that the law was instituted by god for outward discipline ; that sin is only outward transgression and the violating of mens traditions : they hold there is no original sin , but that men may perform the law , and merit everlasting life ; besides many other things , as washings , fastings , offering gifts in the temple , and such like ceremonies ; of which there is no commandment extant in the scripture . read mat. , . , . &c. mar. , . . &c. ioh. . , . &c. acts . . &c. the sadducees give themselves an honourable title , being derived from zedukim or zeddikim , calling themselves just , from the word zadock , he was just , and by amphetresim is not unproperly derived from dicai●o , or dicaios , signifying justus : and by prothes●n in latine , iudex a judge . so that zaddik or zadducaeus signifies a just judge , which would judge all others , but they themselves were without offence : thus the worst men got the best names . they only allow the five books of moses ; they dream the messias should be an earthly king ; they believe the souls of men to be mortal , and to perish with their bodies ; they do not believe the resurrection , nor that there are either angels , spirits , or divels . the essaes had rather be called students , taking their name from asa , under which title , they would seem to reprehend , and amongst other things , avoid the profane liberty of the sadducees , and approve not the arrogant dissimulation of the pharisees ; but that they tech more divine and profitable precepts . these live a monastical life , unmarried ; their goods are common ; for the most part they practise physick : in their assemblies , the ancientest of them read some part of moses's law , or some of the prophets ; all of them , both young and old , at certain times of the day , say prayers . they have no new kind of doctrine , but imbrace the priesthood of moses : they dwell in the desarts and utmost parts of iudaea near to the lake asphaltites , and in the garden of balm near iericho , where the ancient prophets elias and eliseus had their schools , whose disciples were called the children of the prophets . these three sects began in maccabaeus's time , ioseph . l. . c. . the genisteis are said to be those that do certainly affirm , that they are of the posterity of abraham , although they have lost their genealogies , and cannot prove it . these call themselves great and noble , and are of the stock of those that in the captivity of babylon married the wives of other nations ; of which you may read in nehem. so that they are half gentiles , half jews , and account themselves to be of the nobility . the morboneis very solemnly observe the sabbath , which many others , that are flatterers of the turks and saracens , do not : there are a great company of these ; for almost all the iews do very superstitiously celebrate the sabbath : and therefore they take their name partly from a multitude , and partly from usury ; for merebech in hebrew signifies a multitude , and t●rebah usury . meri●teis are those jews that divide the scripture , and say the prophets spoke not all with one spirit ; and what they list they make scripture , and what they list they leave out : and therefore the graecians call them meristein , which signifies to divide . there are also others in these our times that are jews too , but they are called samaritans , which only approve of the mosaical law , and reject the rest of the scriptures and prophets . these are so called from keeping ; for this word schamar properly signifies to preserve or keep a speech in heart , and hath therefore a certain congruity and consonance with the latin word sermo : so that schamar in hebrew , and sermo in latin , are much what of one signification . but all the jews , except the sadducees , have one faith ; they think they may fulfill the commandments , and by their own works be justified and purchase eternal life . they deny the trinity and christ , and do believe that their messias is yet to come , and shall bring them back again into the land of promise . of the saracens and turks which inhabit in jerusalem : of their faith and religion . the saracens are a people of arabia the stony ; of the posterity of ishmael the son of abraham , which he begat of hagar : from whence they are rightly called agarins , notwithstanding they had rather be called saracens . others call them saracens , à saraca , which is a part of arabi● the stony ; it seemeth therefore that these people took their name from a principality ; for sarar in hebrew is the same that principatum gessit is in latin , or if you will , principatum obtinuit , which signifies ( to obtain principality . ) and therefore the saracens , or sarazens , may be said princes or captains , whose principality extends it self far and near : but agarins signifies perigrinators ; for gor or gar is as much as to say a pilgrim . these people combined themselves with mahomet that false prophet , born of obscure parentage : his fathers name was abdiminech , of his wife that was of the family of ishmael , or of the saracens , born in arabia the stony , ( and as it is express'd in their alcoran ) upon the day of september , according to our account , about the year of christ . he took his name from a tumultuous confusion : for hamah signifies tumultuatus est ; he hath been tumultuous ; and hamam , tumultuando disturbavit , he divided by contention . from hence maimo signifies tumultuor , a contender , and maiomai , concitor , a rebel . from whence may be gathered , that mahomet is an ominous and seditious name . whilst he was in his infancy he lived with his father : after , being of a prompt wit , he served one abdomoneplis a merchant , in whose service , conversing with christians and jews , he got a smattering knowledge of the old and new testament , and many acquaintance ; amongst which , was one sergius an arian monk , a man very well affected of this abdomoneplis . abdomoneplis died , and by the per●uasion of this monk , mahomet married cadican his wife , although she was fifty years of age , and by her had great riches : she soon after also died , and left mahomet all that she had . he on a sudden , being lift up to this height of substance , grew very ambitious ( for he was naturally proud , wrathful , a thief , a whore-master , a most impudent adulterer ; and wheresoever he came made havock of all things . ) this man , by the help of the saracens and others , affected the kingdom of arabia , which within short time after he obtained , entring mecha the chief city thereof , upon thursday the th of iuly , anno dom. . and by the help of two jews , and this sergius , wrote that blasphemous law of the alcoran , falsly professing himself to be a prophet ; and began cruelly to oppose himself against all neighbouring nations and cities . the alcoran taketh the name from splendour or brightness ; for , al in the arabick , is as much as karan in the hebrew , and that signifies to s●ine or cast forth a brightness . this alcoran contains a blasphemous and detestable law , written in the arabian tongue , without any order or colour of knowledge , teaching manifest lies and execrable blasphemi●s against god ; and for the most part , the pleasures and delights of this world : for he doth deny that there is one eternal essence of the deity , and the holy trinity ; our saviour christ they one while call the son of god , and another while , the soul or spirit of god. they deny his deity , but say that he was a holy man , born without a father , of the chaste and incorruptible virgin mary . and although he was before all beginning , yet they believe that he was not begotten , but created before all other essential creatures , by the eternal god. also they say he was not crucified , but some other in his place ; and therefore the salvation of man not to consist in the merits of christ , but in our own proper works . and that the jews might embrace the alcoran , they retain circumcision , which is commonly done when the children are thirteen years of age ; about which time , ishmael was circumcised . they forbear the meats forbidden in the law ; they have many wives at one time , they tollerate a bill of divorce , and affirm , that after the resurrection men may have many wives , and with them banquet , surf●t , and use pleasant recreations , with divers such errors and vain trifles , which for brevities sake i omit . that he might the better persuade men to embrace and believe these his lies and blasphemous doctrines , he very cunningly seemed to confirm them with many false and feigned miracles : and amongst the rest this was one : having taught a white dove to put corn in his ear , whilst he was preaching to the people , it chanced she came and sat upon his shoulder , and putting her bill into his ear , according to her accustomed manner , he persuaded the people that it was the spirit of god , which delivered him the words of the law. a bull also , taught after the same manner , at his voice came before him , and kneeling down did him reverence , with the alcoran tied upon his horns ; which he affirmed was come from heaven and brought that new law. then did he make divers horns of gold and silver , and filling them full of milk hid them in the earth ; after which , in a great assembly he caused the same places to be opened , and told the people that these signified plenty and abundance to all such as kept and observed that law ; but the violaters thereof should be punished with death : together with many other such like idle and foolish miracles , ( which would be too tedious to recite ) that he might make the people believe that it came from god. and being afflicted with the falling sickness , gave it out , that then the angel gabriel told him the law , making this likewise a means to further his designs ; but after , viz. upon the eighth of iune , anno dom. . and in the year of his age , he died miserably of this disease , after he had reigned in mecha ten years ; and enbubizer or abud●char his father-in-law , succeeded him in the government , who built in his honour a church , and in that put his sepulchre , both stately and sumptuous . the turks also embrace this doctrine , and joyned their forces with the saracens : they extended their empire under mahomet the third , into asia , europe , and africa . they derive their name ( as i suppose ) from cruelty ; for turca signifieth a cruel destroyer , or an armed enemy , being derived from the hebrew word tarach , that is , to effect his purpose . from whence , they are not improperly called of the gr●c●ins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to vex and make weary ; or else from the hebrew word tachaera , which signifies a shield ; and from the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to put on a shield , and to arm themselves : for the turks are armed enemies , and destroyers of the whole world : and by ezekiel are called gog and magog , cap. . & . of magog which was the son of iaphet , gen. . and as some think , inhabited the north parts of the world. pliny places them in bospherus , cimmerius , scythia , &c. which lyeth toward the east . but indeed they have often changed their residence , and have come into persia , armenia , syria , palestina , arabia , and cruelly destroyed them , until they had conquered constantinople , and got a great part of europe ; and have infe●ted the minds of all the inhabitants of those parts , with their manners , slaughters , and rapines , according to that blasphemous law of the alcoran . they first afflicted those parts about the year of our lord . constantius copronius being then the emperour of rome ; since which time , they have conquered a great part of the world. a relation of the travels and peregrinations of the saints and holy patriarchs , as they are severally mentioned in the first book of moses . and first , of the first man , adam . adam the first man , took his name from adamah , which signifies red earth , because he was made of the red slime of the earth : therefore the latins derive homo from humo ; also the graecians from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies the earth . but , when man was laid open to all calamities , miseries , yea and death , the hebrews called him enosh , which signifies , a mortal and miserable man : for this attribute to man agreeth with the word nosch , which signifies to be sick of a deadly disease . there are some that think that man was made in syria near to damascus , because there is found much red earth . others say near to hebron , a city in the tribe of iuda , and there also lies buried ; for in a cave near that place , lies much red earth , which the inhabitants , even to this day , shew unto pilgrims : but this is nothing to the purpose , since we know that man was first created , and then brought into paradise , gen. . and . of paradise . paradise , which in greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and in hebrew pardes , signifies a pleasant garden plentifully furnished with fruitful trees , but principally myrtle-trees , which beareth a kind of berry of a very delectable taste : for this hebrew word seemeth to be a compound , that is , of parah , which signifies to fructifie , and hadas , a mirtle ; of the fruit of which tree , there is made a certain wine called mirtle , or mulberry wine : the mystery hereof is , that christ is that tree of life , that fruitful and pleasant mirtle , whereby we are rais●d up unto eternal life , gen. . apoc. . mat. . luther calleth paradise , in his discourse of germany , a pleasant garden , eccl. . munster , an orchard : and in the bible it is called eden , a place plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the procuring of pleasure and delight . the grecians call it hedone , which signifies an extraordinary delectable and pleasant place ; for in it there was great abundance of all things , as well of trees , fruits , herbs , and sweet-smelling flowers , as of beasts and fowls of the heaven . into this place god put man , to dress it and keep it : but where it stood , and whether it be now upon the earth , there are divers opinions : the romani●ts hold , that it is placed in the east , without the tropicks ; others would have it under the aequator , because it is a very temperate region : but experience tells us , that there it is very hot and scorching : others think it stands upon the top of a high mountain , free from all the violent motions and impre●sions of the air , in which place , they hold enoch and eliah are yet living . there are others that assign the whole east part to be paradise , and that there were some peculiar places most fruitful , of which they think was syria , damascus , arabia foelix , aegypt and iudaea , in which part man was put . they also say , that the tree of knowledge stood upon mount calvary , near about that place where christ was crucified , so that he made satisfaction for sin in the same place where sin was first committed : and this i hold to be the better opinion , and that it remained till the deluge , kept in the custody of angels , at gods appointment , and by the flood , together with other creatures , was abolished . and for that saying of our saviour to the thief upon the cross , this day shalt thou be with me in paradise , is not to be understood of the earthly paradise , but of the heavenly , the place of the blessed angels and saints , where god with his divine majesty filleth them with the light of righteousness , and quickeneth them with eternal life . this place st. paul calls the third heaven , and that heavenly paradise of which the earthly paradise is a type , cor. . of the four rivers that watered paradise . the four flouds of paradise were , pison , gihon , hidekel , and euphrates , gen. . there was but one fountain of all these floods , and this was in paradise it self , which in those times was divided into four streams . but as by the flood all the face of the earth was changed , so likewise were these rivers and their fountains and channels altered from the places where at first they were ; notwithstanding in memory of them , there remains some reliques , tho' perhaps not in the same place , nor springing out of one and the same fountain , as they did before . and as the mediterranean sea , the gulph of arabia , and many other meers and lakes , before the flood were not , but ( by the general consent of all learned men ) happened by that huge inundation ; the same may be said of these rivers . the head , or beginning of the river pischon or pison , is miles eastward from ierusalem , and is like unto an arm of the sea , some twelve or sixteen miles over , and for that cause it taketh the name from posch , that is , increasing , or , of an extraordinary greatness : from hence the grecians call it phuson , because it divides it self into divers rivulets or streams . it compasseth in havilah , it divideth that part of the world which we call india , into the outward and inward : and there is called ganges , taking that name from an aethio●ian king called gange , as suidas saith . some say , it is unknown where it first riseth ; others say it riseth in scythia , and watereth all the neighbour-countreys as it passeth along , as nilus doth , and so being dispersed into thirty channels , divideth india with one of them : the narrowest place of ganges is eight miles over , and the shallowest an hundred foot deep , it bringeth forth dolphins , crocodiles , and divers other creatures . solinus and strabo say , that the river tigris riseth in armenia , a very fair and clear fountain ; it is distant from ierusalem six hundred miles towards the north : it runneth with such an exceeding swiftness that fishes cannot swim against it , and passeth through the lake of arthusia , without once mingling it self with the water : and for this cause it is called tigris , which signifies a dart , and a beast of extraordinary swiftness and cruelty . this river running from towards the north and the rising of the sun , it compasseth in mesopotamia , and passeth by the borders of media and assyria , and after that , of chaldaea and arabia , it there receiveth in the river hydas●is , and so joyning with euphrates , falls into the lake of persia. the hebrews called this river chidikill from chadad , which signifies acute , and kalal , light , for it is a swift running stream : from hence the graecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the latines , celer ; the germans , ein zelter , which signifies with us a horse swiftly running ; for it passeth away swifter than an arrow out of a bow. going towards the east , some thirty six miles from the antient babylon , it runneth through a town called bagedeth , bordering upon turkey and persia , and from thence towards the latitude , to a town called argentaratus , where it changeth the name to tigris ; in that place it runneth so extreme swift , that it will make a mans head dizzy to look upon it . strabo saith , the river euphrates riseth out of a mountain in arme●ia , called nipha , some miles from the city of ierusalem towards the north , watering mesopotamia and chaldaea , and passing through the midst of that flourishing city babylon , divides it into two parts ; and after passing through , and fructifying arabia , it joyneth with the flood tigris , and falls into the persian gulf. semiramis queen of the assyrians , and of babylon , built a bridge over the narrowest place of this river , being some three quarters of a mile over . the hebrews call this river parah , because it fructifieth ; and from thence the graecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to bear fruit , the germans , fruchter , which in english is , fruitful or pleasant . and therefore st. ambrose saith , it is derived from eu●hranein , that is , from rejoycing ; for that overflowing the fields , it causeth them the next year to flourish with all kind of fruit and pleasant flowers . the water of this river is very foul and dirty , so that it is unfit to drink ; according to that of ieremy , chap. . what availeth it thee to go into assyria , that thou mightest drink of the water of euphraters ? if a man takes this water in a vessel , and let it stand but two hours , the dirt and sand will lye at the bottom thereof two inches thick . therefore the inhabitants near about it are wont to take a great pot that holdeth a good quantity , whereinto putting water , they let it stand till all the filth be sunk to the bottom , and so they clear water to drink . nilus taketh the beginning from a certain mountain in ma●●itania the lower , not far from the ocean , and iss●es from a lake which they call nidiles , and partly from other lakes , and is increased with the snow waters falling from the mountains of the moon in africa , miles from ierusalem towards the south . some think it took the name from nileus a certain king thereabouts ; others , from the soil which is yearly brought down in the stream , whereby all aegypt is made fruitful ; from whence some think it was called servious nilus , for that it bringeth down new mud with 〈◊〉 . the hebrews call it gihon , because it breaketh out of the earth with great violence . this river comes through the desarts of aethiopia , and so with great violence comes into egypt , where it is divided into seven streams , and in times past had seven gates , the names of which were canopi●us , or heracli●ticus , bolbitinus , sebiniticus , pharmiticus , mend●sius , taniticus , and palusiacus ; the two outward gates of which , viz. cano●icus and palusiacus , were miles asunder . appianus saith , there are two ot●e● gates called tineptimi●us and diolcus : this ninth gate is divided at a city and place called delta , taking the name from the likeness that it hath to the greek letter so called . so that nilus is divided into nine gates , by which nine gates it falls into the mediterranean sea. there are many that think that paradise was only in egypt , and that then it had only but four streams , and that at the flood it was confused into nine , and they would seem to prove their opinions out of the chapter of ezekiel , where he calleth egypt a garden of pleasure . but this differeth from the description of moses , for it is not sci●●ate in the east , but rather the south from ierus●lem , and far distant from the two eastern rivers , euphrates and hiddikel , by which the holy scriptures do principally denote paradise . wherefore it may be concluded , that egypt was only a part of paradise , not paradise it self ; and that this river was one of the rivers , not all , the streams of which river , at some times of the year , viz. in the summer solstice , when the sun is near the dog-star , begins to swell and overflow the banks , by reason of the melting of the snow which lies upon the mountains of the moon , and so drown all the places near unto it , through the land of egypt , leaving behind it certain slime and mud , by which it comes to pass that the country is very fruitful , and serves them instead of rain , at which time of the year ( for this happens once every year ) the people and inhabitants of the country retire themselves to their towns , ci●ies , and castles , sci●uated upon rocks , mountains , and high grounds , from whence it happeneth that they sustain very little discommodity or loss by any such inu●dation . they also keep little boats , whereby they pass from one place to another , because all their passages and foot-paths are then drowned with waters . there are many pretty observations which the people of egypt were wont to take notice of in the rising of this water , for they had certain staves whereby they measured the depth of it ; if it rose but to twelve cubits ( which is six yards in height , they then stood in fear of great famine , so also if it was but thirteen , for then the water was not deep enough to make the ground fertile ; but if it rose to fourteen or fifteen , then they were in great hope , and did not doubt of a fruitful year ; and if to sixteen , they then greatly rejoyced at their prosperity , and kept banquets and feasts , and were assured that the succeeding year would be very plentiful ; but if it rose above , they laid aside all signs of joy , and lived very sparingly , and with great sorrow ; this great inundation of waters fore-shewing scarcity , and want , and famine , and pestilence , and death . and thus nilus yearly , every year is to them instead of rain , for egypt is without rain . in autumn , at such time as the sun going out of the last face of libra , entreth into scorpio , the waters of nilus , by little and little , retire themselves into their banks , and the earth becomes quite uncovered of water : about which time , the country being exceeding hot , the earth is presently made dry in all those places , so that in the month of october they may both till and sow their land. in this river the crocodile and the ichneumo breed , of the nature of which two , you may sufficiently read in gesner . there also breeds the pelican , of which st. ierom saith , there are two kinds , one that lives upon the water , another that lives upon the land : these birds , as some affirm , kill their young ones upon their beak , and then leave them lying in their nest for three days ; at the end of which time , the female grievously wounds her self upon the breast , and pouring her blood upon her young ones , revives them again . this bird may very well be a type and figure of our blessed saviour , who shedding his precious blood upon the cross for our sins , after the third day rose again , and that he might restore us to life that be dead in sin , poureth out his blood upon us , whereby we are made capable of eternal life . of the place where adam and eva dwelt after the breaking of the commandment . gen. . adam and eva , being driven out of pradise , dwelt at damascus , miles from ierusalem , as munster and others write : the townsmen of damascus , at this day shew the place where cain slew his brother abel ; and it is well to be believed that this city receives her name thereby , for damascus signifies blood-shedding , or a place which hath drunk up blood. of the place where cain dwelt . cain , after he had slain his brother abel , dwelt in the land of nod , a land of fear and disquiet , in the town of hanoch , and , as some think , it was the same place where babylon ( after noah's flood ) was built , being four hundred and eighty miles from ierusalem eastward . of the place where noah dwelt . noah , signifying quiet and rest , dwelt in armenia , six hundred miles from ierusalem northward , hard by mount ararat , upon which mount , the ark , ( after the flood ) stayed it self , gen. . ptolomaeus nameth these high hills in armenia , gordes , which are alwayes covered with snow , and no man may get upon them . sem. sem who in the holy scriptures is called melchisedech , that is , a king of righteousness , dwelt in the city of ierusalem , which as then was called salem , that is , a city of peace . nimroth . nimroth was the first prince and regent upon earth , and built babylon , which is six hundred and eighty miles from ierusalem eastward . strabo writeth , that in babylon there was an old four-square tower built of brick , four hundred and sixteen ells high * , and each side thereof four hundred and sixteen ells broad : this without doubt was a piece of the tower of babylon , the top whereof should have reached up to heaven , gen. . babel or babylon signifieth a confusion , because in that place god confounded the work-mens tongues , when they built the tower of babylon . the travels of abraham . . abraham went out of his own countrey of vr in chaldaea , to the city of haran in mesopotamia , which is miles . . from haran , by gods commandment he went to sichem , which is four hundred miles . . from sichem he went to the plain and wood of mam●e , to the hill between bethel and hay , which is miles . . from thence he went into egypt , travelling southward miles . . out of egypt he went again into canaan , to the hill that lyeth between behel and hay which is miles , gen. . . from thence he went to the plain of mamre near hebron , miles . . from the plain of mamre , he went to dan , which is miles , and there overthrew the four kings which had taken lot prisoner , gen. . . then he pursued the enem● for the space of miles to hobam in phoenicia , which lieth in the left side of damasco , gen. . . from phoenicia , he went to sodom , where melchisedeck met him , which are miles , gen. . . from sodom , he went back again to the plain of mamre , which are miles . . from the plain of mamre , he went to gerer , which is six miles , where his son isaac was born , gen. . . . from gerar , he went to beersaba , which is miles , where he took an oath of king abimilech . . from beersaba , he went to mount moriah , which is miles , where he would have offered his son isaac , gen. . . from mount moriah , he returned again to beersaba , which is miles . . from beersaba , he and his wife went to the plain of mamre by hebron , which is miles , and there they died and were buried , gen. . and . so that all the travels of the patriarch abraham were miles . now followeth the description of the towns and places . the town of vr in chaldaea where abraham was born , at this day is called orchae , ( as petrus ap●ianus writeth ) and is distant from ierusalem miles eastward . it seemeth it either took that name from light or fire , or else from divine worship , for there they used to offer many burnt offerings , but at that time they committed idolatry , for which cause abraham went from thence , perceiving tha● the chaldaeans took the fire for their god , because fire came down from heaven and consumed their offerings . learned men therefore are of opinion , that the chal●aeans in the town of vr , worshipped the fire for their god. haran or charan , that is , wrath. haran is the chief city in mesopotamia , where abraham for a time dwelt with his father thara . there the rich roman crassus with his army was overthrown by the parthians , and is distant from ierusalem miles north-eastward , taking its name from the water charan which runneth through it . but at this day the city is called ophra , lying eleven days journey from mossel or nineveh , as d. leonard ronwolfe writeth , who in anno , upon the thirtieth of ianuary was in that town . ophra or haran is a fair city well inhabited , and indifferent great , compassed about with walls and towers , richly furnished with merchandize , but especially with fair coverle●s of divers colours , that are made therein . there is likewise great trade and traffick for divers kinds of wares brought thither by caravans , which are great numbers of camels , horses , and other beasts , that carry great burdens , with many men to conduct them , which traffick and travel from one city to another . this city in times past belonged to the parthians , even then when crassus the rich roman , fifty three years before the birth of christ , robbed the temple of ierusalem , and of those holy relicks bare away to the value of six tuns of gold : for which , god punished him openly ; for upon the sixth of iune , after he was by the parthians overthrown hard by haran in mesopotamia , and there taken and slain ; the parthians pouring molten gold into his mouth , said , drink now thy fill ( thou greedy wretch ) of that which thou so long hast thirsted after , for with this thou mayst fill thy greedy throat . in this overthrow were slain thirty thousand romans , and by that means the city of haran returned again under the parthians . after that , the persians took it ; but now it is under the turk . in this city of haran at this day there is to be seen a well of very clear water , at which rebecca gave drink to abraham's servant , and to his camels , genes . . . this well by the towns-men is called abraham's well : there also laban's daughter , first spake with the holy patriarch iacob , who turning the stone off from the well , gave her sheep of the water to drink . this water hath a very pleasant taste , and is a notable type of holy baptism ; for like as the holy fathers took their wives by this well , so christ receiveth his holy congregation by the well of baptism , in his word and holy sacrament . this is the right well of israel , which floweth into everlasting life . the city of haran ( now called ophra ) lieth from nineveh miles westward . sichem , a shoulder . sichem is a town in samaria , on the borders of ephraim , lying on mount garizim , miles from ierusalem north-ward . it takes the name ( as phil. melancthon writeth ) from the place whereon it standeth , like a shoulder ; for sichem signifies a shoulder . of this town i will speak more at large in the new testament , for that by it christ spake with the samaritan woman , joh. . in this town , jacob's daughter was ravished , gen. . and there t●e bones of the patriarch joseph were buried , josh. . abimelech for spight , and upon no occasion , utterly destroyed the town , and having razed it to the ground , sowed it with salt , iudg. . but ieroboam king of ierusalem built it up again , and dwelt therein , kin. . it was a free town , whither a man-slayer might resort that had killed any man by chance , and save himself , iosh. . mount garizim , whereon the town of sichem stood , was a piece of mount e●hraim . tanais , in hebrew zoan , an inn , or house of harbour . tanais or zo●n , was the chief city in egypt , where pharaoh in abraham's time kept his court , as we read in the thirteenth chapter of the fourth book of moses , and psil. . and lieth miles from ierusalem , south-eastward . four miles from tanais stood the kingly town of memphis , which was likewise built before abraham's time ; but at that time it was not so famous as tanais , for there is not one word spoken of mem●his in the books of moses . but when time serves i will speak more of these two places . of the mount between bethel and hay . this hill is four miles from ierusalem , upon the north , lying between the two towns of bethel and hay , and is called mount ephraim ; where abraham at his return out of egypt the second time , set up his tabernacle , of purpose to be conversant with mel●hisedeck , who dwelt in ierus●lem ; and with him gave thanks to god for the singular favours that he had shewed toward him , in delivering his wife sara from the hands of abimelech king of egypt , who woul● have ravished her , and , as he feared , indanger●d his life . in this place lot separated himself from abraham , and went to dwell in sodom . of the plain or o●k of mamre . the plain of mamre stood a mile from hebron , towards the east , and distant from ierusalem twenty two miles south-eastward . in this vall●y there was a fair and pleasant wood , where a certain young man called mamre dwelt . this man was brother to escal and aner , mentioned by moses , genes . ▪ who , according to the custom of gentlemen with us in these times , built up his house nea● 〈…〉 pleasant wood or bottom , which , as some think , was called after his name , mamre . others , ( of which opinion is ierom ) of aelon , which signifies a valley or tree ( an oak-tree , saith he . ) but ioseph and aeges●ppus call it a terebinth tree , which both summer and winter beareth green leaves like a palm-tree , the sap or juyce whereof is very good for medicine . abraham dwelling near to this tree , being entertained by the three brothers as a stranger , grew into such favour and familiarity with them , that he converted them from paganism , and taught them to know the true and ever-living god. to gratifie which great favour , they aided him in his war against the four kings that had taken lot prisoner , and gave him free liberty to inhabit in , and use the plain thereabouts for his cattel : before whose door ( as some authors affirm ) this terebinth or oak-tree stood , and so continued from the beginning of the world , till the time of constantine the great , it being lawful for none to cut a bough of it , or touch it wit● a hatchet , because it was in those days accounted a holy tree , and visited by divers strangers : and then helena caused a fair church to be built in that place ; and so much the rather , for that abraham sitting under that tree , the three angels appeared unto him in the similitude or likeness of men , gen. . ● , . and some are of opinion , that because of this , the jews offered incense to their gods , and committed idolatry upon high mountains and under green trees , ezek. . there was also a double cave made of white marble , which as iosephus saith , was very fair and beautiful to the eye , and curiously wrought and polished ; wherein abraham , isaac , and iacob , with their wives sarah , rebecca , and le●h were buried ; and as some think , was that cave which he purchased of the hittites , gen. . . but that adam and evah lye buried in the same place , seeing there is no warrant for it in the holy scriptures , i let it pass ; because , whatsoever hath not authority of scripture to prove it , may as easily be contemned as allowed . but , abraham's s●pulchre in ierom's time was to be seen , being old and decayed . of hebron . this city was not only a kings seat , but a priests also , being built not long after the flood , and some seven years before that city of the aegyptians called zoan or tanis , numb . . and was placed upon a goodly high mountain very pleasant and delectable . it taketh the name from chabar , which signifieth to accompany ; and from thence , chebron or hebron , a pleasant and delectable society . it was a metropolitan city in the tribe of iuda , and after called kiriatharba , as it appeareth in iosh. . taking that name from arba the chief governour of that city . this man was one of the anakims , and a very mighty prince . others there are that say , the city being divided into four parts was thereof called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for arba signifies a quaternion , from the rote raba four square . it was first built by heth , the son of that cursed canaan , whose posterity ( the hittites ) inhabited in it ; and such was their hospitality , that they entertained abraham , being a stranger and traveller . these people dwelt * there until joshua's time ; and then one hoham was king thereof , who with other kings , opposing the children of israel , was by them slain , and had their country wasted and destroyed . this town was after made a town of refuge , and belonged to the inheritance of caleb , and was together with mamre in the tribe of iuda , ios. . here david was first anointed king , and reigned therein for the space of seven years , sam. . but this town , by the injury of time , and oppression of the enemy is now become desolate , only some few old relicks are to be seen , to shew there had been a town there . nevertheless there is a town not far from it which retaineth the name , placed in a very fruitful valley called mamre to this day . here , while it was under the jurisdiction of the christians , stood a cathedral church , and a bishops see ; but the turks have turned it into a mosko , or one of their churches . into this place they will not suffer any christian to enter . the inhabitants take upon them to shew unto strangers many things , as the vault or cave wherein abraham was buried , the place where cain killed abel , the well where adam and evah wept seven years for the death of their son ; with many such like fables which are to no purpose , seeing they are not warrantable by scripture . some bows-shot eastward from this place is the field of damascus , where the red earth lieth whereof they feign man to be made . it is naturally tough , and may be wrought like wax or pitch . there is also that is white of the same kind , and this is conveyed to many places by the saracens , and sold at dear rates . they use it either for the teering of sepulchres , or to mingle with salves and unguents . of gerar. gerar is the uttermost town in the land of canaan , and lieth between the desarts of sur and cades . gen. . here king abimelech kept his court at such time as abraham came thither ; and here isaac was born , gen. . it takes the name from gor , which signifies a pilgrim or traveller , and did well agree with the condition of the ancient patriarchs that sometimes lived there , because for the most part they were like pilgrims and wayfaring men , gen. . it lay six miles from hebron south-west , and from ierusalem , upon the territories of the tribe of iuda . of beerazaba . beerazaba is a town scituated upon the utmost bounds of the holy land , forty miles from ierus●lem south-westward , and is derived from beer and shebuah , and sig●ifieth the well of covenant : for abraham having digged a well near to this place , abimelech king of gerar entred into league with him , and his posterity . is●ac also renewed this league in this place , as appears , gen . it is now called gallim or giblin by the jews . in s. hierom's time it was a great town . of moriah . upon this mount abraham would have offered his son isaac , and stood not far from salem or mount sion , where mel●hisedech dwelt . they were so near , that melchisedech upon the tower of sion might easily see the angel that spake with abraham , when he renewed the covenant with him concerning his seed and posterity ; and is derived from mor or m●rar , which signifies bitter myrrh , because , as gregorius saith , the church is ever subject to affliction ; for all they that will serve god and live religiously , must suffer persecution , mat. . tim. . and iarr , which signifies to fear . how abraham may be typically apprehended . abraham signifies the father of a multitude , from ab , pater , a father ; ram , excelsus , mighty ; and hamon , multitudinis , of a multitude . not in regard of the jews only , but all those that in succeeding times shall be ingraffed into the church , and partake of everlasting life through the mediation of christ jesus , the promised seed , gal. . ephes. . acts . and is a type and figure of god the father ; for , that as abraham was the father of many , yet had but only one son : so although god be the father of all nations , yet had but one only son , jesus christ , begotten of his own essence from before the beginning of the world. and as abraham so loved god , that for his sake he would not have spared his only son ; so god so loved abraham and the world , that he gave his only begotten son to die for the salvation of their souls . the travels of lot. lot travelled with abraham from vr in chaldaea , to haran in mesopotamia , which is miles , gen. . . from haran they travelled to sichem in the land of canaan , b●ing miles . . from sichem they travelled through morae , to the hill lying between bethel and hay , which is miles . . from the hill between bethel and hay , they went into aegypt , which is miles , gen. . . from aegypt they went into the land of canaan , to the hill lying between bethel and hay , where abraham had dwelt before , which is miles , gen. . . from the hill between bethel and hay lot separated himself from abraham , and went to the town of sodom eastward , which is miles , gen . . in the town of sodom lot was taken prisoner , he and all his houshold , and led away to the town of dan , which is miles , gen. . . and when abraham had delivered him out of the hands of his enemies , a pursued them , he returned with him from dan to hobam in phoenicia , lying on the left side of damascus , being miles . . from phoenicia , abraham came again with lot to sodom , which is miles . . lastly , when the lord had determined to rain fire and brimstome on sodom , lot , according to his commandment , went thence to zoar a little town near adjoyning , where being drunk with wine , he committed incest with both his daughters ; but after , coming to the knowledge of his offence , he was so sore afflicted in his conscience , that with extream grief he died . luther saith , that abraham took him to hebron with him to comfort him , and that there he died . hebron is miles from sodom . so all the travels of the patriarch lot were miles . the description of the towns and places where he travelled : and first of sodom . the cities that were destroyed with fire and brimstone from heaven , were four in number , that is , sodom , gomorrah , adama , and zeboim , lying miles from ierusalem south-eastward , where now the dead sea runs . the fifth was the city bela , called also zoar , which was spared for lot's sake , and distant from sodom two miles . this , lot accounted but a little city ; but there are that say it was a very spacious and princely place , near to which his wife for her disobedience was turned into a pillar of salt , and not far off he committed incest with his two daughters , and although luther be of opinion , that that also within a while after was burnt , yet this cannot be certainly proved , especially because it remaineth even to this day , scituated both in the ancient place , and called by the ancient name ; unless some new city hath been lately built in the same place , and is now called after that name , which i cannot think to be true . sodamah signifieth a mystery ; gomorrah , a faggot of thorns ; adamah , red earth ; zeboim , fertile and pleasant ; zoar , the burning of b●la ; for in ancient times it was called baela . it is the received opinion , that the country wherein these five rich and opulent cities stood was called pentapolis . of the lake or dead sea , called asphaltides . in the very same place where these cities were burnt and destroyed , there is at this day to be seen a lake about miles long , and in some places six , in others eight , and twelve miles over . it boileth with pitch and brimstone , and in some places passeth by the name of the salt sea , and in others , the dead sea , because of the noisome and venomous air that riseth out of it , insomuch as the very birds that fly over it fall down dead ; and if a beast do but drink of it mix'd with water , it makes him incurably sick . it is of a wonderful nature , for whatsoever heavy thing you fling into it will not sink , but swim upon the top , be it either iron , lead , copper , or any other weighty matter : of which vespasian the emperour having notice , to make experience of what he had heard , made a journey of purpose to see it , and with him took certain condemned men , who for their offences had deserved death ; these he manacled , and where he thought it to be deepest caused them to be thrown in ; but they rose up again with such violence as if some storm or tempest had sent them up . the water thereof changeth three times a day , and shineth against the sun with divers colours , casting out fire and great cakes of pitch much resembling bulls without heads , and of that quantity . this pitch is good for divers things , as to calk ships , to lay upon cables , and to use in medicines ; wherefore such as come to this sea and know the nature of it , have certain skifs and instruments wherewith they draw these cakes of pitch to their ships , to which it cleaveth so fast , it being naturally tough , that being brought to land they cannot get it off again but by the help of urine . upon the banks thereof grow trees that bear fruit of divers kinds , as apples , and such like ; which are fair and pleasant to the eye , but if you either touch or open them you shall find nothing but dust. brittenbacchus saith , in this place the serpent tyrus ( whereof they use to make treacle ) is found . it is a little serpent about half a cubit long , and a finger thick , being of divers colours , and is so venomous , that where it biteth there is no remedy , unless by cutting off the member : the head of it is rough and hairy , and there seemeth to lye upon the tongue of it , if it be angry , a fiery flame . the same author saith , that a little from zoar , between this lake and the mountains of engedi , the pillar whereinto lot's wife was turned , is yet to be seen shining like salt. the furthest part of this sea northward lies miles from ierusalem : toward the east the river iordan runneth into it . the travels of the two angels that led lot out of sodom . these two angels having spoken with abraham in the valley of mamre near hebron , forthwith went to sodom some miles distant from that place , where lot having entertained them into his house , by their help was delivered , together with his wife and two daughters , from that miserable desolation of the sodomites . of lot's two daughters . lot escaping 〈◊〉 is desolation , and seeing a president of god's judgment fallen upon his wife for her disobedience , fearing that he should not continue safe in zoar , left that , and turned aside into the wilderness , and continued there among the mountains , although the lord had promised him safety in this town : wherefore continuing in a cave in the wilderness , the eldest of his daughters losing her husband in this destruction , supposing that all men had been destroyed , counselled her sister to commit incest with her father . lot being now oppressed with care , by reason of the former calamities , gave himself , at the inticement of his daughters , to drink wine , insomuch as with the excess he became drunk : at which time , not being himself , he begat by his two daughters two sons ; the eldest had a son whom she called moab , which signifies , the begotten of his father ; whereby the impudency of this woman is laid open to the world , in that she was not ashamed of her sin. of him came the moabites and dwelt upon the north-side of the lake asphaltides , some miles from ierusalem . the youngest daughter had a son , which she called ben-ammy , that is , the son of my people ; for although she bare him with great shame , yet she dwelt among the people of god. of him came the ammonites that dwelt beyond mount gi●ead , threescore miles from ierusalem north-eastward . of the four kings that took lot prisoner . the first of them was called amraphel king of shinear or babylon , the son of ninus and semiramis , as some think , and is called sometime by the name of berosus , sometime ninus . he kept his court at babylon in chaldaea , which is miles from ierusalem eastward . this ninus is called amraphel , because of the notable victories that he won , and the number of countries and provinces he conquered . the second was arioch , or arrius , his son. he was thus called because of his courage and cruelty in war ; for arioch signifies a mighty roaring lion ; arius , mars . this man , during the life of his father , was created king of lassir , that is , assyria , for so it is called in the chaldaean tongue ; the chief city whereof is nineveh , and lies from ierusalem north-eastward six hundred eighty four miles . the third was keder-laomer king of the elamites in persia , miles from ierusalem toward the east . this prince had a great command in that country . kedar signifies an ornament or crown ; laomer , well deserving . the fourth was thideal king of the nations . he kept his court in damascus , the metropolis of assyria , some miles from ierusalem northward . thideal signifieth an exalted lord ; of alah , that is , to be lifted up . these four kings were confederates , and bent their expedition principally against a●toro●h and kiri●thaim , which they took , and spoiled all the country round about with fire and sword : and their armies being retired from the spoil , met in the valley of siddim ( where now the dead sea runneth ) and there pitched their tents . in this place , after a cruel and sharp war , they conquered the five kings of that beautiful and pleasant soil of pentapolis , ( for so it was called because of those five cities that were in it ) where , among others , they took lot captive , with all his substance . of astoroth . astoroth seems to be the city of venus , because the citizens thereof worshipped her : for astoroth is a goddess of the sidonians , and is compounded of ash , which signifies a company of stars , and tor , placed in order . the s●rians call venus ashtoroth . this town lay in the land of gilead , and belonged to the half tribe of manasses beyond iordan , miles from ierusalem north-eastward . in this city the four kings of the east conquered the gyants of karnaim , that were mighty princes and commanders there , when they made war against that and kiriathaim . not far from hence also in the land of ham , there dwelt certain gyants called zusim , of zus and hamah , which signifies to stir up commotion . these were very great , strong , and stately people , and had the command of all the countries thereabouts , which they held in great fear , and were conquered by the four kings . of kiriathaim . kiriathaim was a city in the tribe of reuben beyond iordan , josh. . twenty two miles from ierusalem towards the east , and so called because it was divided into many parts and divisions . the heathens corruptly call it carthage . the hebrews derive it from kiriath , which signifies a city , and emah , terror . here dwelt the emims , a grave and f●arful people ; for so their name signifies . of hazezon thamar . this city took the name from a palm-tree , or a palm bank . of this kind of wood the israelites made their arrows , and therefore derive it from charar , which signifieth to shoot ; and thamar , a palm-tree . this city standeth upon the bank of the dead sea , twenty miles from ierusalem north-east , upon a very fruitful soil , where was found plenty of palm-trees and precious balsam ; and by some called engedi , or the lambs well , being derived from ein and gedi , which signifieth fontem haeduli lactantis , that is , the well of a sucking lamb or goat . not far from hence stood the cave where david cut off the outward lap of king saul's garment , ● sam. . of the plentiful valley siddim . this valley stood there where now the dead sea runneth , and took that name from the fertility of the soil , and seems to have some affinity with the hebrew word s●del , which signifies a field , partly arable , partly pasture and medow , furnished with trees , herbs , and orchards . in this place stood divers wells of bitume , from whence the inhabitants fetch'd caement to build their houses with ; but after , for their wickedness ( which was so great , as it appeareth in gen. . that the cry thereof as●●nded into heaven ) the lord did grievously punish them , first with war , by which the inhabitants were destroyed ; and after that , with fire and brimstone from heaven ; so that ( as is aforesaid ) this goodly valley is nothing but a stinking lake . the travels of the aegyptian maid hagar . after sara had preferred hagar to that high grace as to make her equal with her self , she growing proud thereof , contemned her mistress , and in recompence of that favour , carried her s●lf very presumptuously towards her ; which sara seeking to restrain , offered to her son hard measure ; which abraham ( upon her complaint ) winked at : whereupon , hagar , partly oppress'd with grief , partly with envy , privily stole away from her mistress , and went from the valley of m●mre near hebron , to the well of life , sixteen miles southward , genesis . and it is to be thought , that her journey tended towards aegypt , which was her native country ; for this well lay directly in the way as they went down into egypt . this flight of hagar without doubt did greatly trouble abraham's house , and put him and his wife into a great sorrow and fear , lest she should destroy her self and the infant , or fall into some other danger . wherefore , that god might make evident the exceeding care he had of them , he sent an angel unto hagar , and willed her to return unto her master : which angel , some think was the son of god , for he was called by the name of iehovah , gen. . which name was not communicated to any created angel. whereupon , hagar , according to his command , went back again to her mistress sarah into the valley of mamre , miles , gen. . from hebron , hagar went with her mistress to that kingly city gerar , six miles , gen. . at gerar she and her son ismael were put out of her masters house , and going in the way that leadeth into egypt , they lost themselves in the wilderness of beersaba , after they had travelled twelve miles from gerar : where , oppress'd with want both of water and other necessaries , she fainted and her son also ; wherefore she laid him under a tree , and about a bows shoot off sate down and wept , expecting nothing but death . as she was in this misery , god heard the voice of the child , and sent an angel unto her , saying , fear not , for i will make of thy child a great nation . and god opened her eyes , and lo , close by her there was a well , so she went and filled her bottle , and gave her boy drink . at this time ismael was fifteen years of age ; so god blessed the child , and he became an archer , and lived in the wilderness . from thence she and her son went into the wilderness of pharan , eighty miles , where ismael married an egyptian , gen. . so all the travels of hagar the egyptian maid were miles . of the fountain of hagar , which is also called the well of life . this well lieth between ●ared and kades-bernea , ten miles from ierusalem towards the south . some call it the well of the living and seeing , because god did there look mercifully upon hagar , when she fled from her mistriss . here isaac dwelt , and had his two sons , esau and iacob , genes . . afterwards it was called the well of the living god , and seemeth mystically to represent baptism , the lavor of grace and regeneration by the operation and special working of the spirit : for the church ( like hagar with her son ismael ) travelling through the wilderness of this world , is press'd with a multitude of sins ; and seeing her own misery , finds no remedy but by faith in christ jesus , to be delivered from so heavy a burthen ; wherefore they joyning together in prayer , crave the merciful audience and gracious assistance of god , that it would please him of his goodness to refresh them with the water of life , the doctrine of grace , that so they may be made capable of eternal glory . for hagar signifies a pilgrim , and ismael , a godly and good man whom the lord heareth : who travelling together with his mother the church in this world , fighteth against the enemies thereof , and shooteth the arrows of faith against all infernal and cruel beasts . for schamah signifies , he hath heard ; and el , the almighty god , who mercifully heareth the fervent prayers and petitions of the just ; according to that of st. iames , ch . . . ismael was born ann. mundi . abraham being then years of age . he was circumcised at thirteen , he went from his father at fifteen ; he was at abraham's funeral , being years of age ; he died when he was years of age , fifty years after the death of abraham , and left behind him twelve sons , as iacob did , which were the princes of their families , as was his . of which the apostle paul hath an excellent allegory ; abraham had two sons , one by the bond-woman , another by the free-woman : he that was of the bond-woman was according to the flesh , but he that was of the free-woman was by promise . by which things another thing is meant : for the one , which is agar of mount sinai , gendereth unto bondage ; for agar or sinai is a mountain in arabia , and answereth to ierusalem that now is ; and she is in bondage with her children : but ierusalem which is above is free , f●r it is written , rejoyce thou barren , &c. wherefore we are no more of the bond-woman , ( which is the law ) but of the free ; no● by our own works or righteousness , but by faith in christ , who maketh us heirs of that heavenly ierusalem . where ishmael dwelt . paran a city of arabia the stony , stood an miles from ierusalem south-ward , and taketh the name from fertility ; for parah with the hebrews signifies a fruitful root . from this metropolitan town , the desart of arabia the stony , near cades , taketh name : of which mention is made , num. . and . deut. . gen. . . habac. . and is called the desart of pharan . here ishmael , that excellent archer and hunter dwelt , after that with great power and strength he had conquered all the neighbouring princes and people thereabout . his posterity also inhabited these parts , and after his name were called ishmaelites , some eighty miles from ierusalem toward the south . these people were excellent souldiers , and of noble courage ; their principal delight was shooting , and therein they exceeded others , living for the most part by hunting and pillage , and so they continue to this day . the saracens , who likewise had their abiding in those parts , were derived from that family , though they had rather take their name from sara , and from thence saracens : these are of the opinion of the turks . the travels of eleazar the servant of abraham . after eleazar had sworn to his master to take a wife for his son isaac of the generation of his fathers , he went from the valley of mamre near hebron , to haran a city of mesopotamia , miles off , and there made a contract with rebecca the daughter of bethuel , and sister of laban , whom he took along with him , and returned to his master . so that his journey to and again was miles . these things happened in the year of the world , and before christ , , isaac then being forty years of age . this eleazar was steward of abraham's house , and born at damascus , the chief city of syria . he was so called , because god was his help ; eleazar being a compound word of el and ezaer , which signifies almighty god the helper . from whence we may perceive , that god is the keeper of the poor , and a ready helper in time of tribulation ; according to that in the psal●s , all they that know thee trust in thee ; because thou , o lord , hearest their prayers , and bringest them out of trouble . rebecca , as it should seem , took her name from the expectation of eternal life ; for rebechan in hebrew doth denote such a woman , which expecteth a free delivery fr●m all calamity , and an inheritance of eternal life . therefore rebecca is a notable type of the church of god , which is the spouse of ch●i●t , shadowed in isaac ; as shall hereafter be more plainly manifested . the travels of the patriarch isaac . isaac being young , went with his father abraham from berzeba to mount moriah , where his father would have offered him unto god , as the lord commanded him , which is forty miles , genes . . . from thence with his father he returned again to berzeba , which is forty miles . . from berzeba he travelled with his father to hebron , by the plain of mamre , which is miles . . from the plain of mamre , isaac travelled southward , to the fountain of life , which is miles , and there he dwelt , gen. . . from thence he returned back again to his fathers burial , who was laid in that double cave in mamre , which is miles . . from thence he returned back again to the well of life , where he dwelt ; miles . . from the fountain of life , he went to gerar , which is eight miles ; where abimelech seeing the beauty of his wife rebecca , would have ravish'd her , and for fear , she told him that she was his sister , gen. . . from gerar , isaac went westward to the valley of gerar , which is eight miles , and there he caused the well to be digged up again , which the inhabitants had stopped up , gen. . . from thence he went to beersaba , which is four miles ; where the same night the lord appeared unto him , and said , i am the god of thy father abraham , fear not , for i am with thee , and will bless and multiply thy seed for my servant abraham ' s sake , gen. . . from beersaba he returned again to hebron by the plain of mamre , which is miles : here abraham , sarah and rebecca died , and were buried , gen. . so all the travels of the patriarch isaac were one hundred ●orty eight miles . the typical signification of isaac . the name of isaac is derived from laughter ; for zakah in hebrew is as much as quod risit is in latin , which signifieth that he laughed ; and from hence zechock signifies a laughter , and isaac , mirth , or one that rejoyceth with mirth . this name was given to him by god before his nativity , gen. . . there were seven that were named by god before their nativity , viz. ishmael , gen. . isaac , gen. . cores or cyrus king of the persians , esa. . sampson , iudg. . iosia king of iuda , king. . iohn baptist , and iesus christ the son of god , luke . . of whom isaac was a notable type . for christ is our true rejoycing , the laughter , mirth , and delight of the whole church of god. abraham upon the day of the nativity of isaac made a great feast , to which , no doubt , he called many godly men , and perhaps some of the patriarchs : for there was then living sarag , arphaxad , salah , heber , thamar , and sem , the son of noah , who also had a certain knowledge of gods promise to abraham , and that of the seed of isaac should come the saviour of the world. and as abraham when he would have offered his son unto the lord , carried the fire and the sword , but isaac the wood upon which he should be slain and burned , ( o miserable sight , especially to a father , to see his only son and heir , which was miraculously begotten , even then when he was without hope of issue , burnt to ashes before his face ! this was on mount moriah , a little from salem or ierusalem ) even so our saviour christ , for the sins that man commits and carries about him , bore upon his shoulders the wooden cross , whereupon he was offered an acceptable sacrifice to his father , that so by his mediation and satisfaction we might receive pardon for them : and this was likewise done upon mount calvary , a little from ierusalem . and as the lord provided another sacrifice for abraham , that so he might save his son , which was a ram tied and intangled in thorns ; so god provided a sacrifice for the salvation of the world , even jesus christ our mediator , who is that immaculate and precious lamb of god ; whose head being crowned with thorns , and hanging upon the cross , by his precious death opened unto us the door of eternal life , and made us capable of everlasting happiness , iohn . peter . such was the love of abraham , a father , unto god , such the love of god , a father , unto man , that they spared not their only sons , the one typically to represent the other . the other , that is , the only begotten son of god , to dye effectually for abraham , isaac , and all mankind , ioh. . gen. . the travels of the patriarch jacob. from b●ersaba iacob went to bethel , which is miles , and there he saw a ladder that reached down from heaven , whereby the angels ascended and descended . genes . . . from bethel he went to haran in mesopotamia , which is miles ; where he marryed leah and rachel , gen. . . from haran in mesopotamia he went to mount gilead , which is miles : and when laban pursued him ( at the commandment of the lord ) he made a league with him , gen. . . from mount gilead he went to mahanaim , which is miles , and there he met with the angels of god , gen. . . from mahanaim he passed the water and went to penuel , which is four miles , and there wrestled with the angel of god , gen. . . from penuel he went to succoth , where he pitched his tents , two miles , gen. . . from succoth he passed the river of iordan , and went to sichem , not far from salem ( about eight miles ) where his daughter dinah was ravished , gen. . . from thence he went to bethel , which is eight and twenty miles , gen. . . from bethel he went to bethlehen euphrata , which is twelve miles ; in which way rachel died , and was buried not far from bethlehem ; then iacob went forward , and set up his tents near to the tower of eder , a mile from bethlehem towards the south , gen. . . from bethlehem euphrata and the tower of eder , he returned again to the valley of mamre near hebron , to his father isaac , which is miles , gen. . . from hebron he went to beersaba , which is miles , gen. . . from beersaba he went to the town of ony a little off aegypt in the land of gossen , which is miles , where ioseph his son gave him honourable entertainment , gen. . . from ony he went to the city * zoan , which is also called tanis , twenty eight miles , where he was presented to king pharaoh , gen. . . from tanis he returned to ony , which is miles , and there he dwelt and dyed in the land of gossen , gen. . the description of the towns and places to which jacob travelled . of bethel . bethel was a town in the tribe of benjamin , eight miles from jerusalem towards the north , and signifies the house of god. in times past it was called luz ; but jacob seeing in that place the vision of the ladder , with the angels ascending and de●cending upon it , and because there the lord renewed the covenant with him concerning his seed , and the coming of christ ; he therefore called it bethel . afterward , jeroboam having unlawfully usurp'd the kingdom of rehoboham , caused a calf to be set up there ; for which cause , it was then called bethaven , which signifieth the house of sin and abominable offence . vatablus is of opinion , that there are two bethels , one in the tribe of benjamin , the other in the tribe of ephraim , both not far from hay : but if this should be granted , then these two towns should stand within two miles one of the other , which seemeth very absurd ; therefore i dare boldly affirm , that there was but one bethel , which stood upon the borders of benjamin and ephraim , both tribes bordering upon the south-side of the town of luz , josh. . and . this town of bethel was at first in the suburbs of luz , until the division of the tribes ; for then both these tribes of ephraim and benjamin , ending in that place , so much increased this town , that they became both one city , and so were called bethel , ie. . and . iosh. . and . from hence there is a two-fold mystery to be apprehended : the first , of jacob , whose sleeping in this place upon a stone , caused this city or town to be built , and to retain the name of bethel , that is , the house of god. so whosoever seeks to have eternal life , must rest upon that corner stone christ jesus , the son of the everliving god , and by faith be incorporated into the church , which is the house of god , of which christ ( the anointed of the lord ) is both king and priest for ever . secondly , as jacob resting upon this corner stone , saw the angels ascending and descending from heaven unto earth , so by this incorporation into the body of the church ( of which christ is the head ) by faith and baptism , our souls are made capable to ascend into that heavenly tabernacle , which he hath prepared for all those that believe : according to that in john . i am the way , the truth , and the life , no man cometh unto the father but by me only . and whosoever is assured of this ladder ( that reacheth from heaven unto earth ) may well say with iacob , surely the lord jesus christ is in this place ; here is nothing but the house of god , and here is the gate of heaven ; as christ himself testifieth in the tenth of iohn , i am the door , and whosoever entreth not by me , &c. so that christ is the head of his church , the ladder that ascendeth into heaven , and the door whereby we may enter into eternal life . of gilead . this land of gilead was a country that lay between iordan and the mountain of gilead , or rather between the sea of galilee and the 〈◊〉 ●ilead , sixty miles from ierusalem towards the south-east : for the 〈…〉 beginning at mount gilead , extended thence unto 〈…〉 , and separated the countrey of israel beyond iordan , from 〈…〉 of the ammonites . but that part which lieth between the s●a 〈…〉 ammon , is properly called gilead ; for when iacob and lab●n 〈…〉 either with other , in the mount gilead , they gathered a 〈…〉 stones , and making a banquet , eat together upon it , gen. . and 〈◊〉 thence that mountain , and all the countrey thereabouts , took the 〈◊〉 ; for laban in the syrian tongue is called jegar sahaduta , 〈◊〉 ●e●p of covenant . but iacob in the hebrew language , called that 〈◊〉 , together with all the countrey thereabouts , gal●ed , or galaad ; the heap ●f te●timony : for gal signifieth a heap or grave , and galal , he rolled , or he thrust into a round heap . from whence the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to roul , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a circle , is derived : also edah signifies testimony with the hebrews , being derived from id , which signifies testatus e● , that is , he beareth witness ; and from hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , amongst the grecians is derived , which signifieth a witness . this land of gilead was very fertile and pleasant , being adorned with many castles and strong cities : and in this countrey the prophet eliah was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot , reg. . reg. . the grecians call this decapolin , from ten cities that are strongly built in that countrey , marc. . of machanaim . machanaim was a city of the levites in the tribe of g●d , near to the floud of iord●n and iaboch , forty four miles from ierusalem toward the south-east , and scituate in the land of gilead beyond iordan ; being so called of the patriarch iacob , because there he saw the tents and army of angels , which he understood to be his assistants against his brother esau , whom he feared , gen. . for chana signifieth castrametatus est , that is , the tents are measured out ; from whence machanaim is the proper name of a place , being derived from two tents of angels which appeared to iacob , that they might defend him in his journey ; for the angels of god compass them about that fear him , psalm . and therefore iacob with great joy brake out and said , the tents of god are here , and called it machanaim . this was assigned to the levites , iosh. . and here david was received , when he fled from his son absalom , sam. . here iacob wrestled with the angel , gen. . of pnuel , or penuel . this town was upon the east-side of iordan , close by the mouth of the river iaboch , in the tribe of gad , forty miles from ierusalem towards the south-east ; and is derived from panah and el , which signifies , he beheld the almighty god face to face : and for that cause he called it , penuel , or pnuel , which is , the face of god , gen. . the tower of this town was destroyed in gideons time , iudg. . of succoth . this is a town beyond iordan , not far from penuel , in the tribe of gad , miles from ierusalem towards the south-east . here iacob set up his tabernacles , and continued for a while ; from whence it borrows the name . for sachach signifies a covering , and from thence it is called succha , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the greeks , which signifies , a shield , covering , defence , or tabernacle : of this town there is mention in iosh. . chr. . gideon caused the inhabitants of this town of succoth to be torn to pieces with thorns , iudg. . of salem . salem is a town of the sichamites , lying towards the east side of the river iordan , and in the midst of the tribe of manasses , forty miles from ierusalem towards the north , not far from sichem , where dinah , iacob's daughter , was ravished , gen. . and . in aenon near to this place iohn baptist baptized , and signifies a city of peace and integrity . of bethlem euphrata . this town was distant from ierusalem towards the south , six miles ; it was scituated in a pleasant and fruitful countrey , and from thence took the name : for bethlachem is called the house of bread ; euphrata signifies fruitful , being derived from parah , that is , to fructifie ; and baith signifieth a house , from the affinity that it hath to banah , that is , to build : so that baithlachem doth denote unto us the house of bread , and other fruits and meats that are fit to be eaten . here was christ the son of god born , that bread of life , of which whosoever eateth shall live eternally , ioh. . and here david was the second time anointed king , sam. . of this town you may read more luke . of rachels grave . about a mile from bethlem towards the north , rachel the wife of iacob was buried , over whom he set a stately sepulchre , made of 〈◊〉 marble stones , or pyramides ; these stones are seen to this day 〈…〉 right hand of the way , as you go from bethlem to ierusale● : 〈…〉 thence all the land thereabouts is called the land of rachel . ●or 〈◊〉 herod killed the innocent children , all the inhabitants thereabouts 〈◊〉 and would not be comforted , matth. . ierem. . of the town of aeder . this was a watch tower of the bethlemites , about a mile from bethlem , towards the south , and was so called from the flocks of sheep that resorted thither : for migdal signifies a tower , and aeder , a flock or herd ; for thereabouts were very fertile pastures . here the angels told the shepherds of the nativity of christ , lying at bethlem in a manger : and in the place of that tower there was a church built , which in ieroms time was called angelus ad pastores , because the angels there appeared to the shepherds . here iacob dwelt for a time , and in this place reuben lay with billah his wife , gen. . of gosen and ony. gosen was a very delectable and fruitful countrey in the land of egypt , the metropolitan whereof was ony , two hundred miles from ierusalem , towards the south-west : in this city iacob dwelt . the typical signification of the patriarch jacob. jacob signifies a supplanter , and was a type of christ , who is that supplanter of sathan , and by his death hath broken his head in pieces . again , he is the type of a christian man : for as he , wrestling with the angel , obtained a blessing ; so every good man continually striving with perseverance in prayer , shall at length obtain an everlasting blessing : for , for this cause was iacob called israel , that is , the prince of god , in that he prevailed with god : so all those that belive in christ , are called princes of the kingdom of heaven ; because by his mediation they have prevailed with god , and are made partakers of eternal life . iacob had two wives , leah and rachel ; lea signifies wearied , and was a type of the old mosaical church : for that was oppressed and wearied with the laws of moses , and brought forth priests , levites , kings , and warlike princes , by which the people of the jews became oppressed and wearied by extream labours , and at length were miserably extinguished : for as it is in the fifteenth of the acts of the apostles , the law of moses was an intollerable and troublesom burthen . but rachel signifies a sheep , and is a type and sign of the church of god in the new testament , as christ himself speaketh in the tenth of john , my sheep hear my voice and follow me , and i will give them eternal life . sheep are naturally patient and peaceable ; so all such as are of christs church , seek after patience and peace . leah was nothing so fair , but much more fruitful ; rachel was nothing so fruitful , but a great deal fairer . leah was the mother of benjamin , which signifies sorrow ; rachel of ioseph , who was a type of christ. of the travels of esau. esav travelled from mount sier in mesopotamia , to the town of pnuel or penuel , eighty miles , to meet his brother iacob : where the singular civility and humility of iacob towards him , is worthy observation . for he first sent to meet him , then he did him obedience to the ground seven several times , and so saluted him , saying , lo , these are the children which god of his grace hath given thy servant . from whence it may be gathered , that it becometh every man ( if it be possible ) to win his enemy to peace and concord rather by humanity and humility , than by force : for esau , seeing this kind of reverence , though before he had a full determination to do him violence , yet now he comes to meet him , embraces him , takes him about the neck , begins to weep , and kisses him , yea , such was their love , that they both wept with joy , gen. . after , esau returning , went home to sier back again , eighty miles : these things hapned in the year of the world ; when both brethren were about years of age , and in the year before christ . of mount sier . mount sier , where esau and his posterity dwelt , is forty miles from ierusalem towards the south ; and was so called of sier , the king or lord thereof , of whom came the horrites , who being driven thence by the fourteen sons of esau , into arabia the stony , where they continued , gen. . it was called edom of esau , and then idumaea , gen. . and the inhabitants thereof edomites , or idumaeans . the typical meaning of esau. esav signifies a factor , and was so called from redness : the enemies of the church colouring themselves red with the blood of the godly : for as rebecca had in her womb two sons , that is , esau and iacob , one elected the other reprobated : so in the church there are found two sorts of people , good and evil ; some are wicked and impious , contemners of gods word , and persecuters of the church ; as after , the posterity of esau : was . but there are others that are the faithful children of god , that hope through the mediation of our blessed saviour , to be made heirs of everlasting happiness , and be crowned with him in his kingdom with the crown of glory . so that here the saying of our saviour may be verified ; the first shall be last , ●●d the last shall be first ; for esau was the eldest , yet lost his birth-right ; and iacob was the youngest , yet got the blessing . of the travels of the patriarch juda. jvda travelled from sichem , where jacob dwelt , and went to the town of odulla , some forty and four miles , where he was married to the daughter of one chananei , whose name was schuah , which signifies , a happy saviour , by her he had two children in that place , viz. ger and onan . from thence he went to timnah to shear his sheep , six miles : and as he turned aside out of the way , he committed incest with his daughter-in-law thamar , when she was about years of age. afterwards he went twice with his brethren into egypt , to buy corn at zoan , where joseph at that time was ; for the famine was very great round about . so that reckoning his journey twice two and again , it amounted to miles ; for zoan was miles from hebron , where jacob and his sons dwelt . lastly , he returned again with his father and his brother into aegypt , miles . these things happened in the year of the world . and before christ . the description of the towns and places to which the patriarch juda travelled . of odullam . this was a town in the tribe of juda , eight miles from jerusalem towards the south-west , and signifies the testimony of the poor : being derived of ed , which signifies a testimony , and dallimo , such as are called poor . here david hid himself from the fury of saul in a cave , sam. . jerom knew this town , and saith that it was a village . this was a type of the faithful , who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this world , and persecuted for righteousness sake , are glad with david to seek holes and caves to defend them from their wicked persecuters . of thimnah . thimnah is a city in the borders of the tribe of judah and dan , scituated in mount ephraim , six miles from jerusalem towards the north-west , and signifies a perfect and fully finished city ; being derived from thamam , that is , fully and absolutely finished ; for it was adorned with many very fair and spacious buildings , set up by joshua : for in his time it was a fair and large city , and at such time as the children of israel invaded canaan , he had much ado to win it : therefore the children of israel , for his great valour , and to manifest their thankfulness towards him , they gave it to him and to his posterity for ever ; and here he lyeth buried , ioshua . here sampson married his wife , and by the way killed the lyon mentioned in the fourteenth of iudges . this is a type of the church , wherein christ jesus the true ioshuah is the head , illuminating the same by the bright shining beams of his gospel , the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole world. of the travels of the patriarch joseph . when ioseph was sent from hebron by his father jacob , he went to sichem to seek his brothers , miles , gen. . . from thence he went to dothan , four miles , where by his brothers , he was thrown into a pit , and after sold to the ishmaelites , gen. . . from dothan he was carried to tanis in egypt , and there sold to potipher , pharaohs chief steward , miles . . from tanis he went to meet his father in the land of gosen , which is miles , gen. . . from thence he turned back again to tanis , and presented his father and brethren unto pharaoh , gen. . which is miles . . from thence he went back to ony to see his father , who now was sick unto death , there receiving his ble●sing , he closed his eyes : which was miles . . from thence he returned back again to tanis , which is miles . . from tanis he went back to ony with a great company of horses and chariots , preparing an honourable funeral for his father , gen. . being miles . . from ony he went to atad , which lies upon the further side of jordan toward the east ; which is miles , where he made a great lamentation for the death of his father seven days , gen . the reason why joseph went thus far about , was because he went with such a company towards hebron , that the idumaeans , through whose country he should have gone , would not suffer him to pass that way , standing in fear of his power . . from atad he went to hebron , the metropolis of the tribe of judah , near to which stood the double cave in the vale of mamre , where jacob was buried , which was miles , gen. . . from thence to heliopolis , a city of the aegyptians , where joseph set up a stately academy for all aegpyt , which was accounted miles . . from thence he went to tanis , or zoan , which was the chief defence and metropolitan city of all aegy●t , being accounted miles . so all the travels of the patriarch ioseph was miles . a description of the places and cities through which ioseph travelled . of dothan . dothan was a city in the tribe of manasseh , forty and four miles from ierusalem towards the north , and distant six miles from tiberias towards the west , and signifies a commandment , being derived of dothor dathath , that is , he commandeth or ordaineth , here joseph was thrust into an empty ditch , and sold to the ishmaelites , gen. . here elias the prophet , being besieged by the syrians , shewed to his servant the host of angels that defended him with the chariots of fire , &c. king. ● . here holophernes was slain , who had pitched his tents against bethulia ; for dothan is a city which at this day remaineth at the foot of the mount of bethuel , being scituated in a fertile and pleasant place , compassed about with fair vines , olives , and pleasant medows , where the inhabitants do shew that ancient ditch wherein ioseph was cast , when his brothers sold him to the ishmaelites ; according to that of solomon , one generation passeth , and another cometh , but the earth indureth for ever . of heliopolis , or the city of the sun. this city is called by the prophet esay , chap. . irheri , which signifies the city of the sun , and is derived of ir and cheres , which signifies the brightness of the sun , and distant from ierusalem miles , towards the south-west , six miles and a half from zoan , or tanis . this was a goodly city , and in times past the kings of aegypt have in that place kept their courts and places of residence . here was a flourishing academy , wherein was taught astronomy , cosmography , and many other liberal : arts and scienecs , with great care and diligence , but principally divinity ( as munster saith ) being adorned with many benefits and priviledges ; for it was thought that the patriarch ioseph was the first founder of it , and taught there , gen. . here dwelt dionisius the areopagit , a student of athens , who at such time as our saviour christ was crucified , at noon day ( the moon then being in the full ) seeing the sun totally darkened , said to his master apollophan , either the god of nature suffereth , or the fabrick of the world is dissolved . the said dionisius was afterwards converted by the apostle paul , in the city of athens . of goraen atad . this town , or corn-floor , was beyond iordan , not far from bethabara , miles from ierusalem towards the south-east , ( here ioseph and therest of the aegyptians bewailed the death of iacob ) and took the name from thorns and briers that compassed it every where about . the interpretation or allegory of the patriarch joseph , and of his life . joseph was a type of christ divers ways : for as iosephs coat , being of divers colours , was dipped in the blood of goats , so christ , being very god , taking upon him the humane nature , and sprinkled with the blood of his stripes and wounds , ( being the lamb of god slain for the sins of the world ) was also made changeable and of divers colours . again , as ioseph was sent by iacob to seek his brethren , so christ was sent by god , his father , to seek the lost sheep of israel , which , according to the flesh , were his brethren , mat. . and as the brethren of ioseph were so great enemies to him that it was impossible for them to dissemble their hatred towards him , but that both in words and deeds , they must needs express their bitterness , ( envy being the common companion of virtue ) the iews , the brethren of christ , to whom the knees of all things both in heaven , in hell , and in earth bow , persecuting him with taunts , mocks , and stripes , yea , unto death , because he professed himself to be a good man , and the son of the ever-living god. and as the is●maelites and midianites , to whom ioseph was sold by iudah , was of the stock of ioseph , the one being derived from ishmael the son of abraham by his maid hagar , the other of midian the son of his second wife keturah : so christ was sold by iudas , his disciple , to the jews , his kindred according to the flesh , if you respect the nation . the difference was in the price ; joseph , the type , being sold but for twenty pieces of silver , christ , the substance , sold at thirty . the end of the book of genesis . of the travels of the prophet moses , and the children of israel out of aegypt . in the year of the world , , and before christ , , moses ( being then about forty years old ) fled out of aegypt into the land of midian , miles , where he married ziporah , the daughter of rivel , exod. . . from thence he went to mount sinai , or horeb , miles , exod. . . . from mount horeb , he returned to midian to his brother , miles ex. . . from midian he went to thanis in aegypt , miles , ex. . . . from thence he went with the children of israel to raemses , miles , ex. . . from raemses he went to succoth , miles , ex. . num. . . from succoth he went to the wilderness of etham , eight miles . . from etham he went to hahiroth , which lyeth right against baal-zephon miles , num. . . from hahiroth , they passed through the middle of the red sea , and travelled three days though the wilderness of etham , resting themselves at marah , which is forty miles : there moses threw a piece of wood into the water , being bitter , and presently it became sweet as soon as the wood was thrown in . exod. . num. . . from marah he went to elim , where there stood wells of water and palm trees , which is eight miles , ex. . nu. . . from elim they went toward the south , miles , and rested themselves by the red sea ; num. . . from the red sea they went to the wilderness of zin , where it rained manna from heaven , which is miles , num. . . from the wilderness of zin they went to daphca , which is miles . num. . . from daphca they went to alus , which is twelve miles , num. . . from alus they went to raphidim , being miles : there moses strook the rock , and presently water issued forth , ex. . . from raphidim they went to mount sina , which is eight miles : there god gave the commandments , ex. . & . . from sina they went to the graves of concupiscence , because there the children of israel murmured against god for flesh , and lo it rained quails into the camp : which is miles , num. . . from the graves of concupiscence they went to hazeroth , which is miles , there miriam ( moses sister ) was strook with leprosie , num. . . from thence they went to rithma , which is miles , num. . . from rithma they went to rimon-parets , which is six miles , num. . . from rimon-parets they went to libanon , which is six miles . . from libanon they went to rissa , which is six miles , num. . . from rissa they went to kehelatha , six miles , num. . . from kehelatha they went to the hill of sephar , which is four miles . . from the hill of sephar they went to harada , four miles and a half , num. . . from harada they went to maceheloth , four miles . num. . . from maceheloth they went to thahath , four miles , num. . . from thahath they went to thara , four miles , nu● . . . from thara they went to mithka , four miles , num. . . from mithka they went to casmona , eight miles , num. . . from casmona they went to moseroth , miles , num. . . from moseroth they went to bneiaecon , miles . . from b●eiaecon they went to mount gidgad , miles . . from mount gidgad they went to iotbatha , miles , num. . . from iotbatha they went to ebrona , miles , num. . . from ebro●a they went to eziongaber , miles . . from eziongaber they went to the wilderness of zin-kades , miles . . from zin-kades they went to mount hor , as god commanded , miles , where aaron died . . from mount hor they went to salmona , miles . . from salmona they went to the town of phunon , miles . . from phunon they went to oboth , miles . . from oboth they went to igin upon the hill abarim , miles . . from igim they went to dibon gad , miles , there is the water sarum , num. . . . from dibon gad they went to almon diblathaim , miles , num. . . from almon diblathaim they went to the hill abarim , miles . . from the hill abarim they went downward over the river arnon , to the field of the moabites , to the town of iachra , miles , where moses overcame sehon king of the ammorites , with all his camp. numb . . deut. . . from iachra they went to hesbon , four miles , which town moses won from the king of the ammorites , num. . deut. . . from hesbon they went to the town of iaezer , which moses won , eight miles , numb . . deut. . . from iaezer they went to edrei , twelve miles : there moses overthrew king og with all his army at basan , num. . deut. . . from edrei they went to mount libanus , miles , which moses won . num. . deut. . . from mount libanus they returned back again to the field of the moabites , forty miles , by which field lyeth the high hill pisga , where moses died , deut. . so all the travels of the patriarch moses were miles . the description of the towns and places by which moses travelled with the children of israel . of midian . midian was a metropolitan city of the midianites , near to the red sea , some miles from ierusalem towards the south , and signifies a measure , being derived of madad , which signifies , he hath measured . here jethro ( moses father-in - law ) dwelt . in this town the kings of idumaea kept their court , reg. . there was also another city of the same name , that stood near to arnon , some twenty four miles from ierusalem towards the east ; so that the midianites had their seat partly near the red sea , in arabia petraea , and partly upon the confines of the moabites , taking their beginning from midian the son of abraham , which he had by his wife kethura , gen. . of horeb. horeb is a mount of the midianites , and is sometimes called by the name of sina . it lieth miles from ierusalem towards the south . in this place god appeared to moses in a flame of fire , exod. . and as bernard britenbach saith , in this place there is a chappel built , called the church of s. mary in the bush. in this chappel there is a place shewed where god spake with moses , ex. . but how true , that i leave , because there are many churches built by monks for no other purpose but to deceive travellers and pilgrims of their mony. of raemsis . this is one of the strong cities which the israelites built for pharaoh , and is a metropolitan city in the land of gossen , miles from jerusalem towards the south-west , and signifies joy and delight , being derived of raam and sus , that is , to leap for joy . of pihachiroth . this was a certain plain lying between two hills neer to the red sea , and was called pinaehiroth , which signifies a mouth cut , or carved out ; where the children of israel pitched their tents . here pharaoh invaded them when they went out of aegypt , taking opportunity of the place : for they having on either side of them a high mountain , before them the red sea , and behind them a cruel and mighty tyrant , to the judgment of man , had no means to escape . but the lord , to express the mightiness of his power , and that the children of israel might know who it was that delivered them , made them a passage , and led them under the conduct of moses through the red sea ; in that very place drowning their enemies which had thought to make a prey of them . a little from this place the temple of the idol baal-zephon is to be seen . of the red sea. the red sea is miles from jerusalem southward , betwixt , arabia and aegypt , and , as some are of opinion , it taketh the name of the red scales that grow therein , wherefore in scripture it is also called the scaly sea. some say it taketh the name from red sand that lies upon the shore , cast up by the sea. others say , that the redness thereof hapneth because of the shadow cast into the water by the mountains thereabout . the vulgar are of opinion , that it is naturally red by reason of the water ; but it is not so because it is like the water of of the ocean , clear and salt . strabo , lib. . observeth that this sea was so called from erithraea , and thence mare arithraeum ; because the word erithraeum in greek signifieth red or purple : the latines call it mare rubrum , and we , the red sea. this erithrae was son to perseus and andromeda , who sometimes dwelt in the island of that sea. it is also called the arabian gulf , running from the south to the west ; and by the hebrews , i am suph , a scaly sea , all which names are at this day used : at the utmost bounds hereof are seen the admirable works of pharaoh meco , who would have brought this sea to the river nilus , that so he might have sailed thence into the mediterranean sea : but this work he could not finish , being opposed by the wise men of egypt . here also grows certain trees that are as red as brasil wood . of the mystery of the red sea. as moses led the children of israel through the red sea , and delivered them from the bondage and captivity of the kings of aegypt ; so jesus christ , the son of god , by his precious blood , has deliver●d us from the house of bondage , and the tyranny of sathan : and as pharaoh and all his host was there drowned ; so the sin of adam , death , and the devil , in that sea of christs blood is utterly drowned , and we delivered from the pit of hell. of baal-zephon . this was an idol erected by the aegyptians near to the shore of the red sea , and is called baal-zephon , that is , the lord of defence and watchfulness , because , as they thought , he resisted fugitive servants , as fagius and other hebrews observe : being derived from baal , which signifies a lord , and zapha , that is , that hath seen , or to behold and see . the temple of this idol stood close by the shoar of the red sea upon a high hill , very curiously wrought , so that the children of israel going through the same could not chuse but see it , yet nevertheless they went securely , when pharaoh and all his host were drowned , notwithstanding that their god of defence was so near them . of marah . this is a place in the desart , which took the name of bitterness , distant from ierusalem miles , towards the south-west . here moses made the water sweet by throwing in wood : the mystery whereof is , when adam and evah had eaten of the forbidden fruit , they brought bitterness through all the world , yea , the bitterness of sin and death : but god shewed unto moses another tree , that is , our lord jesus christ , who being thrown into the waters of bitterness , afflictions , calamities , miseries , yea , and the death of the cross , for our sakes and sins underwent the curse of the law ; that so taking away the bitterness , we might be made capable of that sweet and delectable place of eternal life . of elim . this was the sixth resting-place of the israelites in the desart , miles from ierusalem toward the south-west ; and is derived from aial , which signifies a hart , a strong and swift creature , of which it seems there were great multitudes which resorted to this place to drink : and from thence it is called elim . here stood fountains and palm-trees . of sin. this was a thorny place in the desart , miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . here it rained down quails and manna from heaven ; being a type of our saviour jesus christ , that heavenly manna which raiseth us up unto eternal life , ioh. . and is derived of manah , which signifies to distribute ; and therefore man or mannah signifies a distributive gift , or meat fallen from heaven distributively . sin signifieth a thorny place , from zemeh , which signifies a bush : for christ flourisheth in the midst of his enemies , as a lilly amongst thorns , can. . psal. . of raphadim . raphadim was a place where the children of israel pitched their tents in the desart , not far from mount sinai , miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , and signifieth a grass bench strewed with sweet herbs and flowers ; being derived from raphad , which is as much as to say in our language , to make a bed or place for one to lye down on . here moses struck the rock , out of which water issued , exod. . which was a type of that spiritual rock christ jesus , cor. . who being struck with the staff of the curse of the law , out of his precious wounds and side sent forth that water of life which runneth into eternal happiness . in this place the children of israel fought against the amalekites , and overcame them , ex. . and here iethro came unto moses , where , according to his counsel , there were seventy elders chosen over the people , ex. . this was a fruitful and pleasant place . of mount sinai . sinai is miles from ierusalem towards the south , and because in that place there are many bushes and thorns , it is called sinai ; for senaeh signifies a bush. here the law ( which we call the ten commandments ) was given ; and not unfitly , because like thorns they prick and vex the hearts and consciences of wicked men . it is also called horeb , or chareb , which signifies a place made dry . bernard britenbach , and many others , in the month of september , went purposely to see this mountain , and with great labour ascended to the top thereof ; for ( as he saith ) it is a great mountain , and of an extraordinary height ; in the lower part round , in the upper part divided into two tops or mountains , one standing toward the west , the other toward the east . that toward the west is called horeb , that to the east , sinai . and from these two it is sometimes called horeb , sometimes sinai , being both one hill of the base . between these there lies a fair and spacious plain , in the middle whereof ( and , as it may be thought , in the midst of the mountain ) there stands a monastery , near to which there is adjoyning a very pleasant garden and orchard , plentifully furnished with date-trees , fig-trees , and many others , very profitable and pleasant ; where in antient times there were many monks that continued there . but it happened , that a certain number of pagans , in hope to find some booty , came from a haven of the red sea , called thor , and upon a sudden broke in upon them , and put forty of them to the sword ; from whence it was ever after called the abbey of the forty martyrs . now it remains desolate , few or none inhabiting there , only two monks of st. katharines order , and these are also grievously troubled with the incursions of the arabians . the orchard also is destroyed with locusts , and the ground become barren . in this orchard there stands a little chappel , in which there is a cave where s. onuphrius the anchorist lived . at the foot of mount sinai , upon the north , standeth the monastery of st. katharine , of which the emperour iustinian was the first founder : it is compassed about with a wall ; close by it standeth a goodly orchard , furnished with divers trees of fruit , pleasant and delightful ; in that there standeth a goodly fountain , which watereth all about it . in this place there are a great number of poor monks , which get their living by their hands , in the desart thereabouts . they say that here stood the golden calf , spoken of exodus . and they shew a round stone lying there , where they say moses broke the two tables that were given him by god. to pilgrims also they shew the tomb of st. katharine , standing upon the right side of the quire , with certain other relicks of hers . upon the left side of the quire , there stands a little door by which you enter into a place called the chappel of st. mary of the bush , where they shew the place of the bush in which god appeared unto moses : and , to give grace to their superstitions , there may none enter into that place but he must put off his hose and shoes . there is another place , where , they say , god commanded moses to bring up aaron , nadab , and abihu with him , and the seventy elders ; with many other superstitious chappels , which would be too tedious and frivolous to recite . not far from this , there standeth also a mosko of the saracens , full as fair and spacious as that of st. katharines , to which there is adjoyned a certain turret ; hither the arabians and saracens do also often come to visit st. katharine . at the ascent of the mount horeb , near to the monastery of st. katharine , there standeth a fountain of very clear water , in the likeness of a bow , made of stone , reaching from the one side of it to the other ; and standeth like unto an arch or gate . a little above that , at the foot of mount horeb , is to be seen the cave where eliah rested when the lord spake unto him , reg. . something above that , is the cliff of the rock where moses stood by gods appointment , when he past by , and he saw his back parts , ex. . a little beyond that , is the top of mount horeb , where is built a little chappel that hath an iron door , the keys of which are in the monks custody of the abby of saint katherine . in this place they say moses received the two tables of stone ; wherein the ten commandments were written by the finger of god. ex. . there is none that enters into this chappel but with great reverence , bare-foot and bare-legged , and casting themselves upon the earth , kiss it . about fifteen paces from this , they shew the cave wherein moses fasted forty days and forty nights , ex. . . a little above that there is a mosk , to which there daily resorts arabians and saracens , in honour of moses , whom they reverence as a prophet . between these there lieth a well of cold wholsom water , which is called moses well . here seemeth in times past to have been some monastery ; for there are divers ruins of walks and buildings to be seen . this mountain is round , and difficult to ascend : it is steps to the top , and from thence the red sea and the arm thereof ( where pharaoh was drowned when he followed the children of israel ) may easily be discerned . mount sina is much higher than this , and lyeth two days journey from the red sea : upon the top whereof are many rocks and great stones . from thence you may see sundry places , as , a mountain lying in thebaidaes , the great haven of the red sea , the desart of elim and sur , with many others . the desarts round about take the name from the height thereof ; and are called the desarts of sina . of the graves of concu●iscence . these graves are miles towards the south from ierusalem , where the children of israel , lusting after meat , were fed by the lord with quails ; and for their disobedience died miserably . it was also called ●abara● , which signifies an inflammation , being derived from baar , to burn , because here the wrath of the lord was kindled against them , and he struck the uttermost parts of their tents with fire from heaven , and consumed them , numb . . of hazeroth . this is a place in the desart , some miles from ierusalem towards the south , the name thereof being derived from chazer , which signifieth a cave , about the mouth whereof there groweth long grass ; and therefore from hence chazer is also taken for grass . here miriam the sister of moses and aaron was strook with leprosie . of rithmah . rithmah takes name from iuni●er ; for rothaem in hebrew signifies juniper . it is distant from ierusalem miles toward the south-eas● . here the children of israel pitched their tents , num. . and here it is very likely the angel of the lord appeared to the prophet eliah , and brought him meat and drink . of rimmon parez . in this place the children of israel , the sixteenth remove , made their abiding , being an hundred and eight miles from ierusalem , towards the south-east . here , it is thought , the children of israel found great store of pomegranates , whereof division was made amongst them . for rimmon is as much as a grained apple , or a pomegranate ; and parez , he hath divided . of libnah . libn●h is the seventeenth place where the children of israel stayed , and was so called from the abundance of frankincense that was found there ; for libnah signifies white frankincense . this is an miles from ierusalem toward the south-west . of rissa . here the children of israel pitcht their tents , being about an miles from ierusalem toward the south-east ; it took the name from the fruitfulness and abundance of flowers and herbs that grow there ; and is derived from rasa , which signifies to make moist , for there were usually exceeding pleasant and sweet dews . of chehelah . chehelah was the nineteenth place where the children of israel made their abiding in the desart , being miles from ierusalem toward the south-west , num. . and signifies a congregation , or church , being derived from rahal , that is , he hath assembled . this was a type of the church , where all the elect and faithful people of god travel through the wilderness of this wicked world . of saphar . saphar is a mountain in the desart of arabia petraea , miles from ierusalem toward the south-west . this was the twentieth remove ; the name of the place being so called , partly of their tents , partly of the roundness of the mountains . of harada . harada was full of wild beasts , which struck the people into a mighty fear ; so called , as being derived from charada , which signifies terror or trembling . here the children of israel stayed the one and twentieth time , it being miles from ierusalem , toward the south-west . of thahath . this is a certain valley miles from ierusalem , towards the southwest , and is derived from tachath , which signifieth a certain plain , or low place . of maceheloth . this was the two and twentieth abiding of the israelites , being miles from ierusalem towards the southwest . here a congregation of the tribes of israel was called ; for maccheloth signifieth a congregation or meeting together . sometimes it is taken for the church , being derived from rahal , i. he assembleth together . of tharah . this was a memorable place in the wilderness , where the israelites had a breathing time ; for now growing near to the borders of the land of canaan , after so many journeys , they began to rest themselves , because of the wars they were shortly to undertake . and it is derived of roah and tarah , which signifieth a breathing-time . here was the th mansion of the israelites . of mithca . here was the twenty fifth mansion of the israelites , being but miles from ierusalem toward the south-west , in the utmost borders of the land of canaan , and no doubt took the name from the delightful and pleasant taste of grapes : for mitka signifies the same that mithetk , that is to say , sweetness and pleasantness . of cades barnea . cades barnea , a city of the idumaeans , ( being derived of kadas and barah , that is , a holy place ) is forty miles from ierusalem towards the south ; from this place moses sent spies into the land of canaan , who brought of the fruit of the land , but all of them discouraged the people , only caleb : wherefore they murmured , and the lord was angry , and would not suffer them to enter into the land of promise : so turning their journey , they went to ezeongaber , miles , so that they travelled in the desart forty years , before they could enter into the land of promise . of this you may read , gen. , , . num. . , , . deut. . psal. . ezek. . of chasmona . in this place the children of israel set up their tents , a little before they sent spies into the land of canaan : it is not far from cades barnea towards the south . for the twelve spies were not sent from the city of cades barnea , but from their tents ; and of this still distribution or sending , ( for one out of every tribe was chosen ) it took the name . for casmona signifies , a still distribution , being derived of chasca and manah , he stilly distributed . of moseroth . moseroth was the twenty seventh mansion of the children of israel in the wilderness , and distant from ierusalem miles towards the south , where the lord caused them to return back for their murmuring , towards the south , that so they might live just forty years in the wilderness , num. . . this place seemeth to take the name thereof from traditions , for there moses repeated to the israelites the law of the lord ; and for this cause their tents were called moseroth , which signifies traditions , and is derived of masar , that is , to preach . of benei iaacon . this was the twenty eighth mansion of the israelites , so called because there their tents were fairly set up , with pleasant walks and places about them ; for benei iaacon signifieth a building or fair walk ; being derived of bana and akah , that is , he hath set up an house ; and was miles from ierusalem southward , num. . of hor gidgad . at this mountain the children of israel stayed a while , because it was a fertile and pleasant place , as moses himself witnesseth . it is an hundred and twelve miles from ierusalem towards the south ; being derived of harar , a mountain , and glebam a plow , plin. l. . ep . . of iotbatha . this was the thirtieth mansion of the israelites in the wilderness , being miles from ierusalem toward the south , and took the name from the pleasantness and fertility of the wilderness ; being derived of iatab and batha , a certain good and pleasant waste or wilderness . of arbona . this place being very discommodious and no whit profitable , the children of israel were constrained to remove their tents with great weeping and lamentation ; for arbona , being derived from abar and naha , signifies partly to remove , and partly to weep . of aezion gaber . this was a town of the idumaeans , near the red sea , miles from kades-barnea , and miles from ierusalem towards the south . here the israelites set up their tents , and here solomon made his navy , which he sent to ophir to fetch gold , kin. . this city no doubt took the name of the strength and multitude of trees , whereof these ships were built ; for they were very fair ships , and of excellent workmanship . aezion gaber signifieth a strong tree ; being derived of ez and gaber , that is a tree of strength . of zin-kades . this was a great wilderness lying between aezion-gaber and kades-barnea , being miles in length , abounding with thorns and high mountains . upon the north-side thereof lay mount seir , and kades-barnea , and towards the south the red sea. it was called paran and zin , of the abundance of thorns that grew there ; for zin , of zanan , signifies a sharp thorn ; zinnim , full of thorns ; and kadesh sanctity or holiness . here moses and aaron having struck the rock twice , at length it brought forth water ; but for their murmuring and incredulity god would not suffer them to go into the land of canaan . this lay an miles from ierusalem toward the south . of the mountain hor. hor is a mountain of the idumaeans , eighty eight miles from ierusalem toward the south-east , and is derived of harar , which signifieth a great mountain : here aaron died . the king of the canaanites which dwelt toward the south , in a town called arad , upon the borders of iudaea and arabia petraea , hearing that aaron was dead , invaded the iews with a great army , discomfited them , and took some of them captives . but after , the israelites , to revenge this injury , took and destroyed divers cities which belonged to the canaanites , and put the citizens to the sword. this countrey is called chormah , which signifieth a curse or desolation . of zalmona . this was a place in the desart of zin-kades , where the israelites pitch't their tents , being miles from ierusalem to the south-east ; and took the name from shades , or little sheds under which the israelites dwelt : for zalmona seems a compound of zel and mun , which signifies a shady place , and seems to have affinity with manah , to distribute here and there . of phunon . this was a city of the idumaeans , scituated in the wilderness of arabia petraea , miles from ierusalem towards the south-east ; and takes the name from a fair and flourishing city . for panan in hebrew signifies an high pinacle , from whence one might see all parts of the world. here moses set up the brasen serpent . of oboth . this was the thirty seventh mansion of the israelites in the wilderness , and was fifty six miles from ierusalem towards the south-east , and signifies a serpent called python . here the arabians received an answer from the devil by way of conjuration . of igim . this was the thirty eighth mansion of the israelites ; so called , because of the multitude which were assembled near to a mountain called abari● , miles from ierusalem toward the south-east ; for igim signifies a congregation . of dib●n gad. this was the thirty ninth station of the israelites in the desart , being fifty two miles from ierusalem towards the south-east , neer to the floud zared , bordering upon the idumaeans and moabites , running from thence into the red sea , and , as it seems , taketh name from descending into a strong place . of almon diblathaim . this place stands beyond the red sea , some forty miles from ierusalem towards the east ; and taketh name from a frail of dried figs ; for alam signifieth , he hath hidden ; and debeleth , a frail of dried figs. here was the fortieth mansion of the israelites , and lay close by the river arnon , num. . and . of the mountaines abarim . these mountaines lay miles from ierusalem towards the east , and taketh the name from passing along ; for ab●r ▪ is as much as to say , he went along . between these mountains and the lake asphaltites , near to the eastern river of the dead sea , the moabites inhabited . of jahza . this was a city of the levites , the sons of merar , in the tribe of benjamin , miles from ierusalem eastward , ies. . here moses overcame the king of the ammonites , and put them to death , num. . of chezbon . this was the metropolis of sehon king of the ammorites , who held the country beyond iordan ; and because he would not suffer the children of israel to pass through his dominions , therefore moses made war upon him , put him to death , and gave all his countrey to the tribes of reuben and gad. this was a fair town , and after fell to the levites , num. . . deut. , , &c. and took its name from cheschebon , which signifies an artificial understanding : for chaschaf is as much as excogitavit , that is , he hath found out ; and cheschaef is , an artificial and ingenious work. of jaezir . jaezir was a city of the priests in the tribe of gad , miles from ierusalem towards the east , and in ieroms time was a small village , and s●gnifies , the lord is my help ; being derived of iah , that is , the lord god ; and ez●er , the helper . of edrie . this is a city in the countrey of gilead , beyond iordan and the galilean sea , thirty two miles from ierusalem , south-eastward , near the lake of gaderin , where og the king of b●san was overcome by moses ; and after fell to the tribe of m●n●sses , num. . iosh. . deut. . s. ierom saith , that in his time this town was called adar . og signifieth a cook , or one that baketh bread upon coals . a●driae signifies an heap of bright clouds ; being derived of adar and hi , that is , a clear heap . of astoroth . this was a metropolitan city of basan , four miles distant from edrei , and from ierusalem toward the south-east . it stood beyond iordan , and belonged to the half tribe of manasses : of which you may read before in the travels of lot. of pisgah . this was an high mountain in the plain of the mo●bites , against iericho , miles from ierusalem , east-ward . it took the name from the cities pisg●h and nebo , and therefore is called sometimes pisgah , sometimes nebo ▪ here moses died . nebo signifies a city of the prophets : pisgah , the top of a hill. the travels of the prophet balaam . there are many which think that this prophet balaam was of the posterity of nahor the brother of abraham , and an inhabitant o● charan in meso●otamia , gen. . iose●hus saith , he dwelt near to euphrates : and st. ierom , in a city called phatura , of which there is mention , num. . and signifies an obscure prophet , or oracle which interpreteth . for pathar with the hebrews , is the same that , he hath interpreted , is with us . wherefore this prophet travelled from pithora or phatura in meso●otamia , to abel , or the plain of vines , where his ass spake , num. . which is miles . from thence he went to the land of the moabites , miles , where , in the mount of peor , he blessed the children of israel . so all the travels of this prophet were miles . of the plain of the vines . there is often mention of this place in the scripture ; and for the fertility of the countrey , and plenty of sweet wines , there was a beautiful city built , called abel , of the vines , some miles from ierusalem , south-eastward , and was placed just in the way as they went from mesopotamia into the countrey of the moabites . whereby it appeareth , that near to this place the ass spake to balaam , numb . . in ierom's time there was found a little village so called , where there was great plenty of vines . here ieptha overcame the ammorites , and made a great slaughter , iudg. . the travels of that noble captain joshuah . joshvah and caleb travelled with moses from raemsis out of aegy●t through the red sea , and came to kades-barnea , miles . from kades-barnea they were sent forth with other spies to the land of canaan , num. . and went out of the wilderness of zin and paran , and came to the town of rechob in galilee , miles . from thence they went to the town of hamath in syria , which was after called antiochia , miles . from hamath or antiochia they returned again to hebron , miles , where , upon the side of the river escol , they cut off a bunch of grapes , with the stalk , which was as much as both they could bear upon their shoulders , num. . from hebron they returned again to kades-barnea , twenty miles . there all the people murmured against moses , num. . hereby it is to be seen , that the spies , in forty dayes , travelled miles in the land of c●naa● , that is , every day miles and a little more . after that , ioshuah and caleb travelled with m●ses and the children of israel to ezeon-gabir , and from thence to the town of iahza , miles . from iahza they pass'd through two kingdoms to mount libanus , eighty miles . from mount libanus they returned again into the land of sittim , that lay by the hill pisgah , in the field of the moabites , miles . from the land of sittim they pass'd through the river of iordan , and came to gilgal , six miles , where ioshuah pitched his camp , numb . . iosh. . . from gilgal he went to iericho , two miles : there he assailed the town with the sound of basons , and won it , iosh. . from iericho he went to ai , being four miles , and took and burnt the whole town , iosh. . . from ai he returned to gilgal , four miles , and there upon the hill of ebal , he built an altar unto the lord , and there were the blessings and cursings pronounced , iosh. . deut. . from gilgal he went to gibeon , twelve miles . there the sun stood still during the battel against the three kings , iosh. . from gibeon he went to aj●lon , two miles ; here the moon stood still , ios. . from aj●lon he went to aseka , four miles : there it hailed upon the enemies that fled before israel , iosh. . from as●ka ioshua returned again into the camp at gilgal , twenty miles , iosh. . from gilgal he went to makeda , where he hanged the five kings , ios. . from makeda he went to libna , two miles , and took the town , iosh. . from libna he went to lachis , eight miles . from lachis he went to eglon , eight miles . from eglon he went to hebron , which is sixteen miles , iosh. . from hebron he went to debir , one mile , iosh. . after that , ioshuah , with one continued war , won all that part of iudaea which lay towards the south , bordering eastward upon the dead sea , southward upon cades-barne● , westward upon asdod and gaza , and northward upon gibeon and gilgal : this circuit of land containeth about an hundred fifty and six miles . from gilgal ioshua went out with his army about twenty two miles , to the river of merom , where he slew the rest of the kings of the canaanites in a memorable battel , iosh. . from the river of merom ioshua chased his enemies , and followed them to sidon , which was miles , iosh. . from sidon he went again to hazor , miles , which town he burnt , iosh . after that , ioshuah at one time won all the towns in the holy land , which lay northward in the lands of samaria and galilea , from gibeon to mount libanus , and from the river of iordan to the great sea , called mare mediterraneum ; which countreys in circuit contain miles . after that ioshuah returned again to his camp at gilgal , which lay miles from the town of hazor , where he made a division of the land amongst the children of israel , iosh. , . from gilgal he went to shilo , twelve miles , where he made an end of dividing the land , iosh. . from shilo he went to timnah sera , eight miles , and there he dwelt ; for the children of israel gave him that town for his own inheritance , iosh. . from timnah sera , ioshua , not long before he died , came to sichem , forty miles . there he assembled all the tribes of israel , iosh. . from sichem he returned again to timnah sera , forty miles , where he died and was buried , iosh. . so all the travels of prince ioshuah were miles . the description of the several towns and places to which ioshua travelled . of rechob . this was a city of the levites in the tribe of a●hur , an hundred miles from ierusalem toward the north , nu● . . and signifieth a broad street , being derived from radhab , that is , to extend out in length . of haemah , or chaemah . this was a city of the levites in the tribe of nephtali , and was an hundred miles from ierusalem , upon the utmost bounds of the holy land , at the foot of antilibanus , num. . . iosh. . derived from chamah , that is furious , or burning with anger . of gilgal . this was a town between iordan and the city iericho , twelve miles from ierusalem south-eastward ; where the children of israel having past the river of iordan , first made war upon all the nations of the land of canaan . here they solemnized the first paschal lamb. after they came into this land , manna ceased , because they then did eat the fruits of the countrey . here ioshua taking twelve stones out of iordan , pitch'd them up for a memorial . here the tabernacle of god stayed for a time , which was the reason that afterward the israelites committed idolatry in this place , iosh. . . hos. . , . amos . near to this place , ehud the third judge of the children of israel received gifts of them to carry to eglon king of the moabites dwelling at iericho , where he killed him with a knife . here saul was the second time confirmed king of israel , sam. . and , as it seems , taketh name of roundness , ioshuah at this time building his tent in a circular fashion : for galal signifies a round wheel or tent , compassed about with ditches and bulwarks . of iericho . this is a city in the tribe of benjamin , two miles from iordan and six from ierusalem , south-eastward . ioshuah overcame this with the sound of horns or trumpets , iosh. . heb. . here christ restored the blind man to sight , mat. . converted zachaeus , luke . and was called the city of palms , by reason of the great plenty of palms that grew there . you may read more of this hereafter . of hai , or ai. hai is a town in the tribe of benjamin , near to bethel , toward the east , where abraham dwelt , gen. . ioshuah won this town , ios. . . it was so called of a prophet that dwelt there , and signifieth , to be placed upon a heap : for ai signifies a heap , lying partly equally , partly unequally . the ruines of this town were scarce to be found in ierom's time . of gibeon . this was a metropolitan city in th● tribe of benjamin , the inhabitants whereof became petitioners to io●huah for peace , i●s . . , . ● sam. . afterward it was given to the priests . it is derived of gibeah or gibeon , which signifies a curled hill. it was scituated on a mountain four miles from ierusalem , toward the north. here stood the tabernacle of the covenant , and the brazen altar . here saul was first made king of israel . here he put the sons of abimel●ch the priest to death , sam. . here ios●uah overcame the five kings of the ammorites . here the sun stood still . of this you may read more hereafter . of aj●lon . this was a city of the priests in the tribe of dan , four miles from ierusalem towards the south-east , and taketh the name from an hind ; for a●ala signifieth an hind , a beast very strong and swift . here the moon stood still . here ionathan tasted hony , contrary to his fathers command , for which he was judged to dye , sam. . of azeka . azeka was a city of the ammorites in the tribe of iuda , eight miles from ierusalem toward the west , near to odullam , where david killed go●●ah ; and , as it seems , takes the name from munition , or a place compassed about with an hedge ; being derived from itsek , he hedged about . this was a fair city in st. ierom's time . of the valley of achor . this valley is distant from ierusalem twelve miles , and not far from iericho and gilgal , towards the north , taking name ( as it seemeth ) of achon , that thief mentioned in ioshuah , who was stoned there ; from whence it is called achor , which signifies trouble , because of the terrible words that ioshua spake unto him there . you may read of this , hos. . esay . iosh. . . of makedah . between eleuthero●olin and bethlehem this town stood , being in the tribe of iudah , some eight miles from ierusalem , towards the west , and taketh the name of a flower that hangs down the head , being derived of ●adad , which signifieth to hang down . here ioshua hanged the five kings of the ammorites , which he had formerly conquered , ios. . of libna . libna is a city belonging to the levites in the tribe of iudah , and is scituated between eglon and makeda , ten miles from ierusalem toward the north-west , where the fourteenth king that io●hua conquered kept his court ; and taketh the name from the abundance of frankincense that is found there . for lib●nah signifieth white frankincense . zenacharib besieged this city . some say it taketh the name from the hebrew lab● , which signifieth white bricks ; because there is found much matter whereof such kind of bricks are made . of lac●is . lachis is a city in the tribe of iudah , and lieth between eleutheropolin and hebron , twenty miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , and two miles from rechila toward the north , iosh. . chr. . and taketh the name from walking ; being derived from ialach , which signifieth , he hath walked . ioshuah took the king of this city and put him to death : and zenacharib king of the assyrians besieged it , but to little purpose . of eglon. eglon , was a city in the tribe of iudah , twelve miles from ierus●lem southward . ioshuah took the king of this city and hanged him . it taketh the name from aec●el , signifying a calf . of debir . debir was a city of the levites , twenty two miles from ierusalem towards the south , and almost half a mile from hebron towards the north-west . athniel the brother of caleb won this town , wherefore he gave him his daughter archsa to wife . formerly it was called kiriath-sepher , i. a city of scribes and students ; for it was consecrated to learning . from hence it was called debir , which signifies an oracle , or an holy altar ; because the lord there by his priests that were assigned for that purpose , did foretell and prophecy of things to come : being derived from debar , that is , he hath spoken . of asdod , or azotes . this was a city of the philistims , scituated upon the shore of the me●iterranean sea , in the tribe of dan , and twenty two miles from ierusalem towards the west . this town was conquered by ioshua , iosh. . reg. . it was also taken by psamniti●us king of egypt , in m●nasses time , as herodotus saith , it is now a little town , and is called azotus . in times past it was a fair city , and took name from the fire of love ; being derived of esh which signifies a fire , and dod beloved . of gaza . gaza was a fair city of the philistims , upon the shore of the red sea , some miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , and signifieth a strong town , being derived from gazez , to confirm . sam●son being inclosed within this town , took away the gates and bars thereof , and la●d them at the foot of mount hebron , iudg. . of the river merom . this was a lake not far from dothan , some four miles from tiberias , westward , and forty four miles from ierusalem towards the north ; and is so called from the deepness of it , being derived of rom , which signifies it was high , and marab , bitter ; whence merom , a high bitter water . here ioshuah over-threw the kings of the canaanites , josh. . of sidon . sidon takes the name of zod , which signifies , he hath hunted , and was a famous mart town in phoenicea , being a place scituated at the foot of that high hill antelibanus , near to the shore of the medi●erranean , sixteen miles from ierusalem north-ward . of libanus . this is a mountain of an extraordinary height , some miles from ierusalem north-ward , looking into syria and phoenicia . from thence the river iordan taketh the beginning , being so called of two springs or wells , that is , ior and dan , rising from the bottom of this hill. it seems to take the name from the abundance of flowers and variety of sweet smells or dews that are there ; and also of frankincense or gum olibanum found upon it : it is a very fruitful place , full of springs and wholsome herbs , so that no serpent will abide in it : it is divided into two parts , the one lieth near sidon west-ward , called antelibanus ; the other towards damascus , upon the east , and is only called libanus . it is so high that it serves for a sea mark , and so much the more remarkable , for that ( as some say ) snow lieth continually upon the top of it , so that a far off it seemeth white . of the river jordan . jordan is a pleasant sweet river watering the holy land ( whereof you may read before . ) it is named iordan at caesarea philippi , a little from the foot of antelibanus , miles from ierusalem , north-ward : it passeth through the lake samachoniten , and divideth it into two equal parts ; from thence , running thorow a great part of galilee , it falls into the sea tyberi●s , and there as it were divideth it into two parts , it watereth that part of iudaea called samaria ; and about easter , which is the beginning of that harvest , it floweth over the banks , and fructifies many countries lying near it : at length it falleth into the lake asphalti●es and there endeth , about fourteen miles from ierusalem , eastward . so that from the first beginning of this river , to the end of it , is ninety two miles . it is called palah by the hebrews , which signifieth swift and hidden ; because it riseth from a certain well or pit called phiala , which is always full of water , but from whence it springeth is unknown . ioshua about easter passed upon dry ground through this river , even then when it was fullest of water , ios. . so did eliah and elisha , reg. here naaman the leper wash'd himself , reg. . here christ was baptised by s. iohn baptist , mat. . luke . of hazor . this was a town in the upper galilee , belonging to the tribe of nepthali : it was the chief hold and city of the king of the canaanites , being distant from ierusalem eighty miles towards the north. this ioshuah destroyed with fire and sword. deborah also the prophetess , besieged it , took it , and put iabin the king thereof to death . in times past it was a very strong city , as the ruines thereof testifie . of siloh . siloh the city and house of god , was scituate on a high mountain in the tribe of ephraim , four miles and somewhat better from ierusalem towards the north. here the ark of the covenant continued from the time that the israelites first entred into the land of canaan , till eli the priest fetch'd it thence ; in whose time it was taken by the philistims , and he for very grief therefore fell down and brake his neck against a stone , . sam. . the inhabitants hereabouts shew the ruines of a certain sepulchre standing upon the top of this mount , where they say samuel was buried : but that cannot be true , for he was buried at ramath , which now is called arimathea . therefore it seems to be either the ruines of eli's sepulchre , who died miserably in that place ; or else of the house of the lord , which many years past stood there . schiloh signifies happy and peaceable , being derived from schalah , that is , to live at ease and in peace . of timnah . of this you may read in the travels of iudah . the type and mystery of joshuah . joshuah and iesus is all one in signification , that is , saviour , or a defender ; and did typically represent our saviour christ ; that as this ioshuah brought the children of israel through iordan into the land of canaan , so jesus christ , the true ioshuah , and saviour of the world , through that iordan of baptism , bringeth us into that place of promise , eternal life . wherae the one and thirty kings dwelt , overcome and slain by joshuah , josh. . as the prophet moses won all the land upon the one side of iordan , so ioshuah won all the countrey on the other , from the town of baalgadan , beginning at mount libanus , not far from mount hebron , till you come to the town of caesarea philippi , and to the hill seir , where sometime esau dwelt : all which is miles long , and or miles broad . the first king that ioshuah overcame , dwelt in iericho . the second king held his court in ai. the third king dwelt in ierusalem , and was called adoni-bezec , that is , a lord of righteousness . this king ioshuah hanged at makeda , ios. . the fourth king called hoham , dwelt at hebron , and was likewise hanged at makeda , ios. . the fifth king called percam , dwelt at iarmouth in the tribe of iuda , twenty miles from jerusalem westward . the sixth king , called japhia dwelt at lachis , two miles from iarmouth southward ; he was also hanged at makeda , ios. . the seventh king dwelt at eglon , called debir , and was also hanged at makeda . the eighth king was called horam , and held his princely seat in the tribe of dan , in the town of gezer , miles from jerusalem westward : whom ioshuah slew with all his men , ios. . the ninth king dwelt at debir . the tenth king held his court at gerar in the tribe of iudah , miles from jerusalem westward . the eleventh king dwelt at harma in the tribe of judah , which is upon the borders of arabia deserta , not far from ziclag , forty miles from ierusalem south-westward : this town in times past was called zephal , that is a watch-tower , because it stood upon a hill. but when the children of iudah had overthrown the whole army of the canaanites , they called it haram , a curse , iudg. . the twelfth king dwelt at arat , miles from ierusalem southward , which was a town of the ammorites , and took the name from the asses that were in great troops within the woods thereabout . it lay in the tribe of iudah . the thirteenth king dwelt at libnah in the tribe of iudah . the fourteenth king dwelt at odullam . the fifteenth king dwelt at makeda . in this town ioshuah hanged five kings , ios. . the sixteenth king dwelt at bethel . the seventeenth king dwelt at tapnah , not far from iordan and iericho , twelve miles from ierusalem north-eastward . the eighteenth king dwelt at hepher , six miles from ierusalem north-ward ; part of this town was allotted to the tribe of zabulon . ionas the prophet was born in this town , reg. . and is four miles distant from the town of nazareth , southward . the nineteenth king dwelt at apheck ; forty four miles from ierusalem north-ward , and two miles from iezreel . there also the ark of the lord was taken , and there also the sons of eli the high priest were slain , sam. . this town was in the half tribe of manasses . the twentieth king dwelt at lazaron , eighteen miles and half from ierusalem north-westward , not far from ioppen and lidda . the one and twentieth king dwelt at nadan , fourteen miles from ierusalem north-westward . the two and twentieth king dwelt at hazor . the twenty third king dwelt at simron , which town was allotted to the tribe of zabulon , iosh. . it lieth sixty eight miles from ierusalem north-ward , not far from the town of nazareth in galilee . the twenty fourth king dwelt at achsap , eighty eight miles from ierusalem northward , which town was allotted to the tribe of aser . the twenty fifth king dwelt at tanaach , forty four miles from ierusalem : this town belonged to the levites , and stood in the tribe of manasses , six miles from iezreel southward , iosh. . the twenty sixth king dwelt at megiddo , forty four miles from ierusalem northward , scarce four miles from tanaach . by this town of megiddo iosias king of iuda was overthrown by pharaoh necho king of egypt , reg. . in the travels of iosiah king of iudah i will speak of this town more at large . the twenty seventh king dwelt at kades , ios. . . the twenty eighth king dwelt at iaknedam , twenty seven miles from ierusalem northward , being upon the mediterranean sea. this town was allotted to the tribe of zabulon , and given to the levites , iosh. . the twenty ninth king dwelt at naphet dor , which town lay upon the sea-coast , between the hill carmel and the town of cesarea stratonis , forty eight miles from ierusalem northward . the thirtieth king dwelt at gilgal , between iericho and the river iordan , and was the first king that ioshuah overcame , and slew all his host . the one and thirtieth king dwelt at thirtza , in the tribe of manasses , twenty four miles from ierusalem . in this town ieroboam , and after him , all the kings of israel kept their courts , before samaria was built . the book of iudges . the travels of caleb and athniel . caleb and athniel , with all the children of iudah , went from iudah to besek , forty four miles , where they took king adoni-bezek prisoner , and cut off his fingers and toes , iudg. . from beseck they went to ierusalem , forty four miles , which they took by force , and burnt it , iudg. . from ierusalem they went to hebron , miles , which they took , and slew the gyants that inhabited therein , iudg. . not far from hebron lay the town of debir , which athniel won , and therefore caleb gave him his daughter achsa for his wife , iudg. . from debir they went to zephat , sixteen miles , vvhich tovvn they vvon , iudg. . from zephat they went to gaza , four miles . from gaza they went to ascalon , six miles , iudg. . from ascalon they went to hebron , fourteen miles . from hebron they went back again to debir , where athniel dwelt , twelve miles . so all the travels of caleb and athniel were miles . the description of the towns and places to which they travelled . of beseck . beseck was a metropolitan city of the canaanites , near to the water merom , where adoni-beseck kept his court , forty four miles from ierusalem toward the north , and took the name of desaeck , or bezeck which signifies lightning . of this king you may read , iudg. . of zephah . this was a town upon the borders of the tribes of iudah and simeon ; not far from siclag , iosh. . it takes the name from zaphah , which signifies a watch-tower : and was also called by the sons of iudah , ( who destroyed all the countrey ) chorma , which signifies a curse , or a desolate place . to the citizens hereof david sent gifts , sam. . of gaza . of this town you may read more hereafter , in the travels of the ark of the covenant . the typical signification of caleb . caleb signifieth an hearty man , or a man after gods own heart , loving his neighbour with all his heart . for col is as much as omnius which signifies all ; and cala , he forgiveth all ; and leb or lebbah signifieth an heart the seat and fountain of all life . so that caleb seems to take his name from a singular hearty affection , whereby he forgiveth his neighbour . for as this man being of a noble resolution and courage , in the year of his age won hebron a strong city , and put to death the three sons of anak , terrible gyants : so christ the son of god , that so loved the world that he gave himself for it , with more than humane resolution conquered hell , and those three mighty gyants incident unto it , the sons of sathan , sin , the world , and death . of athniel . in the year of the world , and before christ , , ioshuah died : after whose death , caleb and athniel judged israel ; about which time the israelites committed idolatry , and worshipped baal and asteroth : wherefore the lord suffered them to fall into the hands of cushan rishathaim king of mesopotamia . but because of their oppression they cryed unto the lord , and he stirred up othniel the younger brother of caleb , who in the year of the world conquered cushan , delivered the people , and governed israel forty years , iudg. . athniel or othniel signifies the god of time , being derived of aeth ; that is , an age : and is a type of christ , who is the god of time ; and in his due time conquered the world , and sathan the prince thereof , thereby delivering the poor afflicted members of his church out of his miserable servitude and bondage : for which cause god hath made him judge over it , and given him full power and authority to rule and govern it . of ehud the third iudge of israel . ehvd was the son of gira of the tribe of iudah , and dwelt in the city of iericho , or of the palms . he was a valiant and resolute man , lame of his right hand , iug. . and to the judgment of man , not fit to be a captain , being so infirm . yet it happened that this man growing in favour with eglon king of the moabites , who at this time kept his court in iericho , ( which town he had but eighteen years before conquered ) took opportunity by the children of israel's coming to gilgal ( for they came thither to offer unto the idol , and to bring gifts of the king ) to present these presents unto him ; and because of his former familiarity , was admitted to speak in private with him in his summer parlour ; where , as he was talking with him , he thrust him into the belly with a short knife : and locking the door , he fled back to seirah , and told the children of israel what he had done . from thence they presently went to ephraim , there blew the trumpet , and set upon the moabites , and put them to the sword , iudg. . the travels of ehud . ehvd went from iericho to gilgal , two miles . from gilgal he went to iericho , two miles . from iericho he went to mount ephraim , six miles . from mount ephraim he went to iordan , four miles , where he overthrew ten thousand moabites . so all the travels of ehud were fourteen miles . of mount ephraim . this mountain is about eight miles from ierusalem towards the south , and extends it self in longitude to the city , near the mediterranean sea , called ioppa , which is distant from ierusalem twenty miles toward the north-west . the travels of the sons of hobab the kenite . the sons of hobab the kenite ( moses brother-in-law ) went from iericho to arad , a city in the tribe of iudah , scituated in the desart , toward the south , miles . num. . iudg. . of arad . arad is a city in the tribe of iudah , miles from ierusalem towards the south , taking the name of a multitude of asses that were found thereabouts in the desart , and is derived from arod , which signifies a wild ass , a rude creature . the travels of jael , the wife of heber the kenite , who killed sisera the captain . from arad she and her husband went to the plain of zaaenaim , and dwelt there , near to a town called kades , a town of refuge of the levites , in the tribe of naphtali , miles , there she killed sisera . this town lieth miles from ierusalem towards the north. of deborah and barak . deborah was the wife of lapidoth , and dwelt under a palm-tree between bethel and ramath , in mount ephraim , eight miles from ierusalem , towards the north : the inhabitants thereabouts shew this tree even to this day . barak the son of abineam , a noble captain , lived in her time at kades , a city of refuge belonging to the levites . she succeeded ehud , in an. mun. . and before christ , years . the travels of deborah and barak . barak went first from kades naphtali to the palm-tree , where deborah dwelt , being miles . from thence he went with deborah back again to kades , being eighty four miles . from kades , with men , they went to the hill thabor , thirty six miles . here ( as iosephus writeth , lib. antiq. . ) there fell such a shower of rain and hail upon the enemies of the israelites , that through the extream violence thereof , they were dispersed , and sisera their captain constrained to leave his chariot , and to save himself by flight , never staying till he came to the tabernacle of iael , the wife of hebar the kenite , scituated in the valley of zaaenaim , thirty six miles from the foot of the mountain thabor ; where being asleep , by reason of his great journey , iael struck a nail into the temple of his head , so he died . from thence barak pursued the enemies with great slaughter , to haraseth of the gentiles , a city in the upper galilee , near to the lake of samachoniten , miles . this city is eighty miles from ierusalem towards the north. ioseph . ant. lib. . from haraseth he went to the plain of zaaenaim , where he found sisera slain in the tabernacle of iael , as deborah the prophetess had told him . from thence barak with all his army went to hazor , where iabin king of the cana●nites kept his court , and of a sudden conquered the city , and put to death all the inhabitants , ioseph . ant. lib. . of thabor . thabor is a round and high hill , scituated upon the borders of the tribes of issachar and zabulon , fifty six miles from ierusalem towards the north , and extendeth it self to the river kison , towards the south , and taketh the name of light , or a pure air , being derived of bo , to go and come ; tebuah , to bring forth fruit , and to give light . for this mountain thabor , by reason of the purity of the air , is wonderful fertile and fruitful : there was also a town at the foot of it called by the same name . here the kings of the midianites , zeba and zalmuna were slain by gideon . of hazor . this is a great city in the tribe of nepthali , eighty miles from ierusalem towards the north , which ioshuah destroyed with fire and sword ; so did barak also ▪ the ruines of this city is to be seen to this day . the my●tery of deborah . the word deborah signifies a bee , and is a memorable type of the church . for as a bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly ; so the members of gods church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of god , or by continual prayers implore his aid and assistance ; with the bee sucking from the flowers of the holy scriptures , the sweet and acceptable doctrine of faith , by which the hope of everlasting life is strengthned in us , with the sting of gods word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations , ( the temptations of the devil ) and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men ; according to that of ecclesiasticus , the bee is but small , yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit , and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions . and as plato saith , the king of bees , although without a sting , yet ruleth and governeth his commonwealth with great severity and iustice. so christ the head of the church , though he be a delectable saviour of souls , and without any sting of bitterness , yet doth he rule and govern it with singular justice and sincerity . of barak . after deborah was appointed judge of israel she ordained barak for her chief commander or captain . he taketh his name from thunder and lightning typically representing the glory of christ jesus , as chief captain of the church , who with the thunder of the law , and the bright shining glory of the gospel , destroyed the enemies thereof ; and by the hosts of angels and saints at the end of the world , will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that bottomless pit , there to remain for ever . of the travels of gideon . deborah being dead , zaeba and zalmuna ( kings of the medeanites ) cruelly invaded the land of iudaea ; but the lord taking compassion upon his people , sent them a helper ▪ one gideon the son of ioas , of the family of abiezer , who was born at ophra or ephron , a city in the tribe of manasses , not far from mahanaim on the east side of iordan , some miles from ierusalem , towards the north-east ; and signifieth , a rooter out ; from gada , that is , he hath rooted out . this man , at the appointment of the lord , took upon him the charge of the people , and at ophra , which signifies , dust , he destroyed the idol baal , pitching up in that place an altar to the lord : wherefore he was after called ieru-baal , taking that name from revenge , because he had destroyed the idol . he began to rule in israel in the year of the world , , and before christ . from ophra , gideon went to harad , which standeth in the half tribe of manasseh , where he blew the trumpet . from this place he sent back of his army , because the lord had so appointed . but the midianites hearing of this preparation , provided a great host , and pitched in the valley of the hill moreh : so gideon taking only with him , went over iordan , and came to the town of iesreel , ( for iosephus saith ) sixteen miles from harad , where he gave the midianites a wonderful overthrow , iudg. . he also took there two princes , oreb and zeb , and returned to the river ▪ iordan , where he put them to death . from thence he went to succoth with his army , in expectation to have refreshed themselves , but the inhabitants shut him out of the town , and gave him many despightful words . this town lay close by iordan , and here iacob sometime pitched his tent. from thence he went to penuel , which is two miles ; there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad language . from thence he went to nobach with his army , which is two miles . from thence he went to iagbetha , which is four miles , where he conquere● zaeba and zalmuna , kings of the midianites , who thinking themselves secure , made no preparation for war till they were besieged . this was a memorable battel , and here the two kings were put to death . from thence he followed the enemy with a great slaughter to karkor , which is four miles . from thence he vvent back to succoth , vvhich is eight miles : here he put the inhabitants of this town to the sword , and all the elders and princes he tore to pieces vvith thorns , because they had formerly denied him entrance into the city . from thence he vvent to the castle of penuel , which is two miles , and utterly destroyed it , even to the ground , and put all the inhabitants to death because of their mocks . from thence he went to ophra , four miles , where , gathering together all the gold which he had taken from the midianites , he made a rich ephod , iudg. . from ophra he went to sichem , where his son abimelech was born , which is ten miles . from thence he returned back to ophra , which is ten miles , and there he died , after he had judged israel ten years . so all the travels of gideon were eighty two miles . the description of the towns and places to which gideon travelled . of iezreel . jezreel was a fair city scituated upon a hill near to the flood kison , bordering upon the tribe of issachar , miles from ierusalem towards the north ; and signifieth the seed of god , being derived from el and dara , the seed of the almighty god. there was another of this name in the tribe of iudah , iosh. . in times past this was onely the seat and chief abiding-place of the kings of israel . for ahab and iezabel kept their court there , and ioram their son , whom iehu overcame : and here iezabel was eaten up of dogs . at this day this fair city hath in it but thirty houses ; and is called by the inhabitants of the holy land sanatham , being scituated at the foot of the mountain gilboah westward : in it there is a watch tower , upon the top whereof you may see through all galilee to carmel , and the mountains of phoenicia , also to mount thabor , and the mountains beyond iordan , called gilead . of this town you may read ios. , . sam. . of nobach . this was a city beyond iordan , and stood in the half tribe of manasses , thirty eight miles from ierusalem north-eastward . in times past it was called kenah , but after nobach prince of the half tribe of manasseh had conquered it , he called it nobach , num. . and signifieth a prophet , being derived of nabah , or nabach , he hath prophesied , or cryed out . of jogbeha . this town was built by the children of gad , and lies beyond iordan , thirty four miles from ierusalem north-eastward , and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth ; being derived from gabah , which signifieth , it excelleth in height . of this you may read , iudg. . numb . . of karkor . karkor is a city in the half tribe of manasseh , and is scituated beyond iordan , fome miles distant from ierusalem north-eastward , and taketh the name from kir , which signifies he hath destroyed , or subverted the walls , for here the two kings zeba and zalmuna were taken . st. ierom faith , in his book de locis hebraicis , that in his time it was a fair town . the typical signification of gideon . this gideon ( whose name signifies to root out ) destroyed and subverted the enemies of the iews : so christ hath destroyed the kingdom of sathan , and daily rooted out all his impious and wicked members , which are enemies to his church . the travels of abimelech , the sixth iudge of israel . gideon being dead , abimelech his son went from ophra to sichem , which is ten miles , and there was chosen by the citizens to succeed his father in the government . from thence he went back to ophra , which is ten miles , and there put to death his seventy brethren , all sons of gideon , but by divers concubines ; for god permitted bigamie , but did not command it . from ophra he went ten miles into the land of sichem , and there was chosen king , about the year of the world . from sichem ( which was the seat of the kingdom ) he went to ophra , being ten miles , there he judged israel three years . after that he went the third time back to the sichemites , which is ten miles , but they breaking promise with him , for very madness he caused the city to be destroyed , and salt to be sown in the place , that so ever after it might become barren , accursed , and unhabitable . from sichem , he went with his host to thebets or thebez , which is two miles , where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flung a stone upon him at the siege of that town , whereof he died , iudg. . so all the travels of abimelech were miles . of thebez . this was distant from sichem two miles northward , and from ierusalem thirty eight miles ; it took the name from bitzah , which signifieth a deep pond . abimelech took his name from an hereditary kingdom , or rather because he obtained the kingdom over israel after his father ; and is as much as to say , my father is a king ; because good princes differ little from good fathers : for maelaech with the hebrews signifieth a king , malechah , a queen , and malchech , a kingdom . so that this name abimelech properly signifieth a king , or one that is a father of his people . of the flight of jotham , which was the brother of abimelech . jotham signifieth a perfect and swift man , being derived from iatham , that is , perfect and swift . this man , at such time as abimelech put to death the rest of his brethren , to save his life fled to mount gerizim , where he propounded the riddle mentioned , iudg. . and after , from thence he went to beerah , where he hid himself from the fury of abimelech . all this was forty four miles . of mount gerizim . gerizim or garizim was a mountain in the kingdom of the samaritans , and extended it self in the longitude as far as iericho , near to mount hebal . in these two mountains the blessings and the cursings were recited , of which , more shall be said hereafter ; and it taketh the name from the felling down of trees , being derived from garaz , which signifieth , to cut or to fell down : here christ spoke with the samaritan , iohn . of beerah . beerah was a town in the tribe of iudah , ten miles from ierusalem , westward . near to this city iudas macchabeus fought a memorable battel against bacchides and others , whom he conquered . it taketh the name from a clear well , being derived of beer , that is , he hath made clear . of thola the seventh iudge of israel . thola takes his name from a red worm , or purple colour , which colour is proper to princes . he succeeded abimelech in the government of the iews , and began to rule an. mun. . and years before christ. his father's name was puah , of the tribe of issachar . he dwelt in samir , a city of mount ephraim , not far from iericho , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north , and there he was buried , as you may see , iosh. . of jair the eighth iudge of israel . jair succeeded thola , and began his government in the year of the world , , and years before christ. he took his name from the singular worth and noble disposition that was in him . this iair was one of the tribe of manasseh , he was lame of both his feet , and was a man of great estimation among the iews , for there were thirty castles and towns that were called after his name , iudg. . num. . deut. . ios. . chr. . he dwelt at kamon , a town in the tribe of gilead , some forty eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . the travels of jephthah . jephtha was born at mizpah in the land of gilead , and being driven into exile by his brothers , he fled into the land of tob , miles from ierusalem , iudg. . from thence he returned to mizpah , miles , and there was chosen prince , and began his government anno mundi , . and before christ , years , iudg. . from mizpah he went with his army against the ammonites to the city of aroer , where he put them to flight , which is twenty six miles , iudg. . from aroer he pursued the enemies to minneth , which is eight miles , iudg. . from minneth he went to the plain of the vines , which is twenty four miles , iudg. . from abel , or the plain of the vines , he went to mizpah , where he offered his daughter for a sacrifice to the lord , iudg. . at that time he and the ephramites got a memorable battel , in which were slain , iudg. . so all the travels of iephthah were miles . of the cities and places mentioned in his travels . of thob or tob. thob or tob to which iephthah fled , is in the half tribe of manasses , beyond iordan , not far from the mountain of antilibanus , a hundred and four miles from ierusalem north-eastward : this was a very fair and plentiful country , and therefore called thob , being derived from thobah , which signifieth , good and rate . of mizpah . mizpah was a city in the land of gilead , in the half tribe of manasses , eighteen miles from ierusalem north-eastward , and signifieth a watch-tower , of zaphah , to look out . in this town gideon dwelt , and after him , samuel . it was afterward destroyed by iudas macchabeus : you may read more of it , sam. . . ier. , . iosh. . reg. . chr. . nehem . of aroer . this was a city of the moabites , beyond iordan , near the river arnon , and sell to the tribe of gad , iosh. . . deut. . and takes the name from turpentine , being derived from arar , that is , he hath destroyed and rooted out ; and was so called , because iephthah won a memorable battel near to this place , iud. . this is often mentioned in the scriptures . there was another town of this name close by damascus . of minueth . in ierom's time ( forty years after christ ) this town was called menneth , of mercury , which the syrians call meni , from manah , to distribute ; being a town of merchants , which disperse their commodities here and there ; and stood beyond iordan in the tribe of reuben , thirty two miles from ierusalem toward the east . of the plain of vines . of this you may read more in the travels of balaam . of the death of jephthah . this iephthah was a famous captain , and from thence took his name ; for iepthack signifieth , to make him an open way with the sword , being derived of patach , to open ; and after he had judged israel six years died : the manner of whose death is diversly reported ; some say , that because he performed not his vow effectually , therefore god struck him with a grievous ulcer , so that as he was passing from city to city , in every place he left a member . others say , that he died in the city of the gileadites , and that in memory of his singular actions and noble exploits , which by god's special aid he atchieved , his body was cut into pieces , and into every city of gilead a member sent , and there buried ; which , as i take it , is the better opinion . of ebzan . ebzan was the tenth judge of israel , and succeeded iephthah ; he began his government in anno mundi , and before christ . he was a bethlemite of the tribe of iudah ; and as the hebrews think , boez , the grand-father of king david : he had thirty sons and thirty daughters , and lived to see them all married , and took them home unto him into his own family , ( which doubtless was a great blessing of god ) and from thence took his name ; for ibsan , or abezan , signifieth , the father of a flock , or multitude . he lived , dwelt , and was buried in bethlem iuda , iudg. . of elom . in the year of the world , and before christ . elom the eleventh judge of israel , began to rule , and dwelt in ajalon in the tribe of zabulon , who after he had governed ten years , died , and was buried in the same town . there was another city of the same name in the tribe of dan , some four miles from ierusalem , towards the west ; where , at the prayer of ioshua , the sun stood still . of abdon . abdon , the twelfth judge of israel , succeeded elom ; and began to rule , anno mundi , and before christ . he dwelt in the tribe of ephraim , in a mountain of the amalekites , sixteen miles from ierusalem , northwards . he ruled full eight years , and then died , and was buried in pirithon . abdon signifieth a servant : for he was a good prince , but that in obeying others he lost himself . this abdon was a great man , had forty sons , thirty of which he saw married ; and for his greater honour , had his chariot drawn with seventy asses ; for they used them as we do horses . the travels of sampson . sampson was born in the city of zarea , and brought up in the tents of dan and estahol , iud. . from thence he went to timnah , which is twelve miles ; there he fell in love with iudah the daughter of a philistine , iudg. . from timnah he went back to his father to zarea , and revealed his affection ; which is twelve miles . he and his father went back again to timnah , to see the maid , and by the way as he went he killed a lyon ; which is twelve miles , iudg. . from thence he returned back again , which is twelve miles , iudg. . within a while after , sampson and his friends went again to timnah , and by the way he found honey in the lyon that he had slain , and gave it to his friends to eat ; and when he came to the philistines house he propounded the riddle , whereof you may read , iudg. . these things hapned in anno mundi , and before christ , at which time , he succeeded abdon in the rule of the iews . from thence he went to ascalon , a city of the philistines , and killed thirty of their men , and took away their garments ; which is miles . from thence he returned back again to timnah , and delivered the philistines which had unfolded the riddle , those change of garments , iudg. . from thence ( being angry that his wife had disclosed the riddle ) he returned to zarea to his friends ; which is twelve miles , iudg. . within a while after , when his anger was over , he returned back to his wife to timnah , which is twelve miles , it being then wheat harvest , and carried with him a goat , that so he might be merry , and be reconciled to her : but her father shut him out of doors , ( because he had married his wife to another man ) wherefore he took a company of foxes , and tying them tail to tail , put fire-brands to their tails , and turned them into the wheat of the philistines , and they set fire of all the wheat and vines , and olives thereabout , iudg. . from thence he went to a cave in the rock eta , and there dwelt , which is twelve miles , iudg. . at the rock eta sampson was bound with two new cords by the israelites , and from thence led to ramah lehi , which is six miles , where he killed philistines with the jaw-bone of an ass , that he found in the way . from thence he went to gaza , a city of the philistines , which is forty two miles : here he carried away the gates of the city . from gaza he carried these gates , with the posts , to the top of a hill near hebron , which is twenty miles , iudg. . from hebron he went to the river soreck , where he dwelt with dalilah the harlot , and by her was deceived and taken of the philistines , which are twelve miles . being taken of the philistines , they put out both his eyes , and bound him in chains , and led him from thence to gaza , which is thirty two miles : there they brought him into the house of their god dagon , to make them sport ; but he pulled down the house , and a multitude of them were slain , where he also died , and was buried in the sepulchre of manoah his father , between zerea and esthaol , twenty eight miles from gaza , and almost twenty from ierusalem towards the west . this was in the year of the world , and before christ , . so all the travels of sampson were miles . the description of the several towns and places to which sampson travelled . of zarea . this is a city in the tribes of iuda and dan , near the river soreck , and taketh the name from a cole , or leprosie ; being derived of sarag , that is , he was leprous ; it stood eighteen miles from ierusalem westward . of esthaol . this was a town in the tribe of dan , two miles from zarea , and stood near the river soreck , some twenty miles from ierusalem , towards the west , and taketh the name from a woman , and fortitude ; for isca signifieth a woman , and el , or ol , strong and powerful . here sampsen was brought up . in st. ierom's time this was called asto , not far from whence sampson lieth buried . of timnah . you may read of this in the travels of iudah . of ascalon . this was a city of the philistines , scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , some thirty miles from ierusalem westward , and to this day retaineth the figure of half a circle : it taketh the name from an ignominious fire , being derived of esh and kalon , an ignominious light . of gaza . of this town you may read in the travels of ioshuah . of the river soreck . this was a very pleasant river , upon the bank whereof , grew great plenty of vines and palms , from whence it seemeth to have taken the name ; for soreck in hebrew signifieth a myrtle branch , which bringeth forth a pleasant berry whereof excellent wine is made . it takes the beginning at a fountain in the tribe of iuda , some twelve miles from ierusalem , towards the west , where there is a very fertile valley , in which , dalilah , that betrayed sampson dwelt : and from thence it runneth through the land of the philistines , and falleth into the mediterranean sea. of the rock eta . in this rock there was a cave wherein sampson dwelt , as in a strong tower : it stood in the tribe of iuda , near to the river soreck , twelve miles from ierusalem , toward the west , and seemeth to take the name from fowls ; for before that sampson inhabited there , a multitude of fowls bred upon it , and therefore it was called eta ; for aith signifies a fowl. this rock growing to decay was repaired again by ieroboam , that idolatrous king of israel . of sampson . sampson or schimpson , according to the hebrew text , taking his name from the sun : for schaemas in hebrew signifieth the sun , and seemeth to have some affinity with hercules , which ●ignifieth , the glory of the air , for what can be said to be the glory of the air but the light of the sun , without which it would become exceeding dark ? wherefore , as some think , this sampson was the true hercules ; and those noble exploits that he did the graecians attributed to their hercules . the typical signification of sampson . he typically representeth christ divers ways ; first , in his person , he was a mighty man ; secondly , in his profession , he was a nazarite ; thirdly , in his calling , he was a prince and judge ; fourthly , in his manner of living , for he went from place to place , to revenge himself upon the enemies of god's people , the children of israel ; and in his death : even so our saviour christ is that strong man , who being mightier than the devil , hath dispossest him of his tyrannical jurisdiction over the souls of mankind ; hath taken away those gates of death , by his mercy opening unto us the door of life , that so being set at liberty from that hellish imprisonment , we may be made partakers of everlasting happiness : he was also a nazarite even from his mothers womb , born and bred there , tying himself to a vow of bondage , that we might be made free : he is a prince for ever , and a priest after the order of melchisedeck : during the continuance of his life in this vail of misery , his chiefest actions were to go from place to place , to teach , to do good , and to rescue and relieve the poor distressed members of the church , who lay miserably afflicted under the hands of satan ; healing some , relieving others , and bringing a third sort into the state of grace : so that as sampson delivered the israelites from the bondage of the philistines , christ , our prince and judge , delivereth his from the slavery of satan ; by his death saving more souls than in his life . and thereby pulling down the strong buildings ( the temptations of satan ) hath laid them level with the ground , that they shall never be restored again . and lastly , after this life ended , he shall be our prince and judge , and bring us to that place of promise prepared for us in his everlasting kingdom . the travels of the spies of the danites . shortly after the death of sampson , the spies of the danites went from zarea and esthaol to mount ephraim , to the house of michah , which is twenty four miles , iudg. . from thence they went to lais , which is a hundred and four miles , iudg. . from thence they returned to zarea and esthaol , which is miles , iudg. . so all their travels were miles . of lais. lais was a city scituated at the foot of mount libanus , some miles from ierusalem towards the north , and was sometimes called belenus : this , because it stood so far from aid , was quickly conquered by the danites , and by them utterly destroyed : it signifieth , a roaring or devouring lyon. but after , being rebuilt by the danites , they called it dan , and the canaanites , lesem dan ; being derived of laeschaem , which signifieth a lyon. the travels of the danites . the army of the danites went from zarea and esthaol to kiijath-jearim , and there pitched their tents ; which is sixteen miles , iud. . from thence they went to mount ephraim , to the house of micha , and took his carved image and his levite from him , which was eight miles , iudg. . from thence they went to lais , miles . so all the travels were miles . of kirjath-jearim . kirjath-jearim was a city of the levites in the tribe of iuda , upon the borders of the tribe of benjamin , about a mile from ierusalem , westward . it sometime belonged to the gibeonites , iosh. . and signifies a city of the desart or woods ; being derived from kiriath , which signifies a city , and iaar , a wood or forrest . here stood the ark of the covenant , after it had been in the land of the philistines seven months , and stood in the house of abinadab , whose son , eleazer , ( because he was of the family of the levites ) by consent of the children of israel was consecrated priest thereof , to attend and keep it : here it remained forty eight years , till david fetched it thence with great joy , sam. . & sam. . chr. . here saul was anointed king by samuel ; here the company of the prophets ( that is , the scholers of the wise ) came down from the more eminent places where the ark of god was , with holy songs and instruments of musick , and the spirit of the lord came upon saul , and he sung and praised god with them . they called this the hill of god , because the ark of the covenant stood in it , sam. . here ionathan the son of saul thrust out a garrison of the philistims , which held this town in subjection , sam. . near to this place was the valley ●ephaim or of the gyants ; where david won a memorable battel against the philistims , and pursued them with great s●aughter even to the plain of perizim , sam. . the travels of the levite , whose concubine the inhabitants of gibeon most wickedly abused . this levite dwelt in ramath in mount ephraim , from whence he went to bethlehem iuda , which is sixteen miles , to fetch back his concubine , or rather his wife , which was the daughter of a certain citizen in bethlehem , but a bond-servant , not free ; such they called concubines , because they had neither the honour to be mistress of the house , neither could their posterity inherit the lands or goods of their fathers , although before god they were lawful wives , iudg. . from bethlehem they returned back again on foot to ierusalem , which then was called iebus , because the iebusites inhabited there ; which is six miles , iudg. . from thence they went to gibeah , not far distant from the city gibeon , where after saul kept his royal seat. sam. . here the gibeonites abused the levite's concubine : which was almost four miles . from thence he went home to his own city ramath in mount ephraim , and there cut the dead body of his wife in twelve parts , and sent them throughout all the tribes of israel : which is eight miles . so all his travels were thirty four miles . of ramath . this was a city in mount ephraim , some eight miles from ierusalem toward the north , and signifieth a high and lofty city , being derived of rom , that is , it was high . this town baesa king of israel would have fortified and repaired , after it had been decayed ; but he was hindred by benhadad king of the syrians , that he could not finish what he had begun . there were many towns and cities of this name , as ramoth where ahob dwelt , reg. . ramathaim sophim , or arimathea , where the prophet samuel dwelt , sam. . and there where the ark of god stood , not far from gibeah , was called ramah also , iudg. . there was another ramath in the tribe of naphtali , ios. . all of them being so called because they stood upon very high mountains . the travels of the children of israel when they fought against the benjamites . from mizpah in the land of gilead , where they appointed to meet , ( for in the enemies land they could not assemble themselves ) the whole army of the israelites went to the ark of god in shilo , which was about miles . from thence they went with their army to gibeah , where they lost of their men , which is two miles . from thence they returned to shilo , and entreated god for aid , which was two miles , iudg. . from thence they went a second time to gibeah , and entred battel again with the enemy ; but because they trusted in their own strength , therefore in this second expedition there were slain of their men ; which was two miles , iudg. . from thence the whole army of the israelites returned back again , and before the lord in shilo lamented the overthrow they had twice sustained , and with earnest prayers implored his aid , that they might obtain the victory ; which was two miles , iudg. . from thence they returned the third time to gibeah , and there with great expedition renewed the war ; and because they trusted in god , and not to their own strength , they put to the sword of the benjamites , and won a notable victory , iudg. . which was two miles . having taken and burnt the city of gibeah with fire , they returned back unto the town of shilo , which is two miles ; and there before the lord they began to lament the calamity of the tribe of benjamin , saying , wherefore hath this thing happened , that one of the tribes should be rooted out before thee , judg. . from thence they went to iabes in gilead , and besieged and took it , and destroyed it to the ground , which is fifty two miles . from thence they returned back again to shilo , and with them brought maids , which they gave to the benjamites to be their wives , iudg. . which was fifty two miles . so all the travels of the children of israel were miles . of jabes . this was a city in the land of gilead , fifty two miles from ierusalem toward the north-east ; the inhabitants whereof buried the bones of soul and ionathan his son , sam. . it is derived of iabesh , which signifieth a dry city . here endeth the book of judges . the travels of elimelech , and his wife naomi . elimelech and his wife went from bethlehem iuda , into the land of the moabites , where he died , which is forty miles . from thence she returned with her daughter-in-law ruth to bethlehem iuda , where boaz married ruth ; which is forty miles . so their travels were eighty miles . the first book of samvel . the travels of hannah , the mother of the prophet samuel . her husband elkana and she went from ramathaim sophim in mount ephraim to shilo , the house of the lord , which was twelve miles ; where , by earnest prayers , she obtained of the lord a son , sam. . from thence she returned back again to ramathaim sophim , and there samuel was born , sam. . which was twelve miles . from thence she went to shilo , to present her son before the lord , and he remained there with eli to serve god all his life , sam. . which is twelve miles . from shilo she returned back again to her house , and bare elkana a son , and two daughters more ; which is twelve miles . so all her travels were forty eight miles . of ramathaim sophim . this city stood in mount ephraim , not far from lidda and ioppa , some sixteen miles distant from ierusalem north-eastward ; and was sometimes called ramah . here ioseph ( whose addition was arimathea ) dwelt , that demanded the body of our saviour to bury in his own sepulchre . it seemeth to be called ramathaim sophim ( which signifies , the high places of the prophets ) because there was an academy or publick school of prophets , which served for the whole land , in this city . at this day it is called by the name of ramath , having some affinity to the ancient name ramah . how the ark of god was borne from place to place , after it was won from the children of israel by the philistines , sam. . , . the two sons of eli the priest , hophni and phineas , carried the ark of the lord to ebenezer , which signifies , the stone of my help ; which was forty two miles , and is not far from apheck , some forty eight miles from ierusalem northward . here the ark of god was taken , and hophni and phineas died : old eli also broke his neck at this time , about the ninety eighth year of his age , and the fortieth of his rule ; for he ruled from the time of sampson until then , sam. . this happened anno mundi , . and before christ . the prophet samuel succeeded him in the government of the church , and ruled years . from apheck the philistines carried it to asdod , or azotus , and set it in the temple of their god dagon , but the idol fell down in the night , and was broken to pieces before the ark of the lord , sam. . which was miles . from thence to the city gath , which was four miles . from gath to the sea-town gaza , twelve miles . from gaza to ekron , thirty two miles . from ekron , they placing it upon a new cart drawn with two new milch kine , it was brought back again to bethsemes , which was twelve miles . from thence it was carried to kirjath-jearim , and placed in the house of abinadab , where it was kept until david's time , who fetched it thence to ierusalem with great joy , about the year of the world , and before christ , which was two miles . so all the while the ark was from shilo , it was carried hither and thither some miles . of the towns and places to which the ark of the lord was carried . of apheck . this was a city of samaria , alotted to the half tribe of manasses , some half a mile from israel toward the south , and forty four miles from ierusalem northward . it signifieth an impetuous or violent act ; being derived of aphak , which is as much as , he worketh violently , or offereth violence . in this city , benhadad king of the syrians , going from one place to another to hide himself , was at length constrained to fly to ahab king of israel , to save his life , and crave his aid , reg. . of asdod , ascalon , and gaza , you may read before . of gath. this was a haven town scituated upon the banks of the mediterranean sea , distant from ierusalem thirty four miles toward the west . it seemeth to take the name of the abundance of vines that grow thereabouts ; for gath signifieth a press ; or such an instrument wherewith grapes are pressed . this was goliah's country . here achis , to whom david fled , governed , sam. , . and it is very like that all the kings of this city were called achis , as sometime the emperours of rome were called caesars . there were other kings of the philistines that were also called by this name . of ekron . this also was a city of the philistines not far from the mediterranean sea , and near to asdod , some sixteen miles from ierusalem westward . at this day it is but a small town , and called by the name of accaron , having some affinity with the ancient name ekron . the inhabitants of this town worshipped baal-zebub for their god. it taketh the name from extirpation , or such a town as penitus distruit , hath rooted out even the foundation ; being derived of akar , which signifieth , to extirpate . of bethsemes . this was a city of the levites in the tribe of iuda , ios. . . four miles from ierusalem westward ; and signifies , the house of the sun. of this you may read more before . the travels of the prophet samuel . samuel's mother brought him from arimathea to shilo , being twelve miles , where he was to serve the lord god all his life . from shilo samuel went to mizpa in the land of gilead ; forty eight miles . here samuel called a congregation , and made a solemn sacrifice unto the lord of a sucking lamb ; and the lord at the same time thundred from heaven , and dispersed the army of the philistines , so that they fled , sam. . from mizpa he went to arimathea , miles ; there he dwelt , and built an altar unto the lord , sam. . from thence he went yearly to bethel , sixteen miles , sam. . from bethel he went to gilgal , tvvo miles , sam. . from gilgal he went to mizpa in the land of gilead , thirty six miles , sam. . from mizpah he went again to arimathea , miles . thither came unto him the elders of the children of israel , desiring him to chuse them a king , sam. . therefore he went out of the town of arimathea , about sixteen miles , to ramath , which lieth in the land of ziph , not far from bethlehem euphrata , and there samuel anointed saul the son of kish to be their king , sam. . from ramath he went to gilgal , sixteen miles . there he offered , and shewed saul what he should do , sam. . from gilgal he went to mizpah in the land of gilead , thirty six miles : there saul , by casting of lots , was chosen king , sam. . from mizpah he returned to arimathea , fifty six miles , sam. . from arimathea he went to bezeck , miles , where adoni-bezeck was taken , whose fingers and toes the children of israel cut off . there samuel and saul caused an army of men to issue out against the children of ammon , sam. . from beseck samuel and saul passed over iordan to iabes in gilead , sixteen miles , and there overthrew nahaz king of the ammonites , and all his host , which done , samuel said unto the souldiers , let us now go unto gilgal , and there renew the kingdom . from iabes in gilead he went to gilgal , thirty six miles . there saul was placed in his throne royal , sam. . from gilgal samuel went to arimathea , which is twenty miles . from arimathea he went again to gilgal , twenty miles , and there he sharply rebuked king saul , because he had offered a sacrifice contrary to his command , sam . from gilgal he went to gibeon , twelve miles , sam. . from gibeon he went to arimathea , twelve miles . from arimathea he went to gilgal , twenty miles ; there he rebuked king saul , because he did not wholly destroy the amalekites , and samuel himself hewed the body of agag king of the amalekites in pieces , sam. . from gilgal he went to arimathea , twenty miles . from arimathea he went to bethlehem , sixteen miles , and there he anointed david king , sam. . then he returned again to arimathea , sixteen miles , where he died , and was buried , sam. . so all the travels of the prophet samuel were miles . of arimathea , mizpah , ramath , and the rest of the towns mentioned in his travels , you may read before . the typical signification of samuel . samuel is derived of shemuel , that is , desired of god : and was a type of god the father : for as samuel anointed david , so god anointed his beloved son with the oil of gladness , and of the spirit , psal. . esa. . the travels of king saul . savl went from the town of gibeon to mount ephraim , four miles , to seek his father's asses , in an. mund. , and before christ , . from mount ephraim he passed through the land of salisa , to the borders of the town of salem , miles . from salem he went to the land of gemini in the tribe of benjamin , sixteen miles . from the land of gemini he went to rama , four miles ; there by samuel he was anointed king , sam. . this town lay not far from bethlehem , and close by it lay rachels grave . there certain men met with saul in the borders of benjamin at zelach , and shewed him that his fathers asses were found ; which was about a mile from ierusalem . from thence saul went about two miles to zilzah ; there three men met him ( that travelled to bethel ) and gave him two loaves of bread , sam. . then he came to the mount of god , which is the town of kirjath-jearim ; there a company of prophets met him , and prophecied ; then the spirit of god came upon saul , and he began to prophecy : which was about six miles from bethlehem . from kirjath-jearim he went again to gibeon , which is four miles , sam. . then he went again from gibeon to gilgal , and there he offered , and samuel shewed him what he should do : which is miles , sam. . from gilgal he went to mizpa in the land of gilead , thirty six miles , where he was chosen king. from mizpa he went again to gibeon , forty eight miles . from gibeon he went to beseck , forty miles ; there he gathered certain souldiers , and led them against nahas king of the ammonites , sam. . from beseck he went with his army to iabes , sixteen miles ; there he overthrew nahas with all his host. from iabes in gilead he went to gilgal , thirty six miles . there he was placed in his princely seat , sam. . from gilgal he went to michmas , four miles : there he sent men out of israel , to his son ionathan to gibeon . from michmas he went to gilgal with his army , four miles . there he offered , for which samuel rebuked him , sam. . from gilgal he went to mount benjamin , about twelve miles , not far from gibeon . from gibeon he went to michmas , eight miles . there ionathan overcame the army of the philistines , sam. . from michmas saul followed the enemy to ajalon , twelve miles . there he would have slain his son ionathan , because he had eaten a little honey , sam. . from ajalon he went to gibeon , four miles , where he kept court. from gibeon he went to the land of the moabites , miles ; which he overcame . sam. . from the land of the moabites he went into the countrey of the ammonites , miles ; which countrey he overcame , and took in all their towns. from the land of the ammonites he went to gibeon , miles , sam. . from gibeon he went into the land of edom , or idumaea ( as it is commonly called ) forty miles , and overcame all the countrey . from idumaea he returned again to gibeon , forty miles . from gibeon he went with an army about miles , to zoba in armenia , which he overcame , sam. . from the kingdom of zoba he returned to gibeon , miles . after that , he went out against the philistines , miles , and as the history sheweth , saul had wars with the philistines during his life , sam. . from the philistines he returned again to gibeon , unto his palace , twelve miles . from gibeon he went into the wilderness of sur , miles ; there he overcame the amalekites , sam. . also he overcame the whole countrey , from the town of peluso to the red sea , which is miles . from thence he went again into iury , to the town of carmel , miles , sam. . and from thence he went unto gilgal , miles . there the prophet samuel rebuked him , because he did not wholly destroy and consume the amalekites : and there samuel hewed the body of agag king of the amalekites into small pieces , sam. . from gilgal he went to gibeon , twelve miles . in the eleventh year of saul , an. mun. , and before christ , , david being then about twenty years of age , was anointed king by samuel . within a while after , saul was vexed with an evil spirit : then david played unto him upon the harp , by which he was eased . soon after he went forth with his army towards socho and asekah , which was some eight miles distant from gibeah . there david killed that famous champion goliah , sam. . from thence the israelites followed the chase of the philistines to the valley and river soreck , four miles ; and thence unto the gates of their cities , that is , to ekron , which is eight miles ; to ascalon twenty miles ; and to * gath , which was twenty four miles , all the way putting the philistines to the sword. so that there died in this fight of them , sam. . then they returned back again , and spoiled and burnt the philistines tents , where they found great riches , twenty four miles . from socho and aseka he returned again to gibeon , eight miles : there the women came out of all places in the town dancing , and with loud voices singing , saul hath slain a thousand , but david ten thousand , sam. . from gibeon he went to arimathea , two miles , minding to kill david , and came to naioth in ramoth , where samuel and david were : but the spirit of god came upon saul , and he prophecied , falling down upon the ground before samuel and david , all that day , and the night ensuing , sam. . from thence he returned again to gibeon , twelve miles : there he thought to have killed his son ionathan with a spear , because he excused david . there also he caused eighty five priests to be put to death , because the high priest abimelech at nob had given david of the shew-bread to eat , and had delivered him goliah's sword , sam. , . from gibeon he went to the levitical town nob , twelve miles , where he spared neither man nor woman , young , nor old , no not the innocent children , but put them all to the sword , and wholly destroyed the town , sam. . from the town of nob he returned to gibeon , twelve miles . from gibeon he went to the wilderness of moan , south-ward , miles . from the wilderness of moan he returned again to gibeon , sam. . twenty four miles . from gibeon he went to engedi , where david in a cave cut off a piece of his garment , which was twenty four miles , sam. . from thence he returned again to gibeon , twenty four miles . from gibeon he went to ziph , twenty two miles , and as he lay asleep upon the hill hachila , david came secretly into the camp , and took his cup and his spear from his head , and would not kill him , sam. . from the hill hachila he returned unto gibeah , miles . from thence he went to fight with the philistines at mount gilboa , forty miles . from mount gilboa , having changed his apparel , he went to endor , which was four miles : there he asked counsel of a witch , and the devil appeared unto him in the likeness of samuel , sam. . from thence he returned again to mount gilboa , to the camp , four miles , and the next day he fought against the enemy , in which battel his three sons were slain , and he himself put to flight , samuel . chronicles . from mount gilboa he fled eight miles to bethsan , where he kill'd himself , sam. . chr. . from thence the body of saul was brought to iabes in gilead , where it was buried , sam. . chr. . so all the travels of saul were miles . the description of the towns and places to which he travelled . of gibea , salem , ramath , and iabes , you may read before being memorable places to which abraham , ioshuah , and the children of israel travelled . of bethsaliza . the land of salisa , with the city bethsaliza , was scituated in mount ephraim , eight miles from ierusalem toward the north-west . this was also called baalsaliza , king . and signifieth the trinity , being derived of schillesch , to make three-fold . of michmas . this was a city in mount ephraim , in the borders of the tribes of benjamin and manasses , not far from iericho , some ten miles from ierusalem towards the north. near to this city , ionathan and his armor-bearer put the army of the philistines to flight , sam. . you may read of this town in esd. . isa. . this was a strong city of the moabites , and seemeth to take the name of kemosch or chamos , which was a god which they worshipped in their banquets and meetings for mirth : as bacchus sometime was amongst the romans . to this idol solomon built a temple , reg. . ier. . of zoba . the kingdom of zoba , which iosephus calleth sophenam , was in armenia , near to the mountains antitaurus and masius , miles from ierusalem towards the north , extending it self on both sides of the river euphrates . it was a very large , fruitful , and pleasant country , wherein inhabited many kings . this place saul conquered , and david retained it , sam. . sam. . and signifies an aspiring kingdom ; being derived of zabah , he hath aspired . of carmel . carmel was a city in the tribe of iudah , scituated in a fertile mountain , some eight miles from hebron toward the east , but twelve miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , in the wilderness of moan , where that foolish and covetous fellow nabal dwelt . there is likewise another town called by the same name , in the tribe of issachar , not far from ptolomais , which is upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , sixty four miles from ierusalem toward the north , standing upon a promontory which extendeth it self into the ocean ; of which you may read , ios. . ier. . in this city the prophets elias and elizeus dwelt , who put the priests of baal to death in that place , reg. . reg. . carmel signifieth spike , or a fertile field bringing forth vines , herbs , and divers kinds of flowers and fruits ; and is oft-times used for a pleasant place , esay . , . ier. . there are a sect of monks , that of this mountain are called carmelites , who built for themselves an abbey there close by the church of st. maries , about the year of the world , and in the year of our lord . of azekah . azekah and socho were two towns in the tribe of iudah , eight miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , of these you may read before . of nobe or nob. this was a city of the priests , in the tribe of benjamin , where abimelech , high-priest of the israelites , dwelt ; who at such time as david fled from saul , he gave him of the shew-bread , and the sword that he took from goliah : for the which cause , saul commanded fourscore and five priests to be slain , and the city , with all the inhabitants thereof , to be put to the sword , sam. cap. . at this day ( as bernard brittenbaccus saith ) it is called bethenopolis , and is in the way between ierusalem ( from whence it is distant some sixteen miles towards the north-east ) and dyospolim . it taketh the name from naba , which signifieth , he hath prophesied . of this you may read , sam. . , . and esay . of maon . this was a town in the wilderness of iudaea , some miles from ierusalem southward , near ziph and carmel , where saul had besieged david and all his men , and would have either put them to the sword , or taken them captives . but the philistines on a sudden invaded the land , so that saul was constrained to leave the siege to oppose their incursions . it taketh the name from a fruitful habitation , and a firm and safe mansion , sam. . ios. . of engedi . this was a castle or town scituated in a mountain near to the shore of the dead sea , a little beyond sodom , six miles from ierusalem toward the north-east , and in the tribe of iudah , ios. . in times past it was a fruitful place both of vines and other fruits : there also grew a kind of balsam . but cleopatra , in the time of mark anthony , brought the roots of it into aegypt , and there made a pleasant garden , where now christians inhabit . there are yet some small stalks here and there of this balsam to be found upon this hill engedi , but the saracens do not regard it , neither dwell any christians near to dress it , so that it groweth to decay . engedi signifieth the fountain or well of a goat or lamb. these mountains are very high , and of a wonderful nature ; in some places great ragged rocks appearing , in others , plain and fruitful vallies ; insomuch , as they are fearful and horrible to strangers that behold them . of ziph. this was a town in the desart of ziph , placed in a certain mountain not far from hebron , in the tribe of iudah , some twenty two miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , iosh. . unto this desart ( near to this city ) david oft times resorted , and at last was betrayed by the inhabitants of this town . it seemeth that the town and wilderness took that name of the abundance of pitch that was found in it ; for zaephaeth in hebrew signifieth pitch . of gilboa . this was a mountain in the tribe of manasseh , near to sichem and apheck , forty miles from ierusalem towards the north ; it extendeth eight miles to the city bethsan , and two miles towards the north to mount hermon . it seems to take the name from the bubling forth , or springing up of water ; for the river kison begins at the foot of this mountain , and divides it self into divers parts until it cometh to the hill hermon , and then it runs into two principal streams , the one passeth toward the east into the sea of galilee , the other to the west , towards carmel , and so into the mediterranean sea. there be some that are of opinion , that neither rain nor dew falls upon this hill , because when saul was slain david cursed these mountains , saying , let neither rain nor dew fall upon you , o ye mountains of gilboa , because the strong men of israel were slain there , sam. . but this was but a figurative speech , whereby david would express the greatness of his sorrow ; for borchardus , the monk , speaking of this mountain , saith , that as he was ascending upon it , there was such a violent shower fell , that he was wet through his cloaths , and the waters in great abundance ran into the vallies . and in the year of our lord , sleeping upon this hill on the eve of all saints , there was a great dew fell upon his cloaths ; only some parts of it were very stony and barren , as are many other mountains in that country . of endor . this was a town in the tribe of manasses , near the river kison , ios. . where saul asked counsel of a witch , sam. . it seems to take the name from a fountain of durance ; for d●r signifies , he hath made sure . it is distant from ierusalem forty four miles toward the north. in s. ierom's time this was but a small village . of bethsan . this was a city in the tribe of m●nasses , between beth●lia and the sea of g●lilee , some forty four miles from ierusalem towards the north , io● . . it taketh the name from a church-yard , or a place of rest : for b●th signifieth a house , and iaschan , he hath slept . here saul killed himself , and the phili●●ines cut off his head and set it upon the wall of this city . afterward , about st. ierom's time , ptolomy called this scytho●oli● . you may read in the second book of the macchabees , how it was the town of the s●●thians ; for the scythians which dwelt some miles from ierusalem towards the north , came with a great army into the holy land , and by force won this city , and dwelt there ; of whom it was called the scythian town . ios●ph . in lib. . de bell. iud. cap. . remembreth a strange accident that hapned near this town ; for the iews besieging it , there were of their own nation that dwelt within the city , who ( that they might make a private gain ) took wages of the scythians to oppose their brethren and country-men : by which means , the scythians got the better . but after a while , the scythians considering that the number of the iews was great , and fearing some sudden insurrection or innovation , gave them warning to depart and leave the town : they , though with great grief , as being prest with a two-fold necessity , ( their own wants and the hatred of their kindred ) did so , relying merely upon the courtesie of strangers . but , about some two days after , in the night time , the inhabitants of scythopolis breaking out of the city unawares , fell upon them , and in recompence of their kindness , put to the sword some thirteen thousand : many slain unawares , some as they were eating , and most in their sleep . after they had committed this massacre , they compassed about the wood where they were , took away all their substance , and suffered not a man to depart alive . wherefore , one simon the son of a certain ancient and noble citizen , called saul , perceiving their present misery , and that there was no hope to escape imminent d●ath and utter ruine , in a cruel and desperate manner breaks out into these words : o miserable wretch that i am , that against my own conscience have lift up these impious hands against my country , committing daily massacres to pleasure them , who at this day lay violent hands upon all we have ; die therefore , thou that art thus prophane , and with thine own hands make an end of thy wretched life , since thou dost not deserve to die honourably in the face of the enemy , but wretchedly in a corner , and for thine own offence . so soon as he had ended these words , he turned him about with a fierce countenance , and falling upon his father , mother , wife , and children , put them all to the sword ; after , burnt his goods ; and to make an end of the tragedy , ran himself upon his own weapon . these things happened but a little before vespasian came into the land of iudaea . at this day this city scytho●olis is called after the ancient name bethsan . the typical representation of saul . savl , if it be properly taken , doth sometime signifie a grave or sepulchre , and sometimes hell ; being derived from scheuol , which may be taken for both . as therefore saul persecuted innocent david with an inveterate malice , even unto the death ; so the sons of sathan ( evil and wicked men ) persecute christ and his members , with an immoveable malice , sparing neither prophets nor apostles , neither such as are religious , no nor christ himself ; but with cruel torments put them to lingring deaths , till they be utterly extirpate ( as they think : ) and then wanting objects to satisfie their savage minds , they follow their own devillish councels , till with saul they come to desperate ends . sch●ul , or saul , if it be taken in the better part , sign●fieth , he hath desired , or called . the philistines travels from their camp to michmas . the philistines incamped themselves at michmas , upon mount ephraim , some ten miles from ierusalem northward : and out of the philistines camp there issued three armies to spoil the countrey . the one marched towards ophra , and went from michmas to salem , twenty eight miles . from thence they went to ophra , four miles . the second went from michmas to bethoron , eight miles . the third went from michmas to the valley of zeboim , eight miles . so all the travels of the philistines were fifty eight miles . of zeboim . this valley is not far from ierusalem , in the tribe of benjamin , nehem . . the travels of jonathan saul's son. jonathan went from gibeah to kirjath-jearim , which was two miles , where he drave the philistines out of their camp , sam. . from thence he went back again , two miles . from thence he went to michmas , which is eight miles , and there , by the help of his armor-bearer , he gave the philistines a great overthrow , . sam. . from thence he followed the enemy to ajalon , which is twelve miles ; there his father would have put him to death because he had tasted a little honey , . sam. . from ajalon , saul and his son ionathan returned to gibeah , his own city , which was two miles . from gibeah he went with his father to socho and asekah , which was eight miles ; where , after david had slain goliah ( for that singular virtue and heroical spirit which ionathan saw in him ) he loved him as he did his own soul , and preferred him before his own life and honour , sam. . from thence he went with his father to gibeah , some eight miles , where women with great mirth and joy met him , saying , saul hath slain his thousand , and david his ten thousand : for which cause saul , out of meer envy , ( for then he did not know that he had been anointed by samuel ) would have slain him , and his son ionathan also for excusing him , sam. , . from gibeah ionathan went into the desart of ziph , some miles , to comfort david : there they swore a solemn oath of mutual friendship , to continue as long as they lived , sam. . from thence ionathan returned , which was miles , sam. . at last he went to the wars with his father to mount gilboah , forty miles : there he , his father , his brothers abinadab and melchisuah were slain . so all the travels of ionathan were miles . the travels of abiathar , abimelech's son. when doeg the idumaean , at the command of saul , had slain the priests of the lord , this abiathar , the son of abimelech the high priest , fled to the wood hareth , not far from kegilah , some twenty miles , and came and told david of all that had happened , sam. , . of kegilah . this was a city in the tribe of iudah , four miles hebron , towards the east , and twenty from ierusalem toward the south-west . from which town david drove away the philistines that had besieged it , sam. . you may read of it iosh. . nehem. . in st. ierom's time it was but a small town , where the inhabitants shew to strangers the sepulchre of habakk●k the prophet . not far off , toward the west , lieth hareth , that wood where david was when abiathar came to him . kegila in hebrew signifieth a tent. the travels of king david . david was anointed king by samuel , when he was twenty years old , anno mundi , and before christ , . within a while after , he was sent by his father isay , or iesse , to gibeah of saul , which was eight miles ; there he played to saul upon the harp , sam. . when saul went out with his army against the philistines , david returned back to bethlehem , his own countrey , which was about eight miles . there he fed his father's sheep , sam. . from thence he went to socho and asekah , and killed goliah , which was four miles . from thence he carried the head of goliah to ierusalem , which was eight miles . from thence he went with king saul to gibeah , which was four miles . from gibeah he went twelve miles into the land of the philistines , and to perform the promise which he had made , put to the sword of them . from thence he returned , and brought their fore-skins unto saul ; in recompence of which noble exploit , he was married to saul's daughter : which was twelve miles . a while after , he made an incursion upon the land of the philistines , and in a sharp and cruel war got a famous victory , and returned with glory to gibeah , which was at the lest twenty four miles . but when david perceived that saul went about to take away his life , and that ( he was so narrowly pursued ) he had no way to escape , but to be let down by a cord through a window ; he made haste and went from gibeah to arimathea , where he complained unto samuel of the injuries of saul , and laid before him in what a miserable condition he was , and to what straights brought . wherefore samuel , to comfort him , brought him to naioth ; which seemeth to be so called , of the fair scituation and pleasantness of the place : for mabah signifies , a laudable and comely place : this was a colledge of such as were professors of that sacred study of divinity . now saul hearing that david was in this place , came with some of his servants on purpose to make him captive . but at the sight of samuel he began to sing psalmes and hymns after the manner of the prophets . from thence david returned back unto gibeah , some twelve miles , where , at the stone of ezel ( not far from gibeah , toward the south ) ionathan went to david , and counselled him to depart with all speed , for that his father meant evil towards him . so they took leave either of other with tears , sam. . ezel signifies an angle , as was a stone full of angles or corners . from thence he went to nob , which was twelve miles . from thence he went to gath , a city of the philistines , where he ●eigned himself mad , because of achis whom he feared , sam. . being twenty four miles . from thence he went to the cave of odullam , twenty four miles , and thither resorted unto him many of his kindred , and such as were indebted and in danger , to the number of forty persons . in this place he wrote the and psalms , as may appear by their titles . from thence he went to mizpah in the land of the moabites , where , at this time , the king kept his court , and there he carefully commanded his friends and followers to his safe protection , till such time as the fury of saul was asswaged , sam. . from thence , by the counsel of the prophet gad , he returned by the wilderness of hareth to kegila , and rescued it ; forty miles . here abiathar the priest came to him , sam. . from thence , fearing the coming of saul , he went into the wilderness of ziph , whither ionathan came to him , sam. . which was four miles . from thence he went to the town of moan ; four miles . from thence he went to the hold of engedi , thirty six miles . from thence he went six miles to carmel in iudaea , where he determined to have destroyed nabal for his churlishness , sam. . from thence he went to hackilah , two miles . from hackilah he went to gath , where achis king of the philistines kept his court , sixteen miles . this achis was very courteous , and bountiful-minded ; he entertained david , and gave him freely the city of zicklag to inhabit in , sam. . wherefore david went thence to the town of ziclag , which was twelve miles , sam. . and there inhabited one year and seven months . from thence david went often towards the south , and made incursions upon the amalekites , wasting and destroying their land which lay in the desart of sur , about eighty miles distant from ziclag , and a hundred and twenty miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . from the desart of sur he returned back again unto ziclag , which was eighty miles , and sent part of the prey which he had gotten to the king of the philistines ; of which you may read more , sam. . from ziclag david went with the army of the philistines to fight against saul , eighty eight miles , even to sunem : for the philistines pitched between iesreel and sunem , sam. , . but because the princes of the philistines durst not trust him , therefore , by the consent of achis their king , he returned back to zicklag , eighty eight miles , sam. . whilst david was gone with the philistines to fight against israel , the amalekites invaded ziclag , took it , and burnt it with fire , and carried away ahinoam and david's wives ) captives . wherefore , when david came to ziclag , and perceived what had happened , with all speed he pursued the enemy ; and in the way as he went he found an egyptian , who , a little before , the amalekites had left there , because he was unable to follow them . this egyptian guided david to the tents of the amalekites , who , suspecting no such evil , were making merry with the booty that they had taken . but david with the rest of his company so manfully behaved themselves , they gave the amalekites a sudden overthrow : and , as it often happeneth to such as are negligent and careless , he took away from them their former booty , and put most of them to the sword. this battel was fought some eight or twelve miles from zicklag , as by the circumstance of the history may appear . from this slaughter he returned back to ziclag , being twelve miles , and repaired it ; to every neighbouring city sending a part of the prey . here he had certain intelligence of the success of the israelites in their wars against the philistines , and of the death of saul and ionathan , which he bitterly lamented , sam. . sam. . these things happened in the tenth year after samuel had anointed david king. from ziclag he went to hebron , a metropolitan city of the tribe of iudah , being a town of refuge belonging to the levites , which was sixteen miles . at this time david was about the age of thirty years , and was anointed king by the tribe of iudah , in the year of the world , and before christ . here he kept his court seven years and six months . from hence also he sent messengers to iabes in gilead , forty four miles , to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto saul , in burying of his body there , sam. . chr. . from hebron david went to ierusalem , twenty two miles , which then was called iebus , being possessed of the iebusites ; but he won it with strong hand , and thrust them out of it ; and in mount sion set up the city millo , which was afterward called the city of david , and signifies a place of plenty . he began his reign in ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his age , and seventh of his reign . in this place also he set up his house made of cedar-wood , of which , h●ram , king of tyrus , sent him great plenty from mount libanus , distant from thence , miles , sam. . ch. . from thence he went to the valley of rephaim , some three miles from ierusalem , in the way that leadeth to the city of bethlem , where he fought a memorable fight against the philistines , and overcame them ; for which cause , it was also called baal-perizim , because , by the help and assistance of god , he had conquered the army of the philistines , sam. . after he had dispersed the enemies , he returned to ierusalem , which is ●our miles . the philistines came the same year into the valley of rephaim again , and pitched their tents within three miles and a half of ierusalem : and the lord gave david a sign , that when he heard a noise in the mulberry-trees he should set upon the enemy ; so david went forth , and close by the town of gaeba and kirjath-jearim , about two miles from ierusalem west-ward , he set upon the enemy , and gave them the second overthrow , samuel . chr. . from thence david followed the enemy to gaza , which was eighteen miles , sam. . in the tenth year of his reign from his first beginning in hebron . david assembled all the princes , priests , and chief men of israel , to the number of , which inhabited from sechor till you come to chaemah , a city of naphtali , at the foot of mount libanus , even miles off . these men assembled themselves in the city of ierusalem , and from thence , they with david , went to kirjath-jearim , which was about a mile , to fetch the ark of the covenant from thence into the city of david , sam. . chr. . from kirjath-jearim , david and all his train returned back again to ierusalem , which was about a mile ; and they placed the ark of the lord in a new cart , and caused it to be drawn with oxen , which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of nachon , where vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the ark of god , contrary to the divine law , was presently slain by the lord in the way , and that place was called paeri-vza , that is , the breach of uza : for he was not of the tribe of aaron , to whom it was only lawful to touch the ark , and therefore the lord struck him that he died miserably : wherefore david being terrified by this example of god's severity , would not that day bring the ark of the lord into ierusalem , but carried it to the house of a certain noble-man called obed aedom a gittite , who dwelt not far from ierusalem ; but , when it was told david that the lord blessed the house of obed aedom , and all his family , because the ark was there , david went from ierusalem with a great multitude of people , to the house of obed aedom , who ( as is said before ) dwelt not far from ierusalem , ( yet there are some that say he was an excellent musician in ierusalem , and dwelt in mount acra , that is in the lower city ) and from thence david fetch'd the ark of the lord into the upper city , which stood upon mount sion ; but i hold the other opinion to be the more probable . when the ark was carried by the priests , david girt himself with a linnen ephod , ( which kind of garment the priests of the inferiour order used to wear ) and danced before it , singing psalms and hymns to the praise and glory of god , and with great state brought it to the city of ierusalem , with the sound of trumpets and instruments of musick , and placed it in the middle of the tabernacle , which they had curiously erected in mount sion , in the upper city , which was also called the city of david . this hapned in the tenth year of his reign ; at which time , saul's daughter , despised him in her heart , and laughed at him : but god gave her a due recompence , as you may read , sam. . and him a just reward ; for , he promised by the prophet nathan , that of his posterity and blood the king of kings and saviour of the world should be born . in the year following , david invaded the land of the philistines , and the city of gath , which with strong hand he won : this was thirty four miles from ierusalem . from thence he returned back to ierusalem , miles . in the twelfth year of his reign he afflicted the moabites with cruel war , and destroyed two of their armies with the sword , and the rest of the multitude he made tributary ; which was miles , sam. . chr. . he returned thence to ierusalem with great triumph and joy , twenty four miles . in the thirteenth year of his reign , anno mundi , . and before christ , he made an expedition unto zoba , which iosephus calleth sophenam , and is in armenia , near to masia or mount taurus , miles from ierusalem toward the north ; of which you may read before . david in this place won a memorable battel against hadad ezer the king thereof , near to the river euphrates : he took horse and foot , burnt their chariots , took castles , conquered all the towns and country round about , and went away with a great booty , as well of gold as silver , brass , and other things ; which brass , for the excellency thereof , was like unto gold , and ( as iosephus saith ) afterwards solomon made the molten sea of it . when gadarezer , king of the syrians , ( he that built that famous city of damascus ) heard of the overthrow of hadad-ezer , he sent a great army to his aid ; which king david , near to the river euphrates , smote with the sword , so that of them were slain , and he carryed away a glorious victory , extending his government from ierusalem , miles towards the north , that is , into armenia , and beyond the river euphrates , and made these two nations tributary unto him , samuel . chr. . after david had won these two memorable victories near euphrates , he went thence with all his army towards the south , and invaded the land of syria ; in which journey , ioram the son of tohi , king of antiochia , ( which city at this time was called hemath ) met david with gifts and presents in the name of his father , returning him many thanks because he had destroyed the common enemy hadad-ezer , and by strong hand subdued and quelled the fury of that mighty tyrant , who was also a trouble and vexation to the kingdom of antiochia . david entertained this message kindly , and thankfully received his gifts , ( which was of gold , silver , and fine brass ) and so gave ioram an acceptable dispatch , and from thence with his army went to damascus , the metropolitan city of syria , where , in the valley of salt , he got a great victory , in which syrians were slain , and soon after , the city of damascus taken ; in which , david placed a garrison , and compelled them to pay tribute , sam. . this was distant from the kingdom of soba miles . from damascus he went with his army into the land of the ammonites , miles , in the way that leadeth out of syria to ierusalem , all which he conquered , and all the cities and towns thereabouts , and compelled them to pay tribute , sam. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , which was sixty miles , and all the booty that he had gotten in his journey he dedicated unto the lord , sam. . a while after , he , with his army , made an incursion into the land of idumaea , and compelled the inhabitants to pay tribute . moreover , he destroyed the city of midian , the metropolitan of that country ; of which , you may read before : it was distant from ierusalem miles towards the south . so that the extent of david's kingdom , from the north to the south , was miles , even from the kingdom of soba to the red sea ; and from the east to the west miles ; from tyrus and sydon reaching to damascus . thus by the singular blessing of god he obtained a spacious and powerful empire , sam. . reg. . chr. . he made his expedition into idumaea about the fourteenth year of his reign . from midian in idumaea , he returned with great glory and praise to ierusalem , which was miles . in the fourteenth year of his reign , and in the year of the world , and before christ , nahas , king of the ammonites , died , and haron his son succeeded him : this man contemptuously abused the messengers of david , sam. . and to justifie that injury , he gathered an army out of soba , syria , and mesopotamia , even a mighty host , to oppose david ; who in the fifteenth year of his government met him with his army at helam , some twenty miles from ierusalem , where he obtained a notable victory , and destroyed chariots , and horse , chr. . david after this , with great applause of the people , was entertained into ierusalem , which was miles distant ; where , being puft up with prosperity , he forgat his former piety and sanctity , and by degrees fell into unlawful actions and unjust desires : whence it happened , that soon after he committed adultery with bathseba : and after that , to hide his fault , caused her husband to be slain . this was kept secret , till the lord , by nathan sharply reprehends him , lays before him what he was , and what his present estate is , from whence that came , and then concludes , that he is most unthankful , careless , and negligent towards god and man , in committing those insolencies ; neither left he there , but told him that god would severely punish him for his offence , which after happened as you may read , sa. , . , . david being nipt in his conscience with this sharp reprehension , fell into great lamentation , the extremity of whose passions may very well appear in the penitential psalms , which at this time and soon after he wrote , and left to future ages . after this , about the end of summer , he gathered an army , and went into the land of the ammonites , some sixty four miles , where he took the metropolitan city , ( which at that time was called rabba , because of the multitude of citizens that were in it ; but after being restored by ptolomeus philadelphus king of aegypt , he called it after his own name , philadelphia ) and there took the crown from the head of the king of the ammonites , which weighed a * talent of gold , being ( as iosephus saith ) richly adorned with fair sardonick stones ; of which you may read , sam. . from thence he returned back to ierusalem , which is sixty four miles , where he married bathseba , and by her had four sons , simeon , sobab , nathan and solomon , chr. . soon after this , amnon defloured his sister thamar : not long after that , his son absalom killed his brother amnon , being then about eighteen years of age ; which david took so heinously , that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three years , sam. . then ioab , by the subtilty of the woman of tekoa , reconciled him to the king his father : yet nevertheless , he came not to his court of two years after ; this absalom was a goodly man , affable , for which cause , even at that time , the people began to affect him . afterward , in the year of the world , and before christ , absalom being then about twenty five years of age , moved sedition against his father . a matter remarkable , that although he had slain his own brother , being disgraced and absent from the court almost five years , yet within short time after , he so strongly united the affection of the people to him , that he constrained david ( standing in fear of his greatness ) all his former acts and worthy victories notwithstanding ) to forsake his own city , and for safety to fly to the mount of olives , being three quarters of a mile from the city . there he stayed a while to see the condition of the tumult , but necessity constrained him to take his way to bahuzim . and as he was going , zimri the son of gesa of the house of saul , cursed him , every mans enemy then making himself apparent when he is in adversity , and his best friends commonly forsake him . from thence he went to iordan , fourteen miles , where the priests ionathan and ahinaaz brought him certain intelligence of that wicked and perverse counsel of achitophel , a man in those times famous for his wisdom , but perfidious in his actions , as commonly such are that hope after honours , or seek to benefit themselves by innovation and change. after he had intelligence hereof , he went over iordan with those few men that he had , and with all possible speed went to bethabara , some miles from ierusalem toward the north-east . at this place ioshuah led the children of israel through iordan on dry ground , ios. . . and here iohn the baptist taught , and baptized christ. mat. . and luke . from thence he went to makanaim , which is miles , where he sent forth his army by bands against absalom , who at this time had assembled a great host near the wood ephraim , not far from that place where ioshua won a memorable battel against the canaanites ; and that the place might be made more famous , david's men , though few in number , gave absalom and his host as great . thus absalom being left in danger , to save himself , fled ; but in his flight the hair of his head being long , and blown with the wind , took hold of the branch of a tree , by which , he hanged between heaven and earth , as unworthy of either : and ioab , who but a little before was his friend , in that very place , with three darts , put him to death , a just end for so unjust a man. sam. . david , notwithstanding , took the death of absalom marvellous heavily , till by ioab he was recalled from that grief ; and then in the company of barzillai , and of his son chimea , of mephiboseth the son of ionathan , and zeba his servant , shimei also that before curst him , ( who to leave a memorable token of a base sicophant ) after this victory , came first down to crave pardon for his offence , with many others , went along with him from makanaim to bethabara , which was miles . to this place there came a great multitude of people to meet david , sam. . this barzillai was one of the eighteen that held the principality of the city of the giliadites , and had a son called chimea , whom david took with him to ierusalem , that he might make evident his thankfulness towards him for that courtesie which he had received of his father . from bethabara david passed iordan , and went back to gilgal , which was four miles , sam. . from thence he went to ierusalem , being twelve miles , in the same year that he was exiled by his son , which was about the thirteenth year of his reign . the next year , saeba the son of bicri , taking example of absalom , and observing the mutability of the peoples affections , moved a sedition against david , but ioab his captain , overcame him , sam. . after this there followed three years of famine . about the end of the third year of famine , and in the thirty fourth year of his reign , david went to iabes gilead , which was fifty two miles , to fetch the bones of saul and ionathan , to bury them in the sepulchre of his fathers , sam. . from iabes in gilead , david brought the bones and relicks of king saul , and ionathan his son , to gibeah of saul , which was miles , and there he honourably buried them in the sepulchre of his father kish , sam. . from thence david returned to ierusalem , which was four miles . in the thirty fifth year of his reign , he went forth to fight against the philistines , near to the levitical town of nob , or nobe , which is twelve miles from ierusalem , upon the borders of the countreys of the philistines , in the tribe of dan. from thence he returned back again to ierusalem , twelve miles . so all the travels of david were miles . the description of the places to which david travelled . of the cities of socho , asekah , gibeon , gibeah of saul , nob , ziph , moan , engedi , arimathea , gath , the cave of odullam , kegila , paran , apheck , and makanaim , you may read before in the travels of saul , and the judges of israel . of ziclag . ziclag , was a town in the kingdom of iuda , near to the river besor , forty miles from ierusalem towards the south-west ; not far from gaza , a city of the philistines . in st. ierom's time , it was but a small town , sam. . of sur. svr is a desart in the wilderness of arabia petraea , extending it self from the utmost borders of iudaea , to the red sea , even unto egypt ; and signifieth a bulwark , or place of defence ; and is derived of schor , which signito see , or contemplate : because from bulwarks men may see into neighbouring countreys . this was a place of defence of the egyptians , gen. . , . exod. . sam. . . of sunem . this was a city in the tribe of issachar , ●orty eight miles from ierusasalem towards the north , not far from naim , where christ raised the widows son to life , luke . so did elizaeus the prophet also , king. . and seemeth to take the name of a purple or scarlet colour ; being derived of schanah , which signifies , he hath changed and interated a colour . of gazer . gazer is a town lying upon the borders of the philistines , not far from ekron , sixteen miles from ierusalem eastward . of this you may read before . of sichor . the river of sichor was in the desart of sur , not far from rhinocura , ( of which it took the name ) and runneth thence into the mediterranean sea : from whence also it is called the river of egypt , chron. . it is seventy two miles from ierusalem south-west-ward . of the hebrews it is called schichor , or sichor , because of the blackness of the water . of bahurim . bahurim was a town in the tribe of benjamin , a mile and something more from ierusalem , towards the north-east . to this place phaltiel followed his wife michael , sam. . here also shimei cursed david , sam. . at this time it is a fair castle , strongly fortified , standing in a high place . near unto it , in the valley , just in the kings way , there is a stone called bohen , taking that name of bohen the son of reuben , and is of an extraordinary greatness , shining like unto marble . of this you may read in the th of ioshuah . bahurim or bachurim , signifies , a city of electors , being derived of ba●har , to elect or chuse . of davids name . david is as much as to say , my dear , my beloved , my chosen one : being derived of dod , which signifies , a friend or beloved . for which cause , he was said to be a man after gods own heart . how david was a type of christ. david represented christ divers ways ; first in his name , ( he was beloved ) so god testifies of christ , this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased . secondly , in the place of his birth , he was born at bethlehem , so was christ. thirdly , in his imployment , he was a shepheard ; so was christ : i am the true shepheard , for a good shepheard giveth his life for his sheep , &c. fourthly , in his musick ; david was cunning upon the harp , and by that comforted the afflicted spirit of saul : so christ , by the musick and harmony of his doctrine ( the glad tidings of salvation ) comforteth the afflicted members of his church . fifthly , david got his glory and preferment by the death of goliah : so christ was glorified by conquering death and the devil . sixthly , david was persecuted by saul , and pursued from one place to another , so that he had not where to hide his head with safety ; so christ was persecuted by his own country-men the iews , shut out from the society of man ; and , as he said , mat. . the foxes have holes , and the birds have nests ; but the son of man hath not where to hide his head . seventhly , in the dangers that david sustained , by gods providence he was mercifully delivered : so christ was inclosed and in danger of the iews at nazareth , luke . in ierusalem ; in the temple also , ioh. . but he escaped them all , because then his time was not come , io. . . eighthly , as absalom rebelled against david , being his father ; so the iews rebelled against christ , although he was their creator : according to that of esa. . i have fed and brought up children , but they have forsaken me . ninthly , as david fled to mount olivet for refuge , being brought to a streight ; so christ upon mount olivet ( his heart being prest with an intolerable agony ) fled to his father by prayer , for comfort in that extremity . tenthly , as all the friends and familiars of david forsook him at such time as absalom rebelled against him , and followed him with persecutions , mocks and taunts ; so christ , at such time as iudas betrayed him into the hands of the iews , was forsaken of all his followers , and many of those which a little before he had done good unto , mocked and derided him as he was upon the cross. lastly , as david was restored , notwithstanding the former miseries and troubles , to his ancient glory and eminency ; so christ , after he had suffered the due punishment for sin , death , and ( before that ) extream misery , yet at length conquered both , and by his divine power restored himself to his former estate , eternal glory . the travels of abner , one of sauls captains . he went with king saul from gibeah to the wilderness of ziph , which was twenty two miles . here he was rebuked by david for his negligence . from thence he returned to gibeah ; twenty two miles , sam . from thence he travelled to the hill gilboa , where saul killed himself ; forty miles . from thence he went to machanaim , where he made ishbosheth ( sauls son ) king , who kept his court there seven years ; sixteen miles , sam. . from thence he went to gibeon , where he slew asahel , ioabs brother , in battel ; which was forty four miles , sam. . from thence he went over iordan to bythron ; twenty eight miles . from thence he went back to machanaim , sixteen miles , sam. . ●astly , he went thence to hebron to david , and made a covenant with him ; where he was treacherously slain by ioab : and was sixty eight miles . so all the travels of abner were miles . of bithron . bithron or betharan was a town beyond iordan , in the tribe of gad , some miles from ierusalem , north-eastward , lying between dibon and iordan . it taketh the name from a house of singing , being derived of baith , which signifies a house , and ron , he sung joyfully . the travels of joab . david's captain , was the son of david's sister , for he had two , zerviah and abigal ; zerviah had ioab , abishai , and asael ; abigal had only amasa , all which were great men in king david's time . now when ioab heard that abner had brought down his army to gibeon , he went from hebron thither , which was miles ; and there his brother asahel was slain , sam. . from thence he went to bethlehem , miles , where he buried his brother , sam. . from thence he returned to hebron , miles . here under the gates of the city he traiterously killed abner , sam. . from thence he went with david to ierusalem , where he won sion , and drave thence the blind and the lame , being miles . from thence he went with his army against the ammonites and syrians , whom he conquered in a cruel fight , miles , sam. . from thence he returned back to ierusalem , miles . from thence he went with david into idumaea , miles from ierusalem southward ; there he won the town of midian , and conquered the idumaeans or edomites , sam. . from thence he returned to ierusalem with his army , being miles . from thence he went and besieged rabba , the metropolitan city of the ammonites , being sixty four miles from ierusalem north-eastward . here vriah was slain , sam. . from thence he returned to ierusalem with king david , miles . from thence he went into the kingdom of gesur , which lieth beyond iordan upon mount libanus , by the town of caesarea philippi , some eighty miles from ierusalem north-eastward . this country was called trachonites . from this land ioab brought absalom again to ierusalem , sam. . from thence he returned back again with absalom to ierusalem , eighty eight miles . from thence he went with david ( when he fled from his son absalom ) to machanaim , being forty four miles . not far from hence he slew absalom , sam. . from thence he came again with king david to ierusalem , miles , sam. . from thence he went to gibeah , where he killed amasa , which was four miles . from thence he went to the town of abel-bethmaacha in the tribe of naphtali , being about miles . this town he straightly besieged . from thence he went again to ierusalem , miles . afterward he went , as david commanded him , to number the people at aroer , a town beyond iordan , which was miles , sam. . from thence he went to iaezer , which is sixteen miles . from thence going through the land of gilead , and passing by the territories of the lovver country of hadsi , he came to the town of dan , near to the place vvhere the fountains of iordan are , which is accounted miles . from thence he went to that famous mart town sidon , which was miles . from that great tovvn sidon he went to the walls of tyre , to which place , great multitudes of ships resorted ; which was miles . from thence he went toward the south till he came to the city beersaba , which was the utmost bounds of the holy land south-vvestvvard , and vvas reckoned miles . from thence he returned back to ierusalem , where he delivered to david the number of those that were chosen souldiers , sam. . but the lord struck the country and city of ierusalem with a great plague , because he did contrary to his command , sam. . so all the travels of ioab were miles . the description of the places to which he travelled . many of those cities mentioned in the travels of ioab , are already described and set forth ; therefore i account it needless in this place again to repeat them , but only such towns as yet have not been mentioned . of gesur . gesur was a country near to caesarea philippi , in the land of basan beyond iordan , near libanus , in the tetrarchy trachonitides , miles from ierusalem north-eastward . with the king of this country , absalom remained in banishment for three years space , after he had slain his brother ammon ; and with us may be termed the valley of oxen , sam. . of hadsi . the lower country of hadsi stood near to the city corazin in the half tribe of manasses , fifty two miles from ierusalem toward the north-east , and signifies a new land ; being derived of chadasch , that is , new. of the fountain rogel . this was near ierusalem eastward ; to which place , ionathan and ahimaaz ( david's intelligencers ) brought him news of absalom's counsels and intentions , . sam. . it seemeth that travellers usually washed their feet in it , from whence it was called the well of feet , being derived from raegael , signifying a foot. near to this place was the stone zochaeleth , where adonijah ( at such time as he affected the kingdom , contrary to his fathers liking ) called an assembly and made a great feast , reg. . the travels of baena and rechab . these two went out of the tribe of beniamin over iordon to machanaim , miles . there they murthered their master , king ishbosheth , in his chamber , as he lay upon his bed , and after cut off his head. the head they brought to king david to hebron , miles . but david was not pleased with their treachery , wherefore he caused them both to be put to death . so their travels were miles . the travels of absalom . absalom was born in hebron , and went with his father to ierusalem , miles , sam. . from thence he went to baal-hazor , eight miles , where he caused his brother amnon to be slain . from thence , for fear of his father , he fled into the land of gesur , miles , sam , . from thence he came back with ioab to ierusalem , which was miles , sam. . from thence he went to hebron , miles , and made himself king , and rebelled against his father . from thence he went back again to ierusalem , which is miles . there he lay with his fathers concubines , sam. . from thence he pursued his father to machanaim , miles , and there was hanged by the hair in an oak tree , where ioab put him to death , sam. . so all the travels of absalom were miles . of baal-hazor . in this city absalom made a great feast for his sheep-shearers , and invited all his brothers to it , where he caused amnon to be slain , because he had abused his sister thamar . it lieth in the way some eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , as you go to iericho , near to mount epraim , sam. . and is derived to baal , which signifies a lord or husband ; and chazir , a den or cave . of the name absalom . absalom signifieth a father of peace , although he was the author of all discord and sedition against his father . the travels of the wise woman of thecoa . this woman went from thecoa to ierusalem , eight miles ; and spake with king david ; and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his son out of exile , who then remained in gesur , sam. . of thecoa . thecoa was a city in the tribe of iuda , some eight miles from ierusalem toward the south-east : near this city iosaphat by prayers and the sound of trumpets , without drawing sword , got a memorable victory ; and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a trumpet . in this place the prophet amos dwelt , and there lyeth buried ; whose sepulchre was to be seen four hundred years after christ , as s. ierom observeth . it was from bethlem-iuda six miles . near to thecoa was the lake aspher , where ionathan and machabeus's brothers ) pitch'd their tents , mach. . of this city you may read , ier. . am. . chr. . of achitophel . this perfidious and wicked man was born in the town of gilo , not far from hebron and debir , in the tribe of iudah , ios. . . sam. . twenty miles from ierusalem south-eastward ; who when his counsel would not take place , he went home to his won house , and there desperately hanged himself . the travels of wicked shimei . shimei went from bahurim ( where he cursed king david ) to bathabara upon the river iordan , which was eighteen miles ; where he got pardon of david , sam. . from thence he went back with king david unto gilgal , four miles sam. . from thence he went with king david to ierusalem , twelve miles , . sam. . from thence he went to bahurim , three miles . from bahurim king solomon sent for him again to ierusalem , three miles . there he was constrained to build him an house , and not to depart thence upon pain of death , reg. . but shimei transgressing the commandment of the king , went to gath , a city of the philistines , twelve miles . from thence he returned back again to ierusalem , twelve miles , where he was slain by the command of king solomon , in the third year of his reign , reg. . so all the travels of shimei were miles . the books of kings and chronicles . of abishag , the virgin that lay with david . this maid was accounted the fairest in all israel , for which cause , she was brought to ierusalem for king david , that she might lye with him in his old age to procure heat : she was born at sunem , a town some forty four miles from ierusalem , reg. . of sunem you may read before in the travels of david and saul . the travels of king solomon . solomon the son of david king of israel , entred upon the full government of the kingdom of israel , an●mundi . and before christ , . when he was about twenty years old . after , he went from ierusalem to gilgal , four miles , and there offered upon the altar which moses had made , burnt offerings , reg. . chr. . from thence he went back to ierusalem , four miles , and built a temple to the lord , in mount moriah , i reg. . this was begun about the fourth year of his reign , and years after the children of israel came out of aegypt , in the month ziph , which answereth to our may. so that the temple began to be built in an. mundi . and before christ , . to the building whereof , hiram king of tyre sent cedar trees from mount libanus , miles to ierusalem , reg. . . chr. . this temple solomon within plaited over with gold and set with precious stones , and finished it in the month of november , about the eleventh year of his reign , reg. . the dedication whereof , was about the twelfth year of his reign , and in the thirty second year of his age , anno mundi , , and before christ , . the temple being finished , he began to build his own house , which was thirteen years a building , and was finished about the year of his age , and in the of his reign , rg. . . after years , in which time he had finished the house of the lord , and his own house in mount sion ; that he might manifest his thankfulness to the king of tyre , he went to cabul , a city in the tribe of ashur , some miles northward , where he gave to the aforesaid hiram towns or cities , with all the country round about ; wherefore king hiram called this cabul , that is , displeasant and dirty , reg. . you may read of cabul , ios. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , miles . from thence he went to hazor , and restored the city , which was miles . from thence he returned to ierusalem , miles . from thence he went to megiddo , which is not far from iesreel in the tribe of manasses , miles from ierusalem toward the north. this city solomon fortified , reg. . and iosiah king of iuda , a long time after , was there wounded to death , reg. . from megiddo he returned to ierusalem , miles . after that pharaoh king of egypt had conquered gaser , and destroyed it with fire , he gave it to his daughter the wife of solomon , who rebuilt it . this town was scituated in the tribe of ephraim , miles from ierusalem northward , reg. . from gaser solomon returned back again to ierusalem , being miles . from thence he went to the higher bethoron , which he fortified ; and stood miles from ierusalem northward , chr. . from thence he went to the lower bethoron , miles from the upper , toward the south , reg. . chr. . from the lower bethoron he went to ierusalem , which was eight miles . after , solomon built the city belath , which was miles from ierusalem north-vvestvvard , reg. . . chr. . from thence he returned back to ierusalem , miles , and it is very like that solomon often visited those towns that he built and restored . from ierusalem he went to hemath ( afterward called antiochia ) which was miles , and compassed it about with a wall , fortified it , and afterward constrained all the kingdoms thereabout to be obedient to his government , chr. . from thence he went with great state into the kingdom of zoba , which is miles , and fortified all the great cities and castles of that country , that with the greater facility they might oppose the invasions of neighbouring countries . from thence he returned to that famous city thamar , which was also called the city of the palmes , miles : this he rebuilt and fortified , reg. . chr. . from thence he went to ierusalem , which is miles . from thence he went to ezeong●ber , near to the red sea , in the country of idumaea , where he built a company of stately ships , and sent them to india to fetch gold , which was miles from ierusalem southward , reg. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , which is miles . but of his riches and great prosperity he grew proud , ( for he excelled all the kings near him ) and gave himself to unlawful pleasures ; he took unto him concubines and wives , by whose perswasions he began to worship the gods of the gentiles , which idolatry was evil in the sight of the lord. after he had reigned forty years ( which was about the sixtieth of his age ) he died , and was buried by his father david in mount sion , the city of david , an. mundi , and before christ . so all the travels of solomon were miles . the description of the places to which he travelled . of gazer you may read before in the travels of david . of bethoron . the upper and the lower bethoron were two cities in the tribe of ephraim , built by saaerah the daughter of ephraim , chron. . the inferiour bethoron was not far from the castle of emmaus , eight miles from ierusalem toward the north-west . the superiour was twenty miles distant towards the north. these towns solomon repaired . near to the lower bethoron the lord put the enemies of ioshuah to flight with thunder and hail , ios. . here also iudas macchabeus overcame the army of antiochus , mac. . here also he put ni●anor to death , mac. . and signifieth , a white house ; being derived of beth , which signifies an house ; and chor , he hath made white . of baaelath . this is a city twelve miles from ierusalem north-westward , in the tribe of dan. this city solomon repaired at such time as he fell in love with many women : from whence it seemeth to take his name : for baaeleth signifieth , his beloved lady . of thamar . thamar , tadmor , or palmira , stood partly in the desart of syria , and partly in a fruitful soyl ; being compassed about on the one side with a wood , on the other with fair and pleasant fields . it was the metropolitan city of all syria , not far from euphrates , some miles from ierusalem north-eastward ; and , as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . although it lay betwixt two mighty empires , rome and parthia , yet it was subject to neither ; fairly scituated , a free city , adorned with fair and sumptuous buildings , and contented with their own government . the wildernesses called after this towns name , pal●arnae , or the desarts of the palms , extend themselves to petra , the metropolitan city of arabia-petraea , and to the borders of arabia-foelix , one days journey from euphrates , two from the upper part of syria , and six from babylon , as iosephus observeth , antiq. lib. . cap. . this city solomon made tributary to him , and fortified it with strong walls , reg. . of ezeongaber you may read before . the typical signification of solomon . sol●mon is as much as frederick in high-dutch , which signifies a peace-maker ; being derived of the hebrew word schel●moh , or schalom , to bring glad tidings of peace . typically representing christ the prince of peace , who hath reconciled us with his heavenly father , and merited an eternal place of peace and happiness for all such as trust in him , esay . . and as solomon built up the temple of the lord with great majesty and glory ; so christ hath built up that heavenly temple , the church of god , and adorned it with the gifts and graces of his holy spirit , in this world , that so it might be capable of eternal glory in the world to come , cor. . the travels of solomon's ships . this navy of solomon's went unto ophir , that is , india , which was accounted from the mart town miles . from india they returned back again , miles : so all their travels were miles . this journey was finished in three years to and again ; so that every year they went miles , and brought home plenty of gold , silver , precious stones , ebony , &c. of india . moses called this country havilah , gen. . and ios. li. antiq. . c. . ophir : which name ( saith he ) it took of two brothers so called , which inhabited and governed the country all along the river ganges . but more modern writers derive it from indus , a river passing through it . it is a spacious and fruitful country , pleasant to inhabit ; and as pomponius saith , hath in it cities , being divided into two parts ; the outward and inward . the travels of the queen of saba . from saba in ethiopia she came to ierusalem , miles . from ierusalem she returned back again , which was miles . so all her travels were miles . of aethiopia . this country , by the hebrews , is called chus , of chus the son of cham , who was the son of noah : and after , aethiopia , ( ab aestu torrida ) because of the great heat wherewith oftentimes the habitable land and people , as also the wilderness , were sorely scorched and burned ; for it is scituated in the third part of the world called africa , lying under the torrid zone , and the aequator , which two , by common experience , are found to be extream hot . of saba . saba is a metropolitan city in aethiopia , lying beyond egypt , miles from ierusalem towards the south ; and took the name from a certain precious stone called achates , wherein might plainly be discerned in certain distinct colours , the rising of fountains , the chanels of rivers , high mountains , and sometimes of chariots and horses drawing them . it is reported , that pyrrhus king of the epirots had one of them , wherein was lively represented the nine muses , and apollo playing on the viol , portrayed by natural stains and colours , so artificially , as if they had been done by some curious work-man . of this stone you may read more in pliny , li. . ca. . . it was first found in achates a river of sicilia , whence it took the name . afterward in india or phrygia , and of the hebrews was called schaeba or saba . in this city that queen dwelt who came to hear solomon's wisdom , and gave him for a present talents of pure gold , which at three pounds at ounce comes to pounds sterling . afterwards cambyses king of persia over-came it and all the country round about it , and after his sisters name called it meroes . it is a stately city to this day , scituated in a plain country , and compassed about with the river nilus , like an island , being now called elsaba , having some affinity to the ancient name saba . the inhabitants of this town go naked , all but their privy parts , which they cover either with silk , cotton , or some more costly matter ; and are of a black colour , which as some think , hapneth by reason of the extream heat . the land also is marvellously scorched , and turned in many places to sand and dust : so that the country is thereby wonderful barren . about meroes or saba , which is made fruitful by the inundation of nilus , there is ●ound plenty of salt , brass , iron , and some precious stones . their sheep , goats , oxen , and other cattel , are of less stature than in other countries . their dogs are very fierce and cruel . in times past there were mighty princes that had the government and command of it , and the country round about it . but after ( as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . ) it was in the jurisdiction and government of queens , who for their noble resolutions and courage were called candaces . one of which name in tiberius the emperours time was famous , both for the extent of her dominions ( in which she exceeded all the rest of her predecessors ) as also in regard of her manly presence and noble spirit . the eunuch which philip baptized , acts . was treasurer or chamberlain to this queen : and it is to be thought , by him the doctrine of the gospel of christ was first made known in saba , and in the country of aethiopia ; which afterwards was more largely propagated and dispersed by the evangelist st. matthew , who taught there . this city lyeth to the longitude of degrees and scruples , and in the elevation of the pole artick to the latitude sixteen degrees and twenty five scruples . so that it seems , the inhabitants have two winters and two summers , or rather a continual summer , because their winter is much hotter than our summer . but when the sun attaineth to the fifteenth degree of taurus and leo , and in the dog-days , it then lyes perpendicular over that country , and neither their bodies nor houses give any shadows . in the sixty first of esay it is said , they shall come from saba , and bring gold and frankincence to praise the lord. from whence some have concluded , that those wise men which came unto the child jesus , and brought gold , frankincence , and myrrh , were aethiopians , and came thence . but this agreeth not well with the words of matthew , ca. . where it is written , that the wise men came out of the east , that is , from the rising of the sun , to ierusalem . for saba , according to our saviours words , mat. . lieth towards the south ; for he saith , the queen of the south ( that is , of saba ) shall come forth in the day of iudgment against this generation , and condemn it , for she came from the end of the world to hear the wisdom of solomon , &c. but if saba lye upon the south , as here it plainly appeareth , then it must needs follow they came not thence , but rather from persia , which from ierusalem lyes eastward . for at susa , the metropolis of that country , there was an academy for the whole kingdom ; in which were chiefly studied divinity , the mathematicks , and history . so that it is likely , by their art they might attain to the knowledge of this divine mystery , and from thence come to ierusalem , which was miles eastward . therefore this place of the prophet esay is rather to be referred to the propagation of the church through the whole world , where some of every nation shall bring presents unto the lord. there is also another saba in arabia-foelix , so called from zaeba the son of chus , the son of cham , the son of noah ; and it is distant from ierusalem miles towards the south-east . in hebrew it signifies the city of drunkenness , or of mirth ; but with the syrians , antiquity . some would have it in the arabian tongue to signifie a mystery . but st. ierom interprets it , to sound their conversion . it is the metropolitan city of arabia-foelix , and by strabo , lib. . called meriaba , being scituated in a high and pleasant mountain full of fruitful trees . there inhabiteth in it the king of that country ( a mighty prince ) his governours , and most of such as have authority under him . the land is called the kingdom of the sabaeans , but generally arabia-foelix , because of the fertility of the place ; for it yieldeth twice every year great plenty of frankincence , myrrh , cinamon , balsams , and other odoriferous herbs . the tree out of which this myrrh cometh , is five cubits high , hairy , and full of prickles , and when you cut the bark , there cometh forth a bitter gum , wherewith if you anoint a dead body , it will continue long without rotting . the frankincence also that is found there droppeth from the cedar-trees , like a glewy substance , and so congealeth into a gum. this happeneth twice every year , and according unto the season it changeth colour : in the spring it is red , in the summer white . this is the best frankincence in all arabia-foelix . through the whole country there is a very delectable smell , by reason of the myrrh , frankincence and cinnamon , that is found in it ; insomuch , that if the wind blows amongst the trees , it carrieth the smell unto the red sea , and they that sail can easily discern the sweetness of the air. there is gold also found there , very fine and pure , insomuch as for the goodness of it , it is called arabian gold. the phoenix is found there , of which there is but one in the world. pliny , lib. . cap. . describes her to be as big as an eagle , with a list of feathers like gold about her neck , the rest are of a purple colour ; therefore from phoenicia and the purple colour of her wings she is called phoenix . she hath a tuft of feathers upon her head like unto a crown . she liveth years ; at the end of which time she buildeth her a nest of cassia , cinnamon , calamus , and other precious gums and herbs , which the sun , by the extremity of the heat , and the waving of her wings , fires ; and she taking delight in the sweetness of the savour , hovers so long over it , that she burneth her self in her own nest. within a while after , out of the marrow of her bones , and the ashes of her body , there groweth a worm , which by little and little increaseth to some bigness , and after to a purple bird . then her wings extend themselves to a full greatness , till such time as she cometh to a perfect phoenix . this bird doth lively represent our saviour christ , who only and alone is the true messiah , and through whom we must expect everlasting life , who in the fulness of time offered himself a sacrifice upon the cross , sustaining the punishment of sin at the time of his passion , putting on a purple robe , being all be sprinkled with his own bloud , ioh. . and as the phoenix is burnt in her own nest , so likewise was he consumed in the fire of gods wrath , according to that in psal. . my heart is become like melting wax in the midst of my body . and as the phoenix of it self begetteth another of the same kind ; so christ by the power of his deity raised up his body from the dust of the earth , and ascended up into heaven a glorious body , to sit at the right hand of his father in that everlasting kingdom of glory . thus ( gentle reader ) i thought fit to describe unto you these two towns , that when you shall read of them in the holy scripture ( the one being in aethiopia towards the south , the other in arabia-foelix , and called seba ) you might discern the one from the other : of both which there is mention in the psalm , the kings of the seas and of the isles , shall bring presents ; the kings of saba and seba , shall give gifts . the travels of king pharaoh out of aegypt , when he overcame the town of gazer , reg. . in the sixteenth year of king david , anno mundi , , and before christ , , chabreus king of aegypt began to reign , and reigned fifty six years , diod. lib. . cap. . herodotus calleth this man chephrines , in his second book ; and eusebius , nepher cherres . he went from memphis , the chief city of aegypt , with a great army , miles , even unto the tribe of ephraim , and there took gazer , a city of the levites , and burned it with fire , i reg. . ios. . after he came to ierusalem , twenty eight miles . and this city which he had thus destroyed he gave to his daughter , the wife of solomon , reg. . from thence he returned to memphis in aegypt , miles . so all the travels of king pharaoh were miles . of memphis . memphis is a great city in aegypt , where commonly the kings of that countrey keep their courts ; and lyeth from ierusalem miles so●●h-west-ward . this city was built a little before the flood , but repaired and enlarged by a king called ogdoo , who in love of his daughter , after her name , called it memphis . you may read of it in the ninth of hosea , called there by the name of moph ; for thus he saith , the people of israel are gone out of the land of ephraim , because of their idolatry , into aegypt : but aegypt shall gather them up , and moph ( that is memphis ) shall bury them . moph , or mapheth in this place signifieth , a prodigious wonder : but the rest of the prophets call it noph , for the fertility and pleasantness of the country , as you may read , esay . . the princes of zoan are become foolish , and the princes of noph ( or of memphis ) are deceived . see also ierom , . . . ezech. . in which places you may find it called after this name . zoan is the city tanis , where moses wrought all his miracles : but noph , or moph , is this memphis ; a beautiful town , large and spacious , scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in aegypt ; divided into two parts by the river nilus , so that any kind of commodities or merchandize might with ease be brought thither by water : for which cause the kings of that country ( for the most part ) kept their abiding there . strabo saith , lib. . that upon the east part of this city , there standeth a tower or castle called babylon , built by certain babylonians , who leaving their own country , by the permission of the kings of aegypt , dwelt there : in after times there was placed a garrison in it , one of the three which were for the defence of aegypt , and by ptolomy was called babylon , through both which , viz. memphis and babylon , nilus passed ; the one standing upon the east side , the other upon the west . zoan , or tanis , stood about some four miles from this town , and was a fair and spacious city also , scituated towards the south , upon the east side of nilus , to which the kings of that country often resorted ; and heliopolis , another fair city , stood some six miles off that , towards the north-east . all these four towns were so wonderfully inhabited ( by reason of their pleasant and profitable scituation ) that in process of time they became all one city ; and in this age is called alcaire , containing in circuit sixty miles : so that it seemeth to spectators to be like a country replenished with nothing but fair houses , goodly churches , and strong towers ; exceeding all the rest of the cities of aegypt , as well for the beautifulness of the place , as the extent and largeness of it . it is reported , that in the year of our lord , there was such an extreme pestilence in it , that there dyed a day , from whence may be gathered , how infinitely it is peopled . near to this town stood the pyramides , which are held to be one of the wonders of the world ( as strabo saith , lib. . ) the height of one of them was foot , and square on each side foot ; it was twenty years a building , a hundred thousand workmen employed about it : whence it may be easily gathered , how hard and difficult it was in those times to get stone ( it being for the most part brought from arabia ) and at what an excessive charge they were that set them up . of gazar . this city is described in the travels of solomon . the travels of hadad king of idumaea ▪ when david conquered idumaea , hadad the king of that country , with some few of his courtiers , being then but young , fled from midian to paran , the metropolitan city of arabia petraea , which was miles , reg. . but because he thought himself scarce safe in that place , he fled thence to cheopes , that impious and tyrannical king of aegypt , that built the greatest of the three pyramides at memphis . he ( hating king david ) gave him kind entertainment , assigned him a part of the kingdom of aegypt to dwell in , and after married him with his sister ta●hpenes , by whom he had a son called genubath , who was brought up in pharaohs , or king chopes court , where he continued all the life of david , being twenty seven years ; miles . david being dead , he returned into his own kingdom of idumaea , which was miles . from thence he went back to damascus , which was miles , where he was created king of the syrians , by reson and other fugitives , which had conspired against solomon , by which means he grievously troubled that kingdom , and became an utter enemy to the israelites all the life of solomon . and of him is the original and stock of the kings of syria . so all the travels of hadad were miles . of midian and paran , you may read before : in the one dwelt iethro , moses father-in-law ; in the other ishmael , that being the chief city of his dominions , as you may read , gen. . ex. . of reson , solomon's adversary . after david had conquered hadad-ezer king of zoba , reson , his chief captain , gathered up his dispersed souldiers of his army , and fled from him to damascus , which was miles , and besieged it : the citizens whereof ( when neither david nor solomon could suppress his rebellion ) entertained him for their king , which principality he held . the travels of the kings of israel ; and first , of jeroboam . this man was the son of nebat , and born at a town called zared , not far from bethlehem-euphrata , some eight miles from ierusalem : from whence he came to solomon , who made him captain , that he might collect the tribute of manasses and ephraim , reg. . which was eight miles . from ierusalem , as he went to shilo ( which was four miles ) he met the prophet ahijah the shilomite , who told him that he should be king of israel , reg. . from thence he went to memphis in aegypt , which was miles , ( because solomon sought his life ) where he remained with sesak king of aegypt , all the life of solomon . eusebius calleth this king osochores , who that same year succeeded solomon's father-in-law ) in that government . from thence he returned to the town of sichem in israel , which was miles , where the israelites made him chief captain against solomon's son. wherefore ieroboam the son of nebat , began to raign over israel , an. mundi , , and before christ , , and raigned twenty two years , reg. . his first seat was at sichem , which he repaired and enlarged . from sichem ( in the first year of his reign ) he went to penuel , and there set up many fair buildings , which was twelve miles , reg. . from penuel he went twenty four miles , to the town of bethel , where he caused a golden calf to be set up for the people to worship . from thence he went to thirza , which is sixteen miles . this city he built and there kept his court , reg. . from thence he went to the mount zemaraim , which is mount ephraim , eighteen miles ; where he had a great battel with abia king of iuda , and lost of his souldiers , all chosen men of israel , chr. . ver . . having lost this battel , with all possible speed that he could went thence to thirza , which is eighteen miles : there the lord struck him with a grievous disease that he died miserably , reg. . chr. . so all the travels of ieroboam , first king of israel , were miles . the description of the towns and places to which jeroboam travelled . of zemaraim . this was a certain plain in mount ephraim , eight miles from ierusalem towards the north , near to the town of bethel , in the tribe of manasses : for mount ephraim is divided into divers parts and tribes . it seemeth to take the name of certain trees that abound near that place , whereon cotton-wooll groweth , for zaemaer signifieth wooll , which by little and little , upon such trees doth increase and grow to perfection . of thirza . this was a fair and beautiful city , scituated in a high and pleasant mountain , in the tribe of manasses , some twenty four miles from ierusalem towards the north. in this place the kings of israel us'd to keep their courts , until samaria was built : it was so called because of the excellency and delectableness of the place : for thirza doth denote , an acceptable and thankful city ; being derived of razah , he received thankfully . of the years of the iniquity of israel . the years of the iniquity of israel ( mentioned in ezek. . ) is to be accounted from that day wherein ieroboam first erected the golden calves : wherefore the greatest part of the first year of the iniquity , agreeth with the second year of ieroboams reign . from whence may be gathered , that from that time , till the destruction of ierusalem by nebuchadnezzar , were years full ended . of jeroboam's wife , queen of israel . she went from thirza to zilo , which was about twenty four miles ; there she asked counsel of ahijam the prophet concerning her son abia , for he was sick : but he told her heavy tidings , reg. . . wherefore being pensive , and troubled in her mind , she returned back again to her husband to thirza , miles reg. . so these two journeys were miles . the iourney of the man of god which came out of juda. this man of god ( as iosephus writeth , l. ant. . ) came from ierusalem to bethel , which was eight miles ; and was called by the name of iadon , which signifieth , the judge of the lord. when he came thither , he reproved ieroboam with an extraordinary spirit : of whom you may read more , reg. . but being deceived , as he was returning , a lyon met him in the way , where he was slain , and after buried in a sepulchre in bethel . the travels of nadab , the second king of israel . nadab , or bonifacias , succeeded his father ieroboam in the kingdom of israel , and was anointed while he was yet living ; a liberal and free-hearted prince . he began to reign in the second year of asa king of iuda , anno mundi , and before christ , . he reigned during the life of his father , a year and somewhat more : but when he had reigned two years , he went from thirza with a great army , to the city of gibithon , which was thirty six miles : this town he besieged very straitly , but at length was slain by one of his captains called baesa ; so he lost both his life and kingdom in that place , reg. . of gibithon . this was a city of the levites in the tribe of dan , not far from ekron in the land of the philistines , sixteen miles from ierusalem towards the west , and signifieth , a royal or lofty gift . the travels of baesa king of israel . baesa is as much as to say , an industrious and prompt man in doing any thing . this man having slain his master near unto gibithon , usurped upon the kingdom of israel about the end of the third year of asa king of iuda , and began his reign , an. mund. , before christ , , and reigned over israel almost twenty four years ; two of which he reigned with his son , reg. . he went from gibithon to thirza , thirty six miles , where he utterly rooted out the whole stock and family of ieroboam . after , falling into idolatry , he was sharply reprehended for it by iehu the prophet , the son of hanani ; of whom you may read more , reg. . from thirza he went to ramah , which is sixteen miles : this town he built , and fortified it very strongly , chr. . but when he heard that benhadad king of syria had invaded israel , he left his building at ramah , and with all possible speed that he could went to thirza , where he died , and was buried , reg. . chr. . so all the travels of baesa were miles . of ramah . of this city you may read before . of ella , or elah king of israel . elah signifies , a cruel man. this was the son of baasha king of israel , who was crowned king ( his father yet living ) about the beginning of the twenty sixth year of asa king of iuda , at such time as benhadad king of syria invaded and wasted galilee . he reigned two years , one of them during the life of his father , the other alone in thirza ; at the end of which he was slain by simri his servant , reg. , . of zimri king of israel . zimri signifieth a singer , and was a captain over king elah's chariots ; he reigned seven dayes in thirza , in which time he put to death , and utterly rooted out all the posterity of baasha ; and then omri besieged the city so straitly , that he had no hope to escape , wherefore he set the city and palace on fire , in which he also perished , reg. , . the travels of omri king of israel . omri signifieth a souldier , or one that deserveth his pay. he was made king by the israelites in his tent , while he was at wars near to gibithon : from whence he went to thirza , which was thirty six miles , and besieged the same upon the very day that zimri had put the posterity of baasha to the sword , and took it . he began to reign in thirza , ann. mund. , and before christ , . and reigned over israel twelve years , the first six in thirza , that latter six in samaria , reg. . from thirza he went to mount semer , six miles ; there omri built samaria , and made it the seat of his kingdom . he went thither about the seventh year of his reign , reg. . so these two journeys were forty two miles . of samaria . samaria , the chief seat and metropolis of israel , was built by omri , in mount semer , miles from ierusalem towards the north , and took that name of semer , who was lord of that mountain , of whom king omri bought it for two talents of silver , which amounteth to crowns . in this city , fourteen kings of israel kept their courts , viz. omri , who was the first founder of it , ahab , ahazia , iehoram , iehu , ioachas , ioas , ieroboam , zacharias , sallum , menahem , pekahia , pekah , and hosea , who was the last of the kings of israel that reigned in this city , and lost it , together with his liberty . of all these kings there were but five that died naturally , for , the lord being moved to wrath by reason of their impiety and idolatry , either gave them up into the hands of foreign enemies , or by civil war amongst themselves they cruelly murthered one another , until such time as the assyrians destroyed the land , and and led the people captive . thus the lord punished with a sharp and severe punishment this obstinate nation , because they contemned the admonitions and doctrines of the prophets , amongst which , elias and elizeus were the chief . so that although samaria was a fair and beautiful city , and the countrey for that cause was called the province of samaria ; yet notwithstanding , that great god , the judge of all things , for the iniquity of the people , caused this fair city to be left desolate , the inhabitants of the land to be dispersed , and the earth , for want of due usage , to lye as a wilderness , reg. . this city , in the old testament ( according to the hebrew phrase ) is called shaemaer , of schomron , which signifies to keep , or a tower of strength . you may read of this , reg. . reg. , . the greeks and latines call it samaria , which signifies the castle of iehovah , or of god. you may read more of this in the second volume . of hiel that built jericho again . after the death of omri king of israel , when ahab his son began to reign , hiel , a very rich man in the town of bethel , ( that he might leave behind him an eternal memory of his name , went to iericho , which had been formerly destroyed by ioshuah , the son of nun , and had lain waste for the space of years , where , contrary to the commandment of the lord , and curse of ioshuah , he caused the said city to be rebuilt , ( such was the impious security and incredulity of this man ) but the lord was angry with him , and he struck all his children that they dyed . the eldest son , called abiram , at the laying of the foundation , and his youngest son , called segub , at the hanging on of the gates , ios. . reg. . the travels of king ahab . ahab went from samaria to the hill carmel , where elias put to death the priests of baal , which was about thirty two miles reg. . from thence he went to iezreel , which is sixteen miles , there he told his wife how elias had put the priests of baal to the sword , reg. . from iezreel he went again to samaria , eighteen miles , where being prest with a hard siege by benhadad king of syria , he broke out of the city for his better safety , and by gods great providence and assistance , he assailed the syrians , put a great multitude of them to the sword , the rest fled , and he went away with a noble victory , as the prophet of the lord had formerly told him , reg. . from samaria he went with his army to apheck , which was fourteen miles , where he renewed a second battel , and therein had good success , so that he took benhadad alive , and put to the sword syrians . in this place the prophet of the lord reproved him for his ingratitude and obstinacy ; wherefore ahab being angry , he went from apheck to samaria , which was eight miles , reg. . from samaria he went to iezreel , sixteen miles , where that perfidious queen iesabel caused naboth to be put to death , and took possession of his vineyard , reg. . from iezreel he went to ramoth-gilead , twenty four miles ; and there , in a fight that he had against the syrians , was so sore wounded with an arrow , that he was constrained to leave the battel . reg. . and as he went back again to samaria , which was twenty four miles , he dyed of his wound . of this man you may read more , reg. , . so all the travels of ahab were miles . the description of carmel , apheck and ramoth , you may read before . of iezreel . jezreel is a city in the tribe of issachar , scituated upon a rising ground , some forty eight miles from ierusalem towards the north , where ahab sometimes kept his court. here naboth the iezreelite dwelt ; an honest and religious man , one of good esteem and authority , that feared god , and would not suffer the inheritance of one tribe to be transferred to another ; because god had commanded the contrary , num. ult . for which cause he would not sell his vine-yard to ahab , wherefore iezabel ( that wicked woman ) to satisfie the kings desire , caused him to be stoned . iezreel signifies , the seed of god , being derived of sera , seed , and el , the almighty god. though in former times this hath been a fair town , yet at this day , there is no past thirty houses in it , and is called charity ; standing at the foot of mount gilboah : they shew at this day the field of naboth the iezreelite , lying towards the west , as you go into the city , a little before you come at it . this town standeth upon a fair prospect ; for you may see from thence through all galilee to carmel , the mountains of phoenicia and mount thabor ; also from mount gilead by iordan and mount salem [ where iohn baptized ] near by mount hermon , upon the north side of mount gilboah , there lies a fair and plain way to the city iezreel ; by which iehu came , when he made wars upon ieroboam king of israel ; of which you may read more , reg. . it stood not far from the river kison , as you may read , ios. . . sam. . reg. . . of ahaziah the son of ahab . ahaziah was crowned king of israel during the life of his father ; a cruel and wicked man : he began his reign in the th year of iosaphat king of iudah , anno mundi , , and before christ , . about such time as ahab went down to ramoth gilead to recover it from the syrians . within a while after the death of his father , he fell through the lattice-window in his upper chamber , which was in samaria , of which hurt he died . of this you may read more , king. . the travels of jehoram king of israel . jehoram succeeded his brother ahaziah in the kingdom of israel ; who began his reign in the eighteenth year of iosaphat king of iudah , and as iosephus saith , lib. ant. . about the fifth year of his reign , went from samaria to ierusalem , which was miles . there he told iosaphat how the king of moab had rebelled against him , therefore desired him to go along with him to the war , reg. . then iehoram and iosaphat , and the king of edom , went from ierusalem , and compassed about through the wilderness of idumaea , by the space of seven dayes , so that they and their army for want of water had almost perished ; but , at the prayers of the prophet elisha , they were miraculously preserved . at length they came to petra , the metropolitan city of the moabites , and is distant from ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles , which they took , and consumed it with fire and sword. reg. . from the city of petra , iehoram king of israel returned back to samaria , which was miles ; where , within a while after , he was so sorely besieged by benhadad , king of syria , that the famine grew very great within the town , insomuch as a certain woman eat her own child , reg. . from samaria he went to ramoth in gilead , with his army , which is miles , where he was overcome by asahel king of the syrians , and wounded even to the death , reg. . from the fight of ramoth gilead , he was carried in his chariot back to iezreel , which was miles , where he lay to be cured of his hurts . but iehu , one of his chief captains , rebelled against him , and as he was in his chariot , shot an arrow , and wounded him the second time , whereof he died in the field of naboth the iezreelite , reg. . so all the travels of iehoram were miles . the travels of jehu , king of israel . jehv signifies a constant man in himself , and was the son of iosaphat , the son of nimschi , he was anointed king of israel in the castle at ramoth in gilead , by elisha , anno mun. . and before christ , . he reigned years , reg. . from ramoth in gilead , in his chariot he went to iezreel , which was miles ; where , in the field of naboth the iezreelite , he killed iehoram with an arrow . and when he came to the gates of the city , he caused iezabel to be thrown from a tower , whom he trampled under his horse feet ; and after , in that same place , she was eaten up with dogs . then he sent messengers to samaria , commanding the samaritans that they should put to death the sons of ahab , which they immediately did , and sent their heads unto him in baskets . reg. . from iezreel he went to samaria , which is sixteen miles . in that journey he caused to be slain by his ministers , the brothers of ahaziah king of iuda , near to the well which was beside the house where sheep were shorn . and when he came to samaria , he caused all the posterity of ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out . and to conclude the tragedy , by a cunning policy , put to death all the priests of baal , reg. . so all the travels of iehu were miles . of jehoahas , king of israel . jehoahas was the son of iehu , and succeeded his father in the kingdom of israel ; he began his reign in the year of ioas king of iudah , in the year of the world , and before christ . he reigned over israel seventeen years . god stirred up against this wicked king , asahel king of the syrians , who with foot , and five hundred horse besieged samaria very strongly ; put to the sword many of his subjects , and got many cities and towns from him , as the prophet elisha had before told him , reg. . . the travels of joas , king of israel . joas succeeded his father iehoahas , and while he was yet living , was anointed king of israel , in the thirty seventh year of ioas king of iudah , and reigned two years with his father ; after his death fifteen ; so all the reign of ioas was seventeen years . this man was a great souldier , and went from samaria with an army against the city of apheck , which was fourteen miles : there he smote the syrians , and in three several battels carried away the victory ; recovering the cities which his father iehoahas had lost , according to the prophecy of elisha , reg. . from apheck he returned to samaria , being miles . from thence he went with his army to bethsemes , in the land of iuda , where , in a sharp and cruel war , he conquered amasia , and took him alive , reg. . which was miles . from bethsemes he went to ierusalem , and carried the king thereof with him captive , being four miles . he won the city , and broke down the walls of it , from the gate of ephraim till you come to the angle-gate , four hundred cubits in length , reg. . from the city of ierusalem , ioas the conquerour returned to samaria , with the spoil of the temple , and of the king's house , with many captives , and a great prey , being thirty two miles ; where , at the end of the seventeenth year of his reign , he died , and was buried . in this man's time elisha the prophet died , reg. . . so all the travels of ioas were ninety six miles . of bethsemes . of this city you may read before . the travels of jeroboam , the second of that name , king of israel . this ieroboam succeeded his father ioas in the kingdom of israel , and began his reign , anno mundi , . and before christ , . which , according to the text of the bible , happened about the th year of amasia king of iuda , and he reigned years , reg. . he kept his court at samaria , where the prophet ionas told him , that he should recover not only the towns and cities of the land of israel that had been lost , but also the cities of hemeth and damascus : wherefore he gathered a great army out of the city of samaria , and went thence unto hemeth , or antiochia in syria , which was miles . this city he conquered , and all the country thereabout ; so that he recovered all the ancient towns and cities that belonged to david and saul , even to hemeth in syria , to soba in armenia , with all the cities , towns , castles and countries near adjoyning to them , reg. . from hemeth or antiochia , he went to damascus , which is miles this city he also took , and all the country of syria round about , he made tributary to him , reg. . from damascus he went to the red sea , even miles : and also recovered all the south part , which in times past belonged unto the kingdom of israel , reg. . after this , he returned to samaria , his own country , which was miles : where , in the one and fortieth year of his reign , he dyed , and was there buried . after his death , the kingdom of israel was oppressed with tyranny , until it was destroyed by foreign nations : and for the space of twelve years there was no king that succeeded him . in the reign of this king ( a little before his death ) there happened a horrible earth-quake ; of which you may read , amos . which without doubt did fore-shew some eminent changes that should happen in that kingdom , as did afterward , zac. . so all the travels of ieroboam , ( the second of that name ) were miles . of zachariah king of israel . twelve years after the death of ieroboam , zachariah his son began his reign in israel , in the thirty eighth year of azariah king of iuda , which was an. mundi , , and before christ , : he reigned six months , and then was miserably slain by sallum his friend , reg. . ioseph . lib. antiq. . of sallum king of israel . sallum began to reign after he had slain zachariah , in the thirty ninth year of azariah king of iuda : and when he had reigned scarce a month , he was slain by menahem , losing his life and kingdom together , reg. . the travels of menahem . menahem was born in thirza in the tribe of iuda ; who began to reign in the same year that he slew sallum : he reigned ten years reg. . from thirza he went to samaria with his army , which was six miles ; ( where , having slain sallum his lord and king ) he usurp'd upon the kingdom , reg. . from thence he went to thipsa ; which is six miles . this town he cruelly destroyed with fire and sword , and all the towns thereabout , because they refused to open their gates unto him . from thypsa this cruel tyrant went back again to samaria , six miles , where he grievously afflicted the children of israel ten years . wherefore the lord being offended with him for his exceeding cruelty , stirred up phul belochus king of assyria , who came from babylon to samaria , being miles , and put king menahem to such an exceeding great streight , that he was constrained to buy and procure his peace with * talents ; which money being received , he suffered him to enjoy his kingdom , and returned back to babylon with all his army , reg. . so all the travels of king menahem were miles . of thypsa . this was a town near to that kingly seat thirza , scituated in the tribe of manasses , twenty four miles from ierusalem northward . but because the inhabitants thereof denied to open their gates to this cruel tyrant menahem , therefore he utterly destroyed it even to the ground . thypsa signifieth , the paschal lamb , or a passover ; being derived of pasach , he passed over . of pekahia king of israel . pekahia reigned two years after his fathers death ; at the end of which term , he was slain by pekah the son of remalia , who succeeded him in the government . ioseph . lib. antiq. . saith , that this murther was done at a banquet . the travels of pekah king of israel . pekah the son of remalia began to reign in samaria , anno mundi , and before christ . in the two and fiftieth year of azariah king of iudah , and reigned over israel twenty years , reg. . . from the city of samaria he went with resin king of syria to ierusalem , which was miles , and besieged it , but could not take it : nevertheless he overcame ahaz king of iuda in a great battel , and put to the sword in one day above souldiers that bare armour . in this war there were taken women , children and maids ; all which , he carried captives to samaria , reg. . . chr. . from ierusalem he returned to samaria , with a great booty , being miles ; and at the command of obed the prophet set at liberty all his captives . after , about the end of the twentieth year of his reign , he was slain by hosea , his chief captain , who succeeded him in the government . reg. . so all the travels of pekah were miles . of hosea , the last king of israel . hosea began to reign in the fourth year of ahas king of iuda , anno mundi , , and before christ . he kept court at samaria , and was a cruel and wicked king. wherefore god stirred up salmanasser , emperour of the assyrians , who about the end of the seventh year of his reign came to samaria , and besieged it for the space of three years ; at the end of the third year , with great labour , he won it , and all the country round about ; so that he took king hosea prisoner , and led him , together with a great multitude of the iews ( amongst which were gabriel and raphael the friends of toby the elder ) thence to nineveh captives , being miles . from nineveh he sent them to a place called rages in media , being miles , and in that country peopled many towns and cities with them ; so that there were many of the israelites led into captivity above miles , for so many miles is rages and the cities of the medes from ierusalem north-eastward . this captivity of the ten tribes hapned anno mundi , . and before christ , . of the cities of rages and nineveh you may read in the travels of toby and the angel gabriel . the travels of the people which salmanasser , emperour of the assyrians , sent to dwell in the land of israel . salmanasser , after he had carried the children of israel away captive into assyria , sent ( as it is said ) part of them into media , and part of them into persia , and so di●persed them here and there about the country . but because the land of israel , by reason of this captivity , became desolate and without inhabitants , therefore he caused those people which dwelt about the river cutha , in persia , to go thence , and dwell in samaria , and in all the country round about , to till the land , and dress the vines , lest some other people , that were strangers to his government , should usurp upon that kingdom , it being thus without inhabitants , ios. li. ant. . you may read of this also , reg. . in whose place , and near to the said river of cutha , a multitude of iews , with great shame and grief were constrained to dwell . he also gathered a great multitude of other people out of babylon , hamath , or antiochia , some out of his own dominions of assyria , also out of media , and the people of ava and sepharvaiim , which people are mentioned , esay . and sent them to inhabit in samaria , and all the cities and countries round about , because it was a fertile and pleasant country , and to defend it against the incursions of strangers . from whence may be gathered , that in this behalf , the policy of this emperour was much greater than that of the romans , for the retaining of this kingdom ; but especially than that of titus vespasian ; for he , having conquered the land , wasted it and destroyed it with fire and sword , put thence the inhabitants , and dispersed them here and there , left the country bare and naked , only a few garrisons were placed in the strongest cities , to keep it to their use . which not being able enough to oppose the incursions of the saracens , that in great troops brake out of the desarts of arabia-petraea , they soon lost all that they had gotten ; and the turks joyning with them , they have now gained into their possession that pleasant and fruitful land of iudaea , and inhabit therein even to this day , to the great detriment and scandal of the christians . but to return to the people sent to inhabit this kingdom , who , as they were of divers nations , so were they of divers religions , and every family had his particular god. wherefore the lord sent a multitude of lyons among them ; which daily vexed them : from whence it happened that salmanasser was constrained to send back unto them a levite ( one of the priests that had been carried away captive ) to shew them the true worship of god. he came to bethel , and there taught them the doctrine of the lord , and the customs and ceremonies of the mosaical law : whereby it happened that they began to worship god and their idols , in neither observing their ancient custom . for which cause they became so abominable unto the iews , that they refused their company and familiarity , ( as that samaritan woman confessed to christ at iacobs well , ioh. . ) so that when the iews could call a man by any ignominious or odious name , they would term him a samaritan , ioh. . do we not say rightly that thou art a samaritan and ●est a devil . but of all the people which salmanasser sent into the holy-land , those that came out of the east part of persia from cutha ( called cutheis ) dwelt in samaria , and got the chief command and government over the rest . the travels of the kings of syria , that made wars upon the kings of israel . and first of the travels or incursions of benhadad . benhadad king of syria , went from damascus , the chief city of his kingdom , and came to samaria , and straitly besieged it in the time of ahab king of israel , reg. . being miles . from thence ( being overcome and put to flight by ahab ) he returned back to damascus , which was miles . the second time he came from thence , and invaded the land of israel , even unto the city of apheck , miles , which he besieged . but ahab king of israel overcame him in a great battel , and put syrians to the sword ; and when the rest of the multitude would have fled into the city , the ruins of a wall fell down upon them , so that there dyed . this put benhadad in such a fear , that he was constrained to fly from one chamber to another to hide himself ; but at last was taken , and ( not without the great wrath and indignation of god ) by that wicked king ahab pardoned and set at liberty , reg. . wherefore he went thence back to damascus , which was miles . within three years after he brought a great army against ramoth in gilead , which is miles from damascus south-eastward . here he won of ahab a great battel , in which ahab was slain with an arrow , reg. . from thence he returned back to damascus , which was about miles . after that , he came again from damascus into the land of israel , with a great army , miles ; where he counselled with his captains and men of war , saying , here and there will we incamp our selves . but the prophet elisha disco●ered their purposes , reg. . out of the land of isrel he returned to damascus , which was miles . from thence he returned again with his army to samaria , being miles ; which the second time he besieged so straitly , that an asses head was worth eighty pieces of silver . but yet the lord , at the fervent prayers of elizeus the prophet , struck such a fear and anguish among the enemies , that benhadad and his army were constrained to fly , reg. . being sore troubled because he was thus put to flight , he went to damascus , which was miles , and there , within a while after , died of grief , reg. . so all the travels of king benhadad were miles . the travels of the captains which benhadad king of syria sent to waste and destroy the land of baesa king of israel . this army went from damascus , and came to the town of hion , seventy two miles . from thence they went to dan , which is four miles . from dan they went to the city of abel-bethmaacha , twelve miles . from thence they went to the land of chineroth , which was accounted eight miles : there they took certain cities of fruit , and spoiled and destroyed them . from chineroth in the tribe of nephtaly ( when they had cruelly wasted and destroyed that country ) they returned with a great booty to damascus , being eighty eight miles , reg. . so all their travels were miles . the description of the towns and places to which they travelled . hion and dan. hion and dan are two towns near to mount libanus , and the fountains of iordan , some miles from ierusalem north-eastward . hion signifies a town of the fountain , because it standeth near to the town or fountains from whence iordan issueth . of abel-bethmaacha you may read before . of chineroth . this chineroth or cineroth was the metropolitan city of the tribe of nephtaly , seventy two miles from ierusalem northward . it was scituated in a very fruitful and pleasant place , and for that cause was so called ; for kinroth , being derived of kinnor , signifieth musick or mirth . the travels of naaman the syrian . naaman came from damascus to samaria , which was miles , to be cured of his leprosie by elizeus ; who commanded him to go to the river iordan , and wash himself therein seven times , and he should be cleansed . wherefore from samaria he went to iordan , twenty six miles , and there , according to the commandment of the prophet , he washed himself seven times , and was cleansed , reg. . from the river iordan he returned back again to elizeus the prophet , to give him thanks for that benefit , which was about sixteen miles . from samaria he returned to damascus , miles . so all the travels of naaman the syrian were miles . the travels of hasael king of syria . he went from damascus ( where elizeus told him that he should succeed his lord and master benhadad in the kingdom ) to ●am●th gilead , with his army , which was miles . there he overcame iehoram king of israel in a great battel , reg. cap. . from thence he returned to damascus , miles . after , he went to damascus to the city aroer , which was miles . from thence he went through the land of gilead into the kingdom of bas●n , until he came to mount libanus , which is accounted eighty miles , and conquered all that part , reg. . after , he returned into his own kingdom , to damascus , which is miles . within a while after , he went again from damascus with his army to gath , which is reckoned miles . this city he won from gath he went to ierusalem , thirty two miles , which he besieged so streightly , that ioas king of iudah was constrained to give him great abundance of gold to raise his siege and be gone , reg. . from ierusalem he went to damascus , which was about miles . the last journey that he went against the israelites , was , when he besieged samaria , at which time he won many cities and towns round about in the country , and made them tributaries unto him , reg . which was ●iles . having finished this expedition , he returned back to damascus , miles , and there dyed and was buried . so all the travels of hasael king of syria , were miles . the cities of aroer and gath are described before ; therefore i shall not need to speak of them again in this place . the travels of benhadad , the second of that name , king of syria . this benhadad was the son of hasael , and succeeded him in the government . he went from the city damascus with a great army , to apheck , which was miles . this king was three times one after another overthrown by ioab king of israel , and lost all those cities which hasael his father had formerly conquered , reg. . from apheck he returned to damascus , miles , and there died . so both journeys were miles . the travels of resin king of syria . resin king of syria went from damascus , and joyning his army with that of pekah king of israel , they went to ierusalem and streightly besieged ahab king of iudah , reg. . which was miles . at this time ( which was in the year of the world , and before christ . ) the prophet esay , ca. . foretold of the birth of our saviour christ , saying , behold a virgin being great shall bring forth a child , and shall call his name emanuel . from thence he brought his army through idumaea , to el●th , a city of the red sea , some miles from ierusalem towards the south , and sixteen miles from ezeongaber northward . this city resin won , and thrust from thence the iews out of it . from ●lath he went to damascus , miles , where he was slain by tiglath phulasser , that mighty king of the assyrians , who carried a great multitude of the inhabitants of damascus into the country of syrene , where they endured a miserable exile , reg. . so all the travels of king resin were miles . the travels of the kings of judah , which reigned in the city of jerusalem : and first of the travels of rehoboam . rehoboam the son of solomon succeded his father in the kingdom , and began his reign anno mundi , and before christ ▪ who by reason of his extream cruelty and threats ( following the counsel of his young courtiers , rather than of his grave senators ) the same year lost ten of the tribes , that fell from him and rebelled against him ; so that he reigned over iudah and benjamin seventeen years , reg. . . a little after the death of solomon , he went to sichem , thirty two miles , where he was anointed and crowned king. but the people perceiving that he carried himself very proudly and arrogantly , desired him that he would ease them of the burden formerly imposed upon them by his father : ( for solomon had set a certain tax on every man , because he was at extraordinary charges as long as the temple was building ) but he , little regarding their request , told them , that his little finger should be heavier than the whole burthen of his father : wherefore they , disliking his speech , fell all from him , except benjamin and iudah . wherefore the king , shunning the fury of the people , with all possible speed went from sichem to jerusalem back again , being thirty two miles . then he fortified all the chief cities of judah and benjamin , chr. . so all the travels of rehoboam were sixty four miles . but he principally fortified fourteen cities in the tribe of judah , that with the more safety he might oppose his enemy jeroboam king of israel ; viz. bethlehem , etam , thecoa , bethzura , adullam , gath , ma●esa , ziph , adoraiim , lachis , aseca , zarea , ajalon and hebron ▪ most of which towns , and the memorable actions done in them , are described in the former part of this treatise . i will therefore speak only of such towns as have not as yet been mentioned . of maresa . this was a city in the tribe of iuda , miles from ierusalem west-ward , which rehoboam repaired and fortified , chr. . where king asa overcame the eth●opians in a cruel battel , chr. . here michaias and eleazer the prophets were born , chr. mich. , ios. georgias also fled into this city when he was overcome by iudas macchabeus , mac. , it was scituated on the borders of the tribes of iuda and dan , as s● . ierom saith , in whose time the ruines thereof were to be seen . maresca signifies an inheritance , being derived of moraschah , that is , a possession . of bethzura . this is a strong castle ( often mentioned in the history of the macchabees ) scituated on a mountain some five furlongs from ierusalem southward , and felll by lot unto the tribe of iuda . this tower was as it were a bulwark for the city of ierusalem , and stood in the way ●s you go thence to bethlem , and so to gaza . of zareah . this was a city in the tribe of iuda , eight miles from ierusalem , toward the west , which rehoboam did also repair and fortifie , ch. . there was another city of this name , scituated upon the border of the tribes of iuda and dan , miles from ierusalem westward : of which you may read in the travels of sampson . of adoraiim . adoraiim or adarah was a city in the tribe of iuda , miles from ierusalem south-westward ; which rehoboam the son of solomon also fortified , chr. . it is scituated upon the borders of iudah and arabia-petraea , between cades and casmona . it signifies a glorious city , being derived of adar , he was glorious . the travels of king abia. abijah or abia signifies , the father of the sea. he began to reign in the eighteenth year of ieroboam his adversary , an. mundi , before christ , and reigned over israel three years , reg. ▪ chr. . he went from ierusalem to the mount zemeraim , eight miles . after that he went to bethel , and conquered all the country from thence to ephron , which was miles . from ephron he returned to ierusalem , miles : there he took unto him fourteen wives , and begat sons and daughters , chr. . the travels of asa , king of judah . as a signifies a physician . he began to reign about the end of the th year of ieroboam king of israel , an. m●n . . before christ . he governed iudah with great commendation years . he went from ierusalem to maresa , miles ; where , in the valley of zephatha he overcame the ethiopians in a memorable battel , chr. . from thence he pursued the ethiopians to gerar , being miles , and recovered many cities which the ethiopians dwelt in , chr. cap. . from gerar he went to ierusalem , which was miles , and offered to the lord of the spoils that he had taken , oxen , and sheep , chr. . these travels of king asa make miles . the iourney and expedition of saerah , king of ethiopia , whom asa king of judah overcame in the valley of zephatha . saerah or saerach signifieth , a noble and puissant lord. this was a mighty and warlike prince , who governed lybia and aethiopia ; the king of which country at this day we call presbyter iohn , or rather , ●etro iohannes ; who holdeth his court in a fair and goodly city called hamarich , the metropolitan of all ethiopia , and extendeth his government beyond meroes in africa , many ( though ignorantly ) suppose he is a priest , because he is called presbyter , though indeed he is not so , but rather a puissant and mighty emperour . but to return to saerah , or saerach , who in hope to extend his empire into these parts , went with a great army out of ethiopia to the valley of zephatha in iuda , to fight with asa king of iudah , miles ; but lost the day , and returned with great shame , chr. . it seemeth , that this king was the mightiest of all his predecessors , and a prince of no vulgar estimation , because of the multitude and great abundance of souldiers which he brought in his army ; for it is reported , that there were that bore armor , and chariots ; but this great army was dispersed , and most of them died miserably ; as did that great army of xerxes , which consisted of . from whence it may ●e concluded , that it is not the strength of man which delivereth him , bu● the lord. the travels of jehosaphat king of judah . jehosaphat signifies , the judge of the lord. he began his reign in the fourth year of ahab , reg. . the greatest part therefore of the first year of this king , happened in the year of the world , , and before christ , . he reigned over israel twenty five years , that is , from the th of his age , to the sixtieth . in the seventh year of his reign , he went from ierusalem to samaria , which was miles , to visit his kinsman , ahab king of israel : for ioram his son , some ten years before , had married athaliah , king ahab's sister , reg. . from samaria he went with ahab to the war at ramoth in gilead , being twenty four miles , where ahab was slain , reg , . chr. . from ramoth he went safe from the wars to ierusalem , vvhich vvas forty eight miles . from ierusalem he vvent to the city of beersaba , the utmost bounds of his kingdom , tovvards the south , to instruct his people in the lavv of the lord : forty tvvo miles from ierusalem , south-ward . from beersaba , passing through all his kingdom , he came to mount ephraim , being forty eight miles , and the utmost bounds of his kingdom north-ward , being some eight miles from ierusalem , chr. . from mount e●hraim he went to ierusalem , which was eight miles . thus iehosaphat went through all his dominions , to instruct his subjects in piety , and the true worship of god : in every city ordaining judges and governours , magistrates , procurators and assessors , committing to their discretion the deciding of all controversies ; saying to them , take heed what you do , for the office you have taken upon you is not humane , but divine : and as you judge , so shall you be judged ; for the lord is with you in judgment . wherefore do all things with diligence , and in the fear of the lord ; for with the lord there is no iniquity , nor respect of persons , neither taketh he any bribes . and he himself remained chief judge in ierusalem , to whom any might appeal from the inferiour judges , that so there might be a just end of controversies , chr. . afterward , iehosaphat went forth with his army to tecoa , six miles from ierusalem , where , by fervent prayers , the sounding of trumpets , and other musical instruments , in obtained a memorable battel against the moabites , ammonites , and idumaeans ; for the lord turned the weapons of them one against another , and they wounded one another to the death . this fight happened in a fair valley between tecoa and engedi . so iehosaphat pursued the enemy for three days with great slaughter , and returned with a mighty spoil . this was called the valley of blessing , because of this great victory at tecoa , and began eight miles from ierusalem south-eastward , and extended it self to the tower of engedi , near to the bank of the red sea , twenty miles . from engedi ( out of the valley of blessing ) iehosaph at and his army returned to ierusalem , twenty miles , and went into the temple , with shalms , harps , timbrels , and great joy , thankfull acknowledging gods merciful favour toward him , in giving him so great a victory , chr. . but as there is nothing in this life that can be said permanent , so likewise the felicity of iehosa●hat changed on a sudden , the froward and adverse frown of adversity seising upon his prosperity ; for , joyning with that wicked and impious king of israel , ahaziah , upon condition to build a certain navy of ships at ezeongaber , to fetch gold from tharshish , and other places in india , he displeased the lord : for the which cause there arose a great tempest , which brake down the works , and destroyed the navy . from ierusalem he went with iehoram king of israel to war against the moabites , and with them went the king of idumaea ; so passing through the desarts of edom , they came to mount seir , and so went to petra , the chief city of the king of the moabites , distant from ierusalem seventy two miles , reg. . from petra , iehosaphat returned to ierusalem , seventy two miles , where he died , and was buried , reg. . chr. . so all the travels of iehosaphat king of iuda were three hundred seventy two miles . the typical signification of jehosaphat . as iehosaphat by prayer , and the sound of trumpets , and other instruments of musick , overcame and dispersed his enemies without drawing his sword ; so christ also , by the sound of his word and doctrine , without drawing weapon , overcame the enemies of the church . the travels of joram king of judah . joram signifies , the exalted of the lord. he was crowned king , ( his father yet living ) at such time as he made his expedition against mesa king of the moabites , which happened about the fifth year of iehoram king of israel , an. mundi , , and before christ , . he reigned with his father iehosaphat two years , and after his decease , six . so ioram reigned eight years over iudah , and when he was forty years old , died miserably , reg. , . about the beginning of the second year of this king's reign , ( which was the sixth of iehoram king of israel ) elias the prophet was taken up into heaven . about the beginning of his reign , he went from ierusalem to mount seir , being twenty eight miles south-ward ; where he used such extreme cruelty toward the edomites , which at this time were his subjects , that of a sudden they fell from him , and chose them a king of their own , reg. . from the mountain of seir he returned to ierusalem , which is twenty eight miles , and there cruelly put to death his own brothers . but god stirred up against him the philistines and arabians , who broke into iuda , and destroyed it with fire and sword. they also went to ierusalem , and took thence all his substance and riches , put his children to the sword , all but ioachas , which was also called ahaziah , or ochorias ; and carried away his wives captive into arabia foelix , which is near unto ethiopia miles . then the lord struck him with an extream pain in his bowels , of which , after two years , he died , and was buried without any funeral-pomp , or honourable respect , near to the king's tower. a man unworthy to be buried in the sepulchre of the rest of the kings , because he so much degenerated from david his predecessor , reg. . chr. . so all the travels of ioram were fifty six miles . the travels of ahaziah king of judah . ahaziah ( which also was called iehoachas ) succeeded his father ioram in the government of iudah , and began his reign in the twelfth year of iehoram king of israel , ann. mund. . and before christ , , and reigned one year , reg. . he went from ierusalem to ramoth in gilead , which is accounted forty eight miles : there he went to battel with iehoram king of israel against the syrians , reg. . chr. . from ramoth in gilead he returned to ierusalem , forty eight miles . within a while after , he went back again to visit his kinsman , iehoram king of israel , to iezteel , for he was wounded in the battel against hasael , and lay there to be cured : which was forty eight miles . with iehoram he went to meet iehu , the captain of the host , who shot an arrow , and wounded iehoram , that he died in the field of naboth the iezreelite . wherefore ahaziah , to save his life , fled with all possible speed , taking his way to the king's garden , that stood close by the vineyard of naboth the iezreelite , not far from teh city and tower of iezreel . but iehu followed him so close , that he wounded him as he ascended up to a place called gvr , which signifieth a lions whelp ; near unto the town which is called iiblea . wherefore ahaziah feeling himself hurt , went to megiddo , four miles from iezreel , and near to apheck upon the west . there ( as iosephus saith , lib. antiq. . ) he caused his wounds to be searched and bound up . this city of megiddo is forty eight miles from ierusalem northward . from megiddo he went to samaria , which was fourteen miles ; there he lay hid for a while , flying from one place to another , to save himself . chr. . but being found out , he was carried back to the city of megiddo , which was fourteen miles ; and at the commandment of iehu , was there slain , reg. . from megiddo his carcasa was carried to ierusalem , which was forty eight miles , and there buried , reg. . chron. . so all the travels of ahaziah king of iudah , were miles . of that idolatrous and wicked queen athalia . athalia was sister to ahab and daughter to omri , married to ioram son of that good king iehosaphat , when he was but seventeen years of age ; and after the death of azahiah ( who was slain about the twenty third year of his age ) she usurped upon the kingdom of israel ( anno mundi , , before christ , , ) and reigned with great tyranny almost seven years : so soon as she had obtained the government , she cruelly and miserably put to death the children of ahaziah , and all those that were next heirs to the kingdom ; only ioas who was saved by the policy of iehoshabeath sister to ahasiah , that stole him from among the rest of the king's sons , and put him to nurse in her bed-chamber : and he was with them in the house of god six years ; all which time athalia , raigned over the land . and in the seventh year , iehojada waxed bold , and proclaimed ioas king , as being next heir to the crown , and anointed him in the temple ; who after athalia was slain , succeeded in the government , reg. . chron. . of joas king of judah . joas began to reign over iudah when he was almost seven years of age and about the middle of the seventh year of iehu king of israel , anno mundi , , and before christ , , and raigned over iudah forty years . he did that which was acceptable in the ●ight of the lord all the days of iehojada the priest , who crowned him king : but after his death he fell into evil courses , and caused that good priest zachariah ( the son of iehojada , who was the author of all his preferment ) to be stoned to death in the upper court of the temple ; which act , argued that he was very unthankful and tyrannical . but the lord ( displeased with his cruelty ) within a year after the death of zachariah , stirred up the syrians , who invaded iudaea and spoiled the city of ierusalem : in which war , all those that stirred up the king to idolatry were cruelly slain . to conclude , within a while after some of his courtiers conspired against him , and as he lay sick of a grievous disease in his bed , put him to death ; and buried him in milo , the city of david . thus god justly punished this tyrant for his unthankfulness , apostasie , and cruelty , when he had lived years , reg. . the travels of amasiah king of judah . amasias , or amasiah , signifies , the strength of iehovah . this man was twenty five years of age when he was enthronised by his father , about the second year of ioas king of israel , anno mundi , , and before christ . he ruled the kingdom while his father was sick , one year , and after his decease twenty eight : so all the years of his reign were twenty nine . he went with an army from ierusalem to saelag , that is to the tower or rock of mount seir , forty miles towards the south : here , in the valley of salt , he put to death a multitude of the idumaeans . and although this town was very strongly scituated , yet he won it , and called it ioctiel , that is , the year of the lord ; because god in that place heard his prayers ; being derived of iakah and el , which is , god hath heard . near to this town amasiah commanded idumaeans , which he had taken in war , to be cast down headlong from the top of an high rock into a deep valley , in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces , and they died miserably , reg. . from selag-ioctiel he returned to ierusalem , being forty miles ; where he began to worship the gods of the idumaeans that he brought along with him , chron. . from ierusalem he went to bethsemes , and there was overcome by joas king of israel , which was four miles , chron. . from bethsemes , ioas led amasiah back again to ierusalem captive , being four miles , reg. . from ierusalem he fled to the city of lachis , which was twenty miles , and there was slain by his own servants , chron. . from lachis his carkass was carried back again to ierusalem , twenty miles ▪ where it was buried in the city of david , reg. . chron. . so all his travels were miles . the travels of azariah , or uzziah , king of judah . this man succeeded his father amasia ( in the year of the world , and before christ , ) when he was but sixteen years of age , and reigned fifty two years ; his mothers name was iecoliah of ierusalem . he did those things which were upright in the sight of the lord , therefore the lord blessed him . and after the death of his father , built elah , and restored it to iudah . he therefore went from ierusalem to elah , miles towards the south , and rebuilt that town ( it being a famous mart-town , scituated upon the red sea ) and fortified it , because resin , king of the syrians , in times past , for want of due fortification , won it , and destroyed it , chron. . from elah he returned to ierusalem , miles . after he went from ierusalem to gath , a city of the philistines , which was accounted thirty four miles ; this town he won , beat down the walls , and destroyed the bulwarks thereof . from thence he went to iabnia , which is twenty four miles , and broke down the walls thereof , chron. . from thence he went to azotus or asdod , which was eight miles , chron. . from asdod he went again to ierusalem , being twenty two miles . within a while after , he gathered an army , and went from ierusalem to gur-baal , that is , gerar ; where he overcame the arabians in a great battel , which was thirty two miles , chron. . from gerar he returned to ierusalem , being thirty two miles . he went from ierusalem that third time into the land of the ammonites , sixty miles ; which people he conquered , and made tributary to him ▪ so that he was made famous through all the countries thereabout , even to the utmost part of aegypt , because of his often victories and triumphs , chron . out of the land of the ammonites he returned to ierusalem , being sixty miles . but now , being lift up with the prosperity of fortune , and not content with his regal dignity , he endeavoured to have chief authority over the priests also ▪ for which cause he went into that part of the temple where the altar of sweet incense stood ( where it was lawful for none to go but the priests ) and there took upon him to offer sweet incense ; but as he was offering , the lord struck him with leprosie , so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himself separated from the congregation ; and his son iotham governed in his stead all the days of his life . but within a while after , he died of this disease , and was buried in the kings garden at ierusalem , and not in the sepulchre of the kings , reg. . chron. . so all the travels of azariah king of iudah , were miles . of the places to which he travelled . of elah . this was a city scituated upon the red sea , miles from ierusalem towards the south ; between ezion-gaber and midian . this city resin king of the syrians conquered ; but azariah king of iudah drove thence the syrians , and made it so strong , that it seemed impossible to be conquered . it took the name of abundance of oaks , which ( as it seemeth ) grew about that place ; for elah or ilix , signifies , a kind of oak tree , ( of which there is great plenty in the holy land ) so called because of their strength and hardness . of jobnia . this was a city near to ioppa and libba , miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . this city taketh the name of wisdom and prudence , being derived of bin , to understand . of gur-baal . this town is also called gerar , where abraham and isaac sometimes travelled ; it is distant from ierusalem thirty two miles towards the south-west , and six miles from hebron . here the iews and neighbouring arabians afterwards worshipped the idol baa● ▪ and therefore this city , which in the times of the patriarchs , was called gerar , a perigrination , was after called gur-baal , that is , the perigrination of the idol baal , being derived of gor , which signifies , he hath travelled . the travels of jotham king of judah . jotham signifies , whole and perfect . he succeeded his father azariah , when he was about twenty five years of age , anno mundi , and before christ , . he raigned over iudah seventeen years , until the one and fortieth year of his age . his mothers name was ichruscha , so called from an inheritance or possession . he began his reign in the second year of pekah king of israel , and continued it unitl the seventeenth year of his government , reg. . . when this noble prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the house of the lord , he went from ierusalem and invaded the country of the ammonites , ( which was sixty miles , ) conquered their king , and made the whole land pay him tribute , even a hundred talents of silver of the common weight , measures of wheat , and of barley yearly . this tribute continued three years . from the land of the ammonites he went back to ierusalem , which was sixty miles ; where , after he had adorned the temple with many princely buildings , he dyed ; about the one and fortieth year of his age , reg. . so all his travels were miles . of ahaz king of judah . ahaz signifies apprehending , or a possessor . he began to reign after the death of his father iotham , about the end of the seventeenth year of pekah king of israel , anno mundi , , before christ , . he reigned wickedly years , reg. . chr. . for he was a notorious hypocrite , who out of a perverse zeal , worshipped many idols , and burnt his son in the valley of gehinnon , as an offering unto moloch ; wherefore he was unhappy in his government ; for god stirred up mighty enemies against , even re●in ▪ king of syria , and pekah king of israel , who wasted and destroyed his kingdom and ( streightly besieging ierusalem ) conquered ahaz in a great battel , and put to the sword of his men . after that resin , returned to elath , and took it : so that he lost more then his father had gotten . where being struck into a great fear by reason of these adversities , he sent to crave the aid of tiglasse ▪ phulasser king of the assyrians , who at his request sent a great army from niniveh to damascus , miles , and there overcame resin , and put him to death , and took captive of the people of damascus , and sent them into cyren a country of africa , reg. . the travels of ahaz . king ahaz went from ierusalem to damascus , which was miles , to meet tiglath-phulasser king of the assyrians , to rejoyce with him for his happy victory , and give him thanks for his aid and assistance : where , when he saw the altar at damascus to be very glorious , he sent for vrijah the chief priest , who took a patern thereof , and carried it with him to ierusalem , where he made an altar like unto it , reg. . from d●mascus he returned back again miles . so his travels were miles . but yet ahaz continued in his perverse impiety and idolatry , without any regard or fear of god , therefore he stirred up other enemies against him , viz. the idumeans , who took a great multitude of them captive ; and the philistines , who with their army broke into the south part of the tribe of iudah , and took these cities following , viz , bethsemes , ajalon , timnath , socho , geder●th , and gimso , with their villages . these cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent treatise , except gederoth and gimso . gederoth , commonly called gederothaim , is distant from ierusalem eight miles towards the south-west , and stands near to the castle of emaus , being compassed about with a hedge , from whence it seemeth to take the name ; for gadar is as much as to say , he hath hedged about . gi●so was also in the tribe of iudah , but in what place is not certainly known . thus king ahaz all the days of his life did evil in the sight of the lord ; for which , god punished him and all the land ; and in the sixteenth year of his reign he died , and was buried with his fathers in the city of david . the travel● of ezekias king of judah . ez●kias ( which signifies the champion of iehovah ) was born when his father was but thirteen years of age , which made many questions whether he should succeed him as his lawful heir in his kingdom , because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten . for if you do observe the order and course of the years and chronologie in the scripture , you shall find , that from the beginning of the thirteenth year of the age of ahaz , to the first year of the reign of this king ezekias , make just twenty five years : ezekias therefore began to reign after the death of his father ahaz , about the end of the third year of hosea king of israel , reg. . anno mun , , before christ , , being then about twenty five years of age , a little before easter , as it appeareth , chron. . he governed that kingdom with great commendations twenty nine years . the first journey that he ●ook was from ierusalem to gaza , which was forty four miles , there he overcame the army of the philistines , and recovered all those cities which his father ahaz had lost , according to that in the prophet esay , cap. . reg. . from gaza he returned to ierusalem , which was forty four miles ; there he broke down the places for idolatry , and the brazen serpent made by moses in the wilderness , and called it nehustan , a brazen thing that hath nothing in it self of a divine nature , and could neither profit nor hurt , therefore ought not to be worshipped . this brazen serpent was kept in memory of that sign that god shewed unto the children of israel in the desart , when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery serpents , for looking upon this brazen serpent they were healed . but now because of the abuse thereof by the iews , which turned it into idolatry , it was broken to pieces , num. . reg. . so all the travels of ezechias were eighty eight miles . in the fourteenth year of the reign of ezekias , and in the thirty eighth year of his age , senacharib ( that mighty emperour of the assyrians ) having taken many towns and cities in the holy-land , would have also besieged ierusalem , and for that purpose sent from lachis ( which was twenty miles distant from ierusalem ) thartan , rabsarim , and rabsacha , three mighty princes , embassadors , with a great train to attend them . these men went about the city , to see in what part it was most subject to battery , and might easiest be got : so when they came to the conduit of the upper pool , which is by the path of the fullers field , between the fish-gate and the old-gate , in that place where they might easiliest be heard , they called to the king : but eliakim the son of hilkiah ( which was hezekia's steward ) shebna the chancellor , and ioah the son of asaph , the recorder , went upon the wall : then rabsacha uttered blasphemous words against the lord : but ezekias when he had heard what the enemy had said , called all the elders of ierusalem together , and sent for isaiah the prophet , the son of amos , and they went into the temple of the lord and prayed . wherefore the lord heard their prayers , and sent his angel into the camp of the assyrians , and lo , in one night there were slain men as they lay in their tents before gibeah ( which at this time they besieged ) being distant from ierusalem , some ten miles towards the south-west . this great deliverance happen'd in the year of the world , and before christ , . about the end of the thirty eighth year of the age of ezekiah , he fell into a dangerous disease , which so far forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the plague ; ( for god doth oftentimes try the patience of his saints with sundry afflictions ) but yet at his servent prayers he was restored to health , and his days were lengthened fifteen years : at which time the sun went back ten degrees , according to the variation of the shadow in the dyal of ierusalem , reg. . isa . chr. . but at the end of the fifteen years , which was about the fifty fourth year of his age , he dyed , and was buried with his fathers . the travels of manasses . manasses , or manasseh , signifieth forgetting , or he hath forgotten . this man was twelve years old when he succeeded his father ezekiah in the kingdom of iudah : he began to reign anno mundi , , and before christ , . this king was a great idolater , and one that put the prophets of the lord to death , so that it was wonderful to see what tyranny and mischief he wrought in israel : wherefore the lord stirred up the assyrians against him , who overcame him in a great battel , and took him captive , carrying him bound in chains from ierusalem to babylon , even miles . but after , being humbled by his afflictions , he came to a knowledge of himself , and repenting for his former evil , humbling himself with prayer and fasting under the hand of god : wherefore the lord took compassion of him , and stirred up the mind of the king of babylon to mercy , so that he loosed his bands , and sent him back again to ierusalem , miles . from that time forward he left idolatry , and worshipped the true god : adorned the temple of the lord with many fair and beautiful buildings , and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died , and was buried in the kings garden , reg. . chron. . so all the travels of manasses were miles . of amon king of judah . amon signifieth , true and faithful : he succeeded his father manasses when he was twenty two years of age , anno mundi , , before christ , . he reigned two years , and then , because of his exceeding idolatry , the lord cast him off , when he was about twenty four years of age ; near which time , some of his servants conspired against him , and put him to death . the travels of king josiah . josiah signifies , a sacrifice of the lord : he succeeded his father manasses in the government , when he was but eight years of age , anno mundi , before christ , . he governed israel with great commendations thirty two years , reg. . his mothers name was iedidah , and dwelt in a town called b●z●ath ; but how far this town stood from ierusalem , is not set down by any author . this good king went from ierusalem , to bethel , which was eight miles ; there he burnt upon the altar which ieroboam built , the bones of the priests of baal , as the man of god which came from iudah had told ieroboam years before , reg. . chr. . from bethel he returned back to ierusalem , which was eight miles ; there he celebrated the passover with a solemn feast and great attendance , reg. . chr. . in the last year of his reign he went with his army from ierusalem to megiddo , being forty four miles , against pharaoh necho king of aegypt ; in which battel , he was slain with an arrow , about the thirty ninth year of his age , chron. . from megiddo his body was carried in a chariot back again to ierusalem which was forty four miles , and there with great lamentations honourably buried , reg. . chr. . so all his travels were miles . the travels of jehoahas king of judah . jehoahas signifies , the knowledge of god : he succeeded his father iosiah in the twenty third year of his age , anno mundi , , which was years before christ ; and reigned only three months , reg. . chron. . ieremy ( cap. . ) calleth this man schallum , that is , a recompence . he went from ierusalem to riblah , a city in the tibe of nepthaly , which is accounted eighty miles ; where he was taken prisoner by pharaoh necho , reg. . from riblah , pharaoh necho led him captive bound in chains back again to ierusalem , being eighty miles ; and there appointed iehojakim , his elder brother , to reign in his place , reg. . chron. . from ierusalem he carried iehoahas to memphis , the metropolitan city of aegypt , which was miles , reg. . so all the travels of iehoahas were miles . of jehoiakim king of judah . jehoiakim was the eldest son of iosiah , that good king , and succeeded his brother iehoahas in the kingdom , anno mundi , , before christ , : he governed iudah eleven years : pharaoh necho made him king when he was twenty five years of age , to whom he was constrained to pay talents of * silver , and a talent of gold. this money being payed , he obtained the kingdom , and continued in great impiety and idolatry ; for which cause he was sharply reprehended by ieremiah the prophet : but he being offended at his words , sought to put him to death ; wherefore the lord stirred up nebuchadnezzar , the second of that name , emperour of the assyrians and babylonians , who in the eleventh year of this king's reign came to ierusalem , and took him captive , tyed him in two chains , and would have carried him to babylon ; but his mind changed , wherefore he caused him to be put to death , and cast out into the fields of ierusalem for a prey to wild beasts , ier. . reg. . of jehoiachin king of judah . jehoiachin signifies , the preparation of iehovah . this man succeeded his brother iehoiakim , and began his reign about the end of the year of the world , and reigned only three months and ten days , which was about the eighth year of nabuchadonozor the great ; at which time he was led captive from ierusalem to babylon , together with mordochae and many other nobles ; which was miles . this captivity happened years before christ , reg. . chron. . ester . ier. . the travels of zedekiah , the last king of judah . after iehoiachin succeeded zedekiah , which signifies , the just man of god. this was the son of the good king iosiah , ( yet an impious tyrant : ) who , by the permission of nabuchadonozor the great , was suffered to be king of iudah after his brother , when he was one and twenty years of age . he began to reign about the beginning of the year of the world , and before christ : he governed tyranically eleven years , reg. . in the eleventh year of this king , ierusalem was taken by nabuchadonezar , the great emperour of the babylonians : wherefore zedekiah , to escape the brunt of war , fled from ierusalem with all possible speed to iericho , which was twelve miles , ier. . . from the plain near the city iericho , where he was overcome by the princes of the chaldeans , he was led to riblah to nebuchadonezar , which was sixty eight miles . from riblah ( after the emperour nabuchadonezar , had caused all his children to be put to death before his face , and had put out both his eyes ) he led him captive to babylon , which was miles , where he died miserably , reg. . so all the travels of zedekiah king of iudah were miles . of the destruction of jerusalem by nabuchadonezar . in the ninth year of this zedekiah ( which was the last king of iudah ) nabuchadonezar began to besiege ierusalem , it being then winter , anno mundi , upon the tenth day of the tenth month tebeth , which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of december , which day the iews till now observed as a fasting day . the siege continued even till the eleventh year of this king , ierem. . . reg. . and upon the ninth day of the fourth month thamus , ( which agreeth with the tenth day of iuly ) the city was taken , and zedekiah was put to flight . upon the seventh day of the fifth month ab , nabuzaradan chief captain of the army , was sent back by nabuchadonezar into iudaea , where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the city of ierusalem , ierem. . upon the tenth day of the fifth month , ab , which answereth to the ninth day of august , being the sabbath day , the temple of ierusalem was set on fire , ier. . de bello iudei , lib. . cap. . . this first captivity and destruction of the city ierusalem by nabuchadonezar that great emperour happened anno mundi , , and before christ , ▪ three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended , from the first year of ieroboam king of israel , who set up the golden calves , and caused them to be worshipped . for , after the end of these years , according to the prophecy of ezekiel , ca● . . the sins of ieroboam should be grievously punished upon the people of iudah . in the like manner , from the end of the thirteenth year of iosiah , wherein ieremie first began to prophecy , until this year , in which the children of israel were carried away captive into babylon , are numbred forty years : which by ezek. cap. . are called the years of the iniquity of iudah , because so long the iews did contemn and despise the admonition of the prophet ieremie . of babylon . how far this city stood from ierusalem , you may read before ; which by the chaldaeans is called shinear , or sinear , and signifies , to strike upon the teeth , being derived of schen , a tooth , and naer , to strike . it may also be taken for that , when a man endeavoured with all speed to execute a thing ; which seems to resemble the condition of nimrod : for that in this place he endeavoured to overcome and conquer all his neighbours : from whence this land was called casdius , that is , the country of the destroyer . so changing s into l , it is called chaldeus or chaldaea . the chief and metropolitan city of which country was this babylon , built some thirty years after the floud by nimrod , or the babylonian saturn , the first great commander of the world , according to berosus , lib. . who writeth after this manner : nimrod , which was accounted the son of iupiter belus , being angry with the holy priests of that great god iehovah , came with his colony and people into the field of sinear , where he built a city , and laid the foundation of a great tower , years after the flood ; and raised this tower to such a height , and withal of such a hugeness , that it seemed as if it had been some great mountain ; because he would have the babylonian people accounted the chiefest and greatest in the world ; also their governour , the king of kings . a little after he saith , he built this tower , but before he could finish it , dyed , in the fifty sixth year after he began it : wherefore the city and tower of babylon , according to the opinion of berosus , was begun in anno mundi , , which was years after the flood , and before christ , . there were two causes wherefore the children of men built up this tower ; first , that they might get them a name : secondly , that they might be safe in case there came another flood to drown the world. it was made of brick and bittum , lest the water should loosen it . but the lord turned their enterprises into evil , and divided their language , so that they could not understand one another [ whereby they were constrained to leave off their building : ] from whence it happened that their minds , manners , understandings , studies , and principal actions were utterly changed , and is the foundation of all discord and sedition , where the fear of god , and the true knowledge of christ doth not prevent it . from this division of tongues , it is called the city of babylon , this is the city of division ; being derived of the word balal , he hath confounded or mingled together . of this city you may read in ios. lib. i. cap. . where he bringeth in a saying of the sibyls , which was , that when all nations were of one language , they built an exceeding high tower , as though they would have ascended by it into heaven ; but the lord with great tempest and dividing their tongues , subverted their enterprize , from whence it was called babylon . this city was the fairest in those times of all others , scituated in a spacious plain , upon every side whereof there stood pleasant orchards and gardens : it was built four square , conpassed about with walls of incredible strength and greatness , being fifty cubits thick , and high , beautified within with goodly buildings , fair temples richly gilt with gold , and wonderful to look upon . it was in compass furlongs , as strabo saith , which make forty eight miles . through it ran the river euphrates , by which all things necessary were conveyed to the city ; without , it was compassed with fair ditches , fill'd with water like rivers , and in the wall there stood a hundred gates . herodotus saith , that it was furlongs about , which make sixty miles english , but that is not so credible . the first founder of this city was nimrod , who in those times was the chief commander of the world. it is thought that he was the son of cham , the son of noah ; whose name signifies , a cruel governour , or an unmerciful tyrant . and that his actions might be according to the signification of his name , he is branded with most perspicious notes of cruelty , omitting no violent action whereby he might inlarge his dominions ; incroaching upon other mens governments , through a thirsty and ambitious desire of renown , without respect of equity or humanity . and to add evil to evil , committed many outrages upon such as were accounted good men , and the priests of the great god iehovah , from whence there grew in him a more than humane resolution , accounting himself in this world a god , and thorough this opinion grew into contempt of all good things ; compelling such as were his subjects and vassals to do him worship and reverence as to a divine power ; which , being ingraf●ed into the hearts of such as followed in succeeding ages , they countenanced it with authority : from whence it came to pass , that he was inrolled into the number of their principal gods , giving him the name of saturn , whom the hebrews called sudormin , which elegantly implyeth saturn . berosus saith , that the babylonian iupiter succeeded this nimrod , whose authority i am willing to follow , to avoid prolixity . this man so much inlarged the city , that many in succeeding ages have attributed the foundation thereof unto him . he ruled over it sixty one years . after him succeeded ninus , or , as some would have it , nimrod the second ; who began his reign anno mundi , , before christ , : he did many worthy acts during his life , and added to the empire of babylon many provinces ; and after he had reigned fifty years , dyed , and was buried in babylon . after him succeeded semiramis , his wife , who took upon her the government of the assyrian empire , her son ninus being then within age , and she began her government , anno mundi , before christ , . she was one of the manliest and resolute women that we read of , and performed as many worthy and memorable actions . this queen built her sepulchre over the most eminent gate of babylon , in a publick and perspicious place , upon which she caused to be written in golden letters , if there be any king of babylon that shall come after me , and stand in need of money , let him open this sepulchre , and what soever he wanteth he shall find : but before , it will not be good for him to touch it . this notwithstanding , it continued till the reign of darius , who opened this monument in hope to find what the superscription imported ; but no mony was there to be had , only within might plainly be seen ingraven other letters to this effect : vnless thou hadst been un●●tiably covetous , thou wouldst never have opened the graves of the dead in hope of gain . this woman beautified babylon with many goodly buildings , built up the walls thereof , set a bridge over euphrates , made a beautiful orchard and a garden in it , beautified it with many goodly towers and fortifications , added unto it many provinces and governments : and after all , because of her own lascivious appetite ( as sallust saith ) was murthered by her son ninus , who succeeded her in the government . there were many other memorable things within this city , that were built before and after her time ( as herodotus saith ) as that great and mighty tower before remembred , in which stood the temple of baelus , and his sepulchre . not far from that stood a chappel , wherein was the statue of iupiter ▪ all of pure gold , worth * talents of gold. without that chappel there stood an altar of pure gold , upon which they yearly offered talents of frankincense . there was another also somewhat less , upon which they used to offer their sacrifices ; for it was not lawful for them to offer any thing that had life upon the greater altar : there stood also in that place another statue twelve cubits high , all of pure gold. this city was after taken by cyrus , the first emperour of the persians , an. mundi , . before christ , , in the seventieth year after the captivity of israel and iudah , according to the prophecy of ieremy ; at which time the city was so great , that they which dwelt in the middle of it did not know that the enemy had entered within the walls at the farther end : which might happen , because upon that day when it was taken the babylonians celebrated a feast unto venus , in which using extraordinary diligence , they were less mindful of such things as hapned unto them . thus this city , that with great tyranny had triumphed over the nations of the earth for the space of years ( being so plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the maintenance of life , that the inhabitants thereof contemned all other people ) was by god's permission , for their pride and presumption , wasted and consumed by cyrus , as you have heard : and shortly after utterly destroyed by xerxes , the fourth emperour of the persians , and so continueth to this day , as strabo saith . where then , o world , is thy prosperity ? or riches , thy glory ? since in the one thou art consumed , in the other lest desolate . of the ruines of old babylon that are extant at this day . babylon ( which as you have heard reigned over the nations of the earth like a queen ) at this day hath nothing to present you withall but an heap of stones ; out of the ruins whereof there was built a little town , close by where it stood , called elugo , or felugo , scituated upon the bank of the river euphrates . not far from which , it seems there is a profitable harbour for ships , where merchants often times go a shore , and travel thence through many woods and desart places , unto seleucia , which at this day is called by the turks , bagdeth , distant thence some thirty six miles , and is the utmost town of the turkish and persian empires towards the east , being divided in the midst by the river tygris . some merchants have reported , that the place where babylon stood is become stony , unfruitful , and unpleasant , because of the ruins of the destroyed buildings which lye in the earth . also , that there is found a tower built of a black stone , which to outward appearance seems to have been a very goodly house , high and eminent ; so that upon the top thereof a man might have seen through the whole city . this tower the inhabitants of felugo call the tower of daniel , in which was the chamber where he used to pray to the lord three times a day , the windows whereof looked towards ierusalem , dan. . there is also to be seen divers arches of the bridge which semiramis built , standing upon the river euphrates , and the foundation of the great tower whose top should have reached to heaven ; being in compass two miles , but not very high . within the ruins whereof are found certain serpents very noisom and venemous , about the bigness of a lizard , having three heads , and spect with divers colours , which the inhabitants call eglones . there are such a multitude of them , that no man dares approach within half a mile of it any time but in the winter season , nor then neither but for the space of a month ; in which time these serpents for the extremity of the cold are constrained to keep their holes . thus , as this tower was hateful to god in the beginning , so likewise hath he made it hurtful unto man even to this day . the travels of the babylonian and assyrian kings and em●erours that fought against israel and judah . and first of phul belochus , king of ass●ria . phul belochus ( that is he returned wasting ) began to reign among the babylonians , anno mundi . before christ , and governed forty eight years . this king or emperour came from babylon to samaria , which was miles . there he so streightly besieged menahem king of israel , that he was constrained to give him * talents of silver to raise his siege and depart , reg. . from samaria he returned back again to babylon , miles . so all travels of phul belochus were miles . the travels of tiglat phulasser king of the assyrians . tiglat phulasser signifies , the assyrian conquerour . he was also called tiglath philasser , reg. . which name is attributed to him , either because he carried away the children of israel captives , or else because of the conquest that he had of all galilee , and over the tribe of naphtaly , which he carried into assyria . he succeeded his father phul belochus in the government of the assyrians , an. mundi . before christ . and reigned twenty five years . when re●n king of the assyrians ( joyning his army with pekah son of remalia king of israel , ) had streightly besieged ierusalem , ahaz was constrained to crave aid of this tiglath phulasser , and sent him great presents , which he accepted kindly , and brought his army from niniveh to damascus , miles ; where he put re●n , and the whole city to the sword , reg. . from damascus he came with his army into the land of israel , which was miles , where he overcame pek●h in a great battel ( conquered all the land of gilead and the tribe of naphtaly , and put a great multitude of the israelites into perpetual exile ; reg. . from thence he went back to niniveh , miles . a little after this , king tiglath phulasser went from niniveh to ierusalem , miles , where he so streightly besieged that wicked king ahaz , that he was constrained to give him great abundance of gold and silver to raise his siege and be gone , chr. . from ierusalem he returned back to niniveh , being miles . so all his travels were miles . of the city niniveh you may read after , in the travels of ionas the prophet . of kyr , which is commonly called cyrene . kyr or cyrene is scituated in africa , miles from ierusalem westward . in which country simon that bore the cross of christ was born , mat. . luke . it signifies in hebrew , a strong wall : and in latine a heart the travels of king salmanasser . salmanasser signifieth , the assyrian peace-maker . this man ptolomaeus ( that excellent mathematician ) calleth nabonasarus , that is , the prophet of the assyrians . he began to reign upon the of february , an. mundi , before christ , and reigned ten years or thereabout . this man went with his army from niniveh to samaria , being miles , where he compelled hosea , the last king of israel , to pay him tribute , reg. . from thence he returned back again with his army to nineveh , miles . after , when hosea king of israel ( conspiring with so king of egypt ) denied to pay him tribute , he returned back again the second time to samaria , being miles , and after three years siege , he took and destroyed it with fire and sword , and conquered all the countrey round about . from samaria he returned back again to nineveh , miles . so all the travels of salmanasser king of the assyrians were miles . the travels of senacharib king of the assyrians . sen●charib , as melan●thon expounds it , signifieth a two-edged sword. he succeeded his father salmanasser , an. mund. . before christ , . he reigned seven years . this man , imitating his father , endeavoured to carry away the rest of gods people into captivity : for which purpose he brought an army from nineveh to lachis , which was miles , which town he besieged , and sent his princes to ierusalem , being twenty miles , where he blasphemed the lord : of which you may read more in the history of king hezekiah . from lachis he went to libnah , eight miles . this was a strong hold , but he besieged it so narrowly , that within a while after he had begun the siege , he took it . while he was before this town , there came news , that taracha king of the ethiopians had invaded his countrey . wherefore he sent the second time messengers to ierusalem . but the lord was offended with their blasphemy , wherefore he sent his angel , who in one night destroyed of his army . this sudden and unexpected evil falling upon him , in a great fear he returned to niniveh , miles , where he was slain by his sons in the temple . the fame of these things was so divulged abroad , that herodotus , lib. . makes mention of them . so these three journeys make miles . of lachis and libnah you may read before . of assarhaddon king of the assyrians . assarhaddon ( his father senacharib being slain ) succeeded in the government , anno mundi , which agreeth with the year before christ , and reigned ten years in niniveh , the chief city of the assyrians . here again the mutation and change of kingdoms may be observed ; for merodach , a chaldaean , rebelling against senacharib , continued his government in babylon eleven years , that is , during a part of the reign of senacharib , and all the reign of assarhaddon his son ; in which time he conquered the assyrians , and made them subject to the empire of the babylonians . of merodach , the first emperour of the babylonians . merodach signifieth , a bitter repentance . he was the son of baladan , prince of babylon , who ruled at such time as senacharib had that grievous overthrow in iudah . wherefore taking advantage of the time , and the necessity of that prince , he rebelled against him and his son assarhaddon taking upon him the absolute command of the city and whole empire . the beginning of whose reign happened in the year of the world , and before christ . this merodach sent to ierusalem wise and learned men with gifts and presents to king ezekiah , just in that year when the sun went back ten degrees , to know the truth of this miracle . for it was a custom amongst the nations round about ierusalem , ( if any thing happened beyond the expectation of man ) to send thither to inquire the truth thereof . such and so wise a people were the iews esteemed in those times , as may appear by divers places of the holy scripture . in the beginning of the twelfth year of this king , assa●haddon emperour of the assyrians died ; after whose death he became emperour of all assyria and chaldea . he began to reign over that spatious kingdom , anno mundi , , before christ , and reigned after that forty years . of ben-merodach , emperour of babylon . ben-merodach , that is , the son of merodach , succeeded his father , anno mundi , , before christ . he reigned twenty one years . of nebuchadnezzar , first of that name , emperour of babylon . nebuchadonezar or nebuchadnezzar , signifieth a divine judge . he was the most potent king of all the babylonian . this man obtained the chief command over the babylonians . empire , anno mundi , , before christ . he reigned thirty five years , and held his court sometime in babylon , sometimes in niniveh , iud. . he made war with pharaoh necho king of aegypt , of which battel you may read , reg. . chr. . in the valley of megiddo , where iosias was slain . herod . lib. . doth also make mention of this battel , and calls the place by the name of magdalum . of which ieremy also speaketh . but they were towns in the tribe of manasses , scituated near to the plain where this battel was fought : in which country mary magdalen was born . the travels of nebuchadnezzar , the second of that name , emperour of babylon nebuchadnezzar , or nebuchadonozor the great , which ptolomaeus calleth nebupollasser , about the end of the third year of ioachim king of iudah ( being a little before created emperour , his father yet living ) came unto ierusalem , which he besieged so streightly , that he constrained ioachim to pay him tribute for thirty seven years . berosus saith , lib. . a little after , that is , anno mundi . before christ , , he was sent against the syrians , phoenicians , and aegyptians that rebelled . so he went with his army from babylon to carchemis , a city of syria , scituated near the river euphrates , which was miles . here he overcame pharaoh-necho king of aegypt in a great battel , ier. . herod . lib. . from carchemis , he went to ierusalem , which was miles ; here he took daniel and his companions captive , and brought them to babylon . after , he went with his army to pelusio , being miles , which he took , conquered all the land of aegypt , put to death pharaoh-necho , and made psammeticus his son king in his place . ieremy the prophet told of this war , cap. . . from pelusio he returned to babylon , miles . within a while after , his father died , and he succeeded in the government , and reigned forty three years . in the eleventh year of ioachim king of iudah , he went again from babylon to ierusalem , which was miles , and by policy took that city , and put ioachim the king thereof to death , according to the prophecy of ieremy , cap. . kin. . from thence ( after he had made iechonias his son king ) he returned back again to babylon , miles . about three months after , he went the third time back to ierusalem , miles ; for he feared iechonias would rebell and revenge the death of his father ioachim . kin. . in the eighth year of his reign he took iechonias , mardoche , and other iews of the nobility , and carried them captive to babylon , which was miles , kin. . chr. . est. . nine years after , he came the fourth time to ierusalem , being miles , and besieged the city , because of the impiety and rebellion of zedekiah king thereof . during this siege he took divers towns , but chiefly lachis and aseka , ier. . but when he understood that pharaoh was coming with an army out of egypt , to rescue zedekiah , he raised his camp , and went about eighty miles into the countrey of egypt ; which pharaoh hearing , was abashed , and turned back again . in the absence of this emperour , ieremy the prophet being then within the city , having foretold the destruction thereof , would have fled thence for his better safety , into the tribe of benjamin : but by the way he was taken in the gate of benjamin , and cast into prison , ier. . within a while after , according to the prophecy of ieremy , nebuchadnezzar returned out of the desart of sur , whither he went to meet the aegyptians , being eighty miles , and utterly destroyed the city of ierusalem , carrying thence the vessels and ornaments of the temple to babylon , kin. . chr. . from ierusalem he went to riblah , in the tribe of naphtaly , eighty miles , where he put out zedekia's eyes , and kill'd his children , kin. . from riblah he carried zedekiah to babylon , which was miles ; where he died miserably in prison , kin. . afterward nebuchadnezzar went with his army from babylon to tyrus , which he won , and pittifully wasted with fire and sword , according to the prophecy of ezekiel , cap. . being miles . from tyrus he went to aegypt , and passed miles through that kingdom , conquering all the countries and provinces as he went along , even the ammonites , the moabites , philistines , idumaeans , and aegypt it self , all which countries he made tributary to him , isa. , , . ier. , , , . ez. . . from aegypt he returned to babel , miles . from that time , till his death , he was emperour of all those kingdoms . in the second year of his empire , daniel expounded unto him his wonderful dream , under the similitude of an image , setting forth the condition of the four monarchies of the world , dan. . not long after , he caused sidrack , misack , and abednego to be cast in a fiery furnace , because they refused to worship the golden image which he had set up ; dan. . also this nebuchadnezzar , for his great pride and arrogancy , was by god strucken mad , and into a deep melancholy , in which disease he continued for the space of seven years , tied in bonds and chains , running up and down like a beast , and seeding upon grass and roots ; until he came to understand , that god the governour of heaven and earth , had the disposing of kingdoms and governments , giving them to whom he list , and again taking them away . at the end of which time he was restored again to his understanding and empire : and after beautified the city of babylon with many goodly buildings , fair orchards , and pleasant places , as iosep. lib. ant. . ●aith . and when he had reigned forty three years died , and was buried by his father in babylon , an. mundi . and before christ . so all the travels of nebuchadonozor , or nebuchadnezzar , were miles . the description of the cities and places that have not as yet been mentioned . of carchemis . this was a city in the country of syria near euphrates , miles from ierusalem north-ward , and signifies , a sacrificed lamb ; being derived of car , which signifies a ram or lamb , and mosch , he hath cut in pieces . it may also be taken in the third conjugation , for a lamb sacrificed to the idol chemosch or chamos , the god of meetings , or nightly salutations . of pelusio . this city peluso was built by peleus the father of achilles , from whence it took the name . it stands in egypt , some miles from ierusalem south-westward , near to the gate of nilus called pelusiachus , where it falleth into the mediterranean sea. not far from this city , in the mountain casius , upon the borders of arabia-petraea ( where the temple of iupiter casius stood ) is to be seen the tomb of pompey the great , beautified and adorned by adrianus caesar , as capitolinus saith . at this day this city is called by the name of damiata . you may read of it , ezek. cap. . of tyrus , or zor . tyrus signifieth cheese , or to congeal together , as cheese doth of milk ; something alluding to the hebrew word zor , signifying to make strait , or a rock having a strait and sharp edge . it was the metropolitan city of phoenicia , now the haven or passage of sur : but in ancient time it was called sarra , aul. gel. lib , . cap. . it was scituated upon a very high rock , compassed about with the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem northward , and a famous mart town for all the holy land. by the description of ezekiel it seems to have been like unto venice , both in scituation and dignity , ez. . ierem. . esay . . and many other prophets prophesied against this town , saying , out of the land of kithim ( that is , from macedonia ) the destroyer of tyrus should come . as after hapned : for , alexander the great , king of macedon , besieged that town , and in the seventh month after took it ; for the obtaining whereof , he was constrained to fill up the sea which compassed it about , containing paces , and made it firm land for his army to pass upon to the walls of the city . in this country that famous civilian vlpian was born , as he writeth , lib. . ff . de censibus . and upon the borders of tyrus and sidon christ cured the daughter of a canaanitish woman , of a devil , mat. . wherefore you shall read more of it in the second tomb. of evil merodach , emperour of the babylonians and assyrians . amilinus evil-merodach , son of nebuchadonosor the great , succeeded his father , an. mun. . before christ , . in the first year of his reign he set at liberty iechonias king of iuda , and attributed to him the title , dignity , and maintenance of a king , iechonias being then fifty five years of age , and thirty seven after he had been in captivity , king. ult . ier. ult . whence it is concluded by most , that this emperour did also embrace the doctrine of daniel , concerning the true god , as did nebuchadonosor his father ; who had before by publick edict professed it to the whole state , and caused it to be published through his dominions , and therefore shewed favour and mercy toward king iechonias . and from thence it is thought , that those which were impious princes about him , called him amelinus , that is , the circumcised ; being derived of mol , which signifies to circumcise , and evil , simple and foolish merodach . his wife's name was nitocris , according to herod . lib. . she was a very magnificent and wise woman , set up many fair and goodly buildings in babylon , and was the mother of balthasar , the last emperour of the assyrians , dan. . of niriglissoroor emperour of babylon . niriglissoroor ( whose syrname was regassa● ) son-in-law to nebuchadnezzar the great , having slain evil-merodach , his wifes brother , reigned over the babylonians and assyrians four years , as berosus saith . of labassardach , the last emperour of the babyl●nians . labassardach , the son of niriglissoroor , succeeded his father ▪ he reig●ed only nine months , and died without heir male . of balthazar nabonidus , the last emperour of the babylonians and assyrians . anno mundi , , and before christ , , balthazar nabonidus , whose sirname was labynitus , the son of evil-merodach and nitocris , obtained the empire , and reigned seventeen years , according to berosus ; with ioseph . cont . app. alexand. polyb. apud eusebium , praep. lib , . l. . alphae . hist. with euseb. calleth this king nabinidochus . this is that balthazar ( saith iosephus , lib. ant. . cap. . ) which daniel , cap. . calleth the son of nebuchadonosor , though indeed he was but his son's son , as may be gathered from that of ier. cap. . all nations shall serve nebuchadonosor , and his son , and his son's son. b●lthasar signifies , the host of the lord destroying his enemies . labynitus signifies , a shaken sword. this man , as he was celebrating a great feast unto venus , ( whom they call in the assyrian tongue myleta ) amongst a great multitude of his nobility , and in that using extraordinary excess and blasphemy against the lord ; in the midst of his feast and all his merriments , he saw a hand writing upon the wall , which left these words , mene , mene , tekel vpharsin , of which you may read more , dan. . some say , that at this very time the city was taken by cyrus , emperour of the persians , and he put to the sword in those sports and pastimes . but certain it is , that he was slain at a banquet , lost his empire , and was the last of the assyrian emperours : but whether at that time , i refer it to the opinion of the reader . the travels of the kings of aegypt that fought against the kings of judah . and first of sisack , who made war upon rehoboam the son of solomon . that proud and presumptuous prince sisack ( which signifies a garment of silk ) in the last year of his reign ( which was the first of rehoboam the son of solomon ) came with chariots and horse , from memphis to ierusalem , which was miles ; bringing in his army a great multitude of people of divers nations , as lybians , ethiopians , &c. with this company he besieged ierusalem , and took it , wasted the city , spoiled the temple , and took thence the golden shields which solomon had made , and destroyed that fair and beautiful house which solomon had built . from whence that saying of his own was verified , eccles. that it is a great evil upon the earth , for a man to take care to lay up riches and treasures in this world , yet knoweth not who shall inherit it . for those things which a little before he had with great labour and pains builded and beautified , within less than twenty years after , were destroyed and made desolate by this king. from ierusalem , sisack returned with the spoils of the temple and city , to memphis in aegypt , which was miles , and in the year following he was stricken by the lord with a grievous disease , of which he died miserably . so these two journeys were miles . the travels of pharaoh necho king of egypt , who made war upon josiah king of judah . necho signifies an enemy or invader . this man was one of the greatest of all the egyptian kings , who , in the thirteenth year of his reign made war upon nebuchadnezzar the first , and in the valley of megiddo , near to magdala , miles from memphis , fought a great battel , wherein iosiah king of iudah was wounded to death . from the valley of megiddo , pharaoh necho went to the river euphrates , miles , where he fought a second battel with nebuchadnezzar , upon a plain near to carchemis , where he lost the day , and was put to flight . from carchemis he fled to riblah , in the land of israel , being miles ; where , in the land of chaemath , near to the lake samachonites , he overcame 〈◊〉 king of iudah , and took him prisoner . from riblah , pharaoh necho led ioachas bound to ierusalem , miles , and made ioachim his brother king in his place . from ierusalem he returned to memphis , miles . within four years after , he went the second time with a great army from memphis to the river euphrates , miles . but there he was the second time overcome by nebuchadnezzar , and constrained to fly thence back again to memphis in egypt , being miles . but nebuchadnezzar followed him with an army of chosen men , and conquered all egypt , took pharaoh necho , and made his son psammeticus king in his place , who was the second of that name . of this battel there is mention , ier. ca. . . so all the travels of pharaoh necho were miles . the travels of the holy prophets : and first , of the prophet eliah . eliah the prophet went from thisbe ( which was in the land of gilead ) to samaria , twenty four miles , where he told the wicked king ahab , that there should be neither rain nor dew for the space of seven years , reg. . from samaria he went to the river ●erith , twenty four miles , where he was fed by a raven . from kerith he went to sarepta , being an hundred miles , where he sojourned with a poor widow that found him necessaries , whose son he restored to life , reg. . from sarepta he went to mount carmel in the land of israel , being sixty miles ; and by the way as he went he met obadiah ( which signifieth , the servant of the lord ) and king ahab , whom he rebuked sharply because of his idolatry . also upon this mountain he put all b●al's priests to death , and prayed unto the lord , who sent rain upon the earth in great abundance , reg. . from mount carmel he ran by king ahab's chariot to iezreel , which was accounted miles . after , when queen iesabel threatned his death , he departed thence , and went to beersaba , eighty four miles , reg. . from beersaba he went one dayes jouney into the wilderness of paran , because he thought to remain there safe from the mischief of iesabel , which vvas tvventy miles from beersaba , southvvard . here the angel of the lord brought him meat as he vvas sitting under a juniper-tree , reg. . by vertue of this meat , eliah travelled from thence to mount horeb , or sinai , eighty miles ; and continued there forty dayes and forty nights , vvithout meat or drink . there the lord spake to eliah , as he stood in the ●ntrance of a cave , his face being covered vvith his mantle , reg. . from the mount sinai or horeb , he returned to abel-mehola , being miles , vvhere he called elizeus the son of saphas to the ministerial function , and office of a prophet , reg. . from thence he vvent to damascus , miles , vvhere he anointed hazael king of syria , reg. . from damscus , elias vvent to mount carmel , vvhere he dvvelt , vvhich vvas accounted miles . from mount carmel he vvent to iezreel , sixteen miles ; there , in the vineyard of naboth , ( whom iezabel caused to be stoned to death ) he sharply reprehended ahab for his impiety and idolatry , reg. . from iezreel he returned back again to his own house to carmel , sixteen miles . from thence he went to samaria , which was thirty two miles , where he answered the servants of king ahaziah , whom he had sent to enquire of b●alzebub , the idol of ekron , concerning his health , saying , go and tell your master that sent you , that the god of israel saith , because thou hast sent to ask counsel of baalzebub , the idol of ekron , and thinkest there is no god in israel , therefore thou shalt not rise off the bed whereon thou liest , but shalt surely dye , reg. . soon after , elias returned to mount carmel , being miles ; where the two captains with their companies of fifty that were sent to take him , were consumed with fire from heaven , reg. . from mount carmel he went to samaria with the third captain , thirty two miles , where he prophecied of the death of king ahaziah , reg. . from samaria he returned back again to mount carmel , thirty two miles . from thence he went to gilgal , fifty two miles . from gilgal he went with elizeus to the town of bethel , being six miles , reg. . from thence to iericho , four miles , reg. . from iericho he and elizeus went to iordan , which was six miles , through which river they went upon dry ground . now as they were speaking one to another , upon the east-side of the river , behold a fiery chariot came with fiery horses , and took elias up alive into heaven , after he had governed the church thirty years , an. mundi , , and before christ , . reg. . so all the travels of eliah the prophet were miles . of the cities and places to which he travelled . of thisbe . in this town the prophet eliah was born , it being scituated in the land of gilead beyond iordan , miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . it taketh the name from captivity ; being derived of chabah , he hath led into captivity . of kerith . the river kerith ( where the ravens fed elias runneth from mount e●hraim between bethel and iericho , eight miles from ierusalem towards the north , and so passing along towards the east , falleth into the river iordan , reg. . the kerethites were such as guarded the person of the king , which in the prophet david's time were called mighty men ; taking their name from striking and cutting , being derived of charath , he hath smitten , or cut in sunder . of zarpath , or sarepta . this was a city of the sidonians , where they found much metal of divers kinds ; lying between tyrus and sidon , miles from ierusalem towards the north , and taketh the name from zoraph , which signifies , to try , or burn with fire . there is at this time but eight houses in all the town , although by the ruines it seemeth to have been in times past a very fair city . the inhabitants thereof take upon them to shew the chamber wherein elias the prophet sometimes lived , when he raised the widows child to life . before the gate of the city also there is shewed a certain chappel , where ( they say ) elias first spake with the widow , reg. . of abelmehola . this was a town in the tribe of manasses , on this side iordan in the mid-way between sichem and salem , some miles from ierusalem northward . at this day it is called abisena ; where there are found certain ruines of marble pillars , by which may be gathered , that in times past it hath been a very beautiful city . it seemeth to have taken the name from a great lamentation or mourning : for abel signifieth to lament and bewail ; and machol , a company . the typical signification of elias . elias , according to the interpretation of st. ierome , signifies , the minister of iehovah : but as others would have it , eliah , is as much as , my god iehovah . he was a type of st. iohn baptist , who was sent before to prepare the way of our lord and saviour jesus christ. of this you may read more malach. . matt. , . isa. . &c. the travels of the prophet elisaeus , or elisha . elisha followed elias through divers countries , and became as it were his servant , pouring water upon his hands , and ministring to him , reg. . reg. . elisha went with eliah from gilgal to bethel , which was six miles , reg. . from bethel they both went to iericho , which was four miles . from iericho he went beyond iordan , six miles ; where his master was taken from him up into heaven , and his spirit was doubled upon him , reg. . from thence he returned back again to iericho , which was six miles , passing through the river iordan upon dry ground ; by which miracle the children of the prophets ( viz. such as studied divinity at iericho ) did certainly know that the spirit of his master elias rested upon him . near to this town , he ●lung salt into a river , by which the water was made sweet , reg. . from iericho , elisha returned to bethel , which was four miles : here the children that mock'd him , saying , come up thou bald-pate , &c. in contempt of his age and office , were devoured by two bears , reg. . from bethel he walked to mount carmel , which was fifty six miles . from thence he went to samaria , which was about thirty two miles . from thence he went to the three kings , viz. ioram king of israel , iehosaphat king of ierusalem , and the king of the idumaeans , into the desart of arabia-petraea , which was miles : here he prayed unto the lord , and he sent them water , lest they should have perished with thirst , reg. . from the desart of arabia-petraea he returned back to samaria , which was miles , where he relieved a certain widow-woman that was afflicted with poverty and want , miraculously , by a cruse of oyl , reg. . iosephus lib. antiq. . supposeth this woman to be the widow of obediah the king's steward ; of whom you may read before , who did hide and maintain a certain number of the prophets of the lord in a cave , reg. . from samaria , elisha went o●tentimes to a town called sunem , as he returned to samaria to carmel , which was miles distant . here a certain rich woman observing his often passage to and fro by that town , built him a little chamber wherein he might rest himself after his journey ; to which place he often resorted , and in recompence of this benefit ( although she had been long barren ) he prophecied , that within a year she should have a son , which accordingly she had , to her great joy and comfort , reg. . from sunem he went to carmel , being miles . from thence he returned back again to sunem , to the woman where he used to lie , which was miles : here he restored her son to life , reg. . from thence he went to gilgal , which is distant from sunem thirty six miles towards the south : here he fed men with twenty barley loaves , reg. . from gilgal he went to samaria , which is accounted twenty miles : to this place naaman the syrian came to him to be healed of his leprosie , reg. . from samaria he went to iordan , which was eight miles ; here he made a hatchet of iron that fell into the water , to swim , reg. . from iordan he went to dothan , where the children of iacob sold their brother ioseph to the midianites , which was eight miles ; here the angels of the lord compassed him and his servant about , lest they should have been taken by the army of the syrians , and god struck the syrians with blindness , reg. . from thence he led the army of the syrians ( being thus made blind ) to samaria , being twelve miles , and delivered them to the king of israel , upon condition that he should give them meat and drink to refresh themselves and suffer them to depart in peace , which he did , reg. . from samaria he went to sunem , which was sixteen miles ; here he advised the woman where he used to lye , to travel thence to some other place , because of the famine that should follow , and continue for seven years , reg. . from sunem he went damascus , being miles : there he told hazael , that he should succeed his master benhadad in the government of the syrians , reg. . from damascus he returned to samaria , which was miles , where soon after he fell sick and died ; his body was buried near to samaria , where the lord a long time after his death shewed a wonderful miracle ; for a dead man being thrown into his sepulchre , was restored again to life by touching of his bones , reg. . this man governed the church of god amongst the children of israel sixty years after the death of elias . so all the travels of elisha were miles . concerning the towns and places mentioned in his travels , you may read before . the typical signification of elisha . elisha or elischa signifieth , the salvation of god ; being derived of el , that is , god ; and iaschag , he hath saved : from hence jesus , a saviour ; because this prophet was a notable type of our saviour jesus christ : for as elisha was anointed priest by the prophet eliah ; so christ was the anointed priest of the father : and as elisha did many works of mercy and miracles , to make evident gods power and providence ; so our saviour christ went from place to place , shewing mercy to the blind , lame , and impotent , upon them working wonderful miracles , that thereby his doctrine might be made evident to the world , and all such as trust in him , be made capable of eternal happiness . the travels of the shunamite , whose son , elisha had raised from death to life . from sunem she went to mount carmel , and besought elisha to come and raise her son from death to life ; which was sixteen miles , reg. . from thence she and elisha returned back again to sunem , which was sixteen miles ; and there he delivered her son unto her alive , reg. . from sunem ( having buried her husband ) she travelled into the land of the philistines , because of the famine that was to come suddenly after , being fifty six miles , reg. . from the land of the philistines , she returned to samaria , which was forty miles , reg. . from samaria she returned to sunem , which was sixteen miles . so all her travels were miles . of the prophet isaiah or jesaia . jesaia , or ieschaia , is all one in signification with elisha , that is , a saviour . he was the son of amos ( which signifieth , strength ) and by consequence , ozia king of iudah was his cousin-german , as may appear by this genealogy following . iosas ofiuda . amasiah king of iuda . ozias king of iuda . iotham king of iuda . ahas king of iuda . ezekias king of iuda . manasses king of iuda , who caused isaiah to be slain . amos , isaias father . isaias had two daughters , sear iasub , that is , the rest remaining : and was a sign of the rest of the posterity of iuda that should remain and dwell there , isa. . mahez schatal , that is , a sudden destruction : for this second daughter of isay did denote the immediate desolation of the kingdoms of syria and samaria . from whence it plainly appeareth , that the prophet esaias was of the stock of david , and lineage of christ ; for which cause , in the fifth chapter of his prophecy , he calleth him his beloved . he began to teach publickly in the year of the world , ▪ and before christ . and governed the church eighty years and more , until the time of manasses , who caused him to be cut in pieces with a saw. in anno mundi . before christ . isay saw the lord sitting upon a high throne in great majesty , the lower part whereof filled the temple , and the seraphins compassed him round about , esa. . cherubins are glorious and bright shining angels , of a fiery nature : for saraph signifieth , he hath turned to fire . his doctrine was twofold , that is , partly concerning the law , partly the gospel , as may appear by his prophesie ; in the first forty chapters whereof , the doctrine of the law is set ●orth , with sharp reprehensions for sin : in the first four of which , are grievous accusations of sinners for breach of the first commandment ; the other , for the most part , prophecy of horrible punishments , mutations , and change of government ; but principally , of the iews , babylonians , assyrians , syrians , and aegyptians . from the ●ortieth to the end of the book , is contained the doctrine of the gospel , and of the kingdom of our saviour jesus christ ; which he hath set forth with such excellent eloquence , figures , and amplifications , that he may be compared with the best orator that ever wrote . the travels of the prophet jeremias . 〈◊〉 or ●eremiah , signifieth , the exalted of the lord : he was born in the tribe of benjamin , in a city of the priests called anathoth , and from thence came to ierusalem , being two miles , and continued there for forty years , teaching and prophecying . from ierusalem he was sent to euphrates , where , in the cliff of a rock , he hid his girdle , ier. . being miles . from the river euphrates he returned back again to ierusalem , miles . a little after , the lord sent him back again to euphrates , ( miles ) to fetch his girdle , and l●e it was putrefied . from thence he returned back again the second time to ierusalem , miles . from ierusalem he was led captive bound in chains , with other prisoners , to ramath , a city in mount ephraim , being eight miles ; there nabuzaradan , the chief captain , caused him to be set at liberty . from ramath he went to mispah , which is eight miles ; where he continued a while with gediliah prince of the iews , which man had the chief command of certain cities of iudaea under nabuchadnezzar . but in the seventh year of the captivity of the people of israel , ishmael that was of the stock and progeny of david , ( hoping to obtain the government of iuda ) made war upon gediliah , and put him to death ; wherefore ieremy went from thence with iohn the son of kareach , prince of the iews , to bethlem euphrata , eight miles , ier. . now when he had stayed a while in a village near bethlem , called geruth chimeham , where sometime chimeham the son of barzilla● lived , sam. . he prophesied , saying , if you stay in this land you shall do well , neither shall any evil happen unto you ; but if you depart hence into aegypt , they shall devour you with famine and with the sword , jer. . but iohn and the rest of the princes would give no credit to the words of ieremy , but went into aegypt , and compelled the prophet to go along with them : so they went from bethlehem to tachpanes , which was miles . here the second time ieremy prophesied unto them , saying , behold , nebuchadnezzar shall come hither and wast and destroy all the country of aegypt , beat down the images of bethsemes , ( or heliopolis ) and carry away the aegyptians into perpetual captivity , jer. . but the people of israel being moved to anger because of his words , stoned him to death . so the travels of the prophet ieremiah were miles . concerning the towns and places mentioned in the travels of this prophet , you may read of them before , except geruth-chimeham , which stood close by bethlehem . it taketh the name from a stranger or traveller being derived of gor , which signifieth , he hath travelled ; and tachpanes which was a city of egypt , some miles from ierusalem ; where the prophet ieremy was stoned to death ; it is oftentimes called the name of taphniis . the travels of urijah the prophet . urias , or vriah , signifies , illuminated , or inlightned of the lord. he was born at kirjath-jearim , a mile from ierusalem towards the west : from thence he came to ierusalem , and there prophesied of the destruction of the city . after , when king ioachim went about to take away his life , he fled thence into egypt , miles . but the king sent messengers into egypt , and fetch'd vrijah back again to ierusalem , and hundred and sixty miles , and there cut off his head , and caused his body to be thrown into the sepulchre of a poor despised man , that it might not be known that he had been a prophet of the lord. so all his travels were miles . of hananias the false prophet . hananias , or chanania signifieth , the grace of god. this false prophet was a gibeonite , and came from gibeon to ierusalem , which was four miles ; where he took the woodden yoaks from the neck of ieremiah the prophet : but ieremiah caused iron yoaks to be made in their places , and told hananias , that for his falshood , that year he should surely dye , as after he did . of the prophet ezekiel . ezekiel or iechezkel , signifies the strength or fortitude of god. he was carried captive , with others of the nobility of the iews , from ierusalem to babylon , which was miles , the same year that nebuchadnezzar put king ioachim to death : within five years after , ( a little before easter ) the book of the law was found , chron. . he began to prophesie in babylon , anno mundi , before christ , ; at which time he saw his first visions , near to the river chebar . of the river chebar . the river chebar was near babylon in chaldaea ( upon the borders of mesopotamia , falling into euphrates ; and was often times called aborras , according to the opinion of many learned men . strabo in the sevententh book of his geography saith , that there is another river between tygris and euphrates , called basilius : aborras passeth along by the city of athemusia , and is a very fair stream , from whence it is called chebar , which signifies , a swift and spacious river . near to this river the prophet ezekiel saw the glory and majesty of our lord jesus christ , in a bright shining cloud . in this place also dwelt many iews , to whom he prophecied and foretold the destruction of ierusalem by nebuchadnezzar , and the captivity of zedekiah . the travels of the prophet daniel . daniel signifies , the judge of god. in the reign of ioachim king of iud●h , he was carried away captive from ierusalem to babylon , by nabuchadonozor , which was miles , and there with his fellows learned the arts and language of the chaldeans , for three years . he was then but young , about some nineteen or twenty years of age , and lived in exile ninety one years , until the third year of cyrus emperour of the persians , about which time he saw his last vision , and a little after died , when he was about years of age , as may be gathered by the circumstances of histories and times . from babylon he went to susan in persia , anno mundi , , and before christ , , being then ninety four years of age , which was miles , where , near to the flood eulaeus , he had a vision of a ram and a goat ; which set forth the state of the second monarchy ( which was that of the graecians . ) in this vision gabriel the arch-angel , appeared to daniel , dan. . this was in the third year of king balthasar . from susan , daniel returned to babylon , which was miles ; here he interpreted to balthasar the meaning of these words , mene , mene , tekel euphar sin , dan. . from babylon he went to the river tygris or hidekel , which was thirty six miles : here , in the third year of cyrus king of persia , he saw his last vision , which is described in the tenth , eleventh , and twelfth chapters of his prophecy . from tygris , he returned to his own house at babylon , which was thirty six miles . sometimes also in his three last years of his life , he used to goe to egbatan , the metropolitan city of the medes , which was accounted miles from babylon , towards the north-east : here daniel built a fair and and artificial temple , so strongly , that it remained unperished , and retained the ancient beauty many ages , to the great admiration of all the spectators : in it the kings of the medes , persians , and parthians , were for the most part honourably buried : the government whereof was committed to a priest of the iews , as iosephus saith , lib. antiq. . cap. . from egbatan , he returned back again to babylon , which was . miles , and there died , anno mundi , , and before christ , . so all the travels of the prophet daniel were miles . of the places to which he travelled . of susan . svsa , or susan , is so called from a sweet smelling flower ; but chiefly a rose , or a lilly , because it is scituated in a fair and pleasant place . it was a goodly city , lying on both sides the river eulaeus , some furlongs ( that is twenty five miles english ) about , as polycletus saith . and of this city all the country round about is called susana : bordering towards the north upon assyria , towards the west upon babylon , towards the south upon the gulph of persia , and joyneth upon the east part of persia towards the east . there are but two cities that are eminent in it , that is this , and another called tariana . the air in the winter season is very temperate , at which time the earth bringeth forth many pleasant flowers and fruits ; but in the summer it is extream hot ; by which heat all things are scorched and burned away , and by reason of the putrefaction of the air ( as some think ) in that season , there do breed toads , lyzards , and other noysome serpents in great abundance : so that the inhabitants are constrained ( partly because of the heat , partly because of the loathsome and dangerous creatures ) to build their houses all of earth , long and narrow , the walls and roofs being at least a yard thick , that so the heat might not pierce through them , or serpents breed in them , strabo , lib. geograph . . saith , that one tython ( the brother of laomedon king of troy. ) did first build this city , about such time as thol● judged israel . after him his son memnon beautified it with a fair and goodly castle , calling it after his own name , memnon . ( of this man homer speaketh . ) this castle was such a goodly thing , that a long time after his death , the town was called memnon , as strabo observeth : but in hester and daniels's times , it was called susa , and the inhabitants susans . the persian emperors in those times keeping their courts there for the most part , and did greatly beautifie the city with many fair buildings . the first of these emperours that dwelt there was cyrus , who , after he had conquered babylon , assyria , and many other kingdoms and countries lying near to the city susa ; that he might with more ease and better safety retain them in his government , removed his court from persepolis , which lay up in the east part of persia ) to this town , where all the winter season , for the most part , he lived , and in the summer went to ●gbatan , the chief city of media , because there , at that season , the air was very temperate : his successors after him observing the same course for their better conveniency , and to make evident their greater magnificence , repaired the castle of memnon , joyned to it many fair and goodly buildings , and close by it planted a pleasant orchard of diverse and sundry sorts of trees and herbs . it is reported , that the gate whereby they entred into this orchard , was very curiously built , supported with pillars of polished marble , imbossed with silver and gold , very rare to look upon : over it was a banquetting-house , beautified with lively pictures , costly furniture , and beds of gold and silver , covered with rich tapestry , wrought with silk , silver , and gold ; upon these they used to eat their banquets : it was paved with porphire , marble and hyacinths , in such ●ort , as it greatly delighted such as beheld it . the queen had a private garden to her self ; in which were great abundance of trees of divers kinds , and many sweet flowers and herbs : in which garden ahashuerus walked to qualifie the heat of his wrath that he had conceived against that wicked and perfidious haman , who through envy and ambition sought the destruction of the whole nation of the iews ; le●t by giving place unto anger , he should transgress the bounds of clemency and justice : wherefore it becometh every king , prince , and judge , to imitate the example of this emperour , who , in the heat of his anger , would determine nothing of so wicked a man : for long and often deliberation becometh every wise man before he doth any thing , est. . not far from the emperour's palace , in a fair and pleasant garden , there stood a colledge of the magi , that is , such as the persians accounted wise and learned men : these were of such account for their knowledge and understanding amongst that people , that some of them in succeeding ages were chosen for kings and governours in that country . they studied for the most part the mathematicks , history , philosophy , and divinity , and , as many have thought , the prophecies of daniel , ezekiel , and others : wherefore , as is said before , many are of opinion , that the wise men which came into iudaea to see christ , were of this colledge and town , because it stood east from ierusalem . it is at this day called cusistane , as ortelius and sebastian munster witness , and in their times was under the government of one caliphus , emperour of the saracens . this caliphus was strongly besieged by one allan the great , king of tartaria , in this town , anno. dom. . but because of his exceeding covetousness and parcimony , he lost the city and was famished to death . of the river eulaeo . ulai , which stra. li. . calleth eulaea , passed through the city , of susa , and , as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . took the beginning at media , and so fell into a hole or cavern of the earth , and passed under the ground , till it came near to the city susa , where it brake forth again , and compassed about the tower of susa , and a temple in the city dedicated to diana . the inhabitants hold this river in great estimation , insomuch as the kings drink of no other water , and for that purpose carry it a great way . strabo , according to the testimony of polycletus , saith , that there are two other rivers of good account , which pass through persia , viz. choas●es and tygris , but neither of them are in like estimation as this is . of elam . persia in antient times was called after this name , from elam the son of sem. but after perseus had obtained a large and spacious government in that country , it was after his name called persia. elam signifieth , a youth , or a young man. of egbatana , or egbatan . this is the metropolitan city of the medes , and is distant from ierusalem miles towards the north-west , built by deioce king of the medes , as herod . l. . saith . here daniel built a fair temple , of which you may read more in his travels . of this town you may read more in the travels of iudith . the typical signification of daniel . daniel signifies , the iudge of god : typically representing christ who is appointed by that eternal iehovah to be judge of all things both quick and dead , and rescueth his church , which is ( as a rose compassed about with thorns ) oppressed with the tyranny and cruelty of evil and wicked men , casting those false judges and merciless governours into eternal exile and the pit destruction . and , as the prophet was innocently condemned , cast into the lions den , and had the door sealed upon him , and , to the judgment of man , no hope of life , or means to escape was left him , yet , by the providence of god was delivered out of this danger , and came thence safe and untouch'd , dan. . so our saviour was innocently condemned , cast into the grave , sealed up among the dead , and to common judgment , left as a man out of mind ; yet early in the morning , at the appointed time , by the power of his deity , he raised himself up from this pit of hell ( the grave ) and gloriously triumphed over it and death . of the prophet hosea . this prophet hosea was born in a town called bemeloth , or bethmeloth , ( as dorothe●s sometime bishop of tyre saith ) which was a town in the tribe of issachar , not far from bethulia , some fifty two miles from ierusalem toward the north , near to which place holofernes afterward pitched his tents , extending thence to the field of esdrelon , and the town chelmon , from whence it seemeth this town taketh the name . he prophesied in israel eight hundred years before christ ; his name ●ignifieth , a saviour , being derived of hoschiag , the third conjugation of iaschag , that is , he hath saved , mat. . of the prophet joel . joel signifies god's own , as st. ierom expoundeth it . he prophesied eight hundred years before christ , both in israel and in iudah . he was born in a village which was called ba●homeron , not far from sichem , in the tribe of manasses , as dorotheus the bishop of tyre , saith . of the prophet amos. this man's father dwelt at tekoa , a poor man , one that kept kine , and used to gather wild figs , as appeareth in the first and seventh chapters of amos. in this town amos was born , and followed the profession of his father , but the lord called him to be a prophet ; and then he went to bethel , which was twelve miles distant . here he reprehended ieroboam king of israel , for idolatry and worshipping the golden calf ; after , he was accused by amasia the chief priest of the idols in bethel , and bound in chains ; and at length , vria , the son of this amasia , struck him upon his head with a spear , whereby he was mortally wounded . from bethel , being sick , he was carried back to tecoa , which was twelve miles ; where , a little after , he died , as st. ierom witnesseth , in whose time his monument was to be seen . amos signifies , a burthen , as indeed he was to the wicked israelites , he so sharply reprehended them in his sermons of the law. he lived eight hundred years before christ. so his travels were miles . of the prophet obediah . obediah signifies , god's obedient servant , of abad , he hath served , or been obedient . he lived six hundred years before christ , about the time of the captivity of babylon . st. ierom saith , that in his time there were to be seen in the city of samaria , the monuments of three prophets , that is , of elisha , obediah , and iohn baptist. but some think that obediah the prophet lay not buried in samaria , but rather it was the sepulchre of that obediah which lived in the time of ahab , that hid a hundred of the lord's prophets , fifty in one cave , and fifty in another , between which there were three hundred years difference . the travels of the prophet jonah . this prophet ionas was born in gath hepher , which was a town in the tribe of zabulon , from whence to samaria is accounted thirty two miles : here he prophecied to ieroboam ( second of that name ) k●ng of israel , that he should recover hemath and damascus , and so to the plain of the red sea , reg. . from ●amaria to ioppa , or iapho , a port town upon the sea shore , ( to which ionas went when he fled from the lord ) was thirty eight miles : but the lord stirred up a great wind when ionas was upon the sea , that the mariners cast him out , and he was devoured of a whale , ionas . that whale which had devoured ionas , with a continual course and great violence , in three days and three nights swam to the euxine sea , and there cast him up upon the shore , which was miles , ios. antiq. lib. . from the shore of the euxine sea , ionas went to nineveh , which are eight hundred miles : here ionas preached repentance to the ninevites , ion. . . so all the travels of ionas were miles . of gath hepher . in this town the prophet ionas was born : it was scituated in the tribe of zabulon , sixty miles from ierusalem northward , and four miles from nazareth towards the south . it seems to take the name from abundance of grapes ; for gath ghepher signifieth a wine-press . of japho . japho , or ioppa , was a city or haven-town scituated upon the sea , where all such ships landed as went into iudaea . at this day the turks and saracens call it iafa , lying upon the mediterranean sea , in the tribe of dan , ios. . in a certain mountain twenty miles from ierusalem north-westward . pliny , li. . saith , this city was built before the flood ; and in st. ierom's time there was to be seen the stone to which andromeda was bound when she should have been devoured by a monster of the sea. the poets seign this woman to be the daughter of cepheus , and delivered by perseus king of the persians , whom after she married . it is called iapho , because of the beautiful scituation . some say it was so called of iapheth the son of noah , who first caused it to be built . of tharsis . from ioppa , as is said , the prophet ionas descended into a ship , that he might fly upon the sea. the latine and greek texts read it tharsin ; whence it hapned that many have thought that ionas fled from thar●is a city in cili●●a , in which country st. paul was born . but luther , in his exposition of the prophecy of ionas , doth utterly disallow of this as false ; for the hebrew text reads it not , to tharsin , but in tharsin , that is , into the sea. for the hebrew tongue hath two words or syllables which signifie the sea , which are iam and tharsis . iam signifieth , not only a great sea , but the meeting together of waters , or a lake . so in luke . . the sea of galilee , in which christ and his disciples sailed , is called a lake ; yet ioh. cap. . and the rest of the evangelists call it a sea. so also moses , gen. . calleth the meeting together of the waters , iam ; which may signifie , a sea , and a lake ; but tharsis , or tharschich , denoteth a great sea , and no lake ; or an high and troublesome sea , as the mediteranean sea is . in this paul travelled , and there standeth many islands , as rhodes , cyprus , cicilia , and others ; all which are at this day subject to the turks , venetians , or spaniards . it extendeth it self from ioppa and cilicia , to the streights between spain and mauritania . into this sea , ionas was cast when the whale devoured him . in like manner , the red sea , and all others that are ocean seas , are called tharsis , as appeareth in the psalm , where it said , the kings of tharsis and of the isles shall bring presents . here , the kings whose empires extend themselves along the sea coast are understood . but the city tharsis ( the country of the apostle paul ) is not a kingdom , neither ever had a king , much less many kings . so solomon sent his ships by tharsin ( that is , by sea towards the south-east , into the red sea and eastern ocean ) that they might bring gold , precious stones , and sweet gums from arabia . but the ships could not sail by the red sea unto the town of tharsis , unless they would have sailed over the land , which is impossible , because tharsis lieth into the land from the red sea , as all cosmographers agree . so also the psalmist saith , thou breakest with thy strong winds the ships of tharsis , that is , of the sea ; beside many such like speeches . from whence st. ierom concludes , that tharsis may better signifie the sea , than the city tharsis . of the euxine sea. the euxine ocean is that great and troublesome sea , which , beginning not far from constantinople , runneth from bosphorus and thrace , towards the east and north , containing to the longitude eight hundred miles , but to the latitude two hundred and eighty . towards the south it toucheth upon asia the less ; towards the east , upon calcos ; towards the west , upon thracia and valachia : but towards the north it is ●oyned to the pool of maeotides . this sea in times past was called pontus axenus , that is , the inhospitable countrey ; because , as strabo lib. . of his cosmography saith , the inhabitants near about the sea-shore did usually sacrifice those strangers they got , or else cast their bodies unto dogs to be devoured , making drinking-cups of their skulls . but after , when the ionians had built certain towns upon the sea-coast , and had restrained the incursions of certain scythian thieves , which usually preyed upon merchants that resorted thither ; at the command of pontus their king , who had obtained a large and spatious kingdom in that country , they called it pontus euxinus , which is as much as to say , the hospitable country . ovid testifieth almost the same , concerning the original of the name of this sea , after this manner ; frigida me cohibent euxini littora ponti , dictus ab antiquis axinus ille fuit . the chilly shoars of th' euxine sea constrains me to abide , in antient time call'd axinus , as it along did glide . of ninus , or nineveh . ninvs , or nineveh , was a city of assyria , where the emperours of that country used to keep their courts . it was first built by ninus , that great emperour of the first monarchy , years after the flood , and before christ , about the time when the patriarch abraham was born . it continued in great glory for the space of almost years , and was distant from ierusalem toward the north-east miles : upon the east side joyning to the river tygris , on the north to the caspian sea. it takes the name from the beauty of it , being derived of navah , which signifieth , a comely place , spatious and pleasant . there are many that are of opinion , that in many things it exceeded babylon ; as , for the sumptuousness of the buildings , the strength of the walls , and the extent . the walls were so thick that three chariots might have met upon them without any danger ; and beautified with an hundred and fifty towers . ionas being sent of god to this city , was three days going through it , that is ( as luther expounds it ) through every street of it ; in which time he converted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance . arbaces ( who was called arphaxad ) was then emperour . this arbaces , iustine lib. . calleth arbactus : he was a captain of the medes , who perceiving the effeminate disposition of sardanapalus , the then emperour , taking advantage of the times , and this man's weakness , conspired with some of his companions to usurp upon his government : and that he might make them hate and loath his looseness , brought them into a room where they might see him sitting amongst his harlots , tired in womans apparel , and carding wool. this sight greatly displeasing them , and before being encouraged by arbactus , they seized upon the city , and besieged sardanapalus in his palace . but to prevent the misery of a shameful death , after he had gathered all his riches together , he set fire on his palace , where he , his companions , and treasure perished , this fire continued fifteen days , and happened years before christ : about which time arbactus succeeded sardanapalus , began to reign , and continued his government twenty eight years . but the medes held not the assyrian empire long ; for phul belochus , who at this time reigned in babylon , and his successor tiglath philasser , are called kings of assyria , between whom there happened many great wars , kings , . . from whence may be gathered , that after the death of arbactus , these emperours dwelt in nineveh , and succeeded in the empire . thus was this city greatly defaced with continual evils , the lord before-hand giving them many admonitions and gentle corrections ( if it had been in them to have conceived it ) to win them to repentance ; but they continued still in their sins , therefore , according to their former prophecies , cyaxares king of the medes besieging this town , took it , and destroyed it even unto the ground , as eusebius saith . this desolation happened thirteen years before the destruction of ierusalem , in the eleventh year of sadyattis king of the lydians , who was grandfather to croesus , anno mundi , , before christ , . after this destruction it lay a long time desolate , but at length some part of it was restored , though with much trouble ; and then , when it was at the best estate , constrained to suffer many changes ; and at length utterly destroyed by tamerlane the great the second time , anno mundi , . after this , the inhabitants of that country , upon the east side of the river tygris , began the third time to build it . but whether this third restoring of this city was at the command of some prince that had the government of the country thereabouts , or because of the scituation , or for private profit , it is not set down : nevertheless it is again repaired , standing upon the borders of armenia , beautified with goodly buildings , with fair and spacious streets , compassed about ( as other cities of the east are ) with walls and ditches sufficiently strengthened to oppose the enemy . but in respect of the former nineveh , it seems a small village . it hath a bridge built of ships , lying upon the east side of it over the river tygris ; and upon that side of the river there stand many fair gardens or orchards ; and the land there also is very fertile and pleasant . but upon the west of tygris the soyl is nothing so fruittile . at this day it is called by the name of mossel ; so that although it stands in the same place , yet doth it not retain the same name . to this town there is a great resort of merchants , who bring up their commodities from the rier tygris hither , and from hence convey them to bagdeth , and many other parts of the world. the inhabitants thereof are for the most part nestorians ; of whom you may read before , in the description of the sects remaining in ierusalem at this day . they are had in great account and estimation among the turks , because it is imagined that one of this sect helpt mahomet to compose the alcoran . this nestorius lived anno dom. . and taught at constantinople ; but after he was condemned at ephesus for an heretick , he was constrained to steal from constantinople , and to flie to thebes in aegypt ; where god laid a grievous punishment upon him ; for his tongue began to rot his head , and to consume with vermin , of which he died miserably . the spiritual signification of the prophet jonas . jonas signifieth a dove , and typically representeth christ in his name . for christ was that gracious and innocent dove , who hath made evident to man his singular mercy and clemency , without any shew of bitterness or wrath . then in his affliction ; for as ionas thrust himself into the sea of calamity , and there was swallowed up of a whale , which might be well resembled to the grave , so christ our saviour was cast into the sea of affliction ; the misery and calamity of this world ; and after that , thrust into the jaws of death , the grave ; where ( as ionas did . in the whales belly ) he lay three daies , and then arose again , the earth being unable any longer to contain his body . of the prophet micah . this prophet was born at maresa a town of iudaea , sixteen miles from ierusalem westward ; it signifieth a bitter field . in st ierom's time the ruins of the wall of this city was to be seen . micah , or micheas , signifieth humble or lowly . this man was held in great estimation , because he was the first that named the country where our saviour christ should be born , viz. in bethlehem , years before his nativity . he lived anno mundi . of the prophet nahum . nahum signifies a comforter . he was born in a town of galilee called elcosch , as he saith in the beginning of his prophecy . this village was shewn unto st. ierome , by those that travelled with him through the holy land : in his time it was but a small village , called by the name of elcos , and scituated ( as dorotheus bishop of tyre saith ) on the further side of bethabara , sixteen miles and something more from ierusalem towards the north-east . this prophet lived years before christ , and prophesied of the destruction of niniveh , which after came to pass . of the prophet habacuck . habacuck , or chabacuck , signifies , one that embraceth , or a lover ; from chaback , he hath embraced . for as a nurse embraceth and kisseth her in●ant , so also this prophet embraced and comforted his people with comfortable doctrine , lest by the destruction of ierusalem ( which he prophecied should after happen by the chaldaeans , ) they should be driven to desperation . paul took the foundation of his epistle to the romans out of this prophet , reciting a saying of his . viz. the ju●t shall live by faith . he began to preach a little before the prophet ieremy , years before christ , above years before daniel was cast into the lions den . from whence most of the learned conclude , that this could not be that habacuck which brought meat to daniel as he was among the lions ; but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual comedy , and therefore worthy to be called apocrypha . of the prophet zephania . zephania signifies the secretary of the lord ; being derived of zaphan , he hath kept secret . he lived in ierusalem and iudaea in the time of iosiah king of iuda . he was born ( as dorotheus bishop of tyre saith ) in a town called sabarthaca in the tribe of si●eon . of the prophets haggai and zacharia . haggai or chaggi signifieth , a priest celebrating the feast of the lord ; being derived of chagag , he hath celebrated a feast . and zacharias or zacharia doth denote , such a man as remembred the lord ; being derived of zachar , that is , he hath remembred or recorded . these two prophets prophecied in ierusalem in the second year of darius the son of histaspis , years before christ , an. mun . . haggai began his prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month elul , answering to the of august . he sharply reprehended the people because they neglected the house of the lord , and built up their own houses . in the eighth month marhusuan ( which for the most part answereth to our november ) zacharias the same year began to prophecy , and in his sermon exhorted the people to repentance , adding the promise of our saviour , and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him , zach. . these two prophets lie buried miles one from the other . for , as dorothaeus bishop of tyre saith , haggai lies buried in ierusalem amongst the priests , but zacharias , near to a town in the field of bethania , miles from ierusalem westward ; but in the time of theodosius the emperour was removed and preserved as an holy relique . concerning that fable and figment inserted into the history nicephorus , i utterly disallow . of the prophet malachi this prophet prophesied after the captivity of babylon , and dwelt in the town of ziph , as dorotheus bishop of tyre saith . malachi signifies an angel sent ; and in greek , a messenger : for this prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an angel of god ; but principally of christ , and saint iohn baptist , who should go before him , to prepare his way and make his paths strait . s. ierom in his epistle to paul and eustochius writes , that some of the hebrews suppose this malachi to have been esdras the scribe , who was sent by artaxerxes longimanus emperour of the persians , to restore the commonwealth of israel , in the year before christ . an instruction how the prophets may rightly be understood . first look into the cosmographical table at the beginning of this book , and diligently observe the countries and cities that are there set down , and how they lie scituated from ierusalem . toward the south of ierusalem , the idumeans , ismaelites , arabians and egyptians dwell . toward the east , the moabites , ammonites , chaldaeans , babylonians , and persians . toward the north , the phoenicians , syrians , assyrians , and armenians . toward the west lieth the mediterranean sea , gr●cia , italy , spain , and the isles of the sea. secondly , this rule is to be observed , that as often as the prophets speak of the tribes of israel , they use these names viz. israel , samaria , ephrain , ioseth , iesreel , bethel , and bethaven ; these are the names of the kingdom of israel : but to the kingdom of iuda these names are attributed , viz. iuda● , ierusalem , benjamin , the house of david . but when the prophets joyn these two kingdoms together , they call them by the names of iacob and israel . thirdly , when thou readest in the prophets , the name of any country or city which is not sufficiently known unto thee , search this alphabetical table here following , and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee . an alphabetical table of all the countries and cities mentioned in the prophets . a. abarim , that is , a bridge , or passage over . it was a mountain of the moabites , where the israelites pitched their tents , num. . achor , the valley of trouble . here achan was stoned to death for his thievery . it stood not far from gilgal toward the north , twelve miles from ierusalem , ios. . isa. . adama , red earth . this was one of the cities that were destroyed with fire and brimstone from heaven . ai , hilly . this city ioshua burnt with fire . it lay eight miles from ierusalem north-ward , iosh. . aiath , idem . isa. . ar , or ari , a lion. it was a city of the moabites , lying beyond iordan in the tribe of benjamin , called a●iopolis , scituated upon the bank of the river arnon , miles from ierusalem north-eastward , deut. . in esa. . it is called arar , a destroyer . aram , noble or mighty . armenia and syria are so called , of aram the son of sem ; the chief city of which country is damas●us . pliny , lib. . i . saith , the scythians were also in ancient times called aramites . arnon , a famous river of the moabites , in the tribe of reuben , which falls into the dead sea , miles from ierusalem eastward . in esa. . it is called ranan , he hath shouted for joy . aroer , by usurpation , an ewe tree . this is a city of the moabites near to the river arnon , in the tribe of gad , beyond iordan , miles from ierusalem eastward , ier. . there is another city so called , near to damascus in syria , esa. . arpad , the light of redemption . this was a city in the land of damascus , ier. . there is another flourishing ▪ city of that name , which may compare with antiochia for greatness , esa. . but where it is scituated it is uncertain . arvad , was a part of the land of canaan , so called of arvad the son of canaan , gen. i . ascanes , or tuiscones , are a people descended of ascenitz , the son of gomer , the son of iaphet , which sometimes dwelt in armenia , but now have their abiding in germany , gen. . esa . so that of gomer they are called germanes , and of ascanes , ascanians or tuiscons . asseca , fortified round about . neer to this town david killed goliah . it stood eight miles from ierusalem westward . assur or assyria , a blessed country ; being so called of assur the son ●f ●em ▪ aven iniquity . bethel was so called after ieroboam had there set up a golden calf , hos. . b. babel , confusion . babylon is the metropolitan city of chaldaea , miles from ierusalem eastward . bath , domestical . it was a town of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , beyond iordon , esa. . bazra , a grape-gathering . it was a city of the edomites , scituated upon the bank of iordan on the farther side , near to bethabara , twenty miles from ierusalem north-eastward , esa. . . ier. . note here , that the country of the moabites in times past was subject to the edomites , and then this city was in their jurisdiction ; but after the moabites got it into their hands again , and held it . it was one of the six towns of refuge mentioned , ios. . berothai , a cypress tree . this town stood near hemath , or antiochia , miles from ierusalem northward , ezek. . in this city david king of israel took hadadesar king of zoba or sophena , and constrained him to give him a great deal of brass ( as it is thought ) yearly for tribute : for near that city were many brass mines . bethavin , the house of iniquity . bethel was so called , hos ▪ . it stood eight miles from ierusalem northward . beth-cherem , the house of the vines . it was a town not far from ierusalem northward . ier. . beth-diblathaim , the house of dried figs. it was a city of the moabites , ier. . bethie●imoth , the house of desolations . it was also a city of the moabites , beyond iordan in the tribe of reuben , ios. . ezech. . twenty miles from ierusalem . beth-gamul , the house of restitution . this was a city of the moabites , ier. . beth-bealmeon , the house of habitation for the idol baal . it was a city of the moabites , twenty four miles from ierusalem eastward , not far from aroer , ezek. . chr. . butz , a castle of prey . it was a city of the ismaelites , in arabia-petrae● , eighty miles from ierusalem south-westward , ier. . bel and neob , two idols of the babylonians , esa. . bel signifieth , the god of mixture or confusion ; neob , the god of prophecy . c. calno , his perfection . this is selucia , scituated upon tygris , beyond babylon , miles from ierusalem eastward . it is now called bagdeth , gen. . es●y . canne , a firm foundation . it was a city of the syrians , ezek. . caphihor , a little sphere , or , a round globe , like unto a globe or pomegranate . also cap●adocia , a country of asia the less , miles from ierusalem northward . carchemis , a sacrificed lamb. this was scituated too near euphrates in syria , miles from ierusalem northward , ierem. . d. de●dan , a city of the idumaeans , so called of dedan the son of es●u , ier. . isa. . d●bon , a mist. this was a city of the moabites , near hesbon , in the tribe of reuben , twenty eight miles from ierusalem north-eastward . diblath , a bunch of figs. it was a city in the tribe of naphtali , near to the lake of samachonites , eighty miles from ierusalem northward , ezek. . here zedekiah had his eyes put out , kin. . ier. . . dimon , bloudy . this is a city in the tribe of reuben , which , as st. ieron saith , is twenty eight miles from ierusalem north-eastward . duma , silence . a city of the israelites , so called of duma the son of ismael . it stood in arabia petaea , eighty miles from ierusalem towards the southwest , esa. . . e. egbathana , the metropolitian city of the medes , distant from ierusalem miles north-east-ward . eden , pleasure . a city of syria scituated near euphrates , miles from ierusalem north-eastward , esay . this is thought to have been a part of paradice . eglaim , a round drop . it was a town of the moabites , esa. . . elam , a young man , so called of elem the son of sem , esa. . . after perseus had got in this countrey a great government , he called it after his own name , pers●a . eleale , the ascension of god. it was a city beyond iordan , in the tribe of reuben , between iacza and heshbon , miles from ierusalem north-eastward , num. . elim , a hart. this was a lake so called , in the land of the moabites , esa. . elisa , the lamb of god. so were the aeolians called in grecia , of elisa the son of iavan , the son of iaphet , ezek. . gen . enaglaim , the fountain of calves . it was a town or castle near to the red sea , ezek. . epha , the land of obscurity . it was a part of arabia petraea , so called of epha , the son of midian , the son of abraham , gen. . esa. . g. gebim , a ditch . this was a town in the tribe of iuda , esa. . gebah , a hill. it was a hill in the city of kirjath-jearim : there was a town also of the same name , standing within a little of it . this was little more than a mile from ierusalem westward , esa. . gebal , a bound or limit . it was the bounds and limits of syria , bordering upon the mediterranean sea. this city gibal or gebal was miles from ierusalem northward , reg. . psal. . gibeah , a hill. it was also called gibeon , where saul dwelt , four miles from ierusalem northward , esa. . gilgal , a roundle , or the compass of a hill . here ioshuah pitched his tents : it stood between iericho and iordan , twelve miles from ierusalem north-eastward . gog. the turks were thus called , because they liv'd in tents , ezek. . gosan , a land and river in mesopotamia , called after that name , reg. . esa. . h. hadad rimmon , a pomegranat . this was a town near to megiddo , where iosiah king of iudah was wounded to death , miles from ierusalem northward , zach. . hadrach , the land of gladness . so the prophet zachary calls syria , c. . hanes , an ensign of grace . this was a city of egypt , bordering upon assyria , esa. . haram , the syrian liberty . it was the metropolitan city of mesopotamia , where abraham dwelt , gen. . distant from ierusalem miles north-eastward . haveran , a casement . it was a city in syria not far from damascus , miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . hazor enon , the gate of the fountain . it was a city in syria . hazor-tichon , the middle porch . it was a town in syria not far from haveran , ezek. . hazor , the land of hay . so the ismaelites called their countrey . hemath , anger . so the prophets called antiochia , the metropolitan of assyria , distant from ierusalem miles northward . hermon , accurst . it was a mountain beyond iordan , near to libanus , miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . there is another mountain of this name near to naim , and not far from mount tabor , forty four miles from ierusalem towards the north , of which the psalmist speaketh , psal. . tabor and hermon praise thy name . the mountain beyond iordan is oftentimes called by the name of mount gilead . hesbon , an ingenious cogitation . it was a city of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , twenty eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . henah and ievah were two idols , esa. . hevilah , sandy . so india is called , and a certain part of arabia-petraea . of hevilah the son of chus , gen. . these countries are very dry and sandy . hethlon , he hath rolled together it was a city of syria near to antiochia , ezek. . holon , a window . it was a town of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , and is also called helon , num. . ier. . horonaim , the syrian liberties , two towns of the moabites , esa. . i. jachza , the privity of god. a city of the moabites , in the tribe of reuben , twenty four miles from ierusalem eastward . iaezer , the help of god. a city of refuge belonging to the levites , in the tribe of g●d beyond iordan , forty miles from ierusalem north-eastward . iavan grecia , so called of iavan the son of iapheth , which was distant from ierusalem miles westward . iezreel , the seed of god. this is the city where queen iesabel was devoured of dogs . it standeth forty eight miles from ierusalem northward . irheres , or heliopolis , a city of the sun. this was a city of aegypt , miles from ierusalem toward the south-west . k. kedar , blackness . this was a desart of the ismaelites , called sur , eighty miles from ierusalem south-westward . kir paries , a wall. this was cyrene a great city in africa , which was miles from ierusalem westward . there was a town of this name in the land of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , esa. . kir-hazereth , or kir-hares , a mud-wall . it was a city of the moabites in arabia-petraea , otherwise called petra , seventy two miles from ierusalem towards the south , esa. . kiriathaim , a-city . this town was in the tribe of reuben , miles from ierusalem eastward , esa. . kiriah , or kirieth , ibidem . kithim , a shining jewel . macedonia is so called of kithim the son of iavan , the son of iaphet , gen. . ier. . mac. . for if you do diligently observe the derivation of names , you shall find that of kithin comes maketis , and so by continuance of time , and change of words , macedonia . it lieth miles from ierusalem north-westward . l. lachis , a continual walking : or as some will have it , a pleasant walk . this was a city in the tribe of iuda , twenty miles from ierusalem westward , ier. . laisa , a lioness . so was caesarea philippi sometimes called . it was also called dan , scituated near to the fountains of the river iordan , not far from mount libanus , miles from ierusalem north-eastward . libna , frankincense . it was a town in the tribe of iudah , ten miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . lud , that is lydia , a countrey in asia minor , so called of lud the son of sem. luit , green grass . it is also a mountain in the tribe of reuben , esa. . m. mag●g , dwelling under a shed or tent. the turks are so called , ezek. . maresa , an inheritance . in this town the prophet micah was born , mich. . it was scituated in the tribe of iudah , distant from ierusalem sixteen miles towards the west . medai , a measure . the kingdom of medea was so called , of medai the son of iaphet , gen. . medba , warm water . it was a city of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , twenty eight miles from ierusalem towards the east , esa. . medemena , a dunghil . it was a town in the tribe of iudah , neer beerseba and gaza , miles from ierusalem toward the south-west , iosh. . there was also another town of the same name in the tribe of benjamin , not far from ierusalem , iosh. . ier. . megiddo , a wholsome apple . here iosiah king of iudah was slain in war. it stood miles from ierusalem northward , zach. . mephaath , the splendor of waters . it was a city belonging to the priests in the tribe of reuben , subject to the moabites , twenty four miles from ierusalem towards the east , ier. . mesech , the tract of sowing . so the muscovites and russians are called , of mesech the son of iaphet , gen. . midian , a measure . a town lying upon the red sea , miles from ierusalem towards the south ; so called of midian the son of abraham by ●eturah , gen. . mispe , a watch. this city stood in the land of gilead , beyond iordan , forty eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . there is another town of this name also , not far distant from ierusalem , in the tribe of benjamin , hos. . ier. . moab , a father . the country of the moabites , scituated between the red sea and the mountains abarim , ezech. . meusal , running swiftly . it was the name of a people that took their beginning from vsal the son of ioktan , gen. . n. nabaioth , the country of the prophets . this country beginneth in the tribe of gad , beyond iordan , and extendeth to the east part of the dead sea , and so by the land of the moabites to the red sea. it taketh the name of nabaioth the son of ishmael : for all the tract of arabia petraea , from the red sea to the gulph of persia , of him is called the land of nabathaea . diodorus siculus saith as much , and further , that it extendeth towards the east unto the indian sea , gen. . nebo , prophecying . it was a city of the moabites in the tribe of reuben , near to mount pisga , twenty miles from ierusalem towards the east , ier. . nimrim , a leopard . this was also a city in the tribe of gad beyond iordan , thirty two miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , isa. . no , a hinderance . so was alexandria , a city in aegypt , in ancient times called , distant from ierusalem miles towards the west , ezek. . noph , a honey comb. so the prophets call memphis , the metropolis of aegypt , being distant from ierusalem miles towards the south-east , isa. . ier. . ezek. . o. on , opulency . so ezek. c. . calleth heliopolis , a city of aegypt , which is miles distant from ierusalem towards the south-west . oreb , a crow or raven . near to this place , in mount ephraim , prince oreb was slain ; not far from iericho , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north , iudg. . psal. . ophir , a palace . it was the proper name of the son of ioktan , the posterity of sem , of whom in times past india was called ophir . you may read of this , gen. . reg. . p. pathros , or petra , the metropolitan city of arabia petraea , miles from ierusalem towards the south . it is a country also of aegypt near tathnis , miles from ierusalem towards the south-west , isa. . ezek. . parath , fruitful . a name of the river euphrates , ier. . . prazin , a breach . it is a valley near ierusalem , where david overcame the philistines , sam. . phut ; is africa , so called of phuth the son of cham , gen. . r. rabba , a multitude . philadelphia , the metropolitan of the ammonites is so called , miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . raema , thunder . so they called aethiopia , of raema the son of ch●s , gen. . rama , high. this city stood eight miles from ierusalem towards the north , isa. . there were other cities also of the same name and signification . rezeph , a cole . it was a city in syria , isa. . riblath , an inveterate anger . this was a city in the tribe of naphtali , near to the lake of samoconites , eighty miles from ierusalem towards the north. antiochia also was sometimes called riblah , reg. . ier. . . rimmon , a pomegranate . this was a city in the tribe of judah , not far from gerar , miles from ierusalem towards the south-east . s. saba , the stone achates . this was the metropolitan city of ethiopia , called also meroe , miles from ierusalem towards the south . the two famous queens ( one that came to see solomon , the other mentioned act. . ) dwelt in this town . sanir , a clear light. so mount hermon beyond jordan was called of the ammonites : it stood miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . sarion , the doves song . so the edomites called mount hermon that stood beyond jordan . saron , a fair plain , or a green place . so is that plain between the sea of galilee and mount ephraim called , is. . there are some that think there is a mountain so called . sela , a rock . this is petra , a city of arabia , ante . sepharuaim , a city of the scribes . it stood in assyria , isa. . sibarim , a city of syria near to damascus , ezek. . sibma , a possession . a city built by the sons of reuben , miles from ierusalem towards the east , num. . sichor , black. it is a brook or river called rhinocorurus , which falleth into the mediterranean sea , near to the town rinocorura , scituated upon the utmost borders of the holy land towards the south , miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . the river nilus in aegypt is also called sichor , jer. . simri , gardians . they were arabians dwelling upon an angle of isthumus of the red sea. sinear , a blow upon the teeth . chaldea is so called , is. . sion , or scaion , by schin , not by zade , tranquillity and security . the mount whereon ierusalem stood is not so called , but mount hermon beyond iordan , deut. . s●ene , or sevene , illustrious . it was a city in africa , upon the borders of egypt and ethiopia , miles from ierusalem towards the south . iovias saith , that the inhabitants at this day call it guagheram . t. tachpanes , or taphnis , a covered or hidden ensign . it is a city in egypt , miles from ierusalem south-westward , ier. . . thamar , a plain . this town was built by solomon , and stood miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , thelasser , a princes tomb. it was a countrey upon the borders of assyria , isa. . themath , wonderful . a city of arabia petraea , ier. . so called of thama the son of ismael , gen. . it stood miles from ierusalem southward : it is called theman , a city of the south . thogarma , perfection . tartaria was so called of thogarma the son of gomer , the son of iaphet , gen. . ezek. . thubal , a people bordering upon the muscovites : so called of thubal the son of iaphet , gen. . ezekiel cap. . & . maketh mesech , thubal , gog and magog all one people : from whence may be gathered , that these people dwelt towards the north , and were governed by one prince . in the chapter he calls them gog , that is , the turk , who is prince and governour in mesech and thubal . therefore , without doubt , the people of russia in times past were called thubal , which people dwelt near to muscovia : and this opinion seems to be more probable than theirs that imagine the italians and spaniards , which have their dwellings near unto the river iberia , to be the off-spring of thubal . v. uphar , the countrey of gold. it is called also ophir and india , reg. . ier. . dan. . psal. . z. zeb , a wolf. the wine-press of zeb was in mount ephraim , not far from iori●ho , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north , where zeb the prince of the midianites was slain . there is another town of this name , near to the iaboch beyond iordan , forty eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . zeboim , pleasantness . one of the fiv● cities that were burnt with fire from heaven , gen. . . hos. . zenan , a sheep-fold . it was a city in the tribe of iudah , mich. . zoa● , moving ●anis , a city in egypt , where moses wrought all his miracles before pharaoh , was so called : it stood miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . zoba , presumptuous . this was also called sophena . it is the countrey of armenia , miles from ierusalem towards the north , which david conquered , sam. . chron. . zor , a rock . tyrus is so called ; it stood miles from ierusalem towards the north. thus ( gentle reader ) for your better ease and understanding , have i collected a short alphabetical table , and therein briefly described all those countreys and cities mentioned in the prophets : that so by your diligent care and observation you may the better understand the meaning of such texts of scripture wherein they are mentioned . of esdras the lawyer . esdras signifies , a helper , of asar , he helped . he is a type of our lord jesus christ , who is our helper and saviour , which hath brought us into that holy land , eternal life ; and is the restorer of religion , and the christian common-wealth . this esdras was sent to jerusalem , to restore the common-wealth of the jews , anno mundi , before christ , , in the seventh year of artaxerxes longimanus , that good emperour of the persians . so he went from babylon to ahaeva , a certain river near babylon ; to which place he assembled a great multitude of the jews , and from thence sent to caspia to fetch a certain number of levites , ( this land was in chaldaea not far from babylon . ) these being here met together , celebrated a fast unto the lord , and with ●olemn prayers besought his aid and furtherance in their enterprise : then they went thence to jerus●lem , which was miles , and there restored the judaical government , instituting ecclesiastical officers , chief priests , pr●nces , and other governours . of the land of caspia . the land of caspia signifieth , the land of silver , being derived of kesaeph , that is , silver . it was so called , because they used to dig silver in that place ; ( see lyra ) it was a country near babylon , where the priests and levites were in captivity ; and stood miles from jerusalem towards the east . of nehemia . in the twentieth year of artaxerxes longimanus , which was anno mun. , and before christ , . nehemias went from susan to jerusalem , which was miles , there he repaired the walls and gates in days , neh. . . . when he had governed judaea years , he returned back again to susan to artaxerxes longimanus , which was miles , neh. . afterward artaxerxes about the end of his reign suffered nehemia to return back again to ierusalem , which was miles , neh. . so these journeys of nehemia make miles . of this city susan you may read before . of the name and typical signification of nehemiah . nehemiah signifies , the consolation of god , being derived of nicham , he hath comforted . this man was a type of our lord jesus christ ; for , as nehemias was a comfort unto the dispersed jews , in that he was sent to restore them into their own country , and to rebuild ierusalem , so christ our comforter was sent by his father from that everlasting throne of heaven , to refresh and comfort us by his doctrine , and gather the dispersed members of his church into one communion , that he might bring them into that heavenly ierusalem which he hath built , and where he hath prepared a place for us . the travels of serubbabel . serubbabel carried the people of israel from babylon to ierusalem , which was miles , in the first year of cyrus emperour of persia , anno mundi , . before christ , . in the seventeenth year of his government he went from ierusalem to susan , miles , esd. . . from susan he went to babylon , which was miles , esd. . from babylon in the same year he returned to ierusalem , miles , where the next year after , in the beginning of the second month , which answers to the of may , in the third year of darius ahasuerus , zerubbabel and josua , the chief priests of the jews , began to build the temple , and finish'd it in the sixth year of the same king , esd. . so all the travels of zerubbabel were miles . the book of esther . mordochivs was led prisoner with jechoniah to babylon , which was miles . from babylon he went to susan , which was miles ; there he brought up esther , his brothers daughter , and taught her honest discipline and the fear of god. this maid was very beautiful and comely , wherefore at such time as darius ahasuerus ( the son of hystaspis ) had caused all the beautiful virgins of his empire to be brought before him , that from amongst them he might chuse him a wife ; mordochius adorned this virgin with goodly apparel , and she also went with them : in whose presence ( by his instruction ) she behaved her self so well , that the emperour chose her from among the rest , and made her his queen , she being at that time but a poor maid , and of small ability . they were married in susan in the second year of his empire , an. mun. , and before christ , . from whence it is evident , that preferment cometh neither from the east , nor from the west , but from the lord. so these two journeys make nine hundred thirty two miles . the types and allegories collected out of the book of esther . mordochivs , or mordochai , signifies bitter and contrite , being derived of marah , he was bitter , and dachah , sorrowful and contrite . a fit resemblance of that true mordochius , christ jesus , who for our sins and offences was constrained to drink of that bitter cup of afflictions , the necessities of this world , suffering in his body more than tolerable torments , as you may read in his passion ; therefore justly called mordochius , that is , bitter and contrite . ester and al●a have both one signification , that is , a virgin , or one kept from the bed of man. therefore she was a notable image of the church , who keepeth her self chaste and undefiled , avoiding the society of evil men ; and although she seem to be desolate and forsaken in this world , in respect of the wicked ( who flourish like a flower , and glory in voluptuousness and pleasure ) yet hath she her mordochius , her spouse , her dearly beloved , which provides for her , even jesus christ , that immaculate lamb which died for her salvation , and will cloath her in white , put into her hand a regal scepter , crown her with glory , and set her with him in the throne of eternal happiness . ahasuerus signifies , a noble captain , and typically represents god the father : for as the emperour had the command of provinces , and in them did principally rule ; so god our heavenly father is the emperour and governour of all kingdoms , and all creatures both in heaven and in earth be obedient to his will ; he sitteth in that everlasting palace of heaven , that place of joy , and that eternal paradice , from whence he looketh down to behold us miserable and distressed creatures upon earth ; of his merciful goodness electing and chusing us to be heirs of that eternal kingdom , and purifieth us with the graces of his holy spirit , so that we might be made capable to sit with him in eternal felicity . the disdainful queen vasthy may be a fit type and effigies of this world , not only in respect of her pride , but her excess in drinking ; taking her name from schatha , which signifies , to drink : so this world liveth in all manner of prodigality and luxury ; and contemneth the lord and king thereof , that almighty god which sitteth in the heavens ; and therefore is justly thrown down from that eternal kingdom ; whereas on the contrary , humble esther ( that is , the church ) is taken up into dignity , and crowned in that everlasting kingdom of heaven . haman signifies , a rebellious and proud man : being derived of haman , he hath stirred up a tumult : typically representing the devil , whom god in the beginning made a good angel , exalted him in the heavens , and made him much more glorious than others ; yet notwithstanding , glorying in himself , he contemned his maker , and nothing would content him but to become like unto him , yea he desired to be worshipped of our lord jesus christ , mat. . and as haman endeavoured to overthrow not only all the people of the iews , but queen esther als● ; so the devil doth not only endeavour to overthrow the whole church , but if it were possible the head of the church christ jesus . of that holy man job . job was a holy and good man : he dwelt in the land of vz , so called of vz the son of aram the son of sem , as st. jerom upon genesis observeth . this vz was that great man which built ( as was thought ) damascus in syria , and all the land which extendeth from damascus to jordan , after his name was called vz , that is , the land of counsel , for so vz signifieth . there were two towns in this country , where job is said to have dwelt ; that is astaroth carnaim and batzra : astaroth carnaim was distant from jerusalem , fifty two miles towards the north-east , the inhabitants of which town worshipped the goddess venus , and called her by the name of astaroth , of which you may read before . st. jerom saith , that the sepulchre of job was to be seen in his time in that town ; and later writers testifie as much ●ore their times . this town at this day is called carnea . batzra is mentioned in the thirty sixth of genesis ; it signifieth a grape gathering . in this town it was thought that iob was born , it lay beyond iordan in the tribe of reuben , twenty miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . all this country in those times was subject to the king of the edomites or idumaeans ; but after , it was joyned to the land of the moabites , they having conquered the kings of edom : you may read more of it in the sixth of isay ; also ios. . where is shewed , that it was one of the six cities of refuge , appointed by ioshuah . here iob for the most part continued , and held this town in great honour and reputation . he lived about the time of baela , the first king of the edomites : and according to the opinion of st. ierom , augustine , ambrose , philo , and luther , was for his excellent vertue and singular piety , chosen king of that country , which he greatly inlarged , making all the countries and neighbouring princes near adjoyning tributary unto him : wherefore ( as ierom saith , in locus hebraicis ) having obtained so large an empire , he removed his seat from batzra to astaroth-carnaim , which was a strong and well-defenced city , where in those times ( as moses witnesseth , gen. . ) there inhabited mighty men , and noble heroes ; that so by their vertue he might with the greater facility suppress and conquer other provinces . there are many think him to be of the stock of abraham , and of the family of esau , because he is mentioned in the of genesis , where it is said , that when baela died , iobab the son of zerah of bozra , or betzrah , reigned in his stead . and st. ierom , in his preface upon the book of iob , sheweth , that he was but five degrees removed from abraham : for , abraham had ishmael basmath , who was the wife of esau , mother of reguel , grand-mother to serah , and great grand-mother to iob. so that by the mothers side iob descended from ishmael , and by the fathers side from esau. isaac esau reguel serah iob or iobab , king of idumaea , gen. . notwithstanding , there are some that are of opinion , that he descended from abraham's brother ; and was of the family of nahor's son : which opinion also st. ierom mentioneth in his hebra●cal q●estions : but most of the antient fathers hold this nothing so probable . luther , upon the thirty sixth chapter of genesis , saith , that he was king long time before moses ca●ried the children of israel out of egypt . for , iuda and aser , the sons of iacob , had children before they went into the land of egypt , gen. . therefore it is not impossible for reguel the son of ●sau to have children also , since he was married long before his brother iacob . from hence then it may be gathered , that iob was king of idumaea b●fore iacob and his sons went into the land of egypt : for , although the fourteen sons of ●sau governed the land of edom , like so many princes , ( of which number , reguel the grand-father of iob was one ) because they held it as their inheritance ; yet , to avoid sedition and distractions , which oftentimes happen where there is not a certain head and principal commander , therefore they elected bela the son of beor to be their king ; after whose death they chose iob , because he was a holy man of god , and in his actions just and upright ; who , without doubt , reigned amongst the edomites a long time : for he lived after his afflictions ( which god imposed upon him to try him ) years . plato saith , he married dina the daughter of iacob : but st. ierom , that he married the daughter of an arabian , by whom he had enon . both these may be true ; for his first wife being dead , he might marry an arabian . after the death of iob , the gyants and heroes in asteroth-carnaim fell again from the idumaeans ; for when moses brought the children of israel out of the desart of arabia-petraea , and that they had conquered the land beyond iordan , the city astaroth-carnaim had a king called og , who governed all the kingdom of basan . this gyant was of a mighty stature ; he had a bed of iron * nine cubits long , and four broad , deut. . of eliphaz . eliphaz the themanite was the brother of iob's grand-father . this eliphaz had a son called theman , who built a city , and after his own name called it theman , where eliphaz his father dwelt with him . from whence it hapned that he was called eliphaz the themanite , iob. . it was distant from ierusalem forty miles towards the south , and therefore it was called a city of the south : you may read of eliphaz in ier. cap. . he had a concubine called thimnah , because of her beauty and comely proportion : by her he had amaleck , of whom came the amalekites , between whom , and the children of israel , were cruel wars , exad . . the travels of eliphaz the themanite . from themen he went to astaroth-carnaim , where iob dwelt , which is accounted ninety two miles , to comfort his friend iob , iob . from astaroth-carnaim he returned back to his own house , which was ninety two miles . so the travels of eliphaz were miles . of bildad , job's friend . beyond iordan and the sea of galilee , not far from astaroth-carnaim , there is at this day found a town called suah , where ( as it is thought ) bildad the friend of iob dwelt . near to this town ( as sebastian francus observes in his cosmography ) there was yearly , in the summer season , a great mart kept , in certain tents and tabernacles erected for that purpose , of divers colours . bildad signifies an antient friend , and suah taketh the name from desolation , being derived of scho , he hath made desolate . of zophar , the friend of job . zophar dwelt in the city of naema , iosh. . but how far it stood from ierusalem is uncertain . zophar , of zaphar , signifieth swift . naema signifies , pleasant and delectable ; of naem , courteous and comfortable . of job's daughters . the lord gave unto iob , after his affliction , and that he had tryed his faithfulness , three daughters , so fair , that there were none fairer to be found in all the land. the name of the first was iemmima , that is , as fair as the day : of iom , which signifies , a day . the second , kazia , that is such a one as giveth a pleasant savour like unto gum cassia . the third , because of the excellency of her countenance , was called kaeren hapuch , that is , casting forth rayes or beams , iob . apocrypha . the book of judith . of egbatana . after the death of arbactus , or arphaxad , which signifies a mighty lyon , to whom ionas prophecied , as is said before ; there succeeded in the empire of the medes , mandanes , sarsomenes , artecarnis , cardiceas , and deioces ; who being enthronized in that empire , called himself arphaxad , or arbactus , the second . this man built egbatana , the metropolitan city of the medes , and beautified it with very fair buildings and goodly walls , made all of four-square stone , cut and polished , cubits high , and broad ; towers standing upon it cubits in height , as well those that were for the defence of the town , as those where the gates were . the air in that countrey was temperate , inclining rather to cold than heat , because it lay toward the north : it stood miles from ierusalem north-eastward . here ( for the most part ) this emperour kept his court , till ( as herodotus saith ) he was utterly conquered by nebuchadnezzar , emperour of the babylonians . this was that nebuchadnezzar which sent holofernes with a mighty army against iudaea , bethulia , and many other cities and countries , and would be worshipped as a god , iudith . of hydaspes . hydaspes is a river that ariseth in media , which runneth through a part of parthia , extendeth it self into india ; and not far from the city nisa , falleth into indus , according to the opinion of pliny , and strabo l. . near this river nebuchadnezzar overcame deioces , otherwise called arbactus , iudg. . the description of the countries conquered by holofernes . of kedar . kedar ( the wilderness of zur was thus called ; ) stood in the land of the ishmaelites , eighty miles from ierusalem towards the south-west ; and took the name of kedar the son of ishmael , gen. . of the mountains of ange. the mountains of ange lay between pamphylia and cicilia , to the latitude of that famous countrey of cilicia in asia minor , miles from ierusalem , towards the north ; not far from anchiale , a city of cilicia , from whence it seemeth to take the name . of cilicia . cilicia is a province of asia minor ; so called of cilice , the king's son of syria and phoenicia : the metropolitan city of which country was tharsus , where the apostle paul was born ; it was distant from ierusalem miles towards the north. of mallos . mallos , a city of cilicia , was so called of malo , that is , plenty of all things . stephanus saith , that it took that name of mollo who first built it . it is a city to this day , and of most of the inhabitants of that coun●ry called mallo , as gesner observeth . of gesem . gesem signifies fruitful . the land of gosen in aegypt was so called , being derived of gusch , that is , a turf : it stood miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . of aethiopia . this country stands beyond aegypt , miles from ierusalem towards the south , where the sun is extream hot , that it turneth the complexion of the inhabitants to blackness : here breed great abundance of dragons and cruel beasts . of esdrelon . esdrelon was a plain lying between the mountains , thabor , hermon , and gilboa , extending it self from the cities of megiddo and apheck , to the sea of gennezareth or galilee . in this great field , which was called the plain of galilee , and the field of megiddo and esdrelon , there were many cruel battels fought ; for here gideon overcame the midianites : here saul was put to flight by the philistines , from whence , ascending into mount gilboa , he killed himself . iosias also , king of the iews , was in this place put to flight by pharaoh necho , and wounded unto the death . the camp of holofernes was so great , that it took up all the plain , which contained sixteen miles in length . in some parts it was wonderful fruitful , and brought forth wine , oyl , and many other commodities in great abundance . it stood miles from ierusalem towards the north , and was so called of caeder , that is , a hid order and disposition : for alam is as much as to say , he hath hid . of sobal . sobal was a country upon the borders of syria , where sophena was scituated , near to the river euphrates ; which country , saul and david , kings of israel sometime conquered : it stood miles from ierusalem towards the north , and signifies , an ear of corn. of apamea . this was a famous city in tetrapolis of syria , two hundred and eighty miles from ierusalem towards the north , built by seleucus nicanor king of syria , and was so called of apamea his wife . of the city bethulia . bethulia was scituated within four miles of dothan , and two of the gali●lean sea , forty four miles from ierusalem northward . about four miles from this town , in a mountain a little beside dothan , lay the tents of holofernes in the sight of bethulia , iudeth , c. . between which and bethulia lay the plain of esdrelon , in the midst whereof there ran a pleasant river , which in times past watered it . here iudeth ( according to the custom of the iews ) washed her self . the place where bethulia stood is to be seen at this day , the ruins of the town and many houses still remaining . it was scituated upon a goodly high mountain , strongly fortified by nature , and , as it seemeth , by art also . a man might have seen it thorough the greatest part of galilee , but above the rest , a certain castle in the end of the mountain , made for the defence of the ci●y . they shew at this day , in the mountain and field near dothan , the place where holoferne's camp stood , and the reliques of their tents ; also the brook where iudeth washed her self . bethulia signifieth , the hand-maid of god ; being derived of bethulah , a virgin ; and iah , god. holofernes , a prophane captain , of which sort are those tyrants that persecute the church of god. the book of tobias . the travels of tobias the elder . tobias the elder was carried captive out of the tribe of naphtaly , where he was born , to nineveh , the metropolitan city of assyria , being miles : at such time as salmanasser king of the assyrians carried away the ten tribes of israel into assyria captive ; in the year before christ . kings , ca. . tob. . from that time he continued in nineveh , being then about twenty seven years old , and numbred amongst the young men that went into exile ; for he was born about such time as romulus and remus were born , which was an. mundi , , and before christ , , tob. . about the thirtieth year of his age , he went from nineveh into media , which was miles , and there came to a city called rages , in that country , to visit the banished israelites : at which time he lent gabel by bond , ten talents of silver , which amounts in our mony , at . s . d. the ounce , to pound and s. or thereabouts . from rages he returned back again to nineveh , miles . so all his travels were miles . the travels of the angel raphel and young tobias . in the year before christ , the arch-angel raphel went from nineveh to rages in media , with tobias the younger , being miles . from rages in media they returned back again to nineveh , miles . so these journeys were miles . the description of the places mentioned in their travels of naphtaly . this was the chief city of the tribe of naphtaly , eighty four miles from ierusalem toward the north. it stood in galilee , and in times past was a strong town : here tobias the elder was born . it is to be seen at this day ( as some say ) but much decayed ; and is now called by the name of sirin , scituated in a mountain , so steep and strongly fortified by nature upon the west side , that it is impossible to ascend upon it . in a valley some two miles from this town towards the south , naason , spoken of in the first chapter of toby , is scituated . upon the left side whereof there stood a town called sophet : but now there is nothing to be seen but a castle , where in antient times the knights templers kept their abiding , and at this day is in the custody of the turks . this castle is scituated upon a high mountain , fortified very strongly both by art and nature , and standeth within a mile of naphtaly south-westward . at such time as iosephus , that great historiographer ( who was the son of matthia or marathia , a priest of the iews ) was chosen chief commander of the tribe of naphtaly , he gathered an army of , and fortified this castle and naphtaly , and many other towns thereabouts , continuing a long and sharp war against the romans , until naphtaly was taken , and he constrained to yield himself captive . in the taking in of which town , titus the son of vespasian did first ascend the walls , and there made manifest his noble resolution and valour . vid. ios. de bell . iud. lib. . & . of rages , a city of the medes . rages is so called of a great congregation , being derived of ragasch , that is , he hath assembled a great company ; for it was a very populous city . it was also called ( as strab. lib. . cosmograph . saith ) rahga : but after , being rebuilt and fortified by nicanor , it was by him called europus , being distant from ierusalem . miles toward the northeast . the persians call it arsacia . s. ierom. de trad. hebr. would have edissa , a city of mesopotamia ( or rather as pliny saith , of coelosyria ) to be rages , which stands but . miles from ierusalem northward , and from nineveh miles westward . there are divers others that have wrote of this town of edissa : but that this and rages should be both one , i cannot see how to agree with toby ; for that he himself hath set it down to stand in media , and the cities of the medes lie distant from ierusalem miles . therefore gentle reader i refer it to thy better consideration . of jesus the son of syrach . syrach signifies an illustrious prince , being derived of sarach , he hath shined forth : he was of that noble family of david , that is , the son of syrach the son of iesu , and cousen-german to amos syrach , who ( as philo saith ) was the chief prince and captain of the children of israel in the time of ptolomeus philadelphus king of egypt , and is inserted into the genealogy of christ , luke . he was born . years before christ , in the city of ierusalem , from whence about the . year of his age he went to alexandria , a city of egypt , miles ( evergates ptolomais the son of philadelphus being then king of that country ) where he gathered out of that flourishing library ( set up at the charge of ptolomais philadelphus ) his book of ecclesiasticus , as bees from divers flowers gather sweet hony . of the great city alexandria . alexandria was a city of egypt , distant from ierusalem miles westward ; in ancient time called no , that is , a hindrance . but alexander the great taking affection to this city , in the year . before christ , began to build it , ( for by continuance of time it was much decayed ) and within the space of . days made it a goodly city , much greater than that it was before : to which , that he might add the greater grace , he called it after his own name , alexandria ; and there he lieth buried , after he had governed the empire of the grecians years . for although he dyed in babylon , the chief city of the chaldaeans , yet ptolomais ( one of his chief princes ) removed his body thence in a golden chariot to memphis in egypt , and years after , to alexandria . the scituation thereof is very delectable , bordering to the north upon the mediterranean sea , and to the south upon the pool of mareridis , as strabo saith , lib. . it was ten miles about , strongly fortified with walls , beautified with goodly buildings , scituated in a very fruitful country . and to give a greater delight unto the inhabitants , without the walls there stood many goodly orchards and gardens , plentifully furnished with fruits and flowers of divers kinds , as pomecitrons , figgs , &c. during the time of ptolomais philadelphus , it was a famous and flourishing city ; for this prince being a great lover of learning , instituted an academy , as it is thought , in it , and added thereto a stately library , wherein were books . the same whereof being published through the world , many people of divers nations resorted thither to see it . then eleazar also the high-priest of the iews , at the request of ptolemais sent interpreters to translate the bible out of hebrew into greek ; which was ( as eusebius observeth ) in the third year of his reign , before christ . in recompence whereof , he sent to be dedicated in the temple of ierusalem a table of gold , richly adorned with carbuncles , smaragdes , and other precious stones ; two stately cups , and bowls of pure gold , as appeareth in ioseph . lib. antiq. . the academy continued there till after christs time , as you may read , acts . but the library was consumed years before christ , and the city greatly defaced . for iulius caesar at that time making war with pompey the younger , who continued with his sister cleopatra in this city , caused the kings navy to be set on fire , and the library standing neer it , the flame took hold of it , and burnt it down to the ground , with all that was in it , and defaced also a great part of the city . upon the book of maccabees . the travels of antiochus epiphanes . antiochus epiphanes , that is , an illustrious adversary , in the year of christ . was sent out of syria by antiochus the great , to rome , which was . miles , where he remained as an hostage for his father and his brother seleucus phil●pater seventeen , years , mac. . after the death of his father , he stole secretly from rome , and went back again to antiochia in syria , which was miles ; and there succeeded his brother zeleucus philopater in the government . he began to reign years before christ. in the third year of his reign he went from antiochia to tyrus , miles ; in that journey he conquered all the lower part of syria and phoenicia . from thence he went about six score miles through galilee and iudaea , conquering all the cities and countries that lay in his way ; and would also have gone down into egypt ; but when he heard that his nephew ptolomais philometor had proclaimed an assembly and parliament , and would not acknowledge him for his protector , he sent apollonius , one of his princes , upon the day of the meeting into egypt , and he himself returned back again to ioppa , mac. . from ioppa he went to ierusalem , which was . miles , where iason the high-priest , and all the people , received him with great honour . at that time antiochus placed a guard in the castle or tower of ierusalem , which was the beginning of their intolerable servitude . but for that year , which was the fourth of his reign , he returned through phoenicia to antiochia in syria , miles . in the fifth year of his reign , he went from antiochia with a great army into cilicia , being . miles . there he appeased the uproars of the inhabitants of tharsus ▪ and mallotus , and conquered all cilicia , mac. . from cilicia he returned back again to antiochia , eighty miles . in the sixth year of his reign antiochus , went with a great army both by sea and land ( wherein were many elephants ) to pelusio , miles . this city he conquered , and overcame the alexandrians in a naval battel , mac. . from pelusio ( having built a bridge over nilus ) he went with his army to memphis , conquered all the countries and strong cities as he went , about . miles , and brought thither a mighty and great prey : where , according to the saying of the prophet daniel , cap. . he dealt subtilly with ptolomais philometor . from memphis he returned to alexandria , where the citizens would not suffer him to enter the gates , wherefore he besieged it , but to small purpose ; which was miles . from alexandria he returned to pelusio , which was . miles , there he left a garrison to retain what he had gotten in egypt , mac. . from pelusio he returned to antiochia with a great prey , being miles . in the mean time ptolomais king of egypt , and his sister cleopatra , brought in the aid of the romans , livy , decad. lib. , . in the next year ( that is , in the seventh year of antiochus epiphanes ) there was seen in the air as if there had been men fighting ; a comet also appeared . this happened in the year before christ . this year , in the spring ▪ antiochus went the second time from antiochia with his army into alexandria in egypt , which was . miles . so passing through coelosyria and iudaea , he came into egypt , which he invaded with open war , endeavouring to get that by force , which he could not get by entreaty . but the romans sent p. popillius with other embassadours , into egypt , who hearing that antiochus was come to leusia , which was within a mile of alexandria , the romans went thither to him . where , when he had welcomed them , and shewed all the courtesie he could to p. popillius , p. popillius delivered him certain tables that he had about him written . and first of all commanded him to read them , which he did . then he counselled with some of his friends , what was best to be done in the business . while he was thus in a great study , p. popillius , with a wand that he had in his hand , made a circle about him in the dust , saying e're thoustir a foot out of this circle return thy answer , that i may tell the senate whether thou hadst rather have war or peace . this he uttered with such a firm countenance , that it amazed the king : wherefore , after he had paused a while , quoth he , i will do what the senate hath written , or shall think fit . so doing little or nothing in egypt he returned back again . iustine , lib. . decad. lib. . cap. . ios. lib. . cap. . these things hapned ann . urb . rom. . l. aemilius paulus aup cai●s licinius crassus being then consuls ; in which year the moon was totally ecclipsed , aemilius overcame perseus king of macedon , and reduced macedonia into a province , lib. dec. . lib. . from leusia , antiochus ( fearing lest the iews would forsake his empire and rebell ) went to ierusalem , which was miles ; but the inhabitants of the town shut him out of the city , wherefore he besieged it , and by the treason of menelaus , chief priest , ( who for that purpose conspired with the guard that was in the castle ) quickly got it , and entred the gates . in every place where he came he put the citizens to the sword , and for three days space did little else but cruelly massacre the people . he went also with menelaus into the temple , where he polluted the sacred things of the temple , and took thence the vessels of silver and gold , or whatsoever he found precious or worthy : so that the prey he took amounted to talents , which make almost eleven tun of pure gold ; all which , were partly gifts dedicated to the temple , and partly treasure that was left there as in in a safe and sure place , to the use of poor distressed widows and orphans . after that antiochus had robbed the temple of all the silver and gold that he could find , had banished iason , had placed a strong garrison in the tower of acropolis , ( the captain of which was one philip a very cruel man ) and made menelaus high-priest ; with all this booty and some number of captives , he returned to antiochia , which was miles . in the year following , that is , before christ , lu. aemilius paulus , triumphed for the wars of macedonia . not long after , antiochus misdoubted the fidelity of the iews , sent apollonius with an army of to ierusalem , who entred the city upon the sabbath day , and committed many out-rages . then , antiochus having spent a great part of the gold and silver which he had got from ierusalem , about the eleventh year of his reign made his expedition from antiochia to persepolis , ( it was also called elymaides ) in persia , which was miles . here he took the temple of diana , spoiled all that country round about , and with strong hand gathered together a great mass of gold and silver to maintain war against iudas macchabeu● . but a multitude of citizens disliking his sacriledge , banded themselves together , and put antiochus and his souldiers to flight before he could take the city of persepolis . mach. . mach. . wherefore being driven from thence , he fled with his army to egbatana , a city in media , which was miles . here , having certain intelligence by letters , of the noble exploits of iudas macchabeus , and that he purged the temple of such things as were prophane , he fell into an extream grief , and like one distracted , railed against the iews , and swore to be revenged of them , mac. . in this extream anger he went from egbatana to babylon with his army , which was miles . but as he went , his chariot was overthrown , in the fall whereof he was so extreamly wounded , that they were constrained to ●arry him in a bed to babylon , where he shortly after died miserably . so all his travels were miles . thus may we see with what difficulties and dangers this wicked prince obtained his victories , and past away his life , sometimes in travel , his journies long and troublesom , sometimes in prosperity , sometimes in adversity , again sometimes afflicted with troublesom cogitations , sometimes with extream anger , seldom in peace , and then also his actions savouring of violence and filthiness . from whence it appeareth , that the wicked , with more sorrows , troubles and vexations , gain eternal damnation , that the just , tho they suffer many grievous afflictions , obtain everlasting salvation . for amongst all the patriarchs , good kings , and prophets , there is not found any that had so many long and tedious journies as this antiochus , who continually oppressed his mind and conscience with unprofitable vanities and wicked thoughts , and at length had a miserable and terrible end . of the cities and places mentioned in his travels . of antiochia . antiochia , where antiochus epiphanes kept his court , was anciently called chaemath , or riblah . it was scituated in syria , miles from ierusalem towards the north , near to the cities , seleucia , laodicea , and apamea , which four cities ( as strabo saith in the sixteenth book of his geography ) were built by seleucus nicanor first king of syria . this man was a mighty prince , and obtained the name of nicanor ( which signifieth victory ) because he prospered in his wars , and conquered his adversaries . for , when ( within years after the death of alexander the great ) he had got the kingdom of syria , he became so great in the year of his reign , that he obtained the empire of all the east ; and beside ( as strabo saith ) re-edified and built up these four cities , calling one of them antiochia , after the name of his father , another laodicea , after the name of his mother , a third after his own name seleucia , and the last apamea , after the name of his wife . these four cities , because they were all built by one man , and at one time , were called sisters . but antiochia was much fairer than the other , and in those times was a greater city than any other called after that name ; yea , it was equal to alexandria in egypt , for glory and excellency of building . it was divided into four parts , and those parts separated with four walls : the first , which was anciently called hemath ( a violent anger ) of chamathai the son of canaan ; was after riblath , from the multitude of the inhabitants ; and the third time by seleucus , after his father's name , called antiochia . in this part seleucus to dignifie the city , kept his court , it being compassed about with goodly walls . in the second part the citizens of syria inhabited . in the third , seleuchus callimichus ( afterward king of the syrians ) kept his court , and greatly beautified it . but in the fourth ( where afterward many christians inhabited ) antigonus epiphanes continued , and did greatly adorn it , and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous houses . close by the city there stood a pleasant wood , watered with many clear fountains and delightful springs , to which there resorted a great multitude of fowls of divers sorts , which sung very pleasantly among the trees , to the great content and delectation of the citizens . in the midst of this wood stood the temple of apollo and diana , goodly things , and very curiously built . it was called the wood of daphne , because it was full of laurel trees . from this wood all the country thereabout is called epidaphne . not far off standeth the river orontes , which beginneth in coelosyria , and passeth under the earth till it comes near to apamea , where it riseth and watereth all antiochia . so passing thence , it runneth some sixteen miles , and so falls into the mediterranean sea. here paul preached and kept a synod , euseb. lib. . cap. , . there was another synod kept here by the arrians , trip. lib. . . stephanus reckons up many other cities of this name : as antiochia , 〈◊〉 in galatia , where paul preached , act. . and is distant from this miles : antiochia in mesopotamia , which is also called mygdonia , and 〈◊〉 ; in which apollophanes the stoick , and pharnuchus that wrote the persian history , are said to be born . antiochia between syria and arabia , built by semiramis . antiochia in cilicia , scituated near to the river pyramus . antiochia in pieria , also called by the syrians , arados . there is also a city called antiochia near mount taurus in the country of comagena . antiochia scituated upon the lake of callichan . antiochia in scythia . there was another in caria , called also pithapolis . antiochia marigiana , built by antiochius soter . and many authors call tharsus in cilicia by the name of antiochia . antiochia signifies an adversary . of rome . rome stands miles from ierusalem westward . of this city you may read more in the travels of the apostle paul. tyrus , ioppa , memphis , peluso , mallo , and alexandria , are before described . of tharsus . tarsus or tharsus signifieth a hyacinth stone , so called ( as some think ) of tharsis the son of iavan , the son of iap●et , the son of noah , gen. . it was distant from ierusalem miles northward . of persepolis . persepolis was the metropolitan city of persia , distant from ierusalem miles eastward . so called of perseus that mighty king of the persians , who re-edified it and gave it that name ; which is as much as to say , the city of the persians , which also of him were so called . the astronomers , because he was greatly affected to such as were skilful in that art , attributed his name and his wives name to two constellations in the heavens , of which ovid's fable is contributed of pegasus and andromache . this city of persepolis was so fair , that it exceeded all the cities of the east both for stateliness , and beauty , and so continued from perseus time , until alexander the great had conquered darius : at which time , this great emperour having got into his hand the whole empire of the persians , came to persepolis in the year before christ , , and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his victories ; to which there resorted a great many women , not such as were of the better sort , but them that followed the camp , and lived dissolutely : amongst whom was that notable curtesan thais ; who perceiving the king inclined to mirth , and full with wine , began to flatter him in his cups , and among other things to commend and dignifie his noble exploits , withal giving him to understand , how acceptable it would be to the grecians to see the royal palace of the persians fired , which had so often afflicted grecia . no sooner had she uttered these words , but another seconded her , and then a third . after , the whole assembly cried out , shall we revenge the injury of the grecians , and burn the city ? with that they all rose in great fury , the king himself ( being crowned ) beginning first to fire the palace , wherein was great abundance of cedar , from whence it happened , that suddenly the fire spread it self a great way ; which when the army that lay without the walls perceived , with all speed came to the city to stay the burning of it , for which purpose many brought water with them . but when they beheld the king himself busie in this tragedy , laying aside their water , they also , in hope of booty , and to imitate the steps of their prince , fell to firing the city , and according to the custom of souldiers in such massacres , made a prey of what they could get ; increasing the fire with dry stuff and other combustible matter , whereby it came to pass that the whole city was therew●th fired and burnt to the ground . this was the end of that mighty city which ruled over so many nations , where so many mighty princes governed , that was the scourge of grecia and the greatest part of the world , that sent forth a navy of ships and an army of an infinite number : there being an infinite number ; there being at this day nothing to be seen , unless the river araxes that ran close by it remaineth . thus was that consumed in a fury , which the king and all his army before endeavoured to spare . but after it turned to the great shame of the macedonians , that their king should fire so famous a city in the midst of his cups : and alexander himself , after he had slept , repented what he had done . you shall find in mac. cap. . that antiochus epiphanes besieged a certain city in persia called persepolis , from whence , for his exceeding covetousness and sacriledge , he was forced by the inhabitants dwelling about the town , to raise his siege and be gone . therefore some may gather , that this persepolis before mentioned was rebuilded , because it also stood in persia : but if you read mac. cap. . you shall find , that this city , so besieged by antiochus , was also called elymais , wherein stood the temple of diana , beautified with many goodly ornaments , shining with the splendor of fine gold wherewith it was gilt . in which temple , as saith iosephus , lib. ant. . alexander the great left his armour and other things . from whence may be gathered , that this town was not the persepolis which he caused to be burn'd , but rather some other town built out of the ruines of that city ( according to the opinion of quintus curtius ) or else some village standing near to it , which being built up and enlarged , might of some be called new persepolis , though indeed it was anciently called elymais , and all the east part of persia beyond susa , of that town called elematica , having some affinity with elam the ancient name of persia , so called of elam the son of sem gen. . wherefore it may well be concluded , that that persepolis , burnt down by alexander , was never restored , but lieth waste to this day . thus the empire of the persians ( after they had ruled over the nations of the earth years ) was conquered by the grecians , who held it years . at the end of which time , demetrius nicanor , the last emperour of the grecians in syria and asia , going with a great army out of syria toward the east , arsaces king of the medes and parthians , being aided by the citizens of elymais , the persians , and bactrians meeting him in those parts , gave him many sharp and cruel battels , and in the end ( under the pretence of peace ) took him prisoner , in the year before christ . and from that time the parthians governed persia and grecia , and opposed the romans in many cruel battels . afterward , in the year of our lord , , artaxerxes that mighty lord of persia overcame artabanus king of the parthians in a mighty battel , and took his crown from his head : the same year entring upon the goverment of persia , years after the death of alexander the great : from which time , artaxerxes and his posterity reigned in persia for the space of years ; in the which space there succeeded twenty eight kings , viz. artaxerxes . sapores , ormisdates , vararanes , vararanes . vararanes . narses , misdates , sapores . artaxerxes . sapores . vararanes . cermazat , sir-named isdigertes , vararanes . vararanes . perozes , valens , cavades , zambades , cavades . cosroes , hormisda , cosroes . siroes , adhasir , sarbaras , bornarim , hormisda . who was the last king of the persians ; for being overcome by humarus , amiras of the saracens , and third emperour of the mahumetans , he was thrown out of his kingdom , anno dom. . after which time , it continued long in the government of the saracens and turks . where that holy ▪ priest mattathias the father of judas machabe●s dwelt . mattathias and dorotheus , have both one signification , that is , the gift of god ; being derived of matath , a gift , and iah , god. this matt●thias was a holy priest , of the tribe of levi , the son of iohn , the son of simon , of whom all that family was called the posterity of simon , of the stock of ioarib , of whom you may read , chr. . he dwelt in a town called modin , fourteen miles from ierusalem , toward the north-west , scituated in a mountain , close by the way as you go to ioppa , in the tribe of dan. modin signifieth a measure , being derived of madad , he hath measured . in this place , seeing the cruelty of antiochus epiphanes , and the insolence of his souldiers , he killed one of his captains , and afterward in the synagogue put to death an idolatrous iew , overthrew the altar set up by antiochus ; after called forth all the inhabitants of modin , and other towns near adjoyning , to withstand the fury of this king. so they brought their goods out of the city , into the wilderness , where they incamped themselves , and after , so manfully opposed antiochus , that he delivered all the cities and towns thereabouts out of his bondage , and from idolatry . but being now grown old , ( after he had admonished his sons to constancy in the service of god , and courage in defence of the country ) he died in the year before christ , , and was buried at modin , where afterward his sons were buried . simon , his third son , high priest of ierusalem , did marvellously beautifie this sepulchre ; for he made a vault of white marble , compassed about with fair pillars , which supported an admirable curious arch , to see to as if it had been one stone . over this vault , in convenient places , he built seven pyramids , in memory of his father , mother , his four brethren , and himself . in the circumference of this monument he set up fair marble pillars , upon which he caused to be ingraven ships , so artificially , that they which sailed upon the sea might see them ; and upon these he placed the arms of his father , and of his brethren . you may read more of this , mach. . ioseph . antiq. lib. . cap. . the travels of judas macchabeus . jvdas macchabeus succeeded his father mattathias in the year before christ , anno mundi . and ruled six years . immediately after his father's death , who , as is said , was buried in modin , he led his army against apollonius , chief ●aptain of antiochus , who at that time was in samaria ; which was thirty miles ; here he overcame apollonius , and killed him with his own sword , mac. , . when seron ( who was also one of antiochus's chief captains in syria the lower ) heard that iudas macchabeus had overcome apollonius , and put him to death , he was very angry , and said , i will go and conquer judas machabeus and those that are with him , that so i may get my self a name , and be famous through the whole kingdom : so he came out of syria , and pitched his tents near bethoron the lower , in the tribe of iudah , thirty two miles from samaria . but iudas went down to him to bethoron , where he broke into his camp , overcame his whole army , and put him to the sword , with of his men , but the rest fled into the land of the philistines , mac. . these two victories he obtained in the first year of his government , by which he made the name of macchabees famous through that kingdom . this battel was fought eight miles from ierusalem . antiochus epiphanes having certain intelligence of that which had happened , in the next year made an expedition into persia , that he might gather money in those east parts to make an offensive war against the iews ; and gave authority to lysias ( whom he made governour in his absence ) to suppress this faction sprung up amongst them . wherefore lysias sent foot and horse into iury ; and appointed ptolomais , nicanor , and gorgias to be generals of the whole army . who , so soon as they had entered iudaea after hostile manner , they pitched their tents near to a town called emaus , iosep. lib. ant. . c. . this town standeth six miles and somwhat more from ierusalem ; but iudas macchabeus assembled his army in mizpah , scituated in the tribe of benjamin , not far from ierusalem , six miles from bethoron , . mac. . after iudas macchabeus had implored gods assistance in his wars , and performed many religious ceremonies , he went with his army to emaus , which was four miles : where , coming upon the enemy in the night and unexpected , he overcame nicanor , put him to flight , and kill'd of his men . this victory happened in the third year of iudas macchabeus his government , . mac. . from emaus he pursued the enemy to gexeron azotus , asserimoth and iamniah , upon the borders of idumaea , which was eight miles . after , he returned back from pursuing the enemy with his army to emaus , which was eight miles , that he might oppose the army of gorgias ; but gorgias understanding of the overthrow of nicanor , and burning of his tents , fled . iudas macchabeus obtained his fourth victory in the third year of his government , which was years before christ , and in the year of the government of the graecians in syria , six miles from emaus , near to the castle or fortress of bethsura , which signifies , the house of the rock , being a very strong place , scituated in the top of a high rock , some half a mile from ierusalem , in the way which leadeth to bethlehem . near to this castle iudas macchabeus overcame lysias , antiochus his chief general of syria , who had foot , and horse in his army , carrying away a great victory , and put to the sword of his men . lysias being thus overcome , mediated a peace with the iews , which was concluded upon the fourth day of the month diosceris , which answereth unto the seventh day of our month of iune , macch. . from bethsura iudas macchabeus brought back his army to ierusalem ▪ which was almost a mile ; where he caused the temple of the lord to be cleansed of the abomination of the gentiles , and broke down the statue of iupiter olympus , which had continued there for the space of three years : and on the fifth day of the month caslew , which is our december , celebrated a solemn passeover , and built up a new altar , and dedicated it unto the lord. in the year after , being the fourth year of his government , he repaired ●he town of sion , and fortified bethsura against the idumeans , which nation all this year made war upon the iews : but after , iudas gathered an army and went miles into idumaea , and invaded those that were in arabathnes , and in the land of the sons of bean ( which people troubled the israelites with continual robberies ) and put them to flight , so that they were constrained to take their castle ; where he fired them and it together , macch. . . macch. . from idumaea he returned back again with his army to ierusalem , which was forty miles . afterward he led his army against the ammonites , which lay miles from ierusalem towards the northeast , . macch. . from thence , he went to iaeser in the tribe of gad , which was miles ; which he took , and all the castles thereabouts . this town moses in times past conquered , as you may read before macch. . from iaeser he returned to ierusalem which was miles ; from thence he went to ioppa which was miles ; and there he burned their haven ( for ioppa was a haven-town ) and those which scaped the fire he kill'd with the sword , mac. . from ioppa he went to iamnia , which was accounted four miles ; where , in the night , he fired their haven , burn'd their ships , and spoiled their town ; insomuch as the inhabitants of ierusalem , which were sixteen miles off , might easily see the fire , macch. . from iamnia , iudas went with his army against timotheus , chief captain of antiochus eupater , who continued at the city caspin , which was something more than a mile , where he overcame him and arabians , which were strengthned with horse , and took the city , mac. . afterward iudas macchab. with his brother ionathan , led an army to characa unto the iews that were called tubieni , which was miles , against timotheus governour of the ammonites ; but he was gone thence and had done nothing , but left a garrison in a strong hold . wherefore dositheus and sosipater ( which were captains with macchab. ) went forth and slew those that timotheus had left in the fortress more than men : timotheus himself also fell into their hands ; but by reason of his fair speeches , they suffered him to depart with life , mac. . mac. . from thence he went to bozor , a fair city , which was scituated beyond iordan near to bethabara , in the tribe of reuben , it was also called bazra , which was miles : this town he took and burned with fire , isa. . mac. . from bozor he went to mizpa , where iephtha some i me sacrificed his daughter , which was miles . in that journey iudas macchabeus rescued the castle of datheman , drave thence timotheus , and put to the sword of his army . after , he went thence to mizpa , won the town , burn'd it with fire , and put to the sword all the male children because the inhabitants had vexed the children of israel with continual robbery . after that , he won many other towns and cities thereabouts , mac. . from mizpa , iudas passed the river , and went to astaroth-carnaim , which in the second of macchabees is called carnion , which was eight miles : here he destroyed the temple of venus , which the inhabitants call astaroth , and put of the inhabitants to the sword. he went also to atargation , a town not far off , and took it , and delivered all the israelites , from the greatest to the least , which were in captivity amongst the giliadites , . mac. . mac. . from astaroth-carnaim he went to ephron , being miles ; this city iudas macchabeus destroyed because the inhabitants thereof denied him passage , and went through it over the dead bodies , mac. . here gideon , judge of israel , sometime dwelt ; it took the name from the rising up of the dust , being derived of aphar , that is , he hath made a dust . from ephron , iudas passed over iordan into the great field of galilee , and so went to scythopolis , which in ancient time was called bethsan , which was four miles . from bethsan or scythopolis he returned to ierusalem , which was miles , a little before pentecost , in the fourth year of his government , in the year before christ , mac. . mac. . after the feast of pentecost he went from ierusalem to maresa , which was miles ; here he overcame gorgias , governour of idumaea , in a great battel , mac. . from maresa he went with his army to odullam , which was six miles here sometime david hid himself . from odullam he returned to ierusalem , being eight miles ; mac. . from ierusalem he brought his army to hebron , the metropolitan city of the idumaeans , which was miles : this town he won , and all the towns and castles near adjoyning , mac. . from thence he went to samaria , which was fifty six miles , mac. . from samaria he led his army against azotus , being miles . this was a city of the philistines , which he destroyed , broke their altars , and burn'd their idols in the fire , mac. . after that , he conquered two castles in idumaea , mac. . after that , he returned to ierusalem , which was accounted miles , mac. . from ierusalem he went to meet timotheus , chief captain of the syrians , who came with a great army to invade iudaea . but when the battel waxed hot , there appeared to the enemies from heaven , five comely men upon horses , with bridles of gold , two of which led the iews , and took macchabeus between them , and covered him on every side with their weapons , that none could hurt him ; but against their enemies they shot darts and lightnings , so that they were confounded with blindness , and beaten down ; whereby the iews obtained a great victory , and put to the sword foot , and horse ; the rest seeing this great slaughter , fled . so iudas praised the lord , and pursued the enemies to gazara , being sixteen miles . here timotheus hid himself in a cave ; but the iews took the city , found him out , and put him to death , together with his brother chaerea and pollophanes , mac. . from gazara , iudas macchabeus returned to ierusalem , being miles . in the year following , which was the fifth of his reign , and before christ , iudas macchab ▪ besieged the tower of sion in ierusalem , because those that were in the garrison had put to the sword some of the iews that were sacrificing in the temple . but antiochus eupator , the son of antiochus epiphanes , hearing of it ; at the instigation of menelaus , chief priest of the iews , brought a great army to their rescue ; wherefore iudas macchabeus hearing of his coming , left the siege , and went from ierusalem to modin to meet him , which was miles : here he overcame antiochus , destroyed his elephants , and put of his souldiers to the sword , mac. . when king antiochus had felt a taste of the boldness of the jews , he went with his army through by-ways , and secret passages to the castle of bethsu●a , which he besieged , whither iudas followed him , which was twelve miles ; encamped himself a mile from bethsura , in a straight place called bethzachara . here antiochus , betimes in the morning ( thinking to take the army of the iews at an advantage ) set upon them : but the iews and their leaders behaved themselves so manfully , that they put antiochus the second time to flight , and kill'd of his men . in this battel eliazer , the brother of iudas macchabeus , was slain by an elephant , ios. lib. antiq. . lib. . macc. . from bethzachara he returned back to ierusalem , being two miles ; and when the king had taken the town of bethsura ( for they were constrained to yield by reason of famine ) he followed iudas , with whom he joyned the third time in battel ; but iudas overcame him , and put to the sword many of his army . wherefore , having certain intelligence that philip ( whom he had made over-seer of the affairs at antiochia ) rebelled , he made a peace with iudas macchabeus , was appeased towards the iews , did sacrifice , adorned the temple , and shewed great gentleness towards the people . so antiochus departed out of iudaea , and took menelaus , that seditious high-priest , along with him captive , mac. . . mac. . after , in the sixth year of his government , iudas went with his army through all the borders of iudaea , and executed justice upon all such as were offenders and contemners of the true religion . after , when iudas had certain intelligence that nicanor ( whom demetrius king of syria had sent against ierusalem ) went about by fraudulent courses , and under pretence of friendship , to take away his life , mac. . he went privily from ierusalem and came to caphar-salama , scituated twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north. here nicanor and he joyned battel ; but judas discomfited his army , and put to the sword about five thousand of his men , himself not escaping without great danger , m●c . . from caphar-salama , judas came to samaria , which was miles : here he rested himself , and refreshed his army a while , mac. . in the year before christ , he went from samaria to ad●rs● , which was miles ; and there ( upon the th . day of adar , which answereth to the th . day of february ) near to bethoron the lower , he gave nicanor a great overthrow , and put him , with of his host , to the sword , mac. . mac. . from adara and bethoron the lower , he followed the enemies to gaza , a city of the philistines , being miles , mac. . from gaza he returned to ierusalem , being miles ; there he caused the arm of nicanor ( whom a little before he had slain at the battel of adarsa ) to be cut off , and his tongue to be cut out of his head , shred small , and given to the fowls of the heaven , and his head to be cut from his shoulders ; because therewith he had blasphemed the lord , and the temple , swearing desolation and destruction to it and the iews , mac. . mac. . a little after , that is to say , almost at the end of the sixth year of his government , iudas macchabeus went out with chosen men in his army , and pitched his tents near laisa , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the west : but when the iews perceived the mighty army of bacchides ( for he had foo● , and horse in his host ) there were many of them discouraged , so that all left him but men ; yet nevertheless , iudas constrained by necessity , withstood bacchides , and so manfully behaved himself in the battel , that he overcame him , and put him to flight , mac. . his enemies being thus put to flight , he pursued them to the mountains of azotus and gazeron , which was six miles ; where , being oppressed with the multitude , and hemmed in amongst them , was slain . he died in the month nisan , which answers to our april , anno mundi . and before christ . mac. . from the mountains of azotus and gazeron his dead body was carried back again to modin , being miles , and there buried . so his travels were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of mispa , iamnia , and laisa , you may read before . of caspin . this city stood not far from iamnia , miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . this town , though it was strongly fortified , yet iudas macchabeus won it , mac. . it is called caspin , of keseph , which signifies , silver . there was another city called casphor , that is , the silver mountain , this stood in the land of gilead near mispa , which iudas also won , mac. . of asseremoth , otherwise called gazaron . gazaron or gareza was a city of the philistines near ekron , sixteen miles from ierusalem towards the west . it is so called from the cliff of a rock ; being derived of gezer , which signifies a cliff. here iudas macchabeus was slain , mac. . of the tubiani . tvbiani are a people that dwelt beyond iordan , in that part of arabia-petraea which is called nabathea , of nabaioth the son of ishmael , near to a mountain of the gileadites , not far distant from abel of the vines , where it is thought balaam's ass spoke . this land is called thubin , and the inhabitants tubiani ; because all that country bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent wine ; being derived of zob , which signifies good , and iaiin , wine . in this country iudas macchabeus continued three days with his army . of caphar-salama . this town stood twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north : in herod the great 's time in was enlarged and made a very fair city , which he caused to be called antipatridis , after the name of his father antipater ; of which you may read more in the travels of the apostle paul. of adarsa . this was a town in the tribe of ephraim , between antipatridis and bethoron the lower , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . it seemeth to be thus called from a noble gift , for it is derived of adar , which signifies illustrious , and schal , a gift . the typical signification of judas macchabeus . jvdas macchabeus is a type and figure of our lord jesus christ ; and antiochus of that wicked antichrist , as the interpretation of their names do evidently declare ; for , iudas signifies a confessor , praising god and glorifying his name for all his benefits ; so christ the son of god is the praise and glory of his father , for that in him , and by him , god the father is praised , as is evident in the song of simeon . in like manner our lord jesus christ is worthily called macchabeus , for macchabeus is a sir-name of the iews , which is written after this manner , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 machabai , every letter of which signifieth a several word , according to the song of moses in the fifteenth chapter of exodus , where are these words , michamocha baelim iehovah , that is , who is like unto thee amongst the gods , o lord ? thus did the children of israel sing with moses , when god led them out of the land of aegypt through the red sea : and this sentence iudas macchabeus continually used as an adage ; and the letters at the beginning of these words being joyned together into one word , make the sir-name macchabai . therefore as he had always this golden sentence in his mouth , so had he it likewise in his name , yea , in his ensigns . wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to christ ; for he is that perfect image and glory of his eternal father , heb. . who is called michael , that is , who is like unto god ? and macchabeus , or machabai , that is , who is like unto thee amongst the gods , o lord. therefore he saith thus , i am that great god that will deliver you from all evil . ecce , deus fortis foelix , de morte resurgo : tartareosque unguens , daemona ipse ligo . behold , i am the god of might , from death to life that rose : i bind the devil to my will , his furies i oppose . but antiochus signifies an adversary , or an opposer , or one that fighteth against god. the same also doth sathan signifie in hebrew . he is therefore a fit type of that great opposer of god and man , ( antichrist ) who fighteth against christ , that iudas machabeus , and true captain of the church . for as the one ( viz. antiochus ) was an adversary against the iews , the children of god ; so the other , ( that is , antichrist ) is an adversary and enemy against christ and his church , &c. the travels of jonathan , the brother of judas macchabeus . jonathan , or jonathas , and theodo●us , hath but one signification , that is , the gift of god. this man , the same year that judas his brother died , succeeded him in the principalit● , and governed the jews eighteen years , mac. . joseph . lib. antiq . . but understanding that bacchides , chief captain of demetrius king of syria , went about to take away his life by craft , he and his brother simon went from modin , and pitched their tents in the wilderness of tecoah , near to the lake of asphar , which was twenty miles . from thence they sent their brother john with certain riches to the nabathians , which dwelt in medaba in arabia ( twenty eight miles ) desiring them in friendship to receive their goods into the town , and to keep them for their use : but the sons of iambri and the nabathians issued out of medaba unawares , fell upon john , put him to death , took away all his wealth , and returned into their city with great joy . but jonathan and simon took this injury very heavily , and much bewailed the death of their brother : wherefore , that they might be revenged of the inhabitants of medaba , they went thence twenty eight miles , and hid themselves among the mountains , just in the way that led from medaba to canaan ; for they had heard that the sons of iambri and the inhabitants of medaba were gone forth with great jollity to fetch home a bride , which was a princes daughter of the land of canaan ; now as they were merry upon the way , jonathan , and simon his brother , with their army , went out from among the mountains , and put a great number of them to the sword , taking away a mighty spoyl . from medaba they went to the river jordan , which was three miles , where , upon the east side of the river they pitched their tents ; here he was constrained to fight a cruel battel with bacchides upon the sabboth-day ; but as he was in the fight , he met bacchides , and lift up his hand to strike at him ; but he seeing the danger , retired . nevertheless he put to the sword of his men , and after , he and his followers leapt into the river and swam over : so they all escaped without danger . in the fifty sixth year of the grecians government in syria , which was the fifth year of the principality of ionathan , bacchides returned again with his army into iudaea , and besieged ionathan and simon in bethbesan , otherwise called bethgalam , some three miles distant from iordan . here ionathan , leaving his brother simon in the city , stole out by a postern , and went to all the villages near adjoyning , from whence he gathered an army of chosen men , and set upon bacchides : simon also broke out of the city , and set upon him , so that they greatly oppressed him and burned his tents , mac. . wherefore , when bacchides understood that ionathan and simon had fortified that city , and that the iews were ready to defend it , he concluded a peace with ionathan ; the captives of either part were re-delivered , and the iews lived in peace a good while after , mac. . from bethbesan , ionathan went to michmas , being six miles : here he dwelt for a while , and judged the people of israel , cherishing the good , and rooting out the evil from amongst them , mac. . from michmas he went to ierusalem , which was ten miles . hither alexander king of syria , and son of antiochus epiphanes , sent him a purple robe and a golden crown , and ordained him high-priest of the iews . wherefore ionathan , on the day of the feast of the tabernacles , which was in the year before christ , , took upon him the office to be high priest , mac. . the next year after , which was the tenth of ionathan's rule , ( after the death of demetrius king of syria , who was slain in the wars against alexander ) there appeared a comet of an extraordinary greatness , which was of such an exceeding brightness , that it took away the darkness of the night ; and the writers of those times affirm it to equal the sun in greatness . after this prodigy , the romans began the third punick war against the carthaginians . vide camerar . lib. . de ostent . ionathan in the eleventh year of his reign , went from ierusalem to ptolemais , being seventy six miles , to the marriage of alexander king of syria , and cleopatra the daughter of ptolomeus philometor king of aegypt , where he was entertained very honourably , mac. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , which was seventy six miles ; mac. . from ierusalem he went to ioppa , and won the town , which was twenty miles . from ioppa he went to asdod , which was twelve miles ; there he burnt the temple of dagon , and all that were in it . from thence he went with his army to ascalon , being twelve miles ; this town willingly yielded unto him . from ascalon he returned to ierusalem , which was miles , mac. . in the fifteenth year of his government he went to io●pa , being twenty miles , to meet ptolomeus philometor king of aegypt , and stayed there all that night , mac. . the next day he went with the king of aegypt to the river of eleutherius , which was miles . from thence he returned back again to ierusalem , which was miles . here he besieged the tower of acropolis , because there were many wicked men got into it . in the sixteenth year of his government he went from ierusalem to ptolomais , to demetrius nicanor king of syria , which was miles . from ptolomais he returned back to ierusalem , which was miles . from ierusalem ( in the seventeenth year of his government ) he went beyond the river euphrates , which was accounted four hundred miles ; and there gathered an army , in aid of antiochus the younger , the son of alexander , and went against demetrius nicanor king of syria . from thence he returned to ierusalem , which was miles . from ierusalem he went with his army to ascalon , which was thirty miles . from thence he came to gaza , which was eighteen miles : this town he besieged , and after a sharp battel won it . from gaza he went to damascus in syria , which was about miles . from thence he returned to the lake of genesereth , which was miles . here he opposed the army of demetrius nicanor king of syria . from thence ( before day ) he removed his camp to chazor , which was thirty two miles ; where , when part of his army was put to flight by a stratagem , he tore his garments , put dust upon his head , and prayed earnestly unto the lord for aid and assistance : so having recovered his strength and former courage , he returned with those few that he had left him to the war , where he put the army of king demetrius to flight , and slew of his men with the sword. his enemies being thus dispersed , he pursued them to thier tents , near cades in galilee , being six miles . from thence he returned to ierusalem with a glorious victory , which was about some ninety two miles . here he made a league with the romans and spartans , mac. . . from ierusalem he went with his army into the country of hemath , that is , syria , to the river eleutherius , being miles ; here he put his enemies to flight , after they had burnt and consumed their tents . from thence he went to nabathia in arabia , being miles . here he conquered the arabians and zabadians , and spoiled their land. from thence he went through all that country , and wasted it , till he came within eight miles of damascus from thence he returned home to ierusalem , which was miles . in the eighteenth and last year of his reign he caused the walls of ierusalem to be built , and began to fortifie many places in iudaea , mac. . also the same year ( which was the year of the government of the graecians in syria ) the second book of macchabees was written , as appeareth , cap. . after , from ierusalem he went to bethsan to meet tryphon , being forty four miles : here , being deceived by the fair speeches of tryphon , he discharged his army all but . from thence he took these with him , and went with tryphon to ptolomais , which was thirty two miles ; into which town he was no sooner entered , but tryphon caused the citizens to shut the gates , where all his men were slain . from ptolomais , tryphon brought ionathan the high-priest to addus , upon the borders of iudaea , which was sixty eight miles ; from whence he sent to simon , the brother of ionathan , whom he kept captive in a castle near adjoyning ; promising to release his brother , if he would send his two sons to be hostages , and let him have a hundred talents of silver , that is , crowns . so simon sent his two sons , together with the money , to tryphon ; but tryphon took them and the mony , and led them captive with ionathan their father from add●s to addor , a town in idumaea , which was forty eight miles . from thence he carried them to baschaman in the country of the gileadites , which was ninety six miles ; where , in the winter season , in the year before christ , , this cruel and perfidious tyrant put ionathan and his sons to death . from baschamah of the gileadites simon removed the bodies of ionathan and his sons to modin , being sixty miles , where he buried them , mac. . so all his travels were miles . the description of the places mentioned in his travels . of michmas and cades you may read before . of medaba . this city is scituated beyond iordan in the tribe of reuben , twenty eight miles from ierusalem towards the east . it seems to take the name from a hot bath that stood near it ; for there were many baths and wholsom springs stood beyond iordan , as ios. lib. ant. . c. . witnesseth . the same things are also mentioned , esa. cap. . for medaba is derived of maiim and doba , which signifies , warm or boyling water . of bethbesan . this town was scituated in the tribe of benjamin , near gilgal , twelve miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . the castle of this town ionathan and simon fortified and repaired , that it might be a strong place for them to retire to from the danger of bacchides , mac. . ios. li. ant. . c. . saith , that this town was called the house of blushing , being derived of bos●h , to blush , and bethagla , a round house . of ptolomais . in ancient times this town was called acon , scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , between tyrus and mount carmel , in the tribe of aser , miles from ierusalem towards the north. but the aserites could not cast out the canaanites out of that city , ptolomeus king of egypt conquered this town and rebuilt it , calling it after his own name , ptolomais , which signifieth , to make war. in times past it was a goodly city , strongly fortified with towers , bulwarks , ditches , and walls : it was built in a triangular proportion , like to a shield , two parts whereof was compassed in by the sea , and upon the third there stood a fruitful plain , wherein were corn-grounds , pastures , medows , vine-yards , and orchards , adorned with divers kinds of fruits . it had a very fair and spacious haven for the preserving of ships : it was beautified with arcinals , castles , temples , and many other buildings , very stately and curious ; but at this day it is utterly desolate , and scarce to be perceived where it stood . of eleutherius . eleutherius was a river upon the borders of phoenicia and syria , near to the city orthosia , at the foot of mount libanus , miles from ierusalem towards the north ; of which you may read in the history of ionathan , mac. . . there is also another river of that name , between tyrus and sarepta , upon the borders of palestina , miles from ierusalem towards the north. of genezereth . it is a sea in galilee , so called from the land of genesara , which lyeth about it ; here sometimes capernaum stood ; it signifies a princely garden , being derived of gen , that is , a garden , and sar , a prince : for the country round about it was very pleasant . you may read more of this in the travels of our saviour christ. of the field chazor . this was a plain near to the town chazor , or hazor ; which is described in the travels of joshua . it stood in the upper galilee , miles from ierusalem towards the north. of zabadei . zabadei were a people inhabiting arabia desarta , near to the river eleutherius , on the north-east side of syria and damascus , two hundred miles from ierusalem . arabia is three-fold ; the one part thereof is called deserta , which extendeth it self towards the north , to syria and damascus ; the other is called petraea , in which vast wilderness the children of israel travelled ; the third is called arabia foelix , which is towards the south , extending it self from the east to the gulph of persia , and upon the west it is shut in with the gulf of arabia . but the zabadei , they inhabited in arabia deserta , and were a people of a liberal and free condition : from whence it seemeth they are so called ; for zabab signifieth , to endow , or bestow . of addus . addvs is called by iosephus ( lib. antiq . . cap. . ) iadah : it was a town near arimathea in mount ephraim , sixteen miles from ierusasalem towards the north-west ; and is so called from a congregation , being derived of iaad , that is , he hath assembled with authority ; and edah , a congregation , or synagogue . of ador. this was a city of the idumaeans , forty eight miles from ierusalem towards the south-west . ador signifies , a beautiful city , being derived of adar , that is , famous and illustrious ; and or , that is , light. of baschamah . baschamah standeth in the land of gilead , beyond iordan , fifty two miles from ierusalem towards the north-east ; and is so called from sweet gums , of which there is great plenty in that place . the travels of the high priest simon , the brother of judas macchabeus . simon signifies an auditor , and one that heareth ; being derived of schamah , he hath heard . this man did many worthy acts during the life of iudas macchabeus ; for , being sent into gal●lee , ( in which countrey there were many that rebelled ) he suppressed the insurrection , and pursued the enemies into the city of ptolomais , which was seventy six miles . from ptolomais he brought his army to arabath , miles . in this place , after he had assembled all the religious israelites thereabouts , and their wives and children , he brought them thence to ierusalem , miles . after , he went with his brother iudas to many places , and behaved himself manfully in all his enterprizes , mac. . . he went also with him to the battel fought between azotus and gazeron , where iudas was slain , being miles from ierusalem westward , mac. . simon and ionathan brought the dead body of their brother iudas to modin , six miles , and there buried him by his father mattathias , mac. . afterward , simon and his brother ionathan went from modin to the lake asphar in the wilderness of tecoa , which was twenty miles . from the desart of tecoa they went to madaba , which was twenty eight miles . after , they returned thence to the river of iordan , where , upon the east side of the river , they pitch'd their tents , twelve miles . here they fought with bacchides . after , they went thence to bethbesan , three miles . from thence they went to ierusalem , twelve miles , ioseph . antiq. lib. . cap. . from ierusalem they went to ioppa , twenty miles , and won the town , ios. lib. ant. . c. . from ioppa they went to asdod , twelve miles , and in the way they put the enemy to flight . from asdod they went to ascalon , twelve miles , macc. . from ascalon they returned to ierusalem , being thirty miles , mac. . from thence he went to bethsura , half a mile ; this town he won , and placed a garison in it , mac. . also , in the absence of his brother ionathan , simon went with his army to ascalon , which was thirty miles from ierusalem , mac. . from thence he went to ioppa , which was twenty miles . this town the second time he took , and placed a garison therein , mac. . from ioppa he returned again to ierusalem , which was twenty miles , ios. ant. lib. . cap. . from ierusalem , in the last year of his brother ionathan's government , he went to the plain of sephala , about fourteen miles , where he built the hold of abida , mac. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , fourteen miles ; there , after the captivity of his brother ionathan , ( whom tryphon by cunning had betrayed , as is before-said ) he was chosen by the people of the iews into the principality . from thence he went to addus , to meet tryphon , sixteen miles ; where he would have ransomed his brother ionathan , mac. . from addus he went to a city of the idumeans called ador , or adaram , forty eight miles . from ador he returned into iudea with his army , forty miles , that he might oppose the invasion of tryphon , and his souldiers , lest they should have destroyed the country , and got ierusalem in his absence . tryphon having put to death his brother ionathan , ( which was in the year before christ . ) simon entred upon the office of high-priest the same year , and continued in the government eight years . in the first year of his government he went from ierusalem to modin , fourteen miles . here he buried the body of his brother ionathan , in his father's sepulchre , very honourably , and richly beautified it . from modin he returned to ierusalem , fourteen miles , where he executed his priestly function diligently , and repaired the holds and decayed towns of iudea , compassing them about with stone walls , and fortifying them with towers and bulwarks . from thence he went to gaza , forty four miles from ierusalem south-westward . this town he took . from thence he returned to ierusalem , which was four and forty miles . there he repaired the tower of acropolis , wherein he dwelt . from ierusalem he went to ioppa , and won the town , which was twenty miles . from ioppa he returned to ierusalem , which was twenty miles , where , for a time he lived very honourably , and kept a princely court , mac. . lastly , he went with his two sons , iudas and mattathias , and his wife , to visit his father-in-law ptolomeus the son of abodus , to the castle of doch , which was near to iericho , some ten miles from ierusalem towards the north-east . here he was slain by his father-in-law at a banquet , in the year before christ , in the eleventh month , which answereth to our february , mac. . so all his travels were miles . the description of the places mentioned in his travels . of arabath . arabath , or araba , was a city near to the lake or river merom , not far from dothan , forty four miles from ierusalem towards the north. it seems to take the name from locusts , whereof there are many kinds , mac. . for there are locusts that live upon herbs and flowers : others that fly in great swarms in the air ; and some also that live in the waters , not much unlike crabs , or cray-fishes , their tails only excepted . plin. lib. . cap. . reckons up another kind of locusts , whereon iohn baptist did feed , and it was lawful for the iews to eat of them : he describes them to have four feet , and wings , so that they can either fly , or leap upon the earth . they can be resembled to nothing more fitly than to grashoppers . these the hebrews call robae , levit. . mat. . because of the abundance of them ; being derived of the verb rabah , he hath multiplied , or increased ; because these kinds of locusts come in mighty great swarms and multitudes into the east part of the world. of these kinds of locusts arabath took the name , but they are not known to us ; nevertheless such there are ; and , as it appeareth in leuit. . were permitted to be eaten among the iews . from whence may be concluded , that iohn baptist lived upon these kind of locusts , and not upon crabs , or cray-fish , or any such kind of locusts , mat. . of sephela . sephela is a plain compassed about with mountains , near the river sorek . it lieth fourteen miles from ierusalem westward . here simon built the castle adida , and fortified it very strongly . afterward there was a city built near to this tower , called eleutheropolis . it was a free city in the tribe of iudah , half way between ierusalem and ascalon ; of which st. ierom speaketh , lib. de locis hebr. of doch . this was a strong tower , the ruines whereof may be seen to this day . it was scituated near iericho , in the field of hiericuntis , ten miles from ierusalem north-eastward ; where ptolomeus the son of abodus persidiously put to death his son-in-law simon , high priest of the jews . from this tower you might have seen all the countrey of the gileadites , the two tribes of gad and reuben , and the half tribe of manasses , with the mountains of the moabites , nebo , pisgah , and abarim . vid. mac. cap. ult . the travels of john hyrcanus . john hyrcanus was made captain over all the men of war , by his father simon , and went from ierusalem to gaza , forty four miles , where he dwelt , mac. . from thence he returned to ierusalem , forty four miles , in the fifth year of his father's government , to let him understand how cendebius had invaded the holy land , mac. . from ierusalem , he and his brother iudas went with their army to modin , fourteen miles , where they stayed all night . the next morning , before day , they gave battel to cendebius , not far from modin , overcame him , and put him to flight . so he pursued the chase till he came to the fortress of cedron , which stood in the field of azotus , even eight miles . from the field of azotus , he and his brother iudas returned to ierusalem , being twenty two miles , mac. . from ierusalem he returned to gaza , miles . now when sorius ptolomeus , the son of abodus , ( who a little before had treacherously slain his son-in-law simon at a banquet ) heard of iohn's coming into the town , he sent forth certain traitors and homicides to put him to death also : but hyrcanus having certain intelligence of the matter , prevented the mischief , and put these traitors to the sword , mac. . so all his travels were miles . concerning the towns and places mentioned in these travels , you may read before . of the kings of syria that succeeded antiochus epiphanes , and made war upon the macchabees . and first , of the travels of antiochus eupator . this antiochus the younger succeeded his father antiochus epiphanes , in the year of the grecians government in syria , which was the year before christ , and he continued king of asia and syria three years . lysias the king's substitute for syria , called this man by the name of eupator , that is , a good father ; because kings ought to be fathers of their countries . this antiochus eupator in the second year of his reign , came with a great army from antiochia to the town of modin , which was miles . from modin he went to the hold at bethsura : this he sharply besieged ; being miles . from bethsura he went to bethsachara ( almost a mile ) to meet with iudas macchabeus , who put him to flight , and kill'd of his men , mac. . from bethsachara he returned to the hold of bethsura , and won it , being almost a mile . from bethsura he came to ierusalem , which was half a mile . from ierusalem he went with his army to ptolomais , being seventy six miles . from ptolomais he returned to antiochia , two hundred and four miles and a half . concerning the towns and places mentioned in his travels , you may read before . the travels of demetrius soter , the brother of antiochus epiphanes . in an. mundi . before christ . demetrius soter the son of seleucus philopater , who was sent to rome , brought a navy from thence through the mediterranean sea , and came to tripolis in syria , which journey was two thousand , six hundred , and eighty miles , and usurped upon the government of syria against young antiochus , the son of epiphanes , mac. . from tripolis he went to antiochia , where the king kept his court , eighty eight miles . here he caused young antiochus and lysias to be slain , and after , reigned in syria ten years . at length he was slain in a great battel , by alexander the son of epiphanes , mac. . so all his travels were miles . of tripolis . this was scituated in phoenicia , a province of syria , on the shore of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the north ; and was so called because there dwelt in it three sorts of people , viz. tyrians , sydonians , and arabians . it is a very famous city even to this day ; the ocean sea coming into every street , and principal place of it , and full as populous as tyrus . for there inhabit grecians , latines , armeni●ns , maronites , nestorians , and people of many other nations of divers conditions and customs in manner of living . it aboundeth also with great abundance of costly tapestry , which is made so curiously , and with such cost , that it is very delightful to such as look upon it . it is credibly reported , that there are found within the city of tripolis men that do little else but weave and make tapestry , and such like costly hangings . the country round about where it standeth is very pleasant , and because of the great abundance of vines , olives , figs , and other fruits and flowers ( which yieldeth a comfortable smell , and is profitable for the maintenance of life ) it is called paradice . there is a field before the city , some two miles in length , and one in breadth , in which there are to be seen very curious gardens , and artificially contrived . about six miles from the city standeth mount libanus , at the foot whereof riseth a goodly fountain , which with great violence runneth thence , but suddenly falleth into the vallies , it joyns with other waters , and becomes a fair and pleasant river , watering all the gardens of the plain betwen tripolis and libanus , but especially the mountains of the leopards , which is not far off . in the canticles , cap. . there is mention of this hill ; come with me my spouse , from the denns of the lions , and the mountains of the leopards . the water of this spring is very clear , pleasant , cold and healthful ; upon the banks of it there standeth many churches and religious houses ; it is called the fountain of the gardens , and is divided into three rivers or principal , streams , besides many other small brooks , which run thence and fall into the sea ; so that the sentence , est. . is verified of this , a small fountain shall increase to a great river , and shall be poured out against many waters . the travels of king alexander , son of epiphanes , and brother to antiochus eupater of this alexander , iustin writes , lib. . where he sheweth , that he was not son to antiochus epiphanes , as was supposed , but had to name prompalus , being a man of the meaner sort of people : but the antiochians , for the great tyranny of demetrius , falling into rebellion , gave unto him the name of alexander , and withal caused it to be published abroad , that he was the son of epiphanes , which by reason of his youth was easily believed . and at this time , demetrius , because of his cruelty , being much hated of all sorts of people ; it came to pass that most , and those of the greatest also , combined with this young man , supposing him indeed to be of noble descent , and the son of a king , wherefore alexander , or prompatus , being thus encouraged , took upon him to be the brother of antiochus eupator , and called himself the lawful heir and successor to the crown of syria , going from thence to ptolomais , where he kept a royal court ; and in the year of the world , before christ , by the help of the antiochians , and others the inhabitants of syria , he took upon him the government of that country , and reigned five years . this man suffered many varieties and changes of fortune : at first was put to flight by demetrius ; after he put demetrius to flight , and at length put him to death and usurp'd upon his government . in the third year of his reign he married cleapatra the daughter of ptolomeus philometor king of aegypt , by whom he had his son antiochus . to this marriage ionathan was invited . in the last year of his government , he went from ptolomais to antiochia , which was miles , where he opposed himself against demetrius nicanor , the son of demetrius soter , mac. cap. . from antiochia he went to cilicia , which was miles , to suppress the rebellion of his subjects : but when he heard that ptolomeus philometor his father-in-law had taken up arms against him , conquered syria , and given his wife to demetrius nicanor , which had been married unto him two years before , he gathered all his forces he could , and with all expedition made good the war against ptolomeus : but he was overcome , and fled into that part of arabia which bordereth upon the mountain emanus for refuge , where zabdiel the governour of that country , fearing left he should fall into the displeasure of ptolomeus , caused his servants to cut off his head , and sent it to him into syria ; within three days after which sight , he died , being mortally wounded in the former battel , ios. li. ant. . c. . so all his travels were miles . of amanus . amanus was a mountain between syria and cilicia , which extendeth it self to the river euphrates . between this amanus and euphrates , arabia deserta is scituat●d , miles from ierusalem northward , and signifies the mountain of truth ; from aman , true and faithful . the travels of demetrius nicanor , the son of demetrius soter . in the year of the government of the grecians in syria , which was years before christ , demetrius , sirnamed nicanor , which signifies victory , sailed out of creet into cilicia , which was miles , ios. ant. . c. . mac. . out of cilicia he came into syria the lower , miles , where , joyning with apolonius , he took upon him the crown and kingdom of syria . afterward apolonius went into iudaea with a great army , and besieged iamniah . ptolomeus philometor also assisted the proceeding of demetrius , seeing alexander his son-in-law beginning to decline ; and the better to strengthen their alliance , matched him to cleopatra his daughter , which before had been wife to alexander ; by which policy , he added to the kingdom of egypt all asia , over which he ruled two years , mac. . after , demetrius nicanor came out of syria the lower , with ptolomeus philometor , to antiochia , which was eighty miles , mac. . from antiochia they went with their army to a plain near the mountain amanus , miles ; where in a sharp war they overcame alexander and put him out of his kingdom , ios ant. li. . c. . now after the death of ptolomeus philimetor , demetrius nicanor returned to antiochia , miles , where he governed the kingdom of syria two years . from antiochia he went to ptolomais , which was miles ; to which place ionathan the high-priest came to meet him , where he gave to him many presents and great gifts to win his favour , mac. . from ptolomais he returned to antiochia , miles . there his souldiers and the city of antiochia rebelled against him . for which cause , ionathan the high-priest sent him men , which delivered the king out of danger , put to the sword of the seditious , and burnt the city of antiochia mac. . but after , demetrius shewed himself unthankful , he was driven out of his kingdom by tryphon and young antiochus the son of king alexander , who was also called theos , which signifies god. in the year of the reign of the grecians in syria , which was years before christ , nicanor having slain antiochus the son of alexander , he would have reigned alone in syria , wherefore demetrius who was the lawful king of syria , being three years before driven thence , went miles , into media to crave aid against tryphon ; but arsaces king of the medes , parthians and persians , sent the chief captain of his host against demetrius , who burned his tents , took him prisoner , and carried him back to his master , to hecatompilon the chief city of his kingdom , distant from syria miles toward the east , iustin. lib. . . from hecatom●ylon , arsaces sent him to hyrcania , the metropolitan city of that country , which was miles ; where , although arsaces kept him as a prisoner , yet he allowed him royal attendance , and after marryed him to his daughter , iust. lib. . after the death of arsaces , with singular industry and policy , he got out of captivity , after he had been twelve years prisoner in hyrcania , and came into syria , which was fourteen miles , where he recovered his kingdom , and reigned four years . so all his travels were miles . of the places to which he travelled . of creta , now called candia . this is an island of the mediterranean sea , diftant from ierusalem miles westward , very fruitful and pleasant , in which there grows great plenty of cypress trees , and grapes of divers kinds , but principally such whereof malmsey and sack are made . here paul's disciple , was bishop ; wherefore you shall read more of it after . of seleucia . seleucia is a famous city of syria , scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem north-ward , near to which the river orantes runneth , and the mountain casius standeth , which is four miles high , plin. l. . c. . you may read more of this in the travels of st. paul. of syria . syria was sometimes called of the hebrews , aram , of aram the son of sem , of whom all armenia took the name . aram signifies , a man of great spirit and dignity , being derived of rom , that is , lifted up ; for he was a man of an excellent spirit , gen. cap. . syria signifieth a great tract of land , and is divided into two parts , the upper and the lower . in the upper syria are these cities , antiochia , seleucia , laodicea , and apamea : in the lower syria are sydon , tyrus , berytus , tripolis , and orth●sia . this country is scituated in a very temperare zone ; from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much cold nor heat . there are that divide syria into four parts , that is , into syria , assyria , leucosyria , and coelosyriae . also pliny , lib. . cap. . attributeth mesopotamia and babylonia to syri● . but it is evident , that these were distinct countries from them , in the which there reigned emperours and kings which had large and spacious dominions . for syria is scituated between the mediterranean sea and euphrates ; but mesopotamia ( which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of waters ) is separated from syria and assyria , with the rivers euphrates and tygris ; and arabia is separated from syria and babylon with many vast wildernesses . therefore these countries cannot properly pass under the denomination of syria . of parthia . parthia is a spacious countrey , full of mountains and desarts , lying upon the borders of media , westward ; the metropolis whereof his hecatompylon , taking the name of an hundred gates wherewith it is fortified . it lieth ( as stephanus saith ) miles from ierusalem eastward . here arsaces , that mighty king of the parthians , kept his court , who had under his government media , parthia , persia , hircania , and the greatest part of all the countreys toward the east . it is called parthia , because of the fruitfulness of the soil , being derived of parah , to fructifie . of hyrcania . hyrcania is a fruitful and pleasant countrey , bordering upon media , and the caspian sea , for the most part plain and champian , beautified with many fair cities , the chief of which are , hyrcania , ( the metropolis of the whole kingdom ) talebrota , samariana , carta , and tape . it was so fat and fruitful , that the inhabitants use not to till and dress the ground , as they do in other places , but the seed that falleth from the husk upon the earth , springeth up , and bringeth forth great plenty and increase , without farther labour . the dews also falling upon the trees , there droppeth from them oil and honey in great plenty . it taketh the name ( as it is thought ) from a wood called hyrcania , in like manner , the caspian sea , which bordereth upon it , of this countrey , is called hyrcanum . many cruel beasts are found therein , as the panther , the tyger , and the leopard . the panther is of a whitish colour , inclining something to yellow , spotted all over with round shining spots ; in like manner are their eyes . she is a friend almost to all kinds of creatures , except the asp and dragon , and ( as oppianus saith ) never taken but when she is drunk , or in her sleep . she is the female to the leopard . the leopard is of the same colour , and of the nature of a wolf , being full , he hurteth nothing ; but if empty , he preyeth upon every thing ; yea , even upon men : his breath is very sweet , with which many other creatures being delighted , he often preys upon them ; but being full , he sleepeth sometimes three days together . the tyger also is a very swift and cruel creature , from whence he is so called ; his skin is yellow , and full of black spots , round and shining . if the chance to lose her young , she never leaves seeking till she finds them out . the travels of tryphon , that put antiochus to death . in an. mundi , before christ . tryphon , sometime chief captain to alexander king of syria , who was slain in arabia , went to emal●uel , prince of arabia deserta , with whom antiochus the son of alexander was brought up ; where he so wrought with him , that he got the boy from him , and brought him thence into syria , miles ; and within a while after , besieged antiochia , took the town , drove thence demetrius nicanor , and crowned young antiochus king of assyria . this journey to and again was miles , mac. . in the second year of the reign of young antiochus , tryphon went from antiochia to bethsan , where he perfidiously betrayed ionathan the brother of iudas macchabeus , mac. . being miles . from bethsan he went to ptolomais , miles . from ptolomais he went to addus , a town upon the borders of iudaea , sixty eight miles , mac. . to addus , simon sent his brother's children , and his ransom , which was talents of silver : but after he had received the money , he broke his word , and went thence with ionathan and his sons to ador , which was forty eight miles . from ador he went to baschaman in the land of gilead , ninety six miles . here he put to death ionathan and his sons . from the countrey of the gileadites he returned to antiochia , which was miles . here he put to death young antiochus , being but a boy of seven year of age , and usurped upon the government in his place . he began to reign in the year of the grecians government in syria , and reigned three years , mac. . ios. lib. ant . . about the end of the three years , which was in the year of the grecians government in syria , antiochus sedetes ( brother of demetrius nicanor ) made war upon tryphon , and compelled him to fly from antiochia to dora , miles from antiochia towards the south , mac. . but antiochus sedetes followed him thither , and so streightly besieged dora , that he was constrained to steal thence in a ship , and ●ail to ortho●ia , which was miles . lastly , in the way , as he was going thence to apamea , which was an hundred and twenty miles he was taken and put to death . so all his travels were miles . of the places mentioned in his travels , which have been formerly recited . of dora . dora was a haven-town scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , forty eight miles from ierusalem northward , in the mid-way between carmel and caes●rea strato . in ioseph . cap. . it is called dor , that is , ● durans . of orthosia . this was a city of assyria , scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , near to the place where the eleutherius falleth into it , miles from ierusalem northward ; being so called of diana , whom the grecians called orthosia , that is , exalted or lifted up . hither tryphon sailed when he fled from antiochus sedetes , mac. . plin. lib. . cap. . concerning the travels of apolonius , nicanor , bacchides , and cendebius ; because they are sufficiently described in the travels of the macchabees , i thought it unfit to speak further of them . the travels of heliodorus . heliodorus signifies the house of the sun. he was secretary and chief governour of antiochi● in syria , for that mighty king saleuchus philopator , who was brother to that cruel tyrant antiochus epiphanes , and was sent by his lord and master seleuchus from antiochia to ierusalem , which was eighty miles , to spoil the temple of the lord : but the lord sent an angel richly beautified with armour of gold , fitting upon a horse ; who went to heliodorus , and with his horse trod him under his feet ; and there appeared two other angels full of majesty and power , that strook heliodorus and beat him with whips , so that he lay upon the floor of the temple as a man half dead , and could not go forth until he was carried out , mac. . from ierusalem he went with that good man onias chief priest of the iews ( at whose earnest prayers and supplications he was made whole ) to antiochia , miles ; where he told seleuchus philopator of the wonderful works of the lord. so all his travels were miles . the travels of the high-priest of the jews , that ruled before the macchabees , as they are severally mentioned in the books of maccabees . and first , of the travels of onias the high-priest . onias signifies the riches of god ; from on , opulency , and iah , god : for although he was afflicted with poverty in this world , yet he was rich in god. he succeeded his father simon the just , an. mun. . before christ . antiochus the great being king of syria . he was high-priest thirty nine years until the death seleuchus philopater ; at the end of which time , one simon the chief of those that kept the temple , being ambitious of rule , fell to words with onias , and from words to blows ; so that there were many outrages committed by the friends of simon . wherefore onias , to give place to the fury of his adversaries , went from ierusalem to antiochia , which was to hundred and eighty miles . but seleucus philopator being dead , and antiochus epiphanes in the government , who was a covetous and cruel prince ; good onias , partly for fear of him , and partly of his brother iason ( who had but a little before purchased the office of high-priest for three hundred and sixty talents of silver , and promised to pay a yearly tribute of eighty talents ) durst not return home to ierusalem , but went to a sanctuary that stood in the wood of daphne , which was about one mile from antiochia , in hope of safety : to which place , one andronichus , chief captain to antiochus , came to him , and with fair speeches and flattering words , allured him out of the sanctuary , and traiterously put him to death . so all his travels were two hundred eighty one miles . the travels of the high-priest jason . jason and iesus have both one signification : he entred upon the office of high-priest in the first year of antiochus epiphanes , which was one hundred seventy three years before christ. he went from ierusalem to antiochia , which was two hundred eighty miles , where , after the death of onias , he paid to antiochus for the office of high-priest , almost three tuns of gold , with promise to pay a yearly tribute of crowns . from antiochia he returned to ierusalem , two hundred eighty miles ; where he began to build the tower of acropolis in mount acra : and that he might please that wicked king , and keep his favour , he built certain theatres in ierusalem , and caused interludes and plays to be acted in them , at such times and upon such days as the poeple were wont to meet in the temple to serve god. also king antiochus epiphanes in the fourth year of his priesthood coming to ierusalem , he gave him royal entertainment . the same year iason was put out of his office of high-priest by the policy and cunning of his brother menelaus , and was constrained to fly into the land of the ammonites beyond iordan , being forty miles . two years after , when antiochus epiphanes invaded aegypt , there was a vain rumour that he was slain ; wherefore iason , with a thousand souldiers , returned to ierusalem , being forty miles , and broke suddenly into the city , so that menelaus was constrained for safety of his life , to fly to the garrison of the syrians that were in ierusalem . but antiochus hearing what had happened , came out of aegypt with ● great army of ierusalem , wherefore he fled thence back again to the ammonites , forty miles ; but they fearing that antiochus would come thither with his army , he was accused before areta , king of arabia , and constrained to fly from one city to another for safety . wherefore , when he perceived that he could not live there secure , he went thence into aegypt , miles . from thence he went to the lacedemonians , six hundred miles , where he died in exile , being cast out unlamented or buried . so all his travels were miles . of lacedemonia , the metropolitan city of peloponnesus . lacedemonia , or sparta , was famous city of peloponnesus , distant from ierusalem six hundred miles toward the west ; which although it had no walls , yet was it one of the most fair and most populous cities in all grecia ; and was called sparta of spartus , who was king thereof , and re-built it , adorning it with fair and goodly buildings . at first it was built by one lacedemon , who was somtime king thereof , and of him called lacedemonia : and after , menelaus , that mighty king of the grecians ( who had to wife helena the fairest woman of all grecia ) kept his court there . here also lycurgus , that famous philosopher , reigned as king , and prescribed to the citizens and inhabitants excellent laws , by the observance whereof they became famous in after-ages , and performed many noble wars and exploits against their enemies , ionathan and simon held a friendly league with the lacedemonians . the travels of the high-priest menelaus . this menelaus , called alos onias , was ( as iosephus saith ) the third son of simon the just , and brother of iason , although , mac. , , he is said to be the brother of one simon of the tribe of benjamin , who was chief of those that kept the temple , of whom you may read before . this man , in the fourth year of antiochus epiphanes , was sent by iason his brother to antiochia , being two hundred and eighty miles , ●pon certain business , but principally , to carry the king money . where he made a secret contract with hm , to pay him thirty talents * beside all that his brother iason had pay'd him , if he would insti●ute him to be high-priest . the king in hope of profit , gave 〈◊〉 to his motion , and under pretence of injury and wrong offered by iason , constrained him to leave his office , and fly from ierusalem into the land of the ammonites for his safety , and so instituted menelaus to be chief priest of the iews ; who entred upon his government in the year before christ one hundred sixty nine . wherefore menelaus returned from antiochia to ierusalem , two hundred and eighty miles ; where he began to govern , not as chief priest , but as a cruel and wicked tyrant , mac. . but , when in the beginning of his government he could not pay that great sum of mony which he had promised , the king sent for him to antiochia , being two hundred and eighty miles , where for that time he was removed from his office , and his brother lysimacus ordained chief priest in his room . wherefore menelaus being sore troubled , vexed , and grieved in mind , for that which had hapned in the first year of his priest-hood , returned back from antiochia to ierusalem , being two hundred and eighty miles . but a little after , when antiochus epiphanes brought an army into cilicia , to suppress the rebellion of the tha●sians and mallotans , menelaus taking advantage of the kings absence , went to andronichus ( who was chief agent for the king in syria ) to antiochia , two hundred and eighty miles , and there gave him certain golden vessels and jewels that he had stollen out of the temple , ot hire him to be his friend , and help him to his office of high-priesthood again . but onias the elder hearing of this sacriledge , greatly reprehended menelaus for shameful fact ; but he taking it in ill part , combined with andronichus , who by fair speeches alluring him out of the sanctuary in the wood daphne , put him to death , after he had been five years in exile . but king antiochus returning from antiochia , accused andronichus of treason , and by the means of a certain courtier , received menelaus into favour . from antiochia , menelaus returned to ierusalem , two hundred and eighty miles ; where , by the help of his brother lysimachus , he stole a great mass of mony out of the temple . which sacriledge being known to the people , they fell to uproar , and killed lysimachus close by the treasury , they accused menelaus also before antiochus ; mac. cap. . antiochus , in the second year of his priest-hood , went to tyrus , which is one hundred miles , where he so corrupted certain courtiers with mony , that he procured the favour of antiochus , and caused his accusers ( good and just men ) to be banished thence , as slanderers , and such as went about to defame menelaus . from tyrus be returned back again to ierusalem , one hundred miles , where he fell into his old cruelty , and in the third year of his government , received antiochus epiphanes with his army into the city of ierusalem , who cruelly murthered the citizens , and spoiled the temple , mac. . after the death of antiochus , who as it is said perished of a grievous disease , and was buried at babylon ; his son antiochus eupator came with a great army into iudaea in hostile manner . wherefore menelaus , in the last year of his priesthood , went out to meet him . but lysi●s accused him unto the king , as one that was the only author of all the evils that had hapned to the iews . wherefore antiochus willed lysias to take him prisoner ; who brought him to berea a town in syria , distant from ierusalem miles northward ; where , upon the top of a tower , fifty cubits high , he was tyed to a wheel , and had all his joynts broken , and through the extremity of the pain , died , mac. . so all his travels were two thousand two hundred forty miles . the travels of alcimus , high-priest of the posterity of aaron . this alcimus , after the death of menelaus , which was the year before christ one hundred fifty , went with certain impious and wicked men to demetrius soter , who lived in antiochia in syria , being two hundred eighty miles , and there accused iudas macchabeus and all the godly iews ; using such flattery toward the king , that he obtained the principality and office of high-priest , which he held three years , mac. . from antiochia , he and bacchides returned back again of ierusalem , where he was instituted in the office of high-priesthood , which is two hundred eighty miles . but when he saw that he was not able to withstand the power and singular vertue of iudas macchabeus , he returued back to antiochia , two hundred eighty miles ; where after he had accused the good men among the iews , he obtained the aid of demetrius , who sent nicanor with a great army into iudaea against iudas , to establish aleimus in the priesthood . so alcimus and nicanor returned into iudaea , two hundred eighty miles . but alcimus seeing familiar conference to pass between nicanor and iudas mac●habeus , he went back again to antiochia , two hundred eighty miles , where he told demetrius of the perfidious dealing of nicanor , wherefore demetrius , being very angry at what had happened , wrote a sharp letter to nicanor , giving him to understand , that it was much against his mind that he should make a league with iudas : and further willed him ( the said league notwithstanding ) to bring him bound to antiochia , upon the receipt of which letter , he made war upon iudas ; in which expedition nicanor was taken , and had his head cut off . all this happened the first year of the priesthood of alcimus . but when demetrius heard of this overthrow , he sent bacchides and alcimus with a great army , who went to antiochia , and came to mastoth in the country of arbela , one hundred ninty two miles , where they made incursions upon the tribe of naphtaly , and slew a great multitude of the israelites , mac. . from masloth they went with their army to gilgal , seventy six miles , this happened in the second year of the priesthood of alcimus . from gilgal they came to ierusalem , which was about twelve miles , mac. cap. . from thence they brought their army to berea , being twelve miles : here they were overcome , and put to flight by iudas macchabeus , mac. cap. . from berea tho fled amongst the mountains which are between azotus and gazeron , six miles . here iudas macchabeus was slain . wherefore alcimus returned thence back again to ierusalem twenty miles , and caused the walls of the inner house of the temple , and the monuments of the priests , to be taken down and destroyed : but before his command was fully executed , the lord struck him with a dead palsie , of which he lay a time dumb , but within a while after he died of that disease , in the second year of his priesthood , an. mundi , three thousand eight hundred and eleven , and before christ , one hundred and fifty seven . alcimus being dead , bacchides returned back to demetrius in syria , mac. . for seven years after there was no high-priest in ierusalem , till ionathan the brother of iudas macchabeus took upon him that office , mac. . so all his travels were miles . of the places to which he travelled . of arbela . this was a city in the upper galilee , belonging to the tribe of naphtaly , ninety six miles from ierusalem northward ▪ of which town all the country is called arbela , being derived of arab , to lie hid . of masloth . this also is a town of naphtaly , ninety two miles from ierusalem northward ; and is derived to maschal , which signifies , he hath governed . of berea . to this city iotham sometime fled from the fury of his brother abimelech , judge of israel , iudg. . it is scituated twelve miles from ierusalem westward , and signifies , a clear well . thus by god's providence have i described the travels and journeys of the holy patriarchs , kings , and prophets , &c. as they are severally mentioned in the old testament ; that so , gentle reader , thou might'st understand what difficult and tedious journeys , and in them what great labour and vexation they were constrained to bear in this world , till god of his mercy took them out of this vale of misery , and placed them in everlasting happiness , where now , without doubt , they remain in peace . the quantities of the monies both silver and gold , as they are severally mentioned in the scriptures , reduced to our weights and english valuations . ever since the time that monies have been allowed as current in exchange betwixt man and man ( which for that purpose , as aristotle saith , was first ordained ) it hath passed according to the valuation of a certain weight , which for the most part is universal , according to the worth and estimation thereof in the several countries where it is to be sold and exchanged ; or else by coin , which is current according to the valuation that is imposed upon it by the consent of a state , or command of a prince . in both which , there have been used sundry distinctions of greater and less valuations of weights and coin , according to the necessity and estimation thereof in several kingdoms and governments . as amongst the iews they used weights and no coin , and these distinguished in several sorts , and , as is thought , separated with sundry marks , that they might be known each from other . the weights that they used were commonly three , viz. the centiner or talent , the mina , and the sicle ; according to the opinion of iosephus , budaeus , hostius , and many others . of a sicle . a sicle was a kind of weight , current among the iews , containing precisely half an ounce of silver or gold ; which , that it might be distinguished , had a particular effigies or superscription ; viz. upon one side was to be seen the measure wherein they kept manna in the sanctuary , with this superscription , the sicle of israel ; and on the other the rod of aaron flourishing , with this inscription , holy ierusalem , which is ordinarily worth in english money s. d. and gold s . and more or less according to the pureness or baseness of either . a sicle was divided into these parts . . into a drachma , i. e. d. ob . whereof four make a sicle , gen. . . exod . , &c. . half sicles , mentioned exod. . . . ca. . . which was the yearly tax imposed upon every man toward the building of the tabernacle , i. d. english. . quadrans sicli , or the fourth part of a sicle , which was also in use among the iewes , sam. . . which amounts to a roman penny , and in our money to d. ob . and by the grecians were called drachma . . gheras , exod. . . which was the twentieth part of a sicle , and was worth d. ob . of sicles there were three sorts . . a common sicle , which weighed a quarter of an ounce , and was worth d. . the kings sicle , which weighed three drachma's , that is in our money d. ob . . the sicle of the temple , which weighed directly half an ounce , and was worth s. d . of a mina . a mina was a pound weight among the iews , and were of two sorts , one of gold , which weighed drachma's , another of silver , weighing drachma's . these were called the antient weights ; but there was later , which is said to contain denaria's or attick drachma's , which seem to be so called because of the traffick the iews had with the grecians , among whom it was worth attick drachma's , i. . l. s. . d. english. of mina's there were three sorts , as appeareth in ezech. . . the common mina or pound ( weighing twenty five half ounces or sicles of the temple ) amounted to sixty drachma's , i. s. d. . the king 's mina or pound ( weighing twenty half ounces or sicles of the temple ( amounted to eighty drachma's , i. s. . the mina , or pound of the temple or sanctuary , ( which weighed half ounces or sicles ) maketh drachma's , i. l. s. d. of a talent . the he●rew talent ordinarily weigheth pounds , which being divided , amounteth to sicles or half ounces , as it plainly appeareth , exod. . , . where it is said that men offered so many half sicles , which make sicles , the th part of which make a talent , from whence it appeareth , that sicles make a talent . also epi●hanes observeth , lib. . de pon. that the attick talent is equal in weight with the hebrew ; for , as the hebrew contains sickles , which make l. so the attick contains drachma's , which make the same weight , and is worth . l. of english money . but the hebrew talent of gold , which for the most part is used in every place , is worth l. in our money . the jews had three sorts of talents . . the common talent ( weighing quarters of an ounce , or common sicles ) amounts to drachma's , which is l. s. . the kings talent weighed of the kings sicles , which amounted to drachma's , which is l. s. . the talent of the temple or sanctuary , weighed sicles of the temple , which are precisely so many half ounces , which amount to pounds . from hence then may easily be gathered , that although the iews had several weights and denominations of silver and gold , yet only one kind was usually observed in traffique with other nations , and that had correspondency with their weights , the rest being only for the common sort , or particular uses ; for although there were divers sicles , mina's and talents among themselves , yet the common weight ( whether it was of sicle , mina or talent ) was usually that which they termed the talent of the temple , and that had a just correspondency with the grecian talent both in weight and in worth ; and this not only among them , but also by relation from them to the italians ; and that nation obtaining an universal monarchy , made it common with us also . of other weights used among the jews . they had also other weights which they used , passing under several denominations and differing value ; as keseph , a silverling or nummus ; which name is very often used for a sicle , as appeareth , gen. . . and , . , . sam. . , . the chaldaeans called this silga , and the hebrews , shekel , being precisely half an ounce , and worth . s. d. for thirty of these silverlings of the sanctuary our saviour christ was sold , matth. . which amounteth to l. s. english. there was also another kind of silverling or nummus used , which was called siclus , but it was the common or vulgar sicle , which was but a quarter of an ounce , and was worth but d. there was another kind of silverling or nummus used , which was called keshitah ; of which you may read in three several places of scripture , gen. . . ios. . . iob . . and was signed with the image of a lamb upon it , from whence it is so called . the antient nummus of the arabians and chaldeans was like unto this , as may be gathered by many circumstances out of the places where it is mentioned , and was of the same valuation as the grecians was amongst the iews , which was d. ob . but the silverlings mentioned act. . , . are intended to be grecian silverlings or nummus , and is worth an attick d●rachma ; for the grecians reckon their sums of money by drachma's , as the iews and romans by sicles and sestertia's , and is worth of our money d. ob . you shall read in mat. . . of a didrachma , which is worth in our money . d. also mat. . . of a stater , which is a greek coin , worth s. d. and mat. . . and . , &c. of a denarius , which was a roman coin , which is evident mat. . because the image of caesar was upon it , and was worth d. ob . sam. . of a scruple , which was worth d. ob . q. o. in exod. . num. . ezek. . of an obulus , which was d. q. in mat. . o● a minutus , with was , ob . q. and in mat. . mat. . you shall read of a coin called quadrans , being something more than half a farthing . these are briefly the weight , and monies the iews used , both foreign and domestick , in their trade and commerce . of the gold weight among the iews . the iews also had their particular weights for their gold , as they had for their silver , the least of which were called zuza , or drachma , which is worth s. . d. and more or less according to the pureness or baseness of it . it was also called daikemonim , esd. . and nehem. . the chaldaeans call it edarchonim , esd. . the common sicle of gold weighed two drachma's , and was worth s. the kings sicle weighed drachma's , and was worth s. . d. the sicle of the temple weighed drachma's , being precisely half an ounce , and was worth s. the common mina or pound of gold weighed drachma's or hungarian ducats , which is worth li. s. the kings mina or pound , drachma's , or hungarian ducats , which is li , english. the mina or pound of the temple weighed drachma's or hungarian ducats , which was li. the common talent of gold weighed drachma's , or hungarian ductas , and was li. the kings talent weighed drachma's or hungarian ducats , which was li. the talent of the temple weighed drachma's , or hungarian ducats , which was of our money li. of gold weights which were not originally the jews , but borrowed of other nations , and used amongst them . there are four kinds of weights that are mentioned in the scriptures , which were common amongst the iews , besides the former , viz. zahab , of which you may read , king. . . chr. . . and is called by the name of a nummus . the sicle of gold , chron. . . which is there also called nummus . both which being so called , seem to signifie a didrachma of gold : and these two were properly belonging to the iews . the other that follow belonged not to them , but they received them from other nations ; as the stater , drachmon , and adarchon . the stater was an ancient piece of gold , common amongst the persians , the grecians , the romans , and other great governments , being distinguished by the superscription of the kings or countreys where they were made or coined ; as the stater philippici , stater darici , stater alexandrei , stater romani , &c. they were pure fine gold , some of which were as much in value as a double ducat , others as four hungarian ducats , and some as portugues . the drachmon , ( of which you may read , ezra . , &c. ) is a persian coin , as it seems , for the grecian interpreters call it drachmen , which is as much more as the attick drachma , and in our money is worth s. d. adarchon also seems to be a persian coin , and doth imply the name of a prince , or daricum signifies the gold of the persians : for darius the son of hystaspis then reigned , when these nummus of gold , thus called , were dedicated to the building of the temple ; and this man , for the most part , coined singular good gold , as herodotus in melpom. saith : wherefore they were either called darici , because they wee coined by the persian kings , or else , as plutarch in artax . observes , because the image of darius stood upon one part of it . and was worth of our money seven shillings and six pence . thus you may perceive what diversities of weights were used amongst the iews ; being crept in amongst them , partly because of their captivity , and partly because of their commerce and trade with other nations . it is therefore worthy of observation , that if at any time you read of any weight of money , brass , or the like , in the holy scripture , to consider of what sort of weight it is , viz. whether a weight of the iews , or some foreign and strange weight . if of the iews , whether it be the common sicle , the king's sicle , or the sicle of the temple . but if these may be discerned , you shall for the most part find the addition , which may easily distinguish them . but if there be no addition , that is the king's sicle , or the sicle of the temple , then you may presume that it is the common sicle . and so for other weights and monies . that these things may appear the plainer unto you , i have here added the principal sums of money , reduced to our english valuations , as they are severaly mentioned in most places of scripture . and first out of genesis . genesis . abimelech king of gerar said to sara , i have given your brother an hundred silverlings , which were common sicles , l. s. cap. . abraham bought a burying-place for his wife sara , for sicles of silver , which are common sicles , that is , l. cap. . v. . abraham's servant gave rebecca half a sicle of gold , and two bracelets upon her hands , weighing ten sicles , which are intended to be common sicles , because there is no addition ; which was li. s. d. cap. . v. . ioseph was sold by his brothers for silverlings , that is , common sicles , according to the seventy interpreters , cap. . ver . . i. l. s. but the silverlings our saviour was sold for were as much again , being sicles of the temple , which were precisely half ounces . exodus . the mulct that was prescribed by the lord to pay by him who had an ox that gored or hurt another mans servant , was thirty common sicles , that is , l. s. cap. . ver . . when the people were numbred , each man was to give half a sicle of the temple , i. s. d. cap. . v. . the seven lamps in the temple , with their snuffers and snuffing-dishes , were made of a talent of fine gold , after the weight of the temple , and were worth li. cap. . ver . . all the gold that was occupied in all the work wrought for the holy place , which was the gold of the offering , was talents , and sicles , according to the sicle of the sanctuary , being li. s. cap. . v. . but the silver of them that were numbred in the congregation , was talents , and sicles , after the weight of the temple ; amounting to li. s. d. cap. . v. . moreover , there were talents of silver to cast the sockets of the sanctuary , and the sockets of the vail , sockets of an hundred talents , a talent for a socket , which was l. a socket , and in the whole l. cap. . ver . . leviticus . if any man shall make a vow of a person unto the lord , by the estimathen then thy estimation shall be thus ; a male from twenty years old unto sixty years old shall be by thy estimation a fifty sicles of silver , after the sicle of the sanctuary , which is l. s. cap. . v. , . . , . ver. . but a female , then but thirty sicles of silver , i. e. l. s. ver. . and from five years old to years old , thy valuation shall be for the male twenty sicles of silver , i. e. s. and for the female ten sicles of silver , i. e. twenty five shillings . ver. . but from a month old to five years old , thy price of the male shall be five sicles of silver , i. e. s. d. and for the female three sicles of silver ; which was s. d. ver. . and from years old and above , if he be a male , then sicles , i. e. thirty seven shillings six pence . numbers . for the redeeming of the , which were more than the levites of the first-born of the children of israel , there shall be taken five sicles a man , after the weight of the temple , cap. . , . i. e. s. d. a man ; and for the whole l. s. d. the princes of israel , being twelve in number , offered unto god each of them a silver charger of sicles weight , and a silver bowl of seventy sicles , after the sicle of the sanctuary , cap. . . i. e. l. a prince , and amounted in the whole to l. and an incence cup of gold of ten sicles , for evry prince , which was l. s. a man , which in the whole amounted to l. deuteronomy . if any man take a wife , and when he hath layn with her , hate her , and lay slanderous things to her charge , and she prove not guilty of the fact , he shall be condemned in common sicles of silver , cap. . v. . i. e. l. s ▪ if a man lie with a maid , he shall pay unto her father sicles , viz. common sicles , cap. v. . i. e. l. s. d. ioshuah . and achan answered ioshuah , and said , indeed i have sinned against the lord ; for i saw amongst the spoyls a goodly babylonish garment , and sicles of silver , cap. . v. ( i. e. l. s. ) and a wedg of gold of fifty sicles , i. e. l. s. english. iudges . gideon gathered of the spoyls of the midianites for a present sicles of gold , cap. . v. . i. e. l. the princes of the philistines promised the harlot dalilah , if she could betray sampson , to give her silverlings , i. e. common sicles , which was l. s. cap. . . the body of the image in the house of micah in mount ephraim , weighed silverlings , i. e. common sicles , which is l. s. cap. . v. . and the sum of mony which micah's mother missed was common sicles of silver , for which she cursed ; i. e. l. s. to the levite that served micah , she gave yearly a suit of apparel , tenths , and ten silverlings , or sicles of the sanctuary , for with that kind of money the levites were rewarded , i. l. s. i samuel . and all that remain in the house of eli shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver , in hebrew it is agorah , which fore●tarius and avenarius interpret scrupulo argenti , which was d . ob . q. but if you take the antient interpreters , it was obulum , that is , d. q. cap. . v. . when saul sought his fathers asses , his servant had about him the fourth part of a common sicle of silver , that is , d. ob . q. cap. . v. . the brigandine of the great gyant coliah weighed sicles of brass , which at sixteen ounces in the pound , comes to seventy eight pounds and two ounces : and the head of his spear weighed sixty sicles , that is , after the same weight , nine pound a quarter and half of iron . cap. . v. . ii samuel . and david won the town of rabba , and took the kings crown from his head and set it upon his own head ; which weighed a talent of gold , and was ( according to our common interpreters in these times ) a common talent of the iews , i. l. ounces , worth l. english. cap. . v. . but other writers , considering that if it had been so heavy , the king could not have worn it , therefore they think it to be a talent , according to the syrian weight , which is not above a quarter of an hebrew talent , and was of our weight eleven pound four ounces , that is , l. and the reason of their opinion was , because rabbah and the whole country of the children of ammon lay in the land of syria , and therefore it must necessarily follow , that their weight was syrian weight ; the king of rabbah never wearing this crown but when he made some solemn feast or triumph . there are others that value it according to the worth of the crown , not of the weight ; and for that it was made of fine gold , set with pretious stones and other jewels , therefore it weighed a talent , that is , it was worth a talent ; according to that of zach. ca. . so they weighed fro my wages as much as i am valued , i. e. thirty silverlings . thus have i set before you three interpretations , follow which you like . and ioab spake unto the man that brought him word that absalon was hanging upon an oak-tree , saying , if thou had'st smote him to the ground , i would have given thee ten sicles of silver , or ten silverlings , which was s. d. the man answered him and said , if you had laid silverlings ( that is l. s. ) in my hand , yet i would not have laid my hand upon the kings son , cap. . v. . when the angel of god stretched forth his hand over ierusalem , and strook the people with the pestilence ; at the commandment of gad the prophet , david went to araunah the iebusite and bought his threshing-floor for fifty sicles of silver , of lthe common weight . some say that every tribe gave fifty sicles , being l. s. d. a tribe ; and in the whole amounted to l. s . cap. . v. . i. kings . the queen of saba gave unto king solomon centiners , or talents of gold ; being pounds english ; this was pure arabia gold , and therefore , according to the worth of gold in these days , much more than is set down , cap. . v. . king solomon had brought into his kingdom in one year talents or centiners of fine arabian gold ; which at pound the talent , is l. viz. two millions nine hundred ninety seven thousand pounds english. but the silver that solomon had , was not to be numbred . cap. ▪ v. . and king solomon caused targets to be made of the finest gold , each target weighing sicles of gold , that is hungarian ducats ; and was worth l. a target ; which in the whole amounteth to l. english. cap. . v. . there came and went up out of aegypt a chariot worth sicles of silver , which is l. s. and a horse worth l. that is l. s. d. cap. . v. . ii. kings . naaman general of the king of syria's host , when he travelled to samaria to be healed of his leprosie , took with him ten talents of silver , that were of the common weight , each talent worth l. s. being in the whole l. but if you account it after the syrians talent ( as some would have it ) which is but the fourth part of the hebrew ; then it came to l. s. d. the talent , and in the whole to l. s. he also brought drachma's of gold , being so many hungarian ducates , being worth l. english. cap. . v. . being healed of his leprosie , he gave to gehazie , two talents of silver in two bags ; which if they were according to the weight of the iews , amounted to l. and was as much a man could carry . but if according to they syrian weight , then it came but to l. which he might well carry and not be discovered . cap. . v. . benhadad king of syria of streightly besieged samaria , that an asses head was sold at eighty pieces of silver , or silverlings , which is five pound ; and a quarter of a cabe of doves dung , at five pieces or silverlings that is , s. d. but after the lord strook the syrians so that they fled from their siege , and the citizens opened their gates , and rifled their tents ; by vvhich means there vvas such plenty , that tvvo measures of barley were sold for a sicle , that is , fifteen pence , and tvvo measures of fine flower , at fifteen pence . when phul king of assyria invaded menahem king of israel , he vvas● constrained to give him a thousand talents of silver , that is , l. that his help might be with him to establish a kingdom in his hand , and depart : for the payment of which money , all the men of substance in israel were constrained to pay fifty sicles of silver a piece , that is , l. s. d. a man. i. chronicles . it was said that david left solomon towards the building the temple talents of gold , that is , l ▪ four hundred and fifty millions of pounds . cap. . v. . also he left him for the finishing of the same work talents of silver , which amount unto l. viz. three hundred seventy five millions of pounds . also david dedicated to the temple , of his own goods , talents of gold , that is , l. and of silver talents , that is , l. viz. millions six hundred twenty five thousand pound , english. the offering which david gave towards the building of the temple , was talents , and adarcons , or hungarian ducats of gold , that is , l. viz. twenty two millions five hundred seven thousand five hundred pounds . so all that was given by david towards the building of the temple was hundred thousand millions , hundred thousand hundred pounds . ii. chronicles . solomon made shields of fine gold , every shield weighing pieces of gold , that is , l. s. so in the whole they came to l. esdras . some of the chief of the iews , when they returned from the captivity of babylon unto ierusalem , gave to the building of the temple drachma's , or hungarian ducats of gold , cap. . ver. . that is , l. also five thousand pound of silver , which at s. d. the pound , cometh to l. artashast ( who in some places is called darius artaxerxes longimanus , commanded his treasurer to give unto esdras towards the building of the temple of ierusalem , centiners or talents of silver cap. . v. . . which ( at li. s. the talent ) cometh to li. according to the hebrew common weight ; for as oft as there is no addition , it is to be intended in every place the common weight . the king of pers●a and his nobles , with all israel , gave to the building of the temple in ierusalem centiners of silver , of the common weight , cap. . v. . . which ( at li. s. the talent ) cometh to li. also in silver vessels centiners or talents which ( at li. s. the talent ) cometh to l. also centiners or talents of gold , which ( at l. the talent ) in the whole cometh to li. or thereabouts ; also cups of gold , weighing drachma's or hungarian ducats , that is , li. each of which cups were worth li. s. nehemiah . the tirshatha ( or as some have it nehemiah ) gave to the work drachma's of gold , cap. . v. . which was l. and some of the fathers gave to the work drachma's , or hungarian ducats of gold , which came to l. also pounds of silver , which was l. and the rest of lthe people gave drachma's or hungarian ducats of gold , which came to l. also pieces of silver , which were common pounds , which cometh to l. ester . proud hammon offered centiners , or talen t s of silver , to destroy the iews ; cap. . v. . which ( at l. s. the talent ) cometh to li. ezekiel . chap. . v. . a sicle of the temple shall be twenty gerahs , that is , s. d. ( for in this place he speaketh of that which belongeth ot the sanctuary ) and the mina ( that is the kings mina ) shall be twenty sicles : and sicles shall be the mina of the temple ; and fifteen sicles shall be the common mina ; of which you may read before . tobias chap. . v. . old tobias willingly lent to the poor man gabel , in rages , a town in media , ten pounds of silver , that is , l. s. but if it be according to our translation , that is , ten talents , at l. s. the talent , is l. after the common weight . but if after the weight of the temple , it comes to as much more . i macchabees . chap. . v. . . demetrius king of syria offered to give yearly unto the iews for the building of the temple , sicles of silver , of the temple weight ; that is , mina's , which ( at s. d. the mina ) comes to l. and , if they would aid him , he would restore the money again , which his officers had kept back of the revenues of the temple ; which was yearly five thousand sicles of the temple , of silver ; that is crowns english ; which is , l. ionathan the high-priest of ierusalem , wrought so well with demetrius king of syria , that he released the iews of their yearly tribute , and made them free ; for which freedom he gave three hundred centiners of gold , or common talents ; cap. . v. . which at l. the talent , cometh to l. simon to release his brother , sent to tryphon , the king of syria's general of his host , one hundred centiners or talents of silver , of the common weight , cap. . v. . . which at l. s. the talent , amounts to l. simon the high-priest of ierusalem sent to the romans a great shield of gold , weighing one thousand pounds ; cap. . v. . which is one hundred thousand hungarian ducats , thirty seven thousand five hundred pound english. antiochus , demetrius his son , king of syria , asked of simon the high-priest of ierusalem , for the redemption of certain towns that he had taken , five hundred centiners , or common talents of silver : and for his charges as much more ; cap. . v. , . in all , a thousand centiners or talents : that is l. in english money . but simon refused the proffer , yet nevertheless , that he might live in peace , he offered him talents of silver , which ( at l. s. the talent ) amounteth to l. ii. macchabees . when heliodorus would have robbed the temple , there was in it centiners of silver ( of the weight of the temple ) which at l. the talent , cometh in the whole to pounds english ; also two hundred centiners of gold , which at l. the talent , amounteth to l. chap. . v. . iason , that wicked priest , deceived his brother onias of the office of high-priest , and gave to king antiochus for it , first , talents of silver ; then ; after , : cap. . v. . and . , . all the common weight ; which were in the whole talents , and amounted at l. s. the talent to l. the wicked iason being high-priest , hearing that antiochus held a great feast in tyrus , sent drachma's of silver , that is , l. s. d. for a sacrifice to hercules . but if you change these into hungarian ducats ( as there are some think them to be gold ) then they came to l. s. menelaus , being sent by iason the high-priest to the king , he behaved himself in such cunning manner , that he got the high-priests office ; promising the king centiners or talents of silver more than iason would give ; which at l. s. the talent , cometh to l. s. but being unable to perform his promise , he was put from his office of high-priest . antiochus payed yearly to the romans talents of silver , that is , l. cap. . v. . antiochus took centiners or talents of silver of the temple of ierusalem , which at l. s. the talent , cometh to l. cap. . v. . nicanor caused to be proclaimed , that he would sell the captive iews , for a centiner , that is , for every iew l. s. d. q. c. cap. . v. . iudas macchabeus sent drachma's of silver to ierusalem for a sin-offering , that is , l. s. cap. . . now followeth the reckonings of the moneys in the new testament , and first of matthew . he that agreeth not with his adversary , shall be cast into prison , and not come forth ( so saith our saviour christ ) until he hath paid the utmost farthing . the hebrew and latine translations have it , quadrans , or a ●ourth part , that is , a farthing in our money : but if you account according to the roman coin , it was ob . q. doe not men buy two sparrows for a penny ? cap , . v. . that is , something more than half a farthing . when our saviour christ went into capernaum , the receivers of tribute spake to peter , saying , doth not your master pay tribute ? the tribute money in the text is called didrachma , cap. . v. . which was d. for so much every man paid for tribute : from whence may be gathered , that the penny that peter took out of the fishes mouth , was worth s. d. the kingdom of heaven is like unto a king that would call his servants to account , and when he began to reckon with them , the one ow'd him l. in hebrew weight ; which at s. d. the pound , cometh in the whole to l. so much was the wicked servant in debt to his master . and on the contrary , one of his fellow-servants ow'd him pence : in the hebrew text it is centum obulus , and one obulus was d. q. that is , s. d. so that the bad servant ow'd his master times more than his fellow-servant ow'd him . the greek text saith , that this fellow ow'd him centum derius ; that is , l. s. d. which is yet a great deal of difference ; for the wicked servant ow'd his master above times more than his fellow-servant ow'd him . the lord of the vineyard agreed with his labourers for a penny a day ; cap. . v. . in the hebrew text it is zuza ; and in greek denarius ; both which are of like value english , that is , d. ob . so much each labourer had by the day . when the pharisees and herod's servants , tempting christ , asked him , whether it was lawful to pay tribute unto caesar or not : christ answered and said , you hypocrites , why tempt you me ? shew me the tribute money , and they brought , him a penny : where it is exprest by the word zuza , or denarius , that is d. ob . the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that travelling into a far country , called his servants , and delivered unto them his goods ; to one he gave five talents ; that is , l. s. with which he gained just as much more , that is , l. s. to the second he gave two talents , of the common weight also , which ws l. and he also gained just as much more , that is , l. and to the third he gave one talent , that is , l. s. and he gained nothing with it , but hid the talent in the earth . iudas iscariot betrayed our saviour christ for thirty pence , or pieces of silver , cap. . v. . which were so many sicles of the temple , each sicle be●●g half an ounce , which were accounted worth s. d. so the whole came to l. s for which our saviour christ was betrayed . and with it they bought a potters field . mark. our saviour christ sate over against the treasury , and beheld how the people cast into the treasury ; and many rich men cast in much ; and there came a certain poor widdow , and she threw in two mites , cap. . v. , . which is a farthing or quadrans , which was the fourth part of an assis , being almost a penny english. our saviour christ being a bethanie , in the house of simon the leper , there came a woman having a box of oyntment of costly oyl , called spikenard , and she broke the box , and poured it upon his head ; therefore some murmured among themselves and said , to what end is this waste of oyntment ? for it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarios , or pence , cap. . v. . that is , l. s. d. luke . our saviour christ saith , are not five sparrows sold for two farthings ? cap. v. . that is , assibus duobus , which is d. ob . or what woman having ten pieces of silver , that is , ten drachma's or groats , ( each being worth seven pence ob . ) and lose one , will not 〈◊〉 till she find it , &c. cap. . v. . so these ten were in english money ● . ● d. a certain noble-man went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom ; and he called his ten servants and delivered them ten p●eces of money , or ten pounds , or mina's ( according to the weight of the temple ) which came to ( at l. s d. the mina ) in the whole l. s. iohn . when our saviour christ would feed men , besides women and children , he said unto philip , where might we buy bread that these people might eat ? ( which he spake to prove philip. ) philip answered and said , that penny worth of bread will not be sufficient for them that every man might take a little . the two hundred penny worth of bread are called d●narios , which was worth d. ob . in our money , and in the whole is worth l. s. from whence may be gathered , that there being every one of them should have had no more bread than might have been bought with a farthing , mite and half of our silver . as our saviour christ , six days before the passover , was eating in the house of lazarus , ( whom he had raised from the dead in lazarus's sister took a box , some say a pound of oyl of spikenard , and annointed jesus feet , and wiped them with her hair ; and the whole house was filled with the savour of the ointment . then said one of his disciples , even simon 's son , why was not this ointment sold for pence ; cap. . ver . . that is , denarios , every denarios being worth d. ob . which amounted in the whole to l. s. d. when christs body was to be buried , nicodemus came and brought myrrh and aloes mingled together , about pound weight , chap. . v. . according to the common weight , which was half ounces , and came to pounds and eight ounces english. acts. in asia many books were burnt , to the value of pieces of silver , that is , roman denarios , every of which vvas d. ob . the whole amounting to l. s. thus have i briefly set forth to you the several weights that were common amongst the iews , both as they vvere originally from themselves , and as they received them from other nations , comparing them with the scriptures , as they are severally mentioned , and reduced them to our valuations . in casting up of vvhich , if there shall chance to be any errour , you may vvith the due examination of the vvorth of every piece of silver or gold ( according as you may find them at the beginning of this treatise ) easily reform them , and bring them to your ovvn understanding . of the ancient money and coin that was used amongst the grecians and romans . from vvhat hath been said , may be gathered , that the iews used no coin , but weights only , though perhaps , to put a distinction betvveen those weights , there vvas used some impression : yet that cannot properly be said coin. but in all other kingdoms ( vvhere money vvas current ) there vvas used coin ; and that valued according to the vvill or command of the prince or state vvhere it vvas coined ; vvhich also because of the captivity of the iews , came amongst them , and past as current according to their vvorth ; of which coins i have already spoken . yet because there are many other coins and weights mentioned in the epistles of the apostles , which were partly of the grecians , partly of the romans , into which governments most of them travelled ; i will therefore indeavour to set before you the valuation of the grecian and roman coynes and weights , reduced to our valuation and weights , that so those monies mentioned in the new testament , and in this treatise omitted , may with the more facillity be apprehended and made plain unto you . of the grecian coin ; and first of their silver and brass nummus , or money . the attick drachma . an attick drachma , was a proportion for almost all the greek monies : for the grecians numbred their monies by drachma's , as the romans by sestertia's . [ this was the nummus or coin amongst the athenians ] and was the eighth part of an ounce , which is worth in our money d. ob . the stater , which was also called tetradrachma , upon the one side whereof was the head of minerva , upon the other the owl : was worth four attick drachma's , as is manifest , mat. . . which is in our money s. d. the didrachma , which was also amongst the athenians , called bos , because it was signed with the similitude of an ox upon the one side of it ( of this theseus was the first author ) as plutarch remembreth : it was worth half a stater , or two drachma's , that is in our mony d. the tridrachma , which was three drachma's , and worth in our money twenty three pence , ob . the obulus atticus , which was the sixth part of an attick drachma , was worth in our money d. q. the semiobulus , which was the least of the greek silver coin , was worth ob . ● . there was also a diobulus , which was the third part of a drachma , and worth d. ob . triobulus , which was half a drachma , and worth d. ob . q. tetrobulus , which contained two third parts of a drachma , and was worth d. english. the aegina drachma . the drachma of aegina contained ten attick obulus's , and was worth , s. ob . english. obulus aeginus , was the sixth part of drachma of aegina , and was worth d. half farthing and a third part of a farthing . triobulus aeginaeus , was half and aeginus drachma , and of ours was worth six pence q. stater corinthius , was worth ten obulus's of aegina , and of ours one shilling eight pence , ob . q. stater macedonius , was worth in ours s. d. q. and three seconds of a farthing . of the asiatick silver . the asiatick money was of less valuations , and other denominations than the rest of greece ; for the greatest of their silver coin that was usually current , was but ten pence : and was called by the name siglus , which was worth seven attick obulus's and an half , as xenophon saith : but , as hesychius saith , it was worth eight attick obulus's , and four scruples , which is d. in our money . cistophorus was also asiatick silver , and was so called , because of the image that was upon it : and was worth of our money d. ob . c. danaces , which piece of money the grecians usually put into the mouth of the dead , to pay charon for their passage to elisium , was worth ob . q. and two third parts of a farthing . of the brass money among the grecians . they had but two sorts of brass money , that is mentioned to continue current among them ; and they were aereolum and minutum . aereolum was worth the sixth part of an attick obulus , according to the opinion of suidas and others , which in our money is q. c. and one third part of a mite . minutum , is the seventh part of that , which is little more than half a mite . of the gold coins among the grecians . in the next place , is to be described the quantity and valuation of their gold coins , of which there is any mention in ancient authors : and they were among the athenians an attick stater , which weighed two drachma's , as pollux saith , and was worth with us fifteen shillings , and a daricus , which was worth s. a stater was divided into these parts , that is , a semi stater , which was worth s. d. a tetrestater , of which aristotle and pollux speaketh , lib. . which was worth of our money l. and the macedonian golden stater , coined by philip , alexander , lysimachus , demetrius , and others which succeeded in macedonia , syria , and asia , which was worth of our money s. . d of the asiatick gold. stater daricus , which before was called adarchon , was a nummus , or a piece of coin of the persians , and worth a didrachma , having upon it the similitude of a sagittarius , according to plutarch in the life of agesilaus , and was worth with us s. semi daricus , of which there is mention in xenophon , lib. ● . was worth half a darick stater , and weighed an attick drachma , being worth with us s. d. cizycenus , was a piece of coin so called , as may be thought , of a town called cizycus , of which you may read , strabo , lib. . and was worth s. d. of the grecian mina and talents . the attick mina's weigh one hundred drachma's , and was equal to the mina of the temple amongst the iews , according to the opinion of xenophon and plutarch , and was worth with us l. s. d. there were di●●rs kinds of talents , according to the opinions of pollux and varro , most of which weighed sixty mina's , and a mina one hundred drachma's , and for the most part , six thousand drachma's ( of the countrey where the talent was ) make a talen . the attick talent contained six thousand attick drachma's , according to the opinion of pollux and festus , and is equal to the common talent among the iews , worth in our money l. . but according to the opinion of livie and priscianus , there was an attick talent worth eight thousand drachma's , which was l. the aegyptian talent , according to the opinion of plinie and varro , weighed as much , that is , l. the syrian talent contained attick drachma's which was l. s. d. the eubeian talent ( according to the opinion of pompey and festus ) weighed four thousand denarios , that is , drachma's , and was worth l. the rhodian talent contained attick drachma's , and worth l. s. d. the babylonian talent was attick drachma's , worth l. fifteen shillings . the aegina talent was attick drachma's , that is , l. fifteen shillings . the alexandrian talent is attick drachma's , which was as much as the talent of the temple , which is l. english. the ancient talentum siculum ( according to the opinion of pollux ) was six drachma's , which was s. d. english. the neapolitan talent was as much , according to the opinion of varro , that is , s. d. english. the ancient talentum siculum , and the sicilian talent ( as varro saith ) is all one , and is worth . s. d. ob . the regian talent was but half a drachma , and is worth d. ob . q. of the coins and moneys of the ancient romans : and first of the brass money . as ( as varro saith ) is as much as aes , that is , brass : for aerius was a coin weighing a pound weight : but after many changes that hapned in the roman state , it came to be worth the tenth part of a roman penny , which vvith us is worth ob . q. semissis , is as much as half an as , according to varro : and was worth q. c. triens , that is , the third part of an as , which was half a farthing . quadrans , was the fourth of an as. plinie calls it triuncis ; cicero , triunus , because it was a diminution of the former pound , containing three ounces , and with us worth three mites . sextans , that is , the sixth part of an assis , which was worth q. or two mites . vncia , the twelfth part of an assis , worth one mite , c. semiuncia , worth half a mite . sextula , that is , the sixth part of an ounce , worth the sixth part of a mite . these are the ancient brass monies usual amongst the romans ; but there were greater used in later times , according to the opinion of varro . of the silver money amongst the romans . denarivs was so called because it was worth ten asses ; but it was not always of one worth and estimation amongst the romans , for the ancient roman denarius or penny , which was current in the time of the consuls , weighed but the seventh part of an ounce ( according to the opinion of celsus , and many other authors ) and was worth of our money d. ob . c. and one seventh part of a mite . denarius novus , or the new penny , was first coined in claudius the emperor's time , and was worth ( acording to the opinion of plinie and others ) precisely a drachma , that is , d. ob . bigatus and quadrigatus , is all one with the roman penny , and was so called , because these words were stamped upon one side of it , and was worth d. ob . victoriatus , was a coin first brought up by the law of claudius amongst the romans , being so called , because the image of victory was upon it ; and according to plinie , was half a denarius , and is worth d. ob . sestertius is so called of sesquitertiers , according to priscian , it was two asses and a half , and was worth d. ob . q. obulus , is the sixth part of a denarius , and worth d. q. libella , is the tenth part of a denarius , and worth ob . q. simbella , so called , because it was half a libella , and was worth farthing and half . teruntius , was the fourth part of a denarius ; and was worth two mites and a half . of the gold among the romans . there were also gold denarius's amongst the romans ; either so called because they had the same stamp ; or else because they were about the same bigness to see to , coyned in the time of the consuls ; worth in english money s. ob . a piece . the other was coined later , about the beginning of the emperours , and weighed two drachma's ; being of equal weight with our english spur-royals , which are worth s. this was after the first five emperours much diminished in weight : nero made it lighter by two or three grains ; galba , nerva , trajanus , and hadrianus , by eight graines : but those that vespasian and succeeding emperours coined , were precisely two drachma's . a semissis of gold , weighed a just drachma , and was worth s. d. at remissis of gold , which was three parts of an is , and worth s. of the gold after the seat of the empire was translated to byzantium , or constantinople . constantine the great diminished that coin which was a drachma , to a didrachma , and the seventh part of a drachma ; and was worth of our mony , s. d. ob . and thus they continued till the time of valentinian the emperour , who caused six of them to be coined out of an ounce of gold , and therefore , as isidore saith , were called amongst the graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , sextuala , because it was the sixth part of an ounce , and was worth s. the semissis of valentinian gold was worth s. the triens or tremissis , was worth s. d. the scruple , which was the fourth part of a golden shilling , s. d. of the silver and brass money of the empire ; after it was trans●ated to constantinople . milliarissimum weighed two drachma's ( according to the opinion of cedrenus ) and was worth d. ceratus , was a piece of coin , called also siliqua cornuta , because there was stamped upon it the moon increasing ; by which mark it vvas knovvn to be more than the common ceratio or siliqua , and vvas vvorth d. ob . the common siliqua or ceratio , vvas so called , because it was worth four grains of gold ( vvhich is the weight of a † silique ) and according to iustinian vvas vvorth d. follis , of vvhich there is often mention in the history of eusebius , vvas a brass , or ( as lampadius saith ) an iron coin , so called , because there vvas stamped upon it the similitude of a leaf , and vvas vvorth farthing , half , and one third . of the roman sums of money . a sestertium ( being taken in the neuter gender ) containeth a thousand sestertius's , and is vvorth li. s. d. a pound vveight , containing tvvelve ounces of silver , vvhich is vvorth li. a talent , containing sestertias , denarios ; being of equal vveight and vvorth to the attick talent , and is vvorth li. s. i vvill also add that vvhich is called sportula , because it vvas a certain small sum of quadrans , vvhich maketh sestertios ; of vvhich you may read in suetonius , in the life of domitian nero , and contained s. d. ob . q. the hebrew , greek , and latine measures reduced to ours , whereby you may find the quantity of all such measures as are mentioned in the old and new testament . but now , having briefly , and as exactly as i can , described the weights and valuations of the ancient moneys that were current amongst the iewes , graecians and romans , as well those that are mentioned in the scripture as others ; it resteth ( that i might make this a perfect work ) to say something of the measures mentioned in the scriptures , which i will ( as neer as i can ) reduce to the quantity of our measures which are common amongst us . of the corn measures . a gomer is a gallon or thereabouts with us , according to budaeus , in mensuris herb. an attick chenix ( according to budaeus ) is the third part of a gomer , or half modius , which measure is almost three pints . stater was a measure containing three gomers or simodio's , and is with us three gallons and three pints , or thereabouts . an epha was as much as medimnicus atticus , which , according to the opinion of some authors , is a pottle less than our bushel : but if you follow the proportion of budaeus , it is ten gomers or gallons , or more , which is a bushel and a peck and our measure and more . a letech is the half of a corus , and contained five epha's , or attick medimnos , i. according to budaeus , six bushels and a peck . a cor or corus , following the same proportion , was two letechs , i. ten attick medimno's ; and of ours twelve bushels and half . of the measures of wine and beer . hemina ( according to georgius agricola and budaeus ) was three quarters of a pint. a sextarius was two hemina's , i. a pint and a half . a lag was as much . a congius contained six sextario's , i. nine pints . a hin was twelve sextario's , i. eighteen pints . a cad was sixty sexntario's , i. fifty five quarts . a bath was seventy two sextario's , i. forty four quarts . a homer was a great measure containing sextario's , that is , sixty seven gallons and pottle . an urna , according to capulis , contained twenty four sextario's , that is , thirty six pints , which make four gallons and a half of our common measures . but according to budaeus's account , it comes but to three gallons and a half or thereabouts . an amphora was a measure common amongst the graecians , of which there is mention made of three sorts , the one containing three gallons and a pottle ; the other , eight congio's or forty eight sextario's , which was gallons of our measure ; the third ( as pliny saith ) was an amphora , which contained twenty gallons and a half . a modius contained sixteen sextario's , which was twenty four pints , that is three gallons or thereabouts ; but according to the opinion of some authors , it is but a peck and some small matter more . a semimodius was eight sextario's , that is , a gallon and half . a gomer was somwhat less than a semimodius : and contained but seven sextario's and a fifth part of a sextario , which is some ten pints and a quarter and three spoonfuls . a quartarius contained one sextario and a half , which was a quart and the fourth part of pint. a spoonful . a cyame is two spoonfuls . a mystrus and cyame , according to the opinion of some , is all one . a cyathus contains four spoonfuls . an hemila cottila is six times so much , which is twenty four spoonfuls , i. three quarters of a wine pint. the measures mentioned in the old testament , and first , genesis . cap. . v. . when abraham received three strange men , he went to his wife sera into the tent , and said , make ready at once three measures of fine meal , which , according to some divines , was three zata's ; according to others , forty four sextarios , which was of our measure , at a pint and a half the sextario , a bushel and a quart . exodus , cap. . v. , , , . moses said to aaron , take a pot , of the quantity of a gomer , ( which was seven sextario's , and a fifth part , and is of our measure a gallon , a quart , and four spoonfuls ) to keep for your posterity . in the same chapter moses●aith ●aith , that a gomer is the tenth part of an epha , which , as is said , is more than our bushel . cap. . v. . you shall present upon the altar two lambs of a year old every day , the one lamb in the morning , and the other in the evening ; and to each lamb the tenth part of an ephah ( which was five quarts and and half a pint ) of fine flower with the fourth part of an hin , i. four pints ) of wine for a drink-offering . cap. . . the anointing oil of the sanctuary was made of the best and sweetest spices that could be gotten , viz. of myrrh sicles , or ounces ; of calamus ounces , of cinnamon ounces . all this was mixed with an hin ( i. pints ) of oyl olive , as the apothecaries make it . leviticus , cap. . v. . he that sinned , and was not able to bring two turtle doves , or two young pidgeons for an offering , he must bring the tenth part of an ephah of fine flower , that is , ten pints and a half . cap. . . when the leper was visited , and found to be infected with the leprosie , the eighth day after , he was to take two he-lambs of a year old without blemish , and an ewe lamb of a year old , without blemish , and three tenth parts ( that is fifteen quarts as pint and half ) of fine flower for a meat-offering , mingled with a lag of oyl , that is , a pint and half . numbers , chap. . v. . to a meat-offering was added the fourth part of an hin ( that is four pints and a half ) of oyl , and as much wine , and the third part of an hin ( that is six pints ) of oyl , and as much wine . some say half a hin , that is nine pints of oyl , and as much wine . deuteronomy , chap . v. , , . there shall be two sorts of epha's within thine house ; which concludes there was a greater and a lesser . iudges , chap . v. . when gideon would have set upon the midianites , he gave each of his souldiers a trumpet in one hand , and an empty pitcher in the other hand , with lamps therein . these pitchers were called cados minores , as some say , that is , oyl cans , like lamps , wherein they used to set tedae nuptiales , or bride-candles . for such was the usual custom in those days , that the bridegroom went to fetch his bride by night , and then certain virgins were appointed to beat the wedding candles or lamps before them . whereof our saviour christ made that notable similitude of the ten virgins that went to meet the bridegroom , mat. chap. . this difference is herein to be noted , that in the lamps of the virgins whereof our saviour christ speaks , there was oyl , but in gideon's pitchers there was no oyl , but they were empty oyl-pitchers , with thick bellies and narrow necks , wherein stood lamps or candles , such might be called cades minores , being not very great , but so light that they might easily be carried in one hand without trouble : but what their measure was is not specified . ruth , chap. . v. . the young widdow ruth , the moabite , was not slothful nor yet idle , but went into boas's field , where she gleaned so many ears of corn after the reapers in one day , that at night when she had threshed the ears , it was an ephah , i. e. a bushel , or thereabouts ; for there were two kinds of ephahs , as you may read before . chap. . when ruth laid her self down at the feet of boas , and desired him that he would marry her ; in the morning when boas rose , he gave her six measures of gomers , i. e. six gallons of barly or thereabouts . samuel . chap. . v. . when saul was gone out to fight against the philistines , and that goliah daily mocked the host of the israelites , the lord stirred up ishai the father of david , to send him to his brethren to the host , with an ephah of parched corn , that is , a bushel or thereabouts , chap. . v. . david being upon the way , meaning to destroy the fool nabal's wife , a very wise and discreet woman , went to meet him , and finding david , she appeased his wrath , by a present of loaves of bread , two bottles of wine , five sheep ready dressed , and five zata's ( i. e. fifteen gomers , which is fifteen gallons and somwhat more ) of fine flower , frailes of raisins , and of figs ; which laded upon an ass , &c. kings , chap. . v. , . the molten sea that stood upon the twelve knops like cucumbers , was very curiously made of divers sorts of metals , being ten cubits wide , and five high : it held baths , that is , gallons english , or thereabouts ; every bath containing ( according to the opinion of iosepus ) sextario's , that is , at a pint and a half the sextarius , thirteen gallons and a half . chap. . v. . king solomon caused ten copper kettles to be made , that stood upon ten stools , each kettle containing forty baths , every bath sextario's , which come to gallons and a half english ; so that every kettle contained gallons . chap. . v. , , . when the prophet eliah desired the widdow of sarepta to fetch him a little water and a bit of bread , she answered and said , as true as the lord your god liveth , i have not any bread , but only a handful of flower in a cabe ( which was a kind of vessel that held eight quarts ) and a little oyl in a pitcher . and eliah said unto her , thy meal , &c. chap. . v. . . the prophet eliah being upon mount carmel about the time of the evening sacrifice , built up an altar in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of israel , and laid wood upon it , and upon the wood an ox cut in pieces for a sacrifice , and caused a ditch to be digged round about it , of such wideness and depth , as might contain two zata's , that is six gomers and something more ; about six gallons and a half of our measure . and there was twelve cads ( that is gallons ) of water cast on the sacrifice ; but when eliah called upon the name of the lord , fire fell from heaven , and devoured the sacrifice , dried up the water , and burned the wood and stones of the altar to dust . ii. kings . chap. . . when benhadad king of syria besieged samaria , there was such a famine and dearth in the city , that they sold an asses head for eighty silverlings ( that is , common sicles , which is , l. english ; ) but some texts read it , silverlings , that is , s. and the fourth part of a cab , ( that is , a pint and half of pigeons dung ) was sold for five pieces of silver , that is , s. d. when the syrians were striken by the lord , and fled from the siege of samaria , corn became so cheap ( according to the prophesie of elisha ) that under the gates of samaria one zata ( which contained sextarios , that is , half a strike and a pottle of fine flower ) was sold for d. and two zata's of barley was sold for d. ii. chronicles . chap. . solomon gave to the carpenters , &c. that cut and hewed down wood in mount libanus , for the building of the temple , corus of wheat , and of barley ; every corus containing ten medimnos atticos , which , according to budeus's account , came to twelve bushels and a half english , and in the whole to bushels . but if you account it according to the opinion of some of our english authors , it comes but to nine bushels and seven gallons and a pottle the medimna , and in the whole to bushels . and besides , solomon gave them baths of wine , and as much oyl ; every bath containing thirteen gallons and a pottle , which amounteth to in the whole , barrels and a half . the measures mentioned in the new testament . and first of matthew . chap. . . the kingdom of god is like unto a piece of leaven , which a woman taketh and putteth into three measures , or zata's of meal , which make a bushel . luke , chap. . v. . when the unjust steward called his masters debtors to account , the first was debtor baths of oyl , that is fifty one barrels and eighteen gallons ; and he bid him write down half , that is , twenty five barrels and a half . the second debtor ow'd corus of wheat , which at nine bushels and seven gallons the corus , comes to bushels , or thereabouts ; and the unjust steward willed him to set down eighty corus , that is bushels , and one gallon and a half . so the unjust steward deceived his master of barrels and a half of oyl , and of bushels and one gallon of wheat , and gave to his masters creditors . iohn , chap. . v. . . at the marriage at cana in galilee , our saviour christ changed the six pitchers of water into wine , every pitcher containing two or three cads , every cad holding sextario's , that is , gallons and a quart , or thereabouts . some say , that the first three pitchers held each three cads , or metreta's , which , if it should be so , every of them should hold gallons and three quarts : then say the other three held each two metreta's a piece , that is , twenty two gallons and a pottle a piece ; then the whole that our saviour christ gave unto the bride and bridegroom , amounted to gallons and three quarts , or thereabouts . revel . . . i heard a voice saying , a chenix ( that is , three pints of wheat ) for a denarius ( that is , d. ob . ) there being eighty five times so much , and a quart over in a bushel , it would amount unto s . d. the bushel , or thereabouts , which would be a great dearth . here is to be observed , that the grecians in times past were very strict in their house-keeping , and for that cause , confined their servants to certain measure , that is , to a chenix , which was three pints of meat ; and to a sextarius , which was a pint and half of wine for every day : and by this means the master could readily tell what his servants meat and drink would cost him in a year , that is chenixes ; which in our measure , at three pints the chenix , comes to eight bushels , two pecks , and a pint ; and pints of wine , that is , forty five gallons , a pottle , and a pint : so much did every servant eat and drink in a year . but god fed the israelites forty years in the wilderness with a greater quantity ; for he gave each man daily an omer ( that is , three chenixes ) of manna , i. e. a gallon and something more . cicero , in his eighth oration for verres , writes , that a modius of wheat ( which was a peck wanting a pint ) was commonly sold in sicilia for three sestertio's , about d. sterling , and so much had every servant in grecia daily , and a pint of wine to drink . these customs , howsoever in these countries they might be tolerable , in regard they lived in a hot climate ; yet to us , where it is much colder , our bodies require a greater quantity for nourishment : nevertheless , a mean and spare diet is both more healthful and profitable for the body , than excess ; because the stomach being surcharged , it cannot duely concoct that which it receiveth , whereby the body is filled with many crudities and noisom diseases . and thus have i , as exactly as i can , reduced the hebrew , greek and latine measures to ours : but if there be any who in casting up these quantities of measures mentioned in the scripture , shall chance to find any errour , or would reduce them to a more near estimation ( because i have in this treatise principally followed budaeus ) to our measures , he is then to understand , that there is another course to be taken , namely by weight ; four ordinary spoonfuls of water weigh an ounce , ounces of troy weight make a pound , pounds of troy weight make a gallon , and gallons make a barrel , &c. the same course may be taken in the account of corn-measures there going eight gallons after the same proportion to a bushel . so that what i have set down may be rectified by your own industry , and made more capable to your understanding . examples collected out of prophane histories , by which you may perceive the profit that may arise by the due use of this treatise , to all such as read the grecian and roman histories . in the time of claudius , emerour of rome , there was so great a famin ( according to the prophecie of agabus , act . ) that a modius , that is , a peck wanting a pint of wheat , was sold at six drachma's , which at d. ob . the drachma , comes to s. d. english. this great famin is specified by suetonius and dion , where they say , that but a little before , the same measure of wheat was worth but four sestertia's , which was d. ob . english. of pythius king of lydia . herodot . . pythius king of lydia , who entertained that mighty emperour xerxes , and all his army , would have lent him three millions of talents of silver towards the charge of his war ; which according to the attick talent , ( that is , l. s. the talent , ) amounts to millions five hundred pounds . and further , he would add to it four millions of daricons , which at s. the daricon , cometh to three millions of pounds . but xerxes being greatly pleased with his hospitality and liberality , that he might make evident his noble disposition , refused his offer , and gave him by way of gratuity darico's , which was in our money l. of croesus , the mighty king of lydia . this king croesus sent an ambassador to delphos , to ask the idol of apollo if he should prosper in the wars he took in hand against cyrus king of persia ; withall sending divers rich presents , and amongst the rest , a lion of gold , most cunningly wrought , weighing talents , every talent weighing l. which in the whole amounted to l. moreover , two cups , wherof one was fine gold , cunningly wrought , weighing eight talents and a half , which at l. the talent cometh to pound ; the other cup was made by that noble workman theodorus sanius , of pure silver , very curiously and artificially wrought , containing forty gallons ; but of what valuation it was , is not set down . for this great and rich present king croesus received of the devil a double and deceitful answer , whereby he was not only provoked to make war against cyrus , but by that means lost his kingdom ; and being taken prisoner , he was set upon a pile of wood to be burnt : but crying with a loud voice , o solon , solon , ( thereby shewing , that wise solon had foretold him , that no man is to be accounted happy before his end . ) king cyrus granted him his life . this recompence did the devil return to croesus for so great a present . such and many other the like histories by this book may be understood . the first rule for drachma's . if you have any number of drachma's , divide them by eight , and the production will be english crowns ; according to budaeus drachma's make a mina , which is about crowns , or l. sterling . the second rule of mina's . the mina multiplied by twelve , the production is crowns : for twelve crowns english is a roman mina , or a mina of the temple ; mina's make a talent ; so that multiply by , and the production will be crowns , which maketh a talent . the third rule of talents . the talent multiplied by twelve , the production is crowns . 〈◊〉 mina's being multiplied by twelve , makes crowns english , which is a talent ; and crowns is two talents , &c. by which means you may reduce all drachma's and other less weights mentioned in the scriptures to mina's , and talents ; and these again into crowns . but concerning the distinction of talents , you may read before . notwithstanding observe this , that if you chance to read of any talent , mina , or sicle , in the scripture , whereto there is not an addition of the kings talent ; or , the talent of the temple ( as i have said ) you may then presume that it is the common talent . and this shall suffice for the weights , measures , and monies mentioned in the scriptures . a catalogue of the principal authors out of whom this fore-going treatise of weights and measures , &c. was gathered . ambrosius calapinus . aulus gellius . cassarus peucerus . athenaeus . flavius ioseph . galenus . guilihelmus budaeus . hesychius . saint ierome . ioachim camerarius . iohannes avenarius . iohannes fosterus . iulius pollux . martin luther . matthew hostius . paulus eberus . philip melancthon . priscian grammaticus . sebastian munster . septuaginta interpretes . suidas . volutius metianus . the due proportion of weights and measures are also found in myropolis . itinerarivm novi testamenti . wherein is contained the travels of the virgin mary , and joseph ; also of the wise men of the east , of our saviour jesus christ , and of his apostles . but since i have briefly related the travels of the antient patriarchs , judges , kings , and prophets , ( which things i know cannot be unprofitable unto such as are judicious ) mentioned in the old testament ; that i might make a perfect end of what i have begun , i will proceed , and shew unto you the travels of all the holy men and women mentioned in the new testament ; where , by due observation of this discourse , you may well understand , that as all the nations of the world were derived from one man , that is , adam ; so all the righteous , and such as are to be saved , are derived from one man , that is , christ iesus . for , as by the first adam sin came into the world , and by sin , death and damnation ; so by the second adam that sin is pardoned , and man made partaker of eternal happiness . and that these things might be the more apparent unto thee , i have described the towns , cities , and places mentioned in their several travels ; both what they were in former times , and what they are at this present : that so by the due consideration of both , thou might'st observe the mutation and change of estates ; since , through the revolution of times , those things which seem most permanent , have within the compass of a few years been subverted , and the ruines of those cities which have been greatest , left to make evident lamentable examples of vast and unheard of destructions ; from whence , such as have any small knowledge of the spirit , may draw such comfortable resolutions , that neither poverty can subvert them , nor riches and honour exalt them ; but , according to s. iames , ca. . they may possess themselves in peace ; since neither the prosperity of the world is permanent , nor the adversity thereof intolerable . the knowledge of both which , howsoever to some it may seem ridiculous , yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of worldly affairs , it cannot chuse but take a deep impression , and draw them thence to the knowledge of christ jesus , and of his doctrine . to which end , and for which purpose , i have principally endeavoured to publish this treatise , that so comparing the estate of man in this present world , with the estate of grace in the world to come , they might perceive the impotency of the one , and the permanency of the other , and from both draw immoveable axioms , that there can be no salvation where there is no humility , nor no prosperity where there is not a knowledge of christ jesus in his humanity : and thence gather , that the afflictions of this world , to which he is most subject through the whole course of his life , is the ready means to honour and immortal glory . but that these things may the better appear unto thee , i will endeavour to lay before thee the beginning , and ( so far as the holy scripture leads me ) the ending of our saviour . from whence thou may'st draw such comfortable resolutions , that in what estate soever thou art , whether in prosperity or adversity , thou may'st therewith rest content , &c. of zacharias the father of john baptist. zacharias or zachariah , signifies gods remembrance . this man was the father of iohn the baptist , being a priest , of the tribe of aaron , and dwelling at a town called abia , of which you may read , chr. . there were three famous men of this name , as basilius saith . one that was a prophet of the lord , and lived years before the birth of christ ; zach. . and another , that was the son of iehoiada the high priest , who at the command of that ingrateful king ioas , was stoned to death in the upper court of the temple , chr. . and a third , which was this zacharias , the father of iohn baptist , and son of barachias , that is , the blessed : who , according to the opinion of basil , was slain for no other cause but for saying that christ was born of the virgin mary . this man had to wise elizabeth , of the posterity of the high-priest aaron , and by her had a son called iohn ; so named of the lord , who was afterward called iohn the baptist. elizabeth signifies , the rest of god , being derived of eli and scabbath , that is , the rest and sabbath of the lord. the inhabitants of the holy land take upon them even to this day to shew the house were zacharias and elizabeth dwelt , in a town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from emmaus to ierusalem . but saint luke , ca. . saith , that zacharias dwelt not in a town or field , but in the city of iudah , which was scituated in the mountain of iudah . risnerus and iohannes hedenus write , that zacharias dwelt in ierusalem , in the part of the city scituated upon mount bezetha , as in the first book of the description of ierusalem hath bin declared . and this seemeth to be verified out of nehemiah , cap. . yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at hebron , because that was the chief city of the tribe of iuda , and a town of the priests . the travels of the virgin mary . mary , if it be derived of marah , signifieth such a person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief , one that is laid open to all misery and calamity , press'd with continual vexation and mourning . she was born upon the eighth day of september , years before the birth of christ ; and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten son , according to s. hierome and others . her fathers name was eliakim , of the house of david . upon the five and twentieth day of march , in the same year that our saviour christ was born , mary being then fourteen years old , the angel gabriel declared unto her the embassie of the conception of our lord jesus christ. a little after , about the beginning of april , an. m. , she went from nazareth in great haste over the hills to ierusalem , sixty four miles , to the house of zacharias , and there saluted her cousin elizabeth , luk. . from thence she returned back again to nazareth , which was sixty four miles . and when the command came out from augustus , that all the world should be taxed , then ioseph and mary went from nazareth to bethlehem , seventy two miles : and there the time of marys deliverance drew neer , and loe , she bare the son of the living god , our lord and saviour christ. luke . . from bethlehem , ioseph and mary brought the child jesus to ierusalem , and presented him in the temple , which was six miles , luke . . and when they had accomplished all things according to the law , they returned back again to nazareth , a town in galilee , sixty four miles . from nazareth they went back again to bethlem , seventy two miles ▪ thither the wise men , coming out of the east , brought the child jesus gold , frankincense , and myrrh , mat. . from bethlehem ( the same night that herod caused all the infants of two years old and under to be slain ) ioseph and mary fled with the child jesus to hermopolis , a city in egypt , which was miles . mat. . zozom . lib. . from thence they returned back again with the child jesus to nazareth , miles : for they were greatly afraid lest archilaus ( who succeeded his father herod in the government of the iews ) would seek the childs life , mat. . from nazareth , ioseph and mary came every year to ierusalem , which was sixty four miles , to the feast of the passover and so many miles back again ; which for ten years co●tinuance , came to miles . when christ was twelve years of age , and at the beginning of the thirteenth , he went with his parents from nazareth to the feast of the passover , being sixty four miles , luke . and when the days of the feast of the passover were accomplished , they returned home again . but the child iesus stayed at ierusalem , and his parents knew it not , for they thought he had been among the company . wherefore , when they had travelled a dayes journey ( that is , twenty miles ) they missed their son. after , they search'd through the company , but could not find him : wherefore they returned back to ierusalem , being twenty miles ; where , on the third day after , they found him in the temple , sitting among the doctors , and disputing with them . so the next three days he returned back again with his parents to nazareth , being sixty four miles , and was obedient to them , luke . . after , ioseph and mary went every year , during the life of ioseph , up to ierusalem to the passover , and without all doubt took iesus along with them . thus they continued for the space of three years , about which time ioseph died , christ being then sixteen years of age : which three years travel from nazareth to ierusalem and back again , cometh to miles . from that time forward he continued with his mother till he was thirty one years of age , which was the first year of his ministry . mary , his mother , being then forty five years old , was invited to a marriage in cana a city of galilee , which stood eight miles from galilee towards the north-west , iohn . here our saviour christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine . from cana in galilee she went with our saviour to capernaum , a city of galilee , a little before the feast of the paschal lamb , which was twenty miles . from capernaum she returned back to nazareth , which was accounted twelve miles . in the thirty second year of the age of our saviour christ , which was the second of his ministry , mary went from nazareth back again to capernaum , where our saviour christ cast forth a devil , mat. . mark . which was miles . from thence she returned back again to nazareth , which was twelve miles : for in this town she dwelt , whilst iesus travelled from place to place , teaching and preaching the word of god , mark . and although she oftentimes went from nazareth with him to many places , continuing still in his company ; yet then especially , when he was to sustain the wrath of god , and punishment for the sin of man , which was in the thirty fourth year of his age . in which year she would not forsake him till his death : for she went from galilee to ierusalem with him , which wa● sixty four miles ; a great journey for one of her age ( being then forty eigh● years old . ) and when our saviour was crucified , she stood close by the cross with a heavy and pensive countenance , bewailing the death of her son. then was the prophecy of old simeon accomplished , and a sword shall pass through thy soul. but after , by his glorious resurrection and ascension , she was revived and comforted . from the passion of christ to the death of the blessed virgin mary , was twelve years : all which time she lived with iohn the evangelist in ierusalem , and then being fifty nine years of age dyed , and was buried ( according to the opinion of nicephorus and others ) in the garden called gethsamene . so all her travels were miles . now follows the description of the towns and places to which she travelled . of nazareth . this was a town almost of no estimation ; scituated in a certain mountain in galilee the lower , sixty four miles and something more from ierusalem towards the north , in the tribe of zabulon . in this town our saviour jesus christ was brought up , luke . . some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from ierusalem , but they mistake themselves ; yet i will not dispute thereof , but follow my authors , iacobus ziglerus , and tilmanus stella . there is not any mention made of it , that is extant in the old testament . it hath a two-fold derivation , the one by zain , and the other by zade . if it be written by zain , it may have a two-fold signification , since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the verb nazar , which signifies , to consecrate and keep ; from hence nezaer , a garland of flowers , or a crown set with pretious stones , &c. such as kings and high-priests are accustomed to wear . also from the same word nazar , is derived nazir , and thence nazaraeus , which is as much as to say , he is separated from the use of wine ; and suffering his hair to be un-cut , as being dedicated to the lord. therefore our saviour christ is justly called a nazarite , luke . for ●aezer first signifies a holy man , who hath made a holy vow unto the lord : secondly , it doth denote a crown or wreath of sincerity , exod. . . thirdly , a holy ointment , wherewith kings and priests were anointed , levit. . and fourthly , this word nezaer signifies , a princely crown , sam. . . kings . psal. . . so that nazareth , being derived of nazar and nazir , may signifie both a crown , and a holy city , iudg. . but if nazareth be written by zade , it signifies a flourishing plant or graff , according to that of isay , c. . but there shall come a rod forth of the stock of ishai , and a graff shall grow out of his root , and the spirit of the lord shall rest upon him . the inhabitants of this town at this day shew certain monuments and reliques of what had happened in preceeding ages : as , two churches , one built there where the angel gabriel saluted the blessed virgin , and she conceived by the spirit ; in which there stands three altars , hew'n out of a rock : and the other built ( as they say ) where the house of ioseph and mary stood , because there our saviour christ was brought up . also they shew a well , where the child jesus drew water , and ministred to his mother ; they also shew the vast ruins of the synagogue where our saviour christ expounded the sixty first chapter of isay , for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the hill , luke . and many other things , of which you may read in borchardus the monk. in saint ierom's time , some forty years before christ , nazareth was a small town called nazarah . of the mountains by which mary passed when she went to visit her cousin elizabeth . between nazareth and ierusalem , there standeth many high hills , as , mount gilboa , whereon king saul killed himself ; mount gerisim , and hebal , upon which hills the blessings and cursings were pronounced , deut. . and mount ephraim , upon which ehud kill'd eglon king of the moabites , iudg. . over this mountain , being very great and steep , mary travelled when she went to visit her cousin elizabeth . of bethlehem . there were two cities called by this name , the one bethlem iudah ; the other bethlem euphrata , where our saviour christ was born , and signifieth fruitful , or the house of bread : it stood upon a hill , some six miles from ierusalem towards the south . the inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our saviour christ was born , which stood upon the east side of the city , close by the wall thereof ; where , as eusebius saith , hellen , the mother of constantine the great , caused to be built a fair and stately church , three hundred and twenty years afte● the nativity of christ. this church was dedicated to st. mary , and remaineth to this day , being had in great honour , both amongst the christians , and the turks , and saracens . this church is such a stately building , that it is thought to exceed all the churches of christendom , for beauty and curious workmanship : it is two hundred twenty eight foot long , and eighty seven foot wide , being built all of marble of divers colours , and covered with lead : there are in it four rowes of marble pillars , wonderful to look upon , not only in regard of their number but of their greatness , for there is fifty pillars in every row . the body of this church , the pillars from the bottom to the top , the walls , and every part of it , is beautified with lively pictures , adorned with divers colours , silver , gold , and curious workmanship , so as it is wonderful to behold . the pavement of it is of marble , polished , and of divers colours , so cunningly set in works , and with such variety , that it is very delightful to such as look on it . there is painted on the pillars and walls , almost all the stories of the old testament , till the birth of our lord and saviour jesus christ , with such excellent cunning , and so lively , that it is to be admired . in the quire of this church there is found two altars , one close by the chappel of st. katherine , at the east end thereof ; not far distant from which , they shew the place where our saviour was circumcised : and in the middle of the quire there standeth another altar , where they say the wise men left their dromedaries , and prepared their gifts to present unto our saviour , when they worshipped him . upon the south side of this quire , towards the east , they descend by ten stone steps into the chappel of the nativity of christ , richly beautified , and curiously wrought , paved with polished marble . this chappel is not very great , but wonderful fair and sumptuous . when the holy land was over-run by the gentiles , this ( as many other places were in that country ) was all polluted with filth and dirt , that they had much ado to make it clean a great while after . upon the place where they said our lady the blessed virgin mary brought forth our saviour into the world , there is placed a table of white marble , after the manner of an altar : about some four foot from this they shew the place where the manger stood , a part of it yet remaining , cut out of a rock , not of marble , but of other stone , as many other mangers are in that country . close by that there is an altar , where they say the wise men presented their gifts to our saviour christ , and worshipped him . at the entrance into the church , there standeth a goodly building , which in times past seemed to have been some arch-bishops see , but now is called st. maries church . upon the north side , they descended by certain steps into the chappel of st. ierom , who lay a long time buried there , till his bones were removed thence to st. maries in rome . about a mile from bethlehem , southward , stood the tower of eder , being a watch-tower of the bethlehemites , and so called , because there resorted thither many flocks of sheep : for aeder●ignifieth ●ignifieth a herd . round about this tower were fair and fruitful pastures , to which many shepherds resorted to feed their flocks ; to some of which shepherds the angels told the glad tidings of the birth of our saviour , and that he was laid in a manger at bethlehem . for which cause , in after times there was a church built just in the place where the tower stood ; and in saint ierom's time called by the name of angelos ad pastores : the same luther affirmeth , that it is yet standing . iacob sometime dwelt in that place , and buried his wife rachel thereabouts . the monument that he set upon her grave remaineth to this day , which was twelve stones pitch'd an end , standing about a quarter of a mile from this place , upon the right hand as they go to ierusalem : of which grave , all the country thereabouts is called by the name of rachel . of the way between judea and egypt . between egypt and iudea lieth arabia petraea : a land for the most part barren and unfruitful , full of sands , rocks , and mountains , destitute of water , and subject to many dangers : being in the summer solstice scorched with extremity of heat , the sun being then perpendicular over them ( according to munster ) in the day time ; and in the night , troubled with extream winds , which , blowing the sand with great violence , it casteth it upon great heaps and mountains , by which dust , both beasts and sometime men are suffocated and slain . moreover , there dwelt in this desart , a rude and dangerous people , called saracens ; who take their beginning from ishmael , and are therefore also called ishmaelites , being given to cruelty and malitiousness . they get their living , for the most part , by theft and violence : and as ishmael was an excellent archer , so they also are very cunning in shooting and hunting , using to this day their ancient evil custom of robbing and spoiling all that pass that way ; insomuch as merchants are constrained to go in great companies , lest they should be indangered by them , and by reason of the winds and sands , are constrained to guide their journey by the compass , as men do that sail upon the sea. through this wilderness did ioseph and mary pass , when they went with the child jesus out of iudaea into egypt ; where they were in danger of thieves , subject to be smothered by the sands , constrained to travel over high rocks and mountains , and to rest in fear , because of lyons , bears , and other beasts which greatly abound in that place . besides , divers other discommodities were incident unto them , as want of meat , drink , and other necessaries , there being little water to be found there , insomuch as had not the lord by an express command charged him in a dream to go down into egypt , ioseph durst hardly have ventured upon so difficult and dangerous a journey . but the lord so mercifully provided for him , that he both went and returned safe . thus may we see to what dangers these good people were exposed , and what miseries they sustained from the beginning because of their son christ jesus . of hermopolis . hermopolis was called the town of mercury , distant from ierusalem miles towards the south-west : it was one of the chief cities in egypt , as appianus writeth . nicephorus and zozemenus affirm , lib. . cap. . that ioseph and mary came and lived in this town , where they continued all the days of herod , that cruel king. but ziglerius saith , that they lived in the land of gosen , where the patriarch iacob and his posterity lived : which agreeth well with the words of s. matthew , cap. . and hosea . out of egypt have i called my son. this land of gosen lay miles from ierusalem , towards the south-west . the inhabitants of alcair in egypt take upon them to shew the place where ioseph and mary dwelt , when they went down into that country ; but how true it is i cannot tell , because there is no author for it . of canah in galilee . this was a city in galilee , distant from ierusalem sixty eight miles towards the north ; of which you may read more in the travels of our saviour christ. of capernaum . this town stood upon the sea of galilee , sixty eight miles from ierusalem toward the north ; of which you may read more after . the trav●ls of the wise men of the east , which came to bethlehem to see jesus . the magi were certain wise men of persia , so called from meditation , being derived of hagah , that is , he hath meditated ; and taken in the third conjugation , it signifies , to find or search out a thing , they being such as gave themselves to the knowledge of hard things , and to find out the secrets and mysteries of nature . but , according to varinus , they were not only philosophers , but priests also . and pla●o upon alcibiades , saith , magia est deorum observantia sive ●ultus divinus ; that is , magick prescribed the due observance and divine worship of the gods. strabo saith , geogra . lib. . that the magi were such among the persians , as those whom the indians call gimnosophists and academians ; the babylonians , chaldaeans ; and the hebrewes , prophets , or priests , which taught the people divine knowledge . and when the ten tribes were carried into captivity by sal●anasser emperour of the assyrians ( into assyria , media , and persia ) there is no question but they took with them into the east , the holy books and volumes of the law , and of the prophets , whereby , without doubt , many of the people and philosophers of the east came to have a taste of the true knowledge and worship of god. also the prophet daniel was brought up in all the arts of the caldaeans ; whose writings and prophecies were not only written and published amongst the babyl●nians , but also had in great account and estimation amongst the magi : so that they diligently perusing those books , came not only to the knowledge of god , but also without doubt , to the knowledge of our saviour jesus christ , whom they called the star of iacob ; from whence may be concluded , that the wise-men that came to see our saviour christ , were rather of susa in persia , than of zaba in aethiopia . wherefore these wise men came from the academy of susa in persia to ierusalem , which was miles ; saying , where is he that is born king of the iews ? for we have seen his star in the east , and are come to worship him . this hapned in the month of january , in the second year after the birth of our saviour ; for herod in the seventieth year of his age caused all the male children of the bethlemites of two years old and under ( according to the time that he was told of the wise men ) to be put to the sword. from ierusalem they went to bethlehem , which was six miles , where , upon the sixth of january they offered their presents which they brought out of persia , to our saviour ; viz. gold , as to a king ; frankincense , as to a priest ; and myrth , as to a mortal man , mat. . so let us offer unto christ our saviour , the gold of faith and heavenly doctrine ; the frankincense of earnest prayers , and the myrrh of patience in the midst of calamity . afterward , the wise-men ( as they had been warned in a dream ) returned another way to susa in persia , which was miles . so their travels were miles . of susa you may read before in the travels of the old testament . of the star that appeared to the wise-men in the east . since this star appeared in the lower region of the air , ( as it is apparent it did ) from thence it may be concluded , that it neither was any of the fixed stars , planet , or a comet , because they commonly are seen in the upper region of the air ; but rather , according to the opinion of some , it was an angel of god , appearing in the form of a bright shining star , to direct the wise men in their way they went to the town of bethlem ; and so by little and little descending from the sublimity of the air , pointed out unto them the very house where they might find mary the mother of our lord , and the child jesus ; almost after the same manner as the angel of the lord in the time of moses appeared to the children of israel ; that is , in the day like a cloudy pillar , and in the night like a flaming fire , to direct them their way , exod. . . . wherefore this star without doubt was no natural apparition , which happened in the inferiour region of the air , suddenly vanishing away ; but , as i have said , an angel of the lord representing the form of a star. or else , as chrysostom saith , a certain miraculous new star , which , according to the opinion of augustine , was governed by an angel of the lord ; and for the greatness of the body , and variety of the aspects , was not seen first in the land of iudaea , but in persia , a country in the east , where the magi dwelt , and accompanied thence into iudaea . and although for a short space it left them in their journey , yet when they came in the way to bethlem , it appeared to them again , mat. . as nicephorus and chrysostom observe , the star appeared upon the day of the conception of christ , being the twenty fifth day of march ; about which time the arch-angel gabriel spoke with the virgin mary , luke . and was seen for a whole year and forty one weeks , that is , till the sixth of ianuary , in the beginning of the second year after the nativity of christ. it wanted eleven weeks of two years ; and therefore herod caused all the male-children of the bethlehemites of two years old and under , to be slain according to the time declared unto him by the wise-men . mat. . wherefore this new star did first fore-shew the birth of christ , that bright shining star and eternal light of glory , according to the prophecy of billa , num. . secondly , the light of god's word and the gospel , pet. . thirdly , godly and faithful ministers and teachers , who by their doctrine and godly life and conversation , should set before their auditors and such as observe their actions , the way to christ and eternal happiness , dan. ult . the travels of john baptist. in the month of thisri , which answereth to our september , anno mundi , , the feast of the tabernacles being then celebrated , the arch-angel gabriel told zacharias the priest , of the conception of iohn the baptist , which should be the voice of a crier in the wilderness . and a little after , that is , about the autumnal aeqinoctial , iohn the baptist was conceived six months before our saviour . the next year after , about the month of iuly , he was born . six months after that , our saviour christ was born . in which year , zacharias , the father of iohn baptist , was slain in the upper court , between the altar and the temple , for saying , that our saviour christ was born , and , that mary his mother was a virgin , mat. . wherefore elizabeth , the wife of zacharias , fearing the cruelty of herod and of the pharisees , about that time when the young infants of the bethlehemites were slain , she fled from ierusalem to apumim , as nicephorus saith , which was scituated in the wilderness between iericho and ierusalem , where she privately brought up her son , being thirty two miles . in the thirty ninth year of the nativity of christ , and upon the twenty fourth day of iune , iohn the baptist being then thirty years of age , by the commandment of the lord , took upon him the ministry ; for it was not lawful for any to enter into that function before they were thirty years of age , numb . . wherefore , upon the eight and twentieth day of september , it being then the feast of the tabernacles , and about the middle of the last week spoken of by daniel , he went from adumim to bethabara , where he took upon him the ministry of the new testament : hannas the chief priest being then newly entred into that office , luke . ( which was about four miles ) and within a short time after , that is , upon the seventh day of october , being then the feast of expiation , our lord and saviour jesus christ was baptised , when he was fully thirty years of age , luke . matthew . iohn . in the year following , which was the one and thirtieth year of the nativity of christ , a little before the feast of easter , the synedrion of ierusalem sent messengers unto iohn , he then remaining at bethabara , to know whether he was the christ , or elias , or some other prophet , iohn . upon the eighteenth day of september , the same year , iohn entred upon the second year of his ministry ; about which time , caiphas began to enter upon the office of the high priest , and the sadducees and pharisees to persecute iohn baptist. wherefore he departed from bethabara , and went to aenon , a city in galilee , which was twenty four miles . after that iohn had preached publickly and freely , by the space of a whole year and two months ; about the month of december , and the end of the first year of the ministry of our saviour , by the commandment of herod , he was taken and led prisoner from aenon to the tower of macheruntes , which was twenty eight miles ; where he remained untill his death . so all his travels were eighty eight miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of adumim . adumim , or adummim , ( as it is in ioshua , cap. . ) was a tower twelve miles from ierusalem towards the east , scituated in the wilderness that is between ierusalem and iericho ; so called because of the multitude of robberies and murthers that were done in that place : for dam signifieth blood. here the poor man that christ mentioned , luke . fell amongst thieves ; and here eliah continued when he was sed by the rave●s , and drank the water of the river cherith , king . which was a notable type of iohn the baptist , who lived in a cave in this place . this cave stood close by the garden of engedi , where in former times the academy and school of the prophets eliah and elisha was kept : here the esseis ( which was a sect amongst the iews ) also continued , who led a monastical kind of life , and gave themselves wholly to prayers and good works ; under whose discipline and instruction iohn was brought up . mathesius wisely observes , that of all other , the esseis would never oppose christ ; but were a people that lived chastly and honestly , according to the custom of the nazarites , with all diligence reading the scriptures , and avoiding idleness as a great temptation of the devil , giving themselves principally to the study of physick . after this sort was iohn brought up . of bethabara . this was a town scituated upon the east side of the river iordan , sixteen miles from ierusalem towards the east , where there was either a bridge or a ferry to pass over iordan : from whence this place was called bethabara , being derived of baith , a house ; and abarah , a passage : wherefore , at a certain time , there being assembled in this place a great concourse and congregation of people , iohn did first enter upon the ministry of the new testament , and taught the people the doctrine of repentance and baptism . here elias the thesbite , who was a type of iohn the baptist , was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot . here iohn spake with the messengers that came to inquire whether he was christ or not : to whom he answered , that he was neither elias , nor a prophet of the old testament , but the voice of a cryer in the wilderness , io. . is. . and in the same place where the priests stood with the ark of the covenant , whilst ioshua and the children of israel passed over iordan , iohn baptized christ , the true ark of the covenant of the throne of grace , iosh. . . mat. . luke . heb. . of aenon . this town stood upon the west-side of the river of iordan , miles from ierusalem northward , a little on this side of the sea of tiberias , near the mouth of the river iaboch , where it falleth into iordan , in which place was great abundance of waters . here also iohn sometimes baptized , ioh. . it being two miles from salem , where iacob in times past dwelt , gen. . of the meeting together of the waters this town was called aenon , of ain , which signifies an eye , and a fountain that springeth as it were from an eye . of macherus , or macharuntes . macherus was a town of peraea , beyond iordan , twenty miles from ierusalem towards the east , scituated in a high mountain , being derived of macherah , that is , a sword. this was one of the chief castles of herod antipas , who obtained the chief command in the city of ierusalem , plin. lib. . c. . in this place iohn baptist was beheaded , as ioseph . saith , lib. antiq. . c. . and although his disciples buried his body thereabouts , yet long after the christians removed his bones and relicks to sebasten , that is , samaria , where they were the second time buried with great honour and reverence . afterward ( as nicephorus and theodorus sa● ) his bones were taken up again by iulian the apostate , and burn'd . there are many other things that are written concerning his reliques , which ( because of the uncertainty of them ) i omit to speak of ; and will proceed to a further description of this city . alexander , king of the iews , first built and fortified it ; and then making war against aristobulus , it hapned to be destroyed by gabinus , one of his captains , and so continued desolate till herod's time , who rebuilt the town and the castle , and fortified it with strong walls and high towers , even a hundred and sixty cubits in height , so that a man could scarce see to the top of it . but , that god might revenge the blood of his saints , at such time as ierusalem and the holy land was left desolate , lucius bassus ( a noble roman ) came to this city , and besieged it ; during which siege , bassus took a certain young man , which was a prince of the iews , called eleazer , and caused a cross to be set on purpose to have crucified him ; but they which were besieged in the town , seeing the pitiful lamentations this young man made , promised bassus , if he would spare his life , to yield up the town , which he did ; so the castle being taken , the gates of the city were set open . but the romans fell to the slaughter without mercy , and put to the sword persons , besides , there were a great multitude of women and children carried thence into captivity , as iosephus ( lib. de bello iud. . cap. . ) affirmeth . there were many goodly wells and stately buildings within this city : there is cut out in the castle a rue tree of an admirable greatness : and in the valley , upon the north-side of the city , the root baarus is found , presenting both in colour and figure a flame . there are also found many hot baths and fountains of wholsome waters : but above the rest , iosephus maketh mention of one in a cave , where two streams issueth , as it were out of two dugs ; the one hot , the other cold ; which two waters being mingled ●ogether , are very wholsome , and cure many diseases , but principally the shrinking of the sinews . and this shall suffice concerning the travels of iohn the baptist. the travels of our lord and saviour christ in his infancy . matth. . luke . from bethlehem the child jesus was brought to ierusalem , and there presented in the temple , anno mundi , which was miles . from ierusalem , ioseph and mary , ( when they had accomplished all things in the temple of the lord ) carried the child iesus to nazareth in galilee , which was sixty four miles . from thence ioseph and mary brought jesus back again to bethlehem , which was seventy two miles . upon the second day of ianuary , in the second year after the nativity of christ , the wise men of persia brought gifts , and worshipped him . a little after , that is , about the ides of ianuary , just the night before the command came from herod to kill the innocent children , ioseph and mary went , with the child jesus , through the mountains and desarts of iudea into egypt , to hermopolis in the land of gosen ; which was reckoned from bethlehem miles . from hermopolis in egypt ( after the death of herod ) jesus was brought back again by his parents to nazareth in iudea , which was above miles . when jesus was twelve years of age , he went with his parents from nazareth to ierusalem , to the feast of the passeover , which was sixty four miles . and when his parents had lost him , and found him again in the temple among the learned ; then he continued in obedience unto them , and went with them from ierusalem to nazareth , which was sixty four miles . so his travels were miles . concerning the towns and places mentioned in his travels , you may read before in the travels of the virgin mary . the travels of our lord and saviour iesus christ , from his baptism till the first year of his ministry . christ , in the thirtieth year of his age , went from nazareth and came to bethabara , which stood upon the river iordan , where iohn baptized ; and upon the seventh day of october , in the middle of the last week spoken of by daniel , cap. . was there baptized , at whose baptism the testimony of the spirit descended down upon him in the likeness of a dove ; which was fifty two miles . from iordan , jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil , and there fasted forty dayes and forty nights : at the end of which time , the devil came and tempted him . how this wilderness was called , the evangelist doth not specifie ; but it is to be thought that it was the desart of arabia petraea , and that our saviour christ fasted upon the mountain of sinai , where moses and eliah fasted forty dayes and forty nights , exod. . . reg. . for this desart extendeth it self from the borders of egypt and the red sea , to iordan , where iohn baptized : and from thence , by the country of trachonites , to the mountain of libanus . therefore our saviour christ might that present seventh day of october whereon he was baptized come into this wilderness ; and by little and little go thence to mount sinai , which was miles . for there was no place more fit for sath●n to tempt our saviour in , than where the law was delivered , which is the power of sin : for although the son of god was without sin , yet he took upon him the sins of all the world , levit. . joh. . isa. . so then our saviour christ ( according to this supputation ) continued in the desart from the seventh day of october to the sixteenth of november , which was forty dayes and forty nights . epiphanius , lib. . tom. . haeres . . saith , that our saviour christ was baptized upon the eighth day of november , which was the twelfth day of the month athyr amongst the egyptians : but this supputation is false , and altogether repugnant to the certain mathematical calculation . wherefore , upon the seventeenth day of november , our saviour christ hungred , mat. . mark . luke . and then the devil , with an extraordinary boldness , came unto him , and carried him from mount sinai with great violence through the air , and set him upon the top of a pinacle of the temple in jerusalem , which was miles : this pinacle was so exceeding high , ( as you may read in the description of ierusalem ) that whosoever lookt down from it into the valley of cedron , their eyes dazled , and it seemed as though there had been clouds in the bottom of the valley ; for it was foot from the bottom to the top , from this place the devil bid our saviour christ throw himself down &c. mat. . from the pinacle of the temple , the devil took our saviour christ and set him upon a high mountain ; but what hill it was , or how called , the holy evangelist doth not set down . the inhabitants of the holy land think it was the hill that stood betwixt bethel and ai , upon which hill in times past abraham dwelt , gen. . but that hill is not very high , and there are many higher hills in the holy land : wherefore it is to be thought that he was carried upon the top of that high mountain nebo , which was also called pisgah , and stood miles from ierusalem eastward , where god shewed unto moses all the holy land beyond iordan , deut. . and in this place , as god had shewed moses , so the devil shewed our saviour the kingdoms of the world , and the glory of them , saying ▪ all these will i give thee , &c. it is to be thought , that all these sharp temptations of the devil were done in one day . this hill pisgah is distant from bethabara miles , where iohn baptist baptised , and bare witness of our saviour christ , ioh. ca. . now after the devil had left him , and the angels had comforted him , he came thence unto iohn , which was miles , and iohn said to his disciples , behold , this is the lamb of god which taketh away the sins of the world , ioh. . so these travels were miles . the travels of our saviour christ , in the first year of his ministry , which was the of his age . but yet our saviour christ began not to preach publickly , because it was not lawful for any to be admitted into the ministry of the word until they were past thirty years of age . now our saviour christ , in the months of ianuary and february , being then past thirty ( for he was full thirty upon the day of december ) began to preach publickly , but yet he had no disciples , neither had he wrought any miracles . in the month of march , iohn baptist testifieth of christ before the priest and levites ; and within two days after , christ being then present , iohn said , behold the lamb of god that taketh away the sins of the world , &c. within a while after , christ went thence towards cana in galilee , in which journey he took unto him some disciples , namely , andrew , and iohn the evangelist , and , as some think , peter , philip , and nathaniel ; near to the town of bethel , where the patriarch iacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven ( for christ maketh mention of that vision in his journey ) which was miles , ioh. . where he graced the marriage with a notable miracle , turning six pots of water ( containing gallons and three quarts or thereabouts ) into wine , ioh. . after he went thence with his mother and his disciples to capernaum , miles : but he stayed there but a while , for the passover of the iewes was at hand , ioh. . in the beginning of april , christ went from capernaum to ierusalem , to the feast of the passover , which was miles , and there cast out of the temple the money-changers , and those that sold sheep , and oxen , and doves in it . this was done about years after herod ascalonita , king of the jewes , had rebuilded and beautified the temple ; of which you may read in ioseph . lib. ant. . cap. . ioh. . the first passover of the ministry of christ. this first passover of the ministry of our saviour christ , of which you may read , iohn . was celebrated upon the sixth day of april , and continued until the thirteenth day of the same month. during which time , our saviour christ did many miracles , insomuch that many believed in his name ; and amongst the rest , nicodemus , who came to him by night , and reasoned with him concerning the kingdom of god. nicodemus signifies the victory of the people , ioh. . at this time he continued in ierusalem till the month of october , and there celebrated the feast of the tabernacles , and preached the acceptable year of the lord , esay . the feast of tabernacles being ended , jesus with his disciples came into iudea , that is , he went from ierusalem , and began to teach in iudea , and his disciples baptised , ioh. . . iohn also baptised at this time upon the borders of galilee near iudea , miles from ierusalem northward , upon the east side of the river iordan , for he was not yet cast into prison . therefore christ chose him a place to teach and baptise in , upon the river of iordan near iohn , that they might meet and converse together . a little after , the question was moved concerning purification , and iohn began to preach of christ , and that he was the son of god , and spouse of the church . in this sermon iohn in many places called himself the friend of the spouse . from whence it is evident , that christ and iohn●in the month of november , did often meet and converse together . in the month of december , christ being assured of the captivity of iohn the baptist , mat. . mark . and of the persecution and fallacies of the pharisees , iohn . went from iordan , and returned into galilee , by the province and country of samaria : in which country he came to iacob's well , which stood close by sichar , in former times called sichem , about some miles from iordan towards the west ; in which place he spake with the samaritan woman , ( this happened some four months before harvest ) and after went into sichar , and continued there for the space of two days ; and after returning into galilee , was very acceptably entertained of the galileans , because they formerly having seen his miracles done at ierusalem , were joyful to see him there . when he had travelled from sichar to cana ( a city in galilee the lower , which was miles , where he had changed water into wine ) there was a certain ruler came unto him , whose son lay sick at capernaum , miles distant , and besought him to heal his son ; our saviour told him that his son was made whole : so he believed , and his son was made whole the same hour . this was the second miracle that our saviour christ did , io. . it is thought that this rulers name was chuza , of whom there is mention luk. . and was herod's procurator ; whose wives name was iohanna , which signified gracious . this woman ministred of all her substance unto christ , iohn . so these travels were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of cana in galilee . this was a city of the lower galilee , where our blessed saviour christ turned water into wine , being distant from ierusalem miles northward . the place where our saviour wrought this miracle is to be seen at this day ; but it is within the ground , and you must descend by certain steps before you can come at it , because ( as it , seems ) there have been many churches and buildings set upon it , which being sundry times overthrown , the ruins thereof have raised the earth in such sort , that the antient place is as it were hidden and laid under the earth , as is also the place of the anuntiation of the nativity of our saviour christ , and many other where he wrought miracles ; to which they do descend down under the earth by steps . upon the north side of this town stood a round hill , and upon the south a goodly plain ; being called cana in galilee , to put distinction between it and another town called after the same name , which stood upon the borders of tyrus and sidon , in the tribe of asser ; in which the canaanitish woman , or syrophoenicean dwelt , which besought christ to heal her daughter , who was possessed of a devil , mat. . mark . which was called canah the greater , as this was called canah the less , and was distant each from the other miles . canah was so called , because round about it grew reeds , and there were many moorish and waterish grounds , whereof the town took the name . for canah signifies a reed : which is a fit type of the church ; for , as our saviour christ at this town ( which stood in a moorish and reedy place ) graced the marriage with an extraordinary miracle ; so likewise will he grace the marriage of his church ( though troubled with miseries and afflictions in this world , tossed to and fro like a wavering reed ) with the glorious presence of his gracious countenance , and in the world to come crown it with eternal glory . of ca●ernaum . this city was so called from the pleasant and comfortable scituation of it . in the hebrew text mathew calls it ca harnacu● , i. the town of comfort ; being derived of no●●am , i. consolation . in this town our saviour dwelt after he had left nazareth , and in it wrought many miracles , as the healing of the sick , casting out of devils , and such like , whereof you may read , mat. . mark . luke . . iohn . it stood in the land of genezareth , upon the west and north side of iordan , in an angle of land joyning to the sea of galilee , miles from ierusalem northward , in the tribe of issachar ; and , as it is thought by some , just in the midst of the twelve tribes . mat. . calls it the city of our saviour . and that christ was no stranger , but an inhabitant of this city , it is manifest , mat. . where christ , when he gave tribute to the magistrates of this city , asked peter , saying , of whom do the kings of the earth take tribute ? peter said , of strangers : then , quoth he , the children are free ; yet nevertheless , &c. from whence may be gathered , that he was no stranger , but an inhabitant in capernaum . it had upon the north side of it the three tribes , ne●thalim asser , and zabulon ; upon the south , benjamin , iuda , dan , and simeon ; upon the west issachar , epharaim , and the half tribe of manasses ; and upon the east , reuben , gad , and the other half tribe of manasses : so that our saviour christ dwelt in the midst of the twelve tribes of israel . furthermore , it was a goodly market town , and had as well relation to tyrus and sidon ( two towns of the gentiles , within forty four miles of it ) as to ierusalem from whence may be verified that saying of esa. ca. , . the land of zebulon and naphtalim , near the way of the sea beyond jordan , and galilee of the gentiles ; a people which sit in darkness , and in the shadow of death , saw a great light. this town is therefore justly called the city of comfort and consolation ; since our saviour christ dwelt there , who with his doctrine and preaching refreshed and comforted all such as were afflicted with the burthen of their sins . but the great men that were inhabitants of this city , had more respect to their private profit , than to the doctrine and miracles that christ wrought among them ; from whence it came to pass , that they did as it were neglect and contemn that good which god had offered to them : which made our saviour say , and thou capernaum , which seemest to be exalted up unto heaven , shall be cast down into hell : for if the miracles had been done in sodom and gomorrah , which have been done in thee , they had continued until this day . verily , verily , i say unto you , it shall be easier for sodom and gomorrah in the day of iudgment , than for thee , mat. . for there was no such benefit offered to any city , neither such honours and dignities , as were to capernaum , our saviour himself dwelling there . wherefore , for their ingratitude and impiety , the city hath divers times been wasted and destroyed , as well by the romans as other nations ; so that at this day , this glorious city is become so desolate , that there is scarce eight houses standing , and they also like small sheds . of sichar . in antient time this town was called sichem , of which you may read more both in the travels of iacob and abimelech . after it came to be called sichar , according to the opinion of luther upon genesis , because the inhabitants of that country were given to pleasure and voluptuousness , the greatest part of their delight being in drinking and quaffing : so sichar being derived of schachar , signifieth , to be drunk , or inordinately to swallow sweet and pleasant wine , of which there was plenty in that town , made of the juice of apples , the fruit of palm-trees , and honey , which may very well resemble hipocras or metheglin , as some authors have it . and although by the incursions of the romans it was utterly wasted and left desolate , yet in succeeding times it was re-built , and called nicapolis , that is , a new town . it is scituated very pleasantly , and aboundeth with all manner of delights ; but it is unfortified , neither can it by any means be fortified ; neither have the inhabitants any help , if they be oppressed by the enemy , but to fly : for it is scituated in the middle of a valley , between two high mountains , so that a man may fling a stone from the top of one of them into the city . about two bows shot without the south gate of this town , is to be seen the fountain or well of iacob , upon the brim of which our saviour christ sate when he was weary , as we may read in the fourth of iohn . this well standeth just in the way as pilgrims travel to ierusalem . upon the right hand above this well , there standeth a mountain of an exceeding height , divided into two tops , the one of them being called gerizim , the other hebal . in mount gerizim the patriarch ioshuah built an altar , and the people standing upon mount hebal , he caused the whole book of deuteronomy to be read over , with the blessings and cursings , so that all the people might hear them ; for thus we read in ios. . the one half of the people stood close by mount gerizim , and the other by mount hebal , &c. deut. chap. . these two great mountains began upon the right side of the city sichar , and extended themselves in length to the city of iericho . upon the left side of this well is to be seen the ruins of a great town , which is thought to be the old sichem , and by the reliques that remain there , it may be judged to have been a very goodly city . for there are yet to be seen certain broken pillars of marble , as also large and spacious buildings , which in times past , without question , have been very goodly things , and standeth wonderful pleasantly ; the soil round about it being very pleasant and fruitful , only there is want of water . this town lieth some two bows shot from sichar , and the inhabitants of that place judge this sichar to be thebez , where abimelech died , iudg. . not far from iacob's well , is to be seen that piece of ground which iacob gave to ioseph , more than the rest of his brethren , gen. . it is a long valley , very fruitful and pleasant , where there lies butied , in a certain fair garden , the bones of iacob and ioseph , which were brought out of aegypt , iosh. . the reliques of which sepulchre are yet to be seen . mount garizim or gerizim , is so called from the cutting down of trees : for garaz signifies , to cut down . upon this mountain is to be seen ( even to this day ) the place where the temple stood , that was built by sanballath , dedicated to iupiter olympius , in contempt of the temple of ierusalem . the chief priest of this temple was one manasses , a fugitive , of the stock of levi. this manasses was brother to iaddus , chief priest of ierusalem , of whom you may read , nehem. . but some years after the first foundation , iohn hircanus , high-priest of ierusalem , utterly destroyed it to the ground . the travels of our saviour christ in the second year of his ministry ; which was the two and thirtieth year of his age . in the month of ianuary , christ went from cana in galilee to nazareth , which was eight miles . here , upon the sabbath-day , he went into the synagogue , and began to teach , insomuch as the inhabitants were astonished at his doctrine : but the citizens being ingrateful , he went to capernaum , a city which i have chosen to dwell in before all others , luke . mat. . being twelve miles , or thereabouts . in the month of february , he compassed about all galilee , preaching the gospel of the kingdom of god , healing the sick , and those that were diseased amongst the people , mat. . in this visitation our saviour went to caesarea philippi , which was distant from capernaum forty eight miles toward the north. here matthew was called , as he was at the receipt of custome ; and the woman was healed of her bloody issue , mat. . but that matthew was called about this time , the circumstances of times make evident ; for , a little after the second passover of our saviour christ , the same matthew was chosen to be an apostle , luke . . mat. . mark . in the month of march , the inhabitants of the towns which christ visited in galilee , brought unto him many that were possessed of devils , and afflicted with other diseases , all which he healed : insomuch that there followed him a great company out of galilee and decapolis , and from ierusalem and iudaea , and of all the countries beyond iordan , mat. . thus having finished this visitation , as it may be thought , he returned back to capernaum , where he dwelt , as i have told you before , which was forty eight miles ; for caesarea philippi stood so far from capernaum . the second passover of the ministry of christ. a little after these things were finished , was the feast of the iews , iohn . and jesus went up to ierusalem , iohn . to celebrate the feast of the passeover , which this year happened a little before harvest , which was miles . this second passeover of the ministry of christ fell upon the six and twentieth day of march , at which time christ celebrated the passover with his disciples , according to the law of god. here , upon the sabbath day , being the last day of march , he healed a certain man that lay by the pool of bethesda , which had been diseased eight and thirty years , ioh. . and at the end of the passover he went with his disciples from ierusalem , through the corn fields : but his disciples being hungry began to pluck the ears of corn , and to eat them ; wherefore the pharisees being offended at them , began to reprehend our saviour christ and his disciples : upon which followed the disputation concerning the sabbath , luke . matth . upon the seventh day of april he went on the sabbath day to peraea , which country was in the command of herod antipas , and there he healed a man with a dried hand , luke . mark . the country of peraea beyond iordan , is distant from ierusalem twenty miles . but when the herodian council heard that he had healed a man on the sabbath day , they sought occasion how they might do to put him to death , wherefore our saviour christ went thence to the sea of galilee , which was miles . here he went up into a mountain not far from capernaum , and chose the twelve apostles , luke . mark . and then upon this mountain he preached unto the people which resorted thither unto him out of the country round about , whom they heard with great diligence and attendance . this sermon being ended , he came down from the mountain and healed the man that was sick of the leprosie . he also went into capernaum , and healed the centurion's servant , mat . luke . afterward christ , in the same month of april , when the man whom he healed of his leprosie had published the miracle , he went from capernaum into the desart which lay near unto bethsaida ; for there was a certain desart , mark . luke . in the month of may , our saviour went out of galilee towards ierusalem to keep the feast of pentecost ; so he came to the gates of the city naim , which stood on the border of samaria , and was distant from capernaum miles . here he recalled the widows son to life , luke . and after he went to ierusalem , which was miles , that he might celebrate the feast of pentecost according to the law of god , exo. . thrice every year shall every male child appear before the lord thy god. this feast fell this year upon the fifteenth day of may , for it behoved our saviour , according to the law , to go every year to ierusalem to these three principal feasts , that is , of the passover , pentecost , and of the tabernacles . a little after the feast of pentecost , iohn baptist ( being then in prison ) having certain intelligence of the miracle that our saviour wrought upon the widdows son at the gate of naim ; and of other wonderful miracles that he did in ierusalem , and in other places in iudea , sent two of his disciples from the castle of macharuntes , to ask him the question , whether he was the messia or no ? so when they came unto him , and delivered him their message , at that time he cured many of their sickness and plagues , and evil spirits , and to many blind men he gave sight freely . and jesus said unto them , go your ways , and tell john what things you have seen and heard , that the blind see , the halt go , the lepers are cleansed , the deaf hear , the dead are raised , and the poor receive the gospel : and blessed is he that shall not be offended on me , mathew . luke . at this sermon it was thought he converted the sinner that washed his feet , and poured a box of pretious oyl upon his head , luke . in the month of iune our saviour jesus christ went with the twelve about six and fifty miles out of iudea into galilee , and there , in divers cities and towns he began to preach and teach the kingdom of god. at this time there were divers women followed him , whom he had healed of evil spirits and of their infirmities ; but principally mary magdalen , out of whom he had cast seven devils ; and ioan the wife of chuza , herod's procurator , and susanna : all which ministred unto him of their substance , luke . now when he had travelled from place to place some certain time , and visited many cities and towns thereabout , he returned back again to the city of capernaum , where it is said that our saviour christ dwelt ; and there dispossest the man of a devil , that was both blind , lame , and dumb , mat. . mar. . luke . and going thence to the sea , he recited eight parables , mat. . mark. . luke . in the evening of the same day , he went six miles , into the country of the gadarens , mar. . luke . the next day , betimes in the morning , he went out of the ship into the country of the gadarens , and healed two that were possessed of devils , mat. . mar. . luke . out of these two he cast a legion of devils , and suffered them to enter into the herd of swine , which they carried headlong into the sea. presently our saviour christ went thence six miles , into the land of genesareth , where there was a great multitude upon the sea shore , not far from the city of capernaum , that expected his coming , mar. . luke . within a few daies after , about the beginning of iune , he entred into capernaum , and there he healed the man that lay sick upon his bed of a dead palsie , mat. . mar. . luke . after , he went to sea , and taught the multitude that came to him , mar. . from capernaum he went to caesarea philippi , forty eight miles , where , being invited to a banquet by matthew , he eat among publicans and sinners , and confuted the pharisees and iohn's disciples . in the same city he restored the daughter of iairus to life , mat. . mark . luke . and as he went thence , he restored two men to their sight , and cast out a devil , mat. . about the end of the month of iuly , our saviour christ went from caesarea philippi to nazareth , thirty six miles ; where , because of the ingratitude and contempt of the citizens , he did no great miracles , mark . mat. . in the month of august , our saviour christ went from nazareth toward ierusalem , to the feast of tabernacles , and as he went , he visited the towns and cities near adjoyning . now when he saw that they wanted teachers , it being at this time the second harvest , he said unto his disciples , lo , the harvest is great , but the labourers are few , &c. and he sent his disciples out into the harvest , mat. . luke . of this second harvest you may read , exod. . where god commanded the people that they should observe the feast of the tabernacles , when in the end of the year they had gathered in all the fruits of the fields . also in levit. . it is thus written , from the fifteenth day of the seventeenth month , when you have gathered all the fruits of your land , you shall celebrate unto the lord your god seven days , &c. from galilee , our saviour christ came to ierusalem , sixty four miles ; where , from the twentieth to the twenty seventh day of september , he celebrated the feast of tabernacles , according to the law of god. the rest of the travels of our saviour christ , and the miracles that he wrought in this three last months of this year , viz. in october , november , and december , for their great multitude cannot be described . so the travels of our saviour christ in the second year of his ministry were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of caesarea philippi . this city is scituated not far from the foot of the mountain antilibanus , miles from ierusalem toward the north , close by the two wells of iordan , ior , and dan. upon the east side of this city these two streams meet , and make the river iordan . philip , the tetrarch of traconitis , called this city after his own name , philippus ; and in honour of the roman caesars , he added the name of caesarea ; tiberias at this time being emperour of rome . in times past it was called laisch , or lais , which signifies a ravening or roaring lion. but the tribe of dan having conquered it and rebuilt it again , they called it dan , and the inhabitants of the holy land , lae●hem dan , as you may read in the travels of the danites . but the town ( as it is reported by such as have travelled into the holy land , and by the authority of volateran ) notwithstanding these names , is often called belenas . here ( as eusebius , zozomenes , and nicephorus say in their ecclesiastical histories ) the woman that was diseased with the bloudy issue , was healed by touching the hem of our saviour's garment ; which woman , in token of thankfulness for so great a benefit , and in memory of so notable a miracle , erected in this city , a little without the gates of her house , a stone pillar , on which she caused to be set the image of christ made of brass ; and behind that stood the image of this woman , who had been diseased twelve years with the bloudy issue , bowing her self at the feet of our lord , and touching the hem of his garment . they also say there grew certain herbs about this pillar , whereby miracles were wrought thirty years after it was set up . but iulian the apostate having intelligence of these things , caused those images to be broken down , and erected his own in the same place . but soon after , there happened such an exceeding thunder , that fire falling from heaven , strook this image , thus set up by this cruel tyrant , upon the breast , and cast the head and the neck thereof with great violence upon the earth . these things happened in caesarea philippi . upon the borders of caesarea philippi our saviour christ asked his disciples , saying , whom do men say that i am , mat. . ioseph . a●t . li. . cap. . saith , agrippa king of the iews did much inlarge caesarea philippi , in honour of nero , and called it after his name neromia , but it retained not that name long . of peraea . peraea , or peraia , was the utmost part of the holy land , in which were the tribes gad and reuben , separated from the rest of iudea by the river iordan , and under the subjection and government of herod antipas . it was sixteen miles from ierusalem eastward , so called of peran , which signifies beyond , or upon the other side , plin. li. . ca. . in the castle of macharuntes , standing in this country , iohn baptist was beheaded . of the sea of galilee . this sea lay forty four miles from ierusalem , northward , representing upon the banks a harp in figure ; whence it was called kinnaereth , that is , the sea of the harp , num. . for kinnor signifieth an harp. toward the north it extendeth it self into some bredth , but toward the south it drew into a streight angle , and was called the sea of galilee , because it bordered upon galilee . it was also called the lake of genesareth , because of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the soil lying upon the north side of it . it is called ( ioh. . ) the sea of tiberias , from the city tiberias that stood upon the shore of it . it was but four miles and a little more broad , but in length , from the north to the south , twelve miles . upon the east side it had the town chorazin , and upon the west capernaum ; and ( as iosephus saith ) the water of this sea was very sweet and pleasant ; from whence it came to pass that fishes did greatly abound in it , and there were many fishers that lived thereabouts only by fishing in that sea. there were many other cities besides those two before mentioned , that stood upon this sea ; as bethsaida , migdala , tiberias , and trichaea ; these stood upon the west . upon the east stood iulia and cadara . of the holy mountain near capernaum in galilee . about a mile from capernaum , toward the south-west , is to be seen an exceeding high hill , standing upon the shore of the sea of galilee , beautified with many herbs and flowers of divers kinds , being very fruitful and pleasant , extending it self in length almost two bows shoot , and in breadth one . from this hill one might have seen the whole sea of galilee , the countries of i●ura and trachonitis , even to mount libanus , also the mountains sanir and hermon , and a great part of the upper and lower galilee . here also the inhabitants of the holy land shew a certain stone , on which they say our saviour christ did usually sit when he preached to the people ; which stone the christians call the table : here was that sermon made of the eight beatitudes , mat. . , . luke . here were the twelve apostles chosen , luke . mar. . and our saviour christ descending from this mountain , in the suburbs of the city of capernaum healed a man that was infected with the leprosie . about thirty paces from the foot of this hill there ariseth a fountain , which is compassed about with a wall , and is thought to be a vein of nilus , because they find in it such kind of fishes , the like wherof are not to be found in any other place but nilus , iosephus calleth this spring capernaum , and likewise all the plain ( being very pleasant and fruitful for the space of a mile , even unto iordan ) after the same name , because it is subiect to the jurisdiction of that city . about paces from this wall , on the shore of the sea of galilee , there is shewn a place where they say christ appeared to his seven disciples after his resurrection , and asked them whether they had any meat ? and about ten paces from that is shewn a place where they say our saviours disciples came to land , and they drew up in their nets a great draught of fishes , &c. john . of naim . naim signifies fruitful and pleasant : it stood miles from jerusalem towards the north ; and typically representeth the condition of the world. for the children of this world live in all manner of pleasures and delights , never thinking of any sorrow till death seiseth on them ; but then that overturns all , and those delights become loathsome unto them . notwithstanding this one comfort we have left us , hope in christ jesus ; who as he raised the widows son ( at the gates of this city ) from death to life ▪ will by his mighty power raise us again at the last day , from the bowels of the earth and make us partakers with him of an heavenly habitation . it stood in the land of samaria ; and in the tribe of issachar , about two miles off it , upon the east side , stood mount tabor ; and a little from it , upon the south side , stood mount hermon the lesser ; and extended it self thence unto the sea of galilee , miles . of these two hills you may read , psal. . and about two miles from naim westward sunem is to be seen , to which the prophet elisaeus sometimes resorted , reg. . of gadara . gadarah or gederah in hebrew signifies munition ; and sometimes it is taken to compass about , of gadar , he hath hedged or compassed about . s. jerom saith , in his time ( that is , years after christ ) this was a very fair city , and stood in a very high mountain , upon the east side of the sea of galilee beyond jordan , in the half tribe of manasses , some miles from ierusalem northward , and is to be seen at this day . strabo , lib. . georg. saith , that close by gadara there is a venomous lake , whereof what beast soever drinketh , he immediately loseth his horns , his hoofs , and his hair ; and there are many that think this lake became thus venomous , because of the swine that were drowned in it , when our saviour suffered the devils to enter into them , mat . mark . luke . close by this town stood gerasa , called also girgesa , mat. . so named ( as some think ) of girgasus the son of canaan , gen. . of genesareth . this was a country bordering upon the north-west side of the sea of galilee , from whence this sea was called the lake of genesareth , luke . this land was very pleasant and fruitful , as if it had been a princes garden , bringing forth fair apples , pomegranates , palmes , olives , vines , and divers other kinds of pleasant fruits , fair and goodly to the eye , and therefore , not without cause , was it called the garden of a prince ; being derived of gan , which signifies , a garden ; and sur , a prince . it is distant from ierusalem six and fifty miles towards the north , as you may read , matth. . & . the chief cities of this country were capernaum and bethsaida ; of which cities , though in former times they were very fair and large , there are at this day not scarce eight houses to be seen . the travels of our saviour christ in the third year of his ministry , which was the three and thirtieth year of his age . from ierusalem , our saviour christ returned , some six and fifty miles , into galilee , and in the beginning of this year wintered in that place : so that ( as it may be gathered out of the evangelists ) he continued there the most part of ianuary and february , and now the spring approching , a little after the death of saint iohn the baptist , ( who as it is thought , was put to death between the midst of winter and the spring , not long before the feast of the passover ; so that he lived two years and a half in his ministry ) he wrought many notable miracles , not far from the city of bethsaida . the same time , the feast of the passover drawing near , ( which was the third passover of his ministry ) he went thence over iordan , and so beyond the sea of tiberias , matth. . mark . luke . at this time , the apostles of christ being dispersed through all galilee and iudaea , teaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven , hearing of the miserable death of iohn the baptist , about the beginning of the month of april , returned with all possible speed out of every part to our saviour christ , that so they might be secure against the tyranny of herod , matth. . mark . luke . also the disciples of iohn came unto him , and told him of his death and burial , matth. . our saviour christ therefore having by this means certain intelligence , as he was between bethsaida and tiberias , of the death of s. iohn baptist , in the month of april he went into a ship , and passed about four miles to the further side of the sea of galilee , where , in a certain desart , he sed five thousand men with five barley loaves and two fishes , ioh. . from thence he returned back again to the sea , and so to capernaum , which was four miles : here he made that long sermon of the spiritual eating of his flesh , mat. . luke . iohn . from thence he went to ierusalem , which was miles , to the feast of the passeover , being the third passeover of his ministry . the third passover of the ministry of christ. upon the thirteenth day of april , being sunday , according to the ecclesiastical computation , christ ( as god commanded ) celebrated the third passover of his ministry for the space of eight days in the city of ierusalem , that is , till the twentieth day of the same month . after the feast of the passeover , the iews took counsel how they might put him to death , ioh. . wherefore , about the end of april , he departed thence , and went miles into the land of galilee . in the month of may , after the controversie that happened concerning the tradition of the elders ( because of the fallacies and contentions of the scribes and pharisees ) he departed thence into the borders of tyrus and sidon , which was miles , matth. . and there entred into a house , and would fain have been private ; but there was a certain woman that was a grecian of syrophoenissa , came unto him , and intreated his aid , mark . but our saviour , having a determination to depart from this place , this woman was very importunate that he would dispossess her daughter of a devil ; which ( because of her importunity ) he did , mat. . and after he went thence into the country of trachonitis , beyond iordan , going through the borders of decapolis , and coming to the galilean sea , and in the way he healed one that was both blind and dumb , mark . and there , ascending up into a mountain , he cured many that were blind and lame , and the third day after fed four thousand with seven loaves and a few fishes , mat. . so this journey was miles . afterward , in the same month of may , he went into a ship , and passed thence into the parts of dalmatia , and upon the borders of magdala , which was four miles , he propounded the sign of the prophet ionah to the pharisees and sadducees , mat. . & . from thence he sailed to bethsaida , which was four miles , and by the way he admonished his disciples to take heed of the leaven of the sadducees and pharisees , mat. . and as he was entring into a town , he cured a blind man of his sight , mark . about the end of the month of may , christ went to ierusalem , which was miles , where , upon the second day of iune , he kept the feast of pentecost , according as god had commanded , exod. . the feast of pentecost being ended , he returned from ierusalem into the country of galilee to capernaum , where he dwelt , which was miles . in the same month of iune , he went the second time unto the borders of the gentiles , where peter , in the name of all the disciples , upon the confines of caesarea philippi , made that notable confession , saying , thou art christ the son of the living god , luk. . capernaum is distant from caesarea philippi , miles . six , or ( as luke saith ) eight days after , our saviour in the month of iune went to the mountain thabor , which stood miles from caesarea philippi towards the southwest , where he was transfigured ; and the next day after he cured the lunatick , and cast out a devil , mat. . mark . in the month of iuly , christ walked into galilee , and there confirmed his doctrine with many wonderful miracles , which did greatly amaze his disciples , where he put them in mind of the cross and of his death , mat. . luke . from thence he returned to capernaum , which was ten miles from mount thabor : at this time peter went to the lake of genesareth , and there caught a fish , in whose mouth he found a stater , which was worth s. d. in our money , mat. . here also our saviour christ made a long sermon , wherein he reprehended the pride and arrogancy of his disciples , and withal taught the doctrine of the remission of sins , mat. . mark luke . in the month of august , he had a full determination to make a journey through samaria into iudea , and so by little and little ( visiting the churches as he went ) to go to ierusalem to the feast of the tabernacles , iohn . but when he came to samaria , which was ten miles from capernaum , the samaritans would not receive him , because he made as though he would go to ierusalem ; wherefore he turned aside into galilee , luke . and as he was there visiting the churches , there came a certain man unto him , saying , i will follow thee whither soever thou goest . but christ answered him , saying , the foxes have holes , and the fowls of the heavens have nests , but the son of man hath not where to hide his head , matth. . and to another jesus said , follow thou me . but he answered , let me first go and bury my father . there was another also that would have followed christ , but he would first go take his leave of his friends , luke . in the month of september , about the time of the second harvest , which was next before the feast of the tabernacles , lev. . christ began his last visitation throughout all the land of iudea ; at which time he sent forth seventy of his disciples into galilee , to prepare the way , and so dispersed labourers into his harvest ; saying , the harvest is great , but the labourers are few , luk. . this speech seems to be taken from the present condition of the time : for it was now harvest time , it being a little before the vernal aequinoctial . about the beginning of october , when the feast of the tabernacles drew near , the disciples and those that were of the kindred of our saviour according to the flesh , went up to the feast , but he remained in galilee , notwithstanding a little after he went privily up : now between galilee and ierusalem were accounted miles , ioh. . upon the ninth day of october was this feast celebrated in ierusalem , and being now half past , our saviour christ taught publickly in the temple , ioh. . upon the fifteenth day of october ( it being the last day of the feast of the tabernacles , and the sabbath day ) he taught the second time publickly in the temple , and so continued preaching and doing miracles in ierusalem until the feast of the dedication , which was kept about the middle of winter , matth. . in the month of november , he preached daily in the temple , and at night went to the mount of olives , where he rested , which was about half a mile from ierusalem , and every morning returned back to the temple . at this time there came unto him certain scribes and pharisees , who brought a woman which had been lately taken in adultery , and said unto him , master , what shall we do with this woman , &c. and he answered , he among you that is without sin throw the first stone at her , iohn . about this time also were the sermons concerning the power of the son of god , and a great disputation between our saviour and the jews , ioh. . for which cause they would have stoned him . in the month of december , christ wintered in ierusalem , and recited the parable of the sheep , ioh. . also upon the sabbath day , a little before the feast of the dedication , he healed a man that was born blind , ioh. . in this feast the jews ( being angry because he had healed the blind man upon the sabbath day ) compassed our saviour about as he was in solomon's porch ; and when they heard our saviour confess openly , that he was the son of god , they began to grow into a fury , and for very anger would have stoned him to death . wherefore our saviour christ went thence beyond iordan , and continued there the rest of the winter , iohn . but before he went to ierusalem , there were returned unto him certain of the seventy disciples , which a little before ( in the month of september ) he had sent abroad , and there at that time he recited the similitude of the man , who descending from ierusalem to iericho , fell amongst thieves . this similitude seemeth to be taken from the present occasion , because our saviour christ going from ierusalem beyond iordan , was to pass through great wildernesses just in the way as they go thence to iericho , joh. . at the same time he went from ierusalem to bethania , which was almost two miles , and there visited mary and martha , where martha ministred unto him , but mary sitting at his feet gave diligent heed to his doctrine , luke . at this time he took his leave of these two sisters , and went thence to bethabara , beyond iordan , where iohn baptized , which was sixteen miles , it being now about the midst of winter , christ at this time being about thirty three years of age . i am not ignorant that there were many which refer that long journey of our saviour christ , when he went to visit all iudaea , the sending forth of his disciples , and divers other miracles mentioned from the ninth chapter of luke to the sixteenth , to the beginning of the following year . but i am of opinion that all those things could not have been done within the compass of four months , and before the feast of the dedication : so that it must needs be that the seventy disciples were sent forth before the feast of the dedication ; for after the feast of the dedication ( which was celebrated in the midst of winter , iohn . ) there were but two months between it and the raising up of lazarus , in which short time all those things which are described by luke , could not possibly be accomplished ; especially considering that our saviour christ wintered some time in bethabara , and there taught the multitude that came unto him , ioh. . so these travels of our saviour were five hundred ninety six miles , or thereabouts , besides the divers visitations and journeys he went hither and thither : which , because of the great multitude of them , it was not possible for the evangelist to set them down . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of bethsaida . bethsaida , signifies the house of hunting : being derived of baith , a house , and zaid , hunting ; from zod , he hath hunted : for from this place went the fishers and hunters , which fished and hunted thorough the world , ierem. . in this town dwelt three apostles , peter , andrew , and philip , iohn . it was scituated upon the west side of the galilean sea ; in the tribe of issachar , fifty six miles from ierusalem toward the north. and because of the abundance of fishes that were in the sea of galilee , peter and andrew became fishers , and in that vocation got their living , till our lord and saviour christ made them fishers of men , mat. . luke . before the birth of christ this was but a small town , and without doubt was so called from hunting ; because close by it stood a wilderness that did greatly abound with wild beasts . philip , the terrarch of traconitis and itura , made this a fair city , which , in honour of iulia , he called iuliades . this iulia was the daughter of augustus caesar , and wife of tiberias . philip also brought many inhabitants thither , who dwelt in that city . but when herod ( the tetrarch of galilee , and brother of this philip ) had builded up bethabara , ( which stood beyond the river iordan on the east side of the sea of galilee ) and called it by the name of iuliades , in honour of this iulia. this town , re-edified and inlarged by philip , was called again in the time of our blessed lord and saviour christ , after the ancient name bethsaida , and so continueth to this day . from hence it is manifest , that the sea of galilee was subject to the government of both these tetrarchs , since upon the shore thereof on both sides they had cities standing . i do think the wilderness or wood and ●and near adjoyning to bethsaida , is called itura , of ietur the son of ismael , gen. . or else from the compass and roundness of it ; for tur in hebrew signifies , a circle . but that itura stood upon the west side of the sea of galilee , those that have been at the holy land can testifie . this city of bethsaida hath an ancient water-course coming from a river not far from it , which iosephus calleth little iordan , which falleth into the sea of galilee , just in the mid-way between this town and capernaum , the channel whereof appeareth to this day . beside the many sermons which our saviour christ preached here , he did many notable miracles , mark . &c. but for the ingratitude and impiety of the citizens , the curse of our saviour fell upon them , wo be to thee chorazin , wo be to thee bethsaida : for if the miracles had been done in tyrus and sidon , which have been done in thee , they had long e're this repented in sackcloth and ashes : verily , verily , i say unto you , it shall be easier for tyrus and sidon in the day of iudgment , than for you , mat. . luk. . the prophecie of our saviour christ fell upon them accordingly ; for , after divers and sundry overthrows and devastations , this town became utterly unpeopled , and as britenbacchus saith , there are scarce six houses standing in it at this day . of chorazin . this city also stands upon the further side of iordan , close by the sea of galilee , in the same country as capernaum stands : for the city of chorazin standeth upon the east side of the river iordan , where it falleth into the sea of galilee ; and capernaum upon the west , in the half tribe of manasses , some miles from the city of ierusalem towards the north. this city also neglecting the preachings and miracles of our saviour christ , felt the efficacy and force of the curse of the son of god , mat. . luc. . for there is not at this day a house to be seen , only some ruines where it stood . chorazin doth denote a dukedom or principality , from coh and razon , a prince and duke ; for rozez signifies , a laborious prince . ierom turning this word rozez into razi , calls it a secret mystery , or my secret . of tiberias . tiberias standeth upon the west side of the sea of galilee , miles from ierusalem towards the north. before the birth of christ it was cal-called kinnereth , that is , the city of the harp ; after which name the lake of tiberias , or the sea of galilee , is called , numb . but herod the te●rarch of galilee ( at whose command iohn the baptist was beheaded ) did beautifie this city with many fair buildings , and compassed it about with strong walls , and after caesar's name , called it tiberias . he also gathered thither many inhabitants , and endowed it with many large priviledges : for although this place before the restoring of the city was very filthy and impure , by reason of the dead bodies both of men and beasts , which lay in that place , ( from whence it happened that the iewes shunned this place as utterly unlawful , and durst not dwell there ) yet notwithstanding , herod , with singular industry and diligence , removed all that filthiness , and in that very place built up this city both fair and spacious ; partly with gifts , partly with fair speeches , alluring many iews to inhabit therein . many poor people also built themselves houses at their own charge , and those that had no children , gave way unto the liberty of the city ; besides , many rich and noble men were constrained to remove their whole families , and to dwell in this city , so that in short time it became very well peopled , according to ios. lib. antiq. . cap. . & egisip . lib. . cap. . not above two miles from tiberias , towards the south , upon the shore of the sea of galilee , stood tarachaea , a town wherein iosephus dwelt . now it happened that the citizens of tiberias , upon some discontent , and as it was thought , at the instigation of one clitus , fell into rebellion ; of which iosephus having certain intelligence , he caused all the gates of terachaea to be shut , lest any man going thence should disclose his intentions , or any coming from tiberias , should move that city also to rebellion ; and then privily sent out a command to assemble all the ships and other vessels that were upon the sea or lake , even to the number of ships ; all which he caused to be manned only with four men apiece , and of a sudden sailed towards tiberias . but when he came within view of the city , so that the citizens from the wall might discern the ships , he lest the body of the navy a good way remote from tiberias , and took only one ship , manned with seven men , and went close to the city of tiberias , as it seemed , to have had a parly with the citizens : but they seeing such a multitude of ships , and the bold resolution of iosephus , supposing that they had been sufficiently manned , and contained a great army , were greatly afraid , insomuch that they cast away their arms , and came out of the city with humble petitions to iosephus , intreating him to spare the city , and to take pity on the inhabitants . notwithstanding he utterly refused to shew them any mercy , unless they would deliver unto him the ruler of the city , which they did , so he settled the affairs of that town , and took the ruler thereof with him to terachaea , where he committed him to prison . but after , it being certainly found out that one clitus was the principal author of this rebellion , he sent leuyn one of his guard , with command to apprehend him , and cut off both his hands : of which punishment clytus being certainly informed , with tears and prayers humbly besought this leuyn that he would spare one of his hands , and he would willingly lose the other ; which with much ado was granted him , upon condition that he would cut off his own hand : so he took his sword and cut off his left hand ; which being done , iosephus returned the captives to tiberias , and received the inhabitants again into favour , and ever after retained it in obedience . vespasian also invaded this city at such time as he undertook his expedition against ierusalem , as it appeareth in iosephus lib. de bello iud. cap. . but the inhabitants fearing his greatness , willingly submitted themselves to his power , and opened him the gates , going forth of the city to me●t him with great humility , giving him and his whole army entertainment into the city , receiving him with musick and songs , and with great acclamations and shouts ; calling him their saviour and protector : which kind of courtesies the emperour took very lovingly , and in token of thankfulness for this kindness , he commanded his souldiers ( after they had broken down a great part of the wall upon the south side ) that they should abstain from all manner of rapin and violence ; so that he continued there peaceably , and went away peaceably . this city to this day ( as borchardus the monk saith ) is a fair town , scituated to the longitude , upon the shore of the said sea , there being upon the south side many wholesom baths and springs ; and there are to be seen also many great ruins of decayed buildings . the land also round about is very pleasant and fertil , abounding with palm trees , vines , olives , and figs. this city in antient time was scituated in the tribe of issa●har . of tyrus or zor . this was the chief city of phoenicia , distant from ierusalem miles towards the north. it was first built by the citizens of zidon , ( because of a sedition that happened in that city ) years before the temple of solomon , as iosephus saith , just in the place where at this day the ruins of antient tyre are to be seen . but after it began to grow famous ( which was about such time as troy was destroyed ) king angenor removed it to a rock which stood in the heart of the mediterranean sea , compassed about therewith like an island , ezek. . and bestowed great cost in fortifying and building it . it stood round , compassed with strong walls , beautified with goodly buildings , and fairly scituated for the entertainment of ships ; for which purpose , on every side there were many sa●e havens and harbours made . it was but a small town , almost three miles about , and two miles wide : yet the great mart town in those parts , for merchants resorted thither from all the three parts of the world ( europe , asia , and africa ) as well for the uttering as buying commodities ; and was made so much the more famous , because of the scituation and strength : it stood distant from the land of phoenicia almost two miles ; upon which continent they had obtained a portion of land for the maintenance of the city , containing paces in compass . the citizens also being greatly inriched , because of their traffick , built up many fair cities and towns in more remote parts , which was added to their jurisdiction , as leptis , vtica , and carthage , scituated in africa . they also built cades , which at this day is called caliz , as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . being scituated in a very fair island in the mediterranean sea , not far from hercules pillars ; insomuch as the citizens of this town having thus inlarged their command , and increased their substance ; in every place they called themselves princes , and took upon them to wear scarlet and purple , which colours in that place above all other colours , were most artificially died : and because of the rarity of them , transported thence into many countries more remote . but because of their extreme arrogance and pride , it was twice conquered and ruinated : first by nabuchadonozer emperour of babylon ; and then by alexander the great , as it appeareth in quint. curtius , lib. in the life of alexander . now the occasion that alexander made war upon this city , was , because the citizens upon a time sending unto him certain ambassadors with a crown of gold , in token of friendship , and to congratulate his prosperity ( which he accepted very kindly , and gave them royal entertainment , as to his friends ) amongst other things , he told them , that he would come unto their city , and do sacrifice to their god hercules ( for the kings of the macedonians are perswaded that they proceed from the off-spring of that god , and beside he was commanded by an oracle so to do . ) but the ambassadors of tyre answered , that the temple of hercules stood without the city in paaetzton , where ancient tyre stood ; so that the king might easily come thither to do sacrifice ; but alexander hearing these words , could not contain himself , but in a great anger answered , and do ye proud citizens put such trust in the strength and scituation of your city , that you think i am not able to come to it with my army by land ? you shall well perceive within this short space , that you are scituated upon the continent , and that i will enter it and sack it . with these terrible words the ambassadors departed , and shortly after alexander followed them with a great and mighty army . but when it was known that alexander had undertaken the sacking of this city , there were many that thought it almost impossible for him to accomplish his designs ; first , because of the inconstancy of the winds , and the vehemency of the water , whereby all such matter as they cast into the sea to joyn it to the continent , would be driven away by the violence of the water ; again , the city was compassed about with such exceeding high walls , and fortified with such strong towers , that it was not possible for him to bring any engines to batter them , or fasten any scaling ladders to ascend them , unless it were by ships . twice alexander attempted , by flinging into the sea mighty trees of libanus , and heaps of the ruins of ancient tyre , to have made a bridge to it , or else joyn it to the continent , insomuch as the tyrians mocked the macedonians , saying , what can your king alexander conquer neptune the god of the sea ? for the violence of the sea was so extream , that it carried away all things with it , and oftentimes broke the ships that were joyned together to make a bridge , and drowned the souldiers that besieged and fought against the city . during this siege , a citizen of myrus dreamt that their idol apollo would depart from them ; whereupon they bound the image of apollo with a chain of gold , unto the pillar whereon he stood , that he might not leave them . there happened also a horrible ostent amongst the macedonians ; for a certain souldier breaking bread , there fell from it some few drops of bloud ; at the hearing of which accident , alexander was greatly amazed , until he was resolved by one aristander , a very skilful prophet , that if it issued from off the outside of the bread , it had betokened a heavy event to the macedonians ; but in regard that it issued from the inside of the bread , it foreshewed that he should forthwith conquer the town he had so long besieged ; and so it happened : for when alexander had besieged the city for the space of seven months , with great difficulty he won it : but before he could win it , he was constrained to use a great multitude of ships , and fasten them together with iron bands , upon which placing many engines of battery , and other offensive instruments , what with the moving of the ships , and the extream violence of the battery , they overcame the city . this exploit alexander performed when he was years of age , and about years before christ. there was one thing that alexander did during his siege , that was memorable ; for before any of his souldiers would attempt to ascend the walls , he went in person , with his crown upon his head , and princely armour , and scaled a high tower of the city , where he exprest an extraordinary resolution , and by reason of his courage did great hurt to the enemy , who perceiving him to be the king , resorted to that place in great heaps , and shot at him with all their might ; but he manfully defended himself , and compelled the enemy to fly . in this assault there were of the inhabitants slain ; and after he had entred the walls and sackt the city , he caused to be tyed to crosses and thrown into the sea. from whence may be gathered , that god by this young prince did accomplish this great work , that the prophecies of the prophets , esay . ieremy . and ezekiel , . might be fulfilled . afterward alexander ( as pliny and strabo observe ) caused the sea to be filled up , that it might be no more an island , and joyned it to the continent ; upon which place he caused tyrus to be rebuilded , and compassed it about with a wall five and twenty foot thick , strengthened with twelve towers ; that it might be sufficiently fortified to oppose the incursion of any enemy ; so that it continued safe a long time after , and in the time of our saviour christ was a fair city , though it never attained to the former dignity and power that it had before alexander conquered it . the ancient city of tyre was distant from this city about four miles towards the south . our saviour christ being in the borders of tyrus and sidon , helpt a woman of canaan , whose daughter had been cruelly tormented with a devil , matt. . in the time of dioclesian the emperour , there were many martyrs put to death in this city : and at this time it is called by the name of el porta del zur , that is , the haven of zur ; as it was in the old testament called by the name of zor . in the year . when the holy land was in the hands of the christians , there was an archbishop of tyre , under whose government were the bishops of ptolomais , sidon , and beryti , &c. the holy man origen lieth buried in this city , in the church of the holy sepulchre , which is compassed about and fortified with a mighty strong wall. there also lies buried the emperour frederick barbarosso , who died anno , after he had done many valiant acts , and sought many great battels for the christians against the turks and saracens , being overcome by saphadinus the sultans son , and put to flight , was drowned in the river of suro , to the great grief of his army ; but he left behind him a famous report . pope alexander the third , being a great enemy to this emperour , in s. marys church in the city of venice , when this prince submitted himself to his holiness ; set his foot upon his neck , repeating these words , thou shalt tread upon the aspe and upon the basilisk , &c. eusebius , in his ecclesiastical history saith , that there are yet standing in tyre certain marble pillars , and other precious stones , of wonderful greatness , that it amazeth such as behold them ; neer to which there have been many christians and pilgrims put to death by the saracens . there are also four wells of wholsome and pleasant water standing not far from it . of which wells you may read before . of zidon . this also was a city of phoenicia , scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , thirty six miles from ierusalem towa●d the north , and sixteen from tyrus . in times past it was assigned to the tribe of ashur , and lay upon the borders of the philistines neer to mount libanus . being called sidon or zidon , of zidon the son of canaan , who first built it , gen. . and signifies a hunter . it was a notable mart town , wherein much sattin was made , which kind of stuff was very precious among the iewes : and it is said that ioseph of arimathia wrapped the body of our saviour in white satin ▪ for in matthew . it is called zadin , which in english is sattin . and as at this day the finest glass is made at venice , so the finest glass in those times was made at sarepta , a city that belonged to the sidonians : about which there stood many mines , of which it is called sarepta , as you may read before . this town in times past was one of the chief cities of phoenicia , but because of the extraordinary pride of the citizens , god afflicted them with divers punishments , and brought in ocho king of the persians , who besieged it , and by treason won it , and burnt it to the ground , as diodorus siculus , lib. . saith . the citizens whereof were driven to such streights by the enemy , that there perished in the fire above forty thousand men . within a while after , darius , the last emperour of the persians , rebuilt it , but made it nothing so beautiful , neither fortified it in like manner as it was before : he ordained one strato to be king thereof , a man proud and arrogant . after , about three hundred and two years before the nativity of christ , alexander being then but twenty four years of age , having overcome darius , that mighty emperour of the persians , at issa a city of cilicia , in a cruel and sharp war ; he sent hephestion , one of his princes , to the sidonians , with authority to depose strato , and to let the citizens understand that they should chuse him for their king , whom they thought most worthy of that honour , as quintus curtius sheweth , lib. . at this time there was a certain young man among the followers of hephestion , in whose behalf he moved the citizens that he might be their king ; but they refused , saying , it was not their custom to chuse any to rule over them , but such as were of the king's stock and progeny . hephestion hearing this answer , greatly admired their resolution and modesty , especially when they refused to accept him for their king , whom others had sought to obtain with fire and sword ; saying , truly there is more required to rule and govern a kingdom , than to get it ; but yet name one unto me of royal descent , whom you would willingly receive to be your king. so they named unto him one abdolomius , who had been known to have been of the kings stock , by many descents ; but because of his poverty he was constrained to dwell in the suburbs of the city in a cottage , and had little else but a garden to live upon . this man howsoever poor , and because of that , of many contemned ; yet he was known to be honest , and of an upright life , following with all diligence his vocation , without any regard of other business ; insomuch as he was utterly ignorant of all these stirs and combustions which had so lately vexed asia . as he was now in his garden , digging and labouring , purging it of weeds , and planting of herbs ; hephestion with the rest of the citizens went unto him , and brought him the robes and habiliments of a king. the poor gardner stood amazed to see such a company of gallants come unto him ; but hephestion told him , that the occasion of their coming was to make a● exchange with him of those royal ornaments which he had in his hand , for those poor and foul garments which he wore ; therefore go and wash thy self and return . so he did , where immediately they put upon him those royal robes , and saluted him as their sovereign . after these things were finished , quoth hephestion , now remember in what a state thou art , no more gardener but a king ; and therefore take unto thee the mind and resolution of a king , that so thou mayest rule and govern this city as a man worthy of that honour ; and remember , that although the lives and goods of thy subjects are at thy command , yet by them thou wast chosen , neither be forgetful of him that was the author of thine honour . no sooner was he enthronized in his kingdom , but fame ( who is more speedy than a thousand posts ) had dispersed this news through all the neighbouring cities : some being thereby moved to admiration , and quickned in their studies ; others stirred up to indignation and envy . those that were mighty , and friends to alexander , contemned and despised his humility and poverty ; and no sooner were they come into his presence , but they began to accuse him for his ignorance ; wherefore alexander commanded that he should come before him , where , after he had well viewed the lineaments and proportion of his person , and could not perceive it any whit repugnant to the fame of his birth , he demanded of him , how it was possible that he should endure his poverty with patience . to which he answered , i pray the gods i may continue the government of this kingdom with the like mind ; for these hands were sufficient for me to live by , and as i had nothing , so i wanted nothing . at which answer alexander was so well pleased , that he not only gave him all the princely jewels and ornaments of the first king called strato , but also a great part of the booty which he took from the emperour of persia , and added to his command all the neighbouring countries round about . this history i have inserted , that thereby we might perceive the mighty power of god in all his works ; that can exalt the poor , contented with his estate , out of the very dust , and can pull the mighty from their thrones . so the evil cark and care in this world to gather riches for the vertuous to inherit . but to return to sidon : this city did so much increase , and grew so famous in succeeding ages , that it was the chief town ( tyrus only excepted ) in all phoenicia , joyning upon the west to the mediterranean sea , extending it self towards the north and south , lying in a plain under antilibanus , which mountain lay some two miles off it upon the east . it oftentimes , because of the pride of the inhabitants , felt the wrath and punishing hand of god , as well by the invasion of enemies , as sickness and dearth , according to the predictions of the prophets , esay . and ezek. . untill at last in succeeding ages it was utterly destroyed , the ruins of which city remain to this day , and make evident that it was a fair and spatious town . there is to be seen yet to this day a city built out of the ruins of the former ( though nothing so large as it ) very strong , and mightily fortified , so that it seemeth almost invincible , if it have men wherewith to defend it . upon the one side it joyneth to the sea , and upon the other side of it there standeth two mighty strong castles , one of them scituated toward the north , upon a very strong rock , as it were in the heart of the sea , the which was built by certain pilgrims that came out of germany to visit the holy city of ierusalem . the other of them was scituated upon a hill toward the south of the city , as well fortified , and no less difficult to be conquered . these two castles , with the whole city in times past were in the hands of the knights templers . the land round about it is very pleasant and fertile , abounding with all kind of good things necessary for the maintenance of life and delight . there is also found great abundance of grapes , which are very delicious and pleasant to the taste , whereof the wine canamella is made . but because the turks and saracens are prohibited by the strict law of the alcoran from drinking of wine , therefore they suffer no vineyards to be planted , neither the inhabitants to dress those vines that grow naturally . before the east gate of the antient city which now lies destroyed , there is built a chappel , in which place they say the woman of canaan intreated our saviou● christ to cast a devil out of her daughter , mat. . the mountain antilibanus beginneth close by the river eleutherius , and extends it self beyond tripolis : and in some places it joyneth so close to the sea , that for the streightness of the wayes those that travel that way can scarce pass . in this city was the fairest purple in all those parts : nay , as some authors affirm , the like was not to be found in the world , &c. of cana syro-phoenicia . this town , which was called cana the great , was scituated upon the borders of tyrus and sidon , miles from ierusalem northward , scituated in the tribe of ashur , four miles from sidon towards the south , and three from sare●ta towards the east . in this town the syro●hoenician dwelt , that besought our saviour christ to heal her daughter that was possessed of a devil , mat. . mar. . it was called cana syro-phoenicia , to put a diff●rence between it and another cana , scituated in galilee the lower ; in which city our saviour christ turned water into wine . you may read more of this town before . of traconitis . this city was so called from the stony hardness of the mountains of gilead , which compass it in upon the east side : in which province the tribe of gad and the half tribe of manasses inhabited . it was in antient times called basan ; in which og the mighty gyant had a great command : but moses overcame him , and gave the land to the tribe of gad , and the half tribe of m●n●sses . in christ's time , the tetrarch and governour of it was philip , who was son to herod the great , and brother to herod an●ipas tetrarch in galilee and petraea ; which herod took to wise herodia , whom his brother philip had formerly married , the said philip being at that time alive : but because iohn baptist reprehended him for that fact , therefore at her request he was beheaded in the castle of machera . itura was another province belonging to the tetrarchy of philip , joyning upon the west to the river of iordan , and called galilee of the gentiles , of which you may read before . of decapolis . this country is so called of ten cities that were scituated in it . it stood beyond iordan and the sea of galilee , as may be gathered out of mark cap. . and mat. . so that it is manifest that that country which in times past was called gilead , was afterward known and called by the name of decapolis , because of the ●en cities which stood there ; as chorazin which christ cursed , mat. . gamala , where agrippa king of the iews was hurt in his right arm , ios. de bell. iud. lib. . cap. . iuliades , built by herod antipas in honour of the empress iulia ; gadara , where our saviour christ cast out the legion of devils , suffering them to enter into the herd of swine , mat. . mar. . astoroth , the chief city of that country in the time of og king of basan , ios. cap. . here also that holy man iob sometimes had his dwelling ; iabes in gilead , where saul king of israel lieth buried , sam. . mizpah , where ieptha offered his daughter for a sacrifice to the lord , iudg. . ramoth in gilead , where king ahab was slain with a dart , reg. . and abel of the vines , where baalam's ass spake , num. . these are those ten cities whereof this country is called decapolis ; being scituated in the land of gilead beyond iordan , where our saviour healed the man that was born blind and deaf , mark . this opinion exactly agreeth with that of the holy scripture . yet i know there are some ( as plin. lib. . cap. . and others ) who differ from this in the description of this country , but they er● from the truth . of magdala . this was a city scituated upon the west side of the galilean sea , fifty two miles from ierusalem northward ; in which country mary ( who of this town was called magdalen ) was born . at this time this city is called by the name of castle magdala ; in which place they shew the house of mary magdalen . upon the west and north-side of the city , there lieth a great and spacious plain , preserved only for pasture , which mark cap. . calls dalmanutha , that is , drawn dry , or a poor and naked habitation , being derived of dalal , he hath made dry ; and maon , a house or dwelling place . it may be a notable figure of the christian church , which in this world may rightly be said to have a poor habitation , but yet is a right magdala , that is , a strong and impregnable tower , against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevail , mat. . upon the borders of magdala and dalmanutha , the pharisees and sadducees tempting our blessed saviour christ , demanded of him a sign from heaven , mat. . . mar. . this city belonged to the tribe of issachar . of thabor . mount thabor was a round and high hill , upon which our blessed saviour christ was transfigured ; scituated upon the borders of the tribes of issachar and zebulon , fifty two miles from the city of ierusalem towards the north , and extendeth it self towards the south to the river kison . here deborah and barak discomfited the host of sisera king of the canaanites , and put them to flight , iudg. . of this mountain you may read , psal. . hos. . ier. . there was also a town called after this name , scituated at the foot of this mountain , where ziba and zalmana , kings of the midianites , put to death the brothers of gideon , iudges . it was a very fruitful and pleasant place . concerning the signification of the name you may read before . egesippus saith , that this mountain is almost four miles in height , and that upon the top thereof there is a round plain almost three miles over , in which there grows great plenty of trees of an admirable pleasantness and sweetness ; amongst which trees there are many birds which sing very pleasantly , to the great delight of all such as hear them : and the air on the top of it is very pure and pleasant . it is the received opinion , that upon the top of this mountain our saviour christ , in the presence of peter , iames , and iohn , was transfigured , and he spake with the holy prophets moses and elias , mat. . luke . which place at this day is compassed about with a great wall , within which is a fair and pleasant orchard , watered with many clear and goodly springs , but there is no man that dwells in it , ( notwithstanding there are many towns and inhabitants at the foot of the mountain ) neither do they think any man worthy to dwell in it , they hold it in such estimation , and reverence it as the hill of god. there are to be seen in it divers great ruines of palaces , towers , and princely edifices ; in which at this day there harbour many lions and other wild beasts . it is very difficult to ascend up to the top of it it is so exceeding high : it is one of the principal hills in the holy land , not only because that christ on it was transfigured , but because it is very fruitful , and plentifully abounds with vines and other profitable plants and herbs . the air thereof is wholsom and good , and the dew upon it rising thick and sweet , with indifferent rain ; the trees high and fair , green both winter and summer . at the foot of the mountain , towards the south near to endo● , in the way that leadeth from syria into aegypt , is shewed the place where ( as it is said ) melchisedeck met with abraham , when he returned from the battel of the four kings , gen. . at the foot of the mountain lying toward the west , just against nazareth , there is a chappel built , in the place where they say our saviour christ descending from this mountain , spake to his disciples , saying , tell none of this vision , mat. . upon the east side of it runs the brook kison , where barak and deborah overcame the army of sisera , iudg. . there is also another hill in the upper part of galilee , miles from ierusalem northward , which hill is also called thabor , and is three miles distant from caesarea philippi eastward : but that was not the place of christs transfiguration . the travels of christ in the fourth year of his ministry , being the four and thirtieth of his age . in the month of ianuary christ the son of god wintered in bethabara , miles from ierusalem north-eastward , where iohn sometimes baptised , ioh. . and many came unto him , saying , iohn sh●wed us no ●gns , but whatsoever he preached of this christ are true . and many believed on him . now as christ went into the desart to preach , his disciples came unto him , saying , lord teach us to pray , as iohn taught his disciples to pray . whereupon he prescribed to his disciples a form of prayer , which is called the lords prayer , luke . at this time there came unto him a great multitude , and thronged about him , where he made that long sermon which is described luke . & . upon the seventeenth day of ianuary , it being then the sabbath , he cured a certain woman which had been diseased years , luke . and when there came unto him certain pharisees , saying , thou art the son of god , wherefore get the out of this country , for herod seeks to kill thee : jesus answered them , saying , go and tell that crafty fox , behold , i cast out devils to day , and tomorrow , and the third day i shall be pe●fected . presently he departed out of petraea ( where herod kept his court in the castle of macharuntes ) and went into galilee beyond iordan , miles , luke . upon the last day of ianuary , being the sabbath , our lord and saviour christ healed ( in the house of a certain prince of the pharisees ) a man sick of the dropsie , and recited the parable of the great supper , luke . in the month of february , he went through all galilee , which was miles long , and broad ; in which visitation there followed him a great company . and when there came unto him publicans and sinners , he began to speak of repentance , but the ph●risees and scribes murmured at him , and opposed his parables , of the lost sheep , of the woman that had lost her groat , and of the prodigal son , luke . and a little after , he recited unto his disciples the parable of the unjust steward , and of dives and lazarus , luke . about the latter end of february ( as by the circumstance of the history and times may appear ) he made that sermon of the power of faith and good works , &c. luke . and going out of galilee through the midst of samaria , he healed the ten lepers , luke . he recited the parable of the unjust judge , and that of the publican and pharisee , luke . in the month of march he finished this general visitation . which journey were so many and divers , that his disciples could not describe them . notwithstanding , in this month he went into the borders of iudaea and petraea , beyond iordan , and came to bethabara , where iohn sometimes baptised , and there followed him a great company , and he healed them , mat. . mark . there the pharisees moved the disputation of the divorce , and christ lovingly imbraced the little children , mark . in this month of march lazarus the brother of martha and mary , who dwelt at bethania , fell sick of a deadly disease , and they sent messengers to christ , who at this time was at bethabara , to give him to understand of his sickness , iohn . this message came unto our saviour christ to bethabara upon the twentieth day of march , being the last day of the twelfth month adar , anno mundi . and about such time as the seventy weeks , spoken of by daniel were fully ended : at the end of which prophecy it behoved christ , that he might fulfill the prophecies of the old testament , to suffer , and by his resurrection and ascension to enter into the glory of god , and to be partaker of his eternal kingdom . although our saviour had received this message of the sickness of lazarus , he stayed at bethabara . two dayes after , and as it may be thought , about the twenty second day of march , which was the second day of the first month abib , lazarus died . but lazarus being dead and buried , then our saviour went from bethabara towards iericho , iohn . luke . and in the way a man came to him and said , good master , what shall i do that i may inherit eternal life ? christ said unto him , go and sell all that thou hast , and give it unto the poor , and thou shalt find treasure in heaven , and then come and follow me . but because he was very rich he refused , and went his way . after , he recited the parable of the labourers in the vineyard , making mention of predestination . also in this journey he reprehended the sons of zebedeus for their pride and arrogancy , and fore-telleth his disciples of his death and passion , and in the way healed the blind man that sate begging , and so entred into iericho , where he rested all night in the house of zacheus , mat. . zacheus signifies clean. upon the twenty fourth of march , christ went from iericho to bethania , which was twelve miles . here he healed bartimeus the son of timeus , mark . ( timeus signifieth unclean , of tame , he is defiled ) and going a little further , he healed other two , res●oring them to sight , m●t. . upon the twenty fifth of march ( being tuesday ) our saviour christ came to bethania , where , by the power of his word he raised lazarus to life , after he had been buried four dayes , iohn . laz●rus and eleazer have both one signification , that is , god is my help . upon the twenty sixth day of march , the feast of the passover of the iews drawing near , he went from bethania to the city of ephraim near to the desart , that he might avoid the traps and deceits of the iews , who went about to take him , iohn . being ten miles . upon the twenty seventh day of march he returned back again from ephraim to bethania , ( being ten miles ) coming thither about the evening , six dayes before the passover , at which time martha ministred to him , and mary anointed his feet , whereat iudas grutched , iohn . upon the sabbath day , being the twenty eighth of march , he rested in bethania at the house of martha . now as he was at supper with lazarus , many of the iews understanding that he was there , resorted thither , not only to see him , but lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead , iohn . . upon the twenty ninth of march , christ sitting on an ass went to ierusalem . now when the multitude heard that he was come unto ierusalem , they went out to meet him , some laying their garments in the way , others strowing the boughs of trees where he should go ; and those that went before cried , saying , hosanna to the son of david , blessed be he that cometh in the name of the lord at this time our saviour christ wept over ierusalem , and cast out all those that bought and sold in the temple , mat. . iohn cap. . about the evening he went out of the city again to bethania , almost two miles , and there rested all night , mat. . so this dayes journey was almost four miles . in the evening of this day the iews chose their paschal lamb , according to the law , exod. . upon the thirtieth day of march he went from bethania to ierusalem , betimes in the morning ; in which country he cursed the fig-tree that wanted fruit , and after entring into the city , he cast out of the temple the money-changers and merchants , mark . about the evening ( as may be gathered by circumstance of time ) he returned back again to bethania . this daies journey was four miles . upon the last day of march in the morning , christ went back again from bethania to ierusalem ; and by the way as he went , his disciples beheld the fig-tree that he had cursed , and lo it was dried up , mark . after , when he was in the temple , there came certain pharisees unto him and disputed with him ; at which time he recited the parable of the marriage of the kings daughter . also certain scribes and pharisees came unto him asking him whether it was lawful to pay tribute unto caesar , mat. . . he also sharply rebuked the scribes and pharisees , and recited the simile of the hen and her chickens , mat. . after that , he went to the mount of olives , almost a mile . and then his disciples looking upon the goodly building of the temple , from thence he took occasion to preach of the destruction of ierusalem , and the consummation of the world ; so he stayd all that night in the mount of olives , mat. . upon the first day of april , being wednesday , our saviour christ rising before day , taught again in the temple ; and after , as he was going to bethania , he said to his disciples , know ye that within the se two daies is the feast of the passover , and the son of man shall be delivered into the hands of sinners , and crucified . at the same time the chief priests assembled themselves together , and took counsel how they might do to take him by deceit , mat. . the same day as our saviour christ was in the house of simon the leper , ( whom he had healed of that sickness ) there came a woman and brought a box of precious ointment and poured it upon his head , at which the disciples murmured , mat. . mar. . luke . the fourth passover of the ministry of christ. upon thursday being the second day of april , the dayes of the feast of the passover being now at hand , christ with his disciples prepared for the eating of the paschal lamb ; which was the fourth passover of our saviour , and when about the evening of this day it was necessary for them to keep the paschal lamb , and to prepare the passover according to god's law ; christ sent peter and john to make ready the supper , and he with the rest of his disciples about evening went from bethania toward jerusalem , just at the beginning of the fourteenth day of the first month abib or nisan , which began about the evening of this day . here he celebrated his last supper among his disciples , between six and seven of the clock in the evening ; at which time he celebrated the sacrament of the lords supper , concerning the true receiving of his body and blood : of which you may read , mat. . mark . luke . cor. . afterward , about the eighth hour , he washed his dicsiples feet , and then leaning upon the table , he pointed out judas that should betray him , john cap. . from the ninth hour to the tenth hour , about the second watch of the night , judas that traitor went from his disciples , john. . in the mean time christ made that long sermon recited only by john , , , . and made that effectual prayer , john . about the tenth hour ( after they had sung a psalm ) christ went over the brook cedron , to the garden of gethsamene , being somewhat more than half a mile . there , between the hours of eleven and twelve , he sweat water and blood , and prayed earnestly . about twelve of the clock , it being then midnight . christ was betrayed by judas , who about three dayes before had sold him for thirty silverlings , which was about l. s. from gethsa●ene the jews brought him bound to jerusalem , being more than half a mile : and about one of the clock in the morning carried him to the house of annas who was one of the chief priests . about two of the clock led him from thence to cai●has , chief priest. from three a clock till four ( which was about cocks-crowing ) peter denied christ. at the same time cai●has and all the priests of ierusalem would have condemned the lord of glory , the son of god. at the same time also the servants and officers of the priests beat him and mocked him . about five of the clock in the morning , christ was condemned by the whole consent of the syn●drion of the iews , luke . all these things christ suffered between thursday and friday . and whereas the iews according to the commandment of god begin their day in the evening , therefore that night wherein our saviour christ suffered all these things belonged unto the fourteenth day of the month abib . so that just at the same time as the feast of the paschal lamb was celebrated amongst the iews , christ , the true lamb of god ▪ was made a living sacrifice on the cross for the sins of man. thus , as we have observed the hours of the night , so likewise let us observe the hours of the day . friday being the third day of april ( which as i have said began the evening before ) was the fourteenth day of the first month abib or nisan , among the iews . at six a clock in the morning , about sun-rising of the same day , our saviour jesus christ was brought unto pilat , and iudas iscariot hanged himself , because he had betrayed the innocent blood. about seven of the clock in the same morning our saviour christ was carried to herod antipas , that cruel tyrant , who the year before had put iohn baptist to death : here he was disdainfully handled . at eight of the clock our saviour christ returned to pilate , who propounded unto the iews ( because they were to have a capital offender delivered unto them at the feast of the passover ) whether they would have jesus their king , or barrabbas , who had been a murtherer , let loose unto them ; but they condemned jesus , and chose barrabbas , which name signifies , the son of the multitude , or a seditious man. about nine of the clock in the morning ( which the iews commonly called the third hour of the day , because it succeeded the morning , and continued till noon ) our saviour christ was whip'd and crowned with thorns . about ten of the clock pontius pilate , in the place called gabbatha , publickly condemned christ to be crucified , and washed his hands in token of innocency . pontius signifies cruel and inhumane ; pilate , a man armed with a roman dart , mart. lib. . iohn . between ten and eleven , our saviour christ carrying his cross , was brought to the place called golgotha . about eleven of the clock , the third hour of the morning being not yet fully finished ) our saviour christ was fastned upon the cross , mark . he therefore hung four hours upon the cross , that is , from about eleven of the clock , till about three in the afternoon . and he spake before that supernatural eclipse of the sun three memorable sayings : first , father ▪ forgive them , for they know not what they do , luke . secondly , he said to his mother , woman , behold thy son : and to iohn , being converted , behold thy mother . thirdly , to the thief , verily , i say unto thee , this da● thou shalt be with me in paradise about twelve of the clock ( in that meridian which the iews call the sixth hour , that is the sixth hour from the rising of the sun ) that supernatural eclipse of the sun happened , of which you may read in dionysius the areopagite , and eusebius . about three of the clock in the afternoon , which the iews call the ninth hour , ( the sun now beginning to receive its light ) our saviour christ spake these four sayings , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ? matth. . i thirst , ioh. . when he had taken the sponge , he said , it is finished , ioh. . and after , crying out with a loud voice , he said , father , into thy hands i commend my spirit , and so died . at which time there were many wonderful miracles wrought , as you may read , mat. . mark . luke . . ioh. . about four of the clock in the afternoon , our blessed saviour was pierced through with a lance , and there issued out of his side bloud and water , ioh. . about five of the clock , which the iews call the eleventh hour of the day , our saviour christ was buried by ioseph of arimathea and nicodemus . about the sixth hour , there fell an eclipse of the moon , which was natural and not miraculous , neither is it observed by any of the evangelists . upon the fifteenth day of the first month , which answereth to the th of april , ( being justly called the great and holy sabbath of the iews , for that christ this day rested in the sepulchre ) the priests and pharisees being partly joyful , because , as they thought , the disturber of the common peace , and one that opposed their authority was dead ; and partly careful how they might prevent his resurrection , went to pilate , and obtained of him a band of souldiers to watch the sepulchre , and to put his seal upon the stone . upon the fifth day of a●ril , early in the morning , our saviour christ , having overcome death and the devil , by his divine power raised himself up from the dead , according as he had foretold his disciples , and appeared to mary magdalen , iohn . and to other women that touched his feet , mat. . about noon he appeared to simon peter , luke . ● cor. . in the afternoon he travelled with two of his disciples almost eight miles to the castle of e●aus , luke . one of these disciples was cleophas the brother of ioseph , who brought up our saviour christ. the other , as may be gathered by the circumstance of the story , was luke , because he hath set it down so exactly . in the evening of the same day , he returned invisibly from emaus to ierusalem , eight miles , where , when the doors were all shut , and his disciples were assembled together for fear of the iews , jesus came and stood in the midst of them , and said , peace be u●o you . and he shewed himself to all his disciples except thomas . mark calleth this the first day of the sabbath , that is of the week , mark . luke . ioh. . for the sabbath of the iewes ( as ioseph . , witnesseth ) is not onely taken for a day of rest , but also for the whole week : from whence is that saying in the gospel , iejunio bis in sabbato , i. i fast twice in the week , luke . upon the day of april , and eight dayes after his resurrection , he appeared again to his disciples , thomas being then present , and the doors shut ; that he might make evident that his omnipotence was not tied to any secondary causes , or hindered by the property of any natural bodies , which , according to s. austin , ser. . was so much the more wonderful , because he appeared unto them substantially and effectually , not as phantasma or shadow , which vanisheth away , and is without any corporeal substance . in the same month of april our saviour christ appeared again to peter , thomas , nathaniel , the sons of zebedeus , and other two disciples , as they were fishing upon the shore of tiberias , which stood miles from ierusalem northward , between bethsaida and capernaum , ioh. . the day of this apparition is not set down . from the sea of tiberias near to ca●ernaum and bethsaida , to mount thabor scituated in galile● , is reckoned miles ; there , about the end of april our saviour christ appeared to above brethren at once , where many worshipped him , and others doubted , mat. . cor. . in the month of may our saviour christ appeared to iames the son of alpheus , for he had been seen before of iames the son of zebedeus : both which were after crowned with martyrdom in the city ierusalem , the son of zebedeus upon the day of iuly , ten years after the resurrection ; and the son of alpheus upon the feast day of the passover was thrown from a pinacle of the temple , years after the resurrection of our saviour . upon the day after his resurrection , he returned fifty six miles to ierusalem , where his disciples were assembled together : and upon the fourteenth day of may , in the sight of all the apostles , with great triumph and joy he ascended up into heaven , and sitteth at the right hand of his father in divine majesty and glory , mar. & luke . ult . act. . psal. . ephes. . . pet. . heb. . so these travels of our saviour christ were miles . but if you reckon his travels from the time of his infancy to the day of his ascension , they make miles ; besides his general visitations and journeys hither and thither , which were so many , that as iohn witnesseth , cap. vlt. they could not be described . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of jericho . this city stood very pleasantly in the tribe of benjamin , ten miles from ierusalem north-eastward . ioshuah overcame this town by sounding of trumpets , ios. . heb. . it was rebuilt by hiel , and was compassed about with a new wall by herod , that mighty king of the iewes , who put the innocent children to death , and called it after his mothers name cyprus , ios. de bell. iud. lib. . cap. . and although this city was taken and utterly overthrown the second time by the romans , at such time as vespasian and his son titus wasted and destroyed ierusalem and all the land of iudaea ; yet afterward it was re-edified , and in st. ieroms time , which was years after christ , it was a fair city . there was shewn the house of zaccheus , and the sycomore-tree that he went up to see christ , luk. . but by reason of the often destructions and devastations that hath fallen upon it , there is not to be seen at this day above eight houses in the town , and all the monuments and reliques of the holy places are utterly destroyed , the house of zaccheus and the sicomore-tree are no more to be seen in that place : only the place is to be seen where our saviour restored the blind man to sight , when he cryed after him , lord , thou son of david , have mercy upon me , luke chap. . also though the country throughout be very fruitful and pleasant , yet it is nothing so fertile and pleasant , as it was when the children of israel did dwell there . for the roses of iericho are no more to be found there , but rather in a village about sixteen miles from iordan towards the east . and although they stand so far distant off , yet they retain their ancient name . between ierusalem and iericho there is a desart or wilderness , which by the inhabitants of the holy land is called quarentena , where the man of which christ speaketh fell among thieves , luke . . there is in the same place at this day great thieving , and many robberies committed , as brittenbacchus saith . in this place also is to be seen the river chereth , where the ravens fed eliah , reg. . near to iericho also is found the river , the water whereof elizeus made sweet by casting in salt , whereas before it was bitter ; and it remains very pleasant and sweet to this day , reg. . of ephraim . this city is so called from the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the soil , being derived from parah , to fructifie . it lieth miles from ierusalem north-eastward , just in the way as you go from thence to iericho in the wilderness of quarentena , close by the river chereth in the tribe of benjamin . here our saviour christ after he had raised lazarus from death to life , hid himself with his disciples , because the iewes sought to take away his life by deceit . the passover following he was made a sacrifice for the sin of man , ioh. . of bethania . this city was a type of the church , which is always subject to the cross , and exposed to every calamity ; and therefore is called bethania , that is , the house of sorrow and affliction : being derived of baith , a house ; and oni , affliction . according to the prophecy of our saviour , who foretold of the afflictions and tribulations that should fall upon his church , you shall mourn , but you shall be comforted , and your grief shall be turned into joy . it was distant from ierusalem almost two miles towards the south-east . borchardus the monk observeth , that close by a well , about a stones cast out of this town , there is shewed the place where martha met our saviour christ when he came to bethania , and a little after called her sister to meet him , ioh. cap. . there is also shewn in this town the house of simon the leper , where a certain woman having an alablaster box of precious ointment , poured it on our saviours head , not without the great indignation of his disciples , mat. . there is also to be seen the house of martha , to which our saviour did oftentimes resort , luke . iohn . and . and in that place there is at this day a church built in honour of those two sisters , which were the sisters of lazarus . there is also seen the sepulchre out of which lazarus was raised from death to life , iohn . which stands close by the said church , and over it is built a chappel of marble , very decent and comely . the saracens hold this chappel in great estimation . you cannot see the city of ierusalem from bethania because of the mount of olives , but as soon as you ascend a little hill in the way as you go thence to ierusalem , you may discern mount sion and a part of the city : then when you are descended from that hill , the city is again hidden . after that , upon the left side of the mount of olives , some stones cast from bethpage , you do leave a small village standing under the mountain of offence , where solomon in times past committed idolatry . from this village the ass and the colt was brought unto christ. not far from thence , upon the south side as you go upon the mount of olives , you come unto the place where christ mounted upon the ass , as we read , mat. . and a little after you may see the whole city of ierusalem , with solomon's temple , and the church of the holy sepulchre , with many other holy places . then as you descend from the top of the mount of olives , you may see the place where the multitude cried , hosanna , blessed be he that cometh in the name of the lord. and in this descent also our saviour christ wept over ierusalem , saying , o ierusalem , ierusalem , how often would i have gathered thee under my wings as a hen gathereth her chickens , but thou wouldest not . of bethpage . bethpage standeth upon the right hand of the way towards the east , as you go from bethania to ierusalem , and , as st. ierom saith , was sometimes a habitation of the priests , which at their appointed times went up to ierusalem to minister to the lord. it was so called because of the multitude of figs that grow there : for pagim signifies a fig , cant. . bethpage is a notable type of the church , for that ought likewise to be fruitful , and to bring forth sweet figs , that is , good works , and many other comfortable vertues , that so men in their afflictions might be comforted . as it is thought , the fig-tree that our saviour christ cursed because it wanted fruit , stood not far from bethpage , mat. . mark . wherefore let us take heed that we be not like fruitless fig-trees , covered only ( like our forefathers adam and eve ) with leaves , and bearing no fruit , gen. . lest so god's curse fall upon us , and we be thrust out of eternal happiness , mat. . of the castle from whence the ass and the colt were brought upon which our saviour christ rode to jerusalem . this castle ( as adamus risnerus saith ) was a certain hold compassed about with strong walls , and within beautified with a fair palace supported with goodly columns : it stood not far from the mount of olives , just in the dividing of the way as you go from bethania to ierusalem ; for there goes one way to the fountain-gate , and another to the valley of gehinnon . in the hebrew text it is called tirah , as you may read in matthew , which signifies not only a castle , but a firm and sure building , with good decorum and order : for tor signifies a circular order . it is credible , that this hold is a resting place , and that the ass and the colt were tied in the way , for this cause ; that if by chance any travellers were weary ( by reason of the tediousness of their journey ) they might hire them for certain hours to carry them over the mount of olives , and so return them back again . the allegorical meaning of this ass and the colt , according to the opinion of many learned men , signifies the people of the iews , who were burthened with moses's laws : and the asses colt signifies the rest of the gentiles , which were not charged with the burthen of moses's law , but tied only to the law of nature . so we also like travellers and strangers in this miserable world , are tied to the afflictions and calamities thereof , standing in two ways , expecting the death of the body , and liberty of the soul ; then our saviour christ cometh in peace and looseth this body of death , ( as the apostle saith , rom. . ) and bringeth us to that heavenly ierusalem , eternal joy , according to that of st. paul , in the first of the philippians , i desire to be loosed and to be with our lord iesus christ. of the mount of olives . about half a mile and a furlong from jerusalem towards the east , stood the mount of olives , very fruitful and pleasant , bringing forth olives , palms , figs , gossumtine , and many other notable fruits , but principally , palms and olives , of which the mountain taketh the name . it is said in pliny , lib. . cap. . that these olive and palm trees do never lose their leaves , and are green both winter and summer . st. austin calleth it , the mountain of vnction , because of the fertility and pleasantness of it : also the mountain of health , because it bringeth forth oyls and many other plants necessary for physick : also , the mountain of light ; first , because it lieth upon the east , so that the sun shineth in the morning very pleasantly upon it , and in the evening when it setteth , the beams thereof reflecting upon the temple of jerusalem casteth a beautiful light to this mount : secondly , because it bringeth forth oyl , which is the nourishment and life of light : thirdly , because it was beautified with the gracious presence of our blessed lord and saviour christ , which is the day-star and light of the church , rising up on high to inlighten all those which shall be called unto eternal happiness . for which cause it typically representeth the church , which is the light of the world , wherein are found many christians that bring forth pleasant fruit , ( good works ) relieving the necessity of such as are in want , comforting the afflicted , and patiently supporting the calamity and misery of this world , that so they might triumphantly rejoyce with christ in that heavenly city of jerusalem . what things zacharias hath spoken of this mount in his last chapter , is to be understood of the preaching of the gospel , and propagation of the church through all the world. st. jerom saith in his epitaph upon st. paul , that upon this hill the jews commonly burnt the red cow , with the ashes whereof the people of god being sprinkled , they were purified and sanctified : of which you may read , num. . heb. . hellen the empress , mother to that godly emperour constantine the great , about the year of our lord , caused a fair and beautiful church to be built upon this mount , just in the place where our blessed lord and saviour christ ascended up into heaven . it was built round , all of white polished marble : upon the top thereof there is no roof , but a window , even as christ should ascend through it , as eusebius saith , in the life of the emperour constantine the great , lib. . cap. . the same st. jerom affirmeth , in his book delocis hebraicis . he also saith , that the inhabitants of the holy land take upon them to shew in this church , the impression of the feet of our saviour christ , which hapned as they say , just at such time as he ascended up into heaven : out of which travellers and pilgrims take sand to carry with them as an holy relick , though indeed it is verily to be thought , that they were feet made in stone by antient monks , thereby to get money from such as resorted thither upon devotion ; for look how oft pilgrims take thence the sand , they are presently filled again : from whence may be gathered , that there is no sand naturally there . every man therefore ought to imbrace a nearer way to salvation , than to follow those monkish fables ; and to seek christ in the holy scripture , not upon the mount of olives , or amongst sand : for since the grave could not contain him , the mount of olives cannot hold him , who now sitteth at the right hand of his father , in power and eternal glory : but rather , if we be desirous to see the footsteps of christ , let us seek them in the church , which is dispers'd through the world ; wherein we are sufficiently taught how we should follow him . the palm is a famous tree which bringeth forth dates ; and is so called because upon the top the boughs are thick and round , extending out like fingers ; from whence it is called dactilus , that is , a finger . of gethsamene . this was a village scituated at the foot of the mountain of olives , in a pleasant and fruitful place . near unto this village , as saint augustine observeth , there were many pleasant gardens , which gave forth very sweet and delectable savours ; unto which place christ and his disciples did oftentimes resort , as the evangelist luke , cap . observeth . it was so called from the pressing forth of oyl ; for gath or geth , signifies a press , and schaemen oyl . in this place the heart of our saviour christ was so press'd with affliction that he sweat drops of blood : by which blood the sins of our souls are washed away , and we that are wounded are made whole , as with a most precious balsom , isa. . hellen the empress , in an orchard close by this town , set up a fair and beautiful church , over the sepulchre of the virgin mary ; which she called by the name of the mother of god , niceph. lib. . cap. . it is said , that this sepulchre remaineth to this day in this church , made of white polished marble , standing about eight and forty steps under ground , being something wider than the sepulchre of christ : in it there is two doors , one to go in , another to go out . but whether this be the right sepulchre of the blessed virgin , it concerneth us not , since it appertaineth not to our salvation , neither is mentioned in the holy scriptures : but if any man be desirous to be further satisfied in it let him read nice●horus , who makes mention of that and her ascension , both , in my opinion , of like credit ; because , i suppose , that saint luke ( who wrote the acts of the apostles , and lived in those times ) would not have omitted so memorable an action . but to return to the garden of gethsamene . about some fifty paces towards the east of this sepulchre of the blessed virgin , close by the foot of the mount of olives , stands a certain chappel , just in the place where sometimes the town of gethsamene stood . not far from this chappel is shewn a certain hollow place under a rock , where , the inhabitants say our saviour sweat drops of blood. they also shew a certain stone whereon the angels stood which comforted our saviour . descending thence about a stones cast , they shew unto pilgrims a place close by the cave in the mount of olives , where peter , james , and john sat when our saviour was in his agony . they also shew the place where peter cut off malchus ear. there is to be seen a memorable place where judas betrayed our saviour with a kiss , when he delivered him to the jews . not far off is to be seen the place where the jews fell backward when our saviour ask'd them , whom seek ye ? besides many other things ( if borchardus may be credited ) as the impression of his hair and head upon a stone ; and of his finger , as if it had been in wax , upon a rock : and in the place where he prayed , of his hands and knees , which are so firm in stone that they cannot be defaced with any instrument . but there have been many in this place since these times , which have seen none of these things : from whence may be gathered , that they have been idle delusions used by ancient monks to get money from pilgrims and strangers ; and i have here remembred them , that others knowing these , may beware of the like fallacies and deceits purposely invented for lucre's sake . this garden of gethsamene is credibly thought to have been planted in former times by the kings , david and solomon ; but increased and inlarged by other succeeding princes , that there they might recreate themselves , and receive some content by the fruits of the earth . but on the contrary , that great king , the anointed of the lord , our blessed saviour , in this place of pleasure , this paradice of the iews , was constrain'd to undergo that almost unsupportable passion , to make us partakers of that heavenly paradice and place of pleasure . not far from hence is to be seen the place where iudas hanged himself : and a little from that , the field of akeldama , which was bought with the thirty silverlings for which iudas betrayed christ. this field ( by the appointment of the empress of hellen ) was compassed about with four walls in the manner of a tower , upon the top whereof there are seven distinct doors , like windows , by which the dead bodies of christians are let down into it , it is fifty foot wide , and seventy two long . it standeth not far from the valley of hinnon towards the east , and upon the south-side of mount sion in ierusalem , &c. of kidron or cedron . this brook was so called because of the blackness of the water , being derived of kadar , to wax black . the mountain whence it first riseth , stands not far from ierusalem towards the south ; from whence it runeth through the valley of jehosaphat ( which valley being very fat and fertile , changeth the colour of the water , and makes it look black ) and so through jerusalem ; then passing towards the east , over a cliff of mount olivet , it falleth into the lake asphaltites . when there falls any store of rain the channel is very full , but in summer it is oftentimes dry with the extremity of heat . over this brook david passed when he was persecuted by his son absolon , sam. . and our saviour christ when hedrank of the river in the way , that is , when he suffered upon the cross for the sin of man , according to that saying of the psalmist , psal. . save me , o god , because the waters are entred even into my soul. of mount calvary . this mountain , according to the common opinion , was so called of dead mens skulls , or the skulls of such who were put to death for some capital offence . it stood upon the west-side of jerusalem as you go out of the ancient gate , and is a part of mount gihon . at this day it standeth within the city of jerusalem together with the sepulchre of our saviour : and upon it is built a fair church , which is joyned unto the church of the holy sepulchre , being as it were a quire unto it : but it standeth somewhat lower . it is built all of marble , and the inside is all polished and wrought very curiously . it is also paved with the same stone . within it is seen a piece of the pillar of stone , to which they say christ was tied when he was whipped : in which stone are to be seen certain red specks , as if they had been drops of bloud ; and these also ( they say ) were the blood of christ when he was scourged ; besides many other things , of which you may read at the beginning of this treatise in the description of ierusalem as it is at this day . the description of the holy sepulchre . the sepulchre of christ stood upon the west side of ierusalem , close by mount golgatha , in the garden of ioseph of arimathea : for it was the custom of the iews to build their tombs or sepulchres in their orchards and gardens ; and beautifie and adorn them with lillies , roses , and other flowers , on purpose to put them in mind of their mortality , according to that of david , psal. . the days of man are like grass , as a flower of the field so flourisheth he : for the wind goeth over it and is gone , and the place thereof shall know it no more . and for this cause the iews , but especially the kings , would be buried in their gardens : so ioseph , a good and just man , following this custom , had hewed him out of a rock a new monument , in which there had been no man laid ; that so when he walked in the garden to take the air , he might be put in mind of his mortality . in this monument our saviour christ was buried : and from this place , upon the third day early in the morning , he rose ; to the terrour and astonishment of such as watched the sepulchre . from whence may be gathered , that as our first parents , adam and eve , trespassed against god , and lost felicity in a garden ; so christ the son of god in a garden made satisfaction for that sin ; restored us again to grace , and make us capable of heavenly felicity . this sepulchre ( as it is described by s. iohn , when he went with s. peter to see if that notable miracle of the resurrection were true ) was like a little chappel , the door thereof being upon the outside , and was but one room without any division , so that a man might see all that was within it : for he saith , joh. . that he did not go in , but look'd in , and saw the linnen cloaths where they lay wrapped up : from whence may be concluded , that that sepulchre which is now extant ( howsoever perhaps it may stand in the same place ) is not the same sepulchre wherein our saviour christ was buried ; for it is described to be four square , to be open at the top , to have within it two vaults ( an inward and an outward ) and that you descend to it by stairs , as you may read at the beginning of this treatise ; which description doth not agree with that of st. john's . again st. john saith , that they rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre , did not lay it upon the top of it . also eusebius and nicephorus affirm , that the pagans and other heathen people filled up the sepulchre of christ with earth , and built up in the place the temple of venus , and in it put her image , where she was worshipped a long time after , untill such time as that godly emperess hellen caused that temple to be abolished , and the sepulchre cleansed and purified . afterwards , at her instigation , constantine the great ( who was her son ) built up in the very same place a fair and goodly church in the memory of our saviour , and bestowed great cost both in the workmanship , and in beautifying it with gold and silver . this temple ( as it was before it was destroyed by the saracens ) is said to be built all of white polished marble , and beautified with stones of divers colours , gilt with gold and silver , covered on the out side with lead to withstand the storms and showers of rain that happened ; but the inside was gilt all with splendent and refulgent gold , which cast a wonderful lustre upon the beholders . upon either side of it were two walking galleries , one above , which was close ; and another below , which was open , extending themselves the length of the sanctuary ; all the roof and vault being covered over with gold and artificial work , the one being supported with pillars of marble , the other with posts of wood plaited with silver . there were also three gates towards the east , very fitly and fairly disposed , by which the multitude that resorted thither go in and out : within these there stood an arch , representing , after a sort , the hemisphere of the heavens , extended to the top of the sanctuary like a circle , girded about with twelve pillars of equal bigness , representing the twelve apostles ; and upon the top of this arch were placed cups of silver , beautifully burnished . all which the said emperour dedicated to god for a monument . there were many other memorable things that did belong to this temple , which were admirable to look on , all which , as you came up the high-street from the market place , were presented to your view ; a stately sight , the like whereof those parts did not afford . this temple was built by the emperour constantine , anno dom. . venerable bede , who was a dr. of divinity , and lived in england years after christ , described the holy sepulchre after this manner : this sepulchre over head was something round , and so high , that a man could scarce touch it with his hand ; standing in that rock which extendeth it self to mount calvary into the garden of joseph of arimathea : representing in form a little chappel : the entrance thereinto was towards the east . and further he addeth , that they which went into this vail , found on the right hand toward the north , a stone tomb which resembled a coffin , scituated in the pavement , joyning to the wall ; which stone coffin was of a mix'd colour , that is , white and red , being seven foot long , and three handfuls high . this description , venerable bede received from certain monks , that went upon devotion to ierusalem to visit this sepulchre : but since , it hath been divers times destroyed and polluted by the turks and other heathen people . from whence may be gathered , that the sepulchre which is now standing and shewed unto pilgrims , is some device of the monks to get money of strangers , and procure a kind of devotion in the hearts of ignorant people ; wherefore as the angel said , mark . let us not seek christ any longer among the dead , or in the grave , but in his holy church , where the lively pourtraiture of his divine presence is set forth unto us : that so we may be made partakers with him hereafter in that place of eternal glory . concerning the residue of this description you may see it before . of emmaus . this city or castle of emmaus , is distant from jerusalem almost eight miles towards the north-west . it signifies the mother of fortitude ; being derived of em , a mother ; and vtz , which the hebrews call fortitude . it stood where three several ways were , that so it might serve for a direction to passengers . from whence melancton saith , that it was a notable type of the church , which is our true mother , shewing us the way unto eternal life . and although it be but little , and the number in it few , yet it is strong . as the castle , though it were small , yet it is almost invincible ; and for that cause called , the mother of strength , as the church is called , the mother of the righteous , against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevail . in the time of iudas macchabe●s ( though it was then a small city ) it was numbred amongst the greatest cities of iuda , because of the scituation and strength of it . to this place our saviour travelled from ierusalem the same day that he arose from the dead , luke . in the time of the romans wars in iudaea , this city was wonderfully defaced and ruined by the souldiers of tiberius maximus ( who was chief captain in this country , in the absence of titus vesp●sian , ) but yet not utterly abolished ; for about a hundred and fifty years after , heliogabolus emperour of rome caused it to be rebuilded , and called by the name of nicopolis , that is , the city of victory . not far from emmaus there was an inn , or a place to which strangers might resort , and there three ways met ; two went of either side the town , and one through it : in this place the two disciples constrained our blessed saviour to stay with them , because it was then about sun-set . near unto this inn , nicephorus and zozemenus say ( in their ecclesiastical history ) there was a spring or well of that admirable vertue , that if either man or beast that was infirm or sick did drink of the water thereof , they were immediately restored to their former health . the reason that these authors have for it ( because they are impertinent ) i will omit . but to return to the city of emmaus , as it is now called nicopolis , being scituated eight miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , in the way as you go thence to ioppa : the countrey round about it being very fertile and pleasant , by reason of the rivers and springs wherewith it is watered , as pliny saith , l. . c. . and much altered from that which it was in times past . but because you may read more of this city in pliny , as it is at this day , and in nicephorus and eusebius , i leave to speak further of it . of simon of cyrene . this simon , which carried the cross of our saviour christ , was born in kir , a city in africa , scituated sixteen miles from ierusalem towards the west , mat. . luk. . in which city tiglath phulasser , emperour of the assyrians , planted many of the inhabitants of damascus , after he had conquered that city , reg. . this city and the country round about it , by reason of these new inhabitants , by little and little changed the name : and whereas in former times it was called kir , in the time of our saviour it was commonly called cyrene , and this man ( of that country ) simon of cyrene . at this day it is a strong and beautiful city scituated between mareotides and zeugitania : at first built by battus , whom callimachus the poet claimeth to be his progenitor . this battus was a mighty king in africa , but was one that had a great impediment in his speech , insomuch that many think this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to have been originally used by him , and by none other . afterward ( as is said ) tiglath phulasser having obtained the jurisdiction of this city , planted the people of da●ascus in it : and they obtaining some power there , continued till a long time after christ , and imbraced the religion of the jews , built up synagogues , and dispersed that law in many parts of those quarters . there were some of this country that opposed that holy martyr stephen , and were consenting to his death . there were many learned men in it , as eratosthenes the mathematician , callimacus the poet ( both which were had in great estimation among the aegyptians ) carneades also the academian , cronus appolonus , and hegesias the philosopher ( of whom cicero speaketh in the fifth book of his tusculans ) and eratosthenes the historian , who was son of agaclis . salust saith , that this city in his time was so mighty that it maintained war against the carthaginians for their bounds and limits of their fields and grounds , a long time ; and iustin lib. . that they maintained war against two nations , the phoenes and the egyptians : in which wars they gave aprius , the king of the egyptians , such a mighty overthrow , that there were very few of his army that returned into his country with him , as horodot . affirmeth , lib. . there were also many great princes that ruled in this city : of which , because you may read in divers other authors more at large , i omit to speak of them . of joseph of arimathea , who buried christ. this ioseph , which caused our saviour christ to be buried in his garden , was a rich man , upright and just in all his actions , a senator of ierusalem , and one that expected the kingdom of god ; born at arimathea , a city of the iews , luc. . this city was sometime called ramathaim sophim , and sometime ramah , because it was scituated in a high place , and in times past was a fair city standing miles from ierusalem toward the north-west , the description whereof you may read before . at this day it is called ramalea ; being nothing so fair as it was , but like a country town , the houses being carelesly dispersed here and there , lying without walls or bulwarks to defend it ; notwithstanding , the ancient ruines of the former city is to be seen even at this day . there is also a great inn or resting place for strangers , having within it many rooms for the receipt of passengers , and a well of very sweet water . this house was first purchased at the charge of philip duke of burgundy , and by him committed to the protection of the monks of mount sion , by whom it is at this day made an hospital , wherein pilgrims , travellers , and strangers , are entertained , and find much relief . in an inward orchard belonging to this hospital , there is a fair plat of ground that bringeth forth great abundance of aloes , of which there is often mention in the holy scriptures , but more especially in psalm . thy garments smell of aloes and cassia , when thou comest out of thy ivory palaces , where they have made thee glad . nicodemus , a prince of the iews , together with ioseph of arimathea , brought with them an hundred pound of aloes mixed with myrrh , to embalm the body of our saviour christ , when they had begged it of pilate , before they buried it , ioh. . myrrh is a kind of gum that issueth out of a tree that grows in the east countries , but principally in arabia . the tree out of which it issueth is commonly two yards and a half high , with some pricks upon it , the bark whereof being cut , there issueth out of it drops like tears , which congealeth into a gum , and is called myrrh : the principal vertue that it hath , is to keep the bodies of the dead incorruptable , see pli. li. . ca. . & . in arabia foelix there is such abundance of sweet myrrh , frankincense , and other odoriferous gums , that such as sail in the red sea may easily smell the savour of them . there is also found in the holy land myrrh and aloes . aloes is the juyce of a certain bitter herb , which by some is called everliving : it killeth the worms , and preserveth from putrifaction ; it is also good for the sight . there is to be gathered in india , arabia , and the holy land , a certain herb of an extraordinary sweet smell , with leaves broad , fat and juycy , which being press'd yieldeth more aloes than honey ; from whence this metaphorical proverb is used , quod plus molestiae quam voluptatis gignit , that is , more troublesome than profitable . you may read also in plautus , that the life of man tasteth more of aloes than honey ; and iuvenal speaking of an evil wife , saith , she hath more of aloes than honey . so euripides , every sweet hath his sowre . so also the holy cross seemeth to have more of aloes than honey , notwithstanding it preserveth us from eternal corruption , and killeth the venemous worms of conscience , cleanseth us from our sins , and freeth us from the fear of the devil and eternal death , that so we might be recreated , and by the faith of our saviour be raised up at the last day , and partake with him in his everlasting kingdom : according to that of iohannes taulerus , where the cross , there the light ; where temptation , there prayer and regeneration , &c. the travels of peter . in the thirty fifth year after the nativity of christ , about the month of ianuary , and a little before the conversion of the apostle paul ; peter and iohn were sent from ierusalem to samaria , being thirty two miles , that the samaritans might receive that admirable gift of the holy ghost , and there they disputed with simon magus , acts . from samaria they returned back again to ierusalem , which was thirty two miles . in this jonrney they went to divers towns of the samaritans , teaching and preaching unto them the doctrine of the gospel , acts . in the sixth year after the resurrection of christ , peter went to lidda , which was distant from ierusalem twenty miles towards the north-east ; where he cured aeneas , who had lain sick eight years of the palsie upon his bed , acts. . from thence he went to ioppa , which was three miles : here he raised tabitha from death , acts . in the seventh year after the resurrection of christ , peter went from ioppa and came to caesarea strato , which was six and thirty miles : where he preached the gospel to cornelius the centurion , and baptized him and his whole family , acts. . clemens recogn . lib. . from caesarea he returned to ierusalem , being thirty two miles ; where being accused for going to the gentiles , he excused himself , acts . in the eleventh year after the resurrection of christ , he was cast into prison , and set at liberty by an angel of god , acts . so he went secretly from ierusalem ( as it was thought ) into the desart , or to some other unknown place : upon the second day of august in the same year , herod agrippa king of the iews was struck by an angel of god at caesarea , and he was devoured of worms , acts . ioseph . antiq. lib. . cap. . after , herod agrippa being dead and buried , peter returned to ierusalem , where he was in council with the rest of the apostles , about sixteen years after the resurrection of christ , and fourteen after the conversion of paul , gal. . acts . see also bede upon the acts of the apostles . in the seventeenth year after the resurrection of christ , peter went from ierusalem and came to antiochia in syria , which journey was miles : there paul resisted him , gal. . from antiochia he went to babylon in egypt , where he wrote his first epistle : this journey was miles . so all his travels which are mentioned in the scripture were miles . allegations of the author to prove that peter was never at rome . but that peter was twenty five years seven months and five days bishop and chief priest of rome , cannot be proved by the testimony of the scripture , and is utterly repugnant to the supputation and true accompt of the times . first , because it is manifest by that which hath been said , that he continued at ierusalem and in iudaea during the time that tiberius , caligula , and claudius were emperours of rome . and shortly after the martyrdom of stephen , he and iohn were sent into samaria , that the samaritans might also receive the gift of the holy ghost , acts . paul also in the third year after his conversion , came to ierusalem , and there spoke with peter , and remained with him fifteen days , acts . gal. . fourteen days after the conversion of paul , peter was at the apostolical council held in ierusalem ; and there , with iames and iohn gave the right hand of fellowship to paul and barnabas , that they should go and preach the gospel unto the gentiles , and that he and the rest would go to the iews and those that were circumcised , gal. . in the time of claudius caesar , peter was committed to prison by herod agri●pa in ierusalem , and miraculously delivered by the angel of god , acts . in the ninth year of claudius caesar , peter was at antiochia in syria , where paul resisted him to his face , gal. . all these things manifestly prove that the apostle peter was not at rome at such time as any of these three , viz. tiberius , caligula , and claudius were emperours ; but either in ierusalem , or else at antiochia in syria . secondly , it may exactly be made evident out of the holy scriptures , that peter was not at rome in the time of nero. for , in the second year of nero , paul wrote his epistle to the romans , and sent it from corinth by the hand of phebe : in which epistle , he saluted all his friends which he had in that city , by name , as by the conclusion of the epistle more plainly appeareth ; but there is no mention of the apostle peter , who ( if at that time bishop of that place ) surely should not have been omited . also , in the fifth year of nero , paul being then in prison at rome , wrote his epistles to the galatians , ephesians , philip●ians , colossians , and to philemon ; and in the conclusion of these epistles he expresly nameth all his friends that he had in rome , yet makes no mention of peter . and when he was the second time in prison under nero , in the last year of the reign of this emperour , he wrote from rome his second epistle to timothy , being a little before his death : at the end of which epistle he plainly shews , that he had no companion there but luke , tim. . from whence it is manifest , that peter , during all the pilgrimage and life of paul , was never at rome : how then can it possibly be , that peter should be bishop of rome for the space of almost twenty six years ? truly there are many learned men , and they also of great judgment , which hold this opinion false , and utterly repugnant to holy scripture , neither can be proved by any good authors or histories . but if peter were ever at rome , he came thither after the last imprisonment of paul , and a few years before his martyrdom . because ( as onuphrius saith , in comment . fast . lib. . also euseb. lib. . cap. . and tertul. cont. marcion . ) peter and paul in the thirty fifth year after the resurrection of christ , and upon the third day of the calends of iuly ( c. fonteius ca●itonius and c. iulius rufus being then cousuls of rome ) were crowned with the wreath of martyrdom , and with their blood sealed the truth of the gospel . but there are others of opinion , that peter never came at rome , but that he was crucified at ierusalem by king agrippa's command ; others say at babylon . but because it is a thing doubtful , and not greatly material , i leave it to the reader 's consideration of the towns and places to which he travelled . of samaria . because i have before briefly intreated of the beginning and foundation of this city , i shall not need here again to repeat it . i will now therefore shew the end of it , which was principally caused by the obstinancy of the inhabitants : who refusing the doctrine and prophecy of elias and elizeus , imbraced and followed strange gods , and offered incense unto idols ; whereby the wrath of god was kindled against them , insomuch , that he left this goodly city as a prey to the gentiles and foreign nations , that carried the people thereof into captivity ; where , for a long time , they remained in great misery . after the first desolation , because the country round about this city was very fertile and pleasant , abounding with springs , rivers , vines , olive gardens , mountains , fruitful vallies , fair cities , and strong castles and towns. herod ascalonites ( that great king of the iews , who put to death the innocent children ) re-edified it , set up many goodly buildings , beautified with marble pillars and pleasant walks : and also in the circuit of the kings house , and under the buildings of the nobility in the common market-place , the houses and vaults were supported with marble pillars , according to the manner of the iews . the palace ( called the kin●s house ) stood in the midst of the city , upon the top of the mountain : and round about it there were divers other buildings set up , but much lower , even about the descent of the mountain ; yet scituated , that the inhabitants might see out of their houses the country round about . then close to the palace , in the upper part of the city , he caused a temple to be built in honor of augustus . thus having finished the inside , he compass'd it about with a mighty wall , and upon that placed many turrets : and then to flatter augustus , called it by the name of sebasten , which among the grecians signifies augustum & venerabile principem : now although this city was very glorious and spacious in those times ( for it was three miles about ) yet at this day it is utterly ruined and destroyed , insomuch , that there is not a house standing , two churches only excepted , which were built in honour of st. iohn baptist : and the chief of these , which was the cathedral church , the saracens have converted to their use , so that at this day mahomet is worshipped in it . in this stood the sepulchre of st. iohn baptist , cut out in marble , like the sepulchre of christ , where ( as hierom saith ) he lieth buried between elisha and obediah the prophets . this church stands upon the side of the mountain , in the descent . the saracens do principally reverence st. iohn . baptist next after christ , and they affirm the virgin mary to have conceived by the holy spirit , and not by the seed of man : that st. iohn was the greatest prophet ( except christ ) that ever was . they also believe christ to be the son of god , but not to be equal with god. yet they prefer mahomet before both , because they hold him a messenger sent from god , not unto all men , but only unto the saracens and turks , and their subjects . the other church , which stood in samaria , was upon the top of the mountain which somtimes the kings palace stood . in this church , in times past , there dwelt certain grecian monks , which were christians , and entertained christian pilgrims with great humanity , and furnished them with many necessaries . but the city of samaria it self hath been so often overthrown , and brought to such extream misery , that almost all the ground where it stood is at this time converted into an olive garden . so that as that wicked king ahab turned the vineyard of naboth , which stood close by his house , into an olive garden ; so god in his singular justice hath turned the palace of that king , and the whole city wherein he dwelt , which was the strength of his kingdom , into an olive garden . there are not so many ruins found through all the land of iudaea ( though there have been many worthy cities destroyed ) as are in this place at this day . the scituation of this city was very beautiful ; for a man might have seen from it to the sea of ioppae and antipatris , also to caesarea palestina , and thorough all the mountain of ephraim , to ramatha sophim , and so to mount carmel and the city of ptolomais . of lidda . this city was scituated not far from ioppa , upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem north-w●●●ward . in this city peter healed aeneas , who had been sick eight years of the palsie . at this day there is nothing to be seen but the church of st. george , who was beheaded by the emperour dioclesian , for professing the christia● f●ith . the grecians call this town diospolis , i. an holy town . and the turks account st. george for a valiant knight and holy man. of caesarea strato . this city was scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , some miles from jerusalem north-ward : in ancient time it was called strato , being first built by strato king of sidon . but time having decayed a great part of it , herod ascalonita repaired it , and made it a goodly thing , calling it caesarea , after the name of augustus caesar. and that ships might lie at anchor there without danger , he caused to be built a fair haven to oppose the violence of the sea. this haven was so wonderfully co●trived and set up at such a great charge , that it was admirable to look upon ; for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards under water , burying in the deep stones of an extraordinary greatness , some fifty foot long , eight foot thick , and ten foot broad , and many of them more . the haven it self was beautified with fair buildings and goodly walls , supported with marble pillars and mounted up aloft , so that you might see the ships as they were upon the sea , and made way to his harbour . the entrance into it was upon the north : at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty colosses upon marble pillars . he also placed upon the wall of the city towards the haven mighty towers ; the chiefest and fairest of which he dedicated to drusus augustus his son in law , and called it by the name of the drusian tower. the buildings that joyned to this haven were all of white polished marble , and the streets of the city were directly towards it . also the market-place where they bought and sold was not far from it . upon a little hill , close by this port , he caused a church to be built in honour of augustus caesar. this temple was a very magnificent and stately building , and in it he caused the statue of augustus ( curiously wrought and cast just in the figure of iupiter ▪ olympius ) to be erected , and worshipped it as his god. there are many other stately and sumptuous buildings that were set up by this king. but amongst the rest , he bestowed great cost upon the market-place , the theatre and the amphitheatre , which he wonderfully beautified , and instituted certain games to be there used once every fifth year in honour of augustus , as ioseph de bell. iud. li. . witnesseth . after the death of this king , herod agrippa was made king of the jews . this prince , some ten years after the resurrection of christ , caused james the son of zebedeus , upon the day of july to be put to death in jerusalem ; and when he perceived it was acceptable unto the jews , in the following year , about the the feast of the passover he caused peter to be cast into prison ; who by the prayers of the church was miraculously delivered , as you may read acts . a little after , that is , about the month of august , this king was struck by the angel of the lord , and died miserably : for when he came to caesarea strato , he caused the publick shews to be solemnly practised , and in honour of claudius caesar set forth very sumptuous interludes and plays ; to which feast and shews all the nobility and gentry of that country round about resorted . where the next day , very early in the morning , having put on a rich and goodly garment , made all of cloath of gold , he went into the theatre ; and there , according to his usual custom , sat in a princely seat , and made an oration to the inhabitants of tyre . now when the sun was up and shone upon his garments , the rays ther●of cast such a reflection upon the beholders , that it dazled their eyes , insomuch that they could scarce see . wherefore those that were his flatterers , hearing his gracious speech , cried with a loud voice , o agrip●a ! be propitious unto us ; for although heretofore we feared thee as a man , yet now we well perceive thou art of a more noble and divine nature . but when the king ( taking delight in these speeches ) would not restrain the impious clamour of these flatterers , a little after he lifted up his head , and upon the top of a pillar he saw an owl sitting●over him . presently he was troubled in his mind , and within a while after he was struck with an extream pain in his bowels , insomuch , that with a loud voice he cried unto his friends , i , whom but now was called your god , am but a man ; and him that you imagined to be immortal , must presently die . these words being ended , they carried him sick into his palace , and it was given out that he was dead . no sooner came this news to the ears of the vulgar , but they with their wives and children put on sack-cloath , and fell upon the ground with earnest supplications to god to be merciful unto him . but the king looking out of his window , and seeing them lie thus prostrate upon the earth , wailing and weeping , he could not abstain from tears . at length , after he had been cruelly tormented by the space of four days , upon the fifth died , being the second of august , the worms having consumed his guts , and eaten through his body . thus god greviously punished him , who had so much afflicted the members of the church of christ : but towards other men , as well strangers as gentiles , he was mild and courteous . he reigned in the whole , almost seven years ; for he held the tetrarchy of philip three years under caligula , and other four years he held the whole kingdom of the iews . he died in the eleventh year after the resurrection , and in the third of claudius caesar , being then about years of age , acts. . ioseph . antiq. lib. . pliny saith , that this town of caesarea strato was sometime called apollonia , but after obtained the name of caesarea palestina . saint ierom saith , in his epitaph upon paul , that in his time ( which was years after christ ) there was to be seen in this place the house of cornelius the centurian , whom peter baptized , act. . ( this cornelius is thought by some to have been of the family of lentuli in rome , for they were also called cornelii , as appeareth in salust in the conspiracy of cataline : and it may be , that this cornelius was that lentulus which wrote to tiberius caesar that excellent epistle , concerning the figure , proportion , and person of our lord and saviour jesus christ ) also the house of philip the deacon , and the chambers of his four daughters , who were prophetesses . when paul came unto this town , agabus the prophet came unto him , who bound his hands and feet with the girdle of paul , saying , the man that oweth this girdle shall be thus bound by the iews at ierusalem , and they shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles . here he made a notable sermon before festus agrippa , iunior , and his sister bernice , act. . this town flourished for a long time after the destruction of ierusalem , and it was scituated in a fair and profitable place , fortified towards the west with the mediterranean sea , and towards the east it was compassed about with a lake , in which were great abundance of crocodiles , though the water was very sweet , and of a great depth . many godly and religious men were here crowned with the wreath of martyrdom , for professing the gospel of christ , as eusebius , bishop of this town and of pamphilius , well observeth in his eccles. hist. but the lord did so sharply revenge the death of these men , that at this day it is utterly destroyed , and there is not a house left , though in times past it had been a bishop's see. there was also another town built by philip the tetrarch , called caesarea philippi , whereof you may read before . of ioppa . concerning this town i have already shewed many things in the travels of ionas , but omitted some , specified by brittenbach and dr. ranwolfe , who have described the holy land as it was in the year of our lord . which authors affirm , that there is seen a great chain of iron fastened to a certain rock , to the which ships that lay in that harbour were sometimes tied . also the chain wherewith andromda was fast bound to a stone , when she should have been devoured of the sea monster . also they say that there is a chappel at this day built up in the place where sometime the house of simon the tanner stood , who gave entertainment to peter , standing by a rock close by the sea side , and dedicated to st. peter . but for the rest of the town ( although formerly it hath been a goodly city ) it is utterly destroyed , nothing standing but a part of the wall , and two castles upon the haven to defend such as come thither with ships , from the injuries and incursions of the pagans and saracens . of babylon in aegypt . babylon signifieth confusion , as you may read before . there were two cities of this name ; the one was in chaldaea , and the other in egypt . that in chaldaea was scituated upon the river euphrates ; and this upon the river nilus , being miles from ierusalem toward the south-west , and called in the arabian tongue alcair or cair , whether you please , which also signifieth confusion . concerning both which cities you may read more at large in their former description . from this town it is credibly thought ( and not from that town which stood in chaldaea ) peter wrote his first epistle , as the circumstances of the history do evidently declare : for that babylon which stood in chaldaea was in the time of peter utterly destroyed ; but then this babylon was had in great estimation . about this time also mark , who was the disciple of peter , was the first bishop of alexandria , as you may read in the end of this epistle . wherefore that opinion which some would have to pass for truth , that peter wrote his first epistle from rome , calling it allegorically babylon , is utterly to be condemned , since there is none who can certainly prove that conjecture , neither is it grounded upon any firm foundation ; for although babylon in the revelation of s. john ( because it was a secret prophecy ) was allegorically used ; yet in a plain and manifested history such kind of allegories are not allowed . from whence may be concluded , that s. peter wrote his first epistle from this babylon , not from rome . the travels of saint john , with the annotation of the times wherein he lived . john the evangelist and apostle of our lord jesus christ , was born in the tenth year after the nativity of our saviour , and was made his disciple when he was years of age. he saw the miracle of christ when he changed the water into wine , john cap . in the year following , viz. in the year of his age , he was taken into the number of the twelve apostles , luke . mar. . after that , in the three and twentieth year of his age , he saw the transfiguration of christ in mount thabor : and when he was four and twenty years of age , he stood under the cross of our saviour christ ; and the same year , a little after christs ascension , he , with the rest of the apostles , received the gift of the holy ghost , being then the feast of pentecost , which fell about the four and twentieth day of may : in the same year he was cast into prison with peter , for healing the lame man. acts . . thus much of his youth . about the middle of the first year after our saviour christs ascension ( iohn being then years old ) was sent with peter from the city of ierusalem to samaria , miles . from samaria he returned back again to ierusalem miles ; and as he returned , preached the gospel of christ in divers towns of the samaritans , acts . mary the mother of our lord being now years of age , died in the twelfth year after the resurrection of christ , and was buried by iohn the evangelist in the garden of gethsemene , iohn being then years old . four years after her death , he was present at the apostolical council in ierusalem . now iames , his brother , who was called the elder , was beheaded two years before ; for this council was celebrated in the presence of iames , the younger , peter , iohn , paul and barnabas , &c. about sixteen years after the resurrection of christ , and fourteen after the conversion of paul , gal. . before the destruction of ierusalem , which happened about the year of his age , and after christs ascension , iohn went from ierusalem , and came to ephesus , miles , where , after the death of the apostle paul , he governed the churches of asia minor . in the year of his age , being cast into a vessel of boiling oyl , and coming out unhurt ; by the command of domitian the emperour he was banished into the isle of pathmos , distant from ephesus miles . there he wrote his revelation to the seven churches in asia minor ; whereof you may read , apoc. . from pathmos he returned to ierusalem , which was forty miles , being then years of age , and there he raised drusana from death to life . after this , he governed the churches in asia four years , that is , from the government of nero the emperour , unto the fourth year of the government of trajan the emperour , and called the young man to repentance which was of the society of thieves : at length he died at ephesus , when he was years old , an. dom. . as st. ierom and nicephorus li. . ca. . observe . so all his travels were miles . the testimony of the fathers concerning john. the testimonies of the holy fathers that are yet extant concerning iohn , are these : in euseb. ●i . . c. . . . . you may read the history concerning the conversion of the young man from the company of thieves . irenaeus witnesseth the same , li. . ca. . in irenaeus , also , li. . ca. . you may read the history of cerinthus , and how that iohn lived until the time of trajan the emperour . also li. . ca. . he saith , that the gospel of st. iohn was written because of the blasphemy of cerinthus . the description of the towns and places to which john travelled . of ephesus . this was the metropolitan city of ionia , scituated in asia minor , miles from ierusalem north-westward . it was built ( saith strabo ) by androclus the son of codrus king of athens , in the time of david king of israel ; and because of the beautiful scituation and fer●ility of the soil called ephesus : in future ages growing into such credit and estimation , that it was mightily increased and became one of the most famous mart towns in all asia ; but it stood somewhat low , so that the sea brake in upon it and drowned it , and many of the inhabitants perished . nevertheless lysimachus king of thrace built it up again in the same place where now it stands , and called it arsinoes , after his wives name . but he being dead , it was again called by the antient name ephesus . there were many worthy men that lived in it , as heraclitus , scotinus and hermadorus , who , for his excellent understanding and singular honesty , was banished . hipponachus also the poet , perrhasius and apelles the painters , alexander the orator and theodotio a iew , who interpreted the bible . it was in ancient times inhabited by the amazons , whose queen kept her court there , and wonderfully increased and adorned it with fair and beautiful buildings . here also that notable temple dedicated to diana , which as strab. saith , li. . plin. li. . c. . was years a building . it stood upon morish ground to avoid the danger of earth-quakes . there were in it pillars , erected by so many kings ; among which there were that were curiously sicled , and artificially carved and ingraven : it was foot long , and broad . there were so many gifts and gratuities sent from all the cities and kings round about , toward the building of this temple , that the riches and treasure thereof was wonderful ; insomuch that when it was finished , it was accounted one of the stateliest buildings the world could afford , and numbered amongst the wonders of the world. this temple thus built at such an extraordinary charge that it was almost unvaluable , was set on fire by one herostratus a wicked and perverse fellow , ( in the same olympiad and day that alexander the great was born ) who having nothing in him that might make him famous in after-ages , burnt this goodly building , that so ( though not for his good , but for his evil ) he might get a name . but the ephesians were so incensed because of this mischief , that they procured proclamation to be made through all the kingdoms round about , that his name should not be once mentioned : which perhaps for a time was observed , but in future ages they could not prevent it , but that he was both spoken of and written of . notwithstanding , afterward the inhabitants of this city became so exceeding wealthy , that they soon after rebuilt this temple of diana , and made it much fairer than it was before ; all the citizens contributing with willing hands to the charge of the building : insomuch that the women brought all their silver , gold , and other pretious ornaments , and communicated them towards this great work. also in after times those fair pillars before spoken of , were again erected ; towards the rebuilding whereof they received so many and wonderful gifts , from all the neighbouring kings , cities , and countries , that this temple might ( as it was thought ) compare with all the world beside for riches and treasure . it was standing in st. paul's time , who came thither about twelve years after the resurrection of our saviour , and continued there three years ; in which time he so faithfully , and diligently preached the gospel , that he converted most of the citizens from their idolatry and worship of diana , to the reverend knowledge and confession of our blessed saviour . for which cause , demetrius the silver smith ( who made a great gain by idolatry ) stirred up a great tumult ; so that the gentiles running up and down the city for two hours space , cried out with a loud voice , great is diana of the ephesians , acts . here also paul fought with beasts , cor. . and to this city paul wrote his epistle , and sent it from rome , miles . he made timothy also a bishop of this city , to whom he wrot two epistles ; the first was sent him from laodicea to phrygia , being miles : the second from rome , as i said . by these epistles timothy was greatly comforted , and taught them to his disciples and auditors , that so they might constantly continue and persevere in the christian faith and religion to the end . to conclude , iohn the evangelist came also to ephesus , and wrote his gospel against the heretick cerinthus , who denyed christ to be the true god ; for which cause god grievously punished him , so that he died as he was bathing himself in a bath , irenaeus , lib. . ca. . euseb. li. . c. . this was the first church to which iohn wrote his revelation ; and there , when he returned out of pathmos , he raised his host drusana from death to life . so when he had governed the churches in asia thirty years , after the death of paul he died , when he was ninety one years old , and was honourably buried at ephesus , not far from the city . there was also another iohn that liv'd in ephesus , to whom ( as many think ) the epistles of iohn the evangelist were dedicated , as ierom sheweth in his catalogue of ecclesiastical writers . the sepulchre of this man is shewed , not far from the sepulchre of st. iohn the evangelist , as euseb. witnesseth , lib. . cap. . at this day this city is named figlo ho epheso . see gesner . of pathmos . this is an isle of the aegean sea , scituated betwixt asia minor and grecia , miles from ierusalem north-westward . pli. l. . c. . saith , that it was thirty miles in compass . into this isle the evangelist was banished by domitian nero , where he wrote his revelation . it was one of the cyclad islands , which were fifty three in number that lay round about the island delus , as stra. li. . geog. observes . it stood forty miles from ephesus south-westward , and as petr. apianus saith , was sometimes called posidius , but now , palmosa . of smyrna . this is the second city to which iohn dedicated his revelation . it was scituated in ionia in asia minor , miles from ierusalem north-westward . this was a very fair city , beautified with many goodly buildings , and of good account in grecia . it was at first but a colony , transplanted from another city in that country ; but theseus that great prince being then king thereof , that he might add some grace to that which he had begun , he called it after his wives name smyrna , signifying myrrh . herodot . saith that homer was born here ( but not blind ) and called by the name of melisigines : but after the gumaenians called him ( of his blindness ) homer . strab. li. . geogr. saith , that the inhabitants take upon them to shew his picture standing there , and also a temple built in his honour . during his life he was a man of small or no reputation , or rather contemned than honoured , as herod . saith . but after his death , his works beginning to grow famous , the cities of greece contended who should patronize him . the colophonians claim a part in him , because he was in that town , and there made some of his odysses . they of chios say he belonged to them , because he lived there a long time , and taught school . but for ought that can be found by authors , the smyrnians have most interest in him . nevertheless i leave him to them that please to patronize him , since it is not certainly found where he lived . he lived about years before christ. eusebius saith , hist. eccl. lib. . cap. . that in after-times this city grew very famous , and was so much inlarged that it became a bishops see , whereof polycar●us , a very godly and religious man , was bishop . he governed the church in that place at such time as iohn the evangelist wrote his revelation , and by him , cap. . is called the angel of the church of smyrna . this man , after he had faithfully preached the gospel for the space of years , was by the inhabitants thereof condemned to death for the profession of christ , anno . but the town of smyrna , because of the unthankfulness and cruelty of the inhabitants , was grievously punished ; for within ten years it was cast down by an earth-quake , since which time , it was hardly rebuilt again . the river pactolus , which beginneth in lydia , runneth by this town of smyrna . but the inhabitants , because of the golden veins that are found therein , call it crysorrhoas , plin. lib. . cap. . a little after that , there was such an extreme plague happened in rome , that they were constrained to carry out the dead bodies in carts . thus god turneth the air and the earth to the confusion of those that persecute his church . of pergamus . this was another of the towns whereto iohn wrote his revelation . it was a famous city , and metropolitan of mysia , scituated in asia minor , miles from ierusalem north-westward . it stood upon a high rock close by the river caicus , from whence it was called pergamus . for in ancient times all famous and notable places were called amongst the graecians pergama , as suidas and servius observe . strabo lib. . saith , that in the time of lysimachus the son of agathocles ( who was one of the successours of alexander the great ) it was but a castle ; in which place , because of the strength of it , he usually kept all his treasure , and those things that were of account , and committed the custody of it unto one named philetaerus , an eunuch of tyanus . but this man being accused to lysimacus , that he would have forced his wife arsinoes , for fear of some future punishment because of that offence , moved the inhabitants of that hold to rebellion . at the same time also there happened many commotions in asia , whereby lysimachus was constrained to leave this , and make opposition against seleucus nicanor , who had invaded his dominions ; but in this war lysimachus was slain . and philetaerus , having in his possession great riches , that he might enjoy what he had , was always observant to him that got the victory , by which means he kept himself and his riches for the space of years in that castle ; and then died , and left all his wealth to eumenes , his brothers son , who inlarged his government , and overcame antiochus the son of seleucus . this man , after he had reigned years , died , and attalus his son succeeded him in the government : who having conquered galatia , made a league with the romans , and by them was first called by the name of a king. after him succeeded his son eumenes , the second of that name , who aided the romans against antiochus magnus , king of syria ; for which service the romans gave him all the dominions that antiochus had on this side the alps. this man was the first that enlarged the castle of pergamus , and made it a goodly city , planting round about it a thick wood or grove , and called it nicephorus . and after he had reigned years , he died , and left his kingdom to his son attalus , called philometor . this attalus , after he had done many notable exploits , died without issue , when he had reigned five years , and left his kingdom to the romans , who turned it into a province . there lived in this town many learned men , as galen the physician , who was famous in the time of trajan the emperour , and ( as the fame went ) lived years . of that town also was apollodorus the rhetorician , who was school-master to augustus caesar , of which man the apollodorean sect took name , and dionysius atticus his scholar . here antipas was crowned with the wreath of martyrdom . to the bishop of this town iohn wrote his revelation , and in the second chapter thereof sharply reprehendeth him , because he bore with the sect of the nicholaitans ; which , although it lasted not long , yet it was very dangerous . eusebius saith , that nicholaus , one of the seven deacons for the poor at antiochia , of whom you may read , act. . was the first author of this sect : yet clem. alexand. clears him of it , laying that offence rather on certain idle persons , that misconstruing his words , being given over to vile affections , covered their evils under his name , calling themselves nicholaites , though indeed he had no hand in it , but lived and died honestly . the opinion that this sect held ( as euseb. saith , li. . ca. . and irenaeus , lib. . chap. . ) was , that women were to be common ; that it was lawful to eat meat offered to idols ; that fornication and adultery was no sin : beside many other wicked and perverse opinions concerning the deity , which would be too tedious to recite in this place . you may read more of it in eusebius and tertullian . of thyatira . this was the fourth church to which iohn wrote his revelation : it was scituated close by the river caicus , upon the borders of mysia and lydia , miles from ierusalem north-eastward . it was a very fair city in asia minor , yet subject to the lydians . in this country lidda was born , that dwelt at philippa , and gave entertainment to paul and sylas , act. . philippa was distant from this town miles . it was at first called ( according to the testimony of stephen ) pelopea and semiramis . but after , seleucus nicanor , king of syria , ( making war upon lysimachus king of thrace ) coming to this town , had news that his wife had bore him a daughter ; in honour whereof he would needs have the town called thugateira , which in greek signifies a daughter ; but thyatira , divine reverence . of sardis . to this city also st. iohn wrote his revelation . it was a famous and princely seat , scituated in asia not far from the mountain tmolus , where croesus king of the lydians kept his court , being miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . it was so called ( without doubt ) of sardus the son of hercules , which maketh sardis in the plural number . of this town were those two diodories which were orators . the younger of them did write histories and poems , and was one of strabo's great friends . close by this town is found a precious stone , which after the towns name is called sardis : it is of a fleshly colour , and therefore is commonly called carnalia ; of which you may read more in pliny , lib. . cap. . of philadelphia . saint iohn also wrote his revelation to this city . it was scituated in my●●a ; a country in asia minor ; being miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . this city is so often troubled with earth-quakes , that the inhabitants are many times constrained to dwell in the open fields . upon the east side thereof lies a dry and barren country , which seemeth to be burnt and scorch'd with heat , being miles long , and miles broad ; where there grows no trees , but there are found great plenty of grapes , which being prest yeild very pleasant wine , and may compare with the best of those parts . the superficies of the earth seemeth like ashes , mountainy , stony , and black : many conjecture the cause thereof to be by reason of the great thunders and lightning that they have there ; but there are some which give other reasons for it . it was called philadelphia of attolus philodelphius who first built it . of laodicea . this was the seventh and last city that iohn directed his revelation to . it stood close by the river lycus in caria , a country in asia the less , five hundred and twenty miles from ierusalem towards the north-west ; and is likewise oftentimes troubled with earthquakes , as sardis , magnesia , and philadelphia are . the reason of these often earthquakes is thought to be , because there are vaults and hallow caves under the earth , into which the air ( in the time of heat ) having free entrance , then closeth up again , so that it can find no passage out ; it striveth with continual motion to make way through the earth , by which means the earth trembleth and shaketh : and look how much the deeper these vaults are under the earth , so much the more violent are the earth-quakes ; by which means , cities are oftentimes utterly overthrown and ruined , sometimes the earth sinketh , and ponds and rivers are swallowed up . it was at first called diospolis , that is , the city of iupiter ; then rhoas ; and lastly , it obtained the name of laodicea . and although at the beginning it was but a small town , yet by reason of the fertility of the soile , and pleasant scituation , it of a sudden became a fair city , beautified with many fair and goodly houses , wherein there dwelt many wealthy citizens , so that for their nobility and worthiness it was accounted the most famous town in all asia . here hiero dwelt who divided his inheritance among the citizens , and over and above he gave them two thousand talents of gold , besides many other gifts and gratuities , to adorn and beautifie the city . after him there lived zeno the orator , and polemon his son ; who for his noble acts was first by antonio , and then by augustus caesar , honoured with the dignity of a king , as strabo witnesseth , lib. . this laodicea , colossis , and hierapolis , where the apostle philip was crucified , were sunk by an earth-quake , about the tenth year of nero , and a little before the martyrdom of paul. there were three cities called after this name ; that is , this which stood in caria ( to which paul never came ; as appeareth in the second chapter to the colossians ; ) a second stood in phrigia , where paul wrote his epistle to timothy ; and a third in syria , near to antiochia , seleucia , and apamea . the travels of philip. then a little after the martyrdom of stephen , which hapned in the month of ianuary , thirty and five years after the nativity of christ ) philip , which was one of the seven deacons with stephen , act. . went from ierusalem to samaria , which was thirty and two miles : and in many cities of the samaritans preached the gospel , and did many miracles ; at which time he converted simon magus , act. . from samaria he went to bethzur , which was scituated forty and four miles towards the south : here philip baptised the aethiopian who was queen candaces eunuch . and suddenly he was taken out of sight by the spirit of the lord , and went to azotus , which was miles . from thence preaching in all the cities as he went , he came to caesarea strat● , which was miles . so all his travels were miles . concerning the towns and places mentioned in his travels , you may read of them in several places mentioned before . the travels of the aethiopian which was eunuch to queen candaces , who kept her court in saba . from saba or meroe in aethiopia , this eunuch came to ierusalem , which was about miles , act. . from ierusalem he came to the town of bethzur , which was miles : here he was baptised by philip in the month of ianuary , the next year after the resurrection of christ. from thence he returned to saba in aethiopia , which was miles . so all his travels were miles . of saba . this city is before mentioned : and at this time when the eunuch came to ierusalem , candaces governed it and a great part of aethiopia , tiberius caesar being then emperour of rome . she was a very warlike woman , but blind of one eye , as strabo saith , lib. . and pliny , lib. . cap. . in whose time the city saba was called meroe , and the queens , for many successions , candaces ; because of the worthiness of those queens which had been of that name . this woman was very well beloved of her subjects , and was very gracious towards them , as suidas saith . to this queen the eunuch which philip baptised was chief steward ; and no doubt spread the christian faith in many places of those parts . an introduction to the travels of saint paul. now before i enter upon the travels of the apostle paul , i thought it fit to make a collection of all the countries , islands , and cities , wherein he taught : so that they which are skillful in geometry or cosmography , might discern their longitudes , latitudes , and several distances , according to the degrees and scruples hereafter following . towns in italy .   long. latit . rome . . puteoli . . naples . . capua . . brundusia . . ●egium . . towns in graecia . constantinople . . neapolis . . philippi . . amphipolis . . apollonia mygdoniae . . thessalonica . . athens . . corinthus . . cenchera . . cities in syria . antiochia . . seleucia . . sydon . . tyrus . . ptolomais . . caesarea stratonis . . joppa . . jerusalem . . damascus . . cities in asia minor . thrasia . . attalia . . perga . . a●tiochia pisidiae . . laodicea phrigiae . . lystra . . iconium . . derbe . . calcedon . . nicea . . cities in asia . ilium . . troada . . assus . . pergamus . . philadelphia . . sardis . . ephesus . . thyatira smyrna . . myletus . . halica●●assus . . g●ydus . . ●atara . . mira . . hycropolis . . cities in egypt . alexandria . . memphis alcayre . . hermopolis magna . . islands . ciciliae civitatis siracusa . . malta . . corsica . . creta . . clauda . . salamis . . e●bea . . andros . . samathrocua . . mithilena . . chius . . trogylion . . pathmos . . cous . . rhodus . . raphus cypri . . salamais cypri . . the travels of the holy apostle st. paul , with an exact annotation of the times . pavl was born at tarsus in cicilia , about the tenth year of the nativity of our saviour ; and was near about the age of st. iohn the evangelist , as the circumstances of histories do declare . after he grew to some bigness , he was sent by his parents from thence to ierusalem , being miles ; where he had not been long brought up with gamaliel ( which signifies , the recompence of god ) act. . but he became the disciple of simon the just , luke . act. . this paul was of the tribe of benjamin , phil. . cor. . and being yet but a young man , he was one of those that kept the garments of the holy martyr st. stephen , who was stoned about the end of the four and thirtieth year after the nativity of christ , act. . at which time also st. iohn the evangelist was but four and twenty years of age. if therefore you would observe the age of the apostle paul in this following discourse of his travels , deduct ten from the years after the nativity of our saviour christ , and the remainder is his age. at his circumcision he was called saul , that is , a mortal man : but when he was made the apostle of the gentiles , he was called paul ; of which name there was a noble family in rome , so called because of the lowness of their stature , and smallness of their body ; as carolus sigonius observeth . in the ● year after the nativity of christ , paul was an inquisitor for private heresie , and a cruel persecutor of the gospel . the next year he went from ierusalem to damascus in syria , which was miles ; in which journey ( about the day of ianuary ) he was converted ; and upon the day of ianuary was baptised by ananias . so he stayed some few days in damascus , and taught the gospel of christ , act. . & . in the same year that he was converted , the iews , and those that were enemies to the gospel , went about by deceit to take his life ; wherefore he went from damascus to arabia petraea , which was miles ; here he continued teaching the gospel by the space of three years , that is , from the beginning of the to the end of the year after the nativity of christ , act. . in the year after the nativity of christ he returned from arabia petraea and came to damascus ; which was miles ; and there he diligently taught the gospel of christ. but when in the same year araeta king of arabia went about to put him secretly to death , he was let down in a basket over the wall , and so went from damascus to ierusalem , which was miles : and when he came thither he brought barnabas to the apostles , and shewed them his conversion , and remained with peter fifteen days preaching the gospel . at this time he saw iames the son of alpheus and brother of our lord , acts . cor. . galat. . but when his adversaries that were at ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death , he went from ierusalem and was brought by the brethren to caesarea strato , which was miles , act. . about the year after the nativity of christ he went thence into syria to tarsus , a city of cilicia , which was miles ; here he continued some years teaching the gospel of christ , gal. . . cor. . in the year after the nativity of christ , and about the seventh year of his ministry , he was brought by barnabas from tarsus to antiochia in syria , which was miles . at this time , and in this town , all those that believed in christ began to be called christians , whereas before they were called disciples and brothers , acts . these things hapned in the eighth year after the resurrection of christ ; about this time also matthew wrote his gospel , and agabus prophesied of the universal dearth that should happen under claudius , act. . in the year after the nativity of christ , paul being then at antiochia . and about years of age , was wrap'd up into the third heaven , years before he wrote his second epistle to the corinthians , cor. . in the year after the nativity of christ , the famin whereof agabus prophesied , being now begun , he went with the gifts of the church from antiochia to ierusalem , which was miles : this year iames the elder was beheaded at the command of agrippa , act. . & . in the year after the nativity of christ , paul and barn●bas with peter , were delivered out of prison by the angel of the lord. now having distributed the gifts of the church , he returned in the company of iohn mark , from ierusalem to antiochia , which was miles . so these travels were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of tarsus or tharsus . this was the metropolis of cilicia , scituated upon the river of cydnus , which beginning at mount taurus , runs thence through this town into the mediterranean sea. it was first built by perseus king of the persians , ( whom the poets feign to be the son of iupiter and danae ) and called tharsus , of the hyacinth stone which as it seemeth , is found thereabous . it was distant from ierusalem miles towards the north ; in ancient time a goodly city ; but through the injury of the time , and invasion of the enemy , much impaired , and lay almost ruined , till ( as strabo saith , li. . ) it was repaired by sardanapalus , that effeminate king of the assyrians ; of whom tully remembreth this epitaph , lib. . tuscula : haec habeo quae aedi , quaeque exatura libido . hausit , at illa jacent multa & praeclara relicta . what things i eat or spend in sport and play , those i enjoy ; the rest i cast away . from his time , until the reign of darius , the last king of the persians , it continued in great prosperity , and was become a marvellous stately city , the inhabitants thereof being grown very wealthy : but then alexander the great making war upon that prince , amongst others , brought his army against this city : but the citizens hearing of his notable exploits , durst not abide his coming : therefore they fired the city , lest he should make a prey of their riches , and fled : which when alexander perceived , he gave order to parmenio , with all possible speed to quench the fire , and save the city . in the mean time the king ( being press'd with an extraordinary thirst , by reason of the extream heat that was in that country , the dust , and his long journey ) put off his royal garments , and cast himself into the river cydnus , which being a cold water coming out of the north , struck the heat presently inward , and so benummed his sinews , that had it not been for the present help of his souldiers , and the extraordinary diligence and care of philip his physician , he had died immediately ; notwithstanding , by the great providence of god , and the carefulness of his physician , he recovered his dangerous sickness beyond the expectation of man ; and after overcame darius in a sharp and cruel war , near to a place called issa , as you may read before , see plutarch in vita alexand. and quintus curtius . from that time forward this city grew to be very famous , and daily encreased in stateliness and fair buildings . and to add more dignity to it , there was a famous academy , in which were many learned and rare philosophers ; insomuch , that they of tharsus exceeded the philosophers of athens and alexandria for learning and knowledge , though indeed for number of scholars and common resort they exceeded tharsus . saint paul was born and brought up in this town , and here learned the knowledge of the tongues , philosophy , and other good arts. he also perused the writings of aratus , epimenides , menander , and other learned men , whose sayings are here and there dispersed through his epistles . from thence he was sent to ierusalem , where he lived and was brought up at the feet of gamaliel , who was provost of that academy ; and after , was converted to be an apostle of christ jesus , as appeareth acts . this town at this day is subject to the empire of the turks , and called by the name of terassa ; being neither so famous nor so fair a city , as in the time when the roman empire flourished ; for then , because of the extraordinary vertue of the citizens , it was indowed with the liberty and freedom of rome . of damascus . this was a metropolitan town in syria , distant from ierusalem miles towards the north-east ; being an ancient and fair city , and , before such time as antiochia was built , the head of all that kingdom . it was scituated in a fair and fruitful place , close by the mountain libanus , which bringeth forth frankincense , ceders , cypress , and many odoriferous and sweet smelling flowers . there were many kings that kept their court in it , as hadad , benhadad the first , benhadad the second , hasael , and others , who grievously opposed the kings of israel in many sharp and cruel wars , as you may read before . the land round about it aboundeth with white and red roses , pomgranates , almonds , figs , and other sweet and pleasant fruits . in that place the alablaster stone is found , very fair and clear . the air , pleasant and healthful . the river called chrysorrus runneth close by it , in which there is found golden veins which yielded perfect gold. the houses without are not very curious , but within all of polished marble and alablaster , guilt with resplendent gold so artificially , that it dazleth the beholders eyes . there was a certain florentine who revolted from the christian faith , and obtained to be chief governour of this town ; in which he erected a strong and beautiful castle , which stood for the defence of it . no man can sufficiently express the beauty and glory of this city : there is great traffique , and much resort of people to it , but especially of turks , saracens , mamalucks , and other kinds of pagan people , who are preferred before the christians in that government : and although there are many christians in that place , yet they are constrained to endure great injury by those barbarians , because they are hated even unto the death : and if any of them chance to die , they are buried in that place where paul was converted . the inhabitants shew the place where st. paul was let down over the wall in a basket ; also the house of ananias who cured the blindness of paul , besides many other things that are memorable in that city , of which you may read in sebestian munster , sebastian frankus , plin. lib. . and many other authors . of arabia . many things are already spoken concerning this country , as the division of the place ; one called petraea , the other deserta , and the third foelix . arabia petraea is so called from the metropolitan city thereof , called petra , which is scituated forty miles from ierusalem towards the south , and bordereth upon egypt and india . it is also called arabia nabathea , as you may read before . paran and sur are a part of it , compassing towards the east the land of iudaea , and so extendeth to damascus . this country is very full of rocks and stones , the chief city petra being scituated upon a rock , of which it taketh the name . here standeth the mountains horeb and sinai ; here the children of israel travelled when they went out of egypt ; here is the sardonix stone found ; and the people of this country in times past were great prophets and astrologians ; here also st. paul taught the gospel a little after his conversion , gal. . at which time aretas was king thereof , whose sister was married to herod the tetrarch of galilee and petraea ; but he cast her off , and married herodias his brother philips wife , upon which there began a bloody war between aretas and herod , and a sharp battel was fought near to gamala a city beyond iordan . and although the two kings were not at this battel , yet by the treason and flight of the souldiers out of tracones , ( who without all question would have revenged the contempt done unto their lord philip ) the arabian army carried away a notable victory , as iosephus witnesseth , lib. antiq . . cap. . aretas signifieth , an excellent man ; which was a common name to the kings of arabia . it is to be thought , that damascus and all the country round about was under the jurisdiction of this king ; and that he ordained a lieutenant or general in those parts , who would have taken paul and put him to death , acts . col. . the other part of arabia is called by ptolomy , deserta , ; but strabo calls it , scenilis , because the inhabitants thereof are without buildings or tents , and live like vagrants up and down the woods . this is compass'd in upon the south with certain mountains of arabia foelix ; towards the north , it borders upon mesopotamia ; and towards the west , upon petraea . the third is called arabia foelix , because of the fertility thereof ; for they have there every year two harvests , as they have in india , as strabo observeth . see plin. lib. . cap. . of antiochia . you may read of this town before . it is said , that luke the evangelist was born here . this man was by profession a physician , col. . and an inseparable companion to paul in all his travels : he was of the number of the seventy disciples , as epiphanius observeth . tertullian saith in his fourth book against marcion , that luke received his gospel from the mouth of paul : he lived till he was years old , and then died , and lies buried at constantinople , as st. ierom saith ; for his bones were removed out of achaia thither . the second travels of the apostle paul , in the company of barnabas . in the eleventh year after the nativity of christ , and in the four and fortieth year of paul , he and barnabas was sent by the holy spirit from antiochia in syria to seleucia , which was four and twenty miles . from seleucia they sailed to salamais in cyprus , which was miles , act. . from thence they went to paphos , which is in the same isle where sergius paulur was converted , and elymas the magician , who professing himself to be the messias and son of god , was struck with blindness , act. . this journey was miles . they loosing from paphos , went by sea and land ( the same year ) to pergamus a city of pamphilia , scituated in asia minor , which was miles . in the year after the nativity of christ , they went from pergamus to antiochia in pisidia , which was miles . from thence they went to iconia , which was miles ; here they stayed some time and converted many , act. . & . in the year after the nativity of christ , there being a great tumult raised in that country , lest the inhabitants should have stoned them , they fled thence to lystra a city of lycaonia , where paul healed the lame man , which was twenty eight miles . the inhabitants seeing this miracle , worshipped them for gods , and called barnabas , iupiter ; and paul , mercurius ; because he wrought the miracle . but not long after , certain iews coming from antiochia and iconia , arrived in listra , by whose perswasion the people stoned paul ; and supposing him to be dead , carried him out of the city : but when his disciples came unto him , he rose up and went into the town , act. . the next day they went to derbe , a city of lyaconia , which was miles . from thence they returned back again to lystra in the same year ; which was miles . from iconia they came to atiochia in pisidia , which was miles : in this city they comforted the disciples , exhorting them that they should persevere in their faith , for through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of heaven . they also elected elders in the churches , so with fasting and prayers they commended them to the lord in whom they believed . in the year after christ , they went from antiochia thorough all pi●idia and came to pergamus a city in pamphilia , which was miles : here they preached the word of the lord , act. . from pergamus , in the following year , they went down to the city of attalia , which was miles . in the year after the nativity of christ , they loosed thence and went to antiochia in syria ; which was miles , here they assembled the church and shewed what wonderful things the lord had wrought by them , and how he had opened the door of faith unto the gentiles : in this place they stayed a great space , acts. . in the year following they went from antiochia to ierusalem ( which was miles ) to the apostolical council , which was celebrated in that city , anno dom. . and as they went they passed through phoenicia and samaria , and there declared the estate of the church among the gentiles , acts. . from ierusalem they ( with s●las and iudas , sirnamed barsabas ) went again to antiochia in syria , which was miles : here paul opposed peter for preaching unto the gentiles , gal. . so these travels of paul were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of cyprus . because you may read of seleucia before , i therefore willingly omit it , that i might speak more fully of cyprus . this is a fair and spacious isle , scituated in the mediterranean sea in the gulph of issa , bordering upon cilicia and syria , distant miles from ierusalem towards the north , as strabo saith , lib. . it is in compass miles , very fertile , powerful and spacious for an island . there inhabited in it in times past nine kings , and ( as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . ) called macaria , or one of the happy islands ; the inhabitants were given much unto luxury and venery ; from whence it happened , that venus was greatly honoured amongst them . it is said that there are many precious stones found in it , besides crystal , allum , and cypress wood , which abounds in that place , from which it seemeth the island was called cyprus . there are also found many simples that are physical , much sack comes thence , and many other things necessary for the life of man. here also standeth the mountain olympus , whose top seemeth to touch the heavens , from whence it taketh the name because there never lies any clouds upon it . lucan . lib . there are four mountains of this name ; the one lieth between macedon and thessaly ; the other in cyprus , the third amongst the mysians , at the foot whereof hanibal built prusa ; and the fourth in aethiopia , upon the east side of heliopolis . there are many cities in this country , as macaria , cyprus or gyrhea , after called paphos , and now baffa ( in which there standeth such a famous temple , that venus of that is called cypriae and cytherea ) nicosia , and salamus now called famagusta . there have been many and cruel sharp wars between the venetians and turks concerning this country , but at this day it is under the jurisdiction of the turks ; from whence they fetch great abundance of pitch and rosin for their ships and cables . of salamais . salamais , salamin , or salamania , was one of the principal cities of cyprus , and was distant from ierusalem miles towards the north ; built by tucer the son of telamon , and scituated in the eubean sea just against athens . the occasion why this town was built , happened by reason of a discontent that grew betwen tucer and his father telamon : for tucer returning from troy ( not having revenged the death of his mother ajax ) so much incensed his father , that he banished him his country ; whereupon teucer sailed thence to cyprus , where he built this city , and because of the extraordinary affection that he bore to the country where he was born , called it by the name of salamena , or salamais . saint ierom saith , that there is a river of extraordinary hot water that runneth through a great part of this country ; and that it was once overcome by the iews , and utterly ruined and destroyed ; but after re-peopled and called by the name of constantia . this town at this day is called by the name of famagusta , and was taken ( with the whole island of cyprus ) , by mustapha , chief captain to selimus the second emperour of the turks , an. dom. . solon , that notable and famous philosopher was born in this town . and paul and barnabas sailed out of syria and lived in this town , act. . of paphos . this city is scituated upon the shore of cyprus , miles from ierusalem towards the north , and seemeth to take the name from paphos the son of pigmalion the artificer . in this town there stood a notable temple , built by that pigmalion in the honour of venus ; for that ( as it seemeth by the poets ) he was much given to women . here elimas that wicked magician , who ( as some will have it ) called himself the son of iesus ; as others , the son of iehovah , dwelt , whom the lord by the hand of paul struck with blindness . here also sergius paulu● the pro-consul was converted . it was in times past a goodly fair city , as the ruines thereof testifie to this day ; but now it is destroyed and almost desolate . there ( as it is for the most part through that island ) the air is impure and unwholsom , and the ruines of many goodly churches and buildings are to be seen ; also the walls of a strong , and almost impregnable tower , scituated upon a hill in the middle of the city ; and as may be thought , was sometime the habitat●on of sergius paulus . there is also shewn under a certain church ( which in ancient times belonged unto the brothers of the minores ) a certain prison divided into seven rooms , where paul and barnabas were imprisoned for preaching the gospel . here also under another church is found a spring of very wholsome water , which is a present remedy for the ague and fever . here also is excellent wine . of perga . perga was a city of pamphilia , from whence diana is called pergea , because there was a notable temple in that town which was dedicated to her . it is scituated in asia the less , near to cheractus , as ptolomais saith , but as strabo saith , close by cestria a fair and goodly river miles from ierusalem towards the north. the country wherein this standeth is full of mountains , extending from the mountain taurus ( which beginneth in this place , abounding with vines , olives , and other fruits ) unto the sea. there are many fair and fruitful pastures in it , and many goodly and beautiful cities ; as aspendius , phaselis , and this perga , besides many others , needless to be named . there was usually every year a great feast kept here in honour of diana ; but paul and barnabas coming to this town , converted most of the inhabitants to the knowledge of god and of his son christ jesus , acts . of antiochia in pisidia . this was the chief city in pisidia , scituated in asia minor , miles from ierusalem towards the north. st. paul converted a great multitude in this town to the faith of christ. of iconium . iconium was one of the metropolitan cities of lycaonia , as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . scituated not far from the bowing of mount taurus in asia the less , as strabo saith , lib. . miles from ierusalem towards the north. in this city paul and barnabas continued a long time , and did many miracles , by which means a great multitude of the inhabitants were converted to the christian faith , act. . . it is to this day a fair city , and under the government of the turks , who won it from the princes of caramanian . about years before , there was a great battel ●ought close by this town , between the saracens and the army of the emperour of conradus the third , in which the christians lost the day . of lystra . this is a city in lycaonia scituated in asia the less , miles from ierusalem towards the north. in this town timothy was born , act. . tim. . in this city paul healed the cripple , and was stoned , act. . cor. . of darbe . this also was a city in lycaonia scituated in asia the less , miles from ierusalem towards the north , where paul and barnabas preached the gospel , act. . of attalia . attalia was a haven town of pamphilia , built by attalus philadephus king of pergamus , after whose name it was so called , as strato observeth , lib. . being distant from ierusalem miles towards the north. paul and barnabas sailed out of syria into this town . at this day it is called catalia . the third travels of paul , in the company of sylas . in the fifth year after the ascension of christ , paul took unto him sylas , and going through syria and cilicia , came to darbe , which is miles , and there established the churches , act. . . from darbe they went to lystra , forty eight miles , where paul circumcised timothy , act. . in the one and fiftieth year after christ , they went from lystra , and so travelled through galatia , phrygia , and being hindred by the spirit that they could not preach in bythinia , they went thorough mysia , and so came to troas ; where , by a vision that paul saw in the night , he was admonished to go into macedonia , act. . so this journey between lycia and troas , was miles . loosing from troas , they sailed with a direct course to samothracia miles . from thence they sailed to neapolis , ninety two miles . from thence they went to philippos in macedonia , twenty four miles ; act. . here lydda , the seller of purple was converted , and paul dispossessed of a devil : and then he and scylas being scourged were cast into prison ; paul being then about forty one years of age , act. . from philippos they went to amphipolis , about miles , act. . from thence they went to apollonia , forty four miles . from apollonia they went to thessalonica , where the iews stirred up a tumult : eighty miles . wherefore they went thence by night , and came to berrhaea sixty miles : here also the iews stirred up a tumult , act. . these things happened in the summer season , an. dom. . from berrhaea paul was brought by the brethren to the sea , where entring into a ship he went to athens which was miles ; where he converted dionysius the areopagite . from this town he wrote both his epistles to the thessalonians , as the subscription witnesseth , and sent them to thessalonica . these were the first epistles that paul wrote . afterward he went from athens and came to corinthia , seventy four miles : he came thither about the beginning of august , an. dom. . and continued there a whole year and six months , preaching the gospel , and making tents with aquila the iew , who was of that trade , act. . from corinthia , about the spring , an. dom. . he went to cenchraea with aquila and priscilla , miles . there , for devotions sake , he polled his head. from cenchraea , he sailed in the company of aquila and priseilla to ephesus , about miles . here he left them , act. . from ephesus he sailed to caesarea strato in iudaea , being miles . from caesarea he went to ierusalem , miles , and saluted the church . from the city of ierusalem paul went to antiochia in syria miles . so all these travels were . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of cilicia . because you may read of syria before , i will omit it , and proceed to speak of cilicia . this was a country in asia the less , so called ( as some would have it ) from cilix the kings son of phoenicia ; compassed in upon the east with the mountain amanus ; upon the north with the mountain taurus ; upon the west by pamphilia ; and upon the south by the mediterranean sea. at this day it is called caramania , and is distant from ierusalem miles towards the north , in times past it was divided into two parts , that is , into cilicia the higher and the lower : cilicia the higher aboundeth with mountains , the lower is a plain champian country very fertile and pleasant . the principal cities thereof are tarsus , where the apostle paul was born , and where the river cydnus runs through the midst of it ; issus , where alexander overcame darius , last emperour of the persians ; anazarba , where dioscorides , that excellent physician was born , who was of great estimation with antonius and cleopatra . there are six books yet extant of his profitable and necessary labours in that science . from hence may be gathered , that the scituation is strong and pleasant ; in regard it is fortified on every side with mountains , but principally with the mountain taurus ( famous for the fertility of it , and the passage of alexander with his army , who at the time he conquered darius , went through the streight passages thereof , being both dangerous and difficult ) and watered with many rivers that take their beginning from that mountain , and so passeth southward through all cilicia , falling then into the mediterranean sea. of galatia . galatia , or gallo-graecia , is a country of asia minor , distant from ierusalem miles ; having upon the hast cappadocia , upon the south pamphilia , upon the west byth●ia , and on the north the euxine sea. the cities of this country were anciently sinopis , where king mithridates kept his court and diogenes the cynick was born ; amisus , also pessinus , where the mother of the gods was had in great honour , and was fetch'd thence by the romans . this was a famous mart town as ( livy saith li . ) laodicea , tavius , and ancyra , where there was held a notable synod : and in this large and spacious country also stood antiochia pisidia ; for the galatians dwelt in all paphlagonia , a part of licaonia , pisidia and isauria ; in which countries the apostle paul taught the gospel of christ. these inhabitants ( which in those daies were called galatians ) are said to be a people of france , who joyning themselves to the cy●brians , danes and germans , under the conduct of brennus their captain , invaded italy ; in which enterprise they were so fortunate that they conquered a great part of it , wherein they planted colonies : and because of their nearness to their own country , in process of time grew mighty ; and from that beginning , the country where they inhabited was called cice-alpine-gallia ; taking that name partly of the place , partly of the people . after , brennus and his army making use of their fortunes , sorraged all italy and came to rome , which they won and sack'd , all but the capitol , and that also was in great danger , until such time as camillus ( a valiant roman captain ) taking advantage of the enemies security ( who now took more care how to satisfie their covetousness than to defend what they had got ) of a sudden set upon them ; by which unexpected invasion they were put to a marvellous straight , and the besieged greatly incouraged ; so that they also issuing out of the capitol , made such a slaughter , that they forced brennus and his army to retire , and to restore all the pillage that he had got , and also forsake the country . this misfortune they bore patiently , considering their former prosperity , and in hope of better success , ●ailed thence into grecia : where , after they had attempted many noble exploits , and failing in some , they determined a voyage for delphos , because there was great store of treasure , and the inhabitants ( as they supposed ) weak to oppose their army . in this expedition they used much pillage and robbing upon the seas ; and through many dangers came at length to this isle , landed their men , won the city , fired a great part of it , and put many of the inhabitants to the sword : with this victory , most of his army which were more religious than the rest , would have willingly left the country ; but brennus , who before-times had been used to sacriledge , and those that were as covetous as himself , thought it baseness through an opinion of holiness to leave so great a booty behind them as was contained in the temple of a●ollo , ( for that place of all the temples of the world in those times was notorious for riches and treasure ) the many and great gratuities and offerings of most princes , which were both magnificent and rich , being hoarded up in the secret caves of this oracle ) wherefore they attempted the assault , but with bad success , for the devil raised such a tempest , with thundring , lightning , and other strange and uncouth accidents , that brennus in this distemperature of the air , was * slain , many of his ships were set on fire , and the greatest part of his army lost , being either spoiled with lightning , slain by the inhabitants , or dispersed with fear : such event had this sacrilegious attempt . those that remained , after they had gathered themselves into a body , went thence into asia the less , and planted themselves in this country ; where the inhabitants , in process of time called them gall●-graecians , adding their original name to that of the country wherein they lived : and after , for beauties sake , they were called galatians , see liv. lib. . diodorus siculus , lib. . saith , that the inhabitants of galatia were so called of this people , in the time that gideon judged israel , and that cyrus was emperour of persia ; both may be true , considering the mutability and change of states in those times . some think they were first called galatians by attalus king of pergamus , ( who gave them a great overthrow close by the river halym ) because they originally were of gallia , and continued sometime in graecia , and after came into asia ; so he joyning these two names into one , called them gallo-gracian or gallatians . this history is diversly reported by divers authors ; but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in asia , where their posterity continued to this day . in times past it was a very warlike and generous nation , and in their expedition performed many noble exploits , attaining to eminence only by their sword ; for which cause , many princes near them were beholding unto them for their aid : but withal , cruel and barbarous , insomuch as they oftentimes eat their captives , or offered them to their gods ; and thus they continued for the space of years , till paul coming into that country , preached the gospel amongst them , and converted them from this barbarism to the christian faith : he sent an epistle to this people from rome , being miles . they in those times held all paphlagonia , a part of phrygia , cappadocia , and of all the neighbouring countries thereabouts , which after their names was called gallo-graecia or galatia : such a mighty nation was this grown in a short time , at first being a people shut out of their own country for want of a place to inhabit in , as you may read more at large in the fifth book of livie , whose authority i have princippally followed herein . of phrygia . phryga is as much as to say , a dry and sandy country , scituated in asia the less , between galatia and mysia , miles from ierusalem north-westward . it is divided into two parts , the greater and the less : in the greater phrygia stood smyrna ; in the less dardania , so called of dardanus who first built it : in which town there reigned many wealthy and mighty princes as ericthoin● , tros , of whom it was called troy , ilus of whom it was called ilion , laomedon who was the father of priamus the last king thereof ; for in his time it was destroyed by the grecians . of which desolation i will not speak because it is commonly known . it lay wast so long ( although it had been a fair and goodly city , the like not in the world ) that the place where it stood was become like a plain field , only here and there some heaps of old ruines , to shew that there had been a city in that place . and as virgil said , iam seges est ubi troja fuit , corn now grows where troy stood . a long time after there were a certain people that called themselves trojans , who rebuilt it , but not in the same place , and in it erected a goodly temple in honour of the goddess pallas to the which temple , alexander the great ( after he had conquered darius king of persia close by the river granicus , which took beg●nning in a mountain not far from troy ) went , and with singular gladness and great solemnity , offered many rich and goodly presents , enlarged the town , and greatly adorned . but after he had ended the persian war , and conquered almost all the known world , he sent very kind and loving letters to these new trojans , promising not only to inlarge the town , and indow it with many priviledges and revenues but also to build up a fair and sumptuous temple there , as strabo lib. . saith : all which was done for the love he bore to homers iliads . wherefore look what alexander had promised , lysimacus ( one of his chief princes , and king of thrace ) after his death performed ; for he returned to troy , enlarged the city , beautified it with goodly buildings , set up a stately temple , and then compass'd it about with strong walls . after this sort it continued a long time , untill fimbria a questor of the romans ( when he had slain vallerius flaccus the consul , with whom he was sent , against mithridates king of pontus ) besieged it and within ten days space won it ; making his vaunts , that he conquered that city in ten days , which agamemnon could scarce do in ten years ; to which one of the inhabitants of the city answered , that then troy had a hector , but now it had none . but for this he cruelly wasted the city . this destruction happened in the year before christ : thus it lay desolate till caesar's time , who caused it again to be re-edified and beautified with many fair and goodly buildings , because the romans , and especially those noble families of the iulii and caesars do derive their progeny from the trojans : for which cause , augustus used such diligence in the rebuilding of this city , and bestowed such infinite cost , that he much exceeded alexander , and made it a fair and goodly city . at this day it is called ilium . but in the place of old troy there is little to be seen , only a small town , as strabo saith . it is distant from ierusalem miles , north-westward . of bythinia . this country is opposite to constantinople , scituated in asia minor , distant from ierusalem north-westward , and so called of bythinus the son of iupiter and thrax . it was sometime called pontus , bebrycia , and mygdonia , as stephanus saith . in this country the apostle paul could not preach the gospel of christ when he went into macedonia and graecia , because he was hindred by the spirit , act. . the principal cities thereof were calcidon , heraclea , nicea , nicodemia , apamea , flaviopolis , libissa ( where hannibal lieth buried ) and prusa , now called brysa , where in times past the enperours of turky kept their courts , and were buried . the mother and metropolis of all these cities was nicea , or rather nicaea , being distant from ierusalem miles towards the north-west ; at the first called antigonia , of antigonus the son of philip king of asia , who built it after the death of alexander the great . but lysimacus called it nicaea , after his wifes name , and at this day it is called nissa . the compass thereof is two miles , being four square , scituated ( as strabo saith , lib. . ) in a fair and pleasant place , lying close by the pool of ascania , and hath in it four gates standing in a direct line ; all which gates might easily have been seen from a certain stone which stood in the middle of the market-place . in this city the most christian emperour constantine the great celebrated a councel , anno dom. . at which time there were present bishops , who condemned the arrian heresie , and instituted the nicene creed . but after that , viz. anno dom. . the arrians endeavouring to hold a second councel in this city , to confirm their opinions , and to dissolve that which went before , the lord hindred them with an earth-quake , by which almost half the city was thrown down . not long after , there happened another earth-quake which utterly destroyed it : notwithstanding it was rebuilt again , and in it a second councel held , wherein the nicene creed was condemned . there were many cities of this name ; that before spoken of , another in thrace , a third in france , not far from the river varus , a fourth ( as stephans saith ) is amongst the lorrenses in graecia , a fifth in illeria , a sixth in india , a seventh in corsica , and the eighth in leuctris of boetia . of mysia . this is a country of asia the less , bordering upon hellespont and troada ; being divided into two parts , that is , the greater and the less . that part that bordereth upon troada , is distant from ierusalem miles north-westward : but that which is called mysia the less , and bordering upon lydia , is miles from ierusalem north-westward . in this country stood pergam , to which iohn wrote his revelation ; scepsis where one neleus kept the books of aristotle till apollonius time ; also antandrus , adramitium , tranoiapolis , and a●ollonia , which stood close by the river thyndaeus . the inhabitants were men of a base condition , and contemned of the world , insomuch as they became a proverb , as often as a man would denote a thing of no estimation , they would say vi●imum esse myliorum , that is , it is worse than the mysians , as it appeareth in cicero's oration for flaccus yet notwithstanding , paul and iohn the evangelist preached the doctrine and light of the gospel to this poor and despised people , so that the mysians , which were a contemptable and abominable nation before all the world , were not so before god , for they were converted at the preaching of iohn and paul. from whence he saith , not many wise according to the flesh , not many mighty , not many noble ; but god hath chosen the foolish things of this world , that they might confute and overthrow the wise , &c. . cor. . intimes past they were a great people , though of small estimation , for they had under their jurisdiction , lydia , caria , pergamus , thyatira , sardis , philadelphia , and laodicea ; to many of which iohn wrote his revelation . also ( as herodotus saith , lib. . ) the mysians and teucrians , before the trojan war , past into europe , and there won and held thracia , macedonia , and all the land of the adriatick sea &c. of troas . this city troas , where paul raised eutichus ( which signifies happy or fortunate ) from death to life , act. . stood upon the sea of hellespont in asia the less , miles from ierusalem north-westward . antigonus king of asia called it troas , because it was in the country where troy was . but after the death of alexander he called it after his own name antigonia : and the better to honour it , kept his court there . but lysimachus king of thrace having got this city into his jurisdiction , bestowed great cost upon it , and set up many fair and goodly buildings , then called it after alexander's name , alexandria , and so it began to be called alexandria troas , plin. lib. . strabo lib. . ier. de locis hebraicis : now it was called alexandria troas , to put a difference between it and divers other cities of that name , for there was an alexandria in aegypt , another in india , and many others elsewhere ; but only this in the country where troy stood . it was scituated in a high and spacious mountain , about a mile and a half from the shore of propontus towards the east , between which and troas is twenty eight miles . it is a thing worthy observation , to consider by what divers names the sea that lies between europe and asia the less is called , for between constantinople and calcidonia , close by the euxine sea it is called thrascius bosphorus , in which place it is not above half a mile broad : here xerxes , when he invaded graecia , built up a bridge for his army to pass over . there is also another streight and narrow place in this sea , which is called by the name of cimmeriu bosphorius these two bosphori are so called ( as some authors hold ) because a bull when he loweth may be heard from the one side to the other : but pliny seemeth to derive the name from io , that fair maid which iupiter turned into a cow , who swam over this sea , and of her was called bosphorus , lib. . cap. . it is also called pro●ontus , because it lieth just before the euxine sea ; and hellespont from helle the daughter of athamantis king of thebes who was drowned therein ; then running thence it falleth into a gulph of the mediterranean ocean , and there it is called the aegean sea , of aegeus king of athens , who drowned himself therein for the supposed loss of his son theseus . in this sea were scituate the isles of pathmos , mytelene , samothrace , chius , lesbus , and many other isles , as you may read in the travels of st. paul. of samothracia , or samothrace . samothracia is an isle of the aegean sea , scituated between troades and thracia , eight hundred and eighty miles from ierusalem towards the north-west , close to that part of thracia where hebrus falleth into the sea ; sometimes called dardani● of dardanus king of troy , who when he had slain his brother iacius , and taken from him the palladiam , he came first into samothracia , and then into asia , where he first laid the foundation of the city called troy , and of that kingdom . and although this isle at that time was called dardania , yet because of the nearness that it had to thrace , and the altitude of the rock whereon it stood , it soon changed the name : and then especially , when the people called samos came thither to inhabit , who after their own name called it samothracia . it stood upon such a lofty place , that from thence all the countries round about might easily be seen . arsinoe queen of thrace was banished by ptolomeus her brother , into this island , who after put to death all her children , and usurp'd upon the kingdom of thrace : a cruel part in a brother . virg. lib. aeneid . . makes mention of this island , saying , terciamque samum quae nunc samothracia fertur and samian-troy , which now adays is samothracia call'd . strabo also writeth of it , li. . and in act. . it is said , st. paul sailed from troadis to samothracia , and so went thence into thracia and came to the city of neapolis . of neapolis . this neapolis to which paul went , was a city of thrace not far from macedonia , miles from ierusalem north-westward , called also of some caurus . there are many other cities of this name ; one in iudea , where sichem and sicha● stood ; another in caria , a third in africa , a fourth in pannonia ; but above all , that which stands in campania is most remarkable , being the chief city of the neapolitan kingdom . of philippa . this city in times past was called crenides , because of the veins of gold that were found close by it . but after , philip king of macedon , father of alexander the great , caused it in the year before christ , to be re-edefied and inlarged , and then after his own name called it philippos . it was scituated in grecia close by the river stridon , miles from ierusalem toward the north-west , and indowed with many priviledges . in those times the gold was so much increased in this place , that the revenue thereof was worth to this king more than a thousand talents , which at l. the talent , amounteth to forty five millions of pounds yearly . by the which means king philip grew so rich , that he caused his gold to be coined , and called it after his own name , philippian gold. to this place paul came , and did many miracles , taught the gospel , and converted many . from hence he wrote his second epistle to the corinthians , and sent it to corinth ; even miles . he also wrote an epistle from rome to the christians of this town , and sent it them by the hand of epaphroditus , even miles . it was afterward a colony of the romans . of amphipolis . this was a city of macedonia , compassed about with the river strymon , from whence it took the name ; and was distant from ierusalem miles towards the north-west . here also the apostle paul was , act. . of appollonia . this was a city of mygdonia , scituated not far from thessalonica towards the west , close by the river echedorus , miles from ierusalem towards the north-west : being so called from appollines , which signifies , the sun : it stood twenty miles from thessalonica . there are many other cities of this name ; one scituate in grecia , close by the adriatick sea ; another among islands of thrace ; a third in crete , on this side the river ister ; a fourth in syria ; and a fifth in africa amongst the cyrenes . of thessalonia or thessalonica . this was a city of macedon , in ancient times called halia , because it stood upon the sea ; after called therma , of the hot baths that were in it ; and lastly , thessalonica , of philip the son of amintas king of the macedonians , who gave it that name either of the great victory that he had against the thessalonians , or else after the name of his daughter called thessalonica who was the mother of cassandrus . it stood close by the thermaick gulph , not far from the mouth of the river echedorus miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . the apostle paul taught publickly in this city , and there converted a great multitude of people , act. . he also wrote two epistles to the inhabitants thereof , and sent them from athens , being miles distant . in the time of theodosius , the first emperour of rome , there hapened , by reason of some discontent , a grievous sedition amongst the thessalonians ; in which stir , some of his captains and governours were slain . wherefore the emperour ( having intelligence of what had hapened ) sent an army against the city , with authority to put to death a certain number of those who had rebelled : whence it happened that the city was fill'd with many unjust slaughters ; for the souldiers respecting more their private profit than the equity of the cause , spared neither innocent nor nocent , young nor old ; so that as well the ▪ inhabitants as strangers that resorted thither did partake of this misery , and suffered like punishment as did they which were the first authors of this rebellion . but because the emperour was consenting unto these evils , ambrose bishop of millain would not suffer him without publick repentance to come to the sacrament of the lords supper : wherefore in a publick assembly he acknowledged his offence with great contrition , theodor. li. . ca. . & soz. li. . ca. . this town was afterward purchased by the venetians , of andronicus palaeologus son of emanuel emperour of constantinople ; who held it a long time , until amurath emperour of the turks won it from them , and exercised grievous cruelty upon the inhabitants . at this day it is a fair and goodly city , wherein is to be seen churches , and is inhabited both by christians , iews , and turks , as sebastian munster saith : but the greatest number is iews , who are partly merchants , partly of other trades ; their number in this place ( as it is said by some of their own nation ) is , and they have synagogues ; but they are constrained to wear yellow wreaths about their heads , the christians blew , and the turks white . there are many iews also in constantinople and adrianople ; but in no place more than in this town , which is now called salonica . of berraea . this is a city of macedon , scituated upon the river of halakmon , miles from ierusalem north-westward . in this city the iews stirred up a great tumult and sedition against the apostle paul , act. . at this day it is called voria . of athens . this was the most famous city of all grecia , the mother of arts , and a bountiful nourisher of large and mighty colonies , in that part of achaia called acte or attica . it was scituated upon the shore of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem westward . it took name from a divine knowledg ; for the word is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the mind of god. it was first built by cecrops , five years before moses fled out of egypt into the land of the midianites , and of him called cecropia . this cecrops was the first king thereof , and there succeeded him at least , both famous and worthy princes . but after it was called mopsonia , of mopsus king of thessaly : and after ionia , which name it held for a while : and lastly athens , dedicated to pallas ( which goddess the grecians say was born of the brain of iupiter ) which name it held a long time after . there lived in this city solon , socrates plato , aristotle , demosthenes , and many other excellent philosophers . it was scituated upon a fair and strong rock , beautified with many goodly temples and buildings ; but principally that of minerva was most sumptuous , in which there hung a great number of lamps , which gave a continual light. there was also the monastery of the holy virgins , and the image of pallas made all of white ivory very curious and costly . there were many schools , colledges , and pleasant gardens in which philosophers used to walk , and it abounded with sweet and delectable musick , and with great resort of merchants and scholars . to conclude , in those times it was the most notable city in the world. moreover , there were many profitable havens for the receit of ships , but that which was called piraeum exceeded , being capable to receive † forty ships ; beautified with many goodly buildings , in compass two miles , fortified with seven walls , and joyning to the city ( whereof terence writeth , eunuch . act. . scen. . ) at this day it is called porto lini , fortified with two walls four miles in length , extending to the hill munichya , the sirname of diana ( being compassed in the figure of a chersoness , and so joyned to the city of athens . in which distance there are two other havens besides that of piraeum . in this iupiter had a magnificent temple , and in it were found many artificial tables , pictures , and graven images , all which are at this day destroyed and carried away . it hath been three times destroyed ; first by xerxes and mardonius , which happened in the year before christ . then by lysander , who broke down a hundred paces of the wall , and almost utterly destroyed their ships , and broke down the haven of peraea . it was also ●ore oppressed by the romans , as they also brake down their haven and burnt their ships , but spared the town , and held it in great estimation . but was the third time overthrown and utterly destroyed by the turks , who both changed the place and name of the city , after it had flourished years . at this day it is divided into three parts , and called by the name of sethina , because of the variety of the inhabitants that live in it , being very well peopled , and a fair and spatious city , but much altered from that it was in times past . for although before it was the very mother of eloquence , and glory of a●tica , yet at this day it is so much altered , that their language is base , and their glory is eclipsed . the uppermost part of the city , where formerly the temple stood , dedicated to the unknown god , is now wholly and absolutely in the hands of the turks , in which they have built a strong and almost invincible castle , which hath the command of the rest of the town . the second and middle part of the town is all inhabited by christians . in the third there standeth a fair and goodly palace , supported with marble pillars , and adorned with goodly works . in this part of the city there inhabiteth people of divers sects and conditions . and here also is the seat of a metropolitan , who hath under him many bishops . so that god doth support and maintain his church even amongst the enemies thereof ; for there are four patriarchs in turk● to which all the other christian metropolitans and bishops are subject ; viz. the patriarch of alexandria , constantinople , antiochia , and ierusalem . paul was the first man that preached the gospel of christ in this city , and converted many citizens , but especially dionysius the areopagite , who dwelt upon a promontory without the city , and as it seems , was one of the principal judges and governours of the town ; for after he had taught publickly in the town , and had disputed against the iews and philosophers concerning christ , they supposing him to be a busie fellow , and one worthy of death , as a disturber of the common peace , brought him before this dionysius , that so by his judgment he might receive condign punishment for his offence . but st. paul so well behaved himself , and preached with such admirable eloquence and learning , that he not only confuted his enemies , but among others converted this dionysius areopagitus , who was afterwards the first bishop of athens ( as euseb. saith , lib. . cap. . ) and went captive with paul to rome and from thence to paris in france , where he suffered martyrdom under dionysius the emperour . of corinthia . corinthus , a famous city in grecia is scituated in peloponnesus a pleasant country of achaia , joyning to the continent of grecia like an isthmus or peninsula , distant from ierusalem miles towards the west , commonly called corantha , built ( as eusebius saith , by sisiphus son of aeolus at such time as ioshuah governed israel ; who was a mighty pirate . at first it was but a castle , and called after his name , sisiphyus : but after , because of the strength of the place , and pleasant scituation , it became a fair town and called by the name of corcyra , as strabo saith ; then ephym , of ephyra , who was a fair and goodly nymph , and queen of that place . now although even in those times it was held in great estimation , yet it became much wasted and decayed through the continuance of time , until it was repaired by king corinthus , who as some think was the son of marathon ; suidas saith , the son of pelops ; others would have him the son of orestis ; and after his name was called corinth , that is , the flower of maides . it was a fair and goodly city , very commodiously built , for it stood between the two seas of ionium and aegeum , so that there resorted thither great multitude of merchants from all places . close by the city there stood a steep mountain , which was as it were a bulwark for the defence thereof , being feet high , and called acrocorinthus , that is , the glory and strength of the corinthians . it was also compassed about with strong walls , and beautified with many goodly buildings and temples , but above the rest , the temple of venus was had in great reputation , which ( as strabo saith ) stood upon the top of the mountain acrocorinthus , wherein there were above a thousand maids prostituted every year . this temple was had in such great honour , and was so gloriously built , that above all the places of the world there was resort unto it . close by it stood the ancient castle called sysyphius , built all of white marble ; and a little below that , the fountain of pyrene , dedicated to the muses . there were many mighty princes that ruled in this city , as alethes , who was king thereof at such time as samuel judged israel , which was years before christ ; he bestowed great cost upon it , set up many fair and goodly buildings , and ruled over it thirty and five years , as eusebius saith . after him there succeeded many kings , by whose worthiness and prowess it was so much enlarged , and made so famous , that it was little inferiour to the city of rome : for , at such time as ambassadours were sent thence to intreat of some business concerning the state , the corinthians did not let to give them many reproachful terms , as strabo saith , lib. . because of which insolency , the romans sent lucius mummus the consul into grecia , who besieged corinth , and within a short time took it , and burn'd it down to the ground , in the year before christ , . of which you may read more in florus , and in the second decad of livy . it was a marvellous rich town , and abounded with gold , silver , and costly brass , also with plate , and curious pictures : so that although mummus conquered corinth , yet corinth conquered rome ; for the citizens thereof were so bewitched with the riches and glory of this town , that they forgot their ancient severity , and with violence followed their vices , as salust saith , lib. . so that as before corinth abounded with luxury and divers other abominable evils , as whordom , adultery , fornication , covetousness , idolatry , rapine , and murther : so rome in future ages became as bad or worse than it . thus it continued waste from that time till iulius caesar was emperour of rome ; who having travelled into those parts of the world , and seen the ruines of this city , and the profitable scituation for traffick , caused it to be re-builded : after which time , it began to grow great and spacious , little inferiour to the former in glory , and no less corrupted with vices , having forgot the former misery which it sustained by the hands of the romans ; and so continued from the year before christ , until the year after christ , at which time paul came thither and preached the gospel , by whose divine doctrine , and godly life and conversation , they were converted from their evil courses , and lived more holily and honestly , as appeareth by the two epistles of st. paul , wrote from philippos to the inhabitants of this town . but after , they falling from their faith , and forsaking their ancient integrity , the lord punished them with a second desolation ; for , at such time as amurath , emperour of the turks , grew to eminency , and had conquered thessalonica , beotia , and attica , he came into this isthmus , and made all peloponnesus tributary to him . then after him mahomet the second ( although the inhabitants of corinth had fortified their city with three walls , and made it so strong , that it was thought to be almost invincible ) besieged it and won it , an. dom. . about six years after constantinople was conquered by the turks . but now it is in the command of the venetians , and that , and all the country is called by the name of morea , as it appeareth in the turkish history , lib. . the fourth peregrination of the apostle paul. in the year after the nativity of christ , . paul went from antiochia in syria , and came to galatia and laodicea in phrygia , and thence wrote his epistle to timothy , as it appeareth by the subscription of that epistle ; which was miles . from laodicea he went to ephesus , which was miles ; and there appointed timothy to be a bishop , and daily disputed in the school of a certain tyrant , and did many miracles , as it appeareth , acts . from ephesus he came to troada , which was miles , where , when he could not find titus , he was troubled in spirit , cor. . from troada he failed into macedonia , and came to philippos , which was miles : from hence he wrote his epistles to the corinthians , and sent them to corinth , which was miles . in the same year also , paul passing through grecia , ( in every place where he came , preaching and visiting the churches , act. . ) at length came to corinthus , which was miles . in the fifty seventh year after the nativity of christ , when paul had wintered among the corinthians ; in the spring ( that he might avoid the deceits of the iews , who went about to take away his life ) he went thence and returned to philippos , which was miles , where he celebrated the feast of pentecost , acts . from thence he sailed to troada , which was miles , where he raised eutichus from death to life , acts . from troada he went to assa , which was thirty six miles , acts . from assa he sailed to mileten , which was miles , acts . from mileten he went to chius , which was miles , act. . from chius he sailed to samus , which was miles , and continued in the isle of trogylius , which was close by samus , as plin. saith , lib. . cap. . and strabo , cap. . from trogylius he sailed by ephesus , and came to miletus , which was miles . from thence he sent messengers to the ministers of ephesus , commanding them to have a special care to the flock of christ , which he had purchased with his precious blood ; and added , that he was so much the more importunate in that behalf because they should never see him again : wherefore they embraced paul with great lamentations and sorrow , act. . from myletus he and his companions went with a direct course to the island of cous , which was miles , act . from thence the next day they went to rhodes , which was miles . from rhodes they went to patara , which was miles . from patara they sailed to tyrus , leaving cyprus upon the left hand ; which was miles , where he found certain disciples , and remained there seven days , act. . from tyrus , paul and his companions sailed to ptolomais , which was miles . from thence they came to caesarea strato , who was miles ; there they remained in the house of philip the evangelist , who was one of the seven deacons with stephen , act. . from thence paul went to ierusalem , which was miles , and there , about the feast of pentecost , he was taken by the iews , imprisoned and scourged , act. . at this time paul was about forty seven years of age. so all these travels were miles . of the towns and places to which he travelled . and first of assus . concerning laodicea , to which paul travelled , you may read before ▪ i will therefore proceed to assus , which was a town within the jurisdiction of troada , scituated close by the aegean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the north-east , as strabo saith , lib. . wonderfully fortified both by nature and art , so that it is a thing almost impossible to be conquered . there is found close by it the stone called sarchophagus , in which if any mans corps be buried , within the space of forty days it is utterly consumed all but the teeth , as pliny saith , lib. . cap. . in this city cleantes the stoick was born , as chrysippus saith . of mitylene . the isle and town of mitylene is scituated in the aegean sea , miles from ierusalem toward the north-west . in times past called lesbus , which obtained the whole jurisdiction and government of troada . it is in compass miles , and containeth in length , from the north to the south , miles . in it is found much matter for the making and calking of ships : there was many goodly cities in it , as mitylene and pyrrha , which stood upon the west part of it ; also the metropolitan called lesbos , eressus , the haven of antissa , and mithymna . of lesbos in times past this whole isle was called lesbus , until the city of mitylene grew famous ; being so called of mitylene the daughter of macharus , as diodorus saith , lib. . and after that cities name called mitylene . there were many other goodly cities which stood in this isle , but they were either consumed by earth-quakes or drowned by the sea. the land thereof was very pleasant and fruitful , bringing forth grapes , whereof there was a very excellent and clear wine made , which they of constantinople principally liked : there is also found great store of cypress , pines , and plenty of figs come thence . their horses are very strong , but of a low stature : it is very mountainy , and pestred with wild beasts . there were many famous men that lived and were born in this country ; as pittachus one of the seven wise men of greece , aliaeus the poet , and alcimenides his brother , diophanes the orator , and theophanes who wrote the acts of pompey the great , ( as it appeareth in tullies oration for archia ) theophrastus also that notable philosopher , ( who at first was called tyrtamanus , then euphrastus , that is , a good orator ) and lastly , theophrastus , that is , a divine orator ; this man was an excellent peripatetick , and scholar to aristotle , whom he succeeded in his school , and had scholars . vitruvius the architect maketh mention of mitylen in his first book , saying , that it was a very magnificent city , and rarely builded , but very badly scituated ; for when the south wind did blow , the inhabitants grew sick ; when the west , they coughed , and when the north wind did blow they were made well . notwithstanding , the apostle paul and his companions came to this city , as it appeareth , act. . at this day it is under the jurisdiction of the turks , and is called by the name of midilly . of chius . this is an isle scituated in the aegean sea , distant from ierusalem miles towards the north-west , being miles in compass ; the principal city thereof is called chios , taking the name , as some say , from the mastick tree , which sweateth out a certain gum , of the syrians called chian , and by us mastick : this mastick is the best in those parts of the world. ephorus calleth it by the ancient name aetalia ; but cleobulus , chia ; either because of the nymph called chion , or else because of the whiteness of the soil : there are others that call it patyusia ; and there are some who derive the name of chius from the temple of apollo that standeth in it , called chion . there stands in it a fair and goodly mountain called pellenaeum , from whence the inhabitants dig very excellent marble . also in times past the best malmsey came thence , but in these days it is brought from crete . of sat●us . this is an isle and city scituated in the aegean sea , upon a high or lofty piece of ground , so that from thence the inhabitants may see into all the countries near adjoyning , lying upon the coast of ephesus and ionia , miles from ierusalem toward the north-west ; it was in compass eighty eight miles , very fertile and pleasant , much exceeding chius , although it brought forth no wine . in times past it was called artemisia , parthenea , and stephane ; taking those names from a crown or wreath of sweet smelling flowers , of which there were great plenty in this isle ; the poets feign that iun● was both born and brought up in it ; and varro saith , that there was a fair and stately temple dedicated unto her , where solemn service and the rites of marriage were yearly celebrated pythagoras the philosopher was born here ; and one of the sybels ( which prophecied of the comming of christ ) lived h●re . st. paul also came into this isle , and converted many , as appeareth act. . there is another isle called samus , scituated upon the coast of epirus , not far from the gulph of ambracius , called also cephalenia , not far from the promontory of actium , where augustus overcame antonius ; in honour of which victory he built up a city and called it nicapolis , &c. of trogyllium . this is a promontory and town not far from ephesus , scituated in asia-minor , at the foot of the mountain mycales , four miles and somewhat more from samus , where paul stayed , act. . it is distant from ierusalem miles toward the north-west . there are which say , that st. paul stayed at a certain isle joyning close to this promontory , called after that by the name of trogyllium . see strabo , lib. . of myletus . this was a famous city , scituated upon the borders of ionia and caesaria , close by the shore of the aegean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . the poets feign , that miletus , who was the first builder of this city , was the son of apollo , and called it after his own name miletus : but strabo , lib . thinketh that it was rather built by sarpedon the son of iupiter , and brother to radamanthus and minos , and by him was called myletus , from another city of the same name , which stood in crete . the wool that cometh from this town is wonderful soft , and singular good for many purposes ; but it was principally used to make cloath of , which they died into an excellent purple and transported into many places . there were a great many famous men that either lived or were born in this town ; as thales milesius , one of the seven wise-men of graece , anaximander , who was his scholar , anaximenes and hecataeus the historian ; also eschenes the orator , ( not he that contended with demosthenes , who taking too much liberty against pompey was banished ) timotheus the musician , and pittacus the philosopher , besides many others . but of all these , thales milesius was held in greatest estimation , because he was thought to be the first that taught natural philosophy and the mathematicks amongst the grecians . he was the first also that foretold of the eclipse of the sun , about such time as the battel was fought between cyaxares father of astyages king of the medes , and hallyattes father of croesus , king of the lidians , which was about the olympiad . there came unto him a certain man , who asked him what was the hardest thing in the world ; he answered , seipsum nosce , to know himself . another came to him , and ask'd him , how he might do to live justly ; he answered , si quae in alis reprehendimus , ipse non faciamus , that we do not those things which we reprehend in others . he died about the olympiad . meletus at this day is called melasa . of cous. this is one of the cyclad islands , lying in the aegean sea , bordering upon caria ; being so called from the vaults and caves that are in it , and distant from ierusalem miles . it hath a city called after the same name , wherein there was a stately temple built in honour of iuno ; and another standing in the suburbs thereof , dedicated to aesculapius : this was a very sumptuous temple , and made very rich , because of the many presents and gifts that were sent and dedicated to it . when the romans had obtained the command of this isle , octavius , the father of augustus caesar , took out of this temple a naked venus , which was a goodly image , and carried it with him to rome in honour of his progenitors , who derived their progeny from her . it is in compass miles , being so pleasantly scituated that it was a sea-mark to mariners , very fruitful , and bringing forth abundance of wine and silk , by reason of a certain fish that is found there , from which they got great plenty . see plin. lib. . cap. . there were many that lived only by weaving of silk ; and above the rest there was one pamphila the daughter of plates , that was most excellent in that art. there were many famous men that were , either born or lived in that country , as hippocrates that excellent physician , apelles that notable painter , simus the physician , philetas the poet and orator , nicia the prince and tyrant of cous , ariston the peripatetick , and theomnestus that notable politician . at this day this isle is within the turkish empire , and by them called stacu ; also the principal city thereof is called by the same name , and wholly inhabited by the turks , two towns only being inhabited by the grecians : but there are many that dwell in strong castles compassed with round and stately towers . this country is very fertile , abounding with cattel , and the mountains thereof are little inferiour to those of crete . of rhodes . the city and isle of rhodes ( which is so called from the sweet smell or roses ) is scituated in the mediterranean sea , a little from asia the less , upon the south ; being distant from ierusalem miles toward the north-west , as strabo saith , lib. . it is in compass miles . it was at first called ophy , then statilia , and after telchin , of the inhabitants thereof , who were called telchines , a people which , as some say , were witches ; others say , curious artificers , and were the first that found out the making of brass and iron . at last it took the name of rhodes from the principal city that stood in it ; for there were three cities in it , viz. lyndus , camirus , and ialyssus . in lyndus , cleobulus , one of the seven wise-men of greece , and chares that famous statuary , who made the colossus which stood in this isle , were born . ialyssus , of a rose that was found in it , was called rhodes , being scituated upon an exceeding high promontory , lying toward the east part of that isle . this exceeded the other two cities , both for ports , ways , walls , and other ornaments , and the inhabitants were governed with such excellent laws , and so skilful in navigation , that it might compare with the strongest city of the world , and for a long time had the command of the sea round about , and utterly abolished all pirates and robbers from those parts . diodorus sicul. lib. saith , that it was called rhodes of rhodia , a fair and beautiful maid , who was dearly beloved of apollo , and therefore this island was dedicated to the sun ; for as solinus saith , though the heavens be never so cloudy yet the sun shineth in rhodes . pindarus the poet , ( because of the fertility of the soil , and the exceeding opulency of the inhabitants ) saith , that it rained gold in that country . in former times it flourished with learning and good arts , insomuch that the romans for the most part sent their children to be brought up at rhodes . this isle is very fruitful , and bringeth forth many things necessary for the maintenance of life ; but above all , a certain red wine which the romans did greatly delight in , and valued at a high price . in this city lived that notable painter called protogines , which apelles conquered in that science , as pliny saith , li. . ca. . demetrius , king of asia , erected a notable colossus or statue of the sun in this isle , which that notable carver chares made , being outwardly all of pure brass , but within nothing but stones ; it was seventy cubits high , and so artificially made , that it was accounted for one of the wonders of the world. afterward it was carried into egypt by the egyptians , who won the town . this isle is famous to this day : in times past it was accounted one o● the keys of christendom , but at this day subject unto the turk : of which yo● may read more in the turkish history . of patara . patara was a city of licia , so called of patarus the builder thereof ; who was the son of apollones , or lacones , as strabo and servius saith : it was scituated upon the south-side of asia the less , close by the shore of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the north-west . ptolomaeus philadelphus king of aegypt enlarged the city , and called it after his sisters name , arsinoes lysiaca , to put a difference between it and other cities called after that name ; for there was an arsinoe in egypt , and another near cyrene , where apollo in certain months of the winter season ( by the help of the devil ) gave answer to them that sought after him . st. paul was in this town , act. . there was also another town of this name in achaia , where st. andrew was crucified . the travels of st. paul when he was taken captive and carried prisoner to rome . in the year after the nativity of christ , paul being then years of age , by the command of claudius lysius was taken and scourged by the iews , and brought thence to antipatris by night ( because there were forty iews which had sworn his death ) which was twelve miles , act. , , . from antipatris he was brought to caesarea strato , which was twenty eight miles , where he was brought before foelix , ( who was president for the romans in those parts ) and was captive there for the space of two days , act. , , . in the fifty ninth year after the nativity of christ , paul being then years of age , or thereabouts , was sent by portius festus , president of the iews , to rome ; so paul sailed from caesarea strato to sidon , which was miles , act. . from thence paul sailed close by cyprus , because the wind was contrary , and came to the sea over against cilicia , ( which was very troublesom ) and so passing by pamphilia they came to myra , which was miles . loosing from myra they sailed to gnidum , which was miles , act. . from gnidum they sailed towards the south , and came to crete , and so passed by the towns of salmo , lasaea , and assus , and so came to phoenicia , which was miles . from phoenicia they came to the island of claudia , which was miles . from the island of claudia they came to melite , which now is called malta ; in which place they suffered shipwrack , and paul shook off the viper off his hand into the fire , and did many other miracles , which was miles . from malta they sailed in a ship of alexandria , to sir acusus in sicilia , being miles : paul at this time was fifty years of age , act , . from siracusa they sailed to regium , being miles . from thence they went to puteola , being miles . from puteola they went to apiforum , being miles : there certain christians of rome came to meet them , above twenty two miles , and received paul with great friendship . from apiforum they led him to tribatera , being six miles , here he met more christians . from tribatera he went to rome , being sixteen miles , where he remained two years prisoner , and there wrote his epistles to the galathians , ephesians , philippians , colossians , philemon , and the hebrews : so all these travels were miles . and in the whole , from his first beginning , untill his being prisoner in rome , were miles . but being delivered out of prison , the last ten years of his age he did not only preach the gospel in asia and creta , where he appointed his disciple timothy to be a bishop , and in macedonia , ( where being in neapolis he wrote an epistle to titus , and sent it to him above miles to the island of creta ) but also preach'd the gospel , and spread the word of god abroad in the country of spain , rom. . which is distant from ierusalem miles : and being the second time imprisoned in rome , he wrote his second epistle to timothy , and sent it above miles to ephesus : not long after , he was beheaded in rome , in the place called via ostensi . of the towns and places to which he travelled . of antipatris . the town of antipatris is distant from ierusalem twelve miles towards the north-west . in times past it was called caphar zalama , that is , a village of peace . there iudas macchabeus overcame nicanor , mac. . afterward , herod that lived in the time of our saviour christ , built this town much fairer and called it after the name of his father , antipatris . it stood in a very pleasant and fruitful soil , having many fair trees and fresh waters about it , ios. lib. . cap. . st. paul was by night brought prisoner into this town , act. . of myra . this was a great town , as strabo , li. . saith , and stood in asia minor , in the province of lycia , upon the coast of the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem north-westward . st. paul was in this town . of gnidus . this town lieth in asia minor , upon the mediterranean sea , in the pennis●dia called doris , which by a narrow point joyneth unto the province of caria , and is distant from ierusalem miles . in this town the goddess venus had a great temple , wherein her image was placed , made by that cunning workman praxiteles , of marble stone ; and for that cause horace calleth venus queen of gnido , lib. : carm . od. . o venus regina gniide paphique that is ; o venus queen of gnidus and paphos &c. there came many learned men out of this town , as eudoxus agatarchides , paripateticus ; theopompus , and others . this town is yet standing , and ( as it is thought ) it took the name of the fish gnidus , which is taken there in the sea ; which fish is of so strange a nature , that if you take it in your hand it stingeth like a nettle . at this day this town hath another name , and is called cabo chrio , as conradus gesnerus in his onomastico writeth . of creta . the island of creta took the name ( as strabo saith ) from the people called curetes that dwelt in this island : those people used to cut all the hair off from the fore-parts of their heads , and therefore they would not endure to suffer any man to wear his hair being in the wards ; for which cause , in the grecian tongue they were called couretes , and in time this name by corruption of speech was changed , and they called cretans . this island standeth in the mediterranean sea , between graecia and africa , miles from ierusalem toward the west . it is a great island , being miles long , miles broad , and in compass miles : it is very fruitful of cypress trees , malmsey , sugar , and other spices : the malmsey taketh the name from the town of malvesia , in peloponnesus , standing upon the point of malta , right over against creta or candia ; and at this day the like wine is made in creta , and called by the same name , from whence it is commonly brought unto us , though in times past it came out of the island of chius . among all the hills that are found in the island of creta , the hill ida is most spoken of , because of the height : about it standeth divers towns and villages : it hath many hills and woods : for the island is very full of sweet cypress trees , insomuch that there are woods full of them . pliny writes , that upon a time , there was such an earth-quake in this island , that one of the hills removed , out of which there came a man , being forty cubits high . in this island there are no venemous beasts , but in times past it was inhabited by cruel people , of whom st. paul complaineth in his first epistle to titus , cap. . where he reherseth the saying of epimenides , which was after this manner , the people of creta are always liars , evil beasts , and slow bellies . and to conclude , they resemble some of the friars among the papists ; for as they are idle people and shave their heads , so were the men of creta . titus ( pauls disciple ) was a bishop in this island , and st. paul wrote an epistle to them and to nicapolis ▪ and sent it them above miles . this island in times past was very rich and populous , for in it there was a towns ; the chief of which were gnossos , cortyna , and zydon , but gnossos was the most principal and ancientest , wherein king minos kept his court : in it the notable geographer strabo was born . this town of gnossos in times past was called ceratur , of the river cerata which passed by it ; but now it and all the island is called candia . the venetians every three years appointed a new duke to govern it . in this island stood the towns of salmona and lassica ( by pliny called lasas ) and in the middle between those two towns was the haven of gutfurt , whereof saint luke maketh mention in the acts of the apostles , cap . saying , that paul counselled the saylers that were in the ship to anchor there , and stay the winter season in that island : but the captain of the ship gave more credit to the master of the ship , than to pauls words , whereby in the end they were in danger of their lives . the towns of salmona and lassica with the haven of gutfurt , lay southward in this island , upon the coasts of the mediterranean sea : somewhat distant from them stood the town of asson , by pliny called ausum , where they hoised out their boat and sayled northward ; and because they had a fair south-wind , they thought to sail to phoenicia , a haven in creta , but the wind coming about to the east , drave them back again into the sea , by which means they were in danger of their lives . this island was brought under the subjection of the romans , years before the birth of christ , and so for a long time continued , until the saracens entered therein , and took it from the romans , years after the birth of christ. after that , in the year of our lord , the emperour of constantinople drave the saracens out of the island , and kept it ; but in the end the venetians brought it under their subjection and seigniory , in the year of our lord , and at this day it is called candia . of clauda . claudea is an isle not far from crete , lying towards the southwest in the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the west : at this day it is called porto cabaso ; here the saylers , the apostle paul ; and the rest of the company , haled overboard their cock-boat , and tyed it to their ship and fell to towing , lest they should have been sunk into syr●is , a dangerous gulph upon those seas , acts . of syrtis . this is a gulph of the sea lying upon the shore of africa , in which the water is both troublesome and the shore dangerous , because of quick sands ; and in this there are two places most remarkable , called by the name of syrtis , from drawing and attracting ships unto them , by which they were greatly endangered : the one was called the greater , and the other the less ; the greater lay miles from ierusalem towards the west , but the other lay under the isle of mylete towards the south , being distant from ierusalem miles towards the west : in this place it was where paul and his companions were in such danger , mentioned act. . of mylete . this island was so called from the great abundance of honey that was found in it ; but at this day it is called malta , scituated in the mediterranean sea , miles from ierusalem towards the west . it is very pleasant and fruitful , bringing forth great plenty of wheat , rye , flax , cumin , cotton , figs , wine , roses , violets , time , lavender , and many other sweet and delightful herbs , from whence bees did gather great plenty of honey . the sun is very hot in this island , insomuch , that by the extreme servor thereof , the inhabitants lose their natural complexion and look of a tawny colour . in summer evenings there falleth great plenty of dews , whereby the earth is refreshed and the herbs increased . there is neither snow or frost seen in it ; for the northern winds ( which with us are the authors of cold and frosts ) with them procure rain , which greatly refresheth and increaseth the fruits of the earth ; so that the pastures and medows become very pleasant and full of grass : and although it be but miles long , and miles about , notwithstanding it is very populous ; for in the eight parishes that stand in this isle , there is numbred above twenty thousand men. the inhabitants are very honest , religious , and godly ; and the women fair , chast , and modest , for they never come abroad but with their faces covered . the children that are born in this country fear not any snakes ; neither are hurt by any thing that is venomous , insomuch that they will take scorpions and eat them without danger , although in all other parts of the world those kind of creatures are most pernicious . in this isle also there are bred a kind of dogs that are but small , yet very white and shagged , and so loving , that the inhabitants of all the neighbouring countries will buy them , though they be at dear rates . the chief city thereof ( called malta ) is so strongly fortified both by art and nature , that it is almost impossible to be conquered , unless it be either by treason or famine . the town or castle whereof is fortified with the knights of st. iohn's order , who have mightily expressed their valour and resolution in defending this town from the turks . about a mile from this , the ruines of a goodly fair city are to be seen . and upon the east promontory , a little from the city of malta , there yet remain the decays ( which are worthy to look upon ) of a goodly temple , dedicated to iun● . it seemeth by what remaineth , that this church hath been a fair and goodly thing in times past . there is also here and there in the earth found certain brass monies , having upon the one side a superscription written in greek letters , and upon the other the image of iuno . there stood upon the south side of malta a temple dedicated to hercules , the ruines of which are yet extant ; and in it are found mountains worthy of admiration . at such time as the captain of massanissa king of the numidians had conquered this island , amongst other pretious things that he found in these temples , he took thence a great deal of goodly ivory : but that religious king did faithfully restore all those things back again , and dedicated them to the several temples . thus we may perceive , that the inhabitants of this island of malta were wholly given to idolatry and superstition , untill such time as paul , by the inconstancy and vehemency of the wind , was driven upon it , and converted them from that perverse and prophane worship to the christian religion , at such time as he suffered shipwrack , and wintered amongst them , acts . the inhabitants shew upon the north part of this isle , the place where the ship was cast away wherein the apostle paul was ; in which place they have built up a chappel , and dedicated it to saint paul. they shew also a cave , in which they say he lived ; and they verily believed that he expelled all venome and poyson out of that island at such time as he was there . it was first subject unto the africans , as may appear by certain marble pillars which are here and there found , in which there are ingraven certain characters of the carthaginians , not much unlike to hebrew letters . and although the inhabitants are christians , yet their speech is much like the saracens , which differeth little or nothing from the antient punick . at such time as dido built carthage ( which is thought to be years before christ ) battus was king of this isle , and held a confederacy with dido : for when hyarbas king of the gelutians made war upon dido , because he could not obtain her in matrimony , she received aid from this battus ; and when for the love of aeneas she had killed her self , hyarbas , having conquered carthage , banished her sister anne , who was entertained by this battus . but hyarbas taking that unkindly , made war upon battus , and conquered the island of malta : so it continued in the jurisdiction of the carthaginians a long time after , until the carthaginians were conquered by the romans ; and then one titus sempronius ( about such times as hannibal brought his army before trebia ) won it years before christ. and after it continued under the jurisdiction of the romans years , and then it was conquered by the saracens ; but they held it not long , for roger norman king of sicilia got it out of their power , anno dom. . and so it continued in the hands of the sicilians till anno dom. . and then charles the fifth being emperour , gave it to the knights of saint iohn , upon condition that they should oppose the turks gallies , and defend that part of christendom . so the knights of st. iohn , together with their governour , sailed to malta , and so fortified it that it is impossible to be taken , unless by famin or treason . there were many famous bishops that lived in this place , and very devout christians . in the time of the emperour theodosius there was a councel held , at which were present bishops . at this day this bishoprick is subject to the archbishop of palermo ; and the chief government of the isle is in the power of the knights of st. iohn , &c. of syracusa . this was a city of the isle of sicilia , built by one archia of corinth , standing close by the sea shore on the north side of the isle , miles from ierusalem towards the west . it was a fair and goodly city , in antient time called tetrapolis , because it was divided into three parts : one of which parts stood in the isle of ortygia separated from the continent with a little streight sea , and with that famous fountain arthusia . the other part was called acradine , and the third tycha ; to which in after-times there was built up a fourth , and called by the name of neapolis . all this city was compassed in with three walls , so strong and so admirably fortified both by nature and art , that it opposed the carthaginians in equal war. it was called syracusa , from drawing or sucking ; and in process of time obtained the whole jurisdiction and government of that isle ; which was so well peopled in the time of dionysius the tyrant , that he was able to make and maintain an army of one hundred thousand foot and twelve thousand horse . there were two havens in that part which was called ortygia , so marvellously fortified with such huge rocks and other munition , that they were wonderful to look upon . there also stood a castle or tower called by the name of mercia , which was so strong , that when all the rest of the town was conquered , yet that maintained war for a long time . in this hold the kings and tyrants of this country usually kept their treasures , and other things that were material . there were many worthy and famous princes ruled in it , but above them all dionysius the elder exceeded the rest ; who when he saw what abundance of vessels of gold and silver dionysius the younger had heaped together , cried out and said , in te regius affectus non est , qui ex tanta poculorum vi amicum neminem conciliasti : that is , verily , the mind of a king is not in thee , that out of so many cups couldest not procure one friend : for after he was banished , and constrained to keep a school . both these dionysians were learned men and great philosophers . it is thought that this island was some time a part of italy , and joyning to the field of brutius ; but in time , through the violence of the sea , separate from the continent : from whence it was called sicilita , and also trinacris , because there were three mountains standing upon three promontories in three several places of it , giving the proportion of a triangle ; for there was an angle toward the south called pactinus , another toward the south-west called lilybaeus , and another called pelorus , which lay distant near about two miles from italy . in times past it was under the command of the romans , but now the spaniards have chief government of it . there are many things remaining to this day worthy observation , but chiefly the mountain aetna , which still casteth out fire and smoak , &c. of rhegium . this was a town of italy , belonging to the family of the brutians ; at first built by the calcidonians and messenians , upon the utmost bounds of italy toward the sicilian sea , being distant from that isle sixty furlongs , and called by the name of rhegium , as some think , from rumpo , to break ; for that near about the place where that town stood , the sea being very tempestuous , broke the isle of sicilia from the continent . others think it was called rhegium , because it was so strong and beautiful a city that it might well have been the seat of a prince . close by this city , in the sicilian sea , there stands a rock somewhat above the water , representing in figure the proportion of a man , and round about it are to be seen other little rocks like barking dogs . in this place the water is so extream violent , and runes with so strong a current , that it is very dangerous for mariners ( especially such as are ignorant ) to sail that way . wherefore the poets made this verse , to signifie a man that stood in a dangerous and doubtful estate , decidit in scyllam cupiens vitare charibdim . seeking to shun charibdis curled waves , he thrusts himself into stern scylla's jaws : but that mariners might avoid these dangerous places , upon the north angle of sicilia , in the promontory of petorus , there is erected a lofty tower , standing as a sea-mark , that so they by that direction might escape these dangerous places . not far from scillari is to be seen another town , of that rock called scyllacus , but of the inhabitants it is commonly called scyglius , or scyglio ; and rhegium also at this day is called rezo and reggio , of antimnestus captain of chalcedon : and as strab. lib. . saith , is scituated in calabria , miles from ierusalem westward . of puteoli . this city is in campania , a country of italy not far from naples , scituated on the sea shore miles from ierusalem westward : taking that name from fountains or wells of hot water , being built by the salamians , as eusebius saith , about such time as the tarquins were banished rome , years before the nativity of christ. it was antiently called dicaearchia , because of their singular justice and noble government . but when the romans made war upon hannibal , they fortified this town to withstand his forces , and then called it puteoli , which name it retained a long time after . at this day it is called puzzoli . at this city the apostle paul and his companions arrived , when they sailed into rome , act. . between puteoli and baia there lieth the lake of lucrinus , into which , by the command of augustus caesar , a dolphin was thrown . now there was a young youth called simon , the son of a poor man dwelling in baia , who usually played among other youths upon the banks of this lake : and seeing the dolphin ( it being a strange fish in those parts , and very amiable to look upon ) did take great delight in it , and oft times fed it with bread and other things as he could get : insomuch , as the dolphin when it heard the boy 's voice upon the bank of the river , would resort to him , and receive at his hand his accustomed food . thus it continued so , that the dolphin would suffer the boy to handle him , take him by the gills , play with him , yea , and sometimes to get upon his back , then swim with him a great way into the lake , and bring him back again , and suffer him to go safe upon the shore . after this manner he continued for many years together , and in the end the youth died . yet the dolphin resorted to his usual place , expecting his accustomed food from the hands of this boy ; but missing him , he left the shore , languish'd away , and died . concerning the nature of this fish you may read more at large in pliny , lib. . cap. . of colossa . this city is scituated in phrygia , a country in asia minor , near the rivers of lycus and meander , miles from ierusalem north-westward , not far from laodicea ; so called from the mighty statues and colosso's that were set up in it . these cities , colossa , laodicea , and hierapolis ( where the apostle philip was put to death in the tenth year of nero ) a little before paul's martyrdom , were sunk by an earthquake , which without doubt was a great judgment of god upon them , because they refused the grace and comfort of the doctrine of the gospel offered unto them by the apostles . the epistle of paul , dedicated to the colossians , was sent by the hand of onesymus from rome unto these towns , being miles . for although the rhodians were called colossians because of that famous colossus that stood there ; yet this city wherein archippus and philemon dwelt ( to whom paul directed that epistle , stood in phrygia , a country in asia minor , and not in rhodes . of nicopolis . nicopolis is a city of macedonia , scituated close by the river nessus , not far from philippus upon the borders of thrace , miles from ierusalem north-westward . from hence the apostle paul wrote his epistle to titus , and sent it to crete , miles . there are many other cities of this name ; one standing in epyre , built by augustus ; another between cilicia and syria , built by alexander , in glory of his victory against darius ; a fourth in bythinia ; a fifth in the holy land , formerly called emmaus . of rome . this city , if we rightly consider the derivation of the name in hebrew , was not built without the singular providence of god ; being derived of rom , i. he hath exalted or made high . but the grecians derive it from romen , i. strength and power . now although the providence of god extendeth to every creature , nay , to the very hairs of a man's head , yet where he determines to express his singular power , there he worketh beyond the expectation of man. and who knows not that the beginning of this city was mean , raised from a confused company , destitute both of civility , community , and laws ; yet hath it been , and for the most part is , the glory of the world , and the great commander of the princes of the earth . it was so called at first by romulus ( as livy , lib. . saith ) who first built it , seven hundred fifty and one years before the nativity of christ ; being scituated upon seven hills , that is , capitolinus , aventinus , palatinus , cealius , exquilinus , viminalis , and quirinalis . but after , when the city was compassed about with walls , the hill ianiculus was inclosed within it . the vallies that lay between these hills were so raised up with arches , vaults , and artificial mounts , that in process of time they became level with the top of some of those hills . it was beautified with fair and sumptuous buildings ; so that as it was the head of the world for command and power , in like manner it exceeded all the rest of the world for glory and riches , but principally for stately buildings . there were many goodly temples , dedicated to iupiter , apollo , aesculapius , hercules , diana , iuno , minerva , lucia , concordia , fides , pietas , pax , victoria , isis , besides many other dedicated to other gods. but above all , that was the most sumptuous that was called pantheon deorum ; at this day called the church of alhallows . moreover , here was to be seen the princely edifices of kings , emperours , consuls , senators , patricians , and other romans , who were mighty in wealth and substance , built all of polished marble , beautified with gold and silver ; beside palaces , bulwarks , theatres , triumphant arches , statues , and such like ; all which were glorious , and greatly adorned the city . but above all these , the house of nero was most worthy of observation , which to see to , was built all of burnish'd gold very curiously wrought . here also stood the monuments of the two caesars , iulius and augustus ; also their statues , the one made of pure brass , the other of white marble . besides , there were many fruitful orchards , water courses , and wholsome baths , brought thither by antonius , nero , dioclesian , and constantine the great . also the emperour constantine erected many goodly churches for the use of the christians , and endowed them with great means ; and amongst the rest , that which was dedicated to st. iohn of latteran , a fair and goodly church , and for riches and curious workmanship might compare with the stateliest temples that ever had been in the world , most of the ornaments and images being made of gold and silver : he also erected the vatican , which was dedicated to st. peter ; and another holy house dedicated to st. paul ; in either of which he placed their several sepulchres and monuments , bestowing extraordinary cost to beautifie them . so many were the gifts and gratuities of this emperour , that they can scarce be numbred ; so that although the emperour trajan , and boniface the fourth , pope of rome , bestowed great cost to beautifie and adorn the city , yet were they nothing comparable to that which this emperour did . these things then being presented to your view , you might justly say , that rome in her prosperity and eminency was the glory of the world ; but as all estates are fickle and uncertain , still subject to variety and change , so was this : first envied of the world , because of the extream oppression of her governours ; and after made desolate by violence and force , all her former glory being eclipsed , and the greatest part of these goodly buildings laid level with the ground . thus have i shewed you what rome was when it was in her prosperity ; it resteth now to shew what rome is . rome at this day differeth as much from the ancient rome as the substance from the shadow . for , although the pope hath beautified and adorned the west part of it with many fair and goodly buildings , and called it by the name of new rome ; yet it is nothing comparable to the ancient city , as it was when augustus and constantine the great were emper●ours thereof , neither doth it stand in the ancient place ; for the first city stood upon the east side of tyber , this upon the west . the chief part of the other stood upon the mountains capitolinus and palatinus , upon which were the stately buildings of senators , kings , and emperours , but now they lye desolate and waste . the capitol also , and the temple of iupiter feretrius ( goodly buildings ) beaten to the ground ; only some ruines , to shew that such things there hath been . and what now resteth , that are worthy note , are in the command and power of the pope ; which are not many : the most that can be named , are the vatican , the tower of s. angelo , the pope's palace , his banquetting-house , and the gardens and walks about it ; which are so well scituated , that they are a grace to all rome , the rest are but ordinary and common buildings . thus may you see that there is nothing in this world but hath a period , to which , if with much labour it attaineth , then it commonly declineth , seldom continueth ; for who knows not with what labour , what perils by sea , what dangers by land , through how many forein wars and domestick seditions rome was raised to her greatness ? and how suddenly was all this lost ? what the vertue and wisdom of grave and resolute consuls , captains and commanders had with great hazard heaped up , thrusting their capitol and other treasuries full with the triumphant spoyls of forein nations , was left to be consumed either by seditious souldiers or prodigal emperours , and the state left as a prey to those that were mightiest ; so that they were accounted most honourable , that with most injury could get to themselves either countenance to oversway authority , or opulency to purchase eminency ; insomuch that there hath been no action so evil , nor any attempt so pernicious in former times , but may be match'd in the declining of the roman state : where more murthers ? where more corruption ? where more oppression than is mentioned in histories to be practised amongst the romans ? the lives of men , the state of provinces , and the crowns of kings sold for money , but now her time is finished , and her ruins are left for succeeding ages to admire ; that so in beholding they might learn to know the difference between virtue and vice ; and from thence conclude , that there is nothing permanent ; and that those things wherein men most glory do oftentimes soonest decay . for if this city which commanded the nations and princes of the earth ( whose colonies , armies , legions , confederacies , and treasures were so mighty , and extended so far , that there was almost no countrey unconquered , or nation that did not fear to hear the inhabitants thereof named ) is made desolate and laid level with the ground ▪ what then may be said of petty cities , towns , lordships , manors and houses ; shall not they likewise be subject to the like calamities , and wasted and destroyed through the continuance of time ? verily yea . wherefore let not the king glory in his power , nor the strong man in his strength , nor the rich man in his riches : but let him that glorieth glory in the lord. a table of the persons , towns , and places mentioned in the fore-going treatise . a. adam fol. abarim abel of the vines abner , and his travels abraham , and his travels the typical signification of abraham absalom , and his travels achor aethiopia ajalon alexandria amanus a●●●chus epiphanes and his travels antiochus eupator apamea aphec achitophel arabia aroer asdod azeca asteroth athens antipatris ahab , and his travels aeziongaber arbona ibid. almon diblathaim athniel arad abdon ascalon of the ark of god abiathar abishag ahaziah ahaz king of iuda ahaziah athalia amazia azariah ibid. adoraiim abia ibib. abiin aza ibid. amos ammon king of iuda assarhaddon abelmehola an instruction to understand the prophets . an alphabetical table of all the cities and countries mentioned in the prophets from to abimelech , and his travels abimelech's son , and his , travels ange antiochia asseremoth adarsa addus addor ibid. arabath alexander , son of epiphanes alcimus , and his travels arbela adummim aenon antiochia pisidia attalia ibid. amphipolis apollonia ibid. assus b. babylon from to babylon in aegypt baaena , and his travels baesa , and his travels bazra baelath benhadad , and his travels benhadad ii. berea , bethabara bethania bethoron or bethocoron bethel bethlem , bethphage bethsaliza bethsan bethsemes bethsura bethulia beerzaba baalzephon benei iaachon balaan , and his travels besech bahurim baalhazor baaelath ben merodach balthazer , emperour of the assyrians bildad bithron bischamath bethsaida bethbesan bythinia c. cades barnea caesarea philippi caleb , and his travels the typical signification of caleb caphar salama carchemis carmel cedron , or kydron , a little hill that runs through ierusalem chasor , or hazor crete , and the scituation thereof chehelah chasmona chesbon chineroth cilicia caspin caspia chazor , a field canah in galilee , capernaum ibib . chorazin of cana syrophoenicia of mount calvary caesarea strato the isle of cyprus , and how 't is scituated corinthia the isle of chius , and how scituated cous , how scituated , and why so called of the isle of clauda , and how scituated of colossa in phrygia d. dothan , so called from commanding doch , a castle dora , a haven town dibon gad deborah and barak debir danites , and their travels demetrius soter , and his travels demetrius nicanor , and his travels decapolis , and why so called derbe david , and his travels the typical signification of david damascus , a famous city of syria dibon gad the prophet daniel e. abraham's servant ) and his travels esau , and his travels the typical meaning of fsau ibid. edrie elim eglon ehud of mount ephraim eson and ebzan . estaol elimelech ecron engedi endor ella elah ezekias evil merodath , emperour of babylon eliah the prophet , and his travels the typical signification of eliah elizeus or elisha ibid. his typical signification ezekiel elam egbatana , a famous city ibid. euxine sea eleutherius esdrasthe lawyer of the book of esther the types and figures collected out of esther ibid. eliphaz the temanite esdrelon ephraim emmaus ephesus queen candaces eunuch , and his travels . g. gihon , a hill gerar the country of gilead the land of gosen goren atad the graves of concupiscence gideon , judge of israel . the typical signification of gideon gilgal gibithon gibeon gaza of mount gerizim gath of mount gilboa , where saul killed himself gazer gesur gurbaal gath hepher gesem genezereth gadara the lake of genezereth of gethsamene , and the gardens thereabout of the country of galatia , and how the inhabitants came to be called galatians gnidus h. haran , or charan hebron , and the inhabi●●●●● thereof the field of hakeldama the hill hamoskita ibid. hazezon thamar hadad , and his travels hagar , and her travels hagar's well , and the signification of it heliopolis , otherwise called the city of the sun hadsi of mount horeb hazaroth harada hor gidgad of the mountain hor hazor , hemath hai or ai ib. hiel hobab hasael , and his travels hannah the mother of samuel , and her travels haggai the prophet hananias the false prophet hosea the prophet of the prophet habaccuck , when he lived , how he lived , when he died , and where he lieth buried of the river hydaspis hion hyrcania heliodorus , who would have robbed the treasury of ierusalem hermopolis , or he town of mercury hosea , king of israel . i. of ierusalem of the scituation of it the description of it ib. the circuit and bigness of it ib. the gates of it , . the destruction of jerusalem by vespasian , from to of jerualem after this destruction , from to of ierusalem as it is now , from to of the sects in ierusalem , from to where ishmael dwelt of isaac , and his travels the typical signification of issac iacob , and his travels the typical signification of iacob iudah , and his travels ioseph , and his travels the typical signification of ioseph jotbatha igim jahza ib. jaezer ib. iael , and her travels ioshua , and his travels the typical signification of ioshua the names of the kings that ioshua overcame , and where they dwelt of jehoahas king of israel jaboch jogbeha jotham of jaier judge of israel jephta , and his travels the divers opinions concerning his death jabes jonathan , saul 's son , and his travels of the country called india jeroboam , and his travels of jeroboam's wife , the journey of the men of god which came out of juda ib. jezreel jehoram , and his travels jehu , and his travels jehoahas ib. jeroboam , the second of that name , and his travels ib. jehosaphat , and his travels the typical signification of jehosaphat joab , and his travels ioram king of juda , and his travels ib. of joas king of israel joas king of judah jabnia jotham , king of juda , and his travels ib. josiah , and his travels jehohahas king of juda , and his travels ib. jehoiakim king of juda , and his travels of the destruction of jerusalem by nebuchadnezzar of the prophet isaiah of the prophet jeremiah , and his travels of the prophet joel of the prophet ionah , and his travels the typical signification of ionah japho of the holy man iob of his three daughters of jesus the son of syrack iudas macchabeus , and his travels the typical signification of iudas macchabeus ionathan , and his travels iohn hyrcanus , and his travels iason , and his travels iohn baptist , and his travels jericho , of ioseph of arimathea joppa iordan iohn , and his travels the testimony of the fathers concerning iohn iconium k. kiriathaim karkor kirjath jearim kyr kerith keder kegilah l. labassardach lot , and his travels of lot's daughters of the kings that took lot prisoner ib. of libnah , lachis ib. libanus the levite and his trav. lais of lacedemonia , called also sparta lidda laodicea lystra m. diversity of miles of mount moriah , the allegorical signification of it the buildings upon mount moriah of mount acra , from to of mount bezetha of the mount of olives , of the mount between bethel and hay machanaim mount seir moses and his travels midian marah mithca maceheloth ib. maseroth makedah merom mizpah minneth michmas maon memphis , by whom , and when built menahem , and his travels maresa manasses , and his travels micah malachi mallos mattathias meda●a menelaus and his travels of a mina the virgin mary and her travels machares of the holy mountain near capernaum misia of the isle and city of mitilene of the isle and city of miletus now called malta magdala of the island milete merodach myra of masloth n of neapolis or the new town , of noah of nimroth ib. nob nadab nabach naaman the syrian and his travels nebuchadnezzar and his travels , ninus or niniveh , when built , and by whom nahum the prophet nehemiah the prophet naphtaly nazareth naim nicopolis niriglissoroor o of the cave of odullam oboth omry , and his travels obediah the prophet orthosia onias , and his travels ib. p of the pool of bethesda of paradice , and where it stood of the palm or oak of mamre where abraham dwelt penuel of pihachiroth phunon pisgah of phrygia the plain of the vines ib. the philistines travels from their camp to michmas pharaoh and his travels peka and pekahiah of phul belochus king of the assyrians and his travels pharaoh necho king of aegypt and his travels pelusio persepolis , when built , by whom , and why so called ptolomais of the country of parthia perea peter and his travels allegations of the author to prove that peter was never at rome of the island called pathmos of the famous city pergamus philadelphia philip and his travels paul and his travels of paphos , why so called of perga ib. of philippa patara puteoli q the queen of saba and her travels r of the roman mile rachels grave raemses , at what time it flourished of the red sea ib. the mystery of the red sea rephadim rithmah rimmon ib. rissa ib. rechob of the rock eta ramah solomon's adversary rehoboam and his travels of the four rivers that watered paradise of the river cheber of the river eulaeo of the angel raphael of rages , a city of the medes ibid. of the isle and city of rodes and why so called rhegium rome and why so called rogel s of stades or furlongs of mount sion the allegorical meaning of mount sion of the springs and fountains about ierusalem of the sarazens and turks from to of sem sichem sodom of the sea asphaltites ibid. of the valley siddim succoth salem ib. the desart of sin of mount sinai ib. of saphar sidon sampson and his travels the typical signification of sampson of the river sorek samuel and his travels the typical signification of samuel saul and his travels ib. the typical signification of saul sur sunem ib. suchar shimei solomon and his travels the typical signification of solomon 〈◊〉 travels of solomons ships saba , and the scituation of it , samaria , by whom built seleucia , when it was built and flourished syria ib. of the star that appeared to the wise-men of the east sychar the sea of galilee teh description of the holy sepulchre sallum saerah king of aethiopia , and his travels salmanasser , and his travels senacharib , and his trav. sysach , king of aegypt , and his travels sarepta the sunamite and her travels of susan serubbabel sobal simon , and his travels sephala of a sicle siloh simon of cyrene who carried christ's cross samaria smyrna sardis saba salamais samothracia samus , an isle t. tanais the desciption of the temple of the porches or open courts of the temple , from to of the allegorical or spiritual meaning of the temple , from to the tower antonia the tower ophel ib. the tower of the centurions the travels of the two angels the tower aeder thimnah thahath tharah ib. thabor , thebes tholah thob the travels of the children of israel when they fought against the benjamites thecoah thamar thirza thipza the travels of the people that salmanasser carried into captivity ● tiglat phulasser , and his travels tyrus , or zor . , thisbe tharsis tobias of the city tharsus the tubiani , a people tripolis tryphon , and his travels . of a talent the travels of the wise men out of the east the travels of our saviour christ in his infancy the travels of our saviour christ from his baptism till the first year of his ministry the travels of our saviour christ in the second year of his ministry the travels of our saviour christ in the third year of his ministry tyberias trachonitis the travels of our saviour christ in the fourth year of his ministry thyatira tarsus , or tharsus troas thessalonia , or thessalonica trogillium v. the valley of cedron the valley of hinnom vizziah , or azariah , and his travels vriah , ad his travels w. of the walls that compassed the city of ierusalem of weights , measures , and moneys , from to the way between iudaea and aegypt y. the years of the iniquity of israel z. zoan zin cades zalmona ib. zarea zoba ziph ziglag zemeraim zephah zachariah zarea zedekiah zephaniah zachariah ib. zophar zabadei zacharias zidon zeboim zimri finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * cubitus is a foot and an half , six hand breadths , four and twenty fingers broad , being in former times the fourth part of the he●ght of a man : cubitus a cubando , the arm that men use to lean upon , from the elbow to the hand , victru . lib. . col. lexicon . * which make 〈…〉 † which make . miles . * because it was made of the cedar trees which came out of mount libanus . † which make four english miles , and a furlong . * that is yards in height . * or ara●●a . that is , an cubits , which make yards english ; so that the temple was yards long , broad , and high . * mas●uli eni●n ab 〈…〉 one domin●m in●ocarunt . * or a well wrought stone . notes for div a -e * that is yards high . * here also dwelt sisai , abiman , and thalmas the sons of anak . * this was the chief city of aegypt . notes for div a -e in the third year of this man's rule , hercules , king of the argives , ( famous for his twelve labours ) began to reign . macrob. lib. . in the tenth year of this judge , an. mun. . and before christ , hercules died , and priamus , king of troy , began his reign , which he lost forty years after . notes for div a -e in the fifth year of this man's rule , the trojan war began , ann. mun. , before christ , . in the fifth year of this man's rule troy was taken . notes for div a -e * from the place where david killed goliah notes for div a -e * how much this was , you may read hereafter in the quantity of weights notes for div a -e * what this was in our mony , you may read after in the quantity of monies . notes for div a -e * what this is in our money , you may read after in the quantity of moneys . * what this was in our mony , you may see after . * what this was in our money , you may see after . notes for div a -e * four yards and a half long , and two broad . notes for div a -e * that is , crowns . notes for div a -e lucian in car●nt . suid , loc . alleg at hysich . in . † a silique is the fruit of a charob-tree , which carrieth certain sweet cods or husks about five inches long , and as broad as a mans thumb : six carobs , or charob-bean-cods weighed a drachma , or carract . notes for div a -e about the day of october in this year , the practises of sejanus were discovered , and he died miserably , tac. lib. . notes for div a -e * some say he killed himself with his own dagger . † as some say . the poets vvillow: or, the passionate shepheard with sundry delightfull, and no lesse passionate sonnets: describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed louer. diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the lyricke, as the anacreonticke measures; neuer before published ... brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the poets vvillow: or, the passionate shepheard with sundry delightfull, and no lesse passionate sonnets: describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed louer. diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the lyricke, as the anacreonticke measures; neuer before published ... brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. by iohn beale, for samuel rand, and are to be sold at his shop at holborne bridge, imprinted at london : . dedication signed: richard brathvvayte. in verse. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in 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is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the poets vvillovv : or , the passionate shepheard : with sundry delightfull , and no lesse passionate sonnets : describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed lover . diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the lyricke , as the anacreonticke measures ; neuer before published : being reduced into an exact and distinct order of metricall extractions . artem qui tractant musicam , haec legant , & poesem ament . author : impresse . nec mori timeo , nec opto . imprinted at london by iohn beale , for samuel rand , and are to be sold at his shop at holborne bridge . . to the right vvorthie gentleman master william ascham replenished with the bovnties of art and nature . molli discumba ▪ via . scu haec via illi summa . if those be patrons fittest for our labours , whose vertuous actions merit our respect , who fitter then your selfe for to protect , our infant poems with your mature fauor ? whose fragrant bosome euer had that sauor , and perfect relish , that the pure effect of your sincerest loue would thinke no shame , to take in worth what from pernassus came . beleeue me sir , those manie well tuned straines of your concording vertues haue produced these harsher poems : let me be excused sith what i write concernes poore homely swaines . that vsed to frolicke in the spacious plaines , my muse with no cadmean drops infus'd shelters her humble selfe vnder your wing , which if you grant , she may securely sing . call but to mind the seedplot of your youth , stagyras well-spring , britons hesperie , which at one time receau'd both you and me , you to grow vp , me to admire your growth , hoping to see that which might glad vs both . your inward graces , graced outwardly . for now my poems rellish when they finde so great a fortune in so great a minde . if i should speake but what i doe conceaue , i should make stale those merits of your owne , in shewing them which be already showne , yet if i were but able to engraue , in monumentall tablets , you should haue the highest place because the highest growen in ripe and pregnant iudgement which approue , both art and nature beare you speciall loue . long may you flourish in the grouth of time , to be a refuge to the muses nine , diuinest shades should shadow powers diuine , that when poore celsus writes in ragged rime , he may receiue protection by your shrine , whose beauteous raies with more perfection shine , then the malignant censures of the worst shall ere raze out , if that their gall should burst . more could i write ( for subiect had i still , of writing more and more , ) but modesty tells me your vertues would not praised be , for vertues praise doth from her selfe distill , wherefore i curbd th' intention of my will , ioying to see these honors which i see , so well portraid in you , that your worth , makes the earth glory in so great a birth . your vertues admiror humblie deuoted , richard brathvvayt● . hinc mea musa gemit , quae seria non sera currit , non matura satis carmina : causa nimis . vpon the illustrate prince henrie , the authors long meditated teares : draigned from a fresh renewing spring euer distilling : some whereof the passionate elegiake offers to his neuer dying monument . dost weepe to see him dead ? or thou dost come to view him liuing in his dying tombe ? liuing ( said i ) and dying ? yes : his death seems to infuse in him a liuing breath , that being dead to earth , earth might transpose , his earthy corps vnto eternall ioies . deadiyes , and aliue too ; this seems strange : for single death he gets a double change : of life and death : death to shut vp his eies , life to enthrone him in heauens paradice . ●ere heire vnto a king , but there he sings a glorious p●ean to the king of kings . a good exchange : what better ? none to thee , translated prince : yet no change worse to me , and to the state : o enuy that our will should so depraued be , to wish him ill , for our owne priuate good : great good indeed , and to be wisht for : o where shall we reade so many vertues charactred in youth , so rare a mirror in the court of truth . so pure intentions seconded by same . so hopefull diuinations in his name . so generall affection as nere any , in one heart , kept the hearts of halfe so many . i st then impiety to weepe , or show our zeale to him ? whom there was none did know that by relation wept not ; o i see , in euery face the face of niobe , sencelesse and speechlesse : yet in sense and speech thus much entire affection seems to teach posterity hereafter : as 't appeares both sence and speech supplied are by teares . teares inundation , so as we might feare , and not without iust cause some deluge nere , but that we see a rainebow which portends heauen has imposd vnto our sorrowes ends and limits , which ore past can hardly be , so soone slip griefes out of our memory . so soone ? indeede too soone : poems in blacke resemble the blacks we weare vpon our backe . which whilst we follow the sad mournfull beere , some more for fashion then compassion weare . vnworthy mourners , do your griefes extend no further ? must your teares with his blest end expire together ? why then i pray re●ire let our sole notes sith that our notes be higher and far more shrill , supply your place : i le find motiues of griefe vnto th'immotiu'sts mind . you are blind with teares , i but of late began , one eye may see more then another can ▪ why should men thinke th' inuention halfe so rare , or worth record : to bring a stream : from ware , of pure spring water ? for without lesse charge i could haue dreind a riuer full as large without ere pumping for 't : and with a sluse as artificiall : which could no way chuse ( such is the force of an obsequious pitty ) but conuey water to most parts o' th city . and this without a iacobs staffe , or ought saue the dimensions of an aierie thought ; which measures each p●oportion , onely griefe excepted , which the measure of reliefe could neuer compasse : yet there would be fault in my conueiance , for my spring is salt and mixt with briny vapors which distill ▪ like pond or marish waters from a hill . but their 's more sweet , so could i mine allay , if i had been at so much cost as they . next wonder that we haue obserud this yeere , is that the winter did like spring appeare , garnisht with varied flowers , and euery sweet checkerd with borders for the syluans meet to frolicke on : and why ? they are of that nature , that when they 'r merry , they presage some creature of worth or admiration must commend , their bones to rest by some approaching end . ill natur'd bugbeares , why should you delight , to see that sunne lodge in eternall night that gaue a lustre with his sparkling eie to euery plant within his monarchy each humble spray or flower that grew i' th field of honor , would he honor with his shield of eminent respect ▪ respect lesse you , that neuer giue to merit what 's her due . but i must cease , that i may weepe the more , for ceaselesse though i weepe , i haue teares in store two buckets to one well , both of them goes , the one for my teares , the other for my woes , that teares and woes contracted both in one , may pierce in time this monumentall stone . the argvment of this treatise . berillvs an arcadian shepheard , who frequented the flowrie plaines of ida ; and indeed no lesse musicall , then pastorall : for his learning famous , for his measure in all compositions curious , for his censure in moderne presentments , no lesse affected , then by his fellow-inhabitants admired ; fell in loue with a nimph of the adioyning mountaine , hight eliza : of parentage honorable , of beautie incomparable , and endowed with all graces internall ; which made her no lesse beloued , then desired , euen of the greatest : for her demerits were such , as arcadia resounded with her praises , long had shee ( euen of ●● naturall loue vnto retirednes ) sequestred her selfe from the publique concourse of the world , professing as it seemed a ves●all life : when now ( being of great expectancie , as the onely daughter to her father ) she● was moued by her friends to addresse her selfe for proceedings both more answerable to her fortunes , more correspondent to the generall intentions of her friends , and more aequiualent to her yeeres , being now in the flower of her time , and increase of estate . after a modest , yet halfe-assenting repugnance , shee condiscended to their request : leauing vesta and her retired habitations , and now consecrating her laies and hymnes to hymen , wishing no doubt , his furtherance to her otherwise affected disposition . it chanced that ( on a solemne festiuall day ) when all shepheards leauing their pastures , and making recourse to a temple erected neere to the foresaid mountaine , they offered sacrifice to pan ( the shepheards god ) that he would preserue their flockes , & giue encrease vnto their heards , according to the custom of rome , where the lupercalia be solemnised by the mountaine palatine : the parilia were kept in honour of pales , for the preseruation of cattell : such were the feasts of these arcadian shepherds . now in the performance of their vowes to pan , ere their solemnities were half finished , came in eliza with other amiable maids , to see the order ( as it seemed ) of the shepheards in the celebration of their festiuals . the passionate shepheard berillus , who before had conceaued no little affection of the demure carriage , modest gate , and well-respected , & reputed conuersation of eliza , had no sooner fixed his eyes on her , then his sacrifice was ended , his deuotion cooled , and those many orisons which he made to pan , conuerted to the honour of his saint & shrine eliza. much loue he professed by his eye : for though pan had his knees , yet that honour was but externall , eliza had his heart , no lesse reuerencing her presence , then he did pan with outward appearance . eliza at last obserued ( as what woman , if faire , knowes not her beautie ? ) that irreuerberate fixing of his eyes , by the transparent characters of his lookes , measuring his loue , shee ( not to dant the poore shepheard ) gaue him a modest smile , which gaue no lesse content to berillus , then if pan had descended and confirmed their vowes with his presence . the sacrifice ended : yet the flame which appeared at the sacrifice not extinguished in the loue sicke shepheards brest , continued his passions , not hopelesse , because resolued such beauteous colors could not bee soiled with the blemish of a remorcelesse heart : but as the syreus neuer portend more raine , then when their voice is most delightfull , nor the crocodyle more pernicious , then when feigned semblances shew her teares most remorcefull , so this bitter sweet , seemed to entertaine pittie , and to accept of the poore shepheards sacrifice , registring his sobbes , sighs , and vnfained passions in the tablet of her heart : vowing acceptance if her parents assent confirmed her election . but see that generall vice ( innate to her sex , ) leuity of minde , estraunged her intentions , and made the forlorne shepheard more wretched , in that his former hopes had made him blessed : shee contemnes his giftes , scornes his suite , plaies vpon his simplicitie : so as the shepheard surprised with a sympathie of passions , in that his hopes and great expectances are made abortments : proined of their expected growth , and blasted in the prime of his affections , sits descanting of his discontents : making his pipe the surdon of his sorrow : to expresse his languishments more fully , in an abrupt straine of discords ( as that harmonie best suites with his present fortunes ) lying deiected on the ground ( best repose for his declining hopes ) thus intimates his owne miserie : shadowing ( though couertly ) womans inconstancie : shutting vp his ode with this conclusion : they are happie , who haue seene ( and by seeing ) haue bene cautioned of a louers miserie , and womans obduracie , hating where they propound most euident and infallible testimonies of their sincerest loue . the pastorall . in arcadie , a place of great renowne famous for flowry pastures , there remaind a youthfull shepherd , who vpō the down , hight idas plaine , such honour had obtaind amongst all shepheards by his trophies gaind , and worthie feates in euerie may game showen that his atchieuements were so glorious growen , as he the flower of shepheards still was nam'd nor of that honour might he be asham'd , for many shepheards thē there were ▪ whose grace in actiue fears put heroes out of place . tmolus was one of such a noble spirit ▪ adornd with beautie and perfection too . that in all actions he the 〈◊〉 did merit decking with laurell his victorious brow . was praisd of all , yet neuer would he heare it , nor of vaine glorie least appearance show : such store of graces from his minde did flow ; of able bodie , and of pregnant wi● , that euen these times haue much admired it : for manie laies would tmolus ofttimes make in diuine measures for amyclas sake . next him was thyrsus of a comely hew a pure complexion , and a pleasant grace , who to his friends prou'd faithfull still and true , with painted smile nere would he soile his face : for he descended from a noble race , as his admired vertues still did shew : for fame and honour euer did reuew , the spacious mansions of this shepheards place walking with honour in his parents trace , such was this thyrsus ( thyrsus was his name ) nor of that title might he thinke 't a shame . pelorus was the third , a lustie swaine that vs'd to graise his cattell by the riuer euenus hight : where oft he would complaine , of his hardhearted loue : nor would he euer , those pensiue odes ( in silent woes ) containe but chaunts his passions ore and ore againe : such brinie streames could be exempted neuer , for light ( which lightsome seems ) his ioies disseuer making his comforts barraine : o how faine vvould he haue glad himselfe with harmonie , but what he sought could not effected be . o my laerte ( would this shepheard say ) vvhy doest exile me from thy presence deere ? why shouldst thou with thy loure benight my day , and racke my intrals with perpetuall feare ? i pray thee ( loue ) more cheerefully appeare , feede not my passions with a long delay , but let the night at last my griefes allay , that i some pleasant harmonie may heare , sounding a concord in my dolefull eare , o be so kinde , that if no day , yet night may yeelde me comfort and renew delight . thus would pelorus iterate his woe and make the pastures eccho with his voice , for to what caue so ere this swaine did goe he made it answer with an horrid noise , for where he was , no creature could reioyce , sith what he did , his cattell would doe so , both foode and water willing to forgoe , and frame their routing to their maisters choice a discord well concording with his voice , his flockes were thankefull to deplore his fall mourning to heare their maisters mournfull call . manie fine bowers this shepheard vsd to frame of mirtle braunches , and of poplar greene , wherein he vsd to endorse his louers name , whose curious workes to this day may be seene , which cannot chuse but aeternise his fame and that renowmed house from whence he came , for few such swaines on earth haue euer beene of such respect , such vertue , such esteeme : but he is gone , and hath depriu'd the earth of her chiefe beautie , portraied in his birth . tymallus was the next , who for his strength antaeus like , regaind the highest prise amongst all shepheards , but the fates at length seem'd to oppose his worthie enterprise , shutting the glorious splendor of his eies , ( themselues contented in our discontents ) changing the nature of those elements , which in tymalius did so sympathise , that i haue heard , though this same shepheard dies , yet euerie yeere the inhabitants receaue , where hee s interd sweete odors from his graue . o thou perfumed vrne that doest containe within thy shrine and s●ble monument , the famous reliques of a noble swaine , mansion of honour , vertues continent , shine euer bright to grace that ornament which thou possessest : let no priuat● slaine blemish that poore remainder , whos● pure name makes earth , no earth , but as an element drawen from the earth , to raise her excrement , rest thee tymallus in thy house of clay , whilest we relate thy actions euerie day . but now must i leaue these , and come to him , whose sacred muse pearceth the aerie clouds , and with berillus excellence begin some higher straine ; leauing the silent wods , the silent shades , the pastures and the floods ▪ which cherished the swaines : now must i trimme with varied colours euerie braunch and limme of my discourse : that such as vnderstood of this berillus , may wish him some good , and adde some proper actions of their owne to those of his , and make them better knowne it chaunced on a time , the swaines agreed to celebrate the festiual● of pan , pan was the god , by which their flocks did feede , and their encrease on ida first began , therefore each swaine with all the speed he can , came with sweete incense from his flourie mede , to sacrifice to pan of all their breed , one with a kid , another with a lambe , or some young suckling wained from the damme , mongst whom berillus came , willing to offer , to pales incense , and to pan an heifer . vnto the temple which erected was , n●●re to the foote of idas sacred moun● , from whence a nectar riuolet did passe , which was enst●led cytheraeas fount , came all these shepheards , who with great account , and solemne honour offred in that place , the firstlings of their flocks were wont to grase vpon the neighbour plaines , or which were wont to brouse the flourie vale , or feede vpon 't , each offred what they had , fruits of their border , the best the first , the residue in order . amidst these solemne feasts , obsequious vowes , came in eliza , one of beautie rare , with other virgins , for what end heauen knowes , saue to perplex such as religious were : such tempting creatures wanton women are , seducing vs with smiles and seeming showes , farre worse then the furie of externall blowes : for those shed blood , these doe torment with care and vex vs with new sorrowes , till despaire surprise our mindes , our solace dispossesse , making vs obiects of times pensiuenesse . noe sooner had he spied ( aye me too soone ) the syren countenance of this seeming sect , then incense , censor , coales , & all throwne downe , fixing his eyes on her , showd his intent , hauing our heart there where our eyes be bent , to such a passion he in fine was growne , that he could scarcely vouch himselfe his owne , but pitching there his campe , his fort , his tent , confin'd himselfe within her element , for he transported was ( poore harmelesse man , ) to elizas altar from the shrine of pan. shall i adore ( quoth he ) a rurall god , a pasture saint , a sheepish deitie , when a more heauenly creature makes abode , cheering my comforts in varietie , promising pleasures in sacietie ? no , no , her presence farre more comforts bode then pan ere had : too long my feete haue stoode , too long my knees haue bow'd ( poore pan ) to thee i see a saint that better pleaseth me . this said ( his incense from his shrine berest ) vnto his goddesse goes , the altar left . like to a forward wooer trained long in louers vowes , and solemne protestations , he takes her by the hand : and softlie wrong her tender pulse , augmenting sundrie passions of an vnfained loue ( heauens inuocations ) making his heart the subiect of his tongue , his tongue the herald of euents to come , calling the gods to record his intentions , and all those acry powers whose blest conuentions confirme each action both in heauen and earth , the fatall end drawne from a fatall birth . if that i loue not ( honourd queene ) quoth he , mirror of beautie , diamond of fame , if that i euer haue not honourd thee , and registred the annals of thy name , and with my deerest blood confirmd the same , neuer respect these teares distild from me , nor of thy worth let me accepted be . but if i haue beene faithfull , thinke 't no shame to fix thy loue on me that faithfull am , for sooner shall the sunne surcease to shine , then i surcease to reuerence thy shrine . see in what diuine rites , what sacred hests , i was distracted , to enioy your loue , for sincere loue , delaies in loue detests , enforc'd the fruites ( which he desires ) to prooue , o let me prooue them , so shall griefes remooue , their pensiue stations , and afford sweete rest vnto my restlesse soule , by thee made blest : i was brought vp ( dere sweete ) in idas groue , hatchd in an aerie , sprung from bowers aboue , those ●owrs , those flowrs , those showrs w c did descend frō ioues pure throne , thy beauty shal defend . those bowers which louely adon did frequent , those flowers to which narcissus was transformd those liquid showers where dande reapt content , all in one symptome with one wreath adornd , to louers vnitie sweete straine conformd , ( for purer straines nere had earths continent , then such as descant louers complement ) where limpe-halt vulcan too ▪ too long soiornd , with loues contempt portr●ide , displaied & hornd , but louers cannot put abuse , nor wrong those faithfull vowes which they professed long . see but this incense how it lost her smell , see but this censor how it lost her fire , which intimates , nought can expresse so well the feruent passions of our mindes desire , as beautie● presence , which doth still aspire , to aerie mansions from the vault to shell , for perfect loue all vapors can expell , and giue the louer due reward , due hire , scorning with coward pace to make retire , loue is a captaine which obtaines the prise , scorning the worst and basest enterprise . but like victorious cheiftaines which enclose the strongest bull warks with continued labour , despising rest , minds quiet , nights repose , by their renoumed acts to purchase fauour , ( whose resolutions know not how to wauer nor the pale harbour of distracted woes , know how to feare ) euen so affection goes , till memorie ( of heroes acts engrauer ) enobled by worths monuments shall haue her , registring her pure vertures in their shrine , for diuine acts deserue a throne diuine . noe steepie mount can be too peering high , noe craggie cliffe for loue too intricate , for such is loue and louers maiestie , as its secure in euery dismall state , passing the iudgement of impartiall state , neerer the title of a deitie , being the same which she doth seeme to be , hating the cause of times producing hate , ope be her eyes ( wide ope ) early and late , discoursing where or how her comforts be , taking no rest to gaine eternitie . o be not selfe conceited ( dearest loue ) see but thy image , how it doth desire another image : ayming euer higher , till it enioy what it intends to prooue , much like the turtle with the turtle-doue or like the phenix , who in her owne fire , portraies her selfe both mother , seede and sire : her ashie vrne her tombe , her flame the groue , to life infusd by some effects aboue . be then the phenix , as in beautie rare , so be thy actions farre aboue compare . what better sutes which beautie then delight ? what better with delight then loues content ? what better with content then cheerefull light ? what better sutes with light then th'element , that best concords with her ? what 's that ? th'extent of pure affection : which expels the night , and makes vs pleasant in our louers sight , for honest louers shew their mindes intent , by outward signes ; an incense redolent , in sincere loue , composd of sundrie links , thinkes what she speakes , and speaketh what she thinkes . then speake ( deere loue ) let this same sacred place , where we be present , consecrate our loue : let pan himselfe confirme our nuptiall grace , and all the powerfull queristers aboue sing cheerefull layes : while our affections moue their true idaeas : that illustrate race , from whence you were deriud , quickens my chace and bids me hope : you cannot chuse but loue , their worth cannot be base whose births aboue , then as thou art erected , let me tast , the fruites of loue , when discontents be past . for if a faithfull shepheard can deserue , meede for his faith : my faith deserues as much . how oft haue i thy name desir'd to carue in euerie tree ? and when i sought to touch the tender barke , or rinde , it nere thought much , but willingly endurd my sculpture : thus plāts serue thy blest attendance : that they may obserue , a module in thy fancie : that is such , that if they should doe all , yet not too much can be done to thy shrine : if plants doe this , ( if i should not doe more ) i did amisse . since time i knew thee ( fairest of all faires , ) i could not goe , as i was wont to doe vnto my pastures : for such heapes of cares possest my crasie braines , surprised so with thy affections , that whereso ere i goe , sit , or lie downe , nought of sweete ioye appeares , but multitudes of my renewing feares , which make me sleeping wake , thinking of woe , and then of ioy : thus interposd twixt two , a double forme my single forme partakes , now waking sleepes , & sleeping straight awakes . for that sweete sleep which cōfort yeelds to others , yeeldes a distaft to me : what can be sweete where hope is dead ? hope is a louing mother , banishing sorrow with a silent sleepe , that feedes the shepheard , and reuiues his sheepe , reducing them into one fould together , but sheepe nor shepherd there 's no health to either , if thou my shephardesse refuse to gather my disperst flocks : and shall denie to keepe my watching eyes that doe desire to sleepe , but cannot sleepe , to double paines they are put , ope by thy presence , by thy absence shut . no day nor night can solace yeelde to me , both be vnwelcome guests : and what 's the cause ? to tell the truth : that day i see not thee seemes farre more darke then night : loue hath no clause , no limit , nor no bond : loue cannot be confinde in bonds , it hates captiuitie : meriting honour by diuinest lawes , as for her action it deserues applause , o then ( deere sweete ) be not so soft to show , so hard to loue : receiue these vowes i owe. oft haue i walkd within the idalian groue , calling each plant , each blossome to record the spotlesse vowes of my refined loue : and euerie plant did seemingly accord vnto my vowes : springs did their teares afford , and euery sencelesse rocke did passions moue : crying i loue , the eccho cried i loue , for euery accent , accented my word , a louely concord in a loues discord . if plants , rocks , riuers so remorsefull be , farre more remorse i doe expect from thee . thy substance is more heauenly , then disdaine should soile a mansion of so pure delight : thou seest me loue , and thou wilt loue againe : i know thou wilt , those vowes which i haue plight cannot but haue respect in louers sight : which if thou doe , ( beleeue me ) i le remaine as i haue beene a poore well willing swaine , and with my pipe on euery winter night play laies of loue , to further thy delight . beleeue me sweete , and you may thinke it true , my flocks vnfollowed are to follow you . the wanton lambkins frolicke on the plaine , skipping and leaping in their floure of youth , while in a secret caue , i scarce containe my selfe from teares , and so melampus doth , poore harmelesse curre , for he is very loth to see me so deiected : howling amaine , prickeard , bleare eyed , yeelds me a dolefull straine ▪ of doggrell musique : thus perplexed both . repine to see each creature in their grouth , and we dismaid , with woes immured so , as others ioyes seeme to augment our woe . last day but one amicla came to me , and askd the reason why i was so sad : thou vsd , quoth she , so full of mirth to be , that with thy pipe thou made the pastures glad , and was accounted still the cheerefulst lad in all our plaine : how coms it then quoth shee , such sullen suds haue so perplexed thee ? come , come away and leaue this pensiue shade , for piping , not for pining thou was made , come , come i say , and quickly follow me . and ore this downe lets dance it nimbly . alas amicla , thus i answerd her , how can i pipe , my rede is out of tune , how can i dance , that can but hardly stirre my crasie ioints : o no , that time is done , nor wil't hereafter ( much i doubt it ) come to ioy my dolefull life , or ere appeare , to end my griefes that eccho euery where , for griefes speake loudest when the speech is dūbe engrosing daily still a greater summe . leaue me amicla , how can i recite , my wonted measures that has broke my pipe ▪ broken thy pipe ? i le mend it ( sweete ) quoth she , and make it tune with more delightfull measure then ere it did : lend but thy pipe to me : i lent it her , that i in part might please her , but it plaid tunelesse still : nor could it ease her , descanting discords : sadder harmonie nere did i heare of sage melpomene : it knew his maisters straine , not all the treasure of tagus golden oare , no time , no leasure , had either i or my poore pipe to play , for thoughts of loue had tane all ioyes away . amicla when she saw it would not be , threw downe my pipe , for it was soone thowne downe , and with quicke pace away departed she , vvhile i despised , of my selfe lay downe vnder a shadie beech well ouer growne , with broad ▪ spred braūches which did shadow me , but not obscure the loue i bare to thee ; calling the heauens to witnesse , and mine owne , mine own poore bleting flocks ! my loue was shown thee . not in assemblance , but so really , that nought seem'd sweete which did not tast of thy breath a perfume , and thy voice a tone , of perfect concords : thy bright eye a starre , thy mouth an hyblemount , thine armes a throne , thy teeth a pearly cordon , thy pure haire tramels of purest gould , where lodged are those three admired graces , all in one , as if they ment there to reside alone : thy browes like beacons , where we see afarre adioyning places , mannagements of warre , breefely , noe part thou hast from top to toe , but may be askt why nature made it so ? and straight it answers : nature made me thus , to be a mirrour past all imitation , sith choicest colours my proportion chufe , a beauteous frame formd of the best creation , that after times might make more full relation , what they haue seene proportioned in vs and leaue records of it : that euery muse , if pregnant , may discourse to euery nation , a perfect module made for recreation , but for no humane creature ; such as loue vs , must come frō heauē , & plāt their throne aboue vs o tell me then ( deere loue ) if so it be , humane affections cannot worthie seeme , by their intentiue minds to honour thee , and therefore iustly haue condemned beene , to gase out that which should be rarely seene , for such as thou art , oft reserued be , not for earths frame , but for aeternitie : tell me but this ( and by this kisse ) i meane nere to repaire vnto thy shrine againe , or ere make sute ( as here i doe professe ) to be thy shepherd , thou my shepherdesse . when poore berillus finisht had his sute , looking for answer at elizas hand , pans priest came in , and put berillus out , onely thus much well might he vnderstand , that he was lou'd of her , but th'priests command ( ill f●ll such shauelings ) euer went about , hearing their amorous stories to roote out their pure affections : mouing with his wand , or sacra virga , that they should descend , and leaue ●o●es passions to another place , for in pans temple loue can haue no grace . the forelorne shepheard went same way he came , sad and deiected , yet with hope releeued , thinking by absence to quench out the flame , which daily made encrease : being depriued of those blest meanes , by which we are reuiued , hope the best anchor which supports our flame , made this poore shepherd to pursue his game , hoping by such effects as he contriued , to haue his ioyes renewd : but was deceaued , for where he thought to finde contētment most in that same place he was the greatliest crost . for from that time nere could he see his dere , kept as it seem'd for pan , or for his priest , for this same shaueling euer would be there , desiring ( lustfull prelate ) there to feast , where she remaind : for he has oft confest , that he has wisht himselfe transformed were into some slender creature , to appeare at all times to eliza : who thought least of such a wanton votarie : heauens detest , such vow in fringing masse priests whose professiō collects a reason out of each suspition . farewell eliza , if thou liue so long , as to repent thee of thy breach of faith , i doe not doubt but thou 'l confesse the wrong which thou hast done me , and abiure that breath , which thou exhal'd , adiudging me to death , by that remorselesse heart , that syren tongue , which ( if thou liu'st ) will sing another song : take heede , the sword 's drawne frō the irefull sheath , and inbred horror creepeth vnderneath . whom thou affectest most , affects thee least , hating thy swaine to take thee to thy priest. but if god pan knew how his swaines were vsd , by such as offer to him sacrifice , i know full well he would redresse th' abuse , and saue our honour from such priests as these , who fill his temple with impieties , wronging the sincere thoughts of each of vs , which cannot merit in the heauens excuse : small faults with saints be great enormities , shrines that are pure become pure deities , but i le surc●ase , griefes make my muse surcease : encrease of lines giue to my woes encrease . to eliza. a sonnet . if faire eliza thou that i haue lou'd , and vowd more sacred hests vnto thy shrine then any loue that ere profest him thine , haue but my poems by thy selfe approu'd , o to what blessed , vnexpected clime am i transported by this muse of mine ? but if thou frowne , contract thy brow and loure , i le neuer handle this rude pencile more . i haue not zeuxes hand to paint thy shape , but i could wish to graue within thy mound some quaint deuise , where if i once were found , i know no feature of his liuely grape could me exceede : for i haue learnd the ground of that deepe art , albeit most profound . be thou the module of that curious frame , that my impression may adorne the same . adorne ? deforme thou saiest : poore poesie , cannot content elizas nuptials , shee 's of a lighter straine , her festiuals sound and resound with purer harmonie : she cannot brooke the sullen saturnals that mixe our inyes with gladnesse : iuuenals , best like eliza : and they would like me , if i were iuuenall to sing to thee . thy affectionate swaine pans poorest herdsman . in arui pascua distichon . pastor eram gelidis discumbeus montibus arui , in me tanguet amor mont is , amore tui . to dorinda . elegie . . the soaring eagle stouping to allure , too base a lure ( god wot ) for such a bird , was soone depriu'd of that he thought most sure , at which strange hap the eagle much admird , to be debard of that he least desird , wherefore opprest with furie there he swore , descend he would to such base lures no more . art thou not borne ( quoth he ) of royall race , hatching thy aerie in the wildernesse ? and wilt thou then that auncient house disgrace , soiling thy glory with such filthinesse , which would ecclipse thy pristine worthinesse ? o fie for shame let such vnworthies be , whose worthles parts will shame thine house and thee . thy father was a prince , thou art his sonne , for with thy pearcing eyes canst thou behold the glorious lustre of the cheerefull sun , fruitfull as springtime , not to bondage sould , building thy neast in clymates far from cold , flie to the cedar ; let this mushrome be , for higher plants will better nourish thee . those sparkling eies of thine which shine so bright , clad with the flames of phaebus regiment , cannot immantled be in pitchie night , but aime at some more gracious element , sunne seldome shines on such base excrement , then as thou soar'd by nature , so let art in thine aspiring thoughts sustaine a part . nomine pastor is m●llita poemata fundit aquila — vt infra sequitur . what plesant poems haue come from my bill , whose sweete resounding made the eccoes ring , in fields and shades where siluer streames distill , where philomell her selfe was wont to sing , downe by the current of sabinas spring , shall then my brest which tund so plesantly , be matchd with such a tunelesse harmonie ? in poesem encomion . should hybles sacred art of poesie , leese her horizon in the throne of heauen , since it hath beene profest by deitie , vnto the muses in pernassus giuen , a place frequented on each satyres euen , where satyres danc't & syluanos in their order , with all the rites that hymen could afford her . then thou thrice blest profession , which remaines a solace to the minde , the earths content , that doubles our night tasks with ●reble gaines , affording vse of louers complement , the load-starre which directs our regiment , neither shall pleasure profit or delight , depriue me the fruition of thy sight . to dorinda . the bird erodius for her louely broode , sends out a shower of teares perpetually , and she by natures prescript is allowed to mourne for her deiected progenie , parents with children make one sympathie . why should not i doe this for her and more , whose hallowed shrine my thoughts did ere adore ? thou fairest queene that sits on idas mount , vouchsafe to take this poaem i present , and this my muse shall be deuoted still , vnto thine heauenly statue which was sent from io●e aboue vnto this continent , protect my silly labour and receiue vnto thy cell , this little that i haue . alas what fortune crost my birth day first , when fates themselues denied me better meanes , to gratifie my loue ? whose quenchlesse thirst , in midst of streames , for liquid streames complains , that her poore trauaile can produce no gaines , vnto thy diuine altar ; which shall smell , with mirrhe & hymns the nimphs thēselues shal tell . amor vt odor . — redolentia semina mittit-quisquis amat . bring me some odors for my louely queene , and fragrant posies for my shepherdesse : a fairer spring-time neuer shall be seene for worth becomes dorindas worthinesse , pipe will i still for i can doe no lesse , and when my pipe is broken i will take a shriller pipe for my dorindas sake . pastor pasce boues , mea fistula cantet amores , &c. take out that reed , it doth not please my loue , it is too slow a straine for her swift course , she loues not that which will not quickly moue , and cut the aire like to a foaming horse , that runs his station with a vehement course , such steeds would well beseeme my lady queene that runs her courser with an easie reine . sic mea laxatis currit habenis hyppodame equis : quorum spumantia freuis colla torquet . — et tu tibi myrtile fatae digna refers . — ibid. to dorinda . elegie . . disdainefull girle that hates thy louer most , playing the tyrant with thy beauteous face , seeming as wonne , when thou art neerest lost , clouding thy beautie with a foule disgrace , since blacke disdaine enioyes the cheefest place , conceiue remorse , lest thou remorselesse die thine acts the authors of thy miserie . how manie times and oft haue i profesd vnto thy beautie ceremoniall loue ? what vowes , what hests haue beene by me expresd farre more then adon in idalias groue , more then the solemne hests of turtle doue ? the verie pellicane is not more true vnto her brood , then i would be to you . yet thou contemns my loue , and in despite of me and of my loue , fleeres in my face : o will not heauen this crueltie requite , and dispossesse thee of an angels place ? grac'd with more beauty then with beauties grace , expect reuenge for heauens reueng'd will be of such vow-breaking miscreants as thee . wast not enough to scorne me for my want , but thou must cherish me with fained loue ; and then triumph , and ore my ruins taunt ? in constant minion that doest change and moue the ball of thy affection , to approue , some goulden asse perchance that will admire not halfe so much thy selfe , as thy attire . some goulden calfe of horeb will appeare , first of his house : decended from a bagg of rustie gould , and he will call thee dere respectiue ladie : then his head hee 'l wagge , and sweare by ●●●c●ow pin of his summer-●●ng he loues thee derely , thou must be his bride , since store of angels guard him on each side . thou must haue waxen tapers wrought in gould , thy beads of purest amber earth can yeeld , thou must not tread vpon polluted mould , nor walke abroad into the open field , without thine estridge taile to be thy shield , thy drinke must nectar be , and thou must eate such meate , as for thy diuine powers is meete . thy rusticke groome that talks of saluing sheepe , of wether-gals , and of the next yeeres dearth , will thee dorinda like a ladie keepe , and feede thee with the dainties of the earth , replenished with pastures yeelding mirth : for euery shepherd with his shepherds crooke , will striue who may most on thy beautie looke heere will be mopsus with his waineskot face , there damon with his trull will thee attend , then will old acmon come with wearie pace , and melibeus hee 's thy husbands friend , leaning vpon his staffe , will homeward send for some meane gift , some cheese cake to diuide amongst the bride-maid● & their courtly bride . among the rest thy vulcane will be there , smeered with seacole , comely ●or his color , and will begin to tie thy glittering ●aire in tresses of pure gould : which are made fowler by his irreuerend hands : where some controler will curbe his bouldnesse : am i bould ( quoth he ) to touch those haires that doe belong to me ? no minion , no , you must not now partake the gaudie fashions of a giddie braine , but you must leaue them for your husbands sake , and vse those tender parts to rurall paine , to yeeld vnto your spouse a double gaine , for rest assur'd dorinda there be some , doe marrie you for after hopes to come . and be resolu'd though such protest they loue , calling the heauens to record : they will be such as perfidious tereus : and will proue the verie ruine of your progenie , and bring your state in time to miserie : then will you wish ( but wishes come too late ) you had but wist the end of your estate . but why dorinda should i mention thee ? why should i name dorinda , that 's vntrue , a faith infringer , who affected me and then forsooke me ; how should i renew , the sad memoriall which i had of you ? but with a pensiue heart , a sigh , a grone , to intimate how i am left alone . come all ye wood-gods and adorne my brow , with a poore willow garland , to expresse the liuely colors of a tragicke show , the true proportion of my pensiuenesse , remote from comfort , frought with heauinesse , where we will sing , though singing be vnfit , and euery wood-nimph shall shed teares to it . come to my cell , and we will goe together , vnto dorindas nuptials , where will be great store of rurall swaines com'd flocking thither a perfect relish of sweete ha●monie : where we may well dorindas beautie see : and see her dance laualto in that measure , as needes must yeelde to all contented pleasure . and i haue friends there that will helpe to place vs , in a roome contented , to s●ruiew , the polishd colors of her curious face , which though they doe my pensiue woes renew yet am i blest in that transparent shew of glorie and renowme , which ioind together enforce all shepherds to come flocking thether . thus will we talke and prattle of her beautie , vvith epithetes well fitting her deserts , and i will tender to her shrine my duetie , with offer of my loue and of my heart , of which she doth possesse the cheifest part : that she would daine for to accept that prise , we consecrate to her transpercing eies . in laudem dorindae : per antiphrasen . she is the mirror and the type of fame , if that a blemish did not daze her light , but that one blot doth much empaire the same , and hath obscur'd the splendor of her sight : the scope she aimes at is not aimd aright , if that one soile did not ecclips the rest , she might be well reputed , worldes best . — te roma aligine caecam efficit insequitur fugientem roma dorindam . vid. mant & luc. in fragment . o what content haue i conceau'd in thee my sweete dorinda ? what a sugred smile , a lippe of comfort relish'd pleasantly , an eie that would the prudent'st thoughts beguile ? o with what character , or in what stile shall i describe thy feature glorious saint , made of the most refined element ? thē iudge what wound it was surpris'd mine hart . when thou proscribd me from thy cherefull court , and with contracted brow bad me depart , from that repose where comforts make resort : the birds themselues that heard can make report : for manie time since i tooke leaue of thee , the birds themselues sung dirges ouer me . recall to minde the time , the place , the words , for i haue cause for to remember them , and then conceaue what sorrow they afford , what cause i haue for to surrender them into thy hands , that first did tender them , o be not so hard-hearted , well i wot , thou canst not answer that thou knowest thē not . o that so weake defectiue elements , vessels of frailtie should insult ore strength , that gould should be prest downe by excrements , or womans power extended to that length , that men ( as clergie men ) haue but the tenth of their affections in you , and receiue lesse comfort in your bed , then in your graue . o what vnhappie planet did attend , the first arriuall of mine haplesse foote , or what discomforts did the furies send to make me runne a course so farre about , with no more thanks then if i ran it not ? o fruitlesse labour , for what labour lighter thē wash the aethyope that is nere made whiter ? much haue i read of beautie , more of guile , which like a snake lies in the tender grasse , the baine whereof her glorie doth defile , and lies interd , as that , which neuer was , or like a gliding streame whose course doth passe , and passing , cuts both hill and flowrie plaine , scorning by nature to returne againe . but thou condemn'st me for some carelesse words , in that i was respectlesse of thy loue : o doe not forge vnkindenesse , that affords more sorrow to my heart , then heauens aboue , or fatall eris in her stigian groue , what i haue spoke i pray thee speake no more , and i le re●●nt what i haue said before . inioyne me penance , i will vndertake , alcydes labours to obtaine your loue , climing the alps for my beloued sake , so you distrust from your hard ▪ heart remoue , and of my faith inuiolate approue : for be assur'd i nere my loue did shew to your estate , but loue i bore to you , but why runne i astray so farre remote from that celestiall scope i aimed at : i loue my loue , and yet she knoweth not , or will not know my minds perplex'd estate , those great distractions i conceiu'd of late , she will not loue , she cannot like a swaine , who once repuls'd can make no sute againe , vvell then surcease , and let this dolefull ode abridge the web of thy extracted griefe , take vp thy shepheards crooke , make no abode , this barraine pasture yeelds thee no reliefe , but riuolets of teres whereof it's chiefe : then bid farewell to this disaster groue , to cupids arrowes , and the queene of loue . lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo . yet when i talke of cupid and his bow . the queene of loue that from mount ida came , some more affecting passions i must show , and paraphrase vpon dorindas name : where though i blush , for i am full of shame , yet in my blush , i seeme to represent , the beautie of my loues faire continent . and when i looke me in the dismall glasse , where face redarts a face , me thinks i see , the splendor of dorindas comely face , where with her smile she doth encounter me , and driues my sences to that extasie : that i in lethe droun'd , as all forgotten , le ts the glasse fall , and so my glasse is broken . then am i eas'd , depriu'd of that i lou'd , opprest with sleepe yet cannot sleepe at all , till the remainders of my glasse remou'd , vvhich were disperst by their vntimely fall . for they ( an ecco like ) doe seeme to call and rouse me from my rest , surpris'd which care , and rest of rest , declining to despaire . it may be ( my dorinda ) if you wed , some splay-foot'd vulcan you must make recourse , too too vnwilling , to a loathed bed , whereas distastefull pleasure hath no force . but mixt with sorrow and with deepe remore : heare me ( dorinda ) these few hymns shall tell that though you loath me , yet i wish you well . diue to the verie bottome of your heart , and see the idiome of your louer there , an indigested lumpe compos'd of art , where natures gifts did neuer yet appeare , where folly first her banner seem'd to reare , an harsh distempred humour show●n in him , a brillus wit , and a thersytes limme . but hee 's religious : he can dirges say , and has our ladies psalter all by heart : he is modest , rich , and will each morning pray , as if he had his prayers composd by art , what you sustaine he euer beares a part : nay more , to purchase your respectiue fauour , hee 'l take himselfe to any cotqueanes labour . indeede alcydes for his omphale , past many perils much degenerate from former glorie , pristine dignitie , which euer made attendance on his state , too much obscur'd by infamie of hate , for he to win a queene did then begin , to tease his wooll , to card and eke to spinne , — et qui reges vicit , grandes labores egit . victus amore cecidit : qui clauum , lanam exercet : ibid : nec nouit mentem comprimere , qui tanta fecit . vid senec. each morne would he his taske imposed haue , which in a womans habit he perform'd , and all to purchase her whom he did craue , with curious roabes & precious gemmes adorn'd , with whom in this disguise he long soiorn'd , till his long absence had his ruine wrought , by nessus blood , long time by nessus sought . — nessus hos struxit dolos : cruore tincta est pallia semiferi ( pater ) nessusque nunc has exigit paenas sibi . — et oetaeum nemus suscipiat , ignis , herculem accipiat rogus . senec : in oetae : hercul . beleeue me ( faire dorinda ) if that loue consist in orisons , i must confesse , reason you haue your fancie to remoue , since heauens forgiue , frequent i nothing lesse , nor can i loue by solemne praiers expresse . hymns , pastorals , and pleasant laies beseeme , rather then orisons so faire a queene . if hero had leanders forme affected , for rites or ceremonies consecrate vnto the powers aboue : she had respected the temple more to iuno dedicate , and had distempred lust in greater hate , but she deuoted was vnto his shrine , for carnall pleasures , not for hests diuine . what comfort can a beauteous maide conceaue in contemplation , since the practike part better accords with her , and she doth craue a soueraigne salue to cure her wounded heart , which cannot be perform'd by men of art , for learned sophisters may reason well , but what will please your sexe they cannot tell . thus therefore praise i , and yet discommend , this harsh , yet sober kinde of speculation , that frames her engine to a fruitlesse end , about heauens motion and sphaeres eleuation , yet cannot make her vse of recreation : vvherefore it 's fruitlesse , and a barraine seede that loues to grow alone , and hates to breede . renoumed ladie , least i wrong your eares vvith the distastfull temper of my pen , my muse her selfe from further course forbeares , to shadow out your vertues to such men , as liue obscured in obliuions den . this therefore i haue writ to blase your name , and not through hate for to ecclips the same . sooner shall phaebus leaue his iuorie carre , and giue his regiment to phaeton : sooner shall mars that powerfull god of warre retire in peace , and loue to lie alone : sooner shall sysiphus to rowle his stone surcease , then i surcease to empall your daies vvith poets wreaths , the laurell and the baies . to dorinda , successiue nuptials . et quis me retulit laurea dignum , qui nequeo digna laude dorindam euehere ad astra ? &c. in eleg . lib. . purest nimph that hyble bred , with ambrosia nourished , beauties glorie , natures mirror , heauens blest trophie , worldes terror , nature made thee and thy feature as it seemes to put downe nature , most admit'd , when most deiected , humble most , when most erected . ladie flora with her beautie , tenders thee her vigin duetie : hymen too , doth chaplets carrie to adorne him thou doest marrie : gods of all sorts haue descended , and their bounties haue extended , some with roses mix'd full sweetely , some with spikenard came to greete thee . nere was marriage day so graced , since by hymen all are placed , as sweete flowers set in a border , gods and goddesses in order , there sits ioue with iuno queene , here diana clad in greene , here god mars that heroe stour , here crabd ▪ vulcanes limping foote . here sat venus smouth as doune in a purple veluet goune : there minerua whose deseruing had a laurell for her learning : here aboue their heads did flie , with winged speed god mercurie : aeolus at last did come , but for winde there was no roome . neptune from his liquid cell , bad the seas and stormes far●well : nereus no more would swimme in his streames , but follow'd him ▪ thus all meeting , ioy appeared , well with wine their hearts were cheered , till their wine to sleepe resolued , made these nuptials be dissolued . helicons poore inhabitant astraeas farewell to dorinda . farewell dorinda , we must now no more talke of our maiden pleasures we haue had , nor sit along vpon the siluer shore , sighing and puling , calling on that lad , that purblinde cupid , that did wound vs sore : which made vs pensiue , so perplext and sad , that we with solemne protestations swore to be reueng'd : that he himselfe might know , though he could shoote , yet we could breake his bow ▪ how oft and many times haue we two walk'd in that same flourie mede , which doth adioine thy fathers house , and haue securely talk'd ? where hauing nought to doe , we vs'd to proine the poppie braunches , which did then exalt , their tops too high : where we would straight combine those blossoms we had cropt laying together , our heapes in one which had bene lopt by either . but now that vernant spring is past and gon , a●d dismall winter with his hoarie brow sits on my cheeke , that thus am left alone : that stem shows withred leaues , that ●rst did show , fruites that deserued to be look'd vpon , which barrennes was first procur'd by you , but i le not blame you : you haue lost your mate , but you haue changed for a better state . haue me commended vnto hymens bower , tell him i wish he would come visit me , and if i doe resist his sacred power let me of after ioyes excluded be : too long i feare i keepe a mellow flower , which once thou had'st , but now is gone frō thee , beleeue me sweete dorinda , i diuine , ere many daies my state must answer thine . which if it doe , our former thoughts of loue , so well repressed in so equall bounds , vve once shall make repaire vnto that groue where pensiue passions first receiu'd their groūds , and make a foole of that same ape of loue by whom we once endured manie wounds : but now preseru'd , redeem'd , enioying either , admire our equall states , enuied of neither . to eliza , a pastorall hymne . — et ortum referre iuuat : inclitae domus alta trophaea petit ▪ non minus genere preripiens decus , quam forma nitida laudes dispergens suas . ibid. mounseur de tygres , man of great estate , had but one daughter , whom he did esteeme : whose front confronting beautie , vesus sate , and all those graces which we gracious deeme , then which a rarer sight was neuer seene , since beautie lost her beautie and decaied ●n idas mount : as i haue heard it said . her haire like ph●ebus raies disparcling gould , sent such a lustre where she passed by , that some haue thought as i haue heard it told , faire cytheraeas traine approched nie : such was the vertue of her piercing ●ie , and some that dwelt neere to elysa saie , the nights she walk'd on seem'd as light as day . many poore swaines would nosegaies sweet cōpose of eglantine , the dasie , and the dill , which they did consecrate : and she would choose some flower among the rest which she kept still in her ambrosian bosome , where an hill of sweeter flowers and branches seem'd to be , then any mount or groue in hesperie . yet of this beautie nature had bestow'd , she was not proud , but of that humble straine , as by her modest blush more faire she show'd , then to be courted by a countrie swaine , of ●arre more worth then pastures could containe : for she was faire , so faire and full of fauour , as pan the shephard-god made sute to haue her . but pans tann'd skinne paued not with her smoth downe ▪ she better seem'd to be apolloes queene , the seedes of vertue were so fully growen vertue her selfe might take her for her theame : deriued sure from some celestiall streame : for such a streame distreamd frō her pure minde of gracious gifts , that like it 's hard to finde . this beauties mirror grac'd with such a feature , had a more lustre , then that countrie swaine , or any rurall bogge or homebred creature , could hope by their deserts ere to attaine , such precious iewels must be got by paine , where euery tripping satyre can supplie a decent measure in loues symmetrie . this gracious queene fram'd for a higher court , vvas by a poet suted : but his pen seem'd too too rude for her , whose spread report had driuen an admiration in all men , and sacred wood-gods that suruiued then , vvherefore ( as coy ) this poet she did scorne , and eke the wreath which did his head adorne . shall i ( quoth she ) a rithmer entertaine , a comicke iester to my nuptiall bed , the harsh-discordant tunes of euery swaine , to be with ends of poems nourished , or with a vaine phantastique humor fed ? o no , i cannot brooke the laurell wreath , or marrie such as loue to sell their breath . i am not borne of that deiected stemme , nor haue i my beginning from that roote , that i should match my selfe with worthlesse men , or in a bed of poems set my foote , vvhere loue enuiron'd is with feare and doubt , prophets and poets they can write and sing , but women they affect another thing . it is not laies sung in dianas groue , nor of astraeas beautie can procure , the height of our affection or our loue : no● can our sweete respect with them endure , vvho liue as if they were of loue secure . maids are not pleas'd with fruitlesse contemplatiō but leaues the knowledge , loues their recreation . th●s my position is , nor will i yeelde vnto the ●ickle iudgement of the vaine , who seeke to winne me , yet must lose the field : that labour 's lost which doth produce no gaine : nere can i loue a poets wanton straine , for this i finde , they that of loue write best , in actions of true loue can doe the least . mounseur de tygres hearing what she said , vv●s well content , for he no poet lou'd : and therefore ( as it seem'd full of delaied th' effecting of their loues at first approu'd , vvhich by some accident at last remou'd : and therefore in all hast tooke hold of time , belike for to extract his daughters line . this thus resolu'd ( for she was well resolu'd ) mounseur de tygres did a contract make with young gastylio : who inners inuolu'd part for himselfe , and partly for her sake , in weale and woe his mistris state partakes : as it was fit , for fitting it should be , that man and wife haue one communitie . both did adore one idole , both repair'd vnto one saint ▪ set in a gorgeous shrine , which romane pompe lest it should be impair'd , talking of rites , they cal'd them most diuine : whose columns framed loosing wise did shine with burning tapers on their altars hung : vnder the staires whereof the flamines sung ▪ and least i should defraud you of that state which so transparently appear'd to all in those solemnis'd rites , i le explicate , how , when , and where , these mariage hests befell : which thus in briefe i doe intend to tell : that you may show in after-times to come , no rites more solemne then the rites of rome . si nec amare licet , licuit cantare poteae : si non authorem diligis , acta legas . elizaes mariage day with all romane celebritie solemnised : with the muses salutes , and graces seuerall gifts . sic mea romano cecinisse camaena cothurno gaudeat , et veneris pignora chara sisae . elizaes nuptialls so long expected , now were approaching , where in solemne sort each thing was plast , as if th'aethereall court whose diamantine walls the gods protected had been there present : for all was effected with such respect , as same would come far short in her relation : yet i meane to shew th' epitome of this great worke to yow ▪ a curious table made of citre wood , spred ore with tissue , well imbrodered , with store of dainty cates replenished , where on a row the sacred muses stood singing a song of hebe deifide , was there drawen forth . next that there seemd a flood , of faire sea-nimphs , for nimphs they seemd to be bathing their milke white skins deliciously . they sung a song of neptune to the shore , the shore resounding with a sweet consent : the like whereof was sildome heard before , that nimphs , whose glory is most eminent , should deigne to grace with their diuiner power the feasts of mortall men : base continent for such blest feet to walke on : yet they came from sea to earth to spread elizaes name . next those , admired graces tooke their place , richly enthroned as their worth deserued : with ●ies reflected on elizaes face , as if loue sicke , for so the most obserued : wishing ( vaine wish ) she were their fellow grace for now she was no fellow : for they serued in all subiection to her , and would take tasks ill befitting graces for her sake . i le giue thee ( quoth thalia ) vtterance a hony dropping tongue which shall dissolue the marble hearts of men : sweet eloquence whose powerfull vertue shall each doubt resolue and match thy beauty with the excellence of diuine beauty : what thou shalt reuolue in thy close brest shall be performd by thee , making thee honord for a deity . i le giue thee ( quoth aglaeia ) pure inuention to passe the spheres with apprehensiue wings crowning the issue of thy b●est intention with wreaths more glorious then victorious kings or heroes ere receau'd , quicke apprehension shall blesse thy memory with the happiest things th'auspicious hand of fortune can procure : for whom the graces grace , must needs be sure . and i will giue ( said graue euphrosine ) the poise of nature iudgement to approue or disaproue as it best liketh thee , to iudge twixt hate and mind attractiue loue : the sagest braine deriues her wit from me , rapt with the infusion of the powers aboue : thus shalt thou be adornd with graces feature , to make thee heauenly of an earthly creature , thus made a goddesse by the sacred powers , whose glorious scepters sway the ocean , and this same massie frame this earth of yours , with all the beauty of your little man : wherein at first vertues pure springs began with pearly drops of soule-bedewing showers : to rinse our errors : so distained now as he that made her , hardly can her know . thus , thus , eternisd ( for eternity waits on the graces ) she with modest smile , and shamefast blush , framed this short reply as sweet as short couch'd in a comely stile ; much doth eliza thanke your deity that you would deigne times minutes to beguile in such an homely cell : a cell indeed , for such as you that spring from heauenly seed . o you diuine and glorious quiristers , that sing sweet hymns in heau'ns high hierarchy , you who are made the angells ministers , filling their hearts with gladsome harmony . of happy tidings blessed messengers , infused by the power of sacred deity . you sweet organs that are consecrate to heauens blest nuptialls , blesse my nuptiall state . you are the nectar riuers that diffuse their well distreaming currents ore the earth so as no mount nor humble vale can chuse but to be fruitfull . your thrice glorious birth inspir'd pure knowledge in the cadmian m●se , making her fill the earth and sea with mirth . thrice blessed ofspring of so blest a sire whom plants , springs , groues , & all the gods desire . if to the sea i turne , loe you are there , mouing the syrens with your warbling voice , if to the mountaines , likewise you appeare , making the rocks re-eccho with your noise : if to the fertile plaines , i likewise heare you prety musicke in the shepheards voice . thus sea , rock , mountaine , and each flowry plaine if you begin will answer you againe . i● philomela with her wofull note weauing a pricking bramble to her brest , retire in secret to deplore her lot , crying on progue whom she loued best with trickling teares , not hauing yet forgot who gaue reuenge to that incestuous beast , adulterate tereus : if that you come by will leaue sad odes and chirpe more cheerfully ▪ and reason good your heauenly influence giues a sweet tutch vnto th' amyclean lyte , makes her stay riuers by her eminence , diuert the nature of aspiring fi●e , moue shady woods to change their residence , mountaines declining , vales ascending higher . shewing far more then mortall powers could shew drawing beginning and their end from you . then gratious graces , shower such streams of grace vpon th' ensuing progresse of my time , that by the glorious lustre of your face such raies of vertue and respect may shine i● me , my issue , and succeeding race , that all may blesse this happy state of mine . who to aduance the honor of our house brought from one stem so many vertuous . it is not eloquence , eliza craues , that smels of gaine , and gaine is stale to shame , such mellow gifts the better sort depraues , loosing for corrupt breath a glorious name : fie on attractiue breaths that still receiue yet by receiuing doe augment their shame : no , no , let vertue make me eloquent , vnstained vertue is most eminent . nor i st in●ention doth eliza please , i l●aue archia that : our thoughts be pure , to make our fame renowmed , when the least of our expired lifes shall loose their power , getting that statue , after our decease which all deuouring time can nere deuoure , the glorious name of vertue , which faire tombe shall mention vs in after times to come . ye graces three , how well would this white stole , this precious albe adorne elizaes shrine ? which no detraction nor reproch could soile , but made eternall by the powers diuine , an happy end of times laborious toile , a blessed period to these daies of mine : when for exchange of times mortality heauens were my due and heauens eternity . nor doe i care for iudgement , so i haue so much as may discerne twixt carths delight and those high ioies which ripest iudgement craue twixt titans torch , and thetis p●tchie night : so much as may my name from darknes saue , to make her heire of that supernall light which the iudicious wish : that iudgements best where she directs her scope at sacred rest . o ( quoth aglaia ) nuptialls ill befit such vertuous spirit● : we must haue you dance , and leaue discourse of vertue , which will get pensiue distractions , though you talke perchance of vertue now , yet youl 'e relinquish it : hymen who doth your fortunes thus aduance , will seem much grieued , if you should seem to be vertues defender in this iubile . vvhat colours best befit a mariage day ? not sable , ●hat pertends too blacke euent : but brighter colours such as flowry may vsde to put on when boreas seasons spent and all the fields put on their rich aray , each odorous flower and blossome redolent . vvhen the green mantle of the checkred earth seems to reuiew her fresh and cheerfull birth . such should thy vestments be ( fairespotlesse queen ) and as the birds which pratle on each spray , telling their tales vnto the medowes green their loues , their likings by the breake of day , discour●ing nought which might vnpleasant seem but as true makes impatient of delay : they wish ( poor birds ) each moment to approue the happy fruits of their conceiued loue . now by the flowry pastures they send out their warbling voices : where their louely mates with broad extended wing in hot pursuit for their admired loues together waite , till by long search at last they find them out where they begin to enioy that happy state , happy to them ( good birds ) which long before they did expect , but now expect no more . thus , thus , eliza , shouldst thou solemnize this glad arriuall of thy nuptiall state , since powers diuine become to eternise with happy presence thy succeeding fate that all the glorious powers may memorise , these festiue triumphs they haue seen of late . come , come , forbeare , put on elizaes brow , aske but the muses , they will tell thee how . euen as we see when cloudes are quite disperst , and glitri●g beams send out their splendor bright or as when storms be past , whose fragor perst the tender branches with their thunder light , or as the earth once pining now reuerst bringing her long concealed ioies to light so did eliza change her sable hue , as if the graces formd her all anew . shee 's for no straine of vertue , but delight plaies on her prety bosome : pensiue thoughts as hymens enemies be put to flight , fruits of more pleasure by this day are wrought in the faire tablet of her beauteous sight , then ioue to swan-like leda euer brought , for that was stolne curbd by a iealous eie , but this was such as claimd free liberty . no dirges now she sings , but hymns of ioy , mou'd with a priuate motiue of content : no sorrow now , no anguish , nor annoy haue any power in her blest continent : she talks of venus , and the waggish boy , and blames adonis asking what he meant he did not honor venus beauty more , but leese a mine of treasure for a bore ? ●●t borish lad ( quoth she ) pitty it is , such a good face should haue so ill a wi● , that when th' art blest , dost not conceiue thy blisse but seest a gem and yet respectst not it . children are pleasd with flowers : a fruitlesse kisse , a smile , or so , such babies best befit : wherfore lest thou such flowrs shold seem to stain , in fruitlesse grouth a flower thou dost remaine . thus was eliza turnd : all on the flant , like mirrhas daughter or hermione , hauing in hope what really she wants , presaging comfort to posterity , concluding thus : mansions where graces hant cannot deiected or surprised be by times mutation : for no fatall hower can rase that fort , that 's kept by diuine power . and as we oft times see in summer time , a shower of candide hailestones ratling downe , which makes the tops of touring okes decline , the siluer banks of riuers ouerflowen , proining the tendrells of the lofty pine , with branchy cedars that are highest growen : where suddenly the sun sends out his beames , vvhich quite dissolues the haile & stills the streams so this faire beame of titan thus diffus'd , into the amber border of her heart , which was before ( poore wench ) by her refus'd , now yeelds reliefe vnto her former smart , resuming sweet delights too long abus'd : each proper vertue flowes to euery part . the tempest now is past , the sun appeares , which stops the source of all ensuing feares . then fi● it were since that elizas mind , i● robed with nuptiall thoughts : the solemn night , should be portraid , her t●uest ioies assignd , to helpe her former hope with hopes delight : descend a little lower : you shall find the modell of chast loue decolord right : not sensuall affects which relish lust , for lust 's not loue : since loue is pure and iust . the gloomy night , when labor takes his rest , birds take their pearch and sauage beasts their den , the night when hoary cares cease to infest with hote assault the silent sleeps of men : that blessed night , these nuptialls made it blest confirmd her hopes by her approaching then . for she addrest for pleasure doth vndresse , her selfe to reape more perfect happinesse . now euery muse had sung their last good night , and had ascended vp parnassus mount , wishing her as much ioy and sweet delight , as ere they ioied , while bathing in the fount hight pure castalia in dianaes sight and her attendants : delia would accompt them far more happy then the princely ioue , for they were free but he was tost in loue . the azure curtaines of the siluer heauen crauing their absence : now the ioifull bride had of her bride cake to the muses giuen , to the three graces and the nimphs beside , all which attended her : but now the euen made them though willing longer to abide , dissolue their ranks eliza left behind , to find the intention of her husbands mind . annotations vpon the last canto . we reade in the romane festiuals : when any marriage was to be solemnised , the parents of the parties , or their friends were accustomed to bring forth a faire table of citre , curiously engrauen : vbi fercula optimis delicijs assluentia ●ocare assucrunt . — a song of hebe deified . hebe ( as the poets faine ) was iu●oes daughter , and made iupiters cuppebearer ▪ before he fell in loue with gannimedes : shee is called most properly by the poets — dea iuuentutis the goddesse of youth — vide ouid : in metamorp . woere on a row the sacred muses sate . clyo , cally●pe , melpomene , euterpe , polybymnia , erato , vrania . — of ●a●re soanimphs . nereides a nereo appellatae . as the naiades be deriued from nais — a nimph of the fountaines . which bee distinguished into sorts by the ancient poets — in nereides — naiades — et pieri●es . nereid●s circa maritimos locos , na●ades cir●a riuos & amaeniores sontes , pierides circa montium sublimiores vertices et spiracula versa●tur . and so gerson ( in his description of beasts ) diuides the seueral and distinct kindes of satires into three sorts : satyres , waich frequent woods , of a rude . sauage and in●ractable nature , which sometimes ( more properly in my opinion ) are called syluanes , quia i● syluis & soli●udinibus asperioribus vitam colen●es . fa●●es , all which tooke their name from faimus , sonne to picus , and father to latinus : agrestem vi●am agunt , rapinis & violentia corum necessita●i subuenientes . and dryades a dryade hyppolochi filio ducta . but of these you may reade more amply in the fragments of lucilius ▪ and others , whose exacter wits haue beene craploied about affaires too impertinent : bringing in the clowdes speaking with aristophanes , planting their inuentions vpon aerie foundations . they sang a song of neptune to the shore . — resonantia littera reddunt carmina carminibus . — vid : fabulam h●lis vnius de herculis socijs , qui in ascanium flumen missus , vt aquam ab eo hauriret , deflexo capite precepitius procidisse fertur , &c. — next those admired graces tooke their place . aglaia , thalia & euphrosyne who had the power to bestow . seuerall gi●ts : ●loquence , inuention , and sound iudgement , vpon whom they pleased . — in heauens high hierarchie . caeleste imperium in altissimum dignitatis cumulum prouectum ; quo nihil sublimius ( ait orator ) vt altius extendatur , aut clex gautius , vt maiorem in se splendorem amplectatur &c. — you are the nectar ri●ers . — nectar vt ingenium . nectar and ambrosia the food of the gods. — the cadmian muse . cadmus was sonne to agenor , king of phaenicia , who sent by his father to seeke europa his sister whom iupiter had stolne away , and no● finding her , durst not returne , but planted himselfe in baeo●ia , where he erected that most famous citie t●ebes : he was excellent in the composition of all measures , but most addicted to prose : wherein he so exceeded , that his filed and elegant st●le was made as a president to after ages ; he was thought to bee the first who euer writ in prose , but i can hardly assent to that opinion : but rather i could admit of their assertion , who affirme him to be the first that reduced the phenicians from their barbarous and impolished kinde of discourse , instructing them in a more exquisite forme of speaking . — mouing the syrens with the warbling voice . syrenum voces et cyrcis po●ula nosti etc. horatius lib : o epist : ad coll : the three daughters of a helous ●nd calliope . — if phylomel w●●h her wofull note . phylomela king pandions daughter , whom tereus rauished : deploring her owne calamitie vnto her sister progne , who was wife to tereus . — vnto the amyclean lyre . aryon — being born in amycle a citie of laconia , takes his name of the place of his birth by a tropical clocutiō , metonim . brought from one stem so many vertuous the vertuous progessie of el●za , which is paralleld if not superior to the best reputed families septentrional . — aske but the muses they will tell yee how ? musa — quas varijs cecinisse modis — iuuat . nor if inuention ●oth eliza please ; inuention which is the producer of things true , or such things as haue a resemblance of truth : giuing a probable reason of whatsoeuer is spoken or produced ; — when the young men of fonia had haled out that goldē t●●pode , which was to be giuen to the wi●est man of all greece ▪ it was brought first vnto th●les , then to s●lon , & so cursiuely vnto all the wise sages of greece : by which was imploied the moderation of their desires , rather disesteeming their owne iudgements , as vnworthy of such an inestimable treasure , then attributing any thing to themselues , to be thought wise in the eye of the world . this by an analogie is inferred by the modest and continent affections of eliza , who rather disparageth her own worth , that she may auoide the censure of presump●ion , then by the passe of titularie praises , to vendicate the least honour , as a dependance of her merits . vnde senec : in oedipod : — nec pressae graui spiritu antennae preman● : tuta me media vehat vita decurrens via . — twixt tytans torch and thetis pitchy night tytan is vsed for the sunne : he was son to caelum and vesta . th●●s daughter to nereus god of the sea , she is taken for the night . — mare pro cubili noctis . allegor : vertues defendor in this iubile . this iubile was continued in aunc●●nt time , and celebrated euerie . yeere but this word signifi●s a priuate solemnitie , ( in this place ) consecrating their vowes to hymen the god of marriage , ●o paean : &c. aglai● seemes to reprehend eliza for her too much modestie , mouing her to sute her thoughts to the present time , w●ich seneca shadowes out in describing the habites of both the conquerour and conquered in these wordes . — noscere hoc primum decet quid facere victor debet , victus pati . e●h odorous flower , and blossom redolent . salutaria quaedam , citra tactum gustumne odore proficiunt . a briefe epitomising of the cheerefull springtime : illustrating the season by her habit . but as true makes impatient of delay . vid : horac : o lib : epist : epist : i a. — vid : catull : o. lib. eleg. eleg. . et ouid : in epist. ad hippolit . whose fragor pierst the tender branches — horat ; carm lib. o. oda x a. or as the earth once pining now reuerst — mutat terra vices & decrescentia ripa● flumina protere●t . — then ioue to swanlike l●da . ioue who fell in loue with leda , wife to king tindarus : she w●s transformed into a swan , bringing foo●th two egges . of the one whereof came poll●x and hellen , of the other castor and clytemnestra . — iealousie . iealous of tindarus her husband , who was prone enough to apprehend each occasion of suspect . no dirges now . — &c. these verses haue reference to eliz●es profession-making dirges , trentalls , and romane anthem●s no lesse pernitious to her owne purity ( which if not blasted with this soile , were most eminent ) then commodious to her carnall or ghostly father . in fruitlesse growth a slower thou dost remaine . at eruor in store mutabitur x. lib. metamor . like mirrahs daughter or hermione . venus was daughter to myrrha : there were two hermiones the one daughter to mars and venus ; the other daughter to menelaus and helena , who being betrothed to orestes , but married to pirrhus , oresies to reuenge his wrong , slew pirrhus and tooke hermione to wife . — for no fatall ●ower , can raze that fort that 's kept by diuine power . here she intimates the cause of her transmutation not subiected to any perill , nor opposed by any power either externall or internall . the rhe●ians thought them secure , because the tombe of al●x was erected in their region . octa by the dispersed ashes of hercules conceaued no small pleasure : being perswaded the encrease of their commerce with forraine countries proceeded from the happy possession of his monument . the like we read of the vaine conceipts of the romanes after the transportance of their palladium into italie , refer●ing the whole state , welfare and preseruation of their city , publike and priuate affaires vnto that poore helplesse monument ; which is pretily shadowed by s augustine in , de ciuitate dei : where he vehemently seeks to demolish and recalcinate the whole fabrique of the gentile idolatry and that by humane and morall reasons ▪ expostulating the cau●e why they should repose such affiance in them , whom ●hey haue found so impotent euen in their owne affaires ? for ( saith he ) if they could haue performed any things ▪ ●t is likely they would haue done their endeuour , when those inhabitants which adored them , that people which with such reuerence admired them , was not onely quite extinguished , but their temples polluted , their ancient monuments defaced , and themselues contemptuously expulsed . but this was the blindnes of that age which could not discerne of that inward beauty and splendor of the mind bu●●●ed with a precipita●t iudgement made them their gouernours . their tutelares dij , their protectors , that needed supporters to s●●taine themselues . but i haue made my digression too amp●e : especially in a tract which rather concernes pastorall elegio● , then such heathen prodigies . for lust 's not loue since loue is pure andiust . a maine opposition betwixt loue and lust : the one sensuall , euer enclined to that which yeelds temporary delight : th● other plants her affections vpon a mo●e firme groundworke , a sincere and a spotlesse intention . to read of those chost and honorable matrons of rome , who haue excelled in all purity and integrity ( as far as was possible for the pagans to attaine vnto in perfection ) : as co●eli● the mother of gracchus , portia wife to brutus , cleobu●● daughter to that wise and prudent lage cliobalus : sul●itiae wife to calepus , and that memorable paula wife to seneca ▪ these knew the perfect forme of loue , and were well read in the precepts of chast imbracements , but far from the l●ast conceipt or apprehension of lightnesse : but who shall contrariwise read of the insatiable disposition of messalina , the licentious affections of oristilla , the incestuous desire of phedra , and the impetuous fury of medrea , shall presently cōceiue a maine repugnance ( or contrariety rather ) betwixt loue and lust : sith by the one , be commonweales in all vnity and coniunction of minds established , wholesome and beneficiall lawes enacted , the bounds of kingdomes dilated , and aswell priuate as publique affaires with due order and administration managed . for loues definition according to the opinion of aristotle ( of all philosophers most profound ) and plutarch ( of all moralls most elaborate ) is this : loue is impartiall , yet of reason forgetfull , she grounds her affection vpon vertue , deeming that which is impious , vnworthy of a mind generous . but lust the bane of flourishing empires : the distastfull and vnsauory fruits whereof troy ▪ long since hath experience of by a helen , spartae by a scedesa , m●y be thus defined : she is respectlesse of the meanes , so she may attaine the end : her aime is to satisfie her owne exorbitant affection , which to gaine she is secure of her owne ruine , countries desolation . the present discourse which i haue taken in hand puts me in mind of that prety and pithy induction of lucian , bringing in venus , demanding of cupid for what cause he vseth to wound with his virulent dart of loue iupiter , neptune , apollo iuno , but exempteth pallas , diana , and all the muses from the chaines of his seruile affection : and he answers her : when i come neere pallas she threatens me , and opposeth my pleasures which i am wont to instill into the minds of men : the muses they are imploied insacred labors , continual exercises to the end they may attaine to the perfection of their endeuors : diana she frequents the woods , and retired solitudes , neither caring for loue nor the instructions of loue : she obserues a restraint in her selfe and in her followers : she is too skilfull in shooting to be shot by cupid . the inuention of lucian is pleasant : prosecuting his whole discourse with such apt and accommodate words , that i could not chuse but take a modest digression , to describe the powerfull effects of labour , the soueraigne remedies of good and vertuous studies against the obiections of such , who rather repose in security to inuert the violent assalts of carnall and inordinate desires : whose opinions resemble those of aristo , pyrrho , and herillus , whose mature censures , haue been thought vnworthy of all phylosophicall conuents . we ●r● the least secure , when in our owne iudgement most secure : and no malady more incurable then that which is insensible : the whole progresse of this subiect ▪ as it may cōfirme it selfe , by infallible reasons , grounded on the fortresse of diuine and prophane traditions : so the poet seems ( as one who had no little experience in the schoole of vanity ) to conclude the generall assertions of all with this epiphonema : ●●ut●ing his institution vp with a caution , his caution with a medicine . otia si ●ollas periere cupidini● arcus . contemplaeque iacent & s●ue luce faces . take away sloth , and cupid cannot shoot . thou maist contemne him for his fire 's put out . b●rds take their perch and sauage beasts their den . nature hath ordained that euery creature she hath made , should be refreshed with some moderate rest . labor is sweet after rest and rest is a confirmer of labor , the one without the other would make vs dissolute , the one without the other would make vs effeminate . sleep is but an image of death ●a●th the poet : vergill calls sleep a neer kinsman to death : hauing such consanguinity with sleep , that some of the ancient philosophers ( haue tearmed it in plaine tearmes a fle●● : this moned ( without all question ) theodorus that mirror of magnanimity , a philosopher of excellent discipline , to be so respectlesse of death , as to despise the menaces of a cruell ty●ant and when he thought to adde this as a greater punishm●nt vnto him , that none should bury him : what answerd theodorus ? quod ad sepultur●m pertinet o te in●ptum si putas intenesse supra terram an infra putrescam ; here was resol●cion in an ethnicke , making his expectance the gole , at which he aimed , his threats ( tyrants ensignes ) in which he gloried to vanquish an implacable tigre at his owne weapons ▪ — and had ascended vp parnassus top . parnassus a mount whereto the mus●s vsed to resort ▪ we haue three mountaines renowmed for musicall celebrities : being called by the poets musaea solennia dutum . the solemne or sacred recluses or habitations of the gods : for thereto they vsed to descend to heare the alternate compositions ( for such please● ther● best ) of the muses . moderne examples may be produced of most exquisite lyricks , who enstiled themselues inhabitants in the flowry mountaine pernassus , as theano daughter to metapon●us ; zenobia the queen of palmyra : argentaria pollia wife to lucane who is said to haue been a fellow helper in all his compositions : euen in the heroickst measures which he euer compiled . edesia of alexandria corimathea who is reported to haue excelled pindarus that famous poet in apt and consonant cade● ces ▪ yea contending with him fiue seuerall times for the coronet or ga●land , which by the censure of the most approued judicials was giuen ( as of desert ) vnto ●●●imathea . theodosia daughter to theodosius the yonger , me●ited great commendation for her laborious dimensions , no lesse excelling in her owne inuentions , then in extractions from others : reducing the fragments of homer into centons , with many other works of no lesse memory bearing yet her title in their frontispice . &c. — hight pure castalius in dianaes sight . castalius a fountaine issuing from parnassus , the streames whereof tropically be taken for the influence of poesie . the muses be called castalides per sy●cedochen . et vos castalis fonte sorow●s &c. — delia would accompt . delia or diana , so called of delos an i le of the cyclades , bossded in with the aegean sea , here the poets saigne apollo and diana to be borne . — now the ioyfull bride had of her bridec●ke to the muses giuen . pliny relates of these solemne vses , obserued in ancient time : as the cakes or wafers consecrate to hyme● , with many ceremonies , as the aspersion of salt , to signifie vnto vs , nuptialls should be seasoned with a relish of sobriety . the bride to be caried into the house ( after her mariage rites were solemnised ) to intimate how vnwilling she is to leese the inestimable gem of her virginity , with many other obseruations which be more fully recorded in ludouic . viues , in his instruction of a christian woman . the like we read , in the antiquities of aegypt , whose pagan customes deserue no lesse memory then admiration for their exactnes in all moral celebrities tempered with incredible modes●y . these annotations may be no lesse fruitfull to the vn●ipe poetaster , then ●ocrates glasse was to his scholers , or cleanthes table to conuey the proper & peculiar inuentions of poesie ( by a plaine method ) to euery docile and apprehensiue wit. let such as read these few collections approue of my endeuours , who haue euer bended my intentions , to waine this age from her infancy , and with the elephant to induce them to wade into the depths of profounder mysteries , alwaies making this my impressa . stare est obstare caeptis . but since the brookes of helicon were troubled with euery obscene foote ; this admired art hath beene much obscured , not because her profession is ill , but for her profess●nts , which ●re either ignorant , ( which sort is more parde●able ) or pe●ulant of all sorts must detestable , in making pernassus a stew , and the muses harlots : arrogating to themselues the names of pandars , by the scurrility of their owne inuentions : but such pregnant wits are ill bestowed on such petulant braines , whose imaginations neither produce profit to themselues , nor to their country to be esteemed aboue themselues ▪ but depraue many blooming wits ( who the sooner budded the sooner blasted ) conceiue more delight in their lasciuious subiects then in tracts of greater consequence . which iuuenall handles more fully in his foure and ●wentith satyre , accommodating his discourse wholly to the instruction of youth . three kinds of these there be which deserue reprehension : the first , time-obseruing poe 〈…〉 sooth vice , and bolster their patrons errors . such was aristobulus , whose works when alexander heard to be far aboue truth , though annalls of his owne memorable acts , yet he threw the booke ouer into the riuer hydaspis , saying , he was almost mooued to send aristobulus after : a good caueat for clawing parasites . the second sort i propound as opposite to the first , inuectiue satyrists sharptoothd epigrammatists : eupolus was such whom alciby●des threw into the sea aegeum , for representing him ( and that with intollerable bitternesse ) vpon the publique theatre : adding this to eupolus throwing him ouerboord . thou hast often drowned me vpon the stage , eupolu● , i will once drowne thee in the se● . the third venereall lyricks , who descant on their mistresse proportion , aptly epitherising her symmetrie , with such immodesty , that if ouid was exiled for his licentious writing & that by a heathen , epicharmus for composing one vnseemly song , and presenting the same to the queen of sparta , was doomed to no lesse punishment : much more deserue they to be excluded all flourishing commonweales , writing that which confers no lesse detriment to a well gouerned state , then effe●●●●cy to such whose minds should be exercised in more viril actions . wherfore when plato vnderstood that the manners and dispositions of men were much corrupted by the theatrall profession ( or rather prostitution ) of poets , he exp●lfe● them all foorth of his common weale , leauing it to be gouerned by phylosophers , the grauity of whose iudgements discerning right from wrong , might diiudicate according to their knowledge . but the licentiousnes of the poets in p●atoes time may be a reason , that his censure was so vniuersall ; more modesty becommeth these times : nothing ( of what subiect soeuer ) is commendable in prose , but may retaine her lustre in verse : yea more exactnesse of measures draw attention , alwaies shutting vp our labors with a modest accent : non expectamus ●hea tri applausum . plaut . but i haue extended my bounds further then i purposed : supposing no discourse more suting either with argument of instruction or poesie then that which is succinctly contracted . i will therefore proceed . a description of the morne . avrora sending out his tresses faire , garnishd the earth with his resumed light , bedewed moist with her impearled haire , deposed horned luna queen of night , and all the twinckling stars which did appeare by phaebus iuory coach are put to flight , thus doth the sun dethrone the watry moone as high estates the lower do put downe . downe to the water doth the moone descend , there to repose till sol had run his course , vp from the sea to earth doth sol ascend seeming anew to renouate his force : the suns beginning giues the moone an end , this leaueth worse for good , that good for worse . this sends her lustre to th'adriatique seas , that takes her place among th' antipodes . the pitchy vale of silent night thus drawen , when labor rubs his eies and shakes of sloth , being vnto the lower regions gone , aurora represents these louers both , to a faire tree , broad branchd that fruit brings none yet makes a shew of fruit as others doth . which he awaking sees , applies the ends vnto himselfe , whom thus he reprehends . the pensiue thoughts of gastilio , in sapphycks . rouze vp thy spirit , ( creature most inhumane ) fix thy contentment on elizaes beauty , to which the wood gods tied are in duety . shame fall a coward . how many hero'es haue adored her image , passing a torrent of approaching danger ? more then alcides for a deyanyra ere made aduenture . let hymenaeus who was euer present , at thy solemnizd ●risons be graced , with an eternall monument of glory , leaue to be shame fast . shame may confound the shame to after ages , to let a cheerfull virgin lie beside thee , and yet do nothing : worst of ills betide thee : learne to be wanton . natu●e hath made the● to her owne dishonor , to loath that subiect which she first created , to yeeld thee comfort shall her worke be hated , by thee reiected ? art thou composed of an humane substance , flesh , blood and sinewes , to refuse a pleasure , which far exceedeth store of earthly treasure . foole be more hardie . see but the fishes , how one loue another , male with the female generates together , what pure affection doth appeare in either , wonder of ages . see the small iuie , with her iuy branches , how she the poplar flowrishing imbraceth , and as a spouse his spousall honors graceth , so is she graced . the sauage tygre , who frequents the mountaines , loues to be loued , is by loue subdued , and with his louers presence is renewed . loue is a loadstone . for as the loadstone doth attract his iron , and with embraces shews his loue vnto it , this faire resemblance shews as if he woed it . stones far exceed thee . the liquid regions ioine their power together , and those foure diuine elements adhering , seem as if all together were conspiring . equally mouing . the crauling serpents in their kind coiting , viper to viper in their generation , shewes how dame nature in their propagation bred them for breeding the birds that houer in the skie aboue vs , will ( if thou marke them ) to affection moue vs , males loue their females , so our femal● loue vs. mates would be mated . obseruations vpon two precedent verses , deduced out of magyrus in his physickes . — for as the load stone doth attract his iron : magyrus in his physickes calls iton , pabulum magnetis , the fewell of the magnete . ferri attractio impeditur presentia adamantis . occulta quadam antipathia : ibid. viper to viper . alcyatus in his emblems : pliny in his naturall history : premorso capite maris semen concipiens vipera : dum parit ( proprio partu ) vita priuatur . officiosa alijs exitiosa suis ▪ alcyat . quicquid parit , curam habet eorum , quae parit . philos. axiom . a threnode occasioned vpon the authors discontent : in that he loues yet cannot be respected : with a continued hymne or acrosticke sonnet best sorting with his amorous passion . eternall anquish torment to my brest , languishing horror , euer scalding hote , imperious queen that seeks thy loues vnrest , shaken with tempest in a crasie boate . anchor of comfort let me leane on thee , so shall it well goe with my barke and me . beauties faire dasie , honor to thy maker , endu'd with natures faire admired treasure , throne of a goddesse , chastities partaker , helme to my ship , the onely port of pleasure . bles'd for thy feature and admired euer , alwaies abiding fresh , defaced neuer . sapphicke . rest to the vnrest , shadow of reposure , to shade the weary from the parching sun shine , o faire eliza , blest is that enclosure , nature hath lent thee . o deere remember but what solemne vowes , what vowes , what protestations in that groue , that groue , that graue which yeelds more pensiue shows vnto my teare swoln eies , then euer loue can make amends for : o remember me and what pure hests i dedicate to thee . euen in that garden clad with bitter sweets , for what soere was sweet● seem'd sowre to me , with what faire words , what promises , entreates proceeded from my mouth to purchase thee . yet thou vnkind : ( vnkindnesse is a sinne ) to loue that star-dazd nimph , that loues not hm perhaps some words ( as vndiscreetly spoken , as god ●ot simple soules do meane no harme ) made your first bonds of fancy to be broken , so as my folly might your wit forewarne , not to respect fond vowes which do proceed , as idle talke from some phantasticke head . o let me call your selfe to record here , whether such semblance of my feigned loue , from time to time did euer yet appeare , that you should your affection thus remoue ? o answer me deare loue , o be so kind whom you 'l not loue to satisfie his mind . o thou wilt say i neuer fancied thee , i cared not for the place where thou abode , i tooke no pleasure , no felicity in thy discourse : loue where it is is shewd : o argue not so roughly , for you know , of loue i neuer made externall show . but if your image be not in my brest , which i will carry still in spite of fate : then let me neuer reape that sacred rest , that mansion of delight , that glorious slate . o be more kind let that same loue i beare , vnto your selfe , more ioifull tidings heare . alasse how many weary toilesome nights , ●aue i tost to and fro , withouten rest ? affrighted with such sad disaster sights , as these short lines can no way make exprest : and what 's the cause i cannot rest , nor sleep ? because thy beauty doth mine eie-lids keepe . for when they would be shut thou keeps them ope , making them looke vpon thy image faire : as if amazd to see that glorious cope with which the spheres of heauen may wel cōpare and therefore puts mine eies to double paine , in opening them , and shutting them againe . oft haue i dreamd , i did possesse my loue , rapt with a passion of a fond conceipt , close were my fences : none of all could moue their sencelesse numnes : but like seruants waite in all obedience both with tooth and hand , to heare what thou their mistres would cōmand this golden slumber , slumber of delight , fo● more content such slumbers yeelded me , th●n any food i tasted : or the sight of my obiect , saue the sight of thee : which slumber past and looking all about me i was perplexd to lie alone without thee . and yet no wanton or lusciuious thought , did euer moue me for to wantonise , for though that shrine of thine was long time sought it was that i thy shrine might eternise , that so our loues eternisd both together , what chanc'd vnto the one might chāce to either but i am lauish in confounded loues , and weaues a web for chast penelope , but two for lais : venus milke white doues , transport my erring sences ; and agree so to obscure the pallace of my soule , that what was pure should now be passing foule . doe not beleeue such vipers as infest with poisoned breath the glory of my name , i vow to god that i haue lou'd thee best , and haue been ere respectiue of my shame . let heauen and earth my mansion both remoue , when i do soile thy bed with forraine loue . o what vnfruitfull members were those spraies , that nourishd serpents in their flowry shade , and fed our rooted loues with long delaies , vndoing that which nature first had made : for this i thinke ( if prophecies be true ) nature ordained me to marry you . not nature but the diuine powers aboue , which manage our affections as they please , extracting out of hate the constant loue their minds contracted in the bonds of peace . euen that same power ( i thinke ) doth so ordaine , that though you hate , you once will loue againe . the plants , the birds , the beasts , the fishes small , are made to loue : see how the iuy twines vpon the ruines of a skaled wall , or twist's about the wasts of fruitfull vines : embracing them with branches spreading broad , supporting them when grapes their science load ▪ the louing turtle loues her faithfull make , whom if she misse , she pines away and dies , abiuring mirth and pleasure for his sake filling the crispling aire with dolefull cries : the stork , the starling , and the sweer tun'd thrush wil seek their makes through euery brake & bush the libbard , tigre , panther , beasts most wild , can be subdu'd by loues sweet harmony , transformd from sauage beasts to creatures mild , oppres'd ( as seems ) with loues extremity . the cliuy mountaines , and the vales below , by ecchoes shrill , their loues pursuit doe show . the skalie fishes in their watry clime , tast of the fruit of loue , each in their kind , obseruing season , nature , course and time , such relish pleasures in loues passions find ▪ that languishing they fall away and die , when they 'r depriu'd of loues society . if euery creature thus ordained be , for to obserue the solemne rites of loue : dost thou suppose she hath exempted thee , no pensiue passions ere thy mind to moue ? o be not so deluded : deare you know , you had a father , let your sonne say so . what is a iewell worth , if euer kept , closely confind within the chest of earth ? no more is beauty , when occasion 's slipt , gracing her image with no second birth : o let this after age thine image find , by some record which thou shalt leaue behind . and what record ? a specious issue left , ( thy second image ) to adorne the stage of this terrestriall frame of worth , bereft if thou should die , surpr●s'd in blooming age : o then since beauty is both green and tender , it needs some for rosse , to be her defender . let me that fortresse be , and i le support those freeborne blossomes of thy tender prime , with thousand sugred kisses , and resort with mir●h , and spikenard , daily to thy shrine , this will i doe , more would i gladly doe , if thou my loue would for pure loue allow . take these few lines and keepe them still with thee and reading them thinke now and then of me . the poets legacie to his admired eliza : deuoted and bequested to her chastest thoughts . thy once deer friend but now despis'd of thee , bequeaths vnto thy shrine , what ere is his : his wreath and lawrell , which for poesie , was giuen by clio : for that muse did wish , much good vnto thy louer : euen like blisse fall on thy sacred temples , beauteous queen , in far more plenty then to fore was seen . next i bequeath , that little wit i had , sma●l though it be , i haue entitled thine , that in thy waiward dumps perplext and sad , some sparkling beames in thy conceipt may shine , which thou wilt laugh at : and will call them mine : but i ●enounce them , writ they were by me , but for no end saue this : to pleasure thee . then doe i giue , and in my gift bequeath , all those externall trophees which i had : the motiue aier of my perswasiue breath and that small pipe which vs'd to make swains glad , and s●uage tigres in their fury mad . this straine of musicke orpheus far surpast , for mine by all the sisters nine was grac't . this i bequeath vnto thy gentle t●tch , tutch it sweet queen , and it will answer thee , with far more musicke , yea with full asmuch as old arion with his harmony , by mine , sweet nimph , dolphins shall carry thee sirens themselues , and satires at command , shall bring thee safe vnto th'elizi●n sand . some little gifts , as cheese cakes , chesnuts sweet , with some oblations which i vow'd to ioue , shall be deuoted to thy tripping feet , that vsed to walke within the shady groue of helicon and ida mount of loue . these little gifts did mopsus offer mee , and with like will i offer them to thee . two prety fragrant nosegaies did i send , made of sweet flowers , which twisted vp together , were giuen thee ( as i wisht ) from me thy friend , that thought of one might make thee think of either but thou too marble hearted mind●ng neither . despis'd me and my gifts : which though but small yet they were great to me ; for i gaue all . next i bequeath that earring which i had , but now i haue not , for i vow it s thine , and those short poems which my first age made , that i may say something thou hast of mine , for which though furies seeming to repine , at such a blessing as my works possest , let them repine i care not i am blest . i had the shrine of venus in my chamber , which i resolud for to bequeath to thee , with rosie locks and haire as pure as amber , but there were some obiections hindred me , which was the cause i did not send it thee . for though it was well colourd , yet it had , for some parts good so many parts as bad . the tincture of her face congeald in blood , seemd too too vgly , for thy gracious eie , her lips too great : her face too shamelesse showd : all which foule crimes , thy iudgement would descry ( thy piercing eies can priuat'st errors spie . ) for venus seems no venus but a swaine , some f●ub fac'd trull borne in the thuscan plain . next i bequeath a picture vnto thee , which though lasciuious , yet beleeue me deere , it is not halfe so wanton as was she , whose forme this sencelesse forme presented here , as by her liuely actions may appeare . it is that myrrha beauties sacred mother , who being dead for beauty left another . here may you see within your entire thoughts , the maze of loue , and labyrinth of lust , with what affecting meanes poore mirrha sought to voide incestuous pleasure , which she must she must perforce sustaine : where she doth trust her mellow youth ; which thus incircled , rather then she will keepe shee 'll giue it to her father . he spouse and father , she both child and wife , he nipt with age , she with an i●ie pleasure , thus he triumphs in his incestuous life louing to gaze vpon forbidden treasure , locking her vp least he perchance should leese her . glad would she take a time for liberty , but shee 's kept in by fathers iealousie . thus in a spatious groue , an ample field , may you ( deere queen ) cull flowers of euery kind , first how a nimph enforcd god wot to yeeld ( a willing force ) th' affection of her mind , leauing the robe of chastity behind . this picture i will send you , you may take , this beauties statue for your beauties sake . for had not mirrha been , nor mirrhaes youth youth had not flourisht in a venus brow , nor had her beauty come to perfect growth , nor that sweet modest blush appeares in you , could represent so eminent a shew . venus from mirrha tooke her first beginning mirrha from cinyras incestuous sinning . thus haue i made my finall legacie , and consecrated to your radiant beauty , though not consorting with your puriry , yet am i so deuoted in all duety that i could wish my poems so should suit thee . that with such passiōs they in fine might moue thee as reading these , these might enforce thee loue me . annotations vpon the last elegie . this straine of musicke orpheus far surpast . orpheus sonne to apollo and calliope was esteemed the skilfullest vpon the harpe of all others : he moued ( as poets record ) mountaines , tamed sauage beasts , infused life into sencelesse stones , trees , and forrests , by his admirable skill he brought his wife euridyce out of hell , rauishing the infernall fur●es with his musicke : vpon whom our moderne epigramma●●sts ( wherein we may no lesse glory , then rome of her martiall , mantua of her maro , corduba o● her se●eca , writeth thus : orpheus vxorem raptam repetiuit ab orco : duxit ab inferno femina nulla virum . englished . orph●us his wofull wife brought backe from ●ell , few wiues will vse their husbands halfe so well . annexion . they 'll bring them backe from heauen , and which is more , bring them to hell , they neuer knew before . thus far of orpheus ▪ some haue supposed , he was the first who found our plurality of gods. which opinion was so generally embraced after by the thracians , entituling him in their owne temples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but i refer that to the reading of the iudicious who perchance may distinguish of orpheus : there being diuerse of that name , of which the most illustrious he seemed to be , of whom we now make mention , both for an harmonious touch vpon the lyre , and those solemne celebrities yeerely obserued by the thracians in his memory . — as old arion with his harmony . arion a famous harper of greece , hauing got great store of gold and siluer among the latines , and desirous to resalute his natiue country , embarked himselfe secretly in a pirats ship : of whom and of whose wealth being made acquainted , they conspired together to throw him of shipboord : to be partakers of so infinite a masse of treasure , which they accordingly effected : where arion by the force of his melody , stilling the surges of the sea , drew by his attractiue power , a dolphin to carry him on his backe to his long expected harbor laconia . he was also memorable for his skill in composing lyricke verses , or songs aptly made for his hatpe . some flub fac'd trull borne in the thuscane plaine . et solent campi● thurijs puell● solis aestiui radijs referre ora ▪ quae primò specie decora . sol● cremantur . inhabiting vnder the torrid zone . — with what affecting meanes poore mirrha sought . mirrha daughter to cin●rus king of cypres ▪ who vnnaturally was inflamed with lust towards her father : by whom she had adonis . whose end well sorted with such an incestuous birth . of her the poet speakes thus . ann●it & renuit , modo vult , modo caepta parents repulit , ●aud licuit , dixit , at illa facit . he spouse and father , she both child and wife . ouid in metamorph. tune eris & matris pellex & adultera patris ? tune sorror nati , genitrixque voca●ere fratris ? forsitan aetatis quoque nomine filia , dixit , dixit & illa pater sceleri ne nomina desint . in elizam tetrastychon . — mirtus amat venerem , laurus elizam . lenta salix tumulum succingat , tempora laurus , mirtus amat venerem , laurus & ipsa meam . in elizam ob aquam corporis temperiem incredibilem fragrantiam mittentem . mit●i● eliza 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & odoribus omnia fragrent , omnia quae manibus tractat eliza suis. in elizam vt huius vitae initia vitae longè melioris auspicijs augeantur . viuat & elysios post vltima funera campos aspiciat , laeta est tempore , laeta fine . no nuptialls now , no laies , no hymens , pall but ● poore shrowde i craue , and that is all . candidae et eximiae herae et heroi nobili stemmate ortae , non minori animi qvam corporis praestantia ornatae do , dico , dedico , — opera omina , omnia . finis . errata . in the argument pag . lin . for syreus r. syrens . ibid. for raine r. ruine . p . lin . . for out r. on . p ▪ . lin , r. ioyes with sadnesse . p. . l. . for aligine r. caligine . p. . l. . for rest r. rest . ibid. lin . . for remore r. remorse . p. . l. . for vesus r. vesta . pag. . l. . for paued r. p and. p. . l. . for which r. with . ar't asleepe husband? a boulster lecture; stored with all variety of witty jeasts, merry tales, and other pleasant passages; extracted, from the choicest flowers of philosophy, poesy, antient and moderne history. illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy, in the excellent history of philocles and doriclea. by philogenes panedonius. brathwaite, 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) ar't asleepe husband? a boulster lecture; stored with all variety of witty jeasts, merry tales, and other pleasant passages; extracted, from the choicest flowers of philosophy, poesy, antient and moderne history. illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy, in the excellent history of philocles and doriclea. by philogenes panedonius. brathwaite, richard, ?- . marshall, william, fl. - , ill. [ ], , [ ] p., plate printed by r. bishop, for r[ichard] b[est] or his assignes, london : . philogenes panedonius = richard brathwait. with an additional title page, engraved, "a boulster lecture.", with imprint "london. printed for r.b. or his assignes.", signed by william marshall. variant: imprint on engraved title page reads: london. printed for r best and are to bee sould at his shop neare graies-inn gaite in houlbourne. the huntington library copy has a leaf inserted after a , possibly as a cancel, containing a dedication to mrs. catherine fletcher; not included in pagination above. k is a cancel. quire y contains "menippus his madrigall, to his coy-duck clarabel"; quire z contains "a postscript, writte by an auditor, upon hearing this lecture". the last leaf contains errata reimposed from y . running title reads: a boulster lecture. another issue has richard best's name in full in the letterpress imprint. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a bovlster lectvre . this wife a wondrous racket meanes to keepe , while th' husband seemes to sleepe but do'es not sleepe : but she might full as well her lecture smother , for ent'ring one eare , it goes out at t'other . london . printed for r. best and are to bee sould at by 〈…〉 houlbourns . ar't asleepe husband ? a boulster lecture ; stored with all variety of witty jeasts , merry tales , and other pleasant passages ; extracted , from the choicest flowers of philosophy , poesy , antient and moderne history . illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy , in the excellent history of philocles and do●iclea . by philogenes panedonius . o nox longa ! — hor. london , printed by r. bishop , for r. b. or his assignes . . to all modest dames from twede unto thames , who prize their good names above nectar ; with a paphian kisse doe i tender them this to silence a canopy lecture . to you , this booke may well addressed bee since none from bolster lectures is more free : be you then patronesse without offence , and with a smile returne me recompence . to his dainty doxes . dainty fine creatures , — i will not sweare , in good faith you be ; but — if in your censure you prove sweet to me , i little care , believe 't , how sowre you be . one thing i must tell you , the world ha's a strange opinion of you : but let not this trouble you : for the most of those that sojourne in it , are walking pictures , or puppy motions . so you live without scandall , let the constable of the ward snore , and diogenes walke all the night o're with his candle . though he finde works of lightnesse in houses of darknesse : single skirmishes in blinde alleys , back-stayres , and long entries : whole bunches of cornucopia in his new-found eutopia : cleave you like ticks to your own , preserve your renowne , and sing hey downe a downe , to the honour of our towne . thus , neither to all , nor to many , but to very-very few , and those of that crue , who are loyall and true , bids musaeus adiew . the svbiects whereof it treats . the excellency of women in their creation . their imitable vertues , illustrated with examples . their moderation of passion . their continency in assaults . their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . the violence of some women used upon such as were corrivals in their choice , inlarged with memorable examples . their modest defence , to allay those passionate extreames discovered in the former subjects . their witty aphorismes , apo●hegmes , and answers . their eminent labours : and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , either for history , or poesy . every one of which subjects you shall finde interveined with choice variety of pleasing tales , and delightfull stories , to comply with the fancy of the most curious and censorious reader . a table , or apt disposure , both in number and order , of all such materiall points , tales , and stories , as are here related , or familiarly couched in this boulster lecture . section i. first , of the excellency of women in their creation . pag. . under which subject ( to allay a fastidious houre , and sweeten the sequele of a more serious story ) are these tales contained and continued . the answer of a luke-warme husband to his neighbour , being asked how his wife did : assuring him , that for his part , he was sicke , because his wife was no ●●ker ; and what an heavy dolefull house hee had ; grounding their sorrowes upon two contrary feares . pag. the scholasticall wooer . the amorous graduate , or the pedanticall suiter . ib. the story of apelles and campaspe . zeuxis his incomparable art in the delineature of crocous daughters . ib. severall posies derived from severall fancies , writ in a window with a diamond . the tale of the maid , who after a long and strait siege , was enforced to expose her honour to the barbarous violence of an insulting souldier . the ancient vestals votive order , and with what austerity they preserved their honour . and of that heroicke princesses resolution in defence of her honour . the ●ale of a shrow , and how shee encounter'd her husband , meeting him amongst other goodfellowes at a taverne doore . the answer of a shroud girle upon occasions of displeasure taken at her husband . fields bring forth miscellaene graines , and all ages women of mixt conditions ; instanced in our roman matrons . foure distinct motives to affection . beauty ; whose opposite is disdaine . . and agility of body ; whose opposite is liberty . . and quicknesse of wit ; whose opposite is distaste . . and gentlenesse of speech ; whose opposite is dissimulation . . and of beauty . under which branch , are these stories shrowded . the passionate amorist his canto . the resolute gentlemans passado . the westerne pedlers daughter ; who fed her suiter with consideration , till too long delay brought her to a conception . the story of that great favorite flaviano , and why he disliked his wife . fancy is not alwayes grounded on beauty : instanced in the pastorall of nais . socrates glasse . ibid. disdaine . under which branch are these stories shadowed . the noble disposition of that brave lady marcelles , in the discovery of her affection . caesar accompted greater in cleopatra's victory , than in the discomfiture of her anthony . memorable examples of continency in both sexes : and of the incomparable beauty and chastity of sputimia . ib. the glorious act of the incomparable chiomara . the excellent saying of a religious votaresse . the tragicke disasters of three unfortunate italian lovers . a pittifull passionate letter of a rejected lover to his mistresse . a desperate adventure entertained by a passionate lover . ib. the resolution of a discreet lover in the disdaine of his mistresse . . a tale of a wanton widow , and her answer to a stale batchler , and importunate suiter : with the batchlers witty reply in disesteeme of her fancy . . agility of body . under which branch are these stories couched . in the empire of monomotapa bounding upon the kingdome of congo , among all the rest of the emperors souldiers , the most valorous in name are his legions of women . . . &c. the licentious practises of the insatiate messalina in her antonine baths . cleopatra's pearle broaths . where a strong constitution accompanies a promising feature , there needs no potions to procure love , nor powders to enable nature . liberty . under which branch these stories are closed . of liberty in restraint : and of restraint in liberty . of the nimble monkey in cheapside . . the tale of the maid , when her mother found her suspiciously in a corner with a young man : and how she fitted her mother , and kept trice with her lover . the ●ale of the good wife , when her husband found her in bed with a neighbour . ib. the tale of the court-gentlewoman , who was found in a long darke entry with a young cavaliere . the tale of the bridegroome , first night he was married : and her bridall curtaine lecture . ib. the widdowes twitting of her second husband with the abilities of her first . ☞ the arrogant widdowers proposal upon tearmes of marriage : and the widdowes peremptory answer to his unequall demands . . the discreet patient cuckold . . the converted curtezan . , the tale of the merry miller and his wanton minton . the spirit in the vault , or the curtaine-confession of two wanton wenches to two suspitious husbands . . . . . & the tale of a delicate student , who made his bed his study : and how his bed-fellow requited him with like curt'sy . . the humerous lady ; with her inglorious end suiting well with her distempered quality and disdainefull life . ib. the northerne girles answer to a subtile opposer . ib. the reply of a barbers wife to her husband upon finding her it 'h suds . the answer of a witty woman to a discursive husband ; who was more active in his liberty of discourse , than performance of any due benevolence . ib. a widdowes answer to one who came to speake with her husband , after hee was dead . ib. the answer of a good wife to her husband , occasioned upon the relation of the nature , quality , and disposition of a turke . . of the women of sio . , the tale of a fat farrier and a bounsing hussy , delivered in a merry epigramme . , the tale of an atturney's clarke . , &c. quicknesse of wit. under which branch are these stories ranked . the tale of that finitive girle in excuse of her lady . of the curats wife in behalfe of her husband . ib. of the soft-temper'd gentlemans answer to a ladies demand , when hee thought his wife would be brought abed . ib. the arrogant opinion of velleius the epicurean . feminine disputants should bee silenc'd ministers : they flow in words , but droppe in matter : but no lesse infinitely erring in the first , than barren in the latter . the eloquent lady , who though a foule delinquent , caused her audience to melt with compassion , and hold her innocent . ibid. a resemblance in our variety of wits , to diversity of soyles . p. distaste . under which branch are these stories displayed . the tale of a wenching companion , who could not fare well , but he must cry roast-meat . , , , , , , , & a story related to like purpose , hapning in our owne time , and in our owne clime . , , & . the tale of a wanton witty dame , who advised her sweet-heart , to secure them the better from her husbands presence , to attire his servant in a beares skin , &c. which story is commended to the relation of a poem . , , & . the fury of a jealous dame unto her servant , upon finding some favours bestowed on him , in her maids cabinet . , &c. the tale of the woman who accused one before a iustice for a rape . p. . the tragicall intention , but comicall conclusion of a gentleman , who imployed in service abroad ; and having a very beautifull wife , desired to be satisfied how shee behaved her selfe in his abscence , &c. p. , , &c. the easy credulity of a lightly-perswaded gentleman , who chused rather to incurre the worst of infamy , than harbour the least suspicion ( though he had sufficient occasion ) of his wifes honesty . , , & . the tale of a ioviall good-fellow , who arm'd himselfe with barley broath against his wifes shrewd tongue . his fearefull vision in his midnights wandring : his encounter with his wife at his home returning . all which are lest to the faithfull relation of a pleasant poem . , , & . of the man , who being tane tardy , feign'd himselfe pursued by a spirit , which caus'd him to fly for succour to his neighbours bed . the tale of an vniversity virago . , the answer of a brave blade , being in company of a bevy of joviall wenches , who had whitled him well with liquor : and how he retorted the demand of a braving blouse too too enquisitive after his actions , to her owne dishonour . , how a sociable good-fellow finding his wife laid speechlesse , return'd her ample recompence for her sullennesse . the answer of a witty wench to one , and that a familiar one , who asked her the reason how it came to passe that her children should be so like their father , when all the world knew that they had many fathers , &c. of a trifling girle who was cracking nuts ; and of another ill-nurtur'd tomboy who fell to catching of flyes , while her sweet-heart was preferring his suit. how alcibiades drowned eupolis in the sea , because eupolis had drowned his fame so often upon the stage . the story of the gentleman and his sonne beeing corrivals to one lady ; and of the impreses they writ with diamonds in a window . p. gentlenesse of speech . under which branch are these stories digested . what excellent fruits , this gentle speech graced with a pleasing presence have produc'd both in affairs of peace and warre . what passionate effects that sad relation of aeneas wrought in the heart of the carthaginian queene . ib. of the princely presence and unaffected eloquence of sophonisba . the excellent commendation of a peere of this kingdome , for ability of discourse and perswasion of argument . ib. the deserving praise of a burgomasters wife . the bridegroomes funerall , or the bridall-bra●le . , , & zantippes story with other vixons of the like quality . aphorismes extracted from hippocrates , and applyed to our present purpose . how a woman was wa●ned from her inbred condition , and with kindnesse wonne to a sweet disposition . , a tale of a falconer . ib. the strange opinion begot out of custom , which the muscovian women have of their husbands , if they doe not beat them : and of an heavy designe arising thereon . , , & . how kisses came first from trojan dames , hoping by that meanes to pacifie their incensed husbands . ● , &c. excellent directions for our forme of speech . the pratling of a fondling to her husband : and of the millanoises his confession , that his wifes toungue had ever a charm in readinesse to unloose his purse dissimulation . under which branch are these stories discovered . the sundry resemblances of dissimulation to diverse creatures . the nimble device of a witty wife , to delude her husband . the like instanced upon severall occasions . dissimulation expressed in subjects of passion : and returned in the tale of a passionate widdow at the buriall of her husband . the answer of a good wife to her husband , in pointing at a cuckold . ib. the like upon thames , occasioned upon the same subject . ib. &c. the answer of a young bride to her bride-maid upon her marriage night . a single womans answer to her confessor . historicall passages of thomyris , penelope and hypermnestra . ib. & the story of the hesperides , with their embleme . of a subtill coy-ducke , who dissemblingly from her credulous husband shrouded her staine , till a more publique discovery exposed her to shame . ib. &c. the constant loyalty , and faithfull s●crecy of a noble italian lady : and how the concealing of her love , became the deprivall of her life : which likewise procured his death , whom she did entirely love . , , &c. a familiar manner of wooing betwixt two home-spunne lovers . , &c. when affection comes in place , portion is ever to take the second place . love is not to bee strangled , but easily repelled , and by distance allayed , and not only distanced , but with employments wearied . the spee●h of a brave spartan lady , upon report of a disloyall act done by her indeared servant . ib. those who can pretend fancy to a lover , and reserve a corner of their heart for another , are resembled to paphlagonian partridges , that are said to have two hearts . ib. the nature of the iuniper ; resembled to a loyall lover . women should not be to free nor open in the impartment of their fancy : instanced in a lady , who after her inconstancy , ingaged her fancy to her rejected friends discovery . a pretty tale of a discontented coople , who , to mend the matter , joyntly resolved to bee married againe . , &c. the choyce of a merry greeke touching his foure mistresses ; clozed in an epigram . , &c. the brave temper of a biscoy in the expression of her love. of dissembling widdow-mourners . ib. & the story of the indian woman . ib. & a conceited treatise composed by an italian , intitled , a supplication to candle-light . ib. & choycest cates cloy the soonest . of a wanton florentines free invitation of fresh servants . the ch●ste and temperate soveraignty of an honour'd lady . ibid. contempt or selfe-opinion , the sole estrangers of affection ; made cleare by an experienc'd relation . ib. & theodora's her divine discourse to a loose lover . , &c. to our amorous surveyors of belcone's , and profest courtiers of casements ; with the story of a deluded gallant in the quest of his mistresse . , , , , & the like story ( but interlaced with sundry choice passages ) of a young prodigall , who found his owne wife in the habit of a curtezan . , , , , & the famous story of isabella , wife to luchino visconti lord of millaine ; her pretended pilgrimage purposely to visit her deare servant ugolino : which caused the millanoise to lay siedge to mantua , though afterwards removed by the mediation of friends . , an excellent moderne story of a young gentleman and his lady ; how after a long division , by a strange occasion they became reconciled , and made one in affection . , , , , & the character of a gentleman vsher. , &c. evill society the staine of gentry . ibid. pleasure and profit make up the best musick . section ii. imitable vertues in women ; illustrated by examples . under which subject are these stories contained and continued . he descends to a serious survey or diligent display of every cardinall vertue . wherein hee findes rare feminine instances in each kinde : and such as may deserve imitation of the stronger sexe . , &c. prudence . under which kind , are these stories connexed . of the city cockney , who expected a continued penthouse in all her country-journey . the discreet and prudent carriage of thomyris , in her besteading of the massagetes , and discomfiture of cyrus : the wise mannagement of her estate , in the whole course of her raigne . her witty inscription upon her tombe . , &c. the wise and peaceable government of the stately semyramis . , &c. the glory of the amazonian state under their invincible penthisilea . , &c. the wisedome and resolution of that excellent sophonisba . , &c. of berenice ; nicaula , the sabean queene ; sheba's visit of king salomon ; the prudence of royall hester , in preventing her peoples danger ; and of abigail in pacifying davids anger : winding up this linke with the living fame of our renouned eliza , who made her kingdome ( this hedged garden ) an elisium . justice . under which linke are these stories in wreathed . iustice an abstract of all other vertues , illustrated by sundry memorable sentences , delivered by such women as were held not only professors but practisers of that vertue . first , of the thracian lady . ibid. secondly , of the alban lady . ibid. thirdly , of the emperesse in her patronage of iustice. ib. & fourthly , of a just mother in the censure of her daughter . ib. fiftly , of the resolution of those almaine sisters . sixtly , the like example of a noble gentlewoman in our owne coast. ibid. seventhly , the noble disposition of a modest matron . ibid. eightly , the advice of the sabine women . ib. & ninthly , the impartiality of aurelia in her husbands election . ib. justice , when corrupted , may be compared to the celedonie stone ; when equally dispensed , compared to the selenite stone . ibid. & in the emperour basils time was found neither plaintiffe to accuse , nor defendant to answer . ib. the princesse decree against litigious plaintiffes . ibid. iustice resembled to the evening starre . ib. temperance . under which linke are inchaced these stories . the excellent saying of a lady in the attemperature of her affection : occasioned from livia's and lucilia's different passions . this vertue pitcheth mainly upon three objects . irascible . ibid. concupiscible . ibid. intelligible . ibid. for commanders in the first , are instanced architas , chilo , and a noble lady . for commanders in the second , a discreet ethnick lady ; the incomparable armenia . their command over their desires in contempt of honour , habit , appetite , instanced in many excellent ladies : not without just , reproofe of that famous italian domenico silvio his wife , who preferred luscious fare before her fame , light consorts before her honour . , &c. the romans made recluses of their owne howses . what temperance the ancient romans observed in their abstinence from wine . ibid. the diversion of their passion ; their zeale to reputation . for commanders in the last , he refers them to his eight section , wherein their witty aphorismes are contained . fortitude . under which linke are inchained these stories . of epicharia , that famous libertine of rome . , &c. of leaena , though a prostitute , secret and resolute . ib. the speech of a discreet gentlewoman . the exhortation of a person of high quality , and one of our owne country , addressed to her husband about the death of his sonne . ibid. & c.. what women aptest to reteine secrets . ibid. the strange cautious flight of geese in their passage from cilicia over the mountaine taurus . dionysius his strait command for beheading bryas . a sweet consort the only allayer of griefe and augmenter of comfort : their secrecy , their husbands safety , ibid. &c. the speech of a discreet grecian , touching secrecy of counsell . ibid. no better innes for curtaine conference to lodge in , than at the signes of harpocrates and anacharses . ib. excellent instruction in matters of secrecy . milo was not halfe so strong in bearing a bull ; as stilpho in opposing his own will. ibid. the wife of bath , upon whose tale , the author at request of some noble friends , hath lately annexed his illustrations , was nothing nice , in telling the world what liked a woman best . ib. how wittily a gentlewoman covered her jealousy . how commendable it is for women to decline their minds from an apish imitation of fashions . ib. the humerous lady ; who ever wore the best cloaths , when she came lea in sight . ibid. &c. when opportunity and youth meet together : the combat makes a glorious conqueror , instanced in penelope . ib. what women , and those of noblest ranke , to their lasting glory , have in our own country , by their continued widdow-hood , honoured their husbands memory . the devout meditation and constant resolution of a young gentlewoman : with a farewell to all vanity upon her conversion . , &c. section iii. their moderation of passion . under which subject are these stories presented . the unexemplary disaster at cannae . , &c. the patience of octavia , porcia , tanaquila , whose well-composed temper raised her tarquin from a subject to an emperour . ibid. &c. the temperate moderation of caecilia and cornelia . ibid , &c. instances of our owne , in a most loyall wife , who was distasted by her husband only because she was his wife . women may bee too insensible of injuries , aswell as too apprehensive . p. houses are neither to bee governed by shrews nor sheepe . ib. a legendary story of a patient votaresse . ib. & , , & a discourse of such women who thought they had spirits stout enough to revenge , & power enough to second that revenge , yet held they it their highest honour to moderate passion with a recollected temper . ib. a colonels attestation of his wifes calme disposition . a virago , quite of another nature . ibid. the syracusans strong testimony of his wifes temper . ib. losse of estate more sufferable than losse of good name : instanced in the resolution of a noble roman lady . a gentlewomans answer to a perfect courtier , laying siege to her honour . mildnesse begets in women , a neare resemblance with that well-disposed feminine monarchy of bees : they have honey to sweeten their stings . no vertue more ennobles a rationall soule than this moderation of passion . ib. section iv. their continency in assaults . under which subject are these stories related . sophronia's modest answer to a wanton suiter . . scipio commended for returning to allantius his spouse , after such time as her beauty was presented to him for a booty . ib. &c. the like of alexander , for sparing darius wife and his three daughters . ib. what a firme tye conjugall love held , even among ethnicks . ib. the tragicall story of camma wife to synattus and synorix . ib. &c. the resolute answer of a noble captive to a generall : and what a fortunate issue crowned both their desires . , the constant affection of a vertuous maid : with her answer to her father touching her choice . ib. &c. the story of those dainty dalmatian virgins : shewing with what continency they resisted the assaults of their commanding enemies . ib. & the like of those scythian women , who after their husbands discomfiture , chused rather to expose themselves to death and danger , than forfeit their honour . ib. &c. instances in women , who wained their fancies from those whom they once loved : and this he confirmes with a pleasant story hapning betwixt two lovers upon the yeelding up of brada . ibid. & , , . section v. their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . countenance . under which subject are these stories ●mopiled . none can say they have modest minds , so long as they have immodest eyes . light habits suite not well with grave hearts : nor wandring-eyes with setled minds . ibid. he inveyes against painting , poudring , purfling : and strengthneth his reproofe with the testimonies of s. hierom , s. cyprian , s. ambrose , s. nazianzene , clemens , pet. martyr , tertullian , scultetus , petrarch , &c. , &c. a pleasant passage betwixt a bedlamer and a phantastick girle . , &c. ☞ lacides prince of argos , accounted lascivious for his sleeke lookes , and mincing gate . so was pompeie for scratching his head with one finger . ibid. augustus discovered the dispositions of his daughters , by the places where they frequented ; the company with which they conversed . ibid. the directions of a roman matron to her daughters . ib. & th● composed count'nance , and constant ●●desty of a young maid , both in the presence and absence of her choice . the modesty of that incomparable aemilia . habit . the habit of the body , the anatomy of the mind . the answer of a lady of this kingdome to a peere who came to visit her , asking her why she appeared still a mourner ? ib. & ● the answer of an outlandish woman to one of our own natives , touching following of fashions . . a divine answer return'd by an excellent lady to an impertinent objection . ibid. expression of affection . the expressive and most emphaticall speeches of aurelia , sulpitia , and that brave burgundian lady . a rare expression of affection in a young maid : and how in a disguise following her lover she dyed of a fever . &c. a passionate story of a deeply inamoured girle . ib●● . the modest affection of majestick marcella . ibid. a woman should neither be too forward , nor 〈…〉 , nor too easy in the expression of her fancy : shadowed in two posies . , &c. section vi. the violence of some women used upon such as were corrivals in their choice : with examples . under which subject are these stories recorded . italy , a tragick theater of such presentments . , &c. the jealouse lady , who stab'd her favorite . ib. & . the ladies duell . , &c. the cunning plot of madam d'alveare , to discover her servants familiarity with another . , &c. the corrivals bloody banquet . . section vii . their modest defence . under which subject are these stories confined . the different affections and effects of lucilia and livia ; phedra and dejanira . good intentions many times produce heavy events : and now and then mischievous plots , comicall ends : with instances of the latter , in olympia's uniust suite to her sonne alexander : and mandanes dreame . of the former , in ●litemnestra and aegystus : unfortunate agrippina in the hopes she conceived , and breeding she bestowed on nero. ib. , &c. of an over-kind duck , who kill'd her too ticklish sweet-heart with kindnesse . ib. a review of all such tragick examples as were presented in the last section . their just apology in defence of their continency and constancy . a custome amongst the romans of breaking their bride-waines . ib. plato's difference betwixt two kinds of venus : with the application of that fiction , and morall to all modest women : in the regulation of their thoughts , words and actions . ib. the counsels of mellifluous bernard and sententious seneca , with all instancy recommended to them . by making heaven their object ; whatsoever is lesse than heaven , becomes their subject . ib. we should be pythagoreans to all the world , and peripatetians to christ. ib. the young gallants encounter with his wanton mistresse , in erasmus . ib. a view of such errors wherewith women are taxed : as their ambition after honour , pleasantly instanced : with an other , who desired rather to have her husband nimbly agile , than aged and honourable . their frequent to court-maskes and other publick state-shows . their working affection upon any moving action . their proclivity to change their choice ; wherein occasionally bodin is confuted . their short and feigned funerall teares , over their husbands graves . their unbounded desires . their easy inclination to temptation ; an objection assoiled in the very first section . their longing affection after a promising proportion . their inconstancy in their desire of change ; with their jealousy in the enjoyment of their choice . their perspective pattentary sedands , wherein they desire rather to see than to be seene . all which groundlesse aspersio●s and corky objections are so clearely refell●d ▪ as these timonists or feminine t●tters are enforced to come off with dishonour : with an acknowledgement of their error , a disclaiming of their censure . their easy simplicity an excuse to their error : how misconstruction , rather through ignorance th●●● malice , makes them subject to mistakes : with a merry example to that purpose , , &c. a 〈◊〉 vindicating of them against their 〈◊〉 , who taxe them of pride : by bringing in their toyes ▪ tyres , and dressings ▪ w●●ples , wyres , and curlings ; 〈◊〉 , poudrings , and purflings upon the stage . the 〈◊〉 of lessius and alagora , in 〈…〉 women may use painting and 〈…〉 without sinne● in which 〈…〉 himselfe spa●●ng , to 〈…〉 ib. & the authors opinion is , that none of these criticks would so injuriously hate , nor maliciously write against women , but that they have beene lightly hurt , or wantonly wounded by some women . he closeth this section with a twofold exhortation : the one , to encourage women to sleight these malicious affronts squeaz'd from the pen of calumny : the other , to ad●vise them to stand upon their guard , seeing no place can be so free from occasion , as to promise it selfe security . ib. &c. section viii . their witty aphorismes , apothegms , and answers . under which subject are these stories contracted . women recorded for their wisdome in allaying their husbands affliction . others for their brave composed spirits , in scorning to stoupe though they were crushed with affliction . ib. &c. others so farre from coynesse , as they run into all hazards , to seize themselves of the object of their affection . ib. others such loving kinde turtles , as they could not endure the absence of their owne : nor conceive any defects or infirmities in their owne . the loyall answer of a loving bride to her husband , occasioned upon our late distractions in scotland . ib. ☞ a discourse of aphorismes , arising from anacreontick spirits ; illustrated by instances . ib. the strange question of a trades-mans wife at a gossips feast . ib. & the tale of a reverend old bencher , and his shreeking lady . ib. the pleasant importunity of an amorous tomboy , to her sweet-heart . ib. a witty girles receipt to a broken tradesman . ib. & the hot-brain'd calacute , and his jealous humour : with his ladies religious answer . ib. & the desperate male-content . ibid. with these stories , he retires from the booths of suburra , and repaires to the temple of viriplaca . ib. others who extracted from those indented lines of their decayed beauty , emblemes , and lectures of mortality . instances in the first ; theogena wife to agathocles ; and sulpitia . . &c. instances in the second ; lovely lydia , and brave-spirited martia . ib. & instances in the third ; marcella and chariclea . ib. instances in the fourth ; caja tranquilla , ruth , armenia , and hieros heroick consort . instances in the last ; bellingeria and eugenia . aphorismes , apothegmes , and answers of an other nature ; beginning with that pertty pert girles answer to her mother . ib. &c. that bold wanton who left her child to the care and charge of the parish . ☞ that witty wenches shrewd answer to a cassock'd dunses encounter . ib. & that good-wifes reply to her husbands pretended progresse . ib. the good-wises answer to a chymick doctor . ib. section ix . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have been formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . under which subject are these stories concluded . what happinesse attends those men who cast their lots in faire fields : and what infelicity accompanieth the contrary . a catalogue of such creatures , whose sweet nature and choice temper have both with modesty and majesty tender'd their consorts a boulster lecture . zenobia , beside other princely tasks , made an abridgement of the alexandrian , and all the orientall h●stories . ib. ● what inward beauty upon their sexe , bestowed that vertuous cornelia , mother to the victorious gracchus ; portia , brutus his wife ; cleobula , daughter to cleobulus , one of the seven sages of greece ; the daughter of pythagoras ; theano daughter to metapontus ; phemone , that mysterious sibill , who first gave life to an heroicke verse ; sulpitia , calanus his wife ; hortensia , daughter to the famous orator hortensius ; edesia of alexandria ; corinnathia , who contended for the laurell with pindarus ; paula , seneca's wife ; argengentaria pollia , or polla , wife to lucan ; and his assistant in his highest & heroick'st composures ? , &c. such as these might make good companions to pray , play , and converse with . mouth-lovers are but month-lovers : when their honey-month is done , their love-threed is spun . ib. modest matrons will admit no youthfull parliance : nor stoupe to any uncomely dalliance . ib. those loves quickly expire and dye , which receive their only infusion by the eye . ib. lovers easily deluded , when by their sense only directed . ib. a curtezans anatomy-lecture . , &c. love grounded on sence , produceth jealousy ; jealousy revenge . these very moderne times afford ladies , so highly enriched with unequall'd abilities both by art and nature as they have deservingly acquired , & constantly reteined that select style of the wits . their desire is , to have their muses rather buskin'd than busked . sweet and dainty ayres , their choicest cares . others we have , though not altogether so happy for strength of fancy , yet no lesse usefull in another faculty : by reading principles of house-wivery to their well order'd family . ib. & these welcome their husbands home with a smile : and entertaine his friend without a thought of ill . ib. to gaine themselves more improvement , they taske themselves to some imploiment . ib. they read not to dispute , but to live : not to talke , but to know . ib. a man ill-married , ( and finding in himselfe a willingnesse to suffer ) may boast that he possesses in the person of his wife , all necessary qualities to be put into the list of martyrs . a man well-married is so far from that opinion , as he ha's a consort ever ready to afford him sweet musick without division . ibid. in the conclusion of this section , he exhorts ladies to reteine a memory and resemblance of those he ha's described : and he shall acknowledge this his labour and service addressed to them , highly requited . ib. menippus his madrigall , to his coy-duck , clarabell . loves festivall at lusts funerall . ar't asleep husband ? a boulster lecture , stored with all variety of witty jests , merry tales , and other pleasant passages ; extracted from the choycest flowers of philosophy , poesy , ancient and moderne history . section i. the excellency of women in their creation . discourses taking life from purest and refinedst subjects , beget ever in the reader most affection , in the hearer most attention . now , what subject more pure than that which is of the most affable nature , amiable feature , and pliable temper ? a smooth thinne skin promiseth ( saith the philosopher ) a free and ingenuous disposition : and where shall we find this philosophicall idaea , but in a woman ? this caused the oracle to give sentence in a businesse which highly imported the spartan state : that the approaching calamity of their principall citie could not possibly be diverted , but by scattering the purest dust upon their altars , which all their countrey afforded . upon which answer , it was long debated , what dust the oracle meant by , to expiate the fury of the gods : where , as it ever falls out in affaires of that nature , as many men , so many minds : some , and those were rich groundlins , who preferred wealth before wit , and esteemed gold for the most absolute good ; were of opinion that the oracle meant by the purest dust , the foile of gold. others , that no purer dust could bee scattered on their altars , than the ashes of such honest and pious patriots , who had exposed themselves to whatsoever fortune could inflict upon them , to secure their countrey , and become her safetie who bred them . other mettall-men there were , who closed with that relation of plutarch ; who reporteth , that when dionysius the tyrant asked the wisemen of his court , which copper was the best , antiphon answered very readily , that in his opinion , that was the most excellent , and the dust most restorative , whereof the athenians had made the pictures of those tyrants , which , for their countries delivery from such an insupportable tyranny , armodius and aristogyton had dispatched to their succeeding glory . but in the end , making recourse to the most esteemed sage in all greece , they were told , that it was the dust of a virgin ; which was no sooner scattered , than their maladie was removed . what excellent cures have beene produced , what happie deliveries effected by these meanes , may appeare every where in the poets : as in andromeda , polyxena , iphigenia . this confirmes that pure mould of a virgin : that refined dust , or substance of her composition : reflecting ever upon the excellency of women in their creation . yet , it may be objected , man deserves precedency , because in his creation he had priority . it is confest : yet might woman seeme ( if we may safely incline to the opinion of some rabbies ) to have a preeminence in the manner of her creation : for whereas dust gave man his composition ; woman took hers from mans perfection . yea , but the matter shee was made of , fore-told what shee would bee . shee was made of a crookt subject , a rib : and out of her crooked disposition ( will some say , who stand ill-affected to the salique state ) shee will not stick to tyrannize over a sheepish husband , and give him rib-roast . a poore objection ! an equall and ingenuous exposition would rather frame this conclusion : that the subject whereof she was made , begot not in her a crookednesse , but pliablenesse of nature : ever ready to bend her will , and apply her affection to the mould of man : not cruelly to domineere , but constantly to adhere to her mate . well did that wisest of kings observe this ; when he so definitely concluded : where a woman is not , the house grones . this differed much from the opinion of that hard-hearted man , whereof i have sometimes heard this tale ; who being one day asked by his neighbour , how it was with him at home , and how his sick wife did , made this answer : surely , neighbour , the case is pitifull : my wife she feares shee shall die , and i feare she shall not die , which makes an heavie doleful house . thus grounded they their sorrows upon two cōtrary fears . that divine plato , whom even in his cradle bees fed with honey , to give a presage to his sweet philosophy ; retained a better conceipt of so necessary a consort : when he closed his desires in this orison so i may have but my eyes to read with , a mind to conceive , a memory to retaine whatsoever ▪ i shall reade or conceive ; and a woman to serve me , that what necessity shall injoyne , i may seasonably receive , what fortune soever encounter mee , though she assayle me , she cannot soyle me ; though she assault me , she cannot foile me . hee is a weake proficient in philosophy , who enjoying the freedome of his inner house , cannot smile at adversity . when philogenes heard , how without society the world was a wildernesse ; the maxime is true , said hee , if you meane a mixt society ; without which all society would soone become a wildernesse . but will some harsh timonist or women-hater , say ; well had it been for the world , if there had never been an eve in the world ; it was her consent that brought a staine to the perfection and integrity of our state . yet for all this , if you will beleeve that ancient cabalist , who shew'd himselfe an exquisite discourser and discusser of conjecturall causes ; he will tell you , that in his opinion , the woman shewed not so much levity in consenting to the serpent ; as the man did facility in giving eare to the woman . shee expostulated the cause with the s●rpent , e're shee consented : whereas hee , without any more adoe , weakly received , what shee so unhappily offered . howsoever , neither of them are to be excused ; the one in not resisting the serpents subtilty ( an act , no doubt , of greater difficulty ; ) the other in inclining to the womans perswasion , which might have been prevented with more facility . what an excellent state accompanies the presence of a goodly woman ? what attractive beauty in the eye ? what an admirable disposure in the contexture of every part ? so as i cannot sufficiently wonder at the stupidity of that meere scholasticall wooer ; who being in the way of preferment , received a very free welcome from a gentleman nearly neighbouring , whose ayme it was to bring him into acquaintance with a kinswoman of his , hoping it would be a competent advancement for her , by matching them together . all accesse , which promised all good successe , was admitted him ; with such opportunity , as might have induced another zenocrates to enter into a parley of love . but heare how this amorous scholler acquitted himselfe , as if his soule by a strange transmigration had passed into that dull zenophanes , or zenophanes into his , in thinking love to be composed of earth ! one winter-evening was this quintilian with that lovely damsell left together ; purposely ( if there were left any beatings of love in his pulse ) to break the matter unto her . she , poore wench , long expected from this predicament of fancie some pleasing encounter or other ; but nothing was done by this dumbe oratour . stilnesse there was on both sides , without the least motion ; till such time as shee playing and toying a little with her foot , appearing a little out of her skirts ; she received from her affectionate scholler , after some fearfull pumping , this lovely piece of rhetorick : surely mistresse , you have a goodly faire foot , god bee praised . how meanly was beauty bestowed , to become an object to his dull fancie , who knew not how to value it ? though , no doubt , with that excellent geometrician , he could well enough gather by the proportion of her foot , the entire feature ; which would wound him as deadly to the heart , as achilles was wounded in his heele . nor had that great graduate any more respect to beauty , when he entertained it with so dis-joynted and unbeseeming a treaty ▪ as being one evening left with a select company of noble ladies , to bestow some houres in such delightfull discourse , as might not cloy the curious palate of so prepared an audience ; suddenly , as one newly awakt from an endymion slumber , he accoasts their gentele ears with this improper dialect : i have read much greeke , yet read i never what was greeke for a paire of tongues . this unexpected passage was returned with a generall jeere ; but having the grace not to understand what they laughed at , he held on in his old philosophicall dumpe , while his impertinent greek phrase made them merry greekes all that night . truth is , to a competible eye nothing more intimately moving than beauty ; nor any lecture working more to mortality , than deformity . for these anagrams to good faces are such impressive stamps ; as some have made of them wonderfull use . deformiores afficiunt , quo formosiores minùs alliciant . they affected only to converse with deformity , that they might have lesse familiarity with beauty . now , if such use might be made of the rubbish , what might be expected from a purer mettall ? reflect then a little upon this idaea ; imagine with your selfe that such a piece were drawne and presented to the full body , which might as really enamour and captivate the senses ; as ever io , danae , or semele , did their iupiter ; or any other amorous feature entranced a poeticall lover . it is the eye that conveyes love to the heart ; curious models to dull spectators , move small admiration , and consequently leave but a weak impression . to see a campaspe portrayed in her colours ; her veines ●nazured ; her sweet smiles shadowed ; her ●ove-enthralling eyes sparkled ; and all these with a native art , and artfull colour displayed , would make their apelles to doe what he did : whence we reade , that alexander , that worlds monarch , not onely affecting , but admiring the art of apelles ; to parallel his skill with an equall subject ; commanded him on a time to paint campa●pe naked , who was then held the beauty of that age ; which apelles having done , his pencill purchased him a pensive heart , fal●ing in love with her who was his picture , and whose love hee despaired to compasse ever : which alexander having perceived , he gave him her . the like incomparable art was showne by zeuxes , upon the beauties of croton's five daughters ; which pictures tooke more hearts , than his grapes had before deceived birds . but lest that apelles , of whom i have spoke so much , as one regardlesse of his owne praise , should finde fault with me , as sometimes hee did with protogenes , for that he could not hold his hand from the table ; ( a right english fault , i must confesse , whose fate and fault it hath beene ever , not to leave their work when it was well , nor their game when it was at fairest : ) i intend to passe from the picture to the feature : making mention of such remarkable occurrents , as hold good relation to our discourse : and what may tender any conceiving reader , variety of delight . i have sometimes read written in a window with a diamond , by one , it seemed ▪ who was not setled in his choice , but like a wanton-wavering wooer , had fixt on many objects , but on none such as yet hee could like ; these lines : if i might chuse , i know not which were best , shee that is naked , or is neatly drest . which lines in another pane of the window directly opposite to the former , i found thus answered : if i might chuse , i 'de have her such an one , as shee was first created , bone on bone : and in that naked-native posture have her , when th'serpent with an apple did deceive her . it seemes he would have had her as she was in her integrity and perfection : but at that time , i must tell him , though shee were naked , she nor any other could not then discover it . her unspotted innocence became her garment of purity and brightnesse . no fig-leaves then needed ; nor any covert to shroud her from his sight , whom she afterwards offended . but it may be his wanton thoughts gave themselves more liberty . his wish was to have one naked , to enjoy without delay , what his heart so much affected . but loose desires are to bee barred by and maine from true loves lists . sensuall love finds ever the shortest period in pleasure . that onely promiseth a continuate delight , which grounds her affection on reason rather than sense . where , though sinne can never be without a short perfunctory delight , yet may there ( probably ) be delight arising from the proclivity of sense , without much sinne. which makes me call to mind a tale which i have heard , not altogether improper for this argument ; and it was this . there was sometimes a maid of admired beauty and approved fame , who , after a long and strait siege of a garrison towne wherein she dwelt , became exposed with other virgins to the violence and fury of the souldiers . one of these , having deflowred this maid , demanded of her how she felt her selfe ? oh , quoth shee , never had poore distressed maid more pleasure with lesse sinne . meaning , that as the act was farre from her consent , so it was free from sinne , which is ever accompanied with consent . for whatsoever is forced , is from the will estranged ; without which , sinne cannot properly be said to be committed . this the ancient vestals received for authentique : who , though they were by the strictnesse of their votive order , never to infringe that sacred vow which they had professed : nor consort with any , that might beget suspicion of a loose affection : yet if the extremity of warre should ingage that encloyster'd society to the souldiers fury ; they were exempted from censure ; adjudgeing their resolves to be pure ; inviolated their vowes , though enforced acts had distained their honour : yet were they not to returne to their former order : for they held vesta dishonoured by such a sister . but you , brave english ladies , whose happiness it is to close both your actions and affections in one pure orbe ; you , whose immixed thoughts , cannot partake of an irregular love ; nor can sort with a subject of lightnesse ; nor labour to attract a strangers love with a luring eye ; nor imparadise a deluded amorist with a dissembling favour ; nor confine a light passengers eye to a loose-displayed breast ; nor soveraignise over a captiv'd lover , in holding his aie mees your best melody ; nor to open your windowes to get suiters ; nor to offer your first sacrifice to your glasse , or cerusse box . you , i say , who hold reputation such an unvaluable gemme , as an empire should not command it ; nor the extreames of fortune , even unto death , impeach it . you , who with much confidence can say with that heroick princesse , i know how to dye , but not to lose mine honour . you , in whose chaste breasts , as in precious cabinets of selectedst vertues , are stored all graces : such , who hold in their highest scorne to converse with a light favourite , or to be sollicited in such a suite as may detract from your honour . you , i say , are those faire and noble patronesses , to whom i addresse this lab●ur . you are none of our curtain lecturers , who disquiet the rest of your husbands . nor know you how to call them up into the garret , to give them gentle correction . you have a better , and farre more gentele way to reclaime them . milde and temperate be your reasonings ; wooing and winning be your teares ; and after a vertuous and well-composed treaty , you are ready to close with them upon such faire termes , as the penance you enjoyne them is no suffering ; for your sweet-tempered natures chuse rather to suffer with them . farre unlike to that shrow , who meeting her husband amongst other good fellows at a taverne doore , and seeing him beare the badge of that red-fac'd ensigne from whence hee came ; after many words of disgrace and reproach , willed him to goe mend his colour , pale-fac'd rascall as he was . no ; your education ha's better improv'd you ; your inbred graces more highly ennobled you ; your tender care of your husbands esteeme so truely inform'd you , as you prize nothing more than to preserve it untainted ; or if at any time questioned , constantly to defend it . in which respect , you differ farre from that shrewd girle , who having taken occasion of displeasure at her husband , told him plainly one day , that since he had plaid her that prank , hee would confesse ere long , that the signe was in aries when they two were married . but for you , unblemished beauties , who hold nothing comparably precious to a continent soule : as your minds become devoted wholly to goodnesse : so you must give mee leave to interveine my discourse with others of your sex , who fall so farre short of your perfection , as it might seeme strange to reason , that one and the same mould should produce subjects of such different natures . for as much then , as contraries , when most opposed , are best discovered : and that venus picture never shewed more beauty , than when it was accompanied by naïs deformity ; to revive the living memory of your honours , we intend to bring upon the stage ( though closed from vulgar eyes by a curtain ) the too forward discourses of such , who distemper their husbands quiet with their conventuall lectures , and that at uncanonicall houres , to the great disturbance of private peace , and ill example of all young-married couples . nor can this be holden for invective : the reproofe of those that are evill , cannot but highly improve the behaviour of those who are good . and in all ages , as harvests have their miscellaue graines , so have we ever had and must have , severally-mixt conditions . rome had many eminent families ; from whence were derived matrons adorned with exquisite vertues . octavia , porcia , caecilia , cornelia , all famous matrons , whose succeeding vertues were left for imitable mirrours to their successours . yet in that age , wherein morall goodnesse was in most request , and wherein nothing was esteemed better , than to live and dye to their countries honour ; that flourishing citie , the princesse of many renowned states , had an impatient flavia , as well as a discreet octavia ; a wanton laelia , as well as a continent cornelia ; an immodest semphronia , aswel as a shame-fast scribonia ; a faustina , as well as a cinna ; a messalina , as well as a cincinna . now to insist more usefully on this subject ; we have proposed to our selves to enter into a discourse of foure distinct motives to affection : which in their own nature beget affection ; but inverted , expresse to life their owners disposition . the first shall be beauty ; a pearle in the eye , and a pinion to the heart : the second , agility of body ; which begets in the owner a desire of liberty . the third , quicknesse of wit ; which , being not well seasoned , oft-times breeds occasion of distaste . the fourth , gentlenesse of speech ; an excellent ornament , and worth entertaining , if it be not shrowded or palliated with dissembling . to the first then , because every gracefull accomplishment or perfection falling from it selfe , declines from what it was , and presents some dangerous imperfection which before it had not , we oppose disdaine , being found for most part an individuall adjunct to beauty . to the second we oppose liberty : for what youthfull bodies , unlesse mortification hath confin'd and impal'd their affections , by devoting them to retirement , in affecting a collegiat or cloystrall life in their very first ripenings of nature , but being of ability , they desire liberty ? to the third , wee oppose distaste . for quicke and prompt wits , if they be not with discretion seasoned , they become so freely licentious , as they lose more friends than they purchase . to the fourth and last , we oppose dissimulation ; a quality whereto our whitest tongues are commonly subject . of each of these we purpose to discourse in order , ever giving beauty her due character , when she is vertues follower : and to allay more serious discourse with other pleasing passages of wit : you shall finde each of these subjects accompanyed with choyce tales ▪ such as may beget a modest laughter ; and from equall judgements receive a faire censure . beauty . beauty is a pleasing object to the eye , improved by the apprehension of fancy , and conveyed to the heart by the optick part . if the owner that enjoyes it , know it : it begets in her a dis-esteeme and contempt of inferiour features . none can serve eccho but narcissus . what a scornefull eye shee casts upon common persons , or a plebeian presence ? shee could finde in her heart to bee angry with the wind , for dealing so roughly with her veile , or ho●sing up her skirts ; and scourge those aeolian scouts for being so saucy . she wonders that venus should be for a goddesse recorded , and she never remembred . when she sees our countrey-beauties , with a scornefull pity she lookes on them , and returnes her judgement thus : " alas , poore home-spun beauties ! a civill requisite curtsy shee will not deagne to bestow on more deserving lips than her owne : with a seeming aversenesse she forgets that winning salute of those noble trojan ladies ; holding it too high a favour to afford a lip to the compleatest lover . this that passionate amorist well discovered in this canto : beautious was shee , but too coy , glorious in her tyres and toyes , but too way-ward for that boy , who in action spheard his joyes . love-tales shee could deagne to heare , and relate them weeke by weeke , but to kisse when you came neare , lippe was turn'd into the cheeke . beauty that is too precize , though it should attractive be , darting beamelins from her eyes , 't were no adamant to me : shee it is i onely love , shee it is i onely seeke , that do'es bill it like a dove , and will make her lippe her cheeke . honour is a rising baite , but not rudely to be pull'd ; give me her at any rate , who loves to be kist and cull'd : countrey ducks scorne to be nice to those swaines their fancy seeke , though their honour they doe prize , lippe they tender , not their cheeke . thus can sheepheards swainlings love , and expresse what they desire ; live to love , and love to prove height and h●at of cupids fire . when a sill●bub they make while their youngsters woo and seeke for their love , they may partake of their lippe as well as cheeke . now did that incensed gentleman shew lesse passion upon the like re-greet from a disdainfull lady ▪ whose long practise in painting , and delicate tooth together , had so corrupted her breath , as cocytus could not have a worser savour . a lady gave me once her cheeke to kisse , being no lesse than i my selfe did wish : for this i 'le say , and binde it with an oath , her cheeke tastes sweeter farre than do'e's her mouth . but there is nothing so much discovereth the vaine pride of these beauties , as a coynesse to their servants in their wooing and winning . if they affect you , that affection must bee so shrowded and shadowed , as lynceus eyes could not disclose it . walke from them , their eyes are on you ; walke to them , their eyes are from you . there is no argument , be it never so well-relishing , nor sorting with their liking , that they will give eare to : no posture , be it never so gracefull , they will afford an eye to . opposition suiteth best with their condition . to a stranger they will shew themselves familiar ; to you , whose intimacy hath got a roome in their hearts , they will seeme a stranger . if you appeare merry , it must bee expounded trifling childishnesse ; if grave , stoick sullennesse . it were a gift above apprehension , in every particular to fit their humour . and yet they must be humour'd , or they are lost for ever . this would make any man thinke , if he cast his cards aright , that a mans only sweet bed-fellow , were a bed without a fellow . but that would spoile all humane society : better an inconvenience than a mischiefe : better one perish , than a multitude . beauty is no such phoenix , as she can generate from her owne ashes . suppose her then ( disdainfull thing ) resolved to take one ( though with a queasy stomach ; ) and such an one , as of all her choice shee could not entertaine a worse . and this youth she rather affects , because all her friends dis-relish him : for she measures not her love by others discretion , nor her fancy by the line of others direction . shee is too wise to bee taught ; and if she repent , it shall be at leasure : and if shee have cause to put finger ith'eye , she will chuse rather to dye , than discover it to any other . yet for all this , through a seeming indifferency and coldnesse of affection , the marriage-day must be protracted by them , till they cannot endure whale-bone , becomming as pregnant as nature could make them . this makes me remember the tale of the westerne pedler ; who , having one daughter , was sought after by many amorous suiters : but one amongst the rest she preferred in her choice : feeding his longing appetite with hopes , and following her fathers course , who had got in his time as much by consideration as principall ; told him ever and anon that shee would consider of it : till at last her consideration falling into a conception , and being asked the selfe-same question , she never returned any other than that she would still take it into her consideration : oh , quoth her suiter , being guilty of the bill ▪ consider your pregnant present state , and your consideration , comater , comes too late . but of all others , there is nothing to be admired more in this their trifling with love , than those nice conditions they stand upon ; which , though their hearts stand indifferent , whether they be ever observed or no ; they will peremptorily conclude , without assent to such conditions , no bargaine . now , the principall article must be , that he who is prickt to be the man , must hold his distance : too much familiarity breeds contempt ; and to avoid this : he must observe a kind of reverend state in her presence ; give her way in all arguments of discourse : and for as much as her brave disposition retaines in it selfe thoughts of majesty , shee must have her side for her selfe and her women , or what male she pleaseth ; divided beds ; seasons of repairing one to another ; that every new visit may seeme a fresh kind of wooing . in which encounter , as he is to shew himselfe importunate in his suite , so is his spouse to shew her selfe reluctant to his desires . but the issue proves fearfull : for her long practise of soveraignty over his weaknesse , brings this faire one to that passe ; as she begins to distaste him . though the man be tollerable for his part , and of promising satisfaction , she cannot brooke him ; yet if you should aske her the cause , it is onely this ; hee is her husband . like that great favorite flaviano , who having taken to wife a noble florentine lady ; grew in short time to dislike her : and being asked the reason why he could not affect her , being every way so brave and compleat a lady ? i grant , said hee , her parts deserve love ; and as i live , there is none breathing that i could more constantly love , did she not beare that name which i so much loath : and being further demanded , what name that was ? o , replyed he with a sigh , a wife ! neither for all this would i have you to mistake me , as if i restrained affection onely to beauty : for i have knowne fancy taken as much , though not so often , with deformity , as ever it was with beauty . yea , one in whom not so much as the least glympse or shew of favour appeared , ha's wrought no lesse impressive effects in the heart of a deluded lover , than if shee had been the astrophel of the age ; which the poet seemes to confirme by his owne personall experience : naïs i love , and most men wonder why , for none sees ought worth love in her but i. to close then this first subject ; as it was socrates rule to his schollers , to present unto them their outward physnomies in a glasse : where , if any of them were of a pleasing and amiable complexion , his exhortation to them was , that so good faces should not be blemished with the moles of vices ; but as they were outwardly beautifull , so they should be inwardly gracefull : but if any of his schollers chanc't to be hard-favoured , his advice was , that they should supply that deformity with an inward beauty . be it your care on whom nature hath so freely bestowed her bounty ; by adorning you with a gracefull presence , to second it with those inward graces , which give accomplishment to the best beauty . and though the purest cloth may have his brack ; the preciousest pearle her flaw : if any such inherent blemish darken those inward graces , be it your endevour to rectifie that error by a timely censure : that bestowing more cost on the instrument , than the case ; on the pith , than the rinde : that gemme which be●ore seem'd blemished , may be so polished ; as others induced to imitate your patterne , like lines leading to one center , may desire nothing more than to be your followers , in whom they see both an inward and outward faire so harmoniously closing together . and so i descend from this attractive object of beauty , to that humour , or opinionate errour , which most commonly accompanies it , and ever detracts most from it . disdaine . the severall pass●ges through-out this entire section , are partly extracted from ariosto , tasso , boc●act , rheginus , a●●aeus , &c. and intend●d by them to cast a glowing shame upon those times wherein they lived : and on those persons at whom they aymed . meaning by these lighter stories to reprove their lightnesse ; and not to introduce any corruption of manners . this it was that reduced those epyrotes and laconians to such strict civill order , by presenting those obscrenities of the time in so free a posture , as by a discreet recollection of themselves , they became ashamed of their errour : which retractation in few yeares highly conduced to thier honour . and this it was which the poet so nearely struck upon in these enlivened ayres : it is our best of art , sometimes to write light lines to tax such persons as bee light , and with a glowing and vermilion shame to make them be more cautious of their fame : which once impeach'd can hardly be regain'd , so deepe a dye holds reputation stain'd . disdaine is an humour bred from an over-weening opinion or selfe-conceit of some extraordinary worth , arising from person , place , or power . personall , as from outward gifts , or inward graces ; locall , as from office or dignity ; magisteriall , as from power or authority . of the first are we onely to discourse ; for officiall or magisteriall government suites not properly with our feminine regiment . it was an excellent argument of a noble disposition in that brave lady marcelles , who gave this attestation of her sex and countrey , to her owne fame and nationall glory . it is not the property of an italian lady , to answer love with scorne , or fancy with disdaine . if our servants oblation be love , we can sacrifice to them the like . this lady , though admired for her beauty , scorn'd with disdaine to entertaine fancy ; or to glory in the distresse of a dispassionate lover : or to relate amongst creatures of her owne sex what disgraces she had put on her discarded servant . in which triumph both former and present times have been sufficiently practised . our renounedst heroës have found store of such coy mistresses . fulvia knew how to domineere over her pompey ; cleopatra , in the infancy of their love , over her m. antony ; cressida over her troylus ; hellena , ( to the subversion of a populous state ) over her menelaus ; phedra over her theseus ; omphale over her alcides . these knew the strength of their beauty ; and what power there was in one amorous glance to inchain fancy . these were so farre from avoyding occasion to tempt , as their onely exercise was to catch wandring eyes ; and to lay baits by adulterate beauties , how they might surprize an effeminate servant , and make his life a perpetuall servitude . although , they encounter'd with some , from whom they received a repulse with shame . for even that princely cleopatra , who had all the art to procure love : and whose presence retained that winning majesty , as state contended with beauty , and closing together , promised no lesse than over the victoriou'st monarch a commanding soveraignty : when she , i say , after the discomfiture of her antony , and her then approaching period to her former glory , kneeled at the feet of caesar , laying baits for his eyes ; but in vaine ; her beauties were beneath that princes chastity . others we might here instance ; who were so farre from disdaine ; as rather than they would be an occasion to tempt another by meanes of beauty , they chused to disfigure themselves to remove all motives to fancy . and of this moderation , ( or if you please to bestow on it so gracefull a title as mortification ) we might here produce examples , and those memorable in both sexes . incredible is the story which valerius maximus reporteth of that young man sputimia , whose beauty did so incomparably become him , as it occasioned many women to lust after him : which this noble youth no sooner perceived , than he wounded his face , that by the scar he sustained , his beauty might become more blemished , and consequently , all occasion of lusting after it , clearely removed . the like resolution shewed many noble ladies , during those raging persecutions , where neither viduall , conjugall , nor virgin estate , were they never so much strengthned with modesty , nor magnanimity , could oppose themselves against souldiers fury , nor tyrants insolency . where , woe shall finde some flying , in defence of their honour , to desert and remote caves ; chusing rather to become a prey to wilde beasts , than to expose their unblemished honour to the barbarous cruelty of savage miscreants . these found a hand ever ready to strike , to prevent a staine : preferring an honourable death before an ignominious life . this might be instanced , with much admiration , in that one act of the incomparable chiomara , a constant consort to an unfortunate prince ; who upon discomfiture of the gallo-graecians ( a province so styled from her mixt inhabitants ) being ravished by a roman captaine , gave a memorable example of conjugall vertue ; for she cut off the fellows head from his shoulders , and escaping from her guard , brought it to her lord and husband . others we shall likewise finde , purposely to preserve their honour , discolouring their faces , to make them seeme more deformed to the insolent souldier . there was nothing more hatefull to them than that beauty , which might probably ingage their persons to an act of infamy . to these i might adde that excellent saying of a religious votaresse , who understanding one to be much inamoured of her , call'd him aside and told him : sir , i honour you so much , as i have chosen rather to suffer , than by my beauty to make you a prisoner : wherewith discovering her face , in complexion much altered , by some colours which she had caused to be laid upon it : hee vowed to relinquish his suit , imagining that shee had poysoned her face , to waine him from his affection . this he had no sooner said , then shee ran to a spring neare adjoyning to wash it off : see , said shee , i am the same i was ; but you are much better : for now you are brought to see your errour , in being so much taken with a skin-deepe beauty , which onely consists in dye and colour . but , howsoever that memorable marcelles , of whom wee formerly made so honourable a mention , seemed in defence both of her selfe and sex , to inveigh against disdain ; holding it the most unwomanly quality that could be , to have an heart steeled against the perswasions of an affectionate servant : ariosto , that ingenious poet , can informe us sufficiently of many hard-hearted ladies in italy ; who prided themselves in nothing more , than to make their unhappy lovers , tragick subjects : while some of them raved with orestes , transforming fancy to a phrensy ; and amongst many other , whose heavy fates brought them to unhappy ends ; he brings in three distressed lovers murdered with disdaine : the first , as well as the rest , under a borrowed name , he calls infeliche : who to discover his infelicity , and make his name and fate pertake in one qua●ity , is presented weeping , and so long till he ha's left no eyes to shed a teare . the next , is his inamorato , whose disdainfull choice brought him to that disaster , as hee vowed with an intentive fixing of his eyes upon the sun-beames , day by day , never to looke off that object , till the reflex of the sunne had consum'd his sight . the third , his desperato ; one who scorn'd to protract time , or make truce with death : for upon his ladies scornefull answer , as one despairing of all future fortune , because estranged from her favour ; he leapes headlong from a rock ; which gave a period to his unhappy love . disdain then , it seems , hath soveraigniz'd in every countrey : while poore distressed lovers , rest of all hope , abandoned health , rather than live a languishing life . so as , being so farre imbarked in this subject , i must needs in this place acquaint you with a letter , writ , it may well seeme , by a perplexed home-spun lover ; who impatient to admit any other complement in his lines , than what might to life best depaint his sorrow , proceedeth thus : dearest duckling , be it knowne to you , and to all people , that i have pissed bloud three dayes and three nights since i last saw you , and received that unwomanly relentlesse answer from you : so as your harsh and untoward quality was the onely cause ( blinke-eyed cupid forgive you ) of this my misery and malady . let it now suffice you , that i am utterly undone by you : while i live to subscribe ( and loath am i to live such a scribe ) your most unfortunate servant . no lesse ruefull was the case of that pitifully-complaining lover , who discovered his judaicall passion in this manner : i lov'd a wench , and she a coy precisian , her scorne of love brought me to circumcision ; if circumcision be the way to woo , i would my wench had my praeputium too . but since my choyce makes mee an haplesse man , england adieu , i 'm now for amsterdam : where i may finde what here i cannot move , affection in a family of love. though afterwards repenting himselfe of such a rash resolution , he salves it with this conclusion : yet my coy-duck , take my resolve with you ; " losse of no jewell can make me turne jew : but if you 'l have a circumcised one , " my fore-skin onely shall bee yours or none . the lowest , but not unloyall'st of your servants . farre lesse hot in his love , but more discreet in his choyce , appeared that seignior ; who having pretended love to a shrow , though shee seemed a sheepe , fell so highly in her books , as in the end she became a soliciter to her suiter , importuning him much to marry her ; to whom in a poeticall straine hee returned this answer , covertly shadowed under the person of another : my wench o're me presuming to have power , will'd me goe with her hand in hand to th' tower. for what , said i ? to cloze our marriage rite ; no , to see th' lions , 't were a better sight : for th' lion , tigre , leopard , panther , beare , are all meeke creatures to my minivere . closing the aversion of his love with this resolve : i 'd rather cope with lions in a grate , than in a bed with my imperious kate. one more i will onely here insert , and so descend to the next subject : which i have occasionally heard related of a wanton widdow , who scornefully and in a jeering way , disclosed that disdaine which shee lodged in her heart . an ancient batchler , who had been ignorant before , what the working of love was , or what effects it produc'd ; having had formerly good accesse to her house in her husbands time ; which promised him , as he thought , no lesse successe now after his death : made one day suite to this widdow ; she , neither gave him great hope , nor any just cause to despaire . and thus his cold suite continued , till she falling aboord with a more amiable and affectionate suiter ; one , whose rising-youth both seconded her expectance , and promised more performance : one day , amongst the rest , upon more familiarity betwixt them , shee began to acquaint him how such a batchlers-button had her in chace , and if his arguments did not disswade her , for ought shee knew , shee meant to make him her choice . this shee never intended , for her affection begunne now to be free towards this active youth ; and to scorne nothing more , than a doublet with a monsieurs belly ; a payre of trunk-hose ; an inclining hamme , and a mouted beard ; for so was this old batchler accommodated . notwithstanding all this , her young choice feared much to suffer a defeat ; which to prevent , so soone as he came to his chamber , rapt with a poetick fury , or amorous fancy , he addresseth these lines unto her : doricles to dulcina . deare , where is thy discretion to ingage thy matchlesse beauty to decrepit age ? dew-dropping violets hang downe their head , when their prime leaves are too much moistened ; but thy pure-featur'd orbe shall never finde any such pearled moisture in a rinde . beleeve me , sweet , no colour may beseem thy virgin-veile worse than a frost on greene . this letter sent and delivered to her hand , who had already devoted her heart ; the selfe-same day she chanc't to leave it upon the drawing-cupboord , while she went into her orchard to take a walke : her over-worne wooer , as one impatient of longer delay , came , as it happened , that same time into her chamber , as he was formerly accustomed to doe ; where finding this letter open , and directed with an amorous inscription , he dispenced so farre with civility , and her patience , now in her absence , as to peruse the contents : which did not a little nettle him : howbeit , to shroud all things with as much secrecy as he could , he held it discretion ; and to discover no passion , till he saw further occasion . while he stood thus conversing with his owne thoughts : the mistresse of his thoughts came in , never so much as suspecting the discovery of her friends letter . after some conference betwixt them , he renewes his suite , and with the best rhetorick that the termes of law could afford , he enforceth his love-plea ; but his long impertinent preamble was soone cut short with this tart answer : sir , quoth shee , for you to spin penelopes web , is to no purpose : it were well you fixt your affection some other way ; for i must freely tell you , i have vow'd that no gray-horse shall ever stand more in my stable . to which unexpected answer , he return'd this resolute reply : and i vow , faire mistresse , that i preferre this conceit before your selfe . which said , without more sollicitancy of love , he tooke his leave . but comming home , and remembring the letter , which hee verily thought was the argument which gave life to her answer ; hee held it fit , under an unknowne name , to returne that young gamester a reply ; which , after many invocations of his melpomene , the fittingst consort for loves melancholy , hee addressed in this modest manner : sene●io's answer . thou that of youth doest vainely boast , know , buds are soonest nipt with frost : though thou be fresh , more faire than i ; yet stumps doe live , when flowers dye . though thou be young , and i be old , though thy veines hot , and my blood cold , though youth be moist , and age be dry ; yet embers live , when flames doe dye . the tender plant is eas'ly broke , but who can shake the sturdy oake ? thinke thou thy fortune still doth cry , o foole , to morrow , thou mayst dye . but having thus farre discovered the effects of disdaine ; and displayed the danger of this humour with variety of instances , to afford more solace to the reader , i purpose now to descend , in the same methodicall way , to the rest of the subjects , as they shall arise in order . agility of body . agility of body proceedeth from a quicknesse or vivacity of spirit , enlivened by a sweet and equall temperature of the humours . this appeared in the exact temperature of that universall monarch , the invincible alexander : whose body was of that excellent composition , as like a sweet perfume , or some odoriferous confection , it sent forth a sweet smell wheresoever it was . the like we reade of that beautifull alcibiades , whom plutarch reports , to be the best favoured boy in all athens ; one of such agility , as he bore away the prize in every mastery : of a winning complexion , and performing constitution . albeit , hee was never more outwardly beautified , than hee was by too free and frequent consorting with his curtezan timandra , blemished . his faire face begot him a foule fame . his agility of body , the gage of infamy . agile and active women we reade of in all ages ; such as even in in publick managements of warre , shewed themselves both for spirit and action to surpasse the effeminacy of their sex. this might we instance in that warlike semyramis , the puissant thomyris , the undaunted menalippe , the couragious antiope , the heroïck hippolite . in the empire of monomotapa , bounding upon the kingdome of congo , among all the rest of the emperours souldiers , the most valorous in name are his legions of women , whom hee esteemeth very highly , and accounteth them as the very sinewes and strength of his military forces . these women doe burne their left paps with fire , because they should be no hinderance unto them in their shooting ; after the use and manner of the ancient amazons , that are so greatly celebrated by the historiographers of former prophane memories . for their weapons , they practise bowes and arrowes : they are very quicke and swift , lively and couragious , very cunning in shooting ; but especially and above all , venturous and constant in fight . and that their prowesse might be seconded by policy : in their battels they use a warlike kind of craft and subtilty : for they have a custome to make a shew that they would fly and run away , as though they were vanquished and discomfited ; but they will diverse times turne themselves backe , and vex their enemies mightily with the shot of their arrows . and when they see their adversaries so greedy of the victory , that they begin ●o disperse and scatter themselves , then will they suddenly turne againe upon them , and with great courage and fie●cenesse make a cruell slaughter of them . so that partly with their swiftnesse , and partly with their deceitfull wiles , and other cunning shifts of warre , with which long custome and continuance have made them familiar , they are greatly feared in all those parts neare which they inhabite : retaining in them those masculine spirits , as they hold it not sufficient onely to defend their owne , unlesse they inlarge it by their enemies spoile . they doe enjoy by the kings good favour certaine countries where they dwell alone by themselves : and sometimes they choose certaine men at their owne pleasure , such as best likes them both for favour and feature , with whom they doe keepe company for generations sake : so that ▪ if they bring forth male-children , they send them home to their fathers housen : but if they be female , they reserve them to themselves , and breed them in the exercise of warre . so lightly doe they affect any sensuall pleasure , as they would not admit it , were it not to preserve society : and to continue their flourishing feminine government to a succeeding posterity . but wee are to finde other exercises for these agile bodies ; yet modestly ; not such as that soile to her sex , the insatiate messalina practised in her antonine bathes . these would strike a glowing shame in a chaste cheeke . nor will we receive into the list of our discourse , the least mention of any hard-hearted woman ; for our penne is addressed rather to pencile their praise , than detract any way from their fame . for what , though some women have bestowed their agility onely upon cruelty , tyrannizing above the softnesse or delicacy of their sex ; every larke may have his crest ( to use that old proverbe of symonides ) but every wench hath not the same mole , though the same mould . what though orpheus were torne in peeces by women ? hippolitus guiltlesly m●rdered by a woman ? hercules poysoned by a woman ? the capitol betrayed by a woman ? few or none of all these acts , but with an e●sy exposition , might admit apologies . for first , what those women did to orpheus , might upon the first glance seeme cruelty ; yet he may thanke himselfe for effeminating their youth with his melody ; the onely moving scene which brought on his tragedy . next , for phedra , though her f●●t admit the worst apology ; had she not lov'd so much , she had not become so wilde . the lover is ever blinded , nay madded with affection towards the object beloved . it is not given to us , to love and to be wise . discretion is admitted for a directrice in all affaires , excepting love : yea , though the object of her love was unjust : love hath alwayes challenged a priviledge in acts of justice . thirdly , for deianira's poysoning of her dearest hercules ; 'las , if there were poyson in too much affection ; shee was guilty of it : render her , as shee was , deluded . glad would shee have been to enjoy him solely , by weining him from his unlawfull love of omphale . there was no venome in this . though the issue prov'd fatall ; firme was her faith , her love loyall . lastly , though that treacherous tarpeia might be as strongly charged with censures , as she was pressed downe with targets : all historians are not of one opinion , touching the moving cause of her treason . it was not hope of gold , nor of bracelets , but the affectionate embraces of an amorous youth , who had already surprized her heart , and why not then by her meanes , as well the capitol ? nor is it discretion , as i conceive , in man to reflect upon these , by way of aspersion . none ever of their sex committed so foule a crime , as to burne diana's temple , and that was done by the masculine spirit of an herostratus . none amongst them so treacherous , as to betray their owne lady , to usurpe an unjust soveraignty ; yet was this done by a nabarzanes . none so cruell , as to embrue their hands in the blood of their owne alliance for filthy gaine ; yet was this done by pygmalion upon sycheus . idaea , indeed , was cruell in perswading her phineus , aegenors unfortunate son , and arcadies unhappy prince , to put out his childrens eyes , which he had by his first wife cleopatra : but if she were cruell in perswading , he was more unnaturall in consenting . tullia , indeed , shewed her selfe an unnaturall childe , in causing her charriot to be hurried over the dead corpse of her discomfited father : yet was her usurping tarquin as unjust , to plant his empire in blood , which shortly expired to his dishonour . in these then , let us hold both sexes , as equall delinquents . but these agile bodies are none of those bona-roba's that wee are now to converse with : cleopatra's pearle-broths , and licentious bankets become our subjects . we must present such active spirits , as were those of penthisilaea's and antiope's , who in an amorous encounter would mee● their brave metall'd macedons , and returne with equally-conferred favours , equall honours . these were ladies , who had never taken physick to restore their decayed strength , nor been in custome with their apothecary for a potion to procure love , or a powder to enable nature . nature had given them that strength , as no art could improve their state . suppose them then comming in paires , to receive their first fruits . but you must imagine them withall , taking the ayre , tracing the fields , and traversing the diapred meads , where they are as ready to take as give : to take a green-gowne , as to give a sillibub : for if you should barre them of liberty , they could finde small employment for agility of body . liberty . liberty points at two objects properly , mind , and body . the former , the better , because purer . for restraint of minde is a miserable servitude . for the other , many suffer restraint of body , who fully and freely enjoy inward liberty . this the noble pibrach proveth in his paradox of liberty , with the benefit of imprisonment to a mind winged with contemplations heauenly . which that restrained lyrick no lesse merrily chanted : good men and true , will you be pleas'd to come and see a man laid in a living tombe ? come , you shall finde mee here , and finding see my cause is good , how'ere it fare with mee . for i am none of these that e're did feed ( like bankrupt brats , who breake before they need ) on others substance , and doe make a prey of simple snakes , that are more poore than they . annexing these as a soveraigne receipt to his undeserved restraint : he that thinks i 'm restrain'd , whos'ere he bee , let him know this , i am as free as hee : for though my body be restrain'd , i finde an unrestrained freedome in my minde ; " birds in a cage sing with a sorry heart , " but i doe feele no such thing for my part . we are to hold then many free , who are bound ; many bound , who are free . those who are ingag'd to earth , hold nothing more miserable , than to suffer restraint of body ; the reason is , all their lights and liberties looke outward : whereas those , who make heaven their haven , finde no calme but in a composed mind : no freedome , but in their inner-roome . but the creatures , whereof we are now to discourse , being carried away much by sense , crave nothing more than outward liberty ; without which , how should they enjoy the benefit of their darling sense ? for they hold agile bodies no fit stuffe to make hermits . but admit , they should be coop't up , the cat , for want of a consort , will play with her owne tayle . as that nimble monkey in cheapside did ; who playing her tricks . above , while her husband was selling his trinkets below : made an assay to lay her heele on her necke ; which she did ; but like the weasil in the fable , could not get it back againe : till at last , after long strugling , falling out a bed upon the floore , her husband affrighted with the noise , caused his foreman to runne up staires to know what the matter was : who returning backe , assured his master , that she was either bewitched , or turn'd into an ou beast . liberty is the very key that opens to opportunity : which must be had ; for a kind natur'd wench will see light thorow a small hole ; yea , and with twirling of their apron-string , have as ready an answer , if at any time taken napping , as if a longer time had given them provision . the tale of a countrey-maid , ( for our stories must fix on all sexes , states , and places ) falls pat to this purpose : who , when her mother found her suspiciously in a corner with a young man : o mother ( quoth shee ) i knew where you would seeke me ! but she fitted her mother afterwards with a penny-worth ; for being hopelesse of all opportunity , by reason of her mothers jealousy , she comes in running one day crying , - hey ginger , hey — what meanes the girle , quoth her mother ? why , swine are in our pease , mother , — hey ginger , hey . the mother suspected nothing , but bade the carrian make haste with a wenian ; which she needed not , for she and ginger went to meet her sweet-heart in a pease-rigge , where , no doubt , before she returned , she found them fully codded . the like tale there is of a good-wife , who being found by her husband in bed with her neighbour ; told him , that she did it for love of him , to save him a labour , and withall , to know whether other men had a stone at rigge , as he had , which made her suspect him for a monster . the tale of the court-gentlewoman ( to make a faire survey of ci●y , court , and country ) may take place in the next story : who being found in a long darke entry with a young cavaliere : her answer was , that in good-sooth , there came such a dampe before her eyes , such a beating in her pulse , such a working on her sense , and such a shaking palsy thorow every part , as shee verily thought , it was some spirit that wrought on her weaknesse : neither durst shee cry , lest shee should scarre the spirit . but of all stories , there was no activity , sure , a wanting in those two joviall bridallers ; neither justly could the one find much fault with the other , having been , by all probability , both guilty : this bride-groome , first night he was married , after such time as hee had given his bride that nuptiall benevolence which was requisite ; presently , turning himselfe on his right side , fell a praying : his bride intending action more than devotion , addressed her selfe to him , in this bridall curtaine lecture . sweet-heart , why turne you so soone from me ? are you so soone weary of me ? pray thee chick , what art ' doing ? praying , con●y , said he . for what , pigs-nie , said shee ? for his well-fare , replyed he , who made me so good way . what other answer she made to this frumpe , i have not heard , saving only this : go to , husband , it seemes you are cunning . you were told a tale in our discourse before , of a wanton widdow , and her answer to a stale batchler , and importunate suiter : his resolute reply upon her repulse : with the occasion of that widdowes answer from a poëm writ by an amorous young gallant ( which he likewise answered ) who disswaded her to lye frost upon greene . and sure that widdow was a feather of the same wing , who finding nothing so as she expected , at least , what her agility of body required , twitted her second husband with the ability of her first , telling him , that she had a husband would have made a chamber-pot roare . that arrogant widdower discover'd himselfe too speedily , to become a speeding wooer : who encountring a rich widdow , and one of a sufficient pleasing feature , to beautifie her fortunes : told her , that hee could well find in his heart to make her his bride , but he thought good first , to impart to her three things , which she might looke to finde from him , if ever she enjoy'd him : and to acquaint her all the better with his humour , they were these . first was , that whether he had cause or no cause abroad , shee might be sure of a bridall-brawle when he came home . second was , hee would eat his meat alone . third was , he would lye with her but once i th' month . why , these are tolerable humours , answer'd this witty widdow : and so you will give way to other three things which i shall desire , this shall be no occasion of breach betwixt us . whereto , when he had promised his free assent , were they of what condition soever : sir , said shee , whereas you say , you must needs brawle when you come home : you shall not need , for i will prevent you . secondly , whereas you must eat your meat alone , doe so , and spare not : but i must tell you , you shall then feed on my reversions ; for as i satisfie your humour , so must you satisfie mine too , and give me leave to bee your taster . thirdly , whereas you will but lye with me once a month , take your pleasure ; but i must tell you withall , if you will not , another shall : for i shall have a months mind to another . this answer so miserably perplexed this humorous wooer ; as he took leave of his widdow , and never revived his suit after that time to her . he shew'd himselfe a discreet capricorne ; who being made acquainted by an intimate servant of his , that his wife abus'd his bed : and if he pleased , he should with his owne eyes see such a cumrade of hers embracing her in naked bed : servant , said he , such a sight cannot please me well ; yet shall it please mee to discover her shame , and with her shame quicken my revenge . the opportunate houre being come , whereof his servant had given him notice , by a private passage , and without company he rusheth suddenly into the chamber , where he saw too personally presented the act of his dishonour : yet shewed he such an incomparable temper , as calling his astonish'd brancher unto him , without more passion , thus accoasted him : sir , i shall take a course with you : and with that hee shuts him in his closet ; and calling his servant to him , grievously chid him ; and withall told him , how he had abused him , in making him jealous of his wifes honour without just cause : for , see , quoth he , how she poore girle lyes alone without a bed-fellow : whereas thy lavish tongue suggested to my too credulous eare a conceipt of that which i now see , poore innocent soule , was the least of her thought ! and to confirme the strength of this seeming passion , he puts his man from him , and would by no perswasion after that time entertain him . thus salved he his wives credit by relinquishing his servant ; and abstaining from inflicting the least revenge upon her minion confined to his closet . onely , hee ever after that time divorc'd her from his bed : but in all other respects us'd her as a loyall-affectionate bride . hee was moulded to as good a temper , who pretending one day an occasion of going from home , purposely to try some conclusion of his wifes private affection : comming secretly home about dead time of the night , found what he had more reason to suspect than expect ; his roome supplied by an active youth ; whose batchler life made him more ready to incroach upon others possessions , than closed either with his honour , or the owners reputation . his wife steeled with re●olution , as well as freedome of affection ; tells her amazed husband , that what was done could not be undone . o thou unsatiate one , quoth he , if indifferent benevolen●e would have served thee , i am sure it was never a wanting thee ! it is true , husband , said she , but the body may be sooner wearied , than the desire satisfied , or the sense sated . the appetite is best pleased with variety : whereas , the daintiest viands ever dished to us , beget satiety . but bee advised by me , husband , and all shall be amended : for your hornes , sir , it is farre better for you to shroud them , than to blow them : cover these , and my continence of life hereafter shall amply redeeme my honor : with which promise , her husband ( good man ) became so well contented , as his patience begot in his wife a love to goodnesse : so as , the comick conclusion of their life clozed with much happinesse . that good-wife was of a merry humour , who , after the miller had taken his moulter , and by all likelyhood had done her a pleasure in grinding her too neare the louder : could not containe her selfe , but returning backe , and finding her husband at home , cryed still — with ô the lusty miller ! her husband mufing much at his wifes mad humour : sure i beleeve , said he , the miller ha's done thee : yes , i warrant you , husband , quoth she , and would have done you too , if you had been there . and as she begun , so shee continued her canting humour ; with ô the lusty miller ! that confident good-man received satisfaction to the full of his wifes demeanure ; who praising her one day above comparison , to one of his neighbours : he advised him not to be altogether so opinionate of her honesty ; but rather to try some conclusion whether she was in deed , what shee appeard in show : for , said hee , many can subtilely shadow their shame , and delude the world with a colour , and yet keepe a bit for their friend in a corner . be counsell'd then by mee , and i will teach you a way to resolve you of all doubts ; and it shall be thus . at night when you are in bed with your wife , you shall aske of her , if ever shee had use of any man beside your selfe ; and if she deny it , as there is scarce one of a thousand that will at first confesse it , leave the rest to my device ; and if shee doe not discover it , being guilty of it , discard me for ever : nay , i will never conjure more , but burne my bookes to save you a labour . this device her husband approved ; and now when night approached , he puts those interrogatories to her , as he was directed : demanding of her , if ever she knew any man but himselfe ? who i , husband , quoth she ? i hope you have no such opinion of me . no , duck said he ; but i desir'd to be resolved : i may set my rest then on this , thou never wrong'd me ! never , quoth shee . yes once , answer'd her neighbour , being purposely shrowded in the chimney-corner . shee , poore soule , being surprized with feare at the voyce she did heare , ingenuously confessed , that the spirit said true : & that she had indeed once transgressed the bounds of modesty , but it was only to purchase his liberty . for your hard-hearted creditor , carelesse of your ruine , having laid you fast upon an execution , came unto mee and promised me your freedome for one nights lodging . why , sayes her husband , this transgression argued an act of affection ; and deserves a kisse beside a pardon . well , chick , said he , thou never then offendedst in this kind but once , no , never but once . yes twice , said the former devill in the vault . trust me , husband , it is true , quoth she , and if the spirit had not put me in mind of it , i had quite forgot it . but this too was rather for your love than any lust . for one day when a roguish serjeant came to arrest you , after i had convey'd you up into the garret , to save you , and satisfie him , i lay with him : but all this was rather to secure you , than any desire i had to him . why , all this , said her husband , highly contents mee . thou never then wrongedst me more than twice ? trust me , husband , never but twice . yes thrice , said that neighbourly familiar in the chimney-corner . nay , if thou wer 't all the spirits in hell , said his wife , thou lyest , for i never wronged him that way but twice . the next day , after this spirit had returned to his shape , he laugh'd above measure , to remember how he had served his credulous neighbour : which to requite , you shall heare how he used this jeering spirit in the like nature . neighbour , said he , i commend your device in discovering my wifes folly : and now i am f●e●d of my jealousy : i pray you , let mee now play the spirit to your wife , as you have done to mine . with all my heart neighbour , said he , and i thank you too : but i am confident there is no voyce out of a vault will detect my wife of any vice . but pursue your plot , i shall give you free ingresse and egresse , as you gave me . the very next night he conveyes himselfe privately betwixt the arras ; whiles he , who presented before the part of a spirit ▪ is now to converse with a parcell of his flesh ; asking her , whether she ever lay with any one but himselfe ? to which question shee as peremptorily answered , that shee had never . yes once , ecchoed that under-pentis'd spirit : at the noise of which voyce , this conscious bona-roba trembled and confessed , that she had once indeed layne with a begger , to whom she out of meere charity had given harbour ; and hee poore thankfull man , to requite her , desired to returne her one curtsy for another . this begger stuck deepe in his stomach , but whether he could or no digest it , there is no remedy , he must beare it . yet to be resolved better , hee proceeds further : i hope wife , you never did this but once ; never but once . yes twice , hallow'd the spirit . o the memory of these spirits , said she ! truly , i had like to have forgot it . i must confesse , i had one time doings with a pedler ; and i gave him a dozen of tinne buttons of your doublet for his labour . these were but meane tradesmen for thee to truck with , said her husband . but thou didst never trade after this manner more than twice ? never but twice . yes thrice , bellowed the spirit ; yea thrice , and thrice , thou moppe-fac'd incubus ( quoth she ) and more than all you haggs have hornes in your lower region . and with that , whipping out a bed , as if this spirit of phrensy had wrought some strange operation in her body , and drawing neare to her close-stoole which stood shrowded under the arras ; instead of it she fell upon the spirit , on whom for want of her stoole of ease , she eased her selfe sufficiently , till that ayry spirit resolv'd it selfe to a substantiall body . he showd himselfe a soft delicate student , who being in bed with his wife call'd for his booke . which his wife observing , call'd likewise for her wheele . why , what doe you meane said he ? to fall to my worke , as you doe to your booke : and may you speed as i spinne . meane time , i have spun a faire threed to become his bride , who makes his study of his bed. but if you had made right use of all the problemes you have read , you might have found that a study was a place for you to conceive in ; but a bed for me . i could wish you husband , to turne over a new leafe , lest i in time turne haggard and check at your love . which caused this effeminate scholler , for feare of his wifes displeasure , never to to suffer his booke communicate with his bed thereafter . it was sometimes my fortune to bee knowne to a brave-domineering lady , whose will was her law , though there was no law in her will. for her only sweet humour , was ever to be out of humour : being never better pleass'd , than to be displeas'd . her messe was ever serv'd up with store of ponts . her best cloaths were sure to bee worne on worst-dayes : and if any neighbour of quality came to visit her , she would feigne her selfe feverish and out of temper . this humerous madam , as one cloyed with commanding , and now after the death of her noble spouse , twitted with the dishonour of her second matching : when she could not revenge her selfe of reproch , tooke revenge of her selfe ; by dying no lesse estranged from remorce , than shee lived at distance from repute . it was a pretty apish answer of that northerne girle ; who being asked by one , how she , being so small and slender , durst adventure on a man so strong and of so large a stature ? o , quoth she , a little worme may lye under a great stone ! it was a shrewde reply which that barbers wise returned her husband ; who finding her scowling , louring and all out of temper , and inquiring the cause of that lumpish humour ? good man , said she , you need little be so inquisitive after this : for whom , i pray you , had you ever under your hands , that you brought not into th' sudds ? 't is true , wife , but i never lest them i' th' sudds . o husband , reply'd she , but i should soone leave these sudds , would you but once leave me ! a wanton discursive husband , when he had rioted so freely in his talke , as modest eares grew weary in the discovery of his youthfull liberty ; his wife being then and there present : o husband , quoth she , were you as free in your course , as you are in your discourse , you would make an excellent courser to breed on ! that widdow was in a merry-mourning mood , who having beene surviver to many husbands : and being asked by one , who upon occasion came to inquire of her husband , who was likewise lately dead : which of my husbands , sir , doe you meane of ? for i can assure you , sir , at this time , my husbands are all alike able to dispatch your occasions . and seeing birds of one feather will flock together ; that tale which i have sometimes heard of one , will passe well enough for current amongst the rest . a late-arrived traveller , who had authority to speake of strange things , by the priviledge of his charter , relating the nature , quality and disposition of a turke : and how his usuall course was to have foure meales a day : and every day to noone it with his wife . the good woman hearing this in the presence of her husband , and impatient of holding any longer : o husband , quoth she , you would make an ill turke ! not al-altogether so , answered her husband ; give me but so many meales , and thou shalt finde me one of the strongest turkish males that ever english gennet bore . should i here relate the servile condition of those women of sio ; whose husbands preferre base lucre before their wifes honor : prostituting their bodies to shame , in hope of gaine : as i should display the one full of agility , so should i deblazon the other hunting after base commodity . but as the eliots were wont to bring forth their slaves drunke , and acting all their obscene and brutish parts , purposely to deterre their children from the like filthinesse ; and implant in them a native horror to such unmanly loosenesse : so i will give you here a touch of the slavish condition of those inhabitants , to weine the most mercenary palliard from the like qualities . you are to understand then , that the women of sio are the most beautefull dames of all the greekes in the world , and greatly given to venery ; their husbands are their pandars , and when they see any stranger arrive , they will presently demand if hee would have a mistresse : and so they make whoores of their owne wives , and are contented for a little gaine to weare hornes : such are the base mindes of these ignominious cuckolds . a base traffick for money , to make a barter of honour . there appeared farre more freedome of spirit , and no lesse agility of body in that fat farrier and his bounsing hussy ; who meeting in a forrest , and both addressed for pleasure : after long parliance , concluded to preserve the wenches modesty , who seemed loath to doe ought uncivilly ; that hee should blow her downe , for otherwise she would not incline to his motion : but how the forrester composed this controversy , i leave to the poet to deliver to you in this epigramme for me . sith smug ( a wanton farrier ) there was , who made appointment with a country lasse , that 'gainst the time from market she'ist returne , he would keepe toutch and doe her a good turne . the place where these two lovely mates should meet was a vast forrest unfrequent'd with feet of any passenger , save such as were rangers so'th ' chace , 'mongst which a forrester vpon occasion chanc't to come that way , and heard , eve-dropper-like , what they did say ; their place of meeting , with the maids consent , which he resolv'd as quickly to prevent . and being under shade securely sconst , which place he had elected for the non'st , he stayes to see th' returne of this same lasse , which ( as she wish't ) did quickly come to passe : for maids that know not what 't is to consent to a lost maiden-head , nor what is ment by giving of a green-gowne , sooner will assent to ill , because they know no ill , than such as have of active pleasures store , for well were they experienc'd in 't before . yea , such will never deale unlesse they smell ●ome hope of gaine , or like the trader well . at last the maid having her market made , ( perhaps farre sooner than her parents bade ) with clothes tuckt up returns with speedy pace , downe by the forrest to th' appointed place : where smug the farrier lay all this while , that he the maid might of her gem beguile . if you had seene what meeting there was then betwixt these two , you would have vow'd no men of any ranke or order were so good , as lemnian ▪ lemmons unto womanhood . so humble was the horseleach , as to please the shamefast maid , he oft fell on his knees , while pattring paltry love-spels on her lips , downe fall his breeches from his naked hips : and all this while , poor soule , she stood stock still ; not thinking ( on my conscience ) good or ill . at last the jolly smith ( when all was showne , that he could show ) will'd th' maid to to lay her downe vpon a shady banke , which with all sorts of flowres was checkerd fit for venus sports . she ( though she were resolv'd no ill could bee by lyng downe ) yet in her modestie would not unto his motion so assent , yet let him blow her downe shee was content . the short-breath'd smith ( for he was wondrous fat , and stuff'd withall ) makes me no bones of that , but aeolus-like , puffs up his cheeks well-growne , and hee no sooner blows than shee was downe . the forrester , who all this time had stood vnder a shady covert of the wood . steps in , when th' smith his smelting should begin , saying , all wind-falls they were due to him . many such smiths our anvile-annals show , and present times may show as many now . to inlay this our lecture with mixt stories , i shall adde one only tale of a spritely male , who , for love of a female lost his maile , and afterwards runne post-naked down sautry-laine . there was an atturneys clarke , who comming along with his master by stanegate-hole , ( or the pursers prize ) and hovering a little behind his master , purposely to ease himselfe : tyed his gelding to a stake in the hedge , and went over into the thicket adjoyning : where he no sooner enter'd , than he perceived a dainty young wench , of an amiable presence , cheerefull countenance , & a wooing eye , beckning unto him , as if she affected nothing more than dalliance : the clarke , whose heate of youth prompted him on , though his masters speed call'd him back , friendly and freely accoasted her , preferring his owne sport before his masters speed . but while they were clozing up their youth-full bargaine , two lusty takers leapt out of a brake and surprized him , calling him to a sharpe account for the dishonour hee had offered their sister : hee , who had no time admitted him to put in his plea , besought them that hee might bee dismist : which motion they inclined to , but by no meanes till he had payd his fees . to bee short , they stript him naked to his skinne ; seazed on his port-mantua : and tying his hands behind him , mounted him mother-naked as hee was , into his sadle . his gelding , missing his masters horse , fell a galloping and neying after him . the master with an other fellow-traveller , hearing such a noyse and clattering behind them , though a good distance from them , looking back , might see one in white with great speed pursuing them : they imagining it to be one in white armour , put spurrs to their horses : where all along sautry-laine , this eagre chace continued : the man harmelesly following ; they fearefully flying : till they got to stilten , where they thought themselves happy in such an harbour : where they reposed , till that armed-man appeared a naked-man ; whom we will leave to the correction of his master : to whom he made a free discovery of his mis-fortune , and consequently deserved more favour . with which tale wee will close this subject of liberty , descending to the next , though confined to a narrower scope , yet of more ingenuity . quicknesse of wit. quicknesse of wit , consists in a pregnant present conceipt , arising from an happy fancy or strength of apprehension , having an answer ready to any objection : or a pleasing delightfull humour in bandying jests one to another . which are divided into festive , or civile : both , if seasonably used , and without danger of any personall toutch , freely received ; though the orator hold , that the former is ally'd to vanity , one degree nearer than the latter . these quicke-wits are best exprest in present extremities . i have knowne some wits of our time , held it their greatest honour , to contest in arguments of wit with women : nor have they held it lesse honour to gravell them . the conquest was not so virile , that it should reteine any such esteeme : but in these duello's of wit , i have observed some of these selfe-opinionate ones , faile so farre in their expectance , as they ever merited least praise , where they were most confident of an undoubted prize . a just judgement ! that wherein wits are most presuming , they should ever appeare most failing . it is true , what the apologue sometimes observed ; epimetheans are to bee found in every place , but it were rare to finde any one of all prometheus race . to foresee what may befall , is an eye surpassing the lower verge : yea , we shall finde the pregnantst piercingst wits many times most blinded in what imports them most . apt to pry into others secrets , but neglectfull of their owne ▪ a censorious quick-sighted argus to others counsells : a blind tyresias in the survey of their own . it is a rare felicity to enjoy a quick-wit , & to have humility to manage it . more have perish'd by it , than procur'd them safety from it . ripe early wits are soonest blasted ; as rarest beauties quickliest blemished . wherein those are ever most erring , that are most given to talking : especially , in observances , regreets , salutations , complements : which , many times fall out unhappily to those who most affect them ; & following the current of court-rhetorick , mistake the termes : or through ignorance of the true dialect of speech , fall into ridiculous absurdities , by mistaking words , or inverting the use of them ; familiar errors to most of our affected speakers . this may necessarily seeme to introduce the tale of that finitive girl● ; who comming downe from her lady to a gentleman ; and desirous to excuse her lady , that shee could not presently bee at leasure to receive his message ; requested him , that till her lady was ready to dispatch him , he would be pleased to goe along with her and take some procreation in the garden . which could not chuse but puzle him asmuch to answer , as shee poore wench , was simply forward in her liberall offer . nor had that curats wife any ill meaning , how ere her words might be misconstrued , who comming to her land-ladies house , and being asked of her ; how happens it that all this while you have no children neighbour ? verily , quoth she , i know not , but by the motion of the spirit wee do both our endeavour . nor did that soft-temper'd gentleman , show any great propriety of speech , nor pertinency of answer , when comming to the house of a neare-neighbouring lady , and being demanded of her , how long his wife reckoned , and when shee would bee brought abed ? for want of a better answer , suffering both in his tongue and conceit a fever , made this reply ; even when your lady-ship pleaseth . but to speake generally of quick-wits , they are naturally bold : which many times endangers the owners discretion . there is no discourse , wherein he will not have an oare . no argument , wherein he holds not himselfe fit to be a moderator . yet , in this he so farre over-shoots himselfe , as he findes it more prejudiciall for man to be accompanied by selfe conceipt , than to be indued with a meane , but humble conceipt . it was the saying of a daring stoick , that he was in all things so well resolved , as there was nothing wherein he so much as doubted : which was likewise the arrogant opinion of velleius the epicurian . his confidence had so strengthned him , as no opinion of error could surprize him : imagining his knowledge to bee lyable to no error , so firmely and irremoveably sixt was he to an opinionate humour . but he who fooles himselfe with such an arrogant confidence , ever fails most in his expectance . he is most wise , who is lest opinionately wise . for he that seekes to be more wise than he can bee , shall bee found to bee lesse wise than hee should be . but now , whereas many women have singular quick-wits ; it is very rare for any such to have them , and not to know them . it is commonly seene therefore in publique assemblies , how apt they are to give occasion of discourse : and how willingly they embrace any argument to exercise their wits on . and in this they have a great advantage of the stronger sexe : for whatsoever they object by way of reason , receives a more favourable construction , than others may probably expect . for indifferent things delivered , where little is expected ; begets more admiration in the hearer , than where more solid arguments are handled , but by such where nothing lesse could be expected . indeed , the greatest error that can bee found in these feminine disputants ; you shall observe some of them ( ever teserving our best esteeme for the discreetest and selectedst ones ) to flow in words , but droppe in matter . copiously shall you find them worded ; but for matter penuriously stored . howbeit , their very presence ever accompanies their discourse with an applausive grace . i have in my time seene a woman brought before a judiciall seate ; where she was accused of enormious crimes : and such , as before she laboured to vindicate her owne honour , begot in her spectators an hatefull horror : yet no sooner had she delivered her owne misfortunes ; the undeserved extremities of her adversaries ; the disrespect she bare to life ; the tender care to redeeme her fame ; than she begot teares in those who before did spite her : a noble compassion in such , who before did hate her . now , if a quick-wit , prompt speech , and prepared spirit wrought such effects in actions of that quality , what might they produce in affaires of true worth and magnanimity ? it is true , what an excellent moralist well observed : that it fareth with wits , as with diversity of soyles . some are naturally so fruitfull , that if they should be manured or marled , they would grow over with weedes . many such luxuriant wits there be ; who , the more they are fed , the more are they famished . these must bee kept sharpe , or they will not mount . others there be , who must be forced , or they are starved , but these partake not of such whereof wee have here discoursed . to dwell longer on these i shall not need , seeing the triall of wits will sufficiently informe you . wee will descend then from those benefits accruing to quick-wits discreetly mannaged , to those distasts they beget by being too lavishly vented . distaste . preciousest things have ever the worst keepers : which proverbe is made good even in this subject . there was never good wit , saith the profound stagyrian , without some mixture of folly . nay , the best wits have the vicioust parts . dangerous tooles to be in mad mens hands . let us reflect a little then upon that noble sexe , whereto we are to addresse our discourse : and in these rich mineralls of wit , observe if those purest and precioust metals are not blemished with some foile . quicke and piercing be these feminine wits : which being well disposed , incomparably beseeme them . for as that relater sometimes delivering a passionate speech , expressed every passage so emphatically , as he begot a generall compassion in his hearers ; till , in t●e end , concluding his whole discourse , hee demanded of them what they thought of such an orator ? their answer was , they could admire nothing more . nor can you doe ought lesse , replyed hee , comming wholly from the sweet pen of a woman . every action , saith the philosopher , hath two helves or handles . and we shall finde these two metalld wits strike upon the same shelves . the one more apt for projecting , the other for discoursing . this tart ; that dangerous . as for our old beldame wits , wee will let them rust in the sheath : their plots are ever casting for husbands for their daughters : or how they may gather a little more uselesse trash into their knapsacks : which they enjoy with as much content , as those who live in continuall want . our stories must take life from more youthfull madeona's . such , as to purchase the persons whom they lov'd ; and whose fidelity they had sufficiently approv'd ; tooke upon them disguises , that they might enjoy the fruits of their affection with lesse suspition . others becomming pages to those who were foes to their lovers ; to make those whom they lov'd , happy conquerours . others exposing themselves for slaves , to secure their sweet-hearts states . of which sorts , you may furnish your selves with instances plenteously both in our ancient roman and our latter italian stories . all which , as they pitched upon love , so closed they for most part with comick ends . but of all others , there are no plots more desperately dangerous , then those which are grounded on iealousie : which in all ages hath brought forth such implacable revenge , as nothing could finde it a period without blood . but our desire is not to rivell your eyes with teares ; nor to close our curtaine lecture with a funerall pile : but to furnish you with fresh messes of merry mates , where the effects of iealousie or revenge shall winde themselves up in mirth . i will begin with the tale of a wenching companion , who could not fare well but he must cry roast-meat : for having received a fair and free entertainment from three severall witty wantons in his parish ; it could not suffice him to enjoy them but he must boast of it , and so defame them . these three merry gossips practised one day how they might pay him home in his own coin : and how they might each of them affright him most , and harme him least . the first , being a barbers wife , was long in the suds , till she had wrought what she had so long sought ; which the better to bring to passe , with an affable invitation she cheers her youngker , and wils him not to breake with her : for such a day would her husband be imployed in trimming some burgesse against such a festivall day , and no time more opportunate for his safe ingresse and ●gr●sse . the time is observed , all things ●●●ted : but while these two amorous factors are in naked imbraces , enjoying each other , by a private practice with her maid , in comes the barber . hee perceiving nothing , chid his dame , for spending so much time in her bed ; bidding her arise for shame , for ( said hee ) i have trimm'd two gentlemen already : yea , husband ( quoth shee ) but i would know him that trimms you . — but you promis'd me , one day , husband , to payre my toes , do it now for me , and i wil rise instantly . the good simple barber , conscious of no such things as his wife had practised , began to give an edge to his razor , while his witty wife whisphering underneath , willed the currier to put out his feet , and to fall low in the bed , for fear of discovery . which the poor trembling snake did accordingly . — o cut me nearer , quoth the barbers wife : till he went so near the quick , as the palsie-shaking cavalier feeling more than hee durst finde fault with , to free himselfe from feare of further torture , bit the barbers wife into the shoulder . this procured a shreeke from the wife ; and caus'd the husband to lay aside his tool . so taking along with him some camphier bals for which he came thither , hee left this shaking shark with his subtill syren together : the one trembling for fear ; the other laughing at his fever . the next was of the lemnian order , a black-smiths wife ; one , who could forge and hammer any thing cunningly , to compasse her pleasure . and shee must play her pranks too ; which the better to effect , this lady venus pretends that her vulcan is to play the farrier abroad , and therefore privately invites this martiall younker to her house , to play the part of a stout and stiffe warriour at home . such a pleasing occasion requires all expedition : love loosens fetters , and transforms feet to feathers to seize upon such a purchase . the way hee findes easie ; his free accesse promiseth all successe : he is not only admitted , but permitted to do what hee list . but an unexpected storme alters this calme : while these two lye billing like two loving payres , she heares her husbands boisterous tongue below the stayres : it is high time then for her now or never to ply her anvile , or feele the fury of her farrier : which to prevent ( no wit comparable to a womans at a dead lift ) she opens a chest which stood close to her bed ; and puts in her paramour by the head and shoulders : and locks it fast , when she has done : up comes the husband , chasing like an horse-leach , and fretting like gumm'd grogran , to finde his wife i th' cloth-market at that time o th' day . but poor wench , she feigns herselfe sick , giving such a passionate grace to her counterfeit groane , as her simple actaeon imagined her to be sick indeed . he , to comfort his sweet dulip , asks her what she would have , and where her paine held her most ? o , at my stomack , husband , at my stomack ; i finde a great loathing at my stomack . — where 's the aqua vitae bottle , said the smith ? that will either recover thee or nothing . o , in that chest , husband , but i know not where the key is ; the griefe of my stomack h 'as made me quite forget my selfe . marry , quoth he , but i will breake it up with my hammer and pincers ; — i will not loose my coy-duck for a little labour . as they were thus communing , and hee preparing his tooles to breake up the chest , or this paramours cabbin , you may partly imagine what a pitifull perplexitie , that inchested lecher was in : which hee discovered , for being not able to containe himselfe any longer , the chinks of the chest disclosed his feare by the distillation of his water . which the disssembling sick dame perceiving ; oh , quoth she , husband , you may now save that labour , for by the jogging you have made , you have spilt all the water : and i thanke god , i am at better ●ase then i was . this highly cheered the good man to see his wife so well recovered : while she after the departure of her husband releaseth the prisoner ; who came forth like a drown'd rat , and without scarce taking leave of his jeering minion , run downe stayres in a pelting chafe , vowing ever after to be more wary of preferring such a didapper to his choice . but carnall repentance holds no long residence . the third merry gossip , being a feather of the same wing , and had purposed to render her wanton tell-tale the like wage : sends one evening to this fly-blowne flesh-fly , acquainting him how her husband , ( being an excellent painter , and such an one as not a rush-bearing or may-morish in all that parish could subsist without him ) was to go a good way ( as she pretended ) stay a long time from home about setting forth of a pageant ; so as , hee might enjoy the freedome of her love securely , without the least suspition of any within her family . the joviall youngker forgetfull of his late feare , and desirous to second her ayme , whose love was his lure ; with winged speed fits himselfe for this loves adventure : where he no sooner arrives , than he is received with all expressions of familiarity and privacy of favour . though she were a a painters wife , and one practised much in adulterate varnish , hee found her affection laid on with such colours , as they were in graine and admitted no staine : for nothing was deny'd him , that could bee desir'd by him . hee found more agility and quicknesse in this amorous creature , than ever pygmalion could doe in his artfull ( but as then un-enlivened feature . ) prometheus his fire had infused such heat ; as never more active nor virile love accompanied ida's seat , nor eryca's grove , than that love-entranced myrmidon did enjoy in the seazure of his pegge painters love . but were there no flaw in a picture , art might worthily admire her selfe , and esteeme her worke an architype of nature . men would in time become zanies and surfet in the sweets of pleasure , if there were no alloes to immix it selfe with it , and allay the quality of it in some measure . this that sensuall amorist felt , heard and understood ; when ready stript to imbath himselfe in his stove ( or if you will ) stue of delights : that perfidious phidias ( for so no doubt our youthfull gamester held him ) was heard below : what a pickle then may you imagine this sou●'t gurnet was in , at the resound of his voice ? but some present course must be taken , to secure this unfortunate goat , or there is no more life to be expected , than in a picture which art onely formed . but a device this wanton ha's in readinesse , to revenge her wrong ; and with some feare to her bed-fellow , shroud both their lightnesse . the plot is this : she wills him stirre his stumps ; and follow those directions shee prescribes him . hee must now of a living creature become a dying picture : he must hang behinde the doore for something , and bee as mute as if he hung there for nothing . mother-naked hee hangs there by the arms ; while the painter , who knowes little of the drift or practice either , enters the chamber , and contrary to the custome of the countrey , begins to read his wife a curtaine lecture ; but shee , tender of her honour , puts up all with patience : telling him withall , that though she lov'd to take her ease , it was not altogether without pro●it ; she could bargaine in her bed , that would pay for washing her sheetes . and to make this good , looke ( quoth she ) behinde the door , what a picture i have bargain'd for at the second or third hand ! tell me now in good sadnesse , did you ever see any one nearer to life ? peruse every vein , sinnew , member , artery ; and then resolve me , if ever you saw an exacter piece of symmetry ? trust me , said the painter , the work is very lively , only i find one disproportionable part , which our best artists have ever held a great deformity . now , the onely blemish which i finde in this picture , is , that the one codde hangeth longer then the other ; which i shall rectify forthwith . the aguish-supposed picture , fearing much that the painter was fetching his knife or some other instrument in use , to correct that error ; which if hee did , he were undone for ever : just as the incensed painter turned his back , leapt the the scarred skaledrake from off the hinges of the door : running naked through the open street , to preserve his genitories from the stake . now , i will not aske you , which you verily thinke of all these put him in most feare , and harm'd him least ; for so you may suspect mee that i relate these purposely to sell you a bargaine . no , the discovery of these sleights was onely to set forth the levity or want of secrecy in those , who should be most strong : with the strength of their revenge , whose sex argues them to be most weake . a story to like purpose in our owne time and in our owne clime i have heard ; and it was thus . a loose libertine , who car'd little for ingaging his honour , so hee might be master of his pleasure . amongst many others , to whom his irregular desires , had tender'd love and service ; it hapned that there was a gentlemans wife of good accompt and approved fame , whose affection he strongly sollicited : many repulses he received , but his impudence put him on afresh ; renuing still his siege , hoping in time to become seazd of the hold. at last , when shee could by no meanes disswade him from his uncivill suite , she seemingly consented to his request : yet acquainting him withall , that her honour was such a precious gemme , as shee desired to have the fame of it preserved , though it were privately blemished : if then hee meant to enjoy her , he must bee conveyed secretly into her chamber : which hee , with much willingnesse inclined to . the night is appointed ; the manner of conveying him contrived : a trunke provided ; to seaze him of what he so incomparably desired . meane time , shee acquaints her husband with the whole plot : who infinitely longs for the approach of that night , to discover to his shame , his odious lust : as the wanton lecher was impatient of that tedious day , to enjoy the shaken fruits of his ranging love . the porter receives his hire , and directions from her : willing him to set the trunke upon end against the wall : and in such manner , as his feet might stand upward , and his head downeward . long , may you imagine , did this incoffin'd puffin lye there incased , before hee was opened : at last the husband comes in , and looking about him , demands whose trunke that was ? a friends , answers she . what friend , said hee ? no friend should have any trunke or any such matter in my chamber , but it were fitting that you made me first acquainted what it were , and for what end it came hither . for i have beene partly made privy to your tricks before , minion , quoth hee , seeming inraged : i will therefore make bold to see what trumpery you have here ; and breake it open , if i may not receive so much favour from you as to have the key . she seemingly dissembled all things , beseeching him to bee content , and spare the secrecies of that trunke : but the more her subtilty importun'd him : the more did her delayes seemingly provoke him . to bee short , the trunke is opened , where this loose lecher could not inwardly bee more polluted , than his fayre sattin suite ( whose inside partak't intirely of sathan ) was found hatefully scummered . now , with what dishonour he was kick't out o th' chamber , i leave it to you , if you had your wives besieged in like manner , to censure . but amorous eares , no doubt , would be more delighted with hearing devices of an other nature : as for instance , to heare the party beloved cast a bait how she may deceive a suspicious eye , to cloze her owne content , and crowne the long-wished desires of her lover . that tale of a wanton witty dame will sound well in such eares , who advised her sweet-heart , to secure them the better from her husbands presence , to attire his servant in a beares skinne ; being a beast , which of all others he most feared and hated . the story i commend to the relation of this poeme . a wily wench there was ( as i have read , ) who us'd to capricorne her husbands head ; which he suspecting , lay in privy wait to catch the knave , and keepe his wife more strait . but all in vaine : they day by day did mate it , yet could his four eyes never take them at it . this subtill wench perceiving , how they should at last prevented be , do all they could : for now italian-like , her husband grew horne-mad ( i wis ) and kept her in a mew : invent'd a trick , which to accomplish better , vnto her friend shee closely sent a letter , and thus it was ; " friend , you shall know by me , " my husband keepes me farre more narrowly " then he was wont ; so as , to tell you true , " you cannot come to me , nor i to you . " yet spite of his eyes and as many more , " wee 'l use those pleasures which wee us'd before : " onely be wise , and second what i wish ; " which to expresse ( my friend ) know this it is . " my husband , as he hates the horne to weare " of all the badges forth , so feares he th' beare " more then all other beasts which doe frequent " the heathy forrests spacious continent . " if thou wilt right me then , and pepper him , " cover thy servant in a false beares skinne : " and come to morrw , as thou us'd before , " tying thy servant to my chamber doore . after this quaint direction he attir'd his man in beare-skinne as shee had desir'd ; entring the chamber , he received is with many a smile , back-fall , and sweetned kisse : for they 're secure of all that was before , having a beare that kept the buffe from doore . the wi●tall foole no sooner incling had , then up the staires hee ran as hee were mad : but seeing none but th' beare to entertaine him , of hornes he never after did complaine him . there bee other extreames of love which fall by degrees into mortall hate : hammering upon nothing more than revenge : and these tragicke effects are ever hatcht from jealous spirits : which the tragedian seemes to discover in a passionate admiration : how boundlesse is the height of womans hate ! this that jealous dame published to all the world ; when finding one day in a cabinet of her maids , divers especiall love-tokens and affectionate favours , which shee had bestowed upon a servant of hers who s●ood strongly interessed in her love ; became so violent in her hate towards him , whom before shee preferred before all the world ; as the very next time , that he presented his service unto her , hee was pistal'd by her , without ever so much as expostulating with him the ground of her distaste . nor will wee leave this onely heere : as mortall , though lesse fatall was that womans malicious pursuit of revenge , ( to give an instance in actions of baser brood ) who accused one before a justice for a rape . the discreet justice perceiving that the ground of her accusation proceeded rather from malice than any just cause , wished her to bee well advised before shee impeached him of such a crime : for , said the justice , i am halfe perswaded , in regard of the honest report and repute of the man , that hee is cleare . — but tell mee in good earnest , said the justice , did hee ravish thee indeed ? yes , quoth shee , i 'le take my corporall oath of it , though your worship will not beleeve it , that hee ha's ravishd mee twenty times at least , before ever i came before your worship . those who are addicted to melancholly , are ever esteemed most witty : and these most subject to jealousy : on which humour , of all others ▪ the devill ( as guido observeth ) worketh for his owne purpose most powerfully . this might appeare by the story of that perplexed gentleman ; who being imployed in service abroad ; and having a very beautifull wife , desired to bee satisfied how shee behaved her selfe in his absence : to bee resolvd herein , hee makes recourse to a negromancer ; who , after some little time , shewed him a glasse , wherein hee presented to his view , his lady in full proportion , and a young cavalero with his breeches downe entring her chamber : this amazed him much , for as he was naturally addicted to jealousie , so this so fully confirmed and strengthened his conceipt , as hee could scarcely containe himselfe from picking at the eyes of his lady presented in the glasse : and to second his conceipt with revenge , he begs leave of the generall , that he might obtaine so much favour as to leave the garrison for a season , and returne home into his countrey , to dispose of sundry affayres which at that time required his personall attendance . way being given him , he returnes home : where , though passion would scarce admit a parliance , he thought good to call his wife aside ; and with much abruptnesse of speech , fire and fury in his eyes ; he askes her what company she had in her bed-chamber such a day ? she at the first , much amated , yet knowing her own innocency to be without the reach of scandal , at last recollecting her dispersed and distracted thoughts , shee call'd to minde who at that time accompanied her : upon which recollection , she return'd him this answer : o deare sir , let not the devill delude you ; i well remember , how your owne brother , that very day , came into my chamber , and that i lay'd a plaister upon his boile , which was on his thigh . this so well satisfi'd him , as his fury was turned to affability and sweetnesse : repenting him sore , that ever hee inclined to give eare to such an hatefull suggestion . so as , albeit hee had brought her into a private-desert grove , where he intended a fatall revenge ; he not onely freed her person and untainted honour , but retained a constant opinion of her noble carriage ever after . this story i inserted , to deterre such from giving too much trust to these sorceries : for what was the devils sole practice or aime in this false deceiving glasse presented to that deluded gentleman ; but to suggest to his jealous thoughts grounds of revenge ? he was ready enough to shew him occasions to increase his jealousy : but not to discover to him what person it was , to whom his lady shew'd her selfe so familiarly . he was ready to present to his sight a youthfull active cavaliero , and that in an uncivile posture , entring his ladies chamber : but never the love nor affection shee bore to himselfe , in this office she did to his brother . hee was not halfe so much distemper'd with jellows ; being farre more easily perswaded , though hee had lesse cause to bee so quickly satisfied ; who riding one day a hunting , suddenly and unexpectedly receiving newes that his wife was brought abed , could not choose at the first but break out into some passion ; thumping his brest , and doubting still that his dogs , actaeon-like , would not know their master , cryed out , till the field re-ecchoed againe , i am dishonour'd , i am dishonour'd . one ( and such an one very likely as had a finger in the pye ) seeing him in this mad mood ; begunne to chide him , bidding him be content for shame , and not to make the whole field witnesse of his folly ; for what 's the matter , said hee , that brings you to this distemper ? why , my wife ( quoth he ) is brought abed . and why should shee not , answered hee ? because it is too soone ( said this honest goos●in : ) all the world knowes , it is not above twenty weekes since we were married : the childe then can by no wayes be mine . no more is it ( said his friend ) it is as much your wife 's as yours . but , pray you sir , tell me ▪ will you publish your selfe a ninnie to all the world ! is it not twenty weeekes since you were married , and twenty weekes too since shee was married ; and doe not these two put together make up forty weekes ? tell mee then ▪ how are you unhonour'd ? which reason : this tractable trout had no sooner heard than he became well perswaded : humbly beseeching his friend to excuse his errour , and not to publish to the world his folly : which hee promised to doe upon hope of a further favour ; conditionally hee would not suffer himselfe to bee mis-led by any such jealousy . but to returne to our former discourse , and the subject whereof we now treat ; as our quickest wits are many times apt to minister occasion of distaste : so wee may distinguish these occasionall grounds of distaste into three particular or distinct motives . some whereof might seeme so free from giving occasion in this time , as they may admit an exemption , and from so generall a rule a regular exception : yet shall we make it appeare that even from silence , wherein is many times shrowded a great measure of implicit sense , distaste may bee taken as well as from speech . for a sullen clowdy humour can never sort nor sute well with a candid nature . but to our division : distasts of this kinde may derive their being or essence , from speech , silence , or impertinence . the first , in speaking more than they should ; the second , in not speaking when they should ; the third , in impertinent action , by declining from doing what they should . now , forasmuch as instances give the clearest light and perspicuity to all subjects : our care shall be to illustrate these by examples : that what we propose , by way of opinion may bee confirmed in each of these by some exemplary person . speech . for the first ; the tale of that joviall good fellow , fals fit for our purpose ; who to arme himselfe against his wifes shrewde tongue ; amongst many other nights of good fellow-ship , stay'd , till after midnight playing the cup-shot : and how he was encounter'd by the strength of his fantasy and distemper'd quality with a supposed spirit , and how he reasoned with it : all which i leave to the faithfull relation of this poëm . a man there was , who liv'd a merry life , till in the end he tooke him to a wife ; one that no image was ( for shee could speake ) and now and then her husbands costrell breake : so fierce she was and furious , as in summe she was an arrant devill of her tongue . this drove the poor man to a discontent , and oft and many times did he repent that e're hee chang'd his former quiet state , but 'las , repentance then did come too late . no cure he finde to cure this maladie , but makes a vertue of necessitie , the common cure for care to every man , " a potte of nappy ale : where he began to fortifie his braine 'gainst all should come , 'mongst which the clamour of his wives loud tongue . this habit graffed in him grew so strong , " that when he was from ale , an houre seem'd long , so well hee lik'd th' profession : on a time having staid long at pot , ( for rule nor line limits no drunkard ) even from morne to night , he hasted home a pace , by the moone-light : where as he went , what phantasies were bred , i doe not know , in his distempered head , but a strange ghost appear'd , and forc'd him stay , with which perlext , hee thus began to say : " good spirit , if thou be , i need no charme , " for well i know , thou wilt not doe mee harme ; " and if the devill ; sure , mee thou shouldst not hurt , i wed't thy sister , and am plagued for 't . the spirit well approving what he said , dissolv'd to ayre , and quickly vanished . for guido reports that there are spirits of such a merry genius , as they are infinitely delighted with such pleasant conceipts : as there bee others full of melancholy and discontent , who to vaste tombes , silent c●ves , and darke charnell-houses make their usuall frequent . nor is it easie to determine what affinity this spirit had to his , who being found tardy , said , he was troubled with a spirit , and so hotly pursued , as for feare hee was forced for want of other succour , to fly for shelter to his neighbours wife . to aggravate the distaste arising from these active feminine tongues , who will rather suffer the worst of spite , than allay their spleene : i might here relate the tale of that university virago ( for the civilest places are not exempted from these tetters ; ) a girle of a stout stomack , though of a soft and pliable temper : who , walking the streets one night , either to take fresh ayre , or in hope to encounter with some flush heire ; chanc't unhappily to meet the major : who standing upon the punto of his authority , after he had unpin'd the casements of his eyes with much difficulty , being close cemented together with rising so early ; at last ask't her what she was ? one , quoth she , of the feminine gender , and a scholler . what , said he , a scholler in a wast-coate ? yes , quoth she , this poore flanning wast-coate h 'as answer'd and dare answer oftner under batcheler , than those larded-sattin fore-skirts of yours , durst ever yet in defence of your honour . but the tart oratory of this wast-coate brought her to a lodging in the kid-coate . there bee other talkative girles , who priding themselves a little too much in their glibbe tongues , many times in casting about to catch others , are catch't themselves : which i might take occasion here to instance in the answer of a brave blade , who being in company of a bevy of joviall wenches , who had whitteld him well with liquor ; one amongst the rest finding him apt enough to discover his thoughts , importun'd him much to tell them what was the worst thing which he in his conscience thought , hee had ever done all his life time . hee , unwilling to satisfie her demand , though seconded with great importunity , told her expresly ; that though they had made him as right as their legge to their purpose , he would be loth to make them his secretaries , who could not keepe their own counsells : but for her especially , he never meant to make her his she-confessor , who was as open as a sieve , that could not hold water . at last , overcome with her instancy , he told her roundly , that since she would needes out of ancient familiarity , injoyne him to such a discovery : he must ingenuously confesse , that the worst thing that ever hee did in his life , and that which troubled his conscience most , was getting her with child ( directing his speech to her that so importun'd him ) and causing her to lay it upon his neighbour , such an one . this unexpected answer made the rest of her gossips bite the lippe : but for his inquisitive comater , shee vowed , so long as she knew him , never to aske him any questions . silence . as speech occasions distaste by speaking too much ; so does silence in speaking too little : this might bee instanced in the discontent which a sociable good fellow tooke in his wifes silence : who had intended , it seemes , to requite her husbands unthriftinesse , with an humour of sullennesse . he , as it was usuall with him , comming home at an unseasonable houre ; asked of his wife many questions , but received no answer to any . having tryed many conclusions to receive one comfortable tone from her , but all in vaine ; at last hee resolv'd of a course to bring her to her tongue againe , and it was this : he gets the key of the sexton , and goes into the church : where he towls the bell , as is usually done for such as are dying . some of the inhabitants come in , purposely to inquire for whom it was that the bell was towlling ? it was answered by this conceipted youth , that it was for his wife , who was lately laid speechlesse . which report , no doubt , would in time loosen the strings of her tongue , and make her husband know that she was recovered : and cause him confesse as much to his torment . albeit , in many questions silence deserves to be approved and preferred : especially in such where the resolution of those questions propounded , may trench highly upon the speakers credit : this , that forward answer of a witty wench little considered ; who had been long knowne to be no niggard of her flesh , to one , and that a familiar one ; who asked her the reason how it came to passe that all her children should bee so like their father , when all the world knew that they had many fathers ? o quoth she , i never take in any stranger , till i find my vessell full fraughted ! impertinence . for the last , though not the least , where distaste is ministred by impertinence of action , or a diversion from what it should intend , we might here bring upon the stage , that trifling girle , who fell a cracking of nuts , while another was taking paines to picke out the kernell of her virginity ▪ with his surly answer to her : is it time to cracke nuts ? minde that thou art doing with a murraine . or that ill-nurtur'd tom-boy ; who like one of domitians daughters , was catching flyes , while her sweet-heart was preferring his suite . thus have wee no lesse plainely than fully discovered those various delights and benefits arising from quicknesse of wit , well seasoned : with those distempers and distastes which usually accompany them , when too freely exposed . for these roving wits , as they ever strive to wound others , so they never come home unbaited . but , as that divine plato sometimes said , the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved ; so , even in these inward graces , many become so affectionately doating on their owne parts and abilities , as no conceipt how present or pregnant soever delivered by another , may passe for current , if they may be censors . so highly are they enamoured of their owne , as they dis-esteeme all others . these presuppose an exuberance of wit , which indeed , many times drawes nearest soaking , when it should be , in regard of the occasion offered , plenteously flowing . but these presuming wits are ever safest when they are stillest : being generally transported , or extased rather , with a confidence of their worth : as there is no person may evade them , wherein they will not take occasion to use the dexterity of their wits , and assume to themselves more freedome than is granted them . it is a rule worth remembring : play with me , but hurt me not ; ieast with me , but shame me not . which that divine mellifluous father well observed , when hee said : jests are no lesse suspicious to me than anger ; seeing by jesting i have many times escandalized another . a great care and circumspection then is to be used in experiments of this nature : lest by venting their jest , and loosing their friend , they incurre eupolis fate : who having many times brought that warlike wanton princely alcibiades upon the stage , dandled on the lap of his timandra ; at last received , for those many bitter scaenes wherein hee had personated to life that noble prince , this closing act from the command of alcibiades : thou hast many times , eupolis , drown'd my fame upon the stage , i will once drowne thee in the sea. — and so sent him the way of all fish . but indeed , there is no argument wherein these prompt and nimble wits are better showne than in these subjects of love : especially , where one object begets an amorous contest : and breedes corrivals in pursuit of one mistresse . which encounter admits no order ; nay , admits no priviledge nor prerogative to nature , so it may procure that matchlesse booty , the purchase of beauty to her lover . this , if i had a purpose to inlarge my selfe any further in this subject , might bee instanced in the story of the gentleman and his sonne , both corrivals to one lady : and of the impresses they writt with diamonds in a window privately , but expressively . where the sonne perceiving his father to bee farre in love with her , whom he so intirely affected : and to whom , if the presence of his father had not interposed , he might have beene before that time espoused , wrote this impresse with his diamond : secreta mea mihi . which posy his father one day finding , by way of answer , wrote this ▪ et stultitia tua tibi . which his sonne chancing to read , clozed the conceipt with this fancy : nec tibi , nec mihi , sed dividatur . which words might have relation either to the party by them equally loved , or to the impresse before ; wherein either for love , or folly , they might be equally shared . but descending from these , i passe to the next subject ; wherein gentle speech must take your eares , as objects of beauty have taken your eyes : both which introduce a living oratory , to worke the powerfuller effects upon your fancy . gentlenesse of speech . gentlenesse of speech is an affable treaty or conference one with another . or , a winning kinde of rhetorick , which of all others , purchaseth most friends with least cost . an excellent grace it gives to hospitality : especially , where a welcome accompanied with a cheerefull countenance is delivered with the mouth : and an entertaining eye becomes ready to usher in that speech . where two meeke men meete together , their conference ( said bernard ) is sweet and profitable : where one man is meeke , it is profitable ; where neither , it proves pernicious . many motives be there to induce fancy , which well tempered , worke upon no blind love , such as a deluded eye doats most upon , but a cleare and well-grounded affection . such were those exteriour goods or embellishments , which begot love in the beholders of those sabine beauties : which so enamoured the romans in the infancy of their foundation , as they begot a succeeding alliance in their posterity . egnatius in catullus is brought out shewing the whitenesse of his teeth . lacides with sleeke looks , and mincing gate . pompey scratching his head with one finger . but as the wind caecias drawes unto it clouds ; so did outward postures beget sinister conceipts : for lacides could not use that sleckenesse without suspicion of lasciviousnesse : nor pompey , that affected scratching with one finger , without opinion of wantonnesse . white teeth imply a strong constitution ; rolling eyes , like lais lamps , heate of affection ; with a pure sanguine , which is ever accompanied with a beautefull complexion . that which euryala , nurse to that subtile greeke , praysed , when she washed the feete of vlysses , was gentle speech , and tender flesh : both referring to two severall sences ; the one to the eare : the other to the toutch . now to expresse the singular effects of the former , whereof wee are here to treat : there is nothing that ingageth more the affection of the hearer than affability of speech . i have knowne a great and eminent person in this kingdome ; who , how undeservedly , i know not , having incurred the distasts of some societies , touching some indirect passages , as they conceived , whereby they stood highly injuried : upon conference with them , and declaring his innocency , not only freed himselfe of their prejudicate opinion : but gained their good esteeme and affection . nor is it almost credible what excellent fruits , this gentle speech graced with a pleasing presence have produc'd both in affaires of peace and warre ; at home and abroad . it is the wise mans observation : soft speech mitigates wrath . we read of few so barbarous ( if commanders ) who could not finde an heart to receive a compassionate teare : nor an eare to a faire submission . though affranius , hearing his effeminate son cry out — alas me wretched ! hate such a weake servile condition in his sonne , as he seconds it with this severe reply : to thy bas● spirit i am suc● a foe , if one part grieve , let th' rest afflict thee too . we shall finde even in strangers more pity than in such fierce fathers . for in our surveys of ancient and moderne histories : we shall finde ever some princely compassionate spirit , though a conquerour , suffer in his conquest . what passionate effects wrought that sad relation of aeneas in the heart of queene dido ? how soone were those words ( those emphaticall words ) setting forth the trojans misery , conveyed to the heart of that affectionate lady ? but indeed in passages of love ; when occasions of distaste chance to bee bred betwixt the parties : upon a faire and free parliance ( if that happinesse may bee admitted them ) how quickly are minds , before seemingly aliened , reconciled ? their former hate begins to resolve it selfe into amorous teares . so strong is the force of gentle speech ; seconded with easie reasons : which worke well enough in the eare of love : who , melting in affection , is as willing to be attoned , as the party to move it . whosoever should but see to life personated that princely sophonisba , whose attractive majesty and unaffected eloquence , interessed her selfe more in hearts , than any princesse of her time ; would conclude hence , that a sweet and debonaire speech works wondrous effects ; as might appeare in those moving speeches of hers , which so tenter'd her hearers hearts , as ●hee herselfe could not suffer more upon reflex had to her owne wrongs , than they did in commiserating her wrongs . it was an excellent commendation which i have sometimes heard given to a noble peere of this kingdome . that none ever came to him , how irresolved soever , but came away from him well satisfied . this was a great felicity : that none , were he never so dis-affected to him upon his entry : but departed so well contented , as he won his opinion , whom hee before highly distasted . true it is , that vulgar eyes and eares are only taken with outward objects . they stand not upon sounding or examining the vessell : so it make a noyse , they rest satisfied . a courteous answer or affable salute affords them sufficient measure of content : and makes them render an approvement of his affability to the world. this is very rare to be seene in the countenance of such who are advanced to high places . these can put on a sterne awfull brow : and make appeare very legibly , how their state is changed . a poor state that begets pride ! an undeserving honour , that moulds in the owner a supercilious aspect ; a difficulty of accesse ; a phantastick circular gate ; and a surly uncivile speech ! weake habilliments of honour ! but farre weaker supports to beare that colosse of honour up , if he should decline . i have observed an excellent temperature in this kinde , in many of our ladies : whose pleasing countenance , & affable salutes freed them of that censure which those disdainefull women worthily incurre , who hold it the best posture of state to dis-value those they consort with : and as those , who are transported with an opinion of their owne worth censure nothing worthy hearing , but what their selecter judgements approve . dainty idols to doate upon ! these had need furnish themselves of witty husbands ; or the honey-month will be soone done with them . whereas those , whom we formerly touched ; resemble lights shining in an other orbe . if their husbands bee pleasant , they rejoyce in his pleasure . if he suffer in any overture which he neither expected , nor his actions deserved ; they beare a part in his lachrymae . husbands to such wifes are made happy in their choice : and have good cause never to wish a change . for they may consort with those they affect , without fearing of being call'd to an evening account . if their dayes expence should chance to bee too immoderate ; they need feare no fingers but their owne , to dive into their pockets , or to make privy search for more than can be found . these need not feare to have their shoulders besprinkled with zantippee's livery : or to have their breakfast chang'd into a morning curtaine lecture : or to receive discipline for their last nights error : or to weare their night-capps after the old fashion , with both their eares through them : or dreame , that their pillows are stuft with horne-shavings . these can play the merry mates with their wifes , and never laugh till their hearts ake : and heare a horne-pipe plaid , and never rubbe their brow antlers . if they come home late ( though sooner were better ) they are entertain'd with a chearefull welcome : they finde no pouts in their dish : nor amongst all their necessary utensils one chafing-dish . out of this precious mine , was , surely , that good burgomasters wife cut out , who ever met her husband at the portell with a gentle word in her mouth ; a sweet smile on her lippe ; a merry looke on her cherry cheeke ; a paire of slippers in one hand : and in the other , a rubber ( not at cuffs ) but a towell to rubbe him after his travaile : whereas that old beldam thestylis would have exchang'd that rubber with an halter , if shee might have had her will , rather than be bound to such a taske . and to such an one , without all doubt was he matched ; who in a pensive plight , all full of discontent , published to the world , from whence he desired a speedy dismission , his hard fortune in this bridall brawle . married ! whereto ? to distaste ; bedded ! where ? all griefe is plaste ; clothed ! how ? with womans shame ; branded ! how ? with losse of name ; how wretchelesse is that man that is disgras't with losse of name , shame , griefe , and all distast ? imprison'd ! how ? to womans will ; ingag'd ! to what ? to what is ill ; restrain'd ! by whom ? by jealous feare ; inthrall'd ! to whom ? suspicions eare ; how haplesse is that wretch that must fullfill , a false , suspitious , jealous womans will ? taxed ! for what ? for modest mirth ; exposed ! how ? a stale on earth ; surprizd ' ! with what ? with discontent ; profess'd ! as how ? times penitent ; how can that forlorne soule take joy on earth , where discontent and penance is his mirth ? threated ! how ? as ne're was no man ; fool'd ! by whom ? a foolish woman ; slav'd ! to what ? to causelesse splean● ; sprite-affrighted ! when ? i dreame ; how should th' infernall prince more furies summon , than lodge in such a spleenefull , spitefull woman ? cheered most ! when ? least at home ; planted ! where ? i' th torrid zone ; chafed ! how ? with oyle of tongue ; hardned ! how ? by suff'ring wrong ; how wretched in his fate who is become contented most , when he is least at home ? vrged most ! when ? she is neare ; vsher'd ! how ? with fruitlesse feare ; shielded ! when ? when i doe flye ; cur'd ! with what ? with hope to dye ; how curelesse doth that cure to sense appeare , whose hope is death , whose life is fruitlesse feare ? this wench had beene a dainty dangling fruit for timon's fig-tree . and very likely it is , that with one of this aery that falconer had encountred , or at least it were to be wished , he had beene so matched : who comming to a wedding with an hauke on his fist , and being asked to what end hee came thither , beeing a marriage-meeting , and no place for pouting , with his hauke ? answered , purposely to know how many marriages would reclaime an hauke . nor did hee doubt , but if such occasions had power to tame a wild batchler , they would in time reclaime his haggard . yet , for all this , his discretion by a wise moderation of his passion , might , no doubt , have rectifide much this whirly-gigs disposition : for a good iack will make a good gill. nor will inveying , reviling or abusing of a vixon , bring her to a good temper : for such usage would quickly make her madder . this was the cause that moved socrates to forbeare his wife zantippe , though a froward woman , because he thought he might better converse with others . thus wise men , who are regulated by reason , and with the rule of discretion , can moderate passion , when they are matched to such necessary evils , can make a vertue of a necessity ; prepare them by such tryalls , with more constancy to suffer all extreames . nor can there be made any question , but such corrasives as are applyed nearest us , and upon the vitall parts , worke the sensiblest effects . and who more neare than our owne bosome-consort : whose cheerefull aspect makes all those planets of her family successive and auspicious : as contrariwise , her malignity begets in all those inferiour lights , the like disposition . in the description of an oeconomick state , aristotle expresseth himselfe most philosophically , when he renders it thus : a private family ( saith he ) may be properly called a little city ; and a city , a great family : where like a city without a wall , a house without a doore , a ship without helme , a pot without a cover , and a horse without a bridle : so is a family , when guided by a passionate violent man , and hee matched to a waspi●h unquiet woman . many excellent aphorismes are contained in hippocrates ; amongst which , this : eight things ( saith he ) make mans flesh moist and fat : the first , to bee merry and live at hearts ease ; the second , to sleepe much ; the third , to lye in a soft bed ; the fourth , to fare well ; the fifth , to be well apparelled and furnished ; the sixth , to ride alwayes on horsebacke ; the seventh , to have our will ; and the eight , to bee employed in playes and pastimes , and in things which yeeld contentment and pleasure . yet worke all these to a remedilesse consumption , when the wife is transform'd into a fury , and makes it her dayes taske , to put all things out of order . howsoever , a great measure of discretion is required in an husband ; first , to know the nature and temper of his wife : secondly , in the carriage or demeanure of himselfe towards her accordingly . you see , how the same sunne works severall effects upon waxe and clay : for it softneth the one , and hardneth the other . let him apply this to his owne condition : by disposing himselfe towards her , to whom hee stands ingaged , nay religiously devoted by an inviolable tye of affection . i have heard of a domestick combat betwixt two , who afterwards became such loving affectionate turtles , as nothing could displease the one , what the other affected . but before this continued peace could bee procured , or these civill-warres quenched : many domestick bickerings and skirmishes were there , who might weare the buckler , and returne quarter-master . the more he laboured to soveraignize ; the quarrell ever became more implacable ; for she ever ended that dayes conflict with this peremptory cloze : trust me , husband , this will not doe it . at last , as later considerations prove ever wisest , hee recollected himselfe : beginning to expostulate the cause with himselfe in this manner . how long shall i intangle my selfe in this intricate maze of endlesse miseries ? to what purpose is it , that i contest with my owne flesh ? raise a pad in the straw : and awake a sleeping lyon ? it may bee her disposition is more generously tempered , than to be thus haled . turne then the scale ; and let her enjoy the freedome of her selfe . this will relish better to any well condition'd nature : than ever to be contending for mastery : and make the whole countrey ring with our folly . upon which resolution , they closed together in such an equall concord and harmony of their minds : as they were never knowne to bee angry both together : the one giving way to the others passion , with such sobriety and discretion ; as they never afterwards needed any neighbourly mediation . this i have the longer insisted on , because i am not ignorant how many surly and rough dispositions doe abuse by their harshnesse the easy and well-tempered natures of their unhappy consorts : which might bee instanced and illustrated with many tragick and dolefull examples , both in our owne and other countreyes : where weake and fearefull natures were so disheartned , as they inclined to strange melancholick fits , and such incurable distempers , as they were never rest of them , till their tedious life left them . others of higher spirits , but of more vindicative natures , impatient of longer suffering , have woven up the tragick scene of their miseries with the ruine of their cruell husbands . indeed , were all women of that servile condition , whereof the ingenious barcley in his mirror of minds , reports those women to bee of ; who cannot be perswaded that their husbands love them , unlesse they beate them : correction then would bee found the only introduction to affection : but these nations are more civile ; and our womanish spirits more virile , to endure such affronts . it is worthy our observation to relate what happned to one iordan , in his marrying in those parts ; being a native german , and one who had accompanied barcley in his travaile . he reports it thus : being in those parts , one iordan , a german , and who had kept me company in my travaile : fell in love with a woman there , & married her : demeaning himselfe to her , as became a loving and respective husband ; but the more she was tendered by him , the more shee seemed to be discontented with him . no dalliance , nor all the tokens of love or affection that he could shew to her , could either winne or waine her from that discontented humour , to which his too much kindnesse had brought her . at last , seeing that the more he laboured to content her , the lesse she seem'd to be pleased ; he takes her aside one day , demanding of her the reason of her distaste ? o sir , saith she ! how should i bee well pleased when you shew no argument of love towards me ? not of love , replyed he ! what more signes of respect can i show you , than these i already doe ? i am sure you want nothing . yes , husband said she , i want correction : and if you did truly love me , you would beate me : as you see other husbands in these parts use their wifes : for i must freely tell you , for all your professions of love and respect toward mee , till you begin to beate me , i shall never bee perswaded that you love me . this could not chuse but beget admiration in him : yet , least hee should lose his wifes good opinion , at last hee began to follow the countrey-fashion : and to give her such correction , as might sufficiently perswade her of his affection . although , in the end , his disciplinary love grew to be too bitter : for he brake her neck before he left her . but no modest eare can endure any such breake-necke-love : wives are not to bee made slaves but companions . and as their constitutions are soft and delicate ; so should their usage bee mildly tempered and affectionate . sweet and gentle is their speech ; albeit , no rule so generall , but admits some exception ; full of rich delight is their fancy . no storme of adversity so violent , but their pleasant society will allay it . no losse so heavy , but by the enjoyment of them , supplyed . those dispersed trojan dames , how soone had they pacified their incensed husbands , with a winning kisse , and a friendly salute ? their anger was soone done , when they saw those pearled teares distilling : those amorous armes spred abroad to imbrace them : those pretty witty prattles they had to entertaine them . these were such harmelesse carelesse charmes ; as they wrought farre stronger on the affection , than any other forcible conclusion . now , as i have formerly observed , seeing there is no society that can possibly subsist without speech : divers qualifications are to bee used , whereby that cement of society may be better seasoned : and in all companies better accepted : which i will divide into these two necessary precepts . the first is , to know what you are to speake . the second is , to know when you are to speake . in the former , is deliberation ; in the later , is moderation necessarily required . he that knoweth how to speake well , knoweth also when hee must hold his peace : which may serve for an excellent rule to the later . thinke an houre before you speake , and a day before you promise : and this may usefully serve for a direction of high importance to the former . these observed , many errors incident to indeliberate speech , may be prevented : which our too free and glib-tongued dames are usually subject to . i have noted a kinde of pleasing dialect used by our city dames to their husbands : and delivered in that loving familiar way , as it infinitely became them : a kinde of fondling speech , ( as i may properly tearme it ) or apish toying , neither unpleasing to their husbands , nor unusefull to themselves : as thus : — trust mee , chick , thou shalt not . — now , pray thee , prick , doe not . - iffaith , you 'r a sleake youth . — you playd the wag with mee last night . — well , god forgive thee . — wiltst buy mee this toy , my pigsny ? these pretty prattles make me remember that free and ingenuous confession of that rich millanoise , that the strings of his purse were never so hard tyed , but his nansy had a charme to loose them . which brings us no lesse properly than occasionally to fall upon that dangerous attendant to gentle speech , which we formerly particuliz'd , to be dissimulation : a smooth orator , and such an one , as makes her owne end , the sole object of her endevour . dissimulation . dissimulation is most in semblance , least in substance : seeming most , what it is least : most in profession , least in expression . for , hows'ere they bee , thus doe they seeme to mee , they bee and seeme not , seeme what least they bee . sundry proper emblemes have our antients fitted them withall : some whereof have emblematiz'd them by sodoms apples ; faire to the eye , false at the heart : outwardly , promising juyce ; inwardly , proving dust . others to the crocodyles of nilus ; who never weepe , but they intend to wound . others to the hyene ; who counterfets the voice of man , purposely to prey on man : and requite humane hospitality with savage cruelty . others , to the harpyes , those three monstrous and ravenous birds , a●llo , ocypete , and celano , having maiden visages , but inhumane usages . others to the sirenes , the three daughters of achelous and calliope ; who on a promontorie or prospective rocke of the sea were wont to sit , and by their sweet songs and amiable countenance , to draw passengers unto them , whom they slew . thus laboured our antient emblematists to deblazon them ; that like perillous shelves , others might bee aware of them . but certainly , as the fish sepia is bewrayed by a black colour which she casteth out to cover her ; so these , though tiberius-like , they glory in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking their purposes with fair pretences : going invisible , and deluding vulgar opinion with a seemi●g good : they must come to bee unmask'd , and then that vizard or disguise which before kept them from discovery , shall publish to the world , that as all humane wisdom is vanity , so no vanity lighter than that opinion which grounded it selfe on dishonest policy . this was wittily glanced at in the apologue : who could not endure that mouth , from which cold and heat proceeded at one time . who mak'st thy tongue a stranger to thine heart , i hate thee worse than hell , whos'ere thou art . now there be severall kindes of this glozing evill : some whereof , are more pleasing than greatly noxious : more delightfull than dangerous . for wee shall meet with some pretty harmelesse dissemblers , who are so far from plotting or projecting mischiefe , as they intend nothing lesse . their ambition is to purchase some trifling toy , or to wind themselves into their husbands good opinion , by pretending most what they affect least : and by relishing least , what they affect most . like that good witty wife , who affected liberty but might seldome enjoy it : and therfore did seemingly dis-affect it ; that she might oftner procure it . of all things , husband , quoth shee , there are no pleasures i so little care for ; as these stage-playes ▪ they are the tediousest showes to mee , that are in the world. and this moved her husband , who was of an harsh crosse nature , to carry her abroad to playes , which shee most affected , though seemingly least desired . another , who had a months minde to see the booths , jew-trumps , hobby-horses , and other trinkets in bartholomew faire , told her husband , that she wondred ( pretending puritanisme ) how people could be so naughtily given and prophane as to feast in such booths and brothels of sin , which her tender conscience even yearnd withall . which her husband , no sooner heard , than to th' faire they must goe : labouring to crosse her in that , which indeed contented her most . but you shall finde another merry wanton , quite of another humour : her ayme is to purchase her pleasure under a vertuous colour . her husband , purposely to raise a rent ; will have a tenant : and many are proposed , but none as yet admitted . a lodger hee must have : and shee prefers one in her thoughts : but of all others , when hee is in quest , she is ever at furthest distance . this puts on her jealous husband , who would bee loth to bee directed by his wife in the choice of his tenant , to admit of him whom his cunning wife seemingly most dislikt , but really most approv'd . now , this dissimulation is most expressed in subjects of passion : as i have heard a tale of a passionate widow ( for reverence sake , to beginne with the antientst degree first ) who could not content her selfe , but shee would needes bee buried quicke in her husbands grave . o , content yourselfe , said one of her antient acquaintance ; you are ordained for another end . but all this nothing at all seemed to asswage her sorrow : for falling into a trance , after such time as shee had continued a space as one senselesse ; comming at last out of it ; the very first words shee uttered were these ; well , i will ever be of that mind , it is better to marry than to burne . that good wife , ( to instance in the next order ) had a ready answere and a dainty colour to palliate the love she bore to a friend in a corner ; who , when she heard her husband take notice of one of her inward acquaintance , and pointing at him in the street , using these words : — there goes a cuckold ! with speech gentle , but not wholly free from guile nor gall , she replyed : trust me , husband , you are such an other . nor was that good wench voyde of all good nature , but very tender ( it seem'd ) of her husbands safety ; who hearing him unadvisedly , as he was passing over thames with other company , ( as one who wish'd not his owne good ) beseech god very heartily , that all cuckolds were throwne into thames ! she kind heart , made answer : " husband can you swimme ? poore girle , shee doubted much his drowning ; and therefore desir'd to be resolv'd , whether hee could prevent it by swimming ? that young wife meant , no doubt , simply ; who , when one of her bridemaids told her the same day she was married , that she verily thought , that never any day would seeme longer to her than that day : well , sister , said she , and if the day seeme long , i hope the night will seeme as short . but you are cosin'd , sister , saith she , to her bridemaid : for i vow to thee , so i may but enjoy him whom i have lov'd and now married ( alwayes provided that he had what a man should have , and i my selfe satisfied , that he stood so furnished ) if i should live and dye a maid , i' th' same mind that i now am , i should never repent of it . alas , poore foole ! many provisoes were there before she could well incline unto it , yet would she seale to it , provided that hee were well furnished . what variety of evasions this fondling had , dissembling with her owne thoughs : and pretending what she least meant , that she might appeare to her bridemaids more indifferent than shee was , for that which she most dream'd of ? a pretty kind of harmelesse shift ! being , what stands most with a maids modesty , and consequently in civility , merits her apology . no lesse simply than freely , did that single woman ( for maid she cannot properly be tearmed ) answer her confessor ; who , after shee had discovered to him a long bead-roule of loose wanton pranks which ●hee confest her selfe culpable of : her confessor began sharpely to reprove her : laying open unto her the haynousnesse of those sinnes : and telling her , that whooredome was such a sinne as highly displeas'd god. i am more sorry , said she , for i am sure it pleas'd me . there is another kind of dissimulation too , which is so farre from incurring any grounded offence , as it deserves high approvement . and this is , when beauty is not only wooed , but seemingly wonne , to produce some good effect ; by his meanes who imagines himselfe master of the prize . of these , to omit instances in sacred writ , we shall finde our stories plentuously stored . the redoubted thomyris could practise this feate , to expedite her sonnes revenge : and restore her countreys fame . this did that chaste penelope , deluding her numerous suiters with hopes of successe : only to spin out time : and with her never-finished webbe to keep them ever in suspence . this did that wise but unbeleeved cassandra ; who , seemingly inclined to apollo's suite ; that hee should injoy her ; if hee would bestow on her the gift of prophecy : which , when she had obtained , she denyed him that which she had seemingly granted . but the preservation of her chastity impaired the credit of her prophecy : being never beleeved , were it never so true that shee related . this pious act did that memorable hypermn●stra , who pretending nothing lesse than what her vertuous aymes directed themselves wholly to ; saved her husband linceus , from that fatall massacre , committed by her sisters , in slaying their husbands . nay , it ha's beene the safety of many flourishing estates to dissemble vertue●● and to comply with the times ; ever expecting some faire opportunity to put in execution , what their addressements for the publique led them to . this wise and commendable kinde of dissimulation , some of our witty wenches many times use ; in putting on a countenance of disdaine , at least , of strangenesse towards those whom inwardly they unfeignedly affect . nor have these sleights produced insuccessive effects to their desires . for by this meanes , have they enjoyed , what their simple inclining affection would never have made them mistresses of . for profer'd fruit is sedome tasted : and if tasted , not halfe so well relishing , as if restrained . those golden apples which the hesperides , those three watchfull daughters of atlas so carefully kept ; were more preciously esteemed , because they were by such vigilant beauty guarded forts which open to their beleaguerall . passages , unlesse the miseries of a long siedge have brought them to that pusillanimity , promise no rich booty : nor to the winner any glorious victory . the way then for beauty to be priz'd , is to be rarely seene : and when seene , so indifferently seeming to be seene , as it desires to retire so soone as it is seene . this is the load-starre to affection , to ●eeme estranged from the least thought of affection : and to fixe least in that object , which h'as most interest in her heart . this that subtile coy-duck had learn'd to an hayre : when , if any time she were invited with her jealouse husband to a publique feast ; shee would alwayes fixe her eye upon the antientst and reverendst in yeares at the table : whereas the eye of her inward affection was elsewhere spheared : assuring her husband , withall , that no sight was more seemely in her eye , nor convey'd more reverend love to her heart , than a grave old-man , who had already spunne the entire webbe of his follies : and could discourse with all sobriety of what he had seene in the world. and this neate kind of dissembling pleased her credulous husband out acry . for he believed , good man , that there was a thorow fayre betwix his wifes mouth and her heart . whereas , meander had never more windings , than she had dainty sleights and devices , to delude his facility : and to shrowde from the world her private affection to youthfull liberty . till in the end , found where she lest suspected : and closely infolded in the embraces of a loose lover , whom she entirely affected : she begun to relinquish shame , and in a publique manner to contest against her husbands disability : and how her modesty had so long restrain'd her : but seeing no hope of remedy , she held change no robbery : and that no censure should thenceforth abridge her liberty . this dissimulation produc'd a dangerous issue ; such as a vertuous brest cannot harbour ; we will therefore divert from this , and returne unto the former : being such a modest bashfull kinde of punishing their desires : as , many times , that too much retiring or restraining of their love-sick thoughts , procures no small distemper to those who love and would not be thought so . as it hapned to that noble italian lady ; who , loth to impart the ground of her love : or to make any other , secretary to her owne brest : fell into such a languishing sicknesse , as , though the expertest physicians of those parts consulted about her ; labouring by all the meanes they could use , and all the receipts they could apply , not onely to discover the source and occasion of her griefe , but allay it : yet all their experiments were in vaine : they could not finde out the cause : till shee at last ( drawing neare her last ) discovered it : for when her vitall parts began to bee so enfeebled , as they surceased to performe their office , and all hope of recovery perish'd , in the presence of her dearest , whom , till that dying period , shee never made least show of , to be her dearest , she tooke leave of all the world with this dispassionate cloze : adue , my deare leontius . which words were the last shee ever spake . but what deadly effect those words brought forth in her leontius ; the story amply relates . for if the words of dying men be precious even to strangers : how impressive the voice of one we love , calling and beckning to us from the death-bed ! o what a passionate conflict , what a soule-dividing combat doe those words raise ! how strongly doth griefe and affection , like sisiph●s loving twins , strive to inclose them ! knowing that in a short space , a very short space , that tongue , the organs whereof yet speake , and move attention by their friendly accents , amorous interbreaths , teare-trickling adieus , was to be eternally tyed up in silence ; nor the sound of their words salute our eares any more . this it was , which brought heart-sicks leontius , to his bed of earth soone after her . for recollecting with himselfe , how his love was the sole cause of her death : like an affectionate mate , who well deserv'd so faithfull a mistresse , after her obsequies finished , he immured himselfe from all society with the world , where he enjoyed himselfe , till his many pensive dis-consolate houres brought him to her whom he loved above himselfe . but these are too heavy for soft ●ares . that love deserves approvement which is till death : but that love requires a seasonable restraint which may occasion death . those two lovers are more for our purpose , who one day falling into a piece of country-love-complement , proceeded thus : o iug , how doe i love thee ! nay , you know best , said iug ; but sure am i , i shall never dye with loving you : no , iug , said he ! but i warrant it , thou wouldst , if thou hadst an handfull of me . a proper handfull , quoth she . i should bee much better for a bit and a buffet with 't . nay , faith , wench , i would never buffet thee , but as my neighbour grisedale did guddy tringles . nay , oswold , quoth she , you are cousin'd , i le warrant you . pray you say , why should you thinke i love you ? did you ever see mee cast a sheeps-eye at you ? or did my nose ever bleed when i was in your company ? and , poore wench , just as she spake this , to shew her true heart , her nose fell a bleeding . how now , iug , said he ? who is in love now ? not i on mine honesty . — howsoever oswold , you may marry me when you list , but i will never say i love you . when a man bleeds at the nose , and through abundance of blood is brought in danger of his life , the physitian lets him blood in his arme to turne the course of the blood another way . let us apply this physicall experiment thus : if love issue out in too violent a streame , it is to be cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancy : by discussing the probability of those grounds of affection which have taken seizure of the heart . or else by fixing our eye upon some more attractive object , divert the course of that madding passion . but against these two it may be objected : for the first ; that is a coole love , indeed , that will admit of any such expostulation : for this would imply discretion ; such should be as farre estranged from love , as youth from affecting the gravity of age . loves axiome is this : none can truly love and be wise . and must affection then bee regulated by deliberation ? must wee examine what reason wee have to love , when love even to this day hath beene ever impatient to converse with reason ? must we discusse what probable inducements wee have to love ; when there are no such arguments suffer'd to bee disputed of in the schoole of love ? must wee fall to betray love , in asking friends and parents what they will give ? or stagger at our choice , or study a change ; when our choice ranks not with us in blood ; or fortunes , or disparity of yeares ; or difference in other tenets , which more concerne us ? this were coole love ! and yet should love be so moderate , if rightly seasoned : for to make choyce by the eye without relation to reason , makes a ●oole of affection : but what receipt against love when it breakes forth into extreames ? absence from the object you love yea ; but love is more vehement , when deprived of her object . it is , where reason gives reines to fancy . for then is the party beloved ever made the object of the imagination . this begets an obstruction in the stomack ▪ a malignant quality in the appetitive part . this estrangeth the eyes from sleeping : because the representment of the person loved keepes the senses ever waking . this distracts the eye , and makes it looke wildly : never minding that whereon it fixeth , because taken up wholly with that it fancieth . and for that ( as one well observes ) love is not to be strangled , but easily repelled , and by distance allayed ; and not only distanced , but by employments wearied . the way to remove an inconsiderate love from taking too deepe rooting in you , is to prevent the way of thinking of the party you love . like that brave spartan lady , who when she heard of a disloyall act done by one whom she held deare ; would not suffer her thoughts to entertaine him ; saying : he shall never lodge in my bosome , that can teach his thoughts to become disloyall . had the carthaginian queene learned this lesson , she had never harboured a servant so injurious to hospitality , as to requite her too much love with such impiety . now , for the latter objection ; how should we , will you say , fixe our eye upon any object more attractive , than his person to whom we have ingaged our heart ? if we were , indeed , like those paphlagonian partridges ( whereof our naturall historians report that they have two hearts ) then might we have one for an apparent friend , and an other for a friend in a corner . but as a heart divided cannot live ; no more can any object really attract the eye , but what the heart doth unfaignedly love . where the treasure , there the heart ; but no treasure like love to enrich the treasury of the heart . the heart guides the eye : and can wee turne our eye from that object which guides the heart ? this were to dissemble with love : and disesteeme that which we most honour : despice that wee most tender : all which would exact revenge one time or other . this were too subtile love to come from a true heart ! and yet , if you desire to prevent erring , you must in this manner mould your affection . love by degrees , was a sages counsell : lest by bestowing all your love in wooing : you leave none when you come to marrying . it is said of the iuniper tree , that of all other trees it makes the hoatest coale , and the coolest shadow : the coale being so hot , that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole yeare . be you such sweet iunipers ; woooers are but shadows , saith the poet ; be your shades coole ; but your coales hot . when you are once come to the heigth , heat and true fervour of love : let no steames of forraine fancy darken it : no stormes of adversity weaken it . yet let the introduction to love , after you perceive a likelyhood of proceeding , be so mannaged ; as your too much coynesse occasion no discouragement . for by that meanes may you timely avoide , what your disdaine may otherwise deservingly inflict . but of all others , beware of love-letters ; for they are such injunctions as you cannot appeale from . with such reservancy then become warders of your 〈…〉 uningaged hearts , as your favorite 〈…〉 never shew witnesses against you under your hands . i knew one , who , excepting this error , demeaned her selfe in actions of discretion and modesty , above the reach of scandall or reproofe ; but betraying her love to the secrecy of pen and paper ; and falling afterwards to inconstancy , ingaged her selfe to her forsaken friends privacy . who so tendered her esteeme , that till such time as shee had made an apparent breach and violation of her vow , by relinquishing her former choyce , and bartring love with an indiscreet exchange , never disclosed those sacred-secret ingagemenes shee had made ; but with a constant defence of her honour , labour'd ever to cover her shame . and this is the worst kinde of dissembling in affaires of love . for to dissemble or double with ones faith , is a dangerous equivocation : beeing such , as makes the party which shewed inconstancy , of all others , most miserable in their affection . for it is not the outward rite onely which consummates a sponsall love : for if their hearts be not linked , before their hands bee ever joyned : their house musick is very likely to close in discords . as i have sometimes heard a pretty pleasant story , of two , who after such time as they had beene a 〈◊〉 ●hile married , fell into such debate an● vari●nce , as all such as neighbour'd neare them ▪ were wearied with them : but their next neighbour worst of all , for it was his hard fortune , good man , to ride for them . after they had continued thus for a good space , in these civile broyles , without any amendement : one evening , being in bed together , sayes the husband to his wife : this is a wonderfull thing , that we must after this manner all the yeare long make our house a fencing-schoole : sure , meg , quoth he , we were not rightly married , or else we should have liv'd more peaceably together : for wee have not any two neighbours that so fearefully baste one an other . what thinkest thou , wife , if we be married againe , and see if that will mend the matter ? the wife easily consented to his motion ; and held it fitting , saying , she would doe any thing for a quiet life . with all speed then runs her good man to a sir iohn ; who , as he could read on no booke but his owne : so he was of no such deepe reading as to know whether re-marrying were lawfull or no. a new bridall-feast is provided ; friends invited ; nothing wanting to perfect what they both intended . at last , comming to the church , sir iohn falls to worke ; where he goes on still and without interruption , till he came to who giveth this woman to bee married , &c. and holding her by the hand , looking ever when some one or other would doe the office of a father , to give her : no , sayes the mad bridegroome , none shall give me her ; take yov her , sir iohn , as long as i have had her ; and if she be not worthy taking , why would you give me her ? but to dwell a little longer on this subject , now in agitation ; as pure love can admit no dissembling : so are young women to be cautious where they fixe their love . many shall they encounter with all , who professe affection to all . but their drift closeth ever with such a curtsy , as may hazard their honour . these are our libertine batchlers , who chuse rather to graze in common pastures , than inclosures . yea , many of these will boast of your favours : and i● publique places speake liberally of will doe before their sweet husbands departing ; with — hey ho — what shall i doe deare love , if you dye ? marry another ( sayes the comedian ) before one stitch of his shrouding sheet bee broken ; or those flowers which stuck his corpse , bewithered ; or one wormling entred his coffin . yet will these cunningly disguise their solace , and with teare — blubber'd vizards close up his eies , and infinitely rejoyce in that last office . then must they at his interment seemingly desire to be buried with him ; rave , and looke distractedly , as if fancy had brought them to a frency ; leape into the grave ; and performe all these pageants with such a completegrace ; as not a neighbour attends them , but suffers with them : commending their simple hearts , for leaving with such unwilling hearts their faithfull husbands . but this sorrow is nothing so sincere as the story of the indian women discovers the lovely and lively effects of their mourning . who upon the interment of their husbands , strive ( by way of an amorous encounter ) in relation of their deservings to him , and his expressions of love to them , which of them may have the honour to bee buried with him . the body of the story presents it selfe thus : the women of india , when any of their husbands dyeth , are wont to fall in contention through the vehemency of their affection , which of them ( for they have many wives ) he loved best in his life : shee that winneth , being very joyfull ( and solemnly attended by a great company of her friends and kinsfolke following her ) is cast into the fire with her dead husband . but were these , whereof wee now discourse , put to that election , a short strife would end that contention . they must live by the quicke and not by the dead : and a living dog is better than a dead lion. but the wantonnest of these cannot bee so light , as their gentleman vsher is , for most part loose : whom to the end we may here portray in his owne colours , and to life the better , we have deliver'd in a character ; which without any other discovery will present you him in his feature . yet before wee go on in this lively delineature of so dangerous a piece : our purpose is to propose some reasons why wee have here brought him upon the stage : and with what propriety hee fals upon our discourse ; which may appeare in a more copious and perspicuous manner in this our prepared relation hereafter . there is a conceited treatise composed by an italian ( as what wits more pregnant or present ) intitled a supplication to candlelight : discovering the abuses committed and curtained by the silent and secret shade of night ; where it might bee demanded , as god in esay did sometimes aske the devill our watchman , custos , quid de nocte ? what seest thou ? what discoverest thou ? though lanthorne and candle-light hang out ; though the bel-man traverse the street ; though the constable and his rugged gowne-men after a nod or two , take care for discharge of their place and punishment of vice , to put out a peremptory question to a night-walker , from whence came you ? or , whither go you ? whom do you serve ? or , what businesse have you so late ? yet it seemes they have no commission to examine coacted sinne : these may hurry along by their noses : and shroud a loose gentleman-vsher with as light a curtezan in a running-brothell from those conniving eyes of endymion and his brotherhood . and this light piece must bee conducted to his lord , while hee is to bee admitted to his lady ; to present both their actions on the stage of folly. with what a commanding posture rides this foot-cloath sinne ? how apt to forget his composition ; and how confident in the priviledge of greatnesse ? these , generally , have their purveyors to furnish them with such stuffe as may content their liqu'rish appetite , and feed their intemperate desires with fresh fuell . in every solemne or festivall show , these forragers take their stand : eying what beauties are of most attractive quality : then inquire they of their places of habitation : occasions they take to converse with them : and in short time so to winne in upon them : as they beginne to commend their masters suit to their too easie attention : and with long battry , according to the strength of the fort , so seaze on their affection , as they make entry to their lords admission : clozing their indirect aymes with an unlawfull conclusion . these contractors for blemished honour ; or those obscene palliards , who preferre their trafficke in sinne , before the treasures of sion : were sitte attendants for that wanton damasella , who portrayed the affection of her heart in as light an imprese ; writing these lines with her diamond in a window : the choisest cates ●oon'st ●loy the appetite , one is too st●le a dish to feed delight . her choice , it seemed , affected nothing more than change. she could not conceit how any love could possibly be so pure , as to be confined to one object : or so firme ▪ as to restraine it selfe to one friend . her barge stood ingaged to many owners : whosoever would hazard their fame upon the adventure , might finde her as ready to impaune her honour : this was the condition of that wanton florentine , whose direction it was to some of her closest and secretst reteiners , to invite such , whose personages promised performance , to their ladies house : for whom shee had a private garden-house , where shee would as freely impart her curtesies , as if one houre had made them commanders of her affections . this was farre from that chaste and temperate soveraignty , which that ever honour'd lady bore over her desires : who being one day highly advanced for those exquisite parts which did accomplish her : and that incomparable beauty which made all others inferiour to her : answer'd her husband , upon the recitall of those indowments , in this manner : trust mee , my ephestion , if there be any thing that may merit love in mee , i shall onely value it so , because it pleaseth thee . now , there is nothing that estrangeth affection from the party whereto it stands religiously ingaged ; but either contempt of that object which it ought to love : or selfe-opinion in conceiting it selfe too worthy of that objects love . for the former ; many tragicall instances might be produced : where the parties contempt begot in the owner such discontent : as nothing could heale it , but what did seale it with blood . which distaste , as it is privately grounded , so these dangerous agents , for most part aggravate it : suggesting to them other beauties , or promising personages to to alien their affection from their owne . now , for selfe-opinion ; it is such a working illusion , as it presents myriads of fancyes to the imagination . for if it bee in the woman , it begets in her such a disdaine : as first , shee entertaines her husband with a rare accesse : she prescribes seasons , which , good man , hee must observe , or keepe his distance . but a short time makes a perpetuall progresse betwixt them . beds must be divided : a countenance of strangenesse entertained : the baths must be visited : private friends admitted ; now , gentlemen-ushers provided , such as can be secret , and with resolution performe their arrand . her doctor must tell her , and in the presence of her husband ; that living apart for a season would be infinitely usefull and behoofefull to her weak constitution . and he beleeves all ; puts up all ; prayes for his wife 's needlesse recovery : while shee , kinde ducke , wants nothing but fresh imployment for her libertine fancy . long would it bee , ere shee would give that repulse to an importunate suiter ( if his presence deserved the stile of a lover ) which that vertuous theodora did to an eminent personage : whose inward parts , as they were exquisite , so were his outward highly accomplish'd . who , being long time sollicited , but never vanquished , at last , by her vertuous instructions , she so won in on him , as he beganne to conceive a remorce ; and to turne the course of his affection to a vertuous admiration . this , when that noble lady perceived , to strengthen those good motions in him , which formerly had beene so farre estranged from him ; one day , after such time as they had long discoursed together , but in such manner , as nothing was lesse intended than actions of dishonour : and he , taking a lute in his hand , had plaid lacrymae unto her : she forthwith , returned that lute-lesson with a faire requitall in this pious direction : lacrymae should not only be in the eye , but stamps of more retentive sorrow in the heart : a pilgrims passage is such a passionate progresse , as it cannot bee pursued without sobs : nor continued without sighs . i have found sufficient occasion for that musicke : nor can ● eye that place , which may afford other melody . a continuall sinner , and a rare sigher , promiseth small comfort hereafter . our dayes are but few and evill . not an houre without some crime to accompany it . let the soule never receive her surfet of sorrowing , till shee h'as first found in her selfe a loth to sinning . as your toutch makes this instrument speake teares ; so let teares of devotion trickle upon the strings of your heart . this will make you a noble lover , and more enamour you in the contemplation of your maker , than ever you were taken with the deceiving fancy of any creature . now , if this selfe-opinion domineere in the man ; how quickly dis-affects hee his choice ? no house more estranged from him , than his owne . no bed more dis-relishing , than what should be most pleasing . if hee at any time make his gallery of the street : his eyes are so farre from imitating the swanne in fixing them on his feet , to bring him in a dis-esteeme with himselfe , as they gaze upon every belcone . not a window opens ; nor a painted face lookes out ; nor an enforced smile ; nor leering eye ; but these injoyne a salute from him : an amorous humble cringe to an unknowne face : a formall curtsie , to a borrowed beauty . this object sets his unfortunate genius a worke . he h 'as taken precise notice of her lodging : although her moveable estate will not suffer her to sojourne long in a place . and hee resolves to lye siege to this easy-wonne fort , and to call her to parliance by paper-pellets . to the soveraigne then of his thougts , whose short acquaintance might in modesty impose a silence , he addresseth his letter , like a soone-taken lover : his page must deliver it ; but so weake and imperfect was his masters direction : and so little to life this maddona's description , as many times , foolish boy , he miscarries in his arrand . as it sometimes hapned upon like occasion , when an amorous young gallant , and a profest courter of casements : having taken especiall notice of a young beautifull lady , who , as hee thought , deserved as much love , as any earthly beauty cou●d possibly merit : and collecting by her eye , that there was no aversion in her from fancy ; sought by all meanes to become partaker of his hopes ; which all the better to expedite , hee sends his page with a letter to intimate the constancy of his zeale to her ; and how hee preferred her affection before any contentment whatsoever . this unfortunate boy , whose heedlesse care to his directions , made his master as haplesse in his affections , comes to this gentlewomans lodging , where he delivers his letter , but to another hand than he was directed to by his master . howsoever , the antient matron , who not onely by the benefit of the roome that was darke , but with her cypresse hood vailed , perceiving well shee could by no meanes be discovered , or distinguished ; not onely received his kinde amorous letter , but return'd by the page another : acquainting his master , that , albeit nothing was more precious to her than her honour , and how many spyes were over her in regard of her strict charge , which was given the matron of the house by her father : if he would privately come to such a place such an evening , and returne her some valuable pledge of his professed affection , shee would dispense with what shee tender'd most , to second his desires . how acceptable this letter was to this frolicke gamester , we need make small question : but tedious seem'd the houres till this evening came : which winged his loose thoughts with all speed , to approach the place of meeting . and to the end , hee might with more freedome enjoy the object he sought ; he had furnished himselfe of a rich juell , to ingage his affection unto h●r ; and to confirme what hee had professed in his respect to her , whom hee so highly honoured . the experientst old madam , who had more wayes to the wood than one ; faithfully observes the time : and in such a disguised way , as she might be the grecian helen for ought that hee could see . a sweet perfumed roome ; a rich bed ; and so closely curtained , as old age from youth could not bee discerned . nor needed hee to feare her coynesse ; though shee pretended at first a kinde of apish nicenesse . for the long custome and habit of sinne had so inured her , as nothing lesse than modesty or shamefastnesse could possibly become her . having now received the gentlemans juell , which shee preferred before all his dalliance : she entertaines him with as free and liberall an embrace , as her icy-cold armes could afford . but scarcely had hee entred that brothell-bed , or enjoy'd his seere and meldew'd mistresse ; but a fearefull cry of fire breaking forth with much violence in the very next lodgins , with scaling ladders raised to every window , prevented the unfortunate gamester of his decayed pleasure . the unweldy beldam , not willing to dye before shee were better provided for it : leaving her mufflers behinde her , crawles with the best speed shee can from her shuddring gallant : who seeing , by the light of the flakes of fire , and multitude of toarches without , the bald scalpe of his chop-falne bedfellow : made no lesse haste in flying away from that hag , than she did to escape from the fire . nor could they without , cry faster fire , fire : than he within cryed , a fiend , a fiend . nor had he power to get out of the chamber , so surprized hee was with terrour . till all feare of fire beeing removed , and all occasion of further dispersing it , prevented : the constable of the ward being desirous to know what raised that cry ; entred the roome , where he found this halfe-distracted gentleman , running up and downe the chamber : and this decrepit chrone , shoulder-shut with a fall , lying all along behinde a trap-doore . but when the constable had heard every passage , upon the gentlemans relation , who uttered nothing without much distraction ; to coole her fancy , and temper his frency ; hee made bold to bestow them both in convenient lodgings for such unseasonable tradings . which egregious disgrace so reclaimed him , as loose love for long time after was a stranger to him . the like story might be here related of a young prodigall ; who , after such time as he had betaken himselfe to a choyce : one d●scended of a noble family ; and adorned with excellent ornaments to accomplish that descent : growing weary of the enjoyment of one beauty : & affecting nothing more than change : after many modest curtaine . lectures which his wife had from time to time delivered unto him , to decline him from that loose course which threatned to him and his posterity an approaching misery : fell to that debaucht and exposed riot both in the choice of his company , and prostituting himselfe to all inordinacy : as it begune to lessen the respect and affection of his wife unto him : holding equall distance with him , as he to her . it chanced one time , that this night-walker traversing the streetes : and with other associates exposed to the like loosenesse , entring an house of good-fellowship , where any light commodity might be purchased for money : the protectresse of that brittle society , to discover her office and quality ; demanded of these cavalieros if they would have a withdrawing roome and a mistresse ? by all meanes ( said these gallants ) for what end came wee hither ? and having bestowed them in severall roomes ; every one was readily furnished with his light curtezan . but this prodigall young gallant , on whom the subject of our discourse is here sceaned , had of all others most property in his : for she was his owne wife . what a strange kinde of passion or antipathy this intrview begot , i leave to the strength of your imagination ; who can to life present two such objects , as if you had beene in presence of them . long was it ere the one could utter one word to the other : with glowing blushes sometimes disclosing passion , sometimes shame . affection was farre from giving way to any amorous encounter : and though looks might speake , their tongues had quite forgot all dialect . at last , after a long continued silence , in an abrupt dis-joynted manner , her husband addresseth himselfe thus unto her . ha , minion , have i found you ? have your many curtaine-lectures edified you thus ? have i found your way of trading ? and are these the fruites of your teaching ? well ! goe on . wee are now both so farre entred the high beat-path of folly ; as it were madnesse for us to hope ever to wipe of our dispersed infamy . no sir , quoth shee : to dispaire of recovery , were to conceive a distrust in gods mercy . but beleeve it , sir , howsoever you esteeme mee , i am not what i seeeme to be . these are no places i affect ; nor trading i conceipt . i am what i have beene ever ; carefull of the tender of mine honour . now , the occasion of my comming hither , was the knowledge i received , how this house was your familiar rendevou . a place which you mightily frequented : and where your fame stood dangerously ingaged . your person i described to the mercenary governesse of this hatefull family : that if i might be exposed to any , it should be to such an one as i described : which upon hope of sharing with mee , shee promised . now , sir , reflect upon your selfe , in me : how odious would these foule actions of loosnesse appeare in me ? how contemptible would they make my person appeare to any modest eye ? and are these such inexpiable crimes in the weaker sex : and must they bee esteemed such light errors in you whose strength is greater ? is modesty too effeminate a qualitie for man to retaine ? is the spirit of man to bee imployed in that most , which detracts most from man ? o , recollect your selfe , sir ! and you will see , nothing can more transforme you from your selfe : nor blemish your inward beauty ; nor enslave you to servile fancy ; nor deprive you of future glory , than affecting of these consorts of sinne and shame . the onely conduct that these will afford you , is to the hospitall , where they will leave you . be pleased to put off your selfe a little : and with a single eye to observe their light embraces : proceed these , thinke you , from a resolved love ? will they not for base lucre , shew as much kindenesse to their next suiter ? and can there be any true affection , where the partie makes no distinction ? nay , tell me , would the faithfullest acquaintance you have amongst all these , relieve you , if your fortunes had left you ? or afford you one nights lodging , if want surprized you ? have they not got the art of professing what they least intend : and sacrificing love where they have none to bestow ? returne then to your owne house : and finde that in a lawfull love , which you shall never enjoy in hatefull lust . this advice delivered by so deserving a creature , and in so winning a manner , might have wrought singular effects in any plyable or well-disposed nature : but so strongly steeled was his relentlesse heart unto these , as with a disgracefull and uncivill kicke hee pusht her from him : vowing , withall , to publish her shame to all the world , if she desisted not after that time to sollicit him , or personally to repaire unto him . so strongly had those loose and light consorts seaz'd on his affections : as stolne waters seemed to him the sweetest . a conjugall joy , was a servile yoke , which his misery afterwards felt : being both by friends and fortune left . for having offered the remainder of his decayed estate to that common sewer : hee dyed a miserable unpittied begger . whence we may collect and confidently avouch : that a great office is not so gainefull ( though too many at this day in their rising revenues to their injurious owners highly usefull ) as the principall-ship of a colledge of curtezans : no merchant in riches may compare with these merchants of maidenheads , if their femall inmates were not so flitting . this may appeare in those usefull collections gatherd out of the history of italy : the truth and authority of which testimony , if we may credit ; rome wanteth no jolly dames , specially the street iulia ; which is more than halfe a mile long , faire building on both sides ; in manner inhabited with none other but curtezans ; some worth tenne , some worth twenty thousand crownes , more or lesse , as their reputation is : and many times you shall see a curtezan ride into the country with tenne or twelve horse waiting on her . but to looke back upon our discourse : as there is nothing more dangerous to youth than selfe-opinion ; so is it a cure of greatest difficulty , having taken once seazure of a woman . this that flowrishing state of mantua was in great hazard to have felt : when isabella wife to luchino visconti , lord of millaine , a very faire woman ; feigned to her husband , that shee had made a solemne vow to goe in pilgrimage to venice : and under that colour , obtaining licence , she tooke mantua in her way ; where she lodged in the house of the gonzagi , antient friends unto her husband . and after she had supped , sent secretly for vgolino ; unto whom she declared , that for the fervent love she bare to him , she had taken on her that journey : beseeching him , in lieu of her entire affection , to keepe her company unto venice . this loves-intended-pilgrimage came to the eare of luchino ; who provoked therewith , laid siedge to mantua ; albeit , finding the friends of vgolino innocent of the fault : and that guido his father did his best to correct him , luchino through intercession , raised the siege . fitting for our purpose is that story which our moderne age brought forth , being in effect thus . there was a dainty beautifull young lady , who , selfe-opinionate of her owne worth , after such time as she had been a space married , fell in dis-esteeming of her husband . he , having sought by all meanes to regaine her good opinion , and to ingratiate himselfe in her respect , which his owne parts well enough deserved , howsoever he stood in her bookes neglected : could by no meanes receive a pleasing countenance from her . which distaste wrought so strangely and strongly on his spirit ; that could never stoope to basenesse : nor ingage his noble thoughts to an ingenerous revenge : ( though many visible motives might justly inrage him : and cause him transgresse the bounds of patience ; ) as he resolv'd to betake himselfe to travaile : that so by distance of place hee might in time banish from his thoughts the cause of his discontent . but long had not he there remained , a banish'd man from his countrey ; but desirous to see some other nations , and so by improving his knowledge , learne to forget his griefe : then being imbarked in a merchants ship , bound for such a coast , they were so encounter'd by contrary winds , as it hapned that they arrived at a small port-towne , within his owne native countrey , where his lady at that time resided , by occasion of some fortunes lately to her descended . she , who , kept a liberall table in the absence of her husband , dis-affecting nothing more than privacy : hearing how a ship was there lately arrived , and diverse strangers of seeming quality entered the haven : caused the groome of her chamber to addresse his way to the port : where , if hee found any one of gracefull presence or personage , to invite him withall unsuspected privacy to her house . her command is observed : and to second his ladies desire , hee findes none more likely to tender her content , than her owne husband . but before such time as her servant , sent forth upon this message , would returne his errand ; he seriously eyed that stranger : perusing his complexion and favour , which discontent and his late absence had so estranged from his knowledge , as at first he could not know his master . but at last , becomming assured that it was no other , & desirous to doe him a pleasure , as became a faithfull servant to so respective a master : yet without so much as discovering himselfe , or acquainting him with any plot he had ; he privately at first returns his message from his lady : but withall , desires him , as he tender'd a ladyes honour , to use all secrecy : that his ladyes freedome in her respect and entertainment to him ( if any such curtsy should appeare ) might bee free from all discovery . this the gentleman promised , though wholly ignorant what was intended . meanetime , her honest groom returns an account of what he had done : acquainting his lady , that a gentleman of as proper parts , gracefull presence and hopefull performance , was that evening landed ▪ as ever his eyes beheld . and withall , how he had taken occasion to deliver her message unto him : and with what modesty it was by him accepted : and how to prevent suspicion , his desire was with all privacy to be admitted by some back way unto her chamber , and without lights ( fearing above all things the discovery of his master . ) easy admittance is granted , a private way over a moate , environing the house , is prepared ; nothing neglected , that might promise to this seeming stranger free entertainment . nor is her servant remisse in ought that may facilitate his lawfull affectionate desires . one thing only he conceives himselfe to have omitted , which might conduce highly to the effecting of his plot . hee perceives a diamond-ring upon his masters finger , well knowne to his lady by a private posy : this , he wisheth him , upon his mounting the stayres , and entring into her chamber , at his departure , to bestow upon her . for , said he , our ladies in these parts never receive any strange servants , but they expect some token of their love should be left them , to renue their affection upon next acquaintance : and give them more confidence of their secrecy . this lady longing for the embraces of so accomplished a guest , as her servants relation had described him : with a count'nance as cleare , as the roome was close , had long before this prepared a welcome for him . albeit , upon his entry into her chamber , he found no person there to entertaine him : only a lampe darkely burning ; which shewed him sundry choice and dainty succots , with other quaint junkets : wherein , no doubt , art had showne her selfe such a confectionesse , as nothing was there awancing which might enliven nature , or italian-like , inflame vigour . having taken a taste of such pla●es as best liked him : a faire canopy-bed , with curtaines close drawne , invited him to take a further taste of what better entertainment was prepared for him . and having made himselfe unready , and drawing the curtaine a little aside , he might perceive a creature in the bed , but seemingly covered with cloaths , as one unwilling to have her owne eyes witnesses of her too much freedome . which the rather quickned in him an ardour of affection : so as like a bold stranger , he addressed himselfe to that forward and lawfull encounter . the comick effect whereof , upon discovery of him by the ring , produc'd ( to omit all other circumstances of dalliance ) a constant reconciliation betwixt them . all which was brought to passe principally by her gentleman vsher. but all of them are not of one stampe , as you may perceive by this character . a gentleman usher is his ladies creature ; one who stands much upon his dimension and posture . a tall man he is of his legges , and no lesse it behoves him to be tall of his hands ; being engaged to such desperate encounters for the wall. pretty foole ! he carries his ladies misset most gracefully , which she loves so tenderly , as she is ever putting him in mind of his charge : prey thee puny , doe not squeze my puppy . continuance of imployment makes him in time grow more familiar with his mistresse ; which makes her chastice the sauce-boxe with her glove ; meane time , the man knows her mind . hee bestows so much time in the pointing of his stellettopeake , and poudring his locks , as he leaves little or none for his orisons . he makes his whole pilgrimage on earth a continued peraembulation : and having learn'd to pace from his youth up , he can never shew himselfe commendable but in that garbe . he had an excellent shap't legge , and a sufficient calfe , but every thing is worse for wearing . if to reserve more state , the house be divided , and his great lords roomes from his ladies severed ; hee is sure to be one that must lye on his ladies side . should he fall of in his posture , through debility of nature ; her page must be preferred before her vsher : and the reason is , a cock-sparrow is more active than a bald bussard . he h 'as a notable volubility of tongue ; which he tips with such formall protests , as he will engage him yours , before ever he know you . he knows how to play the secretary ; and is oftimes put to 't . blush he will not , lest it should unrivet a secret in his message . he reserves no time for reading , he bestows so much on walking ; unlesse it be some wanton pasquill , a sociable accompt whereof he makes his pastime . he h 'as at all times ready accesse to his lady , which procures him better successe in his suite to her lord. he must make no love to the maid , lest it beget a jealous suspect in the mistresse . affection cannot brooke corrivals . if his lady grow sickish , and desire to take fresh ayre , the coach must he mount and jogge along with her ; where the curtains must be drawn , lest the light discover her , or the ayre distemper her here they couch as silent as a charnell-house , but that mansion of frailty they never remember . the height of his imployment principally consists in ushering his lady to the church ; where it is admirable , with what punctuall observance he conducts her to her pew , kisseth her booke , as if he had sworne by 't ; and to prevent all rash intruders , he stands at the doore , like a pious-pretending pimpe , as if he were to keepe centinall there for ever . and this he conceits to be one of his most tedious taskes ; because subjects of that nature doe not altogether please his taste . it is rather his element to be versed in the perusall of play-bils , which he presents to his lady with great devotion ; and recommends some especiall one to her view , graced by his owne judicious approbation . his choyce she admits : to the play-house she resorts : enters a prime boxe , and upon cloze of every act , gracefully whispers in her vshers care ; commends their action , and now and then at some amorous-moving passage , playes at cent-foot purposely to discover the pregnancy of her conceit . at night , if her gentleman heare of a court-maske , show , or some other presentment of state ; cupid be their guide , winged is their speed , eager is their spirit , swifter is their pace ; so they may enjoy the object that may please , and cloze their dayes prelude on earth , with an evening enterlude of courtly mirth . but here , this gentleman vsher must shew himselfe rough , that he may get his lady better roome . he must puffe and looke big , and swell like a pageant of state. a soft spirit would barre them both of all entertainment . by this his lady h 'as got a place , which was his master-prize . the presentment done , he must vsher her home ; which perform'd , a curious knot of valiant skinkers must vsher him . the cellar is their centre ; where they must drinke deepe their ladies health to doe them honour ; though a lasting surfet reave them of all health for their labour . here he inhabits till he take a nap in the cellar , or the napry drawer become his gentleman vsher to waft him to his chamber . now for his place , though his revenues be but small , his vailes are great . his ladies purse is his portion , which supplies him so long as he keepes counsell . her count'nance is his greatest purchase , so as , by the losse of her favour , he dyes a beggar . the fortune of a younger brother call'd him to this place ; since which time , he h'as ever walk'd most uprightly in his vocation . but if the master be a tradesman , the foreman of his shoppe supplies this place , whereby he is made for ever . for if this reverend trunke-hose turne up his heeles , whosoever stumble on his grave , his foreman vsher is in faire possibility , to enjoy his grath . one of the greatest of his feares is cornes on his toes : his mistresse cannot endure halting ; nor the condition of his place lumping . vulcans polt-foot befits not an vsher , nor his smug-looke a smooth retainer . his comfort is , as he begun with a small stock , so he cannot fall from any great state . as his risings were light , his height low , his continuance short , so his fall cannot be great . truth is , if he live to be his masters survivor , ( provided that he flowrish in strength and ability of nature ) hee may prosper . but for most part , his master out weares him , as he in his time outwrought his master . the meermaid h 'as left him , but not without consorts to attend him . aches , crampes , and ring-bones are his incessant associats . and now he walkes more upright than ever he did , for he cannot stoope , should a diamond lye in his way : he remembers the follies of his youth , with — o the reines of my back ! he needes no other rack , this will make him discover all . he is much troubled in his sleepe , and awakes with an ache , which he utters in a shreeke : — o my mistresse ! 't is a wondrous thing to see how this spruce youth is metamorphosed ! how his wild-luxurious beard growes unkemb'd , his lard-twilted doublet goes unbutton'd , and his eve-dropping nose flowes like a common sewer , and would bestow it selfe on any one that would wipe it . well ; he cannot possibly stand long ; for his very legges , those proper supporters of his youth , may now truly cry out with aged milo ; they cannot beare a calfe . it might be doubted , that death were better provided for him , than he provided for it , did not poverty bid him embrace it , and a miriad of infirmities summon him to it . there is hope of him , for the flesh had left him , before he left the world. but we have insisted too long on these ; let it be sufficient , that as there be some of those who reteine this name , properly ranked in our character : so be there those , whose better parts merit all approvement : but one swallow makes no summer : the object of pleasure many times makes shipwrack of honour : whereas others , for whom we will ever reserve our deservingst approvedst thoughts , will rather chuse to leave their coat in the hand of a loose mistresse , than lose their honour . that maxim , indeed , is too holding : if we be companions to ostriges , we shall savour of the wildernesse . nor , is there any rush without mire : yet a mirtle will shew it selfe a mirtle amongst nettles . and such we have of these ; whom neither occasion can corrupt ; opportunity deprave ; hope of fortunes delude : nor any indirect way decline from professing themselves just in discharging that place , wherein they stand necessarily interessed . now , in our diversion from these , wee are to descend to subjects of higher and more serious importance : yet such , as reflect ever upon the femall sexe , wherein pleasure and profit , which ever make up the best musick , shall hand in hand accompany you ; to second your expectance with such variety , as our discourse may amply recompence a retyred houre with double interest to posterity . section ii. imitable vertues in women . examples . vertue is of such a rare quality , as she can neither be over-priz'd , nor over-prais'd . nor can this princesse , whose beauty is her owne , without borrowing ; and whose honour is essentiall in her selfe , without deriving , shew more true worth than when she deignes to lodge in that bosome , which may seemingly dignifie her least ; though , indeed , by a modest improvement of what it hath received , it magnifie her most . for to descend to the quality of every * cardinall vertue : we shall find rare instances in each kind ; and such as may deserve imitation of the stronger sexe . and first of the first . prudence . some jeering swetnams , whose strength of pen and ability of braine only consist in inveying against women , will not stick , perhaps , to laugh , when they heare us speake of prudence , and attribute a great portion thereof to a woman ; and will say , truly we have heard of some women cald by the name of prudence , but indued with prudence there is scarce one amongst them , no not one. a weake inve●tive ! it is sufficient , will these poore criticks say , for women to have so much wit as to goe out o'th'raine : and some of them not so wise , neither : but like that simple she-cockney , imagine all the world to be a city , and every way they travell , such a continued pent-house , as they need neither cloake nor hood to shrowd them ; so well h 'as the worlds archi-tect provided for them . but how farre these erre , we shall quickly discover ; by those memorable and surviving monuments of wisdome ; which women not only of former ages , but even in our owne times , have expressed , and to posterity recommended . and first , to take our instances from a farre ; how much did the prudence of tomyris bestead the massagetes ; when by her owne policy and dexterity of wit , she discomfitted the powerfullest and redoubtedst enemy that the world then had ? in what a deplorable estate was her countrey ; when nothing but fire and fury assailed them without : want and famine within ? when their strongest forts were quite demolished ? their fruitfull fields wasted ? and their people , by a fruitlesse resistance of a victorious foe , consumed ? nay , reflect upon the miseries of this desolate and disconsolate queene ! how her sonne by an improvident and remisse mannagement of his affaires , became a prey to the enemy : his army vanquished : himselfe slaughtered : all things disorderly scattred and confounded ! yet , was her spirit still the same . she well considered , if in that disaster her courage should quaile , what could probably follow but an irreparable subversion ? though few or none then were left to afford her remorce : neither was her spirit so weake , nor wisdome so small , but they had power enough to study a revenge . which she effected with such expedite policy ; as she not only freed her distressed countrey of that threatning calamity : but imbrued her hands in the blood of her enemy , to revenge that cruelty which he had not long before inflicted upon her own blood . nor did this wisdome of hers only appeare in the government of her state : but in the composing or moderating of her owne affections . for whereas , her command had so farre inlarg'd it selfe , as many neighbouring prin●ces stood in feare of her : doubting that their more confin'd dominions might be swallowed up by her greatnesse : her noble spirit scorned to take advantage of others weaknesse : or to soveraignize over those who never gave her occasion of offence . in a word , as it was her care to preserve her own ; so it was her princely scorne to invade anothers . this moderation she shewed excellent testimonies of , in her death aswell as life : when she commanded , that this inscription should be ingraven upon her tombe : purposely to make a tryall , as it were , whether the same height of spirit succeeded to princes of following times , which sometimes possessed her royall brest . the inscription was this : who ere thou beest that shalt have the fortune , amongst other rich booties of thy conquest , to dig up this stone ( meaning that monument which cover'd her ) know , that thou shalt finde an infinite masse of treasure , fit to enrich thy princely honour , under it . but what found that victorious monarch under it ? nothing lesse than he expected . no gold ; but such a golden sentence as incomparably surpassed all treasure that could possibly bee buried under it . for when hee had carefully removed the stone , hee found this ingraven under the bottom of it : none but miserable covetous men would violate the obsequies of the dead : or with prophane hand disturbe the quietnesse of those that sleep in the dust . many other excellent vertues was this noble princesse indued withall : which for brevity sake i must omit : passing to others of her sex , who not onely equalled , but farre exceeded the most eminent personages of their time in the prudent carriage and dispose of their affaires . this that stately semiramis shewed in the wise and peaceable government of the assyrian state after the decease of her husband ninus . what excellent lawes were by her enacted ? what principles of state recorded ? how free shee kept her kingdome from division ? how safe her utmost coasts from invasion ? with what policy , shee sought to remove from her selfe and people , all opinion of effeminacy : and produce in others a conceit of their magnanimity : when shee commanded all without distinction , to weare tyars upon their heads : and to put on them womens apparell ; purposely to cover their effeminate parts : and by an amazonian imitation to beget a confidence of resolution in her neighbours ? how carefull she was to insinuate her selfe in the zeale and affection of her subjects ? what a wise course she tooke to effect it ? and in what short time did shee confirme it ? admir'd she was by those to whom only report of her wisdome had made knowne the greatnesse of such a spirit : enriched with such transcendent gifts : as it was not easy to determine whether the height of her spirit for atchieving , or strength of judgement for contriving more exceeded . to summe up all in one ; and all this in an imparalel'd one : had not one staine blemish'd her beauty , she had beene a princesse of incomparable majesty . nor did that glory of amazon , the invincible penthesilea fall short in those accomplishments fit to mannage a state : and to leave presidents both of wisdome and courage for posterity to imitate . how well shee rectified the disorders of a distracted empire : and in every designe exprest her selfe glorious to the improvement of such a state , and the advancement of her honour ! this might be illustrated by one instance : for at such time , as neighbouring princes dis-valued their feminine government : and every one laboured to enlarge their dominions by the subjection of that state : she not onely preserved her owne from the injurious usurpation of forraigne powers : but wonne of those , who were hopefull to make a prey of her . nor was shee onely carefull to establish the foundation of an empire for an age : but to recommend such usefull lawes and constitutions as might settle a prosperous state to their successors . many famous battels did she fight : and those with the renownedst and most victorious princes that then reigned . yet seldome or never was she discomfitted : but if at any time it chanced that shee should suffer , her moderation and discretion so temperately bore the losse , and so diligently laboured a redresse ; as the second day made amends ever for the former repairing her losses both with advantage and honour . all which i referre to those stories , which with most probability and authority discourse of her . what wisdome that excellent sophonisba manifested to the world , in the discreet carriage of her affaires : if it were needfull here to relate , we might apply this subject , in the instancing of her vertues . who so nobly demeaned her selfe in the daringst affronts of fortune : as never more true resolution or constancy of spirit appeared in the most virile and heroicke tempers that ever the world became possessor of . extremes could not amate her : nor distractions of state so divide her from her selfe : as , when her advice was sought , she could show the least perplexity in her well digested thoughts . her owne safety was never so deare to her , as the security of the state publicke . and when any of those antient counsellours or conscript-fathers , who were to sit at the sterne ; seemed troubled : or shewed the least irresolution , she would usually interpose her selfe : and chide their weaknesse in this manner . is it fit , grave fathers , that your advice should bee to seeke , when the state is ready to sinke ? will dejected spirits cure our distempers ? must fathers turne children , and put finger i th' eye , when imminency of perill menaceth the states ruine ? ha's your countrey made choice of you , to embathe her wounds onely in teares , and to labour no redresse to her griefes ? o , let not wisdome onely appeare in your habits , but disposition of your hearts ! a passionate teare is but a weake countermure to repell the engine of a foe . let it bee our taske , who are women , to intercede by prayers and teares : yours , to remove danger with courage and advice . wee are neither so abandoned of solace in hope , as to lye downe and dye : as if our present condition had estrang'd us from all hope of recovery . bee what you seeme , or we must seeme more than wee bee . present danger requires dispatch : let not opportunity lose her selfe by delay . next her , i might here instance the brave berenice , a woman of incomparable beauty ; alacrity of spirit ; strength and maturity of judgement . next her the sabean queene , that wise nicaula : a princesse so highly taken with the fame of salomons wisdome : as she left her owne countrey to bee one of his auditory : leaving him with this attestation of him : i beleeved not the words , untill i came , and mine eyes had seene it : and behold , the halfe was not told mee ; thy wisdome and prosperity exceedeth the fame which i heard . nor could so diligent a pursuer of wisdome , be in her selfe ignorant of so inestimable a blessing . never did state enjoy more freedome ; nor abound with more wealth ; nor partake so continued a peace ; than sheba's state enjoyed . nor could ought lesse bee expected , where such a lover of wisdome reigned . for if plutarch commend plato so highly for comming forth of asia into cilicia , for no other cause , but onely to see his deare friend phocion : what commendations might this noble princesse seeme to deserve , who , though a woman , left her owne nation to heare the wisdome of salomon ? should we , next these , take a more exact survey of the divine prudence of royall esther ; whose discreet behaviour purchased gods people so happy a delivery , even in their imminentst danger ? or of that wise abigall , whose discretion declined davids fury from her churlish nabal ? we would so highly admire such precious mirrors , for their piety , pollicy and discretion , as wee should accompt them wisest and deservingst , who drew nearest them in imitation . neither shall we need to travell so farre for instances : but that those flowers are ever esteemed best of , that are brought from forraigne borders : for princes we have here enjoyed of our owne ; whose names retaine in all places of christendome a memorable testimony for wisdome . witnesse the living fame of our renowned eliza , who made her kingdome an elysium . being of a majesticke presence ; judicious advice ; constant resolve ; terrible to her foe ; affable to her friend ; a gracious preserver of peace ; a couragious advancer of warre for honourable ends . of a rare memory ; a rich fancy ; for dispatch happy : and in present dangers fullest of noble spirit and alacrity . and these shall serve for instances in the first . justice . this divine vertue , which is an abstract of all the rest , that noble thracian lady well expressed ; when , unurged , shee professed : that if shee were conscious to her selfe of any crime deserving death : her owne actions should not need to receive any other sentence than her owne . so impartiall a judge would shee demeane her selfe in her owne particular ; as not the severest court should pronounce upon her an heavier censure . when that just alban lady heard what demadis saying was , that draco's lawes were written with blood , and not with inke : farre be such rubricks , quoth shee , from our calendar : let mercy and truth kisse each other . that royall empresse shewed her selfe a patronesse of iustice : when on a time the emperour her husband had presented to him the names of sundry delinquents ; to receive from him his pleasure how they should be disposed of : which , as one minding more a game at tables , than pronouncing judgement on those offenders , hee commanded without any further deliberation , that they should suffer death . o , quoth that worthy empresse , let not my lord bee so forward in pronouncing judgement upon an untryde delinquent ? the life of a man is to bee valued above a game at dice. just was that dame towards her owne ; when hearing , how her daughter had violated that order whereto shee was vestally devoted , she came before the senate , and beseeched them for iustice : who , when they had understood the quality of the offence , and how the offender was her owne daughter : they made answer ; you need little doubt of justice , in a crime of such a nature : yet might this personall offence have well deserv'd a stranger rather than a mother to be an accuser . o , answer'd shee , but nature must forget her selfe , when unnaturall children forget god. shee was my daughter so long as she preserv'd her honour : my part is now quite lost in her : bee it your iustice to vindicate the wrong which my blood hath received from her . else shall i conclude , that your unjust mercy is to mee a cruelty , which vesta will revenge to redresse her injury . excellent was that resolution of those almaine sisters , who professed in a publicke place of judicature ; that they would rather suffer the utmost extreames of want and misery , than share in the fortune of any other unjustly . the like example might wee her produce of a noble gentlewoman in our owne coast : who by the prodigall and dissolute course of her husband , falling into great poverty : was so far from inclining to any thought of basenesse ; as when her powerfull friends , commiserating her present condition , wished her to enquire of something that might raise her fortunes , and they would use meanes for procuring it : o , quoth shee , i know well how to shape my minde unto my fortune ; but i hope my thoughts shall never know how to scrue themselves into an others possession . what shall it benefit me , said that noble matron , to enjoy what belongs unto another ▪ and betray my fame , which i should preferre before all other ? i cannot live , and be unjust : for life consists not in beeing , breathing , or performing any outward action : but in a pure and undefiled soul , raising her thoughts to an higher motion . when the sabines had suffered that infinite injury , in being deprived of the beauty of their virgins : though they might ( probably ) have taken fit opportunity for revenge : o , said those antient matrons , let us first see how these strangers use our daughters ! if they demeane themselves lovingly unto them , it were unjust for us to take revenge of their husbands for the love they beare to their wives : honest love should be rewarded ; dishonest revenged . in that election of consuls , when the vertuous aurelia understood that her husband sought indirectly for voices ; o , said shee , this argues in you a diffidence of your owne worth : desist then from standing for such an honour , which your personall actions can not merit , nor these mercenary votes and voices obtaine , without detracting from another . iustice , when perverted , may be compared to the celedonie stone , which retaineth her vertue no longer than it is rubbed with gold : but when employed to the preserservation of the state , and dispensation of what is just to every one , being neither induced by amity , incensed by enmity , nor corrupted with hope of commodity : this divine vertue may be compared to the selenite stone ; a precious gemme found in arabia , which is of this nature and property , that when the moone increaseth , it likewise increaseth in beauty : but when the moone decreaseth , it lesseneth of her splendor and glory . it retaines likewise another quality ; and it is this : being tied to any tree , it makes it fruitfull : the application will appeare both proper and usefull . when changes in the state are most frequent ; when command seemes to soveraignize most on these smaller and inferiour lights : then is shee most constant : in her beauty most resplendent . neither can might over-sway her : nor a despicable plaintiffe dis-relish her . she ever shewes most constant ; when times seeme most wavering and fluctuant . nor is any branch so seere ; any member so fruitlesse , in the whole body of the state ; which her application cannot make fruitfull : so soveraigne is shee in her selfe , so commodious unto others . happy , will some say , were those dayes wherein basil the emperour of constantinople lived ; that whensoever he came to his judgement-seat , found neither party to accuse , nor defendant to answer . here needed no conscript fathers to sit upon tryall of causes : no feare of corruption , because that halcyon peace admitted no occasion : what wilt thou give me , was no interrogatory in those dayes . and yet me thinks that noble princesse , in the moulding of justice , and faire carriage of all businesse ; made her state no lesse happy ; who decreed : that if any plaintiffe exhibited a bill against any person , and could not prove the justnesse of his action ; he should pay treble costs to the defendant : and besides his pecuniary mulet , receive such corporall punishment as the quality of the complaint deserved . this made commencements of suites as rare as the former ; by reducing the state to such an exact order ; as neighbouring princes had her in admiration : taking presidents from her of state-government , to second her rules in a serious imitation . thus have you heard how this vertue , which our philosophers have resembled to the evening starre for beauty ; hath beene so carefully observed , and constantly preserved by women : as they addressed their endevours to no object more seriously , than how they might improve her glory . let us now then see what they did in honour of temperance ; a vertue which seasoneth and relisheth the rest with her presence . temperance . extreames are those shelves on which vertue suffers . livia dispatch't her husband , because she loved too little ; lucilia , hers , because she loved too much . but that noble lady observed a faire and equall temper betwixt both these : when she proposed this conjugall rule unto her selfe : as i made a contract with mine heart not to change , where i made my choyce : so i resolve to retaine that command over my affections ; as neither my too much loving him , shall feed in mee jealousy : nor my too much coolenesse beget in him a conceipt of my inconstancy . this vertue fixeth mainely upon three objects ; the irascible , when passion labours to soveraignize over reason . the concupiscible , when outward motives produce in those divine organs of the soule , some discord or distraction . the intelligible , when the light of the understanding becomes darkened , by some light object of vanity interposed . for as the eclypse of the sunne is occasioned by the interposition of the moone ; so is the light of the soule eclypsed ( in resemblance of the moone ) by the interposition of the earth . for as the moone doth never eclypse but when she is at the full : so the mind is never so much obscured , as it is with the superfluity of riches . and againe , as the moone is the furthest off from the sunne which giveth it light , when it is at the full : so a man when he is fullest of riches , is furthest off from that equity and justice , which ought to give him light , in all his proceedings . for the first ; the saying of archytas is much commended ( nor deserves it lesse than to be highly approved ) who being angry with one of his hindes , said : o how would i have beaten thee , had i not beene angry with thee ! the like commendations deserves that well composed temper of that sage chilo ; who observing his brother to be discontented , for being rejected in standing for ephorus , and himselfe elected : wished his brother not to take his repulse impatiently : for i must tell you , said he , that you were altogether unfit for the place : seeing , your high-unbounded spirit cannot bea●e the height or burden of an injury , but i can . nor was that noble ladyes temper to be lesse admired ; who professed in a place where her innocency had borne more than humane patience could well suffer : i have learned , quoth she , how to suffer , but never to suffer my selfe to give way to anger . secondly , for the concupiscible part ; that lady , though an ethnick ; had beene fruitfully schooled in morality , by confining her desires to bounds of such equality ; who with much confidence affirmed : i have made a constant league with mine eyes , never to fixe on that object , with desire , which i may not with lawfulnesse enjoy . armenia , a noble lady , being bidden amongst other eminent personages , to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night when they were returned home , her husband asked her , how shee liked the bridegroome ; whether shee thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , sayes she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . so well had she limited her affections ; as she would not suffer her eyes to wander : nor to be deluded with the glances of an unlawfull lover . for eyes are those tarpeja's , or privy conspirators , which lay the fortresse of the soule most open to advantage . nor would the heart give way to an unjust love , if a leering eye threw not out first a lure . for this end h 'as that wise creator made it a sense of sorrowing , because it is a sense of sinning . that a conduit of teares , might better rinse that kennell from whence the occasion sprung . nor have these feminine wonders exprest lesse command over their desires in contempt of honour ( an attractive bait to that sexe ) in their dis-esteeme of riches , or pompe in apparrell ; dangerous motives to unsetled soules . where you shall finde one so respect lesse of honour ; as being offer'd her , she findes this answer to her amorous besieger : i have ever preferred the honour , which a pretious fame bestowes on me , before that painted adulterate honour which any wanton favorite of the time can purchase me . here shall you finde an other so indifferent for fortunes ; as her attestation is this : no poverty can amate me , so i enjoy my selfe : they cannot but have sufficient , who are sufficient to themselves : whatsoever is without us , should not transport us too much by enjoying : nor deject us too much in the losing : no true state , but the inward store . what excellent rules were these to mould the mind to every condition , according to that philosophicall maxime : learne in prosperity to be silent , and not transported ; in adversity to be patient , and not dejected ; in neither to be discontented ; in both , discreetly and philosophically affected . here shall you likewise finde an other so humbly minded ; for outward habit so indifferent : as she professeth ; no habit can beseeme beauty , but what suites with decency . this might be instanced in those vertuous votaresses , who were so little taken with any outward weare : as they hated nothing more than such light phantastik attyres , which lay baits for others eyes . modesty they onely affected both in behaviour and dresse : which begot them more honour , though lesse opinion in the eye of lightnesse . that habit , said the roman citizen to his wife , doth well become thee : trust me , quoth she , i did not hold it so , till i heard it from thee . but , whereas this subject of temperance , whereof we now treate , is most expressed in abstaining from luscious fare , pretious liquors , amber-broaths ; with other foments of sensuall delight , wee shall finde what rare and incredible austerity many noble dames used in their practise of that restraint . where some became so abstemious in that kind , as they observed lessius diet : in proportioning themselves such a weight or measure , as might sparingly suffice but never surcharge nature . farre short of this temperature came , indeed , the wife of domenico ●ylvio ; whom our italians report to have beene so delicate a woman , that she would have dew gath'red , and in precious vialls conserved , to imbath her selfe withall , with other rich perfumes and choyce confections : and yet see the end of all these delicacies ! e're she dyed , her flesh did rotte , that no creature could abide her : so much had loose effeminacy corrupted nature . for this one , this exemplary enormious one , i could instance many of her sexe , whose noble mindes were so farre aliened from such delicacy , as they would hardly suffer themselves to be invited to any publicke feast , least they might occasion others censure by their abstinence . others in a retyred privacy , ( too monastick a course for our gentry , whose education hath begot in them more desire of liberty ) have embraced reclusive lifes ; contenting themselves with such homely provision as that remote place or desart could afford them , where they had taken their plantation . the romans , indeed , even at this day ▪ make recluses of their owne houses ; and whether out of jealousy or some other innate quality , will not suffer their wifes to go abroad , either to church or any place else , and some of them scarcely to looke out at a lattice window ; whence that proverbe came up : in roma vale piu la putana , che la moglie romana : in rome the harlot hath a better life , than she that is an honest romans wife . nor was antient rome lesse cautious of preserving the modesty of her women : by preventing the use of that which most indangers temperance ; whence came up that custome , for kinsmen to kisse their kinswomen , to know whether they had drunke wine or no ; and if they had , to be punished by death , or banished into some island . nor was there any respect or restriction , if we may credit the testimony of plutarch ; who saith , that if the matrons had any necessity to drinke wine , either because they were sick or weake , the senate was to give them licence , neither were they permitted within rome to have that liberty ; but out of the city . this restraint those noble temperate ladies little needed , who held it an high derogation to their honour , to consort with any wine-bibber : or such , whose liberty had made them subject to any such ingenerous distemper . excellent to this purpose was her saying : she knowes not the true estimate of her honour , who dare expose it to danger . nor was her resolution lesse usefull , though , perhaps , too generall ; who hearing her waiting-maid to be distemper'd with liquor : waiting woman , quoth she , you may call her ; maid you cannot , being subject to such distemper . in a word , heare what those brave roman ladies held of temperance : we had rather , said they , suffer the extreamest assaults or braves of fortune , than lose the least graine of patience by giving way to passion . a deserving memoriall ! which carefully reteined , may regulate in us those straying affections which usually distract the mind ; enfeeble the spirit ; and make the noblest creature by this ignoble servitude , more savage than any other . thirdly , for the intelligible part ; what quicknesse and pregnancy of conceipt hath appeared in women , may be collected by their ready answers ; and upon more deliberation , their weight of reasons : whereof i shall here in this place speake but little : having occasion to treate more amply of this subject , in that section wherein i am to speake of their witty aphorismes , which long preceding times have recommended to posterity . where you shall finde such a complete structure both for height of wit and depth of understanding ; that as cicero sometimes said of galba's leaden and lumpish body : his wit had an ill lodging . so without offence might it be spoken of those in respect of the weakenesse of their sexe : they had rich stuffe for such weake houses . so preciously were they stored ; so richly beautified ; so completely furnished with all intellectuall graces , as shall appeare in his due place . and so we will descend to the last of our cardinall vertues : even that which may seeme most estranged from their nature ; yet through the strength and vigour of their spirit , enlivened in the highest measure . fortitude . some will merrily say , we like not well that you should commend fortitude in a woman . we have zantippe's enough in the world , who can breake the pate of a philosopher , without ever studying for a plaister . their strength and spirit should consist in tongue : for them to be provided of any other armour , was never so much as intended by nature . it is true ; nor is it our purpose to present them here playing their prizes : but to expresse their resolutions in time of danger , wherein they came ever off with their countreys safety and their owne honour . though my sexe proclaime me weake , said that noble matron , i have a spirit in me can supply that want . yet should the rigidst censor be more charitably perswaded , than to thinke that she would imploy this noble spirit of hers in trying mastery with him to whom she was to acknowledge a superiority . epicharia , that famous libertine of rome , though she complyed well enough with her husband ; expressing that obedience , which became a loyall wife , patient in suffering ; meeke in remitting ; kinde and loving in all offices of affection ; yet made privy to a conspiracy against nero ( that prodigy of princes ) would not disclose the plotters thereof , though tormented with cruell punishments . she chused rather to suffer the exquisitest torments that could be invented by the hand of cruelty , than to discover them who labour'd to suppresse his tyranny . leaena , though a prostitute , was indued with a brave spirit , who conspiring with armodius and aristogiton , her familiar acquaintants , against the tyrant hippeas , stood not agast at the death of her friends ( though torne with extreamest torments ) but holding it basenesse to reveale the complices , bitte in sunder her owne tongue , and spit it out in the tyrants face . but you will say , these were too fierce and furious spirits to be inclosed in effeminate caskes ; we will therefore give you a touch of such , whose moderate and well-tempered dispositions exprest their worth , even in a princely command of their desires in outward things : scorning to lament for losing what they could no longer possesse : yea , so little joy conceiv'd these on earth , as they equally rejoyc'd in forgoing or enjoying whatsoever they possest on earth . it was a faire and imitable resolution of that well-affected gentlewoman : the extremity of fortune i shall little feare , seeing the worst she can doe me , cannot make me base . nay , even in the deprivall of those blessings which more nearely concerne them ; and such as should touch nature even in her bowels : have some of them showne such constancy of spirit , as they were ready to minister advice and comfort to those , who in respect of their sexe and place whereto they were called , might more properly have seem'd to performe that office to them . this might be illustrated by a domestick instance of our owne . a person of high quality and ranke , no lesse than a counsellour of state , hearing the report of the death of his sonne , fell into such a passionate overflow of sorrowing , as he would scarce admit any one for the present to have accesse unto him , or to minister any arguments of comfort to him : this his discreet lady well observing , thought it best to supply that office her selfe , which others had so fruitlesly laboured to put in practise : so as one day , she begun thus to expostulate the grounds of his sorrowing in this manner . good lord , sir , ha's your wisdome so much forgot it selfe , as not to reserve one minute for recollecting your dispersed thoughts ? are all these teares for the losse of a child ? me thinkes , my portion should be as great in that losse , or else i fall off from the proportion of a motherly love . but i conceive , sir , and this no doubt , your wisdome will see into ; that as we first received him , so we have but render'd him backe to him from whom we had him . againe , sir , should you but consider how ill these teares would beseeme you , if the state should looke on you : you would soone take truce with your eyes , and teach them not to darken that light , which should imploy it selfe in direction of the state. who knowes , but that our childs death now in his prime , prevented him from seeing and suffering many miseries in his time ? the sewer his yeares , the fewer his teares . let us then with patience recommend him to him who first gave us him , and now ha's taken him : lest through impatience we offend his majesty ; who if he chastice us , it is but justice : and if he spare us , it is his mercy . but this fortitude , which we here treat of , consists most , in respect of the subject we now handle , in a constancy of reteyning what is privately committed to them ; next , in opposing whatsoever relisheth most with their affections . truth is , though some too satyrically compared a woman to danäus tubbe ; fitting her with no better embleme ; but as that tubbe could hold no water , no more could she reteine long undiscovered any secret or counsell committed to her : yet may some of them , the worse sort i meane , be properly compared to sieves , who let goe the best , but keepe the worst : as the better sort may be resembled to fanns , which let go the worst , and keepe the best . there are many chattering iayes , that have no feathers : who cannot heare of a storme , but they must make the whole forrest knowne to 't . it is said of geese ( birds , whose very appellations designe their simplicity ) that when at change of seasons , they passe from cilicia over the mountaine taurus , which abounds with eagles : fearing their owne secrecy , they carry stones in their bils , for feare their cry should discover them to their enemies . reason , whose portion is our beauty , and whose gift our makers bounty , should teach us that , which nature hath instructed them ; lest by declining from the rule of reason , we become inferiour to them who never had the use of reason . for there is nothing which so highly disparageth a reasonable creature , as by too prodigall a discovery of himselfe , to lay himselfe open to the trust of an other . so as , it may be positively averred ; there is nothing that betrayeth a man so much to ruine as his owne credulity . had that strongest of men seasonably foreseene this , he had never beene betrayed by a dalilah . yet have i heard some , and those cautious enough in other affaires , lay downe this for a conclusion : that they would never entrust them with their bodies , to whom they durst not communicate their counsels . which can hardly be without danger : but being an error of love , and no love of error , deserves a milder censure . an alluring she-gossip is a perilous jngle to siftout a secret : and a rare constant spirit ha's she , who amidst freedome of mirth , reteines a power in her selfe to conceale it . nor ( indeed ) can such merit ought lesse than sharpe reproofe , who with the abuse of a minutes liberty , to ingage a strange eare to their attention , will expose the secrets of so deare and near a consort to censure and detraction . dionysius gave straight commandment , the head of bryas , one of the gentlemen of his privy chamber , should bee cut off , for telling plato , who had demanded of him , what the tyrant did , that he had stripped himselfe by reason of the heat , and was painting in a table : so tender were princes of their actions , even in affaires of indifferency : for had dionysius beene never worse imployed , his raigne had never incurred the title of tyranny . husbands , who are princes in their owne families , are to be strict censors of such , who are apt to discover what they heare : and to inlarge it too , in hope to gaine more atttention from an itching eare . nor , in very deed , doe such men deserve lesse rebuke for their facility , who so freely impart themselves to those , bee they never so neare them , nor seemingly tender over them , who have no ability to conceale what in counsell is committed to them . as we use then to try vessels by their sounds , so were it good for us to try before wee trust . for if shee , whom you have made choice of , have such a retentive faculty , as shee holds not her owne reputation at an higher estimate , than your secrecy : as shee is your bosome-friend , so let her be your secretary . for if that which you impart to her , tend to your comfort ; her communion will augment it . no single instrument be it never so singular , can render the eare so full musicke , as a consort . againe ; is it any occasion of discontent ? her sweet society will allay it ; by cheering it , if shee cannot cure it . many such excellent creatures shall wee finde in the world ; who affect nothing more than to share in their husbands misfortunes . to bee most of all his , when hee is least his owne ; bearing the count'nance of his fortunes in their face . and these bee they , who well deserve to be retained in counsell by their husbands : because they preferre his comfort before their owne , or equally as their owne : and value his secrecy as their owne safety . as for others , who are too open-hearted , to have any thing in counsell to them imparted : let their husbands imitate that discreet grecian of former times , who being told that his breath did smell , answered ; it was by reason of the many secrets , which had a long while laine rotting and putrifying within him . and may they ever rot in them , rather than communicate them to such dead flyes , who will corrupt whole pots of the preciousest ointments . let their bosoms ( those divine recluses of secrets ) bee like the lions denne in the apologue ; towards the mouth whereof the prints and prickings of sundry sorts of beasts might easily bee discerned , but from thence none at all . let them alwayes , even in their curtaine-conference , talke with harpocrates , at the signe of the finger on the mouth : and learne of anacharsis that the tongue hath need of a more strong restraint than nature . and that there is no greater argument of true fortitude than to conceale from others what were fitting to be concealed ; and with a religious piety to reteine , whatsoever is by others in secrecy recommended . let them not be so curious with them of bethshemesh , in the search of other mens secrets ; nor yet too carelesse with hezekiah , in the discovering of their owne . morality gives them a prohibition for the one , and a precept for the other : seeke not to others councels to bee knowne ; but knowne , conceale them as they were thine owne . now , for the other particular , consisting mainly in a strong and resolute opposing whatsoever relisheth most with their affections : there is no point of magnanimity of higher degree or nobler quality than this . milo shewed not halfe so much strength in bearing a bull ; as stilpho did in bearing what most opposed his will. that wife of bath , upon whose tale , at the instancy of some peculiar friends , wee have by way of comment , lately annexed some illustrations , could tell you well enough , what would please a woman best . now , when that will or soveraignty of command receives her countermand from reason : so as the course becomes diverted , by declining from what the party most affected : what a brave ●onquest is this ; and how well doe the professors thereof deserve a vertuous esteeme ? she well expressed this in her selfe , who though naturally jealous , and ( perchance ) had sufficient cause given her to bee so , being in company where shee heard at large of those joviall pranks of her husband , was so farre from inclining to passion , or falling into any humour that might give them occasion of suspecting her jealousie ; answered : content your selves , i doe not hold my selfe so unworthy of his love , as to have the least conceipt that hee will bee kinde with any other . it were no lesse rare to observe some of our women ; who stand most affected to curious apparell ; and to comply with the fashions of the age ; to decline wholly from that humour ; by affecting plainnesse : and with an entire distaste to all garish vanity , to entertaine no other habit than what might best suit with the modesty of their sexe . nor would i have this to proceed from sullennesse : as i have sometimes noted in a phantasticke lady in this kingdome : who in her private chamber or garden would accommodate her selfe like a complete gallant : but if any neighbouring gentlewoman came to visit her , shee would put on her meanest apparell , saying ; such stuffe was good enough for such course guests . no ; such malevolee's are made to grinde and grate the hearts of their husbands : by affecting nothing more than to crosse them most , whom they are bound to oppose least . those , whom wee here propose for patterns to imitate ; have set their rest on this resolution : never to give way to their owne wils : but if they desire liberty ; to curbe those straying desires with a convenient restraint : remembring , how dinah by gadding lost her honour . if luscious fare ; to moderate them by an imposed abstinence : holding cleopatra's banketting an introduction to her wantoning . if entertaining of amorous servants ; to shut their doores from any such admittance ; knowing how that vestall virgin impeached her fame by too freely admitting and conversing with crassus . now , this noble resistance is best exprest , where opportunity is most frequent , and the strength or vigour of nature most predominant . it was an ample addition to penelope's honour , to have an husband so farre distanced from her ; to be encounter'd with such confluence of suiters ; to live in the prime of her youth divided from her mate , and to preserve her fame so unblemished : as those who were most confident of her affection , could never so much as justly boast of any favour received from her , the giving or receiving whereof might trench upon her honour . some women , and those of noblest ranke , have we heere had ; who not only declared to the world their true fortitude and vertuous resolution in the life 's of their husbands ; who in martiall affaires and other publicke services , lived long time divided from them : but even after death , retained such constant memorials of them : that though they wanted their persons , they kept their portratures ever neare them . nor held they this sufficient , unlesse by a perpetuall widdowhood they had preserved their names in them . their roomes bore the habit of mourning ; funerall lamps were ever burning ; no musicall straine to delight the eare ; no object of state to surprize the eye . true sorrow had there her mansion : nor could they affect any other discourse than what to their husbands actions held most relation . each of these with good cornelia could play the mourner , and breath out their passions in this manner : pompey's my husband whereso'ere he bee , none in cornelia h'as a share but hee . but to instance this resistance of will in one for all . that discreet yong gentlewoman deserv'd so well in this point , as we cannot without injury to so meriting a subject , omit her . one , for descent ranked with the best : of excellent naturall parts , and those enriched with such gifs of grace , as very few equall'd her , none surpass'd her . this gentlewoman , having received singular breeding , and all liberty shee could possibly desire : falling one day into a serious consideration of her owne state ; debated the matter with her selfe in this manner . i have thus long lived , and enjoyed what liberty or pleasure i desired . young i am in yeares : yet though my yeares be few , many are mine houres of fruitlesse expence . delicacy i affected , and none ever was more cockered . publique places of meeting i frequented ; and from these have i ever return'd more depraved . how tedious was an houre imployed in devotion ? how short , bestowed in any light recreation ? how many mornings have i sacrific'd to my glasse ? with what winning lookes have i opened my windowes ; while the windowes of mine owne body let in sinne ? with what care were my breasts laid out , to take a wandring eye ? how pleasantly to my light eare sounded any amorous discourse ? what a wardroabe of vanities had i in store to catch a vaine passenger ? how happy were i , if i could but finde one day that might justifie her plea for that dayes employment ? was it not mine highest ambition to bee impaled with multitude of suiters ? was it not my glory to triumph in their repulse : and to supply their decrease with an admittance of fresh servants ? have i not exprest most scorne where i received most love ? have i not solaced my selfe with their sighs : and highly prided my selfe in putting on a countenance of disdaine ? was there any dresse so fantasticke , which did not quickly take mee ? did any habit lesse please mee , than what seem'd most gracefull in the eye of modesty ? what rests then , but that thou redeeme the time ? put off that habit of lighnesse which thou hast so long affected : addresse thy thoughts to winne nobler suiters than thou hast hitherto desired . thou art but yet in thy prime ; deferre not one houre longer from rescuing thine honour . blush at those sensuall delights which have so long tane possession of thee . let it bee thy greatest scorne to blemish thy soules glory , with making an idol of a light portion of earthly beauty . and though thy youth will hardly admit so strange an over-ture : let it be thy taske to prevent occasion , and to subject sense to the command of reason . the more difficulty which attends the taske , the more glorious shall be thy victory . one minute is too long , to adjourne such a purpose : bid adieu then to thy darling pleasure ; and that for ever : so maist thou enjoy those will last for ever . nor was this noble-femal convert slower in performing than shee was in promising . for desiring a small portion from her friends , to support her with a competency of livelyhood : with a constant resolution shee bad farewell to those mis-spending pleasures which she formerly so tenderly loved . embracing a private retired life , where shee bestowed many precious houres in devotion to her owne comfort and others direction . a rare president in this age , for one in the very flower of her age , to change the condition of light love , with the profession of a strict life . thus have wee made appeare unto you what excellent professors , and practisers women have beene in all these imitable vertues , with store of choyce examples in each of them . from these wee are to descend to their moderation of passion , wherein , as in all the rest , wee intend to bee as briefe as may hold with the quality of the subject whereof wee are to intreat . section iii. their moderation of passion . to vindicate their weake sexe from what they are most taxed : and cleare them in the testimony of opinion of that wherein they stand most censured , might seeme to some supercilious eye a taske of maine difficulty : and yet such a province are we to enter , and to accomplish ( if our hopes faile us not ) to their demeriting honour . nor doe we assume this taske , to ingratiate our selfe with that sexe : for our decline from youth hath wained our affections from all such objects : but to bestow upon such as deserved well of opinion , their just character , reward and guerdon . it is our common english proverbe , the worm will turne againe : and weake women , who have no other armor to shield them , no other refuge to shroud them but a few hasty words , or passionate teares , must needs plead their innocence , when injuries shall assaile them , with such supplies as nature ha's afforded them . yet even in this defensive provision , i shall instance some so rarely moderate ; as discretion injoyn'd them silence in the one , and resolution a masculine patience in the other . at that unexemplary disaster at cannae , when the utter ruine and overthrow of the romans rung in every place ( not to mention the well-composed temper and resolution of the men themselves ) with what moderation of p●ssion did those roman dames beare themselves ? farre were they from shedding effeminate teares , or exclaming against destiny , or demeaning themselves in any thing unworthily . no , their spirits were inflam'd to better and higher designes . let not there occurrents amate you , said they to so many as survived that slaughter ; if you want of your owne sexe to supply you ; behold your second-selfes ready to dye with you . perish you cannot without us , you may with us . hearts we have that shall not faile you , so long as you faile not from doing what may become you . on then with resolution , and let apulia know , where you suffer'd this disaster , that rome can want no souldiers so long as she ha's women to defend her honour . yea , should we relate what incomparable moderation of passion , those famous roman matrones expressed in their great trials of patience , we should finde it more easy to admire them than imitate them . though octavia suffer in the highest measure ; she can passe over her indignities with a sweet smile : and sleight her too good grounds of jealousy , with a winning letter , wishing only her husband to be tender of his honour . porcia can suffer in a noble manner for her endangered lord , yet scornes in teares to manifest her love . her study is to second him with advice , to prevent danger , come off with honour , and leave to posterity a memorable testimony of his valour . tanaquil , that noble lady , wife to tarquinius priscus , can in the lowest ebbe and defluence of fortune , encourage her husband to noble attempts : saying , it was not the property of a brave spirit , to lose any part of his courage for an adverse encounter , or put finger i' th' eye for any disaster ▪ but to arme himselfe with resolution so much higher , as the insulting braves of fortune have brought him lower . nay , consider , quoth she , how fortune owes you , so much as she ha's taken from you . by which advice he became so strengthned , and by her perswasions so incouraged as of a private tuscane , he so discreetly and moderately behaved himselfe , that after the death of ancus , he was created king of the romans . that temperate caecilia , how wisely she moderated her passion in those extreamest gusts of fortune , may remaine a singular instance in this kind . danger could not beget in her a shivering feare ; nor her present suffering one trickling teare . she found nothing worth prizing but her honour ; which preserv'd , she could with all indifferency entertaine any encounter : to lose that which i never had , quoth she , i cannot : and to grieve for the losse of what i once had , i will not : seeing , as my predecessors once enjoy'd what i now have , so must my successors have what i now enjoy . hence doe i gather a moderation of passion in eyther . cornelia , whose very name merits a title of succeeding honour , shewed no arguments of unbeseeming passion in the very height of her affliction ; knowing how to value the quality of griefe . though not the least beameling of comfort appeared , she reteined such a noble spirit ; as not a roman lady but admir'd her ; nor any annall writ in her time , but records the memory of her . nothing could trouble her but septimius treason : and this appeared more nobly in her . for nothing can be more odious to any heroick mind than the ignominious act of a traitor . and what worse than to see a servant betray his master ? to see one , whom her lord had relieved ; with many favours graced ; and to immerited honours advanced ; deprive him of life to whom both his life and fortunes stood ingaged ! to this vertuous lady , whose many misfortunes had taught her sufficiently how to moderate passion ; and with a discreet checke to discourage the proffer of any light affection , might those lines be aptly applied , exhorting those young ladies to follow the steps of so noble a grand-mother . for you , young ladies , you 've a patterne too , one , whose religious life will teach you how to manage yours : and this is your grand-mother : it were piacular to name another . nor is there any such necessity to fetch our instances from tiber : excellent women have both former and present times afforded within this hedged garden , whose admirable temper , to their never-dying honour , hath deserved no lesse praise . such , who could smile at misery , and with such a composed grace entertaine the stormes of fortune : as none that saw them , could doe lesse than highly condemne her of inequality of judgement , or want of sight , ( to her a proper attribute ) to bring them downe to the lowest part of her wheele , who deserved for moderation of passion , with other arguments of discretion , to be ranked with the highest in the common-wealth . nor , indeed , can this moderation of passion , whereof we now treat , receive more approvement from any person , than such an one , who sometimes ha's enjoyed the fulnesse of earthly happinesse ; and afterwards fallen into the extremities of want : or such , who though they partake in all freedome and fulnesse of fortune ; seconded by powerfull friends : rewarded with deserving honours : yet finde an eclypse or contraction of light in all these , by some private discontent ; which by strength of assistants is in their power to redresse by revenge , but out of their noblenesse of spirit will not . this i could illustrate by many notable examples : where we shall finde one amiable enough for a consort ; and too accomplish'd for a prostitute , by him dis●valued , where she should be most honoured : disgraced , where she would be most approved . nor can this unhappy man alledge any cause why he should not love her , but because he is tyed to love her ; which tye and title of wife does so vexe him , as she can devise no way to please him : yet is not her diligence any thing remitted ; nor her desire to give content fore-slowed . divided beds cannot distemper her : she hopes in time to win him to her , and waine him from those , who have aliened his minde from her . nothing discontents her more than to be discontented : whatsoever shall happen , she stands prepared . o , but will some say , such a woman may be called rather a picture than a mirror ! an image made up of rye-dow . one who is either so simple , as she knows not the quality of a wrong : or so sheepish , as shee dare not say her soule is her owne . and such are neither fit for wives nor mistresses . for as fooles cannot at any time be troubled with mirth , because nothing that good is , can happen unto them : nor perplexd with griefe , because nothing that ill is , can seeme so unto them ; beeing as incapable of the one , as insensible of the other : no more can those apprehend the weight of an injury , either through weakenesse of spirit , or stupidity . whereto i answer ; that wee receive not here into the list of our discourse any such stoicall apathists , who are insensible of passion : for such were strange stocks to graffe on . yea , the o●conomick well observes , that a family through want of spirit in the governesse , is no lesse disordered than by too much spirit disquieted . in a legendary story is mention made of such a saintly sufferer , which for the rarity of the relation i have here inserted . there was sometimes one , who weary of the world , desired to waine himselfe from all secular cares , and betake himselfe to a religious privacy : so as , within short time hee was received into the covent . now it hapned one day , that this religious man walking alone in the garden , seemed as one much discontented : which the abbot observing , came unto him , demanding the reason of his heavinesse : willing him to impart unto him the occasion of his griefe , as became an inferiour member of the society to d●e unto his superiour . nothing , reverend father , answer'd he , concerning my owne particular : nor doth it repent me to have enter'd into this religious order : for i finde more comfort in one houre within these wals , than ever i could in all those possessions i injoyed in the world. but i must tell you , father , that i have one only sonne , which i left behind me , and very deare was hee unto me ; now i am much perplext in mind about him : for i know not how the world may deale with him . tender are his yeares , which addes to the measure and number of my cares . nor am i so confident of their trust , to whom i recommended him , as to free me from that piou● jealousy which i harbour in my breast touching him . advise me then , deare sir , what course were best to take , that my care may be setled : and his safety provided , on whom with equall hopes and feares the troubled thoughts of a father are many times fixed . is this your cause of heavinesse , said the abbot ? to rid you from these cares , and increase your hope in his succeeding yeares , send him to me , and see what effect will come of it . according to the abbots direction , he causeth his sonne , who , indeed , was a daughter ( which he dissembled for some reasons ) to be sent for . who , after some time of probation , was admitted to the society . now it chanced , that the daughter of an eminent person , not farre distant from that abbey , was got with childe , and for some private respects to her selfe best knowne , desirous to conceale the true father ; layd the childe upon this supposed brother ( who was indeed a sister . ) this saintly creature was so farre from defending her owne innocency , as she tooke unto it , as if she had beene the true father which begot it . the rumor hereof so highly incensed the abbot ; holding it to be a great scandall to his society , to have any one under his charge , conscious of such impiety ; as he straightly commanded that this adulterous person should be expulst the house : and to receive no reliefe , but such as common-beggers were wont to have at the gate . this censure she receives with patience , without least discovery of her innocence : and though diverse of the fraternity interceded the abbot in her behalfe : acquainting him with the piety of her fore-past life , with the patient suffering of whatsoever his reverend authority had injoyned her : yet would not the abbot relent , nor remitte any part of her punishment : nor ever be perswaded by all the meanes that could be made , to receive her againe into the covent . thus continued this simple innocent soule , free from that sinne , yet expos'd to all shame : relinquish'd by her selfe , because undefended : nor justifide by her father , because he had vow'd that her sexe should not by his meanes be discovered . till at last , death impos'd an end to her misery , and publish'd to all the world her innocency . the report whereof so highly perplexed the abbot : as he with the whole covent continued a long time sorrowing : not without admiration of her patience : recommending her memoriall to posterity for a recompence . this example when you read , i imagine , you will smile at ; and say , this wench had a kinde heart that could so meekely suffer for anothers offence : which argued in her , rather a senselesse stupid disposition , than any discreet moderation of passion . — and would you have us turne such young saints , and in the end become old devils ? no ; ( though this unexemplary president might deserve more admiration than politicall approvement ) we propose such whose conceipts are apprehensive enough , to weigh the quality of a wrong ; spirits stout enough to revenge ; and power enough to second that revenge : yet are endued with so noble a temper , as they held it their highest honour , to expostulate the cause mildly ; rather than with fire and faggot to menace a revenge , where they owe an obedience : and ought to overcome extremities ( so they be not above humane sufferings ) with patience . such an one as one of these , had that brave colonell ; who professed , that though he encounter'd with broyles abroad , he never found any brawlles at home : though he bicker'd with stormes by sea , he enjoyed a calme still by land. not like that fierce virago , who being married to a souldier ; ever used to welcome her husband home with a powder ; and being one day , in a more temperate mood , asked by him , why she used such liberty with her tongue , as after that manner to entertaine him still with such hayle-shot ? o , quoth she , i hold it good discretion , to inure you to what you must suffer : seeing your cares are so well acquainted with the noise of the canon abroad , you may well enough endure a little haile-shot at home ; words breake no bones , husband ; would to god , your enemy would use you so . that syracusan generall gave a strong testimony of his wifes temper , when in a publicke meeting , he protested : that he had in all his time found it farre more easy to discomfit a commanding foe , or demolish the strongest fort , than to overcome his wifes patience . albeit , there are many , whose discreet and well-composed temper can suffer all injuries ; imbrace poverty with a pleasant smile : receive any dis-respect from their dearest with incredible patience : yet , when their owne fame shall come to be questioned ; they hold that too precious a prize , too high a stake to bee hazarded . this was that noble roman ladies resolution : let me suffer , quoth she , in the height of fortunes contempt ; let that ambitious one , whom i most maligne ; receive those honours i should enjoy ; imbrace that person whom i love best . should i be enforc'd to begge reliefe from her hand , where i conceive the constantst hate : should i encounter with all the extremities that adversity could lay upon mee : all these were nothing ; so i may preserve that fame untainted , which i have hitherto preserved . fortune can but take from us what is hers : it is our actions only , or others injurious obloquie can deprive us of what may be truly and properly styled ours . no lesse absolute was she in the command of her passions ; who being one day in private discourse with a gentleman of excellent winning parts ; and one whose glib tongue could winne ground upon least advantage : was demanded by him , how she could brooke to heare her husband to be such a generall courter of fresh mistresses : and to boast of their favours in her presence ? o , sir , quoth she , all this is but to court me with more formality when he comes to mee ! i finde no faile in his love , why should i then distaste what he likes ? if he had more serious imployments to bestow himselfe on , i little doubt but he would asmuch sleight the courting of a light mistresse , as he now affects it for want of better imployment . if others bestow their favours on him , and he reserve his best favour for me ; it were my weaknesse to suffer others respects to him , to beget a jealousy in me . i neither reteine that meane conceipt of my selfe , as to conceive the least thought of his loving of any one better than me : nor have i any such opinion of his inconstancy ; as to imagine him desirous to preferre any one in his esteeme before me . thus have you heard their excellent temper in moderation of passion , with what indifferency they could beare the braves of fortune ; with what innocency they could beare the weight of injuries . how their fame was the only touch-stone of their patience : which secured , nothing so extreame , which they have not with resolution encountered , and with constancy subdued . which mildnesse begets in them a neare resemblance with that well-dispose feminine monarchy of bees ; for as the naturall historian observes , that their king has no sting as other bees have , reteyning such an offencelesse quality , as hee cannot sting any , sufficing himselfe with a princely clemency , to supply the place of soveraignty : so these hold it power sufficient to have had the power to revenge : and by their inferiour subjects to repell the insolence of a bold intruder ; holding it a derogation to their honour , to become a personall revenger . certaine it is , that no vertue more ennobles a rationall soule than this moderation of passion : nor deserve they either to manage any publique or private charge ; who cannot restraine these insulting motions , which so miserably captivate the better part : as by giving way to appetite , man though he retaine the name , he loseth the nature & prime priviledge of man. he only , and none but he deserves to be honoured , who is with goodnesse endowed . for foot-cloath honour , it is but an eye-object : it may exact of an humble passenger a low congy or salute : but his horse , for ought that i know , being so richly covered , deserves as much honour as he that rides on it . and no doubt with a little helpe of a cynicks lanthorne , it were very easy in this silken age to finde with aristippus , stones sitting on stones , and barbarous asses riding on barbary horses . but we have other surveys to take in hand : being now to descend from their moderation of passion , to their continency in assaults ; even to those , where they bore most loyall love and affection . section iv. their continency in assaults . opportunity is a dangerous attendant for youthfull love. and yet shall we present to your eyes ; such noble commanders of their desires : as neither opportunity of place , nor importunity of person , though affection had entered farre into their bosome , could make them dispence with honour . long had that roman sophronia beene importun'd by a deserving suiter ; one , whose youth might deserve love : and whose beauteous personage might have seaz'd of store of mistresses without much sollicitancy : one in whose eyes love sparkled : seeming to merit admittance without parliance . yet findes hee his sophronia of another temper , than to preferre her pleasure before her honour : she can addresse him this answer : what straying eyes have you observ'd in us ? what loose passage ha's there fallne from us , or wherein have you seene any argument of lightnesse by us ? that you should be so weakly opinion'd of us ? doe you know our family , and c●n you conceipt us forgetfull of our fame ? trust me , sir , either light thoughts have so mis-guided you , as you have quite forgot who we are : or some base trader , i might say , betrayer of womens honour ha's deluded you , by giving you incouragement to such an indiscreet attempt . returne home then , sir , i could wish you : and recollect those wits you have scattred : which done , it will behove you to begge from me a pardon , whom you have sought with so unjust an affection . it could not chuse but redound highly to scipio's commendations , that being a young man of yeares of age , in the taking of a city in spaine , he should so nobly vanquish his owne affections , by repressing his flames of lust , when a beautifull maid was brought him , as a trophey of his victory : restoring her to a young man called allantius , to whom she was espoused , with a great reward , as an additament to her dower . yet for all this , it may be imagined with an easy glosse , that her honour suffered an assault : and that the maids repulse begot in that victorious commander a singular esteeme of her vertues . it is true , that darius wife and his three daughters , being spared by alexander , improved more his fame , than all those glorious attempts which ever he had atchieved . yet our criticks will not sticke to say , but they were attempted : yet so constant were they in preserving their honour , as neither majesty could command , nor beauty ( as what prince more amiable ? ) allure ; nor their owne present estate admit any unjust freedome to so commanding a suiter . but to prove unto you , that nothing is more incomparably precious than a continent soule ; and that conjugall love held such a firme tye even amongst ethnicks , as they preferred that gage before all tenders of sensuall love or fading honour ; i will relate here unto you one memorable story , to improve that sexes glory , and beget a pious emulation in posterity . cannia , wife to synattus , shall be the surviving subject of this story ; whom one synoris , a man of greater authory than he , loved ; and making no small meanes to obtaine her love , yet all in vaine , supposed the readiest way for the effecting his desires to be the murdering of her husband : which he performed . this act of horror was no sooner executed , and by the roabe of his authority shrowded ( as what guilt so hainous , but may receive her subterfuge from greatnesse ) than he renewed his suite , to which she seemingly assented : but being solemnely come into the temple of diana for celebrating those nuptiall rites , she had a sweet potion ready , which she drunke to synoris : wherewith both were poysoned . in which president , we shall finde rare constancy in an ethnick lady . honour , though it be a baite that is apt to take the most constant minds , could worke no such effect in her . the vow she had made to her first choyce , estranged her affection from all new favorites . she could finde no brest to entertaine him ; nor a love to receive him ; nor an heart to harbour him ; nor an arme to imbrace him ; who had embrued his hands in the blood of her dearest . no nuptiall rites can allure her ; no hope of honor delude her ; she holds fast to her first choyce without change. yet since this loving murderer must needs enjoy her , she will incline to his motion , and with a love-sick potion inshrine their livelesse bodies , without further enjoyment together . no other way could she finde to prevent it : and rather than she will assent to entertaine him for her constant lover , who was her husbands cruell murderer , the scene must be made truly tragicall , in both their disasters . admirable was the resolution of that noble captive ; who , seeing her husband not only discomfitted , but deprived of life ; and her selfe presented to the generall , as a booty worth receiving ; being for beauty so rare , as the age afforded not a fairer nor more goodly personage : so bravely sleighted her restraint , as she expressed her selfe more like a commander than a captive : if the generall at any time sued to her for love ; she would with a seeming gracefull scorne reject him telling him ; that neither her fame nor family would suffer her to play the curtezan : and if he meant to make her his wife ; she had not yet wip't away her funerall teares ; and therefore could not so soone entertaine any nuptiall treaties . she wished him to reteine a better opinion of her sexe , than to imagine womens honour to be as easily wonne as forts or sconces . nor could her present condition so discourage her , as to admit a thought for a kingdome , to impeach her honour . demand nothing of me , would she oft-times say , now when i am your slave , but what you might as well require if i were free . trust me , liberty cannot so much please me ; as losse of honour would afflict me . the one is in your hand to give ; and the other in mine to preserve . fetters are easy burdens to an infranchised minde . though my outward state be poore , i desire to keepe my inward state pure . lower i cannot be in fortunes , nor higher in esteeme with the immortall gods , whom i prize above all fortunes ; so i enjoy my selfe ; by freeing my unstained honour from the injurious hand of an unjust incroac●er . which resolution so well acquitted her ; as after those due solemnities observed for her deceased husband : she was received for a wife by the generall . no lesse constant in her vertuous affection was that noble maid ; who , having set her love upon a young gentleman , whose parts were many , though his fortunes few : her father taking notice of her extraordinary resp●ct towards him : and having divers times admonished her to forbeare his company ; but all in vaine : at last he resolved of a course , by bringing in an other suiter , in fortunes richer , though his breeding m●aner ; to weine his daughters affection from him . many weekes were not past , till the match was concluded ; the marriage-day appointed , and all things prepared to solemnize this enforced bargain . but how farre the young maids mind was aliened from her fathers choice , might well appeare by the answer she return'd her suiter , at such time as he made her acquainted how all things were concluded : is it possible , quoth she , that all things should be finished , and the party whom it most concerns , never acquainted , much lesse consented ? yes , mistresse , quoth he , i can assure you , your father and rest of your friends knew of it long since ; and your father thought so well of it , as he consented to it . ha's he so , answered she ? then it seemes you have his good-will ? yes , forsooth , quoth this country hoyden : why then , said she , pray you goe marry my father , whose good-will you have got : for you should wrong his daughter , to marry her whose good-will you have not . but all this could not decline her hard-hearted father from his rich unworthy choice . married she must be , and to her lasting discontent . which when it could not be prevented ; you shall heare what accident hence insued . the time being now come , when this inforced match was to be solemnized , and she to be given in marriage : even then when her unhappy father was to take her by the hand , and give her to her contemptible choice : instead of her hand , he received from her this answer : sir , expect no hand from me , for i cannot give it : having already sent it to him , who ha's most interest in it . enforce me then no further , deare father ; what joy can this heavy bridall afford that gentleman ; when he makes choice of such a consort , that ha's neither hand nor heart to give him ? and such an one shall he enjoy in me . my hand , behold , i have sent him ; and my heart i have ingag'd him . surcease then to afflict an unhappy maid with a supply of more discomforts . this sorrowfull spectacle ( having shown her right arme without an hand ) broke up that match . for by the persuasion of friends , her father was moved to give her in marriage to her first choice , with whom she lived in that content ; as she thought her hand well bestowed , to rid her of one whom she so much hated : and confirme her his , to whom both heart and hand stood religiously ingaged . those dainty dalmatian virgins shewed no lesse continency in resisting the assaults of their commanding enemies : who , when they saw their people discomfitted , their country depopulated , their principall ●ities demolished , and themselves captives ; were nothing at all amated . insomuch as , being lead away prisoners , one amongst the rest stept out and spake in behalfe of herselfe and the rest in this manner : whither do you dragge us ? what way doe you hale us ? should you deprive us , of what is most esteemed by us ; it were but a poore purchase ; seeing , our wils have vow'd even unto death to make resistance . take us then to your wives , and we will serve you ; whereas , if you make strumpets of us , we will hate you : and when you are most confident , take occasion to be revenged of you . which speech made their foes their friends : causing their profest enemies to become their sponsall consorts ; by turning their inveterate fury , unto an affectionate fancy : which procured their countreys safety , and published to the world their continency . full of masculine valour , and carefull of preserving their honour , did those scythian women beare themselves : when seeing their miserable country made desolate by an unfortunate overthrow : they thought good to keepe touch with their discomfitted and dis-slaughtered husbands . for having promised them , that if they were vanquish'd by their enemies , they would performe the duty of constant wives , and keepe their honours untainted in despite of all assailants . these constant dames no sooner heard of their husbands sorrowfull discomfiture , than resolved according to their promise , to preserve their honour : with one voyce and vote being gathered together , they conclude to have themselves shut up in severall places provided for that purpose , and there burned , and in their owne ashes buried together . there may be found likewise some of this sexe , who having yeelded up the forts of their honours upon faire tearmes , and as they conceived , for their owne advantage ; yet declined afterwards from that familiarity which they formerly imbraced : by forbearing their company , whom they seemingly affected : and this strangenesse proceedeth from some reasons either out of simplicity or pollicy best knowne to themselves . this makes me remember that merry tale ( to interveine mirth with more serious discourse ) which i have heard sometimes told to this effect . in the towne of brada ( a place which ha's ministred sufficient matter of discourse in these later times ) there were souldiers bill●ted for defence thereof against the enemy . these according to the freedom of their profession , continued there for a season in all jollity and pleasure : every one having his dainty doxy or damasella to consort with . thus they lived ; loved , and neighbourly conversed , till the enemy approached : whose incamping spoiled their courting . for being come before the towne , with a firme resolution , as they understood , to winne , or perish : those within the towne , fearing , as it afterwards proved , that it would be a long continued siedge ; were advised to remove from them all such as could not be usefull for service , as old men and women ; who if they stayed with them , would partake of their provision , but afford them no assistance in a time of such imminent danger . these old men and women , being thus disposed and privately conveyed to severall ports adjoyning : this sharpe siedge goes on : which fell out so commodious to the enemy , so disadvantageous to the towne ; as being blockt up from taking in any provision , they were driven into a great strait . notwithstanding , with much prowesse and constancy of spirit . they repelled the force and fury of their be●iedgers repairing by night what was ruined by day : and suffering no opportunity to passe wherein they might either offend the enemy , or defend themselves from his hostility . but seeing no possible hope of reliefe ; and an extreame famine drawing on ; having beene inforced , for want of better provision , to eate horses , doggs , and cats ; which begot diverse pestilent and contagious diseases within the towne : and having now their magazins so emptied , as their very last corne was in the oven . yea , taking notice how they were jeered by the enemy ; when at any time they came neare the battlements : using to put their canes in arch holes , and to counterfeite the noyse of dogs and cats , to delude them : by making them waite for their comming out , that they might take them and feed on them . being , i say , thus inclosed with all extreames , they resolved upon a parliance to yeeld up the towne ; upon such faire and honourable tearmes , as the least dishonour that could be , redounded to them : only , indeed , the towne was wonne from them , which was not lost for want of courage , but provision . and being now to leave the towne with antients and colours display'd ; and bullets in their mouth : one of these brave metald sparks , remembring himselfe how that sometimes before . siedge was laid to the towne : he was acquainted with a bona-roba ; and how she was disposed of in such a port : resolves with himselfe to repaire thither , and renue his former familiarity with her : but comming to the place of her aboad , he found the wind turn'd ; being received by her with an unexpected coynesse ; which he much wondring at , demanded the reason of her nicenesse ? putting her withall in mind of their former acquaintance , which might be an inducement to move her to tender him the like favour : no point , souldado , quoth she ; for me does much feare , you will get me with colt , you have eaten so much horse-flesh . what a strange countenance the souldier made upon this wantons answer , i leave to your conceipt who reades this : no doubt , but he went away with a flea in his eare , to purchase an other mistresse , and one more constant , if he might aspire to that happinesse . but to omit these , should we peruse the stories or records of all times , we should find admirable instances in this weaker sexe for resisting the bold attempts of loose suiters : being so constant in the defence of their honour , as neither price could betray ; nor prayer perswade ; nor power enforce their affections , to give way to the least breach of their continency : crowning ever their noble aymes with a cheerefull victory . but i am to descend now to the next subject : wherein it shall appeare that they have ever made honour their highest object : for in this may you see portrayed to life , not only their zeale to modesty , but their tender care to prevent all occasion of jealousy . no wandring eyes to hunt for a suiter ; no straying feet , like dinah's , to betray their honour . a modest countenance shall you finde without dissembling ; a comely habit , without phantastick affecting ; and a firme loyall love without apish toying : mine shall be the taske ; be yours the patience . we shall tender nothing to your modest eares that may possibly minister distaste ; much , if opinion transport me not , that may afford you benefit : and amply satisfy your longing appetite with a variously stored and well-furnished banquet . section v. their modesty in count'nance , habit , and expression of their affection . countenance . the habit or quality of the mind is best discerned by the carriage or composure of the body . a doe not say , saith that devout father , that you have modest minds , so long as you have immodest eyes . b how can she weep for her sinnes ( saith s. hierom ) when her teares will make furrows in her face ? with what confidence dare she lift up her countenance to heaven , which her maker acknowledges not ? &c. light habits suite not well with grave hearts : nor wandring eyes with setled minds . c these plaisterings and pargettings of faces to attract adulterous eyes , and to beget suiters , sort better with prostitutes and impudent strumpets , who make sale of their honour , than modest women , who preferre their fame before the sad fruition of all earthly pleasure . o , what a madnesse is it to change the very forme and mold of nature , and to esteeme more of a picture than a reasonable creature ! s. hierom writing to marcella saith , d that those women are matter of scandall to christian eyes , who paint their faces with cerusse and such like painting stuffe : labouring to correct their ma●●●r , and with an impudent hand to rectify the errors of their first feature . e such a picture , says s. ambrose , is a vicious imposture . f thou defacest the image of god , when thou deprivest thy count'nance of her native candor , and strivest to beautify it with an artificiall colour . nor can it move lesse than a pious compassion in the heart of any well-affected christian , to see such adoe made in patching and dawbing this outward cottage , which threatens ruine daily : and such neglect showne to the inner house , which communicates to the body , both life and beauty . petrarchs advice was otherwise : g be not affraid ( saith he ) though the out-house of thy body be shaken , so the soule , the guest of the body , fare well . h i would , i poor wretch ( saith tertullian ) might see in that day of christian exaltation , whether with cerusse , and purpurisse , and saffron , and such compasse of tyres about your heads you shall rise againe ? whether such an ornament or habilement shall plead for you at the day of judgement ? seeing then , as festus pompeius saith , that common and base whoores called schaenicolae used dawbing of themselves : i and that no good face will seeke these helps . k and that deservingly she incurres a censure , who seekes to improve nature by any shop-beauty or borrowed colour . l and that such affected rubbish or refuse as face-varnish , or any such exquisite neatnesse can no way suite with christian comelinesse . m and that there is one flower to be loved of women , a good red , which is shamefastnesse . n and that we are expresly forbidden to paint that face which god hath made . let beauty receive her improvement from no other hand than nature ; what mor● , fals of from modesty , and argues a light disposition . but in my opinion , nothing discovers lightnesse so much ; a● to make strange eyes familiar with the knowledge of your breast . no serious judgement can conceipt lesse than lightly of such exposed beauty ; which that epigrammatist glanced at happily , when seeing one of these amorous girles , who had no meaning to lead apes in hell , but would rather impawne her honour than enter any vestall order , attyred in a light wanton habit , and breast displayed , and this in lent time ; when graver attire and a more confined bosome might have better becom'd her ; he wrote these lines : nunc emere haud fas est ( est quadragesima ) carnes ; quin mulier , mammas contegis ergo tuas ? with breasts laid out , why should i shambles tempt ; " it 's held unlawfull to buy flesh in lent. that passage was worthy observance , being sometimes betwixt a bedlamer and one of these phantastick girles . it chanced that a poore distemper'd bedlamer meeting with one of these huffing wenchss in the open street , daintily accoutred , and stoursy ushered : * lucky besse , quoth he , ( seeing her breasts all bare as farre as modesty would well permit , and her armes naked up to her elbow ) art not a cold ? — well , god keepe thee besse and poore tom in our wits . — else must we returne to the place from whence we came , and receive whipping-cheere for our labour . her gentleman-vsher bearing this affront of this madman upon his madam with impatience , gave him the bastinado ; but his indiscret volour brought him to more dishonour : for the bedlamer feeling it smart , so belabour'd him with his horne ; as if he had beene hornemad : and i verily thinke , had beat him blind , had not the beedle of the ward happily come in to his reskue . dainty nipples ( said that excellent moralist to a wanton gallant ) why doe ye so labour to tempt and take deluded eyes ? must not poore wormelins one day tugge you ? must those enazured orbes for ever reteine their beauty ? must nature in such ample measure shew her bounty , and you recompence her love with lying snayres to purchase fancy ? these instances i the rather insist on , because there is nothing that impeacheth civile fame more than these outward phantastick fooleries , where the eye gives way to opinion : and a conceipt is convayed to the heart , by the outward sense : for , as by the countenance , piety is impaired ; so by the eyes is chastity impeached . where this is and hath beene ever held for an undoubted maxim : immodest eyes are messengers of an unguarded heart . the principall meanes then to preserve reputation , is to avoyd all occasion of suspicion . and forasmuch as we may suffer in our fame through trifles , aswell as motives of higher importance ; wee are to be cautious in the least ; lest we be censured in these , though we fend not in the greatest . ☞ lacides prince of argos , one , whose noble parts deserved that title , had he never beene advanced thereto by the suffrage of his people ; was accounted lascivious only for his sleeke lookes , and mincing gate . so pompeie , because out of an affected way , as was conceived , he used to scratch his head with one finger ; albeit very continent and modest . so augustus discovered the dispositions of his daughters , by the places where they frequented ; the company with which they conversed . the countenance which they shewed ; the manner of their carriage when at any time suited . lightnesse he found in the one ; and staydnesse in the other : while the one consorts with a ruffian , the other with a senator . now to follow our former method , and present to your eyes the modesty of sundry women , whose excellent parts as they merited high approvement : so their modest behaviour inlarged those additions of their honour . where you shall find a whole roman family so derivative in their vertues one to another , as every action deserved some peculiar attribute of honour , one of these you shall finde giving these directions to her daughters : wenches , be carefull of your fame : attire your countenances with modesty ; let not your outward appearance beget in a loose lover , least hope of prevailing . lookes are legible lines : men may gather by your countenance , whether or no goodnesse have in you any residence . nor can you so dissemble light thoughts , but they will at one time or other breake forth in glowing blushes , or immodest smiles . i have beene a consuls wife so long ; as by his absence i might have taken opportunity to enjoy an inhibited pleasure by communicating my love to a stranger ; but never was pleasure comparably precious to mine honour . trace you the same path ; so shall the elysian fields receive you , when these shady embleames of vading fancy shall leave you . another , though young , you shall finde of so composed a countenance , and constant modesty ▪ as when her friends had concluded a marriage betwixt her and a noble gentleman ; whom she preferred in her affection before all others : made no other semblance of joy , nor no other expression of liking than this : that she was bound to her friends for their choyce , yet so happy was she in her present condition , as she could hardly entertaine one thought of change . yea , at such time as her nuptials were to be solemnized , and her vowed affection sealed : and nothing wanted but the rite it selfe to joyne their hands together , as their hearts long before had confirmed that tender ; when her unhappy bridegroome was by an imperiall command called away to forraine servive , as if that sad occasion had purposely pitcht it selfe to decline their solace , and perplexe their loves with a tedious expectance ; she put on so cheerefull a count'nance , as none could gather by her outward semblance that she conceived any discontent by his absence . yet so constantly affectionate was she to her divided choice , as no distance of place could aliene her love , remaining of a votaresse ( yet ever reteining an unblemish'd count'nance ) till his returne . more easily to be admired than imitated was the modesty of that incomparable aemilia ; who , being one day invited to a sumptuous feast ; where , to delight the itching eares and wandring eyes of light guests , were presented sundry wanton passages : songs , whose very ayres resounded nothing but lightnesse ; obscene motions and gestures , which relished nothing more than wantonnesse : was asked by a merry gossip , who sat next to her , how it far'd that she laughed not at those revels aswell as the rest ? a modest dame ( replyed she ) should not so much as give an eare , much lesse afford a smile to an immodest sceane . habit . next to this modesty which many of our feminine mirrors shewed in their countenance ; we are to present unto you the decency they observed in their habit. which , as it was first ordained to keepe the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the naturall heat of the body : and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the ayre ; becomes so inverted by abuse , as it suites it selfe to neither of those necessities for which it was first ordained . but the phrency of pride suffers no cold . bedlam-like it can goe in slashes , to comply with times humour , and scarcely feele the distemper of any unseasonable weather . a mistresse eye is an antidote against a fever . here you shall have one to beare more than milo's bull , upon their shoulders . such a weight of jewels , stones , borders and carknets , as it seemes wonderfull to me ( to use the words of a learned father ) that they are not pressed to death with the burden they beare . others like so many pye-coloured butter-flyes , falling from silke-wormes , and changing their nature with their colour , disguise themselves in the lightest stuffs of vanity ; which kind of habit may be , indeed , truly styled the minds anatomy . with these nothing can be received into grace , that appeares grave : nor ought complete , that is not fantasticall . farre otherwise affected was that noble lady ; who , when a peere of this kingdome came to visit her , and seeing all those inner rooms of her house hung with black , demanded of her the reason of her sorrowing ? why , my lord , quoth she , ha's your honour slept all this while , and never heard how i was a desolate widdow ? yes , said he ; but it is long since your husband dyed , so as , by the custome of our nation , you might before this time have left off that habit. o , quoth she , but it seemes but as yesterday to me , since he died ; your honour then must give me leave to weare one livery both in heart and habit. why , replyed this lord , the very pagans had times limited for their sorrowing and funerall solemnizing . but we are christians , said she ; and though i weepe not as those without hope , yet must i needs with a pious sorrow bemoane the losse of so honourable an helpe . but admit one in my case were not to be an incessant mourner : you will confesse , i am sure , she should be a constant remembrancer . and though no profest votaresse , yet would it well beseeme her to make her chamber her cloister . now , my lord , for mine habit , though it please not the eye of a courtier , yet will it suite well with the humour of such suiters as i meane to entertaine . a richer covering i shall not need , and this i hope my meanes will maintaine . she seemed constant to her countrey weare ; who comming over into this island with other out-landish women ; was wished , to accommodate her selfe according to the habit of our nation : o , pardon me , madam , quoth she , i am neither so forgetfull of my owne countrey , as to put of her livery : nor so meanely opinion'd of it , as to change it with any forraine bravery . nor , if i should shape my selfe to the habit of your nation , could i any long time be knowne by it , being so changeable in her fashion . a divine answer return'd that excellent lady to an impertinent objection , when being one day asked , why she attir'd not her selfe to the fashion of the time ? o , sir , quoth she , because the time observes no fashion . but if you wonder at my plainenesse , and why i bestow no more cost on my apparell ; i must tell you , i can see no reason in the world that wee should pride us in that , which , had we not sinned , we had never needed . expression of their affection . next this , let us instance what rare modesty hath beene shown by women , in the expression of their affection . how loath to be seene to love ; and how faithfull to those they did love : how shamefast in their professing ; and how steadfast in their expression . i preferre love before life , said that noble aurelia to one of her maiden-sisters ; yet had i rather loose my life , than discover my love . the like said that sweet sulpitia ; i could finde in mine heart to dye for my love , so my love knew not i dyed for his love . the like said that vertuous valeria : i could wish to dye , so my clarentius knew not for whom i wish'd to dye . that brave burgundian lady expressed the like modesty ; i will passe by him , said she , and never eye him : my heart shall only speake to him ; for my tongue , it shall rather loose it selfe than unloosen it selfe to him . a rare expression of affection shewed that young maid ; who , seeing her lover deprived of all meanes to enjoy her by the aversenesse of his father : and understanding , how he had resolved through discontent to take his fortune beyond the seas , with a religious vow , never to solicit any womans love , for the space of five yeares : she , though till that time , she had ever borne him respect with such discreet secrecy and reservednesse , as no eye could ever discover her affection ; intended under a disguised habit , to accompany him in his journey . cutting therefore her haire , and taking upon her a pages habit ; she came aboord in the same ship wherein he was received ; and so continued during all that sea-voyage , by the helpe of that disguise and discolouring of her haire , to her lover , altogether unknowne . and being now arrived at the port at which they aymed , this disguised page beseeched him , that hee would bee pleased to accept of his service : pretending , that since his arrivall , hee had heard of the death of his dearest friends , and such as his lively-hood relyed on ; so as , he had no meanes to support him , nor in his present distresse to supply him , unlesse some charitably disposed gentleman like himselfe , would be pleased to take compassion of him , and entertaine him . this exil'd lover commiserating his case , tooke her into his service ; little imagining that his page was his mistresse . but no doubt , bore his late-entertained servant more respect for the resemblance he conceived betwixt his page and mistresse . thus lived they together for a long time : during which space , shee never discovered her selfe : holding it to be to no purpose , seeing hee had taken a solemne vow ( as was formerly said ) that hee would sollicit no womans love for such a time : so as , rather than he should violate his vow , ( which by all likelyhood hee would have done , had hee knowne who was his page ) she chused to remaine with him unknowne , expressing all arguments of diligence and carefull observance that any master could possibly expect from his servant . hope , which lightneth every burden ; and makes the most painefull service a delightfull solace , sweetned the houres of her expectance : ever-thinking , how one day those five yeares would bee expired , when she might more freely discover her love , and he enjoy what hee so much desired . but fate , who observes no order betwixt youth and age ; nor reserves one compassionate teare for divided loves , prevented their hopes , and abridged their joyes by her premature death . for being taken with a quartan-fever , she languished even unto death : yet before her end , she desired one thing of her master in recompence of all her faithfull service ; which was , that he would be pleased to close up the eyes of his page , and receive from him one dying kisse : and lastly , to weare for his sake one poore ring , as a lasting memoriall of his loyall love . all which his sorrowfull master truly performed : but perceiving by the posy of the ring that his deceased page was his mistresse : and that he had bestowed that ring on her , at such time as he departed from her ; it is not to be conceived , what continued sorrow he expressed for her . a story of no lesse constant nor passionate affection may be here related of that deeply inamoured girle ; who , though she preferred her honour before the imbraces of any lover : and made but small semblance of any fondnesse or too suspicious kindnesse to him , who had the sole interest in her love . yea , so farre was her affection distanced from the least suspicion : as her very nearest friends could scarcely discover any such matter betwixt them : yet at such time as her unfortunate lover , being found a notorious deliquent in a civill state , was to suffer ; when , all the private meanes by way of friends that she could make , prevailed nothing for his delivery : and shee now made a sad spectator of his tragedy . after such time as the headsman had done his office , shee lept up upon the scaffold : and in a distracted manner , called all such people as were there present , to witnesse : that hee who had suffer'd could no way possibly be a delinquent , and she innocent : for this heart of mine ( said she ) was his ; how could he then do any thing whereof i was not guilty ? nor could this poore distempered maid , by all the advice , councell , or perswasion that could be used to her , be drawne from the scaffold ; ever and anon beckning to the the executioner to performe his office : for otherwise hee was an enemy to the state , and the emperours profest foe . nor could she be without much force haled from the scaffold , till his corpse was removed . the historian gives a noble attestation of that majestick marcella : that none would ever have thought that she had loved her husband , till shee injoyd him ; but none more discreetly deare in the expression of her affection , after she had married him . but as vertue receives her proper station in the meane ; so all extreames decline from that marke . i have heard of some , who were so over-nice or gingerly precise in expressing their affections ; as they would not admit so much favour as a faire or equall parliance , unlesse he observed his distance , to their affectionate servant . these will not grant admittance to their suiters , to preferre their requests in their chambers . no ; they must be distanced by some partition or window ; or else wooe by prospective glasses : or utter their thoughts ( with the silent lady ) through canes or trunks ; as if affection were an infection . but this nicenesse tastes more of folly than modesty . those only deserve approvement , who can so season their affections with discretion ; as neither too much coynesse taxe them of coldnesse , nor too much easinesse brand them of forwardnesse in the ordering of their affection . this closeth fitly with those posies of two cursory wits writ in a window by way of answer one to another : she , she , for me , and none but shee that 's neither forward nor too free . which was answered in this manner , in a paralell way to the former . that wench , i vow , shall be my joy , that 's neither forward nor too coy . but thus much may suffice for instances of this kind : we are now to descend from the expression of their constant but modest love , to such as were corrivals in their affections ; which have in all ages brought forth tragick conclusions . section vi. the violence of some women us'd upon such as were corrivals in their choice : with examples . there is no maxime more holding than this : scepters and suiters hate competitors . agreeing well with that of the greeke poet : imperiall power and nuptiall bed brooke hardly to be rivalled . italy hath for many ages beene a tragick theater of such presentments . where you shall finde here a lady so violently strong in her affection , as her servant must have spyes neare him , if he court but an other mistresse : civile cu●●sies can hardly passe without some rackt construction . this fury , that passionate dame expressed ; when , having entertained a gentleman of excellent parts and worthy descent , to be her servant : and having enjoyed the freedome of their loves , with much familiarity for long time together : at last , by some report which shee had heard , or some other bad office suggested to her , she conceived a deep jealousy of her servant , that he begun to aliene his love from her , by setting it on such an amorous curtezan . time strengthned his conceipt ; for where suspicions of this kinde are not at first resisted , they become daily strengthened , and breake out into such fearefull issues , as they are very hardly without blood to be quenched . this jealouse dame giving free scope to her own thoughts ; contracted with a curious limner to draw the feature of that curtezan , as much to life as he could possibly doe . which done , she caused this picture amongst other pieces of incomparable art to he hung up in her lodging chamber . the next time that her favorite came , having free accesse unto her , entered into her chamber : where she had withdrawne her selfe ( purposely as may be imagined ) into a private closet adjoyning to that roome . meanetime , her unhappy servant taking a full view of all these pieces , amongst which having found out the picture of his curtezan , he bestowed his eye more upon it , than all the rest : which she observing through a cranie , and being not able any longer to containe her selfe , came hastily out of her closet where she had retired ▪ and having saluted her servant with a seeming-gracefull countenance as if all had beene well , she began to aske him in good earnest what piece he most affected , or ( as he conceived ) deserved most love ? madame , answer'd he , they are all excellent pieces , and such as have received all perfection from art : but to settle much affection upon a picture , where such a lady as your selfe is in presence , were to preferre art before nature . come , come ( quoth she ) you can dissemble daintily : — but tell me truely , whether this piece ( pointing at his curtezan ) ha's not nearest seasure in your heart ! and when he answered nothing : but i will procure a divorce betwixt you with this , ( quoth she ; ) and with that , ( having a poniard in her sleeve ) stab'd him . which fact of hers , as it brought to him a premature death ; so it hastened upon her a judiciall doome . a revenge of like nature , though performed in a fairer manner , was sometimes presented by that jealous florentine : who suspecting the constancy of her friend : and vowing revenge if it prov'd so : at last she perceiv'd , that the grounds of her jealousy were not without just cause . one day therefore she invites her corrivall to her house : where pretending , after a free and friendly entertainment , that she had such a curiouse antique piece to shew her , as the world could not paralell : she brought her to a private retyred room remote from the noise of eare , or recourse of any . where being enter'd ; madona , quoth she , shewing the picture of her servant ; doe you know that piece ? yes , madame , replyed she ; and what would you doe for his sake ? for i know well you love him . she , though shee began to excuse her selfe , could not satisfy this jealous lady : who transported with fury , to have any other to share in the object of her fancy ; interrupted her in these words : no more ; it is in vaine . your dalliance be it never so private , cannot shrowd it selfe from the eyes nor eares of florence . but as you partake in the fruition of his love , we will see what you dare to attempt for his love . if you deserve him , you will fight for him . your spirit cannot be weake , if your fancy be strong . though i might many times before this have prevented your usurped love by depriving you of life : and that in so private a manner , as no mortall eye were it never so piercing could discover : neither were my thoughts so base , nor breeding meane , nor family from whence i came , obscure ; as to stoope to such cowardize . i must tell you freely , you could not have bestow'd your love on any , whom i did more fancy , nor any one , if my conceipt delude me not , of love more worthy . but , madona , you cannot be ignorant of that proverbe : " love and command have ever had a care , " that none within their territories share . provide your selfe then , faire creature , for the encounter . here are a case of rapiers ; and the combat shall determine our titles . enjoy him both we cannot without distaste ; nor receive him without distrust . now , this will cure all distempers , and make him all yours , all mine , or neithers . and so it prov'd ; for this fatall femini●e duell , rest them both of their lifes : albeit , the one lived some few houres after , relating the sad occasion of their quarrell : and with what cheerefulnesse of spirit the combat was not only entertained but performed on both parts . no lesse desperate , but fuller of dishonour was the designe of that jealouse amorist : who hearing sundry reports of her servants inconstancy , would not at first be perswaded of any such matter , giving him all free entertainment , after her wonted manner . till at last , giving more easy way to credulity ; she began to examine the circumstances probably inducing to beliefe : and she found ( as shee conceiv'd ) sufficient grounds to confirme her suspicion ; and consequently a withdrawing of his affection . but desiring much to bee more fully satisfied touching his familiarity with that burgonesse , whereof such frequent report was every where dispersed ; she resolved to counterfeate a letter as writ from her servant unto her : and to the end all things might be with lesse suspicion carried , she used the helpe of her secretary , who could so nearely counterfeate his hand , as comparing them together , none could scarcely distinguish them . the purport of her letter was thus : mistresse , your servant hath ever addressed his loyall'st endeavours to serve you . that taske you could never injoyne him , which was not with all cheerfulnesse intertained by him . his friends and fortunes he ha's neglected to observe your commands . madame , d'alveare ( meaning her selfe ) suspects my intimacy with you . this cooles her affection , and contracts my hopes of aspiring higher , for obtaining any place in court. let it not grieve you then , deare lady , if to salve my repute , which is highly questioned : and re-assure me of my friends , who seeme much estranged : i retire for a season to vienna , where a merchant hath tender'd me all faire acceptance . yet , before my departure , i shall desire in some private place free from suspicion to meet you this evening . where we may both enjoy ourselves with more liberty , and secure our loves from the eyes of jealousy . nor only this ; but to be advised by you , what course may suite best with my present fortunes , and recovery of both our credits ; which i must tell you freely , are brought upon stage in such a disgracefull manner , as no subject of discourse within the city stands more ingaged to rumor . be pleased then , in lieu of those many devotions , which i have payd you ; those constant vowes of affection mutually received from you ; those unwilling farewe● taken of us both ; those faithfull remons●●ances returned by us both : to signify unto your servant by this bearer , my trusty agent , where we shall meet by the assisting secrecy of this evening : when and where you shall find a constant resolution winged with desire addressed to your attendance . this letter she made up and sealed it with her servants signet , which she had got out of his pocket : and with all secrecy , lest her plot should be surpriz'd , and come to discovery , she delivers it to a faithfull vassall of hers , to be conveyed according to direction . upon receipt of which letter , it is not easy to imagine how variously her thoughts were divided betwixt hope and feare . feare to forgoe one whom she so unfeignedly lov'd : hope , to perswade him by the reasons she might use , to stay . howsoever , she resolved to returne him an answer , which she addressed after this manner . servant , in the enjoyment of which title i have ever joyed ; upon the unripping of your letter , and perusall of the character , i cannot expresse unto you how infinitely i was perplexed . the paper tels me you must leave me : and my thoughts have ever-since answer'd those unwelcome lines with sighes , and told them you cannot . no ; you cannot ; if love or loyalty may confine you . the precious gage of my dearest honour detaine you . those free imbraces of our securest privacy countermand you . o! but you tell me , many eyes are on us . rumor ha's spred it selfe freely touching our familiarity . nay ; what is more ! your own fortunes become weakned ; your friends estranged ; all off the hookes , by reason of our familiar recourse . nay ; what most afflicts you ; your complete madame d'alveare grows coole in her love to you . and these are the motives that must divide you from me . faire pretences ! and yet knew you the estimate of love , you would as lightly value these , as i have valued mine honour to cloze with your content . neither are you so wanting either in friends , or fortune ; should these who beare the countenance of friends relinquish you : as you may not receive a supply from friends as eminent , farre more constant , and to the full as cautious of their honour , as your dainty madame d alveare . let not these then decline you from continuing affection where you professe : and from contemning their proffers , who merit lesse . i have left noble friends and favorites , to remaine wholly at your devotion . offers of preferrement , if they could have wrought on me , i had plenty : yet were all these weake inducements to the eye of fancy . but i will not upbraid you with the neglect of my hopes : nor the numerous favours of those gracefull suiters , who tender'd me more if i would have inclined , than my owne wishes could have expected . let it suffice you , that none can more constantly love you , than she who ha's abandoned all her hopes to enjoy you . this very evening betwixt seven and eight of the clock , at my garden-house i intend to meet you , where shall bee provided both repast and repose for you . your welcome you know ; my true heart you know : let not my freedome in these beget in you a disesteeme . my bosome is only for you , let me receive like approvement from you . this letter madame d' alveare receives ; which hastens her intended revenge . longer did not the day seeme to that corrivall , for the injoyment of her love ; than it seemed tedious to this inraged lady , to accomplish her revenge . which she performed with an act of horror in this manner . receiving benefit from the silence and secrecy of the evening , a little before the time appointed , she privately repaires to the place ; where she shrowds her selfe closely in a tuft of shady tamriks standing neare to the garden-house : expecting still her corrivals approach . which hapned all too soone . for comming to open the door , this revengefull lady having her backe towards her , pistolld her : using these words to aggravate the quality of her crime : dainty madona , your lover now at last ha's found you to be true pistoll proofe . but dye they must , who hands in blood doe dippe , gods judgements well may sleepe but cannot slippe . and so it fell forth with this cruell lady , who surprized by divine justice , suffered a just legall censure for committing a fact of such horror . but of far larger extent was her revenge ; who being satisfied of the disloyalty of her affectionate servant : under a faire and friendly pretence , invited him and her corrivall to a banket : where in diverse sugar plates she had caused poyson to be inclosed : with which she not only dispatched those two , at which principally her revenge was intended : but her selfe too , to the end that tragedy might be more completely closed . other instances i might here produce from our owne pale : but these may already seeme too many , being personated in natures of so sweet and pliable a quality . neither let these unpleasing examples distaste them , seeing our pen is addrest to returne them recompence in this their modest defence , here prepared for them . section vii . their modest defence . no age but may bring forth presidents of clemency and cruelty in both sexes : there have beene ever tares in the purest wheat ; cockle in the soundest graine ; rankest weedes amongst freshest flowers . these were indeed , savage acts for such supple natures . but if the wisdome of nature ( to speake like a naturall man ) hath provided for the poysonous spider her caule : give me leave , without the least apologizing of error , much lesse defending actions of such horror , to weave a thinne cob-web vaile in a modest defence of such , who , even in these designes though undeservedly have incurred high censure . it is an excellent rule which that sententious seneca sometimes observed , and to our use recommended : i had rather ( saith he ) offend by speaking truth , than please by playing the flatterer ; or palliating an untruth . and the same rule shall it be our care religiously to observe . for where pennes are free and not ingaged to any ; truth must consequently bee the argument of their story . there is small doubt , but some will as highly reprove lucilia for loving too much , as livia for loving too little : both were ( equally ) occasions of their husbands deaths . yet was there as great difference betwixt these two effects , as betwixt love and hate . phedra and dejanira , both of them brought their husbands to untimely ends . yet what the one did , was purposely done , to be rid of him : what the other did , was casually done to rid others love from him . good intentions many times produce heavy events . and now and then , mischievous plots comicall ends . some have had their impostumes cured , by their weapons , by which they were wounded . others have had their wounds impoisoned , where they expected to bee cured . olympia , mother to that great commander , the invincible alexander , could not but thinke it ill in her to preferre so unjust a suite to her sonne , as to request , nay conjure him by so many motherly obligements , to send forth his command that one , and he an innocent one , but much hated by the queene , should be forthwith executed : yet was the effect hereof good . for as her noble sonne disswaded her from pressing any such unjust suite : so it made him more cautious afterwards of entertaining any suite , which his mother preferred , through the injustice of that presidentall one which she presented . mandanes , did ill in disclosing her dreame : for it plotted the ruine of her son : yet the effect proved well : for the exposition of that dreame made that privy councellour of state , harpagus , to provide for the safety of the childe : and by the providence of heaven , to raise a flourishing empire out of a shepheards cottage . againe ; of the contrary side : clitemnestra thought she had done well for the safety of aegistus , when she privately hid him , when those grecian heralds summon'd him ; those fatall warres of troy called for him . yet what safety could there be in the armes of adultery ? a fearefull revenge prevented their hopes ! no sooner was that long tenne yeares siedge finished , unhappy troy ruined ; that light dishonour'd booty , the hatefull remaines of vitiated beauty , wanton helen restored , than aegistus his shamefull retire was fully revenged . the unfortunate agrippina , whose birth was her bane , whose race was her ruine ; thought she did well in fitting and accommodating her sonne , that monster of men , for an empire : yet happy had that empire been , if it had never known such a son . his education prepar'd him to comply with time : to ingratiate himselfe with senators and plebians . to affect popularity : and to cover the craft and cruelty of his nature with a seeming clemency , and gracefull majesty . thus may you see , how good intentions may produce ill effects : and some mischievous plots good ends . some by loving their husbands ( or to use that complementall garbe ) their servants too well , have by their too much love ruined both their servants and themselves . some desiring to please , have made them perish whom they sought to please . like that over-kind duck who perceiving her sweetheart to be tiklish , and thinking it to bee a pleasure , tickled him so long , till he burst his very spleene with laughter . now take a review of all those tragick examples , which in our last section we presented to your sight ! was there any one of those induced to shed blood for any hope of honour ? filthy lucre ? or any other pleasure , save only to become sole soveraignes , or absolute commanders of their own love ? their plots were ; not to bring in an empire ; usurpe immerited honour , or to send their eyes abroad , to hunt for new favour . their desires were confined , their affections closed ; their goale obtained : so they might but enjoy , without sharers , those whom they so infinitely loved . content is worth a crowne : and this crowne they held themselves seaz'd of , so long as they possest their owne . their owne , you will say ! but you relate but of few such unto us . these whom you have brought forth for such examples , had their bosomes open to more than their own corrivals in others affections , as well as their owne . which as they fell into fearefull extreames , so were they enlivened by unlawfull desires . it is true ; yet are we in charity to collect , that if they so highly valued stolne fruits , they would much more prize such as were lawfully enjoy'd . you have heard sufficient store of arguments and presidents touching their continency in assaults ; their constancy to their owne . with what equanimity they have borne all extreames to expresse their loyall hearts . hope of fortunes could not tempt them ; baits of honour could not taint them ; youthfull pleasure could not take them . they continued widdowes in the absence of their husbands . resembling snayles in the carriage of their houses : but roes in dispatch of their businesse . whence it was , as i conceive it , that the romans had a custome , that when any of their maids were married , they were to bring their houshold stuffe with them , being such as was by their friends bestowed on them ; which being brought to their bridegroomes house : they were likewise to follow in their waine or caroach ( according to the quality of their persons ) and at the tressall of the doore , to breake the wheeles of the waine , and to put off their shooes ; implying , that from thenceforth they were to be house-keepers and no gadders . and such constant house-wifes have we here offered to your imitation . plato in his dialogue entitled symposium or a gossip-meeting , by way of fiction , ( which rellish best when they arise from a pure and refined invention ) describeth the difference betwixt two kinds of venus : whereof the first was more antient , brought forth by the heavens , whom vertuous men doe follow : the second much younger , begotten betweene iupiter and dione , whom wicked men doe serve . which fiction , as it is not without delight , so neither is the morall without fruit . ye modest ones , for to you only is our lampe dedicated , are these who are brought forth by the heavens . your thoughts are fixt on that spheare from whence you came . it is not on earth that can depresse you below your selfes , be your fortunes never so dejected : nor on earth that may transport you , because your desires are higher seated . when you love , that love of yours is so purely sifted from all loose love ; as it confirmes you nothing lesse than divine . when you hate , that hate of yours is so farre from all extreames : as you have an eare no lesse ready to heare a submission , than a tender heart to seale their pardon . when you give , you give chearefully ; when you forgive , you forgive freely . you cannot heare any one defamed , but with an averse eare and declining heart , you leave the relater to himselfe : or disswade him from dispersing such reports : or stand in defence of their honour whom you heare traduced , especially , when their absence leaves them unjustified . when any light object labours to suggest an impure thought to your unblemish'd minds : you take a wise course ; you give it a repulse at the first assault : left getting enterance , it plead possession : and disturbe the whole family by her intrusion . thus by making heaven your object ; whatsoever is lesse than heaven , you make your subject . your speech , likewise is so seasoned ; that nothing is uttered by you , but what is true ; knowing , that the ground of every speech should be verity ; nor any thing with vehemency pressed , but what may redound to civile profit ; knowing , that the ayme of every speech should be vtility ; nor continued , but with a pleasing sweetnesse ; knowing , that the grace of every speech is affability . you thinke twice before you speake , and may be demanded twice before you answer . you are not like our forward gossips , whose tongues make themselves thralls . discretion ha's so regulated your speech , as it ever stands at distance with lightnesse and spleene . your words , unlike many of our feminine discourses , reteine more weight than wind ; they are like nayles fastned by the elders of the assembly ; such is their efficacy . they are like apples of gold with pictures of silver ; such is their propriety . all your dialect is regulated by the rule of charity ; you scorne to speake that of another , which you would not have another to speake of you . your discourse differs far from that talkative orator , whose use was to powre forth an ocean of words , but a droppe of reason . or like that impertinent speaker , of whose studied but stupid speech this judgement was given : that the shortnesse of it was the discreetest part of it . no ; there is not an accent breath'd by you , but it dignifies you : because preparation fits it : and an unaffected dresse beautifies it . in a word ; that which is a blemish in others , becomes an incomparable grace to you . for as you never minister occasion of discourse without cause ; so you never close it without maturity of judgement and pregnancy of conceipt . your actions , are so pure from staine , as they represent the purity of your state . your workes desire not to be clothed with vailes of darknesse . you consider how that all-seeing eye is over you , from which , though adam fly to the bush , sara behind the door , no , should the mountaines offer themselves for a shrowd : yet in vaine is such retyre : no place can hide us , from his eye that is ever over us . it was seneca's councell to his friend lucilius , that whensoever he went about to do any thing , he should imagine cato or scipio , or some other worthy romane to be in presence . this rule you observe ; you conceipt with your selves in the sacred silence of your hearts , which are so close from the affections of earth , as they only aspire to the contemplations of heaven ; that the eyes of all good men , no , even of those who are become saints , of men , are upon you . your desire is only to please them , who are only pleased with the object of goodnesse : being pythagoreans to all the world , and peripatetians to christ ; mute to all vanities , and eloquent only to christ. you follow the counsell of a mellifluous father , and of a wise morall : by setting alwayes before your eyes some good person , to the end that you might so live as if he were ever looking on you , ever eying you . there is no young gallant that need encounter you in those tearmes which that cautious cavaliere did in erasmus to his wanton mistresse : are you not ashamed to do that in the sight of god , and eye-witnesse of his holy angels , which you are ashamed to doe in the sight of men ? but now to take a view of these errors , to which your sexe becomes most ingaged : or at least , for which you are many times innocently traduced . this free speaking age will not stick to taxe you of ambition : and wherein must this consist but in your desire of precedency before others of your sexe ; and soveraignity over such as should be your heads ? and these will tell you of an ancient custome , which if you observed as you ought you would not transgresse that law of obedience so much as you do . and this was ; that when at any time a couple were married , the soale of the bridegrooms shooe was to be laid upon the brides head : implying , with what subjection she should serve her husband . but me thinks , this rituall embleme or emblematicall rite was too much underfoot , to be observed by one that should be esteemed an equall-individuall mate . she came from his side , not from his foot. and though she be not to walk checkmate with him , yet when her check shall meet with him , it cannot chuse but both appease him & please him when any thing shall distemper him . there are some likewise that will say , how your ambition clozeth not only here : your darling ayme is honour ; you could love him that suits you , if he could bestow a new stile on you . the title of madame highly takes you . nor is there any vanity that pleaseth more by playing on your fancy , than the naked complement of lovely lady . i have heard indeed , some of your sexe so affected ; but alas , this was but an harmelesse ambition . of which humour , that honour-inamoured damasella seem'd to be , who in that generall-grand call of knights , finding in her husband an unwillingnesse to accept , as she conceived , of that honour ; so farre at last prevailed with him by strong reasons and high relations of the honour and mirror of knighthood , as she perswaded with him to entertaine it . but upon his returne home , having understood , how he had payd for what he got not ; and disburs'd money for that he had not : she entertained the poore pilcherd with a bastinado : telling him withall , that though his dungrell spirit would make her no lady , her fury should make him know what she desired to be . truth is , such an innate evill is the desire of honour , as that person who affects it not , is of a rare temper . and yet that brave girle seemed to be one of these ; who being ladyfide , by an honour conferred on her decrepit husband : presently upon report of it , thus replyed : trust me , a cullis were farre more soveraigne for my spent husband , than any honour . for tell me , quoth she , speaking to the messenger ; will all this he hath gotten , restore in him nature ? will it cure in him his dry cough ? distillation of rhume from his head ? that perpetuall defluxion in his eyes ? will it strengthen his back ? will it make him bend lesse in the hams ? will it get me with boy , which his seere stock could never yet do ? if his late-purchas'd honour may produce these effects , i shall hold it worth acceptance : if otherwise , be it what it will , i shall hardly admire it , much lesse embrace it ; seing , a poste is still the same , be it never so neately painted or pargetted . an other error you are likewise taxed of ( as what sexe or degree so innocent , which the freedome of a calumnious tongue may not traduce ) and it is , your usuall frequent to court-maskes and other publique state-shows : where you use purposely to present your selves , a pretty time before any such shows are to be performed , in hope that some amorous lord , or some other complementall court-sparke will take you into some with-drawing roome , to court your beauty , and so ingratiate himselfe within the easy lists of your fancy . so as , you come not thither so much to see what is there presented ; as to be amorously courted , affectionately suited ; all which is with such yeelding silence and pleasing smiles redarted , as they hold you wonne so soone as you are wooed , tainted as soone as you are attempted , soiled so soone as you are assayled , ent'red so soone as you are assaulted . others likewise report you apt to take affection upon the moving of any personall action . if you come to a play-house , and there chance to see an active roscius breathing life in his action : you presently feele a glowing heate in your veines . you could finde in your heart to bestow the choice of a lover on such an actor . weake-grounded malice , to vent it selfe on such loving frailties ! injurious tetters to femall honours ! because their sweet pliable natures are such , as they can find no harbour for hate ; must they therefore be tax't , because their love breaks forth into too much heate ? these deserve so little answering , as if they had no other advocate , even nature her selfe would plead for them . there be some likewise who say ; that as you are commonly light in the choice of your love : so are you in your love as subject to change . if your affection be for youth ; though it best please you : yet you can seemingly bestow it on age , though nothing more displease you . and these effects those lovely fortunes of his loathed love worke in you . and what is all the employment you take in hand , after such time , as you have given him your hand and heart , ( but with no good heart ) but how to cosin him ? your use is , they will say , to give your old chrone a sleeping powder ; that you may take the keys of his treasure from under his head , the sooner , and so , long before his death , make your selves his administrators . you love him , but only in hope of a day will come : when you may freely make such an one his heire , who may suite better with your affection , and in requitall share freelier in his fortune . these will say too , that you bedew your husbands corpse with stepdames teares . those funerall flowers which bestick and bedeck his hearse , cannot be so soone with'red , as your grief●s are vanished . you bury your sorrow with him : neither is that sorrow your owne , but borrowed . a new-husband is formalled , before your old one be formally buried . now ; what poore traducements bee these ? might heathens have their times limited for mourning , and must yours be everlasting ? some will affirme too , that in comparison of men , your desires are more unbounded ; and this , they say , even our owne moderne chronicles have sufficiently confirmed . but we finde bodin worthily taxed for writing that caesar in his commentaries should say , that the englishmen of his time had but one woman for ten or twelve men ; whereas indeed , caesar never said so , or could say so , for that he never knew or heard of the name of englishmen ; seeing their comming into britaine , was ( as may be clearely computed ) almost yeares after his death . againe ; what might be the reason , will some object , why the serpent first tempted the woman rather than the man ? and this question ( ever to your disadvantage ) is no sooner , say they , proposed , than resolved by chrysostome . women are naturally unwarier , easier , and frailer . so as , in that they are unwarier , they are easilier deceived ; in that they are easier , they are sooner to good or evill perswaded ; and in that they are frailer , they are the sooner vanquished . for this cause therefore would not the devill assault the man , but the woman ; for asmuch as he knew , that a woman was sooner deceived , because unwarier ; quicklier perswaded , because easier ; and sooner vanquished , because frailer . but this objection i have so clearely assoiled in the very first subject of this booke ; as i shall little need to stand in your defence any further touching this particular . only thus much may suffice : there is small question to be made , but the serpents cunning knew well that he might by all probability soonest prevaile upon the weaknesse of a woman : yet albeit , she was first tempted , and tainted so soone as she consented : the man was as soone perswaded by the woman , though she infinitely lesse subtile than the serpent ; as the woman , though the weaker vessell , was by the subtility of the serpent . but we will passe from these , to those obvious reproofes which the present vanities of the age lay upon you . some here , amongst other objections , which groundlesse spleene is ever apt to suggest , and calumny with swift wings to disperse ; will say that ever since that time , that your teeth watred at the apple , they have ever watred at forbidden fruit . a licorish and luscious tooth hath ever since that time seazed on you . and were this all , it were to be borne with . you cannot see a proper piece of flesh , promising performance ; no dapper youth , whose strong sinnewy posture confirmes him an able complete lover , but your eye wooes him , and in so hote a chace pursues him , as though your tongue be silent , your sight is attractively eloquent . but what would these criticks have you doe ? would they have you shut those beauteous windows ; and to open them to no object that may delight you ? is there such a necessity that you cannot looke on him , but you must lust after him ? if there be any rare or prodigious monster to be seene ; we flock unto it , and bestow our money for the sight of it . and is it lawfull for us to fix our eyes with such greedinesse on a monster : and unlawfull for you to delight that pleasing sense with a beauteous object of nature ? yea ; but will these say , we direct not our censure nor judgement only by the eye ; we have other arguments to evince them of lightnesse : for goe to these late-licentiate pattentary sedans : you shall finde them shrowded there for strange arrands . though their couches have windowes to eye spectators ; they would not for a world wish that which the philosopher sometimes wished : to have windowes in their breasts , that the whole world might transparantly looke through them . poore corky fooles ! these can see nothing wagge , but they must p●epe here , and peepe there , and thinke it is actaeons shadow : whereas , it is only the shadow of their owne deluded fancy which inthrals them to this misery . nor doe these only taxe you of a various lightnesse in respect of your change , but of a jealous doubtfulnesse towards your owne choice . if you gossip it , none must question it : whereas , if they , good men , to allay a tedious houre , or drowne the disquiets they suffer at home in a cup of lethe , keep abroad late , they must be called to a strict accompt , and pay a new reckning , after their mispent day , in the evening . nay ; you will tell your innocent husbands , when , god knowes , there is no great cause to suspect them : that you know by your payles , what way the milk goes . whereas , if any rightly knew the integrity of your thoughts , they should find that such jealouse surmizes were the least of your thought . no ; you did never so much as suspect them , nor conceive any such opinion of them : for having such sensible experiments of their weakenesse , you knew well , there was no cause at all in that way to traduce them . it was your desire that late distempers should not abridge their daies , and make you widdows before your times . it was your ayme , that your husbands should preserve their fame : that they should not fall under the hazard of the halbert , or the uncivile salute of a peremptory watch. besides , alas ! it is your fortune , sometimes out of meere simplicity , to misconster the quality of an error . as that good gentlewoman did , who desiring to heare how a young student in cambridge and her kinsman , behaved himselfe in the university : and inquiring of a collegiat of his how he did : i can assure you , mistresse , quoth he , that he holds close to catharine-hall . i vow , said the gentlewoman , there was no vice that i so much feared in him as that , for the boy was given to wenches from his infancy . thus tooke this good simple woman , catharine-hall for some dainty damsell which he constantly haunted , whereas it was a collegiat-hall , which this young student so affectionately loved , and where he so studiously frequented . but let us go on with these ungrounded calumnies ; and discusse the strength and solidity of them to the bottome . some of these timonists , or feminine tetters , taxe you of unbounded pride : these pencyle out your borders , habilements and embroderies ; your toyes , tyres and dressings ; your wimples , wyres , and curlings ; your paintings , poudrings and purflings . these , say they , make your fathers patrimonies to shake , to maintaine your bravery while you are maids : and makes your husbands mannors , to doe you service , passe the alienation office. alas , poore girles ! if you appeare carelesse in your dresse , you are quickly taxed of discontent ; and if neate in your dresse , you are censured of pride . what you doe ( i freely appeale to your selves ) is to please the curious eyes of your husbands : and perchance to prevent the worst : for should they see you sluttish , who knows not , but it might beget instead of loving you , a loathing of you ; and consequently , make them hunt after new mistresses : which would ruine all , by making such a breach , as scarce time could repaire , or the remainder of their declining fortunes redeeme ? it was the opinion of lessius , that in some cases women might use their painting and poudring without sin : first , if it were to the intent to cover any blemish or deformity : secondly , if the husband commanded it , to the end his wife might seeme more comely in the presence of others : which was likewise the expresse opinion of alagora : that to adde more beauty , were it by apparrelling or painting , yea though it were a meere work of art , and colourably deluding , yet were it no mortall sin : confidentely maintaining the use of painting , grounded upon these precedent respects . but i shall not desire that my lampe may give light to that line , which may seeme to give fuell or foment to any light love . the age is apt enough to sacrifice too many precious houres to idolatrize such a shrine . my ayme is only in a faire and just defence of your imitable actions , to wipe of all such injurious aspersions as calumnious pens shall or may lay on you . in which taske , i hold my oyle so much the better bestowed ; for that i am confident that whereinsoever you are defective , you will labour to supply it , by perusing this and collecting hence what may truly make you most amiable and accomplished . in the meane time , it shall be my constant opinion ( nor doe i feare that there shall bee found the least sprinkling of heresy in it ) that these stigmatick spirits , who have steep'd their pens so deep in gall , have sometimes received some occasionall scars from the worst , which ha's made them so causelesly , and without exception to invey against the best . for these ( as i conceive ) have unhappily got a blow on the shins with a french faggot , or fed too freely on a neopolitan rabbet . these are they , and only they , who stick not to say , if you be old , you are lothsome ; if young , you are gamesome : you can scorne them that love you ; love them that scorne you . you can play the snakes , shrowding your selves under the freshest and fragrant'st flowers : but you have a sting to dart upon every state. you can play the syrens by tuning your voyce , to allure the amorous passenger to vice : but sleight you these malicious affronts : you have within you to secure you ; which will so highly improve you , as you remaine perch'd above the compasse or reach of scandal . yet is not all this which hath been hitherto spoken in your defence , so to secure you ( for so should i delude you ) as to disswade you from standing upon your guard . there is in no place security , brave ladies : neither in heaven , nor in paradise : much lesse in the world. for in heaven the first angell fell . whence esay : how art thou fallen from heavē , o lucifer , son of ●he morning ? for he fell under the very power of the deity . adam in paradise , the place of all delicacy . iudas in the world , from the schoole of our saviour , the seed-plot of all sanctity . in one word , are ye maids ? you have your patterne in a dor●as . are ye wifes ? you have your patterne in an esther . are ye widdowes ? you have your patterne in a iudith . these , though dead , their memories live : and by their lifes prescribe you how to live ; that living as they liv'd , and doing as they did , your memories may live when you are dead . and so i descend from their modest defence , well becomming creatures of such divine excellence , to their witty aphorismes , apothegmes and answers ; which i shall illustrate in sundry choice and select instances . section viii . their witty aphorismes , apothegms and answers . too strait and narrow was the confine of his shallow conceipt , who wish'd his wife to have no more wit than to goe out o' th' raine . it seemes , he had a desire to ingrosse it all to himselfe , and to suffer his wife to have small or no share with him . but such a consort were a poore helpe . we shall here finde creatures of an higher pitch : such , who knew how to allay the discomforts of a perplexed husband by their wise and sociable sharing with him in his affliction . others so nobly composed , as they scorned to stoup to the lest thought of basenesse , when crushed with the greatest weight of affliction . others so far from coynesse to those they lov'd , as to their highest hazards , they not only exprest it , but suffer'd for their affections . others such kind loving turtles , as they could not endure to lose the presence of their owne ; or to conceive any defects or infirmities in their owne : and though all beside themselves distasted them : yet were their true affectionate thoughts ever individually knit and cemented to them . others , who could make such excellent use of their decayed beauty ; as they made it their embleme of mortality : begetting no lesse veneration with their riveld age , than they did affection with their enamor'd youth . instances in each of these we shall take occasion to offer unto you , with such witty aphorismes , pretty apothegms , and pithy answers ; as may infinitely delight you . and first , of such as could apply comforts and cordials , seasonably to their disconsolate husbands , when surrounded with objects of approaching misery . ☞ theogena wife to agathocles ( of whom we have made honourable mention elsewhere ) shew'd admirable constancy in her husbands greatest misery : shewing her selfe most his owne , when he was relinquish't and forsaken of his owne : and confirming her true affection with this resolution : that she was not given him to leave him , or to share with him only in prosperity , but in what fortune soever should befall him , to keepe him company . the like constancy of love , and comfort in advice shewed sulpitia to her● , when she plainely told him : what , though fortune leave you , she who loves you best , and whom you should love best cannot leave you ? should you be wholly miserable , she will part stakes wlth you , to make you lesse miserable . secondly , for such , whose brave and well-composed temper would not suffer their masculine spirits to stoupe to any disasters : we shall furnish you with imitable patternes in that kinde : a lovely lydia , who could with medea in the tragedy , expresse her selfe nobly , and make death and danger the least of her feares . who can be forc'd , she knowes not how to dye ; honour knowes how to suffer , so doe i. this that brave-spirited martia shew'd good proofe of , curing all threats with this exquisite receipt : i know well how to pay my debt to nature , but i hope i shall never know , how to ransome life with dishonour . thirdly , you shall finde such , who were so farre from coynesse to those they lov'd , as no danger could decline them from their embraces , to whom they had sacrificed their affections . this that incomparable marcella well discovered ; answering such as advised her to bee more reserved in her love , with that elegant poet , in this manner : non here conveniunt , nec in unâ sede morantur majestas & amor — love coynesse hates , as birds distemper'd weather , " for love and majesty suite ill together . this that constant chariclea expressed to her dearest archas ; when in a tablet she caused this to be ingraven , to confirme her resolution , in despite of all opposition : may i sooner leave to live , than my archas whom i love . in the fourth siege , ( though they deserve an higher place ) shall you see presented such tender-hearted turtles , who held it a punishment worse than death , to be deprived of the presence of their owne : no object could delight them , being reft their sight whose affection only inchain'd them . of this ranke both divine and humane stories render us two examples : the one is that of caja tranquilla , who ever used this apt posy for a bride-bush , to her royall spouse caius tarquinius priscus ; where thou art caius , i am caia . the other , that of ruth unto naomi ; whither thou goest , i will goe : and where thou dwellest , i i will dwell . ☞ this that noble lady armenia , ( whom we have formerly mentioned , and whose memory cannot bee too much revived ) with a princely modesty seconded ; when being invited to king cyrus wedding , went thither with her husband . at night when they were returned home , her husband asked her , ( amongst other curtaine parliance ) how shee liked the bridegroome , whether she thought him to be a faire and beautifull prince or no ? truth , saith she , i know not : for all the while i was forth , i cast mine eyes upon none other , but upon thy selfe . nor could some of these conceive any such defects in their husbands , as were more than manifest to the senses of others . so as , when one of hiero's enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath : he went home and question'd his wife why she told him not thereof ? who answered , shee thought all men had the same savour . which confirmes what plato sometimes affirmed : the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his or her beloved . no lesse gracefull than loyall was the answer of that young bride to her husband ; who being borne of the scottish borders , & married to an englishman , was demanded one day by her husband , whether , if she were to play the souldier , she would fight for her owne nation , or for his ? as i ●all , quoth she , ever an aye acknowledge my husband for my head , so god forefend that i sud crack the allegeance i owe to the head of my husband . ☞ some aphorismes there be , if they may merit that stile , who lose much of their state , by their too weake discovery of an anacreontick spirit , and rendring themselves too light . that wench was of a more amiable face , than admirable conceipt : who having enter'd marriage with a tradesman , and afterwards entertaining too familiar acquaintance with a knight ; by whom , as it was suspected , she had children as well as by her owne husband : stickt not to aske this wise question at a gossips feast : put case , a woman having issue by a knight , with whom she was acquainted , as well as by a man of trade , to whom she was married ; whether those children shee had by the knight , might not take the wall of those she had by a man of trade ? or , being to be made apprentices , whether they might not be freemen before their elder brothers ? a reverend old bencher , the very first night that he went to bed to his lady ; she sent forth a shreeke ; and being asked the cause ; how could i doe lesse ? said she ; if the embraces of an husband be so cold , what coldnesse shall i finde in the armes of death ? that amorous tomboy was a kinder trout ; who , though she had no competent portion , yet had she a competible proportion , an incomparable affection . she , one day , upon a loving enterview , debated the matter with her sweet-heart in this sort : sir , i cannot conceive how you should love me , seeing you spinne out so much time , when you so shortly may really enjoy me . you make much adoe in getting of a portion , whereas with lesse adoe we might beget a christian. had i more , you should enjoy it : having lesse , your joy should be no lesse , in enjoying me with it . that girle approv'd her selfe an expert and experienc'd artist for repairing the decayes of a broken tradesman ; who being rudely encounter'd by one , who shew'd himselfe more haughty , than his state was weighty ; more sensually light than suited with his gravity : sir , you 've lent me your pulse , and i have found your disease . — now , the best receipt for any one who pines away of a consumption in the bowels of his estate , ( of which distemper i finde you labour ) is store of monopolian gold decocted from a pound to a noble ; and to take such a quantity of this in a broath from sixe mooneths to sixe mooneths . a precious cordiall to make rich heires , and rare teares at a funerall . that hote - brain'd calacute shew'd himselfe of too italionate a temper ; whose wife being surprized with an extreame fever , which drove her into so a violent a distemper ; as the fury or phrensy rather of her disease , forc'd her to discover many things she did , and ( perchance ) more than she ever did . he , after her recovery , believing what her distraction had intemperately disclosed , willed her to goe along with him to his countrey-house : where , upon his departure from her , he was pleased to use these words unto her : madonna , here i intend to leave you ; for i must tell you , i love your roome more than your company , such is my affection . and i replied she ) preferre rome before your company , such is my devotion . that haplesse malecontent fell upon a desperate conclusion ; who , having relinquish'd his owne bed for the embraces of a a strange woman : and in a melancholly fitte , taking a pinte of white wine and mixing it strongly with mercury ; willed his curtezan ( as ever she lov'd him ) to drinke halfe unto him : she , whether out of a servile feare , ( or which is more rare in one of her condition ) out of a reall love , drunke it to him ; which he with an active hand stirring , to make it more powerfull , pledged and drunke it of to the bottom . she , to expresse a care of his life , as she had formerly tender'd to his love ; having in readinesse some sallet-oyle with other soveraigne receipts to repell poyson , mixed them in another pinte : willing him ( as ever he loved her ) to pledge her annother health ; but his desperate melancholy would not accept it : while she , no lesse desirous to live ; than tender of his love , drunk it , and recover'd by it . but to leave the suburra , and approach the temple of viriplaca ; a place of more peace , and in the eye of goodnesse deserving more praise . ☞ the last , though not lowest , because furthest divided and estranged in their thoughts from earth ; are those , whose decayed beauty , though it h'as divorc'd them from youthfull affection : yet hath the constant opinion of their goodnesse purchas'd to their rivell'd age , a reverend estimation . this appeared in that sometimes faire bellingeria's excellent apothegme : though our beauty bee despicable in the eye of youth : our rivels are venerable in the eye of age . though we lose that which our beauty did gaine , opinion : yet we retain that which our beauty might have lost , reputation . what divine use that excellent eugenia made of her decayed beauty , may be gathered by this expressive aphorisme : sometimes i made my glasse a corrector of my face : now i make my face the corrector of my life . nor is it possible i should forget my grave , beholding so many graves ( meaning furrowes ) in my face . we shall finde aphorisms , apothegm● and answers of another nature , and a rising from a lighter temper ; lesse serious , but no lesse ingenious . this that pretty pert girle expressed in her quicke answer to her mother ; who being reproved by her for looking so boldly on mens faces , saying , that it became maids to be bashfull , and to looke upon the earth , and for men to looke upon maids . no , mother by your favour , quoth she , it rather becomes maids to looke upon men , and for men to looke upon the earth . for as man is to looke upon that whereof he was made , that is , the earth : so is a maid to looke upon that whereof shee was made , and that was man. shee came nothing short of this girles boldnesse , occasioned by her own lightnesse , who after such time as shee had too freely plaid the wanton , left the child which she had brought forth to the care and charge of the parish : and being rebuked for it , saying , shee was unthankfull , so to abuse that place where shee had received so many curtesies : o , quoth she , no such matter ; i have in this rather showne my selfe every way ready to tender a requitall , than any way ungratefull : for in this , i resemble the storke , a bird of a thankefull nature , who ever leaves one of her young ones in the house where shee breeds them to the owner . ☞ that witty wench return'd to a dunse in a cassocke as shrewd an answer ( though she ever reflected more religiously upon her conjugall honour ; ) who telling this maid , that women were at best but necessary evils , and that they were never needfull to any but in time of necessity : whereas the lord stood in need of such as him . truly , quoth she , i highly honour your place , yet did i never read that the lord stood in need of any thing but an asse . that well-meaning wife knew right-well how to shape her husband a reply : who , when her husband told her that it should be progresse time for a season with him , and that they might lye apart , because it was dogge-dayes : well , husband , ( quoth she ) but i hope there are no dogge-nights . no lesse to purpose was that good wifes answer to that chimick doctor : who , telling her what rare experiments his sublimated art had extracted from the philosophers stone . and that kelly ( that austrian captive ) was but to him a puny in that mysterious secrecy : and that , he would not only make her pots , pipkings , kettles , land-irons with all her other utensiles , pure indian gold ; but convert her selfe too , if she pleased , into the very same mettall , and not only colour , but cover her quite over with gold : o no , by no meanes , quoth she , good master alchimist ; i had rather be covered with a little good flesh , than all the gold of the indies . of such present flashes and flourishes of feminine wit , we might here in large our selves with variety of instances ; but these for a taste , may serve at this time for a sufficient repast . hence it may appeare that our endevours have beene imployed , not only to expresse their maturity of judgement , which i● of highest worth ; but likewise their pregnancy of conceipt , an infallible argument of a mother-wit . from these are we to descend in order , to the last but not least improvement of their honour : their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have beene formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . which relation will redound no lesse highly to their glory . section ix . their eminent labours ; and how they were assistants in the exquisitest workes that have been formerly composed , eyther for history or poesy . such men , who have casten their lots in faire fields , by making choice of such consorts , whose vertues confirme them mirrors , and whose lives are lines of examples unto others ; finde hymen smyling , nay shining on their nuptials all the yeare long . whereas such , who cast their lots in barren fields , by joyning hands to sensuall brides , brothell-beds : who are nothing but voyce or ayre ; with a small portion of skin-deepe beauty to practise on deluded sense , till it grow weary . the bodies of such men , i say , begin to undergoe mezentius torment , living in the embraces of the dead till they dye . for as death holds in his power all that is past , governs all that is present , and pretends to governe all that is to come : the very like soveraignty ha's death over these who have enwreath'd and embath'd themselves in such loathed embraces . dead they are to all former comforts , for those are vanished : dead to all present comforts , for these are from them estranged : dead to all future comforts , unlesse their earth be with heaven exchanged . the stomack , ( to use the words of an experienst practist ) resembleth the good man of the house , and being the cause of all concoction and digestion , must be fortified and strengthened , by being kept temperately warme , retentive , and cleane , without oppressing humours ; not empty , or fasting , being nourished by it selfe , more than by the reines ; and lastly in appetite , whereby digestion is sharpned . their stomacks are of a strong concoction , that could digest wenches of such an humerous condition . but i shall spread a table dished up with creatures of another nature , choycer temper , and such , as with modesty and majesty can tender you a boulster lecture . not a smyle but implyes state ; no light smyle that may imply a staine . in these you shall finde ( to use verstegens words ) a restitution of decaied intelligence in antiquities , concerning their owne nation . and lest i should keep your stomacks too sharpe , or tyre your patience with too long preambles , i present here unto you their catalogue . zenobia , ( to begin with a princely patterne ) after the death of her deare spouse odonatus , though a barbarian queene , yet by her reading of both romane and greeke histories , with other memorable relations , suting well with the passage and posture of those times , so mannaged the state of that rich and free city palmyra in syria , as she retained those fierce and intractable people in her obedience : and in a princely privacy , reserving ever some select houres for perusall of philosophicall politicks , oeconomicks , naturall and morall philosophy , discourses of history ; all which held good correspondence with her majesty , she a bridged the alexandrian , and all the orientall histories : a taske of no lesse difficulty than utility ; whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisdome and authority . the like inward beauty upon her sexe , bestowed that vertuous cornelia , mother to the victorious gracchus ; who , as she was an exemplar or mirror of goodnesse and chastity ; so by the improvement of her education to her children ( the lineall branches of so hopefull a succession ) she exprest her selfe a noble mother , in seasoning their unriper yeares , in the studies of history , poesy , and philosophy . next her , portia , brutus his wife ; cleobula , daughter to cleobulus , one of the seven sages of greece . the daughter of pythagoras ( to leave rome and descend to samos ) who after his death governed his schoole ; excelling in all humane learning ; and afterwards , to give the world a further testimony of her chastity , as well as ability ; erecting a colledge of virgins , shee became sole governesse or guardinesse of it . what shall i say of theano , daughter to metapontus , a disciple of the same sect ? of which name there were two ; both highly enriched with all knowledge . the one a learned woman of crete , and wife to pythagoras : the other the wise of antenor , who was the priest of pallas . what of phemone , that mysterious sibyll , who first gave life to an heroick verse : and in exquisite composures ( amongst other propheticall raptures ) recounted the memorable actions & occurrents of her time ? what of sulpitia , calanus his wife , farre wiser than her ill-advised husband , who before great alexander , feeling himselfe sicke and distempered , leapt into a great fire and there was burned : for she left behind her most soveraigne precepts touching wedlock , with the relations of that age , in a most proper and elegant style ? and hortensia , daughter to that most famous orator hortensius , who for copiousnesse of speech , gravity or weight of sentence , gave a living lustre to her lines , a succeeding ●ame to her works ? and edesia , borne at alexandria , one of such infinite learning , sweetnesse of disposition , as she was highly admired by those that lived in her time : and amongst other excellences ( to make her more accomplish'd both in forraine and moderne affaires ) singularly read in histories ; then held a study worthy the entertainment of noblest ladies ? and corinnathia , who is reported to have surpassed the poet pindarus in artfull and exact composures : contending with him five severall times , ( as may be probably gathered by the testimonies of the ancient , and such as were happy spectators of those glorious duello's ) for the laurell chaplet or coronet , usually bestowed upon such ingenious followers and favorites of the muses ? and paula , seneca's wife , a matron not only improved by his instructions , but highly inriched by the benefit of her owne proper studies : ever reserving some choice houres for the perusall of such relations , as either in those or preceding times had occurred . so as , we may very well gather , whence the ground of her husbands griefe proceeded ; whence the source of his sorrow was derived , in bewailing the ignorance of his mother , not sufficiently seasoned in the precepts of his father : by reflecting upon the abilities of his paula , whose discourse for history , morall philosophy , and all humanity appeared so genuine and proper , as her very name conferred on her family a succeeding honour . lastly , ( that i may not dwell too long on these feminine features , memorable mirrors , lest their diligence should taxe some of our trimmer ladies of their supine and neglectfull errors ) argentaria pollia , or polla , wife to the heroicke lucan , is said to have assisted him in the apt and majestick composure of his verses : being no lesse rich in fancy , than hee himselfe when most enlivened by a poeticall fury . nor did she restraine her more prosperous studies , only to dimensions ; being no lesse conversant in historicall relations , with other humane sciences , than poeticall raptures . such as these might make good companions to pray with , to play with , to converse or commerce with . these make the cheerefull beames of every day breake forth , as if every day were the solemnization of a new marriage day . these with an averse eare listen to the apocryphall verses of those fondlings , nor can they credit them , when they heare them : primus erit mensis mellitus origine sponsis , proximus extinctas sentit amore faces . first moneth's an honey moneth unto the bride , next moneth all fondling must be laid aside . these have no knowledge of any such proverbiall experiments . for so much estranged were they from fondnesse ( an error too familiar with new-married cooples ) as their discretion could never incline to any such lightnesse . their youth never admitted youthfull parliance : nor stouped to any uncomely dalliance . their affections were not grounded on sense , which made them to bee of longer continuance . for those loves quickly expire and dye , which receive their onely infusion by the eye . if thou wilt believe thy eyes , sayes loves lecturer , thou givest credit to thy betrayers ; thy spirit will suffer a thousand paines and confusions : thou wilt take lookes for azure mountaines , because that distance and proximity deceive the sight : a river may also deceive thee in its course , till a branch or strawe informe thee what way the streame goes . so may the glo-worme delude thee with her burnisht skales , and with a counterfeate shine surprize thy sight . know , i say know ( if at any time , any such adulterate beauty shall seaze on thee ) that this woman , this sin-●eered curtezan ; who seemes for●ally perfect , gulls and abuses thee . yesternight she slept ugly , and this morning is adorned with that beauty that thou so much praisest , so highly prizest , and yet she holds it not but by hire . if thou hadst piece-meale examined her , thou would'st have found nothing but prinn'd cloth , parget powder and plaister ; and to begin her anatomy at the head , the haire she weares came from the periwigge-makers shoppe ; for her owne was blowne away with an ill-wind that came from naples ; and if any remaines , she dares not shew it , lest it should accuse her of the time past . her eyes have no other browes than those which a pencill makes . nor her face no other colour than that of painting : 't is an old idoll newly painted over , and yet it is no little wonder to see a picture have motion : and she is such a one , who hath almost found the secret of that famous negromancer ( that pretended to grow young againe , by shutting himselfe in a glasse-violl ) since that all that which hath made her appeare so faire , as thou speakest , comes from the alembick waters , esseno's , and painting . if she would suffer her face to be washt , thou wouldst know her no more , she would be hideous unto thee ; rivels and ridges would each where encounter thee : and were it not for the confections she eates and the perfumes she weares , her mouth and feet would quickly make thee stop thy nose ; if thou shouldst kisse her , all thy lips would be stuck with oyle and grease ; embrace her , and she is nought but past-boord , canvas , & whale-bone , with which all the body of her gowne ( the better body of the too ) is stuft , to repaire the faults of her proportion ; and when she goes to bed , she leaves upon the table ( at her beds-feet ) halfe of her person in putting of her cloths . upon what then is thy bleered judgement founded , that thou findest her so accomplish't ? thy eyes have they not betrayed thee ? admire thou thy ignorance , and know ( not to trouble my selfe with this womans imperfections ) that most of the rest of the sexe ( meaning such only as have ingaged themselves to shame , and exposed their honour to sale ) are but beasts full of pride , who triumph over the simplicity of men : and that even those who seeme to be worth somthing , bring a thousand sufferings to those that seeke after them ; so that at the end of the account , the expences doe always arise to more than the principall . and to make thee despise the embraces of these kind of creatures , put before thy eyes that secret infirmity , to which nature hath so often subjected them ; and i believe thou wilt entertaine a profitable disdaine , and repent that thou ever lovedst a thing so vile and hatefull . by this , we may collect how miserable that love is which draws breath from a deceiving sense : whose beginning , as the best of it is but fonding , so the issue thereof is many times seconded with distaste and revenge , closing their once pretended , but now vanished love , with an easy forgetfulnesse . for none takes greater pleasure to bee revenged than a woman , when she revenges her selfe on her discarded friend or favorite ; and to play with advantage is the most pleasing and greatest vengeance that can be taken . and that they are apt to forget , who is it having eyes , and sees not ? experience will tell you , that she ha's seene one , that with her right eye wept for her dead husband , and with her left laughed to her living friend . but wee have reserved our lines , and bestowed our oyle on better subjects . for even to descend to our own moderne times , we shall find store of noble ladies , who are enriched with such unequall abilities , such matchlesse indowments both by art and nature , as they have deservingly acquired , and constantly reteined that select style of the wits . their desire is , to have their muses rather buskin'd than busked . sweet and dainty ayres are the attendants of their eares . high and heroick measures those treasures , which they desire to store ; and which give an incomparable grace to the theatre of our state . these are they , who hold houres of such estimate ; as they cannot endure that the least minute should expire in vapour , or spend it selfe upon perfume or powder . yea , with some of their precious darling poems have i sometimes encounter'd , wherein i found couched such a priority of art and conceipt , as they matched if they outstrip't not many of our most ambitious and laurel-assuming labours . others we have , who though they be not altogether so happy for strength of fancy ; yet are they no lesse usefull in an other faculty . and these bee such , as read principles of huswifery to their well-ordered family . these will never spend , where discretion bids them spare ; nor spare , where reputation bids them spend . these know how to command without domineering , how to mannage the charge of an house without mutining . these can welcome their husbands home with an affable smyle : and can put on the same count'nance in the entertainement of his friend , without a thought of ill . these , though their care be great ; yet so modest are they in arrogating ought to themselves , as they ascribe the good carriage and dispatch of all things to their husbands wisdome and providence : holding ever the approvement of his fame , to be the improvement of their owne . if at any time , these be given to read ; they make right use of what they read . they read not to dispute , but to live : not to talke , but to know . humility ever keepes them company , both in gate , speech , looke , and habit. they are circumspect whom they consort with ▪ ever remembring that true maxime : tell me with whom thou conversest , and i will tell thee what thou art . to prevent the worst , they addresse themselves to the best , converse with the best : bestowing all houres of the day upon some proper imployment . for they finde more by reading , than their own practick declining , that all loose and effeminate infirmities proceed only through idlenesse ; for where that is , lust findes easy accesse . so saith petrarch in his triumph of love. where observation may informe every cautious reader , lest through indiscretion he deservingly suffer ; that a man ill-married , may boast that he possesses in the person of his wife , all necessary qualities to be put into the list of martyrs . whereas , these , whom we here discourse of , are so far from making their husbands suffer , as they esteeme it their highest honour , equally to close with them in the harmony of their comforts ; and to allay the surcharge of their griefes with the sweetnesse of their temper . this the poet in the person of cyrnus cheerefully chanted : than a good woman nought can sweeter be , thou cyrnus knows 't , be witnesse then with me . in one word then , brave and noble-disposed ladies , be it your care to be the same we have described you ; so may you amply requite us for this service wee have done you . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e motive . opposite . motive . opposite . nec me meavincula terrent . carcere clausa suam modulatur avicula sortem . — sic carcere canto . boccase . viduae , defuncto primo conjuge , comitantur oculis funera siccis . viduales lachrymae citò numerandae . m●la●nd . epigram . lib. . the wind-fall . motive . opposite a cuckold with a witnes . motive . the 〈◊〉 conditi●n of the m●sco●ian women . barclay's icon animorum . cap. . opposite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . homer . . ☞ ☞ * th●se foure cardinall vertues are resembled by s ambrose to those foure rivers which issued from the foure borders of th● garden of paradise . in li●de paradiso . c. . prudence . justice . temperance . fortitude sam. . . king. . . the like mortification ap●eared in that virgin eugenia , during the ●ontificate of leut● cri●● . rex apum non ●abet aculeum ●um quo potest pungere sicut coeterae apes . plin. solusbonus est ●ono●and●s . arist. . ●t● . quint. curt . lib. . a aug. de christ. fide. b hieron . ad furiam de vid. serm. tom. . c cyprian de discip . & hab . virg. d hieron de exitu leae . e ambros. he●am . lib. . cap. f ibid. g petrarch . de remed . utriusque fort . h tertull. de hab . mul. c. . i pet. mart. in r●g . . . k scult . l hieron . m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. nazian . con . mal. immodice comp●as . n clem. constit. apost l. . c. . d●m●ar . ●p●g cent. . cl●m . alex. paedag. it is an usefull observation : satans infections shoot many times through some great star the influence of damnation into lesser bodies : as may be discovered by these tragicall instances . pind. maluerim veris offendere , quam placere adulando . sen. de clem. cap . nolan . . bern. de vita solit●ria . sen. ep. . epicurus . l●ssius de i●stitia & ●ure , l●b . . 〈…〉 . . pet. al●go●a in co●pend●o m●nu●l ●a●arr● , c. ● num. . ●ol . . esay . . bern. ovid. the loving and loyall answer of a young-married bride , to her husband , touching the late rumor of our scottish warres . iuvenilem vul tum amisimus , senilem cultu● atsigimus . this clozing section is illustrated with examples of incomparable constancy , judgement , ingenuity , in that excellent history of philocl●s and doricl●a . einacque di otio e di lascivta humana . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . theog . the two lancashire lovers: or the excellent history of philocles and doriclea expressing the faithfull constancy and mutuall fidelity of two loyall lovers. stored with no lesse variety of discourse to delight the generous, then of serious advice to instruct the amorous. by musæus palatinus. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the two lancashire lovers: or the excellent history of philocles and doriclea expressing the faithfull constancy and mutuall fidelity of two loyall lovers. stored with no lesse variety of discourse to delight the generous, then of serious advice to instruct the amorous. by musæus palatinus. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , - p., plate printed by edward griffin. for r. b[est] or his assignes, london : . musæus palatinus = richard brathwait. with an additional title page, engraved, with imprint containing "printed by e.g. for r. best". variant: engraved title page imprint contains "printed by e.g. for r.b. or his assignes". running title reads: the history of philocles and doriclea. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion cupid retire , what woulst desire ? our flaming hearts are both a-fire . the two lancashire lovers , or the excellent history of philocles and doriclea this holy vow makes one of two . london . printed by e.g. for r. best and are to be sould at his shop neare graies inn gate in houlbourne . the two lancashire lovers : or the excellent history of philocles and doriclea . expressing the faithfull constancy and mutuall fidelity of two loyall lovers . stored with no lesse variety of dicourse to delight the generous , then of serious advice to instruct the amorous . by musaeus palatinus . pereo , si taceo . london , printed by edward griffin . for r. b. or his assignes . . to my trvly generovs and ●udicious friend , alexander rigby esq. clarke of the crowne for the county palatine of lancaster ; the perusall of this history ; wherein the subjects of love and loyalty are recorded , to the honour of their countrey . sir , i here present you with two native plants of your owne countrey ; branches derived front a faire and flourishing family . give them entertainment according to their merit ; whose memory redounds highly to their countries glory . really alexandro-philus . the argument , with the division of this history . in the first chapter he treats : i. of the descent and parentage of doriclea . ii. of the education of doriclea . iii. how her parents , treasuring their hopes , and addressing their cares on her sought to bestow her . iv. how camillus became her suiter , and how she rejected him through distaste of his breeding . v. how mardanes a rich countrey chuffe solicited her affection : and how he laboured to procure her love by indirect meanes ; when the proffers of a faire personall estate could not do it . vi how philocles , whom her parents had entretained for her scholemaster , took occasion privately , but shadowingly , to impart his affection to her : and with what seeming scorne his moiton was received . vii . the discourse doriclea used next day at table , being encouraged 〈◊〉 her parents indulgence : alledging by way of argument , that she wond● red how julia , augustus his daughter , could detract so much from her princely descent , a● to entertaine least thought of loving ovid ; & how a schoolemaster durst attempt the solicitancy of an emperours daughter . viii . the feare philocles was in , lest doriclea should discover his suit to her parents . which doriclea , though she had made choice of that argument , only to affright him , never intended , being more affectionately disposed then either her appearance made shew of , or any expression had as yet discovered . ix . the intercursive letters passing betwixt philocles and doriclea : and how she begins to impart by pen , what she had before conceipted in thought : and how she desired nothing so much as the accomplishment of their love , so privacy might give leave . x. what plots doriclea devised to partake in private meetings and treaties with her philocles : and how by the jealousie of euryclea , her mother , she was prevented . xi . the passions of doriclea : and how she conversed with her owne thoughts in the election of her love : inveying against such ungrounded fancies , who measure affection rather by strength of alliance , portion , or any other respect , then the pure effects of love . xii . how doriclea , being deprived all means of imparting the constancy of her zeale to philocles : having neither the benefit of inke nor paper , to discover her loyall intimate thoughts to her faithfull lover : she supplyed that want with her needle , sowing her minde in letters of gold , and returning them in the border of an handkerchiefe . xiii . philocles restraint , with those passionate effects , which their enforced absence one from th' other produc'd . he findes love ever most violent , when farthest divided from his object : yet amidst these disgusts he adviseth her to patience in his restraint . confirming himselfe so individually hers , as nothing may abridge the accomplishment of their desires , but death . xiv . doriclea understands by an aged hermit , of mardanes practise : how he intends to enjoy her by indirect meanes . and how the spels of spurcina , the inchantresse , with whom mardanes contracted , were ever frustrated by the devout morning exercise of doriclea : signing her selfe every morne in her going abroad with the signe of the crosse , a soveraigne receipt against spurcina's charme . xv. how doriclea practised with mellida her maid for her escape . how she sought to delude her mother : her prevention : and how androgeus her father became enraged upon the discovery of her affection . xvi . how mellida one morning unwarily lets fall her glove ; whereon spurcina the inchantresse practiseth ; supposing it to be doriclea's . mellida fals in love with mardanes : and discloseth her passion to her mistresse : who promiseth her best assistance . xvii . mellida's passionate love . xviii . philocles procures his liberty : and by a faithfull messenger , though to his apparent danger , privately acquaints doriclea with his delivery : and assigning her a place whereto she might safely repaire , if she could possibly make escape . xix . doriclea by the advice and assistance of mellida gets from her keepers : and in her flight by night loseth her way : but comming by chance to the hermits house , where she took that night her repose : as , she had formerly been directed by him , she received much comfort from him , being conducted to the place which philocles advised her to . xx. the great content & joy which these two long divided lovers conceived one of the others presence : the relation of their former griefes being an addition to their present joyes . xxi . they take the advice of solinus that faithfull hermit , what course were best to take in a case of such extremity : he adviseth the privately to solemnize that rite , which their long affection had confirmed in heart . xxii . how these constant lovers were hindred upon the very point of solemnization of their marriage , by the intelligence and pursuit of her incensed father androgeus : who with a strong prepared troupe entred the house where these two unfortunate lovers sojourned : and how , by the hermits device , philocles to prevent his fury , was privately conveyed . xxiii . androgeus brings back his daughter ; the entertainment given her by her mother . xxiv . doriclea labours to free her mother frō all jelousie touching her love to philocles ; pretending , that he had voluntarily made himselfe a banished man to his countrey , through feare of their fury and enmity . xxv . philocles writes a letter to androgeus , as directed from beyond the seas : wherein he humbly craves his pardon , for his too bold attempting his daughters affection . how his present austere penitentiall life shall witnesse to the world his repudiation of all light love . how his devotions now were reserved for heaven , and had no communion with earth . and that the choice he had now made , should during life admit no change . xxvi . doriclea fals ( or seemingly fals ) into a fever ; each day seemes to increase her distemper . eschites , an experienc'd physitian , is sent for to apply his best art in a case of such extremity : but he , an intimate friend to philocles , made show as if he despair'd of her recovery . and that no malady arising from fancy , could without enjoyment of the object loved , receive remedy . xxvii . the parents of doriclea conceive incessant griefe for their distemper'd daughter ; they bemoane their neglect of philocles , and dis-esteeme of his love : but they finde no hope of reliefe to their languishing daughter , seeing the meanes of her cure was reported to have enter'd a regular order . xxviii . eschites undertakes , upon the promise of their acceptance , to use his best endeavour for calling philocles homeward ; and that he is resolved , how philocles time of probation will be quickly relinquished , when he shall heare least hope of enjoying his doriclea's affection . xxix . androgeus heares how philocles , besides his other native endowments , was descended of a generous family ; which inflames his desires more to see him returne into his countrey . he vowes never to oppose this solemnity , so his presence may cure her infirmity . xxx . philocles returnes home ; and is accepted by the parents for their sonne in law : this revives their seeming distemper'd daughter ; yet fearing still a relapse of her parents acceptance , she feignes the continuance of her distemper . xxxi . the mariage is solemnized ; and with such privacy , as knowne to none but their own family . valeria , who was supposed to be euphilus page , discovers her selfe to be philocles sister ; with whose consent euphilus marries her , being long before privately affianced to her . xxxii . the occasion of this private solemnization : and how mellida , by the advice of her mistresse doriclea , assuming her name and habit , writ to mardanes , how she preferr'd him in the choice of affection before any other ; acquaintiug him how in a private disguise to prevent danger , and her parents displeasure , she would meet him , when and where in a lawfull nuptiall way , he might enjoy her . xxxiii . the plot holds ; mardanes rejoyces infinitely at his unexpected happinesse ; thanks his spurcina for her well-spell'd practise ; and infeoffes his unknowne bride ( though much against his will ) in his riches . the two lancashire lovers ; or the excellent history of philocles and doriclea . chap. i. of the descent and parentage of doriclea . neare to that antient towne of famous and time-honoured gaunt ; for her antiquity of site no lesse memorably recorded , then for those eminent actions of her princely progenitors , renowned ; there sometimes dwelled one audrogeus , a gentleman of approved esteeme : having borne offices of account and quality under his soveraigne : wherein he ever demeaned himselfe to persons of all conditions with such equity and equality , as none knew him , but accounted him an honour and ornament to his countrey . this gentleman tooke to wife one euryclea , of good descent : a woman excellently endowed with many choice and select vertues : so as , those exquisite parts wherewith she was graced , expressed to her countrey the native worth of that family , from whence shee descended . these two , amongst other worldly blessings , wherewith gods providence had singularly enriched them , were made happy in an hopefull progeny . and of th●se , in a vertuous , discreet and religious daughter called doriclea ; one , whose fame admitted no blemish ; whom as nature had beautified with many extraordinary graces , so her carefull parents were no lesse ready to adorne those native se●ds , with such education as might accomplish those promising beginnings . for which purpose , they provided her of such masters , as might fit her in all generous sciences . one for musicke , dancing , and a proper or gracefull posture ; another for her needle ; another for knowledge of the tongues . nothing was awanting her that might conferre the least light or lustre to so faire and well-composed a temper . nor was shee lesse apt to receive , nor firme to reteine whatsoever was taught her . for she was of a docile and industrious disposition : affecting nothing more then to learne , nor distasting anything more then to glory in ought that she had perfectly learned . nor was it strange that so much care or cost should bee bestowed upon her : considering , she was the onely daughter , and consequently the darling of her mother . one , in whom she treasured many faire hopes ▪ and for whose future preferment she inlarged a provident care . for high were the aymes at which they levelled her fortunes : being as curious in their choice , as shee in her prime flower of youth resolute , never to exchange her estate . her desires were confin'd to an harmelesse ambition of knowledge : she measured no day without a line : bestowing so well the lampe of her life , as she was ever casting forth some light or other to inlarge the prospect of her inner house . for the highest pitch of her emulation was , in a pious imitation of such as had descended from her house , to accommodate her more knowing abilities . in a faire resemblance of that noble roman virgin , who made this her resolution : that her life and knowledge should manifest to the world , that shee was the true daughter of such parents : and that her house received no derogation from her , from which shee had her beginning . truth is , her family , as it was worthily to be ranked with the best : so had it brought forth many eminent scienes , whose thriving plantation had conferr'd much honour on their nation . amongst which one , who though he seemed a profest favorite to all youthfull pleasures ; and as sociable in his waies , and pleasantly discursive as if he had beene a downe-right agent of the time , preferring his pleasures before any other private mentall employment : yet did it appeare unto the world , that he en●oy'd more divine parts then a vulgar judgement could either judge or take notice of . for sundry excellent workes tasting both of lampe and judgement were by him composed , though under an others name published : which expressed the ability of his pen , and the affected privacy of his mind . nor could shee reflect upon the excellence of their parts who had derived their prime beginnings from her house : but out of a vertuous emulation shee held it a derivative duty to imitate them : though not in such exactnesse as might seeme to equall their perfection : yet in a well disposed zeale to fit herselfe with the best accommodations and provision she could , to draw neare them in imitation . nor is it to bee doubted , but native seedes and sprinklings of goodnesse propagate themselves to posterity : and beget in their successors not onely a desire , but ability to imitate and retaine , what their predecessors in their commendable lives exprest . for though wit nor learning be no feffements of fortune : yet shall we finde in the posterity of prompt and pregnant parents , most commonly resemblances of that quicknesse and preparednesse in their children , which being seconded by constant and continued desires to imitate whatsoever they see worthily observed , or observably presented : ( will and power becomming such equall concomitants and assistants ) cannot but produce some notable effect : as might bee instanced in none better then in this our doriclea ; who directed all her actions to the improvement of her honour , as in the whole course of her education you shall perceive hereafter . chap. ii. of the education of doriclea . mines low laid are ever the richest : yet the purest ore , retaines something of earth , till it bee refined . there is no creature so pregnant , or for native parts so inabled ; but wanting the refinement of education , all that precious ore which it derived from nature is but in the lumpe , till education have searched , purged and refined it from all those mouldy and brackish mixtures or interveynings of earth : that native source from whence it produc●t its first forme . never did nature bestow her gifts in an ampler measure nor fuller manner then shee streamed them upon those noble roman matrons , cornelia , aurelia . lelia , paula , portia , octavia , sulpitia , virginia , lucretia : excellent were their endowments : full of genuine worth their naturall ornaments ; yet had all these lost much of their beauty , had they rested so and derived from art no lustre to accomplish that beauty . this moved the parents of those vertuous matrons , to ripen these seedes which nature had so freely bestowed , with these gracefull beamelings of art , to perfect that which nature had planted , and accomplish what so loving a mother had moulded . never had that brave berenice wonne so much ground , nor gain'd such command in the eye of her beholder ; neither had that stately presence of majesticke sophonisba made an imperiall heart captive to her smile ; nor that love-attracting cleopatra soveraigniz'd so much upon such princely commanders : had not something more then the gifts of nature accompanied them . these , as they had a sufficient portion of beauty to take the sense : so had their education so exactly polished those outward parts , as they wrought strangely upon the conceit . for to be seene in musicke ; to expresse a singular grace in the carriage of a dance ; to discourse with an unaffected eloquence ; to have judgement to distinguish of those divine ayres and active straines of poesy ; lastly , not onely to relate ▪ but to reconcile difference in relations of history ; these are they , which farre above all outward faires attract love , and promise a continuance so long ; as no new choice may procure ● change : nor suffer the least surreptitious conceit of any forraigne fancy to seaze on their enamoured brests : having made such a vertuous and divine choice , as it were impiety to dreame of a change. these were the principall motives which induced androgeus and euryclea , the tender parents of doryclea , to provide for her such masters as might accomplish her by their principles of breeding , in such distinct knowledges as might best suit with her condition ; and expresse her with most winning grace in the sight of such with whom shee consorted . nor were these , to whose direction shee was committed , more serious in teaching , nor exact in practising , then shee was quicke in receiving , and firme in reteyning . for her muslcuke , though naturally shee stood not affected to it ▪ being rather addicted to retyrednesse and privacy ; yet seeing it was her parents desire , she declined from her owne will , to satisfie their command to whom shee ought herselfe . and herein shee grew such a proficient , as none with more varietie and lesse affectation ever wrought upon the affection . yet would she never bee moved to discover her perfection in this kinde , in any publicke place : so farre she was from ostentation , and so humbly affected , as whereinsoever shee was praised , shee imputed it to an over esteeme of their opinion who praised her ; reteyning ever that modest conceit , or rather disesteeme of her owne abilities , as ever redounded more to her honour . to repeate sundry cantzonets and enlivened measures composed by herselfe ( were it not too digressive from the scope and object of our historie ) i should here addresse my penne : but my ayme shall be rather briefly to shadow , then to draw out to the full body the presentment of so excellent a piece . howsoever , those who were of judgement have confirm'd thus much for her : that never was instrument married to voyce with more harmony , then it was , when exercis'd by doriclea . nor was shee lesse gracefull in her posture or carriage : retayning such a modest-virgin state ; as those who observed her , could neither taxe her of scorne , nor of too carelesse neglect . affable she could be without being childish : and keepe her distance without arrogance . never could there appeare more gracefull state in a more humble heart : desiring ever rather to serve others in their vertuous designes , then to observe others rendring her praise for her deserts . neither was she so carried away with these , as to forget what might better sort with her quality , and what might longer attend her , then these eare-charming ayres of harmony . for her needle , she made dorcas her pattern : she was ever tasking herselfe to some worke or other : wherein she made charity her object , by preparing for the naked a cover . lastly , for knowledge in tongues ( though most men be of opinion that one is enough for any woman ) she profited so exceedingly , as she reteyned the very accent and sound with such propriety , as she became more easily to be admired then imitated ; and herein more admired , by how much her elocution was free , native and unaffected . thus in all these became doriclea an incomparable proficient : so that , as she brought with her into the world an excellent disposition in affecting what was good and meriting applause : so had the improvement of her education so accomplish'd her , as no expression received life from her , which deserv'd not due praise . chap. iii. how her parents , treasuring their hopes , and addressing their cares on her , sought to bestow her . nature is no lesse ready to advance , then produce ; to bring up , then bring forth ; to take care for their well-being , then their first being . this wee see exemplified in every creature , who out of a tender-native intimacy , prepares for the supportance , succour and sustenance of those young ones who are bred of her . which care extends and dilates it selfe more amply to creatures indowed with reason : who , as they are the noblest of all others in respect of their image and feature : so are they more apprehensive of the necessities of their owne by course of nature . it is true indeed what that divine morall sometimes observed , farre more certaine is a parents care then the share of his comfort ; yet , so delightfull is the constancy of this care , being directed to them , and for their improvement whom they so tenderly love , that their care becomes a solace , their watchfull providence a cheerefull expence of so many choice and select houres for the advancement of their owne . this induced the carefull parents of our accomplished doriclea , to bestow their best endeavours in providing a convenient match for their daughter ; in whom they had treasured so rich hopes , as her reverend feare and filiall obedience promised nothing lesse then much comfort to their age , from those prime expressions of her youth . neither were the favourites of her fame ( mounted on the wings of vertue ) lesse slow in performing those faire offices which so excellent a creature merited . for as her irreproveable demeanure , reteined ever amongst her familiars , passages highly conducing to her honour : so those , who knew her not but by report , retained no lesse strength nor vigour of desire to court so incomparable a mistris , whom the fame of her vertues with other personall indowments had so fairely displayed . beauty , said the antient lyricke , could not want corrivals : but when vertue presents herselfe to make the house beautifull throughout , it cannot but attract many surveyers . unlesse the judgements of men become so miserably deluded and distracted , as that young debaucht gallants was , who could not endure the presence of his mistris because shee was vertuous . but pure and refined judgements who make their choice not wholly by the outward semblance , or that skinne-deepe beauty , which the winter of age no sooner rivels , then shee surrenders her glory : but by those inward perfections , which would make zenophanes himselfe to be a wooer : fixe mainely upon that which makes fancy truly happy . and both these might a stayd affection finde stored and treasured in doriclea : being such an one , as to describe her truely , she was faire without art , and in that native beauty , reteyned such a winning favour , as she did nothing but what did infinitely become her . tall she was not , but of that equall stature , as her well-tempered proportion could neither taxe her of too much , nor accuse nature of taking her measure too little . to use hyperboles , i hate it : yea , and in so exquisite a subiect , as the spreading fame of her owne actions might seeme hyperboles unto others , holding themselves so unfit to aspire to such perfections : or too farre short to reteine the least hope of seconding them in any proportionable measure of imitation . but howsoever , the carefull parents of doriclea aymed at nothing more then to bestow her on some person of quality , that in an equall line of love and merit their affections might close : and make every day sound like a marriage day in the joynt correspondence of their affectionate choice : doriclea , ever indowed with a native modesty , pretended to her parents the tendernesse of her youth , or her indisposition to health , purposely to protract time : whereas , indeed , it was the aversenesse of her mind from a marryed life : desiring rather under the tender tuition of her parents to bestow her youth , then to fix her fancy on any . for that constant affection shee reteyned to privacy ( as i formerly told you ) rebaited the heate of loves assaults . neither did she desire without much instancy to frequent any publike meeting : but rather to exercise her mind in reading or discoursing with some of her intimate acquaintance ; with whom she lived and conversed in such sweet and familiar manner , as their delightfull society estrang'd her thoughts from the thought of a lover . but her parents , ever harping upon one string ; expounded all this aversenesse and declining of hers to a modest bashfull shame , which would in time weare out , and set a better face upon the proffers of love. and sometimes they would not stick privately to take their daughter under-hand advising her to entertaine a fortune whilest it was tendered ; and how it was their sole care that she might bee advanced and preferred to her liking . how they grew old , and to leave her to the wide world , could not chuse but perplex them . then would they nominate divers young gentlemen , whose estates and descents might deserve her entertainement . but no rhetorick could bee more dissorting or discording to her eare . the discourse of a nuptiall rite was so disrelishing a note , as there was no ayre she affected lesse ; apprehending such content in her present virgin state , as to live and dye ther●in , she desired nothing more . but this must not serve her turne ; privacy must give way to fancy : a retyred lawne to a discourse of love. by her mothers provident care , she must learn to study the care of a mother ; otherwise , this estranging her thoughts from giving way to fancy , will be interpreted a peevish kinde of pertinacy . suppose her then rather out of an enforced direction , then any freebred affection , entring parley with a suitor ; whose quality how unequally it suted or sorted with her disposition , in whom art and nature had wrought such perfection , you shall perceive hereafter . chap. iv. how camillus became her suiter , and how she rejected him through distaste of his breeding . choice begets care : in which choice , it many times happens that the best are reiected , while persons of meaner condition are admitted . you may imagine that doriclea cannot want for store , being so excellently accommodated both for outward indowments and promising estate . where portion and proportion meet , they cannot but bee attractive objects to any one that either affects profit or pleasure . for the worldling , as his first love-question is , what h'as she ? wherein if hee faile in his expectance , his affection is so weakely feathred , as his flight is but short , because his desires of having were long . so the voluptuous or sensuall amorist , who makes sense to usher judgement ; his onely question is ; is shee an handsome wench ? his fancy is in his eye . hee cannot have enough of beauty ; wherein should the object whereto he is presented , be in any sort defective : his love as it deriv'd his first light from sense : so it expires at first sight . hee will not give his judgement leave to converse with her ; to see what inward beauty may inwardly accomplish her . a feather of this wing was our penne-feather'd camillus , whereof we are now to discourse : a right lapwing , who had left his nest before he ●●ad shaken the shell from his head . howsoever , on he must to be a suiter , before he has well learn'd how to spell lover . something of sense hee h'as in him ; and this informs him , that love is a fine thing : but what use to make of that fairing he knowes not . a fault , i must confesse , so epidemicall , as to many marriages become infected with this colts-evill . this made that experienc'd sage complaine so much of these indiscreet haire-brain'd couplings , that i wonder , quoth he , that every age begets not a new bedlam . this camillus , being one whom fortune had more favoured , then his parents education had qualified , became admitted amongst others of the same list , to this too deserving a choice for such a changeling . a right changeling ! not for changing his affection to his choice : for he had never as yet attained to such happinesse , as to aspire to the title of a servant , or to be stiled the deserving favourite of a mistresse . but in that hee seemed as if he had beene changed in the cradle : for so unlike hee was to those from whom hee had descended , as never appeared any sprigge more ingenerous , derived from so free and fruitfull a stocke . this unseemely lover , or amorous lubber , being put on by his mother to advance him forward to this match ; addresseth his ill-speeding course to our incomparable doriclea : and as one , who had never beene bred in the court of complement , nor of manners neither , in his rusticke way thus accoasteth her : and that i may lesse erre in his dialect or forme of speech , i shall use his owne countrey tone , though i cannot so well personate his posture , which no doubt , conferred on this swaineling no lesse honour . camillus speech to doriclea . yaw , iantlewoman , with the saffron snude , you shall know that i am master ▪ camillus , my mothers anely white boy . and she wad han you of all loves to wad me : and you shall han me for your tougher . we han store of goodly cattell : for horne , hare , and leather , peepe here and peepe there , aw the wide dale is but snever to them . my mother , though shee bee a vixon , shee will blenke blithly on you for my cause : and we will ga to the dawnes , and slubber up a sillibub : and i will looke babbies in your eyes , and picke silly-cornes out of yaur toes : and wee will han a whiskin at every rush-bearing ; a wassell cup at yule ; a seed-cake at fastens ; and a lusty cheese-cake at our sheepe-wash . and will not aw this done bravely , iantlewoman ? how this strange kinde of wooing might promise it selfe any hope of winning , i leave to your judgements who know the art and posture of suting : but how it relished her discreet eare , may sufficiently appeare by this answer to her home-spunne suiter . doricleas answer to camillus . pretty servant ! you tell mee your mother sent you to wed me ; but of all loves you must stay till the banes be askt : and perchance before the third time of asking you will be of an other mind . fie young gentleman , will such a brave sparke as you , that is your mothers white-boy undoe your hopes , in marrying such a countrey ioan as i am ? besides , what know you but i may prove untoward , and that will bring your mother to her grave ; make you ( pretty babe ) put finger i th' eye , and turne the doore quite off the hinges . nay , besides all this ; how will you brooke to heare shriking of a child , and rocking of a cradle ? the scouling of a wife , the scoulding of a nurse , with a pad in the straw , and a nest of hornets buzzing through all the house ? returne then my sweet amorous servant , the same way you came : be wise before you leape , and then i hope you will not leape at all . marriage is a madde age , how can it then sort or suite with you , that has so much sage in your pate ? bee a good childe , and keepe your selfe from the rodde , and i hope i shall never bring you to so unhappy a lot. simple camillus tooke this for good counsell : nor did his weake-fledg'd fancy inspire him with any fresh reply : home hee goes to his mother like a soone-rebaited suiter : for as his affection received life onely from an others direction : without any preceding grounds of discretion , so it as quickly expired , being so weakely and childishly grounded . vpon whose departure , doriclea begun thus to expostulate with herselfe not without pleasure , this rude encounter of her white-liver'd suiter : descanting on all his uncivill passages in this manner . what an excellent purchase , doriclea , mightst thou injoy in this gooseling ? one of competent fortunes ; and of a disposition so pliable , as one might easily mould him to their owne bent . one , that no question , some of our wanton gallants would not sticke to admit ; nor bee dainty to entertaine for a servant ; nay , for a consort ; meerely to shroud their owne shame , or to maintaine their bravery with the revenues of his decreasing estate . hee would supply the place well enough of a servile vsher , with an affected grace to carry her misset ; open her pue ; goe before her in the street , and keepe his distance ; or conduct her more peculiar servant by a posterne-gate to her licentious lodging . but are these the fruits of wedlocke ? must an husband be made a stale to sinne , or an inlet to his owne shame ? o no doriclea ! vertuous affection cannot incline to such pollution . those , who make choice of husbands , purposely to make them their slaves , are domesticke tyrants . those , who make choice for profit , make filth and ordure their sole object of conjugall honour . those , who receive a servant into their bosome , because he is eminent in place , make locall precedency the ground of their fancy , which cannot but close in distaste , when an higher corrivall shall ascend his place . but none of these merit the stile of love . h●avens blesse me ! how should the reasonable soule ( unlesse all his prime faculties were drowned and drenched in the lees of sense ) affect such a swad , whose elocution suck't from the dugge , and whose formality t'ane from the cow-sheard , taste so little of love , as discretion would not endure to bestow on it so pure a name ? for say , doriclea , is it possible to purchase fancy with a sheepish story ? or with a foolish relation of . what fortunes had dropt downe upon them ? and such was camillus his encounter : proper ornaments for a suiter . well , if ever fancy seize on me ; which is , as yet , farre estranged from mee , i hope to fixe on such a choice , as these weake respects shall never appeare to bee the sole ayme of my affection . for to love , where discretion bids me loath , were an unhappy fortune : such a marriage day , were a tragicke day ; introducing no other scenes then presentments of discomfort to an unfortunate consort . but why doe i suffer my thoughts to converse with love ; seeing i have had so little familiarity with it all my life ? hitherto have i beene devoted to privacy ; wherein i have ever reaped such absolute content , as to forgoe it , or with some other condition to exchange it , were to lose my selfe , and deprive an inlarged minde of that freedome which the whole empire of love cannot afford . thus expostulated doriclea with herselfe , touching this affectionate tender of camillus . whose choice indeed her parents did not much approve ; because his shallow conceipt made him altogether incapeable of love . so as , doriclea might well enough dispense with this match : and live in expectance of a more equall and generous mate . chap. v. how mardanes a rich countrey chuffe solicited her affection : and how ●e laboured to procure her love by indirect meanes ; when the proffers of a faire personall estate could not doe it . wealth is ever a strong agent for enforc'd marriages . whereon there shines ever an ominous starre ; there sits still an heavy fate . but whence comes this ; but either from avaritious parents , who preferre fortunes before all other more deserving abilities : holding him only worthy to be their sonne on whom the sunne doe's shine ? or from the wanton affection , or too profuse expence of light mistresses ; who make choice of rich servants to make sponges of them ? their long bestowed providence must be imployed in affording to their disdainfull consorts , excesse of maintenance . and these kinds of coy amorists , for most part , use to articulate and indent with those they intend to marry ; in what rank they shall be maintained ; how accoutred ; in what manner accommodated ; what place they may by right challenge . coach and caroach gaudily distinguished , must be forthwith provided : a summer-house sumptuously furnished , with such conveyances , as her rich chuffe might visibly see , were not his d●luded eyes ever fixt on his hidropick chest , what she intends hereafter , by those private passages contrived in each corner . but neither did the parents of doriclea stand so much ingaged to any wordly respect , as it had power to attract their affections to it ; nor was doriclea so earthly-bred , as to make fortune the sole and absolute object of her fancy : which might be instanced in nothing more fully then in the entertainment of her next suitor , whereof we are to discourse as it fals now upon our history , in this manner . there was one mardanes , a rich grazier ; one , who had all his time fed on the better side o th' bush . this rich chrone , who made an idoll of his coine , made suit to doriclea , to obtaine her love . rich and mighty proffers he made her ; pretending to throw himselfe and fortunes at her feet , so he might enjoy her . neither did her discreet parents much oppose it , nor incline to it , but refer'd all to their daughters choice : preferring her liking before any other temporary proposition . but how weakly this mardanes proceeded , and how unprosperously he succeeded , shall appeare by the issue : which fell so crosly to his expectance , imagining his rich and plenteous estate to be an adamant attractive enough to the dullest fancy , as he inverted the means of proceeding directly , to an odious and impious practise ; seeking to procure her love by meanes of sorcery . suppose him then first , after his long sollicitancie had received a repulse , contesting in this sort with his affections : the grounds whereof as they were weakly planted , so were they as unhappily closed . what ; rejected mardanes ? has thy worldly policie improved thy fortunes so meanly , as to be contemned in such just and ample proffers of fancie ? what would she desire , if any mortall store may raise her to an happinesse of estate , which she may not enjoy in making her choice of thee ? yea , but there i● such a disparity in yeares , as her smooth youth cannot endure these deepe furrowes of age . paritie ever begets best liking betwixt either partie . whereas her fresh flourishing prime would brook ill to be imbraced by thy seere and saplesse armes . besides , were she never so loyall to thy bed , rumour would not be silent : conceits would be working , and jealous feares in every corner stirring . report would impeach her , were her continent desires never so restrained , nor to thee confined . it becomes her then , as shee tenders her honour , to make choice of such an one who may more equally suit her , and with a fresher and more agile youth better content her . well , then this is all that can be objected why thy suit is not received , thy proffers accepted ; thou art old and declining , mardanes ; this age is a terrible bugbeare in the eye of fancy . the desire may be strong , but the lampe is quickly in the snuffe . there wants oyle to feed it : and if it should cast forth some sparklings , it is soone extinguished . by this i gather , it were wisely done in my particular , if i laboured to smother this secret flame , before it increase or break forth in more violence . for by marying one who expects more than she can finde , thou maist finde that which thou never expected . take heed then lest thy own dogs know thee not when thou comest home . it is thine owne fault if thou fallest into actaeons fate . thy blood is yet uncorrupted , yellows has not tainted it . thou deservest well to lose the libertie of thy present estate , by making thy selfe a slave to one who holds thee unworthy of her choice . all this works much with reason ; b● who knowes not , but a small portion o● reason weighs heaviest in the scale of affection ? i confesse , i am blame-worthy in my pursuit of such a mistresse , whose fancie 〈◊〉 so farre aliened from me , as she relisheth no aire worse then what i breathe , no place worse then where i remaine , no motion worse then what i make . i know likewise ▪ no receipt to be more soveraigne , no cordiall more usefull , then that approved experiment of an amorous artist : when ● man bleeds at the nose , and through abundance of blood is brought in danger of his life , the physitian lets him blood in his arme , to turne the course of the blood an other way . if love issue out in too violent a streame , it is to bee cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancie : or else by fixing our eye upon some more attractive object , divert the course of that madding passion . an excellent rule , but who can follow it ? the lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved . nor was there ever yet so discreet an elder , that could both love and become wise together . excuse then or condemne mee who will ; seeing i am thus farre imbarkt in loves adventure , though my aged fancie may bear the name of dote● age , i will on , or perish with dishonour . this strong resolution of mardanes brought him on to a desperate experiment , as the sequele of our history shall discover : meane time , we will returne to our late-solicited doriclea , and see what plight she is in , since the rejection of this violent suiter . doriclea having returned mardanes her expresse answer ; and that with such modesty as beseemed one of her quality ; beseeching him to excuse her , in that she could not entertaine so deserving a servant , to whom she stood infinitely obliged for his love , seeing her disposition was altogether averse from the least thought of marriage : but if ever she affected that state , as her hopes could never aspire to such fortunes as he had proffered , so she meant to fix her fancy where it should with equality of yeares be suited . and so wishing him all happinesse ( the highest period of his unhappinesse ) retyring to a private a●bour , she dismissed her discontented 〈◊〉 . in which retirement , recollecting these distinct passages and passions of her two relinquished lovers , she exprest her selfe thus . doriclea , thou hast here kindnesse profferd thee in abundance . one presents his suit , and brings with him plenty of youth , fortunes , folly . an other , no lesse rich in yeares then estate , cloyes thee with golden mountaines of inducing promises : but my rest is already set in the neglect of both these . fortunes , though youth promise them , cannot ingage me , where youth is clothed with folly . nor shall proffers of honour or preferment surprize me , where disparity of yeares may beget in our mindes the like inequality . as vertue is my object : so i doubt not but if ever i change my state , she will finde a consort for me , that may improve my content . by this time had her mother entred the garden , into an arbour whereof her daughter had retired : so as , hearing her mother call her by her name , she came forth unto her ; and upon her demand , imparted unto her the answer she had returned to mardanes : wherewith her mother , though she seemed at first to dis-relish it , was inwardly well pleased , desiring rather that her daughter should bestow her selfe on one , whose youth might suit with her content , then such an one , whose fortunes though they were great , yet might his age beget in her fancy a contempt . chap. vi. how philocles , whom her parents had entertained for her schoolemaster , tooke occasion privately , but shadowingly , to impart his affection to her : and with what seeming scorne his motion was received . amongst others whom the parents of doriclea had entertained to instruct their daughter in good literature , with other usefull principles sorting well with the accomplishment of one of her quality : there was one philocles commended to them ; whose singular parts deserved approvement with the best . for hee had bestowed much precious time , not without answerable profit and improvement , in the university . where he became for his time such an excellent proficient ▪ as much was expected from him : nor had he doubtlesse , frustrated their expectance , might he have beene partaker of his desires ; in residing where he wished , and planting where he so much profited . but his course of academick studies became diverted , being call'd back into the countrey . where he continued not long , till he was preferred to the familie of androgeus . during all which time , he demeaned himselfe so commendably , as there was none of what quality so ever , but conceived infinite delight in his company . for his discretion had sufficiently inform'd him in the distinction of times : when to be grave and serious ; when pleasant and ingenious . and though he knew how to argue syllogistically , and play the sophister wittily : yet so modest was he in the whole time of his reside there , as he was never observed to presse any argument , no , though urged , without much instancy . a rare quality in a scholar : who , for most part , is apt to make logick his subject in each society . whereas discretion will rather moderate too unseasonable-vehement reasonings in that kinde , then become too forward a champion in entring the list upon every unnecessary occasion . neither had philocles , of whom we are now to discourse , possest himselfe more strongly of the opinion and good conceit of the parents of doriclea , who had taken a speciall observance of the care , ind●●try , and singular modesty of this her tutor : but that tender tinder of affection became likewise to sparkle a little in that pure virgin-bosome of doriclea : albeit , so composed were her thoughts , so divinely moderate her de●ires , as she chused rather to smother , and therein suffer for her fancy , then ingage her unadvised affection to a publique discovery . in the same manner did our philocles suffer ; for so constantly had his liking seated it selfe on the towardly disposition of doriclea , as now upon the expiration of the years of her tuition , instead of a severe master , he becomes a sincere lover . long had he expected what the issue would be of her late suitors affectionate encounters : wherein doriclea had beene ever desirous to take his advice : whose counsel , doubtlesse , would conduce weakly to their availe : and having now perceived , how lightly she entertained such ignoble servants : and that her discreet fancy seemed rather to aime at personall worth , then the rubbish of earth : hee imagines a faire opportunity to be now offer'd him of imparting his minde freely to her , in whose purchase he might finde stored an incomparable treasure . revenues hee had none to proffer her : having the constant fortunes of a scholer ; which like two lines meet together in one centre , equally closing in the fate of a younger brother . yet observe his modesty ! many times had hee resolved to discover his love , which some contrary passions ever prevented . sometimes hoping hee might prevaile , and enjoy what he sought : other sometimes , wholly despairing to reape what his care had sown . now would he prepare himselfe for a set speech ; but no sooner came he in her presence , then as one driven to an exta●ie , & wholy deprived of the benefit of memory , he only discovered his fancy by the intentive fixing of his eye : other language he could finde none : silent admiration was the sole orator of his affection . at last , recollecting his love distracted thoughts , and bethinking with himselfe , with that amorous youth in the pastorall , how she whose fancie he besought was but a woman : and that an unkinde repulse was the worst entertainment he could possibly expect , he takes to him heart of grace and after many cold qualmes to perplexed lovers best knowne , with the best boldnesse he could , he thus encounter'd her . scholer shall i call you , or your masters mistresse ? your years of tuition are now expired : your yeares have taught you now to learne woman . and shall i receive no guerdon for my long attendance , save only an acknowledgement of my service ? a great part of the prime of my youth have i here bestowed in your fathers house ; where mine highest care was your proficience : nor did your increase in knowledge fall short of my expectance . you have read , how iacob for his seven yeares service , received from laban his leah . wherewith doriclea interrupting him , said ; and if my father had any such bleare-ey'd daughter , you should have my consent to enjoy her . but pray you good sir ( quoth doriclea ) whence commeth this discourse , or whereto direct you it ? h 'as my father fallen in any manner short of what was promised you ; or deducted ought from that annuall pension hee conferred on you , that you should thus upbraid us in any disregard to your service ? no , mistresse , ( answered philocles ) i have amply tasted of his bountie ; his liberall exhibition towards me , hath farre exceeded any abilities in mee of requitall . if i have any cause to complaine , the ground thereof ariseth from your neglect , and so you may be pleased to conceive it . from mine , said doriclea ? good sir , shew me in what particular , i have neglected any office of respect to your deserving selfe ! of all vices , i must ingenuously tell you , i have ever constantly hated that of ingratitude . conscious i am , heaven knowes , of too many ; yet of this , my thoughts have been ever so freely cleared , as i cannot remember wherein you may pretend any just cause of taxing mee in this nature . o yes mistresse , answered he ! i have taught you what i perceive you were as apt to forget , as you were at first to get : and in forgoing that one only lesson , you have implyed a neglect of my instruction . you may well remember , for it is not so long since you got it by heart , how i told you the signification of amo , and how you were to decline it . neither have i forgot it , so farre ▪ said she , as i meane to make use of it . for the active i shall ever generally approve it : but for the passive , i never mean to entertaine it . what may amo then signifie , quoth philocles ? i love , said doriclea ; and why do you decline , quoth he , from so sweet a signification ? because ( answered she ) it was one of your first lessons to teach me how to decline it . herein i doe but observe your lesson , and is this in me any transgression ? no , doriclea , no , said philocles ; but my desire is that you would exercise the fruit and effect of that lesson . i will not tell you how much he loves you , who first read that lesson to you . but were there transparent lights in his bosome , you might easily discerne , and consequently affirme , that there were something in him who deserved your affection . deserved my affection ( answered doriclea ) surely , i doubt not , but my fathers care has provided a better jointure then a schoolehouse for his daughter . trust me sir , if this be your guerdon which you expect for your care and serious instruction ; i am very likely , for my part to prove unthankfull still : your motion falling so farre short of all hope of promotion . nay , i must tell you , sir , that you have so deceived my opinion , as where before i bore your person all respect , as to a serious and industrious master ; your uncivile presumption ( for a better title i cannot bestow of it ) shall henceforth teach me to dispense with that respect : and if you seasonably desist not , make my father acquainted with your boldnesse . in such scorn i hold your motion , as i can finde no passion strong enough to encounter with your indiscreet affection . with which words , as one seemingly above all measure , irreconcileably incensed , she departed : leaving her disconsolate philocles to converse with the aire : or like a melancholy scholer , to enter parley with his own sullen saturnine thoughts . but so strangely became he divided from himself , as the very organs of his tongue had lost the faculties of speech : his eyes , as if affrighted with some meteor , stood staring , without distinguishing the object they fixt upon . all was out of order with this amorous scholer : till at last taking a little breath , he vented his dis-passionate griefs in this manner . is it so , unhappie philocles ? must thy true affectionate care of her honour , receive so harsh an answer ? will she shew no lesse height of hate , then thou reteines heat in thy love ? and whence the ground of her disdaine ? thou taught'st her the rule to love , but shee never means to practise that lesson . thou hast that cloud of a scholer hanging over thee philocles , which darkens the height of love . they must be accommodated in all parts , that shall merit her love . camillus she could not brook , though young and rich , because he was a foole. mardanes shee could not endure , though wise and rich , because he was too old . and philocles she will discard , though neither too old , nor altogether a foole , because he is not rich . well , doriclea , my desire shall ever be , that thou maist prosper : and enjoy in any complete gallant whom thou shalt affect , more then thou canst in the society of a scholer . yet , me thinks , that name should not be of such contempt , that the very tender of my affection should beget thy discontent . it is a strange requitall , to render hatred for love : c●vill respects deserve freer courtesies . my hopes are not yet so desperate ; nor my studies hitherto so unfortunate , that they should expose me to such neglect . why then should shee bestow on my affectionate devotion , no better title then vncivill presumption : seeing privacie freed me from the one ; and my humilitie from the other ? but all this sufficeth her not : her inraged passion mounts yet higher above the banks . she has denounced on thee a sentence , if thou de●●st not from thy suit . her father must be made acquainted : and consequently thy future hopes derived from his favour , expired . and herein have you charm'd me doriclea ; i shall surcease to expresse , what my thoughts shall ever reteifie . nay , i will turne dissembler with mine own heart : and learne to decline from what i love most . you shall have no cause hereafter to tax me of boldnesse : in the company of those you better love , i shall hold my distance ; rejoice when you are pleased in the presentment of a deserving su●ter ▪ and heartily wish your mindes may close in one harmonious consort together . and if this will not expiate my offence , i will go further , to regaine my peace . an academick life shall receive me , which may in time restore to me that liberty , which since this my occasionall reside in the countrey becomes unhappily estranged from me . this said , he retired ; bearing the clearest countenance that so troubled a minde could bring forth : resolving never to renew his suit ; but if he could not weare out those impressions of love , which had writ such deepe characters in his heart , to remove the occasion by dividing himselfe from the object of his affection : and exchanging a countrey love with an academicall life . chap. vii . the discourse doriclea used next day at table , being encouraged by her parents indulgence : alledging by way of argument , that she wondred how julia , augustus his daughter could detract so much from her princely descent , as to entertaine least thought of loving ovid ; and how a schoolemaster durst attempt the sollicitancy of an emperours daughter . perplexed philocles could not conceive more passion in doriclea's disesteeme ; then doriclea apprehended motives of content from the affection philocles had profest . yet to cloath fancy with policy , both of these must stand at equall distance : and expresse not so much as the least beamling of their true zeale in presence . for philocles , he durst not , being already charm'd with her thre●ts : and for doriclea , she would not , to try what temper hee was made of . a dangerous hazard , i nust confesse it is , to t●ifle thus with love , and by playing with the flame , to endanger the fndging of their wings : but so well composed was doriclea , so vertuously loyall her affection , and that winged with such continent desres , as they ever impaled themselves within tle lists of modesty : yea ▪ she would not stick sometimes to give liberty to the quicknesse of her conceit : by making choice of some discourse purposely to amate philocles : and shadowingly pretend a discovery of his late proffer'd and professed fancy . as it chanced one day , when her parents and her selfe were at table together , where through a native tender indulgence which they had ever shown to their daughter , she had liberty to expresse her conceit upon any subject . by means of this liberty , which she alwaies used with much modesty , she took occasion to enter into a discourse by way of argument , touching the familiarity which appeared betwixt augustus his daughter and the poet ovid : wherein she proceeded in this manner . amongst all other occasionall subjects , wherein my small reading has informed me ; there is nothing that occurres unto me more strangely then that boldnesse , which i finde in that ingenious ovid , with the emperour augustus his daughter . how a poet , whō even that wisest of philosophers , plato himselfe , had long since banished his common-wealth ; and whose height of fancy some of our ancient sages have esteemed a meere phrensie ; holding poetry to be the devils wine : and a poeticall dimension such a distraction , as it infatuated the understanding , and deluded the conceipt with deceiving shadowes of opinion ; how he , i say , durst attempt an assay of such importance ; by imparting his love , where he ought so much of duty : or conceipt himselfe worthy the least beamling or reflexion of such a fancy . againe , how she looking on that imperial house from whence she came ; those eminent allyes with which she sided ; those many eyes which darted o● her ; the distaste which so commanding a father could no lesse than apprehend upon so unequall a familiarity ; would debase her thoughts so much , as to stoope to so base a lure : as the highest pitch was but a poeticall fury , an intranced rapsody , which would suit incompetibly with a princes fancy . no , what is more , a meere pedanticall schoolemaster ; for so i have read , he was ; whose highest aime was his soveraignty in correction : & this ambitious swad to assume to himselfe so much immerited state , as to presse into familiarity with his emperours daughter ; or she to entertaine such ignoble thoughts as to accept of the protests of so undes●●ving a servant , is almost above the pitch of imagination to conceive ; or opinion to beleeve . why girle , said her father ? was it ▪ hold you , so contemptible a thing in those dayes to be a schoolemaster ? pray you tell me , what doe you thinke of some of our most eminent princes , who have in former times beene schoolemasters ? yea , and with a voluntary dereliction of all regall state , port , and magnificence , preferred that pedanticall state before the glory of a diadem ? dennis , dionysi●s , and seleuchus were in their times equall to most princes for eminence of state , absolutenesse of command ; extent in the limit of their soveraignty ; yet did these hold that condition which you esteeme so despicable , equall in content to that princely honour which before they retain'd : yea , incomparably more happy did they account themselves , in relinquishing the one for acceptance of the other , then if the most famous conquest that ever earth was witnesse of , had recorded their regall names in the annals of honour . this it was which moved seleuchus that victorious prince , upon reflex had to those many miseries and insupportable cares accompanying a crowne , so confidently to say , that if a man knew with what cares a diadem was clogged , he would not take it up though it lay in the street . nor was this the singular opinion of one ; for when the romans had despoiled antiochus of all asia , so lightly laid he it to his heart , as hee gave them great thanks , saying , they had rid him of many insupportable cares : yea , and of many bitte● invectives beside ; being at one time saluted ● glorious prince , and a furious tyrant . nor did these beare those mutable overtures wit● mindes lesse composed , then if highest fortunes with generall voice and vote had been● on them conferred . so as , a philosopher perceiving diony●ius to sit merrily in the thea●● after he was expulsed his realm● , condemned the people who banished him . it is true father , said doriclea : but i am halfe perswaded , that none of these whom you have named , would have cared much for a private life , had they not beene deposed . to act the part of king and no king , 〈◊〉 an heavie taske : high spirits can hard●● brooke it ; and for ignoble mindes , wh● preferre , like an other childish honorius the safety of roma their hen , before th● safeguard of roma their city ; they are n● to bee much pitied for what they lose , because they are altogether insensible of thei● losse . they who could forgoe a kingdom● for a schoole , never deserved the title o● a prince . indeed , some of these there wer● who deprived of their scepter ▪ made● schoole-house their harbour ; but for wha● end ? meerly to exercise their tyranny on children , as they had before practised on men. girle , your judgement is too rash , said androgeus ; did not dioclesian , whom you even now named , voluntarily relinquish the flourishing'st empire in the world ? he was neither expulsed by force , nor deposed by private consent : his desertion of an imperiall life came from his owne choice : being weary of so pressing a burthen , the weight whereof winged his resolves for a private condition . but pray thee girle , whence came the occasion of this argument ? truly sir , quoth she , from no great ground ; and i am glad at heart , that having taken so slight an occasion , it has so neerely closed it selfe in a digression . for my argument tooke first breath from the boldnesse of a schoolemaster in attempting , and the lightnesse of his scholler in consenting . the one too confident of his own parts ; the other too unmindefull of her own worth . the first too opinionate of his owne desert ; the latter too forgetfull of her own descent . which subject , presuming on your patience and fatherly indulgence , i made choice of , being the very last which occurred to my reading ; which mov'd me the rather to revive it , to heare what might materially be opposed to it . chap. viii . the feare philocles was in , lest doriclea should discover his suit to her parents . which doriclea , though shee made choice of that argument , only to affright him , never intended , being more affectionately disposed , then either her appearance made shew of , or any expression had as yet discovered . it is not easie to imagine what cold qualmes came over philocles heart in the disputing of this subject : so as , if the parents of doriclea had suspected ought , they might easily have gathered by the going and comming of his colour , that there was something in the winde that wrough such strange effects in his count'nance and gesture . all which proceeded from an imaginary feare , doubting much that doriclea had discovered his too bold suit to her parents : or if she had not already done it ; this very argument whereof she took so free an occasion to discourse , was an introduction of what she meant to discover hereafter . so as , many times in private would hee fall into sundry passions : sometimes reproving his own presumption , in presenting his love to one who was so farre above the spheare of his affection : other sometimes he would minister to his amated spirits some small semblances of hope ; as if she were not the same she seem'd ; but that her fancy , howsoever shadowed or shrowded for the time , would break forth into other expressions , then what her virgin modesty could yet impart . which deceiving opinion ( as hee judged it ) he would streight labour to divert , and condemne himselfe of egregious folly to promise himselfe hope to obtaine : seeing all passages of prevailing in his inconsiderate suit , were shut up by his mistresse disdaine . for to impart his thoughts to her any more upon that subject , he resolved fully never to attempt it : desiring nothing more then that his former folly might be remitted ; and all occasion of discovery prevented : upon which condition hee would willingly surcease from those motives of love , which had so strongly wrought on the faculties of his minde . nor did hee see any means to unrip his thoughts to an other , being so far from hope of successe ▪ as now it became a sufficient task for him to prevent danger . for as the bent of his fortunes at that time confin'd themselves only to the spirit of hope : so was his hope probably like to expire , should she whom hee held so deere , make the least discovery of what had passed betwixt him and her . it behoved him therefore to apply himselfe to another designe : and recant his familiarity with love : which might both endanger his fortunes , and deprive him all hopes of aspiring higher . thus , as the precious stone diocletes , though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it loseth them all , if it bee put into a dead mans mouth ; fared it with philocles , who though he were excellently indowed , richly qualified , and for elocution generally approved ; yet all these disheartned by want of hope , lost all that lustre which they formerly reteined . for though at retired houres , and at such times as he found his muse most propitious , he composed diverse amorous poems , apt motives to stir up fancy ; yet so much was he discouraged , as what his resolves were sometimes addressed to present , his latter thoughts ever retracted howsoever , his melancholly walkes , affecting nothing more then privacy , discovered to his mistresse the effects of his fancy , who was so farre from disclosing what might redound to his dishonour ; as those arguments whereof she sometimes took occasion to treat , were only urged to affright him , but in no case to prejudice him : being so tender of his welfare , as whatsoever appeared , nothing was by her intended to decline his choice , or to give him just cause of change . for so full of vertuous remorse was doricleas pious heart , as it was more affectionately disposed , then by any appearance was yet discovered . for as the juniper tree maketh the hottest coale , and the coolest shadow of any tree : for the coale is so hot , that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinquishable by the space of a whole yeare : so this divinely sented creature ( to hold nearer resemblance with the juniper ) though the heate of her affection had beene long smothered in embers , and discovered no visible flame ; yet did it reteine her vigour still , and by so much more violent when iffuing , by how much longer before it came to appearing . for love inwardly shewes his heat most , when outwardly discerned least . and such was doricleas case ; though she restrained her eye from fixing on that object which it desired : and her heart to entertaine that guest which of all others she most priz'd , yet could not her discretion make such a foole of love , as wholly to bury her thoughts from more discerning eyes . truth is , though no profession seem'd more contemptible then that which he held : yet in her conceipt , no vocation more pleasing , being profest by one to her own thoughts so loving ; with her owne desires so complying . little then needed philocles , to feare that she would discover any thing to her parents to his prejudice : seeing she so inwardly affected and equally approved what he had propounded , as nothing did more infinitely content her , then at vacant hours to recollect those words which he had delivered to her . neither was it her desire to tyrannize over her late-captiv'd and inchained servant : whose freedome lay it in her power , should be confirm'd with as ample and authentick a charter ; as true love and constant devotion could enjoyne her . but all this little allay'd those incessant cares and feares of poore philocles : who every day expected a discharge , when he should be deprived of the place he bore , and consequently of all future hopes of renuing his suit , or enjoying that prize which hee so infinitely valued , as the sacrifice of his life he held at a low rate to seaze him of the incomparable purchase of her love . this mov'd him one day , after a sad recollection of his thoughts , to meditate of his present condition , and of the ground of his distemper in this pensive manner . how is it philocles ! how fares it with thy distracted thoughts ! most miserable of all others is thy condition ; meriting most , yet can partake no compassion . shouldst thou discover thy griefes , thou exposest thy selfe to danger , and by concealing what thou seelest , with fresh fuell thou feedst thy distemper , unhappy then art thou in suffering what thou darest not disclose : and no lesse unhappy , in making those thy enemies , on whom thou depends , by discovering what thy intimate thoughts desire to make knowne . how sweet and safe was thy condition , when philosophy was thy mistresse : and and the liberall arts those brave competito●s which contested with thee for preeminence ? light-feather'd love was then no lure to catch thee : nor beauty no baite to ensnare thee : nor all those amorous delights which fancy tenders , motives to delude thee . spare commons became profest foes to light affections . lectures of philosophy admitted no audience to loves treaty . but such is the mu●able disposition of the mind : that no condition relisheth worse then what it presently injoyes . for could man value an academicke life when he partakes it , at that estimate which hee holds it when he foregoes it , hee would not make exchange of that present state with the treasures of the age : nor lose an houres contemplation for the injoyment of an empire . o unhappy philocles ! and by so much more unhappy , in being once happy . in those prime slourishing dayes , wherein knowledg was the height of thy ambition , thou couldst freely without anxiety , and though rationally , with much liberty , discourse of a disdainefull mistris . sleight the frownes of an imperious dame , and make it a wonder , how a little painted earth , more purely refined then other inferiour mou'd , should surprize a conceiving soule , by making the miserable sufferer present himselfe a true malecontent : with an hat without a band over-brimming his eyes , an unfashionable habit , as if he scorn'd to suit with time , and that unbrush'd : an head , as if newly fetterd with medusa's locks , and that unkemb'd . this made me put on the countenance of dem●critus , and weaken my lungs with laughter . and must i play the mad-mans part , and discover my selfe to be the very same personall actor ! well philocles ; herein thou maist read a lecture of humility unto others ; by disvaluing thy owne strength : and submitting thy selfe to others censure , who formerly wert so forward to taxe others of the same error . meane time , what powerfull effects have all these fruitlesse passions wrought ? increase of disdaine ; decrease of esteeme : and feare in thy selfe of discovering thy ayme ? well , doriclea , did you but know , as your discretion hath sufficiently inform'd and improv'd your knowledge , what your unworthy servant , unhappy philocles , has lost in offering his sacrifice of love unto you ; you would suffer the worst of extreames , rather then suffer him to perish , whose life , freedome and fortune depend all upon your affection . but be it your lot to soveraignize over me , while with resolved patience ; and a minde better composed then for any affliction to shake , i embrace my owne ruine with a smile , while you close the period of my hopes in a frowne . all this , unknowne to him , did his doriclea heare ; who had much to doe , upon the relation of his unhappinesse , to hold her peace . but with what an open and affectionate brest she receiv'd his complaints , and with what constancy shee reteyned them , shall appeare hereafter by those impressive effects which were wrought in her , and derived from her , by them . chap. ix . the intercursive letters passing betwixt philocles and doriclea : and how shee begunne to impart by penne , what she had before conceited in thought : and how she desired nothing so much as the accomplishment of their love , so privacy might give leave . good newes , when they come unexpected , are ever with the best welcome entertained . this our love-perplexed philocles well understood , when after so many cold sweats , and distemper'd passions , which the height and heat of his unfained love had brought him to , he begun now at last to perceive , that a storme may beget a calme : and that the frowne of a mistris may arise from the brow without least privity or intention of the heart . which pleasant and unexpected overture , not to trifle out time , nor delude the conceipt of our amorous reader , who , no doubt , longs to heare of so faire a conclusion , to such unpromising premises , happened thus . philocles , who had never all his time before , entred into such a league of familiarity or acquaintance with love : and now fully resolved to bid adieu to all such dis-passionate treaties as make fooles of the wisest men : after a melancholy turne or two in a solitary walke , which since the first presentment of his love to doriclea , at retired hours he usually frequented : entring his chamber , and casting his eye aside , hee might finde a paper close by his deske , wherein were these words contained . doricleas first letter to philocles . sir ; the very last time i saw you , me thought you wore your band more like a scholler then a compleate lover ; which imply'd , that you were lov'd and knew not . now , i would not that you made too large a construction of this : i am not she that will tell you she loves you : and if perhaps , i did , you would not believe me . for i have given you no cause as yet to conceit so . nay , reflect upon your person and profession , and if you be any good sophister ▪ you cannot chuse but conclude from such apparent premises , that it is impossible i should love you . and yet , i would be loath to be accounted such a foole , as to speake all that i thinke . trust me , sir , i was once resolv'd never to love , but if i did , never to love you : now what have you done that could alter me ? must i believe , you , because you told me you did love mee ? be all your pro●ests maxims , that i should hold them for authenticke ? and yet schollers have ever beene accounted simple : were it not a sinne then , not to believe you ? that experienced sage could stile you foxes in the schoole , but sheepe in the world : a●d shall i hold you a dissembler ? no ; i am perswaded you speake as you thinke : but what is all this to me , or wherein may this beget hope in you , seeing you must not have all you love ? well ; god forgive you , i will not dissemble , whatsoever you do . let me heare you once againe treate of love , and you shall see how i will sleight you . if your discourse like me , trust me , i will not be angry ; howsoever , it shall not so much offend me , as to make me accuse you to any such wherewith i formerly threatned you . to conclude , though love be seldome grounded on reason , returne me but reason why i should love , and why i should make you the object of that love , and as i live , philocles shall finde me a loyall constant doriclea . never did hopelesse prisoner receive more content from the glad report of an unexpected reprive , after the heavy sentence of death pronounced , then revived philocles did in the perusall of this letter . he now recollects his dispersed and dispacarled spirits : and bethinks with himselfe what were best to bee done upon so faire an opportunity offered . hee resolves therefore , to prevent jealous eyes , to addresse his minde to her in writing to this effect . philocles answer to doricleas first letter . mistris ; how much those lines sweetned with your character , have transportedme , my indearedst thoughts cannot impart unto you . to give you a reason why you should love mee , i can give you no other , but that my heart tels me i deserve you : & that humanity injoynet you to love me , seeing i hold my life an easie sacrifice to injoy you . be it your goodnesse to believe mee ; i will sooner surcease to live , then from expressing those loyall arguments of love ; which your vertues deserve , and which i with no lesse constancy shall observe . i could never yet dictate either by tongue or penne , what i first conceiv'd not in heart i told you , that your selfe was my booty ; the portion i expected , your vertuous beauty : and if you pleased but to crowne my hopes with your consent , our mutuall choice which should never admit change , might make us both equally happy . to tell you that either my fortunes or descent did deserve you , were to labour , and that fruitlesly , to delude you . but let me become an abject in the eyes of fame , an object of contempt to the world , if my faithfull devotion & observance supply not that deficience . for my descent , as i will not boast of it , yet whensoever your parents , after passion digested , shall examine it , they will finde it neither so ignoble as to despise it , nor so meanely strengthened , as to reject it . but what are these , compared to the purity of that affection , which combines hearts and hands : and with a sacred cement so knits and contracts mindes : as those who were before divided , by meanes of this holy league became so united , as nothing so much as their presence could content them , then which , nothing before did more distaste them ! were my fortunes never so poor , yet seeing my fancy appeares so pure , account him worthy to deserve you , who will hold himselfe unworthy of that life , which shall not be imployed to serve you . these are all the reasons of love , which you can expect from your loyall philocles . thus became love a present and pregnant secretary . this object of fancy made the taske easy . letters know not how to blush , which cause them commit to paper , what a bashfull tongue could not so well deliver . besides , this diverted all occasion of jealousie in a meare-looking family . which they before all others most doubted ; fearing to be prevented , now when their loves begunne to be ripened and setled : which would so perplexe the sceane , as this comicke introduction might casually close with a fearefull conclusion . albeit , so free from the least suspition of any light or ungrounded affection which doriclea might any way harbour , were her parents ; as many times they would give their daughter liberty to ride abroad , and visit her friends . in all which freedomes she expressed such modesty , as envy could nothatch the least occasion of jealousie from so compos'd a behaviour . yet , a greater desire shee reteyn'd to stay at home , since her affection begunne to be setled on philocles , then before : many times pretending an indisposition of health , or some other minted excuse , to prevent her journey , by remaining there where shee had planted her fancy . but so tender were her parents of their daughter ; being , as shee was , indeed , naturally tender : as they desired she should change the ayre , fearing much that her long stay or retirednesse at home might enfeeble her health ▪ and this their resolve now and then closed well with her liking , having philocles assign'd her for her conduct : whose society , out of a modest policy , though she seemed with all indifferency to admit : yet how much that cheered her heart , i appeale to all such constant and affectionate lovers , whose fancy h 'as beene crowned with such opportunity : and whose iourneyes have beene so incomparably sweetned with the society of a mistris ; whose conference had power enough to shorten the houre ; allay the difficulty of a troublesome way ; and to entertaine every object with such occasionall delight : as nothing could more cheerefully nor intentively worke on the conceit . but howbeit philocles had sometimes the happinesse to attend his mistris ; he was injoyned to a short returne , which could not but beget an equall proportion of passion in them both : in him to be divided from her presence whom he so intirely affected : in her , to be dispossest of those unvaluable joyes which her affection had in his society treasured . but their personall absence was ever supplied by other remonstrances , not onely to renue what was already begun , but to prepare way for accomplishment of that , which with joynt consent they desired might be solemnely done . intercursive letters were ever passing betwixt them : and that in so quaint and cunning a character , as interception , though seconded with a nimble construction , could hardly extract ought that might discover what they intended : or apply ought that might occasionally prevent what their grounded affections had resolved . for sometimes , he would write in the person of another suiter , to free his lines from suspition : sometimes he would feague under the title of that imaginarie suiter , that he was rejected by her : which to prevent , he would revive those protests of love hee had formerly professed . and to instance these , and display the subtilty of a lover , peruse this letter , which under the faigned name of some dis-esteemed suiter , hee thus addressed to her . philocles second letter to doriclea . dearest , let the presentment of these lines renue my suite ; and in the perusall of my passions , let this be your maxim : that it rests in your affection or rejection to make me happy or unhappy in my state , your zeale to goodnesse , amongst these many gusts of extreames , assures me , your pious and well-disposed heart cannot but entertaine remorce to a servant so loyall , as hee holds the intyrest tender of his life , an easy purchase to time , but an easier sacrifice to fate , to purchase your love . let me joy in enjoying you , and let me be deprived of all joy if in every subject i close not in your content , to make our mutuall joyes more truly absolute . amidst these , hope and feare doe equally encounter me ; it is in your discreet brest to banish the one , by returning assurance of the other : and by checking the latter with a frowne , to give encouragment to the former with a smile . your yeare of mourning is now expir'd ; receive him into your bosome , who will hold you so deare , as your comfort shall never expire . my long neglect of attending you , proceeded from the discouragement i received from you at my last being with you : but i am perswaded that assurance your owne hand hath plighted me , will induce you to recollect your thoughts , and revive those sacred tyes , which are so firmely united , as by death onely to be dissolved . let but one line redart one small beameling of love , and winged speed shall enliven my desires for those parts , and style me in the fruition of you , your long trusty , now happy servant ▪ how much these plaide , nay pleas'd the imagination of doriclea , it is not easy to conceive . smyling with her selfe at the conceit of philocles , in seeming to feare what he feared not ; and pretending the affection of a suiter whom he knew not . nor was doriclea lesse prompt in addressing her affectionate thoughts to philocles , but still after his copy ; for either would she make bold with subscribing mellida's name to her owne letter : or counterfaiting some other character , to expresse the intimacy of her desires , and constancy of her vowes to her selectedst lover . nor would she inlarge herselfe too much ; lest by some circumstance or other she might discover what her private thoughts would not have disclosed , for the true and unvaluable estimate of her honour . yet did not her penne drop lesse love for the contractednesse of her line : each sillable had his emphasis , as may appeare by this amongst others , which shee sometimes wrote unto him to solace his pensivenesse . doricleas second letter to philocles . faile not , faint not , feare not : i am ever the same i have professed , constant . no line can limit my love ; no distance divide my heart . meane while lodge these lines in thy bosome till i see thee . cold north , hot south , cleare east , wet west shall ne're divide me from thy brest ; on this then , dearest , set thy rest , i am the same that i 've profest ; meane time , sweet fancy , use thy charme , till sleepe enfold us arme in arme . no day past without some memoriall of this kinde . a strong motive to love ; re-conveying to the memory , what personall absence might raze forth without revivall . this it was which wrought so strongly on the enlivened spirit of marke antonie : as there was nothing that made him so great a stranger to armes , which he naturally affected : nor estranged his affection more from his octavia , to whom by conjugall love he stood obliged : nor divided him more from the care of securing himselfe , then one line comming from the hand of his cleopatra . though her majestick state begot an admiration in her beholders ; a strong impression in the wounded hearts of her lovers . though her eye reteyned a power to command love ; and subdue the commandingst conquerour with a look . all these soveraigniz'd not halfe so much on antonies affection , as those amorous lines he received from her , writ in christall , amber , amethist , and ivory . not a line but contained a loves charme . no modell which ever fancy devis'd , or the imagination stampt ; which subtile cleopatra presented not to make a commander her thrall ; a conquerour her slave . those secret delights of love which modest eares would scarcely have received ; nor shamefast eyes perused , were into his conceipt freely instilled : to decline his affection from those , whom hee ought to have loved best : and to ingage his heart to her , whose embraces hee should have dis-relished most . thus did she cast forth her lines for lures , to seaze on one of the highest flyers , that ever perch'd roman stemme : becomming her own witty secretary , to ensnare the fancy of her deluded antony . but more modest were the lines of our two lovers ; and farre more vertuous their aimes . reason became no captive unto sense . neither did the conceipt of a nuptiall night so much transport them , as to deprive their apprehension of the end for which honourable rites were first ordained . this , philocles sufficiently expressed , when at such time as after doricleas returne home , having no good opportunity to impart his thoughts more freely to her , he commended these lines to paper , which he privately conveyed into her pocket . philocles third letter to doriclea . deare one , what i sometimes professed , shall be ever in my loyall love to you faithfully expressed . what , though opportunity for the present barre us from conference , our eyes shall witnesse that unfeined love that is betwixt us . and in approvement of it , subscribe under these few lines , but these words , i will be ever your faithfull consort : and you shall perceive , ere long , that a faire opportunity shall give freedome of enjoyment of our loves . where we way freely and vertuously enjoy one the other ; and with continuall comforts partake the benefit of our lawfull loves to gods honour . meane time , write these words under this , my dearest choice , so shall my constant love pronounce me yours without change . the match is made with joynt consent , onely subscribe , i am content : where nought but death shall e're divide your dearest consort from his bride . nor need you doubt but doriclea upon perusall of these lines , was as ready to s●bscribe , as hee to propose . so loyall were their chaste loves , so constantly united their minds . yet were they no such novices in the schoole of love ; nor so uncapable of those effects which pure love might bring forth : as not to aspire to some higher degree then yet they had attain'd . yea , even vertuous doriclea , who never heard any light discourse without a modest blush : nor had given harbour to a wandring thought without a seasonable reproofe , desired nothing more then the accomplishment of their love , so privacy might give leave . for that tender filiall zeale which shee bore to her parents made her resolves more doubtfull ; and time more protractive ; then her desires , were she her owne guardian , could freely give way to . howsoever , to free her faithfull philocles of all feare ; and to confirme him in that which he did most desire : with as much convenient speed as the opportunity of that time would allot , with a prepared hand and an affectionate heart shee subscribed to whatsoever his vertuous requests had propounded . chap. x. what plots doriclea devised to partake in private meetings and treaties with her philocles : and how by the jealousie of euryclea , her mother , she was prevented . short restraints seeme long , where hearts are divided from those objects which they love . though at times of repast , and some other houres of the day , doriclea might enjoy the presence of her philocles , yet through the intercourse of her sundry suiters , who now like golden showers came daily falling & distilling into our danaës lap : they were barred that freedome of discourse their bequeathed hearts so much affected . nor could it doe lesse then perplexe the troubled thoughts of philocles , to see his doriclea so daily courted ; ample promises of high preferment , with other titles of honour , dangerous baits to catch a woman , proffered : so as , if she were not all the constanter , howsoever she had largely protested , he was verily perswaded her mai●en castle could not long hold out . e●ery kisse was a killing to him ; and by that , judge how often he might be killed every day ! he many times thought of that poeticall proverbe : l●●s are loves-portels , to sly wooers known , which once surpriz'd , the fort is quickly wonne . yet patient philocles ! he must say nothing , whatsoever hee think . his eyes must partake in the sight of their wooing dalliance ; & glad he may do so , to prevent the worst . and sometimes these silken suiters will vouchsafe him that honour to supply a place in their amorous pastimes ; as in making gooselings in the fire , or drawing of gloves , or such like harmelesse toyes , to passe the night away . nay , sometimes they imploy'd him further , in returning a message to doriclea ; a task which suited best with his liking , but no doubt would loose much of his spirit in carrying . for to be a second porter of bellerophons letters could not sort with his disposition , who had casten his lot , and found one equally closing with him ●n affection . but all these servile imployments , as he conceived , were imposed him , purposely to humble him . albeit , such trials needed little , being one of such temper , as his thoughts were farre above an inferiour spheare . for as hee beheld nothing in this theatre of earth , worthy affecting , but his doriclea : so hee conceipted so well of his choice , as he rested confident , such an excellent piece could not finde a brest to entertaine a change . and his opinion was truly grounded : for howsoever his doriclea might seeme out of a desire to give her parents content , to converse with these jolly wooers , and to leave them in suspense , lest an absolute rejection of them might procure their distaste ; wee have ever made it a constant maxim , where the eye is , there the minde is : which might well appeare by the behaviour of this constant maid : who , though she seemed amorously to converse with these , had her eye ever fixed on her philocles . but all this was not sufficient to her , unlesse she might enjoy the presence of her dearest ; from whom to be divided , even in private treaties or parliance , was no small affliction . suppose her then contriving sundry plots to partake in what she did so infinitely desire . love is ingenious in devising , but many times not so prosperous in succeeding . private meetings , purposely to relate their affections , with meanes of preventing of what her parents , for ought that she knew , might be intending ; was her aime ; further she aspired not : for so pure and undistained were her thoughts , as they hated to mixe themselves with any irregular desire . now to bring to passe what she sought ; many evenings would she pretend some one businesse or other , to stay below behinde her mother : but so light was her occasion , as her mother perceived , that it made her more jealous of her excuses . seeing then these would not do ; she made use of a trap-doore within her chamber ; intending to come downe by it , and so enjoy the benefit of time . but none of these plots would hold ; for euryclea , who by some private intelligence , or what other ill office i know not , receiving notice of her daughters practise ; one night when doriclea suspecting no harme , was to come downe by the trap-doore , as she had formerly done , was received below by her mother instead of her lover . which how it perplexed this unfortunate doriclea , exceeds the art of any pen to expresse : being not only deprived of that beneficiall opportunity , with an evening treaty , to crowne their fancy ; but ingaged to a just censure or opinion of jealousie . which her mother had good cause to conceive ; seeing what private advertisements had informed , she found so apparently confirmed . imagine then incensed euryclea , who prized nothing more then her daughters honour : nor distasted ought more then those imputations which censure might justly cast upon her , taking up her daughter in this manner . what girle , is your modest seeming come to this ? h 'as our care , our too much care of your preferment , made you forgetfull of your honour ? have you either so meane an opinion of your selfe ; or so weak a conceipt of our love , as to suffer your desires to mount no higher , then to be the affectionate mistresse of a schoolemaster ? h 'as your breeding begot in you a neglect of what you are , or a contempt of that duty which you owe ? be your actions so dark , as they must have the night to shelter them ? must your fathers family receive a blemish by your infamy ? is this the hope we treasured in you , the comfort we expected from you ? little , did either your father or i imagine what you meant by that quaint discourse you occasionally vented at the table ; in talking of that immodest love betwixt a wanton poet and augustus daughter . it seemes you delivered that argument only to try us , whether we stood affected to such a profession , on which you had pitcht your wilde affection . simple girle ! conceive remorse in time ; do not undoe your fortunes ; there is none yet that can ( such is my too indulgent hope in you ) justly traduce you ; unlesse the eyes of this family . redeeme their opinion ; be more tender of your reputation . there is no portion proportionably comparable to the gage of honour : which perish'd , you are lost for ever . no treasure so precious as a continent soule ; nothing more to be lov'd , and nothing harder to be redeem'd , being once lost . it will grieve mee , to heare your selfe griev'd with the relation of an ill report . you may bee confident i shall take small pleasure in the discovery of this nightwork . well girle ; those relenting teares promise amendment : how soone is a mothers anger appeased ? i shall be ready to salve all , so i finde a desire in you to amend all . i will not make your father , your too passionate father acquainted with it ; neither will i shew in publique any displeasing countnance towards your too presumptuous philocles . all shall be carried with that equall and faire temper , as you shall have cause to say , that never indulgent mother did more ●ender her daughters honour : nor could use more connivence , where she found the least hope of repentance . retire then with all privacy into your chamber ; i shall charme your maide that shee discover nothing . only let this be a warning unto you henceforth , never to expose your honour so freely , as to give occasion to the family to speak lightly of you . for as honest repute is the highest prize ; so it merits of it selfe such approved praise : as were your actions never so private , the eye of piety would survey them and crowne them . neither can any device finde such a shroud or shelter for vice , as the piercing eye of fame will not discover it , and display the actors when they least dreame of it . be then what you have so long professed , vertuous ; you cannot improve the family from whence you came , better : nor conferre on your maiden yeares more true honour . this if you observe , it will give us cause to blesse you , and second the continuance of our care , in providing a match for you that may equall your birth and fortunes : yea , and to close all in one , confirme the opinion of your own fame , by leaving to your posterity a president of your surviving goodnesse . with these words , seeing her daughter lodged in her chamber , she departed : leaving poore disappointed doricl●a to summe up her discontents , and to ask her pillow counsell in cases of such extremity , what were best to be done . whom now you may imagine turning and tossing in her bed , without taking any rest : desiring rather to be deprived of what re●resheth and nourisheth nature most , then to be rest of so sweet an opportunity of enjoying his presence , whom she prized best . for though she sought her parents minds to please , her highest thoughts were fixt on philocles . but the day must now supply the night , with our doriclea : by contenting her selfe with the sight of him , in the presence of her parents , whom she in private conference so much desired to enjoy . their distance must admit no conference : all their language now must be delivered by the eye : readie no doubt to expresse by a look , how much their united hearts stood ingaged to love . those hesperian daughters never kept their golden fruit with more vigilancy , then restrained doriclea was by her mothers jealousie . so as , though her unfeined love devised many plots to possesse her of that which she so much desired , yet by her mothers intelligence was she ever prevented . howbeit , she ever bore faire with philocles : never so much as discovering any discontent towards his person : nor at any time reproving him for his presumption ; in aspiring so high as the procurement of her daughter● affection . albeit , one day taking him aside , she told him ; that she conceived it to be a far better course for him , to returne to his former academick life : and that he lost but his time in the countr●y : especially , seeing for the present they had no imployments for him , that might any way improve him , nor answer those hopes he expected , nor parts deserved : yet if occasion should afterwards fall forth that it lay in their way to advance him : hee should not faile in obtaining the best meanes that their assistance or furtherance could possibly procure him . but little wrought these with philocles : he preferred one mistresse before nine muses . his highest of humane philosophy rested in the affection and contemplation of her on whom he had fixed his fancy . neverthelesse , he expressed himselfe thankfull for so unwelcome a tender : pretending ever that he expected daily to receive notice when some place might fall , and then he would neglect no more time but addresse his course that way ; which hee hop'd e're long would offer it selfe in such ample manner and measure , as might highly conduce to the improvement both of his credit and profit . meane time , hee hoped , his demeanure should not be such , as might make any place where he so journed for the time , weary of him . and that he would choose rather to undergo the poorest life , then be confined to that place , where his carriage might not merit love . but little did these reasons satisfie jealous euryclea ; who laboured to prevent the worst , by dividing philocles from her presence whom she tender'd best . to whom we must now returne , and see what extreames she is brought to ; who in this her languishing plight intimates her griefes ; and in a secret repose , to give more vent to passion , imparts her discontents in this private pensive relation . chap. xi . the passions of doriclea : and how shee conversed with her owne thoughts in the effecting of her love : inveying against such ungrounded fancies , who measur● affection by strength of allyance , portion , or any other respect , then the pure effects of love . griefes never come unseconded : love-surpriz'd philocles could never lament more the inequality of his fortunes , which made him unworthy the embraces of his endeared mistresse , in the opinion of her parents : then this division from him whom she so entirely lov'd , troubled the dis-passionate minde of doriclea . her unsociable disposition now discover'd her affection . dark-shady launes agreed best with her humour , where in some private spinet , conversing with her own thoughts , she used to discourse of the effects of her love , in this manner . how far art thou divided from thy selfe doriclea ? are all passages now stopt up , of partaking his society to whom i have ingag'd my heart ? can children esteeme this for tender love , which deprives them their sight whom they only love ? alas ! do they hold it a matter of such indifferency , to dispense with fancy ? admit i have made choice of him for my dearest lover , whom my parents provided for my schoolemaster , must this deserve such strict censure , as to divide me from the presence of my tutor ? this were to make a truant of a scholer . must none marry but with their equals ? none rich , match with poore fortunes ? what will become then of poore vertue ? she may live a single life , and never partake in the society of love . silken vice , be it never so deformed , must be honoured : she cannot want preferment , nor choice of suiters , nor variety of admirers , because wealth h 'as advanc'd her above the rank of inferiours . our wooers now adayes must be rich , or our parents will entertaine them with a frowne . meane time , what discontent attends such hopelesse marriages , where fortunes make up the match , while their affections never meet ? do●es loves essence consist in outward substance ? was it this that made leander crosse hellespont , and intombe his dying hopes in the waves ? was it this that moved love-seazed orpheus to encounter all hazards for his captiv'd eurydice ? was it this which expos'd long-divorced ithacus to all adventures for his constant penelope ? was it this which ingaged trusty telamon to such perils for his hesione ? o no! it was true love which drew them to those extreames . and yet did these rarely ground their affections upon equality of descents or fortunes . their choice was better planted , and therefore continued longer . for alas , what will honour do to a discontented heart ? she that is so matched receives small joy from the title of a lady , when this naked style h 'as bestow'd her on one she cannot fancy . ungrounded are these affections , and so weakly to be weighed , as i shall ever choose to inveigh against them , who hold it sufficient glory to enjoy precedency : meane time , discontent becomes their chamberlaine : seeing , neither style nor estate can reconcile an enforced love to a loathed bed . o consider you this , reverend parents , who enjoyne your children to live where they cannot love ! this it is , beleeve it , which makes modest mindes too often transgresse , by conforting with unlawfull loves , and mixing with those , whom sensuall affection h 'as made choice of in exchange . enforced loves beget straying eyes . they finde nothing at home worth affecting , which makes them with dinah to go abroad , and with too prepared a boldnesse to impaune their honour . o retract then your too severe commands , who enjoyne your children such tasks , as affection cannot beare , nor freedome of minde embrace , without a resolved distaste ! it is better seasonably to forgoe what we cannot like ; then seemingly to approve what we cannot effect , and then repent too late . for my resolves , i hope , they shall never close in any other period then this : that it shall be my constant scorne , to measure affection by strength of allyance , which to divided hearts can afford small as●istance ; or portion , which without a love-inducing proportion , begets the enjoyer nought but affliction ; nor any other respect , be it never so gracious or specious to the eye ; but that only which conveyes pure and effectuall love to the heart . never let parents think that any other affection can prosper : seeing it is not grounded on that foundation , which tenders the minde true solace and contentment . albeit , such who make their choice by the eye , receive only direction by sense ; and such a love neither deserves approvement , nor to offer it selfe to others for a president . but where reason and affection meet , there such a sweet union and communion of mindes close in the enjoyment of one the other , as nothing can dissolve that individuall tye save only the discharge of that debt we owe to nature . yea , but will provident parents say , there is more required in solemnizing a marriage , then only bare love ▪ it is true ; yet where love is truly grounded , it will ever finde a state competent to the minde , or a minde competent to the state . it is impure love that proves poore . affection cannot want : a very little sufficeth where love reigneth . whereas greatest meanes prove meane fortunes , where affectionate mindes are wanting to mannage those fortunes . o let mee then enjoy my choice , and it is not in the world that shall make me desire to change . rich am i above comparison , enjoying the freedome of my affection . miserably poore above relation . being deprived of loves fruition . either then give me liberty to live where i love ; and to become seaz'd where i have ingag'd mine heart : or let me bee restrain'd for ever , rather then so espous'd where i needs must hate . o my dearest parents ! reflect upon your owne condition , when your unriper yeares gave first motives to your glowing thoughts of affection . did you only value meanes ? was portion the on-only lure ? could nothing work so strongly on fancy , as fortune or outward ability ? yes , yes ; more purely were your undefiled loves grounded , and more successively graced , then with the refuse of earthy oare to be only guilded . look then down upon us ; we are of the same mould ; if our temper were impu●er , we should lesse deserve the priviledge of your favour . since we resemble you in our desires , second what we desire , and accompt of us , as you shall value the estimate of our deserts . howsoever doriclea , be it thy assay to reteine the good opinion thou hast purchas'd from thy philocles ; his constancie h 'as deserv'd thee ; his demeriting parts every way equall with those fortunes thy friends may conferre on thee . meane time , endure the aversenesse of thy parents with patience , so may the effect crowne thy hope , and minister thee seasonable reliefe , when all visible meanes denie helpe . thus conversed doriclea with her own thoughts ; thus with much privacie discovered she her owne passions . resolved to endure whatsoever fate or fortune might inflict , rather then forgoe the choice of her philocles , whom shee before all others did affect . but how much shee became deprived of all meanes to expresse the love shee professed , and which remained so constantly fixed , as nothing but death could divide it , the chapter ensuing will declare : where you shall finde nothing so constant an attendant to love as care : nor no distemper , when brought to extreames , more desperate of cure . chap. xii . how doriclea , being deprived all meanes of imparting the constancy of her zeale to philocles : having neither the benefit of inke nor paper , to discover her loyall intimate thoughts to her faithfull lover ; shee supplyed that want with her needle , sowing her minde in letters of gold , and returning them in the border of a handkerchiefe . so jealous was euryclea grown of the love of her daughter and her amorous scholer : as , though she prevented all means of familiar conference or treaty one with the other , yet she still doubted the worst : wherefore finding her daughter one evening privately in her chamber writing , and perceiving the character by the first blush , and too hasty subscription of her letter : to doricleas small comfort , she thus encounter'd her . what , girle , will this never be left ? will your mothers instructions receive no place ? is there none for you to love , but whom we dislike ? trust me , daughter , this will neither redound to your comfort nor credit ? i pray you , what hopes may you look for at his hands ? will his unprocured revenews maintaine you ? or his philosophy feed you ? or the leane hopes of some fat advousion hereafter sustaine you ? las , do you not see how a scholer is but made an instrument of necessity : and after he h'as done his work , like an old decaied servingman to be discarded ; or if he stay , to be fed with reversions ; or take his repast without feare of a surfet , at a philosophers dinner ? prevent then this foolish love : which , lest you should hereafter signifie by the least line , i shall remove all occasion : for pen and paper you shall have none to expresse your inconsiderate affection : the period whereof may bring you to a too untimely affliction . nay more ; assure your selfe , that the next time wherein i shall observe the least semblance of your unseasoned love , i shall divide you beyond the distance or limit of any line . no pretended excuse shall satisfie me , to induce me to suffer him to sojourne any longer within our gates . resolve then what you meane to doe ; fixe not your distemper'd fancy on him whom you cannot have . submit your affection in all obedience to our choice . in vaine it is to oppose us , seeing you labour to intercede for that which you can never receive from us . i have hitherto shrouded your too forward fancy : and casten such a vaile before the eyes of the family , as no dishonour yet h 'as touched you . compassionate my care , and requite it with a constant desire , to effect what we most affect : by setting your rest on such a choice , as may , when god shall send you one , support your charge . thus was poore doriclea deprived all meanes of imparting the constancie of her zeale to philocles . no treaty could she partake with him . no line of love could she addresse to him . eyes only were those messengers of love , which so redarted affection , as the optick part return'd a legible lecture of a constant assurance one to the other . yet would not this suffice loyall doriclea ; now must she skrue her invention to the highest pin , and by some other meanes supply the expression of her pen. which the pregnancy of loves art quickly performes . for having neither the benefit of ink nor paper , to discover her loyall-intimate though●s to her faithfull lover , she contrives an other way to expresse what she did so unfeignedly professe : and in so modest and composed a manner , as the subtilest part of jealousie could not unrivet the secrecie of such a letter . her plot is then to supplie that want with her needle , sowing her minde in letters of gold , and returning them in a curious border of needle work , so neatly and artificially shadowed , as it was not in the power of art nor strength of fancie to discover it . and amongst other curious devices which loves invention composed , she addressed this , in that manner we have expressed . doriclea to philocles . my pen a needle now must be to manifest my love to thee ; while every stitch shall sting my heart till it take harbour where thou art ; where landing , may it dye a shore if e're we live divided more . what strong and impressive memorials these and such as these were to our constant philocles ; i leave to your judgements , experienc'd lovers , who have suffer'd under the malevolent quality of such a planet : where restrained of all oportunity , your mistresses invention found way by some ingenious device or other after this manner , to discover the constancy of their affections . truth is , as there is no passion which sooner works distraction then a depriving or distancing of us from the object of our affection : so is there no such motive to the conceipt ; as this conflict of love . how witty it is in contriving ? how various in those numerous delights which the height of that fancy is ever working ? no difficulty , but love will encounter it ; no extremity , but she can digest it . there is no action meriting honour , that can be atchieved without labour . infinite were those tasks , and those full of jeopardie , which were imposed on alcydes , before he could be seazed on his tyrannizing omphale . nor were the affections of loyall mistresses of lesse pursuit in their reall expressions to their servants . what vast unfrequented deserts , unknowne to any other inhabitants but wilde beasts , have their tender virgin-feet traced , to finde out those whom they loved ? what strange disguises have they taken ; what eminent fortunes have they forsaken ; what honours rejected ; what powerfull friends disclaimed ; to enjoy one only friend , whom they so highly preferred , as by their personall seazure they held themselves sufficiently enriched ? instances we might here bring forth such store , as might make up a story of themselves with out any other intervening discourse . but omitting others both forraine and moderne , in reflecting upon our constant doriclea , we shall finde such noble constancy and masculine spirit in her , as every act shall present a sufficient approvement ; and publish her by the impartiall verdict of time , worthy that applause which the relation of that age h 'as given her . for as there was none which ever shewed more constancy to those they lov'd ; so was there never any who with a more composed temper encounter'd those affronts which either friends or fortunes cast upon her . bearing all occurrents with so sweet and pleasing a smile , as even her very profest enemies ( being , i must confesse very few , though vertue must ever have some ) suffered with her , turning their passion into compassion , the heat of their fury into a relenting admiration of her fancy : which became so equally tempered , as no distaste could alter it : being no lesse ready to enter the list to enjoy her love , then to obtaine the conquest of enjoying his love , in whose bosome she desired only to live . thus was our doriclea resolved to suffer , and to joy in her suffering , that she might enjoy him ; to whose affection as her thoughts were devoted , so no houre passed , wherein she was not contriving by one meanes or other , for their honest loves to be clothed and closed with honour . chap. xiii . philocles restraint , with those passionate effects which their enforced absence one from the other produc'd . he findes love ever most violent , when furthest divided from his object : yet amidst these disgusts , he adviseth her to patience in his restraint . confirming himselfe so individually hers , as nothing may abridge the accomplishment of their desires , but death . but returne we now to love-restrained philocles : who , as hee was confident to prevaile , so he remained ever jealous of eurycleas affection to him . nor could that smooth carriage which she pretended , free him from suspicious thoughts . for in his private retire , when divided from the eyes of men , would he many times recollect himselfe , and argue the promising effects of this amorous task : as if he were made sole moderator of his own affections . sometime● would hee object to himselfe those inevitable perils , whereto he ingaged his hopes and fortunes , by putting himselfe on an assay o● such difficulty : and which probably might encounter with such diversity of rubbs : as hi● weak meanes would prove insufficient to remove them , and without much patience , the poore mans supportance , too heavie to bea●● them . othertimes , he would be so farre fro● objecting these fears or encounters of friends● as he stood irrevokeably addressed to go 〈◊〉 with what he had begun . nothing could divert him ; affection had so steeled him ; and 〈◊〉 meditation of the worst that might fall ha● so prepared him ; as come what could come ▪ he was resolved to slight all difficulties , esteeming the conquest more glorious , by how muc● the combat seemed more dangerous . yet againe would he draw back a little and call 〈◊〉 minde those passages of her mother eurycles in labouring to disswade him frō a countrey life , and advising him to returne to his forme● academick condition . surely , quoth he , thi● motion aimed at something . it was not 〈◊〉 of a desire of my proficiency in learning , bu● to divide me from the subject of loving . sh● saw something which she liked not , or such uselesse perswasions had never been delivered . well , i know not , what to conclude upon such suspicious premises : but sure i am , that a poysonous snake may lye hid under the sweetest hearbes . those waters are not from perill freest , which run the smoothest . and too forward a spring is ever nipt the soonest . though the fish sepia bewray her subtile encounter by a black colour , which she casteth out to cover her : others can go lesse disguised , and consequently lesse suspected , yet more dangerous are these , because they delude most , when they are least feared ; surprize soonest , when we are least prepared . neither were these diversely perplexed resolves of his , without cause , for whether by some ill offices done him , or by some letters intercepted which came from him , or some other markes or tokens of love observed betwixt them , her incensed parents upon complaint made how philocles had laboured to inveagle their daughter , and against the lawes of the kingdome , sought privately to convey her , he became restrained : which was so farre from amating his spirit , as he applyed all these extreames as soveraigne cordials : fearing little , but as it was his hard fortune to suffer much for her : so her noble disposition would not be slow in returning a faire requitall , to recompence those many occurrences which he encounter'd for her . yet in this restraint , would he many times , and that not without a strong conflict , break out in the discovery of those passionate effects , which their enforced absence one from the other produc'd . o , where shall i live , said he , being deprived of her presence whom i only love ? o how sweet were this restraint unto me , were i not restrained from her whose presence would give me liberty ? how easie are the fetters of love ? how unwelcome that liberty which divides us from those we love ? yet was my former freedome in this more gratefull to me than this restraint : in that i was admitted to enjoy the sight of her , from whom i am estranged by restraint . neither can this dis-passionate censure of her incensed parents in procuring my commitment , work halfe so effectually upon mine extasied thoughts ; as the griefe i conceive for my dearest doriclea : who , no doubt , upon the hearing of these newes of my restraint , will become so perplexed , as the conceit of her discontent afflicts me more , then whatsoever her angry parents may inflict . for time may appeare their fury , by reflecting on themselves , and weighing the cōstancy of our united fancy : but should my present thraldome beget her distemper , my hopes were lost and perished for ever . and what may i expect lesse from one so truly loyall ! no doubt , but she h'as found as well as my selfe the reall proofe of that experiment . love is ever most violent , when farthest divided frō his object . so long as we have liberty to enjoy in seeing , what we may not more fully partake by injoying , yet our eyes afford us some solace , to allay those extreames of love with the fruition of their presence . but when deprived of that benefit ; and to supply the comfort of such an incomparable object , we must make grates and spider-woven wals our pensive consorts , would not imagination hold it above humane suffering ? no , no ; while we live , we are made to be actors of passionate scenes on this theatre of love . should all on earth enjoy what they desire , earth would become the period of their desires : further , poore mortals would not looke , should they enjoy whatsoever they like . resolve then philocles , patiently to beare , what thy impatience cannot cure . and amidst these disgusts , advise her to patience in this thy restraint ; that her anguish give not fresh fuell to thy discontent . be it thy care , that she suffer not in thy cure . one is enough to perish , and too many by one ; could misery fix on a lesser subject then one . setting then pen to paper , and accommodated by a convenient messenger , in this manner he imparts his minde unto her . restrained philocles to doriclea . grieve not , my deare , that i am here restrain'd , mine heart lives the●e , th●●gh i be here confin'd ; cloath that is dy'd in graine can nere be stain'd , nor can occurre●ts shake a constant minde . let me in thee but s●ch a freedome fi●de ; and ●en let fates , fri●nds , fortunes , all repine , i shall doriclea's be , doriclea mine . thus confi●ming himselfe so individually hers , ( though divided from her , by meanes of hers ) as nothing may abridge the accomplishment of their desires , but death : with a cheerfull brow he dissembles with griefe : imploying these tedious houres of his restraint in reading the stories of discontented lovers . where he found some in the way of enjoying of what they most affected , and suddenly ixion-like deceived with a cloud . others as deeply plunged in despaire of injoying what they loved , and these above expectance found their desires crowned , where their hopes were nearely expired . and of these he made use as occasion serv'd : sometimes to humble his hopes , lest they should mount or aspire above themselves . againe , were his hopes depressed ; with other instances he found them raised : & these were the most usuall consorts wherewith he conversed , in those retyred walkes whereto he was confined . but how heavily his constant doriclea took his restraint , it is not easie to expresse : being not only deprived of his presence , the highest benefit which was admitted her : but equally suffering with him , conceiving how those extremities which he now suffered , were inflicted on him by her inraged parents for the love which he bare her . these wrought strange effects in her passionate thoughts . labouring sometimes by meanes of friends , other sometimes by private policies , his freedome from durance : but the issue never seconded her desires : so as , she resolv'd to impose that upon her selfe freely , what her philocles was enforced to suffer of necessity . but from these extreames we must now descend to other occurrents : and leave these two divided lovers , to the relation of their own griefes , with this constant resolve ; that nothing may divorce their loves , but their graves . chap. xiv . doriclea understands by an aged hermit of mardanes practise : how he intends to enjoy her by indirect meanes : and how the spels of spurcina , the inchantresse with whom mardanes contracted were ever frustrated , by the devout morning exercise of doriclea , signing her selfe every morning in her going abroad with the signe of the crosse ; a soveraigne receipt against spurcina's charm. with what distaste our ancient suiter mardanes took doriclea's rejection , we shall easisily gather by this story which hapned in this manner . this contemptible worldling having sought by all meanes to enjoy his mistresse ; who made the object of her thoughts of farre ampler extent then riches ; but all in vaine : for besides their inequality of yeares , their disparity of dis●osition would ever run discord , and disrelish nothing more then union : to shew the unworthinesse of his debaucht mind every way , what his faire proffers could not procure , he meanes by indirect wayes to effect . which by the notice of an aged hermit became happily discovered . d●riclea , now in her voluntary retire , used to converse with very few : only sometimes it was her custome to repaire to a pleasant soveraigne spring , to bathe her selfe according to the season of the yeare : neare which there lived an old religious hermit : a man of a strict and rigid life . to this devout man , had doriclea often resorted , and with him conversed : from whom she had received much comfort , as she her selfe confessed . so as , comming one day occasionally to him , he imparted his minde fully and freely to her ; which fell forth happily for her , as you shall heare hereafter . daughter , quoth he , you are now in the prime of your youth ; incline then your eare to one who h'as now attain'd ripenesse of age . i have beene young as you are , and no doubt but addicted to like youthfull vanities as others were . all which my aged sorrow must now rinse with teares . but let me tel you , of all those conflicts which i observed to be hottest , i founde none more violent then the moderation of fancy . this was a subject fit for youth : for other affections , they did not so much as attempt , much lesse taint so faire a feature . nay , so wilde is fancy , that unlesse it be timely curbed , it incurres that infirmity which cannot be cured : and unlesse seasonably checked , it makes choice of those which deserve most to be rejected . this , i shall little need , daughter , to apply to you : for your modesty promiseth farre more discretion in fancy . yet i must tell you , i heare what i abhorre to relate . wherewith abruptly breaking off , he demanded of her whether she knew not one mard●nes ? very well , answer'd she ; he was pleased sometimes to be my suiter . it is true , said the hermit , and he intends ere long to be your enjoyer . mine , quoth she ! nay be patient , said the hermit . i must tell you , he h'as ingaged himselfe in a desperate course to enjoy you . your repulse barr'd him of his aimes ; now his practise is to enjoy you by indirect meanes . my grave shall first receive me , answer'd doriclea . nay , this is the violent straine of a woman , said the hermit ; you will rather dye in the expression of a passion , then incline to any receipt to cure that passion . pray you heare me . this evill man , whom you so slighted , h 'as lately contracted with an hatefull hideous hag , to practise on your person , by receiving something from you , that may indirectly procure him your affection . no longer since then yesterday , was it my fortune to be gathering simples near penell hils ; near which place to a private graunge had resorted sundry persons , and some of these of seeming quality , but all of them miserably exposed to that hatefull profession . where each discovered unto other whither they were to go , and what feats they were to do . monstrous were their practises : most of them aiming at blood : and meerely for revenge without hope of benefit to themselves . others , though not so cruell , yet no lesse unjust in their attempts ; were to practise plots and projects of love , which in short time should fall into such tragicall hate , as nothing should compose the quarrell , but the actors life . amongst which i heard one , whom the rest of that miserable meniey , as i remember , called spurcina ; an ougly deformed gamar she was : and she disclosed what she intended to do , being what she was perswaded to by one mardanes ; which was , that she should repaire daily to your fathers house , and by some meanes or other , as by practising on something you might weare , or some money you might bestow , to procure him your love . and this she resolved to put in present execution . and this must you prevent by serious devotion . let not the morning aire breath on you , nor the rising sunne shine upon you , before that victorious signe of the crosse hath arm'd you . such receipts will frustrate these deceipts : they cannot surprize you , so devotion accompanie you . this armour will shield your honour : and make that inchantresse faile in her fruitlesse labour . i have now told you what you are to do : thank your selfe if you be deluded : seeing such meanes are proposed to you , to prevent it . meane time , deare daughter , my blessing rest upon you , as my prayers shall be for you , my entirest wishes with you . desiring , that you may finde such a choice as their vertues may cheere you ; to which happy choice i commend you . thus after a reverend salute , and humble adie● by doriclea to this ancient hermit ; they both retired , but severall wayes . he to his cell , she to her selfe : where imagine her , upon a due and serious discussion of every particular , touching the strange relation of that reverend father , unloading her troubled brest , full of perplexed passions , after this manner . unhappie doriclea ! is thy fortune such , as thou must not only be divided from those thou lovest , but by indirect meanes coopled to those thou loathest ? what have i done , that i should thus incense those superiour powers against me ? have i at any time dishonoured their temples : or cloathed my vices with pretended vertues ? have i violated my faith : or where i professed love , proved false ? have i ●●boured to delude a simple lover : or gloried in the conquest of my inferiour ? h●ve i not perform'd those sacred vowes which piety enjoyn'd me : or neglected that office which charitie exacted of me ? were my professions of love directed for lucre , wanton dalliance , or pursuit of honour : or have i fashion'd my habit to the fancy of the time , to please mine own humour ? did i ever cast out any light lures to catch a cock-brain'd lover : or exprest my selfe to the deservingst suiter , too liberall of mine honour ? have i made the publique street my gallery : or desir'd unlawfull looks to seaze on my beauty ? h 'as my example given others liberty of offending : or afforded least hope to a light wandring eye of purchasing ? have i accompanied any presence with disdaine : or requited any pious office with neglect ? did i ever wish any ones hurt : or requite true love with undeserved hate ? yes , yes , doriclea , herein hast thou offended . hadst thou lov'd mardanes , he had never betaken himselfe to unjust practises . and must i either then love where i cannot affect , or make those i reject , practise what humantiy would detest ? injurious mardanes ! hadst thou none to exercise thy spels nor inchantments on , but such an one who is not her own ? this is impiety above president . what were it to enjoy , where thou canst never partake any joy : or inforce her thine , whom magick incantation , no sincere affection h●as confirmed thine ? and this were thy case , mardanes , in enjoying me . it is no sorcery can beget true fancy . where indirect meanes procure love , tragick events produce hate . desist then , unhappie man , from these assaults , which shall redound to thy shame , and cl●athe thee with infamy in succeeding times . those hellish consorts , with whom thou conve●sest , nay , miserably contractest , are soone discomfited , when a more commanding power shall countermand it . pittifull practises ! where should the innocent'st soule finde succour ; or a succourlesse maide harbour , should these receive effect to the desire of their author ? so limited then is their power , as they can practise nothing that is impure , upon a soule divinely pure . practise then , mardanes , what thou canst ; thou shalt never enjoy what thou wouldest . i am better fortifi'd then to be so surprized : stronger fenced then so foiled . nor shall i cease to render thankes to him by whom i am , and by whom i am so well prepared : next under him to that devout man , by whom i am so well informed . nor need i feare to be subdued , being so supported : nor relinquished , being so supplyed . nor were her resolves with lesse constancie seconded . early and late offer'd she up the sacrifice of her prayers . constant was she in her care ; to prevent all insuiug harme . those ●sefull directions which she received from that old hermit , she freshly reteined . which so farre prevailed , as by her devout morning exercise ( being the season which the inchantresse most commonly used , ever hoping to take her unprovided ) those odious fruitlesse spels became ever frustrated . all which , spurcina the spell-woman afterwards confessed : when after her conviction for offences of more high and hainous quality , she publiquely attested : that though by the procurement of mardanes she had sought early and late to practise upon something received from her : yet could she never effect her own desires , though she had matter enough to work on , because doriclea signed her selfe every morning in her going abroad with the signe of the crosse : which that ancient hermit , whose name the sorceresse could not endure to heare , had prescribed for a soveraigne receipt against her charme . thus lived doriclea every way assailed and assaulted ; but never vanquished nor discouraged . farre more did she feare the welfare of her deare restrained philocles : then the subtilty of these inchantments . his liberty she preferred before her own safety . yet so farre was she from procuring what she so intirely desired : as the continued jealousie of her parents declined● her hopes from ever effecting what she so much labour'd . for to intercede her selfe for his liberty , she durst not ; le●t it should increase their suspition : and to intru●● any other in that suit , she had found it so fruitlesse , as it made her despaire of all successe . to a private retired walke inclosed with sweet breath'd sycomours , twice a day she usually repaired : where divided from the noise of the world , she would passionately converse with her own thoughts , and propose sundry devices for the freedome of her philocles . wherewith her fancy became so infinitely pleased : that though none of these took effect , yet i● contented her to imagine how she might by such meanes procure his liberty : whereof he remain'd deprived for his loyalty . and in thi● retired shade , o● elysian grove : for art and nature had exprest their distinct workmanships in it ; sometimes should she chance to finde the witch spurcina , which confirmed what the hermit had affirmed : but bein● demanded by doriclea , what occasion she had there : her excuses would appeare n● lesse lame than her selfe . sometimes pretending that shee came thither to gather some hearbes or sallets : or else perceiving d●●●clea to be walking there , she came to beg som● reliefe at her charitable hands . but neither of these was her errand ; but to practise what she intended , by some linnen or wollen tha● might fall from her : which , though she no lesse maliciously then opportunately received , and by them practised , yet were her spels ever defeated , her charmes frustrated by the ince●●ancy of her devotion , as hath been formerly related . thus love's exposed to a twofold harme , a parents fury , and a witches charme : the first she cures by giving way to time ; the last she frustrates with an holy signe . the incomparable ba●clay in his mirror of minde● , c●p . . discovering norway to be a rude nation , and with most men who have convers'd or commer●●d with them , held infamous for witchcraft : they , by report , ( saith he ) can sell windes , which those that saile from thence doe buy , equalling by a true prodigy the ●abulous story of vlisses & ae●●us . and these ●enell p●ggs , have affirmed the like , upon their owne confession . chap. xv. how doriclea practised with mellida her maide for her escape : how she sought to delude her mother : her prevention : and how androgeus her father became inraged , upon the discovery of her affection . long had doricleas languishing thoughts breathed after the sight of her restrained philocles : but her parents jealousie of the one side , and the distance of miles which divided him from her on the other side , so disheartned her hopes , as what she one houre intended , the next houre she reversed . but yet this would not so content her : love cannot be so satisfied . she findes her selfe divided from her selfe , so long as she becomes removed from her philocles . on then she must , though all difficulties shold oppose her : friends disswade her : no hope of obtaining her purpose , encourage her . and now to expedite this assay , she findes none fitter to commend her practise to then her maide mellida . a witty wench , who knew well enough where her mistresse shooe pinch'd her : which if the last of her invention could ease , she held it one of the best services that ever she could do her . and to her did doriclea communicate her thoughts and counsels in this manner . o mellida , thou knowest , and i blush that thou knowest , how my affection h 'as beene long time fixed on philocles ; and now thou seest , how he , on whom i have set my rest , is divided from me . o advise me then how i may enjoy his presence , whose absence ●s to me death . alas , thou seest what discontents attend my unhappy state , while i am here by jealous eyes prevented , from enjoying what before all other things i have preferred . deluded eyes may imagine that i have the world at will ; because i am mine own mistresse : and want in nothing that may outwardly solace me . but little know these , how in enjoying what i have , it augments my discontent being deprived of that which i once had , but now have not . addresse then the best advice thou hast ; to afford me some comfort amidst these extreames . without hope the heart would burst . hope i reteine , but in small measure , 〈◊〉 ●rom thee mellida , i receive succour . f●r ● am barr'd all opportunity ; watchfull eyes being ever set over me : which continually labour my prevention , for repairing to him who is the ●ole object of my affection commiserate then my case , good mellida , and devise some meanes or other for me to enjoy his sight , without which i am lost ●or ever . lost for ever answered mellida ! god forbid mistresse , that i should suffer that , if it be in my power to prevent . i had thought dying for love had been a thing quite out of request , in these dayes . but since our too kinde hearts are made of such soft temper , some salve must be provided either to harden them , and so make them lesse sensible : or procure the means to bring them to enjoy what they so much desire , and so make their sufferings more curable . thou examines and searchest the ground of my griefe , and understandest the meanes how thou mai●t make the unhappiest woman alive infinitely happy . prepare then by applying , what thou perceivest may soonest cure : there is no task so difficult which ● shall not with a free embrace susteine , so i may but partake what i so incomparably desire . you do well , answered mellida , thus to arme your selfe against all difficulties : but surely you shall little need to stand in any great feare of what i shall enjoyne you . i know little yet what may in time befall my selfe : and then i must submit my selfe to others advice , as you now vouchsafeto do to mine . for indeed the very wisest in businesse of this nature , are ever found the greatest fooles ▪ when they come to advise themselves . but mistresse , you have ever heard , how love delights in nothing more then in playing the dissembler . antemasks are ever usher'd in by whi●●lers . and this part must you act , o● i know not what way else to supply you . love is personated with most grace , when it entertaines a disguise . and this habit must you undertake : and now when i think of it , you may furnish your selfe with a convenient disguise ; you know proclus our page , put upon you his su●t ; i shall procure you it , when he is asleepe . with which you may privately and without suspicion convey your selfe . and if your mother inquire of you , i shall acquaint her , that you are at rest : and so prevent all present discovery for one night : meane time , by the benefit of silent night , and the conduct of your constant friend alcaus , you may in time come where you would be : while i am left to the mercy of the winds . for what may i answer for my selfe when you are gone ? well , i will hazard a service for your content and solace : i shall hold my selfe happy in my endeavour , so you ●n this assay do but prosper . doriclea needed no quickner to this motion . winged are her desires to second mellidas advice . and having now fitted her selfe with proclus suit , towards alcaus her conducter she hastens her course . who exprest himself● very readie to do her any friendly office ; becomming her guide , in directing and accompanying her to her dearest friend . but as ill successe often attends best designes , these two were unhappily stayed by the watch , upon this occasion . a gentle womans daughter of good quality and great fortunes that very night chanced to be stolne away : upon which occasion , pursuit was made : and especiall direction given , that if any person should suspiciously or unseasonably passe by the watch , they should be stay'd and examined . and such was the fate of unfortunate doriclea ; who surprized when least feared , must of necessity with her conducter , remaine under the constables hands till the next morning : for truth was , the officer ( by what accident● i know not , but you may partly imagine ) was held altogether unfit that night to examine them , which of all others , hapned the worst for her advantage . for the very next morning betimes were all places set for staying of doriclea , by expresse direction● from her parents . so as being found upo● search , the poore amorou● girle was stript o● her pages habit , and re-attyr'd in her own ▪ neither could alcaeus , without much meane● and mediation of friends , procure his peace . you may suppose with what discontent our disappointed doriclea returned to her tedious ●●dging● sorrow was her best melodie ; and her choisest musick an incessant lachrymae . for though her restraint was before sufficient ; and her mothers eyes too too vigilant : yet now were their ●ares and feares more numerous than before , which beget far more intention to this charge then before . many times would she relate her gounds of discomfort to her mellida ; who , poore wench , became so discouraged by the sinister ●●ccesse of her plot : as the best reply she ●ould now shape to her unhappy mistresse ; was either silence : or , good mistris be content , there is no hope to escape . learne to forget him , seeing you must not enjoy him . but this wrought no effect upon her affectionate desires . one assay she holds not sufficient enough to expresse her love to him , whom ●he esteemes so deare . one night therefore , being impatient of her disconsolate restraint , she● practiseth with an aged woman , who was her mothers hen wife : to change apparell with her , hoping to receive better successe under that disguise , then her late pages habit . but so well was this old woman charm'd by her mother , as she became doricleas discoverer : so as , her mother meeting her , and pulling off her muffler , this device received no better speed then the former . thus was doriclea ever practising , but never prospering . nor was her fancy so lightly fixed , as to give over upon receit of two foiles . as she was constantly planted in her affection ; so she made it her usuall task , to labour after the enjoyment of him , to whom she was so nearely ●ngaged in her loyalty and devotion . rich ●ooties sweeten the greatest difficulties . a low-creeping spirit , deserves not to enjoy the benefit of fortune . nor that love which is waited on by pusillanimity , the just reward or recompence of fancy . and this was the resolution of constant doriclea ; who , though none more observant of parents command ; nor tender of her fame ; yet her philocles mu●● not be forgot . his restraint from her , and her division from him work such strange effects , as sleep● becomes a stranger to her . nightly she as●● her pillow counsell how she may attain wha● her longing desires so much affect : and she resolves once againe to put in practise what h● unhappy fortune had hitherto crossed her in ▪ suddenly then one night , when she ima●●n'd all the family , save only such as she im●loyed in this plot , to be fast asleepe , she pri●●ly departed forth of her chamber ●in●●ding by that meanes to make escape . 〈◊〉 ●a●ents eyes are ever vigilant : and their eare●●f ●uickest hearing : especially , where th●●east jealousie begets in thē a thought of fear● ▪ or enjoynes them to a seasonable preventin● care . this might appeare well in eurycle● who the very same houre lying waking , an● hearing the entry doore creek , presently arose , and lighting of a candle , repaired to her daughters lodging ; where drawing neere to her daughters bed , instead of her doriclea she found a mamme● or feature so artificially made up in her night attire , as in represented her daughter to life . bo●lster'd up was this puppet with pillows , as if doricl●● had been ●itting up on end in her bed : which at the first ●ight deluded her inquisitive mother , imagining that it could be no other but her daughter . so as , calling upon mellida , she resolved to returne to her chamber . mellida , who all this while lay shaking and trembling in her bed , doubting that she might be call'd in question , upon doricleas discovery : as one betwixt sleeping and waking , asked who was there ? and perceiving it to be e●ryclea : oh mistresse , quoth she , ●what h 'as distemper'd your rest , to be out a bed at this unseasonable time of night ? mellida , said she , y●u take great care of your mistresse , to suffer her to sit up in bed and ●atch cold after this manner . and drawing neare the bed , to put her daughters armes and higher part of her body too within sheets : perceiving it not to be her daughter : but a baby-clouts only to delude her . it is not easie to declare what extremity of passion she conceived : sometimes accusing mellida to be guilty of the practise : threatning her with the severest punishments that law could in●●ict , if she told her not forthwith whither her daughter was fled . but she , dissembling girle , pretended that she was never made acquainted with any such plot : seemingly wondring , what time her mistresse could have for making up any such piece , without her knowledge . and to allay eury●l●as fury towards her , as one compassionating her case , she admired how any one could practise to delude their mother in such manner ▪ ●having beene ever so tender of her welfare . while they were thus debating doriclea's escape , they might heare one rusling below : which euryclea observing , she runne haftily downe , imagining to finde some of her servants made priv●e to this plot , and by that means to reskue her daughter . but far above her expectance , she findes none other but doriclea : who having forgot the key of the court-gate by which she was to go forth , was turning back to fetch it . who meeting with her mother , what an unwelcome encounter she received , i leave to you to judge : being farre above the art of passion to expresse . but doriclea set as good a count'nance on the matter as possibly she could : telling her mother that she did but only this to try her . and that if she intended any such escape , she would have beene better provided then it appeared she was . but all this satisfied her mother nothing : for to encrease the long-grounded jealousie of her daughters affection towards philocl●s : whereof sh● had received so many appa●ent arguments and demonstrations , as nothing could be more probable , being to every observing eye visible : chancing that very night to search her daughters pocket , she found a letter bearing philocles character , directed to her in this manner . philocles second letter during his restraint . dearest , look on me , and with an impartiall eye and compassionate heart tell me if any one ever suffer'd more in the delay of her enjoyment whom he prized most : or suffer'd more in the burden of their indignities whom he valued least . what sad omino●s starre is it that so misguides me , or darke sullen cloud that hangs over me , as to live still thus divided ; and by an injurious restraint , divorced from that only object where my thoughts are affianced , and the constant zeale of a truly-loyall servant devoted ? i 〈◊〉 daily travelling in pursuit of you , yet fruitlesse in my pursuit ; some sinister occurrent or other estrangeth me from you . did he ever live , that did more unfeignedly love ; or could more readily and really sacrifice his life for the purchase of his love ? and what solace to recompence so faithfull a service ? shall my harvest , where i expected so good a crop , requite my long-languishing hopes with tares : and close the unhappy scene of a lingring life with fruitlesse teares ? o reflect on these , and expedite his blisse , who never yet could paint out his griefes ●ith deceiving colours ; nor delude the object he affected , and to whose sole choice ●e stood affyed with feined ay-mees : nor di●●ate with to●gue , nor expresse by pen what hee first conceiv'd not in heart . confident i am ( nor is my confidence grounded on weak presumptions ) that ●●ny off●cious agents , whose parti●ular aimes made them rhetoricall counsellours , interposed themselves to divert our choice , and offer to our affections reasons of change : yea , such who applyed these dangerous receipts to us both : to work their own ends the surer , and ingratiate themselves with us both , under a friendly pretence but forged colour . our owne bosomes whe● they shall become unlocked each to other , may one day mutually discover ; and smile with pleasure at such a selfe-loving deceiver . b●t the winde , i hope , is got into another coa●t . so as , i doubt not but your discretion will henceforth prefer a constant choice , before 〈◊〉 inconstant trust . i have prepared the way ( and that by a reverend one , in whom life and learning do equally shine ) to consummate whatsoever hath been so long proposed , and as i hope , mutually concluded ; so you be but pleas'd only to breathe on these lines with your pious modest assent , and confirme me , which , of all things earthly , may only cheere me , in being , and happy in so being , inviolably yours . so numerous were these private plots , confirmed with amorous letters , as euryclea could hold no longer from imparting these passages to her passionate husband andr●g●us , who became so inraged upon this last discovery of her affection , as he could containe himselfe within no bounds of patience . so as doriclea could not be halfe so serious nor s●●icitous after the pursuit of her restrained philocles ; as androgeus was to chastlse that too much freedome of his inamoured daughter . it chanced , that as he walked one evening not without much discontent ; he might hear● the voice of his doriclea , from a private arbou● neare adjoyning . whereto drawing neare and giving good attention , he might understand what griefe she conceiv'd , in procuring her parents displeasure so highly against her ; wherewith she seemed so infinitely afflicted , as it struck teares in the old mans eyes : so as drawing neerer the arbour , with purpose to comfort her , he accoasted her in this manner . how now doriclea , what meane these teares ? want you ought that may conduce to your content ? is out love either so cold , or our care so light , as either of these should be occasion to you of teares ? these , trust me , are no pleasing ayres to the eare of a father , nor suiting with the condition of a daughter . lachryme , replyed she , should not only be in the eye , but stamps of more retentive sorrow in the heart . a pilgrims passage is such a passionate progresse , as it cannot be pursued without sobs : nor continued without sighes . i have found sufficient occasion for that musick : nor can i eye that place , which may afford other melody . a continuall sinner and a rar● sigher promiseth small comfort hereafter . our dayes are but few and evill . not an houre without some crime to accompany it . let the soule never receive her surfet of sorrowing ; till she h'as first found in her selfe a loath to sinning . but in these , deare sir , there is nothing that reteines in it more sense ; then the remembrance of my disobedience . your discontent h●as begot in me the deepest impression ; nor shall i desire longer to live , then my endeavours shall not be directed to regaine your opinion . your frowne hath beene ever my greatest feare : which if my too liberall youth h 'as too carelessely incurr'd : relinquish me for ever , if my penitentiall teares shall not labour to redeeme . more would i speak , if my constant zeale and reverence to your person would permit . be it yours to command : doriclea's to obey . this divine rapsodie wrought so strongly on androgeus , as it were hard to say , whether she was more readie to crave pardon , or he to grant it . soone was his passion allayed , and to compassionate teares resolved . more he could not wish then she had professed : nor she in the office of obedience performe more then he expected . chap. xvi . how mellida one morning le ts fall her glove ; whereon spurcina the inchantresse practiseth supposing it to be doriclea's . mellida fals in love with mardanes : and discloseth her passion to her mistresse : who promiseth her best assistance . mardanes all this while desisted not from in●tigating spurcina to put in practise her impious designe : in pursuit wherof that hideous hag was no lesse forward , then if the issue or successe thereof solely imported her self . and now at last she holds her selfe perswaded that she h'as got her purpose , which hapned upon this occasion . having , as her usuall custome was , many times repaired to that private walke , which doriclea so much frequented , it chanced one day as this beldame was entring the walke , she might perceive with her old ●●mmie eyes a gentlewoman , whom she took ●or doriclea , hastily leaving the walk , and with more haste than good speed , as one fixt ●pon some present occasion , letting fall her glove . an happy opportunity , as spurcina thought , to effect her malicious designe . with much joy therefore she returned , acquainting mardanes the prime agent in this hellish bu●●sse , what good meanes she had now to bring her purpose about : which she promised him to effect with such speed , as his owne desires ●ould not wish more haste : nor his privatest thoughts better successe . for , said she , i shall by my secret art , make her more eager in the pursuit of your love , then ever yet you were in pursuit of hers . which so transported this love-besotted mardanes , as his imagination became now wholly fixed and fired in the ●onceipt of his marriage-night . sometimes thinking what sweet parliance his inchanted doriclea would use to him ; with what amo●ous imbraces she would expresse her love unto him ; with what variety of winning discourse she would entertaine him . surfetting more after this manner with the conceipt of it , then if he had obtain'd the reall fruition of it , wherein his deluded thoughts might seeme to close with that opinion of the poet : no doubt , but th' fancy of a marriage-night presents far more then th' actuall delight . and so it fared with mardanes : nothing now pleaseth his palat but the imaginary pr●sentment of his doriclea ; of whom he hold● himselfe as good as possessed , if all prove 〈◊〉 which his sorceresse h 'as professed . but as th● devill h 'as beene still a lier , so he present● himselfe to her a cunning dissembler : doricle● must be reserved for an other owner : a mo●● deserving and compleat lover . howsoeve● , this inchantresse spurcina blesseth the morning that gave her so faire an occasion . and 〈◊〉 she conceives her selfe to have happily found it , so she no lesse speedily practiseth on it : supposing it still to be doricleas , the sole obje●● of rejected mardanes . great and unsearchable is gods permission● in suffering practises of this condition . wh●the● it be to deterre others by these example● not to be too secure ; but ever watchfull , seein● every houre presents an enemy so deceiptfull ▪ or else to try and search the constancy and faith of his beloved champions : who , li●● pure gold , are ever more and more refined ; when they are thus tryed , and by satans ministers buffeted . yet is their power so bo●nded and limited , as though they work on th● flesh , yet can they not touch nor taint the ●ou●● whose dignity is such , that as it became redeem'd with the highest price , so it become● secured by adhering to him that bought it● from the injury of their power . true it is , that some fall away , and that miserably , by lying themselves open and giving way to the devils ●●btilty : who under many formes and semblances insinuates himselfe to their knowledge : and by this meanes seaseth on their deluded weaknesse : bringing some to lay viol●nt hands upon themselves : others to re●ounce their ●aith : others to labour by all indirect meanes how to procur● the effecting of their unlawfull desires . but who are these , but such who have left god by preferring the counsell of the witch of endor , before the divine wisdome of their maker . and justly do such suffer , by dereliction of their creator , and in a violent way exposing themselves to inevitable danger . now , what strange effects spurcina wrought by practising on poore mellidas scatter'd glove , shall forthwith appeare . for what private spels , charmes , or incantations she had used , spurcina and her familiar know best : but unhappy mellida must feele the b●unt of it . poore wench ! she now feeles what she never felt before : a strange rising at her stomack with an infinite desire to see marda●●s . whatsoever she sets her eye on , she verily thinks it presents the feature of mard●nes : and in that lovely manner , as her very heart leapes for joy with the conceipt of enjoying so accomplish'd a lover . poore accomplishment ! for what part had mardanes in him that might deservingly beget love ; or merit the acceptance of a mistresse ? but s● so miserably had spurcina's inchantment● wrought upon her bewitched fancy : as n●cissus , for all his lovely proportion , seemed ●vulgar object , no , a contemptible subject ▪ being compared to her mardanes perso● which in a passionate expression to her self● being jealous that none should over-heare h● she discovered in this manner ! what in love mellida ? nay , i know no● it is a thing i was never hitherto acquain●● with ; and if now , too soone . i know 〈◊〉 well what to think on 't ; but if mard●● be not a proper handsome man , i am 〈◊〉 deceived . i remember well he made som● times love to my mistresse : and i wond● much she should so neglect him , being 〈◊〉 compleat a gentleman as all europe , in 〈◊〉 conceipt , cannot compare with him . 〈◊〉 what is all this to thee mellida ? canst th●● either think so well of thy selfe , or so men●ly of him , as to imagine that he will fall 〈◊〉 from the mistresse to the maide ( a fa●● must confesse , too common ) or step from 〈◊〉 canopie curtaine to a trucklebed ? no mellida ; content thy selfe with brown●● bread : such a dainty dish is reserved fo● choiser tooth . and yet me thinks , if a goo● conceipt of my selfe do not mad me ; i fin● something in me that may deserve his lo●● and merit the title of a wife . if marriag● were only to be made by equality of blood , or fortunes : many good faces would be enforc'd to bestow their beauties on poore husbands : yea , many a well-natur'd girle might wed this yeare , and beg the next . i have read in my time , how iove fell in love with his milke-maide l● ; apollo with daphne ; neptune with hesione ; theseus with ariadne ; perseus with andromeda ; alcides with omphale : and is there any such disparity betwixt mardanes and mellida ? well ; as i meane not to be too confident , neither is there cause that i should utterly despaire . good fortune h 'as before this fallen into many wenches laps unexpected , and why may not the like befall me ? none of these bore more true love to their suiters , then i do to my mardanes . and , oh , that i might call him mine ! for i feare much , in becomming lesse than mine , i shall become lesse then mine own . and just as she spake these words came in doriclea ; at whose presence a fresh vermillion dye bestow'd a new complexion on mellida . which her mistresse perceiving , having had experience of the very like p●ssion in her selfe , demanded the cause . and she , though at first seeming dainty , framing many apron-excuses , but so far from purpose , as she had farre better said nothing : begun at last to disclose her passion to her mistresse ; acquainting her how she was infinitely in love with mardanes . whereat doriclea could not ch●se at f●st but smile , asking her what she could see in him , that should move her to fall in love with him ? see in him , answered mellida ! well , mistresse , quoth she , you made a strange choice , when for mardanes you took philo●les in exchange . why , pray thee wench , said doriclea , doest thou hold him for so proper a man ? i trow , i do , answered mellida ; and upon condition i might enjoy him , and purchase his favour ; were he the poorest beggar alive , i would not change my state with the greatest emperour . sufficiently could not doriclea admire this strange humour in her maide : and the more , in regard she never found her formerly affected to love any : but of all others mardanes , from whose affection she had sometimes disswaded h●r selfe , when he was a suiter to her . and a purpose she had to have chid her , for her too much forwardnesse : but perceiving pearled teares trickling downe her cheeks , she quickly altered what she intended . she found them both drawing one yoake : to allay then her discontent , she became her physitian , who in her own respect was no lesse a patient . nay grieve not woman , quoth dori●lea , for the matter . since thou art now f●edg'd in birdlime , thou must seek meanes how to unwinde thy selfe . thou hast beene ready in my greatest extreames to afford me thy best advice , and to ●ngage thy selfe to perill for my sake ; so as i cannot chuse but reflect on thee , if at any time i look upon my ●elfe . two things then i must advise thee to ; or never expect successe in this amorous enterprise ; silence and patience . do not discover thy affection to any : restraine thy looks when thou art in his companie . next this , be sure thou shew no impatience , if at any time crossed in thy expectance . thou seest how many sharpe encounters i have grapled with : and little nearer a conquest then i was at first : yet must i not suffer my hopes to be so extinguished . no task can be long , where hope pretends a purchase of love . look up then wench , cheerefully ; let not the subtilest artist draw from thy look , the least blush of love , or line of fancie . wing thy desires with hope , that hope may crown thy expectance . and proceed in a temperate pursuit , since thou canst not dispense with thy choice ; in which assay i faithfully promise thee my best assistance . this could not chuse but highly cheer loveinveigled mellida● to finde her mistresse her directresse : by having her for her adviser who formerly was advised by her . but so strongly did those amorous spels work upon her , as these rayes of comfort shone not long upon her . impatient was her unbounded affection of delay , which drove her into passion above measure ; as by this sorrowfull 〈◊〉 , whose choisest melody is lachryma , you may perceive hereafter . chap. xvii . mellida's passionate love . passions of the minde are not wholly suppressed , when they seeme restrained . of all which , none work with more contrariety , then those which arise from a troubled fancie . love runs with too strong a current too firce a torrent to be staid at an instant . this , poore love-inthralled mellid● felt too well experienc'd in her , when that ▪ which so lately seemed to cheere her most , doth now most afflict her : nay , even that which so seemingly afforded her the soveraign'st cure , now becomes the only producer of her care . such strange effects had these spels of hatefull spurcina brought forth ; as all was struck out of order , though at the first appearance nothing but promised all successe to the undertaker . but miserable were those distractions which her inchantments bred through the whole family ; but principally on mellida , who now overcome with a deepe jealousie ; imagined , that whatsoever doriclea her mistresse had professed , were expressions meerely dissembled . and that her reall love towards mardanes was such , as she would prove her corrivall rather than assistant , by interceding for her selfe in this amorous imployment . which groundlesse suspicion of hers received life from that which if her deluded thoughts had not misguided her , might have discovered to her , how infinitely she stood bound to her mistresse for her love . for discreet doriclea perceiving the passionate affection of mellida ; and desiring nothing more then to bring her in a way of enjoying , of what she was so eagerly pursuing ; resolved of a course that might expedite this designe : and this was , to expresse all showes of affection to mardanes : as if she intended nothing more then to reteine him her constant servant , whom she had formerly rejected : and to redeeme that neglect with such arguments of love , that the world might take notice that he and none but he was the man whom she affected . which relation ( so ready is fame to disperse her selfe upon every occasion ) no sooner vented it selfe abroad , then her parents , supposing her love to be now declining from philocles , infinitely rejoyced . nor was insnared mardanes lesse transported , hoping e're long to enjoy what his desires had so long pursued . but with this was jealous mellida no lesse afflicted : imagining that no hopes could accompany her suit , where her mistresse affection had taken place . thus in this comedy of errors were all things confusedly carried , and by as doubtfull an issue attended . mardanes loves doriclea , and he is loved by m●llida : and mellida thinks mardanes lov'd by doriclea ; when all her taske is , how she may espouse mard●nes unto mellida . againe , doriclea's parents think , that their daughter h 'as relinquisht philocles , and solely fixt her affection on mardanes ; whereas the show of love she pretends to mardanes ; is only to prepare a way for her enjoyment of philocles . but this little contents distressed mellida : she collects by what she sees , the aime of what she most feares . her poore simple heart is so farre from dissembling , as she verily thinkes these love-signes and tokens of her mistresses , cannot but proceed from the heart , and what hope then left for her to enjoy her sweet-heart ? the medit●tion of these drove her into such extreames , as in the most disconsolate manner that ever accompanied perplexed lover , she discovered her discontent , with as much privacie as the retirednesse of the place could afford ; that the aire might be only witnesse of her griefe , while she became her own relater . unhappy mellida ! hadst thou none to make choice of , but one who doth despise thee ? none to impart thy thoughts to , but one who will deceive thee ? alas ! thy fortunes must not aspire to such happinesse , as to enjoy the imbraces of mardanes . one of higher state prevents thy suit . he and thy selfe have now got one mistresse . poore rejected mellida ! what sanctuary maist thou retire to ? or what affectionate friend maist thou impart thy minde to ? it was not done like a loving mistresse to promise her poore maide assistance : and to betray her trust , where she reposed most confidence . she might have disswaded thee from thy choice , by acquainting thee how she meant to enjoy him her selfe : and so discouraged thy hopes at the first , rather then thus delude thee at the last . i should have quickly desisted , though the losse of my love had shortned the line of my life , had i but knowne how she stood affected . but under so faire a semblance to shroud a dissembling count'nance , and make a shew of affection , when it is guilded with treason ; should i freely remit it , loves soveraig●e would not so easily pardon it . ' las ! what a poore conquest h'as doriclea got , in her competition with mellida ? who had never attempted what she now affecteth ; had not doriclea first rejected , whom she now esteemeth . the ground of mellida's loving , was doriclea's leaving . and can she now have the heart to love , whom she did sometimes leave , because what she did so scornefully leave , mellida begins now faithfully to love ? did her distaste beget my love , and must my love now beget her distaste ? well ; this do'es meanely requite me , if she would remember what fidelity she h'as found in me . there was no night so dark , no task so hard ; which with a free bosome i entertain'd not , so she might enjoy what she had not . philocles then was the only man in her eye , and i her agent which she wrought by . proper parts were the adamants of her affection : and these she found in none so well to life portrayed as in her philocles . mardanes was then a rough-hewen swaine , whose presence she so much hated , as she estranged her selfe from that place which he frequented . and must he be now entertained , because he is by poore mellida affected ? well , i am glad that the love of her maide h 'as chang'd her minde , and advanc'd him to the choice of a mistresse . let my losse be his gaine ; my deprivall of what i desire most , the enjoyment of her whom he expected least . the ruine of a poor maide is all that she can have ; which cannot redound much to her honour , seeing she , on whom she so much relyed , and to whom her secret'st counsels were imparted , became the only instrument to undoe her . doriclea having over-heard some of these distemper'd passions of love-sick mellida , could containe her selfe no longer ; but interrupting her in this manner , resolved by a contrary cure to allay the extremity of this distemper . how now mellida , h 'as love so distracted you ; or too much liberty of enjoying your own desires so much entranced you ; as to become thus forgetfull of what you are , whom you serve , or whose affections you so highly deserve ? must my endevours addressed for your good be so interpreted ? my desire of your advancement so recompensed ? is your conceipt so meane of me , that these expressions of my love and familiar respect to mardanes proceeds meerely from my own affection , without relation to your selfe ? or , that i did purposely leave him , with a resolution that whensoever you made choice of him , i would love him ? trust me mellida , this distemper'd fancie tastes of a frenzie . these humours will make your constant'st friends your profest foes . shake off this jealousie ▪ lest it become thy mortall enemy : i am the same i have professed , nor will i faile in ought i have professed , so thy ill-grounded suspicion divert not my aime ; which effect is it produce , blame thy selfe . i know well there is no way for thee to attaine thy desires but by this meanes . he must first take knowledge of their love , who love him not , before ever thou canst enjoy him who loves thee not . doriclea must take upon her the person of mellida , and mellida be taken for doriclea , before ever mardan●● make his bride of mellida . what i intend , i will not yet discover : only let me advise thee to restraine 〈◊〉 indiscreet humour : perswading thy , selfe that mardanes had never received a gracefull count'nance from doriclea , but in hope of advancing mellida . and that my better thoughts are so farre from domineering in thy ruine ( which were a poore conquest indeed ) as it shall be my principall ai●e to prevent it , so thy indiscretion crosse not my designe . let it suffice thee , that though it concerne thee most , thou maist be seene in it least . so present i am in others affaires , so weak in mine own ; as i am confident , unlesse some unexpected opposition divert me ; in such a successive manner to mannage it , as the issue shall conduce to thy profit , my credit , in so fairely carrying it , as it may expresse the affectionate office of a mistresse to her ●ervant . these last words comforted poore mellida's dejected heart so much , as those seeds of jealousie which she before conceived , are now suppressed . with destilling eyes she acknowledgeth her selfe bound to so kind a mistresse : who interposeth her selfe for her preferment . she laments nothing more then her late suspicion : which , as it was planted on weak grounds , so her humble desire is , that her mistresse would forgive and forget it , as she seriously vowes never hereafter to harbour it . she submits her selfe wholly to her direction in this high project of her affection . wherein , if her endeavours prosper , ●he becomes her obliged creature for ever : if otherwise , she will become humbly thankfull , seeing her affectionate endeavours were no lesse , though they prov'd lesse usefull . this said , they retired , for the closing of the day approached ; which gave more freedome to doriclea's working thoughts to contrive what might close best with these impatient desires of her maide , and what might procure content to her selfe ; which seemed as yet so farre divided from all hope , as there appeared not yet so much as the least opportunity to afford them helpe : though more hope of successe to her maide then her selfe , wherein she rejoyced no lesse then for her selfe . but strange occurrents oppose themselves to her designes : so as , whatsoever at the first view promised no lesse than a prosperous close , became , as you shall hereafter understand , darkned with a cloud . albeit . doriclea's constancy appeared such , as the difficulty of no task , could deterre her resolution to attempt . chap. xviii . philocles procures his liberty : and by a faithfull messenger , though to to his apparant danger , privately acqaints doriclea with his delivery : and assigning here place whereto she might safely repaire , if she could possibly make escape . little did doriclea expect in this her pursuit after mellida's successe , that she should heare such good newes of her philocles liberty , which he procured upon this occasion . diverse persons of good quality were so taken with the pleasing discourse and company of philocles , as they usually resorted to him , being admitted by his keepers freely to come and converse with him . now it hapned one day , in these their accustomary visits , that his visitants were pleased to use a little more freedome in a sociable way , then they had formerly done . which , whether it was purposely intended or no , i know not : but brim●ing healths must go round , and such noble friends remembred , as in common civility must not bee neglected . which philocles , ( though naturally most abstemious ) observes for company sake , lest he should be taxed of an unsociable disposition , in refusing what was generally entertained . but with such hot pursuit were these bacchanals exercised , as his keepers braines were so mudded and in lethe steeped ; that they had farre more desire to take one nap with morpheus , then to taste one cup more with bacchus . which strange distemper appearing more in these then any of all the company , some have imputed to opium , put , as was thought , into his keepers cups , to bring them asleepe , and by that meanes to expedite his escape . howsoever it hapned , philocles having first taken his civill adue of those gentlemen who purposely came to visit him : and to prevent all occasion of their accusation , privately betook him for a little to his chamber ; and afterwards by the assistance of an under-porter who ever highly respected and honoured him , he was let out by the porters lodge ; and shortly arrived where he intended at a friends house of his , where he was kindly and hospitably entertained : having formerly upon diverse mutuall offices betwixt them so strongly ingaged one another , as no respect could be too entire , no undertaking too great , wherein either might tender to other the profest curtsie of a votive brother . but as there is no earthly sweet but h 'as his soure accompanying it : so infranchis'd philocles could not rejoyce ●o much in his delivery from restraint ; as he found cause upon his friends report to conceive just ground of discontent . so strangely be all our inferiour joyes interveyned with griefes : as no day so cleere but it may close in a cloud . and so it fared with perplexed philocles , whose late-enjoyed freedome brought him the saddest newes that could ever possibly enter any true lovers eares : for he heard , how his doriclea , since his restraint had estranged her affection from him , and fixed it on mardanes , her sometimes rejecte● suiter ; and that their nuptials were to be solemnized soone after . pleasing were his former fetters to these tydings : each faculty had lost his function , every organ his motion , and could finde no answer to such a relation . small fears finde teares , which may supply a tongue , small griefes are speakers , when great griefes are du●be . but recollecting himselfe , as one u●●illing to give such way to passion , as not to moderate it with reason : after an enforced smile , he addresseth himselfe to his friend in this sort . trust me , firme friend , i can scarcely give my theughts leave to conceipt or harbour the least jealousie of doriclea's inconstancy . nay , so well am i perswaded of her loyalty , as i verily think she would rather give way to the extreamest encounters of faith , then admit of the least breach of fate . no ; doriclea's vowes cannot so easily be infirnged ; nor those divine vertues which adorne her , so blemished : nor those strong tyes betwixt us , so dissolved . god grant it prove so , answered his friend ; as i hope it will. reports are commonly deceiving , so as you do wisely not too credulously to incline to them . after such discourses as these , his friendly hoast brought this perplexed guest to his chamber ; where after some merry passages purposely occasioned to allay his discontents , he left him to his rest . but he left him to that which he could not get : for on two severall tasks he bestowed this tedious night : the one no lesse pleasing , then the other dis-relishing . for the former part of the night , he bestowed on the thoughts of that familiar conference , amorous , but harmelesse dalliance , sacred vowes , immutable seales , mutually passed betwixt them . these made the houres of sable night , so delightfull , as no euphuus golden slumber could so infinitely cheere him . he was wholly extafied with the gratefull remembrance of these imaginary fancies . but leaving these , and reflecting on those which he so lately heard related : he found houres farre longer in their progression , then the other were , running so pleasantly upon that harmonious descant of affection . doriclea , false , said he ! may that tongue be ever silent that shall utter it ; that injurious conceipt a corrasive to it selfe , that shall believe it . and yet these relations cannot be so generally dispersed without some ground . opportunity may do much where parents assent gives way . thy restraint , philocles , and discontinuance in thy suit might work strange effects . he is rich who is thy corrivall : and women must love to live , aswell as live to love . thy impoverish'd quality is a mighty eye-sore to fancy . wealth is a good salve for age : and though she cannot affect him as he is , she may hug him for what he h'as . marriages go not altogether by joyning of hearts but hands . his store will so highly improve her state , as it will enforce fancy , and raise her to what thy fortunes may not aspire , the title of a lady . and yet me thinkes all this should little moye the constant and loyall brest of doriclea . heavens cannot chuse but frowne on breach of faith : which is ever attended by an heavie fate . yea ; but admit she be compelled ; what meanes may she finde to resist it ? parents will is a command : and as she h'as ever borne the modesty of a maide , so h'as she reteined the duty of a daughter , and obedience of a childe . parents command then might far prevaile with her : seeing obedience was ever so much preferred by her : as all feares had been before this time prevented , had not this parentall sacrifice restrain'd her . well ; be it so . patience shall be my crowne : my prayers for her successe . no griefe , shall so much surprize me , as the desire of her happinesse shall delight me . meane time , i will suspend my judgement : and expect better then i heare : but if the issue second this report , i hope soone after that an everlasting retire from earth shall cure my care . thus passed philocles the lingring night , estranged from nothing more then the thought of rest . at last perceiving aurora's dishevell'd tresses , dispersing her golden beames through every corner of his restlesse roome ; he leaps out of bed , and having made himselfe ready , and performed those morning vowes which his devotion had enjoyned him ; he sets pen to paper , and like a poeticall lover , in an amorous manner , addresseth his last nights supposed vision , to his ●oriclea : making a dreame of love , by shadowing those jealous feares for the losse of his love in a dreame . philocles supposed dreame of doriclea . what sacred spels my throbbing heart surprize ! sweet dew of sleepe hath quite forsook mine eyes . some startling dreams i have , which more appall my soul● , then if i had no sleepe at all . sometime i dreaming see , and sigh to see , a sable-sullen cloude hang over me and menacing a storme : thou full of f●ares this to prevent , resolves to pearled teares : but more thou weep'st , the more provok't thouart , the fight whereof wounds my relenting hart . now do i see my danä in a tower tempted untainted with a golden shower . now my faire semele , feeding loves-flame in her pure brest , consumed with the same . which visions were but shadows of thine , or meere conceptions of prometheus shrine , which once enlivened by an heav'nly fire , might to a numerous family aspire . sometimes , me thought , isickles sought to sip ambrosean nectar from thy roseat lip ; and this i check't , and did incensed seeme , telling old-age , frost would not suit with greene ▪ which just reproofe , me thought , thou entertain'd with a sweet smile , the gole at which i aim'd . whence over-joy'd , i cull'd thee , where thou stood , but like ixion , i embrac'd a cloud . my sacred genius succour me , and keepe my waking thoughts frō such an ominous sleep ! yet in these dreams more comfort did i take , fed with conceit , then when i did awake ; for dreaming , i enjoy'd thee ; but that blisse by waking vanish'd ; while i breath'd out this : " the dorian straine was once th' best melodie , " had i doriclea now 't were so with me ! but since t' imbrace thee , dreaming still i seeme , o that my life were a continued dreame ! but this dreaming veine did not hold long with him : he resolves to acquaint her in an other straine ; and tell her truly that he was waking when he wrote it . and the character of this letter must expresse the benefit of his freedome ; signifying unto her , how his late restraint was now changed into liberty ; which priviledge he had rather for ever lose , then be deprived of the continuance of her fancy . to expedite this affectionate designe , he directs his letter by the conduct of a faithfull messenger , though to his apparent danger : acquainting doriclea with his delivery : and assigning her a place whereto she might safely repaire , if she could possibly make escape . delay he holds dangerous : he accompts opportunity the sweetest companion to fancy : desiring nothing more then that she would continue what she h'as professed , confirme what she h'as vowed , & consummate what both divine decree and their own united hearts have sealed : closing his letter with an amorous ●assion , after this manner : infranchis'd philocles to restrained doriclea . deare , signe this with your hands , else in a word i saile , aye me , for ireland with my lord , where sayles are righes , seas , teares , while th' friendly winde shall bring you word , i left mine heart behinde . but if you shall me for your consort take , i●le march through ranks of furies for your sake . returne me answer then as may become you , " pistols nor poniards shall not keep me frō you . this was a strong resolution , which 〈◊〉 windes up with as loving a subscription . this tearme from travell am i staid , to make my consort of a maid ; confirme then , deare-one , heav'ns decree , and make exchange of hearts with me : which done , this posie shall he thine , which is and must be ever mine : " to live , and have no heart were strange , " yet have i none but by exchange . thus writ passionate philocles , which came shortly after to the hand of his mistresse , who how joyfully she received the report of his liberty ; but how passionately those imaginary grounds of his jealousie , shall appeare in the progresse of our story . chap. xix . doriclea by the advice and assistance of mellida gets from her keepers : and in her flight by night loseth her way : but comming by chance to the hermits house , where she took that night her repose : as , she had formerly beene directed by him , she received much comfort from him : being conducted to the place which philocles advised her to . when doriclea had perused this letter directed to her by her dearest philocles , it is not easie to expresse what infinite joy she conceived in the delightfull perusall of those lines which signified unto her the happy occasion of his liberty : yet could she not chuse but bite the lip when she read those dreaming fancies of his , shadowing forth his jealousie . the comfort the conceived in the former , was made bitter by relation of the latter : which enforced from her this just ground of complaint , which she breathed forth in this manner . how is it philocles , that the heavens should thus look on thee , in freeing thee from restraint , and thou unthankfull for so great a benefit , thus to abuse the priviledge of thy liberty ? during thy restraint , for ought that ever i heard , thou harbour'd not the least conceipt of jealousie : and now when thou enjoyest the freedome of ayre , and stands dis●ingaged from a captives care ; like an habituate prisoner , whose long restraint seldome makes him better , thou picks a quarrell before offence be offered , and hatchest suspicion where none can be justly grounded . for tell me ; pray thee , tell me , deare philocles ; wherein have i ever given thee occasion to tax me of inconstancy ; or in my bosome desired to lodge any one beside thee ? have i not neglected all my fortunes , nay , my zeale to those whom i preferre before all fortunes , to bestow my selfe upon a scholers fortunes ? if either rich youth or age could have wrought on doriclea's fancy , she might long before this , have prevented all grounds of jealousie ; and been a mistresse of an ample family . and yet you are cunning philocles ; you will not plainly say you suspect me , for that were to tax you of too palpable jealousie : but you must shadow all under a dreame : and make visions your arguments of feare where you imaginarily see old-age courting me ; a rich fortune besieging me ; & my too easie fort sore straitned by his golden battry . well , philocles , god forgive you ; you have hither to had sufficient experience , how much my disposition hath scorned to be taken up by such prostitute affection . if gold would have done it , your loyall doriclea might before this have enjoy'd it . no ; no ; these were no motives to me to inchaine my fancy : or with a yeelding hand , but a dissembling heart , to engage my person to such a subject of folly . o disburden your selfe , philocles , of these conceipts : they so ill become you , as nothing makes philocles so unlike himselfe : nor chils my affection more towards him , who is my second-selfe . i have not begged much at your hands , since the time we so firmely united our hearts : all i intreat of you is this , and it will redound to your own hearts-ease as well as mine : to discard these injurious conceipts towards your own , by reflecting on her who can be no lesse then yours , if her own . and trust me , deare sir , you may thank god , that you remaine seazed of such a heart , which is not apt to take offence where such good occasion is offered . some cautious girles , if they had but perceived the least inclination to jealousie in their amorous suiters , which your own character h 'as sufficiently discovered in you , they would in time have prevented that mischiefe which might have incurred ; and collected what domineering jealous husbands they would have showne themselves being once married , having exprest themselves such suspicious batchlers , when they were unbestowed . but love findes an easie shroud for the highest crimes : nor can doriclea interpret philocles dreame any otherwise then an unbounded affection breaking into extreames : which , when it cannot with sufficient freedome impart her strength by day , borrowes of the night to discover in a dreame . and who can blame such vigilant love ; when the eyes though they sleepe , the heart keepes true centinell , lest fancy should take her opportunity and make her escape ? free leave then do i give thee , philocles , to dreame still of me ; but so , that thy dreames do not suspect me . for so might thy deluded imagination , which is seldome attended on by reason , present to thee what is false for what is true : and make thee credulously beleeve , that inconstancy may accompany true love . surcease then from these , as i shall sooner cease to live , then withdraw my love from philocles . thus discoursed constant doriclea with her philocles , in the absence of her philocles . but least she might forget her selfe by neglecting what her dearest choice expects : after such time as she had rewarded the messenger , who brought her that letter , and that to his apparant danger , had not the late conceipt which doriclea's parents conceived of their daughters declining her affection from philocles secured him , and given him freer accesse unto her : she , i say , prepares to second her philocles desire , by accommodating her selfe with all conveniencies , and addressing her course to that place , whereto philocles in his letter had given her directions to repaire . defist then she must for the present , from spinning mellida's love-threed : that she might weave up her own the better : for though the furtherance of mellida's suit was deare unto her : desiring much to have her seazed of those ample fortunes of her undeserving lover : yet her own case must be first preferr'd , being urged by such importunity , as she held it fitting then or never to discover those true effects of fancy . by the advice then and assistance of mellida ; whose wits were ever more pregnant in devising for her mistresse then her selfe , and to whose vertuous love she wished no lesse successe then to her selfe ; doriclea gets from her keepers , being then more secure of their charge then before , in regard her parents became lesse jealous of her love to philocles then before . dark was the night , which promised her more security : but an inconvenience she findes in it : for in this her flight by night she loseth her way . up and downe she wand'reth , and wandring , wooeth the stars , that they would afford a distressed maide , some small beamelings of their light , to guide her to that place where chaste ●ove had treasured her richest prize . but many by-paths she took , ever travelling , but little nearer approaching the place , at which she aym'd : which deeply perplexed her love-inflamed minde . till at last , ( so propitious were the stars to their vertuously-grounded loves ) comming by chance to the hermits house , she took that night there her repose . next morning early , for little power had sleepe upon her fancy ; she acquainted this aged father with the whole passage of her intendments : f●r●t , how she had received knowledge of philocles liberty , with what desire she had to observe the time which he had limited , with the place which he had proposed for her to repaire to : humbly craving of him , that as she had been formerly directed by him , he would be pleased to continue his care , by affording her his best advice in a case of such necessity , as the issue made her of all others either most fortunate , or most unhappy . and that he would not ●mpute this her private departure from her fathers house , to any act of immodesty , but to the constancy of her affection , which had expos'd her to all extremity . the good old man , who had ever tender'd her well-fare ; could not forbeare from shedding teares , in hearing her expresse those passionate overtures and passages of her love : with what desperate adventures she had encounter'd to partake , what her vertuous desires so unfeignedly sought . but affection must have a mor● soveraigne balme applyed to her , then any effeminate passion . eyes compassionately w●eping without a brain effectually working , can bestead poore doriclea nothing . first then , he proposeth the way for her to obtaine what she would : which he strengthneth with such able directions , as being well observed , they promised nothing lesse then an happy arrivall at the place whereto she aimed : with a prosperous conclusion to their long delayed desires , having there arrived . and to encourage her the more , he applyed these receipts unto her which so infini●ely cheered her , as her confidence readily winged her enlivened fancy with an undoubted assurance of successe . daughter , it had been well you had made your parents command the line to have directed your love . but since your affections are so firmely united , as not to be divided : i hold it an office of piety to effect , what vertuous loves so jointly affect . thus long have i had experience of you , and i have neith●● seene nor heard any immodest expression fall from you : this confirmes me , that you are no lesse then what you seeme : not pretending to be what you are not , but in desiring to approve your selfe what you seeme . this those faire out-sides fall short of , who affect nothing more than to appeare most , what they inwardly professe least . for these whos ' ere they be ▪ seeme thus to me , they be and seem not , seem what least they be . for goodnesse-sake estrange your better-disposed thoughts from these painted puppets : who may be aptly resembled to the zibethum , which naturally yeelds a sweet perfume to others , but reteines a stinking sent to it selfe . let those preciou● odours of your vertues not only afford sweetnesse to others , in proposing an example worthy imitation : but to your owne heart , which cannot flye from it selfe , but must one day returne as it do'es now reteine , of whatsoever it hath receiv'd , a true naked impression . you have now enter'd the maine : where you shall graple with many contrary winds , and surging waves . report , like an ill-winde , will be quickly raised : and this may happily disperse a light fa●●e upon all your actions . as first , this private retire from your parents , and making your selfe carver of your own affections without . their consent , may beget you a strange opinion in the world . men will judge all is ●ot well ; more then pure love drove you to ●●ese courses . waves likewise there will be to menace your ruine . divided passions to perplexe you , and inthrall your late-enjoyed freedome to the worst of extreames . yet , what of all these ? the roughest windes of infamy to a pure and undefiled minde can do no injury . nor all those naturall inbred passions which breed distemper'd spirits most disquiets , can annoy the rest of that soule which is fixt on the exercise of piety : and makes her triumph over her own affections , her highest victory . observe this rule , deare daughter , and these intended spousals of yours shall finde an happy period : and after so many violent windes of infamous tongues : so many turbulent waves of swelling passions ; you shall finde that calmenesse , as neither that lownesse of fortune which may hereafter encounter you , shall amate you : nor all those contemps which injurious disdaine may throw upon you , an way disturbe you . i have showne you the best roade , which if you hold directly , you cannot but arrive safely . doriclea having received much comfort f●om these instructions of the hermit : and encouraged too with the promise of his conduct to the place which philocles advised her to : after a small repast ( being enough for a stomack inflamed with love , to digest ) she addressed her selfe to the short remainder of her journey ; which though short , had appear'd long to her longing fancy , had not the difficulty of the way been sweetned with the hermits company : by whose happy convoy she soone arrived , where her desires were lodged , and where she found her philocles safely reposed . chap. xx. the great content and joy which these two long-divided lovers conceived in one of the others presence : the relation of their former griefs being an addition to their present joyes . no calme so cheerfull as after a storme ; no harbour so gratefull as after a rough sea. the least beameling breaking forth of a cloud appeares like a more full and glorious light . this experimentally felt these long-divided lovers , who conceived such infinite joy and content in the sight of one the other : as their first encounter for want of expression closed it selfe in silence , wanting a tongue to discover what delight their intranced apprehensions took in one anothers presence . looks now were to supply more discursive organs : gladly would their affectionate breasts unfold themselves , and relate those many occurrents which their true loves had passed and with comfort vanquished : but their desires must be first feasted with eying and intentive looking upon one another . this must be the pleasing prelude to a more delightfull sceane : at last , affection labouring of too strong a passion , to be enjoyned a perpetuall silence , broke forth on philocles behalfe after this manner . ah doriclea ! which taking accent so transported him , as not an other word for a long space came from him . am i in a dreame or waking ? can i imagine any mortall capable of such joy ? how plea●ing now is the memory of my restraint ? my long division from thee , my dearest doriclea , whom i preferred before the world ? for to be ever happy so surfets the conceipt , as it dreames of no other state : a small storme to him who hath ever enjoy'd a calme , seemes like a tempest . whereas my present condition makes me more sensible of my former affliction . i was deprived of thee whom i incomparably loved . from all civill curt'sies , save such as i received from strangers , excluded . all hopes of future advancement , by thy parents distaste , estranged . a grate became my best prospect : the world my story : where i saw no action of sorrow presented more to life , then my own misery . o how the relation of our former griefs become an addition to our present joyes ! before i had none to converse with , but such pittilesse guardians , as rejoyced in my restraint . tedious were the houres of my life , because divided from the object of my love . terrors i encounter'd with daily : passions i wrastled with hourely . no receipt found i to allay my griefe : none to impart my woes to , but such whose hearts were iron-temper'd like my grate . o what an exchange have i found , in being free'd from what did so inthrall me : and in being restored to her presence , which of all earthly joyes doth only revive me ! o my doriclea , how many fearfull visions have startled me ! how many distemper'd dreames have disquieted me ! and whence proceeded all these but from that love and feare equally working , and no lesse sundry effects producing , which had taken such strong possession of me , as not to be removed without enjoyment of thee ? at which , doriclea interrupting him , after a more cheerefull recollection of her over-joy'd spirits , said unto him . o my deare philocles , i am an eye-witnesse of your distemper'd dreames ! you know well what the contents of your last letter discovered : trust me , i will not chide you , for i can finde no such language in my tongue : but i would not for a world have you think waking , what you suspect dreaming . philocles calling to min dethe purport of that paper of verses he had writ unto her : and how much his too affectionate feare had made him transgresse : desiring her pardon , by imputing that error to report ; acknowledged his fault , and condemned that too liberall relation of erring fame . what relation might that be , my endeared philocles , answered doriclea ? h 'as fame reported to you , that since your heavie restraint , i have been too liberall of mine honour , or admitted too much freedome to an intrusive suiter ? have i slighted you in any discourse , or preferred any other in your place ? so indeed , report went , replyed philocles ; that your sometimes rejected suiter , rich mardanes , had obtain'd your affection : and that your marriage was to be shortly solemnized . what , mardanes , answered doriclea ? nay , then me thinkes you should have holden your selfe safe enough : for of all men , to engage my fancy to an earth-worme , whose ambition consists in having , but never in enjoying : and who prefers this poore rubbish of earth before the treasure of a divine minde , my firme resolution hath been ever so farre divided , as i should loathe my selfe to be so matched . panarchus sometimes propounded a riddle , and it was this : how a man and no man , can with a stone and no stone , kill a bird and no bird , sitting upon a tree and no tree ? and athenaeus makes the answ●r ; ●●at an ●●uch is the man , and a 〈…〉 is the bird , fennell is the tree . surely , i had rather contract my selfe with the first , and with modesty i speak it , content my selfe with the second , and make apoll●'s bird of the third , then tye my 〈◊〉 to such a barr●● tr●● . and howsoever th● wise si●onides truly concluded , being one day asked , whether vertue or riches were o● more reputation ; that the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the rich , 〈◊〉 the rich of the vertuous : meaning , that vertues constant attendant was poverty , many times enforced to beg reliefe at the g●te of a vicious but rich family . for thy 〈◊〉 philocles , did i chuse thee ▪ other poore respects were so far from working on my fancy : as they never received entertainment in my thoughts . i have ever accompted poverty a sweet companion , where con●ent was the guardian ; piety her darling . vice 〈◊〉 she never so richly ●ndowed , dyes poore : whereas vertue be she never so much impoverished , appeares rich . o how much then did my deare philocles fall short in the merit of his opinion , in imagining his betrothed doriclea could weane her affection where she loved so much , to plant it on one whom she valued so little ? but doriclea h 'as an excuse in store for ' her beloved philocles : i know , deare one , it was thy unfein●d love which begot this feare . had not thy thoughts been fixed on me waking , i had been least in thy thoughts when thou wer● sleeping . thus did these two loving turtles rejoyce in their meeting : wherein the hermit took no lesse content : observing how their loves were grounded on vertuous ends , which could produce nothing lesse then prosperous effects . with many pleas●nt stories did h● delight the eares of these two affectionate lovers : describing the happy successe of such , who preferred vertue before wealth : and how love could not want where there was no want of love . yes , reverend fa●●er , said doriclea ; there may be a want in the eye of a worldling . yea , daughter , replyed he , but that worlding cannot be properly said to love . amphiaraus loved eriphile , eriphile amphiaraus ; but what moved amphiaraus to loue eriphile but luc●● ; what induced eriphile to love amphiaraus but hope of honour ? now , how could these continue long , being so irregularly planted ; where either the ambitious style of a lady , or desire of money gave first conceptions to their fanoie ? who makes the object of his fancy gold , growes cold in fancy when his mony 's told . and she who faignes to love , to live a lady , is honours 〈◊〉 , i know not what she may be . nor is the purity of love to be stained with any earthly thought : many pretend love , but they cl●athe it with an undeserving name : 〈◊〉 declines from that purity , wherewith it 〈◊〉 endowed , by exposing it selfe to an immodest liberty , from which it should be ●tranged . love should have staid eyes , to aff●●t nothing lesse then wandering . a discreet ●are , to h●are nothing that may to lightnesse be inclining . achas●● touch , to embrace noting that may be wantonly moving . a modest speech , to deliver nothing that may be any way corrupting . and in every part to well composed , so gracefully disposed , as ●n in●●●d 〈◊〉 love to piety may be cleerely 〈◊〉 this deserves well the title of love ▪ whatsoever transgresseth these bounds , admits no such app●llation , but rather to be dis●layed by that badge , which may best set her forth to her greatest dishono●● and imputation . this 〈◊〉 rightly weighed , who labouring to deb●azon love and lust in their proper and dist●nct liveries , descanteth th●s upon them , entitling his poem , loves description . love , what 's thy name ? a ph●ensie ▪ whence thy birth ? from heaven ; how comes it then ●ho● lives on earth ? i live not there ; yet e'ch us●●ps thy name : 't is true inde●● , but hence r●dounds their shame ! i live not there , ●y nat●r●'s pure and j●st , but lust lives there , and love's a foe to lust . it was great pitty , said philocles , that you , father , who can discourse so contemplatively of so divine a subject , would never yet actively practi●e it . so scholastically to reason of love , and be never a scholer in the schoole of love , begets in me admiration . o i confesse , and with trickling teares , said the hermit , that my youthfull follies exceeded all number , so long as i sojourn'd in the world , and became there a wanderer . i could not walke in any street , but i encounter'd many mistresses : for pride , trickt and trim'd up in a gorgeous habit , infinitely took me . licentious liberty peep'd in at my window when i was at st●dy , and she surprized m● . luscious fare prepared me delicious viand● , and these estrang'd me from sobriety . sloth whisper'd to me in my bed , the sluggard● lullabe , with yet a little , and yet a little , and this belulled me . wrath sparkled in my vein●● , and spurr'd me on to revenge , and made me apt enough to forget ought that did most concerne me ; but to imprint in my memory , the thought of an injury . envie revenged her selfe justly on me , and made me pine away at the very sight of an others prosperity . and covetousnesse , that age-benummed sinne , made me desire most when i needed least , and so besotted me . nor could i shake off these , till i shak'd off my self by leaving the world , which harbour'd these . but within one halfe apprentiship , i blushed at those vanities i formerly affected : and by a private retire from the world , found what the world was while i was in it . many were the conflicts i must freely confesse , which i suffered , before i could wholly leave it . yea , delights above conceipt , presented themselves to my fancy , solliciting me to love it . and with these i long contested , and at last conquered , but with such difficulty , as i many times failed , and had been quite 〈◊〉 , had not a more assisting hand guided me in the ●ignt ; and crowned me in the conque●● . since which time , i have ever in a contented privacy remained : knowne too much to the world to affect it : nor so little to my selfe , but that my in firmities humble me in it . many , too many , heaven knowes there be , who professe this regular course which i have entertained : but their profession is but how to delude the world : by bleering the eyes of men with a pretended sanctity : and under this vaile cunningly shroud their base hypocrisie . and one of these have mine aged eyes seene in these later times . a profest gallant in his prime : and one who delighted in nothing more then a phantastick dresse : sufficiently conceipted of his own parts : yet strip him naked , he was neither good morall , sound christian , nor philsopher . yet did this dainty youth , when fortune begun to frowne on him , and vanity , for want of maintenance , to leave him : pronounce his divorce from the world . in a rock he imm●res himselfe : herbes and rootes must be his viands : cold spring water his wines : the woods his walkes : beasts his consorts , and birds his quiristers . none must serve him , but an old decrepit woman , whom nature had so disabled , as sh● could 〈…〉 thus discoursed the hermit , no● were his two hearers lesse delighted with this relation of his e●emiticall condition : but the night ●unning now far on , after a little repast they betook themselves to their repose ; resolving next morning to conclude of some course , to consummate their love , the very conceipt where of made the lingring night seeme long . thus had loves cement clos'd their fancies so , as two hearts lodg'd in one , and one in two : and like two lines that in one centre meet , though different in motion , took one s●at chap. xxi . they take the advice of solinus that faithfull hermit , what course were best to take in a case of such extremity : he adviseth them privately to solemnize that rite , which their long affection had confirmed in heart . scarcely had phoebus mounted his easterne charriot , or displayed his golden locks to the blushing morne : till these restlesse lovers desiring nothing more then lawfully to en●oy the fruits of their long-continued loves : repaired to solinus that faithfull hermit and their constant assistant , to receive his advice what course were best to take and securest to pursue in a case of such extremity ; the prevention whereof might frustrate their hopes , ●nd with a sullen cloud darken their fancy . the hermit they found walking in a private garden : fixing his thoughts on higher contemplations then worldly love . who , upon their comming to him , and hearing them so desirous of his advice , imparted his minde to them , in cropping a sprig of tyme . this , i do ▪ now , said he , may serve you for an usefull embleme . time must be taken while time is . this herbe smels now sweet and redolent : but should it wither , and lose her strength and vigour , it would soone lose her beauty too , which consists in savour . there hath been ever more advantage in dispatch then delay . since then your hearts are so nearly linked , as nothing can divide them : to prevent loose love , which goodnesse hates : and embrace chaste love , on which vertue smiles . as likewise , to secure your affections from surprize : which , no doubt , doriclea , your parents will by all means labour to assay : my advice is , that with all privacy , whereto this very place gives opportunity , you solemnize that sacred rite , to do fancy right , which your long affection , to which my daily orisons shall wish all successe , hath already confirmed in heart . for let me speak freely to you both : fancy becomes a frenzie , when it is not restrained by grace . and love too long delayed , may become polluted , and so lose that unstained purity , which it formerly reteined . private familiarity accompanied by opportunity become dangerous inlets to youthfull fancie , 〈◊〉 , i have knowne in my time , many a loyall lover deprived of their hopes , by 〈…〉 web , and protracting 〈◊〉 too long . had too provident virginius accepted of ioili●● , hi● virginia had never incurred that unjust sentence of appius clau●● . it may be after a little time , when your parents , doriol●a , shall see no means to remedy it , they will admit of it . meane time , you 〈◊〉 prepare your selves to suffer whatsoever the weight of a fathers displeasure can lay on you . small hope is there to reconcile you ; till time , the best canceller of injuries , attone you . nor should i have inclined to ingage my selfe in any such advice , as in this private manner to solemnize your nuptiall rites without their consent , but that an inconvenience is to be preferred before a mischiefe . having in this sort delivered his opinion , and by his advice made way for the happy enjoyment of their affection : hee made show as if he would returne back to his cell ; saying : now , deare daughter , you need no more the conduct or counsell of your poor hermit : nor you , my sonne , the unnecessary presence of an old man , who can afford you no helpe , should you be pursu'd by hate , nor supply your want , should you need reliefe . privately then , with your leaves , will i retire to my cell : where , though i be divided from you , my poore devotions shall remember you . but neither of these true lovers cou●● endure to heare of his departure from the● desiring him , that they might partake his fatherly blessing , and enjoy his presence in 〈◊〉 solemnization of those rites which they intended the next day to consummate , according to his advice . for alas , said philocle , your grave and discreet counsell may be stod us highly both before and after . for us tws , we know only how to love : but how to provide for our safety in a case of necessity , o● wits would be to seek : and our braines too shallow , to contrive . i cannot be ignorant , how many pursuing eyes , and revenging desires i have hunting after me . for d●ricle●s parents cannot be more incensed against 〈◊〉 then those wardens from whom i escaped , ar● enraged towards me . no watch nor wa●● must be unlaid to seaze on me : no device ▪ un●●sai'd to surprize me . and whom have i to 〈◊〉 to , but to the armes of love ; a weak , though willing defence to preserve my life ? and wh●● more , said solinus , can an aged hermit do for you ; whose staffe is his only strength , and whose prayers the richest presents he can offer for your redresse ? and what better armour , answered doriclea , in the time of danger ? besides , your advice may usefully import us in directing how and in what manner we may bestow us , to prevent perill , which as my dearest philocles truly affirmes , is every where inclosing us . i know my fathers passion to be hot , but his nature to be good . our retire for a time ▪ may not only for the present secure us : but by the power of interceding friends reconcile us . which , for the instant were impossible to effect : or by the most perswasive wayes , to allay their discontent : seeing my parents hasty nature , will for the present , admit no moderator . the good old man was perswaded by these reasons , to stay one night longer with them : which he , indeed , the rather desired to do : wishing some faire conclusion to their resistlesse affection : and to become a witnesse himselfe of the consummation of that rite , which these two lovers had in such strong pursuit , accompanied ●ith an eager , but a chaste delight . nay ; this discreet hermit imployed his conceipt a little further : contriving a course how and where to place them for the present : till the storme were over-blowne , and a calmer season might promise some respite to their feares . for that private graunge , wherein they then sojourned , could neither be so secure , as to priviledge them from search : nor so remote from jealous eyes , as to ke●p them any long time unknowne . and a neare ally unto androgeus dwelled not far off , who , upon the least notice of doricleas retire to that place , would soone acquaint her father , and prevent their enjoyment by a speedy surprize . so serious was the poore he●mits care , as these two lovers could not be more faithfull in their fancy , th●n he was carefull for their safety . nor was it 〈◊〉 , that his 〈◊〉 should have beene either lesser , or his advice weaker , amidst such perillo●● 〈…〉 you shall understand hereafter . chap. xxii . how these constant lovers were hindred upon the very point of solemnization of their marriage , by the intelligence and pursuit of her incensed father androgeus : who with a strong prepared troupe ent'red the house where these two unfortunate lovers sojourned : and how , by the hermits device , philocles to prevent his fury , was privately conveyed . no nights longer then those of lovers : and of those , none grievouser then that preceding night to their nuptials . right plea●ing was the hermits advice unto them : which , next morning , long before any canonicall houre , they addressed themselves to put in practise . those hearts , which had been so long 〈◊〉 , expected now , nothing more ▪ then to see those rites accomplished ; and which they 〈◊〉 , heavens would propitiously look upon , though her parents dissented . hourely they expected the man that should performe it : who , at last there arrived , to solemnize what they expected . nothing was wanting that so private a place could afford them . the hermit must personate her father , to bestow her on philocles , her dearest lover . no clarks they needed , their own naked breasts would confirme , whatsoever the priest should pronounce . but heare , o heare , yee dis-passionate lovers , and hearing , resolve your eyes into teares ! then , even then when the● should hand in hand go up to that sacred place , which admitted no ●eet but thos● of peace ; they might heare resounding in their eares , nothing but allarms an noise of war. this pittifully affrighted that small assembly : howbeit , so strongly steeled with resolution was philocles fancy , as with much confidence he willed the minister to go on ; and if any were to incurre censure , he would be the man , who would interpose himselfe betwixt death and danger . but by this time had a strong guard enter●d the house , the noise of whose ●ury so increased the poore mans pal●●y , as he could go on no further for a world . thus were these constant lovers hindred , upon the very point when their marriage-rites should be solemnized : which came to passe by the intelligence and pursuit of her incensed father androgeus : who with a strong prepared troupe , well-armed against any one that should make resistance , in a furious invasive manner ent'red the house ( hymens dishonou'd house ) where those two unfortunate lovers resided . an unhappy so journall ; where such comicall hopes become wholly tragicall ! and mount will androgeus with all his company , there is no remedy which philocles perceiving , as one resolved rather to imbrace death , then ingage his fame to an ignoble life ; or to accompany that miserable life with discontent ▪ on he intends to go against all assailants , & in the presence of his doriclea against the daringst combatant bid defiance . he esteemes him unworthy the purchase of such a prize , who will suffer his thoughts to be seaz'd on by any panick feare . death , he knowes , to be the companion of mortality , and to be affraid of that which he must necessarily endure , he holds worthy of no better name then a cowardly care . he observes , how fortune h'as been ever his profest foe ; valour then must be his friend . and armed with this spirit , downe he resolves to go , but is staid by doriclea ; who was now become all niobe ; limbecks were her eyes of teares ; a furnace was her brest of scalding sighes ; a constant fever surpriz'd her joynts ; yet with these did her sweet condition enforce a smile and with this , mixed with a pearled ●eare did she beg this boone of her deare philocles . do not , oh do not , dearest love , cast your selfe away ; by exposing your life to such apparant , nay , inevitable danger . one i● enough to perish ; and let me be that one to secure my philoaltes if not , let me become an advocate for my philocles . a father● hand will spare his daughter : and , perchance , for her sake pardon her lover . trust me , phi●ocles , you shall not bouge a foot ; your wrastling is in vaine with doriclea ; perish with me you may , without me you cannot . the whole world would exclaime against me , and tax me of a key-cold fancie , should i suffer you even before mine eyes to oppose your selfe against my fathers fury . be advised then , my dearest philocles , you shall not go ; trust me , you shall not go . death and danger with naked breast will i sooner encounter , then ingage your safety to the remorselesse hand of my father . retire then , and let me be your advocate , wherein should i faile , my extreamest fate can be no worse then i expect it . with which words leaping forth of his armes , with a virile spirit , she went downe staires : where she met her furious father comming up . who , upon the very sight of her , was so incensed , as scarce any perswasion could 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 him , as to hold his 〈◊〉 hand form inflicting too seve●e 〈◊〉 punishment on his daughter . who , a●pearing as one nothing at 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 above all others to have her 〈◊〉 philocles secured which she conceived by protracting time in this 〈◊〉 expostulation with her father , to be best effected : in a composed modest manner after such time , as with 〈◊〉 humble knee she had begged pardon to beget more compassion an equall hearer , she in this sort , addressed her selfe to her inraged father . deare sir , look on me , or i am lost for ever . it is true , i have justly incurred your displeasure : and i am sorry for it , and with the sacrifice of my dearest life , would i seek to redeeme it . i have transgressed those religious bounds of ohildelike obedience , and not only ingaged my selfe but one , whose welfare i prefer before my selfe , to infinite dangers . yet cast me not off for this . if you would have me live , let me enjoy him whom i love . let me but partake in your blessing , i shall expect no other portion : the free fruition of my fancy , shall be unto me an ample fortune . alas ! what comfort would a father reape in the matching of his daughter : when an enforced uniting of hands should beget a dividing of hearts : and make her such a miserable bride , as she shall wish her bed changed into a grave ? that bridall feast , her funerall , to invite a mournfull guest ? and this were doricleas case , to impaune her virgin-state to such a curse . o then , by these unfeined teares , this humble-bended knee , your poore distressed daughters prayers , look on me ; and make me his , who do'es so entirely love me ! and lesse , deare sir , you cannot make me ; since my faith h 'as confirm'd me his , which cannot be dispensed by me . for such sacred vowes are too strong tyes to be loosed : being recorded in heaven , where such contracts can never be cancelled . injoyne me what you please , so you injoyne me not to leave philocles : for sooner may doricles leave from being her selfe , then leave his love whom choice without changeh'as confirm'd my second selfe . if the true obedience of your lowly daughter may expiate this offence ( and alas this offence is only love ) that task shall not be by a father imposed , which shall not be by a daughter freely embraced . this speech wrought more remorce in her auditory , then in her father ; as may appeare by his discontented answer . doriclea , but my doriclea , i shall never accompt thee ; tell me , canst thou look on thy father , thy dishonoured father , and not blush at so egregious an errour ? shall my family receive an ignorminious brand from my countrey , through thy loose and irregular liberty ? is there no remedy , but my gray-haires must be brought with sorrow to their grave ? have i bred thee , viper-like , to destroy me ? go on , and see the issue of it . prefer the love of philocles , before the blessing of androgeus . disclaime that obedience thou doest owe me ; bestow thy selfe on him , who of all others is most contemned by me . thou canst not contract this unhappily spun threed of life , before the destinies will. meane time , expect revenge ; for believe the indignation of a father , who intends to take a full revenge of this licentions affection of that inconsiderate philocles : and make him glad to relinquish his suit , by entertaining the meanest state , to secure his life . ●eserve then those knees , for whom thou reservest thy selfe ; those easie-enforced tears , for him who thou preferrest beforethy self ; those undevout prayers , to continue his love , whom thou meanest to make thy second-selfe . but this fruitlesse expostulation foreslowes my revenge ; i will see if i may finde the trace of this bold libertine ; whose pleasing oratory h 'as so deluded thee : whom having found , i shall shortly divert the current of your fancy , and by a legall course deprive him of future liberty . and presently upon these words , neither doricleas ●●●yers nor teares , nor the perswasion of his entirest friends could so farre prevaile with him , as to keepe him from ascending the staires . but ●uch good opportunity had these passionate debates below given to that discreet hermit above , as by his device , philocles , to prevent his funy , was privately conveyed : so as , what androgeus expected ; co●ld not be pursued . none findes he above but the old hermit , and that intended agent for solemnizing their nuptials , who was as full offear as andro●eus was of fury : but wisely pretending himself to be one of the family , he passed by him without much inquiry . so unexpectedly was this pleasing morne darkned with a sullen cloud . two friends , then which none more dearer , must be divided ; all occasion of recourse one to another ▪ henceforth debarred ; this faithfull hermit , who addressed his discreet care for their cure , to his cell confined . thus must me leave all things dis-joynted and out of orders a discontented father contesting with his daughter ; a dis-passionate daughter labouring to appease her father : all whcih have power enough● to perplexe a family , and beget rumou● in a countrey , as you may heare hereafter . chap. xxiii . androgeus brings back his daughter ; the entertainment given her by her mother . vnwilling was doricleas mind , but unwinged must not be her speed to depart . leave her philocles she must without taking leave . for having laboured ( as was formerly expressed ) to appease her incensed father , but all in vaine ; she , before she could come into the roome , ( that sorrowfull roome ) wherein she had left her philocles , by the device of that discreet hermit , to prevent androgeus fury , which admitted no treaty , was he conveyed , and with that privacy , as he became priviledg'd from discovery . along now must doriclea go with her father : who , desiring nothing so much as to surprize her conveyed lover , but prevented of what he most expected , he holds himselfe for the present sufficiently content with the reskue of his daughter . whom he hoped to reclaime from this madding affection ( for so he conceipted ) by one meanes or other . a dayes journey , at the most , they had scarcely travelled , till androgeus with his company arrived where he defired : and bringing his perplexed daughter in his hand to her mother , to this effect he recommended that charge unto her . euryclea , i have brought back at last your dainty daughter ; and prevented what her wilde fancy was incurring : she desired much to be our late pedant philocles his bride : all things were prepared to accomplish what they intended ; and had not timely intelligence ●●ustrated this designe , she had to both our discomforts beene unworthily married . it was my aime to have intercepted philocles ; who , since his escape from prison , hath beene more forward in the pursuit of his desires then before : but how , or by what way conveyed i know not , him i could not finde , so ready was some f●●end of his to expedite his escape . now must i recommend this charge to you , euriclea , as you tender our honour , and the reputation of your daughter , to reteine a more circumspect eye of her walkes then you have hitherto done . let such attend her , as will not be deluded by her . mellida h 'as been too much her friend : whose indiscreet counsell , had it succeeded , had made her selfe her only foe . abridge not her liberty , so you be consident of her company . too much privacy may hurt her health : as too much liberty revive her love . time may weare out these prints of youthfull fancy . imployment or delightfull company , being such as may suit with virgin modesty , may finde power to discampe these dangerous assailants , which so mainly work upon the inward quiet of hte minde . i make little doubt , euryclea , but your kinde heart will be too tender , to inflict on● her any heavie censure . be it as you please , seeing to your charge , care , and cure , ●●●cely recommend her . so tender-hearted was euryclea , that at the very first sight of her daughter she could not refraine from teares : oft did she feine anger , and with a furrowed brow foreshow a tempest : but her teares were in earnest her anger in jeast . yet desirous to schoole her , and in such manner as her discretion conceiv'd , would leave the deepest impression in her she receives no other entertainment but this from her mother . disobedient girle , what faire fruits have our deceiving hopes produced ? how often have i colour'd thy private escapes , and enjoyned this whole family not to publish thy folly ? what pleasing promises have i received from thee , that all should be amended , philocles undeserving love rejected , and those suiters entertained , whose fortunes might raise thy preferment ? and what re●quit all hast thou given thy mother , for her care , too ●●nder care , on thee conferred by her ? now it is in vaine to stay the tongue of rumour : the whole countrey resounds with the report of doricle● and he wandring lover . and how gladly would i be to still this report ▪ to ●ecover thy repute ! well , there appeares yet a little hope , which relyes on this one and o●ly helpe . as good fortune was , all this time mard●nes h 'as been abroad , and so farre remote from us , by reason of his occasions elsewhere calling him , as this report of your ●traying course may happily yet be concealed from him . let then that love which you so lately pretended , be continued . once againe , let a mothers teares or threats prevaile so farre with you , as to estrange your thoughts from him ▪ whom you must not affect . be perswaded , girle ; let not poverty come in at one doore , while love goes out at th' other . let not your fame receive a blemish from your indiscreet choice : with our blessing you cannot enjoy him . timely then relinquish him : i will not have too strict an hand over you ; so tenderly presuming am i of you . an hard , and harsh task were it for me to enjoyne you ought that might deservingly beget your discontent . tender then a mothers care , and prevent her feare : her care to procure your good ; her feare lest you should prevent her 〈…〉 only re●eeme the time you have lost ; but regaine our esteeme , with the ample interest of our love : which you have so strangely forfeited , as it resteth in your obedience only to repaire it . chap. xxiiii . doriclea labours to free her mother from all jealousie touching her love to philocles : pretending , that he had voluntarily made himselfe a banished man to his countrey , through feare of the●● fury and enmity . no sooner had euryclea thus expostulated the cause with her daughter , then doriclea , desirous out of a pious duty , to satisfie her mother ; whose passion , tempered by a naturall affection , seemed something allayed ; labours to free her mother from all jealousie , whereof she had received too inducing motives , touching her love to philocles : and that her defence might appeare ground●d upon sufficient reasons , she proceeds in this manner . deare mother , i must confesse , ( and with teares of pious sorrow i lament it ) that my indis●reet affection h 'as exceeded those bounds which maiden modesty should have ●ept : by giving too free scope to my own fancy : but let not these be any motives to decline your good opinion from me . there is no offence so great , which repentance may not exte●●ate . and now to remove all occasion of jealousie , believe it mother , that never any arguments of love shall be continued betwixt us hereafter . for the feare of your fury , h●as diverted our fancy , and made discontented philocles a banished man , and that by voluntary censure , to his native countrey . it is true ; our amity begot your enmity ; our love your hate . but now , believe the true relation of a daughter ; that ayre which he here breathed , grew distastefull to him , through the distaste you conceived against him . a voluntary exule is he become , and h 'as constantly vowed to entertaine that condition , which shall free his youthfull minde from light affection . indeed , had not m● fathers seasonable comming prevented what our resolves had mutually intended ; neither might he without my consent have enjoyed that liberty : nor my selfe been so freely at your dispose as now i am . but since the fates would have it so , i shall not only study to obey your commands , in whatsoever you may be pleased to impose : but infinitely rejoyce in performing whatsoever your parentall awe shall enjoyne . philocles appeared no such 〈◊〉 to my fancie , that might any way make me to foreslow the discharge of my dutie . yet must i needs confesse , deare mother , such was his vertuous love as i could not lesse expresse my selfe then tender him a grat●full requitall for such ample testimonies of his constant affection . then with your favour be it , that i reteine so thankfull a memory of his professed fancie , as for the present to affiance my selfe to none : love , though 〈◊〉 be countermanded , it cannot for the present be extinguished . meane time , as your tender care h 'as been and continues ever for my future advancement : and that ma●●●nes must be the man , whom you hold ●●tingst for my choice : so far shall my countnance appeare free from strangenesse ; my entertainment of him from nicenesse , as he shall finde no cause of dis-respect from me , nor ought that may dishearten his hopes in pursuit of me . nay , so entire shall be my obedience , as were the disposition of mardanes like that of margites , of whom it is said , that he never plowed , nor digged , planted , nor reaped , nor in private affaires advised , nor discreetly conversed , nor did any thing all his life long that might tend unto goodnesse , but wholly unprofitable to the world . i should with a free embrace receive him . because your commendations did present him , and your obedience enjoyne me to love him . this ingenuous ac●nowledgement of her offence , and expression of her obedience , infinitely over-joyed her mother ; but above all others , the rel●tion of the travell of her lover : imagining , that all occasions now were removed : and no feare at all that their loves should be here after re●ued . but whatsoever doriclea pretended , old love could not be so banished . love she must , but seeme to dis-affect her philocles . ha●e she must , but seeme to affect m●rd●nes . and so far from coynesse must she seem as she must have a smile in readines whensoever he comes in presence . and the freedome which her mother gave her , being now secure of philocles , ministred occasion to doriclea , to invent many quaint devices to ingage more strongly her distasted lover mardanes to her pretended affection . whereof he perswaded himselfe to be so firmly possest , as nothing had power to alien her love from him : so as , he began to be so far presuming thereof , as the very least distaste which she might seeme to offer him , received a very harsh construction from him . this might appeare by one occasion which hapned casually , and it was thus . doriclea , to allay those pressing discontents which surprized her amorous thoughts ; would make it her pleasing task now and then to play with fancie : and to discover sundry apparent arguments of her unfeined good-will towards mardanes , the better to expedite those desires of love●●nwreathed mellid● , and to ●●teine that constant zeale which she religiously professed to her phil●cles : diverse private meetings , accompanied with some of her more familiar consorts , would she purposely appoint to passe an houre or two away ( and tedious had the passage of those houres been ▪ had not some merriment allaid it ) with her late-created servant ; marda●es . and one time above the rest , she had prefixed him time and place for giving him a more private meeting ; but by what occasion i know not , or whether it was not purposely done to delude him , or to try his temper ; but he either mistook the signe where they should meet , or she appointed a place where there was no such signe : but meet they did not ; upon which disappointment being infinitely netled , and presuming whatsoever he writ unto her , would be accepted , in this domineering way , he declared his spirit . mardanes letter to doriclea . mistresse ; how injuriously you have showne your selfe to me in this your last dayes faile , my lines can hardly deliver ; much lesse expresse that irreparable discontent which i suffer . boyes might be easily without offence deluded , as i was by your a signe , the like whereof was never yet there founded . but you reply ; you were there , but i was gone . trust me , mistresse , i stayd there till seven oth , clo●k , which was a whole ●oure beyond the time limited : and finding no such signe as you named ; you may imagine , if i were sensible of so apparant wrong , it could not chuse but work strongly on me . by this , i seriously vow , you have lost that love , who would have sooner ceased to live , then fall short in ought that might have conduced to your love . this is the resolution of your dis-esteemed friend . an other of the same stamp● , bearing the like style and state , was this ; wherein , ( though in a milder temper ) he takes occasion to tax her of neglect , in this manner ▪ dearest ; either were your occasions so many as they did strangely perplex you , or else i was strangely slighted by you . trust me , deare one , your own businesse could not more trouble you , then your neglect of his service and true affection distasted him , who so firmely dedicates himselfe to you ! believe it , this was an unexcusable ●rrour , not to deigne 〈◊〉 i● so much 〈◊〉 , as to 〈…〉 him with your place of abo●● ; the time of your stay in towne : nor where ●e might with conveniency wait on you , to accommodate your affaires with his bes● advice and assistance . you cannot possibly conceive lesse , then that this was a grea● tryall of patience : to appeare there disesteemed , where he stood most fixed . admit hee bee aged ; grave yeares beauti●i●e with gray haires are more to be honoured then neglected : nor may your privacies be with lesse alacrity seconded , then if they were with more youthfull blood inflamed . let your more serious eye look upon these , and i appeale to the justice of your selfe , without any other referre , whether these have not sensibly and strongly wrought ( to your own bosome , i say , i leave it ) upon your truly approved and affectionate servant . this was mardanes letter to doriclea ▪ which she might rather have taken for some challenge , then any love-present . but this wrought no great alteration upon doriclea's tho●ghts . the los●e of his love with which he threatned her , could not much perplex her , seeing , his hat● closed best with her desires : for of all men , whatsoever she pretended , mardanes she most hated : but in the pursuit of her aymes , she surceased not to discover all expressions of fancie that might any way promise him successe , that , what she intended for mellida might be sooner brought to passe . neither was his spleen so much incensed ; n●r his spirit so inraged : but at their next meeting those furrowes which before appeared on mardanes brow for his disappointment , was quickly smoothed . one smile , & that heaven ●●owes , enforced , had power enough to clame that storme , and beget in his amorous thoughts a longing desire to please . many brave presents would he send her ; sundry rich gifts would he bestow on her . all which she returned unto mellida , for happy presages of what was to ensue . and in giving her these tokens , she would usually say : how now mellida ! this is no leane love . happy were my poor mistresse , if she might receive but the least of these remembrances from her servant . but alas ! mine is too far divided from me : di●tance of place barres us all hope of recourse . why mistresse ? in what better case am i then your selfe ? i love one , and he loves me not : ●nd you love one , who hates you not . i may every day see mine , but i am never any whit the nearer enjoying him . you ; though you may not see him ; in your desires you enjoy him : and partake in more freedome of love with your philocles , then ever i expect to do with my mardanes . never expect , wench , replyed doriclea ? why , pray thee , what accomplish'd parts doest thou see in him , that thy love should not deserve him ? didst thou ever heare any one so highly taken with him , but thy selfe ? that 's no matter , said mellida : but i am sure a nea●er personage is there not in mine eye , in all the world. and how far would poore mellida goe , to receive one pleasing smile from him ? that were an excellent precious pilgrimage , answered doriclea . surely , wench , thou wouldest gladly play pilgrim , to undertake a journey for such a lossell . but thou doest weil to be constant , nor shall i ever perswade thee to change thy choice . change my choice , said mellida● no , may i sooner change to earth . alas ! my desires are not great : nor my ambition high . might i but be entertained to be his handmaid ; to attend him ; though as his unworthy consort i might never enjoy him : this would in some measure content me . yea , quoth doriclea , but this perchance , would in time beget in thee discontent . discontent , said mellida , and be in the presence of my mardanes ; how could that be ! by seeing other creatures of the same sex , answered doriclea , received , while thou were 't rejected . indeed , said mellida , i should hardly endure to see that : no earthly crosse may halfe so bitter prove , as to admit corrivals in our love . and yet , me thinks , i should never love him worse : seeing , i could conceive no other cause of their too much love , but his perfection ▪ and were it reason that i should hate him , because others love him : or fall short in my esteeme , because others did so highly prize him ? and yet , i must confesse , i could not well suffer another to become too familiar with him . patience could beare no more then it could : and a breast i have ready to embr●ace any injury , rather then digest such apparant grounds of jealousie . thus privately used these two to bestow some houres of the day in discourse : wherein doriclea ever reteined so admirable a temper : as no extremity of passion was ever seen outwardly to work upon her . love she could , and constantly : forego the presence of her love she could , and modestly . expectance in this only made her happy : this combate with contrary fortune would not hold out still ; she at last hop'd to obtaine a victory : and therein more glorious , in that her bickrings were more grievous . a suspicious sigh must not leape from her ; nor an amorous ●eare betray her : her own heart must be the treasur● of her care , till patience crown her hopes wi●h a more soveraign cure . neither was she more discreet in her love , then he perswasive in his line : for now you must suppose him estranged from his countrey , divided from all thoughts of fancy , and if you will believe his own hand , such a strict convert , as doriclea may have small hope to make him 〈…〉 . chap. xxv . philocles writes a letter to androgeus , as directed from beyond the seas : wherein he humbly craves pardon , for his too bold attempting his daughters affection . how his present austere penitentiall life shall witnesse to the world his repudiation of all light love . how his devotions now were reserved for heaven , and had no communion with earth . and that the choice he had now made , should during life admit no change . philocles must bee now accompted a forrainer , to his countrey a stranger ; exposed to winds and waves , and divided frō his friends . nay , since his supposed arrivall , he pretends his induction into so strict a profession , as it proclaimes him to the world an alien to all youthfull affection . but what harbour received him , or what place this was which harbour'd him , or what profession it was that admitted him , appeares not fully by any relator : howbeit , what he was , and what he resolved to continue , may appeare sufficiently by his own letter . philocles letter to androgeus . for exiled philocles to write a letter to incensed androgeus : and this to be directed from beyond the seas , may seem strange ; and yet know , noble sir , that this is true . he , even he , who sometimes affected irregular love , h 'as now betaken himselfe to a regular life : and in this his poore mendicant pro●ession , humbly craves pardon ( and be it your generous pity to encline to his suit ) for his too bold attempting your daughters affection . it was l●●e , and that seasoned with as much vertuous constancy , as youth could afford . but know now , deare sir , that his present austere pe●itentiall life shall witnesse to your selfe , whom he h'as so highly offended , and to 〈◊〉 whole world , wherein he h'as too long youthfully sojo●rned , his repudiation of all ligl ▪ ● love . and too long , heavens know too long , h 'as he there lived where true discretion could finde nothing worthy to be entirely loved . for what shall man finde there but a tragick theatre hung about with arras presenting a numerous confluence of feares and cares ? all complete actors , but their play-bill beares no better style then a comedy of errors . to see a man turne himselfe into all sha●es like a cam●lion , or as proteus , transforming himselfe into every prodigious forme : to act twenty parts at once for his advantage ; to temporize and vary like mercury the planet , good with good , bad with the bad ; to forme himselfe to all religions , humours , inclinations ; to fawne like a spaniell , rage like a lion , bark like a curre , fight like a dragon , sting like a serpent ; as meek as a l●mbe , ●nd ●et againe grim like a tyger , weepe like a crocodile , insult over others , and yet others insult over him ; here to command , there crouch , tyrannize in one plac● be b●ffled in another ; a wise man at home , a foole abroad to make others merry . then to reflect upon the indignity of the age. to see a scholer crouch and creepe to an illiterate pesant for a meales meat . for there is nothing , from which learning receives more dishonour , then to have her freedome ingaged to anothers trencher . a scrivener better paid for an obligation , then for a studied sermon ; a faulkner receive better wages then a student ; a lawyer get more in a day , then a philosopher in a yeare ; better rewarded for an houre , then a scholler for a yeares study : he that can paint thais , play on a fidle , curle haire , &c. sooner get preferment then a philosopher or a poet. and is not this a dainty theatre to win the heart of a discreet spectator ; where love and hate are like the two ends of a perspective-glasse : one multiplies , the other makes all things lesse ? o how rightly did that moderne stoick invey against those inhumane qualities in man : which , if he did but see into himselfe , he should finde so unmanly , as they made him altogether unlike himself ! c how shall i know thee to be a man ( said that golden-mouth'd divine ) whe● thou kickest like an asse , neighest like an horse after women , ravest in lust like a bull , ravenest like a beare , stingest like a scorpion , rakest like a wolse , as subtile as a fox , as impudent as a d●g ; shall i say thou art a m●n , that h 'as all the symptomes of a beast ? how shall i know thee to be a man , by thy shape ; that affrights me more , when i see a beast in likenesse of a man ? and what did poore philocles encounter withall , so long as he conversed with the world , but creatures of this condition ? well then might mine eye , my strangely deluded eye , be made the sense of sorrow , because the sense of sinne . nought could i see but did wound me : no pleasing object but did pollute me . only my thoughts , deare sir , were so free from harbouring one light conceipt of your vertuous doriclea : as i saw in her that goodnesse as disheartned any loose attempt . and may your age receive that comfort in her , as those easie errors which too deservingly bred your distaste , may be redeemed by a fuller furplusage of content . my desire shall be only this , that you would not decline your affection from her , for her sometimes bestowing so much undeserving respects on me . divided am i now from her , and all the world : and who knowes but that i was thus prevented in my love , to the end i might be weined in my love from the world ? admit then my plea ; and let it receive place : seeing my devotions are now reserved for heaven , and reteine no communion with earth . love was never to converted philocles so familiar , as it is now a stranger . it now re●ts , that my best prayers ever accompany you ; and that my teares wash off those wrongs i have done you . be it your piety to have mercy , and to look on philocles resolve , who h'as set up his rest upon this stake , that the choice he h'as now made , shall during life admit no change . philocles . this good androgeus expounded , to be that new course of life or religion , or whatsoever else he had so lately professed : but constant philocles had another meaning , which he ever expected time would bring to perfection . howsoever , androgeus was not a little cheered in the perusall of this letter : the contents whereof so well freed his suspitious thoughts from this mortified lover , as hee could not containe himselfe from expressing the joy he conceived , which to this effect he discovered . well done , philocles ! in this course thou hast taken , thou procurest thy selfe peace ; and us rest . thou hast done rightly to disesteeme fancie , and to preferre thy private study before such a vanitie . there is no comparison betwixt pure devotion and light affection . content is of ampler extent then the whole continent . and if my serious care prevented thy indiscreet love , be it thy love , in thy private devotions , to remember my care . thou ●aist , thou hast now set up thy rest ; and in this thou hast done right . wordly love and heavenly contemplation suit ill together . thou could'st not here enjoy whom thou lovedst with our consent ; thou didst well then to relinquish her love , the purchase whereof might beget thy ensuing discontent . how happy had many bin , if they had been so prevented : for so had they never tasted those miseries which they so unfortunately incurred . as androgeus was thus privately discoursing of philocles late profession , which he conceived to be so sincere , as all occasion of further renuall of his daughters love and his was wholly removed : euryclea came to him , to whom he read the letter which he had received from philocles . wherein they equally joyed ; while euryclea related to her husband the free entertainment which their daughter , upon her direction , had given to mardanes ; and how she feared not , if they gave approvement to it , but that would be very shortly a match . and though , said she ▪ there be a disparity in their yeares ; that will beget our daughter more esteeme . and a good life with an husband exceeds all youthfull ●ove . and yet i must tell you husband , said e●ryclea , if his harsh disposition should either ●●get in him a jealousie , or any other unbeseeming quality , i should chuse rather to go to her buriall then her bridall . for , poore girle , her good condition would brook so ill that surly humour , as it would discourage her for ever . and i have heard his disposition was none of the best : and what were it then to enjoy all his estate , and want the comfort of a contented life ? our care h 'as neither been so weak , nor gods providence so small ; as that the portion we intend to conferre on her , may not procure her such a match , as may suit with her desires both for competency of estate and equality of yeares . and for my part husband , said she , i never knew any match made up for wealth only , that ever begot comfort to the party . and you your selfe know husband , that when at first i preferred you in my choice , the very least thing that wrought upon my affection was your wealth : and yet have we had ever enough , & so much the more , in regard we thought love in those dayes to be enough . how is it , euryclea , said androgeus , that you ●lead so much in defence of poverty , and would not admit of phil●cles . who was none of those who had superfluity ? one must make a vertu● of necessi●y , replyed euryclea . i know philocles , to be poore enough , and to love doriclea enough . but our daughter was not to ground her love on every poore lover , for that might have mad● her a poore liver : but so to plant her fancie , as neither the undeservingnesse of the ma● might beget in her a neglect of duty , nor a coldnesse of affection by meanes of poverty . to divert then the current of her love , i made choice of one for her , who had sufficient whereon to live . that by comparing the want of a scholler , with the wealth of a wordly improver , she might the sooner di●cerne her errour , and betwixt these two 〈◊〉 out one , whom she might both approve and love : and expresse himselfe worthy her choice , by his faire and affable temper . yea , said androgeus , but it was dangerous to give opportunity to fancie ; which it seemes you have done to mardanes already . alas , good old man , answered euryclea , there is small doubt but his yeares have so tempered him , as in affaires of love , his moderate desires rather aim● at a consort then a play-fellow : one to cheere and comfort him , then with light dalliance to solace him . and could you then endure one in the prime of her youth , whose posterity should be the comfort of your age , to close in such unequall imbraces : and by living where the does not love , make her grieve that ever she did live ? no , androge●s ; no , replyed euryclea ; my desires are that she may live , where just grounds of discontent may never give her occasion to grieve . and this , i think , she very hardly will finde in mardanes ; for as 〈◊〉 richest treasure closed in a chest , affords 〈◊〉 small comfort to the owner ; when to his ●wn he becomes a prisoner : so all outward substance , be it heaped up in never so much ●bundance , can scarcely minister the least portion of content to a minde ingaged to all hea●inesse . but our girle shewes no such thing ; for if she dissemble not , ( and i verily think her condition will not admit it ) since my direction , she h'as profest more love to marda●●s , then any other that ever suited her excepting philocles . nay , she will not stick sometimes to say , that her unmannaged youth ●ands in need of such a tutor : and that since philocles absence and reliction , reverend age was the most taking object to her affection . if it be so , said androgeus , the girle shall have her minde : but i am perswaded , when fresh youth comes in the presence of age , though she pretend r●verence to age , she will ●incline rather to imbrace youth . thus discoursed her parents of their daughters love , but were farre from diving into her heart , to search out for whom she reserved her constant love . but love she must ; for tender is their care to bestow her where both person and fortune may give her content . but all is not gold that glisters ; nor all winners that are wooers . for though she have an enforced smile for mardanes , she reteines an heart full of care for the safety of her philocles . chap. xxvi . doriclea fals ( or seemingly f●ls ) into a fever ; each day seemes to increase her distemper : eschites , an experienc'd physician is sent for to apply his best art in a case of such extremity : but he , an intimate friend to philocles , makes show as if he despair'd of her recovery . and that no malady arising from fancy , could without enjoyment of the object loved , receive remedy . who knowes not how to dissemble , he knowes not how to live . but if that art 〈◊〉 receive approvement , love and no other obj●ct should be the instrument . this 〈…〉 , who now 〈◊〉 ( or seemingly fals ) into a fever . long is it now since philocles absence ; but longer to her conceipt then any other : having not as yet heard from him since his departure from her . from the benefit then of fresh aire , which could not chuse but infinitely cheere her , she retires : making her selfe a stranger to those groves and gardens wherein she walked ; and betakes her selfe to her bed , where she privately expostulates with fancie , recalling to minde wherein soever she had suffered . a violent fever within some few dayes after strongly seazed on her : which whether it was seeming , or so indeed , i will not here dispute , but each day to the great griefe of her parents , seemed to increase her dist●mper . sleepe was a stranger to her eyes ; meat distastefull to her palat , and loathing to her stomack . a great desire she had to be private : pretending , that much talk distemper'd her braine : and willed her maid to keepe the curtaines ever closely drawne , saying , that nothing weakned her eyes more then light . mellida , who knew best next to her own breast , what most disquieted her , when she was at any time sure that none could over-heare them , whether it were to cheere her , or to impart her own griefs unto her , would use in this manner to converse with her . good mistresse rouse up your spirits , do you think lying in bed will serve the turne ? but if you will not be so much a friend to your selfe , i pray you befriend your selfe for my sake . alas , all this time while you lye sobbing and fighing here , my suit to mardanes growes cold . and i must tell you a secret too mistresse ; but none must know of it , for if they should , it might be a great blemish to my credit . truth is , as truth ever goes farthest , that since you fell into this distemper i became mine own solliciter : but i made bold still with your name . and in very deed , ( this you may think to be an immodest part , but i am sure it came from a loving heart ) i sought in my letter directed in your name , to know the time when he would make me his own . fye , girle , answered doriclea , thou hast spoiled all : proffer'd love had never yet good savour . and in the meane time thou hast brought me upon the stage in a dainty fashion : by making mardanes believe that i am liberall enough of my reputation . but , pray thee , wench , what answer receivedst thou ? nay , mistresse , said mellida , you shall know all ; but i pray you impute it to my too much love , if my love h 'as wronged your name . but the harshest answer did i receive from him , that ever poore wench received from any one , loving so dearly as i did . and with that , opening her bosome , she pull'd forth a paper , which she reached to her mistresse , containing this answer . doriclea , after this manner to importune me suits not with maiden-modesty ; i shall close in an equall-line , sorting with our joynt desires , when i shall see mine own time : and may meet best both with your occasion and mine owne . meane time , trust me , this importunity ●ather duls then sharpens fancy . so re●●s he , who will ever rete●ne a true estimate of your honour . dericlea could not chuse but smile , though her heart were ill at ease , to heare this insulting humour of deluded mardanes : but at first ●he knew not well whether to be angry at her maids forwardnesse , or to pitty her weaknesse : so as , raising her selfe a little in her ●ed she used these words unto her . surely ▪ mellida , thou caust not possibly be so simple as thou makest thee . thou hast now made a 〈◊〉 hand of it : to make thy own sweet-heart beleeve that without his love i cannot live . thou hast brought mine honour unto the stake : and i must in hope to get thee an husband , be thought , nay be rumour'd , that i beg one . nay , it is very likely that he will now out of his pesantly condition flight my affection , because too freely offered : or conceipt strangely of my modesty , & with much easinesse cashiere me : and what then will become of thee ? all wayes then are stopped ; all meanes prevented ; when i my selfe , who sought by pretending love to him , to match thee to him , shall be so contemned by him , as he shall hold me unworthy of him . alas , mistresse , answered mellida , pardon my kinde heart , that could hold no longer then it could . had i lov'd lesse , my modesty had been more . but truly mistresse , i am so troubled with phantasies sleeping and waking , that if i have him not , i shall not be long mine own woman . yet rather mistresse , then you receive any dishonour by my indiscreet love , i shall write in your name how my mind is altered , and that i never bore him so much love , as now i beare him hate ; i care not ▪ i will do it , rather then displease you ; though it should break my heart . doriclea pitied much ●he girles humour ▪ willing her by no meanes to discover the lea● token or semblance towards mardanes o● displeasure . and that so soone as she should be able to leave her bed , she would spare n● labour nor profession of favour to purchase her desires . but she held it fit to use some small intermissions to make him sharper : for such haggards , said she , are soone cloyed ; they must then see their game seldome , and by rare and easie flights become sharpned . hawks full gorg'd will stoope to no lure , nor seaze on no prey . no more will thy ancient sweet-heart , if he finde thee too playable to his call. nothing cheered mellida so much , as to heare her mistresse so well appeased : resolving to be only directed by her : what issue soever should befall of her love . but as they were thus diseoursing , the parents of doriclea came into the chamber , bringing with them one es●●●●es , an artist of knowne experience , approved judgement , and in his profession of such honest imployment ; as his chiefest 〈◊〉 was his patients cure : scorning nothing more then to spin out time , or to practise plobotomy upon his patients 〈◊〉 , or to magnifie his cures with moun●●bank bils ▪ such an one was this judicious physitian , whō they brought to their daughter , as to his profession he was an honour , and to his countrey under god , a soveraigne succour . him therefore they besought to apply his best receipts , and to exercise the height of ●is art in a case of such extremity : as they ●●ould be ready to grati●ie his care , her cure , with an ample expression of their love . but promises of rewards were the lowest of his ●otives : his greatest gaine was in his accompt to do good . and because delay might prejudice his cure : drawing neare to her bed-side , and taking her gently by the wrest of her 〈◊〉 , felt her pulse ; which , though for want of naturall rest , discovered some distemper , yet ●ould not he gather either by pulse , urine , or any symptome , that she could be seased on by any violent fever . imagining then ( and his imagination hit right ) that there was some other private distemper which wrought extreamely on her ; and purposing to search out the quality of her disease , if either art or industry could effect it ; he requests her parents absence with the rest that were in the roome , pretending that he was to try an experiment , wherein the privacy of his art would not so fitly comply with their presence . and now the room being voyded , eschites taking herby the hand , said thus unto her . mistresse , if i have any judgement , as my long experience should teach me some , you may be a physitian to your selfe , if you please . nay , it is in your own hand to kill or cure . i do not know your meaning ( answered doriclea ) but surely , sir , you have no such strange conceipt of me , as to think my selfe so much my own foe , as not to cure my selfe if i could . i have not , mistresse , said he , but my skill failes me ▪ if you may not do much if you would . i pray you let me ask you one thing , mistresse ; are you not strongly troubled with imaginations ? i have a phantasie , quoth she , as others have , and that must needs according to the nature of it , be discursively wandring here and there , but never fixed on any one object . i will burne my books , said eschites , if that prove so . come , mistresse , i must be round with you ; your minde h 'as begot in your body this distemper : your blood had never beene infected , had not your minde beene first to love affected . be then so much a friend to your selfe , as either labour to forget him : or by imparting your thoughts more freely to your parents , to enjoy him . this is the best receipt that art can apply to you ; which if you reject , dye , and who will pitty you ? doriclea wondred much how eschites art could possibly so soone make him of her cabbinet counsell ; as so quickly to discover her infirmity . b●t long it was before her modesty would admit any such discovery . at last , with a winning kinde of reluctancy , after a vermillion blush , which plaid the shamefast harbinger to prepare way for what should come after , she disclosed her griefe freely to eschites , in this manner . sir , so presuming am i of your secrecy , as a poore patient intends to make her physitian , her secretary : nor am i lesse confident of your care then your cure : of your care to keepe my counsell ; then of your desire to cure my malady . i shall here relate to you , what i meant to have buried with me . it is true sir , there is one that i have lodged neare my heart , and remove him i cannot ; and enjoy him i may not . nor will i conceale from you any thing : the man who h 'as taken this place is philocles , now a banished man to his countrey ; which censure he h'as voluntarily incurred and cheerefully imbraced to decline my parents fury . and his absence it is , sir , that h 'as begot in me this infirmity . no sooner did eschites hear philocles named , then he rejoyced much to have so faire an occasion offered him , both in respect of his patient whom he desired to recover : as likewise for the advancement of his friend philocles , whose former acquaintance had ingag'd his respects more then any other . to palliat all things then with more art : he intends to work a cure without applying any medicinall receipt : and this must be by argument , for otherwise he knowes not how to effect it . and now a fit opportunity is given him : for this perswasive receipt must not be ministred to his patient , but her parent . who desirous to heare what the physitians opinion was touching their daughter , came in the very instant ; which prevented doriclea from imparting her mind any more at that time to eschites . androgeus beckning oft to the physitian , demanded of him what he thought of his daughter , and whether he had hope to recover her or no. eschites withdrawing himselfe a little from her bed side , and taking her parents aside , begun freely to discover his opinion of her in this manner . sir , as it h'as never beene my use in the whole course of my profession to delude my patient with vaine hope , where i found my receipts could afford no helpe : so i must ingenuously tell you what i think without flattering you : in cases of this extremity , i finde small hope of recovery : unlesse her youth be a meanes to repell the malignity of this humour . nature is much weakned in her . her sleepe , which is the very dew of the braine , h 'as left her . nourishment will she take none , and if she did , yet by reason of obstructions in the orifice of her stomack , it would not digest with her . so as , should i apply purgative or ligative medicines unto her , yet would they work small effect , by meanes of those indispoed humours which have got dominion over her . shall i tell you my minde freely ? it is not in the vertue of hearbs that may returne her remedy : her malady proceeds from fancy : which must receive 〈◊〉 from the object it loves , or no hope of recovery . having delivered his opinion in this sore , he took androgeus and euryclea by the hand : desiring to know of them whether their daughter had not at any time professed love to some gentleman or other in those parts : or whether she had not discovered so much unto them ? yes , answered androgeus , ●he doted too much upon one philocles , whom i here reteined for her schoolemaster : one of knowing parts , but weak fortunes . then it seemes , said eschites , you crossed her in her desires . we did indeed , answered androgeus ; for we conceived that such a marriage would 〈◊〉 highly to her dishonour , to marry a poore private scholler : and therefore sought to decline her affection that way . which , like an obedient childe , she h'as since that time done ; and observed our directions with that care , as an ancient gentleman , and one whom you well know , whose rising fortunes may highly advance her , h 'as lately renued his suit unto her : whom she with all faire respect entertaines . so as her former indiscreet fancy seemes wholly banished : and consequently her malady , if it should proceed from any such occasionall fancy , perfectly cured . alas , replyed eschites , what your daughter may pretend is one thing , but what she intends is another . affection i must tell you will be hardly forced : whatsoever her filiall obedience may enjoyne her ; love reteines too much soveraignty to be so countermanded : or to extinguish that heat which it first cherished . thus he , though he professed no such matter , but as an artist should in delivering his opinion touching their daughter , expressed himselfe an intimate friend to philocles , by making show as if he despaired of her recovery , closing his judgement with this maxime : that no malady arising from fancy , could without enjoyment of the object loved , receive remedy . which much perplexed her sorrowfull parents , conceiving by eschites relation , that the image of philocles had stamped so deep an impression in their daughters affection , as the ground of her distemper arose from being so imperiously divided from her lover . chap. xxvii . the parents of doriclea conceive incessant griefe for their distemper'd daughter ; they ●emoane their neglect of philocles , and dis-esteeme of his love : but they finde no hope of reliefe to their languishing daughter , seeing the meanes of her cure was reported to have enter'd a regular order . doriclea could not more passionately suffer in this her amorous distemper , then her parents did for their daughter . tender was their love , and incessant was the griefe they did conceive . no meanes was left unassaid ; no cure unpractised , to regaine her health whom they so dearely loved . but all experiments were in vaine : the more they laboured , them ore she languished . so as little could be expected , but that this her encreasing distemper would bring her e're long to pay her debt to nature . this moved androgeus and euryclea the tender affectionate parents of sick doriclea , to bemoane their neglect of philocles , and dis-esteeme of his love , which her father one day discovered with a pensive heart , and passionate voice in this sort . o euryclea , how well have we deserved to suffer this affliction , in neglecting philocles and his honest affection ? admit his fortunes were poore , his conversation was vertuous , his life blamelesse , and his love to our daughter loyall and religious . were we to contemne him , because fortune had not so freely imparted her selfe to him ? was love only to be weighed by meanes , without respect to those inward endowments which conferre the best beauty on man ? what comfort might wee have reaped in seeing them live in constancy of love : and composing their mindes to their state ; to bestow the residue of their dayes in content ? a● must not be neglected , whom fortune h 'as not favoured . it is blinde love that is directed by such a deity . and too tyrann●●● are those parents to their children , who labour to enforce their affection . it may be , said euryclea , that her distemper , for all this opinion of her doctors , r●ceives ground from some other griefe . for i verily think , doriclea could not so dissemble with us , as to pretend love to mardanes , and reteine such a constant remembrance of philocles . let us call forth then if you please , her maid mellida ; who knowes her minde best , and we shall perceive by her , whether her fancy continue towards philocles or no. mellida , who sorrowed no lesse for her mistresse sicknesse then any : for her distemper wholly declined her hopes from enjoying her mard●nes : acquainted them , how those little short sleepes she had , were full of distractions : and how ever and anon she called upon philocles . which so confirmed them , as they presently gathered that his absence had begot this distemper in their languishing daughter : which highly aggravated their sorrow . gladly would they recall him , so they might regaine him , but they finde no hope of reliefe to their weak daughter ; seeing the meanes of her cure ( the sole cordiall of her care ) was reported to have enter'd a regular order . no hope then remain'd for her recovery ▪ being so deprived of the object of her fancy . while they were thus discoursing and descanting of their griefe , one below called for mellida ; which was a messenger indeed from mardanes with a letter directed to doriclea : the issue of whose motion her parents desired much to partake . so a● , presently upon mellida's going in to her mistresse to deliver this letter , they went in after her , but with that privacy , as upon the delivery and perusall of the letter , doriclea knew not they were there . the contents of this amorous scroule were these . doriclea , you may expect that these lines should have been prevented by ●y personall attendance : and trust me so they had , could i have dispensed with one occasion which requires present dispatch . let not the least conceipt of disloyalty pre-possesse you . i will sooner perchance then your own opinion can assure you , se● you , to consummate our joyes , which , by how much the longer delayed , in our fruition will be more sweetned . alas , good man , said doriclea ! how he troubles his braines to no purpose ? as if his personall presence could do me any good , or procure me ease ! no , no ; unlesse he were transformed into philocles ; and then the enjoyment of his feature would do me an infinite pleasure . surely , said mellida , i could with with all my heart that we had them both in their own proper shapes : i know who would be the more pretious pearle in my eye . well , replyed doriclea , god send thee much good of him , when thou shalt have him . and if i recover my health , whereof as yet i finde small hope , i should make little doubt but by a device i have , to possesse thee of him . i pray god you may have your health restored you soon , said mellida ; for i am sure you cannot suffer more in your fever , then i my selfe do , till i be made happy by the free enjoyment of mardanes favour . this discourse seemed strange to doriclea's parents , for they little knew what their daughter intended by that device : howsoever , they now perceived that the love she pretended to mardanes was not reall , but dissembling : and that philocles was the man who was only interessed in her heart : and that without him she despaired of health . which could not chuse but strangely perplexe her affectionate parents ; who now , so they might become confident of their daughters recovery , would easily incline to philocles fancy . but they were out of all hope to procure her health by this meanes : seeing , retired philocles was now to his countrey a stranger , and had enter'd a strict religious order : which assured them , that he had now disclaimed the title of a lover . chap. xxviii . eschites undertakes , upon promise of their acceptance , to use his best endeavour for calling philocles homeward ; and that he is resolved , how philocles time of probation will bee quickly relinquish'd , when he shall beare least hope of enjoying his doriclea's affection . weakned daily became constant doriclea , by meanes of this her languishing distemper . for now her stomack , by feeding on those fancies which her loyall love to philocles usually suggested , was so sated : as other nourishment she could admit none : unlesse such julips or cordials as required no strong digestion : so well became nature sustained with the very conceipt of affection . nor is this much to be admired ; for if that maide of p●i●tiers could abstaine so many yeares from all sustenance , and be surprized by no such fancy ; what may we imagine of doriclea , whose digestive parts were so well satisfied with the thoughts only of her dearest philocles , as no repast could comparably delight or refresh decayed nature , so much as the very conceipt or apprehension of his affectionate feature . her parents desirous to try all meanes to allay her griefe , and to banish the memory of her transplanted friend from her distemper'd minde : sent for such neighbouring maides as formerly kept her company to come to her : and to invent one sport or other to passe away the lingring night , or to tell tales to solace her troubled braine , which for want of sleepe , was much distemper'd . and many pleasant pastimes would these countrey girles finde out , purposely to cheere her . while one amongst the rest drawing ●eare the bed-side , and taking doriclea by the hand ; good lord , mistresse , said she , what a stirre you make with this love ? i am sure for my part i am troubled with a thing as like love as can be , and whether it be downeright love or no i know not : but every night there appeares to my fancy , a dainty proper young man , but of what countrey i know not ▪ and to my knowledge , waking i never yet saw him . but trust me mistresse , i wondrously love him : and if he be no hob-thr●sh nor no robin● goodfellow , i could finde with all my heart to sip up a silly-bub with him in my fathers broome-pasture . for i shall on my conscience never love any one halfe so well . and yet i know not whether i shall love him when i am waking so well as when i am sleeping : nor do i know whether i should know him , if i should see him : and yet every night i infinitely love him , and could chuse to live with him , if he be flesh and blood , as i hope he is ; for else i should not for all the world endure him . doriclea could not chuse but smile within her selfe to heare this simple countrey girle discover her imaginary love in this manner . while an other as simple as the former , but a more reall and substantiall lover , stept forth ; and as one angry that her fellow should spend so much time in discovery of a dreame , or a dreaming fancy , she proceeded in this sort . sister , what makes you thus trouble mistresse doriclea's eares with a story of a cock and a bull ? dreames are but fanci●s of the braine : and a thousand nights have i had such dreames : and me thought took great delight in such a yongsters company , that i car●d not a chip for next morning . but i pray you mistresse doriclea heare my fortune : for i love in good earnest ; and if he be a just man of his word , he loves me too . climenes is the man , i am not ashamed of my choice : a proper dapper youth , and h 'as wonne the best prizes from admetus , melintus , palemon , and the activest youths of all our parish , at our summer-games two yeares together . and my father , good man , h 'as promised him , that if hee come away with the prizes next yeare againe , he will bestow me on him . and i could wish with all mine heart , that i were his now ; for a whole yeare will be too long to languish in love . but one thing now above all others , there is , mistresse , that grieves me ; and it is this , our neighbours say , he will never have a beard ; and what a rivell'd russeting will he look when he comes to age ? but if nature will not be so bountifull to him , if there be a beard-maker in all our countrey , i will want of my will but he shall furnish him . your case is happy in comparison of mine , said the third girle ; one of you loves , and you know not whom ; another loves , and may enjoy whom she loves : but my fortune is harder : for aegon profest as much love to me , as ever suiter did to woman : and i knew nothing but that he thought as he spake , and would performe what he had promised . but ●waines can dissemble as well as greater men : for going th' other day to our parish church , ● might heare the banes of marriage publiquely asked betwixt aegon and leucippe : so as , all those professions of love wherein he ●ood ingaged to his m●tilda , must now be renounced , and a new love entertained . and yet , mistresse doricle● i were a foole to lay that to my heart , which another lyes to his heele . a disloyall man should never break the heart of a wise maid . he that can so easily leave his old love , may stand in need of the least graine of it if he live . meane time , i hope if i live , to enjoy one who shall more constantly love . thus discoursed these countrey girles ; and much content took doriclea in this relation of their simple loves . but her father and mother comming in , prevented all further discourse , for that time . their daughter they found still languishing : small or no hope of recovery ministred least comfort unto them . many times they wished , that they had not opposed her affection , but inclined to her will ; for so they might have enjoyed what now by all probability is very likely to be taken from them . and as they were thus bemoaning their sick daughter , who daily grew weaker in strength , but stronger in her distemper ; eschites came into the chamber , enquiring how it was with her ? drawing nearer and nearer to her end , answered her father . small hope of amends appeares yet . nor will any probably appeare , to my judgement , said eschites . no cure can be possibly effected , till the cause be removed ▪ and though the cause of her distemper be too far removed , as the case now stands , the cause must be restored , or no recovery to be expected . androgeus desiring to know what he meant , requested him to explaine himselfe . to whose satisfaction he willingly inclined , and in a grave demure manner , imparted his minde freely to them : discovering both the grounds first introducing , and receipts most soveraigne for curing her distemper . sir , you may remember , how forth of experienc'd grounds of art , i sometimes told you , which they shall finde true that have neare relation to you : that no malady arising from fancy , could without enjoyment of the object loved , receive remedy . and though love rarely work such effects in these dayes : yet , too neare an instance you have here of your owne , who confirmes what powerfull , nay incurable distempers the quality of love produceth ; not only in the affections but constitutions of such who have received such deepe impressions of love , as they must seaze on the person they effect , or cease to live . too long have you deceived your selves with flattering hopes , expecting that either by strength of nature , which you may perceive much enfeebled in her , or by physicall means , which i told you could smally benefit her , she might recover health . and now you see , how farre she is from seconding your hopes : as every day promiseth nothing but a decline from worse to worse . to prevent this , if you expect ever to see her in health againe , give way to my directions : let her enjoy what she h'as so unfeignedly desired . it is philocles that must performe this cure , or effectlesse is our art , fruitlesse our care. let him then be called home , whose returne gives me assured hope of her health . alas , answered androgeus , if that were possible to be done , we should easily encline to such a motion : but as he is not only divided from us , but enter'd a strict-austere order , there is small hope that ever his purpose is to returne hither . for since his departure hence , i received a passionate letter from him : wherein he not only humbly craved my pardon for his indiscreet pursuit of my daughters affection , but advertised me of his late conversion . and how that course which he had now embraced , had aliened his thoughts from all light love ; and that the choice he had now made , should during life admit no change . very like , said eschites ; but i pray you how expound you that clause ? his choice , no doubt , which he meant by was your daughter , which he never intended to change . come sir , discourses in affaires of this nature should be used as preparatives of what may succeed after : you desire your daughters health , and you perceive the meanes to effect it : but out of a scrupulous feare you doubt the way is diverted . what say you unto him that shall expedite the way : and make you happy ( if nature be not too much debilitated ) in her recovery ? we shall be defective in nothing that may further it , nor ungratefull to whomsoever shall labour in it , said her parents . with which words eschites , who tender'd nothing more then the advancement of his affectionate philocles , became so encouraged , as he undertakes , upon promise of their acceptance , to use his best endeavour for calling philocles home-ward . o said androgeus , fruitlesse will be your endeavour in an assay of that nature ! religious courses must not be so soone diverted : fancie can now have no place with him , i am perswaded . so as you may to more purpose desist from any such enterprize , then go on with it . be not so definite in your opinion , nor so constant in your feares , answered eschites . admit his thoughts have entertained any such conceipt , it is very likely he is not setled in it : and then i am resolved , how philocles time of probation will be quickly expired , and his purpose soone relinquished , when he shall heare the least hope of enjoying his doriclea's affection . howsoever , recommend the carriage hereof to my care , and impute the error to my neglect , if i faile in the cure . chap. xxix . androgeus heares how philocles , besides his other native endowments , was descended of a generous family ; which enfl●ames his desires more to see him returne into his countrey . he vowes never to oppose this solemnity , so his presence may cure her infirmity . opportunity now had offer'd it selfe to eschit●s to befriend his dearely-respected philocles : and fortune opened her bounty to philocles to ingratiate himselfe by the interceding of eschites . neither was androge●s lesse serious to accomplish what his promise had ingaged him to performe upon the undertaking of eschites . and greater reason he findes to comply with such a motion then before : in regard he heares how philocles , whom he so much dis-esteemed , as he held it to be a disparagement to his house to incline to any such obscure match ; besides his other native endowments , which well deserved the best of fancie , to be descended of a generous family , which came to his eare upon this occasion . a gentleman of quality chanced to come into those parts to enquire of philocles : with newes that faire fortunes were lately befallen him by death of his uncle ; who had conferred on him his estate , by adopting him for his heire . and thither was euphilus , for so was this gentleman called , directed , to impart these tydings to his affectionate philocles . these newes came to the hearing of androgeus , who desiring to become better satisfied touching his descent and fortunes , repaired to euphilus , to whom he addressed himselfe in this discourse . sir , i understand you are a stranger in these parts , and have taken your journey hither to enquire after one philocles : you may be pleased to know that one of that name sojourned sometimes here with me : but whether the same whom you desir● to finde , i know not : but by his description you may become better satisfied . the gentleman whom i so much desire to see answered euphilus , was of a middle stature , black hair'd , and sanguine complexion ; and to this coast , as his friends are informed , came he ; where he was placed in a gentlemans house , to teach , and educate his children . for though his fortunes promised faire upon some expectance hereafter ; yet his present meanes were so short , that after some short stay in the university , he retired into the countrey : for so free-bred and truly generous was his nature , that he could not brook beholdingnesse , nor relye on others dependance . and i must tell you sir , during all that time wherein we remained together , & equally communicated our studies one to another , such infinite cōtent we mutually conceived in one & th● others company , as nothing appeared either so gratefull to me , nor so delightfull to him , as the fruition of this society . so as in time we became sworne-brothers : no lesse friendly then freely imparting what either comforted us , or by any other occurrent crossed us , with such confident familiarity to one anothers bosome , as our comforts by partaking one with th' other became highly augmented ; and our afflictions , if any such befell , sweetly allayed . this was an excellent argument of unfeined friendship , said androge●s , and such as deserves approvement with good men . it is true , replyed euphilus ; but this happy amicable condition of ours could not promise to it selfe any firme nor fixt continuance : for as his disposition became disheartned by some occurrents , so was he enforced to discontinue those academick studies wherein he had so commendably profited ; and to embrace a life much different to his humour , by accepting the government of a private charge , as his friends have been since enformed : a course , i must ingenuously tell you , which his nobler thoughts sometimes highly scorned : but there we heare he was planted , and purchased that good opinion of the family where he resided , as nothing could be accompted too deare for one whom they so dearely loved . there is none that can more truly witnesse the truth of that relation then my selfe , answered androgeus . for into my family ( as by your description i am satisfied ) he was hospitably received , affably entertained , where he for a time lived , none more beloved . but all this could not content him ; for his more ambitious thoughts could not containe him , but out of a presuming confidence from his too familiar entertainment in this manner , he attempted the affection of my daughter ; my only daughter ; one in whom i had treasured my hopes : and her he solicits with such instancie , as her indisereet affection begun to encline to fancie . fortunes she had profer'd her , which might highly advance her ; suiters of eminent accompt , approved repute , ancient descent in their countrey ; yet could not all these decline her resolution from that whereon ●he had so strongly fixt and firmely fancied . imagine then , good sir , how this could do lesse then highly perplexe her too carefull parents ; and consequently incense them against his boldnesse : who out of too much presumption , desisted from those grounds or principles of education , to work in her easie disposition moving impressions of affection ! this resolves me nothing , replyed eu●hilus , where now philogenes may remaine ; whose fight i so much desire to partake : and to whom i am to impart such tidings as mainly concerne him , and which by the just decree of heaven are very like highly to improve him . i must tell you , said androgeus , and sorry am i that i must be enforced to tell you so much , that the goodnesse of his nature and sweetnesse of his temper was such , as conceiving the distaste we took at this his presumptuous attempt to be great , and our indignation irreconciliable : he voluntarily left these parts , and as he h'as since further informed us , devoted himselfe to such a strict-regular course , as now hee dis-esteemes all light fancie , and made devotion his choice . your usage , it seemes , answered euphilus , drove him to these extreames . and unthankfull you to requite his vertuous affection with such disdaine . for i must tell you sir , though i make no question but your family is ancient , your fortunes faire and eminent , yet had you knowne his fame and family , as well as you were acquainted with his fancie , you would have held it no dishonour for philogeues to match with your daughter . androgeus desired much to heare of his descent ; which his faithfull friend euphilus related in such manner , as it begot teares in the old-mans eyes ; repenting much that he rejected one whose nobler parts so well deserved , and whose generous and ancient linage seconded those excellent endowments wherewith he stood graced . and thus continued these two their discourse , till such time as one came to euphilus , acquainting him how a page below would speak with him : which broke off their conference for that time : resolving next day to meet againe , and to conclude of some course , that if too strict a tye had not engaged him , he might be recalled , to enjoy what he so much affected , and what his own fame , family , fortunes , and fancy , so well merited . whereto sorrowfull androgeus replyed , that a gentleman of good accompt , and eminent in his profession , meaning es●hites , had undertaken something to that effect , but whether likely to produce any good end or no he knew not . meane time , euphilus goes downe to the page which staid below for him ; to whom he delivered a letter written , as this page pretended , by one albanus an intimate acquaintance unto euphilus , the contents whereof were these . firme friend , my resolutions are now fixt for travell ; and something i desired to leave you as an argument of that constant love i beare you . receive then this page , and reteine him for his sake , who could not send you a token which he did more esteeme , nor what his endeavours will more deserve . your disposition i know to be milde , which will comply well with the easinesse of his condition ; and whose approvement may hereafter win more ground on your affection . trust not albanus , if your further tryall of him confirme ●ot what i have promised for him . the winds call me , the mariners hasten me , so as i must contract my lines while they spread out their sayles , closing in this our absence , one from th' other , with this constant subscription of your affectionate brother . now , what was meant by this letter , our history must not as yet discover . let it suffice , that this page was his own secretary ; and had lodged euphilus so dearely in his thoughts , as he accompted it his highest earthly solace to be admitted to his service . returne we now to androgeus , whom we may suppose , upon this relation of philocles fortunes and family , to have his glowing desires more inflamed to see him returne into his countrey . but doubtfull he remaines ever to enjoy so much happinesse : for the sea , as he understands , h 'as divided him ; and his late regular profession so confined him : asif his desires stood so affected yet could he see no possibility to have it effected , seeing those vowes ( as he conceived , but herein deceived ) could not so easily be dispenced . and highly did androgeus admire the modesty of philogenes : who never all the time that he sojourned in his house , would discover so much either touching those possibilities which now his fortunes had conferred on him , or that lineall descent from whence he was derived . an undoubted argument , surely , of a noble minde ; which desires rather to display his descent by actions of desert : then arrogantly to boast of the house from whence he descended ; and by his ignoble expressions to debase that honour which was lineally derived . for what is it to glory in guilded earth ; or to magnifie ones selfe in the generosity of his race : when vertues , which should be the best signals to distinguish a noble stock , have lost their impressure in him ? for better is it to be ignobly derived , and vertuously accomplished ; then nobly descended , and viciously affected . and as every thing reteines his degree of dignity in goodnesse : so holds it the same degree of ilnesse when it is abused : for honour never looks so unlike it selfe as when it is disparraged . but where descent and desert meet , they present such a comely structure ; as it becomes an imitable president of honour . and in these did androgeus seirously reflect upon philogenes . so as , a double respect may seeme mutually to ingage him : a constant care of his daughters cure : and a desire to have her so matcht , as fame , fortune , and family , with such loyall arguments of fancy may joyntly meet . he vowes then never to oppose this solemnity , so his presence may cure her infirmity . this induceth him to wish all faire successe to eschites faithfull endeavour ; the prosperous issue whereof ( though encounter'd with some rubs ) you shall understand hereafter . chap. xxx . philocles returnes home ; and is accepted by the parents for their sonne in law . this revives their seeming distemper'd daughter ; yet fearing still a relapse of her parents acceptance , she feignes the continuance of her distemper . now had retired philocles by the meanes of eschites , received word of his dearest doriclea's distemper : and privately , how he conceived that his returne from that fruitlesse retire , would not only free her from further danger , but be a direct way to accomplish his own desires . so as , there was nothing more expected then his speedy repaire by her parents : which , ( if he intended not to stand in his owne light , and prevent all promising hopes to do himselfe good ) he wished him not to foreslow , least delay might increase her distemper , & consequently abridge his hopes of aspiring higher . but such inducements little needed to hasten with winged speed the returne of phil●cles . nor could he at first imagine this relation of his friend eschites to be any thing else but a dreame , or some practise to surprize him : so as he seemed doubtfull what to resolve , protracting so much time till he had expostulated with his own thoughts : by offering unto them a survey of those dangers he might probably incurre , with those incredible comforts , which if these relations prov'd true , he might assuredly partake . happy , thrice happy art thou philocles , if these newes be true which come from thy eschites ! but canst thou expect so present a calme after so rough a tempest ? were not all her friends lately opposed against thee , and so incensed at thee , as nothing could appease their fury but thy captivity , nay thy blood , if they could have seazed on thee ? and were these deepe characters of their boundlesse passion writ in sand , that they should be so quickly razed : or their vowed revenge so easily forgotten , that it should be so speedily extinguished ? well , i know net what to think on●t ! these lines writ by my deare eschites makes me confident : but those experienc'd practises of her incensed friends and my implacable foes makes me more irresolute . i am assured , that eschites would not ingage his pen to one line , that might endanger my life . and i know this to be his own character . besides , to make his relation more probable , he here tels thee of doriclea's distemper , and how her fever took her upon thy departure from her : and how thy returne , if his judgement faile him not , may recover her . be it then unto death , i will encounter with the worst of danger , so my presence may restore her , and cure her distemper . pretended feares are meere shadowes to loyall fancy . they cannot strike that heart which is truly struck with love . and i appeale to thee doricl●a , if mine be not truly wounded . be my ●eturne then for thy safety , and i shall hold my desir●s crowned in perishing for thee . this said , in a private disguise he addresseth himselfe for his returne ; to the end he might with lesse suspicion repaire to his firme friend eschites , and upon further conference with him , be satisfied whether the coast were cleare or no. and in short time might he make his returne , seeing , whatsoever he pretended , his distance was not great by meanes of his retire . for as yet he had not crost the seas , nor taken any other order then the constant profe●●ion of a lover : who had made doriclea his saint , to whom he was so devoted , as wheresoever he sojourned ; his engaged hear● could not be divided from that object where●●t was so inseparably united . but the wayes of love , when they promise most smoothnesse , are ever encounter'd with sundry difficulties . this our philocles felt , who in his returne walking one evening on the sea-shore , to refresh his spirits with the aire of the sea , was had in suspicion by some seafaring-men for a spy , and restrain'd that night by command ; with a purpose next morning to bring him before a justice , who had given direction upon notice thereof , that he should be safely guarded , and early next morne he would take examination of him : and upon what occasion he took such serious survey of that coast and vessels within the roade . philocles , as it fortuned , having been formerly acquainted with this gentleman who should examine him ( for they had been cöacademicks ) and fearing much lest these delayes might either be interpreted in him a coldnesse of fancy , or towards his approved eschites an opinionate jealousie ; to hasten his departure thence , he prepared his way to this justice , in these lines . sir , l awes which should be lines of life , to direct , to support , and steere the course of an injuried supplicant , are for most part become spiderwebs to e●wreathe and enwarp the smaller , to give more liberty to a powerfull offender . see the misery of time ! but to recall my selfe , this is not the errour of time , but of man. where a direct eye becomes squinted by respect ; or bleared by receipt ; or quite put out by a prej●dicate conceipt . dangerous aymes are these to a well-governed state. where religion shapes it selfe to policy , and candid pretences cloze with impiety . as you are man , observe that golden-meane , which returnes the best character of man. the fairest path that conducts man to immortality , is ever on this theatre of earth , to remember his mortality . and the nearest resemblance that man can have to his maker , is to mixe justice with mercy , and to reduce them to ●n equall temper : by exhibiting them to all in a proportionable ●easure . ●ilies among thornes are beauteous objects . be you the same in this world of weeds . so shall your name flourish , and have a report behinde you better meriting praise ; then emi●ency of state , or preceden●y of place . these paper presents are but weak reflexions of stronger affections : yet being the best sacrifice of a friend and no spy , ( unlesse it be in the scrutiny of his own heart ) they deserve the higher place in your esteeme . meane time , expresse your sel●e what your countrey expects from you , the state requires of you , and for which all good men will love you : which shall be the most assid●ate and affectionate wish of him , who remaines the constant honourer of your vertues , philocles . this letter infinitely pleased the gentleman ; but when he found it subscribed to by philocles , the character pleased him so much the better . in a word , so farre was he from entertaining him as a spy , as he familiarly embraced him in the armes of a friend . his guarders were soone discharged : desiring nothing more then to heare the relation of his fortunes . which done , after his earnest invitation to stay longer with him , he accommodated him with whatsoever might necessarily befit him : & with a friendly dismission wished him all happy successe in his love-assay . the next evening , he privately came to his constant friend eschites his house ; with whom he freely conversed , being satisfied by him that all things were very like to second his expectation : and how nothing was more desired then his speedy and happy arrivall . yet , he told him withall , that he held it fitting that he should not presently approach the presence of his mistresse , least she , who was not as yet wholly recovered , by being overjoyed by his presence , might make relapse into her sicknesse : which to prevent , he intended to prepare her by degrees , to the end his unexpected comming to her , might through an immoderate passion of joy , lesse occasion her distemper . meane time , while this approved artist was preparing way for his securer accesse to his mistresse , he neglects not that office which amity enjoynes him to performe to his friend . for having heard where his faithfull friend euphilus lodged , whom he so intimately loved ; and that for his cause he was there arrived ▪ he could not chuse but expresse those loyall devotions which his love so much deserved , and what his travaile for his sake had so well confirmed . it is not easie to relate what incredible joy and comfort the one conceived in the others presence : wherewith philo●les seemed so intranced , as in the end not able to containe himselfe any longer , but out of the affluence of his joy , he burst forth in this manner . deare euphilus , i now perceive well that the influence of those divine powers , whose eyes are ever fixed on us , knowes best how to attemper our greatest discomforts with rayes of solace . long it is not since we were divided , yet during that small distance of time , never did poore mortall encounter with more extreames , nor taste lesse of hope , nor partake lesse in helpe . injoyned i was to live where i did most loathe ; and to be estranged from that place where i did most love . divided i was not only from my fancy , but restrained of my liberty . those whom i honoured most for her deare sake whom i loved best , publish'd themselves my profest foes : desiring nothing more then to have me in pursuit ; yea , and if the lawes would extend so farre , to bring me within the compasse of my life to recompence the constancy of my love . yet behold ! how by the divine clemency this storme is cleared ; these menacing clouds dispelled ; these foggy vapours dispersed ; poore philocles released ; his captivity to liberty reduced ; what he least expected now freely offered : and that humane comforts might come linked , as my former discomforts came not singled : behold , a double blessing invirons me ! the presence of a firme friend , with the fruition of a faire mistresse . euphilus no lesse rejoyced in the enjoyment of his philocles ; to whom , after he had related the occasion of his repaire to those parts , and mutually solaced themselves in the repetition of their former pleasures and studies : a messenger from eschites cut off their further discourse : for now was philocles summoned to a more amiable task ; the delightfull visit of his doriclea . the absolute comfort whereof is more easily conceived , then delivered : for in discoveries of this nature , imagination ever becomes the best painter . let it suffice , that their first salute closed it selfe in silence ; discourse was supplyed with long-languishing looks . tongues had theit tyes , while affection became sole prolocutor for the heart . one that had seen philocles , would have thought that he had been some professed artist : and that he was gathering the symptomes of her malady by the motion of her pulse . and for doriclea , though she durst not well forget her fever for feare of her father , yet she found in her selfe no such distemper , but she might leave her bed , and admit the style of a bride , so this dissembling love-errour might free her from censure . nor need she much fear her parents displeasure ; for so propitious a genius h●as breathed on philocles , as in this his returne home , hymen is ready to pron●unce his doome , being so well accepted by the parents for their sonne in law . this so revives their seeming-distemper'd daughter , as her doctor may safely leave her , seeing philocles presence secures her from danger . a silent expression , gives the pregnant'st testimony of a deepe grounded affection ; where every l●o● darts forth love ; no other parliance was afforded to these two extasied lovers : unlesse a trickling teare drain'd from the exuberance of love , stole innocently from doriclea , to discover that passionate impression , wrought in her amazed thoughts through affection : thus were loves lines legible in both their eyes ; and their eyes sole intelligencers to their thoughts . much had restored philocles to speak to d●riclea : no lesse , had restrained doriclea to impart to philocles . joyes had their fresh supplyes ; as if some golden dreame had imparadis'd their thoughts with some glorious vision ; the conception whereof could not be delivered , till a sacred rite had really confirmed , what their united hearts had mutually vowed . yet like a discreet jealous girle , fearing still a declining of her parents acceptance , which might beget in her a relapse , or some further inconvenience , she feignes the continuance of her distemper : which soone after becomes clearely removed by her parents cheerefull approvement of their loves , as you shall heare hereafter . chap. xxxi . the marriage is solemnized ; and with such privacy as knowne to none but their own family . valeria , who was supposed to be euphilus page , discovers himselfe to be philocles sister ; with whose consent euphilus marries , being long before privately a●●ianc'd to her . fancy , which had beene so long in conceiving , must now come to her full birth & perfection : and that which before breathed only in desires , must now cheerefully aspire to action . suppose we now doriclea to have shaken off her fever , left her chamber , to prepare her selfe for those loyall and lawfull embraces of her constant ●over . her parents to inlarge the extent of her comforts , rejoyce no lesse in their sonne , then she in her spouse . all things are provided , nothing neglected that may comply with the content of two enlivened spirits so affectionately united hands could not be wanting , where hearts were so joyntly knitting . nor could there want a full consort to cheere their assistants with complete harmony ; when these two affectionate consorts so gracefully appeared in hymens livery . what would you have more to life expressed ? the memory of their forme● discomforts becomes quite , exiled by this presentment . here might you see loves metamorp●●o●is lively acted , and by such persons , as their ●●●ractive features bestowed an infinite grace on whatsoever they presented . but love admits no rhetorick ; unlesse it be that which the orator held the sole ornament and accomplishment of an oration , which without any other adjunct completely closed it selfe in action . to make an abstract then of all , conceive our late distemper'd doriclea now recovered ( and perchance her feigned ●ever discovered , ) her deare philocles now resto●ed , and in a new state ready to be invested , her distasted parents now attoned , and all things so well composed : as this long-desired marriage is now to be solemnized ; and with such privacy , as knowne to none but their own family . mellida , who every foot , no doubt , thinks of her own sweetheart must be the only bride-maide to her mistresse : and faithfull euphilus the only choice consort that must wait on philocles . the way with flowers is privately paved ; no guest invited but what their owne family afforded ; all things were with much secrecy carried , and to good purpose , as shall be hereafter declared . to the temple they come , where these nuptials are with all privacy celebrated . and here dorielea's father takes his daughter by the hand , and playes the best part that joyfull doriclea could ever receive from a father . which rite being thus solemnized , and the married couple with their few attendants homeward returned : an other occasion of infinite joy unexpectedly arose from this auspicious meeting . after dinner , philocles with his dearest doriclea , took along with them in their company his loyall and constant friend euph●lus to recreate their spirits abroad : to whom philocles imparted himselfe in this sort . deare friend , though every minute of time be this day incomparably precious to me , being only to be imployed in discourse with my choice : yet must i reserve ever some houres for your selfe , from whom i have received not only contentment in my youth , when our studies were communicated together , but from that continuate profession and expression of your love ; all which confirme me yours so long as i have life . you have been this day a witnesse of my long-expected happinesse : nor could i have one , to whom i stood more indeared , in all the world to witnesse it . and i should hold my wishes highly crowned might i have you seazed of her whom you sometimes so much affected . i meane valeria , one , who though my sister , preferred you in her conceipt farre above her brother . and i must freely unbosome my selfe to you ; it did not a little content me to perceive such arguments of mutuall affection betwixt you . but perhaps , e●philus , your disposition becomes now estranged from those thoughts . either her meane fortunes could not content you , or some aversenesse in her friends distasted you ; or some better hopes of preferment have so possessed you , as ualeria h 'as lost that place in your heart , which she sometimes had , and consequently , poore wench , must be content against her will to forego , what she so entirely desir'd , and leave you to a choice whom you better deserv'd . you reteine a worse opinion of me , philocles , then my true zeale and affection to your vertuous sister ever yet exprest . no , my noble friend , ualeria never found euphilus inconstant to this houre . i have preferred her in my choice , & fortified my resolves against a change . nor was it a weaknesse in her fortunes that declined my love : but the meane estate of a younger brother which could not supply us with meanes how to live . this was discreet love , answered philocles ; those who truly love , make it the least of their feares , how they may afterwards live . but if that be the only let , i shall easily supply that want . i have not prized your love at so low an estimate , as to accompt you worthy so neare a gage as brotherhood , and then exclude you from sha●ing in my estate . my uncles providence shall be unto us an equall purchase . be not so unadvisedly modest as to refuse it ; you shall accept it , with her love to boot who may deserve it . and when your rising hopes shall better furnish you , then may your modesty requite it . this free and friendly offer forced euphilus to reply with silence : which philocles observing ; what , said he do you take this curtsie so strangely , as if it were not an inherent office of amity , for friends to have dependance one of an other in cases of necessity ? trust me euphilus , were you in my case , i should make bold upon the same tearmes , to become a sharer with you in whatsoever fortune with a more bounteous hand had bestowed on you . neither shall your desires be foreslowed ; for with your parents leave , my deare doriclea , within few dayes shall our speed be winged homeward , to consummate that which you and my sister have so long wished , and from which my aged father hath not much declined . delay , answered the page , breeds danger ; and marriages are the merriest , when they come together . pretty wagge , replyed philocles , but where must we finde a bride ? the least feare of a thousand , answered the page ; no doubt , but if my master will finde a bridegroome , and you prove as good as your word , the page shall finde one to make a bride . wherewith , valeria , who was supposed to be euphilus page , discover'd her selfe to be philocles sister : with this excuse , how it was fancy , with a feare ( for so report told her ) of a forraigne intruder : both which , put upon her that disguise , and prest her to that adventure : and no immodesty ( though too inlarg'd a love may weare that livery ) that first put that habit upon her . a generall joy was conceived upon this discovery . for philocles could not rejoyce so much at the sight of his sister , as his sister did in the enjoyment of her brother : nor doriclea in this mutuall joy of them both , more then amazed euphilus in this strange metamorphosis of his page to his lover . the relation whereof cheered not a little the old couple , androgeus and euriclea : who provided a new festivall for this unexpected nuptiall . for , with phllocles consent , to their incomparable content , was ●oyall euphilus married to his loving sister ; being long before privately affianc'd to her . this occasionall solemnity , made a second dayes private jubilee in the whole family . for the night , we leave it to the free and lawfull embraces of these affectionate lovers : w● admit no light lines to disclose the freedome of loves lawes . if phidias had a curtaine for his picture ; well might these livelylovely features shroud their delights from the too inquisitive eye of a wanton censure . chap. xxxii . the occasion of this private solemnization : and how mellida , by advice of her mistresse doriclea , assuming her name and habit , writ to mardanes , how she preferr'd him in the choice of affection before any other ; acquainting him how in a private disguise to prevent danger and her parents displeasure , she would meet him , when and where in a lawfull nuptiall way , he might enjoy her . you may imagine there was some occasion of the privacy of this solemnization : and you shall heare the cause which induced it . happy doriclea ( for now h'as she attained the height of her desires ) was not altogether forgetfull of poore mell●da's distresse , in the seazure of her own happinesse something must be done , or this foolish-en●mour'd girle is quite undone . for you may be confident , mellida could not play well the bridemaid , but she must sigh how to be made a bride . teares are too sweet a food for afflction . and none ever felt it in an higher degree then she did ; who , rather then she would be deprived of that aged object of her grounded love , could chuse with all her heart to surcease to live . but live she must , and enjoy her love , or her faithfull mistresse must faile in her designe . which the better to prepare doriclea now possest of what she affected most , becomes stronger in her fancy , in regard her conceipt was not now to work for her selfe ; for that love-task was done , but for her perplexed maid who desired nothing more then to enjoy what her mistresse had done . and protraction is a forture to affection . her aime is to expedite her maids desire : left too much thought of love should weaken the effects of love . the plot then must be thus carried ; and thrice happy m●llida , if not miscarried : for if it prosper , mardanes must enjoy mellida & mellida those embraces ( aged god wot ) but to her more pleasing then the copletest lover . for never was woman taken more with the affection of such a feature : nor ever favoured any object more , that presented lesse f●vour . but lovers are blinde , or a blinde god could not so easily wound them . mount then must our amorous mellida to the height of her affections , and in them to an unexpected growth of fortunes by her mistresse meanes , which she accommodates thus . mellida , by the advice of her mistresse doriclea , by whom she must be directed , or all her aimes are distracted , assuming her name and habit writes to her endeared mardanes , whom never before beauty lookt upon , much lesse doted on ; and his reverend age , which now grew hottest in love , when he grew coldest in blood , she thus encounters . mellidas letter to mardanes . sir , lines cannot blush ; so ●s , modesty admits ● freedome to our pen , which would be taxed immodesty , being delivered by the tongue . i appeale to your selfe , ( for your privatest thoughts canot be lesse then conscious of my love ) if i have not preferr'd you in the choice of affection before any other : closing with your desires in all things that might not touch mine honour . but it is the evening crow●es the day confirme then what you have professed ; those vowes wherein i stand ingaged , shall not be neglected . should i tell you as much as i write to you , i could not chuse but blush ; i love you ; and if you lose no time , may live with you . but parents i have , and their command must be obeyed ; nor do i finde them so well affected towards our loves , what soever they formerly professed . sir , i must freely tell you , lose no opportunity if you hold me an object worthy of your fancy . to prevent then prying eyes ( affections dangerous spyes ) let me acquaint you ( nor is it to be conceipted immodesty but strength of fancy that thus directs me ) how in a private disguise to prevent danger and my parents displeasure ( whose constant aime is to bestow me upon an other ) i shall meet you when and where you please in a lawfull n●ptiall way , to accomplish both our desires , and divert those approaching feares which surprize me , till you may with all freedome enjoy me , by accompting me your own : which interest i shall preserve with an unstained fame . nor do i hold any place both for safet● and conveniency more proper then that elme grove adjoyning to solinus cell . if you approve of this plot , or desire to enjoy doriclea's love , or to prevent a corrivall in your love , or to crowne both our desires in our happy fruition of the effects of love , bring one along with you , who may consu●●mate that rite , which remaines in vi●late till death dissolve it . yours or not her own , doriclea . when mellida had writ this letter to her affectionate lover , by the direction of her mistresse ; whose pleasure it was that her own marriage the day before should be privately solemnized , that it might not be discovered to mardanes ; she addressed her selfe in this manner to her mistresse . alas mistresse ! but should mardanes now heare ●it her of your marriage , or take my mask off to kisse me before he h'as married me ; what would become of me ? and you know , lip-labour cannot want , where true love h 'as once warm'd the heart . doubt not wench , said dor●clea ; for my marriage , it was so privately carried , as excepting our own family none knowes of it : which privacy was only intended for thy preferment . but if thou hast no power over thy selfe , but thou must unmask before the watch-word be given , i cannot remedy that . nay , mi●●esse , replyed mellida , i would do any thing so i might enjoy him ; but i feare much i cannot hold when i see him , but i must have an hearty desire to take a taste of him . thy virgin-modesty , answered her mistresse , may dispence with that ; so thy indiscreet fancy bring thee not to a discovery . solinus i have prepared to second thee ; whose approved zeale h 'as infinitely ingag'd me to him . only then , let me advise thee , be wise in this carriage of thy love : lef● thy own folly bring thee to a losse in the pursuit of him whom thou doest love . i am perswaded , the plot will take , if it be not spoiled by thy own mistake . thus encouraged doriclea her perplexed mellida ; directing her in every passage what to do : and advertising her withall , that if she observed but two particulars , she could not possibly erre in this project : silence , and concealing of her count'nance . and this mellida promiseth to observe : and that she will not kisse him till she h'as married him : nor unmask , till the mask be done ; meaning , till the marriage be finished : unlesse , mistresse , said she , too much love make me forget , and then i am sure my fame , fancy and fortunes , shall fare the worse for it . thus is a way prepared for mellida's happinesse , as she accompts it : nor is she ●lower in her care to have this letter delivered , then she is in her desire to have her affectionate wishes crowned . a messenger then , and such an one whose fidelity promiseth secrecy , is provided : while every houre seemes a yeare till she heare such an answer , as may breathe upon her hopes ; by affording her that content which she cannot enjoy in a single state . forestall our history we must not ; the issue of this plot shall disclose it selfe in this our ensuing and closing discourse : which , as comick conclusions suit best with love , where vertue drawes the line , makes it the least of our meaning to set in a cloud , but to cleare all preceding stormes with a cheerefull calme . chap. xxxiii . the plot holds ; mardanes rejoyces infinitely at his unexpected happinesse ; thanks his spurcina for her well-spell'd practise ; and infeoffes his unknowne b●ide ( though much against his will ) in his riches . zealous was s●linus of the successe of this device . neither was he lesse serious in effecting , then doriclea was in contriving , nor mellida , whom it concerned most , in expecting . suppose now mardanes to have received this love-letter : which his foure eyes are not content with once reading , nor revising , but examines every love-line . every accent must be crowned with a blessing : every period with a gracefull acceptance . in●initely rejoyces he at his unexpected happinesse , that he should come to enjoy such a mistresse , whom both youth and fortunes suited for their bride , but fell short of their hope . many thankes he gives his spurcina for her well-spell'd practise ; and commends his own pate for attempting such an enterprize . he holds it not fitting to spin out any needlesse time for effecting his doriclea's desires . he findes too much passion in her lines , to counterfeit with the disposition of her heart . but there is nothing that makes delay seeme more hatefull to him , nor fuller of danger ; then that some may become competitors in his love ; and by her parents choice , leave him in the lurch . this makes him stirre his stumps , and to answer her letter with such speedy cheerefulnesse , as mellida can expect no lesse then all successe to her desires , and to her long-languishing hopes assured happinesse . neither was there any thing which wrought more ple●singly upon his deluded thoughts , then that witty device ( as he conceived it ) of suting herselfe in a disguise to prevent her parents aimes : which confirmed the love she profest , and ingagd him to requite her love in that which he esteemed best . and that was his substance ; wherein , like a free-hearted bridegroome , he resolves so amply to infe●ffe her ; as her large dower might appear a manifest argument of the love he bore her . but indeed this bounty of his proceeded rather from s●linus advice then his own disposition : who cunningly told him , that the only way to winne her parents acceptance after the private consummation of their marriage , was to invest her in all his estate before their marriage . which would not only be a means to reconcile them , but highly to inlarge their bounty towards him . nothing could be moved , whereto mardanes h'as not assented . neither is it easie to beleeve how he begins to burnish his crazy carkasse afresh . his crisping and frizling irons must be used ; his bald head with a ru●ling periwig furnished ; a pomander to sweeten his earthy savour prepared ; an orange stuck with cloves to restore that breath which was wholly mortified . and to publish to the world , that he reteines still some colour of love , he displayes his light fancy in the lightest colours of loves livery . but so improperly suited , as his antick habit proclaimes him an unqualified gallant . infinitely stands he devoted to his glasse ; and yet me thinks he should not love it for presenting him a face so neare him , which might rather affright him then like him , if he were not too much besotted on it , for his sake that owes it . for so strongly had those amorous lines wrought on his conceipt , as he verily thought there was something in him which deserved more love , then either his age could promise , or the decayes of nature performe . suppose him them with as much speed as his snaile-like pace may afford him , addressing his course towards the place where his doriclea is to meet him , to consummate those rites which incomparably transport him . and meet him she will , but not as a bride , but a maide to his bride : for they have chang'd their habits , to make the plot passe for currant : that the mistresse in this mysterious disguise might passe for her maide , the maide for her mistresse . for howsoever , doriclea was sometimes resolved to recommend the whole carriage of this plot to solinus , who had exprest many faithfull offices betwixt her selfe and her dearest philocles ; yet being jealous how mellida would demeane her selfe in the presence of her mardanes , she desired to become an agent in the project ; which no question was better mannaged by her presence , then it had beene without her assistance . love-aged mardanes omits no time , nor neglects no meane , but provides a man to accomplish that rite which so equally complyes with both their desires . who , as they enter'd the elme-grove neighbouring to solinus cell ; they might see two gentlewomen masked , with one ushering them of grave and reverend aspect . whom , upon their approach mardanes saluted ; but no conference was admitted , lest the plot might be discovered ▪ howsoever , great desire had poore-●namour'd mellida to bestow a more familiar curtsie on her ancient bridegroome , but he must not as yet be admitted that honour , for her mask without discovery could entertaine no lip-labour . to this private solemnity they go , wherein solinus supplyed the place of a father to mellida ; who was with such observance attended by doriclea , as no maid could be more officious . the rite thus solemnized , and mardanes seazed of what ( as he conceived ) he most affected , and mellida of what she before all the world preferred ; as the bridegroome and bride were lovingly going hand in hand together . mardanes might perceive this inscription newly indorsed on the rinde of an aged elme , as they were to go forth at the west end of the grove . love is a witty thing , and can devise a thousand tricks to blinde a thousand eyes . he loves and weds , but weds not where he loves ; she loves and weds , and weds whom she approves . many before this time have oft assaid the maid forth ' mistresse , m●● for the maid . if you would know the issue of their love , inquire of cupids mask in a venus grove . a match well made , she poore , and he is rich , but wed't , she 's rich , he poor , — gramercy witch . this was ingraven the very morning before by solinus ; the perusall whereof did not a little trouble mardanes . but no sooner was his mellida unmask'd , then he needed no oedipus to expound this riddle . then but too late , he findes himselfe deluded : but never too late , said doriclea , to be contented : vert●e must be made of a necessity ; and a poore vertuous maid may well deserve your fancy . not altogether so poore , replyed solinus ; for if she be poore , what will become of mardanes : who h'as infeoffed her in all his estate , and invested her in all the meanes hee h'as in the world ? nay , said mellida , he h'as indowed me with the personall estate of himselfe , which i preferre before all the world . and would you have more , answered doriclea ? trust me , mardanes , you shall finde more true love in the maid , then ever you could have found in her mistresse . the one could give you an hand , but no heart : whereas the other gives you both hand and heart . the one was ingaged ; the other free , and to your love devoted . the one might live with you , but never love you ; the other can both love you , and live with you . never then in my opinion did any witch a better part , then in bestowing an old fortune on a young heart . a spirit that can dispose it , and not scatter it : as your care was to provide and gather it . the bridegroome stood as mute as a fish all this time : till at last the brazen-head spoke , saying ; what must be , must be . but he vowed i● ever it were his fortune againe to match , he would never buy a pig in a poak , nor wed a wench in a mask . but those that were there , thought he might save that labour , for by course of nature he had married his executor . after they had accompanied them home ; broke the bride-cake , and brought the unweldy bridegroome to his bed ; wishing the bride good rest ( being all she could possibly expect ) and advising her to take a good life of that she had , to keep an hank of that she held , and to supply the want of youth with the wealth of age ; they departed thence ; while doriclea with many thankes commended solinus to his cell ; neare which her dearest philocles with his constant euphilus purposely retired to bring her home : who upon relation of these unexpected newes to her parents and family , rejoyced highly . within some few moneths , after an heavie leave and hearty blessing , these two married couples returned into their countrey ; where they were received with great joy by the gentry , who admired much the relation of their amity : and whose constancy to this day , reteines testimonies of their living memory . to close then our history , whose ground-colour is truth , and consequently deserves to be entertained with more trust : as vertue playes her master-prize in every noble enterprize ; so by her princely presence and timely attendance , these lived together lovingly , loved neighbourly , and rejoyced mutually : which happy period is wished to all faithfull lovers by the compiler of this history . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 finis . curteous reader , let it be an argument of thy candor , to do the author so much favour , to correct these errors escaped in some copies . page line . for firce , reade fierce . p. . . for faith , r. fate . ib. . . for fate , r. faith . p. ib. ▪ . for extasied , r. extased . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e doricleas expostulation touching camillus . mardanes passion upon his repu●●e . doricleas resolution . philocles speech to doriclea . philocles passion . philocles relation of the unhappinesse of his condition . the herm●●● speech to doricle● . in mapalia , circa oras penellicollis sito , tetorrimae illius regionis venifices convenorunt , ubi quò iturse , quid perpetraturae , statuerunt . the hermits speech to doriclea . the hermits discourse of the purity of love. ☞ 〈◊〉 speech to her father . our p●re vowes of love , are sign'd above 〈◊〉 answer to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speech to her ●other . a to prepare a smoother passage to her love-pretended 〈◊〉 , she deluded 〈…〉 with a count●●seit s●gne c ch●y● . in hom. . in . ●p . ad cor. eschites speech to doriclea . de●iclea discovers her griefe to eschues . 〈◊〉 opinion of 〈◊〉 eschites speech to androgeus . v●l●ria in a disguise , seconded by a counter●eited letter from alban●● , presents his servic● to euphilus . ☞ a properly , styled , pla●ti●●● elysian grove , or erycina's pa phian la●●● . natures embassie, or, the wilde-mans measures danced naked by twelve satyres, with sundry others continued in the next section. brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) natures embassie, or, the wilde-mans measures danced naked by twelve satyres, with sundry others continued in the next section. brathwaite, richard, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for richard whitaker, [london] : . mainly in verse. "the second section of divine and morall satyres," "the shepheards tales," "omphale, or, the inconstant shepheardesse," and "his odes, or, philomels tears" each has special t.p. dedication signed: richard brathwayt. place of publication suggested by nuc pre- imprints. marginal notes. title within illustrated border. errata: p. 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should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion natvres embassie : or , the wilde-mans measvres : danced naked by twelue satyres , with sundry others continued in the next section . wilde men 〈◊〉 dance wise measur●… ; come then 〈◊〉 , though i 〈◊〉 wilde , my measures are not so . printed for richard whitaker . to the accomplished mirror of trve worth , sr. t. h. the elder , knight , professed fauorer and furtherer of all free-borne studies : continuance of all happinesse . when the natures of men are cleere peruerted , then it is high time for the satyrist to pen somthing which may diuert them from their impietie , and direct them in the course and progresse of vertue ; vppon which consideration , i , ( as the meanest menalchas that is able to play vpon an oaten pipe ) began presently to describe the nature of men , made so farre good by obseruation , as my weake and immature iudgement could attaine vnto ; meaning to make the poets verse an axiome : scribimus indocti , doctique poemata passim . this thus discussed and weyed , i was long in doubt to whom i should dedicate this vnfruitfull vintage , rather gleanings , or whō i should flie vnto for sanctuarie , if the sinister reade●… ( as who euer wrote without his detractour ) should carpe at my labours . wherefore standing longer in suspence then the matter required , 〈◊〉 picked forth your selfe , most able to weaue an apologie for your friends defects . let not therefore the maleuolent censures of such men whose chiefest eye-sores be other mens workes , and whose choisest content is to blemish them with imperfections , receiue the least countenance from you , whose iudgement by giuing these my labours approbation , shal be a greater argument of their merit , then their partiall censures shall argue their want . hiparchion was graced as well as musaeus , though the best of his measures was but piping to the muses . for the paines of well-affected authors neuer faile of patrons ( at least amongst ingenuous men ) to protect thē , of fauorites to second them , or guardians during their minoritie to foster them . and such is your integritie and true loue to learning , that the meanest sheepheard if the flie for refuge vnder your shelter , shall be accepted aboue the measure of his deserts , or meanes of his hopes . for without question , if your acceptance did not far exceed the height and weight of my discourse , quid hic nisi vota supersunt ? there would nothing remaine for me , but to fall to my prayers , in beseeching the kind & vnkind reader ( like our penurious pamphlet orator ) to commiserate my treatise , and in stead of a narration , to make a publike supplication : but being protected by the singular care and prouiding eye of your fauours ; — maior sum quàm cui potuit fortuna nocere . i haue penned this short discourse , interwouen with history as well as poesie , for two things summarily , and especially for the first thereof . the first is the iniquitie of this present time wherein we liue : so that nature had either time now to send an ambassage or neuer : since mulier formosa superne desinit in piscem — such is the course of degenerate nature , that in a conceipt of her selfe she thinks she can mend her selfe by being adorned with vnnaturalized ornaments , which nature neuer apparelled her with . the second reason is the motion of a priuate friend of mine , whose pleasure may command my whole meanes , yea my selfe to the vttermost of my abilitie . these reasons haue i alledged , lest my preface should seeme naked of reason , which were ridiculous to the reasonable reader , and to you especially , whose maturitie in arguments of this qualitie , hath gained you a deserued opinion , enabled by iudgement , of power to counteruaile the censures of others lesse iudicious . thus tendring you the fruites of m●… reading compiled , and in manner digested , no●… out of selfe-conceit , but aime to publique goo●… intended , irest . from my studie . may . yours to dispose richard brathwayt . the distinct ●…ubihct of euery satyre , contained in either section : with an exact suruey or display of all such poems , as are couched or compiled within this booke . . degeneration , personated in nature . . pleasure , in pandora . . ambition , in the giants . . vaine-glory , in craesus . . crueltie , in astiages . . adulterie , in clytemnestra . . incest , in tereus . . blaspemie , in caligula . . beggarie , in hippias . . miserie , in taurus . . hypocrisie , in claudius . . excesse , in philoxenus ; with three funerall epicedes , or elegiack sestiads . the second section . . sloth , in elpenor . . corruption , in cornelia . . atheisme , in lucian . . singularitie , in steichorus . . dotage , in pigmalion . . partialitie , in pytheas . . ingratitude , in periander . . flatterie , in terpnus . . epicurisme , in epicurus . . briberie , in diagoras . . inuention , in triptolemus . . disdaine , in melonomus . . idolatrie , in protagoras . . tyrannie , in eurysteus . . securitie , in alcibiades . . reuenge , in perillus. . mortalitie , in agathocles . . in nasonem iuridicum . mythologia . two short moderne satyres . pastorall tales , or eglogues . omphale , or the inconstant shepheardesse . odes . . the trauellour . . the nightingale . . the lapwing . . the owle . . the merlin . . the swallow . . the fall of the leafe . with two conclusiue poems , entituled brittans blisse . and an encomion to the common law : or , aretenomia . the first argument . nature the common mother ( to vse an ethnicke induction ) breedeth diuers effects , according to the constitution of each particular bodie , being composed and compacted of that matter wherto we shall returne , being earth . now though nature ( as with the morall philosopher i may say ) neuer is deceiued , as she is considered in her owne frame , bringing forth alwayes men able to the performing of humane functions , faire in proportion and state of their bodies , apt for the atchiuing of anie matter either publike or priuate : yet notwithstanding , manie times by euents and accidents , diuers deformities & blemishes appeare , which by nature were not decreed to be : and like are the maleuolent affections arising from the distempered qualitie of the minde . and whereas many in the corruption of their erring opinions and reasonlesse arguments , haue auerred how nature is the primarie mouer , conseruer and preseruer , yet seneca will tell you , that it is god that worketh these things which we ascribe to a fained deitie ; and that nature differeth no more from god or god from nature , then annaeus from * seneca : as he speaketh in his naturall questions , and in his bookes of benefiting . but this was the opinion of such as had not the supreme light of deuine knowledge to them reuealed , but such as worshipped whatsoeuer they thought was a guider or director of them , or by custome ( how ridiculous soeuer ) was traduced to them . so we may reade in the ancient historians , of the egyptians who adored whatsoeuer they thought comely , as the sunne , the moone , the starres and inferiour lights . others worshipped trees , stockes , stones , and venimous serpents . thus did the brutish affections of vnnaturall men shew their gods by deciphering an heauenly power or influence , in branches and such workes of nature . but these though in no wise excusable , may admit some reasonable defence , forasmuch as their conceipt could reach no further . for as zenophanes saith , if beasts could paint , they would pourtray god to their owne shape and feature , because they could conceiue no further . and this is the cause why the heathen adored their plants , starres , and such creatures , inasmuch as they could not reach nor attaine to the knowledge of an higher deitie . but to conferre them , that is , the heathen and prophane people with the now-being christians , it will seeme wonderfull , if i make manifest by relation had to their liues , how the depraued conditions of our christians now adayes ( whose knowledge giues them assurance of eternitie ) walke in as great blindnesse and palpable darknes as euer the heathen did . and since the matter is most apparent , high time it is for nature to send her embassie to this age for her reformation . the first satyre . thou wicked lumpe in a deformed guise , tripping like hymen on his wedding day , nature thy former insolence defies , saying thou errest from her natiue way : for all thy foolish wayes are baits to * sin , where vertue droupes , and vice comes dancing in . doth not thy habite shew thy wanton mind , forward to all things but to vertuous life : passing those bounds which nature hath assign'd , twixt art and nature by commencing strife ? i tell thee , nature sends me to represse thy foolish toyes , thy inbred wantonnesse . but thou wilt say , nature hath made me faire , should i rob beautie of her proper due ? should i not decke her with * embroidred haire , and garnish her with flora's vernant hue ? i must , i will , or else should i disgrace with a rent maske the beautie of my face . but i will answer thee for all thy beautie : if thou wilt be an ape in gay attire , thou doest not execute that forme of dutie , which nature at thy hand seemes to require : which not redrest , for all thy goodly port , thou must be stript , and whipt , and chastisd for 't . nature hath sent me to forewar●…e thy we , lest thou secure of thy distresse , reioyce : if thou wax * proud , then where so ere thou go thou shalt decline : this resteth in thy choice , whether to die branded by infamie , or to preserue thy life in memorie . this thus obserued , wilt thou yet be proud ? and grow ambitious , bearing in thy brow the stampe of honour , as if thou hadst vow'd no grace on thy inferiours to bestow ? proud minikin let fall thy plumes , and crie nature , i honour will thy embassie . it was a good time when eue spun her threed , and adam * digg'd to earne his food thereby : but in this time eues do their panches feed , with daintie dishes mouing luxurie . that was the golden age , but this is lead , where vice doth flourish , vertue lieth * dead . this therefore is my message pend by truth , erected in the honour of dame nature , inueying gainst pride , whose aspiring grouth disfigureth the beautis of the creature : thus haue i spoken that which nature mou'd me , directed to thee , for dame nature lou'd thee . the argument . hesiod reporteth how pandora was sent from iupiter to deceiue mankind , at least to make triall of his frailtie , by the free proffers of her bounty , sending her full fraught with all pleasures , to the end some thereof might ensnare and insensate the minds and affectiōs of the then liuing and inhabiting arcadians , to whom her message was principally addressed , as appeareth in the first booke of his opera & dies . this pandora is voluptuous , ( though her name signifie munificence , or an vniuersall exhibitresse of all gifts ) sent to enthrall and captiuate the appetites and affections of men , to the intent they might yeeld themselues vassals and bondslaues to all sensuall desires , foments of impietie , or agents of immodestie . and pandora seemeth to make this speech or oration vnto them , as an introduction formally handled , for their pleasure & delectation . louing arcadians , if this spacious world now so specious ( whilome an indigested chaos ) were first ordained for a place of libertie , do not you make it a cage of restraint . it was the will of nature , who not onely founded but disposed of this vniuerse as you see , that men the hope of her loines and ioy of her life , should liue deliciously , and not be enfeebled by strict & rigorous abstinence the mother of diseases , ●…ng and nourishing many grosse , and maleuolent humours , whereby the health vseth to be empaired , and the whole state of your bodies dissolued . wherefore iupiter as your common prouider , foreseeing those miseries which were incident before my coming to all mankind , hath now appointed me as deputie to bring this message vnto you , that from henceforth you should wallow in pleasures and delights according to your owne desires and affections . let not fruitlesse abstinence be a meanes to restraine you , or te●…perance a chaine to withhold you , but like talassioes companions bid continencie adieu , and make haste to lasciuious meetings : for to make recourse to the principall delight of a knowing man , contemplation , is it not tedious to spend a mans time in studie or endlesse speculation ? yes certainly , nothing can be worse then to waste mans life like epictetus lampe ; nothing better then to cōsume mans daies in polixenus cell . and though epictetus may say , - semper aliquid discens senesco , alwayes learning i grow aged , yet polixenus may auerre a matter though of lesse consequence , yet a practise of more self-forgetting chearfulnesse , — semper aliquid bibens , nihil extimesco , alwayes drinking i am cheered . so that nothing can abash polixenus , nothing can dismay him : for his daily practise exempts him from meditation of griefe , being as remote from danger as he stands secure for honour , making euery day his owne prouider , and standing as respectlesse of posteritie as he is carelesse in hoording treasure . he is happie , and free from dangers menacing abroad , or aspiring thoughts ( ambitions subtilest traines ) vndermining at home . but epictetus feare proceedeth from the height of his knowledge , fearing death the abridgement of knowledge : yet fearelesse of death it selfe , for it is nothing ; but the issue of death making his knowledge nothing . polixenus none can disturbe ; for his minde is fixed on that obiect which is placed before him ; since nature hath alotted him meate , drinke and apparell , he respects no more . yet as rich as bias , for he can sing , — omnia mea mecum porto . but simple epictetus , who reposeth so great trust in his contemplatiue part , whereto auailes his studie ? whereto tendeth this speculation ? since art hath made him no wiser then to make no difference betwixt wine and water . neither hath art made him any thing the richer : for his lanterne is of more value then all the rest of his substance . then as you will haue regard to your estate or to the health of your delicate bodies , ponder the effect of my oration , and reape those sensible delights made yours by fruition , in contempt of stoicke and strict contemplation . when pandora had made this plausiue oration , mans minde ( by an inbred appetite to what is pleasant ) was soone addicted and inclined to the premises ; exclaiming with herodian , that it was a difficult thing to subdue a mans affections . wherfore no sooner was pandora gone , but presently they * began to cast off the reines of discipline , exposing themselues to follie and all recreancie . now see into the morall hereof , how man is most addicted to that which in it owne nature is most depraued , alwayes saying with medaea in the tragedie , — video melior a probóque deteriora sequor . such is the crookednesse of mans nature , that he is prone to the worse part , and consequently like foolish epimetheus readie to receiue argicida's rewards , subiects of impietie and lasciuious desires , as * hesiod reporteth of him . iupiter sent cunning argicidas to epimetheus , with intent to ensnare his affections with the faire shew of such pleasant * rewards as he brought with him ; namely tempting obiects like athalantaes apples , whereby she was deluded , her speed fore-slowed , becoming a prey to pomoeis that subtile courser as he himselfe wished . such are the gifts of nature , which oft bewitch the mind of the receiuer . so that elpenor was neuer more deformed ( whose feature became the prodigie of nature ) then he who suffereth his minde ( the light of his body ) to be by these gifts besotted . for first he takes a view of them ; then he desires them , and after the desire he entertaines them . which receit is no sooner made , then cyrces with her cup , or the syrens with their voyce , inchant these poore eompanions of ulisses : but he who ulisses-like stands firme , and not to be remoued by any fond alluremēt , carrying with him that * moli or herbe of grace by which all charmes are frustrated , shall be a spectator of his companions misery , in himselfe secured while they are splitted , which i , in this second satyre briefly and compendiously collected ( as well by reading as obseruation seconded ) haue by a morall inference in some sort declared . the second satyre . pandora the inchantresse . pandora , shall she so besot thy mind , that nothing may remaine for good instruction ? shall she thy mind in chaines and fetters bind , drawing thee onward to thy owne destruction ? be not so foolish , lest thou be oretaken , and in thy shipwracke liue as one forsaken . for though that nature which first framed thee , seeme to winke at thy crimes a day or two , yea many yeares , yet she hath blamed thee for thy offences , therefore act no more . though she delay assure thee she will call , and thou must pay both vse and principall . she smileth at thy locks brayded with gold , and in derision of thy selfe-made shape , who would beleeue ( saith * she ) this is but mold , who trips the streets like to a golden ape ? nature concludes , that art hath got the prize , and she must yeeld vnto her trumperies . for i haue seene ( saith nature ) what a grace art puts vpon me , with her painted colour : how she * vermillions ore my maiden-face , now nought so faire , though nought before was fouler ; indeed i am indebted to her loue , that can giue mouelesse natur e me●…nes to moue . thou black-fac'd trull , how dar'st thou be so bold , as to create thy selfe another face ? how dar'st thou natures feature to controle , seeking by art thy former to disgrace ? by heauens i loath thee for thy panthers skin , since what is faire without is foule within . indeed thou art ashamed of thy forme : and why ? because of beautie thou hast none ; nay rather grace , by which thou may'st adorne thy inward part , which chiefly graceth one ; " complaine of nature ( gracelesse ) and despaire , " since she hath made thee foule , but others faire . but yet thou wilt be faire , if * painting may affoord thee grace and beautie in thy brow : yet what auailes this fondling ? for one day painting will ceasse : though painting flourish now ; " itch not then after fashions in request , " but those that comeliest are , esteeme them best . yet for all this , i pittie thee poore soule , in that dame nature hath not giuen thee beautie : hang downe thy head like to a desart owle , performe in no case to her shrine thy dutie : vnto her altar vow no sacrifice , nor to her deitie erect thine eyes . thou hast good cause for to lament thy birth ; for none will court thee smiling at thy feature , but prize thee as the refuse vpon earth , since on my faith thou art an vglie creature , yet ill wine's good when it is in the caske , and thy face faire oreshadow'd with a maske . o be contented , with thy forme , thy feature , since it is good enough for wormes repast , yeelding thy due vnto the shrine of nature , the fairest faire must yeeld to death at last ! thinke on thy mould , and thou wilt seriously receiue the charge of natures embassie . the argument . if i should intreate of such affaires as rather conferre vnto a warlike discourse , then reforming of the multiplicity of errors raging & reigning in this age , strangely depraued , and in the vniuersall state of her body distempred , i might seeme to make an vnprofitable messenger in this weighty embassie : but to that end haue i chosen such matter as may be a motiue for the furtherance of this mine assay . when this — indigesta moles , this vnseasoned peece of matter had first receiued some forme or fashion , then presently as it increased in yeares , so it began to adorne it selfe with a comely presence , attired modestly without affectatiō , seemely without curiositie , simply without the vanitie of art , knowing , what was shame without an artificiall blush . so that those dayes well deserued the name of — golden age : for — redeunt saturniaregna . but afterward by a degenerate , rather vnnaturall course ( as what is not corrupted in time , if we consider her originall puritie ) a certaine kind of people , as extraordinarie in proportion for their greatnesse , so of vnbounded mind for their ambition and boldnesse , began first to wage battell with the gods immortall : till the gods perceiuing their stout and aspiring natures , ouerthrew them in their own practises : for they did — imponere pelion ossae . tumble mount pelion vpon ossa , whereby they might reach euen vnto heauen : but the gods made those mountaines the giants sepulchers ; where they lie ( vnder those vast hils ) and euery seuenth yeare , as the poets faine — sub tanti oneris immensa mole corpora subleuantes , & eorum opera perperam aggressa execrantes , they lie vnder the weight of so great a burthen to giue them a sensible touch of their former ambition . not without an excellent morall inclusiuely shadowed , and fitly applied to such ambitious heads who are alwayes aspiring high , till with the giants they be cast downe , leauing no other monument to posteritie , saue dishonour , the due guerdon of their impietie . and surely who shall but consider the diuerse singular ends and purposes wherto those pregnant fictions of the poets were addressed , wittily and emphatically expressing their seuere and impartiall judgements , iustly inflicted on offendors , shall see in them a wonderfull inuention , and a continuall discourse , proceeding forward without any alteration , tedious digression , or materiall difference in the relation . againe , to obserue the reuerence which euen the pagan authors vsed toward their gods , beginning no worke of what consequence soeuer , without inuocation of their fained deities , would moue in vs a more serious admiration . so that as valerius maximus saith , — ab loue optimo maximo orsi sunt prisci oratores : the ancient orators vsed alwayes to begin their works in their forme of pleading , with an auspicious iupiter , whereby their workes might haue good successe and proceeding . so may i say , by a present application had to these times , that as our best-promising labours become fruitlesse , vnlesse the almightie prosper and giue them successe : so by necessarie consequence , whosoeuer falleth into contempt and despising of god immortall , shall haue his purposes defeated , and vtterly vanquished with the forenamed giants . wherefore my third satyre shall inueigh against such as in contempt of god ( giantlike ) practise not onely to pull him from his throne by violence , but blaspheme him through a forlorne and godlesse insolence , and as though god had not the power to reuenge , will extenuate his power and lessen his maiestie . the third satyre . thou wicked caitiffe proud of being nought , wilt thou prouoke thy god to strike thee down since he with care and labour hath thee sought , and diuerse fauours in his mercy showne ? do not draw downe the viols of his ire , lest he reward thy sinne with quenchlesse fire . thou sillie worme compact of slimie mud , which shalt returne to earth from whence thou can thou which conceiued was of corrupt bloud , thou wormlin , how dar'st thou reuile his name ? farwell thou gracelesse impe , thou saplesse branch , borne to contemne thy god , to cram thy panch . thou epicure , that liu'st in liuing ill , liuing by louing to stretch forth thy gut , taking more pleasure thy deepe panch to fill , then in thy maker confidence to put : thou f●… thy feeding shalt receiue thy food , amongst such vipers as shall sucke thy bloud . it is the nature of the viperous brood , to be the ●…athor of their parents death ; like an * hyrudo they do sueke their bloud , and take away that breath , which gaue them brea●… thou * viperlike d●…sel aun●…s thy parents name , as though to vtter him thou thought it shame . shame on thy naming , if thou wilt denie him , who first gaue thee breath and vit all spirit , him , who can giue thee true tranquillitie , him , who will shew thee meanes how to inherit ; leaue off thy foolish fantasies , be wise , lift vp thy eyes to him who gaue thee eyes . but if ( vngratefull wretch ) thou feele his grace , yet wilt not yeeld him thanks for all his loue , be sure he will auert his diuine face , and all his wonted mercies cleane remoue ; so thou the swine that breakes the acorne-shell , regardest not the tree from whence they fell . be warn'd by gaeus , who with giants power , thought with his fellowes to * clime vp to heauen , but vanquish'd by his power doth all deuoure , under the ruggie mount aines are laid euen , therefore beware , aspire thou not so high , lest thou lie low , where those same giants ly . thou art a shadow , god the substance is , yet insubstantiate , whose deitie doth comprehend all things , for all are his , yet he is not * contain'd most certainely , for he is infinite in qualitie , endlesse in loue , boundlesse in quantitie . as for his presence , it is euery where , on * sea , on land , and in the depth of depths , his prouidence in each place doth appeare , his meroie is for generations kept , wilt thou ( fond foole ) contemne his heauenly power , who gouernes thee , point , moment , minute , houre . what though so many will entice to euill , and in plaine tearmes denie the deitie ? let them remaine as fuell for the diuell , confesse thou still his power effectually : looke in the planets , and the starres , whose light , giues record of his power , signes of his might . if thou looke vpward , bodies there be manie , yet trouble they not one anothers motion , if thou looke downward , there the * sea doth moue thee beating the shores , while shores beate backe the ocean looke to the earth , and thou wilt wonder there , to see a ball so firmely hang in aire . but if these motiues limit not thy will , then i 'le endorse this in thy forlorne brow , how with thine owne hand , thou thy bloud doest spill , the fruites whereof thy punishment shall show . denie not him who neuer did deny , for thy default vpon the crosse to die . the argument . it is reported of croesus , that he sent for solon , well perceiuing that he was esteemed the wisest in greece : to the intent he might see him placed in his maiesty , pompe , and great solemnity . when solon was come , he demanded of him , whom he thought to be the happiest man in the world ; not doubting but he would conclude him to be the happiest , considering the magnificence of himself , the admiration of his attendants , & the security of his state , grounded on such powerfull alliance . solon ( contrary to his expectance ) replyed , he could iudge none truly happie before his death , — neminem ante obitum faelicem esse arbitror . yet croesus would not let him go so , but demanded further : whom he thought then liuing to be the happiest ; whereto answered solon , tellus ; & who next saith croesus ? next to tellus do i esteeme cleobis & biton ( who died in the very performance of parentall obedience : ) & so forward without the least mention made of croesus felicitie . whereby it seemed that croesus was much offended , though he cōcealde his anger for that present time , lest the foolish conceipt of his selfe-esteemed happinesse should become palpable . but within short time afterward he found solons saying most true : for being taken prisoner by cyrus the persian king , he was grieuously punished , & restrained by straite seuere imprisonmēt , till such time as a day was appointed for croesus death : & being to be set vpon the fagot , & ready to suffer death , he cried forth : o solon , solon , vera sunt quae dixisti neminem ante obitum faelicem : cyrus hearing these words , and enquiring the meaning of them , presently deliuered him , answering : & ea quoque mihi euenire possunt . considering the state of mans life to be vncertaine , and that none ought to plant his hopes vpon that stabilitie of fortune in terrene affaires , as to promise himselfe security in his state , or continuance of successe for one victorie atchieued : seeing her wings are not clipped , that her flight should be restrained , nor to any prince so particularly engaged , that he onely should be by her attended . in briefe , as the onely hope of the vanquished consists in the expectance of all extremitie : so is it the principall glory of the conquerour , to moderate his fortune by a mild and tempreate bearing of himselfe to the conquered . hence also haue wee sufficient argument of reproofe , towards such as take pleasure or delight in their abundance , as croesus did , so as their minds become drowned , hauing no respect to the eternitie promised . the reason is , they repose their beatitude and felicity in things transitorie and vncertaine , not looking vp to the author of all blisse and happinesse , who is the director and protector of all men , disposing them to the line and leuell of his blessed will , by expecting them foreslowing , inuiting them resisting , recalling them wandering , and embracing them returning : without whose aide our strength is weakenesse , without whose light our sight is blindnesse , and without whose grace our endeuours are fruitlesse . for alas , what is mans direction but distraction , what is his knowledge but imperfection , and what is the best of his resolution but confusion , wanting his gracious preuention that giueth to each worke a happy period and conclusion ? especially in this curious and intricate labyrinth of mans life , wherein many cymmerian windings ( to wit , priuate seducements ) are framed and cunningly contriued by that subtil-winged dedalus . so as miserably are we forced to erre and stray , vnlesse by ariadnes threed , that is , the heauenly light of gods illuminating spirit , we be directed and conducted in this vast theatre of intricacy , to the flowrie eden of endlesse felicitie . for without that all working power , we are ouerwhelmed with darknesse , not able to attaine to the comfort of our soules , to enioy the fruition of eternall consolation in the life to come . to shew you the worthie intendments and resolutions of the ancient , would but make a flourish without effect : as by way of illustration examplefide in mortification , to shew you how origen made himselfe an eunuch , democritus put out his owne eyes , crates cast his monie into the sea , thracius cut downe all his vines . seeing then that to examplifie a mans writings in these daies , is but to beate the aire , vnlesse inuection or a bitter satyre moue it , i will make haste to runne into my former reprehension , since with iuuenall i may well conclude , spite of our teeth when vice appeares in sight , we must the satyres play , and tartly write : where a good poets greatest difficultie , is to restraine himselfe from satyricall poesie ; for impiety like a tetter vniuersally spreading , is such , as no man but he will either be a gamester or a spectator in gaming : either wanton or a fauourite of wantonnesse : therefore now or neuer : — rumpantur ilia codri , inuidia . now to our satyre . the fovrth satyre . thou happie croesus in thy heapes of gold , erect thy selfe a god vpon thy throne , let it be framed of a purer mold , then of the pumice , or the marble stone : let it be honor'd euen in croesus name , since golden croesus did erect the same . wilt thou indeed , be honour'd for a god , and with the starres aray thy princely head ? be sure ere long to feele an iron rod : to crush thee downe , and thy accursed seede . for if thou do denie * thy god his right , he will depriue thy power , abridge thy might . art thou a crauling worme , a feeble creature , and yet dost thinke thy selfe a god on earth ? canst thou so easily transforme thy nature : chang'd to immortall , from a mortall birth ? poore simple gull , a cockhorse for this god , no god but * man , whose sinnes deserue gods rod. star-staring earthling , puff'd with insolence , conceipted of thy selfe without desert , comparing with the deuine excellence , for which thy follie , thou shalt feele the smart ; do not * thinke god will suffer thee to raigne , that sleights his workes , and takes his name in vaine . and as for croesus , if he liue for aye , then will i thinke he is a god indeed : but he ere long shall haue a dying day , and be inclosed in an earthly weede . therefore fond croesus , thinke but of thy gold , as rusticke people of the vilest mold . yet thou mayst * vse it croesus , to thy good , so thou repose no confidence therein , so thou abuse it not , it is allow'd , abuse , not vse , is author of the sinne . be not deceiu'd through any false pretence , to hoord vp coine , and hurt thy conscience . this is a simple traine , a net for fooles , not able to deceiue the * wiser men . fishes be sooner catcht , in glistring pooles , then in a troubled creuise , marsh or fen , but wisest fishes , neuer will appeare , where they perceiue the smallest cause of feare . thus is the forme of wisedome well explaned , euen in a christall glasse most eminent , wherein our distinct natures are contained , as in a table aptly pertinent , how that bewitch'd we are in seeming good , and that prooues poyson which we tooke for food . this is my satyre , croesus which i send thee , to th' end thou mayst admonish'd be of this ; i hope my satyre will in time amend thee , and draw thy mind from earth-opinion'd blisse . wherefore farewell , and if thou wilt be blessed , flie from this rust , by it thy mind 's oppressed . the argument . trogus pompeius relateth in his generall historie , how astyages dreamed that there sprong a vine forth of the wombe of his daughter mandanes , whose broad-spreading branches ouershadowed all asia , wherefore to take away the ground and foundation of his feare , hauing vnderstood by the magi , that by the vine was intimated cyrus , who should ouershadow all asia with his victorious and conquering hand , he commanded harpagus one of his priuie counsell to take the babe and slay it , that whatsoeuer his dreame imported , might by this meanes be preuented : but harpagus more cōpassionate then astiages ( though too remorcelesse ) exposed it to the crueltie of sauage beasts , where ( so carefull is nature of her owne ) it found more pittie in the wild forrest , then in his grandfathers pallace , being for some dayes nourished by a she-wolfe or bitch , ( whence nurses to this day reserue the name of spacon , ) and after found by one faustulus a shepheard , was deliuered to his wife to be brought vp and nursed : which she , delighted with the chearfull countenance of the child , did accordingly , till in tract of time cyrus came to the vnexpected height of an empire , and fullfilled those predictions and prophecies which were formerly spoken of him . this argument haue i culled , to the end my satyre , vsing the liberty of so materiall an argument , may inueigh against such as seeke by all wayes to dilate and propagate the borders and bounders of their kingdome , ( not respecting the meanes , so they may attaine the end ) or strengthen the continuance of their vniust claime by sinister meanes : not vnlike to polynices and eteocles in the tragedie ; who though they were brethren , euen the haplesse children of wofull oedipus , yet could they not content themselues with their peculiar shares seuerally limited , and mutually allotted , but must crie : — aut coesar , aut nullus : wherefore they enioyed the fruites of seldome prospering deuision , a short reigne , attended on with perpetuall infamie after death . wherefore that is the best labour or trauell , where they do * — proponere laborem vt cum virtute & iustitia coniungant . this is the best strife , the best contention , which ( in a glorious emulation ) is conuersant about vertue , not entertaining an vniust practise to gaine a kingdome , but euer to conclude with aurelius sextus : — ex pessimo generene catulum : man that is wicked in his proceedings , getting an empire by bloud ( without regard of election or descent ) may liue , and for a while flourish , but he shall die without an heyre : therefore this satyre is purposely directed to such , ( with an equall reflex from superiour to inferiour ) as respect not the meanes how to obtaine a kingdome , so they may haue a kingdome , agreeing with that in the poet ; regam , modum regnandi non quaeram . i will gouerne , though i seeke not the meanes how to gouerne well : or thus : i will gouerne , though i regard not the meanes whereby i come to gouerne . thus much for a wicked amulius , who will gouerne though it be by the death or deposing of his brother numitor , or an impious pigmalion , who will murther sychaeus his brother to be enioyer of his treasure , or a faith-infringing ▪ polymnestor , who betrayes the trust of a protector , in praying vpon the orphane * polydore . of these my satyre shall intreate , and brand them with the marke of an iniurious possession . the fift satyre . thou hellish * brood , borne to thine owne offence , thou that wilt run into a streame of bloud , yet cries againe ; it 's in mine owne defence , hauing no care of vow-linckt brotherhood ; be thou thine owne destroyer , thine owne foe , and may thy conscience fret where ere thou goe : what doest thou get , by getting of a crowne , deposing him , that is the lawfull heire ? but cares and feares , and sorrowes of thine owne , with * gastly visions , motiues to despaire ? lament thy raigne , dominions got by wrong , may floure awhile , but last they cannot long . though numitor depos'd be by his brother , fate hath her stroke , some romulus will spring , or if not romulus , there will some other depose his greatnesse , make himselfe a king . thus as he got his kingdome , shedding * bloud , he of his bloudie purchase reapes small good . where iurisdiction is obtain'd by might , without apparent right vnto the crowne , shall soone extinguish all her former light , and change her forme like to the waining moone . for such vsurping kings as aime at all , shall misse their aime , and with their scepter fall . and thou pigmalion , who art neuer fil'd , but euer gapes for riches and for gold , till thou with might thy brothers bloud hast spil'd , or till thy yauning mouth be stopt with mold , either repent thy wrong , or thou shalt heare , a thousand * furies buzzing in thine eare . foolish astyages that meanes to raigne , and plant thy throne on earth eternally , i tell thee ( doting king ) though thou disdaine , cyrus should raigne , he will part stakes with thee : no , he 'le haue all , thou art his subiect made , and with his vine all asia's shadowed . though thou do marry , and assure to wife , thy faire mandanes , to a countrey * squire , that her meane marriage might secure thy life , a king shall spring from such an homely sire . it is in vaine to plot , when gods resist , who can defeate our proiects as they list . what polynices , wilt thou fight , with whom ? with thine owne brother deare eteocles ; will you contend , fince you be both as one ? * cleon will neuer fight with pericles ; then why will you , the children of one sire , against each other mutually conspire ? fie on you both , what sauage crueltie , hath thus possest you in your tender age , brother gainst brother most inhumanely , to shew your selues as men in beastly rage ? farewell vngodly twins , borne for debate , when ruine knocks , repentance comes too late . farewell astyages , that reignes for aye , and thou pigmalion , who do'st gape for wealth , amulius too , who learning to obay , perceiues how realmes decline that 's got by stealth . farewell , and if my tart lines chance to spite ye , my satyre sayes , a dead dog cannot bite me . the argument . clytemnestra agamemnons wife , forsaking her owne husband agamemnon , ran to the vnchast bed of aegistus , where she prostituted her selfe , regardlesse of her birth , and neglectfull of her honour . this agamemnon perceiued , but through the exceeding loue he bore her , seemingly couered this her apparent dishonour , labouring to reclaime her rather by clemencie then rigour : but she persisting in her hatefull lust and vnlawfull affection , perswaded aegistus by vrgent solliciting to continue in his former adulterie , without regard to agamemnons loue , or the infamie of her owne life . and hauing not as yet spun the web of her mischiefe , she seconds her lasciuious attempt with a secret practise , conspiring with her fauourite aegistus her husbands death , which was afterwards effected , but not vnreuenged . this instance shall be the first subiect vnto my satyre ; wherein i meane to display the impudencie of such , as out of a godlesse securitie , vsually auouch and iustifie their wicked and sensuall pleasures with phaedra in the poet , writing to her sonne in law hyppolytus after this manner : * vt tenuit domus vna duos , domus vna tenebit , oscula apertadabas , oscula apertadabis . for such incestuous phaedraes , let them diuert their eyes to the ensuing satyre , and then answer me ▪ whether they do not blush at their decyphered follie , which more apparent then light will shew it selfe to euery eye : for the retiredst angle or corner cannot giue vice a couer , whose memorie may be darkned , but not extinguished : nor can the wide wombe of the earth find her a graue wherein to interre her , being like pasyphaes issue , * eue●… a shame to the parent . and as hecubaes sonne , portending * destruction to the troian citie , was thought fit to be casten forth , lest the euent thereof should be answerable to the prophesie : so shall this accursed issue , this execrable progenie shew it selfe , and be fitter for casting forth then preseruing , since clytemnestra shall feele the edge of cruelty , and the scourge of deuine furie . the sixt satyre . what clytemnestra , com'd so soone abroad , forth of aegistus bed thy husbands foe ! what is the cause thou makest so short abode , is it because thy husband wills thee so ? no it 's because * he 's weary of thy sinne , which he once sought , but now is cloyedin . what 's that thou weares about thy downie necke ? o it 's a painted heart , a iewell fit , for wanton minions who their beauties decke , with garish toyes , new suiters to begit : thou hast a painted heart for chastitie , but a true heart for thy adulterie . speake on adultresse , let me heare thy tongue , canst varnish ore thy sin with * eloquence ? silence ; such sinnes should make the sinner dumbe , and force his speech to teare-swolne penitence ; do not then shadow thy lasciuious deeds , for which the heart of agamemnon bleeds . leaue of ( foule strumpet : keepe thy husband●… bed , thou hast no interest in aegistus sheetes : infamous acts , though closely done are spred , and will be blaz'd and rumour'd in the streetes . flie from this scandall , lest it soile thy name , which blemisht once , is nere made good againe . is not thy husband worthy of thy loue ? too worthy husband of a worthlesse whoore , then rather chuse to die then to remoue : thy chast-vowd steps from agamemnons boore ? he 's thine , thou his , o * may it then appeare , where ere he is , that thou art onely there . but for hyppolitus to be incited by his step-mother , o incestuous ! and to his * fathers bed to be inuited : what fact was euer heard more odious ? but see ( chast youth ) though she perswade him to it , nature forbids , and he 's asham'd to do it . * you * painted monkies that will nere restraine , your hote desires from lusts-pursuing chase , shall be consumed in a quenchlesse flame , not reft of griefe , though you were reft of grace , bereft of grace , and buried in shame , regardlesse of your honour , birth , or name . i can discerne you by your wanton toyes , your strutting like dame iuno in her throne , casting concealed fauours vnto boyes : these common things are into habits growne , and when you haue no fauours to bestow , lookes are the lures which draw affections bow . trust me i blush , to see your impudence , sure you no women * are , whose brazen face , shewes modestie ha's there no residence , incarnate diuels that are past all grace ; yet sometimes wheate growes with the fruitlesse tares , you haue fallne oft , now fall vnto your prayers . the argument . whosoeuer will but consider the fortune , or rather misfortune of tereus for his wickednesse , shall behold as in a glasse or transparent mirror , the fruite of adulterous beds . for his licencious and inordinate lust contained within no bounds , but continuing in all prohibited desires , and now pursuing with an incestuous heate phylomele his wiues sister , hath transformed himselfe into a reasonlesse creature ; for now tereus in vpubam changeth his former nature and condition , becoming in shape as odious , as his life was impious , as the poet testifieth : uertitur in volucrem , cuistant pro vertice cristae . thus may adulterous want-graces looke into tereus fall , and then apply his ruine to their present state . i gather these arguments out of fictions and poeticall inuentions , yet are not these fables without their deuine morals ; for such men as are touched with this crime or the like , ought to be ashamed of their follie , since the very heathen poets , whose best of sacred knowledge was the light of nature , could exclaime against them , and pourtray the forme of their liues in a fained inuention . for to exemplifie speciall punishments inflicted on particular sinnes , * those birds which still frequented phineus armie , and annoyed him with such a filthy sent , that euen vpon shipboord they would come flocking to his nauie , and bring a loathsome stench , whereby they vsed to infect his meate , neuer departing from him either morne or night , but would — escopulis exire , & vniuersam ●…lassem teterrimo faetore inficere . wherefore was this , but forasmuch as by the perswasion of his second wife idaea , he put forth the eyes of his children had by his m first wife ? of which in the latter part of this satyre i meane especially to insist , declaring by way of aggrauation the wickednesse of such iniustae nouercae , who will tyrannise ouer their stepchildren , respectlesse of phineus punishment or idaeas vexation . and though some obiect , that these arguments be but fruitlesse inuentions hatched forth of poets braine●… yet must they of force confesse ingenuously , that their morals conferre no lesse benefit , then if de●… riued from a truer subiect : for whosoeuer will not beware of id●…as fact , shall vndergo idaeas * punishment ; let them therefore auoyd the fact precedent , or let them expect the punishment subsequent . the seventh satyre . how now fond tereus , whither rid'st so fast , to progne or to itis ? o , it 's true , thou goest vnto thy sister , made vnchast , by thy enforced rape , for she nere knew what lusts-embraces meant , till thou hadst taught her , which gaue her cause of sorrowing euer after . come backe againe , go to thy chast wiues bed , wrong not the honour of a spotlesse wife , what fruite yeelds lust when thou hast surfeted , but wretched death , drawne from a wicked life ? returne fond lustfull man , do not dishonour poore phylomele , for heauens eyes looke on her . it may be thou alledg'st , * rusticity appeareth in the fashions of thy deare ; is this a cloake to liue licentiously ? no , if her breeding more vnciuill were , these should not be occasions of thy shame , for in discretion thou shouldst couer them . thou art that rusticke , she the modest flower , not seeking for to grow with other plants then with thy selfe , though thou for euery boore , suites thy affection , yet affection wants : she loues , thou lusts , thine is a borrowed name , * for shame-fast loue need●… neuer blush for shame . how now prince phineus , where 's thy childrens eyes , are they put out , who mou'd thee to offend ? was it idaea , whom the gods defies ? whom neither heauen nor earth can well commend . it was idaea , she the step-dame cries , haste phineus haste , pull out thy childrens eyes . he 'le do it for thee , there 's no question why , to faire idaea , chast queene to his bed , he should the murdring of his soule deny , much lesse to cause his childrens bloud be shed ; see step-dames see , how hatefull is your guilt ▪ when to raise yours , anothers bloud is spilt ! murder thy children , put out orphans eyes , god cannot salue their extreame heauinesse : he cannot heare them when they make their cries , nor can he comfort them in their distresse . yes , he can heare and see , and though he come with a slow pace , he will at last strik●… home . then grieue , but let not griefe driue to despaire ; trust , but let trust breed no securitie , for crying sinnes when they presuming are , oft wound so deepe they find no remedie . farewell idaea , may my satyre heare , for each bloud-drop th' ast shed , thou shedst a teare . the argument . the argument of this satyre shall be against all wicked iulians , all godlesse apostates . and though in the third satyre i haue touched this argument briefly : yet now more amply meane i to deblazon the forlorne condition of these vnnaturall monsters . for to produce the authorities & opinions of the very heathen phylosophers , they haue generally concluded , not onely a god , but a trinitie , three in-beings or persons coessentiall . as first the platonists , who haue concluded a minder , minding , and a minded , but the chiefe hereof the minder . from the platonists let vs descend to the pythagorians , amongst whom numenius most worthie for his learning ( insomuch as porphyrie a man of ripe iudgement and pregnant conceit , albeit a profest enemie of christ , wrote many seuerall commentaries vpon him ) speaketh thus : touching the indiuiduate essence of god , it is compact of it selfe in one , subsisting of none , in and of himselfe alone , not to be contained or circumscribed within any limits or bounds , being euer during in time , before time , and without time ; incomprehensible in his works , indiuisible , in his substance insubstantiate . the academicks in like sort conclude the same , yeelding to an omnipotent power , working according to the diuine will of the worker ; wherein they giue excellent instances and similitudes in the * sunne , and the heate proceeding from the sunne , drawing from thence a singular argument to proue the diuine trinitie . zeno the father of the stoicks , acknowledged the word to be god , and also the spirit of iupiter . thus academicks of later times , stoicks , pythagorians , and platonists , confesse this heauenly power ▪ and shall we who are borne in the dayes of light and truth deny the same ? hermes can conclude , how — radij deuini sunt eius oporationes mirae , radi●… mundani sunt natur●… & rerum similitudines variae , radij humani s●…nt artes & scientiae . and shall we confesse the later , but not the first , from whence the later be deriued ? plato in his . epistle to king dennis writeth thus . when i write in earnest , you shall know hereby , that i begin with one god ; but when i write otherwise , then i begin with many gods . aristotle like wise that serious inquisitor in the secrets of nature , could say : — ens entium miserer●…mei . thus are out atheists conuinced by pagans ; for neither orphuus whose inuention gaue that opinion of plu●… ralitie of gods first footing , nor d●…agoras the athenian , who denied that there was any god , were exempted from seuerest censure , the one hauing his opinions publickly refelled , the other for his contempt of the gods , expulsed . for such nouell opinions as antiquity had not traduced ●…nto them , but seemed repugnant to what they beleeued touching their gods , were esteemed perillous , and the founders of them worthie due punishment . and how much more ought we reuerently to obserue and carefully retaine what sacred authoritie , grounded on better warrant then pagan antiquitie , hath commended to vs , where euery clause , euery syllable , sentence and title are full of sententious sweetnesse , and diuine fulnesse ? as for the palpable blindnesse of such as see not , or wilfull ignorance of such as see but will not , the time will come when he , whom they denie shall reueale himselfe in furie , and those grosse opinions which with such asseuerance they maintained shall be testimonies against them to conuince them . and though , as suetonius witnesseth , there be some , who like caligula will threaten the a●…re , that she shall not raine vpon his publicke games or 〈◊〉 spectacles , shewing himselfe so peremptorie , as though he would cope with the i●…ortall gods , yet would he — ad minima tonitrua , & 〈◊〉 a conniuere , caput obuoluere , ad ver●… maiora proripere se è strato , sub lectumque condere solebat : at the noise of thunder or lightning winke hard , couer his head , and 〈◊〉 his eares , to take away the 〈◊〉 of his feare : yea more then this , he would leape out of his bed and hide himselfe vnder it . thus did he contemne him whose works made him tremble , derogating from his power , yet astonished 〈◊〉 the voice of his thunder : and though in 〈◊〉 ●…me and his predecessor tiberius there flourished a * worthie philosopher , who allbeit a iew by nation , yet frequent amongst the romanes , had great iudgement in matters diuine , and spake profoundly of the things which belonged vnto the expectation of nations : notwithstanding all this , they continued without the lea●…t acknowledgement of a deitie , and in contempt of the diuine power , threatning the heauens if they scouled or frowned vpon the romane gamesters , as i haue before mentioned . whereby it seemes they reposed such confidence in the height of their present estate , as they imagined so firme a foundation could be shaken by no superiour power ; for indeed worldly pompe makes men for the most part forgetful of their duty towards their creator , thinking ( as men in a fooles paradise ) that this present sunshine of their seeming felicitie shall neuer set . yet no sooner shall hoarie age draw neare , then — friget aestus honoris , and their former chearefulnesse enfeebled with all infirmities , shall with lame limmes and a queasie voice crie out , — non eadem est aetas : then shall the curelesse itch of honor by the brine of age be allayed , youthfull sports abandoned , and a quiet life rather desired then magnificence of estate . concluding with seneca the phylosopher , inueying against the tyrannie of nero to this effect : well did i liue , when i from enuie rid , was pent vp 'mongst the rocks of th'corsian sea , where if i still had liu'd as once i did , well had it gone both with my state and me . for whosoeuer shall but seriously consider the state and course of mans life , which is intangled with so sundrie and manifold perills , shall call it with the poet , — mundum vitro similantem , where life is an exile , the passage a perill , and the end doubtfull . thus farre of those who either with successe of fortune puffed , or height of honour transported , or through a carnall libertie benummed , trust so much in the arme of flesh , as they wholly denie the power and maiestie of the onely god ( or soueraigne good ) preferring a momentanie delight before a celestiall reward . now to my satyre . the eight satyre . now stout caligula that dar'st the gods , saying , they must not frowne vpon thy pleasure , thou and immortall powers are still at odds , whose * gold 's thy god , whose deitie's thy treasure . thou 'lt feele the smart hereof , when thy estate , founded on frail●…ie shall be ruinate . thou wilt not feare him while thou liues on earth , though life and power , and all be in his hand , thou 'lt fight with him ( poore worme ) that giues the●… breath , and with the breath of flesh checke ioues command . unhappie prince , though thou the happiest seeme , this reigne of thine is but a golden dreame . and when this dreame is past , and thou awake , from thy soule-charming slumber thou must on , taking thy iourney to the * stygian lake , or flame exhaling quenchlesse phlegeton , where poysoned adders shall infect thy tongue , which did so impiously her maker wrong . flie from the horror of thy damned soule , for sure ere long thou shalt be punished . see how thy soule deformed is and foule , soiled with sinne , with errours blemished . o * wash them then , some hope doth yet remaine , but now vnwasht they 'le nere be white againe ! art not asham'd for to denie his power , who giueth life vnto each liuing thing ? to heauen , to earth , to sea , and to each flower , he giueth meanes , for by him all things spring . who will not then , and knowing this , account the earth 's the lords , and he 's lord paramount ? doest thou not see the fabricke of this earth , and all the plants which flourish in their kind , how by his power each creature bringeth forth , as if indeed they knew their makers mind : where th'very earth-worme that 's endu'd with sence , is not excluded from his * prouidence ? then leaue this damn'd opinion , iulian , be not too confident of earthly rule : remember still thou art a mortall man , and in his power who can the seas controule . it 's he can make this earths foundation shudder , whose empires reach from one sea to another . yet thou caligula canst threat the gods , if they descend but in a winters showre , and saist in scorne , thou 'lt beate them with thy rods , if they hold on , vpon thy games to lowre . yet cowardize constraines thee for to flie , at euery flash , and like a babe to crie . thou 'lt menace death vnto eternitie , if they obey not thy imperious pleasure : thus gods themselues must feele thy tyrannie , enioynd to dance attendance at thy leysure : yet for all this , if thou but thunder heares , thou pulls thy cap downe ore thy frighted eares . so euery false apostate will be stout , before he feele the uiols of gods wrath : but when he tasts thereof he gins to doubt , and calls to mind how he * forsooke his faith . his fall from which , confessing with his tong , his tongue is speaking , but his heart is dombe . dumbe shalt thou be , for heauen will haue it so , since thou appliest thy tongue to wickednesse , abusing that , gainst him who did bestow all that thou hast , this 's thy vnthankefulnes . yet but relent , and doubt not to obtaine , that heauenly grace , which else thou canst not gaine . gracelesse beware , and feare the power of heauen , who can destroy thee in a minutes space , he who can make , the * steepest mountaines euen , whose footstoole's earth , & heauen his dwelling place . feare , gracelesse feare , and thou shalt liue for euer , for feare giues life to death , health to the liuer . liue thou shalt neuer , if thou do not care to shew respect to th'supreme maiestie , he whom we feare , who tenders our wel-fare , and guides vs in this vale of miserie . pagan thou art , vnlesse thou do amend , whose endlesse sinnes expect a * wofull end . therefore as thou regardst thy sweete soules health , or honour of thy maker , now reclaime thy breach of faith stain'd with the worlds filth , if thou a sonne of syon meanes to raigne . fare well or ill ; if well thou meanes to fare , unto the temple of thy god repaire . the argument . hyppeas that worthy grecian , who stroue for the games in the olympiads , wore no other apparell saue what with his owne hands ( being a generall artist ) he had framed , hauing not so much as the ring of his finger , or bracelet about his arme , but were made by him , yea & the shooes of his feete , which with his owne skill he made likewise . this hyppeas hauing gained the chiefest prizes by meanes of his actiuitie ; and now returning in the triumph of a conquerour with a coronet of floures empaled , to receiue the proposed reward : the publicke notarie of these games came ( according to the wonted custome vsually obserued ) to demaund the best raiment or choycest particular ornament the conquerour had about him . now this fellow , whom continuance of time had made impudent , seeing the bountie of the conquering hippeas , according to the manner , receiued the best raiment the victor wore : and scarce contented therewith , ( like an infatigable suiter ) begged farther his stockings , and hyppeas denied him nothing . so long he continued in begging , and he in giuing , till hyppeas went naked forth of the olympiads , hauing nothing wherewith he might shew his friends any semblance of conquest or victorie , saue his naked bodie , which he presented vnto them , vsing these words vnto the notarie : — what i haue giuen thee , i would haue bestowed on my professedst enemy , for such motiues of vaineglory should rather moue me to loath them then loue them , leaue them , then liue with them , remembring , how the sage eutrapelus expresly bad , his foes should haue the choycest robes he had , wherein he found by proofe this speciall good , to make himselfe more humble , them more proud . the name of this begger was mynthos , who hauing thus polled & spoiled this worthy conqueror of all his apparell through his importunacie in demanding , presently thus answered one by whom he was sharpely taxed : nemo est quin aliqua in arte praeclarus est , ego autem in praemia & vestimenta comparando , palmam & gloriam adeptus sum , meque diuitem ex aliorum paupertate feci . this shall be the argument of this ninth satyre , touching impudent crauers : these — iri egentes , of whom the poet speaketh , who make themselues rich by their seruile basenesse , and as vultures feede best vpon the stinkingst carrion , so they vpon others riot , prodigalitie , and dissolution , sucking like the sangui-sugae , who feede themselues with bloud till they burst . reason haue i to inuey against them , since israel the elect and select people of god were not to receiue them — let there be no begger in israel . time was not then for parasites to currie fauour , when none was to haue reliefe but by his labor ; so expresly was euery one enioyned to apply his vocation , that he who would not * labour should not eate . and may these insatiable mynthes taste the like fare , being deriued from as base beginnings as they are oftimes aduanced without merit to great meanes and possessions , yea composed of as ignoble and degenerate minds , as they are sprong of ingenerous bloud . the ninth satyre . hyppeas , your cloake i craue , that is my due , your stockings too , and such like toyes as these , free to bestow a bountie were in you , and yet a debt , for you do know my fee's . but debt to mention i do think 't vnfit , when bountie is so neare to answer it . and yet i want , and yet what can i want , when he of whom i craue's so prone to giue ? when store by ioue is sent , there is no scant , all famine leaue , and all in plentie liue . see what thou wants then mi●…thos , and but craue it , hyppeus is stor'd , and thou art sure to haue it . belt , beuer , buskin , view from top to toe , see what thou wants his wardrope will supply , and laugh at him when thou hast vs'd him so , and bid him triumph in his victory . let him go nak'd , and boast what he hath done , whilest thou enioyes the booties he hath won . yet tearme him prince of bountie , and requite in seeming protestations , and in vowes , yet care not for him when he 's out of sight ; for those thriue best who can make fairest shows : in speaking much , but little as they meane , and being such , but not the same they seeme . i would i could , thus maist * thou bring him o●… , i could extend my wealth vnto my will , i would erect to show what you haue done , some time-out liuing monument , to fill the world with amazement , when they heare what you haue bene , and what your actions were . and then impart thy want , how fortunes are vnequally deuided , yet to such as he whose bountie giues to each his share , though much he hath , yet ha's he not too much : and then with cap in hand beseech his worth , be good to thee , that 's borne of obscure birth . indeed thou seemes to be an obscure asse , aspacious beggar , begging euery where , who wilt not suffer a patcht boote to passe , but thou wilt beg it for thy leg that 's bare . indeed too bare thou art , too impudent , that with thy owne state canst not be content . pesant like bastard , hate thy beggarie , liue on thy owne , not on anothers state ; thou that descendest from base penurie , wilt by thy begging liue at higher rate ? numbred thou art amongst such men as begs , the smoke of chimmes , snuffes , and vintners dregs . thou art defam'd , for all deride thy kneeling , thy capping , cringing , and thy temporizing , as if thou hadst of modestie no feeling , but from anothers razing drew thy rising . well , for thy begging we will beg for thee , the pattent of disgrace and infamie . so with thy wallet as a beggar should , be not asham'd to seeme that which thou art , sowe patch on patch , to keepe thee from the cold , and shew thy want in each seame-rented part : but do not rere thy fortunes on mens fall , for such base beggars are the worst of all . i write not to thee in a sublime stile , such is vnfit thy errors to conuince ; satyres though rough , are plaine and must reuile uice with a cynicke bluntnesse , as long since * those graue iudicious satyrists did vse , who did not taxe the time , but times abuse . and yet i wish my pen were made of steele , and euery leafe , a leafe of lasting brasse , which might beare record to this commonweale , when this age's past , to ages that shall passe . but these as others must , shall lose their name , * and we their authors too must die with them . yet well i know , i shall characterd be , in liuing letters , prouing what i write , to be a●…thenticke to posteritie , to whom this ages vices i recite . which , much i doubt , as they 're successiue still , by course of yeares , so they 'le succeed in ill . for vice nere dyes intestate , but doth leaue , something behind , to shew what it hath bene ; yea canting knaues that hang on others sleeue , can charge their heires still to pursue the streame , where iohn a style bequeathes to iohn a noke , his beggars rags , his dish , his scrip , his poke . with which i le beg ; no , with my soule i scorne it , he rather carrie tankaras on my backe ; yet th'●…rade is thri●…ing , true , but i 'ue forsworne it , nor would i beg , though competent i lacke . before i should make congies to aswayne , i would for sweare to take my legs againe . i am but poore , and yet i scorne to beg ▪ to be a bastard to my progenie , yea i will rather with * sycites feg , receiue my death , then get me infamie . i 'le be a galley-slaue in turkish ship , rather then scrape my crums out of a scrip . bias was poore , and yet his wealth increased , all that he had he carried still about him ; bias is dead , his goods by death are seised , mydas is poore , his goods were all without him . bias and mydas both agree in this , earths blisse when we 're in earth quite vanish'd is . a candaules he was rich , yet he was poore , rich in his coffers rammed downe with gold , yet poore in this , his wife did proue a whoore , showne naked vnto gyges to behold . collatine poore , yet rich , his wife is chast . both these agree in this , by death embra'st . b irus was poore , but croesus passing rich , irus his scrip differs from croesus boord , yet now compare them and i know not which , is better furnish'd or the worser stor'd : for see their fates , they both in one agree , since by pale death they both arrested be . priscillaes purse , * demosthenes his hand , do differ much , the one is alwayes shut , the other open , for rewards doth stand ; yet if we measure either by his foot , that close-shut purse , and that receiuing hand , haue equall shares made by the * sextons wand . yet beggar , thou that begs , and hopes to gaine store of rewards , for to relieue thy need . or surfet rather , tell me what 's thy aime , when those * thou feeds , shall on thy car kasse feed ? for then where 's the beggar now become , whose shame 's too great , to hide with shroud or tombe ? take these rude satyres as compos'd by him who loues his state farre better then thy trade , for * beggars lose more then they seeme to win , since their esteeme for euer 's blemished : liue at a lower rate , and beg the lesse . i 'le liue to write , if thou thy fault redresse . amicus non mendicus . the argument . taurus * a rich iustice , seemed to carrie great port and state in his countrie where he liued , though more feared then loued : for the proud miser seldome liues to be inheritour of a friend : but afterward his misery was most apparently known by his desolate house , as vnacquainted with hospitality as an vsurers heire with frugalitie , hauing onely a case for a man , a blew-coat●… i meane without a man , a shadow without a substance . in this satyre next ensuing is described the miserable nature of such , as notwithstanding their outward port , glorying of more then euer their vnworthie minds could reach to , be the very pictures and idaeas of misery , as i may well call them : where desire of hauing so much ouerswayes them , as care of reputation lightly moues them . this argument is short , for the satyre will shew her owne meaning without any further illustration . the tenth satyre . taurus * a iustice rich , but poore in mind , ( riches make rich-men poore through miserie , ) had long time liu'd as one in hold confin'd , with gates close-shut from hospitalitie : meanes without men he had him to attend , lest what he spar'd his retinue should spend . one time a traueller chanc'd to repaire to taurus house , to quench his vehement thirst , but he poore man could find no comfort there : drinke could he get none , if his heart should burst ; men he saw none , nor ought to cheare his want , saue a * blew-coate without a cognisant . the traueller conceited in distresse , straight thus discours'd , his * passion to allay : this iustice is a seruing-man i guesse , who leaues his coate at home when he 's away : therefore i was deceiu'd and did amisse , to seeke a iustice where a blew-coate is . but as the traueller went on his way , he met the iustice in a ragged suite , who in a bench-like fashion bad him stay , saying — he ought a iustice to salute : the man at first perplex'd , and now awake , tooke heart of grace , and did this answer make . sir , if i haue forgotten my regard vnto your place , forgiue my ignorance , my eye could not discerne you , till i heard your selfe report your owne preeminence , whose name is terror , and whose awfull breath , is messenger of furie , and of death . and great i beare's endowments you possesse , but worthie greater then you do enioy , witnesse your open house , which doth expresse the care you haue your fortunes to employ in bounties 〈◊〉 : your good beere doth show it , being kept so well , as none can come vnto it . taurus he stamp'd , cald his attendants knaues , and so he might , for none could be offended , where art thou tom ( quoth he ) iack , george , out slaues , faining their voyces ▪ all shall be amended . then answers he himselfe , let none depart , but entertaine all with a chearefull heart . the traueller though he conceiued all , seem'd to admire the bountie of the place , till th'badge-lesse coate thas hung within the hall , forc'd him to laugh the iustice in the face . why doest thou laugh ( quoth he ? ) i laugh to note , for want of men , what seruic's in a coate . the argument . claudius a romane , for his approued honesty respected for the most part , gained no lesse good opinion with the conscript fathers in the senate-house , then popular loue in the citie●… for his grauitie was such , as none could detect him of the least imputation , hauing alwayes in the whole course of his pleading such pithie , sententious , and select discourse , that it yeelded no lesse admiration to the hearers , then a generall estimation to himselfe , at that time reputed one of the hopefullest young orators : but most especially for his deuotion and religion to the gods , then , amongst the romans adored and worshipped . this claudius after this generall report and good liking which all had of him , vpon a solemne night appointed for the sacrifizing to * mars in behalfe of a battell which was to be made against a prince of numidia , ( in which holy rites there were appointed augurs for the coniecturing of these things ) seeing the opportunitie of the augures absence , renewed the familiaritie which he of long time had with one of the augures wiues . now the augur hauing left behind him his oscines or prophesing birds ( a neglect of such importance as it discouered his owne shame , ) came to his house where he detected claudius , who had long * time counterfeited puritie . the eleventh satyre . claudius is pure , abiuring prophane things , nor will he companie with wickednesse : he hates the source whence leud affections springs , he 'le not consent with deeds of naughtinesse : yet he will deale , so none do see his sinne , yea though heauens eyes he cares not looke on him . he will not speake vnto a maide in th'streete , left his repute should fall vnto decay : yet if they two in priuate chance to meete , he in a pure embrace will bid her stay . saying : i will instruct thee prettie nan , how thou shalt be a formall puritan . then drawes he forth to moue the maids affection , the forc'd description of their puritie , how he and she be children of election , and must be sau'd what ere the wicked be . for vices are tearm'd vertues , where we make lust but an act for procreation sake . what then are maids , thus he induceth her , but uirgins still that do impart their loue , to such an * one as is their furtherer in holy zeale , and can the spirit moue ? nought lesse but more , for there 's a heauie vae , or curse denounc'd on them that barren be . cloze then in silence , eyes of men are shut , none can detect vs , but the eyes of heauen , and when we act , those lights are sealed vp , for vnto vs more libertie is giuen then vnto others , since the very name , of lust is chang'd when th' righteous vse the same . thou hypocrite , whose counterfeited zeale , * makes thee seeme godly to the worelds eye , yet doest the golden fruites of vesta steale , when thou perceiues no man thy sins doth spie . leaue this dissembled zeale , for thou art knowne the wickedst sinner , when thy inside's showne . the argument . the historie of phyloxenus is most amply related in the diuerse writings of sundrie authenticke authors , being infamous for his greedie desire vnto meate and drinke , and therefore as is testified of him , * gruis collum sibi dari optabat , vt cibum potumque maiori cum delectatione caperet . this phyloxenus and that rauenous heliogabalus shall be the subiects of this ensuing satyre , touching or rather concluding the condition of all epicures in these two . if thou that readèst me be touched , as tainted with this particular sinne , blush , but do not shew thy passion towards the poore satyre , for bee-like she hath no sooner stung thee , then she loseth her power of being further reuenged of thee . wage not warre against a dead monument , since plinie warnes thee : cum mortuis nil nisi laruas luctari . take therefore this satyre in good part , and rather fret against thy selfe , in that thou hast matter in thee fit for a satyrists subiect , then vent thy splene towards him , who makes thy defects the effects of his subiect . the twelfth satyre . phyloxenus lookes lanke with abstinence : poore man i pittie him , i thinke he 's sicke ; no , this his seeming is a false pretence , the greedie cormorant will each thing licke : whose drum-stretch'd case can scarce his guts containe since he hath got the gullet of a crane . thou thinkes there is no pleasure but in feeding , making thy selfe , * slaue to thy appetite ; yet whilest thou crams thy selfe , thy soule is bleeding , and turtle-like mournes , that thou shouldst delight , in such excesse as causeth infamie , starues soule , spoiles health , and ends with beggarie . remember ( thou besott'd ) for i must talke , and that with serious passion , thou that * tasts the choycest wines , and doest to tauernes walke , where thou consumes the night in late repasts . confusion now , drawes neare thee where thou kneeles , drinking deepe healthes , but no contrition feeles . it may be , he that teacheth may be taught , and * socrates of sostenes may learne , euen he , that for thy good these precepts brought , to publicke light , may in himselfe discerne something blameworthie , true , and heauen he could , reforme his errors rightly as he would . but harder is't by much for to performe , then to prescribe , where many seeme to vrge , the present times abuse , but n'ere reforme those , crimes in them which they in others scourge : but where the author makes vse of his paines , as well as reader , there 's a double gaines . and these are th'gaines which i do sue to haue , seeking no lesse thy benefit herein , then my peculiar good : where all i craue , is but thy prayer to purge me of my sinne . i do not write , as i my paines would sell , to euery broker , vse them and farewell . nam inepto risu res nulla ineptior est . finis satyrarum . an end of the satyres composed by the foresaid author in the discharge of natures embassie : purposely penned to reclaime man , whose vicious life promising an vnhappie end , must now be taxed more sharply , since vice comes to greatest growth through impunitie . a conclvsive admonition to the reader . if any man shall reade , and making vse of these my satyres , grow distemperate , by making of a good intent abuse , in that i seeme his life to personate ; let him content himselfe , be it good or ill , gall'd horses winch , and i must gall him still . a satyrist ought to be most secure , who takes exception at his cancred style , and he that most repines , let him be sure , that he 's the man whom satyres most reuile . therefore who would be free from satyres pen , ought to be mirrors in the sight of men . these two months trauell like the almond rod , may bring forth more when oportunitie giueth fit time , wherein vice loath'd by god , may be displaide , and curb'd more bitterly . till which edition , take these in good part , or take them ill , how-ere , they glad my heart . here followeth some epycedes or funerall elegies , concerning sundry exquisite mirrours of true loue . the argument . two louely louers so deuided be , as one to other hardly can repaire , in sestos she , and in abydos he , he swims , she waits & weeps , both drowned are waues cut off heroes words , the sea-nimphs mone , one heart in two desires , no graue but one . i. elegie . hero was willing to leanders suite , but yet leanders opportunitie could not be so , as answers his repute : lust sometime weares the robe of modestie : silent he woes , as bashfull youths must do , by sighs , by teares , and kissing comfits too . but what are these wherè fancie seated is , but lures to loose desires , sin-sugred baits , that draw men onward to fooles paradice , whose best of promises are but deceits ? and such leanders were , meere golden dreames , that leaue the waking senses in extreames . but loue flame-like , though it restrained be , will still ascend , and so it far'd with him : for now he cries , hero i come to thee , and though i cannot run , yet i will swim , where , while i swim , send thy sweet breath but hither , and zephire-like it will soone waft me thither . hero remaineth on the floting shore , waiting the blest arriuall of her friend , but she ( poore she ) must neuer see him more , seeing him end before his iourney end : in whose hard fate a double death appeares , drownd in the sea , and in his heroes teares . still she laments , and teares her forlorne haire , exclaming'gainst the fates , whose crueltie had chang'd her hope-refi fortune to despaire , abridging loue , true louers libertie ; but since it s so ( quoth she ) the waues shall haue , more then by right or iustice they can craue . with that she leapt into the curled floud , and as she leapt , she spake vnto the waue , remorcelesse thou ( quoth she ) that stain'd his bloud , shall now receiue two louers in one graue . for fit it is , who liuing had one heart , should haue one graue , and not inter'd apart . yet in my death i do inuoke the powers , which do frequent this wofull riuer side , that they adore and decke our tombe with flowers , where ere our loue-exposed corps abide . and if they aske where they shall find our graues , let them looke downe into these surging waues . and i intreate my friends they do not weepe , in that we are departed to our rest , sweete rest , may hero say , when in her sleepe she clips leander whom she loued best : she lou'd him best indeed , for she did craue to be enhearsed with him in one waue . this was no sooner spoke , but raging streames , cut off poore heroes speech , and with their force , clos'd her in silence , while each nimph complains , and chides the riuer for his small remorse . thus ended they , their ends were their content , since for to die in loue , their minds were bent . let not fond loue so fondly thee embrace , lest like the iuie or the misselto , it winde about thee to thy owne disgrace , and make thee slaue to brutish passions too . be constant in thy loue , as chast not spotted , loue well and long , but not in loue besotted . the argument . louers consent finds fit place of recourse , for loues content chang'd into discontent , king ninus tombe their sconce or sorrows source , to which a dreadfull lyonesse is sent : which thisbe spies and flies : her bloudie tyre , bereaues her loue of life , and both expire . ii. elegie . well then we will repaire vnto that place , where we shall haue fruition of our ioy , by ninus tombe , farre from our parents face , where mutuall loue needs little to be coy : where met , we may enioy that long-sought pleasure , which loue affoords , when loue vnlocks her treasure . thisbe was mute , in being mute she yeelded , who knowes not maides , by silence giue consent ? so on her silence her assent was builded , since in his loue she plac'd her sole content ; onward he goes most forward to obtaine , that which she wish'd , but parents did restraine . and coming nigh vnto king ninus tombe , erected neare a christ all riueling , there as she mus'd a lion fierce did come forth of the groue , whence he his prey did bring . who all embrude with slaughter and with bloud , came for to quench his thirst at that same floud . thisbe perceiuing this enraged beast , fled for her refuge to a hollow tree , yet she for hast , what she suspected least , let fall her tire , and to her shelfe did flee ; where in the shade while she affrighted stood , the lion tinct her virgine-tire with blood . and hauing now well drench'd his bloudie iawes , making 〈◊〉 vnto his shadie den , young pyramus for to obserue loues lawes , ( loues lawes must needs be kept ) did thither tend , and coming neare , her could he not espie , but her vnhappie tire di'd bloudily . which he no sooner with his eyes beheld , then he exclaim'd against his destinie , since thisbe was by his request compeld , to be a pray to lions cruelty : and taking vp the bloud besmeared tire , amintas . like his end he doth conspire . yet fore his end in dismall sort he cried , fie on the fates , that did poore thisbe kill , fie on those ruthlesse gods that haue decreed , wilde sauage beasts her crimson bloud to spill ; but why do i stand arguing with fate , lamenting ore her breathlesse corps too late ? for if thou lou'd her , shew thy loue in this lost , to regaine her presence by thy death ; death , which hath left thee this poore tire to kisse , on which i 'le breath and kisse , and kisse and brea●… farewell my loue , if piramus did loue thee , he 'le shew his loue , his loue shall be aboue thee . strike home ( fond man ) and do not feare grim death , but meete him in the mid-way to thy graue ; for thisbes loue i gladly lose my breath , and that is all that thisbe now can haue : and with this speech , deepe griefe cut off his word , he slue himselfe with his owne dismall sword . thisbe long trembling in her hollow caue , came forth at last to meete her dearest loue . how apt is loue the chastest to depraue , making a rauenous uultur of a doue ; wherefore in haste she hies her to the spring , where she might heare a dolefull syluane sing . and to receiue the sorrow more at large , nigher she drew vnto that mournfull tune , where like a merchant in a splitted barge , she stood amaz'd , and standing listned one . sorting his griefe vnto her deare friends griefe , whom she sought out , to yeeld her some reliefe . good siluane say ( thus spake she ) hauing found him , did'st see a youth coast neare this darkesome way ? for much i feare , some sauage beast hath wound him , if thou canst guide me to him , pray thee say : here is the tombe where he appointed me , to stay for him , yet him i cannot see . uirgin ( quoth he ) that youth you seeke is gone ; whither ( kind siluane ? ) i will after him , he shall not leaue me in this wood alone , for trust me siluane i haue frighted bin , and by a dreadfull lion so beset , as i am hardly my owne woman yet . see ladie , see ; with that he vanished , to waile the losse of nais he had kept , who by a centaure lately rauished , was quite conueyd away while th' siluane slept . she turnes her eye , yet scarce will trust her eye , no , nor the place where she doth see him lye . dead ! why it cannot be , thus she began , who could harme thee that nere did any harme , no not in thought to any liuing man ? with that she felt his pulse if it were warme , but breathlesse he , key-cold as any stone , she lookes and weepes , and bathes him looking on . yet long it was ere she could shed a teare , for greatest grieues are not by teares exprest , deepe-rooted sorrowes greatest burden beare , kept most in heart , but showne in eye the least . for lesser grieues haue eyes to bring them forth , but greatest still are strangled in their birth . griefe therefore doth rebound , and with rebound she shakes her piramus and strokes his cheeke : loue was all eares , for he did heare her sound , and mou'd his head from ground , but could not speake ; yet did he hold her hand , as if her hand staid deaths arrest , and could him countermand . and as a man who ship-wrack'd on the sea , not able to endure vnto the port , takes hold on wracke , which he as constantly keepes in his hand , as he did labour for 't : from which , no danger whatsoere beside him , nor death it selfe can any way deuide him . euen so did piramus keepe in his armes , the choisest body of his chastest loue , whereby he thinkes himselfe so free from harmes , as die he cannot till he thence remoue : yet though it's death to him , since thisbe would , he is contented to let go his hold . this seene , ( sayes thisbe ) since thy loue is such , that to deuide thy selfe from thine owne loue , to thee 's a second death or harder much , and mou'd by me thy hold thou doest remoue ; ere long will thisbe shew her selfe to thee , an equall mirror of loues constancie . yet do i pray those friends who are conioyned to vs in bloud , to take of vs compassion , that as our loues , our corpes may be combined , with funerall rites after our countrie fashion : and when to ashes they our corps shall burne , let both our drearie ashes haue one vrne . let both our graues ( poore graues ) be ioyn'd in one , as both our hearts were linked in one twist : and let our corps be couer'd with one stone , so may our bones so neerely ioyn'd be blist ; for gods this priueledge to louers giue , when others die by death , in death they liue . by this young thisbes speech was finished , who was as wearie to enioy her life , as a loose matron of her husbands bed , or a young spend-thrift of his long-liu'd wife : euen so was thisbe , whom death did afford , though not same hand to kill , yet selfe-same sword . but yet some plant is still affectionate , unto a louers death , whose constancie neuer doth alter from her wonted state , but perseueres in stedfast certaintie : for th' mulberrie , seeing them mourners lacke , milke-white before put on a sable blacke . morus thus altred in her former hue , changing her colour for the death of loue , hath to this day her mourning-weed to shew ; well might they moue vs then , when they did moue the senslesse trees , who did so truly grieue , as for their sake they would their colour leaue . the argument . the losse of didoes honour and her loue , are both bemon'd : anna but all in vaine , seekes to recomfort her : she seemes to proue no faith in strangers : she dissolues her traine : incense is burn'd ; a fire she doth deuise , wherein she makes her selfe the sacrifice . iii. elegie . dido lamenting , that aeneas should so soone conuert his loue to bitter hate , the thought whereof surpast a thousand fold , the losse of scepter , honour , or estate : curseth the hap she had to entertaine , or giue such harbour to a thanklesse swaine . yet do not so ( quoth she , ) he 's generous , sprong from the troian stocke and progenie : curse him not dido , it were ominous to his proceedings and his dignitie ; he did requite thy loue , thou knowst deuoutly , and did performe his turnaments as stoutly . sweete was the pleasure , though the fruite be sower , deare his embraces , kind his fauours too , witnesse that bower ( aye me ) that rosie bower , in which heauen knowes , and few but heauen do know , i gag'd my heart to him , he his to me , which makes me ty'd in faith how ere he be . and he protested , simple woman , thou to credit what a stranger had protested ▪ for what is he that liues , and will not do as much or more , till he hath fully feasted his eager appetite , which being allaid , he streight forgets the promise he hath made ? and so did he , respectlesse of his vow , or ( breach of faith ) which whatsoere he thinke , will be reueng'd by heauen ▪ and sharply too , gods do not euer sleepe when they do winke . for though they spare , they will at last strike home , and send reuenge to th'infant in my wombe . poore orphane infant , whose iniurious birth , as closely done , shall closely be suppressed , and haue a double mother , mee and earth , and for thy fathers sake a double chest : whose tombe shall be my wombe , whose drerie shrowd , shall be my selfe , that gaue it life and food . this as she spake her sister she came in , aduising her vnto a milder course , then to afflict her selfe with thought of him whose heart was 〈◊〉 of pittie and remorse ; wherefore ( said she ) since sorrow is in vaine , forget his absence , that will salue your paine . will salue my paine ( quoth she ! ) and then she gro●…'d , cures to apply is easier then to cure : no , no , my sorrowes may be well bemon'd , but nere redrest : for th' eye of 〈◊〉 too pure , to view my sinne , my soile ▪ my guilt , my staine , whose die's so deepe 't will nere be white againe . yet to preuent the scandall would ensue , if fame should know what hath in priuate bene , i 'le lop this branch , lest time should say , it grew ( adulterate issue ) from the carthage queene : which ere i do ▪ lest i incurre heauens hate , with incense burn'd , their wrath i 'le expiate . wherewith i 'le purge ( if such may purged be ) the fact i did , which grieues me that i did , staining my honour with his periurie , which gods do see , though it from man be hid : for this ( deare sister ) build me here a fire , to sacrifice my shame , appease heauens ire . anna , for so her sister hight , doth rere this fatall pile , preparing all things meete for such a sacrifice , as iuniper , spicknarde , and mirrhe , to make the incense sweete , unknowne to what her sister did intend , whose faire pretence came to a timelesse end . sister ( quoth dido ) now you may be gone , sweete is deuotion that is most retir'd , go you aside , and leaue me here alone , which anna did as dido had requir'd : who now alone with heauen-erected eyes , her wofull selfe she makes the sacrifice . anna retir'd , did heare her sister shrike , with which at first affrighted , she made haste , to see th' euent , the sight whereof did strike such a distraction in her , as it past the bounds of nature , where experience tries , more sorrow's in the heart then in the eyes . at last her eyes long shut vnsealed were , to eye that mournfull obiect , now halfe turn'd to mouldred ashes , for it did appeare , as halfe were scorch'd , the other halfe were burn'd : which seene , she cries , and turnes away her sight , black woe betide them that such guests inuite . anna thus left alone , yet mindfull too , of didoes honour , reares a princely shrine , the like whereof that age could neuer show , nor any age , till artemisias time : * on which was this engrauen : loue was my losse , rich was my crowne , yet could not cure my crosse . thus dido di'd , who was not much vnlike unto the countriman who nourished the dead-staru'd uiper , that vngratefull snake , * who reft him life , that it had cherished : so dido she , whose fall my muse recites , lies slaine by him , whom she in loue inuites . an elegie vpon these elegies . let fond leander warne thee , to remaine upon the riuer banke in safetie : let piramus rash fact thy hand restraine , too deare costs loue , mix'd with such crueltie : lastly , let dido warne thee by her end , to trie that guest thou makes thy bosome friend . venit amor grauius quo serius vrimur intus , vrimur , & caecum pectora vulnus habent . the second section of divine and morall satyres : with an adivnct vpon the precedent ; whereby the argument with the first cause of publishing these satyres , be euidently related . disce & doce . london , printed for richard whitaker . . to the worthie cherisher and novrisher of all generous studies , s. w. c. knight , r. b. his affectionate country-man wisheth the increase of all honour , health , and happinesse . sir , when i had compos'd these ragged lines , much like the beare who brings her young ones forth , in no one part well featur'd , she repines , that such a lumpe of flesh should haue a birth : which to reforme , she 's said to vndertake a second taske , and licks them into shape . so i producing these vnriper seedes , scarce growne to their perfection , knew not how , ( since different humour , different censure breeds ) how they should come to ripenesse , but by you : whose faire acceptance may such count'nance show , as you may others moue to grace them too . nor do i doubt but these shall purchase grace , 'mongst such as honour vertue , for how low so'ere the style be , subiect is not base , but full of diuine matter ; and i know , the sunne giues life , as well to simple weeds , as vnto flowers or other fruitfull seeds . yours in all faithfull obseruance , richard brathwayte , musophylus . vpon the dedicatorie . though he ( and happie he ) bereft by fate , to whom i meant this worke to dedicate , this shall find shelter in his liuing name , he 's chang'd indeed , but i am still the same . the argument . of elpenor an epicure , liuing sensually in a caue , respectlesse of the soules eternitie . elpenor , who long time liuing ( as the dormouse ) in the caue of sensualitie and securitie , rested carelesse of a future blessing , as one rauished with the present delight of carnall libertie , became at last restrained by the vertuous edict of a gracious emperour , by whom he was exiled and banished , not onely from the princes court , but from the vtmost coasts of arcadia wherein he liued . now it chanced , that during such time as he remained in cadmos a satyrist of no lesse respect then approued grauitie , well obseruing the impietie of elpenor , as also the deserued censure which his epicureall life had incurred ; endeuoured to describe his condigne fall , with no lesse pregnancie of wit , and maturitie of iudgement , then a setled seuerity in reprehension of his godlesse opinions : which description he fixed ( as may be imagined ) vpon the portall gate , where he might of necessitie see his owne impietie as in a glasse transparent , perspicuously demonstrated . what discontent he conceiued in the displaying of his owne shame , may be coniectured by the subiect of this inuection , taxing him of his infamous life , the onely occasion of his obscure end : whose fortunes were aforetime most eminent , now most deiected . et quanta est infaelicitas , fuisse faelicem , & c ? boaethiu●… the first satyre . elpenor groueling in his duskie caue , secure of god or gods high prouidence , nought but luxurious dishes seemes to craue , to satisfie the appetite of sence . he spurnes at heauen , contemnes all supreme power , priding in that will perish in an houre . god is of no respect with epicures , sencelesse of of heauen or minds tranquilitie , sencelesse of hell , which euermore endures , glad to receiue earths ioyes satietie : where rapt with obiects of deceiuing pleasure , they liue to sin , but to repent at leasure . is not that statue ( say elpenor ) thine , with eyes-inflam'd and palsie-shaking hand , vpon whose fore-head's writ , abuse of time ? i know it is , for i do see it stand neare baccus shrine , where either drinkes to other , healths to eryca , their lasciuious mother . where syren voyces so apply the eare , with an affected melodie , that earth might a phantasticke paradise appeare , through consort of an vniuersall mirth , which these inchanting harmonists did vse , to th'wofull friends of wandring ithacus . but who is he that seemes to challenge thee , yet staggers in his challenge ? o i know him , it 's hans the dutch man , new arriu'd from sea , stand fast elpenor , if thou 'lt ouerthrow him . but why enioyne i that thou canst not do , halfe of a stand were well betwixt you two . and much i doubt , lest cripple-like you grow , so long it is , as it is out of mind , since you were seene by any man to go , which makes me heare your legs are hard to find : for vse brings on perfection , and i feare your dropfie-legs are out of vse to beare . see thou vnweldy wretch , that fatall shelfe , to which thou art declining , being growne a heauie vselesse burthen to thy selfe , in whom no glimpse of vertue may be showne : a barmie leaking vessell ( which in troth ) for want of reason is fill'd vp with froth . aged turpilio grones at mispent time , wishing he had his youth to passe againe : for then he would not vse 't as thou doest thine , but mone the houres which he hath spent in vaine . but time runs on , and will not make returne , when death succeeds , whom no man can adiourne . and seest thou this , and wilt thou not prouide for deaths arrest , whose sad approch will be so full of horror , as thou scarce shalt bide , so grim he is , that he should looke on thee ? and yet he will , for he no diffrence makes , twixt rich and poore , but whom he likes he takes . thy prince thou seest , whose vertues are so pure he cannot breath on vice , hath thee exil'd , forth of his royall confines , to secure his realme the more , lest it should be defil'd by thy deprau'd example , which once stain'd , ( so ranke is vice ) would hardly be reclaim'd . trunke of confusion , which deriues thy being from no supernall essence for with it , thy works , words , motions haue but small agreeing , but from securitie , where thou doest sit ; feeding thy vast-insatiate appetite , with euery day new dishes of delight . o rouse thy selfe from that obscurest vale , and sing a thankefull hymne vnto thy maker , creepe not vpon thy bellie like the snaile , but like the larke mount vp to thy creator ; adorning thee with reason , sense and forme , all lost in thee , through want of grace forlorne . honour doth ill become the slothfull man , who zanie - like becomes a slaue to pleasure , for he , when vrgent causes moue him , than neglects occasion , and reserues that leasure , which might haue bene employd in cares of state , for his delights , bought at too high a rate . this thy experience tells thee , whose estate once high , now low , made subiect to disgrace , shewes thou art chang'd from what thou was of late , yet to my iudgement in a better case : so thou consider th' state from whence thou came , and leaue that vice which did procure the same . but doubt i must , ( ô that my doubts were vaine ) such great expence is made of precious time , as 't will be much to do to wash the staine of that enormious loathsome life of thine . yet * teares haue power , and they are soueraigne too , and may do more then any else can do . then comfort take , yet comfort mixe with teares , thou * cadmos leaues , and it 's thy natiue soile ; suppose it be , each coast or clime appeares the good-mans wished country , which blest style , exceeds all worldly comfort , which thou had , for this is passing good , that passing bad . i do not speake , as those whose guilded breath , traines on the vicious with deceiptfull hope ; for i haue set before thee life and death , and this i aim'd to make my chiefest scope : that if reward of life could no way gaine thee , the feare of death & vengeance might reclaime thee . life as a crowne or diadem is due , to such whose wayes are not in error led , death as a guerdon doth to such accrue , whose carnall hearts with pleasures captiued , thinke not on death , till death his flag display , and now secure shall take their life away . turne then vnto the coast of arcadie , from whence thou wast exil'd , and there suruey the vertues of that prince did banish thee , and weigh the cause why there thou might not stay : which done , seeke to regaine thy princes loue , but chiefly his , that is thy prince aboue . the argument . cornelia wife to pompey , surnamed the great , after her husbands ouerthrow in pharsalia , slaine within short time after by the procurement of septimius in the kingdome of egypt ; became much distressed with the discomfort of her losse , and the sorrowfull issue of his death . which is as passionately expressed by lucan in pompeies expostulation with cornelia his beloued ladie , — quid perdis tempora luctu ? cornelia thus depriued of all assistants saue teares ( sorrowes hereditarie treasures ) for the better reliefe of her estate ( the poore remainder of her fortunes ) sued out a petition vnto the emperour caesar , whose royall clemency ( as she thought ) could not choose but take pittie on the wife , whose husband was become a bootie to his conquest . but how reasonable soeuer her demands were , it skilled not , for by the corrupt and indirect dealing of caelius and tuberculus she was resisted . the satyrist therefore in deploring of cornelia's miserie , and inueying against the two courtiers corruption , morally dilateth on the desolate estate of a forlorne widdow , and the sinister practises of corrupt aduocates . the second satyre . pompey the great no sooner was interr'd , but poore cornelia his distressed wife , to her deceassed lords estate preferr'd , was drawne by consul asper into strife : and so opprest by hote pursuite of foes , that she deuoid of friends was fraught with woes . she , wofull she , lest she should lose her state , makes meanes to * caelius to preferre her suite , which he 's content to do , but at such rate , as 't will cost deare to bring the cause about : yet she remedilesse , to worke her peace , stood not much on 't , but did the courtier please . caelius possest of his iniurious fee , which he consum'd in riotous expence , forgot the widdows cause dishonestlie , without remorse or touch of conscience : for vnder hand ( as courtiers vse to do ) he takes a priuate bribe of asper too . cornelia now in hope of good successe , comes vnto caelius as her purchas'd friend , and humbly craues to know what 's her redresse , or in what sort her suite is like to end : where he as strangely answers her demand , and say's , her suite came neuer to his hand . no suite ! ( thus did this matron streight reply ) o rome where is thy * iustice now enthron'd , thou that didst vse to heare a widdow crie , and right her cause as thou her wrongs bemon'd ! but spare cornelia , what reliefe can come frō corrupt courts , where gold makes consuls dumbe ? if my much-honor'd lord , whose country loue reft him of breath , should see this present time , how gif●…s can limit iustice , would 't not moue his royall spirit , seeing me and mine , whose onely comfort 's this , we may repose , and ioy in this , we haue no more to lose ? whilest wrong'd cornelia sat thus pensiuely , * tuberculus a courtier past that way , who in compassion of her miserie , knowne to her selfe not to her grieues , did stay ; for generous minds are neuer more exprest , then in applying comfort to th' distrest . ladie ( quoth he ) if i could ease your griefe , the loue i owe vnto your familie , me thinks might promise to your selfe reliefe , impart them then , what ere your sorrowes be : cures haue bene wrought where little was expected , for where the mind is willing , ought's effected . she hearing him so vertuously inclin'd , prone vnto pittie , sighing did declare , how that her sonne young pompey was confin'd , which was the greatest subiect of her care : whom if he would make meanes for to release , the current of her sorrowes soone would ceasse . another suite i haue , which asper moues , to force me from my right of widdowhood , wherein his worser cause the better proues , for * mightie men can hardly be withstood : in these i must intreate your lordships care , in lieu whereof i 'le gratifie with prayer . tuberculus did answer her demands , but he expected * ointment , and delaying , to giue her further comfort , there he stands , he for his fee , she for her cause stood praying . cornelia well perceiuing what he would , good gods ( quoth she ) is iustice wholly sould ? how do you meane ( quoth he ) it is our meanes , could we be thus enameld euery day , or in such port maintaine our fauning friends , if we receiu'd not profit by delay ? no ladie , no , who in these dayes do liue , and would haue iustice , must not sticke to giue . thus was cornelia crost , her meanes preuented , no comfort now remaining saue despaire ; wherefore ( perforce ) she rests hope-reft , contented to lose the sight of her confined heire , who liues restrain'd : asper her state hath got , and poore cornelia with her cause forgot . the argument of lucian . lvcian a professed enemy to christ , detracting much from the deuine & sole-healthfull mysteries of our redemptiō , wherby he became odious to the all-seeing veritie ; chanced to trauell for delight , ( as one of generall obseruation ) into forraine places : where ( as heauens iust doome would haue it ) he was worried by dogs , as a iust reward for his impious and egregious contempt towards god ; reuiling that all-seeing maiestie of christ with the sacred office of his ministers , and like a snarling or biting curre , barking at the admirable and ineffable workes which were wrought by gods omnipotencie : for which cause god accordingly punished him . a remarkable spectacle to all ensuing ages , conclúding emphatically with the satyrist . ingeniosus erat , superum sed acerrimus hostis , at canis est superum tempore praeda canum . wittie , but foe to god , who long in vaine , barking at god , by barking currs was slaine . the satyre followeth , morally applyed . the third satyre . ingenious lucian , ripe in poesie , apt to compose , and pregnant to inuent , well read in secrets of phylosophie , and in all morall knowledge excellent ; for all these rarer parts vnto him giuen , ceass'd not to * barke against the power of heauen . this snarling curre , for he detracted god , as profest enemie to pietie , chanced to trauell , where gods irefull rod made him a witnesse to posteritie ; for this same * wretch who bark'd against heauens power , did barking currs ( such was heauens doome ) de●…ure . soile to his soule , and so to christs profession , for he no christ profest , but thought't a scorne that god made man , from god should haue cōmission , without mans helpe to be of uirgin borne : yet see his fall , who did himselfe deceiue , unpitied dies , and dying ha's no graue . what 's sions peace ( sayes he ) there 's no such place ; earth hath her sion , if we ayme our care at any other mansion , it 's a chase so fruitlesse , as if we should beate the ayre , or plant our hope in things which cannot be , and such's our trust in fained deitie . thou vglie visard , that with faire pretence of morall discipline shadowes thy sin , reclaime thy selfe by timely penitence , and loath that horrid caue thou wallowest in : thy sin 's deepe-dide , yet not of that deepe staine , but teares & prayers may make them white againe . * hast thou no anchor to relie vpon ? * no refuge nor no recluse for thy hope ? behold thy iesus he 's thy corner stone , make him thy ayme , thy succour , shelter , scope , and he 'le receiue thee in the throne of blesse , * the boundlesse ocean of all happinesse . returne thou wicked lucian , make thy verse thy retractation , be not ouerbold , * lest when good-men shall view thy forlorne hearse , in thy reproch they cause this to be told to after-ages : here he lies intert'd , who erring knew , and in his knowledge err'd . * sweete and delightfull poems canst thou make , * of hymen rites , or venus dalliance , and pleasant seemes the labour thou doest take , while to thy pipe deluded louers dance : but in such sacred measures thou art slow , as teach men how to liue , and what to know . mirrha the wanton mother of a wanton , gamesome the mother and the daughter too , giues a fit subiect for thy muse to chant on , relating what a louer ought to do ; in which lasciuious straine , fond loue is brought to hate what 's good , but to affect what 's naught . thou canst report how romanes ioyned were , first with the sabines , and what strange delights tooke their inuention from those feasts were there , duly solemniz'd on their nuptiall nights ; of sphinx , charybdis , scilla , ctesiphon , with proetus letters against * bellerophon . these thou canst feature as apelles , he the prince of painters could not better show their formes , then thou their natures , which may be portrayers of thy wit and learning too : but what are these but shadowes , if thou moue thy eye to those blest obiects are aboue ? lend but thy eare to aerie warbling birds , which day by day sing pleasant madrigals ; and thou shalt heare what praise the larke affoords , whilest with sweete hymnes she on her maker cals , * where each repayes their due in their degree , and much abashd do rest asham'd of thee . the flower which hath no sense , nor hath no feeling , nor apprehends the difference of things , performes her office in delight of smelling , likewise the tree most fruitfull blossoms brings : the serpent , adder , and each crauling worme , haue mutuall duties giuen them with their forme . the basiliske the * king of serpents is , the lion of all beasts , the cedar tree is chiefe of trees , leuiathan of fish , and man ore these hath sole supremacie : thus euery creature in her seuerall kind , hath seuerall lords and limits her assign'd . thou lucian art endu'd 〈◊〉 at these want , and canst distinguish betwixt good and ill , yet thou denies what other creatures grant , and which is worse , thou so continuest still : thou laughs at adams fall , and thinks't ashame , man should auouch an apple caus'd the same . wo worth that fruite that had so bitter taste , bringing perdition to the soule of man , that free-borne creature , which so farre surpast mans fraile condition when it first began ; that was an apple that too dearely cost , which made so many soules for euer lost . if i should catechise thee lucian , and tell the vertue of each seuerall thing ; how reason first was distribute to man , and how the earth globe-like in aire doth hing , the secret grouth of plants which daily grow , yet * how or when no humane sense can know . the * fabrick of the heauen , whose eminence shewes admiration to vs that behold her glorious bodies sacred influence , whose distinct motion , who is 't can vnfold ? none but the author and the founder can , for it exceedes the reach of any man. if i should question thee , whence these deriue their proper motion , it would thee behooue to yeeld , that some to these do motion giue , since what se're moues doth by another moue : which thou confirmes and adds , nought vnder sunne is done in these , but is by nature done . so thou * referrs that wonderfull creation , after the deluge to a mortall wight , discoursing vainly how deucalion , refurnish'd earth which was vnpeopled quite ; but thou deceiued art , it 's nothing so , for it was god that gaue increase to noe. we are his clay , we must confesse his power , he is our potter , whose deuine command can dash vs earthen vessels in one b houre , subiect vnto the iudgement of his hand ; for he no sooner shall withdraw his breath , then man leaues to be man , and welcomes death . heauens power to which no mortall can extend , ( not to be argued or disputed on , ) because it 's not in man to comprehend , the radiant splendor of the glorious sunne : much lesse profounder secrets , which were fram'd , for admiration , not to be prophan'd . * prophan'd , if nam'd without due reuerence , to that supreme all-working maiestie , whose palme containes this earths circumference , whose praise takes accent from heauens hierarchie . let not , o let not him who gaue man tongue , to yeeld him praise , for silence make it dumbe . thou canst compose a song of shepheards liues , spent in a pleasant veine of recreation , how they sit chatting with their wanton wiues , tricking and toying in a shepheards fashion : this thou canst do , and it 's done pretily , for it shews wit , yet spent vnfittingly . o if thou would confine thy selfe in reason , and leaue fond poems of a doting louer , obseruing natures tone , tune , time , and season , how well would these seeme to that powerfull mouer ; whose eyes are pure , and of that piercing sight , as they loue light , but hate such works are light . but o too vaine's the current of thy vaine , soild with the motiues of vntamed lust , which layes vpon thy name that endlesse shame , as shall suruiue , when thou return'd to dust , shalt much lament those poems thou hast writ , through th'light conceit of thy licentious wit. nor is it gaine mou's thee to prostitute , that precious talent which thou doest possesse ; no , it 's delight thou hast to gaine repute , 'mongst men made * beasts through their voluptuousnes o hate that affectation , lest this shelfe , of vaine applause do ruinate thy selfe ! for such esteeme , what honour wil't afford , what comfort in the graue , where thou lies dead ; when thy lasciuious * works shall beare record , of what was by thee writ or published ? nay 't will preiudice thee , it cannot chuse , vaine's that opinion ill-men haue of vs. thus thou sustaines the height of miserie , to see a * cleobes and biton grac'd , with honour , fame , desertfull dignitie , thy glory prun'd , thy laurell-wreath defac'd : the triumphs of thy wit so quite forgot , as if ( so fickle's fame ) thou flourish'd not . nor can we say those slourish , whose renowne consists in praise of vice , for though they seem●… vnto the worlds eye so fully knowne , yet they shall be as if they had not bene ; when vice , which to aduance was their desire , shall melt away as waxe before the fire . rest not , but labour lucian to preferre the sage contents of sacred mysteries , before such rithms as teach men how to erre , whose best instructions are but vanities ; which if thou do , wits treasure shall increase , and crowne thee laureat in the land of peace . yet reade not so , as not to vnderstand the graue remainders of times ancient booke ; for what a follie is 't to haue in hand bookes nere red ouer ! this , that * sage for sooke , when in his course of reading he did vse , the choycest flowers in euery worke to chuse . thus lucian haue i warn'd thee to forbeare , that snarling humour , of detracting such whose vertues shine as starres in highest sphaere , whose worthie liues can well abide the tutch ; defame not * vertue , rather emulate , good-mens example , that 's a vertuous hate . the argument of stesichorus . stesichorus is fained to haue lost his eyes for dispraising helen of greece , and afterwards to haue recouered the same by praising her . the morall alludeth to such , who ouerborne with the vnbounded height of their owne conceit , distaste the opinion of a multitude , to make their owne irregular iudgement passe for current . these ( as we say ) vse euer to swim against the streame , affecting that least , which seemes approued by the most : scorning to guide their ship by anothers card , measure their life by anothers line , or walke in a common path . some other application may this morall make , as one vpon this fable would haue stesi●…horus to shadow a malecontent , by whom things generally esteemed vse to be most disualued , delighting in nothing more then opposition . others by way of similitude compare him to one , who by much gazing on the sunne becomes di●…-sighted ; so he , by too intentiue fixing his eye vpon beautie , became blinded : the deuine application whereof i leaue to euery mans peculiar conceite , not louing to presse these further , then their owne natiue sence will beare . the subiect , where of this satyre intreateth , more particularly applyed , may chance to glance at some whose singularitie gaines them opinion aboue reason ; but silence is their best salue , labouring rather to redeeme the time , then reueale their owne shame . let them be of more humble nature , and i will spare to prosecute any further . nihil tam volucre est quàm maledictum , the poyson whereof is as strong as the passage swift ; the vnworthinesse of which condition as i haue euer loathed , so a milde and temperate reproofe for vertues sake haue i euer loued : not ignorant , how some vices ( as other sores ) are better cured by lenitiues then corasiues , lest the patient crie out — grauiora sunt , haud feram . iudge of the satyre . the fovrth satyre . stesichorus * like zeuxes cannot paint , nor like lysippus can delineate ; for then he would giue that accomplishment to hellens beautie , as might propagate her fame to following times , when ages passe , which by record might shew what hellen was . blind byard now , see how thy iudgement err'd , by gazing long ●…n beautie thou art blind , recanting all too late what thou auerr'd , so diffrent is th' opinion of that mind , where onely selfe-conceit drawes men to shew their priuate iudgement , giuen they care not how . was she not faire that made all troy to burne , that made prince paris wander to and fro , that made queene hecuba so sore to mourne , both for her selfe and for her issue too ? yes she was faire , how ere thy eye esteeme her , nor can conceit of one make beauty meaner . what made stout menelaus passe the sea ? what telamon to rig his well-mann'd ship , what aiax , what achylles ? it was she , whose sweete ambrosiacke breath and cherri-lip , relish'd of nectar , and infus'd a spirit , in cowards breasts , to gaine true fame by merit . old subtill sinon can prepare assault , against the strongest battlements of troy , whilest armed grecians in that ribbed vault , prest for encounter , purpos'd to destroy , issue from pallas horse , so aptly * madè , as troy had cause to curse the cunning iade . art thou perswaded yet to praise her beautie , sith nature hath surpast her selfe in skill , as one ingag'd in some respect of dutie , unto her sex , to make them honor'd still ? o be perswaded , to her shrine repaire , for howsoere thou saies , thou thinks her faire ! faire in proportion , motiue in her pace , an eye as chearefull as the morning-sunne , her haire , her smile , her well-beseeming grace , by which so many troians were vndone : in briefe , examine her from top to toe , and then admire each part accomplish'd so . such admiration as like linceus eyes , transparent brightnesse seemes to penetrate : for if apollo seeing daphnes thighes , wau'd by the easterne winde , forgot his state , himselfe and all , proportion well may moue , since gods themselues were tost by gusts of loue . did not faire phyllis dote vpon a swaine , she passing faire , and he a witherd lad , whence we may reason , none can loue restraine , nor set it limits which it neuer had : for when we haue done all that we can do , it will haue th' course and readie passage too . yet loue 's so pure it can endure no staine , stain'd loue is lust , which is not in her brest : spotlesse content she seekes , which if she gaine , she freely liues , and fairely takes her rest : but barr'd of this , without repose she lies , and dying liues , and liuing loathed dies . it is not venus * mole nor hellens scarre , adds fuell to affection , for though these gaue beautie summons to commence loues warre , yet outward graces do but onely please , as obiects do the eye ; where loues best part consists not in the eye , but in the heart . but now to thee , who did dispraise that faire , whose beautie ruin'd cities , now disclaime thy purblind iudgement , and withall compare hellen with hero , or some choicer dame : and then it may be * cupid will restore thine eyes to thee , which he put out before . the argument of pigmalion . pigmalion , whom no surpassing beautie in all cyprus could captiuate , at last hauing made a curious image or picture of an amiable woman , was so rauished with the accomplished proportion of his owne worke , that enamoured therewith , he intreated uenus to put life in his image , which with such artfull delineature he had composed . venus taking commiseration vpon his prayers and teares , infused life in his picture , whereof he begat a beautifull daughter called papho , from whom ( or from mount paphos ) venus is said to haue taken her name , styled sometimes by the poets eryca , sometimes paphia : whose feasts with all ceremoniall rites vsually performed in the honour of an immortall goddesse , were originally solemnized and celebrated onely by the shepheards of those mountaines , but afterwards more generally obserued . the morall includeth the vaine and foolish loues of such as are besotted on euery idle picture or painted image , whose selfe-conceited vanitie makes beauty their idoll , becoming creatures of their owne making , as if they dis-esteemed the creation of their maker . the satyre though compendious , compriseth much matter . reade it , and make vse of the sequele . the fift satyre . pigmalion rare , in rare proportions making , yet not in quickning that which he had framed , so exquisite in artfull curious shaping , in nought ( if zeuxes iudgd ) could he be blamed : yet skillfull though he were in formes contriuing , yet not so skilfull in those formes reuiuing . reuiu'd ! i wrote amisse , they neuer liued : improper then to say , they were reuiued . he builds him * temples for his image-gods , and much be●…otted with their faire aspect , in admiration of his worke , he nods , and shakes his head , and tenders them respect ; i cannot tell ( quoth he ) what passion moues me , but sure i am ( quoth he ) faire saint i loue thee , thou art my handie-worke , i wish my wife , if to thy faire proportion thou hadst life . canst thou pigmalion dote so on shrines , on liuelesse pictures , that was neuer rapt with any beautie cyprus ile confines ? these ( foolish man ) be for thy loue vnapt ; they cannot answer loue for loue againe , then fond pigmalion do thy loue restraine ; such ●…enslesse creatures as haue onely being , haue with embraces but an harsh agreeing . they haue no moysture in their key cold lips , no pleasure in their smile , their colour stands ; whilest y●…uthfull ladies on the pauement trips , they stand as pictures * should , with saplesse hands ; and well thou knowes , if passiue be not mouing , the actiue part can yeeld small fruits of louing : why art thou so besotted ●…till with woing , since there 's no comfort when it comes to doing ? can any idle idoll without breath , giue thee a gracefull answer to thy suite ? nay rather like dead corps surpriz'd by death , it answers silence when thou speakes vnto 't . desist then ( fond pigmalion ) and restraine to loue that creature cannot loue againe ; what will it pleasure thee a shrine to wed , that can afford no pleasure in thy bed ? thou art not so * bewitcht with any beautie , how faire so●…re w●…thin thy natiue ile , no nimph can moue thy loue , or force thy dutie , as doth this picture , whose art-forcing smile can giue thee small content , and wherefore then should painted statues so entangle men ? it 's loue thou sayest , pigmalion , that doth moue thee , but thou loues such as cannot say they loue thee . turne thee vnto leud pasyphaes lust , wife to a braue and valiant * champion , who on a bull ( see how affection must passe reasons limit ) fondly dotes vpon ; * ioue on a heifer , danae of a shower , such is the vertue of loues-working power : no time , place , obiect , subiect , circumstance , can still loues pipe , when cupid leades the dance . then who will aske the reason of thy loue , which shewes most strength when she can shew least reason , and cannot proteus-like with each blast moue , nor free her selfe from soule-deluding treason ! she like the moone is not each month in waine , for th' obiect of her loue is of that straine , nor land , nor sea , nor tempests though they thwart her can fro●… her sphere by opposition part her . do but torment her with the sight of woe , uexe her with anguish and with discontent , she will not make her friend in heart , her foe ; no , if she were with depth of sorrowes spent ; yet like * anthaeus , when she 's most cast downe , she gathers strength , and is not ouerthrowne : she cannot breake her vow , her legall oath , but meanes ( if life permit ) to keepe them both . then ( honour'd picture ) let me thee embrace ; with that he hugd it in his lustfull armes , and now and then he smeer'd the pictures face , praying the gods to keepe it from all harmes : and prayed ( a senslesse prayer ) ioue to defend , his picture from diseases to the end ; so to enioy her dalliance with more pleasure , whose presence he esteem'd the precious't treasure . each euen he vs'd to dresse it for his bed , for in a gowne of tissue was it clothed , and put a night-tyre on it's iuorie head , and when night came he made it be vnclothed ; where , lest he should his lustfull fauours hide , he vs'd to lay the picture by his side , where he drew to it as he saw it lie , but when it would not be , he wish'd to die . ungratefull creature ( would pigmalion say ) that neuer doest afford one smile on me , that dallies thus with thee , each night , each day ; faire saint , what needes this curiositie ? while with a * kisse he oft his speech would breake , by threats or faire intreats to make it speake : and when he had his fruitl●…sse pratling done , he would in rage call it an idoll dumbe . but angrie with himselfe , he streight would blame his too rash furie , crauing pardon too , that he should stile it with so harsh a name , and wish'd him powre to die , or it to do , swearing by heauen , if sheete did chance to m●…ue , it was the nimble action of his loue. coy-toying girle ( quoth he ) what meaneth this , is it your modestie , you will not kisse ? nought though it answer'd , he would prosecute his wooing taske , as if it stood denying , and thus would vrge it ; deare accept my suite , be not so fearefull , feare thou not espying , i haue excuses store , then listen me ; for i will vow i was enam'ling thee : then sport thee wench , securely frolick it , that i on thee a niobe may get . thus whilest he vainely pratled to his shrine , aurora with her radiant beames appeared , and blushing red , as if she tax'd the time , for such licentious motions , slilie peered in at a chinke , whereby she did discouer an idoll courted by an idle louer : and scarce aurora now had time to show her , but fond pigmalion made this speech vnto her : what haue i done ( thou iealous light ) said he , that i should thus depriued be of louing ? what couldst thou do , to adde more miserie , then in thy speedie rising , hastie mouing ? thou might haue spar'd one day , and hid thy light , enioyning earth to haue a * double night , where ghastly furies in obliuion sit , for darke misdeeds for darknesse be most fit . but he cut off his speech with many grone , hastning to rise , yet went to bed againe , and as he goes , he sees the darknesse gone , and phaebus coursers galloping amaine : which seene , at last he rose with much adoe , and being vp , began afresh to woe ; yet hauing so much sense as to perceiue , how he had err'd , he ceasseth now to craue . for he intends to worke another way , by inuocation on some heauenly power , the onely meanes his passion to allay ; which to performe , retiring to his bower , he made these orisons : venus faire queene , then whom in heauen or earth nere like was seene , be thou propitious to my prayers , my teares , which at thy throne and pedestall appeares . i whom nor swaine nor nimph could ere inchant , am now besotted with a senslesse creature , whom though i do possesse , yet do i want , wanting life breathing in her comely feature , which by infusing life if thou supplie , i le liue to * honour thee , if not , i die ; for what is life where discontent doth raigne , but such a farme as we would faine disclaime ? venus much mou'd with his obsequious prayers , and liquid teares , his suite did satisfie , infusing breath into her senslesse veines , now full of iuyce , life , and agilitie ; which being done , the picture mou'd , not missing to lure pigmalion to her lips with kissing , reaping great ioy and comfort in their toying , depriu'd before of blisse , blest now enioying . blest in enioying and possessing that , which doth include true loues felicitie , where two are made ioynt owners of one state , and though distinct , made one by vnitie ; happie then i , ( pigmalion did reply , ) that haue possession of this deitie , no humane creature but a parragon , whose liuelesse forme once nimphs admired on . this said , she streight retires vnto the place , where she her moulding had , by whom she now ( i meane pigmalion ) obtain'd such grace , as he her maker and her husband too , tooke such content in his now-breathing wife , as they scaree differ'd once in all their life , but this was then : let this suffice for praise , few wiues be of her temper now adaies . the faire and fruitfull daughter he begat , of this same liuely image had to name , papho the faire , a wench of princely state , from whence * i le paphos appellation came , consecrate vnto venus , beauties queene , by whose aspect that i le is euer greene ; wherein there is a pleasant mirtle-groue , where a shrine stands to shew pigmalions loue . the argument of pytheas . pytheas an athenian orator much delighted with good cloaths , and proud of his owne tongue : when law began to grow out of request ( for the athenians endeuoured to bring in pla●…oes commonweale ) whereby the court of the areopagitae became much weakened , and the frequencie of clyents discontinued ; acolytus a bitter satyrist , chancing to meete with pytheas this spruce lawyer in rent clothes , at a●…bare ordinarie , liuing vpon pythagoras diet , viz. rootes ; obserued this vnexpected mutation , and with democritus readie to laugh at others miserie , compiled this short satyre , to adde new fuell to pytheas discontent . the sixt satyre . pytheas a lawyer of no small respect , garded , regarded , dips his tongue in g●…ld , and culls his phrase , the better to effect what he and his penurious client would ; upon his backe for all his anticke showes , more clothes he weares then how to pay he knowes . and what 's the reason ; he hath law at will , making a good face of an euill matter , and euery day his thirstie purse can fill ; with gold thou liest ; with nought but wind and water : i le tell thee why , platoes new commonweale , makes pytheas leaue off pleading , and go * steale . what pytheas , steale ? is 't possible , that he that had a pomander still at his nose , that was perfum'd with balls so fragrantly , should now another trade of liuing choose ? he must and will , nor dare he show his face halfe casement-wide , that open'd many a case . the other day but walking on the streete , i saw his veluet gerkin layd to pawne , his graue gregorian , for his head more meete , then brokers shop , and his best pleading gowne ; nay which was more , marke pytheas conscience , there lay to pawne his clients euidence . but it 's no maruell , pride must haue a fall , who was on cockhorse borne through fortunes streame , is now cashier'd from th' areopagites hall , and on each bulke becomes a common theame : o blest vacation , may thou neuer cease , but still haue power to silence such as these ! well , farewell law ▪ if lawyers can be poore , for i esteem'd them onely blest in this , that danaes lap with gold-distilling shower , had made them line all heires to earthly blisse : but since these conscript fathers we adore , feele want of wealth , we 'le worship them no more . the argument of periander . periander that wise prince of corinth , elected one of the sages of greece , fell in his old age to pouertie ; whereby , though his axiomes were no lesse esteemed , his deuine aphorismes no lesse regarded , ( as held for the very * oracles of some superiour power ) yet the respect which former time had of him grew lessened , through the decrease of his friends and fortunes : which was no sooner perceiued , then the distressed sage lamenting the worlds blindnesse , that vseth to be taken sooner with a vaine shadow then any solid substance , wrote this satyricall elegie in a pensiue moode , inueying against the vncertaine and inconstant affections of men , who measure happinesse not by the inward but outward possessing . whereby he inferreth , that howsoeuer the wiseman may seeme miserable , he is not so , but is more rich in possessing nothing , then the couetous foole in enioying all things : for his estimation is without him , whereas the other hath his within him , which is to be more preferred , ( i meane the minds treasure , before the rubbish of this world , ) then light before darknesse , the radiant beames of the sunne before thicke and duskie clouds , or pure and temporate aire before foggie and contagious vapors . the seventh satyre . vngrateful greece , that scornes a man made poore respecting not the treasure of his mind , whose want of wealth must shut him out of doore ; the world 's no friend to him that cannot find a masse of gold within their mouldred cell , no matter how they get it , ill or well . this i experienc'd of , may well perceiue , euen * periander i , of late a sage of stately greece , whom now she 'le not receiue , because opprest with want , surpriz'd with age ; euen i , that of the * ephori was one , one of the chief'st , but now retires alone . yet not alone , though none resort to me , for wisedome will haue sociats to frequent her : and though proud greece frō hence should banish thee , friends thou hast store , will knocke and knocking enter : and firme * friends too , whose vertues are so pure , uice may assay , but cannot them allure . with what respect was i once grac'd by you , you gorgeous outsides , fortunes painted wall , when rich ; but poore , you bid my rags adue , which did at first my troubled mind appall ; but noting well the * worlds inconstant course , i thought her scorne could make me little worse . remorcelesse greece , wert thou of marble made , thou might shed teares to see thy sage dismaide , by whose direction thou hast oft bene stayd , when both thy hope decreast , and fame decaid ; both which restor'd by him , got that report , to him and his , as thou admir'd him for 't . yet canst thou not discerne , twixt wisedomes straine , and those discording tones of vanitie , for all thy ayme is benefite and gaine , and these are they thou makes thy deitie ; to second which , this caution thou doest giue , who know not to dissemble , cannot liue . i know thy follies , and will brute them too , for thou hast mou'd my splene , and i must speake , since thou applies no salue to cure my woe , i must complaine perforce , or heart-strings breake ; iustice is turn'd to wormewood in your land , and corrupt dealing gets the vpper hand . you itch ( and out of measure ) with desire of hearing nouelties , and strange deuices , and scorch'd with heate of lusts-enraged fire , set marks of loue , make sale of venus prizes : broad-spreading vice , how deare so'ere it cost , to purchase it , you 'le vye with who bids most . you hydra-headed monsters full of poyson , infecting euery place with stinking breath , what ere proceeds from you is very noysome , and like the basiliske procuring death : i care not for your hatred , if your loue like tritons ball , with such inconstance moue . these fleering flies which flicker to and fro , and beate the vaine ayre with their rusling wings , be their owne foes , and they professe them so , when they their wings with flames of furie cinge ; for they whose hate pursues a guiltlesse one , with * sysiphus do role his restlesse stone . you cannot grieue me with your enmitie , nor much offend me with your hatefull breath , for ill mens loue and hate , are equally priz'd by the good , whose chiefest aime is death , and how to die : for much it doth not skill , what ill-men speake of vs , or good or ill . what golden promises did i receiue , yet see their issue ; base contempt and scorne ore my deiected state triumphed haue : so as proud greece vnmindfull to performe what merit craues , and what she 's bound to do , neglects my want , and glories in it too . bias my brother-sage i now remember , shipwrack'd in priene i le , whose wofull case seemes to resemble fate ▪ crost periander , like ianus statue , shewing face to face ; let 's then , since equall fortune frownes on either , ( kind bias ) sound our wofull plaints together . let priene i le relate thy hard mischance , let * greece bewaile my fall , my ruin'd state , thou while on sea thy exil'd ship doth lance , thou lightly weighes th'inconstancie of fate : rouze periander then , that 't may be said , thy * patience hath thy fortune conquered . get thee to schooles , where pure phylosophie in publicke places is sincerely taught , and thou shalt heare , there 's no calamitie , can dant a spirit resolu'd to droupe with nought that want or woe can menace , for though woe , make * good-men wretched seeme , they are not so . well may misfortunes fall on our estate , yet they 're no blemish to our inward worth , for these are but the gifts of purblind fate , that domineers sole soueraignesse on earth ; but we are placed in an higher seate , then to lie prostrate at dame fortunes feete . her palsie hand wherewith she holds her ball , moues with each blast of mutabilitie , and in whose lap she lists , she lets it fall , thus mocks she man with her inconstancie ; then who is he ( if wise ) esteemes her treasure , no sooner giuen , then tane when we displease her . she faunes , she frownes , she lasts not out a moone , but waines each month , and waining doth decrease : those whom she did aduance , she now throwes downe , and those which lik'd her once , do now displease : thou reeling wheele , that moues so oft a day , that weaues thy * weft , and takes thy web away . titus that prince so much admir'd by men , stiled mans darling for his curtuous mind , did thinke all powers by fate to haue their raigne , as if she had no limits her assign'd , but ( though deuinely-learn'd ) did erre in this , for fates be rul'd by supreme * deities . then why should i ( fond man ) so much depend , vpon a creature , which hath her existing in a superiour power , and doth extend no further then heauens please ? for her subsisting , essence , power , empire , soueraigne command ▪ hath her direction from iehouahs hand . rest thee then periander , and despise uulgar opinion swaide by multitude , thou was esteemed once for to be wise , shew it in publicke ; let liues enter lude * acted by thee vpon this worlds stage , contemne that greece which scornes distressed age . the historicall argument of terpnus musician vnto nero ; with a satyre annexed to it as followeth . terpnus a romane lyrick , or as some will haue him , a cōmon cytharede , with whom nero , that president to tyrants vsed to consort , and with whose admirable skill he was exceedingly delighted : in processe of time fell into neroes disgrace , for playing to him at agrippina his mothers funerals : where he sung the dismall and incestuous bed of orestes , the crueltie of sphinx , reuiling at their tyrannie ; which so greatly displeased nero , that he banished him his court and royall pallace , inioyning him withall neuer to frequent the muses temple . the morall importeth such , as laying aside time-obseruing , do not sew pillowes to their princes elbowes , but with bold and resolued spirit , will with calistenes tell alexander of his drunkennesse , with canius tell tyberius of his crueltie , with brutus tell caesar of his vsurping , with cato censorius will reprehend the commonweale for her ryoting . and true it is , that a commonwealth is better gouerned ( if of necessitie it must be gouerned by either ) by cynickes then epicures , more offences for most part arising by alluring and inducing men to sensuall pleasures , then by spartas damasymbrotos , his restraining of youth . the laconians neuer liued so securely , as when they liued barely ; nor euer did romes commonwealth dilate her bounders more then by the practise of legall austeritie , nor decrease more then by introduction of lawlesse libertie . and yet i find it more rare to heare any admonitions but placentia in the courts presence ; then to see a graue and demure seeming , couer an hypocrites ranke dissembling . we haue more * seiani ( which i wish had seians fall ) then vticani to prouide for a commonweals safetie . there were many could greete caesar with an aue , but there were few would put him in mind of his memento mori . many could perswade phaeton that he could guide the sunnes chariot in better order then his gray-hair'd father , but by assenting to their perswasions , he was like to make a flame of the world . nothing more dangerous to the state of a well-gouerned commonweale , then parasites , the tame beasts of the citie ( as diogenes calls them ) . if the perswading sycophancie of times-obseruancie had not besotted candaules with his wiues beautie , he had preuented that miserable euent which by his owne gyges was practised and performed . dicit varius , negat scanrus , v●…ri creditis ? varius affirmes it , scaurus denies it , whether beleeue you ? the one sincerely voyd of dissembling flatterie : the other glosingly voyde of truth and veritie . by the one we are subiect to the ruine of our state : by the other aduanced to a firmer constancy then such as may be any way subiect to mutabilitie . nero in the beginning of * his time banished al the spintriae , inuento●…s of beastly pleasures out of his kingdome ; i would he had banished time-obseruing flatterers , and that he had retained such as terpnus , that would reprehend him in his enormities . iulius caesar was too much addicted to his parasites , but his successour augustus was — ad accipiendas amicitias rarissimus , ad retinendas vero constantissimus . it was long ere he would entertaine a friend , but being retained , he was most constant in his fauour towards him . the old approbation of friendship comes into my mind , to eate a bushell of salt ere we be acquainted . we may trie our friends as pilades did his orestes , damon his pythias , aeneas his achates , but it will be long i feare me , ere any of vs possesse such impregnable assistants , such presidents of true friendship . the skilfull painter when he depictures an vnthankfull man , because he cannot well delineate him in his colours , without some proper motto better to explaine him , representeth him in the picture of a viper , that killeth her feeder . there be many such vipers , which appeare in externall shew as true hearted as turtles , i feare th●…m more then the open force of mine enemie : for these sugred kisses bring destruction to the receiuer . boaethius defining a good man , saith : he may be thus defined : he is a good man — cui nullum bonum malumue sit , nisi bonus malusue animus : to whom nothing is esteemed either good or euill , but a good or an euill mind ; and what effectually maketh this euill mind , but either an inbred euill disposition , which ariseth from the crookednesse of his nature , or frō the euill perswasions of depraued time-obseruers : for the best natures be ( for the most part ) soonest peruerted & seduced . then how necessarie is it to ●…oote out so noysome and pestilent a weede as flatterie , which corrupteth the affections of the worthiest and most pregnant wits , as daily example hath well instructed vs ? how hatefull was it to that worthie thebane prince , agesilaus , that memorable mirror of iustice ( & no lesse hatefull to our renowned prince , whose exquisite endowments make him as eminent abroad , as vs blessed at home ) to see a flatterer in his pallace ? nay so much contemning popular applause , that he would not suffer his statue to be erected , lest thereby the vaine and profane adorations of his subiects should grieue the gods , disdaining that veneration of any mundane power , should be confusedly mixed with adoration and worship of the gods immortall : well remembring hesiods caueat — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , we must not mixe prophane worships with deuine . that court-gate in rome called quadrigemina , i would haue it demolished in troinouant , lest her estate second roms slauery . cicero thinks that no vice can be more pernicious then assentation , the verie helper and furtherer of all vices . she can giue life and being to the aspiring thoughts of man , when he soares too ambitiously , to the pearch of preferment , honour , or the like . that wicked catiline who conspired against rome , and aspired to the diadem , seeking to reduce the empire from a gouernment aristocraticke , to a catilines monarchie ; was egged & instigated thereto by complices fit for that purpose , and well sorting with such an agent , such a cruell practitioner — incredibilia , immoderata & nimis alta semper cupiendo , in desiring things incredible , immoderate , and too high aboue ordinary reach . the like befell vpon carba , and those who sought to dissolue the romane monarchie , & to make it an oligarchie or some other gouernment , which was vncertaine , because their intendments neuer came to their accomplished ends . these things thus considered in their natures , i haue here described terpnus ▪ sinceritie in reprehending neroes crueltie , concluding with flaccus dysti●…h . — hic murus ahaeneus esto , nil conscire sibi nulla , pallescere culpa . what hard mischance so ere to thee befall , let thy pure conscience be the brazen wall . the satyre ensueth , which most especially aymeth at time-obseruers , some whereof in particular i haue instanced , as seianus , perennius , sycites ; the dismall euents whereof with their tragicke ends , i haue amply described . the eighth satyre . terpnus * musician to a tyrant prince , nero by name , did in the f●…neralls which were solemniz'd on his mothers hearse , sing on his lute these wofull tragicalls : where euery straine he strooke vpon his string , did vexe the conscience of the tyrant king . incestuous * oedipus who slue his father , married his mother , and did violate the law of nature , which aduis'd him rather single to liue , then take to such a state , becomes a subiect fit , for this sad hearse , where inke giues place to bloud to write her verse . cruell orestes bath'd his ruthlesse sword , estrang'd from strangers , in his mothers blood , so little pittie did the child afford to her , that was the parent of the brood ; yet some excuse for this orestes had , mad men exemption haue , and he was mad . sphinx subtile giant , who did riddles put unto each passenger he met withall , which , who could not resolue he peece-meale cut , throwing them frō steepe rocks whence they should fall , whereby their members broke and crush'd in peeces , remain'd as food in sea to sillie fishes . yet this he did vpon mature aduice , for who so'ere he were assoil'd this question , was not opprest by him in any wise , but might with safest conduct trauell on ; where thou foule matricide doest infants vex , without respect of person , state , or sex . there is no sex which may exempted be , from thy insatiate hand embrew'd in blood , but waxing proud in others miserie , doest tyrannize vpon poore womanhood : blood-thirsty tyrant there 's prepar'd a doome , to startle thee that rip'd thy mothers wombe . rauing orestes heard a furious crie , which did attend his phrensie to his graue , and did disturbe his restlesse sleepe thereby , so as saue troubled dreames he nought could haue : with many broken sleepes , to shew his guilt , of his deare mothers bloud , which he had spilt . which poore orestes had no sooner heard , then to his pillow in a dismall sort , streight he retir'd , and being much afeard , lest hell and horror should conuent him for 't , with hands lift vp to heauen and hideous crie , he oft would curse himselfe , and wish to die . turne me ( ye gods ) quoth he , to some wild beast , some sauage lion , or some tyger fierce , since i delight so much in bloud to feast , for who can with remorse my deeds rehearses which if time should with her obliuion smother , bloud cries reuenge , reuenge me cries my mother . worse then the beasts thou art , they cherish them , and bring their parents food when they grow old : who then can daigne to looke on thee for shame , that hast defac'd that forme that gaue thee mold ? the tender storke that sees her parents lack , * will bring them food , and beare them on her back . but thou a mirrour of impietie , depriues thy parent of her vitall breath , and makes her subiect to thy cruelty , thus she that gaue thee life , thou giues her death : a sweete reward ; o then ashamed be , thou staine of greece , that greece should harbor thee . thus would orestes frame his sad discourse , with words as vile as were his actions foule , to moue his phrenticke passions to remorse , which long ( too long ) had triumpht ore his soule ; nor could he find vnto his woes reliefe , till * death did end his life , and cure his griefe . if all his teares and ruthfull miseries , could neuer expiate his mothers death , to what extent shall thy calamities grow to in time , that stops thy mothers breath , euen a grippinaes breath , whose cursed birth , maks her to curse the wombe that brought thee forth ? this nero notes , and noting shewes his ire , by outward passions , yet concealeth it , resolu'd ere long to pay the minstrels hire , when time and opportunitie should fit ; for tyrants haue this propertie ' boue other , they meane reuenge , yet their reuenge cā smothe●… and so did nero , whose perplexed mind , guilty of what was ill , seem'd to admire his art in musicke , rather then to find any distast , lest he should shew the fire , which lay rak'd vp in ashes , and display what time might sleight , but could not take away . yet he began to scoule and shake the head , with eyes as fierie-red as aetnaes hill , willing him streight to other acts proceed , and silence them that parents bloud did spill : sing to thy lute ( quoth he ) straines of delight , to cheare th'attendants of this wofull * sight . terpnus did passe vnto another theame , yet still relates he in the end of all , the facts of oedipus , orestes shame , how and by what effects succeed'd their fall ; whereby ( as well it was by all perceiued ) nero the tyrant inwardly was grieued . terpnus continu'd in his lyricke ode , so long as nero in his throne remained , but now impatient longer of abode , wearied with audience ( for so he feined ) terpnus left off from prosecuting further , the sad relation of this cruell * murther . but see the tyrant , who before delighted more with the musicke of good terpnus lyre , then any thing which ere his soule affected , neuer more straines of terpnus did require ; for being grieu'd , each day his grieues increased , till terpnus exile made his grieues appeased . yet not * appeased , for each day each night , he heard the hideous cries of furies shriking : oft would he turne himselfe before day-light , but got no rest , his bodie out of liking , yet tyranniz'd in spilling bloud apace , act vpon act as one bereft of grace . sometimes he saw his mother haling him , with wombe new-rip'd ; there * sporus whō he sought , to make of man a woman drag him in ; here sundrie matrons whom he forc'd to nought , and slue defil'd , which fix'd on him their eye , which seene , he fled , but flying could not flie . o conscience , what a witnesses thou brings , 'gainst him that iniures thee , where no content can giue houres respite to the state of kings , thou of thy selfe art sole-sufficient , to hale or heale , to hale from life to death , or heale the wound of which he languisheth ? behold here terpnus courage , to correct the great abuses of his princes mind , whose pompe , port , power , he lightly doth respect , to taxe those crimes to which he is inclin'd : he 's no court-adder that will winde him in , to princes grace by praising of his sinne . o i could wish we had such terpni many , who would not sooth nor flatter , but auo●…ch , blacke to be blacke : but there 's i feare not any , too few at least , i doubt me rightly such ; and yet me thinks such phoenix's might build here , within this i le , as well as other where . seianus , let him bloome in other coasts , and purchase honour with his flatterie , let his aspiring thoughts make priuate boasts , to raise his fortunes to a monar●…hie , he cannot prosper here ▪ for w●…y , we kno●… , state-ruine from court-parasites may grow . so seian thought ( what haue not traitors thought ) to currie fauour with the senators , the better to atchieue what he had wrought , by secret plots with his conspirators ; faire-tong'd , false-heart , whose deepe-cōtriuing brai●… gaue way to ruine , where he thought to raigne . but he 's well gone , rome is dispatch'd of one that would haue made combustion in the state , whose death made hers reioyce , but his to mone ▪ who on his fall built their vnhappie fate ; for treason like a linked chaine doth show , which broke in one , doth bre●…ke in others too . next whom perennius , whose affected grace , italian-like , seem'd as compos'd by art , may for his smoothing humour take the place , who sole-possessor of a princes heart , the youthfull commodus , did so allure him , as his aduice seemes onely to secure him . faire prince ( quoth he ) if any worldly wight , may solace those faire corps fram'd curiously , expresse her onely when she comes in sight , and i your pleasure soone will satisfie ; your unckle he 's too strict , he 's too seuere , to coupe you vp in ●…ilence alwaies here . what priuiledge haue princes more then we , if they depriued be of open aire ? what comfort reape they in their empirie , if nestor-like , they still sit in their chaire ? no , no , deare prince , you know a prince is borne to be his subiects terror , not their scorne . no. theater rear'd in your royall court , turney , lust , barrier , should solemniz'd be , to which a romane prince should not resort , amazing ladies with his maiestie ; o then it is a shame for your estate , to seeme in ought for to degenerate ! how gorgeously did rome demeane her then , when young vitellius did * banket it , seruing at table miriads of men , with lustie ladies which did reuell it ? yet you more high in state , more ripe in wit , must hermit-like in cell retired sit . shake off these sages which do now attend you , for they like fetters do restraine your pace ; giue lustfull youth in euery part his due , let sprightly gallants take the sages place , by which enthron'd secure , you may command , as ▪ ioue erst did , with io in his hand . this did perennius moue , and tooke effect , greene thoughts receiue too aptly wanton seede , remaining with the prince in chiefe respect , as they are wont , who princes humours feed ; till he conspiring to vsurpe the crowne , amidst his honours was cast headlong downe . where he receiu'd a doome that seru'd for all , ( like doome still breath on such infectious breath ) for soring thoughts must haue as low a fall , whose fauning liues play prologue to their d●…ath : for well i k●…ow no bane on earth can be worse to the state then rust of * flatterie . then should these last-ensuing times beware , lest they commit offences of like kind , which in the common wealth procure that iarre , as by their proiects we subuersion find : for they depraue the vertues of the best , and in the highest cedars build their nest . sycites , he whose sycophants pretence , made wofull hauocke of his common weale , abusing much his princes innocence , at last by time ( as time will all reueale ) became displeasde , who as he was afo vnto the state , the state adiudg'd him so . an admonition . be thou a terpnus to restraine abuse , sin-training pleasures fraught with vanitie ; be thou no seian , no perennius , to humour vice to gaine a monarchie ; be not sycites , let examples moue thee , and thou wil●… cause the commonweale to loue thee . the argument of epicurus , as in the first satyre familiarly expressed , so now in his miserable end with liuely colours described . epicurus , who first inuented that sect of epicurisme , delighting in nothing saue voluptuous pleasures and delights , in the end being grieuously vexed with the stopping of his vrine , and an intollerable paine and extremitie of his bellie exulcerated , became mightilie tormented ; yet besotted with the fruition of his former pleasure , ( so violent are customarie delights ) thus concluded : o quàm f●…lici exitu fi●…em expectatum vitae 〈◊〉 imposui ? with how happie an end do i limit 〈◊〉 course and progresse of my life ? the morall 〈◊〉 ▪ cludes such , as haue liued in securitie , and ca●… ▪ lesnesse , respectlesse of god or his iudgement ; an●… euen now readie to make an end of so haple●… & fruitlesse a race , close vp the date of their life 〈◊〉 securely as they liued carnally . the second 〈◊〉 tyre in the former section comprehends the lik●… subiect , though the one seeme more generall v●… der the name of pandora , implying a gouerne●… and directresse in all pleasures , or exhibitresse o●… all gifts : the other more particular , containing one priuate and peculiar sect , euen the epicures , who thought that the chiefe good consi●…ted in a voluptuous and sensuall life , expecting no future doome after the tearme and end of this life . here consider the momentanie and fraile course of this short and vnconstant life , tossed and turmoiled with many turbulent billows , exposed to sundrie s●…lfs of perillous assaults , many home-bred and forreine commotions ; in which it behoueth vs ( like expert pilots ) to be circumspect i●… so dangerous a voyage , lest sailing betwixt scyll●… and charybdis , presumption and despaire , by encountring either we rest shipwracked : where if any ( which is rare to find ) passe on vntroubled , yet must he of necessitie conclude with senec●… ▪ no●… tempestate vexor , sed nausea . so slow is euery one to proceede graduate in vertues academi●… ▪ — it a vt non facile est reputare , vtrum inhonestioribus corporis partibus rem qaeusierit , an amiserit : 〈◊〉 cicero well obserueth in his declamation against salust . for who is he of so pure and equall temper , whose man-like resolution holds him from being drawne and allured by the vaine baits and deceits of worldly suggestions ? where there be more of penelopes companions in euery stew , in euery brothell of sinne and wantonnesse , then euer in any age before . euery one vt lutulentus sus — as a hogge wallowing in the mire of their vaine conceits , roue from the marke of pietie and sobrietie ▪ into the broad sea of intemperance and sensualitie : but none more of any sect then epicurisme , which like a noisome and spreading canker , eats into the bodie and soule of the professor , making them both prostitute to pleasure , and a very sinke of sinne . the satyre will explane their defects more exactly , which followeth . the ninth satyre . that epicurus who of late remained subiect to euery fowle impietie , now with distempers and night-surfets pained , bids mirth adue , his sole felicitie : his vrine stopt wants passage from his vaines , which giues increase to hi●… incessant paines . yet feeles he not his soules-afflicted woe , unmindfull ( wretched man ) of her distresse , but pampers that which is his greatest foe , and first procur'd his soules vnhappinesse : he cannot weepe , he cannot shed a teare , but dying laughs , as when he liued here . his bon-companions drinking healths in wine , carousing flagons to his health receiuing , whose sparkling noses taper-like do shine , offer him drinke whose * thirstie mind is crauing : for though he cannot drinke , yet his desire ▪ is to see others wallow in the mire . turne him to heauen he cannot , for he knowes not where heauens blest mansion hath her situation : tell him of heauens fruition , and he shewes not the least desire to such a contemplation : his sphere inferiour i●… , whose vanitie will suite no court so well as * tartarie . he hath no comfort while he liueth here , for he 's orewhelmed with a sea of griefe , and in his death as little ioy appeares , for death will yeeld him small or no reliefe : he thought no pleasure after life was ended , which past , his fading comforts be extended . horror appeares euen in his ghastly face , and summons ( wofull summons ) troups of diuels , whilst he benumn'd with sinne reiecteth grace , the best receit to cure soule-wounding euils : forlorne he liues , and liues because he breaths , but in his death sustaines a thousand deaths . ungratefull viper , borne of vipers brood , that hates thy parent , braues ore thy protector , whose seruile life did neuer any good , but hugging vice , and spurne him did correct her ; see how each plant renewes and giues increase , by him , whom stones would praise , if man should ceasse . nor plant , nor worme , nor any senslesse creature , will derogate from gods high maiestie , since they from him , as from the supreme nature , receiue their vigour , grouth , maturitie , substance , subsistence , essence , all in one , from angels forme vnto the senslesse stone . but time hath hardn'd thy depraued thoughts , custome of sin hath made thy sin , no sin ; thus hast thou reap'd the fruite thy labours sought , and dig'd a caue in which thou wallowest in ; the porter of which caue , sreproch and shame , which layes a lasting scandall on thy name . aswine in mind , though angell-like in forme , pr●…posterous end to such afaire beginning , that thou , whom such a feature doth adorne as gods owne image , should be soild with sinning ; who well may say of it thus drown'd in pleasures ▪ this superscription is not mine but caesars . t●… wantest grace , and wanting , neuer callest , nessled in mischiefe and in discontent ; thou who from light to darknesse headlong fallest ▪ hauing the platforme of thy life mispent , rouse thee thou canst not , for securitie hath brought thy long sleepe to a lethargie . dull dormouse , s●…eeping all the winter time , cannot e●…dure the breath of aire or winde , but euer loues to make the sunne to shine vpon her rurall cabbin ; that same mind art thou endew'd withall , all winter keeping thy drunken cell , spends halfe thy life in sleeping ▪ thou when thou read'st in stories of the ant , the painfull be , the early-mounting larke , thou cals them fooles , for thou hadst rather want , pine , droupe , and die in pouertie then carke : thou thinks there is no * pleasure , but to dwell in that vast tophet epicurean cell . art thou so sotted with earths worldly we●…lth , that thou expects no life when this is ended ? do'st thou conceiue no happinesse in health , if health in healths be not profanely spended ? well there 's small hope of thee , and thou shalt fi●…d , sinne goes before , but vengeance dogs behi●…d . thou ca●…st not tell by thy philosophie , where th' glorious synod of the angels sit , nor canst thou thinke soules immortalitie , should any mortall creature well befit : unfit thou art for such a prize as this , which saints haue wish'd to gaine , and gain'd t●… wish . thou fings strange hymnes of loue of shepeard-swains , how amarillis and pelargus woed , where in loue measures thou employes some paines , to make thy works by wanton eares allow'd ; for loues encounter loose wits can expresse it , but for diui●…e power they will scarce confesse it . thus should each sinne of thine vnmasked be , each crime deblazon'd in her natiue colour : there would appeare such a deformitie , as th'greeke thersites shape was neuer fowler ; which if compar'd to th'powerfull works of grace , would looke agast , asham'd to show their face . if i should moue thee , rectifie thy cares , i know t were fruitlesse , all thy care 's to sinne ▪ whose barren haruest intersowne with tares , endeth farre worse then when it did begin ; a ranke indurate vlcerous hard'ned ill , can ill be bett'red till it haue her fill . and yet when as this phrenticke mood shall leaue thee , there is some hope of gaine-recouerie , when thy offensiue life mispent shall grieue thee ; thy wound 's not mortall , looke for remedie ; but if like epicure thou still doest lie , as thou liues ill , so doubt i thou must die . the argument of diagoras orator of athens . d●…agoras a corrupt orator vsing to receiue bribes , was exiled , and this satyre to gall him the more , engrauen vpon his shipboord : as followeth . the tenth satyre . diagoras was once to pleade a cause , which th' aduerse partie hauing well obserued , claps me a guilded goblet in his clawes , which he as priuately ( for sooth ) reserued ; speake ( quoth this client ) either nought at all , or else absent you from the sessions hall . absent he would not be , and yet as good , for his mute tongue was absent in the cause , saying , the cause he had not vnderstood , and therefore wish'd that he a while might pause ; but hauing pau●…'d too long , through his delay the court dismist , the senat went away . seeing the senate gone , good gods ( quoth he ) can we not haue our causes heard , whose truth is manifest as light ? ô thus we see our clients wrong'd , whose wrongs afford much ●…uth : i would not answer this before ioues throne , if i thereby might make the world mine owne . nought to a conscience pure and void of blame , which ( ioue be prais'd ) is i●… this spotlesse brest , for no foule act could blemish ere my name , no corrupt bribe did ere enrich my chest ; yes one ( the clyent answer'd ) you know when : it 's true indeed ( my friend ) and nere but then . yes once you know ( another answer'd ) more , when you protested the angina pain'd you , for which cor●…uption , you had gold in store , that silent speech of yours abundance gain'd you : it 's true indeed , yet there 's none can conuict me , that ere my conscience for these did afflict me . nay that he sweare ( quoth one ) i neuer knew remorce of conscience or rele●…ting teare : that heart of yours aid nere repentance shew , but could take more , if that you did not feare ●…ou should detected be , and your offence , as * iustice craues , should giue you recompence . thus as they talk'd , thus as they did discourse , in came a senatour , which did reueale , his corrupt dealings , for he did enforce himselfe to publish what he did conceale : whose crimes diuulg'd , he presently was led to coos hauen , whence he was banished . thus was a corrupt orator conuicted , pressing himselfe with his owne obloquie , whose selfe-detection made his state afflicted , his hands the weauers of his tragedie ; which i could wish to all of like desert , whose good professio●…'s made a guilefull art . the argument . triptolemu●… is reported to haue inuented tillage the first of any , and to haue taught the art of sowing corne : whereupon the gratefull husbandman , to repay the thankfulnesse of his well-willing mind , rendreth this elegie , as in part of payment for so rare inuention : satyrically withall inueying against such , who eate the fruite of oth●…rs labours , liue on the sweat of others brow●… , and muzling the mouth of the oxe that treads ▪ o●… the corne , reape what they neuer sowed , drinke o●… the vine they neuer planted , and eate at the alt●… of which they neuer partaked . the eleventh satyre elegiack . aged triptolemus father of our field , that teacheth vs thy children rare effects ; we do vnto thy sacred temple yeeld the fruits we reape , and tender all respects to thee , that hast this rare * inuention found , and gaue first light of tillage to our ground . describe we cannot in exact discourse , those rarer secrets which proceed from thee , for polish'd words with vs haue little force , that are inured to rusticitie ; but what we can we 'le do , and to that end , to thee ( as patron ) we our fields commend . by thee we till the wilde vntempered soile , make rising hillocks champion and plaine ; where though with early labour we do toile , yet labour's light where there is * hope of gaine : we thinke no hurt , but trauell all the day , and take our rest , our trauels to allay . no proiect we intend against the state , but cuts the bosome of our mother earth ; we giue no way to passion or debate ; by labour we preuent our countries dearth : yet this ascribe we not to our owne part , but vnto thee , that did inuent this art . those glorious trophies which menander set , in honour of the sacred deities , would be too long a subiect to repeate , rear'd in such state with such solemnities ; yet these to ours , inferiour be in worth , those were of earth , these tell vs vse of earth . we ope the closet of our mothers breast , and till the sedgie ground with crooked plough , and in the euening take our quiet rest , when we the heate of day haue passed through : thus do we sow , thus reape , and reaping we do consecrate our first fruites vnto thee . and with our fruites our wonted orisons , with solemne vowes to thy obsequious shrine , whose * dedication merits heauenly songs , will we protest what 's ours is euer thine ; for what we haue came from thy deuine wit , or from his power that first infused it . by thee we plant the * uine and oliue tree , contriue coole harbors to repose and lie : by thee our * uine sends grapes forth fruitfully , the almond , chestnut , and the mulberrie ; thus saturns golden age approcheth neare , and ( flora-like ) makes spring-time all the yeare . the pleasant banks of faire parnassus mount , with trees rank-set and branchie armes broad-spred , the mirtle-trees hard by castalias fount , with flowrie wreaths thy shrine haue honoured ; 'mongst which , no iland's more oblig'd to thee , then this same i le of famous britannie . * others intemporate through parching heate , haue their fruites blasted ere they come to light , b others are planted in a colder seate , whereby the sun-beames seldome shew their might ▪ but we ( and therein blest ) inhabite one , which as it's fruitfull , it 's a temp'rate zone . how can we then if we do ought , do lesse then labour to requite as we receiue ? for such a wind 's vnt hankefulnesse , as by it we do lose that which we haue : let each then in his ranke obserue his measure , and giue him thanks that gaue him such a treasure . how many regions haue their fruites deuoured , by th'caterpiller , canker , palmerworme ? whil'st by thy grace so richly on vs powred , our fields reioyce , and yeeld increase of corne ; o then admire we this great worke of thine , whereby all * regions at our state repine ! repine they may , for we surpasse their state , in power , in ri●…hes , sinewes of sharpe warre ; they led in blindnesse attribute to fate , what ere befall , we to the morning starre , by which we are directed euery day , or else like wandring sheepe might loose our way . hesiod relates seuen fortunate reposes , ilands , which fortune fauours for their seate , adorn'd with fruitfull plants sent-chafing roses ; where there breaths euer a soile-cherishiag heate , by which the plants receiue their budding power , and needs no other dew , no other shower . these fruitfull ilands which this poet shewes , were seated farre within the ocean , and neuer warr'd as other ilands vse , being in peacefull league with euery man : confer now these together , and then see if this blest iland be not brittannie . blest were those ilanders that did possesse the fertile borders of those healthfull iles , and we as blest haue no lesse happinesse , in this our ile , not stretch'd to many miles ; though when those * streames of hellicon appeares , it doubles fruites in doubling of her yeares . thames full as pleasant as euphrates flood , though she containe not in her precious nauell , the * golden oare of ganges , yet as good as any gold or any golden grauell , transporting hence , and bringing here againe , gaine to the citie by their fraught of graine . thus water , ayre , and earth , and all vnite their powers in one , to benefit our state , so as conferring profit with delight , well may we tearme this iland fortunate ; for we more blest then other iles haue bin , enioy both peace without and peace within . vnto his altar let vs then repaire , that hath conferd these blessings on our land , and sure we are to find him present there , apt to accept this offring at our hand ; where , as he hath remembred vs in peace , we 'le yeeld him fruites of soules and soiles increase . to thee then ( blessed deitie ) is meant , this vot all sacrifice , how ere we speake , of old triptolemus thy instrument ; for midst ●…nuentions we will euer seeke to raise thy praise , who hast thy throne aboue vs , and daily shewes that thou doest dearely loue vs. the argument . melon●…mus a shepheard of arcadia , who hauing frequented the plaines there long time , with great husbandrie vsed to exercise his pastures ▪ receiuing no small profite from his fruitfull flocke : in the end fell in loue with cynthia queene of the forrest adioyning : whom hauing woed with many loue-inducing tokens , and shepheards madrigals , a●… spent the profit of his flock in gifts ( with too lauish a bountie bestowed vpon her ) and yet could no way preuaile , being posted off with many tri●…ling delayes ; in the end wrote this short satyre in a cynick mood , reuiling at the cou●…tousnesse and in●…atiable desire of women , who will prostitute their fauour for lucre sake vnto the meanest swaine , till they haue consumed the fruite of his stocke , and then will turne him ouer shipboord . the twelfth satyre . melonomus a worthie shepheard swaine , besotted with faire cynthia's amorous face ▪ beseeched her to loue for loue againe , and take compassion on his wofull case ; which she halfe-yeelding to , dissembling too , did moue the swaine more eagerly to woo . and that with * g●…fts most powerfull to ensnare the minds of maids , whose curious appetite , desires as they be faire to haue things faire , to adde fresh fuell vnto loues delight ; which to effect , each morne a flowrie wreath , compos'd th●… sw●…ne , to breath on cynthia's breath . fine comely bra●…lets of refined * amber , vsed this shepheard swai●…e to tender her , and euery morne resorting to he●… chamber , would there appeare ere phoebus could appeare , where tell●…g tales as shepheards vse to tell , she forc'd a smile , as tho●…gh ●…he●…k'd ●…k'd him well . thus poore melonomus continued long , * hoping for resolution a●… her 〈◊〉 , whilest with delayes he mixed gifts among , which ( as he thought ) were fancies strongest b●…ds ; and still he craues dispatch of his request , and to performe what she in 〈◊〉 profest . b●…t she , from day to day puts off , replying , she scarce resolued was to marrie yet : but when his * gifts surceast , she flat denying , answer'd , a swaine was for a queene vnfit ; he rurall , homely , bred of meane descent , she royall-borne , of purer element . melonomus thus answer'd , wisely fram'd th●…s graue reply : and is it so indeed ? be all those gifts i gaue ( all which he nam'd ) to no effect ? why then returne and feed thy want on flocke , surceasse thy bootlesse suite , since she consum'd thy flocke with all their fruite . aged alomaenon who my father was , and as i guesse knew well the shepheards guise , thought scorne to set his loue on euery lasse , aye me v●…appie , of a sire so wise ; but this disdaine that lowres on beauties brow , shall teach me , swaines with swaines know best to do . the skipping rams that butt with ragged hornes , and brou●… vpon each banke with sweete repast , shall not my ●…lous head with wreathes adorne , ( but heauen forgiue my follie that is past ; ) i will not fancie cynthia , since she in my distresse scornes to conuerse with me . the argument of protagoras . protagoras adored the stones of the altar , conceiuing them to be happie , as the phylosopher aristotle witnesseth : lapides , ex quibus ar●… struebantur , faelices esse putabat , quod honorentur . h●… thought the very stones themselues to be happie , of which the altars were builded , because ( saith he ) they might be honoured . in this argument , be such men shadowed , as most impiously worship the creature for the creator , the worke for the worker . therefore haue i subins●…rted this satyre , to inueigh against the senslesse gentiles and painims , who in the foolishnesse of their hearts , vsed to adore stockes , stones , plants , and senslesse creatures , nunc deorum causam agam ; i will now pleade the cause of god , so iniuriously dealt withall by his owne workmanship . alexander himselfe being but a mortall man as we our selues be , commanded callistenes his scholemaister to be slaine , because he would not worship h●… for a god : much more aboue comparison , may god who is immortall and onely to be feared , punish yea and destroy them that in contempt of his infinite power and all-working maiestie , adore the sunne , moone , and starres , isis and osyris , with many other vaine , idolatrous , and profane venerations , derogating from the power and incomprehensible essence of god. when a king beholds his subiects to reserue their allegiance to any monarch saue himselfe , he makes them to be proclaimed traitors to his crowne and person : euen so the king of heauen , when he seeth any subiect of his ( as we be all and happie if so we be , and not slaues to the captiuitie and thraldome of sinne , ) presently proscribeth him , or will punish him with death , lest others by his impunitie should attempt the like . wherefore then should any profane man , so ouershadowed with the duskie clouds of error and impietie , transgresse the deuine precepts , lawes , and ordinances of the almightie ; those eternall decrees established and enacted in the glorious synod of heauen , by relinquishing the sweet promises of god , and communicating the worship of the creator with the creature , as if there were a distribution to be made vnto either ? but i will referre them to this following satyre . the thirteenth satyre . protagoras both wicked and profane , wicked in life , profane in worshipping , adored stones : ( see paga●…s , see your shame ) and thought them worthie too of reuerencing ; for if the gods be honoured , said he , needs must the stones whereof their temples be . the like conceit he had of altars too , and of the stones whereof they were erected , to which he oft would solemne worship doe , and taxe such men by whom they were neglected ; wishing sometime he were an altar stone , that to himselfe like honour might be done . thou senslesse man depriu'd of reasons lore , what grace art thou ( forlorne ) endewd withall , that thou shouldst shrines and se●…slesse stones adore , that haue no eares to he●…re when thou doest call ? thou deemes these relikes happie , when god wot , if they were happie , yet they know it not . the altar is the shrine thou offrest to , thy incense , sacrifice , and fat of beasts , which on the altar thou art wont to do , not to the altar where thou makes request ; for it 's enioynd thee by expresse command , to k●…eele to nothing fashion'd by mans hand . the manuall artist sets vp * heapes of stones , erecting curious statues to adore , but what are these , can they attend our mones ? no , they haue eares to heare , but heare no more then ru●…bish , clay , or stone , whereof they 'r said , ( and such were pagan idols ) to be made . turne thee vnto the east , from whence the sunne hath his arising , whence he doth proceed , as bridegroome from his chamber , and doth run his spacious course with such a passing speed , as twentie foure houres he doth onely borrow , to post the world from end to end quite thorow . each plant on earth , each creature in the sea , from whence haue they their grouth , i pray thee say ▪ do they deriue't from stones or imagerie ? nay , i must tell thee , thou art by the way , it 's no inferiour power brings this to passe , but his , who is , shall be , and euer was . and he it is who notes thy errors past , and can reuenge , though he the time adiourne , whose loue vnto his sheepe doth euer last , and still expects and waits for thy returne ; but how can he to thee in kindnesse shew him , that giues thee hands , yet will not lift them to him ? ungratefull thou to haue that ill conceit , of his all-being and all-seeing power , whose blest tuition guards vs and our state , whose surest hold is like a fading flower , that springs and dies , such is the pompe of man , as there he ends in earth where he began . horror of men , contempt to thy beginning , shame to the world , wherein thou doest suruiue ▪ whose best religion is an act of sinning , in which thou meanes to die , and loues to liue ; what shall these shrines affoord thee after death , the breath of life ? no , for they haue no breath . then here i le leaue thee , yet with sorrow too , thy image moues compassion , though 't may be , thou 'lt aske the reason why i should do so , since sorrowes source hath lost her course in thee ; to which i may in reason thus reply , my eyes are wet , because thy eyes are dry . yet will i to the altar , not t' adore it , but offer incense to assoile thy sin ; where full of teares i 'le weepe , and weeping ore it , wish thy returne , that thou may honour him , whose worship thou prophan'd ( as was vnfit ) entitling any creature vnto it . * three other satyres composed by the same author , treating of these three distinct subiects . . tyrannie , personated in eurystheus . . securitie , in alcibiades . . reuenge , in perillus. with an embleme of mortalitie , in agathocles . the argument . evrystheus a potent and puissant prince of greece , by the instigation of iuno imposed hercules most difficult labours , to the end to haue him dispatched . but of such inuincible patience was hercules in suffering , and of such resolution i●… performing , as to his succeeding glory he purchased himselfe honour through their hate , gaining to himselfe renowne , where his foe intended ineuitable reuenge . whence we may collect two remarkable things , no lesse fruitfull in obseruing , then delightfull in perusing . the one is , to note how prompt and prepared men of depraued or vicious disposition are , to put in execution the pleasure of great ones , how indirect or vnlawfull soeuer their pleasures be : directing and addressing their employments to the bent of their command , be it wrong or right . and these are such who account it good sauing policie , to keepe euer correspondence with greatnesse , esteeming no supportance firmer , no protection safer , then to hold one course with those high-mounting cedars , from whose grouth the lower shrubs receiue shadow and shelter . the second which i note , is to obserue what glorious and prosperous successe many haue , who pursued and iniuriously persecuted ( like zenocrates sparrow ) either find some compassionate bosome to cheare & receiue them , or by the assistance of an vnconfined ●…ower , attaine a noble issue in midst of all occurrences . to insist on instances , were to enlarge an argument aboue his bounds : few or none there are who haue not or may not , haue instance in the one , as well as personall exp●…ience in the other . especially when we recal to mind how many instant & imminent dang●…rs haue bene threatned vs , & how many gracious and glorious deliuera●…ces tendred vs. some other excellent obseruations might be culled or selected from the flowrie border of this subiect , but my purpose is rather to shadow at some , then amply to dilate on all . for i haue euer obserued , how arguments of this nature are to most profit composed , when they are not so amply as aptly compiled : long and tedious discourses being like long seruices , tending more to surfet then solace ; whereas the pleasure of varietie , draweth on a new appetite in midst of satietie . now to our proposed taske : where you shall s●… how harmelesse innocencie shuffels out of the hands of boundlesse crueltie . the satyre . hoe euristheus , i am hither sent , from iunoes princely pallace to thy court , to tell thee , thou must be her instrument , ( and to that purpose she hath chus'd thee for 't ) to chastise hercules , growne eminent by his renowned conque●…ts : do not show thy selfe remisse , iuno will haue it so . and iuno shall ; i will such taskes impose , that earth shall wonder how they were inuented , so as his life he shall be sure to lose , what do i care , so iuno be contented , darknesse shall not my secresies disclose ? her will is my command , n●… must i aske whence's her distast ; come yong man heare your taske a fruitfull * garden , full of choyce delights , enricht with sprayes of gold and apples too , which by three sisters watch'd both dayes and nights , yeeld no accesse vnto th' inuading foe , is thy first progresse ; where with doubtfull fight , thou must performe thy taske : this is the first , which if it proue too easie , next is worst . for in this first thou art to deale with women , and reape a glorious prize when thou hast done ; and such an enterprize ( i know ) is common , crowning vs great by th'triumph we haue wonne : * gold is so strange a baite , as there is no man , but he will hazard life to gaine that prize , which makes men fooles that are supposed wise . but next taske shall be of another kind , no golden apples pluck●… from hesperie : for in this worke thou nought but dong shalt find , * augean stables must thy labour be , which if thou cleare not , as i haue assign'd , death shall attend thee : t is in vaine to come , by prayers or teares to change my fatall doome . the third , that hideous hydra , which doth breed * increase of heads , for one being cut away , another springs vp streight way in her stead : hence then away , and make me no delay , delay breeds danger , do what i haue said , which done thou liues , ●…ich vnperform'd thou dies , this said ; alcydes to his labour hies . alas ( poore man ) how well it may be said , so many are the perils he must passe , that he with dangers is inuironed ? so hopelesse and so haplesse is his case , as he by death is so encompassed , that howsoere his power he meanes to trie , poore is his power , he must be forc'd to die . imper●…ous tyrant , couldst thou wreak●… thy rage on none but s●…ch whose valour hath bene showne , as a victorious mirror to this age , and hath bene blaz'd where thou wer 't neuer knowne ? must thou his person to such taskes engage , as flesh and bloud did neuer yet sustaine ? well , he must trie , although he trie in vaine . yes , he will trie , and act what he doth try , he 'le tug and tew , and striue and stoope to ought , yea * die , if so with honour he may d●…e , yet know , that those who haue his life thus sought , are but insulting types of * tyrannie , whose boundlesse splene , when he hath past these shelues , will be disgorg'd , and f●…ll vpon themselues . for see , thou cruell sauage , whose d●…sire extends to bloud , how this aduentr'ous knight , gaines him renowne , and scorneth to retire , till he hath got a conqu●…st by his fight : so high heroick thoughts vse to asp●…re , as when extremest danger 〈◊〉 enclose them , they sleight those foes that labour to oppose them . here see those taskes which thy imperious power , impos'd this noble champion , finished ; the serpent , * hydra , which of heads had store , now headlesse lies by valour conquered , the stables purg'd from th'filth they had before , the golden apples trophies of his glorie , dilate their ends vnto an endlesse storie . here see th' euent where vertue is the aime , here see the issue of a glorious mind , here see how martiall honour makes her claime , here see the crowne to diligence assign'd , here see what all may see , a souldiers fame , not tipt with fruitlesse titles , but made great , more by true worth , then by a glorious seate . for such , whose natiue merit hath attain'd renowne 'mongst men , should * aduerse gusts assaile thē in such an orbe rest their resolues contain'd , as well they may inuade but not appall them , for from esteeme of earth they 'r wholly wain'd , planting their mounting thoughts vpon that sphere , which frees such minds as are infranchis'd there . hence learne ye great-ones , who esteeme it good sufficient to be great , and thinke 't well done , be 't right or wrong , what 's done in heate of blood , hence learne your state , lest ye decline too soone , for few ere firmely stood , that proudly stood . but specially ye men that 〈◊〉 in * place , iudge others as your selues were in same case . here haue you had a mirror to direct your wayes , and forme your acti●…ns all the better , which president if carelesse , ye neglect , and walke not by this line , liue by this letter , how 's ' ere the world may tender you respect , ye are but gorgeous paintings daubed ouer , clothing your vice with s●…me more precious couer . hence likewise learne ye whom the frowne of fate , hath so deprest , as not one beame doth shine vpon the forlorne mansion of your state , to beare with patience and giue way to time , so shall vie with fortune in her hate ; and prize all earths contents as bitter-sweete , which armes you 'gainst all fortunes ye can meete . this great alcydes did , who did with ease ( for what 's vneasie to a mind prepard ) discomfit * th' hydra and th' stymphalides , with whom he cop'd , encountred long and warr'd ▪ and gain'd him glory by such acts as these . obserue this morall ( for right sure i am ) the imitation shewes a perfect man. the last not least , which may obserued be , * is to suppesse splene or conceiued hate , which in perfidious nessus you may see , fully portraid , who meerely through deceit , practis'd alcydes wofull tragedy : for of all passions , there 's 〈◊〉 that hath more souera●…gnty ore man , then boundlesse wrath . which to restraine , ( for wherein may man show himselfe more manly , then in this restraint ) that there is nought more generou●… , you should kno●… , then true compassion to the indigent , which euen humanitie saith , that we owe * one to another , while we vse to tender loue to our maker , in him to each member . thus if ye do , how low soere ye be , your actions make you noble , and shall liue after your summons of mortalitie , and from your ashes such a perfume giue , as shall eternize your blest memorie : if otherwise ye liue , ye are at best but guilded gulls , and by opinion blest . the argument . alcibiades a noble athenian , whose glorious & renowned actions gained him due esteeme in his country : at last by retiring himselfe frō armes , gaue his mind to sensuality ; which so effeminated his once imparallel'd spirit , as he became no lesse remarkable for sensuall libertie , then he was be fore memorable for ennobled exploits of martiall chiualrie . from hence the satyre deriues his subiect , inueying against the remisnesse of such as waine their affections from employment , exposing their minds ( those glorious or resplendent images of their maker ) to securitie , rightly termed the diuels opportunitie . how perillous vacancie from affaires hath euer bene , may appeare by ancient and moderne examples , whose tragicall catastroph●… wold craue teares immix'd with lines . let this suffice , there is no one motiue more effectually mouing , no rhetoricke more mouingly perswading , no oratorie more perswasiuely inducing , then what we daily feele or apprehend in our selues . where euery * houre not well employed , begets some argument or other to moue our corrupt natures to be depraued . let vs then admit of no vacation , saue onely vacation from vice . our liues are too short to be fruitlesly employed , or remisly pa●…sed . o then how well spent is that oyle which consumes it selfe in actions of vertue whose precious selfe 's a glory to her selfe ! may nothing so much be estranged frō vs as vice , which , of all others , most disfigures vs ; though our feete be on earth , may our minds be in heauen : where we shall find more true glory then earth can affoord vs , or the light promises of fruitlesse vanity assure vs. expect then what may merit your attention ; a rough-hew'd satyre shall speake his mind boldly without partiality , taxing such who retire from action , wherein vertue consisteth , and lye sleeping in securitie , whereby the spirit , or inward motion of the soule wofully droupeth . the satyre . awake , thou noble greeke ! how should desire , of sensuall shame ( soules staine ) so dull thy wit , or cloud those glorious thoughts which did aspire , once to exploits which greatnesse might befit ? where now the beamlins of that sacred fire , lie rak't in ashes , and of late do seeme ( so ranke is vice ) as if they had not bene . can a faith-breaking leering * curtizan , whose face is glaz'd with frontlesse impudence , depresse the spirit of a noble man , and make him lose his reason for his sence ? o span thy life ( for life is but a span ) and thou shalt find the scantling is so small , for vaine delights there is no * time at all ! shall azur'd breast , sleeke skin , or painted cheeke , * gorgeous attire , locks braided , wandring eye , gaine thee delight , when thou delights should seeke in a more glorious obiect ? o relie on a more firme foundation , lest thou breake , credit with him who long hath giuen thee trust , which thou must pay be sure , for he is iust . o do not then admire , what thy desire should most contemne , if reason were thy guide ; let thy erected thoughts extend farre higher , then to these wormelins that like * shadowes glide , whose borrowed be●…tutie melts with heate of fire . their shape from * shop is bought and brought ; ô art what canst thou promise to a knowing heart ! a knowing heart , which plants her choicest blisse in what it sees not , but doth comprehend by eye of faith ! not what terrestriall is , but what affoordeth * comfort without end , where we enioy what 's euer we did wish ; who then , if he partake but common sence , will ere reioyce , till he depart from hence ? yet see the blindnesse of distracted man , how he prefers one moment of delight , ( which cheares not much when it does all it can ) before delights in nature infinite , whose iuyce ( yeelds perfect fulnesse , sure i am : ) o times ! when men loue that they should neglect , disualuing that which they should most respect . for note how many haue aduentured their liues ( and happy they if that were all ) and for a * painted trunke haue perished ; o england , i thy selfe to witnesse call , for many hopefull plants haue withered within thy bosome , cause whereof did spring , mearely from lust , and from no other thing ! how many promising youths , whose precious bloud shed by too resolute hazard , might haue done their gracious prince and natiue countrie good , in heate of bloud haue to their ruine gone , * while they on termes of reputation stood , preferring titles ( see the heate of strife ) before the loue and safet●…e of their life ? o gentlemen , know that those eyes of yours , which should be piercing like the * eagles eyes , are not to view these dalilahs of ours , but to eye heauen and sullen earth despise , and so increase in honours as in houres . o ye should find more happinesse in this , then spend the day in courting for a kisse ! were time as easie purchas'd as is land , ye better might dispense with losse of time ; or 't were in you to make the sunne to stand , so many points t' ascend or to decline , ●… ' de say ye had the world at command : but as time * past , is none of yours , once gone , so that time is not yours , which is to come . addresse yours selues then to that glorious place , where there 's no time , no limit to confine , no alteration : but where such a grace , or perfect lustre beautifies the clime , where ye 'r to liue , as th'choisest chearefullst face , ye ere beheld on earth , were 't nere * so faire , shall seeme deformitie to beautie there . but this shall serue for you ! now in a word , heare me * timandra ( for i must be heard ; ) thou whose light shop all vanities affoord , reclaime thy sensuall life , which hath appear'd as odious and offensiue to thy lord , as those lasciuious robes ( robes suiting night ) are in disgrace , when good men are in sight . more to enlarge my selfe were not so good , perhaps this litle's more then thou wilt reade : but if thou reade , i wish't may stirre thy blood , and moue thee henceforth to take better heed , then to transgresse the bounds of womanhood : whose chiefest essence in these foure appeare , in gate , looke , speech , and in the robes you weare . the argument . perillus an excellent artificer ( being then famous for excellent inuentions ) to satisfie the inhumane disposition of the tyrant phalaris , as also in hope to be highly rewarded for his ingenious deuice : made a bull of brasse for a new kind of torment , presenting it to phalaris , who made , triall thereof by tormenting perillus first therein . from this argument or subiect of reuenge , we may obserue two speciall motiues of morall instruction or humane caution . the first is , to deterre vs from humoring or soothing such , on whom we haue dependence , in irregular or sinister respects . for the vertuous , whose comfort is the testimonie of a good conscience , scorne to hold correspondence with vicious men , whose commands euer tend to depraued and enormious ends . the second is , a notable example of reuenge in perillus suffering , & in phalaris inflicting . much was it that this curious artizan expected , but with equall & deserued censure was he rewarded : for inglorious seconded by like ends . hence the satyre displayeth such in their natiue colours , who rather then they will lose the least esteeme with men of high ranke or qualitie , vse to dispence with faith , friend , and all , to plant them firmer in the affection of their patron . but obserue the conclusion , as their meanes were indirect , so their ends sorted euer with the meanes . they seldome extend their temporizing houres to an accomplished age , but haue their hopes euer blasted , ere they be well bloomed : their iniurious aimes discouered , ere they be rightly leuelled : and their wishes to a tragicall period exposed , as their desires were to all goodnesse opposed . may all proiectors or stateforragers sustaine like censure , hauing their natures so reluctant or opposite to all correspondence with honour . longer i will not dilate on this subiect , but recollect my spirits , to adde more spirit to my ouer-tyred satyre , who hath bene so long employed in the embassie of nature , and wearied in dancing the wilde mans measure , that after perillus censure she must repose ere she proceede any further ; and take some breath ere i dance any longer . the satyre . braue enginer , you whose more curious hand hath fram'd a bull of brasse by choycest art , that as a trophie it might euer stand , and be an embleme of thy cruell heart : hearke what 's thy tyrant phalaris command , whose will 's a law ; and hauing heard it well , thy censure to succeeding ages tell . thou must ( as it is iust ) be first presented a sacrifice vnto the brazen bull , and feele that torture which thy art inuented , that thou maist be rewarded to the full ; no remedy , it cannot be preuented . thus , thus reuenge appeares which long did smother , he must be catcht , that aimes to catch another . iust was thy iudgement , princely phalaris , thy censure most impartiall ; that he whose artfull hand that first contriued this , to torture others , and to humour thee , should in himselfe feele what this torture is . which great or small , he must be forc'd to go , may such * tame-beasts be euer vsed so . like fate befell vnhappie * phereclus , who first contriu'd by cunning more then force , to make once glorious troy as ruinous as spoile could make it : therefore rear'd a horse , framed by pallas art , as curious , as art could forme , or cunning could inuent , to weaue his end , which art could not preuent . see ye braue state-proiectors , what 's the gaine ye reape by courses that are indirect : see these , who first contriu'd , and first were slaine , may mirrors be of what ye most affect ! these labour'd much , yet labour'd they in vaine ; for there 's no wit how quicke soere can do it , if powers diuine shall make a resistance to it . and can ye thinke that heauen , whose glorious eye surueyes this uniuerse , will daigne to view men that are giuen to all impietie ? you say , he will ; he will indeed , it 's true ; but this is to your further misery . for that same eye which viewes what you commit , hath sight to see , and power to b punish it . to punish it , if hoording sin on sin , ye loath repentance , and bestow your labour , onely to gaine esteeme , or else to win by your pernicious plots some great mans fauour ; o i do see the state that you are in , which cannot be redeem'd , vnlesse betime with c sighs for sins , you wipe away your crime ! for shew me one , ( if one to shew you haue ) who built his fortunes on this sandie ground , that euer went gray-headed to his graue , or neare his end was not distressed found , or put not trust in that which did deceiue ! sure few there be , if any such there be , but shew me one , and it sufficeth me . i grant indeed , that for a time these may flourish like to a bay tree , and increase , like oliue branches , but this lasts not aye , their d halcyon dayes shall in a moment ceasse , when night ( sad night ) shall take their soules away . then will they tune their strings to this sad song , short was our sun-shine , but our night-shade long ye then , i say , whose youth-deceiuing prime , promise successe , beleeue 't from me , that this , when time shall come ( as what more swift then time ) shall be conuerted to a painted blisse , whose gilded outside beautifide your crime ; which once displaide , cleare shall it shew as light , your sommer-day's become a winter night . beware then ye , who practise and inuent , to humour greatnesse ; for there 's one more great , who hath pronounc'd , like sinne , like punishment ; * whom at that day ye hardly may intreat , when death and horror shall be eminent : then will ye say vnto the mountaines thus , and shadie groues , come downe and couer vs. but were ye great as earthly pompe could make ye , weake is the arme of flesh , or * mightinesse , for all these feeble hopes shall then forsake ye , with the false flourish of your happinesse , when ye vnto your field-bed must betake ye ; where ye for all your shapes and glozed formes , might deceiue men , but cannot deceiue wormes . the statue of agathocles . the argument . agathocles a tyrant of syracusa , caused his statue to be composed in this manner . the * head of gold , armes of iuory , and other of the liniments of purest brasse , but the feete of earth : intimating , of what weake and infirme subsistence this little-world , man , was builded . whence we may collect , what diuine considerations the pagans themselues obserued and vsually applied to rectifie their morall life : where instructions of nature directed them , not onely in the course of humane societie , but euen in principles aboue the reach and pitch of nature , as may appeare in many philosophicall axioms , and diuinely inserted sentences in the workes of plato , plutarch , socrates ; and amongst the latines in the inimitable labours of seneca , boaethius , tacitus , and plinius secundus . vpon the morall of this statue of agathocles insists the author in this poeme , concluding with this vndoubted position : that as foundations on sand are by euery tempest shaken , so man standing on feete of earth , hath no firmer foundation then mutabilitie to ground on . the embleme . a gathocles , me thinkes i might compare thee , ( so rare thou art ) to some choice statuarie , who doth portray with pencile he doth take , himselfe to th' image which he 's wont to make ; how artfull thou , and gracefull too by birth , a king , yet shewes that thou art made of earth , not glorying in thy greatnesse , but would seeme , made of the same mould other men haue bene ! a head of gold , as thou art chiefe of men , so chiefe of mettalls makes thy diadem ; uictorious armes of purest iuorie , which intimates the persons puritie ; the other liniments compos'd of brasse , imply th' vndaunted strength of which thou was ; but feete of earth , shew th'ground whereon we stand , that we 're cast downe in turning of a hand . of which , that we might make the better vse , me thinkes i could dilate the morall thus . man made of earth , no surer footing can presume vpon , then earth from whence be came , where firmenesse is infirmenesse , and the stay on which he builds his strongest hopes , is clay . and yet how strangely confident he growes , in heauen-confronting boldnesse and in showes , bearing a giants spirit , when in length , height , breadth , and pitch he is of pigmeis strength . yea i haue knowne a very dwarfe in sight , conceit himselfe a pyramis in height , ietting so stately , as 't were in his power to mount alof●… vnto the airie tower . but when man's proud , i should esteeme't more meete not to presume on 's strength , but looke on 's feete : which nature ( we obserue ) hath taught the * swan , and ought in reason to be done in man. weake are foundations that are rer'd on sand , and on as weake grounds may we seeme to stand , both subiect to be ruin'd , split and raz't , one billow shakes the first , one griefe the last . whence then or how subsists this earthly frame , that merits in it selfe no other name , then * shell of base corruption ! it's not brasse , marble , or iuory , which when times passe , and our expired fates surceasse to be , reserue in them our liuing memorie . no , no , this mettall is not of that proofe , we liue as those vnder a shaking roofe , where euery moment makes apparent show , for want of props of finall ouerthrow . thus then , me thinkes you may ( if so you please ) apply this statue of agathocles ; as he compos'd his royall head of gold , the pur'st of mettals , you are thereby told , that th' head whence reason and right iudgement springs , should not be pesterd with inferior things ; and as his actiue sinnewes , armes are said , to shew their purenesse , to be iuored , like pelops milke-white shoulders ; we are giuen to vnderstand , our armes should be to heauen , as to their proper orbe enlarg'd , that we might there be made the saints of puritie ; by rest of th' parts which were compos'd of brasse , ( being of bigger bone then others was ) we may collect , men made of selfe-same clay , may in their strength do more then others may . lastly o●… earth , as men subsistence haue , their earthly * feete do hasten to their graue . a short satyre of a corrupt lawyer . the xiiii . satyre . naso is sicke of late , but how canst tell ? he hath a swelling in his throate i feare ; ●… iudg'd as much , me thought he spake not well , in his poore clients cause : nay more i heare , his tumour's growne so dang'rous , as some say , he was absolued but the t'other day . and what confest he ? not a sinne i trow , those he reseru'd within a leatherne bag , and that 's his conscience ; did he mercy show unto the po●…re ? not one old rotten rag would he ●…ffoord them , or with teares bemone them , saying , that — forma pauperis had vndone them . did he not wish to be dissolu'd from hence ? no , when you talk'd of finall dissolution , he with a sea of teares his face would drench , wishing he might but make another motion , and he would be dissolu'd when he had done : but his forg'd motion each tearme day begun . had he some matter laid vpon his heart ? abundance of corruption , foule infection . did he no secret treasure there impart ? nought but a boxe containing his complexion . what was it sir , some precious oyle of grace ? no , but an oyle to smeere his brazen face . i haue heard much of his attractiue nose , how he could draw white riols with his breath ; it 's true indeed , and therefore did he choose to drinke aurum potabile at his death , nor car'd he greatly if he were to lose his soule , so that he might enioy his nose . it was a wonder in his greatest p●…ine , how he should haue remorse ; for well i know , in his successiue fortunes nought could straine his hardned conscience , which he would not do for hope of gaine , so as in time no sinne so great , but grew familiar with him . o sir , the many fees he had receiu'd , and hood-winck'd bribes which at his death opprest him , the forged deeds his wicked braine contri●…'d , and that blacke buckram bag which did arrest him , commencing suite in one , surcharg'd him so , that he was plu●…g'd into a gulph ofwo . o what a smoke of powder there appeared at the dissoluing of his vglie soule ; all that were present there to see him feared , his case vncas'd did show so grim , so foule : yet there were some had hope he would do well , make but one motion , and come out of hell . but others fear'd that motion would be long , if it should answer motions he made here : besides , that place of motions is so throng , that one will scarce haue end a thousand yeare . then naso fare thee well , for i do see , earth sends to hell thy mittimus with thee . two short moderne satyres . pseudophilia . in ambulantem . hypocritam . a walking hypocrite there was , whose pace , trunkhose , small ruffe , deminutiue in forme , shew'd to each man he was the child of grace , such were the vertues did his life adorne ; nought could he heare that did of lightnesse come , but he would stop his eares , or leaue the roome . discourse ( thus would he say ) of things deuine , soyle not your soules with such lasciuiousnesse : your vessels should with precious vertues shine , as lamps of grace and lights of godlinesse ; but lasse for wo , sin 's such a fruitfull weed , still as one dies another doth succeed . here one doth beate his braine ' bo●…t practises , there is another plotting wickednesse ; o how long lord wilt thou blindfold their eyes , in suffering them to worke vnrighteousnesse ? well , i will pray for them , and syons peace , the prayers of saints can no way chuse but please thus did this mirror of deuotion walke , inspir'd it seem'd with some angelicke gift , so holy was his life , so pure his talke , as if the spirit of zeale had ely left , and lodg'd within his breast , it could not be , fuller of godly feruor then was he , but see what end these false pretences haue , where zeale is made a cloke to couer sinne , this whited wall to th' eye so seeming graue , like varnish'd tombes had ●…ought but filth within , for though of zeale he made a formall show , in fortune alley was his rendeuow . there he repos'd there he his solace tooke , shrin'd neare his saint , his female-puritan , in place so priuate as no eye could looke , to what they did , to manifest their shame : but see heauens will , those eyes they least suspected , first ey'd their shame , whereby they were detected . thus did his speech and practise disagree in one exemplar , formall , regular , in th' other loose through carnall libertie , which two when they do meete , so different are , as there 's no discord worse in any song , then twixt a hollow heart and holy tongue . for he that doth pretend , and think 't enough , to make a shew of what he le●…st intends , shall ere the period of his dayes run through , beshrew himselfe for his mischieuous ends ; for he that is not good but would be thought , is worse by odds then this plaine dealing nough●… poligonia . in drusum meretricium a●…iutorem . drusus , what makes thee take no trade in hand , but like . hermaphrodite , halfe man halfe womā pandors thy selfe , and stands at whoores command , to play the bolt for euery haxter common ? spend not thy houres with whoores , lest thou confesse , there is no life to thy obduratenesse . obdurate villaine hard'ned in ill , that takes delight in seeing nature naked , whose pleasure drawne from selfe-licentious will , makes thee of god , of men , and all forsaked ; shame is thy chaine , thy fetters linkes of sinne , whence to escape is hard , being once lock'd in . what newes from babell , where that p●…rple whoore , with seared marrow charmes deluded man , so lull'd a sleepe , as he forgets heauens power , and serues that hireling-neapolitan ? i 'le tell the●… drusus , sad and heauie newes , death vnto drusus while he hants the stewes . an admonition to the reader vpon the precedent satyres . who will not be reprou'd , it 's to be fear'd , scornes to amend , or to redeeme the time ; for spotlesse vertue neuer there appear'd , where true humility , that frui●…full vine hath no plantation , for it cannot be , grace should haue growth but by humilitie . let each man then into his errors looke , and with a free acknowledgement confesse ; that there are more errataes in his booke , then th'crabbedst satyre can in lines expresse : for this will better him , and make him grow in grace with vertue , whom he knowes not now . these my vnpolish'd satyre : i commend , to thy protection , not that i do feare thy censure other wise then as a friend , for i am secure of cens●…re i may sweare , but for forme sake : if shou't accept them do , if not , i care not how the world go . thine if thine owne , musophilus . silentio culpa crescit . the shepheards tales . too true poore shepheards do this prouerbe find , no sooner out of sight then out of mind . london , printed for richard whitaker . . his pastoralls are here continved with three other tales ; hauing relation to a former part , as yet obscured : and deuided into certaine pastorall eglogues , shadowing much delight vnder a rurall subiect . the argument . here corydon proues , that nothing can be sent , to crosse loue more , thē friends vnkind restraint . the second argument . corydon coy celia woes , and his loue by tokens showes , tokens are those lures , that find best accesse to woman kind . long he woes ere he can win ; yet at last she fancieth him : and so firme , as you shall heare , each to other troth-plight were ; but alas , where loue is most , there it oft-times most is crost . for these two are closly pent , each from other by restraint ; he , vnto the plaine must go , loue-sicke , heart-sicke , full of wo , where he sings such chearefull layes , in his chast choise , celias praise , that steepe mountaines , rocks and plaines , seeme entranced with his straines : but alas , while he does keepe , helplesse shepheard , haplesse sheepe , celia for to seeke her make , from her keeper makes escape , and vnto the mountaine goes , where her selfe , her selfe doth lose ; while one of lauerna'es crew , seizeth on her as his dew , where by force , by awe , by feare , she was long detained there , and in the end affianc'd so , as she ends her life in wo. the shepheards tales . the shepheards . technis . dymnus . dorycles . corydon . sapphus . linus . the first eglogve . corydons tale . nay shepheards stay , there is no hast but good , we three are shepheards , and haue vnderstood both of your follies and your fancies too ; dor. why tell vs corydon , what thou wouldst do ! cor. shew my misfortune swaines , as you haue done , ●…ech . deferre it till to morrow corydon . cor. no , technis no , i cannot if i would , you 'ue told your griefes , and now mine must be told : what though the sunne be drawing to the west , where he intends to take his wonted rest , t is moone-light ( lads ) and if it were not light , welcome you are to lodge with me all night . dor. thankes corydon . cor. why thanke you corydon ? simple and meane's the cottage where i won , yet well i wot , for chestnuts , cakes , and creame , if you 'le accept my welcome as i meane , you shall not want , but haue sufficient store , with hearty welcome swaines , what would ye more ? dym . more corydon ! t' is all that we can wish , but to thy tale , let 's heare now what it is . dor. yes , do good corydon ; and we will stay ; cor. attend then shepheards , heare what i shall say . sap. and when you 'ue done , i will begin with mine ; lin. which i 'le continue in the euening time . cor. well said , good shepheards , we are iustly three , to answer their three tales , and here for me . there was a maid , and well might she be said , so chast , so choice she was , to be a maid , where lillie white mixt with a cherrie red , such admiration in the shepheards bred , as well was he that might but haue a sight of her rare beauty mirror of delight . oft would she come vnto a siluer spring , which neare her fathers house was neighboring , where she would eye her selfe as she did passe , for shepheards vse no other looking-glasse . tech. tru●… corydon . cor. but which may seeme more rare , this maid she was as wise as she was faire ; so as discretion did so moderate the safe condition of her low estate , as enuie neuer wrong'd her spotlesse name , or soild her matchlesse honour with defame . dor. under a happie planet she was borne , cor. she was indeed ; nor did she euer scorne , the company of any country maid , how meane soere or sluttishly araid : but she would be their play-fare , to make chuse , of such poore simple sports as wenches vse . yea in their wakes , shroues , wassel-cups , or tides , or whitson-ales , or where the country brides chuse out their bride-maids , as the custome is , she seld or neare was seene to do amisse : but so respectiue of her name and fame , that though she blusht , she neuer blusht for shame of any act immodest , but retain'd that good opinion which her vertues gain'd . dym . sure corydon this was a saintly woman ; cor. indeed such saints 'mongst women are not cōmon : but to my story ; her did many swaine , by fruitlesse suite endeuour to obtaine , as young spudippus , rich archymorus , actiue aminta●… , youthfull hirsius . dor. it seemes sh 'ad choice . cor. yes dorycles , she had : and some of these were good , and some as bad , but neither good nor bad , nor rich nor poore , could her content , though she had d●…ily store . yet from pandoras box did nere proceed , more hatefull poyson vpon humane seed , then from these for lorne louers , whose repor●… , ( but iust is heauen , for they were plagued for 't , ) aspers'd this scandall on faire celia , that she had made her choice some other way . tech. unworthy louers . cor. true indeed , they be unworthy th' loue of such an one as she ; for linus you do know them ; lin. yes , i do , but specially spudippus , whom i know , to be the notedst cot-queane that 's about him . tec. sure linus thē she could not chuse but flout him . cor. perhaps she did , yet with that modestie , as she did shadow it so couertly , that he could scarce discouer what she ment . lin. how ere spudippus would be patient . dor. then he 's some gull . lin. no he 's a wealthy man , and such an one as rightly , sure i am , knows how much milke crummock his cow wi●… gi●…e , and can discerne a riddle from a siue . cor. linus , it seemes thou knowes him passing well . lin. las if i would , some stories i could tell , would make you laugh : for as it ●…hanc'd one day , some with my selfe did take his house by th' way , where we an houre or two meant to remaine , to trie how he his friends would entertaine . dor. and pray thee how ? lin. i 'le tell thee dorycles : hauing an houre or two taken our ease , and readie to depart ( i pray thee heare ) he sent one of his sculletie for sc●…e beare , which though long first , came in an earthen cup , which being giuen to me , i drunke it vp ; which drunke . cor. how then good linus , pray thee say ? lin. the rest were forc'd to go a thirst away . dor. had he no more ? cor. thou vs'd him in his kind . lin. may all be vsed so that haue his mind . but much i feare me , ●… ue disturbed thee , now corydon shew what th' euent may be ! cor. long did these woe , but celia could approue of nothing lesse then of these swainlings loue , yet would she faine to fancie one of these , whereby she might her bedrid father please . tech. had she a father ? cor. yes , as●…rly lout , who long had laine decrepit with the gout , and liu'd for all the world , and so did die like to a hog , that 's pent vp in a stie . dor. some cancred erwig . cor. true a very elfe , who car'd not who staru'd ; so he fed himselfe . he , as the want of one sense is exprest , by giuing more perfection to the rest , for euen his sense of feeling did decline , though he had bene a nigglar in his time , y●… all those mouing , actiue faculties , which in the heate of youth are wont to rise , gaue way vnto suspition , lest his daughter through those loue-luring gifts which many brought her , should set her maiden honor at whole sale . tech. age h 'as an eare indeed for euery tale . cor. true , technis true , for no affection can haue more predominance ore any man , then iealousie a selfe-consuming rage , is said to haue ore men of doting age . dor. thy reason corydon ? cor. that disesteeme of being now more weake then they haue bene , makes them repine at others now that may , and are as able to beget as they . tech. t is rightly noted corydon . lin. yes , he knowes by obseruance whence these humors be . cor. linus i do , and better had i bene , if i had neuer knowne what these things meane ; but shepheards you shall heare the reason , why i should this dotards humour thus descrie . sap. yes , do good swaine . cor. it chanc'd vpon a night , a moone-light night , when moone and starres shi●… bright , that i with other shepheards did repaire to th' old-mans house , and found faire celia there , whom i in 〈◊〉 with a kind salute , kist , & with speaking heart though tongue was mut●… , wish'd ; ô what wishes do possesse a mind , that dare 〈◊〉 vtter how his heart 's inclind ! she might be mine , thrice blest in being mine . dor. why didst not woe her s●…aine , for to be thine ? cor. yes . do●…ycles i woed her , though not then , for maidens they are bashfull amongst men , and 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…odestie impart , what they could 〈◊〉 consent to with their heart ; so as to tell 〈◊〉 , truly dorycles , we past that night in making purposes , singing of catches ; with such knowne delights , as young folke vse to passe ore winter nights . and at that time , i may be bold to tell thee , for such conceits i thought none could excell me . for well you know , i was in hyble bred , and by the 〈◊〉 sisters nourished , so as being st●…r'd by nature , help'd by art , there was ●…o straine ●… bore not in some part : which gaue faire celia such entire content , as she discouerd after , what she ment . though i may ●…eare , for fiue months i came to her , and with some termes of art assaid to woe her : during which time , all th' answer i could get , was this ; she did not meane to marrie yet . tech. th●…t's all the a●…swer these young women haue , while they reiect what after they receiue . cor. technis , indeed i did perceiue as much , though all young wenches humours be not such : but th'greatest cause of celias distaste , which made me many times the lesser grac't , proceeded from that chrone her dogged father , as after by coniectures i did gather : perswading her , that she should plant her loue on such whose hopefull meanes might best approue her discreet choice : and that was not to be affianced to such an one as me . dor. alas poore swaine ; 't is true what th'prouerbe saith , we aske not what he is , but what he hath . cor. and yet perswasions which her father vs'd , could not preuaile with her , for she had chus'd , in heart i meane . tech. whom did she ●…ote vpon ? cor. will ye beleeue me ! tech. yes . cor. t was corydon . lin. thrice happie swaine . cor. thrice happie had i bene , if i had slept still in this golden dreame ; but afterwards occurrences there were , which thus abridg'd my hopes , as you shall heare . such deepe impression had affection made , as there remained nothing vnassaid , to consummate our wishes , but the rite . tech. yes something else . cor. what technis ! tech. marriage night . sap. they had enioyed that , you may suppose . cor. no , sapphus no , she was not one of those : so modest , chast , respectiue of her name , pure and demure , as th'sweetnesse of her fame , aboue the choisest odors that are sent from spicie tmolus flowrie continent , sent forth that fragrant and delightfull sauour , as none ere heard , and did not seeke to haue her . for sundrie choise discourses haue we had , and i nere knew that ought could make her glad , which had least taste of lightnesse . tech. sure thou art , so much thy praises relish true desert , worthy such vertuous beautie . cor. technis no , albeit celia●…steem'd ●…steem'd me so , as long and tedious seem'd that day to be , which did deuide her from my companie . so as in silent groues and shady launes , where siluans , water-nimphs , fairies , and faunes , use to frequent , there would we sit and sing , eying our beauties in a neighbour spring , whose siluer streamlings with soft murmring noise , to make our consort perfect , gaue their voice . and long did we obserue this custome too , though her consent did bid me ceasse to woe : for now i was no woer , but her loue , and that so firmely linkt , as nought could moue , alter or sunder our vnited hearts , but meagre death , which all true louers parts . tech. then corydon , to me it doth appeare , that you were troth-plight . cor. technis so we were . but see ( good shepheards ) what succeeded hence : this loue she bore me did her sire incense , so as discurteously he pent his daughter in such a vault , i could not see her after . which when my friends perceiu'd , they grieued were , that th' loue which i his celia did beare , should be rewarded with contempt and scorne , being for parentage equally borne , with best of his , as most of you can tell . lin. proceed good corydon , we know it well . cor. for was i not of polyarchus line , a noble shepheard ! sap. true , who in his time solemniz'd many wakes on this our downe , and ere he dide was to that honour growne , as all our plaines resounded with his laies , sung by our swaines in polyarchus praise . cor. it seemes thou knew him sapphus : but attend for now my storie draweth neare an end . my friends distasting this repulse of mine , forc'd me from th' course whereto i did incline : so as my hopes confin'd , i 'me driuen to go from adons vale vnto a mount of wo. lin. vnhappie shepheard . cor. and vnhappie sheepe , for ill could i my heards from worrying keepe , though to that charge my friends enioyned me , when i could scarcely keepe my owne hands free , from doing violence vpon my selfe : so as one day vpon a ragged shelfe , wreath'd round with iuie , as i ●…ate alone , descanting odes of sorrow and of mone , i chanc'd on my mishap to meditate , celias restraint , and my forlorne estate ; which done , i vow'd if speedy remedy gaue no reliefe vnto my maladie , that very cliff where i repos'd that day , should be the meanes to take my life away . tech. o corydon this soundeth of despaire . cor. it does indeed : but such a watchfull care , had gracious pan of me , that in short time , these motiues to despaire 'gan to decline , and lose their force : so as when griefes grew ripe , i vs'd to take me to my oaten pipe . dor. but ere thou proceed further , tell vs swaine , where all this time thou vsed to remaine . cor. a broad-spread oake with aged armes & old , directs the passenger the way he would , neare cadmus rising hillocks , where the spring of golden tagus vseth oft to bring such precious trafficke to the neighbour shore , as former times through blindnesse did adore those ●…urled streames , wherein they did descry their loue to gold , by their idolatrie : that shady oake i say , and that blest spring , in my distresse , gaue me such harboring ; as night and day i did not thence remoue , but waking mus'd , and sleeping dream'd of l●…ue . tech. who euer heard the like ! dor. how didst thou liue ? cor. on hope . tech. weake food . cor. yet did it comfort giue , to my afflicted mind , which did desire , euer to singe her wings in fancies fire . for many weekes in this distrest estate , wretched , forlorne , helplesse and desolate , sate i deiected , musing on despaire , and when those drerie clouds would once grow faire : but las the more i did expect reliefe , the lesse hope had i to allay my griefe , so as in th' end , as you shall after heare , all meanes for my redresse abridged were . but that you may perceiue what loue can do , and how effectually her passions show , i who before i louely celia kent , knew not what th' heliconian muses ment , addrest my selfe ; lin. to what good corydon ? cor. to write of loue , and thus my muse begun . tech. pray thee kind swaine let 's heare what thou didst write . dor. yes do : for well i know it will delight sepheards to heare , of shepheards amorous toyes ; sap. on then good corydon . cor. haue at ye boyes . celia speake , or i am dombe , here i 'le soiorne till thou come , seeke i will till i grow blind , till i may my celia find . for if tongue-tide , string would breake , if i heard but celia speake ; and if blind , i soone should see , had i but a sight of thee ; or if lame , loue would find feete , might i once with celia meete ; or if deafe , should i but heare loues sweete accents from thy eare : thy choice notes would me restore , that i should be deafe no more . thus though dombe , blind , deafe , and lame , heard i but my celias name , i should speake , see , heare , and go , vowing , celia made me so . tech. beshrow me corydon , if i had thought , that loue such strange effects could ere haue wrought , cor. yes technis , yes , loue 's such a wondrous thing , that it will make one plungd in sorrow sing , and singing weepe , for griefe is wont to borrow some strains of ioy , that ioy might end in sorrow . for what is woe ( as we must needs confesse it ) hauing both tongue and teares for to expresse it , but a beguiling griefe , whose nature 's such , it can forget , lest it should grieue too much . dor. indeed such sorrow seldome lasteth long , but say good swaine , heard celia of thy song ? cor. i know not , dorycles : but t was her lot , that from her keeper afterwards she got . tech. happie escape . cor. ah technis , say not so , for this escape gaue new increase to wo ; lin. how could that be ? cor. heare but what did ensue , she was preuented by a ruffin-crue , as she vpon the mountaines rom'd about , through desart caues to find her shepheard out . tech. alas poore wench ; what were they corydon ? cor. such as did haunt there , and did liue vpon rapine and violence , triumphing in impunitie , sole motiue vnto sin . in briefe , they were , for so they did professe , of braue lauerna'es crue , that patronesse of all disorder , and each euening time offer'd stolne booties to her godlesse shrine . tech. mishap aboue mishaps . cor. true , so it was ; my lasse she lost her lad , the lad his lasse . and sundry daies , this rout did her detaine , while haplesse , helplesse she did sore complaine of their inhumane vsage , but her griefe , sighs , sobs , teares , throbs , could yeeld her small reliefe : for in the end one of this forlorne crew , seiz'd on my long-lou'd celia as his dew , to whom espousd whether she would or no , she ends her life , her tedious life , in wo. lin. a sad euent : but can she not be freed ? cor. to what end linus , she 's dishonoured ! tech. unhappie fate . cor. besides , she now is tide , and by enforcement , made anothers bride . come shepheards come , and say if euer time , made heardmens woes so ripe , as 't hath done mine . sap. yes corydon , though thou thy griefes hast showne , which makes thee thinke none equall to thine owne , i haue a tale will moue compassion too , if swaines haue any pittie . dym . pray thee how ? sap. nay i will not be daintie ; but attend , and then compare our stories to the end , and you 'le conclude that neuer any swaine did lone so well , and reape so small a gaine . the argument . sapphus woes siluia , yet he thinks it ill , to take to that , which he did neuer till . the second argument . she , whose sweet and gracefull speech , might all other shepheards teach : she , whom countries did admire , for her presence and attire : she , whose choise perfections mou'd , those that knew her to be lou'd . she , euen siluia , for saue she , none so faire , and firme could be ; when she should be sapphus bride , and their hands were to be tide with their hearts in marriage knot , sapphus heares of siluias blot . whereby sapphus doth collect , how hard it is for to affect , such an one as will reioyce , and content her in her choice ; he concludes , since all things be certaine in vncertaintie , who would trust what women say , who can do but what they may . forts are won by foes assault , if maids yeeld , it is mans fault . the second eglogve . sapphus tale . i had a loue as well as any you , and such an one , as had she but her due , deseru'd the seruice of the worthiest swaine that ere fed sheepe vpon the westerne plaine . dym . good sapphus say , what was thy lasses name ? was it not siluia ? sap. the very same ; it seemes thou knew her . dym . yes exceeding well , and might haue knowne her , but i would not mell , in more familiar sort . sap. unworthy swaine , did her affection merit such astaine ? suppose she threw some looser lookes vpon thee , and thou collected thence she would haue won thee , is this th'requit all of the loue she bore ? dym . nay on good sapphus , i 'le do so no more . sap. no more ! why now i sweare , and may be bold that dymnus would haue done it if he could . why sir , what parts were euer in you yet , that she on you such fancie should haue set ? tech. fie , shepheards fie , we come not here to scold : come sapphus , tell thy tale as we haue told . sap. dymnus doth interrupt me . lin. dymnus ceasse . dym . nay i haue done , so he will hold his peace . but to vpbraid me , that i had no part to gaine her loue , i scorne it with my heart : for i le auouch . tech. nay then the strife's begun . dor. dymnus for shame . dym . nay shepheards , i haue done . dor. pray then proceed good sapphus . sap. willingly : though i can hardly brooke this iniury . dym . why sapphus , i am sure thou know'st all this , that she was light . sap. i know she did amisse , yet i must tell you dymnus , 't had bene fit , that rather i then you had noted it : for it concern'd me most . dym . pray let it rest , i did not know so much , i may protest . sap. dymnus , enough : and thus i do proceed ; vpon a time when i my flocks did feed , her father thyrsis chanc'd to come that way , and to obserue me more , a while made stay upon the downe , where i did feede my sheepe : who eying●…me , how duely i did keepe my woollse store ( as i had care ) from worrien , scab , sought , the r●…t or any kind of murren : tooke such a liking on me , as to say the very truth , vpon next holy day , he did inuite me to his house , where i found what was loue in louely siluia's eye . in briefe , i lou'd her , i may boldly tell , and this her father notes , and likes it well : for oft vs'd he to say , right sure i am , a penny in a man then with a man , he did esteeme more of , which he applide unto that care which he in me descride . dym . a iolly swaine he was . sap he was indeed , and on these downs more frolicke rams did breed , then any swainling that did dwell about him , and truth to say , they would do nought without him . dor. t is said that thirsk frō thirsis tooke her name , who thither with his heards a grazing came , and plaid vpon his pipe such pleasant straines , as he yet liues vpon the neighbour plaines . sap. this know i dorycles , that in my hearing , he pip'd so sweete , that many shepheards fearing th'melodious straines which issued from his reed , would so amaze their flocks they could not feede : ioyntly together in a secret caue , where palms and mirtles their increasing haue , they so contriu'd an harbour for the nonst , that he might from the scorching sunne be sconst , and sing at pleasure , while his accents raising , heardsmen were hearing , and their heards were grazing . for curious seats hewne from the solid stone , were aptly fram'd for swaines to sit vpon , who in his voice conceiu'd such choice delight , as a whole sommer day from morne to night , seem'd but an houre , so sweetly did he sing , while euery day he found out some new spring . but all too long digression haue i made ; falling in loue with siluia as i said , i saw and perishd , perishd , for it cost my libertie , which i by seeing lost . dor. deare was that sight . sap. yet dearer may i sweare , was she to me , then any senses were : for other obiects i did wholly shon , chusing her selfe for me to looke vpon . neither was i hope-reft , for she did seeme to fancie me , hows'euer she did meane ; and i deseru'd it , as i thought that day , for clothed in my suite of shepheards gray , with buttond cap and buskins all of one , i may assure you ( heardsmen ) i thought none on all our downe more neate or handsome was , or did deserue more kindnesse from his lasse . dym . a good conceit doth well . sap. and truth was this , she shew'd me all respect that i could wish , and vndissembled too , i am perswaded , though afterwards all that affection faded . for on a day , ( this i thought good to tell , that you may thence perceiue she lou'd me well ) in a greene shadie harbour i repos'd , with sycamours and iu●…ipers enclos'd , she priuately into the harbour crept , which seene , i fatn'd a sleepe , but neuer slept . tech. a faire occasion ! lin how did she reueale her loue ? sap. if you had felt , what i did feele , you neuer would awakt , but wisht do die , in such a soule-beguiling phantasie . for first sh●… eyed me , nor contented so , with nimble pace she to my lips did go : and calls , and clings , and clips me round about , using a soft-sweete dalliance with her foote , not to awake me from my cheare full dreame , but to impart what she in heart did meane ; wherewith i seem'd to wake . tech. why didst thou so ? sap. technis , i thought she trod vpon my toe , but as i wak'd , she without further stay , dying her cheekes with blushes , stole away . dym . this shew'd she lou'd thee . sap. so i know she did , but who can perfect what the fates forbid ? for long we liued thus , and loued too , with vowes as firme as faith and troth could do , that nought should ere infringe that nuptiall band , confirm'd betwixt vs two with heart and hand . so as with thirsis knowledge and consent , after so many weekes in loue-toyes spent , it was agreed vpon by either side , that i should be her bridegroome , she my bride . and th'day of solemnization was set downe , so as the choisest youths in all the towne , addrest themselues , for i was valued then amongst the chiefest swaines , to be my men . lin. i know it sapphus , both thy wealth and worth , were both of power enough to set thee forth . sap. in briefe , for i your patience might wrong , to stand vpon these marriage rites too long ; to th'church we went , suspecting i may sweare , no such euents as after did appeare . tech. what sad euents , good sapphus ? sap. being now come to do that which we could nere vnde , the priest pronounc'd a charge , whereby was ment , if either of vs knew impediment , why we should not be ioyned , then to speake , that we in time might such a wedlocke breake ; or any one there present should shew cause , why we might not be married by the lawes : there to declare , in publicke one of these , or else for euer after hold their peace . god speed them well , said all , saue onely one , who sto●…d from thence some distance all alone , crying , aloud in open audience , sapphus for beare , there is no conscience , that thou should ioyne thy hand to one defil'd ; at least prouide a father for her child , which she kind pregnant wench is great withall . and , who ere got it , will thee father call . tech. this was a strange preuention . sap. i confesse it , but ify'ad heard how meuus did expresse it , ( for so his name was ) you would haue admir'd his frontlesse impudence . dym . sure he was hir'd , to frustrate these solemnities . sap. a●… no , beleeue me dymnus it was nothing so : for she was fruitfull long before her time , but th'fault was hers , it was no fact of mine : so as her neighbours iudg'd and censurd on her , that she begun by time to take vpon her . but this shall be in silence past for me , onely she 's shadowed in my * omphale , and so charactred , as the time may come , siluia shall be as flora was in rome . dor. but what succeeded hence ? sap. upon this voice there streight arose a strange confused noise , some meuus tax'd , and said he was to blame , to blemish any modest maidens name ; others were doubtfull , left it should be true , and thus they thought , and thus it did ensue . i now suspicious of this foule dishonour , which meuus publickly had laid vpon her : resolu'd those solemne spousals to delay , and put them off vntill another day : meane while , ( attend me swains ) when th'day came on that i should marrie , siluia had a sonne . cor. god blesse the boy . dym . who might the child be git ? sap. nay dymnus sure , who euer fatherd it . dym . who i ! sap. nay blush not man for you haue told , you might oft-times haue done it if you wold ; but i do wish her all the good i can , and praise her choise , though i be not the man. tech. vnhappie choice ! dor. hard fate ! t' is nothing so , you 'le heare a choise more fatall ere you go . these were but toyes to entertaine the time , prepare your handkerchers if you 'le haue mine . all. what , must we weepe ? lin. shepheards a while forbeare , and if there be no cause , iudge when you heare . the argument . linus doth lesbia loue , and woe , and win , and after by her lightnesse wrongeth him . the second argument . louely lesbia , who might be , for birth , beauty , quality , styled natures paragon , fram'd for swaines to dote vpon ; in a word for to expresse , feature of this shepheardesse , if you would her stature know , she was neither high nor low ; but of such a middle size , as if nature did deuise , ( for as 't seemeth so she ment ) to make her , her president ; with a sun-reflecting eye , skin more smooth then iuory ; cherrie lip , a dimple chin , made for loue to lodge him in ; a sweete chearing-chafing sent , which perfum'd ground where she went ; a perswasiue speech , whose tongue strucke deepe admiration dombe . she , euen she , whom all approu'd , is by liuely linus lou'd , and at last ( what would ye more ) though she was betroth'd before to palemon , that braue swaine , who quite droupes through her disdaine , is with rites solemnized , vnto linus married ; whom he finds ( as heauen is iust ) after , staind with boundlesse lust , so as he laments his state , of all most vnfortunate , that he should in hope of pelfe , wrong both others and himselfe . the third eglogve . linus tale . i lou'd a lasse , alas that ere i lou'd , who as she seem'd to be , if she had prou'd , a worthier swaine the countrey nere had bred , and her i woing won , and winning wed . tech. i like theé linus , thy preamble's short ; lin. technis , indeed i 〈◊〉 not of that sort , who for a thing of nought will pule and crie , and childishly put finger in the eye ; the burden of my griefe is great to beare . dor. what is it linus , pray thee let vs heare ? lin. the maid i got , and lesbia was her name , was to another troth-plight ere i came . cor. how should she linus then be got by thee ? lin. it was my fate , or her inconstancie . hows'ere i haue her , and possesse her now , and would be glad to giue her one of you . tech. art wearie of thy choice ? lin. technis , i am , for i 'me perswaded fhe'd wearie any man. so seeming smooth she is and euer was , as if she hardly could say michaelmas : but priuately so violently fierce , as i 'me afraid her name will spoile my verse . cor. this is some hornet sure . lin. a very waspe , whose forked tongue who euer should vnelaspe , would find 't a taske to charme it . dym . is 't so tart ; lin. o dymnus , that thou didst but feele a part of my affliction , thou wouldst surely mone , and pittie me , that 's matcht to such an one ; for tell me shepheards was there ere so rare , a crime , wherein my lesbia doth not share ? proud , ( though before as humble to the eye as ere was maid ) so as one may descrie , euen by her outward habit what she is , and by her wanton gesture gather this : if thou be chast , thy body wrongs thee much , for thy light carriage saith , thou art none such . sap. some fashion-monger i durst pawne my life . lin. sapphus 't is true , such is poore linus wife , though ill it seemes a country shepheardesse , such harsh fantasticke fashions to professe : one day vnto a barber she 'de repaire , and for what end but this , to cut her haire , so as like to a boy she did appeare , hauing her haire round cut vnto her eare . cor. good linus say , how lookt that minx of thine ? lin. like to a fleecelesse ewe at shearing time . so cowd she was , as next day she did show her upon the downs , but not a swaine could know her ; so strangely clipt she seem'd , and in disguise , so monstrous ougly , as none could deuise to see one clad in lothsomer attire : and this she knew was farre from my desire , for i did euer hate it . tech. pray thee lad tell vs in earnest how she might be clad ! lin. there is a fashion now brought vp of late , which here our country blouzes imitate , the cause whereof i do not thinke it fit , if i did know 't , for to discouer it , but sure i iudge , some rot's in womans ioynts , which makes them faine to tye them vp with points . dym . with points ! lin. yes dymnus , that 's the fashion now , whereof i haue a tale , right well i know , will make you laugh . dor. let 's heare that tale of thiue . lin. shepheards you shall ; it chanc'd vpon a time , that lesbia , whose spirit euer would obserue the fashion , do i what i could , bearing a port far higher in a word , then my abilitie could well afford : that she i say into this fashion got , ( as what was th' fashion she affected not ) of tying on with points her looser waste ; now i obseruing how her points were plast , the euen before she to a wake should go , i all her points did secretly vndo , yet therewith all such easie knots did make , that they might held till she got to the wake , which she not minding . cor. on good linus , on . lin. she hyes her to the wake ( my corydon . ) where she no sooner came , then she 's tane in , and nimbly , falls vnto her reuelling , but see the lucke on 't , while she scuds and skips , her vnderbody falls from off her hips , whereat some laught , while others tooke some ruth , that she vncas'd , should shew the naked truth . but heare what happen'd hence , ere th'setting sunne lodg'd in the west , she heard what i had done ; so as resolu'd to quite me in my kind , next morne betime , she hylus chanc'd to find . sap. who , clytus boy ! lin. yes sapphus , selfe-same lad , who was a good boy , ere she made him bad . tech. pray linus how ? lin. through her immodestie , she him allur'd for to dishonour me . tech. difloy all lesbia ; but pray the shew , did hylus ( harmelesse youth ) consent thereto ? lin. technis , he did ; dor. how shouldst thou know as much ? lin. she did display't her selfe . dor. is her shame such ? lin. yes , and withall defide me to my face , with such iniurious speeches of disgrace , as patience could not beare . tech. and didst thou beare them ? lin. yes , technis yes , & smild when i did heare them for this is my conceit , it seemeth no man , to shew his violence vnto a woman . dym . linus sayes well , but womans nature 's such , they will presume if men do beare too much . for if the tongue vpon defiance stand , the tongue should be reuenged by the hand . lin. some would haue done it dymnus , but i thought if i reuenge by such base meanes had sought , the woreld would condemne me ; she could blind most men with an opinion , she was kind , but in a modest sort : for on a time , rich amphybaeus offring to the shrine of panaretus ( as there went report ) sought for her loue in a dishonest sort , with price , with prayer , yet nere attain'd his aime , to soile her honour , or her vertues staine ; sap. women are nice when simple heard-men craue it , and will say nāy , when they the fainst would haue it . lin. 't is right ; and now good shapheards tell me true , haue i not cause , for i 'le be iudg'd by you , to mone my hard mishap ? tech. thou hast indeed . cor. thy woes , friend linus , make my heart strings bleed ; lin. i thanke you all ; but will you heare a song , penn'd in the meditation of my wrong ! dor. for loues-sake do ! lin. iudge if the descant fit the burden of my griefe , for this is it ; as for the note before i further go , my tune is this , and who can blame my woe ? if marriage life yeeld such content , what heauie hap haue i , whose life with griefe and sorrow spent , wish death , yet cannot die : she 's bent to smile when i do storme , when i am chearefull too , she seemes to loure , then who can cure , or counterpoize my woe ? my marriage day chac'd you away , for i haue found it true , that bed which did all ioyes display , became a bed of rue ; where aspes do brouze on fancies floure , and beauties blossome too : then where 's that power on earth may cure , or counterpoize my woe ? i thought loue was the lampe of life , no life without ' en loue , no loue like to a faithfull wife : which when i sought to proue , i found her birth was not on earth , for ought that i could know ; of good ones i perceiu'd a dearth , then who can cure my woe ? zantippe was a iealous shrow , and menalippe too , faustina had a stormie brow , corinna'es like did show ; yet these were saints compar'd to mine , for mirth and mildlesse too : who runs diuision all her time , then who can cure my woe ? my boord no dishes can afford , but chafing dishes all , where selfe-will domineres as lord , to keepe poore me in thrall ; my discontent giues her content , my friend she vowes her foe : how should i then my sorrowes vent , or cure my endlesse woe ? no cure to care , farewell all ioy , retire poore soule and die , yet ere thou die , thy selfe employ , that thou maist 〈◊〉 the skie ; where thou may moue commanding ioue , that pluto he might go to wed thy wife , who end't thy life , for this will cure thy wo ! dym . i iudge by this , that thou wouldst faine for sake her , and freely giue her any that would take her . lin. dymnus i would , but i my crosse must beare , as i haue done before this many yeare ; but since our griefes are equally exprest , let 's now compare which is the heauiest ! tech. i lost my amarillid●… ; dor. but she was nothing to bellina . dym . no , nor she like to my faire palmira . cor. nor all three equall to celia ; sap. let siluia be the onely faire . lin. admit , they all were faire , your griefes with me , may haue no equall share , for you are free , so as perhaps you may make choice of some , may be as faire as they ; but i am bound , and that in such a knot , as onely death may it vnloose , or not . tech. to linus must we yeeld ; but who are these ? dor. two iollie shepheards , that do hither prese , with ribbon fauours , and rosemary sprigs , chanting along our downes their rurall ijg●… , as to some wedding boun ; sap. you may presume , for iohn vnto the may-pole is their tune , and that 's their bridall note . lin. let vs draw neare them , close to this shadie beech , where we may heare them . the shepheards holy-day , reduced in apt measures to hobbinalls galliard , or iohn to the may-pole . mopso . come marina let 's away , for both bride and bridegroome stay , fie for shame are swaines so long , pinning of their head-geare on ? pray thee see , none but we , mongst the swaines are left vnreadie , fie , make hast , bride is past , follow me and i will leade thee . mar. on my louely mopsus , on , i am readie , all is done , from my head vnto my foote , i am fitted each way to 't ; buskins gay , gowne of gray , best that all our flocks do render , hat of stroe , platted through , cherrie lip and middle slender . mop. and i thinke you will not find mopsus any whit behind , for he loues as well to go , as most part of shepheards do . cap of browne , bottle-crowne , with the leg i won at dancing , and a pumpe fit to iumpe , when we shepheards fall a prancing . and i know there is a sort , will be well prouided for 't , for i heare , there will be there liueliest swaines within the shere : ietting gill , iumping will , ore the floore will haue their measure : kit and kate , there will waite , tib and tom will take their pleasure . mar. but i feare ; mop. what doest thou feare ? mar. crowd the fidler is not there : and my mind delighted is , with no stroake so much as his . mop. if not he , there will be drone the piper that will trounce it . mar. but if crowd , strucke aloud , lord me thinks how i could bounce it ! mop. bounce it mall , i hope thou will , for i know that thou hast skill , and i am sure thou there shalt find , measures store to please thy mind ; roundelayes , irish-hayes , cogs and rongs and peggie ramsie , spanilet to , the uenetto , iohn come kisse me , wilsons fancie . mar. but of all there 's none so sprightly to my eare , as tutch me lightly : for it 's this we shepheards loue , being that which most doth mo●… ; there , there , there , to a haire , o tim crowd , me ●…hinks i heare thee , young nor old , nere could hold , but must leake if they come nere thee . mop. blush marina , fie for shame , blemish not a shepheards name ; mar. mopsus why , is 't such a matter , maids to shew their yeelding nature ? o what then , be ye men , that will beare your selues so froward , when you find us inclin'd , to your bed and boord so toward ? mop. true indeed , the fault is ours , though we tearme it oft-times yours ; mar. what would shepheards haue vs do , but to yeeld when they do wo ? and we yeeld them the field , and endow them with our riches . mop. yet we know , oft-times too , you 'le not sticke to weare the breches . mar. fooles they 'le deeme them , that do heare them say , their wiues are wont to weare them : for i know there 's none has wit , can endure or suffer it ; but if they haue no stay , nor discretion ( as t is common ) then they may giue the sway , as is fitting to the woman . mop. all too long ( deare loue ) i weene , haue we stood vpon this theame : let each lasse , as once it was , loue her swaine , and swaine his lasse : so shall we honor'd be , in our mating , in our meeting , while we stand hand in hand , honest swainling , with his sweeting . dor. how say you shepheards , shall we all repaire unto this wedding , to allay our care ? dym . agreed for me . tech. and i am well content . cor. on then , let 's make our life a merriment . sap. see where they come ! may hymen aye defend them . lin. and far more ioy then i haue had god send them . finis . omphale , or , the inconstant shepheardesse . perijssem , nisi perijssem . london , printed for richard whitaker . . to her in whose chast breast choisest vertues , as in their abstract , are seated : the accomplishd lady p. w. wife to the nobly-descended s. t. w. knight : and daughter to the much honoured , s. r. c. all correspondence to her worthiest wishes . omphale , or , the inconsant shepheardesse . in bondage free , in freedome bound i am , a hopelesse , haplesse , loue-sicke , life-sicke man ; when i write ought , streight loue preuenteth me , and bids me write of nought but omphale : when i ride east , my heart is in the west , lodg'd in the center of her virgin-breast . the homeliest cell would chearefull seeme to me , if i in it might liue with omphale . my youth growes ag'd , for though i 'me in my prime , loue hath made furrowes in this face of mine ; so as last day ( aye me vnhappie elfe ) looking in th'glasse , i scarce could know my selfe . and i , from whom these sharpe extreames did grow , was not content , but i must tell her too , which made her proud , for few or none there are , ( if women ) but they 'r proud if they be faire . all this last sommer hath it bene my hap , to sport , toy , play , and want on in her lap , and euer th'more i plaid , if so i could , or strength admitted meanes , the more i would : for truth confirmes that maxime , where we find a louing , loyall , well-disposed mind , prest for encounter , there we loue to plant , feeding on loues delights in midst of want ; for loue contemnes all want , and counts't a gaine , to purchase one houres ioy with two yeares paine . alas how oft ( too oft thou well may say ) haue i in priuate spent with her the day , inuoking th'sunne , plants , heauen , and earth and all , if fall i should , she did procure my fall ? and still she vow'd , and bit her lip , and stept apart from me , and wip'd her eyes and wept , and stood and chid , and call'd me most vniust , to harbour in my bosome such distrust . and i ( too credulous i ) as one dismaid , was forced to recant what i had said , swearing i was resolu'd that th'constancie , of * hypemnestra match'd not omphale . thus did i gull my selfe to sooth my loue , who prou'd a serpent , though she seem'd a doue : for vowes , protests , and all that she had spoken , were by her light affection quickly broken . and whence came this ? not frō me , heauen thou knowes , but from my loue who triumphs in my woes ; my loue ; raze out that name : she was indeed , when thou and she your lanbkins vs'd to feede on arnus flowrie banks , being wont to make posies and nosegaies for her shepheards sake , and bind them to his hooke ; but let that passe , she is not she , nor time the same it was . for then ( ô then ) suspicious eyes were free , and none but heauenly bodies lookt on thee ; ( too faire spectators , ) though we now and then dispence with gods sight rather then with men . and can she thinke on this and not relent , or thinking not of this , can she consent to leaue admetus ? yes , why can she not ! now loues she cloris , and i feare his lot will proue as fatall , for her very eye tells me she meanes to tread her shoe awry . and this i saw before , and durst not see , for th' loue i bore to her , perswaded me she could not be so thankelesse , as requite my faithfull seruice with such strange despite : yet i perceiu'd , not by suspicious feare , but by the organs both of eye and eare , that loue was fained which to me she bore , reseruing others to supply her store . and i confesse in th' end i iealous grew , for some had many fauours , i but few ; others had smiles , i frownes , so as i say , i found her former fancie fall away , which gaue increase to griefe , cause to my eye to looke into her steps more narrowly ; so as poore foole ( so vainely did i erre ) i thought each bush did play th' adulterer , so violent was this passion ; which to show , though of actaeons there be store enow , i briefly meane , ( and let all others passe ) to tell you how my iealous humour was . each thing i ey'd , did represent to me , the louely feature of my omphale , yet so , as still that precious forme i saw , did by attractiue power another draw , to make her forme more complete , for we know , number can ne're consist of lesse then two . streight did i see , ( suspition made me see ) my selfe made cuckold in a phantasie , which in my thoughts such deepe impression tooke , as now and then i threw away my booke , calling my selfe an asse , to pore on that which gaue my wench time to cornute my pate ; and to confirme the height of my disgrace , suffer the rifling of her common place . sometimes in silent nights , when hoarie care is charm'd asleepe , and men exempted are from day-bred passions , would i start from bed , and sweare , the night had me dishonoured ; while she ( sleepe-lulled soule ) did thinke no harme , but lay entwining me with arme in arme : yet hearing me she wakt , and chid me too , for doing ( humerous foole ) what i did do , and as she chid i wept , yet inward faine , my dreames prou'd false , i went to bed againe . if i but found her in discourse with any , i streight renounc'd her loue , and swore too many were factors in my pinnace , yet one frowne sent from her brow , subdude me as her owne . if she receiu'd a letter from a friend , i streight coniectur'd what it did intend ; supposing ( vaine suppose ) where th'place should be , that witnesse might the shame of omphale : to which i vow'd reuenge , though nothing were , but my owne thoughts that ministred this feare . oft would i faine ( for what were all my thoughts , but fictions meerely ) that she played nought with her owne shadow , and narcissus-like , that in her forme she tooke such quaint delight , as forced now to surfet on her store , she prou'd this true : much plentie made her poore . thus did her presence cause me to admire her , her absence like occasion to desire her ; without whose presence , though the sunneshone faire , all seemed darke , because she was not there . last time we parted with teare-trickling eye , hand ioyn'd in hand right ceremonially , i calld the heauens and sacred powers aboue , to witnesse with me my vnfained loue , and vow'd withall , if ere it should appeare , i broke the faith which i had plight to her , or entred any bed lasciuiously , intending to play false with omphale , or entertain'd least thought of disrespect to her or hers in nature of neglect , or euer cancell'd th' deed , which ( heauens you know , was seal'd and was deliuer'd twixt vs two ) or euer chang'd my fancie , to deuide my shared loue vnto another bride , or ere disclaim'd what i in secret vow'd , or disallow what hymen had allow'd ; if this or that , or any of these all , should censure me of lightnesse , that my fall might recompence my shame ( which heauens forbid ) and this i vow'd to do , and this i did . nor did she spare to second me in this , but wish'd if ere she chanc'd to do amisse , with an intent of ill , or violate those solemne hests our loues had consummate , or ftain'd that spousall rest , that blest repose , where two encountred , yet were neither foes ; or disesteem'd my loue , or prized it lesse then a constant louer did befit , or let one day or night passe carelesly , without recalling me to memory , or giue occasion to the world to say , she loues another when her loue 's away , or entertaine a fauour , or descry least of affection by alluring eye , or riot in my absence , or consort with any that might blemish her report , or frequent publicke presence , which might moue a subiect for varietie of loue : if this or that , or any should begin to taxe her life , might vengeance plague her sinne . thus we both vow'd , and thus we parted too , but heare how soone my loue infring'd her vow ; no sooner had the region of the west , remou'd me from my loue , and reft me rest , where steepie mountaines ragged and vneuen , ossa and pelion-like do menace heauen , where scalpie hils and sandie vales imply , the ploughmans toile's requited slenderly ; where their course feeding and their homely fare , makes their wits lumpish , and their bodies spare : then she ( inconstant she ) forgot me cleane , and all her vowes , as if i had not bene . distance of place , made distance in our loue , and as my body mou'd , her loue did moue from her first center : thus euen in my prime , did my loue change , when i did change my clime . thus like blind cupids ball ( by fancie crost ) was i to euery hazard strangely tost ; thus was my seruice guerdon'd with disgrace , while cloris crept into admetus place : and can her height of sinne be thus forgot ? no , wanton no , who is it knowes it not ? so as thy crime thy nature will display , and make thy storie worse then cressida , who in contempt of faith , ( as we do reade ) reiected troilus for diomede ! canst thou make shew of loue to me or any , that art expos'd to louing of so many ? canst thou haue heart to vow , when thou forsooke , and didst infringe the oath which thou first tooke ? canst thou haue face to come in open light , that hast incurr'd reuenge in his pure sight , whose vengeance thou inuok't ? canst thou repaire unto thy sex , or taste the common ayre , hauing , ( by making of thy faith so common ) infected th' ayre , impeach'd the sex of women ? canst thou looke on that faithlesse hand of thine , and giue it to another being mine ? canst thou , and see that face , not blush to see those teares thou shed , and vowes thou made to me ? or canst embrace another in thy bed , hearing thy first espoused friend not dead ? suppose i should surprize thee , could i long restraine my hand , and not reuenge my wrong ? could i allay my passion vnexprest , or see th' adulterer sleepe within thy brest ? could i endure my bed should be abus'd , or see her strumpeted , whom i had chus'd ? could i content my selfe to see my shame , and coward-like , not to redresse the same ? no , no insatiate thou , sooner could time leaue his gradation , or the sunne to shine , light bodies to ascend and leaue their center , riuers their downeward course , then i should venter my patience on that odds : but foolish i , that gaue no credit to mine eare or eye , but made my senses all cassandra'es , where mine eare presag'd , yet i 'de not trust mine eare : such strange distempers doth this circe breed , this phrensie-fancie in a louers head , that though he heare , see , taste , and touch , & smell his loues vnkindnesse , yet he dare not tell , but must renounce th' instruction of all these , yea , ( euen himselfe ) that he his wench may please . o why should man tearme woman th'weaker kind , since they are stronger , as we daily find , in will , and head , although their husbands browes , oft to a harder kind of temper growes ? so as for all that we do style them weaker , they oft become to be their husbands maker ! but now admetus , wilt thou pine and die , and ●…aste thy selfe for her inconstancie ? wilt thou lament the losse of such an one , as hath resolu'd to keepe her faith with none ? or canst thou dote on her , that longs to be affected of each youth that she doth see ? no , no admetus , since she proues vntrue , shed not one teare nor sigh , for none is due , but offer pan the chiefe of all thy flocke , that thou art rid of such a weathercocke . now maist thou pipe vpon thy oaten reede , whilest thy mug-sheepe on arnus pastures feede : where bonnie clytus will attend on thee , and mopsus too will keepe thee companie . there the late-freed capnus will repaire , and ioy to taste the freedome of the ayre ; where he will descant on no rurall theame , but on ambitions curbe , the golden meane . and ioy he may , for who did euer heare such alterations as in him appeare ? where long restraint hath labour'd to restore that loue to him , which he had lost before . with whom admetus may in consort ioyne , comparing of your fortunes one by one ; he to regaine the loue which he had lost , thou to forget her loue that wrong'd thee most . and well would this beseeme admetus straine , ▪ for shepheards should not laugh at others paine , but in compassion of their grieues and them , to imitate their passions in the same . and this 's a better course , and safer too , then to do that which thou so late didst do , pining and puling , wishing death appeare , which for thy wishes was no whit the neare . " for death ( whē we are happie ) will come nie vs , " but if we wretched be , then death will flie vs. how oft hath my experience made this good , when wishing death , i was by death withstood ? for still i thought my woes would haue an end if * death arriu'd , afflictions welcome friend . but th'more i sought , the more he fled from me , to make me riper in my miserie : " for griefe is of that nature , as it growes " in age , so new effects it daily showes . yet now thou liues ( and thanks to th'powers aboue ) hast neare by this , supprest the thoughts of loue . now canst thou feed , and sleepe , and laugh , & talke , sport , and tell tales , refresh thy selfe , and walke in flowrie meedes , whilest thou seest cloris hing his iealous head to heare the cuckow sing , alas ( poore man ) what bondage is he in , to serue a swaine that 's cauteriz'd in sin , expos'd to shame , and prostitute to lust , in whom nor 's grace , nor faith , nor loue , nor trust ? and heauen i wish , she may in time reclaime her former course , and rectifie the same : but th' pumice stone will hardly water yeeld , or grace appeare in such a barren field : for such light mates encompasse her about , as vertue 's choak't before it can take roote . o cloris , if thou knew admetus mind , and th'hard conceit he h'as of womankind , whose fairest lookes , are lures , affections , baits , words , wind , vowes , vaine , and their protests deceits , songs , charms , teares , traines to trace vs to our end , smiles , snares , frowns , fears , which to our ruine tend : then wouldst thou ( cloris ) censure omphale , the pregnant mirror of inconstancie , and curbe thy fancie , ere it haue least part in one can vow so often with one heart . for heare me ( cloris ) she did neuer show more loue to thee , then she to others too : yet what art thou ( if man ) maist build thee more upon her faith then others did before ? what art thou canst perswade thy selfe of this , she 'le not tread right , h 'as trod so long amisse , or that she 'le now proue constant , that h 'as prou'd , so faithlesse to the most , that she has lou'd ? no , cloris no , the prouerbe it is true , and is confirm'd in her whom thou doest sue ; " to wash the moore , is labouring in vaine , " for th'colour that he h'as , is di'd in graine . so th'more thou striues to make her blacknes white , thou drawes heauens curtaine to display her night . her night indeed , saue that no starres appeare , ( no lights of grace ) within her hemi-spheare , but th'changing moone , whose lightnesse doth expresse that light-inconstant mind of omphales : " where vertue seemes at nature to complaine , " that vice should be at full , and she at waine . yet nature answers , she h'as done her part , and that the fault is rather in her heart , that is so spacious , to entertaine the wauering loue of euery wanton swaine . and i assent to nature , for it 's showne , by her rare workemanship , what she h'as done , in giuing beautie lustre , her content ; in forming her , her selfe to represent . and reason good ; for when i thinke vpon , that zeuxes , phydias , and pigmalion , ( those natiue artists ) who indeed did striue to make their curious statues seeme aliue , reducing art to nature ; then i find , nature had cause to satisfie her mind in something aboue art , that after-time might moue her to reioyce , art to repine . and what more mouing patterne could there be , then the admired forme of omphale , whose feature equall'd nature , and did show the very spring whence fancie 's said to flow ? for first her stature's seemely , which i call , neither too dwarfish low , nor giant-tall ; her front a rising mount , her eyes two lamps , which , wheresoere she lookes impression stamps ; her cheeke twixt rosie red and snowie white , attracts an admiration with delight ; her nose nor long nor short , nor high nor low , nor flat , nor sharpe , the token of a shrow ; her mouth nor ferret-straite , nor callet-broade , but of an apt proportion , as it should ; her breath the fragrant odour , which loue sips from these two cherrie portels of her lips ; where those two iuory pales or rowes of teeth , accent her speech , perfumed by her breath ; her chin th'inclining vale , deuided is , by th'daintie dimple of loues choisest blisse , which , as maine flouds from smallest currents flow , deriues her sweets to th'riuelings below ; her necke arocke enazur'd with pure veines of orient pearle , which with amorous chaines of lou 's desir'd embraces , charmes the eye , and tyes it to her obiect , when she 's by ; her breasts two orbs or mounts , or what you will that may include perfection , which to fill the world with admiration , are laydout , to worke the feate her lightnesse goes about ; two prettie nipples , one oppos'd gainst t'other , challenge the name of nurse aswell as mother : though some ( for state makes loue to children worse ) scorne , being mothers to become their nurse . in briefe her all , ( because i 'le not descend , in praise of that , where praises haue no end ) is beauties faire idaea , which implies height of content , to loues amazed eyes . and yet this she , the modell of delight , though outward faire , seemes to my inward sight , as spotted as the ermine , whose smooth skin , though it be faire without , is foule within . for what more foule then vice ? but chiefly that which makes a woman to degenerate , from her more shamefast sex , where modestie should sit vpon her cheeke , to verisie what th' comick said : * straid thoughts find neuer rest , " but shamefast lookes become a woman best . indeed they do ; for there is greater sence , that shame should moue man more then impudence ; for bashfull lookes adde fuell to loues fire , while th' spirit of lust doth with her flame expire . which makes me wonder , that th'interiour light whence man resembles god , should lose his sight , by doting on an idoll , that can take to charme loues dazled eyes a syrens shape , making art vye with nature for the best , and soiling that which should surpasse the rest . for what is faire , if that be all there is , but an eye-pleasing thing , that yeelds no blisse , wanting that inward faire , which who enioyes , esteemes all outward ornaments as toyes , compared to that beauty , which no art could euer equall , or expresse in part ? indeed the grace of vertue is more rare , and exquisite , when she that 's good is faire , for she becomes most complete well we know , that 's grac'd with vertue and with beautie too . whence that experienst morall vs'd to reach * a looking glasse to such as he did teach ; wherein , if such were faire themselues did eye , he would exhort them rather to apply their minds to vertue , for great pittie t were , foule soules ( quoth he ) should haue a face so faire : but if deform'd , he streight would counsell them , with wholesome precepts to supply the same ; for fit it were ( quoth he ) a face so foule , should be prouided of a beauteous soule . but rare 's this composition , for we find , seldome that double blisse in woman-kind , where she that 's faire can soone admire her owne , and knowes what nature for her selfe hath done : yeashe by this can learne another straine , put on coy looks , and th' fashion of disdaine , mins-speech , huff-pace , sleeke-skin , and perfum'd breath , goats-haire , brests-bare , plume-fronted , fricaceteeth , all which infuse new motions into man , late borrow'd of th' italian curtezan . but now to thee thou wanton , will i come , to taxe , not visit that polluted tombe , of all infection , which to giue it due , is now become no temple but a stue ; tell me , disdainfull faire , if i ere wrong'd , or thee , or any that to thee belong'd ! haue i incurr'd dishonour , or deuoted my loue to many , whereby i am noted ? haue i bene too profuse in my respect , to othersome , and blancht thee with neglect ? haue i incurr'd a merited disgrace , in begging loue when thou was out of place ? haue i by courting any , ere exprest , my selfe ought lesse then what i still profest ? didst euer see a fauour worne by me , but that poore bracelet i receiu'd of thee , twisted with gold , and with thy faithlesse haire , which now i 'ue throwne away with all my care ? did i ere vow and breake , as thou hast done , or plight my faith ( saue thee ) to any one ? why then shouldst thou infringe that sacred oath , which with a kisse was sealed to vs both , when scarce one houre did vs occasion giue , ( so short was time ) to take our lasting leaue ? but i can guesse where thou wilt lay the blame ; not on thy selfe , but on them whence thou came , that lustfull stocke i meane , which gaue beginning to thee of being first , and then of sinning . it 's true indeed , we know a poisoned spring , can seld or neuer wholesome water bring , nor can we looke that any barren field , should ought saue tares or fruitlesse darnell yeeld : for this from scripture may collected be , " such as the fruite is , such is still the tree . too late i find this true , and heauens i wish , my former harmes may caution me of this ; for what is ill descendeth in a blood , sooner and surer too , then what is good . " for th'fathers vertues still attend his bere , " and being dead , with him lie buried there ; " but th'vices which he had are not content " to die with him , but liue in his descent . so natiue is thy ill , hauing her birth from that corrupted stock which brought thee forth , as sooner may the aethiope become white , th' cymmerian pitchie shade transparent light , the tiger leaue his nature , th' wolfe his prey , the sunne to guide the chariot of the day , the * pellican her desart , or the * craine , that nat'rall loue which in her doth remaine unto her parents ; then thy parents shame , got by their sinne , be wiped from thy name . no wanton , no , thy darknesse is displayd , which can by no meanes re-disperse her shade , but shall suruiue all time ; for it 's the will of powers aboue , there should be life in ill , as well as good : that th' memory of the first might make succeeding ages count her curst . for i haue rod ( and thou was cause i red ) some fickle dames in stories mentioned , whose small respect to th' honour of their name , hath made them since the lasting heires of shame : and such were messalina , martia , faustina , lays , claudia , * portia , two of which name there were of different kind , in th'various disproportion of their mind ; " one good , one ill , one light , one constant prouing , " one spousall-lothing , one her honour louing . but which of these can equall omphale ? or which of these liue more licentiously ? all patternes in their time ( as well they might ) and cautions too , to moue vs tread aright that do succeed them : yet obserue this staine , this wedlocks-blemish , and you will complaine , of th'present times , that they 'r more ripe in sinne , and breach of faith , then former times haue bin . more ripe indeed , for where 's that age become , " folke di'd for loue , as we haue red of some , who their affections so implanted haue , as nought could bury fancie but their graue ? but these were childish times ; indeed they were , for rather then for her i 'de shed one teare , that disesteemes my loue , or send one grone , or sigh , or sob , or pule , or make a mone , or fold my armes , as forlorne louers vse , or grieue to lose , when she doth others chuse , or breake my sleepe , or take a solemne fast , i wish that taske might be admetus last . no omphale , though time was when i mourn'd , that time is chang'd , and now my humour 's turn'd ; so as i scarce remember what thou art , that once lay neare and deare vnto my heart . now is my pasture greene and flourishing , and poore melampus which was wont to hing his heauie head ( kind curre ) for 's maisters sake , begins his sullen humour to forsake . now is my bottle mended , and my hooke , my bag , my pipe , so as if thou should looke , and see admetus with his woollie store , thou'de say , he were not th' man he was before ; and iudge him too , ( to see him now reuiue , and change his note ) the happiest man aliue . and so i am , to liue and leaue to loue , ( though faithfull mates would flinty natures moue ) whose rare effects the poet seemes to show , when wiues expresse th' affections which they owe. " * turtle with turtle , husband with his mate , " in distinct kindes one loue participate . but since affection is so rare to find , where th' face weares not the liuerie of the mind , and womans vowes ( as * th' satyre rightly saith ) be rather made for complement then faith ; be free from loue admetus : if not free , at least from loue of such as omphale . finis . a poem describing the leuitie of a woman : reseruing all generous respect to the vertuously affected of that sexe . first i feare not to offend , a very thing of nothing , yet whom thus farre i commend , she 's lighter then her clothing : nay from the foote vnto the crowne , her very fan will weigh her downe : and marke how all things with her sexe agree , for all her vertues are as light as she . . she chats and chants but ayre , a windie vertue for the eare , t' is lighter farre then care , and yet her songs do burthens beare . . she dances , that 's but mouing , no heauie vertue here she changes , and as her heart in louing , so her feete in constant ranges . she softly leanes on strings , she strikes the trembling lute and quauers : these are nō weigntie things , her strokes are light , so are her fauours . those are her vertues fitting to her kind , no sooner showne , but they turnd all to wind . then to you , o sexe of fethers , on whose browes sit all the wethers , i send my passion weau'd in rimes , to weigh downe these light emptie times . descript. vvhat are you , o heires of scorning , but like dew that melts each morning ; euening vapours , and nights prize , to answer our voluptuous eyes : and but to screene that sinnes delight , i thinke there neuer had bene night . nor had we bene from vertue so exempt , but that the tempter did leaue you to tempt . you bit the apple first that makes vs die , wheres'ere we looke the apple's in our eye , and death must gather it ; for your turn'd breath , and mortall teeth e'en to the core strucke death . finis . his odes : or , philomels teares . odes in straines of sorrow tell fate and fall of euery fowle , mounting merlin , philomel , lagging lapwing , swallow , owle ; whence you may obserue how state rais'd by pride , is raz'd by hate . london . printed for richard whitaker . . to the generovs , ingeniovs , and ivdiciovs philalethist , thomas ogle esquire : the succeeding issue of his diuinest wishes . vnknowne to you i am , yet knowne i am to th' better part of you , your vertuous name ; which like a precious odour hath infus'd your loue so much in me , as i haue chus'd your selfe , to patronize what i haue writ , whose name i thought had power to shelter it . i grant indeed , smooth * eagle for your name , includes that sun-reflecting ( anagram ) these birds which in my odes their fates display , are some night-birds , as others of the day ; which in my iudgement , tenders more delight , to see how sin 's orecurtained by night , whereas the day sends forth his golden raies , and shewes such birds as chant their makers praise . which morall , as it suites these times of ours , i do disclaime my right in 't , it is yours , if you esteeme it worthie to obtaine your approbation : this is all our ayme . r. b. the travellovr , dilating vpon the sundrie changes of humane affaires , most fluctuant when appearing most constant . an ode . tell me man , what creature may promise him such safe repose , as secure from hate offoes , he may thus much truly say , nought i haue i feare to lose , no mischance can me dismay ; tell me , pray thee ( if thou can ) if the woreld haue such a man ! tell me , if thou canst discerne by thy reasons excellence , what man for his prouidence , of the pismire may not learne : yet that creature hath but sense , though she do her liuing earne , spare , not costly , is her fare , yet her granar shewes her care ! tell me , canst thou shew me him , that exact in each deuice , is at all times truly wise , and is neuer seene to swim ( for in this his iudgement lies ) gainst the current of the streame , but seemes to haue full command , of each thing he takes in hand ! tell me , was there euer knowne such a man that had a wit , and in some part knew not it , till at last conceited growne , he grew prowder then was fit , euer boasting of his owne ; for that maxime true we know , " he that 's wittie , knowes him so ! tell me , is that man on earth , whose affaires so stable are , as they may for all his care , fall not crosse and crabdly forth , and of sorrowes haue no share , which descend to man by birth ; what is he can promise rest , when his mind 's with griefe opprest ▪ tell me , is there ought so strong , firmely-constant , permanent , or on earth such true content , as it fadeth not ere long : is there ought so excellent , as it changeth not her song , and in time that all deuoures , mixeth sweets with sharpest soures ! tell me , who is he that shines in the height of princes loue , sitting minion-like with loue , glorying in those golden times , but he feares something may moue his distast by whom he climbes : wherefore he that feares to fall , should forbeare to climbe at all ! tell me , where is fortune plac'd , that she may not men beguile , shrowding frownes with fained smile ; where is he so highly grac'd , shewing greatnesse in his stile , hath not bene in time out-fac'd , by some riuall , where still one striues to put another downe ! tell me , then what life can be moresecure , then where report makes vs onely knowne to th' court , where we leade our liues so free , as we 're strangers to resort , saue our priuate familie ; for i thinke that dwelling best , where least cares disturbe our rest ! the nightingall . . ode . ivg , ivg ; faire fall the nightingall , whose tender breast chants out her merrie madrigal●… , with hawthorne prest : te'u , te'u , thus sings she euen by euen , and represents the melodie in heauen ; t' is , t' is , i am not as i wish . rape-defiled phylomel in her sad mischance , tells what she is forc'd to tell , while the satyres dance : vnhappie i , quoth she , vnhappie i , that am betraide by tereus trecherie ; t' is , t' is , i am not as i wish : chast-vnchast , defloured , yet spotlesse in heart , lust was all that he could get , for all his art : for i nere attention l●…t to his suite , nor gaue consent ▪ t' is , t' is , i am not as i wish . thus hath faithlesse tereus made heartlesse phylomele mone her in her forlorne shade , where griefe i feele : griefe that wounds me to the heart , which though gone , hath left her smart ; t' is , t' is , i am not as i wish . the lapwing . . ode . vnhappie i to change my aerie nest , for this same marish dwelling where i rest , wherfore my song while i repeate , i 'le close it vp ; rue yet , rue yet . euery cowheard driuing his beasts to graze , disturbs my rest , me from my nest doth raise , which makes my young take vp this song , to wreake my wrong ; rue yet , rue yet . thou subtile stockdoue that hast cheated me , by taking vp thy nest where i should be , hast me and mine in perill set , whose song is fit ; rue yet , rue yet . solely-retired , see i liue alone , farre from recourse or sight of any one , and well that life would suite with me , were i but free ; rue yet , rue yet . young-ones i haue , that thinking i am fled , do leaue their nest , and run with shell on head , and hauing found me out we cry , both they and i ; rue yet , rue yet . crest-curled mates why do you beare so long the stockdoues pride , that triumphs in your wrong let vs our signals once display , and make him say ; rue yet , rue yet . too tedious hath our bondage bene i wis , and onely patience was the cause of this , where if we would contract our power , we'de sing no more ; rue yet , rue yet . march on then brauely , as if mars were here , and hate no guest so much as slauish feare , let the proud stockdoue feele your wing , that he may sing ; rue yet , rue yet . let none escape , though they submissiue seeme , till you haue spoil'd and quite vnfether'd them , so you shall make them vaile the wing , and hence forth sing ; rue yet , rue yet . the owle . . ode . ia kings daughter , see what pride may do , in fatall yewe takes vp my forlorne seate , the cause wherof was this , if you would know , i would haue better bread then grew on wheate , though now a mouse be all the food i eate , and glad i am when i can feed of it . ruff-curled necke , see i reserue some show of what i was , though far from her i was , wherein my boundlesse pride so farre did grow , that as in place i did the rest surpasse , so in the purest beautie of my face , courting my selfe in fancies looking glasse . milke-bathed skin , see wantons what i vs'd , to make my skin more supple , smooth , & sleeke , wherein my natiue hue by art abus'd , i lay a new complexion on my cheeke , sending my eyes abroad suters to seeke , and vying fashions with each day i' th weeke . nought i affected more then what was rare , " best things ( if common ) i did disesteeme , seld was i breathd on by the publike ayre , " for those are most admir'd are seldome seene , which is , and hath a custome euer bene , " such as come oft abroad , we vulgar deeme . thus selfe-admir'd i liu'd , till thus transform'd , i got a feature fitting with my pride : for i that scorned others now am scorn'd , had in disgrace ; and in pursuite beside ; may the like fate like spirits aye betide , so worthlesse honour shall be soone descride . for ruff thick-set , a curle-wreathed plume , round bout my necke i weare , for tyres of gold a downie tuft of feathers is my crowne , for fan in hand my clawes a pearch do hold , and for those cates and dainties manifold , " a mouse i wish , but wants her when i would . be well aduis'd then minions , what you do , " portray my feature , and make vse of it , what fell to me may like wise fall to you , and then how daring-high so ere you sit , nought but dishonour shall your pride begit , " dead to report of uertue as is fit . the merlin . . ode . whence nisus , whence , is this the fate of kings , for arme on scepter , to be arm'd with wings ? poore speckled bird , see how aspiring may degrade the high , and their estate betray . once fortune made nisus her fauorite , and rer'd his throne to such vnbounded height , that forreine states admir'd what he possest , till slie ambition nestled in his breast ▪ till then how blest , and after see how base his greatnesse fell , when reft of princely grace ; those many fleering parasites he gain'd , in his successe , not one in want remain'd chesses he weares now on his downie feete , where once guilt spurs , with store of pearle set adorn'd his nimble heeles , and hooded now , his beuer wants : this can ambition do . vp still he mounts , and must a pleasure bring , that once was king , to meaner then a king ; where he , who once had falkuers at command , is faine to picke his meate from falkners hand . imperious fate , what canst not thou effect , when thou perceiues in man a dis-respect vnto thy honour , which we instanc'd see , in no one nisus better then in thee ! but stow bird stow , see now the game 's a foote , and white-maild nisus , he is flying to 't ; scepter , crowne , throne & all that princely were be now reduc'd to feathers in the ayre , the swallow . . ode . you chatt'ring fleere , you faune , you sommer-friend , not following vs , but our successe , will this your flatt'ring humour nere haue end , of all other meritlesse ? flie i say , flie , be gone , haunt not here to albion : she should be spotlesse , as imports her name , but such as you are borne to do her shame . how many faire protests and solemne vowes , can your hatefull consorts make , wheras ( heauen knows ) these are but only shows which you do for profit-sake ? o then leaue our coast and vs , blemish'd by your foule abuse , vertue can haue no being , nor could euer , where th' parasite is deem'd a happy liner . tale-tattling gossip , prone to carrie newes , and such newes are euer worst , where false report finds matter , and renewes her itching humour till it burst , where each euen finds 〈◊〉 enough , all the gloomie winter through , to passe 〈◊〉 night away ▪ and 〈◊〉 tries , that truth gets friendship seldomer then lies . spring-time when flowers adorne the chearefull mede , and each bird sings on her spray , when flowry groues with blossom●… checkered , and each day seemes a marriage day , chattring swallow thou canst chuse then a time to visit vs ; such are these fained friends make much vpon vs , when we are rich , but being poore they shun vs. the stormie winter with his hoarie locks , when each branch hangs downe his head , and icie flawes candies the ragged rocks , making fields discoloured , driues thee from vs and our coast , where in spring-time thou repo'st ; thus thou remaines with vs in our delight , but in our discontent th●… art out of sight . time-seruing humorist that faunes on time , and no merit doest respect , who will not loath that sees that vaine of thine , where deserts are in neglect , and the good is priz'd no more then the ill , if he be poore ? thou art the rich mans claw-backe , and depends no more on men , then as their trencher-friends . go turne-taile go , we haue not here a spring for such tempo●…izing mates , pan's in our ile , and he scornes flattering ; so those guardians of our states , who are early vp and late , and of all , this vice doth hate : flie tell-tale , flie , and if thou wilt , complaine thee , that albyon's harsh , and will not entertaine thee . the fall of the leafe . . ode . flora where 's thy beauty now , thou was while'om wont to show ? not a branch is to be seene , clad in adons colour greene ; lambkins now haue left their skipping , lawn-frequenting fauns their tripping ; earths bare breast feeles winters whipping , and her brood the north-winds nipping . though the boxe and cypresse tree , weare their wonted liuerie , and the little robin scorne to be danted with a storme , yet the shepheard is not so , when he cannot see for snow , nor the flocks which he doth owe , and in drifts are buried low . nor the grazer , discontent that his fodder should be spent , and when winter's scarce halfe-done , all his stacks of hay are gone ; nor the lawyer , that is glad when a motion 's to be had , nor poore tom , though he be mad ; " cold makes tom a bedlam s●…d . nor the webster , though his fecte by much motion get them heate , nor the knaue that curries leather , nor the cross-ledgg'd taylor neither , nor at glass-worke , where they doubt lest their costly fire go out , nor the carefull carking lout , that doth toyle and trudge about . no , north ' ladie in her coach , but is muff ▪ d when frosts approach , nor the crazie citizen , but is furrd vp to the chin , oister-callet , slie vpholster , hooking huxster , merrie malster , cutting haxter , courting ●…oister , cunning sharke , nor sharking foister . thus we see how fall of th'leafe , adds to each condition griefe , onely two there be , whose wit make hereof a benefit ; these , conclusions try on man , " surgeon and physician , while it happens now and than , kill then cure they sooner can ! now 's their time when trees are bare , naked scalps haue lost their haire , teeth drop out and leaue their gumms , head and eyes are full of rheumes , where if traders strength do lacke , or feele aches in their backe , worse by odds then is the racke , they haue drugs within their packe . thus the harshest seasons come in good season vnto some , who haue knowne ( as it is meete ) smell of gaine makes labour sweet : but where labour reapeth losse , there accrews a double crosse ; first , fond cares his braine doth tosse , next , his gold resolues to drosse . finis . to my knowing and worthie esteemed friend avgvstine vincent , all meriting content . may you be in your actions prosperous , and as ingenious , so victorious ; so may your fate , smile on your happie name , and crowne you with , a glorious anagram : while vertue , ( mans best lustre ) seemes to be , that style , which stamps you deepe in heraldrie . brittans blisse . a pean of thanksgiuing for our long enioyed peace under a gracious soueraigne . peace , plentie , pleasure , honour , harbour , health , peace , to encrease in substance and in wealth ; plentie , to praise , heauens soueraigne the more , pleasure , to solace vs amidst our store , honour , to guerdon merit in our time , harbour , to fit each vnder his owne vine , health , to enioy a blessing so deuine , deriu'd from iesses roote and dauids line . health , harbour , honour , pleasure , plentie , peace , which from our soueraigne haue their prime increase ; health , to performe our distinct offices , harbour , to shroud vs from extremities , honour , to crowne the temples of desert , pleasure , to cheare the intellectuall part , plentie , to store our hopes with all successe , peace , to accomplish our full happinesse . all which , by heauens hand powr'd on albyon , make vp a catalogue to looke vpon ; that for so many quiet halcyon dayes , her precioust prize , might be her makers praise . pacis , honoris , amoris , edena britannica nostri , regeregente bono , leta trophaea gerit . vpon the worthie and sincere proficients and professants of the common law ; an encomiastick poem . law is the line , whose leuell is dispatch , a lampe , whose light shewes iustice what is right , a larke , whose vnseal'd eyes keepes early watch , a loome , whose frame cannot be sway'd by might , a list , where truth puts iniury to flight ; streight line , bright lampe , sweete larke , strong loome , choice ●…ist , guide , shine , shield , guard , and liue truths martialist . law is the sterne , which steares the ship of state , the glorious stem whence iustice sciens spring , the chearefull starre , which early shines and late , the staffe , whose stay supports the languishing , the streame , whose spring is euer cherishing ; rare sterne , rich stem , cleare starre , firme staffe , pure streame , steere , cheare , direct , support , refresh the meane . blest then are you , who labour to redresse the poore mans case , and measure your contents by shielding th'weake from awfull mightinesse , like graue professants , good proficients , clozing with equitie your ioynt consents ; 't is you , 't is you , who in this blemishd time , send out your lights while other starrs decline . when greece in glory flourish'd , she did reare some images neare iustice sacred throne , which to be lame and blind portrayed were , as proper obiects to be look'd vpon , implying what in iustice should be done ; blind to distinguish friend or foe , and lame , from taking bribes , to staine astraeas name . cleare lights , pure lamps , rare stemms , rich streames of life , who shine , beame , spring , and draine your christall course from iustice throne , to coole the heate of strife , by curbing aw with law , with censure , force , to chastise with restraint , cheare with remorse ; long may you liue , since by your life you giue iustice new breath , and make her euer liue . salus ciuitatis sita est in legibus . in momvm . qvid carpendo premis tua viscera ferrea mome ? momus , mimus eris dum mea scripta premis . haud curo inuidiam , mea spes tenuissima tuta est , nam tuta est tenuis vena , sed alta minus . anguis es , & viridi latitans sub fronde , venenum eijcis , exiguo tempore inermis eris . non sum cui fortuna nocet , vel fata iuuabunt , fata canunt magnis , non cecinere meis . non cecinere meis , licet ista poemata magnis ( si mihi vota fauent ) sint relegenda locis . in zoilvm . texit vt exiguam subtilis aranea telam , * zoile sic scriptis tela retorque meis . torque , retorque , manet mea laus , mea gloria maior , quo magis exhausta est gloria maior erit . ulciscar scriptis : tua mens tuus vltor adibit , inuidiae stimulis mens tua puncta tuis . pone miser miserae monumenta miserrima vitae , uixisti misero more , miserque mori . in paronem . paro parem , nec habet nec habere optat , impar est praemijs , impar & laboribus ; opera carpit mea studijs assiduis , tacet , attamen aliena carpit ; o quantae tenebrae tenuere locum , tuum , cymmerijs inuolutum vmbris ? vt minus afflares aliorum operibus , opera carrigis , emendare nequis ; oleum & operam perdidit paro per aurea secula transeat maro . non plura referam , reticere iuuat , si tu maleuolam reprimes linguam , sin maledicendo pergas dispergere hisce teterrima crimina scriptis , scribam , liuorem irritare magis torquendo rigidi viscera paronis . ad invidvm . exeat menippus . inuidus vlciscens vltor sibi maximus esset , nam stupet ille malis sic periendo suis. ad seipsvm . intret aristippus . tv tibi res solitus non te subiungere rebus , me peritura doces spernere , spreta pati . finis . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 measures , now i must rep●…se , ( retire 〈◊〉 ) and laugh at vertues foes , who let them fr●…ne , 〈◊〉 , fret , this is my mot , my spirit●… about their spite ; i feare them not . faults are as obuious to bookes in presse , as misconstruction after . do me the fauour to coriect such escapes with thy pen as are past in the pri●…t : for such as are more consequent they are here noted , for the impertinent they are to thy discreeter iudgement referred . errata . pag. ta●… for 〈◊〉 , rea●…e in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 subiect . pag. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 line 〈◊〉 . leaue pag. 〈◊〉 . for that , 〈◊〉 . that p. . l. . for suppressed , 〈◊〉 . ●…upprest . p. . l. . for 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 . feare p. . l. vlt. for marks , marts . p. . l . for excellent , 〈◊〉 . exquis●…e . p. . l. . ●…dde are euer ●… be . p. for eminent , 〈◊〉 . imininent . ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. . in m●…rg , adde , 〈◊〉 . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e atque homines prodigia reru●… maxima . notes for div a -e * vide epist. ad lucil. vide episto . alex and ▪ de situ & statu indiae . zenophanes . the occasion of this treatise . notes for div a -e * prima est qu●… si tittillato de●… lectationis in●… corde , secund●… confensio , te●… tium factum e●… consuetudo . aug. serm. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à natur●… corrumpitur a●… arte . * sequitur superbos vltor à ●…ergo deus . * pastinatio deuinum opus . hesiod . * damnosa quid non imminuet dies ? aetas parentis peior est ●…uis , &c. notes for div a -e * subsideba●… autem in imo vase , sp●…s . * ad epymethea iupiter misit inclytum argicidam , munera ferentem deorū celerem nuncium , &c. * floremiuuentutis non deciduum . * homerus in odiss . notes for div a -e * bella es nouimus & puella , verū est : & diuos : quis enim potest negare●… sed dum te nimium fabulla laudas , nec diues , neque bella , nec puella es . martial . in epigram . * nonne vulgatuin est bonas formas corussa deuenustare●… pic. miran . in epist. * talis ornatus non est dei. notes for div a -e the giants . caeus , iapetus , typhaeus . notes for div a -e * horse-leach . * vipera viperae mortem adfert . plin. in natur . hist. dum pario , perio . ibidem . praemorso maris capite parit vipera . * saying with tiridates in tacitus : sua retinere , priuatae domus , de alienis certare regia laus est . auicen . tho●… . in quest . aug. in pelag. * continet omnia tamen non continetur ab aliquo . * terrae marique deus est , nec terrae mariue homo est , qui nouit vbi deus non ost . * threatning earth with inundations , yet bounded in with her banks as with a girdle . notes for div a -e * qui in deum delinquit , eum relinquit . * homines cum hominibus sanguinem & genus miscent . * quicquid à vobis minor extimescet , maior hoc vobis dominus minatur . * the different betwixt the poor wanting , and rich not vsing , by these two expressed , the one carendo , the ther non fruendo . * sapiens ipse fingit fortunat sibi . lucan . in bell . phar. notes for div a -e he siod . in ope ri : & die . polynices & eteocles mono machia de regno decertantes mutuis vulneri bus conciderunt , ibid. * vide ethico rum axiomata & eorum prae cipua ratiocinandi argumē ta , quorum cer tissimis principijs fundamen ta virtutum innixa sunt . * polidorum obtruncat & auro vi potitur . . ae●…ead . notes for div a -e * et satu terra ●…efando . * as it is written of august : that he had broken sleepes and vse●… to send for some to passe the night away in telling tales or holding him with talke . tit. liu. dec . . * as mitbrid●… tes was said to plant his kingdome on an indirect foundati on , blood. ap - pian . alexan , de caede fraterna vberiori modo exarat●… vid. virgil. . lib. aenead . * a tergo ne me●…is . * c●…byses . * brothers . notes for div a -e * one house hath held , one house shall hold vs twaine , once did we kisse , and we will kisse againe . * the min●…taure . * per somnum ardentem facem se peperisse sentiens . notes for div a -e * quaeritur aegistus quare sit factus adulter in promptu causa est , desidiosus erat . ouid. * insipiens eloquentia , vti gladius in furentls manu , nō obesse maxime non potest . mirand . in laud. herra . * vsing the word●… of that chast romane matron : where thou art caius , i am caia . * theseu●… . * the application of the morall . * quis fucum in proba virgine non damnet ? quis in vestal●… non detesteturi pic mirand . 〈◊〉 epist. * si puellam viderimus moribus lepidam atque dicaculam , laudabimus , exos●…ulabimus : haec in matrona damnabimus & persequemur . ibid. notes for div a -e * the h●…pyes . m cleopatr●… ▪ * quem fecere parem crimina , fa●…a parem . ibid. * par tibi culpa fuit , par tibi paena subit . alib . nec culpa est leuior , nec tibi paena minor . notes for div a -e * forfitan & narres quam sit tibi rustica coniux . * amor perenni●… coniugis castae manet . sen●…n octau . notes for div a -e the pythag. numenius . the academ . * the sunne , beames , and heate alluding to the bl●…ssed . trinitie . stoicks . hermes his de●… of the diuerse workings . . epist. to king dennis . vid. sene. in epist. ad lucil. god was not made at any time , in a●… much as he is euerlalastingly vnbe . gotten . galen . vid. sueton. tranq . in vit . calig . * phylo the ●…ew . petitur ha●… caelum via . in the tragedi●… of agrip. notes for div a -e * modo auaritiae singulos increpa●… , & quod puderet eos locupletiores esse , quā se. in vit . calig . * sperent te tartara regem . * christus lauacrū est animae , canalis gratiae : lauacrum , in quo anima immergitur & lauatur , canalis , à qua omnis gratia animae deriuatur . * the very hedghog is not excluded from his preuid●…nce . aug. * but see , being in the way of doing well , shame holds him from the faith from which he fell . * excelsa humiliando & humilia exaltando . * iulian and foelix had both miserable ends : while iulian that impious apostate continued in his blasphemie : ecce quam sumptuosis vasis filio mariae ministratus ! vid. venerab . bed. . lib. notes for div a -e * gen. . . . thes. . . prou. . . . thes. . . notes for div a -e the true description of a parasite . * satis domi talium salutatorum habeo . plut. in vit . tiber . vid. persi. in satyr . vid. iuuenal . saty. qualis es , talis appare . vul●…um verba decent . horat. a satyres na●…iue rhetoricke . * e●…olis , aristobulus , ariste●… , &c. * debemur morti nos nostraque . * poyson . sycites fig ▪ a prouerbe . vid. dict . cretensium . a candaules in primo libro iustini , qui ostendens eam gigi ( depositaveste ) tantae insaniae paenas luit , à gige ●…im con●…ditur mira virtu●…●…nuli coopertovnde poeta ; coniugis vt nudam speciem monstraffet amico : dilectam speciem perdit , amicus habet . quasi silentium damnum pulchritudinis esset . ibid. uid . ci●… . de off . . lib. plato . de leg . l. . b irus , qui in domo vlissis post reditum suum , ab vlisse , pugna nimirum eius , peremptus est ; irus qui scrinio suo & obba in plataeis greciae mendicare solebat , superbia quadam ( aut spe suauioris lucri ) affectus , in penelopem , inter penelopis socios , ( vt ●…uncius potius quam procus ) accedere ●…usus est ; — dignum supplicium pertulit , quia tanta animi audacia ( more procacis mendici ) in lares consularis dig●…itatis viri procedere ausit . vid. hom. ili . interp . calab . * demosthenes ●…n orator of athens . * virga sepulchralis . varr. * pascentur à nobis quae pas●…untur in nobis . vermes . * exp●…'d to ●…ame , and in●…ie betraid . notes for div a -e * raptus abit media quod ad aethera taurus arena , non fuit hoc artis sed pietatis op●…s . martial . in epi. in amphythe . caesa. it is a great shame for a man to haue a poore heart and a rich purse . notes for div a -e * cornua vibrando , nescit sua cornua taurus ; whereto it was shrewdly answered : cornua dum cernit , 〈◊〉 sua cornua taurus . * signa dat hospitis , sed habentur in hospitis vm ▪ bram . * as quicke conceits will passions best allay . notes for div a -e * et festa solennia martis . vid. varr. & ouid. de fast . * the fish sepia is betrayed by a blacke colour which she casteth out to couer her , so these counterfets by the cloud of a pretended holinesse , which shall be as a cloud of witnesse against them . notes for div a -e * vt prurit v●…it * hypocrisis dulex est malum , issimulatio & eccatum . notes for div a -e * aristotle mocking the epicures , said , that vpon a time they went all to a temple together , beseeching the gods that they would giue them necks as long as cranes and hernes , that the pleasure and taste of meate might be more longin relishing : complaining against nature for making their necks too short . notes for div a -e * like those ●… satiable glutt●… uitellius and appius , to wh●… cormorants 〈◊〉 ther land , wat●… nor a●…re mig●… be sufficient . and camblet●… the gluttonous king of lydi●… deuoured in 〈◊〉 dreame his wi●… while she lay●… sleeping toget●… in the same b●… and finding h●… hand between●… his teeth when he awaked , 〈◊〉 slue himselfe , fearing disho●… nour . * well descri●… by that motto●… non citius e●… quam excedi pascit & pos●… elpenors vi●… vid. geor. vi silenus in a●… tro . * socraticum speculum no chalibaeum 〈◊〉 materiale . vid. brasiuo . 〈◊〉 praefatione . catull. notes for div a -e * wi●…e to maulus king of ca ▪ a. vid. plutar. ●… apotheg . * latet anguis ●… herba . ●…ec hospes ab lospite tutus . notes for div a -e * sicut nullus est locus in quo malum nō perpetratur , ita nullus sit locus in quo de malo poenitentia non agatur . * cadmos a hi●… by laodicea out of which issueth the riuer lycus , it taketh this name from cadmus sonne to agenor king of phaenicia . notes for div a -e * a prodigall courtier , but in great fauour with caesar. * iustice may be ●…ptly compared to the celedonie stone , which retaineth her ver●…ue no longer then it is rubbed with gold . * one of especiall esteeme with pompey before 〈◊〉 ouerthrow . sext. pompe . * inimieiti●… potentum violentae . senec. * like verconiu●… in the time of alexander seuerus , who pretending familiaritie with the emperour , took●… mens mony for preferring thei●… suites , abused them , & did them no good at all : a●… last conuented before the emperour , he wa●… iudged to be hanged vp in a chimney , and s●… perish with smoke , for that he sold smoke t●… the people . lamp●…id . in seu. verco . notes for div a -e in vit . luci. * isti latrant non mordent , non noceut : august . * thus as he ba●… k'd against the god of heauen , to barking curr he for a prey w●… giuen . the atheists ●…pinion . * lach●…ymae erbis , suspiria o●…is immiscentur . * anchora cui ●…pes est innixa , angularis lapis ●… quem funda●… . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * vt medicus , ●…erite tractat ●…ulnera , q●…i o●…era retractat 〈◊〉 edia . * errando dis●…o . * qualis ergo ●…st ista , quae am multa de ●…aeteris nouit , ●… se qualiter acta sit prorus ignorat●… august . vid. tit. liu. in dec. . & . ouid. in fast . * who slue the two monsters chymera and solymos in lycia . larke . * a laudes ●…icendo dicitur alauda . * the pismire and locust ( of all other creatures ) haue no king nor leader . vid. aelian , & plin. in natur . hist. * spicas ereuisse cernimus , eas autem quando c●…euerunt non cernimus . * that starrie gallerie embos●… with gold , fretted with orbs of christall , siluer'd ouer , with pearle pau'd , roofed with an agget couer . * holding with albumazar tha●… his leading the children of israel ouer the red sea , was n●… more but obseruing the influence of starres , and waining season of the moone that withdraweth the tides ; and that miraculous issuing of water ou●… of the rocke , by the stroke of a rod was no more , but noting those spring-heads , whereto the wild asses resorted to quench their thirst . b whom th' morning sees so proudly go , ere euening come may lie full low , senec. * we haue heard of diuerse , exemplarily punished euen in that wherein they cō●…emptuously profaned ; as iulian , herodias , bal●…hasar , and thymelicus the enterlude-plaier ; who dancing vpon the scaffold in a cope ( a 〈◊〉 of the church ) fell downe dead . thymelico s●…ltatori , &c. vid. val. maxi. lib. . cap. . * sicut bellu●… sunt humanae , ita homine●… sunt belluini . * by those st●…dies , which i affected , am i condemned , by those i praised , am i disparraged . aug. * two brothers , sonnes to argi●… a prophe●…esse i●… the temple of iuno . * in demosthene magna pars demosthenis abest , ●…um legitur & non auditur . * ea sola neque datur dono neque accipitur . salus●… . notes for div a -e * a lyrick poet , famous for his sweete and pleasing veine . * it was made by phereclus , who was after slaine by merion in the siege of troy. * naeuus erat veneri species ▪ helenaeque cicatrix gloria , quae paridem fecit amore parem . * lumi●…e qui semper proditur ipse suo . notes for div a -e note this you painted faces , whose natiue countrey ( once white albion ) is become reddish , with blushing at your vanities . notes for div a -e * like those pul●…inaria erected by the heathen for their pagan images . * quid agunt in corpore casto cerussa & minium , centumque venena colorū●… victor . ad sal●…onem . * — si●…e coniuge caelebs viuebat , thala mique diu consorte 〈◊〉 . metam . . lib. * minos king of crete . * non frustra dictus bos ouis imb●…r olor , whence our english poet as properly annexed this disticke , imitating the former in matter and manner : in vaine ioue was not stil'd right sure i am , from th'shape 〈◊〉 tooke of bull , sheepe , shower , and swan . vid. ouid. in metamorph. * which is elegantly expressed by our moderne poet. whose fall ( anthaeus-like ) prouok'd him more , and made him stronger then he was before . * oscula dat●… reddique putat●…●…oquiturque 〈◊〉 netque . met●… . lib. * vt geminata duos nox inclyta iungat amo●…es . * by offring sacrifice to venus in the i le of cyprus . de sobole ●…igmalionis . * illa paphum genuit , de quo tenet insula nomen . ibidem . notes for div a -e * siste latrare foris , & promoue coepta latronis . si●… toga , sic crines , pignor●… iuris ●…rant . notes for div a -e * vid. laer. de vit . phyloso . notes for div a -e virtus post nummos . * whose fathers was cypselus , descending from the heraclyd familie . * ephorus was among the lacedemonians as tribunus among the romans . * amicis & faelicibus & infaelicibus eundem te prebe . laert. in senten . periand . * be not afraid ( saith petrarch ) though the house ( the bodie be shaken ) so the soule , ( the guest of the body ) fare well . petrarch . de remed . vtriusque fortunae . demadis saying ●…as , that dra●…oes lawes were ●…ritten with ●…loud and not ●…ith inke . plin. in nat . hist. alcyat . in emblem . * ixions wheele , tantalus apples , and sysiphus stone : peculiar punishments inflicted on these persons for their lust , auarice , & crueltie , as the poets faine . * or corinth in greece . * infaelicem dicebat , qui ferre nequiret infaelicitatem . in vit . bi. * omnia aduersa exercitationes accidentibus bonis esse puta●… . vid. bo●…t . in lib de malis . potest dici miser , non potest lesse . ibid. * sic licium texit , sic telae stamina soluit sueton. tran●… in vit . tit. * quicquid bon egeris in deos refer . laert. in . vit . phil. * vniuersus mundus exercet histrionem . notes for div a -e * ayming no lesse at priuie glo●…ers and deluders , then a●… aspiring plotters , and stateintruders . * quin quenniū ero . the parasitegate . notes for div a -e * terpnum tha●…aedum gentem tur praeter alio accersijt . in nero. * inter caet cantauit ca●… cem parturi●… tem , oreste●… matricidam●… oedipodem●… excaecatum , herculem in num , &c. s●… in vit . ner. ●…iuis gaudet ●…ma cruore . 〈◊〉 . ●…git ab agro 〈◊〉 ciuitatem , à ●…blico ad do●…m , à domo 〈◊〉 cubiculum . ●…ugust . in e●…ar . 〈◊〉 . . psal. ●…estes 〈◊〉 . * basilius 〈◊〉 . . * he was so vexed with furies ( the reuengers of his mothers bloud ) that he wandered mad vp and downe till he came to taurica , where he foun●… an end of his troubles . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * agrippinaes funerals . * for which no law amongst the pagans was enacted : imagining , none could be so brutish as commit such vn●…turall cruelty . * for hauing slaine his mother , he saw in his sleepe a ship , the rudder whereof was wrested frō him guiding it , whence he was haled by octau . to most hideous darknesse . ibid. * in vit . ner. like the vision appeared to tiberius crying 〈◊〉 — redde germanicum . vid. cornel. tacit. & sueto . tranq . in vit . tib. a 〈◊〉 dor . — exeat aul●… qui vult esse pius . lucan . ●… . 〈◊〉 . * banketti●…g ●…uer three times , and n●…w and then foure tim●…s aday . in vit . vit●…ll . nec fuge me ( f●…giebat enim ) iam pascua lernae , &c. lib. . meta. vid. aur●…l . sex. in epit . herod . in vit . commod . * vid. ciceronem in laelio prope finem , &c. notes for div a -e * resembling ●…ne elderton , on whom this inscription was writ : here lieth ●…runken elder●…on , in earth now ●…hrust : what said 〈◊〉 thrust ? nay ●…ather here lies ●…hirst . ●…n rem . of a greater worke . * orcus vobis ducit pedes . th●… epic●… cau●… . ●…ic faciu●…t hyenem decipiendo , glires . * according to ●…hat of the poet. — no pleasure but to swill , and full , to ●…mptie , and being ▪ emp●…ie , ●…ill . homer . in iliad : & alib●… . ad poenas tardus deus est , ad praemia velox . notes for div a -e * there were certaine image of iudges ( by re port ) set vp at athens , hauin●… neither hands nor eyes : implying that ruler●… and magistrate should neither be infected wit●… bribes , nor any o therway drawn●… from that whic●… was lawfull an●… right . but most happi●… were those daye●… wherein basil the emperour of constantinople liued , tha●… whensoeuer h●… came to his iudg ment seate , he found neither partie to accuse , nor defendan●… t●… answer . notes for div a -e * dona fero cereris — m●… . lib. . * spes alet agricolas . * of the dedication of pagan temples , vid. var. de ant. & macrob. * — ex nitido fit rusticus , atque sulcos & vineta crepat mera , praeparatvlmos . hor. * vina generofissima , massica , cecub●… , falerna . hipp. de coll . * as in some parts of egypt , which ( though elsewhere exceeding fruitfull ) ●…hrough extremitie of heate become to the people inhabit●… ble . b as in s●…ythia , which region in most places is so cold , as fruites can come so no ripenesse . for as the astrologers are of opi●…ion , there is a ●…ertaine breadth in the heauen , ●…n earth from north to south , bounded out by some of the principall circles , of the which ar●… . in all : one fierie betweene the two tropicks which is called zona torrida : two extreme cold , betweene the polare circles and the poles of the wold : and two temporate betwe●…ne either of ●…he polare circles and his next tropicke . * barbarus i●… uidit — met. l. ●… canariae — fortunatae insulae . vid ▪ hesiod . i●… li. de oper : & die . pag. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in be atorum insuli●… . ●…les in the ocean foure hundred mil●…s fro spai●…e * the two vni●…ersities . * tagus , ganges , ●…nd pacteolus ●…hree riuers famous for their golden oare or grauell . the true explanation of th●… elegi●… . notes for div a -e * non sumus ingratae , poscunt pulche●…rima pulchrae ; mu●…era si refe●…as , oscula gra●…a feres . * rupibus extractum calibaeis mit●…it electrum , &c. whence it is said cometh the ●…urest amber . * thus at loues ●…arre this client ●…oubtfull stands , and weepes , & wipes , & wring●… and wreathes his ●…ands . * instat aman●… , tamen odit amans , sic munera quaerit , queis tamen acceptis , nescit amare magis . a sudden resolution requiting her sudden disdaine . i cānot trull is i , nor fancie all i see , if she be faire , wise and an heire , that girle liketh me . notes for div a -e ci●… . de nat . deor . alan . de conquest . nat . notes for div a -e a iust reproofe to all idolaters . * ing●…tes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 erigit , ●…c 〈◊〉 cutat quo erigi●… , quā curiose disponere quod arte con●…icit , &c. stadium solis . deus 〈◊〉 maxime iratus , no●… iratus , cum iratus propitius , &c. qui fecit te sine te , non saluabit te sine te . august . exorto tremore , erubescet conscientia , obstupescet conscia mentis scientia , & dicendi facultates penitus amittent organa , &c. * numen si diuidis , perdis . notes for div a -e * hesperidum 〈◊〉 in custoles , pe●…uigiles ●…tinent soro●…s . * aurifer●… n●…mora ●…eretem ferentia corticem , 〈◊〉 pomum . * augei stabul●… &c. * abscisso capi te , caput renas citur al●…erum . he coucheth ●… his labours ( inf●… nite in number and nature ) i●…●…hese thre●… . * non terret mors sapientem . * thales milesius inte●…oganti quid difficile ; senem ( inquit ) videre tyrannum . * pro telo gerit quae fudit , armatus venit leone & hydra . se●…c . * si sola nob●… adsunt prospera , soluimur : a●… virtutem vero melius per aduersa solidamu●… greg. * locum virtu●… habet . se●… . * has hydra ensit , his ia●…ent stympha●…ides . ibid. * — nessus hos ●…truxit dolos . ictus sagittis qui tuis vitam ●…xpulit . cruore tincta ●…st palla semi●…eri , pater . nessusque nunc ●…as exigit pae●…as sibi . ●…n herc. o●…t . * flete here●…leos numina casus . ibid. others are of opinion that he was drawne fr●… sensuall affections to the practise of vertue , by the graue instruction of socrates : but it appeares otherwise by his much frequenting timandraes companie . vid. plut. in vit . alcib . * quot horae ( si male expensae ) tot itae . quot horae , tot ●…brae . * illa pictura 〈◊〉 est . ambr●…●…exam . l. . ●… . . * sicut capillu●… non peribit de capite , ita ne●… momentum d●… tempore . ber●… * all 〈◊〉 attire is the attire of sinne . * sunt i●…ta poae matis vmbrae . * quarum v●…icum est offici●… , ab officina elicere formam . lecythum habet in malis . vid. vi●…t , ad sa●… * ea vita beata est , quando quod optimum est , amatur & habetur . sola eius visio , vera mentis nostrae refectio est . greg. in mor. expo . in iob. * quanta amētia est effigiem mutare naturae , picturam quaerere ▪ cypri . de discip . & hab . ●…irg . * inanis gloriae ●…uccum propriae ●…aluti praepo●…entes . * cunctarum quippe a●…ium visum acies aquilae superat : ita vt solis radios fixos in se eius oculos nulla lu●…is suae coruscatione reuerberans , claudat . greg ▪ in mor. expos. in iob. * quicquid de illo praeteritum est , iam non est●… quicquid de illo futurum est , nondum est . aug. * vide●…do pulchra , cogita haec omnia , & pulchriora , esse in coelo : videndo horribilia , cogita haec omnia , & horribiliora , esse in inferno . lansperg . * in timandrae gremio paululū recumbens , perimitur . plut ▪ i●… vit . alcib . * for so diogenes the cynicke tearmes all hi●…mering timists or temporizing sycophants . laert . * who built pallas horse , and after perished in the siege of troy. homer . in ●…iad . a witnesse th●… matchlesse po●… der plor , no les●… miraculously 〈◊〉 uealed , then mi●… chieuously con●… triued , no les●… happily preue●… ted , then hatefully practised . of which cruel●… agents ( being his owne subiects ) our grac●… ous soueraigne might iusty tak●… vp the complain of that princely prophet dauid my familiar friends , whō i trusted , which did eate of my bread , haue lifted vp their heeles against me . psal. . and . si non parcet , perdet . b vbi non est per gratiam , adest per vindictam . aug. c qui non gemit peregrimus , non gaudebit ciuis . aug. d halcyonci dies ab halcyoni●…s anibus dicti : neque boni maliue ominis aues hos esse arbitror ; quantum tamen à propheta dicitur , tantum à me afferendum asserendumque esse puto . etiam ciconia in coelo no●…it stata tempora sua , & turtur , grusque , & hirundo obseruant tempus aduentus sui . ierem. . . * pa●…iculpa , ari poena . * the priuiledge of greatnesse , must be no sub●…erfuge for guil●…inesse . notes for div a -e * caput de a●… ro innuendo 〈◊〉 gis dignitatem brachia de eb●… re intimando eius venustatem , caetera linimenta de aer●… denotādo st●…e nuitatem , pedes vero de terra , indicando eius fragilitatem . vid. plut ▪ apotheg . * in euius atrio●… res pedes lum●… non citius figitur , quam in se●… ipso statim dè ijcitur . vid. plin●… in nat . hist. aelian . ibid. sambuc . in emblem . alciat . ibid. * o quam contempta res est homo , nisi supra humana se 〈◊〉 ! * pes in terris , nens sit in coeis . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . oleum grati●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aurū palpabil●… & aurum potabile ; aurum obrizum & aurum adulterinum . notes for div a -e * a poem ent●… tled omphale . forth of a curious spinet graced with the best rarities of art and nature , mopsus a shepheard , and marina a shepheardesse , singing a nuptiall hy●…ne in the way ●…o the bridall . notes for div a -e * or hypermnestra , one of the fisue daughters of d●…naus , who out of a tender ●…uptiall ●…ffectiō , saued her husband lynceus from that great slaughter which was committed by her sisters , in ●…ying their husbands . io●…e in oet . her. * mors sola portus , dabitut aerumnis locus . ibid. deian. * errant , nee sedem repetunt serenam quae petulanti corde resurgunt , &c. * socrates . * queis pario perio ; quod acerbae prolis imago exticit , & tenerae nota parentis erit . vid. alcyat . * quae parenti confecto aetate consulit , eique prestando na tale officium , proprijs alis gerit . vid. basil. in homil. * portia the famous curtizan ; and that noble ladie , an eminent patterne of modestie , wife to port. cato the senatour . * turture sic turtur iungit ananda suo . * sic iurare soent , sed non ●…eruare puellae . lucian . notes for div a -e * sic tereti cursu repetit spiracula montis aquila , quae valles spernit , vt alta petat . sol radios mittit , radiosque reflectit ocellis ; aquila sis vis●… semper ( amice ) tuo . alcyat . in emblem . sa●… . ibid. plin. in nat. hist. aelian . ibid. greg. in mor. expo . in iob. notes for div a -e augustines 〈◊〉 . tute vineas 〈◊〉 . notes for div a -e me paucis mal le à sapientibus esse probatum . notes for div a -e * mercurium in lingus , non in pectore geris . notes for div a -e inuisurum faci ●…ius quam imi●…tutum . zenxes . vid. martial . lib. . epig●… . in zoilum . conuiua qui●… quis zoili potest esse , &c. — rumpant●… ilia c●…dri 〈◊〉 dia. crescant &c crepant . vi●… . apo●…eg . the prodigals teares. with a heavenly new yeeres gift sent to the soule; contayning many most zealous and comfortable prayers, with deuout meditations: both worthie the acceptance of all christians, and their expence of time to peruse. by h. g. preacher of the most sacred word of god brathwaite, richard, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : , : ) the prodigals teares. with a heavenly new yeeres gift sent to the soule; contayning many most zealous and comfortable prayers, with deuout meditations: both worthie the acceptance of all christians, and their expence of time to peruse. by h. g. preacher of the most sacred word of god brathwaite, richard, ?- . goodcole, henry, - . [ ], [i.e. ]; [ ], , - , [ ] p. printed by b. a[lsop] for iohn browne, and are to be sold at his shop in little brittaine neere duck lane end: or else at bernard alsop his house, at s. annes church, neere aldersgate, london : . by richard brathwait. h. g. = h. goodcole. printer's name from stc. the second part, "a heavenly new-yeares gift" has separate dated title page and pagination; register is continuous. the implication that goodcole wrote brathwait's portion as well as his own is apparently the publisher's idea--stc. in first part, page misnumbered . the second part formerly stc . the second part identified as stc on umi microfilm, reel . reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. appears at reel (first part only) and at reel (second part only). created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have 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displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the prodigals teares . with a heavenly new yeeres gift sent to the soule ; contayning many most zealous and comfortable prayers , with deuout meditations : both worthie the acceptance of all christians , and their expence of time to peruse . by h. g. preacher of the most sacred word of god. psal . . we wish you good lucke , ye that be of the house of the lord. ouid. flectitur iratus voce rogante deus . august . oratio coelum penetrat , nubes transit , dei aures attingit . london , printed by b. a. for iohn browne , and are to be sold at his shop in little brittaine neere duck lane end : or else at bernard alsop his house , at s. annes church , neere aldersgate . . to the right honourable , sir william cokayne , knight , lord maior of the honourable citie of london , the right worshipfull the aldermen his brethren , and sherifes of the same ; together with those two splendent ornaments therein , m. robert heath , esquire , recorder , and m. thomas iones , esquire , common serieant : the god of their fathers guide , prosper , and defend them in this life , and indue them with that vnexpressible blessednesse of the life of glory hereafter . right honourable , and right worshipfull ; theologie , nature , moralitie , and heathen philosophers , do all condemne and brand ( ingratitude ) and disciplines man ( gratefull retribution ) whence ( benefits ) receiued and conferred in the seuenteenth chapter of s. luke , verse . ten lepers were by iesus christ cleansed , and but one returned for to giue god prayse : the nine are recorded for their ingratitude , and that one stranger , for his thankefulnesse , commended by christ for the same , and in holy scriptures recorded , of all good christians to be imitated . in the seuenth chapter of s. luke , verse . is likewise publikely noted , with the brand of ecce , that all might obserue and take notice , what strange newes should ensue , behold a woman in the citie , which was a sinner . as her sinne did defame her ; likewise her teares and penitent behauiour did wash away and blot out her crime and infamie : for christ iesus , her most mercifull sauiour , to whom shee sued , and wholly applyed , pittied her vnfained teares , cleansed and remitted her soule of all her sinnes , commended her faith , and recorded her zeale and charitie : that wheresoeuer that gospel should be read , or preached ; that which was done by her vnto him , should likewise be spoken of , and be remembred . nature instructeth ; and thankfull dauid blusheth at man in the . psalme , verse . man being in honour , hath no vnderstanding , but is compared to the beasts that perish . how farre the beasts , in whom there is but instinct of nature , excells many men in gratefulnesse to their benefactors ; the first chapter of isaiah , verse . expresseth : the oxe knoweth his owner , and the asse his masters cribbe ; but israel hath not knowne , my people hath not vnderstood . the horse neigheth , when his owner commeth to prouender him ; the oxe , and cow , loweth , when their owner foddereth them : the sheepe know the voyce and whistle of their shepheard ; for at the eccho thereof , they looke vp , and flocke together , and then bleat , as an acknowledgement of him . aesope in his fables maketh mention of a lion , out of whose paw a shepheard tooke a thorne ; and gratefully the lion requited the shepheard for such his former kindnesse : for when the shepheard , for a notorious crime , was adiudged to be put among lions , of them to be deuoured ; it happened this lion was one of them , and knew the shepheard , and came and fawned on him , and saued him from the others : and so his life was thus strangely preserued . aesope in his . fable thereupon insculped this motto , accepti memores nos decet esse boni ; it behooueth vs to be thankefull , and alwayes mindfull of them , that doe good vnto vs. moralitie iustly exacteth , where kindnesse and courtesies haue been performed , men to be reciprocall , in some measure , and not to burie them in obliuion ; no sooner done , but forgotten , and written in the dust : these kind of people are sordidum genus hommum , the basest and respectlesse generation , not worthie to be accounted as a people ; heathens , not christians , for they scorne it : and i would that christians did not too much affect , and disgrace religion by it . bias sayth , that two heads in one bodie , is a monstrous sight ; but one vnthankfull heart , in one bosome , is more odious to behold . nay , cui beneficia excidunt , haerent iniuriae ? some are such pagans , and iudas-like to their friends , that they who haue fed them at their table , cloathed their nakednesse , harboured them in their houses , succoured them at all times in all their distresses , and supplyed their wants , and necessities : these , with iudas , for base gold and siluer , will sell and betray an invaluable trustie and louing friend . the heathen philosopher simonides beeing demaunded , what would quickly grow out of date , or bee soone forgotten , and waxe old ? thus answered , beneficium , a good turne , or benefite . seneca sayth , memoria beneficiorum labilis , iniuriarum vero tenax ; good turnes done , are soone forgotten , and slide suddenly out of mens minds ; but reuenge for iniuries done vnto them , they will hold that in memorie , and for a thousand good turnes that you haue done to them , requite and repay you with mischiefe , for a small iniurie or trespasse , vnwillingly or not wittingly , committed by you against them . diogenes sayth the same . plato sayth , all humane things grow old , and come to the end of their time , except ingratitude ; for the greater the encrease of mortall man is , the more doth ingratitude augment . that heauenly propheticke dauid would not be guiltie of this monstrous sinne ; but in his . psalme , verse . inquireth , quid retribuam domino ? what shall i render vnto the lord , for all the benefites that he hath done vnto me ? and so proceedeth in others of his psalmes ; zealously stirring vp his soule to a recapitulation and remembrance of gods great goodnesse towards her : prayse the lord , o my soule , and forget not all his benefits . lucian compareth an vnthankefull man to a vessell bored full of holes , which is neyther apt to contayne nor receiue any thing . aurelius sayth , it behooueth a man , in receiuing of benefits , to be thankfull , though hee want power to requite them . and seneca . epist . beneficia bene soluere , interdum solutio est ipsa confessio ; to repay , and well requite , whence a benefite was bestowed ; sometimes , the acknowledgement , and confession thereof , is an accepted solution , and an acknowledged satisfaction : which willingly and humbly i pay at this present to your honor and worships , and come with the poore cottager and tenant at will , to present , with him , as this time it is vsuall , a few lemons , oranges , or dish of pippins ; shewing with him therein my loue , and the meanenesse of my estate , who am not able to present gifts of better value : but therein expressing my duty , and a poore beads-mans heartie praysing , and praying to god for your honor and worships health , and prosperitie : by whose kind permission , and mutuall generall consents , in the maioraltie of the late deceased graue senatour , sir iohn swinnerton , which is seuen yeeres and a halfe since ; i was admitted preacher to the gaole of ludgate , and by your honour and worships predecessors , hitherto successiuely therein haue bin continued : and most willingly , long since , your honour and worships , in court , did generally condiscend , the stipend thereunto belonging , to augment . in acknowledgement , heartie thankefulnesse , & in some lieu thereof , vouchsafe to receiue the first fruits of my poore haruest , a bunch of grapes , of my first vintage , a flower from a slip of the first growth . i do vnfainedly acknowledge , i owe my self , and mine , by your hon. and wor. all to be commanded , who haue been so good and beneuolent lately to me & mine . continue fauorable still , in receiuing of this my small grown wheat , & leaue the chaffe ; my wine , leaue the dregges ; my sweete flower , leaue the vnpleasant sented earth : nay , i hope , a little treasure , though in a base earthen vessell presented to your view . i am the miserable sonne of man , that is subiect vnto mutabilitie ; but poore & meane , and therefore the more respectlesse , and least regarded , in these dayes , wherein money is so loued , and mammonists adored , respected , and of all , capped and crouched vnto with low-bended knee . i am a vine , whose branch is weake , young , and tender , and stands in need of supporting : will your honour and worships vouchsafe , with your powerfull hands , to support mee ? i am a new gathered fresh flourishing flower , which soone fadeth . i am in the bud , and bloome , soone blasted : vouchsafe your carefull ouersights , and protections , that the critikes of this our age , wherein we liue , may not breake into your fields , orchards , or gardens , which like a wild boare will extirpate me wholly : and i will , by gods grace , as by dutie bound , for euer heartily and dayly pray and supplicate vnto the almightie , for continuance of his great goodnesse , and mercie , towards your honour and worships . now the lord almightie , who of his infinite goodnesse feeds you all with the finest wheat , and cloatheth you with the purest wooll , continue peace , plentie , prosperitie , safetie , and health within the walls of that most famous and honourable citie , whereunto god hath elected and made you the prime gouernour , and eminent magistrat , next vnder our most gracious soueraign , and dread lord , the k. maiestie ; a place conspicuous to the whole world , and admired at the state and ciuill gouernment thereof . may it still so flourish , in plentie , honour , and with discreet vnderstanding magistrates . the lord god grant , that all your successors may be such vigilant watchmen , for the preseruation & maintenance thereof , as now it is ; may that good care be continued still , from generation to generation , from predecessors vnto all successors ; and from this your lo. time , wherein all things quietly are gouerned , and safely rest . and when ye shal surcease to liue amōg men , your names may liue for euer , and be remembred for the good you haue done ; that as now men do reioyce to heare of your names , whilst you are liuing ; they may lament for the losse of you , when you are gone . may this be an inheritance bestowed by the almighty , to cōtinue vnto all your ho. and wor. successors , to the worlds end . amen . now that blessednesse , the lord vouchsafe your ho. & wor. which is mentioned in psal . . to feare him , & walke in his wayes , & quietly to eat the fruit of your endeuours , the fatted oxe in your stalls , the sheepe of your fould , and the doue that flyeth about the courts of your owne houses . the lord make your wiues like dauids vine , fruitfull ; make your children like oliue branches , decking and standing round about your tables ; and may they drop sweetnesse and goodnesse to the church , and common-wealth , wherein they are borne , bred , and brought vp . o lord let them vestigiate the steppes of their fathers , to be an honour vnto their posteritie & linage , a godly president vnto successiue posterities , and generations ; that many hundred yeeres hereafter it may be spoken both of you and your children : loe these are the men that feared the lord ; and therefore god did so blesse them , that they did see their childrens children , vnto the third and fourth generation , to flourish , prosper , graciously and vertuously to liue ; and in magistracie , & doing good , their parents to succeede . furthermore , the lord iesus giue vnto your honour and worships , from the first day of this new yeere , at the expiration of your dayes , the new heauens , and the new man , christ iesus , in the immortalitie of your soules ; and of his infinite mercie graunt , that as here on earth yee feast like princes , yee may be partakers of that most royall feast and banquet of iesus christ , the prince of glorie , and light of the whole world , who came a light at this time into the world , to light all thither . and this blessednesse , i will dayly and heartily pray vnto almightie god , to bestow on you all , at the end of this your mortall liues . the lord iesus , with that blessed life of glory , indow you and all your posterities for euermore . amen . your honor and worships much bounden , and in the seruice of my lord and master iesus christ , at all times to be commanded . henry goodcole . to all godly , zealous , religious , sanctified , and christian-minded people , who expect and vnfainedly desire the comming of our lord iesus christ , fruition thereof , to the euerlasting ioy of their soules . peruse mee , will you please ? then finde helpe for each disease : soule and body i apply , and cure both their maladie . such good meanes not disdaine , when to thee so friendly sent ; lest in sicknesse thou remaine , and thy folly doe repent . had i wist , breedes much woe , gentle patient be no foe to the health and happie states of such peerelesse louing mates . farewell , good soule , till wee meet in heauens blisse , each to greet : expect wee doe , and dayly pray ; lord graunt to vs that happie day . christian and conscionable reader , thou mayest now iustly , with apelles , reprooue and deride me , who thus haue presumed to diuulge and diue into the height of all learning , arts , sciences , knowledge , wit and skill , whose vnskilfulnesse in all of them recommands me to the lowest degree that may be to be abased . i know it is but lost labour to cast water into the ocean ; an vnthankefull respectlesse gift , to cast a sheaue of wheat into a rich mans garner , or to put a small bunch of grapes into a vaste wine-presse , small encrease thereof can issue . yet seeing i am called and sent into my heauenly lord and masters haruest , hired and sent to his vineyard , in both to worke , and not to loyter ; that i haue in both endeuoured , i present thee good christian friends , this little of my hard labour , and gleaned corne , obtained by following others of my fellow labourers : though theirs was pure , yet mine not without chaffe : receiue my grapes , though not without some soure and sharpe distaste , altogether disliking your pallat , and disappointing your expectation . the lord of the vineyard hath sent by me some bread and wine , to strengthen and comfort you withall : eate a morsell thereof , and draw out your wine , for his sake that sent it , and doe not refuse or dislike both , for the meanenesse of the messenger , that brings & now presents his lords affected loue expressed to you therein . if you accept thereof thankefully and gladly , i shall returne my master intelligence , and thinke my paines well bestowed , rest well satisfied , and account my selfe most bountifully by you to be rewarded , if my suit be graunted ; namely , your kind acceptance therof from my vnworthy hands . thine at all times , to bring thee to my lord and master iesus christ his courts . h. g. the prodigals teares . the prodigals testimony of his conuersion , manifested in the detestation of his former follies . heare , o heare , you that walk after the lusts of your hearts : you that spend your time in vanitie , deferring the time of repentance ; from infancie to youth , and from youth to age ; not caring to turne from you the euill day , which draweth neere , nor applying your hearts to wisedome , but how to satisfie the inordinate lusts & affections of the flesh you draw on sinne after sinne , multiplying trāsgressions : you are become a stiff-necked people , hardning your hearts against the sweete and comfortable motions of gods spirite , ready to awake you from this sleepe of sinne , and to renewe in you that image which was well-neere defaced in you , by meanes of your transgressions . heare the teares and attende the complaint of a conuerted peruert : one that hath wandred too login the field of vanitie . and now after the taste of those bitter huskes of penurie , returnes home with blubbered face , contrite heart , and humbled spirit , crying peccaui , i haue sinned , i haue sinned ; walking in the foolishnes of mine owne heart , and like the wilde asse , shifting the wind , so haue i shut mine eares to the words of discipline and correction . and what did the prodigall in the gospell , which i did not ? he receiued his portion , and consumed it ; and haue not i receyued the portion of gods loue in as ample manner as any , euen the portion of my heauenly father , which hee no sooner bestowed on me , then i in the height of my heart wasted ? nor did the prodigall goe further from his father , then i from the instructions of my heauenly father . departing from bethel the house of god , to bethauen the house of iniquitie . oh miserable exile ! from the mansions of peace , concord , and tranquillitie , to the receptacles of sinne , horrour , and impietie . from the smooth running streames of syloe , to the waters of bitternes , from the tower of my strength , to the vale of desolation . vnhappie exchange , to depriue my selfe of so glorious inheritance , so exquisite blessings , so incomparable bounties , for the vaine flourish of a little worldly delight , which in the ende conuerted to bitternesse : for a momentanie pleasure ( to forfeite an eternall treasure ) not subiect to the change or mutability of time , nor exposed to the violence of any perturbations , nor engaged to popular respect : but in it selfe , & of it selfe perfectly refined ; deriuing her best luster from none other subject , then the originall of all beauties : the idaea of all perfections , the mirrour of all lustres , god himself . and this to loose for any earthly respect : how much were the eies of my vnderstanding eclipsed ? to conceyue no better of an infinite goodnes , then of a floting pleasure , producing none other fruite then bitternes , anguish , and sorrow . and what remedie ? esau could not regaine his byrth-right , with many teares . and can my vnfayned repentance ( though i should blinde mine eyes with weeping , and groane in the heauines of my heart ) repossesse me of all that i haue lost ? can the sighes of a troubled spirite and the extreame heauinesse which i sustaine , by reason of the burden of my sinnes preuayle with the lord , who poyseth the sinnes of men , and hath sworne in his wrath to be euenged of the wicked ? yes lord , yes : as i haue found grace and fauour in thy sight , suffer mee to speake a word vnto thee , be not displeased with me . the prodigals comfortable and vndoubted assurance , that god will accept his teares and contrition , relying and trusting in the mercies and promises of god. remember not my sinnes passed , let thy mercies preuent them : i am weakened and cleane out-worne , and go mourning euery day . i shall remember all my yeares vnto thee with bitternesse of heart . i know lord , that peter wept , and was pardoned , and shal i that knocke at the gate of thy mercie bee excluded ? marie magdalene had in her manie legions of diuells , yet with teares of vnfained repentance , she was assoyled , and made a temple of the holie-ghost : behold lord my teares are vnfayned , my anguish of heart aboundant , and my griefes bee not hid from thee . thou hast promised to looke to him that is poore , that is broken in spirit , and that trembleth at thy wordes . beholde oh lord , i am poore , depriued of thy fauour , broken in spirite to haue offended so benigne a sauiour , and i tremble at thy words , as at iudgements of terror , worthily deseruing to be eternally thrust from thy presence , and to haue my beeing with the reprobate : yet lord wilt thou bee good vnto israel : thou wilt wash mee from my filthynes , and cure my infirmities : thou wilt binde vp my wounds with that good samaritane , powring the oyle of thy diuine comforts into them : for this ( lord ) will i thanke thee and for this badge of thy loue will i sing praise vnto thee . i will make melodie in my heart to the lorde : for it is a good thing to bee thankefull ; these teares which i shed shall witnes my contrition , the prayses which i sing to thee : shall expresse my affection : and the speedie renewing of my wayes , shall shew my conuersion . the prodigals confession of the manner of his vanities , with a feeling of gods great goodnesse . father , i haue fed too long vppon the huskes of vanitie , i haue strayed too farre from thy temple , and walked in vnknowne wayes , where i was famished for want of spirituall foode : all athirst for want of spirituall drinke : for the well was deepe , and i had not wherwithall to draw : but now , since my returne i am replenished with all things , thou hast put on me a new garment , so as i haue layde away all my olde affections , and betaken me to a new spirituall schoole : thou hast put vpon my finger a ring , to intimate that i am married and affianced to thee ; thou hast feasted me with thy choicest dainties , expressing the ioy thou conceyuest at my conuersion : i will stay therefore no longer in the tents of kedar , nor with the inhabitants of m●loch . i am now for my fathers houshold : for my father hath many seruants , and in my fathers house there bee manie mansions . i haue fedde too long with the hogge , eating akornes vnder the tree , but neuer looking vp , from whence they came . when thy greatest benefits , o lord , were multiplyed vppon mee , and thy fatherly kindnes was shewne in aboundance i was as one that had not receiued , or as one that had not tasted them . for why , the vanityes of the world had bewitched me , and the deluding objects of seeming happines had captiuated me : but now lord , i am escaped the snare of the fowler , the net is broken , and my soule is deliuered : or as a brand from the fire : so haue i bin preuented by thy mercies . the prodigals bequest to god. and what shall i giue vnto the lord , for all that hee hath giuen vnto mee ? sacrifices and burnt-offerings thou wilt not haue , but a contrite and broken hart ( o lord ) thou wilt not despise : my heart is prepared , my heart is prepared : i will giue thee what thou hast so long time asked . and if thou say as thou sayedst vnto dauid , giue mee thy heart : i will answer with dauid , i will giue thee my heart : it is thine , o lord , it is thine : for thou sufferedst thine owne heart to be pierced for it : and should i then detaine it from thee , that hast so dearely purchased it ? i will reserue it only for thee : thou shalt make it thine owne temple ; for the heart is the temple of god. to whom fitter may i bequeath my heart , then to thee , who hast giuen thy selfe for a ransome , thy spirit for a pledge , thy word for a guide , the world for a walke , and reserues a kingdome for my inheritance ? to whom fitter then to thee that createdst mee after thine owne forme , renewed it when i had defaced that forme , illuminated mee with thy spirit , inuested mee with thy grace , and ministreth whatsoeuer thou knowest to be necessary for the conseruation of nature ? who fitter then thou , whose mercy preuenteth mee falling , whose grace conducteth me walking , and whose comforts raise me drowping ? i will therefore with vnfained repentannce returne to thee ; for i shall find fauour in thy fight . my heart will i sacrifice vnto thee , for more acceptable it is vnto thee then many burnt offerings : i will not suffer it to stray from thee ( o lord : ) for i feare as dina was defloured when she strained from home ; so my heart by gadding from thee , her best home and surest sanctuary , may chance to be corrupted with the filthinesse of this world . shee hath many suiters , and all hope to haue her . giue her mee sayeth the tempter ; giue her mee saith riches ; giue her mee saith pleasure ; but none of these shall haue her : for what is riches that i should set my minde vpon them ? or pleasure , that i should giue my selfe ouer vnto her ? haue i not tasted the vanitie of the one , and the perill of the other : for wherein can the epicure glory , or the sensuall man please himselfe ? hee hath tasted of pleasures in aboundance , and slaued his best affections to vnworthiest obiects . hee hath drunke deepe of the babylonian cup , exposed himselfe to the places of publique shame , and made himselfe heire of beggary . what delights were vpon earth , which this licentious man embraced not ? what consorts hee embraced not ? what meanes of spending houres , and that without tediousnes he vsed not ? and is there any thing so vaine ? behold , his time is expired , the period and date of his dayes extended , and all his former delights like a vapour vanished . and great is his account : when it shall be demaunded of him , where is thy talent ? what aduantage hast thou made of it ? o quam amar a est ea voluptas , &c. saith a blessed father , which ruines thy soule , depriues thee of an inheritaunce , driues thee from heauen , presseth thee to hell , and makes thee eternally wretched : what fruits then of so many idle houres ? what comfort in the vaile of bitternesse , or by the riuer wherein repent thou wouldest , but no time is admitted ; weepe thou wouldst , but teares are fruitles : suffer thou wouldest , but sufferings are effectlesse : there is no ioy left which may any way solace thy poore forlorne spirit . being placed there , where neither the saints can come vnto thee , or thou to the saints . o misery aboue miseries ! to loose , and to loose that irrecouerably , which should haue beene kept eternally : instead of felicitie to gaine misery , instead of comfort and spirituall consolation , death , ruine , and perdition . shall then pleasures haue my heart , that produce no better fruits then bitter repentance ? no , no : leaue me all delights , and all outwardly-seeming comforts , goe farre from mee : you cannot content me ; for i am of a more incircumscribed nature . once i confesse were you too much possessed of my heart : for my affections were deuoted , my vnderstanding darkened , and all my intellectuall powers and faculties so exposed to your seruice , as i walked in darknesse ; and yet which was more miserable , imagined that i was in light : i was blind , and knew it not : in darknes , & perceiued it no : naked , and felt it not . but the lord hath giuen me sight , that i may see his glory : light , that i may walke in his light ; and apparrelled me with the best ornaments of his diuine spirit , a defence against the inclemency of all seasons , taking vppon me the whole spirituall armour of a christian to discomfit sathan , subdue the flesh , renew the spirit , and confirme in me the power of the almighty . the prodigall describeth , how the things in this present world , doe hinder man in his best deuotions & seruice vnto god , and his forsaking of them ▪ yet honour , with her ambitious and elated titles challengeth a part in me : it is a fine thing to haue store of attendance , to be great in the eye of the world , to haue the chiefe place in feasts , to be admired &c. once it is mortally dangerous , and as the world goes , of a thousand least meritorious : euer to be gaping with the fish , and with a greedinesse to apprehend euery occasion , lest while the water is in troubling , the meanes of obtaining be cut off . deserts in precedencies of this kind least obserued : where all arts be oft-times exiled , learning discountenanced , and ignorance for a purple magistrate honoured — vt pueri iunonis auem : alas poore honour ! when merite seldome possesseth thee : the laconians would not haue honour hereditarie , from the father to the sonne , without the demerits of the sonne . alas then how many of iuuenalls blockes should we see represented vpon the theatre of honour ? braue descents basely disparaged , and prodigality without one prodigalls teare in greatest families . farewell then honour , thy name is onely worthy , because onely men of name possesse thee : thou art not a fit harbor for the poore prodigall to lodge his heart in . yet riches be faire inducements , and worthy a heart of gold . true , they are so , but many mammons haue them : they build on a weake foundation : they know how to enlarge their barnes , but not to communicate to the necessity of the saints . they can sing a requiem to their soules , with , now soule take thy ease ; but they remember not what the prophet saith : there is no rest to the vngodly . then must my heart plant my pauillion else-where : for she would gladly haue a resting place , that when the deluge of sinne is past , she may bring one oliue braunch vnto the arke of her soule , to expresse her peace is made . the prodigall expresseth , that nothing can content the soule , or hath any right in the soule , but god , only and alone . giue vnto god that which is gods. it is he that deserueth thee , o my heart ! and there is none fit to possesse thee , but he . he it is that can onely satisfie thee , he it is that can onely suffice thee ; thou requirest peace , he will giue it thee , as hee gaue it vnto such as followed him . hee is the god of peace , who then can establish my heart in peace , but he that is the god of peace . teneat te cor meum quia perfodisti eor tuum vt saluares meum : it is not pleasure shall transport me , nor riches ensnare me , or honour inflame mee , i am wholy prest for my sauiour : i will take vp his crosse willingly , with simon of cyrene , and on my shoulders beare it : where , though i faint vnder my burden ; yet will hee support me with his mercies : for his loue is more strong then wine . what afflictions can separate me from the loue of my god ? no lord , i haue sinned , i haue sinned , and in the abundance of my sorrowes doe i flie vnto thee for refuge ; neither hunger nor nakednes shall take me from thee , i haue tasted thy exceeding mercies towards me , and thy compassions haue beene from generation to generation . for who euer came vnto thee for sight , and went away blind ? for hearing , and went away deafe ? for speech , and went away dumbe ? for health , and went away sicke ? for comfort , and went away sorrowfull ? for the forgiuenesse of sinnes , and went away a sinner ? o inexplicable mercy ! o inscrutable pietie ! o ineffable clemencie ! i that haue euer offended , and neuer till now repented : i that haue multiplied trangression vpon transgression , making league with my sinnes : i that haue beene a rebellious childe , and haue turned my eare from thy discipline and instruction . i that neuer felt remorce of conscience , neuer made recourse to thy temple , neuer brake the bread of comfort to the hunger-starued soule . to bee short , i that gloried in my sinnes , and made light of my offences , deferring repentance from day to day ; am now heard in thy mercy , comforted in my misery , and promised an inheritance of glory . cyrus , that renowned prince of persia , promised such as aided him against his grandsire ast yages , that if they were footemen , he would make them horsemen , if horsemen , they should ride in their charriots . but the king of hostes that rideth in the clouds , for things temporall , things eternall , for things of no valew , bounties of incomparable esteeme . no , hee will do more , euen whilest we soiourne heere in this tabernacle of clay ; for he will helpe vs fainting , exhort and excite vs fighting , and crowne vs vanquishing . hence it is ( poore prodigall ) that i reape comfort : seeing his mercy vpon all flesh , readier to saue then to kill , willinger to heare then wee to aske , and as forward to crowne as we to fight . the prodigals earnest desire . though father , i haue euer retired my selfe , in the heate of the day , and haue not laboured in thy vineyard ; yet comming in the euening of my dayes , the sunne-set of my life , it is thy fatherly will , that i shall haue my penny . suffer mee , at least ( father ) to feede vpon the crummes vnder thy table : or as the prodigall sonne , let me be one of my fathers meiny . i desire no great place in thy house , for i am vnworthy of thy acceptance : yet father , speake but comfortably to thy seruaunt , and my soule will be glad . thou hast promised , that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes , thou wilt put all his offences out of thy remembrancr . behold lord , i present my selfe vnto thee prostrate vpon the ground , desiring remission and pardon of all my sinnes ; nor be these teares i shed dissembling , for thou knowest the secrets of al hearts , and examinest the reins : and i know thou hast denounced a double woe , vpon the hypocrite and pharisee . it is not my prayer , but my harty praier , not my tears , but my harty teares , not my conuersion , but my harty conuersion which pleaseth thee . for the pharises praier , the harlots vow , the traitors kisse , the sacrifice of caine , the fast of iezabel , the oblation of ananias , theteares of esau are nothing ; they are not accepted , because not heartily offered ; but this sacrifice which i offer proceeds from my heart , otherwise ( father ) had i not giuen it thee . for i know thou art iust and righteous , and considerest all the wayes of man , whether they be straight or crooked . how long lord , how long , ere thy fury will be appeased ? that my wayes may be directed to thee , my hope erected by thee , and my confidence planted in thee ; so may the tempests rage , but not dismay mee , the flouds rise , but not come neare mee , the winds blow , but not remoue me : for my foundation is built on a rocke , a rocke impregnable , a mount in accessible , a fort irremoueable : blessed fort where the saints be enthroned , glorious mount with gods presence beautified , and puissant rocke , which against the gates of hell hath preuailed . o that i might be but a doore-keeper in the house of the lord , singing songs of mirth and spirituall melody , to inhabite there all the dayes of my life . happy cittizens which bee enfranchised there ioyfull quiristers that may sing there , and victorious souldiours , that for the church millitant , are transplanted to a church triumphant : heere they beginne to fight , there to raigne : heere they were in tents of clay , now in campes of immortality . now in heauen , heere on earth : in heauen to receiue their reward , in earth to sustaine all afflictions . for whosoeuer will pertake of consolations , must likewise haue his share of tribulations : and that which the poet saith is true . pati noncesset , qui regnare cupit ; fit it is ( deere father ) that thy children suffer here , to raigne els-where : that no punishment , how intollerable soeuer , may seeme worthy of the infinite loue which is borne vnto vs in christ our lord. for is the maister inferiour to the seruant ? thy sonne ( blessed father ) whose foot steps we ought to folow , was whipped that we might be exempted : scourged , that wee might bee spared : crowned with thornes , that wee might be crowned with a crowne of pure golde : crucified , that wee might be glorified . farre be it from me to refuse thy crosse , which bore that crosse , that i should haue borne so willingly : thy crosse was my gayne , thy death my life : thy wonndes , my cures ; thy caluarie where thou wast hanged , my place of glorie , whereto i shall be aduanced . woe is mee , that i should so long wander from the folde of the true sheepheard : hee that is the great sheepheard of our soules : long haue i strayed from these green and flourishing pastures of true consolation , following mine owne vanities erring in the pricking brakes of sensuality , briars and brambles of all inordinate affections . serote amaui deus meus , serote amaui pulchritudo mea . but now my repentance purchased with much experience : my portion of comfort , obtained with a great portion of teares , my misereis ended by the sweetnesse of thy mercyes diffused , respites my griefe relisheth my distaste , and giues me hope , as one addressed to conuersion , so to taste the fruites of thy ineffable consolations . the prodigals faith strengthened , and ioy expressed , in the rembrance of gods moste louing receyuing , and accepting of sinners , into his fauour . i know ( lord , ) the greatest conuerts haue beene grieuons sinners : paul a persecutor , peter a denyer : thomas incredulous : litle zaccheus couetous : magdalene , an adultresse : yet paul strucken blinde , leaues persecting : peter put in minde by a cocke , bewayles his denying : thomas by his finger becoms a belieuer : zacheus from the figge tree becomes christs receiuer , and magdalen becomes a conuert by hearing her sauiour . sinners vse to be touched , before they be conuerted : manasses must bee in prison before hee feele himselfe , ionah in the depth , before hee find himselfe : dauid must find some discomforts , or hee will be aboue himselfe : na●man strucken with leprosie , ere hee be conuerted : nabuchadnezzar must feede amongst beasts , ere gods power must be acknowledged : pharaoh must haue many plagues sent him , ere gods people be dismissed . yea lord , and wherefore should sinners murmure or repine at thy iudgements pronounced against them ? should the pot aske the potter , why he breaketh it in peeces ? or should man expostulate the cause with god ? oh farre bee it , that i which am but dust and ashes ▪ conceiued in nothing but sinne , drinking iniquitie like water , should spurne at the will and pleasure of god ? no lord , though thou leaue mee at deaths doore , yet know i , thou wilt haue mercy vpon me : for thou art euer gracious to thy seruants . touch me gently ( o lord ) and let mee feele thy correction , as thy childe , to saluation , not as the reprobate to confusion : and though my many transgressions haue deserued thy iust ire and indignation against mee , yet lord , intuere filium tuum toto corpore extensum : beholde thy sonne suffering , and consider fot whom hee suffereth : not for himselfe , for hee was innocent , but for me ( miserable wretch ) that by my sinnes nayled my sauiour to the crosse ; yet behold , i haue re-crucified him , adding wound vpon wound , by multiplying sinne vpon sinne : it was not sufficient for me to crucifie my sauiour vpon earth , but i must moue his indignation in heauen : it was not enough for mee to cast lots vpon his garments : but i must make large rents in that garment of righteousnesse , which hee cloathed mee withall at his passion . hence is it that i haue lost felicity , for which i was created , and purchased my selfe misery , for which i was not created : and how is it possible for mee to redeeme the time i haue so vainely consumed , my talent so carelesly neglected , and those comfortable motions of thy diuine spirit euer moouing and in flaming mee to goodnes : and i peruerting those excellent motions ▪ prostituting my selfe vnto the sensuall pleasures of the flesh , altogether respectlesse of my soules health : so presently i may satisfie the inordinate lusts and affections of the flesh . the prodigall soules pennance , or mourning weede . weepe , weepe , disconsolate soule , let those many houres which thou hast spent in feasting , be redeemed by fasting : let thy sensuall meetings , nightly carowsings , and thy daily rioting , bee now supplied with incessant praying , continuall weeping , and charitable distributing first , render what thou hast taken by violence from any man : oppression is a crying sinne , and will be heard . make restitution with good zacheus , diuide thy goods , and giue vnto the poore : for` better is one pennie in the life time , then an hundred on thy death-bed . large testaments little auaile the giuer , they proceede from a miserable spirit , that hee cannot vse it , is content to giue it : but wee are taught to doe all things hartily : not to delay our charitie to our end , lest we be preuented of our purpose before our end , it is little to giue vnto the poore , whē it is not in our power to detain it frō them . and why be good wills , ( since they proceede not frō good wil ) so highly cōmended ? the best of our rich worldlings giue but a part , and they bee praysed : the worst worldling that euer was , the traytour iudas gaue all , and he is condemned . the prodigals conclusion . i will distribute to the poore ; for , who can indure ro see chrits image contemned ? i am but gods almoner ; i will then make vse of mine owne , and get friendes by mine vnrighteous mammon . a christian like conclusion fitting the obseruance of the greatest mannager of states , who oftentimes heare the crie of the poor obturatis auribus : not imitating that excellent vse of phillip prince of macedon : qui alteram semper seruat aurem : a good eare that is applied in the hearing of iustice : emploied in the discussion of trueth , and exercised in performing due iudgement . sylambris his skinne , was a good caueat to temporizing justices , it was the onely memorable acte that euer cambyses did , and more worthie in him , because worthlesse in all actes saue it : may that princesse of all vertues , long sit as president ouer the princes of all iles. so may albyon , as her name is deriued from whitenesse , receyue a greater luster , by the colour of iustice . this vertue is resembled by the phylosopher , vnto the euening-starre , and rightly so shee may : shee shynes the brightest when the sable clowdes of all vices crawle the thickest : shee expelleth darknes , makes the intellectuall parte more piercing , giues vs now to distinguish betwixt the cymerian cloudes of errour , and the true portraiture of honour : teaching vs to descend ere we ascend , and that scala iacobi is , hnmilitas animi . the poet in the description of tideus , who in the right of polynices , discomfited etecles , and many valiant thebes , to his immortall glorie , wryteth , that on the right hand of his shielde hee had the image of iustice , and a paire of scales in her hand , with this motto ; — et causa pensare iuuat : and on the lefte hand a lyon fierce and couragious , with this imprease : vincere qui nescit , pereat . heere was one to discusse the cause , & an other to manage it : equity poising , fortitude vanquishing , auspicious attendants for the brauest champions . the prodigall condemning his iudgement . bvt alas ( poore prodigall ) thou art , me thinkes , running as farre from thy wit , as thou rannest before from grace ; what hast thou to doe with cardinall vertues , that canst truly distinguish of nothing but vices ? these bee fitter obiects for statists , and best guardians of thrones . i will discend into my selfe , and vnrip mine owne vanities , that the source dried from whence they were deryued , the characters of vertue may bee imprinted , where vice was cockered . nothing easeth a melancholy soule bteter then comfort ; let the physician but say , his bodie is strong , and he is reuiued : the state of himselfe depends on anothers word , hee is not his owne , for why hee is slaued to his owne indigested passions . but my disease hath bin much otherwise ; i was sicke , and knewe it not : had vlceres running and felt them not : for i was obdurate , and became as one that heard not . custome in sinne , tooke away from mee all sence of sinne . oft hearde i the lord inuiting , and his holy spirit inducing me to returne with the shunamite ; but beholde , i cryed with the sluggard : yet a little , and then a little : presuming on mercie , and deferring my returne . there was no portion of sacred scripture mentioning mercie , but i had it : no sentence of iustice , but i would turne from it : making the arme of his mercie longer then the arme of his justice , i delayd from this day till tomorow , and i found my selfe more vnapt too morrow then today : for i was bound to the yoke of seruile affections , and turned my minde from correction ; pampering my selfe with , sure god will bee mercifull ; am not i his image ? and will hee see his owne similitude defaced ? did he not creatc mee ? and framed hee mee to destroy me ? though i haue worthily incensed my creator , i can be no lesse then his creature . tush , tush . god hath forgotten it : let vs eate , and drinke , and be merry . miserable foode that famisheth the eater : vncomfortable drinke that poysons the taster : and harsh melodie that confounds the hearer . the prodigals resolution . now ( father ) will i change my diet : it shall be meate and drinke to mee to doe thy will : the melody which i make shall be in my heart vnto the lord : and if i daunce , it shall be as dauid did before the arke : and if i sing in this strang land , in this place of my pilgrimage , it shall be the lords song . thus will i conuert my selfe vnto the lord , and regaine my inheritance with many teares . i will weepe and weepe bitterly , iudicium enim est quod ille teneat qui pro amissione tui amare flebit : is it a light thing for thee , o my soule , to be bereft of that soueraigne good which ruleth thee , and conducteth thy feete in the wayes of peace ? o no : sell all thou hast : heere is a gemme of an incomparable valew : loose this , and thou makest shipwracke of thy soule , depriues thee of all hope : the tempest is great , nor can the port be attained , except the anker be fixed . rise then poore disconsolate spirit , and meete thy sauiour , that is walking vpon the sea as vpon drie places , meete him , and entertain him : for both seas and winds obey him : hee is the best pilote : though thy shippe sincke , he will preserue thee . for hee came not to wound , but to heale , to saue , not to kill . hee it is that is protection to the fatherlesse , a castle of defence to the desolate . for , who euer trusted in him and was left succourlesse ? though my friends forsake mee , yet the lord taketh mee vp : hence it is that my soule reapeth comfort . it is not the high-towring cedar of this world that expresseth his minde by his looke , his spirt by his gate , shall depriue me of this prerogatiue : he was ambitious heere , hee will be as despicable there . humility is the best step and directest path to this honour : she thinkes none worse then her selfe , and in that shewes her owne eminency : she neuer entertaines comparison , confessing herselfe the miserablest of all creatures , without comparison . the prodigall desireth humility , to accompany him in his way to god. soueraignesse of vertues , let me haue thy company , i shall more delight in thy aspect then the obiect of beautie . thou hast perfection in thee , and not knowing thy selfe , thou knowest farre aboue thy selfe . blessed attendant , may thou liue in the court , free , without a writ of protection , at princes instalments , may thou euer bee in their election : may thou be ( as thou shouldest be ) worne , but not out worne by greatnes . thou art the best seruitour of honour : elated mindes can not possesse thee , because their sphere is farre aboue thee . i wish ( admiration of ages ) that thou might ride on thy foote-cloth : but i doubt it thou wouldst change thy nature ( with thy honour ) it is dangerous sitting in a poysoned saddle : humility can ride without stirrops . thou it was presented thy selfe , when i was not my selfe : ambition had puffed me vp , wantonnesse brought me on my knees , selfe-conceit made mee admire my selfe , emulation ( not in vertue , for seldome appeares it in the vitious , but in the corriualship ) possest me of a phrensie , aloue-sicke fancy . i was made a cage of vncleane birdes ; no impiety to which i was not slaued . humility , i thanke thee , thou readst a lecture of mortification vnto mee : before i knew not what mortality meaned : thou anatomizedst to me my constitution : keepe me but company a little while longer , and i will answere thy hopes . but let mee rip vp mine owne errors a little further : i know he deserues not humilities conuoy , that apologizeth his sinnes . two causes i haue of inward sorrow ; one of outward . the two inward haue relation to my selfe onely , the outward to others generally . the first in my selfe instanced , the second to others traduced . the inward motiue causes of sorrow of sinnes committed , vertuous workes omitted . many come into my remembrance which i am ashamed to expresse , yet because maladies concealed are most augmented , i will augment my shame , that the lord may couer my sinne . the prodigals hearty suite vnto god , to pardon the sinnes of his youth . forgiue ( o lord ) my secret sinnes , and race out of thy memorie the exorbitances of my youth spare the sprigge ( o lord ) for it was tender , soone wreasted from the primarie seedes of goodnes , and drawne into the mazie labyrinth of all errours . may not my crooked wayes be once made streight , that the oblation that i offer , might be accepted with abel , and i find fauour in thy sight ? yes lord , these penitent teares i offer will be able to appease thy wrath : it is recorded , that antipater on a time , charging in a letter which hee wrote to alexander , his mother olympias , with great crimes was answered againe by alexander , one mothers teare will race out many of these letters . though the mother should forgether childe , or the child the mother that bare him : yet lord , wilt thou be mindfull of our teares , and cancell that great bill thou hast against vs , if we returne vnfainedly to thee , and in the sorrow of our heart make confession of all our sinnes . behold , lord , i haue committed great folly ; and from the bortome of my heart confesse that i haue worthily deserued thy displeasure . my commissions and omissions , like two heauy poises weigh me downe : erect my hope , ( o lord ) for i haue none to flie vnto but thee . woe is me , what excellent works of mercy haue i ommitted ? and what shall i answere ( o lord ) when thou shalt aske me , where is the naked thou clothed ? the afflicted which thou visited , the succourlesse which thou releiued , the hungar-starued which thou fed ? alas lord i shall not be able to answer one for a thousand . i haue fared with the rich glutton deliciously euery day : i haue abounded with all dainties , replenished my heart with all delights , whilst my poore brother , ( silly lazarus ) cryed at my gate for one small almes . i shut my eares to his cry , and comforted my selfe with musicke , sicke , and heart-sicke was lazarus , and i visited not him : hungry , yea hunger-starued was he , & naked i did not cloath him : impudent beggar , was the best liuery i gaue him . me thinks i see my selfe seconded in antinous : he was angry with poore vlisses , comming in the forme of a beggar to his owne house , giuing him no better entertainement then a knock with a footstoole : alas poore vlisses , irus hath better welcome and reason good , my pernicious beggar can play the officious pander . christian charitie growes like a small brooke in a drie summer : not the least refreshing for the wearied passenger , or comfort for the smothered traueller . the dayes of hospitalitie runne out : the great mans chimny , that vsed to steame vp with english smoake , is transplanted to his nose , and that like to a second aetna , breaths nought but indian smoake . and where art thou , poore beggar , all this while ? thou maist see monuments of honour , remaines of hospitality : but comming to his house , you shall find the romane aphorisme to proue true , pater patriae , is become parasitus curiae : no matter , a good outside will beare it . but returne my soule to thy owne character : hypparchion was strucken blinde , for saying there were moates in the sun. and great mens errours must be wouen vp , or the spider will throw her web ouer them . thy outward motiues of sorrow be traduced from thy selfe to others , as thy inward were engrossed to thy selfe . these motiues be exemplarie , giuing occasion of offence to others , or instructing others how to offend : of great force be examples , and farre more powerfull then precepts : and excellent is the definition which that generally generous knight maketh of imitation , saying , it is a globe of precepts , much am i ashamed , that in the casting vp of my accompts , i can find nothing , through all the progresse of my time worthy obseruation , deseruing this inscription at my death , that merited no better in my life . hic vir diu fuit : this man was long , onely being without liuing . and hence is it which seneca sayth . there is no sight more vnseemely , then to see a man in age , that hath no other argument that hee hath liued long , saue his age. manie be olde in yeares , that are young in houres : which moued the cinique to answer , vnto a miserable fellow , that saide hee had liued so many yeares : no my friend thou hast scarce liued so many houres . this remembrance moueth mee to incessant lamentations , & inforceth mee with the prophet , to roare out amaine in the consideration of my manie mis-spent howres : both employed and idle , and worse when employed then when idle ; for , worse is not to doe , then not to doe well : as it is better to doe well , then to doe good : for , a man cannot offend in dooing well , but hee may offend in doing good : if he do not well , the intention making the action absolute . but ( woe is mee ) i am neither for the primitiue nor diriuitiue , neyther doe i well nor good : but if iacob sayde vnto pharaoh : few and euill haue my dayes beene : how much more i , that haue passed my dayes altogether in vanitie , may i say , few be my houres of vertue , many the yeares of vanity : which though fewe in number , yet many in respect of my crimes . how many might i haue instructed , how many wained from the loue of this world , if i had spent my oyle , in the seruice of my creatour ? what excellent obseruations drawne from the liues of others , exemplified in my selfe , communicated to others , with my selfe , might i haue contracted vnto one head , to establish the inconstancie of humaine frailty , & make the image of my owne life the representation of another . the pagan would in any case liue for his countrey , but i , a christian , neither liue for my selfe , my creator , nor my countrey : nor as it seemes , doe i know my creation : from whence , or to what end : man is ex terra , but not ad terram : but i liue as one secure of gods ordinance , planting ▪ my selfe on earth , as one euer made to dwell on earth : all tongues ( euen from the etimology of earth ) teach mee whereto i should trust , and of what weake and infirme subsistence i am : yet neither tongue not nation , neither precept nor example , can rightly teach me to know my selfe : but i must be euer soaring , euer aspiring , raising my minde aboue my meanes . alasse of vanitie : what to this houre can i demonstrate in my selfe deseruing immitation ? that worthy prince titus , the loue and darling of mankind , thought that day to be lost , wherein hee had not in some measure expressed the royaltie of his disposition by the bountie of his minde . the very same rule should euery christian man obserue ; confirmed by the word of almighty god : actes , the twentith chap. and the fiue & thirtie verse , it is more blessed to giue then to take . then cursed it is , euer to take , and not to giue . he expresseth his minde by his hand : if the one were as open as the other there were hope in him , though his pouerty could not away with bountie : for the widdowes-mite is accepted . a gardner offering a rape-roote , ( beeing the best present the poor man had ) to the duke of burgundie , was bountifully rewarded by the duke : which his steward obseruing , thought to make vse of his bountie , presenting him with a very faire horse : the duke , vt perspicaci erat ingenio , presently conceyues his stewards purpose : wherefore hee thought good to receiue the horse , and frustrate his hopes , giuing him nothing . a singular rewarde , and accommodate vnto your auariciously bountifull man : who as the comike sayth , semper in dando versatur , vt priuatas opes augeat . but ( miserable wretch that i am ) what can i giue vnto my creator , in lieu of his manyfolde fauours ? shall i weepe ? little enough , hee is sencelesse of himselfe , that will not weepe for himselfe . how should i ( lord ) reconcile my poor distracted soule vnto thee ? with what face cā i require for mercie ? i haue offred the prime of my dayes to the seruice of belial : my first fruites be gone already : and wilt thou be content with the gleanings ? my yeares of abilitie , wherein i could haue laboured in the vineyard , and earned my pennie , are gone ouer mee , and i in the pensiuenesse of mine owne heart , seeing my disability , am forced to crie out with mylo ; at hi lacerti iam mortui sunt : once was i apt for thy seruice : but behold , my sinewes are weakened , my strength impaired , and my eyes bedimmed , not for that men keepe not thy law , but for that i haue walked in vnknowne wayes , and with the sodomites stumbled in the lake : euery night will i therefore wash my couch with teares , and fall downe before thy foote-stoole . for what am i that i should persist in my sinnes ? or whence came i that i should promise to my selfe continuance ? esau compareth mans life to the grasse that soone withereth : iob , to a post , a shuttle , a breath , a vapour . dauid lengthens his dayes but to a spanne : if then as grasse , it must of necessitie fade : if a post , it must runne : if a shuttle , it must passe : if a breath , sonne blowne ouer : if a vapour , soone vanished : if a spanne , soone shortened . o that my feet were as hinds feet , that i might walke the way of thy statutes ; not looking backe like lots wife , nor behind the plow-stilt with the sluggard , for cursed is he that doth the busines of god negligently . heerein , lord , haue i grieuously offended , repairing to thy temple , but without reuerence ; praying but with small seruencie , trusting in thee but with a doubtfulnesse . and how can these many obliquities be streightned , but by the leuell of thy word , that can make all things streight ? it is true lord , it is true : that the generall deprauednesse of all the world giues sinne , vpon earth , a pasport : but thou , o lord , seest thou the sinnes of men , and wilt be auenged . thou carriest thy fanne in thine hand , to sweepe the vngodly from off the face of the earth : and where then shall be a place for all the inhabitants of the earth ? loe all shall then become ( saieth the prophet ieremie in the same place ) as a naked tree in the wildernesse , bereft of both flowers and fruit : because like to the wilde figge-tree it brought foorth no fruit when thou expectedst it should . lord i pray thee , though mine haruest bee but yet in the blade , accept my slender indeuours , and so ripen them that they may bring a plentifull croppe to thee , in propagating thy glory , the churches vnitie , and the benefit of such as thou hast ioyned to mee in neighborhood , affection or affiance . much adoe ( thou knowest lord ) there was in the building of the materiall temple : and euery one was enioyned to bring in something towards the erection of it : my portion , o lord , is but small , yet is my loue with the greatest . though i can not bring gold from ophyr , nor the cedar and firre from lebanon , yet will i offer my prayers in thy temple , confessing thee before much people . marie reioyced that she had a little oyle to sprinckle vpon christ the widdow of zareptah was ioyfull that she had a little food for the prophet . i will likewise be glad , and reioyce , if i can reserue but one small moity for the saints of god : for workes of this nature neuer passe vnrewarded . a cup of colde water is as acceptable as the silkes of tyre , or the treasures of aegypt : happy then am i if rich in spirit ( though poore in state ) purchasing for a cup of colde water , the water of life . but there must euer be something done by man , before the promise bee performed by god. the battell must be fought , ere the victory be atchieued : the tree must bee planted ere it bring forth fruit : and the seede must bee throwne into the ground before it multiply . we must haue a perfect knowledge of god , ere we can dedicate our members seruants to righteousnes , offering them to god. but how should wee know god ? there is an harbinger which goes alwayes before the knowledge of god , to prepare his house , and that is loue , the bond of perfection . now how should we loue him whom wee haue not seene , being at enmitie amongst our selues whom we daily see ? so good is our loue now a dayes , as the italian prouerbe may be verified of it : tanto buon , che val niente . so good as it is , good for nothing . yet how poore and fruitlesse soener god desires it , let him then haue it , for hee onely deserues it . i will loue thee ( my lord ) and will consecrate my vowes vnto thee , where i meane thus to expresse them . in the humblenes of my spirit ( without deiection ) and in the confidence of my heart , without presumption , will i humble my selfe before thee with reuerence , and offer vp my vowes vnto thee with affiance . i will come nearer thee in spirit , because remoued from thee by the veile of my flesh : the one shall caution mee of my shame , the other put me in minde of my glory . hagar shal not get the vpperhand ouer her mistris : my flesh shall bee taught to obey , that if neede were , she might safely gouerne . as there is but one sunne to giue light to the vniuersall world , so there shall be but one sonne to enlighten my little world : and that is , the sunne of my soule . this sonne shall obserue the same course which the naturall sunne obserueth . her two tropickes shall be reduced to two remembrances of my birth , and of my death . that as the sunne , by these two equall circles equally distant , turneth either higher , hauing bin at the lowest , or lower , hauing beene at the highest : so my soule , transported too high with the remembrance of her dissolution ( to wit ) her liberty , may be brought backe to the remembrance of her birth , the very originall of her miserie . i will not haue my flesh to intermeddle in these considerations : for shee is like an harsh instrument that soundeth nothing but discord : when the soule tels the flesh of a dissolution , she trembles and feares her accounts , like an vsurer at the sight of deaths head : or as felix hearing paul dispute of the last iudgement : many obiects of delight there be which captiuate the flesh , being conuersant only in outward thinges . i will haue the flesh therfore be put to silence , lest my soule conceiue a difficulty in departing when so harsh and disconsonant musicke sounds in her eare , the sunne of my soule shall purifie the corruptions of my body : which impure mettall must of necessitie be refined , or it will blemish the excellencie and beauty of that is contained in it . i know a mirtle is a mirtle though planted amongst nettles : and at one time or other the soules beautie will shew it selfe , enlightning the poore case which couers it . i know also that the cause of my long straying hath proceeded from my indirect disposing , preferring the bodies aduice before the iudgement of the soule . but the prouerbe shall be confirmed in my flesh ; euill councell shall be worse for the councellour . i will chastise my flesh for her rash and indiscreete aduising , and admire the resolution of my spirit , that euer stoode in opposition against her . recollect your selues , you wandring & vnsetled thoghts of mine , fixe your intention , where there is no further extension , the fruition of perfit content . i knowe the time hath beene when vanity so betwitched you , as like poore vlysses companions , you were forced ( too willing a force ) to heare the inchanted harmony of euery syren . but now you haue that moli , that hearbe of experience , that will charme the inchantresse , and teach you true resolution . shall a little taste , or distaste rather of voluptuous affections , withdraw you from your primarie essence ? you proceed from the soule , and shall any extrinsecall obiect draw you from her ? alas it were pitie : your founder the soule is imprisoned already , and one that beares her small good will , a domesticall enemy , that euer plants her battery to ouerthrow the faire and beautifull structures of the said impudencie it is , and shameles boldnes for the handmaide to dominiere ouer her mistris : for the case to bee better esteemed then the instrument is in it : alas ! what harmony would a faire and curious case make without her instrument ? silent musicke : if arion had played on such , hee had neuer inchanted fishes , but had beene as mute as any fish . but the body vseth to say to the soule , as our gallant to the simple plaine man : he is a good soule : seeming to disparage goodnesse with the epethite of simplicitie . but these braue cutters are deceiued : that disparagement maketh them worthy ; it is the truest badge of a christian to walke in trueth and simplicitie . these simple shrubbes will find footing in the narrow wayes , when our lofty cedars shall seeke for broader passages . and whence i pray you commeth this haughtinesse of minde , but from the corruption of the bodie ? alas ! if man would but consider , his composition : how weake in his birth , how naked in his life , how perplexed , and in his death ofte-times how irresolued , he would fashion himselfe to an other forme , neyther how to imitate the apish fashions of the spanyarde or italian , but how to expresse himselfe in the duty of a christian . the prodigals contempt of the world , declared in condemning the multiplicities , and varieties of fashions in the same . if god were in loue with fashions , he could neuer bee better serued , then in these our dayes : for , our world is like a pageant , where euery mans apparrell is better then himselfe , where if our bodyes did chaunge formes , so often as our apparrell changeth fashions , they should haue more shapes then fingers or toes , miserable age , when our best parte is dis-valued , and the worst of man , like esaps crow , so ridiculously varied with all colours . the soule being of more tempered judgmēt , cā no way chuse but laugh at the bodies foolery : and ask her as the philosopher did scylla . whereto doe all these tend ? must these euer be stript off thee ? dare death affront one of such eminencie ? surely no : she will disspence with thee for a time , if it be but to instruct the world in new vanities . o silly man ! how much imputation thou aspersest on thy selfe in affecting such trumperies ? goe but vnto the first ordinance , and how farre are these fashions altered from the letherne coats which god made in paradise ? there were none of these vanities , but the corruptions of these times haue introduced many errours of no lesse occurrence : when in reuolutions of times , we euer haue obserued the following age to be worse then the precedent , and that of homer to be true : pauci nunc similes patribus nascuntur bonestis . i will wish a better cloathing for my bodie ; not so obseruant to the eye , but better fitting for her state : these outward couers ofte times make vs forget our imperfections , caring for no more then to garnish the body , whilest we all together stand neglectfull of the state and condition of the soule . the ancients that were sequestred from the world , and onely meditated of their ends , though superstitiously deuoted , yet in this respect to be admired . they stoode not vpon earthly pompe , nor on outward garish vanities : their refectory was a cell , their companion a deathshead their remembrancer , an hour-glasse , and their studie how to dye . and death certainely could not bee terrible to such : fixing their mindes on nothing heere in this life , which might trouble them in departure vnto a better life . it is true , the pompe of death more terrifieth then death it selfe . obiects of vanitie make our dissolution heauie : and some i haue seene passe away with an indifferencie of life : others , before representment of death merry , but at their approach , when resolution should haue shewne her selfe best , prowde recreants to themselues . causes i haue conceyued two-fold ; eyther for that their minde were seated on earthly affaires , and could not pierce into the excellencie of their future hopes : or that oppressed with the heauie remembrāce of their sinnes they trembled to appeare so vnprouided or grieuously loaden before a throane of iustice , where they must of necessity answer : theyr meditation , at the instant of death , is all of his iustice , without recourse to his mercie . o these ( if they might ) would sue a repriue at deaths hands , with many intreaties . i obserued this ( poore soule that i am , ) & it hath bin an especial , motiue to my conuersion admonishing my selfe by their conuersion & life , to preuēt their miserable end i will therfore first desire to liue well , before i will wish to die will : for hard it is for him that will not liue the life of the righteous , to die the death of the righteous , life and death beeing in this nature concomitants , the cōclusions euer seconding the begining . i must obserue s. ieroms rule , who whither he slept or wakt , euer thoght that sūmons to be sounding in his eare , arise ye dead , and come vnto iudgement : this preparation will addresse me to thinke of my end , before i come to it : and the more welcome will it be when i come to it . i haue wondred at men , when they desired one time after an other : for it makes me weepe , when i see my houre glasse beside mee , and see euery drop of sand follow other so speedily . how precious is that treasure which can neuer be redeemed ? and so precious is time , shewing state in himselfe , for he will stay for no man : but offering his opportunity , ( which accepted ) yeeldes remedie to any malady : if thou be sicke in minde , no time so sinister or akward but will shewe in some season , a cordiall to thy discomforts : if in body , euery day is not canicular , there be some promising helpes , euen in dayes , if not to cure , yet to allay thy infirmities . change of fortune , the worldlings greatest sickenesse ; is soone taken away by continuance , either by respect to our selues , or to others ; to our selues , considering they were but lent vs , to others , seeing the like accidents common vnto them with vs. the prodigall condemning the spent thrifts of time . o that our worldling would but call to minde the preciousnesse of the time ! hee would not desire so speedyrunning horses for his pleasure , to soake the poore , grate vpon the bons of the needy , making spunges of them to inrich himselfe : nor the ambitious wholly exposed to the insatiare desire of honour , would abuse so inestimable good , with so indefinite an euill , in courtiers applause , spending the beauty of the day with the complements of an oylie tongue . that holy father well obserued this , who to put himselfe in minde of his dayes taske , would euer sommon himselfe in the euening with this account : o my soule ! what hast thou done to day ? hast thou employed thy time in studies well fitting gods glory , thy brothers benefit , and thine owne soules health ? whom hast thou oppressed ? whom hast thou iniured ? o! these commemorations are able to rowse vp the sluggish soule from the sleepe of sinne and securitie , and to bring him to the knowledge of himselfe and his owne infirmities . alas ! how many vaine houres wee spend with nabuchadnezzar in walking vainly in the pride of our hearts : nay euen in the royall places of babel ? strowting in the very height of our hearts , as vessels not composed of ordinary substance , but admiring our owne demerites , beginne to boast of our owne actions : heere we glory in gorgeous buildings , when indeede our houses should be like obadiahs , temples dedicated to gods worship . there of our learning , yet for all our learning , we are but agrippaes halfe-christians . heere of the applause of people , and amidst our glory , with herod , become miserable . there of policie , but haman like , it becomes starke folly : vaine be the imaginations of man , full of vanities , falshood , and vntrueths : and wherein can we glory of our owne strength ? o then ! since our times is so short , our houres so few , and our constitution so weake : let vs become respectiue of the time , lest hauing lost it , we be neuer able to recall it againe . the prodigalls care , to redeeme his expence of time past . o my soule ! thinke thou of this : redeeme that time thou hast spent , if not in houres ( for many haue beene the houres of my vanity ) yet in teares , that the lord god beholding thy contrition , may take thy repentance , in lieu of thy times expence : thou hast a reckoning ( o lord , of all my idle houres ; how vainely i haue consumed my daies in the affections of vanity : o that i might redeeme the time with sorrowing ! and yet there is some comfort appearing . for as thou hast a booke of accounts , wherin my sinnes are set downe , so i know thou hast a bottle wherein to put my teares : albeit i be vnworthy to lift vp mine eyes to heauen , to pray to thee ; yet am i not vnworthy by blinding mine eies with teares to weepe before thee . true it is , that teares be the best and soueraignest balme , to cure the wounds of a sin-bleeding soule , and neuer came teares from the heart , which cured not the poison of sinne . mine eyes therefore , like plentifull fountaines , shall euer be sending forth water to rince the vlcers of my soule , and fire of zeale to consume the thorny cares , in which i haue beene too long enwrapped . there shall be no impediment now , if the progresse of my pilgrimage doe hinder mee from so heauenly an expedition . o that i had not eyes to see my follies before this time ! or hauing eies , woe is me , i directed them not to the line and leuell of wisdome : yet my comfort is , though , poenitentia sera raro est vera , yet , poenitentia vera nunquam est sera : neuer too late vnfainedly to forsake my euill wayes : for thou wilt receiue the thiefe , rather then faile , euen at the last houre , to expresse thy mercies and fatherly compassion to penitent sinners : yet that example ministers mee a double vse ; not to despaire at the last , because there was one ; nor to deferre my repentance to the last , because there was but one . happy thiefe , happy theft , the thiefe an heire in heauen , the thiefe an inheritance in heauen . amongest the scythians , no fact was with such seueritie punished as theft : for ( saith the historian ) if it had beene lawfull to steale amongest them , what had beene safe amongst them : but i say no theft ( in this kind ) was lawful to this good thiefe , for without it nothing at all had beene safe vnto him . the prodigals description , of the diuersities of theft . the oppressors of the poore steale : for they sucke the blood of the orphanes , and treasure vp vengeance for themselues . the monopolists steale , for they doe ingrosse to themselues a peculiar gaine , inlarging the garnars with the rich man , to make their punishments the greater . the lawyer with his mentall reseruations , for he who should procure his clients peace , prolongs his suite , because he hath an action to his purse , as his aduersary had to his land . the proud pharisee steales , for he meanes to steale gods glory from him , attributing that to his owne merites , which is none of his ; making himselfe the author and accomplisher of euery deseruing worke ; let mee be none of these ( good father ) i see their miserable ends by their sinister meanes : for how should vicious beginnings haue vertuous ends ? they peruerted the wayes of iustice , walking in crooked by paths , where the saints of god neuer traced ; be it farre from me , to be said to steale thy glory with the pharisie , or protract the poore widdowes cause with the trifling lawyer , or hoord vp vengeance for my selfe with the couetous ingroser , or sucke the blood of the needy with the remorcelesse oppressor . the prodigall sheweth , wherein true content consisteth . i will desire one thing of thee , o my god , and that shall bee all : to taste true contentation , and not the worldlings seeming content , who professe themselues to be fully satisfied , yet crie still more and more : that content proceedes enforced , i would haue mine enfranchised : let it be riches to mee to possesse thee : cloathing to me to put on my lord iesus : foode unto mee to feede on the bread of his word : and life vnto mee to liue for my sauiours glory : so shall my riches be eternall , not subiect to the casualties of fortune or chance , for no moates can corrupt that treasure which is reserued in heauen for the elected : so shall my cloathing neuer be worne out , but like the israelites garments , continue euermore new : for they which put on christ , shall continually haue their raiments renewed : so shall my foode , for it is spirituall manna , feede my soule with holy and heauenly meditations nourished : so shall my life neuer fade , being by the almighty preserued . alasse ( lord ) if i should continue in my old transgressions , and in the hardnesse of my heart , assay to clime vp to heauen ( with the gyants ) should not i be soone destroyed ? yea lord , what am i , that i should be able to stand against thee ? or is my house of clay so firme , that it can support it selfe without thee ? when the king of iuda proclaimed warre against the king of israel , the king of israel returned answere , that the thistle rebelled against the cedar . and should i , that am lighter then vanitie , oppose my selfe against the eternall power of the almightie ? no lord , i will rather humble my selfe before thy throane , and with teares of heartie remorce , purchase pardon . thou hast hung the white banner out , to expresse thy mercie vnto all such as will submit themselues . i will descend therfore before the red signall of thy wrath , denounce bloud and vengeaunce . i haue fore-slowed my returne ( o lord ) too long , sleeping on the bedde of securitie : i haue carowsed balthazar-like , ●n the vessells of the temple , prophaning thy most holie name : till thy terrible hand appeared . i haue dauid-like feasted on beauty , and drunke deepe in bloud , till by a nathan , rowzed , and by a taste of thy iudgements throughly awaked . i haue manasses-like erected high-places , although not publiquely in the streete , yet secretly in my heart , till by captiuitie and bondage tamed , lastly , like the prodigall as i am , haue i wandered from my fathers house , the house of my spirituall-father , till by penurie i was inforced to return home againe . and what were the pleasures which drew mee from the obedience of my father ? nothing but bitternesse , anguish , & sorrow . how tedious were those houres of my choycest delights , hauing euer for one minutes sweetnes an houres distaste : for what earthly ioyes bee not attended by repentance ? and farre worse bee those ioyes , which be not attended by repentance . different be the sorrows of the iust and vniust : as their ioyes , the one continuate , the other abridged . the righteous man may be sorrowfull for a night , but ioy cōmeth in the morning . but the wicked sustaine an eternall torment : their rest is but a seeming rest : their comfortes meere shadowes , but no reall comcomforts . they haue euer a worme gnawing and consuming them , the reason is , their hearts be not fixed on the desire of eternitie , hut on momentarie delights : which as they be short in continuance , so in the ende they yeeld repentance . the continent ( saith the phylosopher ) must of necessitie be greater then the contained : for otherwise , how should it comprehend a substance ampler then it selfe ? but man planting the affections of his soule vppon a mundane delight : hoping to satisfie her large circumference with so straight a centre , erreth both in diuine and humane phylosophie . of a thing so little in seeming , nothing so extended as the nature of the soule : for it aspires higher and higher till it attaine to that height , then which nothing can bee higher : the reason wherefore she can not come to her expected , and indeed limited end , is the heauy masse & burthen which she carrieth euer about her , to wit , this vnbrideled flesh , the which not brought into subiection , like vnto a turbulent and factious souldier , maketh head against her captaine : and although shee cannot vtterly vanquish him , ( yet by her two confederates . ) the prodigall sheweth , how the soule is annoyed with the flesh , and her two confederates , the worlde ▪ and the diuell , &c. the worlde and the diuell , shee is euer annoying the soule , now moouing her to elation of minde , presently to despaire : now to forget her creator , by rep●esenting her owne beautie , presently she expresseth the seueritie of gods iudgments , his wrath to sinners , and the multitude of her owne transgressions . and if the soule doe desire , dissolution with paul , then commeth the flesh , and presenteth her with the deluding obiects of vanitie , seeking to captiuate her guardian with new temptations . this mooued that deuout father to weepe bitterly , who walking one day in the field , chanced to espie a sheepheards boy , who had catched a bird , and tied a threed to the legge of her : the bird was euermore flickering , and endeuoured to soare vp , but the threed kept her backe that shee could not . this poore bird is my soule ( saith he ) that desireth to mount vp , and liue with her creator ; but this threed , the flesh , holds her backe that she can not . an obseruation worthy of our consideration that lie manacled with the fetters of sinne , subiected to the slauish delights of the flesh , and exposed to miserable seruitude , by reason of the corruptions of our flesh . the best remedy i could euer find , to set my soule at liberty , was the taming and macerating of my body , to giue her as litle countenance as may be , lest whilest her fancie be satisfied , the fortresse of my soule be razed . the laconians euer had their gouernement most flourishing , when their diet was most sparing : i must deale so with my body , temper and moderate her affections , if shee suggest any thing into the eare of my soule , presently to reprooue her for her boldnesse . it is not for the maide to professe her selfe a councellour to her mistresse . if she present vnto her eye the sundry moouing delights of the world , to chastice her sharply , daring to seduce her mistresse from her allegeance towards her creator . no assay should passe vnpunished : for impunitie confirmeth sinne , strengthening the meanes of sinning , through the want of punishing . choose not thou with martha the worser part : set all houshold affaires aside , let temporary delights vanish , and let such as set their mindes vpon them , perish . i haue but one soueraigne end , at which my soule aymeth , let her obtaine that and it sufficeth . the prodigals relation of the destruction of the wicked . the candle of the wicked shal be soone put out , but the light of the righteous shall remaine for euer , their flourishing shall abide , when the other fadeth : for behold , though the wicked flourish like a greene palme tree , and seeme happy in all outward blessings ; though his garnars be full , his fields fruitfull , his creatures aboundant : though his pastures be fat , and his children ( mans greatest blessing ) be like the oliue-branches about his table : yet doe i know his faire buildings shall be destroyed , his garnars , which he enlargedd , consumed : his faire and fruitfull fields laid waste , his treasures rifled , his pastures with all his hierds dispersed , and his children vtterly rooted out and extinguished . but the righteous man , whose gaine is godlinesse , whose profession is vprightnes , and conuersation holinesse : prouideth for himselfe an estate of an other nature : hee hath his eye euer fixed vpon his end : he will not enrich himselfe by oppression , or inhaunce his meanes by his brothers ruine . for hee knoweth that the lord will see a conuenient time to execute iudgement . he noteth how many haue bin taken tripping in their wickednes : balthasar in his mirth , herod in his pride , the philistines in their banquetting , the men of ziglag in their feasting , the israelites in their rioting , with manna and quailes , iobs children in their drunkennes , the sodomites in their filthinesse , the steward in his security , the churle in his plenty , the old world in their marrying , the aramites in their sensuall liuing . miserable end when men-end in their sinne , where iudgement must receiue them , where sinne left them : woe and alas shal be their best melody : sorrow and vexation their inseparable attendants : call to minde this ( o my soule ) and tremble ; sleepe not in thy sinnes , lest the sleepe of death surprize thee ; cast vp thy accounts each euening , let not thy soule take her rest , till by the free confession of thy sinnes , thou find rest of conscience : for when the night commeth none can worke , i will worke therefore while it is day . the day hath resemblance to mans life , as the night hath to death : i will imitate the sunne , that shineth euer brightest when it setteth , making the period of my dayes a happy concluder of many toylsome houres which i haue spent in this vale of teares , that the remnant of my time may redeeme the vanitie of my youth , lamenting to haue committed that in the prime of my yeeres , which makes mee grieue in the winter of mine age . yet in the very extent of my griefe , there is one thing that comforteth me : i know lord. the prodigals harmony , to the afflicted children of god. thou neuer forsookst the man that resposed his confidence in thee , but when the faithfull soule is plunged in greatest afflictions , contrary to all humane expectation , thou forthwith deliuerest him . thou neuer shewedst thy selfe more mercifull to daniel , then in the lyons denne : nor to dauid , then when persecuted , and pursued by saul : nor to susanna , then when she was falsely accused by the elders : nor to thy chosen people the bethulians , then in the defeat of holofernes army gods mercy is neuer better expressed , then by the character of mans misery , where euents aboue expectance , make gods people most blessed , where they were supposed to be most wretched . hence is it ( lord ) that i admire thy mercies : i haue wandered , and thou diddest guide mee , yea thou reducedst mee to thine owne sheepefold , when i had lost my selfe in the desarts of sinne : i was sicke , and sicke to death , for i laboured of the lethargie of sinne , and thou camest to the caue of my sepulchre , the place where i had beene long sleeping in the graue of sinne , and awaked my soule , bidding her follow thee . shee shall follow thee like the goate vpon the mountaines , she shall not stay in the brakes of vanitie , for thou hast reuiued my soule from death , and hast renewed her like the eagles feathers . it is said , that the eagles feathers consume all feathers that lie with them : so shall the diuine motions of my soule fixed vpon the brasen serpent , a type of christ curing all infirmities , dispell the vnstable and wauering representments of earths vanity , no comfort shall seeme perfect , no delight pleasant , no meditation concordant to the eare of my soule , but the meditation of my christ crucified , that in imitation of his humility , i may not onely submit my selfe to the crosse , but make it both bread and drinke to doe my fathers will ; so in the very comfort of my spirit , i may truly say ; my yoake is easie , and my burden light . for well doe i know ( lord ) though thy seruants be tempted , they cannot be tainted , though assaulted , neuer surprized : and though the cittie of god be alwayes besieged , yet neuer ruined . christians and persecutions close together like christ and his crosse . the israelites before they came to their land of promise , their temporall canaan , endured many difficulties : and shall i that am in my iourney to a spirituall canaan , suffer impatiently any affliction , any difficulty , or anxiety whatsoeuer ? no lord , i know the more i suffer in this life , the greater shall be my victory ; for impediments attending a conquest , maketh the conquest more glorious . a cittie lightly assaulted may long hold out : but that citty is to be commended , that inuironed on euery side , hemmed in with troupes of assailants , inclosed with violent opponents , yet maugre the fury of warre or hostile incursions , fortifies her selfe with courage instead of wals , and assures her selfe either of victory or a glorious end . the prodigals admonition to resolution , and constancie in the battell , and seruice of the lord iesus christ . resolution must be a christians best cognisance ; he should not be amazed at any opposition , but in the sincerity of his owne cause , the integritie of his profession remaine constant , without wauering , resolued without dismaying , and patient in enduring any occurrence that can any way befall him . such was the resolution of those three children , who rather then they would fall downe before false gods , willingly submitted themselues to the extreamest torments , which either tyranny could inflict , or flesh and blood endure . such was the resolution and magnanimity of all the apostles , who went to death willingly to propagate gods glory . yea euen in all those persecutions , mentioned in the ecclesiasticall historie , we shall manifestly see portraied the patience of martires continually suffering , and the cruelty of tyrants with all inhumanity punishing . rasis is renowned for his resolution in the machabees , pulling out his owne bowells to intimate his contempt of life , which is taxed by saint augustine , saying ; that this fact was done magne , non bene , but alas ( lord ) where is that christian fortitude ? we are now shaken with euery wind of contrarily working passion : euery shadow , euery feare , euery perturbation doth now dismay vs. wee feare death , because we haue deserued death after death : wee reade of the constancie of the apostles , martyrs , and confessors , and reading admire them , but are loath to imitate them : we say , they are good records , excellent annalls , and worthie memorie : yet those memorials be quickly extinguished , those annalls soone raced out of our memorie . manie suffer in minde , if they loose their goods : or if defamed , they will endeuour to repurchase heir good name , with the expence of their bloud . these be imputations so impropriate to thēselues , as they cannot heare them . alas ! if man would consider the deprauednes of his own nature what aspersions , how scandalous soeuer : what reproches , how contumelious soeuer : or what inuectiōs how bitter soeuer , cā giue him a title due , in regard of his naturall vilenesse . heyres of sinne , slaues of sinne , and champions of sinne ; what can such heyres haue , but an inheritance of shame ? what can such slaues haue , but the hire of shame ? and what can such champions glorie of , but that they are boulsterers of shame ? but if wee will fight the lords battell , for heyres of sinne , wee shall become heyres of righteousnesse : for slaues of sinne , seruants in christes familie : and for champions of sinne , armourers , in the lords army . were not this a battell worth fighting ? when our earthly tents should be trāslated to heauenly mansions , our tabernacles of clay , to sanctuaries of eternitie : where we putting on the whole cōpleat armour of resolued christians , may say with the apostle , wee haue fought a good fight , and thanks be to the lord that hath giuen vs victorie , through our lord iesus christ . iesus christ , a most happy name indeede , where i neuer heare the name of iesus , but i heare the name of saluation : nor of christ , but i heare in it the name of vnction . who would not fight vnder this name , to purchase to himselfe an eternall name of glory , not on earth , for that is vaine , and temporary , but in heauen , for that endureth perpetually . ranke mee ( o christ amongst thy squadrons : set me in the forefront of the battell , and let mee fight with that resolution , as no fury of antichrist , though neuer so violent , may daunt me , but as one prepared against the extreamest of perills , not to loose ground , nor play recreant to my faith , which i haue alwayes professed , but to stand vnto it manfully , till i haue gotten the victory . cato tearmed it nobile lethum , to die in the defence of ones countries libertie : and is it not a farre more noble and glorious death to die in defence of our owne soule ? where many temptations be daily & hourely assaulting , perpetuall inducemēts ensnaring , & also not violent siege lying , we had need haue expert captains to marshall our troups : to wit , our passions ; prepared mindes , to wit , all afflictions , and impregnable bulwarkes , to withstand the violence of siege . to wit , preparatiues against all inducements . a soule thus fortified , cannot well be surprized : the enemie may well lye at the gates , but it will be matter of greater difficultie for him to enter ; a poore man had need haue no trayterous passions or motions within him , to render vp the castle and fortresse of his soule . he hath enemies enow without , all should bee faithful vnto him at home : hee must haue no effeminate appetite , lest like another tarpeia , it seek to ruinate her possessour , as that wantonly-amourous maide would haue betraied the capitoll to an hostile vsurper . we should therefore haue our passions in subjection , our illimited desires in bondage : lest they ( beeing as they are ) boundlesse in themselues , enforce the soule , to passe the bounds of discreete moderation . it was excellently obserued by that father of moralitie plutarch , esteeming him that could moderate his affections , to be halfe vertuous , but hee that had soueraigne command ouer his passions , to bee a perfit man. but as these dayes goe , we take such to be good men , with cicero , as haue onely appearance of vertue in them . perfection is too absolute for this time : and inferiour vertues , saith one , be good enough for yron ages . if with balaam wee desire to die the death of the righteous , it is enough . no matter for the interim of our life : we ground vpon an infalliable axiome , a good end is euer attended with a good life : it is true : but an euill life seldome or neuer produceth a good end : he therefore that meanes to die in gods fauour , must liue in his feare , for hee that on the stage of this world , makes not his entrance in his feare , seldome makes his exit in his fauour . but i will dedicate my heart to god , that hee who requires it may possesse it : so shall both his feare and fauour lodge in the harbour of my heart : and blessed is such a temple as shall be thought worthy to receiue so comfortable a guest ; hee that hath his heart possessed of god , can find no discordant passion transporting him , no exhorbitant affection raigning in him , all things be safe , all all secure : for the god of peace liueth in him , the holy spirit wholly possesseth him , and the angells as ministring seruants are deputed by god to attend him , o then ! let my heart enioy thee , that the rest of my members may follow thee whither soeuer thou goest : for like as the poize of a clock turneth the wheeles one way : so the heart , being the maine poize of euery humaine composition , what manner of way soeuer it doth turne , draweth ( by an attractiue power ) all the corporall motions with it . or like as the yron is drawne by the adamant , the strawe by the ieate , and the helyo trophic by the sunne : euen so bee the faculties of the body drawne by the attractiue power of the heart : for , as they receiue all life by her , so , like loyal subiects , they render , as to their soueraigne , their legeance vnto her . the prodigals offering . goe then ▪ ( o my hart ) i giue ▪ thee to my maker , he craneth thee , and he onely shall haue thee . whilest thou wast mine , thou wast a wandering heart , a faithlesse heart , a secure and carnall heart , a remorcelesse and impenitent heart ; but being now thy creators , he will apparell thee anew , adorning thee with the excelent gifts of his spirit , that being cloathed heere with the ornaments of his grace , thou mayest bee transplanted hence to the kingdome of glory . and what gift better or more acceptable then my heart , to my maker that made my heart ? i will say with that blessed father , my heart ( o lord ) was created by thee , and it can find no rest till it come vnto thee ; no rest indeede . for what rest or peace in this world ? what comfort in this life : quaequanto ▪ magis procedit , tanto magis ad mortem accedit : where there is of that side feare , of this side trembling : heere hunger , there thirst : heere heate , there cold : heere griefe , there anguish of minde aboundeth : and to all these succeedeth importunate death : which with a thousand kinds of diseases , daily and sodainly seaseth vpon wretched man : why then should man so attentiuely set his heart vpon the vaine delights of this world ? let him but consider the certainty of it , and hee shall confesse nothing more inconstant , light , and wauering : let him obserue the vanity of it , and hee will acknowledge nothing so foolish , contemptuous or vndeseruing . well might democritus laugh in these dayes , where the world , as that philosopher imagined , seemes to be made of nothing but discords . many discords indeed , where there is no vnity betwixt man and his conscience , policy and religion , church and common-wealth , youth and age , and that i may vse the churches very annexion , man and wife : where some esteeme wife and children as billes of charges . which moued the wisemans answere , being demaunded when a man should marry ? a yong man not yet , an old man not at all . wherefore arminus a ruler of carthage being importunately perswaded to marry , answered : i dare not : for if i chance to light vpon one that is wise , she will be wilfull , if wealthy , then wanton : if poore , then peeuish : if beautifull , then proud : if deformed , then loathsome : and the least of these is able to kill a thousand men . a strange age , when our greatest comforts be oftentimes peruerted and made the indefinitest euills . what concord in so maine oppositions ? esteeme this for a life , let him that pleaseth : i haue seene in my fewe yeeres expense , and many houres bitter experience , that the very greatest comforts were but appearances , and where a promising euent shewed it selfe , there some sinister occurrent euer thwarted the effect . i will so resolue to liue , that i may die cheerefully : without looking backe to what i leaue behind : i will iudge of delights as impertinences , auailing little to my heauenly voyage . what i haue , i will vse freely , without profusenesse , and without sparing , to shew i am maister of mine owne . lauishly to consume what i may with reputation keepe , i will not : and to spare where discretion bids mee spend , i scorne it : the one implies a prodigall humour , exposed to obseruance : the other a niggardlinesse indiscreetely parcimonious : for the pleasures of this life ( i thus resolue ) if they had more permanence , and not such motiue causes of repentance , i should welneare as much doate on them , as i now loath them . but to haue delights immixed with such interchangeable courses of discontent , falling to their ebbe , before euer they come to their flowe : i thinke euery wise man will conclude with that wisest of men : vanity of vanities , and all is but vanitie . the prodigall describeth the manifold passions , and distractions of the heart and minde . let me descant on euery passion ( for i my selfe am not ignorant of these distractions ) which are subiects of the minde , and in some mindes soueraignesses : that in their description , and those attending inconueniences , which euer wait on them , man may learne to be wise , cautioning himselfe by others miseries . i will beginne with that passion which ( in the purity of her owne nature ) is the perfection of all vertues , the accomplisher of the law , and the mysticall vnion betwixt christ and his members : yet peruerted , an vnmatched euill , laying open a breach to the enemie ( in the fortresse of the soule ) and exposing it vnto all illimited and vndisciplined affections . it is the sensuall mans loue , who transported with the vnbrideled desires of his flesh , seekes the essence of the refinest vertue , to wit , loue vnder the pretence of the detestablest vice , to wit , lust . this is hee that makes his heires , heires of beggary : consumes his estate vppon painted sepulchres : degenerates from himselfe , in hanting pleasures vnworthy of himselfe . this man respecteth not his good name , which salomon preferreth before great riches , and whose beauty hee esteemeth more of then gold or siluer . and yet what account maketh the sensuall louer of this so inestimable a good , pawning it to harlots , letting out his house to shame , and that body which should be the temple of the holy ghost , become a cage for vncleane birds . miserable blindnes ! when man falleth with open eyes into the pit of perdition , slauing his vnderstanding , the best part of man , to appetite , which hee hath common with beasts . hee considereth not a two-folde inconuenience rising from this inordinate passion . first , repentance heere , and if not entire , confusion else-where : repentaunce is neuer there entire , where we commit that againe , and with a willingnesse , which we desired before might be forgiuen vs with a seeming pensiuenesse . this repentance is onely a lippe-labour ; farre from the heart , for hee that returneth to his olde vomite , strengtheneth the arme of sinne . sickenesse at the heart wee know to be best cured by cordialls applied to the heart : externall remedies little auaile inward maladies : the salue and the sore must be of one nature : pray therefore with dauid , that they eyes may not looke after a woman : but if thou canst not preuent thine eyes , but they must looke after a woman ; at least pray , that thou maist so preuent thine eyes , that thy heart lust not after a woman : so may thy lustfull affections be restrained , and thy vnderstanding restored , which thou wast so long berest off , as thou frequentedst the house of the strange woman ; bee her house estranged to thee , and to thy steppes : for ( saith salomon ) can a man hide fire in his bosome , and his clothes not burned ? or , can a man walke vpon coales , and not burne his feete ? euen so hee that entreth the house of his neighbour , shall not be cleane when hee hath toutched her . thou knowest , whatsoeuer thou be , that hauntest these vicious and odious consorts , that the adage which was written vpon lais , that famous strumpet of corinth , is verified in thy english curtezan : he commeth on a bootelesse errand to lais of corinth , that hath not to giue so much as shee requireth . hence then by an vnbrideled appetite mayest thou sustaine a double wracke : ruine of soule and body . thy soule made the hire of basenesse : thy body , which was created for the seruice of her creator , becommeth seruant ( no vassall ) to the dispicablest of all his creatures , let the prodigalles teares warne thee , who wisheth from his heart thy returne with him ; that is the best parte of beautie , which a picture can not expresse . looke at the rare and exquisite workmanship of thy soule , and thou wilt be loath to staine it , with the refuse of a painted beautie . ambition is the great mans passion , who builds imaginarie kingdomes in the ayre , and climing for most part breaks his owne necke , he is insatiate of honor , nor can hee cease from soaring , vntill his wings be singed . this is an hereditary euill to great persons , and though they see by daily experience , that the loftiest cedars are subject to tempests , yet , rather then they wil loose honor , they will oppose themselues against all perills . these men are euer for the greatest designes : managements of warre , to raise their glorie , they vndertake willingly , & growing once popular , they apprehēd euery occasiō that may answer their hopes . t is strange to see how vainly they bee carryed aboue thēselues ; how they admire their owne demerites , none be so fit followers for them as factious and turbulent spirites : for catiline must not want his cethegas , how great is this frensie , when man by striuing to outstrippe him selfe , vtterly ouerthrowes himselfe . who is safe , and would be in danger ? who at rest , and would subiect themselues vnto the force of publique dissentions ? these absolon-like neyther regarde nature nor sexe : they see the hooks of honour hung out , and they are euer nibling , till they be choaked . there be alwayes achitophels that suggest matter of innouation , in these ambitious heads , but the councell perisheth with the councellour . these men naturally speak much and doe little , and not with iugurth , speake little , and doe much : for if they ouer-valewed not themselues , they could neuer fall to such admiration of themselues . these spirits had neede be cooled : til they tast the bitter pill of repentance . he portrayed the ambitious man rightly , that pictured him snatching at a crowne , & falling , with this motto , sic mea fata sequor . it is very true : for the ambitious man euer followeth himselfe to his owne end : the best remedie can bee ministred , is consideration , drawne from themselues , or experience from others : from themselues , in regard of their owne frailty : from others , in hauing an eye to their fall . we are aptest to be moued to consideration of our selues , when wee haue an eye rather to such as are below vs , then aboue vs : for the one doth as much humble and abase vs , as the other doeth transporte vs aboue our selues . christ seeing his disciples to striue among themselues , for preheminence said : he that is the least amongst you , shal be as the greatest : and taking vp a childe , exhorteth them to bee humble , like that childe . alas ! what hath man to be prowde on , that he so sets forth himselfe ? is hee of rarer composition then earth , that he should esteeme of himselfe aboue earth ? many inferiours he hath of lesse dignitie then himselfe , manie poorer : yet which of these not equall to him in deserts ? and shall there bee but one sunne , and like another indiscreet phaeton , will he striue to haue the regimēt of it ? remember thine ende , and thou wilt make it thy greatest honour , to attribute all honour to thy creator . consideration , drawne from others , i would haue thee thus to applie to thy selfe : thou hast seene , heard , or read , of manie who haue attained the end of their hopes , & became soueraignes of their wishes : they desired a kingdome , and they possesse it : yet if thou consider those manie indirect means , by which they possest it , thou wilt prefer the subiect that liueth on a poore farme , rightfully possessed , before that king who enioyeth a diadem wrongfully vsurped : for the one is ingaged to great accounts , the other free of all after reckonings : but if this will not humble thee , goe to the ambitious mans graue , and see ( as diogenes said ) if the dust of honour haue a better lustre then the dust of the ignoble : nay , this also is vanity and vexation of spirit . draw in then thy pie-coulored , sailes , and now retire in harbour : humility though shee goe behind ambition on earth , she shall goe before her in heauen : and better t is to be a dore-keeper in the house of the lord , then to bee conuersant with princes : vse so thy honour in this life , that thou maist haue honour in the life to come aboue measure : for god hath said , i will honour them , that honour mee . the miserable i would caution too : vertue keepes a direct course ( as in an euen diameter ) betwixt excesse and defect : the one inclining to prodigality , the other to parcimony : of these two my opinion in briefe is : that prodigality is a vice more transitiue , auarice a vice of firmer and deeper roote , and therfore hardlier supplanted : we haue an example of the prodigals returne in holy scripture : but we reade in the eighteenth of saint lukes gospell , when christ willed the rich-man to sell all that he had , and destribute to the poore , he went away sorrowfull : for ( saith the euanglist , hee was very rich : this sell all was a hard speach , he could not digest it : this was the cause why those that were inuited could not come to the marriage-feast : they had their affections planted on an other obiect ; one had a wife to marry , an other a yoake of oxen to trie , an other is for his farme : earthly respects must bee first sought after , for what can earthly mindes rellish , but earthly affaires ? he is blinded with the loue of money , that setteth his soule at sale for money . gehezi will haue the leaprosie with it , rather then he will loose it : iudas will betray his maister , or haue it : long liue diana of the ephesians , ( say the siluer-smiths ) so long as they gaine by diana of ephesus . of all afflictions incident to the minde , for i may well tearme auarice , with the philosopher , an affliction , none so insupportable as this , yet none more common . he charactered him rightly , that said ; the miser was good to none , but worst to himselfe : worst to himselfe ; for hee macerates himselfe ; and as the poets faine of prometheus , that an eagle is continually gnawing and feeding vpon his heart : euen so this poore anatomy of man , feeles euer a gnawing at his heart , he cannot sleepe : for cares will not let the rich man sleepe : he can take no rest . for what rest vnto the wicked ? hee can take no recreation , for though the aire breath vpon him , yet doeth it not refresh him . his minde is disturbed and distracted with store of passions , as feare , desire , enuy , ire , and many others , which for want of better attendants , be of his meiny continually . this man hath , and hath it not ; he hath state , but cannot vse it : if hee giue any thing , the one hand knowes what the other hand doth , and wisheth with all his heart , hee had it againe after he hath giuen it : hee neither thinketh of death nor resurrection : or at least , if there bee a last iudgement , hee hopes to purchase a writ of remooue with his money , or to find , as on earth , so partiall a iudge in heauen that will be corrupted , and dispence with his crimes . when he dies , he makes himselfe his owne executor , and the diuell , who was his purueiour liuing , he maketh his superuisor dying . hee leaueth the world sorrowfully , for like a man in a mist , he is roming hee knowes not whither . briefly , as hee was esteemed a iolly prouident fellow for this world , he hath prooued himselfe a meere foole for the world hee should goe to . hee got himselfe not so much as one faithfull friend , with all his vnrighteous mammon : in this life hee was a slaue to his owne ; in the life to come hee is conuicted by his maine indisposed passions attend his vice : for the loue of mony is the roote of all euill ; i will pray that i may haue a competence , and with it a content : in want i would not bee , for it driues many into deiection of minde : nor too rich , lest transported aboue my selfe , by my estate , i forget him that blessed mee with that estate . euer patient let me be ( o lord ) in my ebbe , as continent in my flowe : he is not thankfull which thanketh god for his benefits ; but he is thankfull indeede that thankes him for his chasticements . euery passion may be thus described , and by a sound sincere minde easily remedied ; i know we haue a part in vs that distasts all earthly things , and in it selfe hates all irregular passions : but alas i see with seneca , partem in homine diuini spiritus mersam : that part which resembled a diuine power , drowned in the lees and dregs of corruption , vassailed to an vnworthy part , and contemned by the sensible power , where it should be most respected : as those therefore , that in rooting out a tyrannie , first ceaze and raze his principallest cities , castles , and fortresses , wherby al means of retire may bee preuented him : so in this tyranny where the passions and affections of the minde seeme to captiuate and detaine ( in miserable seruitude ) the reasonable and operatiue faculties of the soule : we must race downe all those places of assistance , which like so many fortresses giue retire vnto those tyrannicall passions . yea we must , obstare princip●●s , lest by encrease the arme of sinne bee strengthened . dauid wounded the philistin in the forehead , and so must wee kill the serpent in the egge : sinnes not come to their ripenes , are easier cut downe then in their height : and passions before they be firmely rooted , be quickly suppressed . words spoken in due time ( saith salomon ) are like apples of golde with pictures of siluer : and an occasion apprehended ministers facility in dispatch . where delay is vsed , this opportunity can neuer be accepted : i haue couenanted therefore with my soule , that shee vse her time offered , chastice the flesh whilest she is low , and will take chasticements ; for being erected and transported aboue the soule , shee will hardly endure chasticing or reproofe . i will also with patience endure afflictions : that the worldlings delights may seeme to mee vanities , and the rules of mortification my hourely directrices , that in the suruey of this world , i may admire the follies of such as euer desire to liue in the world , euery representment , how vaine soeuer , distracteth the minde of the carnall man ; the the eyes of his vnderstanding be darkened , he cannot distinguish of transitory delights , and heauenly . hee cannot define of goodnes that neuer heard of it . the prodigall sheweth , how that passions with there contraries are cured . passions are best cured by their contraries : therefore , if my minde bee inclined to pride , i will presently expostulate the cause with my selfe : why i should be proud : i will compare humility with pride , their meanes and ends . for the meanes or mediate course i see humility more honored , lesse enuied , more prosperous in her affaires , and more absolute in her end . i see pride oftentimes distastfull to herselfe : for friends she looseth many , getteth none . and what desart or wildernesse greater then to bee without friends ? she is neuer obserued , but either with laughter or hate : and what is that obseruance worth which either purchaseth contempt or spite ? but where humility goes , the eyes of men follow , as if they had spied a mirror for themselues to imitate , or some worthy maiesty shrowded in an humble couer . this vertue i haue euer obserued to descend lineally to the greatest and noblest borne : which mooued the philospher to call it an heroicke vertue . we shall see an early mushrome that is nowe growne to a little honour ( bought perchance ) for seldome merited ) put on a strange counterfeit face of seeming honour ; smile hee dare not beyond a point , for feare to vnstarch his looke . he holds this opinion , which is a flat heresie , that pride is the best habilliment of honour , where true honour will shew it selfe without a foot-cloth : thus will i compare these two seuerall subiects together ; where if pride scorne to be compared to so poore a creature as is humilitie , i shall loue her the worse : for , comparisons to them that deserue least , are euer most offensiue . if i finde the disposition of my minde naturally free , engaged to some miserable desire of hauing , i will set against her liberalitie , how worthily esteemed the one is , and how contemptible the other ; where , if precepts will not doe it , i will confirme my doctrine with examples : if i finde my minde hard to be weaned from miserable sparing , i will first inforce a bounty : so in time my minde enforced to do that shee would not , will become willing and readie to doe that i would ; if enuie raigne in mee , i will oppose against her brotherly loue ; that mutuall loue which is required , not onely in humane societie , but in the perfection of gods law ; loue one an other ( saith our sauiour christ . the reason is confirmed by a blessed father : the loue of god ( saith hee ) ingendereth loue to our neighbour , the loue of our neighbour increaseth our loue vnto g●d . this was the serpents sinne , and is to this day : hee enuyed the welfare of our first parents in paradise , and continues his enuie to their race expulsed paradise . farre bee it that my soule , hauing so louing a mirrour to follow , as her christ , should harbor that vice which is most opposite to christ : the iewes crucified christ , through enuie , and i should re-crucifie my deere sauiour , by lodging in my hart enuie . my soule , which should be a temple for god , shall not be made a sinagogue for sathan . the purer mettall is to be chosen : charitie is of all others , a mettall most refined . enuy , of all others , most adulterate and corrupted . thus , opposing vertue against vice , reason will direct me to preferre vertue before vice : for where sence becommeth obedient to reason , there the new-man is more set by then the olde-man : but where there is a conflict , which whilest wee subsist in this tabernacle of clay , we must of necessitie endure , and where the new-man seemes too weake for the encounter , then the worst part becomming soueraigne , all thinges seeme confounded , and as in the first chaos , without order or disposition : to strengthen me in this encounter , i must incessantly call vpon god , that he would assist me with his grace , that inclining mine eare to his commandements , i may learne vnderstanding , according to that of the psalmist , they which obserue them , haue a good vnderstanding : so by the light of my vnderstanding , i shall be able to discomfite sinne , distinguish betwixt sence & reason , re-ally my forces orderly , fight valiantly , and vanquish in the end . i know ( lord ) vnder whose banner i fight : the assaultes therefore of the flesh shal not surprize me , nor the world ensnare me , nor the diuell , though hee come from compassing the whole earth , make a prey on me . if the death of the saints be precious in the lords sight , much more the life of the saints , nor shall one haire fall from my head without thy permission . who would not be prest to the lords battell ? hee is that lyon of iuda : he it was that bruised the head of the serpent ▪ he it was that discomfited death , and became conqueror ouer hell , and shall i feare to follow such a captain ? if i be in darknesse , and in the desart , hee will send forth a firie cloud to conduct mee : if so i be way-faring , as i am , during this earthly pilgrimage , hee will send a raphael to guyde mee : to be short , hauing him , i haue more with mee then against mee . the thought of him made the philistines flye , and say : god is come into the host : where hee fighteth , all the elements are vnited together , in his assistance and ayde . when he fought against the aramites , the sunne tooke his part : when hee fought against the sodomites , the fire tooke his part : when hee fought against the egyptians , the water tooke his part : when hee fought against the murmurers , the earth tooke his part . no ; as he is the lord of the forrest , so the beasts of the forrest assist him : when he fought against the idolaters , the lyons tooke his part : when hee fought against the mockers , the beares tooke his part . thus all things make with god , for god made all things : and who can distrust so puissant a captaine , so inuincible a generall ? it was but a vaine and insolent brag , when the king of iuda proclamed warre against the king of aram , and sayd : no man shall deliuer them out of my hands : but where the lord saith , no man shall deliuer them out of his hands , it is true . for the author to the hebrewes saith , it is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of god. let vs fight therefore , not with philips siluer words in greece not with artaxerxes golden archers in persia , but with pythagoras weapons , one minde , one heart , and one soule , perpetuall weapons these be , the triumphs whereof haue euerlasting trophies . powers disnuited , be weaker then those which are knit together : and where the powers and organs of our soules bee not combined , there the castle is soone ruined . there be three things obserued serued in managements of warre , a discreete commaund in the generall , an vnfained obedience in the souldier , and a conuenience in the seate of the campe. these three should bee obserued in our spirituall warrefare ; where the spirit is generall , the motions or affections of the soule be the souldiers : and the campe the theatre of this world . as the generall should command , so should that soueraignty be mixed with a sweet attempered discretion : not too violent in commaund , for that implies a tyranny , nor too soft , where the present affaires requires a roughnesse : hee is a good captaine who can distinguish of his souldiers dispositions , vsing lenitie to men of easier temper , seuerity , where a more intractable disposition is seated . wee haue passions of all natures , some more equally temperates others more illimited : the one sort to be cheered , the other chasticed . those are to be cheered , which are either good , or indifferently disposed , for semi-vertues , as this age goes , are to be made much of . such are to be chasticed as oppose themselues directly against the square of right reason , or which leuell not themselues to the marke of reason . the best and most resolute souldiers vse to bee placed in the fore-guard , so should the stayed affections : the recreantest in the rereward , lest being set in the face of their enemy , the eminencie of danger makes them recoile . the generall , hauing thus ranked and ranged his souldiers in battell a ray , fit for present incounter : the souldiers must ( with an inforced obedience ) follow his commaund : for this obedience is an imperiall obedience : cui parere , imperare est : this impliethno seruitude nor basenesse , but a certaine soueraignty in commaund : now to the place where the conuenientest repose for aduantage , and retire for danger showes it selfe . the campe is this world , where there bee multitudes of perils continually threatning ruine , store of opponents offering vs battell : we must either fight or leaue the field , and cowardly yeeld vp our armes to our enemy . it is fit therefore that we chuse the conuenientest place we can find for aduantage , both to offend and defend . i do not like the mountaine so well , the place is too eminent : the valley is more secure , and better for aduantage in our christian warfare : the mountaines may seeme to resemble our courts , and places of eminence : where many obiects will seeke to draw vs from resolution , to a more soft and sensuall liuing : there is too much vanity , too much admiration , and too little discipline : perfumes are not for souldiers : such as will fight in this battell must lie hard , fare hard , and fight hard : they must not satisfie their desires , but represse them : for before the generall victory be atchieued , there must be a victory in our selues . abstinence and continence be the commendablest attendants for a souldier , and such as promise an vndoubted victorie . philopemen was his countries best friend , and onely esteemed worthy to gouerne an army , because hee abstained from riot , the greatest ruin of armies . so was affricane reputed worthy to rule , because he could rule himselfe , teaching himselfe continence amidst his victories . if then the place of aduantage be not found in the eminent and spacious places of this world , wee must trauerse our ground and seeke out a place of more conuenience : where there is lesse danger , fewer enemies , and fitter retire : le ts to the vally then , where wee may take sure footing : priuate and sequestred liues , free from popular concourse ▪ singular in their vse of spirituall discipline . there is no affection to corrupt vs , no obiect of honour to ensnare vs : we may be safe , because not obserued . heere wee may cope with our enemie , vpon aduantage ; wee neede feare no ciuile mutinies within our selues , for all meanes of rebellion be cut off . heere , whilest thou liuest , and enioyest thy selfe ; thou canst now say with dauid i am not high-minded . and what meanes better , to discomfite that man of pride , that serpent of pride , that prince of pride , then in true humilitie , lowlynesse of minde , and meeknes of spirite , to cope with him : and say with the royall shepheard , in the name of the lord , i will ouercome him . the pride of man shall bring him low , but humilitie shall exalt him : let our passions therefore , brought in subjection to the spirite , and our spirites subiected vnto almightie god , contract their power togither they haue more with them then against them , and they are planted vpon aduantage , they haue cut off the head of our enemie by their ground , which they haue chosen to fight in , and with that many alies , t is the world i meane : for being sequestred out of the world , how should any mundane obiects or delights moue them ▪ while we liue in the world there is a necessity inioyned vs , we must be in it , but no necessity to be of it . many ethnickes wee reade on , that so much contemned the loue of this world , that they chose rather a priuate life , with the fellowship and society of their minde , than any other earthly respect . we haue heard many of them wish for one thing or other , yet in all their wishes wee neuer read of any that wished for wordly preferment , among the philosophers . i dare say plato gaue god thankes for three things , for that hee was borne a man and not a beast ; a grecian and not a barbarian : but aboue all , for receiuing the benefit of life in socrates time . the like of zeno , the cynicke diogenes , anaximenes : many , whose liues , thogh pagan , yet in their contempt of the world , memorable . and shall wee that haue the seale of our adoption , and a more ample hope in the world to come , debase our mindes with the refuse of this world ? no ; as wee are pilgrimes , so should wee desire that these dayes of misery may be blowne ouer vs. this place is an impediment to our better voyage : those obiects which bee in it , eye soares to our soule , darkening the lustre of the inward man with the cloudes of error , presenting ( in stead of true and reall ioyes ) meere shadowes , and appearances of delight . let vs fight therefore ( out of the eye of the world ) that by the aduantage of the place , and the ritirednesse of our passions , we may discomfite all opponents , and obtaine the palme of that glorious victory , by which we may be translated from these campes of earth to those celestiall campes of eternity , where there is a measure aboue measure of ineffable ioyes reserued for the elect of god : who would not fight to purchase so inestimable a prize ? if any earthly preferment be in our way , what indefatigate meanes we make to purchase it . and shall any worldly respect moue vs rather to follow it , then that necessary good by which we are made happy in goodnes . i approoue of his opinion that thought riches should be vsed , as a pilgrime vseth his staffe : when it helpeth him he leanes vpon it , but when it hinders him in his iourney , hee throweth it from him . many haue ouer-valued them , and thought mans beatitude to consist and haue their dependencie vpon them : these be our earthly minded moles , that alter the forme of their creation : they were made with their face to looke vpward , but it seemes they find more beauty below , then hope to possesse that beauty is aboue . i will esteeme riches , honours , and the like , as they are , earthly blessings , but not by the vse of them , to peruert them , and make them cursings . this commeth to passe when oftentimes men of immerited ranke obtaine honour : they seeme strangely transported aboue themselues : ancient acquaintance is dashed out of date with their present raysing : they liue as they might euer liue to haue supplicants , and neuer to be petitioners themselues : if these heare a poore mans suit , and doe him right , it is as the vnrighteous iudge did to the widow , rather for importunacie , then feare either of god or man : these men no sooner attaine honour , then they get some face casten in a mould , which may suit with their honour . too publike accesse they say , purchaseth contempt , the client must pay his entring penny , before he approch his presence . it is a braue thing , will some thinke , to be a dore-keeper to an honourable man , yet had i rather be a dore-keeper elsewhere : i will not prostitute my selfe , for an vnlawfull gayne , to the heauiest poyze of honour . it is enough for me , to obserue and admonish my friend , of an after-accompt . this hath beene my position , and i would not willingly forgoe it : i will not purchase me that estate pro termino vitae , which should forf●it my estate post terminum vitae . prouidence hath taught me many things , traduced to me from the silliest of gods creatures . for i thinke my selfe of farre more excellencie then the pismire ; and should i then bee out-stript by her , in that which maketh me most excellent ? i haue passed too much of my spring alreadie : and now the winter is come , and my fruit should be ripe , and the great husbandman expecteth it ; yet am i but where i was . it is a rule in christianitie , non progredi , est regredi : and behold , i haue not onely not come forward , but made a cowardly retreat : yet doe i come to share the victorie , that neuer was at the battell ; to the reaping , that neuer was at the sowing , and to taste the fruit of that vine i neuer planted . i will stand no longer idle ▪ but with all feruencie of deuotion , heattie contrition , and integritie of heart , returne with the good shunamite , and receiue the blessing of my father . if esau will not , iacob shall : the present delight of this world , though it rellish as well in the pallat of a carnall man , as euer esaus pottage did , yet i find the substance of my soule created for another end , a more excellent inheritance . the remainder of my time shal be spent in weeping for the sinnes of my youth : that mine age may expresse her selfe sorrowfull in some proportion , as my youth was ioyfull . graunt therefore holy father , that the sensuality of my youth bring me not to a lethargie in mine age : if my spring was without flourish , let not my winter be without fruit . and though habite of sinne take away from the reprobate all thought of sinne , where the tree lyeth as it falleth : yet let mine eyes be as continuall lauers , to wash away the pollution of my soule : for a cleane lord alwayes requireth a cleane habitation . how much i haue erred in the vanitie of my heart , supposing my selfe to stand where i did fall , to goe forward , where i made a retrograde in the course of vertue : yet , when i was blinde , thy mercies directed mee , when i was downe , thy might supported mee , and when i renewed my errours ( by a new relapse ) making my sicknesse more dangerous . thou ( the great physition of our soules ) binde vp my wounds , powre balme into my sores , and set me on my feet againe . the prodigals inquisition . what shall i giue to the lord for all that hee hath giuen to me ? if i look into my creation , i see my selfe created of nothing : if i looke into my recreation , i see my selfe renewed , that was become worse then nothing : if i looke into my dayly conseruation , i see my selfe , without gods mercie , hourely returne to nothing . as there is no moment , nor point of time , wherin i stand not in need of gods prouidence , so should there bee no point of time , wherein i ought not to shew my thankefulnesse . for that vice , of all others , is most hatefull to the almightie : it is called desiccans ventus , drying vp the fountaines of gods mercies . farre be it from me , to stop the spring of gods exceeding bounties , by my own vnthankfulnesse : but as i haue receiued much , so to render vnto the almightie , for that i haue receiued . in athens , no vice was more extremely punished , then vnthankefulnesse : and amongst the persians , such as were more readie to receiue , then giue , were marked with the note of infamie . that lord , who is good to all , and whose mercie is ouer all his workes , should be dayly praysed and glorified , in his workes . but how should my soule praise the lord ? prayse is not seemely in the mouth of a sinner : i am a man of polluted lippes , and vncircumcised heart , exposed vnto the vanities of the world , conuersant in things outward , satisfying the flesh and affections thereof . how can i then prayse the lord ? or if i prayse him , how should my prayse be acceptable vnto him ? but shall i therefore hold my peace , and cease to prayse him , who hath prepared for my soule a mansion of peace ? no , lord , vae tacentibus : i will declare thy mercie betimes in the morning , and i will preuent the euening watch with my meditations : my heart shall no longer be diuided from my lord , for a heart diuided , cannot liue . saul said to samuel , honour mee before this people . the prodigals treatise of the honourers of the worldlings . so the rich man sayth to his riches , the ambitious man to his honours and preferments , carnall man to his temporary delights : honour me ye riches , honour me ye preferment , honor me ye delights , before this people . but my soule shall disclayme these outward honors : these , like the pagans , adore their imaginarie gods , which notwithstanding , wil leaue them miserable , wretched , and despicable . here the italian hath his saturne , candie her iupiter , samos her iuno , india her baccbus , egypt her isis and osyris , olde troy her vesta , tritonia in africke , her pallas ; france , and germanie , their mercurie , vnder the name of teuthe ; athens her minerua , delphos apollo , delos diana , paphos venus , thrace her mars , lampsacho , of hellespont , her priapus ; and lypara , with lemnos , their vulcan . and what doe our christians else now adayes ? they erect statues in honor of riches : so doth our worldling , whose scriptures be his sculpturae ; in honour of our great and eminent places , such be our ambitious men : others in gorgeous edifices with a daring motto vpon them . non norunt haec monumenta mori : and these be our vaine men , who built faire houses for their bodies , & let the mansions of their soules lie desolate ; others doe satiate their boundlesse affections in the pleasures and delights of this world ( where like penelopes wooers ) they contriue their one subuersion . how miserably be these men led into captiuitie , and know it not : deceiued by ismael , and see it not : slaued by the flesh , yet curbe her not : taught better things by the spirit of god , yet beleeue them not . pitty it is , that creatures of so promising a feature , should for the hardnes of their hearts , heare like stones , and goe like snaile . it is written of the hart , that when hee lifteth vp his eares , hee is quicke of hearing , and heareth euery noise : but when hee laieth downe his eares , he is deafe and heareth nothing : the worldlings eares bee euer downe , for the hearing euer goeth with the heart , and that is neuer fixed by a worldling on the tidings of the spirit or affections of the new man , but on a deare summer , a scarce haruest , or such like publike ill , whereby he may chance to reape a priuat good . the ambitious and vainglorious mans eares bee neither downe nor vp , but about him : he looketh for obseruance with his eyes , and listens for fame with his eares . the dissolute young man , hee hath his eares engaged to the report of beautie : not one of these will heare wisedome , cry she neuer so lowde in the open streetes . these know not that a diuine tongue , and an holy eare make sweete musicke , but a deafe eare maketh a dombe tongue . alas , what concord with belial ? when the tongue should be conuersant in thankesgiuing , the eare in attentiue listening , the faculties of the soule in vniformitie of operation : the tongue , for thankesgiuing is employed in cursing : the eare for attentiue ▪ hearing , is giuen to peruerting ▪ the faculties of the soule , for vniformity of operation , are strangely distracted by a preposterous confusion . here may the prophets of almighty god pipe long , before any of these daunce ▪ for why , the couetous man trembleth at their doctrine , they talke too much of diues : and yet they like the history well , so long as this diues was clad in purple , and fared deliciously euery day : but when it followeth , his soule was carried to hell , there to be tormented for euermore , o there the end sounds not so well as the beginning . the ambitious man , if he heare any thing which may bee applied to his owne vanitie : heere an aspiring absolon , there a politicke haman , a vaine-glorious herod , and their miserable ends : though they tremble with foelix , yet they will say with foelix , we will find some other time to heare thee . oras , one of the polemarchi answered archias letter , wherein he was aduertised of the conspiracie intended against his soueraignty : res serias ad crastinum differamus . the present time must be reserued for their priuate honour , the serious and important state of their soule must be deferred . the wantan , if he heare words of instruction or discipline , hee presently returneth to his glasse , not to his houre-glasse , for then he should be put in minde of the expence of his time , where seeing no riuells in his face , no emblems of age , but all like the freshest of autumnes floures : hee thinkes it pitty so good a face , should be so soone mortified . that it is hard for ambition , auarice , or sensuality to ascribe honor where honor belongs : because they be partiall followers , and giue them honour onely , which they affect hartily : it agreeth with minius the philosophers saying : there is no honour or adoration which proceeds not from admiration . o let vs then onely admire , that we onely adore , the soueraigne of heauen and earth : not any subiect within the circumference of earth , for though it allay perchance our desires , yet can it no way satisfie them . we see in the natures of elements they continue their owne course , fire and aire aspiring , earth and water declining : each body tends to her proper centre . if our essentiall part were composed of earth or any other grosse substance , then no maruell if we tended to the place of our composition , but being of a purer , clearer , and lighter nature , let not the viler and baser part depriue the better of her soueraigne end . the worse should be in subiection to the better , and not the better to the worse . i haue found two meanes as speciall motiues , to reduce the body to the subiection of the minde : the first by force , the second by awe : by force , when all depraued motions be expelled , by a certain violence wrestling with the rebellious flesh , and discomfiting it by the argument of reason , and soueraignty of will : by awe , when she expresseth her selfe , and the necessity of her command ; shaking onely the rod of her discipline at the seruile flesh , to imply that she is mistris : and if easier meanes will not preuaile , then rougher and seuerer chasticements must . i reade how the scythians in their third expedition into asia , hauing beene absent for the space of seauen yeeres from their wiues and children , were entertained at their returne with a seruile warre : for their wiues , wearied with expecting their husbands , imagining them to be rather discomfited , then detained by warre , married their seruants which were left at home to graze their cattell : the maisters at last returning home with victorie , were denyed the entrance of their owne prouinces , as if they had beene strangers , by their owne seruants . long and doubtfull was the victory , till the scythians aduised to change the nature of the battell , calling to memory , how they fought not with enemies , but with their vassailes , and therefore not to be vanquished by lawe of armes , but the awe and authority of maisters : so they resolued , for weapons , to carry whippes and other instruments of seruile feare , where they no sooner assaulted the enemy , then with the sight of their whippes , they became so dismayed , as they tooke themselues to flight : so as that which ( saith the historian ) they could not atchieue by the power of their swords , they atchieued by the feare of their whips . i would haue the spirit to deale so with the flesh ; to put her in minde she is but a seruant , and must obey : and now and then to shew the badge of her authoritie , the symbole of her power , and the extent of her might . miserable doe wee account that state to bee , where indiscreet gouernours manage the affaires of state : and subiect to ruine must that armie needes be , which is guided by an effeminate leader . alas then , poore soule , wheresoeuer thou bee : for many of this sort i know there be , that transferreth the gouernment of thy state , the helme of thy shippe , to so dissolute a guide , so secure a pilote , as the irregular passions of the flesh . these ( like ionah ) sleepe in the shippe , and prouide not for a tempest ; these neuer fore-see ruine , vntill it suddenly come vpon them , & euen in the imminencie of danger ; so securely be they rocked in the sleepe of obliuion , as they take it for a dreame . that sage of greece thought no foole could bee better charactered , then with non putaram : thinking least , when greatest apparancie of danger demonstrated her selfe . foolish flesh , that would gladly gouern , yet knows not how : would steere the barke , and precious vessell of my soule , yet neyther expert in weighing anchor , nor how to ballase thy shippe euenly , ( to wit ) with the lastage of reason , and poyse of discretion , nor knowest thou thy points and distances , and therefore hazardest thy shippe in shelues and sands continually . little knowest thou , that rockes be neerest , where the seas seeme whitest . not a syrens voyce , but may tempt thee , and draw thee to folly : thou hast no power ouer thy selfe , and therefore vnfit to haue power or soueraignetie ouer another . no , as thou wast created a seruant , thou shalt subiect thy selfe to the guidance of reason , the line and square of a discreete obedience . i will see thee play the subiect better before thou be king. better is it for me , that my flesh serue in a turkes galley , then in tyrannicall discipline to dominiere ouer my soule : poore and miserable soule , that hath such a guardian . the prodigals desire vnto god , for mortification of the flesh , to inable him to subdue it to the spirit . o lord , let me ( i pray thee ) be rather imprisoned in my flesh , then by my flesh : for the one endureth but a moment , in comparison of the other . peter was in prison , and was deliuered ; paul in prison , and was released ; manasses pressed with many yrons , yet at last enfranchised . but when was demas , that was imprisoned to the world , freed : or the sodomites ▪ imprisoned to the filthie lusts of their flesh , exempted ; or the proud pharises , imprisoned to outward obseruances , publique reuerences , hypocriticall semblances , when shall they bee dismissed ? kill me in my flesh , so i may liue in the spirit : for i know , lord , that hee who will saue his life , must loose it : no affliction , no crosse , no perturbation , shall separate mee from the loue i beare to my sauiour ; and little is it for me , to giue him my life , now when he requireth it , that gaue for mee his life freely , before i did aske it . who would not goe to heauen , although it were ( with eliah ) in a whirlewinde ? when dauid speakes of troubles , hee speaketh of troupes , and heapes , and starres , and sands ; and rightly too : for fit it is , that our troubles in some sort , answer the proportion of our sinnes . they are multiplyed like the starres in the firmament , or the sands vpō the sea-shore , that cannot be numbred . our sinnes therefore , like sands in number , should be seconded with troupes of troubles , succeeding in order . the righteous neuer want them : they are so inured with them , as they terme them to be but exercises to trye them , and not terrors , to the end to dismay them . i know the worldling makes not troubles his exercises , nor afflictions his trialls : it is miserie enough for him to loose his temporall estate , or to be bereft of honour , or the like ; and the reason is , for that hee expecteth no further , he findes his non vltra heere , the period of his hopes extend no further , then to bee rich , to be obserued , that in the fulnesse of his estate , his soule may be at peace . farre be his peace from the mansion of my soule : farre be my hopes enlarged aboue his : farre be it from mee to liue with him in this world deliciously , and staruing my soule in the world which is to come eternally . though i carrie not so much with me liuing , i shall carrie more with mee dying ; a sincere conscience , and the inestimable treasures of an vndefiled soule : and these will weigh downe all earthly mindes , being possessed by such corrupt mindes and opinions . socrates answered one wittily , being demanded , who could carry a citie about with him ( saith he ) the worldly minded man. alas ( poore rich man ) haeret lateri laetales arundo : thou hast bought thy many possessions at a deare rate : when earth shall receiue thee , those many acres of earth shall leaue thee ; and then must thy account bee made , for thou canst be no longer steward . here the prodigals vow to heauen , his legacie to earth , that as he is resolued for his creatour in heauen , thou mayest be willing to bee dissolued from the tabernacle of the earth . thou wilt not die one houre , to liue for euer : but the prodigall wisheth , he may quickly die , that hee may liue for euer . nothing so sweet to thee as life , for life is to thee aduantage : but nothing more sweet to this poore prodigall , then death , for death is to him aduantage . thou thinkest of thy accompts in this life onely ; hee of his accompts after this life : death to thee , is entrance to sorrow ; death to him , is ender of sorrow : reade but his legacie , and thou shalt heare him resolued for death . if i could leaue any thing ( poore earth ) behind me , it should be my prayers , that the simple honest-minded man may quickly leaue thee : vertue is no tenant for thee , shee shall bee shut soone out of doores , hauing no other trade then honestie . if i should giue thee any thing , it should be that which thou needest , lesse vanitie , more stayednesse , lesse hypocrisie , and more sincerenesse . if i should begge any thing of thee , it should neyther bee fame , nor popular praise , for i am mortified , and doe not loue it : it should be , that thou wouldest rumour my vices , that others hearing them may be cautioned . if thou wouldst haue me doe aught for thee , i will doe it willingly , so it be not to stay with thee . if i should aske any thing now at my farewell from thee , it should be no curious monument : for what would that auaile me ? i haue a better monument prouided for me , with this imprease , nec spe , nec metu ; will i tarry with thee . as i did once loue thee , so am i willing to leaue thee ; for i haue obserued such as loued thee , die in their beds vnquietly . as i made thee once my palace , bee now my graue : i loue thee not so ill , but i will leaue something with thee : my body thou shalt haue , for thou fosteredst it , but my soule shall fly to him that made it . this is all the legacie i will make to earth : it now rests that i make my vowes to heauen , this little which i gaue to the first , is too much ; this all which i giue to the second , is too little : yet will my vowes be acceptable to heauen , proceeding from him that willingly for heauen forsakes earth . i haue soiourned long enough vpon earth , now am i for my war-fare to heauen ; hauing charity for my scrip , confidence for my staffe , and desire for my guide : charity towards my brother , confidence in god , and desire towards heauen : in my abode heere i haue patience to indure , prouidence to retire , resolution to conquer . patience to indure afflictions , prouidence retiring to christs compassion , and resolution to conquer all incursions . i will neuer so presume on gods mercy , as to forget he is a iudge , or despaire on gods mercy , to forget he is a father . i will rather with the seruants of god suffer afflictions , though with bitternesse , then enioy pleasures of sinne for a season , and loose my inheritance . my best arithmeticke , shall be numbring of my dayes , that when my dayes bee summed vp , i may receiue for them length of dayes . i am sorry i haue reserued but my winter for christ , hauing spent my spring in the seruice of antichrist . yet so much shall my feruencie appeare now at my returne , as it may counterpoize my securitie , before my returne . as i was clothed before with the garment of vanitie , i will put on me the simple robe of christs humilitie . i will not wash my selfe in syloe , nor in iordan , but in the poole bethesda of spirituall syon . thus am i to my christ espoused , for my troth is plighted : i will say therefore with the spouse : i haue washed my feete , how should i defile them againe ? now let the prodigals teares end with the pilgrimes wish . i desire to be dissolued : not as one willing to suffer afflictions , for his saviovr , but as one willing to leaue the earth , that hee may liue euer , in the armes of his redeemer . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e esay . ephes . . iohn . luke . ps . . . psal . . . pro. . . . cor. . matth. . luke . anselm in med de amiss . virg. caecus eram , & caecitatem meam nesciebam ; nudus & non cognoscebam . august . vt semper pendeat hamus . iuuenal truncoque simill●nus : heros : ibid. luke . luke . esay . . genes . . ▪ mat. . . august . luke . iohn . marke . luke . marke . matth. . luke . & infra . qu. curt. & iust . . l. adiuuat languentes , hortatur pulsantes coronat vincentes , ibid. matth. . luke . vide aug. in medit. august : acts . luke . iohn . luke . . chron. . . ionas . . . sa. . . . kin. . . dan. . . exod. . in medit. ibidem . ni restituatur ablatum non remittitur peccatum . col. . . vide arist. in ethic. cant : . prou : . quideras & cras , cur non hodic ? cur non ha● hora : finis turpitudinis tuae ? aug. in re● . iohn . . ephes . . . . sa. . . the prodigall craueth humilities companie . two causes of teares to the prodigall . vna materna lacrima multas huiusmodi delebit literas . qui. curt. homr . li. . odiss . iram vocabant quoniam si quis vellet , nuntium ferebat more iridis , ibid. in perennij tempor . outward motiues of sorrow . non diu vixit . seneca . vide laert. in vitae phylos . a phylosophers aphor : gen. . . genes : . . adam . rubra terra , ●●nxit hominem de puluere terrae . suet : in vita tit : & anr : sen. ibidem . plutarch . in moralib . gen. . . ier. . . ier. . . . reg. . sal & sol hominis dicitur . acts , homer in odiss . homer : in odiss : two causes why men differ ▪ . cause . dan. . . acts . vox dei & non hominis . act. . esth . . augustin . luke . iohn . matth. marke . rom. . . . king. . . dan. . . . sam. . kings . et in manass . orat . luke . vide august . in manual . ca. . anselmus . psal . . . quatere non decutere : moliri non demoliri , bellare non debellare &c. aut vincam velaadepta gloria peream . trag. augustin . nunquā vēnit iesus sine saluatione , nunquam christus sine vnctione . the prodigall craueth to be ranged in the lords battell . vide lucium flor. in sab : bell. sabinis , prodite junt nocte per virginem . in moral . in . offic. num. . at que vt helio trophium , & flores quidam semper ad solem , &c. lyps . . de const . he giueth god his heart . fecisti domine cormeum ad te & inquietum est donec requiescat in te . august ▪ in solil . opinions of marriage . the prodigals resolution . eccles . . non ignaua mal● miseris succurrere disco . loue. what the sensuall mans loue is . prouer. . two maine inconueniences . a salue for this sore . prou. . . salust : in iugurth : bell. an excellēt portraiture of an ambitions man. remedy to an auaricious minde . best honor that can be desired . vid : lycosthen . apothegm . exhortation to the ambitious man. the miserable man. examples in scripture of the prodigals returne . auidus a non videndo : & mydas according to the etymologie of the greeke is blinde . acts . miser nemini est bonus , sibi pessimus . esay . . luke . the prodigall onely wisheth competence . inclytum sen ▪ dict . vide lyps . de const . l. . ibidem . . sa. . . passions best cured by contraries . the noblest borne euer most humble . of misery and her opponent . of enuie , and her opponent . psal . , a christian resolution . . sam. . es . . . iosh . . . genes . . exod. . numb . . dan. . kin. . . king. . . hebr. . . things obserued in discipline of warre . the properties of a good captaine . quae rationis trutina quasi norma quadā & obrusa non sunt dispositae . lyps . de const . the camp where they must really their forces . vid : volaterr . de castr . metam . & loc . bellor . aptiss . . excellent vertues required in a souldiour . plutarch . in vit . phylop . in v●t . african . psal . . . pro. . . in vita philost ▪ apud laert. the fruit of this victorie . an obseruation in honour bestowed , and not deserued ▪ luk. . the prodigals position . gen. . the prodigals request psal . . august . psal . . baccbus in india . thebes vid. annal. iul. plutarch . charismata , numismata , &c. vide plin. in natur. histr . plutarth in vita felo . pulchrorum autumnus pulcherrimus , &c. vniforme mixtum simplex , secretum ab omni fece & lentore &c. de const . t●●g . pom. libr. . matth. . luk. . exercent n●terrent , fidemque inflammant non d●primunt . ciuitatem se ferret mundanum , respondit , &c. ibid. the prodigals legacy . vnde mihi lapidem : horac . the prodigals imprese .